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At least 307 records · Page 17

Calibration of a gamma-ray telescope using tagged position annihilation photons

Measurements of detection efficiency, angular resolution, and energy resolution properties of a gamma ray telescope used to study celestial gamma rays from balloon flight altitudes are described. Nearly monochromatic photons produced at the National Bureau of Standards tagged photon facility were used for the calibration. Details of the photon beam configuration and properties and results of the measurements made at photon energies of 15.1 and 31.1 MeV are presented. Finally, the data are compared with a Monte Carlo analysis of the instrument properties.

Bertsch, D. L.↗

High brightness neutral hydrogen in M31: A new probe of interstellar pressure

An observational parameter of our own Galaxy, the peak brightness temperature of neutral hydrogen in emission, was determined almost twenty years ago (Burton 1970). This quantity, although possessing a degree of local variations, has a remarkably consistent peak value of 125 K towards spiral arm segments with a few isolated peaks extending to 135 K, once sufficient spatial and velocity resolution are used (less than or equal to 70 pc, less than or equal to 5 km/s) to resolve the emission peaks. The higher spatial and velocity resolution of more recent surveys has not led to the detection of higher brightnesses. For many years this remarkable observational result has received little attention, primarily because similar data for other galaxies, which would allow a meaningful comparison and analysis, did not exist. Recently this situation has changed. A Westerbork survey of M33 (Deul and Van der Hulst 1987, and private comm.) with 40 pc x 8 km/s resolution has revealed consistent peak values of only 95 plus or minus 5 K (although there is still some question of whether the velocity resolution was sufficient in this case), while a Very Large Array (VLA) survey of M31 (Braun 1989a) with 35 pc x 5 km/s resolution has shown consistent peak values but at a temperature of 155 to 165 K. It has become clear that although peak HI brightness seems to be a well-defined quantity within individual galaxies (with a degree of local variation) there are very significant differences in this quantity amongst different galaxies. Researchers embarked on an observational program directed at a sample of 11 nearby galaxies: NGC 55, 247, 7793, 3031, 2366, 2403, 4236, 4826, 4736, 4244, and 5457. They hope to determine the gas properties and phases as a function of both galaxy type and position within the galaxies utilizing high resolution HI observations and optical narrow band imagery and spectroscopy which are now underway.

Braun, Robert↗

High-Resolution Scanning Coded-Mask-Based X-ray Multi-Contrast Imaging and Tomography

Near-field X-ray speckle tracking has been used in phase-contrast imaging and tomography as an emerging technique, providing higher contrast images than traditional absorption radiography. Most reported methods use sandpaper or membrane filters as speckle generators and digital image cross-correlation for phase reconstruction, which has either limited resolution or requires a large number of position scanning steps. Recently, we have proposed a novel coded-mask-based multi-contrast imaging (CMMI) technique for single-shot measurement with superior performance in efficiency and resolution compared with other single-shot methods. We present here a scanning CMMI method for the ultimate imaging resolution and phase sensitivity by using a coded mask as a high-contrast speckle generator, the flexible scanning mode, the adaption of advanced maximum-likelihood optimization to scanning data, and the multi-resolution analysis. Scanning CMMI can outperform other speckle-based imaging methods, such as X-ray speckle vector tracking, providing higher quality absorption, phase, and dark-field images with fewer scanning steps. Scanning CMMI is also successfully demonstrated in multi-contrast tomography, showing great potentials in high-resolution full-field imaging applications, such as in vivo biomedical imaging.

Qiao, Zhi (ORCID:0000000233928732)↗

Evaluation of a ''CMOS'' Imager for Shadow Mask Hard X-ray Telescope

We have developed a hard x-ray coder that provides high angular resolution imaging capability using a coarse position sensitive image plane detector. The coder consists of two Fresnel zone plates. (FZP) Two such 'FZP's generate Moire fringe patterns whose frequency and orientation define the arrival direction of a beam with respect to telescope axis. The image plane detector needs to resolve the Moire fringe pattern. Pixilated detectors can be used as an image plane detector. The recently available 'CMOS' imager could provide a very low power large area image plane detector for hard x-rays. We have looked into a unit made by Rad-Icon Imaging Corp. The Shadow-Box 1024 x-ray camera is a high resolution 1024xl024 pixel detector of 50x50 mm area. It is a very low power, stand alone camera. We present some preliminary results of our investigation of evaluation of such camera.

Desai, Upendra D.↗

A gravitational lens candidate with an unusually red optical counterpart

The properties of the strong radio source MG0414 + 0534 are described. It is found to display many of the properties expected in a gravitational lens system. At radio wavelengths and 0.5-arcsec resolution, MG0414 + 0534 is made up of four compact components whose unusual configuration and relative flux densities are similar to those found in confirmed four-image gravitational lens systems. At optical wavelengths three objects are detected, consistent with there being optical objects at the positions of the radio components, given the lower optical resolution. The radio and optical centroid positions agree within the astrometric errors, and the relative ordering of the fluxes is the same. The colors and radiooptical spectral indices are similar, but there are differences larger than the photometric errors and the measured variability (about 30 percent). Extinction by dust might simultaneously explain the unusually red color and the absence of light from a lens.

Hewitt, J. N.↗

A Multi-Sensor Water Vapor, Temperature and Cloud Climate Data Record: Status of Our MEaSUREs 2012 Project

- Our primary objectives: Incorporate all A-Train water vapor, including small-scale, horizontal and vertical water vapor structure from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and GPS (Global Positioning System); Use MODIS cloud classification that is collocated at the pixel-scale over the full AIRS/AMSU (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit) swath; Extend summaries to PDFs (Probability Distribution Functions)/higher order moments of water vapor sorted by cloud classes; Establish robust, scale-dependent statistical relationships between cloud, temperature, and water vapor PDFs for the climate modeling community. - We will also: Update our current data record to new CloudSat/CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) cloud classification; Provide merged AIRS and MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) water vapor profiles using averaging kernels; Include temperature and water vapor from models (ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) and re-analyses (MERRA - Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications); Classify METOP-A (Meteorological Operational Satellite-A) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite water vapor with AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) during SNOs (Solar Neutrino Oscillations); Compare with the NVAP-M (re-analysis and extension of the NASA Water Vapor Project (NVAP)) water vapor climatologies; Use existing data sources and mature algorithms, and document processing algorithms.

Fetzer, Eric↗

A High Resolution Survey of the Disk of M31

We have determined a more accurate position for the x-ray source near the nucleus of M31, based on analysis of new ROSAT HRI (High Resolution Imager) observations and re-analysis of earlier ROSAT and HRI observations of the region. We find a revised position of 0(sup h)42(sup m)44.31(sup s), 41 deg 16 min 06.7 sec (J2000), with a 90% error radius of 1.3 sec. Although this error circle formally excludes the nuclear radio source reported by Crane, Dickel, and Cowan, the radio source is included in the 99% x-ray error circle, and given the residual systematic uncertainties in the x-ray astrometry, we consider the association of the x-ray and radio sources to be still viable. Analysis of the superposition of three deep, ROSAT HRI observations also indicates the presence of a previously uncataloged source, approximately 17 sec to the east of the nuclear source.

Jones, Christine↗

Boundary-directed epitaxy of block copolymers

Directed self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) enables nanofabrication at sub-10 nm dimensions, beyond the resolution of conventional lithography. However, directing the position, orientation, and long-range lateral order of BCP domains to produce technologicallyuseful patterns is a challenge. Here, we present a promising approach to direct assembly using spatial boundaries between planar, low-resolution regions on a surface with different composition. Pairs of boundaries are formed at the edges of isolated stripes on a background substrate. Vertical lamellae nucleate at and are pinned by chemical contrast at each stripe/ substrate boundary, align parallel to boundaries, selectively propagate from boundaries into stripe interiors (whereas horizontal lamellae form on the background), and register to wide stripes to multiply the feature density. Ordered BCP line arrays with half-pitch of 6.4 nm are demonstrated on stripes >80 nm wide. Boundary-directed epitaxy provides an attractive path towards assembling, creating, and lithographically defining materials on sub-10 nm scales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High spectral and spatial resolution observations of the 12.28 micron emission from H2 in the Orion Molecular Cloud

The pure rotational S(2) line of H2 at 12.28 microns was sought in 44 positions in the Orion Molecular Cloud with 6-arcsec beams and 35 km/s spectral resolution; and it was detected in 27 positions. The lines are approximately symmetric and have full widths at half-maximum ranging from 100 km/s down to the resolution limit. The distribution of intensities and line shapes is largely consistent with that observed in the 2-micron hydrogen transitions; however, unexpectedly complex line profiles and point-to-point variations in line shapes appear, particularly in the region near IRc9.

Beck, S. C.↗

A sensitive 1.5 GHz radio survey around the north ecliptic pole

A 29.3 sq deg region surrounding the north ecliptic pole (NEP; alpha = 18h00m, delta = +66 deg 30 min) was mapped with the Very Large Array at 1.5 GHz to support the deepest portion of the ROSAT all-sky soft X-ray survey. The resulting VLA-NEP survey catalog contains 2435 radio sources with flux densities in the range of 0.3-1000 mJy, including over 200 fainter than 1 mJy. The 28 fields of the inner 1.5 deg have noise levels sigma approximately equals 60 mu-Jy, and the 85 fields centered between 1.5 and 3.0 deg from the NEP have sigma approximately equals 120 mu-Jy. The typical spatial resolution is 20 sec HPBW, and most positions are accurate to less than 2 sec. Approximately 6% of the sources are found to be extended with size greater than 30 sec. We have compared the VLA-NEP catalog with four other radio catalogs made at lower resolution, as well as with the NASA Extragalactic Database and find counterparts for approximately 18% of the VLA-NEP objects. The normalized, differential radio source count is in agreement with previous studies. Between 1 and 150 mJy the slope of the log N-log S relation is 0.68 +/- 0.03. The catalog and related tables are available electronically.

Kollgaard, Ronald I.↗

High spectral and spatial resolution observations of the 12.28 micron emission from H2 in the Orion molecular cloud

The pure rotational S(2) line of molecular hydrogen at 12.28 microns was looked for in 44 positions in the Orion moleular cloud with 6 in. beams and 35 km/s spectral resolution; it was detected in 27 positions. Emission was observed over a velocity range of + or - 100 km/s. The lines are approximately symmetric, and have full widths at half maximum ranging from 100 km/s down to the resolution limit. The distribution of intensities and line shapes is largely consistent with that seen in the 2 micron hydrogen transitions. However, unexpectedly complex line profiles and point-to-point variations in linear shapes appear, particularly in the region near IRc9.

Beck, S. C.↗

2D Polyhedral Template Matching for Atomic Resolution Microscopy

SAND2024-13879O The 2D Polyhedral Template Matching for Atomic Resolution Microscopy is a suite of functions for analyzing atomic resolution electron microscopy images using the 2D polyhedral template matching (2D-PTM) method. This software analyzes atomic resolution microscopy data from electron microscopic imaging or scanning probe microscopies. The primary application is for identifying different crystal phases, crystal orientations, and defect structures obtained in such atomic resolution images. Written in MATLAB and starting from an atomic resolution image, the code identifies the positions of atomic intensity peaks. It then matches predefined structural templates to the local atomic environments. Outputs include the local structural identification, the template scaling factor and rotation angle, root-mean-squared deviation (RMSD), and centrosymmetry parameter.

Medlin, Douglas↗

Fast Computational Algorithms for Partial Differential Equations and Uncertainty Quantifications

This project concerned the construction, testing and analysis of computational algorithms for solving parameterized and stochastic partial differential equations. The study and understanding of equations of this type is of fundamental importance in numerous engineering and scientific applications. Examples include simulation of plasma dynamics in models of electric propulsion and nuclear fusion, simulation of multiphase flows, such as the flow of water, gas and oil in reservoirs, and structural analysis of the dependence of structures on materials. Parametrization is used in such settings when properties of the models such as viscosity of fluids or electric resistivity of materials are not precisely understood and instead are treated as random variables. The resulting solutions are themselves random, and having such solutions will enable engineers to use probabilistic methods to assess the likelihood of events, for example, whether a pollutant in a liquid will exceed a limit, and to use such analyses to develop ways to ensure positive outcomes. Construction of accurate (high resolution) computational solutions is expensive, requiring significant computer time and computational resources, and there is need to reduce computational cost to make simulation useful and effective. The aim of the project was to construct algorithms to efficiently compute surrogate solutions to parameterized problems to allow for efficient and accurate simulation. The technical approach used focused on two related strategies, based on rank-reduction methods and reduced-order models. These methods construct surrogate solutions of parameter-dependent models by projection or interpolation into low-dimensional approximation spaces. Cost savings are achieved if the low-dimensional spaces can be identified and constructed efficiently and if the resulting low-dimensional algebraic systems can be solved cheaply. Accomplishments include: Theoretical and empirical demonstration of the effectiveness of fast multigrid solution strategies for computing low-rank representations of parameter-dependent solutions to discrete partial differential equations, including the first proof establishing so-called textbook convergence properties for low-rank methods. Development of efficient solution algorithms for solving nonlinear parameter-dependent partial differential equations used in models of fluid dynamics. Developent of efficient algorithms for low-rank representation of solutions of time-dependent simulations of fluid dynamics using multi-dimensional tensor representations of solutions.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

High angular resolution absolute intensity of the solar continuum from 1400 to 1790 A.

Absolute intensities of the solar UV continuum from 1400 to 1790 A have been measured from rocket spectra taken on August 13, 1970. The spectra had an angular resolution of 2 arc sec by 1 arc min, and the pointing accuracy of the instrument was plus or minus 2 arc sec. This permits us to study the center-to-limb variation of the intensity with a spatial resolution of 2 arc sec. Four positions on the solar disk have been studied corresponding to values of cos theta = 0.12, 0.22, 0.28 and 0.72, where theta is the heliocentric position angle. The measurements give higher values for the intensity than recent photoelectric measurement, but are in good agreement with the intensities of Widing et al.

Brueckner, G. E.↗

A CO survey of the dark nebulae in Perseus, Taurus, and Auriga

A new SIS receiver with extremely low noise temperature, used on the Columbia 1.2-m telescope has permitted mapping CO rapidly with full sampling. Results are presented of a survey for which the angular resolution of the telescope was reduced to 0.5 deg, allowing the observations for the complete region of 750 square degrees to be finished within four months, while retaining sufficient resolution to see significant substructure. Most positions with emission are in the Taurus-Auriga dark nebulae, a cloud associated with IC 348 and NGC 1333, and a cloud associated with the California nebula (NGC 1499) and NGC 1579, which overlaps the northern Taurus-Auriga nebulae but is separated from them in velocity. Also seen were several small clouds at Galactic latitude -25 deg to -35 deg southwest of the Taurus clouds, and the L1558 and L1551 clouds in the south.

Ungerechts, H.↗

Atlas of Galaxies Useful for Measuring the Cosmological Distance Scale

A critical first step in determining distances to galaxies is to measure some property of primary objects such as stars of specific types, H II regions, and supernovae remnants that are resolved out of the general galactic star content. With the completion of the Mount Wilson/Palomar/Las Campanas survey of bright galaxies in 1985, excellent large-scale photographs of the complete Shapley-Ames sample were on hand. Most of the galaxies useful for distance scale calibration are in this collection. This atlas contains photographs of 322 galaxies including the majority of all Shapley-Ames bright galaxies, plus cluster members in the Virgo Cluster core that might be usefully resolved by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Because of crowding and high background-disk surface brightness, the choice of field position is crucial for programs involving resolution of particular galaxies into stars. The purpose of this atlas is to facilitate this choice. Enough information is given herein (coordinates of the galaxy centers and the scale of the photography) to allow optimum placement of the HST wide-field planetary camera format of approximately 150 arc-seconds on a side.

Sandage, Allan↗

High resolution infrared spectroscopy of planetary molecules using diode lasers and Fourier transform spectrometers

Modern observations of infrared molecular lines in planets are performed at spectral resolutions which are as high as those available in the laboratory. Analysis of such data requires laboratory measurements at the highest possible resolution, which also yield accurate line positions and intensities. For planetary purposes the spectrometer must be coupled to sample cells which can be reduced in temperature and varied in pressure. An approach which produces the full range of required molecular line parameters uses a combination of tunable diode lasers and Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS). The FTS provides board spectral coverage and good calibration accuracy, while the diode laser can be used to study those regions which are not resolved by the FTS.

Jennings, Donald E.↗