Doping the nematic liquid crystal 5CB with milled BaTiO 3 nanoparticles
Not Available
Lorenz, Alexander↗
Engineering topics
Kumar, S.
Publications and source records attributed to Kumar, S..
Advancing Data Assimilation in Operational Hydrologic Forecasting: Progresses, Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities
Data assimilation (DA) holds considerable potential for improving hydrologic predictions as demonstrated in numerous research studies. However, advances in hydrologic DA research have not been adequately or timely implemented in operational forecast systems to improve the skill of forecasts for better informed real-world decision making. This is due in part to a lack of mechanisms to properly quantify the uncertainty in observations and forecast models in real-time forecasting situations and to conduct the merging of data and models in a way that is adequately efficient and transparent to operational forecasters. The need for effective DA of useful hydrologic data into the forecast process has become increasingly recognized in recent years. This motivated a hydrologic DA workshop in Delft, the Netherlands in November 2010, which focused on advancing DA in operational hydrologic forecasting and water resources management. As an outcome of the workshop, this paper reviews, in relevant detail, the current status of DA applications in both hydrologic research and operational practices, and discusses the existing or potential hurdles and challenges in transitioning hydrologic DA research into cost-effective operational forecasting tools, as well as the potential pathways and newly emerging opportunities for overcoming these challenges. Several related aspects are discussed, including (1) theoretical or mathematical aspects in DA algorithms, (2) the estimation of different types of uncertainty, (3) new observations and their objective use in hydrologic DA, (4) the use of DA for real-time control of water resources systems, and (5) the development of community-based, generic DA tools for hydrologic applications. It is recommended that cost-effective transition of hydrologic DA from research to operations should be helped by developing community-based, generic modeling and DA tools or frameworks, and through fostering collaborative efforts among hydrologic modellers, DA developers, and operational forecasters.
forecasting↗
Mineralogy of the Lunar Crust in Spatial Context: First Results from the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)
India's Chandrayaan-1 successfully launched October 22, 2008 and went into lunar orbit a few weeks later. Commissioning of instruments began in late November and was near complete by the end of the year. Initial data for NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) were acquired across the Orientale Basin and the science results are discussed here. M 3 image-cube data provide mineralogy of the surface in geologic context. A major new result is that the existence and distribution of massive amounts of anorthosite as a continuous stratigraphic crustal layer is now irrefutable.
Pieters, C. M.↗
Magnetic-Field-Assisted Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Operating up to 225 K
Advances in semiconductor bandgap engineering have resulted in the recent development of the terahertz quantum cascade laser1. These compact optoelectronic devices now operate in the frequency range 1.2-5 THz, although cryogenic cooling is still required2.3. Further progress towards the realization of devices operating at higher temperatures and emitting at longer wavelengths (sub-terahertz quantum cascade lasers) is difficult because it requires maintaining a population inversion between closely spaced electronic sub-bands (1 THz approx. equals 4 meV). Here, we demonstrate a magnetic-field-assisted quantum cascade laser based on the resonant-phonon design. By applying appropriate electrical bias and strong magnetic fields above 16 T, it is possible to achieve laser emission from a single device over a wide range of frequencies (0.68-3.33 THz). Owing to the suppression of inter-landau-level non-radiative scattering, the device shows magnetic field assisted laser action at 1 THz at temperatures up to 215 K, and 3 THz lasing up to 225 K.
Wade, A.↗
A Goddard Multi-Scale Modeling System with Unified Physics
Numerical cloud resolving models (CRMs), which are based the non-hydrostatic equations of motion, have been extensively applied to cloud-scale and mesoscale processes during the past four decades. Recent GEWEX Cloud System Study (GCSS) model comparison projects have indicated that CRMs agree with observations in simulating various types of clouds and cloud systems from different geographic locations. Cloud resolving models now provide statistical information useful for developing more realistic physically based parameterizations for climate models and numerical weather prediction models. It is also expected that Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and regional scale model can be run in grid size similar to cloud resolving model through nesting technique. Current and future NASA satellite programs can provide cloud, precipitation, aerosol and other data at very fine spatial and temporal scales. It requires a coupled global circulation model (GCM) and cloud-scale model (termed a szrper-parameterization or multi-scale modeling -framework, MMF) to use these satellite data to improve the understanding of the physical processes that are responsible for the variation in global and regional climate and hydrological systems. The use of a GCM will enable global coverage, and the use of a CRM will allow for better and more sophisticated physical parameterization. NASA satellite and field campaign can provide initial conditions as well as validation through utilizing the Earth Satellite simulators. At Goddard, we have developed a multi-scale modeling system with unified physics. The modeling system consists a coupled GCM-CRM (or MMF); a state-of-the-art weather research forecast model (WRF) and a cloud-resolving model (Goddard Cumulus Ensemble model). In these models, the same microphysical schemes (2ICE, several 3ICE), radiation (including explicitly calculated cloud optical properties), and surface models are applied. In addition, a comprehensive unified Earth Satellite simulator has been developed at GSFC, which is designed to fully utilize the multi-scale modeling system. A brief review of the multi-scale modeling system with unified physics/simulator and examples is presented in this article.
Tao, W.K.↗
Frequency and Phase-lock Control of a 3 THz Quantum Cascade Laser
We have locked the frequency of a 3 THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) to that of a far-infrared gas laser with a tunable microwave offset frequency. The locked QCL line shape is essentially Gaussian, with linewidths of 65 and 141 kHz at the -3 and -10 dB levels, respectively. The lock condition can be maintained indefinitely, without requiring temperature or bias current regulation of the QCL other than that provided by the lock error signal. The result demonstrates that a terahertz QCL can be frequency controlled with l-part-in-lO(exp 8) accuracy, which is a factor of 100 better than that needed for a local oscillator in a heterodyne receiver for atmospheric and astronomic spectroscopy.
Betz, A. L.↗
Pulse energy dependence of subcellular dissection by femtosecond laser pulses
Precise dissection of cells with ultrashort laser pulses requires a clear understanding of how the onset and extent of ablation (i.e., the removal of material) depends on pulse energy. We carried out a systematic study of the energy dependence of the plasma-mediated ablation of fluorescently-labeled subcellular structures in the cytoskeleton and nuclei of fixed endothelial cells using femtosecond, near-infrared laser pulses focused through a high-numerical aperture objective lens (1.4 NA). We find that the energy threshold for photobleaching lies between 0.9 and 1.7 nJ. By comparing the changes in fluorescence with the actual material loss determined by electron microscopy, we find that the threshold for true material ablation is about 20% higher than the photobleaching threshold. This information makes it possible to use the fluorescence to determine the onset of true material ablation without resorting to electron microscopy. We confirm the precision of this technique by severing a single microtubule without disrupting the neighboring microtubules, less than 1 micrometer away. c2005 Optical Society of America.
Non-NASA Center↗
Slow plastic deformation of extruded NiAl-10TiB2 particulate composites at 1200 and 1300 K
A dispersion of 1-micron TiB2 particles in the B2 crystal structure NiAl intermetallic can effectively increase its elevated temperature strength, in association with increasing deformation resistance with TiB2 volume fraction. Attention is presently given to alternative densification methods, which may increase the initial as-fabricated dislocation density and lead to enhanced elevated-temperature strength. The 'XD' extrusion method was used to produce NiAl with 10 vol pct TiB2. Although apparent extrusion defects were occasionally found, neither grain-boundary cracking nor particle-matrix separation occurred.
Whittenberger, J. D.↗
Altitude variation of EUV emissions and evidence for proton precipitation at low latitudes in the Saturnian atmosphere
Extreme ultraviolet observations of Saturn from Voyager 1 and 2 are analyzed. The Lyman alpha and H2 band emissions extend throughout the upper atmosphere, from the hydrocarbon homopause to well above the exobase. Analysis of the Lyman alpha emissions with a radiative transfer model indicates that the Lyman alpha source temperature is very high. This suggests that energetic protons or hydrogen atoms are responsible for a fraction of the emissions. Calculation of the solar-scattered component of the emissions based on the neutral atmosphere of Smith et al. (1983) reveals that only 1-2 kR out of a total of 3.5 kR of the observed Lyman alpha intensity is due to solar scatter for the Voyager 2 disk observations; the remainder of the Lyman alpha emissions are collisionally excited. The Lyman alpha and H2 bands are constant in longitude but decrease in local time by a factor of 2 from dawn to dusk. This correlation of the Lyman alpha and H2 band intensities is further evidence that most of the Lyman alpha is collisionally excited.
Yelle, R. V.↗
Ultraviolet spectrometer observations of Uranus
The Voyager 2 UV spectrometer was used to scan the Uranus atmosphere at wavelengths from 500-1700 A with a field of view of 0.1 x 0.86 deg. The temperature and composition of the upper atmosphere were determined through occultations of light from gamma Pegasi, nu Geminorum and the sun. The data indicated a substantial gas density (100 million H atoms/cu cm) at about 28,000 km from the Uranus center, suggesting that gas drag plays a significant role in ring evolution. The distributions of CH4 and C2H2 in the lower atmosphere were also estimated. An electroglow emission was detected on the sunlit side, and attributed to emissions from atomic and molecular hydrogen excited by low energy electrons. An auroral glow was also observed, and exhibited evidence of an energy input equal to that of the electroglow. Finally, estimates of the C2H2 mixing ratio and the vertical column abundance of H2 are calculated.
Broadfoot, A. L.↗
Some studies of zonal and meridional wind characteristics at low latitude Indian stations
At the beginning of the Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), it was decided that the preparation of consolidation reports of already available parameters for the middle atmosphere would be useful. Atmospheric wind data obtained by rockets and balloons constituted one such parameter which had to be consolidated. The present paper summaries the results of this consolidation study. Both zonal and meridional components of winds at four low latitude Indian stations namely Thumba, Shar, Hyderabad, and Balasore, have been analyzed to yield reference wind profiles for each month. The montly mean values have been used to bring out the amplitudes and phases of the annual, semiannual and quasi-biennial oscillations.
Nagpal, O. P.↗
Comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period
The data from the world wide grid of neutron monitoring stations was analyzed for a comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period. It has been observed that the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on disturbed days where the value of the Ap-index is higher, is found to shift towards earlier hours in comparison to the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days where the value of Ap-index is lower on all the stations from 1965 to 71. Such a trend is not observable for the later period. This affect is found to be more pronounced on equatorial stations, in particular, in comparison to high latitude stations. It was derived from these observational facts that the relationship between Ap-index and the phase of the diurnal anisotropy is not invariant throughout the period of consideration. Furthermore, the exact cause of such a drastic change is not known, but it demonstrates very clearly that the interplanetary conditions which are responsible for both, diurnal anisotropy of cosmic ray intensity and the geomagnetic Ap-index variation, have drastically changed during the period 1971 and onwards.
Kumar, S.↗
Study of spectral exponent on quiet and disturbed days
The spectral exponents of the diurnal and semidiurnal anisotropies are studied on quiet and disturbed days for a period from 1964 to 75. It has been observed for the diurnal anisotropy that the spectral exponent for quiet days is 0.0 from 1964 to 70, however during 1971 and onwards its value is found different from zero and is -0.4; for disturbed days the spectral exponent is observed to be 0.0 from 1964 to 75 with an exception of the year 1966. Further, it has been observed for the semi-diurnal anisotropy that the best value for the spectral exponent on quiet days being + 0.6 from 1964 to 74; however on disturbed days the value of spectral exponent is sometimes negative or positive but different from zero. It was derived from the present investigation that superimposed on the corotational anisotropy, expected from a balance between outward radial convection and inward field aligned diffusion, there is an additional component operating during the period under consideration.
Kumar, S.↗
Diurnal variation of galactic cosmic ray intensity on quiet days
A detailed study of the diurnal variation on long term basis was performed on geomagnetically quiet days using the experimental data of the cosmic ray intensity from the worldwide neutron monitoring stations. During the period when the polarity of the solar magnetic field in the Northern Hemisphere of the sun is negative the phase and amplitude of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days was observed to remain almost constant. When the polarity of solar magnetic field in the Northern Hemisphere changes from negative to positive, a shift in the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days towards earlier hours is observed and the shift is found to be maximum during minimum solar activity periods 1953-54 and 1975-76. When the polarity of solar magnetic field changes from positive to negative in the Northern Hemisphere of the Sun the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days recovers to its usual direction of corotational anisotropy and is observed to remain almost constant till the polarity of the solar magnetic field does not change.
Kumar, S.↗
Deuterium on Venus - Model comparisons with Pioneer Venus observations of the predawn bulge ionosphere
A self-consistent model of the Venus ionosphere in the predawn bulge region where the mass-two ion density is observed to be maximum was prepared in order to examine the question of mass-two ion identification in detail. The model calculations are compared to the Pioneer Venus observations of ion composition and structure in the 153-250 km altitude range. The observed densities of major ions O2(+) and O(+) are used to constrain the source of ionization. Once the source is determined, the density distribution of D(+) and H2(+) is calculated for various values of D and H2 in the atmosphere. It is found that mass-two ion is clearly due to deuterium and that the H2 contribution to the mass-two ion is small, if present at all.
Kumar, S.↗
The SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io - Ion chemistry, atmospheric escape, and models corresponding to the Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements
Some numerical models of the SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io at the time of the Pioneer 10 fly-by are calculated. It is shown that the formation of the observed ionosphere in the downstream direction may have required the precipitation of electrons, and that solar EUV radiation alone cannot account for it. In a comparison with Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements, an electron impact in the range 500-800 eV was found to agree with Pioneer 10 radio occultation data for a SO2 atmosphere with a surface density of 4 x 10 to the 10th per cu cm. The relatively narrow energy range and flux required for incident electrons suggests that a fraction of a torus plasma compresses the ionosphere. It is pointed out on the basis of the model calculations that a weak magnetic field may be associated with Io.
Kumar, S.↗
Sulfur and oxygen escape from Io and a lower limit to atmospheric SO2 at Voyager 1 encounter
Estimates of the abundance of sulfur, sodium and oxygen ions and neutrals observed by Voyager 1 in the plasma torus and neutral cloud associated with the Jovian satellite Io are used to investigate the physical characteristics of the Io atmosphere. Specific attention is given to two questions about the Io atmosphere: the necessity of an atmosphere to account for the supply of sulfur and oxygen observed in the plasma torus, and, if an atmosphere is necessary, the lower limit to such atmosphere. It is found that an SO2 atmosphere is most likely needed on Io as an intermediate buffer so that the sulfur and oxygen can be transported to the plasma torus. The minimum atmosphere needed for this process is calculated to be 1.4 x 10 to the -10th bar with an SO2 column density of about 10 to the 16th per sq cm and an SO2 surface density of about 1.2 x 10 to the 10th per cu cm. A complete list of all the atmospheric escape fluxes for Io is provided.
Kumar, S.↗
The O(+) 834-A dayglow - Satellite observations and interpretation with a radiation transfer model
The observations were made with the EUV spectrometer on the Air Force satellite STP-78-1. The dayglow intensity was observed at an altitude of 600 km to vary with magnetic latitude from 30 R to 300 R in the near zenith direction (theta - 40 deg) and from 400 R to 500 R in the near nadir direction (theta = 140 deg). The correspondingly large near zenith to near nadir intensity ratio of 0.3-0.65 over much of the dayside is seen as suggesting that the O(+) ions in the topside ionosphere constitute an optically thick medium for resonance scattering of 834-A airglow emission even at this high altitude. The STP 78-1 airglow data are normalized by means of simultaneous measurements of the O(+) density from the Explorer AE-E spacecraft at 460-km altitude near the equator. It is noted that for the ionization excitation of atomic oxygen leading to the production of O(+) atoms in 4P state, a g value of 1.1 x 10 to the -8th/s at zero optical depth is required. The latitudinal distribution of O(+) density derived from the 834-A airglow data reveals a double peak surrounding an equatorial trough (characteristic of the equatorial anomaly) at altitudes below 1000 km and a single peak at the magnetic equator above 1000 km.
Kumar, S.↗