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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Electro-Optic Lightning Detector

Electric field measurements are fundamental to the study of thunderstorm electrification, thundercloud charge structure, and the determination of the locations and magnitudes of charges deposited by lightning. Continuous field observations can also be used to warn of impending electrical hazards. For example, the USAF Eastern Range (ER) and NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida currently operate a ground-based network of electric field mill sensors to warn against lightning hazards to space vehicle operations/launches. The sensors provide continuous recordings of the ambient field. Others investigators have employed flat-plate electric field antennas to detect changes In the ambient field due to lightning. In each approach, electronic circuitry is used to directly detect and amplify the effects of the ambient field on an exposed metal conductor (antenna plate); in the case of continuous field recordings, the antenna plate is alternately shielded and unshielded by a grounded conductor. In this work effort, an alternate optical method for detecting lightning-caused electric field changes is Introduced. The primary component in the detector is an anisotropic electro-optic crystal of potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (chemically written as KH2PO4 (KDP)). When a voltage Is placed across the electro-optic crystal, the refractive Indices of the crystal change. This change alters the polarization state of a laser light beam that is passed down the crystal optic axis. With suitable application of vertical and horizontal polarizers, a light transmission measurement is related to the applied crystal voltage (which in turn Is related to the lightning caused electric field change). During the past two years, all critical optical components were procured, assembled, and aligned. An optical housing, calibration set-up, and data acquisition system was integrated for breadboard testing. The sensor was deployed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in the summer of 1998 to collect storm data. Because solid-state technology is used, future designs of the sensor will be significantly scaled down In physical dimension and weight compared to the present optical breadboard prototype. The use of fiber optics would also provide significant practical improvements.

Koshak, William J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Development of Solid State Laser Materials for Application in Lasers for Atmospheric Ozone and Water Vapor Sensing

We have grown neodymium doped mixed apatite crystals, (Sr(x)Ba(l-x)5(PO4)3F, Sr5(P(1-x)V(x)O4)3F, and Ba5(P(1-x)V(x)O4)3F, and spectroscopically studied them as potential gain media for a laser source for atmospheric water sensing operating at 944.11 nm0. We conclude that an appropriate apatite host material for a 944.11 nm laser should be a mixture of Sr5(PO4)3F with a small fraction of Ba5(PO4)3F. The precise wavelength tuning around 944.11 nm can be accomplished by varying the host composition, temperature, and threshold population inversion. In apatite crystals of mixed composition, the Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) loss at 1.06 microns is predicted to be significantly smaller than that in the end members.

Noginov, Makhail A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Framework for Integrated Component and System Analyses of Instabilities

Instabilities associated with fluid handling and operation in liquid rocket propulsion systems and test facilities usually manifest themselves as structural vibrations or some form of structural damage. While the source of the instability is directly related to the performance of a component such as a turbopump, valve or a flow control element, the associated pressure fluctuations as they propagate through the system have the potential to amplify and resonate with natural modes of the structural elements and components of the system. In this paper, the authors have developed an innovative multi-level approach that involves analysis at the component and systems level. The primary source of the unsteadiness is modeled with a high-fidelity hybrid RANS/LES based CFD methodology that has been previously used to study instabilities in feed systems. This high fidelity approach is used to quantify the instability and understand the physics associated with the instability. System response to the driving instability is determined through a transfer matrix approach wherein the incoming and outgoing pressure and velocity fluctuations are related through a transfer (or transmission) matrix. The coefficients of the transfer matrix for each component (i.e. valve, pipe, orifice etc.) are individually derived from the flow physics associated with the component. A demonstration case representing a test loop/test facility comprised of a network of elements is constructed with the transfer matrix approach and the amplification of modes analyzed as the instability propagates through the test loop.

Ahuja, Vineet↗
NASA NTRS1984

GaAs dual-gate FET for operation up to K-band

A high-frequency equivalent-circuit model of a GaAs dual-gate FET and analytical expressions for the input/output impedances, transconductance, unilateral gain, and stability factor are presented. It is found that the gain of a dual-gate FET is higher than of a single-gate FET at low frequency but decreases faster as frequency increases because of the capacitive shunting effect of the second gate. A dual-gate power FET suitable for variable-gain-amplifier applications up to K-band has been developed. At 10 GHz, a 1.2-mm-gatewidth device has achieved an output power of 1.1 W with 10.5-dB gain and 31-percent power-added efficiency. At 20 GHz, the same device delivered an output power of 340 mW with 5.3-dB gain. At K-band, a dynamic-gain control range of up to 45 dB was obtained with an insertion phase change of no more than + or 2 degrees for the first 10 dB of gain control.

Kim, B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Investigation of the dynamic range problem and providing software support for the AOL system

The present scheme for providing system timing for the airborne oceanographic lidar (AOL) system is not completely satisfactory. The possibility of using a digital approach to generate the forty pulses needed to energize the gates leading to the charge digitizers was investigated. The solution in terms of general analog and digital circuitry is straightforward. The crystal oscillator provides a stable frequency source which is used as a clock to the ring counter. The ring counter propagates a pulse from stage one to stage forty. Each of the outputs has an amplifier for isolation. This design is easy to implement in the frequency range up to 50 MHZ. Because a gate pulse width of from about 2 to 6 ns is needed for the AOL system, this dictates an input clock frequency to the shift register of from 100 MHA to 500 MHA. Problems associated with generating pulses in this range of operation are examined and an alternate solution is discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

JPL self-pulsed laser surface measurement system development

Distances from a fixed reference or scan postion to several locations on the surface of an antenna reflector can be measured by using a self pulsed laser ranging system. Processing the information thus obtained is used to define the shape of the surface upon which antenna operational efficiency is directly dependent. Operation of the system consists of initiating a pulse from the laser emitter which is pointed at the scan mirror. The emitted pulse strikes the scan mirror, is reflected and sent to one of several targets on the surface of the antenna. Upon reflection from the target, the pulse returns to a detector via the scan mirror. The detected pulse is amplified and used to trigger the next emitted pulse. After the first pulse is emitted, received and used to trigger another pulse the process becomes repetitive with a repitition rate uniquely determined by the distance traveled to the target and back. A measure of the repetition rate or frequency thus created provides the means required for determining range since the total distance traveled is inversely proportional to the frequency.

Berdahl, M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Evolution of Spaceborne Microwave Sounders for the U.S. Polar-Orbiting Weather Satellites

The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) is the next generation space-borne microwave sounder. It is the latest and most advanced version of a series of satellite-based microwave sounders, currently under development by NASA for the future U.S. operational polar-orbiting weather satellite system, called the NPOESS (National Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System), slated to begin orbiting around the end of this decade. This paper will present a brief history of the evolution of the space-borne microwave sounders, from its early-day scientific experiments, through the operational sounder aboard today's polar orbiting weather satellites, and ending in the ATMS development. It will also describe the evolution of microwave radiometer technology that enabled the space-borne microwave radiometry, from its early versions with simple, nadir-viewing, fixed-horn antennas to the present-day scanning reflector antennas with broad-band MMIC Low Noise Amplifiers, plus on-board calibrations.

Shiue, James C.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Investigating Dielectric and Metamaterial Effects in a Terahertz Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier

Adding material enhancements to a terahertz traveling-wave tube amplifier is investigated. Isotropic dielectrics, negative-index metamaterials, and anisotropic crystals are simulated, and plans to increase the efficiency of the device are discussed. Early results indicate that adding dielectric to the curved sections of the serpentine-shaped slow-wave circuit produce optimal changes in the cold-test characteristics of the device and a minimal drop in operating frequency. Additional results suggest that materials with simultaneously small relative permittivities and electrical conductivities are best suited for increasing the efficiency of the device. More research is required on the subject, and recommendations are given to determine the direction.

Starinshak, David P.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Space-Qualified Traveling-Wave Tube

The L-3 Communications Electron Technologies, Inc. Model 999HA traveling-wave tube (TWT), was developed for use as a high-power microwave amplifier for high-rate transmission of data and video signals from deep space to Earth (see figure). The 999HA is a successor to the 999H a non-space qualified TWT described in High-Power, High-Efficiency Ka-Band Traveling-Wave Tube (LEW-17900-1), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 2 (February 2007), page 32. Operating in the 31.8-to-32.3 GHz frequency band, the 999HA has been shown to generate 252 W of continuous- wave output power at 62 percent overall power efficiency a 75-percent increase in output power over the 999H. The mass of the 999HA is 35 percent less than that of the 999H. Moreover, taking account of the elimination of a Faraday cage that is necessary for operation of the 999H but is obviated by a redesign of high-voltage feed-throughs for the 999HA, the overall reduction in mass becomes 57 percent with an 82 percent reduction in volume. Through a series of rigorous tests, the 999HA has been qualified for operation aboard spacecraft with a lifetime exceeding seven years. Offspring of the 999HA will fly on the Kepler and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter missions.

Wilson, Jeffrey D.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Airborne Measurements of Atmospheric Methane Using Pulsed Laser Transmitters

Atmospheric methane (CH4) is the second most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas with approximately 25 times the radiative forcing of carbon dioxide (CO2) per molecule. At NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) we have been developing a laser-based technology needed to remotely measure CH4 from orbit. We report on our development effort for the methane lidar, especially on our laser transmitters and recent airborne demonstration. Our lidar transmitter is based on an optical parametric process to generate near infrared laser radiation at 1651 nanometers, coincident with a CH4 absorption. In an airborne flight campaign in the fall of 2015, we tested two kinds of laser transmitters --- an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The output wavelength of the lasers was rapidly tuned over the CH4 absorption by tuning the seed laser to sample the CH4 absorption line at several wavelengths. This approach uses the same Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) technique we have used for our CO2 lidar for ASCENDS. The two laser transmitters were successfully operated in the NASAs DC-8 aircraft, measuring methane from 3 to 13 kilometers with high precision.

optical radar↗
NASA NTRS1971

Electron dynamics and energy conversion in O-type linear-beam devices.

A general nonlinear interaction theory is used to investigate the effects of transverse fields (i.e., radial circuit fields and radial space-charge fields) in traveling-wave amplifiers for a variety of beam-focusing conditions. Magnetic focusing fields which are periodic or tapered (increased) with distance along the device are considered in addition to uniform magnetic fields. Results are presented for Brillouin flow and near-Brillouin flow, and the minimum magnetic field strength required to effectively constrain the electron beam is determined as a function of the operating parameters for the various focusing systems. Confined flow is also examined for the uniform-field case in order to have a basis of comparison from which the effects of radial motion of the beam electrons can be determined. The results indicate the importance of transverse effects and further yield information on the stability of strongly modulated cylindrical electron beams.-

Detweiler, H. K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Low cost high efficiency GaAs monolithic RF module for SARSAT distress beacons

Low cost high performance (5 Watts output) 406 MHz beacons are urgently needed to realize the maximum utilization of the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system spearheaded in the U.S. by NASA. Although current technology can produce beacons meeting the output power requirement, power consumption is high due to the low efficiency of available transmitters. Field performance is currently unsatisfactory due to the lack of safe and reliable high density batteries capable of operation at -40 C. Low cost production is also a crucial but elusive requirement for the ultimate wide scale utilization of this system. Microwave Monolithics Incorporated (MMInc.) has proposed to make both the technical and cost goals for the SARSAT beacon attainable by developing a monolithic GaAs chip set for the RF module. This chip set consists of a high efficiency power amplifier and a bi-phase modulator. In addition to implementing the RF module in Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) form to minimize ultimate production costs, the power amplifier has a power-added efficiency nearly twice that attained with current commercial technology. A distress beacon built using this RF module chip set will be significantly smaller in size and lighter in weight due to a smaller battery requirement, since the 406 MHz signal source and the digital controller have far lower power consumption compared to the 5 watt power amplifier. All the program tasks have been successfully completed. The GaAs MMIC RF module chip set has been designed to be compatible with the present 406 MHz signal source and digital controller. A complete high performance low cost SARSAT beacon can be realized with only additional minor iteration and systems integration.

Petersen, W. C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Progress of 2.05 μm Fiber Laser Development for CO2 DIAL Measurements of Martian CO2 and Pressure

The Decadal Survey by the US National Academy of Sciences in the United States and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Science Plan both require global CO2 observations for the Martian atmospheric pressure, dynamics and CO2 variations. However, there are significant observational gaps in polar regions and during nighttime for global air pressure and CO2 on Mars. Therefore, recently we proposed a new concept of Martian differential absorption lidar (DIAL) operating in the 2.05 μm CO2 absorption band for global, including poles, atmospheric CO2 and pressure observations day and night. Based on the concept, we are awarded to develop 2.05 μm fiber lasers by the NASA Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) Program. The laser is designed to be an all-fiber master oscillator and power amplifier (MOPA) system with laser out put of ~3 mJ at a repetition frequency of 2 kHz. The primary master oscillator (PMO) is locked to the center (2.0504280 μm) of the selected CO2 absorption line. The frequency of a second MO (SMO) is locked to that of PMO. This SMO frequency is adjustable and switched between the online (2.05044156 μm) and offline (2.05050812 μm) wavelengths. The online wavelength is optimally selected so that the CO2 absorption optical depth (AOD) is ~1.1 at 3 km and the measurement in the low Martian atmosphere has largest signal-to-noise ratio. The online wavelength can also be adjusted to a line slope location where AOD is larger to observe atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. We will present more details about this project and instrument development.

CO2↗
NASA NTRS1988

Development of FIR arrays with integrating amplifiers

The development of optimized photoconductor arrays suitable for far infrared space astronomical applications are described. Although the primary impetus is the production of a 16 by 16 element Ge:Ga demonstration array for SIRTF, the extension of this technology to Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) is considered. The optimization of Ge:Ga and Ge:Be photoconductor materials is discussed. In collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, measurements of FIR photoconductors with quantum efficiencies greater than 20 percent at 100 micrometers, and dark currents below 300 electrons/s are presented. Integrating J-FET amplifier technology is discussed. The current generation of integrating amplifiers has a demonstrated read noise of less than 20 electrons for an integration time of 100 s. The design is shown for a stackable 16 x n Ge:Ga array that utilizes a 16-channel monolithic version of the J-FET integrator. A part of the design is the use of a thin, thermally insulating substrate that allows the electronics to operate at the optimum temperature of 50 K while maintaining thermal and optical isolation from the detectors at 2 K. The power dissipation for the array is less than 16 mW. The array design may particularly be applicable to high resolution imaging spectrometers for LDR.

Young, Erick T.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Piezoelectrically Actuated Shutter for High Vacuum

A piezoelectrically actuated shutter is undergoing development for use in experiments on laser cooling of atoms. The shutter is required to be compatible with ultrahigh vacuum [pressure of 10(exp -9) torr (.1.3 x 10(exp -7) Pa) or less] and to be capable of performing reliably in the vacuum for at least one year. In operation, the shutter would enable the collection and launch of successive samples of cold atoms and would enable the interrogation of the immediately preceding sample while preventing disturbance of the atoms of that sample by light from the collection region. A major constraint is imposed on the design and operation of the shutter by a requirement that it not generate a magnetic field large enough to perturb an atomic clock. An electromagnetically actuated shutter could satisfy all requirements except this one. Hence, it was decided to use piezoelectric instead of electromagnetic actuation. The shutter (see figure) includes two commercial piezoelectrically driven flexure stages that produce a travel of 0.5 mm. Levers mechanically amplify the travel to the required level of 1 cm. Problems that remained to be addressed at the time of reporting the information for this article included lifetime testing and correction of a tendency for shutter blades to bounce open.

Thompson, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2009

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2009

Topics covered include: Light-Driven Polymeric Bimorph Actuators; Guaranteeing Failsafe Operation of Extended-Scene Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Algorithm; Cloud Water Content Sensor for Sounding Balloons and Small UAVs; Pixelized Device Control Actuators for Large Adaptive Optics; T-Slide Linear Actuators; G4FET Implementations of Some Logic Circuits; Electrically Variable or Programmable Nonvolatile Capacitors; System for Automated Calibration of Vector Modulators; Complementary Paired G4FETs as Voltage-Controlled NDR Device; Three MMIC Amplifiers for the 120-to-200 GHz Frequency Band; Low-Noise MMIC Amplifiers for 120 to 180 GHz; Using Ozone To Clean and Passivate Oxygen-Handling Hardware; Metal Standards for Waveguide Characterization of Materials; Two-Piece Screens for Decontaminating Granular Material; Mercuric Iodide Anticoincidence Shield for Gamma-Ray Spectrometer; Improved Method of Design for Folding Inflatable Shells; Ultra-Large Solar Sail; Cooperative Three-Robot System for Traversing Steep Slopes; Assemblies of Conformal Tanks; Microfluidic Pumps Containing Teflon[Trademark] AF Diaphragms; Transparent Conveyor of Dielectric Liquids or Particles; Multi-Cone Model for Estimating GPS Ionospheric Delays; High-Sensitivity GaN Microchemical Sensors; On the Divergence of the Velocity Vector in Real-Gas Flow; Progress Toward a Compact, Highly Stable Ion Clock; Instruments for Imaging from Far to Near; Reflectors Made from Membranes Stretched Between Beams; Integrated Risk and Knowledge Management Program -- IRKM-P; LDPC Codes with Minimum Distance Proportional to Block Size; Constructing LDPC Codes from Loop-Free Encoding Modules; MMICs with Radial Probe Transitions to Waveguides; Tests of Low-Noise MMIC Amplifier Module at 290 to 340 GHz; and Extending Newtonian Dynamics to Include Stochastic Processes.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Microwave tunable laser source: A stable, precision tunable heterodyne local oscillator

The development and capabilities of a tunable laser source utilizing a wideband electro-optic modulator and a CO2 laser are described. The precision tunability and high stability of the device are demonstrated with examples of laboratory spectroscopy. Heterodyne measurements are also presented to demonstrate the performance of the laser source as a heterodyne local oscillator. With the use of five CO2 isotope lasers and the 8 to 18 GHz sideband offset tunability of the modulator, calculations indicate that 50 percent spectral coverage in the 9 to 12 micron region is achievable. The wavelength accuracy and stability of this laser source is limited by the CO2 laser and is more than adequate for the measurement of narrow Doppler-broadened line profiles. The room-temperature operating capability and the programmability of the microwave tunable laser source are attractive features for its in-the-field implementation. Although heterodyne measurements indicated some S/N degradation when using the device as a local oscillator, there does not appear to be any fundamental limitation to the heterodyne efficiency of this laser source. Through the use of a lower noise-figure traveling wave tube amplifier and optical matching of the output beam with the photomixer, a substantial increase in the heterodyne S/N is expected.

Sachse, G. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Challenges and Considerations When Using Hydraulic Modal Shaking in Large-Scale Modal Testing

As test articles become dimensionally larger, more complex, and massive in weight, combined with the need to excite them to higher than traditional levels in order to identify their nonlinear characteristics, modal shakers that can generate significantly higher force levels, have longer stroke lengths, and possess higher velocity limits are required. While large scale modal tests may be performed with electrodynamic modal shakers, hydraulic modal shakers become attractive since they can generate higher force levels at lower unit cost with a smaller spatial footprint. While test engineers familiar with electrodynamic modal shakers are familiar with the challenges of displacement and velocity limits and the relatively mild shaker nonlinear distortion due to amplifier gains and shaker flexure structural geometric nonlinearities, they probably are not as familiar with the unique set of challenges hydraulic modal shakers present. These unique challenges include significant nonlinear distortion in the shaker force, issues with the setup of the hydraulic power supply and the associated hydraulic hosing, velocity limits as they relate to potentially damaging the hydraulic actuator piston, and safety issues with operating high-pressure hydraulic systems. This paper addresses these unique challenges to help the test engineer to better utilize hydraulic modal shakers on large-scale modal tests.

Distortion↗