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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5

Near fields in the vicinity of pulsed electron beams in space

Most measurements of the radio frequency emissions from artificial electron beams in space have been made in close proximity to the beam. This paper presents theory and results for the near-field radiation associated with the operation of a pulsed electron beam, taking into account the effects of the ionospheric plasma. The beam is modeled as an infinite train of square-wave pulses and the radiation is obtained by adding coherently the radiation from each individual electron in the idealized helical trajectory assumed by the beam as it traverses the magnetized plasma. The mathematical solution is obtained by taking the Fourier transform in space and time of Maxwell's equations and the driving modulated beam current, and then taking the inverse transform of the resulting electric field. Typical electric field strengths are presented for a range of modulation frequencies extending from below the ion cyclotron to the electron cyclotron frequency.

Harker, K. J.↗

Magnetic fields in the vicinity of pulsed electron beams in space

The electric component of the fields generated by a pulsed electron beam in a magnetized plasma was derived by Harker and Banks (1987). The beam was modeled as an infinite train of square-wave pulses and the radiation was obtained by adding coherently the radiation from each individual electron in the idealized helical trajectory assumed by the beam. Here the analysis is completed by presenting the magnetic components.

Neubert, T.↗

Radio wavelength observations of magnetic fields on active dwarf M, RS CVn and magnetic stars

The dwarf M stars, YZ Canis Minoris and AD Leonis, exhibit narrow-band, slowly varying (hours) microwave emission that cannot be explained by conventional thermal radiation mechanisms. The dwarf M stars, AD Leonis and Wolf 424, emit rapid spikes whose high brightness temperatures similarly require a nonthermal radiation process. They are attributed to coherent mechanisms such as an electron-cyclotron maser or coherent plasma radiation. If the electron-cyclotron maser emits at the second or third harmonic gyrofrequency, the coronal magnetic field strength equals 250 G or 167 G, and constraints on the plasma frequency imply an electron density of 6 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm. Radio spikes from AD Leonis and Wolf 424 have rise times less than or equal to 5 ms, indicating a linear size of less than or equal to 1.5 x 10 to the 8th cm, or less than 0.005 of the stellar radius. Although Ap magnetic stars have strong dipole magnetic fields, they exhibit no detectable gyroresonant radiation, suggesting that these stars do not have hot, dense coronae. The binary RS CVn star UX Arietis exhibits variable emission at 6 cm wavelength on time scales ranging from 30 s to more than one hour.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗

Activity and magnetic fields on stars from radio observations

Radio observations explain certain kinds of stellar activity and reliable estimates of magnetic field strengths are derived for the radio emitting regions. Radio observation of flare stars shows rapidly varying bursts of radiation with frequencies of up to 5 GHz. The inferred brightness temperatures of these bursts (10 to the 10th power to 10 to the 14th power) imply that the radiation is coherent. Two mechanisms are proposed to generate such radiation: (1) plasma radiation, and (2) electron cyclotron masers. The high brightness temperatures of the bursts up to 10 to the 20th power K) makes the latter the most plausible. For bursts in the 5 GHz range, the magnetic field strength would be approximately 900 Gauss.

Dulk, G. A.↗

Coherent tunable far infrared radiation

Tunable, CW, FIR radiation has been generated by nonlinear mixing of radiation from two CO2 lasers in a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diode. The FIR difference-frequency power was radiated from the MIM diode antenna to a calibrated InSb bolometer. FIR power of 200 nW was generated by 250 mW from each of the CO2 lasers. Using the combination of lines from a waveguide CO2 laser, with its larger tuning range, with lines from CO2, N2O, and CO2-isotope lasers promises complete coverage of the entire FIR band with stepwise-tunable CW radiation.

Jennings, D. A.↗

Radiation mechanisms and magnetospheric structure of pulsars

Considerations made in developing a model of pulsars are explored. Observational data seems to support the argument that pulsar magnetospheres may contain large masses of plasma. The cascade process resulting from pair creation enables one to interpret the X-ray emission from the Crab and Vela pulsars as synchrotron radiation. On the other hand, the optical radiation from the Crab pulsar is best understood as coherent curvature radiation. Radio emission is interpreted as curvature radiation produced by charge bunches moving along magnetic-field lines. Certain tests of this model are proposed.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

Radiation from long pulse train electron beams in space plasmas

A previous study of electromagnetic radiation from a finite train of electron pulses is extended to an infinite train of such pulses. The electrons are assumed to follow an idealized helical path through a space plasma in such a manner as to retain their respective position within the beam. This leads to radiation by coherent spontaneous emission. The waves of interest in this region are the whistler slow (compressional) and fast (torsional) Alfven waves. Although a general theory is developed, analysis is then restricted to two approximations, the short and long electron beam. Formulas for the radiation per unit solid angle from the short beam are presented as a function of both propagation and ray angles, electron beam pulse width and separation and beam current, voltage, and pitch angle. Similar formulas for the total power radiated from the long beam are derived as a function of frequency, propagation angle, and ray angle. Predictions of the power radiated are presented for representative examples as determined by the long beam theory.

Harker, K. J.↗

Investigation of direct solar-to-microwave energy conversion techniques

Identification of alternative methods of producing microwave energy from solar radiation for purposes of directing power to the Earth from space is investigated. Specifically, methods of conversion of optical radiation into microwave radiation by the most direct means are investigated. Approaches based on demonstrated device functioning and basic phenomenologies are developed. There is no system concept developed, that is competitive with current baseline concepts. The most direct methods of conversion appear to require an initial step of production of coherent laser radiation. Other methods generally require production of electron streams for use in solid-state or cavity-oscillator systems. Further development is suggested to be worthwhile for suggested devices and on concepts utilizing a free-electron stream for the intraspace station power transport mechanism.

Chatterton, N. E.↗

Acoustic noise generation by the DOE/NASA MOD-1 wind turbine

The results of a series of measurements taken over the past year of the acoustic emissions from the DOE/NASA MOD-1 Wind Turbine show the maximum acoustic energy is concentrated in the low frequency range, often below 100 Hz. The temporal as well as the frequency characteristics of the turbine sounds have been shown to be important since the MOD-1 is capable of radiating both coherent and incoherent noise. The coherent sounds are usually impulsive and are manifested in an averaged frequency domain plot as large numbers of discrete energy bands extending from the blade passage frequency to beyond 50 Hz on occasion. It is these impulsive sounds which are identified as the principal source of the annoyance to a dozen families living within 3 km of the turbine. The source of the coherent noise appears to be the rapid, unsteady blade loads encountered as the blade passes through the wake of the tower structure. Annoying levels are occasionally reached at nearby homes due to the interaction of the low frequency, high energy peaks in the acoustic impulses and the structural modes of the homes as well as by direct radiation outdoors. The peak levels of these impulses can be enhanced or subdued through complete propagation.

Kelley, N. D.↗

Coherent Raman amplification.

Coherent Raman amplification dynamics, considering pump depletion and coupling saturation and stimulated Raman scattering by polarization waves

POLARIZATION CHARACTERISTICS↗

Infrared tunable laser: A concept

Apparatus in which laser wavelengths of two dyes are mixed in intracavity, nonlinear crystal provides intense source of coherent laser radiation which is tunable from visible through infrared wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum.

Billman, K. W.↗

Gaseous-fuel nuclear reactor research for multimegawatt power in space

In the gaseous-fuel reactor concept, the fissile material is contained in a moderator-reflector cavity and exists in the form of a flowing gas or plasma separated from the cavity walls by means of fluid mechanical forces. Temperatures in excess of structural limitations are possible for low-specific-mass power and high-specific-impulse propulsion in space. Experiments have been conducted with a canister filled with enriched UF6 inserted into a beryllium-reflected cavity. A theoretically predicted critical mass of 6 kg was measured. The UF6 was also circulated through this cavity, demonstrating stable reactor operation with the fuel in motion. Because the flowing gaseous fuel can be continuously processed, the radioactive waste in this type of reactor can be kept small. Another potential of fissioning gases is the possibility of converting the kinetic energy of fission fragments directly into coherent electromagnetic radiation, the nuclear pumping of lasers. Numerous nuclear laser experiments indicate the possibility of transmitting power in space directly from fission energy. The estimated specific mass of a multimegawatt gaseous-fuel reactor power system is from 1 to 5 kg/kW while the companion laser-power receiver station would be much lower in specific mass.

Thom, K.↗

Middle Atmosphere Program. Handbook for MAP, volume 9

The term Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere radar (MST) was invented to describe the use of a high power radar transmitter together with a large vertically, or near vertically, pointing antenna to study the dynamics and structure of the atmosphere from about 10 to 100 km, using the very weak coherently scattered radiation returned from small scale irregularities in refractive index. Nine topics were addressed including: meteorological and dynamic requirements for MST radar networks; interpretation of radar returns for clear air; techniques for the measurement of horizontal and vertical velocities; techniques for studying gravity waves and turbulence; capabilities and limitations of existing MST radar; design considerations for high power VHF radar transceivers; optimum radar antenna configurations; and data analysis techniques.

Bowhill, S. A.↗