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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of an Optical Model for the MEDLI2 Radiometer

We present an optical model of the MEDLI2 radiometer, which was flown onboard the Mars 2020 vehicle during atmospheric entry on February 18, 2021. The proposed model takes into account the radiometer geometry and optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and absorption to estimate the signal loss inherent in the design of the radiometer. The model serves as a filter, which can be used to convert predicted total radiative heat fluxes on the radiometer window into predicted measured heat fluxes, enabling more accurate comparisons of the radiometer flight data with predicted radiometer measurements. Optical properties of the radiometer’s sapphire window are inferred from spectral transmissivity measurements. A modified Lorentz Oscillator Model is used to represent the dielectric function of the window and is fit to the transmission data. The resulting optical model of the radiometer is validated against experimental data used to measure the dependence of the radiometer output voltage on the incident angle of the light impinging on it. Comparison of predicted radiometer measurements with the MEDLI2 flight data show good agreement between the predicted and measured peak heat fluxes, though offset at different times. A linear increase in the signal loss due to radiometer optics alone is also demonstrated, suggesting that the changing shock angle over the course of the trajectory impacts the signal loss.

MEDLI2↗
NASA NTRS1994

Balloon-borne measurements of the ultraviolet flux in the Arctic stratosphere during winter

Filter radiometers sensitive from 280 to 320 nm and from 280 to 400 nm, respectively, were used for measurements of the actinic flux in the stratosphere. Since the instruments are calibrated for absolute spectral sensitivity the data can be compared with model calculations of the actinic flux. Data were obtained during seven balloon flights during the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment (EASOE).

Schiller, Cornelius↗
NASA NTRS1989

Automated Heat-Flux-Calibration Facility

Computer control speeds operation of equipment and processing of measurements. New heat-flux-calibration facility developed at Lewis Research Center. Used for fast-transient heat-transfer testing, durability testing, and calibration of heat-flux gauges. Calibrations performed at constant or transient heat fluxes ranging from 1 to 6 MW/m2 and at temperatures ranging from 80 K to melting temperatures of most materials. Facility developed because there is need to build and calibrate very-small heat-flux gauges for Space Shuttle main engine (SSME).Includes lamp head attached to side of service module, an argon-gas-recirculation module, reflector, heat exchanger, and high-speed positioning system. This type of automated heat-flux calibration facility installed in industrial plants for onsite calibration of heat-flux gauges measuring fluxes of heat in advanced gas-turbine and rocket engines.

Liebert, Curt H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Sources of atmospheric methane - Measurements in rice paddies and a discussion

Field measurements of methane fluxes from rice paddies, fresh water lakes, and saltwater marshes have been made to infer estimates of the size of these sources of atmospheric methane. The rice-paddy measurements, the first of their kind, show that the principal means of methane escape is through the plants themselves as opposed to transport across the water-air interface via bubbles or molecular diffusion. Nitrogen-fertilized plants release much more methane than unfertilized plants but even these measured rates are only one fourth as large as those inferred earlier by Koyama (1963, 1964) and on which all global extrapolations have been based to date. Measured methane fluxes from lakes and marshes are also compared to similar earlier data and it is found that extant data and flux-measurement methods are insufficient for reliable global extrapolations.

Cicerone, R. J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advanced Graphite Creep Uncertainty Analysis

Radiation damage estimation is an important component of the post irradiation analysis of the Advanced Graphite Creep (AGC) experiment. It depends primarily on the fast fluence, which is determined using well established methods of spectral adjustment. These are based on best estimates from models such as Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP), input cross-sections, and measured activities from flux wires in the experiment. Each of these parameters can propagate uncertainties which will affect the uncertainty in the calculated dose levels for AGC, or any experiment irradiated within a reactor. While the methods of propagating uncertainty are well-established, the final uncertainty estimates they provide are only as good as the estimates of uncertainty in the inputs on which they are based. The purpose of this work is to outline some deficiencies in the ways these input uncertainties are presently estimated, and to outline a methodology by which they can be improved. The fast fluence and radiation damage received by graphite specimens irradiated in the Advanced Graphite Creep (AGC) experiments is presently estimated using spectral adjustment methods that are based on both flux wire activity measurements, and MCNP model predictions. This work describes an ongoing effort to quantify and propagate uncertainties in inputs to the spectral adjustment process, and thereby quantify the resultant error in radiation damage (dpa) estimates. The effort is multi-faceted, and we consider the impacts of both the set of flux wires selected, and the counting process. An expanded set of flux wires is identified that provides a more comprehensive data set on the fast spectrum. To address the counting process itself, a series of round-robin measurements in several reactor metrology laboratories across the Department of Energy (DOE) complex and nuclear industry are being undertaken to refine the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for flux wire measurements. To address the contribution of uncertainty in the MCNP model predictions, an uncertainty quantification (UQ) tool has been developed that statistically samples the model input parameters, runs a series of cases, and assimilates the results to provide an overall uncertainty. The impact of the MCNP UQ tool results is demonstrated by re-analyzing previous AGC flux wire and irradiation data. While the expanded flux wire set obviously cannot be added to these experiments retroactively, plans for future graphite irradiations are outlined.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1980

Theory of scan plane flux anisotropies

When a spacecraft detector measures particle flux as a function of look direction in a plane (the scan plane), anisotropy is often seen. This anisotropy is caused by spatial gradients, by E x B particle drift, and by various spectral and geometric effects. This paper treats all of these effects systematically, starting from the nonrelativistic Vlasov equation. The general analysis is applied to a simple model of an anisotropic distribution to give a relation between the E x B drift, the gradient and the experimentally observed first, second, and third harmonics of the flux as a function of angle in the scan plane. Even with an assumed model, anisotropy observations in one plane alone do not suffice to determine the E x B drift velocity and the spatial gradient independently. If the E x B velocity is assumed (e.g., the corotational velocity in a rotating planetary magnetosphere), the spatial gradient may be deduced, and from it the time rate of change of flux in a nonrotating frame of reference.

Northrop, T. G.↗
DOE OSTI2024

AFM Special Issue Summary - Integrating Surface Flux with Boundary Layer Measurements

To help bridge science topics related to land-atmosphere interactions, we organized a virtual special issue in this journal (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology [AFM]) entitled, “Land-Atmosphere Interactions: Integrating Surface Flux with Boundary Layer Measurements.” The motivation for the special issue was driven by existing disciplinary barriers between research areas that all address land-atmosphere interactions. In particular, it addressed research silos between those who study features of the land surface, surface fluxes (including water, energy, and trace gases), atmospheric boundary layer growth and thermodynamics, and atmospheric composition and aerosols. The special issue sought to bring these communities together to integrate multiple observations across the soil-vegetation-atmosphere continuum with the aim of 1) improving broader understanding of land-atmosphere interactions, feedbacks, and coupling, 2) fostering new collaborations between atmospheric and surface flux scientists, and 3) identifying new paths for integrative research. In this report we provide an overview and synthesis of the special issue.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1990

Suggestions for the measurement and derivation of fluxes and flux divergences from a satellite

Consideration is given to the determination of the optimal bands for measuring and deriving the total outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), surface downward flux (SDF), and cooling rates (CRs) using linear regression. The optimal bands are determined from scatter plots of total fluxes and cooling rates associated with the various bands. It is found that the best band for OLR is between 800 and 1200/cm, while the best band for SDF is between 500 and 660/cm or between 660 and 800/cm. For CRs, it is shown that the best band is also between 660 and 800/cm. It is noted that the AVHRR OLR is damped compared with the Nimbus-7 earth radiation budget (ERB) OLR derived from the broadband, narrow FOV ERB instrument.

Wu, Man-Li C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Simultaneous particle and field observations of field-aligned currents

Simultaneous measurements of low energy precipitating electrons and magnetic fluctuations from the low altitude polar orbiting satellite OGO-4 have been compared. Analysis of the two sets of experimental data for isolated events led to the classification of high latitude field-aligned currents as purely temporal or purely spatial variations. Magnetic field disturbances calculated using these simple current models and the measured particle fluxes were in good agreement with measured field values. While fluxes of greater than 1 keV electrons are detected primarily on the nightside, magnetometer disturbances indicative of field-aligned currents were seen at all local times, both in the visual auroral regions and dayside polar cusp. Thus electrons with energies less than approximately 1 keV are the prime charge carriers in high latitude dayside field-aligned currents. The satellite measurements are in good agreement with previously measured field-aligned current values and with values predicted from several models involving magnetospheric field-aligned currents.

Berko, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Cluster electric current density measurements within a magnetic flux rope in the plasma sheet

On August 22, 2001 all 4 Cluster spacecraft nearly simultaneously penetrated a magnetic flux rope in the tail. The flux rope encounter took place in the central plasma sheet, Beta(sub i) approx. 1-2, near the leading edge of a bursty bulk flow. The "time-of-flight" of the flux rope across the 4 spacecraft yielded V(sub x) approx. 700 km/s and a diameter of approx.1 R(sub e). The speed at which the flux rope moved over the spacecraft is in close agreement with the Cluster plasma measurements. The magnetic field profiles measured at each spacecraft were first modeled separately using the Lepping-Burlaga force-free flux rope model. The results indicated that the center of the flux rope passed northward (above) s/c 3, but southward (below) of s/c 1, 2 and 4. The peak electric currents along the central axis of the flux rope predicted by these single-s/c models were approx.15-19 nA/sq m. The 4-spacecraft Cluster magnetic field measurements provide a second means to determine the electric current density without any assumption regarding flux rope structure. The current profile determined using the curlometer technique was qualitatively similar to those determined by modeling the individual spacecraft magnetic field observations and yielded a peak current density of 17 nA/m2 near the central axis of the rope. However, the curlometer results also showed that the flux rope was not force-free with the component of the current density perpendicular to the magnetic field exceeding the parallel component over the forward half of the rope, perhaps due to the pressure gradients generated by the collision of the BBF with the inner magnetosphere. Hence, while the single-spacecraft models are very successful in fitting flux rope magnetic field and current variations, they do not provide a stringent test of the force-free condition.

Slavin, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Atmospheric muons and neutrinos, and the neutrino-induced muon flux underground

The diffusion equation for neutrino-induced cosmic ray muons underground was solved. The neutrino-induced muon flux and charge ratio underground have been calculated. The calculated horizontal neutrino-induced muon flux in the energy range 0.1 - 10000 GeV is in agreement with the measured horizontal flux. The calculated vertical flux above 2 GeV is in agreement with the measured vertical flux. The average charge ratio of neutrino-induced muons underground was found to be mu+/mu- = 0.40.

Liland, A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Simultaneous particle and field observations of field-aligned currents

Simultaneous measurements of low-energy precipitating electrons and magnetic fluctuations from the low-altitude polar-orbiting satellite Ogo 4 have been compared. Analysis of the two sets of experimental data for isolated events led to the classification of high-latitude field-aligned currents as purely temporal or purely spatial variations. Magnetic field disturbances calculated by using these simple current models and the measured particle fluxes were in good agreement with measured field values. Although fluxes of electrons of greater than 1 keV were detected primarily on the night side, magnetometer disturbances indicative of field-aligned currents were seen at all local times, in both the visual auroral regions and the day side polar cusp. Thus electrons with energies of less than about 1 keV are the prime charge carriers in high-latitude day side field-aligned currents.

Berko, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Measuring electrically charged particle fluxes in space using a fiber optic loop sensor

The purpose of this program was to demonstrate the potential of a fiber optic loop sensor for the measurement of electrically charged particle fluxes in space. The key elements of the sensor are a multiple turn loop of low birefringence, single mode fiber, with a laser diode light source, and a low noise optical receiver. The optical receiver is designed to be shot noise limited, with this being the limiting sensitivity factor for the sensor. The sensing element is the fiber optic loop. Under a magnetic field from an electric current flowing along the axis of the loop, there is a non-vanishing line integral along the fiber optic loop. This causes a net birefringence producing two states of polarization whose phase difference is correlated to magnetic field strength and thus, current in the optical receiver electronic processing. The objectives in this program were to develop a prototype laser diode powered fiber optic sensor. The performance specification of a minimum detectable current density of 1 (mu)amp/sq m-(radical)Hz, should be at the shot noise limit of the detection electronics. OPTRA has successfully built and tested a 3.2 m diameter loop with 137 turns of low birefringence optical fiber and achieved a minimum detectable current density of 5.4 x 10(exp-5) amps/(radical)Hz. If laboratory space considerations were not an issue, with the length of optical fiber available to us, we would have achieved a minimum detectable current density of 4 x 10(exp -7) amps/(radical)Hz.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Spectral Absorption of Solar Radiation by Aerosols during ACE-Asia

As part of the Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-Asia), the upward and downward spectral solar radiant fluxes were measured with the Spectral Solar Flux Radiometer (SSFR), and the aerosol optical depth was measured with the Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14) aboard the Center for INterdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) Twin Otter aircraft. IN this paper, we examine the data obtained for two cases: a moderately thick aerosol layer, 12 April, and a relatively thin aerosol case, 16 April 2001. ON both days, the Twin Otter flew vertical profiles in the Korean Strait southeast of Gosan Island. For both days we determine the aerosol spectral absorption of the layer and estimate the spectral aerosol absorption optical depth and single-scattering albedo. The results for 12 April show that the single-scattering albedo increases with wavelength from 0.8 at 400 nm to 0.95 at 900 nm and remains essentially constant from 950 to 1700 nm. On 16 April the amount of aerosol absorption was very low; however, the aerosol single-scattering albedo appears to decrease slightly with wavelength in the visible region. We interpret these results in light of the two absorbing aerosol species observed during the ACE-asia study: mineral dust and black carbon. The results for 12 April are indicative of a mineral dust-black carbon mixture. The 16 April results are possibly caused by black carbon mixed with nonabsorbing pollution aerosols. For the 12 April case we attempt to estimate the relative contributions of the black carbon particles and the mineral dust particles. We compare our results with other estimates of the aerosol properties from a Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) satellite analysis and aerosol measurements made aboard the Twin Otter, aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ronald H Brown ship, and at ground sites in Gosan and Japan. The results indicate a relatively complicated aerosol mixture of both industrial pollution (including black carbon) and mineral dust. This underscores the need for careful measurements and analysis to separate out the absorption effects of mineral dust and black carbon in the east Asia region.

Bergstrom, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calibrator tests of heat flux gauges mounted in SSME blades

Measurements of heat flux to space shuttle main engine (SSME) turbine blade surfaces are being made in the Lewis heat flux calibration facility. Surface heat flux information is obtained from transient temperature measurements taken at points within the gauge. A 100-kW Vortek arc lamp is used as a source of thermal radiant energy. Thermoplugs, with diameters of about 0.190 cm and lengths varying from about 0.190 to 0.320 cm, are being investigated. The thermoplug is surrounded on all surfaces except the active surface by a pocket of air located in the circular annulus and under the back cover. Since the thermoplug is insulated, it is assumed that heat is conducted in a one-dimensional manner from the hot active surface to the cooler back side of the thermoplug. It is concluded that the miniature plug-type gauge concept is feasible for measurement of blade surface heat flux. It is suggested that it is important to measure heat flux near the hub on the suction surface and at the throat on SSME blades rotating in engines because stress and heat transfer coefficients are high in this region.

Liebert, Curt H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Rn-222 tracing and stable isotope measurements of biogenic gas fluxes from methane saturated sediments

Transport of reduced biogenic gases from anoxic sediments and soils to the atmosphere can be quantitatively studied through measurement of radon-222/radium-226 disequilibrium. In previous work, seasonal variations in biogenic gas transport mechanisms, net fluxes and overall composition were documented. Now presented are direct field measurements of radon-222 activity in gases exiting organic rich sediments which show their usefulness for tracing of the stripping of dissolved biogenic gases from within the sediment column and transport via bubble ebullition. Methane is depleted in deuterium during the summer as compared with winter months and is in general lighter than in most marine sediments signaling the probable importance of acetate as an important precursor molecule. The significant seasonal isotopic variations observed illustrate the importance of understanding mechanisms and rates of biogenic gas production in order to interpret observed tropospheric isotopic data.

Martens, Christopher S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Measurements of NO(x) and NO(y) concentrations and fluxes over Arctic tundra

Measurements of the atmospheric concentrations of NO, NO2, total NO(y), and O3 were made during the NASA Arctic Boundary Layer Expedition (ABLE 3A) at a remote location in a tundra bog ecosystem in southeastern Alaska during the growing season (July-August 1988). Concentrations of NO(x) and NO(y) were found to be very low compared to other remote continental sites, indicating that anthropogenic influences were small at this site during this time of year. The NO(y) emission rate from the soil were 0.13 +/- 0.05 x 10 exp 9 molecules/sq cm/s. Direct measurements of the flux of total NO(y) were made for the first time, indicating downward flux of NO(y) at all times of day, with maximum deposition of 2.5 +/- 0.9 x 10 exp 9 molecules/sq cm/s in the afternoon. Deposition of HNO3 appears to dominate the atmosphere/surface exchange of NO(y). The mean dry deposition rate of NO(y) to the tundra was 1.8 +/- 1.0 x 10 exp 9 molecules/sq cm/s.

Bakwin, Peter S.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the Muon Flux at the Sanford Underground Research Facility with the LUX-ZEPLIN Dark Matter Detector

High-energy cosmic-ray muons reaching deep underground laboratories can cause events in detectors that mimic signals expected from dark matter particles, neutrinos, or rare decays. Knowledge of the muon flux and energy spectrum is important for evaluating the background rate caused by muons and their secondaries. In this paper, we report the measurement of the cosmic-ray muon flux in the Davis Campus of the Sanford Underground Research Facility with the LUX-ZEPLIN detector. Using 366.4~days of exposure, the muon rate through the detector was measured as $10.94\pm0.17_\textrm{stat.}~\textrm{day}^{-1}$ with energy thresholds of 20~MeV in the inner xenon detector and 8 MeV in the outer liquid scintillator detector. This rate corresponds to a muon flux of $(5.09\pm0.08_\textrm{stat.}\pm0.10_\textrm{sys.})\times10^{-9}~\textrm{cm}^{-2}\textrm{s}^{-1}$ in the Davis Cavern.

Akerib, D. S. [SLAC; Stanford U., Phys. Dept.; KIP↗