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At least 163 records · Page 9

Theory of electromagnetic transmission structures. I - Relativistic foundation and network formalisms

A new theorem on a class of four-dimensional skew-symmetric tensors is demonstrated. Coupled with the relativistic covariant form of Maxwell's equations, this theorem consolidates the classifications of guided waves by combining the three types - TE, TM, TEM - under a uniform condition applied to the generating four-potential which is Lorentz invariant. Each type corresponds to a potential of which a pair of the four components vanishes in a particular frame. Through appropriate normalization conditions, the resulting time-domain equations for the field amplitudes are readily reduced to modified telegraphist equations, which in turn lead to distributed network representations for each of the three types. The ambiguity of distributed network formalisms in general is elucidated and the concept of network parameter densities such as traditionally employed in TEM transmission line theory is questioned.

Gabriel, G. J.↗

Multiwavelength monolithic integrated fiber optics terminal - An update

This paper serves as an update for the Multiwavelength Monolithic Integrated Fiber Optic Terminal (MMIFOT) being developed by MDAC-St. Louis for NASA's Johnson Space Center. The program objective is to utilize guided wave optical technology to develop a passive optical wavelength multiplexing subsystem with a single mode optical fiber serving as the transmission medium.

Spear-Zino, J. D.↗

Voyager observations of Jupiter's distant magnetotail

Observations of locally trapped nonthermal continuum radiation and distant encounters with the Jovian magnetotail are reported. An attempt is made to deduce information on the morphology of the distant tail of Jupiter. It is noted that the observations of continuum radiation trapped in low-density regions of the solar wind suggest that Voyager may at times be connected to the distant tail by a low-density trough which acts as a wave guide and allows radiation from the tail to reach the spacecraft.

Kurth, W. S.↗

Development of the multiwavelength monolithic integrated fiber optics terminal

This paper describes the development of the Multiwavelength Monolithic Integrated Fiber Optic Terminal (MMIFOT) for the NASA Johnson Space Center. The program objective is to utilize guided wave optical technology to develop wavelength-multiplexing and -demultiplexing units, using a single mode optical fiber for transmission between terminals. Intensity modulated injection laser diodes, chirped diffraction gratings and thin film lenses are used to achieve the wavelength-multiplexing and -demultiplexing. The video and audio data transmission test of an integrated optical unit with a Luneburg collimation lens, waveguide diffraction grating and step index condensing lens is described.

Chubb, C. R.↗

Field-aligned electron density irregularities near 500 km. Equator to polar cap topside sounder Z mode observations

In addition to spread F, evidence for field-aligned electron density irregularities is commonly observed on Alouette 2 topside sounder ionograms recorded near perigee (500 km). This evidence is provided by distinctive signal returns from sounder-generated Z mode waves. At low latitudes these waves become guided in wave ducts caused by field-aligned electron density irregularities and give rise to strong long-duration echoes. At high latitudes, extending well into the polar cap, these Z mode waves (and stimulated electrostatic waves at the plasma frequency) produce a series of vertical bars on the ionogram display as the satellite traverses discrete field-aligned density structures. The radio frequency (RF) noise environment to be expected in the 400 to 500 km altitude region from low to high latitudes was examined by analyzing perigee Alouette 2 topside sounder data. All observed noise bands were scaled on nearly 200 topside sounder ionograms recorded near perigee at low, mid, and high latitude telemetry stations. The minimum and maximum frequencies of each noise band were entered into a data base or compuer analysis. The signals of primary interest in the perigee study were found to be sounder-generated.

Benson, R. F.↗

Field-aligned electron density irregularities near 500 km Equator to polar cap topside sounder observations

In addition to spread F, evidence for field-aligned electron density irregularities is commonly observed on Alouette 2 topside sounder ionograms recorded near perigee (500 km). This evidence is provided by distinctive signal returns from sounder-generated Z mode waves. At low latitudes these waves become guided in wave ducts caused by field-aligned electron density irregularities and give rise to strong long-duration echoes. At high latitudes, extending well into the polar cap, these Z mode waves (and stimulated electrostatic waves at the plasma frequency) produce a series of vertical bars on the ionogram display as the satellite traverses discrete field-aligned density structures. The radio frequency (RF) noise environment to be expected in the 400 to 500 km altitude region from low to high latitudes was examined by analyzing perigee Alouette 2 topside sounder data. All observed noise bands were scaled on nearly 200 topside sounder ionograms recorded near perigee at low, mid, and high latitude telemetry stations. The minimum and maximum frequencies of each noise band were entered into a data base or computer analysis. The signals of primary interest in the perigee study were found to be sounder-generated.

Benson, R. F.↗

MMIC devices for active phased array antennas

The use of finlines for microwave monolithic integrated circuit application in the 20 to 40 GHz frequency range. Other wave guiding structures, are also examined from a comparative point of view and some sonclusions are drawn on the basis of the results.

Mittra, R.↗

Effect of triangular element orientation on finite element solutions of the Helmholtz equation

The Galerkin finite element solutions for the scalar homogeneous Helmholtz equation are presented for no reflection, hard wall, and potential relief exit terminations with a variety of triangular element orientations. For this group of problems, the correlation between the accuracy of the solution and the orientation of the linear triangle is examined. Nonsymmetric element patterns are found to give generally poor results in the model problems investigated, particularly for cases where standing waves exist. For a fixed number of vertical elements, the results showed that symmetric element patterns give much better agreement with corresponding exact analytical results. In laminated wave guide application, the symmetric pyramid pattern is convenient to use and is shown to give excellent results.

Baumeister, K. J.↗

Acoustical Measurement Of Mine-Shaft Length

Acoustical system proposed to measure depth of a "blind" shaft. Acoustic wave guided by shaft and provides estimate of shaft length, from which volume estimated. Acoustic-generator system determines resonant-frequency difference to measure shaft length.

Heyman, Joseph S.↗

Low-g propellant gaging

A program to develop and demonstrate technology for low gravity propellant gaging on future geostationary satellites is described. Evaluations were performed to select four gaging concepts for ground tests and low gravity tests in the NASA KC-135 aircraft. The selected concepts were: (1) an ultrasonic point sensor system, (2) a nucleonic gaging system, (3) an ultrasonic torsional wave guide, and (4) an ultrasonic flowmeter. As a result of successful ground and KC-135 tests, two concepts (the ultrasonic point sensor and the nucleonic systems) were selected for orbital test in a shuttle Get-Away-Special experiment.

Orton, George↗

Omni-directional L-band antenna for mobile communications

The principle and design of an L-band omni-directional mobile communication antenna are discussed. The antenna is a circular wave guide aperture with hybrid circuits attached to higher order mode excitation. It produces polarized and symmetric two split beams in elevation. The circular waveguide is fed by eight probes with a 90 degree phase shift between their inputs. Radiation pattern characteristics are controlled by adjusting the aperture diameter and mode excitation. This antenna satisfies gain requirements as well as withstanding the harsh environment.

Kim, C. S.↗

Submillimeter backward wave oscillators

A NASA program for the development of backward wave oscillators (BWOs) for the 500-2000 GHz frequency range is discussed. The BWO operation is based on a periodic etched slow wave structure which supports the induced traveling electromagnetic wave. The present submillimeter wave BWOs will employ a variation of the folded wave guide, the interdigital line. The use of a noncompressed electron beam results in less thermal loading of the circuit, smaller magnetic focusing fields, and higher current density of the circuit interaction region. The diamond etching procedure is described. Aluminum will be used for the metallization of the diamonds.

Dayton, J. A.↗

Ti:LiNbO3 components for a fiber gyroscope

It is maintained that integrated optics will play a major role in the next generation of fiber gyros since the potential exists for mass producing low-cost integrated gyro front-end circuits. Ti:LiNbO3 wave guide technology has been used to demonstrate all the necessary components. The combined use of the 3dB splitter and polarizer functions in a 3 x 3 directional coupler is considered. Such a device was designed for operation at lambda = 1.3 microns and fabricated with 6.5-micron Ti strip widths, and a 1050 C/6 hr diffusion.

Minford, W. J.↗

Optical waveguides in oxygen-implanted buried-oxide silicon-on-insulator structures

An analysis is made of the waveguiding properties of the oxygen-implanted, buried-oxide, silicon-on-insulator structures currently being developed for use in microelectronics. It is found that in spite of the fact that the buried-oxide layer is only a few tenths of a micrometer thick, the single-crystal overlayer can support TEo guided-wave propagation, at subbandgap wavelengths, with losses due to substrate radiation leakage at or below the benchmark level of 1 dB/cm.

Kurdi, B. N.↗

Acoustic response of a rectangular waveguide with a strong transverse temperature gradient

An acoustic wave equation was developed for a perfect gas with spatially-variable temperature. The strong-gradient wave equation was used to analyze the response of a rectangular wave guide containing a thermally-stratified gas. It was assumed that the temperature gradient is constant, representing one-dimensional heat transfer with a constant coefficient of conductivity. The analysis of the waveguide shows that the resonant frequencies of the waveguide are shifted away from the values that would be expected from the average temperature of the waveguide. For small gradients, the frequency shift is proportional to the square of the gradient. The factor of proportionality is a quadratic function of the natural frequency of the waveguide with uniform temperature. An experiment is designed to verify the essential features of the strong-gradient theory.

Zorumski, William E.↗

Measurements of complex permittivity of microwave substrates in the 20 to 300 K temperature range from 26.5 to 40.0 GHz

A knowledge of the dielectric properties of microwave substrates at low temperatures is useful in the design of superconducting microwave circuits. Results are reported for a study of the complex permittivity of sapphire (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), silicon oxide (SiO2), lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2), in the 20 to 300 Kelvin temperature range, at frequencies from 26.5 to 40.0 GHz. The values of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity were obtained from the scattering parameters, which were measured using a HP-8510 automatic network analyzer. For these measurements, the samples were mounted on the cold head of a helium gas closed cycle refrigerator, in a specially designed vacuum chamber. An arrangement of wave guides, with mica windows, was used to connect the cooling system to the network analyzer. A decrease in the value of the real part of the complex permittivity of these substrates, with decreasing temperature, was observed. For MgO and Al2O3, the decrease from room temperature to 20 K was of 7 and 15 percent, respectively. For LaAlO3, it decreased by 14 percent, for ZrO2 by 15 percent, and for SiO2 by 2 percent, in the above mentioned temperature range.

Miranda, Felix A.↗

Remote sensing of the thermal forcing on the tropical Pacific

Monthly fields of shortwave radiation (SR) and latent heat flux (LE) over the central and eastern tropical Pacific between 1980 and 1983 have been computed using satellite data. They are the dominant variable components of surface thermal forcing on the ocean in this time scale. During the 1982-1983 ENSO episode, surface-wind convergence and cloudiness associated with the displacement of equatorial organized convection caused a reduction in both the SR into the ocean and the LE out of the ocean. The lag-correlation coefficients between the forcing (SR-LE) and the sea surface temperature are found to be significantly high outside the equatorial region, showing that surface thermal forcing is the dominant factor in sea surface temperature change. In the narrow equatorial wave guide, ocean dynamics play a more important role, and surface heat flux is a consequence rather than the cause of sea surface temperature change.

Liu, W. Timothy↗

Coherent communication link using diode-pumped lasers

Work toward developing a diffraction limited, single frequency, modulated transmitter suitable for coherent optical communication or direct detection communication is discussed. Diode pumped, monolithic Nd:YAG nonplanar ring oscillators were used as the carrier beam. An external modulation technique which can handle high optical powers, has moderate modulation voltage, and which can reach modulation rates of 1 GHz was invented. Semiconductor laser pumped solid-state lasers which have high output power (0.5 Watt) and which oscillate at a single frequency, in a diffraction limited beam, at the wavelength of 1.06 microns were built. A technique for phase modulating the laser output by 180 degrees with a 40-volt peak to peak driving voltage is demonstrated. This technique can be adapted for amplitude modulation of 100 percent with the same voltage. This technique makes use of a resonant bulk modulator, so it does not have the power handling limitations of guided wave modulators.

Kane, Thomas J.↗