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At least 55 records · Page 3

Dielectric material in the space environment

The irradiation encountered in space environments causes high insulation materials to discharge, either through electrical breakdown or surface voltage effect mechanisms. Attention is presently given to polymers which, serving as 'leaky' insulators, avoid this problem by means of conduction mechanisms that are acceptable in space applications. The class of conductive polymers encompasses polyvinylcarbazole, polyacrylonitrile, Kapton, and polythiazil. A testing procedure useful in the qualification of such polymers is outlined.

Frederickson, A. R.↗

Giotto-spacecraft charging due to impact generated plasma in the presence of dielectric materials

The charging effects of a conducting/dielectric model spacecraft in the impact induced plasma environment are contrasted. The results of dynamic model calculations indicate larger charging times and higher positive spacecraft potentials for a conducting/dielectric spacecraft. The potential and particle distributions around the spacecraft differ quantitatively and qualitatively in both cases.

Thiemann, H.↗

User's manual for three dimensional FDTD version A code for scattering from frequency-independent dielectric materials

The Finite Difference Time Domain Electromagnetic Scattering Code Version A is a three dimensional numerical electromagnetic scattering code based upon the Finite Difference Time Domain Technique (FDTD). This manual provides a description of the code and corresponding results for the default scattering problem. In addition to the description, the operation, resource requirements, version A code capabilities, a description of each subroutine, a brief discussion of the radar cross section computations, and a discussion of the scattering results.

Beggs, John H.↗

User's manual for three dimensional FDTD version B code for scattering from frequency-dependent dielectric materials

The Penn State Finite Difference Time Domain Electromagnetic Scattering Code Version B is a three dimensional numerical electromagnetic scattering code based upon the Finite Difference Time Domain Technique (FDTD). The supplied version of the code is one version of our current three dimensional FDTD code set. This manual provides a description of the code and corresponding results for several scattering problems. The manual is organized into fourteen sections: introduction, description of the FDTD method, operation, resource requirements, Version B code capabilities, a brief description of the default scattering geometry, a brief description of each subroutine, a description of the include file (COMMONB.FOR), a section briefly discussing Radar Cross Section (RCS) computations, a section discussing some scattering results, a sample problem setup section, a new problem checklist, references and figure titles.

Beggs, John H.↗

User's manual for two dimensional FDTD version TEA and TMA codes for scattering from frequency-independent dielectric materials

The Penn State Finite Difference Time Domain Electromagnetic Scattering Code Versions TEA and TMA are two dimensional electromagnetic scattering codes based on the Finite Difference Time Domain Technique (FDTD) first proposed by Yee in 1966. The supplied version of the codes are two versions of our current FDTD code set. This manual provides a description of the codes and corresponding results for the default scattering problem. The manual is organized into eleven sections: introduction, Version TEA and TMA code capabilities, a brief description of the default scattering geometry, a brief description of each subroutine, a description of the include files (TEACOM.FOR TMACOM.FOR), a section briefly discussing scattering width computations, a section discussing the scattering results, a sample problem setup section, a new problem checklist, references, and figure titles.

Beggs, John H.↗

User's manual for three dimensional FDTD version A code for scattering from frequency-independent dielectric materials

The Penn State Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) Electromagnetic Scattering Code Version A is a three dimensional numerical electromagnetic scattering code based on the Finite Difference Time Domain technique. The supplied version of the code is one version of our current three dimensional FDTD code set. The manual provides a description of the code and the corresponding results for the default scattering problem. The manual is organized into 14 sections: introduction, description of the FDTD method, operation, resource requirements, Version A code capabilities, a brief description of the default scattering geometry, a brief description of each subroutine, a description of the include file (COMMONA.FOR), a section briefly discussing radar cross section (RCS) computations, a section discussing the scattering results, a sample problem setup section, a new problem checklist, references, and figure titles.

Beggs, John H.↗

User's manual for three dimensional FDTD version B code for scattering from frequency-dependent dielectric materials

The Penn State Finite Difference Time Domain Electromagnetic Code Version B is a three dimensional numerical electromagnetic scattering code based upon the Finite Difference Time Domain Technique (FDTD). The supplied version of the code is one version of our current three dimensional FDTD code set. This manual provides a description of the code and corresponding results for several scattering problems. The manual is organized into 14 sections: introduction, description of the FDTD method, operation, resource requirements, Version B code capabilities, a brief description of the default scattering geometry, a brief description of each subroutine, a description of the include file, a discussion of radar cross section computations, a discussion of some scattering results, a sample problem setup section, a new problem checklist, references and figure titles.

Beggs, John H.↗

High performance dielectric materials development

The mission of polymer composites materials technology is to develop materials and processing technology to meet DoD and commercial needs. The following are outlined in this presentation: high performance capacitors, high temperature aerospace insulation, rationale for choosing Foster-Miller (the reporting industry), the approach to the development and evaluation of high temperature insulation materials, and the requirements/evaluation parameters. Supporting tables and diagrams are included.

Piche, Joe↗

Microwave Nondestructive Evaluation of Dielectric Materials with a Metamaterial Lens

A novel microwave Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) sensor was developed in an attempt to increase the sensitivity of the microwave NDE method for detection of defects small relative to a wavelength. The sensor was designed on the basis of a negative index material (NIM) lens. Characterization of the lens was performed to determine its resonant frequency, index of refraction, focus spot size, and optimal focusing length (for proper sample location). A sub-wavelength spot size (3 dB) of 0.48 lambda was obtained. The proof of concept for the sensor was achieved when a fiberglass sample with a 3 mm diameter through hole (perpendicular to the propagation direction of the wave) was tested. The hole was successfully detected with an 8.2 cm wavelength electromagnetic wave. This method is able to detect a defect that is 0.037 lambda. This method has certain advantages over other far field and near field microwave NDE methods currently in use.

Shreiber, Daniel↗

Pulsed Electroacoustic Analysis Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

The High Voltage Testing Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center is equipped with a pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) analyzer to study space charge phenomena in dielectric materials. Dielectric materials such as those used in high voltage insulation systems are of great interest due to their crucial role in withstanding high voltages and avoiding electrical breakdown in electrified aircraft power systems. Current research is underway for the development of novel lightweight electrical insulation and the thorough evaluation of these materials is required. The PEA instrumentation at NASA GRC is a nondestructive method to evaluate the space charge phenomena which can give a unique insight on the feasibility and lifetime of material systems. The instrumentation capability and initial results are reported here.

pulsed electroacoustic↗

Development of New Dielectric NDE Techniques for Spaceflight Materials

Dielectric Spectroscopy is a relatively new technique for non-destructively measuring material properties. The goal for this project is to extend the use of state-of-the-art dielectric spectroscopy systems to measure the spectra of spaceflight materials and develop non-destructive evaluation (NDE) sensors based on dielectric material properties. This work may lead to a new class of material density, moisture, temperature, and defect sensors providing structural integrity and health measurements for future spacecraft and launch structures.

Project↗

Advanced Electrical Materials and Component Development

The primary means to develop advanced electrical components is to develop new and improved materials for magnetic components (transformers, inductors, etc.), capacitors, and semiconductor switches and diodes. This paper will give a description and status of the internal and external research sponsored by NASA Glenn Research Center on soft magnetic materials, dielectric materials and capacitors, and high quality silicon carbide (SiC) atomically smooth substrates. The rationale for and the benefits of developing advanced electrical materials and components for the PMAD subsystem and also for the total power system will be briefly discussed.

Schwarze, Gene E.↗

Exploding foil initiator

An exploding foil initiator assembly is provided comprising a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material, a third layer of dielectric material, and a flyer. The first layer of dielectric material comprises a first pair of vias. The second layer of dielectric material comprises a first surface adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, a second surface opposed to the first surface, a second pair of vias, and a bridge. Each of the second pair of vias extends from the first surface to the second surface and is in contact with one of the first pair of vias. The bridge is positioned on the second surface and is electrically connected to the second pair of vias. The third layer of dielectric material is positioned on the second surface of the second layer and comprises a bore positioned at least partially over the bridge forming a barrel. The flyer is positioned in the barrel on the bridge.

Krueger, Daniel Scott↗

Extended-Range Ultrarefractive 1D Photonic Crystal Prisms

A proposal has been made to exploit the special wavelength-dispersive characteristics of devices of the type described in One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Superprisms (NPO-30232) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 4 (April 2005), page 10a. A photonic crystal is an optical component that has a periodic structure comprising two dielectric materials with high dielectric contrast (e.g., a semiconductor and air), with geometrical feature sizes comparable to or smaller than light wavelengths of interest. Experimental superprisms have been realized as photonic crystals having three-dimensional (3D) structures comprising regions of amorphous Si alternating with regions of SiO2, fabricated in a complex process that included sputtering. A photonic crystal of the type to be exploited according to the present proposal is said to be one-dimensional (1D) because its contrasting dielectric materials would be stacked in parallel planar layers; in other words, there would be spatial periodicity in one dimension only. The processes of designing and fabricating 1D photonic crystal superprisms would be simpler and, hence, would cost less than do those for 3D photonic crystal superprisms. As in 3D structures, 1D photonic crystals may be used in applications such as wavelength-division multiplexing. In the extended-range configuration, it is also suitable for spectrometry applications. As an engineered structure or artificially engineered material, a photonic crystal can exhibit optical properties not commonly found in natural substances. Prior research had revealed several classes of photonic crystal structures for which the propagation of electromagnetic radiation is forbidden in certain frequency ranges, denoted photonic bandgaps. It had also been found that in narrow frequency bands just outside the photonic bandgaps, the angular wavelength dispersion of electromagnetic waves propagating in photonic crystal superprisms is much stronger than is the angular wavelength dispersion obtained by use of conventional prisms and diffraction gratings and is highly nonlinear.

Ting, David Z.↗