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Techniques are described to allow operation of discrete, solid state detectors at 4 K with optimized JFET amplifiers. Three detector types cover the 0.6 to 4 mm spectral range with NEP approximately equal to 10 to the 16th power Hz (-1/2) for two of the types and potential improvement to this performance for the third. Lower NEP's are anticipated at longer infrared wavelengths.
The pressure dependence of the absolute rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with acetylene, important in both atmospheric and combustion chemistry, is determined for temperatures between 228 and 413 K. The flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique was employed at five temperatures over wide ranges of pressure and acetylene concentrations, with the OH produced by water photolysis and hydroxyl resonance fluorescent photons measured by multiscaling techniques. Results indicate that, except at the lowest temperature, the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction depends strongly on total pressure, with the pressure effect becoming more pronounced with increasing temperature. At limiting high pressures, the rate constant is found to be equal to 6.83 + or - 1.19 x 10 to the -12th exp (-646 + or - 47/T) cu cm/molecule per sec, where T is the temperature. Results thus demonstrate the importance of environmental conditions in theoretical studies of atmospheric and combustion product compositions
A refrigeration process is described which enables the production of a sub-gamma-point He-4 temperatures without the production of superfluid. The advantages of the process for zero gravity and low-noise refrigeration are described. The lowest temperature produced to date is 1.25 K. The process is also useful with other gases for refrigeration; the output temperature is selected by gas type.
Techniques are described to allow operation of discrete solid state detectors at 4 K with optimized junction field effect transistor (JFET) amplifiers. Three detector types cover the 0.6-4 micron spectral range with a noise equivalent power (NEP) of approximately 10 to the -16th per sq rt Hz for two of the types and potential improvement to this performance for the third. Lower NEPs can be anticipated at longer IR wavelengths.
Results of measurements of the dipole and quadrupole anisotropy of the microwave background radiation are reported. Balloon-borne measurements of the temperature difference between two horn antennas pointed 90 deg apart and 45 deg from the zenith were carried out at frequencies of 24.8, 31.4 and 46.0 GHz to determine three dipole and four quadrupole parameters. When combined with data from two previous balloon flights, a dipole anisotropy of 3.78 + or - 0.30 mK in the direction 11.6 + or - 0.2 h RA, -12 + or - 5 deg dec is obtained. The measurements reveal a spectral index of 0.04 + or - 0.28 between 19.0 and 46.0 GHz, indicating that the dipole effect arises from an intrinsic anisotropy in the temperature of the background and/or a first-order Doppler shift due to solar motions. A statistically significant quadrupole effect is also detected which is attributed to the intrinsic anisotropy of the 2.7 K background.
Previous measurements of the specific heat of V-doped Ti2O3 at low temperatures were explained by a model which also suggested the material would have a high thermoelectric figure-of-merit. The sample preparation, experimental apparatus, and the results of measurements on the thermal conductivity, thermoelectric power, and electrical resistivity of a single crystal Ti2O3 - 4% V sample are described. The results are used to derive the thermoelectric figure-of-merit between 5 and 300 K. The figure-of-merit is much smaller than expected and of little practical value because of the very high phonon thermal conductivity.
Optical radar systems (lidar) have a number of advantages compared to passive techniques with respect to applications involving the measurement of alkali atoms (Na and K) in the atmosphere. By using Shuttle-borne optical radar systems, analytical capabilities can be extended to cover wider geographic areas. One of the objectives of the present investigation is to assess the performance and application of a recently defined Shuttle optical radar system for the measurements of sodium and potassium in the 80-110-km region. A second objective is related to a study of the effects of high-intensity laser beams on the optical radar measurements, giving particular attention to the saturation in the atomic absorption of laser photons. A numerical simulation is conducted of the measurements of magnesium ions (Mg/+/) over the 80-500-km altitude range using recently defined Shuttle optical radar system parameters to study the performance of such a system.
Analyses of whole rock and mineral separates from the Nakhla meteorite are carried out by means of Sm-Nd and U-Tn-Pb systematics and by determining their REE, Ba, Sr, Rb, and K concentrations. Results show that the Sm-Nd age of the meteorite is 1.26 + or - 0.7 b.y., while the high initial epsilon(Nd) value of +16 suggests that Nakhla was derived from a light REE-depleted, old planetary mantle source. A three-stage Sm-Nd evolution model is developed and used in combination with LIL element data and estimated partition coefficients in order to test partial melting and fractional crystallization models and to estimate LIL abundances in a possible Nakhla source. The calculations indicate that partial melting of the source followed by extensive fractional crystallization of the partial melt could account for the REE abundances in the Nakhla constituent minerals. It is concluded that the significantly younger age of Nakhla than the youngest lunar rock, the young differentiation age inferred from U-Th-Pb data, and the estimated LIL abundances suggest that this meteorite may have been derived from a relatively large, well-differentiated planetary body such as Mars.
A technique for remotely sensing the large-scale gravity wave spectrum on the ocean surface using a two frequency (Delta k) microwave scatterometer has been demonstrated from stationary platforms and proposed from moving platforms. This measurement takes advantage of Bragg type resonance matching between the electromagnetic wavelength at the difference frequency and the length of the large-scale surface waves. A prominent resonance appears in the cross product power spectral density (PSD) of the two backscattered signals. Ku-Band aircraft scatterometer measurements were conducted by NASA in the North Sea during the 1979 Maritime Remote Sensing (MARSEN) experiment. Typical examples of cross product PSD's computed from the MARSEN data are presented. They demonstrate strong resonances whose frequency and bandwidth agree with the surface characteristics and the theory. Directional modulation spectra of the surface reflectivity are compared to the gravity wave spectrum derived from surface truth measurements.
Conditions were determined in a continuous-flow, premixing-prevaporizing duct at which autoignition occurred. Test conditions were representative of an advanced, regenerative-cycle, automotive gas turbine. The test conditions inlet air temperatures from 600 to 1250 K (a vitiated preheater was used), pressures from 170 to 600 kPa, air velocities of 10 to 30 m/sec, equivalence ratios from 0.3 to 1.0, mixing lengths from 10 to 60 cm, and residence times of 2 to 100 ms. The fuel was diesel number 2. The duct was insulated and had an inside diameter of 12 cm. Three different fuel injection systems were used: One was a single simplex pressure atomizer, and the other two were multiple-source injectors. The data obtained with the simplex and one of the multiple-source injectors agreed satisfactorily with the references and correlated with an Arrenhius expression. The data obtained with the other multiple source injector, which used multiple cones to improve the fuel-air distribution, did not correlate well with residence time.
The number of double-lined K and M dwarf binaries which is currently known is quite small, only a dozen or less of each type. The HR 7578 system was classified as dK5 on the Mount Wilson system and as K2 V on the MK ystem. A summary of radial-velocity measurements including the observatory and weight of each observation is given in a table. The star with the stronger lines has been called component A. The final orbital element solution with all observations appropriately weighted was computed with a differential corrections computer program described by Barker et al. (1967). The program had been modified for the double-lined case. Of particular interest are the very large eccentricity of the system and the large minimum masses for each component. These large minimum masses suggest that eclipses may be detectable despite the relatively long period and small radii of the stars.
High resolution h (2802.7 A) and k (2795.5 A) lines Mg II obtained for the star Vega (Alpha Lyr, A0V) with Copernicus satellite and a balloon-borne ultraviolet stellar spectrometer (BUSS) are interpreted by means of theoretical NLTE line profiles in the frame work of complete (CR) and partial (PR) redistribution hypothesis. The PR profiles are remarkably coincident with the observed ones for a magnesium abundance Mg/H = 0.00001 and a projected rotation velocity v sin i = 17 km/s. LTE and NLTE atmospheric models with a temperature plateau or with temperature rises (depending on whether the atmosphere is in radiative equilibrium or not) are used to account for the possible presence of a chromosphere on Vega. The possible presence of an interstellar Mg II absorption line superimposed on the stellar ones is also discussed.
Heat capacity data are presented for liquid transition metals for temperatures close to the melting point and for 3000, 4000, and 5000 K. The data have been obtained by summarizing the results of levitation, exploding-wire, and drop-calorimetry measurements reported in the literature and by providing analytical estimates where experimental data are not available. The data given here are useful in assigning heat loads and predicting structure survival during extreme temperature excursions caused by nuclear, laser, or particle irradiations.
The translational-rotational absorption spectrum of normal H2 has been measured from 80 to 900/cm at seven temperatures from 77.4 to 298 K. These results have been accurately fitted by a three-parameter line-shape function, thereby providing a reliable way of predicting the absorption of H2 anywhere in this frequency and temperature region.
The results of isotopic and trace-element-abundance analyses of Ir-enriched Cretaceous-Tertiary-boundary clay sediments from Caravaca, Spain, and of adjacent carbonate and marl layers, are presented. Acetic-acid and HCl leachates and residues were analyzed by isotope dilution to determine K, Rb, Sr, Sm, and Nd concentrations and Sr-87/Sr-86 and Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios. The stable isotope ratios delta-D, delta-(C-13), and delta-(0-18) were also determined. The results are presented in tables and graphs and compared with published data on the Caravaca sediments and on samples from other locations. The boundary clay is found to be distinguished from the adjacent layers by its isotopic ratios and to be of mainly terrestrial, lithospheric (deeper than 3-km) origin. Although submarine-weathering effects are evident and difficult to quantify, the degree of variation in Ni, Ir, Sr, and REE concentrations is considered too large to be attributed to postdepositional processes alone. These findings are seen as evidence for the ocean impact of a large single asteroid producing a worldwide blanket of ejecta, a large injection of water vapor into the atmosphere, and perhaps a gigantic tsunami, at the end of the Cretaceous period.
A proposed conceptual design of a 400 kW continuous wave (CW)K sub a band transmitter and associated microwave components to be used for planetary radar and serve as a prototype for future spacecraft uplinks is discussed. System requirements for such a transmitter are presented. Performance of the proposed high-power millimeter wave tube, the gyroklystron is discussed. Parameters of the proposed power amplifier, beam supply, and monitor and control devices are also presented. Microwave transmission line components consisting of signal monitoring devices, signal filtering devices, and an overmoded corrugated feed are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the state of the art technology to meet the system requirements is given and possible areas of difficulty are summarized.
State-of-the-art performance is demonstrated with solid-state amplifiers in K-band. The amplifier provides 8.2 watts of power with 39 dB gain over a frequency band of 1.4 GHz. Nonlinearity analyses of solid-state amplifiers suggest that system performance can be improved significantly by using an FET amplifier. Preliminary investigations reveal that the solid-state amplifiers can be space-qualified and can be expected to replace the TWTA in many communication links in the near future. It is pointed out that with improvements in device technology, the power, bandwidth and efficiency of solid-state amplifiers using FETs can be further improved. With FETs operating at a junction temperature of less than 125 C, solid-state amplifiers are inherently reliable, indicating a ten-year mean time to failure.
Band intensities and profiles have been measured for the propane absorption bands from 680 to 1580/cm at 296 and 200 K. This work was stimulated by the discovery of several propane bands in the spectrum of Titan by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. The low temperature laboratory data show that the bands become narrower and the Q branches of the bands somewhat stronger than they are at room temperature. Random band model parameters were determined over the entire region from the 42 spectra obtained at room temperature.