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At least 19 records

Preparation of dielectric coating of variable dielectric constant by plasma polymerization

A plasma polymerization process for the deposition of a dielectric polymer coating on a substrate comprising disposing of the substrate in a closed reactor between two temperature controlled electrodes connected to a power supply is presented. A vacuum is maintained within the closed reactor, causing a monomer gas or gas mixture of a monomer and diluent to flow into the reactor, generating a plasma between the electrodes. The vacuum varies and controls the dielectric constant of the polymer coating being deposited by regulating the gas total and partial pressure, the electric field strength and frequency, and the current density.

Hudis, M.

Dynamic dielectric characterization of thermosets and thermoplastics using intrinsic variables

Dynamic dielectric analysis has been used to study curing polymer systems and thermoplastics. Measurements have been made over a frequency range of six decades. The data are analyzed in terms of capacitance, conductance, dissipation, complex permittivity, and conductivity (sigma). Complex permittivity and sigma are properties which are characteristic of the cure state of the material and independent of the size of the sample. LARC-160, PMR-15, NARMCO 5208, Epon and UDEL-P1700 have been studied. The experimental results suggest that when ionic processes dominate the dielectric response, the intensive property sigma is a good monitor of the resin's viscosity.

Kranbuehl, D. E.

Baroclinic instability with variable static stability - A design study for a spherical atmospheric model experiment

The effect of a radially-variable, dielectric body force, analogous to gravity on baroclinic instability for the design of a spherical, synoptic-scale, atmospheric model experiment in a Spacelab flight is investigated. Exact solutions are examined for quasi-geostrophic baroclinic instability in which the rotational Froude number is a linear function of the height. Flow in a rotating rectilinear channel with a vertically variable body force without horizontal shear of the basic state is also discussed.

Giere, A. C.

Baroclinic instability with variable gravity: A perturbation analysis

Solutions for a quasigeostrophic baroclinic stability problem in which gravity is a function of height were obtained. Curvature and horizontal shear of the basic state flow were omitted and the vertical and horizontal temperature gradients of the basic state were taken as constant. The effect of a variable dielectric body force, analogous to gravity, on baroclinic instability for the design of a spherical, baroclinic model for Spacelab was determined. Such modeling could not be performed in a laboratory on the Earth's surface because the body force could not be made strong enough to dominate terrestrial gravity. A consequence of the body force variation and the preceding assumptions was that the potential vorticity gradient of the basic state vanished. The problem was solved using a perturbation method. The solution gives results which are qualitatively similar to Eady's results for constant gravity; a short wavelength cutoff and a wavelength of maximum growth rate were observed. The averaged values of the basic state indicate that both the wavelength range of the instability and the growth rate at maximum instability are increased. Results indicate that the presence of the variable body force will not significantly alter the dynamics of the Spacelab experiment. The solutions are also relevant to other geophysical fluid flows where gravity is constant but the static stability or Brunt-Vaisala frequency is a function of height.

Giere, A. C.

Electrical double layers at the oil/water interface

This review presents the historical development and current status of the theory of the electrical double layer at a liquid/liquid interface. It gives rigorous thermodynamic definitions of all basic concepts related to liquid interfaces and to the electrical double layer. The difference between the surface of a solid electrode and the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) is analyzed in connection to their electrical properties. The most important classical relationships for the electrical double layer are presented and critically discussed. The generalized adsorption isotherm is derived. After a short review of the classical Gouy-Chapman and Verwey-Niessen models, more recent developments of the double layer theory are presented. These include effects of variable dielectric permittivity, nonlocal electrostatics, hydration forces, the modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the ion-dipole plasma. The relative merits of different theories are estimated by comparing them with computer simulation of the ITIES and electrical double layer. Special attention is given to the structure of ITIES and its variation due to adsorption of ions and amphiphilic molecules.

Non-NASA Center

Discrete-component S-band power amplifier

Amplifier uses low Q input and output circuitry incorporating four variable air dielectric capacitors. Performance over conventional designs includes - increased power output, decreased likelihood of parametric oscillation, and increased thermal stability.

Line, L. G.

Evaluation of GEOS-Simulated L-Band Microwave Brightness Temperature using Aquarius Observations over Non-Frozen Land across North America

L-band brightness temperature (T(sub b)) is one of the key remotely-sensed variables that provides information regarding surface soil moisture conditions. In order to harness the information in T(sub b) observations, a radiative transfer model (RTM) is investigated for eventual inclusion into a data assimilation framework. In this study, T(sub b) estimates from the RTM implemented in the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) were evaluated against the nearly four-year record of daily T(sub b) observations collected by L-band radiometers onboard the Aquarius satellite. Statistics between the modeled and observed T(sub b) were computed over North America as a function of soil hydraulic properties and vegetation types. Overall, statistics showed good agreement between the modeled and observed T(sub b) with a relatively low, domain-average bias (0.79 K (ascending) and -2.79 K (descending)), root mean squared error (11.0 K (ascending) and 11.7 K (descending)), and unbiased root mean squared error (8.14 K (ascending) and 8.28 K (descending)). In terms of soil hydraulic parameters, large porosity and large wilting point both lead to high uncertainty in modeled T(sub b) due to the large variability in dielectric constant and surface roughness used by the RTM. The performance of the RTM as a function of vegetation type suggests better agreement in regions with broadleaf deciduous and needleleaf forests while grassland regions exhibited the worst accuracy amongst the five different vegetation types.

L-band radiometry

Dust removal from solar cells

A solar panel cleaning device includes a solar panel having a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in rows and embedded in the solar panel with space between the rows. A transparent dielectric overlay is affixed to the solar panel. A plurality of electrode pairs each of which includes an upper and a lower electrode are arranged on opposite sides of the transparent dielectric and are affixed thereto. The electrodes may be transparent electrodes which may be arranged without concern for blocking sunlight to the solar panel. The solar panel may be a dielectric and its dielectric properties may be continuously and spatially variable. Alternatively the dielectric used may have dielectric segments which produce different electrical field and which affects the wind "generated."

Ashpis, David E.

Dust Removal from Solar Cells

A solar panel cleaning device includes a solar panel having a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in rows and embedded in the solar panel with space between the rows. A transparent dielectric overlay is affixed to the solar panel. A plurality of electrode pairs each of which includes an upper and a lower electrode are arranged on opposite sides of the transparent dielectric and are affixed thereto. The electrodes may be transparent electrodes which may be arranged without concern for blocking sunlight to the solar panel. The solar panel may be a dielectric and its dielectric properties may be continuously and spatially variable. Alternatively the dielectric used may have dielectric segments which produce different electrical field and which affects the wind "generated."

Ashpis, David E.

Passive microwave observations of asteroids

The advances made since 1979 in the quantity and quality of the radio observations of asteroids and in the understanding of the physics of asteroidal microwave emission are reviewed. Radio continuum spectra analyses are now available for the four largest asteroids (Ceres, Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea) at several wavelengths and several smaller asteroids (including Interamnia and Eunomia) at one wavelength. The spectra show that most asteroids are covered by a layer of material with physical properties of finely divided dust. This surface material is in layers of variable depth and has dielectric properties which vary from asteroid to asteroid. The effect of instrumentation on the interpretation of microwave observations is examined.

Webster, William J., Jr.

Dielectric function of InGaAs in the visible

Measurements are reported of the dielectric function of thermodynamically stable In(x)Ga(1-x)As in the composition range 0.3 equal to or less than X = to or less than 0.7. The optically thick samples of InGaAs were made by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in the range 0.4 = to or less than X = to or less than 0.7 and by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for X = 0.3. The MBE made samples, usually 1 micron thick, were grown on semi-insulating InP and included a strain release structure. The MOCVD sample was grown on GaAs and was 2 microns thick. The dielectric functions were measured by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range 1.55 to 4.4 eV. The data was analyzed assuming an optically thick InGaAs material with an oxide layer on top. The thickness of this layer was estimated by comparing the results for the InP lattice matched material, i.e., X = 0.53, with results published in the literature. The top oxide layer mathematically for X = 0.3 and X = 0.53 was removed to get the dielectric function of the bare InGaAs. In addition, the dielectric function of GaAs in vacuum, after a protective arsenic layer was removed. The dielectric functions for X = 0, 0.3, and 0.53 together with the X = 1 result from the literature to evaluate an algorithm for calculating the dielectric function of InGaAs for an arbitrary value of X(0 = to or less than X = to or less than 1) were used. Results of the dielectric function calculated using the algorithm were compared with experimental data.

Alterovitz, S. A.

Dielectric function of InGaAs in the visible

Measurements are reported of the dielectric function of thermodynamically stable In(x)Ga(1-x)As in the composition range 0.3 equal to or less than X = to or less than 0.7. The optically thick samples of InGaAs were made by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in the range 0.4 = to or less than X = to or less than 0.7 and by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for X = 0.3. The MBE made samples, usually 1 micron thick, were grown on semi-insulating InP and included a strain release structure. The MOCVD sample was grown on GaAs and was 2 microns thick. The dielectric functions were measured by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range 1.55 to 4.4 eV. The data was analyzed assuming an optically thick InGaAs material with an oxide layer on top. The thickness of this layer was estimated by comparing the results for the InP lattice matched material, i.e., X = 0.53, with results published in the literature. The top oxide layer mathematically for X = 0.3 and X = 0.53 was removed to get the dielectric function of the bare InGaAs. In addition, the dielectric function of GaAs in vacuum, after a protective arsenic layer was removed. The dielectric functions for X = 0, 0.3, and 0.53 together with the X = 1 result from the literature to evaluate an algorithm for calculating the dielectric function of InGaAs for an arbitrary value of X (0 = to or less than X = to or less than 1) were used. Results of the dielectric function calculated using the algorithm were compared with experimental data.

Alterovitz, S. A.

Merging Magellan emissivity and SAR data for analysis of Venus surface dielectric properties

Integration of Magellan datasets for Venus is an important part of characterizing the geology of the surface. We analyze the global average beahvior of radar backscatter and emissivity and find that for incidence angles greater than 30 deg the two parameters can be modeled by the behavior of a single-dielectric surface (epsilon approximately 4.15) with variable roughness. Based on this result, we propse a model which relates the HH backscatter and H-polarized emissivity to values for a relative roughness fraction and dielectric constant.

Campbell, Bruce A.

Electric discharge for treatment of trace contaminants

A radio frequency glow discharge reactor is described for removing trace oxidizable contaminants from an oxygen bearing atmosphere. The reaction chamber is defined by an inner metal electrode facing a dielectric backed by an outer conductive electrode. In one embodiment, a conductive liquid forms the conductor of an outer electrode and cools the dielectric. A resonator coupled to a variable radio frequency source generates the high voltages for creating a glow discharge in the chamber at a predetermined pressure whereby the trace contaminants are oxidized into a few simple non-toxic products that may be easily recovered. The corresponding process for removal of trace contaminants from an oxygen-bearing atmosphere with high efficiency independent of the concentration level is also disclosed.

Flamm, D. L.

Two-beam interferometer for optical constants measurements at near-millimeter wavelengths

A simple and versatile instrument for the measurement of optical constants in the near millimeter spectral region is described. Studies of quasi-optical components used in this instrument for effective beam transmission and control are reported. These studies include transmission characteristics of dielectric waveguides and performance of a variable coupler based on frustrated total internal reflection. Operation of this instrument as a two-beam interferometer for determining the index of refraction or as a device to measure transmission for determining the absorption coefficient are described. Values measured with this instrument at 245 GHz, using an optically pumped molecular laser as the source, are reported for several low-loss materials. Appropriate corrections and error estimates are discussed. The potential for improvement and increased accuracies are discussed.

Jones, C. R.