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At least 541 records · Page 30

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NASA NTRS1977

A shock tube study of line broadening in a temperature range of 6100 to 8300 K

Line widths of the Ca(II) 3968 A and Na(I) 5890 A resonance lines broadened by electric microfields in a plasma were measured. A pressure-driven shock tube was used as the light source. Radiation from the equilibrium region behind the reflected shock wave was studied using a rapid scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. Electron and argon atom densities of about 8 x 10 to the 16th and 1 x 10 to the 19th/cu cm, respectively, were achieved at the relatively low temperature of around 7500 K by vaporizing a cesium powder that had been added to the shock tube as a solid aerosol in argon gas. The measured line widths were predominantly Stark broadened by the electrons and ions in the plasma, although Doppler, van der Waals, instrument function and optical depth effects had to be taken into account.

Baur, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Shock-tube studies of silicon-compound vapors

Test gas mixtures containing SiO, SiO2, Si2, and SiH were produced in a shock tube by processing shock waves through a mixture of SiCl4 + N2O + Ar, SiH4 + Ar, or SiH4 + O2 + Ar. Absorption spectra of the test gases were studied photographically in the reflected shock region using a xenon flash lamp as the light source in the range of wavelengths between 250 and 600 nm. SiO was found to be a dominant species in the vapors produced by the SiCl4 + N2O and SiH4 + O2 mixtures. Spontaneous combustion was observed in the SiH4 + O2 + Ar mixture prior to the shock arrival, and the resulting solid SiO2 particles evaporated behind the shock wave. Spectral absorption characteristics of SiO, SiO2, Si2, and SiH were determined by studying the test gases.

Park, C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Electrolytic pretreatment of urine

Electrolysis has been under evaluation for several years as a process to pretreat urine for ultimate recovery of potable water in manned spacecraft applications. The conclusions that were drawn from this investigation are the following: (1) A platinum alloy containing 10 percent rhodium has been shown to be an effective, corrosion-resistant anode material for the electrolytic pretreatment of urine. Black platinum has been found to be suitable as a cathode material. (2) The mechanism of the reactions occurring during the electrolysis of urine is two-stage: (a) a total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total organic carbon (TOC) removal in the first stage is the result of electrochemical oxidation of urea to CO2, H2O, and ammonia followed by chloride interaction to produce N2 from ammonia, (b) after the urea has been essentially removed and the chloride ions have no more ammonia to interact with, the chloride ions start to oxidize to higher valence states, thus producing perchlorates. (3) Formation of perchlorates can be suppressed by high/low current operation, elevated temperature, and pH adjustment. (4) UV-radiation showed promise in assisting electrolytic TOC removal in beaker tests, but was not substantiated in limited single cell testing. This may have been due to non-optimum configurations of the single cell test rig and the light source.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1977

Ultraviolet absorption: Experiment MA-059

A technique devised to permit the measurement of atmospheric species concentrations is described. This technique involves the application of atomic absorption spectroscopy and the quantitative observation of resonance fluorescence in which atomic or molecular species scatter resonance radiation from a light source into a detector. A beam of atomic oxygen and atomic nitrogen resonance radiation, strong unabsorbable oxygen and nitrogen radiation, and visual radiation was sent from Apollo to Soyuz. The density of atomic oxygen and atomic nitrogen between the two spacecraft was measured by observing the amount of resonance radiation absorbed when the line joining Apollo and Soyuz was perpendicular to their velocity with respect to the ambient atmosphere. Results of postflight analysis of the resonance fluorescence data are discussed.

Donahue, T. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The optical absorption of triatomic carbon C3 for the wavelength range 260 to 560 nm

The spectral absorption properties of C3 have been measured in a shock tube containing a test gas mixture of acetylene diluted with argon. The absorption of a pulsed xenon light source was measured by means of eight photomultiplier channels to a spectrograph and an accompanying drum camera. The postshock test gas temperature and pressure were varied over the range 3240 to 4300 K and 37 to 229 kPa, respectively. The results showed appreciable absorption by C3 for the wavelength range 300 to 540 nm. The various reported measurements of the heat of formation of C3 which are available in the open literature were reviewed, and a value of 198 kcal/mol is recommended. This value, along with best available values for other species, was used to calculate the number density of C3 for the conditions of the present experiments in order to compute absorption cross section or electronic oscillator strength. The computed electronic oscillator strength varied from a high of 0.062 at 3300 K to a low of 0.036 at 3900 K.

Jones, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

An anemometer for measuring velocities on the .25 to 4.25 M/sec range

A vane type anemometer was developed as a secondary standard for the on site calibration of wind velocity sensors. The instrument outputs an electrical pulse for each interruption of a light source by an eight vane fan. The pulse rate is proportional to the fan's angular speed and linearly related to wind velocity over the range 0.25 to 4.27 m/sec.

Carpini, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Investigation of light scattering as a technique for detecting discrete soot particles in a luminous flame

The practicability of using a classical light-scattering technique, involving comparison of angular scattering intensity patterns with theoretically determined Mie and Rayleight patterns, to detect discrete soot particles (diameter less than 50 nm) in premixed propane/air and propane/oxygen-helium flames is considered. The experimental apparatus employed in this investigation included a laser light source, a flat-flame burner, specially coated optics, a cooled photomultiplier detector, and a lock-in voltmeter readout. Although large, agglomerated soot particles were detected and sized, it was not possible to detect small, discrete particles. The limiting factor appears to be background scattering by the system's optics.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1978

Visualization of quasi-periodic unsteady flows

A self-synchronizing schlieren flow visualization technique has been developed to study unsteady periodic flows which may result from aeroelastic effects. The technique allows the experimentalist to stroboscopically 'freeze' the streak line pattern at any phase in one period of the motion by driving the schlieren light source with an electronically processed synchronizing signal that is derived by measuring a periodic flow variable with a convenient sensor. Results for the visualization of the near-wake behind an oscillating airfoil at low speeds which show an ordered series of discrete vortices and a curious short-wave-length wake disturbance are examined. Results are also presented for edge tone sound generation.

Kadlec, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

U.S. terrestrial solar cell calibration and measurement procedures

An outline is presented of changes in measurement procedures concerning solar cells. Outdoor measurements of cell performance based on pyranometer or pyrheliometer determination of intensity are discouraged. The absolute scale of irradiance is to be adopted as soon as possible. The standard atmosphere conditions are 1000 W/sq m irradiance, temperature 28 C, air mass 1.5, and precipitable water vapor content of 2 cm. The allowable light sources for solar simulation are short arc xenon lamps, pulsed xenon lamps, and dichroic filtered tungsten lamps. Key considerations in the design of a reference cell are considered and approaches for the matching of a reference cell to a test cell or modules are discussed.

Brandhorst, H. W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Determination of total surface reflectivity

Method of measuring total reflectance employs relatively inexpensive reflectometer with gold-coated hemispherical reflector. Light sources may be tungsten lamp for visable region, or Globar lamp for infrared.

Desmet, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Advanced designs for fluid flow visualization

Research was carried out on existing and new designs for minimally intrusive measurement of flow fields in the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell and the proposed Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment. The following topics are discussed: (1) identification and removal of foreign particles, (2) search for higher dielectric photochromic solutions, (3) selection of uv light source, (4) analysis of refractive techniques and (5) examination of fresnel lens applicability.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1978

Optical effects module

The possible degradation of optical samples exposed to the effluent gases and particulate matter emanating from the payload of the space transportation system during orbital operations may be determined by measuring two optical parameters for five samples exposed to this environment, namely transmittance and diffuse reflectance. Any changes detected in these parameters as a function of time during the mission are then attributable to surface contamination or to increased material absorption. These basic functions are attained in the optical effects module by virtue of the following subsystems which are described: module enclosure; light source with collimator and modulator; sample wheel with holders and rotary drive; photomultipliers for radiation detection; processing and sequencing electronic circuitry; and power conditioning interfaces. The functions of these subsystems are reviewed and specified.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1979

Laser measuring system for wire-wrapped frame assemblies

The laser measuring system is designed to automatically measure and record the distances between small diameter wires on a wire wrapped grid frame assembly to an accuracy of 0.00635 mm (0.00025 in.). The system utilizes a helium-neon gas laser beam as the measuring instrument with a remote interferometer and retroreflector, a light source and photodetector to detect the wire positions, in conjunction with recording, display and printout units. The laser measuring system is utilized to perform precise automatic measurements for wire application machines or as an automatic feedback device for positioning wires and/or to adjust them for out of tolerance conditions.

Etzel, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The geometry of stellar occultation measurements on long-duration atmospheric monitoring missions

Geometrical considerations are presented for analyzing use of the stellar occultation technique on long duration earth atmosphere monitoring missions. The simulated mission data are presented for three representative orbits. Bright near infrared stars are used as examples of how extensive global longitude-latitude coverage is obtained by performing occultation measurements on several stars during the course of a one year mission. A comparison is made with similar missions using the sun as a light source.

Brooks, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Correlated photometric and polarimetric phenomena in AM Herculis

Via simultaneous multicolor photometry and polarimetry of AM Herculis, we find correlations among polarization, flux, and color in the V and I bands in periodic and nonperiodic (i.e., flickering) activity. The primary minimum observed in both bands is accompanied by a blueward shift of the (B - R) color and a decrease in the absolute value of the percent circular polarization in the V band. Outside primary minimum, peaks of flickering activity tend to be associated with an increase in the absolute value of the circular polarization and the concurrent reddening of the (B - R) and (R - I) colors. The visual light curve of AM Her can be explained by a flickering, circularly polarized light source which is obscured at primary minimum, and is redder than the total system color in the URVRI bands.

Priedhorsky, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The digital control of an experiment to size particles using a laser

Efforts to automate an experiment for sizing particles using a laser is described. The objective of the experiment was to rotate a photomultiplier detector at various angles and to record data associated with how light interacted with a particle. The light source was a laser which was fixed in space. The design consisted of a step motor with a fabricated electromechanical system to rotate the photomultiplier. The use of an 8080 microprocessor based microcomputer to control the step motor and to log data is described.

Cross, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Stark broadening of Fe I 5383 A

Results are reported for a laboratory measurement of the electron broadening of the Fe I line at 5383 A as a function of electron density over the temperature range from 8000 to 12,000 K. A linear Z-pinch electrical discharge served as the spectroscopic light source in the experiment, and special precautions were taken to allow for optical-depth effects, which have been a major source of error in previous investigations. The results obtained include a Stark-broadening constant of 0.106 + or - 0.004 x 10 to the -16th A-cu cm at a mean temperature of 9500 K, an estimated Stark width/electron-broadened width ratio of 1.09 + or - 0.02, and a normalized electron-broadened width of 0.097 + or - 0.004 x 10 to the 16th A-cu cm. Comparison of the last result with a calculated value and with a previous measurement indicates that the present measurement is approximately 38% larger than the value measured earlier.

Freudenstein, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A note on photocurrents in extrinsic semiconductors

The advent of the concept of holes and careful determination of mobilities have made it possible to realize that the potential difference between the contacts of an irradiated semiconductor in the absence of current flow is due to the difference in mobility of electrons and holes. In this paper, a preliminary analysis shows that charge neutrality and zero-current condition are compatible. This situation is clarified and it is found that the equation for the electric field E in the absence of current is not absolutely correct even under low-level injection conditions. In particular, it is shown that fairly large currents can be generated by suitable light sources, currents which are entirely due to the disparity between electron and hole mobilities.

Von Roos, O.↗