Engineering topics

Feigelson, R. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Feigelson, R. S..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2001

Investigation of Vibrational Control of the Bridgman Crystal Growth Technique

The character of natural buoyant convection in rigidly contained inhomogeneous fluids can be drastically altered by vibrating the container. Vibrations are expected to play a crucial influence on heat and mass transfer onboard the International Space Station (ISS). It is becoming evident that substantial vibrations will exist on the ISS in the wide frequency spectrum. In general, vibrational flows are very complex and governed by many parameters. In many terrestrial crystal growth situations, convective transport of heat and constituent components is dominated by buoyancy driven convection arising from compositional and thermal gradients. Thus, it may be concluded that vibro-convective flow can potentially be used to influence and even control transport in some crystal growth situations.

Fedoseyev, Alexandre I.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Growth of new materials for solid state laser applications. The growth of ZnGeP2 by the vertical Bridgman method

This is the final technical report on the cooperative NASA program 'Growth of New Materials for Solid State Laser Applications,' covering the period from 9-1-86 through 3-31-91. The first two and one half years of the program, from 9-1-86 through 3-31-89, was devoted to the development of new eye-safe laser sources. Single crystal fibers of rare earth doped and co-doped YAG were grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth method, characterized for their structural properties and supplied to NASA/Langley for spectroscopic evaluation. From 4-1-89 though 3-31-91, research focused on the growth of zinc germanium phosphide for nonlinear optical applications in the IR. The vertical Bridgman growth process was evaluated as a means to achieve better control over the short wavelength optical absorption in this material that adversely affects 2 micron-pumped optical parametric oscillators.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Controlling nucleation in protein solutions

A simple one-step technique for controlling the nucleation stage in protein solutions without the use of a seed crystal was developed using a specially designed apparatus in which the nucleation and growth processes can be separated. The method can be applied only to species that have a temperature-dependent solubility. The effectiveness of this 'thermonucleating' device was demonstrated with the nucleation and growth of ice, Rochelle salt, and lysozyme.

Demattei, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Surface migration and volume diffusion in the AgGaSe2-Ag2Se system

Surface migration and volume diffusion in the Ag2Se-AgGaSe2 system were investigated using reactive diffusion couples which were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. The surface diffusivities of all mobile species are found to be much larger than volume diffusivities. The results of the study suggest that Se moves together with Ag and Ga to maintain binary (Ag2Se and Ga2Se3) stoichiometry and electroneutrality. The dominance of surface migration kinetics can account for the uniform annihilation of second-phase precipitates during heat treatments.

Kim, N.-H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Growth rate study of canavalin single crystals

The dependence on supersaturation of the growth rate of single crystals of the protein canavalin is studied. In the supersaturation ranges studied, the rate-limiting step for growth is best described by a screw dislocation mechanism associated with interface attachment kinetics. Using a ln-ln plot, the growth-rate data is found to fit a predictive relationship of the form G = 0.012 x the supersaturation to the 6.66, which, together with the solubility curves, allows the growth rate to be estimated under a variety of conditions.

Demattei, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Some implications of colloid stability theory for protein crystallization

Colloid stability theory has been applied to protein crystallization and predicts a narrow range of conditions under which crystals can be grown without the agglomeration of protein molecules (colloids) in the bulk solution. It also predicts a critical electrolyte concentration above which agglomeration will always occur. Using this theory, the rapid protein agglomeration occurring during Schlieren experiments as well as a terminal crystal size effect in a fixed container were explained. Following this concept, the supposed 'terminal' crystal size has been at least doubled.

Young, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Low frequency vibrational stirring - A new method for rapidly mixing solutions and melts during growth

A new method for rapidly stirring liquids has been developed which may be useful in crystal growth applications. The method involves the introduction of orthogonally coupled low frequency vibrations to fluids contained in cylindrical crucibles. A mathematical model has been developed to describe the influence of this vibrational stirring method on fluid flow. The optimum sloshing frequencies calculated for a specific system geometry were very close to those observed experimentally. A systematic study of the fluid flow induced by the vibrational motion was carried out at room temperature using aqueous solutions containing glycerine. Preliminary experiments were carried out to study the effect of vibrational stirring on interface shape and position during the Bridgman growth of CsCdCl3, a model system.

Liu, W.-S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Electronic transport properties of hot-pressed B6Si

Measurements of the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and Hall mobility from -300 K to -1300 K have been carried out on multiphase hotpressed samples of the nominal composition B6Si. In all samples the conductivity and the p-type Seebeck coefficient both increase smoothly with increasing temperature. By themselves, these facts suggest small-polaronic hopping between inequivalent sites. The measured Hall mobilities are always low, but vary in sign. A possible explanation is offered for this anomalous behavior.

Wood, C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Protein crystal growth; Proceedings of the First International Conference, Stanford University, CA, August 14-16, 1985

Papers are presented on mechanisms of nucleation and growth of protein crystals, the role of purification in the crystallization of proteins and nucleic acids, and the effect of chemical impurities in polyethylene glycol on macromolecular crystallization. Also considered are growth kinetics of tetragonal lysozyme crystals, thermodynamic and kinetic considerations for crystal growth of complex molecules from solution, protein single-crystal growth under microgravity, and growth of organic crystals in a microgravity environment. Papers are also presented on preliminary investigations of protein crystal growth using the Space Shuttle, convective diffusion in protein crystal growth, and the growth and characterization of membrane protein crystals.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Growth and evaluation of AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2 for infrared nonlinear applications

Significant advances were made in the growth technology of silver thiogallate (AgGaS2) and silver selenogallate (AgGaSe2). High efficiency harmonic generation of carbon dioxide laser radiation and tunable infrared parametric oscillation were demonstrated using these materials. Nonliner frequency conversion in the infrared was limited by the optical properties and the size of the available nonlinear materials. The development of these materials has reduced some of the limitations and generated wide interest. The continued development and application of AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2 now appears assured.

Byer, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Efficient second harmonic generation of 10-micron radiation in AgGaSe2

AgGaSe2 crystals for nonlinear infrared applications are being grown reproducibly. Using high-quality, 2-cm-long crystals, 14 percent energy and 60 percent peak intensity conversion efficiency have been demonstrated for second harmonic generation of the pulsed output of a CO2 miniature transversely excited atmospheric laser.

Eckardt, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Growth of urea crystals by physical vapor transport

This work demonstrates that high optical quality crystals of urea can be grown by the physical vapor transport method. The unique features of this method are compared with growth from methanol/water solutions. High growth rates, exceeding 2.5 mm/day, were achieved, and cm-size optical quality single crystals were obtained. Details of the growth technique and the physical properties of the crystals are presented.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Melt Stirring by Horizontal Crucible Vibration

Horizontal vibration suggested as technique for more effective stirring of melts in crystal-growth apparatus. Vibrational technique may replace accelerated crucible rotation. Potential superiority of vibrational technique shown by preliminary experiments in which ink stirred into water.

Wolf, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The Influence of Low Frequency Mechanical Vibrations on the Growth of Single Crystals

The optimum conditions for crystal growth are usually achieved either by suppressing convective fluid flows (e.g., by the use of a low-gravity environment) or by over-riding thermal and solutal convection by the use of a strong stirring action. A novel stirring technique has been developed which involves subjecting a vertical crucible to a circle in a horizontal plane (without rotation). Use of an amplitude of 3 mm at a frequency of approx 6 Hz produced complete mixing of a non-uniform aqueous liquid in a few seconds. The mixing action involved the downward flow of liquid in the outer annulus of the liquid, driven by surface waves. When the downward flowing liquid reaches the bottom of the crucible, it is reflected in a central, upward flowing spiral. This flow pattern should be beneficial for crystal growth by the Bridgman method since it will sweep impurities away from the walls and produce a more convex solid-liquid interface. Initial attempts to apply the new stirring technique to CdTe crystal growth did not show significant improvement in the number of crystals nucleated, but the interface shape appeared to be close to that predicted.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

AgGaS2 infrared parametric oscillator

A report is presented of the first operation of an optical parametric oscillator in a chalcopyrite crystal, AgGaS2. Tuning from 1.4 to 4.0 microns is demonstrated for 1.06-micron Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet pumping. The potential tuning range extends to the 12-micron transparency limit of the crystal.

Fan, Y. X.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Interface Instability During Crystal Growth

Report on study of solute segregation and interface stability during crystal growth describes new theoretical model for crystal growth from melt. Report also describes experiments in crystal growth by controlled-gradient freezing and by pulling from melt (Czochralski growth).

Tiller, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Materials for high-temperature thermoelectric conversion

The development of materials for high temperature thermoelectric energy conversion devices was investigated. The development of new criteria for the selection of materials which is based on understanding of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of high temperature thermoelectric materials is discussed. The synthesis and characterization of promising new materials and the growth of single crystals to eliminate possible problems associated with grain boundaries and other defects in polycrystalline materials are outlined.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Growth and evaluation of AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2 for infrared nonlinear applications

The crystal growth technology for the two chalcopyrite compounds AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2 was studied. These two materials demonstrated their promise as important nonlinear crystals for infrared applications ten years ago. However, at the time, a number of various growth related problems such as cracking, twinning and the occurrence of optical scattering centers made it difficult to obtain high quality specimens in sizes exceeding 1 cm. Using seeding and precision-tapered fused quartz growth ampoules, a Bridgman/Stockbarger growth technology was developed to grow crack and twin-free boules in increasingly larger dimensions with an ultimate goal of 4 cm crystals harvested obliquely from c-axis boules. The post-growth heat treatment procedures were studied to understand the solid state chemical reactions and to avoid crystal damage which frequently occurs during these annealing procedures.

Byer, R. L.↗