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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.

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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

The curved crystal X-ray spectrometer for the HEAO-B satellite

The Focal Plane Crystal Spectrometer on HEAO-B is a moderate to high resolution, curved-crystal, Bragg spectrometer which operates behind a grazing incidence X-ray telescope. It is designed to allow detailed spectral studies of both point and extended celestial X-ray sources in the energy range 0.2-3.3 keV, with resolutions of 50 to 1000. The analyzing elements are six torroidal diffractors, and the detectors are position-sensitive, flow, proportional counters. HEAO-B is scheduled for launch in June, 1978.

Canizares, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer for measurement of stratospheric gases

A balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer used to measure stratospheric trace gases is described. Ions are created with photons from high-intensity krypton discharge lamps and a quadrupole mass analyzer is employed for ion identification. Differential pumping is achieved with liquid helium cryopumping. To insure measurement of unperturbed stratospheric air, the entire system is contained in a sealed gondola and the atmospheric sample is taken some distance away during descent. The photoionization technique allows the detection of a low ionization potential constituent, such as nitric oxide, at less than a part in one billion in the presence of the major atmospheric gases and their isotopes. Operation of the mass spectrometer system was demonstrated during a daytime flight from Palestine, Texas on 26 April 1977. The sensitivity achieved and the unique selectivity afforded by this technique offer a capability for trace constituent measurement not possible with the more conventional electron impact ionization approach.

Aikin, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gas densities near 230 km from orbital drag and mass spectrometer measurements - A comparison

Perigee density data near 230 km for the Aeros satellite are analyzed for more than 1000 orbits. A comparison method for such data was developed which is based on the observed rate of change of orbital period as compared with the orbital decay computed from mass-spectrometer data obtained at discrete positions along the orbit. In general, the method confirms the good agreement of the average ratio of in-situ and orbit-drag-inferred perigee densities. In the case of Aeros, absolute densities measured by the NATE mass spectrometer are confirmed.

Roemar, M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Recent developments and applications with gas cell correlation spectrometer

Gaspec, a gas filter correlation spectrometer, is described. Gaspec is a dual-gas three-channel instrument using two detectors which receive amplitude-shared source signals modulated at the frequency of the chopper. Several units for operation around the 3-5 micron and the 8-15 micron region have been constructed, and gases such as CO2, CO, CH4, HCl, NO, and hydrazines can be detected. Advantages of Gaspec are considered with reference to improvements developed for the basic Cospec (gas cell correlation spectrometer) instrument.

Barringer, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Si XIII and Si XIV line emission search with the ANS crystal spectrometer

The final results of the search for Si XIII and Si XIV line emission, using the ANS Bragg crystal spectrometer, are presented. No positive line detection was achieved in any of the measurements made on several types of cosmic object; i.e., a transient X-ray source, close binary systems, supernova remnants, GX sources, and clusters of galaxies. Three-sigma upper limits for discrete line emission from these objects are reported and compared with line strengths inferred from other proportional-counter and Bragg spectrometer data. The present upper limit of 1.0 eV for the equivalent width of a narrow Si XIV line emission from the X-ray nova A0620-00 is an order of magnitude lower than previous limits set by other experiments.

Parsignault, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An imaging X-ray spectrometer to study solar activity in conjunction with the SCADM program

An experiment is proposed to study solar active region dynamics and evolution. The experiment will employ an imaging X-ray spectrometer to study solar activity in conjunction with the SCADM program. A summary of the experiment is presented which includes the specifications and capabilities of the X-ray spectrometer, the scientific objectives, the method of approach, and a comparison of the experiment with other solar X-ray experiments. The experiment is proposed for use on the space shuttle due to its larger volume and weight capacity.

Blake, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Optical considerations in infrared heterodyne spectrometer design

The optical design considerations for optimization of sensitivity, tunability, and versatility of an infrared heterodyne spectrometer are discussed using the GSFC CO2 laser heterodyne spectrometer optical front end as an example. Problems related to the coherent nature of the laser local oscillator beam (e.g., interference effects at edges of optical elements and at the beam combining beamsplitter) are described and proper beamsplitter design discussed. Optimum matching to the telescope is discussed. The severe effects of large central obscuration on the coherent telescope efficiency are described and steps to partially recover the lost system sensitivity are proposed. Measurements made with the GSFC 48 inch telescope (linear obscuration rate = 0.5) and the KPNO McMathe telescope (no obscuration) are given as examples.

Kostiuk, T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Acousto-optic spectrometer for radio astronomy

A prototype acousto-optic spectrometer which uses a discrete bulk acoustic wave Itek Bragg cell, 5 mW Helium Neon laser, and a 1024 element Reticon charge coupled photodiode array is described. The analog signals from the photodiode array are digitized, added, and stored in a very high speed custom built multiplexer board which allows synchronous detection of weak signals to be performed. The experiment is controlled and the data are displayed and stored with an LSI-2 microcomputer system with dual floppy discs. The performance of the prototype acousto-optic spectrometer obtained from initial tests is reported.

Chin, G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Data acquisition techniques for exploiting the uniqueness of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer: Application to sampling pulsed gas systems

Mass spectra are produced in most mass spectrometers by sweeping some parameter within the instrument as the sampled gases flow into the ion source. It is evident that any fluctuation in the gas during the sweep (mass scan) of the instrument causes the output spectrum to be skewed in its mass peak intensities. The time of flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) with its fast, repetitive mode of operation produces spectra without skewing or varying instrument parameters and because all ion species are ejected from the ion source simultaneously, the spectra are inherently not skewed despite rapidly changing gas pressure or composition in the source. Methods of exploiting this feature by utilizing fast digital data acquisition systems, such as transient recorders and signal averagers which are commercially available are described. Applications of this technique are presented including TOFMS sampling of vapors produced by both pulsed and continuous laser heating of materials.

Lincoln, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar maximum ultraviolet spectrometer and polarimeter

The objectives of the UVSP experiment are to study solar ultraviolet radiations, particularly from flares and active regions, and to measure constituents in the terrestrial atmosphere by the extinction of sunlight at satellite dawn and dusk. The instrument is designed to observe the Sun at a variety of spectral and spatial resolutions in the range from 1150 to 3600 A. A Gregorian telescope with effective focal length of 1.8 m is used to feed a 1 m Ebert-Fastie spectrometer. A polarimeter containing rotatable magnesium fluoride waveplates is included behind the spectrometer entrance slit and will allow all four Stokes parameters to be determined. Velocities on the Sun can also be measured. The instrument is controlled by a computer which can interact with the data stream to modify the observing program. The observing modes, including rasters, spectral scans, velocity measurements, and polarimetry, are also described along with plans for mission operations, data handling, and analysis of the observations.

Tandberg-Hanssen, E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Further laboratory studies and stratospheric flight of a mass spectrometer beam system

A gas expansion system combined with a mass spectrometer has been tested and flown successfully in the stratosphere. Through a sequence of orifices and high speed pumping, gas particles were formed into a molecular beam and analyzed by a sensitive mass spectrometer. During two balloon flights, vertical profiles of all major atmospheric constituents as well as O3, CO2, H2O and others were obtained. Gases such as AR38 and O16;O17 provided in-flight calibration standards. The sensitivity of the system was such that gases with mixing ratios of 10 ppb at an ambient pressure of about 10 mbar were detectable.

Mauersberger, K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter (UVSP) on the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft is described, including the experiment objectives, system design, performance, and modes of operation. The instrument operates in the wavelength range 1150-3600 A with better than 2 arcsec spatial resolution, raster range 256 x 256 sq arcsec, and 20 mA spectral resolution in second order. Observations can be made with specific sets of four lines simultaneously, or with both sides of two lines simultaneously for velocity and polarization. A rotatable retarder can be inserted into the spectrometer beam for measurement of Zeeman splitting and linear polarization in the transition region and chromosphere.

Woodgate, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Pioneer Venus Orbiter neutral gas mass spectrometer experiment

The Pioneer Venus Orbiter Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ONMS) is designed to measure the vertical and horizontal density variations of the major neutral constituents in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The mass spectrometer sensor includes a retarding potential ion source, hyperbolic quadrupole rod analyzer, and electron multiplier detector. The supporting electronic system consists of hybrid integrated circuits to reduce weight and power. The ONMS instrument was launched aboard the Pioneer Venus Orbiter on May 20, 1978, and turned on in orbit around Venus on December 4, 1978. It has operated flawlessly for over a Venus year (243 earth days) and has returned data of the composition of the major constituents in the Venus atmosphere between the altitudes of 150 and 350 km.

Niemann, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design and operation of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter ultraviolet spectrometer

The University of Colorado's ultraviolet spectrometer instrument carried on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter spacecraft is a 125-mm f/5 Ebert-Fastie design with a 250-mm Cassegrain telescope. The instrument has extensive logic to control the grating motor drive and to adapt the basic spectrometer to the constraints and opportunities of the mission. Success has been achieved in reconciling the conflicting requirements of spectroscopic, limb profile, and imaging observations. A description of the instrument operating techniques is given together with representative results of all three types.

Stewart, A. I. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An airborne far-infrared spectrometer for astronomical observations

A Fabry-Perot spectrometer for airborne observations of astronomical spectral lines has been designed for use in the 50 to 200 micron region of the far-infrared. The spectrometer uses a fixed wavelength Fabry-Perot filter cooled to 4.2 K in conjunction with a high order scanning Fabry-Perot at room temperature. This arrangement provides high spectral resolution and also minimizes the thermal background radiation on the detector. The instrument has been successfully used to study all the presently detected fine structure lines between 50 and 120 microns.

Storey, J. W. V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design Studies for a Far Infrared Absolute Spectrometer for the Cosmic Background Explorer

Unrelenting symmetry of design is required to assure the thermal balance of a cryogenically cooled, rapid scan interferometer spectrometer to be mounted in vacuum with the Cosmic Background Explorer liquid helium dewar. The instrument receives inputs from Winston cone optical flux collectors, one open to space and a second coupled to a black body reference source. A differential instrument, the spectrometer produces outputs corresponding to the Fourier transform of the spectral radiance difference between the two inputs. The two outputs are sensed by four detectors, two optimized for shorter wavelength response, and two optimized for longer wavelengths. The optical design, detector and signal channel, system sensitivity, mechanics, thermal control and cryogenics, electronics and power systems, command and control, calibration, system test requirements, and the instrument interface are discussed. Recommendations for continued work are indicated for the superconducting reflective horns, the motor bearing and drive, and design detail.

Johnson, N. J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spacelab energetic ion mass spectrometer

Basic design criteria are given for an ion mass spectrometer for use in studying magnetospheric ion populations. The proposed instrument is composed of an electrostatic analyzer followed by a magnetic spectrometer and simultaneously measures the energy per unit and mass per unit charge of the ion species. An electromagnet is used for momentum analysis to extend the operational energy range over a much wider domain than is possible with the permanent magnets used in previous flights. The energetic ion source regions, ion energization mechanisms, field line tracing, coordinated investigations, and orbit considerations are discussed and operations of the momentum analyzer and of the electrostatic energy analyzer are examined.

Whalen, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The retarding ion mass spectrometer on dynamics Explorer-A

An instrument designed to measure the details of the thermal plasma distribution combines the ion temperature-determining capability of the retarding potential analyzer with the compositional capabilities of the mass spectrometer and adds multiple sensor heads to sample all directions relative to the spacecraft ram directions. The retarding ion mass spectrometer, its operational modes and calibration are described as well as the data reduction plan, and the anticipated results.

Chappell, C. R.↗