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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Time-resolved spectroscopy of the Mercury 6 3P1 state

The time-resolved fluorescence was observed from the Hg 6 3P1 state under the influence of the earth's magnetic field and with applied fields of up to 14 G. Modulation of the fluorescence decay signal was observed as a function of both time and space and can be interpreted in terms of a classical precession of the excited atom about the magnetic field or as quantum beats resulting from interference between coherently populated Zeeman sublevels. This modulation was studied for each of the five resolvable components of the hyperfine structure separately. The fluorescence from the even isotopes was determined to be almost completely modulated while the fluorescence from the odd isotopes was only partially modulated. The frequency of modulation of the fluorescence from the mercury-202 isotope was observed as a function of the applied magnetic field and a value for the Lande factor of 1.46 + or - 0.03 was obtained. This is within experimental error of the accepted value of 1.486. In addition, the frequency of modulation as a function of applied magnetic field was determined for each of the three resolvable components with more than one contributing isotopic hyperfine line. An investigation of the effect of radiation trapping on the degree modulation was also made.

Halstead, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Validation of Airborne FMCW Radar Measurements of Snow Thickness Over Sea Ice in Antarctica

Antarctic sea ice and its snow cover are integral components of the global climate system, yet many aspects of their vertical dimensions are poorly understood, making their representation in global climate models poor. Remote sensing is the key to monitoring the dynamic nature of sea ice and its snow cover. Reliable and accurate snow thickness data are currently a highly sought after data product. Remotely sensed snow thickness measurements can provide an indication of precipitation levels, predicted to increase with effects of climate change in the polar regions. Airborne techniques provide a means for regional-scale estimation of snow depth and distribution. Accurate regional-scale snow thickness data will also facilitate an increase in the accuracy of sea ice thickness retrieval from satellite altimeter freeboard estimates. The airborne data sets are easier to validate with in situ measurements and are better suited to validating satellite algorithms when compared with in situ techniques. This is primarily due to two factors: better chance of getting coincident in situ and airborne data sets and the tractability of comparison between an in situ data set and the airborne data set averaged over the footprint of the antennas. A 28-GHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar loaned by the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets to the Australian Antarctic Division is used to measure snow thickness over sea ice in East Antarctica. Provided with the radar design parameters, the expected performance parameters of the radar are summarized. The necessary conditions for unambiguous identification of the airsnow and snowice layers for the radar are presented. Roughnesses of the snow and ice surfaces are found to be dominant determinants in the effectiveness of layer identification for this radar. Finally, this paper presents the first in situ validated snow thickness estimates over sea ice in Antarctica derived from an FMCW radar on a helicopterborne platform.

sea ice↗
DOE OSTI2016

Three-dimensional atomic force microscopy mapping at the solid-liquid interface with fast and flexible data acquisition

We present the implementation of a three-dimensional mapping routine for probing solid-liquid interfaces using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy. Our implementation enables fast and flexible data acquisition of up to 20 channels simultaneously. The acquired data can be directly synchronized with commercial atomic force microscope controllers, making our routine easily extendable for related techniques that require additional data channels, e.g., Kelvin probe force microscopy. Moreover, the closest approach of the tip to the sample is limited by a user-defined threshold, providing the possibility to prevent potential damage to the tip. The performance of our setup is demonstrated by visualizing the hydration structure above the calcite (10.4) surface in water.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Characterisation of a cryostat using simultaneous, single-beam multiple-surface laser vibrometry

A novel range-resolved interferometric signal processing technique that uses sinusoidal optical frequency modulation is applied to multi-surface vibrometry, demonstrating simultaneous optical measurements of vibrations on two surfaces using a single, collimated laser beam, with a minimum permissible distance of 3.5 cm between surfaces. The current system, using a cost-effective laser diode and a fibre-coupled, downlead insensitive setup, allows an interferometric fringe rate of up to 180 kHz to be resolved with typical displacement noise levels of 8 pm · Hz{sup −05}. In this paper, the system is applied to vibrometry measurements of a table-top cryostat, with concurrent measurements of the optical widow and the sample holder target inside. This allows the separation of common-mode vibrations of the whole cryostat from differential vibrations between the window and the target, allowing any resonances to be identified.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photothermal excitation setup for a modified commercial atomic force microscope

High-resolution imaging in liquids using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy is known to suffer from additional peaks in the resonance spectrum that are unrelated to the cantilever resonance. These unwanted peaks are caused by acoustic modes of the liquid and the setup arising from the indirect oscillation excitation by a piezoelectric transducer. Photothermal excitation has been identified as a suitable method for exciting the cantilever in a direct manner. Here, we present a simple design for implementing photothermal excitation in a modified Multimode scan head from Bruker. Our approach is based on adding a few components only to keep the modifications as simple as possible and to maintain the low noise level of the original setup with a typical deflection noise density of about 15 fm/√(Hz) measured in aqueous solution. The success of the modification is illustrated by a comparison of the resonance spectra obtained with piezoelectric and photothermal excitation. The performance of the systems is demonstrated by presenting high-resolution images on bare calcite in liquid as well as organic adsorbates (Alizarin Red S) on calcite with simultaneous atomic resolution of the underlying calcite substrate.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Performance and data analysis aspects of the new DIII-D monostatic profile reflectometer system

A new frequency-modulated profile reflectometer system, featuring a monostatic antenna geometry (using one microwave antenna for both launch and receive), has been installed on the DIII-D tokamak, providing a first experimental test of this measurement approach for profile reflectometry. Significant features of the new system are briefly described in this paper, including the new monostatic arrangement, use of overmoded, broadband transmission waveguide, and dual-polarization combination/demultiplexing. Updated data processing and analysis, and in-service performance aspects of the new monostatic profile reflectometer system are also presented. By using a raytracing code (GENRAY) to determine the approximate trajectory of the probe beam, the electron density (n{sub e}) profile can be successfully reconstructed with L-mode plasmas vertically shifted by more than 10 cm off the vessel midplane. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the new system has a capability to measure n{sub e} profiles with plasma vertical offsets of up to ±17 cm. Examples are also presented of accurate, high time and spatial resolution density profile measurements made over a wide range of DIII-D conditions, e.g., the measured temporal evolution of the density profile across a L-H transition.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1971

VHF Ranging and Position Fixing Experiment Using ATS Satellites: Final Report on Phases 1 and 2, 25 November 1968 - 1 May 1971

The testing program with the ATS-1 and ATS-3 spacecraft showed that geostationary satellites can provide superior communications and position surveillance for mobile craft. Inexpensive modifications to conventional mobile communications equipment aboard the craft can provide reliable, high quality voice and digital communications with distant ground stations and other vehicles, and automatic surveillance of the positions of all the craft by a ground facility. The tests also demonstrated the location and automatic readout of remote data collection platforms. Frequency modulation signals with the narrow audio and radio frequency bandwidths of terrestrial mobile radio communications were relayed through the VHF transponders of the geostationary satellites. The voice and digital communications were far superior in reliability and quality to long-distance mobile communications by other means. It was shown that one satellite can provide nearly uniform high quality performance over approximately one-third of the earth's surface. Position fixes by range measurement from the two satellites were accurate to approximately one nautical mile, except near the equator and the poles.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

DSP-based non-coherent dual detector demodulator for land mobile radio channels

This paper outlines the development of a digital demodulator suitable for the non-coherent detection of various modulation formats including: Phase Shift Keying (PSK), Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying (CPFSK) and Frequency Modulation (FM). The demodulator design concept has been derived with a view towards a single integrated circuit (IC) implementation. Two detectors, one non-coherent and one differentially coherent, operate concurrently, providing data detection and automatic frequency control (AFC). Bit error rate results are provided which illustrate the receiver performance in white Gaussian noise.

Saulnier, Gary J.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modulating action of low frequency oscillations on high frequency instabilities in Hall thrusters

It is found that the low frequency oscillations have modulating action on high frequency instabilities in Hall thrusters. The physical mechanism of this modulation is discussed and verified by numerical simulations. Theoretical analyses indicate that the wide-range fluctuations of plasma density and electric field associated with the low frequency oscillations affect the electron drift velocity and anomalous electron transport across the magnetic field. The amplitude and frequency of high frequency oscillations are modulated by low frequency oscillations, which show the periodic variation in the time scale of low frequency oscillations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cavity-Modulation Autotuner For Hydrogen Maser

Cavity-modulation tuning system maintains resonance of hydrogen-maser cavity automatically, stabilizing maser frequency, without introducing undesirable frequency modulation. System tunes maser cavity rapidly by modulating one of physical characteristics of cavity affecting resonant frequency. Frequency-controlling components of tuning system placed at maser cavity, within maser vacuum. Thermal environment well controlled, and device insensitive to driving signal. Features contribute to stability of maser frequency.

Dick, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A high-speed computer link for moderate distances and noisy environments

To satisfy the need for a fully duplex high-speed computer data link for the antenna automation project at DSS 13, a very simple and inexpensive scheme was employed. The link requires two coaxial cables over which is sent a unipolar digital frequency modulated signal in which a logical 1 has twice the frequency of a logical 0. Optical isolators and filters reduce ground loop effects and increase noise immunity. Tests conducted in various environments and over different cable lengths at JPL, DSS 14 and DSS 13 have indicated that the link is highly effective.

Sievers, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Bandwidth-Synthesizing FM Radar

Proposed frequency-modulation (FM) radar system uses sawtooth-wave-form linear frequency sweeps and return-signal-processing scheme in which samples of signals from N consecutive sweep periods are combined to multiply range resolution by factor of N. System "synthesizes" bandwith N times that of transmitted signal in sense that to increase resolution of ordinary radar system where consecutive samples are not combined, it is necessary to increase bandwidth of transmitted signal by same factor. Used in FM radar altimeters.

Wu, Chialin↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Compact Dual-Crystal Modulated Birefringence-Measurement System for Microgravity Applications

A compact modulated birefringence-measurement system has been developed for use in microgravity fluid physics applications with non-Newtonian fluids such as polymer solutions. This instrument uses a dual-crystal transverse electro-optical modulator capable of modulation frequencies in excess of 100 MHz. The two crystals are modulated 180 deg. out of phase from each other, The theoretical framework governing the development of this instrument using the Mueller-Stokes polarization matrices is discussed. Several ground-based experiments are performed to compare this system with the theoretical results. Results from this transverse electro-optical modulator-based birefringence-measurement system agree well with the theory. The instrument is also very stable and robust, making it suitable for the extreme acceleration environment to be encountered in a NASA Black Brandt sounding rocket.

Mackey, Jeffrey R.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Advanced Intensity-Modulation Continuous-Wave Lidar Techniques for ASCENDS O2 Column Measurements

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements for the NASA Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) space mission are critical for improving our understanding of global CO2 sources and sinks. Advanced Intensity- Modulated Continuous-Wave (IM-CW) lidar techniques are investigated as a means of facilitating CO2 measurements from space to meet the ASCENDS measurement requirements. In recent numerical, laboratory and flight experiments we have successfully used the Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation technique to uniquely discriminate surface lidar returns from intermediate aerosol and cloud contamination. We demonstrate the utility of BPSK to eliminate sidelobes in the range profile as a means of making Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) column CO2 measurements in the presence of optically thin clouds, thereby eliminating the need to correct for sidelobe bias errors caused by the clouds. Furthermore, high accuracy and precision ranging to the surface as well as to the top of intermediate cloud layers, which is a requirement for the inversion of column CO2 number density measurements to column CO2 mixing ratios, has been demonstrated using new hyperfine interpolation techniques that takes advantage of the periodicity of the modulation waveforms. This approach works well for both BPSK and linear swept-frequency modulation techniques. The BPSK technique under investigation has excellent auto-correlation properties while possessing a finite bandwidth. A comparison of BPSK and linear swept-frequency is also discussed in this paper. These results are extended to include Richardson-Lucy deconvolution techniques to extend the resolution of the lidar beyond that implied by limit of the bandwidth of the modulation, where it is shown useful for making tree canopy measurements.

Campbell, Joel F.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Frequency of self-modulation oscillations in a solid-state coupled-cavity ring laser

Self-modulation oscillations of the intensity of a solid-state coupled-cavity ring laser are theoretically investigated. The results obtained analytically show that external optical coupling allows the frequency of self-modulation oscillations to be varied in a wide range (from a few kilohertz to hundreds of megahertz). Using coupled cavities, it is possible to significantly weaken the influence of the coupling of counterpropagating waves through backscattering on the self-modulation frequency and to increase the scale factor that determines the dependence of the self-modulation frequency on the rotation velocity. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1988

Recent advances in capacitance type of blade tip clearance measurements

Two recent electronic advances at NASA-Lewis that meet the blade tip clearance needs of a wide class of fans, compressors, and turbines are described. The first is a frequency modulated (FM) oscillator that requires only a single low cost ultrahigh frequency operational amplifier. Its carrier frequency is 42.8 MHz when used with a 61 cm long hermetically sealed coaxial cable. The oscillator can be calibrated in the static mode and has a negative peak frequency deviation of 400 kHz for a typical rotor blade. High temperature performance tests of the probe and 13 cm of the adjacent cable show good accuracy up to 600 C, the maximum which produces a clearance error of + or - 10 microns at a clearance of 500 microns. In the second advance, a guarded probe configuration allows a longer cable capacitance. The capacitance of the probe is part of a small time constant feedback in a high speed operational amplifier. The solution of the governing differential equation is applied to a ramp type of input. The results show an amplifier output that contains a term which is proportional to the derivative of the feedback capacitance. The capacitance is obtained by subtracting a balancing reference channel followed by an integration stage.

Barranger, John P.↗