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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 NTRS2017

Metrology for Trending Alignment of the James Webb Space Telescope Before and After Ambient Environmental Testing

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a 6.6m diameter, segmented, deployable telescope for cryogenic IR space astronomy. The JWST Observatory architecture includes the Optical Telescope Element (OTE) and the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) element which contains four science instruments (SIs). Prior to integration with the spacecraft, theJWST optical assembly is put through rigorous launch condition environmental testing. This work reports on the metrology operations conducted to determine any changes in subassembly alignment, including primary mirror segments with respect to each other, the secondary mirror to its support structure, the tertiary mirror assembly to the backplane of the telescope and ultimately to the ISIM.

technology development↗
NASA NTRS1979

X-ray spectrometer spectrograph telescope system

A new sounding rocket payload that has been developed for X-ray spectroscopic studies of the solar corona is described. The instrument incorporates a grazing incidence Rowland mounted grating spectrograph and an extreme off-axis paraboloic sector feed system to isolate regions of the sun of order 1 x 10 arc seconds in size. The focal surface of the spectrograph is shared by photographic and photoelectric detection systems, with the latter serving as a part of the rocket pointing system control loop. Fabrication and alignment of the optical system is based on high precision machining and mechanical metrology techniques. The spectrograph has a resolution of 16 milliangstroms and modifications planned for future flights will improve the resolution to 5 milliangstroms, permitting line widths to be measured.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Measuring Shapes Of Reflectors By Microwave Holography

Pair of reports discusses theoretical foundation and recent theoretical and practical developments in use of microwave holography to measure surfaces of microwave antennas. (Second report abbreviated version of first report.) Microwave holographic measurements provide acceptable accuracy and are more convenient and less time consuming than optical and mechanical measurements, especially where measurements repeated. Microwave holographyic metrology of lare reflectors, first reported in 1976, improved into accurate technique with potential industrial applications.

Rahmat-Samii, Y.↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2010

Topics covered include: Hybrid Architecture Active Wavefront Sensing and Control; Carbon-Nanotube-Based Chemical Gas Sensor; Aerogel-Positronium Technology for the Detection of Small Quantities of Organic and/or Toxic Materials; Graphene-Based Reversible Nano-Switch/Sensor Schottky Diode; Inductive Non-Contact Position Sensor; High-Temperature Surface-Acoustic-Wave Transducer; Grid-Sphere Electrodes for Contact with Ionospheric Plasma; Enabling IP Header Compression in COTS Routers via Frame Relay on a Simplex Link; Ka-Band SiGe Receiver Front-End MMIC for Transponder Applications; Robust Optimization Design Algorithm for High-Frequency TWTs; Optimal and Local Connectivity Between Neuron and Synapse Array in the Quantum Dot/Silicon Brain; Method and Circuit for In-Situ Health Monitoring of Solar Cells in Space; BGen: A UML Behavior Network Generator Tool; Platform for Post-Processing Waveform-Based NDE; Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Generator; Fabrication of Single, Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes in 3D Nanoscale Architectures; Process to Create High-Fidelity Lunar Dust Simulants; Lithium-Ion Electrolytes Containing Phosphorous-Based, Flame-Retardant Additives; InGaP Heterojunction Barrier Solar Cells; Straight-Pore Microfilter with Efficient Regeneration; Determining Shear Stress Distribution in a Laminate; Self-Adjusting Liquid Injectors for Combustors; Handling Qualities Prediction of an F-16XL-Based Reduced Sonic Boom Aircraft; Tele-Robotic ATHLETE Controller for Kinematics - TRACK; Three-Wheel Brush-Wheel Sampler; Heterodyne Interferometer Angle Metrology; Aligning Astronomical Telescopes via Identification of Stars; Generation of Optical Combs in a WGM Resonator from a Bichromatic Pump; Large-Format AlGaN PIN Photodiode Arrays for UV Images; Fiber-Coupled Planar Light-Wave Circuit for Seed Laser Control in High Spectral Resolution Lidar Systems; On Calculating the Zero-Gravity Surface Figure of a Mirror; Optical Modification of Casimir Forces for Improved Function of Micro- and Nano-Scale Devices; Analysis, Simulation, and Verification of Knowledge-Based, Rule-Based, and Expert Systems; Core and Off-Core Processes in Systems Engineering; Digital Reconstruction Supporting Investigation of Mishaps; and Template Matching Approach to Signal Prediction.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mid-IR interferometric nulling for TPF

By the middle of 2006, the Interferometry Technology development program for NASA’s Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) Mission has the goal of demonstrating deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband Mid-IR thermal radiation under conditions that are traceable to the expected on-orbit conditions. Specifically, the task is to demonstrate null levels of 10 to the negative 6 power, with a 50% BW centered at 10 um, with null stabilities of 10 to the negative 7 power all at cryogenic temperatures for observational periods of a couple of hours. The Achromatic Nulling activity at JPL addresses this concern in two testbeds: the warm nulling testbed and the cryonulling testbed. The warm nulling testbed will demonstrate the physics of nulling broadband thermal sources in an environment that is conducive to efficient research. We’ll explore nulling techniques, optical-mechanical alignment methods, motion control, and path-length metrology for a single beam interferometer, as well as preliminary planet detection techniques. Ultimate nulling capabilities under conditions that are more flight-like will be demonstrated in cryogenic nulling testbed. Knowledge gained from operation at room temperature will be applied to the cryongenic experiment where we face the additional challenges of extreme temperatures, cryongenic actuators, component survivability and fluxes that are within an order of magnitude of expected flux levels on orbit. Concurrently, we will develop a low flux mid-IR camera that will allow us to measure the nulls at these faint photon fluxes. This talk will review this development activity and will include recent nulling experimental results and plans for future work.

Vasisht, Gautam↗
NASA NTRS2004

White Light Modeling, Algorithm Development, and Validation on the Micro-arcsecond Metrology Testbed

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) scheduled for launch in early 2010, is an optical interferometer that will perform narrow angle and global wide angle astrometry with unprecedented accuracy, providing differential position accuracies of 1uas, and 4uas global accuracies in position, proper motion and parallax. The astrometric observations of the SIM instrument are performed via delay measurements provided by three Michelson-type, white light interferometers. Two 'guide' interferometers acquire fringes on bright guide stars in order to make highly precise measurements of variations in spacecraft attitude, while the third interferometer performs the science measurement. SIM derives its performance from a combination of precise fringe measurements of the interfered starlight (a few ten-thousandths of a wave) and very precise (tens of picometers) relative distance measurements made between a set of fiducials. The focus of the present paper is on the development and analysis of algorithms for accurate white light estimation, and on validating some of these algorithms on the MicroArcsecond Testbed.

metrology↗
NASA NTRS1988

Optical monitoring of protein crystal growth

The possibility of using various optical techniques for detecting the onset of nucleation in protein crystal growth was investigated. Direct microscopy, general metrologic techniques, light scattering, ultraviolet absorption, and interferometry are addressed along with techniques for determining pH value. The necessity for collecting basic data on the optical properties of the growth solution as a prerequisite to the evaluation of monitoring techniques is pointed out.

Choudry, A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Wide angle astrometric demonstration on the micro-arcsecond metrology testbed for the space interferometry mission

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) requires fringe measurements to the level of picometers in order to produce astrometric data at the micro-arc-second level. To be more specific, it is necessary to measure both the position of the starlight central fringe and the change in the internal optical path of the interferometer to a few hundreds of picometers. The internal path is measured with a small heterodyne metrology beam, whereas the starlight fringe position is estimated with a CCD sampling a large concentric annular beam. One major challenge for SIM is to align the metrology beam with the starlight beam to keep the consistency between these two sensors at the system level while articulating the instrument optics over the field of view.

metrology↗
NASA NTRS2004

White light modeling, algorithm development, and validation on the micro-arcsecond metrology testbed

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), scheduled for launch in early 2010, is an optical interferometer that will perform narrow angle and global wide angle astrometry with unprecedented accuracy, providing differential position accuracies of 1uas, and 4uas global accuracies in position, proper motion and parallax. SIM astrometric measurements are synthesized from pathlength delay measurements provided by three Michelson-type, white light interferometers. Two of the interferometers are used for making precise measurements of variations in the spacecraft attitude, while the third interferometer performs the science measurement. The ultimate performance of SIM relies on a combination of precise fringe measurements of the interfered starlight with picometer class relative distance measurements made between a set of fiducials that define the interferometer baseline vectors. The focus of the present paper is on the development and analysis of algorithms for accurate white light fringe estimation, and on the preliminary validation of these algorithms on the Micro-Arcsecond Testbed (MAM).

Shen, Janice TsaePyng↗
NASA NTRS2018

Optical Performance Prediction of the Thirty Meter Telescope after Initial Alignment Using Optical Modeling

We present an estimate of the optical performance of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) after execution of the full telescope alignment plan. The TMT alignment is performed by the Global Metrology System (GMS) and the Alignment and Phasing System (APS). The GMS first measures the locations of the telescope optics and instruments as a function of elevation angle. These initial measurements will be used to adjust the optics positions and build initial elevation look-up tables. Then the telescope is aligned using starlight as the input for the APS at multiple elevation angles. APS measurements are used to refine the telescope alignment to build elevation and temperature dependent look-up tables. Due to the number of degrees of freedom in the telescope (over 10,000), the ability of the primary mirror to correct aberrations on other optics, the tight optical performance requirements and the multiple instrument locations, it is challenging to develop, test and validate these alignment procedures. In this paper, we consider several GMS and APS operational scenarios. We apply the alignment procedures to the model-generated TMT, which consists of various quasi-static errors such as polishing errors, passive supports errors, thermal and gravity deformations and installation position errors. Using an integrated optical model and Monte-Carlo framework, we evaluate the TMT’s aligned states using optical performance metrics at multiple instrument and field of view locations. The optical performance metrics include the Normalized Point Source Sensitivity (PSSN), RMS wavefront error before and after Adaptive Optics (AO) correction, pupil position change, and plate scale distortion.

Rogers, John↗
NASA NTRS2009

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2009

Tech Briefs are short announcements of innovations originating from research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. They emphasize information considered likely to be transferable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. Topics covered include: The Radio Frequency Health Node Wireless Sensor System; Effects of Temperature on Polymer/Carbon Chemical Sensors; Small CO2 Sensors Operate at Lower Temperature; Tele-Supervised Adaptive Ocean Sensor Fleet; Synthesis of Submillimeter Radiation for Spectroscopy; 100-GHz Phase Switch/Mixer Containing a Slot-Line Transition; Generating Ka-Band Signals Using an X-Band Vector Modulator; SiC Optically Modulated Field-Effect Transistor; Submillimeter-Wave Amplifier Module with Integrated Waveguide Transitions; Metrology System for a Large, Somewhat Flexible Telescope; Economical Implementation of a Filter Engine in an FPGA; Improved Joining of Metal Components to Composite Structures; Machined Titanium Heat-Pipe Wick Structure; Gadolinia-Doped Ceria Cathodes for Electrolysis of CO2; Utilizing Ocean Thermal Energy in a Submarine Robot; Fuel-Cell Power Systems Incorporating Mg-Based H2 Generators; Alternative OTEC Scheme for a Submarine Robot; Sensitive, Rapid Detection of Bacterial Spores; Adenosine Monophosphate-Based Detection of Bacterial Spores; Silicon Microleaks for Inlets of Mass Spectrometers; CGH Figure Testing of Aspherical Mirrors in Cold Vacuums; Series-Coupled Pairs of Silica Microresonators; Precise Stabilization of the Optical Frequency of WGMRs; Formation Flying of Components of a Large Space Telescope; Laser Metrology Heterodyne Phase-Locked Loop; Spatial Modulation Improves Performance in CTIS; High-Performance Algorithm for Solving the Diagnosis Problem; Truncation Depth Rule-of-Thumb for Convolutional Codes; Efficient Method for Optimizing Placement of Sensors.

Source record↗
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 NTRS1991

The Filled Arm Fizeau Telescope (FFT)

Attention is given to the design of a Mills Cross imaging interferometer in which the arms are fully filled with mirror segments of a Ritchey-Chretien primary and which has sensitivity to 27th magnitude per pixel and resolution a factor of 10 greater than Hubble. The optical design, structural configuration, thermal disturbances, and vibration, material, control, and metrology issues, as well as scientific capabilities are discussed, and technology needs are identified. The technologies under consideration are similar to those required for the development of the other imaging interferometers that have been proposed over the past decade. A comparison of the imaging capabilities of a 30-m diameter FFT, an 8-m telescope with a collecting area equal to that of the FFT, and the HST is presented.

Synnott, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Dynamic interferometer alignment and its utility in UV Fourier transform spectrometer systems

Dynamic alignment has been demonstrated as a practical approach to alignment maintenance for systems in the infrared region of the spectrum. On the basis of work done by OPTRA, this technique was introduced in commercial Fourier transform spectrometer systems in 1982 and in various forms is now available from a number of manufacturers. This paper reports on work by OPTRA to extend the basic technique to systems operating in the ultraviolet. In addition, this paper reports the preliminary results of the development of an alignment system using a laser diode in place of a gas laser normally found in dynamic alignment systems. A unique optical system and spatial heterodyne technique allows for achievement of a metrology system with characteristics that fully satisfy the requirements of an ultraviolet spectrometer system.

Dorval, Rick K.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Long Baseline Nulling Interferometry with the Keck Telescopes: A Progress Report

The Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN) is one of the major scientific and technical precursors to the Terrestrial Planet Finder Interferometer (TPF-I) mission. KIN's primary objective is to measure the level of exo-zodiacal mid-infrared emission around nearby main sequence stars, which requires deep broad-band nulling of astronomical sources of a few Janskys at 10 microns. A number of new capabilities are needed in order to reach that goal with the Keck telescopes: mid-infrared coherent recombination, interferometric operation in 'split pupil' mode, N-band optical path stabilization using K-band fringe tracking and internal metrology, and eventually, active atmospheric dispersion correction. We report here on the progress made implementing these new functionalities, and discuss the initial levels of extinction achieved on the sky.

instrumentation↗
NASA NTRS2008

Adaptive MGS Phase Retrieval

Adaptive MGS Phase Retrieval software uses the Modified Gerchberg-Saxton (MGS) algorithm, an image-based sensing method that can turn any focal plane science instrument into a wavefront sensor, avoiding the need to use external metrology equipment. Knowledge of the wavefront enables intelligent control of active optical systems.

Basinger, Scott A.↗