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At least 127 records · Page 7

Mars - Far-infrared spectra and thermal-emission models

Spectra of Mars from 100 to 360 kaysers were obtained during three different observation periods from NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Also, a new thermal model was constructed for the surface of Mars, and synthetic spectra were computed from the models to compare with the observations. The models include the effects of a dusty atmosphere which absorbs, scatters, and reradiates energy. The synthetic spectra show significant effects on disk-averaged brightness temperatures, as well as absorption features due to silicate dust. The spectra of Mars, which are ratios of Mars to the moon, do not fit the synthetic spectra unless the surface emissivities of Mars and the moon have different dependencies on wavelength. A possible explanation for this behavior is a difference in soil particle-size distributions between Mars and the moon, with Mars being depleted in large particles compared to the moon. Small particles are consistent with clay minerals which have been suggested elsewhere as constituents of the Martian surface.

Simpson, J. P.↗

Thermal infrared spectra of the Moon

Contrary to recent assertions in the literature, lunar emission spectra obtained at an altitude of 32 km with a balloon-borne telescope are virtually undistorted by atmospheric absorption, except in the ozone region. These spectra have been found to correlate closely with laboratory emission spectra of returned lunar samples measured in a simulated lunar environment. Thus, lunar spectra obtained with the balloon-borne telescope system are the standards against which groundbased spectral measurements of the Moon should be compared. Comparison of balloon-borne measurements with recent groundbased spectral measurements suggests that the latter suffer from some source of systematic error. When high-quality lunar spectra are available, they will be best interpreted by comparison with returned lunar samples, rather than terrestrial minerals or rocks, because of subtle spectral differences between lunar and terrestrial minerals perhaps associated with incipient alteration of the latter.

Salisbury, John W.↗

Thermal Processing Conditions for the Synthesis of Near Theoretical Density Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 Ceramics for Ceramic Dual-Mode Detectors

A family of Li-containing garnet compounds, extensively investigated for Li-ion solid electrolyte applications, show great potential to be developed into transparent ceramic dual-mode scintillators. In particular, Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 (LLTaO) shows promise as an efficient dual-mode scintillator due to its high Li content, high density, non-hygroscopicity, and high effective-Z. Often the synthesis of LLTaO ceramics involves solid state processing techniques starting with oxide and carbonate powders, calcining, sintering for the removal of residual porosity, and post-processing. This study focuses on two objectives: (1) establishing thermal processing boundary conditions for a flexible alkoxide-based sol-gel method for synthesizing fine-grained powders; and (2), consolidating powders via hot-pressing to form high-density ceramics. In this study, near single-phase ceramics were achieved by hot-pressing sol-gel powders with varying amounts of excess Li. Rietveld refinements were used to analyze X-ray diffraction data and provide a quantitative evaluation of the phases present in the hot pressed ceramics. Some of the diffraction data showed large low angle peak asymmetry, suggesting the presence of two cubic Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 garnet phases with different lattice parameters. Depending on the synthesis and processing conditions, the refinement revealed ~ 90 wt% concentration of a phase with a ≈ 12.8 Å and ~ 10 wt% concentration of a phase with a ≈ 12.9 Å, indicating a remaining excess of Li in the hot pressed ceramics in the large lattice parameter phase. These synthesis experiments allowed for the determination of a baseline for Li loss during hot-pressing. X-ray excited radioluminescence and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were obtained from the hot pressed ceramics. In conclusion, the measured emission spectra featured broad tantalate emission and line emissions likely from a rare-earth impurity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Remote sensing of trace constituents from atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra

Atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra obtained from aircraft and balloon-borne spectrometers are presented. From such spectra, mixing ratio vs altitude profiles are derived for several minor constituents. Recent results for HNO3, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, and HF are presented. In addition, the feasibility of infrared detection of other trace constituents, such as HCl, HF, NH3, NO and SO2, against the rest of the atmospheric background is studied. From this study, made on a line-by-line basis for 'state of the art' airborne spectrometers, potential spectral features for detection of the trace constituents are isolated.

Barker, D. B.↗

Measurements of constituents of interest in the photochemistry of the ozone layer using infrared techniques

Infrared solar spectra and infrared atmospheric emission spectra were obtained from the ground, from aircraft and from balloons. The initial detection of most stratospheric molecules was achieved by the solar spectral technique because better resolution helps remove interference from other molecules. Because the sun is an intense source of radiation, the resolution which can be obtained with good signal-to-noise, is greater than with atmospheric emission spectroscopy. Data are generally taken using a method that enhances the number of molecules in the optical path i.e. at large solar zenith angles for solar spectra and at low elevation angles for atmospheric emission spectra. The search for molecules which are predicted to be present but which, the detection of a molecule known to be present from other measurement techniques but observed for the first time in infrared solar spectra, and some further data on the variability of HNO3 are discussed.

Murcray, D. G.↗

Investigating the 3.3 micron infrared fluorescence from naphthalene following ultraviolet excitation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) type molecules are proposed as the carriers of the unidentified infrared (UIR) bands. Detailed studies of the 3.3 micrometer infrared emission features from naphthalene, the simplest PAH, following ultraviolet laser excitation are used in the interpretation of the 3.29 micrometer (3040 cm(sup -1)) UIR band. A time-resolved Fourier transform spectrometer is used to record the infrared emission spectrum of gas-phase naphthalene subsequent to ultraviolet excitation facilitated by an excimer laser operated at either 193 nm or 248 nm. The emission spectra differ significantly from the absorption spectrum in the same spectral region. Following 193 nm excitation the maximum in the emission profile is red-shifted 45 cm(sup -1) relative to the absorption maximum; a 25 cm(sup -1) red-shift is observed after 248 nm excitation. The red-shifting of the emission spectrum is reduced as collisional and radiative relaxation removes energy from the highly vibrationally excited molecules. Coupling between the various vibrational modes is thought to account for the differences between absorption and emission spectra. Strong visible emission is also observed following ultraviolet excitation. Visible emission may play an important role in the rate of radiative relaxation, which according to the interstellar PAH hypothesis occurs only by the slow emission of infrared photons. Studying the visible emission properties of PAH type molecules may be useful in the interpretation of the DIB's observed in absorption.

Williams, Richard M.↗

A database for solid-state laser, optical, and nonlinear materials

The database contains the physical properties of laser, optical, and nonlinear materials used by the laser models of a laser-modeling software system. The database is subdivided into two parts: spectra and tabulated data. The spectra are ASCII files of laser-material's absorption and emission spectra, and laser-diode's emission spectra. The tabulated data contains physical properties of laser, optical, and nonlinear materials, including crystalline, thermal, and mechanical properties. A menu-driven interface allows the execution from a personal directory where the user can store files containing input parameters for a specific model or the results of model's calculations.

Cross, P. L.↗

Photoionization and the emission-line spectra of quasi-stellar objects.

Detailed photoionization calculations are used to examine the information conveyed by relative emission-line intensities in QSO spectra. It is found that the elemental abundances cannot be estimated with any assurance; but if ?conventional' values are assumed, then certain restrictions may be placed on the ionizing spectra and gas densities. In particular, the ratio between radiation density and gas density is determined. Narrow filaments or sheets of ionized gas seem to be indicated; these may be compressed regions behind shock fronts.

Davidson, K.↗

Detection of atomic oxygen and further line assignments in the far-infrared stratospheric spectrum

Recent progress in high-resolution measurement of sub-millimeter and far-infrared emission in the stratosphere is reviewed. Attention is given to the results of recent balloon measurements of the minor stratospheric constituents in the spectral range 40-190 per cm. Emission spectra are presented for HCl; HF; and OH. Emission spectra were also obtained for atomic oxygen; hydrobromic acid; and hydroperoxyl radical. The possibility of detecting HO2 and H2O2 in the far-infrared is also briefly discussed.

Carli, B.↗

ARES I: WASP-76 b, A Tale of Two HST Spectra

We analyze the transmission and emission spectra of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76 b, observed with the G141 grism of the Hubble Space Telescope’s (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). We reduce and fit the raw data for each observation using the open-source software Iraclis before performing a fully Bayesian retrieval using the publicly available analysis suite TauREx 3. Previous studies of the WFC3 transmission spectra of WASP-76 b found hints of titanium oxide (TiO) and vanadium oxide (VO) or non-gray clouds. Accounting for a fainter stellar companion to WASP-76, we reanalyze this data and show that removing the effects of this background star changes the slope of the spectrum, resulting in these visible absorbers no longer being detected, eliminating the need for a non-gray cloud model to adequately fit the data but maintaining the strong water feature previously seen. However, our analysis of the emission spectrum suggests the presence of TiO and an atmospheric thermal inversion, along with a significant amount of water. Given the brightness of the host star and the size of the atmospheric features, WASP-76 b is an excellent target for further characterization with HST, or with future facilities, to better understand the nature of its atmosphere, to confirm the presence of TiO and to search for other optical absorbers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Organic synthesis in the outer Solar System: Recent laboratory simulations for Titan, the Jovian planets, Triton and comets

We tabulate the most abundant gases and their radiation yields, for two experimental pressures: 0.24 mb, more relevant to upper atmosphere excitation, and 17 mb, more relevant to tropospheric, cosmic ray excitation. The yields computed in the 0.24 mb experiment combined with measured electronic fluxes and a simple, eddy diffusion model of Titan's atmosphere predict abundances of detected molecules in agreement with those found by Voyager and for heavier products, in somewhat better agreement with observation than photochemical absolute reaction rate kinetics models. All Voyager organics are accounted for and no detectable products are found that Voyager did not detect. A striking increase of products with multiple bonds is found with decreasing pressure. Hydrocarbon abundances decline slowly with increasing carbon number. Additionally, we list preliminary estimates for the yield of the heteropolymer, which seems to be produced in a quantity comparable (in moles of C+N consumed) to the total amount of gaseous product. The production rate required to sustain Titan's haze against sedimentation also indicates yields of this order. As can be seen from the table, over 10(exp 9) years substantial amounts of these products can accumulate on the surface -- ranging from cm thickness for the (C+N equals 4) species to a meter or more for HCN and C2H2; we also expect a meter or more of tholins. Similar analyses have been or are being done for the Jovian planets and Triton. Charged particle irradiation of hydrocarbon clathrates or mixed hydrocarbon/water ices produces a range of organic products, reddening and darkening of the ices and characteristic infrared spectra. From such spectra, the predicted emission by fine particles in cometary comae well-matches the observed 3.4 micron emission spectra of Comet Halley and other recent comets. Heliocentric evolution of organic emission features in comets is predicted. Organic products of such ice irradiation may account for colors and albedos on some of the satellites in the outer solar system, especially Triton and Pluto, where solid methane is known to exist.

Sagan, C.↗

The composition of Martian aeolian sands: Thermal emissivity from Viking IRTM observations

Aeolian sands provide excellent surfaces for the remote determination of the mineralogic composition of Martian materials, because such deposits consist of relatively well-sorted, uniform particle sizes and might consist of chemically unaltered, primary mineral grains derived from bedrock. Dark features on the floors of Martian craters are controlled by aeolian processes and many consist largely of unconsolidated, windblown sand. Measurement of the thermal emissivity of geologic materials provides a way to identify mid-infrared absorption bands, the strength and positions of which vary with mineral structure and composition. The Viking Infrared Thermal Mapper (IRTM) had four surface-sensing mid-IR bands, three of which, the 7, 9, and 11 micron channels, correspond to absorption features characteristic of carbonates, sialic, and mafic minerals, respectively. In this study, the highest quality IRTM data were constrained so as to avoid the effects of atmospheric dust, clouds, surface frosts, and particle size variations (the latter using data obtained between 7 and 9 H, and they were selected for dark intracrater features such that only data taken directly from the dark feature were used, so as to avoid thermal contributions from adjacent but unrelated materials. Three-point emissivity spectra of Martian dart intracrater features were compared with laboratory emission spectra of minerals and terrestrial aeolian sands convolved using the IRTM response function to the four IRTM spectral channels.

Edgett, Kenneth S.↗

Inference of Surface Chemical and Physical Properties Using Mid-Infrared (MIR) Spectral Observations

Reflected or emitted energy from solid surfaces in the solar system can provide insight into thermo-physical and chemical properties of the surface materials. Measurements have been obtained from instruments located on Earth-based telescopes and carried on several space missions. The characteristic spectral features commonly observed in Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectra of minerals will be reviewed, along with methods used for compositional interpretations of MIR emission spectra. The influence of surface grain size, and space weathering processes on MIR emissivity spectra will also be discussed. Methods used for estimating surface temperature, emissivity, and thermal inertias from MIR spectral observations will be reviewed.

Earth-based telescopes↗

Medium-resolution studies of extreme-ultraviolet emission from CO by electron impact

We report medium-resolution (0.025 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM)) electron impact-induced emission spectra of CO for 20, 100, and 200 eV impact energies. The emission spectra correspond to the extreme ultraviolet transitions from the B (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0), and E (sup 1)Pi(0) vibronic states to the X (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) ground state. The present measurements are carried out at 20 times higher spectral resolution (to separate the many blended components) compared to our previous measurements, which were at a spectral resolution of 0.5 nm FWHM. The emission cross sections corresponding to the B (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) yields X (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0), C (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) yields X (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0), and E (sup 1)Pi(0) yields X (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) resonance transitions were measured. In addition, excitation functions (0-1 keV) extending well into the Born region have been measured for the strong transitions (B (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) yields X (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0) and C (sup 1)Sigma(sup +)(0)) and oscillator strengths have been determined, using a modified Born approximation analytic fit to the measured excitation function.

Kanik, Isik↗

Submillimeter heterodyne spectroscopy and remote sensing of the upper atmosphere

Submillimeter-wavelength heterodyne spectroscopy by microwave limb sounding (MLS) from orbiting satellite is a measurement technique for studying Earth's stratosphere, mesosphere and lowerr thermosphere on a global scale. Development and deployment of such tools are timely, as stratospheric ozone shileds life from solar ultraviolet radiation but is depleted by pollution from industrial activities. MLS experiments on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) and Earth Observing System (EOS) are now being developed and implementend for global monitoring. Atmospheric thermal-emission spectra at millimeter and submillimeter wave-lengths are measured as the instrument field of view (FOV) is scanned through the limb from above. Atmospheric profiles of molecular abundances, temperature, pressure, wind and magnetic field can be determined from the measured emission spectra. Intensity of the emission can provide abundance and temperature. Measured linewidths, and emission from temperature-insensitive O2 lines, can provide pressure. Differentitaion of measured pressure with repsect ot measured height differential (obtaiend from the instrument FOV scan encoder) can also provide temperature through atmospheric hydrostatic equilibrium (which relates temperature to pressure and height differential). Doppler shifts of spectral lines can provide wind, and Zeeman splitting of the magnetic-dipole lines of O2 can provide magnetic field.

Waters, J. W.↗

Thermal emission measurements (5-25 microns) of palagonite/Fe-substituted montmorillonite intimate mixtures: Applications to Mars

The emissivity of a Mauna Kea palagonitic soil mixed with an Fe-substituted montmorillonite (FeM) was measured. The emission spectra of all samples were measured at the TES spectroscopy laboratory at Arizona State University. The data were converted to emissivity using blackbody measurements combined with measurements of each sample at different temperatures. This preliminary study has demonstrated that both naturally-occurring palagonites, thought to be good visible to near-IR spectral analogs for Mars, and FeM exhibit complex emissivity spectra at thermal wavelengths. FeM exhibits greater emissivity variations than palagonite, and emissivity peaks observed in the FeM spectrum allows its identification for abundances greater than or equal to 15 percent when mixed with palagonite. Smaller abundances of FeM are potentially identifiable when mixed with palagonite, but this remains to be determined.

Roush, Ted L.↗

Properties of Cathodoluminescence for Cryogenic Applications of SiO2-based Space Observatory Optics and Coatings

Disordered thin film SiO2SiOx coatings undergoing electron-beam bombardment exhibit cathodoluminescence, which can produce deleterious stray background light in cryogenic space-based astronomical observatories exposed to high-energy electron fluxes from space plasmas. As future observatory missions push the envelope into more extreme environments and more complex and sensitive detection, a fundamental understanding of the dependencies of this cathodoluminescence becomes critical to meet performance objectives of these advanced space-based observatories. Measurements of absolute radiance and emission spectra as functions of incident electron energy, flux, and power typical of space environments are presented for thin (60-200 nm) SiO2SiOx optical coatings on reflective metal substrates over a range of sample temperatures (40-400 K) and emission wavelengths (260-5000 nm). Luminescent intensity and peak wavelengths of four distinct bands were observed in UVVISNIR emission spectra, ranging from 300 nm to 1000 nm. A simple model is proposed that describes the dependence of cathodoluminescence on irradiation time, incident flux and energy, sample thickness, and temperature.

electron-beam bombardment↗