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At least 145 records · Page 8

Using FT-IR Spectroscopy to Elucidate the Structures of Ablative Polymers

The composition and structure of an ablative polymer has a multifaceted influence on its thermal, mechanical and ablative properties. Understanding the molecular level information is critical to the optimization of material performance because it helps to establish correlations with the macroscopic properties of the material, the so-called structure-property relationship. Moreover, accurate information of molecular structures is also essential to predict the thermal decomposition pathways as well as to identify decomposition species that are fundamentally important to modeling work. In this presentation, I will describe the use of infrared transmission spectroscopy (FT-IR) as a convenient tool to aid the discovery and development of thermal protection system materials.

Fan, Wendy↗

Combined infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy matrix-isolated carbon vapor

Infrared and UV-visible absorption spectra have been measured on the same sample of matrix-isolated carbon vapor in order to establish correlations between absorption intensities of vibrational and electronic transitions as a function of sample annealing. A high degree of correlation has been found between the IR feature at 1998/cm recently assigned to C8 and a UV absorption feature at about 3100 A. Thus, for the first time, direct evidence is given for the assignment of one of the unknown UV-visible features of the long-studied matrix-isolated carbon vapor spectrum.

Kurtz, Joe↗

The photoelectron spectroscopy of ZnCl2

The ionization energies (IEs) corresponding to the Cl ligand electrons and the Zn 3d electrons in ZnCl2, computed using large Gaussian basis sets and a high level of correlation treatment, are presented. The IEs for the Cl ligand electrons are in excellent agreement with those determined from photoelectron spectra. The IEs corresponding to the Zn 3d electrons agree with experiment relatively well in absolute magnitude, but differ in order. The vibrational frequencies of the ground state agree very well with experiment, and predictions are made for the corresponding frequencies in the positive ion.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

The Transition from Hydrogen Bonding to Ionization in (HCI)n(NH3)n and (HCI)n(H2O)n Clusters: Consequences for Anharmonic Vibrational Spectroscopy

Anharmonic vibrational frequencies and intensities are calculated for 1:1 and 2:2 (HCl)(sub n)(NH3)(sub n) and (HCl)(sub n)(H2O)(sub n) complexes, employing the correlation-corrected vibrational self-consistent field method with ab initio potential surfaces at the MP2/TZP computational level. In this method, the anharmonic coupling between all vibrational modes is included, which is found to be important for the systems studied. For the 4:4 (HCl)(sub n)(H2O)(sub n) complex, the vibrational spectra are calculated at the harmonic level, and anharmonic effects are estimated. Just as the (HCl)(sub n)(NH3)(sub n) structure switches from hydrogen-bonded to ionic for n=2, the (HCl)(sub n)(H2O)(sub n) switches to ionic structure for n=4. For (HCl)2(H2O)2, the lowest energy structure corresponds to the hydrogen-bonded form. However, configurations of the ionic form are separated from this minimum by a barrier of less than an O-H stretching quantum. This suggests the possibility of experiments on ionization dynamics using infrared excitation of the hydrogen-bonded form. The strong cooperative effects on the hydrogen bonding, and concomitant transition to ionic bonding, makes an accurate estimate of the large anharmonicity crucial for understanding the infrared spectra of these systems. The anharmonicity is typically of the order of several hundred wave numbers for the proton stretching motions involved in hydrogen or ionic bonding, and can also be quite large for the intramolecular modes. In addition, the large cooperative effects in the 2:2 and higher order (HCl(sub n)(H2O)(sub n) complexes may have interesting implications for solvation of hydrogen halides at ice surfaces.

Chaban, Galina M.↗

ATLAS-2 and UARS correlative measurement opportunities during Space Shuttle mission on April 8-17, 1993

The second ATmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-2) mission was flown aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery from 8-17 Apr. 1993. The nighttime launch at 0529 Greenwich Mean Time provided maximum solar occultation sunrise coverage of the northern latitudes by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy instrument. The ATLAS-2 Earth-viewing instruments provided a large number of measurements which were nearly coincident with observations from experiments on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Based on instrument operating schedules during the ATLAS-2 mission, simulations were performed to determine when and where correlative measurements between ATLAS and UARS instruments occurred. Results of these orbital and instrument simulations provide valuable information for the ATLAS and UARS scientists to compare measurements between various instruments on the two satellites.

Harrison, Edwin F.↗

Hercules X-1: Spectral Variability of an X-Ray Pulsar in a Stellar Binary System

A cosmic X-ray spectroscopy experiment onboard the Orbiting Solar Observatory 8 (OSO-8), observed Her x-1 continuously for approximately 8 days. Spectral-temporal correlations of the X-ray emission were obtained. The major results concern observations of: (1) iron band emission, (2) spectral hardening (increase in effective x-ray temperature) within the X-ray pulse, and (3) a transition from an X-ray low state to a high state. The spectrum obtained prior to the high state can be interpreted as reflected emission from a hot coronal gas surrounding an accretion disk, which itself shields the primary X-ray source from the line of sight during the low state. The spectral hardening within the X-ray pulse was indicative of the beaming mechanism at the neutron star surface. The hardest spectrum by pulse phase was identified with the line of sight close to the Her x-1 magnetic dipole axis, and the X-ray pencil beam become harder with decreasing angle between the line of sight and the dipole axis.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

The dependence of reflectance spectra of Mercury on surface terrain

Reflectance spectra of Mercury covering the spectral range of 0.3-1.1 micron, obtained during 1963-1976, were examined for any correlations with surface terrain. Mercury's 6.1385-deg/day rotational rate, the phases of the planet around maximum elongations, and bidirectional-reflectance-spectroscopy theory were used to identify the surface area associated with each spectrum. Data from 1974-1975, rereduced with improved standard-star-flux ratios, show a weak absorption band in the near infrared not seen in earlier analyses. Older spectra suggest that the western longitudes of the unimaged side of Mercury are similar to the rest of the planet. Spectra of the intercrater plains in the 0-90-deg quadrant suggest a possible absorption band. Spectra of areas dominated by Caloris Basin with the encompassing smooth plains may show Fe(2+) abundances in the soil comparable to lunar-highlands soil. No striking differences between spectra of intercrater plains and smooth plains are found. The absorption features seen in spectra of Mercury are generally weaker than features seen in lunar spectra.

Vilas, F.↗

Chemical and Isotopic Analysis of Trace Organic Matter on Meteorites and Interstellar Dust Using a Laser Microprobe Instrument

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of considerable interest today because they are ubiquitous on Earth and in the interstellar medium (ISM). In fact, about 20% of cosmic carbon in the galaxy is estimated to be in the form of PAHs. Investigation of these species has obvious uses for determining the cosmochemistry of the solar system. Work in this laboratory has focused on four main areas: 1) Mapping the spatial distribution of PAHs in a variety of meteoritic samples and comparing this distribution with mineralogical features of the meteorite to determine whether a correlation exists between the two. 2) Developing a method for detection of fullerenes in extraterrestrial samples using microprobe Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectroscopy and utilizing this technique to investigate fullerene presence, while exploring the possibility of spatially mapping the fullerene distribution in these samples through in situ detection. 3) Investigating a possible formation pathway for meteoritic and ancient terrestrial kerogen involving the photochemical reactions of PAHs with alkanes under prebiotic and astrophysically relevant conditions. 4) Studying reaction pathways and identifying the photoproducts generated during the photochemical evolution of PAH-containing interstellar ice analogs as part of an ongoing collaboration with researchers at the Astrochemistry Lab at NASA Ames. All areas involve elucidation of the solar system formation and chemistry using microprobe Laser Desorption Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometry. A brief description of microprobe Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectroscopy, which allows selective investigation of subattomole levels of organic species on the surface of a sample at 10-40 micrometer spatial resolution, is given.

Zare, Richard N.↗

Snowballs in Euclid and WFIRST Detectors

Snowballs are transient events observed in HgCdTe detectors with a sudden increase of charge in a few pixels. They appear between consecutive reads of the detector, after which the affected pixels return to their normal behavior. The origin of the snowballs is unknown, but it was speculated that they could be the result of alpha decay of naturally radioactive contaminants in the detectors, but a cosmic ray origin cannot be ruled out. Even though previous studies predicted a low rate of occurrence of these events, and consequently, a minimal impact on science, it is interesting to investigate the cause or causes that may generate snowballs and their impact in detectors designed for future missions. We searched for the presence of snowballs in the dark current data in Euclid and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) detectors tested in the Detector Characterization Laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center. Our investigation shows that for Euclid and WFIRST detectors, there are snowballs that appear only one time, and others that repeat in the same spatial localization. For Euclid detectors, there is a correlation between the snowballs that repeat and bad pixels in the operational masks (pixels that do not fulfill the requirements to pass spectroscopy noise, photometry noise, quantum efficiency, and/or linearity). The rate of occurrence for a snowball event is about 0.9 snowballs/hr. in Euclid detectors (for the ones that do not have associated bad pixels in the mask), and about 0.7 snowballs/hr. in PV3 Full Array Lot WFIRST detectors.

Astronomy↗

Electron cyclotron resonance deposition of a-Si:H and a-C:H films

Amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films have been deposited by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) microwave plasma enhanced CVD. A high deposition rate of 25 A/sec and a light-to-dark conductivity ratio of 500,000 for a-Si:H films have been achieved by the ECR process using a pure silane plasma. ECR microwave plasmas have been analyzed by in situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and have shown a strong H-asterisk emission at 434 nm indicating higher chemical reactivity than RF plasmas. The linear correlation between the film deposition rate and the SiH-asterisk emission intensity of ECR silane plasma suggests that SiH-asterisk species are related to the neutral radicals which are responsible for the a-Si:H film deposition. Hard and soft a-C:H films have been deposited by ECR with and without RF bias power, respectively. The RF bias to the substrate is found to play a critical role in determining the film structure and the carbon bonding configuration of ECR deposited a-C:H films. Raman spectra of these films indicate that ECR deposition conditions can be optimized to produce diamond films.

Shing, Y. H.↗

Velocity dispersions for X-ray-emitting clusters of galaxies

Combining spectroscopy for five clusters of galaxies reported to contain X-ray sources with previously published data for 21 X-ray clusters, suggested correlations between the cluster's velocity dispersions and their X-ray properties have been tested. Unlike previous investigations, it is found that, for all reasonable data subsets, the cluster radial velocity dispersions sigma(r) are correlated with the cluster X-ray luminosities L/x/ at a confidence level exceeding 99%. The best-fit slope of the (log sigma/r/, log L/x/)-relation is somewhat larger than theoretically predicted, but accurate determination of that relation requires further X-ray and optical observations. For the 'most reliable' data subsample a correlation between sigma(r) and the X-ray source temperatures is also found but at a much lower confidence level (85%) than derived by previous investigators from smaller samples.

Hintzen, P.↗

Effect of Ion Sputtering on Interface Chemistry and Electrical Properties of an Gaas (100) Schottky Contacts

Auger and electron photoelectron spectroscopy were used to measure the extent of As depletion during 1 keV to 5 keV argon sputtering of GaAs surfaces. This depletion was correlated with a general decrease in the barrier height of the rectifying Au contact deposited in situ. However, nondestructive angle resolved XPS measurements showed As was depleted at the outer surface more by 1 keV than 3 keV argon. These effects are explained based on a combined work effective work function model and creation of a donor like surface damage layer. The donor layer was correlated with As depletion by sputtering. Deep level trap formation and annealing of sputtering effects were studied.

Wang, Y. X.↗

A Method for Characterizing Thermoset Polyimides

Thermoset polyimides have great potential for successfully meeting tough stress and temperature challenges in the advanced aircraft development program. However, studies of structure-property relationships in these materials have not been very successful so far. Positron lifetime spectroscopy (PLS) has been used to investigate free volumes and associated parameters in a series of variable, segmental molecular weight samples. The free volume correlates well with the molecular weight M(sub c), the cross-link density v, and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of these materials. Currently, no other techniques are available for direct measurement of these parameters, particularly for polymers in solid phase. Experimental results and their interpretations are presented.

Ranganathaiah, C.↗

Ambient ammonia measurements using laser photo-acoustic spectroscopy

Ammonia concentrations reached minimal levels (approximately 0.1 ppb) in early winter, followed by a sudden later winter increase. A direct relationship between ambient ammonia levels and air temperature was inferred from the data (linear correlation coefficient r=0.53). Ammonia concentrations were determined to be directly related to the absolute humidity of the air (r=0.72); a weaker relationship between ammonia concentrations and relative humidity was discovered (r=0.37). The data also indicated that ammonia levels were generally higher within continental air masses than those of maritime origin. Soil parameters such as pH and moisture content were found to have a major bearing on the release of gaseous ammonia from soils in the region.

Aldridge, M. D., III↗

Calculated ground state potential surface and excitation energies for the copper trimer

In the context of their relevance to catalysis and to materials science problems, transition metals and transition metal (TM) compounds are currently of considerable interest, and studies have been conducted of the copper trimer, Cu3. The present investigation is concerned with a study of the ground state surface and several groups of excited states in order to improve the understanding of the spectroscopy of Cu3. Differences of the current study from previous investigations are related to an employment of larger basis sets and a more extensive electron correlation. This was done with the objective to obtain a more accurate definition of the ground state surface. Features of the bonding in the copper dimer are considered to obtain a basis for an understanding of the copper trimer. Attention is given to calculational details, the ground state surface, and calculated vertical excitation energies. The results of SCF/SDCI calculations are reported for portions of the ground surface, for two groups of excited states, and for the ionization potential of Cu3.

Walch, S. P.↗

Optical and UV spectra of RS CVn stars

The observed phenomenology in RS CVn and related binary systems is considered in terms of its modeling according to solar activity by examining UV and optical spectroscopy. Current data are examined to validate the existence of cool starspots, plage, prominences, and flares, as well as to determine the consistency of spatial correlations given by these data. RS CVn stars show spots at or near the poles, contrasting the low latitudes of solar spots; plage appears to be associated with cool spots on BY Draconis-like systems; plage and prominences, although identified as distinct phenomena, are theorized to be the same event in some cases. More spectroscopic and photometric observations are proposed to identify the detailed structure and locations of spots. UV and visible data are also required to distinguish plage regions from flare variations as well as determine the relation of extended structures to starspot and plage phenomena in RS CVn systems.

Ramsey, Lawrence W.↗

Numerical least-square method for resolving complex pulse height spectra

Linear least-square method resolves complex pulse height spectra, allowing for calculation of relative intensity, of statistical variance based on counting statistics of the correlation between library components, and of the goodness-of-fit chi square. Some applications are to gamma-ray, X ray, and charged-particle spectroscopy.

Schmadebeck, R.↗

Cosmic X-ray physics

The analysis of the beryllium-filtered data from Flight 17.020 was completed. The data base provided by the Wisconsin diffuse X-ray sky survey is being analyzed by correlating the B and C band emission with individual velocity components of neutral hydrogen. Work on a solid state detector to be used in high resolution spectroscopy of diffuse or extend X-ray sources is continuing. A series of 21 cm observations was completed. A paper on the effects of process parameter variation on the reflectivity of sputter-deposited tungsten-carvon multilayers was published.

Mccammon, D.↗