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At least 307 records · Page 17

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NASA NTRS1991

Pressure broadening data as a test of a recently proposed Ar-H2O interaction potential

An interaction potential for H2O-Ar that was recently determined from spectra of the van der Waals complex by Cohen and Saykally (1990) is used with accurate molecular scattering calculations to predict line broadening parameters for the 183 and 380 GHz transitions of water vapor. Theoretical values are about 15 percent higher than experiment. A comparison of experimental and theoretical pressure broadening cross sections for water in argon is presented.

Green, Sheldon↗

NASA NTRS1991

Crystal-field-driven redox reactions: How common minerals split H2O and CO2 into reduced H2 and C plus oxygen

It is difficult to prove the presence of molecular H2 and reduced C in minerals containing dissolved H2 and CO2. A technique was developed which unambiguously shows that minerals grown in viciously reducing environments contain peroxy in their crystal structures. The peroxy represent interstitial oxygen atoms left behind when the solute H2O and/or CO2 split off H2 and C as a result of internal redox reactions, driven by the crystal field. The observation of peroxy affirms the presence of H2 and reduced C. It shows that the solid state is indeed an unusual reaction medium.

Freund, F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Climatic implications of the simultaneous presence of CO2 and H2O in the Martian regolith

The current paradigm for quasi-periodic climate change on Mars holds that perhaps a few hundred millibars of CO2 are available for exchange between the atmosphere and regolith, and that a vast majority of that CO2 is presently absorbed into the regolith. The CO2 is partitioned between the regolith and atmosphere according to an equilibrium adsorptive relationship. If the atmospheric pressure exceeds the frost point at or near the poles, then quasi-permanent polar caps form and buffer the atmospheric pressure. This model was developed based upon laboratory studies of CO2 adsorption where no other adsorbates are present. We will conduct laboratory measurements of the simultaneous adsorption of H2O and CO2 under Mars-like conditions, and develop numerical expressions for use in climate modeling based upon our results.

Zent, A. P.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Comet P/Halley - Spatial distributions and scale lengths for C2, CN, NH2, and H2O

Long-slit spectroscopic observations of Comet P/Halley on 12 dates between October 1985 and May 1986 were used to extract spatial profiles for C2, CN, NH2, and O I (1D) (which effectively map out the comet's H2O distribution), and Haser model scale lengths were fitted to these data. The preperihelion analysis yielded Haser model scale lengths of sufficient consistency that they could be used for the production rate determinations. It was found that the average parent scale lengths found for NH2 were consistent with photodissociation lifetimes for NH3 and confirm the dissociation chain NH3-NH2-NH.

Fink, Uwe↗

NASA NTRS1991

Observation of the visible absorption spectrum of H2O(+)

The water cation, H2O(+), has been studied, using laser absorption spectroscopy in a velocity-modulated discharge. It is shown that it is possible to observe the absorption spectrum of an ion that is not a terminal ion, despite the weak absorption oscillator strength, and despite the use of a relatively noisy dye laser. The relative intensities of the absorption lines have been measured to an accuracy of 13 percent. It is concluded that if the absorption cross section of a single transition can be measured absolutely, then the entire manifold will be known absolutely.

Das, Biman↗

NASA NTRS1992

Planar H2O masers in star-forming regions

The paper examines the planar geometry of shocked material, which is the key property in enabling the high brightness temperatures of H2O masers in star-forming regions. The brightness temperature, beaming angle, and the maser spot size are determined for thin, saturated planar masers under the assumption that the velocity change across the maser due to ordered motions is small compared with the thermal or microturbulent line width. For a given set of physical parameters, the brightness temperature is essentially fully determined by the length of the velocity-coherent region in the shocked plane along the line of sight. Effective aspect ratios (about 5-50) are found that are in agreement with values previously inferred from observed brightness temperatures.

Elitzur, Moshe↗

NASA NTRS1992

Diode injection - seeded, 940 nanometer (nm), titanium - sapphire laser for H2O DIAL (differential absorption lidar), measurements

Differential absorption of laser radiation by various molecular species represents both a selective and a sensitive method of measuring specific atmospheric constituents. DIAL measurements can be carried out via two different means. Both involve using two laser pulses with slightly different wavelengths (lambda), (one lambda at a strong absorption line of the molecule of interest, the other detuned into the wing of the line), and comparing the attenuation of the pulses. One approach relies on scattering of the radiation from some conveniently located topographical target. In the other technique elastic scattering from atmospheric aerosols and particulates is used to return the radiation to the lidar receiver system. This case is referred to as the differential absorption and scattering technique, and is the technique we are interested in to measure water vapor at 940 nm. The 940 nm wavelength is extremely desirable to atmospheric scientist interested in accurate DIAL measurements of H2O in the upper and lower troposphere. Simulated measurements using approximately 940 nm and 815 nm lasers at a range of altitudes and experimental conditions are shown. By offering access to larger absorption cross-sections, injected seeded, 940 nm DIAL laser transmitters would allow for more accurate water profile measurements at altitudes from 6 to 16 km than is currently possible with 730 nm and 815 nm DIAL laser transmitters. We have demonstrated the operation of an injected seeded titanium-sapphire (TS) laser operating at approximately 940 nm with an energy of more than 90 mJ per pulse. The TS laser is pumped by a commercial, 600 mJ, 532 nm, 10 Hz Nd:YAG laser. The slope efficiency of the laser using a flat 50 percent R output coupler and a 10 m end-mirror is shown. The laser was injected seeded with a CW, AlGaAs, semiconductor diode laser which had an output of 83 mW. The CW diode seed beam was introduced into the TS laser cavity through a HR end-mirror. When the diode beam is aligned to the TS resonator, it controls the TS laser output wavelength and its spectral line width with the required resolution for DIAL applications. This work supports the need for the development of 940 nm, titanium-sapphire DIAL transmitters.

Miller, George E.↗

NASA NTRS1992

P/Halley: Spatial distribution and scale lengths for C2, CN, NH2, and H2O

From P/Halley, long slit spectroscopic exposures on 12 dates, extending from Oct. 1985 to May 1986, spatial profiles were obtained for emissions by C2, CN, NH2, and OI ((sup 1)D). Examples of our derived spatial profiles are given. The qualitative trend of the scale lengths for the different species is nicely exemplified in this example. C2 has the longest parent scale length followed by CN and NH2. OI which tracks the parent H2O distribution is quite narrow but slightly wider than the continuum profile which has a center essentially indistinguishable from the stellar seeing disk. Comparison of C2 and CN also shows that C2 is falling off faster in the wings so that the daughter scale length of CN must be larger than that of C2.

Fink, Uwe↗

NASA NTRS1993

Electron-temperature dependence of the recombination of H3O+(H2O)n ions with electrons

The T(e) dependence of the recombination of H3O+(H2O)n cluster-ions with electrons has been measured in an afterglow experiment in which the electrons were heated by a radio-frequency electric field. The recombination coefficients were found to vary with T(e) as about T(e) exp -1/2 in better agreement with theoretical expectations than earlier results of microwave-afterglow measurements.

Johnsen, R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Variable temperature pressure broadening of the 4(1,4)-3(2,1) transition of H2O by O2 and N2

The O2 and N2 pressure-broadening parameters of the 4(1,4)-3(2,1) rotational transition in the ground vibrational state of H2O have been measured in the temperature range between 100 and 520 K. Above 250 K the measurements were made in an equilibrium cell. Below 250 K a cell, which uses collisional cooling to circumvent the temperature limits imposed by the vapor pressure of the sample gas, was used. The data were fitted to an exponential temperature-dependence for data above 150 K with resultant n values of 0.81(3) for O2 and 0.70(3) for N2, where the entries in parentheses represent the error in the last significant figure of the parameter. Below 150 K the measured pressure-broadening parameters are smaller than those calculated using these values of n.

Goyette, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Intercomparison of haloe and ER-2 aircraft H2O and CH4 observations collected during the second Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Experiment (AASE-II)

HALOE observations of H2O and CH4 are compared with in situ techniques aboard the ER-2 aircraft during the northern winter of 1991/92, in particular for the dates 911208, 920108, 920217, 920222, and 920320 when the spatial coincidences are close, within +/- 1 deg latitude and +/- 12 deg longitude. The results reveal the limitations of comparing high resolution in situ aircraft data with a remote sounding limb scanner. Of the five comparison dates, three had HALOE/ER-2 coincidences which occurred near the edge of the Arctic vortex; the vertical variability in the HALOE results and the horizontal variability in the ER-2 observations on these days show that the vortex edge is not a region where exact agreement can be expected except by chance. On a 4th comparison date, there was substantial overlap away from the vortex edge, although for some species the aircraft data show considerable variability near the coincidence point. On the 5th comparison date, the ER-2 had no overlap in altitude with the lowest HALOE observations; however, a short linear interpolation over about 1 km altitude results in smooth composite profiles. Generally speaking the agreement between HALOE and the ER-2 at overlap altitudes is about 12 percent in the case of water vapor, which shows low horizontal and vertical variability. The agreement for methane, with limited data having altitude overlap, is better than 6 percent.

Tuck, A. F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The evolution of the early Martian climate and the initial emplacement of crustal H2O

Given the geomorphic evidence for the widespread occurrence of water and ice in the early Martian crust, and the difficulty involved in accounting for this distribution given the present climate, it has been suggested that the planet's early climate was originally more Earth-like, permitting the global emplacement of crustal H2O by direct precipitation as snow or rain. The resemblance of the Martian valley networks to terrestrial runoff channels and their almost exclusive occurrence in the planet's ancient (approximately 4-b.y.-old) heavily cratered terrain are often cited as evidence of just such a period. An alternative school of thought suggests that the early climate did not differ substantially from that of today. Advocates of this view find no compelling reason to invoke a warmer, wetter period to explain the origin of the valley networks. Rather, they cite evidence that the primary mechanism of valley formation was groundwater sapping, a process that does not require that surface water exists in equilibrium with the atmosphere. However, while sapping may successfully explain the origin of the small valleys, it fails to address how the crust was initially charged with ice as the climate evolved towards its present state. Therefore, given the uncertainty regarding the environmental conditions that prevailed on early Mars, the initial emplacement of ground ice is considered here from two perspectives: (1) the early climate started warm and wet, but gradually cooled with time, and (2) the early climate never differed substantially from that of today.

Clifford, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Thermal expansivity, bulk modulus, and melting curve of H2O-ice VII to 20 GPa

Equation of state properties of ice VII and fluid H2O at high pressures and temperatures have been studied experimentally from 6 to 20 GPa and 300-700 K. The techniques involve direct measurements of the unit-cell volume of the solid using synchrotron X-ray diffraction with an externally heated diamond-anvil cell. The pressure dependencies of the volume and bulk modulus of ice VII at room temperature are in good agreement with previous synchrotron X-ray studies. The thermal expansivity was determined as a function of pressure and the results fit to a newly proposed phenomenological relation and to a Mie-Gruneisen equation of state formalism. The onset of melting of ice VII was determined directly by X-ray diffraction at a series of pressures and found to be in accord with previous volumetric determinations. Thermodynamic calculations based on the new data are performed to evaluate the range of validity of previously proposed equations of state for fluid water derived from static and shock-wave compression experiments and from simulations.

Fei, Yingwei↗

NASA NTRS1995

Theoretical calculations of pressure broadening coefficients for H2O perturbed by hydrogen or helium gas

Halfwidths were calculated for H2O with H2 as a broadening gas and were estimated for He as the broadening species. The calculations used the model of Robert and Bonamy with parabolic trajectories and all relevant terms in the interaction potential. The calculations investigated the dependence of the halfwidth on the order of the atom-atom expansion, the rotational states, and the temperature in the range 200 to 400K. Finally, calculations were performed for many transitions of interest in the 5 micrometer window region of the spectrum. The resulting data will be supplied to Dr. R. Freedman for extracting accurate water mixing ratios from the analysis of the thermal channels for the Net Flux experiment on the Galileo probe.

Gamache, Robert R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

SPADE H2O measurements and the seasonal cycle of statospheric water vapor

We present measurements of lower statospheric water vapor obtained during the Stratospheric Phototchemistry, Aerosols and Dynamics Expedition (SPADE) mission with a new high precision, fast response, Lyman-alpha hygrometer. The H2O data show a distinct seasonal cycle. For air that recently entered the statosphere, data collected during the fall show much more water vapor than data from the spring. Fast quasi-horizontal mixing causes compact relationships between water and N2O to be established on relatively short time scales. The measurements are consistent with horizontal mixing times of a few months or less. Vertical mixing appears to cause the seasonal variations in water vapor to propagate up to levels corresponding to air that has been in the stratosphere approximately one year.

Hintsa, Eric J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Infrared optical constants of H2O ice, amorphous nitric acid solutions, and nitric acid hydrates

We determined the infrared optical constants of nitric acid trihydrate, nitric acid dihydrate, nitric acid monohydrate, and solid amorphous nitric acid solutions which crystallize to form these hydrates. We have also found the infrared optical constants of H2O ice. We measured the transmission of infrared light throught thin films of varying thickness over the frequency range from about 7000 to 500/cm at temperatures below 200 K. We developed a theory for the transmission of light through a substrate that has thin films on both sides. We used an iterative Kramers-Kronig technique to determine the optical constants which gave the best match between measured transmission spectra and those calculated for a variety of films of different thickness. These optical constants should be useful for calculations of the infrared spectrum of polar stratospheric clouds.

Toon, Owen B.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A tentative detection of the 183-GHz water vapor line in the martian atmosphere: Constraints upon the H2O abundance and vertical distribution

The 183-GHz water vapor line was tentatively detected on Mars in January 1991, with the IRAM 30-m millimeter antenna, under extremely dry atmospheric conditions. The measurement refers to the whole disk. The spectral line, although marginally detected, can be fit with a constant H2O mixing ratio of 1.0 x 10(exp -5), which corresponds to a water abundance of 1 pr-microns; in any case, an upper limit of 3 pr-microns is inferred. This value is comparable to the very small abundances measured by Clancy (1992) 5 weeks before our observation and seems to imply both seasonal and long-term variations in the martian water cycle.

Encrenaz, TH.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Comparison of HALOE O3 and H2O observations from UARS with ground and balloonborne measurements

The HALogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) was launched on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) by the Space Shuttle Discovery at 7:11:04 EDT on September 12, 1991. After allowing for a period of outgassing, HALOE began taking routine science observations on October 11. HALOE uses the experiment approach of solar occultation and the gas filter and broad band radiometer instruments techniques to measure vertical profiles of HCl, HF, CH4, NO, NO2, H2O, O3, aerosol, and temperature versus pressure. The measurements cover a broad altitude range from the upper troposphere in some cases to the lower thermosphere in the case of nitric oxide. Latitude coverage provided by the occultation geometry ranges from 80 deg S to 80 deg N over the course of one year. The experiment has operated essentially without flaw for more than three years. Instrument stability over this time, as judged by the maximum signal change when viewing the sun exoatmospherically is less than or equal to 2 to 3%.

Russell, James M., III↗