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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1997

Precise Measurements of the Density and Critical Phenomena Near Phase Transitions in Liquid Helium

The first-year progress for the project of precise measurements of the density and critical phenomena of helium near phase transitions is summarized below: (1) completion of a cryogenic sample probe for the proposed measurements, and the rehabilitation of a designated laboratory at Caltech for this project; (2) construction and testing of a superconducting niobium cavity; (3) acquisition of one phase-locked-loop system for high-resolution frequency control and read- out; (4) setting up high-resolution thermometry (HRT) for temperature readout and control; (5) developing new approaches for calibrating the coefficient between the resonant frequency shift (delta f) and the helium density (rho), as well as for measuring the effect of gravity on T(sub lambda) to a much better precision; (6) programming of the interface control of all instruments for automatic data acquisition; and (7) improving data analyses and fitting procedures.

Yeh, Nai-Chang↗
NASA NTRS2002

Superconducting kinetic inductance photon detectors.

We are investigating a novel superconducting detector and readout method that could lead to photon counting, energy resolving focal plane arrays. This concept is intrinsically different from STJ and TES detectors, and in principle could deliver large pixel counts, high sensitivity, and Fano-limited spectral resolution in the ptical/UV/X-ray bands. The readout uses the monotonic relation between the kinetic surface inductance L***subs***, of a superconductor and the density of quasiparticles n, which holds even at temperatures far below T***subc***. This allows a sensitive readout of the number of excess quasiparticles in the detector by monitoring the transmission phase of a resonant circuit. The most intriguing aspect of this concept is that passive frequency multiplexing could be used to read out ~ l0***super4*** detectors with a single HEMT amplifier. Single x-ray events have been observed in prototype detectors.

kinetic↗
NASA NTRS2016

Symmetric Absorber-Coupled Far-Infrared Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector

The present invention relates to a symmetric absorber-coupled far-infrared microwave kinetic inductance detector including: a membrane having an absorber disposed thereon in a symmetric cross bar pattern; and a microstrip including a plurality of conductor microstrip lines disposed along all edges of the membrane, and separated from a ground plane by the membrane. The conducting microstrip lines are made from niobium, and the pattern is made from a superconducting material with a transition temperature below niobium, including one of aluminum, titanium nitride, or molybdenum nitride. The pattern is disposed on both a top and a bottom of the membrane, and creates a parallel-plate coupled transmission line on the membrane that acts as a half-wavelength resonator at readout frequencies. The parallel-plate coupled transmission line and the conductor microstrip lines form a stepped impedance resonator. The pattern provides identical power absorption for both horizontal and vertical polarization signals.

U-yen, Kongpop↗
NASA NTRS1999

High Power Intermodulation Measurements up to 30 W of High Temperature Superconducting Filters

We have demonstrated a high power intermodulation measurement set-up capable of delivering 30 W in each of two fundamental tones. For closely spaced frequencies (less than 35 MHz), the dynamic range of the measurement is limited by the nonlinear performance of the mixer in the front end of the HP71210C spectrum analyzer. A tunable TE(sub 011) mode copper cavity was fabricated in which one of the endwalls could be adjusted shifting its resonant frequency between 5.7 and 6.6 GHz. Since the Q-value of this cavity is high, greater than 10(exp 4), and its bandwidth is small, less than 1 MHz, it can be used to attenuate the two fundamental tones relative to one of the harmonic tones, which greatly enhances the dynamic range of the measurement. This set-up can be used to measure the two-tone intermodulation distortion of any passive microwave device, e.g. a HTS filter, a connector, a cable, etc., over a frequency range of 5.9 to 6.4 GHz and a power range of 0.1 to 30 W. The third order intercept (TOI) of a prototype HTS filter measured at powers up to 30 W was +81.3 dBm.

Wilker, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1979

High-acceleration mass drivers

High-acceleration mass drivers are discussed including the MD2 model of axial geometry, with individually powered drive coils of 13.1 cm diameter. Timing is derived through the interruption of light beams by the moving armature (bucket). Electric power is provided by the resonant discharge of sector capacitor banks through silicon-controlled rectifiers in a two-phase, quadrature circuit. The bucket flies in vacuum, guided by passive dynamic eddy-current magnetic forces, those currents flowing in strip conductors lining the inside of a nonconducting vacuum pipe. Quantitative measurements are obtained with a solid bucket carrying two superconducting coils with a current density of 25 kA/sq cm. A cryogenic station for cooling the bucket to liquid helium temperature is connected to the vacuum pipe.

Oneill, G. K.↗
NASA NTRS2013

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2013

Topics include: A Short-Range Distance Sensor with Exceptional Linearity; Miniature Trace Gas Detector Based on Microfabricated Optical Resonators; Commercial Non-Dispersive Infrared Spectroscopy Sensors for Sub-Ambient Carbon Dioxide Detection; Fast, Large-Area, Wide-Bandgap UV Photodetector for Cherenkov Light Detection; Mission Data System Java Edition Version 7; Adaptive Distributed Environment for Procedure Training (ADEPT); LEGEND, a LEO-to-GEO Environment Debris Model; Electronics/Computers; Millimeter-Wave Localizers for Aircraft-to-Aircraft Approach Navigation; Impedance Discontinuity Reduction Between High-Speed Differential Connectors and PCB Interfaces; SpaceCube Version 1.5; High-Pressure Lightweight Thrusters; Non-Magnetic, Tough, Corrosion- and Wear-Resistant Knives From Bulk Metallic Glasses and Composites; Ambient Dried Aerogels; Applications for Gradient Metal Alloys Fabricated Using Additive Manufacturing; Passivation of Flexible YBCO Superconducting Current Lead With Amorphous SiO2 Layer; Propellant-Flow-Actuated Rocket Engine Igniter; Lightweight Liquid Helium Dewar for High-Altitude Balloon Payloads; Method to Increase Performance of Foil Bearings Through Passive Thermal Management; Unibody Composite Pressurized Structure; JWST Integrated Science Instrument Module Alignment Optimization Tool; Radar Range Sidelobe Reduction Using Adaptive Pulse Compression Technique; Digitally Calibrated TR Modules Enabling Real-Time Beamforming SweepSAR Architectures; Electro-Optic Time-to-Space Converter for Optical Detector Jitter Mitigation; Partially Transparent Petaled Mask/Occulter for Visible-Range Spectrum; Educational NASA Computational and Scientific Studies (enCOMPASS); Coarse-Grain Bandwidth Estimation Scheme for Large-Scale Network; Detection of Moving Targets Using Soliton Resonance Effect; High-Efficiency Nested Hall Thrusters for Robotic Solar System Exploration; High-Voltage Clock Driver for Photon-Counting CCD Characterization; Development of the Code RITRACKS; and Enabling Microliquid Chromatography by Microbead Packing of Microchannels.

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Parallel Plate Capacitor Aluminum KIDs for Future Far-Infrared Space-Based Observatories

Future space-based far-infrared astrophysical observatories will require exquisitely sensitive detectors consistent with the low optical backgrounds. The PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) will deploy arrays of thousands of superconducting kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) sensitive to radiation between 25 and 265 μm. Here, we present laboratory characterization of prototype, 25 – 80 μm wavelength, low-volume, aluminum KIDs designed for the low-background environment expected with PRIMA. A compact parallel plate capacitor is used to minimize the detector footprint and suppress TLS noise. A novel resonant absorber is designed to enhance response in the band of interest. We present noise and optical efficiency measurements of these detectors taken with a low background cryostat and a cryogenic blackbody. A microlens-hybridized KID array is found to be photon noise limited down to about 50 aW with a limiting detector NEP of about 6.5×10 −19 W/Hz 1/2 . A fit to an NEP model shows that our optical system is well characterized and understood down to 50 aW. We discuss future plans for low-volume aluminum KID array development as well as the testbeds used for these measurements.

Far-Infrared↗
NASA NTRS2016

Fabricating with Crystalline Si to Improve Superconducting Detector Performance

We built and measured radio-frequency (RF) loss tangent, tan d, evaluation structures using float-zone quality silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with 5 µ m thick device layers. Superconducting Nb components were fabricated on both sides of the SOI Si device layer. Our main goals were to develop a robust fabrication for using crystalline Si (c-Si) dielectric layers with superconducting Nb components in a wafer bonding process and to confirm that tan d with c-Si dielectric layers was reduced at RF frequencies compared to devices fabricated with amorphous dielectrics, such as SiO2 and SixNy, where tan d ~ 10-3. Our primary test structure used a Nb coplanar waveguide (CPW) readout structure capacitively coupled to LC resonators, where the capacitors were defined as parallel-plate capacitors on both sides of a c-Si device layer using a wafer bonding process with benzocyclobutene (BCB) wafer bonding adhesive. Our control experiment, to determine the intrinsic tan d in the SOI device layer without wafer bonding, also used Nb CPW readout coupled to LC resonators; however, the parallel-plate capacitors were fabricated on both sides of the Si device layer using a deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) to access the c-Si underside through the buried oxide and handle Si layers in the SOI wafers. We found that our wafer bonded devices demonstrated F· d = (8 ± 2) × 10-5, where F is the filling fraction of two-level states (TLS). For the control experiment, F· d = (2.0 ± 0.6) × 10-5, and we discuss what may be degrading the performance in the wafer bonded devices as compared to the control devices.

Beyer, A D↗
NASA NTRS2016

Fabricating with Crystalline Si to Improve Superconducting Detector Performance

We built and measured radio-frequency (RF) loss tangent, tan δ, evaluation structures using float-zone quality silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with 5 μm thick device layers. Superconducting Nb components were fabricated on both sides of the SOI Si device layer. Our main goals were to develop a robust fabrication for using crystalline Si (c-Si) dielectric layers with superconducting Nb components in a wafer bonding process and to confirm that tan δ with c-Si dielectric layers was reduced at RF frequencies compared to devices fabricated with amorphous dielectrics, such as SiO2 and SixNy, where tan δ ~ 10(exp -3). Our primary test structure used a Nb coplanar waveguide (CPW) readout structure capacitively coupled to LC resonators, where the capacitors were defined as parallel-plate capacitors on both sides of a c-Si device layer using a wafer bonding process with benzocyclobutene (BCB) wafer bonding adhesive. Our control experiment, to determine the intrinsic tan δ in the SOI device layer without wafer bonding, also used Nb CPW readout coupled to LC resonators; however, the parallel-plate capacitors were fabricated on both sides of the Si device layer using a deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) to access the c-Si underside through the buried oxide and handle Si layers in the SOI wafers. We found that our wafer bonded devices demonstrated F· δ = (8 +/- 2) × 10(exp -5), where F is the filling fraction of two-level states (TLS). For the control experiment, F· δ = (2.0 +/- 0.6) × 10(exp -5), and we discuss what may be degrading the performance in the wafer bonded devices as compared to the control devices.

Beyer, A. D↗
NASA NTRS1990

Emerging applications of high temperature superconductors for space communications

Proposed space missions require longevity of communications system components, high input power levels, and high speed digital logic devices. The complexity of these missions calls for a high data bandwidth capacity. Incorporation of high temperature superconducting (HTS) thin films into some of these communications system components may provide a means of meeting these requirements. Space applications of superconducting technology has previously been limited by the requirement of cooling to near liquid helium temperatures. Development of HTS materials with transition temperatures above 77 K along with the natural cooling ability of space suggest that space applications may lead the way in the applications of high temperature superconductivity. In order for HTS materials to be incorporated into microwave and millimeter wave devices, the material properties such as electrical conductivity, current density, surface resistivity and others as a function of temperature and frequency must be well characterized and understood. The millimeter wave conductivity and surface resistivity were well characterized, and at 77 K are better than copper. Basic microwave circuits such as ring resonators were used to determine transmission line losses. Higher Q values than those of gold resonator circuits were observed below the transition temperature. Several key HTS circuits including filters, oscillators, phase shifters and phased array antenna feeds are feasible in the near future. For technology to improve further, good quality, large area films must be reproducibly grown on low dielectric constant, low loss microwave substrates.

Heinen, Vernon O.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Insertion loss and noise-temperature contribution of high-temperature superconducting bandpass filters centered at 2.3 and 8.45 GHz

Two superconducting Tl-Ca-Cu-Ba-O bandpass filters were fabricated for JPL by Superconductor Technologies Incorporated, Santa Barbara, California. The filters were designed to operate at 2.3 GHz (S-band) with a 0.5-dB bandwidth of 60 MHz and at 8.45 GHz (X-band) with a 0.5-dB bandwidth of 150 MHz. The structure selected for both filters incorporates half-wavelength thin-film resonators in a stripline configuration. The S-band filter uses an edge-coupled interdigital design and the X-band filter uses an end-coupled design. The insertion loss and the noise-temperature contribution were measured at 12 K for both filters.

Prater, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Miniaturized High-Temperature Superconducting/Dielectric Multilayer Filters for Satellite Communications

Most communication satellites contain well over a hundred filters in their payload. Current technology in typical satellite multiplexers use dual-mode cavity or dielectric resonator filters that are large (approx. 25 to 125 cu in) and heavy (up to 600 g). As the complexity of future advanced electronic systems for satellite communications increases, even more filters will be needed, requiring filter miniaturization without performance degradation. Such improvements in filter technology will enhance satellite performance. To reduce the size, weight, and cost of the multiplexers without compromising performance, the NASA Lewis Research Center is collaborating with industry to develop a new class of dual-mode multilayer filters consisting of YBa2Cu3O7-delta high-temperature superconducting (HTS) thin films on LaAlO3 substrates.

Miranda, Felix A.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Tunable Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer for Mars Climate, Atmosphere, and Gravity Field Investigation

We are developing a compact tensor superconducting gravity gradiometer (SGG) for obtaining gravimetric measurements from planetary orbits. A new and innovative design gives a potential sensitivity of approximately 10(sup -4) E Hz(sup - 1/2)( 1 E = 10(sup -9 S(sup -2) in the measurement band up to 0.1 Hz (suitale for short wavelength static gravity) and of approximately 10(sup -4) E Hz(sup - 1/2) in the frequency band less than 1 mHz (for long wavelength time-variable gravity) from the same device with a baseline just over 10 cm. The measurement band and sensitiy can be optimally tuned in-flight during the mission by changing resonance frequencies, which allows meaurements of both static and time-variable gravity fields from the same mission. Significant advances in the technologies needed for space-based cryogenic instruments have been made in the last decade. In particular, the use of cryocoolers will alleviate the previously severe constraint on mission lifetime imposed by the use of liquid helium, enabling mission durations in the 5 - 10 year range.

Mars↗
NASA NTRS1990

Magnetic correlations in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 from NQR relaxation and specific heat

La-139 and Cu-63 Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) relaxation measurements in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 for O = to or less than 0.3 and in the temperature range 1.6 + 450 K are analyzed in terms of Cu(++) magnetic correlations and dynamics. It is described how the magnetic correlations that would result from Cu-Cu exchange are reduced by mobile charge defects related to x-doping. A comprehensive picture is given which explains satisfactorily the x and T dependence of the correlation time, of the correlation length and of the Neel temperature T(sub n)(x) as well as being consistent with known electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. It is discussed how, in the superconducting samples, the mobile defects also cause the decrease, for T yields T(sub c)(+) of the hyperfine Cu electron-nucleus effective interaction, leading to the coexistence of quasi-localized, reduced magnetic moments from 3d Cu electrons and mobile oxygen p-hole carriers. The temperature dependence of the effective hyperfine field around the superconducting transition yields an activation energy which could be related to the pairing energy. New specific heat measurements are also presented and discussed in terms of the above picture.

Borsa, F.↗
NASA NTRS1995

HTS thin films: Passive microwave components and systems integration issues

The excellent microwave properties of the High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS) have been amply demonstrated in the laboratory by techniques such as resonant cavity, power transmission and microstrip resonator measurements. The low loss and high Q passive structures made possible with HTS, present attractive options for applications in commercial, military and spacebased systems. However, to readily insert HTS into these systems improvement is needed in such areas as repeatability in the deposition and processing of the HTS films, metal-contact formation, wire bonding, and overall film endurance to fabrication and assembly procedures. In this paper we present data compiled in our lab which illustrate many of the problems associated with these issues. Much of this data were obtained in the production of a space qualified hybrid receiver-downconverter module for the Naval Research Laboratory's High Temperature Superconductivity Space Experiment 2 (HTSSE-2). Examples of variations observed in starting films and finished circuits will be presented. It is shown that under identical processing the properties of the HTS films can degrade to varying extents. Finally, we present data on ohmic contacts and factors affecting their adhesion to HTS films, strength of wire bonds made to such contacts, and aging effects.

Miranda, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Hot-Electron Bolometer Mixers on Silicon-on-Insulator Substrates for Terahertz Frequencies

A terahertz Hot-Electron Bolometer (HEB) mixer design using device substrates based on Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology is described. This substrate technology allows very thin chips (6 pm) with almost arbitrary shape to be manufactured, so that they can be tightly fitted into a waveguide structure and operated at very high frequencies with only low risk for power leakages and resonance modes. The NbTiN-based bolometers are contacted by gold beam-leads, while other beamleads are used to hold the chip in place in the waveguide test fixture. The initial tests yielded an equivalent receiver noise temperature of 3460 K double-sideband at a local oscillator frequency of 1.462 THz and an intermediate frequency of 1.4 GHz.

bolometer↗
NASA NTRS1995

HTS Thin Films: Passive Microwave Components and Systems Integration Issues

The excellent microwave properties of the High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS) have been amply demonstrated in the laboratory by techniques such as resonant cavity, power transmission and microstrip resonator measurements. The low loss and high Q passive structures made possible with HTS, present attractive options for applications in commercial, military and space-based systems. However, to readily insert HTS into these systems, improvement is needed in such areas as repeatability in the deposition and processing of the HTS films, metal-contact formation, wire bonding, and overall film endurance to fabrication and assembly procedures. In this paper, we present data compiled in our lab which illustrate many of the problems associated with these issues. Much of this data were obtained in the production of a space qualified hybrid receiver-downconverter module for the Naval Research Laboratory's High Temperature Superconductivity Space Experiment II (HTSSE-II). Examples of variations observed in starting films and finished circuits will be presented. It is shown that under identical processing the properties of the HTS films can degrade to varying extents. Finally, we present data on ohmic contacts and factors affecting their adhesion to HTS films, strength of wire bonds made to such contacts, and aging effects.

Miranda, F. A.↗