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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Experimental Study of the Low Supersaturation Nucleation in Crystal Growth by Contactless Physical Vapor Transport

The process of the development of the nuclei and of subsequent seeding in 'contactless' physical vapor transport is investigated experimentally. Consecutive stages of the Low Supersaturation Nucleation in 'contactless' geometry for growth of CdTe crystals from the vapor are shown. The effects of the temperature field, geometry of the system, and experimental procedures on the process are presented and discussed. The experimental results are found to be consistent with our earlier numerical modeling results.

Grasza, K.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Ultrasound Thermal Field Imaging of Opaque Fluids

We have initiated an experimental program to develop an ultrasound system for non-intrusively imaging the thermal field in opaque fluids under an externally imposed temperature gradient. Many industrial processes involve opaque fluids, such as molten metals, semiconductors, and polymers, often in situations in which thermal gradients are important. For example, one may wish to understand semiconductor crystal growth dynamics in a Bridgman apparatus. Destructive testing of the crystal after the process is completed gives only indirect information about the fluid dynamics of the formation process. Knowledge of the coupled thermal and velocity fields during the growth process is then essential. Most techniques for non-intrusive velocity and temperature measurement in fluids are optical in nature, and hence the fluids studied must be transparent. In some cases (for example, LDV (laser Doppler velocimetry) and PIV (particle imaging velocimetry)) the velocities of small neutrally buoyant seed particles suspended in the fluid, are measured. Without particle seeding one can use the variation of the index of refraction of the fluid with temperature to visualize, through interferometric, Schlieren or shadowgraph techniques, the thermal field. The thermal field in turn gives a picture of the pattern existing in the fluid. If the object of study is opaque, non-optical techniques must be used. In this project we focus on the use of ultrasound, which propagates easily through opaque liquids and solids. To date ultrasound measurements have almost exclusively relied on the detection of sound scattered from density discontinuities inside the opaque material of interest. In most cases it has been used to visualize structural properties, but more recently the ultrasound Doppler velocimeter has become available. As in the optical case, it relies on seed particles that scatter Doppler shifted sound back to the detector. Doppler ultrasound techniques are, however, not useful for studying convective fluid flow in crystal growth, because particle seeding is unacceptable and flow velocities are typically too low to be resolved, and may be even lower in microgravity conditions where buoyancy forces are negligible. We will investigate a different use of ultrasound to probe the flows of opaque fluids non-intrusively and without the use of seed particles: our goal is to ultrasonically visualize the thermal field of opaque fluids with relatively high spatial resolution. The proposed technique relies upon the variation of sound speed with temperature of the fluid. A high frequency ultra-sound pulse passing through a fluid-filled chamber will traverse the chamber in a time determined by the relevant chamber dimension and the temperature of the fluid through which the pulse passes. With high time-resolution instrumentation that compares the excitation signal with the received pulse we can detect the influence of the fluid temperature on the pulse travel time. This is effectively an interferometric system, which in its optical form is an extremely sensitive approach to measuring thermal fields in fluids. Moreover, the temperature dependence of sound velocity in liquid metals is comparable to the temperature dependence of the speed of light required for accurate interferometric thermal images in transparent fluids. With an array of transducers scanned electronically a map of the thermal field over the chamber could be produced. An alternative approach would be to use the ultrasound analog of the shadowgraph technique. In the optical version, collimated light passes through the fluid, where it is focused or defocused locally by temperature field induced variations of the index of refraction. The resulting image reveals the thermal field through the spatial pattern of light intensity variations. By analogy, an ultrasound plane wave traversing an opaque fluid sample would be also locally focused or defocused depending on the speed of sound variations, giving rise to spatial variations in sound intensity that will reveal the thermal field pattern. These approaches could be applied to any situation in which temperature differences are expected to occur, and will rapidly provide information about the flow that simply cannot be obtained by any current intrusive or non-intrusive diagnostic technique. As materials processing in microgravity matures it will become increasingly important to have available simple and versatile diagnostic tools, such as we will develop, for studying the flows of opaque fluids under thermal forcing.

Andereck, C. David↗
NASA NTRS1985

Heat Flow and Segregation in Directional Solidification

This research is composed of three major components: (1) development of interface morphology control for automated Bridgman growth of semiconductor systems; (2) comparative analysis of segregation during crystal growth in a reduced gravity environment and in the presence of magnetic fields; and (3) consequences of seeding by meltback in Bridgman growth under reduced gravity conditions. In attempts to optimize furnace design for crystal growth in a reduced gravity environment, an analytical approach to heat transfer was developed. It was thus found that charge confining crucibles diminish the ability to control the growth interface morphology through its position within the gradient zone. A heat pipe hot zone system for Bridgman growth, in reduced gravity environment, of crystal with diameters up to 16 mm was developed. For growth of Ga-doped germanium in the multipurpose (ASTP) furnace, it was found that the application of transverse magnetic fields (up to 36 kg) does not substantially increase the effective distribution coefficient; i.e., diffusion-controlled segregation observed in reduced gravity environment cannot be reached nor approached by magnetic field induced melt stabilization.

Witt, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Defect Density Characterization of Detached-Grown Germanium Crystals

Several (111)-oriented, Ga-doped germanium crystals were grown in pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) containers by the Bridgman and the detached Bridgman growth techniques. Growth experiments in closed-bottom pBN containers resulted in nearly completely detached-grown crystals, because the gas pressure below the melt can build up to a higher pressure than above the melt. With open-bottom tubes the gas pressure above and below the melt is balanced during the experiment, and thus no additional force supports the detachment. In this case the crystals grew attached to the wall. Etch pit density (EPD) measurements along the axial growth direction indicated a strong improvement of the crystal quality of the detached-grown samples compared to the attached samples. Starting in the seed with an EPD of 6-8 x 10(exp 3)/square cm it decreased in the detached-grown crystals continuously to about 200-500/square cm . No significant radial difference between the EPD on the edge and the middle of the crystal exists. In the attached grown samples the EPD increases up to a value of about 2-4 x 10(exp 4)/square cm (near the edge) and up to 1 x 10(exp 4)/square cm in the middle of the sample. Thus the difference between the detached- and the attached-grown crystals with respect to the EPD is approximately two orders of magnitude.

Schweizer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Characterization of Cadmium-Zinc Telluride Crystals Grown by 'Contactless' PVT Using Synchrotron White Beam Topography

Crystals of Cd(1-x)Zn(x)Te grown by Physical Vapor Transport (PVT) using self-seeding 'contactless' techniques were characterized using synchrotron radiation (reflection, transmission, and Laue back-reflection X-ray topography). Crystals of low (x = 0.04) and high (up to x approx. = 0.4) ZnTe content were investigated. Twins and defects such as dislocations, precipitates, and slip bands were identified. Extensive inhomogeneous strains present in some samples were found to be generated by interaction (sticking) with the pedestal and by composition gradients in the crystals. Large (up to about 5 mm) oval strain fields were observed around some Te precipitates. Low angle grain boundaries were found only in higher ZnTe content (x greater than or equal to 0.2) samples.

Palosz, W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Apollo-Soyuz pamphlet no. 6: Cosmic ray dosage

The radiation hazard inside spacecraft is discussed with emphasis on its effects on the crew, biological specimens, and spacecraft instruments. The problem of light flash sensations in the eyes of astronauts is addressed and experiment MA-106 is described. In this experiment, light flashes seen by blindfolded astronauts were counted and high energy cosmic ray intensity in the command module cabin were measured. The damage caused by cosmic ray hits on small living organisms was investigated in the Biostack 3 experiment (MA-107). Individual cosmic rays were tracked through layers of bacterial spores, small seeds, and eggs interleaved with layers of AgCl-crystal wafers, special plastic, and special photographic film that registered each cosmic ray particle passed.

Page, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solidification rate influence on orientation and mechanical properties of MAR-M-246+Hf

The influence of solidification rates on the orientation and mechanical properties of MAR-M-246+Hf was studied. The preferred orientation was found to be (001) for single crystals, with all samples with 45 degrees of (001). Tensile tests were performed at room temperature. The anisotropy of directionally solidified MAR-M-246+Hf was demonstrated by gage section deformation. Dendrite arm spacing and crystal growth were found to depend on solidification rates and source material conditions. The greatest strength occurred at lower solidification rates. Some single crystals were grown by control of growth rates without seeding.

Hamilton, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A new dimension in space experimentation

Space experimentation, cosmic origins, the long-term effects of the space environment on living things, the long-term effects of space environment on materials and hardware, seeds in space, power generation in space, experimentation with crystals, and thermal control are discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Project Explorer: Get Away Special #007

Tentatively scheduled to fly on STS-17 (41G), this get away special aims to demonstrate amateur radio transmissions to global ground stations in the English language. Experiments No. 1, 2, and 3 use the micro-gravity of space flight to study the solidification of lead-antimony and aluminum-copper alloys, the germination of radish seeds, and the growth of potassium-tetracyanoplatinate hydrate crystals in an aqueous solution. Flight results are to be compared with Earth-based data. Experiment No. 4 (the Marshall Amateur Radio Club Experiment - MARCE) features radio transmissions and also provides timing for the start of all other experiments. A microprocessor obtains real-time data from all experiments as well as temperature and pressure measurements within the GAS canister. These data are to be transmitted on previously announced amateur radio frequencies after they are converted into the English language by a digitalker for general reception. The support structure for the G #007 experiments consists of two primary plates and four bumper assemblies.

Henderson, A. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Crystal Growth Furnace - An overview of the system configuration and planned experiments on the First United States Microgravity Laboratory mission

The Crystal Growth Furnace (CGF) system configuration for the First United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1) mission is reviewed, and the planned on-orbit experiments are briefly described. The CGF is configured to accommodate four scientific experiments involving crystal growth which are based on the classical Bridgman method and CVT method, including vapor transport crystal growth of mercury cadmium telluride; crystal growth of mercury zinc telluride by directional solidification; seeded Bridgman growth of zinc-doped cadmium telluride; and Bridgman growth of selenium-doped gallium arsenide.

Srinivas, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

LDEF: A bibliography with abstracts

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) was a free-flying cylindrical structure that housed self-contained experiments in trays mounted on the exterior of the structure. Launched into orbit from the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984, the LDEF spent almost six years in space before being recovered in 1990. The 57 experiments investigated the effects of the low earth orbit environment on materials, coatings, electronics, thermal systems, seeds, and optics. It also carried experiments that measured crystals growth, cosmic radiation, and micrometeoroids. This bibliography contains 435 selected records from the NASA aerospace database covering the years 1973 through June of 1992. The citations are arranged within subject categories by author and date of publication.

Gouger, H. Garland↗
NASA NTRS2010

Lidar Measurements of Methane and Applications for Aircraft and Spacecraft

Atmospheric methane levels have remained relatively constant over the last decade around 1.78 parts per million (ppm) but observations since 2007 show that levels may be increasing. This trend may be caused by increased fossil fuel production, rice farming, livestock and landfills, but the underlying causes are quite uncertain. One hypothesis is that reservoirs of carbon trapped in the permafrost regions of northern Canada, Europe, and Siberia thaw as global temperatures rise and are releasing increasing amounts of methane. Another hypothesis points to increased production of methane by microbes as the permafrost warms. Currently most observations of greenhouse gases are limited to in-situ (surface and tower sites) and limited airborne in-situ measurements. Space column density measurements are starting to become available from the GOSAT mission. Although methane survives for a shorter time in the atmosphere than CO2, its impact on climate change per molecule is about 23 times than that of CO2. Accurate global observations of several greenhouse gases, including methane, are urgently needed in order to better understand climate change processes and to reduce the uncertainty in the carbon budget. Differential absorption lidar is a well-established technique to measure atmospheric gases, and methane has optical absorption bands near 1.65,2.2,3.4 and 7.8 micron. The near infrared overtones lines of CH4 near 1650 nm are relatively free of interference from other species. There are absorption lines near 1651 nm which are both temperature insensitive and have line strengths well suited for lidar measurements. We have developed a laser and demonstrated lidar measurements of CH4 using lines in this band. Our laser uses a narrow linewidth 1064 nm laser pulse passing through a nonlinear crystal. We generate the tunable laser signals near 1651 nm by using the optical parametric amplification (OPA) process. Inside the crystal the 1064 nm beam overlaps with an injection seed laser near 1651 nm from a wavelength tunable diode laser. Incident photons from the pump laser pulse are converted into two photons, with one at the wavelength of the injection seeder. The wavelength of the OPA output is tuned via the wavelength of diode laser. Our laser is tunable, operates near 1651 nm and generates approximately 4 uJ/pulse at 6 KHz. We vary the emission wavelengths within this band by tuning the diode laser's wavelength. We have used this OPA transmitter to make measurements of CH4 at various pressures in a gas cell and over open outdoor horizontal paths. We have measured the lineshape of methane in a 6 cm long cell at various energy levels with this transmitter, with excellent agreement with the lineshape calculated by HITRAN. We have also measured the absorption lineshape of atmospheric methane in an open 3 km outdoor path. The agreement between the measurements and HITRAN, for 1746 ppb and 760 Torr was quite good. We have also made pulsed two wavelength lidar measurements of methane line absorption in the column to a tower at 1.5 km range. These used on- and off-line wavelengths of 1650.957 nm, and 1651.072 nm, and a 20 cm diameter receiver telescope with an infrared PMT detector. The absorption of the on-line photons was 30%. The methane column absorption was estimated via HITRAN, and was in good agreement with the expected methane absorption for a concentration of 1750 ppm. Finally we have calculated the measurement performance of an airborne methane lidar using this transmitter, as well as the energy and telescope scaling needed for a lidar for space. These results, and more details of our experiments will be described in the presentation.

Riris, Haris↗
NASA NTRS1977

Dendritic web silicon for solar cell application

The dendritic web process for growing long thin ribbon crystals of silicon and other semiconductors is described. Growth is initiated from a thin wirelike dendrite seed which is brought into contact with the melt surface. Initially, the seed grows laterally to form a button at the melt surface; when the seed is withdrawn, needlelike dendrites propagate from each end of the button into the melt, and the web portion of the crystal is formed by the solidification of the liquid film supported by the button and the bounding dendrites. Apparatus used for dendritic web growth, material characteristics, and the two distinctly different mechanisms involved in the growth of a single crystal are examined. The performance of solar cells fabricated from dendritic web material is indistinguishable from the performance of cells fabricated from Czochralski grown material.

Seidensticker, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

X-ray Characterization of Detached-Grown Germanium Crystals

Germanium (111)-oriented crystals have been grown by the vertical Bridgman technique, in both detached and attached configurations. Microstructural characterization of these crystals has been performed using synchrotron white beam x-ray topography (SWBXT) and double axis x-ray diffraction. Dislocation densities were measured from x-ray topographs obtained using the reflection geometry. For detached-grown crystals, the dislocation density is 4-6 x 10(exp 4) per square centimeter in the seed region, and decreases in the direction of growth to less than 10(exp 3) per square centimeter, and in some crystals reaches less than 10(exp 2) per square centimeter. For crystals grown in the attached configuration, dislocation densities were on the order of 10(exp 4) per square centimeter in the middle of the crystals, increasing to greater than 10(exp 5) per square centimeter near the edge. The measured dislocation densities are in excellent agreement with etch pit density results. The rocking curve linewidths were relatively insensitive to the dislocation densities. However, broadening and splitting of the rocking curves were observed in the vicinity of subgrain boundaries identified by x-ray topography in some of the attached-grown crystals.

Volz, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Endotaxial growth of CoSi2 within (111) oriented Si in a molecular beam epitaxy system

A new mode of growth is reported in which buried metallic layers can be fabricated within a single-crystal semiconductor through preferential subsurface growth on previously-grown 'seed' regions. The deposition of Co at 800 C at a rate of 0.01 nm/s on (111) Si substrates containing buried CoSi2 columns 40-100 nm below the Si surface results in the growth and coalescence of these subsurface columns. The formation of a CoSi2 layer on the Si surface is suppressed by this growth mode. It is proposed that the high diffusion rate of Co at 800 C, coupled with the high growth rate of CoSi2 at the subsurface columns, is responsible for this preferred 'endotaxial' growth mode. This growth technique was used to produce a continuous buried single-crystal layer of CoSi2 under a single-crystal Si capping layer.

George, T.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Purification, Crystallization, and Preliminary X-ray Analysis of Native Canavalin

The protein canavalin is a 7S vicilin, from the Jack Bean, Canavalis ensfomis. Canavalin is described as a seed storage protein, an energy source for a developing seed, as no other known activity or function has been found. The protein was first isolated and crystallized by Sumner and Howell (J. Biol. Chem. 113, 607-610, 1936). Canavalin spontaneously crystallizes after proteolytic cleavage at neutral pH, which removes residues 1-46, 224-245, and 325-330 and produces peptides of approximately 25, 13, and 12 kDa. Preliminary gel filtration experiments indicated the presence of nucleic acid with the uncleaved protein. We developed a dual column procedure, ion exchange followed by hydroxy apatite chromatography, that effectively removes the nucleic acid and yields an essentially pure uncut canavalin preparation with an OD 280/260 ratio of approximately 1.9-2.0. Standard crystallization screens using this material gave a number of positive results having a common requirement for alcohols and Mg(2+) ion, with crystals typically appearing within a day or less. Optimization experiments to date have shown that we can obtain crystals from pH 6.5 to pH 8.2, using MPD from 5 to 20% and 0.05 to 0.2M Mg(2+) (sulfate or acetate). The crystals are of space group P2(sub 1)2(sub 1)2(sub 1), unit cell dimensions, and a complete data set to 1.5 Angstroms, resolution has now been collected at a synchrotron source. Most importantly, the crystals are not twinned, a persistent problem with the most commonly obtained rhombohedral form of proteolytically cleaved canavalin.

Pusey, Marc↗
NASA NTRS1981

Development of advanced Czochralski growth process to produce low cost 150 kg silicon ingots from a single crucible for technology readiness

The process development continued, with a total of nine crystal growth runs. One of these was a 150 kg run of 5 crystals of approximately 30 kg each. Several machine and process problems were corrected and the 150 kg run was as successful as previous long runs on CG2000 RC's. The accelerated recharge and growth will be attempted when the development program resumes at full capacity in FY '82. The automation controls (Automatic Grower Light Computer System) were integrated to the seed dip temperature, shoulder, and diameter sensors on the CG2000 RC development grower. Test growths included four crystals, which were grown by the computer/sensor system from seed dip through tail off. This system will be integrated on the Mod CG2000 grower during the next quarter. The analytical task included the completion and preliminary testing of the gas chromatograph portion of the Furnace Atmosphere Analysis System. The system can detect CO concentrations and will be expanded to oxygen and water analysis in FY '82.

Source record↗