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At least 811 records · Page 45

A comparison of smartphone and infrasound microphone data from a fuel air explosive and a high explosive

For prompt detection of large (>1 kt) above-ground explosions, infrasound microphone networks and arrays are deployed at surveyed locations across the world. Denser regional and local networks are deployed for smaller explosions, however, they are limited in number and are often deployed temporarily for experiments. With the expanded interest in smaller yield explosions targeted at vulnerable areas such as population centers and key infrastructures, the need for more dense microphone networks has increased. An “attritable” (affordable, reusable, and replaceable) and flexible alternative can be provided by smartphone networks. Explosion signals from a fuel air explosive (thermobaric bomb) and a high explosive with trinitrotoluene equivalent yields of 6.35 and 3.63 kg, respectively, were captured on both an infrasound microphone and a network of smartphones. The resulting waveforms were compared in time, frequency, and time-frequency domains. The acoustic waveforms collected on smartphones produced a filtered explosion pulse due to the smartphone's diminishing frequency response at infrasound frequencies (<20 Hz) and was found difficult to be used with explosion characterization methods utilizing waveform features (peak overpressure, impulse, etc.). However, the similarities in time frequency representations and additional sensor inputs are promising for other explosion signal identification and analysis. As an example, a method utilizing the relative acoustic amplitudes for source localization using the smartphone sensor network is presented.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Ballistic range investigation of sonic-boom overpressures in water.

An investigation of sonic-boom overpressures in water has been conducted by gun-launching small cone-cylinder models over water. Flights were conducted at Mach numbers of 2.7 and 5.7, in air, corresponding to Mach numbers of 0.6 and 1.3, respectively, in water. Shadowgraph pictures and underwater pressure measurements indicate that for horizontal flights at Mach numbers below Mach 4.4 in air (i.e., subsonic relative to the speed of sound in water) the resulting underwater disturbance is an acoustic wave whose peak pressure attenuates rapidly with water depth. In contrast, at supersonic Mach numbers, relative to water, the incident shock wave at the surface is transmitted into the water as a propagating shock wave and the peak pressure associated with it does not attenuate with water depth.

Malcolm, G. N.↗

Comparisons of techniques for measurement of D-region electron densities

This paper reviews the ground-based and rocket techniques that are presently being used to determine electron density profiles in the ionospheric D region. Ground-based techniques include VLF, LF, and MF sounding; differential absorption and differential phase measurements using partial reflections; wave interaction; and incoherent scatter. Rocket techniques include differential absorption and Faraday rotation in association with high-resolution dc probes calibrated by means of the radio measurements. The characteristics of the aforementioned techniques are presented, including time and height resolution, accuracy estimates, preferred height ranges, and problems encountered. Electron density profiles obtained with these techniques are presented for comparable solar zenith angles and undisturbed solar and geophysical conditions.

Sechrist, C. F., Jr.↗

Aircraft noise propagation

Sound diffraction experiments conducted at NASA Langley Research Center to study the acoustical implications of the engine over wing configuration (noise-shielding by wing) and to provide a data base for assessing various theoretical approaches to the problem of aircraft noise reduction are described. Topics explored include the theory of sound diffraction around screens and wedges; the scattering of spherical waves by rectangular patches; plane wave diffraction by a wedge with finite impedence; and the effects of ambient flow and distribution sources.

Hadden, W. J.↗

Detection of upper atmospheric constituents using submillimeter wave /SMMW/ heterodyne radiometry

Submillimeter wave heterodyne radiometry has been applied to the detection and sounding of upper atmospheric constituents. The use of room-temperature Schottky-diode mixers for the receivers has yielded measurements of 70,000 K noise temperature. Coupling losses into the diode and matching of the IF output limit are observed to limit noise temperature. The technique is evaluated by calculating spectra with assumed temperature and constituent profiles. Vertical integrations are made with a multilayer atmosphere and the direct summation of absorption coefficients for the individual spectral lines is used. Results are presented for tangent path parameters for a mid-latitude summer model and the fractional parts of upper atmospheric constituents as a function of altitude.

Mcavoy, N.↗

Evidence for a supersonic turbulent velocity gradient in the outer photosphere of the supergiant alpha Cygni (A2Ia)

The balloon-borne UV Stellar Spectrometer's high resolution, near-UV spectra of the supergiant Alpha Cyg are subjected to analysis in order to determine the average microturbulent line-of-sight velocity component. A value of 15.0 + or - 0.5 km/sec is obtained, which is close to the 13.7 km/sec local sound velocity, and is consistent with the view that shock waves are the dominant structure in the outer photosphere of Deneb, so that shock wave dissipation determines the thermal structure of the photosphere.

De Jager, C.↗

Aeroacoustics of advanced STOVL aircraft plumes

This paper summarizes a basic and well-controlled experimental study involving flow visualization and noise measurements to define the acoustic and flow fields of single plumes impinging on a simulated ground plane. The flow visualization was made by strobing a laser light source at the discrete frequencies generated by the impingement of the jets and measured by a nearfield microphone. This enabled visualization of instability waves generated by the interaction between the plumes and the sound generated during impingement, and also by dynamic coupling between the two plumes. These data were acquired as a function of distance between the ground and the nozzle exit. Nearfield acoustic data were acquired simultaneously. Data for nozzle diameters of 0.265 in. and 0.4 in. are described. For selected nozzles, effects of exit boundary layer characteristics and nozzle protrusion through a simulated aircraft body are also presented.

Ahuja, K. K.↗

Enhanced ultrasonic attenuation of Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O at the superconducting transition

Temperature-dependent ultrasonic attenuation measurements have been performed on polycrystalline samples of Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O at various frequencies. An attenuation anomaly was observed close to the superconducting transition temperature T(c) (103 K) whose temperature position was frequency-independent. The attenuation decreased exponentially with temperature in the superconducting state for both transverse and longitudinal waves. It was also found that the temperature-dependent sound velocity showed a slope change around T(c).

Sun, K. J.↗

Comparison of radiated noise from shrouded and unshrouded propellers

The ducted propeller in a free field is modeled using the finite element method. The generation, propagation, and radiation of sound from a ducted fan is described by the convened wave equation with volumetric body forces. Body forces are used to introduce the blade loading for rotating blades and stationary exit guide vanes. For an axisymmetric nacelle or shroud, the problem is formulated in cylindrical coordinates. For a specified angular harmonic, the angular coordinate is eliminated, resulting in a two-dimensional representation. A finite element discretization based on nine-node quadratic isoparametric elements is used.

Eversman, Walter↗

GPS detection of ionospheric perturbations following the January 17, 1994, northridge earthquake

Sources such as atmospheric or buried explosions and shallow earthquakes producing strong vertical ground displacements produce pressure waves that propagate at infrasonic speeds in the atmosphere. At ionospheric altitudes low frequency acoustic waves are coupled to ionispheric gravity waves and induce variations in the ionoispheric electron density. Global Positioning System (GPS) data recorded in Southern California were used to compute ionospheric electron content time series for several days preceding and following the January 17, 1994, M(sub w) = 6.7 Northridge earthquake. An anomalous signal beginning several minutes after the earthquake with time delays that increase with distance from the epicenter was observed. The signal frequency and phase velocity are consistent with results from numerical models of atmospheric-ionospheric acoustic-gravity waves excited by seismic sources as well as previous electromagnetic sounding results. It is believed that these perturbations are caused by the ionospheric response to the strong ground displacement associated with the Northridge earthquake.

Calais, Eric↗

Corporate Jet

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, GA, used a version of a NASA program called WIBCO to design a wing for the Gulfstream IV (G-IV) which will help to reduce transonic drag (created by shock waves that develop as an airplane approaches the speed of sound). The G-IV cruises at 88 percent of the speed of sound, and holds the international record in its class for round-the-world flight. They also used the STANS5 and Profile programs in the design. They will use the NASA program GASP to help determine the gross weight, range, speed, payload and optimum wing area of an intercontinental supersonic business jet being developed in cooperation with Sukhoi Design Bureau, a Soviet organization.

Source record↗

Propagation of sound through a sheared flow

Sound generated in a moving fluid must propagate through a shear layer in order to be measured by a fixed instrument. These propagation effects were evaluated for noise sources typically associated with single and co-flowing subsonic jets and for subcritical flow over airfoils in such jets. The techniques for describing acoustic propagation fall into two categories: geometric acoustics and wave acoustics. Geometric acoustics is most convenient and accurate for high frequency sound. In the frequency range of interest to the present study (greater than 150 Hz), the geometric acoustics approach was determined to be most useful and practical.

Woolley, J. P.↗

Protostellar Collapse with a Shock

We reexamine both numerically and analytically the collapse of the singular isothermal sphere in the context of low-mass star formation. We consider the case where the onset of collapse is initiated by some arbitrary process which is accompanied by a central output of either heat or kinetic energy. We find two classes of numerical solutions describing this manner of collapse. The first approaches in time the expansion wave solution of Shu, while the second class is characterized by an ever-decreasing central accretion rate and the presence of an outwardly propagating weak shock. The collapse solution which represents the dividing case between these two classes is determined analytically by a similarity analysis. This solution shares with the expansion wave solution the properties that the gas remains stationary with an r(exp -2) density profile at large radius and that, at small radius, the gas free-falls onto a nascent core at a constant rate which depends only on the isothermal sound speed. This accretion rate is a factor of approx. 0.1 that predicted by the expansion wave solution. This reduction is due in part to the presence of a weak shock which propagates outward at 1.26 times the sound speed. Gas in the postshock region first moves out subsonically but is then decelerated and begins to collapse. The existence of two classes of numerical collapse solutions is explained in terms of the instability to radial perturbations of the analytic solution. Collapse occurring in the manner described by some of our solutions would eventually unbind a finite-sized core. However, this does not constitute a violation of the instability properties of the singular isothermal sphere which is unstable both to collapse and to expansion. To emphasize this, we consider a purely expanding solution for isothermal spheres. This solution is found to be self-similar and results in a uniform density core in the central regions of the gas. Our solutions may be relevant to the 'luminosity' problem of protostellar cores since the predicted central accretion rates are significantly reduced relative to that of the expansion wave solution. Furthermore, our calculations indicate that star-forming cloud cores are not very tightly bound and that modest disturbances can easily result in both termination of infall and dispersal of unaccreted material.

Tsai, John C.↗

Protostellar Collapse with a Shock

We reexamine both numerically and analytically the collapse of the singular isothermal sphere in the context of low-mass star formation. We consider the case where the onset of collapse is initiated by some arbitrary process which is accompanied by a central output of either heat or kinetic energy. We find two classes of numerical solutions describing this manner of collapse. The first approaches in time the expansion wave solution of Shu, while the second class is characterized by an ever-decreasing central accretion rate and the presence of an outwardly propagating weak shock. The collapse solution which represents the dividing case between these two classes is determined analytically by a similarity analysis. This solution shares with the expansion wave solution the properties that the gas remains stationary with an r(sup -2) density profile at large radius and that, at small radius, the gas free-falls onto a nascent core at a constant rate which depends only on the isothermal sound speed. This accretion rate is a factor of approx. 0.1 that predicted by the expansion wave solution. This reduction is due in part to the presence of a weak shock which propagates outward at 1.26 times the sound speed. Gas in the postshock region first moves out subsonically but is then decelerated and begins to collapse. The existence of two classes of numerical collapse solutions is explained in terms of the instability to radial perturbations of the analytic solution. Collapse occurring in the manner described by some of our solutions would eventually unbind a finite-sized core. However, this does not constitute a violation of the instability properties of the singular isothermal sphere which is unstable both to collapse and to expansion. To emphasize this, we consider a purely expanding solution for isothermal spheres. This solution is found to be self-similar and results in a uniform density core in the central regions of the gas. Our solutions may be relevant to the 'luminosity' problem of protostellar cores since the predicted central accretion rates are significantly reduced relative to that of the expansion wave solution. Furthermore, our calculations indicate that star-forming cloud cores are not very tightly bound and that modest disturbances can easily result in both termination of infall and dispersal of unaccreted material.

Tsai, John C.↗

The Scaling of Broadband Shock-Associated Noise with Increasing Temperature

A physical explanation for the saturation of broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) intensity with increasing jet stagnation temperature has eluded investigators. An explanation is proposed for this phenomenon with the use of an acoustic analogy. For this purpose the acoustic analogy of Morris and Miller is examined. To isolate the relevant physics, the scaling of BBSAN at the peak intensity level at the sideline ( = 90 degrees) observer location is examined. Scaling terms are isolated from the acoustic analogy and the result is compared using a convergent nozzle with the experiments of Bridges and Brown and using a convergent-divergent nozzle with the experiments of Kuo, McLaughlin, and Morris at four nozzle pressure ratios in increments of total temperature ratios from one to four. The equivalent source within the framework of the acoustic analogy for BBSAN is based on local field quantities at shock wave shear layer interactions. The equivalent source combined with accurate calculations of the propagation of sound through the jet shear layer, using an adjoint vector Green s function solver of the linearized Euler equations, allows for predictions that retain the scaling with respect to stagnation pressure and allows for the accurate saturation of BBSAN with increasing stagnation temperature. This is a minor change to the source model relative to the previously developed models. The full development of the scaling term is shown. The sources and vector Green s function solver are informed by steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. These solutions are examined as a function of stagnation temperature at the first shock wave shear layer interaction. It is discovered that saturation of BBSAN with increasing jet stagnation temperature occurs due to a balance between the amplification of the sound propagation through the shear layer and the source term scaling.A physical explanation for the saturation of broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) intensity with increasing jet stagnation temperature has eluded investigators. An explanation is proposed for this phenomenon with the use of an acoustic analogy. For this purpose the acoustic analogy of Morris and Miller is examined. To isolate the relevant physics, the scaling of BBSAN at the peak intensity level at the sideline psi = 90 degrees) observer location is examined. Scaling terms are isolated from the acoustic analogy and the result is compared using a convergent nozzle with the experiments of Bridges and Brown and using a convergent-divergent nozzle with the experiments of Kuo, McLaughlin, and Morris at four nozzle pressure ratios in increments of total temperature ratios from one to four. The equivalent source within the framework of the acoustic analogy for BBSAN is based on local field quantities at shock wave shear layer interactions. The equivalent source combined with accurate calculations of the propagation of sound through the jet shear layer, using an adjoint vector Green s function solver of the linearized Euler equations, allows for predictions that retain the scaling with respect to stagnation pressure and allows for the accurate saturation of BBSAN with increasing stagnation temperature. This is a minor change to the source model relative to the previously developed models. The full development of the scaling term is shown. The sources and vector Green s function solver are informed by steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. These solutions are examined as a function of stagnation temperature at the first shock wave shear layer interaction. It is discovered that saturation of BBSAN with increasing jet stagnation temperature occurs due to a balance between the amplification of the sound propagation through the shear layer and the source term scaling.

Miller, Steven A.↗

Theory of spin waves in a hexagonal antiferromagnet

We construct a field-theoretic description of spin waves in hexagonal antiferromagnets with three magnetic sublattices and coplanar 120° magnetic order. The three Goldstone modes can be separated by point-group symmetry into a singlet α 0 and a doublet β. The α 0 singlet is described by the standard theory of a free relativistic scalar field. The field theory of the β doublet is analogous to the theory of elasticity of a two-dimensional isotropic solid with distinct longitudinal and transverse “speeds of sound.” The well-known Heisenberg models on the triangular and kagome lattices with nearest-neighbor exchange turn out to be special cases with accidental degeneracy of the spin-wave velocities. The speeds of sound can be readily calculated for any lattice model. We apply this approach to the compounds of the Mn 3 X family with stacked kagome layers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗