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At least 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Nonlinear Color–Metallicity Relations of Globular Clusters. VII. Nonlinear Absorption-line Index versus Metallicity Relations and Bimodal Index Distributions of NGC 5128 Globular Clusters

Spectroscopy on the globular cluster (GC) system of NGC 5128 revealed bimodality in absorption-line index distributions of its old GCs. GC division is a widely observed and studied phenomenon whose interpretation has depicted host galaxy formation and evolution such that it harbors two distinct metallicity groups. Such a conventional view of GC bimodality has mainly been based on photometry. The recent GC photometric data, however, presented an alternative perspective in which the nonlinear metallicity-to-color transformation is responsible for color bimodality of GC systems. Here we apply the same line of analysis to the spectral indices and examine the absorption-line index versus metallicity relations for the NGC 5128 GC system. NGC 5128 GCs display nonlinearity in the metallicity-index planes, most prominently for the Balmer lines and by a non-negligible degree for the metallicity-sensitive magnesium line. We demonstrate that the observed spectroscopic division of NGC 5128 GCs can be caused by the nonlinear nature of the metallicity-to-index conversions and thus one does not need to resort to two separate GC subgroups. Our analysis incorporating this nonlinearity provides a new perspective on the structure of NGC 5128's GC system, and a further piece to the global picture of the formation of GC systems and their host galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Signatures of Hot Molecular Hydrogen Absorption from Protoplanetary Disks. I. Non-thermal Populations

The environment around protoplanetary disks (PPDs) regulates processes that drive the chemical and structural evolution of circumstellar material. We perform a detailed empirical survey of warm molecular hydrogen (H{sub 2}) absorption observed against H i-Ly α (Ly α : λ 1215.67) emission profiles for 22 PPDs, using archival Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet (UV) spectra to identify H{sub 2} absorption signatures and quantify the column densities of H{sub 2} ground states in each sightline. We compare thermal equilibrium models of H{sub 2} to the observed H{sub 2} rovibrational level distributions. We find that, for the majority of targets, there is a clear deviation in high-energy states ( T {sub exc} ≳ 20,000 K) away from thermal equilibrium populations ( T (H{sub 2}) ≳ 3500 K). We create a metric to estimate the total column density of non-thermal H{sub 2} ( N (H{sub 2}){sub nLTE}) and find that the total column densities of thermal ( N (H{sub 2})) and N (H{sub 2}){sub nLTE} correlate for transition disks and targets with detectable C iv-pumped H{sub 2} fluorescence. We compare N (H{sub 2}) and N (H{sub 2}){sub nLTE} to circumstellar observables and find that N (H{sub 2}){sub nLTE} correlates with X-ray and far-UV luminosities, but no correlations are observed with the luminosities of discrete emission features (e.g., Ly α , C iv). Additionally, N (H{sub 2}) and N (H{sub 2}){sub nLTE} are too low to account for the H{sub 2} fluorescence observed in PPDs, so we speculate that this H{sub 2} may instead be associated with a diffuse, hot, atomic halo surrounding the planet-forming disk. We create a simple photon-pumping model for each target to test this hypothesis and find that Ly α efficiently pumps H{sub 2} levels with T {sub exc} ≥ 10,000 K out of thermal equilibrium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Pressure Distortion of the H{sub 2}–He Collision-induced Absorption at the Photosphere of Cool White Dwarf Stars

Collision-induced absorption (CIA) from molecular hydrogen is a dominant opacity source in the atmosphere of cool white dwarfs. It results in a significant flux depletion in the near-IR and IR parts of their spectra. Because of the extreme conditions of helium-rich atmospheres (where the density can be as high as a few g cm{sup −3}), this opacity source is expected to undergo strong pressure distortion and the currently used opacities have not been validated at such extreme conditions. To check the distortion of the CIA opacity, we applied state-of-the-art ab initio methods of computational quantum chemistry to simulate the CIA opacity at high densities. The results show that the CIA profiles are significantly distorted above densities of 0.1 g cm{sup −3} in a way that is not captured by the existing models. The roto-translational band is enhanced and shifted to higher frequencies as an effect of the decrease of the interatomic separation of the H{sub 2} molecule. The vibrational band is blueward shifted and split into Q {sub R} and Q {sub P} branches, separated by a pronounced interference dip. Its intensity is also substantially reduced. The distortions result in a shift of the maximum of the absorption from 2.3 μm to 3–7 μm, which could potentially explain the spectra of some very cool, helium-rich white dwarfs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Circumgalactic Oxygen Absorption and Feedback

O vi absorption in quasar spectra caused by intervening circumgalactic atmospheres suggests a downturn in the atmospheric column density in sightlines passing beyond about 100 kpc from central star-forming galaxies. This turnover supports the hypothesis that the oxygen originates in the central galaxies. When converted into oxygen space density using an Abel integral inversion, the O vi columns require ≳10{sup 9} M {sub ⊙} of oxygen concentrated near 100 kpc. Circumgalactic gas within this radius cools in less than 1 Gyr and radiates ∼10{sup 42.2} erg s{sup −1} overall. The feedback power necessary to maintain such oxygen-rich atmospheres for many Gyr cannot be easily supplied by galactic supernovae. However, massive central black holes in star-forming galaxies may generate sufficient accretion power and intermittent shock waves at r∼100 kpc to balance circumgalactic radiation losses in late-type L{sup ⋆} galaxies. The relative absence of O vi absorption observed in early-type, passive L{sup ⋆} galaxies may arise from enhanced AGN feedback from their more massive central black holes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1961

Absorption and Emission Characteristics of Diffuse Spherical Enclosures

The thermal radiation characteristics of spherical cavities are of practical interest in connection with the absorption of radiant energy for both space-vehicle and terrestrial applications. Also, spherical cavities are of potential use as sources of black-body energy. The purpose of this brief paper is to determine both the absorption and emission characteristics of spherical cavities which are diffuse reflectors and emitters.

EMISSION↗
NASA NTRS2000

Effects of pH and dose on nasal absorption of scopolamine hydrobromide in human subjects

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of formulation pH and dose on nasal absorption of scopolamine hydrobromide, the single most effective drug available for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by motion sickness. METHODS: Human subjects received scopolamine nasally at a dose of 0.2 mg/0.05 mL or 0.4 mg/0.10 mL, blood samples were collected at different time points, and plasma scopolamine concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: Following administration of a 0.2 mg dose, the average Cmax values were found to be 262+/-118, 419+/-161, and 488+/-331 pg/ mL for pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 formulations, respectively. At the 0.4 mg dose the average Cmax values were found to be 503+/-199, 933+/-449, and 1,308+/-473 pg/mL for pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 formulations, respectively. At a 0.2 mg dose, the AUC values were found to be 23,208+/-6,824, 29,145+/-9,225, and 25,721+/-5,294 pg x min/mL for formulation pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0, respectively. At a 0.4 mg dose, the average AUC value was found to be high for pH 9.0 formulation (70,740+/-29,381 pg x min/mL) as compared to those of pH 4.0 (59,573+/-13,700 pg x min/mL) and pH 7.0 (55,298+/-17,305 pg x min/mL) formulations. Both the Cmax and AUC values were almost doubled with doubling the dose. On the other hand, the average Tmax, values decreased linearly with a decrease in formulation pH at both doses. For example, at a 0.4 mg dose, the average Tmax values were 26.7+/-5.8, 15.0+/-10.0, and 8.8+/-2.5 minutes at formulation pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal absorption of scopolamine hydrobromide in human subjects increased substantially with increases in formulation pH and dose.

Controlled Clinical Trial↗
NASA NTRS1994

(abstract) The Absorption Line Spectra of Herbig-Hiro Object Exciting Stars at 1.6 and 2 Microns

We observed six Herbig-Hiro object exciting stars with the IRTF CSHELL cryogenic echelle spectrometer at 1.6 and 2 microns with the intent of determining effective temperatures and vsini's from the absorption lines in these spectral regions. In all of these objects, the photospheric absorption lines were either very weak or undetectable with our modest S/N high spectral resolution data. Using this information, constraints can be placed on the veiling continuum present at these wavelengths for embedded low-mass YSOs.

Herbig-Hiro object exciting stars spectrometry abs↗
NASA NTRS2012

Error Reduction Methods for Integrated-path Differential-absorption Lidar Measurements

We report new modeling and error reduction methods for differential-absorption optical-depth (DAOD) measurements of atmospheric constituents using direct-detection integrated-path differential-absorption lidars. Errors from laser frequency noise are quantified in terms of the line center fluctuation and spectral line shape of the laser pulses, revealing relationships verified experimentally. A significant DAOD bias is removed by introducing a correction factor. Errors from surface height and reflectance variations can be reduced to tolerable levels by incorporating altimetry knowledge and "log after averaging", or by pointing the laser and receiver to a fixed surface spot during each wavelength cycle to shorten the time of "averaging before log".

averging before log↗
NASA NTRS2015

Cryogenic Thermal Absorptance Measurements on Small-Diameter Stainless Steel Tubing

The Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope includes a mechanical cryocooler which cools its detectors to their 6 Kelvin operating temperature. The coolant gas flows through several meters of small-diameter stainless steel tubing, which is exposed to thermal radiation from its environment. Over much of its length this tubing is gold-plated to minimize the absorption of this radiant heat. In order to confirm that the cryocooler will meet MIRI's requirements, the thermal absorptance of this tubing was measured as a function of its environment temperature. We describe the measurement technique and present the results.

cryogenics↗
NASA NTRS2017

Treatment of Overlapping Gaseous Absorption with the Correlated-k Method in Hot Jupiter and Brown Dwarf Atmosphere Models

The correlated-k method is frequently used to speed up radiation calculations in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional atmosphere models. An inherent difficulty with this method is how to treat overlapping absorption, i.e. absorption by more than one gas in a given spectral region. We have evaluated the applicability of three different methods in hot Jupiter and brown dwarf atmosphere models, all of which have been previously applied within models in the literature: (i) Random overlap, both with and without resorting and rebinning, (ii) equivalent extinction and (iii) pre-mixing of opacities, where (i) and (ii) combine k-coefficients for different gases to obtain k-coefficients for a mixture of gases, while (iii) calculates k-coefficients for a given mixture from the corresponding mixed line-by-line opacities. We find that the random overlap method is the most accurate and flexible of these treatments, and is fast enough to be used in one-dimensional models with resorting and rebinning. In three-dimensional models such as GCMs it is too slow, however, and equivalent extinction can provide a speed-up of at least a factor of three with only a minor loss of accuracy while at the same time retaining the flexibility gained by combining k-coefficients computed for each gas individually. Pre-mixed opacities are significantly less flexible, and we also find that particular care must be taken when using this method in order to to adequately resolve steep variations in composition at important chemical equilibrium boundaries. We use the random overlap method with resorting and rebinning in our one-dimensional atmosphere model and equivalent extinction in our GCM, which allows us to e.g. consistently treat the feedback of non-equilibrium chemistry on the total opacity and therefore the calculated P-T profiles in our models.

atmospheres↗
NASA NTRS2014

Accurately Measuring the Color of the Ocean on Earth and from Space: Uncertainties Revisited and A Report from the Community-Led Spectral Absorption Workshop to Update and Revise the NASA Inherent Optical Properties Protocol

The color of the ocean (apparent optical properties or AOPs) is determined by the spectral scattering and absorption of light by its dissolved and particulate constituents.The absorption and scattering properties of the water column are the so-called inherent optical properties.

protocol↗
NASA NTRS2024

A Portable Nitrogen Dioxide Instrument Using Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy

The Portable (2.7 kg) Cavity-enhanced Absorption of Nitrogen Dioxide (PCAND) instrument for measuring in situ nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was developed using incoherent, broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS). An LED light source centered at 408 nm was coupled to a cavity 15 cm in length, achieving an effective optical pathlength of ~520 m. Our precision was measured as 94 pptv (1 s). To date, we have flown this instrument on 3 balloon and 1 UAV test flights. This instrument records data to an SD card and outputs data (via an RS232 port) to external devices including a commercial radiosonde (iMet) for real-time data downlink.

TROPOMI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Self-Absorption Corrections for Plutonium Measurements With the Tomographic Gamma Scanner - 17325

The Tomographic Gamma Scanner (TGS) is a Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) instrument that combines high-resolution gamma spectroscopy with low spatial resolution three-dimensional image reconstruction in order to reduce bias and improve precision for measurements of drummed waste. The TGS technique is especially suited to measure containers with non-uniform source distributions and low-to me-dium-density heterogeneous matrices, compared with traditional NDA methods. Canberra recently built, installed, and commissioned a TGS system, intended primarily for the measurement of plutonium (Pu) bearing waste, at a European nu-clear fuel reprocessing facility. Pu assays using the TGS technique present technical challenges distinct from those typically encountered in traditional LLW applications. Among these is the need to apply corrections for self-absorption effects that occur on scales smaller than the TGS spatial resolution, and can compromise the assay result if not included in the TGS imaging methodology. We present a brief review of the Self Absorption Correction (SAC) technique, and discuss the complications involved with its application to the TGS methodology with examples from our recent experience. This work continues a Canberra history of further developing and refining a technique to solve emerging problems, having commercialized the original methodology by partnering with the research institution that pioneered it. The TGS and the SAC methodologies were originally developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and John Fleissner respectively, and this work illustrates how Canberra has implemented an advancement of these techniques in a new TGS system. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Analysis of a nuclear hybrid energy system using absorption chillers and stratified chilled-water storage with an mPower reactor - 187

The intermittency of renewable energy technology, such as wind and solar power, puts strain on electric grids, often forcing carbon-based and nuclear sources of energy to operate in a load follow mode. Operating nuclear reactors in a load-follow fashion is undesirable due to the associated thermal and mechanical stresses placed on the fuel and reactor components. Various methods of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can be coupled to nuclear (or renewable) power sources to help absorb grid instabilities caused by daily load demand changes and renewable intermittency. This is known as a Nuclear Hybrid Energy System (NHES). Previous research has found that a stratified chilled-water storage tank can help displace peak cooling loads to off-peak hours. In this study, a dynamic single effect, lithium bromide absorption chiller model was developed as a callable FORTRAN subroutine. Cooling towers, a stratified chilled-water storage tank, and cooling loads characteristic of a large campus were included to form a comprehensive TES model. This TES model was coupled to a high-fidelity mPower sized Small Modular Reactor (SMR) FORTRAN code that provides the transient behavior of primary and secondary-side components. Control algorithms based on excess capacity and conditions in the stratified chilled-water storage tank were used to determine when to divert low-pressure steam from the turbines to the absorption chillers in order to keep reactor power near steady-state. Simulation results depict how the TES system and SMR interact, and demonstrate that stratified chilled-water storage is a viable TES technology for an SMR in a NHES. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗