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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Analysis of Physical Properties of Dust Suspended in the Mars Atmosphere

Methods for iteratively determining the infrared optical constants for dust suspended in the Mars atmosphere are described. High quality spectra for wavenumbers from 200 to 2000 1/cm were obtained over a wide range of view angles by the Mariner 9 spacecraft, when it observed a global Martian dust storm in 1971-2. In this research, theoretical spectra of the emergent intensity from Martian dust clouds are generated using a 2-stream source-function radiative transfer code. The code computes the radiation field in a plane-parallel, vertically homogeneous, multiply scattering atmosphere. Calculated intensity spectra are compared with the actual spacecraft data to iteratively retrieve the optical properties and opacity of the dust, as well as the surface temperature of Mars at the time and location of each measurement. Many different particle size distributions a-re investigated to determine the best fit to the data. The particles are assumed spherical and the temperature profile was obtained from the CO2 band shape. Given a reasonable initial guess for the indices of refraction, the searches converge in a well-behaved fashion, producing a fit with error of less than 1.2 K (rms) to the observed brightness spectra. The particle size distribution corresponding to the best fit was a lognormal distribution with a mean particle radius, r(sub m) 0.66 pm, and variance, omega(sup 2) = 0.412 (r(sub eff) = 1.85 microns, v(sub eff) =.51), in close agreement with the size distribution found to be the best fit in the visible wavelengths in recent studies. The optical properties and the associated single scattering properties are shown to be a significant improvement over those used in existing models by demonstrating the effects of the new properties both on heating rates of the Mars atmosphere and in example spectral retrieval of surface characteristics from emission spectra.

Snook, Kelly↗
NASA NTRS2011

Aromatic Structure in Simulates Titan Aerosol

Observations of Titan by the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) between 560 and 20 per centimeter (approximately 18 to 500 micrometers) have been used to infer the vertical variations of Titan's ice abundances, as well as those of the aerosol from the surface to an altitude of 300 km [1]. The aerosol has a broad emission feature centered approximately at 140 per centimeter (71 micrometers). As seen in Figure 1, this feature cannot be reproduced using currently available optical constants from laboratory-generated Titan aerosol analogs [2]. The far-IR is uniquely qualified for investigating low-energy vibrational motions within the lattice structures of COITIDlex aerosol. The feature observed by CIRS is broad, and does not likely arise from individual molecules, but rather is representative of the skeletal movements of macromolecules. Since Cassini's arrival at Titan, benzene (C6H6) has been detected in the atmosphere at ppm levels as well as ions that may be polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [3]. We speculate that the feature may be a blended composite that can be identified with low-energy vibrations of two-dimensional lattice structures of large molecules, such as PAHs or nitrogenated aromatics. Such structures do not dominate the composition of analog materials generated from CH4 and N2 irradiation. We are performing studies forming aerosol analog via UV irradiation of aromatic precursors - specifically C6H6 - to understand how the unique chemical architecture of the products will influence the observable aerosol characteristics. The optical and chemical properties of the aromatic analog will be compared to those formed from CH4/N2 mixtures, with a focus on the as-yet unidentified far-IR absorbance feature. Preliminary results indicate that the photochemically-formed aromatic aerosol has distinct chemical composition, and may incorporate nitrogen either into the ring structure or adjoined chemical groups. These compositional differences are demonstrated in the aerosol mass spectra shown in Figure 2. The aromatic aerosol also demonstrates strong chemical reactivity when exposed to laboratory air, indicating substantial stored chemical potential. Oxidatoin and solubility studies wil be presented and implicatoins for prebiotic chemistry o nTitan will be discussed.

Trainer, Melissa G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Influence of temperature on the spectrum of water.

Measurement of the normal-incidence spectral reflectance of water at 5, 27, and 70 C in the spectral region between 5000 and 350 per cm. From the measured values of spectral reflectance the optical constants n sub r and n sub i are determined by Kramers-Kronig methods. The band strengths and bandwidths have been determined for the absorption bands near 3400, 1640, and 600 per cm at each temperature. A similar study of deuterium oxide at 27 C has been conducted for purposes of comparison.

Hale, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The Gaertner L119 ellipsometer and its use in the measurement of thin films

An introduction to the study of ellipsometry is presented, with special attention given to the Gaertner model L119 ellipsometer and the techniques of measuring thin films with this instrument. Values obtained from the ellipsometer are analyzed by a computer program for a determination of optical constants and thickness of the film.

Linkous, M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Infrared laboratory studies of synthetic planetary atmospheres

Previous research dealing with telluric gases is briefly reviewed. Current research concerning absorption-line broadening, and particulate constituents of planetary atmospheres are discussed. Two articles are included: optical constants of liquid ammonia in the infrared, and broadening of infrared absorption lines at reduced temperatures for nitrous oxide.

Williams, D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Side-viewing detector for a vacuum ultraviolet reflectometer.

The problem of detector response, which arises in the application of the reflectance vs angle of incidence method to the determination of optical constants in the vacuum UV spectral region is discussed. The analysis is performed for the side-viewing 1P21 detector sensitized with sodium salycilate. To take advantage of the wide selection photomultipliers available in the end-on configuration, a scheme for converting the end-on types to a side viewing geometry with a response uniform over several degrees of detector rotation is developed. It consists of a 32-mm diam spherical collector, located at the end of a cylindrical photomultiplier holder, with 12-mm entrance and viewing ports and a position for the sensitized screen also 12-mm in diameter.-

Osantowski, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Stratospheric aerosol properties and their effects on infrared radiation.

This paper presents a stratospheric aerosol model and infers its effects on terrestrial radiation. Composition of the aerosol is assumed to be concentrated sulfuric acid. An appropriate size distribution has been determined from available size distribution measurements of other investigators. Aerosols composed of concentrated sulfuric acid emit energy in the atmospheric window region of the infrared spectrum, 8-13 microns. Laboratory measurements of optical constant data obtained at room temperature are presented for 75 and 90% aqueous sulfuric acid. Calculations of an aerosol extinction coefficient are then performed by using the above data. Effects of changes in aerosol phase and temperature are discussed but not resolved.

Remsberg, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Magneto-optic investigation of MnBi films.

Another variation in the preparation of MnBi films from double layers of the constituents is reported. The dependence of Faraday and Kerr rotations on both composition and film thickness in these films suggests a model wherein a reacted double layer is made up of four separate layers. The variance in magneto-optic constants of MnBi reported here and previously is resolved in terms of this model.

Lewicki, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Extinction and scattering by several types of silicate sphere of radius 0.05-1.0 micron, for the wavelength range 0.21-50 microns.

The exact calculation of scattering and absorption by various sub-micron sized silicate spheres is presented here, using accurately determined optical constants in the wavelength range from 50 to 0.21 microns. The extinction features near 10 and 20 microns for various samples are discussed. It is found that the ratio of peak extinction at 20 microns to that at 10 microns is constant for small particles up to 0.4-micron radius, but is less for particles of 1-micron radius. The ratio of maximum extinction in the ultraviolet to that at 10 microns decreases with increasing particle size.

Bromage, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Optical properties of some terrestrial rocks and glasses.

The optical constants of five naturally occurring rocks have been determined in the spectral range between 0.2 and 50 microns. Between 0.2 and 5 microns, the real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction were found from a combination of reflectivity and transmission measurements by using Beer's law and the Fresnel reflectivity equation. At wavelengths beyond 5 microns, only reflectivity measurements could be made and both constants were found from an application of classical dispersion theory.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Crystal growth in fused solvent systems

The successful nucleation of bismuth germanate, B12GeO20 on a high quality seed and the growth of regions of single crystals of the same orientation of the seed are reported. Lead germanate, Pb5Ge3O11 was also identified as a ferroelectric crystal with large electrooptic and nonlinear optic constants. Solvent criteria, solvent/development, and crystal growth are discussed, and recommendations for future studies are included.

Ulrich, D. R.↗