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At least 1,081 records · Page 60
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NASA NTRS1992

Qualitative spectroscopic study of magnetic nozzle flow

The physics of the magnetic nozzle flow for a 100-kW-level quasi-steady MPD thruster was studied by photographic spectroscopy focusing on the plasma model in the flow and the acceleration mechanism. Spectroscopic visualization for the flow-species analysis indicates that the plasma-exhaust flow dominated by NII species were confined by the magnetic nozzle effect to collimate the flow for the better thruster performance. Inside the nozzle, the plasma flow was found to be in nonhomogeneous collisional-radiative condition. There appears to be a substantial flow acceleration from the magnetic nozzle inlet to the outlet with slight expansion. This suggests that the flow resembles that of constant area supersonic duct flow with cooling.

Umeki, T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Electromagnetically driven relativistic jets - A class of self-similar solutions

A class of self-similar solutions for relativistic winds driven by rotating magnetic fields is constructed. These winds are collimated to cylindrical jet flows of finite radii and may attain supermagnetosonic speeds with high Lorentz factors. Most of the flow acceleration results from the 'magnetic nozzle' effect and occurs beyond the fast magnetosonic point, which is typically located a few light cylinder radii from the rotation axis. Approximate equipartition between the electromagnetic and flow kinetic energies is generally achieved for these jets, in contrast to the radial wind case in which the flow is magnetically dominated at all radii.

Li, Zhi-Yun↗
NASA NTRS1991

Spectral performance of monolithic holmium and thulium lasers

Fabry-Perot resonators have been used to demonstrate single-mode lasing of holmium and neodymium YAG. The previous demonstration in the holmium laser required TE cooling the crystal to -15 C in order to achieve threshold. The present study extends that result, demonstrating +25 C operation in a 1-mm thick plano/plano resonator. The experimental configuration of lasing both the holmium and thulium lasers used a 500-mW diode laser which was collimated, circularized, and focused into a beam radius of 60 microns. The single-frequency lasing spectrum of the holmium laser is shown. By adjusting the mirror reflectivity, the ability to control the laser's wavelength is demonstrated. This laser operated with 11 mW of optical power, a 57-percent slope efficiency, and 120-mW threshold vs absorbed diode power laser for the 60-micron beam radius. The thulium laser operated very efficiently at room temperature, but on seven longitudinal modes. The Tm:TAG laser exhibits typical characteristics of spatial hole burning not seen in the Ho:Tm:YAG for flat/flat resonators.

Storm, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Star formation - A theoretician's view

The present evaluation of the hypothesis that the birth of a sunlike star occurs in four stages, with a critical bipolar outflow phase, notes that observed molecular outflows cannot be initiated from circumstellar disks and must instead represent swept-up shells of gas that are driven by strong protostellar winds. The star can resolve its growing angular-momentum problem only by rejecting a fraction of the material that is fed through the disk in a powerful, magnetocentrifugally-driven wind. Empirical properties measured for well-collimated outflow sources can be accounted for by the interaction of this anisotropic wind with the ambient molecular cloud core.

Shu, Frank H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Magnetized stimulated scattering in pulsar winds

The effects of stimulated scattering on a collimated high brightness temperature beam of photons traversing a relativistically streaming magnetized plasma are studied. Under the assumption that the center of the photon beam is parallel to the bulk motion, we calculate the scattering rate as a function of the angular spread of the beam and the Lorentz factor gamma. Magnetization changes the photon recoil, without which stimulated scattering has no effect. It also introduces a strong dependence on frequency and polarization: if the photon frequency matches the electron cyclotron frequency, the scattering rate of photons polarized perpendicular to the magnetic field can be substantially enhanced relative to Thomson, and if the photon frequency is much less than the cyclotron frequency, the scattering is suppressed. Applying these calculations to pulsars, we find that stimulated scattering of the radio beam in the magnetized wind believed to exist outside the light cylinder can substantially alter the spectrum and polarization state of the radio signal. We suggest that the scattering rate is so high in some pulsars that the ability of the radio signal to penetrate the pulsar magnetosphere requires modification of either the conventional model of the magnetosphere or assumptions about the effects of stimulated scattering upon a beam.

Sincell, Mark W.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Conically Scanned Holographic LIDAR Telescope

Holographic LIDAR telescope includes holographic disk, rotation of which sweeps collimated, monochromatic beam of light from laser through conical scan. Holographic disk diffracts light scattered back from target volume or area to focal point located at stationary photomultiplier detector. Two conical baffles prevent stray light from reaching detector.

Schwemmer, Geary↗
NASA NTRS1992

Correcting x ray spectra obtained from the AXAF VETA-I mirror calibration for pileup, continuum, background and deadtime

The VETA-I mirror was calibrated with the use of a collimated soft X-ray source produced by electron bombardment of various anode materials. The FWHM, effective area and encircled energy were measured with the use of proportional counters that were scanned with a set of circular apertures. The pulsers from the proportional counters were sent through a multichannel analyzer that produced a pulse height spectrum. In order to characterize the properties of the mirror at different discrete photon energies one desires to extract from the pulse height distribution only those photons that originated from the characteristic line emission of the X-ray target source. We have developed a code that fits a modeled spectrum to the observed X-ray data, extracts the counts that originated from the line emission, and estimates the error in these counts. The function that is fitted to the X-ray spectra includes a Prescott function for the resolution of the detector a second Prescott function for a pileup peak and a X-ray continuum function. The continuum component is determined by calculating the absorption of the target Bremsstrahlung through various filters correcting for the reflectivity of the mirror and convolving with the detector response.

Chartas, G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Broadband millimeter-wave GaAs transmitters and receivers using planar bow-tie antennas

We report broadband monolithic transmitters and receivers IC's for mm-wave electromagnetic measurements. The IC's use nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL) and sampling circuits as picosecond pulse generators and detectors. The pulses are radiated and received by planar monolithic bow-tie antennas, collimated with silicon substrate lenses and off-axis parabolic reflectors. Through Fourier transformation of the received pulse, 30-250 GHz free space gain-frequency measurements are demonstrated with an accuracy approximately = 0.17 dB, RMS.

Konishi, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Imaging Spectrometers Using Concave Holographic Gratings

Imaging spectroscopy combines the spatial attributes of imaging with the compositionally diagnostic attributes of spectroscopy. For spacebased remote sensing applications, mass, size, power, data rate, and application constrain the scanning approach. For the first three approaches, substantial savings in mass and size of the spectrometer can be achieved in some cases with a concave holographic grating and careful placement of an order-sorting filter. A hologram etched on the single concave surface contains the equivalent of the collimating, dispersing, and camera optics of a conventional grating spectrometer and provides substantial wavelength dependent corrections for spherical aberrations and a flat focal field. These gratings can be blazed to improve efficiency when used over a small wavelength range or left unblazed for broadband uniform efficiency when used over a wavelength range of up to 2 orders. More than 1 order can be imaged along the dispersion axis by placing an appropriately designed step order-sorting filter in front of the one- or two-dimensional detector. This filter can be shaped for additional aberration corrections. The VIRIS imaging spectrometer based on the broadband design provides simultaneous imaging of the entrance slit from lambda = 0.9 to 2.6 microns (1.5 orders) onto a 128 x 128 HgCdTe detector (at 77 K). The VIRIS spectrometer was used for lunar mapping with the UH 24.in telescope at Mauna Kea Observatory. The design is adaptable for small, low mass, space based imaging spectrometers.

Gradie, J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

X Ray, Far, and Extreme Ultraviolet Coatings for Space Applications

The idea of utilizing imaging mirrors as narrow band filters constitutes the basis of the design of extreme ultraviolet imagers operating at 58.4 nm and 83.4 nm. The net throughput of both imaging-filtering systems is better than 20 percent. The superiority of the EUV self-filtering camera/telescope becomes apparent when compared to previously theoretically designed 83.4-nm filtering-imaging systems, which yielded transmissions of less than a few percent and therefore less than 0.1 percent throughput when combined with at least two imaging mirrors. Utilizing the self-filtering approach, instruments with similar performances are possible for imaging at other EUV wavelengths, such as 30.4 nm. The self-filtering concept is extended to the X-ray region where its application can result in the new generation of X-ray telescopes, which could replace current designs based on large and heavy collimators.

Zukic, M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Cometary activity, discrete outgassing areas, and dust-jet formation

Conceptual models for various types of features observed in cometary comae (jets, spirals, halos, fans, etc.), their computer simulation, and the hydrodynamic models for jet formation are critically reviewed, and evidence for anisotropic, strongly collimated flows of ejecta emanating from discrete active regions (vents) on the rotating cometary nuclei is presented. Techniques employed to generate synthetic comet images that simulate the features observed are described, and their relevance to the primary objects of coma-morphology studies is discussed. Modeling of temporal variations in the water emission from discrete active regions suggests that production curves asymmetric with respect to perihelion should be commonplace. Critical comparisons with the activity profiles of Enke's comet and with light curves of disappearing comets and comets that undergo outbursts are presented. Recent developments in the understanding of the processes that cause the nongravitational perturbations of cometary motions are reviewed, and the observed discontinuities are identified with the birth of new sources and/or deactivation of old vents.

Sekanina, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Radiation transfer in gamma-ray bursts

We have calculated gamma-ray radiative transport in regions of high-energy density, such as gamma-ray burst source regions, using a discrete ordinate, discrete energy group method. The calculations include two-photon pair production and annihilation, as well as three-photon annihilation. The radiation fields itself acts as an absorbing medium, and the optical depth depends on its intensity, so the problem is intrinsically nonlinear. Spherical divergence produces effective collimation of the flux. At high optical depth the high energy (E is greater than 1 MeV) portion of the emergent spectrum assumes a nearly universal form. An approximate limit is derived for the high-energy flux from a gamma-ray burst source region of given size, and the implications of this limit for the distance to the 1979 March 5 event are briefly discussed. We discuss more generally the problem of very luminous bursts, and implications of Galactic halo distances for flare models.

Carrigan, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

CUBIC - A non-dispersive Diffuse X-ray Background spectrometer

The Cosmic Unresolved X-ray Background Instrument using CCDs (CUBIC) is designed to obtain spectral observations of the Diffuse X-ray Background (DXRB) with moderate spectral resolution over the energy range 0.2-10 keV, using mechanically-collimated CCDs. At this time, it is the only planned satellite payload devoted to the study of the spectrum of the DXRB. Over the anticipated 3 year lifetime of the satellite, CUBIC will be able to study up to 50 percent of the sky with 5 x 5 deg spatial resolution for the subkilovolt Galactic diffuse background, and with 10 x 10 deg spatial resolution for the extragalactic diffuse background above 2 keV. CUBIC will obtain high quality nondispersive spectra of soft X-ray emission from the interstellar medium, supernova remnants, and some bright sources, and will make a sensitive seach for line emission or other features in the extragalactic cosmic X-ray background from 2-10 keV.

Burrows, David N.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Optical design for the ATLAS multispectral scanner

The Airborne Terrestrial Applications Sensor (ATLAS) system is a 15-channel imager for remote sensing applications currently under development at the NASA Stennis Space Center. This paper describes the optical design of the scan head optics, which include the linescan mirror, Dall-Kirkham telescope, collimator, and three spectrometers. The sensor package has a 7.5-inch entrance aperture with a 2.0 mrad ifov, total field of view of 73 degrees, and scan rates adjustable in the range 6-50 rev/sec. The three spectrometers have a modular design for future applications growth. Design and specifications for the telescope, special dichroics, gratings, imaging lenses, and other components for the spectrometers are described. Detector arrays for the three spectrometers, and built-in sources for radiometric calibration, will also be discussed. Finally, results of overall ATLAS systems performance analysis on optical throughput, SNR and NETD are presented.

Damommio, T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The parsec-scale jets in 3C 273 and 3C 345

We present recent centimeter-wavelength 'global-array' VLBI images of the quasars 3C 273 and 3C 345 with dynamic ranges in excess of 3000:1. They trace the jet emission on scales from r about 5 parsecs out to about 200 parsecs. The maps of 3C273 at 18 cm wavelength show a well-collimated one-sided jet with a wavy ridge line; these wiggles exist on size scales ranging from about 1 pc to over 10 kpc. We show that the well-known superluminal flow extends to r about 120 pc. Images of 3C 345 at 6 cm wavelength from data taken in 1989 and 1990 show surprising features not seen in lower dynamic-range maps of this otherwise well-studied quasar: the inner part of the jet shows edge-brightening, which is important for modeling of jet confinement. The jet fades out very abruptly at r about 40 pc, then reappears at about 70 pc; beyond 70 pc, the resumed jet flares and is more diffuse than an extrapolation of the inner jet would predict. This morphology is reminiscent of M 87, and is suggestive of a shock wave.

Unwin, Stephen C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Evidence for the interaction of the IRS 16 wind with the ionized and molecular gas at the Galactic center

We present a number of high-resolution radio images showing evidence for the dynamical interaction of the outflow arising from the IRS 16 complex with the ionized gas associated with the Northern Arm of Sgr A West, and with the northwestern segment of the circumnuclear molecular disk which engulfs the inner few parsecs of the Galactic center. We suggest that the wind disturbs the dynamics of the Northern Arm within 0.1 pc of the center, is responsible for the waviness of the arm at larger distances, and is collimated by Sgr A West and the circumnuclear disk. The waviness is discussed in terms of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability induced by the ram pressure of the wind incident on the surface of the Northern Arm. Another consequence of this interaction is the strong mid-IR polarization of the Northern Arm in the vicinity of the IRS 16 complex which is explained as a result of the ram pressure of the wind compressing the gas and the magnetic field.

Yusef-Zadeh, Farhad↗
NASA NTRS1993

Discovery of Jovian dust streams and interstellar grains by the Ulysses spacecraft

Within 1 AU from Jupiter, the dust detector aboard the Ulysses spacecraft during the flyby on February 8, 1992 recorded periodic bursts of submicron dust particles with durations ranging from several hours to two days and occurring at about monthly intervals. These particles arrived at Ulysses in collimate streams radiating from close to the line-of-sight direction to Jupiter, suggesting a Jovian origin for the periodic bursts. Ulysses also detected a flux of micron-sized dust particles moving in high-velocity retrograde orbits. These grains are identified here as being of interstellar origin.

Gruen, E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Circumstellar molecular gas of the HH 34 and HH 111 exciting stars

The HH 34 and HH 111 exciting stars, two pre-main-sequence objects which are the sources of highly collimated optical jets, have been observed in the J = 1-0 transition of (C-13)O and in the 2.7 mm continuum using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Millimeter Interferometer. The high-resolution aperture synthesis maps reveal dense molecular gas concentrations at the positions of both stars. The morphology and kinematics of the bright emission-line cores suggest that the molecular gas is distributed in circumstellar disks, each about 2000 AU in diameter, elongated perpendicular to each system's outflow axis. A fainter component of (C-13)O emission extends along each source's outflow axis. Independent mass determinations based on the dust continuum and molecular line fluxes indicate for HH 34, a disk mass of 0.2 solar mass; and for HH 111, a disk mass of 0.3 solar mass. The inferred circumstellar disks of these two jet sources are significantly more massive than those found associated with T Tauri stars and are therefore among the most massive disks known in association with low-mass pre-main-sequence stars.

Stapelfeldt, Karl R.↗