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At least 991 records · Page 55

Soil breccia relationships and vapor deposits on the moon

Sets of Apollo 15 and 17 samples consisting of soil, breccia and breccia glass coating were selected for a study of regolith evolution. The data are inconclusive with respect to local cratering effects or rock weathering. A large number of samples from all missions fall into one of five groups based on their water leachable Cl and Br fractions. A limited number of vapor clouds with distinct labile Cl/Br ratios is suggested. One such vapor cloud may have particular significance since it has a primordial Cl/Br ratio.

Jovanovic, S.↗

Water vapor weathering of Taurus-Littrow orange soil - A pore-structure analysis

A pore-volume analysis was performed on water vapor adsorption data previously obtained on a fresh sample of Taurus-Littrow orange soil, and the analysis was repeated on the same sample after its exposure to moist air for a period of approximately six months. The results indicate that exposure of an outgassed sample to high relative pressures of water vapor can result in the formation of substantial micropore structure, the precise amount being dependent on the sample pretreatment, particularly the outgassing temperature. Micropore formation is explained in terms of water penetration into surface defects. In contrast, long-term exposure to moist air at low relative pressures appears to reverse the process with the elimination of micropores and enlargement of mesopores possibly through surface diffusion of metastable adsorbent material. The results are considered with reference to the storage of lunar samples.

Cadenhead, D. A.↗

Vapor-deposited graded-thickness films

Rotating substrate and slotted mask allow varying film thickness to be deposited from vapor by exposing film substrate to metal vapor through circular mask. Useful for fabricating variable thickness coatings for controlling thermal, electrical, or other properties.

Herzig, H.↗

DSN water vapor radiometer: Tropospheric range delay calibration

A discussion is presented of the Deep Space Network water vapor radiometer by means of simultaneous antenna temperature and radiosonde measurements at Edwards Air Force Base. The calibration of radiometer gain and hot load radiometric noise temperature is also described. Calibration equations are given. It is found that with a selected data set, the RMS error is less than 1 cm over a total delay range of 9 to 38 cm. Limitations on the use of the water vapor radiometer are also given.

Slobin, S. D.↗

Chemical vapor deposition reactor

An improved chemical vapor deposition reactor is characterized by a vapor deposition chamber configured to substantially eliminate non-uniformities in films deposited on substrates by control of gas flow and removing gas phase reaction materials from the chamber. Uniformity in the thickness of films is produced by having reactive gases injected through multiple jets which are placed at uniformally distributed locations. Gas phase reaction materials are removed through an exhaust chimney which is positioned above the centrally located, heated pad or platform on which substrates are placed. A baffle is situated above the heated platform below the mouth of the chimney to prevent downdraft dispersion and scattering of gas phase reactant materials.

Chern, S. S.↗

Study of liquid and vapor flow into a Centaur capillary device

The following areas of liquid and vapor flow were analyzed and experimentally evaluated; 1) the refilling of capillary devices with settled liquid, and 2) vapor flow across wetted screens. These investigations resulted in: 1) the development of a versatile computer program that was successfully correlated with test data and used to predict Centaur D-1S LO2 and LH2 start basket refilling; 2) the development of a semi-empirical model that was only partially correlated with data due to difficulties in obtaining repeatable test results. Also, a comparison was made to determine the best propellant management system for the Centaur D-1S vehicle. The comparison identified the basline Centaur D-1S system (using pressurization, boost pumps and propellant settling) as the best candidate based on payload weight penalty. However, other comparison criteria and advanced mission condition were identified where pressure fed systems, thermally subcooled boost pumps and capillary devices would be selected as attractive alternatives.

Blatt, M. H.↗

Emission and extinction of ground and vapor-condensed silicates from 4 to 14 microns and the 10 micron silicate feature

Emission and absorption spectra from 4 to 14 microns of ground and laser-vaporized olivine and enstatite silicates are compared with the 10-micron emission feature of the Orion Trapezium. The agreement in band center and shape between the amorphous laser-vaporized olivine sample and the Trapezium feature suggests that amorphous silicate grains of approximately olivine composition may be a major constituent of interstellar dust. Differences between the emission and absorption spectral profiles (absorption plus scattering) show characteristics that could be used as a sensitive probe of the morphology of interstellar grain systems when high signal-to-noise ratio (30-100) observational spectra become available.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Reaction of HO2 with O3 and the effect of water vapor on HO2 kinetics

The effects of temperature and water vapor concentration on the ratio of the rate constant of the reaction HO2 + O3 yields OH + 2(O2) to the square root of the rate constant for the reaction HO2 + HO2 yields H2O2 + O2 are determined. Photolysis of H2-O2-O3 mixtures at 253.7 nm was carried out with H2O pressures in the range 0 to 15 torr at a temperature range of -42.5 to 61 C along with 184.9 nm photolysis of H2O-O2-O3 mixtures. It is shown that the rate of O3 photolysis is suppressed by the addition of water vapor and it is suggested that this effect is realized in the HO2 + HO2 yields H2O2 + O2 reaction. The calculated expression for the temperature dependence of the rate constant ratio is found to be in good agreement with that calculated from separate rate constants. Rate constants determined for the reaction OH + HO2 yields H2O + O2 are found to be higher than those previously determined, presumably due to increased pressure, indicating that atmospheric models should take into account the possible pressure dependences of the reactions considered.

Demore, W. B.↗

Measurements of upper atmosphere water vapor made in situ with a new moisture sensor

A new thin-film aluminum oxide sensor, Aquamax II, has been developed for the measurement of stratospheric and upper tropospheric water vapor levels. The sensor is briefly described with attention given to its calibration and performance. Data obtained from six balloon flights are presented; almost all the results show a constant water vapor mixing ratio, in agreement with other data from midlatitude regions.

Chleck, D.↗

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy - Spectra of water vapor in flames

The results of experimental measurements of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra of water vapor in flames are reported. A pulsed, frequency-doubled neodymium laser was used to supply the pump beam and to pump a dye laser to provide a broadband Stokes beam at 6600 A. Spectra were obtained in the postflame region of a premixed methane-air flame in the Raman frequency shift region of the symmetric stretch mode (3651.7 kaysers) at an approximate temperature of 1675 K. A theoretical calculation of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectrum of water vapor at this temperature was made, taking into account only isotropic Q-branch transitions, and using the energy level data of Floud et al. (1976). The theoretical prediction is shown essentially to reproduce all qualitative features of the experimental spectrum, and to exhibit a strong temperature dependence.

Hall, R. J.↗

The vertical distribution of Mars water vapor

Analysis of observations made from the Viking 1 Orbiter indicates that the water vapor over the Viking 1 landing site is uniformly mixed with the atmosphere and not concentrated near the surface. The analysis incorporates the effects of atmospheric scattering and explains why previous earth-based observations showed a strong diurnal variation in water content. It also explains the lack of an early morning fog and removes the necessity of daily exchange of large amounts of water between the surface and the atmosphere. A water vapor volume mixing ratio of 1.5 x 10 to the -4th is inferred for the Viking 1 site in late summer.

Davies, D. W.↗

Characteristics of a CW water vapor laser at 118 and 28 microns

The characteristics of a CW water vapor laser operating at 118 and 28 microns are reported. By monitoring the discharge current, helium gas pressure, and water vapor pressure, a criterion for optimum power output has been obtained. Peak powers of 6 and 114 mW are obtained, respectively, for the 118- and 28-micron lines for a 4.5-m discharge tube.

Yasuoka, Y.↗

Detonation-flame arrester devices for gasoline cargo vapor recovery systems

Empirical data on the deflagration-to-detonation run-up distance for flowing mixtures of gasoline and air in 15.2-cm- (6.0-in.-) diameter piping simulating a vapor recovery system are presented. The quenching capability of eight selected flame control devices subjected to repeated stable detonations was evaluated. The successful detonation-flame arresters were: (1) spiral-wound, crimped aluminum ribbon, (2) foamed nickel-chrome metal, (3) vertically packed bed of aluminum Ballast rings, and (4) water-trap or hydraulic back-pressure valve. Installation configurations for two of the more applicable arresters, the spiral-wound, crimped stainless-steel ribbon and the vertically packed bed of aluminum Ballast rings, were further optimized by a series of parametric tests. The final configuration of these two arresters was demonstrated with repeated detonation tests at conditions that simulated vapor recovery system operation. On these tests, the combustible mixture of gasoline and air continued to flow through the piping for periods up to 120 seconds after the initial detonation had been arrested. There was no indication of continuous burning or reignition occurring on either side of the test arresters.

Bjorklund, R. A.↗

A model for chemical and isotopic fractionation in the lunar regolith by impact vaporization

Up until now there has been no complete model of chemical and isotopic fractionation effects which could occur in the lunar regolith as a result of hypervelocity impact vaporization. Previous work on the outlines for such a model are extended and show that impact vaporization could be an efficient mechanism for producing heavy isotope enrichments. Rough qualitative predictions based on the model show a general similarity to the observations on lunar samples.

Housley, R. M.↗

Computer simulated rate processes in copper vapor lasers

A computer model for metal vapor lasers has been developed which places emphasis on the change of excited state populations of the lasant through inelastic collisions and radiative interaction. Also included are an energy equation for the pumping electrons and rate equations for laser photon densities. Presented are results of calculations for copper vapor with a neon buffer over a range of conditions. General agreement with experiments was obtained.

Harstad, K. C.↗

Remote sensing of atmospheric water vapor, liquid water, and wind speed at the ocean surface by passive microwave techniques from the Nimbus 5 satellite

The microwave brightness temperature measurements for Nimbus 5 electrically scanned microwave radiometer (ESMR) and Nimbus-E microwave spectrometer (NEMS) are used to retrieve the atmospheric water vapor, liquid water, and wind speed by a quasi-statistical retrieval technique. It is shown that the brightness temperature can be utilized to yield these parameters under various weather conditions. Observations at 19.35, 22.235, and 31.4 GHz were input to the regression equations. The retrieved values of these parameters for portions of two Nimbus 5 orbits are presented. Then comparison between the retrieved parameters and the available observations on the total water vapor content and the surface wind speed are made.

Chang, A. T. C.↗