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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

On the Development of the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrograph (MaGIXS) Mirrors

The Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrograph (MaGIXS) is a sounding rocket experiment that will obtain spatially resolved soft X-ray spectra of the solar corona from 0.5 - 2 keV. The optical system comprises a Wolter-I telescope mirror, a slit spectrograph, and a CCD camera. The spectrograph has a finite conjugate paraboloid pair, which re-images the slit, and a varied line-space planar reflection grating. Both the Wolter-I mirror and paraboloid pair are being fabricated at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), using nickel replication. The MaGIXS mirror mandrels have been diamond turned, polished, and have yielded a set of engineering mirrors. Unlike other grazing incidence instruments, such as FOXSI, ART-XC, and IXPE, the MaGIXS prescriptions have large departure from a cone. This property exacerbates challenges with conventional lap polishing techniques and interferometric metrology. Here we discuss the progression of the optical surfaces of the mandrels through lap polishing, X-ray data from the replicated shells obtained in the MSFC Stray Light Facility (SLF), and our transition to using the ZEEKO computer numerical controlled (CNC) polisher for figure correction.

Champey, Patrick↗
NASA NTRS1993

Feedback controlled optics with wavefront compensation

The sensitivity model of a complex optical system obtained by linear ray tracing is used to compute a control gain matrix by imposing the mathematical condition for minimizing the total wavefront error at the optical system's exit pupil. The most recent deformations or error states of the controlled segments or optical surfaces of the system are then assembled as an error vector, and the error vector is transformed by the control gain matrix to produce the exact control variables which will minimize the total wavefront error at the exit pupil of the optical system. These exact control variables are then applied to the actuators controlling the various optical surfaces in the system causing the immediate reduction in total wavefront error observed at the exit pupil of the optical system.

Breckenridge, William G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Challenges of developing an electro-optical system for measuring man's operational envelope

In designing work stations and restraint systems, and in planning tasks to be performed in space, a knowledge of the capabilities of the operator is essential. Answers to such questions as whether a specific control or work surface can be reached from a given restraint and how much force can be applied are of particular interest. A computer-aided design system has been developed for designing and evaluating work stations, etc., and the Anthropometric Measurement Laboratory (AML) has been charged with obtaining the data to be used in design and modeling. Traditional methods of measuring reach and force are very labor intensive and require bulky equipment. The AML has developed a series of electro-optical devices for collecting reach data easily, in computer readable form, with portable systems. The systems developed, their use, and data collected with them are described.

Woolford, B.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Automated Hardware-Identification System

"Compressed symbology" emerging technology involving one- and two-dimensional arrays of surface depressions to form optically readable dots. Patterns more durable and denser than common bar codes. Convey identification data in binary form and read by optoelectric sensors. Computers and compressed-symbology engraving machines they control constitute subsystems of "paperless" hardware-tracking and -identification systems coordinating flows of both identifying information and identified parts themselves, along with ancillary information like work orders. Modifications of software expected to accelerate marking operations, eliminate need for trial or practice marking, and reduce incidence of errors.

Schramm, Harry F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2006

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2006

Topics covered include: Airport Remote Tower Sensor Systems; Implantable Wireless MEMS Sensors for Medical Uses; Embedded Sensors for Measuring Surface Regression; Coordinating an Autonomous Earth-Observing Sensorweb; Range-Measuring Video Sensors; Stability Enhancement of Polymeric Sensing Films Using Fillers; Sensors for Using Times of Flight to Measure Flow Velocities; Receiver Would Control Phasing of a Phased-Array Antenna; Modern Design of Resonant Edge-Slot Array Antennas; Carbon-Nanotube Schottky Diodes; Simplified Optics and Controls for Laser Communications; Coherent Detection of High-Rate Optical PPM Signals; Multichannel Phase and Power Detector; Using Satellite Data in Weather Forecasting: I; Using Dissimilarity Metrics to Identify Interesting Designs; X-Windows PVT Widget Class; Shuttle Data Center File-Processing Tool in Java; Statistical Evaluation of Utilization of the ISS; Nanotube Dispersions Made With Charged Surfactant; Aerogels for Thermal Insulation of Thermoelectric Devices; Low-Density, Creep-Resistant Single-Crystal Superalloys; Excitations for Rapidly Estimating Flight-Control Parameters; Estimation of Stability and Control Derivatives of an F-15; Tool for Coupling a Torque Wrench to a Round Cable Connector; Ultrasonically Actuated Tools for Abrading Rock Surfaces; Active Struts With Variable Spring Stiffness and Damping; Multiaxis, Lightweight, Computer-Controlled Exercise System; Dehydrating and Sterilizing Wastes Using Supercritical CO2; Alpha-Voltaic Sources Using Liquid Ga as Conversion Medium; Ice-Borehole Probe; Alpha-Voltaic Sources Using Diamond as Conversion Medium; White-Light Whispering-Gallery-Mode Optical Resonators; Controlling Attitude of a Solar-Sail Spacecraft Using Vanes; and Wire-Mesh-Based Sorber for Removing Contaminants from Air.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-fidelity trapped-ion qubit operations with scalable photonic modulators

Abstract Experiments with trapped ions and neutral atoms typically employ optical modulators in order to control the phase, frequency, and amplitude of light directed to individual atoms. These elements are expensive, bulky, consume substantial power, and often rely on free-space I/O channels, all of which pose scaling challenges. To support many-ion systems like trapped-ion quantum computers or miniaturized deployable devices like clocks and sensors, these elements must ultimately be microfabricated, ideally monolithically with the trap to avoid losses associated with optical coupling between physically separate components. In this work we design, fabricate, and test an optical modulator capable of monolithic integration with a surface-electrode ion trap. These devices consist of piezo-optomechanical photonic integrated circuits configured as multi-stage Mach-Zehnder modulators that are used to control the intensity of light delivered to a single trapped ion on a separate chip. We use quantum tomography employing hundreds of multi-gate sequences to enhance the sensitivity of the fidelity to the types and magnitudes of gate errors relevant to quantum computing and better characterize the performance of the modulators, ultimately measuring single qubit gate fidelities that exceed 99.7%.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS2005

Insect-Inspired Optical-Flow Navigation Sensors

Integrated circuits that exploit optical flow to sense motions of computer mice on or near surfaces ( optical mouse chips ) are used as navigation sensors in a class of small flying robots now undergoing development for potential use in such applications as exploration, search, and surveillance. The basic principles of these robots were described briefly in Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Small Flying Robots (NPO-30545), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 1 (January 2005), page 61. To recapitulate from the cited prior article: The concept of optical flow can be defined, loosely, as the use of texture in images as a source of motion cues. The flight-control and navigation systems of these robots are inspired largely by the designs and functions of the vision systems and brains of insects, which have been demonstrated to utilize optical flow (as detected by their eyes and brains) resulting from their own motions in the environment. Optical flow has been shown to be very effective as a means of avoiding obstacles and controlling speeds and altitudes in robotic navigation. Prior systems used in experiments on navigating by means of optical flow have involved the use of panoramic optics, high-resolution image sensors, and programmable imagedata- processing computers.

Thakoor, Sarita↗
NASA NTRS1992

Estimation of the end-of-life optical properties of Z-93 thermal control coating for the Space Station Freedom

This paper describes an approach to estimating the 30-year end-of-life optical properties of Z-93 white, thermal control coating on the Space Station Freedom. Estimations of the 30-year end-of-life properties of thermal control coatings are necessary for sizing the thermal radiators. The available flight and ground data and computer generated contamination models are used to predict the effects of ground handling, exposure to UV radiation, and on-orbit contamination on the optical properties of Z-93. The solar absorptance for portions of the thermal control system radiator surfaces is predicted to change from 0.15 to 0.36 after 30 years of low earth orbit environmental exposure. The infrared emittance is predicted to change from 0.92 to 0.90.

Hasegawa, Mark M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Remote optical wind detection and aerodynamic control system for ground vehicle

An aerodynamic control system for a ground vehicle comprises a LiDAR module including at least one LiDAR sensor configured to obtain wind data upstream of the ground vehicle; a computing device; an aerodynamic device controller; and an aerodynamic device including a control surface. The computing device is configured to receive the wind data from the LiDAR module and generate output signals based on the wind data. The aerodynamic device controller is configured to receive the output signals from the computing device and generate control signals to control the aerodynamic device to adjust aerodynamic properties of the ground vehicle based at least in part the wind data. Changes to the configuration of the control surface may include increasing or decreasing a deflection angle of the at least one aerodynamic device. The aerodynamic device may include, e.g., a pneumatically actuated aerodynamic device or an electro-mechanically actuated aerodynamic device.

Damon, Kenneth H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Real time quantitative imaging for semiconductor crystal growth, control and characterization

A quantitative real time image processing system has been developed which can be software-reconfigured for semiconductor processing and characterization tasks. In thermal imager mode, 2D temperature distributions of semiconductor melt surfaces (900-1600 C) can be obtained with temperature and spatial resolutions better than 0.5 C and 0.5 mm, respectively, as demonstrated by analysis of melt surface thermal distributions. Temporal and spatial image processing techniques and multitasking computational capabilities convert such thermal imaging into a multimode sensor for crystal growth control. A second configuration of the image processing engine in conjunction with bright and dark field transmission optics is used to nonintrusively determine the microdistribution of free charge carriers and submicron sized crystalline defects in semiconductors. The IR absorption characteristics of wafers are determined with 10-micron spatial resolution and, after calibration, are converted into charge carrier density.

Wargo, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ion beam microtexturing and enhanced surface diffusion

Ion beam interactions with solid surfaces are discussed with particular emphasis on microtexturing induced by the deliberate deposition of controllable amounts of an impurity material onto a solid surface while simultaneously sputtering the surface with an ion beam. Experimental study of the optical properties of microtextured surfaces is described. Measurements of both absorptance as a function of wavelength and emissivity are presented. A computer code is described that models the sputtering and ion reflection processes involved in microtexture formation.

Robinson, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Manufacturing Aids

During a research program, MMTC/Textron invented a computer-aided automatic robotic system for spraying hot plasma onto a turbine blade. The need to control the thickness of the plasma deposit led to the development of advanced optical gaging techniques to monitor and control plasma spray build-up on blade surfaces. The techniques led to computerized optical gages for inspecting aircraft, industrial turbine blades, etc. MMTC offers 10 standard commercial robotic gages. The system also generates two dimensional profiles for assessing status and specifying repairs to the electromechanical cathodes used to make the parts. It is capable of accuracies to a ten-thousandth of an inch. An expanded product line is currently marketed. The gages offer multiple improvements in quality control and significant savings.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2010

Design Considerations of Polishing Lap for Computer-Controlled Cylindrical Polishing Process

The future X-ray observatory missions, such as International X-ray Observatory, require grazing incidence replicated optics of extremely large collecting area (3 m2) in combination with angular resolution of less than 5 arcsec half-power diameter. The resolution of a mirror shell depends ultimately on the quality of the cylindrical mandrels from which they are being replicated. Mid-spatial-frequency axial figure error is a dominant contributor in the error budget of the mandrel. This paper presents our efforts to develop a deterministic cylindrical polishing process in order to keep the mid-spatial-frequency axial figure errors to a minimum. Simulation studies have been performed to optimize the operational parameters as well as the polishing lap configuration. Furthermore, depending upon the surface error profile, a model for localized polishing based on dwell time approach is developed. Using the inputs from the mathematical model, a mandrel, having conical approximated Wolter-1 geometry, has been polished on a newly developed computer-controlled cylindrical polishing machine. We report our first experimental results and discuss plans for further improvements in the polishing process.

Khan, Gufran S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ocean Drifter Project

Four drifting buoys were fabricated from mostly local hardware plus animal locating transmitters. The first two working models were dropped from a Wallops aircraft, to test the mechanical integrity and to test the ability of the whole system to withstand the drop and provide usable data. There are two temperature sensors on board, one to measure sea surface temperature and the other to measure air temperature. An onboard computer controls the transmissions, sending three water temperature readings for each air temperature reading in order to differentiate one from the other after data reduction. Guidelines for the development and test of optical drifting buoys include: air deployable and expendable, reasonable cost for multiple deployment, 1 year lifetime, use of existing technology and a minimal validation parameter set.

Mason, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1964

Three-dimension heat transfer program

An IBM 7094, three dimensional, heat transfer program for satellite application is discussed. The program may be applied to all phases of spacecraft life, from launch to orbital quasi-steady state. Launch phase heating includes inputs by radiation from the hot fairing and free molecule flow heating after nose cone ejection. Orbital heat fluxes are accounted for by direct sunlight, earth-reflected sunlight, and earth-emitted input to the satellite. Internal heat exchange by conduction and radiation is determined, provided the appropriate conductances, radiation view factors, and effective emittances are known. A simplified analysis of an active thermal controlled spacecraft is incorporated into the program. One or more surfaces may contain shutter systems which have optical properties specified as a function of shutter opening. The program evaluates the feasibility of any configuration based upon maintaining an internal component within its tolerable temperature limits. The program employs a matrix inversion subroutine (Gauss Elimination Method) to solve the heat balance equations.

COMPUTER PROGRAM↗
DOE OSTI2024

Temporal contrast degradation from mid-spatial-frequency surface error on stretcher mirrors

Temporal contrast degradation due to mid-spatial-frequency error in chirped-pulse amplification stretcher optics is studied. Third-order cross-correlation measurements reveal a temporal peak that appears when using two different mirrors processed by magnetorheological finishing, despite an improvement in rms roughness compared to a third unprocessed mirror. Simulations based on measured power spectral density show how the actual impact on contrast is different from measurements using a typical bandwidth-limited third-order cross correlator. Furthermore, strategies are proposed to avoid this type of contrast degradation while exploiting computer numerically controlled polishing techniques for enhancement of surface figure and roughness.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modeling Optics For Analyses Of Dynamics And Controls

Method of computing optical sensitivities of single- and multiple-element optical trains developed for analyses of dynamics of optoelectro-mechanical systems, including controlled optics (lenses, mirrors, prisms, and/or gratings mounted on electromechanical actuators) supported by flexible structure. Based on techniques of ray tracing and on matrix representation of each surface of each optical element.

Breckenridge, William C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Proposed method of producing large optical mirrors Single-point diamond crushing followed by polishing with a small-area tool

Faster production of large optical mirrors may result from combining single-point diamond crushing of the glass with polishing using a small area tool to smooth the surface and remove the damaged layer. Diamond crushing allows a surface contour accurate to 0.5 microns to be generated, and the small area computer-controlled polishing tool allows the surface roughness to be removed without destroying the initial contour. Final contours with an accuracy of 0.04 microns have been achieved.

Wright, G.↗