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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Quantitative photoexcitation and fluorescence studies of C2H2 in vacuum ultraviolet

Synchrotron radiation light source measurements were conducted in the 105-155 nm region to obtain the photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of C2H2, and the quantum yield for producing the C2H-asterisk fluorescence from C2H2's photodissociation was measured in the 106-136.5 nm region. The products of the radiative lifetime quenching rate constant increase with excitation wavelengths. The data obtained on lifetimes, quenchings, and fluorescence spectra point to an upper state of the C2H-asterisk fluorescence that is well bound, while the lower state is a repulsive or weak-bound state.

Suto, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Double Light-Emitting Diode

Two GaAs light-emitting diodes packaged as single unit offer greater reliability than conventional single-diode package. One diode is primary light source. If it fails, backup diode switched in. Each diode has separate power lead, so either or both switched on or off at same time.

Johnson, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Power Supply For 25-Watt Arc Lamp

Dual-voltage circuitry both strikes and maintains arc. New power supply designed (and several units already in use) that replaces relay/choke combination with solid-state starter. New power supply consists of two main sections. First section (low voltage power supply section) is 84-volt directcurrent supply. Second section (high-voltage starter circuit) is CockroftWalton voltage multiplier. Used as light sources for schlieren, shadowgraph, and other flow-visualization techniques.

Leighty, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Extracts from the test plan for in-flight evaluation of the NT-33A peripheral vision display

The Peripheral Vision Display (PVD) which presents the pilot with a gyro stabilized artificial horizon projected onto his instrument panel by a laser light source is outlined. During instrument flight conditions, such a display allows the pilot to gain attitude awareness by sensing the horizon line through his peripheral vision. The pilot can detect changes to aircraft attitude without continuously referring back to his flight instruments. A second generation PVD unit was installed in the USAF/Calspan NT-33A during late 1982. An NT-33A flight evaluation of the display provides a unique opportunity to utilize a Workload Assessment Device (WAD) to obtain quantitative data regarding the utility of the PVD in reducing pilot workload. The experimental design and procedures for a two phase NT-33 PVD flight evaluation program is described.

Knotts, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spacecraft system study: A study to define the impact of laser communication systems on their host spacecraft

The mutual influence of a laser communication system and its host spacecraft and the degree to which the mutual influence limited acquisition, tracking and pointing processes were investigated. A laser klink between a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbiting (GEO) satellite was used as a baseline. The laser link between satellites was a generic channel transferring 500 Mbps data from the LEO to GEO using the GaAlAs laser as the laser light source. Major aspects of pointing and tracking with a satelliteborne optical system were evaluated including: (1) orbital aspects such as spacecraft relative motions, point ahead, and Sun snd Moon optical noise; (2) burst errors introduced by the electronic and optical noise levels; (3) servo system design and configurations, and the noise sources such as, sensor noise, base motion disturbances, gimbal friction torque noise; (4) an evaluation of the tracking and beacon link and the type of sensors used; (5) the function of the acquisition procedure and an evaluation of the sensors employed; and (6) an estimate of the size, weight and power needed for the satellite system.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Vapor-screen technique for flow visualization in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

The vapor-screen technique for flow visualization, as developed for the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, is described with evaluations of light sources and photographic equipment. Test parameters including dew point, pressure, and temperature were varied to determine optimum conditions for obtaining high-quality vapor-screen photographs. The investigation was conducted in the supersonic speed range for Mach numbers from 1.47 to 4.63 at model angles of attack up to 35 deg. Vapor-screen photographs illustrating various flow patterns are presented for several missile and aircraft configurations. Examples of vapor-screen results that have contributed to the understanding of complex flow fields and provided a basis for the development of theoretical codes are presented with reference to other research.

Morris, O. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Reference-cell calibration activities

The use of secondary calibration in large area pulsed solar simulators (LAPSS) is discussed. It is argued that primary calibration in sunlight is time consuming, that only a limited sun calibration of a set of primary reference cells is required, that the LAPSS light source is filtered to closely match the am 1.5 direct spectrum, and that the temperal stability of the filtered LAPSS is excellent. There is the possibility of a lower error rate. Lower costs are anticipated.

Mueller, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Generating soft shadows with a depth buffer algorithm

Computer-synthesized shadows used to appear with a sharp edge when cast onto a surface. At present the production of more realistic, soft shadows is considered. However, significant costs arise in connection with such a representation. The current investigation is concerned with a pragmatic approach, which combines an existing shadowing method with a popular visible surface rendering technique, called a 'depth buffer', to generate soft shadows resulting from light sources of finite extent. The considered method represents an extension of Crow's (1977) shadow volume algorithm.

Brotman, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Laboratory demonstration of image reconstruction for coherent optical system of modular imaging collectors (COSMIC)

The first physical demonstration of the principle of image reconstruction using a set of images from a diffraction-blurred elongated aperture is reported. This is an optical validation of previous theoretical and numerical simulations of the COSMIC telescope array (coherent optical system of modular imaging collectors). The present experiment utilizes 17 diffraction blurred exposures of a laboratory light source, as imaged by a lens covered by a narrow-slit aperture; the aperture is rotated 10 degrees between each exposure. The images are recorded in digitized form by a CCD camera, Fourier transformed, numerically filtered, and added; the sum is then filtered and inverse Fourier transformed to form the final image. The image reconstruction process is found to be stable with respect to uncertainties in values of all physical parameters such as effective wavelength, rotation angle, pointing jitter, and aperture shape. Future experiments will explore the effects of low counting rates, autoguiding on the image, various aperture configurations, and separated optics.

Traub, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Laboratory simulations of PH3 photolysis in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn

The effects of pressure, temperature, light wavelength and intensity, and components of the atmosphere of the Jovian planets on the photolysis of PH3 were experimentally studied. The products of the photolysis, P2H4 and red phosphorus, exhibited little variation when the irradiation experiments were performed under conditions prevalent in Jupiter's atmosphere. No quenching of PH2 radicals by the levels of hydrocarbons present in the Jovian atmosphere was noted. The high partial pressure of hydrogen present on Jupiter should have no effect on the course of the photolysis. The low temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn may result in some condensation of P2H4, but P2H4 had sufficient vapor pressure in the experimental studies at 157 K to be slowly converted to red phosphorus. The products of PH3 photolysis were the same whether a 147, 184.9, or 206.2 nm monochromatic light source or a xenon lamp with a broad spectral output was used.

Ferris, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of HO2 chemical kinetics with a new detection method

In this research program, HO2 was detected by the OH(A-X) photofragment from dissociative excitation of HO2 at 147 nm. This detection method was applied to measure the reaction rate constant of HO2 + O3. This reaction rate constant is needed for the understanding of stratospheric chemistry. Since C12 was used in the flow system, photoexcitation of C12 may produce fluorescence to interfere with the measurements. Thus, the photoexcitation process of C12 in the vacuum ultraviolet region was also examined in this research period using synchrotron radiation as a light source. The research results are summarized.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Photoabsorption cross section of CH3CN - Photodissociation rates by solar flux and interstellar radiation

The photoabsorption cross section of CH2CN vapor was measured in the 106-180 nm region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. The cross section and the quantum yield for the production of CN (A, B-X) fluorescence were measured and were used to infer the photodissociation cross section of CH3CN. The cross sections were used to calculate the photodissociation rates of CH3CN by the solar flux and by the interstellar radiation. In both the stratosphere and the troposphere, the solar photodissociation of CH3CN is negligible in comparison with chemical degradation.

Suto, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Wavelength-division multiplexed digital optical position transducer

A novel concept for a digital optical position tranducer is presented. This compact and rugged device is electrically passive and requires only a dual-fiber optical link. Wavelength division of a broad-spectrum semiconductor light source is employed to multiplex the channels of a 10-bit digital position encoder. A preliminary design was evaluated and found to have a 10-dB on-off contrast ratio and a 12-dB insertion loss.

Fritsch, K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Role of scattering distribution functions in spacecraft contamination control practices

A method for spacecraft optical surface contamination monitoring based on the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and the bidirectional transmittance distribution function (BTDF) is described. In the experimental set up, BRDF/BTDF measurements were made at 0.6328 microns using a 35-mW He-Ne laser light source. A correlation of the second order between BRDF and cleanliness levels was observed. It is suggested that bidirectional scattering distribution functions measured on witness mirrors can give information about contamination in clean rooms or vacuum chambers, and that they can be adopted to establish contamination control criteria.

Carosso, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Quantitative VUV spectroscopy of Cl2

The photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of Cl2 were measured in the 105-145 nm region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. The oscillator strengths for the major absorption bands were calculated from the measured absorption cross sections. The measured oscillator strengths for the 2 3Pi u and 2 1Pi u - X 1Sigma(+)g transitions agree quite well with the theoretical values. The absorption spectrum was analyzed in accord with the excited electronic states calculated by Peyerimhoff and Buenker (1981). The Rydberg series converging to the first and second ionization potentials were classified. The vibrational levels of the 2 1Sigma(+)u ionic state were determined up to v prime = 15 from the fluorescence excitation spectrum. It was observed that a band with peak at 108.3 nm produces VUV fluorescence, but it produces UV fluorescence only by a collisional excitation process.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

UV-T-RH combined environmental testing

A combined environmental aging chamber was developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The chamber has an ultraviolet (UV) light source that can be varied between 1 to 2 suns, temperature control from -40 to +175 C, and adjustable humidity. Results from two initial aging experiments (Tedlar and amorphous silicon colar cells) were presented.

Gonzalez, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

CF2 and CFCl fluorescence from VUV excitation of C2F3Cl

The photoexcitation process of C2F3Cl molecule was investigated in the 106 to 230 nm region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. Photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections were measured and used to determine the fluorescence quantum yield. Fluorescence yield starts to appear at 170 nm and increases to about 2% at 155 nm. The fluorescence spectra were dispersed to identify the emitting species. At the excitation wavelength of 155 nm, the emission system is CFCl (Hermitian conjugate of A - Hermitian conjugate of X), and at 123.9 nm, both the CF2 (Hermitian conjugate of A - Hermitian conjugate of X) and CFCl (Hermitian conjugate of A - Hermitian conjugate of X) systems are observed. The dissociation processes that produced these excited species are discussed.

Nee, J. B.↗