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Lofgren, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Lofgren, G..

Technical Update: Johnson Space Center system using a solid electrolytic cell in a remote location to measure oxygen fugacities in CO/CO2 controlled-atmosphere furnaces

Details are given for the design and application of a (one atmosphere) redox-control system. This system differs from that given in NASA Technical Memorandum 58234 in that it uses a single solid-electrolytic cell in a remote location to measure the oxygen fugacities of multiple CO/CO2 controlled-atmosphere furnaces. This remote measurement extends the range of sample-furnace conditions that can be measured using a solid-electrolytic cell, and cuts costs by extending the life of the sensors and by minimizing the number of sensors in use. The system consists of a reference furnace and an exhaust-gas manifold. The reference furnace is designed according to the redox control system of NASA Technical Memorandum 58234, and any number of CO/CO2 controlled-atmosphere furnaces can be attached to the exhaust-gas manifold. Using the manifold, the exhaust gas from individual CO/CO2 controlled atmosphere furnaces can be diverted through the reference furnace, where a solid-electrolyte cell is used to read the ambient oxygen fugacity. The oxygen fugacity measured in the reference furnace can then be used to calculate the oxygen fugacity in the individual CO/CO2 controlled-atmosphere furnace. A BASIC computer program was developed to expedite this calculation.

Jurewicz, A. J. G.↗

Dynamic crystallization of chondrule melts of porphyritic and radial pyroxene composition

Dynamic crystallization experiments in which heterogeneous nucleation is an important variable have been completed on four melts of chondrule composition. Compositions were chosen to best represent chondrules with porphyritic pyroxene and radial pyroxene textures. Experimental results show that heterogeneous nucleation is essential for the formation of porphyritic textures. Without preexisting nuclei, too much supercooling is established before crystallization is initiated and the textures are more likely to be dendritic or radial. In the near total absence of nuclei, radial textures can form at cooling rates as slow as 5 C/hr in this study. By varying the heterogeneous nucleation conditions and having a melt in which the appropriate phases are stable or metastable, analogs to most of the recognized chondrule textures can be produced in a single melt composition.

Lofgren, G.↗

A sample holding technique for study of crystal growth in silicate melts

A thin platinum wire loop is an effective way to hold silicate melts during experimentation in a gas-mixing furnace. This method results in a minimum of physical and chemical interaction between the sample and container but maximum interaction between sample and gas mixture. However, volatilization of sodium occurs while the silicate is molten. By minimizing the chance of heterogeneous nucleation, the method is ideal for experimental investigation of the origin of rock textures.

Donaldson, C. H.↗