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At least 415 records · Page 23

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NASA NTRS1990

The ratio of molecular to atomic gas in spiral galaxies as a function of morphological type

In order to gain an understanding of the global processes which influence cloud and star formation in disk galaxies, it is necessary to determine the relative amounts of atomic, molecular, and ionized gas both as a function of position in galaxies and from galaxy to galaxy. With observations of the CO distributions in over 200 galaxies now completed as part of the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (FCRAO) Extragalactic CO Survey (Young et al. 1989), researchers are finally in a position to determine the type dependence of the molecular content of spiral galaxies, along with the ratio of molecular to atomic gas as a function of type. Do late type spirals really have more gas than early types when the molecular gas content is included. Researchers conclude that there is more than an order of magnitude decrease in the ratio of molecular to atomic gas mass as a function of morphological type from Sa-Sd; an average Sa galaxy has more molecular than atomic gas, and an average Sc has less. Therefore, the total interstellar gas mass to blue luminosity ratio, M sub gas/L sub B, increases by less than a factor of two as a function of type from Sa-Sd. The dominant effect found is that the phase of the gas in the cool interstellar medium (ISM) varies along the Hubble sequence. Researchers suggest that the more massive and centrally concentrated galaxies are able to achieve a molecular-dominated ISM through the collection of more gas in the potential. That gas may then form molecular clouds when a critical density is exceeded. The picture which these observations support is one in which the conversion of atomic gas to molecular gas is a global process which depends on large scale dynamics (cf Wyse 1986). Among interacting and merging systems, researchers find considerable scatter in the M(H2)/M(HI) ratio, with the mean ratio similar to that in the early type galaxies. The high global ratio of molecular to atomic gas could result from the removal of HI gas, the enhanced conversion of HI into H2, or both.

Knezek, Patricia M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Starburst outflows from nearby galaxies

Starburst outflows from NGC 5461, 1569 and M82 are discussed. The Sc I galaxy, M101, is reknowned for the kpc-size superassociations of star clusters and HII regions that dominate its spiral arms. NGC 5461 is one of the brightest of these superassociations, rivaling the Large Magellanic Cloud in H alpha luminosity. The NGC 5461 superassociation is dominated by a single unresolved HII region of outstanding luminosity (approx. 1000 Orion nebulae). Detailed examination of corresponding continuum images indicates that only the southern plume has any sort of stellar counterpart. The other plumes are clearly diffuse with no underlying hot stars. An image of NGC 1569 is discussed. Besides showing the peculiar arm noted by Zwicky (1971) and the filamentary extensions to the North and South (as noted by Hodge 1974), this image also reveals two arc-like features of diffuse ionized gas to the South. Both arcs are concentric with the bright center of the galaxy - where the super star clusters, A and B are located. The inner arc (Arc 1) appears to follow the same curve as the SW arm thus suggesting that the two features represent limb-brightened fragments of vast superbubble that was blown out by a central starburst sometime in the past. As the classic starburst galaxy, M82 displays all the luminous hallmarks of intense high-mass star formation and outflow activity. The diffuse H alpha and x ray emitting gas along the minor axis provides especially good evidence for a bipolar outflow of hot gas which is shock heating the swept-up interstellar medium (ISM) to temperatures of approx. 10(exp 4) K. An image shows the H alpha emission within the disk and along the minor axis. Another image shows the same field in the light of near-infrared. Both figures are based on charge coupled device images taken with the McGraw-Hill 1.3 m telescope (Waller 1989). The longer wavelength emission clearly shows a more extended morphology along the major axis. The morphological discrepancy is most likely due to the greater obscuration by dust suffered by the H alpha photons. A third image shows the map of visual extinction that researchers derive from a pixel-by-pixel comparison of the (SIII) and H alpha fluxes. The greatest extinctions are evident along an arc that includes two especially obscured regions on opposite sides of the bursting nucleus.

Waller, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Recent advances in the ITO/InP solar cell

It was demonstrated that Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)/InP solar cells can now be made on as-received p(-) bulk substrates which are of nearly equal quality to those which could previously only be made on epitaxially grown p(-) InP base layers. Although this advancement is due in part to both increases in substrate quality and a better understanding of back contact formation, it appears that the passivation/compensation effects resulting from having H2 in the sputtering gas tends to reduce significantly the performance differences previously observed between these two substrates. It is shown that since high efficiency ITO/InP cells can be made from as-received substrates, and since the type conversion process is not highly spatially dependent, large area ITO/InP cells (4 sq cm) with efficiencies approaching 17 percent (Global) can be made. Furthermore, the measured open circuit voltages (V sub OC) and quantum efficiencies (QEs) from these large cells suggest that, when they are processed using optimum grid designs, the efficiencies will be nearly equal to that of the smaller cells thus far produced. It has been shown, through comparative experiments involving ITO/InP and IO/InP cells, that Sn may not be the major cause of type conversion of the InP surface and thus further implies that the ITO may not be an essential element in this type of device. Specifically, very efficient photovoltaic solar cells were made by sputtering (Sn free) In2O3 showing that type conversion and subsequent junction formation will occur even in the absence of the sputtered SN species. The result suggests that sputter damage may indeed be the important mechanism(s) of type conversion. Finally, an initial study of the stability of the ITO/InP cell done over the course of about one year has indicated that the J(sub SC) (short circuit current) and the fill factor (FF) are measurably stable within experimental certainty.

Gessert, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Annealing characteristics of irradiated hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells

It was shown that 1 MeV proton irradiation with fluences of 1.25E14 and 1.25E15/sq cm reduces the normalized I(sub SC) of a-Si:H solar cell. Solar cells recently fabricated showed superior radiation tolerance compared with cells fabricated four years ago; the improvement is probably due to the fact that the new cells are thinner and fabricated from improved materials. Room temperature annealing was observed for the first time in both new and old cells. New cells anneal at a faster rate than old cells for the same fluence. From the annealing work it is apparent that there are at least two types of defects and/or annealing mechanisms. One cell had improved I-V characteristics following irradiation as compared to the virgin cell. The work shows that the photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) and annealing measurements may be used to predict the qualitative behavior of a-Si:H solar cells. It was anticipated that the modeling work will quantitatively link thin film measurements with solar cell properties. Quantitative predictions of the operation of a-Si:H solar cells in a space environment will require a knowledge of the defect creation mechanisms, defect structures, role of defects on degradation, and defect passivation and annealing mechanisms. The engineering data and knowledge base for justifying space flight testing of a-Si:H alloy based solar cells is being developed.

Payson, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Gamma ray spectrometry of LDEF samples at SRS

A total of 31 samples from Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), including materials of Al, V, and steel trunnions were analyzed by ultralow level gamma spectrometry. The study quantified particle induced activations of Na-22, Sc-46, Cr-51, Mn-54, Co-56, Co-57, Co-58, and Co-60. The samples of trunnion sections exhibited increasing activity toward the outer end of the trunnion and decreasing activity toward its radial center. The trunnion sections did not include an end piece that collects noticeable Be-7 on its leading surface. No significant Be-7 was detected in the samples analyzed. The most sensitive analyses were performed with a 90 pct. efficient HPGe gamma ray detector, which is enclosed in a purged active/passive active shield.

Winn, Willard G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A theoretical comparison of the near-optimum design and predicted performance of n/p and p/n indium phosphide homojunction solar cells

Using a detailed simulation model of p(+)nn(+) and n(+)pp(+) indium phosphide (InP) homojunction solar cells, extensive parametric variation computer simulation runs were performed to aid in making near-optimum designs for these two solar cell configurations. The values of all the geometrical and material parameters corresponding to the near-optimal designs of both these configurations are presented. The results of parametric variation runs are presented for each configuration showing how the performance parameters J(sub sc), V(sub oc), and eta vary with each of the cell design parameters for the near-optimally designed cell. Finally, the theoretically obtained results are discussed, and the relative merits and drawbacks of the two configurations are compared.

Goradia, Chandra↗

NASA NTRS1990

Design aspects of long range supersonic LFC airplanes with highly swept wings

Studies on supersonic long-range LFC (laminar flow control) aircraft were performed with the aim of maximizing L/D and alleviating sonic boom during supersonic cruise. It is found that configurations with highly swept LFC wings of very high structural aspect ratio, with the sweep increasing toward the wing root and braced externally by wide chord laminarized struts, appear especially promising. In the supersonic cruise design condition the wing upper surface isobars are swept such that the flow in the direction normal to them is transonic with embedded supersonic zones and practically shock-free over most of the span, with M-perpendicular equal to the two-dimensional design values of advanced SC LFC airfoils, e.g., of the X-787 or X-6 type.

Pfenninger, W.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Thermal effects on cavity stability of chromium- and neodymium-doped gadolinium scandium gallium garnet laser under solar-simulator pumping

Results are presented on testing a Cr- and Nd-codoped Gd-Sc-Ga-garnet (Cr:Nd:GSGG) crystal and a Nd:YAG crystal (both of 3.2 mm diam and 76-mm long) for pulsed and CW laser operations using a flashlamp and solar simulator as pumping sources. Results from experiments with the flashlamp show that, at pulse lengths of 0.11, 0.28, and 0.90 ms, the slope efficiency of the Cd:Nd:GSGG crystal was higher than that of the Nd:YAG crystal and increased with pulse width. With the solar simulator, however, the CW laser operation of the Cr:Nd:GSGG crystal was limited to intensities not greater than 1500 solar constants, while the Nd:YAG laser successfully performed for all pump beam intensities available. It was found that the exposure for several minutes of the Cr:Nd:GSGG crystal to pump beam intensity of 3000 solar constants led to its damage by thermal cracking, indicating that a better solar-pumped CW laser performance may be difficult to realize with rod geometry.

Kim, Kyong H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Preliminary examination of the Yamato-86032 lunar meteorite. II - Major and trace element chemistry

Results of the chemical composition analysis of Yamato-86032, found in Antarctica in 1986, are summarized. The meteorite may be classified as an anorthositic breccia, but its trace element composition is different from the composition of the other known lunar meteorites. The major element chemistry of Y-86032 is similar to the other lunar meteorites, except for the iron content, which is lower by a factor of about 1.4. The abundances of incompatible and lithophile elements such as Zr, Hf, Ta, Th, or the REEs are very low and comparable to Y-82192/3. Other elements, in particular Fe, Ti, Sc, Cr, Mn, and Co, have lower abundances in Y-86032 than in Y-82192/3. Variations between individual analysis demonstrate that the rock itself is heterogeneous.

Koeberl, Christian↗

NASA NTRS1991

An ion microprobe study of corundum in the Murchison meteorite - Implications for Al-26 and O-16 in the early solar system

Results are presented from measurements of O, Mg, and Ti isotopes and the abundances of Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Sr, Y, Zr, La, and Ce in 26 individual corundum grains from the Murchison CM2 chondrite. The results provide further evidence for live Al-26 in the early solar system and set strict upper limits on the amounts of fossil Mg-26. The analyses suggest that corundum in this chondrite formed from two components with live Al-26 and a mass fraction of 43 percent dead Al.

Virag, Alois↗

NASA NTRS1991

Studies of low-energy Galactic cosmic-ray composition at 22 AU. I - Secondary/primary ratios

Data from the High Energy Telescope of the CRS experiment on Voyager 2 have been used to measure the intensity, spectra, and elemental abundances of Galactic cosmic rays from Be to Ni at about 100 MeV/n. The charge resolution of this telescope varies from sigma = 0.034 for oxygen to sigma = 0.11 for iron. The solar modulation deceleration parameter Phi relevant for these data is estimated to be around 300 MV (Phi = 150 MeV/n for particles with A/Z = 2), an unprecedently low level for such measurements. This low modulation parameter is a result of the measurements being made in the outer heliosphere at a heliocentric distance of 22 AU, and centered on the solar minimum period of cycle 21. The results on secondary/primary ratios are used to test the Leaky-Box model of cosmic ray propagation, using the most recent cross sections data in hydrogen and helium, and taking into account the effects of the ionized fraction of the interstellar medium. It is found that all the secondary/primary ratios up to P/S are completely consistent with an exponential pathlength distribution (PLD). This PLD shape also accounts for the Sc-V/Fe ratio.

Ferrando, P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Environmental test program for superconducting materials and devices

A systematic approach to obtaining real time, superconducting YBa2Cu30(7-x) materials is presented. The work was carried out under the overall direction of Clemson University with tasks being performed at both Clemson and Westinghouse (Aiken, SC). Clemson prepared the tapecast superconducting 123 material and fabricated in into substrate-supported, environmentally-protected conducting links. Following this, all of the elements were individually tested for resistance vs. temperature and Tc; and then a portion of them were kept at Clemson for further testing while a randomly selected group was delivered to Westinghouse for specialized testing and evaluation in their low temperature/high vacuum and radiation facilities. In addition, a number of control samples (12 ea.) were put on the shelf at Clemson for further reference at the end of the testing period. The specific tests conducted at Clemson and Westinghouse/SRC are presented with a summary of the results.

Haertling, Gene↗

NASA NTRS1991

RoMPS concept review automatic control of space robot, volume 2

Topics related to robot operated materials processing in space (RoMPS) are presented in view graph form and include: (1) system concept; (2) Hitchhiker Interface Requirements; (3) robot axis control concepts; (4) Autonomous Experiment Management System; (5) Zymate Robot Controller; (6) Southwest SC-4 Computer; (7) oven control housekeeping data; and (8) power distribution.

Dobbs, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Robotic Processing System Program Automation Systems, volume 2

Topics related to robot operated materials processing in space (RoMPS) are presented in view graph form. Some of the areas covered include: (1) mission requirements; (2) automation management system; (3) Space Transportation System (STS) Hitchhicker Payload; (4) Spacecraft Command Language (SCL) scripts; (5) SCL software components; (6) RoMPS EasyLab Command & Variable summary for rack stations and annealer module; (7) support electronics assembly; (8) SCL uplink packet definition; (9) SC-4 EasyLab System Memory Map; (10) Servo Axis Control Logic Suppliers; and (11) annealing oven control subsystem.

Dobbs, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Compatibilities of YBa2Cu3O(9-delta) type phase in quintenary systems Y-Ba-Cu-O-X (impurity)

Isothermal phase diagrams at various oxygen pressures were studied by powder diffraction and chemical analytical methods. The components, Y, Ba, Cu, and O (specifically O2, O2-, and O2 sup 2-) are treated, together with C (specifically CO2 and CO2 sup 2-), alkaline metals, Mg, alkaline earths, Sc, 3-d and 4-f elements. Effects of the substitutions at the structural sites of YBa2Cu3O(9-delta) on T sub c are discussed with respect to changes in crystallochemical characteristics of the substituted phase and to the nature of the substituents.

Karen, P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Further study of inversion layer MIS solar cells

Many inversion layer metal-insulator-semiconductor (IL/MIS) solar cells have been fabricated. As of today, the best cell fabricated by us has a 9.138 percent AMO efficiency, with FF = 0.641, V(sub OC) = 0.557 V, and I(sub SC) = 26.9 micro A. Efforts made for fabricating an IL/MOS solar cell with reasonable efficiencies are reported. The more accurate control of the thickness of the thin layer of oxide between aluminum and silicon of the MIS contacts has been achieved by using two different process methods. Comparison of these two different thin oxide processings is reported. The effects of annealing time of the sample are discussed. The range of the resistivity of the substrates used in the IL cell fabrication is experimentally estimated. Theoretical study of the MIS contacts under dark conditions is addressed.

Ho, Fat Duen↗

NASA NTRS1992

Gamma ray spectrometry of LDEF samples at SRL

A total of 31 samples from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), including materials of aluminum, vanadium, and steel trunnions were analyzed by ultra-low-level gamma spectrometry. The study quantified particle induced activations of Na-22, Sc-46, Cr-51, Mn-54, Co-56, Co-57, Co-58, and Co-60. The samples of trunnion sections exhibited increasing activity toward the outer end of the trunnion and decreasing activity toward its radial center. The trunnion sections did not include end pieces, which were reported to collect noticeable Be-7 on their leading surfaces. No significant Be-7 was detected in the samples analyzed.

Winn, Willard G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Mg-perovskite/silicate melt partition coefficients in the CMS system at 2430 C and 226 Kbars

The partitioning of elements among lower mantle phases and silicate melts is of interest in unraveling the early thermal history of the Earth. Because of the technical difficulty in carrying out such measurements, only one direct set of measurements has been reported, and these results as well as interpretations based on them have generated controversy. The first set of direct measurements on a synthetic system in the CaO-MgO-SiO2 (CMS) is reported. An experiment was conducted at Stony Brook, using the USSA-2000 split sphere anvil apparatus. An experiment in the CMS system doped with oxides of Al, Ti, Sc, and Sm and run at a nominal temperature of 2380 C and pressure of 226 kbars is reported. Nominal temperatures were measured with a W 3 percent Re/W 25 percent Re thermocouple. The hot spot temperature, where the liquidus is located, is estimated to be at 2430 C. A 10 mm MgO octahedron was used in concert with 4 mm truncation edge lengths on the WC cubes. The sample was contained in a Re capsule which was inserted into a LaCrO3 furnace. Pressure was calibrated at 2000 C. Run duration was approximately 3 minutes. The charge was mounted in epoxy and analyzed using a CAMECA SX-50 electron microprobe. Standard operating conditions were employed, although counting time for the less abundant elements was increased to improved counting statistics. The melt is unquenchable, and forms a dendritic intergrowth of quench crystals and residual melt. It was analyzed using a 30 micron raster. The structural identity of the Mg-perovskite phase was confirmed using x ray microdiffractometry. The results of the investigation are presented.

Mcfarlane, Elisabeth A.↗