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At least 163 records · Page 9

High voltage space plasma interactions

Two primary problems resulted from plasma interactions; one of concern to operations in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), the other in low orbits (LEO). The two problems are not the same. Spacecraft charging has become widely recognized as a problem, particularly for communications satellites operating in GEO. The very thin thermal plasmas at GEO are insufficient to bleed off voltage buildups due to higher energy charged particle radiation collected on outer surfaces. Resulting differential charging/discharging causes electrical transients, spurious command signals and possible direct overload damage. An extensive NASA/Air Force program has been underway for several years to address this problem. At lower altitudes, the denser plasmas of the plasmasphere/ionosphere provide sufficient thermal current to limit such charging to a few volts or less. Unfortunately, these thermal plasma currents which solve the GEO spacecraft charging problem can become large enough to cause just the opposite problem in LEO.

Mccoy, J. E.↗

Measurement of differential atomic collision cross sections.

An apparatus for the study of differential angular scattering of atomic projectiles by gas targets is described. The design facilitates system alignment and provides for accurate reproducible location of components. The performance of the instrument is studied for scattering of H+ at 5-25 keV energies by helium and argon targets. Differential cross sections for elastic scattering and charge transfer are presented as well as total charge transfer cross sections. The coefficients for secondary electron ejection by impact of H and H+ on a metal surface are compared.

Fitzwilson, R. L.↗

Correlation between the He/H ratios in upstream particle events and in the solar wind

The ratio of helium to proton differential intensities at a fixed energy per charge in the diffuse ion population during long-lived upstream particle events is compared with the simultaneously measured solar wind He/H ratio. It is found that the He/H intensity ratio at about 30 keV in upstream events is highly correlated with and on the average directly proportional to the He/H ratio in the solar wind, and larger than the He/H ratio in the solar wind by an average factor of 1.6. It is concluded that the solar wind is the parent population for the diffuse ions. The He abundance in the diffuse component is on average observed to be larger than in the solar wind. The observations are consistent with the predictions of Fermi acceleration models for a seed particle population drawn from the solar wind with little compositional bias and moderately enhanced in He during the acceleration process.

Ipavich, F. M.↗

Effects of space radiation on electronic microcircuits

The single event effects or phenomena (SEP), which so far have been observed as events falling on one or another of the SE classes: Single Event Upset (SEU), Single Event Latchup (SEL) and Single Event Burnout (SEB), are examined. Single event upset is defined as a lasting, reversible change in the state of a multistable (usually bistable) electronic circuit such as a flip-flop or latch. In a computer memory, SEUs manifest themselves as unexplained bit flips. Since latchup is in general caused by a single event of short duration, the single event part of the SEL term is superfluous. Nevertheless, it is used customarily to differentiate latchup due to a single heavy charged particle striking a sensitive cell from more ordinary kinds of latchup. Single event burnout (SEB) refers usually to total instantaneous failure of a power FET when struck by a single particle, with the device shorting out the power supply. An unforeseen failure of these kinds can be catastrophic to a space mission, and the possibilities are discussed.

Kolasinski, W. A.↗

Moments of dipole oscillator-strength distribution for the helium sequence

The moments S(mu) for mu at least -6 but no more than 2 and L(mu) for mu = 0, 1, and 2 are calculated for the helium sequence for atomic numbers (Z) up to 30 under a screened hydrogenic model. The model describes the atom by single-particle hydrogenic wave functions and treats the initial and the final state as characterized by two different effective charge parameters Zi and Zf, respectively. The differential oscillator strength of the screened hydrogenic model is asymptotically expanded. Assuming the value of 287.6 for the coefficient of the term epsilon to the -7/2 for helium atoms, the parameter Zf is determined for the helium sequence.

Khan, F.↗

Aqueous two-phase partition applied to the isolation of plasma membranes and Golgi apparatus from cultured mammalian cells

Partitioning in dextran-poly(ethylene)glycol (PEG) aqueous-aqueous phase systems represents a mature technology with many applications to separations of cells and to the preparation of membranes from mammalian cells. Most applications to membrane isolation and purification have focused on plasma membranes, plasma membrane domains and separation of right side-out and inside-out plasma membrane vesicles. The method exploits a combination of membrane properties, including charge and hydrophobicity. Purification is based upon differential distributions of the constituents in a sample between the two principal compartments of the two phases (upper and lower) and at the interface. The order of affinity of animal cell membranes for the upper phase is: endoplasmic reticulum <mitochondria<Golgi apparatus<lysosomes and endosomes< plasma membranes. Salt concentrations and temperature affect partitioning behavior and must be precisely standardized. In some cases, it is more fortuitous to combine aqueous two-phase partition with other procedures to obtain a more highly purified preparation. A procedure is described for preparation of Golgi apparatus from transformed mammalian cells that combines aqueous two-phase partition and centrifugation. Also described is a periodic NADH oxidase, a new enzyme marker for right side-out plasma membrane vesicles not requiring detergent disruptions for measurement of activity.

Non-NASA Center↗

In-Situ Reaction Monitoring for Lunar Applications Utilizing a Single Quadrupole Residual Gas Analyzer

With a revived focus to create a permeant presence on the moon and in preparation for future Mars exploration, it is imperative that all re-sources are utilized to their fullest potential. In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) will be critical for future mission success as it would enable independent operation of missions while minimally relying on the complex supply chain created between the Earth, moon and Mars. One of the most critical resources that have been identified for ISRU is the creation of liquid oxygen (O2) for not only breathable air, but also for rocket fuel. On the moon and potentially Mars, one of the most O2 rich resources is in the presence of regolith. Although there are numerous minerals within regolith and various processes to extract O2, this is not the scope of this paper. Since the O2 extraction method can vary, a critical standardized analytical method is needed to verify O2 (or oxygenated precursor compounds) for extraction efficiency and purity. Our group utilizes a modified consumer off-the-shelf (COTS), Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA) Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS). Due to the current field mission requirements, the gas analysis module will need to rely only on mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) and peak intensities to differentiate and quantitate targeted gas-phase reactants or products, i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2). However, due to solar wind implanted volatiles and various other compounds present in lunar regolith, such as nitrogen (N2), helium (He), and deuterium (D2), deconvolution and quantification of isobaric compounds becomes quite difficult. Specifically, the presence of N2 makes quantification of CO, an oxygenated precursor, difficult due to both compounds having a peak at m/z 28. Approaches to differentiate isobaric components: Initially, the solution to overcome isobaric overlap was to use isotopic ratios, particularly be-tween carbon-13 and nitrogen-15. Although limited literature discuss isotopic composition and attempt to quantify the ratios, variation is particularly high and limited to a few lunar regolith samples. The following were identified as potential approaches to quantify isobaric species, N2 and CO, using our RGA. Threshold Ionization. CO and N2 both have peaks at m/z 28, but only N2 is capable of producing a peak at m/z 7. While a N2 peak at m/z 7 is generally rare, instrument parameters can be optimized in order to maximize the peak intensity. Typically a standard ionization energy of 70 eV is used to monitor a batch process and would produce reliable results for a majority of the reactants or products that we are interested in quantifying. However, to analyze the rare molecular fragment of N2 (N2+ at m/z 7), a different ionization energy may be beneficial. Threshold Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) will be explored to optimize the N2+ peak at m/z 7 by varying parameters such as ionization energy and pressure. Therefore, a quantitative value at m/z 7 will be used to determine the product gas concentration of N2, which will be subtracted from the total concentration determined at m/z 28 enabling us to approximate the amount of CO. Secondary Detector (infrared gas detector, IR). Another approach to quantitate and differentiate be-tween isobaric components is to leverage alternative modes of detection. Unlike mass spectrometry, which generally uses a separation step prior to analysis (i.e. gas chromatography), IR produces energy that is specifically absorbed depending on the bond and configuration of the molecule. This technique could be leveraged since it is generally only active on non-symmetric molecules, i.e. CO. Utilizing concentrations of CO determined from another detector could help correct concentrations of CO obtained from the QMS. However, the inclusion of another detector adds additional mission requirements, such as power, software changes and avionics updates that add additional cost and schedule requirements.

mass spectrometry↗

In-Situ Reaction Monitoring for Lunar Applications Utilizing a Single Quadrupole Residual Gas Analyzer

With a revived focus to create a permanent presence on the moon and in preparation for future Mars exploration, it is imperative that all resources are utilized to their fullest potential.[1] In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) will be critical for future mission success as it would enable independent operation of missions while minimally relying on the complex supply chain created between the Earth, moon and Mars. One of the most critical resources that have been identified for ISRU is the creation of liquid oxygen(LO2) for not only breathable air, but also for rocket propellant. On the moon and potentially Mars, one of the most O2 rich resources is in the presence of regolith.[2],[3] Although there are numerous minerals within regolith and various processes to extract O2,this is not the scope of this paper. Since the O2 extraction method can vary, a critical standardized analytical method is needed to verify O2(or oxygenated precursor compounds) for extraction efficiency and purity. Our group utilizes a modified consumer off-the-shelf (COTS), Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA) Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS). Due to the current field mission requirements, the gas analysis module will need to rely only on mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) and peak intensities to differentiate and quantitate targeted gas-phase reactants or products, i.e. carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2). However, due to solar wind implanted volatiles and various other compounds present in lunar regolith, such as nitrogen (N2), helium (He), and deuterium (D2), deconvolution and quantification of isobaric compounds becomes quite difficult. Specifically, the presence of N2 makes quantification of CO, an oxygenated precursor, difficult due to both compounds having a peak at m/z 28.

Mass Spectrometry↗

Electrostatic Power Generation from Negatively Charged, Simulated Lunar Regolith

Research was conducted to develop an electrostatic power generator for future lunar missions that facilitate the utilization of lunar resources. The lunar surface is known to be negatively charged from the constant bombardment of electrons and protons from the solar wind. The resulting negative electrostatic charge on the dust particles, in the lunar vacuum, causes them to repel each other minimizing the potential. The result is a layer of suspended dust about one meter above the lunar surface. This phenomenon was observed by both Clementine and Surveyor spacecrafts. During the Apollo 17 lunar landing, the charged dust was a major hindrance, as it was attracted to the astronauts' spacesuits, equipment, and the lunar buggies. The dust accumulated on the spacesuits caused reduced visibility for the astronauts, and was unavoidably transported inside the spacecraft where it caused breathing irritation [1]. In the lunar vacuum, the maximum charge on the particles can be extremely high. An article in the journal "Nature", titled "Moon too static for astronauts?" (Feb 2, 2007) estimates that the lunar surface is charged with up to several thousand volts [2]. The electrostatic power generator was devised to alleviate the hazardous effects of negatively charged lunar soil by neutralizing the charged particles through capacitive coupling and thereby simultaneously harnessing power through electric charging [3]. The amount of power generated or collected is dependent on the areal coverage of the device and hovering speed over the lunar soil surface. A thin-film array of capacitors can be continuously charged and sequentially discharged using a time-differentiated trigger discharge process to produce a pulse train of discharge for DC mode output. By controlling the pulse interval, the DC mode power can be modulated for powering devices and equipment. In conjunction with a power storage system, the electrostatic power generator can be a power source for a lunar rover or other systems. The negatively charged lunar soil would also be neutralized mitigating some of the adverse effects resulting from lunar dust.

Choi, Sang H.↗

L2-Charged Particle Environment (L2-CPE)Low Energy Radiation Fluence Model

The L2 Charged Particle Environment (L2-CPE) model provides estimates of number flux and fluence for the low energy electron, proton, and alpha particle populations in the near Earth solar wind and the Earth’s distant magnetosheath and magnetotail. The model is an engineering tool for specifying radiation environments over an energy range from a few eV to a few MeV of importance to surface dose and radiation damage to thin space exposed materials and is intended for use in space system design applications. Mission fluences are obtained by simulating a spacecraft flight trajectory through time-dependent bow shock and magnetopause boundaries with dimensions and orientations driven by solar wind parameters. Monte Carlo sampling of flux environments within individual plasma regimes and/or fluence accumulated along a fight trajectory through multiple regimes is used to determine statistical variations (means and extremes) of the differential number flux and fluence environments for each of the three charged particle species. Model output is differential (in energy) number fluence and flux for the three particle species in units of particles/cm2-keV and particles/cm2-sec-keV, respectively. Users can select the energy range of interest but the current version of the code (L2-CPE Version 1.4.2d) is limited to an energy range of 1 eV to 10 MeV. Flux is integrated over angle to give flux and fluence to surfaces in the ±XGSE, ±YGSE, and/or ±ZGSE directions. Figure 1 shows the opening screen from the L2-CPE graphical user interface (GUI) with options for flux, fluence, plotting model output. The flux scene generate is not currently implemented in the GUI.

Joseph I Minow↗

Differential scattering cross sections for collisions of 0.5-, 1.5-, and 5.0-keV helium atoms with He, H2, N2, and O2

This paper reports the first results of an experimental program established to provide cross section data for use in modeling various atmospheric processes. Absolute cross sections, differential in the scattering angle, have been measured for collisions of 0.5-, 1.5-, and 5.0-keV helium atoms with He, H2, N2, and O2 at laboratory scattering angles between 0.1 deg and 5 deg. The results are the sums of cross sections for elastic and inelastic scattering of helium atoms; charged collision products are not detected. Integration of the differential cross section data yields integral cross sections consistent with measurements by other workers. The apparatus employs a position-sensitive detector for both primary and scattered particles and uses a short target cell with a large exit aperture to ensure a simple and well-defined apparatus geometry.

Newman, J. H.↗

Results on the energy dependence of cosmic ray charge composition

Measurements using a balloon-borne ionization spectrometer on the differential energy spectra of the heavy nuclei of the galactic cosmic radiation are reported. The spectra of individual elements up to oxygen and groups of nuclei up through iron were measured up to almost 100 GeV/nucleon. The energy spectrum of the secondary nuclei, B+N, is steeper than that of the primary nuclei, C+O, by gamma = 0.21 + or - .09 in agreement with other authors. The spectral shapes found are reasonably well represented by single power laws between 2 and 60 GeV/nucleon. Data are consistent with the decrease in the secondary to primary ratio found by others above 20 GeV/nucleon, but it shows no evidence for any sudden change in this ratio within counting statistics. The most dramatic finding is that the spectrum of the iron nuclei is flatter than that of the carbon and oxygen nuclei by 0.57 + or - 0.14 of a power. The experimental techniques for charge and energy determination are presented and corrections due to nuclear disintegration and losses of energy out the bottom of the spectrometer are discussed.

Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.↗

High energy cosmic ray charge and energy spectra measurements

In 1976, 1977, and 1978, a series of three balloon flights was conducted to measure the energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei. A gas Cerenkov detector with different gas thresholds of 8.97, 13.12, and 17.94 GeV/n was employed to extend these measurements to high energies. The total collection factor for these flights is more than 20 sq m ster-hr. Individual charge resolution was achieved over the charge range Z equals 4-26, and overlapping differential spectra were obtained from the three flights up to approximately 100.0 GeV/n.

Chappell, J. H.↗

Predicted electrical conductivity between 0 and 80 km in the Venusian atmosphere

Calculations of the space charge, ion density, and conductivity in the Venus atmosphere were made. The presence of the cloud particles on Venus causes a profund reduction in the calculated values of the ion density and conductivity compared to the values that are obtained without consideration of the cloud particles. When the cloud particles are included in the calculations, the results for the ion density and conductivity are approximately the same as those of the terrestrial atmosphere at the same pressure-altitude. Because the particles span such a large range of sizes and are abundant over a substantial range of pressure, the space charge varies strongly with altitude and particle size. Differential settling of the particles is expected to produce weak electric fields in the clouds.

Borucki, W. J.↗

The equation of state for stellar envelopes. II - Algorithm and selected results

A free-energy-minimization method for computing the dissociation and ionization equilibrium of a multicomponent gas is discussed. The adopted free energy includes terms representing the translational free energy of atoms, ions, and molecules; the internal free energy of particles with excited states; the free energy of a partially degenerate electron gas; and the configurational free energy from shielded Coulomb interactions among charged particles. Internal partition functions are truncated using an occupation probability formalism that accounts for perturbations of bound states by both neutral and charged perturbers. The entire theory is analytical and differentiable to all orders, so it is possible to write explicit analytical formulas for all derivatives required in a Newton-Raphson iteration; these are presented to facilitate future work. Some representative results for both Saha and free-energy-minimization equilibria are presented for a hydrogen-helium plasma with N(He)/N(H) = 0.10. These illustrate nicely the phenomena of pressure dissociation and ionization, and also demonstrate vividly the importance of choosing a reliable cutoff procedure for internal partition functions.

Mihalas, Dimitri↗

Resonant-tunneling oscillators and multipliers for submillimeter receivers

Resonant tunneling through double-barrier heterostructures has attracted increasing interest recently, largely because of the fast charge transport it provides. In addition, the negative differential resistance regions that exist in the current-voltage (I-V) curve (peak-to-valley ratios of 3.5:1 at room temperature, and nearly 10:1 at 77 K, were measured) suggest that high-speed devices based on the character of the I-V curve should be possible. For example, the negative differential resistance region is capable of providing the gain necessary for high-frequency oscillations. In the laboratory attempts were made to increase the frequency and power of these oscillators and to demonstrate several different high-frequency devices.

Sollner, T. C. L. Gerhard↗

Simulation of Charge Collection to Spacecraft Surfaces: Freja Satellite

As spacecraft travel through plasma, spacecraft surfaces become charged by the collection of charged particles. This process is referred to as Surface Charging. These charges can be detrimental to the vehicle's electronic subsystems as they present a threat of electrostatic discharge (ESD) to onboard circuitry. The process of Surface Charging is complex and is affected by many elements. The charging of each surface is unique. The potential of an individual surface is dependent upon many variables including but not limited to the surface's geometry, material and its location. Each surface also has unique interactions with the surrounding plasma. Other factors that play large roles in the charging process is the density and temperature of plasma ions and electrons. Using Nascap-2k, a model of the Freja satellite has been constructed, and its auroral plasma environment has been imitated to simulate surface charging characteristics. The charging process of the Freja satellite has been modeled iteratively with incremental changes in both the Maxwellian electron temperature (eV) as well as the Gaussian electron energy (eV). This study provides an analysis of the sensitivity between spacecraft surface charging and these two primary variables of electron differential flux.

Wolfley, Olivia H.↗