Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Refraction”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Refraction of sound by a shear layer - Experimental assessment

An experimental study was conducted to determine the refraction angle and amplitude changes associated with sound transmission through a circular, open jet shear layer. Both on-axis and off-axis acoustic source locations were used. Source frequency varied from 1 kHz to 10 kHz while freestream Mach number varied from 0.1 to 0.4. The experimental results were compared with an existing refraction theory which was extended to account for off-axis source positions. A simple experiment was also conducted to assess the importance of turbulence scattering between 1 kHz and 25 kHz.

Schlinker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Refraction corrections for surveying

Optical measurements of range and elevation angle are distorted by the earth's atmosphere. High precision refraction correction equations are presented which are ideally suited for surveying because their inputs are optically measured range and optically measured elevation angle. The outputs are true straight line range and true geometric elevation angle. The 'short distances' used in surveying allow the calculations of true range and true elevation angle to be quickly made using a programmable pocket calculator. Topics covered include the spherical form of Snell's Law; ray path equations; and integrating the equations. Short-, medium-, and long-range refraction corrections are presented in tables.

Lear, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effective refractive index and first-order-mode cutoff conditions in InGaAsP/InP DH laser structures /lambda = 1.2-1.6 microns/

A highly accurate analytical expression for the effective refractive index in In GaAsP/InP DH lasers emitting in the 1.2-1.6 micron range is presented. This closed-form expression is used to derive simple wavelength-independent expressions for the first-order mode cutoff conditions of various lateral waveguides. The effective refractive index is a function of emission wavelength and active layer thickness, and the mode cutoff conditions are compared to experimental data from mode-stabilized 1.3 and 1.55 micron DH lasers.

Botez, D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Strong refraction near the Venus surface - Effects observed by descent probes

The telemetry signals from Pioneer Venus probes indicated the strong downward refraction of radio waves. As the probes descended, the strength of the direct signal decreased because of absorption and refractive defocusing. During the last 30 km of descent there was a second measured component in addition to the direct signal. Strong atmospheric reaction is important in strengthening echoes that are scattered toward the earth. Such surface-reflected signals are good indicators of horizontal winds.

Croft, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Properties of material in the submillimeter wave region (instrumentation and measurement of index of refraction)

The Properties of Materials in the Submillimeter Wave Region study was initiated to instrument a system and to make measurements of the complex index of refraction in the wavelength region between 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters. While refractive index data is available for a number of solids and liquids there still exists a need for an additional systematic study of dielectric properties to add to the existing data, to consider the accuracy of the existing data, and to extend measurements in this wavelength region for other selected mateials. The materials chosen for consideration would be those with useful thermal, mechanical, and electrical characteristics. The data is necessary for development of optical components which, for example, include beamsplitters, attenuators, lenses, grids, all useful for development of instrumentation in this relatively unexploited portion of the spectrum.

Lally, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effect of parallel refraction on magnetospheric upper hybrid waves

Large amplitude (not less than 10 mV/m) electrostatic plasma waves near the upper hybrid (UH) frequency have been observed from 0 to 50 deg magnetic latitude (MLAT) during satellite plasma-pause crossings. A three-dimensional numerical ray-tracing calculation, based on an electron distribution measured during a GEOS 1 dayside intense upper-hybrid wave event, suggests how UH waves might achieve such large amplitudes away from the geomagnetic equator. Refractive effects largely control the wave amplification and, in particular, the unavoidable refraction due to parallel geomagnetic field gradients restricts growth to levels below those observed. However, a cold electron density gradient parallel to the field can lead to upper hybrid wave growth that can account for the observed emission levels.

Engel, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Parametric study of beam refraction problems across laser anemometer windows

The experimenter is often required to view flows through a window with a different index of refraction than either the medium being observed or the medium that the laser anemometer is immersed in. The refraction that occurs at the window surfaces may lead to undesirable changes in probe volume position or beam crossing angle and can lead to partial or complete beam uncrossing. This report describes the results of a parametric study of this problem using a ray tracing technique to predict these changes. The windows studied were a flat plate and a simple cyclinder. For the flat-plate study: (1) surface thickness, (2) beam crossing angle, (3) bisecting line - surface normal angle, and (4) incoming beam plane surface orientation were varied. For the cylindrical window additional parameters were also varied: (1) probe volume immersion, (2) probe volume off-radial position, and (3) probe volume position out of the R-theta plane of the lens. A number of empirical correlations were deduced to aid the interested reader in determining the movement, uncrossing, and change in crossing angle for a particular situation.

Owen, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Variation of refractive index in strained In(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heterostructures

In(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heterostructures and strained-layer superlattices can be used as optical waveguides. For such applications it is important to know explicitly the refractive index variation with mismatch strain and with alloying in the ternary layer. Starting from the Kramers-Kronig integral dispersion relations, a model has been developed from which the refractive index change in the ternary layer of In(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heterojunctions can be calculated. The results are presented and discussed. The expected changes in a superlattice have been qualitatively predicted.

Das, U.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Exciton effects in the index of refraction of multiple quantum wells and superlattices

Theoretical calculations of the index of refraction of multiple quantum wells and superlattices are presented. The model incorporates both the bound and continuum exciton contributions for the gamma region transitions. In addition, the electronic band structure model has both superlattice and bulk alloy properties. The results indicate that large light-hole masses, i.e., of about 0.23, produced by band mixing effects, are required to account for the experimental data. Furthermore, it is shown that superlattice effects rapidly decrease for energies greater than the confining potential barriers. Overall, the theoretical results are in very good agreement with the experimental data and show the importance of including exciton effects in the index of refraction.

Kahen, K. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A parametric study of the beam refraction problems across laser anemometer windows

The experimenter is often required to view flows through a window with a different index of refraction than either the medium being observed or the medium that the laser anemometer is immersed in. The refraction that occurs at the window surfaces may lead to undesirable changes in probe volume position or beam crossing angle and can lead to partial or complete beam uncrossing. This report describes the results of a parametric study of this problem using a ray tracing technique to predict these changes. The windows studied were a flat plate and a simple cylinder. For the flat-plate study: (1) surface thickness, (2) beam crossing angle, (3) bisecting line - surface normal angle, and (4) incoming beam plane surface orientation were varied. For the cylindrical window additional parameters were also varied: (1) probe volume immersion, (2) probe volume off-radial position, and (3) probe volume position out of the r-theta plane of the lens. A number of empirical correlations were deduced to aid the reader in determining the movement, uncrossing, and change in crossing angle for a particular situations.

Owen, Albert K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A FORTRAN code for the calculation of probe volume geometry changes in a laser anemometry system caused by window refraction

A computer code was written which utilizes ray tracing techniques to predict the changes in position and geometry of a laser Doppler velocimeter probe volume resulting from refraction effects. The code predicts the position change, changes in beam crossing angle, and the amount of uncrossing that occur when the beams traverse a region with a changed index of refraction, such as a glass window. The code calculates the changes for flat plate, cylinder, general axisymmetric and general surface windows and is currently operational on a VAX 8600 computer system.

Owen, Albert K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Theory of anisotropic refractive scintillation - Application to stellar occultations by Neptune

A theory of refractive scintillation due to a thin phase-changing screen with an anisotropic power-law spectrum of phase fluctuations is presented. Scintillation theory for an isotropic medium is discussed, and anisotropy of the mean density and anisotropy in the scattering are discussed. The theory of refractive scintillation in an anisotropic medium is developed, deriving a general expression for the cross-correlation of flux variations at two points on the 'observer screen'. From this, estimates of the coherence lengths and amplitudes of flux variations are obtained for important parameter regimes. The application of the theory to the analysis of two occultations by Neptune is addressed. The projected dimensions of the occulting stars, a normalization constant to describe the phase fluctuations, and an anisotropy parameter are determined, and the theory is shown to agree well with observation. The significance of the theory for understanding of the physics of Neptune's atmosphere is discussed.

Narayan, Ramesh↗
NASA NTRS1990

Scattering of sound by atmospheric turbulence predictions in a refractive shadow zone

According to ray theory, regions exist in an upward refracting atmosphere where no sound should be present. Experiments show, however, that appreciable sound levels penetrate these so-called shadow zones. Two mechanisms contribute to sound in the shadow zone: diffraction and turbulent scattering of sound. Diffractive effects can be pronounced at lower frequencies but are small at high frequencies. In the short wavelength limit, then, scattering due to turbulence should be the predominant mechanism involved in producing the sound levels measured in shadow zones. No existing analytical method includes turbulence effects in the prediction of sound pressure levels in upward refractive shadow zones. In order to obtain quantitative average sound pressure level predictions, a numerical simulation of the effect of atmospheric turbulence on sound propagation is performed. The simulation is based on scattering from randomly distributed scattering centers ('turbules'). Sound pressure levels are computed for many realizations of a turbulent atmosphere. Predictions from the numerical simulation are compared with existing theories and experimental data.

Mcbride, Walton E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Phase conjugate Twyman-Green interferometer for testing spherical surfaces and lenses and for measuring refractive indices of liquids or solid transparent materials

The present paper describes an application of a phase conjugate Twyman-Green interferometer using barium titanate as a self-pumping mirror for testing optical components like concave and convex spherical mirrors and lenses. The aberrations introduced by the beam splitter while testing concave or convex spherical mirrors of large aperture are automatically eliminated due to self-focussing property of the phase conjugate mirror. There is no necessity for a good spherical surface as a reference surface unlike in classical Twyman-Green interferometer or Williams interferometer. The phase conjugate Twyman Green interferometer with a divergent illumination can be used as a test plate for checking spherical surfaces. A nondestructive technique for measuring the refractive indices of a Fabry Perot etalon by using a phase conjugate interferometer is also suggested. The interferometer is found to be useful for measuring the refractive indices of liquids and solid transparent materials with an accuracy of the order of + or - 0.0004.

Shukla, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Coherent laser radar performance for general atmospheric refractive turbulence

A general theory for the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a coherent detection laser radar is developed using the path-integral formulation (Fresnel approximation), which is valid for any typical path-integrated atmospheric refractive turbulence. The principal effects of refractive turbulence are discussed, and analytical expressions are presented for the case of untruncated Gaussians for the transmitted field, local oscillator field, and transmitter/receiver optics. The physical mechanisms that reduce heterodyne efficiency are identified.

Frehlich, Rod G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Refractive Index Effects on Radiation in an Absorbing, Emitting, and Scattering Laminated Layer

A simple set of equations is derived for predicting temperature radiative energy flow in a two-region semitransparent laminated layer in the limit of zero heat conduction. The composite is heated on its two sides by unequal amounts of incident radiation. The two layers of the composite have different refractive indices, and each material absorbs, emits, and isotropically scatters radiation. The interfaces are diffuse, and all interface reflections are included. To illustrate the thermal behavior that is readily calculated from the equations, typical results an given for various optical thicknesses and refractive indices of the layers. Internal reflections have a substantial effect on the temperature distribution and radiative heat flow.

Siegel, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Refractive properties of TGS aqueous solution for two-color interferometry

Using Cauchy's equation and previously available data, the refractive index versus wavelength relationship for triglycine sulphate aqueous solution has been determined. The variation of the index as a function of the temperature and of the concentration is then obtained using the Murphy-Alpert and the Lorentz-Lorenz relationships respectively. These refractive properties should be useful in relevant crystal growth experiments using two-color holographic and other interferometric diagnostic techniques.

Vikram, Chandra S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Recent developments in refractive concentrators for space photovoltaic power systems

Since SPRAT 11, significant progress has been made in the development of refractive concentrator elements and components designed specifically for space applications. The status of the mini-dome Fresnel lens concentrator array is discussed and then the results of work recently completed in the area of prismatic cell covers for concentrator systems are summarized. This is followed by a brief discussion of some work just starting in the area of line-focus refractive concentrators for space.

Piszczor, Michael F.↗