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At least 127 records · Page 7

Complex eigenvalue analysis of rotating structures

A FORTRAN subroutine to NASTRAN which constructs coriolis and centripetal acceleration matrices, and a centrifugal load vector due to spin about a selected point or about the mass center of the structure is discussed. The rigid translational degrees of freedom can be removed by using a transformation matrix T and its explicitly given inverse. These matrices are generated in the subroutine and their explicit expressions are given.

Patel, J. S.↗

Experiments on near-wall structure of three-dimensional boundary layers

Investigations of three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers have shown basic differences between two- and three-dimensional flows. These differences can significantly impact the modeling of three-dimensional flows since many flow models are based on results from two-dimensional boundary layers. In many cases the shear stress vector direction has been shown to lag relative to the direction of the mean velocity gradient as the cross flow grows downstream. Coincidence of these vectors is necessary for a scalar eddy viscosity modeling assumption. A second effect is a reduction in magnitude of the shear stress and/or the shear stress to turbulence energy ratio, a(sub 1). This reduction has been observed in several experiments. Recent numerical simulations also indicate wall-layer structural differences between two- and three-dimensional boundary layers. The differences in structure between two- and three-dimensional boundary layers was also addressed in the experiment of Littell & Eaton. The experiment used two-point correlations to investigate the vortical structures in a three dimensional boundary layer on a spinning disk. It was found that each sign of longitudinal vortex is equally likely to exist, but one sign of vorticity is associated with a structure which is better at producing ejections. The goal of the current investigation is to study the structure of the inner layers. Among other questions, the differences between the effects deduced from the three-dimensional flow simulations and the effects seen in experiments can be examined. The research concentrates on the structure of the wall-layer through flow visualization and direct turbulence measurements down to y(+) = 5.

Flack, Karen A.↗

A Lack of Spin-Orbit Signal in the Morphology of Mercury's Large Craters

The spatial structure of Mercury's thermal lithosphere depends on the balance between internal heat and surface temperature as controlled by solar insolation. For bodies not in a spin-orbital resonance, observed spatial temperature variations are due to internal heating variations. However, for Mercury's present 3:2 spin-orbit coupling a notable difference of ~150 K exists for the sub-skin depth temperature of the crust as a function of longitude (Fig 1B.; [1,2]). Mercury's longitudinal "hot poles" and "cold poles", in addition to the standard poles (i.e. North and South), have large temperature contrasts that could lead to systematic differences in crater size, morphology, or morphometry, especially for large impacts.

Mercury↗

Resonant Tunneling Spin Pump

The resonant tunneling spin pump is a proposed semiconductor device that would generate spin-polarized electron currents. The resonant tunneling spin pump would be a purely electrical device in the sense that it would not contain any magnetic material and would not rely on an applied magnetic field. Also, unlike prior sources of spin-polarized electron currents, the proposed device would not depend on a source of circularly polarized light. The proposed semiconductor electron-spin filters would exploit the Rashba effect, which can induce energy splitting in what would otherwise be degenerate quantum states, caused by a spin-orbit interaction in conjunction with a structural-inversion asymmetry in the presence of interfacial electric fields in a semiconductor heterostructure. The magnitude of the energy split is proportional to the electron wave number. Theoretical studies have suggested the possibility of devices in which electron energy states would be split by the Rashba effect and spin-polarized currents would be extracted by resonant quantum-mechanical tunneling.

Ting, David Z.↗

Mathematical modeling of spinning elastic bodies for modal analysis.

The problem of modal analysis of an elastic appendage on a rotating base is examined to establish the relative advantages of various mathematical models of elastic structures and to extract general inferences concerning the magnitude and character of the influence of spin on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of rotating structures. In realization of the first objective, it is concluded that except for a small class of very special cases the elastic continuum model is devoid of useful results, while for constant nominal spin rate the distributed-mass finite-element model is quite generally tractable, since in the latter case the governing equations are always linear, constant-coefficient, ordinary differential equations. Although with both of these alternatives the details of the formulation generally obscure the essence of the problem and permit very little engineering insight to be gained without extensive computation, this difficulty is not encountered when dealing with simple concentrated mass models.

Likins, P. W.↗

Second order non-linear equations of motion for spinning highly flexible line elements

The second order nonlinear equations of motion are formulated for spinning line elements having little or no intrinsic structural stiffness. The derivation is based on the extended Hamilton's principle and includes the effect of initial geometric imperfections (axial, curvature, and twist) on the line element dynamics. For comparison with previous work, the nonlinear equations are reduced to a linearized form frequently found in the literature. The comparison revealed several new spin-stiffening terms that have not been previously identified and/or retained. They combine geometric imperfections, rotary inertia, Coriolis, and gyroscopic terms.

Salama, M.↗

Electron-Spin Filters Based on the Rashba Effect

Semiconductor electron-spin filters of a proposed type would be based on the Rashba effect, which is described briefly below. Electron-spin filters more precisely, sources of spin-polarized electron currents have been sought for research on, and development of, the emerging technological discipline of spintronics (spin-based electronics). There have been a number of successful demonstrations of injection of spin-polarized electrons from diluted magnetic semiconductors and from ferromagnetic metals into nonmagnetic semiconductors. In contrast, a device according to the proposal would be made from nonmagnetic semiconductor materials and would function without an applied magnetic field. The Rashba effect, named after one of its discoverers, is an energy splitting, of what would otherwise be degenerate quantum states, caused by a spin-orbit interaction in conjunction with a structural-inversion asymmetry in the presence of interfacial electric fields in a semiconductor heterostructure. The magnitude of the energy split is proportional to the electron wave number. The present proposal evolved from recent theoretical studies that suggested the possibility of devices in which electron energy states would be split by the Rashba effect and spin-polarized currents would be extracted by resonant quantum-mechanical tunneling. Accordingly, a device according to the proposal would be denoted an asymmetric resonant interband tunneling diode [a-RITD]. An a-RITD could be implemented in a variety of forms, the form favored in the proposal being a double-barrier heterostructure containing an asymmetric quantum well. It is envisioned that a-RITDs would be designed and fabricated in the InAs/GaSb/AlSb material system for several reasons: Heterostructures in this material system are strong candidates for pronounced Rashba spin splitting because InAs and GaSb exhibit large spin-orbit interactions and because both InAs and GaSb would be available for the construction of highly asymmetric quantum wells. This mate-rial system affords a variety of energy-band alignments that can be exploited to obtain resonant tunneling and other desired effects. The no-common-atom InAs/GaSb and InAs/AlSb interfaces would present opportunities for engineering interface potentials for optimizing Rashba spin splitting.

Ting, David Z.-Y.↗

Particle Acceleration in Dissipative Pulsar Magnetospheres

Pulsar magnetospheres represent unipolar inductor-type electrical circuits at which an EM potential across the polar cap (due to the rotation of their magnetic field) drives currents that run in and out of the polar cap and close at infinity. An estimate ofthe magnitude of this current can be obtained by dividing the potential induced across the polar cap V approx = B(sub O) R(sub O)(Omega R(sub O)/c)(exp 2) by the impedance of free space Z approx eq 4 pi/c; the resulting polar cap current density is close to $n {GJ} c$ where $n_{GJ}$ is the Goldreich-Julian (GJ) charge density. This argument suggests that even at current densities close to the GJ one, pulsar magnetospheres have a significant component of electric field $E_{parallel}$, parallel to the magnetic field, a condition necessary for particle acceleration and the production of radiation. We present the magnetic and electric field structures as well as the currents, charge densities, spin down rates and potential drops along the magnetic field lines of pulsar magnetospheres which do not obey the ideal MHD condition $E cdot B = 0$. By relating the current density along the poloidal field lines to the parallel electric field via a kind of Ohm's law $J = sigma E_{parallel}$ we study the structure of these magnetospheres as a function of the conductivity $sigma$. We find that for $sigma gg OmegaS the solution tends to the (ideal) Force-Free one and to the Vacuum one for $sigma 11 OmegaS. Finally, we present dissipative magnetospheric solutions with spatially variable $sigma$ that supports various microphysical properties and are compatible with the observations.

Kazanas, Z.↗

Hyperfine structure of furan.

The hfs of five rotational transitions of furan (C4H4O) has been resolved with a beam maser spectrometer with a resolution of about 500 Hz. All significant details of the observed structure are accounted for by the spin-spin and spin-rotation interactions of the four protons, and the coupling constants for these interactions have been determined to high precision. In particular, the diagonal elements of the spin-rotation tensors have been determined to about 10 Hz.

Tomasevich, G. R.↗

International Halley Watch: Discipline specialists for near-nucleus studies

The purpose of the Near-Nucleus Studies Net is to study the processes taking place in the near-nucleus environment as they relate to the nature of nucleus. This is accomplisghed by measuring the spatial and temporal distribution of dust, gases and ions in the coma on high resolution images taken from many observatories around the world. By modeling the motions of discrete dust features in Comet Halley, it is often possible to determine the locations of the emission sources on the surface and learn about the nucleus structure. In addition to the general goals shared by all IHW nets, the scientific goals of the net has been to determine (1)the gross surface structure of the nucleus, (2)the nucleus spin vector, (3)the distribution and evolution of jet sources and (4)the interrelationships between the gas, dust and ion components of the coma. An additional Comet Giacobini-Zinner watch was carried out by the NNSN in support of the NASA International Cometary Explorer flyby.

Larson, S.↗

A small satellite design for deep space network testing and training

With the continuing exploration of the Solar System and the reemphasis on Earth focused missions, the need for faster data transmission rates has grown. Ka-band could allow a higher data delivery rate over the current X-band, however the adverse effects of the Earth's atmosphere on Ka are as yet unknown. The Deep Space Network and Jet Propulsion Lab have proposed to launch a small satellite that would simultaneously transmit X and Ka signals to test the viability of switching to Ka-band. The Mockingbird Design Team at the University of Texas at Austin applied small satellite design principles to achieve this objective. The Mockingbird design, named BATSAT, incorporates simple, low-cost systems designed for university production and testing. The BATSAT satellite is a 0.64 m diameter, spherical panel led satellite, mounted with solar cells and omni-directional antennae. The antennae configuration negates the need for active attitude control or spin stabilization. The space-frame truss structure was designed for 11 g launch loads while allowing for easy construction and solar-panel mounting. The communication system transmits at 1 mW by carrying the required Ka and X-band transmitters, as well as an S band transmitter used for DSN training. The power system provides the 8.6 W maximum power requirements via silicon solar arrays and nickel-cadmium batteries. The BATSAT satellite will be lofted into an 1163 km, 70 deg orbit by the Pegasus launch system. This orbit fulfills DSN dish slew rate requirements while keeping the satellite out of the heaviest regions of the Van Allen radiation belts. Each of the three DSN stations capable of receiving Ka-band (Goldstone, Canberra, and Madrid) will have an average of 85 minutes of view-time per day over the satellites ten year design life. Mockingbird Designs hopes that its small satellite design will not only be applicable to this specific mission scenario, but that it could easily be modified for instrument capability for university, government, and/or commercial research.

Mcwilliams, Dennis↗

Physical initialization using SSM/I rain rates

Following our recent study on physical initialization for tropical prediction using rain rates based on outgoing long-wave radiation, the present study demonstrates a major improvement from the use of microwave radiance-based rain rates. A rain rate algorithm is used on the data from a special sensor microwave instrument (SSM/I). The initialization, as before, uses a reverse surface similarity theory, a reverse cumulus parameterization algorithm, and a bisection method to minimize the difference between satellite-based and the model-based outgoing long-wave radiation. These are invoked within a preforecast Newtonian relaxation phase of the initialization. These tests are carried out with a high-resolution global spectral model. The impact of the initialization on forecast is tested for a complex triple typhoon scenario over the Western Pacific Ocean during September 1987. A major impact from the inclusion of the SSM/I is demonstrated. Also addressed are the spin-up issues related to the typhoon structure and the improved water budget from the physical initialization.

Krishnamurti, T. N.↗

The millimeter/submillimeter rotational spectrum of CaCCH(X(sup 2)Sigma(+))

The pure rotational spectrum of the CaCCH radical (X(sup 2) Sigma(+)) has been measured in the laboratory using millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption spectroscopy. The species was created in a d.c. discharge by the reaction of calcium vapor and acetylene. Twenty-two rotational transitions of this molecule were recorded in the frequency range 230-380 GHz to an accuracy of +/- 150 kHz. Spin-rotation splittings, but no proton hyperfine structure, were observed for CaCCH. The data were analyzed using a (sup 2) Sigma Hamiltonian, and rotational and fine structure constants were determined. These measurements have resulted in accurate rest frequencies for CaCCH to be used for astronomical searches. A calcium-bearing molecule has yet to be observed in interstellar or circumstellar gas.

Anderson, M. A.↗

Studies of Atomic Free Radicals Stored in a Cryogenic Environment

Impurity-Helium Solids are porous gel-like solids consisting of impurity atoms and molecules surrounded by thin layers of solid helium. They provide an ideal medium for matrix isolation of free radicals to prevent recombination and store chemical energy. In this work electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, and ultrasound techniques have all been employed to study the properties of these substances. Detailed studies via electron spin resonance of exchange tunneling chemical reactions involving hydrogen and deuterium molecular and atomic impurities in these solids have been performed and compared with theory. Concentrations of hydrogen approaching the quantum solid criterion have been produced. Structured studies involving X ray diffraction, ultrasound, and electron spin resonance have shown that the impurities in impurity helium solids are predominantly contained in impurity clusters, with each cluster being surrounded by thin layers of solid helium.

Lee, David M.↗

Variable-Structure Control of a Model Glider Airplane

A variable-structure control system designed to enable a fuselage-heavy airplane to recover from spin has been demonstrated in a hand-launched, instrumented model glider airplane. Variable-structure control is a high-speed switching feedback control technique that has been developed for control of nonlinear dynamic systems.

Waszak, Martin R.↗

Isolation, characterization, and primary structure of rubredoxin from the photosynthetic bacterium, Heliobacillus mobilis

Rubredoxin is a small nonheme iron protein that serves as an electron carrier in bacterial systems. Rubredoxin has now been isolated and characterized from the strictly anaerobic phototroph, Heliobacillus mobilis. THe molecular mass (5671.3 Da from the amino acid sequence) was confirmed and partial formylation of the N-terminal methionyl residue was established by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectroscopy. The complete 52-amino-acid sequence was determined by a combination of N-terminal sequencing by Edman degradation and C-terminal sequencing by a novel method using carboxypeptidase treatment in conjunction with amino acid analysis and laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry. The molar absorption coefficient of Hc. mobilis rubredoxin at 490 nm is 6.9 mM-1 cm-1 and the midpoint redox potential at pH 8.0 is -46 mV. The EPR spectrum of the oxidized form shows resonances at g = 9.66 and 4.30 due to a high-spin ferric iron. The amino acid sequence is homologous to those of rubredoxins from other species, in particular, the gram-positive bacteria, and the phototrophic green sulfur bacteria, and the evolutionary implications of this are discussed.

NASA Discipline Number 52-30↗