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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

New two-dimensional photon camera

A photon-sensitive camera, applicable to speckle imaging of astronomical sources, high-resolution spectroscopy of faint galaxies in a crossed-dispersion spectrograph, or narrow-band direct imaging of galaxies, is presented. The camera is shown to supply 8-bit by 8-bit photon positions (256 x 256 pixels) for as many as 10 to the 6th photons/sec with a maximum linear resolution of approximately 10 microns. The sequence of photon positions is recorded digitally with a VHS-format video tape recorder or formed into an immediate image via a microcomputer. The four basic elements of the camera are described in detail: a high-gain image intensifier with fast-decay output phosphor, a glass-prism optical-beam splitter, a set of Gray-coded masks, and a photomultiplier tube for each mask. The characteristics of the camera are compared to those of other photon cameras.

Papaliolios, C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Vacuum-deposited optical coatings experiment (A0138-4)

The stability of various vacuum deposited optical coatings exposed to the space environment were analyzed. A wide range of optical components manufactured by vacuum deposition, such as metallic and multidielectric reflective coatings in the UV range, metal dielectric interference filtes in the UV and IR ranges, narrow-bandpass filters int he near-UV and visible ranges, selective metallic mirrors in the range from 1500 to 2500 A. antireflective and reflective IR coatings, beam splitters in the visible and IR ranges, and optical surface reflection (OSR) coatings were developed. Many of these components were incorporated into scientific and technical experiments flown on balloons and rockets as well as on Symphonie, Meteosate, OTS, D2-B, TIROS n, and others. It appears that these components operate successfully in flight.

Malherbe, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Spectrophotovoltaic Power Generation

Optical Components of spectrophotovoltaic system concentrate light from Sun and redirect short-wavelength portion of spectrum to solar cell having large gap in energy band (gallium arsenide cell). Longer-wavelength portion of spectrum passes through beam splitter to cell with smaller gap in energy band (silicon band). Available energy in Sunlight thus exploited more fully and, improvements in energy-conversion efficiency possible.

Knowles, G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Multiband Selector for Linear Photodetector Array

Line image observed simultaneously in two or more spectral bands. Incoming light focused through beam splitter onto two linear arrays of photodetectors to form line images. Array of band-pass filters above each detector array positioned to select spectral band of line image. These capabilities are valuable in such multispectral-imaging applications as spaceborne and airborne visible and infrared observation of Earth for geology, oil and mineral exploration, biomass distribution, forestry, agriculture, and urban and rural development.

Richard, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Multichannel birefringent filter

A birefringent filter with a large field of view and no additional polarization is discussed. It plays an important role in observing the solar monochromatic image and the solar vector magnetic field. It has only one channel. For simultaneous multichannel observations, the solar spectrograph is better than the birefringent filter. A suggestion was proposed to try to obtain a multichannel birefringent filter which will be used in a new telescope at the Huairou reservoir station of Beijing Observatory. By means of N polarizing beam splitters, (N+1) channels can be divided. In principle, any number of limitless channels can be obtained, thereby subdividing the whole solar spectrum. But since the space in a telescope is limited, the channels to be used are also limited. For the new telescope, 5 and 9 channels are being considered, and the spectral range is from lambda 3800A to lambda 7000A. Many lines are included in this range, for example, H, K, H beta, lambda lambda 5324A, 5250A, 6302A, H alpha, etc., and some of the lines are suited to measure solar velocity fields. According to the character of these lines, the half width of each channel is determined. Moreover, in some channels the solid polarizing Michelson interferometer is considered for measuring velocity field with a lm/s accuracy. The advantages of the filter and problems to be solved are listed.

Gouxiang, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A device for applying plastic film antireflection coatings to optical elements

To simplify the process of thermally bonding thin plastic films to optical elements and to help eliminate the source of the flaws, a film-application device (FAD) is developed. Any plastic film may be used to make the coatings, but thin polyethylene is particularly useful for this application since it is readily available. If more than one layer of polyethylene is required, several layers may be applied, one layer at a time. The coatings may be used for protecting optical elements or to reduce surface reflection of radiation with wavelengths greater than 20 microns. When the FAD is used without the central plate it may be used to stretch single sheets of plastic material to make pellicles or beam-splitters for many applications.

Augason, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Wind dynamic range video camera

A television camera apparatus is disclosed in which bright objects are attenuated to fit within the dynamic range of the system, while dim objects are not. The apparatus receives linearly polarized light from an object scene, the light being passed by a beam splitter and focused on the output plane of a liquid crystal light valve. The light valve is oriented such that, with no excitation from the cathode ray tube, all light is rotated 90 deg and focused on the input plane of the video sensor. The light is then converted to an electrical signal, which is amplified and used to excite the CRT. The resulting image is collected and focused by a lens onto the light valve which rotates the polarization vector of the light to an extent proportional to the light intensity from the CRT. The overall effect is to selectively attenuate the image pattern focused on the sensor.

Craig, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Double passing the Kitt Peak 1-m Fourier transform spectrometer

Attention is given to a simple technique for performing the conversion of the Kitt Peak 1-m Fourier transform spectrometer's dual input/output optical configuration to a double pass configuration that improves spectral resolution by a factor of 2. The modification is made by placing a flat mirror in the output beam from each cat's eye, retroreflecting the beams back through the cat's eyes to the first beam splitter. A single detector is placed at the second input port, which then becomes the instrument's output.

Jennings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Multiband selection device

Current science projections for future earth-imaging instruments indicate the need for as many as 25 spectral bands, with bandwidths as narrow as 20 nanometers. The desire for a multiplicity of bands has led researchers to study various spectrally dispersive instrument designs as a means of providing the desired future capability. These instrument designs, however, are costly, complex, and of high technical risk. This paper describes a 'multiband selection device' containing several spectral filters that can be placed at the exit faces of a broadband multiport beam splitter and thereby provide a multiplicity of spectral bands with a high degree of spatial coregistration while utilizing state-of-the-art linear array detectors. Fabrication of the multiband selection device has been successfully accomplished, and the design and test results are described.

Richard, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Device Applies Films to Optical Elements

Clamping device applies protective or antireflective dielectric coating to lenses or other optical elements. Alternative version of device applies thin sheet of dielectric film to ring or stretches it for clamping in holder to form pellicle or beam splitter. Defects avoided by new apparatus, which uniformly stretches dielectric films in radial direction and creates vacuum between them before thermally bonded to optical element.

Augason, Gordon C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Method and apparatus for making an optical element having a dielectric film

A film-application device (FAD) comprising a pair of exterior, tapered, O-ring bearing plate members and a central plate member for simplifying the process of thermally bonding a thin dielectric film to a substrate comprising an optical element are discussed. In use, the film is sandwiched between the O rings and stretched across the optical element by squeezing the exterior plates together before bonding to the element. The film may be used for protecting the optical element or to reduce surface reflection of radiation. The FAD may also be used without the center plate to stretch a dielectric film prior to its attachment to or insertion in a holder to make pellicles or beam-splitters.

Augason, Gordon C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Closed-Loop Optical Rotation Sensor

Optical/electronic system senses rotation and emits pulses at angular increments. System provides linear scale factor across wide range of rotation rates with no lockup at null. Design needs analog-to-digital converters with elaborate signal-processing circuits. Light from laser diode split evenly into two beams propagating in opposite directions around rotation-sensing coil of optical-fiber waveguide. Beams acquire phase difference proportional to rotation rate as they pass through coil. After emerging from coil, beams recombine in beam splitter, and coherent sum led to photodiode.

Goss, Willis C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transport delay compensation for computer-generated imagery systems

In the problem of pure transport delay in a low-pass system, a trade-off exists with respect to performance within and beyond a frequency bandwidth. When activity beyond the band is attenuated because of other considerations, this trade-off may be used to improve the performance within the band. Specifically, transport delay in computer-generated imagery systems is reduced to a manageable problem by recognizing frequency limits in vehicle activity and manual-control capacity. Based on these limits, a compensation algorithm has been developed for use in aircraft simulation at NASA Ames Research Center. For direct measurement of transport delays, a beam-splitter experiment is presented that accounts for the complete flight simulation environment. Values determined by this experiment are appropriate for use in the compensation algorithm. The algorithm extends the bandwidth of high-frequency flight simulation to well beyond that of normal pilot inputs. Within this bandwidth, the visual scene presentation manifests negligible gain distortion and phase lag. After a year of utilization, two minor exceptions to universal simulation applicability have been identified and subsequently resolved.

Mcfarland, Richard E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectrogoniometer for measuring planetary surface materials at small phase angles

This paper describes an instrument, termed spectrogoniometer, which was designed to measure the bidirectional reflectance properties of planetary surface analogs at very small phase angles. By using a pellicle beam splitter, a highly collimated laser light source, and a carefully aligned apparatus it was possible to measure the reflectance properties of geologic samples under any viewing geometry: the angles of incidence and emission ranging from 0 to 90 deg, and the azimuthal angle ranging from 0 to 360 deg. The results on the effect of porosity are demonstrated by comparing measurements on a compact sample (with a void space of 25 percent) and a fluffy sample (with a void space of 90 percent). The fluffy sample exhibited a 30-percent increase in intensity between 10 and 0 deg, whereas the compact sample exhibited only a 20-percent increase.

Buratti, Bonnie J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radiometric calibration of IR Fourier transform spectrometers - Solution to a problem with the High-Resolution Interferometer Sounder

A calibrated Fourier transform spectrometer, known as the High-Resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS), has been flown on the NASA U-2 research aircraft to measure the infrared emission spectrum of the earth. The primary use - atmospheric temperature and humidity sounding - requires high radiometric precision and accuracy (of the order of 0.1 and 1 C, respectively). To meet these requirements, the HIS instruments, the HIS instrument performs inflight radiometric calibration, using observations of hot and cold blackbody reference sources as the basis for two-point calibrations at each wavenumber. Initially, laboratory tests revealed a calibration problem with brightness temperature errors as large as 15 C between 600 and 900/cm. The symptom of the problem, which occurred in one of the three spectral bands of HIS, was a source-dependent phase response. Minor changes to the calibration equations completely eliminated the anomalous errors. The new analysis properly accounts for the situation in which the phase response for radiance from the instrument itself differs from that for radiance from an external source. The mechanism responsible for the dual phase response of the HIS instrument is identified as emission from the interferometer beam splitter.

Revercomb, Henry E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Three-Dimensional Coaxial Weld Monitoring

Optical system for coaxial-viewing welding torch enables perception or measurement of depth. Light from welding area passes through beam splitter into two optical trains forming two images, each viewed along line making small angle with axis of torch. Two lines of sight intersect at weld pool. Parallax between two views provides sensation of depth over entire field view.

Gordon, Stephen S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Making and Inspecting Large Wire Grids

Old techniques refined and combined to make new polarizers. Equipment and procedures developed for fabrication and inspection of large, precisely-spaced, flat grids of wire. Technology includes refinements and combinations of established techniques for winding grids of electron tubes and ruling optical gratings and incorporates recent developments in electronic control and laser/electronic-based metrology. Wire wrapped on frame half translated under automatic control to achieve desired space between turns. Frame halves put together, and excess wire cut away, leaving finished grid mounted in frame. Useful as polarizers and beam splitters for electromagnetic radiation in overlapping ranges of long infrared and microwaves.

Magner, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Fabrication Of Fiber-Optic Waveguide Coupler

Technique for making four-port, single-mode fiber-optic waveguide couplers requires no critically-precise fabrication operations or open-loop processes. Waveguide couplers analogous to beam-splitter prisms. Essential in many applications that require coherent separation or combination of two waves; for example, for interferometric purposes. Components of optical waveguide coupler held by paraffin on microscope slide while remaining cladding of two optical fibers fused together by arc welding.

Goss, Willis↗