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At least 487 records · Page 27

Scientific charge-coupled devices

The charge-coupled device dominates an ever-increasing variety of scientific imaging and spectroscopy applications. Recent experience indicates, however, that the full potential of CCD performance lies well beyond that realized in devices currently available.Test data suggest that major improvements are feasible in spectral response, charge collection, charge transfer, and readout noise. These properties, their measurement in existing CCDs, and their potential for future improvement are discussed in this paper.

Janesick, James R.↗

Energy density of ionospheric and solar wind origin ions in the near-Earth magnetotail during substorms

Comprehensive energy density studies provide an important measure of the participation of various sources in energization processes and have been relatively rare in the literature. We present a statistical study of the energy density of the near-Earth magnetotail major ions (H(+), O(+), He(++), He(+)) during substorm expansion phase and discuss its implications for the solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling. Our aim is to examine the relation between auroral activity and the particle energization during substorms through the correlation between the AE indices and the energy density of the major magnetospheric ions. The data we used here were collected by the charge-energy-mass (CHEM) spectrometer on board the Active Magnetospheric Particle Trace Explorer (AMPTE)/Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) satellite in the near-equatorial nightside magnetosphere, at geocentric distances approximately 7 to 9 R(sub E). CHEM provided the opportunity to conduct the first statistical study of energy density in the near-Earth magnetotail with multispecies particle data extending into the higher energy range (greater than or equal to 20 keV/E). the use of 1-min AE indices in this study should be emphasized, as the use (in previous statistical studies) of the (3-hour) Kp index or of long-time averages of AE indices essentially smoothed out all the information on substorms. Most distinct feature of our study is the excellent correlation of O(+) energy density with the AE index, in contrast with the remarkably poor He(++) energy density - AE index correlation. Furthermore, we examined the relation of the ion energy density to the electrojet activity during substorm growth phase. The O(+) energy density is strongly correlated with the pre-onset AU index, that is the eastward electrojet intensity, which represents the growth phase current system. Our investigation shows that the near-Earth magnetotail is increasingly fed with energetic ionospheric ions during periods of enhanced dissipation of auroral currents. The participation of the ionosphere in the substorm energization processes seems to be closely, although not solely, associated with the solar wind/magnetosphere coupling. That is, the ionosphere influences actively the substorm energization processes by responding to the increased solar wind/magnetosphere coupling as well as to the unloading dissipation of stored energy, with the increased feeding of new material into the magnetosphere.

Daglis, Loannis A.↗

Charge transfer and momentum exchange in exospheric D-H(+) and H-D(+) collisions

Mechanisms that control the escape of deuterium from planetary exospheres include the acceleration of D(+) in the polar wind, and the production of suprathermal D atoms through nonthermal collisions. In this paper we examine the effects of neutral-ion interactions involving deuterium and hydrogen on the velocity distribution of neutral D. A two-center scattering approximation is used as the basis for calculations of the differential cross sections for charge transfer and elastic scatter in collision of H with D(+) and of D with H(+) for ionosphere-exosphere collision energies below 10 e V. These data are used to derive temperature dependent rate coefficients for the charge transfer branches of these interactions, and to determine the effects of ion-neutral temperature differences on the rate of generation of suprathermal D through charge transfer and elastic scatter.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗

Particle Detectors and Data Analysis for Cusp Transient Features Campaign

Grant NAG5-5084 was awarded to support the participation of South West Research Institute (SwRI) in building the energy per unit charge particle detectors for the Cusp Transient Features Campaign and analysis of flight data from these instruments. The detectors are part of an instrumented payload (Rocket 36.152, Dr. R. Pfaff, P.I.) launched from Svalbard on December 3, 1997, into the dark cusp. The particle instruments, a Cusp Electron Detector (CED) and a Cusp Ion Detector (CID), built on this project, provided differential energy and angular measurements along the rocket trajectory throughout the flight.

Sharber, J. R.↗

Comparison of Martian Surface Radiation Predictions to the Measurements of Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (MSL/RAD)

For the analysis of radiation risks to astronauts and planning exploratory space missions, detailed knowledge of particle spectra is an important factor. Detailed measurements of the energetic particle radiation environment on the surface of Mars have been made by the Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (MSL-RAD) on the Curiosity rover since August 2012, and particle fluxes for a wide range of ion species (up to several hundred MeV/u) and high energy neutrons (8 - 1000 MeV) have been available for the first 200 sols. Although the data obtained on the surface of Mars for 200 sols are limited in the narrow energy spectra, the simulation results using the Badhwar-O'Neill galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment model and the high-charge and energy transport (HZETRN) code are compared to the data. For the nuclear interactions of primary GCR through Mars atmosphere and Curiosity rover, the quantum multiple scattering theory of nuclear fragmentation (QMSFRG) is used, which includes direct knockout, evaporation and nuclear coalescence. Daily atmospheric pressure measurements at Gale Crater by the MSL Rover Environmental Monitoring Station are implemented into transport calculations for describing the daily column depth of atmosphere. Particles impinging on top of the Martian atmosphere reach the RAD after traversing varying depths of atmosphere that depend on the slant angles, and the model accounts for shielding of the RAD by the rest of the instrument. Calculations of stopping particle spectra are in good agreement with the RAD measurements for the first 200 sols by accounting changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure. Detailed comparisons between model predictions and spectral data of various particle types provide the validation of radiation transport models, and thus increase the accuracy of the predictions of future radiation environments on Mars. These contributions lend support to the understanding of radiation health risks to astronauts for the planning of various mission scenarios.

Kim, Myung-Hee Y.↗

Charge transfer complexes of certain aromatic polyimides

By electron spectroscopy it was shown that aromatic polyimides containing electron-donor residues of diamines -C6H4-X-C6H-(X=NH, NCH3, NC6H5, O, S, and CH2) form charge transfer complexes with low-molecular-weight electron acceptors. Based on the data obtained, the hypothesis was advanced that the coloration of the polyimides per se is due to the formation of charge transfer complexes between the electron-acceptor imide fragments and the electron-donor residues of the diamines.

Gordina, T. A.↗

Charging of interplanetary grains

The objective of this program is to quantify, by laboratory experiments, the charging of ices and other insulators subject to irradiation with electrons, ions and ultraviolet photons and to model special conditions based on the data. The system and conditions to be studied are those relevant for charging of dust in magnetospheric plasmas. The measurements are supplemented by computer simulations of charging or grains under a variety of conditions. Our work for this period involved experiments on water ice, improved models of charging of ice grains for Saturn's E-ring, and the construction of apparatus for electron impact studies and measurements of electron energy distributions.

Baragiola, R. A.↗

Initial comparison of SSPM ground test results and flight data to NASCAP simulations

The satellite surface potential monitor (SSPM) has been developed for the P78-2 SCATHA (Spacecraft Charging At The High Altitudes) satellite to determine the response of selected spacecraft materials to charged-particle environmental fluxes. Since the monitor infers total surface voltages from a single point on the interior side of insulators, a ground simulation program was undertaken to develop analytical techniques to model the monitors and to obtain an experimental calibration of the relationship between the flight measurement techniques and actual measurements. The experimental testing was conducted using monoenergetic electron beams irradiating samples in the dark. An analytical computer model was developed in the NASCAP (NASA Charging Analyzer Program) code. The analytical model material properties for Kapton that controlled backscatter and secondary yield were adjusted to obtain a single set of values that produced reasonable fits for both voltages and currents. The analytical techniques developed in the ground technology investigation have been applied to space flight conditions. Predictions were compared with limited flight data. The agreement is very good indicating that the technique, and NASCAP, can be used to predict spacecraft material charging behavior. Details of the testing, the analytical modelling technique and flight data comparisons are presented.

Stevens, N. J.↗

Plasma contactor research, 1990

Emissive and Langmuir probes were used to measure plasma potential profiles, plasma densities, electron energy distributions, and plasma noise levels near a hollow cathode-based plasma contactor emitting electrons. The effects of electron emission current (100 to 1500 mA) and contactor flowrate (2 to 10 sccm (Xenon)) on these data are examined. Retarding potential analyzer (RPA) measurements showing that high energy ions generally stream from a contactor along with the electrons being emitted are also presented, and a mechanism by which this occurs is postulated. This mechanism, which involves a high rate of ionization induced between electrons and atoms flowing together from the hollow cathode orifice, results in a region of high positive space charge and high positive potential. Langmuir and RPA probe data suggests that both electrons and ions expand spherically from this potential hill region. In addition to experimental observations, a simple one-dimensional model which describes the electron emission process and predicts the phenomena just mentioned is presented and is shown to agree qualitatively with these observations. Experimental results of the first stage of bilateral cooperation with the Italian Institute of Interplanetary Space Physics (IFSI CNR) are presented. Sharp, well-defined double layers were observed downstream of a contactor collecting electrons from an ambient plasma created in the IFSI Facility. The voltage drop across these double layers was observed to increase with the current drawn from the ambient plasma. This observation, which was not as clear in previous IFSI tests conducted at higher neutral pressures, is in agreement with previous experimental observations made at both Colorado State University and NASA Lewis Research Center. Greater double layer voltage drops, multiple double layers, and higher noise levels in the region near the double layers were also observed when a magnetic field was imposed and oriented perpendicular to the line joining the contactor and simulator.

Williams, John D.↗

LIS Validation at The KSC-ER

Each year, thousands of lightning electric field disturbances are recorded and archived by the ground-based field mill (FM) network at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and USAF Eastern Range (ER). The FM network has a range of several tens of kilometers, and a digital accuracy of 4 V/m. It has provided years of continuous lightning warning surveillance to KSC-ER space vehicle launch operations, and has undergone one major hardware upgrade since its inception in the early 1970s. Additional KSC lightning warning data is derived from a multistation radio time-of-arrival system called Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR). This system provides the location and space-time mapping of individual lightning channels (for both cloud and ground flashes). Additional lightning information for the KSC region is available from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and a 5-station local magnetic direction finder network. In this study, all of the above mentioned data are used to ground-validate data derived from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The FM network can be used to retrieve the charges deposited in a lightning flash, provided the flash is within a few kilometers of the FM Network. Although it is rare to obtain a TRMM overpass of thunderstorms hat occur this close to the FM network, seven such storms have been found and examined in this study. We compare the times and locations of LIS optical pulses with the spatial-temporal character of the FM, LDAR, and magnetic direction finder data. We also inter-compare LIS optical pulse amplitude data with FM-derived charge magnitudes, number of LDAR radio sources, and peak current values from magnetic direction finder data. Generally speaking, LIS lightning locations and times agree favorably with the KSC ground-based systems for most cases, but little correlation appears to exist between optical pulse amplitude and any of charge, # LDAR sources, peak current), owing possibly to the effects of source complexity and/or cloud multiple scattering.

Koshak, William J.↗

Preliminary analysis of data from SRI international transient pulse monitor on board P78-2 SCATHA satellite

The satellite charging at high altitudes (SCATHA) program addresses the occurrence of electrostatic discharges causing undesirable effects like deleterious transients in electronic circuits on satellites. The high altitude plasma environment and the effects of the interaction of this environment with the orbiting satellite are studied. The SRI transient pulse monitor (TPM) detects the transient electromagnetic signals induced in selected circuits. As a transient detector the TPM records transient signals, indicates the number of transients observed, and gives peak amplitude of the largest transient during each second's interval. Most of the early data from the TPM contain pulses associated with internal electrical activity and electrostatic charging on the surface of the P78-2 is evidenced. It is found that periods of external discharging do not necessarily coincide with periods in which high potentials are measured on the satellite's surface.

Damron, S. A.↗

Fabrication and evaluation of large-area ultrasoft X-ray detectors suitable for spacecraft application

The modifications to the Houston/MSC design of the gas proportional counter flight electronics system are discussed. The following modifications are described: charge amplifier bandwidth improvements, power converter redesign, serial data output buffer, second differentiator, and risetime discriminator. In addition, the redesign of the stellar aspect camera is discussed along with developments in thin film fabrication.

Bowyer, S.↗

Low-energy particle radiation environment at synchronous altitude

The degradation of thermal control coatings of satellites due to the effects of low energy charged particles in the space environment is discussed. Data obtained from ATS-5 satellite measurement of proton and electron fluxes are presented. The variations in electron density, proton density, and magnetic activity are presented to show correlations which exist between these space factors.

Shelley, E. G.↗

Relations among low ionosphere parameters and high frequency radio wave absorption

Charged particle conductivities measured in the very low ionosphere at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and Wallops Island, Virginia, are compared with atmospheric parameters and high frequency radio wave absorption measurements. Charged particle densities are derived from the conductivity data. Between 33 and 58 km, positive conductivity correlated well with neutral atmospheric temperature, with temperature coefficients as large as 4.6%/deg K. Good correlations were also found between HF radio wave absorption and negative conductivity at altitudes as low as 53 km, indicating that the day-to-day absorption variations were principally due to variations in electron loss rate.

Cipriano, J. P.↗

Daytime ion chemistry of N2+.

Rocket measurements of the emission of the (0, 0) first negative band of N2+ at 3914 A in the day airglow have been made between 120 and 300 km. The solar zenith angle at the time of the flight was 60 deg, and the zenith intensity above 120 km was 1.6 kR averaged over both legs of the flight. The data are compared with a model in which charge exchange of N2 with metastable O+(2D) ions is included as an additional source of N2 ionization. Above 240 km this mechanism is dominant over the photoionization of N2 by solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. The derived N2+ density is consistent with the results of rocket-borne mass spectrometric observations.

Feldman, P. D.↗

Argon charge states due to impact of H+ and He+ ions

Charge states of argon produced by bombardment with 100-keV to 1-MeV H+ and He+ projectiles were studied by examining high-resolution L-shell X-ray satellite spectra. Large differences appear in charge-state populations determined from X-ray data and Auger-electron data.-

Oona, H.↗

Battery peak charge voltage monitor for dual air density satellite

A battery peak charge voltage monitor was developed for use on the dual air density satellite (DADS). This device retains a reading of the maximum voltage reached by the spacecraft battery during periods of charging, and makes it available during periods of data transmission. The monitor is connected across the battery and operates solely from the battery; it is powered continuously with quiescent input current of only 3 milliamperes. Standard integrated circuits and a thin-film resistor network are utilized. The monitor occupies approximately 40 square centimeters of a printed-circuit board within a larger electronic package.

Shull, T. A.↗

Research investigation of the physical interactions and phenomena associated with hypervelocity sub-micron particles

Signals from impact ionization plasmas were studied as a means of performing microparticle composition analysis. Impact ionization signal response was measured in a time-of-flight (TOF) system for lanthanum hexaboride, carbonyl iron, and aluminum microparticle impacts on a tantalum target, primarily in the 1 - 8 km/s velocity range. Oscilloscope photographs of representative ion TOF signal response are given for each material studied. Graphs and histograms are presented of the total charge collected as well as the charge collected in each observed ion mass group. Data show that ion signals consist primarily of the lower ionization potential elements over the 1 - 8 km/s range.

Roy, N. L.↗