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At least 1,351 records · Page 75

An extended radar relative calibration adjustment (eRCA) technique for higher-frequency radars and range–height indicator (RHI) scans

Abstract. This study extends the relative calibration adjustment technique for calibration of weather radars to higher-frequency radars as well as range–height indicator (RHI) scans. The calibration of weather radars represents one of the most dominant sources of error for their use in a variety of fields including quantitative precipitation estimation and model comparisons. While most weather radars are routinely calibrated, the frequency of calibration is often less than required, resulting in miscalibrated time periods. While full absolute calibration techniques often require the radar to be taken offline for a period of time, there have been online calibration techniques discussed in the literature. The relative calibration adjustment (RCA) technique uses the statistics of the ground clutter surrounding the radar as a monitoring source for the stability of calibration but has only been demonstrated to work at S- and C-band for plan-position indicator (PPI) scans at a constant elevation. In this work the RCA technique is modified to work with higher-frequency radars, including Ka-band cloud radars. At higher frequencies the properties of clutter can be much more variable. This work introduces an extended clutter selection procedure that incorporates the temporal stability of clutter and helps to improve the operational stability of RCA for relatively higher-frequency radars. The technique is also extended to utilize range–height scans from radars where the elevation is varied rather than the azimuth. These types of scans are often utilized with research radars to examine the vertical structure of clouds. The newly extended technique (eRCA) is applied to four Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (DOE ARM) weather radars ranging in frequency from C- to Ka-band. Cross comparisons of three co-located radars with frequencies C, X, and Ka at the ARM Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) site show that the technique can determine changes in calibration. Using an X-band radar at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) site, we show how the technique can be modified to be more resilient to clutter fields that show increased variability, in this case due to sea clutter. The results show that this technique is promising for a posteriori data calibration and monitoring.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Investigation on dielectric properties of atomic layer deposited Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} dielectric films

Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/p-Si Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were fabricated using atomic layer deposition technique in order to investigate dielectric properties of SBDs. For this purpose, admittance measurements were conducted at room temperature between −1 V and 3 V in the frequency range of 10 kHz and 1 MHz. In addition to the investigation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} morphology using atomic force microscope, dielectric parameters; such as dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ), and real and imaginary parts of dielectric modulus (M′ and M″, respectively), were calculated and effect of frequency on these parameters of Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/p-Si SBDs was discussed. Variations in these parameters at low frequencies were associated with the effect of interface states in low frequency region. Besides dielectric parameters, ac electrical conductivity of these SBDs was also investigated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Exposing Key Vibrational Contributions to Properties of Organic Molecular Solids with High Signal, Low Frequency Neutron Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Simulations

Stability and response of supramolecular forms is important to many areas in materials science, and contributions from vibrations can be crucial. In this study, we have collected the first spectra of organic molecular crystals and polymorphic cocrystals using the next-generation, high-signal VISION spectrometer in the far-infrared (FIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) range. Unambiguously different spectral signatures were found for carbamazepine and two polymorphs of the carbamazepine-saccharin cocrystal, including numerous modes undetectable with optical methods. For FIR-range frequencies, in addition to correct calculation of peak positions, accurate line-shape features were reproducible by simulation using ab initio vibrational calculations. Finally, high confidence spectral assignments and thermochemical information for this region are thus expected, and a benchmark for vibrational ab initio calculations is provided, creating a significant addition to methods used in investigation and design of organic materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Performance of MEMS Silicon Oscillator, ASFLM1, under Wide Operating Temperature Range

Over the last few years, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) resonator-based oscillators began to be offered as commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts by a few companies [1-2]. These quartz-free, miniature silicon devices could compete with the traditional crystal oscillators in providing the timing (clock function) for many digital and analog electronic circuits. They provide stable output frequency, offer great tolerance to shock and vibration, and are immune to electro-static discharge [1-2]. In addition, they are encapsulated in compact lead-free packages, cover a wide frequency range (1 MHz to 125 MHz), and are specified, depending on the grade, for extended temperature operation from -40 C to +85 C. The small size of the MEMS oscillators along with their reliability and thermal stability make them candidates for use in space exploration missions. Limited data, however, exist on the performance and reliability of these devices under operation in applications where extreme temperatures or thermal cycling swings, which are typical of space missions, are encountered. This report presents the results of the work obtained on the evaluation of an ABRACON Corporation MEMS silicon oscillator chip, type ASFLM1, under extreme temperatures.

Patterson, Richard L.↗

Chirping ion cyclotron emission (ICE) on NSTX-U

In this work, we report on the discovery on NSTX-U of a qualitatively new type of non-thermal emission from plasmas in the ion-cyclotron frequency range (ICE). This new type of ICE is weakly damped, γ damp /ω ICE ≈ 0.14%, low order eigenmodes, excited by a fast ion population radially located near an internal transport barrier. The ICE appears as repetitive bursts with durations of ≈1 ms, and the bursts exhibit frequency chirps upwards and/or downwards with maximum δf/f ≈ 1%. We refer to this chirping ICE as ch-ICE. The bursts are longer than the typical ICE bursts of ≈100 μs reported previously for NSTX and NSTX-U, for simplicity, NSTX(-U). The chirping resembles that seen in modeling of weakly unstable fast particle driven instabilities (cf, Berk et al 1997 Phys. Lett. A 234 213). These data also provide some preliminary indications of non-linear coupling between the ch-ICE harmonics. Despite extensive experimental and theoretical studies of ICE, theoretical understanding of ICE remains qualitative at best. The detailed experimental observations of ICE from NSTX(-U) find a wide variation in the ICE characteristics. The new observations of ch-ICE presented here, combined with the characteristics of ICE on NSTX(-U) previously reported (Fredrickson et al 2019 Phys. Plasmas 26 032111), could guide the development of more complete theoretical models of ICE.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Directivity of low frequency solar type III radio bursts

The occurrence rate of type III solar bursts in the frequency range 4.9 MHz to 30 kHz is analyzed as a function of burst intensity and burst arrival direction. We find that (1) the occurrence rate of bursts varies inversely with the 1.5 power of the flux, and (2) the distribution of burst arrival directions at each frequency shows a significantly larger number of bursts observed west of the earth-sun line than east of it. This western excess in occurrence rate appears to be correlated with the direction of the average interplanetary magnetic field, and is interpreted as beaming of the observed burst radiation along the magnetic field direction.

Fitzenreiter, R. J.↗

On the stability analysis of approximate factorization methods for 3D Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

The convergence characteristics of various approximate factorizations for the 3D Euler and Navier-Stokes equations are examined using the von-Neumann stability analysis method. Three upwind-difference based factorizations and several central-difference based factorizations are considered for the Euler equations. In the upwind factorizations both the flux-vector splitting methods of Steger and Warming and van Leer are considered. Analysis of the Navier-Stokes equations is performed only on the Beam and Warming central-difference scheme. The range of CFL numbers over which each factorization is stable is presented for one-, two-, and three-dimensional flow. Also presented for each factorization is the CFL number at which the maximum eigenvalue is minimized, for all Fourier components, as well as for the high frequency range only. The latter is useful for predicting the effectiveness of multigrid procedures with these schemes as smoothers. Further, local mode analysis is performed to test the suitability of using a uniform flow field in the stability analysis. Some inconsistencies in the results from previous analyses are resolved.

Demuren, A. O.↗

Magnetic-field-driven surface electromagnetic states in the graphene-antiferromagnetic photonic crystal system

The surface electromagnetic states (SEMSs) on graphene, which has a linear carrier dispersion law and is placed in an antiferromagnetic photonic crystal, are theoretically studied in the terahertz frequency range. The unit cell of such a crystal consists of layers of a nonmagnetic insulator and a uniaxial antiferromagnet, the easy axis of which is parallel to the crystal layers. A dc magnetic field is parallel to the easy axis of the antiferromagnet. An expression that relates the SEMS frequencies to the structure parameters is obtained. The problem of SEMS excitation by an external TE-polarized electromagnetic wave is solved, and the dependences of the transmission coefficient on the dc magnetic field and the carrier concentration are constructed. These dependences are shown to differ substantially from the case of a conventional two-dimensional electron gas with a quadratic electron dispersion law. Thus, the positions of the transmission coefficient peaks related to resonance SEMS excitation can be used to determine the character of carrier dispersion law in a two-dimensional electron gas.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The enhancement in dielectric and magnetic property in Na and Mn co substituted lanthanum ferrite

Nanocrystalline solid solutions of La{sub 1-x}Na{sub x}Fe{sub 1-y}Mn{sub y}O{sub 3} (x=y=0.00 and 0.25) were prepared via modified Pechini route. No evidence of secondary or impurity phase has been detected up to the detection of error limit of high power X-ray diffractometer. Dielectric property of the samples has been investigated in the frequency range 100 Hz-4MHz at temperature ranging 300–450K. The value of relative permittivity (ε{sub r}) increases drastically and shows colossal dielectric response (∼10{sup 4}) by cosubstitution of Na and Mn as compared to pure LaFeO{sub 3}. Dielectric relaxation peak in loss tangent in both samples have been found and shift towards higher frequency region as temperature increases. Magnetization-Field (M-H) loop of the calcined sample have been recorded at room temperature (300K) at field ±60kOe. Magnetic property also enhanced by co substitution of Na and Mn. The change in Fe/Mn-O-Fe/Mn angle by co-substitution of Na and Mn in LaFeO{sub 3} and indirect exchange interaction between two different magnetic sub lattices Fe and Mn might be responsible for drastic change. Saturation/maximum magnetic moment increase ∼four times in LNFM25 (5.335emu/g) as compared to pure LaFeO{sub 3} (1.302emu/g).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A research program to reduce interior noise in general aviation airplanes. Influence of depressurization and damping material on the noise reduction characteristics of flat and curved stiffened panels

Some 20 x 20 aluminum panels were studied in a frequency range from 20 Hz to 5000 Hz. The noise sources used were a swept sine wave generator and a random noise generator. The effect of noise source was found to be negligible. Increasing the pressure differential across the panel gave better noise reduction below the fundamental resonance frequency due to an increase in stiffness. The largest increase occurred in the first 1 psi pressure differential. The curved, stiffened panel exhibited similar behavior, but with a lower increase of low frequency noise reduction. Depressurization on these panels resulted in decreased noise reduction at higher frequencies. The effect of damping tapes on the overall noise reduction values of the test specimens was small away from the resonance frequency. In the mass-law region, a slight and proportional improvement in noise reduction was observed by adding damping material. Adding sound absorbtion material to a panel with damping material beneficially increased noise reduction at high frequencies.

Navaneethan, R.↗

A high-resolution atlas of the infrared spectrum of the sun and the earth atmosphere from space. A compilation of ATMOS spectra of the region from 650 to 4800 cm-1 (2.3 to 16 microns). Volume 2: Stratosphere and mesosphere, 650 to 3350 cm-1

During the period April 29 to May 2, 1985, the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment was operated for the first time, as part of the Spacelab-3 payload of the shuttle Challenger. The principal purpose of this experiment was to study the distributions of the atmosphere's minor and trace molecular constituents. The instrument, a modified Michelson interferometer covering the frequency range from 600 to 5000/cm-1 at a spectral resolution of 0.01/cm-1, recorded infrared absorption spectra of the sun and of the earth's atmosphere at times close to entry into and exit from occultation by the earth's limb. Spectra were obtained that are free from absorptions due to constituents of the atmosphere (i.e., they are pure solar spectra), as well as spectra of the atmosphere itself, covering line-of-sight tangent altitudes that span the range from the lower thermosphere to the bottom of the troposphere. This atlas presents a compilation of these spectra arranged in a hardcopy format suitable for quick-look reference purposes. Volume 2 covers the stratosphere and mesosphere (i.e., tangent altitudes from 20 to 80 km) for frequencies from 650 to 3350/cm-1.

Farmer, Crofton B.↗

Design and Analysis of the ST7 Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) Spacecraft Controller

The Space Technology 7 experiment will perform an on-orbit system-level validation of two specific Disturbance Reduction System technologies: a gravitational reference sensor employing a free-floating test mass and a set of micronewton colloidal thrusters. The Disturbance Reduction System is designed to maintain a spacecraft's position with respect to the free-floating test mass to less than 10 nm/square root of Hz, over the frequency range 10(exp -3) Hz to 10(exp -2) Hz. This paper presents the design and analysis of the coupled drag-free and attitude control system that closes the loop between the gravitational reference sensor and the micronewton thrusters while incorporating star tracker data at low frequencies. The effects of actuation and measurement noise and disturbances on the spacecraft and test masses are evaluated in a seven-degree-of-freedom planar model incorporating two translational and one rotational degrees of freedom for the spacecraft and two translational degrees of freedom for each test mass.

Maghami, P. G.↗

High-Temperature Characterization of Alumina Substrates and Folded Slot Antenna

The characterization of 99.6% polycrystalline alumina substrates and folded slot antennas is presented in this paper. Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) calibration standards where fabricated on 99.6% polycrystalline alumina substrates. Thru-Reflect-Line (TRL) calibrations were performed at temperatures of 25 to 400 C over a frequency range from 0.5 to 50 GHz. The effective dielectric constant of the alumina substrates was determined to be relatively constant at 5.4 from 25 to 200 C and then increased steadily to approximately 6 at 400 C. The loss of the CPW lines increased as temperature and frequency increased as well noting that the increase in loss is even more profound as both the temperature and frequency increased simultaneously. A CPW fed folded slot antenna fabricated on the alumina substrates is also presented. The Return Loss (RL) of a CPW fed folded slot antenna exhibits a self impedance matching technique. The RL of the folded slot antenna at 25 C displays a resonance at 3.5 GHz and is approximately 16 dB in magnitude. At 300 C the resonance shifts down in frequency to approximately 3.3 dB and has roughly the same magnitude. However the loss of the antenna response also increases at this elevated temperature. This work is part of the initial stages of an effort at NASA Glenn research Center to develop wireless sensors for harsh environments. This work can reduce cost, space to house all the hard wired connections, and reduce the weight of the overall units such as aerospace engines and allow for the placement of the wireless sensors in the engine which are not possible with hard wired sensors.

Scardelletti, Maximilian C.↗

ATK Launch Vehicle (ALV-X1) Liftoff Acoustic Environments: Prediction vs. Measurement

The ATK Launch Vehicle (ALV-X1) provided an opportunity to measure liftoff acoustic noise data. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) engineers were interested in the ALV-X1 launch because the First Stage motor and launch pad conditions, including a relativity short deflector ducting, provide a potential analogue to future Ares I launches. This paper presents the measured liftoff acoustics on the vehicle and tower. Those measured results are compared to predictions based upon the method described in NASA SP-8072 "Acoustic Loads Generated by the Propulsion System" and the Vehicle Acoustic Environment Prediction Program (VAEPP) which was developed by MSFC acoustics engineers. One-third octave band sound pressure levels will be presented. This data is useful for the ALV-X1 in validating the pre-launch environments and loads predictions. Additionally, the ALV-X1 liftoff data can be scaled to define liftoff environments for the NASA Constellation program Ares vehicles. Vehicle liftoff noise is caused by the supersonic jet flow interaction with surrounding atmosphere or more simply, jet noise. As the vehicle's First Stage motor is ignited, an acoustic noise field is generated by the exhaust. This noise field persists due to the supersonic jet noise and reflections from the launch pad and tower, then changes as the vehicle begins to liftoff from the launch pad. Depending on launch pad and adjacent tower configurations, the liftoff noise is generally very high near the nozzle exit and decreases rapidly away from the nozzle. The liftoff acoustic time range of interest is typically 0 to 20 seconds after ignition. The exhaust plume thermo-fluid mechanics generates sound at approx.10 Hz to 20 kHz. Liftoff acoustic noise is usually the most severe dynamic environment for a launch vehicle or payload in the mid to high frequency range (approx.50 to 2000 Hz). This noise environment can induce high-level vibrations along the external surfaces of the vehicle and surrounding launch facility structures. The acoustic pressure fluctuations will induce severe vibrations in relatively large lightweight structures. Consequently, there is the potential for failure of the structure or attached electrical components. Due to these potential failures, the liftoff acoustic noise is one of the noise source inputs used to determine the vibro-acoustic qualification environment for a launch vehicle and its components.

Houston, Janice↗

Effect of microwave-assisted sintering on dielectric properties of CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramic

In this present work, CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} (CCTO) was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction technique. The synthesis process was carried out in two phases; by conventional process (calcination and sintering at 1080°C for 10 hours) and phase II involves the micro assisted pre sintering of conventionally calcined CCTO for very short soaking time of 30 min at 1080°C in a microwave furnace followed by sintering at 1080°C for 10 hours in conventional furnace. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the formation of single phase ceramic. Dielectric properties were studied over the frequency range from 50Hz -5MHz at temperatures (273K-343K). It was observed that pre- microwave sintering enhance the dielectric constant values from 10900 to 11893 and respectively reduces the dielectric loss values from 0.49 to 0.34 at room temperature(1 KHz). CCTO ceramics which are found desirable for many technological applications. The effect is more pronounced at low frequencies of applied electric field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

TH-AB-209-09: Quantitative Imaging of Electrical Conductivity by VHF-Induced Thermoacoustics

Purpose: To demonstrate that very high frequency (VHF) induced thermoacoustics has the potential to provide quantitative images of electrical conductivity in Siemens/meter, much as shear wave elastography provides tissue stiffness in kPa. Quantitatively imaging a large organ requires exciting thermoacoustic pulses throughout the volume and broadband detection of those pulses because tomographic image reconstruction preserves frequency content. Applying the half-wavelength limit to a 200-micron inclusion inside a 7.5 cm diameter organ requires measurement sensitivity to frequencies ranging from 4 MHz down to 10 kHz, respectively. VHF irradiation provides superior depth penetration over near infrared used in photoacoustics. Additionally, VHF signal production is proportional to electrical conductivity, and prostate cancer is known to suppress electrical conductivity of prostatic fluid. Methods: A dual-transducer system utilizing a P4-1 array connected to a Verasonics V1 system augmented by a lower frequency focused single element transducer was developed. Simultaneous acquisition of VHF-induced thermoacoustic pulses by both transducers enabled comparison of transducer performance. Data from the clinical array generated a stack of 96-images with separation of 0.3 mm, whereas the single element transducer imaged only in a single plane. In-plane resolution and quantitative accuracy were measured at isocenter. Results: The array provided volumetric imaging capability with superior resolution whereas the single element transducer provided superior quantitative accuracy. Combining axial images from both transducers preserved resolution of the P4-1 array and improved image contrast. Neither transducer was sensitive to frequencies below 50 kHz, resulting in a DC offset and low-frequency shading over fields of view exceeding 15 mm. Fresh human prostates were imaged ex vivo and volumetric reconstructions reveal structures rarely seen in diagnostic images. Conclusion: Quantitative whole-organ thermoacoustic tomography will be feasible by sparsely interspersing transducer elements sensitive to the low end of the ultrasonic range.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Planck intermediate results: XLIII. Spectral energy distribution of dust in clusters of galaxies

Although infrared (IR) overall dust emission from clusters of galaxies has been statistically detected using data from the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), it has not been possible to sample the spectral energy distribution (SED) of this emission over its peak, and thus to break the degeneracy between dust temperature and mass. By complementing the IRAS spectral coverage with Planck satellite data from 100 to 857 GHz, we provide in this paper new constraints on the IR spectrum of thermal dust emission in clusters of galaxies. We achieve this by using a stacking approach for a sample of several hundred objects from the Planck cluster sample. This procedure averages out fluctuations from the IR sky, allowing us to reach a significant detection of the faint cluster contribution. We also use the large frequency range probed by Planck, together with component-separation techniques, to remove the contamination from both cosmic microwave background anisotropies and the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (tSZ) signal, which dominate at ν ≤ 353 GHz. By excluding dominant spurious signals or systematic effects, averaged detections are reported at frequencies 353 GHz ≤ ν ≤ 5000 GHz. We confirm the presence of dust in clusters of galaxies at low and intermediate redshifts, yielding an SED with a shape similar to that of the Milky Way. Planck’s resolution does not allow us to investigate the detailed spatial distribution of this emission (e.g. whether it comes from intergalactic dust or simply the dust content of the cluster galaxies), but the radial distribution of the emission appears to follow that of the stacked SZ signal, and thus the extent of the clusters. Finally, the recovered SED allows us to constrain the dust mass responsible for the signal and its temperature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Acoustic phonon dynamics in thin-films of the topological insulator Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}

Transient reflectivity traces measured for nanometer-sized films (6–40 nm) of the topological insulator Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} revealed GHz-range oscillations driven within the relaxation of hot carriers photoexcited with ultrashort (∼100 fs) laser pulses of 1.51 eV photon energy. These oscillations have been suggested to result from acoustic phonon dynamics, including coherent longitudinal acoustic phonons in the form of standing acoustic waves. An increase of oscillation frequency from ∼35 to ∼70 GHz with decreasing film thickness from 40 to 15 nm was attributed to the interplay between two different regimes employing traveling-acoustic-waves for films thicker than 40 nm and the film bulk acoustic wave resonator (FBAWR) modes for films thinner than 40 nm. The amplitude of oscillations decays rapidly for films below 15 nm thick when the indirect intersurface coupling in Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} films switches the FBAWR regime to that of the Lamb wave excitation. The frequency range of coherent longitudinal acoustic phonons is in good agreement with elastic properties of Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗