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At least 73 records · Page 4

Guidance and control research

Guidance and control research - Josephson junction memory elements, frequency response of thin film thermal detectors, gallium selenide barrier gate, and photoconductor metal contacts

Source record↗

Time-of-flight mobility and trapping results for ZnSe.

Results of measurements of time-of-flight mobility and trapping for zinc selenide. The data were obtained at room temperature for electric fields in the range from 30,000 to 800,000 V/cm. A relatively constant hole mobility (about 50 sq cm/V sec) was found for the entire range of investigated fields. The electron mobility was approximately constant (about 400 sq cm/V sec) up to approximately equal to 300,000 V/cm, above which the drift velocity remained constant. No obvious negative differential mobility was observed, even though the Gunn effect has been reported for the field range investigated. Trapping and detrapping times in the vicinity of 1 nsec are reported for both holes and electrons. The field dependence of the electron-trapping times is unusual and remains unexplained.

Heaton, J. L., III↗

Hall effect magnetometer

A magnetometer which uses a single crystal of bismuth selenide is described. The rhombohedral crystal structure of the sensing element is analyzed. The method of construction of the magnetometer is discussed. It is stated that the sensing crystal has a positive or negative Hall coefficient and a carrier concentration of about 10 to the 18th power to 10 to the 20th power per cubic centimeter.

Woollam, J. A.↗

Skylab experiments on semiconductors and alkali halides

The space processing experiments performed during the Skylab missions included one on single crystal growth of germanium selenide and telluride, one on pure and doped germanium crystals, two on pure and doped indium antimonide, one on gallium-indium-antimony systems, and one on a sodium chloride-sodium fluoride eutectic. In each experiment, three ampoules of sample were processed in the multipurpose electric furnace within the Skylab Materials Processing Facility. All were successful in varying degrees and gave important information about crystal growth removed from the effects of earth surface gravity.

Lundquist, C. A.↗

Electrical characterization of GaAs single crystal in direct support of M555 flight experiment

The exploration of several nondestructive methods of electrical characterization of semiconductor single crystals was carried out during the period ending May 1974. Two methods of obtaining the microwave skin depth, one for the mapping flat surfaces and the other for analyzing the whole surface of small single crystal wafers, were developed to the stage of working laboratory procedures. The preliminary 35 GHz data characterizing the two types of space-related single crystal surfaces, flat slices of gallium arsenide and small wafers of germanium selenide, are discussed. A third method of nondestructive mapping of donor impurity density in semiconductor surfaces by scanning with a light beam was developed for GaAs; its testing indicates reasonable precision at reasonable scan rates for GaAs surfaces at room temperature.

Castle, J. G.↗

Electrical characterization of GaAs single crystal in direct support of M555 flight experiment

An exploration of several nondestructive methods of electrical characterization of semiconductor single crystals was carried out. Two methods of obtaining the microwave skin depth, one for mapping flat surfaces and the other for analyzing the whole surface of small single crystal wafers, were developed to the stage of working laboratory procedures. The preliminary 35 GHz data characterizing the two types of space related single crystal surfaces, flat slices of gallium arsenide and small wafers of germanium selenide, are discussed. A third method of nondestructive mapping of donor impurity density in semiconductor surfaces by scanning with a light beam was developed for GaAs; its testing indicates reasonable precision at reasonable scan rates for GaAs surfaces at room temperature.

Castle, J. G.↗

Crystal growth from the vapor phase experiment MA-085

Three vapor transport experiments on multicomponent systems were performed during the Apollo Soyuz mission to determine the effects of microgravity forces on crystal morphology and mass transport rates. The mixed systems used germanium selenide, tellurium, germanium tetraiodide (transport agent), germanium monosulfide, germanium tetrachloride (transport agent), and argon (inert atmosphere). The materials were enclosed in evacuated sealed ampoules of fused silica and were transported in a temperature gradient of the multipurpose electric furnace onboard the Apollo Soyuz spacecraft. Preliminary evaluation of 2 systems shows improved quality of space grown crystals in terms of growth morphology and bulk perfection. This conclusion is based on a direct comparison of space grown and ground based crystals by means of X-ray diffraction, microscopic, and chemical etching techniques. The observation of greater mass transport rates than predicted for a microgravity environment by existing vapor transport models indicates the existence of nongravity caused transport effects in a reactive solid/gas phase system.

Wiedemeir, H.↗

Life test results for an ensemble of CO2 lasers

The effects of cathode material, cathode operating temperature, anode configuration, window materials, and hydrogen additives on laser lifetime are determined. Internally oxidized copper and silber-copper alloy cathodes were tested. The cathode operating temperature was raised in some tubes through the use of thermal insulation. Lasers incorporating thermally insulated silver copper oxide cathodes clearly yielded the longest lifetimes-typically in excess of 22,000 hours. The use of platinum sheet versus platinum pin anodes had no observable effect on laser lifetime. Similarly, the choice of germanium, cadmium telluride, or zinc selenide as the optical window material appears to have no impact on lifetime.

Peruso, C. J.↗

A procedure for determining the optical characteristics of a device for measuring illumination in the atmosphere of Venus

A procedure is described for obtaining the calibration, angular and spectral characteristics of a broad band photometer used on Venera 9 and 10 spacecraft to measure the illuminance regime in five spectral intervals with respect to three directions. The photometer has three identical groups of photoreceivers on which light falls through fiber light guides. Each group contains three cadmium sulfide photoresistors with light filters, a cadmium selenide photoresistor and a silicon photodiode. The temperature of the photoreceivers is measured by thermistors installed in series with the receivers.

Golovin, Y. M.↗

Design concepts of solar thermoelectric generators in space applications

Several thermoelectric technologies have been examined as to their suitability for use in a solar thermoelectric generator (STG) as a nonpropulsive power source for space applications. The results show that of all the presently available thermoelectric technologies, i.e., lead telluride, bismuth telluride, selenide, and silicon-germanium alloys, the latter type provides the optimum STG. Detailed results are presented on the performance and configurational characteristics of various silicon-germanium alloy STGs, including the performance of such STGs as a function of time in a Mercury orbit and the orbit of Mercury around the sun. It is shown that an STG design based on the use of silicon germanium alloy thermoelectric material, using multiple high voltage thermopiles with individual solar concentrators, presents the optimum combination of technology and configuration for minimizing power source mass. Additional concepts studied and discussed are the flat plate individual thermopile type and single concentrator compact thermopile type. The STG possesses an attractive potential for this application and represents a useful addition to the family of power sources for consideration in various space applications.

Raag, V.↗

Solar thermoelectric power generation for Mercury orbiter missions

Mercury orbiter mission study results have shown that conventional silicon solar cell array technology is not adequate to produce power because of expected temperatures which range from -90 C to +285 C in about 50 minutes for 16 sun eclipses/day. The solar thermoelectric generator (STG), which requires relatively high temperatures, is being developed as a replacement power source. Several thermoelectric technologies (i.e., lead telluride alloys, bismuth telluride, selenide, and silicon-germanium alloys have been examined for their suitability. Solar concentrator configurations (i.e., flat plate, Fresnel lens, mini-cone, and Cassegrain types) were also studied as candidates for increasing incident radiation during Mercury orbital operations. Detailed results are presented, and show that an STG design based on the use of silicon-germanium alloy thermoelectric material and using high-voltage thermopiles with individual miniconical concentrators presents the optimum combination of technology and configuration for minimizing power source mass.

Swerdling, M.↗

Analytical predictions of RTG power degradation

The DEGRA computer code that is based on a mathematical model which predicts performance and time-temperature dependent degradation of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator is discussed. The computer code has been used to predict performance and generator degradation for the selenide Ground Demonstration Unit (GDS-1) and the generator used in the Galileo Project. Results of parametric studies of load voltage vs generator output are examined as well as the I-V curve and the resulting predicted power vs voltage. The paper also discusses the increased capability features contained in DEGRA2 and future plans for expanding the computer code performance.

Noon, E. L.↗

New PbSnTe heterojunction laser diode structures with improved performance

Several recent advances in the state-of-the-art of lead tin telluride double heterojunction laser diodes are summarized. Continuous Wave operation to 120 K and pulsed operation to 166 K with single, lowest order transverse mode emission to in excess of four times threshold at 80 K were achieved in buried stripe lasers fabricated by liquid phase epitaxy in the lattice-matched system, lead-tin telluride-lead telluride selenide. At the same time, liquid phase epitaxy was used to produce PbSnTe distributed feedback lasers with much broader continuous single mode tuning ranges than are available from Fabry-Perot lasers. The physics and philosophy behind these advances is as important as the structures and performance of the specific devices embodying the advances, particularly since structures are continually being evolved and the performance continues to be improved.

Fonstad, C. G.↗

Computer modeling of thermoelectric generator performance

Features of the DEGRA 2 computer code for simulating the operations of a spacecraft thermoelectric generator are described. The code models the physical processes occurring during operation. Input variables include the thermoelectric couple geometry and composition, the thermoelectric materials' properties, interfaces and insulation in the thermopile, the heat source characteristics, mission trajectory, and generator electrical requirements. Time steps can be specified and sublimation of the leg and hot shoe is accounted for, as are shorts between legs. Calculations are performed for conduction, Peltier, Thomson, and Joule heating, the cold junction can be adjusted for solar radition, and the legs of the thermoelectric couple are segmented to enhance the approximation accuracy. A trial run covering 18 couple modules yielded data with 0.3% accuracy with regard to test data. The model has been successful with selenide materials, SiGe, and SiN4, with output of all critical operational variables.

Chmielewski, A. B.↗

Investigation of the thermophysical properties of high-melting materials with the aid of a complex of instruments

The evaporation rate, vapor pressure, heats of evaporation reaction (sublimation, dissociation), enthalpy, electrical resistance, heat capacity, emissivity, and heat conductivity of various carbides, borides, sulfides, nitrides, selenides, and phosphides were investigated. A set of high temperature high vacuum devices, calorimeters (designed for operation at 400 to 1300 K and from 1200 K), and mass spectrometers, most of which were specially developed for these studies, is described.

Bolgar, A. S.↗