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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7

Low noise buffer amplifiers and buffered phase comparators for precise time and frequency measurement and distribution

Extremely low noise, high performance, wideband buffer amplifiers and buffered phase comparators were developed. These buffer amplifiers are designed to distribute reference frequencies from 30 KHz to 45 MHz from a hydrogen maser without degrading the hydrogen maser's performance. The buffered phase comparators are designed to intercompare the phase of state of the art hydrogen masers without adding any significant measurement system noise. These devices have a 27 femtosecond phase stability floor and are stable to better than one picosecond for long periods of time. Their temperature coefficient is less than one picosecond per degree C, and they have shown virtually no voltage coefficients.

Eichinger, R. A.↗

High-pressure phase diagram and equation of state of solid helium from single-crystal X-ray diffraction to 23.3 GPa

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed on solid He-4 from 15.6 to 23.3 GPa at 300 K with synchrotron radiation. The diffraction patterns demonstrate that the structure of the solid is hexagonal close packed over this pressure-temperature range, contrary to both the interpretation of high-pressure optical studies and to theoretical predictions. The solid is more compressible than is indicated by equations of state calculated with recently determined helium pair potentials. The results suggest that a significant revision of current views of the phase diagram and energetics of dense solid helium is in order.

Mao, H. K.↗

The Quantum Phase-Dynamical Properties of the Squeezed Vacuum State Intensity-Couple Interacting with the Atom

The Phase-dynamical properties of the squeezed vacuum state intensity-couple interacting with the two-level atom in an ideal cavity are studied using the Hermitian phase operator formalism. Exact general expressions for the phase distribution and the associated expectation value and variance of the phase operator have been derived. we have also obtained the analytic results of the phase variance for two special cases-weakly and strongly squeezed vacuum. The results calculated numerically show that squeezing has a significant effect on the phase properties of squeezed vacuum.

Fan, An-Fu↗

Critical fluid thermal equilibration experiment (19-IML-1)

Gravity sometimes blocks all experimental techniques of making a desired measurement. Any pure fluid possesses a liquid-vapor critical point. It is defined by a temperature, pressure, and density state in thermodynamics. The critical issue that this experiment attempts to understand is the time it takes for a sample to reach temperature and density equilibrium as the critical point is approached; is it infinity due to mass and thermal diffusion, or do pressure waves speed up energy transport while mass is still under diffusion control. The objectives are to observe: (1) large phase domain homogenization without and with stirring; (2) time evolution of heat and mass after temperature step is applied to a one phase equilibrium sample; (3) phase evolution and configuration upon going two phase from a one phase equilibrium state; (4) effects of stirring on a low g two phase configuration; (5) two phase to one phase healing dynamics starting from a two phase low g configuration; and (6) effects of shuttle acceleration events on spatially and temporally varying compressible critical fluid dynamics.

Wilkinson, R. Allen↗

Steady-state probability density function of the phase error for a DPLL with an integrate-and-dump device

The steady-state behavior of a particular type of digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) with an integrate-and-dump circuit following the phase detector is characterized in terms of the probability density function (pdf) of the phase error in the loop. Although the loop is entirely digital from an implementation standpoint, it operates at two extremely different sampling rates. In particular, the combination of a phase detector and an integrate-and-dump circuit operates at a very high rate whereas the loop update rate is very slow by comparison. Because of this dichotomy, the loop can be analyzed by hybrid analog/digital (s/z domain) techniques. The loop is modeled in such a general fashion that previous analyses of the Real-Time Combiner (RTC), Subcarrier Demodulator Assembly (SDA), and Symbol Synchronization Assembly (SSA) fall out as special cases.

Simon, M.↗

Toward Accurate Thermal Modeling of Phase Change Material Based Photonic Devices

Reconfigurable or programmable photonic devices are rapidly growing and have become an integral part of many optical systems. The ability to selectively modulate electromagnetic waves through electrical stimuli is crucial in the advancement of a variety of applications from data communication and computing devices to environmental science and space explorations. Chalcogenide-based phase change materials (PCMs) are one of the most promising material candidates for reconfigurable photonics due to their large optical contrast between their different solid-state structural phases. Although significant efforts have been devoted to accurate simulation of PCM-based devices, in this paper, we highlight three important aspects which have often evaded prior models yet having significant impacts on the thermal and phase transition behavior of these devices: the enthalpy of fusion, the heat capacity change upon glass transition, as well as the thermal conductivity of liquid-phase PCMs. We further investigated the important topic of switching energy scaling in PCM devices, which also helps explain why the three above-mentioned effects have long been overlooked in electronic PCM memories but only become important in photonics. Our findings offer insight to facilitate accurate modeling of PCM-based photonic devices and can inform the development of more efficient reconfigurable optics.

Phase change materials↗

The U.S. Space Grant College and Fellowship Program

The U.S. NASA Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, congressionally mandated in 1987, consists of two phases. Phase I consisted of the designation of 21 university consortia as 'Space Grant Colleges/Consortia' which received support from NASA to conduct programs to achieve, maintain, and advance a balanced program of research capability, curriculum, and public service. Program descriptions for phase II are given. This phase is designed to broaden participation in the Space Grant Program by targeting states that currently are not as involved in NASA programs as are the states for which phase I was constructed. Under phase II, states will compete in either the Programs Grants or the Capability Enhancement Grants category. Only one proposal per state will be accepted with the state determining in which category it will compete. The amount of total award, $150,000, is the same in both categories and includes funds for university-administered fellowship programs.

Dasch, E. Julius↗

High-pressure phase transition and equation of state of CsI

Stuructural properties of CsI at high pressure have been investigated by the use of synchrotron X-ray-diffraction techniques with the diamond-anvil cell at 300 K. The results indicate that the material undergoes a continuous distortion from B2 to an hcp-like phase, which is stable to at least 302 GPa. The intermediate orthorhombic phase is geometrically different from previous assignments and about 10 percent denser. With the new structure, the p-V results of static pressure experiments, shock-wave studies, and theoretical calculations are now in good agreement.

Mao, H. K.↗

Latitudinal plasma distribution in the dusk plasmaspheric bulge - Refilling phase and quasi-equilibrium state

Very low-energy trapped ions, mostly protons, have been observed in a region of moderate density characteristic of the plasmapause boundary and of the plasmaspheric bulge. The present paper is concerned with an examination of the latitudinal structure of the bulge under quasi-steady conditions and the conditions of the recovery phase. Details regarding the data base are considered along with observations of the morphology and dynamics of the bulge, the latitudinal density distribution in the expanded bulge, the convection scenario during the replenishment phase, and latitudinal effects on plasma characteristics during plasmasphere refilling. The data utilized have been mainly provided by the DE 1 and GEOS 2 spacecraft traveling in two perpendicular planes. It is found that the bulge is a dynamic region, where no reasonable interpretation of the observed density distribution can be achieved without taking into account the mechanism of magnetospheric convection.

Decreau, P. M. E.↗

Vibration testing and analysis using holography

Time average holography is useful in recording steady state vibrational mode patterns. Phase relationships under steady state conditions are measured with real time holography and special phase shifting techniques. Data from Michelson interferometer verify vibration amplitudes from holographic data.

Source record↗

Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Dense and Dilute Clusters of Drops

Collective drop behavior is encountered in sprays produced for a variety of applications. The existence of clusters of drops indicates that the interaction among the drops is important in determining the dynamics of the drops because the drop proximity changes the flow around the individual drops in a way that affects the drag on each drop. Additionally, if there is a phase change between the liquid drops and the gaseous surroundings (either evaporation or condensation), this will also influence the flow around the individual drops; and phase change is also affected by the drop proximity. What will be discussed are studies of collections of drops where the dynamics and thermodynamics of the drops are coupled. This means the modification of the drag force due to the drop number density, the evaporation rate and the slip velocity are all taken into account. In turn, the enhancement in the evaporation rate due to the slip velocity , and the hindering of evaporation due to the drop proximity are also part of the models.

thermodynamics↗

NASA satellite communications application research. Phase 2: Efficient high power, solid state amplifier for EFH communications

The final report describes the work performed from 9 Jun. 1992 to 31 Jul. 1993 on the NASA Satellite Communications Application Research (SCAR) Phase 2 program, Efficient High Power, Solid State Amplifier for EHF Communications. The purpose of the program was to demonstrate the feasibility of high-efficiency, high-power, EHF solid state amplifiers that are smaller, lighter, more efficient, and less costly than existing traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers by combining the output power from up to several hundred solid state amplifiers using a unique orthomode spatial power combiner (OSPC).

Benet, James↗

Crystal structure and density of helium to 232 kbar

The properties of helium and hydrogen at high pressure are topics of great interest to the understanding of planetary interiors. These materials constitute 95 percent of the entire solar system. A technique was presented for the measurement of X-ray diffraction from single-crystals of low-Z condenses gases in a diamond-anvil cell at high pressure. The first such single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements on solid hydrogen to 26.5 GPa were presented. The application of this technique to the problem of the crystal structure, equation of state, and phase diagram of solid helium is reported. Crucial for X-ray diffraction studies of these materials is the use of a synchrotron radiation source which provides high brillance, narrow collimation of the incident and diffracted X-ray beams to reduce the background noise, and energy-dispersive diffraction techniques with polychromatic (white) radiation, which provides high detection efficiency.

Mao, H. K.↗

Formaldehyde in envelopes of interstellar dark clouds

Observed formaldehyde column densities of 1 x 10 to the 12th - 3 x 10 to the 13th/sq cm in cloud envelopes along lines of sight with A(V) = 1-4 mag can not be explained with the current understanding of interstellar gas phase chemistry. However, these column densities can be reproduced by a simple time-dependent model in which H2CO is supplied to the gas phase by the erosion of icy grain mantles. The release of H2CO from the grain mantles must occur on time scales comparable to the time scales for mixing from the cloud interior to the cloud envelope. Thus, in low-density regions of clouds, it appears that formaldehyde is the second molecule whose gas phase source is primarily ejection from grains. This simple model suggests understanding gas phase steady state in clouds on macroscopic, rather than microscopic, spatial scales.

Federman, S. R.↗

Visible and infrared investigations of planet-crossing asteroids and outer solar system objects

A major effort was directed toward 951 Gaspra in preparation for the Galileo encounter in October 1991. Most of the observational work involved photometry, for purposes of investigating the rotational state and phase function of the asteroid to help plan the encounter, and for purposes of navigating the spacecraft to the object. Work was also done with radiometric data obtained with the IRTF at NASA's request, for which simultaneous visible photometry was acquired with the University of Hawaii 2.24-m telescope. The results from the observations made during the 1990 opposition were published by Goldader et al. The main results reported include a rotational period of 7.04246 hours, an absolute visual magnitude of 11.8026, a slope parameter of 0.285, an early estimate of a high obliquity, an infrared spectrum indicating an olivine-rich composition, and 13 astrometric positions.

Tholen, David J.↗

Ranger Spacecraft

The thermal-control philosophy of the spacecraft currently under development by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is design by passive means to maintain all components within the tolerances specified by cognizant engineers. Due to the complexity of the configurations, calculations are) of necessity, fairly generalized and final design is based upon tests in an environmental chamber. The Ranger series spacecraft is designed with a basic structure which is common to all models, with additional hardware to suit the individual mission. This basic structure of Rangers A-1 and A-2 is seen as the hexagonal instrument section, the erectable solar panels, the movable antenna, and the omniantenna. The Ranger A-1 and A-2 configuration is for engineering tests and space-exploration, with the scientific instrumentation isolation requirement dictating the spread-out design. The spacecraft stands 12 feet high, weighs 700 to 800 pounds, and has an internal power of 150 watts. Rangers A-3, A-4, and A-5 are designed to rough land a capsule on the moon. For these, a capsule and retrorocket replace the scientific instruments, occupying the space inside the tower structure. The spacecraft must survive many environments. Chronologically they are: 1) Folded configuration inside an aerodynamic shroud on the pad. 2) Thermal flux from shroud aerodynamically heated during boost phase. 3) Coasting up to 30 minutes attached to Agena stage after booster and shroud are separated. 4) Agena stage burning. 5) Coasting and tumbling after separation from Agena until it passes from earth's shadow. 6) Upon reaching sunlight, panels open and begin sun acquisition. 7) Antenna seeks earth after spacecraft locks onto sun. 8) Space phase- "steady state" with vehicle's vertical axis locked on sun, communicating with earth. The philosophy is to design for the sun-acquired mode, making allowances for the transient conditions.

Thostesen, T. O.↗