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At least 127 records · Page 7

Backscatter Modeling at 2.1 Micron Wavelength for Space-Based and Airborne Lidars Using Aerosol Physico-Chemical and Lidar Datasets

Space-based and airborne coherent Doppler lidars designed for measuring global tropospheric wind profiles in cloud-free air rely on backscatter, beta from aerosols acting as passive wind tracers. Aerosol beta distribution in the vertical can vary over as much as 5-6 orders of magnitude. Thus, the design of a wave length-specific, space-borne or airborne lidar must account for the magnitude of 8 in the region or features of interest. The SPAce Readiness Coherent Lidar Experiment under development by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and scheduled for launch on the Space Shuttle in 2001, will demonstrate wind measurements from space using a solid-state 2 micrometer coherent Doppler lidar. Consequently, there is a critical need to understand variability of aerosol beta at 2.1 micrometers, to evaluate signal detection under varying aerosol loading conditions. Although few direct measurements of beta at 2.1 micrometers exist, extensive datasets, including climatologies in widely-separated locations, do exist for other wavelengths based on CO2 and Nd:YAG lidars. Datasets also exist for the associated microphysical and chemical properties. An example of a multi-parametric dataset is that of the NASA GLObal Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) in 1990 in which aerosol chemistry and size distributions were measured concurrently with multi-wavelength lidar backscatter observations. More recently, continuous-wave (CW) lidar backscatter measurements at mid-infrared wavelengths have been made during the Multicenter Airborne Coherent Atmospheric Wind Sensor (MACAWS) experiment in 1995. Using Lorenz-Mie theory, these datasets have been used to develop a method to convert lidar backscatter to the 2.1 micrometer wavelength. This paper presents comparison of modeled backscatter at wavelengths for which backscatter measurements exist including converted beta (sub 2.1).

Srivastava, V.↗

Theory of discrete wave packets in the solar wind.

Discrete wave packets were observed by Ogo 5 and earlier satellites. These waves were believed to be in the whistler mode. Since their group velocities were found to be smaller than the solar-wind speed, these waves could not have been generated in the bow shock and could not have propagated upstream later. The present theory discusses a mechanism similar to that of the echo phenomenon in plasma physics discovered in recent years. The present theory enables us to explain (a) why the wave packets were associated with the bow shock, (b) why the wave packets were characterized by coherent oscillations, and (c) why the wave packets had group velocities smaller than the solar wind and yet could still occur in the solar wind. In short, our theory is able to interpret all the essential features deduced from the observational data.

Wu, C. S.↗

Workshop on the Physics of Planetary and Astrophysical Magnetospheres, Snowmass, Colo., July 30-August 4, 1978, Proceedings

The paper presents theoretical and observational works in the field of planetary and astrophysical magnetospheres. The magnetospheres of earth and Jupiter are analyzed along with pulsar magnetospheres and X-ray source magnetospheres. Consideration is given to coherent radio emissions in space and astrophysics and collective radio emissions from plasmas. Theories of magnetospheres around accreting compact objects are also presented.

Kennel, C. F.↗

Absolute two-photon excitation cross-sections in NO

A technique has been developed which allows the determination of a two-photon absorption cross-section to be made relative to the Raman scattering cross-section in nitrogen. Spatial and temporal effects associated with the lasers are ratioed out to give a result independent of laser parameters. The necessary theory to extract a cross-section from the measured ratio of a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) signal in N2 to a four-wave mixing signal in NO has been developed. The technique has been demonstrated on the R(22) + S(12) (J-double-prime = 9 1/2) line in NO and a cross-section of (2.9 + or - 1.8) x 10 to the -49th (cm to the 4th power)-s was determined. This technique appears to be applicable to a number of other diatomic molecules.

Burris, J.↗

The influence of processor focus on speckle correlation statistics for a Shuttle imaging radar scene of Hurricane Josephine

The surface wave field produced by Hurricane Josephine was imaged by the L-band SAR aboard the Challenger on October 12, 1984. Exponential trends found in the two-dimensional autocorrelations of speckled image data support an equilibrium theory model of sea surface hydrodynamics. The notions of correlated specular reflection, surface coherence, optimal Doppler parameterization and spatial resolution are discussed within the context of a Poisson-Rayleigh statistical model of the SAR imaging process.

Tilley, David G.↗

Harmonic generation at high field strengths - Frequency shifts and saturation phenomena

Optical harmonic generation and mixing in the gas phase has been proposed as a technique for the generation of coherent radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray spectral region. At the high field strengths required by these processes the interaction between atoms and the electromagnetic field shows intensity-dependent resonances. In this paper we modify harmonic generation theory to include the effect of these frequency shifts. Closed-form expressions for generated dipole moment, absorption probability, and coherence length are presented. The most important consequences of frequency shifts on resonantly enhanced processes are that the pump laser must be tuned away from the small-field resonance frequency, that the conversion efficiency may saturate, and that the dispersion of the medium may change sign. As an example, the generation of 198-A radiation by a five-photon mixing process in Li(+) is considered.

Stappaerts, E. A.↗

The critical velocity phenomenon and the origin of the regular satellites

A theory is developed for the formation of the satellite systems which are likely to have been formed in situ, that is, not by capture of the satellite by the central planet. The foundation of the theory is the observation of the similarity between the band structure of such satellites and the band structure of cosmically abundant elements. That means that the values of the quantity log Gamma, where Gamma is the ratio of the mass of the central body to the orbital radius of the secondary body, are grouped into three bands which can be identified with the three bands into which are grouped the values of the ratio of the mass of a central body to the distance at which the kinetic energy of a freely falling cloud of atoms of a given kind equals the ionization energy. A coherent series of processes that could have led to the formation of satellites is outlined. The theory is valid also for planets, since the above-mentioned band structure is noted for the sun-planets system also.

De, B. R.↗

Modelling CLPX IOP3 Radiometric Data by Means of the Dense Media Theory: Preliminary Results for the LSOS Test Site

The capabilities of the Dense Media Radiative Transfer model using the Quasi Crystalline Approximation with Coherent Potential (QCA-CP) to reproduce measured radiometric data were tested using the University of Tokyo Ground Based Microwave Radiometer (GBMR-7) during the third Intensive Observation Period (IOP3) of the NASA Cold-land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX). The data were collected at the Local-Scale Observation Site (LSOS), a 0.8-ha study site consisting of two open meadows separated by trees. Intensive measurements were also made of snow depth and temperature, density, and grain size profiles. A DMRT model is needed to describe radiative transfer in a medium such as snow because the assumption of independent scattering used in classical radiative transfer theory (CRT) is not valid. Validation of the DMRT approach requires a relationship between measured snow grain size and the DMRT approximation of snow grain radius as spherical particles with a mean radius of the log-normal particle-size distribution. This relationship is very important for a better understanding of snow modelling and for practical applications. DMRT simulations were compared with observations of microwave brightnesses at 18.7, 36.5 and 89-GHz (V and H polarizations) collected on February-1 9-25, 2003. Observation angles ranged from 30\deg to 70\deg. Model inputs included measured snow parameters except mean grain size. The average snow temperature, fractional volume and depth were held constant, together with the ice and soil permittivities. The minimum and maximum measured mean grain sizes were used to test the capabilities of the DMRT to reproduce the brightnesses as upper and lower limits. The sensitivity to the largest and smallest measured grain size in the three classes of minimum, medium and maximum observed grain sizes was also investigated. DMRT particle sizes yielding a best-fit to the experimental data for each date were computed. Results show that the measured brightnesses fall within the range of simulated brightnesses using the smallest and largest measured grain size values. The DMRT best-fit radii are comparable to the average radii for the medium observed grain sizes.

Tedesco, Marco↗

Optical communication with two-photon coherent stages. I - Quantum-state propagation and quantum-noise reduction

To determine the ultimate performance limitations imposed by quantum effects, it is also essential to consider optimum quantum-state generation. Certain 'generalized' coherent states of the radiation field possess novel quantum noise characteristics that offer the potential for greatly improved optical communications. These states have been called two-photon coherent states because they can be generated, in principle, by stimulated two-photon processes. The use of two-photon coherent state (TCS) radiation in free-space optical communications is considered. A simple theory of quantum state propagation is developed. The theory provides the basis for representing the free-space channel in a quantum-mechanical form convenient for communication analysis. The new theory is applied to TCS radiation.

Yuen, H. P.↗

Hydrodynamic instability and coherent structures in turbulence

The evolution of a coherent structure in the near wall region is examined in the context of linear theory. In accordance with this theory, a three-dimensional inviscid disturbance is shown to grow into a streamwise elongated streaky structures in a manner similar to what has been observed in experiments and numerical simulations. It is found that spanwise asymmetry is necessary for the structures to evolve into long streaks. The implications of the results for turbulent drag reduction through active or passive means are discussed.

Landahl, Marten T.↗

Bloch vector projection noise

In the optical measurement of the Bloch vector components describing a system of N two-level atoms, the quantum fluctuations in these components are coupled into the measuring optical field. This paper develops the quantum theory of optical measurement of Bloch vector projection noise. The preparation and probing of coherence in an effective two-level system consisting of the two ground states in an atomic three-level lambda-scheme are analyzed.

Wang, Li-Jun↗

Analysis of measurements for solid state laser remote lidar system

The merits of using lidar systems for remote measurements of various atmospheric processes such as wind, turbulence, moisture, and aerosol concentration are widely recognized. Although the lidar technology has progressed considerably over the past two decades, significant research particularly in the area of solid state lidars remains to be conducted in order to fully exploit this technology. The work performed by the UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville) personnel under this Delivery Order concentrated on analyses of measurements required in support of solid state laser remote sensing lidar systems which are to be designed, deployed, and used to measure atmospheric processes and constituents. UAH personnel has studied and recommended to NASA/MSFC the requirements of the optical systems needed to characterize the detection devices suitable for solid state wavelengths and to evaluate various heterodyne detection schemes. The 2-micron solid state laser technology was investigated and several preliminary laser designs were developed and their performance for remote sensing of atmospheric winds and clouds from a spaceborne platform were specified. In addition to the laser source and the detector, the other critical technologies necessary for global wind measurements by a spaceborne solid state coherent lidar systems were identified to be developed and demonstrated. As part of this work, an analysis was performed to determine the atmospheric wind velocity estimation accuracy using the line-of-sight measurements of a scanning coherent lidar. Under this delivery order, a computer database of materials related to the theory, development, testing, and operation of lidar systems was developed to serve as a source of information for lidar research and development.

Amzajerdian, Farzin↗

Quantum detection of coherent-state signals in the presence of noise

A general method for solving an important class of quantum detection problems will be presented and evaluated. The quantum theory for detecting pure states for communications purposes has been developed over two decades ago, however the mixed state problem representing signal plus noise states has received little attention due to its great complexity. Here we develop a practical model for solving the mixed-state problem using a discrete approximation to the coherent-state representation of signal plus noise density operators.

Quantum communication quantum detection↗

Stability and Interaction of Coherent Structure in Supersonic Reactive Wakes

A theoretical formulation and analysis is presented for a study of the stability and interaction of coherent structure in reacting free shear layers. The physical problem under investigation is a premixed hydrogen-oxygen reacting shear layer in the wake of a thin flat plate. The coherent structure is modeled as a periodic disturbance and its stability is determined by the application of linearized hydrodynamic stability theory which results in a generalized eigenvalue problem for reactive flows. Detailed stability analysis of the reactive wake for neutral, symmetrical and antisymmetrical disturbance is presented. Reactive stability criteria is shown to be quite different from classical non-reactive stability. The interaction between the mean flow, coherent structure and fine-scale turbulence is theoretically formulated using the von-Kaman integral technique. Both time-averaging and conditional phase averaging are necessary to separate the three types of motion. The resulting integro-differential equations can then be solved subject to initial conditions with appropriate shape functions. In the laminar flow transition region of interest, the spatial interaction between the mean motion and coherent structure is calculated for both non-reactive and reactive conditions and compared with experimental data wherever available. The fine-scale turbulent motion determined by the application of integral analysis to the fluctuation equations. Since at present this turbulence model is still untested, turbulence is modeled in the interaction problem by a simple algebraic eddy viscosity model. The applicability of the integral turbulence model formulated here is studied parametrically by integrating these equations for the simple case of self-similar mean motion with assumed shape functions. The effect of the motion of the coherent structure is studied and very good agreement is obtained with previous experimental and theoretical works for non-reactive flow. For the reactive case, lack of experimental data made direct comparison difficult. It was determined that the growth rate of the disturbance amplitude is lower for reactive case. The results indicate that the reactive flow stability is in qualitative agreement with experimental observation.

Menon, Suresh↗

A Simplified Theory of Coupled Oscillator Array Phase Control

Linear and planar arrays of coupled oscillators have been proposed as means of achieving high power rf sources through coherent spatial power combining. In such - applications, a uniform phase distribution over the aperture is desired. However, it has been shown that by detuning some of the oscillators away from the oscillation frequency of the ensemble of oscillators, one may achieve other useful aperture phase distributions. Notable among these are linear phase distributions resulting in steering of the output rf beam away from the broadside direction. The theory describing the operation of such arrays of coupled oscillators is quite complicated since the phenomena involved are inherently nonlinear. This has made it difficult to develop an intuitive understanding of the impact of oscillator tuning on phase control and has thus impeded practical application. In this work a simpl!fied theory is developed which facilitates intuitive understanding by establishing an analog of the phase control problem in terms of electrostatics.

Pogorzelski, R. J.↗

Investigation of the large scale coherent structure in a jet and its relevance to jet noise

A study was conducted to determine the causes of aircraft noise in large jet aircraft. It was determined that jet noise varies strongly with velocity and that significant pure tones are generated by rotor-stator interaction in the jet engines. An objective method for deducing the large eddy structure in a large jet is described. The provisions of lighthill's theory are analyzed and applied to investigating the nature of jet noise. There is considerable evidence that a large scale coherent structure exists in a jet and that this structure can play a major role in sound radiation. Mathematical models are developed to define the parameters of orthogonal decomposition, finite extent velocity field, homogeneous fields, and periodic velocity fields.

Arndt, R. E. A.↗

Coherent Eigenmodes in Homogeneous MHD Turbulence

The statistical mechanics of Fourier models of ideal, homogeneous, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is discussed, along with their relevance for dissipative magnetofluids. Although statistical theory predicts that Fourier coefficients of fluid velocity and magnetic field are zero-mean random variables, numerical simulations clearly show that certain coefficients have a non-zero mean value that can be very large compared to the associated standard deviation, i.e., we have coherent structure. We use eigenanalysis of the modal covariance matrices in the probability density function to explain this phenomena in terms of `broken ergodicity', which is defined to occur when dynamical behavior does not match ensemble predictions on very long time-scales. We provide examples from 2-D and 3-D magnetohydrodynamic simulations of homogeneous turbulence, and show new results from long-time simulations of MHD turbulence with and without a mean magnetic field

Shebalin, John V.↗