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At least 19 records

Radio electronics

Low noise amplifiers, laser radar optics, gas lasers and holography, and microminiaturized solid state devices for radio electronics

LIDAR↗

Coordinated Radio, Electron, and Waves Experiment (CREWE) for the NASA Comet Rendezvous and Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) instrument

The Coordinated Radio, Electron, and Waves Experiment (CREWE) was designed to determine density, bulk velocity and temperature of the electrons for the NASA Comet Rendezvous and Asteroid Flyby Spacecraft, to define the MHD-SW IMF flow configuration; to clarify the role of impact ionization processes, to comment on the importance of anomalous ionization phenomena (via wave particle processes), to quantify the importance of wave turbulence in the cometary interaction, to establish the importance of photoionization via the presence of characteristic lines in a structured energy spectrum, to infer the presence and grain size of significant ambient dust column density, to search for the theoretically suggested 'impenetrable' contact surface, and to quantify the flow of heat (in the likelihood that no surface exists) that will penetrate very deep into the atmosphere supplying a good deal of heat via impact and charge exchange ionization. This final report provides an instrument description, instrument test plans, list of deliverables/schedule, flight and support equipment and software schedule, CREWE accommodation issues, resource requirements, status of major contracts, an explanation of the non-NASA funded efforts, status of EIP and IM plan, descope options, and Brinton questions.

Scudder, Jack D.↗

The solar radio corona: Manifestations of energetic electrons

Radio observations are powerful tools which are complementary to the space missions devoted to the physics of the flares, of the corona, or of the interplanetary medium. To undertake this task two multifrequency radioheliographs presently exist: the Nancay instrument (the multifrequency facility will be in operation by the end of 1985) observes the middle corona at decimeter-meter wavelengths, and the Clark Lake radioheliograph, operating at decameter wavelengths, is the only one in the world to have the ability of observing the outer corona above the disk.

Pick, M.↗

Cosmic electrons, galactic radio background and cosmic ray confinement

Cosmic ray electron measurements and radio background data are analyzed to obtain bounds on the galactic magnetic fields. It is shown that the magnetic field required to explain the radio flux must be greater than 2 micro Gauss. The difference in the steepening of the radio spectra towards the Anticenter and the Halo Minimum provides evidence that the magnetic field decreases with the height above the galactic plane. The calculations of Bulanov and Dogiel (1975) are applied to the radio and electron observations. It is shown that the most plausible interpretation of these results requires that the electron injection spectrum has an intrinsic flattening below a few GeV. The observed steepening of radio and electron data is apparently a combined effect of the injection spectrum and the first break due to continuous energy loss of electrons in space.

Badhwar, G. D.↗

Radio-emitting electrons and cosmic ray confinement

Evidence from radio data obtained at frequencies of 10 to 8000 MHz for steepening of the observed background-radio-continuum spectra in the directions of the galactic Anticenter (A) and Halo Minimum (H) is used to deduce quantitative information on the variation of the magnetic field with distance from the galactic plane. The radio data are analyzed in the framework of the cosmic-ray diffusion model developed by Bulanov and Dogel (1975), and some inferences are drawn regarding the injection spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons as well as their propagation in the Galaxy. The results indicate that: (1) radio-spectrum steepening is centered around 200 MHz in the direction of H and around 330 MHz in the direction of A, implying a lower mean magnetic field toward H and supporting the existence of a radio halo; (2) an injection electron spectrum with a single power law up to the lowest energies cannot explain the radio observations satisfactorily in terms of the diffusion model; and (3) the observed spectral steepening can be satisfactorily understood as being due partly to the deviation from a power-law injection spectrum below a few GeV and partly to the first break arising from electron energy losses in approximately the same energy region.

Badhwar, G. D.↗

Controlled stimulation of magnetospheric electrons by radio waves Experimental model for lightning effects

Magnetospheric electrons precipitated by ground-based coded very low frequency radio transmissions have been detected by rocket measurement of bremsstrahlung X-rays, caused by impact of the electrons with the upper atmosphere. The direct correlations obtained between the very low frequency signals and the X-rays demonstrate the limits of sensitivity required and indicate that this remote sensing technique would be useful for future study of very low frequency effects induced by single lightning strokes.

Goldberg, R. A.↗

Radial radio frequency (RF) electron guns

Radial radio frequency (RF) electron guns and radial RF electron gun systems are provided that are capable of generating an electron beam that can propagate either radially inward, towards the axis of a cylinder, or radially outward from the axis. A beam source capable of generating a radially inwardly propagating electron beam, while perhaps not particularly useful as a source for a higher-energy accelerator, offers potential advantages for materials processing, as the geometry allows irradiation from all sides of an enclosed material flow with a single structure. Other potential applications include, but are not limited to, atmospheric plasma generation, radiation damage testing, and possibly, novel electron lens-type devices for hadron accelerators.

Lewellen, John↗

Onion-shell model for cosmic ray electrons and radio synchrotron emission in supernova remnants

The spectrum of cosmic ray electrons, accelerated in the shock front of a supernova remnant (SNR), is calculated in the test-particle approximation using an onion-shell model. Particle diffusion within the evolving remnant is explicity taken into account. The particle spectrum becomes steeper with increasing radius as well as SNR age. Simple models of the magnetic field distribution allow a prediction of the intensity and spectrum of radio synchrotron emission and their radial variation. The agreement with existing observations is satisfactory in several SNR's but fails in other cases. Radiative cooling may be an important effect, especially in SNR's exploding in a dense interstellar medium.

Beck, R.↗

MGS Radio Science Electron Density Profiles: Interannual Variability and Implications for the Martian Neutral Atmosphere

Martian electron density profiles provided by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Radio Science (RS) experiment over the 95-200 km altitude range indicate that the height of the electron peak and the longitudinal structure of the peak height are sensitive indicators of the physical state of the Mars lower atmosphere. The present analysis is carried out on five sets of occultation profiles, all at high solar zenith angles (SZA). Variations spanning 2-Martian years are investigated near aphelion conditions at high Northern latitudes (64.7-77.6N). A mean ionospheric peak height of 133.5-135 km was obtained for all aphelion profiles near SZA = 78-82; a corresponding mean peak density of 7.3-8.5 x 10(exp 4)/cu cm was also measured, reflecting solar moderate conditions. Strong wave 2-3 oscillations in peak heights were observed as a function of longitude over both Martian seasons. The Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model (MTGCM) is exercised for Mars aphelion conditions. The measured interannual variations in the mean and longitude structure of the peak heights are small (consistent with MTGCM simulations), signifying the repeatability of the Mars atmosphere during aphelion conditions. A non-migrating (semi-diurnal period, wave#l eastward propagating) tidal mode is likely responsible for the wave#3 longitude features identified. The height of this photochemically driven peak can be observed to provide an ongoing monitor of the changing state of the Mars lower atmosphere. The magnitudes of these same peaks may reflect more than changing solar EUV fluxes when they are located in the vicinity of Mars crustal magnetic field centers.

Bougher, Stephen W.↗

MGS Radio Science Electron Density Profiles: Interannual Variability and Implications for the Martian Neutral Atmosphere

Martian electron density profiles provided by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Radio Science (RS) experiment over the 95-200 km altitude range indicate what the height of the electron peak and the longitudinal structure of the peak height are sensitive indicators of the physical state of the Mars lower and upper atmospheres. The present analysis is carried out on five sets of occultation profiles, all at high solar zenith angles (SZA). Variations spanning 2 Martian years are investigated near aphelion conditions at high northern latitudes (64.7 - 77.6 N) making use of four of these data sets. A mean ionospheric peak height of 133.5 - 135 km is obtained near SZA = 78 - 82 deg.; a corresponding mean peak density of 7.3 - 8.5 x l0(exp 4)/ qu cm is also measured during solar moderate conditions at Mars. Strong wave number 2 - 3 oscillations in peak heights are consistently observed as a function of longitude over the 2 Martian years. These observed ionospheric features are remarkably similar during aphelion conditions 1 Martian year apart. This year-to-year repeatability in the thermosphere-ionosphere structure is consistent with that observed in multiyear aphelion temperature data of the Mars lower atmosphere. Coupled Mars general circulation model (MGCM) and Mars thermospheric general circulation model (MTGCM) codes are run for Mars aphelion conditions, yielding mean and longitude variable ionospheric peak heights that reasonably match RS observations. A tidal decomposition of MTGCM thermospheric densities shows that observed ionospheric wave number 3 features are linked to a non-migrating tidal mode with semidiurnal period (sigma = 2) and zonal wave number 1 (s = -1) characteristics. The height of this photochemically determined ionospheric peak should be monitored regularly.

Bougher, S. W.↗

Mars Global Surveyor Radio Science Electron Density Profiles: Interannual Variability and Implications for the Neutral Atmosphere

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Radio Science (RS) experiment employs an ultrastable oscillator aboard the spacecraft. The signal from the oscillator to Earth is refracted by the Martian ionosphere, allowing retrieval of electron density profiles versus radius and geopotential. The present analysis is carried out on five sets of occultation measurements: (1) four obtained near northern summer solstice (Ls = 74-116, near aphelion) at high northern latitudes (64.7-77.6N), and (2) one set of profiles approaching equinox conditions (Ls = 135- 146) at high southern latitudes (64.7-69.1S). Electron density profiles (95 to 200 km) are examined over a narrow range of solar zenith angles (76.5-86.9 degrees) for local true solar times of (1) 3-4 hours and (2) 12.1 hours. Variations spanning 1-Martian year are specifically examined in the Northern hemisphere.

S W Bougher↗

Turbulent Model of Crab Nebula Radiation

We construct a turbulent model of the Crab Nebula's nonthermal emission. The present model resolves a number of long-standing problems of the Kennel–Coroniti model: (i) the sigma problem, (ii) the hard spectrum of radio electrons, (iii) the high peak energy of gamma-ray flares, (iv) and the spatial evolution of the infrared (IR) emission. The Nebula contains two populations of injected particles: Component-I, accelerated at the wind termination shock via the Fermi-I mechanism; and Component-II, accelerated in reconnecting turbulence in highly magnetized (σ >> 1) plasma in the central part of the Crab Nebula. The reconnecting turbulence in Component-II extends from radio to gamma-rays: it accelerates radio electrons with a hard spectrum, destroys the large-scale magnetic flux (and thus resolves the sigma problem), and occasionally produces gamma-ray flares (from the largest-scale reconnection events). The model reproduces the broadband spectrum of the Crab Nebula, from low-frequency synchrotron emission in radio to inverse-Compton emission at TeV energies, as well as the spatially resolved evolution of the spectral indices in the IR and optical bands.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗