Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “wave interference”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

N -way parametric frequency beamsplitter for quantum photonics

Optical networks are the leading platform for the transfer of information due to their low loss and ability to scale to many information channels using optical frequency modes. To fully leverage the quantum properties of light in this platform, it is desired to manipulate higher-dimensional superpositions by orchestrating linear, beamsplitter-type interactions between several channels simultaneously. We propose a method of achieving simultaneous, all-to-all coupling between N optical frequency modes via N -way Bragg-scattering four-wave mixing. By exploiting the frequency degree of freedom, additional modes can be multiplexed in an interaction medium of fixed volume and loss while avoiding the introduction of excess noise. We generalize the theory of the frequency-encoded two-mode interaction to N modes under this four-wave-mixing approach, finding that arbitrary unitary transformations are possible through successive four-wave-mixing pump configurations. We experimentally verify the quantum nature of this scheme by demonstrating three-way multiphoton interference. Two input photons are shared among three frequency modes and display interference differing from that of two classical (coherent-state) inputs. These results show the potential of our approach for the scalability of photonic quantum information processing to general N -mode systems in the frequency domain. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Oliver, Richard (ORCID:0000000207760657)↗
NASA NTRS1977

Ionosphere/microwave beam interaction study

A solar power satellite microwave power density of 20mw sq cm was confirmed as the level where nonlinear interactions may occur in the ionosphere, particularly at 100 km altitude. Radio wave heating at this altitude, produced at the Arecibo Observatory, yielded negative results for radio wave heating of an underdense ionosphere. Overdense heating produced striations in the ionosphere which may cause severe radio frequency interference problems under certain conditions. The effects of thermal self-focusing are shown to be limited severely geographically. The aspect sensitivity of field-aligned striations makes interference-free regions above magnetic latitude about 60 deg. A test program is proposed to simulate the interaction of the SPS beam with the ionosphere, to measure the effects of the interaction on the ionosphere and on communication and navigation systems, and to interpret the results.

Duncan, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An initial look at the supersonic aerodynamics of twin-fuselage aircraft concepts

Results of two studies into the supersonic aerodynamics of twin-fuselage aircraft configurations are summarized. In the first study, a set of experimental data was obtained on a simple rectangular-wing twin-fuselage wind-tunnel model; this data was then used to evaluate prediction methods, assess favorable interference effects, and identify any unexpected or unpredictable aerodynamic phenomena. Results are presented which show that significant reductions in wave drag are possible through optimum body positioning and that existing aerodynamic prediction methods are adequate for making preliminary aerodynamic estimates. Several configuration concepts were theoretically explored in the second study, and results are presented which indicate the sensitivity of the twin-fuselage concept to various methods of integrating the aircraft components.

Wood, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Experimental validation study of an analytical model of discrete frequency sound propagation in closed-test-section wind tunnels

The principal objective is to assess the adequacy of linear acoustic theory with an impedence wall boundary condition to model the detailed sound field of an acoustic source in a duct. Measurements and calculations are compared of a simple acoustic source in a rectangular concrete duct lined with foam on the walls and anechoic end terminations. Measurement of acoustic pressure for twelve wave numbers provides variation in frequency and absorption characteristics of the duct walls. Close to the source, where the interference of wall reflections is minimal, correlation is very good. Away from the source, correlation degrades, especially for the lower frequencies. Sensitivity studies show little effect on the predicted results for changes in impedance boundary condition values, source location, measurement location, temperature, and source model for variations spanning the expected measurement error.

Mosher, Marianne↗
NASA NTRS2003

Caustics and Caustic-Diffraction in Laser Shadowgraphy of a Sessile Drop and Identification of Profile Near Contact Line

This paper presents an optical method based on the caustics and caustic-difraction in laser shadowgaphy of a sessile drop to identify and estimate the drop profile near the contact line. A parallel laser beam passes through a liquid sessile drop placed on a transparent substrate to produce a shadowgraphic image of the drop on the screen far from the substrate. Along the inflection line of the drop the Gaussian curvature of the wavefront deformed by the drop vanishes, and therefore the inflection line gives caustics in the far field of the wave, which can be seen on the screen. The neighboring light rays at both sides of the inflection line interfere with each other to form interference fringes at the inner side of the caustics. According to the pattern of the caustics, the drop-profile shape can be identified and estimated.

Zhang, Neng-Li↗
NASA NTRS2008

Instrument Performance of GISMO, a 2 Millimeter TES Bolometer Camera used at the IRAM 30 m Telescope

In November of 2007 we demonstrated a monolithic Backshort-Under-Grid (BUG) 8x16 array in the field using our 2 mm wavelength imager GISMO (Goddard IRAM Superconducting 2 Millimeter Observer) at the IRAM 30 m telescope in Spain for astronomical observations. The 2 mm spectral range provides a unique terrestrial window enabling ground-based observations of the earliest active dusty galaxies in the universe and thereby allowing a better constraint on the star formation rate in these objects. The optical design incorporates a 100 mm diameter silicon lens cooled to 4 K, which provides the required fast beam yielding 0.9 lambda/D pixels. With this spatial sampling, GISMO will be very efficient at detecting sources serendipitously in large sky surveys, while the capability for diffraction limited imaging is preserved. The camera provides significantly greater detection sensitivity and mapping speed at this wavelength than has previously been possible. The instrument will fill in the spectral energy distribution of high redshift galaxies at the Rayleigh-Jeans part of the dust emission spectrum, even at the highest redshifts. Here1 will we present early results from our observing run with the first fielded BUG bolometer array. We have developed key technologies to enable highly versatile, kilopixel, infrared through millimeter wavelength bolometer arrays. The Backshort-Under-Grid (BUG) array consists of three components: 1) a transition-edge-sensor (TES) based bolometer array with background-limited sensitivity and high filling factor, 2) a quarter-wave reflective backshort grid providing high optical efficiency, and 3) a superconducting bump-bonded large format Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) multiplexer readout. The array is described in more detail elsewhere (Allen et al., this conference). In November of 2007 we demonstrated a monolithic 8x 16 array with 2 mm-pitch detectors in the field using our 2 mm wavelength imager GISMO (Goddard IRAM Superconducting 2 Millimeter Observer) at the IRAM 30 m telescope in Spain for astronomical observations. The 2 mm spectral range provides a unique terrestrial window enabling ground-based observations of the earliest active dusty galaxies in the universe and thereby allowing a better constraint on the star formation rate in these objects. The optical design incorporates a 100 mm diameter silicon lens cooled to 4 K, which provides the required fast beam yielding 0.9 lambda1D pixels. With this spatial sampling, GISMO will be very efficient at detecting sources serendipitously in large sky surveys, while the capability for diffraction limited imaging is preserved. The camera provides significantly greater detection sensitivity and mapping speed at this wavelength than has previously been possible. The instrument will fill in the spectral energy distribution of high redshift galaxies at the Rayleigh-Jeans part of the dust emission spectrum, even at the highest redshifts. Here I will we present early results from our observing run with the first fielded BUG bolometer array.

Staguhn, Johannes↗
NASA NTRS2009

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2009

Topics covered include: Valve-"Health"-Monitoring System; Microstrip Antenna for Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture and Sea Surface Salinity; Biomedical Wireless Ambulatory Crew Monitor; Wireless Avionics Packet to Support Fault Tolerance for Flight Applications; Aerobot Autonomy Architecture; Submillimeter Confocal Imaging Active Module; Traveling-Wave Maser for 32 GHz; System Synchronizes Recordings from Separated Video Cameras; Piecewise-Planar Parabolic Reflectarray Antenna; Reducing Interference in ATC Voice Communication; EOS MLS Level 1B Data Processing, Version 2.2; Auto-Generated Semantic Processing Services; Geospatial Authentication; Maneuver Automation Software; Event Driven Messaging with Role-Based Subscriptions; Estimating Relative Positions of Outer-Space Structures; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Capillary Electrophoresis; Linear Actuator Has Long Stroke and High Resolution; Installing a Test Tap on a Metal Battery Case; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Microfluidic Valves and Pumps; Room-Temperature-Cured Copolymers for Lithium Battery Gel Electrolytes; Catalysts for Efficient Production of Carbon Nanotubes; Amorphous Silk Fibroin Membranes for Separation of CO2; "Zero-Mass" Noninvasive Pressure Transducers; Radial-Electric-Field Piezoelectric Diaphragm Pumps; Ejector-Enhanced, Pulsed, Pressure-Gain Combustor; Suppressing Ghost Diffraction in E-Beam-Written Gratings; Target-Tracking Camera for a Metrology System; Polarimetric Imaging using Two Photoelastic Modulators; Miniature Wide-Angle Lens for Small-Pixel Electronic Camera; Modal Filters for Infrared Interferometry; Mo(3)Sb(7-x)Te(x) for Thermoelectric Power Generation; Two-Dimensional Quantum Model of a Nanotransistor; Scanning Miniature Microscopes without Lenses; Manipulating Neutral Atoms in Chip-Based Magnetic Traps; Expansion Compression Contacts for Thermoelectric Legs; Processing Electromyographic Signals to Recognize Words; Physical Principle for Generation of Randomness; DSN Beowulf Cluster-Based VLBI Correlator; Hybrid NN/SVM Computational System for Optimizing Designs; Criteria for Modeling in LES of Multicomponent Fuel Flow; Computerized Machine for Cutting Space Shuttle Thermal Tiles; Orbiting Depot and Reusable Lander for Lunar Transportation; FPGA-Based Networked Phasemeter for a Heterodyne Interferometer; Aquarius Digital Processing Unit; Three-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography; Benchtop Antigen Detection Technique using Nanofiltration and Fluorescent Dyes; Isolation of Precursor Cells from Waste Solid Fat Tissue; Identification of Bacteria and Determination of Biological Indicators; Further Development of Scaffolds for Regeneration of Nerves; Chemically Assisted Photocatalytic Oxidation System; Use of Atomic Oxygen for Increased Water Contact Angles of Various Polymers for Biomedical Applications; Crashworthy Seats Would Afford Superior Protection; Open-Access, Low-Magnetic-Field MRI System for Lung Research; Microfluidic Mixing Technology for a Universal Health Sensor; Microfluidic Extraction of Biomarkers using Water as Solvent; Microwell Arrays for Studying Many Individual Cells; Droplet-Based Production of Liposomes; and Identifying and Inactivating Bacterial Spores

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimation of neutral wind velocity in the ionospheric heights by HF-Doppler technique

Three net stations located about 100 kilometers apart were set up around the station of the standard frequency and time signals (JJY) in central Japan and measurements of atmospheric gravity waves in the ionospheric heights (F-region, 200 to 400 km) were made by means of the HF-Doppler technique during the period of February 1983 to December 1983. The frequencies of the signals received are 5.0, 8.0 and 10.0 MHz, but only the 8.0 MHz signals are used for the present study, because no ambiguities due to the interference among other stations such as BPM, BSF, etc. exist by the use of 8.0 MHz. Two main results concerning the horizontal phase velocity of the atmospheric gravity waves with periods of 40 to 70 min may be summarized as follows: (1) the value of the phase velocity ranges from 50 m/s to 300 m/s; (2) the direction of the gravity wave propagation shows a definite seasonal variation. The prevailing direction of the gravity waves in winter is from north to south, which is consistent with the results obtained from other investigations. On the other hand, the two directions, from northeast to southwest and from southeast to northeast, dominate in summer.

Kitamura, T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Numerical computation of two-dimensional viscous blunt body flows with an impinging shock

Two-dimensional, viscous, blunt body flows with an impinging shock wave are computed using a time-dependent, finite-difference method to solve the complete set of Navier-Stokes equations. The bow shock wave is treated as a discontinuity, while all interior shock layer detail such as shear layers, shock waves, jets, and the wall boundary layer are automatically captured in the solution. Numerical results are presented for cases in which shock waves of different strengths are allowed to impinge on the flow field surrounding a circular cylinder resulting in different shock interference patterns. The two-dimensional results are compared qualitatively with existing three-dimensional experiments.

Tannehil, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the detectability of gravitational waves from W Ursae Majoris binary stars

The possibility is considered of using the collective gravitational radiation from all the W UMa binary stars in the Galaxy for critical tests of gravitational theories. The class of detectors which respond to the Riemann tensor is briefly examined, and the detectability of the cited radiation is analyzed. It is shown that the random stress field due to gravitational waves from all the W UMa binaries in the Galaxy will not be detectable in the near future because of interference from local gravity gradients.

Burke, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

New Sensors For Flow Velocity And Acoustics

Paper describes two sensor-development programs at Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center. One program for digital image velocimetry (DIV) sensors, and other program, for advanced acoustic sensors for wind tunnels. DIV measures, in real time, instantaneous velocity fields of time-varying flow or of collection of objects moving with varying velocities. Advanced acoustic sensors for wind tunnels being developed to reduce effects of interference from wind noise, noise from interactions between flows and sensors, flow-induced vibrations of sensors, deflections of accoustic waves by boundary layers induced by sensors, and reflections from walls and sensor supports.

Cho, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Interferometric methods for measurement of ultrasonic wave velocity: Classification, characteristics and basic defects

Interferometric methods may be considered to include all methods in which the time necessary for a signal to pass through a medium is determined on the basis of the period of oscillation of which the signal consists, while the distance is determined by noting the coincidence between (1) interference between the measured signal and its reflection and ultrasonic interference, or between another signal serving as a reference and electrical interference in the electronic part of the device. In general, all interferometric methods are relatively simple and permit a high degree of accuracy. Theoretically 48 different variations may be distinguished, about 30 of which are capable of practical application. For liquids, where transverse waves do not exist, the number of possible variations is limited to 40, assuming that absolute velocity measurement is desired.

Kozlowski, Z.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Traveling-Wave Maser for 32 GHz

The figure depicts a traveling-wave ruby maser that has been designed (though not yet implemented in hardware) to serve as a low-noise amplifier for reception of weak radio signals in the frequency band of 31.8 to 32.3 GHz. The design offers significant improvements over previous designs of 32-GHz traveling-wave masers. In addition, relative to prior designs of 32-GHz amplifiers based on high-electron-mobility transistors, this design affords higher immunity to radio-frequency interference and lower equivalent input noise temperature. In addition to the basic frequency-band and low-noise requirements, the initial design problem included a requirement for capability of operation in a closed-cycle helium refrigerator at a temperature .4 K and a requirement that the design be mechanically simplified, relative to prior designs, in order to minimize the cost of fabrication and assembly. Previous attempts to build 32- GHz traveling-wave masers involved the use of metallic slow-wave structures comprising coupled transverse electromagnetic (TEM)-mode resonators that were subject to very tight tolerances and, hence, were expensive to fabricate and assemble. Impedance matching for coupling signals into and out of these earlier masers was very difficult. A key feature of the design is a slow-wave structure, the metallic portions of which would be mechanically relatively simple in that, unlike in prior slow-wave structures, there would be no internal metal steps, irises, or posts. The metallic portions of the slow-wave structure would consist only of two rectangular metal waveguide arms. The arms would contain sections filled with the active material (ruby) alternating with evanescent-wave sections. This structure would be transparent in both the signal-frequency band (the aforementioned range of 31.8 to 32.3 GHz) and the pump-frequency band (65.75 to 66.75 GHz), and would impose large slowing factors in both frequency bands. Resonant ferrite isolators would be placed in the evanescent-wave sections to provide reverse loss needed to suppress reverse propagation of power at the signal frequency. This design is expected to afford a large gain-bandwidth product at the signal frequency and efficient coupling of the pump power into the paramagnetic spin resonances of the ruby sections. The more efficiently the pump power could be thus coupled, the more efficiently it could be utilized and the heat load on the refrigerator correspondingly reduced.

Shell, James↗
NASA NTRS2015

Demonstrating Broadband Billion-to-One Contrast with the Visible Nulling Coronagraph

The key to broadband operation of the Visible Nulling Coronagraph (VNC) is achieving a condition of quasi- achromatic destructive interference between combined beams. Here we present efforts towards meeting this goal using Fresnel rhombs in each interferometric arm as orthogonally aligned half wave phase retarders. The milestone goal of the demonstration is to achieve 1 × 10−9 contrast at 2/D over a 40 nm bandpass centered at 633 nm. Rhombs have been designed and fabricated, and a multi-step approach to alignment using coarse positioners for each rhomb and pair has been developed to get within range of piezo stages used for fine positioning. The previously demonstrated narrowband VNC sensing and control approach that uses a segmented deformable mirror is being adapted to broadband to include fine positioning of the piezo-mounted rhombs, all demonstrated in a low-pressure environment.

Visible Nulling Coronagraph (VNC)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of Transition Edge Sensors for the Simons Observatory

The Simons Observatory is building both large (6 m) and small (0.5 m) aperture telescopes in the Atacama Desert in Chile to observe the cosmic microwave background CMB radiation with unprecedented sensitivity. Simons Observatory telescopes in total will use over 60,000 transition edge sensor (TES) detectors spanning center frequencies between 27 and 285 GHz and operating near 100 mK. TES devices have been fabricated for the Simons Observatory by NIST, Berkeley, and HYPRES/SeeQC corporation. Iterations of these devices have been tested cryogenically in order to inform the fabrication of further devices, which will culminate in the final TES designs to be deployed in the field. The detailed design specifications have been independently iterated at each fabrication facility for particular detector frequencies. We present test results for prototype devices, with emphasis on NIST high frequency detectors. A dilution refrigerator was used to achieve the required temperatures. Measurements were taken both with 4-lead resistance measurements and with a time-domain Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) multiplexer system. The SQUID readout measurements include analysis of current versus voltage (IV) curves at various temperatures, square wave bias step measurements, and detector noise measurements. Lastly, normal resistance, superconducting critical temperature, saturation power, thermal and natural time constants, and thermal properties of the devices are extracted from these measurements.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1984

Computational-experimental pressure distributions on a transonic, low-aspect-ratio wing

A generic, transonic, supercritical, low aspect-ratio wing was tested at design incidence of 5 deg at Mach numbers from 0.25 to 0.96. Oil-flow studies at the design Mach number of 0.85 showed local-flow separation, which, in retrospect, might have been avoided. At Mach 0.82 with unseparated flow, the surface-flow angles were less than 10 deg. Predictions with the FLO22 transonic potential code are good. Lift interference is strong without tunnel-wall suction. Evidence from this study shows that wings that are optimized for mild shock waves and pressure-recovery gradients generally have small, three-dimensional flow at conditions for unseparated flow.

Keener, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Improved passive microwave sounding of the atmosphere

The effort this year focused primarily on 118-GHz transmittance experiments. The data analyzed here was collected with the Microwave Temperature Sounder (MTS) radiometer package during the CAMEX deployment of 1993 with the aim of validating current models of atmospheric microwave absorption in the O2 bands near 54 and 118 GHz. Particular attention has been paid to data collected during four flights when the MTS scanned zenith while profiles of downwelling radiances were collected through ascents and descents. These radiances, in conjunction with radiosonde temperature data, permit the retrieval of band-averaged absorption profiles for each channel. The Millimeter-wave Propagation Model (MPM92) provides theoretical expressions for the absorption of microwaves by oxygen and water vapor and accounts for the interference of pressure-broadened spectral lines'. This model is a good fit to laboratory measurements at temperatures ranging from 279-327 K, but it has been suggested that extrapolation to the conditions of the atmospheric tropopause may result in underestimation of absorption by as much as 15 percent. Preliminary results of the analysis of MTS data appear to be in general agreement with the predictions of the MPM model to within the accuracy of the measurements, which through the coldest parts of the atmosphere ranges from less than plus or minus 5 percent in the most opaque channels to greater than plus or minus 10 percent in the most transparent channels. At those altitudes where each channel is most sensitive to changes in absorption, there is some indication that the modeled absorption may be biased low relative to the observations. Accurate instrument calibration provided challenges, particularly when observed radiances were as much as 260 K below the temperatures of the cold calibration load.

Staelin, D. H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Surface plasmon polariton pulse shaping via two-dimensional Bragg grating pairs

Abstract We demonstrate control over the spatial and temporal properties of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) launched from nanohole arrays in silver. The arrays provide wave vector matching to allow the conversion of free-space photons into counter-propagating SPPs. SPPs launched from multiple arrays interfere at well-defined spatial positions, and the interference fringes form an all-SPP periodic nano-optical grating which evolves in space and time as the SPPs propagate. The spatio-temporal characteristics of the optical grating can be tuned through various nanohole array parameters such as tilt angle, separation, and array width. In addition, we examine multiperiodic arrays (MPAs) consisting of arrays with different pitches placed adjacent to one another. This platform allows the temporal interference of SPPs with different central wavelengths to be tailored through the MPA geometric and structural parameters. The temporal interference serves as an encoded signal, whereby the frequency components can be controlled by the array properties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗