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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1997

Micromachined Millimeter- and Submillimeter-wave SIS Heterodyne Receivers for Remote Sensing

This is a progress report for the second year of a NASA-sponsored project. The report discusses the design and fabrication of micromachined Superconductor Insulator Superconductor (SIS) heterodyne receivers with integrated tuning elements. These receivers tune out the functional capacitance at desired frequencies, resulting in less noise, lower temperatures and broader bandwidths. The report also discusses the design and fabrication of the first monolithic 3x3 focal-plane arrays for a frequency range of 170-210 GHz. Also addressed is the construction of a 9-channel bias and read-out system, as well as the redesign of the IF connections to reduce cross talk between SIS junctions, which become significant a frequency of 1.5 GHz IF. Uniformity of the junction arrays were measured and antenna beam patterns of several array elements under operating conditions also were measured. Finally, video and heterodyne responses of our focal-plane arrays were measured as well. Attached is a paper on: 'Development of a 170-210 GHz 3x3 micromachined SIS imaging array'.

Hu, Qing↗
NASA NTRS1996

Infrared, Submillimeter, and RadioAstronomy Program Astophysics Division

The object of my research for the NASA grant NAGW-4769 was to observe infrared spectra of molecular ions with special astrophysical interest in plasmas both in the laboratory and in space. Progress made during the period from September 1995 to September 1996 is summarized in the following: 1. Detection of Interstellar H3(+) The discovery of interstellar H3(+) through its mid-infrared absorption spectrum was by far the most inspiring development during this fiscal year. H3(+), the simplest stable polyatomic system, has been postulated to play the central role in the ion-neutral reaction scheme of interstellar chemistry, but its presence had not been directly observed in spite of intensive searches by several groups. 2. Observation of High Revibrational States of H3(+). The initial discovery of H3(+) in the Jovian aurora region was made through the identification of the 2(nu)(sub 2)(sup 2) approaches O overtone band indicating the population of H3(+) in high revibration state. 3. Observation of Ortho-Para H3(+) selection rules in plasma chemistry. Celection rules that relate quantum states before and ufter various processes are fascinating subject based on the symmetry argument. 4. Spectroscopy of other ions. Spectroscopy of carbocations ch3(+), CH2(+), C2H3(+) and C2H2(+) has been continued.

Oka, Takeshi↗
NASA NTRS1998

Micromachined Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave SIS Heterodyne Receivers for Remote Sensing

A heterodyne mixer with a micromachined horn antenna and a superconductor -insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction as mixing element is tested in the W-band (75-115 GHz) frequency range. Micromachined integrated horn antennas consist of a dipole antenna suspended on a thin Si3N4 dielectric membrane inside a pyramidal cavity etched in silicon. The mixer performance is optimized by using a backing plane behind the dipole antenna to tune out the capacitance of the tunnel junction. The lowest receiver noise temperature of 30+/-3 K without any correction) is measured at 106 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 8 GHz. This sensitivity is comparable to the state-of-the-art waveguide and quasi-optical SIS receivers, showing the potential use of micromachined horn antennas in imaging arrays.

Hu, Qing↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Submillimeter-Wave Astronomy Satellite: On-Orbit Thermal Performance and Design Retrospective

A large telescope aperture, stringent thermal stability and temperature range requirements, and a passively-cooled 1500K module presented major challenges in thermal design and hardware fabrication of this Small Explorer satellite. This paper reviews briefly the thermal design of the SWAS science instrument, and examines the first three months of on-orbit thermal history. Measured temperatures for both the science payload and the spacecraft module and solar arrays are compared with those predicted by the correlated analytical model. Similarities and differences are interpreted in terms of the major uncertainties remaining after thermal-balance testing, especially those of MLI performance and telescope aperture properties. Review of the thermal model adequacy and thermal design verification are included to suggest improvements in the thermal design process for future missions.

Boyd, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

The Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Spectrum of Gauche-Ethyl Alcohol

We report an investigation of the rotational-torsional spectrum of the gauche rotational isomers of ethyl alcohol in the 51-505 GHz frequency region. Over a thousand transitions between rotational levels in the gauche substates of the ground OH torsional state have been measured and assigned. These transitions involve rotational quantum numbers J and K(sub a) up to 30 and 15, respectively, and are of two types: alpha-type transitions between levels in either the gauche+ or the gauche-substate, and c-type transitions between rotational levels in the different substates. The majority of these transitions have been fit satisfactorily using a two-state Hamiltonian based on the Fixed Framework Axis Method (FFAM). The rotation, distortion, and interaction constants have been determined along with the energy difference between the two gauche substates. The derived constants can be used to predict many more transitions accurately for astronomical purposes. The J and K(sub a) region where the two-state analysis can be used has been determined. The basis for a three-state analysis including the trans substate is presented and the applicability of the FFAM approach is discussed.

Pearson, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Low-Noise Submillimeter-Wave NbTiN Superconducting Tunnel Junction Mixers

We have developed a low-noise 850 GHz superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasi-particle mixer with NbTiN thin-film microstrip tuning circuits and hybrid Nb/AlN/NbTiN tunnel junctions. The mixer uses a quasioptical configuration with a planar twin-slot antenna feeding a two-junction tuning circuit. At 798 GHz, we measured an uncorrected double-sideband receiver noise temperature of T(sub RX) = 260 K at 4.2 K bath temperature. This mixer outperforms current Nb SIS mixers by a factor of nearly 2 near 800 GHz. The high gap frequency and low loss at 800 GHz make NbTiN an attractive material with which to fabricate tuning circuits for SIS mixers. NbTiN mixers can potentially operate up to the gap frequency, 2(delta)/h is approximately 1.2THz.

Kawamura, J.↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Submillimeter-Wave Astronomy Satellite: On-Orbit Thermal Performance and Design Retrospective

A large telescope aperture, stringent thermal stability and temperature range requirements, and a passively-cooled 150 K module presented major challenges in thermal design and hardware fabrication of this Small Explorer satellite. This paper reviews briefly the thermal design of the SWAS science instrument, and examines the first three months of on-orbit thermal history. Measured temperatures for both the science payload and the spacecraft module and solar arrays are compared with those predicted by the correlated analytical model. Similarities and differences are interpreted in terms of the major uncertainties remaining after thermal-balance testing, especially those of MLI performance and telescope aperture properties. Review of the thermal model adequacy and thermal design verification are included to suggest improvements in the thermal design process for future missions.

Boyd, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Transmission Properties of Zitex in the Infrared to Submillimeter

The results of measurements of the refractive index and power absorption coefficient of Zitex at 290 K, 77 K, and 4 K in the spectral region from 1 to 1000 microns are presented. Zitex is a porous Teflon sheet with a filling factor of approximately 50%, and is manufactured in several varieties as a filter paper. Zitex is found to be an effective infrared radiation block, with thin (200 micrometer) sheets transmitting less than 1% in the 1-50 micrometer range while absorbing <10% at wavelengths longer than 200 micrometers. Some variation in the cutoff wavelength is seen, tending to be a shorter wavelength cutoff for a smaller pore size. Additionally, the thermal conductivity of Zitex at cryogenic temperatures has been measured, and is found to be roughly one-half that of bulk Teflon.

Benford, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

New technologies for the detection of millimeter and submillimeter waves

Voltage-biased superconducting bolometers have many operational advantages over conventional bolometer technology including sensitivity, linearity, speed, and immunity from environmental disturbance. A review is given of the Berkeley program for developing this new technology. Developments include fully lithographed individual bolometers in the spiderweb configuration, arrays of 1024 close-packed absorber-coupled bolometers, antenna-coupled bolometers, and a frequency-domain SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) readout multiplexer.

Richards, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Millimeter and Submillimeter Spectroscopy of Titan

Our major goals for the first year of this program were to develop a general improved radiative transfer model of the atmosphere of Titan, and to accurately determine the global abundance of CO from observations obtained using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Millimeter Array. Other goals were to reanalyze older data sets using the improved radiative transfer model and to observe other molecular species as time permitted. Our program was granted two Titan transits to measure the CO(2-1) rotational transition at low spatial resolution, and one transit to measure nitriles and organics in the 236-239 GHz spectral range. In year two, our program was granted two Titan transits to measure the CO(2-1) rotational transition at low spatial resolution, and one transit to measure nitriles and organics in the 236-239 GHz spectral range. The CO(2-1) observations were previously reported in a published paper

Gurwell, Mark A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

The Submillimeter Probe of the Evolution of Cosmic Structure (SPECS)

The NASA roadmap mission SPECS is conceived as an imaging and spectral interferometer that will have the sensitivity needed to reach back in time to the formation epoch of the first luminous objects, the angular resolution needed to image proto-planetary systems and galaxies at high redshift, and the spectral resolution needed to probe the physical conditions and measure the flows of interstellar gas in young galaxies, nascent stars, and the dust-enshrouded nuclei of galaxies that harbor massive black holes. With a 1 km maximum baseline and the capability to sample the u-v plane completely, SPECS will produce images with angular resolution 20 (lambda / 100 microns) mas over the wavelength range 40 less than lambda less than 800 microns. In this talk I will give the scientific motivation for SPECS, describe mission concepts and telescope measurement capabilities, and compare these capabilities with those of the next-generation IR telescopes, and with the complementary JWST and ALMA.

Leisawitz, David↗
NASA NTRS2002

Submillimeter and Far Infrared Experiment for SOFIA (SAFIRE): Progress and Prospects

SAFIRE/SOFIA is a versatile imaging Fabry-Perot spectrograph covering 100 less than lambda less than 655 microns, with spectral resolving power of approx. l0(exp 3). Selected as a "PI" instrument for the airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), SAFIRE will apply two dimensional pop-up bolometer arrays to provide background limited imaging spectrometry. We describe the instrument design, its application to a range of astro- physical investigations, and current progress and results in the innovative detector and instrument design. SAFIRE/SOFIA is on track for availability in 2006.

Shafer, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Technology Needs for Far-Infrared, Submillimeter, and Millimeter Missions

SAFIR will: Study the important and relatively unexplored region of the spectrum between 30 and 300 m; Enable the study of galaxy formation and the earliest stage of star formation by revealing regions too enshrouded by dust to be studied by NGST; Be more than 100 times as sensitive as SIRTF or the European [Herschel] mission.SAFIR is projected to cost around $600M total. The decadal review committee recommends that $100M be allocated in this decade to start the SAFIR project, and that additional technology developments be funded separately: Far-Infrared Array Development ($10M ) Refrigerators ($50M ) Large, Lightweight Optics ($80M ). Current developments are also described.

Moseley, S. Harvey↗
NASA NTRS2004

BLAST: The Balloon-Borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope

BLAST is the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope. It will fly from a Long Duration Balloon (LDB) platform from Antarctica. The telescope design incorporates a 2 m primary mirror with large-format bolometer arrays operating at 250, 350 and 500 microns. By providing the first sensitive large-area (10 sq. deg.) sub-mm surveys at these wavelengths, BLAST will address some of the most important galactic and cosmological questions regarding the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies and clusters. Galactic and extragalactic BLAST surveys will: (1) identify large numbers of high-redshift galaxies; (2) measure photometric redshifts, rest-frame FIR luminosities and star formation rates thereby constraining the evolutionary history of the galaxies that produce the FIR and sub-mm background; (3) measure cold pre-stellar sources associated with the earliest stages of star and planet formation; (4) make high-resolution maps of diffuse galactic emission over a wide range of galactic latitudes. In addition to achieving the above scientific goals, the exciting legacy of the BLAST LDB experiment will be a catalogue of 3000-5000 extragalactic sub-mm sources and a 100 sq. deg. sub-mm galactic plane survey. Multi-frequency follow-up observations from SIRTF, ASTRO-F, and Herschel, together with spectroscopic observations and sub-arcsecond imaging from ALMA are essential to understand the physical nature of the BLAST sources.

Devlin, Mark↗