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NASA NTRS2018

Study of Dissipative Losses in AC-Biased Mo/Au Bilayer Transition-Edge Sensors

We are developing kilo-pixel arrays of transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on ESA's (European Space Agency's) Athena observatory. Previous measurements of AC-biased Mo/Au TESs have highlighted a frequency-dependent loss mechanism that results in broader transitions and worse spectral performance compared to the same devices measured under DC (Direct Current) bias. In order to better understand the nature of this loss, we are now studying TES pixels in different geometric configurations. We present measurements on devices of different sizes and with different metal features used for noise mitigation and X-ray absorption. Our results show how the loss mechanism is strongly dependent upon the amount of metal in close proximity to the sensor and can be attributed to induced eddy current coupling to these features. We present a finite element model that successfully reproduces the magnitude and geometry dependence of the losses. Using this model, we present mitigation strategies that should reduce the losses to an acceptable level.

Sakai, K.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Microcalorimeter Array Development for the ATHENA X-Ray Integral Field Unit

The X-ray integral field unit (X-IFU) for ESA's Athena X-ray observatory will consist of 3840 AC-biased transition edge sensors (TESs), read out using frequency domain multiplexing (FDM). In this paper we describe details of the latest pixels geometries that are being designed for the current baseline array configuration. This includes details on how important TES properties (transition parameters, thermal design of the pixels, absorber composition) are being optimized to meet the target energy resolution, count-rate and quantum efficiency. We also present the latest design optimizations specifically targeted at mitigating AC-bias phenomena in Mo/Au TESs that can degrade performance.

Smith, Stephen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Alternating Direct Current (ADC) - A New Form of Efficient Energy Transmission for Renewable Sources

The prevailing means of electricity transmission through Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) have limitations with the ongoing transition to renewable energy sources. In this paper, we discuss a new form of energy transmission, known as alternating direct current (ADC) that would provide significant savings in energy consumption and simultaneously allow efficient utilization of generated energy from renewable sources. This has become possible due to substantial advances in electronics and optoelectronics technologies since the days of Nicholas Tesla and Thomas Edison. Recent efforts of implementing the proposed ADC technology in relevant environments have demonstrated significant energy savings and opened a new paradigm that has the potential to provide an efficient and cost-effective pathway for transition to renewable energy sources even with the existing grid infrastructure. The DC power utilization initiated by Thomas Edison can be stored in battery arrangement but suffers from line loss and hence is not efficient for long-distance transmission. However, AC power developed by Nicholas Tesla cannot be stored efficiently but can be transmitted over long distances due to significantly lower line losses. Currently, AC power is the global foundational energy transmission methodology used because of events that took place over 135 years ago involving Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse, and since AC power can transmit long distances from power plants to end users efficiently and economically. Approximately 50 years ago, the introduction of semiconductors in commercialized electronic devices and products changed the way people consume electricity. Also, over the years, the expanding adaptation of nonlinear loads has adversely affected the grid stability and hence the utility infrastructures worldwide.

AC↗

NASA NTRS2012

Life Cycle of Midlatitude Deep Convective Systems in a Lagrangian Framework

Deep Convective Systems (DCSs) consist of intense convective cores (CC), large stratiform rain (SR) regions, and extensive non-precipitating anvil clouds (AC). This study focuses on the evolution of these three components and the factors that affect convective AC production. An automated satellite tracking method is used in conjunction with a recently developed multi-sensor hybrid classification to analyze the evolution of DCS structure in a Lagrangian framework over the central United States. Composite analysis from 4221 tracked DCSs during two warm seasons (May-August, 2010-2011) shows that maximum system size correlates with lifetime, and longer-lived DCSs have more extensive SR and AC. Maximum SR and AC area lag behind peak convective intensity and the lag increases linearly from approximately 1-hour for short-lived systems to more than 3-hours for long-lived ones. The increased lag, which depends on the convective environment, suggests that changes in the overall diabatic heating structure associated with the transition from CC to SR and AC could prolong the system lifetime by sustaining stratiform cloud development. Longer-lasting systems are associated with up to 60% higher mid-tropospheric relative humidity and up to 40% stronger middle to upper tropospheric wind shear. Regression analysis shows that the areal coverage of thick AC is strongly correlated with the size of CC, updraft strength, and SR area. Ambient upper tropospheric wind speed and wind shear also play an important role for convective AC production where for systems with large AC (radius greater than 120-km) they are 24% and 20% higher, respectively, than those with small AC (radius=20 km).

Feng, Zhe↗

NASA NTRS2005

MicroPPT-Based Secondary/Backup ACS for a 160-m, 450-kg Solar Sail Spacecraft

Solar sail tip-mounted, lightweight pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) are proposed for a secondary (or backup) attitude control system (ACS) of a 160-m, 450-kg solar sail spacecraft of the Solar Polar Imager (SPI) mission. A propellantless primary ACS of the SPI sailcraft employs trim control masses running along mast lanyards for pitch/yaw control together with roll stabilizer bars at the mast tips for quadrant tilt (roll) control. The robustness of such a propellantless primary ACS would be further enhanced by a secondary ACS utilizing tip-mounted, lightweight PPTs. The microPPT-based ACS is intended mainly for attitude recovery maneuvers from various off-nominal conditions that cannot be reliably handled by the propellantless primary ACS. However, it can also be employed for: i) the checkout or standby mode prior to and during sail deployment, ii) the post-deployment transition mode (prior to the propellantless primary ACS mode operation), iii) the solar sailing cruise mode of a trimmed sailcraft, and iv) the spin-stabilized, sun-pointing, safe mode. Although a conventional bus ACS is required for the SPI mission as the sail is jettisoned at the start of its science mission phase, the microPPT-based ACS option promises greater redundancy and robustness for the SPI mission. For other sailing missions, where the sail is never jettisoned, this secondary ACS provides a lower-cost, lower-mass propulsion for deployment control and greater redundancy than any traditional reaction-jet control system. This paper presents an overview nf the state--of-the--art microPPT technology, the design requirements of microPPTs for solar sail attitude control, and the preliminary ACS design and simulation results.

Wie, Bong↗

NASA NTRS1997

Single Crystal Synthesis and STM Studies of High Temperature Superconductors

This is a final report for the work initiated in September of 1994 under the grant NAG8-1085 - NASA/OMU, on the fabrication of bulk and single crystal synthesis, specific heat measuring and STM studies of high temperature superconductors. Efforts were made to fabricate bulk and single crystals of mercury based superconducting material. A systematic thermal analysis on the precursors for the corresponding oxides and carbonates were carried out to synthesized bulk samples. Bulk material was used as seed in an attempt to grow single crystals by a two-step self flux process. On the other hand bulk samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility, We studied the specific heat behavior in the range from 80 to 300 K. Some preliminary attempts were made to study the atomic morphology of our samples. As part of our efforts we built an ac susceptibility apparatus for measuring the transition temperature of our sintered samples.

Barrientos, Alfonso↗

NASA NTRS1993

Gibbs free-energy difference between the glass and crystalline phases of a Ni-Zr alloy

The heats of eutectic melting and devitrification, and the specific heats of the crystalline, glass, and liquid phases have been measured for a Ni24Zr76 alloy. The data are used to calculate the Gibbs free-energy difference, Delta G(AC), between the real glass and the crystal on an assumption that the liquid-glass transition is second order. The result shows that Delta G(AC) continuously increases as the temperature decreases in contrast to the ideal glass case where Delta G(AC) is assumed to be independent of temperature.

Ohsaka, K.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Experiments with phase transitions at very high pressure

Diamond cells were constructed for use to 1 Mbar. A refrigerator for cooling diamond cells was adapted for studies between 15 and 300 K. A cryostat for superconductivity studies between 1.5 to 300 K was constructed. Optical equipment was constructed for fluorescence, transmission, and reflectance studies. X-ray equipment was adapted for use with diamond cells. Experimental techniques were developed for X-ray diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation. AC susceptibility techniques were developed for detecting superconducting transitions. The following materials were studied: compressed solidified gases (Xe, Ar), semiconductors (Ge, Si, GaAs), superconductors (Nb3Ge, Nb3Si, Nb3As, CuCl), molecular crystals (I).

Spain, I. L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Superconductivity in 2-2-3 Y2Ba2Cu3O(sub 8+ delta)

Researchers synthesized a new high T(sub c) 2-2-3 superconductor (Y2Ba2Cu3O8+delta) by a special preparation technique and characterized it by ac-susceptibility measurements. Diamagnetism and Meissner effect sets in at low fields and superconducting transition onsets at 90 K. The systematic investigation of the real and imaginary components of ac-susceptibility as a function of temperature and applied ac magnetic field reveals that the magnetic behavior is that of a granular type superconductor.

Joshi, H. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Superconductivity in 2-2-3 system Y2Ba2Cu2O(8+delta)

Researchers synthesized a new high T(sub c) 2-2-3 superconductor Y2Ba2Cu3O(8+delta) by a special preparation technique and characterized it by ac-susceptibility measurements. Diamagnetism and Meissner effect sets in at low fields and superconducting transition onsets at 90 K. The systematic investigation of the real and imaginary components of ac-susceptibility as a function of temperature and applied ac magnetic field reveals that the magnetic behavior is that of a granular type superconductor.

Joshi, H. H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

The Software Design for the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer Attitude Control System

The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE), currently scheduled for launch in September 1998, is the fifth of five spacecraft in the NASA/Goddard Small Explorer (SMEX) series. This paper presents the design of WIRE's Attitude Control System flight software (ACS FSW). WIRE is a momentum-biased, three-axis stabilized stellar pointer which provides high-accuracy pointing and autonomous acquisition for eight to ten stellar targets per orbit. WIRE's short mission life and limited cryogen supply motivate requirements for Sun and Earth avoidance constraints which are designed to prevent catastrophic instrument damage and to minimize the heat load on the cryostat. The FSW implements autonomous fault detection and handling (FDH) to enforce these instrument constraints and to perform several other checks which insure the safety of the spacecraft. The ACS FSW implements modules for sensor data processing, attitude determination, attitude control, guide star acquisition, actuator command generation, command/telemetry processing, and FDH. These software components are integrated with a hierarchical control mode managing module that dictates which software components are currently active. The lowest mode in the hierarchy is the 'safest' one, in the sense that it utilizes a minimal complement of sensors and actuators to keep the spacecraft in a stable configuration (power and pointing constraints are maintained). As higher modes in the hierarchy are achieved, the various software functions are activated by the mode manager, and an increasing level of attitude control accuracy is provided. If FDH detects a constraint violation or other anomaly, it triggers a safing transition to a lower control mode. The WIRE ACS FSW satisfies all target acquisition and pointing accuracy requirements, enforces all pointing constraints, provides the ground with a simple means for reconfiguring the system via table load, and meets all the demands of its real-time embedded environment (16 MHz Intel 80386 processor with 80387 coprocessor running under the VRTX operating system). The mode manager organizes and controls all the software modules used to accomplish these goals, and in particular, the FDH module is tightly coupled with the mode manager.

Anderson, Mark O.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 1

Electrical characterization and qualification tests were performed on the RCA MWS5001D, 1024 by 1-bit, CMOS, random access memory. Characterization tests were performed on five devices. The tests included functional tests, AC parametric worst case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times and a series of schmoo plots. The qualification tests were performed on 32 devices and included a 2000 hour burn in with electrical tests performed at 0 hours and after 168, 1000, and 2000 hours of burn in. The tests performed included functional tests and AC and DC parametric tests. All of the tests in the characterization phase, with the exception of the worst-case transition test, were performed at ambient temperatures of 25, -55 and 125 C. The worst-case transition test was performed at 25 C. The preburn in electrical tests were performed at 25, -55, and 125 C. All burn in endpoint tests were performed at 25, -40, -55, 85, and 125 C.

Klute, A.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Experimental investigation of the critical magnetic fields of transition metal superconductors

The isothermal magnetic transitions of a type 2 superconductor have been studied by AC susceptibility techniques as a function of the amplitude and frequency of the exciting field. The field variation of the complex susceptibility was used to determine the critical fields. The research was planned to clarify the determination (both experimentally and theoretically) of the maximum field at which the superconductive phase spontaneously nucleates in the bulk and on the surface of the metal.

Mcevoy, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Effect of thermal history on mechanical properties of polyetheretherketone below the glass transition temperature

The effect of thermal history on the tensile properties of polyetheretherketone neat resin films was investigated at different test temperatures (125, 25, and -100) using four samples: fast-quenched amorphous (Q); quenched, then crystallized at 180 C (C180); slowly cooled (for about 16 h) from the melt (SC); and air-cooled (2-3 h) from the melt (AC). It was found that thermal history significantly affects the tensile properties of the material below the glass transition. Fast quenched amorphous films were most tough, could be drawn to greatest strain before rupture, and undergo densification during necking; at the test temperature of -100 C, these films had the best ultimate mechanical properties. At higher temperatures, the semicrystalline films AC and C180 had properties that compared favorably with the Q films. The SC films exhibited poor mechanical properties at all test temperatures.

Cebe, Peggy↗

NASA NTRS2011

AC Read-Out Circuits for Single Pixel Characterization of TES Microcalorimeters and Bolometers

SRON is developing Frequency Domain Multiplexing (FDM) for the read-out of transition edge sensor (TES) soft x-ray microcalorimeters for the XMS instrument of the International X-ray Observatory and far-infrared bolometers for the SAFARI instrument on the Japanese mission SPICA. In FDM the TESs are AC voltage biased at frequencies from 0.5 to 6 MHz in a superconducting LC resonant circuit and the signal is read-out by low noise and high dynamic range SQUIDs amplifiers. The TES works as an amplitude modulator. We report on several AC bias experiments performed on different detectors. In particular, we discuss the results on the characterization of Goddard Space Flight Center x-ray pixels and SRON bolometers. The paper focuses on the analysis of different read-out configurations developed to optimize the noise and the impedance matching between the detectors and the SQUID amplifier. A novel feedback network electronics has been developed to keep the SQUID in flux locked loop, when coupled to superconducting high Q circuits, and to optimally tune the resonant bias circuit. The achieved detector performances are discussed in view of the instrument requirement for the two space missions.

Gottardi, L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5501D Random Access Memory, Volume 2, Appendix a

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. The address access time, address readout time, the data hold time, and the data setup time are some of the results surveyed.

Klute, A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 3, Appendix B

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. The test values for the output voltage, average input current, the supply current and the leakage current are presented.

Klute, A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 4, Appendix C

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. Statistical analysis data is supplied along with write pulse width, read cycle time, write cycle time, and chip enable time data.

Klute, A.↗