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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 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Photographic laboratory studies of explosions.

Description of a series of cinematographic studies of explosions made with a high-speed rotating-mirror streak camera which uses a high-frequency stroboscopic ruby laser as the light source. The results obtained mainly concern explosions initiated by focused laser irradiation from a pulsed neodymium laser in a detonating gas consisting essentially of an equimolar mixture of acetylene and oxygen at an initial pressure of 100 torr at room temperature. Among the most significant observations were observations of a spherical blast wave preceded by a Chapman-Jouguet detonation which is stabilized immediately after initiation, the merging of a spherical flame with a shock front of the blast wave in which the flame is propagating, the division of a spherical detonation front into a shock wave and flame, and the generation of shock waves by a network of spherical flames.

Kamel, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Optical communication in free space

Two classes of laser communication systems for handling very high data rates across inter-satellite distances are considered that provide for high antenna gains, wide modulation bandwidths, and optical receiver sensitivities. System design considerations are based upon the carbon dioxide laser modulation to accommodate digital or analog information, and the neodymium doped YAG laser pulse for digital modulation.

Plotkin, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An optical radar for airborne use over natural waters

An optical radar for detecting targets in natural waters was built and tested in the Gulf of Mexico. The transmitter consists of a Q switched neodymium glass laser, with output amplified and doubled in KDP to 0.53 micrometer wavelength. The receiver incorporates a noval optical spatial filter to reduce the dynamic range required of the photodetector to a reasonable value. Detection of targets to a depth of 26 meters (84 feet) was achieved with a considerable sensitivity margin. The sensitivity of the radar is highly dependent on the optical attenuation coefficient. In general, measured returns fell between the values predicted on the basis of monopath and multipath attenuation. By means of simple physical arguments, a radar equation for the system was derived. To validate this theoretical model, measurements of optical attenuation and of water surface behavior were also instrumented, and some of these results are given.

Levis, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

GaAs laser diode pumped Nd:YAG laser

A 1.5-mm by 3-cm neodymium-ion doped YAG laser rod has been side pumped using a GaAs laser diode array tuned to the 8680-A absorption line, achieving a multimode average output power of 120 mW for a total input power of 20 W to the final-stage laser diode drivers. The pumped arrangement was designed to take advantage of the high brightness of a conventional GaAs array as a linear source by introducing the pump light through a slit into a close-wrapped gold coated pump cavity. This cavity forms an integrating chamber for the pump light.

Conant, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Development of improved amorphous materials for laser systems

Crystallization calculations were performed in order to determine the possibility of forming a particular type of laser glass with the avoidance of devitrification in an outer space laboratory. It was demonstrated that under the homogenuous nucleating conditions obtainable in a zero gravity laboratory this laser glass may be easily quenched to a virtually crystal-free product. Experimental evidence is provided that use of this material as a host in a neodymium glass laser would result in more than a 10 percent increase in efficiency when compared to laser glass rods of a similar composition currently commercially available. Differential thermal analysis, thermal gradient oven, X-ray diffraction, and liquidus determination experiments were carried out to determine the basics of the crystallization behavior of the glass, and small-angle X-ray scattering and splat-cooling experiments were performed in order to provide additional evidence for the feasibility of producing this laser glass material, crystal free, in an outer space environment.

Neilson, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Replica grating study

Methods are outlined which were used to test the response of replica diffraction gratings to a space environment, specifically the response of the replica gratings to thermal-vacuum and electron irradiation stress. It is concluded that there probably is some degradation to thermal stress, but that there is probably no significant degradation due to a vacuum environment. It is further concluded that the degradation of performance of replica gratings because of electron irradiation is due to the interaction of the electrons and the replica grating substrate and not to the replication material itself. Replica and original gratings on the same substrate material should thus respond to particle irradiation in the same manner. A study is presented on the variation of refraction index of a space-related material, Nd:CaF2, with wavelength, percent neodymium doping, and temperature.

Gunter, R. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Research on techniques for laser ranging to optical corner reflectors on the moon. Research on laser techniques and single photo-electron detection and timing

Experimental studies using a pulsed LED, Cerenkov source, and a 100 ps laser were made of various photomultipliers and discriminator combinations. In addition, a new type of neodymium-YAG frequency doubled laser was used as the basis for the development of a stable, short pulse, high repetition rate laser system. This laser was then used in conjunction with atomic clocks to study the effect of gravitational potential on elapsed time. Avenues to promote the development of international cooperation in the area of lunar laser ranging were also explored.

Alley, C. O.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Two-photon photoemission from metals induced by picosecond laser pulses

We have measured the two-photon photoemission current density from tungsten, tantalum, and molybdenum when irradiated by 532-nm wavelength radiation. This wavelength was produced by the second-harmonic radiation of single picosecond laser pulses from a mode-locked neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. The results are interpreted in terms of both a simple temperature-independent two-photon photoemission effect and a generalization of the Fowler-DuBridge theory of photoemission. The laser polarization dependence of the emitted current is also reported.

Bechtel, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Experiments on multiplane balancing using a laser for material removal

The modifications of a flexible rotor system for two-plane laser balancing is described. Experimental testing of the laser material removal method for balancing through the first bending critical speed was demonstrated. The test rig, optical configuration, and a neodymium glass laser system were assembled and calibrated for static and rotating material removal rates. The laser control computer program was combined with the influence coefficient balancing process, resulting in a completely automated data acquisition, laser, and balancing system. The laser system rotor was balanced through the first bending critical speed using the laser material removal procedure to apply trial weights and correction weights without stopping the rotor.

Demuth, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Investigations of coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy /CARS/ for combustion diagnostics

Investigations of coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) in a variety of flames are presented. Thermometry has received the primary emphasis in these studies, but species spectral and sensitivity studies will also be described. CARS is generated by mixing a 10 pps, frequency-doubled neodymium 'pump' laser with a spectrally broadband, laser-pumped, Stokes-shifted dye laser. This approach obviates the requirement to frequency scan the dye laser and generates the entire CARS spectrum with each pulse permitting, in principle, instantaneous measurements of medium properties. CARS spectra of N2, CO, O2, H2O, CO2 and CH4 in flames will be presented. In general these spectra exhibit very good agreement with computer synthesized spectra and permit measurements of temperature and species concentration. To illustrate the applicability of CARS to practical combustion diagnostics, CARS signatures from N2 have been employed to map the temperature field throughout a small, luminous, highly sooting propane diffusion flame

Eckbreth, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Laser balancing demonstration on a high-speed flexible rotor

This paper describes a flexible rotor system used for two-plane laser balancing and an experimental demonstration of the laser material removal method for balancing. A laboratory test rotor was modified to accept balancing corrections using a laser metal removal method while the rotor is at operating speed. The laser setup hardware required to balance the rotor using two correction planes is described. The test rig optical configuration and a neodymium glass laser were assembled and calibrated for material removal rates. Rotor amplitudes before and after balancing, trial and correction weights, rotor speed during operation of laser, and balancing time were documented. The rotor was balanced through the first bending critical speed using the laser material removal procedure to apply trial weights and correction weights without stopping the rotor.

Demuth, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy - Spectra of water vapor in flames

The results of experimental measurements of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra of water vapor in flames are reported. A pulsed, frequency-doubled neodymium laser was used to supply the pump beam and to pump a dye laser to provide a broadband Stokes beam at 6600 A. Spectra were obtained in the postflame region of a premixed methane-air flame in the Raman frequency shift region of the symmetric stretch mode (3651.7 kaysers) at an approximate temperature of 1675 K. A theoretical calculation of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectrum of water vapor at this temperature was made, taking into account only isotropic Q-branch transitions, and using the energy level data of Floud et al. (1976). The theoretical prediction is shown essentially to reproduce all qualitative features of the experimental spectrum, and to exhibit a strong temperature dependence.

Hall, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The LASL program in nuclear pumped liquid lasers

The development of nuclear-pumped, liquid-based lanthanide ion lasers is discussed. Early investigations of lanthanide ion lasers have lead to solid-state and gaseous neodymium lasers, and a demonstration of lasing in the liquid state. Solvents containing organic chelating agents have been employed in liquid Eu(+3) and Tb(+3) lasers to extend fluorescence lifetimes, however aprotic solvents have been found to enable the development of large-scale liquid lasers. The advantages to be gained from high-power nuclear-pumped lasers based on lanthanide solutions include the high density of fissile materials possible, and a nuclear pumping cell which can operate in either a nuclear or optical pumping mode is being fabricated at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to investigate the nuclear pumping of liquid lanthanide ion lasers. Areas that need exploration before specific laser design features can be considered include energy channeling within the liquid upon excitation, radiation damage due to solvent dissociation, and reactor technology for the development of a self-critical liquid reactor.

Mansfield, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Sequential-Impulse Generator Uses Fiber-Optics

Light pulse from a ruby or neodymium-glass laser enters miniature optics of repetitive-detonation apparatus. Traveling along a bundle of optical fibers, light strikes laser-sensitive microdetonator and charge explodes. Apparatus then advances next charge in train into position. Possible applications of sequential-impulse generator are in creating shock waves for aerodynamics research and in generating electrical power by magnetohydrodynamics.

Yang, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Adhesion and friction of transition metals in contact with nonmetallic hard materials

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with the metals yttrium, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, neodymium, iron, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, platinum, rhenium, ruthenium, and rhodium in sliding contact with single crystal diamond, silicon carbide, pyrolytic boron nitride, and ferrite. Auger electron spectroscopy analysis was conducted with the metals and nonmetals to determine the surface chemistry and the degree of surface cleanliness. The results of the investigation indicate the adhesion and friction of the transition metals in contact with diamond, silicon carbide, boron nitride, and ferrite are related to the relative chemical activity of the metals. The more chemically active the metal, the higher the coefficient of friction and the greater amount of transfer to the nonmetals.

Miyoshi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Repetitive Q-switched operation of x-axis Nd:La2Be2O5

The repetitive Q-switched performances of an x-axis neodymium-doped lanthanum beryllate (Nd:BeL) laser and the current state-of-the-art Nd:YAG laser are compared. Output beam pulse energy, peak power, pulse width, beam divergence and mode pattern were measured for a gold-plated single elliptical cavity using a xenon flashlamp for excitation. The output of the Nd:BeL laser is found to exceed that of the Nd:YAG laser by a factor of two at Q-switched repetition rates on the order of 1 Hz, due to the smaller stimulated emission cross section of the x-axis Nd:BeL. When the repetition rate is increased to 10 Hz, the Nd:BeL output falls to a level three fifths lower than its low-rate value, while Nd:YAG output remained essentially constant. Analysis reveals that the decrease in output may be attributed to a depolarization loss due to thermally induced stress birefringence.

Tucker, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Holographic fabrication of gratings in metal substrates

A program for investigating the grain enlargement resulting from the laser recrystallization of a thin gallium arsenide film on a patterned substrate, a technique known as graphoepitaxy was evaluated. More specifically, the effects of recrystallizing an uncapped gallium arsenide film using a continuous wave neodymium YAG laser operating at 1.06 microns were studied. In an effort to minimize arsenic loss from the film, the specimens were held in an arsine atmosphere during recrystallization. Two methods for fabricating patterned substrates were developed, one using reactive ion etching of a molybdenum film on both sapphire and silicon substates and another by preferential wet etching of a silicon substrate onto which a film of molybdenum was subsequently deposited.

Fletcher, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

CARS system for turbulent flame measurements

Simultaneous nitrogen number density and rotational-vibrational temperatures were measured in a turbulent diffusion flame with a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) instrument. The fuel jet was diluted with nitrogen (20 percent by volume) to allow temperature measurements across the entire jet mixing region. These measurements were compared with fluid dynamics computations. The CARS system incorporated a neodymium YAG laser, an intensified silicon photodiode array detector, and unique dynamic range enhancement methods. Theoretical calculations were based on a parabolic Navier-Stokes computer code. The comparison of these techniques will aid their development in the study of complex flowfields.

Antcliff, R. R.↗