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Results for “Complex reflection coefficients”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1970

The far field diffraction pattern for corner reflectors with complex reflection coefficients

The far field diffraction pattern of a geometrically perfect corner reflector is examined analytically for normally incident monochromatic light. The states of polarization and the complex amplitudes of the emerging light are expressed through transformation matrices in terms of those of the original incident light for each sextant of the face in a single coordinate system. The analytic expression of the total diffraction pattern is obtained for a circular face. This expression consists of three component functions in addition to the basic Airy function. The coefficient of each function is expressed in terms of complex coefficients of reflectance of the reflecting surface. Some numerical results for different reflecting surfaces, including total internal reflection, are presented. The iso-intensity contours of the diffraction pattern evaluated from the analytical expressions for an uncoated solid corner reflector are also presented along with the photographs of the pattern.

Chang, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A Computer Aided Broad Band Impedance Matching Technique Using a Comparison Reflectometer

An improved broadband impedance matching technique was developed. The technique is capable of resolving points in the waveguide which generate reflected energy. A version of the comparison reflectometer was developed and fabricated to determine the mean amplitude of the reflection coefficient excited at points in the guide as a function of distance, and the complex reflection coefficient of a specific discontinuity in the guide as a function of frequency. An impedance matching computer program was developed which is capable of impedance matching the characteristics of each disturbance independent of other reflections in the guide. The characteristics of four standard matching elements were compiled, and their associated curves of reflection coefficient and shunt susceptance as a function of frequency are presented. It is concluded that an economical, fast, and reliable impedance matching technique has been established which can provide broadband impedance matches.

Gordy, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Low frequency sound absorption of orifice plates, perforated plates and nozzles

Analyses of impulse time history data from acoustic transmission tests for conical nozzles attached to a pipe show internal reflections from the solid contraction and open area tend to cancel. To gain understanding of the opposing reflections, tests were conducted by replacing the conical nozzles with orifice plates. The primary variable was the open to solid area ratio. Internal reflection coefficient data reveal that, at an area ratio of 10-12%, the low frequency internal reflection is reduced from unity to about 0.2. Based on comparisons of far-field and internal data, acoustic energy is not conserved. Results are presented for complex reflection coefficient and far-field noise for a series of orifice and perforated plate configurations.

Salikuddin, M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Interpretation of dispersion relations for bounded systems.

Treatment of the problem of constructing normal modes for an arbitrarily bounded system from roots of the linear dispersion relation D(omega, k) = 0 for the corresponding infinite or periodically bounded system. For a system described by continuous macroscopic variables, and of general cylindrical form, each transverse eigenmode gives rise to a set of axial normal modes constructed from a pair of dominant roots of D = 0 satisfying the boundary conditions which are characterized by complex reflection coefficients for the dominant waves. The implications of the results for the interpretation of experiments on plasma waves and instabilities on finite cylinders are discussed, with particular reference to the effects of end-plate damping and axial current on Q-machines.

Rognlien, T. D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Microwave dielectric behavior of vegetation material

The microwave dielectric behavior of vegetation was examined through the development of theoretical models involving dielectric dispersion by both bound and free water and supported by extensive dielectric measurements conducted over a wide range of conditions. The experimental data were acquired using an open-ended coaxial probe that was developed for sensing the dielectric constant of thin layers of materials, such as leaves, from measurements of the complex reflection coefficient using a network analyzer. The probe system was successfully used to record the spectral variation of the dielectric constant over a wide frequency range extending from 0.5 to 20.4 GHz at numerous temperatures between -40 to +40 C. The vegetation samples were measured over a wide range of moisture conditions. To model the dielectric spectrum of the bound water component of the water included in vegetation, dielectric measurements were made for several sucrose-water solutions as analogs for the situation in vegetation. The results were used in conjunction with the experimental data for leaves to determine some of the constant coefficients in the theoretical models. Two models, both of which provide good fit to the data, are proposed.

Elrayes, Mohamed A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Dielectric measurement using an open ended coaxial line with an extended center conductor

Permittivity may be determined by measuring the complex reflection coefficient of an open-ended coaxial line placed in contact with a test sample. This method works best for liquid samples. For the measurement of non-liquid materials problems can arise. A perfect preparation is needed to provide a good contact between the tip and the dielectric medium. At times, the dimension of the sensor cannot be freely chosen, as is the case for the measurement of the dielectric constant of the xylem layer of a living tree. The influence of the installation of the sensor on a tree's water status must be minimized by using a small sensor. In such cases the capacitance cannot be optimized. By extending the center conductor of the open-ended coaxial line, some of these problems can be avoided. This provides an additional tool to tune the capacitance of the sensor by adjusting the length of the extension. Therefore the measurement accuracy can be optimized. The sensor also becomes sensitive to a larger volume. A comparative study of a flush and extended tipped probes shows that the ability to measure the dielectric constant of trees has been notably increased due to the extension of the center conductor.

Wegmueller, Urs↗
NASA NTRS1994

An electromagnetic noncontacting sensor for thickness measurement in a dispersive medium

This paper describes a general purpose imaging technology developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) that, when fully implemented, will solve the general problem of 'seeing into the earth.' A first-generation radar coal thickness sensor, the RCTS-1, has been developed and field-tested in both underground and highwall mines. The noncontacting electromagnetic technique uses spatial modulation created by moving a simple sensor antenna in a direction along each axis to be measured while the complex reflection coefficient is measured at multiple frequencies over a two-to-one bandwidth. The antenna motion imparts spatial modulation to the data that enables signal processing to solve the problems of media, target, and antenna dispersion. Knowledge of the dielectric constant of the media is not necessary because the electrical properties of the media are determined automatically along with the distance to the target and thickness of each layer of the target. The sensor was developed as a navigation guidance sensor to accurately detect the coal/noncoal interface required for the USBM computer-assisted mining machine program. Other mining applications include the location of rock fractures, water-filled voids, and abandoned gas wells. These hazards can be detected in advance of the mining operation. This initiating technology is being expanded into a full three-dimensional (3-D) imaging system that will have applications in both the underground and surface environment.

Chufo, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Implications of Microwave Holography Using Minimum Required Frequency Samples for Weakly- and Strongly-Scattering Indications

Microwave imaging techniques, an integral component of nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDTE), have received significant attention in the past decade. These techniques have included the implementation of synthetic aperture focusing (SAF) algorithms for obtaining high spatial resolution images. The next important step in these developments is the implementation of 3-D holographic imaging algorithms. These are well-known wideband imaging technique requiring a swept-frequency (i.e., wideband), which unlike SAF that is a single frequency technique, are not easily performed on a real-time basis. This is due to the fact that a significant number of data points (in the frequency domain) must be obtained within the frequency band of interest. This not only makes for a complex imaging system design, it also significantly increases the image-production time. Consequently in an attempt to reduce the measurement time and system complexity, an investigation was conducted to determine the minimum required number of frequency samples needed to image a specific object while preserving a desired maximum measurement range and range resolution. To this end the 3-D holographic algorithm was modified to use properlyinterpolated frequency data. Measurements of the complex reflection coefficient for several samples were conducted using a swept-frequency approach. Subsequently, holographical images were generated using data containing a relatively large number of frequency samples and were compared with images generated by the reduced data set data. Quantitative metrics such as average, contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio were used to evaluate the quality of images generated using reduced data sets. Furthermore, this approach was applied to both weakly- and strongly-scattering indications. This paper presents the methods used and the results of this investigation.

Fallahpour, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Inlet contour and flow effects on radiation

An experimental investigation of sound radiation from inlets with different contours with and without flow is being conducted to study the possibility of reducing noise radiated by aircraft engines. For each inlet configuration, complex directivity patterns and complex pressure reflection coefficients are measured as a function of a single space-time structure of the wave (up to a frequency of 4000Hz and an azimuthal wave number 6) and of flow velocity (up to Mach number 0.4) in a cylindrical duct located downstream the inlet. Experimental results of radiation from an unflanged duct are compared with theory. Effect of inlet contour and flow are deduced by comparing respectively unflanged duct and bellmouth measurements and, no flow and flow measurements with the bellmouth. Results are presented which indicate that the contour effect is significant near the cut-on frequency of a mode and emphasize the necessity for taking into account the inlet geometry in a radiation prediction. These results show also that internal flow has a weak effect on the amplitude of the directivity pattern

Ville, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Reflection and interference of electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous media

Solutions were obtained of the wave equation for a plane horizontally polarized electro-magnetic wave incident on a semi infinite two dimensional inhomogeneous medium. Two problems were considered: An inhomogeneous half space, and an inhomogeneous layer of arbitrary thickness. Solutions of the wave equation were obtained in terms of Hankel functions with complex arguments. Numerical calculations were made of the reflection coefficient R at the interface of the homogeneous medium. The startling results show that the reflection coefficient for a complex dielectric constant with gradient, can be less than that of the same medium with zero gradient.

Geiger, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Complex Permittivities of Candidate Radome Materials at W-band

This report presents the results of w-band complex permittivity measurements performed in NASA Langley's Electromagnetics Research Branch. The test articles included in the permittivity study were flat panels of materials which are under consideration for use in a radome for the Passive Millimeter Wave Camera (PMMWC) flight experiment. This experiment is scheduled to fly on the Air Force's 'Speckled Trout' aircraft in late 1997. The radome design is very important because the PMMWC can tolerate only a small amount of electromagnetic loss through the radome. A free space measurement system was used to obtain complex reflection and transmission coefficients of the samples. The frequency of interest was 89 GHz, so measurements were performed over a range of 79 to 99 GHz. The transmission and reflection coefficients were used, along with the measured sample thickness, to calculate complex permittivity over the frequency range. The material samples measured in this study can be divided into four categories: skin materials, core materials, coating materials, and layered samples.

Cravey, Robin↗
NASA NTRS1979

Sound radiation from hyperboloidal inlet ducts

This paper presents rigorous solutions for the problem of sound radiation from various inlet ducts including hyperboloidal (or hyperbolic) inlet ducts and circular ducts with wide flange. The numerical results include the complex conversion (or reflection) coefficients and the radiation directivity for the various incident wave modes - spinning modes as well as axisymmetric modes. The analysis utilizes hyperboloidal wave functions which are defined here as a class of eigensolutions of the wave equation for oblate spheroidal coordinates, and is valid for the whole frequency range including frequencies above and below the cutoff frequencies of duct modes involved.

Cho, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Rigorous solutions for sound radiation from circular ducts with hyperbolic horns or infinite plane baffle

A rigorous treatment is presented of sound radiation from circular ducts with either a hyperbolic horn or an infinite plane baffle. In the analysis hyperboloidal wave functions are used, which are defined here, for the first time, as a class of eigensolutions of the wave equation for oblate spheroidal co-ordinates. The numerical results include the complex conversion (or reflection) coefficients and the radiation directivity for various incident wave modes, spinning modes as well as axisymmetric modes. The solutions are valid for the whole frequency range including frequencies above and below the cut-off frequencies of the duct modes involved.

Cho, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Potential application of satellite radar to monitor soil moisture

The microwave backscattering characteristics of soils as a function of moisture content are reviewed as a basis for the evaluation of the applicability of satellite radar to soil moisture determinations. Results of experiments showing the dependence of the complex dielectric constant, power reflection coefficient and backscattering coefficient of soil on its volumetric moisture content are presented. Results of a research program using the truck-mounted University of Kansas microwave active spectrometer to determine if, by the proper choice of sensor frequency, polarization and incidence, the sensor dynamic range in response to moisture variations may be greater than its response to other variations are considered in detail, and the optimum conditions of frequency (between 4 and 5 GHz), angular incidence (between 7 and 20 deg from nadir) and polarization (HH) obtained are indicated. An empirical model for the backscattering coefficient as a function of gravimetric moisture content derived on the basis of the experimental data is presented, and it is noted that available airborne and spaceborne data confirm the results of the ground-based sensors.

Ulaby, F. T.↗