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At least 325 records · Page 18

Driving of the solar p-modes by radiative pumping in the upper photosphere

It is shown that one viable driver of the solar p-modes is radiative pumping in the upper photosphere where the opacity is dominated by the negative hydrogen ion. This new option is suggested by the similar magnitudes of two energy flows that have been evaluated by independent empirical methods. The similarity indicates that the p-modes are radiatively pumped in the upper photosphere and therefore provide the required nonradiative cooling.

Fontenla, Juan M.↗

Resonant absorption of p-modes by sunspots

Explanations for the observed p-mode absorption in sunspots are examined. It is demonstrated that any dissipative process like radiative, viscous, or resistive dissipation leads to the resonant absorption of acoustic waves incident on the sunspot tube, and that the resultant heating rate can be shown to be consistent with the observed absorption of the p-mode power impinging on an isolated inhomogeneously structured sunspot.

Chitre, S. M.↗

Reduced thermal conductivity due to scattering centers in p-type SiGe alloys

Spark erosion was used to produce ultra-fine particles of SiGe thermoelectric material and boron nitride, an inert phonon-scattering material. A homogeneous powder was made by mixing the two powders. The mixture was hot pressed to produce a thermoelectric material with uniformity dispersed, ultra-fine, inert, phonon-scattering centers. It is shown that, in samples with inert boron nitride or silicon nitride, thermal conductivity of a SiGe alloy can be reduced by about 25 percent while maintaining the electrical properties of the samples. Annealing of all the samples at 1525 K caused grain growth to over a micron, eliminating the detrimental effect attributable to small grains. Only in the sample with boron nitride the thermal conductivity did remain well below that for standard p-type SiGe (about 25 percent), while the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were very close to the values for standard p-type 80/20 SiGe.

Beaty, John S.↗

DC bias modulation characteristics of longitudinal KD*P modulators

A test program designed to study the DC modulation characteristics of longitudinal KD*P modulators and to determine what electrode structure might improve the performance of these devices is presented which was developed in the Marshall Space Flight Center. The physical constraints of these devices and the necessary electrical characteristics that the KD*P modulators must have to be used in the MSFC polarimeter are discussed.

West, ED↗

Confirmation of solar cycle-dependent intermediate-degree p-mode frequency shifts

Results of intercomparisons of seven different sets of frequencies of intermediate-degree p-modes obtained at several different locations between 1981 and 1989 are presented. It is shown that the frequency shifts exhibited by all of these intermediate-degree p-modes are consistent with the intermediate-degree frequency shifts presented by Libbrecht and Woodward (1990) and also with the low-degree frequency shifts presented by Elsworth et al. (1990). It is also shown that these frequency shifts correlate with solar cycle-dependent changes in sunspot number, area, and irradiance. Unbinned and binned differences between 1984 Mount Wilson Observatory and revised 1981 South Pole frequencies are illustrated.

Rhodes, Edward J., Jr.↗

Greatly improved 3C-SiC p-n junction diodes grown by chemical vapor deposition

This paper reports the fabrication and initial electrical characterization of greatly improved 3C-SiC (beta-SiC) p-n junction diodes. These diodes, which were grown on commercially available 6H-SiC substrates by chemical vapor deposition, demonstrate rectification to -200 V at room temperature, representing a fourfold improvement in reported 3C-SiC diode blocking voltage. The reverse leakage currents and saturation current densities measured on these diodes also show significant improvement compared to previously reported 3C-SiC p-n junction diodes. When placed under sufficient forward bias, the diodes emit significantly bright green-yellow light. These results should lead to substantial advancements in 3C-SiC transistor performance.

Neudeck, Philip G.↗

Digital GPS-Signal Processor With P-Code/No-P-Code Option

Size, power, and cost reduced by exploiting commonality. Digital signal processor for Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver set to operate in "code" mode when P code known, or in "codeless" mode when P code not known. In codeless mode, processor performs full-quadrature processing, resulting in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 6 dB greater than SNR's of processors not performing at full quadrature.

Thomas, J. Brooks↗

A calibration of the production rate ratio P-21/P-26 by low energy secondry neutrons: Identification of Ne spallation components at the 10(exp 6) atoms/g level in terrestrial samples

The spallation ratio (Ne-22/Ne-21)(sub c) from Si was determined as 1.243 plus or minus 0.022 in a terrestrial quartz sample. We carried out a calibration of the in-situ production rate ratio P-21/P-26 in quartz samples for which Be-10 and Al-26 production rates were previously measured. A ratio P-21/P-26 of 0.67 plus or minus 0.12 is obtained.

Graf, TH.↗

P and W/GE propulsion systems studies introduction

The topics covered include the following: Pratt and Whitney (P&W)/ General Electric (GE) High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) collaboration - joint propulsion studies and parallel technical organization; HSCT engine concepts; engine cycle/design ground rules - 2005 entry into service; engine evaluation criteria; 1991 HSCT system studies plan; P&W NASA study tasks; and GE NASA study tasks.

Gilkey, Samual C.↗

Electrical properties of epitaxial 3C- and 6H-SiC p-n junction diodes produced side-by-side on 6H-SiC substrates

3C-SiC (beta-SiC) and 6H-SiC p-n junction diodes have been fabricated in regions of both 3C-SiC and 6H-SiC epitaxial layers which were grown side-by-side on low-tilt-angle 6H-SiC substrates via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Several runs of diodes exhibiting state-of-the-art electrical characteristics were produced, and performance characteristics were measured and compared as a function of doping, temperature, and polytype. The first 3C-SiC diodes which rectify to reverse voltages in excess of 300 V were characterized, representing a six-fold blocking voltage improvement over experimental 3C-SiC diodes produced by previous techniques. When placed under sufficient forward bias, the 3C-SiC diodes emit significantly bright green-yellow light while the 6H-SiC diodes emit in the blue-violet. The 6H-SiC p-n junction diodes represent the first reported high-quality 6H-SiC devices to be grown by CVD on very low-tilt-angle (less than 0.5 deg off the (0001) silicon face) 6H substrates. The reverse leakage current of a 200 micron diameter circular device at 1100 V reverse bias was less than 20 nA at room temperature, and excellent rectification characteristics were demonstrated at the peak characterization temperature of 400 C.

EPITAXIAL LAYER↗

Plant-module for autonomous space-support (p-mass).

A wide variety of technical and science questions arise when attempting to envision the long-term support of plants, algae and bacteria in space. Currently, spaceflight data remain elusive since there are no U.S. carriers for investigating either the germane technical or scientific issues. The first flight of the Commercial Experiment Transporter (COMET) will provide a nominal 30 day orbital opportunity to evlauate such issues. The P-Mass is a small payload that is designed to meet the mass (40 lbs), Volume (1.5cu. ft.), and power (120 W0 constraints of one of several COMET payloads while enabling flight evaluations of plants, algae and bacteria. Various biological sub-systems have been similarly evaluated. Through a variety of sensors coupled with color video, the P-Mass performance and the supported biological systems will be compared for terrestrial controls versus spaceflight materials. This small, low cost payload should return valuable regarding the requirements for hardware and biological systems needed to move toward biogenerative life support systems in space. In addition, it should be possible to accurately identify major unresolved difficulties that may arise in the long-term, this generic spaceflight capability should enable a variety of plant research programs focused on the use of microgravity to modulate and exploit plant products for commercial applications ranging from new agricultural products to pharmacological feedstocks and new controlled agricultural strategies.

Luttges, M. W.↗

Observation of CH A (sup 2)Delta approaches X (sup 2)Pi(sub r) and B (sup 2)Sigma(sup -) approaches X (sup 2)Pi(sub r) emissions in gas-phase collisions of fast O((sup 3)P) atoms with acetylene

Optical emissions in single-collision, beam-beam reactions of fast (3-22 eV translational energy) O(P-3) atoms with C2H2 have been measured in the wavelength range 300-850 nm. Two features were observed, one with a peak wavelength at 431 nm, corresponding to the CH A (sup 2)Delta yields X (sup 2)Pi(sub r) transition, and a second weaker emission in the range 380-400 nm corresponding to the B (sup 2)Sigma(sup -) yields X (sup 2)Pi(sub r) transition. Both the A yields X and B yields X emissions were fit to a synthetic spectrum of CH(A) at a vibrational temperature T(sub v) of 10,000 K (0.86 eV) and a rotational temperature T(r) of approximately 5000 K (0.43 eV); and CH(B) to T(sub v) = 2500 K (0.22 eV) and T(sub r) = 1000 K (0.09 eV). The energy threshold for the A yields X emission was measured to be 7.3 +/- 0.4 eV (lab) or 4.5 +/- 0.2 eV (c.m.). This agrees with the energy threshold of 7.36 eV (lab) for the reaction O(P-3) + C2H2 yields CH(A) + HCO.

Orient, O. J.↗

A Potato cDNA Encoding a Homologue of Mammalian Multidrug Resistant P-Glycoprotein

A homologue of the multidrug resistance (MDR) gene was obtained while screening a potato stolon tip cDNA expression library with S-15-labeled calmodulin. The mammalian MDR gene codes for a membrane-bound P-glycoprotein (170-180 kDa) which imparts multidrug resistance to cancerous cells. The potato cDNA (PMDR1) codes for a polypeptide of 1313 amino acid residues (ca. 144 kDa) and its structural features are very similar to the MDR P-glycoprotein. The N-terminal half of the PMDR1-encoded protein shares striking homology with its C-terminal half, and each half contains a conserved ATP-binding site and six putative transmembrane domains. Southern blot analysis indicated that potato has one or two MDR-like genes. PMDR1 mRNA is constitutively expressed in all organs studied with higher expression in the stem and stolon tip. The PMDR1 expression was highest during tuber initiation and decreased during tuber development.

Wang, W.↗

Measurement of OH, H2SO4, MSA, DMSO, DMSO2 on the NASA P-3B Aircraft

This project involves the deployment of a variety of unique aircraft measurements for the PEM-Tropics program. These measurements were all to be accomplished on a near simultaneous basis using a two channel selected ion chemical ionization mass spectrometer instrument. The first year of this project consisted of four components; improve and perform additional testing of the OH, H2SO4, and MSA instrument which had only flown on one previous mission (ACE-I); develop and test the vacuum and electronic hardware and software which would allow two independent mass spectrometer systems to be operated from a single instrument (one vacuum/pumping system); construct an aircraft compatible DMSO/DMS02 ion source and calibration system; and operate the above system on the NASA P-3B during PEM-Tropics. The first two of the components were to be accomplished at NCAR. The third component was to be completed at Georgia Tech and the fourth was to be conducted by researchers from both institutions on the NASA P-3B.

Eisele, F. L.↗

Spaceborne Applications of P Band Imaging Radars for Measuring Forest Biomass

In three sites of boreal and temperate forests, P band HH, HV, and VV polarization data combined estimate total aboveground dry woody biomass within 12 to 27% of the values derived from allometric equations, depending on forest complexity. Biomass estimates derived from HV-polarization data only are 2 to 14% less accurate. When the radar operates at circular polarization, the errors exceed 100% over flooded forests, wet or damaged trees and sparse open tall forests because double-bounce reflections of the radar signals yield radar signatures similar to that of tall and massive forests. Circular polarizations, which minimize the effect of Faraday rotation in spaceborne applications, are therefore of limited use for measuring forest biomass. In the tropical rain forest of Manu, in Peru, where forest biomass ranges from 4 kg/sq m in young forest succession up to 50 kg/sq m in old, undisturbed floodplain stands, the P band horizontal and vertical polarization data combined separate biomass classes in good agreement with forest inventory estimates. The worldwide need for large scale, updated, biomass estimates, achieved with a uniformly applied method, justifies a more in-depth exploration of multi-polarization long wavelength imaging radar applications for tropical forests inventories.

Rignot, Eric J.↗

Design Issues of GaAs and AlGaAs Delta-Doped p-i-n Quantum-Well APD's

We examine the basic design issues in the optimization of GaAs delta-doped and AlGAs delta-doped quantum-well avalanche photodiode (APD) structures using a theoretical analysis based on an ensemble Monte Carlo simulation. The devices are variations of the p-i-n doped quantum-well structure previously described in the literature. They have the same low-noise, high-gain and high-bandwidth features as the p-i-n doped quantum-well device. However, the use of delta doping provides far greater control or the doping concentrations within each stage possibly enhancing the extent to which the device can be depleted. As a result, it is expected that the proposed devices will operate at higher gain levels (at very low noise) than devices previously developed.

Wang, Yang↗

Antimatter Driven P-B11 Fusion Propulsion System

One of the major advantages of using P-B11 fusion fuel is that the reaction produces only charged particles in the form of three alpha particles and no neutrons. A fusion concept that lends itself to this fuel cycle is the Magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) reactor whose distinct advantage lies in the very strong magnetic field that is created when an incident particle (or laser) beam strikes the inner wall of the target pellet. This field serves to thermally insulate the hot plasma from the metal wall thereby allowing thc plasma to burn for a long time and produce a large energy magnification. If used as a propulsion device, we propose using antiprotons to drive the system which we show to be capable of producing very large specific impulse and thrust. By way of validating the confinement propenies of MICF we will address a proposed experiment in which pellets coated with P-B11 fuel at the appropriate ratio will be zapped by a beam of antiprotons that enter the target through a hole. Calculations showing the density and temperature of the generated plasma along with the strength of the magnetic field and other properties of the system will be presented and discussed.

Kammash, Terry↗

The Role of Wave Cyclones in Transporting Boundary Layer Air to the Free Troposphere During the Spring 2001 NASA / TRACE-P Experiment

Transport of boundary layer air to the free troposphere by cyclones during NASA's Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P) experiment is investigated. Airstreams responsible for boundary layer venting are diagnosed using results from a high-resolution meteorological model (MM5) together with in situ and remotely sensed chemical data. Hourly wind data from the MM5 are used to calculate three-dimensional grids of backward air trajectories. A reverse domain filling (RDF) technique then is employed to examine the characteristics of airstreams over the computational domain, and to isolate airstreams ascending from the boundary layer to the free troposphere during the previous 36 hours. Two cases are examined in detail. Results show that airstreams responsible for venting the boundary layer differ considerably from those described by classic conceptual models and in the recent literature. In addition, airstreams sampled by the TRACE-P aircraft are found to exhibit large variability in chemical concentrations. This variability is due to differences in the boundary layer histories of individual airstreams with respect to anthropogenic sources over continental Asia and Japan. Complex interactions between successive wave cyclones also are found to be important in determining the chemical composition of the airstreams. Particularly important is the process of post-cold frontal boundary layer air being rapidly transported offshore and recirculated into ascending airstreams of upstream cyclones.

Fuelberg, Henry E.↗