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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Iron crystals in lunar breccias

Many of the vugs in the highly recrystallized breccias from Apollos 14, 15, and 16 contain euhedral iron crystals. Three populations have been recognized based on crystal habit. In the first group the trapezohedron predominates and the cube faces are smaller. The second group is characterized by the cube as the dominant form; trapezohedron and tetrahexahedron faces are smaller and about equally developed. The dominant habit of the third group is the octahedron with smaller but equally developed cube and dodecahedron faces. Iron has been mobilized and redistributed in a vapor phase. The euhedral crystals, the abundant growth steps, and the open network of substrate crystals clearly support the concept of growth from a vapor-phase.

Clanton, U. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The study of single crystals for space processing and the effect of zero gravity

A study was undertaken to analyze different growth techniques affected by a space environment. Literature on crystal growth from melt, vapor phase and float zone was reviewed and the physical phenomena important for crystal growth in zero-gravity environment was analyzed. Recommendations for potential areas of crystal growth feasible for space missions are presented and a bibliography of articles in the area of crystal growth in general is listed.

Lal, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The growth of deactivated layers on CsI(Na) scintillating crystals

An effective and sensitive measurement of the depth of a deactivated or dead layer can be obtained from the relative attenuation of the 22.162 KeV and 87.9 KeV X-rays emitted by Cd 109. The alpha-particles emitted by Am 241 are also useful in measuring dead layers less than 25 microns. The properties and temporal development of dead layers are discussed in detail. The rate of growth of a deal layer is closely related to the ambient humidity, and the damage to the crystal is irreversible by any known process. The dead layer can be minimized by polishing all crystal surfaces and by keeping the crystal in a vacuum or a dry atmosphere. Since a dead layer seriously inhibits the response of a crystal to X-rays of energies below approximately 20 keV, CsI(Na) detectors should not be used at these energies unless precautions are taken to ensure that no dead layer forms.

Goodman, N. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Containerless processing of single crystals in low-G environment

Experiments on containerless crystal growth from the melt were conducted during Skylab missions SL3 and SL4 (Skylab Experiment M-560). Six samples of InSb were processed, one of them heavily doped with selenium. The concept of the experiment is discussed and related to general crystal growth methods and their merits as techniques for containerless processing in space. The morphology of the crystals obtained is explained in terms of volume changes associated with solidification and wetting conditions during solidification. All samples exhibit extremely well developed growth facets. Analysis by X-ray topographical methods and chemical etching shows that the crystals are of high structural perfection. Average dislocation density as revealed by etching is of the order of 100 per sq cm; no dislocation clusters could be observed in the space-grown samples. A sequence of striations that is observed in the first half of the selenium-doped sample is explained as being caused by periodic surface breakdown.

Walter, H. U.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Crystallization behavior of anorthite

The growth rate of anorthite crystals from the melt is studied as a function of temperature with undercooling in the ranges 52-152 and 402-652 degrees C. The triclinic form is invariably observed as the crystallization product, growth is preferentially in the c direction, and the interface morphology is faceted. Significant growth rate anisotropy is indicated. The maximum growth rate of anorthite from the melt is higher than for anorthite-rich lunar compositions. Recent computer studies are combined with experimental data to estimate the heat of fusion of anorthite as 28000-45000 cal/mol; the corresponding range for entropy of fusion is (7.8-12)R (where R is the gas constant). The observations and kinetic data support Jackson's predictions concerning materials with large entropies of fusion and his suggestion that entropy of fusion is an important parameter for characterizing the crystal-liquid interface and the nature of the crystallization process.

Klein, L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Proposed distributed feedback crystal cavities for X-ray lasers

The use of zeolite crystals in distributed feedback crystal cavities for X-ray emissions is proposed. The zeolite crystals can guide the emitted X rays and can also generate the feedback necessary for self-sustained oscillation. A table lists the parameters of some typical zeolite crystals.

Elachi, C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Focusing crystal polarimeter designed for X-ray polarimetry - Construction and performance

A method for the construction of a graphite crystal polarimeter designed for measuring linear polarization of X-ray continuum sources is described. The dependence of reflected intensity upon the polarization direction of the incident beam at Bragg angles of 45 deg is used to measure the polarization. The particular instrument described was designed for a satellite X-ray polarimeter. By using a focusing parabolic surface instead of a nonfocusing flat crystal, the signal-to-background ratio is improved by a factor of 30 as compared to a flat crystal polarimeter of the same effective area. The focusing properties of the reflector were tested both optically and with X-rays. The performance of the instrument as a polarimeter was tested with a continuum X-ray source of small polarization, which was independently measured by a single flat crystal polarimeter. The agreement between the two measurements is excellent, indicating that the instrument can measure polarizations as low as 0.3%.

Toraskar, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A new real-time non-coherent to coherent light image converter - The hybrid field effect liquid crystal light valve

A new, high-performance device has been developed for application to real-time coherent optical data processing. The new device embodies a CdS photoconductor, a CdTe light-absorbing layer, a dielectric mirror, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between indium-tin-oxide transparent electrodes deposited on optical quality glass flats. The noncoherent image is directed onto the photoconductor; this reduces the impedance of the photoconductor, thereby switching the ac voltage that is impressed across the electrodes onto the liquid crystal to activate the device. The liquid crystal is operated in a hybrid field effect mode. It utilizes the twisted nematic effect to create a dark off-state and the optical birefringence effect to create the bright on-state. The liquid crystal modulates the polarization of the coherent read-out light so an analyzer must be used to create an intensity modulated output beam.

Grinberg, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Curved branching crystals and differentiation in comb-layered rocks

An investigation is conducted concerning two common features of comb layered rocks. Attention is given to the curvature of oriented, elongate, branching crystals and the tendency to form highly differentiated layers. Crystallization studies of plagioclase show that some degree of supercooling is necessary to produce the skeletal, curved, and branching plagioclase crystal morphologies found in comb-layered rocks and that curved crystals can be grown without the presence of a directed stress.

Lofgren, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Tracking transient temperatures with liquid crystals

The theoretical basis of the use of the liquid crystal technique to obtain transient thermal data is discussed. Results of calibrations of liquid crystal temperature sensors are given. The effects of crystal aging, lighting effects, observer bias, etc., on accuracy are discussed. The sensitivity of liquid crystal tapes as sensors of dynamic temperature changes is quite high. The accuracy of the technique is determined primarily by the type of calibration apparatus used.

Grodzka, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Spinel-silicate co-crystallization relations in sample 15555

The results on the crystallization history of medium-grained mare basalt sample 15555,171, based on microprobe analyses (Dalton, 1973) of host and inclusion mineral pairs are summarized with emphasis placed on that part of the crystallization history during which chromite and ulvospinel were crystallizing. Compositional data on pyroxene olivine, chromite and ulvospinel in 15555,171 were collected using microprobe; data are based on corrected counts ratios for nine elements. It is concluded that systematic chemical relations between host and inclusion minerals suggest continuous in situ nucleation and growth of these minerals; that the data allow the possibility of some minerals, especially chromite, settling out of the melt during crystallization; and that the chromite to ulvospinel transition is correlated with a compositional change of the melt resulting from nucleation and growth of plagioclase.

Dalton, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Crystal growth experiment MA-028

The crystal growth experiment assessed a novel process for growing single crystals of insoluble substances by allowing two or more reactant solutions to diffuse toward each other through a region of pure solvent in zero g. The experiment was entirely successful and yielded crystals of about the expected size, quality, and number. Photographs were taken in orbit to record the progress of the crystal growth.

Lind, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Experiment MA-028 crystal growth

A crystal growth experiment is reported on orbital space flights. The experiment was performed during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. The Crystal Growth Experiment assessed a novel process for growing single crystals of insoluble substances by allowing two or more reactant solutions to diffuse toward each other through a region of pure solvent in zero gravity. The experiment was entirely successful and yielded crystals of about the expected size, quality, and number.

Lind, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Drilling technique for crystals

Hole-drilling technique uses special crystal driller in which drill bit rotates at fixed position at speed of 30 rpm while crystal slowly advances toward drill. Technique has been successfully applied to crystal of Rochell salt, Triglycine sulfate, and N-acetyglycine. Technique limits heat buildup and reduces strain on crystal.

Hunter, T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Crystal growth from the vapour phase (ASTP experiment MA-085)

The positive effects of microgravity on crystal quality and fundamental properties of the vapor transport reaction were established by analyzing the results of three transport experiments on multi-component systems performed during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mission. The systems employed were GeSe(0.99)Te(0.01) - GeI4 (A), GeS(0.98)Se(0.02) - GeCl4 (B), and GeS - GeCl4-Ar (C). The crystallographic analysis is based on a direct comparison of space and ground-based (prototype) crystals, employing X-ray diffraction, microprobe, microscopic, and chemical etching techniques. The results demonstrate a considerable improvement of the space-grown crystals in terms of chemical and crystalline homogeneity, surface morphology, and bulk perfection relative to ground specimens. The confirmation of greater mass transport rates than predicted for micro-gravity by present vapor transport models is of basic scientific and practical importance for the improvement of transport models and techniques on earth and for the development of a transport model for space conditions. The internal consistency and agreement between ASTP and Skylab results obtained for different compounds, transport agents, and temperature gradients strongly support the validity of these observations. The combined findings of improved crystal quality and high mass transport rates are of technological significance for space-processing applications.

Wiedemeier, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A focussing iron line crystal spectrometer for Spacelab

A crystal spectrometer system is described which employs conical focusing of 12 curved LiF crystal panels to minimize the detector size and reduce the background counting rate. The wavelength range from 1.70 to 1.98 A is covered, including the resonance lines of Fe XXV and Fe XXVI as well as the Fe I K-alpha line and absorption edge. Operation of the spectrometer is discussed, noting that diffracted X-rays are registered in one-dimensional position-sensitive detectors and that the arrival position of a photon in a detector is related to its wavelength due to the fixed curvature of the crystal panels in the dispersion plane. Some characteristics of the multianode position-sensitive detectors are reviewed along with the crystal arrangement and mounting. The instrument sensitivity is evaluated in relation to the strengths of 6.7-keV emission features detected by the Ariel 5 and OSO 8 proportional-counter spectrometers.

Catura, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Bent crystal spectrometer for solar X-ray spectroscopy

A bent crystal spectrometer employs a collimated beam of X-rays incident on the crystal over a range of Bragg angles determined by the orientation and curvature of the crystal surface. It provides continuous and simultaneous coverage of all X-ray wavelengths within its spectral range. In-flight testing for solar X-ray spectroscopy was performed using a small instrument to supplement the wavelength coverage of several scanning spectrometers used to study solar active regions in the 9-24 A range. Later testing included modifications to alleviate problems caused by ultraviolet radiation. Future usage of the device will include studies of time variable emission from solar flares or discrete galactic X-ray sources, and the first major experiment to utilize bent crystal spectrometers will be the Solar Maximum Mission satellite in 1979.

Rapley, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Estimation of snow temperature and mean crystal radius from remote multispectral passive microwave measurements

Variation in crystal size and physical temperature of snowfield observations from space give large variations in the microwave brightness temperature. Since the brightness temperature is a function of wavelength, the microwave brightness temperature can be used to extract the snow temperature and mean crystal radius profiles. The Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), to be launched on board the Nimbus-G and Seasat-A spacecraft, will make observations in wavelengths of 0.8, 1.4, 1.7, 2.8, and 4.6 cm. A statistical retrieval method was developed to determine the snowfield temperature profile and mean crystal size by using the scanning multifrequency microwave radiometer on board a spacecraft. The estimated errors for retrieval are approximately 1.5 K for temperature and 0.001 for crystal radius in the presence of 1 K rms noise for each SMMR channel.

Chang, A. T. C.↗