Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “light shift”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7

Development of Point Doppler Velocimetry for Flow Field Investigations

A Point Doppler Velocimeter (pDv) has been developed using a vapor-limited iodine cell as the sensing medium. The iodine cell is utilized to directly measure the Doppler shift frequency of laser light scattered from submicron particles suspended within a fluid flow. The measured Doppler shift can then be used to compute the velocity of the particles, and hence the fluid. Since this approach does not require resolution of scattered light from individual particles, the potential exists to obtain temporally continuous signals that could be uniformly sampled in the manner as a hot wire anemometer. This leads to the possibility of obtaining flow turbulence power spectra without the limitations of fringe-type laser velocimetry. The development program consisted of a methodical investigation of the technology coupled with the solution of practical engineering problems to produce a usable measurement system. The paper outlines this development along with the evaluation of the resulting system as compared to primary standards and other measurement technologies.

Cavone, Angelo A.↗

Influence of Bi alloying on GaAs valence band structure

Bi alloying is predicted to transform GaAs from a semiconductor to a topological insulator or semimetal. To date, studies of the GaAs 1−x Bi x alloy band structure have been limited, and the origins of Bi-induced enhancement of the spin-orbit splitting energy, Δ SO , are unresolved. Here, in this study, we present high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of droplet-free epitaxial GaAs 1−x Bi x films with x Bi = 0.06. In addition to quantifying the Bi-induced shifts of the light-hole and heavy-hole valence bands, we probe the origins of the Bi-enhanced Δ SO . Using exact-two-component density functional theory calculations, we identify the key role of Bi p-orbitals in the upward shift of the light-hole and heavy-hole bands that results in the Bi-enhanced Δ SO .

Cooper, Joshua J. P. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor↗

Closed loop fiber optic rotation sensor

An improved optical gyroscope is provided, of the type that passes two light components in opposite directions through an optic fiber coil, and which adds a small variable frequency to one of the light components to cancel the phase shift due to rotation of the coil. The amount of coil rotation from an initial orientation, is accurately determined by combining the two light components, one of which has a slightly increased frequency, to develop beats that each represent a predetermined angle of rotation. The direction of rotation is obtained by combining the two light components on a photodetector, intermittently phase shifting a single light component by 90 deg and comparing the direction of change of photodetector output (+ or -) caused by the 90 deg shift, with the slope (+ or -) of the photodetector output at about the same time, when there is a 90 deg shift.

Goss, Willis C.↗

Air-mass flux measurement system using Doppler-shifted filtered Rayleigh scattering

An optical system has been investigated to measure mass flux distributions in the inlet of a high speed air-breathing propulsion system. Rayleigh scattered light from air is proportional to the number density of molecules and hence can be used to ascertain the gas density in a calibrated system. Velocity field measurements are achieved by spectrally filtering the elastically-scattered Doppler-shifted light with an absorbing molecular filter. A novel anamorphic optical collection system is used which allows optical rays from different scattering angles, that have different Doppler shifts, to be recorded separately. This is shown to obviate the need to tune the laser through the absorption to determine velocities, while retaining the ability to make spatially-resolved measurements along a line. By properly selecting the laser tuning and filter parameters, simultaneous density measurements can be made. These properties are discussed in the paper and experiments demonstrating the velocimetry capability are described.

Shirley, John A.↗

Sub-1 Volt and high-bandwidth visible to near-infrared electro-optic modulators

Abstract Integrated electro-optic (EO) modulators are fundamental photonics components with utility in domains ranging from digital communications to quantum information processing. At telecommunication wavelengths, thin-film lithium niobate modulators exhibit state-of-the-art performance in voltage-length product ( V π L ), optical loss, and EO bandwidth. However, applications in optical imaging, optogenetics, and quantum science generally require devices operating in the visible-to-near-infrared (VNIR) wavelength range. Here, we realize VNIR amplitude and phase modulators featuring V π L ’s of sub-1 V ⋅ cm, low optical loss, and high bandwidth EO response. Our Mach-Zehnder modulators exhibit a V π L as low as 0.55 V ⋅ cm at 738 nm, on-chip optical loss of ~0.7 dB/cm, and EO bandwidths in excess of 35 GHz. Furthermore, we highlight the opportunities these high-performance modulators offer by demonstrating integrated EO frequency combs operating at VNIR wavelengths, with over 50 lines and tunable spacing, and frequency shifting of pulsed light beyond its intrinsic bandwidth (up to 7x Fourier limit) by an EO shearing method.

42 ENGINEERING↗

New roads and challenges for fuel cells in heavy-duty transportation

The recent release of hydrogen economy roadmaps for several major countries emphasizes the need for accelerated worldwide investment in research and development activities for hydrogen production, storage, infrastructure and utilization in transportation, industry and the electrical grid. Due to the high gravimetric energy density of hydrogen, the focus of technologies that utilize this fuel has recently shifted from light-duty automotive to heavy-duty vehicle applications. Decades of development of cost-effective and durable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells must now be leveraged to meet the increased efficiency and durability requirements of the heavy-duty vehicle market. This Review summarizes the latest market outlooks and targets for truck, bus, locomotive and marine applications. Required changes to the fuel-cell system and operating conditions for meeting Class 8 long-haul truck targets are presented. The necessary improvements in fuel-cell materials and integration are also discussed against the benchmark of current passenger fuel-cell electric vehicles.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Dipolar spin wave packet transport in a van der Waals antiferromagnet

Antiferromagnets are promising platforms for transduction and transmission of quantum information via magnons—the quanta of spin waves—and they offer advantages over ferromagnets in regard to dissipation, speed of response and robustness to external fields. Recently, transduction was shown in a van der Waals antiferromagnet, where strong spin-exciton coupling enables readout of the amplitude and phase of coherent magnons by photons of visible light. This discovery shifts the focus of research to transmission, specifically to exploring the non-local interactions that enable magnon wave packets to propagate. Here we demonstrate that magnon propagation is mediated by long-range dipole–dipole interaction. This coupling is an inevitable consequence of fundamental electrodynamics and, as such, will likely mediate the propagation of spin at long wavelengths in the entire class of van der Waals magnets currently under investigation. In conclusion, successfully identifying the mechanism of spin propagation provides a set of optimization rules, as well as caveats, that are essential for any future applications of these promising systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Spectral and photochemical diversity of tandem cysteine cyanobacterial phytochromes

The atypical trichromatic cyanobacterial phytochrome NpTP1 from Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 is a linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-binding photoreceptor protein that possesses tandem-cysteine residues responsible for shifting its light-sensing maximum to the violet spectral region. Using bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses, in this study we established that tandem-cysteine cyanobacterial phytochromes (TCCPs) compose a well-supported monophyletic phytochrome lineage distinct from prototypical red/far-red cyanobacterial phytochromes. To investigate the light-sensing diversity of this family, we compared the spectroscopic properties of NpTP1 (here renamed NpTCCP) with those of three phylogenetically diverged TCCPs identified in the draft genomes of Tolypothrix sp. PCC7910, Scytonema sp. PCC10023, and Gloeocapsa sp. PCC7513. Recombinant photosensory core modules of ToTCCP, ScTCCP, and GlTCCP exhibited violet-blue–absorbing dark-states consistent with dual thioether-linked phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophores. Photoexcitation generated singly-linked photoproduct mixtures with variable ratios of yellow-orange and red-absorbing species. The photoproduct ratio was strongly influenced by pH and by mutagenesis of TCCP- and phytochrome-specific signature residues. Our experiments support the conclusion that both photoproduct species possess protonated 15E bilin chromophores, but differ in the ionization state of the noncanonical “second” cysteine sulfhydryl group. We found that the ionization state of this and other residues influences subsequent conformational change and downstream signal transmission. We also show that tandem-cysteine phytochromes present in eukaryotes possess similar amino acid substitutions within their chromophore-binding pocket, which tune their spectral properties in an analogous fashion. Taken together, our findings provide a roadmap for tailoring the wavelength specificity of plant phytochromes to optimize plant performance in diverse natural and artificial light environments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Non-invasive Pipe Pressure Monitoring for Safeguards

Our project explores a new solution to complement current safeguards toolbox by independently, and noninvasively, determining the pressure inside uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 )-carrying Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant (GCEP) pipes. Proof-of-principle, non-invasive pipe pressure monitoring tests were conducted through measurements of hoop and axial strain using an optical-interference dilatometry technique based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) inscribed in the core of telecommunication-type 125 µm diameter optical fibers. The fibers were affixed to commercial stainless steel and aluminum tubes and pipes of the type expected to be found at GCEP’s, each measuring four inches in diameter. When the internal air pressure in the pipes changes their external diameter and length follow, and the pitch in the FBG shrinks and/or expands accordingly. In turn, these changes result in a shift of the light wavelength reflected by the FBGs. Several FBGs physically attached to the pipe, as well as control FBGs not attached, were interrogated during the process using state-of-the-art commercial interrogators that operate on swept-wavelength laser technology. Strains measured were contrasted against calculations based on the known elastic and mechanical properties of the pipes. Good agreement is found, and strategies are proposed for further improvement of the experimental resolution as well as future implementation of this novel approach for GCEP safeguards.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

First Results from the Thomson Scattering Diagnostic on the Large Plasma Device

We present the first Thomson scattering measurements of electron density and temperature in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD), a 22 m long magnetized linear plasma device at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The diagnostic spectrally resolves the Doppler shift imparted on light from a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser when scattered by plasma electrons. A fiber array coupled to a triple-grating spectrometer is used to obtain high stray light rejection and discriminate the faint scattering signal from a much larger background. In the center of the plasma column, the measured electron density and temperature are about ne≈1.5×1013 cm−3 and Te≈ 3 eV, respectively, depending on the discharge parameters and in good agreement with Langmuir probe data. Optical design considerations to maximize photon count while minimizing alignment sensitivity are discussed in detail and compared to numerical calculations. Raman scattering off of a quartz crystal probe is used for an absolute irradiance calibration of the system.

Kaloyan, Marietta (ORCID:0000000182593038)↗

Biochronometry; Proceedings of the Symposium, Friday Harbor, Wash., September 4-6, 1969.

Topics discussed include circadian activity rhythms in birds and man, variation of circadian rhythms in monkeys, resetting of circadian eclosion rhythm in fruitflies, the effectiveness of mathematical models of circadian rhythms, the influence of ac electric fields on circadian rhythms in man, the relation between changes in the metabolic rate and circadian periodicity of the resistance of pocket mice to ionizing radiation, the relation between circadian organization and the photoperiodic time measurement in moths, the circadian rhythm of optic nerve potentials in the isolated eye of the sea hare, phasing of circadian temperature rhythms in the pocket mouse by specific spectral regions, the phase-shifting effect of light on circadian rhymicity in the fruifly, hormonal control of circadian rhythms in the fruitfly, metabolically controlled temperature compensation in the circadian rhythm of algae, and circadian rhythms in the chloroplasts of algae. Individual items are abstracted in this issue.

Menaker, M.↗

Occultation studies of planets and satellites: The occultation of epsilon Geminorum by Mars

The occultation of epsilon Geminorum by Mars on 1976 April 8 was observed at three wavelengths and 4 ms time resolution with the 91 cm telescope. Temperature, pressure, and number density profiles of the Martian atmosphere were obtained for both the immersion and emersion events. Within the altitude range of 50 to 80 km above the mean surface, the mean temperature is 145 K, and the profiles exhibit wavelike structures with a peak to peak amplitude of 35 K and a vertical scale of about 20 km. The ratio of the refractivity of the atmosphere at 4500 A and 7500 A, determined from the time shift of the light curves for these wavelengths, is consistent with the atmospheric composition measured by Viking 1, 15 weeks later. From the central flash - a bright feature in the light curve midway between immersion and emersion - an optical depth is found at 4500 A of 3.3 plus or minus 1.7 per km atm (about 0.23 per equivalent Martian air mass) for the atmosphere about 25 km above the mean surface, near the south polar region. This large value and its weak wavelength dependence rule out Rayleigh scattering as the principal cause of the observed extinction.

Elliot, J. L.↗

The trapped mercury ion frequency standard

Singly ionized mercury atoms have a structure similar to neutral alkali atoms. They can be maintained as ions for very long times in an RF quadrupole ion trap. Thus, their ground state hyperfine structure can be used to make a frequency standard using optical pumping techniques similar to the well-known rubidium standard. The mass 199 isotope of mercury has an ionic hyperfine structure of 40.5 GHz. In a trap system a linewidth of 10 Hz has been measured. An expression is presented for the short-term stability of a proposed mercury standard as set by the achieved signal to noise ratio. There is prospect of further improvement. Long-term stability is affected by second order doppler effect, and by pressure, light, and Stark shifts. However, these appear either sufficiently small or sufficiently controlable that the proposed mercury ion standard would be competitive with existing standards.

Mcguire, M. D.↗

Repeatable, multiple-peaked structure in Type I X-ray bursts

A distinct, identifiable, multiple-peaked structure has been observed in Type I X-ray bursts from three sources. At energies below 6 keV, the light curves look like typical Type I bursts. At higher energies, the burst is double-peaked, with both the depth of the dip and the separation between the peaks increasing with energy. A light curve of the energy-integrated intensity shows no distinct double peak, suggesting that only a single energy release occurs. Blackbody fits to the evolving burst spectra yield changing radii and temperatures, inversely correlated, during the early part of the burst. The physical interpretation of these changes is uncertain. Burst decay spectra yield relatively constant radii with decreasing temperatures. It is proposed that Compton scattering may be responsible for the dips in the higher-energy light curves by shifting photons to lower energies.

Hoffman, J. A.↗

Lidar meteorology

Current and future lidar applications to meteorological studies are presented. In water vapor, temperature, and pressure measurement applications, differential absorption lidar (DIAL) techniques are used, employing a minimum of two wavelengths. The DIAL technique has proven particularly accurate in pressure measurements. For wind measurements, lidar investigations generally use the Doppler shifting of laser light backscattered from aerosols, and a pulsed low-power CO2 Doppler lidar is being developed for airborne platform applications. At visible to near-infrared wavelengths, spatial distribution of aerosol and clouds can be obtained from lidar, and this information can help determine such atmospheric parameters as mixed layer height and cloud height distributions. A Shuttle lidar facility, being developed for the end of the 1980's, will enable laser remote sensing techniques to be applied to studies of the lower atmosphere.

Browell, E. V.↗