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At least 73 records · Page 4

Parallel/Series-Fed Microstrip Array Antenna

Characteristics include low cross-polarization and high efficiency. Microstrip array antenna fabricated on two rectangular dielectric substrates. Produces fan-shaped beam polarized parallel to its short axis. Mounted conformally on outside surface of aircraft for use in synthetic-aperture radar. Other antennas of similar design mounted on roofs or sides of buildings, ships, or land vehicles for use in radar or communications.

Huang, John↗

An absolute recoil-carbon polarimeter for polarized light-ions at the BNL Booster

We describe a recoil-carbon polarimeter for the BNL Booster synchrotron capable of measuring the transverse polarization of both the polarized proton beam and the polarized 3 He ion beam throughout the acceleration cycle. The instrument addresses a critical gap in the BNL polarized beam program: no independent polarization measurement currently exists in the injector chain between the 200 MeV Linac polarimeter and the AGS. The proposed new polarimeter will provide continuous, absolute polarization measurements at the Booster stage, supplying additional anchor points for the polarization transmission through the accelerator chain. The polarimeter 9 is based on elastic pC and 3 He C scattering from a thin internal carbon target, with detection of the recoil 12 C nucleus in a fixed six-station silicon detector ring. A single detector geometry provides continuous kinematic coverage from injection to extraction for both beam species without mechanical adjustment. For pC scattering, the available data and the Bonin parametrization provide a well-established basis for estimating the analyzing power and figure of merit over the Booster energy range; for 3 He C the sole experimental anchor is a measurement at 443 MeV, and the Booster polarimeter itself is identified as the instrument to map the analyzing power across the remainder of the acceleration ramp by a ramp-and-return calibration that anchors the absolute 3 He polarization scale to a few percent. Provision for future deuteron polarimetry is incorporated in the chamber design without modification to the existing geometry. With appropriate detector upgrades, the same recoil-carbon technique can be extended to deuteron beams, for which analyzing power data are already available, and, with future analyzing-power measurements, also to 6 Li and 7 Li beams, making the polarimeter a versatile instrument for the full range of light polarized ion species anticipated at BNL.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Exact image method for Gaussian beam problems involving a planar interface

Exact image method, recently introduced for the solution of electromagnetic field problems involving sources above a planar interface or two homogeneous media, is shown to be valid also for sources located in complex space, which makes its application possible for Gaussian beam analysis. It is demonstrated that the Goos-Hanchen shift and the angular shift of a TE polarized beam are correctly given as asymptotic results by the exact reflection image theory. Also, the apparent image location giving the correct Gaussian beam transmitted through the interface is obtained as another asymptotic check. The present theory makes it possible to calculate the exact coupling from the Gaussian beam to the reflected and refracted beams, as well as to the surface wave.

Lindell, I. V.↗

Polarization/Spatial Combining of Laser-Diode Pump Beams

A breadboard version of an optical beam combiner is depicted which make it possible to use the outputs of any or all of four multimode laser diodes to pump a non-planar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser. The output of each laser diode has a single-mode profile in the meridional plane containing an axis denoted the 'fast' axis and a narrower multimode profile in the orthogonal meridional plane, which contains an axis denoted the 'slow' axis and a narrower multimode profile in the orthogonal meridional plane, which contains an axis denoted the 'slow' axis. One of the purposes served by the beam-combining optics is to reduce the fast-axis numerical aperture (NA) of the laser-diode output to match the NA of the optical fiber. Along the slow axis, the unmodified laser-diode NA is already well matched to the fiber optic NA, so no further slow-axis beam shaping is needed. In this beam combiner, the laser-diode outputs are collimated by aspherical lenses, then half-wave plates and polarizing beam splitters are used to combine the four collimated beams into two beams. Spatial combination of the two beams and coupling into the optical fiber is effected by use of anamorphic prisms, mirrors, and a focusing lens. The anamorphic prisms are critical elements in the NA-matching scheme, in that they reduce the fast-axis beam width to 1/6 of its original values. Inasmuch as no slow-axis beam shaping is needed, the collimating and focusing lenses are matched for 1:1 iumaging. Because these lenses are well corrected for infinite conjugates the combiner offers diffraction-limited performance along both the fast and slow axes.

Gelsinger, Paul↗

Exact-image method for Gaussian-beam problems involving a planar interface

The exact-image method, recently introduced for the solution of electromagnetic field problems involving sources above a planar interface between two homogeneous media, is shown to be valid also for sources located in complex space, which makes its application possible for Gaussian-beam analysis. It is demonstrated that the Goos-Hanchen shift and the angular shift of a TE-polarized beam are correctly given as asymptotic results by the exact-reflection-image theory. Also, the apparent-image location giving the correct Gaussian beam transmitted through the interface is obtained as another asymptotic check. The theory described here makes it possible to calculate the exact coupling from the Gaussian beam to the reflected and refracted beams as well as to the surface wave.

Lindell, Ismo V.↗

Direct Acceleration of an Electron Beam with a Radially Polarized Long-Wave Infrared Laser

Direct laser acceleration with radially polarized lasers is an intriguing variant of laser-based particle acceleration that has the potential of offering GeV/cm-level energy while avoiding the instabilities and complex beam dynamics associated with plasma wakefield accelerators. A major limiting factor is the difficulty of generating high-power radially polarized beams. In this paper, we propose the use of CO2-based long-wave infrared (LWIR) lasers as a driver for direct laser acceleration, as the polarization insensitivity of the gain medium allows a radially polarized beam to be amplified. Additionally, the larger waist sizes, Rayleigh lengths, and pulse lengths associated with the long wavelength could improve the injection efficiency of the electron beam. By comparing acceleration simulations using a near-infrared laser and an LWIR laser, we show that the injection efficiency is indeed improved by up to an order of magnitude with the longer wavelength. Furthermore, we show that even sub-TW peak powers with an LWIR laser can provide MeV-level energy gains. Thus, radially polarized LWIR lasers show significant promise as a driver of a direct laser-driven demonstration accelerator.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Dual-Frequency Airborne Scanning Rain Radar Antenna System

A compact, dual-frequency, dual-polarization, wide-angle-scanning antenna system has been developed as part of an airborne instrument for measuring rainfall. This system is an upgraded version of a prior single-frequency airborne rain radar antenna system and was designed to satisfy stringent requirements. One particularly stringent combination of requirements is to generate two dual-polarization (horizontal and vertical polarizations) beams at both frequencies (13.405 and 35.605 GHz) in such a way that the beams radiated from the antenna point in the same direction, have 3-dB angular widths that match within 25 percent, and have low sidelobe levels over a wide scan angle at each polarization-and-frequency combination. In addition, the system is required to exhibit low voltage standing-wave ratios at both frequencies. The system (see figure) includes a flat elliptical scanning reflector and a stationary offset paraboloidal reflector illuminated by a common-aperture feed system that comprises a corrugated horn with four input ports one port for each of the four frequency-and-polarization combinations. The feed horn is designed to simultaneously (1) under-illuminate the reflectors 35.605 GHz and (2) illuminate the reflectors with a 15-dB edge taper at 13.405 GHz. The scanning mirror is rotated in azimuth to scan the antenna beam over an angular range of 20 in the cross-track direction for wide swath coverage, and in elevation to compensate for the motion of the aircraft. The design of common-aperture feed horn makes it possible to obtain the required absolute gain and low side-lobe levels in wide-angle beam scanning. The combination of the common-aperture feed horn with the small (0.3) focal-length-to-diameter ratio of the paraboloidal reflector makes it possible for the overall system to be compact enough that it can be mounted on a DC-8 airplane.

Hussein, Ziad A.↗

Transverse deflection and dissipation of small plasma beams and clouds in magnetized media

Propagation of a quasi-neutral plasma beam or cloud across a magnetic field is considered for the case where the transverse dimension of the beam or cloud is sufficiently small compared to ion gyroradii. This situation commonly arises for active experiments in near-earth space. Two mechanisms are presented for transverse deflection of a beam or cloud in the -v0 x B0 direction where v0 is the velocity relative to the ambient medium. In the first, asymmetric escape of ions from an electrically polarized beam or cloud causes transverse deflection by means of a rocket effect. The transverse deflection distance is estimated to be a few times the initial transverse dimension of the beam or cloud. Dissipation occurs within a few times the thermal ion transverse crossing time. In the second mechanism, asymmetric charging results from localized accumulation of incident ions from the ambient medium. This excess positive charge distorts electric equipotentials and drives electron Hall currents that maintain an asymmetric compressed magnetic field region. The asymmetry of the magnetic stress contributes to transverse deflection with the same sign as the rocket effect. The asymmetric magnetic field also focuses incident ions to yield the localized charge accumulation. These ideas are qualitatively consistent with observations of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers artificial comet releases.

Cheng, Andrew F.↗

Laser Oscillator Incorporating a Wedged Polarization Rotator and a Porro Prism as Cavity Mirror

A laser cavity was designed and implemented by using a wedged polarization rotator and a Porro prism in order to reduce the parts count, and to improve the laser reliability. In this invention, a z-cut quartz polarization rotator is used to compensate the wavelength retardance introduced by the Porro prism. The polarization rotator rotates the polarization of the linear polarized beam with a designed angle that is independent of the orientation of the rotator. This unique property was used to combine the retardance compensation and a Risley prism to a single optical component: a wedged polarization rotator. This greatly simplifies the laser alignment procedure and reduces the number of the laser optical components.

Li, Steven↗

Development of SIR-C Ground Calibration Equipment

SIR-C/X-SAR is currently scheduled for launch in April 1994. SIR-C is an L-Band and C-Band, multi-polarization spaceborne SAR system developed by NASA/JPL. X- SAR is an X-Band SAR system developed by DARA/ASI. One of the problems involved in calibrating the SIR-C instrument is to make sure that the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarized beams are aligned in the azimuth direction, i.e.. that they are pointing in the same direction. This is important if the polarimetric performance specifications for the system are to be met. To solve this problem, we have designed and built a prototype of a low-cost ground receiver capable of recording received power from two antennas, one H-polarized, the other V-polarized. The two signals are mixed to audio then recorded on the left and right stereo channels of a standard audio cassette player. The audio cassette recording can then be played back directly into a Macintosh computer, where it is digitized. Analysis of.

Freeman, A.↗

Method for Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration System

The present invention comprises an approach for calibrating the sensitivity to polarization, optics degradation, spectral and stray light response functions of instruments on orbit. The concept is based on using an accurate ground-based laser system, Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration (GSLC), transmitting laser light to instrument on orbit during nighttime substantially clear-sky conditions. To minimize atmospheric contribution to the calibration uncertainty the calibration cycles should be performed in short time intervals, and all required measurements are designed to be relative. The calibration cycles involve ground operations with laser beam polarization and wavelength changes.

Lukashin, Constantine↗

Method for Ground-to-Satellite Laser Calibration System

The present invention comprises an approach for calibrating the sensitivity to polarization, optics degradation, spectral and stray light response functions of instruments on orbit. The concept is based on using an accurate ground-based laser system, Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration (GSLC), transmitting laser light to instrument on orbit during nighttime substantially clear-sky conditions. To minimize atmospheric contribution to the calibration uncertainty the calibration cycles should be performed in short time intervals, and all required measurements are designed to be relative. The calibration cycles involve ground operations with laser beam polarization and wavelength changes.

Lukashin, Constantine↗

Multichannel birefringent filter

A birefringent filter with a large field of view and no additional polarization is discussed. It plays an important role in observing the solar monochromatic image and the solar vector magnetic field. It has only one channel. For simultaneous multichannel observations, the solar spectrograph is better than the birefringent filter. A suggestion was proposed to try to obtain a multichannel birefringent filter which will be used in a new telescope at the Huairou reservoir station of Beijing Observatory. By means of N polarizing beam splitters, (N+1) channels can be divided. In principle, any number of limitless channels can be obtained, thereby subdividing the whole solar spectrum. But since the space in a telescope is limited, the channels to be used are also limited. For the new telescope, 5 and 9 channels are being considered, and the spectral range is from lambda 3800A to lambda 7000A. Many lines are included in this range, for example, H, K, H beta, lambda lambda 5324A, 5250A, 6302A, H alpha, etc., and some of the lines are suited to measure solar velocity fields. According to the character of these lines, the half width of each channel is determined. Moreover, in some channels the solid polarizing Michelson interferometer is considered for measuring velocity field with a lm/s accuracy. The advantages of the filter and problems to be solved are listed.

Gouxiang, A.↗

Two-mirror resonator for next-generation Compton gamma-ray source

The next-generation Compton gamma-ray sources (CGSs) based on storage rings require a high-power, well-focused laser beam as a photon driver, which can be realized using a Fabry-Perot cavity (FPC). In this work, we reexamine the behavior and performance of a two-mirror, nearly concentric resonator by introducing a new figure of merit representing the cavity’s proximity to instability. This figure of merit is used to analyze various aspects of the cavity design, including misalignment, beam coupling limitations, and beam size scaling. We then examine several factors affecting the gamma-ray flux, such as the interaction area, crossing angle for collision, frequency matching between the electron and laser beams, and intrabeam scattering effects. Using an example CGS, we demonstrate how to make improved design choices for a two-mirror resonator to enhance the gamma-ray beam flux. This work shows that simple two-mirror Fabry-Perot cavities are well suited as the laser driver for the next-generation storage ring-based CGS, while offering superior advantages in gamma-ray beam polarization control compared to more complex four-mirror, nonplanar resonators.

Delooze, Will↗

Improved circularly polarized planar-array antenna

Slots sitting astride the virtual wall in a multimode wave guide can be used for generation of one component of a circularly polarized beam. There is a high degree of efficiency without the use of a slow-wave structure.

Seaton, A. F.↗

Laser velocimeter with transverse and on-axis sensitivity

Laser Doppler velocimeters are used for measurement of localized fluid velocities without perturbation of flow field. Technique which utilizes only two outgoing beams polarized normally to one another can be processed in such a manner that local oscillator signal is obtained and usual dual-scatter velocity is also retrieved.

Orloff, K. L.↗

Confocal backscatter laser velocimeter with on-axis sensitivity.

A confocal backscatter laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) that measures two velocity components has been developed. This device requires only two incident beams polarized normally to one another. Moreover, the velocity components sensed are nearly orthogonal. The velocimeter employs a combined dual-scatter, local oscillator arrangement to obtain the bidirectional sensitivity. Two photodetectors are used, each sensing only one Doppler frequency proportional to one of the very nearly orthogonal velocity components. In addition, a single Bragg cell serves to frequency bias both velocity components in order to eliminate directional ambiguity. A differencing technique has also been incorporated to enhance the dual-scatter Doppler signal corresponding to the transverse velocity.

Orloff, K. L.↗

Holographic recording materials development

Developments in the area of organic cis-trans isomerization systems for holographic memory applications are reported. The chemical research effort consisted of photochemical studies leading to the selection of a stilbene derivative and a polymer matrix system which have greatly improved refractive index differences between the cis and trans isomers as well as demonstrated efficiency of the photoisomerization process. In work on lithium niobate effects of sample stoichiometry and of read and write beam polarizations on recording efficiency were investigated. LiNbO3 was used for a study of angular sensitivity and of capability for simultaneous recording of extended objects without interference. The current status of LiNbO3 as a holographic recording material is summarized.

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