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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Neutral oxygen and sulfur densities in the Io torus

Ultraviolet spectra (1150-1750 A) of the Io torus, obtained using a rocket-borne telescope and spectrometer in May 1981, show emissions of neutral sulfur and neutral oxygen, as well as ionic emissions of S II, S III, and S IV. The emissions are observed almost 180 deg from the location of the satellite Io and imply the existence of an extended neutral atomic cloud associated with the torus. In the present work, neutral densities and ion mixing ratios are derived by modeling the observations using torus electron temperature and density profiles proportional to those at the time of the Voyager 1 encounter. The model includes the effects of photoexcitation, which can be considerable if the neutral cloud is large enough. At the time of the observation, substantial densities of neutral oxygen and neutral sulfur are found in regions of the torus far from Io. These lower limits on the neutral densities are compared to theoretical models of the neutral source, and the ion mixing ratios are compared to IUE observations of the torus obtained over a period of 5 yr. Arguments that tend to rule out Europa as the source of the neutral emission are also presented.

Skinner, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Quantitative photoabsorption and fluorescence study of H2O and D2O at 50-190 nm

The photoabsorption cross sections and the fluorescence quantum yields of H2O and D2O were measured in the 50-190 nm region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. The oscillator strengths for the Rydberg states of H2O and D2O were determined from the absorption cross sections measured. The processes for the production of fluorescence from the excited species H(asterisk) (n greater than 2), D(asterisk) (n greater than 2), OH(asterisk) (A) and OD(asterisk) (A) are discussed. The upper limit for the dissociation energy of D(D-OD) was determined, from the threshold of the OD(A-X) fluorescence, to be 5.14 + or - 0.01 eV. The upper limit for the cross section of visible fluorescence from the excited H2O(+) ions was determined to be 2 x 10 to the -19th sq cm. A comparison between the photoexcitation spectra of H2O and D2O is made.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Solar generation and storage of O2 (a 1 delta g)

An investigation was performed of the technical steps required to design a solar powered oxygen-iodine laser. Singlet delta oxygen is formed upon transfer of energy from selected photoexcited dye molecules to ground state molecular oxygen and then is concentrated and stored as an endoperoxide by reaction with an aromatic hydrocarbon. The endoperoxide, when heated, releases singlet oxygen in high yield thus providing a regenerable source of laser fuel. Energy transfer from dye molecules to molecular oxygen was investigated. When dye molecules were adsorbed to polymer substrates it was observed that the dye became embedded in the polymer matrix. Porphin dyes were incorporated into films of 1,4-dimethyl-2-poly(vinylnaphthalene), 2PVN. An endoperoxide was formed when porphin-doped 2PVN was exposed to visible radiation. This demonstrates the possibility of generating singlet oxygen using solar energy and concentrating and storing it in one simple step. Transport of energy by exciton migration in polycrystalline dye films was also investigated.

Twarowski, Allen J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Nonlinear effects in coplanar GaAs/InGaAs strained-layer superlattice directional couplers

The performance characteristics of InGaAs/GaAs strained-layer superlattice coplanar ridge-type directional couplers realized by molecular beam epitaxy are reported. The measured power transfer characteristics with 1.15 micron incident photoexcitation demonstrate nonlinear coupling due to absorption associated with the tails of the excitonic resonances in the quantum wells. From a theoretical fit of the measured data, the nonlinear refractive index coefficient, n2, of the multiquantum well is found to be 2.25 x 10 to the -7th sq cm/W. This agrees very well with a value of n2 = 1.9 x 10 to the-7th sq cm/W obtained independently on the same material from interferometric measurents.

Das, Utpal↗
NASA NTRS1988

Discrete fluorescent saturation regimes in multilevel systems

Using models of multilevel atoms, the fluorescent process was examined for the ratio of the photooxidation rate, Pij, to the collisional oxidation rate, Cij, in the pumped resonance transition i-j. It is shown that, in the full range of the parameter Pij/Cij, there exist three distinct regimes (I, II, and III) which may be usefully exploited. These regimes are defined, respectively, by the following conditions: Pij/Cij smaller than about 1; Pij/Cij much greater than 1 and Pij much lower than Cki; and Pij/Cij much greater than 1 and Pij much higher than Cki, where Cki is the collisional rate populating the source level i. The only regime which is characterized by the sensitivity of fluorescent-fluorescent line intensity ratios to Pij is regime I. If regime III is reached, even fluorescent-nonfluorescent line ratios become independent of Pij. The analysis is applied to the resonant photoexcitation of a carbonlike ion.

Kastner, S. O.↗
NASA NTRS1987

CF2 and CFCl fluorescence from VUV excitation of C2F3Cl

The photoexcitation process of the C2F3Cl molecule was investigated in the 106-230-nm region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. Photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections were measured and used to determine the fluorescence quantum yield. Fluorescence yield starts to appear at 170 nm and increases to about 2 percent at 155 nm. The fluorescence spectra were dispersed to identify the emitting species. The (A-X) systems of CFCl (at excitation wavelengths 155 and 123.9 nm) and CF2 (at 123.9 nm) are observed. The dissociation processes that produced these excited species are discussed.

Nee, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spatial probing of nebular properties via Bowen pumping

On the basis of detailed calculations of O III line intensities under optically thin and optically thick conditions, an analysis is proposed for spatially resolved observations of the Bowen lines which could yield the local photoexcitation rate and an estimate of the local optical depth, more specifically the local mean escape probability associated with the line of sight. The importance of such newly defined escape probabilities is emphasized. An illustrative application is made to the data of Barker for the planetary nebula NGC 6720. The far-infrared line ratio I (88 microns)/I(52 microns) is also sensitive to Bowen pumping at low optical depths, and interpretation of the ratio may need to take this effect into account in some H II regions. It is noted that the S III far-infrared line ratio could provide an independent check on whether the effect is present.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Measurement Of Molecular Mobilities Of Polymers

New molecular-probe technique used to measure molecular mobility of polymer. Method based on use of time-resolved electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to monitor decay of transient nutation amplitudes from photoexcited triplet states of probe molecules with which polymer is doped. The higher molecular mobility of polymer matrix, the faster nutation amplitudes of the probe molecules decay.

Kim, Soon Sam↗
NASA NTRS1989

Long-Wavelength Infrared Detector

Proposed device detects infrared photons of 10- to 100-micrometer wavelength by intersubband absorption in coupled quantum wells. Based on splitting of energy level occuring when two quantum wells placed so close together wave functions of quantized energy levels overlap. Detector absorbs photons, energy which equals difference in energy between two levels resulting from split. Because degree of overlap of wave functions and, therefore, magnitude of split varied by varying width of barrier between two coupled wells, such detector, in principle, designed to operate at any desired wavelength. Restrictions on design parameters of quantum wells of proposed device less severe than single-well devices. Energy levels near tops of wells still necessary so photoexcited carriers tunnel out. Additional flexibility in design obtained by use of wells formed by barriers of different heights.

Vasquez, Richard P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Infrared response from metallic particles embedded in a single-crystal Si matrix - The layered internal photoemission sensor

Infrared radiation at wavelengths of 1-2 microns has been detected in a new device labeled the layered internal photoemission sensor. The device structure, which is grown by molecular beam epitaxy, incorporates epitaxial CoSi2 particles with dimensions of 10-50 nm. Radiation absorbed by these particles photoexcites carriers into a surrounding single-crystal silicon matrix. A peak quantum efficiency of 1.3 percent is measured, which is approximately six times higher than in planar CoSi2 Schottky diodes with 5-nm silicide thickness.

Fathauer, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Novel Si(1-x)Ge(x)/Si heterojunction internal photoemission long-wavelength infrared detectors

The feasibility of a novel p(+)-Si(1-x)Ge(x)-p-Si heterojunction internal photoemission (HIP) IR detector is demonstrated. A degenerately doped p(x)-Si(1-x)Ge(x) layer is required for strong IR absorption to generate photoexcited holes. The Si(1-x)Ge(x) layers are grown by molecular beam epitaxy, with boron concentrations up to 10 to the 20th/cu cm achieved by using an HBO2 source. Photoresponse at wavelengths ranging from 2 to 10 microns has been obtained with quantum efficiencies above 1 percent. The tailorable cutoff wavelength of the HIP detector has been demonstrated by varying the Ge composition ratio in the Si(1-x)Ge(x) layers.

Lin, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Heterojunction-Internal-Photoemission Infrared Detectors

New type of photodetector adds options for design of imaging devices. Heterojunction-internal-photoemission (HIP) infrared photodetectors proposed for incorporation into planar arrays in imaging devices required to function well at wavelengths from 8 to 17 micrometers and at temperatures above 65 K. Photoexcited electrons cross energy barrier at heterojunction and swept toward collection layer. Array of such detectors made by etching mesa structures. HIP layers stacked to increase quantum efficiency. Also built into integrated circuits including silicon multiplexer/readout circuits.

Maserjian, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1991

Molecules with enhanced electronic polarizabilities based on defect-like states in conjugated polymers

Highly conjugated organic polymers typically have large non-resonant electronic susceptibilities, which give the molecules unusual optical properties. To enhance these properties, defects are introduced into the polymer chain. Examples include light doping of the conjugated polymer and synthesis, conjugated polymers which incorporate either electron donating or accepting groups, and conjugated polymers which contain a photoexcitable species capable of reversibly transferring its electron to an acceptor. Such defects in the chain permit enhancement of the second hyperpolarizability by at least an order of magnitude.

Beratan, David N.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Explicit relations in Bowen fluorescence - Applications to nebulae, the sun, Scorpius X-1, and laboratory plasmas

A general analysis of the fluorescent process is described which emphasizes the differing roles of escape probabilities in one-component and two-component gases, and the existence of discrete fluorescent saturation regimes. Explicit formulas are obtained and discussed for astrophysical Bowen fluorescence, as a concrete example, with applications to planetary nebulae, the solar atmosphere and the X-ray binary Sco X-1. An expression is also provided and evaluated for the profile overlap integral involved in the pumping process. A preliminary conclusion is deduced that densities in the fluorescent line-emitting regions of nebular sources may be higher than those derived from forbidden line ratios. The analysis is extended to a proposed laboratory investigation which would exploit the possibility of controlling the determining factors in the fluorescent process, i.e., O III/He II abundance ratio, optical depth, and photoexciting radiation field.

Kastner, S. O.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fluorescence from excitation of CH4, CH3OH and CH3SH by extreme vacuum ultraviolet radiation

The photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of CH4, CH3OH, and CH3SH were measured in the wavelength regions of 52-106, 48-106, and 48-106 nm, respectively. The fluorescence spectra were dispersed to identify the emitting species. Emissions from the excited species of H(asterisk) and CH(asterisk) are commonly observed for all three molecules. Emission from the excited CH2(asterisk) is observed from CH4, OH(asterisk) from CH3OH and CS(asterisk) from CH3SH. The photoexcitation processes that may produce the observed emission bands are discussed.

Ma, Guang↗
NASA NTRS1990

The photochemical origins of life and photoreaction of ferrous ion in the archaean oceans

A general argument is made for the photochemical origins of life. A constant flux of free energy is required to maintain the organized state of matter called life. Solar photons are the unique source of the large amounts of energy probably required to initiate this organization and certainly required for the evolution of life to occur. The completion of this argument will require the experimental determination of suitable photochemical reactions. It is shown that biogenetic porphyrins readily photooxidize substrates and emit hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. These results are consistent with the Granick hypothesis, which relates a biosynthetic pathway to its evolutionary origin. It has been shown that photoexcitation of ferrous ion at neutral pH with near ultraviolet light produces hydrogen with high quantum yield. This same simple system may reduce carbon dioxide to formaldehyde and further products. These reactions offer a solution to the dilemma confronting the Oparin-Urey-Miller model of the chemical origin of life. If carbon dioxide is the main form of carbon on the primitive earth, the ferrous photoreaction may provide the reduced carbon necessary for the formation of amino acids and other biogenic molecules. These results suggest that this progenitor of modern photosynthesis may have contributed to the chemical origins of life.

Mauzerall, David C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections of NH3, PH3, H2S, C2H2, and C2H4 in the VUV region

Using synchrotron radiation as a continuum light source, the photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections of NH3, PH3, H2S, C2H2, and C2H4 have been measured from their respective ionization thresholds to 1060 A. The vibrational constants associated with the nu(2) totally symmetric, out-of-plane bending vibration of the ground electronic state of PH3(+) have been obtained. The cross sections and quantum yields for producing neutral products through photoexcitation of these molecules in the given spectral regions have also been determined. In the present work, autoionization processes were found to be less important than dissociation and predissociation processes in NH3, PH3, and C2H4. Several experimental techniques have been employed in order to examine the various possible systematic errors critically.

Xia, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

NO(gamma) emission by energy transfer from NO(+) (a) to NO

Ultraviolet emission produced by photoexcitation of NO at 50-80 nm is observed using synchrotron radiation as a light source. The emission increases at an excitation wavelength corresponding to the ionization potential of the NO(+) (a) state. The emission spectra at several excitation wavelengths are dispersed and identified to be mainly the NO(gamma) band. The dependence of emission intensity on gas pressure and delay time indicates that the emission is produced by a secondary reaction, which is attributed to the energy transfer from NO(+) (a) to NO.

Ma, Guang↗