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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Reaction of O2(+)(X 2Pi sub g) with H2, D2, and HD - Guided ion beam studies, MO correlations, and statistical theory calculations

Guided ion-beam mass spectrometry is used to examined the reactions of vibrationally cold ground-state O2(+)(X 2Pi sub g) with H2, D2, and HD. The energy dependence of the absolute integral cross sections from thermal energy to over 4 eV are measured in the center-of-mass frame of reference. Results are also presented for internally excited O2(+) ions reacting with D2 and HD. The results are consistent with the dominant state being the a 4Pi sub u electronic state. The experimental excitation functions are analyzed in detail and interpreted by extending the molecular orbital correlation arguments of Mahan (1971) and by comparison with results of statistical phase space theory and with a theory that predicts a tight transition state.

Weber, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Nonequilibrium radiation and chemistry models for aerocapture vehicle flowfields

The primary accomplishments of the project were as follows: (1) From an overall standpoint, the primary accomplishment of this research was the development of a complete gasdynamic-radiatively coupled nonequilibrium viscous shock layer solution method for axisymmetric blunt bodies. This method can be used for rapid engineering modeling of nonequilibrium re-entry flowfields over a wide range of conditions. (2) Another significant accomplishment was the development of an air radiation model that included local thermodynamic nonequilibrium (LTNE) phenomena. (3) As part of this research, three electron-electronic energy models were developed. The first was a quasi-equilibrium electron (QEE) model which determined an effective free electron temperature and assumed that the electronic states were in equilibrium with the free electrons. The second was a quasi-equilibrium electron-electronic (QEEE) model which computed an effective electron-electronic temperature. The third model was a full electron-electronic (FEE) differential equation model which included convective, collisional, viscous, conductive, vibrational coupling, and chemical effects on electron-electronic energy. (4) Since vibration-dissociation coupling phenomena as well as vibrational thermal nonequilibrium phenomena are important in the nonequilibrium zone behind a shock front, a vibrational energy and vibration-dissociation coupling model was developed and included in the flowfield model. This model was a modified coupled vibrational dissociation vibrational (MCVDV) model and also included electron-vibrational coupling. (5) Another accomplishment of the project was the usage of the developed models to investigate radiative heating. (6) A multi-component diffusion model which properly models the multi-component nature of diffusion in complex gas mixtures such as air, was developed and incorporated into the blunt body model. (7) A model was developed to predict the magnitude and characteristics of the shock wave precursor ahead of vehicles entering the Earth's atmosphere. (8) Since considerable data exists for radiating nonequilibrium flow behind normal shock waves, a normal shock wave version of the blunt body code was developed. (9) By comparing predictions from the models and codes with available normal shock data and the flight data of Fire II, it is believed that the developed flowfield and nonequilibrium radiation models have been essentially validated for engineering applications.

Carlson, Leland A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Anisotropy Measurements from the Near-Threshold Photodissociation of the N2−NO Complex

We have used velocity map ion imaging to measure the angular anisotropy of the NO (A) products from the photodissociation of the N 2 −NO complex. Our experiment ranged from 108 to 758 cm −1 above the threshold energy to form NO (A)+N 2 (X) products, and these measurements reveal, for the first time, a strong angular anisotropy from photodissociation. At 108 cm −1 above the photodissociation threshold, we observed NO (A) photoproducts recoil preferentially perpendicular to the laser polarization axis with an average anisotropy parameter, β = −0.25; however, as the available energy was increased, the anisotropy increased, and at 758 cm −1 above the threshold energy, we found an average β = +0.28. The observed changes in the angular anisotropy of the NO (A) photoproduct are qualitatively similar to those observed for the photodissociation of the Ar−NO complex and likely result from changes in the region of the excited state potential energy surface accessed during the electronic excitation. At the lowest available energy, we also noted a large contribution from hot band excitation; however, this contribution decreased as the available energy increased. The outsized contribution at the lowest available energy may result from hot bands having better Franck−Condon overlap with the excited electronic state near threshold. Finally, we contrast the experimental center of mass translational energy distribution with a statistical energy distribution determined from phase space theory. The experimental and statistical distributions show pronounced disagreement, particularly at low kinetic energies, with the experimental one showing less dissociation resulting in high rotational levels of the fragments.

Energy↗
NASA NTRS1987

Statistical equilibrium in cometary C2. IV - A 10 level model including singlet-triplet transitions

Resonance fluorescence theory was used to calculate the population distribution in the energy states of the C2 molecule in comets. Ten electronic states, each with 14 vibrational states, were used in the calculations. These new calculations differ from earlier work in terms of additional electronic levels and the role of singlet-triplet transitions between the b and X levels. Since transition moments are not known, calculations are made of observable flux ratios for an array of possible values. Comparison with existing observations indicates that the a-X transition is very important, and there is marginal indication that the b-X transition is present. Swan band sequence flux ratios at large heliocentric distance are needed, as are accurate Mulliken/Swan and Phillips/Ballik-Ramsay (1963) observations.

Krishna Swamy, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Calculation of Thermochemical Properties of Carbon-cluster Ablation Species

Carbon clusters and hydrocarbons are constituents of the pyrolysis gases injected into the boundary layer of a space vehicle with a carbonaceous heat shield. These molecules have absorption spectra in the VUV and UV region that match the emission spectra of atomic nitrogen and oxygen. Hence, they can potentially absorb the radiation impinging on the heat shield of the space vehicle. This paper studies the ground state thermochemical properties and low-lying excited electronic states of potential radiation absorbing molecules present in the boundary layer using ab initio quantum chemistry methods. These results provide a more accurate prediction of the radiative heat flux on the surface which can lead to improvement in the design of the thermal protection system.

enthalpy↗
NASA NTRS1985

Infrared emission from desorbed NO2(*) and NO(*)

Infrared photons from the radiative cascade accompany both the gas phase NO2 continuum chemiluminescence (which originates from its 2B2 and 2B1 states) and the NO beta bands. When these upper electronic states are excited by recombination/desorption at surfaces of low Earth orbiting spacecraft, similar IR emission spectrums will be observed. The principal NO2 features (other than the long wavelength tail of its electronic transitions) are the nu sub 3 fundamental sequence near 6.2 microns and nu sub 1 + nu sub 3 intercombination bands near 3.6 microns; NO would emit the delta v=1 and delta v=2 systems above 5.3 and 2.7 microns. Because of the long radiative lifetimes of the upper vibrational states, the infrared radiances in projections parallel to the vehicle surface (which we estimate) are substantially less than those of the visible and ultraviolet glows.

Kofsky, I. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fermi energy control of vacancy coalescence and dislocation density in melt-grown GaAs

A striking effect of the Fermi energy on the dislocation density in melt-grown GaAs has been discovered. Thus, a shift of the Fermi energy from 0.1 eV above to 0.2 eV below its intrinsic value (at high temperature, i.e., near 1100 K) increases the dislocation density by as much as five orders of magnitude. The Fermi energy shift was brought about by n-type and p-type doping at a level of about 10 to the 17th per cu cm (under conditions of optimum partial pressure of As, i.e., under optimum melt stoichiometry). This effect must be associated with the fact that the Fermi energy controls the charge state of vacancies (i.e., the occupancy of the associated electronic states) which in turn must control their tendency to coalesce and thus the dislocation density. It appears most likely that gallium vacancies are the critical species.

Lagowski, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Computational solution of atmospheric chemistry problems

Extensive studies were performed on problems of interest in atmospheric chemistry. In addition to several minor projects, four major projects were performed and described (theoretical studies of ground and low-lying excited states of ClO2; ground and excited state potential energy surfaces of the methyl peroxy radical; electronic states ot the FO radical; and theoretical studies S02 (H2O) (sub n)).

Jafri, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

NMR studies of electronic structure in crystalline and amorphous Zr2PdH/x/

The proton Knight shifts and spin-lattice relaxation times have been measured in crystalline and amorphous Ze2PdH(x). Core polarization from the Zr d-band dominates the proton hyperfine interactions. The density of Fermi level d-electron states is reduced in the amorphous phase relative to the electron density in crystalline Zr2PdH(x).

Bowman, R. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Research pressure instrumentation for NASA Space Shuttle main engine, modification no. 5

The purpose of Modification No. 5 of this contract is to expand the scope of work (Task C) of this research study effort to develop pressure instrumentation for the SSME. The objective of this contract (Task C) is to direct Honeywell's Solid State Electronics Division's (SSED) extensive experience and expertise in solid state sensor technology to develop prototype pressure transducers which are targeted to meet the SSME performance design goals and to fabricate, test and deliver a total of 10 prototype units. SSED's basic approach is to effectively utilize the many advantages of silicon piezoresistive strain sensing technology to achieve the objectives of advanced state-of-the-art pressure sensors in terms of reliability, accuracy and ease of manufacture. More specifically, integration of multiple functions on a single chip is the key attribute of this technology which will be exploited during this research study.

Anderson, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comparison of Coupled Radiative Navier-Stokes Flow Solutions with the Project Fire II Flight Data

A nonequilibrium, axisymmetric, Navier-Stokes flow solver with coupled radiation has been developed to use in the design of thermal protection systems for vehicles where radiation effects are important. The present method has been compared with an existing flow and radiation solver and with the Project Fire II experimental data. Very good agreement has been obtained over the entire Fire II trajectory with the experimentally determined values of the stagnation radiation intensity in the .2 to 6.2 eV range and with the total stagnation heating. The agreement was significantly better than previous numerical predictions. The effects of a number of flow models are examined to determine which combination of physical models produces the best agreement with the experimental data. These models include radiation coupling, multi-temperature thermal models, finite-rate chemistry, and a quasi-steady-state or Boltzmann assumption for the calculation of the excited electronic states. Finally, the computational efficiency of the present model is evaluated. The radiation properties model developed for this study is shown to offer significant computational savings compared to existing codes.

Olynick, David R.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Laboratory Instruments Available to Support Space Station Researchers at Marshall Space Flight Center

A number of research instruments are available at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to support ISS researchers and their investigations. These modern analytical tools yield valuable and sometimes new informative resulting from sample characterization. Instruments include modern scanning electron microscopes equipped with field emission guns providing analytical capabilities that include angstron-level image resolution of dry, wet and biological samples. These microscopes are also equipped with silicon drift X-ray detectors (SDD) for fast yet precise analytical mapping of phases, as well as electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) units to map grain orientations in crystalline alloys. Sample chambers admit large samples, provide variable pressures for wet samples, and quantitative analysis software to determine phase relations. Advances in solid-state electronics have also facilitated improvements for surface chemical analysis that are successfully employed to analyze metallic materials and alloys, ceramics, slags, and organic polymers. Another analytical capability at MSFC is a mganetic sector Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) that quantitatively determines and maps light elements such as hydrogen, lithium, and boron along with their isotopes, identifies and quantifies very low level impurities even at parts per billion (ppb) levels. Still other methods available at MSFC include X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) that can determine oxidation states of elements as well as identify polymers and measure film thicknesses on coated materials, Scanning Auger electron spectroscopy (SAM) which combines surface sensitivity, spatial lateral resolution (approximately 20 nm), and depth profiling capabilities to describe elemental compositions in near surface regions and even the chemical state of analyzed atoms. Conventional Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for observing internal microstructures at very high magnifications and the Electron Probe Micro-analyzer (EPMA) for very precise microanalysis are available as needed by the researcher. Space Station researchers are invited to work with MSFC in analyzing their samples using these techniques.

Panda, Binayak↗
NASA NTRS1988

Theoretical studies of solar-pumped lasers

The investigation of stimulated emission causing transitions from the B(1) pi sub u state of sodium to the overlapping 2(1) sigma(+) sub g electronic state has been continued. A new method of estimating the Franck-Condon factors has been developed which instead of fitting the molecular potential curves with Morse functions, estimates the V(r) dependence by interpolation from given potential curves. The results for the sum of the rates from one vibrational level in the upper state to all the levels in the lower state show good agreement with the previous method, implying that curve crossing by stimulated emission due to photons from the oven is an important mechanism in sodium.

Harries, Wynford L.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Modern Material Analysis Instruments Add a New Dimension to Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis

Modern analytical tools can yield invaluable results during materials characterization and failure analysis. Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) provide significant analytical capabilities, including angstrom-level resolution. These systems can be equipped with a silicon drift detector (SDD) for very fast yet precise analytical mapping of phases, as well as electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) units to map grain orientations, chambers that admit large samples, variable pressure for wet samples, and quantitative analysis software to examine phases. Advanced solid-state electronics have also improved surface and bulk analysis instruments: Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) can quantitatively determine and map light elements such as hydrogen, lithium, and boron - with their isotopes. Its high sensitivity detects impurities at parts per billion (ppb) levels. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) can determine oxidation states of elements, as well as identifying polymers and measuring film thicknesses on coated composites. This technique is also known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Scanning Auger electron spectroscopy (SAM) combines surface sensitivity, spatial lateral resolution (10 nm), and depth profiling capabilities to describe elemental compositions of near and below surface regions down to the chemical state of an atom.

Panda, Binayak↗