Experimental research on the electric vacuum gyro Final technical report
Electronic circuitry for suspending electric vacuum gyro rotor in center of electrode sphere
SUSPENSION SYSTEM↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “vacuum electronics”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
(abstract) Electron Excitation of the H 2 (...) Continuum in the Vacuum Ultraviolet
Planetary exploration has pointed out the need for accurate electron impact excitation cross sections for H 2 . The quantum yield in the threshold energy region between vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) emission production by the band systems of the singlet and triplet states and dissociative production of fast H(1s) atoms by the triplet states is essential for energy budget modeling in planetary atmospheres and astronomy.
electron↗
Electron impact excitation of argon in the extreme vacuum ultraviolet
Polarization-free excitation cross sections in the extreme vacuum ultraviolet have been measured for electron impact on Ar. Observed spectral features were those lines of Ar I and Ar II which lie between 700 and 1100 A. Excitation functions were measured for the Ar I resonance line at 1048 A and the Ar II resonance line at 920 A. Peak cross sections for these two lines were found to be (39.4 plus or minus 7.9) x 10 to the -18th and (6.9 plus or minus 1.4) x 10 to the -18th, respectively. At low energies, excitation of the Ar II resonance line is dominated by an electron exchange transition.
Mentall, J. E.↗
Laboratory studies of UV emissions of H2 by electron impact - The Werner- and Lyman-band systems
The vacuum ultraviolet electron-impact-induced fluorescence emissions of H2 were studied for the Lyman and Werner band systems in the range of 120-170 nm, using an optical system containing a photomultiplier and a spectrometer, over an energy range from threshold to 400 eV. The emission cross sections for the Lyman and Werner transitions at 100 eV are determined. The cross-section ratio is in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations and experimental data for the optical oscillator strengths. The cross-section for cascading to the B state is stated as a percentage of the total emission cross section at both 100 and 300 eV, increasing substantially at 20 eV. The vibrational population distribution of the B state is found to be a function of electron-impact energy as the importance of cascading relative to direct excitation changes with electron-impact energy.
Ajello, J. M.↗
A study of electron impact excitation of NO. I - The vacuum ultraviolet from 40 to 170 nm. II - The middle ultraviolet from 170 to 270 nm
The electron impact induced fluorescence spectrum of NO at 200 eV was measured for the vacuum UV range (40-170 nm) and the mid-UV range (170-270 nm). The absolute electron impact excitation cross sections are studied by calibrating to the Ly-alpha cross section of H2. The cross section of the N I 120-nm transition by dissociative excitation is found to be 1.73 + or - 0.38 X 10 to the -18th sq cm. Measurements of the cross sections of other features in the vacuum UV and mid-UV are presented. A band model of the far-UV (120-170 nm) is developed. Also, it is found that great care must be taken if NO is the target for relative calibration in the Mid-UV using the molecular branching ratio techniques.
Ajello, J. M.↗
Grating groove formation in Au and Au-Ge alloys. Surface polish effects on Au mirrors Final report, 1 Apr. - 30 Sep. 1965
Electron microscopy and vacuum ultraviolet reflectometry of mirror surfaces
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY↗
Electrode surface physics research
Experimental tube design, vacuum system, technique for studying electron and ion emission from cesiated nonrefractory and refractory metals, semiconductors, and insulators
ELECTRON EMISSION↗
Miniaturized, High-Speed, Modulated X-Ray Source
A low-cost, miniature x-ray source has been developed that can be modulated in intensity from completely off to full intensity on nanosecond timescales. This modulated x-ray source (MXS) has no filaments and is extremely rugged. The energy level of the MXS is adjustable from 0 to more than 100 keV. It can be used as the core of many new devices, providing the first practical, arbitrarily time-variable source of x-rays. The high-speed switching capability and miniature size make possible many new technologies including x-ray-based communication, compact time-resolved x-ray diffraction, novel x-ray fluorescence instruments, and low- and precise-dose medical x-rays. To make x-rays, the usual method is to accelerate electrons into a target material held at a high potential. When the electrons stop in the target, x-rays are produced with a spectrum that is a function of the target material and the energy to which the electrons are accelerated. Most commonly, the electrons come from a hot filament. In the MXS, the electrons start off as optically driven photoelectrons. The modulation of the x-rays is then tied to the modulation of the light that drives the photoelectron source. Much of the recent development has consisted of creating a photoelectrically-driven electron source that is robust, low in cost, and offers high intensity. For robustness, metal photocathodes were adopted, including aluminum and magnesium. Ultraviolet light from 255- to 350-nm LEDs (light emitting diodes) stimulated the photoemissions from these photocathodes with an efficiency that is maximized at the low-wavelength end (255 nm) to a value of roughly 10(exp -4). The MXS units now have much higher brightness, are much smaller, and are made using a number of commercially available components, making them extremely inexpensive. In the latest MXS design, UV efficiency is addressed by using a high-gain electron multiplier. The photocathode is vapor-deposited onto the input cone of a Burle Magnum(TradeMark) multiplier. This system yields an extremely robust photon-driven electron source that can tolerate long, weeks or more, exposure to air with negligible degradation. The package is also small. When combined with the electron target, necessary vacuum fittings, and supporting components (but not including LED electronics or high-voltage sources), the entire modulated x-ray source weighs as little as 158 grams.
Gendreau, Keith↗
Surface charge kinetics near metal-dielectric interfaces exposed to kilovolt electron flux
Interfaces between dielectric films and grounded metallic boundaries were exposed, in vacuum, to monoenergic electron fluxes having energies up to 22 keV. Two principal concerns were the measuring of the charge distributions on dielectrics and the determining of causes of flashovers, events where dielectric surface charges abruptly transfer to the metallic structures. Surface charges are perturbed within 10 mm of interfaces. Perturbations are relatively small except within about 3 mm of the interface. The probability of flashover was found to be related to microscopic imperfections in the interfaces. As flashovers occur in an exposed metal substrate, points become burned into the dielectric along the slit. As these points develop, the probability of flashover increases greatly. An interface which is highly immune to flashover was formed by covering a dielectric film with a 1.5-mm-thick aperture plate which exposes the film through a machined opening.
Robinson, J. W.↗
Bismuth Propellant Feed System Development at NASA-MSFC
NASA-MSFC has been developing liquid metal propellant feed systems capable of delivering molten bismuth at a prescribed mass flow rate to the vaporizer of an electric thruster. The first such system was delivered to NASA-JPL as part of the Very High Isp Thruster with Anode Layer (VHITAL) program. In this system, the components pictured were placed in a vacuum chamber and heated while the control electronics were located outside the chamber. The system was successfully operated at JPL in conjunction with a propellant vaporizer, and data was obtained demonstrating a new liquid bismuth flow sensing technique developed at MSFC. The present effort is aimed at producing a feed-system for use in conjunction with a bismuth-fed Hall thruster developed by Busek Co. Developing this system is more ambitious, however, in that it is designed to self-contain all the control electronics inside the same vacuum chamber as an operating bismuth-fed thruster. Consequently, the entire system, including an on-board computer, DC-output power supplies, and a gas-pressurization electro-pneumatic regulator, must be designed to survive a vacuum environment and shielded to keep bismuth plasma from intruding on the electronics and causing a shortcircuit. In addition, the hot portions of the feed system must be thermally isolated from the electronics to avoid failure due to high heat loads. This is accomplished using a thermal protection system (TPS) consisting of multiple layers of aluminum foil. The only penetrations into the vacuum chamber are an electrically isolated (floating) 48 VDC line and a fiberoptic line. The 48 VDC provides power for operation of the power supplies and electronics co-located with the system in the vacuum chamber. The fiberoptic Ethernet connection is used to communicate user-input control commands to the on-board computer and transmit real-time data back to the external computer. The partially assembled second-generation system is shown. Before testing at Busek, a more detailed flow sensor calibration will be performed to accurately quantify the flow monitoring capabilities. This effort is funded under a Technology Innovation Program (TIP) award from NASA-MSFC's Technology Transfer office and performed under SAA8-061060.
Polzin, Kurt A.↗
Vacuum-ultraviolet excitation cross sections by electron impact on NO.
Absolute excitation functions were measured for the NO(+) A l super Pi-Chi 1 super Sigma (+) molecular band system, the nitrogen 1200-, 1243-, and 1493-A multiplets, and oxygen 1304-A multiplet. Excitation was by electron impact on NO from threshold to approximately 250 eV. Results are plotted and tabulated.
Mentall, J. E.↗
Numerical calculations relevant to the initial expansion of the polar wind
The results of a numerical simulation of the expansion of an H(+)-0(+) electron plasma into a vacuum are reported. Variations were introduced in the ionic density ratios, the scale lengths for the density gradient at the plasma-vacuum interface, and the initial electron-ion temperature ratio. Conditions of a gravitationally bound O(+) plasma were also considered. It was found that if H(+) is a major ion, the H(+) density profile in the expansion region is always concave, with a phase-space divided into three regions, i.e., an undisturbed plasma, a rarefaction region, and an expansion region in which ions are accelerated. When the H(+) is a minor ion, the O(+) ions accelerate the H(+) ions, the H(+) phase-space is divided into five regions, and the increased electron temperatures produce enhanced electrostatic potentials and H(+) drifts in the expansion region.
Singh, N.↗
Atmospheric Electron-Induced X-Ray Spectrometer (AEXS) Development
This paper describes the progress in the development of the so-called Atmospheric Electron X-ray Spectrometer (AEXS) instrument in our laboratory at JPL. The AEXS is a novel miniature instrument concept based on the excitation of characteristic X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and luminescence spectra using a focused electron beam, for non-destructive evaluation of surfaces of samples in situ, in planetary ambient atmosphere. In situ operation is obtained through the use of a thin electron transmissive membrane to isolate the vacuum within the AEXS electron source from the outside ambient atmosphere. By using a focused electron beam, the impinging electrons on samples in the external atmosphere excite XRF spectra from the irradiated spots with high-to-medium spatial resolution. The XRF spectra are analyzed using an energy-dispersive detector to determine surface elemental composition. The use of high- intensity electron beam results in rapid spectrum acquisition (several minutes), and consequently low energy consumption (several tens of Joules) per acquired XRF spectrum in comparison to similar portable instruments.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF)↗
Compensation of an ion space charge by electrons in a magnetic field <o kompensatsii ionnogo prostranstvennogo zaryada elektronami v magnitnom pole<
Compensation of ion beam space charge by electrons in high vacuum magnetic field
MAGNETIC FIELD↗
A study of thin film vacuum deposited junctions Annual status report, Dec. 5, 1964 - Dec. 5, 1965
Thin film vacuum deposition semiconductors, electron tunneling devices, and field effect transistors
VACUUM DEPOSITION↗
Photoelectric properties of lead sulfide in the near and vacuum ultraviolet.
Photoelectric yield and electron energy distribution from natural crystals of lead sulfide, in near and vacuum ultraviolet region
LEAD SULFIDE↗
Mechanisms of degradation of graphite composites in a simulated space environment
Attention is given to degradation mechanisms for graphite/polysulfone and graphite/epoxy laminates exposed to ultraviolet and high-energy electron radiation in vacuum up to 960 equivalent sun hours and to 10 to the 9th rads, respectively. The materials showed good electron radiation stability as indicated by the low G values for gas formation and no evidence of mechanical property changes. Quantum yields for gas formation indicate poor stability to ultraviolet radiation. Mechanical property measurements did not show significant changes up to 960 ESH, with the possible exception of P1700/C6000. The main products of irradiation were identified as hydrogen and methane, along with high levels of CO and CO2.
Giori, C.↗
Electron-impact excitation of nitric oxide
The absolute cross sections for the excitation of the NO(+) bands, two nitric oxide beta' bands, and several atomic nitrogen multiplets in the vacuum ultraviolet by electron impact on NO were measured over an energy range extending from threshold to 3000 eV. The variation of the dipole transition moment for the NO(+) band system was also determined.
Stone, E. J.↗