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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 361 records · Page 20

Manufacture of Sparse-Spectrum Optical Microresonators

An alternative design for dielectric optical microresonators and a relatively simple process to fabricate them have been proposed. The proposed microresonators would exploit the same basic physical phenomena as those of microtorus optical resonators and of the microsphere optical resonators described elsewhere. The resonances in such devices are associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves along circumferential paths in "whispering-gallery" modes. The main advantage afforded by the proposal is that the design and the fabrication process are expected to be amenable to production of multiple microresonators having reproducible spectral parameters -- including, most notably, high values of the resonance quality factor (Q) and reproducible resonance frequencies.

Savchenkov, Anatoliy↗

Protein Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators

Prototype transducers based on integrated optical ring resonators have been demonstrated to be useful for detecting the protein avidin in extremely dilute solutions. In an experiment, one of the transducers proved to be capable of indicating the presence of avidin at a concentration of as little as 300 pM in a buffer solution a detection sensitivity comparable to that achievable by previously reported protein-detection techniques. These transducers are serving as models for the further development of integrated-optics sensors for detecting small quantities of other proteins and protein-like substances. The basic principle of these transducers was described in Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators (NPO-40601), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 10 (October 2005), page 32. The differences between the present transducers and the ones described in the cited prior article lie in details of implementation of the basic principle. As before, the resonator in a transducer of the present type is a closed-circuit dielectric optical waveguide. The outermost layer of this waveguide, analogous to the optical cladding layer on an optical fiber, consists of a layer comprising sublayers having indices of refraction lower than that of the waveguide core. The outermost sublayer absorbs the chemical of interest (in this case, avidin). The index of refraction of the outermost sublayer changes with the concentration of absorbed avidin. The resonator is designed to operate with relatively strong evanescent-wave coupling between the outer sublayer and the electromagnetic field propagating along the waveguide core. By virtue of this coupling, the chemically induced change in the index of refraction of the outermost sublayer causes a measurable change in the spectrum of the resonator output.

Lin, Ying↗

An Overview of Scientific and Space Weather Results from the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) Mission

The Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) Mission of the Air Force Research Laboratory is described. C/NOFS science objectives may be organized into three categories: (1) to understand physical processes active in the background ionosphere and thermosphere in which plasma instabilities grow; (2) to identify mechanisms that trigger or quench the plasma irregularities responsible for signal degradation; and (3) to determine how the plasma irregularities affect the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The satellite was launched in April, 2008 into a low inclination (13 deg), elliptical (400 x 850 km) orbit. The satellite sensors measure the following parameters in situ: ambient and fluctuating electron densities, AC and DC electric and magnetic fields, ion drifts and large scale ion composition, ion and electron temperatures, and neutral winds. C/NOFS is also equipped with a GPS occultation receiver and a radio beacon. In addition to the satellite sensors, complementary ground-based measurements, theory, and advanced modeling techniques are also important parts of the mission. We report scientific and space weather highlights of the mission after nearly four years in orbit

Pfaff, R.↗

A Rain Taxonomy for Degraded Visual Environment Mitigation

This Technical Memorandum (TM) provides a description of a rainfall taxonomy that defines the detailed characteristics of naturally occurring rainfall. The taxonomy is based on raindrop size measurements collected around the globe and encompasses several different climate types. Included in this TM is a description of these rainfall observations, an explanation of methods used to process those data, and resultant metrics comprising the rain taxonomy database. Each of the categories in the rain taxonomy are characterized by a unique set of raindrop sizes that can be used in simulations of electromagnetic wave propagation through a rain medium.

meteorology↗

Co- and Counter-Propagating Wave Effects in an Absorbing Medium

In this semi-tutorial paper, we revisit the interference phenomena caused by pairs of copropagating or counter-propagating transverse electromagnetic waves by letting the host medium be absorbing. We first consider plane waves in an unbounded medium, summarize the standingwave solution of the Maxwell equations, and discuss specific effects caused by nonvanishing absorption. We then consider the superposition of plane and spherical waves in the context of fartfield electromagnetic scattering by a particle. To this end we modify the classical Jones lemma by allowing nonzero absorption in the host medium and consider its most obvious consequences such as forward- and backscattering interference. The physical similarity of the two scenarios (superpositions of plane waves and superpositions of plane and spherical waves) is discussed.

Interference↗

System and method for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate sound sources

A system and method for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate sound sources is disclosed. Propagating wave electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The methods disclosed enable accurate calculation of matched transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Resonant dielectric metamaterials

A resonant dielectric metamaterial comprises a first and a second set of dielectric scattering particles (e.g., spheres) having different permittivities arranged in a cubic array. The array can be an ordered or randomized array of particles. The resonant dielectric metamaterials are low-loss 3D isotropic materials with negative permittivity and permeability. Such isotropic double negative materials offer polarization and direction independent electromagnetic wave propagation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dispersion management with metamaterials

An apparatus, system, and method to counteract group velocity dispersion in fibers, or any other propagation of electromagnetic signals at any wavelength (microwave, terahertz, optical, etc.) in any other medium. A dispersion compensation step or device based on dispersion-engineered metamaterials is included and avoids the need of a long section of specialty fiber or the need for Bragg gratings (which have insertion loss).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integrated simulation of vertical fracture propagation induced by water injection and its borehole electromagnetic responses in shale gas systems

We analyze fracture propagation induced by hydraulic fracturing with water injection and examine their detectability with crosswell electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods. For rigorous 3D coupled flow-geomechanical modeling, we employ a numerical method that can model failure by tensile and shear stresses, dynamic nonlinear permeability, dual continuum approach, and thermo-poro-mechanical effects. From numerical simulation, we find that the fracture propagation is not the same as propagation of the water front, because fracturing is governed by geomechanics whereas water saturation is determined by multiphase flow. At early times, the water front is almost identical to the fracture tip, suggesting that the fracture is mostly filled with the injected water. However, at late times, movement of the water front is retarded compared to fracture propagation, yielding a significant gap between the water front and the fracture top, filled with reservoir gas. During fracture propagation, the coupled flow-geomechanical models are transformed via a rock-physics model into electrical conductivity models. We employ a full 3D finite-element EM geophysical simulator to evaluate the sensitivity of the crosswell EM method to fracture propagation. It is shown that anomalous distribution of electrical conductivity is closely related to the injected water saturation, but not closely related to newly created unsaturated fractures. Our numerical modeling experiments demonstrate that the crosswell EM method can be highly sensitive to electrical conductivity changes that directly indicate the migration pathways of the injected fluid. Accordingly, the EM method can serve as an effective monitoring tool for monitoring the injected fluids during hydraulic fracturing operations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Dissipative electromagnetic solitary waves in collisional plasmas

The propagation of linearly polarized electromagnetic (EM) waves in a collisional plasma is studied using multiple scale perturbation technique in a weakly nonlinear regime. A complex linear dispersion relation and a complex group velocity are obtained for EM waves propagating in a plasma and their dependence on system parameters is investigated. It is shown that the amplitude of EM pulse is governed by an envelope equation similar to a cubic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. A traveling bright solitary wave solution for envelope equation is found, its existence condition in parameter space is explored and variation of its profile with system parameters is manipulated. Monitoring temporal evolution of traveling solitary wave solution provides more insight into the nature of this solution and ensures that depending on the parameters of the system, solitary wave solution may behave like a stationary soliton or may exhibit the behavior of a breathing soliton.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

EMES Characterization

The Electromagnetic Environment Simulator (EMES) is a large transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell that propagates an ostensibly uniform, planar electromagnetic wave illuminating a test object with RF energy within a working volume. The characterization presented in this report uses measurements from three electric field components spanning a frequency range between 100 kHz and 220 MHz. This report provides guidance for using these results to predict measurement uncertainty for experiments conducted in EMES. Weapons Systems Engineering Assessment Technology (WSEAT) commissioned this effort to provide support to Nuclear Weapons qualification in accordance with Realize Product Sub System (RPSS). Motivation for this effort stems from four qualification programs: B61 LEP, W88 ALT370, W80-4 LEP, and the Mk21 fuze program.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Electromagnetic plane waves with negative phase velocity in charged black strings

We investigate the propagation regions of electromagnetic plane waves with negative phase velocity in the ergosphere of static charged black strings. For such a propagation, some conditions for negative phase velocity are established that depend on the metric components and the choice of the octant. We conclude that these conditions remain unaffected by the negative values of the cosmological constant.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Cup waveguide antenna with integrated polarizer and OMT

A cup waveguide antenna with integrated polarizer and OMT for simultaneously communicating left and right hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves is adjustable to obtain efficient propagation and reception of electromagnetic waves. The antenna includes a circular waveguide having an orthomode transducer utilizing first and second pins longitudinally spaced apart and oriented orthogonally with respect to each other. Six radially-oriented adjustable polarizer screws extend from the exterior to the interior of the waveguide. A septum intermediate the first and second pins is aligned with the first pin. Adjustment of the polarizer screws enables maximized propagation of and/or response to left hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves by the first pin while simultaneously enabling maximized propagation of and/or response to right hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves by the second pin.

Acosta, Roberto J.↗

Transmission characteristics of microwave in a glow-discharge dusty plasma

In this study, the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic wave in a glow discharge plasma with dust particles are experimentally investigated. A helium alternating current glow discharge plasmas have been successfully generated. Measurements of the plasma parameters using Langmuir probes, in the absence of dust particles, provide plasma densities (n{sub e}) of 10{sup 17 }m{sup −3} and electron temperatures (T{sub e}) ranging from 2 to 4 eV. Dusty plasmas are made by adding 30 nm radius aluminum oxide (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) particles into the helium plasma. The density of the dust particle (n{sub d}) in the device is about 10{sup 11}–10{sup 12 }m{sup −3}. The propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves are determined by a vector network analyzer with 4–6 GHz antennas. An apparent attenuation by the dust is observed, and the measured attenuation data are approximately in accordance with the theoretical calculations. The effects of gas pressure and input power on the propagation are also investigated. Results show that the transmission attenuation increases with the gas pressure and input power, the charged dust particles play a significant role in the microwave attenuation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Radio waves and circuits

Diffraction and scattering of electromagnetic waves, radio wave propagation in ionized media, radio antennas, and signal processing in communications systems

CIRCUIT↗

Self-precession and frequency shift for electromagnetic waves in homogeneous plasmas

The nonlinear propagation of an arbitrarily polarized electromagnetic wave in a uniform plasma is studied. It is shown that nonlinear effects cause precession of the polarization ellipse as the wave propagates. The ellipticity remains constant, but the orientation of the principal axes is rotated relative to its initial value. A relativistic Vlasov model is used to study nonlinear frequency shifts as well as self-precession, in a plasma of arbitrary temperature. Even when the electron temperature is much greater than the product of the electron mass times the square of the velocity of light, the qualitative nature of these two processes remains unchanged, although their dependence on the plasma density is altered in significant ways. Implications of these effects for plasma instabilities driven by strong electromagnetic waves are briefly discussed.

Arons, J.↗

Radiation Near 2f(sub p) and Intensified Emissions Near f(sub p) in the Dayside and Nightside Auroral Region and Polar Cap

This paper reports the discovery in the DE 1 data of propagating radiation near 2f(sub p) (the H component) and relatively intense electromagnetic waves near f(sub p) with fields typically less than or approximately equal to 1 mV/m (the PF or plasma frequency component) on both the dayside and the nightside of Earth. These emissions are observed at auroral and polar cap latitudes for radial distances ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 R(sub E). The H component is unique in that no other 2f(sub p) emissions are known to be generated where the electron gyrofrequency f(sub g) exceeds 2f(sub p). Since existing theories for 2f(sub p) radiation assume f(sub g)/f(sub p) less than 1, new theories will be required to explain the H component. The PF waves near f(sub p) are electromagnetic, but with large ratios E/cB approximately 20. On the basis of cold plasma theory, the wave frequencies and the ratios E/cB, the PF component plausibly consists of zeta-mode and/or whistler mode waves near f(sub p), presumably driven by an electron instability. The H emissions have modest bandwidths of approximately 50% at frequencies ranging from 5 to 20 kHz. Grounds for interpreting the H component as emissions generated near 2f(sub p) are provided by the very good frequency tracking of the PF and H components and typical frequency ratios near 2.0. Strong evidence exists that part of the H component is propagating, electromagnetic radiation, based on propagation effects and spin modulation patterns. However, no magnetic signals have yet been detected for the H component, so that it could be partly electrostatic. Cold plasma theory and the observed wave characteristics favor interpreting the H component as composed of omicron mode and/or zeta mode signals. Combining the DE 1 observations with rocket observations, it is predicted that the much more intense Langmuir-like fields observed in the low altitude auroral zones should also generate observable 2f(sub p) radiation. This prediction should be testable using Polar and future rocket flights. Directions for future research are also described.

Cairns, Iver H.↗