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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 109 records · Page 6
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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Including Radiative Heating for the Design of the Orion Backshell for Artemis-1: A Narrative

The backshell radiative heating for Earth entry was ignored primarily because of the negligible Fire and Apollo 4 backshell radiometer measurements and negligible radiative heating resulting from the assumed upper-limit Boltzmann assumption of atomic electronic levels. These assumptions are shown to be erroneous in the recombining expanding flow characteristic of the wake, where the slow finite-rate recombination of electrons and ions leads to the Saha-Boltzmann distribution being larger than the Boltzmann distribution.

aftbody radiation↗
NASA NTRS1983

The atmosphere of a dirty-clathrate cometary nucleus - A two-phase, multifluid model

The dynamical and thermal structure of a dirty-clathrate cometary nucleus' gas atmosphere is presently given a self-consistent, transonic multifluid solution in which, although the heavy neutron and ion species are treated as a single fluid in the collision-dominated region, the photoproduced H is treated separately. The thermal profile of the atmosphere thus obtained is entirely different from those predicted by the earlier, single-fluid models as well as the multifluid models which assumed equipartition of energy between electrons and ions. While the electron gas, like the neutrals and the ions, cools due to expansion, its main mode of energy loss in the inner coma is by way of inelastic collisions with the predominant H2O molecule. The high electron temperature in the outer coma also decreases the efficiency of electron removal by dissociative recombination, thereby increasing electron density throughout the coma.

Marconi, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Charges on Strange Quark Nuggets in Space

Since Witten's seminal 1984 paper on the subject, searches for evidence of strange quark nuggets (SQNs) have proven unsuccessful. In the absence of experimental evidence ruling out SQNs, the validity of theories introducing mechanisms that increase their stability should continue to be tested. To stimulate electromagnetic SQN searches, particularly space searches, we estimate the net charge that would develop on an SQN in space exposed to various radiation baths (and showers) capable of liberating their less strongly bound electrons, taking into account recombination with ambient electrons. We consider, in particular, the cosmic background radiation, radiation from the sun, and diffuse galactic and extragalactic gamma-ray backgrounds. A possible dramatic signal of SQNs in explosive astrophysical events is noted.

Abers, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The sensitivity of gas-phase models of dense interstellar clouds to changes in dissociative recombination branching ratios

The approach of Bates to the determination of neutral product branching ratios in ion-electron dissociative recombination reactions has been utilized in conjunction with quantum chemical techniques to redetermine branching ratios for a wide variety of important reactions of this class in dense interstellar clouds. The branching ratios have then been used in a pseudo time-dependent model calculation of the gas phase chemistry of a dark cloud resembling TMC-1 and the results compared with an analogous model containing previously used branching ratios. In general, the changes in branching ratios lead to stronger effects on calculated molecular abundances at steady state than at earlier times and often lead to reductions in the calculated abundances of complex molecules. However, at the so-called 'early time' when complex molecule synthesis is most efficient, the abundances of complex molecules are hardly affected by the newly used branching ratios.

Millar, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Electron loss coefficients for the D-region of the ionosphere from rocket measurements during the eclipses of March 1970 and November 1966.

Observation that recombination-like electron loss coefficients measured during the March 1970 eclipse coincide with those from the November 1966 eclipse and range from 2 x 10 to the minus 7th power cu cm/sec at Z sub zero + 6 km to 0.00005 cu cm/sec at Z sub zero -2 km, where Z sub zero is the altitude of the steep gradient of electron concentration. During totality, Z sub zero was 82.5 km in 1970, and 86.8 km in 1966. For full-sun conditions, Z sub zero was 84 km on both eclipse days. Attachment-like electron loss coefficients from both eclipses are in good agreement below Z sub zero, and have a nearly constant value of about 0.008 per sec. Below Z sub zero, attachment-like loss rates agree with production rates - i.e., electron concentration is proportional to electron production.

Mechtly, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Advancements in Afterbody Radiative Heating Simulations for Earth Entry

Four advancements to the simulation of backshell radiative heating for Earth entry are presented. The first of these is the development of a flow field model that treats electronic levels of the dominant backshell radiator, N, as individual species. This is shown to allow improvements in the modeling of electron-ion recombination and two-temperature modeling, which are shown to increase backshell radiative heating by 10 to 40%. By computing the electronic state populations of N within the flow field solver, instead of through the quasi-steady state approximation in the radiation code, the coupling of radiative transition rates to the species continuity equations for the levels of N, including the impact of non-local absorption, becomes feasible. Implementation of this additional level of coupling between the flow field and radiation codes represents the second advancement presented in this work, which is shown to increase the backshell radiation by another 10 to 50%. The impact of radiative transition rates due to non-local absorption indicates the importance of accurate radiation transport in the relatively complex flow geometry of the backshell. This motivates the third advancement, which is the development of a ray-tracing radiation transport approach to compute the radiative transition rates and divergence of the radiative flux at every point for coupling to the flow field, therefore allowing the accuracy of the commonly applied tangent-slab approximation to be assessed for radiative source terms. For the sphere considered at lunar-return conditions, the tangent-slab approximation is shown to provide a sufficient level of accuracy for the radiative source terms, even for backshell cases. This is in contrast to the agreement between the two approaches for computing the radiative flux to the surface, which differ by up to 40%. The final advancement presented is the development of a nonequilibrium model for NO radiation, which provides significant backshell radiation at velocities below 10 km/s. The developed model reduces the nonequilibrium NO radiation by 50% relative to the previous model.

Johnston, Christopher O.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Carrier surface generation and recombination effects in photoconduction of HgI2 single crystals

Dc photoconductivity characteristics of HgI2 single crystals have been measured in the range of 1.75-2.75 eV, using CuI as a transparent electrical contact. Hole and electron photocurrents could be separately measured by applying different voltage polarities to the illuminated electrode. It is shown that charge carrier generation near the surface is highly extrinsic, as displayed by differences in the hole and electron photogeneration spectra. Analysis of the photoconductivity versus voltage characteristics indicates that the hole and electron bulk trapping times satisfy greater than 70 and 3 microsec, respectively. The hole and electron surface recombination velocities were 1.0 x 10 to the 4th cm/s and 8 x 10 to the 5th cm/s, respectively.

Burshtein, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Recombination measurements in microwave plasma afterglows

The physical implications of problems arising during afterglow-plasma dissociative recombination experiments are discussed, summarizing recent results. Typical numerical data are compiled in tables, and particular attention is given to (1) microwave heating of electrons in afterglow plasmas, (2) the role of vibrationally excited ions in afterglows, (3) electron-ion recombination at high ambient gas densities, and (4) ion-ion recombination.

Johnsen, Rainer↗
NASA NTRS1979

Dissociative recombination of N2/+/ in the ionosphere

N2(+) ion measurements are examined which were made with the Atmospheric Explorer-C satellite during a phase of solar activity in 1978 that was significantly higher than near the earlier minimum. It is found that the major source of N2(+) is photoionization, rather than charge exchange with O(+) (2D), and that the major loss process above 300 km is dissociative recombination with electrons. A data sample for which the electron temperature (T sub e) covered the range from 1000 to 3400 K is used to evaluate the rate constant, alpha, for the dissociative-recombination process. The results show good agreement with laboratory measurements given by the expression: alpha = 1.8 x 10 to the -7th (T sub e/300) to the -0.39th cu cm/sec.

Torr, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Vibrational and Electronic Energy Transfer and Dissociation of Diatomic Molecules by Electron Collisions

At high altitudes and velocities equal to or greater than the geosynchronous return velocity (10 kilometers per second), the shock layer of a hypersonic flight will be in thermochemical nonequilibrium and partially ionized. The amount of ionization is determined by the velocity. For a trans atmospheric flight of 10 kilometers per second and at an altitude of 80 kilometers, a maximum of 1% ionization is expected. At a velocity of 12 - 17 kilometer per second, such as a Mars return mission, up to 30% of the atoms and molecules in the flow field will be ionized. Under those circumstances, electrons play an important role in determining the internal states of atoms and molecules in the flow field and hence the amount of radiative heat load and the distance it takes for the flow field to re-establish equilibrium. Electron collisions provide an effective means of transferring energy even when the electron number density is as low as 1%. Because the mass of an electron is 12,760 times smaller than the reduced mass of N2, its average speed, and hence its average collision frequency, is more than 100 times larger. Even in the slightly ionized regime with only 1% electrons, the frequency of electron-molecule collisions is equal to or larger than that of molecule-molecule collisions, an important consideration in the low density part of the atmosphere. Three electron-molecule collision processes relevant to hypersonic flows will be considered: (1) vibrational excitation/de-excitation of a diatomic molecule by electron impact, (2) electronic excitation/de-excitation, and (3) dissociative recombination in electron-diatomic ion collisions. A review of available data, both theory and experiment, will be given. Particular attention will be paid to tailoring the molecular physics to the condition of hypersonic flows. For example, the high rotational temperatures in a hypersonic flow field means that most experimental data carried out under room temperatures are not applicable. Also, the average electron temperature is expected to be between 10,000 and 20,000 K. Thus only data for low energy electrons are relevant to the model.

Huo, Winifred M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Spontaneous emission lifetimes in the ground electronic states of HD/+/ and H2/+/a

Because of their simplicity, H2(+) and its isotopic species are of particular interest to molecular theorists and experimentalists. If these ions are formed in excited vibrational states under conditions of highly improbable electron-ion recombination or other reactions, spontaneous emission will occur. The present note calculates the (vibrational quantum number, J prime = 0) state lifetimes under spontaneous emission for all 22 excited vibrations of HD(+) and all 19 excited vibrations of H2(+) in their ground electron states. The lifetimes presented in Tables I and III justify the assumption that spontaneous radiative processes are unimportant under certain realizable conditions. When spontaneous radiation plays a role, however, minimum lifetime at intermediate vibrational quantum number could lead to unusual vibrational distribution functions.

Peek, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The theory of ionospheric focused heating

Ionospheric modification by high power radio waves and by chemical releases are combined in a theoretical study of ionospheric focused heating. The release of materials which promote electron-ion recombination creates a hole in the bottomside ionosphere. The ionospheric hole focuses high power radio waves from a ground-based transmitter to give a 20 dB or greater enhancement in power density. The intense radio beam excites atomic oxygen by collisions with accelerated electrons. Airglow from the excited oxygen provides a visible trace of the focused beam. The large increase in the intensity of the radio beam stimulates new wave-plasma interactions. Numerical simulations show that the threshold for the two-plasmon decay instability is exceeded. The interaction of the pump electromagnetic wave with the backward plasmon produces a scattered electromagnetic wave at 3/2 the pump frequency. The scattered wave provides a unique signature of the two-plasmon decay process for ground-based detection.

Bernhardt, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Pulsed source of energetic atomic oxygen

A pulsed high flux source of nearly monoenergetic atomic oxygen was designed, built, and successfully demonstrated. Molecular oxygen at several atmospheres pressure is introduced into an evacuated supersonic expansion nozzle through a pulsed molecular beam valve. An 18 J pulsed CO2 TEA laser is focused to intensities greater than 10(9) W/sq cm in the nozzle throat to generate a laser-induced breakdown. The resulting plasma is heated in excess of 20,000 K by a laser supported detonation wave, and then rapidly expands and cools. Nozzle geometry confines the expansion to provide rapid electron-ion recombination into atomic oxygen. Average O atom beam velocities from 5 to 13 km/s were measured at estimated fluxes to 10(18) atoms per pulse. Preliminary materials testing has produced the same surface oxygen enrichment in polyethylene samples as obtained on the STS-8 mission. Scanning electron microscope examinations of irradiated polymer surfaces reveal an erosion morphology similar to that obtained in low Earth orbit, with an estimated mass removal rate of approx. 10(-24) cu cm/atom. The characteristics of the O atom source and the results of some preliminary materials testing studies are reviewed.

Caledonia, George E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Measurements of positive ion conversion and removal reactions relating to the Jovian ionosphere

Measured rates are presented for the reaction of He(+) ions with H2 (and D2) molecules to form H(+), H2(+), and HeH(+) ions, as well as for the subsequent reactions of H(+) and HeH(+) ions with H2 to form H3(+). The neutralization of H3(+) /and H5(+)/ ions by dissociative recombination with electrons is shown to be fast. The reaction He(+) + H2 is slow (k 1.1 x 10 to the minus 13th cu cm/sec at 300 K) and produces principally H(+) by the dissociative charge transfer branch. It is concluded that there may be a serious bottleneck in the conversion of two of the primary ions of the upper Jovian ionosphere, H(+) and He(+) (which recombine slowly), to the rapidly recombining H3(+) ion.

Johnsen, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Ionizing mechanisms in a cesium plasma irradiated with a ruby laser

A cesium filled diode--laser plasmadynamic converter was built to investigate the feasibility of converting laser energy to electrical energy at large power levels. Experiments were performed with a pulsed ruby laser to determine the quantity of electrons and cesium ions generated per pulse of laser beam and to determine the output voltage. A current density as high as 200 amp/sq cm from a spot of approximately 1 sq mm area and an open circuit voltage as high as 1.5 volts were recorded. A qualitative theory was developed to explain these results. In the operation of the device, the laser beam evaporates some of the cesium and ionizes the cesium gas. A dense cesium plasma is formed to absorb further the laser energy. Results suggest that the simultaneous absorption of two ruby laser photons by the cesium atoms plays an important role in the initial ionization of cesium. Inverse bremsstrahlung absorption appears to be the dominant mechanism in subsequent processes. Recombinations of electrons and cesium ions appear to compete favorably with the simultaneous absorption of two photons.

Shimada, K.↗