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At least 1,351 records · Page 75

Effects of particle size distribution in thick film conductors

Studies of particle size distribution in thick film conductors are discussed. The distribution of particle sizes does have an effect on fired film density but the effect is not always positive. A proper distribution of sizes is necessary, and while the theoretical models can serve as guides to selecting this proper distribution, improved densities can be achieved by empirical variations from the predictions of the models.

Vest, R. W.↗

Detection of bump-on-tail reduced electron velocity distributions at the electron foreshock boundary

Reduced velocity distributions are derived from three-dimensional measurements of the velocity distribution of electrons in the 7 to 500 eV range in the electron foreshock. Bump-on-tail reduced distributions are presented for the first time at the foreshock boundary consistent with Filbert and Kellogg's proposed time-of-flight mechanism for generating the electron beams. In a significant number of boundary crossings, bump-on-tail reduced distributions were found in consecutive 3 sec measurements made 9 sec apart. It is concluded that, although the beams are linearly unstable to plasma waves according to the Penrose criterion, they persist on a time scale of 3 to 15 sec.

Fitzenreiter, R. J.↗

Martian Crater Size Distributions and Terrain Age

The crater size/frequency distributions of large ( 8 km) craters on the Moon and terrestrial planets display two very different curves representing two crater populations. The heavily cratered regions of the Moon, Mercury, and Mars show the same highly structured curve which cannot be represented by a single slope distribution function. In contrast, the lunar post mare crater population has a size/frequency distribution which differs significantly from that in the highlands over the same diameter range, and can be represented by a single-slope distribution function of -2.8 differential. On areas of martian lightly cratered northern plains, the crater population is essentially identical to that of the post mare population. This indicates that the same two families of impacting objects were responsible for the cratering records on both Moon and Mars. The thickness of mantling material varies among the various plains units, and can be calculated from the depth/diameter scaling relations for martian craters.

Nadine G Barlow↗

LaRC local area networks to support distributed computing

The Langley Research Center's (LaRC) Local Area Network (LAN) effort is discussed. LaRC initiated the development of a LAN to support a growing distributed computing environment at the Center. The purpose of the network is to provide an improved capability (over inteactive and RJE terminal access) for sharing multivendor computer resources. Specifically, the network will provide a data highway for the transfer of files between mainframe computers, minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers. An important influence on the overall network design was the vital need of LaRC researchers to efficiently utilize the large CDC mainframe computers in the central scientific computing facility. Although there was a steady migration from a centralized to a distributed computing environment at LaRC in recent years, the work load on the central resources increased. Major emphasis in the network design was on communication with the central resources within the distributed environment. The network to be implemented will allow researchers to utilize the central resources, distributed minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers to obtain the proper level of computing power to efficiently perform their jobs.

Riddle, E. P.↗

Directional reflectance factor distributions of a cotton row crop

The directional reflectance factor distribution spanning the entire exitance hemisphere was measured for a cotton row crop (Gossypium barbadense L.) with 39 percent ground cover. Spectral directional radiances were taken in NOAA satellite 7 AVHRR bands 1 and 2 using a three-band radiometer with restricted 12 deg full angle field of view at half peak power points. Polar co-ordinate system plots of directional reflectance factor distributions and three-dimensional computer graphic plots of scattered flux were used to study the dynamics of the directional reflectance factor distribution as a function of spectral band, geometric structure of the scene, solar zenith and azimuth angles, and optical properties of the leaves and soil. The factor distribution of the incomplete row crops was highly polymodal relative to that for complete vegetation canopies. Besides the enhanced reflectance for the antisolar point, a reflectance minimum was observed towards the forwardscatter direction in the principle plane of the sun. Knowledge of the mechanics of the observed dynamics of the data may be used to provide rigorous validation for two- or three-dimensional radiative transfer models, and is important in interpreting aircraft and satellite data where the solar angle varies widely.

Kimes, D. S.↗

Detection of bump-on-tail reduced electron velocity distributions at the electron foreshock boundary

Reduced velocity distributions are derived from three-dimensional measurements of the velocity distribution of electrons in the 7 to 500 eV range in the electron foreshock. Bump-on-tail reduced distributions are presented for the first time at the foreshock boundary consistent with Filbert and Kellogg's proposed time-of-flight mechanism for generating the electron beams. In a significant number of boundary crossings, bump-on-tail reduced distributions were found in consecutive 3 sec measurements made 9 sec apart. It is concluded that, although the beams are linearly unstable to plasma waves according to the Penrose criterion, they persist on a time scale of 3 to 15 sec. Previously announced in STAR as N84-22518

Fitzenreiter, R. J.↗

Measurement and analysis of distribution coefficients in Fe-Ni alloys containing S and/or P. I - K sub Ni and K sub P

The distribution coefficients of Ni and P in Fe-Ni-S-P alloys are determined using a plane front solidification technique. It is found that the distribution coefficient of Ni is altered only when both S and P are present as alloy constituents; the coefficient increases with S and P contents in the liquid alloy and varies from 0.9 to 1.30. The behavior of the distribution coefficient of P is determined by the S/P ratio in the liquid; the coefficient increases with the S/P ratio and varies from 0.25 to 5.8. Expressions are presented which relate the distribution coefficients of Ni and P to the S and P contents in the liquid.

Sellamuthu, R.↗

Experimental and predicted heating distributions for biconics at incidence in air at Mach 10

Heating distributions were measured on a 1.9-percent-scale model of a generic aeroassisted vehicle proposed for missions to a number of planets and for use as a moderate lift-drag ratio Earth orbital transfer vehicle. This vehicle is spherically blunted, 12.84 deg/7 deg biconic with the fore-cone bent upward 7 deg to provide self-trim capability. A straight biconic with the same nose radius and the same half-angles was also tested. The free-stream Reynolds numbers based on model length were equal to about 2 x 10(5) or 9 x 10 (5). The angle of attack, referenced to the aft-cone, was varied from 0 deg to 20 deg. Heating distributions predicted with a parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code are compared with the measurements for the present Reynolds numbers and range of angles of attack. Leeward heating was greatly affected by Reynolds number, with the heating increasing with decreasing Reynolds number for attached flow (low incidence). The opposite was true for separated flow, which occurred when the fore-cone angle of attack exceeded 0.8 times the fore-cone half-angle. Windward heating distributions were predicted to within 10 percent with the PNS code. Leeward heating distributions were predicted qualitatively for both Reynolds numbers, but quantitative agreement was poorer than on the windward side.

Miller, C. G., III↗

Second-order Compton-Getting effect on arbitrary intensity distribution

Theoretical studies of energetic particles in space are often referred to a special frame of reference. To compare theory with experiment, one has to transform the particle distribution from the special frame to the observer's frame, or vice versa. Various methods have been derived to obtain the directional distribution in the comoving frame from the directional fluxes measured on a spacecraft. These methods have become progressively complicated as increasingly detailed directional particle data become available. A set of 2nd order correct formulae for the transformation of an arbitrary differential intensity distribution, expressed as a series of spherical harmonics, between any two frames in constant relative motion is presented. These formulae greatly simplify the complicated procedures currently in use for the determination of the differential intensity distribution in a comoving frame.

Ng, C. K.↗

Multiplicity distributions in interaction models used for cascade simulations

In cascade simulations, conservation of energy is of paramount importance. It is pointed out that it is possible to construct algorithms in which energies of secondaries are chosen from physically correct distributions in such a way as to conserve energy, and give physically correct multiplicity distributions without further adjustment. The resulting non-Poissonian nature of the distribution and the approximate KNO scaling are related to the large fluctuations in the energy available for pion production and to the detailed shape of the inclusive momentum distribution. Two multiparticle production algorithms are described which have these features. One is the algorithm used in the simulation of C jets, the other is for a hadron-nucleus interaction model used in the calculation of muon and neutrino fluxes.

Ellsworth, R. W.↗

Distribution functions of intergalactic clouds

Width spectrum data derived from high-redshift QSO Ly-alpha absorption lines are used to study the statistical properties of intergalactic clouds. Several theoretical distribution functions for size and density are derived and tested against observational data for two types of line broadening: thermal and cosmological. Good agreement was found between the theoretical distribution functions and the observational data when the clouds were thermally broadened, and when distribution functions for both cloud size and width have a nonzero width. Attempts to fit the data with a single radius or density distribution function were unsuccessful.

Sherman, R. D.↗

Equatorial trapped plasmasphere ion distributions and transverse stochastic acceleration

Observations by the DE 1 and SCATHA satellites have revealed ion distribution functions in the equatorial plasmasphere which are sharply peaked at 90 deg pitch angle. The pitch angle anisotropy increases with increasing energy for the observed distributions. Also observed by SCATHA and earlier spacecraft are cyclotron harmonic emissions which are closely confined to the plasmasphere equator. It is demonstrated here that the observed highly anisotropic ion distribution at thermal energies can be explained, as the consequence of the nonlinear evolution of an initially Maxwellian distribution with a characteristic plasmasphere thermal plasma temperature by stochastic acceleration, using the observed levels of wave turbulence.

Curtis, S. A.↗

Predicted interplanetary distribution of Lyman-alpha intensity and polarization

Techniques to reduce the uncertainties in model calculations of the interplanetary distribution of Lyman-alpha polarization and intensity are identified. In particular, the applications of a scheme for mapping the degree of linear polarization from a spacecraft at various locations in the Solar System is discussed. A sample calculation of the sky distribution of both intensity and polarization is presented, on the basis of a variety of models for neutral hydrogen. It is found that the polarization distribution over the sky is significantly different from the intensity distribution, and that the maximum degree of polarization of the Lyman-alpha line increases with heliocentric distance from the spacecraft from 0 to about 18 percent at a distance of 20 AU. A schematic drawing is provided in order to illustrate the mapping scheme.

Ajello, J. M.↗

Equivalent absorption coefficients generated from frequency probability distributions

A flexible and computationally accurate method of treating aerosol scattering in spectral regions in which gaseous absorption is important is described. In the method, line-by-line absorption coefficients are computed as a function of pressure, temperature, and absorber gas for the spectral region of interest. The coefficients are sorted into a probability distribution which is converted into a cumulative probability distribution, which in turn can be inverted due to its monotonic nature. The inverted distribution is a smooth curve giving the absorption coefficient as a function of an independent variable on the domain. The frequency integration of the radiative transfer equation can then be performed by a quadrature technique with values of the absorption coefficient determined from the inverted distribution curve. The method is illustrated by applying it to the 9.6 micron band of ozone.

Ackerman, T. P.↗

Influence of meteorological conditions on aerosol vertical distribution and composition off the northeast American coastline

The size distribution and composition of lower tropospheric aerosols were measured off the northeast American coastline under clear air and disturbed meteorological conditions. Under the clear air conditions observed on 5 August 1982, with air flow from west to east, sulfate-rich stratified layers are the dominant feature of aerosol distribution in the lowest 3000 m of the troposphere. The encroachment of a warm frontal system over the study area on 9 August 1982 resulted in dramatic changes in aerosol distribution and composition prior to any precipitation, probably due to increased vertical mixing and dilution of pollutant aerosols. Chloride becomes the dominant water soluble anion in the lower 3000 m, primarily due to a several fold decrease in sulfate. Although these results are limited to only two sets of measurements, the data indicate the variability which can occur in the tropospheric vertical aerosol distributions at remote locations. A knowledge of the structure and stability of these stratified layers is of particular importance to studies of the ocean-troposphere chemistry problem.

Sebacher, D. I.↗

Two-dimensional leaf orientation distributions

Combined inclination/azimuth leaf angle distributions are important for accurate models of vegetation canopy reflectance. It is shown that appropriate mathematical representations can be constructed from beta distributions under most circumstances. This is illustrated by analyzing observational data on soybean leaves and balsam fir needles. There are some problems when the data is imprecise and when correlations between inclination and azimuth angle are induced by heliotropism. Otherwise, the two-dimensional beta-type distribution appears to be a versatile tool for describing complete inclination/azimuth leaf angle distributions.

Strebel, D. E.↗

Vertical distribution of ozone and the variation of tropopause heights based on ozonesonde and satellite observations

The distribution of atmospheric ozone is nonuniform both in space and time. Local ozone concentration vary with altitude, latitude, longitude, and season. Two year ozonesonde data, January 1981 to December 1982, observed at four Canadian stations and 2.5 year backscattered ultraviolet experiment data on the Nimbus-4 satellite, April 1970 to August 1972, observed over five American stations were used to study the relationship between the total ozone, vertical height distribution of the ozone mixing ratio, vertical height distribution of half total ozone, and the local tropopause height. The results show that there is a postive correlation between total ozone in Dobson Units and the tropopause height in terms of atmospheric pressure. This result suggests that local intrusion of the statosphere into the troposphere, or the local decreasing of tropopause height could occur if there is a local increasing of total ozone. A comparison of the vertical height distribution of the ozone mixing ratio, the modified pressure height of half total ozone and the tropopause height shows that the pressure height of an ozone mixing ratio of 0.3 micrograms/g, and the modified pressure height of half total ozone are very well correlated with the tropopause pressure height.

Hung, R. J.↗

Measurement and analysis of distribution coefficients in Fe-Ni alloys containing S and/or P. II - K(Ir), K(Ge), and K(Cu)

Crystals of Fe-Ni-S-P alloys containing Ir, Ge, and Cu in small amounts were grown by plane front solidification. The electron microprobe was used to measure the compositions of these alloys. The Ir, Ge, and Cu distribution coefficients were determined by an analytical procedure from the composition data. The distribution coefficients of Ir, Ge, and Cu vary from 1.20 to 11.0, 0.75 to 2.1, and 0.06 to 0.84, respectively. K(Ir) and K(Ge) increase and K(Cu) decreases with the S content of the liquid. K(Cu) increases and K(Ir) and K(Ge) decrease with the P content of the liquid. Mathematical expressions have been formulated to relate the Ir, Ge, and Cu distribution coefficients to the S and P contents of the liquid. These distribution coefficients are important to the study of the solidification behavior of iron meteorites.

Sellamuthu, R.↗