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At least 937 records · Page 52

Design of a Microwave Assisted Discharge Inductive Plasma Accelerator

The design and construction of a thruster that employs electrodeless plasma preionization and pulsed inductive acceleration is described. Preionization is achieved through an electron cyclotron resonance discharge that produces a weakly-ionized plasma at the face of a conical theta pinch-shaped inductive coil. The presence of the preionized plasma allows for current sheet formation at lower discharge voltages than those employed in other pulsed inductive accelerators that do not employ preionization. The location of the electron cyclotron resonance discharge is controlled through the design of the applied magnetic field in the thruster. Finite element analysis shows that there is an arrangement of permanent magnets that yields a small volume of resonant magnetic field at the coil face. Preionization in the resonant zone leads to current sheet formation at the coil face, which minimizes the initial inductance of the pulse circuit and maximizes the potential electrical efficiency of the accelerator. A magnet assembly was constructed around an inductive coil to provide structural support to the selected arrangement of neodymium magnets. Measured values of the resulting magnetic field compare favorably with the finite element model.

Hallock, Ashley K.↗

Eddy current correction in volume-localized MR spectroscopy

The quality of volume-localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy is affected by eddy currents caused by gradient switching. Eddy currents can be reduced with improved gradient systems; however, it has been suggested that the distortion due to eddy currents can be compensated for during postprocessing with a single-frequency reference signal. The authors propose modifying current techniques for acquiring the single-frequency reference signal by using relaxation weighting to reduce interference from components that cannot be eliminated by digital filtering alone. Additional sequences with T1 or T2 weighting for reference signal acquisition are shown to have the same eddy current characteristics as the original signal without relaxation weighting. The authors also studied a new eddy current correction method that does not require a single-frequency reference signal. This method uses two free induction decays (FIDs) collected from the same volume with two sequences with opposite gradients. Phase errors caused by eddy currents are opposite in these two FIDs and can be canceled completely by combining the FIDs. These methods were tested in a phantom. Eddy current distortions were corrected, allowing quantitative measurement of structures such as the -CH = CH- component, which is otherwise undetectable.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

Generation of Electron Whistler Waves at the Mirror Mode Magnetic Holes: MMS Observations and PIC Simulation

The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission has observed electron whistler waves at the center and at the edges of magnetic holes in the dayside magnetosheath. The magnetic holes are nonlinear mirror structures since their magnitude is anticorrelated with particle density. In this article, we examine the growth mechanisms of these whistler waves and their interaction with the host magnetic hole. In the observations, as magnetic holes develop and get deeper, an electron population gets trapped and develops a temperature anisotropy favorable for whistler waves to be generated. In addition, the decrease in magnetic field magnitude and the increase in density reduce the electron resonance energy, which promotes the electron cyclotron resonance. To investigate this process, we used expanding box particle-in-cell simulations to produce the mirror instability, which then evolve into magnetic holes. The simulation shows that whistler waves can be generated at the center and edges of magnetic holes, which reproduces the primary features of the MMS observations. The simulation shows that the electron temperature anisotropy develops in the center of the magnetic hole once the mirror instability reaches its nonlinear stage of evolution. The plasma is then unstable to whistler waves at the minimum of the magnetic field structures. In the saturation regime of mirror instability, when magnetic holes are developed, the electron temperature anisotropy appears at the edges of the holes and electron distributions become more isotropic at the magnetic field minimum. At the edges, the expansion of magnetic holes decelerates the electrons, which leads to temperature anisotropies.

Magnetospheric Multiscale↗

Structural parameters that influence the noise reduction characteristics of typical general aviation materials

Effect of panel curvature and oblique angle of sound incidence on noise reduction characteristics of an aluminum panel are experimentally investigated. Panel curvature results show significant increase in stiffness with comparable decrease of sound transmission through the panel in the frequency region below the panel/cavity resonance frequency. Noise reduction data have been achieved for aluminum panels with clamped, bonded and riveted edge conditions. These edge conditions are shown to influence noise reduction characteristics of aluminum panels. Experimentally measured noise reduction characteristics of flat aluminum panels with uniaxial and biaxial in-plane stresses are presented and discussed. Results indicate important improvement in noise reduction of these panels in the frequency range below the fundamental panel/cavity resonance frequency.

Roskam, J.↗

Voyager radio occultation by the Uranian rings: Structure, dynamics, and particle sizes

Diffraction of Voyager 2's 3.6 and 13 cm wavelength microwaves by the Uranian rings is removed through an inverse Fresnel transform filtering procedure that accommodates the significant eccentricity of the rings. Resulting 50 m resolution profiles at two observation longitudes: (1) reveal remarkably detailed and longitudinally varying structure, (2) provide eccentricity gradient profiles of Rings alpha, beta, and epsilon which bring into question current theoretical models for observed rigid precession, and (3) suggest that two possible unseen satellites may confine some of the very sharp edges observed via resonant interactions.

Gresh, Donna Leigh↗

Satellite observations of the spatial extent and structure of Pc 3, 4, 5 pulsations near the magnetospheric equator

Simultaneous observations of Pc 3, 4, 5 pulsations by five satellites in the pre-noon local time sector at and near synchronous orbit are examined. The periods of these simultaneous pulsations are not the same at the different observation points. This difference is attributed to site dependent resonant conditions. The spatial properties of the temporal phenomenon are demonstrated with observations by ISEE-1 and -2 as they pass through oscillations in a spatially limited region. Fundamental and second harmonic standing Alfven waves are observed simultaneously on the same field line. The periods are consistent with model predictions when the measured plasma composition, which by mass consists mainly of singly ionized oxygen, is taken into account.

Singer, H. J.↗

High-Resolution IR Absorption Spectroscopy of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the 3-micrometers Region: Role of Periphery

In this work we report on high-resolution IR absorption studies that provide a detailed view on how the peripheral structure of irregular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) affects the shape and position of their 3-micrometers absorption band. To this purpose we present mass-selected, high-resolution absorption spectra of cold and isolated phenanthrene, pyrene, benz[a]antracene, chrysene, triphenylene, and perylene molecules in the 2950-3150 per cm range. The experimental spectra are compared with standard harmonic calculations, and anharmonic calculations using a modified version of the SPECTRO program that incorporates a Fermi resonance treatment utilizing intensity redistribution. We show that the 3-micrometers region is dominated by the effects of anharmonicity, resulting in many more bands than would have been expected in a purely harmonic approximation. Importantly, we find that anharmonic spectra as calculated by SPECTRO are in good agreement with the experimental spectra. Together with previously reported high-resolution spectra of linear acenes, the present spectra provide us with an extensive dataset of spectra of PAHs with a varying number of aromatic rings, with geometries that range from open to highly-condensed structures, and featuring CH groups in all possible edge configurations. We discuss the astrophysical implications of the comparison of these spectra on the interpretation of the appearance of the aromatic infrared 3-micrometers band, and on features such as the two-component emission character of this band and the 3-micrometers emission plateau.

techniques: spectroscopic↗

Outer atmospheres of cool stars. XIV - A model for the chromosphere and transition region of Beta Ceti (G9.5 III)

In the present chromospheric and transition region model for Beta Ceti, which is consistent with IUE spectra of the Mg II, C II, and C IV resonance lines, the Mg II h and k lines are treated in partial redistribution and the C II and C IV lines in complete redistribution. Computed line fluxes are presented for a range of models to show the range of permitted temperature structures. A comparison of the Beta Ceti model to models previously computed in a similar way for other stars shows a trend of decreasing chromospheric pressures and increasing geometric scales as single stars evolve across the transition region boundary. The present analysis also suggests that transition region pressures drastically decrease and geometric scales rapidly increase as single giant stars evolve to the right, toward the boudnary. Beta Ceti's exceptional X-ray brightness is discussed.

Eriksson, K.↗

Low-frequency sound absorption measurements in air

Thirty sets of sound absorption measurements in air at a pressure of 1 atmosphere are presented at temperatures from 10 C to 50 C, relative humidities from 0 to 100 percent, and frequencies from 10 to 2500 Hz. The measurements were conducted by the method of free decay in a resonant tube having a length of 18.261 m and bore diameter of 0.152 m. Background measurements in a gas consisting of 89.5 percent N2 and 10.5 percent Ar, a mixture which has the same sound velocity as air, permitted the wall and structural losses of the tube to be separated from the constituent absorption, consisting of classical rotational and vibrational absorption, in the air samples. The data were used to evaluate the vibrational relaxation frequencies of N2 and/or O2 for each of the 30 sets of meteorological parameters. Over the full range of humidity, the measured relaxation frequencies of N2 in air lie between those specified by ANSI Standard S1.26-1978 and those measured earlier in binary N2H2O mixtures. The measured relaxation frequencies could be determined only at very low values of humidity, reveal a significant trend away from the ANSI standard, in agreement with a prior investigation.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗

Low-frequency absorption of sound in air

Thirty sets of sound absorption measurements in air at a pressure of 1 atmosphere are presented at temperatures from 10 C to 50 C, relative humidities from 0 to 100 percent, and frequencies from 10 to 2500 Hz. The measurements were conducted by the method of free decay in a resonant tube having a length of 18.261 m and bore diameter of 0.152 m. Background measurements in a gas consisting of 89.5 percent N2 and 10.5 percent Ar, a mixture which has the same sound velocity as air, permitted the wall and structural losses of the tube to be separated from the constituent absorption, consisting of classical rotational and vibrational absorption, in the air samples. The data were used to evaluate the vibrational relaxation frequencies of N2 and/or O2 for each of the 30 sets of meteorological parameters. Over the full range of humidity, the measured relaxation frequencies of N2 in air lie between those specified by ANSI Standard S1.26-1978 and those measured earlier in binary N2H2O mixtures. The measured relaxation frequencies could be determined only at very low values of humidity, reveal a significant trend away from the ANSI standard, in agreement with a prior investigation.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗

Structural tailoring using the SSME/STAEBL code

Space Shuttle Main Engine/Structural Tailoring of Engine Blades (SSME/STAEBL) was developed by systematically modifying and enhancing the STAEBL code developed by Pratt and Whitney under contract to NASA Lewis Research Center. STAEBL was designed for application to gas turbine blade design. Typical design variables include blade thickness distribution and root chord. Typical constraints include resonance margins, root stress, and root to chord ratios. In this program, the blade is loaded by centrifugal forces only. Additions and modifications of STAEBL included in SSME/STAEBL include (1) thermal stress analysis; (2) gas dynamic (pressure) loads; (3) temperature dependent material and thermal properties; (4) forced vibrations; (5) tip displacement constraints; (6) single crystal material analysis; (7) blade cross section stacking offsets; and (8) direct time integration algorithm for transient dynamic response. Capabilities are also included which permit data transfer from finite element models and stand-alone analysis.

Rubinstein, Robert↗

Detailed spectral structure of magnetospheric electron bursts precipitated by lightning

The temporal structure of electron fluxes precipitated by lightning that was measured at night over Wallops Island, Virginia, during August 1984 has been analyzed. A component of the precipitating electrons is almost certainly due to equatorial wave-particle interactions involving equatorial electron cyclotron resonance (EECR) with whistlers which produce pitch angle scattering. Precipitated electron fluxes of equatorial origin are characterized by a very steep spectral power exponent of about -20 above 100 keV. A second electron distribution from some other origin is also found whose time-integrated energy flux appears to be about equal in magnitude to the fluxes identified with the EECR processes.

Goldberg, R. A.↗

Experimental Structural Dynamic Response of Plate Specimens Due to Sonic Loads in a Progressive Wave Tube

The objective of the current study was to assess the repeatability of experiments at NASA Langley's Thermal Acoustic Fatigue Apparatus (TAFA) facility and to use these experiments to validate numerical models. Experiments show that power spectral density (PSD) curves were repeatable except at the resonant frequencies, which tended to vary between 5 Hz to 15 Hz. Results show that the thinner specimen had more variability in the resonant frequency location than the thicker sample, especially for modes higher than the first mode in the frequency range. Root Mean Square (RMS) tended to be more repeatable. The RMS behaved linearly through the SPL range of 135 to 153 dB. Standard Deviations (STDs) of the results tended to be relatively low constant up to about 147 dB. The RMS results were more repeatable than the PDS results. The STD results were less than 10% of the RMS results for both the 0.125 in (0.318 cm) and 0.062 in (0.1588 cm) thick plate. The STD of the PSD results were around 20% to 100% of the mean PSD results for non-resonant and resonant frequencies, respectively, for the 0.125 in (0.318 cm) thicker plate and between 25% to 125% of the mean PSD results, for nonresonant and resonant frequencies, respectively, for the thinner plate.

Betts, Juan F.↗

Apparent solar temperature enhancement due to large-amplitude waves

The effect of slow-mode acoustic-type MHD waves propagating outward in the solar atmosphere on the temperature structures predicted by empirical models is investigated analytically. A model is constructed, and numerical results are presented for wing intensities, line profiles, temperature enhancements, waves with higher energy flux, temperature depression, and the Si continuum. The flux in the MgII and CaII UV resonance lines is found to be increased relative to that in the IR continuum, leading to model temperatures which depend systematically on which observations are used in the computation. It is suggested that mechanical heating may take place in smaller regions such as flux tubes rather than uniformly over the surface.

Kalkofen, W.↗

Assessing damping uncertainty in space structures with fuzzy sets

NASA has been interested in the development of methods for evaluating the predictive accuracy of structural dynamic models. This interest stems from the use of mathematical models in evaluating the structural integrity of all spacecraft prior to flight. Space structures are often too large and too weak to be tested fully assembled in a ground test lab. The predictive accuracy of a model depends on the nature and extent of its experimental verification. The further the test conditions depart from in-service conditions, the less accurate the model will be. Structural damping is known to be one source of uncertainty in models. The uncertainty in damping is explored in order to evaluate the accuracy of dynamic models. A simple mass-spring-dashpot system is used to illustrate a comparison among three methods for propagating uncertainty in structural dynamics models: the First Order Method, the Numerical Simulation Method, and the Fuzzy Set Method. The Fuzzy Set Method is shown to bound the range of possible responses and thus to provide a valuable limiting check on the First Order Method near resonant conditions. Fuzzy Methods are a relative inexpensive alternative to numerical simulation.

Ross, Timothy J.↗

The theory of an auto-resonant field emission cathode relativistic electron accelerator for high efficiency microwave to direct current power conversion

A novel method of microwave power conversion to direct current is discussed that relies on a modification of well known resonant linear relativistic electron accelerator techniques. An analysis is presented that shows how, by establishing a 'slow' electromagnetic field in a waveguide, electrons liberated from an array of field emission cathodes, are resonantly accelerated to several times their rest energy, thus establishing an electric current over a large potential difference. Such an approach is not limited to the relatively low frequencies that characterize the operation of rectennas, and can, with appropriate waveguide and slow wave structure design, be employed in the 300 to 600 GHz range where much smaller transmitting and receiving antennas are needed.

Manning, Robert M.↗

High Performance Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna

A microstrip antenna for radiating circularly polarized electromagnetic waves comprising a cluster array of at least four microstrip radiator elements, each of which is provided with dual orthogonal coplanar feeds in phase quadrature relation achieved by connection to an asymmetric T-junction power divider impedance notched at resonance. The dual fed circularly polarized reference element is positioned with its axis at a 45 deg angle with respect to the unit cell axis. The other three dual fed elements in the unit cell are positioned and fed with a coplanar feed structure with sequential rotation and phasing to enhance the axial ratio and impedance matching performance over a wide bandwidth. The centers of the radiator elements are disposed at the corners of a square with each side of a length d in the range of 0.7 to 0.9 times the free space wavelength of the antenna radiation and the radiator elements reside in a square unit cell area of sides equal to 2d and thereby permit the array to be used as a phased array antenna for electronic scanning and is realizable in a high temperature superconducting thin film material for high efficiency.

Bondyopadhyay, Probir K.↗