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Davis, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Davis, J..

80 records · Page 5

Effects of plasma microfields on radiative transitions from atomic levels above the ionization threshold

The effects of plasma electric microfields on line-like optical features arising from atomic levels above the ionization threshold are investigated within the framework of the quasi-static and single-frequency dynamic-field theories of spectral-line broadening. The 2p(23)P to 1s2p(3)P and 2s2p(3)P to 1s2s(3)S transitions in helium and helium-like ions are treated as examples. The mixing of the doubly excited levels in the perturbing microfields produces Stark broadening of the emission lines and induces autoionization of the 2p(23)P level, which, unlike the 2s2p(3)P level, is metastable against autoionization in the field-free environment. Determination of the complete Stark-broadening profiles in thermal plasmas is complicated by the need to include the effects of both the (quasi-static) ion and the (dynamic) electron fields. Under nonequilibrium conditions, where electric fields from either electron or ion plasma waves can far exceed nearby particle fields, the calculation and interpretation of the line shapes may be simplified and could provide a diagnostic probe of the wave-field properties.

Davis, J.↗

The Stark broadening mechanism in an unstable plasma

The electron beam - driven instability of a plasma is considered, with particular emphasis on the turbulent electric fields excited by the beam. The Stark broadening in the plasma lines, due to such fields, is estimated. The broadening of H Beta lines in a 10,000 K plasma is used as an example. It is shown that it is possible to have appreciable Stark broadening at plasma densities much lower than normally predicted.

Spicer, D. S.↗

Description of CASCOMP Comprehensive Airship Sizing and Performance Computer Program, Volume 2

The computer program CASCOMP, which may be used in comparative design studies of lighter than air vehicles by rapidly providing airship size and mission performance data, was prepared and documented. The program can be used to define design requirements such as weight breakdown, required propulsive power, and physical dimensions of airships which are designed to meet specified mission requirements. The program is also useful in sensitivity studies involving both design trade-offs and performance trade-offs. The input to the program primarily consists of a series of single point values such as hull overall fineness ratio, number of engines, airship hull and empennage drag coefficients, description of the mission profile, and weights of fixed equipment, fixed useful load and payload. In order to minimize computation time, the program makes ample use of optional computation paths.

Davis, J.↗

A study of the effect of flight density and background noise on V/STOL acceptability

A study was conducted in which test subjects evaluated the sounds of a helicopter, a turbofan STOL and a turbojet airplane while engaged in work and leisure activities. Exposure to a high repetitive density of the aircraft sounds did not make the individual sounds more annoying but did create an unacceptable environment. The application of a time duration term to db(A) resulted in a measure which compared favorably with EPNL as a predictor of annoyance. Temporal variations in background noise level had no significant effect on the rated annoyance.

Sternfeld, H., Jr.↗

Acceptability of VTOL aircraft noise determined by absolute subjective testing

A program was conducted during which test subjects evaluated the simulated sounds of a helicopter, a tilt wing aircraft, and a 15 second, 90 PNdB (indoors) turbojet aircraft used as reference. Over 20,000 evaluations were made while the test subjects were engaged in work and leisure activities. The effects of level, exposure time, distance and aircraft design on subjective acceptability were evaluated. Some of the important conclusions are: (1) To be judged equal in annoyance to the reference jet sound, the helicopter and tilt wing sounds must be 4 to 5 PNdB lower when lasting 15 seconds in duration. (2) To be judged significantly more acceptable than the reference jet sound, the helicopter sound must be 10 PNdB lower when lasting 15 seconds in duration. (3) To be judged significantly more acceptable than the reference jet sound, the tilt wing sound must be 12 PNdB lower when lasting 15 seconds in duration. (4) The relative effect of changing the duration of a sound upon its subjectively rated annoyance diminishes with increasing duration. It varies from 2 PNdB per doubling of duration for intervals of 15 to 30 seconds, to 0.75 PNdB per doubling of duration for intervals of 120 to 240 seconds.

Sternfeld, H., Jr.↗

Control systems

Computationally feasible methods of large scale systems design applied to minimax algorithms and games strategies

Chen, C. I.↗