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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

A New Optical Aerosol Spectrometer

An optical particle spectrometer capable of measuring aerosol particle size distributions from 0.02 to 100 micrometers has been developed. This instrument combines several optical methods in one, in-situ configuration; it can provide continuous data collection to encompass the wide dynamic size ranges and concentrations found in studies of modeled planetary atmospheres as well as terrestrial air quality research. Currently, the system is incorporated into an eight liter capacity spherical pressure vessel that is appropriate both for flowthrough and for in-situ particle generation. The optical sizing methods include polarization ratio, The scattering, and forward scattering detectors, with illumination from a fiber-coupled, Argon-ion laser. As particle sizes increase above 0.1 micrometer, a customized electronics and software system automatically shifts from polarization to diffraction-based measurements as the angular scattering detectors attain acceptable signal-to-noise ratios. The number concentration detection limits are estimated to be in the part-per-trillion (ppT by volume) range, or roughly 1000 submicron particles per cubic centimeter. Results from static experiments using HFC134A (approved light scattering gas standard), flow-through experiments using sodium chloride (NaCl) and carbon particles, and dynamic 'Tholin' (photochemical produced particles from ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated acetylene and nitrogen) experiments have been obtained. The optical spectrometer data obtained with particles have compared well with particle sizes determined by electron microscopy. The 'Tholin' tests provided real-time size and concentration data as the particles grew from about 30 nanometers to about 0.8 micrometers, with concentrations ranging from ppT to ppB, by volume. Tests are still underway, to better define sizing accuracy and concentration limits, these results will be reported.

Fonda, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies of single-mode injection lasers and of quaternary materials. Volume 2: Measurement of electro-optic effects in InGaAsP junction waveguides

Both the linear electro-optic (Pockel's) effect and electroabsorption (Franz-Keldysh effect) in waveguiding junctions of InGaAsP were measured. The electro-optic coefficient is found to be 0.1-0.14x10 to the -12 power m/V at lambda = 1.54 - 1.65 micrometers. Possibly this is the first reported measurement of the electro-optic coefficient for InGaAsP. The value found for the electroabsorption is on the order of 7x10 to the -4 power cm to the -1 power/(V/cm) or approximately 100 cm/1 for fields of 200,000 V/cm at lambda 1.3 micrometers. All measurements were made on a quaternary film with a bandgap wavelength of 1.23 micrometers. Because of the rapid commercial introduction of quaternary lasers, LEDs, and detectors to take advantage of large optical fiber bandwidths and low losses in the 1.2- to 1.7- micrometer region, these measurements are significant in providing some of the basic physical constants needed to design modulators and switches capable of operating at microwave frequencies in this wavelength region.

Hammer, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Optical modulator system

The fabrication, test, and delivery of an optical modulator system which will operate with a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser indicating at either 1.06 or 0.53 micrometers is discussed. The delivered hardware operates at data rates up to 400 Mbps and includes a 0.53 micrometer electrooptic modulator, a 1.06 micrometer electrooptic modulator with power supply and signal processing electronics with power supply. The modulators contain solid state drivers which accept digital signals with MECL logic levels, temperature controllers to maintain a stable thermal environment for the modulator crystals, and automatic electronic compensation to maximize the extinction ratio. The modulators use two lithium tantalate crystals cascaded in a double pass configuration. The signal processing electronics include encoding electronics which are capable of digitizing analog signals between the limit of + or - 0.75 volts at a maximum rate of 80 megasamples per second with 5 bit resolution. The digital samples are serialized and made available as a 400 Mbps serial NRZ data source for the modulators. A pseudorandom (PN) generator is also included in the signal processing electronics. This data source generates PN sequences with lengths between 31 bits and 32,767 bits in a serial NRZ format at rates up to 400 Mbps.

Brand, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy of astronomical and laboratory sources at 8.5 microns

It is pointed out that the first successful infrared heterodyne spectrometer featuring semituneable semiconductor diode lasers was constructed and used near 8.5 micrometers to make laboratory measurements of line profiles in nitrous oxide and to detect thermal emission from Mars and from the moon. Questions of instrument design are discussed along with the significance of the results obtained in the investigation.

Mumma, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Some n-p (Hg,Cd)Te photodiodes for 8-14 micrometer heterodyne applications

The results describing the dc and CO2 laser heterodyne characteristics of a three element photodiode array and single element and four element photodiode arrays are presented. The measured data shows that the n(+)-p configuration is capable of achieving bandwidths of 475 to 725 MHz and noise equivalent powers of 3.2 x 10 to the minus 20th power W/Hz at 77 K and 1.0 x 10 to the minus 19th power W/Hz at 145 K. The n(+)-n(-)-p photodiodes exhibited wide bandwidths (approximately 2.0 GHz) and fairly good effective heterodyne quantum efficiencies (approximately 13-30 percent at 2.0 GHz). Noise equivalent powers ranging from 1.44 x 10 to the minus 19th power W/Hz to 6.23 x 10 to the minus 20th power W/Hz were measured at 2.0 GHz.

Shanley, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Laser transit anemometer measurements on a slender cone in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel

A laser transit anemometer (LTA) system was used to probe the boundary layer on a slender (5 degree half angle) cone model in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel. The anemometer system utilized a pair of laser beams with a diameter of 40 micrometers spaced 1230 micrometers apart to measure the transit times of ensembles of seeding particles using a cross-correlation technique. From these measurements, boundary layer profiles around the model were constructed and compared with CFD calculations. The measured boundary layer profiles representing the boundary layer velocity normalized to the edge velocity as a function of height above the model surface were collected with the model at zero angle of attack for four different flow conditions, and were collected in a vertical plane that bisected the model's longitudinal center line at a location 635 mm from the tip of the forebody cone. The results indicate an excellent ability of the LTA system to make velocity measurements deep into the boundary layer. However, because of disturbances in the flow field caused by onboard seeding, premature transition occurred implying that upstream seeding is mandatory if model flow field integrity is to be maintained. A description and results of the flow field surveys are presented.

Humphreys, William M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Analysis of tropospheric aerosol number density for aerosols of 0.2- to 3-micrometers diameter: Central and northeastern Canada

NASA's Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment conducted during the summer of 1990 focused on the distribution of trace species in central and northeastern Canada (altitudes less than 6 km) and the importance of surface sources/sinks, local emissions, distant transport, tropospheric/stratospheric exchange. Aircraft flights were based from North Bay, Ontario, and Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. As part of the aircraft measurements, aerosol number density (0.2- to 3-micrometers diameter) was measured using an optical laser technique. Results show that summertime aerosol budgets of central and northeastern Canada can be significantly impacted by the transport of pollutants from distant source regions. Biomass burning in Alaska and western and central Canada exerts major influences on regional aerosol budgets. Urban emissions transported from the U.S./Canadian border regions are also important. Aerosol enhancements (mixed layer and free troposphere) were most prevalent in air with carbon monoxide mixing ratios greater than 110 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). When data were grouped as to the source of the air (5-day back trajectories) either north or south of the polar jet, aerosol number density in the mixed layer showed a tendency to be enhanced for air south of the jet relative to north of the jet. However, this difference was not observed for measurements at the higher altitudes (4 to 6 km). For some flights, mixed layer aerosol number densities were greater than 100 higher than free-tropospheric values (3- to 6-km altitude). The majority of the observed mixed layer enhancement was associated with transport of effluent-rich air into the Canadian regions. Aerosol emissions from natural Canadian ecosystems were relatively small when compared to transport.

Gregory, Gerald L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Target Calibration: Retro-Reflection Mechanisms at 2 Micron

With the growing use of 2-micrometer eye-safe solid-state laser transmitters in coherent Doppler lidar applications, there is increased interest in the reflectance properties of hard target calibration materials at this wavelength. One of the factors to be considered is the polarization characteristic of the transmitter/receiver. The two fundamental lidar systems are either based upon the backscattering of linearly polarized or circularly polarized light. Consequently, the response of calibration materials to the particular state of polarization of the incident radiation is an important consideration. Ideally the calibration materials should have a similar reflectance response to that of the remote scattering medium that is being observed. Also the material should be most efficiently adapted to the polarization characteristics of the lidar system. There are two measurement parameters that are useful in presenting the characteristics of polarization of reflecting materials. The first is the linear polarization ratio: mu (sub l) =I (sub ol)/I (sub sl), where ol denotes opposite linear and sl denotes same linear. The second is circular polarization ratio: mu (sub c) = I (sub sc)/I (sub oc) where ol denotes opposite circular and sc denotes same circular. Notice that the ratios are inverted with respect to same polarization. It is the relative values of these polarization ratios that are used to characterize the retro-reflectance mechanism. Measurement of these parameters is conveniently obtained by using the Stokes vectors corresponding to the polarized backscatter at and near the retro-angle.

Haner, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Application of Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometry for Isotopic Analysis

Lead-salt tunable diode lasers are now commercially available with operating temperatures above 77 K and excellent single-mode characteristics which make them very useful for spectroscopy in the mid-IR spectral range. Using these lasers for absorption measurements in the 4.3 micrometer spectral region we have made accurate measurements of isotopic abundances in CO2. The method involves assembly language controlled data acquisition of spectra of selected adjacent isotopic rotational lines, an etalon spectral frequency calibration technique, the fitting of multiple Voigt profiles to the data, and the ratioing of absorbances from simultaneously acquired sample and reference data scans. The accuracy achieved is better than 0.4% for the C-13/C-12 ratio and 1% for the O-18/O-16 ratio. Higher accuracy is expected from improvements now being implemented.

Sauke, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS2007

2.5 MHz Line-Width High-energy, 2 Micrometer Coherent Wind Lidar Transmitter

2 micron solid-state lasers are the primary choice for coherent Doppler wind detection. As wind lidars, they are used for wake vortex and clear air turbulence detection providing air transport safety. In addition, 2 micron lasers are one of the candidates for CO2 detection lidars. The rich CO2 absorption line around 2 micron, combined with the long upper state life of time, has made Ho based 2 micron lasers a viable candidate for CO2 sensing DIAL instrument. The design and fabrication of a compact coherent laser radar transmitter for Troposphere wind sensing is under way. This system is hardened for ground as well as airborne applications. As a transmitter for a coherent wind lidar, this laser has stringent spectral line width and beam quality requirements. Although the absolute wavelength does not have to be fixed for wind detection, to maximize return signal, the output wavelength should avoid atmospheric CO2 and H2O absorption lines. The base line laser material is Ho:Tm:LuLF which is an isomorph of Ho:Tm:YLF. LuLF produces 20% more output power than Ho:Tm:YLF. In these materials the Tm absorption cross-section, the Ho emission cross-section, the Tm to Ho energy transfer parameters and the Ho (sup 5) I (sub 7) radiative life time are all identical. However, the improved performance of the LuLF is attributed to the lower thermal population in the (sup 5) I (sub 8) manifold. It also provides higher normal mode to Q-switch conversion than YLF at high pump energy indicating a lower up-conversion. The laser architecture is composed of a seed laser, a ring oscillator, and a double pass amplifier. The seed laser is a single longitudinal mode with a line width of 13 KHz. The 100mJ class oscillator is stretched to 3 meters to accommodate the line-width requirement without compromising the range resolution of the instrument. The amplifier is double passed to produce greater than 300mJ energy.

Petros, Mulugeta↗
NASA NTRS1999

Portable fiber-coupled diode-laser-based sensor for multiple trace gas detection

Tunable narrowband mid-infrared radiation from 3.25 to 4.4 micrometers is generated by a compact fiber-coupled, difference-frequency-based spectroscopic source. A 20-mW external cavity diode laser (with a tuning range from 814 to 870 nm) and a 50-mW distributed-Bragg-reflector diode-laser-seeded ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier operating at 1083 nm are difference-frequency mixed in a multi-grating, temperature-controlled periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal. A conversion efficiency of 0.44 mW/(W2cm) (corresponding to a power of approximately equal to 3 microW at 3.3 micrometers) represents the highest conversion efficiency reported for a portable device. Performance characteristics of such a sensor and its application to spectroscopic detection of CO2, N2O, H2CO, HCl, NO2, and CH4 will be reported in this work.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1979

CO2 laser annealing of 50-microns-thick silicon solar cells

A test program is conducted to determine thin solar cell annealing effects using a laser energy source. A CO2 continuous-wave laser was used in annealing experiments on 50 micrometers-thick silicon solar cells after proton irradiation. Test cells were irradiated to a fluence of 1.0 x 10 to the 12th power protons/sq cm with 1.9 MeV protons. After irradiation, those cells receiving full proton dosage were degraded by an average of 30% in output power. In annealing tests laser beam exposure times on the solar cell varied from 2 seconds to 16 seconds reaching cell temperatures of from 400 C to 500 C. Under those conditions annealing test results showed recovery in cell output power of from 33% to 90%.

Walker, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Subpicometer Length Measurement Using Semiconductor Laser Tracking Frequency Gauge

We have demonstrated heretofore unattained distance precision of 0:14pm (2pm) incremental and 14nm (2.9 micrometers) absolute in a resonant (nonresonant) interferometer at an averaging time of 1 s, using inexpensive telecommunications diode lasers. We have controlled the main source of error, that due to spurious reflection and the resulting amplitude modulation. In the resonant interferometer, absolute distance precision is well under lambda/6. Therefore, after an interruption, an absolute distance measurement can be used to return to the same interferometer order.

Thapa, Rajesh↗
NASA NTRS1990

Rare-isotope and kinetic studies of Pt/SnO2 catalysts

Closed-cycle pulsed CO2 laser operation requires the use of an efficient CO-O2 recombination catalyst for these dissociation products which otherwise would degrade the laser operation. The catalyst must not only operate at low temperatures but also must operate efficiently for long periods. In the case of the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) laser, an operational lifetime of 3 years is required. Additionally, in order to minimize atmospheric absorption and enhance aerosol scatter of laser radiation, the LAWS system will operate at 9.1 micrometers with an oxygen-18 isotope CO2 lasing medium. Consequently, the catalyst must not only operate at low temperatures but must also preserve the isotopic integrity of the rare-isotope composition in the recombination mode. Several years ago an investigation of commercially available and newly synthesized recombination catalysts for use in closed-cycle pulsed common and rare-isotope CO2 lasers was implemented at the NASA Langley Research Center. Since that time, mechanistic efforts utilizing both common and rare oxygen isotopes have been implemented and continue. Rare-isotope studies utilizing commercially available platinum-tin oxide catalyst have demonstrated that the catalyst contributes oxygen-16 to the product carbon dioxide thus rendering it unusable for rare-isotope applications. A technique has been developed for modification of the surface of the common-isotope catalyst to render it usable. Results of kinetic and isotope label studies using plug flow, recycle plug flow, and closed internal recycle plug flow reactor configuration modes are discussed.

Upchurch, Billy T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Measurements of the methane relaxation times for application to the infrared emission models of the upper atmospheres of outer planets and Titan

The 7.8 micrometer emission from the nu(sub 4) band of methane (CH4) is a regularly observed feature in the stratosphere of all the giant planets and Titan. On Jupiter, enhancements in this emission are associated with the infrared hot spots in the auroral zone. Attempts to model this phenomenon in particular, and to understand the role of methane in general, have been hampered in part by a lack of adequate laboratory measurements of the collisional relaxation times for the nu(sub 3) and nu(sub 4) levels over the appropriate temperature range. To provide this needed data, a series of laboratory experiments were initiated. In the experimental arrangement the nu(sub3) band of methane is pumped at 3.3 micrometers using a pulsed infrared source (Nd:YAG/dye laser system equipped with a wave-length extender). The radiative lifetime of the nu(sub 3) level (approximately 37 ms) is much shorter than the nu(sub 4) lifetime (approximately 390 ms); however, a rapid V-V energy transfer rate ensures that the nu(sub 4) level is substantially populated. The photoacoustic technique is used to acquire relaxation rate information. The experiments are performed using a low-temperature, low-pressure cell. Experimental apparatus and technique are described. In addition some of the experimental difficulties associated with making these measurements are discussed and some preliminary results are presented.

Halthore, Rangasayi N.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Pulsed Laser System to Simulate Effects of Cosmic Rays in Semiconductor Devices

Spaceflight system electronic devices must survive a wide range of radiation environments with various particle types including energetic protons, electrons, gamma rays, x-rays, and heavy ions. High-energy charged particles such as heavy ions can pass straight through a semiconductor material and interact with a charge-sensitive region, generating a significant amount of charge (electron-hole pairs) along their tracks. These excess charges can damage the device, and the response can range from temporary perturbations to permanent changes in the state or performance. These phenomena are called single event effects (SEE). Before application in flight systems, electronic parts need to be qualified and tested for performance and radiation sensitivity. Typically, their susceptibility to SEE is tested by exposure to an ion beam from a particle accelerator. At such facilities, the device under test (DUT) is irradiated with large beams so there is no fine resolution to investigate particular regions of sensitivity on the parts. While it is the most reliable approach for radiation qualification, these evaluations are time consuming and costly. There is always a need for new cost-efficient strategies to complement accelerator testing: pulsed lasers provide such a solution. Pulsed laser light can be utilized to simulate heavy ion effects with the advantage of being able to localize the sensitive region of an integrated circuit. Generally, a focused laser beam of approximately picosecond pulse duration is used to generate carrier density in the semiconductor device. During irradiation, the laser pulse is absorbed by the electronic medium with a wavelength selected accordingly by the user, and the laser energy can ionize and simulate SEE as would occur in space. With a tightly focused near infrared (NIR) laser beam, the beam waist of about a micrometer can be achieved, and additional scanning techniques are able to yield submicron resolution. This feature allows mapping of all of the sensitive regions of the studied device with fine resolution, unlike heavy ion experiments. The problematic regions can be precisely identified, and it provides a considerable amount of information about the circuit. In addition, the system allows flexibility for testing the device in different configurations in situ.

Aveline, David C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Discovery of natural gain amplification in the 10 muon m CO2 laser bands on Mars: The first definite natural laser

Fully resolved intensity profiles of various lines in the CO2 bands at 9.4 micrometers and 10.4 micrometers were measured on Mars using an infrared heterodyne spectrometer. Analysis of the line shapes shows that the Mars atmosphere exhibits positive gain on these lines, providing the first definite detection of natural optical gain amplification and enabling identification of these lines as the first definite natural laser ever discovered.

Mumma, M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

High sensitivity infrared 10.6 micrometer heterodyne receiver development

The results are presented for a study on the design of an infrared 10.6-micrometer quantum-noise-limited optical receiver subsystem. Performance measurements of the HgCdTe photomixer preamplifier combination were carried out for photomixer temperatures up to 152 K and a photomixer frequency response of up to 420 MHz was obtained. Results of temperature and bias cycling of HgCdTe photomixers are reported. Design considerations for an operational 10.6 micrometer heterodyne receiver are presented. These consist of design data on required laser LO illumination, heat load levels for photomixer cooler, photomixer uniformity and the effects of photomixer impedance match on receiver sensitivity. Analysis and measurements of 10.6 micrometer heterodyne detection in an extrinsic photoconductive (p-type) HgCdTe photomixer are also presented.

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