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NASA NTRS2010

Vacuum-Compatible Wideband White Light and Laser Combiner Source System

For the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) Spectrum Calibration Development Unit (SCDU) testbed, wideband white light is used to simulate starlight. The white light source mount requires extremely stable pointing accuracy (<3.2 microradians). To meet this and other needs, the laser light from a single-mode fiber was combined, through a beam splitter window with special coating from broadband wavelengths, with light from multimode fiber. Both lights were coupled to a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). In many optical systems, simulating a point star with broadband spectrum with stability of microradians for white light interferometry is a challenge. In this case, the cameras use the white light interference to balance two optical paths, and to maintain close tracking. In order to coarse align the optical paths, a laser light is sent into the system to allow tracking of fringes because a narrow band laser has a great range of interference. The design requirements forced the innovators to use a new type of optical fiber, and to take a large amount of care in aligning the input sources. The testbed required better than 1% throughput, or enough output power on the lowest spectrum to be detectable by the CCD camera (6 nW at camera). The system needed to be vacuum-compatible and to have the capability for combining a visible laser light at any time for calibration purposes. The red laser is a commercially produced 635-nm laser 5-mW diode, and the white light source is a commercially produced tungsten halogen lamp that gives a broad spectrum of about 525 to 800 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM), with about 1.4 mW of power at 630 nm. A custom-made beam splitter window with special coating for broadband wavelengths is used with the white light input via a 50-mm multi-mode fiber. The large mode area PCF is an LMA-8 made by Crystal Fibre (core diameter of 8.5 mm, mode field diameter of 6 mm, and numerical aperture at 625 nm of 0.083). Any science interferometer that needs a tracking laser fringe to assist in alignment can use this system.

Azizi, Alineza↗

NASA NTRS1975

Single laser beam of spatial coherence from an array of GaAs lasers - Free-running mode

Spatially coherent radiation from a monolithic array of three GaAs lasers in a free-running mode is reported. The lasers, with their mirror faces antireflection coated, are operated in an external optical cavity built of spherical lenses and plane mirrors. The spatially coherent-beam formation makes use of the Fourier-transformation property of the internal lenses. Transverse mode control is accomplished by a spatial filter. The optical cavity is similar to that used for the phase-controlled mode of spatially coherent-beam formation; only the spatial filters are different. In the far field (when restored by an external lens), the intensities of the lasers in the array are concentrated in a single laser beam of spatial coherence, without any grating lobes. The far-field distribution of the laser array in the free-running mode differs significantly from the interference pattern of the phase-controlled mode. The modulation characteristics of the optical waveforms of the two modes are also quite different because modulation is related to the interaction of the spatial filter with the longitudinal modes of the laser array within the optical cavity. The modulation of the optical waveform of the free-running mode is nonperiodic, confirming that the fluctuations of the optical fields of the lasers are random.

Philipp-Rutz, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Detection of NO sub x,C2H4 concentrations by using CO and CO2 lasers

A laser, especially the infrared line tunable laser, opens up a new way to monitor the atmospheric environment, and already has gotten effective practical application. One of the most serious problems in open path remote measurement at atmospheric pressure is the broadening effect which leads to increased linewidths, spectral interferences, and, as a result, tends to reduce detection sensitivity, so measuring laser wavelengths should be selected carefully, and interaction between the measuring wavelength and gas to be measured must be known very well. Therefore, N2O, No, NO2, CH4, NH3 and C2H4 absorption properties at some lines of CO and CO2 line tunable lasers were studied. The absorption coefficients of NO, NO2, and C2H4; some results on detection of NO sub x, C2H4 concentrations in both laboratory and field; and selection of measuring wavelengths and error analysis are discussed.

Gengchen, W.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Comparison of laser methods for the remote detection of atmospheric pollutants.

Three methods of remote air pollution detection - Raman backscattering, resonance backscattering, and resonance absorption - are discussed and compared. Theoretical expressions are derived for the minimum detectable pollutant concentration, and in each case the depth resolution and the problems of interference, pump depletion, and background noise are discussed. A brief discussion of possible laser sources is included, numerical examples of the detectabilities based on present technology are given. The atmospheric transparency limits the useful range to a few kilometers for the Raman and resonance backscattering schemes. F or the resonance absorption technique the useful range can be as great as 50 kilometers.

Kildal, H.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Non-intrusive Shock Measurements Using Laser Doppler Vibrometers

Stud mount accelerometers are widely used by the aerospace industry to measure shock environments during hardware qualification. The commonly used contact-based sensors, however, interfere with the shock waves and distort the acquired signature, which is a concern not actively discussed in the community. To alleviate these interference issues, engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are investigating the use of non-intrusive sensors, specifically Laser Doppler Vibrometers, as alternatives to the stud mounted accelerometers. This paper will describe shock simulation tests completed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, compare the measurements from stud mounted accelerometers and Laser Doppler Vibrometers, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of introducing Laser Doppler Vibrometers as alternative sensors for measuring shock environments.

shock testing↗

NASA NTRS1984

Laser-induced volatilization and ionization of microparticles

A method for the laser vaporization and ionization of individual micron-size particles is presented whereby a particle is ionized by a laser pulse while in flight in the beam. Ionization in the beam offers a real-time analytical capability and eliminates any possible substrate-sample interferences during an analysis. An experimental arrangement using a high-energy Nd-YAG laser is described, and results are presented for ions generated from potassium biphthalate particles (1.96 micron in diameter). The method proposed here is useful for the chemical analysis of aerosol particles by mass spectrometry and for other spectroscopic and chemical kinetic studies.

Sinha, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS2020

100-kHz Interferometric Rayleigh Scattering Flow Diagnostics at 266 nm

Interferometric Rayleigh scattering (IRS) is a laser-based technique capable of spatially and temporally resolved measurement of gas velocity and temperature in unseeded gaseous flows. In the present embodiment of the technique, IRS is performed at 266 nm for the first time. IRS at 266 nm is potentially much less susceptible to interferences from particles and other stray light sources. A pulse-burst laser and high-speed camera provided image rates of 100 kHz, allowing simultaneous space- and time-resolved measurement in high speed flow at multiple points along a line. The use of 266 nm excitation and detection is compared with prior work that used 532 nm. New experimental interferogram modelling and fitting techniques for single and multi-velocity-component IRS were demonstrated in a study of the spatial and temporal variation of the flow along a line through a supersonic jet. Single component velocity and temperature measurements using 266 nm were successfully made and compared with prior 532 nm results. Two-component velocity measurements at 266 nm, using the reflected image method, were compared to single-component measurements.

Andrew D Cutler↗

NASA NTRS1979

Two-photon lidar technique for remote sensing of atomic oxygen

A technique is proposed for remote sensing of atomic oxygen by laser excitation of a two-photon transition. Excitation at 2256 A and subsequent fluorescence at 8447 A allow probing of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere without interference by absorption. The two-photon excitation rate is calculated, and its dependence on laser power, duration, and linewidth is discussed. Values are given for remote sensing from a spacecraft at 200 km ranging down to 80 km with 1-km range resolution. Accuracies of better than 10% are expected with a 1 J, a 20-psec excitation pulse and a 1-sq-m collecting telescope.

Mcllrath, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Holographic interferometry with an injection seeded Nd:YAG laser and two reference beams

The performance of twin injection seeded Nd:YAG lasers is compared with the performance of an argon-ion laser for recording dual-reference-beam holograms in AGFA 8E56 emulsion. Optical heterodyning is used to measure interference, and the results are expressed in terms of heterodyning signal level and intensity signal-to-noise. The Nd:YAG laser system is to be used for optical inspections of structures for cracks, defects, gas leaks, and structural changes.

Decker, Arthur J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Holographic interferometry with an injection seeded Nd:YAG laser and two reference beams

Decker, Arthur J.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Light Microscopy Module Fan Disturbance Characterized Through Microgravity Emissions Laboratory Testing

A Light Microscopy Module (LMM) is being engineered, designed, and developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The LMM is planned as a remotely controllable on-orbit microscope subrack facility, allowing flexible scheduling and control of physical science and biological science experiments within Glenn s Fluids Integrated Rack on the International Space Station. The LMM concept is a modified commercial research imaging light microscope with powerful laser-diagnostic hardware and interfaces, creating a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art microscopic research facility. The microscope will house several different objectives, corresponding to magnifications of 10, 40, 50, 63, and 100. Features of the LMM include high-resolution color video microscopy, brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, spectrophotometry, and confocal microscopy combined in a single configuration. Also, laser tweezers are integrated with the diagnostics as a sample manipulation technique. As part of the development phase of the LMM, it was necessary to quantify the microgravity disturbances generated by the control box fan. Isolating the fan was deemed necessary to reduce the fan speed harmonic amplitudes and to eliminate any broadband disturbances across the 60- to 70-Hz and 160- to 170-Hz frequency ranges. The accelerations generated by a control box fan component of the LMM were measured in the Microgravity Emissions Laboratory (MEL). The MEL is a low-frequency measurement system developed to simulate and verify the on-orbit International Space Station (ISS) microgravity environment. The accelerations generated by various operating components of the ISS, if too large, could hinder the science performed onboard by disturbing the microgravity environment. The MEL facility gives customers a test-verified way of measuring their compliance with ISS limitations on vibratory disturbance levels. The facility is unique in that inertial forces in 6 degrees of freedom can be characterized simultaneously for an operating test article. Vibratory disturbance levels are measured for engineering or flight-level hardware following development from component to subassembly through the rack-level configuration. The MEL can measure accelerations as small as 10-7g, the accuracy needed to confirm compliance with ISS requirements.

McNelis, Anne M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Control of mutual phase locking of monolithically integrated semiconductor lasers

The degree of phase locking between the individual laser apertures is the major issue in phase-locked laser arrays. A description is presented of a series of experiments in which the mutual coherence of two laser apertures is characterized by measuring the visibility of the far-field interference fringes. Attention is given to an approach which makes it possible to control continuously the degree of coherence by means of a separate contact configuration. An investigation was conducted of the far-field radiation patterns of pairs of lasers obtained under various conditions. The results of the present study demonstrate the feasibility of controlling the mutual phase locking between semiconductor lasers by varying the gain distribution between their pumped stripes.

Kapon, E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

An aircraft compatible laser induced fluorescence system - In situ and remote measurements of trace gases

The laser-induced fluorescence technique for obtaining direct measurements of atmospheric OH and other gases is described. A narrow-band UV laser is tuned to one or more of the electronic absorption bands of a specified molecule so as to cause fluorescence from a bonding excited electronic state. The monitored wavelength is longer than the laser wavelength. Equipment, specifics for OH detection, data processing, and interference are discussed, and application of the technique to the detection of NO, SO2, and CH2O is considered.

Davis, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The telecommunications and data acquisition report

Developments in Earth-based radio technology are reported. The Deep Space Network is discussed in terms of its advanced systems, network and facility engineering and implementation, operations, and energy sources. Problems in pulse communication and radio frequency interference are addressed with emphasis on pulse position modulation and laser beam collimation.

Renzetti, N. A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Real-time tracking of objects for space applications using a laser range scanner

Real-time tracking of multiple targets and three dimensional object features was demonstrated using a laser range scanner. The prototype was immune to ambient illumination and sun interference. Tracking error feedback was simultaneously obtained from individual targets, global predicted target position, and the human operator. A more complete study of calibration parameters and temperature variations on the scanner is needed to determine the exact performance of the sensor. Lissajous patterns used in three-dimensional real-time tracking prove helpful given their high resolution. The photogrammetry-based Advanced Space Vision System (ASVS) is discussed in combination with the laser range scanner.

Blais, F.↗

NASA NTRS1980

DIAL with heterodyne detection including speckle noise: Aircraft/shuttle measurements of O3, H2O, and NH3 with pulsed tunable CO2lasers

A parametric analysis of DIAL sensitivity with heterodyne detection is presented and comparisons with direct detection are discussed. Examples are given for monitoring vertical distributions of O3, H2O, and NH3 using a ground-, aircraft-, or shuttle-based pulsed tunable CO2 laser DIAL system. Results indicate that maximum sensitivity at minimum laser energy per measurement requires multiple pulse operation with the energy per pulse selected so that the measured photon rate is approximately equal to the detector IF bandwidth. Measurement sensitivities can be maximized and interference effects minimized by fine adjustment of measurement frequencies using the tunability of high pressure lasers. The use of rare isotope lasers minimizes loss due to CO2 atmospheric absorption.

Brockman, P.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Hydrazine Detection with a Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometer

Several instruments have been developed to measure low concentrations of hydrazine but none completely meet the sensitivity requirements while satisfying additional criteria such as quick response, stable calibration, interference free operation, online operation, reasonable cost, etc. A brief review is presented of the current technology including the electrochemical cell, the ion mobility spectrometer, the mass spectrometer, and the gas chromatograph. A review of the advantages and disadvantages of these instruments are presented here. The review also includes commercially unavailable technology such as the electronic nose and the Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) IR Spectrometer. It was found that the TDL could meet the majority of these criteria including fast response, minimum maintenance, portability, and reasonable cost. An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of such a system using an existing (non-portable) instrument. A lead-salt tunable diode laser, cooled to 85 degrees Kelvin was used to record direct absorption and second-derivative spectra of Hydrazine at several pressures to study the sensitivity to low levels of Hydrazine. Spectra of NH3 and CO2 were used for wavelength identification of the scanned region. With a pathlength of 80 m, detection sensitivities of about 1 ppb were achieved for hydrazine in dry nitrogen at a cell pressure of 100 mbar. For spectroscopic detection of Hydrazine, spectral regions including strong Ammonia or Carbon Dioxide lines must be avoided. Strong Hydrazine absorption features were identified at 940/cm showing minimal contribution from Ammonia interferences as suitable candidates for Hydrazine gas detection. For the studies reported here, the particular laser diode could only cover the narrow regions near 962/cm and 965/cm where strong Ammonia interferences were expected. However, the high resolution (0.001/cm) of the TDL spectrometer allowed individual lines of Hydrazine to be identified away from interferences from either Ammonia or Carbon Dioxide, especially at lower pressures. A Hydrazine line was identified at 961.75/cm which was free from Ammonia absorption and would be suitable to monitor hydrazine levels. This paper also shows data on the degradation of the detectivity of Hydrazine with increasing pressure. Several design options for a portable unit are presented, including designs with near IR and Quantum Cascade laser components which do not require liquid nitrogen cooling.

Houseman, John↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Waveform Modulation of Locked PIC Lasers for Microwave Photonic Radars

In a conventional radar or radiometer system, microwave or millimeter-wave signals are generated, distributed, and processed using electronic components that have considerable size, weight, and power (SWaP) and are typically limited in bandwidth and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Radar waveform modulation was achieved via phase and amplitude modulation of one of the two mixed laser signals enabling the use of highly developed photonic modulation technology.

Victor Torres↗