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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

The Rho Ophiuchi cloud young stellar population - Results of a near-infrared study

An imaging survey of 1.4 sq pc of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud in the J, H, and K near-infrared photometric bands was conducted. Approximately 332 of the 481 detected sources are associated with the cloud, and 30 percent of these have near-infrared excesses, indicative of disks or circumstellar material surrounding these young stellar objects (YSOs). The K-band luminosity function is significantly different in different regions of the survey area, suggesting that YSOs in these regions have different ages or mass functions. The entire survey area has a high star formation efficiency of about 23 percent. Finally, many newly detected sources provide a relatively large, uniformly sensitive sample of objects for study at longer wavelengths to better determine true source luminosities and evolutionary lifetimes.

Greene, Thomas P.↗

Runway Safety Monitor Algorithm for Single and Crossing Runway Incursion Detection and Alerting

The Runway Safety Monitor (RSM) is an aircraft based algorithm for runway incursion detection and alerting that was developed in support of NASA's Runway Incursion Prevention System (RIPS) research conducted under the NASA Aviation Safety and Security Program's Synthetic Vision System project. The RSM algorithm provides warnings of runway incursions in sufficient time for pilots to take evasive action and avoid accidents during landings, takeoffs or when taxiing on the runway. The report documents the RSM software and describes in detail how RSM performs runway incursion detection and alerting functions for NASA RIPS. The report also describes the RIPS flight tests conducted at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Wallops Flight Facility (WAL) during July and August of 2004, and the RSM performance results and lessons learned from those flight tests.

Green, David F., Jr.↗

AIRS PFM Pulse Tube Cooler System-level Performance

JPL's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument is being built to make precision measurements of air temperature over the surface of the Earth as a function of elevation; the flight instrument is in the final stages of assembly and checkout at this time, and uses a pair of TRW pulse tube cryocoolers operating at 55K to cool its sensitive IR focal plane.

AIRS PFM Pulse Tube Cooler System-level JPL's Atmo↗

Optical Design of a Compact Imaging Spectrometer for Planetary Mineralogy

We present the design of a compact, wide-angle pushbroom imaging spectrometer suitable for exploration of solar system bodies from low orbit. The spectrometer is based on a single detector array with a broadband response that covers the range 400 to 3000 nm and provides a spectral sampling of 10 nm. The telescope has a 24-deg field of view with 600 spatially resolved elements (detector pixels). A specially designed convex diffraction grating permits optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio through the entire spectral band. Tolerances and design parameters permit the achievement of high uniformity of response through field and wavelength. The spectrometer performance is evaluated in terms of predicted spectral and spatial response functions and from the point of view of minimizing their variation through field and wavelength. The design serves as an example for illustrating the design principles specific to this type of system.

space optics↗

Complexions at the iron-magnetite interface

Synthesizing distinct phases and controlling crystalline defects are key concepts in materials design. These approaches are often decoupled, with the former grounded in equilibrium thermodynamics and the latter in nonequilibrium kinetics. By unifying them through defect phase diagrams, we can apply phase equilibrium models to thermodynamically evaluate defects—including dislocations, grain boundaries, and phase boundaries—establishing a theoretical framework linking material imperfections to properties. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging, we achieve the simultaneous imaging of heavy Fe and light O atoms, precisely mapping the atomic structure and chemical composition at the iron-magnetite (Fe/Fe 3 O 4 ) interface. We identify a well-ordered two-layer interface-stabilized phase state (referred to as complexion) at the Fe[001]/Fe 3 O 4 [001] interface. Using density-functional theory (DFT), we explain the observed complexion and map out various interface-stabilized phases as a function of the O chemical potential. The formation of complexions increases interface adhesion by 20% and alters charge transfer between adjacent materials, impacting transport properties. Our findings highlight the potential of tunable defect-stabilized phase states as a degree of freedom in materials design, enabling optimized corrosion protection, catalysis, and redox-driven phase transitions, with applications in materials sustainability, efficient energy conversion, and green steel production.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oblique-incidence secondary emission from charged dielectronics

Experimental measurements and computer simulation of secondary electron emission coefficients for FEP-Teflon, for normal and oblique incidence in the presence of a normal electric field are reported. Knowledge of the electrostatic environment surrounding the specimen calculation of particle trajectories are considered. A simulation using a conformal mapping, a Green's integral, and a trajectory generator provides the necessary mathematical support for the measurements which have been made with normal fields of 1.5 and 2.7 kV/mm. When incidence is normal and energy exceeds the critical energy, the coefficient is given by V.58 and for oblique incidence this expression may be divided by the cosine of the angle. The parameter V sub 0 is a function of normal field. Measurements for values of V sub f are presented.

Robinson, J. W.↗

Effects of CO2 concentration and light intensity on photosynthesis of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., used for aquatic food production in bioregenerative life support systems

In addition to green microalgae, aquatic higher plants are likely to play an important role in aquatic food production modules in bioregenerative systems for producing feed for fish, converting CO2 to O2 and remedying water quality. In the present study, the effects of culture conditions on the net photosynthetic rate of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was investigated to determine the optimum culture conditions for maximal function of plants in food production modules including both aquatic plant culture and fish culture systems. The net photosynthetic rate in plants was determined by the increase in dissolved O2 concentrations in a closed vessel containing a plantlet and water. The water in the vessel was aerated sufficiently with a gas containing a known concentration of CO2 gas mixed with N2 gas before closing the vessel. The CO2 concentrations in the aerating gas ranged from 0.3 to 10 mmol mol-1. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in the vessel ranged from 0 (dark) to 1.0 mmol m-2 s-1, which was controlled with a metal halide lamp. Temperature was kept at 28 degrees C. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing PPFD levels and was saturated at 0.2 and 0.5 mmol m-2 s-1 PPFD under CO2 levels of 1.0 and 3.0 mmol mol-1, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing CO2 levels from 0.3 to 3.0 mmol mol-1 showing the maximum value, 75 nmol O2 gDW-1 s-1, at 2-3 mmol mol-1 CO2 and gradually decreased with increasing CO2 levels from 3.0 to 10 mmol mol-1. The results demonstrate that C. demersum could be an efficient CO2 to O2 converter under a 2.0 mmol mol-1 CO2 level and relatively low PPFD levels in aquatic food production modules. c2003 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ecological Systems, Closed↗

Geranylgeranylated-chlorophyll-protein complexes in lhl3 mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlorophylls a and b (Chl a and b) are involved in light harvesting, photochemical reactions, and electron transfer reactions in plants and green algae. The core complexes of the photosystems (PSI and PSII) associate with Chl a, while the peripheral antenna complexes (LHCI and LHCII) bind Chls a and b. One of the final steps of Chl biosynthesis is the conversion of geranylgeranylated Chls (Chls GG ) to phytylated Chls by geranylgeranyl reductase (GGR). Here, we isolated and characterized a pale green mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that was very photosensitive and was unable to grow photoautotrophically. This mutant has a 16-bp deletion in the LHL3 gene, which resulted in the loss of LHL3 and GGR and accumulated only Chls GG . The lhl3 mutant cells grown in the dark accumulated PSII and PSI proteins at 25–50% of WT levels, lacked PSII activity, and retained a decreased PSI activity. The PSII and PSI proteins were depleted to trace amounts in the mutant cells grown in light. In contrast, the accumulation of LHCI and LHCII was unaffected except for LHCA3. Our results suggest that the replacement of Chls with Chls GG strongly affects the structural and functional integrity of PSII and PSI complexes but their associating LHC complexes to a lesser extent. Affinity purification of HA-tagged LHL3 confirmed the formation of a stable LHL3-GGR complex, which is vital for GGR stability. The LHL3-GGR complex contained a small amount of PSI complex assembly factors, suggesting a putative coupling between Chl synthesis and PSI complex assembly.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Dissociative Recombination of Cold HeH + Ions

The HeH + cation is the simplest molecular prototype of the indirect dissociative recombination (DR) process that proceeds through electron capture into Rydberg states of the corresponding neutral molecule. This Letter develops the first application of our recently developed energy-dependent frame transformation theory to the indirect DR processes. The theoretical model is based on the multichannel quantum-defect theory with the vibrational basis states computed using exterior complex scaling of the nuclear Hamiltonian. The ab initio electronic R-matrix theory is adopted to compute quantum defects as functions of the collision energy and of the internuclear distance. The resulting DR rates are convolved over the beam energy distributions relevant to a recent experiment at the Cryogenic Storage Ring, giving good agreement between the experiment and the theory.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Melt-grown semi-insulating Mn:β-Ga 2 O 3 single crystals exhibiting unique visible absorptions and luminescence

In this study, several acceptor dopants have been explored in β-Ga 2 O 3 to produce semi-insulating substrates and epitaxial films. Fe and Mg make up the majority of research thus far; however, other transition metals provide potential alternatives for optimized performance. β-Ga 2 O 3 bulk single crystals were grown by the Czochralski and vertical gradient freeze methods with a nominal dopant concentration of 0.25 at. % Mn. Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence revealed polarization- and orientation-dependent optical absorptions (pleochroism) coupled with an orange luminescence. All samples were electrically insulating, on the order of 10 9 –10 11 ohm cm at room temperature, indicative of acceptor doping. Actual dopant concentrations of the intentionally doped transition metal and background impurities were determined via glow discharge mass spectrometry, indicating the macroscale segregation behavior. High-temperature resistivity measurements indicated an experimental acceptor level of 1.7 ± 0.2 eV. Hydrogenation of samples resulted in an increase in the orange luminescence and O–H stretching modes observable in the infrared spectrum. Density functional theory calculations were performed to determine the likely site-occupancy and acceptor level of Mn in the bandgap.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multi-Beam Approach for Accelerating Alignment and Calibration of HyspIRI-Like Imaging Spectrometers

A paper describes an optical stimulus that produces more consistent results, and can be automated for unattended, routine generation of data analysis products needed by the integration and testing team assembling a high-fidelity imaging spectrometer system. One key attribute of the system is an arrangement of pick-off mirrors that provides multiple input beams (five in this implementation) to simultaneously provide stimulus light to several field angles along the field of view of the sensor under test, allowing one data set to contain all the information that previously required five data sets to be separately collected. This stimulus can also be fed by quickly reconfigured sources that ultimately provide three data set types that would previously be collected separately using three different setups: Spectral Response Function (SRF), Cross-track Response Function (CRF), and Along-track Response Function (ARF), respectively. This method also lends itself to expansion of the number of field points if less interpolation across the field of view is desirable. An absolute minimum of three is required at the beginning stages of imaging spectrometer alignment.

Eastwood, Michael L.↗

Bandgap analysis and carrier localization in cation-disordered ZnGeN 2

The bandgap of ZnGeN 2 changes with the degree of cation site disorder and is sought in light emitting diodes for emission at green to amber wavelengths. By combining the perspectives of carrier localization and defect states, we analyze the impact of different degrees of disorder on electronic properties in ZnGeN 2 , addressing a gap in current studies, which largely focus on dilute or fully disordered systems. The present study demonstrates changes in the density of states and localization of carriers in ZnGeN 2 calculated using bandgap-corrected density functional theory and hybrid calculations on partially disordered supercells generated using the Monte Carlo method. We use localization and density of states to discuss the ill-defined nature of a bandgap in a disordered material and identify site disorder and its impact on the structure as a mechanism controlling electronic properties and potential device performance. Decreasing the order parameter results in a large reduction of the bandgap. The reduction in bandgap is due, in part, to isolated, localized states that form above the valence band continuum associated with nitrogen coordinated by more zinc than germanium. The prevalence of defect states in all but the perfectly ordered structure creates challenges for incorporating disordered ZnGeN 2 into optical devices, but the localization associated with these defects provides insight into the mechanisms of electron/hole recombination in the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Impact of shading following installation of agrivoltaic systems on eco-physiological and biochemical attributes of “Howes” cranberry in Massachusetts

Agrivoltaic (AV) systems, which integrate solar energy generation with crop production on the same piece of land, offer a sustainable solution for optimizing land-use efficiency. However, the impact of shading induced by solar panels on crop growth, physiology, and metabolic activities of cranberry is not known. Understanding these interactions is essential for assessing the feasibility of AV systems in cranberry production. In this study we evaluated eco-physiological and biochemical crop responses on a commercial ‘Howes’ cranberry bog grown under an agrivoltaics system using different row spacings in the year immediately following installation. Following installation of fixed tilt solar panels at a height of 3.0 m above the plant canopy, four shading treatments were evaluated: an uncovered control area and row spacings of 9.0 m, 7.0 m, and 5.0 m, corresponding to 30%, 35%, and 37% shading respectively. The shading effect was also evaluated at three different fruit developmental stages (green, blush, and full-red stage). Using microclimate sensors installed in the treatment areas, key eco-physiological and biochemical parameters, including leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and antioxidant content, electrolyte leakage, proline and trehalose accumulation, were assessed. While moderate shading (30% and 35%) alleviated environmental stress, as reflected by improved leaf water status and reduced electrolyte leakage, these same treatments suppressed key physiological and metabolic functions, including photosynthetic activity, carbon reserve accumulation, and the biosynthesis of stress-related osmolytes and antioxidant compounds. Under higher shading (37%), these reductions were even more pronounced, indicating a potential threshold beyond which the benefits of shading are outweighed by declines in assimilate production and secondary metabolism. These findings highlight a trade-off between the stress-mitigating benefits of shading and the alterations in key physiological and metabolic processes under agrivoltaic systems. Minimizing these trade-offs by optimizing row spacing in agrivoltaics systems is critical to maintain cranberry physiological status. Since commercial cranberry is grown as a continuous plant canopy (no interrow spaces for equipment travel), damage caused by the installation process likely impacted crop response evaluated in the first year; multi-year studies are needed to fully understand the dynamics of a dual-use system. Notably, this work provides the first direct measurements of proline, trehalose content, and electrolyte leakage in cranberry grown under AV conditions, offering new insight into their physiological adjustments to shading.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Lignin extraction and upgrading using deep eutectic solvents

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are a class of green solvents exhibiting low vapor pressure, high thermal stability,low toxicity, and biodegradability. These features make them attractive solvents for lignocellulosic biomassprocessing, especially for lignin valorization. DESs not only solubilize lignin from lignocellulose biomass, butalso confer extracted lignin with properties favorable to its further upgrading. This review summarizes recentadvances in biomass fractionation using DESs for lignin extraction. It also covers lignin upgrading in DESs interms of depolymerization and functionalization. The challenges of tailoring lignin properties by DESs for differentvalorization routes are also discussed.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Determination of lifetime and surface recombination velocity of p-n junction solar cells and diodes by observing transients

The unified view of transient methods for the determination of recombination lifetime tau and back surface recombination velocity S presented here for silicon solar cells and diodes attempts to define limitations of existing methods and to evolve improvements. The presence of sizable junction capacitance for silicon devices under forward voltage invalidates the use of conventional open-circuit voltage decay (OCVD) and reverse recovery. This led Green (1983) to his method of compensated open-circuit voltage decay, in which the addition of an external resistor shunting the solar cell partially corrects for the presence of the junction capacitance. Setting this resistance to zero produces an electrical short-circuit current-decay method, which has the advantage of enabling determination of both tau and S. In an alternate approach, one may insert the functional dependence of the junction capacitance on forward voltage. This new method, denoted by the acronym OCVDCAP, enables the determination of tau with apparently greater accuracy than that obtained by previous methods utilizing voltage transients. But OCVDCAP has in common with the previous methods that it determines tau only and has practical utility only for determining tau of long-base devices. This means that it is useful only for thick base regions. In principle, however, it has an advantage over short-circuit current decay: it requires only pressure contacts, not ohmic contacts, and therefore may be used to determine tau after key processing steps in manufacturing.

Lindholm, Fredrik A.↗

Laboratory Studies of the Optical Properties and Condensation Processes of Cosmic Dust Grains

A laboratory facility for conducting a variety of experiments on single isolated dust particles of astrophysical interest levitated in an electrodynamics balance has been developed at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center. The objective of the research is to employ this experimental technique for studies of the physical and optical properties of individual cosmic dust grains of 0.1-100 micron size in controlled pressure/temperatures environments simulating astrophysical conditions. The physical and optical properties of the analogs of interstellar and interplanetary dust grains of known composition and size distribution will be investigated by this facility. In particular, we will carry out three classes of experiments to study the micro-physics of cosmic dust grains. (1) Charge characteristics of micron size single dust grains to determine the photoelectric efficiencies, yields, and equilibrium potentials when exposed to UV radiation. (2) Infrared optical properties of dust particles (extinction coefficients and scattering phase functions) in the 1-30 micron region using infrared diode lasers and measuring the scattered radiation. (3) Condensation experiments to investigate the condensation of volatile gases on colder nucleated particles in dense interstellar clouds and lower planetary atmospheres. The condensation experiments will involve levitated nucleus dust grains of known composition and initial mass (or m/q ratio), cooled to a temperature and pressure (or scaled pressure) simulating the astrophysical conditions, and injection of a volatile gas at a higher temperature from a controlled port. The increase in the mass due to condensation on the particle will be monitored as a function of the dust particle temperature and the partial pressure of the injected volatile gas. The measured data will permit determination of the sticking coefficients of volatile gases and growth rates of dust particles of astrophysical interest. Some preliminary results based on measurements of photoelectric emission and radiation pressure on single isolated 0.2 to 6.6 micron size silica particles exposed to UV radiation at 120-200 nm and green laser light at 532 nm are presented.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Method for Measuring the Volume-Scattering Function of Water

The volume scattering function (VSF) of seawater affects visibility, remote sensing properties, in-water light propagation, lidar performance, and the like. Currently, it s possible to measure only small forward angles of VSF, or to use cumbersome, large, and non-autonomous systems. This innovation is a method of measuring the full range of VSF using a portable instrument. A single rapid-sensing photosensor is used to scan a green laser beam, which delivers the desired measurement. By using a single sensor, inter-calibration is avoided. A compact design is achieved by using drift-free detector electronics, fiber optics, and a new type of photomultiplier. This provides a high angular resolution of 1 or better, as well as the ability to focus in on a VSF region of particular interest. Currently, the total scattering of light is measured as a difference from the other two parts of the light budget equation. This innovation will allow the direct calculation of the total scattering of light by taking an integral of the VSF over all angles. This directly provides one of the three components of the light budget equation, allowing greater versatility in its calculation.

Agrawal, Yogesh C.↗