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At least 361 records · Page 20

Use of column V alkyls in organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE)

The use of the column V-trialkyls trimethylarsenic (TMAs) and trimethylantimony (TMSb) for the organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OM-VPE) of III-V compound semiconductors is reviewed. A general discussion of the interaction chemistry of common Group III and Group V reactants is presented. The practical application of TMSb and TMAs for OM-VPE is demonstrated using the growth of GaSb, GaAs(1-y)Sb(y), Al(x)Ga(1-x)Sb, and Ga(1-x)In(x)As as examples.

Ludowise, M. J.↗

Correlation of flight effects on centerline velocity decay for cold-flow acoustically excited jets

Acoustic excitation can influence the large scale shear layer structure of jet flow, thereby causing the jet centerline velocity to decay more rapidly. this phenomena has numerous practical applications, such as the reduction of jet/flap impingement velocity in order to reduce flap structural loads for under-the-wing STOL aircraft concepts. Cold flow centerline velocity decay data obtained with acoustic excitation of the jet exhaust flow are correlated with and without flight effects. Initially, static data are correlated in terms of an acoustic parameter involving the threshold sound level needed to initiate acoustic excitation of the jet plume. It is shown that for a given flight speed, the same acoustic excitation parameter as that developed for the static condition is valid. Finally, an aerodynamic flight effects parameter is included to correlate the static and flight centerline velocity decay data with and without acoustic excitation.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

Support of Oil Lubrication by Bonded Coatings

A new generation of lubricating lacquers for treatment of metal surfaces has been developed. These new coatings have proved to be oil-compatible and are used in oil-lubricated systems. The oil lubrication is supported thereby through reduction of friction and increase of load-carrying capacity during boundary conditions. For difficult tribological systems, the problem-solving lubricating concept has proved to be the beneficial combination of lubricating oil and bonded coatings. A number of practical applications are presented.

Ruediger Holinski↗

Magnetic field draping against the dayside magnetopause

Interplanetary magnetic fields observed upstream of Earth's magnetosphere at ISEE 3 form input for a gasdynamic model of magnetic field draping in the dayside magnetosheath. Model results near the magnetopause are compared with appropriately lagged observations at ISEE 1. In 16 to 24 cases, the angle between the transverse component of the model and observed fields is less than 20 deg. The agreement is surprisingly good in view of the uncertainty introduced by the large distances between ISEE 1 and ISEE 3. The results indicate that magnetohydrodynamic and energy transfer processes at the magnetopause do not cause large distortions of the magnetosheath magnetic field. In addition, a comparison between observed and model field magnitudes indicates that immediately outside the magnetopause the observed field behaves like the model field at a distance of approx. 0.5 R sub E from the magnetopause, outside the region where magnetohydrodynamic effects make the gasdynamic model inapplicable. Patterns of model magnetic field orientation at the magnetopause are presented for practical application.

Crooker, N. U.↗

Optimation of cooled shields in insulations

A method to optimize the location, temperature, and heat dissipation rate of each cooled shield inside an insulation layer was developed. The method is based on the minimization of the entropy production rate which is proportional to the heat leak across the insulation. It is shown that the maximum number of shields to be used in most practical applications is three. However, cooled shields are useful only at low values of the overall, cold wall to hot wall absolute temperature ratio. The performance of the insulation system is relatively insensitive to deviations from the optimum values of the temperature and location of the cooling shields. Design curves for rapid estimates of the locations and temperatures of cooling shields in various types of insulations, and an equation for calculating the cooling loads for the shields are presented.

Chato, J. C.↗

On accuracy conditions for the numerical computation of waves

The Helmholtz equation (Delta + K(2)n(2))u = f with a variable index of refraction n, and a suitable radiation condition at infinity serves as a model for a wide variety of wave propagation problems. Such problems can be solved numerically by first truncating the given unbounded domain and imposing a suitable outgoing radiation condition on an artificial boundary and then solving the resulting problem on the bounded domain by direct discretization (for example, using a finite element method). In practical applications, the mesh size h and the wave number K, are not independent but are constrained by the accuracy of the desired computation. It will be shown that the number of points per wavelength, measured by (Kh)(-1), is not sufficient to determine the accuracy of a given discretization. For example, the quantity K(3)h(2) is shown to determine the accuracy in the L(2) norm for a second-order discretization method applied to several propagation models.

Bayliss, A.↗

Measuring the sea ice floe size distribution

The sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean is broken into distinct pieces,called floes. In the summer, these floes, which have diameters ranging up to 100 km, are separated from each other by a region of open water. In the winter, floes still exist, but they are less easily identified. An understanding of the geometry of the ice pack is of interest for a number of practical applications associated with transportation in ice-covered seas and with the design of offshore structures intended to survive in the presence of ice. The present investigation has the objective to clarify ideas about floe sizes and to propose techniques for measuring them. Measurements are presented with the primary aim to illustrate points of technique or approach. A preliminary discussion of the floe size distribution of sea ice is devoted to questions of definition and of measurement.

Rothrock, D. A.↗

Stability of Bromine Intercalated Graphite Fibers

Previous evidence suggested that bromine intercalation compounds of crystalline graphite spontaneously deintercalate when the bromine atmosphere is removed. However, results show that bromine intercalated P-100 graphite fibers are stable for long periods of time. They are stable under vacuum conditions, high humidity, and current densities up to 24,000 A/sq cm. They are thermally stable to 200 C, and at temperatures as high as 400 C still retain 80 percent of the conductivity gained by intercalation. At temperatures greater than 300 C, there is significant oxidative degradation of the fibers. The environmental stability shown by the bromine compound makes it a promising candidate for practical applications in aerospace technology.

Gaier, J. R.↗

Restoration of multichannel microwave radiometric images

A constrained iterative image restoration method is applied to multichannel diffraction-limited imagery. This method is based on the Gerchberg-Papoulis algorithm utilizing incomplete information and partial constraints. The procedure is described using the orthogonal projection operators which project onto two prescribed subspaces iteratively. Some of its properties and limitations are also presented. The selection of appropriate constraints was emphasized in a practical application. Multichannel microwave images, each having different spatial resolution, were restored to a common highest resolution to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Both noise-free and noisy images were used in this investigation.

Chin, R. T.↗

A method for estimating soil moisture availability

A method for estimating values of soil moisture based on measurements of infrared surface temperature is discussed. A central element in the method is a boundary layer model. Although it has been shown that soil moistures determined by this method using satellite measurements do correspond in a coarse fashion to the antecedent precipitation, the accuracy and exact physical interpretation (with respect to ground water amounts) are not well known. This area of ignorance, which currently impedes the practical application of the method to problems in hydrology, meteorology and agriculture, is largely due to the absence of corresponding surface measurements. Preliminary field measurements made over France have led to the development of a promising vegetation formulation (Taconet et al., 1985), which has been incorporated in the model. It is necessary, however, to test the vegetation component, and the entire method, over a wide variety of surface conditions and crop canopies.

Carlson, T. N.↗

Atmospheric water distribution in cyclones as seen with Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometers (SMMR)

Passive microwave measurements are used to study the distribution of atmospheric water in midlatitude cyclones. The integrated water vapor, integrated liquid water, and rainfall rate are deduced from the brightness temperatures at microwave frequencies measured by the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMRR) flown on both the Seasat and Nimbus 7 satellites. The practical application of locating fronts by the cyclone moisture pattern over oceans is shown, and the relationship between the quantity of coastal rainfall and atmospheric water content is explored.

Katsaros, K. B.↗

Magnetic field draping against the dayside magnetopause

Interplanetary magnetic fields observed upstream of earth's magnetosphere at ISEE 3 form input for a gasdynamic model of magnetic field draping in the dayside magnetosheath. Model results near the magnetopause are compared with appropriately lagged observations at ISEE 1. In 16 to 24 cases, the angle between the transverse component of the model and observed fields is less than 20 deg. The agreement is surprisingly good in view of the uncertainty introduced by the large distances between ISEE 1 and ISEE 3. The results indicate that magnetohydrodynamic and energy transfer processes at the magnetopause do not cause large distortions of the magnetosheath magnetic field. In addition, a comparison between observed and model field magnitudes indicates that immediately outside the magnetopause the observed field behaves like the model field at a distance of approx. 0.5 R sub E from the magnetopause, outside the region where magnetohydrodynamic effects make the gasdynamic model inapplicable. Patterns of model magnetic field orientation at the magnetopause are presented for practical application.

Crooker, N. U.↗

Fitting Polynomial Equations to Curves and Surfaces

FIT is computer program for interactively determining least-squares polynomial equations that fit user-supplied data. Finds leastsquares fits for functions of two independent variables. Interactive graphical and editing capabilities in FIT enables user to control polynomial equations to be fitted to data arising from most practical applications. FIT written in FORTRAN and COMPASS.

Arbuckle, P. D.↗

Water tunnel flow visualization using a laser

Laser systems for flow visualization in water tunnels (similar to the vapor screen technique used in wind tunnels) can provide two-dimensional cross-sectional views of complex flow fields. This parametric study documents the practical application of the laser-enhanced visualization (LEV) technique to water tunnel testing. Aspects of the study include laser power levels, flow seeding (using flourescent dyes and embedded particulates), model preparation, and photographic techniques. The results of this study are discussed to provide potential users with basic information to aid in the design and setup of an LEV system.

Beckner, C.↗

Actions for productivity improvement in crew training

Improvement of the productivity of astronaut crew instructors in the Space Shuttle program and beyond is proposed. It is suggested that instructor certification plans should be established to shorten the time required for trainers to develop their skills and improve their ability to convey those skills. Members of the training cadre should be thoroughly cross trained in their task. This provides better understanding of the overall task and greater flexibility in instructor utilization. Improved facility access will give instructors the benefit of practical application experience. Former crews should be integrated into the training of upcoming crews to bridge some of the gap between simulated conditions and the real world. The information contained in lengthy and complex training manuals can be presented more clearly and efficiently as computer lessons. The illustration, animation and interactive capabilities of the computer combine an effective means of explanation.

Miller, G. E.↗

Infrasonic emissions from local meteorological events: A summary of data taken throughout 1984

Records of infrasonic signals, propagating through the Earth's atmosphere in the frequency band 2 to 16 Hz, were gathered on a three microphone array at Langley Research Center throughout the year 1984. Digital processing of these records fulfilled three functions: time delay estimation, based on an adaptive filter; source location, determined from the time delay estimates; and source identification, based on spectral analysis. Meteorological support was provided by significant meteorological advisories, lightning locator plots, and daily reports from the Air Weather Service. The infrasonic data are organized into four characteristic signatures, one of which is believed to contain emissions from local meteorological sources. This class of signature prevailed only on those days when major global meteorological events appeared in or near to eastern United States. Eleven case histories are examined. Practical application of the infrasonic array in a low level wing shear alert system is discussed.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗

Water tunnel flow visualization using a laser

Laser systems for flow visualization in water tunnels (similar to the vapor screen technique used in wind tunnels) can provide two-dimensional cross-sectional views of complex flow fields. This parametric study documents the practical application of the laser-enhanced visualization (LEV) technique to water tunnel testing. Aspects of the study include laser power levels, flow seeding (using fluorescent dyes and embedded particulates), model preparation, and photographic techniques. The results of this study are discussed to provide potential users with basic information to aid in the design and setup of an LEV system.

Curry, R. E.↗

On accuracy conditions for the numerical computation of waves

The Helmholtz equation (Delta + K(2)n(2))u = f with a variable index of refraction n, and a suitable radiation condition at infinity serves as a model for a wide variety of wave propagation problems. Such problems can be solved numerically by first truncating the given unbounded domain and imposing a suitable outgoing radiation condition on an artificial boundary and then solving the resulting problem on the bounded domain by direct discretization (for example, using a finite element method). In practical applications, the mesh size h and the wave number K, are not independent but are constrained by the accuracy of the desired computation. It will be shown that the number of points per wavelength, measured by (Kh)(-1), is not sufficient to determine the accuracy of a given discretization. For example, the quantity K(3)h(2) is shown to determine the accuracy in the L(2) norm for a second-order discretization method applied to several propagation models.

Bayliss, A.↗