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At least 523 records · Page 29

Prediction of payload vibration environments by mechanical admittance test techniques

A series of experiments was conducted with simple beam and mass launch vehicle and payload models in order to determine the validity of mechanical admittance/impedance techniques applied to development of improved payload vibration tests. Admittances and impedances were measured from tests of the individual components to form matrices which were combined analytically to allow prediction of responses for the complete system. Results were computed for a transmission matrix approach and an admittance matrix approach. Both a rigid body and a flexible payload model were considered. The results clearly demonstrate that the transmission matrix method is too sensitive to measurement error to be practical for this application, while the pure admittance matrix method produces quite satisfactory results. The effects of various errors on the final results are demonstrated.

Kana, D. D.↗

Prediction of payload vibration environments by mechanical admittance test techniques

A series of experiments were conducted with simple beam and mass launch vehicle and payload models in order to determine the validity of mechanical admittance/impedance techniques applied to development of improved payload vibration tests. Admittance and impedances were measured from tests of the individual components to form matrices which were combined analytically to allow prediction of responses for the complete system. Results were computed for a transmission matrix approach and an admittance matrix approach. Only results for the admittance method appeared to be satisfactory when compared to measurements on the combined system.

Kana, D. D.↗

Development of Grazing Incidence Optics for Neutron Imaging and Scattering

Because of their wave nature, thermal and cold neutrons can be reflected from smooth surfaces at grazing incidence angles, be reflected by multilayer coatings or be refracted at boundaries of different materials. The optical properties of materials are characterized by their refractive indices which are slightly less than unity for most elements and their isotopes in the case of cold and thermal neutrons as well as for x-rays. The motivation for the optics use for neutrons as well as for x-rays is to increase the signal rate and, by virtue of the optic's angular resolution, to improve the signal-to-noise level by reducing the background so the efficiency of the existing neutron sources use can be significantly enhanced. Both refractive and reflective optical techniques developed for x-ray applications can be applied to focus neutron beams. Typically neutron sources have lower brilliance compared to conventional x-ray sources so in order to increase the beam throughput the neutron optics has to be capable of capturing large solid angles. Because of this, the replicated optics techniques developed for x-ray astronomy applications would be a perfect match for neutron applications, so the electroformed nickel optics under development at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) can be applied to focus neutron beams. In this technique, nickel mirror shells are electroformed onto a figured and superpolished nickel-plated aluminum cylindrical mandrel from which they are later released by differential thermal contraction. Cylindrical mirrors with different diameters, but the same focal length, can be nested together to increase the system throughput. The throughput can be increased further with the use of the multilayer coatings deposited on the reflectivr surface of the mirror shells. While the electroformed nickel replication technique needs to be adopted for neutron focusing, the technology to coat the inside of cylindrical mirrors with neutron multilayers has to be developed. The availability of these technologies would bring new capabilities to neutron instrumentation and, hence, lead to new scientific breakthroughs. We have established a program to adopt the electroformed nickel replication optics technique for neutron applications and to develop the neutron multilayer replication technology.

Gubarev, M. V.↗

Two Optical-Beam-Forming Concepts For Array Antennas

Two optical-beam-forming concepts selected for development of phased-array antennas. Involve use of novel combinations of optical and electronic techniques to distribute radio-frequency signal to or from antenna elements in array: phase and amplitude of radio-frequency signal traveling to or from each element controlled in such way to cause array as whole to transmit or receive signal in desired spatial pattern, steered, narrowed, broadened, or otherwise varied. Techniques result in compact, lightweight beam-steering antennas. Potential applications include steered-beam or quasi-optical microwave antennas in communication and radar systems, remote control of antennas in general, and photonic communication. With some modifications, transmitting and receiving configurations incorporated into single system.

Wu, Te-Kao↗

Formation of Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) Superconductors from an Undercooled Melt Via Aero-Acoustic Levitation

Melt processing of RE123 superconductors has gained importance in recent years. While the first high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) were made using traditional ceramic press and sinter technology, recent fabrication efforts have employed alternate processing techniques including laser ablation and ion beam assisted deposition for thin film fabrication of tapes and wires and melt growth for bulk materials. To optimize these techniques and identify other potential processing strategies, phase relation studies on HTSCs have been conducted on a wide variety of superconducting compounds using numerous processing strategies. This data has enhanced the understanding of these complex systems and allowed more accurate modeling of phase interactions. All of this research has proved useful in identifying processing capabilities for HTSCs but has failed to achieve a breakthrough for wide spread application of these materials. This study examines the role of full to partial substitution of Nd in the Y123 structure under rapid solidification conditions. Aero-acoustic levitation (AAL) was used to levitate and undercool RE123 in pure oxygen binary alloys with RE = Nd an Y along a range of compositions corresponding to Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) which were melted by a CO2 laser. Higher Y content spheres could not be melted in the AAL and were excluded from this report. Solidification structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction to characterize microstructures and identify phases.

Gustafson, D. E.↗

Electron beam dispersion measurements in nitrogen using two-dimensional imaging of N2(+) fluorescence

Experimental results are presented related to the radial spread of fluorescence excited by 10 and 20 KeV electron beams passing through nonflowing rarefied nitrogen at 293 K. An imaging technique for obtaining species distributions from measured beam-excited fluorescence is described, based on a signal inversion scheme mathematically equivalent to the inversion of the Abel integral equation. From fluorescence image data, measurements of beam radius, integrated signal intensity, and spatially resolved distributions of N2(+) first-negative-band fluorescence-emitting species have been made. Data are compared with earlier measurements and with an heuristic beam spread model.

Clapp, L. H.↗

The Effect of the Wall Contact and Post-Growth C001-Down on Defects in CdTe Crystals Grown by Contactless PVT

In crystal growth, the quality of the final material may depend, among other factors, on its interaction with the walls of the ampoule during and after the growth, and on the rate of the crystal cool-down at the end of ate the process. To investigate the above phenomena, a series of CdTe crystal growth processes was carried out, The crystals were grown by physical vapor transport without contact with the side walls of the silica glass ampoules, applying the Low Supersaturation Nucleation technique. The source temperature was 930 C, the undercooling was a few degrees. The crystals, having the diameter of 25 mm, grew at the rate of a few mm per day. The post-growth cool-down to the room temperature was conducted at different rates, and lasted from a few minutes to four days. The crystals were characterized using chemical etching low temperature luminescence, and Synchrotron White Beam X-ray Topography techniques. The dislocation (etch pit) density was measured and its distribution was analyzed by comparison with Poisson curves and with the Normalized Radial Distribution Correlation Function. It was found that the contact of the crystal with silica leads to a strain field and high (in the 105 sq cm range) dislocation (etch pit) density. Similar defect concentrations were found in crystals subjected to fast post-growth cool-down. Typical EPD values for lower cool-down rates and in regions not affected by wall interactions are in the lower 10(exp 4) sq cm range. In some areas the actual dislocation density was about 10(exp 3) sq cm or even less. No apparent effect of the cool-down rate on polygonization was observed. A fine structure could be discerned in low-temperature PL spectra of crystals with low dislocation density.

Palosz, W.↗

Molecular contamination study by interaction of a molecular beam with a platinum surface

The capability of molecular beam scattering from a solid surface is analyzed for identification of molecular contamination of the surface. The design and setup of the molecular beam source and the measuring setup for the application of a phase sensitive measuring technique for the determination of the scattered beam intensity are described. The scattering distributions of helium and nitrogen molecular beams interacting with a platinum surface were measured for different amounts of contamination from diffusion pump oil for surface temperatures ranging from 30 to 400 C. The results indicate the scattering of molecular beams from a platinum surface is a very sensitive method for detecting surface contamination.

Nuss, H. E.↗

Correlation of the deply technique with ultrasonic imaging of impact damage in graphite-epoxy composites

The ultrasonic quantitative NDE of graphite-epoxy composites is difficult because of the inherent inhomogeneity of the material. An examination technique must discriminate between inherent scattering centers in an undamaged region and the scattering centers due to defects or damage. Two NDE techniques that can make this distinction were used to image and quantify the extent of damage resulting from a low-energy impact. These results were then compared with those from a destructive technique. The first NDE technique, polar backscatter, employed a nonzero polar angle insonifying method to reduce specular reflection from the surface of the sample; the second NDE technique used a normal-incidence ultrasonic beam. Results from both NDE methods were subsequently correlated with those from a destructive technique, the deply method. Both the qualitative and quantitative agreement of the methods was excellent.

Smith, B. T.↗

The Effect of the Wall Contact and Post-Growth, Cool-Down on Defects in CdTe Crystals Grown By 'Contactless' PVT

To take a maximum advantage of materials processing in microgravity for understanding the effects of gravity, gravity-independent effects should be minimized. In crystal growth, the quality of the grown crystals may depend, among other factors, on their interaction with the walls of the processing container during and after growth, and on the rate of the crystal cool-down at the end of the process. To investigate the above phenomena, a series of CdTe crystal growth processes was carried out. The crystals were grown by physical vapor transport without contact with the side walls of the silica glass ampoules. To eliminate the effect of the seed quality, and to reduce the number of nuclei and related crystal grains, the Low Supersaturation Nucleation technique was applied. The source temperature was 930 C, the undercooling was a few degrees. The crystals, having the diameter of 25 mm, grew at the rate of a few mm per day. The post-growth cool-down to the room temperature was conducted at different rates, and lasted from a few minutes to four days. The crystals were characterized using chemical etching, low temperature luminescence, and Synchrotron White Beam X-ray Topography techniques. The dislocation (etch pit) density was measured and its distribution was analyzed by comparison with Poisson curves and with the Normalized Radial Distribution Correlation Function. In the regions where the crystal is in contact with silica, the materials show a considerable strain field which extends for a few mm or more from the silica-crystal interface. In the reference crystal grown with contact with the ampoule walls, and when the crystals are cooled at the highest rates, the etch pit/dislocation density is in the high 10(exp 5) per square centimeter region. Typical EPD values for lower cool-down rates are in the lower 10(exp 4) per square centimeter region. In some areas the actual dislocation density was about 10(exp 3) per square centimeter or even less. No apparent effect of the cool-down rate on polygonization was observed. Low temperature PL spectra show, that the dominant peak is (D(sup 0), h) and (A(sup 0), e) for samples with low and high dislocation densities, respectively. For low EPD crystals a peak at 1.45 eV with 21 meV phonon replicas was observed and attributed to donor-acceptor pair to neutral copper-acceptor transition. In high EPD crystals this PL structure was not observed, apparently due to the masking effect of the strong contribution from the dislocation band.

Palosz, W.↗

Measurement techniques and applications of charge transfer to aerospace research

A technique of developing high-velocity low-intensity neutral gas beams for use in aerospace research problems is described. This technique involves ionization of gaseous species with a mass spectrometer and focusing the resulting primary ion beam into a collision chamber containing a static gas at a known pressure and temperature. Equations are given to show how charge-transfer cross sections are obtained from a total-current measurement technique. Important parameters are defined for the charge-transfer process.

Smith, A.↗

Effects of line-of-sight velocity on spaced-antenna measurements, part 3.5A

Horizontal wind velocities in the upper atmosphere, particularly the mesosphere, have been measured using a multitude of different techniques. Most techniques are based on stated or unstated assumptions about the wind field that may or may not be true. Some problems with the spaced antenna drifts (SAD) technique that usually appear to be overlooked are investigated. These problems are not unique to the SAD technique; very similar considerations apply to measurement of horizontal wind using multiple-beam Doppler radars as well. Simply stated, the SAD technique relies on scattering from multiple scatterers within an antenna beam of fairly large beam width. The combination of signals with random phase gives rise to an interference pattern on the ground. This pattern will drift across the ground with a velocity twice that of the ionospheric irregularities from which the radar signals are scattered. By using spaced receivers and measuring time delays of the signal fading in different antennas, it is possible to estimate the horizontal drift velocities.

Royrvik, O.↗

Mechanical energy flow models of rods and beams

It has been proposed that the flow of mechanical energy through a structural/acoustic system may be modeled in a manner similar to that of flow of thermal energy/in a heat conduction problem. If this hypothesis is true, it would result in relatively efficient numerical models of structure-borne energy in large built-up structures. Fewer parameters are required to approximate the energy solution than are required to model the characteristic wave behavior of structural vibration by using traditional displacement formulations. The energy flow hypothesis is tested in this investigation for both longitudinal vibration in rods and transverse flexural vibrations of beams. The rod is shown to behave approximately according to the thermal energy flow analogy. However, the beam solutions behave significantly differently than predicted by the thermal analogy unless locally-space-averaged energy and power are considered. Several techniques for coupling dissimilar rods and beams are also discussed. Illustrations of the solution accuracy of the methods are included.

Wohlever, J. C.↗

Cross-correlation between the 170 GHz survey map and the COBE differential microwave radiometer first-year maps

This letter describes results of a cross-correlation between the 170 GHz partial-sky survey, made with a 3.8 deg beam balloon-borne instrument, and the COBE DMR 'Fit Technique' reduced galaxy all-sky map with a beam of 7 deg. The strong correlation between the data sets implies that the observed structure is consistent with thermal variations in a 2.7 K emitter. A chi-square analysis applied to the correlation function rules out the assumption that there is no structure in either of the two maps. A second test shows that if the DMR map has structure but the 170 GHz map does not, the probability of obtaining the observed correlation is small. Further analyses support the assumption that both maps have structure and that the 170 GHz-DMR cross-correlation is consistent with the analogous DMR correlation function. Maps containing various combinations of noise and Harrison-Zel'dovich power spectra are simulated and correlated to reinforce the result. The correlation provides compelling evidence that both instruments have observed fluctuations consistent with anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background.

Ganga, Ken↗

A Combined Computational, Experimental, and Technology Development Approach to In-Space Laser Manufacturing Maturation at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

In-space manufacturing (ISM) is emerging as a field vital to continued access and capabilities in the space environment. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is advancing the frontier of in-space laser manufacturing (ISLM) techniques through work initially focused on maturing laser beam welding (LBW) and laser forming (LF) for use in space. Such techniques proffer the ability to assemble and join structures in space from sheet metal or other stock – extant satellites, in situ resource utilization of Lunar regolith, etc. – by forming to desired shapes and then joining via in-space welding (ISW). ISLM processes are useful for assembly, joining, modification, and repair of structures in free space and on the Lunar surface such as large observatories, antennas, trusses, blast/thermal/radiation shields, pressure vessels, and more. However, these techniques are not yet qualified & certified (Q&C) for regular application in space. It would be prohibitively expensive, laborious, and time-consuming to perform Q&C via traditional experimental approaches as data collection & experimentation in space is resource-intensive. As such, benchmark experiments and focused, properly instrumented technology demonstration efforts in space can collect sufficient data that – when combined with verified computational models in an integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approach – can validate ICME tools capable of translating more readily obtained ground data to in-space, in situ, computationally informed Q&C of ISLM techniques. Several ISLM projects at MSFC are obtaining the data required to validate ICME tools through both ground and flight experiments. A parabolic flight experiment of LBW under vacuum is manifested for August 2024, including both microgravity and Lunar gravity profiles. This collaboration with the Ohio State University is investigating common aerospace alloys such as 316L stainless steel, 2219 aluminum alloy, and Ti64 titanium alloy. In situ data collection includes videography, thermography, and reference thermocouples to build a thermal model of the welds. This will elucidate the relevant physics when combined with post-flight microstructural examination and mechanical testing. MSFC is also progressing towards a suborbital flight experiment of LBW under vacuum, which could provide reams of data on ISW during sustained, high-quality reduced gravity. The effect of combined thermal (cryogenic and high-temperature) and vacuum exposure on both LBW (NASA-funded) and LF (DARPA-funded) is being investigated through ground experiments. In addition to the copious data collected during these ground experiments, ruggedization of LBW hardware will also be pursued. The datasets from these experiments will be used to validate computational models which will inform future ISLM efforts in an ICME framework. A variety of techniques across lengths scales, from CALPHAD-driven thermodynamics & kinetics to phase field modeling of solidification to kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of grain evolution at the mesoscale, will be employed to accelerate the infusion and eventual Q&C of LBW and LF for use in space. The development of data-driven surrogate models to bridge ground to flight experiments and thereby reduce the need for resource-intensive experiments in space will also be investigated. These ICME techniques, surrogate models, and datasets from ground testing can also be employed to advance manufacturing in terrestrial environments.

in-space welding↗

Beam Propagation Through Atmospheric Turbulence Using an Altitude-Dependent Structure Profile with Non-Uniformly Distributed Phase Screens

For free-space optical communication systems, numerical wave optics simulations provide a useful technique for modeling turbulence-induced beam degradation when the analytical theory is insufficient for characterizing the atmospheric channel. Motivated by such applications we use a split-step method modeling the turbulence as a series of random phase screens using the Hufnagel-Valley turbulence profile. We employ a space-to-ground case study to examine the irradiance and phase statistics for uniformly and non-uniformly located screens and find better agreement with theory using a non-uniform discretization minimizing the contribution of each screen to the total scintillation. In this poster, we summarize the method and the results of the case study including a comparison to layered models used in astronomical imaging applications.

Chahine, Yousef K.↗

Advanced satellite concepts for future generation VSAT networks

Advanced communication networks that use very-small-aperture terminals (VSATs) are considered. The techniques and technologies suitable for powerful satellites and system architectures for future VSAT networks are discussed. These include high effective isotropic radiated power, multiple-beam satellite antennas, and various access techniques. Examples of systems planned by the government and private industry are described.

Naderi, F. Michael↗

Visual Alinement Technique for Infrared LIDAR

Visible He/Ne laser beam substituted for invisible CO2 beam during alinement. System accomplished visually by using low-power He/Ne laser previously adjusted to visible beam parallel to invisible infrared CO2 laser beam. Method used to aline adjacent telescopes in other optical systems.

Menzies, R. T.↗