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NASA NTRS1991

The Millimeter-Wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR)

The Millimeter-Wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR) is a new instrument being designed for studies of airborne passive microwave retrieval of tropospheric water vapor, clouds, and precipitation parameters. The MIR is a total-power cross-track scanning radiometer for use on either the NASA ER-2 (high-altitude) or DC-8 (medium altitude) aircraft. The current design includes millimeter-wave (MMW) channels at 90, 166, 183 +/- 1,3,7, and 220 GHz. An upgrade for the addition of submillimeter-wave (SMMW) channels at 325 +/- 1,3,7 and 340 GHz is planned. The nadiral spatial resolution is approximately 700 meters at mid-altitude when operated aboard the NASA ER-2. The MIR consists of a scanhead and data acquisition system, designed for installation in the ER-2 superpod nose cone. The scanhead will house the receivers (feedhorns, mixers, local oscillators, and preamplifiers), a scanning mirror, hot and cold calibration loads, and temperature sensors. Particular attention is being given to the characterization of the hot and cold calibration loads through both laboratory bistatic scattering measurements and analytical modeling. Other aspects of the MIR and the data acquisition system are briefly discussed, and diagrams of the location of the MIR in the ER-2 superpod nosecone and of the data acquisition system are presented.

Gasiewski, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High temperature superconductor analog electronics for millimeter-wavelength communications

The performance of high temperature superconductor (HTS) passive microwave circuits up to X-band was encouraging when compared to their metallic counterparts. The extremely low surface resistance of HTS films up to about 10 GHz enables a reduction in loss by as much as 100 times compared to copper when both materials are kept at about 77 K. However, a superconductor's surface resistance varies in proportion to the frequency squared. Consequently, the potential benefit of HTS materials to millimeter-wave communications requires careful analysis. A simple ring resonator was used to evaluate microstrip losses at Ka-band. Additional promising components were investigated such as antennas and phase shifters. Prospects for HTS to favorable impact millimeter-wave communications systems are discussed.

Romanofsky, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Millimeter wavelength communications applications for the SEI

The potentially complex missions of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) require advanced lunar communications, navigation, and information systems to provide voice, data, and image transmissions. The objectives here are to determine which SEI telecommunications applications will benefit from millimeter wave technology, assess the state of the art in millimeter wave technology, and describe the technology development shortfalls with respect to potential mission time frames. The assumptions for the analysis as well as other non-performance related issues are also presented.

Ponchak, Denise S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Excitation of millimeter and submillimeter water masers

The excitation of maser emission in millimeter and submillimeter transitions of interstellar and circumstellar water is considered. An escape probability method is used to determine the equilibrium populations in 349 rotational states of both ortho- and para-water under varying conditions of gas temperature, density, water abundance, and radiation field. It is shown that, under those conditions believed to prevail around late-type stars and within star-forming regions, strong millimeter and submillimeter water maser emission can be generated by collisional excitations by H2. Several maser transitions can have strengths close to that of the 22 GHz line. The water maser line which can be observed from mountaintop facilities and those which will require air- or space-borne platforms are indicated. The exact portion of parameter space in which each maser transition exhibits peak emission is shown.

Neufeld, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Thin-film power-density meter for millimeter wavelengths

A quasi-optical power density meter for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths has been developed. The device is a 2-cm2 thin-film bismuth bolometer deposited on a mylar membrane. The resistance responsivity is 150 Ohms/W, and the time constant is 1 min. The meter is calibrated at DC. The bolometer is much thinner than a wavelength, and can thus be modeled as a lumped resistance in a transmission-line equivalent circuit. The absorption coefficient is 0.5 for 189-Ohms/square film. The power-density meter has been used to measure absolute power densities for millimeter-wave antenna efficiency measurements. Absolute power densities of 0.5 mW/sq cm have been measured to an estimated accuracy of 5 percent.

Lee, Karen A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Integrated millimeter-wave corner-cube antennas

An integrated corner-reflector antennas has been designed, fabricated, and measured at millimeter-wave frequencies. The structure consists of a traveling-wave antenna integrated on a 1.2-micron dielectric membrane, and suspended in a longitudinal cavity etched in a silicon wafer. A novel traveling wave antenna design, the modified-bend antenna, with an antenna length of 1.2 lambda and spacing 0.96 lambda from the apex, results in a wideband input impedance centered at 140 Ohm and low cross-polarization levels. Measurements at 180-270 GHz show a well-defined pattern with low sidelobe levels, and a main-beam efficiency of 93 percent and 83 percent at 180 and 222 GHz, respectively. The monolithic approach allows the integration of a matching network and a Schottky-diode or SIS detector at the base of the antenna to yield a low-noise monolithic millimeter-wave receiver.

Gearhart, Steven S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Millimeter wavelength communications applications for the SEI

The potentially complex missions of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) require advanced lunar and Mars Telecommunications, Navigation, and Information Management (TNIM) systems to provide data, voice, and image transmissions. The objectives of the study are to determine which SEI telecommunications applications will benefit from millimeter wave technology, assess the state-of-the-art in millimeter wave technology and describe the technology development shortfalls with respect to potential mission time frames. The assumptions for the analysis as well as other issues, not related to performance, are also presented.

Ponchak, Denise S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A millimeter wavelength option for Mars communications

The use of millimeter frequencies for Mars communications applications has been investigated. Link calculations have been performed for various scenarios. Millimeter wave technology is proposed to keep antenna apertures within somewhat reasonable limits. A set of recommendations for future activities is presented.

Chitwood, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High temperature superconductor analog electronics for millimeter-wavelength communications

Romanofsky, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Laboratory measurement of the millimeter wave properties of liquid sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

The methodology and the results of laboratory measurements of the millimeter wave properties of liquid sulfuric acid are presented. Measurements conducted at 30-40 and 90-100 GHz are reported, using different concentrations of liquid H2SO4. The measured data are used to compute the expected opacity of H2SO4 condensates and their effects on the millimeter wave emission from Venus. The cloud condensate is found to have an effect on the emission from Venus. The calculated decrease in brightness temperature is well below the observed decrease in brightness temperature found by de Pater et al. (1991). It is suggested that other constituents such as gaseous H2SO4 also affect the observed variation in the brightness temperature.

Fahd, Antoine K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Millimeter and hard x ray/gamma ray observations of solar flares during the June 1991 GRO campaign

We have carried out high-spatial-resolution millimeter observations of solar flares using the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Array (BIMA). At the present time, BIMA consists of only three elements, which is not adequate for mapping highly variable solar phenomena, but is excellent for studies of the temporal structure of flares at millimeter wavelengths at several different spatial scales. We present BIMA observations made during the Gamma Ray Observatories (GRO)/Solar Max 1991 campaign in Jun. 1991 when solar activity was unusually high. Our observations covered the period 8-9 Jun. 1991; this period overlapped the period 4-15 Jun. when the Compton Telescope made the Sun a target of opportunity because of the high level of solar activity.

Kundu, M. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A novel noncontacting waveguide backshort for millimeter and submillimeter wave frequencies

A new noncontacting waveguide backshort was developed for millimeter and submillimeter wave frequencies. It employs a metallic bar with rectangular or circular holes. The size and spacing of the holes are adjusted to provide a periodic variation of the guide impedance on the correct length scale to give a large reflection of RF frequency power. This design is mechanically rugged and can be easily fabricated for millimeter wave frequencies above 300 GHz where conventional backshorts are difficult to fabricate. Model experiments were performed at 4 to 6 GHz to optimize the design. Values of reflected power greater than 95 percent over a 30 percent bandwidth were achieved. The design was scaled to WR-10 band (75 to 110 GHz) with comparably good results.

Mcgrath, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Silicon micromachined waveguides for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths

The majority of radio receivers, transmitters, and components operating at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths utilize rectangular waveguides in some form. However, conventional machining techniques for waveguides operating above a few hundred GHz are complicated and costly. This paper reports on the development of silicon micromachining techniques to create silicon-based waveguide circuits which can operate at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. As a first step, rectangular WR-10 waveguide structures have been fabricated from (110) silicon wafers using micromachining techniques. The waveguide is split along the broad wall. Each half is formed by first etching a channel completely through a wafer. Potassium hydroxide is used to etch smooth mirror-like vertical walls and LPCVD silicon nitride is used as a masking layer. This wafer is then bonded to another flat wafer using a polyimide bonding technique and diced into the U-shaped half wavelengths. Finally, a gold layer is applied to the waveguide walls. Insertion loss measurements show losses comparable to those of standard metal waveguides. It is suggested that active devices and planar circuits can be integrated with the waveguides, solving the traditional mounting problems. Potential applications in terahertz instrumentation technology are further discussed.

Yap, Markus↗

NASA NTRS1992

Observations of stimulated Raman scattering and laser-induced breakdown in millimeter-sized droplets

We report the first observations, to our knowledge, of nonlinear optical effects in large (millimeter-sized) droplets. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and laser-induced breakdown (LIB) are simultaneously observed in acoustically levitated millimeter-sized glycerol droplets irradiated by either a frequency-doubled (532-nm) or a frequency-tripled (355-nm) Nd:YAG laser. The two processes, which occur above a nearby coincident irradiation threshold, are conjectured to arise from a common initiation mechanism: self-focusing. LIB generates vapor bubbles within the droplet, resulting in the quenching of SRS emission.

Biswas, A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Millimeter-wave and terahertz integrated circuit antennas

This paper presents a comprehensive review of integrated circuit antennas suitable for millimeter and terahertz applications. A great deal of research was done on integrated circuit antennas in the last decade and many of the problems associated with electrically thick dielectric substrates, such as substrate modes and poor radiation patterns, have been understood and solved. Several new antennas, such as the integrated horn antenna, the dielectric-filled parabola, the Fresnel plate antenna, the dual-slot antenna, and the log-periodic and spiral antennas on extended hemispherical lenses, have resulted in excellent performance at millimeter-wave frequencies, and are covered in detail in this paper. Also, a review of the efficiency definitions used with planar antennas is given in detail in the appendix.

Rebeiz, Gabriel M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A millimeter-wave anisotropy experiment (MAX) to search for anisotropy in the cosmic background radiation on medium angular scales

We report preliminary results from two balloon flights of a millimeter-wave telescope designed to measure anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) on angular scales from 0.3 to 3 degrees. The receiver used in the first flight, in November 1989, was a dichroic, He-3-cooled bolometric photometer with passbands centered at 3, 6, 9, and 12/cm. The second flight, in July 1990, employed improved bolometric detectors. The 3/cm band was removed in order to increase the efficiency of the remaining bands. Preliminary analysis of the data gives a factor of 3 improvement in sensitivity over the first flight in the 6/cm band. Future plans include a new receiver to provide an additional factor of 5 improvement in sensitivity and a new balloon-borne telescope which is optimized for low-background bolometric detectors at millimeter wavelengths.

Fischer, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Millimeter accuracy satellites for two color ranging

The principal technical challenge in designing a millimeter accuracy satellite to support two color observations at high altitudes is to provide high optical cross-section simultaneously with minimal pulse spreading. In order to address this issue, we provide, a brief review of some fundamental properties of optical retroreflectors when used in spacecraft target arrays, develop a simple model for a spherical geodetic satellite, and use the model to determine some basic design criteria for a new generation of geodetic satellites capable of supporting millimeter accuracy two color laser ranging. We find that increasing the satellite diameter provides: a larger surface area for additional cube mounting thereby leading to higher cross-sections; and makes the satellite surface a better match for the incoming planar phasefront of the laser beam. Restricting the retroreflector field of view (e.g. by recessing it in its holder) limits the target response to the fraction of the satellite surface which best matches the optical phasefront thereby controlling the amount of pulse spreading. In surveying the arrays carried by existing satellites, we find that European STARLETTE and ERS-1 satellites appear to be the best candidates for supporting near term two color experiments in space.

Degnan, John J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Investigation of passive atmospheric sounding using millimeter and submillimeter wavelength channels

Progress by the Georgia Institute of Technology's Laboratory for Radio-science and Remote Sensing in developing techniques for passive microwave retrieval of water vapor profiles and cloud and precipitation parameters using millimeter and submillimeter wavelength channels is reviewed. Channels of particular interest are in the tropospheric transmission windows at 90, 166, 220, 340, and 410 GHz and centered around the water vapor lines at 183 and 325 GHz. Collectively, these channels have potential application in high-resolution precipitation mapping (e.g., from geosynchronous orbit), remote sensing of cloud and precipitation parameters, including cirrus ice mass, and improved retrieval of water vapor profiles. During the period from January 1, 1994 through June 30, 1994 research activities focussed on calibrating and interpreting data from the Millimeter-Wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR). The MIR was deployed on the NASA ER-2 during the Convective Atmospheric Moisture Experiment (CAMEX, September-October 1993) to obtain the first submillimeter-wave tropospheric imagery of convective precipitations. A 325-GHz radiometer consisted of a submillimeter-wave DSB receiver with three IF channels at +/- 1, 3, and 8.5 GHz, and approximately 14 dB DSB noise figure was successfully operated during these experiments. Activities supported under this grant include a study of the impact of local oscillator reflections from the MIR calibration loads, the development of optimal gain and offset filters for radiometric calibration, and the modeling and interpretation of the MIR 325-GHz data over both clear and cloudy atmospheres. In addition, polarimetric radiometer measurements and modeling for ocean surface and atmospheric cloud-ice studies_were supported.

Gasiewski, Albin J.↗