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At least 199 records · Page 11

On the heterodyne method of detecting gravitational waves

A mathematical model on the heterodyne method of detecting gravitational waves is presented, using a dumbbell consisting of two masses situated in a plane and a plane-fronted gravitational wave traveling perpendicular to the plane. It is concluded that the detector sensitivity is not likely to be improved without employing very complicated and expensive super low temperature techniques.

Braginsky, V. B.↗

Heterodyne method for high specificity gas detection.

This paper describes a new technique for measuring trace quantities of gases. The technique involves the use of a reference cell (containing a known amount of the gas being sought) and a sample cell (containing an unknown amount of the same gas) wherein the gas densities are modulated. Light passing through the two cells in sequence is modulated in intensity at the vibrational-rotational lines characteristic of the absorption spectrum for the gas of interest. Since the absorption process is nonlinear, modulating the two absorption cells at two different frequencies gives rise to a heterodyning effect, which in turn introduces sum and difference frequencies in the detected signal. Measuring the ratio of the difference frequency signal for example, to the signal introduced by the reference cell provides a normalized measure of the amount of the gas in the sample cell. The readings produced are thereby independent of source intensity, window transparency, and detector sensitivity. Experimental evaluation of the technique suggests that it should be applicable to a wide range of gases, that it should be able to reject spurious signals due to unwanted gases, and that it should be sensitive to concentrations of the order of 10 to the minus 8th power when used with a sample cell of only 20 cm length.

Dimeff, J.↗

Monitoring atmospheric pollutants with a heterodyne radiometer transmitter-receiver

The presence of selected atmospheric pollutants can be determined by transmitting an infrared beam of proper wavelength through the atmosphere, and detecting the reflections of the transmitted beam with a heterodyne radiometer transmitter-receiver using part of the laser beam as a local oscillator. The particular pollutant and its absorption line strength to be measured are selected by the laser beam wave length. When the round-trip path for the light is known or measured, concentration can be determined. Since pressure (altitude) will affect the shape of the molecular absorption line of a pollutant, tuning the laser through a range of frequencies, which includes a part of the absorption line of the pollutant of interest, yields pollutant altitude data from which the altitude and altitude profile is determined.

Menzies, R. T.↗

Method of vibration analysis using holographic interferometry and heterodyne optical detection

A method of studying thin plate vibrations with the aid of a laser beam is discussed. Through a suitable combination of time-average holographic interferometry, real-time holographic interferometry, and heterodyne optical detection, it is possible to obtain complete information on the vibration parameters of modes, amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. The method has the advantage of three dimensional global observation, noncontact, and high precision measurements.

Vlad, V. I.↗

Heterodyne readout for read-write holographic memories

A heterodyne readout technique for read-write holographic memory systems that reconstruct a virtual image wavefront is described and demonstrated. The conventionally recorded hologram is illuminated simultaneously with a suitable combination of temporally modulated reference and modified object waves for readout. Best performance is obtained for temporal phase modulation. The coupling of the illuminating wavefronts by the hologram is analyzed.

Mezrich, R. S.↗

Air pollution - Remote detection of several pollutant gases with a laser heterodyne radiometer

An infrared heterodyne radiometer with a spectral resolution of 0.04 reciprocal centimeters has been used to remotely detect samples of ozone, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, and ethylene at room temperature, and samples of nitric oxide at 390 K. Each gas was observed in a background of nitrogen or oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Sensitivities to some of these gases are adequate for detection of ambient concentrations as low as a few parts per billion.

Menzies, R. T.↗

Wideband infrared heterodyne receiver front-end

A 10.6 micron infrared heterodyne receiver front end was developed for use in a wideband CO2 laser communications link. The infrared receiver employs an 850 MHz response PV HgCdTe photomixer which is mounted in a space quality housing, a low-noise 5 to 1500 MHz IF preamplifier, and a remote control panel. The receiver was designed to handle + or - 750 MHz of Doppler shift while providing an instantaneous information bandwidth of 400 MHz. The measured receiver sensitivity NEP was 1.0 x 10 to the 19th power W/Hz for a photomixer temperature of T sub m = 77 K and an IF beat frequency of 20 MHz and degraded to 1.75 x 10 to the 19th power W/Hz for T sub m = 130 K.

Peyton, B. J.↗

10-micron heterodyne stellar interferometer

A spatial interferometer for 10-micron wavelength which uses two independent telescopes separated by 5.5 m, heterodyne detection of the infrared radiation, and path equalization by a variable-length RF cable, has given interference fringes from radiation of the planet Mercury. Continuous fringe observations during 4000 sec indicate remarkable stability in the optical-path difference through the atmosphere and the two telescopes, fluctuations between 20-sec averages being about 1/6 of the 10-micron wavelength.

Johnson, M. A.↗

Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy of astronomical and laboratory sources at 8.5 microns

It is pointed out that the first successful infrared heterodyne spectrometer featuring semituneable semiconductor diode lasers was constructed and used near 8.5 micrometers to make laboratory measurements of line profiles in nitrous oxide and to detect thermal emission from Mars and from the moon. Questions of instrument design are discussed along with the significance of the results obtained in the investigation.

Mumma, M.↗