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At least 793 records · Page 44

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NASA NTRS1972

Superconducting magnetic spectrometer for cosmic ray nuclei.

This paper describes the design, calibration, and operation of a magnetic spectrometer for particle astronomy. The spectrometer consists of a superconducting magnet, optical spark chambers, scintillation detectors, and associated electronics. The instrument has been flown in a balloon gondola to 4.8 g/sq cm residual atmosphere, where it was used to analyze the charge and differential rigidity spectra of primary nuclei from 5 to 100 GeV/c.

Smith, L. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

On the determination of thermospheric atomic-oxygen densities with rocket-borne mass spectrometers.

The experimental investigation of the atomic oxygen response of an open-source mass spectrometer conducted in a high-velocity molecular-beam facility is described, and its results are evaluated. These preliminary results illustrate the value of studies of this type and tentatively support the thesis that in rocket flights of open-source mass spectrometers atomic oxygen loss is not a serious problem.

Neir, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Broadening of fast-beam spectral lines due to diffraction at the entrance slit of a spectrometer.

Experimental and theoretical demonstration of the necessity to take into account the effects of diffraction at a spectrometer's entrance slit in adjusting the spectrometer for observation of fast-beam spectral lines under conditions of minimum linewidth. An approximate expression is obtained for the optimum entrance slit width to be used in order to avoid the pronounced broadening of the spectral lines that occurs for very narrow entrance slits.

Leavitt, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 6 and 7 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Photometry and topography of Mars.

From data obtained by the ultraviolet spectrometers aboard the Mariner 6 and 7 Mars missions the reflectivity of the illuminated disk of Mars was found to have two distinct spectral types, associated with polar and nonpolar regions. In this work the characteristic spectrum of nonpolar regions on Mars is discussed. An interpretation of the variation of the intensity at 3050 A due to surface pressure variations is given. A comparison of the ultraviolet observations with pressures inferred by the infrared spectrometer is used to test this interpretation and to determine physical parameters of Mars which lead to the observed reflectance. Earth based pressures obtained by broadening of the one-micron band of CO2 and radar topography are compared with the ultraviolet results.

Hord, C. W.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Development and testing of the ultraviolet spectrometer for the Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft

The Mariner Mars 1971 ultraviolet spectrometer is an Ebert-Fastie type of the same basic design as the Mariner Mars 1969 instrument. Light enters the instrument and is split into component wavelengths by a scanning reflection diffraction grating. Two monochrometer exit slits allow the use of two independent photomultiplier tube sensors. Channel 1 has a spectral range of 1100 to 1692 A with a fixed gain, while Channel 2 has a spectral range of 1450 to 3528 A with an automatic step gain control, providing a dynamic range over the expected atmosphere and surface brightness of Mars. The scientific objectives, basic operation, design, testing, and calibration for the Mariner Mars 1971 ultraviolet spectrometer are described. The design discussion includes those modifications that were necessary to extend the lifetime of the instrument in order to accomplish the Mariner Mars 1971 mission objectives.

Farrar, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Test report: Vibration testing of the electron/proton spectrometer structural test unit

The structural test unit of the electron-proton spectrometer was tested to a random vibration spectra and to a sinusoidal resonant search to comply with the requirements of a verification plan for the spectrometer. The test item consisted of mass simulated electronic and printed circuit boards mounted in a flight type electronic housing. The arrangement, center of gravity, and weight were as proposed for flight units.

Vincent, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Test report: Shock test of the electron/proton spectrometer structural test unit

A shock test of the electron-proton spectrometer structural test unit was conducted. The purpose of the shock test was to verify the structural integrity of the electron-spectrometer design and to obtain data on the shock response of the electronics and electronic housing. The test equipment is described and typical shock response data are provided.

Vincent, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Design certification review assessment report. Electron/proton spectrometer

The characteristics of the electron-photon spectrometer developed for the Skylab program are presented. The spectrometer is externally mounted on the Skylab module complex and provides omnidirectional measurement of electrons and protons which result from solar flares or enhancement of the radiation belts. The data are applied to the determination of relative biological effectiveness factors as a safety factor for manned space flight.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1972

Special report, exit slit mirrors for the Ebert spectrometer

The use of a very long straight entrance slit in an Ebert grating spectrometer with two plane mirrors at the shorter exit slit to increase the energy density is described. This system has been employed in a far ultraviolet rocket spectrometer to provide higher sensitivity than has been achieved previously. The imaging properties and required slit and mirror adjustments are presented. Experimental results are included.

Fastie, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Primary electron spectrometer, 18:63 UE: Electrostatic analyzer description and energy spectrum determination

The primary electron spectrometer used to detect auroral electrons on sounding rocket 18:63 UE is described. The spectrometer used exponentially decaying positive and negative voltages applied to spherical deflection plates for energy analysis. A method for determining the analyzer response which does not require the assumptions that the ratio of plate separation to mean radius, the entrance or the exit apertures are small is described. By comparison with experiment it is shown that the effect of neither entrance nor exit collimation can be ignored. The experimental and calculated values of the limiting orbits agree well. A non-iterative technique of unfolding the electron differential energy spectrum is described. This method does not require the usual assumption of a flat or histogram-type energy spectrum. The unfolded spectra using both this technique and one which assumes a flat spectrum are compared to actual input spectra. This technique is especially useful in analyzing peaked auroral electron energy spectra.

Pongratz, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS1969

Dual purpose optical instrument capable of simultaneously acting as spectrometer and diffractometer

A dual purpose optical instrument is described capable of simultaneously acting as a spectrometer and diffractometer to respectively perform elemental and structural analysis of an unknown sample. The diffractometer portion of the instrument employs a modified form of Seeman-Bohlin focusing which involves providing a line source of X-rays, a sample, and a detector, all on the same focal circle. The spectrometer portion of the instrument employs a fixedly mounted X-ray energy detector mounted outside of the plane of the focal circle.

Dasgupta, K.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Nondestructive determination of radionuclides in lunar samples using a large low-background gamma-ray spectrometer and a novel application of least-squares fitting

Dual-parameter gamma ray spectrometer systems with large volume Nal (Tl) crystals and low backgrounds were used for nondestructive determination of K, Th, U and cosmic ray produced radionuclides in 60 lunar samples. The total weight of samples measured with this system is 28 kg, and the individual sample weights varied from 2 to 2300 g. Samples from Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 were measured. Operation of the spectrometers in the coincidence mode and analyzing single coincidence spectra permits the simultaneous determination of 8-10 radionuclides in each lunar sample.

Eldridge, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The Apollo Alpha Spectrometer.

Located in the Science Instrument Module of Apollo 15 and 16, the Alpha Particle Spectrometer was designed to detect and measure the energy of alpha particles emitted by the radon isotopes and their daughter products. The spectrometer sensor consisted of an array of totally depleted silicon surface barrier detectors. Biased amplifier and linear gate techniques were utilized to reduce resolution degradation, thereby permitting the use of a single 512 channel PHA. Sensor identification and in-flight radioactive calibration were incorporated to enhance data reduction.

Jagoda, N.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Loss of atomic oxygen in mass spectrometer ion sources.

A gas beam consisting of a mixture of atomic and molecular oxygen has been directed at the ion source of a mass spectrometer like those used in sounding rockets for determining the neutral composition of the lower thermosphere. The loss of atomic oxygen on mass spectrometer surfaces was evaluated by flagging the beam in several ways and comparing the experimental results with predicted values. The results obtained suggest that in rocket flights using similar instruments the atomic oxygen densities computed assuming no-loss conditions may be low by a factor of 2.5. Studies made using a beam containing tracer O-18 indicate that carbon dioxide observed when atomic oxygen enters the source is formed in a reaction involving atomic oxygen from the beam and carbon monoxide from the surfaces bombarded.

Lake, L. R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The open-source neutral-mass spectrometer on Atmosphere Explorer-C, -D, and -E.

The open-source mass spectrometer will be used to obtain the number densities of the neutral atmospheric gases in the mass range 1 to 48 amu at the satellite location. The ion source has been designed to allow gas particles to enter the ionizing region with the minimum practicable number of prior collisions with surfaces. This design minimizes the loss of atomic oxygen and other reactive species due to reactions with the walls of the ion source. The principal features of the open-source spectrometer and the laboratory calibration system are discussed.

Nier, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Absolute calibration of Apollo lunar orbital mass spectrometer.

Recent experiments were conducted in Langley Research Center's molecular beam system to perform an absolute calibration of the lunar orbital mass spectrometer which was flown on the Apollo 15 and 16 missions. Tests were performed with several models of the instrument using two test gases, argon and neon, in the 1 ntorr to .1 picotorr range. Sensitivity to argon at spacecraft orbital velocity was .00028 A/torr enabling partial pressures in the .01-picotorr range to be measured at the spacecraft altitude. Neon sensitivity was nearly a factor of 5 less. Test data support the feasibility of using the lunar orbital mass spectrometer as a tool to gather information about the lunar atmosphere.

Yeager, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Spectrometer

Ultraviolet spectrometer measures pure monochromatic wavelengths in predetermined narrow wave bands. Two stages are incorporated: stationary dispersed beam is intercepted by array of slits cut into plate at discrete wavelength locations; second stage is inverted spectrometer which recombines dispersed spectrum at single exit slit.

Menzel, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1973

LLL electron and proton spectrometer on NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5

The LLL energetic electron and proton spectrometer on NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5 (OGO-5) operated successfully from launch - March 4, 1968 - until retirement in August 1971. Data recovery during this time was about 95% of the orbit except for the last few months. The electron spectrometer used a magnetic field for electron momentum selection which served also as an electron broom for a proton range - energy telescope. The energy range was approximately 60 to 2950 keV for electrons (seven channels) and 0.10 to approximately 94 MeV for protons (seven channels). The experiment was scanned relative to the stabilized OGO-5 for obtaining directional information. Excellent data were taken throughout the magnetosphere and in the interplanetary region. Studies were carried out in the areas of equatorial pitch-angle distributions, substorm dynamics and field topology, particle spectra (time history), particle spatial distributions, and solar particle events.

West, H. I., Jr.↗