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At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

A Dual Polarized Quasi-Optical SIS Mixer at 550-GHz

We describe the design, fabrication, and the performance of a low-noise dual-polarized quasi-optical superconductor insulator superconductor (SIS) mixer at 550 GHz. The mixer utilizes a novel cross-slot antenna on a hyperhemispherical substrate lens, two junction tuning circuits, niobium trilayer junctions, and an IF circuit containing a lumped element 180 deg hybrid. The antenna consists of an orthogonal pair of twin-slot antennas, and has four feed points, two for each polarization. Each feed point is coupled to a two-junction SIS mixer. The 180 deg IF hybrid is implemented using a lumped element/microstrip circuit located inside the mixer block. Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) measurements of the mixer frequency response show good agreement with computer simulations. The measured co-polarized and cross-polarized patterns for both polarizations also agree with the theoretical predictions. The noise performance of the dual-polarized mixer is excellent, giving uncorrected receiver noise temperature of better than 115 K (DSB) at 528 GHz for both the polarizations.

Chattopadhyay, Goutam↗
NASA NTRS1981

Search for effect of longitudinally polarized protons on optically active amino acids

The influence of irradiation by longitudinally polarized protons on the differential decomposition of amino acid is investigated in a test of the Vester Ulbricht hypothesis that L-amino acids were produced in preference to the D isomers on the primitive earth due to the effects of parity violation in beta decay. Samples of DL-leucine were irradiated with protons of both positive and negative longitudinal polarization, then analyzed by gas chromatography. Despite advantages of higher polarization, lower velocity and higher ionization density of protons with respect to electrons, proton irradation is found to lead to no detectable asymmetries in DL-leucine degradation, even at 50% gross degradation.

Lemmon, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A comparison of the properties of highly polarized QSOs versus low-polarization QSOs

An optical linear-polarization survey testing the relationships between polarization and other properties of QSOs is presented. Polarimetric observations of 239 QSOs have been made. Data from the literature are used to analyze the relationships between polarization and radio, optical, and X-ray properties. The highly polarized QSOs are generally compact radio sources, are associated with radio properties such as low-frequency variability and superluminal motion, exhibit large-amplitude rapid photometric variability, have steep nonthermal optical continua, and may show excess X-ray emission. No relationship is seen between polarization and redshift, optical luminosity, or the equivalent width of emission lines. The results are discussed in the context of both isotropic and anisotropic (beaming) models. While the associations between the optical and radio properties of highly polarized QSOs provide strong motivation for the anisotropic model, the lack of associations with redshift, optical luminosity, and emission-line strength is inconsistent with this model. It is concluded that the highly polarized QSOs are probably fundamentally different in their physical properties from low-polarization QSOs.

Moore, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Polarization compensator for optical communications

An optical data communication system is provided whereby two orthogonal polarization states of a light beam carrier correspond to digital states. In such a system, automatic polarization compensation is provided by applying a dither modulating voltage to a cell exhibiting the electro-optic effect. The cell controls the relative phase of electric field components of an input light beam enabling the dither frequency component of the difference of the instantaneous powers in the two polarization states to be coherently detected. A signal derived from the coherent detection process is fed back to the cell via an integrator to form polarization bias compensating servo loop ot Type 1.

Fitzmaurice, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Spatial light modulators for full cross-connections in optical networks

A polarization-independent optical switch is disclosed for switching at least one incoming beam from at least one input source to at least one output drain. The switch includes a polarizing beam splitter to split each of the at least one incoming beam into a first input beam and a second input beam, wherein the first input beam and the second input beams are independently polarized; a wave plate optically coupled to the second input beam for converting the polarization of the second input beam to an appropriately polarized second input beam; a beam combiner optically coupled to the first input beam and the modified second input beam, wherein the beam combiner accepts the first input beam and the modified second input beam to produce a combined beam; the combined beam is invariant to the polarization state of the input source's polarization; and a controllable spatial light modulator optically coupled to the combined beam, wherein the combined beam is diffracted by the controllable spatial light modulator to place light at a plurality of output locations.

Juday, Richard D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Real refractive indices of infrared-characterized nitric-acid/ice films: Implications for optical measurements of polar stratospheric clouds

The infrared spectra of nitric-acid/ice films representative of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were collected with simultaneous optical interference measurements to determine the real refractive indices at lambda = 632 nm. Ice and amphorous nitric-acid/ice films were prepared by condensation of water and nitric acid vapors onto a wedged Al2O3 substrate. The real refractive indices of these films were determined from the optical interference of a reflected helium-neon laser during film growth. The indices of the amphorous films varied smoothly from n = 1.30 for ice to n = 1.49 for nitric acid, similar to observations in previous work. We were unable to obtain the refractive index of crystlline films during adsorption because of optical scattering caused by surface roughness. Therefore crystlline nitric acid hydrate films were prepared by annealing amphorous nitric-acid/ice films. Further heating caused desorption of the crystalline hydrate films. During desorption, the refractive indices for ice, NAM (nitric acid monohydrate), alpha- and beta-NAT (nitric acid trihydrate) films were measured using the optical interference technique. In agreement with earlier data, the real refractive indices for ice and NAM determined in desorption were n = 1.30 +/- 0.01 and n = 1.53 +/- 0.03, respectively. The real refractive indices for alpha- and beta-NAT were found to be n = 1.51 +/- 0.01 and n greater than or equal to 1.46, respectively. Our measurements also suggest that the shape of crystalline nitric acid particles may depend on whether they nucleate from the liquid or by vapor deposition. If confirmed by future studies, this observation may provide a means of distinguishing the nucleation mechanism of crystalline PSCs.

Middlebrook, Ann M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Polarization analysis of optical systems

For most optical systems it is typically assumed that the transmitted wavefront has uniform (or Gaussian) amplitude and constant polarization state. This is the default assumption of geometrical optics. This paper considers methods suitable for analyzing systems for which this assumption is not valid. Such methods of polarization analysis include polarization ray tracing and polarization aberration theory. Definitions of the basic classes of polarization phenomena and a review of the Jones calculus are included to form a basis for the discussion.

Chipman, Russell A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Optical power splitter and polarization splitter

A 3.times.3 optical guiding arrangement is disclosed for providing both power splitting between a pair of output guides in the 3.times.3 guide structure and polarization splitting (into the TE and TM modes) between the central guide and the pair of outer guides. In accordance with the present invention, the mutual coupling length L and separation distance d between adjacent guides are chosen to provide the desired polarization splitting and total intensity (power) in the outer guides. For example, an input signal of intensity I comprising both the TE and TM modes may be launched in the center guide and with correct choices for L and d, will result in output signals of I.sub.TM /2 each of the outer pair of guides and I.sub.TE from the central guide.

Bogert, Gail A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Conjugate Observations of Optical Aurora with POLAR Satellite and Ground Based Imagers in Antarctica

Operation of the ultraviolet imager on the POLAR satellite permits the observation of Aurora Borealis in daylight during northern summer. With optical imagers in the Automatic Geophysical Observatories (AGO-s) large regions of the oval of Aurora Australis can be observed simultaneously during the southern winter polar night. This opportunity permits conducting a systematic study of the properties of auroras on opposite ends of the same field line. It is expected that simultaneously observed conjugate auroras occurring on closed field lines should be similar to each other in appearance because of the close connection between the two hemispheres through particle scattering and mirroring processes. On open or greatly distorted field lines there is no a priori expectation of similarity between conjugate auroras. To investigate the influence of different IMF conditions on auroral behavior we have examined conjugate data for periods of southward IMF. Sudden brightening and subsequent poleward expansions are observed to occur simultaneously in both hemispheres. The POLAR data show that sudden brightening are initiated at various local time regions. When the local time of this region is in the field of view of the AGO station network then corresponding brightening is also found to occur in the southern hemisphere. Large features such as substorm induced westward propagation and resulting auroral brightening seem to occur simultaneously on conjugate hemispheres. The widely different view scales make it difficult to make unique identification of individual auroral forms in the POLAR and in the ground based data but in a general sense the data is consistent with conjugate behavior.

Mende, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Optical Modeling and Polarization Calibration for CMB Measurements with Actpol and Advanced Actpol

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope Polarimeter (ACTPol) is a polarization sensitive upgrade to the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, located at an elevation of 5190 m on Cerro Toco in Chile. ACTPol uses transition edge sensor bolometers coupled to orthomode transducers to measure both the temperature and polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Calibration of the detector angles is a critical step in producing polarization maps of the CMB. Polarization angle offsets in the detector calibration can cause leakage in polarization from E to B modes and induce a spurious signal in the EB and TB cross correlations, which eliminates our ability to measure potential cosmological sources of EB and TB signals, such as cosmic birefringence. We calibrate the ACTPol detector angles by ray tracing the designed detector angle through the entire optical chain to determine the projection of each detector angle on the sky. The distribution of calibrated detector polarization angles are consistent with a global offset angle from zero when compared to the EB-nulling offset angle, the angle required to null the EB cross-correlation power spectrum. We present the optical modeling process. The detector angles can be cross checked through observations of known polarized sources, whether this be a galactic source or a laboratory reference standard. To cross check the ACTPol detector angles, we use a thin film polarization grid placed in front of the receiver of the telescope, between the receiver and the secondary reflector. Making use of a rapidly rotating half-wave plate (HWP) mount we spin the polarizing grid at a constant speed, polarizing and rotating the incoming atmospheric signal. The resulting sinusoidal signal is used to determine the detector angles. The optical modeling calibration was shown to be consistent with a global offset angle of zero when compared to EB nulling in the first ACTPol results and will continue to be a part of our calibration implementation. The first array of detectors for Advanced ACTPol, the next generation upgrade to ACTPol, will be deployed in 2016.We plan to continue using both techniques and compare them to astrophysical source measurements for the Advanced ACTPol polarization calibration.

Koopman, Brian↗
NASA NTRS1995

Feasibility of Coupling Between a Single-Mode Elliptical-Core Fiber and a Single Mode Rib Waveguide Over Temperature

To determine the feasibility of coupling the output of an optical fiber to a rib waveguide in a temperature environment ranging from 20 C to 300 C, a theoretical calculation of the coupling efficiency between the two was investigated. This is a significant problem which needs to be addressed to determine whether an integrated optic device can function in a harsh temperature environment. Because the behavior of the integrated-optic device is polarization sensitive, a polarization-preserving optic fiber, via its elliptical core, was used to couple light with a known polarization into the device. To couple light energy efficiently from an optical fiber into a channel waveguide, the design of both components should provide for well-matched electric field profiles. The rib waveguide analyzed was the light input channel of an integrated-optic pressure sensor. Due to the complex geometry of the rib waveguide, there is no analytical solution to the wave equation for the guided modes. Approximation or numerical techniques must be utilized to determine the propagation constants and field patterns of the guide. In this study, three solution methods were used to determine the field profiles of both the fiber and guide: the effective-index method (EIM), Marcatili's approximation, and a Fourier method. These methods were utilized independently to calculate the electric field profile of a rib channel waveguide and elliptical fiber at two temperatures, 20 C and 300 C. These temperatures were chosen to represent a nominal and a high temperature that the device would experience. Using the electric field profile calculated from each method, the theoretical coupling efficiency between the single-mode optical fiber and rib waveguide was calculated using the overlap integral and results of the techniques compared. Initially, perfect alignment was assumed and the coupling efficiency calculated. Then, the coupling efficiency calculation was repeated for a range of transverse offsets at both temperatures. Results of the calculation indicate a high coupling efficiency can be achieved when the two components were properly aligned. The coupling efficiency was more sensitive to alignment offsets in the y direction than the x, due to the elliptical modal profile of both components. Changes in the coupling efficiency over temperature were found to be minimal.

Tuma, Margaret L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Retrieval of aerosol optical characteristics from polarization measurements of reflected solar radiation above the oceans

The reflected near infrared solar radiation observed from space above the oceans is due mainly to the atmosphere scattering, as the ocean surface is nearly black. The molecular Rayleigh contribution is also minimized at infrared wavelengths and it can be evaluated. It is shown that the degree of polarization is much more sensitive to the aerosol properties than the radiance. Measurements of polarization at two wavelengths and with an angular scanning are simulated and an inversion algorithm is proposed. It aims at finding an 'equivalent aerosol model', which reproduces the optical thickness and the asymmetry factor of the actual aerosol at all wavelengths in the solar spectrum.

Santer, R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Significant and Variable Linear Polarization During the Prompt Optical Flash of GRB 160625B

Measurement of polarized light provides a direct probe of magnetic fields in collimated outflows (jets) of relativistic plasma from accreting stellar-mass black holes at cosmological distances. These outflows power brief and intense flashes of prompt gamma-rays known as Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), followed by longer-lived afterglow radiation detected across the electromagnetic spectrum. Rapid-response polarimetric observations of newly discovered GRBs have probed the initial afterglow phase. Linear polarization degrees as high as Π∼30% are detected minutes after the end of the prompt GRB emission, consistent with a stable, globally ordered magnetic field permeating the jet at large distances from the central source. In contrast, optical and gamma-ray observations during the prompt phase led to discordant and often controversial results, and no definitive conclusions on the origin of the prompt radiation or the configuration of the magnetic field could be derived. Here we report the detection of linear polarization of a prompt optical flash that accompanied the extremely energetic and long-lived prompt gamma-ray emission from GRB 160625B. Our measurements probe the structure of the magnetic field at an early stage of the GRB jet, closer to the central source, and show that the prompt GRB phase is produced via fast cooling synchrotron radiation in a large-scale magnetic field advected from the central black hole and distorted from dissipation processes within the jet.

High-energy astrophysics↗
NASA NTRS2017

Significant and Variable Linear Polarization During the Prompt Optical Flash of GRB 160625B

Measurement of polarized light provides a direct probe of magnetic fields in collimated outflows (jets) of relativistic plasma from accreting stellar-mass black holes at cosmological distances. These outflows power brief and intense flashes of prompt gamma-rays known as Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), followed by longer-lived afterglow radiation detected across the electromagnetic spectrum. Rapid-response polarimetric observations of newly discovered GRBs have probed the initial afterglow phase. Linear polarization degrees as high as Π∼30% are detected minutes after the end of the prompt GRB emission, consistent with a stable, globally ordered magnetic field permeating the jet at large distances from the central source. In contrast, optical and gamma-ray observations during the prompt phase led to discordant and often controversial results, and no definitive conclusions on the origin of the prompt radiation or the configuration of the magnetic field could be derived. Here we report the detection of linear polarization of a prompt optical flash that accompanied the extremely energetic and long-lived prompt gamma-ray emission from GRB 160625B. Our measurements probe the structure of the magnetic field at an early stage of the GRB jet, closer to the central source, and show that the prompt GRB phase is produced via fast cooling synchrotron radiation in a large-scale magnetic field advected from the central black hole and distorted from dissipation processes within the jet.

High-energy astrophysics↗
NASA NTRS1992

Optical effects of polar stratospheric clouds on the retrieval of TOMS total ozone

Small areas of sharply reduced ozone density appear frequently in the maps produced from polar region total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) data. These mini-holes are of the order of 1000 km in extent with a lifetime of a few days. On the basis of measurements from ground-based instruments, balloon-borne ozonesondes, and simultaneous measurements of aerosol and ozone concentrations during aircraft flights in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the appearance of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are frequently associated with false reductions in ozone derived from the TOMS albedo data. By combining radiative transfer calculations with the observed PSC and ozone data, it is shown that PSCs located near or above the ozone density maximum (with optical thickness greater than 0.1) can explain most of the differences between TOMS ozone data and ground or in situ ozone measurements. Several examples of real and false TOMS mini-hole phenomenon are investigated using data from the 1989 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) and from balloon flights over Norway and Sweden.

Torres, O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The radio-optical-X-ray spectral flux distributions of blazars

Ten confirmed and probable BL Lac objects were searched for X-ray emission using the Einstein Observatory. All 10 were detected. These data were combined with existing data to form a catalog of 99 confirmed (by measured, high, optical linear polarization) and probable blazars (BL Lac objects and highly polarized quasars). Radio, optical, and X-ray observations are available for 77 of these. One of the ten program objects was observed at four epochs during large radio and optical outbursts. The correlations of radio, optical, and X-ray luminosities are examined.

Ledden, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Angular displacement measuring device

A system for measuring the angular displacement of a point of interest on a structure, such as aircraft model within a wind tunnel, includes a source of polarized light located at the point of interest. A remote detector arrangement detects the orientation of the plane of the polarized light received from the source and compares this orientation with the initial orientation to determine the amount or rate of angular displacement of the point of interest. The detector arrangement comprises a rotating polarizing filter and a dual filter and light detector unit. The latter unit comprises an inner aligned filter and photodetector assembly which is disposed relative to the periphery of the polarizer so as to receive polarized light passing the polarizing filter and an outer aligned filter and photodetector assembly which receives the polarized light directly, i.e., without passing through the polarizing filter. The purpose of the unit is to compensate for the effects of dust, fog and the like. A polarization preserving optical fiber conducts polarized light from a remote laser source to the point of interest.

Seegmiller, H. Lee B.↗