Attenuation length measurements of photoexcited electrons in CuBr films.
Attenuation length of photoexcited electrons in evaporated layers of CuBr estimated by measuring photoemission yield as function of thickness
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Stark-broadening measurement and calculations for a singly ionized aluminum line
Using an electromagnetically driven shock tube and rapid scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer, the Lorentzian half-width of the 4663-A line of singly ionized aluminum was measured and found to be 0.45 A plus or minus 20% for an environment corresponding to an electron density of 10 to the 17th power and an electron temperature of 18,500 K. Semiclassical and semiempirical calculations yielded values of 0.56 A and 0.41 A, respectively, while the distorted-wave approximation gave 0.51 A.
Allen, A. W.↗
Coordinated rocket and satellite measurements of an auroral event. II - The rocket observations and analysis
A rocket-borne payload launched into an aurora and a simultaneous overpass of the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite yielded measurements of auroral optical emission rates, thermal ion and electron densities, and low-energy electron fluxes. Model calculations of the thermospheric manifestation of the aurora were performed through use of rocket-determined auroral ionization rates and satellite-determined neutral gas densities. Measured oxygen densities provided a means of assessing the quenching rate of an excited state of N2. Energy transfer from this excited state appears to be the major source of 5577-A emission. Optical emission at 6300 A cannot be explained either by electron impact on atomic oxygen or by dissociative recombination of O2(+).
Sharp, W. E.↗
Lasing characteristics of gas mixtures involving UFG: Application to nuclear pumping of lasers
Intense blue-green fluorescence from a structured band centered at lambda approximately 484 nm was observed from Ar, CF3I and NF3 gas mixtures excited by an electron beam. This emission was tentatively assigned to the E yields A transition of the iodine monofluoride (IF) molecule. The fluorescence efficiency of the IF(E yields A) band and the IF (E) state radiative lifetime were estimated to be approximately 6% and 15 ns, respectively. The emission band structure, the short IF(E) radiative lifetime and the Franck-Condon shift between the E and A states suggest that IF is an attractive candidate for a blue-green laser.
Verdeyen, J. T.↗
A far-infrared study of N/O abundance ratio in galactic H 2 regions
Far-infrared lines of N++ and O++ in several galactic H II regions were measured in an effort to probe the abundance ratio N/O. New measurements are presented for W32 (630.8-0.0), Orion A, and G75.84+0.4. The combination of (N III) 57.3 millimicrons and (O III) 88.4 and 51.8 millimicrons yields measurements of N++/O++ that are largely insensitive to electron temperature, density uncertainties, and to clumping of the ionized gas, due to the similarity of the critical densities for these transitions. In the observed nebulae, N++/O++ should be indicative of N/O, a ratio that is of special importance in nucleosynthesis theory. Measurements are compared with previous measurements of M17 and W51. For nebulae in the solar circle, N++/O++ is greater than the N/O values derived from optical studies of N+/O+ in low ionization zones of the same nebulae. We find that N++/O++ in W43 is significantly higher than for the other H II regions in the sample. Since W43 is located at R = 5 kpc, which is the smallest galactocentric distance in our sample, our data appear consistent with the presence of a negative abundance gradient d(N/O)dR.
Lester, D. F.↗
Nitridation of Si(111) by nitrogen atoms. II
The reaction between Si(111) and nitrogen atoms has been investigated by LEED, Auger, and electron energy loss (ELS) techniques. The early stage of the reaction at 850-1050 C involves the formation of a chemically reacted monolayer which grows in islands. The sticking coefficient for the submonolayer is estimated to be of the order of unity. Two electronically different surface structures can be formed during these stages, yielding the '8 x 8' and the quadruplet LEED patterns; the quadruplet unit cell is the one with the highest nitrogen density. A pure quadruplet structure is obtained from samples with a carbon contamination of the Si monolayer of about 5 pct. During the multilayer stages, the influence of the substrate is not as important, and the reactions at 850 C and above produce quadruplet-like local structures.
Schrott, A. G.↗
Spatial extent of the plasma injection region in the cusp-magnetosheath interface
Using data from the high-altitude plasma instrument onboard the DE 1 spacecraft, the perpendicular (to the magnetic field) extent of the region of ion injection into the cusp has been estimated by measuring the energy dispersion of the ion V-shaped signatures seen on energy-time spectrograms. Three different passes were chosen based on the clarity of the V-shaped ion signatures. These studies indicate that the injection region has a dimension perpendicular to the magnetic field in the range D = 1000-6000 km at a radial distance of about 10 earth radii, in good agreement with reported diameters of flux transfer events (FTEs). Similar measurement of the energy dispersion of an electron V-shaped signature observed on one pass has yielded a parallel extent of the plasma injection region in the range D(parallel) = 100-350 km. The results lead to the suggestion that the plasma within an FTE travels down the field line as the field line convects antisunward, and may subsequently be observed in the polar cusp as a V-shaped signature.
Menietti, J. D.↗
Compression, bend, and tension studies on forged Al67Ti25Cr8 and Al66Ti25Mn(g) L1(2) compounds
Cast, homogenized, and isothermally forged aluminum-rich L1(2) compounds Al67Ti25Cr8 and Al66Ti25Mn(g) were tested in compression as a function of temperature and as a function of strain rate at elevated temperatures (1000 K and 1100 K). Three-point bend specimens were tested as a function of temperature in the range 300 K to 873 K. Strain gages glued on the tensile side of the ambient and 473 K specimens enabled direct strain measurements. A number of 'buttonhead' tensile specimens were electro-discharge machined, fine polished, and tested between ambient and 1073 K for yield strength and ductility as a function of temperature. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of fracture surfaces from both the bend and tensile specimens revealed a gradual transition from transgranular cleavage to intergranular failure with increasing temperature.
Kumar, K. S.↗
Upflowing ionospheric ions in the auroral region
Observations of upflowing ionospheric ions are obtained nearly simultaneously by DE 1 and DE 2 over the nightside auroral regions. At low altitudes, the mean value of the net upward ion number flux is of the order of 10 exp 9/sq cm per sec. The ionosphere is predominantly O(+), and the flux of ions with energy greater than 5 eV is a very small fraction (less than 1 percent) of the total ion flux. At high altitudes, the upflowing ions are accelerated by a parallel electric field and heated (with characteristic energies of hundreds of electron volts). Comparing upflowing fluxes at high and low altitudes yields an estimated height of the bottom of the auroral acceleration region of 1400-1700 km for the region of peak potential drop. This low-altitude acceleration could either be from a parallel electric field or from perpendicular acceleration. The fluxes at the edges of the arc are mostly H(+) thus implying a higher-altitude base of the acceleration region at the edges where the potential drop is lower.
Lu, G.↗
Transition probabilities for the 3s2 3p(2P0)-3s3p2(4P) intersystem lines of Si II
Intensity ratios of lines of the spin-changing 'intersystem' multiplet of S II (4P yields 2P0) at 234 nm have been used to determine electron densities and temperatures in a variety of astrophysical environments. However, the accuracy of these diagnostic calculations have been limited by uncertainties associated with the available atomic data. We report the first laboratory measurement, using an ion-trapping technique, of the radiative lifetimes of the three metastable levels of the 3s3p2 4P term of Si II. Our results are 104 +/- 16, 406 +/- 33, and 811 +/- 77 micro-s for lifetimes of the J = 1/2, 5/2, and 3/2 levels, respectively. A-values were derived from our lifetimes by use of measured branching fractions. Our A-values, which differ from calculated values by 30 percent or more, should give better agreement between modeled and observed Si II line ratios.
Calamai, Anthony G.↗
Emission Line Spectra from Low-Density Laboratory Plasmas
Using spectroscopic equipment optimized for laboratory astrophysics, we are performing systematic measurements of the line emission from astrophysically relevant ions in the wavelength band between 1 and 400 Angstroms important to X-ray missions such as Chandra, XMM, Astro-E, and EUVE. Obtained in a controlled laboratory setting at electron densities similar to those found in stellar coronae, the data are used to test spectral modeling codes for accuracy and completeness. Our effort includes the compilation of the iron L-shell emission lines from 6-18 Angstroms and the iron M-shell emission lines from 50-200 Angstroms. Many lines have been identified for the first time, and the fluxes from lines missing in the spectral modeling codes are assessed. Our measurements also assess the accuracy of line excitation calculations, including direct electron-impact excitation, dielectronic recombination, and resonance excitation. These measurements yield a calibration of specific diagnostic line ratios. Examples of our current measurements are given.
Beiersdorfer, P.↗
First Results of the Athena Microscopic Imager Investigation
The Athena science payload on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) includes the Microscopic Imager (MI). The MI is a fixed-focus camera mounted on an extendable arm, the Instrument Deployment Device (IDD). The MI acquires images at a spatial resolution of 30 microns/pixel over a broad spectral range (400 - 700 nm). The MI uses the same electronics design as the other MER cameras but its optics yield a field of view of 31 x 31 mm across a 1024 x 1024 pixel CCD image. The MI acquires images using only solar or skylight illumination of the target surface. A contact sensor is used to place the MI slightly closer to the target surface than its best focus distance (about 69 mm), allowing concave surfaces to be imaged in good focus. Coarse focusing (approx. 2 mm precision) is achieved by moving the IDD away from a rock target after contact is sensed. The MI optics are protected from the Martian environment by a retractable dust cover. This cover includes a Kapton window that is tinted orange to restrict the spectral bandpass to 500 - 700 nm, allowing crude color information to be obtained by acquiring images with the cover open and closed. The MI science objectives, instrument design and calibration, operation, and data processing were described by Herkenhoff et al. Initial results of the MI experiment on both MER rovers ('Spirit' and 'Opportunity') are described below.
Herkenhoff, K.↗
Overview of Athena Microscopic Imager Results
The Athena science payload on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) includes the Microscopic Imager (MI). The MI is a fixed-focus camera mounted on an extendable arm, the Instrument Deployment Device (IDD). The MI acquires images at a spatial resolution of 31 microns/pixel over a broad spectral range (400 - 700 nm). The MI uses the same electronics design as the other MER cameras but its optics yield a field of view of 32 32 mm across a 1024 1024 pixel CCD image. The MI acquires images using only solar or skylight illumination of the target surface. The MI science objectives, instrument design and calibration, operation, and data processing were described by Herkenhoff et al. Initial results of the MI experiment on both MER rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) have been published previously. Highlights of these and more recent results are described.
Herkenhoff, K.↗
Synchrotron Photoionization Mass Spectrometry Measurements of Kinetics and Product Formation in the Allyl Radical (H2CCHCH2)Self Reaction
Product channels for the self-reaction of the resonance-stabilized allyl radical, C3H5 + C3H5, have been studied with isomeric specificity at temperatures from 300-600 K and pressures from 1-6 Torr using time-resolved multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. Under these conditions 1,5-hexadiene was the only C6H10 product isomer detected. The lack of isomerization of the C6H10 product is in marked contrast to the C6H6 product in the related C3H3 + C3H3 reaction, and is due to the more saturated electronic structure of the C6H10 system. The disproportionation product channel, yielding allene + propene, was also detected, with an upper limit on the branching fraction relative to recombination of 0.03. Analysis of the allyl radical decay at 298 K yielded a total rate coefficient of (2.7 +/- 0.8) x 10(exp -11) cu cm/molecule/s, in good agreement with pre.vious experimental measurements using ultraviolet kinetic absorption spectroscopy and a recent theoretical determination using variable reaction coordinate transition state theory. This result provides independent indirect support for the literature value of the allyl radical ultraviolet absorption cross-section near 223 nm.
Selby, Talitha M.↗
Modern Material Analysis Instruments Add a New Dimension to Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis
Modern analytical tools can yield invaluable results during materials characterization and failure analysis. Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) provide significant analytical capabilities, including angstrom-level resolution. These systems can be equipped with a silicon drift detector (SDD) for very fast yet precise analytical mapping of phases, as well as electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) units to map grain orientations, chambers that admit large samples, variable pressure for wet samples, and quantitative analysis software to examine phases. Advanced solid-state electronics have also improved surface and bulk analysis instruments: Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) can quantitatively determine and map light elements such as hydrogen, lithium, and boron - with their isotopes. Its high sensitivity detects impurities at parts per billion (ppb) levels. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) can determine oxidation states of elements, as well as identifying polymers and measuring film thicknesses on coated composites. This technique is also known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Scanning Auger electron spectroscopy (SAM) combines surface sensitivity, spatial lateral resolution (10 nm), and depth profiling capabilities to describe elemental compositions of near and below surface regions down to the chemical state of an atom.
Panda, Binayak↗
Current driven instabilities of an electromagnetically accelerated plasma
A plasma instability that strongly influences the efficiency and lifetime of electromagnetic plasma accelerators was quantitatively measured. Experimental measurements of dispersion relations (wave phase velocities), spatial growth rates, and stability boundaries are reported. The measured critical wave parameters are in excellent agreement with theoretical instability boundary predictions. The instability is current driven and affects a wide spectrum of longitudinal (electrostatic) oscillations. Current driven instabilities, which are intrinsic to the high-current-carrying magnetized plasma of the magnetoplasmadynmic (MPD) accelerator, were investigated with a kinetic theoretical model based on first principles. Analytical limits of the appropriate dispersion relation yield unstable ion acoustic waves for T(i)/T(e) much less than 1 and electron acoustic waves for T(i)/T(e) much greater than 1. The resulting set of nonlinear equations for the case of T(i)/T(e) = 1, of most interest to the MPD thruster Plasma Wave Experiment, was numerically solved to yield a multiparameter set of stability boundaries. Under certain conditions, marginally stable waves traveling almost perpendicular to the magnetic field would travel at a velocity equal to that of the electron current. Such waves were termed current waves. Unstable current waves near the upper stability boundary were observed experimentally and are in accordance with theoretical predictions. This provides unambiguous proof of the existence of such instabilites in electromagnetic plasma accelerators.
Chouetri, E. Y.↗
Fast magnetospheric echoes of energetic electron beams
Electron beam experiments using rocket-borne instrumentation confirmed earlier observations of fast magnetospheric echoes of artificially injected energetic electrons. A total of 234 echoes were observed in a pitch angle range from 9 to 110 deg at energies of 1.87 and 3.90 keV. Of these, 102 echoes could unambiguously be identified with known accelerator operations at 2, 4 or 8 keV energy and highest current levels resulting in the determination of transit times of typically 300 to 400 ms. In most cases, when echoes were present in both energy channels, the higher energy electrons led the lower energy ones by 50 to 70 ms. Adiabatic theory applied to these observations yields a reflection height of 3000 to 4000 km. The injection process is discussed as the strong beam-plasma interaction that occurred near the electron accelerator appears to be instrumental in generating the source of heated electrons required for successful echo detection.
Wilhelm, K.↗
Improving the Monitoring of Crop Productivity Using Spaceborne Solar-Induced Fluorescence
Large-scale monitoring of crop growth and yield has important value for forecasting food production and prices and ensuring regional food security. A newly emerging satellite retrieval, solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) of chlorophyll, provides for the first time a direct measurement related to plant photosynthetic activity (i.e. electron transport rate). Here, we provide a framework to link SIF retrievals and crop yield, accounting for stoichiometry, photosynthetic pathways, and respiration losses. We apply this framework to estimate United States crop productivity for 2007-2012, where we use the spaceborne SIF retrievals from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 satellite, benchmarked with county-level crop yield statistics, and compare it with various traditional crop monitoring approaches. We find that a SIF-based approach accounting for photosynthetic pathways (i.e. C3 and C4 crops) provides the best measure of crop productivity among these approaches, despite the fact that SIF sensors are not yet optimized for terrestrial applications. We further show that SIF provides the ability to infer the impacts of environmental stresses on autotrophic respiration and carbon-use-efficiency, with a substantial sensitivity of both to high temperatures. These results indicate new opportunities for improved mechanistic understanding of crop yield responses to climate variability and change.
Guan, Kaiyu↗