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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

The problem of atmospheric turbulence

All ground-based observations of the solar five-minute oscillations are affected by turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere that leads to substantial refractive index variations. The turbulent motions serve to mix an air mass that is thermally stratified in the vertical, thereby producing intermittent thermal fluctuations over a wide range of heights in the atmosphere. These thermal structures yield refractive index changes that deflect the light path in a complicated way, producing intricate variations of amplitude and phase in what might have started out as simple plane waves. Since the fluid turbulence is statistical in nature, so too is the optical turbulence which is an integral measure of the refractive index changes along the light travel path. All of this produces what is usually called atmospheric seeing, which consists of image motion, blurring and distortion across the field of view. The effects of atmospheric seeing upon observations of five-minute oscillations carried out from the ground were assessed. This will help to provide a baseline estimate of the scienctific benefits that might accrue if one were able to observe the same oscillations from a space observatory unfettered by seeing effects.

Toomre, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry for flow measurements

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry are compared as methods for the accurate measurement of refractive index and density change distributions of phase objects. Experimental results are presented to show that the two methods have comparable accuracy for measuring the first derivative of the interferometric fringe shift. The phase object for the measurements is a large crystal of KD*P, whose refractive index distribution can be changed accurately and repeatably for the comparison. Although the refractive index change causes only about one interferometric fringe shift over the entire crystal, the derivative shows considerable detail for the comparison. As electronic phase measurement methods, both methods are very accurate and are intrinsically compatible with computer controlled readout and data processing. Heterodyne moire is relatively inexpensive and has high variable sensitivity. Heterodyne holographic interferometry is better developed, and can be used with poor quality optical access to the experiment.

Decker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Some recent developments in the interpretation of MST radar returns from clear air (keynote paper), part 2

Mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radar returns from clear air come about through the interaction of electromagnetic waves with the inhomogeneous structures of refractive index in the atmosphere. In order to interpret the data correctly to obtain information concerning the dynamics of the atmosphere, one must first know how the various refractive index structures can affect the propagation and scattering of the radio waves. This can be achieved through theoretical and model studies. On the other hand, in order to carry out realistic theoretical studies, realistic models of the inhomogeneous structures of the atmospheric refractive index are needed. These are available only through observational data. Therefore the close interplays between theoretical and observational investigations are essential in making progress in this area. Some results on certain aspects of the problem are presented with emphasis on those aspects that may lead to new developments.

Liu, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Optical properties of solid and liquid sulfur at visible and infrared wavelengths

The real part of the refractive index of liquid sulfur and solid orthorhombic sulfur was measured in the 0.4-2.0 micron range, with reference to applications to Venus, Jupiter, Amalthea, Io, and the earth. The imaginary part of the refractive index of liquid sulfur was also measured, and the reflectance of semiinfinite slabs of solid and liquid sulfur was calculated on the basis of the measured values of the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index. The conclusion that liquid sulfur melts on Io would be classified as 'black' by the Voyager spectrophotometric analysis is confirmed.

Sasson, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry for flow measurements

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry are compared as methods for the accurate measurement of refractive index and density change distributions of phase objects. Experimental results are presented to show that the two methods have comparable accuracy for measuring the first derivative of the interferometric fringe shift. The phase object for the measurements is a large crystal of KD P, whose refractive index distribution can be changed accurately and repeatably for the comparison. Although the refractive index change causes only about one interferometric fringe shift over the entire crystal, the derivative shows considerable detail for the comparison. As electronic phase measurement methods, both methods are very accurate and are intrinsically compatible with computer controlled readout and data processing. Heterodyne moire is relatively inexpensive and has high variable sensitivity. Heterodyne holographic interferometry is better developed, and can be used with poor quality optical access to the experiment.

Decker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observations of mesoscale vertical velocities around frontal zones

Vertical velocity and reflectivity data obtained with a VHF Doppler radar over a 15-day period in October and November of 1981 are analyzed. Standard radiosonde data and surface observations were used to locate two occluded fronts, two warm fronts, and a cold front that passed the radar site. These fronts are also evident in the radar reflectivity data. Most studies of the vertical circulation patterns associated with mososcale systems have used precipitation and cloud formations as tracers. Unlike other observational techniques, the VHF radar permits the continuous measurement of the three-dimensional air velocity vector in time and height from a fixed location. With the beam in a vertically pointing position, signals are scattered from turbulent variations in the refractive index with half the scale of the radar wavelength and by regions with sudden changes in the refractive index associated with horizontally stratified layers. Generally, the strongest echoes occur at the maximum in the vertical gradient of refractivity, usually at the base of a temperature inversion, such as the tropopause. VHF radars can also be used to locate atmospheric fronts, which are characterized by static stability, large horizontal temperature gradients, large vorticities, and vertical wind shears. These radars can provide the velocity field data needed to study wave motions associated with fronts and compare the actual vertical circulation to theoretical predictions.

Dennis, T. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Recent flow visualization studies in the 0.3-m TCT

Light beams are altered by refractive index changes; flow induced refractive index changes provide the impetus for conventional visualization techniques such as schlieren and shadowgraph. Unfortunately effects related to the flow can be masked by refractive index inhomogeneities external to the test section. A simple shadowgraph scheme was used to assess the flow quality of the Langley 0.3 meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. When the penetration tubes were evacuated the quality of the shadowgraph improved dramatically.

Snow, Walter L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Wave propagation through random media: A local method of small perturbations based on the Helmholtz equation

Propagation of sound through the turbulent atmosphere is a statistical problem. The randomness of the refractive index field causes sound pressure fluctuations. Although no general theory to predict sound pressure statistics from given refractive index statistics exists, there are several approximate solutions to the problem. The most common approximation is the parabolic equation method. Results obtained by this method are restricted to small refractive index fluctuations and to small wave lengths. While the first condition is generally met in the atmosphere, it is desirable to overcome the second. A generalization of the parabolic equation method with respect to the small wave length restriction is presented.

Grosse, Ralf↗
NASA NTRS1990

Hanging drop crystal growth apparatus

This invention relates generally to control systems for controlling crystal growth, and more particularly to such a system which uses a beam of light refracted by the fluid in which crystals are growing to detect concentration of solutes in the liquid. In a hanging drop apparatus, a laser beam is directed onto drop which refracts the laser light into primary and secondary bows, respectively, which in turn fall upon linear diode detector arrays. As concentration of solutes in drop increases due to solvent removal, these bows move farther apart on the arrays, with the relative separation being detected by arrays and used by a computer to adjust solvent vapor transport from the drop. A forward scattering detector is used to detect crystal nucleation in drop, and a humidity detector is used, in one embodiment, to detect relative humidity in the enclosure wherein drop is suspended. The novelty of this invention lies in utilizing angular variance of light refracted from drop to infer, by a computer algorithm, concentration of solutes therein. Additional novelty is believed to lie in using a forward scattering detector to detect nucleating crystallites in drop.

Naumann, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Unified aeroacoustics analysis for high speed turboprop aerodynamics and noise. Volume 5: Propagation of propeller tone noise through a fuselage boundary layer

An analysis of tone noise propagation through a boundary layer and fuselage scattering effects was derived. This analysis is a three dimensional and the complete wave field is solved by matching analytical expressions for the incident and scattered waves in the outer flow to a numerical solution in the boundary layer flow. The outer wave field is constructed analytically from an incident wave appropriate to the source and a scattered wave in the standard Hankel function form. For the incident wave, an existing function - domain propeller noise radiation theory is used. In the boundary layer region, the wave equation is solved by numerical methods. The theoretical analysis is embodied in a computer program which allows the calculation of correction factors for the fuselage scattering and boundary layer refraction effects. The effects are dependent on boundary layer profile, flight speed, and frequency. Corrections can be derived for any point on the fuselage, including those on the opposite side from the source. The theory was verified using limited cases and by comparing calculations with available measurements from JetStar tests of model prop-fans. For the JetStar model scale, the boundary layer refraction effects produce moderate fuselage pressure reinforcements aft of and near the plane of rotation and significant attenuation forward of the plane of rotation at high flight speeds. At lower flight speeds, the calculated boundary layer effects result in moderate amplification over the fuselage area of interest. Apparent amplification forward of the plane of rotation is a result of effective changes in the source directivity due to boundary layer refraction effects. Full scale effects are calculated to be moderate, providing fuselage pressure amplification of about 5 dB at the peak noise location. Evaluation using available noise measurements was made under high-speed, high-altitude flight conditions. Comparisons of calculations made of free field noise, using a current frequency-domain propeller noise prediction method, and fuselage effects using this new procedure show good agreement with fuselage measurements over a wide range of flight speeds and frequencies. Correction factors for the JetStar measurements made on the fuselage are provided in an Appendix.

Magliozzi, B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effects of the Gulf Stream on ocean waves

In the present study a third-generation numerical wave model is used to study effects of a straight Gulf Stream ring on ocean waves in swell and storm conditions. The model accounts for all relevant processes of propagation, generation, and dissipation of the waves (including current effects) without imposing a priori restraints on the spectral development of the waves. The dominating mechanism affecting the waves appears to be current-induced refraction even though the short-crestedness of the incoming waves tends to mask its effects (also in swell conditions). Depending on wind and wave conditions, refraction may trap locally generated waves in the straight Gulf Stream or it may reflect wave energy back to the open ocean. In the Gulf Stream ring, refraction induces a considerable variation in significant wave height and short-crestedness, but it hardly affects the mean wave direction. In storm conditions the processes of generation and dissipation are considerably enhanced in countercurrent situations and reduced following-current situations.

Holthuijsen, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Theoretical model for a thin cylindrical film optical fiber fluorosensor

The analytical treatment of power efficiency (P(eff) is undertaken for the case of a positively guiding optical fiber with a thin-film source distributed in the core-cladding interface. The approach adopts the exact solution of the cylindrical optical fiber with an infinite cladding to account for differences between the indices of refraction of the core and the cladding. The excitation of low-loss leaky modes by the cladding is ignored, and only the injection by the evanescent field is considered. The formulas permit the analysis of the power-injection efficiency of fibers with arbitrary differences in indices of refraction. P(eff) does not always increase with V number, but rather varies slightly with wavelength and fiber-core radius and varies significantly with the difference in the indices of refraction. The theoretical results of the work are of interest for designing an atomic-O chemical sensor based on evanescent-wave coupling.

Egalon, Claudio O.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Dielectric surface properties of Venus

It has been known for over a decade that certain high-altitude regions on Venus exhibit bizarre radar-scattering and radiothermal-emission behavior. For example, observed values for normal-incidence power reflection coefficients in these areas can exceed 0.5; enhanced back scatter in some mountainous areas in the Magellan SAR images creates a bright surface with the appearance of snow; and reduced thermal emission in the anomalous areas makes the surface there appear hundreds of degrees cooler than the corresponding physical surface temperatures. The inferred radio emissivity in several of these regions falls to 0.3 for horizontal linear polarization at viewing angles in the range 20 deg - 40 deg. Several explanations have been offered for these linked phenomena. One involves single-surface reflection from a sharp discontinuity separating two media that have extremely disparate values of electromagnetic propagation. The mismatch may occur in either or both the real (associated with propagation velocity) or imaginary (associated with absorption) components of the relevant indices of refraction, and the discontinuity must take place over a distance appreciably shorter than a wavelength. An example of such an interaction of Earth would occur at the surface of a body of water. At radio wavelengths, water has an index of refraction of 9 (dielectric permittivity of about 80), and an associated loss factor that varies strongly with the amount of dissolved salts, but is generally significant. Its single-surface radar reflectivity at normal incidence is about 0.65, and the corresponding emissivity (viewed at the same angle) is therefore 0.35. Both these values are similar to the extremes found on Venus, but in the absence of liquid water, the process on Venus requires a different explanation. Two of the present authors (Pettengill and Ford) have suggested that scattering from a single surface possessing a very high effective dielectric permittivity could explain many of the unusual characteristics displayed by the Venus surface. A second explantion relates to the volume scattering that results from successive interactions with one or more interfaces interior to the planetary surface. If the near-surface material has a moderately low index of refraction (to ensure that a substantial fraction of the radiation incident from outside is not reflected, but rather penetrates into the surface), and a very low internal propagation loss, successive internal reflections can eventually redirect much of the energy back through the surface toward the viewer. The necessary conditions for this process to be effective are a low internal propagation loss coupled with efficient internal reflection. At sufficiently low temperatures, fractured water ice displays both the necessary low loss and near-total internal reflection. The possibility that this mechanism might be acting on Venus has recently been put forward.

Pettengill, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Two color holographic interferometry for microgravity application

Holographic interferometry is a primary candidate for the measurement of temperature and concentration in various crystal growth experiments destined for space. The method measures refractive index changes in the experiment test cell. A refractive index change can be caused by concentration changes, temperature changes, or a combination of temperature and concentration changes. If the refractive index changes are caused by temperature and concentration changes occurring simultaneously in the experiment test cell, the contributions by the two effects cannot be separated by conventional measurement methods. By using two wavelengths, two independent interferograms can be produced from the reconstruction of the hologram. The two interferograms will be different due to dispersion properties of fluid materials. These differences provide the additional information that allows the separation of simultaneously occurring temperature and concentration gradients. There is no other technique available that can provide this type of information. The primary objectives of this effort are to experimentally verify the mathematical theory of two color holographic interferometry and to determine the practical value of this technique for space application. To achieve these objectives, the accuracy and sensitivity of the technique must be determined for geometry's and materials that are relevant to the Materials Processing in the Space program of NASA. This will be achieved through the use of a specially designed two-color holographic interferometry breadboard optical system. In addition to experiments to achieve the primary goals, the breadboard will also provide inputs to the design of an optimum space flight system.

Trolinger, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Diffractive optical elements for generating arbitrary line foci

The key optical component in the architecture of the linearly variable magnification telescope presented here is a conical lens. This architecture has application to Doppler radar processing and to wavelet processing. Unfortunately, the unique surface profile of a conical lens does not allow traditional grinding techniques to be used for fabrication; therefore, its fabrication is considered custom. In addition to the requirement of custom fabrication, a refractive conical lens introduces phase aberrations that are intrinsic to its conic shape. Further, due to the large prismatic component of the lens, the variable magnification telescope architecture is off-axis. To overcome the fabrication and application difficulties of a refractive lens, we consider the construction of a hybrid diffractive-refractive lens.

Mait, Joseph N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Laser figuring for the generation of analog micro-optics and kineform surfaces

To date, there have been many techniques used to generate micro-optic structures in glass or other materials. Using methods common to the lithographic industry, the manufacturing technique known as 'binary optics,' has demonstrated the use of diffractive optics in a variety of micro-optic applications. It is well established that diffractive structures have limited capability when applied in a design more suited for a refractive element. For applications that demand fast, highly efficient, broadband designs, we have developed a technique which uses laser figuring to generate the refractive micro-optical surface. This paper describes the technique used to fabricate refractive micro-optics. Recent results of micro-optics in CdZnTe focal planes are shown.

Gratrix, Edward J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Coherent lidar design and performance verification

The verification of LAWS beam alignment in space can be achieved by a measurement of heterodyne efficiency using the surface return. The crucial element is a direct detection signal that can be identified for each surface return. This should be satisfied for LAWS but will not be satisfied for descoped LAWS. The performance of algorithms for velocity estimation can be described with two basic parameters: the number of coherently detected photo-electrons per estimate and the number of independent signal samples per estimate. The average error of spectral domain velocity estimation algorithms are bounded by a new periodogram Cramer-Rao Bound. Comparison of the periodogram CRB with the exact CRB indicates a factor of two improvement in velocity accuracy is possible using non-spectral domain estimators. This improvement has been demonstrated with a maximum-likelihood estimator. The comparison of velocity estimation algorithms for 2 and 10 micron coherent lidar was performed by assuming all the system design parameters are fixed and the signal statistics are dominated by a 1 m/s rms wind fluctuation over the range gate. The beam alignment requirements for 2 micron are much more severe than for a 10 micron lidar. The effects of the random backscattered field on estimating the alignment error is a major problem for space based lidar operation, especially if the heterodyne efficiency cannot be estimated. For LAWS, the biggest science payoff would result from a short transmitted pulse, on the order of 0.5 microseconds instead of 3 microseconds. The numerically errors for simulation of laser propagation in the atmosphere have been determined as a joint project with the University of California, San Diego. Useful scaling laws were obtained for Kolmogorov atmospheric refractive turbulence and an atmospheric refractive turbulence characterized with an inner scale. This permits verification of the simulation procedure which is essential for the evaluation of the effects of refractive turbulence on coherent Doppler lidar systems. The analysis of 2 micron Doppler lidar data from Coherent Technologies, Inc. (CTI) has demonstrated many of the advantages of doppler lidar measurements of boundary layer winds. The effects of wind shear and wind turbulence over the pulse volume are probably the dominant source of the reduced performance. The effects of wind shear and wind turbulence on the statistical description of doppler lidar data has been derived and calculated.

Frehlich, Rod↗
NASA NTRS1993

Optical fibers and Fluorosensors having improved power efficiency and methods of producing same

Optical fibers may have applications including fluorosensors which sense the concentration of an analyte. Like communication fibers, these fluorosensors are modeled using a weakly guiding approximation which is only effective when the difference between the respective refractive indices of the fiber core and surrounding cladding are minimal. An optical fiber fluorosensor is provided having a portion of a fiber core which is surrounded by an active cladding which is permeable by the analyte to be sensed and containing substances which emit light waves upon excitation. A remaining portion of the fiber core is surrounded by a guide cladding which guides these light waves to a sensor which detects the intensity of waves, which is a function of the analyte concentration. Contrary to conventional weakly guiding principles, the difference between the respective indices of refraction of the fiber core is surrounded by an active cladding which is thin enough such that its index of refraction is effectively that of the surrounding atmosphere, thereby the atmosphere guides the injective indices of the fiber core and the cladding results in an unexpected increase in the power efficiency of the fiber core.

Egalon, Claudio O.↗