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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

The perturbation spectrum of CO

Perturbation rotational levels in triplet states of CO emission spectra attributed to resonance fluorescence process involving optically forbidden transitions

Black, G.↗

Quantum beats in transitions from levels subject to optical cascades.

Discussion of the g values of weakly aligned O II and O III multiplet levels subject to strong optical cascades, obtained by means of a beam-foil quantum beat method. Within the measurement precision limits of nearly plus or minus 1%, the effects of the optical cascades on the measured g values are shown to be negligible.

Liu, C. J.↗

Angular dependence of electron impact excitation cross sections of O2.

Study of the electron-impact excitation spectrum of O2 at 20 and 45 eV impact energies and at scattering angles ranging from 10 to 90 deg. The angular behavior of the differential scattering cross sections for excitation of the a super 1 delta sub g, b super 1 sigma sub g (+), B super 3 sigma sub u (-) states for the 9.97-eV ('longest' band) and the 10.29-eV ('second' band) transitions, for the broad feature at 6.1 eV energy-loss, and for elastic scattering is determined. The experimentally measured relative differential and integral cross sections for these processes are approximately normalized to the absolute scale. The intensities of the different transitions in optical and electron-impact spectra are compared, and the importance of spin-orbit coupling and exchange processes is discussed. It is found that the energy-loss feature at 6.1 eV in the electron-impact spectrum is mostly due to the excitation of the c super 1 sigma sub u (-) state, and not the A super 3 sigma sub u (+) state, as had been previously thought.

Trajmar, S.↗

Spectroscopic studies of the solar corona at X-ray wavelengths

The spatial distribution of emission in several X-ray lines is discussed with emphasis on temperature dependence and association with active regions. Results are presented for the trio of helium-like O VII lines which demonstrate (1) a spatial variation in the density-dependent forbidden-to-intersystem line ratio, and (2) a strong spatial variation in the intensity of the O VII resonance line relative to the optically forbidden transitions. The second effect appears to be caused by resonance scattering by material in the line of sight.

Acton, L. W.↗

A static model of chromospheric heating in solar flares

The response of the solar chromosphere to flare processes, namely nonthermal electrons, thermal conduction, and coronal pressure, is modeled. Finite difference methods employing linearization and iteration are used in obtaining simultaneous solutions to the equations of steady-state energy balance, hydrostatic equilibrium, radiative transfer, and atomic statistical equilibrium. The atmospheric response is assumed to be confined to one dimension by a strong vertical magnetic field. A solution is obtained to the radiative transfer equation for the most important optically thick transitions of hydrogen, magnesium, and calcium. The theoretical atmospheres discussed here are seen as elucidating the role of various physical processes in establishing the structure of flare chromospheres. At low coronal pressures, conduction is found to be more important than nonthermal electrons in establishing the position of the transition region. Only thermal conduction can adequately account for the chromospheric evaporation in compact flares. Of the mechanisms considered, only nonthermal electrons bring about significant heating below the flare transition region.

Ricchiazzi, P. J.↗

Energetic electrons as an energy transport mechanism in solar flares

A review is conducted of the observations and theory relating to the role of energetic electrons in the solar flare, with particular emphasis on discriminating between 'thermal' and 'nonthermal' origins of these electrons. Diagnostics in hard X-rays, especially those relating to the recent observations of the SMM and Hinotori satellites are discussed. Attention is briefly given to the response of the atmosphere to energy input in the form of high energy electrons, in particular through the diagnostics of both the Fe K-alpha feature and optically thin transition region lines such as OV. Finally, the relative roles of electron and proton heating in gamma-ray flare events are discussed.

Emslie, A. G.↗

Dynamical Studies of Saturn's Rings

The data returned by the Voyager on the Saturnian system has revealed the structure of Saturn's ring system to be dominated by many abrupt transitions in optical depth, narrow well-defined ringlets and gaps, and spiral density and bending waves. A handful of these features were attributed with reasonable certainty to the resonant influence of external satellites, but the vast majority of the structure remains unexplained. The entire C ring was studied with particular emphasis on the search for unrecognized eccentric or inclined features, and the role, if any, played by satellite resonances in controlling C ring structure.

Nicholson, P. D.↗

On the origin of power-law X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei

In the present analytical model for a power law X-ray continuum production in active galactic nuclei, the dissipation of turbulent energy flux above the accretion disk forms an optically thin transition layer with an inverted temperature gradient. The emitted thermal radiation has a power law spectrum in the 0.1-100 keV range, with a photon energy spectral index gamma of about 0.4-1.0. Thermal X-ray contribution from the layer is 5-10 percent of the total disk luminosity. The gamma value of 0.75 is suggested as a 'natural' power law index for Seyfert galaxies and QSOs.

Schlosman, I.↗

Are aromatic hydrocarbons the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands in the visible?

Large Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are the likely origin of the Unidentified Infrared Emission Feature. The molecules or their ions are also attractive candidates for the carriers of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) in the visible range. The PAHs have optically active transitions in the visible spectrum; have the ability to survive the ultraviolet photons in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium; and are the most abundant among the detected molecular species after H2 and CO. In particular, PAHs are better candidates than the long carbon chains that were proposed previously.

Leger, A.↗

Numerical simulations of the rebound shock model for solar spicules

Using time-dependent numerical simulations, the proposed rebound shock mechanism for spicules has been examined. At temperatures above a critical value, T(c), the radiation is characteristic of the conditions in the optically thin corona and near optically thin transition region. When T less than T(c), the atmosphere has a radiative cooling time, tau(rad) characteristic of chromosphere. The spicule is initiated with a quasi-impulsive force in the low chromosphere, which drives a train of upward propagating rebound shocks along the rigid magnetic flux tube. These shocks then move the transition region upward. The material below the displaced transition region has temperatures and densities similar to those of spicules when T(c) = 20,000 K or more and tau(rad) = 500 s or more, but not when T(c) = 10,000 K, and probably not when tau(rad) = 100 s. For all the cases where the cross sectional area diverges rapidly with height, the upward velocity of the transition region is less than that of spicules. Moreover, the maximum height is less than that of average spicules. Taller, higher velocity spicules result when the magnetic field cross sectional area is constant. In all cases, the rebound shock mechanism produces substantial motions and temperature and density variations in chromospheric and transition region material. It is suggested that this may be a partial explanation for the continuous dynamic state of the lower solar atmosphere.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Preliminary investigation of thin film polymers exposed to low Earth orbit

Preliminary results of thin film polymers exposed to low-Earth orbit aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) are discussed. Dynamic testing of a 0.92/0.92 mil. polyester laminate film indicated that the modulus loss of the exposed specimens may be very small. When the storage modulus of the exposed specimen was compared to the storage modulus of a control specimen over a temperature range of minus 150 degrees to 100 degrees, there was very little change. Fourier Transform Spectroscopy performed on the same exposed material indicated crosslinking of the polyethylene, which was verified by an increase in the storage modulus above the glass transition temperature. Optical microscopy of the sample showed micrometeoroid strikes and contamination in spots by what is thought to be silicon outgassed from a nearby experiment.

Strganac, Thomas↗

Improved calculations for the C III 1907,1909 and Si III 1883,1892 electron density sensitive emission-line ratios, and a comparison with IUE observations

Atomic data are used in conjunction with the statistical equilibrium code of Dufton (1977) to calculate relative C III and Si III level populations, and hence emission-line strengths for a range of electron temperatures and densities. It is assumed that photoexcitation and deexcitaton rates are negligible in comparison with the corresponding collisional rates, that ionization to and recombination from other ionic levels are slow compared with bound-bound rates, and that all transitions are optically thin. The observed values of R1 and R2 for several planetary nebulae and a symbiotic star, measured from high-resolution spectra obtained with the IUE satellite, lead to electron densities that are compatible, and are also in good agreement with those deduced from line ratios in other species.

Keenan, F. P.↗

Equilibrium Slab Models of Lyman-Alpha Clouds

We model the L(sub y(alpha)) clouds as slabs of hydrogen with an ionizing extragalactic radiation field incident from both sides. In general, the equilibrium configuration of a slab at redshift z approx. less than 5 is determined by a balance of the gas pressure, gravity (including the effects of a dark matter halo), and the pressure exerted by the inter-galactic medium, P(sub ext). These models have been used to make predictions of the number of slabs as a function of the neutral hydrogen column density, N(sub H). A break in the curve is predicted at the transition between regimes where gravity and pressure are the dominant confining forces, with a less rapid decrease at larger N(sub H). The transition from optically thin to optically thick slabs leads to a gap in the distribution, whose location is governed largely by the spectrum of ionizing radiation. There are certain parallels between lines of sight through the outer HI disk of spiral galaxy with increasing radius, and the progression from damped, to Lyman limit, to forest clouds. We discuss briefly the possibility that at least some of the observed low z forest clouds may be a separate population, associated with galaxies, as suggested by the observations of Bahcall et al. This population could dominate the forest at present if the dark matter attached to galaxies should lead to gravity confinement for this disk population, while the isolated clouds remain pressure confined. The formalism developed in this paper will allow a more detailed study. We also discuss a more general parameter study of the equilibrium configuration of slabs, including mock gravity and L(sub y(alpha)) photon trapping.

Charlton, Jane C.↗

The 1.4 GHz Light Curve of GRB 970508

We report on Westerbork 1.4 GHz radio observations of the radio counterpart to gamma-ray burst GRB 970508, between 0.80 and 138 days after this event. The 1.4 GHz light curve shows a transition from optically thick to thin emission between 39 and 54 days after the event. We derive the slope rho of the spectrum of injected electrons (dN/d(gamma(sub e) proportional to (gamma(sub e)exp -p)) in two independent ways, which yield values very close to p = 2.2. This is in agreement with a relativistic dynamically near-adiabatic blast-wave model whose emission is dominated by synchrotron radiation and in which a significant fraction of the electrons cool fast.

Galama, T. J.↗

The 1.4 GHz Light Curve of GRB 970508

We report on Westerbork 1.4 GHz radio observations of the radio counterpart to gamma-ray burst GRB 970508 between 0.80 and 138 days after this event. The 1.4 GHz light curve shows a transition from optically thick to thin emission between 39 and 54 days after the event We derive the slope p of the spectrum of injected electrons (dN/dgamma(sub e) proportional to gamma(sup -p, sub e) in two independent ways which yield values very close to p = 2.2. This is in agreement with a relativistic dynamically near-adiabatic blast wave model whose emission is dominated by synchrotrons radiation and in which a significant fraction of The electrons cool fast.

Galama, T.↗