Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “DEPOLARIZER”

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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Scatterometer results from shorefast and floating sea ice

Multipolarized scatterometer sea ice measurements at 13.3 GHz obtained during the winter and spring of 1975-76 from a number of flight lines off the east coast of Canada were analyzed. Radar scattering coefficients, sigma, were calculated for several regions of sea ice as interpreted from aerial photographs. The variation in sigma which incidence angle is presented for HH (Horizontal transmit - Horizontal receive) and HV (Horizontal transmit - Vertical receive) polarizations for the various ice regions. The depolarization ratio (sigma HH/sigma HV) as a function of incidence angle is also given. The sea ice regions studied included shorefast ice with varying degrees of snow cover and surface roughness and several varieties of floating sea ice with different thicknesses.

Cihlar, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

CTS attenuation and cross-polarization measurements at 11.7 GHz

The results of data obtained 80 days preceding the solar eclipse shutdown of the CTS 11.7 GHz righthand circularly polarized beacon transmitter are presented. Attenuation and cross polarization isolation were measured. It was determined that depolarization presents a serious limitation to satellite system reliability when frequency reuse by polarization diversity is employed. A 27 db isolation margin would reduce reliability below 99.95%. For the same percentage the required fade margin was below 3 db.

Vogel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Saturn's rings: Particle composition and size distribution as constrained by microwave observations. I - Radar observations

The radar backscattering characteristics of compositional and structural models of Saturn's rings are calculated and compared with observations of the absolute value, wavelength dependence, and degree of depolarization of the rings' radar cross section (reflectivity). The doubling method is used to calculate reflectivities for systems that are many particles thick using optical depths derived from observations at visible wavelengths. If the rings are many particles thick, irregular centimeter- to meter-sized particles composed primarily of water ice attain sufficiently high albedos and scattering efficiencies to explain the radar observations. In that case, the wavelength independence of radar reflectivity implies the existence of a broad particle size distribution; a narrower size distribution is also a possibility. Particles of primarily silicate composition are ruled out by the radar observations. Purely metallic particles may not be ruled out on the basis of existing radar observations. A monolayer of very large ice 'particles' that exhibit multiple internal scattering may not yet be ruled out.

Cuzzi, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Icy craters on the Galilean satellites

The high degree of echo depolarization observed for linearly polarized incident waves in the case of radar observations of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto is consistent with a rough, icy surface. Measurements with circularly polarized waves, however, conducted in 1976 suggest that the types of surface irregularities found on the Galilean satellites must be very different from those on the moon and the inner planets. A description is presented of an investigation in which geometrical optics and the Stokes-vector formalism are employed to examine several possible configurations which could cause the circular polarization transmitted to exceed unity. On the basis of the obtained results it appears that a model which postulates that significant parts of the surfaces of the three satellites are covered with an icy layer at least several kilometers thick and saturated with hemispherical craters can explain nearly all the observed radar behavior.

Ostro, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Preliminary results of linear polarization measurements at 99 GHz

The results of the first linear polarization measurements of extrasolar radio sources at a frequency above 35 GHz are presented. For the quasars 3C 273 and 3C 345, the observed position angles are in accord with the predictions of Inoue, and the measurements are consistent with the suggestion that the compact components responsible for the high-frequency emission are affected by high degrees of internal Faraday depolarization. For the radio galaxy 3C 274 (Virgo A) the observed position angle and degree of polarization are consistent with the model of Hobbs and Waak.

Hobbs, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Radiative transfer theory for active remote sensing of half-space random media

In active remote sensing of low-loss and scattering-dominant areas, the effect of volume scattering can be modeled as a half-space random medium with lateral and vertical fluctuations. Correlation functions are assumed to be Gaussian laterally and exponential vertically. A radiative transfer theory is developed in this paper to calculate backscattering cross sections. An iteration process is used. When calculated to first order in albedo, the result gives the single-scattering effects and confirms previous work. Calculated to second order, it is found that the backscattered power exhibits depolarization effects. This important consequence is studied numerically by illustrating the backscattering cross sections as a function of incidence angles and frequencies.

Tsang, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

CTS attenuation and cross polarization measurements at 11.7 GHz

The results of data obtained at The University of Texas at Austin during a total of 551 days of righthand circularly polarized transmission at 11.7 GHz from the CTS satellite are presented. Measured were attenuation, cross-polarization and rain rate. Results indicate that ice depolarization can be of significant importance.

Vogel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Technology advancement of the electrochemical CO2 concentrating process

Two multicell, liquid-cooled, advanced electrochemical depolarized carbon dioxide concentrator modules were fabricated. The cells utilized advanced, lightweight, plated anode current collectors, internal liquid cooling and lightweight cell frames. Both were designed to meet the carbon dioxide removal requirements of one-person, i.e., 1.0 kg/d (2.2 lb/d).

Schubert, F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Water electrolysis system - H2 and O2 generation

An oxygen generation system design based on the static feed water electrolysis concept is described. The system is designed to generate 4.20 kg/d of oxygen to satisfy the metabolic needs of a three-person crew, to compensate for spacecraft leakage, and to provide the oxygen required by the electrochemical depolarized CO2 concentrator. The system has a fixed hardware weight of 75 kg, occupies a volume of 0.11 cu m, and requires only 1.1 kw of electrical power. The static feed electrolysis concept is discussed, and experimental data on the high-performance electrode are presented.

Schubert, F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Further comments on the effects of vacuum birefringence on the polarization of X-rays emitted from magnetic neutron stars

The birefringence of the vacuum in the presence of strong (of the order of 1 teragauss) magnetic fields will in general affect the polarization of X-rays propagating through these fields. Two of the four Stokes parameters will vary so rapidly with wavelength as to be 'washed out' and unobservable, but the remaining two parameters will be unaffected. These results show that one conclusion of an earlier work is incorrect: Polarized X-ray emission from the surface of a magnetic neutron star will not in general be completely depolarized by the effects of vacuum birefringence. In particular, this birefringence has no effect on the linear polarization of cyclotron emission from the poles of magnetic neutron stars, and a similar result holds for synchrotron emission. More general cases of the propagation of polarized X-rays in magnetic fields are also discussed.

Chanan, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the average configuration of the geomagnetic tail

A statistical study of the geomagnetic tail has revealed large scale variations in the field configuration both in N-S and E-W directions. The largest value of the B(z) component of the field was observed near the midplane of the tail. Results, such as the discovery of more depolar fields near the flanks of the tail can be incorporated into more realistic models, which should lead to a better understanding of tail behavior. The observed dependence of the tail on interplanetary sector structure may be interpreted in terms of models linking interplanetary field lines to those of the earth.

Fairfield, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

CTS attenuation and cross polarization measurements at 11.7 GHz

Attenuation and cross-polarization isolation at 11.7 GHz, measured at Austin, Texas by receiving the circularly polarized emissions from the CTS satellite are presented. A 12 month summary for Feb 78 to Jan 79 is presented. For .016 percent of the time the attenuation was greater than 10 dB, the isolation was less than 21 dB and the rainrate exceeded 55 mm/hr. Ice depolarization was observed frequently.

Vogel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Possible methods for distinguishing icebergs from ships by aerial remote sensing

The simplest methods for aerial remote sensing which are least affected by atmospheric opacities are summarized. Radar is preferred for targets off the flight path, and microwave radiometry for targets along the flight path. Radar methods are classified by ability to resolve targets. Techniques which do not require target resolution are preferred. Among these techniques, polarization methods appear most promising, specifically those which differentiate the expected relatively greater depolarization by icebergs from that by ships or which detect doubly-reversed circular polarization.

Howes, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A propagation effects handbook for satellite systems design. A summary of propagation impairments on 10-100 GHz satellite links, with techniques for system design

This handbook provides satellite system engineers with a concise summary of the major propagation effects experienced on Earth-space paths in the 10 to 100 GHz frequency range. The dominant effect, attenuation due to rain, is dealt with in terms of both experimental data from measurements made in the U.S. and Canada, and the mathematical and conceptual models devised to explain the data. Rain systems, rain and attenuation models, depolarization and experimental data are described. The design techniques recommended for predicting propagation effects in Earth-space communications systems are presented. The questions of where in the system design process the effects of propagation should be considered, and what precautions should be taken when applying the propagation results are addressed in order to bridge the gap between the propagation research data and the classical link budget analysis of Earth-space communications system.

Kaul, R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Studies of thermochemical water-splitting cycles

Higher temperatures and more isothermal heat profiles of solar heat sources are developed. The metal oxide metal sulfate class of cycles were suited for solar heat sources. Electrochemical oxidation of SO2 and thermochemical reactions are presented. Electrolytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide in dilute sulfuric acid solutions were appropriate for metal oxide metal sulfate cycles. The cell voltage at workable current densities required for the oxidation of SO2 was critical to the efficient operation of any metal oxide metal sulfate cycle. A sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis cell for the splitting of water via optimization of the anode reaction is discussed. Sulfuric acid concentrations of 30 to 35 weight percent are preferred. Platinized platinum or smooth platinum gave the best anode kinetics at a given potential of the five materials examined.

Remick, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Multispectral mapping of the Apollo 15-Apennine region - The identification and distribution of regional pyroclastic deposits

Multispectral mapping of the Apollo 15-Apennine region has allowed the identification of numerous dark mantle deposits of probable pyroclastic origin. The deposits display a low albedo, appear to mantle and slightly subdue subjacent terrain, are spectrally distinct on the multispectral maps (high in the infrared but low in the ultraviolet) and generally exhibit a weak depolarized 3.8 cm radar echo. These characteristics are consistent with an origin by pyroclastic eruption. The regional dark mantle deposits are commonly associated with vents along marginal fractures and faults near the base of the Apennines, thereby emphasizing the role of basin-controlled weaknesses in providing channels for the upward migration of magma generated at depth. The spectral properties of the pyroclastic deposits are incompatible with those of Apollo 15 green glass but the deposits may be composed of material similar to the Apollo 15 brown or yellow glass. If so, the widespread distribution of the deposits suggest that mare basalts genetically related to the brown or yellow glass may occur in the Apollo 15 region. Moreover, pyroclastic volcanic activity has apparently been a more important and widespread process in the Apollo 15-Apennine region than has previously been thought.

Hawke, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A decision-directed network for dual-polarization crosstalk cancellation

Frequency reuse in the specific form of dual-polarized microwave communication systems has grown in importance in recent years as a practical means of radio spectrum conservation. Ideally the capacity of a given frequency allocation can be doubled through dual-polarization. However, hardware imperfections and propagation effects, particularly rain depolarization, prevent the achievement of this doubling without severe system performance degradation. A decision-directed cross-polarization correction network is presented whose operation depends on only simple base-band signal processing. No pilot tones or frequency offsets are required. The loop can work with any two-dimensional signal set for digital data transmission. The loop has been experimentally verified and provides a means of doubling the data capacity with little performance degradation.

Weber, W. J., III↗
NASA NTRS1980

Faraday rotation in the M87 radio/X-ray halo

Comparison of polarization maps at various wavelengths demonstrates the existence of a large Faraday rotation uniform over the radio core of M87. Much of this rotation must be external to the core, lest it appear completely depolarized when the rotation is about 90 degrees. The Faraday rotation is shown to occur primarily in the surrounding radio/X-ray halo. Using the electron density inferred from X-ray observations, the magnetic field in the halo is found to be 2.5 microgauss. The deduced magnetic field strength permits an evaluation of the importance of Compton scattering of 3 K background photons by relativistic electrons in the radio halo. The emergent Compton-scattered spectrum is calculated, and its contribution to the observed X-ray flux is small, probably about a percent or so, while the rest is due to thermal bremsstrahlung.

Dennison, B.↗