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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

Atmospheric model development in support of SEASAT. Volume 4: Forecast model sensitivity study

Atmospheric analysis and prediction models of varying (grid) resolution were developed. The models were tested using real observational data for the purpose of assessing the impact of grid resolution on short range numerical weather prediction. The work statement was amended to include the performance of sensitivity tests using a coarse mesh (63 x 63 x 5 level) prediction model in order to identify and order factors which might mask or impair the utility of SEASAT data on short range weather prediction. Such factors included: initial conditions; topography; surface friction; latent heating; diffusion of momentum and temperature; and computational devices such as tendency truncators, pressure smoothers, and temporal filters.

Lewit, H. L.↗

Research of microwave scattering properties of snow fields

The results obtained in the research program of microwave scattering properties of snow fields are presented. Experimental results are presented showing backscatter dependence on frequency (5.8-8.0 GHz), angle of incidence (0-60 degrees), snow wetness (time of day), and frequency modulation (0-500 MHz). Theoretical studies are being made of the inverse scattering problem yielding some preliminary results concerning the determination of the dielectric constant of the snow layer. The experimental results lead to the following conclusions: snow layering affects backscatter, layer response is significant up to 45 degrees of incidence, wetness modifies snow layer effects, frequency modulation masks the layer response, and for the proper choice of probing frequency and for nominal snow depths, it appears to be possible to measure the effective dielectric constant and the corresponding water content of a snow pack.

Angelakos, D. J.↗

High performance, inexpensive solar cell process capable of a high degree of automation

This paper proposes a process for inexpensive high performance solar cell fabrication that can be automated for further cost reduction and higher throughputs. The unique feature of the process is the use of oxides as doping sources for simultaneous n(+) junction formation and back p(+) layer, as a mask for metallization and as an in situ AR coating for spectrum matching. Cost analysis is performed to show that significant cost reductions over the conventional process is possible using the proposed scheme and the cost intensive steps are identified which can be further reduced to make the process compatible with the needed price goals of 50 cents/watt. The process was demonstrated by fabricating n(+)-p cells using Arsenic doped oxides. Simple n(+)-p structure cells showed corrected efficiencies of 14.5% (AMO) and 12% with doped oxide as an in situ antireflection coating.

Shah, P.↗

Infrared image construction with computer-generated reflection holograms

Computer-generated reflection holograms hold substantial promise as a means of carrying out complex machining, marking, scribing, welding, soldering, heat treating, and similar processing operations simultaneously and without moving the work piece or laser beam. In the study described, a photographically reduced transparency of a 64 x 64 element Lohmann hologram was used to make a mask which, in turn, was used (with conventional photoresist techniques) to produce a holographic reflector. Images from a commercial CO2 laser (150W TEM(00)) and the holographic reflector are illustrated and discussed.

Angus, J. C.↗

Annual variation in temperature and composition of the thermosphere and upper mesosphere

A three-dimensional circulation model, including UV (O2 dissociation) and EUV sources, is used to study the wind field and the effects of temperature and composition on annual thermospheric variations. The results are compared to those of OGO-6 and AE-C. Within an 800-1200 K temperature range, summer to winter temperature variation is studied as a function of solar activity. It is found that the model correctly predicts H, He, O, N2, O2, and Ar measurements. It is suggested that a small winter maximum in mesospheric temperature is caused by large-scale circulation induced by EUV heating. This effect, however, is masked by the energy released in O2 dissociation. The annual temperature amplitude and the winter oxygen bulge are noted to increase with increasing solar activity, whereas the winter helium bulge is noted to decrease with enhanced exospheric return flow. It is felt that the dependence of the F2 region winter anomaly on solar activity may be significantly affected by the solar activity effect in atomic oxygen.

Mayr, H. G.↗

Airborne infrared spectrophotometry of Mira variables

Airborne spectrophotometric observations of R Cas near minimum and maximum light, R Leo near minimum, and NML Tau near maximum are reported which were obtained over the wavelength range from 1.2 to 4 microns with 1.5% resolution. The spectral energy distributions of the three stars at the indicated times are presented, and it is shown that the H2O bands at 1.4, 1.9, and 2.7 microns are clearly evident in all the spectra, while the absorption bands of CO at about 1.6 and 2.3 microns are probably present although they are masked by the strong water vapor features. The results indicate that water vapor is the dominant opacity source in the atmospheres of Mira variables, that R Leo and NML Tau may be fitted well over the entire spectrum by respective single temperatures of 2250 and 1800 K, and that R Cas near both minimum and maximum cannot be adequately described by one temperature over the entire wavelength range investigated. The shapes and depths of the absorption bands are determined together with the apparent angular diameter of each star and the equivalent widths of the H2O + CO absorption bands. It is concluded that water vapor absorption is more strongly correlated with color temperature than with spectral type for R Cas and R Leo.

Strecker, D. W.↗

Enhancement of solar heavy nuclei at high energies in the 4 July 1974 event

Relative abundances of energetic nuclei in the July 4, 1974, solar event are presented. The results show a marked enhancement of abundances that systematically increase with nuclear charge numbers in the range of the observation (Z between 6 and 26) for energies above 15 MeV/nucl. While such enhancements are commonly seen below 10 MeV/nucl, most observations at higher energies are found to be consistent with solar-system abundances. The energy spectrum of oxygen is observed to be significantly steeper than most other solar events studied in this energy region. It is proposed that these observations are characteristic of particle populations at energies of the order of 1 MeV/nucl and that the anomalous features observed may be the result of the high-energy extension of such a population that is commonly masked by other processes or populations that might occur in larger solar events.

Bertsch, D. L.↗

A quantitative study of the orientation bias of some edge detector schemes

The article discusses the orientational biases of various edge detection methods. On the basis of ERTS satellite images, three methods are compared: (1) Heuckel's local visual operator (1973), (2) Macleod's Gaussian edge mask detector (1972), and (3) Rosenfeld's local difference calculations (1971). The results yielded by these techniques are compared to the method for quantifying edge detector performance developed by Herskovits (1970).

Deutsch, E. S.↗

Detected noise levels guide radiometer design

A survey of component demands and design techniques for radiometers is presented. The design of a typical radiometer is traced from the antenna through the video and data-collection stages. Key design equations are given. An example is considered that shows how IF amplifier gain must be chosen to mask video noise. The influence of front-end losses on back-end design is studied.

Schuchardt, J. M.↗

Temporary insulation with polyurethane foam

Masking parts with Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) tape allows easy removal of insulation; therefore, insulation can be used temporarily while testing of parts and then removed for their reworking.

Jackson, R. G.↗

CMOS circuit-fabrication handbook

Report describes complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process used to fabricate integrated circuits at Marshall Space Flight Center. It also presents general discussions of circuit design, mask making packaging, and testing.

Bouldin, D. L.↗

Improved process control for VMOS FET's

Method is applied in middle of fabrication process: (a) after mask region is formed, diffused-boron region is etched; (b) etching is left incomplete for ion implantation; (c) boron ions are implanted into region to define accurately crucial geometry of V-groove; (d) groove is etched to completion, forming two well-defined diffusion regions that serve as source and drain of transistor. Remaining process is conventional.

Jhabvala, M. D.↗

Late diagenetic indicators of buried oil and gas. 2: Direct detection experiment at Cement and Garza fields, Oklahoma and Texas, using enhanced LANDSAT 1 and 2 images

The author has identified the following significant results. The Cement oil field, Oklahoma, was a test site for an experiment designed to evaluate LANDSAT's capability to detect an alteration zone in surface rocks caused by hydrocarbon microseepage. Loss of iron and impregnation of sandstone by carbonate cements and replacement of gypsum by calcite were the major alteration phenomena at Cement. The bedrock alterations were partially masked by unaltered overlying beds, thick soils, and dense natural and cultivated vegetation. Interpreters, biased by detailed ground truth, were able to map the alteration zone subjectively using a magnified, filtered, and sinusoidally stretched LANDSAT composite image; other interpreters, unbiased by ground truth data, could not duplicate that interpretation.

Donovan, T. J.↗

Development of Low Cost Contacts to Silicon Solar Cells

Commercial electroless Cu solutions were used. Satisfactory adhesion (and fairly good cell performance) resulted from the use of thin layers of barrier metals such as Au, Cr or Pd. In these tests, photoresist masks were used to contact silicon P-type slices with diffused N+ and alloyed P+ surfaces; and electrolytic Cu solution was used to build up the contact thickness to provide good cell behavior. In addition some cells with evaporated Cr-Cu contacts were also made (along with evaporated Ti-Pd-Ag contacts as controls), with the intention of subjecting cells to gradually increasing heat-treatments, to determine whether Cu causes the cells to be inherently unstable.

Iles, P. A.↗

Scaling laws and edge effects for polymer surface discharges

Specimens of Mylar sheet were exposed to a 20 kV electron beam. The resulting surface discharge arcs were photographed and the discharge current into a metal backing plate measured as a function of time. The area of the Mylar sheet was defined by a round aperture in a close-fitting metal mask, and the current pulse characteristics were plotted against area on log-log paper. The plots appear as straight lines (due to power-law behavior) with slopes of 0.50 for the peak current, 1.00 for the charge released, 1.49 for the energy and 0.55 for the pulse duration. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of banded charge distributions near grounded edges, on both Teflon and Mylar.

Balmain, K. G.↗

CMOS array design automation techniques

The design considerations and the circuit development for a 4096-bit CMOS SOS ROM chip, the ATL078 are described. Organization of the ATL078 is 512 words by 8 bits. The ROM was designed to be programmable either at the metal mask level or by a directed laser beam after processing. The development of a 4K CMOS SOS ROM fills a void left by available ROM chip types, and makes the design of a totally major high speed system more realizable.

Lombardi, T.↗

Spatial-frequency response of the limb infrared monitor of the stratosphere

Measurements from the Limb Infrared Monitor of the stratosphere (LIMS) are presented and discussed. From the LIMS design model data, the modulation transfer function (MTF) was calculated for the optical system, the detector field mask, the electronics, and the overall system for each channel. The signal output performance of the instrument was predicted from the system MTF data and model input radiance data for each channel. The MTF measurements made on the flight sensor confirmed the analytical results.

Wilson, R. G.↗

Minimizing the RMS surface distortions from gravity loadings of the 34-m HA-DEC antenna for deep space missions

The computer analysis of the 34-m HA-DEC antenna by the IDEAS program provided the rms distortions of the surface panels support points for full gravity loadings in the three directions of the basic coordinate system of the computer model. The rms distortions for the gravity vector not in line with any of the three basic directions were solved and contour plotted starting from three surface panels setting declination angle. By inspections of the plots, it was concluded that the setting or rigging angle of -15 degrees declination minimized the rms distortions for sky coverage of plus or minus 22 declination angles to 10 degrees of ground mask.

Katow, S. M.↗