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NASA NTRS1979

Studies of basic mechanisms occurring in high pressure gases: Applications to high efficiency high power lasers

The atomic fluorine laser was investigated. In the hollow cathode, lasing on Fluorine transitions in the doublet system lasted for up to 80 microns with no signs of self-termination. The excitation process of the laser appears to depend heavily upon the fluorine donor utilized. For instance, a single step process is involved when NF3 is used whereas a two step process is evident for SF6. The details are discussed.

Crane, J. K., III↗

NASA NTRS1979

Determination of trace gases in learjet and U-2 whole air samples collected during the intertropical convergence zone experiment

The contribution of Washington State University (WSU) to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) study, conducted in the Panama Canal Zone in July 1977 is reported. The ITCZ program had the objective to study the meteorology and air chemistry to determine, if possible, the magnitude of injection of tropospheric air into the stratosphere in the ITCZ. WSU was responsible for two phases of the air chemistry program for the ITCZ study: (1) the collection of whole-air samples from ground level to 13.7 km using a Learjet as a sampling platform, and the analysis of the samples for selected halocarbons, C2 hydrocarbons, N2O, and SF6; and (2) the analysis for selected halocarbon species and N2O of low pressure whole-air samples, collected between 13.7 km and 21.3 km by a U-2 aircraft. The report is divided into separate sections describing the Learjet and the U-2 sampling methods, analytical methods, and results. Complete data tables for all samples analyzed are given.

Cronn, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Double resonance spectroscopy of multiple-photon excited molecules

Multiple infrared photon absorption is a quite general process which molecules can undergo when placed in a high flux of infrared energy, such as the focussed beam of a CO2 laser. In order to understand how this process works, one must be able to follow the evolution of the molecules through their internal states, populated by photon absorption. Double-resonance spectroscopy is the method of a choice for getting at this information. A system pumped by CO2 laser radiation can be examined with a tunable laser probe beam, such as that from a lead-salt diode laser. From such an experiment, one can directly observe Rabi modulation of the absorption lines, determine elementary state-to-state relaxation pathways, and locate higher excited vibrational states. Systems currently under investigation include SF6 and vinyl chloride. In suitable cases, the probe beam can be a tunable visible or UV source, such as a dye laser. Fluorescence spectroscopy can then be used to monitor the transient absorptions produced by multiple-photon excitation. Among the systems which can be examined are biacetyl and glyoxal.

Steinfeld, J. I.↗

NASA NTRS1979

High resolution threshold photoelectron spectroscopy by electron attachment

A system is provided for determining the stable energy levels of a species ion, of an atomic, molecular, or radical type, by application of ionizing energy of a predetermined level, such as through photoionization. The system adds a trapping gas to the gaseous species to provide a technique for detection of the energy levels. The electrons emitted from ionized species are captured by the trapping gas, only if the electrons have substantially zero kinetic energy. If the electrons have nearly zero energy, they are absorbed by the trapping gas to produce negative ions of the trapping gas that can be detected by a mass spectrometer. The applied energies (i.e. light frequencies) at which large quantities of trapping gas ions are detected, are the stable energy levels of the positive ion of the species. SF6 and CFCl3 have the narrowest acceptance bands, so that when they are used as the trapping gas, they bind electrons only when the electrons have very close to zero kinetic energy.

Chutjian, A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Collisional narrowing by polyatomic buffer gases in an optically pumped CH3F laser

The gain linewidth of an optically pumped CH3F molecular laser is observed with the addition of various polyatomic buffer gases. This is interpreted as collisional (Dicke) narrowing. The measurement is the first observation of collisional narrowing by polyatomic buffer gases. It is also the first observation of the effect in a laser oscillator. The effect was observed using a heterodyne mixing technique at the laser emission frequency of 604 GHz. Collision cross sections for SF6-CH3F and CS2-CH3F are obtained.

Lawandy, N. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Halogens in the atmosphere

Atmospheric halogen measurement data are presented for: (1) inorganic and organic gaseous compounds of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine; and (2) chloride, fluoride, bromide and iodine in particulate form and in precipitation. The roles that these data and other, unavailable data play in the determination of the global cycles of the halogens are discussed. It is found that the speciation of the halogen gases in the troposphere is uncertain, with the only inorganic species detected by species-specific methods being HC1 and SF6. It is shown that heterogeneous reactions, both gas-to-particle and particle-to-gas processes, precipitation removal, and sea-salt aerosol generation and fractionation processes, need quantitative investigation to allow progress in estimating halogen sources and sinks. Where practical, quantitative comparisons are made between measured and predicted concentrations.

Cicerone, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Photolysis of CH4-NH3 mixtures and PH3 as models for the photochemical transformations on the primitive earth and Jupiter

Methane, ammonia and phosphine are some of the possible constituents of the atmospheres of the Jovian planets and their satellites. Photolysis of NH3 in the presence of CH4 at 185 nm in the temperature range of 25 C to -100 C results in the decomposition of CH4. The reaction is inhibited by added H2 or SF6. These findings are consistent with the reaction of hot hydrogen atoms with CH4 to give the CH3 radical. P2H4 is the initial product formed by the photolysis of PH3 at 206 nm. Kinetic studies established that it is the intermediate in the formation of P4 from PH3. The potential significance of these reactions to the atmospheric photochemistry of the Jovian planets and moons is discussed.

Ferris, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Collisional narrowing in the optically pumped CH3OH and CH3F lasers

The gain linewidth of the optically pumped CH3F laser is observed to narrow and rebroaden with the addition of He. In addition, the same effect is observed in the CH3OH laser with the addition of the polyatomic buffer gases SF6 and CS2. These results offer conclusive evidence of the Dicke narrowing phenomena in these inverted pure rotational transitions. The effect is observed using a high harmonic mixing technique in a Schottky barrier diode.

Lawandy, N. M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Theory and observation of a dynamically evolving negative ion plasma

The study described here examines the full range of negative-ion chemistry in the upper ionosphere by using current reaction rate data to investigate the many chemical paths SF6-type injections might take in an F region environment. Special attention is given to the conditions required to create heavy negative ions that persist long enough to affect the dynamical properties of the F region. The ambipolar diffusion characteristics of a three-component plasma are described, and estimates are given of the incoherent scatter spectra obtained from such a plasma. Model calculations using a first-order chemical code are defined and tested in order to investigate the actual types of negative-ion plasma capable of being created under nighttime conditions.

Mendillo, M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Stimulated Rayleigh-Brillouin gain spectroscopy in pure gases

Stimulated Rayleigh-Brillouin gain spectra of pure gases are reported. Stimulated Rayleigh scattering is now clearly distinguishable from stimulated Brillouin scattering without the aid of induced absorption. As examples, spectral line shapes of Ar and SF6 at various pressures and the associated gain asymmetry are discussed. Potential applications of coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin spectroscopy are suggested.

She, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Velocity visualization in gaseous flows

Techniques are established for visualizing velocity in gaseous flows. Two approaches are considered, both of which are capable of yielding velocity simultaneously at a large number of flowfield locations, thereby providing images of velocity. The first technique employs a laser to mark specific fluid elements and a camera to track their subsequent motion. Marking is done by laser-induced phosphorescence of biacetyl, added as a tracer species in a flow of N2, or by laser-induced formation of sulfur particulates in SF6-H2-N2 mixtures. The second technique is based on the Doppler effect, and uses an intensified photodiode array camera and a planar form of laser-induced fluorescence to detect 2-d velocities of I2 (in I2-N2 mixtures) via Doppler-shifted absorption of narrow-linewidth laser radiation at 514.5 nm.

Hanson, R. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

s-wave threshold in electron attachment - Results in 2-C4F6 and CFCl3 at ultra-low electron energies

Electron attachment lineshapes and cross sections are reported for the processes 2-C4F6(-)/2-C4F6 and Cl(-)/CFCl3 at electron energies of 0-120 and 0-140 meV, and at resolutions of 6 and 7 meV (FWHM), respectively. As in previous measurements in CCl4 and SF6, the results show resolution-limited narrow structure in the cross section at electron energies below 15 meV. This structure arises from the divergence of the s-wave cross section in the limit of zero electron energy. Comparisons are given with swarm-measured results, and with collisional ionization (high-Rydberg attachment) data in this energy range.

Chutjian, A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Wetting and Multilayer Adsorption

The recent work with partially miscible binary liquid mixtures has established that the structure of the liquid-vapor interface can undergo a first-order phase transition from incomplete to complete wetting of the vapor as the temperature is raised. A discontinuity in the change of interfacial tension as a function of temperature at the phase transition has been predicted to occur in many systems and to play an important role in the growth of uniform composites from alloy melts at monotectic points. These measurements are the first to establish the order of the transition. Studies of capillary rise in SF6 in a unique interferometer have led to the first measurements of the thickness of wetting layers (or equivalently, multilayer adsorbed films) on a solid surface near a liquid-vapor critical point. Instabilities in wetting layers were observed. A theory for the instabilities is being developed and will be checked by both static and dynamic optical experiments. The effect of gravity on the apparent thickness of interfaces (as measured by ellipsometry) is under study.

Moldover, M. R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Field-Reversal Source for Negative Halogen Ions

Large zero-energy electron-attachment cross sections result in intense ion beams. Concept for producing negative halogen ions takes advantage of large cross sections at zero kinetic energy for dissociative attachment of electrons to such halogen-containing gases as SF6, CFCI3, and CCI4.

Chutjian, A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Coaxial tube array space transmission line characterization

The coaxial tube array tether/transmission line used to connect an SP-100 nuclear power system to the space station was characterized over the range of reactor-to-platform separation distances of 1 to 10 km. Characterization was done with respect to array performance, physical dimensions and masses. Using a fixed design procedure, a family of designs was generated for the same power level (300 kWe), power loss (1.5 percent), and meteoroid survival probability (99.5 percent over 10 yr). To differentiate between vacuum insulated and gas insulated lines, two different maximum values of the E field were considered: 20 kV/cm (appropriate to vacuum insulation) and 50 kV/cm (compressed SF6). Core conductor, tube, bumper, standoff, spacer and bumper support dimensions, and masses were also calculated. The results of the characterization show mainly how transmission line size and mass scale with reactor-to-platform separation distance.

Switzer, Colleen A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A deliberate tracer experiment in Santa Monica Basin

A tracer technique was developed for measurements of diffusion across oceanic density strata using SF6 and perfluorodecalin (PFD) tracers in the Santa Monica Basin. Fifty days after injection, the tracers were found to have mixed along the isopycnal surface to nearly every part of the basin. The diapycnal spreading of the tracer distributions yielded an apparent eddy diffusivity of 0.33 + or - 0.08 sq cm/s at the ambient density gradient of 4.0 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the -9th g/cm to the 4th.

Ledwell, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Contamination of the space station environment by vented chemicals

Gaseous materials vented from materials and life science experiments on the Space Station may have noticeable effects on the optical or plasma environment. The magnitude of the effects depends on: (1) rarefied gas dynamics; (2) photochemical reactions; and (3) airglow excitation mechanisms. In general, the effects from atomic species can be mitigated, but the disturbances resulting from venting of molecules like SF6, CO2 and C2H2 can be significant. The interaction of molecules with ambient plasma at orbital velocities should be studied with laboratory or space experiments.

Bernhardt, Paul A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Coaxial tube array space transmission line characterization

Switzer, Colleen A.↗