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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Calculation of far wing of allowed spectra: The water continuum

A far-wing line shape theory based on the binary collision and quasistatic approximations that is applicable for both the low- and high-frequency wings of allowed vibrational-rotational lines has been developed. This theory has been applied in order to calculate the frequency and temperature dependence of the continuous absorption coefficient for frequencies up to 10,000 cm(exp -1) for pure H2O and for H2O-N2 mixtures. The calculations are made assuming an interaction potential consisting of an isotropic Lennard-Jones part and the leading long-range anisotropic part, and utilizing the measured line strengths and transition frequencies. The results compare well with existing data, both in magnitude and in temperature dependence. This leads us to the conclusion that although dimer and collision-induced absorptions are present, the primary mechanism responsible for the observed water continuum is the far-wing absorption of allowed lines. Recent progress on near-wing corrections to the theory and validations with recent laboratory measurements are discussed briefly.

Tipping, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Density drift instabilities and weak collisions

A model is developed which describes the effects of weak collisions on the linear kinetic theory of electrostatic density drift instabilities. A dispersion equation valid at all frequencies and wave numbers is derived using the assumptions of a weak, uniform density gradient; a uniform magnetic field; and the BGK collision operator with a modification of the local approximation. The properties of the universal and collisional density drift instabilities at maximum growth rates are examined in detail. The thresholds of the instabilities are examined for an ionospheric model which includes ion-neutral, electron-neutral, and electron-ion collisions, and are compared with the threshold of the lower hybrid density drift instability. It is concluded that the k to the -5th short wavelength density power spectra observed above 280 km in the PLUMEX experiment are due to the effects of the universal density drift instability.

Gary, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1970

High frequency Hall current instability

The Hall current electrojet instability was studied to determine if it generates VLF hiss in the auroral zone of magnetic substorms. Using the kinetic equations with particle conserving Krook collision operator for electrons and ions, and Poisson's equation, it is shown that in the low frequency region, the range of frequency of unstable modes increases as the electron density increases, and that the high frequency component must be taken into account in calculations of turbulent saturation of the Hall current instability driven beyond threshold. It is concluded that Hall currents can generate waves in the VLF hiss frequency band which are related to local auroral electrojet activity.

Lee, K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the far-infrared spectrum of H2-He mixtures

New measurements of the rototranslational collision-induced absorption spectra in the far-infrared (FIR) frequency region of gaseous mixtures of hydrogen and helium are reported. The frequency range extends up to 1500/cm at the temperature of 195 K, and 1700/cm at 296 K. The uncertainties of the measurement are assessed. Comparison with previous measurements shows substantial agreement at frequencies where the measurements overlap. For comparison with the measurement, spectra are computed from the fundamental theory using a state of the art ab initio dipole function and an isotropic potential surface as input. The observed agreement suggests that, for important applications, such as the analysis of the FIR spectra of the outer planets, the spectra can be obtained reliably as a function of frequency and temperature from quantum calculations of the kind presented here.

Birnbaum, George↗
NASA NTRS2005

Ionospheric Transmission Losses Associated with Mars-orbiting Radars

There are a number of obstacles to radar sounding of the deep Martian subsurface from orbit, including signal losses from the medium conductivity, layer reflective losses, and ground clutter. Another adverse process is signal loss as radio waves propagate through the ionospheric plasma medium. The ionosphere is a plasma consisting of free electrons, ions and neutrals that can effectively damp/attenuate radar signals via electrodneutral collisions. The effect is most severe for transmissions at lower frequencies, which, unfortunately, are also favorable transmissions for deep penetration into the subsurface.

Farrell, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The angular dependence of partially redistributed resonance radiation

Explicit expressions for the angular distribution and frequency dependence of radiation scattered by a spatially degenerate atom undergoing collisions are derived using a previously developed formalism of the quantum theory of line broadening for an atom in its rest frame. Results valid in the impact regime for resonant scattering are presented for the cases of linear incident and scattered polarization circular incident and linear scattered polarization, and unpolarized incident radiation with no monitoring of the scattered polarization. These results relate to scattering involving a j - j + or - 1 - j atomic transition, with lower-state interactions neglected; the expressions obtained take a relatively simple form involving atomic multipolar relaxation rates of the order of k = 0 and k = 2. The angular distributions for each case are combined with the frequency dependences to yield a three-component frequency redistribution function for an s-p-s transition, the components being a coherent term, a frequency-redistributed term with the same angular dependence as the coherent term, and an isotropic frequency-redistributed term.

Ballagh, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2021

The Inland Maintenance and Reintensification of Tropical Storm Bill (2015). Part II: Precipitation Microphysics

Tropical Storm Bill produced over 400 mmof rainfall to portions of southern Oklahoma from 16-20 June 2015, adding to the catastrophic urban and river flooding that occurred throughout the region in the month prior to landfall. The unprecedented excessive precipitation event that occurred across Oklahoma and Texas during May and June 2015 resulted in anomalously high soil moisture and latent heat fluxes over the region, acting to increase the available boundary layer moisture. Tropical Storm Bill progressed inland over the region of anomalous soil moisture and latent heat fluxes which helped maintain polarimetric radar signatures associated with tropical, warm rain events. Vertical profiles of polarimetric radar variables such as Z(H), Z(DR), K(DP), and ρ(hv) were analyzed in time and space over Texas and Oklahoma. The profiles suggest that Tropical Storm Bill maintained warm rain signatures and collision-coalescence processes as it tracked hundreds of kilometers inland away from the landfall point consistent with tropical cyclone precipitation characteristics. Dual-frequency precipitation radar observations from the NASA GPM DPR were also analyzed post-landfall and showed similar signatures of collision-coalescence while Bill moved over north Texas, southern Oklahoma, eastern Missouri, and western Kentucky.

Noah S. Brauer↗
NASA NTRS1971

Microwave evidence for interstellar molecules.

The present state of microwave observations of interstellar molecules is reviewed, with emphasis on the need for accurate theoretical understanding of their rates and modes of production. Typical abundances of molecular species in dark interstellar clouds are tabulated, and it is shown that in addition to abundance information observations of molecular lines can yield data on the isotope contents, velocities, and temperatures of the clouds in which they exist. Collisions, spontaneous emission, the isotropic radiation, radiation trapping, and higher-frequency radiation are evaluated as factors contributing to molecular excitation processes.

Townes, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Photolysis products of CO, NH3 aND H2O and their significance to reactions on interstellar grains

With the increase in evidence that interstellar grains are the basic building blocks of comets and with the realization that comet collisions with the earth have probably occured at a much higher frequency than earlier assumed it may be presumed that interstellar dust chemistry played an important role in the early chemistry of the earth. As a part of the study of the photochemical processes taking place on interstellar grains the photolysis of mixtures of CO, NH3 and H2O was performed at 10 K, 77K and 298K. The reaction products were determined by GC/MS and HPLC analysis to be lactic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxyacetamide, urea, biuret, oxamic acid, oxamide, glyceric acid and glyceramide. Ethylene glycol and glycerol were also detected but is is not clear at present whether these are true photoproducts or contaminants. The mechanism of formation of these molecules are discussed as well as their possible significance to the origins of life.

Ferris, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Mass and Size Frequency Distribution of the Impact Debris from Disruption of Chondritic Meteorites

Since direct observation of the collision of asteroids in space is not always convenient for earthbound observers, we have undertaken simulations of these collisions using the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR). To simulate the collision of asteroids in space, and aluminum projectiles with velocities ranging from approx.1 to approx.6 km/sec were fired at 70g to approx.200 g fragments of chondritic meteorites. The target meteorite was placed in an evacuated chamber at the AVGR. Detectors, usually four, were set up around the target meteorite. These detectors consisted of aerogel and aluminum foil of varying thickness. The aerogel's purpose was to catch debris after the collision, and the aluminum foil.s purpose was to show the size of the debris particles through the size of the holes in the aluminum foil. Outside the chamber, a camera was set up to record high-speed film of the collision. This camera recorded at either 500 frames per second or 1000 frames per second. Three different types of targets were used for these tests. The first were actual meteorites, which varied in mineralogical composition, density, and porosity. The second type of target was a Hawaiian basalt, consisting of olivine phenocrysts in a porous matrix, which we thought might be similar to the chondritic meteorites, thus providing data for comparison. The final type was made out of Styrofoam. The Styrofoam was thought to simulate very low-density asteroids and comets.

VanVeghten, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Ultralow Friction in a Superconducting Magnetic Bearing

Passive levitation by superconducting magnetic bearings can be utilized in flywheels for energy storage. Basic design criteria of such a bearing are high levitation force, sufficient vertical and horizontal stability and low friction. A test facility was built for the measurement and evaluation of friction in a superconducting magnetic bearing as a function of operating temperature and pressure in the vacuum vessel. The bearing consists of a commercial disk shaped magnet levitated above single grain, melt-textured YBCO high-temperature superconductor material. The superconductor was conduction cooled by an integrated AEG tactical cryocooler. The temperature could be varied from 50 K to 80 K. The pressure in the vacuum chamber was varied from 1 bar to 10(exp -5) mbar. At the lowest pressure setting, the drag torque shows a linear frequency dependence over the entire range investigated (0 less than f less than 40 Hz). Magnetic friction, the frequency independent contribution, is very low. The frequency dependent drag torque is generated by molecular friction from molecule-surface collisions and by eddy currents. Given the specific geometry of the set-up and gas pressure, the molecular drag torque can be estimated. At a speed of 40 Hz, the coefficient of friction (drag-to-lift ratio) was measured to be mu = 1.6 x 10(exp -7) at 10(exp -5) mbar and T = 60 K. This is equivalent to a drag torque of 7.6 x 10(exp -10) Nm. Magnetic friction causes approx. 1% of the total losses. Molecular friction accounts for about 13% of the frequency dependent drag torque, the remaining 87% being due to eddy currents and losses from rotor unbalance. The specific energy loss is only 0.3% per hour.

Bornemann, Hans J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Light flash observations during Apollo-Soyuz

A total of 82 visual events was reported by two dark-adapted astronauts during a 90-minute orbit at 225 km altitude. Silver chloride crystal events for that orbit totaled 69 stopping protons and alphas per sq cm and 304 heavy ions with stopping power of 150 MeV sq cm/g or greater. The frequency of visual observations near the geomagnetic poles corresponds to calculated abundances of ions with LET greater than 5 keV per micrometer in tissue. Nuclear collisions of fast protons on C, N, and O in the retina or the abundance of stopping protons can explain the low frequency of events in the SAA for this mission in comparison with the high frequency during Skylab IV at 443 km altitude.

Budinger, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Molecular collisions in a laser field - Effect of the laser linewidth

The effect of the laser linewidth on molecular collision processes taking place in a laser field is studied, using an approximation scheme that replaces the actual frequency distribution of the field by a finite number of frequencies and weights. The choice of the frequencies and weights is conveniently accomplished by the method of Gaussian quadrature. Close-coupling calculations are performed on model systems, and the results indicate that the neglect of the laser linewidth may be justified in most collision processes in a laser field.

Lee, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Quantum-mechanical calculation of three-dimensional atom-diatom collisions in the presence of intense laser radiation

A formalism is presented for describing the collision of fluorine with the hydrogen molecule in the presence of intense radiation. For a laser frequency on the order of the spin-orbit splitting of fluorine, the interaction of the molecular system with the radiation occurs at relatively long range where, for this system, the electric dipole is vanishingly small. Hence the interaction occurs due to the magnetic dipole coupling. Even so, at low collision energies a substantial enhancement of the quenching cross section is found for a radiation intensity of 10 to the 11th W/sq cm.

Devries, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The planet crossing asteroid survey: Progress in the analysis of populations and terrestrial-planet cratering rates

The Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS) is making steady progress toward the accumulation of the data required to make improved estimates of the populations and cratering rates which can be compared with the existing record of impact events. The PCAS is the chief source of new objects on which to base these calculations over the past decade, and is an integral part of the continuing refinement of the estimates used in planetological applications. An adjunct effort to determine albedo statistics from photometry of UCAS plates is being pursued as well, to better define the magnitude frequency distributions of asteroids. This will improve the quality of the population and collision probability calculations. The survey effort continues to discover new asteroids whose orbital characteristics may reveal the origin and evolution mechanisms reponsible for the transport of the planet-crossing asteroids to the inner solar system.

Helin, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Viscosity of dissociating gases

Recent calculations of the viscosity of iodine suggest that existing predictions of viscosities of high-temperature (up to several thousands degrees) gases should be revised, with much more attention being paid to the atomic and molecular interactions in the gas. As the gas starts to dissociate, the frequency of atom-molecule and atom-atom interactions increases, and those collisions must be taken into account in calculations of viscosity at high temperature. In this study, the iodine is chosen as an example, and the dependence of its viscosity on the gas dissociation degree is shown. Several possible channels for I+I interaction are considered in addition to I+I2 and I2+I2 collisions, and the resulting collision integrals are averaged over all the important channels.

Kang, S. H.↗