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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 NTRS1977

Collision-induced absorption of O2 in the Herzberg continuum

Using a one meter normal incidence grating monochromator, the total absorption of radiation for O2 has been reinvestigated between 2000-2500 A. The absorption cross sections of O2 and O4 are then derived from total absorption measurements and compared with other available data. Additional measurements of O2 absorption have been made in the presence of Ar which does not absorb in this spectral region and is chemically inactive with O2. It is found that the absorption of oxygen increases in the presence of Ar, which is interpreted as due to the formation of O2-Ar dimers.

SHARDANAND↗
NASA NTRS1978

Laboratory studies of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts and minerals occurring on astronomical objects

A vacuum monochromator was integrated into the system and optics chosen to increase data collection in the infrared spectral region. Using a InSb detector, good reflectance data was obtained to 5.5 micron from a variety of samples including magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, water frost and Bloedite. Magnesium oxide was found to be a poorer reflector than the barium sulfate throughout the visible and near infrared region. The barium sulfate material was shown to be a Lambert reflector in the visible region and over an angular range of 60 deg. Several samples of water frost were prepared and in reflectance measured from 0.3 micron to 5.5 microm. The fine grained frosts were better reflectors than the coarse grained frosts, usually by 20 percent or more, over the entire spectral range. The minerals Bloedite and sulfur were also investigated further.

Glaser, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nitrogen-induced absorption of oxygen in the Herzberg continuum

Total absorption of O2 induced by collisions with N2 has been measured at room temperature in the Hersberg continuum using a one meter normal incidence grating monochromator. The enhanced absorption is ascribed to the formation of O2-O2 and O2-N2 dimers. The interaction constants for these dimers are determined and utilized to investigate their effect on the absorption of solar radiation in the stratosphere.

Shardanand, MR.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Measuring concave diffraction grating efficiencies at grazing incidence

The efficiency of a concave diffraction grating in a given order is obtained by measuring the intensities of the diffracted and incident beams and taking their ratio. A valid measurement requires that both the incident and diffracted beams be collected by the detector. At grazing incidence, however, the diffracted beam may spread beyond the detector due to aberrations. In addition, the diffracted beams of consecutive orders may overlap so that unambiguous efficiency measurements cannot be made. The effect of aberrations on efficiency measurements has been studied, using ray tracing, for the geometry of the measuring instrument in use at the Naval Research Laboratory. This instrument is attached to a VUV monochromator which furnishes a diverging beam. The main effect of aberrations for this instrument is a spread of the diffracted beam in the direction of dispersion. The width of the diffracted beam is wavelength dependent and is minimal at the horizontal focus, spreading to longer and shorter wavelengths. Reducing the divergence of the incident beam reduces the spread but, for small radius gratings, not always sufficiently so that the entire diffracted beam can be collected by the detector. The distance from the detector to the grating can also be adjusted to aid in collecting all the diffracted beam.

Hunter, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Temperature control analysis and flight results for the Viking Orbiter 1975 Mars atmospheric water detection instrument

The Mars atmospheric water detector (MAWD) instrument required a temperature of -70 C at the detector. The monochromator housing required +20 C + or - 1 C. This instrument was located on the scan platform, and slewed across two solar panels. The thermal design for the detector was an open flat plate radiator thermally isolated on four 1-in. tubes, with a flexible strap to the detector. MAWD radiator view factors and heat loads from the spacecraft were determined for the Lander on and off, for all angular positions of the scan platform. Subsystem and system tests were performed using the 25-ft diameter solar simulator. In-flight results have shown no anomalies, and no degradation has been observed. Servo-controlled heaters are used to control the temperature.

Kavanagh, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Temperature effect on nitrogen-induced absorption of oxygen in the Herzberg continuum

The effect of temperature on the total absorption of O2 induced by collisions with N2 has been measured at various temperatures in the Herzberg continuum using a one-meter normal-incidence grating monochromator. It is observed that absorption increases as the temperature decreases, which is ascribed to changes in the rate of formation of the dimers O2-O2 and O2-N2. The interaction constants for these dimers are determined as functions of temperature and then utilized to calculate the heats of dissociation of O2-O2 and O2-N2. Their respective values are found to be 0.0146 + or - 0.001 and 0.425 + or - 0.002 eV. Also, the interaction constants for these dimers measured at 200 + or - 1 K are utilized to investigate their effect on the absorption of solar radiation in the stratosphere.

Shardanand, MR.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Potential digitization/compression techniques for Shuttle video

The Space Shuttle initially will be using a field-sequential color television system but it is possible that an NTSC color TV system may be used for future missions. In addition to downlink color TV transmission via analog FM links, the Shuttle will use a high resolution slow-scan monochrome system for uplink transmission of text and graphics information. This paper discusses the characteristics of the Shuttle video systems, and evaluates digitization and/or bandwidth compression techniques for the various links. The more attractive techniques for the downlink video are based on a two-dimensional DPCM encoder that utilizes temporal and spectral as well as the spatial correlation of the color TV imagery. An appropriate technique for distortion-free coding of the uplink system utilizes two-dimensional HCK codes.

Habibi, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ultraviolet spectrum of the Aurora /2000-2800 A/

Ultraviolet spectra between 2000 and 2800 delta-v of an IBC II(+) aurora were obtained by a rocket-borne Ebert-Fastie monochromator at 15-A resolution over Fort Churchill, Manitoba. The v-prime = 0-8 progressions of the N2 Vegard-Kaplan system, the delta-v = 8 sequence of the Lyman-Birge-Hopfield system, and a progression attributed to the Herman-Kaplan system were identified by a synthetic spectrum analysis. Relative populations of the first eight vibrational levels of the A3 Sigma u(+) state at high altitude were obtained from the theoretically generated spectra, and quenching rate coefficients were derived for these eight levels by using an atomic oxygen concentration derived from data from another experiment on board. For v = 0 the quenching rate coefficient was found to be 2.0 times 10 the minus 10th cu cm/sec and was not found to increase for higher vibrational levels. The intensity of the (0,2) band of the Herman-Kaplan system was found to be about 5 times the theoretically predicted value, but even so, the cascade from E3 Sigma g(+) provides less than 2% of the A3 Sigma u(+) state population.

Beiting, E. J., III↗
NASA NTRS1978

Solar spectral irradiance at ground level

Available quantitative data on solar total and spectral irradiance is examined in the context of utilization of solar irradiance for terrestrial applications of solar energy. A brief review is given on the extraterrestrial solar total and spectral irradiance values. Computed values of solar spectral irradiance at ground level for different air mass values and various levels of atmospheric pollution or turbidity are also presented. Wavelengths are given for computation of solar absorptance, transmittance and reflectance by the 100-selected-ordinate method and by the 50-selected-ordinate method from air mass two solar spectral irradiance for the four degrees of atmospheric pollution. Total solar spectral irradiance measured with a prism monochromator is examined to evaluate the direct solar spectral irradiance for a surface normal to the sun's rays and to compare the computed spectrum with the experimentally observed one.

Mecherikunnel, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Optical calibrator for TDL spectrometers

Two etalons and monochromator mode selector help calibrate spectrometer in selected laser mode. Technique accurately determines free spectral range of etalon. By establishing number of fringes between two modes, both of which have been calibrated with molecular line standards, one finds free spectral range with error inversely proportional to spectral interval between calibration points. Procedure establishes free spectral range of etalon without prior knowledge of its length or refractive index.

Jennings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spectral properties of gaseous uranium hexafluoride at high temperature

A study to determine relative spectral emission and spectral absorption data for UF6-argon mixtures at elevated temperatures is discussed. These spectral data are required to assist in the theoretical analysis of radiation transport in the nuclear fuel-buffer gas region of a plasma core reactor. Relative emission measurements were made for UF6-argon mixtures over a range of temperatures from 650 to 1900 K and in the wavelength range from 600 to 5000 nanometers. All emission results were determined for a total pressure of 1.0 atm. Uranium hexafluoride partial pressures varied from about 3.5 to 12.7 mm Hg. Absorption measurements were attempted at 600, 625, 650 and 675 nanometers for a temperature of 1000 K. The uranium partial pressure for these determinations was 25 mm Hg. The results exhibit appreciable emission for hot UF6-argon mixtures at wavelengths between 600 and 1800 nanometers and no measurable absorption. The equipment used to evaluate the spectral properties of the UF6-argon mixtures included a plasma torch-optical plenum assembly, the monochromator, and the UF6 transfer system. Each is described.

Krascella, N. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Some experience with arc-heater simulation of outer planet entry radiation

An electric arc heater was operated at 800 amperes and 100,000 pa (1 atm) with hydrogen, helium, and two mixtures of hydrogen and helium. A VUV-scanning monochromator was used to record the spectra from an end view while a second spectrometer was used to determine the plasma temperature using hydrogen continuum radiation at 562 nm. Except for pure helium, the plasma temperature was found to be too low to produce significant helium radiation, and the measured spectra were primarily the hydrogen spectra with the highest intensity in the pure hydrogen case. A radiation computer code was used to compute the spectra for comparison to the measurements and to extend the study to simulation of outer planet entry radiation. Conductive cooling prevented ablation of phenolic carbon material samples mounted inside the arc heater during a cursory attempt to produce radiation absorption by ablation gases.

Wells, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Diagnostics and control of wavenumber stability and purity of tunable diode lasers relevant to their use as local oscillators in heterodyne systems

Initial operation of the tunable diode lasers (TDL) showed that it was not possible to adjust the wavenumber to one selected a priori in the TDL tuning range. During operation, the operating point would change by 0.1/cm over the longer term with even larger changes occurring during some thermal cycles. Most changes during thermal cycling required using lower temperatures and higher currents to reach the former wavenumber (when it could be reached). In many cases, an operating point could be selected by changing TDL current and temperature to give both the desired wavenumber and most of the power in a single mode. The selection procedure had to be used after each thermal cycling. Wavenumber nonlinearities of about 10% over a 0.5 cm tuning range were observed. Diagnostics of the single mode selected by a grating monochromator showed wavenumber fine structure under certain operating conditions. The characteristics due to the TDL environment included short term wavenumber stability, the instrument lineshape function, and intermediate term wavenumber stability.

Poultney, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Intermode calibration of diode-laser spectra using tandem etalons

The paper deals with an approach which can improve the accuracy of etalon calibration of tunable diode-laser (TDL) spectra in the IR and extend absolute calibration among several isolated modes. Two etalons placed in the laser beam produce a combined fringe pattern that, with the aid of a monochromator mode selector, can be used to establish the number of fringes between any two spectral points separated by a large frequency interval. This technique has been applied to several similar cases for calibration of isolated modes or verification of the identity of lines of known frequency.

Jennings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Photoelectric scanning /6.65-m/ spectrometer for VUV cross-section measurements

A 6.65-m normal incidence vacuum spectrograph has been provided with a photoelectric scanner that is easily interchangeable with the original plate holder. The scanner consists essentially of a photoelectric detector and an exit slit that scans mechanically along the focal surface while the grating and entrance slit remain stationary. The design and construction of the 6.65-m scanning spectrometer, which operates in the 120-300-nm wavelength region, are discussed. The wavelength resolution of 0.001 nm obtained photoelectrically is better than that of any existing vacuum monochromator. The performance of the instrument is illustrated with vacuum ultraviolet scans of the (1, 5) band of fourth positive system of CO in emission, and the (14, 0) band of the Schumann-Runge system of O2 in absorption.

Yoshino, K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Surface reflectance measurements in the UV from an airborne platform. I

The reflectance of naturally occurring surfaces is measured from a twin engine Cessna 402B aircraft both spectrally (0.29-0.40 micron) with a compact double monochromator and broadband (0.29-1.2 micron) with a UV enhanced photodiode. The measurement system, which is computer controlled and electrically isolated from the aircraft, consists of upward and downward looking hemispheric diffusers, filters, a rotating 90 deg mirror, a focusing lens, and a double monochromator/PMT or the UV photodiode. Measurements are taken at several altitudes enabling the empirical determination of backscatter and attenuation effects on the reflectance. The results are presented for pine forest canopy, green farmland, open ocean, and brown farmland as a function of wavelength and altitude.

Doda, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Electron-impact excitation of the singlet states of N2. I - The Birge-Hopfield system /b 1 pi u - X 1 Sigma g +/

Results of a study of the electron-impact excitation of the b 1 pi u state of N2, one of the singlet states thought to be excited by precipitating electrons in the auroral zones, and of its predissociation and radiative relaxation through the emission of the Birge-Hopfield band system (b 1 pi u - X 1 Sigma g +) are presented. A collimated electron beam was passed through N2 gas producing a variety of atomic states through dissociative excitation, and the radiation resulting from relaxation of these states was observed by VUV and visible-IR monochromators. Absolute emission cross sections for 11 Birge-Hopfield bands are obtained for energies from threshold to 500 eV, and used to calculate the absolute transition probabilities for BH(1, v-prime) bands and the variation of the electric dipole moment with internuclear distance. With the exception of the v-prime equals 1, 5 and 6 vibrational levels, all b 1 pi u levels are found to predissociate with a specific predissociation branching ratio greater than 0.99, representing a major source of nitrogen atoms.

Zipf, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An instrument to measure the solar spectrum from 170 to 3200 nm on board Spacelab

This instrument, at the present time in development, will fly on board Spacelab I in May 1983. Other flights are foreseen during the following missions. The instrument is composed of three double monochromators covering the range 170 to 3200 nm. The spectrometers have bandpasses of 1 nm up to 900 nm and 20 nm from 850 to 3200 nm with an accuracy 1/100 nm. Calibration lamps are included in the instrument to monitor any change of its sensitivity and wavelength scale.

Thuiller, G.↗