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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Phase-Controlled Magnetic Mirror for Wavefront Correction

Typically, light interacts with matter via the electric field and interaction with weakly bound electrons. In a magnetic mirror, a patterned nanowire is fabricated over a metallic layer with a dielectric layer in between. Oscillation of the electrons in the nanowires in response to the magnetic field of incident photons causes a re-emission of photons and operation as a "magnetic mirror." By controlling the index of refraction in the dielectric layer using a local applied voltage, the phase of the emitted radiation can be controlled. This allows electrical modification of the reflected wavefront, resulting in a deformable mirror that can be used for wavefront control. Certain applications require wavefront quality in the few-nanometer regime, which is a major challenge for optical fabrication and alignment of mirrors or lenses. The use of a deformable magnetic mirror allows for a device with no moving parts that can modify the phase of incident light over many spatial scales, potentially with higher resolution than current approaches. Current deformable mirrors modify the incident wavefront by using nano-actuation of a substrate to physically bend the mirror to a desired shape. The purpose of the innovation is to modify the incident wavefront for the purpose of correction of fabrication and alignment-induced wavefront errors at the system level. The advanced degree of precision required for some applications such as gravity wave detection (LISA - Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) or planet finding (FKSI - Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer) requires wavefront control at the limits of the current state of the art. All the steps required to fabricate a magnetic mirror have been demonstrated. The modification is to apply a bias voltage to the dielectric layer so as to change the index of refraction and modify the phase of the reflected radiation. Light is reflected off the device and collected by a phase-sensing interferometer. The interferometer determines the initial wavefront of the device and fore optics. A wavefront correction is calculated, and voltage profile for each nanowire strip is determined. The voltage is applied, modifying the local index of refraction of the dielectric under the nanowire strip. This modifies the phase of the reflected light to allow wavefront correction.

Hagopian, John↗
DOE OSTI2020

Influence of saturable absorber saturation power, modulation depth and relaxation time on pulse parameters of a soliton fibre laser

The influence of the saturable absorber saturation power, modulation depth and relaxation time on the energy and shape of fibre soliton laser pulses has been studied by numerical simulation. The results suggest that the use of a saturable absorber with a lower saturation power in a fibre laser ensures pulsed lasing onset at a lower gain. The fibre laser pulse energy decreases as the saturation power of the absorber or the relaxation time of its open state increases at a constant gain coefficient. In addition, increasing the absorber saturation modulation depth at a constant gain coefficient has been shown to reduce the pulse peak power and energy. (control of laser radiation parameters)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1976

Summary of studies for a solar optical telescope in space: 1968-1976

The primary objective of this review is to tabulate the basic recommendations of several solar telescope studies. A primary matrix, listing some of the basic optical parameters, was compiled and forms the basis for a table. From this table it is apparent that a strong consensus exists on the configuration of the telescope and on its fundamental dimensionless parameters. Other tables presented in this document address the basic approach of each study to the telescope design as well as to the design of critical subsystems. These subsystem problems include the material, coating, configuration, mounting, launch locks, and thermal control of the primary mirror, the structure of the main telescope and the instrument bay, the mechanisms for radiation rejection, thermal control, and meteoroid shielding, and methods of maintaining image quality by proper alignment and by image motion compensation.

Bremer, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ground plane interference elimination by passive element

The radiation pattern of a beam at elevation angles near the horizon is improved for phased array antennas by control of the radiation field intensity near the horizon to reduce multipath disturbances, and to improve the axial ratio of a circularly polarized phased array antenna. This is accomplished by placing a parasitic phase shifting element directly below the antenna beam axis. The waveguide section is designed to produce a phase shift in the portion of antenna radiation energy passing through it to cancel some of the radiation energy in the direction of the horizon. The spacing of the waveguide section in front of the antenna is determined empirically for optimum results, i.e., for reduction of beam power below about 20 deg. without affecting beam power at high elevation angles.

Bonebright, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ground plane interference elimination by passive element

The radiation pattern of a beam at elevation angles near the horizon is improved for phased array antennas by control of the radiation field intensity near the horizon to reduce multipath disturbances, and to improve the axial ratio of a circularly polarized phased array antenna. This is accomplished by placing a parasitic phase shifting element directly below the antenna beam axis. The waveguide section is designed to produce a phase shift in the portion of antenna radiation energy passing through it to cancel some of the radiation energy in the direction of the horizon. The spacing of the waveguide section in front of the antenna is determined empirically for optimum results, i.e., for reduction of beam power below about 20.degree. without affecting beam power at high elevation angles.

Bonebright, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Present state of knowledge of the upper atmosphere: An assessment report; processes that control ozone and other climatically important trace gases

The state of knowledge of the upper atmosphere was assessed as of January 1986. The physical, chemical, and radiative processes which control the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone in the atmosphere; the predicted magnitude of ozone perturbations and climate changes for a variety of trace gas scenarios; and the ozone and temperature data used to detect the presence or absence of a long term trend were discussed. This assessment report was written by a small group of NASA scientists, was peer reviewed, and is based primarily on the comprehensive international assessment document entitled Atmospheric Ozone 1985: Assessment of Our Understanding of the Processes Controlling Its Present Distribution and Change, to be published as the World Meteorological Organization Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project Report No. 16.

Watson, R. T.↗
DOE OSTI2022

On the control of electron heating for optimal laser radiation pressure ion acceleration

We study the onset of electron heating in intense laser–solid interactions and its impact on the spectral quality of radiation pressure accelerated ions in both hole boring and light sail regimes. Two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are performed over a wide range of laser and target parameters and reveal how the pulse duration, profile, polarization and target surface stability control the electron heating, the dominant ion acceleration mechanisms and the ion spectra. We find that the onset of strong electron heating is associated with the growth of the Rayleigh–Taylor-like instability at the front surface and must be controlled to produce high-quality ion beams, even when circularly polarized lasers are employed. We define a threshold condition for the maximum duration of the laser pulse that allows mitigation of electron heating and radiation pressure acceleration of narrow energy spread ion beams. The model is validated by three-dimensional PIC simulations, and the few experimental studies that reported low energy spread radiation pressure accelerated ion beams appear to meet the derived criteria. The understanding provided by our work will be important in guiding future experimental developments, for example for the ultrashort laser pulses becoming available at state-of-the-art laser facilities, for which we predict that proton beams with $\sim$ 150–250 MeV, $\sim$ 30% energy spread, and a total laser-to-proton conversion efficiency of $\sim$ 20% can be produced.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1994

Lighting considerations in controlled environments for nonphotosynthetic plant responses to blue and ultraviolet radiation

This essay will consider both physical and photobiological aspects of controlled environment lighting in the spectral region beginning in the blue and taken to the normal limit of the solar spectrum in the ultraviolet. The primary emphasis is directed to questions of plant response to sunlight. Measurement and computations used in radiation dosimetry in this part of the spectrum are also briefly treated. Because of interest in the ozone depletion problem, there has been some activity in plant UV-B research and there are several recent reviews available. Some aspects of growth chamber lighting as it relates to UV-B research were covered earlier. Apart from work related to the blue/UV-A receptor, less attention has been given to UV-A responses.

Caldwell, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Method and apparatus for precision control of radiometer

A radiometer controller of a radiation detector is provided with a calibration method and apparatus comprised of mounting all temperature sensitive elements of the controller in thermostatically controlled ovens during calibration and measurements, using a selected temperature that is above any which might be reached in the field. The instrument is calibrated in situ by adjusting heater power (EI) to the receptor cavity in the radiometer detector to a predetermined full scale level and is displayed by a meter.

Estey, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Manipulation of Liquids Using Phased Array Generation of Acoustic Radiation Pressure

A phased array of piezoelectric transducers is used to control and manipulate contained as well as uncontained fluids in space and earth applications. The transducers in the phased array are individually activated while being commonly controlled to produce acoustic radiation pressure and acoustic streaming. The phased array is activated to produce a single pulse, a pulse burst or a continuous pulse to agitate, segregate or manipulate liquids and gases. The phased array generated acoustic radiation pressure is also useful in manipulating a drop, a bubble or other object immersed in a liquid. The transducers can be arranged in any number of layouts including linear single or multi- dimensional, space curved and annular arrays. The individual transducers in the array are activated by a controller, preferably driven by a computer.

Oeftering, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamics and control of flexible orbiting systems

Mathematical modeling and design analysis is carried out for large flexible spacecraft and antenna systems. Modeling topics include inertially fixed attitude stabilization, solar radiation pressure effects, control systems for space mast structures, and optimal control of a hoop/column space antenna system. Each subject includes a brief overview of the pertinent literature and details of the proposed solutions for the specific modeling tasks.

Bainum, P. M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Maximizing Tumor Control and Limiting Complications With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy is being increasingly used for pancreatic cancer (PCa), particularly in patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable disease. A wide variety of dose fractionation schemes have been reported in the literature. This HyTEC review uses tumor control probability models to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the various SBRT treatment regimens used in the treatment of patients with localized PCa.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Medium-induced radiative kernel with the Improved Opacity Expansion

We calculate the fully differential medium-induced radiative spectrum at next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy within the Improved Opacity Expansion (IOE) framework. This scheme allows us to gain analytical control of the radiative spectrum at low and high gluon frequencies simultaneously. The high frequency regime can be obtained in the standard opacity expansion framework in which the resulting power series diverges at the characteristic frequency ω c ~ q^L 2 . In the IOE, all orders in opacity are resumed systematically below ωc yielding an asymptotic series controlled by logarithmically suppressed remainders down to the thermal scale T « ω c , while matching the opacity expansion at high frequency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the IOE at NLO accuracy reproduces the characteristic Coulomb tail of the single hard scattering contribution as well as the Gaussian distribution resulting from multiple soft momentum exchanges. Finally, we compare our analytic scheme with a recent numerical solution, that includes a full resummation of multiple scatterings, for LHC-inspired medium parameters. Furthermore, we find a very good agreement both at low and high frequencies showcasing the performance of the IOE which provides for the first time accurate analytic formulas for radiative energy loss in the relevant perturbative kinematic regimes for dense media.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1980

Heat transfer, thermal control, and heat pipes

This volume provides information on recent progress in spacecraft thermal control and the supporting disciplines of conduction, thermal radiation, and heat pipe theory and application. Four problem areas are considered: conduction heat transfer, radiation heat transfer, thermal control, and heat pipes. The topics covered include finite-element methodology for transient conduction/forced-convection thermal analysis; effects of surface finish on thermal contact resistance between different materials; mathematical models for wide-band nongray gas radiation in spherical and cylindrical geometries; thermal design, analysis and testing of the Shuttle remote manipulator arm; porous heat pipe; and transient behavior of liquid trap heat-pipe thermal diodes. Also discussed is the thermal design concept for a high-resolution UV spectrometer.

Olstad, W. B.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modification of terahertz emission spectrum using microfabricated spintronic emitters

Terahertz (THz) radiation with sub-millimeter wavelength falls in the gap between optical and radio frequencies. Conventional THz emitters do not intertwine with spin degrees of freedom. However, it was recently shown that broadband THz radiation can be efficiently created also by exploiting spin-based effects on ultrafast time scales. Here, we demonstrate the generation and control of THz radiation from microstructured spintronic THz emitters based on the inverse spin-Hall effect. Using time-domain THz spectroscopy, we compare the THz spectra of different stripe patterns made of Fe/Pt bilayers with a spectrum obtained from an extended Fe/Pt bilayer film. It is found that the THz spectrum can be altered by a proper choice of the microstructure dimensions. The experimentally observed spectra are interpreted in terms of a simplified multi-slit interference model, which captures the main experimental features. Our results pave the way for an efficient control of THz light emitted from magnetic heterostructures. This is a crucial step forward for the design and realization of directional THz sources.

Wu, Weipeng↗
NASA NTRS1998

Evaluation of pGL1-TNF-alpha therapy in combination with radiation

Long-term control of high-grade brain tumors is rarely achieved with current therapeutic regimens. In this study a new plasmid-based human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression vector was synthesized (pGL1-TNF-alpha) and evaluated together with radiation in the aggressive, rapidly growing C6 rat glioma model. pGL1-TNF-alpha was successfully transfected into C6 cells in vitro using a cationic polyamine method. Expression was detected up to 7 days and averaged 0.4 ng of TNF-alpha in the culture medium from 1x10(5) cells. The expressed protein was biologically functional, as evidenced by growth inhibition of L929, a TNF-alpha-susceptible cell line. Using fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies and laser scanning cytometry, we confirmed that both the P55 and P75 receptors for TNF-alpha were present on the C6 cell membrane. However, the receptors were present at low density and P55 was expressed more than the P75 receptor. These findings were in contrast to results obtained with TNF-alpha-susceptible L929 cells. Tests in athymic mice showed that pGL1-TNF-alpha administered intratumorally 16-18 h before radiation (each modality given three times) significantly inhibited C6 tumor progression (P<0.05). This effect was more than additive, because pGL1-TNF-alpha alone did not slow tumor growth and radiation alone had little effect on tumor growth. These results indicate that pGL1-TNF-alpha has potential to augment the antitumor effects of radiation against a tumor type that is virtually incurable.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1993

Control of jet noise

This reports describes experiments conducted at the High-Speed Jet Facility at the University of Southern California on supersonic jets. The goal of the study was to develop methods for controlling the noise emitted from supersonic jets by passive and/or active means. Work by Seiner et al (1991) indicates that eddy Mach wave radiation is the dominant noise source in a heated high speed jet. Eddy Mach radiation is caused by turbulent eddies traveling at supersonic speed in the shear layer of the jet. The convection velocity of the eddies decays with increasing distance from the nozzle exit due to the mixing of the jet stream with the ambient fluid. Once the convection speed reaches subsonic velocities, eddy Mach wave radiation ceases. To control noise, a rapid decay of the convection velocity is desired. This may be accomplished by enhanced mixing in the jet. In this study, small aspect ratio rectangular jet nozzles were tested. A flapping mode was noticed in the jets. By amplifying screech components of the jets and destabilizing the jet columns with a collar device, the flapping mode was excited. The result was a rapid decay of the jet velocity. A reduction in eddy Mach radiation in rectangular supersonic jets may be achieved with this device.

Schreck, Stefan↗