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At least 19 records

Quenched carbonaceous composite - Fluorescence spectrum compared to the extended red emission observed in reflection nebulae

The photoluminescence (fluorescence) of a film of the laboratory-synthesized quenched carbonaceous composite (filmy QCC) is shown to have a single broad emission feature with a peak wavelength that varies from 670 to 725 nm, and coincides with that of the extended red emission observed in reflection nebulae. The rapid decay of the filmy QCC red fluorescence in air and of the stable blue fluorescence of the filmy QCC dissolved in liquid Freon suggests that the red fluorescence originates from the interaction of active chemical species and aromatic components in the filmy QCC. A material similar in nature to that of the filmy QCC may be a major component of interstellar dust.

Sakata, Akira↗

Coronally Fluoresced Stellar Photospheric X-Ray Spectra

Monte Carlo computations of photospheric fluorescent x-ray spectra are described. X-rays emitted from a hot corona incident on an underlying photosphere can undergo either scattering events by Compton scattering or photoabsorption events through the ionization of atoms or weakly ionized species. Through scattering events, photons can be reflected back in a direction towards the stellar surface where they have a finite chance of escape. Photoionization events involving x-ray photons directed toward the photosphere are predominantly inner shell interactions, Observable fluorescent lines can arise as a result of the finite escape probabilities of photons emitted in outward directions by hole transitions in these atoms. For a given stellar composition, fluorescent line strengths are dependent on the height of the fluorescing source above the photosphere and on the angle between the source and the observer. Although the only fluorescent lines likely to be detected in stellar coronae are Fe Ka and perhaps O Ka, these lines could provide powerful and direct spectroscopic diagnostics of coronal geometry.

Drake, Jeremy J.↗

High-Resolution OH and CH2O Visualization in a Premixed Cavity-Anchored Ethylene-Air Flame in a M = 0.6 Flowfield

OH and CH2O were imaged in a premixed, cavity-anchored, ethylene-air turbulent flame using a high resolution planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) system. The electrically-heated, continuous flow facility (UVa Supersonic Combustion Facility, Configuration E) consisted of a Mach 2 nozzle, an isolator with fuel injectors, a test section with a cavity flame holder and optical access, and an extender. Standard test conditions comprised total temperature 1200 K, total pressure 300 kPa, local equivalence ratio near 0.4, and local Mach number near 0.6. OH PLIF data was also collected for a case with reduced total temperature and another with reduced equivalence ratio. OH and CH2O were excited in separate experiments with light sheets at 283.55 nm and 352.48 nm, respectively. A light sheet of approximate thickness 25 ?m illuminated the stream-wise midplane. This plane was imaged for 120 mm downstream of the backward-facing step. The intensified camera system imaged OH with magnification 1.97, a square 6.67 mm field of view, and in-plane resolution of 39 ?m. The smallest observed OH structures observed were approximately 100 ?m wide. The CH2O PLIF image signal was much weaker; the smallest observed structures were approximately 200 ?m wide. Composite fluorescence images were computed for the observed area.

Geipel, Clayton M.↗

Synchrotron radiation - Applications in the earth sciences

Synchrotron-radiation sources and their characteristics are overviewed along with recent synchrotron-based research on earth materials and future earth-science applications utilizing the next generation of synchrotron-radiation sources presently under construction. Focus is placed on X-ray scattering studies of earth materials (crystalline and noncrystalline) under ambient conditions, diffraction studies of earth materials at high pressures and/or temperatures, spectroscopic studies, primarily X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence studies of compositional variations in earth materials. It is noted that other synchrotron-based methods, such as X-ray tomography and topography may become important in characterizing earth materials, while soft X-ray/vacuum ultraviolet radiation from synchrotron sources can be applied to problems involving the structural environments of low-atomic-number elements and the characterization of surface reactions of minerals with liquids and gases.

Bassett, W. A.↗

Simultaneous Spectral Temporal Adaptive Raman Spectrometer - SSTARS

Raman spectroscopy is a prime candidate for the next generation of planetary instruments, as it addresses the primary goal of mineralogical analysis, which is structure and composition. However, large fluorescence return from many mineral samples under visible light excitation can render Raman spectra unattainable. Using the described approach, Raman and fluorescence, which occur on different time scales, can be simultaneously obtained from mineral samples using a compact instrument in a planetary environment. This new approach is taken based on the use of time-resolved spectroscopy for removing the fluorescence background from Raman spectra in the laboratory. In the SSTARS instrument, a visible excitation source (a green, pulsed laser) is used to generate Raman and fluorescence signals in a mineral sample. A spectral notch filter eliminates the directly reflected beam. A grating then disperses the signal spectrally, and a streak camera provides temporal resolution. The output of the streak camera is imaged on the CCD (charge-coupled device), and the data are read out electronically. By adjusting the sweep speed of the streak camera, anywhere from picoseconds to milliseconds, it is possible to resolve Raman spectra from numerous fluorescence spectra in the same sample. The key features of SSTARS include a compact streak tube capable of picosecond time resolution for collection of simultaneous spectral and temporal information, adaptive streak tube electronics that can rapidly change from one sweep rate to another over ranges of picoseconds to milliseconds, enabling collection of both Raman and fluorescence signatures versus time and wavelength, and Synchroscan integration that allows for a compact, low-power laser without compromising ultimate sensitivity.

Blacksberg, Jordana↗

Study of mass flow distribution and chemical composition of comets from solar induced X-ray fluorescence

The expected performance of an X-ray detector as an instrument aboard a mission to a comet was evaluated. The functions of the detector are both nondispersive analysis of chemical composition and measurement of mass flow from the comet nucleus. Measurements are to be carried out at a distance from the comet. The approach distances considered are of the order of 1000 km and 100 km. A new type of X-ray detector, a proportional scintillation detector, is considered as an X-ray counter for nondispersive elemental analysis.

Gorenstein, P.↗

X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy Study of Coating Thickness and Base Metal Composition

For electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts to be approved for space use, they must be able to meet safety standards approved by NASA. A fast, reliable, and precise method is needed to make sure these standards are met. Many EEE parts are coated in gold (Au) and nickel (Ni), and the thickness coating is crucial to a part s performance. A nondestructive method that is efficient in measuring coating thickness is x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The XRF spectrometer is a machine designed to measure layer thickness and composition of single or multilayered samples. By understanding the limitations in the collection of the data by this method, accurate composition and thickness measurements can be obtained for samples with Au and Ni coatings. To understand the limitations of data found, measurements were taken with the XRF spectrometer and compared to true values of standard reference materials (SRM) that were National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable. For every sample, six different parameters were varied to understand measurement error: coating/substrate combination, number of layers, counting interval, collimator size, coating thickness, and test area location. Each measurement was taken in accordance with standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Standard B 568.

Rolin, T. D.↗

Mineralogical, Elemental, and Tomographic Reconnaissance Investigation for CLPS (Metric)

Geological solids are characterized by their mineral structure, elemental composition, and morphology. The Mineralogical, Elemental, and Tomographic Reconnaissance Investigation for CLPS (METRIC) is an instrument payload that will quantify all three. METRIC comprises a suite of instruments in a lander to perform X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineral structure, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental composition, and X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (XCT) for 3D internal micromorphology. The instruments are accompanied by an Infrared Spectrometer (IRS) provide geologic context. A Honeybee Robotics pneumatic sampling and transfer system [e.g., 1] will be positioned under the lander to deliver sieved regolith to the X-ray instruments for analysis. This payload is envisioned for deployment to the lunar surface on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lander but could be carried on a lander or rover to any solid surface in the solar system.

E B Rampe↗

Interpretation of an index of phytoplankton population composition calculated from Remote Airborne Fluorsensor (RAF) data

The calculation of indices of phytoplankton population composition from chlorophyll a fluorescence at 685 nm excited by narrow band light at 454 and 539 nm is discussed. The ratio of the fluorescence excited by light of these two wavelengths is a function of the distribution of the phytoplankton between two color groups, designated the golden-brown and the green. The golden-brown group consists of those species which have the highly photosynthetically active carotenoid-chlorophyll-a-protein complexes, i.e. members of the classes Bacillariophyceae, diatoms Dinophyceae, dinoflagellates, and some members of the class Prymnesiophyceae. The green color group consists those species of phytoplankton which apparently lack those complexes, i.e. members of the classes Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, Xanthophyceae, and a few members of the Prymnesiophyceae. A few species of phytoplankton appear to have intermediate characteristics, and would apparently belong to neither group. Most of these species are members of the class Cryptophyceae. The composition index for this class is examined in detail.

Farmer, F. H.↗

Mineralogical, Elemental and Tomographic Reconnaissance Investigation for CLPS (“METRIC”)

METRIC comprises a suite of two instruments in a Lunar lander that perform X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineral structure, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental composition, and X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (XCT) for 3D internal micromorphology. The instruments are accompanied by optical-near IR cameras to provide local geologic context. The Honeybee Robotics PlanetVac pneumatic sampling and transfer system [1],positioned on a lander footpad, will deliver sieved regolith to the X-ray instruments for analysis. The instrument suite is intended for delivery to the lunar surface on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lander. The METRICXRD/F instrument draws on heritage from the Mars Science Laboratory CheMin instrument [2] and improves upon the design in multiple ways [3]. Like CheMin, Rietveld refinement and full-pattern fitting of METRIC XRD data can identify minerals at a detection limit of ~1 wt.%, quantify their abundances when present at >3 wt.%, and determine mineral composition (e.g., Fo#in olivine) from lattice parameters for minerals present at >5 wt.%[4,5]. An optimized XRF geometry provides for improved detection and quantification of major, minor and trace elements. The METRIC XCT instrument is a miniaturized X-ray Computed Tomography scanner[6]. Lunar regolith is delivered to a 3 mm diameter, 10 mm long graphite tube inside the instrument. The tube is rotated through 360°in 0.9deg.incrementsand a divergent point source X-ray beam is directed through the material. A Charge Coupled Device (CCD)records attenuation images whose brightness and contrast area function of average atomic number and density. Quantitative data, including particle and void sizes, 3D particle shape parameters, modal volumes and pore geometry can be derived from the resulting 3D reconstructions(voxel resolution: 30 μm). Crystal morphologies derived from METRIC XCT data complement the bulk mineralogy determined by the METRIC XRD/F and provide a measure of grain size distribution for the different phases. Taken together, the METRIC instrument suite determines crystal structure, elemental composition and morphology, three principal characteristics of geological materials that are highly useful in determining the origin and subsequent processing of lunar regolith.

Moon↗

Comparison of the compositions of Venusian surface rocks with those of the terrestrial ocean floor

A statistical comparison of data on the composition of the Venusian surface obtained with Venera and Vega lander X-ray fluorescence spectrometers and data on the composition of the terrestrial ocean floor indicates that the Venera 14 data correspond to certain thoeiitic basalts of the Kane fracture zone in the Middle-Atlantic ridge (22-25 deg N). It is suggested that deep magma storage regions exist on Venus and that the separation of tholeiitic and alkali magmas from a single primitive parent magma is an important process on Venus.

Garvin, J. B.↗

Atmospheric Nitrogen Fluorescence Yield

Several existing and planned experiments estimate the energies of ultra-high energy cosmic rays from air showers using the atmospheric nitrogen fluorescence. The nitrogen fluorescence yield from air shower electrons depends on the atmospheric composition. We will discuss the uncertainties in the fluorescence yield form electrons in the real atmosphere and describe a concept for a small balloon payload to measure the atmospheric fluorescence yield as a function of attitude.

Adams, J. H., Jr.↗

Origin of the Large Bandgap Bowing in Highly Mismatched Semiconductor Alloys

We use a combination of optical and soft x-ray fluorescence techniques to investigate the composition dependence of the band edge energies in ZnSe(1-x)Te(x) and ZnS(1-x)Te(x) alloys. The results reveal entirely different origins of the large bandgap bowing for alloys with small and large Te content. On the Te-rich side, the reduction of the bandgap is well explained by the band anticrossing interaction between the Se or S localized states and the ZnTe conduction band states. On the Se or S-rich side, an interaction between the localized Te states and the degenerate GAMMA valence bands of ZnSe or ZnS is responsible for the bandgap reduction and the rapid increase of the spin-orbit splitting with increasing Te concentration. Results of soft x-ray fluorescence experiments provide direct evidence for the valence band anticrossing interaction. The bandgap bowing over the entire composition range is accounted for by a linear interpolation between the conduction band anticrossing and valence band anticrossing models.

Wu, J.↗

Comet composition and density analyzer

Distinctions between cometary material and other extraterrestrial materials (meteorite suites and stratospherically-captured cosmic dust) are addressed. The technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for analysis of elemental composition is involved. Concomitant with these investigations, the problem of collecting representative samples of comet dust (for rendezvous missions) was solved, and several related techniques such as mineralogic analysis (X-ray diffraction), direct analysis of the nucleus without docking (electron macroprobe), dust flux rate measurement, and test sample preparation were evaluated. An explicit experiment concept based upon X-ray fluorescence analysis of biased and unbiased sample collections was scoped and proposed for a future rendezvous mission with a short-period comet.

Clark, B. C.↗