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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Presentation Summary: State of the AGN: Progress Toward Understanding Black Hole Accretion Processes

Accretion of plasma onto black holes power some of the most powerfulsystems in the cosmos. Supermassive black holes at the centers ofgalaxies represent the high-mass limit of these objects and so accountfor the most luminous accretors. As a result, their influence spansvast spatial and temporal scales of cosmic phenomena: intraclusterheating, intergalactic media, galactic feedback and star formation,kiloparsec-scale jets/outflows, variability over time scales of minutesto centuries, and luminous multi-wavelength electromagnetic emissionextending all the way down to its event horizon. Their intrigue isheightened by the fact that they lie at the intersection of variousphysical laws---e.g., general relativistic gravity,magnetohydrodynamics, radiation, high-energy particle physics,thermodynamics, and photo-ionization---which all must be reconciled toarrive at a fundamental understanding and probe for new physics, liketests of general relativity. These physics ingredients must beincorporated into simulations performed somehow on dynamical scalesranging from that of the event horizon to parsec-scales. Fortunately,new computational and theoretical techniques---such as GPU computing,radiation transport, and and novel gridding techniques---are enablingprogress to larger scales, more degrees of freedom, and even to binarysystems. Some of the topics we will survey include recent progress onsimulating the relationship between the disk-jet interaction, howtilted black holes behave, radiation-dominated flow, and how binaryAGN affect the standard picture of black hole accretion. Along theway, we will highlight how new technologies have enabled thesescientific rewards. Future directions and open questions will beprovided to inspire discussion and interaction during the session.

Black Holes↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

State of the AGN: Progress Toward Understanding Black Hole Accretion Processes

Accretion of plasma onto black holes power some of the most powerful systems in the cosmos. Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies represent the high-mass limit of these objects and so account for the most luminous accretors. As a result, their influence spans vast spatial and temporal scales of cosmic phenomena: intracluster heating, intergalactic media, galactic feedback and star formation, kiloparsec-scale jets/outflows, variability over time scales of minutes to centuries, and luminous multi-wavelength electromagnetic emission extending all the way down to its event horizon. Their intrigue is heightened by the fact that they lie at the intersection of various physical laws---e.g., general relativistic gravity, magnetohydrodynamics, radiation, high-energy particle physics, thermodynamics, and photo-ionization---which all must be reconciled to arrive at a fundamental understanding and probe for new physics, like tests of general relativity. These physics ingredients must be incorporated into simulations performed somehow on dynamical scales ranging from that of the event horizon to parsec-scales. Fortunately, new computational and theoretical techniques---such as GPU computing, radiation transport, and and novel gridding techniques---are enabling progress to larger scales, more degrees of freedom, and even to binary systems. Some of the topics we will survey include recent progress on simulating the relationship between the disk-jet interaction, how tilted black holes behave, radiation-dominated flow, and how binary AGN affect the standard picture of black hole accretion. Along the way, we will highlight how new technologies have enabled these scientific rewards. Future directions and open questions will be provided to inspire discussion and interaction during the session.

LISA↗
NASA NTRS2001

Shape and Structure

The convenient availability and simplicity of the Lorenz-Mie theory has resulted in a widespread practice of treating nonspherical particles (especially those in random orientation) as if they were spheres to which Lorenz-Mie results are applicable. However, the assumption of sphericity is rarely made after first having studied the effects of nonsphericity and having concluded that they are negligible. On the contrary, overwhelming evidence suggests that scattering properties of nonspherical particles, including those in random orientation, can significantly differ from those of volume- or surface-equivalent spheres. Hence, the last few decades have demonstrated major research efforts aimed at a significantly better understanding of the effects of particle shape and morphology on electromagnetic scattering. The goal of this presentation is to provide a concise summary of these efforts. The recent availability of theoretical techniques for computing single and multiple scattering of light by realistic polydispersions of spherical and nonspherical particles and the strong dependence of the Stokes scattering matrix on particle size, shape, and refractive index make polarization and depolarization measurements a powerful particle characterization tool. This presentation will focus on recent applications of photopolarimetric and lidar depolarization measurements to remote sensing characterization of tropospheric aerosols, polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and contrails. The talk will include (1) a short theoretical overview of the effects of particle microphysics on particle single-scattering characteristics; (2) the use of multi-angle multi-spectral photopolarimetry to retrieve the optical thickness, size distribution, refractive index, and number concentration of tropospheric aerosols over the ocean surface; and (3) the application of the T-matrix method to constraining the PSC and contrail particle microphysics using multi-spectral measurements of lidar backscatter and depolarization

Mishchenko, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2001

Retrievals of Aerosol and Cloud Particle Microphysics Using Polarization and Depolarization Techniques

The recent availability of theoretical techniques for computing single and multiple scattering of light by realistic polydispersions of spherical and nonspherical particles and the strong dependence of the Stokes scattering matrix on particle size, shape, and refractive index make polarization and depolarization measurements a powerful particle characterization tool. In this presentation I will describe recent applications of photopolarimetric and lidar depolarization measurements to remote sensing characterization of tropospheric aerosols, polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), and contrails. The talk will include (1) a short theoretical overview of the effects of particle microphysics on particle single-scattering characteristics; (2) the use of multi-angle multi-spectral photopolarimetry to retrieve the optical thickness, size distribution, refractive index, and number concentration of tropospheric aerosols over the ocean surface; and (3) the application of the T-matrix method to constraining the PSC and contrail particle microphysics using multi-spectral measurements of lidar backscatter and depolarization.

Mishchenko, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1971

A study of the electromagnetic interaction between planetary bodies and the solar wind

Theoretical and computational techniques were developed for calculating the time dependent electromagnetic response of a radially inhomogeneous moon. The techniques were used to analyze the experimental data from the LSM (lunar surface magnetometer) thus providing an in-depth diagnostic of the Lunar interior. The theory was also incorporated into an existing computer code designed to calculate the thermal evolution of planetary bodies. The program will provide a tool for examining the effect of heating from the TE mode (poloidal magnetic field) as well as the TM mode (toroidal magnetic field).

Schwartz, K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The report of the Gravity Field Workshop

A Gravity Field Workshop was convened to review the actions which could be taken prior to a GRAVSAT mission to improve the Earth's gravity field model. This review focused on the potential improvements in the Earth's gravity field which could be obtained using the current satellite and surface gravity data base. In particular, actions to improve the quality of the gravity field determination through refined measurement corrections, selected data augmentation and a more accurate reprocessing of the data were considered. In addition, recommendations were formulated which define actions which NASA should take to develop the necessary theoretical and computation techniques for gravity model determination and to use these approaches to improve the accuracy of the Earth's gravity model.

Smith, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Laboratory simulation of field-aligned currents

A summary of progress during the period Apr. 1992 to Mar. 1993 is provided. Objectives of the research are (1) to simulate, via laboratory experiments, the three terms of the field-aligned current equation; (2) to simulate auroral-arc formation processes by configuring the boundary conditions of the experimental chamber and plasma parameters to produce highly localized return currents at the end of a field-aligned current system; and (3) to extrapolate these results, using theoretical and computational techniques, to the problem of magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling and to compare them with published literature signatures of auroral-arc phenomena.

Wessel, Frank J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

The development of theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere is discussed. Irregular topography here is understood to imply a ground surface that (1) is not idealizable as being perfectly flat or (2) that is not idealizable as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The study focuses on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low-altitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence.

Pierce, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

What have we learned from modeling giant planet interiors?

Models of the giant planets are reviewed. The theoretical techniques used in computing the models are described, and the observational and experimental inputs are summarized. Special emphasis is placed on uncertainties in these input data. The models are then examined and the results of various authors presented. It is demonstrated that all the planets have heavy-element enhancements of between 10 and 40 earth masses, with a large fraction of this material residing in the core. It is also shown that the ratio of ice to rock in Uranus and Neptune is on the order of three. The implications of these results for theories of the origin of the solar system are discussed.

Podolak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

Theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere was developed. Irregular topography here is understood to imply a ground surface that is not idealized as being perfectly flat or that is not idealized as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The interest focuses on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low altitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence.

Kearns, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

The goal of this research is to develop theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere. Irregular topography here is understood to imply a ground surface that is not idealizable as being perfectly flat or that is not idealizable as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The interest of this study focuses on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low-attitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence. The activities and developments that have resulted during the period, August 1986 through February 1987, are discussed.

Berthelot, Yves H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

The goal of this research is to develop theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere. Irregular topography is understood to imply a ground surface that is not idealizable as being perfectly flat or that is no idealizable as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The focus is on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low-altitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence.

Berthelot, Yves H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

Theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques were developed for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere. Irregular topography is understood to imply a ground surface that: (1) is not idealizable as being perfectly flat, or (2) that is not idealizable as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The focus is on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low altitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence.

Berthelot, Yves H.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Stresses In And Near A Bend In A Thin-Walled Duct

Report describes computational study of distributions of stresses in and near 90 degrees bend in thin-walled duct subject to various applied loads. Purpose of study to help satisfy need for more accurate knowledge of local concentrations of stresses caused by loads: such knowledge makes possible to design light-weight ducts to survive reasonably foreseeable operating conditions with some degree of reliability. Also guides selection of locations for mounting strain gauges to measure local stresses for comparison with computed values, contributing to refinement of theoretical concepts and computational techniques.

Min, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Granular Media-Based Tunable Passive Vibration Suppressor

and vibration suppression device is composed of statically compressed chains of spherical particles. The device superimposes a combination of dissipative damping and dispersive effects. The dissipative damping resulting from the elastic wave attenuation properties of the bulk material selected for the granular media is independent of particle geometry and periodicity, and can be accordingly designed based on the dissipative (or viscoelastic) properties of the material. For instance, a viscoelastic polymer might be selected where broadband damping is desired. In contrast, the dispersive effects result from the periodic arrangement and geometry of particles composing a linear granular chain. A uniform (monatomic) chain of statically compressed spherical particles will have a low-pass filter effect, with a cutoff frequency tunable as a function of particle mass, elastic modulus, Poisson fs ratio, radius, and static compression. Elastic waves with frequency content above this cutoff frequency will exhibit an exponential decay in amplitude as a function of propagation distance. System design targeting a specific application is conducted using a combination of theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques to appropriately select the particle radii, material (and thus elastic modulus and Poisson fs ratio), and static compression to satisfy estimated requirements derived for shock and/or vibration protection needs under particular operational conditions. The selection of a chain of polymer spheres with an elastic modulus .3 provided the appropriate dispersive filtering effect for that exercise; however, different operational scenarios may require the use of other polymers, metals, ceramics, or a combination thereof, configured as an array of spherical particles. The device is a linear array of spherical particles compressed in a container with a mechanism for attachment to the shock and/or vibration source, and a mechanism for attachment to the article requiring isolation (Figure 1). This configuration is referred to as a single-axis vibration suppressor. This invention also includes further designs for the integration of the single-axis vibration suppressor into a six-degree-of-freedom hexapod "Stewart"mounting configuration (Figure 2). By integrating each singleaxis vibration suppressor into a hexapod formation, a payload will be protected in all six degrees of freedom from shock and/or vibration. Additionally, to further enable the application of this device to multiple operational scenarios, particularly in the case of high loads, the vibration suppressor devices can be used in parallel in any array configuration.

Dillon, Robert P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Interpretation of the X-ray spectra of solar active regions

This paper presents a review of recent analytical studies of the coronal X-ray spectrum below 25 A. The techniques used to compute the theoretical coronal spectrum, and the currently available atomic rate constant data are reviewed first. Spectroscopic techniques which have been proposed for the determination of coronal temperature and density structure, and the results derived from their application to coronal spectra are also reviewed. A number of coronal models based on X-ray observations have been developed recently, and the coronal temperature structure and composition predicted by these models is discussed, and compared with models of the corona and transition region derived from studies of the solar EUV spectrum.

Walker, A. B. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Helicopter rotor loads using a matched asymptotic expansion technique

The theoretical basis and computational feasibility of the Van Holten method, and its performance and range of validity by comparison with experiment and other approximate methods was examined. It is found that within the restrictions of incompressible, potential flow and the assumption of small disturbances, the method does lead to a valid description of the flow. However, the method begins to break down under conditions favoring nonlinear effects such as wake distortion and blade/rotor interaction.

Pierce, G. A.↗