SAGE III Aerosol Extinction Validation in the Arctic Winter: Comparisons with SAGE II and POAM III

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomason, L. W.; Poole, L. R.; Randall, C. E.

2007-01-01

The use of SAGE III multiwavelength aerosol extinction coefficient measurements to infer PSC type is contingent on the robustness of both the extinction magnitude and its spectral variation. Past validation with SAGE II and other similar measurements has shown that the SAGE III extinction coefficient measurements are reliable though the comparisons have been greatly weighted toward measurements made at mid-latitudes. Some aerosol comparisons made in the Arctic winter as a part of SOLVE II suggested that SAGE III values, particularly at longer wavelengths, are too small with the implication that both the magnitude and the wavelength dependence are not reliable. Comparisons with POAM III have also suggested a similar discrepancy. Herein, we use SAGE II data as a common standard for comparison of SAGE III and POAM III measurements in the Arctic winters of 2002/2003 through 2004/2005. During the winter, SAGE II measurements are made infrequently at the same latitudes as these instruments. We have mitigated this problem through the use potential vorticity as a spatial coordinate and thus greatly increased the number of coincident events. We find that SAGE II and III extinction coefficient measurements show a high degree of compatibility at both 1020 nm and 450 nm except a 10-20% bias at both wavelengths. In addition, the 452 to 1020-nm extinction ratio shows a consistent bias of approx. 30% throughout the lower stratosphere. We also find that SAGE II and POAM III are on average consistent though the comparisons show a much higher variability and larger bias than SAGE II/III comparisons. In addition, we find that the two data sets are not well correlated below 18 km. Overall, we find both the extinction values and the spectral dependence from SAGE III are robust and we find no evidence of a significant defect within the Arctic vortex.

Optical and structural properties of amorphous Se x Te100- x aligned nanorods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Agel, Faisal A.

2013-12-01

In the present work, we report studies on optical and structural phenomenon in as-deposited thin films composed of aligned nanorods of amorphous Se x Te100- x ( x = 3, 6, 9, and 12). In structural studies, field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) images suggest that these thin films contain high yield of aligned nanorods. These nanorods show a completely amorphous nature, which is verified by X-ray diffraction patterns of these thin films. Optical studies include the measurement of spectral dependence of absorption, reflection, and transmission of these thin films, respectively. On the basis of optical absorption data, a direct optical band gap is observed. This observation of a direct optical band gap in these nanorods is interesting as chalcogenides normally show an indirect band gap, and due to this reason, these materials could not become very popular for semiconducting devices. Therefore, this is an important report and will open up new directions for the application of these materials in semiconducting devices. The value of this optical band gap is found to decrease with the increase in selenium (Se) concentration. The reflection and absorption data are employed to estimate the values of optical constants (extinction coefficient ( k) and refractive index ( n)). From the spectral dependence of these optical constants, it is found that the values of refractive index ( n) increase, whereas the values of extinction coefficient ( k) decrease with the increase in photon energy. The real and imaginary parts of dielectric constants calculated with the values of extinction coefficient ( k) and refractive index ( n), are found to vary with photon energy and dopant concentration.

Phase function, backscatter, extinction, and absorption for standard radiation atmosphere and El Chichon aerosol models at visible and near-infrared wavelengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitlock, C. H.; Suttles, J. T.; Lecroy, S. R.

1985-01-01

Tabular values of phase function, Legendre polynominal coefficients, 180 deg backscatter, and extinction cross section are given for eight wavelengths in the atmospheric windows between 0.4 and 2.2 microns. Also included are single scattering albedo, asymmetry factor, and refractive indices. These values are based on Mie theory calculations for the standard rediation atmospheres (continental, maritime, urban, unperturbed stratospheric, volcanic, upper atmospheric, soot, oceanic, dust, and water-soluble) assest measured volcanic aerosols at several time intervals following the El Chichon eruption. Comparisons of extinction to 180 deg backscatter for different aerosol models are presented and related to lidar data.

An interdisciplinary study of the estaurine and coastal oceanography of Block Island Sound and adjacent New York coastal waters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, E.; Hollman, R.; Alexander, J.; Nuzzi, R.

1974-01-01

ERTS-1 photographic data products have been analyzed using additive color viewing and electronic image analysis techniques. Satellite data were compared to water sample data collected simultaneously with the data of ERTS-1 coverage in New York Bight. Prediction of the absolute value of total suspended particles can be made using composites of positives of MSS bands 5 and 6 which have been precisely made using the step wedge supplied on the imagery. Predictions of the relative value of the extinction coefficient can be made using bands 4 and 5. Thematic charts of total suspended particles (particles per litre) and extinction coefficient provide scientists conducting state and federal water sampling programs in New York Bight with data which improves the performance of these programs.

The Extinction Toward the Galactic Bulge from RR Lyrae Stars

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kunder, A; Popowski, P; Cook, K

2007-11-07

The authors present mean reddenings toward 3525 RR0 Lyrae stars from the Galactic bulge fields of the MACHO Survey. These reddenings are determined using the color at minimum V-band light of the RR0 Lyrae stars themselves and are found to be in general agreement with extinction estimates at the same location obtained from other methods. Using 3256 stars located in the Galactic Bulge, they derive the selective extinction coefficient R{sub V,VR} = A{sub V}/E(V-R) = 4.2 {+-} 0.2. this value is what is expected for a standard extinction law with R{sub V,BV} = 3.1 {+-} 0.3

Indices of refraction for the HITRAN compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Massie, S. T.

1994-01-01

Indices of refraction of sulfuric acid solutions, water, and ice, which will become part of the HITRAN database, are discussed. Representative calculations are presented for the sulfate aerosol, to illustrate the broadband spectral features of i.r. aerosol extinction spectra. Values of the sulfuric acid mass density are used in an application of the Lorentz-Lorenz equation, which is used to estimate the sensitivity of extinction coefficients to temperature dependent refractive indices.

Aerosol optical properties measurements by a CAPS single scattering albedo monitor: Comparisons between summer and winter in Beijing, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Tingting; Xu, Weiqi; Li, Jie; Freedman, Andrew; Zhao, Jian; Wang, Qingqing; Chen, Chen; Zhang, Yingjie; Wang, Zifa; Fu, Pingqing; Liu, Xingang; Sun, Yele

2017-02-01

Aerosol optical properties were measured in Beijing in summer and winter using a state-of-the-art cavity attenuated phase shift single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) along with aerosol composition measurements by aerosol mass spectrometers and aethalometers. The SSA directly measured by the CAPS PMssa showed overall agreements with those derived from colocated measurements. However, substantial differences were observed during periods with low SSA values in both summer and winter, suggesting that interpretation of low SSA values needs to be cautious. The average (±σ) extinction coefficient (bext) and absorption coefficient (bap) were 336 (±343) Mm-1 and 44 (±41) Mm-1, respectively, during wintertime, which were approximately twice those observed in summer, while the average SSA was relatively similar, 0.86 (±0.06) and 0.85 (±0.04) in summer and winter, respectively. Further analysis showed that the variations in SSA can be approximately parameterized as a function of mass fraction of secondary particulate matter (fSPM), which is SSA = 0.74 + 0.19 × fSPM (fSPM > 0.3, r2 = 0.85). The contributions of aerosol species to extinction coefficients during the two seasons were also estimated. Our results showed that the light extinction was dominantly contributed by ammonium sulfate (30%) and secondary organic aerosol (22%) in summer, while organic aerosol was the largest contributor (51%) in winter. Consistently, SPM played the major role in visibility degradation in both seasons by contributing 70% of the total extinction.

Study of MPLNET-Derived Aerosol Climatology over Kanpur, India, and Validation of CALIPSO Level 2 Version 3 Backscatter and Extinction Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Misra, Amit; Tripathi, S. N.; Kaul, D. S.; Welton, Ellsworth J.

2012-01-01

The level 2 aerosol backscatter and extinction profiles from the NASA Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) at Kanpur, India, have been studied from May 2009 to September 2010. Monthly averaged extinction profiles from MPLNET shows high extinction values near the surface during October March. Higher extinction values at altitudes of 24 km are observed from April to June, a period marked by frequent dust episodes. Version 3 level 2 Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aerosol profile products have been compared with corresponding data from MPLNET over Kanpur for the above-mentioned period. Out of the available backscatter profiles, the16 profiles used in this study have time differences less than 3 h and distances less than 130 km. Among these profiles, four cases show good comparison above 400 m with R2 greater than 0.7. Comparison with AERONET data shows that the aerosol type is properly identified by the CALIOP algorithm. Cloud contamination is a possible source of error in the remaining cases of poor comparison. Another source of error is the improper backscatter-to-extinction ratio, which further affects the accuracy of extinction coefficient retrieval.

Seasonal variability of dust in the eastern Mediterranean (Athens, Greece), through lidar measurements in the frame of EARLINET (2002-2012)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokkalis, Panos; Papayannis, Alex; Tsaknakis, George; Mamouri, RodElise; Argyrouli, Athina

2013-04-01

Aerosols play an important role in earth's atmospheric radiation balance, which is enhanced in areas where dust is mostly present (e.g. the Mediterranean region), as in the case of the city of Athens. The focus of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the seasonal variability of optical and geometrical properties, as well as the mass concentration of Saharan dust over the city of Athens, Greece, for a 10-years time period: 2002-2012 based on the laser remote sensing (lidar) technique. More specifically, the aerosol optical properties concern the extinction and the backscatter coefficient, as well as the lidar ratio, while the geometrical properties concern the dust layer thickness and center of mass. The calculations of the aerosol extinction coefficient and of the so-called lidar ratio (defined as the ratio of the aerosol extinction coefficient over the aerosol backscatter coefficient) are made by using the Raman lidar technique, only under cloud-free conditions. The calculation of the dust mass concentration was retrieved by a applying a conversion factor (the so-called dust extinction cross section; mean value of the order of 0.64 m2g-1) and by combining sun photometric measurements and modeled dust loading values. Our data analysis was based on monthly-mean values, and only in time periods under cloud-free conditions and for lidar signals with signal to noise ratios (SNR) greater than 1.5 under dusty conditions. The mean value of the lidar ratio at 355 nm was found to be 62±20sr, while the mean dust mass concentration was of the order of 240 μgm-3. The data analyzed were obtained by systematic aerosol lidar measurements performed by the EOLE Raman lidar system of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), in the frame of the European Aerosol Research Lidar network (EARLINET). EOLE is able to provide the vertical profiles of the aerosol backscatter (at 355, 532, 1064 nm) and extinction coefficients (at 355 and 532 nm), as well as the water vapor mixing ratio, from about 700 m up to 10000 m, with high temporal (< 5 min.) and spatial (7.5 m) resolution. Acknowledgements: This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: Heracleitus II - Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund. This research was also financially supported by ITARS (www.itars.net), European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): People, ITN Marie Curie Actions Programme (2012-2016) under grant agreement no 289923.

An analytical prediction of the oscillation and extinction thresholds of a clarinet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalmont, Jean-Pierre; Gilbert, Joël; Kergomard, Jean; Ollivier, Sébastien

2005-11-01

This paper investigates the dynamic range of the clarinet from the oscillation threshold to the extinction at high pressure level. The use of an elementary model for the reed-mouthpiece valve effect combined with a simplified model of the pipe assuming frequency independent losses (Raman's model) allows an analytical calculation of the oscillations and their stability analysis. The different thresholds are shown to depend on parameters related to embouchure parameters and to the absorption coefficient in the pipe. Their values determine the dynamic range of the fundamental oscillations and the bifurcation scheme at the extinction.

Diffuse interstellar clouds as a chemical laboratory - The chemistry of diatomic carbon species

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Federman, S. R.; Huntress, W. T., Jr.

1989-01-01

The chemistry of C2, CH, and CO in diffuse interstellar clouds is analyzed and compared to absorption line measurements toward background stars. Analytical expressions in terms of column densities are derived for the rate equations. The results indicate that in clouds with 4 mag of visual extinction, the abundance of C+ has to decrease by a factor of about 15 from the value traditionally used for clouds with 1 mag of extinction. The rate coefficients for the reactions C+ + CH - C2+ + H and C+ + H2 - CH2+ + h-nu need to be reduced from previous estimates. Chemical arguments are presented for the revised rate coefficients.

Inter-Comparison of ILAS-II Version 1.4 Aerosol Extinction Coefficient at 780 nm with SAGE II, SAGE III, and POAM III Aerosol Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saitoh, Naoko; Hayashida, S.; Sugita, T.; Nakajima, H.; Yokota, T.; Hayashi, M.; Shiraishi, K.; Kanzawa, H.; Ejiri, M. K.; Irie, H.;

Laser measurement of the spectral extinction coefficients of fluorescent, highly absorbing liquids. [crude petroleum oils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoge, F. E.

1982-01-01

A conceptual method is developed to deduce rapidly the spectral extinction coefficient of fluorescent, highly absorbing liquids, such as crude or refined petroleum oils. The technique offers the advantage of only requiring one laser wavelength and a single experimental assembly and execution for any specific fluorescent liquid. The liquid is inserted into an extremely thin wedge-shaped cavity for stimulation by a laser from one side and flurescence measurement on the other side by a monochromator system. For each arbitrarily selected extinction wavelength, the wedge is driven slowly to increasing thicknesses until the fluorescence extinguishes. The fluorescence as a function of wedge thickness permits a determination of the extinction coefficient using an included theoretical model. When the monochromator is set to the laser emission wavelength, the extinction coefficient is determined using the usual on-wavelength signal extinction procedure.

Lidar inelastic multiple-scattering parameters of cirrus particle ensembles determined with geometrical-optics crystal phase functions.

PubMed

Reichardt, J; Hess, M; Macke, A

2000-04-20

Multiple-scattering correction factors for cirrus particle extinction coefficients measured with Raman and high spectral resolution lidars are calculated with a radiative-transfer model. Cirrus particle-ensemble phase functions are computed from single-crystal phase functions derived in a geometrical-optics approximation. Seven crystal types are considered. In cirrus clouds with height-independent particle extinction coefficients the general pattern of the multiple-scattering parameters has a steep onset at cloud base with values of 0.5-0.7 followed by a gradual and monotonic decrease to 0.1-0.2 at cloud top. The larger the scattering particles are, the more gradual is the rate of decrease. Multiple-scattering parameters of complex crystals and of imperfect hexagonal columns and plates can be well approximated by those of projected-area equivalent ice spheres, whereas perfect hexagonal crystals show values as much as 70% higher than those of spheres. The dependencies of the multiple-scattering parameters on cirrus particle spectrum, base height, and geometric depth and on the lidar parameters laser wavelength and receiver field of view, are discussed, and a set of multiple-scattering parameter profiles for the correction of extinction measurements in homogeneous cirrus is provided.

Optical properties of size-resolved particles at a Hong Kong urban site during winter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yuan; Lai, Senchao; Lee, Shun-Cheng; Yau, Pui Shan; Huang, Yu; Cheng, Yan; Wang, Tao; Xu, Zheng; Yuan, Chao; Zhang, Yingyi

2015-03-01

Visibility degradation in Hong Kong is related to the city's serious air pollution problems. To investigate the aerosols' optical properties and their relationship with the chemical composition and size distribution of the particles, a monitoring campaign was conducted at an urban site in the early winter period (from October to December, 2010). The particle light scattering coefficient (Bsp) and absorption coefficient (Bap) were measured. Two collocated Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor samplers (MOUDI110, MSP, USA) with nominal 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameters of 18, 10, 5.6, 3.2, 1.8, 1, 0.56, 0.32, 0.18, 0.1, and 0.056 μm were used to collect size-resolved particle samples. The average Bsp and Bap were 201.96 ± 105.82 Mm- 1 and 39.91 ± 19.16 Mm- 1, with an average single scattering albedo (ωo) of 0.82 ± 0.07. The theoretical method of light extinction calculation was used to determine the extinction of the size-resolved particulate matters (PM). The reconstructed light scattering coefficient correlated well with the measured scattering value in the Hong Kong urban area. Droplet mode (0.56-1.8 μm) particles contributed most to the particle light extinction (~ 69%). Organic matter, ammonium sulphate and elemental carbon were the key components causing visibility degradation in the droplet (0.56-1.8 μm) and condensation (0.1-0.56 μm) size ranges. Five sources contributing to particle light extinction have been identified using positive matrix factorisation (PMF). Traffic/engine exhausts and secondary aerosols accounted for ~ 36% and ~ 32% of particle light extinction, respectively, followed by sea salt (15%). The remaining sources, soil/fugitive dust and tire dust, contributed by ~ 10% and 7%, respectively, to particle light extinction.

40 CFR 796.1050 - Absorption in aqueous solution: Ultraviolet/visible spectra.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... by both molar absorption coefficient (molar extinction coefficient) and band width. However, the..., expressed in cm; and the molar absorption (extinction) coefficient,εi, of each species. The absorbance...

40 CFR 796.1050 - Absorption in aqueous solution: Ultraviolet/visible spectra.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... by both molar absorption coefficient (molar extinction coefficient) and band width. However, the..., expressed in cm; and the molar absorption (extinction) coefficient,εi, of each species. The absorbance...

40 CFR 796.1050 - Absorption in aqueous solution: Ultraviolet/visible spectra.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... by both molar absorption coefficient (molar extinction coefficient) and band width. However, the..., expressed in cm; and the molar absorption (extinction) coefficient,εi, of each species. The absorbance...

International Laser Radar Conference (16th) held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts on 20-24 July 1992. Part 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-07-24

orders smaller than the Rayleigh cross section. We estimated the extinction coefficients of the Pinatubo volcanic aerosol in the stratosphere using a Raman...to a common aerosol parameter (e.g., backscatter coefficients at selected CO2 wavelengths), have all led to similar estimated values of that...increase only as -r 2 . During this phase, therefore, the backscatter coefficient of a coagulating aerosol population decreases as -r- The maximum

40 CFR 51.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in... (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be... light extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm−1). Existing stationary facility means...

40 CFR 51.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in... (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be... light extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm−1). Existing stationary facility means...

40 CFR 51.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in... (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be... light extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm−1). Existing stationary facility means...

40 CFR 51.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in... (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be... light extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm−1). Existing stationary facility means...

A closer look at the physical and optical properties of gold nanostars: an experimental and computational study

DOE PAGES

Tsoulos, T. V.; Han, L.; Weir, J.; ...

2017-02-22

A combined experimental and computational study was carried out to design a semi-empirical method to determine the volume, surface area, and extinction coefficients of gold nanostars. The values obtained were confirmed by reconstructing the nanostar 3D topography through high-tilt TEM tomography and introducing the finite elements in COMSOL Multiphysics through which we have also calculated the morphology-dependent extinction coefficient. We have, for the first time, modeled the heat losses of a real, experimentally synthesized nanostar, and found the plasmon resonances to be in excellent agreement with those obtained experimentally. Furthermore, we believe that our approach could substantially improve the applicabilitymore » of this remarkable nanomaterial.« less

A closer look at the physical and optical properties of gold nanostars: an experimental and computational study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsoulos, T. V.; Han, L.; Weir, J.

A combined experimental and computational study was carried out to design a semi-empirical method to determine the volume, surface area, and extinction coefficients of gold nanostars. The values obtained were confirmed by reconstructing the nanostar 3D topography through high-tilt TEM tomography and introducing the finite elements in COMSOL Multiphysics through which we have also calculated the morphology-dependent extinction coefficient. We have, for the first time, modeled the heat losses of a real, experimentally synthesized nanostar, and found the plasmon resonances to be in excellent agreement with those obtained experimentally. Furthermore, we believe that our approach could substantially improve the applicabilitymore » of this remarkable nanomaterial.« less

Gold and CuS as multifunctional theranostics platform for imaging and therapy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Junjie

2017-02-01

Localized surface plasmon resonances arising from the free carriers in copper-deficient copper chalcogenides nanocrystals (Cu2-xE, E=S,Se) enables them with high extinction coefficient in the near-infrared range, which was superior for photothermal related purpose. Although Cu2-xE nanocrystals with different compositions (0< x≪1) all possess NIR absorption, their extinction coefficients were significantly different due to their distinct valence band free carrier concentration. Herein, by optimizing the synthetic conditions, we were able to obtain pure covellite phase CuS nanoparticles with maximized free carrier concentration (x=1), which provides extremely high mass extinction coefficient (up to 60 Lg-1cm-1 at 980 nm and 32.4 Lg-1cm-1 at 800 nm). To the best of our knowledge, these values was maximal among all inorganic nanomaterials. High quality Cu2-xSe can also be obtained with a similar approach. In order to introduce CuS nanocrystals for biomedical applications, we further transferred these nanocrystals into aqueous solution with an amphiphilic polymer and colvalently linked with beta-cyclodextrin. Using host-guest interaction, adamantine-modified RGD peptide can be further anchored on the nanoparticles for the recognition of integrin-positive cancer cells. Together with the high extinction coefficient and outstand photothermal conversion efficiency (determined to be higher than 40%), these CuS nanocrystals were applied for photothermal therapy of cancer cells and photoacoustic imaging. In addition, anticancer drug doxorubicin can also be loading onto the nanoparticles through either hydrophobic or electrostatic interaction for chemotherapy.

40 CFR 51.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in... (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be... extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm−1). Existing stationary facility means any of the...

The efficiency of photodissociation for molecules in interstellar ices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalvāns, J.

2018-05-01

Processing by interstellar photons affects the composition of the icy mantles on interstellar grains. The rate of photodissociation in solids differs from that of molecules in the gas phase. The aim of this work was to determine an average, general ratio between photodissociation coefficients for molecules in ice and gas. A 1D astrochemical model was utilized to simulate the chemical composition for a line of sight through a collapsing interstellar cloud core, whose interstellar extinction changes with time. At different extinctions, the calculated column densities of icy carbon oxides and ammonia (relative to water ice) were compared to observations. The latter were taken from literature data of background stars sampling ices in molecular clouds. The best-fit value for the solid/gas photodissociation coefficient ratio was found to be ≈0.3. In other words, gas-phase photodissociation rate coefficients have to be reduced by a factor of 0.3 before applying them to icy species. A crucial part of the model is a proper inclusion of cosmic-ray induced desorption. Observations sampling gas with total extinctions in excess of ≈22 mag were found to be uncorrelated to modelling results, possibly because of grains being covered with non-polar molecules.

The Complex Refractive Index of Volcanic Ash Aerosol Retrieved From Spectral Mass Extinction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reed, Benjamin E.; Peters, Daniel M.; McPheat, Robert; Grainger, R. G.

2018-01-01

The complex refractive indices of eight volcanic ash samples, chosen to have a representative range of SiO2 contents, were retrieved from simultaneous measurements of their spectral mass extinction coefficient and size distribution. The mass extinction coefficients, at 0.33-19 μm, were measured using two optical systems: a Fourier transform spectrometer in the infrared and two diffraction grating spectrometers covering visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. The particle size distribution was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and an optical particle counter; values for the effective radius of ash particles measured in this study varied from 0.574 to 1.16 μm. Verification retrievals on high-purity silica aerosol demonstrated that the Rayleigh continuous distribution of ellipsoids (CDEs) scattering model significantly outperformed Mie theory in retrieving the complex refractive index, when compared to literature values. Assuming the silica particles provided a good analogue of volcanic ash, the CDE scattering model was applied to retrieve the complex refractive index of the eight ash samples. The Lorentz formulation of the complex refractive index was used within the retrievals as a convenient way to ensure consistency with the Kramers-Kronig relation. The short-wavelength limit of the electric susceptibility was constrained by using independently measured reference values of the complex refractive index of the ash samples at a visible wavelength. The retrieved values of the complex refractive indices of the ash samples showed considerable variation, highlighting the importance of using accurate refractive index data in ash cloud radiative transfer models.

[Determination of the error of aerosol extinction coefficient measured by DOAS].

PubMed

Si, Fu-qi; Liu, Jian-guo; Xie, Pin-hua; Zhang, Yu-jun; Wang, Mian; Liu, Wen-qing; Hiroaki, Kuze; Liu, Cheng; Nobuo, Takeuchi

2006-10-01

The method of defining the error of aerosol extinction coefficient measured by differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) is described. Some factors which could bring errors to result, such as variation of source, integral time, atmospheric turbulence, calibration of system parameter, displacement of system, and back scattering of particles, are analyzed. The error of aerosol extinction coefficient, 0.03 km(-1), is determined by theoretical analysis and practical measurement.

Microwave vector radiative transfer equation of a sea foam layer by the second-order Rayleigh approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, En-Bo

2011-10-01

The microwave vector radiative transfer (VRT) equation of a coated spherical bubble layer is derived by means of the second-order Rayleigh approximation field when the microwave wavelength is larger than the coated spherical particle diameter. Meanwhile, the perturbation method is developed to solve the second-order Rayleigh VRT equation for the small ratio of the volume scattering coefficient to the extinction coefficient. As an example, the emissive properties of a sea surface foam layer, which consists of seawater coated bubbles, are investigated. The extinction, absorption, and scattering coefficients of sea foam are obtained by the second-order Rayleigh approximation fields and discussed for the different microwave frequencies and the ratio of inner radius to outer radius of a coated bubble. Our results show that in the dilute limit, the volume scattering coefficient decreases with increasing the ratio of inner radius to outer radius and decreasing the frequencies. It is also found that the microwave emissivity and the extinction coefficient have a peak at very thin seawater coating and its peak value decreases with frequency decrease. Furthermore, with the VRT equation and effective medium approximation of densely coated bubbles, the mechanism of sea foam enhancing the emissivity of a sea surface is disclosed. In addition, excellent agreement is obtained by comparing our VRT results with the experimental data of microwave emissivities of sea surface covered by a sea foam layer at L-band (1.4 GHz) and the Camps' model.

Characterization of smoke and dust episode over West Africa: comparison of MERRA-2 modeling with multiwavelength Mie-Raman lidar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veselovskii, Igor; Goloub, Philippe; Podvin, Thierry; Tanre, Didier; da Silva, Arlindo; Colarco, Peter; Castellanos, Patricia; Korenskiy, Mikhail; Hu, Qiaoyun; Whiteman, David N.; Pérez-Ramírez, Daniel; Augustin, Patrick; Fourmentin, Marc; Kolgotin, Alexei

2018-02-01

Observations of multiwavelength Mie-Raman lidar taken during the SHADOW field campaign are used to analyze a smoke-dust episode over West Africa on 24-27 December 2015. For the case considered, the dust layer extended from the ground up to approximately 2000 m while the elevated smoke layer occurred in the 2500-4000 m range. The profiles of lidar measured backscattering, extinction coefficients, and depolarization ratios are compared with the vertical distribution of aerosol parameters provided by the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2). The MERRA-2 model simulated the correct location of the near-surface dust and elevated smoke layers. The values of modeled and observed aerosol extinction coefficients at both 355 and 532 nm are also rather close. In particular, for the episode reported, the mean value of difference between the measured and modeled extinction coefficients at 355 nm is 0.01 km-1 with SD of 0.042 km-1. The model predicts significant concentration of dust particles inside the elevated smoke layer, which is supported by an increased depolarization ratio of 15 % observed in the center of this layer. The modeled at 355 nm the lidar ratio of 65 sr in the near-surface dust layer is close to the observed value (70 ± 10) sr. At 532 nm, however, the simulated lidar ratio (about 40 sr) is lower than measurements (55 ± 8 sr). The results presented demonstrate that the lidar and model data are complimentary and the synergy of observations and models is a key to improve the aerosols characterization.

The Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties using Continuous Wave Cavity Ring-Down Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, Anthony W.; Castaneda, Rene; Owano, Thomas; Baer, Douglas S.; Paldus, Barbara A.; Gore, Warren J. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Large uncertainties in the effects that aerosols have on climate require improved in situ measurements of extinction coefficient and single-scattering albedo. This paper describes the use of continuous wave cavity ring-down (CW-CRD) technology to address this problem. The innovations in this instrument are the use of CW-CRD to measure aerosol extinction coefficient, the simultaneous measurement of scattering coefficient, and small size suitable for a wide range of aircraft applications. Our prototype instrument measures extinction and scattering coefficient at 690 nm and extinction coefficient at 1550 nm. The instrument itself is small (60 x 48 x 15 cm) and relatively insensitive to vibrations. The prototype instrument has been tested in our lab and used in the field. While improvements in performance are needed, the prototype has been shown to make accurate and sensitive measurements of extinction and scattering coefficients. Combining these two parameters, one can obtain the single-scattering albedo and absorption coefficient, both important aerosol properties. The use of two wavelengths also allows us to obtain a quantitative idea of the size of the aerosol through the Angstrom exponent. Minimum sensitivity of the prototype instrument is 1.5 x 10(exp -6)/m (1.5 M/m). Validation of the measurement of extinction coefficient has been accomplished by comparing the measurement of calibration spheres with Mie calculations. This instrument and its successors have potential to help reduce uncertainty currently associated with aerosol optical properties and their spatial and temporal variation. Possible applications include studies of visibility, climate forcing by aerosol, and the validation of aerosol retrieval schemes from satellite data.

The Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties Using Continuous Wave Cavity Ring-Down Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, A. W.; Owano, T.; Castaneda, R.; Baer, D. S.; Paldus, B. A.; Gore, Warren J. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Large uncertainties in the effects that aerosols have on climate require improved in-situ measurements of extinction coefficient and single-scattering albedo. This abstract describes the use of continuous wave cavity ring-down (CW-CRD) technology to address this problem. The innovations in this instrument are the use of CW-CRD to measure aerosol extinction coefficient, the simultaneous measurement of scattering coefficient, and small size suitable for a wide range of aircraft applications. Our prototype instrument measures extinction and scattering coefficient at 690 nm and extinction coefficient at 1550 nm. The instrument itself is small (60 x 48 x 15 cm) and relatively insensitive to vibrations. The prototype instrument has been tested in our lab and used in the field. While improvements in performance are needed, the prototype has been shown to make accurate and sensitive measurements of extinction and scattering coefficients. Combining these two parameters, one can obtain the single-scattering albedo and absorption coefficient, both important aerosol properties. The use of two wavelengths also allows us to obtain a quantitative idea of the size of the aerosol through the Angstrom exponent. Minimum sensitivity of the prototype instrument is 1.5 x 10(exp -6)/m (1.5/Mm). Validation of the measurement of extinction coefficient has been accomplished by comparing the measurement of calibration spheres with Mie calculations. This instrument and its successors have potential to help reduce uncertainty currently associated with aerosol optical properties and their spatial and temporal variation. Possible applications include studies of visibility, climate forcing by aerosol, and the validation of aerosol retrieval schemes from satellite data.

Assessing the measurement of aerosol single scattering albedo by Cavity Attenuated Phase-Shift Single Scattering Monitor (CAPS PMssa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perim de Faria, Julia; Bundke, Ulrich; Onasch, Timothy B.; Freedman, Andrew; Petzold, Andreas

2016-04-01

The necessity to quantify the direct impact of aerosol particles on climate forcing is already well known; assessing this impact requires continuous and systematic measurements of the aerosol optical properties. Two of the main parameters that need to be accurately measured are the aerosol optical depth and single scattering albedo (SSA, defined as the ratio of particulate scattering to extinction). The measurement of single scattering albedo commonly involves the measurement of two optical parameters, the scattering and the absorption coefficients. Although there are well established technologies to measure both of these parameters, the use of two separate instruments with different principles and uncertainties represents potential sources of significant errors and biases. Based on the recently developed cavity attenuated phase shift particle extinction monitor (CAPS PM_{ex) instrument, the CAPS PM_{ssa instrument combines the CAPS technology to measure particle extinction with an integrating sphere capable of simultaneously measuring the scattering coefficient of the same sample. The scattering channel is calibrated to the extinction channel, such that the accuracy of the single scattering albedo measurement is only a function of the accuracy of the extinction measurement and the nephelometer truncation losses. This gives the instrument an accurate and direct measurement of the single scattering albedo. In this study, we assess the measurements of both the extinction and scattering channels of the CAPS PM_{ssa through intercomparisons with Mie theory, as a fundamental comparison, and with proven technologies, such as integrating nephelometers and filter-based absorption monitors. For comparison, we use two nephelometers, a TSI 3563 and an Aurora 4000, and two measurements of the absorption coefficient, using a Particulate Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) and a Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP). We also assess the indirect absorption coefficient measurement from the CAPS PM_{ssa (calculated as the difference from the measured extinction and scattering). The study was carried out in the laboratory with controlled particle generation systems. We used both light absorbing aerosols (Regal 400R pigment black from Cabot Corp. and colloidal graphite - Aquadag - from Agar Scientific) and purely scattering aerosols (ammonium sulphate and polystyrene latex spheres), covering single scattering albedo values from approximately 0.4 to 1.0. A new truncation angle correction for the CAPS PM_{ssa integrated sphere is proposed.

Impact of organic coating on growth of ammonium sulfate particles: light extinction measurements relevant for the direct effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, C. B.; Zarzana, K. J.; Hasenkopf, C. A.; Tolbert, M. A.

2012-12-01

Light extinction by particles is strongly dependent on chemical composition, particle size, and water uptake. Relative humidity affects extinction by causing changes in refractive index and particle size due to hygroscopic growth. The ability of particles to take up water depends on their composition and structure. In both laboratory and field studies, inorganic salts completely covered by an organic coating have been observed. The impact of this coating on water uptake is uncertain, and a systematic study that examines water uptake as a function of relative humidity is highly desirable. These data are critical to evaluate the aerosol direct effect on climate, which is one of the most uncertain aspects of future climate change. In this study, we probe the connection between aerosol composition, size and light extinction directly by measuring fRHext, the ratio of the extinction coefficient for humidified particles to the extinction coefficient for dry particles. Particles were composed of 1,2,6-hexanetriol and ammonium sulfate, a system that forms organic coatings around the inorganic core. A cavity ring-down aerosol extinction spectrometer at 532 nm is used to measure the optical growth factor as a function of relative humidity. The fRHext values for a range of %RH for pure ammonium sulfate, pure 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and ammonium sulfate particles with 1,2,6-hexanetriol coatings were measured. The coated particles are created using a method of liquid-liquid separation, where the particles are exposed to water vapor creating a RH% above their deliquescence RH%. The particles are then dried with a Nafion dryer to a RH% that is below the point where liquid-liquid phase separation is observed, but above the efflorescence RH%. Pure 1,2,6-hexanetriol takes up little water over the observed RH range of 45-65%, and therefore fRHext ~ 1. With pure ammonium sulfate for the same RH% range, the fRHext varied from 1.5 - 2, depending on the RH% and the particle size. For the coated particles, at each RH%, the fRHext values fall between those for pure ammonium sulfate and pure 1,2,6-hexanetriol values. This suggests that the organic coating does not prevent water uptake by the ammonium sulfate cores.

Retrieval method of aerosol extinction coefficient profile by an integral lidar system and case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Huihui; Zhang, Hui; Liu, Junjian; Wang, Shenhao; Ma, Xiaomin; Zhang, Lianqing; Liu, Dong; Xie, Chenbo; Tao, Zongming

2018-02-01

Aerosol extinction coefficient profile is an essential parameter for atmospheric radiation model. But it is difficult to get the full aerosol extinction profile from the ground to the tropopause especially in near ground precisely using backscattering lidar. A combined measurement of side-scattering, backscattering and Raman-scattering lidar is proposed to retrieve the aerosol extinction coefficient profile from the surface to the tropopause which covered a dynamic range of 5 orders. The side-scattering technique solves the dead zone and the overlap problem caused by the traditional lidar in the near range. Using the Raman-scattering the aerosol lidar ratio (extinction to backscatter ratio) can be obtained. The cases studies in this paper show the proposed method is reasonable and feasible.

Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift (CAPS) Method for Airborne Aerosol Light Extinction Measurement: Instrument Validation and First Results from Field Deployment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petzold, A.; Perim de Faria, J.; Berg, M.; Bundke, U.; Freedman, A.

2015-12-01

Monitoring the direct impact of aerosol particles on climate requires the continuous measurement of aerosol optical parameters like the aerosol extinction coefficient on a regular basis. Remote sensing and ground-based networks are well in place (e.g., AERONET, ACTRIS), whereas the regular in situ measurement of vertical profiles of atmospheric aerosol optical properties remains still an important challenge in quantifying climate change. The European Research Infrastructure IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System; www.iagos.org) responds to the increasing requests for long-term, routine in situ observational data by using commercial passenger aircraft as measurement platform. However, scientific instrumentation for the measurement of atmospheric constituents requires major modifications before being deployable aboard in-service passenger aircraft. Recently, a compact and robust family of optical instruments based on the cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) technique has become available for measuring aerosol light extinction. While this technique was successfully deployed for ground-based atmospheric measurements under various conditions, its suitability for operation aboard aircraft in the free and upper free troposphere still has to be demonstrated. In this work, the modifications of a CAPS PMex instrument for measuring aerosol light extinction on aircraft, the results from subsequent laboratory tests for evaluating the modified instrument prototype, and first results from a field deployment aboard a research aircraft will be covered. In laboratory studies, the instrument showed excellent agreement (deviation < 5%) with theoretical values calculated from Rayleigh scattering cross-sections, when operated on pressurized air and CO2 at ambient and low pressure (~200 hPa). For monodisperse and polydisperse aerosols, reference aerosol extinction coefficients were calculated from measured size distributions and agreed with the CAPS PMex instrument response within 10% deviation. During the field deployment, aerosol extinction coefficients and associated aerosol size distributions have been measured and will be presented as comparison studies between measured and calculated data.

Measurement of aerosol optical properties by cw cavity enhanced spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jie, Guo; Ye, Shan-Shan; Yang, Xiao; Han, Ye-Xing; Tang, Huai-Wu; Yu, Zhi-Wei

2016-10-01

The CAPS (Cavity Attenuated Phase shift Spectroscopy) system, which detects the extinction coefficients within a 10 nm bandpass centered at 532 nm, comprises a green LED with center wavelength in 532nm, a resonant optical cavity (36 cm length), a Photo Multiplier Tube detector, and a lock in amplifier. The square wave modulated light from the LED passes through the optical cavity and is detected as a distorted waveform which is characterized by a phase shift with respect to the initial modulation. Extinction coefficients are determined from changes in the phase shift of the distorted waveform of the square wave modulated LED light that is transmitted through the optical cavity. The performance of the CAPS system was evaluated by using measurements of the stability and response of the system. The minima ( 0.1 Mm-1) in the Allan plots show the optimum average time ( 100s) for optimum detection performance of the CAPS system. In the paper, it illustrates that extinction coefficient was correlated with PM2.5 mass (0.91). These figures indicate that this method has the potential to become one of the most sensitive on-line analytical techniques for extinction coefficient detection. This work aims to provide an initial validation of the CAPS extinction monitor in laboratory and field environments. Our initial results presented in this paper show that the CAPS extinction monitor is capable of providing state-of-the-art performance while dramatically reducing the complexity of optical instrumentation for directly measuring the extinction coefficients.

[Research on the measurement range of particle size with total light scattering method in vis-IR region].

PubMed

Sun, Xiao-gang; Tang, Hong; Dai, Jing-min

2008-12-01

The problem of determining the particle size range in the visible-infrared region was studied using the independent model algorithm in the total scattering technique. By the analysis and comparison of the accuracy of the inversion results for different R-R distributions, the measurement range of particle size was determined. Meanwhile, the corrected extinction coefficient was used instead of the original extinction coefficient, which could determine the measurement range of particle size with higher accuracy. Simulation experiments illustrate that the particle size distribution can be retrieved very well in the range from 0. 05 to 18 microm at relative refractive index m=1.235 in the visible-infrared spectral region, and the measurement range of particle size will vary with the varied wavelength range and relative refractive index. It is feasible to use the constrained least squares inversion method in the independent model to overcome the influence of the measurement error, and the inverse results are all still satisfactory when 1% stochastic noise is added to the value of the light extinction.

Near-IR extinction and backscatter coefficient measurements in low- and mid-altitude clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sztankay, Z. G.

1986-01-01

Knowledge of the attenuation and backscattering properties of clouds is required to high resolution for several types of optical sensing systems. Such data was obtained in about 15 hours of flights through clouds in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. The flights were mainly through stratocumulus, altocumulus, stratus, and stratus fractus clouds and covered an altitude and temperature range of 300 to 3200 m and -13 to 17 C. Two instruments were flown, each of which measured the backscatter from close range in two range bins to independently determine both the extinction and backscatter coefficients. The extinction and backscatter coefficients can be obtained from the signals in the two channels of each instrument, provided that the aerosol is uniform over the measurement region. When this assumptions holds, the extinction coefficient is derived basically from the ratio of the signal in the two channels; the backscatter coefficient can then be obtained from the signal in either channel.

Light extinction by Secondary Organic Aerosol: an intercomparison of three broadband cavity spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varma, R. M.; Ball, S. M.; Brauers, T.; Dorn, H.-P.; Heitmann, U.; Jones, R. L.; Platt, U.; Pöhler, D.; Ruth, A. A.; Shillings, A. J. L.; Thieser, J.; Wahner, A.; Venables, D. S.

2013-07-01

Broadband optical cavity spectrometers are maturing as a technology for trace gas detection, but only recently have they been used to retrieve the extinction coefficient of aerosols. Sensitive broadband extinction measurements allow explicit separation of gas and particle phase spectral contributions, as well as continuous spectral measurements of aerosol extinction in favourable cases. In this work, we report an intercomparison study of the aerosol extinction coefficients measured by three such instruments: a broadband cavity ring-down spectrometer (BBCRDS), a cavity-enhanced differential optical absorption spectrometer (CE-DOAS), and an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer (IBBCEAS). Experiments were carried out in the SAPHIR atmospheric simulation chamber as part of the NO3Comp campaign to compare the measurement capabilities of NO3 and N2O5 instrumentation. Aerosol extinction coefficients between 655 and 690 nm are reported for secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by the NO3 oxidation of β-pinene under dry and humid conditions. Despite different measurement approaches and spectral analysis procedures, the three instruments retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients that were in close agreement. The refractive index of SOA formed from the β-pinene + NO3 reaction was 1.61, and was not measurably affected by the chamber humidity or by aging of the aerosol over several hours. This refractive index is significantly larger than SOA refractive indices observed in other studies of OH and ozone-initiated terpene oxidations, and may be caused by the large proportion of organic nitrates in the particle phase. In an experiment involving ammonium sulphate particles the aerosol extinction coefficients as measured by IBBCEAS were found to be in reasonable agreement with those calculated using Mie theory. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of broadband cavity spectrometers for determining the optical properties of aerosols.

Light extinction by secondary organic aerosol: an intercomparison of three broadband cavity spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varma, R. M.; Ball, S. M.; Brauers, T.; Dorn, H.-P.; Heitmann, U.; Jones, R. L.; Platt, U.; Pöhler, D.; Ruth, A. A.; Shillings, A. J. L.; Thieser, J.; Wahner, A.; Venables, D. S.

2013-11-01

Broadband optical cavity spectrometers are maturing as a technology for trace-gas detection, but only recently have they been used to retrieve the extinction coefficient of aerosols. Sensitive broadband extinction measurements allow explicit separation of gas and particle phase spectral contributions, as well as continuous spectral measurements of aerosol extinction in favourable cases. In this work, we report an intercomparison study of the aerosol extinction coefficients measured by three such instruments: a broadband cavity ring-down spectrometer (BBCRDS), a cavity-enhanced differential optical absorption spectrometer (CE-DOAS), and an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer (IBBCEAS). Experiments were carried out in the SAPHIR atmospheric simulation chamber as part of the NO3Comp campaign to compare the measurement capabilities of NO3 and N2O5 instrumentation. Aerosol extinction coefficients between 655 and 690 nm are reported for secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by the NO3 oxidation of β-pinene under dry and humid conditions. Despite different measurement approaches and spectral analysis procedures, the three instruments retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients that were in close agreement. The refractive index of SOA formed from the β-pinene + NO3 reaction was 1.61, and was not measurably affected by the chamber humidity or by aging of the aerosol over several hours. This refractive index is significantly larger than SOA refractive indices observed in other studies of OH and ozone-initiated terpene oxidations, and may be caused by the large proportion of organic nitrates in the particle phase. In an experiment involving ammonium sulfate particles, the aerosol extinction coefficients as measured by IBBCEAS were found to be in reasonable agreement with those calculated using the Mie theory. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of broadband cavity spectrometers for determining the optical properties of aerosols.

Open-path, closed-path and reconstructed aerosol extinction at a rural site.

PubMed

Gordon, Timothy D; Prenni, Anthony J; Renfro, James R; McClure, Ethan; Hicks, Bill; Onasch, Timothy B; Freedman, Andrew; McMeeking, Gavin R; Chen, Ping

2018-04-09

The Handix Scientific Open-Path Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer (OPCRDS) was deployed during summer 2016 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Extinction coefficients from the relatively new OPCRDS and from a more well-established extinction instrument agreed to within 7%. Aerosol hygroscopic growth (f(RH)) was calculated from the ratio of ambient extinction measured by the OPCRDS to dry extinction measured by a closed-path extinction monitor (Aerodyne's Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift Particulate Matter Extinction Monitor, CAPS PMex). Derived hygroscopicity (RH < 95%) from this campaign agreed with data from 1995 at the same site and time of year, which is noteworthy given the decreasing trend for organics and sulfate in the eastern U.S. However, maximum f(RH) values in 1995 were less than half as large as those recorded in 2016-possibly due to nephelometer truncation losses in 1995. Two hygroscopicity parameterizations were investigated using high time resolution OPCRDS+CAPS PMex data, and the K ext model was more accurate than the γ model. Data from the two ambient optical instruments, the OPCRDS and the open-path nephelometer, generally agreed; however, significant discrepancies between ambient scattering and extinction were observed, apparently driven by a combination of hygroscopic growth effects, which tend to increase nephelometer truncation losses and decrease sensitivity to the wavelength difference between the two instruments as a function of particle size. There was not a statistically significant difference in the mean reconstructed extinction values obtained from the original and the revised IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) equations. On average IMPROVE reconstructed extinction was ~25% lower than extinction measured by the OPCRDS, which suggests that the IMPROVE equations and 24-hr aerosol data are moderately successful in estimating current haze levels at GRSM. However, this conclusion is limited by the coarse temporal resolution and the low dynamic range of the IMPROVE reconstructed extinction.

Effectively Improving Extinction Coefficient of Benzodithiophene and Benzodithiophenedione-based Photovoltaic Polymer by Grafting Alkylthio Functional Groups.

PubMed

Wang, Qi; Zhang, Shaoqing; Xu, Bowei; Ye, Long; Yao, Huifeng; Cui, Yong; Zhang, Hao; Yuan, Wenxia; Hou, Jianhui

2016-10-06

Alkylthio groups have received much attention in the polymer community for their molecular design applications in polymer solar cells. In this work, alkylthio substitution on the conjugated thiophene side chains in benzodithiophene (BDT) and benzodithiophenedione (BDD)-based photovoltaic polymer was used to improve the extinction coefficient. The introduction of alkylthio groups into the polymer increased its extinction coefficient while the HOMO levels, bandgaps, and absorption bands remained the same. Thus, the short circuit current density (J sc ) and the efficiency of the device were much better than those of the control device. Thus, introducing the alkylthio functional group in polymer is an effective method to tune the extinction coefficient of photovoltaic polymer. This provides a new path to improve photovoltaic performance without increasing active layer thickness, which will be very helpful to design advanced photovoltaic materials for high photovoltaic performance. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Simultaneous all-optical determination of molecular concentration and extinction coefficient.

PubMed

Cho, Byungmoon; Tiwari, Vivek; Jonas, David M

2013-06-04

Absolute molecular number concentration and extinction coefficient are simultaneously determined from linear and nonlinear spectroscopic measurements. This method is based on measurements of absolute femtosecond pump-probe signals. Accounting for pulse propagation, we present a closed form expression for molecular number concentration in terms of absorbance, fluorescence, absolute pump-probe signal, and laser pulse parameters (pulse energy, spectrum, and spatial intensity profile); all quantities are measured optically. As in gravimetric and coulometric determinations of concentration, no standard samples are needed for calibration. The extinction coefficient can then be determined from the absorbance spectrum and the concentration. For fluorescein in basic methanol, the optically determined molar concentrations and extinction coefficients match gravimetric determinations to within 10% for concentrations from 0.032 to 0.540 mM, corresponding to absorbance from 0.06 to 1. In principle, this photonumeric method is extensible to transient chemical species for which other methods are not available.

A Comparison of the AFGL Flash, Draper Dart and AWS Haze Models with the Rand Wetta Model for Calculating Atmospheric Contrast Reduction.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

52 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure I Horizontal Visibility Profiles for Stair-Step and Exponential Extinction Coefficient...background reflectances. These values were then numerically intergrated (via a combination of Simpson’s and Newton’s 3/8th rules) and compared with the

Electromagnetic wave extinction within a forested canopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.

1989-01-01

A forested canopy is modeled by a collection of randomly oriented finite-length cylinders shaded by randomly oriented and distributed disk- or needle-shaped leaves. For a plane wave exciting the forested canopy, the extinction coefficient is formulated in terms of the extinction cross sections (ECSs) in the local frame of each forest component and the Eulerian angles of orientation (used to describe the orientation of each component). The ECSs in the local frame for the finite-length cylinders used to model the branches are obtained by using the forward-scattering theorem. ECSs in the local frame for the disk- and needle-shaped leaves are obtained by the summation of the absorption and scattering cross-sections. The behavior of the extinction coefficients with the incidence angle is investigated numerically for both deciduous and coniferous forest. The dependencies of the extinction coefficients on the orientation of the leaves are illustrated numerically.

The wavelength dependent model of extinction in fog and haze for free space optical communication.

PubMed

Grabner, Martin; Kvicera, Vaclav

2011-02-14

The wavelength dependence of the extinction coefficient in fog and haze is investigated using Mie single scattering theory. It is shown that the effective radius of drop size distribution determines the slope of the log-log dependence of the extinction on wavelengths in the interval between 0.2 and 2 microns. The relation between the atmospheric visibility and the effective radius is derived from the empirical relationship of liquid water content and extinction. Based on these results, the model of the relationship between visibility and the extinction coefficient with different effective radii for fog and for haze conditions is proposed.

Gamma ray interaction studies of organic nonlinear optical materials in the energy range 122 keV-1330 keV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awasarmol, V. V.; Gaikwad, D. K.; Raut, S. D.; Pawar, P. P.

The mass attenuation coefficients (μm) for organic nonlinear optical materials measured at 122-1330 keV photon energies were investigated on the basis of mixture rule and compared with obtained values of WinXCOM program. It is observed that there is a good agreement between theoretical and experimental values of the samples. All samples were irradiated with six radioactive sources such as 57Co, 133Ba, 22Na, 137Cs, 54Mn and 60Co using transmission arrangement. Effective atomic and electron numbers or electron densities (Zeff and Neff), molar extinction coefficient (ε), mass energy absorption coefficient (μen/ρ) and effective atomic energy absorption cross section (σa,en) were determined experimentally and theoretically using the obtained μm values for investigated samples and graphs have been plotted. The graph shows that the variation of all samples decreases with increasing photon energy.

Quantifying the effect of finite spectral bandwidth on extinction coefficient of species in laser absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Manjeet; Singh, Jaswant; Singh, Baljit; Ghanshyam, C.

2016-11-01

The aim of this study is to quantify the finite spectral bandwidth effect on laser absorption spectroscopy for a wide-band laser source. Experimental analysis reveals that the extinction coefficient of an analyte is affected by the bandwidth of the spectral source, which may result in the erroneous conclusions. An approximate mathematical model has been developed for optical intensities having Gaussian line shape, which includes the impact of source's spectral bandwidth in the equation for spectroscopic absorption. This is done by introducing a suitable first order and second order bandwidth approximation in the Beer-Lambert law equation for finite bandwidth case. The derived expressions were validated using spectroscopic analysis with higher SBW on a test sample, Rhodamine B. The concentrations calculated using proposed approximation, were in significant agreement with the true values when compared with those calculated with conventional approach.

[1]Benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene-Based Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

PubMed

Capodilupo, Agostina L; Fabiano, Eduardo; De Marco, Luisa; Ciccarella, Giuseppe; Gigli, Giuseppe; Martinelli, Carmela; Cardone, Antonio

2016-04-15

Three new metal-free organic dyes with the [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (BTBT) π-bridge, having the structure donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) and labeled as 19, 20 and 21, have been designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Once the design of the π-acceptor block was fixed, containing the BTBT as the π-bridge and the cyanoacrylic group as the electron acceptor and anchoring unit, we selected three donor units with different electron-donor capacity, in order to assemble new chromophores with high molar extinction coefficients (ε), whose absorption features well reflect the good performance of the final DSSC devices. Starting with the 19 dye, which shows a molar extinction coefficient ε of over 14,000 M(-1) cm(-1) and takes into account the absorption maximun at the longer wavelength, the substitution of the BFT donor unit with the BFA yields a great enhancement of absorptivity (molar extinction coefficient ε > 42,000 M(-1) cm(-1)), until reaching the higher value (ε > 69,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) with the BFPhz donor unit. The good general photovoltaic performances obtained with the three dyes highlight the suitable properties of electron-transport of the BTBT as the π-bridge in organic chromophore for DSSC, making this very cheap and easy to synthesize molecule particularly attractive for efficient and low-cost photovoltaic devices.

A subtle calculation method for nanoparticle’s molar extinction coefficient: The gift from discrete protein-nanoparticle system on agarose gel electrophoresis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Ruibo; Yuan, Ming; Gao, Haiyang; Bai, Zhijun; Guo, Jun; Zhao, Xinmin; Zhang, Feng

2016-03-01

Discrete biomolecule-nanoparticle (NP) conjugates play paramount roles in nanofabrication, in which the key is to get the precise molar extinction coefficient of NPs. By making best use of the gift from a specific separation phenomenon of agarose gel electrophoresis (GE), amphiphilic polymer coated NP with exact number of bovine serum albumin (BSA) proteins can be extracted and further experimentally employed to precisely calculate the molar extinction coefficient of the NPs. This method could further benefit the evaluation and extraction of any other dual-component NP-containing bio-conjugates.

Correction method for influence of tissue scattering for sidestream dark-field oximetry using multicolor LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurata, Tomohiro; Oda, Shigeto; Kawahira, Hiroshi; Haneishi, Hideaki

2016-12-01

We have previously proposed an estimation method of intravascular oxygen saturation (SO_2) from the images obtained by sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging (we call it SDF oximetry) and we investigated its fundamental characteristics by Monte Carlo simulation. In this paper, we propose a correction method for scattering by the tissue and performed experiments with turbid phantoms as well as Monte Carlo simulation experiments to investigate the influence of the tissue scattering in the SDF imaging. In the estimation method, we used modified extinction coefficients of hemoglobin called average extinction coefficients (AECs) to correct the influence from the bandwidth of the illumination sources, the imaging camera characteristics, and the tissue scattering. We estimate the scattering coefficient of the tissue from the maximum slope of pixel value profile along a line perpendicular to the blood vessel running direction in an SDF image and correct AECs using the scattering coefficient. To evaluate the proposed method, we developed a trial SDF probe to obtain three-band images by switching multicolor light-emitting diodes and obtained the image of turbid phantoms comprised of agar powder, fat emulsion, and bovine blood-filled glass tubes. As a result, we found that the increase of scattering by the phantom body brought about the decrease of the AECs. The experimental results showed that the use of suitable values for AECs led to more accurate SO_2 estimation. We also confirmed the validity of the proposed correction method to improve the accuracy of the SO_2 estimation.

Seasonal Variations in Dust Loading within Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Casey; Moores, John; Smith, Christina L.; MSL Science Team

2016-10-01

The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has been exploring Gale Crater for more than two martian years. Such tenure allows seasonal variability of the weather record for the current era to be studied with aid from Mast Cameras (Mastcam), Navigation Cameras (Navcam) and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS). Dust is a key component in the Martian atmosphere which helps drive atmospheric circulation. As such, these three instruments are integral in the characterization of the dust-loading environment both within and above the crater. This study uses Navcam imagery and a digital terrain model provided from HRSC on Mars Express to derive geographical line-of-sight extinction (LOS-Ext) coefficients, a quantity that assesses dust loading local to the air within the crater and which reveals differences in dust loading along different lines of sight.We report two martian years worth of LOS-Ext at Gale Crater, covering Ls 210° in Mars year (MY) 31 to Ls 210° in MY33. All seasons have been observed twice with the only significant exception being a gap in data between Ls 270° - 315° in MY31 (early southern summer). Visibility conditions within the crater range from a few tens of km in spring and summer to over 100 km peaking around the winter solstice. The LOS-Ext record is also compared to the column extinction record derived from the Mastcam Tau observations. The first year shows a convergence of the two values around Ls 270° in MY31 and similar values around Ls 350° in MY31 and Ls 135° in MY32. Otherwise, during the first year of observation, the LOS-Ext has lower values than the Mastcam column extinction indicating two non-interacting atmospheric layers. In the second year, not only are similar values observed more frequently, the LOS-Ext coefficients have a global peak and overtake Mastcam column extinction during Ls 270° - 315° in MY32, which correspond to the missing timeframe from the previous year. As this season is prone to high wind speeds, this may be an indication of enhanced suspension of fine grain regolith occurring, coincidentally, at the tail end of a regional dust storm, causing LOS-Ext to be larger than column extinction.

Studies on mass energy-absorption coefficients and effective atomic energy-absorption cross sections for carbohydrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ladhaf, Bibifatima M.; Pawar, Pravina P.

2015-04-01

We measured here the mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of carbohydrates, Esculine (C15H16O9), Sucrose (C12H22O11), Sorbitol (C6H14O6), D-Galactose (C6H12O6), Inositol (C6H12O6), D-Xylose (C5H10O5) covering the energy range from 122 keV up to 1330 keV photon energies by using gamma ray transmission method in a narrow beam good geometry set-up. The gamma-rays were detected using NaI(Tl) scintillation detection system with a resolution of 8.2% at 662 keV. The attenuation coefficient data were then used to obtain the total attenuation cross-section (σtot), molar extinction coefficients (ε), mass-energy absorption coefficients (μen/ρ) and effective (average) atomic energy-absorption cross section (σa,en) of the compounds. These values are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated based on XCOM data.

Energy dependence of radiation interaction parameters of some organic compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Mohinder; Tondon, Akash; Sandhu, B. S.; Singh, Bhajan

2018-04-01

Gamma rays interact with a material through photoelectric absorption, Compton scattering, Rayleigh scattering and Pair production in the intermediate energy range. The probability of occurrence of a particular type of process depends on the energy of incident gamma rays, atomic number of the material, scattering angle and geometrical conditions. Various radiological parameters for organic compounds, namely ethylene glycol (C2H6O2), propylene glycol (C3H8O2), glycerin (C3H8O3), isoamyl alcohol (C5H12O), butanone (C4H8O), acetophenone (C8H8O2), cyclohexanone (C6H10O), furfural (C5H4O2), benzaldehyde (C7H6O), cinnamaldehyde (C9H8O), glutaraldehyde (C5H8O2), aniline (C6H7N), benzyl amine (C6H7N), nitrobenzene (C6H5NO2), ethyl benzene (C8H10), ethyl formate (C3H6O2) and water (H2O) are presented at 81, 122, 356 and 511 keV energies employing NaI(Tl) scintillation detector in narrow-beam transmission geometry. The radiation interaction parameters such as mass attenuation, molar extinction and mass energy absorption coefficients, half value layer, total atomic and effective electronic cross-sections and CT number have been evaluated for these organic compounds. The general trend of values of mass attenuation coefficients, half value layer, molar extinction coefficients, total atomic and effective electronic cross-sections and mass energy absorption coefficients shows a decrease with increase in incident gamma photon energy. The values of CT number are found to increases linearly with increase of effective atomic number (Zeff). The variation in CT number around Zeff ≈ 3.3 shows the peak like structure with respect to water and the correlation between CT number and linear attenuation coefficient is about 0.99. Appropriate equations are fitted to these experimentally determined parameters for the organic compounds at incident photon energy ranging from 81 keV to 511 keV used in the present study. Experimental values are compared with the theoretical data obtained using WinXcom software package, and are found in good agreement.

Extreme dust storm over the eastern Mediterranean in September 2015: satellite, lidar, and surface observations in the Cyprus region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mamouri, Rodanthi-Elisavet; Ansmann, Albert; Nisantzi, Argyro; Solomos, Stavros; Kallos, George; Hadjimitsis, Diofantos G.

2016-11-01

A record-breaking dust storm originating from desert regions in northern Syria and Iraq occurred over the eastern Mediterranean in September 2015. In this contribution of a series of two articles (part 1, observations; part 2, atmospheric modeling), we provide a comprehensive overview of the aerosol conditions during this extreme dust outbreak in the Cyprus region. These observations are based on satellite observations (MODIS, moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and Ångström exponent, surface particle mass (PM10) concentrations measured at four sites in Cyprus, visibility observations at three airports in southern Cyprus and corresponding conversion products (particle extinction coefficient, dust mass concentrations), EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) lidar observations of dust vertical layering over Limassol, particle optical properties (backscatter, extinction, lidar ratio, linear depolarization ratio), and derived profiles of dust mass concentrations. Maximum 550 nm AOT exceeded values of 5.0, according to MODIS, and the mass loads were correspondingly > 10 g m-2 over Larnaca and Limassol during the passage of an extremely dense dust front on 8 September 2015. Hourly mean PM10 values were close to 8000 µg m-3 and the observed meteorological optical range (visibility) was reduced to 300-750 m at Larnaca and Limassol. The visibility observations suggest peak values of the near-surface total suspended particle (TSP) extinction coefficients of 6000 Mm-1 and thus TSP mass concentrations of 10 000 µg m-3. The Raman polarization lidar observations mainly indicated a double layer structure of the dust plumes (reaching to about 4 km height), pointing to at least two different dust source regions. Dust particle extinction coefficients (532 nm) already exceeded 1000 Mm-1 and the mass concentrations reached 2000 µg m-3 in the elevated dust layers on 7 September, more than 12 h before the peak dust front on 8 September reached the Limassol lidar station around local noon. Typical Middle Eastern dust lidar ratios around 40 sr were observed in the dense dust plumes. The particle depolarization ratio decreased from around 0.3 in the lofted dense dust layers to 0.2 at the end of the dust period (11 September), indicating an increasing impact of anthropogenic haze.

Lidar method of measurement of atmospheric extinction and ozone profiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooney, J. A.

1986-01-01

A description of a method of measurement of atmospheric extinction and of ozone profiles by use of the backscatter signal from a monostatic lidar is given. The central feature of the procedure involves a measurement of the ratio of the Raman backscatter returns of both the oxygen and nitrogen atmospheric content. Because the ratio of the number density of both species is known to high accuracy, the measurement itself becomes a measure of the ratio of two transmissions to altitude along with a ratio of the two system constants. The calibration measurement for determining the value of the ratio of the two system constants or electro-optical conversion constants is accomplished by a lidar measurement of identical atmospheric targets while at the same time interchanging the two optical filters in the two optical channels of the receiver. More details of the procedure are discussed. Factoring this calibrated value into the measured O2/N2 profile ratio provides a measured value of the ratio of the two transmissions. Or equivalently, it provides a measurement of the difference of the two extinction coefficients at the O2 and N2 Raman wavelengths as a function of the height.

Risk of population extinction from fixation of deleterious and reverse mutations.

PubMed

Lande, R

1998-01-01

A model is developed for alternate fixations of mildly deleterious and wild-type alleles arising by forward and reverse mutation in a finite population. For almost all parameter values, this gives an equilibrium load that agrees closely with the general expression derived from diffusion theory. Nearly neutral mutations with selection coefficient a few times larger than 1/(2N(e)) do the most damage by increasing the equilibrium load. The model of alternate fixations facilitates dynamical analysis of the expected load and the mean time to extinction in a population that has been suddenly reduced from a very large size to a small size. Reverse mutation can substantially improve population viability, increasing the mean time to extinction by an order of magnitude or more, but because many mutations are irreversible the effects may not be large. Populations with initially high mean fitness and small effective size, N(e) below a few hundred individuals, may be at serious risk of extinction from fixation of deleterious mutations within 10(3) to 10(4) generations.

Determination of the particulate extinction-coefficient profile and the column-integrated lidar ratios using the backscatter-coefficient and optical-depth profiles

Treesearch

Vladimir A Kovalev; Wei Min Hao; Cyle Wold

2007-01-01

A new method is considered that can be used for inverting data obtained from a combined elastic-inelastic lidar or a high spectral resolution lidar operating in a one-directional mode, or an elastic lidar operating in a multiangle mode. The particulate extinction coefficient is retrieved from the simultaneously measured profiles of the particulate backscatter...

Effect of 50MeV Li{sup 3+} ion irradiation on structural, optical and electrical properties of amorphous Se{sub 95}Zn{sub 5} thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmad, Shabir, E-mail: shaphyjmi@gmail.com; Sethi, Riti; Nasir, Mohd

2015-08-28

Present work focuses on the effect of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation of 50MeV Li{sup 3+} ions by varying the fluencies in the range of 1×10{sup 12} to 5×10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2} on the morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of amorphous Se{sub 95}Zn{sub 5} thin films. Thin films of ~250nm thickness were deposited on cleaned glass substrates by thermal evaporation technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the pristine thin film of Se{sub 95}Zn{sub 5} growsin hexagonal phase structure. Also it was found that the small peak observed in XRD spectra vanishes after SHI irradiation indicates the defects of themore » material increases. The optical parameters: absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (K), refractive index (n) optical band gap (E{sub g}) and Urbach’s energy (E{sub U}) are determined from optical absorption spectra data measured from spectrophotometry in the wavelength range 200-1000nm. It was found that the values of absorption coefficient, refractive index and extinction coefficient increases while the value optical band gap decreases with the increase of ion fluence. This post irradiation change in the optical parameters was interpreted in terms of bond distribution model. Electrical properties such as dc conductivity and temperature dependent photoconductivity of investigated thin films were carried out in the temperature range 309-370 K. Analysis of data shows activation energy of dark current is greater as compared to activation energy photocurrent. The value of activation energy decreases with the increase of ion fluence indicates that the defect density of states increases.Also it was found that the value of dc conductivity and photoconductivity increases with the increase of ion fluence.« less

An Algorithm for the Vertical Structure of Aerosol Extinction in the Lowest Kilometer of the Atmosphere: Rev. 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-01

inversion layer, or the well-mixed boundary layer. In such cases a low cloud ceiling is not present. In all instances the atmospheric extinction profiles...height, radiation fog depth, or the inversion layer height. The visibility regions and several representative vertical profiles of extinction are...the coefficient B can be found by B = ln(D/A) . (2) The coefficient B is sometimes a function of the cloud ceiling height, the inversion layer height

Does spatial arrangement of 3D plants affect light transmission and extinction coefficient within maize crops?

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Row spacing effects on light interception and extinction coefficient have been inconsistent for maize (Zea mays L.) when calculated with field measurements. To avoid inconsistencies due to variable light conditions and variable leaf canopies, we used a model to describe three-dimensional (3D) shoot ...

The empirical Gaia G-band extinction coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danielski, C.; Babusiaux, C.; Ruiz-Dern, L.; Sartoretti, P.; Arenou, F.

2018-06-01

Context. The first Gaia data release unlocked the access to photometric information for 1.1 billion sources in the G-band. Yet, given the high level of degeneracy between extinction and spectral energy distribution for large passbands such as the Gaia G-band, a correction for the interstellar reddening is needed in order to exploit Gaia data. Aims: The purpose of this manuscript is to provide the empirical estimation of the Gaia G-band extinction coefficient kG for both the red giants and main sequence stars in order to be able to exploit the first data release DR1. Methods: We selected two samples of single stars: one for the red giants and one for the main sequence. Both samples are the result of a cross-match between Gaia DR1 and 2MASS catalogues; they consist of high-quality photometry in the G-, J- and KS-bands. These samples were complemented by temperature and metallicity information retrieved from APOGEE DR13 and LAMOST DR2 surveys, respectively. We implemented a Markov chain Monte Carlo method where we used (G - KS)0 versus Teff and (J - KS)0 versus (G - KS)0, calibration relations to estimate the extinction coefficient kG and we quantify its corresponding confidence interval via bootstrap resampling. We tested our method on samples of red giants and main sequence stars, finding consistent solutions. Results: We present here the determination of the Gaia extinction coefficient through a completely empirical method. Furthermore we provide the scientific community with a formula for measuring the extinction coefficient as a function of stellar effective temperature, the intrinsic colour (G - KS)0, and absorption.

Extinction coefficients from lidar observations in ice clouds compared to in-situ measurements from the Cloud Integrating Nephelometer during CRYSTAL-FACE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noel, Vincent; Winker, D. M.; Garrett, T. J.; McGill, M.

2005-01-01

This paper presents a comparison of volume extinction coefficients in tropical ice clouds retrieved from two instruments : the 532-nm Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL), and the in-situ probe Cloud Integrating Nephelometer (CIN). Both instruments were mounted on airborne platforms during the CRYSTAL-FACE campaign and took measurements in ice clouds up to 17km. Coincident observations from three cloud cases are compared : one synoptically-generated cirrus cloud of low optical depth, and two ice clouds located on top of convective systems. Emphasis is put on the vertical variability of the extinction coefficient. Results show small differences on small spatial scales (approx. 100m) in retrievals from both instruments. Lidar retrievals also show higher extinction coefficients in the synoptic cirrus case, while the opposite tendency is observed in convective cloud systems. These differences are generally variations around the average profile given by the CPL though, and general trends on larger spatial scales are usually well reproduced. A good agreement exists between the two instruments, with an average difference of less than 16% on optical depth retrievals.

Toward a Combined SAGE II-HALOE Aerosol Climatology: An Evaluation of HALOE Version 19 Stratospheric Aerosol Extinction Coefficient Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomason, L. W.

2012-01-01

Herein, the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) aerosol extinction coefficient data is evaluated in the low aerosol loading period after 1996 as the first necessary step in a process that will eventually allow the production of a combined HALOE/SAGE II (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment) aerosol climatology of derived aerosol products including surface area density. Based on these analyses, it is demonstrated that HALOE's 3.46 microns is of good quality above 19 km and suitable for scientific applications above that altitude. However, it is increasingly suspect at lower altitudes and should not be used below 17 km under any circumstances after 1996. The 3.40 microns is biased by about 10% throughout the lower stratosphere due to the failure to clear NO2 but otherwise appears to be a high quality product down to 15 km. The 2.45 and 5.26 micron aerosol extinction coefficient measurements are clearly biased and should not be used for scientific applications after the most intense parts of the Pinatubo period. Many of the issues in the aerosol data appear to be related to either the failure to clear some interfering gas species or doing so poorly. For instance, it is clear that the 3.40micronaerosol extinction coefficient measurements can be improved through the inclusion of an NO2 correction and could, in fact, end up as the highest quality overall HALOE aerosol extinction coefficient measurement. It also appears that the 2.45 and 5.26 micron channels may be improved by updating the Upper Atmosphere Pilot Database which is used as a resource for the removal of gas species otherwise not available from direct HALOE measurements. Finally, a simple model to demonstrate the promise of mixed visible/infrared aerosol extinction coefficient ensembles for the retrieval of bulk aerosol properties demonstrates that a combined HALOE/SAGE II aerosol climatology is feasible and may represent a substantial improvement over independently derived data sets.

Direct comparison of extinction coefficients derived from Mie-scattering lidar and number concentrations of particles, subjective weather report in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimizu, Atsushi; Sugimoto, Nobuo; Matsui, Ichiro; Nishizawa, Tomoaki

2015-03-01

Two components of the lidar extinction coefficient, the dust extinction and the spherical particles extinction, were obtained from observations made by the National Institute for Environmental Studies lidar network in Japan. These two extinctions were compared with the number concentration of particles measured by an optical particle counter, and with subjective weather reports recorded at the nearest meteorological observatories. The dust extinction corresponded well with the number concentration of large particles with diameters as great as 5 μm and during dry conditions with the number concentration of particles larger than 2 μm. The relationship between the spherical particle extinction and the number of small particles was nearly constant under all conditions. Asian dust was sometimes reported by meteorological observatories in the period of lower dust extinction. This indicates contradicting relationship between human-eye based reports and optical characteristics observed by lidars in some cases. The most consistent results between lidar observation and meteorological reports were obtained in dry mist conditions, in which lidars exhibited higher spherical extinction as expected by the definition of the atmospheric phenomenon of dry mist or haze.

Characteristic of Nano-Cu Film Prepared by Energy Filtrating Magnetron Sputtering Technique and Its Optical Property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhaoyong; Hu, Xing; Yao, Ning

2015-03-01

At the optimized deposition parameters, Cu film was deposited by the direct current magnetron sputtering (DMS) technique and the energy filtrating magnetron sputtering (EFMS) technique. The nano-structure was charactered by x-ray diffraction. The surface morphology of the film was observed by atomic force microscopy. The optical properties of the film were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The refractive index, extinction coefficient and the thickness of the film were obtained by the fitted spectroscopic ellipsometry data using the Drude-Lorentz oscillator optical model. Results suggested that a Cu film with different properties was fabricated by the EFMS technique. The film containing smaller particles is denser and the surface is smoother. The average transmission coefficient, the refractive index and the extinction coefficients are higher than those of the Cu film deposited by the DMS technique. The average transmission coefficient (400-800 nm) is more than three times higher. The refractive index and extinction coefficient (at 550 nm) are more than 36% and 14% higher, respectively.

Measurement of soot morphology, chemistry, and optical properties in the visible and near-infrared spectrum in the flame zone and overfire region of large JP-8 pool fires.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suo-Anttila, Jill Marie; Jensen, Kirk A.; Blevins, Linda Gail

2005-03-01

The dimensionless extinction coefficient, K{sub e}, was measured for soot produced in 2 m JP-8 pool fires. Light extinction and gravimetric sampling measurements were performed simultaneously at 635 and 1310 nm wavelengths at three heights in the flame zone and in the overfire region. Measured average K{sub e} values of 8.4 {+-} 1.2 at 635 nm and 8.7 {+-} 1.1 at 1310 nm in the overfire region agree well with values from 8-10 recently reported for different fuels and flame conditions. The overfire K{sub e} values are also relatively independent of wavelength, in agreement with recent findings for JP-8 sootmore » in smaller flames. K{sub e} was nearly constant at 635 nm for all sampling locations in the large fires. However, at 1310 nm, the overfire K{sub e} was higher than in the flame zone. Chemical analysis of physically sampled soot shows variations in carbon-to-hydrogen (C/H) ratio and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration that may account for the smaller K{sub e} values measured in the flame zone. Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory of scattering for polydisperse fractal aggregate (RDG-PFA) was applied to measured aggregate fractal dimensions and found to under-predict the extinction coefficient by 17-30% at 635 nm using commonly accepted refractive indices of soot, and agreed well with the experiments using the more recently published refractive index of 1.99-0.89i. This study represents the first measurements of soot chemistry, morphology, and optical properties in the flame zone of large, fully-turbulent pool fires, and emphasizes the importance of accurate measurements of optical properties both in the flame zone and overfire regions for models of radiative transport and interpretation of laser-based diagnostics of soot volume fraction and temperature.« less

Albedo and flux extinction coefficient of impure snow for diffuse shortwave radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choudhury, B. J.; Mo, T.; Wang, J. R.; Chang, A. T. C.

1981-01-01

Impurities enter a snowpack as a result of fallout of scavenging by falling snow crystals. Albedo and flux extinction coefficient of soot contaminated snowcovers were studied using a two stream approximation of the radiative transfer equation. The effect of soot was calculated by two methods: independent scattering by ice grains and impurities and average refractive index for ice grains. Both methods predict a qualitatively similar effect of soot; the albedo is decreased and the extinction coefficient is increased compared to that for pure snow in the visible region; the infrared properties are largely unaffected. Quantitatively, however, the effect of soot is more pronounced in the average refractive index method. Soot contamination provides a qualitative explanation for several snow observations.

Variation in crown light utilization characteristics among tropical canopy trees.

PubMed

Kitajima, Kaoru; Mulkey, Stephen S; Wright, S Joseph

2005-02-01

Light extinction through crowns of canopy trees determines light availability at lower levels within forests. The goal of this paper is the exploration of foliage distribution and light extinction in crowns of five canopy tree species in relation to their shoot architecture, leaf traits (mean leaf angle, life span, photosynthetic characteristics) and successional status (from pioneers to persistent). Light extinction was examined at three hierarchical levels of foliage organization, the whole crown, the outermost canopy and the individual shoots, in a tropical moist forest with direct canopy access with a tower crane. Photon flux density and cumulative leaf area index (LAI) were measured at intervals of 0.25-1 m along multiple vertical transects through three to five mature tree crowns of each species to estimate light extinction coefficients (K). Cecropia longipes, a pioneer species with the shortest leaf life span, had crown LAI <0.5. Among the remaining four species, crown LAI ranged from 2 to 8, and species with orthotropic terminal shoots exhibited lower light extinction coefficients (0.35) than those with plagiotropic shoots (0.53-0.80). Within each type, later successional species exhibited greater maximum LAI and total light extinction. A dense layer of leaves at the outermost crown of a late successional species resulted in an average light extinction of 61% within 0.5 m from the surface. In late successional species, leaf position within individual shoots does not predict the light availability at the individual leaf surface, which may explain their slow decline of photosynthetic capacity with leaf age and weak differentiation of sun and shade leaves. Later-successional tree crowns, especially those with orthotropic branches, exhibit lower light extinction coefficients, but greater total LAI and total light extinction, which contribute to their efficient use of light and competitive dominance.

Determination of extinction coefficients of human hemoglobin in various redox states

PubMed Central

Meng, Fantao; Alayash, Abdu I.

2017-01-01

The role of hemoglobin (Hb) redox forms in tissue and organ toxicities remain ambiguous despite the well-documented contribution of Hb redox reactivity to cellular and subcellular oxidative changes. Moreover, several recent studies, in which Hb toxicity were investigated, have shown conflicting outcomes. Uncertainties over the potential role of these species may in part be due to the protein preparation method of choice, the use of published extinction coefficients and the lack of suitable controls for Hb oxidation and heme loss. Highly purified and well characterized redox forms of human Hb were used in this study and the extinction coefficients of each Hb species (ferrous/oxy, ferric/met and ferryl) were determined. A new set of equations were established to improve accuracy in determining the transient ferryl Hb species. Additionally, heme concentrations in solutions and in human plasma were determined using a novel reversed phase HPLC method in conjugation with our photometric measurements. The use of more accurate redox-specific extinction coefficients and method calculations will be an invaluable tool for both in vitro and in vivo experiments aimed at determining the role of Hb-mediated vascular pathology in hemolytic anemias and when Hb is used as oxygen therapeutics. PMID:28069451

Optical properties of sea ice doped with black carbon - an experimental and radiative-transfer modelling comparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marks, Amelia A.; Lamare, Maxim L.; King, Martin D.

2017-12-01

Radiative-transfer calculations of the light reflectivity and extinction coefficient in laboratory-generated sea ice doped with and without black carbon demonstrate that the radiative-transfer model TUV-snow can be used to predict the light reflectance and extinction coefficient as a function of wavelength. The sea ice is representative of first-year sea ice containing typical amounts of black carbon and other light-absorbing impurities. The experiments give confidence in the application of the model to predict albedo of other sea ice fabrics. Sea ices, ˜ 30 cm thick, were generated in the Royal Holloway Sea Ice Simulator ( ˜ 2000 L tanks) with scattering cross sections measured between 0.012 and 0.032 m2 kg-1 for four ices. Sea ices were generated with and without ˜ 5 cm upper layers containing particulate black carbon. Nadir reflectances between 0.60 and 0.78 were measured along with extinction coefficients of 0.1 to 0.03 cm-1 (e-folding depths of 10-30 cm) at a wavelength of 500 nm. Values were measured between light wavelengths of 350 and 650 nm. The sea ices generated in the Royal Holloway Sea Ice Simulator were found to be representative of natural sea ices. Particulate black carbon at mass ratios of ˜ 75, ˜ 150 and ˜ 300 ng g-1 in a 5 cm ice layer lowers the albedo to 97, 90 and 79 % of the reflectivity of an undoped clean sea ice (at a wavelength of 500 nm).

Aerosols and lightning activity: The effect of vertical profile and aerosol type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proestakis, E.; Kazadzis, S.; Lagouvardos, K.; Kotroni, V.; Amiridis, V.; Marinou, E.; Price, C.; Kazantzidis, A.

2016-12-01

The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument on board the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite has been utilized for the first time in a study regarding lightning activity modulation due to aerosols. Lightning activity observations, obtained by the ZEUS long range Lightning Detection Network, European Centre for Medium range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) data and Cloud Fraction (CF) retrieved by MODIS on board Aqua satellite have been combined with CALIPSO CALIOP data over the Mediterranean basin and for the period March to November, from 2007 to 2014. The results indicate that lightning activity is enhanced during days characterized by higher Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) values, compared to days with no lightning. This study contributes to existing studies on the link between lightning activity and aerosols, which have been based just on columnar AOD satellite retrievals, by performing a deeper analysis into the effect of aerosol profiles and aerosol types. Correlation coefficients of R = 0.73 between the CALIPSO AOD and the number of lightning strikes detected by ZEUS and of R = 0.93 between ECMWF CAPE and lightning activity are obtained. The analysis of extinction coefficient values at 532 nm indicates that at an altitudinal range exists, between 1.1 km and 2.9 km, where the values for extinction coefficient of lightning-active and non-lightning-active cases are statistically significantly different. Finally, based on the CALIPSO aerosol subtype classification, we have investigated the aerosol conditions of lightning-active and non-lightning-active cases. According to the results polluted dust aerosols are more frequently observed during non-lightning-active days, while dust and smoke aerosols are more abundant in the atmosphere during the lightning-active days.

Experimental Investigations on Combustion Behaviors of Live PVC Cables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Liufang; Zhang, Jiaqing; Zhang, Bosi; Liu, Min; Fan, Minghao; Li, Qiang

2018-03-01

This paper investigated the combustion behaviors of live PVC cables with overload currents experimentally. The smoke coefficient of released smoke and the released gas concentration were examined. The results indicate that the combustion of live PVC cables can be divided into four stages, i.e., core exposed with a little smoke, obvious flame, maximum smoke and smoke depress. For most cases, using blue laser is better than using rad laser, since the extinction coefficient of the rad laser was larger than that of the blue laser. The response time of the detection of the released typical gases due to cable pyrolysis decreased and the peak values of the typical gases increased with the overload currents. In addition, the time to reach the peak value of gas concentration also decreased with the overload currents.

Calculation extinction cross sections and molar attenuation coefficient of small gold nanoparticles and experimental observation of their UV-vis spectral properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Junqi; Gao, Kunpeng; Ou, Quanhong; Fu, Xuewen; Man, Shi-Qing; Guo, Jie; Liu, Yingkai

2018-02-01

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been researched extensively, such as applied in various biosensors, biomedical imaging and diagnosis, catalysis and physico-chemical analysis. These applications usually required to know the nanoparticle size or concentration. Researchers have been studying a simply and quick way to estimate the concentration or size of nanoparticles from their optical spectra and SPR feature for several years. The extinction cross-sections and the molar attenuation coefficient were one of the key parameters. In this study, we calculated the extinction cross-sections and molar attenuation coefficient (decadic molar extinction coefficient) of small gold nanoparticles by dipole approximation method and modified Beer-Lambert law. The theoretical result showed that the surface plasmon resonance peak of small gold nanoparticles was blueshift with an increase size. Moreover, small AuNPs (sub-10 nm) were prepared by using of dextran or trisodium citrate as reducing agent and capping agent. The experimental synthesized AuNPs was also shows a blueshift as increasing particle size in a certain range. And the concentration of AuNPs was calculated based on the obtained molar attenuation coefficient. For small nanoparticles, the size of nanoparticles and surface plasmon resonance property was not showed a positive correlation compared to larger nanoparticles. These results suggested that SPR peak depended not only on the nanoparticle size and shape but also on the nanoparticles environment.

Atmospheric Extinction Coefficients in the Ic Band for Several Major International Observatories: Results from the BiSON Telescopes, 1984-2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hale, S. J.; Chaplin, W. J.; Davies, G. R.; Elsworth, Y. P.; Howe, R.; Lund, M. N.; Moxon, E. Z.; Thomas, A.; Pallé, P. L.; Rhodes, E. J., Jr.

2017-09-01

Over 30 years of solar data have been acquired by the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON), an international network of telescopes used to study oscillations of the Sun. Five of the six BiSON telescopes are located at major observatories. The observational sites are, in order of increasing longitude: Mount Wilson (Hale) Observatory (MWO), California, USA; Las Campanas Observatory, Chile; Observatorio del Teide, Izaña, Tenerife, Canary Islands; the South African Astronomical Observatory, Sutherland, South Africa; Carnarvon, Western Australia; and the Paul Wild Observatory, Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. The BiSON data may be used to measure atmospheric extinction coefficients in the {{{I}}}{{c}} band (approximately 700-900 nm), and presented here are the derived atmospheric extinction coefficients from each site over the years 1984-2016.

In vivo Photoacoustic Imaging of Prostate Cancer Using Targeted Contrast Agent

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-01

has over 15 years of experience investigating signaling in the prostate, and is well versed in both cell culture and animal models for prostate cancer...as Hb generate relatively weak photoacoustic signals (due to a small absorptivity factor or extinction coefficient) and lack cancer specificity...oxyhemoglobin (dHb) and oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) have two limitations: i) their small absorptivity factor ( extinction coefficient) leads to weak PA signals

Use of a Spreadsheet to Help Students Understand the Origin of the Empirical Equation that Allows Estimation of the Extinction Coefficients of Proteins

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sims, Paul A.

2012-01-01

A brief history of the development of the empirical equation that is used by prominent, Internet-based programs to estimate (or calculate) the extinction coefficients of proteins is presented. In addition, an overview of a series of related assignments designed to help students understand the origin of the empirical equation is provided. The…

Ultrafast laser processing of copper: A comparative study of experimental and simulated transient optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winter, Jan; Rapp, Stephan; Schmidt, Michael; Huber, Heinz P.

2017-09-01

In this paper, we present ultrafast measurements of the complex refractive index for copper up to a time delay of 20 ps with an accuracy <1% at laser fluences in the vicinity of the ablation threshold. The measured refractive index n and extinction coefficient k are supported by a simulation including the two-temperature model with an accurate description of thermal and optical properties and a thermomechanical model. Comparison of the measured time resolved optical properties with results of the simulation reveals underlying physical mechanisms in three distinct time delay regimes. It is found that in the early stage (-5 ps to 0 ps) the thermally excited d-band electrons make a major contribution to the laser pulse absorption and create a steep increase in transient optical properties n and k. In the second time regime (0-10 ps) the material expansion influences the plasma frequency, which is also reflected in the transient extinction coefficient. In contrast, the refractive index n follows the total collision frequency. Additionally, the electron-ion thermalization time can be attributed to a minimum of the extinction coefficient at ∼10 ps. In the third time regime (10-20 ps) the transient extinction coefficient k indicates the surface cooling-down process.

Nanofluid optical property characterization: towards efficient direct absorption solar collectors.

PubMed

Taylor, Robert A; Phelan, Patrick E; Otanicar, Todd P; Adrian, Ronald; Prasher, Ravi

2011-03-15

Suspensions of nanoparticles (i.e., particles with diameters < 100 nm) in liquids, termed nanofluids, show remarkable thermal and optical property changes from the base liquid at low particle loadings. Recent studies also indicate that selected nanofluids may improve the efficiency of direct absorption solar thermal collectors. To determine the effectiveness of nanofluids in solar applications, their ability to convert light energy to thermal energy must be known. That is, their absorption of the solar spectrum must be established. Accordingly, this study compares model predictions to spectroscopic measurements of extinction coefficients over wavelengths that are important for solar energy (0.25 to 2.5 μm). A simple addition of the base fluid and nanoparticle extinction coefficients is applied as an approximation of the effective nanofluid extinction coefficient. Comparisons with measured extinction coefficients reveal that the approximation works well with water-based nanofluids containing graphite nanoparticles but less well with metallic nanoparticles and/or oil-based fluids. For the materials used in this study, over 95% of incoming sunlight can be absorbed (in a nanofluid thickness ≥10 cm) with extremely low nanoparticle volume fractions - less than 1 × 10-5, or 10 parts per million. Thus, nanofluids could be used to absorb sunlight with a negligible amount of viscosity and/or density (read: pumping power) increase.

Nanofluid optical property characterization: towards efficient direct absorption solar collectors

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Suspensions of nanoparticles (i.e., particles with diameters < 100 nm) in liquids, termed nanofluids, show remarkable thermal and optical property changes from the base liquid at low particle loadings. Recent studies also indicate that selected nanofluids may improve the efficiency of direct absorption solar thermal collectors. To determine the effectiveness of nanofluids in solar applications, their ability to convert light energy to thermal energy must be known. That is, their absorption of the solar spectrum must be established. Accordingly, this study compares model predictions to spectroscopic measurements of extinction coefficients over wavelengths that are important for solar energy (0.25 to 2.5 μm). A simple addition of the base fluid and nanoparticle extinction coefficients is applied as an approximation of the effective nanofluid extinction coefficient. Comparisons with measured extinction coefficients reveal that the approximation works well with water-based nanofluids containing graphite nanoparticles but less well with metallic nanoparticles and/or oil-based fluids. For the materials used in this study, over 95% of incoming sunlight can be absorbed (in a nanofluid thickness ≥10 cm) with extremely low nanoparticle volume fractions - less than 1 × 10-5, or 10 parts per million. Thus, nanofluids could be used to absorb sunlight with a negligible amount of viscosity and/or density (read: pumping power) increase. PMID:21711750

Experimental approach to the fundamental limit of the extinction coefficients of ultra-smooth and highly spherical gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Kwan; Hwang, Yoon Jo; Yoon, Cheolho; Yoon, Hye-On; Chang, Ki Soo; Lee, Gaehang; Lee, Seungwoo; Yi, Gi-Ra

2015-08-28

The theoretical extinction coefficients of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been mainly verified by the analytical solving of the Maxwell equation for an ideal sphere, which was firstly founded by Mie (generally referred to as Mie theory). However, in principle, it has not been directly feasible with experimental verification especially for relatively large AuNPs (i.e., >40 nm), as conventionally proposed synthetic methods have inevitably resulted in a polygonal shaped, non-ideal Au nanosphere. Here, mono-crystalline, ultra-smooth, and highly spherical AuNPs of 40-100 nm were prepared by the procedure reported in our recent work (ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 11064). The extinction coefficients of the ideally spherical AuNPs of 40-100 nm were empirically extracted using the Beer-Lambert law, and were then compared with the theoretical limits obtained by the analytical and numerical methods. The obtained extinction coefficients of the ideally spherical AuNPs herein agree much more closely with the theoretical limits, compared with those of the faceted or polygonal shaped AuNPs. In addition, in order to further elucidate the importance of being spherical, we systematically compared our ideally spherical AuNPs with the polygonal counterparts; effectively addressing the role of the surface morphology on the spectral responses in both theoretical and experimental manners.

SAM II aerosol profile measurements, Poker Flat, Alaska; July 16-19, 1979

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccormick, M. P.; Chu, W. P.; Mcmaster, L. R.; Grams, G. W.; Herman, B. M.; Pepin, T. J.; Russell, P. B.; Swissler, T. J.

1981-01-01

SAM II satellite measurements during the July 1979 Poker Flat mission, yielded an aerosol extinction coefficient of 0.0004/km at 1.0 micron wavelength, in the region of the stratospheric aerosol mixing ratio peak (12-16 km). The stratospheric aerosol optical depth for these data, calculated from the tropopause through 30 km, is approximately 0.001. These results are consistent with the average 1979 summertime values found throughout the Arctic.

Measurements of Soot Mass Absorption Coefficients from 300 to 660 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renbaum-Wolff, Lindsay; Fisher, Al; Helgestad, Taylor; Lambe, Andrew; Sedlacek, Arthur; Smith, Geoffrey; Cappa, Christopher; Davidovits, Paul; Onasch, Timothy; Freedman, Andrew

2016-04-01

Soot, a product of incomplete combustion, plays an important role in the earth's climate system through the absorption and scattering of solar radiation. In particular, the assumed mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of soot and its variation with wavelength presents a significant uncertainty in the calculation of radiative forcing in global climate change models. As part of the fourth Boston College/Aerodyne soot properties measurement campaign, we have measured the mass absorption coefficient of soot produced by an inverted methane diffusion flame over a spectral range of 300-660 nm using a variety of optical absorption techniques. Extinction and absorption were measured using a dual cavity ringdown photoacoustic spectrometer (CRD-PAS, UC Davis) at 405 nm and 532 nm. Scattering and extinction were measured using a CAPS PMssa single scattering albedo monitor (Aerodyne) at 630 nm; the absorption coefficient was determined by subtraction. In addition, the absorption coefficients in 8 wavelength bands from 300 to 660 nm were measured using a new broadband photoacoustic absorption monitor (UGA). Soot particle mass was quantified using a centrifugal particle mass analyzer (CPMA, Cambustion), mobility size with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS, TSI) and soot concentration with a CPC (Brechtel). The contribution of doubly charged particles to the sample mass was determined using a Single Particle Soot Photometer (DMT). Over a mass range of 1-8 fg, corresponding to differential mobility diameters of ~150 nm to 550 nm, the value of the soot MAC proved to be independent of mass for all wavelengths. The wavelength dependence of the MAC was best fit to a power law with an Absorption Ångstrom Coefficient slightly greater than 1.

Studies of absorption coefficient cum electro-optic performance of polymer dispersed liquid crystal doped with CNT and dichroic dye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Vandna; Kumar, Pankaj

2017-11-01

Absorption coefficient of doped polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) is a critical factor for their device performance and depends on dopants parameters like solubility, order parameter and extinction coefficients, in addition to configuration and orientation of the droplets. In this study, a fixed amount (0.125% wt/wt) of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and orange azo dichroic dye was doped in PDLC and measured the OFF state absorption coefficient. Considering the theory based on Beer's law and followed by extinction coefficients of CNT and dye, the OFF state transmission for dye doped PDLC was found lower compared to CNT doped PDLC. As a result, absorption coefficient for dye doped PDLC was higher and resulted in the superior contrast ratio. The experimental results were found be consistent with the theoretical results.

Calculation extinction cross sections and molar attenuation coefficient of small gold nanoparticles and experimental observation of their UV-vis spectral properties.

PubMed

Tang, Junqi; Gao, Kunpeng; Ou, Quanhong; Fu, Xuewen; Man, Shi-Qing; Guo, Jie; Liu, Yingkai

2018-02-15

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been researched extensively, such as applied in various biosensors, biomedical imaging and diagnosis, catalysis and physico-chemical analysis. These applications usually required to know the nanoparticle size or concentration. Researchers have been studying a simply and quick way to estimate the concentration or size of nanoparticles from their optical spectra and SPR feature for several years. The extinction cross-sections and the molar attenuation coefficient were one of the key parameters. In this study, we calculated the extinction cross-sections and molar attenuation coefficient (decadic molar extinction coefficient) of small gold nanoparticles by dipole approximation method and modified Beer-Lambert law. The theoretical result showed that the surface plasmon resonance peak of small gold nanoparticles was blueshift with an increase size. Moreover, small AuNPs (sub-10nm) were prepared by using of dextran or trisodium citrate as reducing agent and capping agent. The experimental synthesized AuNPs was also shows a blueshift as increasing particle size in a certain range. And the concentration of AuNPs was calculated based on the obtained molar attenuation coefficient. For small nanoparticles, the size of nanoparticles and surface plasmon resonance property was not showed a positive correlation compared to larger nanoparticles. These results suggested that SPR peak depended not only on the nanoparticle size and shape but also on the nanoparticles environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photon interaction study of organic nonlinear optical materials in the energy range 122-1330 keV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awasarmol, Vishal V.; Gaikwad, Dhammajyot K.; Raut, Siddheshwar D.; Pawar, Pravina P.

2017-01-01

In the present study, the mass attenuation coefficient (μm) of six organic nonlinear optical materials has been calculated in the energy range 122-1330 keV and compared with the obtained values from the WinXCOM program. It is found that there is a good agreement between theoretical and experimental values (<3%). The linear attenuation coefficients (μ) total atomic cross section (σt, a), and total electronic cross section (σt, el) have also been calculated from the obtained μm values and their variations with photon energy have been plotted. From the present work, it is observed that the variation of obtained values of μm, μ, σt, a, and σt, el strongly depends on the photon energy and decreases or increases due to chemical composition and density of the sample. All the samples have been studied extensively using transmission method with a view to utilize the material for radiation dosimetry. Investigated samples are good material for radiation dosimetry due their low effective atomic number. The mass attenuation coefficient (μm), linear attenuation coefficients (μ), total atomic cross section (σt, a), total electronic cross section (σt, el), effective atomic numbers (Zeff), molar extinction coefficient (ε), mass energy absorption coefficient (μen/ρ) and effective atomic energy absorption cross section (σa, en) of all sample materials have been carried out and transmission curves have been plotted. The transmission curve shows that the variation of all sample materials decreases with increasing photon energy.

FIBER OPTICS: Polarization phase nonreciprocity in all-fiber ring interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, A. Ts; Vasilev, V. D.; Kozlov, V. A.; Kuznetsov, A. V.; Senatorov, A. A.; Shubochkin, R. L.

1993-08-01

The polarization phase nonreciprocity in all-fiber ring interferometers based on single-mode optical fibers was studied experimentally. The results confirm existing theoretical models. Experimentally, it was possible to use fiber ring interferometers to measure the extinction coefficients of optical fiber polarizers. The largest extinction coefficients found for optical-fiber polarizers were 84 dB (for the wavelength 0.82 μm) and 86 dB (1.3 μm).

Respirable particulate monitoring with remote sensors. (Public health ecology: Air pollution)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Severs, R. K.

1974-01-01

The feasibility of monitoring atmospheric aerosols in the respirable range from air or space platforms was studied. Secondary reflectance targets were located in the industrial area and near Galveston Bay. Multichannel remote sensor data were utilized to calculate the aerosol extinction coefficient and thus determine the aerosol size distribution. Houston Texas air sampling network high volume data were utilized to generate computer isopleth maps of suspended particulates and to establish the mass loading of the atmosphere. In addition, a five channel nephelometer and a multistage particulate air sampler were used to collect data. The extinction coefficient determined from remote sensor data proved more representative of wide areal phenomena than that calculated from on site measurements. It was also demonstrated that a significant reduction in the standard deviation of the extinction coefficient could be achieved by reducing the bandwidths used in remote sensor.

Shipboard Visibility Measurement System Definition Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

Aerosol Extinction (AAE) Coef- ficients Derived from NRL Long - Path Transmission Measurements at CCAFS...determined. Occasionally long - path extinction measurements for many laser lines were collected (as many as 80 CO2 laser lines on some days and repeated...EXPERIMENT DAY FIGURE 22. PLOT OF APPARENT AEROSOL EXTINCTION (AAE) COEFFICIENTS DERIVED FROM NRL LONG - PATH TRANSMISSION MEASUREMENTS AT CCAFS MINUS

Effective atomic number and electron density of amino acids within the energy range of 0.122-1.330 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

More, Chaitali V.; Lokhande, Rajkumar M.; Pawar, Pravina P.

2016-08-01

Photon attenuation coefficient calculation methods have been widely used to accurately study the properties of amino acids such as n-acetyl-L-tryptophan, n-acetyl-L-tyrosine, D-tryptophan, n-acetyl-L-glutamic acid, D-phenylalanine, and D-threonine. In this study, mass attenuation coefficients (μm) of these amino acids for 0.122-, 0.356-, 0.511-, 0.662-, 0.884-, 1.170, 1.275-, 1.330-MeV photons are determined using the radio-nuclides Co57, Ba133, Cs137, Na22, Mn54, and Co60. NaI (Tl) scintillation detection system was used to detect gamma rays with a resolution of 8.2% at 0.662 MeV. The calculated attenuation coefficient values were then used to determine total atomic cross sections (σt), molar extinction coefficients (ε), electronic cross sections (σe), effective atomic numbers (Zeff), and effective electron densities (Neff) of the amino acids. Theoretical values were calculated based on the XCOM data. Theoretical and experimental values are found to be in a good agreement (error<5%). The variations of μm, σt, ε, σe, Zeff, and Neff with energy are shown graphically. The values of μm, σt, ε, σe are higher at lower energies, and they decrease sharply as energy increases; by contrast, Zeff and Neff were found to be almost constant.

Evaluation of Uncertainties in Measuring Particulate Matter Emission Factors from Atmospheric Fugitive Sources Using Optical Remote Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuen, W.; Ma, Q.; Du, K.; Koloutsou-Vakakis, S.; Rood, M. J.

2015-12-01

Measurements of particulate matter (PM) emissions generated from fugitive sources are of interest in air pollution studies, since such emissions vary widely both spatially and temporally. This research focuses on determining the uncertainties in quantifying fugitive PM emission factors (EFs) generated from mobile vehicles using a vertical scanning micro-pulse lidar (MPL). The goal of this research is to identify the greatest sources of uncertainty of the applied lidar technique in determining fugitive PM EFs, and to recommend methods to reduce the uncertainties in this measurement. The MPL detects the PM plume generated by mobile fugitive sources that are carried downwind to the MPL's vertical scanning plane. Range-resolved MPL signals are measured, corrected, and converted to light extinction coefficients, through inversion of the lidar equation and calculation of the lidar ratio. In this research, both the near-end and far-end lidar equation inversion methods are considered. Range-resolved PM mass concentrations are then determined from the extinction coefficient measurements using the measured mass extinction efficiency (MEE) value, which is an intensive PM property. MEE is determined by collocated PM mass concentration and light extinction measurements, provided respectively by a DustTrak and an open-path laser transmissometer. These PM mass concentrations are then integrated with wind information, duration of plume event, and vehicle distance travelled to obtain fugitive PM EFs. To obtain the uncertainty of PM EFs, uncertainties in MPL signals, lidar ratio, MEE, and wind variation are considered. Error propagation method is applied to each of the above intermediate steps to aggregate uncertainty sources. Results include determination of uncertainties in each intermediate step, and comparison of uncertainties between the use of near-end and far-end lidar equation inversion methods.

Measurement and Study of Lidar Ratio by Using a Raman Lidar in Central China.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Gong, Wei; Mao, Feiyue; Pan, Zengxin; Liu, Boming

2016-05-18

We comprehensively evaluated particle lidar ratios (i.e., particle extinction to backscatter ratio) at 532 nm over Wuhan in Central China by using a Raman lidar from July 2013 to May 2015. We utilized the Raman lidar data to obtain homogeneous aerosol lidar ratios near the surface through the Raman method during no-rain nights. The lidar ratios were approximately 57 ± 7 sr, 50 ± 5 sr, and 22 ± 4 sr under the three cases with obviously different pollution levels. The haze layer below 1.8 km has a large particle extinction coefficient (from 5.4e-4 m(-1) to 1.6e-4 m(-1)) and particle backscatter coefficient (between 1.1e-05 m(-1)sr(-1) and 1.7e-06 m(-1)sr(-1)) in the heavily polluted case. Furthermore, the particle lidar ratios varied according to season, especially between winter (57 ± 13 sr) and summer (33 ± 10 sr). The seasonal variation in lidar ratios at Wuhan suggests that the East Asian monsoon significantly affects the primary aerosol types and aerosol optical properties in this region. The relationships between particle lidar ratios and wind indicate that large lidar ratio values correspond well with weak winds and strong northerly winds, whereas significantly low lidar ratio values are associated with prevailing southwesterly and southerly wind.

Measurement and Study of Lidar Ratio by Using a Raman Lidar in Central China

PubMed Central

Wang, Wei; Gong, Wei; Mao, Feiyue; Pan, Zengxin; Liu, Boming

2016-01-01

We comprehensively evaluated particle lidar ratios (i.e., particle extinction to backscatter ratio) at 532 nm over Wuhan in Central China by using a Raman lidar from July 2013 to May 2015. We utilized the Raman lidar data to obtain homogeneous aerosol lidar ratios near the surface through the Raman method during no-rain nights. The lidar ratios were approximately 57 ± 7 sr, 50 ± 5 sr, and 22 ± 4 sr under the three cases with obviously different pollution levels. The haze layer below 1.8 km has a large particle extinction coefficient (from 5.4e-4 m−1 to 1.6e-4 m−1) and particle backscatter coefficient (between 1.1e-05 m−1sr−1 and 1.7e-06 m−1sr−1) in the heavily polluted case. Furthermore, the particle lidar ratios varied according to season, especially between winter (57 ± 13 sr) and summer (33 ± 10 sr). The seasonal variation in lidar ratios at Wuhan suggests that the East Asian monsoon significantly affects the primary aerosol types and aerosol optical properties in this region. The relationships between particle lidar ratios and wind indicate that large lidar ratio values correspond well with weak winds and strong northerly winds, whereas significantly low lidar ratio values are associated with prevailing southwesterly and southerly wind. PMID:27213414

Spectroellipsometric studies of sol-gel derived Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Melanie M. T.; Tang, T. B.; Mak, C. L.; Pang, G. K. H.; Chan, K. Y.; Wong, K. H.

2006-10-01

Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 (SBN) films have been fabricated on (001)Si substrates by a sol-gel technique. The annealing process was carried out in air at various temperatures ranging from 200to700°C. Studies using x-ray diffractometry, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy showed that polycrystalline films, with a grain size of about 100nm, were obtained only for annealing temperatures ⩾600°C. The optical properties of these sol-gel derived SBN films were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). In the analysis of the measured SE spectra, a triple-layer Lorentz model has been developed and used to deduce the optical properties of the SBN films. Our systematic SE measurements revealed that the refractive indices of the SBN films increase with the annealing temperature. This increase is more pronounced at around the crystallization temperature, i.e., between 500 and 600°C. The extinction coefficients of the films also exhibit a similar trend, showing a zero value for amorphous films and larger values for films annealed at above 600°C. Our results demonstrate that while crystallization helps to raise the refractive index of the film due to film densification, it also promotes scattering by grain boundary, resulting in a larger extinction coefficient.

Refractive indices at visible wavelengths of soot emitted from buoyant turbulent diffusion flames

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, J.S.; Krishnan, S.K.; Faeth, G.M.

1996-11-01

Measurements of the optical properties of soot, emphasizing refractive indices, are reported for visible wavelengths. The experiments considered soot in the fuel-lean (overfire) region of buoyant turbulent diffusion flames in the long residence time regime where soot properties are independent of position in the overfire region and residence time. Flames fueled with acetylene, propylene, ethylene and propane burning in still air provided a range of soot physical and structure properties. Measurements included soot composition, density, structure, gravimetric volume fraction, scattering properties and absorption properties. These data were analyzed to find soot fractal dimensions, refractive indices and dimensionless extinction coefficients, assumingmore » Rayleigh-Debye-Gans scattering for polydisperse mass fractal aggregates (RDG-PFA theory). RDG-PFA theory was successfully evaluated, based on measured scattering patterns. Soot fractal dimensions were independent of both fuel type and wavelength, yielding a mean value of 1.77 with a standard deviation of 0.04. Refractive indices were independent of fuel type within experimental uncertainties and were in reasonably good agreement with earlier measurements for soot in the fuel-lean region of diffusion flames due to Dalzell and Sarofim (1969). Dimensionless extinction coefficients were independent of both fuel type and wavelength, yielding a mean value of 5.1 with a standard deviation of 0.5, which is lower than earlier measurements for reasons that still must be explained.« less

Measurement of fog and haze extinction characteristics and availability evaluation of free space optical link under the sea surface environment.

PubMed

Wu, Xiaojun; Wang, Hongxing; Song, Bo

2015-02-10

Fog and haze can lead to changes in extinction characteristics. Therefore, the performance of the free space optical link is highly influenced by severe weather conditions. Considering the influential behavior of weather conditions, a state-of-the-art solution for the observation of fog and haze over the sea surface is presented in this paper. A Mie scattering laser radar, with a wavelength of 532 nm, is used to observe the weather conditions of the sea surface environment. The horizontal extinction coefficients and visibilities are obtained from the observation data, and the results are presented in the paper. The changes in the characteristics of extinction coefficients and visibilities are analyzed based on both the short-term (6 days) severe weather data and long-term (6 months) data. Finally, the availability performance of the free space optical communication link is evaluated under the sea surface environment.

Fugitive Dust Emission Factors for Puff and Mobile Military Sources Measured by Micro-pulse Lidar - A Summary of Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuen, W.; Du, K.; Rood, M. J.; Kemme, M. R.; Kim, B.; Hashmonay, R. A.

2010-12-01

A summary of the development of a novel optical remote sensing (ORS) method that determined fugitive dust emission factors for unique military activities is described for puff and mobile sources. Four field campaigns characterized artillery back blasts as puff sources (M549A1 and M107), and movement of military vehicles (M1A1, M113, Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV), M88, M270, M577, and HEMTT) and an airborne helicopter (Bell 210) as mobile sources. The ORS method includes a Micro-Pulse Lidar (MPL) and a reflective target that determines one-dimensional (1-D) light extinction coefficient profiles. The MPL was mounted on a positioner that allows the MPL to automatically scan vertically, which allowed 1-D extinction coefficient profiles to be measured at select angles from horizontal. Two-dimensional (2-D) light extinction coefficient profiles were then determined by interpolating the 1-D extinction profiles measured at select angles. Dust property, in the form of the mass extinction efficiency (MEE), was measured using Open Path- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (OP-FTIR) and Open Path- Laser Transmissometry (OP-LT) in the first three field campaigns and an OP-LT and DustTrak™ in the fourth field campaign. MEE was used to convert the 2-D light extinction coefficient profiles to 2-D dust mass concentration profiles. Emission factors were determined by integrating the 2-D mass concentration profiles with measured wind vectors. Results from these field campaigns show that: 1) artillery with stronger recoiling forces generates more fugitive dust; 2) the dust emission factors for tracked vehicles are correlated with vehicle momentum; 3) emission factor decreases with increasing speed for airborne helicopters; and 4) wheeled vehicles (HEMTT) generate more fugitive dust than tracked vehicles (M88, M270, M577).

Facile method for liquid-exfoliated graphene size prediction by UV-visible spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ismail, Zulhelmi, E-mail: helmie83@hotmail.com; Yusoh, Kamal, E-mail: kamal@ump.edu.my

2016-07-19

In this work, an application of UV spectroscopy for facile prediction of liquid –exfoliated graphene size is discussed. Dynamic light scattering method was used to estimate the graphene flake size ( whilst UV spectroscopy measurement was carried out for extinction coefficient value (ε) determination. It was found that the value of (ε) decreased gradually as the graphene size was further reduced after intense sonication time (7h). This observation showed the influence of sonication time on electronic structure of graphene. A mathematical equation was derived from log-log graph for correlation between () and (ε) value. Both values can be expressed inmore » a single equation as ( = (3.4 × 10{sup −2}) ε{sup 1.2}).« less

Development of a rapid, simple assay of plasma total carotenoids

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Plasma total carotenoids can be used as an indicator of risk of chronic disease. Laboratory analysis of individual carotenoids by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is time consuming, expensive, and not amenable to use beyond a research laboratory. The aim of this research is to establish a rapid, simple, and inexpensive spectrophotometric assay of plasma total carotenoids that has a very strong correlation with HPLC carotenoid profile analysis. Results Plasma total carotenoids from 29 volunteers ranged in concentration from 1.2 to 7.4 μM, as analyzed by HPLC. A linear correlation was found between the absorbance at 448 nm of an alcohol / heptane extract of the plasma and plasma total carotenoids analyzed by HPLC, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.989. The average coefficient of variation for the spectrophotometric assay was 6.5% for the plasma samples. The limit of detection was about 0.3 μM and was linear up to about 34 μM without dilution. Correlations between the integrals of the absorption spectra in the range of carotenoid absorption and total plasma carotenoid concentration gave similar results to the absorbance correlation. Spectrophotometric assay results also agreed with the calculated expected absorbance based on published extinction coefficients for the individual carotenoids, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.988. Conclusion The spectrophotometric assay of total carotenoids strongly correlated with HPLC analysis of carotenoids of the same plasma samples and expected absorbance values based on extinction coefficients. This rapid, simple, inexpensive assay, when coupled with the carotenoid health index, may be useful for nutrition intervention studies, population cohort studies, and public health interventions. PMID:23006902

A Comparative Study of Structural Stability and Mechanical and Optical Properties of Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F) and Lithium Disilicate (Li2Si2O5) Components Forming Dental Glass-Ceramics: First Principles Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biskri, Z. E.; Rached, H.; Bouchear, M.; Rached, D.; Aida, M. S.

2016-10-01

The aim of this paper is a comparative study of structural stability and mechanical and optical properties of fluorapatite (FA) (Ca5(PO4)3F) and lithium disilicate (LD) (Li2Si2O5), using the first principles pseudopotential method based on density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The stability of fluorapatite and lithium disilicate compounds has been evaluated on the basis of their formation enthalpies. The results show that fluorapatite is more energetically stable than lithium disilicate. The independent elastic constants and related mechanical properties, including bulk modulus ( B), shear modulus ( G), Young's modulus ( E) and Poisson's ratio ( ν) as well as the Vickers hardness ( H v), have been calculated for fluorapatite compound and compared with other theoretical and experimental results. The obtained values of the shear modulus, Young's modulus and Vickers hardness are smaller in comparison with those of lithium disilicate compound, implying that lithium disilicate is more rigid than fluorapatite. The brittle and ductile properties were also discussed using B/ G ratio and Poisson's ratio. Optical properties such as refractive index n( ω), extinction coefficient k( ω), absorption coefficient α( ω) and optical reflectivity R( ω) have been determined from the calculations of the complex dielectric function ɛ( ω), and interpreted on the basis of the electronic structures of both compounds. The calculated values of static dielectric constant ɛ 1(0) and static refractive index n(0) show that the Li2Si2O5 compound has larger values compared to those of the Ca5(PO4)3F compound. The results of the extinction coefficient show that Li2Si2O5 compound exhibits a much stronger ultraviolet absorption. According to the absorption and reflectivity spectra, we inferred that both compounds are theoretically the best visible and infrared transparent materials.

International Conference on Aerosols and Background Pollution Abstracts Held in Galway, Ireland on 13-15 June 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-15

Andes near Santiago de Chile extinction coefficients have been determined at elevations above 3000 meters. Values betwee 0.018 km and 0.15 km have been...McGovern 1515 North Atlantic Aerosol Background concentrations measured at a Hebridean coastal site N.H. Smith, P.M. Park and I.E. Consterdine 1530...ocean V. Dreiling, R. Maser and L. Schutz 1615 Measurements of aerosol concentration and distribution at Helgoland Island P. Brand, J. Gebhart, M. Below

Laser remote sensing of tropospheric aerosol over Southern Ireland using a backscatter Raman LIDAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruth, Albert A.; Acheson, Karen; Apituley, Arnoud; Chaikovsky, Anatoli; Nicolae, Doina; Ortiz-Amezcua, Pablo; Stoyanov, Dimitar; Trickl, Thomas

2016-04-01

Raman backscatter coefficients, extinction coefficients and lidar ratios were measured with a ground based Raman lidar system at University College Cork, Ireland, during the periods of July 2012 - August 2012, April 2013 - December 2013 and March 2014 - May 2014. Statistical analysis of these parameters in this time provided information about seasonal effects of Raman backscatter coefficients and the altitude of the top of the planetary boundary layer. The mean of the altitude of the top of the planetary boundary layer over these time periods is 950 ± 302 m. The values are larger in summer, 1206 ± 367 m, than in winter, 735 m. The altitude of the top of the planetary boundary layer measured at Cork is lower than most EARLINET stations. Raman backscatter coefficients above and altitude of 2 km are highest in summer and spring where the values are greater than 0.28 Mm-1 sr-1. Winter values of Raman backscatter coefficient are less than 0.06 Mm-1 sr-1. These seasonal effects are consistent with most EARLINET stations. Large aerosol loads were detected in July 2013 due to a Canadian forest fire event. HYSPLIT air-mass back trajectory models were used to trace the origin of the detected aerosol layers. The aerosol forecast model, MACC, was used to further investigate and verify the propagation of the smoke. The Lidar ratio values and Klett and Raman backscatter coefficients at Cork, for the 4th July, the 7th to 9th of July and the 11th July were compared with observations at Cabauw, Minsk, Granada, Bucharest, Sofia and Garmisch. Lidar ratio values for the smoke detected at Cork were determined to be between 33 sr and 62 sr. The poster will discuss the seasonal changes of Raman backscatter coefficients and the altitude of the top of the planetary boundary layer at Cork. An investigation of a Canadian forest fire event measured at Cork will be compared with other data from the EARLINET database.

A Comparison of Aerosol Optical Property Measurements Made During the DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period and Their Effects on Regional Climate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, Anthony W.; Hallar, A. G.; Arnott, W. P.; Covert, D.; Elleman, R.; Ogren, J.; Schmid, B.; Luu, A.

2004-01-01

The amount of radiant energy an aerosol absorbs has profound effects on climate and air quality. It is ironic that aerosol absorption coefficient is one of the most difficult to measure aerosol properties. One of the main purposes of the DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period (IOP) flown in May, 2003 was to assess our ability to measure absorption coefficient in situ. This paper compares measurements of aerosol optical properties made during the IOP. Measurements of aerosol absorption coefficient were made by Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) aboard the CIRPAS Twin-Otter (U. Washington) and on the DOE Cessna 172 (NOAA-C,MDL). Aerosol absorption coefficient was also measured by a photoacoustic instrument (DRI) that was operated on an aircraft for the first time during the IOP. A new cavity ring-down (CRD) instrument, called Cadenza (NASA-AkC), measures the aerosol extinction coefficient for 675 nm and 1550 nm light, and simultaneously measures the scattering coefficient at 675 nm. Absorption coefficient is obtained from the difference of measured extinction and scattering within the instrument. Measurements of absorption coefficient from all of these instruments during appropriate periods are compared. During the IOP, several significant aerosol layers were sampled aloft. These layers are identified in the remote (AATS-14) as well as in situ measurements. Extinction profiles measured by Cadenza are compared to those derived from the Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14, NASA-ARC). The regional radiative impact of these layers is assessed by using the measured aerosol optical properties in a radiative transfer model.

An Algorithm to Compress Line-transition Data for Radiative-transfer Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cubillos, Patricio E.

2017-11-01

Molecular line-transition lists are an essential ingredient for radiative-transfer calculations. With recent databases now surpassing the billion-line mark, handling them has become computationally prohibitive, due to both the required processing power and memory. Here I present a temperature-dependent algorithm to separate strong from weak line transitions, reformatting the large majority of the weaker lines into a cross-section data file, and retaining the detailed line-by-line information of the fewer strong lines. For any given molecule over the 0.3-30 μm range, this algorithm reduces the number of lines to a few million, enabling faster radiative-transfer computations without a significant loss of information. The final compression rate depends on how densely populated the spectrum is. I validate this algorithm by comparing Exomol’s HCN extinction-coefficient spectra between the complete (65 million line transitions) and compressed (7.7 million) line lists. Over the 0.6-33 μm range, the average difference between extinction-coefficient values is less than 1%. A Python/C implementation of this algorithm is open-source and available at https://github.com/pcubillos/repack. So far, this code handles the Exomol and HITRAN line-transition format.

Optical and microphysical parameters of dense stratocumulus clouds during mission 206 of EUCREX '94 as retrieved from measurements made with the airborne lidar LEANDRE 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelon, J.; Flamant, C.; Trouillet, V.; Flamant, P. H.

Cloud parameters derived from measurements performed with the airborne backscatter lidar LEANDRE 1 during mission 206 of the EUCREX '94 campaign are reported. A new method has been developed to retrieve the extinction coefficient at the top of the dense stratocumulus deck under scrutiny during this mission. The largest extinction values are found to be related to the highest cloud top altitude revealing the small-scale structure of vertical motions within the stratocumulus field. Cloud optical depth (COD) is estimated from extinction retrievals, as well as cloud top and cloud base altitude using nadir and zenith lidar observations, respectively. Lidar-derived CODs are compared with CODs deduced from radiometric measurements made onboard the French research aircraft Avion de Recherche Atmosphérique et de Télédétection (ARAT/F27). A fair agreement is obtained (within 20%) for COD's larger than 10. Our results show the potential of lidar measurements to analyze cloud properties at optical depths larger than 5.

Nitrogen dioxide and kerosene-flame soot calibration of photoacoustic instruments for measurement of light absorption by aerosols

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arnott, W. Patrick; Moosmu''ller, Hans; Walker, John W.

2000-12-01

A nitrogen dioxide calibration method is developed to evaluate the theoretical calibration for a photoacoustic instrument used to measure light absorption by atmospheric aerosols at a laser wavelength of 532.0 nm. This method uses high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide so that both a simple extinction and the photoacoustically obtained absorption measurement may be performed simultaneously. Since Rayleigh scattering is much less than absorption for the gas, the agreement between the extinction and absorption coefficients can be used to evaluate the theoretical calibration, so that the laser gas spectra are not needed. Photoacoustic theory is developed to account for strong absorptionmore » of the laser beam power in passage through the resonator. Findings are that the photoacoustic absorption based on heat-balance theory for the instrument compares well with absorption inferred from the extinction measurement, and that both are well within values represented by published spectra of nitrogen dioxide. Photodissociation of nitrogen dioxide limits the calibration method to wavelengths longer than 398 nm. Extinction and absorption at 532 and 1047 nm were measured for kerosene-flame soot to evaluate the calibration method, and the single scattering albedo was found to be 0.31 and 0.20 at these wavelengths, respectively.« less

Airborne Cavity Ring-Down Measurement of Aerosol Extinction and Scattering During the Aerosol IOP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, A. W.; Ricci, K.; Provencal, R.; Schmid, B.; Covert, D.; Elleman, R.; Arnott, P.

2003-01-01

Large uncertainties in the effects of aerosols on climate require improved in-situ measurements of extinction coefficient and single-scattering albedo. This paper describes preliminary results from Cadenza, a new continuous wave cavity ring-down (CW-CRD) instrument designed to address these uncertainties. Cadenza measures the aerosol extinction coefficient for 675 nm and 1550 nm light, and simultaneously measures the scattering coefficient at 675 nm. In the past year Cadenza was deployed in the Asian Dust Above Monterey (ADAM) and DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period (IOP) field projects. During these flights Cadenza produced measurements of aerosol extinction in the range from 0.2 to 300 Mm-1 with an estimated precision of 0.1 Min-1 for 1550 nm light and 0.2 Mm-1 for 675 nm light. Cadenza data from the ADAM and Aerosol IOP missions compared favorably with data from the other instruments aboard the CIRPAS Twin Otter aircraft and participating in those projects.= We present comparisons between the Cadenza measurements and those friom a TSI nephelometer, Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP), and the AATS 14 sun-photometer. Measurements of the optical properties of smoke and dust plumes sampled during these campaigns are presented and estimates of heating rates due to these plumes are made.

In Situ Measurement of Aerosol Extinction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, Anthony W.; Castaneda, R.; Owano, T. G.; Bear, D.; Gore, Warren J. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Aerosols are important contributors to the radiative forcing in the atmosphere. Much of the uncertainty in our knowledge of climate forcing is due to uncertainties in the radiative forcing due to aerosols as illustrated in the IPCC reports of the last ten years. Improved measurement of aerosol optical properties, therefore, is critical to an improved understanding of atmospheric radiative forcing. Additionally, attempts to reconcile in situ and remote measurements of aerosol radiative properties have generally not been successful. This is due in part to the fact that it has been impossible to measure aerosol extinction in situ in the past. In this presentation we introduce a new instrument that employs the techniques used in cavity ringdown spectroscopy to measure the aerosol extinction and scattering coefficients in situ. A prototype instrument has been designed and tested in the lab and the field. It is capable of measuring aerosol extinction coefficient to 2x10(exp -6) per meter. This prototype instrument is described and results are presented.

Digital cover photography for estimating leaf area index (LAI) in apple trees using a variable light extinction coefficient.

PubMed

Poblete-Echeverría, Carlos; Fuentes, Sigfredo; Ortega-Farias, Samuel; Gonzalez-Talice, Jaime; Yuri, Jose Antonio

2015-01-28

Leaf area index (LAI) is one of the key biophysical variables required for crop modeling. Direct LAI measurements are time consuming and difficult to obtain for experimental and commercial fruit orchards. Devices used to estimate LAI have shown considerable errors when compared to ground-truth or destructive measurements, requiring tedious site-specific calibrations. The objective of this study was to test the performance of a modified digital cover photography method to estimate LAI in apple trees using conventional digital photography and instantaneous measurements of incident radiation (Io) and transmitted radiation (I) through the canopy. Leaf area of 40 single apple trees were measured destructively to obtain real leaf area index (LAI(D)), which was compared with LAI estimated by the proposed digital photography method (LAI(M)). Results showed that the LAI(M) was able to estimate LAI(D) with an error of 25% using a constant light extinction coefficient (k = 0.68). However, when k was estimated using an exponential function based on the fraction of foliage cover (f(f)) derived from images, the error was reduced to 18%. Furthermore, when measurements of light intercepted by the canopy (Ic) were used as a proxy value for k, the method presented an error of only 9%. These results have shown that by using a proxy k value, estimated by Ic, helped to increase accuracy of LAI estimates using digital cover images for apple trees with different canopy sizes and under field conditions.

Digital Cover Photography for Estimating Leaf Area Index (LAI) in Apple Trees Using a Variable Light Extinction Coefficient

PubMed Central

Poblete-Echeverría, Carlos; Fuentes, Sigfredo; Ortega-Farias, Samuel; Gonzalez-Talice, Jaime; Yuri, Jose Antonio

2015-01-01

Leaf area index (LAI) is one of the key biophysical variables required for crop modeling. Direct LAI measurements are time consuming and difficult to obtain for experimental and commercial fruit orchards. Devices used to estimate LAI have shown considerable errors when compared to ground-truth or destructive measurements, requiring tedious site-specific calibrations. The objective of this study was to test the performance of a modified digital cover photography method to estimate LAI in apple trees using conventional digital photography and instantaneous measurements of incident radiation (Io) and transmitted radiation (I) through the canopy. Leaf area of 40 single apple trees were measured destructively to obtain real leaf area index (LAID), which was compared with LAI estimated by the proposed digital photography method (LAIM). Results showed that the LAIM was able to estimate LAID with an error of 25% using a constant light extinction coefficient (k = 0.68). However, when k was estimated using an exponential function based on the fraction of foliage cover (ff) derived from images, the error was reduced to 18%. Furthermore, when measurements of light intercepted by the canopy (Ic) were used as a proxy value for k, the method presented an error of only 9%. These results have shown that by using a proxy k value, estimated by Ic, helped to increase accuracy of LAI estimates using digital cover images for apple trees with different canopy sizes and under field conditions. PMID:25635411

Synthesis, and spectroscopic studies of charge transfer complex of 1,2-dimethylimidazole as an electron donor with π-acceptor 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol in different polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyan, Lal; Khan, Ishaat M.; Ahmad, Afaq

2015-07-01

The charge transfer (CT) complex of 1,2-dimethylimidazole (DMI) as an electron donor with π acceptor 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol (DNN) has been studied spectrophotometrically in different solvents like chloroform, acetonitrile, methanol, methylene chloride, etc. at room temperature. The CT complex which is formed through the transfer of lone pair electrons from DMI to DNN exhibits well resolved CT bands and the regions of these bands were remarkably different from those of the donor and acceptor. The stoichiometry of the CT complex was found to be 1:1 by a straight-line method between donor and acceptor with maximum absorption bands. The novel CT complex has been characterized by FTIR, TGA-DTA, powder XRD, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The Benesi-Hildebrand equation has been used to determine the formation constant (KCT), molar extinction coefficient (εCT), standard gibbs free energy (ΔG°) and other physical parameters of the CT complex. The formation constant recorded higher values and molar extinction coefficient recorded lower values in chloroform compared with methylene chloride, methanol and acetonitrile, confirming the strong interaction between the molecular orbital's of donor and acceptor in the ground state in less polar solvent. This CT complex has been studied by absorption spectra of donor 1,2-dimethylimidazole (DMI) and acceptor 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol (DNN) by using the spectrophotometric technique in various solvents at room temperature.

Improved identification of the solution space of aerosol microphysical properties derived from the inversion of profiles of lidar optical data, part 1: theory.

PubMed

Kolgotin, Alexei; Müller, Detlef; Chemyakin, Eduard; Romanov, Anton

2016-12-01

Multiwavelength Raman/high spectral resolution lidars that measure backscatter coefficients at 355, 532, and 1064 nm and extinction coefficients at 355 and 532 nm can be used for the retrieval of particle microphysical parameters, such as effective and mean radius, number, surface-area and volume concentrations, and complex refractive index, from inversion algorithms. In this study, we carry out a correlation analysis in order to investigate the degree of dependence that may exist between the optical data taken with lidar and the underlying microphysical parameters. We also investigate if the correlation properties identified in our study can be used as a priori or a posteriori constraints for our inversion scheme so that the inversion results can be improved. We made the simplifying assumption of error-free optical data in order to find out what correlations exist in the best case situation. Clearly, for practical applications, erroneous data need to be considered too. On the basis of simulations with synthetic optical data, we find the following results, which hold true for arbitrary particle size distributions, i.e., regardless of the modality or the shape of the size distribution function: surface-area concentrations and extinction coefficients are linearly correlated with a correlation coefficient above 0.99. We also find a correlation coefficient above 0.99 for the extinction coefficient versus (1) the ratio of the volume concentration to effective radius and (2) the product of the number concentration times the sum of the squares of the mean radius and standard deviation of the investigated particle size distributions. Besides that, we find that for particles of any mode fraction of the particle size distribution, the complex refractive index is uniquely defined by extinction- and backscatter-related Ångström exponents, lidar ratios at two wavelengths, and an effective radius.

Light scattering by marine algae: two-layer spherical and nonspherical models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quirantes, Arturo; Bernard, Stewart

2004-11-01

Light scattering properties of algae-like particles are modeled using the T-matrix for coated scatterers. Two basic geometries have been considered: off-centered coated spheres and centered spheroids. Extinction, scattering and absorption efficiencies, plus scattering in the backward plane, are compared to simpler models like homogeneous (Mie) and coated (Aden-Kerker) models. The anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA), of widespread use in the oceanographic light-scattering community, has also been used as a first approximation, for both homogeneous and coated spheres. T-matrix calculations show that some light scattering values, such as extinction and scattering efficiencies, have little dependence on particle shape, thus reinforcing the view that simpler (Mie, Aden-Kerker) models can be applied to infer refractive index (RI) data from absorption curves. The backscattering efficiency, on the other hand, is quite sensitive to shape. This calls into question the use of light scattering techniques where the phase function plays a pivotal role, and can help explain the observed discrepancy between theoretical and experimental values of the backscattering coefficient in observed in oceanic studies.

Series cell light extinction monitor

DOEpatents

Novick, Vincent J.

1990-01-01

A method and apparatus for using the light extinction measurements from two or more light cells positioned along a gasflow chamber in which the gas volumetric rate is known to determine particle number concentration and mass concentration of an aerosol independent of extinction coefficient and to determine estimates for particle size and mass concentrations. The invention is independent of particle size. This invention has application to measurements made during a severe nuclear reactor fuel damage test.

Results of Laser-Calibrated High-Resolution Transmission Measurements and Comparisons with Broadband Transmissometer Data: San Nicolas Island, California, May 1979.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-30

system . Atmospheric aerosol extinction coefficients at DF laser wavelengths obtained from the long - path transmission data show a wide range of variation...described in this report, it is recommended that addi- tional long - path field measurements of laser extinction and high-resolution transmission spectra be...independent long path laser extinction measurement . Column 7 of Table 3 lists the lime of the laser

Scattering and extinction properties of overfire soot in large buoyant turbulent diffusion flames

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krishnan, S.S.; Lin, K.C.; Faeth, G.M.

1999-07-01

Measurements of the scattering and extinction properties of soot at visible wavelengths (351.2--632.8 nm) were completed for soot in the overfire region of large buoyant turbulent diffusion flames burning in still air where soot properties are independent of position and characteristic flame residence time for a particular fuel. Flames fueled with both gas (acetylene, ethylene, propylene and butadiene) and liquid (benzene, toluene, cyclohexane and n-heptane) hydrocarbon fuels were considered during the experiments. The measurements were considered during the experiments. The measurements were used to evaluate Rayleigh-Debye-Gans/polydisperse-fractal-aggregate theory for the absorption and scattering properties of soot, finding good performance for themore » present test range which included primary particle size parameters as large as 0.46; in addition, effects of fuel type over the test range were comparable to experimental uncertainties. Fractal dimensions were properly independent of wavelength and yielded a mean value of 1.79 with a standard deviation of 0.05, which is in excellent agreement with earlier work. Dimensionless extinction coefficients were relatively independent of wavelength and yielded a mean value of 8.4 with a standard deviation of 1.5. Present refractive indices did not exhibit a resonance condition, seen for graphite, as the uv was approached. Values of the refractive index function for absorption, E(m), increased as wavelength increased and were comparable to most earlier measurements for wavelengths greater than 400 nm. Values of the refractive index function for scattering, F(m), agreed with earlier measurements at wavelengths of 450--550 nm but otherwise increased with increasing wavelength more rapidly than seen before.« less

Measurements of Nascent Soot Using a Cavity Attenauted Phase Shift (CAPS)-based Single Scattering Albedo Monitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freedman, A.; Onasch, T. B.; Renbaum-Wollf, L.; Lambe, A. T.; Davidovits, P.; Kebabian, P. L.

2015-12-01

Accurate, as compared to precise, measurement of aerosol absorption has always posed a significant problem for the particle radiative properties community. Filter-based instruments do not actually measure absorption but rather light transmission through the filter; absorption must be derived from this data using multiple corrections. The potential for matrix-induced effects is also great for organic-laden aerosols. The introduction of true in situ measurement instruments using photoacoustic or photothermal interferometric techniques represents a significant advance in the state-of-the-art. However, measurement artifacts caused by changes in humidity still represent a significant hurdle as does the lack of a good calibration standard at most measurement wavelengths. And, in the absence of any particle-based absorption standard, there is no way to demonstrate any real level of accuracy. We, along with others, have proposed that under the circumstance of low single scattering albedo (SSA), absorption is best determined by difference using measurement of total extinction and scattering. We discuss a robust, compact, field deployable instrument (the CAPS PMssa) that simultaneously measures airborne particle light extinction and scattering coefficients and thus the single scattering albedo (SSA) on the same sample volume. The extinction measurement is based on cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) techniques as employed in the CAPS PMex particle extinction monitor; scattering is measured using integrating nephelometry by incorporating a Lambertian integrating sphere within the sample cell. The scattering measurement is calibrated using the extinction measurement of non-absorbing particles. For small particles and low SSA, absorption can be measured with an accuracy of 6-8% at absorption levels as low as a few Mm-1. We present new results of the measurement of the mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of soot generated by an inverted methane diffusion flame at 630 nm. A value of 6.60 ±0.2 m2 g-1 was determined where the uncertainty refers to the precision of the measurement. The overall accuracy of the measurement, traceable to the properties of polystyrene latex particles, is estimated to be better than ±10%.

Photometry of occultation candidate stars. I - Uranus 1985 and Saturn 1985-1991

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

French, L. M.; Morales, G.; Dalton, A. S.; Klavetter, J. J.; Conner, S. R.

1985-01-01

Photometric observations of five stars to be occulted by the rings around Uranus are presented. The four stars to be occulted by Saturn or its rings during the period 1985-1991 were also observed. The observations were carried out with a CCD detector attached to the Kitt Peak McGraw-Hill 1.30-m telescope. Landolt standards of widely ranging V-I color indices were used to determine the extinction coefficients, transformation coefficients, and zero points of the stars. Mean extinction coefficients are given for each night of observation. K magnitudes for each star were estimated on the basis of the results of Johnson (1967). The complete photometric data set is given in a series of tables.

Interaction between photons and leaf canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knyazikhin, Yuri V.; Marshak, Alexander L.; Myneni, Ranga B.

1991-01-01

The physics of neutral particle interaction for photons traveling in media consisting of finite-dimensional scattering centers that cross-shade mutually is investigated. A leaf canopy is a typical example of such media. The leaf canopy is idealized as a binary medium consisting of randomly distributed gaps (voids) and regions with phytoelements (turbid phytomedium). In this approach, the leaf canopy is represented by a combination of all possible open oriented spheres. The mathematical approach for characterizing the structure of the host medium is considered. The extinction coefficient at any phase-space location in a leaf canopy is the product of the extinction coefficient in the turbid phytomedium and the probability of absence gaps at that location. Using a similar approach, an expression for the differential scattering coefficient is derived.

Extinction and Scattering Properties of Soot Emitted from Buoyant Turbulent Diffusion Flames. Appendix F

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnan, S. S.; Lin, K.-C.; Faeth, G. M.; Yuan, Z.-G. (Technical Monitor); Urban, D. L. (Technical Monitor); Yuan, Z.-G. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Extinction and scattering properties at wavelengths of 250-5200 nm were studied for soot emitted from buoyant turbulent diffusion flames in the long residence time regime where soot properties are independent of position in the overfire region and characteristic flame residence times. Flames burning in still air and fueled with gas (acetylene, ethylene, propane, and propylene) and liquid (benzene, toluene, cyclohexane, and n-heptane) hydrocarbon fuels were considered. Measured scattering patterns and ratios of total scattering/absorption cross sections were in good agreement with predictions based on the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) scattering approximation in the visible. Measured depolarization ratios were roughly correlated by primary particle size parameter, suggesting potential for completing RDG methodology needed to make soot scattering predictions as well as providing a nonintrusive way to measure primary soot particle diameters. Measurements of dimensionless extinction coefficients were in good agreement with earlier measurements for similar soot populations and were independent of fuel type and wavelength except for reduced values as the near ultraviolet was approached. The ratios of the scattering/absorption refractive index functions were independent of fuel type within experimental uncertainties and were in good agreement with earlier measurements. The refractive index junction for absorption was similarly independent of fuel type but was larger than earlier reflectometry measurements in the infrared. Ratios of total scattering/absorption cross sections were relatively large in the visible and near infrared, with maximum values as large as 0.9 and with values as large as 0.2 at 2000 nm, suggesting greater potential for scattering from soot particles to affect flame radiation properties than previously thought.

Extinction and Scattering Properties of Soot Emitted from Buoyant Turbulent Diffusion Flames. Appendix D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnan, S. S.; Lin, K.-C.; Faeth, G. M.; Urban, D. L. (Technical Monitor); Yuan, Z.-G. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Extinction and scattering properties at wavelengths of 250-5200 nm were studied for soot emitted from buoyant turbulent diffusion flames in the long residence time regime where soot properties are independent of position in the overfire region and characteristic flame residence times. Flames burning in still air and fueled with gas (acetylene, ethylene, propane, and propylene) and liquid (benzene, toluene, cyclohexane, and n-heptane) hydrocarbon fuels were considered Measured scattering patterns and ratios of total scattering/absorption cross sections were in good agreement with predictions based on the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) scattering approximation in the visible. Measured depolarization ratios were roughly correlated by primary particle size parameter, suggesting potential for completing RDG methodology needed to make soot scattering predictions as well as providing a nonintrusive way to measure primary soot particle diameters. Measurements of dimensionless extinction coefficients were in good agreement with earlier measurements for similar soot populations and were independent of fuel type and wavelength except for reduced values as the near ultraviolet was approached. The ratios of the scattering/absorption refractive index functions were independent of fuel type within experimental uncertainties and were in good agreement with earlier measurements. The refractive index function for absorption was similarly independent of fuel type but was larger than earlier reflectometry measurements in the infrared. Ratios of total scattering/absorption cross sections were relatively large in the visible and near infrared, with maximum values as large as 0.9 and with values as large as 0.2 at 2000 nm, suggesting greater potential for scattering from soot particles to affect flame radiation properties than previously thought.

Simulating return signals of a spaceborne high-spectral resolution lidar channel at 532 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Yu; Binglong, Chen; Min, Min; Xingying, Zhang; Lilin, Yao; Yiming, Zhao; Lidong, Wang; Fu, Wang; Xiaobo, Deng

2018-06-01

High spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) system employs a narrow spectral filter to separate the particulate (cloud/aerosol) and molecular scattering components in lidar return signals, which improves the quality of the retrieved cloud/aerosol optical properties. To better develop a future spaceborne HSRL system, a novel simulation technique was developed to simulate spaceborne HSRL return signals at 532 nm using the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) cloud/aerosol extinction coefficients product and numerical weather prediction data. For validating simulated data, a mathematical particulate extinction coefficient retrieval method for spaceborne HSRL return signals is described here. We compare particulate extinction coefficient profiles from the CALIPSO operational product with simulated spaceborne HSRL data. Further uncertainty analysis shows that relative uncertainties are acceptable for retrieving the optical properties of cloud and aerosol. The final results demonstrate that they agree well with each other. It indicates that the return signals of the spaceborne HSRL molecular channel at 532 nm will be suitable for developing operational algorithms supporting a future spaceborne HSRL system.

Prediction of apparent extinction for optical transmission through rain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasseur, H.; Gibbins, C. J.

1996-12-01

At optical wavelengths, geometrical optics holds that the extinction efficiency of raindrops is equal to two. This approximation yields a wavelength-independent extinction coefficient that, however, can hardly be used to predict accurately rain extinction measured in optical transmissions. Actually, in addition to the extinct direct incoming light, a significant part of the power scattered by the rain particles reaches the receiver. This leads to a reduced apparent extinction that depends on both rain characteristics and link parameters. A simple method is proposed to evaluate this apparent extinction. It accounts for the additional scattered power that enters the receiver when one considers the forward-scattering pattern of the raindrops as well as the multiple-scattering effects using, respectively, the Fraunhofer diffraction and Twersky theory. It results in a direct analytical formula that enables a quick and accurate estimation of the rain apparent extinction and highlights the influence of the link parameters. Predictions of apparent extinction through rain are found in excellent agreement with measurements in the visible and IR regions.

Optical characteristics of the nanoparticle coupled to a quantum molecular aggregate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ropakova, I. Yu.; Zvyagin, A. A.

2017-11-01

Optical characteristics of a single nanoparticle, coupled to the one-dimensional quantum molecular aggregate is studied. Depending on the values of the coupling of the particle and its own frequency, with respect to the own frequency of the aggregated molecules, and the strength of the aggregation, the dynamical relative permittivity of the nanoparticle manifests the contribution from the exciton band, or/and the ones from the local level(s) caused by the particle. The refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the nanoparticle is also calculated.

Aerosol Optical Properties at the Ground Sites during the 2010 CARES Field Campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atkinson, D. B.; Radney, J. G.; Harworth, J. W.

2010-12-01

Preliminary results from the ground sites at the 2010 CARES field campaign (T0 near Sacramento, CA and T1 near Cool, CA) will be presented. A number of aerosol optical properties were measured at high time resolution for the four week study period using custom instruments. The aerosol extinction coefficient was measured at T0 using a cavity ring-down transmissometer (CRDT) at two wavelengths (532 and 1064 nm) and the aerosol scattering coefficient was measured at 532 nm using a Radiance Research M903 nephelometer. At T1, a new CRDT instrument was deployed that measured the extinction coefficient at three wavelengths (355, 532, and 1064 nm) for sub-10 μm (nominal) and sub-2.5 μm aerosols at ambient, elevated, and reduced relative humidity. A new type of custom nephelometer that measures the aerosol scattering coefficient at 532 nm using an array detector was also deployed at T1.

Parameterization of the Vertical Variability of Tropical Cirrus Cloud Microphysical and Optical Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerber, Hermann E.

2004-01-01

Cloud Integrating Nephelometers (CIN) were flown on the U. North Dakota Citation aircraft and the NASA WB-57 aircraft for the purpose of measuring in-situ the optical extinction coefficient and the asymmetry parameter (g) at a wavelength of 635 nm of primarily ice particles encountered during the NASA CRYSTAL-FACE study of large cumulus clouds (Cu) and their anvils found in the southern Florida region. The probes performance was largely successful and produced archived data for vertical profiles of extinction, asymmetry parameter, and effective radius (Re), the latter being obtained by combining CIN and CVI (total water; Oregon State U.) measurements. Composites of the CIN and CVI data describing the average microphysical and optical behavior of the Cu and their anvils showed the following: The extinction increases with height as a result of the size of the particles also decreasing with height as shown by the Re measurements; near the top of anvils the size of the primary ice particles is about 10-um radius; and the value of g does not vary significantly with height and has a mean value of about 0.73 consistent with the idea that ambient ice crystals are primarily of complex shape and reflect solar radiation more efficiently than particles of pristine crystal shape. Other observations include: The g measurements were found to be an indicator of the phase of the cloud permitting identification of the clouds with water droplets, rain, and ice; visual ranges as small as several tens of meters were occasionally found in "extinction cores" that coincided with strong updraft cores; and comparison of the cloud probes on the Citation showed significant disagreement.

Emittance Theory for Cylindrical Fiber Selective Emitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, Donald L.

1998-01-01

A fibrous rare earth selective emitter is approximated as an infinitely long cylinder. The spectral emittance, epsilon(lambda), is obtained by solving the radiative transfer equations with appropriate boundary conditions and uniform temperature. For optical depths, Kappa(R) = alpha(lambda)R, where alpha(lambda) is the extinction coefficient and R is the cylinder radius, greater than 1 the spectral emittance is nearly at its maximum value. There is an optimum cylinder radius, R(opt), for maximum emitter efficiency, eta(E). Values for R(opt) are strongly dependent on the number of emission bands of the material. The optimum radius decreases slowly with increasing emitter temperature, while the maximum efficiency and useful radiated power increase rapidly with increasing temperature.

Analysis of the Lankford coefficient evolution at different strain rates for AA6016-T4, DP800 and DC06

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenzen, Matthias; Merklein, Marion

2017-10-01

In the automotive sector, a major challenge is the deep-drawing of modern lightweight sheet metals with limited formability. Thus, conventional material models lack in accuracy due to the complex material behavior. A current field of research takes into account the evolution of the Lankford coefficient. Today, changes in anisotropy under increasing degree of deformation are not considered. Only a consolidated average value of the Lankford coefficient is included in conventional material models. This leads to an increasing error in prediction of the flow behavior and therefore to an inaccurate prognosis of the forming behavior. To increase the accuracy of the prediction quality, the strain dependent Lankford coefficient should be respected, because the R-value has a direct effect on the contour of the associated flow rule. Further, the investigated materials show a more or less extinct rate dependency of the yield stress. For this reason, the rate dependency of the Lankford coefficient during uniaxial tension is focused within this contribution. To quantify the influence of strain rate on the Lankford coefficient, tensile tests are performed for three commonly used materials, the aluminum alloy AA6016-T4, the advanced high strength steel DP800 and the deep drawing steel DC06 at three different strain rates. The strain measurement is carried out by an optical strain measurement system. An evolution of the Lankford coefficient was observed for all investigated materials. Also, an influence of the deformation velocity on the anisotropy could be detected.

Bacterial Luciferase: Determination of the Structure by X-Ray Diffraction

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-20

absorbance at 280 nm, using an extinction coefficient mation of the active enzyme should show a concentration- of 0.94 (mg/ml-s *cm-’ (Gunsalus- Miguel et a...absorbance at 280 rm, using an extinction coefficient into the presumed assembly-incompetent form (Ziegler et aL, of 0.94 (mg/ml)- 1.cm-’ (Gunualus- Miguel et...Gunsalus- Miguel et aL (1972): E for a - 1.23 (mg/ml)-’.cm-’ and for 0 = 0.72 (mg/ml)’. cm . Refoldi’i of Luciferase and of Individual Subunits from 5 M

Design and fabrication of far ultraviolet filters based on π-multilayer technology in high-k materials

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiao-Dong; Chen, Bo; Wang, Hai-Feng; He, Fei; Zheng, Xin; He, Ling-Ping; Chen, Bin; Liu, Shi-Jie; Cui, Zhong-Xu; Yang, Xiao-Hu; Li, Yun-Peng

2015-01-01

Application of π-multilayer technology is extended to high extinction coefficient materials, which is introduced into metal-dielectric filter design. Metal materials often have high extinction coefficients in far ultraviolet (FUV) region, so optical thickness of metal materials should be smaller than that of the dielectric material. A broadband FUV filter of 9-layer non-periodic Al/MgF2 multilayer was successfully designed and fabricated and it shows high reflectance in 140–180 nm, suppressed reflectance in 120–137 nm and 181–220 nm. PMID:25687255

A model predicting the evolution of ice particle size spectra and radiative properties of cirrus clouds. Part 2: Dependence of absorption and extinction on ice crystal morphology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitchell, David L.; Arnott, W. Patrick

1994-01-01

This study builds upon the microphysical modeling described in Part 1 by deriving formulations for the extinction and absorption coefficients in terms of the size distribution parameters predicted from the micro-physical model. The optical depth and single scatter albedo of a cirrus cloud can then be determined, which, along with the asymmetry parameter, are the input parameters needed by cloud radiation models. Through the use of anomalous diffraction theory, analytical expressions were developed describing the absorption and extinction coefficients and the single scatter albedo as functions of size distribution parameters, ice crystal shapes (or habits), wavelength, and refractive index. The extinction coefficient was formulated in terms of the projected area of the size distribution, while the absorption coefficient was formulated in terms of both the projected area and mass of the size distribution. These properties were formulated as explicit functions of ice crystal geometry and were not based on an 'effective radius.' Based on simulations of the second cirrus case study described in Part 1, absorption coefficients predicted in the near infrared for hexagonal columns and rosettes were up to 47% and 71% lower, respectively, than absorption coefficients predicted by using equivalent area spheres. This resulted in single scatter albedos in the near-infrared that were considerably greater than those predicted by the equivalent area sphere method. Reflectances in this region should therefore be underestimated using the equivalent area sphere approach. Cloud optical depth was found to depend on ice crystal habit. When the simulated cirrus cloud contained only bullet rosettes, the optical depth was 142% greater than when the cloud contained only hexagonal columns. This increase produced a doubling in cloud albedo. In the near-infrared (IR), the single scatter albedo also exhibited a significant dependence on ice crystal habit. More research is needed on the geometrical properties of ice crystals before the influence of ice crystal shape on cirrus radiative properties can be adequately understood. This study provides a way of coupling the radiative properties of absorption, extinction, and single scatter albedo to the microphysical properties of cirrus clouds. The dependence of extinction and absorption on ice crystal shape was not just due to geometrical differences between crystal types, but was also due to the effect these differences had on the evolution of ice particle size spectra. The ice particle growth model in Part 1 and the radiative properties treated here are based on analytical formulations, and thus represent a computationally efficient means of modeling the microphysical and radiative properties of cirrus clouds.

Transient kinetics of the rapid shape change of unstirred human blood platelets stimulated with ADP.

PubMed Central

Deranleau, D A; Dubler, D; Rothen, C; Lüscher, E F

1982-01-01

Unstirred (isotropic) suspensions of human blood platelets stimulated with ADP in a stopped-flow laser turbidimeter exhibit a distinct extinction maximum during the course of the classical rapid conversion of initially smooth flat discoid cells to smaller-body spiny spheres. This implies the existence of a transient intermediate having a larger average light scattering cross section (extinction coefficient) than either the disc or the spiny sphere. Monophasic extinction increases reaching the same final value were observed when either discoid or spiny sphere platelets were converted to smooth spheres by treatment with chlorpromazine, and sphering of discoid cells was accompanied by a larger total extinction change than the retraction of pseudopods by already spherical cells. These and other results suggest that the ADP-induced transient state represents platelets that are approximately as "spherical" as the irregular spiny sphere but lack the characteristic long pseudopods and as a consequence are larger bodied. Fitting the ADP progress curves to the series reaction A leads to B leads to C by means of the light scattering equivalent of the Beer-Lambert law yielded scattering cross sections that are consistent with this explanation. The rate constants for the two reaction steps were identical, indicating that ADP activation corresponds to a continuous random (Poisson) process with successive apparent states "disc," "sphere," and "spiny sphere," whose individual probabilities are determined by a single rate-limiting step. PMID:6961409

Galvanic Synthesis of Hollow Gold Nanoshells

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

HAuNS of select diameter and shell thickness were synthesized and tunability of the extinction coefficient was demonstrated through control of the... extinction peak HAuNS ......................................................................................................... 4 Fig. 2 Histogram of...was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) administered by the Oak Ridge

On-site ocean horizontal aerosol extinction coefficient inversion under different weather conditions on the Bo-hai and Huang-hai Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Xianjiang; Xia, Min; Ge, Yinghui; Guo, Wenping; Yang, Kecheng

2018-03-01

In this paper, we explore the horizontal extinction characteristics under different weather conditions on the ocean surface with on-site experiments on the Bo-hai and Huang-hai Seas in the summer of 2016. An experimental lidar system is designed to collect the on-site experimental data. By aiming at the inhomogeneity and uncertainty of the horizontal aerosol in practice, a joint retrieval method is proposed to retrieve the aerosol extinction coefficients (AEC) from the raw data along the optical path. The retrieval results of both the simulated and the real signals demonstrate that the joint retrieval method is practical. Finally, the sequence observation results of the on-site experiments under different weather conditions are reported and analyzed. These results can provide the attenuation information to analyze the atmospheric aerosol characteristics on the ocean surface.

Seismotectonic, structural, volcanologic, and geomorphic study of New Zealand; indigenous forest assessment in New Zealand; mapping, land use, and environmental studies in New Zealand, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Probine, M. C.; Suggate, R. P.; Mcgreevy, M. G.; Stirling, I. F. (Principal Investigator)

1977-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Results of the atmospheric extinction measurements show clearly the greater opacity of the atmosphere in MSS band 4 which is due to Rayleigh scattering. Atmospheric water vapor absorbs strongly in a wide region between 900 nm and 1000 nm, and this results in a consistently higher extinction coefficient than would otherwise be expected in MSS band 7. The short term fluctuations tend to be greater in band 7 than in the other bands, and this effect is probably due to variations of water vapor concentration in the instrument line of sight. These high extinction coefficients and short term fluctuations in band 7 were observed at Menindee which is in a semi-desert region in western New South Wales.

Comparison of experimental and modeled absorption enhancement by black carbon (BC) cored polydisperse aerosols under hygroscopic conditions.

PubMed

Shamjad, P M; Tripathi, S N; Aggarwal, S G; Mishra, S K; Joshi, Manish; Khan, Arshad; Sapra, B K; Ram, Kirpa

2012-08-07

The quantification of the radiative impacts of light absorbing ambient black carbon (BC) particles strongly depends on accurate measurements of BC mass concentration and absorption coefficient (β(abs)). In this study, an experiment has been conducted to quantify the influence of hygroscopic growth of ambient particles on light absorption. Using the hygroscopic growth factor (i.e., Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) approach), a model has been developed to predict the chemical composition of particles based on measurements, and the absorption and scattering coefficients are derived using a core-shell assumption with light extinction estimates based on Mie theory. The estimated optical properties agree within 7% for absorption coefficient and 30% for scattering coefficient with that of measured values. The enhancement of absorption is found to vary according to the thickness of the shell and BC mass, with a maximum of 2.3 for a shell thickness of 18 nm for the particles. The findings of this study underline the importance of considering aerosol-mixing states while calculating their radiative forcing.

Source apportionment of PM2.5 light extinction in an urban atmosphere in China.

PubMed

Lan, Zijuan; Zhang, Bin; Huang, Xiaofeng; Zhu, Qiao; Yuan, Jinfeng; Zeng, Liwu; Hu, Min; He, Lingyan

2018-01-01

Haze in China is primarily caused by high pollution of atmospheric fine particulates (PM 2.5 ). However, the detailed source structures of PM 2.5 light extinction have not been well established, especially for the roles of various organic aerosols, which makes haze management lack specified targets. This study obtained the mass concentrations of the chemical compositions and the light extinction coefficients of fine particles in the winter in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, using high time resolution aerosol observation instruments. We combined the positive matrix factor (PMF) analysis model of organic aerosols and the multiple linear regression method to establish a quantitative relationship model between the main chemical components, in particular the different sources of organic aerosols and the extinction coefficients of fine particles with a high goodness of fit (R 2 =0.953). The results show that the contribution rates of ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA), secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and black carbon (BC) were 48.1%, 20.7%, 15.0%, 10.6%, and 5.6%, respectively. It can be seen that the contribution of the secondary aerosols is much higher than that of the primary aerosols (79.4% versus 20.6%) and are a major factor in the visibility decline. BBOA is found to have a high visibility destroying potential, with a high mass extinction coefficient, and was the largest contributor during some high pollution periods. A more detailed analysis indicates that the contribution of the enhanced absorption caused by BC mixing state was approximately 37.7% of the total particle absorption and should not be neglected. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Measurements of Intensive Aerosol Optical Properties During TexAQS II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atkinson, D. B.; Radney, J. G.; Wright, M. E.

2007-12-01

Time-resolved measurements of the bulk extensive aerosol optical properties - particle extinction coefficient (bext) and particle scattering coefficient (bscat) - and particle number concentrations were made as part of the six-week TRAMP experiment during the TexAQS II (2006) study. These measurements were done at a nominal surface site (the roof of an 18 story building) on the University of Houston campus near downtown Houston, Texas. Our ground-based tandem cavity ring-down transmissometer/nephelometer instrument (CRDT/N) provided the aerosol optical property measurements. A commercial Condensation Particle Counter (TSI 3007) was used to measure the number concentrations during part of the study period. The optical data was used to construct the intensive aerosol optical properties single scattering albedo ω0 at 532 nm and the Angstrom exponent for extinction between 532 nm and 1064 nm. Recent validation studies of size- selected laboratory generated aerosols are presented to illustrate the soundness of this approach using our instrument. The Angstrom exponent is compared to values from other instruments operating in the area and is found to be a characteristic of the regional air mass under some conditions. Size distributions measured during the study were used to create a new empirical adjustment to scattering measured by the Radiance Research nephelometer, resulting in improved results for particle absorption coefficient and single scattering albedo. The study average value of ω0(532 nm) = 0.78 is lower than expected from comparable field studies and even lower values are experienced during the study. Possible causes of this discrepancy are examined and the utility of using the current version of the CRDT/N instrument to measure the key radiative property ω0 is assessed. Observed episodes of rapid increases in particle number concentration with little corresponding growth in the optical properties can presumably be used to signal the occurrence of particle nucleation or growth via gas-phase condensation. These results may be confirmed by other data taken during the TRAMP experiment. These results will be discussed in the context of aerosol effects on regional and larger scale climate.

In-Situ Measurements of Aerosol Optical Properties using New Cavity Ring-Down and Photoacoustics Instruments and Comparison with more Traditional Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, A. W.; Arnott, P.; Covert, D.; Elleman, R.; Ferrare, R.; Hallar, A. G.; Jonsson, H.; Kirchstetter, T. W.; Luu, A. P.; Ogren, J.

2004-01-01

Carbonaceous species (BC and OC) are responsible for most of the absorption associated with aerosol particles. The amount of radiant energy an aerosol absorbs has profound effects on climate and air quality. It is ironic that aerosol absorption coefficient is one of the most difficult aerosol properties to measure. A new cavity ring-down (CRD) instrument, called Cadenza (NASA-ARC), measures the aerosol extinction coefficient for 675 nm and 1550 nm light, and simultaneously measures the scattering coefficient at 675 nm. Absorption coefficient is obtained from the difference of measured extinction and scattering within the instrument. Aerosol absorption coefficient is also measured by a photoacoustic (PA) instrument (DRI) that was operated on an aircraft for the first time during the DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period (IOP). This paper will report on measurements made with this new instrument and other in-situ instruments during two field recent field studies. The first field study was an airborne cam;oaign, the DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period flown in May, 2003 over northern Oklahoma. One of the main purposes of the IOP was to assess our ability to measure extinction and absorption coefficient in situ. This paper compares measurements of these aerosol optical properties made by the CRD, PA, nephelometer, and Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) aboard the CIRPAS Twin-Otter. During the IOP, several significant aerosol layers were sampled aloft. These layers are identified in the remote (AATS-14) as well as in situ measurements. Extinction profiles measured by Cadenza are compared to those derived from the Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14, NASA-ARC). The regional radiative impact of these layers is assessed by using the measured aerosol optical properties in a radiative transfer model. The second study was conducted in the Caldecott Tunnel, a heavily-used tunnel located north of San Francisco, Ca. The aerosol sampled in this study was characterized by fresh automobile and diesel exhaust. Measurements from Cadenza and from an aethalometer are presented. The aethalometer is a filter-based photometer and the infrared channel is calibrated to produce a measure of BC mass loading.

Fine particulate matter characteristics and its impact on visibility impairment at two urban sites in Korea: Seoul and Incheon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young J.; Kim, Kyung W.; Kim, Shin D.; Lee, Bo K.; Han, Jin S.

In order to investigate the causes of visibility degradation in the metropolitan area of Seoul, extensive chemical and optical monitoring of aerosol was conducted at two urban sites; Junnong, Seoul and Yonghyun, Incheon during several seasonal intensive monitoring periods between August 2002 and August 2004. Light extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients were measured simultaneously with a transmissometer, a nephelometer, and an aethalometer, respectively. Continuous aerosol chemical measurement was also made with Sunset elemental carbon/organic carbon (EC/OC) analyzers and on-line ion monitors. The mean light extinction budget for five major aerosol components; ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, fine carbonaceous particles (EC and OC), fine soil, and coarse particle was estimated based on the measurement results. Investigation of the haze level revealed that PM 2.5 mass concentrations at Junnong and Yonghyun measured under the Worst20% condition were approximately twice those of the Best20% condition. The worst visibility condition was well correlated with increases in mass concentrations of sulfate and nitrate, and EC particles. The mass concentration of aerosol components for the Worst20% was measured to be approximately two- to four-fold higher than those for the Best20%. Degree of visibility degradation was also analyzed based on the air mass pathway information obtained using the HYSPLIT model. Average light extinction coefficients under continental air flow condition at the Junnong and Yonghyun sites were the highest values of 704±414 and 773±546 Mm -1, respectively due to increased loading of fine particles. Visibility was greatly improved at both sites when atmosphere was impacted by air mass originated from Pacific Ocean.

Measurements of the absorption coefficient of stratospheric aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ogren, J. A.; Ahlquist, N. C.; Clarke, A. D.; Charlson, R. J.

1981-01-01

The absorption coefficients of stratospheric aerosols are measured using a variation on the integrating plate method. The technique is based on the decrease in the transparency of a substrate when an absorbing aerosol is deposited on it. A Lambert scatterer is placed behind the substrate to integrate forward scattered light and minimize the effect of scattering on the measurement. The low pressure in the stratosphere is used for the direct impaction of particles onto a narrow strip of opal glass. The eight samples collected had a median value of 4 x 10 to the -9th m with an uncertainty of + or - 5 x 10 to the -9th m. If this absorption is due to graphitic carbon, then its concentration is estimated at about 0.4 ng/cu m, or about 0.25% of the total aerosol mass concentration. Estimates of the aerosol scattering coefficients based on satellite extinction inversions result in an aerosol single-scattering albedo in the range of 0.96-1.0.

Investigation of shortcomings in simulated aerosol vertical profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, S.; Allen, R.

2017-12-01

The vertical distribution of aerosols is one important factor for aerosol radiative forcing. Previous studies show that climate models poorly reproduce the aerosol vertical profile, with too much aerosol aloft in the upper troposphere. This bias may be related to several factors, including excessive convective mass flux and wet removal. In this study, we evaluate the aerosol vertical profile from several Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models, as well as the Community Atmosphere Model 5 (CAM5), relative to the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO). The results show that all models significantly underestimate extinction coefficient in the lower troposphere, while overestimating extinction coefficient in the upper troposphere. In addition, the majority of models indicate a land-ocean dependence in the relationship between aerosol extinction coefficient in the upper troposphere and convective mass flux. Over the continents, more convective mass flux is related to more aerosol aloft; over the ocean, more convective mass flux is associated with less aerosol in upper troposphere. Sensitivity experiments are conducted to investigate the role that convection and wet deposition have in contributing to the deficient simulation of the vertical aerosol profile, including the land-ocean dependence.

Interpreting spectral unmixing coefficients: From spectral weights to mass fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grumpe, Arne; Mengewein, Natascha; Rommel, Daniela; Mall, Urs; Wöhler, Christian

2018-01-01

It is well known that many common planetary minerals exhibit prominent absorption features. Consequently, the analysis of spectral reflectance measurements has become a major tool of remote sensing. Quantifying the mineral abundances, however, is not a trivial task. The interaction between the incident light rays and particulate surfaces, e.g., the lunar regolith, leads to a non-linear relationship between the reflectance spectra of the pure minerals, the so-called ;endmembers;, and the surface's reflectance spectrum. It is, however, possible to transform the non-linear reflectance mixture into a linear mixture of single-scattering albedos of the Hapke model. The abundances obtained by inverting the linear single-scattering albedo mixture may be interpreted as volume fractions which are weighted by the endmember's extinction coefficient. Commonly, identical extinction coefficients are assumed throughout all endmembers and the obtained volume fractions are converted to mass fractions using either measured or assumed densities. In theory, the proposed method may cover different grain sizes if each grain size range of a mineral is treated as a distinct endmember. Here, we present a method to transform the mixing coefficients to mass fractions for arbitrary combinations of extinction coefficients and densities. The required parameters are computed from reflectance measurements of well defined endmember mixtures. Consequently, additional measurements, e.g., the endmember density, are no longer required. We evaluate the method based on laboratory measurements and various results presented in the literature, respectively. It is shown that the procedure transforms the mixing coefficients to mass fractions yielding an accuracy comparable to carefully calibrated laboratory measurements without additional knowledge. For our laboratory measurements, the square root of the mean squared error is less than 4.82 wt%. In addition, the method corrects for systematic effects originating from mixtures of endmembers showing a highly varying albedo, e.g., plagioclase and pyroxene.

The Optical-Mid-infrared Extinction Law of the l = 165° Sightline in the Galactic Plane: Diversity of the Extinction Law in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shu; Jiang, B. W.; Zhao, He; Chen, Xiaodian; de Grijs, Richard

2017-10-01

Understanding the effects of dust extinction is important to properly interpret observations. The optical total-to-selective extinction ratio, {R}V={A}V/E(B-V), is widely used to describe extinction variations in ultraviolet and optical bands. Since the {R}V=3.1 extinction curve adequately represents the average extinction law of diffuse regions in the Milky Way, it is commonly used to correct observational measurements along sightlines toward diffuse regions in the interstellar medium. However, the {R}V value may vary even along different diffuse interstellar medium sightlines. In this paper, we investigate the optical-mid-infrared (mid-IR) extinction law toward a very diffuse region at l=165^\\circ in the Galactic plane, which was selected based on a CO emission map. Adopting red clump stars as extinction tracers, we determine the optical-mid-IR extinction law for our diffuse region in two APASS bands (B,V), three XSTPS-GAC bands (g,r,I), three 2MASS bands (J,H,{K}s), and two WISE bands (W1,W2). Specifically, 18 red clump stars were selected from the APOGEE-RC catalog based on spectroscopic data in order to explore the diversity of the extinction law. We find that the optical extinction curves exhibit appreciable diversity. The corresponding {R}V ranges from 1.7 to 3.8, while the mean {R}V value of 2.8 is consistent with the widely adopted average value of 3.1 for Galactic diffuse clouds. There is no apparent correlation between {R}V value and color excess E(B-V) in the range of interest, from 0.2 to 0.6 mag, or with specific visual extinction per kiloparsec, {A}V/d.

Measurement of wavelength-dependent extinction to distinguish between absorbing and nonabsorbing aerosol particulates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Portscht, R.

1977-01-01

Measurements of spectral transmission factors in smoky optical transmission paths reveal a difference between wavelength exponents of the extinction cross section of high absorption capacity and those of low absorption capacity. A theoretical explanation of this behavior is presented. In certain cases, it is possible to obtain data on the absorption index of aerosol particles in the optical path by measuring the spectral decadic extinction coefficient at, at least, two wavelengths. In this manner it is possible, for instance, to distinguish smoke containing soot from water vapor.

Mutation load and the extinction of large populations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernardes, A. T.

1996-02-01

In the time evolution of finite populations, the accumulation of harmful mutations in further generations might lead to a temporal decay in the mean fitness of the whole population that, after sufficient time, would reduce population size and so lead to extinction. This joint action of mutation load and population reduction is called Mutational Meltdown and is usually considered only to occur in small asexual or very small sexual populations. However, the problem of extinction cannot be discussed in a proper way if one previously assumes the existence of an equilibrium state, as initially discussed in this paper. By performing simulations in a genetically inspired model for time-changing populations, we show that mutational meltdown also occurs in large asexual populations and that the mean time to extinction is a nonmonotonic function of the selection coefficient. The stochasticity of the extinction process is also discussed. The extinction of small sexual N ∼ 700 populations is shown and our results confirm the assumption that the existence of recombination might be a powerful mechanism to avoid extinction.

Optical properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films grown from methane plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pouch, J. J.; Alterovitz, S. A.; Warner, J. D.; Liu, D. C.; Lanford, W. A.

1985-01-01

A 30 kHz ac glow discharge formed from methane gas was used to grow carbon films on InP substrates. Both the growth rate, and the realitive Ar ion sputtering rate at 3 keV varied monotonically with deposition power. Results from the N-15 nuclear reaction profile experiments indicated a slight drop in the hydrogen concentration as more energy was dissipated in the ac discharge. Values for the index of refraction and extinction coefficient ranged from 1.721 to 1.910 and 0 to -0.188, respectively. Optical bandgaps as high as 2.34 eV were determined.

Características básicas del REOSC-DS + CCD Tek1024 en el telescopio JS y extinción atmosférica en CASLEO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baume, G.; Coronel, C.; De Bórtoli, B.; Ennis, A. I.; Fernández Lajús, E.; Filócomo, A.; Gamen, R.; Higa, R.; Pessi, P. J.; Putkuri, C.; Rodriguez, C.; Unamuno, A.

2017-10-01

In the framework of the activities of the subject ``Astronomia Observacional'' of FCAG (UNLP), several photometric and spectroscopic observations have been made using the Jorge Sahade telescope at the Complejo Astronomico El Leoncito. These data have allowed the estimation of the extinction coefficients in bands. They were compared with previous values, verifying a secular increase in the last years. In addition, some parameters and characteristics of the REOSC spectrograph working at simple dispersion (DS) mode and for its CCD detector Tek1024 were estimated.

The Effects of Context Extinction on US Signal Value

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goddard Murray J.

2007-01-01

Two experiments with rats examined the effects of context extinction on responding to the signal value of an unconditioned stimulus (US). In Experiment 1, US signal value was first trained when a single food pellet signaled the delivery of three additional pellets. After training, rats received either context extinction (CE) or home cage (HC)…

Backscatter and extinction measurements in cloud and drizzle at CO2 laser wavelengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jennings, S. G.

1986-01-01

The backscatter and extinction of laboratory generated cloud and drizzle sized water drops were measured at carbon dioxide laser wavelengths (predominately at lambda = 10.591 micrometers). Two distinctly different drop size regimes were studied: one which covers the range normally encompassed by natural cloud droplets and the other representative of mist or drizzle sized drops. The derivation and verification of the relation between extinction and backscatter at carbon dioxide laser wavelengths should allow the determination of large cloud drop and drizzle extinction coefficient solely from a lidar return signal without requiring knowledge of the drop size distribution. This result will also apply to precipitation sized drops so long as they are spherical.

The determination of ultraviolet extinction from the optical and near-infrared

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cardelli, Jason A.; Clayton, Geoffrey C.; Mathis, John S.

1988-01-01

The correlation of optical-near-infrared photometry for a sample of stars with well-determined ultraviolet extinction is examined. A good correlation is found; in particular, it is found that the value of total-to-selective extinction correlates well with the level of linear UV background extinction found from the UV curve parameterization of Fitzpatrick and Massa. An analytic expression is given for an improved estimate for the UV extinction law that can be obtained from optically determined values of R. For R values outside the range R = 3.1 -3.5, use of the analytic expressions given here will result in a more accurate representation of the applicable UV extinction than using the standard techniques of assuming the average curve or 'ironing out' the bump.

Report on Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

Force systems require a resolved information on the optical thorough understanding of the propaga- extinction coefficient. Measurements of tion path , the...Depolarization as Function of Snow Density. Measurement System ). (It correlated well with the ( Multi -scatter scale length information is usable to extinction ...data on the effect of optically thin cirrus clouds on long - path infrared transmit- tance. Future system designers will have access to this new

Ice Cloud Optical Thickness and Extinction Estimates from Radar Measurements.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matrosov, Sergey Y.; Shupe, Matthew D.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Zuidema, Paquita

2003-11-01

A remote sensing method is proposed to derive vertical profiles of the visible extinction coefficients in ice clouds from measurements of the radar reflectivity and Doppler velocity taken by a vertically pointing 35-GHz cloud radar. The extinction coefficient and its vertical integral, optical thickness τ, are among the fundamental cloud optical parameters that, to a large extent, determine the radiative impact of clouds. The results obtained with this method could be used as input for different climate and radiation models and for comparisons with parameterizations that relate cloud microphysical parameters and optical properties. An important advantage of the proposed method is its potential applicability to multicloud situations and mixed-phase conditions. In the latter case, it might be able to provide the information on the ice component of mixed-phase clouds if the radar moments are dominated by this component. The uncertainties of radar-based retrievals of cloud visible optical thickness are estimated by comparing retrieval results with optical thicknesses obtained independently from radiometric measurements during the yearlong Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) field experiment. The radiometric measurements provide a robust way to estimate τ but are applicable only to optically thin ice clouds without intervening liquid layers. The comparisons of cloud optical thicknesses retrieved from radar and from radiometer measurements indicate an uncertainty of about 77% and a bias of about -14% in the radar estimates of τ relative to radiometric retrievals. One possible explanation of the negative bias is an inherently low sensitivity of radar measurements to smaller cloud particles that still contribute noticeably to the cloud extinction. This estimate of the uncertainty is in line with simple theoretical considerations, and the associated retrieval accuracy should be considered good for a nonoptical instrument, such as radar. This paper also presents relations between radar-derived characteristic cloud particle sizes and effective sizes used in models. An average relation among τ, cloud ice water path, and the layer mean value of cloud particle characteristic size is also given. This relation is found to be in good agreement with in situ measurements. Despite a high uncertainty of radar estimates of extinction, this method is useful for many clouds where optical measurements are not available because of cloud multilayering or opaqueness.

Four-wavelength lidar evaluation of particle characteristics and aerosol densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uthe, E. E.; Livingston, J. M.; Delateur, S. A.; Nielsen, N. B.

1985-06-01

The SRI International four-wavelength (0.53, 1.06, 3.8, 10.6 micron) lidar systems was used during the SNOW-ONE-B and Smoke Week XI/SNOW-TWO field experiments to validate its capabilities in assessing obscurant optical and physical properties. The lidar viewed along a horizontal path terminated by a passive reflector. Data examples were analyzed in terms of time-dependent transmission, wavelength dependence of optical depth, and range-resolved extinction coefficients. Three methods were used to derive extinction data from the lidar signatures. These were target method, Klett method and experimental data method. The results of the field and analysis programs are reported in the journal and conference papers that are appended to this report, and include: comparison study of lidar extinction methods, submitted to applied optics, error analysis of lidar solution techniques for range-resolved extinction coefficients based on observational data, smoke/obscurants symposium 9, Four--Wavelength Lidar Measurements from smoke week 6/SNOW-TWO, smoke/obscurants symposium 8, SNOW-ONE-B multiple-wavelength lidar measurements. Snow symposium 3, and lidar applications for obscurant evaluations, smoke/obscurants Symposium 7. The report also provides a summary of background work leading to this project, and of project results.

Electromagnetic Attenuation Characteristics of Microbial Materials in the Infrared Band.

PubMed

Wang, Peng; Liu, Hongxia; Zhao, Yizheng; Gu, Youlin; Chen, Wei; Wang, Li; Li, Le; Zhao, Xinying; Lei, Wuhu; Hu, Yihua; Zheng, Zhiming

2016-09-01

In this study, seven microbial materials (entomogenous fungi Bb3088 mycelia, entomogenous fungi Bb3088 spores, entomogenous fungi Ma2677 mycelia, entomogenous fungi Ma2677 spores, Bacillus subtilis 8204, Staphylococcus aureus 6725, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1025) were used to measure electromagnetic (EM) signal extinction. They were subjected to light absorption and reflection measurements in the range of 4000-400 cm(-1) (2.5-25 µm) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The specular reflection spectrum method was used to calculate the real (n) and imaginary (k) parts of the complex refractive index. The complex refractive index with real part n and imaginary part k in the infrared band satisfies the following conditions n ≥ 1 and k ≥ 0. The mass extinction coefficient was calculated based on Mie theory. Entomogenous fungi Ma2677 spores and entomogenous fungi Bb3088 spores were selected as EM signal extinction materials in the smoke box test. The transmittances of entomogenous fungi Bb3088 spores and entomogenous fungi Ma2677 spores were 11.63% and 5.42%, and the mass extinction coefficients were 1.8337 m(2)/g and 1.227 m(2)/g. These results showed that entomogenous fungi Bb3088 spores and entomogenous fungi Ma2677 spores have higher extinction characteristics than other microbial materials. © The Author(s) 2016.

A novel magneto-optical crystal Yb:TbVO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Xianchao; Tu, Heng; Hu, Zhanggui

2018-04-01

Highly transparent Yb:TbVO4 single crystal with dimensions of Ø27 × 41 mm3 alomost without scattering defects has been successfully grown by Czochralski technique. The spectra, thermal properties and laser-induced damage threshold were investigated in detailed. The Faraday rotation (FR) measurement was carried out by means of extinction method. The Verdet constant comes up to 80 rad m-1 T-1 at 1064 nm, significantly larger than TbVO4 (58 rad m-1 T-1) and TGG (40 rad m-1 T-1) reported. Meanwhile, the as-grown crystal presents lower absorption coefficient and higher magneto-optical figure of merit at measured wavelength in comparison with TGG. Moreover, the crystal exhibits a substantially improved extinction ratio (42 dB) in contrast with TbVO4 (29 dB), and exceeds the highest value of TGG (40 dB). These advantages make Yb:TbVO4 a highly promising magneto-optical material candidate for optical isolators in the visible-near infrared region.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Jay; Harris, Tequila

A novel bidirectional thickness profilometer based on transmission densitometry was designed to measure the localized thickness of semitransparent films on a dynamic manufacturing line. The densitometer model shows that, for materials with extinction coefficients between 0.3 and 2.9 D/mm, 100-500 {mu}m measurements can be recorded with less than {+-}5% error at more than 10,000 locations in real time. As a demonstration application, the thickness profiles of 75 mmx100 mm regions of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) were determined by converting the optical density of the sample to thickness with the Beer-Lambert law. The PEM extinction coefficient was determined to be 1.4more » D/mm, with an average thickness error of 4.7%.« less

Measurement and analysis on optical characteristics of Aspergillus oryzae spores in infrared band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Le; Hu, Yihua; Gu, Youlin; Chen, Wei; Xu, Shilong; Zhao, Xinying

2015-10-01

Spore is an important part of bioaerosols. The optical characteristics of spore is a crucial parameter for study on bioaerosols. The reflection within the waveband of 2.5 to15μm were measured by squash method. Based on the measured data, Complex refractive index of Aspergillus oryzae spores within the waveband of 3 to 5μm and 8 to 14 μm were calculated by using Krames-Kronig (K-K) relationship. Then,the mass extinction coefficient of Aspergillus oryzae spores within the waveband of 3 to 5μm and 8 to 14μm were obtained by utilizing Mie scattering theory, and the results were analyzed and discussed. The average mass extinction coefficient of Aspergillus oryzae spores is 0.51 m2/g in the range of 3 to 5μm and 0.48m2/g in the range of 8 to 14μm. Compared with common inorganic compounds, Aspergillus oryzae spores possesses a good extinction performance in infrared band.

Rethinking Trade-Driven Extinction Risk in Marine and Terrestrial Megafauna.

PubMed

McClenachan, Loren; Cooper, Andrew B; Dulvy, Nicholas K

2016-06-20

Large animals hunted for the high value of their parts (e.g., elephant ivory and shark fins) are at risk of extinction due to both intensive international trade pressure and intrinsic biological sensitivity. However, the relative role of trade, particularly in non-perishable products, and biological factors in driving extinction risk is not well understood [1-4]. Here we identify a taxonomically diverse group of >100 marine and terrestrial megafauna targeted for international luxury markets; estimate their value across three points of sale; test relationships among extinction risk, high value, and body size; and quantify the effects of two mitigating factors: poaching fines and geographic range size. We find that body size is the principal driver of risk for lower value species, but that this biological pattern is eliminated above a value threshold, meaning that the most valuable species face a high extinction risk regardless of size. For example, once mean product values exceed US$12,557 kg(-1), body size no longer drives risk. Total value scales with size for marine animals more strongly than for terrestrial animals, incentivizing the hunting of large marine individuals and species. Poaching fines currently have little effect on extinction risk; fines would need to be increased 10- to 100-fold to be effective. Large geographic ranges reduce risk for terrestrial, but not marine, species, whose ranges are ten times greater. Our results underscore both the evolutionary and ecosystem consequences of targeting large marine animals and the need to geographically scale up and prioritize conservation of high-value marine species to avoid extinction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Global direct radiative forcing by process-parameterized aerosol optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

KirkevâG, Alf; Iversen, Trond

2002-10-01

A parameterization of aerosol optical parameters is developed and implemented in an extended version of the community climate model version 3.2 (CCM3) of the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research. Direct radiative forcing (DRF) by monthly averaged calculated concentrations of non-sea-salt sulfate and black carbon (BC) is estimated. Inputs are production-specific BC and sulfate from [2002] and background aerosol size distribution and composition. The scheme interpolates between tabulated values to obtain the aerosol single scattering albedo, asymmetry factor, extinction coefficient, and specific extinction coefficient. The tables are constructed by full calculations of optical properties for an array of aerosol input values, for which size-distributed aerosol properties are estimated from theory for condensation and Brownian coagulation, assumed distribution of cloud-droplet residuals from aqueous phase oxidation, and prescribed properties of the background aerosols. Humidity swelling is estimated from the Köhler equation, and Mie calculations finally yield spectrally resolved aerosol optical parameters for 13 solar bands. The scheme is shown to give excellent agreement with nonparameterized DRF calculations for a wide range of situations. Using IPCC emission scenarios for the years 2000 and 2100, calculations with an atmospheric global cliamte model (AFCM) yield a global net anthropogenic DRF of -0.11 and 0.11 W m-2, respectively, when 90% of BC from biomass burning is assumed anthropogenic. In the 2000 scenario, the individual DRF due to sulfate and BC has separately been estimated to -0.29 and 0.19 W m-2, respectively. Our estimates of DRF by BC per BC mass burden are lower than earlier published estimates. Some sensitivity tests are included to investigate to what extent uncertain assumptions may influence these results.

Microphysical and optical properties of aerosol particles in urban zone during ESCOMPTE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallet, M.; Roger, J. C.; Despiau, S.; Dubovik, O.; Putaud, J. P.

2003-10-01

Microphysical and optical properties of the main aerosol species on a peri-urban site have been investigated during the ESCOMPTE experiment. Ammonium sulfate (AS), nitrate (N), black carbon (BC), particulate organic matter (POM), sea salt (SS) and mineral aerosol (D) size distributions have been used, associated with their refractive index, to compute, from the Mie theory, the key radiative aerosol properties as the extinction coefficient Kext, the mass extinction efficiencies σext, the single scattering albedo ω0 and the asymmetry parameter g at the wavelength of 550 nm. Optical computations show that 90% of the light extinction is due to anthropogenic aerosol and only 10% is due to natural aerosol (SS and D). 44±6% of the extinction is due to (AS) and 40±6% to carbonaceous particles (20±4% to BC and 21±4% to POM). Nitrate aerosol has a weak contribution of 5±2%. Computations of the mass extinction efficiencies σext, single scattering albedo ω0 and asymmetry parameter g indicate that the optical properties of the anthropogenic aerosol are often quite different from those yet published and generally used in global models. For example, the (AS) mean specific mass extinction presents a large difference with the value classically adopted at low relative humidity ( h<60%) (2.6±0.5 instead of 6 m 2 g -1 at 550 nm). The optical properties of the total aerosol layer, including all the aerosol species, indicate a mean observed single-scattering albedo ω0=0.85±0.05, leading to an important absorption of the solar radiation and an asymmetry parameter g=0.59±0.05 which are in a reasonably good agreements with the AERONET retrieval of ω0 (=0.86±0.05) and g (=0.64±0.05) at this wavelength.

Star formation in the local Universe from the CALIFA sample. I. Calibrating the SFR using integral field spectroscopy data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catalán-Torrecilla, C.; Gil de Paz, A.; Castillo-Morales, A.; Iglesias-Páramo, J.; Sánchez, S. F.; Kennicutt, R. C.; Pérez-González, P. G.; Marino, R. A.; Walcher, C. J.; Husemann, B.; García-Benito, R.; Mast, D.; González Delgado, R. M.; Muñoz-Mateos, J. C.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.; Bomans, D. J.; Del Olmo, A.; Galbany, L.; Gomes, J. M.; Kehrig, C.; López-Sánchez, Á. R.; Mendoza, M. A.; Monreal-Ibero, A.; Pérez-Torres, M.; Sánchez-Blázquez, P.; Vilchez, J. M.; Califa Collaboration

2015-12-01

Context. The star formation rate (SFR) is one of the main parameters used to analyze the evolution of galaxies through time. The need for recovering the light reprocessed by dust commonly requires the use of low spatial resolution far-infrared data. Recombination line luminosities provide an alternative, although uncertain dust-extinction corrections based on narrowband imaging or long-slit spectroscopy have traditionally posed a limit to their applicability. Integral field spectroscopy (IFS) is clearly the way to overcome this kind of limitation. Aims: We obtain integrated Hα, ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR)-based SFR measurements for 272 galaxies from the CALIFA survey at 0.005

A New GaAs Laser Radar for Atmospheric Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, R. T.; Stoliar, A. P.

1973-01-01

A special GaAs lidar using fiber coupled diode lasers was constructed for the purpose of measuring the extinction coefficient distribution within a large atmospheric volume at a rate compatible with atmospheric kinematics. The technique is based on taking backscatter signature ratios over spatial increments after the returns are normalized by pulse integration. Essential aspects of the lidar design are beam pulse power, repetition rate, detection system dynamic range and decay linearity. It was necessary to preclude the possibility of eye hazard under any operating conditions, including directly viewing the emitting aperture at close distance with a night-adapted eye. The electronic signal processing and control circuits were built to allow versatile operations. Extinction coefficient measurements were made in fog and clouds using a low-power laboratory version of the lidar, demonstrating feasibility. Data are presented showing range squared corrected backscatter profiles converted to extinction coefficient profiles, temporal signal fluctuations, and solar induced background noise. These results aided in the design of the lidar which is described. Functional tests of this lidar and the implications relevant to the design of a prototype model are discussed. This work was jointly sponsored by Sperry Rand Corporation under its Independent Research and Development program; the Air Force Avionics Laboratory, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio; and the Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana.

Cavity Ring-Down Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties During the Asian Dust Above Monterey Experiment and DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricci, K.; Strawa, A. W.; Provencal, R.; Castaneda, R.; Bucholtz, A.; Schmid, B.

2004-01-01

Large uncertainties in the effects of aerosols on climate require improved in-situ measurements of extinction coefficient and single-scattering albedo. This paper describes preliminary results from Cadenza, a new continuous wave cavity ring-down (CW-CRD) instrument designed to address these uncertainties. Cadenza measures the aerosol extinction coefficient for 675 nm and 1550 nm light, and simultaneously measures the scattering coefficient at 675 nm. In the past year Cadenza was deployed in the Asian Dust Above Monterey (ADAM) and DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period (IOP) field projects. During these flights Cadenza produced measurements of aerosol extinction in the range from 0.2 to 300/Mm with an estimated precision of 0.1/Mm for 1550 nm light and 0.2/Mm for 675 nm light. Cadenza data from the ADAM and Aerosol IOP missions compared favorably with data from the other instruments aboard the CIRPAS Twin Otter aircraft and participating in those projects. We present comparisons between the Cadenza measurements and those from a TSI nephelometer, Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP), and the AATS 14 sun-photometer. Measurements of the optical properties of smoke and dust plumes sampled during these campaigns are presented and estimates of heating rates due to these plumes are made.

Cavity Ring-Down Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties During the Asian Dust Above Monterey Experiment and DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricci, K.; Strawa, A. W.; Provencal, R.; Castaneda, R.; Bucholtz, A.; Schmid, B.

2003-12-01

Large uncertainties in the effects of aerosols on climate require improved in-situ measurements of extinction coefficient and single-scattering albedo. This paper describes preliminary results from Cadenza, a new continuous wave cavity ring-down (CW-CRD) instrument designed to address these uncertainties. Cadenza measures the aerosol extinction coefficient for 675 nm and 1550 nm light, and simultaneously measures the scattering coefficient at 675 nm. In the past year Cadenza was deployed in the Asian Dust Above Monterey (ADAM) and DOE Aerosol Intensive Operating Period (IOP) field projects. During these flights Cadenza produced measurements of aerosol extinction in the range from 0.2 to 300 Mm-1 with an estimated precision of 0.1 Mm-1 for 1550 nm light and 0.2 Mm-1 for 675 nm light. Cadenza data from the ADAM and Aerosol IOP missions compared favorably with data from the other instruments aboard the CIRPAS Twin Otter aircraft and participating in those projects. We present comparisons between the Cadenza measurements and those from a TSI nephelometer, Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP), and the AATS14 sun-photometer. Measurements of the optical properties of smoke and dust plumes sampled during these campaigns are presented and estimates of heating rates due to these plumes are made.

Visible and infrared optical properties of stacked cone graphite microtubes.

PubMed

Bruce, Charles W; Alyones, Sharhabeel

2012-06-01

The absorptive and scattering optical properties of heat-treated, vapor-grown, graphite microtubes consisting of nanotubes in a "stacked cone" configuration were investigated through the visible and infrared wavelengths using photoacoustic and other spectrometric techniques. However, computations of these properties involved uncertainties that were not easily resolved; the appropriate dielectric coefficients were presumed to be a combination of the published values for the distinct orientations of graphite, but the correct proportions are not evident and none of the reasonable choices produced satisfactory agreement (within the measurement limits of error). Since both of the primary components of the extinction were measured, the appropriate computational codes were employed in reverse to compute the dielectric coefficients for the graphite microtubes. Differences, primarily for the imaginary index, are most distinct for visible and near infrared wavelengths; in this wavelength region, the imaginary index falls progressively to less than half that for the computed mixture.

Spectroscopic ellipsometry study of Cu2ZnSnS4 bulk poly-crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levcenko, S.; Hajdeu-Chicarosh, E.; Garcia-Llamas, E.; Caballero, R.; Serna, R.; Bodnar, I. V.; Victorov, I. A.; Guc, M.; Merino, J. M.; Pérez-Rodriguez, A.; Arushanov, E.; León, M.

2018-04-01

The linear optical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 bulk poly-crystals have been investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range of 1.2-4.6 eV at room temperature. The characteristic features identified in the optical spectra are explained by using the Adachi analytical model for the interband transitions at the corresponding critical points in the Brillouin zone. The experimental data have been modeled over the entire spectral range taking into account the lowest E0 transition near the fundamental absorption edge and E1A and E1B higher energy interband transitions. In addition, the spectral dependences of the refractive index, extinction coefficient, absorption coefficient, and normal-incidence reflectivity values have been accurately determined and are provided since they are essential data for the design of Cu2ZnSnS4 based optoelectronic devices.

The global dynamics for a stochastic SIS epidemic model with isolation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yiliang; Wen, Buyu; Teng, Zhidong

2018-02-01

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical behavior for a stochastic SIS epidemic model with isolation which is as an important strategy for the elimination of infectious diseases. It is assumed that the stochastic effects manifest themselves mainly as fluctuation in the transmission coefficient, the death rate and the proportional coefficient of the isolation of infective. It is shown that the extinction and persistence in the mean of the model are determined by a threshold value R0S . That is, if R0S < 1, then disease dies out with probability one, and if R0S > 1, then the disease is stochastic persistent in the means with probability one. Furthermore, the existence of a unique stationary distribution is discussed, and the sufficient conditions are established by using the Lyapunov function method. Finally, some numerical examples are carried out to confirm the analytical results.

Dynamic characteristics of the thorax connected with the heart action.

PubMed

Juznic, G; Emri, I; Peterec, D; Prepadnik, M

1979-01-01

We determined the indices of local vibrations (resonance frequency, damping coefficient, stiffness constant, extinction time) and transfer function H(s) . 10(-6) for three somatotypes and three respiratory positions on 88 points of the thorax. The examinees were males (age 21 years). We found the resonance frequencies of 36.86--54.75 cps, damping coefficient (delta) 0.121--0.217. This means the damping is less than critical (delta = 1). We applied shocks (a force of 2 N) with a reflex hammer on 88 points of the thorax. The force diminished from the exciting place (say ictus) to the recording place (accelerometer on the sternum) from 2 to 0.2 N. The athletic type has the highest resonance frequency and stiffness constant; the leptosomic type has the highest damping; the longest extinction time belongs to the pyknic type. The pyknic type has also the highest value of the transfer function. The respiratory position (quiet respiration, Valsalva and Müller experiment) influences the values of the indices of local vibrations and of the transfer function. The influence is evident especially on the intercostal points: the transfer of the oscillations is alleviated at a higher stiffness of the thorax (Valsalva; the value of H(S) . 10(-6) rises from 7.00 to 9.39 sec2), it deteriorates at a small stiffness of the thorax (in Müller's experiment falls to 2.78 sec2). With the fall in the intrathoracic pressure the damping in the intercostal points decreases. On the basis of experiments the conclusion was made that a short testing of the thorax of an examinee will give the dynamic characteristics of the thorax (indices of local vibrations and transfer functions) of the individual. This procedure will alleviate the quantitative use of noninvasive mechanical methods in the assessment of the cardiovascular function.

Helicopter-borne observations of the continental background aerosol in combination with remote sensing and ground-based measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Düsing, Sebastian; Wehner, Birgit; Seifert, Patric; Ansmann, Albert; Baars, Holger; Ditas, Florian; Henning, Silvia; Ma, Nan; Poulain, Laurent; Siebert, Holger; Wiedensohler, Alfred; Macke, Andreas

2018-01-01

This paper examines the representativeness of ground-based in situ measurements for the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and conducts a closure study between airborne in situ and ground-based lidar measurements up to an altitude of 2300 m. The related measurements were carried out in a field campaign within the framework of the High-Definition Clouds and Precipitation for Advancing Climate Prediction (HD(CP)2) Observational Prototype Experiment (HOPE) in September 2013 in a rural background area of central Europe.The helicopter-borne probe ACTOS (Airborne Cloud and Turbulence Observation System) provided measurements of the aerosol particle number size distribution (PNSD), the aerosol particle number concentration (PNC), the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN-NC), and meteorological atmospheric parameters (e.g., temperature and relative humidity). These measurements were supported by the ground-based 3+2 wavelength polarization lidar system PollyXT, which provided profiles of the particle backscatter coefficient (σbsc) for three wavelengths (355, 532, and 1064 nm). Particle extinction coefficient (σext) profiles were obtained by using a fixed backscatter-to-extinction ratio (also lidar ratio, LR). A new approach was used to determine profiles of CCN-NC for continental aerosol. The results of this new approach were consistent with the airborne in situ measurements within the uncertainties.In terms of representativeness, the PNSD measurements on the ground showed a good agreement with the measurements provided with ACTOS for lower altitudes. The ground-based measurements of PNC and CCN-NC are representative of the PBL when the PBL is well mixed. Locally isolated new particle formation events on the ground or at the top of the PBL led to vertical variability in the cases presented here and ground-based measurements are not entirely representative of the PBL. Based on Mie theory (Mie, 1908), optical aerosol properties under ambient conditions for different altitudes were determined using the airborne in situ measurements and were compared with the lidar measurements. The investigation of the optical properties shows that on average the airborne-based particle light backscatter coefficient is 50.1 % smaller for 1064 nm, 27.4 % smaller for 532 nm, and 29.5 % smaller for 355 nm than the measurements of the lidar system. These results are quite promising, since in situ measurement-based Mie calculations of the particle light backscattering are scarce and the modeling is quite challenging. In contrast, for the particle light extinction coefficient we found a good agreement. The airborne-based particle light extinction coefficient was just 8.2 % larger for 532 nm and 3 % smaller for 355 nm, for an assumed LR of 55 sr. The particle light extinction coefficient for 1064 nm was derived with a LR of 30 sr. For this wavelength, the airborne-based particle light extinction coefficient is 5.2 % smaller than the lidar measurements. For the first time, the lidar ratio of 30 sr for 1064 nm was determined on the basis of in situ measurements and the LR of 55 sr for 355 and 532 nm wavelength was reproduced for European continental aerosol on the basis of this comparison. Lidar observations and the in situ based aerosol optical properties agree within the uncertainties. However, our observations indicate that a determination of the PNSD for a large size range is important for a reliable modeling of aerosol particle backscattering.

HP2 survey. III. The California Molecular Cloud: A sleeping giant revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lada, Charles J.; Lewis, John A.; Lombardi, Marco; Alves, João

2017-10-01

We present new high resolution and dynamic range dust column density and temperature maps of the California Molecular Cloud derived from a combination of Planck and Herschel dust-emission maps, and 2MASS NIR dust-extinction maps. We used these data to determine the ratio of the 2.2 μm extinction coefficient to the 850 μm opacity and found the value to be close to that found in similar studies of the Orion B and Perseus clouds but higher than that characterizing the Orion A cloud, indicating that variations in the fundamental optical properties of dust may exist between local clouds. We show that over a wide range of extinction, the column density probability distribution function (pdf) of the cloud can be well described by a simple power law (I.e., PDFN ∝ AK -n) with an index (n = 4.0 ± 0.1) that represents a steeper decline with AK than found (n ≈ 3) in similar studies of the Orion and Perseus clouds. Using only the protostellar population of the cloud and our extinction maps we investigate the Schmidt relation, that is, the relation between the protostellar surface density, Σ∗, and extinction, AK, within the cloud. We show that Σ∗ is directly proportional to the ratio of the protostellar and cloud pdfs, I.e., PDF∗(AK)/PDFN(AK). We use the cumulative distribution of protostars to infer the functional forms for both Σ∗ and PDF∗. We find that Σ∗ is best described by two power-law functions. At extinctions AK ≲ 2.5 mag, Σ∗ ∝ AK β with β = 3.3 while at higher extinctions β = 2.5, both values steeper than those (≈2) found in other local giant molecular clouds (GMCs). We find that PDF∗ is a declining function of extinction also best described by two power-laws whose behavior mirrors that of Σ∗. Our observations suggest that variations both in the slope of the Schmidt relation and in the sizes of the protostellar populations between GMCs are largely driven by variations in the slope, n, of PDFN(AK). This confirms earlier studies suggesting that cloud structure plays a major role in setting the global star formation rates in GMCs HP2 (Herschel-Planck-2MASS) survey is a continuation of the series originally entitled "Herschel-Planck dust opacity and column density maps" (Lombardi et al. 2014, Zari et al. 2016).The reduced Herschel and Planck map and the column density and temperature maps are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/606/A100

Observations of particle extinction, PM2.5 mass concentration profile and flux in north China based on mobile lidar technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Lihui; Liu, Wenqing; Zhang, Tianshu; Chen, Zhenyi; Dong, Yunsheng; Fan, Guangqiang; Xiang, Yan; Yao, Yawei; Yang, Nan; Chu, Baolin; Teng, Man; Shu, Xiaowen

2017-09-01

Fine particle with diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) have important direct and indirect effects on human life and activities. However, the studies of fine particle were limited by the lack of monitoring data obtained with multiple fixed site sampling strategies. Mobile monitoring has provided a means for broad measurement of fine particles. In this research, the potential use of mobile lidar to map the distribution and transport of fine particles was discussed. The spatial and temporal distributions of particle extinction, PM2.5 mass concentration and regional transport flux of fine particle in the planetary boundary layer were investigated with the use of vehicle-based mobile lidar and wind field data from north China. Case studies under different pollution levels in Beijing were presented to evaluate the contribution of regional transport. A vehicle-based mobile lidar system was used to obtain the spatial and temporal distributions of particle extinction in the measurement route. Fixed point lidar and a particulate matter sampler were operated next to each other at the University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS) in Beijing to determine the relationship between the particle extinction coefficient and PM2.5 mass concentration. The correlation coefficient (R2) between the particle extinction coefficient and PM2.5 mass concentration was found to be over 0.8 when relative humidity (RH) was less than 90%. A mesoscale meteorological model, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, was used to obtain profiles of the horizontal wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity. A vehicle-based mobile lidar technique was applied to estimate transport flux based on the PM2.5 profile and vertical profile of wind data. This method was applicable when hygroscopic growth can be neglected (relatively humidity<90%). Southwest was found to be the main pathway of Beijing during the experiments.

Emittance Theory for Cylindrical Fiber Selective Emitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, Donald L.

1998-01-01

A fibrous rare earth selective emitter is approximated as an infinitely long, cylinder. The spectral emittance, e(sub x), is obtained L- by solving the radiative transfer equations with appropriate boundary conditions and uniform temperature. For optical depth, K(sub R), where alpha(sub lambda), is the extinction coefficient and R is the cylinder radius, greater than 1 the spectral emittance depths, K(sub R) alpha(sub lambda)R, is nearly at its maximum value. There is an optimum cylinder radius, R(sub opt) for maximum emitter efficiency, n(sub E). Values for R(sub opt) are strongly dependent on the number of emission bands of the material. The optimum radius decreases slowly with increasing emitter temperature, while the maximum efficiency and useful radiated power increase rapidly with increasing, temperature.

Characterizing the Vertical Distribution of Aerosols Over the ARM SGP Site

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Richard Ferrare, Connor Flynn, David Turner

This project focused on: 1) evaluating the performance of the DOE ARM SGP Raman lidar system in measuring profiles of water vapor and aerosols, and 2) the use of the Raman lidar measurements of aerosol and water vapor profiles for assessing the vertical distribution of aerosols and water vapor simulated by global transport models and examining diurnal variability of aerosols and water vapor. The highest aerosol extinction was generally observed close to the surface during the nighttime just prior to sunrise. The high values of aerosol extinction are most likely associated with increased scattering by hygroscopic aerosols, since the correspondingmore » average relative humidity values were above 70%. After sunrise, relative humidity and aerosol extinction below 500 m decreased with the growth in the daytime convective boundary layer. The largest aerosol extinction for altitudes above 1 km occurred during the early afternoon most likely as a result of the increase in relative humidity. The water vapor mixing ratio profiles generally showed smaller variations with altitude between day and night. We also compared simultaneous measurements of relative humidity, aerosol extinction, and aerosol optical thickness derived from the ARM SGP Raman lidar and in situ instruments on board a small aircraft flown routinely over the ARM SGP site. In contrast, the differences between the CARL and IAP aerosol extinction measurements are considerably larger. Aerosol extinction derived from the IAP measurements is, on average, about 30-40% less than values derived from the Raman lidar. The reasons for this difference are not clear, but may be related to the corrections for supermicron scattering and relative humidity that were applied to the IAP data. The investigators on this project helped to set up a major field mission (2003 Aerosol IOP) over the DOE ARM SGP site. One of the goals of the mission was to further evaluate the aerosol and water vapor retrievals from this lidar system. Analysis of the aerosol and water vapor data collected by the Raman lidar during the 2003 Aerosol IOP indicated that the sensitivity of the lidar was significantly lower than when the lidar was initially deployed. A detailed analysis after the IOP of the long-term dataset demonstrated that the lidar began degrading in early 2002, and that it lost approximately a factor of 4 in sensitivity between 2002 and 2004. We participated in the development of the remediation plan for the system to restore its initial performance. We conducted this refurbishment and upgrade from May- September 2004. This remediation lead to an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio of 10 and 30 for the Raman lidar's water vapor mixing ratio and aerosol backscatter coefficient data, respectively as compared to the signal strengths when the system was first deployed. The DOE ARM Aerosol Lidar Validation Experiment (ALIVE), which was conducted during September 2005, evaluated the impact of these modifications and upgrades on the SGP Raman lidar measurements of aerosol extinction and optical thickness. The CARL modifications significantly improved the accuracy and temporal resolution of the aerosol measurements. Aerosol extinction profiles measured by the Raman lidar were also used to evaluate aerosol extinction profiles and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) simulated by aerosol models as part of the Aerosol module inter-Comparison in global models (AEROCOM) (http://nansen.ipsl.jussieu.fr/AEROCOM/aerocomhome.html) project. There was a wide range in how the models represent the aerosol extinction profiles over the ARM SGP site, even though the average annual AOT represented by the various models and measured by CARL and the Sun photometer were in general agreement, at least within the standard deviations of the averages. There were considerable differences in the average vertical distributions among the models, even among models that had similar average aerosol optical thickness. Deviations between mean aerosol extinction profiles were generally small (~20-30%) for altitudes above 2 km, and grew considerably larger below 2 km.« less

Efficient and robust method for simultaneous reconstruction of the temperature distribution and radiative properties in absorbing, emitting, and scattering media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Chun-Yang; Qi, Hong; Huang, Xing; Ruan, Li-Ming; Tan, He-Ping

2016-11-01

A rapid computational method called generalized sourced multi-flux method (GSMFM) was developed to simulate outgoing radiative intensities in arbitrary directions at the boundary surfaces of absorbing, emitting, and scattering media which were served as input for the inverse analysis. A hybrid least-square QR decomposition-stochastic particle swarm optimization (LSQR-SPSO) algorithm based on the forward GSMFM solution was developed to simultaneously reconstruct multi-dimensional temperature distribution and absorption and scattering coefficients of the cylindrical participating media. The retrieval results for axisymmetric temperature distribution and non-axisymmetric temperature distribution indicated that the temperature distribution and scattering and absorption coefficients could be retrieved accurately using the LSQR-SPSO algorithm even with noisy data. Moreover, the influences of extinction coefficient and scattering albedo on the accuracy of the estimation were investigated, and the results suggested that the reconstruction accuracy decreased with the increase of extinction coefficient and the scattering albedo. Finally, a non-contact measurement platform of flame temperature field based on the light field imaging was set up to validate the reconstruction model experimentally.

The tree balance signature of mass extinction is erased by continued evolution in clades of constrained size with trait-dependent speciation

PubMed Central

Yang, Guan-Dong; Agapow, Paul-Michael

2017-01-01

The kind and duration of phylogenetic topological “signatures” left in the wake of macroevolutionary events remain poorly understood. To this end, we examined a broad range of simulated phylogenies generated using trait-biased, heritable speciation probabilities and mass extinction that could be either random or selective on trait value, but also using background extinction and diversity-dependence to constrain clade sizes. In keeping with prior results, random mass extinction increased imbalance of clades that recovered to pre-extinction size, but was a relatively weak effect. Mass extinction that was selective on trait values tended to produce clades of similar or greater balance compared to random extinction or controls. Allowing evolution to continue past the point of clade-size recovery resulted in erosion and eventual erasure of this signal, with all treatments converging on similar values of imbalance, except for very intense extinction regimes targeted at taxa with high speciation rates. Return to a more balanced state with extended post-extinction evolution was also associated with loss of the previous phylogenetic root in most treatments. These results further demonstrate that while a mass extinction event can produce a recognizable phylogenetic signal, its effects become increasingly obscured the further an evolving clade gets from that event, with any sharp imbalance due to unrelated evolutionary factors. PMID:28644846

Role of annealing temperatures on structure polymorphism, linear and nonlinear optical properties of nanostructure lead dioxide thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeyada, H. M.; Makhlouf, M. M.

2016-04-01

The powder of as synthesized lead dioxide (PbO2) has polycrystalline structure β-PbO2 phase of tetragonal crystal system. It becomes nanocrystallites α-PbO2 phase with orthorhombic crystal system upon thermal deposition to form thin films. Annealing temperatures increase nanocrystallites size from 28 to 46 nm. The optical properties of α-PbO2 phase were calculated from absolute values of transmittance and reflectance at nearly normal incidence of light by spectrophotometer measurements. The refractive and extinction indices were determined and showed a response to annealing temperatures. The absorption coefficient of α-PbO2 films is >106 cm-1 in UV region of spectra. Analysis of the absorption coefficient spectra near optical edge showed indirect allowed transition. Annealing temperature decreases the value of indirect energy gap for α-PbO2 films. The dispersion parameters such as single oscillator energy, dispersion energy, dielectric constant at high frequency and lattice dielectric constant were calculated and its variations with annealing temperatures are reported. The nonlinear refractive index (n2), third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ(3)) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (βc) were determined. It was found that χ(3), n2 and β increase with increasing photon energy and decrease with increasing annealing temperature. The pristine film of α-PbO2 has higher values of nonlinear optical constants than for annealed films; therefore it is suitable for applications in manufacturing nonlinear optical devices.

Physical and Optical Properties of Falling Snow

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-01

ments with those measured with a transmissometer .................................. 19 24. HSS forward-scatter meter used for measuring extinction in...snowfall conditions, the different ge- ometries of the transmission systems and discrep- | 2• a 2 n(a) da ancies in the snow precipitation rate measure ...J0 ments. Bet = Ms. (27) Table 3. Relationships between measured fn(a) mn(a) da extinction coefficient and snow precipita- ion rate . 091 This

Using Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar Data to Evaluate Combined Active Plus Passive Retrievals of Aerosol Extinction Profiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burton, S. P.; Ferrare, R. A.; Hostetler, C. A.; Hair, J. W.; Kittaka, C.; Vaughn, M. A.; Remer, L. A.

2010-01-01

We derive aerosol extinction profiles from airborne and space-based lidar backscatter signals by constraining the retrieval with column aerosol optical thickness (AOT), with no need to rely on assumptions about aerosol type or lidar ratio. The backscatter data were acquired by the NASA Langley Research Center airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) and by the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument on the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite. The HSRL also simultaneously measures aerosol extinction coefficients independently using the high spectral resolution lidar technique, thereby providing an ideal data set for evaluating the retrieval. We retrieve aerosol extinction profiles from both HSRL and CALIOP attenuated backscatter data constrained with HSRL, Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer column AOT. The resulting profiles are compared with the aerosol extinction measured by HSRL. Retrievals are limited to cases where the column aerosol thickness is greater than 0.2 over land and 0.15 over water. In the case of large AOT, the results using the Aqua MODIS constraint over water are poorer than Aqua MODIS over land or Terra MODIS. The poorer results relate to an apparent bias in Aqua MODIS AOT over water observed in August 2007. This apparent bias is still under investigation. Finally, aerosol extinction coefficients are derived from CALIPSO backscatter data using AOT from Aqua MODIS for 28 profiles over land and 9 over water. They agree with coincident measurements by the airborne HSRL to within +/-0.016/km +/- 20% for at least two-thirds of land points and within +/-0.028/km +/- 20% for at least two-thirds of ocean points.

Research on the peculiarity of optical parameters of atmospheric aerosol in Guangzhou coastal areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shasha; Li, Xuebin; Zhang, Wenzhong; Bai, Shiwei; Liu, Qing; Zhu, Wenyue; Weng, Ningquan

2018-02-01

The long-term measurement of atmospheric aerosol is constructed via such equipment as visibility meter, optical particle counter, solar radiometer, automatic weather station, aerosol laser radar and aerosol scattering absorption coefficient measurer and so on during the year of 2010 and 2017 in the coastal areas of Guangzhou, China to study the optical parameter characteristics of atmospheric aerosol and establish the aerosol optical parameter mode in such areas. The effects of temperature and humidity on aerosol concentration, extinction and absorption coefficient are analyzed and the statistical characteristics of atmospheric temperature and humidity, visibility, extinction profiles and other parameters in different months are tallied, preliminarily establishing the atmospheric aerosol optical parameter pattern in Guangzhou coastal areas.

Nickel doping effect on properties of sprayed In2S3 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraini, M.; Bouguila, N.; El Ghoul, J.

2018-03-01

Nickel doped In2S3 films have been prepared by the chemical spray pyrolysis technique at 350 °C on glass substrates. The Ni doping level was changed by varying Ni:In molar ratio from 0 to 4% in solution. The structural studies reveal that the Ni-doped In2S3 films are polycrystalline and exhibit a cubic structure. As the Ni:In molar ratio increases, the crystallite size decreases from 27.5 to 23 nm and RMS roughness values increase from 12 to 18 nm, respectively. The presence of Ni in the deposited films was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Raman studies show different peaks related to In2S3 phase and do not reveal any secondary phases of In-Ni and Ni-S. The transmission coefficient is about 70-55% in the visible region and 85-75% in near-infrared region. The band gap energy increases from 2.66 to 2.82 eV for direct transitions with the increase of Ni:In ratio from 0 to 4%. The refractive index values of In2S3:Ni thin films decrease from 2.46 to 2.40 and the extinction coefficient values are in the range 0.01-0.20.

Spatial Interpolation of Aerosol Optical Depth Pollution: Comparison of Methods for the Development of Aerosol Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safarpour, S.; Abdullah, K.; Lim, H. S.; Dadras, M.

2017-09-01

Air pollution is a growing problem arising from domestic heating, high density of vehicle traffic, electricity production, and expanding commercial and industrial activities, all increasing in parallel with urban population. Monitoring and forecasting of air quality parameters are important due to health impact. One widely available metric of aerosol abundance is the aerosol optical depth (AOD). The AOD is the integrated light extinction coefficient over a vertical atmospheric column of unit cross section, which represents the extent to which the aerosols in that vertical profile prevent the transmission of light by absorption or scattering. Seasonal aerosol optical depth (AOD) values at 550 nm derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard NASA's Terra satellites, for the 10 years period of 2000 - 2010 were used to test 7 different spatial interpolation methods in the present study. The accuracy of estimations was assessed through visual analysis as well as independent validation based on basic statistics, such as root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient. Based on the RMSE and R values of predictions made using measured values from 2000 to 2010, Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) yielded the best results for spring, summer and winter and ordinary kriging yielded the best results for fall.

Retrieval of atmospheric backscatter and extinction profiles with the aladin airborne demonstrator (A2D)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geiss, Alexander; Marksteiner, Uwe; Lux, Oliver; Lemmerz, Christian; Reitebuch, Oliver; Kanitz, Thomas; Straume-Lindner, Anne Grete

2018-04-01

By the end of 2017, the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Atmospheric laser Doppler instrument (ALADIN), a direct detection Doppler wind lidar operating at 355 nm. An important tool for the validation and optimization of ALADIN's hardware and data processors for wind retrievals with real atmospheric signals is the ALADIN airborne demonstrator A2D. In order to be able to validate and test aerosol retrieval algorithms from ALADIN, an algorithm for the retrieval of atmospheric backscatter and extinction profiles from A2D is necessary. The A2D is utilizing a direct detection scheme by using a dual Fabry-Pérot interferometer to measure molecular Rayleigh signals and a Fizeau interferometer to measure aerosol Mie returns. Signals are captured by accumulation charge coupled devices (ACCD). These specifications make different steps in the signal preprocessing necessary. In this paper, the required steps to retrieve aerosol optical products, i. e. particle backscatter coefficient βp, particle extinction coefficient αp and lidar ratio Sp from A2D raw signals are described.

Estimation of vegetation parameters such as Leaf Area Index from polarimetric SAR data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hetz, Marina; Blumberg, Dan G.; Rotman, Stanley R.

2010-05-01

This work presents the analysis of the capability to use the radar backscatter coefficient in semi-arid zones to estimate the vegetation crown in terms of Leaf Area Index (LAI). The research area is characterized by the presence of a pine forest with shrubs as an underlying vegetation layer (understory), olive trees, natural grove areas and eucalyptus trees. The research area was imaged by an airborne RADAR system in L-band during February 2009. The imagery includes multi-look radar images. All the images were fully polarized i.e., HH, VV, HV polarizations. For this research we used the central azimuth angle (113° ). We measured LAI using the ?T Sun Scan Canopy Analysis System. Verification was done by analytic calculations and digital methods for the leaf's and needle's surface area. In addition, we estimated the radar extinction coefficient of the vegetation volume by comparing point calibration targets (trihedral corner reflectors with 150cm side length) within and without the canopy. The radar extinction in co- polarized images was ~26dB and ~24dB for pines and olives respectively, compared to the same calibration target outside the vegetation. We used smaller trihedral corner reflectors (41cm side length) and covered them with vegetation to measure the correlation between vegetation density, LAI and radar backscatter coefficient for pines and olives under known conditions. An inverse correlation between the radar backscatter coefficient of the trihedral corner reflectors covered by olive branches and the LAI of those branches was observed. The correlation between LAI and the optical transmittance was derived using the Beer-Lambert law. In addition, comparing this law's principle to the principle of the radar backscatter coefficient production, we derived the equation that connects between the radar backscatter coefficient and LAI. After extracting the radar backscatter coefficient of forested areas, all the vegetation parameters were used as inputs for the MIMICS model that simulates the radar backscatter coefficient of pines. The model results show a backscatter of -18dB in HV polarization which is 13dB higher than the mean pines backscatter in the radar images, whereas the co-polarized images revealed a backscatter of -10dB which is 23dB higher than the actual backscatter value deriver from the radar images. Therefore, next step in the research will incorporate other vegetation parameters and attempt to understand the discrepancies between the simulation and the actual data.

Extrinsic extinction cross-section in the multiple acoustic scattering by fluid particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitri, F. G.

2017-04-01

Cross-sections (and their related energy efficiency factors) are physical parameters used in the quantitative analysis of different phenomena arising from the interaction of waves with a particle (or multiple particles). Earlier works with the acoustic scattering theory considered such quadratic (i.e., nonlinear) quantities for a single scatterer, although a few extended the formalism for a pair of scatterers but were limited to the scattering cross-section only. Therefore, the standard formalism applied to viscous particles is not suitable for the complete description of the cross-sections and energy balance of the multiple-particle system because both absorption and extinction phenomena arise during the multiple scattering process. Based upon the law of the conservation of energy, this work provides a complete comprehensive analysis for the extrinsic scattering, absorption, and extinction cross-sections (i.e., in the far-field) of a pair of viscous scatterers of arbitrary shape, immersed in a nonviscous isotropic fluid. A law of acoustic extinction taking into consideration interparticle effects in wave propagation is established, which constitutes a generalized form of the optical theorem in multiple scattering. Analytical expressions for the scattering, absorption, and extinction cross-sections are derived for plane progressive waves with arbitrary incidence. The mathematical expressions are formulated in partial-wave series expansions in cylindrical coordinates involving the angle of incidence, the addition theorem for the cylindrical wave functions, and the expansion coefficients of the scatterers. The analysis shows that the multiple scattering cross-section depends upon the expansion coefficients of both scatterers in addition to an interference factor that depends on the interparticle distance. However, the extinction cross-section depends on the expansion coefficients of the scatterer located in a particular system of coordinates, in addition to the interference term. Numerical examples illustrate the analysis for two viscous fluid circular cylindrical cross-sections immersed in a non-viscous fluid. Computations for the (non-dimensional) scattering, absorption, and extinction cross-section factors are performed with particular emphasis on varying the angle of incidence, the interparticle distance, and the sizes, and the physical properties of the particles. A symmetric behavior is observed for the dimensionless multiple scattering cross-section, while asymmetries arise for both the dimensionless absorption and extinction cross-sections with respect to the angle of incidence. The present analysis provides a complete analytical and computational method for the prediction of cross-section and energy efficiency factors in multiple acoustic scattering of plane waves of arbitrary incidence by a pair of scatterers. The results can be used as a priori information in the direct or inverse characterization of multiple scattering systems such as acoustically engineered fluid metamaterials with reconfigurable periodicities, cloaking devices, liquid crystals, and other applications.

Source apportionment of visual impairment during the California regional PM 10/PM 2.5 air quality study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jianjun; Ying, Qi; Kleeman, Michael J.

2009-12-01

Gases and particulate matter predictions from the UCD/CIT air quality model were used in a visibility model to predict source contributions to visual impairment in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), the southern portion of California's Central Valley, during December 2000 and January 2001. Within the SJV, daytime (0800-1700 PST) light extinction was dominated by scattering associated with airborne particles. Measured daytime particle scattering coefficients were compared to predicted values at approximately 40 locations across the SJV after correction for the increased temperature and decreased relative humidity produced by "smart heaters" placed upstream of nephelometers. Mean fractional bias and mean fractional error were -0.22 and 0.65, respectively, indicating reasonable agreement between model predictions and measurements. Particulate water, nitrate, organic matter, and ammonium were the major particulate species contributing to light scattering in the SJV. Daytime light extinction in the SJV averaged between December 25, 2000 and January 7, 2001 was mainly associated with animal ammonia sources (28%), diesel engines (18%), catalyst gasoline engines (9%), other anthropogenic sources (9%), and wood smoke (7%) with initial and boundary conditions accounting for 13%. The source apportionment results from this study apply to wintertime conditions when airborne particulate matter concentrations are typically at their annual maximum. Further study would be required to quantify source contributions to light extinction in other seasons.

Goodness of fit of probability distributions for sightings as species approach extinction.

PubMed

Vogel, Richard M; Hosking, Jonathan R M; Elphick, Chris S; Roberts, David L; Reed, J Michael

2009-04-01

Estimating the probability that a species is extinct and the timing of extinctions is useful in biological fields ranging from paleoecology to conservation biology. Various statistical methods have been introduced to infer the time of extinction and extinction probability from a series of individual sightings. There is little evidence, however, as to which of these models provide adequate fit to actual sighting records. We use L-moment diagrams and probability plot correlation coefficient (PPCC) hypothesis tests to evaluate the goodness of fit of various probabilistic models to sighting data collected for a set of North American and Hawaiian bird populations that have either gone extinct, or are suspected of having gone extinct, during the past 150 years. For our data, the uniform, truncated exponential, and generalized Pareto models performed moderately well, but the Weibull model performed poorly. Of the acceptable models, the uniform distribution performed best based on PPCC goodness of fit comparisons and sequential Bonferroni-type tests. Further analyses using field significance tests suggest that although the uniform distribution is the best of those considered, additional work remains to evaluate the truncated exponential model more fully. The methods we present here provide a framework for evaluating subsequent models.

[Light scattering extinction properties of atmospheric particle and pollution characteristics in hazy weather in Hangzhou].

PubMed

Xu, Chang; Ye, Hui; Shen, Jian-Dong; Sun, Hong-Liang; Hong, Sheng-Mao; Jiao, Li; Huang, Kan

2014-12-01

In order to evaluate the influence of particle scattering on visibility, light scattering coefficient, particle concentrations and meteorological factor were simultaneously monitored from July 2011 to June 2012 in Hangzhou. Daily scattering coefficients ranged from 108.4 to 1 098.1 Mm(-1), with an annual average concentration of 428.6 Mm(-1) ± 200.2 Mm(-1). Seasonal variation of scattering coefficients was significant, with the highest concentrations observed in autumn and winter and the lowest in summer. It was found there were two peaks for the average diurnal variations of the scattering coefficient, which could be observed at 08:00 and 21:00. The scattering efficiencies of PM2.5 and PM10 were 7.6 m2 x g(-1) and 4.4 m2 x g(-1), respectively. The particle scattering was about 90.2 percent of the total light extinction. The scattering coefficients were 684.4 Mm(-1) ± 218.1 Mm(-1) and 1 095.4 Mm(-1) ± 397.7 Mm(-1) in hazy and heavy hazy days, respectively, which were 2.6 and 4.2 times as high as in non-hazy weather, indicating that particle scattering is the main factor for visibility degradation and the occurrence of hazy weather in Hangzhou.

SAGE aerosol measurements. Volume 3: January 1, 1981 to November 18, 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccormick, M. Patrick

1987-01-01

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) satellite system, launched February 18, 1979, obtained profiles of aerosol extinction at 1.00 micron and 0.45 micron ozone concentration, and nitrogen dioxide concentration. Data taken during sunset events are presented in the form of zonal and seasonal averages of aerosol extinction of 1.00 micron and 0.45 micron, ratios of aerosol extinction to molecular extinction at 1.00 micron and ratios of aerosol extinction at 0.45 micron to aerosol extinction at 1.00 micron. Averages for 1981 are shown in tables, and in profile and contour plots (as a function of altitude and latitude). In addition, temperature data provided by NOAA for the time and location of each SAGE measurement are averaged and shown in a similar format. The stratospheric aerosol distribution for 1981 shows effects of volcanically injected material from eruptions of Ulawun, Alaid, and Pagan. Peak values of aerosol extinction at 0.45 micron and 1.00 micron were 2 to 4 times higher than typical peak values observed during near background conditions. Stratospheric aerosol optical depth values at 1.00 microns increased by a factor of about 2 from near background levels in regions of volcanic activity. During the year, these values ranged from between 0.001 and 0.006. The largest were near the location of a recent eruption. The distribution of the ratio of aerosol to molecular extinction at 1.00 microns also showed that maximum values are found in the vicinity of an eruption. These maximums varied in altitude, but remained below a height of about 25 km. No attempt has been made to give detailed explanations or interpretations of these data. The intent is to provide, in a ready-to-use visual format, representative zonal and seasonal averages of aerosol extinction data for the third calendar year of the SAGE data set to facilitate atmospheric and climatic studies.

Thresholds of Extinction: Simulation Strategies in Environmental Values Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glew, Frank

1990-01-01

Describes a simulation exercise for campers and an accompanying curriculum unit--"Thresholds of Extinction"--that addresses the issues of endangered species. Uses this context to illustrate steps in the process of values development: awareness, gathering data, resolution (decision making), responsibility (acting on values), and…

Theory of invasion extinction dynamics in minimal food webs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haerter, Jan O.; Mitarai, Namiko; Sneppen, Kim

2018-02-01

When food webs are exposed to species invasion, secondary extinction cascades may be set off. Although much work has gone into characterizing the structure of food webs, systematic predictions on their evolutionary dynamics are still scarce. Here we present a theoretical framework that predicts extinctions in terms of an alternating sequence of two basic processes: resource depletion by or competitive exclusion between consumers. We first propose a conceptual invasion extinction model (IEM) involving random fitness coefficients. We bolster this IEM by an analytical, recursive procedure for calculating idealized extinction cascades after any species addition and simulate the long-time evolution. Our procedure describes minimal food webs where each species interacts with only a single resource through the generalized Lotka-Volterra equations. For such food webs ex- tinction cascades are determined uniquely and the system always relaxes to a stable steady state. The dynamics and scale invariant species life time resemble the behavior of the IEM, and correctly predict an upper limit for trophic levels as observed in the field.

Theory of invasion extinction dynamics in minimal food webs.

PubMed

Haerter, Jan O; Mitarai, Namiko; Sneppen, Kim

2018-02-01

When food webs are exposed to species invasion, secondary extinction cascades may be set off. Although much work has gone into characterizing the structure of food webs, systematic predictions on their evolutionary dynamics are still scarce. Here we present a theoretical framework that predicts extinctions in terms of an alternating sequence of two basic processes: resource depletion by or competitive exclusion between consumers. We first propose a conceptual invasion extinction model (IEM) involving random fitness coefficients. We bolster this IEM by an analytical, recursive procedure for calculating idealized extinction cascades after any species addition and simulate the long-time evolution. Our procedure describes minimal food webs where each species interacts with only a single resource through the generalized Lotka-Volterra equations. For such food webs ex- tinction cascades are determined uniquely and the system always relaxes to a stable steady state. The dynamics and scale invariant species life time resemble the behavior of the IEM, and correctly predict an upper limit for trophic levels as observed in the field.

The Visibility of Stars as a Function of Night Sky Brightness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upgren, A. R.; Loth, A. L.; Stock, J.

2001-12-01

The number of stars visible to the naked eye at night varies widely, but is often reported as being near 2500 on a dark night. The true numbers vary widely, depending as they do on the faintest limiting magnitude visible to a particular eye, V', and the extinction coefficient of the sky as a function of haze and the reflection of aerosols in the lower atmosphere due to upward-shining light pollution. We limit our discussion to cloud free moonless nights with a true horizon uncluttered by trees and buildings. For simplicity, we assume a linear extinction coefficient, k, to represent the influence of sky brightness and light pollution. The input to the program consists of the entire Bright Star Catalogue of 9110 stars (essentially complete in photoelectric V magnitude to V > 6) and choices for observer latitude, local sidereal time, k, and V'. Here we present results for the latitude of Middletown, CT (41.5N) and three values of k, representing cases of observation at sea level; these are 0.3 for a clear night in the country far from lights, 0.5 for a typical suburban street, and 0.8 for a city center. It is assumed that no direct glare is present. The limiting magnitude of the faintest visible star, V', varies widely among observers from as faint as 8.0 for some with very keen eyesight, to perhaps 4.5 for elderly observers. Star counts can be derived for any set of input variables. This program allows great flexibility and can be used in a convincing manner to illustrate the damaging effects of light pollution. For the latitude of 41.5N and a local sidereal time of zero hours, we find for extinctions of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8 magnitudes, about 2350, 1720, and 1100 visible stars, respectively, for the canonical limiting magnitude of 6.0 at the zenith, with little change over the range in sidereal time. Raising V' to 5.0, a more realistic limit for elderly eyes, lowers the counts to about 700, 500, and 320, respectively. These numbers suggest that aging eyes play a greater role in the diminution of visible stars than does light pollution, but more representative values of k for typical urban and suburban conditions may be necessary. Further work will center on the variation of k with sky brightness levels.

Diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry with visible light: comparison of four different methods in a tissue phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gade, John; Palmqvist, Dorte; Plomgård, Peter; Greisen, Gorm

2006-01-01

The purpose of the study was to compare algorithms of four methods (plus two modifications) for spectrophotometric haemoglobin saturation measurements. Comparison was made in tissue phantoms basically consisting of a phosphate buffer, Intralipid and blood, allowing samples to be taken for reference measurements. Three experimental series were made. In experiment A (eight phantoms) we used the Knoefel method and measured specific extinction coefficients with a reflection spectrophotometer. In experiment B (six phantoms) the fully oxygenated phantoms were gradually deoxygenated with baker's yeast, and simultaneous measurements were made with our spectrophotometer and with a reference oxymeter (ABL-605) in 3 min intervals. For each spectrophotometric measurement haemoglobin saturation was calculated with all algorithms and modifications, and compared with reference. In experiment C (11 phantoms) we evaluated the ability of a modification of the Knoefel method to measure haemoglobin concentration in absolute quantities using extinction coefficients from experiment A. Results. Experiment A: with the Knoefel method extinction coefficients (±SD) for oxyhaemoglobin at 553.04 and 573.75 nm were 1.117 (±0.0396) ODmM-1 and 1.680 (± 0.0815) ODmM-1, respectively, and for deoxyhaemoglobin 1.205 (± 0.0514) ODmM-1 and 0.953 (±0.0487) ODmM-1, respectively. Experiment B: high correlation with the reference was found in all methods (r = 0.94-0.97). However, agreement varied from evidently wrong in method 3 and the original method 4 (e.g. saturation above 160%) to high agreement in method 2 as well as the modifications of methods 1 and 4, where oxygen dissociation curves were close to the reference method. Experiment C: with the modified Knoefel method the mean haemoglobin concentration difference from reference was 8.3% and the correlation was high (r = 0.91). We conclude that method 2 and the modifications of 1 and 4 were superior to the others, but depended on known values in the same or similar phantoms. The original method 1 was independent of results from the tissue phantoms, but agreement was slightly poorer. Method 3 and the original method 4 could not be recommended. The ability of the modified method 1 to measure haemoglobin concentration is promising, but needs further development.

Measurement of tropospheric aerosol in São Paulo area using a new upgraded Raman LIDAR system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landulfo, Eduardo; Rodrigues, Patrícia F.; da Silva Lopes, Fábio Juliano; Bourayou, Riad

2012-11-01

Elastic backscatter LIDAR systems have been used to determine aerosol profile concentration in several areas such as weather, pollution and air quality monitoring. In order to determine the aerosol extinction and backscattering profiles, the Klett inversion method is largely used, but this method suffers from lack of information since there are two unknown variables to be determined using only one measured LIDAR signal, and assumption of the LIDAR ratio (the relation between the extinction and backscattering coefficients) is needed. When a Raman LIDAR system is used, the inelastic backscattering signal is affected by aerosol extinction but not by aerosol backscatter, which allows this LIDAR to uniquely determine extinction and backscattering coefficients without any assumptions or any collocated instruments. The MSP-LIDAR system, set-up in a highly dense suburban area in the city of São Paulo, has been upgraded to a Raman LIDAR, and in its actual 6-channel configuration allows it to monitor elastic backscatter at 355 and 532 nm together with nitrogen and water vapor Raman backscatters at 387nm and 608 nm and 408nm and 660 nm, respectively. Thus, the measurements of aerosol backscattering, extinction coefficients and water vapor mixing ratio in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) are becoming available. The system will provide the important meteorological parameters such as Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and will be used for the study of aerosol variations in lower troposphere over the city of São Paulo, air quality monitoring and for estimation of humidity impact on the aerosol optical properties, without any a priori assumption. This study will present the first results obtained with this upgraded LIDAR system, demonstrating the high quality of obtained aerosol and water vapor data. For that purpose, we compared the data obtained with the new MSP-Raman LIDAR with a mobile Raman LIDAR collocated at the Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute in São Paulo and radiosonde data from Campo de Marte Airport, in São Paulo.

Characterization and Modeling of Indium Gallium Antimonide Avalanche Photodiode and of Indium Gallium Arsenide Two-band Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

A model of the optical properties of Al(x)Ga(1-x)As(y)Sb(1-y) and In(x)Ga(1-x)As(y)Sb(1-y) is presented, including the refractive, extinction, absorption and reflection coefficients in terms of the optical dielectric function of the materials. Energy levels and model parameters for each binary compound are interpolated to obtain the needed ternaries and quaternaries for various compositions. Bowing parameters are considered in the interpolation scheme to take into account the deviation of the calculated ternary and quaternary values from experimental data due to lattice disorders. The inclusion of temperature effects is currently being considered.

Measurements of Aerosol Vertical Profiles and Optical Properties during INDOEX 1999 Using Micro-Pulse Lidars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welton, Ellsworth J.; Voss, Kenneth J.; Quinn, Patricia K.; Flatau, Piotr J.; Markowicz, Krzysztof; Campbell, James R.; Spinhirne, James D.; Gordon, Howard R.; Johnson, James E.; Starr, David OC. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Micro-pulse lidar systems (MPL) were used to measure aerosol properties during the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) 1999 field phase. Measurements were made from two platforms: the NOAA ship RN Ronald H. Brown, and the Kaashidhoo Climate Observatory (KCO) in the Maldives. Sunphotometers were used to provide aerosol optical depths (AOD) needed to calibrate the MPL. This study focuses on the height distribution and optical properties (at 523 nm) of aerosols observed during the campaign. The height of the highest aerosols (top height) was calculated and found to be below 4 km for most of the cruise. The marine boundary layer (MBL) top was calculated and found to be less than 1 km. MPL results were combined with air mass trajectories, radiosonde profiles of temperature and humidity, and aerosol concentration and optical measurements. Humidity varied from approximately 80% near the surface to 50% near the top height during the entire cruise. The average value and standard deviation of aerosol optical parameters were determined for characteristic air mass regimes. Marine aerosols in the absence of any continental influence were found to have an AOD of 0.05 +/- 0.03, an extinction-to-backscatter ratio (S-ratio) of 33 +/- 6 sr, and peak extinction values around 0.05/km (near the MBL top). The marine results are shown to be in agreement with previously measured and expected values. Polluted marine areas over the Indian Ocean, influenced by continental aerosols, had AOD values in excess of 0.2, S-ratios well above 40 sr, and peak extinction values approximately 0.20/km (near the MBL top). The polluted marine results are shown to be similar to previously published values for continental aerosols. Comparisons between MPL derived extinction near the ship (75 m) and extinction calculated at ship-level using scattering measured by a nephelometer and absorption using a PSAP were conducted. The comparisons indicated that the MPL algorithm (using a constant S-ratio throughout the lower troposphere) calculates extinction near the surface in agreement with the ship-level measurements only when the MBL aerosols are well mixed with aerosols above. Finally, a review of the MPL extinction profiles showed that the model of aerosol vertical extinction developed during an earlier INDOEX field campaign (at the Maldives) did not correctly describe the true vertical distribution over the greater Indian Ocean region. Using the average extinction profile and AOD obtained during marine conditions, a new model of aerosol vertical extinction was determined for marine atmospheres over the Indian Ocean. A new model of aerosol vertical extinction for polluted marine atmospheres was also developed using the average extinction profile and AOD obtained during marine conditions influenced by continental aerosols.

Reconciling Reinforcement Learning Models with Behavioral Extinction and Renewal: Implications for Addiction, Relapse, and Problem Gambling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Redish, A. David; Jensen, Steve; Johnson, Adam; Kurth-Nelson, Zeb

2007-01-01

Because learned associations are quickly renewed following extinction, the extinction process must include processes other than unlearning. However, reinforcement learning models, such as the temporal difference reinforcement learning (TDRL) model, treat extinction as an unlearning of associated value and are thus unable to capture renewal. TDRL…

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SHAPES OF INTERSTELLAR EXTINCTION CURVES. VI. THE NEAR-IR EXTINCTION LAW

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fitzpatrick, E. L.; Massa, D.

We combine new observations from the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera of Survey with existing data to investigate the wavelength dependence of near-IR (NIR) extinction. Previous studies suggest a power law form for NIR extinction, with a 'universal' value of the exponent, although some recent observations indicate that significant sight line-to-sight line variability may exist. We show that a power-law model for the NIR extinction provides an excellent fit to most extinction curves, but that the value of the power, {beta}, varies significantly from sight line to sight line. Therefore, it seems that a 'universal NIR extinction law' is notmore » possible. Instead, we find that as {beta} decreases, R(V) {identical_to} A(V)/E(B - V) tends to increase, suggesting that NIR extinction curves which have been considered 'peculiar' may, in fact, be typical for different R(V) values. We show that the power-law parameters can depend on the wavelength interval used to derive them, with the {beta} increasing as longer wavelengths are included. This result implies that extrapolating power-law fits to determine R(V) is unreliable. To avoid this problem, we adopt a different functional form for NIR extinction. This new form mimics a power law whose exponent increases with wavelength, has only two free parameters, can fit all of our curves over a longer wavelength baseline and to higher precision, and produces R(V) values which are consistent with independent estimates and commonly used methods for estimating R(V). Furthermore, unlike the power-law model, it gives R(V)s that are independent of the wavelength interval used to derive them. It also suggests that the relation R(V) = -1.36 E(K-V)/(E(B-V)) - 0.79 can estimate R(V) to {+-}0.12. Finally, we use model extinction curves to show that our extinction curves are in accord with theoretical expectations, and demonstrate how large samples of observational quantities can provide useful constraints on the grain properties.« less

The ethics of reviving long extinct species.

PubMed

Sandler, Ronald

2014-04-01

There now appears to be a plausible pathway for reviving species that have been extinct for several decades, centuries, or even millennia. I conducted an ethical analysis of de-extinction of long extinct species. I assessed several possible ethical considerations in favor of pursuing de-extinction: that it is a matter of justice; that it would reestablish lost value; that it would create new value; and that society needs it as a conservation last resort. I also assessed several possible ethical arguments against pursuing de-extinction: that it is unnatural; that it could cause animal suffering; that it could be ecologically problematic or detrimental to human health; and that it is hubristic. There are reasons in favor of reviving long extinct species, and it can be ethically acceptable to do so. However, the reasons in favor of pursuing de-extinction do not have to do with its usefulness in species conservation; rather, they concern the status of revived species as scientific and technological achievements, and it would be ethically problematic to promote de-extinction as a significant conservation strategy, because it does not prevent species extinctions, does not address the causes of extinction, and could be detrimental to some species conservation efforts. Moreover, humanity does not have a responsibility or obligation to pursue de-extinction of long extinct species, and reviving them does not address any urgent problem. Therefore, legitimate ecological, political, animal welfare, legal, or human health concerns associated with a de-extinction (and reintroduction) must be thoroughly addressed for it to be ethically acceptable. © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology.

The Development of a Tactical Dual-Wavelength Nephelometer.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-24

Instrument Layout 50 4.5 Optical Systems 53 4.6 Electronic Systems 56 4.6.1 Transmitter System 56 4.6.2 Receiver Systems 58 5. R&D TEST AND ACCEPTANCE PLAN 61... PLAN , 136 HSS-B-086, 10 DEC1981. APPENDIX B ARVIN CALSPAN DOCUMENTATION OF 155 EXTINCTION AND PARTICLE SIZE MEASUREMENTS FOR CHAMBER TESTS OF MAY 1982. 6...121 FP’enn Aerosol Models. 8.9 Aerosol Extinction Coefficients at Two Wavelenghts 129 and their Ratio for Four Deirmendjian Aerosol Models. 10

Ellipsometric analysis and optical absorption characterization of gallium phosphide nanoparticulate thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qi-Xian; Wei, Wen-Sheng; Ruan, Fang-Ping

2011-04-01

Gallium phosphide (GaP) nanoparticulate thin films were easily fabricated by colloidal suspension deposition via GaP nanoparticles dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide. The microstructure of the film was performed by x-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The film was further investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry. After the model GaP+void|SiO2 was built and an effective medium approximation was adopted, the values of the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k were calculated for the energy range of 0.75 eV-4.0 eV using the dispersion formula in DeltaPsi2 software. The absorption coefficient of the film was calculated from its k and its energy gaps were further estimated according to the Tauc equation, which were further verified by its fluorescence spectrum measurement. The structure and optical absorption properties of the nanoparticulate films are promising for their potential applications in hybrid solar cells.

The cost of being valuable: predictors of extinction risk in marine invertebrates exploited as luxury seafood

PubMed Central

Purcell, Steven W.; Polidoro, Beth A.; Hamel, Jean-François; Gamboa, Ruth U.; Mercier, Annie

2014-01-01

Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment of extinction risk in all 377 known species of sea cucumber within the order Aspidochirotida, many of which are exploited worldwide as luxury seafood for Asian markets. Extinction risk was primarily driven by high market value, compounded by accessibility and familiarity (well known) in the marketplace. Extinction risk in marine animals often relates closely to body size and small geographical range but our study shows a clear exception. Conservation must not lose sight of common species, especially those of high value. Greater human population density and poorer economies in the geographical ranges of endangered species illustrate that anthropogenic variables can also predict extinction risks in marine animals. Local-level regulatory measures must prevent opportunistic exploitation of high-value species. Trade agreements, for example CITES, may aid conservation but will depend on international technical support to low-income tropical countries. The high proportion of data deficient species also stresses a need for research on the ecology and population demographics of unglamorous invertebrates. PMID:24598425

The cost of being valuable: predictors of extinction risk in marine invertebrates exploited as luxury seafood.

PubMed

Purcell, Steven W; Polidoro, Beth A; Hamel, Jean-François; Gamboa, Ruth U; Mercier, Annie

2014-04-22

Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment of extinction risk in all 377 known species of sea cucumber within the order Aspidochirotida, many of which are exploited worldwide as luxury seafood for Asian markets. Extinction risk was primarily driven by high market value, compounded by accessibility and familiarity (well known) in the marketplace. Extinction risk in marine animals often relates closely to body size and small geographical range but our study shows a clear exception. Conservation must not lose sight of common species, especially those of high value. Greater human population density and poorer economies in the geographical ranges of endangered species illustrate that anthropogenic variables can also predict extinction risks in marine animals. Local-level regulatory measures must prevent opportunistic exploitation of high-value species. Trade agreements, for example CITES, may aid conservation but will depend on international technical support to low-income tropical countries. The high proportion of data deficient species also stresses a need for research on the ecology and population demographics of unglamorous invertebrates.

Interstellar extinction curve variations towards the inner Milky Way: a challenge to observational cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nataf, David M.; Gonzalez, Oscar A.; Casagrande, Luca; Zasowski, Gail; Wegg, Christopher; Wolf, Christian; Kunder, Andrea; Alonso-Garcia, Javier; Minniti, Dante; Rejkuba, Marina; Saito, Roberto K.; Valenti, Elena; Zoccali, Manuela; Poleski, Radosław; Pietrzyński, Grzegorz; Skowron, Jan; Soszyński, Igor; Szymański, Michał K.; Udalski, Andrzej; Ulaczyk, Krzysztof; Wyrzykowski, Łukasz

2016-03-01

We investigate interstellar extinction curve variations towards ˜4 deg2 of the inner Milky Way in VIJKs photometry from the OGLE-III (third phase of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) and VVV (VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea) surveys, with supporting evidence from diffuse interstellar bands and F435W, F625W photometry. We obtain independent measurements towards ˜2000 sightlines of AI, E(V - I), E(I - J) and E(J - Ks), with median precision and accuracy of 2 per cent. We find that the variations in the extinction ratios AI/E(V - I), E(I - J)/E(V - I) and E(J - Ks)/E(V - I) are large (exceeding 20 per cent), significant and positively correlated, as expected. However, both the mean values and the trends in these extinction ratios are drastically shifted from the predictions of Cardelli and Fitzpatrick, regardless of how RV is varied. Furthermore, we demonstrate that variations in the shape of the extinction curve have at least two degrees of freedom, and not one (e.g. RV), which we confirm with a principal component analysis. We derive a median value of = 13.44, which is ˜60 per cent higher than the `standard' value. We show that the Wesenheit magnitude WI = I - 1.61(I - J) is relatively impervious to extinction curve variations. Given that these extinction curves are linchpins of observational cosmology, and that it is generally assumed that RV variations correctly capture variations in the extinction curve, we argue that systematic errors in the distance ladder from studies of Type Ia supernovae and Cepheids may have been underestimated. Moreover, the reddening maps from the Planck experiment are shown to systematically overestimate dust extinction by ˜100 per cent and lack sensitivity to extinction curve variations.

A rapid approach for measuring silver nanoparticle concentration and dissolution in seawater by UV-Vis.

PubMed

Sikder, Mithun; Lead, Jamie R; Chandler, G Thomas; Baalousha, Mohammed

2018-03-15

Detection and quantification of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in environmental systems is challenging and requires sophisticated analytical equipment. Furthermore, dissolution is an important environmental transformation process for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which affects the size, speciation and concentration of AgNPs in natural water systems. Herein, we present a simple approach for the detection, quantification and measurement of dissolution of PVP-coated AgNPs (PVP-AgNPs) based on monitoring their optical properties (extinction spectra) using UV-vis spectroscopy. The dependence of PVP-AgNPs extinction coefficient (ɛ) and maximum absorbance wavelength (λ max ) on NP size was experimentally determined. The concentration, size, and extinction spectra of PVP-AgNPs were characterized during dissolution in 30ppt synthetic seawater. AgNPs concentration was determined as the difference between the total and dissolved Ag concentrations measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS); extinction spectra of PVP-AgNPs were monitored by UV-vis; and size evolution was monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM) over a period of 96h. Empirical equations for the dependence of maximum absorbance wavelength (λ max ) and extinction coefficient (ɛ) on NP size were derived. These empirical formulas were then used to calculate the size and concentration of PVP-AgNPs, and dissolved Ag concentration released from PVP-AgNPs in synthetic seawater at variable particle concentrations (i.e. 25-1500μgL -1 ) and in natural seawater at particle concentration of 100μgL -1 . These results suggest that UV-vis can be used as an easy and quick approach for detection and quantification (size and concentration) of sterically stabilized PVP-AgNPs from their extinction spectra. This approach can also be used to monitor the release of Ag from PVP-AgNPs and the concurrent NP size change. Finally, in seawater, AgNPs dissolve faster and to a higher extent with the decrease in NP concentration toward environmentally relevant concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of desert-dust-related ice nuclei profiles from polarization lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mamouri, Rodanthi-Elisavet; Nisantzi, Argyro; Hadjimitsis, Diofantos; Ansmann, Albert

2015-04-01

This paper presents a methodology based on the use of active remote sensing techniques for the estimation of ice nuclei concentrations (INC) for desert dust plumes. Although this method can be applied to other aerosol components, in this study we focus on desert dust. The method makes use of the polarization lidar technique for the separation of dust and non-dust contributions to the particle backscatter and extinction coefficients. The profile of the dust extinction coefficient is converted to APC280 (dust particles with radius larger than 280 nm) and, in a second step, APC280 is converted to INC by means of an APC-INC relationship from the literature. The observed close relationship between dust extinction at 500 nm and APC280 is the key to a successful INC retrieval. The correlation between dust extinction coefficient and APC280 is studied by means of AERONET sun/sky photometer at Morocco, Cape Verde, Barbados, and Cyprus, during situations dominated by desert dust outbreaks. In the present study, polarization lidar observations of the EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) lidar at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), Limassol (34.7o N, 33o E), Cyprus were used together with spaceborne lidar observations during CALIPSO satellite overpasses to demonstrate the potential of the new INC retrieval method. A good agreement between the CALIOP (Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) and our CUT lidar observations regarding the retrieval of dust extinction coefficient, APC280, and INC profiles were found and corroborate the potential of CALIOP to provide 3-D global desert-dust-related INC data sets. In the next step, efforts should be undertaken towards the establishment of a global, height-resolved INC climatology for desert dust plumes. Realistic global INC distributions are required for an improved estimation of aerosol effects on cloud formation and the better quantification of the indirect aerosol effect on climate. Acknowledgements. The authors thank the CUT Remote Sensing Laboratory for their support. The research leading to these results has also received scientific support from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2011-2015) under grant agreement no. 262254 (ACTRIS project). We acknowledge funding from the EU FP7-ENV-2013 programme "impact of Biogenic vs. Anthropogenic emissions on Clouds and Climate: towards a Holistic UnderStanding" (BACCHUS), project no. 603445. We are grateful to AERONET for high-quality sun/sky photometer measurements in Cyprus, Morocco, Cape Verde, and Barbados. We thank the NASA Langley Research Center and the CALIPSO science team for the constant effort and improvement of then CALIPSO data.

Radiative Properties of Cirrus Clouds in the Infrared (8-13 microns) Spectral Region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Ping; Gao, Bo-Cai; Baum, Bryan A.; Hu, Yong X.; Wiscombe, Warren J.; Tsay, Si-Chee; Winker, Dave M.; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Atmospheric radiation in the infrared (IR) 8-13 microns spectral region contains a wealth of information that is very useful for the retrieval of ice cloud properties from aircraft or space-borne measurements. To provide the scattering and absorption properties of nonspherical ice crystals that are fundamental to the IR retrieval implementation, we use the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method to solve for the extinction efficiency, single-scattering albedo, and the asymmetry parameter of the phase function for ice crystals smaller than 40 microns. For particles larger than this size, the improved geometric optics method (IGOM) can be employed to calculate the asymmetry parameter with an acceptable accuracy, provided that we properly account for the inhomogeneity of the refracted wave due to strong absorption inside the ice particle. A combination of the results computed from the two methods provides the asymmetry parameter for the entire practical range of particle sizes between 1 micron and 10000 microns over wavelengths ranging from 8 microns to 13 microns. For the extinction and absorption efficiency calculations, several methods including the IGOM, Mie solution for equivalent spheres (MSFES), and the anomalous diffraction theory (ADT) can lead to a substantial discontinuity in comparison with the FDTD solutions for particle sizes on the order of 40 microns. To overcome this difficulty, we have developed a novel approach called the stretched scattering potential method (SSPM). For the IR 8-13 microns spectral region, we show that SSPM is a more accurate approximation than ADT, MSFES, and IGOM. The SSPM solution can be further refined numerically. Through a combination of the FDTD and SSPM, we have computed the extinction and absorption efficiency for hexagonal ice crystals with sizes ranging from 1 to 10000 microns at 12 wavelengths between 8 and 13 microns Calculations of the cirrus bulk scattering and absorption properties are performed for 30 size distributions obtained from various field campaigns for midlatitude and tropical cirrus cloud systems. Parameterization of these bulk scattering properties is carried out by using second-order polynomial functions for the extinction efficiency and the single-scattering albedo and the power law expression for the asymmetry parameter. We note that the volume-normalized extinction coefficient can be separated into two parts: one is inversely proportional to effective size and is independent of wavelength, and the other is the wavelength-dependent effective extinction efficiency. Unlike conventional parameterization efforts, the present parameterization scheme is more accurate because only the latter part of the volume-normalized extinction coefficient is approximated in terms of an analytical expression. After averaging over size distribution, the single-scattering albedo is shown to decrease with an increase in effective size for wavelengths shorter than 10.0 microns whereas the opposite behavior is observed for longer wavelengths. The variation of the asymmetry parameter as a function of effective size is substantial when the effective size is smaller than 50 microns. For effective sizes larger than 100 microns, the asymmetry parameter approaches its asymptotic value. The results derived in this study can be useful to remote sensing applications involving IR window bands under cirrus cloud conditions.

Modeling systematic errors: polychromatic sources of Beer-Lambert deviations in HPLC/UV and nonchromatographic spectrophotometric assays.

PubMed

Galli, C

2001-07-01

It is well established that the use of polychromatic radiation in spectrophotometric assays leads to excursions from the Beer-Lambert limit. This Note models the resulting systematic error as a function of assay spectral width, slope of molecular extinction coefficient, and analyte concentration. The theoretical calculations are compared with recent experimental results; a parameter is introduced which can be used to estimate the magnitude of the systematic error in both chromatographic and nonchromatographic spectrophotometric assays. It is important to realize that the polychromatic radiation employed in common laboratory equipment can yield assay errors up to approximately 4%, even at absorption levels generally considered 'safe' (i.e. absorption <1). Thus careful consideration of instrumental spectral width, analyte concentration, and slope of molecular extinction coefficient is required to ensure robust analytical methods.

Effects of annealing on the optical, structural, and chemical properties of TiO2 and MgF2 thin films prepared by plasma ion-assisted deposition.

PubMed

Woo, Seouk-Hoon; Hwangbo, Chang Kwon

2006-03-01

Effects of thermal annealing at 400 degrees C on the optical, structural, and chemical properties of TiO2 single-layer, MgF2 single-layer, and TiO2/MgF2 narrow-bandpass filters deposited by conventional electron-beam evaporation (CE) and plasma ion-assisted deposition (PIAD) were investigated. In the case of TiO2 films, the results show that the annealing of both CE and PIAD TiO2 films increases the refractive index slightly and the extinction coefficient and surface roughness greatly. Annealing decreases the thickness of CE TiO2 films drastically, whereas it does not vary that of PIAD TiO2 films. For PIAD MgF2 films, annealing increases the refractive index and decreases the extinction coefficient drastically. An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that an increase in the refractive index and a decrease in the extinction coefficient for PIAD MgF2 films after annealing may be related to the enhanced concentration of MgO in the annealed PIAD MgF2 films and the changes in the chemical bonding states of Mg 2p, F 1s, and O is. It is found that (TiO2/MgF2) multilayer filters, consisting of PIAD TiO2 and CE MgF2 films, are as deposited without microcracks and are also thermally stable after annealing.

Polarization lidar for atmospheric monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qiaojun; Wu, Chengxuan; Yuk Sun Cheng, Andrew; Wang, Zhangjun; Meng, Xiangqian; Chen, Chao; Li, Xianxin; Liu, Xingtao; Zhang, Hao; Zong, Fangyi

2018-04-01

Aerosol plays an important role in global climate and weather changes. Polarization lidar captures parallel and perpendicular signals from atmosphere to research aerosols. The lidar system we used has three emission wavelengths and could obtain the atmospheric aerosol extinction coefficient, backscattering coefficient and depolarization ratio. In this paper, the design of the lidar is described. The methods of data acquisition and inversion are given. Some recent results are presented.

Evidence and mapping of extinction debts for global forest-dwelling reptiles, amphibians and mammals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Youhua; Peng, Shushi

2017-03-01

Evidence of extinction debts for the global distributions of forest-dwelling reptiles, mammals and amphibians was tested and the debt magnitude was estimated and mapped. By using different correlation tests and variable importance analysis, the results showed that spatial richness patterns for the three forest-dwelling terrestrial vertebrate groups had significant and stronger correlations with past forest cover area and other variables in the 1500 s, implying the evidence for extinction debts. Moreover, it was likely that the extinction debts have been partially paid, given that their global richness patterns were also significantly correlated with contemporary forest variables in the 2000 s (but the absolute magnitudes of the correlation coefficients were usually smaller than those calculated for historical forest variables). By utilizing species-area relationships, spatial extinction-debt magnitudes for the three vertebrate groups at the global scale were estimated and the hotspots of extinction debts were identified. These high-debt hotspots were generally situated in areas that did not spatially overlap with hotspots of species richness or high extinction-risk areas based on IUCN threatened status to a large extent. This spatial mismatch pattern suggested that necessary conservation efforts should be directed toward high-debt areas that are still overlooked.

Evidence and mapping of extinction debts for global forest-dwelling reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

PubMed

Chen, Youhua; Peng, Shushi

2017-03-16

Evidence of extinction debts for the global distributions of forest-dwelling reptiles, mammals and amphibians was tested and the debt magnitude was estimated and mapped. By using different correlation tests and variable importance analysis, the results showed that spatial richness patterns for the three forest-dwelling terrestrial vertebrate groups had significant and stronger correlations with past forest cover area and other variables in the 1500 s, implying the evidence for extinction debts. Moreover, it was likely that the extinction debts have been partially paid, given that their global richness patterns were also significantly correlated with contemporary forest variables in the 2000 s (but the absolute magnitudes of the correlation coefficients were usually smaller than those calculated for historical forest variables). By utilizing species-area relationships, spatial extinction-debt magnitudes for the three vertebrate groups at the global scale were estimated and the hotspots of extinction debts were identified. These high-debt hotspots were generally situated in areas that did not spatially overlap with hotspots of species richness or high extinction-risk areas based on IUCN threatened status to a large extent. This spatial mismatch pattern suggested that necessary conservation efforts should be directed toward high-debt areas that are still overlooked.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prakash, Deo; Shaaban, E.R., E-mail: esam_ramadan2008@yahoo.com; Shapaan, M.

Highlights: • Combined experimental and theoretical researches on ZnSe Thin Films. • The film thickness and refractive index were determined using envelope method. • The absorption coefficient and the energy gap were calculated. • Dispersion parameters were determined using Wemple-DiDomenico relation. • The third order susceptibility and nonlinear refractive index were calculated. - Abstract: Zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films with different thicknesses were evaporated onto glass substrates using the thermal evaporation technique. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that both the film and powder have cubic zinc-blende structure. The fundamental optical parameters like absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient and band gap were evaluatedmore » in transparent region of transmittance and reflectance spectrum. The optical transition of the films was found to be allowed, where the energy gap increased from 2.576 to 2.702 eV with increasing film thickness. Also, the refractive index value increase with increasing film thickness. The refractive indices evaluated through envelope method were extrapolated by Cauchy dispersion relationship over the whole spectra range. Additionally, the dispersion of refractive index was determined in terms of Wemple-DiDomenico single oscillator model. Third order susceptibility and nonlinear refractive index were determined for different thickness of ZnSe thin films.« less

Airborne Multiwavelength High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL-2) observations during TCAP 2012: vertical profiles of optical and microphysical properties of a smoke/urban haze plume over the northeastern coast of the US

DOE PAGES

Muller, Detlef; Hostetler, Chris A.; Ferrare, R. A.; ...

2014-10-10

Here, we present measurements acquired by the world's first airborne 3 backscatter (β) + 2 extinction (α) High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL-2). HSRL-2 measures particle backscatter coefficients at 355, 532, and 1064 nm, and particle extinction coefficients at 355 and 532 nm. The instrument has been developed by the NASA Langley Research Center. The instrument was operated during Phase 1 of the Department of Energy (DOE) Two-Column Aerosol Project (TCAP) in July 2012. We observed pollution outflow from the northeastern coast of the US out over the western Atlantic Ocean. Lidar ratios were 50–60 sr at 355 nm and 60–70more » sr at 532 nm. Extinction-related Ångström exponents were on average 1.2–1.7, indicating comparably small particles. Our novel automated, unsupervised data inversion algorithm retrieved particle effective radii of approximately 0.2 μm, which is in agreement with the large Angstrom exponents. We find good agreement with particle size parameters obtained from coincident in situ measurements carried out with the DOE Gulfstream-1 aircraft.« less

Optical and physical properties of stratospheric aerosols from balloon measurements in the visible and near-infrared domains. I. Analysis of aerosol extinction spectra from the AMON and SALOMON balloonborne spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berthet, Gwenaël; Renard, Jean-Baptiste; Brogniez, Colette; Robert, Claude; Chartier, Michel; Pirre, Michel

2002-12-01

Aerosol extinction coefficients have been derived in the 375-700-nm spectral domain from measurements in the stratosphere since 1992, at night, at mid- and high latitudes from 15 to 40 km, by two balloonborne spectrometers, Absorption par les Minoritaires Ozone et NOx (AMON) and Spectroscopie d'Absorption Lunaire pour l'Observation des Minoritaires Ozone et NOx (SALOMON). Log-normal size distributions associated with the Mie-computed extinction spectra that best fit the measurements permit calculation of integrated properties of the distributions. Although measured extinction spectra that correspond to background aerosols can be reproduced by the Mie scattering model by use of monomodal log-normal size distributions, each flight reveals some large discrepancies between measurement and theory at several altitudes. The agreement between measured and Mie-calculated extinction spectra is significantly improved by use of bimodal log-normal distributions. Nevertheless, neither monomodal nor bimodal distributions permit correct reproduction of some of the measured extinction shapes, especially for the 26 February 1997 AMON flight, which exhibited spectral behavior attributed to particles from a polar stratospheric cloud event.

Changes in oxidation indices and minor components of low free fatty acid and freshly extracted crude palm oils under two different storage conditions.

PubMed

Tan, Choon-Hui; Ariffin, Abdul A; Ghazali, Hasanah M; Tan, Chin-Ping; Kuntom, Ainie; Choo, Adrian Cheng-Yong

2017-06-01

This article reports on the changes of oxidation indices and minor components of low free fatty acid (FFA) and freshly extracted crude palm oils after storage at ambient (28 ± 1 C) and 60 C for 77 days. The changes in peroxide value (PV), FFA, extinction coefficient at 233 and 269 nm ( K 233 and K 269 ), bleachability index (DOBI), carotene and vitamin E contents were monitored. PV, FFA, K 233 and K 269 of both oil samples increased as storage progressed while the values of carotene and vitamin E contents decreased. At the end of storage period at 60 °C, the carotene content of low FFA crude palm oil was 4.24 ppm. The storage conditions used led to the loss of entire vitamin E fractions of both oil samples as well as a reduction in DOBI values except for freshly extracted crude palm oil stored at ambient temperature.

Optimal allocation of conservation resources to species that may be extinct.

PubMed

Rout, Tracy M; Heinze, Dean; McCarthy, Michael A

2010-08-01

Statements of extinction will always be uncertain because of imperfect detection of species in the wild. Two errors can be made when declaring a species extinct. Extinction can be declared prematurely, with a resulting loss of protection and management intervention. Alternatively, limited conservation resources can be wasted attempting to protect a species that no longer exists. Rather than setting an arbitrary level of certainty at which to declare extinction, we argue that the decision must trade off the expected costs of both errors. Optimal decisions depend on the cost of continued intervention, the probability the species is extant, and the estimated value of management (the benefit of management times the value of the species). We illustrated our approach with three examples: the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (U.S. subspecies Campephilus principalis principalis), and the mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus). The dodo was extremely unlikely to be extant, so managing and monitoring for it today would not be cost-effective unless the value of management was extremely high. The probability the Ivory-billed woodpecker is extant depended on whether recent controversial sightings were accepted. Without the recent controversial sightings, it was optimal to declare extinction of the species in 1965 at the latest. Accepting the recent controversial sightings, it was optimal to continue monitoring and managing until 2032 at the latest. The mountain pygmy-possum is currently extant, with a rapidly declining sighting rate. It was optimal to conduct as many as 66 surveys without sighting before declaring the species extinct. The probability of persistence remained high even after many surveys without sighting because it was difficult to determine whether the species was extinct or undetected. If the value of management is high enough, continued intervention can be cost-effective even if the species is likely to be extinct.

Comparison of the optical responses of O-poor and O-rich thermochromic VOX films during semiconductor-to-metal transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Zhenfei; Wu, Zhiming; Wang, Tao; Xu, Xiangdong; Li, Weizhi; Li, Wei; Jiang, Yadong

2012-09-01

O-poor and O-rich thermochromic vanadium oxide (VOX) nanostructured thin films were prepared by applying reactive direct current magnetron sputtering and post-annealing in oxygen ambient. UV-visible spectrophotometer and spectroscopic ellipsometry were used to investigate the optical properties of films. It was found that, when the O-poor VOX thin film underwent semiconductor-to-metal transition, the values of optical conductivity and extinction coefficient in the visible region increased due to the existence of occupied band-gap states. This noticeable feature, however, was not observed for the O-rich film, which showed a similar optical behavior with the stoichiometric crystalline VO2 films reported in the literatures. Moreover, the O-poor VOX film exhibits consistent variations of transmission values in the visible/near-infrared region when it undergoes semiconductor-to-metal transition.

Oil oxidation in corn flour from grains processed with alkaline cooking by use of peroxide value, UV and FTIR.

PubMed

Yahuaca-Juárez, B; Martínez-Flores, H E; Huerta-Ruelas, J A; Pless, R C; Vázquez-Landaverde, P A; Tello Santillán, R

2013-03-01

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of alkaline cooking on the oxidative stability of oil in corn flour. A central composite design was used to study the combined effect of lime concentration (%) and steep time (h) on peroxide value (PV); specific extinction coefficients at 232 and 270 nm (K232 and K270); and FTIR absorbance at 3009 cm(-1), 3444 cm(-1), and 3530 cm(-1) in oils from corn flour obtained by alkaline cooking. The results indicate that lime concentration and steep time affected the PV, K232, and K270. A decrease of 2.56 % was observed in the IR absorption bands, corresponding to the polyunsaturated fatty acids. The FTIR spectra also showed absorption bands related to the secondary oil oxidation products.

Aerosol Optical Properties Measured Onboard the Ronald H. Brown During ACE Asia as a Function of Aerosol Chemical Composition and Source Region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quinn, P. K.; Coffman, D. J.; Bates, T. S.; Welton, E. J.; Covert, D. S.; Miller, T. L.; Johnson, J. E.; Maria, S.; Russell, L.; Arimoto, R.

2004-01-01

During the ACE Asia intensive field campaign conducted in the spring of 2001 aerosol properties were measured onboard the R/V Ronald H. Brown to study the effects of the Asian aerosol on atmospheric chemistry and climate in downwind regions. Aerosol properties measured in the marine boundary layer included chemical composition; number size distribution; and light scattering, hemispheric backscattering, and absorption coefficients. In addition, optical depth and vertical profiles of aerosol 180 deg backscatter were measured. Aerosol within the ACE Asia study region was found to be a complex mixture resulting from marine, pollution, volcanic, and dust sources. Presented here as a function of air mass source region are the mass fractions of the dominant aerosol chemical components, the fraction of the scattering measured at the surface due to each component, mass scattering efficiencies of the individual components, aerosol scattering and absorption coefficients, single scattering albedo, Angstrom exponents, optical depth, and vertical profiles of aerosol extinction. All results except aerosol optical depth and the vertical profiles of aerosol extinction are reported at a relative humidity of 55 +/- 5%. An over-determined data set was collected so that measured and calculated aerosol properties could be compared, internal consistency in the data set could be assessed, and sources of uncertainty could be identified. By taking into account non-sphericity of the dust aerosol, calculated and measured aerosol mass and scattering coefficients agreed within overall experimental uncertainties. Differences between measured and calculated aerosol absorption coefficients were not within reasonable uncertainty limits, however, and may indicate the inability of Mie theory and the assumption of internally mixed homogeneous spheres to predict absorption by the ACE Asia aerosol. Mass scattering efficiencies of non-sea salt sulfate aerosol, sea salt, submicron particulate organic matter, and dust found for the ACE Asia aerosol are comparable to values estimated for ACE 1, Aerosols99, and INDOEX. Unique to the ACE Asia aerosol was the large mass fractions of dust, the dominance of dust in controlling the aerosol optical properties, and the interaction of dust with soot aerosol.

Quaternary record of aridity and mean annual precipitation based on δ15N in ratite and dromornithid eggshells from Lake Eyre, Australia.

PubMed

Newsome, Seth D; Miller, Gifford H; Magee, John W; Fogel, Marilyn L

2011-12-01

The cause(s) of the late Pleistocene megafauna extinction on the Australian continent remains largely unresolved. Unraveling climatic forcing mechanisms from direct or indirect human agents of ecosystem alteration has proven to be extremely difficult in Australia due to the lack of (1) well-dated vertebrate fossils and (2) paleo-environmental and -ecological records spanning the past approximately 100 ka when regional climatic conditions are known to have significantly varied. We have examined the nitrogen isotope composition (δ(15)N) of modern emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggshells collected along a precipitation gradient in Australia, along with modern climatological data and dietary δ(15)N values. We then used modern patterns to interpret an approximately 130-ka record of δ(15)N values in extant Dromaius and extinct Genyornis newtoni eggshells from Lake Eyre to obtain a novel mean annual precipitation (MAP) record for central Australia spanning the extinction interval. Our data also provide the first detailed information on the trophic ecology and environmental preferences of two closely related taxa, one extant and one extinct. Dromaius eggshell δ(15)N values show a significant shift to higher values during the Last Glacial Maximum and Holocene, which we interpret to indicate more frequent arid conditions (<200 mm MAP), relative to δ(15)N from samples just prior to the megafauna extinction. Genyornis eggshells had δ(15)N values reflecting wetter nesting conditions overall relative to those of coeval Dromaius, perhaps indicating that Genyornis was more reliant on mesic conditions. Lastly, the Dromaius eggshell record shows a significant decrease in δ(13)C values prior to the extinction, whereas the Genyornis record does not. Neither species showed a concomitant change in δ(15)N prior to the extinction, which suggests that a significant change in vegetation surrounding Lake Eyre occurred prior to an increase in local aridity.

Lidar Measurements of the Vertical Distribution of Aerosol Optical and Physical Properties over Central Asia

DOE PAGES

Chen, Boris B.; Sverdlik, Leonid G.; Imashev, Sanjar A.; ...

2013-01-01

The vertical structure of aerosol optical and physical properties was measured by Lidar in Eastern Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, from June 2008 to May 2009. Lidar measurements were supplemented with surface-based measurements of PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass and chemical composition in both size fractions. Dust transported into the region is common, being detected 33% of the time. The maximum frequency occurred in the spring of 2009. Dust transported to Central Asia comes from regional sources, for example, Taklimakan desert and Aral Sea basin, and from long-range transport, for example, deserts of Arabia, Northeast Africa, Iran, and Pakistan. Regional sourcesmore » are characterized by pollution transport with maximum values of coarse particles within the planetary boundary layer, aerosol optical thickness, extinction coefficient, integral coefficient of aerosol backscatter, and minimum values of the Ångström exponent. Pollution associated with air masses transported over long distances has different characteristics during autumn, winter, and spring. During winter, dust emissions were low resulting in high values of the Ångström exponent (about 0.51) and the fine particle mass fraction (64%). Dust storms were more frequent during spring with an increase in coarse dust particles in comparison to winter. The aerosol vertical profiles can be used to lower uncertainty in estimating radiative forcing.« less

A Model for the Growth of Opportunistic Macroalgae ( Enteromorpha sp.) in Tidal Estuaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins, I.; Marques, J. C.

2002-08-01

The aim of this work was to develop a model capable of simulating the gross and the net growth of Enteromorpha sp. in tidal estuaries. The model was developed for the Mondego Estuary (Western Portugal) taking into account the key factors that control green macroalgae in the area. Enteromorpha gross growth was defined as a function of light, temperature, salinity and internal nutrients (N and P). Net growth was defined as gross growth minus respiration. The model was calibrated using a set of experimental data obtained in the laboratory under semi-controlled conditions. Sub-models of tidal height and light extinction coefficient variation were included for predicting macroalgal growth in the field, which constituted the model validation. According to the results, model predictions are well within the observed results, both in the laboratory and in the field. The largest discrepancies between predicted and observed values in the field refer to winter months and July. Possibly at these periods of the year, the prevailing external conditions (very low salinity in winter and high temperature and PFD in July) induced some physiological responses by Enteromorpha, which were not described by the model (e.g. sporulation, desiccation). The model was also used to demonstrate the need to consider dynamic descriptions of the light extinction coefficient in the water column ( k) when assessing primary productivity in tidal environments. If macroalgal-specific (e.g. nutrient internal status) and site-specific parameters (e.g. minimal and maximal depth, photoperiod) are considered, the present model may be used in a broader scale.

Theoretical Study of near Neutrality. II. Effect of Subdivided Population Structure with Local Extinction and Recolonization

PubMed Central

Ohta, T.

1992-01-01

There are several unsolved problems concerning the model of nearly neutral mutations. One is the interaction of subdivided population structure and weak selection that spatially fluctuates. The model of nearly neutral mutations whose selection coefficient spatially fluctuates has been studied by adopting the island model with periodic extinction-recolonization. Both the number of colonies and the migration rate play significant roles in determining mutants' behavior, and selection is ineffective when the extinction-recolonization is frequent with low migration rate. In summary, the number of mutant substitutions decreases and the polymorphism increases by increasing the total population size, and/or decreasing the extinction-recolonization rate. However, by increasing the total size of the population, the mutant substitution rate does not become as low when compared with that in panmictic populations, because of the extinction-recolonization, especially when the migration rate is limited. It is also found that the model satisfactorily explains the contrasting patterns of molecular polymorphisms observed in sibling species of Drosophila, including heterozygosity, proportion of polymorphism and fixation index. PMID:1582566

SAGE aerosol measurements. Volume 1: February 21, 1979 to December 31, 1979

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccormick, M. P.

1985-01-01

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) satellite system, launched on February 18, 1979, provides profiles of aerosol extinction, ozone concentration, and nitrogen dioxide concentration between about 80 N and 80 S. Zonal averages, separated into sunrise and sunset events, and seasonal averages of the aerosol extinction at 1.00 microns and 0.45 microns ratios of the aerosol extinction to the molecular extinction at 1.00 microns, and ratios of the aerosol extinction at 0.45 microns to the aerosol extinction at 1.00 microns are given. The averages for 1979 are shown in tables and in profile and contour plots (as a function of altitude and latitude). In addition, temperature data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the time and location of each SAGE measurement are averaged and shown in a similar format. Typical values of the peak aerosol extinction were 0.0001 to 0.0002 km at 1.00 microns depth values for the 1.00 microns channel varied between 0.001 and 0.002 over all latitudes.

PARAMETER MONITORING FOR REAL-TIME ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR TROUBLESHOOTING

EPA Science Inventory

The paper discusses detailed numerical calculations of particle charge and extinction coefficient performed using current models. The results suggest that information about rapping reentrainment, back corona, and, possibly, sulfuric acid condensation can be gained from simultaneo...

What are the associated parameters and temporal coverage?

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2014-12-08

... Extinction Coefficient, Cloud Vertical Profile, Radar-only Liquid Water Content, Radar-only Liquid Ice Content, Vertical Flux Profile, ... ISCCP-D2like Cloud fraction, Effective Pressure, Temperature, optical depth, IWP/LWP, particle size, IR Emissivity in ...

Laser Transmission Measurements of Soot Extinction Coefficients in the Exhaust Plume of the X-34 60K-lb Thrust Fastrac Rocket Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, C. C.; Eskridge, R. H.; Lee, M. H.

2000-01-01

A four-channel laser transmissometer has been used to probe the soot content of the exhaust plume of the X-34 60k-lb thrust Fastrac rocket engine at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The transmission measurements were made at an axial location approximately equal 1.65 nozzle diameters from the exit plane and are interpreted in terms of homogeneous radial zones to yield extinction coefficients from 0.5-8.4 per meter. The corresponding soot mass density, spatially averaged over the plume cross section, is, for Rayleigh particles, approximately equal 0.7 microgram/cc, and alternative particle distributions are briefly considered. Absolute plume radiance at the laser wavelength (515 nm) is estimated from the data at approximately equal 2,200 K equivalent blackbody temperature, and temporal correlations in emission from several spatial locations are noted.

Laser Transmission Measurements of Soot Extinction Coefficients in the Exhaust Plume of the X-34 60k-lb Thrust Fastrac Rocket Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, C. C.; Eskridge, R. H.; Lee, M. H.

2000-01-01

A four-channel laser transmissometer has been used to probe the soot content of the exhaust plume of the X-34 60k-lb thrust Fastrac rocket engine at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The transmission measurements were made at an axial location about equal 1.65 nozzle diameters from the exit plane and are interpreted in terms of homogeneous radial zones to yield extinction coefficients from 0.5-8.4 per meter. The corresponding soot mass density, spatially averaged over the plume cross section, is, for Rayleigh particles, approximately equal to 0.7 micrograms/cubic cm and alternative particle distributions are briefly considered. Absolute plume radiance at the laser wavelength (515 nm) is estimated from the data at approximately equal to 2.200 K equivalent blackbody temperature, and temporal correlations in emission from several spatial locations are noted.

Measurement of phase function of aerosol at different altitudes by CCD Lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Peiyu; Yuan, Ke'e.; Yang, Jie; Hu, Shunxing

2018-02-01

The aerosols near the ground are closely related to human health and climate change, the study on which has important significance. As we all know, the aerosol is inhomogeneous at different altitudes, of which the phase function is also different. In order to simplify the retrieval algorithm, it is usually assumed that the aerosol is uniform at different altitudes, which will bring measurement error. In this work, an experimental approach is demonstrated to measure the scattering phase function of atmospheric aerosol particles at different heights by CCD lidar system, which could solve the problem of the traditional CCD lidar system in assumption of phase function. The phase functions obtained by the new experimental approach are used to retrieve the aerosol extinction coefficient profiles. By comparison of the aerosol extinction coefficient retrieved by Mie-scattering aerosol lidar and CCD lidar at night, the reliability of new experimental approach is verified.

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Evaluating the Ratios for Water Vapor and Aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, David N.

2003-01-01

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman and Rayleigh-Mie lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here those results are used to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the water vapor mixing ratio, aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, and extinction to backscatter ratio (Sa). The error equations are developed, the influence of differential transmission is studied and different laser sources are considered in the analysis. The results indicate that the temperature functions become significant when using narrowband detection. Errors of 5% and more can be introduced in the water vapor mixing ratio calculation at high altitudes and errors larger than 10% are possible for calculations of aerosol scattering ratio and thus aerosol backscatter coefficient and extinction to backscatter ratio.

Stochastic modeling of unsteady extinction in turbulent non-premixed combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lackmann, T.; Hewson, J. C.; Knaus, R. C.

Turbulent fluctuations of the scalar dissipation rate have a major impact on extinction in non-premixed combustion. Recently, an unsteady extinction criterion has been developed (Hewson, 2013) that predicts extinction dependent on the duration and the magnitude of dissipation rate fluctuations exceeding a critical quenching value; this quantity is referred to as the dissipation impulse. Furthermore, the magnitude of the dissipation impulse corresponding to unsteady extinction is related to the difficulty with which a flamelet is exintguished, based on the steady-state S-curve.

Stochastic modeling of unsteady extinction in turbulent non-premixed combustion

DOE PAGES

Lackmann, T.; Hewson, J. C.; Knaus, R. C.; ...

2016-07-19

Turbulent fluctuations of the scalar dissipation rate have a major impact on extinction in non-premixed combustion. Recently, an unsteady extinction criterion has been developed (Hewson, 2013) that predicts extinction dependent on the duration and the magnitude of dissipation rate fluctuations exceeding a critical quenching value; this quantity is referred to as the dissipation impulse. Furthermore, the magnitude of the dissipation impulse corresponding to unsteady extinction is related to the difficulty with which a flamelet is exintguished, based on the steady-state S-curve.

Investigation of spatial resolution dependent variability in transcutaneous oxygen saturation using point spectroscopy system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Philimon, Sheena P.; Huong, Audrey K. C.; Ngu, Xavier T. I.

2017-08-01

This paper aims to investigate the variation in one’s percent mean transcutaneous oxygen saturation (StO2) with differences in spatial resolution of data. This work required the knowledge of extinction coefficient of hemoglobin derivatives in the wavelength range of 520 - 600 nm to solve for the StO2 value via an iterative fitting procedure. A pilot study was conducted on three healthy subjects with spectroscopic data collected from their right index finger at different arbitrarily selected distances. The StO2 value estimated by Extended Modified Lambert Beer (EMLB) model revealed a higher mean StO2 of 91.1 ± 1.3% at a proximity distance of 30 mm compared to 60.83 ± 2.8% at 200 mm. The results showed a high correlation between data spatial resolution and StO2 value, and revealed a decrease in StO2 value as the sampling distance increased. The preliminary findings from this study contribute to the knowledge of the appropriate distance range for consistent and high repeatability measurement of skin oxygenation.

An interdisciplinary study of the estuarine and coastal oceanography of Block Island Sound and adjacent New York coastal waters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, E. F. (Principal Investigator); Hollman, R.; Alexander, J.; Nuzzi, R.

1974-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Photo-optical additive color quantitative measurements were made of ERTS-1 reprocessed positives of New York Bight and Block Island Sound. Regression of these data on almost simultaneous ship sample data of water's physical, chemical, biological, and optical properties showed that ERTS bands 5 and 6 can be used to predict the absolute value of the total number of particles and bands 4 and 5 to predict the relative extinction coefficient in New York Bight. Water masses and mixing patterns in Block Island Sound heretofore considered transient were found to be persistent phenomena requiring revision of existing mathematical and hydraulic models.

Electric field effects on the optical properties of buckled GaAs monolayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahuguna, Bhagwati Prasad; Saini, L. K.; Sharma, Rajesh O.

2018-04-01

Buckled GaAs monolayer has a direct band gap semiconductor with energy gap of 1.31 eV in the absence of electric field. When we applied transverse electric field, the value of band gap decreases with increasing of electric field strength. In our previous work [1], it is observed that the buckled GaAs monolayer becomes metallic at 1.3 V/Å. In the present work, we investigate the optical properties such as photon energy-dependent dielectric functions, extinction coefficient, refractive index, absorption spectrum and reflectivity of buckled GaAs monolayer in the semiconducting phase i.e. absence of external electric field and metallic phase i.e. presence of external electric field using density functional theory.

Long-range correlations improve understanding of the influence of network structure on contact dynamics.

PubMed

Peyrard, N; Dieckmann, U; Franc, A

2008-05-01

Models of infectious diseases are characterized by a phase transition between extinction and persistence. A challenge in contemporary epidemiology is to understand how the geometry of a host's interaction network influences disease dynamics close to the critical point of such a transition. Here we address this challenge with the help of moment closures. Traditional moment closures, however, do not provide satisfactory predictions close to such critical points. We therefore introduce a new method for incorporating longer-range correlations into existing closures. Our method is technically simple, remains computationally tractable and significantly improves the approximation's performance. Our extended closures thus provide an innovative tool for quantifying the influence of interaction networks on spatially or socially structured disease dynamics. In particular, we examine the effects of a network's clustering coefficient, as well as of new geometrical measures, such as a network's square clustering coefficients. We compare the relative performance of different closures from the literature, with or without our long-range extension. In this way, we demonstrate that the normalized version of the Bethe approximation-extended to incorporate long-range correlations according to our method-is an especially good candidate for studying influences of network structure. Our numerical results highlight the importance of the clustering coefficient and the square clustering coefficient for predicting disease dynamics at low and intermediate values of transmission rate, and demonstrate the significance of path redundancy for disease persistence.

Extinction coefficients and purity of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Zhao, B; Itkis, M E; Niyogi, S; Hu, H; Perea, D E; Haddon, R C

2004-11-01

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) hold great promise for advanced applications in aerospace, electronics and medicine, yet these industries require materials with rigorous quality control. There are currently no accepted standards for quality assurance or quality control among the commercial suppliers of SWNTs. We briefly discuss the applicability of various techniques to measure SWNT purity and review, in detail, the advantages of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the quantitative assessment of the bulk carbonaceous purity of SWNTs. We review the use of solution phase NIR spectroscopy for the analysis and characterization of a variety of carbon materials, emphasizing SWNTs produced by the electric arc (EA), laser oven (LO) and HiPco (HC) methods. We consider the applicability of Beer's law to carbon materials dispersed in dimethylformamide (DMF) and the effective extinction coefficients that are obtained from such dispersions. Analysis of the areal absorptivities of the second interband transition of semiconducting EA-produced SWNTs for a number of samples of differing purities has lead to an absolute molar extinction coefficient for the carbonaceous impurities in EA-produced SWNT samples. We conclude that NIR spectroscopy is the clear method of choice for the assessment of the bulk carbonaceous purity of EA-produced SWNTs, and we suggest that an absolute determination of the purity of SWNTs is within reach. Continued work in this area is expected to lead to a universal method for the assessment of the absolute bulk purity of SWNTs from all sources--such a development will be of great importance for nanotube science and for future customers for this product.

Dust in the Small Magellanic Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Magalhaes, A. M.

1993-01-01

Observations of reddened stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) indicate that the interstellar grains in that galaxy may show distinct optical properties from those in the Galaxy. In a careful study of three SMC objects, Prevot showed that the UV extinction law in the SMC is almost linear with inverse wavelength and the 2200A feature is generally absent. The first results of a program to determine the wavelength dependence of the interstellar optical polarization in the SMC indicate that highly polarized objects are scarce. Our study has uncovered, however, several objects with optical polarization greater than around 1 percent: AZV 126, AZV 211, AZV 221, AZV 398, and AZV 456. The latter two have already had their UV extinction law determined. Our aim was to obtain International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) data and determine the UV extinction law also for AZV 126, AZV 211, and AZV 221. AZV 456, which presents a 'galactic' extinction law, has a 'normal' value for its wavelength of maximum polarization, lmax, while AZV 398, which shows a 'typical' SMC extinction curve, shows a somewhat smaller value for such wavelength. AZV 126, AZV 211, and AZV 221 all present extreme small values of lmax but had not had its extinction curve in the W determined yet. We therefore aimed at ultimately determining the extinction law in the direction of these three objects. Such results, in combination with the optical polarization data, have an important bearing on constraining the composition and size distribution of the interstellar dust in the SMC. In the last report, the images gathered with IUE, their processing, and the extinction curves derived from them were described. Such extinction curves and the theoretical models developed to interpret the SMC extinction and polarization data are discussed. Details are presented in an enclosed preprint. The activities in our ongoing polarimetric program of determining the magnetic field structure of the SMC and the images collected at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory during the period are also briefly described. Other activities are also described.

The Optical Properties of Thin Film Reduced Graphene Oxide/Poly (3,4 Ethylenedioxtriophene):Poly (Styrene Sulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) Fabricated by Spin Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rokmana, Arinta W.; Asriani, A.; Suhendar, H.; Triyana, K.; Kusumaatmaja, A.; Santoso, I.

2018-04-01

Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) has been successfully synthesized from Graphite powder through chemical process using modified Hummers method by removing NaNO3 from reaction formula. Hydrazine hydrate 80 wt% has been chosen as reductor to eliminate the epoxy group in GO. FTIR and Uv-Vis spectroscopy result showed that Graphene Oxide (GO) and rGO were formed. Our produced rGO then used to fabricated the composite thin film rGO/PEDOT:PSS by spin coating at room temperature. The optical constant of thin film rGO/PEDOT:PSS were calculated from the absorbance spectrum of Uv-Visible spectra. The result showed that the value of coefficient absorbance of rGO dropped from 4.7×106 m-1 to 1.3×106 m-1 after doped with 0.02 mL PEDOT:PSS, then increase with the addition volume concentration of PEDOT:PSS. The value of extinction coefficient decrease from 0.31 to 0.08 after rGO doped with 0.02 ml PEDOT:PSS and then increase with the addition concentration of PEDOT:PSS. Our result show that thin film rGO/PEDOT:PSS was more transparent than that of thin film rGO.

Characterizing the Vertical Profile of Aerosol Particle Extinction and Linear Depolarization over Southeast Asia and the Maritime Continent: The 2007-2009 View from CALIOP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, James R.; Reid, Jeffrey S.; Westphal, Douglas L.; Zhang, Jianglong; Tackett, Jason L.; Chew, Boon Ning; Welton, Ellsworth J.; Shimizu, Atsushi; Sugimoto, Nobuo; Aoki, Kazuma;

Distortion of Magnetic Fields in a Starless Core. III. Polarization–Extinction Relationship in FeSt 1-457

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandori, Ryo; Tamura, Motohide; Nagata, Tetsuya; Tomisaka, Kohji; Kusakabe, Nobuhiko; Nakajima, Yasushi; Kwon, Jungmi; Nagayama, Takahiro; Tatematsu, Ken’ichi

2018-04-01

The relationship between dust polarization and extinction was determined for the cold dense starless molecular cloud core FeSt 1-457 based on the background star polarimetry of dichroic extinction at near-infrared wavelengths. Owing to the known (three-dimensional) magnetic field structure, the observed polarizations from the core were corrected by considering (a) the subtraction of the ambient polarization component, (b) the depolarization effect of inclined distorted magnetic fields, and (c) the magnetic inclination angle of the core. After these corrections, a linear relationship between polarization and extinction was obtained for the core in the range up to A V ≈ 20 mag. The initial polarization versus extinction diagram changed dramatically after the corrections of (a) to (c), with the correlation coefficient being refined from 0.71 to 0.79. These corrections should affect the theoretical interpretation of the observational data. The slope of the finally obtained polarization–extinction relationship is {P}H/{E}H-{Ks}=11.00+/- 0.72 % {mag}}-1, which is close to the statistically estimated upper limit of the interstellar polarization efficiency. This consistency suggests that the upper limit of interstellar polarization efficiency might be determined by the observational viewing angle toward polarized astronomical objects.

Selection in a subdivided population with local extinction and recolonization.

PubMed Central

Cherry, Joshua L

2003-01-01

In a subdivided population, local extinction and subsequent recolonization affect the fate of alleles. Of particular interest is the interaction of this force with natural selection. The effect of selection can be weakened by this additional source of stochastic change in allele frequency. The behavior of a selected allele in such a population is shown to be equivalent to that of an allele with a different selection coefficient in an unstructured population with a different size. This equivalence allows use of established results for panmictic populations to predict such quantities as fixation probabilities and mean times to fixation. The magnitude of the quantity N(e)s(e), which determines fixation probability, is decreased by extinction and recolonization. Thus deleterious alleles are more likely to fix, and advantageous alleles less likely to do so, in the presence of extinction and recolonization. Computer simulations confirm that the theoretical predictions of both fixation probabilities and mean times to fixation are good approximations. PMID:12807797

Aerosol Abundances and Optical Characteristics in the Pacific Basin Free Troposphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pueschel, R. F.; Livingston, J. M.; Ferry, G. V.; deFelice, T. E.

1994-01-01

During NASA's Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) mission flights in November 1989 and May 1990, a DC-8 research aircraft probed the Pacific Basin free troposphere for about 90 flight hours in each month between +72 and -62 degrees latitude, +130 and -120 degrees longitude, and up to 39,000 feet pressure altitudes. Aerosols were sampled continuously in situ by optical particle counters to measure concentration and particle size, and during 48 10-min intervals during each mission by wire impactors for concentration, size, composition, phase and shape analyses. The optical particle counters cover a particle diameter range between 0.3 and 20 microns; wire impactors extend the range down to 0.03 microns. Results of particle number, size, shape, together with the assumption of a refractive index corresponding to (NH4)2SO4 to account for the prevalence of aerosol sulfur, were utilized in a Mie algorithm to calculate aerosol extinction and backscatter for a range of wavelengths (0.385 less than lambda less than 10.64 microns). Computations for 22 randomly selected size distributions yield coefficients of extinction E(0.525) = (2.03 +/- 1.20) x 10(exp -4) km(exp -1) and backscatter beta(0.525) = (6.45 +/- 3.49) x 10(exp -6) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) in the visible, and E(10.64) = (8.13 +/- 6.47) x 10(exp -6) km(exp -1) and beta(10.64) = (9.98 +/- 10.69) x 10(exp -8) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) in the infrared, respectively. Large particles (D greater than 0.3 microns) contribute two-thirds to the total extinction in the visible (lambda = 0.525 microns), and almost 100% in the infrared (lambda = 10.64 microns). These results have been used to define an IR optical aerosol climatology of the Pacific Basin free troposphere, from which it follows that the infrared backscatter coefficient at lambda = 9.25 microns wavelength fluctuates between 5.0 x 10(exp -10) and 2.0 x 10(exp -7) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) with a modal value 2.0 x 10(exp -8) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1).

SAGE 1 and SAM 2 measurements of 1 micron aerosol extinction in the free troposphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kent, G. S.; Farrukh, U. O.; Wang, P. H.; Deepak, A.

1988-01-01

The SAGE 1 and SAM 2 satellite sensors were designed to measure, with global coverage, the 1 micron extinction produced by the stratospheric aerosol. In the absence of high altitude cloud, similar measurements may be made for the free tropospheric aerosol. Median extinction values in the Northern Hemisphere, for altitudes between 5 and 10 km, are found to be one-half to one order of magnitude greater than values at corresponding latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, a seasonal increase by a factor of 1.5 yields 2 is observed in both hemispheres in local spring and summer. Following major volcanic eruptions, a long-lived enhancement of the aerosol extinction is observed for altitudes above 5 km.

Monte Carlo study on the imaging performance of powder Lu2SiO5:Ce phosphor screens under x-ray excitation: comparison with Gd2O2S:Tb screens.

PubMed

Liaparinos, Panagiotis F; Kandarakis, Ioannis S; Cavouras, Dionisis A; Delis, Harry B; Panayiotakis, George S

2007-05-01

Lu2SiO5: Ce (LSO) scintillator is a relatively new luminescent material which has been successfully applied in positron emission tomography systems. Since it has been recently commercially available in powder form, it could be of value to investigate its performance for use in x-ray projection imaging as both physical and scintillating properties indicate a promising material for such applications. In the present study, a custom and validated Monte Carlo simulation code was used in order to examine the performance of LSO, under diagnostic radiology (mammography and general radiography) conditions. The Monte Carlo code was based on a model using Mie scattering theory for the description of light attenuation. Imaging characteristics, related to image brightness, spatial resolution and noise of LSO screens were predicted using only physical parameters of the phosphor. The overall performance of LSO powder phosphor screens was investigated in terms of the: (i) quantum detection efficiency (ii) emitted K-characteristic radiation (iii) luminescence efficiency (iv) modulation transfer function (v) Swank factor and (vi) zero-frequency detective quantum efficiency [DQE(0)]. Results were compared to the traditional rare-earth Gd2O2S:Tb (GOS) phosphor material. The relative luminescence efficiency of LSO phosphor was found inferior to that of GOS. This is due to the lower intrinsic conversion efficiency of LSO (0.08 instead of 0.15 of GOS) and the relatively high light extinction coefficient mext of this phosphor (0.239 mircom(-1) instead of 0.218 /microm(-1) for GOS). However, the property of increased light extinction combined with the rather sharp angular distribution of scattered light photons (anisotropy factor g=0.624 for LSO instead of 0.494 for GOS) reduce lateral light spreading and improve spatial resolution. In addition, LSO screens were found to exhibit better x-ray absorption as well as higher signal to noise transfer properties in the energy range from 18 keV up to 50.2 keV (e.g. DQE(0)=0.62 at 18 keV and for 34 mg/cm2, instead of 0.58 for GOS). The results indicate that certain optical properties of LSO (optical extinction coefficient, scattering anisotropy factor) combined with the relatively high x-ray coefficients, make this material a promising phosphor which, under appropriate conditions, could be considered for use in x-ray projection imaging detectors.

Sensitivity of the Lidar ratio to changes in size distribution and index of refraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, B. T. N.

1986-01-01

In order to invert lidar signals to obtain reliable extinction coefficients, sigma, a relationship between sigma and the backscatter coefficient, beta, must be given. These two coefficients are linearly related if the complex index of refraction, m, particle shape size distribution, N, does not change along the path illuminated by the laser beam. This, however, is generally not the case. An extensive Mie computation of the lidar ratio R = beta/sigma and the sensitivity of R to the changes in a parametric space defined by N and m were examined.

Chemical apportionment of aerosol optical properties during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Tingting; Xu, Weiqi; Chen, Chen; Liu, Xingang; Wang, Qingqing; Li, Jie; Zhao, Xiujuan; Du, Wei; Wang, Zifa; Sun, Yele

2015-12-01

We have investigated the chemical and optical properties of aerosol particles during the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing, China, using the highly time-resolved measurements by a high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer and a cavity attenuated phase shift extinction monitor. The average (±σ) extinction coefficient (bext) and absorption coefficient (bap) were 186.5 (±184.5) M m-1 and 23.3 (±21.9) M m-1 during APEC, which were decreased by 63% and 56%, respectively, compared to those before APEC primarily due to strict emission controls. The aerosol composition and size distributions showed substantial changes during APEC; as a response, the mass scattering efficiency (MSE) of PM1 was decreased from 4.7 m2 g-1 to 3.5 m2 g-1. Comparatively, the average single-scattering albedo (SSA) remained relatively unchanged, illustrating the synchronous reductions of bext and bap during APEC. MSE and SSA were found to increase as function of the oxidation degree of organic aerosol (OA), indicating a change of aerosol optical properties during the aging processes. The empirical relationships between chemical composition and particle extinction were established using a multiple linear regression model. Our results showed the largest contribution of ammonium nitrate to particle extinction, accounting for 35.1% and 29.3% before and during APEC, respectively. This result highlights the important role of ammonium nitrate in the formation of severe haze pollution during this study period. We also observed very different optical properties of primary and secondary aerosol. Owing to emission controls in Beijing and surrounding regions and also partly the influences of meteorological changes, the average bext of secondary aerosol during APEC was decreased by 71% from 372.3 M m-1 to 108.5 M m-1, whereas that of primary aerosol mainly from cooking, traffic, and biomass burning emissions showed a smaller reduction from 136.7 M m-1 to 71.3 M m-1. As a result, the contribution of primary aerosol to particle extinction increased from 26.8% to 39.6%, elucidating an enhanced role of local primary sources in visibility deterioration during APEC. Further analysis of chemically resolved particle extinction showed that the extinction contributions of aerosol species varied greatly between different air masses but generally with ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and secondary OA being the three major contributors.

Synthesis, characterization and optical studies of conjugated Schiff base polymer containing thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and 1,2,4-triazole groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cetin, Adnan; Korkmaz, Adem; Kaya, Esin

2018-02-01

A conjugated polyschiff base (poly(N-thieno[3,2-b]thiophen-2-yl)methylene)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine) poly(TTMA)) was synthesized by condensation polymerization between thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde and 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole. The poly(TTMA) was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectra and thermal analysis. The number average molecular weight (Mn) and polydispersity index of the poly(TTMA) were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In addition, the optical properties of the poly(TTMA) solutions were investigated at different molarities. The band gap Eg value of the poly(TTMA) decreased with the increasing molarity. The absorption band edge values of the poly(TTMA) decreased as the molarity increased. The average transmittance values of the poly(TTMA) increased with the increasing molarity and the highest values of molar extinction coefficient also were found in the near ultraviolet region. Its values decreased with the increasing molarity. These results showed that the poly(TTMA) can be used for the fabrication of many optoelectronic devices due to its suitable optical properties and low optical band gap.

Bayesian assessment of uncertainty in aerosol size distributions and index of refraction retrieved from multiwavelength lidar measurements.

PubMed

Herman, Benjamin R; Gross, Barry; Moshary, Fred; Ahmed, Samir

2008-04-01

We investigate the assessment of uncertainty in the inference of aerosol size distributions from backscatter and extinction measurements that can be obtained from a modern elastic/Raman lidar system with a Nd:YAG laser transmitter. To calculate the uncertainty, an analytic formula for the correlated probability density function (PDF) describing the error for an optical coefficient ratio is derived based on a normally distributed fractional error in the optical coefficients. Assuming a monomodal lognormal particle size distribution of spherical, homogeneous particles with a known index of refraction, we compare the assessment of uncertainty using a more conventional forward Monte Carlo method with that obtained from a Bayesian posterior PDF assuming a uniform prior PDF and show that substantial differences between the two methods exist. In addition, we use the posterior PDF formalism, which was extended to include an unknown refractive index, to find credible sets for a variety of optical measurement scenarios. We find the uncertainty is greatly reduced with the addition of suitable extinction measurements in contrast to the inclusion of extra backscatter coefficients, which we show to have a minimal effect and strengthens similar observations based on numerical regularization methods.

The spectral irradiance of the moon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kieffer, H.H.; Stone, T.C.

2005-01-01

Images of the Moon at 32 wavelengths from 350 to 2450 nm have been obtained from a dedicated observatory during the bright half of each month over a period of several years. The ultimate goal is to develop a spectral radiance model of the Moon with an angular resolution and radiometric accuracy appropriate for calibration of Earth-orbiting spacecraft. An empirical model of irradiance has been developed that treats phase and libration explicitly, with absolute scale founded on the spectra of the star Vega and returned Apollo samples. A selected set of 190 standard stars are observed regularly to provide nightly extinction correction and long-term calibration of the observations. The extinction model is wavelength-coupled and based on the absorption coefficients of a number of gases and aerosols. The empirical irradiance model has the same form at each wavelength, with 18 coefficients, eight of which are constant across wavelength, for a total of 328 coefficients. Over 1000 lunar observations are fitted at each wavelength; the average residual is less than 1%. The irradiance model is actively being used in lunar calibration of several spacecraft instruments and can track sensor response changes at the 0.1% level. ?? 2005. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Improving optical properties of silicon nitride films to be applied in the middle infrared optics by a combined high-power impulse/unbalanced magnetron sputtering deposition technique.

PubMed

Liao, Bo-Huei; Hsiao, Chien-Nan

2014-02-01

Silicon nitride films are prepared by a combined high-power impulse/unbalanced magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS/UBMS) deposition technique. Different unbalance coefficients and pulse on/off ratios are applied to improve the optical properties of the silicon nitride films. The refractive indices of the Si3N4 films vary from 2.17 to 2.02 in the wavelength ranges of 400-700 nm, and all the extinction coefficients are smaller than 1×10(-4). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry measurements reveal the amorphous structure of the Si3N4 films with extremely low hydrogen content and very low absorption between the near IR and middle IR ranges. Compared to other deposition techniques, Si3N4 films deposited by the combined HIPIMS/UBMS deposition technique possess the highest refractive index, the lowest extinction coefficient, and excellent structural properties. Finally a four-layer coating is deposited on both sides of a silicon substrate. The average transmittance from 3200 to 4800 nm is 99.0%, and the highest transmittance is 99.97% around 4200 nm.

Optical band gap studies on lithium aluminum silicate glasses doped with Cr3+ ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Diasty, Fouad; Abdel Wahab, Fathy A.; Abdel-Baki, Manal

2006-11-01

Lithium aluminum silicate glass system (LAS) implanted with chromium ions is prepared. The reflectance and transmittance measurements are used to determine the dispersion of absorption coefficient. The optical data are explained in terms of the different oxidation states adopted by the chromium ions into the glass network. It is found that the oxidation state of the chromium depends on its concentration. Across a wide spectral range, 0.2-1.6μm, analysis of the fundamental absorption edge provides values for the average energy band gaps for allowed direct and indirect transitions. The optical absorption coefficient just below the absorption edge varies exponentially with photon energy indicating the presence of Urbach's tail. Such tail is decreased with the increase of the chromium dopant. From the analysis of the optical absorption data, the absorption peak at ground state exciton energy, the absorption at band gap, and the free exciton binding energy are determined. The extinction coefficient data are used to determine the Fermi energy level of the studied glasses. The metallization criterion is obtained and discussed exploring the nature of the glasses. The measured IR spectra of the different glasses are used to throw some light on the optical properties of the present glasses correlating them with their structure and composition.

Evaluation of Two Approaches to Defining Extinction Risk under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

PubMed

Thompson, Grant G; Maguire, Lynn A; Regan, Tracey J

2018-05-01

The predominant definition of extinction risk in conservation biology involves evaluating the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of extinction time at a particular point (the "time horizon"). Using the principles of decision theory, this article develops an alternative definition of extinction risk as the expected loss (EL) to society resulting from eventual extinction of a species. Distinct roles are identified for time preference and risk aversion. Ranges of tentative values for the parameters of the two approaches are proposed, and the performances of the two approaches are compared and contrasted for a small set of real-world species with published extinction time distributions and a large set of hypothetical extinction time distributions. Potential issues with each approach are evaluated, and the EL approach is recommended as the better of the two. The CDF approach suffers from the fact that extinctions that occur at any time before the specified time horizon are weighted equally, while extinctions that occur beyond the specified time horizon receive no weight at all. It also suffers from the fact that the time horizon does not correspond to any natural phenomenon, and so is impossible to specify nonarbitrarily; yet the results can depend critically on the specified value. In contrast, the EL approach has the advantage of weighting extinction time continuously, with no artificial time horizon, and the parameters of the approach (the rates of time preference and risk aversion) do correspond to natural phenomena, and so can be specified nonarbitrarily. © 2017 Society for Risk Analysis.

Measurements of historical total ozone from the Chalonge-Divan stellar spectrum program: A reanalysis of the 1953-1972 data and a comparison with simultaneous Dobson Arosa measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffin, R. E. M.; Fioletov, V.; McConnell, J. C.

2006-06-01

We report new determinations of total ozone obtained by reanalyzing a unique set of astronomical observations that were made in the mid-20th century at observatories in France (Haute-Provence) and Switzerland (Jungfraujoch) for the purpose of calculating nightly atmospheric extinction coefficients in the UV (Rayleigh scattering and total ozone) as part of a program to measure absolute stellar fluxes. Only a small fraction of the original ozone results, corresponding to data obtained during 1958-1959, are in the public domain at the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Centre; the rest were on handwritten sheets and were stored at Haute-Provence. Both astronomical sites are close enough geographically to Arosa (Switzerland) that the respective ozone values can be compared directly. The comparison reveals a generally very close resemblance, even down to the pattern of daily variations, with a correlation coefficient of 0.78, but an overall negative bias of 6-7% in the stellar results. The bias appears to be slightly larger prior to 1958.

Abrasion resistant low friction and ultra-hard magnetron sputtered AlMgB14 coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grishin, A. M.

2016-04-01

Hard aluminum magnesium boride films were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering from a single stoichiometric AlMgB14 ceramic target. X-ray amorphous AlMgB14 films are very smooth. Their roughness does not exceed the roughness of Si wafer and Corning glass used as the substrates. Dispersion of refractive index and extinction coefficient were determined within 300 to 2500 nm range for the film deposited onto Corning glass. Stoichiometric in-depth compositionally homogeneous 2 μm thick films on the Si(100) wafer possess the peak values of nanohardness 88 GPa and Young’s modulus 517 GPa at the penetration depth of 26 nm and, respectively, 35 GPa and 275 GPa at 200 nm depth. Friction coefficient was found to be 0.06. The coating scratch adhesion strength of 14 N was obtained as the first chipping of the coating whereas its spallation failure happened at 21 N. These critical loads and the work of adhesion, estimated as high as 18.4 J m-2, surpass characteristics of diamond like carbon films deposited onto tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) substrates.

Switchgrass leaf area index and light extinction coefficients

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Biomass production simulation modeling for plant species is often dependent upon accurate simulation or measurement of canopy light interception and radiation use efficiency. With the recent interest in converting large tracts of land to biofuel species cropping, modeling vegetative yield with grea...

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICAIONS OF A STANDARD VISUAL INDEX

EPA Science Inventory

A standard visual index appropriate for characterizing visibility through uniform hazes, is defined in terms of either of the traditional metrics: visual range or extinction coefficient. This index was designed to be linear with respect to perceived visual changes over its entire...

CALIPSO V1.00 L3 IceCloud Formal Release Announcement

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2018-06-13

... The Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) at NASA Langley Research Center in collaboration with the CALIPSO mission team announces the ... distributions of ice cloud extinction coefficients and ice water content histograms on a uniform spatial grid.  All parameters are ...

Optical modulation in silicon waveguides via charge state control of deep levels.

PubMed

Logan, D F; Jessop, P E; Knights, A P; Wojcik, G; Goebel, A

2009-10-12

The control of defect mediated optical absorption at a wavelength of 1550 nm via charge state manipulation is demonstrated using optical absorption measurements of indium doped Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) rib waveguides. These measurements introduce the potential for modulation of waveguide transmission by using the local depletion and injection of free-carriers to change deep-level occupancy. The extinction ratio and modulating speed are simulated for a proposed device structure. A 'normally-off' depletion modulator is described with an extinction coefficient limited to 5 dB/cm and switching speeds in excess of 1 GHz. For a carrier injection modulator a fourfold enhancement in extinction ratio is provided relative to free carrier absorption alone. This significant improvement in performance is achieved with negligible increase in driving power but slightly degraded switching speed.

Vertically-resolved profiles of mass concentrations and particle backscatter coefficients of Asian dust plumes derived from lidar observations of silicon dioxide.

PubMed

Noh, Youngmin; Müller, Detlef; Shin, Sung-Kyun; Shin, Dongho; Kim, Young J

2016-01-01

This study presents a method to retrieve vertically-resolved profiles of dust mass concentrations by analyzing Raman lidar signals of silicon dioxide (quartz) at 546nm. The observed particle plumes consisted of mixtures of East Asian dust with anthropogenic pollution. Our method for the first time allows for extracting the contribution of the aerosol component "pure dust" contained in the aerosol type "polluted dust". We also propose a method that uses OPAC (Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds) and the mass concentrations profiles of dust in order to derive profiles of backscatter coefficients of pure dust in mixed dust/pollution plumes. The mass concentration of silicon dioxide (quartz) in the atmosphere can be estimated from the backscatter coefficient of quartz. The mass concentration of dust is estimated by the weight percentage (38-77%) of mineral quartz in Asian dust. The retrieved dust mass concentrations are classified into water soluble, nucleation, accumulation, mineral-transported and coarse mode according to OPAC. The mass mixing ratio of 0.018, 0.033, 0.747, 0.130 and 0.072, respectively, is used. Dust extinction coefficients at 550nm were calculated by using OPAC and prescribed number concentrations for each of the 5 components. Dust backscatter coefficients were calculated from the dust extinction coefficients on the basis of a lidar ratio of 45±3sr at 532nm. We present results of quartz-Raman measurements carried out on the campus of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (35.10°N, 126.53°E) on 15, 16, and 21 March 2010. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Snow stratigraphic heterogeneity within ground-based passive microwave radiometer footprints: Implications for emission modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutter, Nick; Sandells, Mel; Derksen, Chris; Toose, Peter; Royer, Alain; Montpetit, Benoit; Langlois, Alex; Lemmetyinen, Juha; Pulliainen, Jouni

2014-03-01

Two-dimensional measurements of snowpack properties (stratigraphic layering, density, grain size, and temperature) were used as inputs to the multilayer Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) microwave emission model at a centimeter-scale horizontal resolution, across a 4.5 m transect of ground-based passive microwave radiometer footprints near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Snowpack stratigraphy was complex (between six and eight layers) with only three layers extending continuously throughout the length of the transect. Distributions of one-dimensional simulations, accurately representing complex stratigraphic layering, were evaluated using measured brightness temperatures. Large biases (36 to 68 K) between simulated and measured brightness temperatures were minimized (-0.5 to 0.6 K), within measurement accuracy, through application of grain scaling factors (2.6 to 5.3) at different combinations of frequencies, polarizations, and model extinction coefficients. Grain scaling factors compensated for uncertainty relating optical specific surface area to HUT effective grain size inputs and quantified relative differences in scattering and absorption properties of various extinction coefficients. The HUT model required accurate representation of ice lenses, particularly at horizontal polarization, and large grain scaling factors highlighted the need to consider microstructure beyond the size of individual grains. As variability of extinction coefficients was strongly influenced by the proportion of large (hoar) grains in a vertical profile, it is important to consider simulations from distributions of one-dimensional profiles rather than single profiles, especially in sub-Arctic snowpacks where stratigraphic variability can be high. Model sensitivity experiments suggested that the level of error in field measurements and the new methodological framework used to apply them in a snow emission model were satisfactory. Layer amalgamation showed that a three-layer representation of snowpack stratigraphy reduced the bias of a one-layer representation by about 50%.

Characterization of soot properties in two-meter JP-8 pool fires.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suo-Anttila, Jill Marie; Jensen, Kirk A.; Blevins, Linda Gail

2005-02-01

The thermal hazard posed by large hydrocarbon fires is dominated by the radiative emission from high temperature soot. Since the optical properties of soot, especially in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as its morphological properties, are not well known, efforts are underway to characterize these properties. Measurements of these soot properties in large fires are important for heat transfer calculations, for interpretation of laser-based diagnostics, and for developing soot property models for fire field models. This research uses extractive measurement diagnostics to characterize soot optical properties, morphology, and composition in 2 m pool fires. For measurementmore » of the extinction coefficient, soot extracted from the flame zone is transported to a transmission cell where measurements are made using both visible and infrared lasers. Soot morphological properties are obtained by analysis via transmission electron microscopy of soot samples obtained thermophoretically within the flame zone, in the overfire region, and in the transmission cell. Soot composition, including carbon-to-hydrogen ratio and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration, is obtained by analysis of soot collected on filters. Average dimensionless extinction coefficients of 8.4 {+-} 1.2 at 635 nm and 8.7 {+-} 1.1 at 1310 nm agree well with recent measurements in the overfire region of JP-8 and other fuels in lab-scale burners and fires. Average soot primary particle diameters, radius of gyration, and fractal dimensions agree with these recent studies. Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory of scattering applied to the measured fractal parameters shows qualitative agreement with the trends in measured dimensionless extinction coefficients. Results of the density and chemistry are detailed in the report.« less

Structural, optical, and photoluminescence characterization of electron beam evaporated ZnS/CdSe nanoparticles thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, S. H.; Ali, H. M.

2011-01-01

Structural, optical, and photoluminescence investigations of ZnS capped with CdSe films prepared by electron beam evaporation are presented. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the ZnS/CdSe nanoparticles films contain cubic cadmium selenide and hexagonal zinc sulfide crystals and the ZnS grain sizes increased with increasing ZnS thickness. The refractive index was evaluated in terms of envelope method, which has been suggested by Swanepoel in the transparent region. The refractive index values were found to increase with increasing ZnS thickness. However, the optical band gap and the extinction coefficient were decreased with increasing ZnS thickness. Photoluminescence (PL) investigations revealed the presence of two broad emission bands. The ZnS thickness significantly influenced the PL intensities.

Engineering the Complex-Valued Constitutive Parameters of Metamaterials for Perfect Absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Pengwei; Chen, Naibo; Tang, Chaojun; Chen, Jing; Liu, Fanxin; Sheng, Saiqian; Yan, Bo; Sui, Chenghua

2017-04-01

We theoretically studied how to directly engineer the constitutive parameters of metamaterials for perfect absorbers of electromagnetic waves. As an example, we numerically investigated the necessary refractive index n and extinction coefficient k and the relative permittivity ɛ and permeability μ of a metamaterial anti-reflection layer, which could cancel the reflection from a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) thin film on a metal substrate, within the visible wavelength range from 300 to 800 nm. We found that the metamaterial anti-reflection layer should have a negative refractive index ( n < 0) for short-wavelength visible light but have a positive refractive index ( n > 0) for long-wavelength visible light. The relative permittivity ɛ and permeability μ could be fitted by the Lorentz model, which exhibited electric and magnetic resonances, respectively.

Model predictions for atmospheric air breakdown by radio-frequency excitation in large gaps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, H. K.; Mankowski, J.; Dickens, J. C.; Neuber, A. A.; Joshi, R. P.

2017-07-01

The behavior of the breakdown electric field versus frequency (DC to 100 MHz) for different gap lengths has been studied numerically at atmospheric pressure. Unlike previous reports, the focus here is on much larger gap lengths in the 1-5 cm range. A numerical analysis, with transport coefficients obtained from Monte Carlo calculations, is used to ascertain the electric field thresholds at which the growth and extinction of the electron population over time are balanced. Our analysis is indicative of a U-shaped frequency dependence, lower breakdown fields with increasing gap lengths, and trends qualitatively similar to the frequency-dependent field behavior for microgaps. The low frequency value of ˜34 kV/cm for a 1 cm gap approaches the reported DC Paschen limit.

Synthesis of Mn-doped ZnS thin films by chemical bath deposition: Optical properties in the visible region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erken, Ozge; Gunes, Mustafa; Gumus, Cebrail

2017-04-01

Transparent ZnS:Mn thin films were produced by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique at 80 °C for 4h, 6h and 8h durations. The optical properties such as optical transmittance (T %), reflectance (R %), extinction coefficient (k) and refractive index (n) were deeply investigated in terms of contribution ratio, wavelength and film thickness. The optical properties of ZnS:Mn thin films were determined by UV/vis spectrophotometer transmittance measurements in the range of λ=300-1100 nm. Optical transmittances of the films were found from 12% to 92% in the visible region. The refractive index (n) values for visible region were calculated as 1.34-5.09. However, film thicknesses were calculated between 50 and 901 nm by gravimetric analysis.

Oil film thickness measurement using airborne laser-induced water Raman backscatter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoge, F. E.; Swift, R. N.

1980-01-01

The use of laser-induced water Raman backscatter for remote thin oil film detection and thickness measurement is reported here for the first time. A 337.1-nm nitrogen laser was used to excite the 3400-cm-1 OH stretch band of natural ocean water beneath the oil slick from an altitude of 150 m. The signal strength of the 381-nm water Raman backscatter was always observed to depress when the oil was encountered and then return to its original undepressed value after complete aircraft traversal of the floating slick. After removal of background and oil fluorescence contributions, the ratio of the depressed-to-undepressed airborne water Raman signal intensities, together with laboratory measured oil extinction coefficients, is used to calculate the oil film thickness.

Determination of the refractive index and thickness of holographic silver halide materials by use of polarized reflectances.

PubMed

Beléndez, Augusto; Beléndez, Tarsicio; Neipp, Cristian; Pascual, Inmaculada

2002-11-10

A method to determine the refractive index and thickness of silver halide emulsions used in holography is presented. The emulsions are in the form of a layer of film deposited on a thick glass plate. The experimental reflectances of p-polarized light are measured as a function of the incident angles, and the values of refractive index, thickness, and extinction coefficient of the emulsion are obtained by using the theoretical equation for reflectance. As examples, five commercial holographic silver halide emulsions are analyzed. The procedure to obtain the measurements and the numerical analysis of the experimental data are simple, and agreement of the calculated reflectances, by use of the thickness and refractive index obtained, with the measured reflectances is satisfactory.

Assessing the performance of the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential for optical constants of semiconductors in the ultraviolet-visible light region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, Kousuke; Sakai, Tomohiro

2018-01-01

We report on the performance of density functional theory (DFT) with the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential and the random phase approximation dielectric function for optical constants of semiconductors in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light region. We calculate optical bandgaps Eg, refractive indices n, and extinction coefficients k of 70 semiconductors listed in the Handbook of Optical Constants of Solids [(Academic Press, 1985), Vol. 1; (Academic Press, 1991), Vol. 2; and (Academic Press, 1998), Vol. 3] and compare the results with experimental values. The results show that the calculated bandgaps and optical constants agree well with the experimental values to within 0.440 eV for Eg, 0.246-0.299 for n, and 0.207-0.598 for k in root mean squared error (RMSE). The small values of the RMSEs indicate that the optical constants of semiconductors in the UV-Vis region can be quantitatively predicted even by a low-cost DFT calculation of this type.

The measurement of atmospheric visibility with Lidar: TSC field test results

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-03-01

The report represents a technical feasibility study of the use of lidar for determining the atmospheric extinction coefficient in low visibility. Measurements were made with three laser sources: a Q-switched ruby laser, a GaAlAs diode laser array, an...

An improved cyan fluorescent protein variant useful for FRET.

PubMed

Rizzo, Mark A; Springer, Gerald H; Granada, Butch; Piston, David W

2004-04-01

Many genetically encoded biosensors use Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescent proteins to report biochemical phenomena in living cells. Most commonly, the enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP) is used as the donor fluorophore, coupled with one of several yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) variants as the acceptor. ECFP is used despite several spectroscopic disadvantages, namely a low quantum yield, a low extinction coefficient and a fluorescence lifetime that is best fit by a double exponential. To improve the characteristics of ECFP for FRET measurements, we used a site-directed mutagenesis approach to overcome these disadvantages. The resulting variant, which we named Cerulean (ECFP/S72A/Y145A/H148D), has a greatly improved quantum yield, a higher extinction coefficient and a fluorescence lifetime that is best fit by a single exponential. Cerulean is 2.5-fold brighter than ECFP and replacement of ECFP with Cerulean substantially improves the signal-to-noise ratio of a FRET-based sensor for glucokinase activation.

Through-transmission laser welding of glass fibre composite: Experimental light scattering identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cosson, Benoit; Asséko, André Chateau Akué; Dauphin, Myriam

2018-05-01

The purpose of this paper is to develop a cost-effective, efficient and quick to implement experimental optical method in order to predict the optical properties (extinction coefficient) of semi-transparent polymer composites. The extinction coefficient takes into account the effects due to the absorption and the scattering phenomena in a semi-transparent component during the laser processes, i.e. TTLW (through-transmission laser welding). The present method used a laser as light source and a reflex camera equipped with a macro lens as a measurement device and is based on the light transmission measurement through different thickness samples. The interaction between the incident laser beam and the semi-transparent composite is exanimated. The results are presented for the case of a semi-transparent composite reinforced with the unidirectional glass fiber (UD). A numerical method, ray tracing, is used to validate the experimental results. The ray tracing method is appropriate to characterize the light-scattering phenomenon in semi-transparent materials.

Experimental Determination of Infrared Extinction Coefficients of Interplanetary Dust Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spann, J. F., Jr.; Abbas, M. M.

1998-01-01

This technique is based on irradiating a single isolated charged dust particle suspended in balance by an electric field, and measuring the scattered radiation as a function of angle. The observed scattered intensity profile at a specific wavelength obtained for a dust particle of known composition is compared with Mie theory calculations, and the variable parameters relating to the particle size and complex refractive index are adjusted for a best fit between the two profiles. This leads to a simultaneous determination of the particle radius, the complex refractive index, and the scattering and extinction coefficients. The results of these experiments can be utilized to examine the IRAS and DIRBE (Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment) infrared data sets in order to determine the dust particle physical characteristics and distributions by using infrared models and inversion techniques. This technique may also be employed for investigation of the rotational bursting phenomena whereby large size cosmic and interplanetary particles are believed to fragment into smaller dust particles.

Pluto's Solar Occultation from New Horizons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Leslie; Kammer, Joshua; Steffl, Andrew J.; Gladstone, Randy; Summers, Michael; Strobel, Darrell F.; Hinson, David P.; Stern, S. Alan; Weaver, Harold A.; Olkin, Catherine; Ennico, Kimberly; McComas, Dave; New Horizons Atmospheres Science Theme Team

2017-10-01

The Alice instrument on NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft observed an ultraviolet solar occultation by Pluto's atmosphere on 2015 July 14. We derived line-of-sight abundances and local number densities for the major species (N2 and CH4) and minor hydrocarbons (C2H2, C2H4, C2H6), and line-of-sight optical depth and extinction coefficients for the haze. Our major conclusions are that (1) we confirmed temperatures in Pluto’s upper atmosphere that were colder than expected before the New Horizons flyby, with upper atmospheric temperatures near 65-68 K, and subsequently lower escape rates, (2) the lower atmosphere was very stable, placing the homopause within 12 km of the surface, (3) the abundance profiles of the “C2Hx hydrocarbons” had non-exponential density profiles that compare favorably with models for hydrocarbon production near 300-400 km and haze condensation near 200 km, and (4) haze had an extinction coefficient approximately proportional to N2 density.This work was supported by NASA’s New Horizons project.

Effect of heat treatment on properties of HfO2 film deposited by ion-beam sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huasong; Jiang, Yugang; Wang, Lishuan; Li, Shida; Yang, Xiao; Jiang, Chenghui; Liu, Dandan; Ji, Yiqin; Zhang, Feng; Chen, Deying

2017-11-01

The effects of atmosphere heat treatment on optical, stress, and microstructure properties of an HfO2 film deposited by ion-beam sputtering were systematically researched. The relationships among annealing temperature and refractive index, extinction coefficient, physical thickness, forbidden-band width, tape trailer width, Urbach energy, crystal phase structure, and stress were assessed. The results showed that 400 °C is the transformation point, and the microstructure of the HfO2 film changed from an amorphous into mixed-phase structure. Multistage phonons appeared on the HfO2 film, and the trends of the refractive index, extinction coefficient, forbidden-band width change, and Urbach energy shifted from decrease to increase. With the elevation of the annealing temperature, the film thickness increased monotonously, the compressive stress gradually turned to tensile stress, and the transformation temperature point for the stress was between 200 °C and 300 °C. Therefore, the change in the stress is the primary cause for the shifts in thin-film thickness.

Monte Carlo Study on Carbon-Gradient-Doped Silica Aerogel Insulation.

PubMed

Zhao, Y; Tang, G H

2015-04-01

Silica aerogel is almost transparent for wavelengths below 8 µm where significant energy is transferred by thermal radiation. The radiative heat transfer can be restricted at high temperature if doped with carbon powder in silica aerogel. However, different particle sizes of carbon powder doping have different spectral extinction coefficients and the doped carbon powder will increase the solid conduction of silica aerogel. This paper presents a theoretical method for determining the optimal carbon doping in silica aerogel to minimize the energy transfer. Firstly we determine the optimal particle size by combining the spectral extinction coefficient with blackbody radiation and then evaluate the optimal doping amount between heat conduction and radiation. Secondly we develop the Monte Carlo numerical method to study radiative properties of carbon-gradient-doped silica aerogel to decrease the radiative heat transfer further. The results indicate that the carbon powder is able to block infrared radiation and thus improve the thermal insulating performance of silica aerogel effectively.

Theory of scattering of electromagnetic waves of the microwave range in a turbid medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konstantinov, O. V.; Matveentsev, A. V.

2013-02-01

The coefficient of extinction of electromagnetic waves of the microwave range due to their scattering from clusters suspended in an amorphous medium and responsible for turbidity is calculated. Turbidity resembles the case when butter clusters transform water into milk. In the case under investigation, the clusters are conductors (metallic or semiconducting). The extinction coefficient is connected in a familiar way with the cross section of light scattering from an individual cluster. A new formula is derived for the light scattering cross section in the case when damping of oscillations of an electron is due only to spontaneous emission of light quanta. In this case, the resonant scattering cross section for light can be very large. It is shown that this can be observed only in a whisker nanocluster. In addition, the phonon energy on a whisker segment must be higher than the photon energy, which is close to the spacing between the electron energy levels in the cluster.

Aerosol optical properties retrieved from the future space lidar mission ADM-aeolus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinet, Pauline; Flament, Thomas; Dabas, Alain

2018-04-01

The ADM-Aeolus mission, to be launched by end of 2017, will enable the retrieval of aerosol optical properties (extinction and backscatter coefficients essentially) for different atmospheric conditions. A newly developed feature finder (FF) algorithm enabling the detection of aerosol and cloud targets in the atmospheric scene has been implemented. Retrievals of aerosol properties at a better horizontal resolution based on the feature finder groups have shown an improvement mainly on the backscatter coefficient compared to the common 90 km product.

Direct X-ray detection with hybrid solar cells based on organolead halide perovskites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gill, Hardeep Singh; Elshahat, Bassem; Sajo, Erno; Kumar, Jayant; Kokil, Akshay; Zygmanski, Piotr; Li, Lian; Mosurkal, Ravi

2014-03-01

Organolead halide perovskite materials are attracting considerable interest due to their exceptional opto-electronic properties, such as, high charge carrier mobilities, high exciton diffusion length, high extinction coefficients and broad-band absorption. These interesting properties have enabled their application in high performance hybrid photovoltaic devices. The high Z value of their constituents also makes these materials efficient for absorbing X-rays. Here we will present on the efficient use of hybrid solar cells based on organolead perovskite materials as X-ray detectors. Hybrid solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 were fabricated using facile processing techniques on patterned indium tin oxide coated glass substrates. The solar cells typically had a planar configuration of ITO/CH3NH3PbI3/P3HT/Ag. High sensitivity for X-rays due to high Z value, larger carrier mobility and better charge collection was observed. Detecting X-rays with energies relevant to medical oncology applications opens up the potential for diagnostic imaging applications.

Dielectric constant extraction of graphene nanostructured on SiC substrates from spectroscopy ellipsometry measurement using Gauss–Newton inversion method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maulina, Hervin; Santoso, Iman, E-mail: iman.santoso@ugm.ac.id; Subama, Emmistasega

2016-04-19

The extraction of the dielectric constant of nanostructured graphene on SiC substrates from spectroscopy ellipsometry measurement using the Gauss-Newton inversion (GNI) method has been done. This study aims to calculate the dielectric constant and refractive index of graphene by extracting the value of ψ and Δ from the spectroscopy ellipsometry measurement using GNI method and comparing them with previous result which was extracted using Drude-Lorentz (DL) model. The results show that GNI method can be used to calculate the dielectric constant and refractive index of nanostructured graphene on SiC substratesmore faster as compared to DL model. Moreover, the imaginary partmore » of the dielectric constant values and coefficient of extinction drastically increases at 4.5 eV similar to that of extracted using known DL fitting. The increase is known due to the process of interband transition and the interaction between the electrons and electron-hole at M-points in the Brillouin zone of graphene.« less

Influence of the nitrogen content on the optical properties of CNx films.

PubMed

Abd El-Kader, F H; Moharram, M A; Khafagia, M G; Mamdouh, Fathia

2012-11-01

Polycrystalline carbon nitride thin films were prepared by electrolysis of methanol-urea solution at different concentrations of urea to methanol and applied voltage 800 volts for 10h. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) revealed that the crystalline structure of carbon nitride films at moderate nitrogen content changed from amorphous phase to polycrystalline α-C(3)N(4), and β-C(3)N(4) phases. The optical transmission analysis of the films revealed that the band gap value for indirect allowed transitions increased with increasing nitrogen content, while the associated phonon energy value showed the opposite behavior. The refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the samples deposited with different concentrations were determined as a function of wavelength. The refractive index decreases with increasing both nitrogen content and crystallinity. The refractive index dispersion for the investigated samples is discussed in terms of the single oscillator model and oscillator parameters. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

THE MID-INFRARED EXTINCTION LAW IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, Jian; Jiang, B. W.; Xue, M. Y.

Based on photometric data from the Spitzer/SAGE survey, using red giants as extinction tracers, the mid-infrared (MIR) extinction laws in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are derived for the first time in the form of A{sub λ}/A{sub K{sub S}}. This quantity refers to the extinction in the four Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) bands (i.e., [3.6], [4.5], [5.8], and [8.0] μm) relative to the Two Micron All Sky Survey K{sub S} band at 2.16 μm. We obtain the near-infrared extinction coefficient to be E(J – H)/E(H – K{sub S} ) ≈ 1.29 ± 0.04 and E(J – K{sub S} )/E(H –more » K{sub S} ) ≈ 1.94 ± 0.04. The wavelength dependence of the MIR extinction A{sub λ}/A{sub K{sub S}} in the LMC varies from one sightline to another. The overall mean MIR extinction is A{sub [3.6]}/A{sub K{sub S}}∼0.72±0.03, A{sub [4.5]}/A{sub K{sub S}}∼0.94±0.03, A{sub [5.8]}/A{sub K{sub S}}∼0.58±0.04, and A{sub [8.0]}/A{sub K{sub S}}∼0.62±0.05. Except for the extinction in the IRAC [4.5] μm band, which may be contaminated by the 4.6 μm CO gas absorption of red giants used to trace LMC extinction, the extinction in the other three IRAC bands show a flat curve, close to the Milky Way R{sub V} = 5.5 model extinction curve, where R{sub V} is the optical total-to-selective extinction ratio. The possible systematic bias caused by the correlated uncertainties of K{sub S} – λ and J – K{sub S} is explored in terms of Monte Carlo simulations. We find that this bias could lead to an overestimation of A{sub λ}/A{sub K{sub S}} in the MIR.« less

[Pollution Characteristics and Light Extinction Effects of Water-soluble Ions in PM2.5 During Winter Hazy Days at North Suburban Nanjing].

PubMed

Zhou, Yao-yao; Ma, Yan; Zheng, Jun; Cui, Fen-ping; Wang, Li

2015-06-01

To investigate the characteristics of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 and their contribution to light extinction in haze days, on-line monitoring of PM2.5. was conducted at North Suburban Nanjing from 25 January through 3 February, 2013. Water-soluble components were collected with a particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS), and analyzed by ion chromatography (IC) for the contents of SO4(2-), NO3-, NH4+, Cl-, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ Simultaneously particle size distributions were measured using scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS). The absorption and scattering coefficients were measured by three-wavelength photoacoustic soot spectrometer (PASS-3). Trace gases (SO2, NO2 etc.) were also monitored. The results showed that the average concentrations of total water-soluble ions were 70.3 and 22.9 microg x m(-3) in haze and normal days, respectively. Secondary hygroscopic components including SO4(2-), NO3- and NH4+ were the major ionic pollutants. Hazy days favored the conversion of SO2 and NOx, to SO4(2-) and NO3-, respectively, and in particular the oxidation of NOx. Using multiple linear regression statistical method, the empirical relationship between the dry aerosol extinction coefficient and the chemical composition was established. NH4NO3 was found to be the largest contributor to aerosol extinction in winter in Nanjing, followed by (NH4)2SO4, OC and EC. In two heavy pollution events, the increase of ion concentrations was influenced by the increase of primary emissions and secondary transformation.

Optical absorption characteristics in the assessment of powder phosphor-based x-ray detectors: from nano- to micro-scale.

PubMed

Liaparinos, P F

2015-11-21

X-ray phosphor-based detectors have enormously improved the quality of medical imaging examinations through the optimization of optical diffusion. In recent years, with the development of science and technology in the field of materials, improved powder phosphors require structural and optical properties that contribute to better optical signal propagation. The purpose of this paper was to provide a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the optical absorption characteristics in the assessment of powder phosphor-based detectors (from nano- scale up to micro-scale). Variations on the optical absorption parameters (i.e. the light extinction coefficient [Formula: see text] and the percentage probability of light absorption p%) were evaluated based on Mie calculations examining a wide range of light wavelengths, particle refractive indices and sizes. To model and assess the effects of the aforementioned parameters on optical diffusion, Monte Carlo simulation techniques were employed considering: (i) phosphors of different layer thickness, 100 μm (thin layer) and 300 μm (thick layer), respectively, (ii) light extinction coefficient values, 1, 3 and 6 μm(-1), and (iii) percentage probability of light absorption p% in the range 10(-4)-10(-2). Results showed that the [Formula: see text] coefficient is high for phosphor grains in the submicron scale and for low light wavelengths. At higher wavelengths (above 650 nm), optical quanta follow approximately similar depths until interaction for grain diameter 500 nm and 1 μm. Regarding the variability of the refractive index, high variations of the [Formula: see text] coefficient occurred above 1.6. Furthermore, results derived from Monte Carlo modeling showed that high spatial resolution phosphors can be accomplished by increasing the [Formula: see text] parameter. More specifically, the FWHM was found to decrease (i.e. higher resolution): (i) 4.8% at 100 μm and (ii) 9.5%, at 300 μm layer thickness. This study attempted to examine the role of the optical absorption parameters on optical diffusion studies. A significant outcome of the present investigation was that the improvement of phosphor spatial resolution without decreasing the light collection efficiency too much can be better achieved by increasing the parameter [Formula: see text] rather than the parameter p%.

Education as a tool for addressing the extinction crisis: moving students from understanding to action.

PubMed

Moyer-Horner, Lucas; Kirby, Rebecca; Vaughan, Christopher

2010-12-01

Human activity is leading to mass species extinctions worldwide. Conservation biology (CB) courses, taught worldwide at universities, typically focus on the proximal causes of extinction without teaching students how to respond to this crisis. The Extinction of Species 360 course has been taught yearly each fall semester to several hundred students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for over two decades. In 2007 the instructor and five teaching assistants combined principles driving extinctions, based on traditional lectures and discussion sections, with action-oriented education targeting individual consumer habits, to a group of 285 students. Students learn the science underpinning conservation efforts, as evidenced by highly significant learning (< .001) gains in a 22 question survey in every measured category, and also make direct and immediate changes in their lifestyle and consumption habits. This course succeeded in each of its three primary goals: a) informed students about the value of and threats to biodiversity, similar to traditional CB courses, b) emphasized our personal role (as consumers) in perpetuating the extinction crisis and c) facilitated activities to reduce our impact and help alleviate the crisis. The results suggested students learned CB concepts and understood biodiversity's value, increased their awareness of the connection between personal consumption and extinction, and reduced their collective ecological footprints. Furthermore, students complemented their learning and multiplied the potential for consumption reduction, by participating in action-based activities. Such academic courses can provide a rigorous treatment of the direct and indirect causes of extinction while developing a student's sense of personal empowerment to help slow the extinction crisis.

Measurements of Extensive Aerosol Optical Properties During TexAQS II: Implications for PM Compliance and Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, M. E.; Atkinson, D. B.; Luke, W. T.

2007-12-01

In 2000, the Houston-Galveston Area (HGA) was designated as a non-attainment area for several criteria air pollutants by the US EPA. In order to meet the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, the Second Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS II) was designed to update the State Implementation Plan (SIP) by providing scientific air quality data over 18 months from June 2005 to October 2006. The data presented here was collected as part of the Texas Radical and Aerosol Measurement Program (TRAMP), a substudy of TexAQS II. Bulk aerosol optical properties were measured for six weeks atop the 60 m high Southwest Moody Tower on the University of Houston campus. The measurements were collected using a cavity ring-down transmissometer/nephelometer (CRDT/N) and consisted of the extensive aerosol coefficients: extinction (bext) at 532 and 1064 nm and scattering (bscat) at 530nm. In addition to daily and whole study averages and calculated mass values, positive correlations between the 1064 nm extinction and 532 nm absorption (babs = bext - bscat) values are displayed for this study period for the first time. Correlation between the particle scattering coefficient and the sum of AMS measured (UNH - PI: R. Griffin) sulfate and organic particle mass concentrations as well as covariance between optical properties and O3, CO and NOx values (ARL/NOAA - PI: W. Luke) are also examined. No correlation is expected between coarse particles (PM10), which are typically primary biogenic suspended soil minerals or windblown dust, and high ozone concentrations. Ozone levels are highest during periods of low wind when coarse particulate is likely to be at a minimum. On the other hand, secondary particles and O3 should be correlated on short time scales because both species tend to have the same precursors, NOx and VOC's, and formation of particles is favored during stagnant conditions. Fine particles (PM2.5) should also correlate with CO since both species have a common emission source. Wind roses are compared with pollution roses for each week of the study period, allowing for cluster analysis. Overall, the optical properties appear to be an effective measure of air quality when compared to other measurement techniques. Implications for aerosol effects on regional climate from long-range transport and synoptic scale recirculation are discussed.

Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows as Probes of Environment and Blastwave Physics. 1; Absorption by Host Galaxy Gas and Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Starling, R. L. C.; Wijers, R. A. M. J.; Wiersema, K.; Rol, E.; Curran, P. A.; Kouveliotou, C.; vanderHorst, A. J.; Heemskerk, M. H. M.

2006-01-01

We use a new approach to obtain limits on the absorbing columns towards an initial sample of 10 long Gamma-Ray Bursts observed with BeppoSAX and selected on the basis of their good optical and nIR coverage, from simultaneous fits to nIR, optical and X-ray afterglow data, in count space and including the effects of metallicity. In no cases is a MIV-like ext,inction preferred, when testing MW, LMC and SMC extinction laws. The 2175A bump would in principle be detectable in all these afterglows, but is not present in the data. An SMC-like gas-to-dust ratio or lower value can be ruled out for 4 of the hosts analysed here (assuming Sh4C metallicity and extinction law) whilst the remainder of the sample have too large an error to discriminate. We provide a more accurate estimate of the line-of-sight extinction and improve upon the uncertainties for the majority of the extinction measurements made in previous studies of this sample. We discuss this method to determine extinction values in comparison with the most commonly employed existing methods.

MAX-DOAS retrieval of aerosol extinction properties in Madrid, Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shanshan; Cuevas, Carlos A.; Frieß, Udo; Saiz-Lopez, Alfonso

2017-04-01

We present Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements performed in the urban environment of Madrid, Spain, from March to September 2015. The O4 absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral region was used to retrieve the aerosol extinction profile using an inversion algorithm. The results show a good agreement between the hourly retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the correlative Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) product. Higher AODs are found in the summer season due to the more frequent occurrence of Saharan dust intrusions. The surface aerosol extinction coefficient as retrieved by the MAX-DOAS measurements was also compared to in situ PM2:5 concentrations. The level of agreement between both measurements indicates that the MAX-DOAS retrieval has the ability to characterize the extinction of aerosol particles near the surface. The retrieval algorithm was also used to study a case of severe dust intrusion on 12 May 2015. The capability of the MAX-DOAS retrieval to recognize the dust event including an elevated particle layer is investigated along with air mass back-trajectory analysis.

Uncertainties in the interstellar extinction curve and the Cepheid distance to M101

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nataf, David M.

2015-05-01

I revisit the Cepheid-distance determination to the nearby spiral galaxy M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) of Shappee & Stanek, in light of several recent investigations questioning the shape of the interstellar extinction curve at λ ≈ 8000 Å (i.e. the I band). I find that the relatively steep extinction ratio AI/E(V - I) = 1.1450 from Fitzpatrick & Massa is slightly favoured relative to AI/E(V - I) = 1.2899 from Fitzpatrick and significantly favoured relative the historically canonical value of AI/E(V - I) = 1.4695, from Cardelli et al. The steeper extinction curves, with lower values of AI/E(V - I), yield fits with reduced scatter, metallicity dependences to the dereddened Cepheid luminosities that are closer to values inferred in the Local Group, and that are less sensitive to the choice of reddening cut imposed in the sample selection. The increase in distance modulus to M101 when using the preferred extinction curve is Δμ ˜ 0.06 mag, resulting in the estimate of the distance modulus to M101 relative to the LMC is ΔμLMC ≈ 10.72 ± 0.03 (stat). The best-fitting metallicity dependence is dMI/d{[O/H]} ≈ (-0.38 ± 0.14 (stat)) mag dex-1.

Ion beam and dual ion beam sputter deposition of tantalum oxide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cevro, Mirza; Carter, George

1994-11-01

Ion beam sputter deposition (IBS) and dual ion beam sputter deposition (DIBS) of tantalum oxide films was investigated at room temperature and compared with similar films prepared by e-gun deposition. Optical properties ie refractive index and extinction coefficient of IBS films were determined in the 250 - 1100 nm range by transmission spectrophotometry and at (lambda) equals 632.8 nm by ellipsometry. They were found to be mainly sensitive to the partial pressure of oxygen used as a reactive gas in the deposition process. The maximum value of the refractive index of IBS deposited tantalum oxide films was n equals 2.15 at (lambda) equals 550 nm and the extinction coefficient of order k equals 2 X 10-4. Films deposited by e-gun deposition had refractive index n equals 2.06 at (lambda) equals 550 nm. Films deposited using DIBS ie deposition assisted by low energy Ar and O2 ions (Ea equals 0 - 300 eV) and low current density (Ji equals 0 - 40 (mu) A/cm2) showed no improvement in the optical properties of the films. Preferential sputtering occurred at Ea(Ar) equals 300 eV and Ji equals 20 (mu) A/cm2 and slightly oxygen deficient films were formed. Different bonding states in the tantalum-oxide films were determined by x-ray spectroscopy while composition of the film and contaminants were determined by Rutherford scattering spectroscopy. Tantalum oxide films formed by IBS contained relatively high Ar content (approximately equals 2.5%) originating from the reflected argon neutrals from the sputtering target while assisted deposition slightly increased the Ar content. Stress in the IBS deposited films was measured by the bending technique. IBS deposited films showed compressive stress with a typical value of s equals 3.2 X 109 dyn/cm2. Films deposited by concurrent ion bombardment showed an increase in the stress as a function of applied current density. The maximum was s approximately equals 5.6 X 109 dyn/cm2 for Ea equals 300 eV and Ji equals 35 (mu) A/cm2. All deposited films were amorphous as measured by the x-ray diffraction method.

Ion-beam and dual-ion-beam sputter deposition of tantalum oxide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cevro, Mirza; Carter, George

1995-02-01

Ion-beam sputter deposition (IBS) and dual-ion-beam sputter deposition (DIBS) of tantalum oxide films was investigated at room temperature and compared with similar films prepared by e-gun deposition. The optical properties, i.e., refractive index and extinction coefficient, of IBS films were determined in the 250- to 1100-nm range by transmission spectrophotometry and at (lambda) equals 632.8 nm by ellipsometry. They were found to be mainly sensitive to the partial pressure of oxygen used as a reactive gas in the deposition process. The maximum value of the refractive index of IBS deposited tantalum oxide films was n equals 2.15 at (lambda) equals 550 nm and the extinction coefficient of order k equals 2 X 10-4. Films deposited by e-gun deposition had refractive index n 2.06 at (lambda) equals 550 nm. Films deposited using DIBS, i.e., deposition assisted by low energy Ar and O2 ions (Ea equals 0 to 300 eV) and low current density (Ji equals 0 to 40 (mu) A/cm2), showed no improvement in the optical properties of the films. Preferential sputtering occurred at Ea(Ar) equals 300 eV and Ji equals 20 (mu) A/cm2 and slightly oxygen deficient films were formed. Different bonding states in the tantalum-oxide films were determined by x-ray spectroscopy, whereas composition of the film and contaminants were determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). Tantalum oxide films formed by IBS contained relatively high Ar content (approximately equals 2.5%) originating from the reflected argon neutrals from the sputtering target whereas assisted deposition slightly increased the Ar content. Stress in the IBS-deposited films was measured by the bending technique. IBS-deposited films showed compressive stress with a typical value of s equals 3.2 X 109 dyn/cm2. Films deposited by concurrent ion bombardment showed an increase in the stress as a function of applied current density. The maximum was s approximately equals 5.6 X 109 dyn/cm2 for Ea equals 300 eV and Ji equals 35 (mu) A/cm2. All deposited films were amorphous as measured by the x-ray diffraction (XRD) method.

Light scattering and extinction measurements combined with laser-induced incandescence for the real-time determination of soot mass absorption cross section.

PubMed

Wei, Yiyi; Ma, Lulu; Cao, Tingting; Zhang, Qing; Wu, Jun; Buseck, Peter R; Thompson, J E

2013-10-01

An aerosol albedometer was combined with laser-induced incandescence (LII) to achieve simultaneous measurements of aerosol scattering, extinction coefficient, and soot mass concentration. Frequency doubling of a Nd:YAG laser line resulted in a colinear beam of both λ = 532 and 1064 nm. The green beam was used to perform cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), with simultaneous measurements of scattering coefficient made through use of a reciprocal sphere nephelometer. The 1064 nm beam was selected and directed into a second integrating sphere and used for LII of light-absorbing kerosene lamp soot. Thermal denuder experiments showed the LII signals were not affected by the particle mixing state when laser peak power was 1.5-2.5 MW. The combined measurements of optical properties and soot mass concentration allowed determination of mass absorption cross section (M.A.C., m(2)/g) with 1 min time resolution when soot concentrations were in the low microgram per cubic meter range. Fresh kerosene nanosphere soot (ns-soot) exhibited a mean M.A.C and standard deviation of 9.3 ± 2.7 m(2)/g while limited measurements on dry ambient aerosol yielded an average of 8.2 ± 5.9 m(2)/g when soot was >0.25 μg/m(3). The method also detected increases in M.A.C. values associated with enhanced light absorption when polydisperse, laboratory-generated ns-soot particles were embedded within or coated with ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and glycerol. Glycerol coatings produced the largest fractional increase in M.A.C. (1.41-fold increase), while solid coatings of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate produced increases of 1.10 and 1.06, respectively. Fresh, ns-soot did not exhibit increased M.A.C. at high relative humidity (RH); however, lab-generated soot coated with ammonium nitrate and held at 85% RH exhibited M.A.C. values nearly double the low-humidity case. The hybrid instrument for simultaneously tracking soot mass concentration and aerosol optical properties in real time is a valuable tool for probing enhanced absorption by soot at atmospherically relevant concentrations.

Study on laser and infrared attenuation performance of carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiang-cui; Liu, Qing-hai; Dai, Meng-yan; Cheng, Xiang; Fang, Guo-feng; Zhang, Tong; Liu, Haifeng

2014-11-01

In recent years, the weapon systems of laser and infrared (IR) imaging guidance have been widely used in modern warfare because of their high precision and strong anti-interference. However, military smoke, a rapid and effective passive jamming method, can effectively counteract the attack of precision-guided weapons by their scattering and absorbing effects. The traditional smoke has good visible light (0.4-0.76μm) obscurant performance, but hardly any effects to other electromagnetic wave bands while the weapon systems of laser and IR imaging guidance usually work in broad band, including the near-infrared (1-3μm), middle-infrared (3-5μm), far-infrared (8-14μm), and so on. Accordingly, exploiting new effective obscurant materials has attracted tremendous interest worldwide nowadays. As is known, the nano-structured materials have lots of unique properties comparing with the traditional materials suggesting that they might be the perfect alternatives to solve the problems above. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are well-ordered, all-carbon hollow graphitic nano-structured materials with a high aspect ratio, lengths from several hundred nanometers to several millimeters. CNTs possess many unique intrinsic physical-chemical properties and are investigated in many areas reported by the previous studies. However, no application research about CNTs in smoke technology field is reported yet. In this paper, the attenuation performances of CNTs smoke to laser and IR were assessed in 20m3 smoke chamber. The testing wavebands employed in experiments are 1.06μm and 10.6μm laser, 3-5μm and 8-14μm IR radiation. The main parameters were obtained included the attenuation rate, transmission rate, mass extinction coefficient, etc. The experimental results suggest that CNTs smoke exhibits excellent attenuation ability to the broadband IR radiation. Their mass extinction coefficients are all above 1m2·g-1. Nevertheless, the mass extinction coefficients vary with the sampling time and smoke particles concentrations, even in the same testing waveband. With the time going the mass extinction coefficients will increase gradually. Based on the above results, theoretical calculations are also carried out for further exploitations. In general, CNTs smoke behaves excellent attenuation ability toward laser and IR under the experimental conditions. Therefore, they have great potentials to develop new smoke obscurant materials which could effectively interfere with broadband IR radiation including 1.06μm, 10.6μm, 3-5μm and 8-12μm IR waveband.

Derivation of atmospheric extinction profiles and wind speed over the ocean from a satellite-borne lidar.

PubMed

Weinman, J A

1988-10-01

A simulated analysis is presented that shows that returns from a single-frequency space-borne lidar can be combined with data from conventional visible satellite imagery to yield profiles of aerosol extinction coefficients and the wind speed at the ocean surface. The optical thickness of the aerosols in the atmosphere can be derived from visible imagery. That measurement of the total optical thickness can constrain the solution to the lidar equation to yield a robust estimate of the extinction profile. The specular reflection of the lidar beam from the ocean can be used to determine the wind speed at the sea surface once the transmission of the atmosphere is known. The impact on the retrieved aerosol profiles and surface wind speed produced by errors in the input parameters and noise in the lidar measurements is also considered.

Infrared extinction and microwave absorption properties of hybrid Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag nanospheres synthesized via a facile seed-mediated growth route.

PubMed

Chen, Yongpeng; Li, Shichuan; Wei, Xuebin; Tang, Runze; Zhou, Zunning

2018-06-21

Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag ternary hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile seed-mediated growth route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements were used to characterize the as-prepared product. The results indicated that the nanoparticles exhibited excellent magnetic properties and an extremely dense structure with Ag layer thicknesses of 30 nm, 40 nm, and 50 nm. Furthermore, the microwave shielding effectiveness exceeded 20 dB over almost the entire frequency range (2-18 GHz), and the effectiveness obviously improved as the thickness of the Ag layer increased. In addition, the IR extinction coefficient of the nanoparticles was calculated by a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, which showed that the nanoparticles can inherit the extinction performance of pure silver when the Ag shell thickness was 30 nm. Specifically, after assembling into chains, the peak position of the IR extinction curves displayed a significant redshift and an intensity increase as the number of nanoparticles increased in the chain, which dramatically promoted the IR extinction capability. As a result, the Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag nanoparticles are expected to be used as a new multispectral interference material. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Dietary controls on extinction versus survival among avian megafauna in the late Pleistocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox-Dobbs, Kena; Stidham, Thomas A.; Bowen, Gabriel J.; Emslie, Steven D.; Koch, Paul L.

2006-08-01

The late Pleistocene extinction decimated terrestrial megafaunal communities in North America, but did not affect marine mammal populations. In coastal regions, marine megafauna may have provided a buffer that allowed some large predators or scavengers, such as California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), to survive into the Holocene. To track the influence of marine resources on avifaunas we analyzed the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope composition of collagen from late Pleistocene vultures and raptors, including species that survived the extinction (condor, bald eagle, golden eagle) and extinct species (teratorn, black vulture). At the Rancho La Brea and McKittrick tar pits of southern California, isotope values for extinct teratorns (Teratornis merriami, n = 10) and black vultures (Coragyps occidentalis, n = 8) show that they fed entirely in a terrestrial C3 ecosystem. In contrast, La Brea condors cluster into two groups, one with a terrestrial diet (n = 4), and the other with a strong marine influence (n = 5). At localities in the American southwest, Texas, and Florida, where condors became extinct, they have isotope values indicating entirely terrestrial diets (n = 10). Our results suggest that dependence upon terrestrial megafaunal carrion as a food source led to the extinction of inland California condor populations and coastal populations of teratorns and black vultures at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary, whereas use of marine foods allowed coastal condor populations to survive.

Inversion of solar extinction data from the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (ASTP/SAM) experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pepin, T. J.

1977-01-01

The inversion methods are reported that have been used to determine the vertical profile of the extinction coefficient due to the stratospheric aerosols from data measured during the ASTP/SAM solar occultation experiment. Inversion methods include the onion skin peel technique and methods of solving the Fredholm equation for the problem subject to smoothing constraints. The latter of these approaches involves a double inversion scheme. Comparisons are made between the inverted results from the SAM experiment and near simultaneous measurements made by lidar and balloon born dustsonde. The results are used to demonstrate the assumptions required to perform the inversions for aerosols.

Population dynamical behavior of Lotka-Volterra system under regime switching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoyue; Jiang, Daqing; Mao, Xuerong

2009-10-01

In this paper, we investigate a Lotka-Volterra system under regime switching where B(t) is a standard Brownian motion. The aim here is to find out what happens under regime switching. We first obtain the sufficient conditions for the existence of global positive solutions, stochastic permanence and extinction. We find out that both stochastic permanence and extinction have close relationships with the stationary probability distribution of the Markov chain. The limit of the average in time of the sample path of the solution is then estimated by two constants related to the stationary distribution and the coefficients. Finally, the main results are illustrated by several examples.

Crop parameters for modeling sugarcane under rainfed conditions in Mexico

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Crop models with well-tested parameters can improve sugarcane productivity for food and biofuel generation. This study aimed to (i) calibrate the light extinction coefficient (k) and other crop parameters for the sugarcane cultivar CP 72-2086, an early-maturing cultivar grown in Mexico and many oth...

Efficient iodine-free dye-sensitized solar cells employing truxene-based organic dyes.

PubMed

Zong, Xueping; Liang, Mao; Chen, Tao; Jia, Jiangnan; Wang, Lina; Sun, Zhe; Xue, Song

2012-07-07

Two new truxene-based organic sensitizers (M15 and M16) featuring high extinction coefficients were synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells employing cobalt electrolyte. The M16-sensitized device displays a 7.6% efficiency at an irradiation of AM1.5 full sunlight.

Radical Recombination Kinetics: An Experiment in Physical Organic Chemistry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pickering, Miles

1980-01-01

Describes a student kinetic experiment involving second order kinetics as well as displaying photochromism using a wide variety of techniques from both physical and organic chemistry. Describes measurement of (1) the rate of the recombination reaction; (2) the extinction coefficient; and (3) the ESR spectrometer signal. (Author/JN)

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48% more heating in the atmosphere and 21% more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. Additionally, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with a version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in the northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model low-bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AODmore » and extinction profiles averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II underlying the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE PAGES

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.; ...

2016-01-18

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48% more heating in the atmosphere and 21% more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. Additionally, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE PAGES

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.; ...

2015-06-19

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with a version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in the northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model low-bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AODmore » and extinction profiles averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II underlying the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Generalized Radiative Transfer as an Efficient Computational Tool for Spatial and/or Spectral Integration over Unresolved Variability in Multi-Angle Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, A. B.; Xu, F.; Diner, D. J.

2017-12-01

Two perennial problems in applied theoretical and computational radiative transfer (RT) are: (1) the impact of unresolved spatial variability on large-scale fluxes (in climate models) or radiances (in remote sensing); and (2) efficient-yet-accurate estimation of broadband spectral integrals in radiant energy budget estimation as well as in remote sensing, in particular, of trace gases.Generalized RT (GRT) is a modification of classic RT in an optical medium with uniform extinction where Beer's exponential law for direct transmission is replaced by a monotonically decreasing function with a slower power-law decay. In a convenient parameterized version of GRT, mean extinction replaces the uniform value and just one new property is introduced. As a non-dimensional metric for the unresolved variability, we use the square of the mean extinction coefficient divided by its variance. This parameter is also the exponent of the power-law tail of the modified transmission law.This specific form of sub-exponential transmission has explored for almost two decades in application to spatial variability in the presence of long-range correlations, much like in turbulent media such as clouds, with a focus on multiple scattering. It has also been proposed by Conley and Collins (JQSRT, 112, 1525-, 2011) to improve on the standard (weak-line) implementation of the correlated-k technique for efficient spectral integration.We have merged these two applications within a rigorous formulation of the combined problem, and solve the new integral RT equations in the single-scattering limit. The result is illustrated by addressing practical problems in multi-angle remote sensing of aerosols using the O2 A-band, an emerging methodology for passive profiling of coarse aerosols and clouds.

Vertical Structure of Ice Cloud Layers From CloudSat and CALIPSO Measurements and Comparison to NICAM Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ham, Seung-Hee; Sohn, Byung-Ju; Kato, Seiji; Satoh, Masaki

2013-01-01

The shape of the vertical profile of ice cloud layers is examined using 4 months of CloudSat and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) global measurements taken on January, April, July, and October 2007. Ice clouds are selected using temperature profiles when the cloud base is located above the 253K temperature level. The obtained ice water content (IWC), effective radius, or extinction coefficient profiles are normalized by their layer mean values and are expressed in the normalized vertical coordinate, which is defined as 0 and 1 at the cloud base and top heights, respectively. Both CloudSat and CALIPSO observations show that the maximum in the IWC and extinction profiles shifts toward the cloud bottom, as the cloud depth increases. In addition, clouds with a base reaching the surface in a high-latitude region show that the maximum peak of the IWC and extinction profiles occurs near the surface, which is presumably due to snow precipitation. CloudSat measurements show that the seasonal difference in normalized cloud vertical profiles is not significant, whereas the normalized cloud vertical profile significantly varies depending on the cloud type and the presence of precipitation. It is further examined if the 7 day Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM) simulation results from 25 December 2006 to 1 January 2007 generate similar cloud profile shapes. NICAM IWC profiles also show maximum peaks near the cloud bottom for thick cloud layers and maximum peaks at the cloud bottom for low-level clouds near the surface. It is inferred that oversized snow particles in the NICAM cloud scheme produce a more vertically inhomogeneous IWC profile than observations due to quick sedimentation.

Structural, morphological, and optical characterizations of Mo, CrN and Mo:CrN sputtered coatings for potential solar selective applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, Khalil; Mahbubur Rahman, M.; Taha, Hatem; Mohammadpour, Ehsan; Zhou, Zhifeng; Yin, Chun-Yang; Nikoloski, Aleksandar; Jiang, Zhong-Tao

2018-05-01

Mo, CrN, and Mo:CrN sputtered coatings synthesized onto silicon Si(100) substrates were investigated as solar selective surfaces and their potential applications in optical devices. These coatings were characterized using XRD, SEM, UV-vis, and FTIR techniques. XRD investigation, showed a change in CrN thin film crystallite characteristic due to Mo doping. Compared to the CrN coating, the Mo:CrN film has a higher lattice parameter and lower grain size of 4.19 nm and 106.18 nm, respectively. FESEM morphology confirmed the decrement in Mo:CrN crystal size due to Mo doping. Optical analysis showed that in the visible range of the solar spectrum, the CrN coatings exhibit the highest solar absorptance of 66% while the lowest thermal emittance value of 5.67 was recorded for the CrN coating doped with Mo. Consequently, the highest solar selectivity of 9.6, and the energy band-gap of 2.88 eV were achieved with the Mo-doped CrN coatings. Various optical coefficients such as optical absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, real and imaginary parts of dielectric constants, and energy loss functions of these coatings were also estimated from the optical reflectance data recorded in the wavelength range of 190-2300 nm.

Spectral dependence of backscattering coefficient of mixed phase clouds over West Africa measured with two-wavelength Raman polarization lidar: Features attributed to ice-crystals corner reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veselovskii, I.; Goloub, P.; Podvin, T.; Tanre, D.; Ansmann, A.; Korenskiy, M.; Borovoi, A.; Hu, Q.; Whiteman, D. N.

2017-11-01

The existing models predict that corner reflection (CR) of laser radiation by simple ice crystals of perfect shape, such as hexagonal columns or plates, can provide a significant contribution to the ice cloud backscattering. However in real clouds the CR effect may be suppressed due to crystal deformation and surface roughness. In contrast to the extinction coefficient, which is spectrally independent, consideration of diffraction associated with CR results in a spectral dependence of the backscattering coefficient. Thus measuring the spectral dependence of the cloud backscattering coefficient, the contribution of CR can be identified. The paper presents the results of profiling of backscattering coefficient (β) and particle depolarization ratio (δ) of ice and mixed-phase clouds over West Africa by means of a two-wavelength polarization Mie-Raman lidar operated at 355 nm and 532 nm during the SHADOW field campaign. The lidar observations were performed at a slant angle of 43 degree off zenith, thus CR from both randomly oriented crystals and oriented plates could be analyzed. For the most of the observations the cloud backscatter color ratio β355/β532 was close to 1.0, and no spectral features that might indicate the presence of CR of randomly oriented crystals were revealed. Still, in two measurement sessions we observed an increase of backscatter color ratio to a value of nearly 1.3 simultaneously with a decrease of the spectral depolarization ratio δ355/δ532 ratio from 1.0 to 0.8 inside the layers containing precipitating ice crystals. We attribute these changes in optical properties to corner reflections by horizontally oriented ice plates.

[On the extinction of populations with several types in a random environment].

PubMed

Bacaër, Nicolas

2018-03-01

This study focuses on the extinction rate of a population that follows a continuous-time multi-type branching process in a random environment. Numerical computations in a particular example inspired by an epidemic model suggest an explicit formula for this extinction rate, but only for certain parameter values. Copyright © 2018 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Experimental determination of the absorption cross-section and molar extinction coefficient of CdSe and CdTe nanowires.

PubMed

Protasenko, Vladimir; Bacinello, Daniel; Kuno, Masaru

2006-12-21

Absorption cross-sections and corresponding molar extinction coefficients of solution-based CdSe and CdTe nanowires (NWs) are determined. Chemically grown semiconductor NWs are made via a recently developed solution-liquid-solid (SLS) synthesis, employing low melting Au/Bi bimetallic nanoparticle "catalysts" to induce one-dimensional (1D) growth. Resulting wires are highly crystalline and have diameters between 5 and 12 nm as well as lengths exceeding 10 microm. Narrow diameters, below twice the corresponding bulk exciton Bohr radius of each material, place CdSe and CdTe NWs within their respective intermediate to weak confinement regimes. Supporting this are solution linear absorption spectra of NW ensembles showing blue shifts relative to the bulk band gap as well as structure at higher energies. In the case of CdSe, the wires exhibit band edge emission as well as strong absorption/emission polarization anisotropies at the ensemble and single-wire levels. Analogous photocurrent polarization anisotropies have been measured in recently developed CdSe NW photodetectors. To further support fundamental NW optical/electrical studies as well as to promote their use in device applications, experimental absorption cross-sections are determined using correlated transmission electron microscopy, UV/visible extinction spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Measured CdSe NW cross-sections for 1 microm long wires (diameters, 6-42 nm) range from 6.93 x 10(-13) to 3.91 x 10(-11) cm2 at the band edge (692-715 nm, 1.73-1.79 eV) and between 3.38 x 10(-12) and 5.50 x 10(-11) cm2 at 488 nm (2.54 eV). Similar values are obtained for 1 microm long CdTe NWs (diameters, 7.5-11.5 nm) ranging from 4.32 x 10(-13) to 5.10 x 10(-12) cm2 at the band edge (689-752 nm, 1.65-1.80 eV) and between 1.80 x 10(-12) and 1.99 x 10(-11) cm2 at 2.54 eV. These numbers compare well with previous theoretical estimates of CdSe/CdTe NW cross-sections far to the blue of the band edge, having order of magnitude values of 1.0 x 10(-11) cm2 at 488 nm. In all cases, experimental NW absorption cross-sections are 4-5 orders of magnitude larger than those for corresponding colloidal CdSe and CdTe quantum dots. Even when volume differences are accounted for, band edge NW cross-sections are larger by up to a factor of 8. When considered along with their intrinsic polarization sensitivity, obtained NW cross-sections illustrate fundamental and potentially exploitable differences between 0D and 1D materials.

Effects of FeCl3 additives on optical parameters of PVA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latif, Duha M. A.; Chiad, Sami S.; Erhayief, Muhssen S.; Abass, Khalid H.; Habubi, Nadir F.; Hussin, Hadi A.

2018-05-01

PVA doped FeCl3 have been deposited utilizing casting technique. Absorption spectrum was registered in the wavelengths (300-900 nm) utilizing UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Optical constants behavior such as, absorbance, absorption coefficient, and skin depth were studied. It was found these parameters were increased as Fe content increase. While the extinction coefficient and optical conductivity was decreased. The energy gap of PVA-Fe films were decreased from 4 eV for the PVA film to 3.5 eV for the PVA: 4 % Fe film.

Global optical climatology of the free tropospheric aerosol from 1.0-micron satellite occultation measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kent, G. S.; Schaffner, S. K.; Mccormick, M. P.

1991-01-01

Measurements of the aerosol/molecular extinction ratio at 1-micron wavelength, obtained from the SAGE I, SAGE II, and SAM II solar occultation satellite experiments between 1978 and 1986, have been used to study the global-scale behavior of the upper tropospheric aerosol. The distribution of extinction ratio values shows a pronounced mode between about 0.5 and 5 in all data subsets, regardless of latitude and season. Within a given latitude band and season with mode value is nearly constant over the altitude range from about 5 km above the earth's surface to 3 km below the tropopause. The mode shows a distinct seasonal variation, with maxima in local spring and summer, and is significantly enhanced following vlocanic injection of material into the stratosphere. South of latitude 20-deg N, mode values in the absence of volcanic contamination are normally between 0.5 and 1.0 north of 20-deg N, values up to about 5 are observed, probably associated with aerosol derived from surface dust or anthropogenic sources. A secondary mode, with extinction ratios of 30 or greater and little or no variation of extinction with wavelength, is apparent just below the tropopause. This mode is believed to be associated with thin cloud along the ray path from the sun to the satellite.

Reconciling aerosol light extinction measurements from spaceborne lidar observations and in-situ measurements in the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tesche, M.; Rastak, N.; Charlson, R. J.; Glantz, P.; Zieger, P.; Hansson, H.-C.

2014-03-01

In this study we investigate to what degree it is possible to reconcile continuously recorded particle light extinction coefficients derived from dry in-situ measurements at Zeppelin station (78.92° N, 11.85° E, 475 m a.s.l.) at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, that are recalculated to ambient relative humidity, and simultaneous ambient observations with the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aboard the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite. To our knowledge, this represents the first study that compares spaceborne lidar measurements to optical aerosol properties from short-term in-situ observations (averaged over 5 h) on a case-by-case basis. Finding suitable comparison cases requires an elaborate screening and matching of the CALIOP data with respect to the location of the Zeppelin station as well as in the selection of temporal and spatial averaging intervals for both the ground-based and spaceborne observations. Trustworthy reconciliation of these data cannot be achieved with the closest approach method that is often used in matching CALIOP observations to those taken at ground sites due to the transport pathways of the air parcels that were sampled. The use of trajectories allowed us to establish a connection between spaceborne and ground-based observations for 57 individual overpasses out of a total of 2018 that occurred in our region of interest around Svalbard (0 to 25° E; 75 to 82° N) in the considered year of 2008. Matches could only be established during winter and spring, since the low aerosol load during summer in connection with the strong solar background and the high occurrence rate of clouds strongly influences the performance and reliability of CALIOP observations. Extinction coefficients in the range from 1 to 100 Mm-1 were found for successful matches with an agreement of a factor of 1.85 (median value for a range from 0.38 to 17.9) between the findings of in-situ and spaceborne observations (the latter being generally larger than the former). The remaining difference is likely to be due to the natural variability in aerosol concentration and ambient relative humidity, an insufficient representation of aerosol particle growth in the used hygroscopicity model, or a misclassification of aerosol type (i.e., choice of lidar ratio) in the CALIPSO retrieval.

Light Absorption of Stratospheric Aerosols: Long-Term Trend and Contribution by Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pueschel , R. F.; Gore, Waren J. Y. (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

Measurements of aerosol light-absorption coefficients are useful for studies of radiative transfer and heating rates. Ogren appears to have published the first light- absorption coefficients in the stratosphere in 1981, followed by Clarke in 1983 and Pueschel in 1992. Because most stratospheric soot appears to be due to aircraft operations, application of an aircraft soot aerosol emission index to projected fuel consumption suggests a threefold increase of soot loading and light absorption by 2025. Together, those four data sets indicate an increase in mid-visible light extinction at a rate of 6 % per year. This trend is similar to the increase per year of sulfuric acid aerosol and of commercial fleet size. The proportionality between stepped-up aircraft operations above the tropopause and increases in stratospheric soot and sulfuric acid aerosol implicate aircraft as a source of stratospheric pollution. Because the strongly light-absorbing soot and the predominantly light-scattering sulfuric acid aerosol increase at similar rates, however, the mid-visible stratospheric aerosol single scatter albedo is expected to remain constant and not approach a critical value of 0.98 at which stratospheric cooling could change to warming.

Infrared Extinction Coefficients of Aerosolized Conductive Flake Powders and Flake Suspensions having a Zero-Truncated Poisson Size Distribution

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

report may not be cited for purposes of advertisement . This report has been approved for public release. Acknowledgments The authors would...visible wavelengths, the eye perceives an image as a result of color contrasts that consist of differences in luminance and chromaticity (hue and

Optical Constants of Minerals and Other Materials from the Millimeter to the Ultraviolet

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

refractive index N, and extinction coefficient K for pottasium choie................................................ 31Schloride... pottasium chloride. 31 POTASSIUM CHLORIDE S6C _ _ u5 ’U .. 4 31 0 1000 2000 WAVELENGTH (NM) 1.80 1.70 -- _ N 1.60 1.50 - -"- 1.40- 0 1000 2000 WAVELENGTH

Impacts of PM concentrations on visibility impairment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jie, Guo; Wang, Mei-mei; Han, Ye-Xing; Yu, Zhi-Wei; Tang, Huai-Wu

2016-11-01

In the paper, an accurate and sensitive cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy (CAPS) sensor was used to monitor the atmospheric visibility. The CAPS system mainly includes a LED light source, a band-pass filter, an optical resonant cavity (composed of two high mirror, reflectivity is greater than 99.99%), a photoelectric detector and a lock-in amplifier. The 2L/min flow rate, the optical sensor rise and fall response time is about 15 s, so as to realize the fast measurement of visibility. An Allan variance analysis was carried out evaluating the optical system stability (and hence the maximum averaging time for the minimum detection limit) of the CAPS system. The minima ( 0.1 Mm-1) in the Allan plots show the optimum average time ( 100s) for optimum detection performance of the CAPS system. During this period, the extinction coefficient was correlated with PM2.5 mass (0.88), the extinction coefficient was correlated with PM10 mass (0.85). The atmospheric visibility was correlated with PM2.5 mass (0.74). The atmospheric visibility was correlated with PM10 mass (0.66).

The Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study (ECLIPS) for cloud-radiation research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Platt, C. M.; Young, S. A.; Carswell, A. I.; Pal, S. R.; Mccormick, M. P.; Winker, D. M.; Delguasta, M.; Stefanutti, L.; Eberhard, W. L.; Hardesty, M.

1994-01-01

The Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study (ECLIPS) was initiated to obtain statistics on cloud-base height, extinction, optical depth, cloud brokenness, and surface fluxes. Two observational phases have taken place, in October-December 1989 and April-July 1991, with intensive 30-day periods being selected within the two time intervals. Data are being archived at NASA Langley Research Center and, once there, are readily available to the international scientific community. This article describes the scale of the study in terms of its international involvement and in the range of data being recorded. Lidar observations of cloud height and backscatter coefficient have been taken from a number of ground-based stations spread around the globe. Solar shortwave and infrared longwave fluxes and infrared beam radiance have been measured at the surface wherever possible. The observations have been tailored to occur around the overpass times of the NOAA weather satellites. This article describes in some detail the various retrieval methods used to obtain results on cloud-base height, extinction coefficient, and infrared emittance, paying particular attention to the uncertainties involved.

High Spectral Resolution Lidar and MPLNET Micro Pulse Lidar Aerosol Optical Property Retrieval Intercomparison During the 2012 7-SEAS Field Campaign at Singapore

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lolli, Simone; Welton, Ellsworth J.; Campbell, James R.; Eloranta, Edwin; Holben, Brent N.; Chew, Boon Ning; Salinas, Santo V.

2014-01-01

From August 2012 to February 2013 a High Resolution Spectral Lidar (HSRL; 532 nm) was deployed at that National University of Singapore near a NASA Micro Pulse Lidar NETwork (MPLNET; 527 nm) site. A primary objective of the MPLNET lidar project is the production and dissemination of reliable Level 1 measurements and Level 2 retrieval products. This paper characterizes and quantifies error in Level 2 aerosol optical property retrievals conducted through inversion techniques that derive backscattering and extinction coefficients from MPLNET elastic single-wavelength datasets. MPLNET Level 2 retrievals for aerosol optical depth and extinction/backscatter coefficient profiles are compared with corresponding HSRL datasets, for which the instrument collects direct measurements of each using a unique optical configuration that segregates aerosol and cloud backscattered signal from molecular signal. The intercomparison is performed, and error matrices reported, for lower (0-5km) and the upper (>5km) troposphere, respectively, to distinguish uncertainties observed within and above the MPLNET instrument optical overlap regime.

[The evoked activity of the lateral hypothalamus during extinction and differential inhibition].

PubMed

Vanetsian, G L

1995-01-01

Character of interaction between symmetric points of the cat's auditory cortex (A1) and the lateral hypothalamus (HL) was determined by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients between averaged summed sound-evoked activity (AEP) of the structures before, during elaboration, extinction and restoration, as well as differentiation of food-procuring conditioned reflex and in the eating full. Close mutual co-tuning between the cortex and hypothalamus characteristic for stable conditioned reflex was found to disrupted during its extinction, elaboration of differentiation and fullness eat inhibition due to entire reduction of hypothalamic AEP and disappearance of correlated with negativity of HL AEP "doubling" of the first positive wave of A1 AEP. Hyperactivity stage, expressed at the beginning of extinction and at the end of differentiation, preceded inactivation of hypothalamic afferents during elaboration of conditioned inhibition. The stage of hyperactivity, initiated by the elevated emotional state of the animal, testifies to an important role of emotional brain structures in the process of internal inhibition. The stage of HL and A1 hyperactivity initiated by emotional stress of the animal and following HL inactivation during inhibition of the conditioned response point to an important role of emotional subcortical brain structures in the mechanisms of inhibitory conditioning.

Validation of Earth atmosphere models using solar EUV observations from the CORONAS and PROBA2 satellites in occultation mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slemzin, Vladimir; Ulyanov, Artyom; Gaikovich, Konstantin; Kuzin, Sergey; Pertsov, Andrey; Berghmans, David; Dominique, Marie

2016-02-01

Aims: Knowledge of properties of the Earth's upper atmosphere is important for predicting the lifetime of low-orbit spacecraft as well as for planning operation of space instruments whose data may be distorted by atmospheric effects. The accuracy of the models commonly used for simulating the structure of the atmosphere is limited by the scarcity of the observations they are based on, so improvement of these models requires validation under different atmospheric conditions. Measurements of the absorption of the solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation in the upper atmosphere below 500 km by instruments operating on low-Earth orbits (LEO) satellites provide efficient means for such validation as well as for continuous monitoring of the upper atmosphere and for studying its response to the solar and geomagnetic activity. Method: This paper presents results of measurements of the solar EUV radiation in the 17 nm wavelength band made with the SPIRIT and TESIS telescopes on board the CORONAS satellites and the SWAP telescope on board the PROBA2 satellite in the occulted parts of the satellite orbits. The transmittance profiles of the atmosphere at altitudes between 150 and 500 km were derived from different phases of solar activity during solar cycles 23 and 24 in the quiet state of the magnetosphere and during the development of a geomagnetic storm. We developed a mathematical procedure based on the Tikhonov regularization method for solution of ill-posed problems in order to retrieve extinction coefficients from the transmittance profiles. The transmittance profiles derived from the data and the retrieved extinction coefficients are compared with simulations carried out with the NRLMSISE-00 atmosphere model maintained by Naval Research Laboratory (USA) and the DTM-2013 model developed at CNES in the framework of the FP7 project ATMOP. Results: Under quiet and slightly disturbed magnetospheric conditions during high and low solar activity the extinction coefficients calculated by both models agreed with the measurements within the data errors. The NRLMSISE-00 model was not able to predict the enhancement of extinction above 300 km observed after 14 h from the beginning of a geomagnetic storm whereas the DTM-2013 model described this variation with good accuracy.

Longwave radiative effects of Saharan dust during the ICE-D campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooke, Jennifer; Havemann, Stephan; Ryder, Claire; O'Sullivan, Debbie

2017-04-01

The Havemann-Taylor Fast Radiative Transfer Code (HT-FRTC) is a fast radiative transfer model based on Principal Components. Scattering has been incorporated into HT-FRTC which allows simulations of aerosol as well as clear-sky atmospheres. This work evaluates the scattering scheme in HT-FRTC and investigates dust-affected brightness temperatures using in-situ observations from Ice in Clouds Experiment - Dust (ICE-D) campaign. The ICE-D campaign occurred during August 2015 and was based from Cape Verde. The ICE-D campaign is a multidisciplinary project which achieved measurements of in-situ mineral dust properties of the dust advected from the Sahara, and on the aerosol-cloud interactions using the FAAM BAe-146 research aircraft. ICE-D encountered a range of low (0.3), intermediate (0.8) and high (1.3) aerosol optical depths, AODs, and therefore provides a range of atmospheric dust loadings in the assessment of dust scattering in HT-FRTC. Spectral radiances in the thermal infrared window region (800 - 1200 cm-1) are sensitive to the presence of mineral dust; mineral dust acts to reduce the upwelling infrared radiation caused by the absorption and re-emission of radiation by the dust layer. ARIES (Airborne Research Interferometer Evaluation System) is a nadir-facing interferometer, measuring infrared radiances between 550 and 3000 cm-1. The ARIES spectral radiances are converted to brightness temperatures by inversion of the Planck function. The mineral dust size distribution is important for radiative transfer applications as it provides a measure of aerosol scattering. The longwave spectral mineral dust optical properties including the mass extinction coefficients, single scattering albedos and the asymmetry parameter have been derived from the mean ICE-D size distribution. HT-FRTC scattering simulations are initialised with vertical mass fractions which can be derived from extinction profiles from the lidar along with the specific extinction coefficient, kext (m2/g) at 355 nm. In general the comparison between the lidar retrieval of aerosol extinction coefficients and in-situ measurements show a good agreement. The root mean square of the brightness temperature residuals in the window region for observations (ARIES) minus model simulations for i) clear-sky, ii) HT-FRTC 'line-by-line' scattering and, iii) HT-FRTC fast scattering are calculated. For the ICE-D case studies mineral dust impacts on the brightness temperature of the background on the order of 1 - 1.5 K.

Design of a terahertz photonic crystal transmission filter containing ferroelectric material.

PubMed

King, Tzu-Chyang; Chen, Jian-Jie; Chang, Kai-Chun; Wu, Chien-Jang

2016-10-10

The ferroelectric material KTaO₃ (KTO) has a very high refractive index, which is advantageous to the photonic crystal (PC) design. KTO polycrystalline crystal has a high extinction coefficient. In this work, we perform a theoretical study of the transmission properties of a PC bandpass filter made of polycrystalline KTO at terahertz (THz) frequencies. Our results show that the defect modes of usual PC narrowband filters no longer exist because of the existence of the high loss. We provide a new PC structure for the high-extinction materials and show that it has defect modes in its transmittance spectra, providing a possible bandpass filter design in the THz region.

Optical properties of pure and PbSe doped TiS2 nanodiscs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parvaz, M.; Islamuddin; Khan, Zishan H.

2018-06-01

Titanium disulfide, being one of the popular transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials, shows wonderful properties owing to tunable optical band gap. Pure and PbSe doped titanium disulfide nanodiscs have been synthesized by solid-state reaction method. FESEM, TEM and Raman images confirm the synthesis of nanodiscs. XRD spectra suggest the polycrystalline structure of as-prepared as well as PbSe doped TiS2 nanodiscs. PL spectra of the as-synthesized nanodiscs has been studied in the wavelength range of (300–550 nm), at room temperature. The position of the peak shifts towards the lower wavelength (blue shift) and intensity of the PL increases after the doping of PbSe, which may be due to a broadening of the optical band gap. UV–vis spectra has been used to calculate optical band gap of pure and PbSe doped titanium disulfide nanodiscs. The calculated value are found to be 1.93 eV and 2.03 eV respectively. Various optical constants such as n and k have been calculated. The value of extinction coefficient (k) of pure and doped titanium disulfide increases while the value of the refractive index (n) decreases with increase in photon energy.

Point Spectroscopy System for Noncontact and Noninvasive Prediction of Transcutaneous Bilirubin Concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ong, P. E.; K. C Huong, Audrey

2017-08-01

This paper presents the use of a point spectroscopy system to determine one’s transcutaneous bilirubin level using Modified Lambert Beer model and the developed fitting routine. This technique required a priori knowledge of extinction coefficient of bilirubin and hemoglobin components in the wavelength range of 440-500 nm for the prediction of the required parameter value. This work was conducted on different skin sites of six healthy Asians namely on the thenar region of the palm of their hand, back of the hand, posterior and anterior forearm. The obtained results revealed the lowest mean transcutaneous bilirubin concentration of 0.44±0.3 g/l predicted for palm site while the highest bilirubin level of 0.98±0.2 g/l was estimated for posterior forearm. These values were also compared with that presented in the literature. This study found considerably good consistency in the value predicted for different subjects especially at the thenar region of the palm. This work concluded that the proposed system and technique may be suitably served as an alternative means to noncontact and noninvasive measurement of one’s transcutaneous bilirubin level at palm site.

Dust in the small Magellanic Cloud. 2: Dust models from interstellar polarization and extinction data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodrigues, C. V.; Magalhaes, A. M.; Coyne, G. V.

1995-01-01

We study the dust in the Small Magellanic Cloud using our polarization and extinction data (Paper 1) and existing dust models. The data suggest that the monotonic SMC extinction curve is related to values of lambda(sub max), the wavelength of maximum polarization, which are on the average smaller than the mean for the Galaxy. On the other hand, AZV 456, a star with an extinction similar to that for the Galaxy, shows a value of lambda(sub max) similar to the mean for the Galaxy. We discuss simultaneous dust model fits to extinction and polarization. Fits to the wavelength dependent polarization data are possible for stars with small lambda(sub max). In general, they imply dust size distributions which are narrower and have smaller mean sizes compared to typical size distributions for the Galaxy. However, stars with lambda(sub max) close to the Galactic norm, which also have a narrower polarization curve, cannot be fit adequately. This holds true for all of the dust models considered. The best fits to the extinction curves are obtained with a power law size distribution by assuming that the cylindrical and spherical silicate grains have a volume distribution which is continuous from the smaller spheres to the larger cylinders. The size distribution for the cylinders is taken from the fit to the polarization. The 'typical', monotonic SMC extinction curve can be fit well with graphite and silicate grains if a small fraction of the SMC carbon is locked up in the grain. However, amorphous carbon and silicate grains also fit the data well. AZV456, which has an extinction curve similar to that for the Galaxy, has a UV bump which is too blue to be fit by spherical graphite grains.

Retrieval of Aerosol Parameters from Continuous H24 Lidar-Ceilometer Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dionisi, D.; Barnaba, F.; Costabile, F.; Di Liberto, L.; Gobbi, G. P.; Wille, H.

2016-06-01

Ceilometer technology is increasingly applied to the monitoring and the characterization of tropospheric aerosols. In this work, a method to estimate some key aerosol parameters (extinction coefficient, surface area concentration and volume concentration) from ceilometer measurements is presented. A numerical model has been set up to derive a mean functional relationships between backscatter and the above mentioned parameters based on a large set of simulated aerosol optical properties. A good agreement was found between the modeled backscatter and extinction coefficients and the ones measured by the EARLINET Raman lidars. The developed methodology has then been applied to the measurements acquired by a prototype Polarization Lidar-Ceilometer (PLC). This PLC instrument was developed within the EC- LIFE+ project "DIAPASON" as an upgrade of the commercial, single-channel Jenoptik CHM15k system. The PLC run continuously (h24) close to Rome (Italy) for a whole year (2013-2014). Retrievals of the aerosol backscatter coefficient at 1064 nm and of the relevant aerosol properties were performed using the proposed methodology. This information, coupled to some key aerosol type identification made possible by the depolarization channel, allowed a year-round characterization of the aerosol field at this site. Examples are given to show how this technology coupled to appropriate data inversion methods is potentially useful in the operational monitoring of parameters of air quality and meteorological interest.

The relationship between species detection probability and local extinction probability

USGS Publications Warehouse

Alpizar-Jara, R.; Nichols, J.D.; Hines, J.E.; Sauer, J.R.; Pollock, K.H.; Rosenberry, C.S.

2004-01-01

In community-level ecological studies, generally not all species present in sampled areas are detected. Many authors have proposed the use of estimation methods that allow detection probabilities that are < 1 and that are heterogeneous among species. These methods can also be used to estimate community-dynamic parameters such as species local extinction probability and turnover rates (Nichols et al. Ecol Appl 8:1213-1225; Conserv Biol 12:1390-1398). Here, we present an ad hoc approach to estimating community-level vital rates in the presence of joint heterogeneity of detection probabilities and vital rates. The method consists of partitioning the number of species into two groups using the detection frequencies and then estimating vital rates (e.g., local extinction probabilities) for each group. Estimators from each group are combined in a weighted estimator of vital rates that accounts for the effect of heterogeneity. Using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, we computed such estimates and tested the hypothesis that detection probabilities and local extinction probabilities were negatively related. Our analyses support the hypothesis that species detection probability covaries negatively with local probability of extinction and turnover rates. A simulation study was conducted to assess the performance of vital parameter estimators as well as other estimators relevant to questions about heterogeneity, such as coefficient of variation of detection probabilities and proportion of species in each group. Both the weighted estimator suggested in this paper and the original unweighted estimator for local extinction probability performed fairly well and provided no basis for preferring one to the other.

Optical properties of non-spherical desert dust particles in the terrestrial infrared - An asymptotic approximation approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klüser, Lars; Di Biagio, Claudia; Kleiber, Paul D.; Formenti, Paola; Grassian, Vicki H.

2016-07-01

Optical properties (extinction efficiency, single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter and scattering phase function) of five different desert dust minerals have been calculated with an asymptotic approximation approach (AAA) for non-spherical particles. The AAA method combines Rayleigh-limit approximations with an asymptotic geometric optics solution in a simple and straightforward formulation. The simulated extinction spectra have been compared with classical Lorenz-Mie calculations as well as with laboratory measurements of dust extinction. This comparison has been done for single minerals and with bulk dust samples collected from desert environments. It is shown that the non-spherical asymptotic approximation improves the spectral extinction pattern, including position of the extinction peaks, compared to the Lorenz-Mie calculations for spherical particles. Squared correlation coefficients from the asymptotic approach range from 0.84 to 0.96 for the mineral components whereas the corresponding numbers for Lorenz-Mie simulations range from 0.54 to 0.85. Moreover the blue shift typically found in Lorenz-Mie results is not present in the AAA simulations. The comparison of spectra simulated with the AAA for different shape assumptions suggests that the differences mainly stem from the assumption of the particle shape and not from the formulation of the method itself. It has been shown that the choice of particle shape strongly impacts the quality of the simulations. Additionally, the comparison of simulated extinction spectra with bulk dust measurements indicates that within airborne dust the composition may be inhomogeneous over the range of dust particle sizes, making the calculation of reliable radiative properties of desert dust even more complex.

An Extremely Low Mid-infrared Extinction Law toward the Galactic Center and 4% Distance Precision to 55 Classical Cepheids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaodian; Wang, Shu; Deng, Licai; de Grijs, Richard

2018-06-01

Distances and extinction values are usually degenerate. To refine the distance to the general Galactic Center region, a carefully determined extinction law (taking into account the prevailing systematic errors) is urgently needed. We collected data for 55 classical Cepheids projected toward the Galactic Center region to derive the near- to mid-infrared extinction law using three different approaches. The relative extinction values obtained are {A}J/{A}{K{{s}}}=3.005,{A}H/{A}{K{{s}}}=1.717, {A}[3.6]/{A}{K{{s}}}=0.478,{A}[4.5]/{A}{K{{s}}}=0.341, {A}[5.8]/{A}{K{{s}}}=0.234,{A}[8.0]/{A}{K{{s}}} =0.321,{A}W1/{A}{K{{s}}}=0.506, and {A}W2/{A}{K{{s}}}=0.340. We also calculated the corresponding systematic errors. Compared with previous work, we report an extremely low and steep mid-infrared extinction law. Using a seven-passband “optimal distance” method, we improve the mean distance precision to our sample of 55 Cepheids to 4%. Based on four confirmed Galactic Center Cepheids, a solar Galactocentric distance of R 0 = 8.10 ± 0.19 ± 0.22 kpc is determined, featuring an uncertainty that is close to the limiting distance accuracy (2.8%) for Galactic Center Cepheids.

Characterization of Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) films deposited by RF ICP PECVD method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oleszkiewicz, Waldemar; Kijaszek, Wojciech; Gryglewicz, Jacek; Zakrzewski, Adrian; Gajewski, Krzysztof; Kopiec, Daniel; Kamyczek, Paulina; Popko, Ewa; Tłaczała, Marek

2013-07-01

The work presents the results of a research carried out with Plasmalab Plus 100 system, manufactured by Oxford Instruments Company. The system was configured for deposition of diamond-like carbon films by ICP PECVD method. The deposition processes were carried out in CH4 or CH4/H2 atmosphere and the state of the plasma was investigated by the OES method. The RF plasma was capacitively coupled by 13.56 MHz generator with supporting ICP generator (13.56 Mhz). The deposition processes were conducted in constant value of RF generator's power and resultant value of the DC Bias. The power values of RF generator was set at 70 W and the power values of ICP generator was set at 300 W. In this work we focus on the influence of DLC film's thickness on optical, electrical and structural properties of the deposited DLC films. The quality of deposited DLC layers was examined by the Raman spectroscopy, AFM microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. In the investigated DLC films the calculated sp3 content was ranging from 60 % to 70 %. The films were characterized by the refractive index ranging from 2.03 to 2.1 and extinction coefficient ranging from 0.09 to 0.12.

Extinction-to-Backscatter Ratios of Lofted Aerosol Layers Observed During the First Three Months of CALIPSO Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Omar, Ali H.; Vaughan, Mark A.; Liu, Zhaoyan; Hu, Yongxiang; Reagan, John A.; Winker, David M.

2007-01-01

Case studies from the first three months of the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Spaceborne Observations (CALIPSO) measurements of lofted aerosol layers are analyzed using transmittance [Young, 1995] and two-wavelength algorithms [Vaughan et al., 2004] to determine the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratios at 532 and 1064 nm. The transmittance method requires clear air below the layer so that the transmittance through the layer can be determined. Suitable scenes are selected from the browse images and clear air below features is identified by low 532 nm backscatter signal and confirmed by low depolarization and color ratios. The transmittance and two-wavelength techniques are applied to a number of lofted layers and the extinction-to-backscatter ratios are compared with values obtained from the CALIPSO aerosol models [Omar et al., 2004]. The results obtained from these studies are used to adjust the aerosol models and develop observations based extinction-to-backscatter ratio look-up tables and phase functions. Values obtained by these techniques are compared to Sa determinations using other independent methods with a goal of developing probability distribution functions of aerosol type-specific extinction to backscatter ratios. In particular, the results are compared to values determined directly by the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) during the CALIPSO CloudSat Validation Experiments (CCVEX) and Sa determined by the application of the two-wavelength lidar Constrained Ratio Aerosol Model-fit (CRAM) retrieval approach [Cattrall et al., 2005; Reagan et al., 2004] to the HSRL data. The results are also compared to values derived using the empirical relationship between the multiple-scattering fraction and the linear depolarization ratio by using Monte Carlo simulations of water clouds [Hu et al., 2006].

Investigation of optical limiting properties of Aluminium nanoparticles prepared by pulsed laser ablation in different carrier media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuladeep, Rajamudili; Jyothi, L.; Narayana Rao, D.

In this communication, we carried out the systematic investigation of nonlinear absorption and scattering properties of Aluminium nanoparticles (Al NPs) in various polar and non-polar solvents. Al NPs were synthesized with pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated at 1064 nm by ablating Al target in polar and non-polar liquid environment like chloroform, chlorobenzene, toluene, benzene, and carbon tetrachloride. Synthesized Al NPs colloids of various solvents differ in appearance and UV-Vis extinction spectra exhibit absorption in the UV region. The characterization of Al NPs performed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that NPs are made up of a well crystallized Al innermore » part (bright zone) embedded with an amorphous metal Al shell (dark region). Growth, aggregation, and precipitation mechanisms which influence the optical properties and stability of NPs are found to be related to the dipole moment of the surrounding liquid environment. The nonlinear absorption and scattering studies are performed by open aperture Z-scan technique with 532 nm under nanosecond pulse excitation. The Z-scan measurements are fitted theoretically to estimate both two-photon absorption (TPA) and nonlinear scattering (NLS) coefficients. In polar solvents like chlorobenzene, chloroform synthesized Al NPs exhibited higher TPA, NLS coefficient values, and lower optical limiting threshold values in comparison with partially polar solvent like toluene and non-polar solvents like benzene and carbontetrachloride. These results indicate the potential use of Al NPs as a versatile optical limiting material.« less

Effective Heat and Mass Transport Properties of Anisotropic Porous Ceria for Solar Thermochemical Fuel Generation

PubMed Central

Haussener, Sophia; Steinfeld, Aldo

2012-01-01

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography is employed to obtain the exact 3D geometrical configuration of porous anisotropic ceria applied in solar-driven thermochemical cycles for splitting H2O and CO2. The tomography data are, in turn, used in direct pore-level numerical simulations for determining the morphological and effective heat/mass transport properties of porous ceria, namely: porosity, specific surface area, pore size distribution, extinction coefficient, thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer coefficient, permeability, Dupuit-Forchheimer coefficient, and tortuosity and residence time distributions. Tailored foam designs for enhanced transport properties are examined by means of adjusting morphologies of artificial ceria samples composed of bimodal distributed overlapping transparent spheres in an opaque medium. PMID:28817039

Comparison of the acetyl bromide spectrophotometric method with other analytical lignin methods for determining lignin concentration in forage samples.

PubMed

Fukushima, Romualdo S; Hatfield, Ronald D

2004-06-16

Present analytical methods to quantify lignin in herbaceous plants are not totally satisfactory. A spectrophotometric method, acetyl bromide soluble lignin (ABSL), has been employed to determine lignin concentration in a range of plant materials. In this work, lignin extracted with acidic dioxane was used to develop standard curves and to calculate the derived linear regression equation (slope equals absorptivity value or extinction coefficient) for determining the lignin concentration of respective cell wall samples. This procedure yielded lignin values that were different from those obtained with Klason lignin, acid detergent acid insoluble lignin, or permanganate lignin procedures. Correlations with in vitro dry matter or cell wall digestibility of samples were highest with data from the spectrophotometric technique. The ABSL method employing as standard lignin extracted with acidic dioxane has the potential to be employed as an analytical method to determine lignin concentration in a range of forage materials. It may be useful in developing a quick and easy method to predict in vitro digestibility on the basis of the total lignin content of a sample.

Seventeen-year systematic measurements of dust aerosol optical properties using the eole ntua lidar system (2000-2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soupiona, Ourania; Mylonaki, Maria; Papayannis, Alexandros; Argyrouli, Athina; Kokkalis, Panayotis; Tsaknakis, Georgios

2018-04-01

A comprehensive analysis of the seasonal variability of the optical properties of Saharan dust aerosols over Athens, Greece, is presented for a 17-year time period (2000-2016), as derived from multi-wavelength Raman lidar measurements (57 dust events with more than 80 hours of measurements). The profiles of the derived aerosol optical properties (aerosol backscatter and extinction coefficients, lidar ratio and aerosol Ångström exponent) at 355 nm are presented. For these dust events we found a mean value of the lidar ratio of 52±13 sr at 355 nm and of 58±8 sr (not shown) at 532 nm (2-4 km a.s.l. height). For our statistical analysis, presented here, we used monthly-mean values and time periods under cloud-free conditions. The number of dust events was greatest in late spring, summer, and early autumn periods. In this paper we also present a selected case study (04 April 2016) of desert dust long-range transport from the Saharan desert.

Optical investigation of vacuum evaporated Se80-xTe20Sbx (x = 0, 6, 12) amorphous thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deepika; Singh, Hukum

2017-09-01

Amorphous thin films of Se80-xTe20Sbx (x = 0, 6, 12) chalcogenide glasses has been deposited onto pre-cleaned glass substrate using thermal evaporation technique under a vacuum of 10-5 Torr. The absorption and transmission spectra of these thin films have been recorded using UV spectrophotometer in the spectral range 400-2500 nm at room temperature. Swanepoel envelope method has been employed to obtain film thickness and optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and dielectric constant. The optical band gap of the samples has been calculated using Tauc relation. The study reveals that optical band gap decreases on increase in Sb content. This is due to decrease in average single bond energy calculated using chemical bond approach. The values of urbach energy has also been computed to support the above observation. Variation of refractive index has also been studies in terms of wavelength and energy using WDD model and values of single oscillator energy and dispersion energy has been obtained.

Physical properties of Southern infrared dark clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasyunina, T.; Linz, H.; Henning, Th.; Stecklum, B.; Klose, S.; Nyman, L.-Å.

2009-05-01

Context: What are the mechanisms by which massive stars form? What are the initial conditions for these processes? It is commonly assumed that cold and dense Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) represent the birth-sites of massive stars. Therefore, these clouds have been receiving an increasing amount of attention, and their analysis offers the opportunity to tackle the afore mentioned questions. Aims: To enlarge the sample of well-characterised IRDCs in the southern hemisphere, where ALMA will play a major role in the near future, we have developed a program to study the gas and dust of southern infrared dark clouds. The present paper attempts to characterize the continuum properties of this sample of IRDCs. Methods: We cross-correlated 1.2 mm continuum data from SIMBA bolometer array mounted on SEST telescope with Spitzer/GLIMPSE images to establish the connection between emission sources at millimeter wavelengths and the IRDCs that we observe at 8 μm in absorption against the bright PAH background. Analysing the dust emission and extinction enables us to determine the masses and column densities, which are important quantities in characterizing the initial conditions of massive star formation. We also evaluated the limitations of the emission and extinction methods. Results: The morphology of the 1.2 mm continuum emission is in all cases in close agreement with the mid-infrared extinction. The total masses of the IRDCs were found to range from 150 to 1150 M_⊙ (emission data) and from 300 to 1750 M_⊙ (extinction data). We derived peak column densities of between 0.9 and 4.6 × 1022 cm-2 (emission data) and 2.1 and 5.4 × 1022 cm-2 (extinction data). We demonstrate that the extinction method is unreliable at very high extinction values (and column densities) beyond AV values of roughly 75 mag according to the Weingartner & Draine (2001) extinction relation RV = 5.5 model B (around 200 mag when following the common Mathis (1990, ApJ, 548, 296) extinction calibration). By taking the spatial resolution effects into account and restoring the column densities derived from the dust emission to a linear resolution of 0.01 pc, peak column densities of 3-19 × 1023 cm-2 are obtained, which are much higher than typical values for low-mass cores. Conclusions: Taking into account the spatial resolution effects, the derived column densities are beyond the column density threshold of 3.0 × 1023 cm-2 required by theoretical considerations for massive star formation. We conclude that the values of column densities derived for the selected IRDC sample imply that these objects are excellent candidates for objects in the earliest stages of massive star formation.

Injection of mineral dust into the free troposphere during fire events observed with polarization lidar at Limassol, Cyprus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisantzi, A.; Mamouri, R. E.; Ansmann, A.; Hadjimitsis, D.

2014-06-01

Four-year observations (2010-2014) with EARLINET polarization lidar and AERONET sun/sky photometer at Limassol (34.7° N, 33° E), Cyprus, were used to study the soil dust content in lofted fire smoke plumes advected from Turkey. This first systematic attempt to characterize less than 3 days old smoke plumes in terms of particle depolarization contributes to the more general effort to properly describe the life cycle of free-tropospheric smoke-dust mixtures from the emission event to phases of long-range transport (>4 days after emission). We found significant differences in the particle depolarization ratio (PDR) with values from 9-18% in lofted aerosol layers when Turkish fires contributed to the aerosol burden and of 3-13% when Turkish fires were absent. High Ångström exponents of 1.4-2.2 during all these events with lofted smoke layers, occuring between 1 and 3 km height, suggest the absence of a pronounced particle coarse mode. When plotted vs. the travel time (spatial distance between Limassol and last fire area), PDR decreased strongly from initial values around 16-18% (one day travel) to 4-8% after 4 days of travel caused by deposition processes. This behavior was found to be in close agreement with the literature. Computation of particle extinction coefficient and mass concentrations, separately for fine-mode dust, coarse-mode dust, and non-dust aerosol components show extinction-related dust fractions of the order of 10% (for PDR = 4%, travel times >4 days) and 50% (PDR = 15%, one day travel time) and mass-related dust fractions of 25% (PDR = 4%) to 80% (PDR = 15%). Biomass burning should be considered as another source of free tropospheric soil dust.

Effect of volumetric radiation on natural convection in a cavity with a horizontal fin using the lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tighchi, Hashem Ahmadi; Sobhani, Masoud; Esfahani, Javad Abolfazli

2018-01-01

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented for the effects of volumetric radiation on laminar natural convection in a square cavity with a horizontal fin on the hot wall containing an absorbing, emitting and scattering medium. Accordingly, the flow, energy and radiative equations are solved by separate distribution functions in the LBM. A parametric study is performed: the effects of Rayleigh number and radiative parameters, such as extinction coefficient and scattering albedo on the flow and temperature fields are investigated. It is found that the isotherms become dense near the cold wall, due to highly participating properties and Rayleigh number. Also, the Nusselt number ratio (NNR) on the clod wall is examined for values of fin length and height. The maximum NNR is found at the longest fin length and near top wall for a given Rayleigh number.

Vacuum ultraviolet thin films. I - Optical constants of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 thin films. II - Vacuum ultraviolet all-dielectric narrowband filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zukic, Muamer; Torr, Douglas G.; Spann, James F.; Torr, Marsha R.

1990-01-01

An iteration process matching calculated and measured reflectance and transmittance values in the 120-230 nm VUV region is presently used to ascertain the optical constants of bulk MgF2, as well as films of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 deposited on MgF2 substrates. In the second part of this work, a design concept is demonstrated for two filters, employing rapidly changing extinction coefficients, centered at 135 nm for BaF2 and 141 nm for SiO2. These filters are shown to yield excellent narrowband spectral performance in combination with narrowband reflection filters.

Post-deposition thermal treatment of sprayed ZnO:Al thin films for enhancing the conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devasia, Sebin; Athma, P. V.; Shaji, Manu; Kumar, M. C. Santhosh; Anila, E. I.

2018-03-01

Here, we report the enhanced conductivity of Aluminium doped (2at.%) zinc oxide thin films prepared by simple spray pyrolysis technique. The structural, optical, electrical, morphological and compositional investigations confirm the better quality of films that can be a potential candidate for application in transparent electronics. Most importantly, the film demonstrates an average transmittance of 90 percent with a low resistivity value which was dropped from 1.39 × 10-2 to 5.10 × 10-3 Ω .cm, after annealing, and a very high carrier concentration in the order of 10 × 20cm-3. Further, we have used the Swanepoel envelop method to calculate thickness, refractive index and extinction coefficient from the interference patterns observed in the transmission spectra. The calculated figure of merit of the as-deposited sample was 1.4 × 10-3Ω-1 which was improved to 2.5 × 10-3Ω-1 after annealing.

Optical, compositional and structural properties of pulsed laser deposited nitrogen-doped Titanium-dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farkas, B.; Heszler, P.; Budai, J.; Oszkó, A.; Ottosson, M.; Geretovszky, Zs.

2018-03-01

N-doped TiO2 thin films were prepared using pulsed laser deposition by ablating metallic Ti target with pulses of 248 nm wavelength, at 330 °C substrate temperature in reactive atmospheres of N2/O2 gas mixtures. These films were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Optical properties are presented as a function of the N2 content in the processing gas mixture and correlated to nitrogen incorporation into the deposited layers. The optical band gap values decreased with increasing N concentration in the films, while a monotonically increasing tendency and a maximum can be observed in case of extinction coefficient and refractive index, respectively. It is also shown that the amount of substitutional N can be increased up to 7.7 at.%, but the higher dopant concentration inhibits the crystallization of the samples.

Baclofen facilitates the extinction of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in rats

PubMed Central

Voigt, Robin M.; Herrold, Amy A.; Napier, T. Celeste

2011-01-01

The powerful, long-lasting association between the rewarding effects of a drug and contextual cues associated with drug administration can be studied using conditioned place preference (CPP). The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen facilitates the extinction of morphine-induced CPP in mice. The current study extended this work by determining if baclofen could enhance the extinction of methamphetamine (Meth) CPP. CPP was established using a six day conditioning protocol wherein Meth-pairings were alternated with saline-pairings. Rats were subsequently administered baclofen (2mg/kg i.p. or vehicle) immediately after each daily forced extinction session, which consisted of a saline injection immediately prior to being placed into the previously Meth- or saline-paired chamber. One extinction training cycle, consisted of six once-daily forced extinction sessions, mimicking the alternating procedure established during conditioning, followed by a test for preference (Ext test). CPP persisted for at least four extinction cycles in vehicle-treated rats. In contrast, CPP was inhibited following a single extinction training cycle. These data indicate that Meth-induced CPP was resistant to extinction, but extinction training was rendered effective when the training was combined with baclofen. These findings converge with the prior demonstration of baclofen facilitating the extinction of morphine-induced CPP indicating that GABAB receptor actions are independent of the primary (unconditioned) stimulus (i.e., the opiate or the stimulant) and likely reflect mechanisms engaged by extinction learning processes per se. Thus, baclofen administered in conjunction with extinction training may be of value for addiction therapy regardless of the class of drug being abused. PMID:21463025

Vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties and the solar heating rate estimated by combining sky radiometer and lidar measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudo, Rei; Nishizawa, Tomoaki; Aoyagi, Toshinori

2016-07-01

The SKYLIDAR algorithm was developed to estimate vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties from sky radiometer (SKYNET) and lidar (AD-Net) measurements. The solar heating rate was also estimated from the SKYLIDAR retrievals. The algorithm consists of two retrieval steps: (1) columnar properties are retrieved from the sky radiometer measurements and the vertically mean depolarization ratio obtained from the lidar measurements and (2) vertical profiles are retrieved from the lidar measurements and the results of the first step. The derived parameters are the vertical profiles of the size distribution, refractive index (real and imaginary parts), extinction coefficient, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor. Sensitivity tests were conducted by applying the SKYLIDAR algorithm to the simulated sky radiometer and lidar data for vertical profiles of three different aerosols, continental average, transported dust, and pollution aerosols. The vertical profiles of the size distribution, extinction coefficient, and asymmetry factor were well estimated in all cases. The vertical profiles of the refractive index and single-scattering albedo of transported dust, but not those of transported pollution aerosol, were well estimated. To demonstrate the performance and validity of the SKYLIDAR algorithm, we applied the SKYLIDAR algorithm to the actual measurements at Tsukuba, Japan. The detailed vertical structures of the aerosol optical properties and solar heating rate of transported dust and smoke were investigated. Examination of the relationship between the solar heating rate and the aerosol optical properties showed that the vertical profile of the asymmetry factor played an important role in creating vertical variation in the solar heating rate. We then compared the columnar optical properties retrieved with the SKYLIDAR algorithm to those produced with the more established scheme SKYRAD.PACK, and the surface solar irradiance calculated from the SKYLIDAR retrievals was compared with pyranometer measurement. The results showed good agreements: the columnar values of the SKYLIDAR retrievals agreed with reliable SKYRAD.PACK retrievals, and the SKYLIDAR retrievals were sufficiently accurate to evaluate the surface solar irradiance.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of chondroitin sulfate

PubMed Central

Shi, Changcheng; Ma, Yuting; Zhang, Jin; Wei, Dongshan; Wang, Huabin; Peng, Xiaoyu; Tang, Mingjie; Yan, Shihan; Zuo, Guokun; Du, Chunlei; Cui, Hongliang

2018-01-01

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), derived from cartilage tissues, is an important type of biomacromolecule. In this paper, the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) was investigated as a potential method for content detection of CS. With the increase of the CS content, the THz absorption coefficients of the CS/polyethylene mixed samples linearly increase. The refractive indices of the mixed samples also increase when the CS content increases. The extinction coefficient of CS demonstrates the THz frequency dependence to be approximately the power of 1.4, which can be explained by the effects of CS granular solids on THz scattering. PMID:29541526

The current status of airborne laser fluorosensing. [of aquatic environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oneil, R. A.; Hoge, F. E.; Bristow, M. P. F.

1981-01-01

Airborne laser fluorosensors have been used to identify and quantify specific substances in the aquatic environment. It has been shown that the sensor can identify and classify oil films. If the extinction coefficient is known then the thickness of thinner films (less than 20 micrometers) may be calculated. The intensity of the water Raman signal is proportional to the water volume sampled by the sensor and hence an effective attenuation coefficient for the water can be calculated. The same Raman measurement provides the normalization necessary to map chlorophyll and dye concentrations using the intensity of their respective fluorescence signatures.

Modified technique for processing multiangle lidar data measured in clear and moderately polluted atmospheres

Treesearch

Vladimir Kovalev; Cyle Wold; Alexander Petkov; Wei Min Hao

2011-01-01

We present a modified technique for processing multiangle lidar data that is applicable for relatively clear atmospheres, where the utilization of the conventional Kano-Hamilton method meets significant issues. Our retrieval algorithm allows computing the two-way transmission and the corresponding extinction-coefficient profile in any slope direction searched during...

Kinetic effects of toluene blending on the extinction limit of n-decane diffusion flames

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Won, Sang Hee; Sun, Wenting; Ju, Yiguang

The impact of toluene addition in n-decane on OH concentrations, maximum heat release rates, and extinction limits were studied experimentally and computationally by using counterflow diffusion flames with laser induced fluorescence imaging. Sensitivity analyses of kinetic path ways and species transport on flame extinction were also conducted. The results showed that the extinction strain rate of n-decane/toluene/nitrogen flames decreased significantly with an increase of toluene addition and depended linearly on the maximum OH concentration. It was revealed that the maximum OH concentration, which depends on the fuel H/C ratio, can be used as an index of the radical pool andmore » chemical heat release rate, since it plays a significant role on the heat production via the reaction with other species, such as CO, H{sub 2}, and HCO. Experimental results further demonstrated that toluene addition in n-decane dramatically reduced the peak OH concentration via H abstraction reactions and accelerated flame extinction via kinetic coupling between toluene and n-decane mechanisms. Comparisons between experiments and simulations revealed that the current toluene mechanism significantly over-predicts the radical destruction rate, leading to under-prediction of extinction limits and OH concentrations, especially caused by the uncertainty of the H abstraction reaction from toluene, which rate coefficient has a difference by a factor of 5 in the tested toluene models. In addition, sensitivity analysis of diffusive transport showed that in addition to n-decane and toluene, the transport of OH and H also considerably affects the extinction limit. A reduced linear correlation between the extinction limits of n-decane/toluene blended fuels and the H/C ratio as well as the mean fuel molecular weight was obtained. The results suggest that an explicit prediction of the extinction limits of aromatic and alkane blended fuels can be established by using H/C ratio (or radical index) and the mean fuel molecular weight which represent the rates of radical production and the fuel transport, respectively. (author)« less

Interstellar Extinction in the Vicinity of the Galactic Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cotera, Angela S.; Simpson, Janet P.; Erickson, Edwin F.; Colgan, Sean W. J.; Burton, Michael G.; Allen, David A.

2000-01-01

We present J (1.2 microns), H (1-6 microns), K' (2.11 microns) and Br(gamma) (2.166 microns) images from four large regions within the central 40 pc of the Galaxy. Localized variations in the extinction, as determined by observations of the stellar population, are examined using the median H-K' color as a function of position within each region. As the value of the derived extinction from the stars is dependent upon the intrinsic magnitude of the assumed stellar type, the J-H vs. H-K' diagrams are first used to investigate the distribution of stellar types in the four regions. We find that there is a distinct OB population, contrary to earlier assumptions, with the ratio of K and M giants and supergiants to OB stars approximately twice that of the solar neighborhood. Although the on the scale of approx. l' fluctuations in the extinction are on the order of A(sub V) approx. 2, throughout the entire region the extinction varies from A(sub V) approx. greater than 25 to A(sub V) approx. less than 40. We also examine whether there is any variation in the extinction and stellar number density relative to the usual radio features in these regions and do not find a significant correlation. Spectral imaging in Br(gamma) 2.166 microns emission shows a strong morphological correspondence between the 6 cm radio images and the diffuse Br(gamma) emission. By comparing the theoretical Br(gamma) flux derived from the radio flux using recombination theory, with our measured Br(gamma) flux, we obtain a second, independent, estimate of the extinction. We compare the two data sets and find that the extinction as derived from the stars is consistently greater, sometimes by a factor of two, than the value of the extinction derived from the Br(gamma) images. The derived extinction in various regions, however, is insufficient for any of these regions-to be located behind the molecular clouds as previously observed in the Galactic Center, consistent with the theory that the observed radio emission is produced on the foreground surface of these clouds.

Interstellar Extinction in the Vicinity of the Galactic Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cotera, Angela S.; Simpson, Janet P.; Erickson, Edwin F.; Colgan, Sean W. J.

1998-01-01

We present J (1.2 microns) H (1-6 microns) K' (2.11 microns) and Br(gamma) (2.166 microns) images from four large regions within the central 40 pc of the Galaxy. Localized variations in the extinction, as determined by observations of the stellar population, are examined using the median H-K' color as a function of position within each region. As the value of the derived extinction from the stars is dependent upon the intrinsic magnitude of the assumed stellar type, the J-H vs. H-K' diagrams are first used to investigate the distribution of stellar types in the four regions. We find that there is a distinct OB population, contrary to earlier assumptions, with the ratio of K and M giants and supergiants to OB stars approximately twice that of the solar neighborhood. Although the on the scale of approx. 1 min. fluctuations in the extinction are on the order of A(sub V) approx. greater than 2, throughout the entire region the extinction varies from A(sub V) approx. greater than 25 to A(sub V) approx. less than 40. We also examine whether there is any variation in the extinction and stellar number density relative to the unusual radio features in these regions and do not find a significant correlation. Spectral imaging in Br(gamma) 2.166 microns emission shows a strong morphological correspondence between the 6 cm radio images and the diffuse Br(gamma) emission. By comparing the theoretical Br(gamma) flux derived from the radio flux using recombination theory, with our measured Br(gamma) flux, we obtain a second, independent, estimate of the extinction. We compare the two data sets and find that the extinction as derived from the stars is consistently greater, sometimes by a factor of two, than the value of the extinction derived from the Br(gamma) images. The derived extinction in various regions, however, is insufficient for any of these regions to be located behind the molecular clouds as previously observed in the Galactic Center, consistent with the theory that the observed radio emission is produced on the foreground surface of these clouds.

High-precision timeline for Earth’s most severe extinction

PubMed Central

Burgess, Seth D.; Bowring, Samuel; Shen, Shu-zhong

2014-01-01

The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe loss of marine and terrestrial biota in the last 542 My. Understanding its cause and the controls on extinction/recovery dynamics depends on an accurate and precise age model. U-Pb zircon dates for five volcanic ash beds from the Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan, China, define an age model for the extinction and allow exploration of the links between global environmental perturbation, carbon cycle disruption, mass extinction, and recovery at millennial timescales. The extinction occurred between 251.941 ± 0.037 and 251.880 ± 0.031 Mya, an interval of 60 ± 48 ka. Onset of a major reorganization of the carbon cycle immediately precedes the initiation of extinction and is punctuated by a sharp (3‰), short-lived negative spike in the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon. Carbon cycle volatility persists for ∼500 ka before a return to near preextinction values. Decamillenial to millennial level resolution of the mass extinction and its aftermath will permit a refined evaluation of the relative roles of rate-dependent processes contributing to the extinction, allowing insight into postextinction ecosystem expansion, and establish an accurate time point for evaluating the plausibility of trigger and kill mechanisms. PMID:24516148

High-precision timeline for Earth's most severe extinction.

PubMed

Burgess, Seth D; Bowring, Samuel; Shen, Shu-zhong

2014-03-04

The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe loss of marine and terrestrial biota in the last 542 My. Understanding its cause and the controls on extinction/recovery dynamics depends on an accurate and precise age model. U-Pb zircon dates for five volcanic ash beds from the Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan, China, define an age model for the extinction and allow exploration of the links between global environmental perturbation, carbon cycle disruption, mass extinction, and recovery at millennial timescales. The extinction occurred between 251.941 ± 0.037 and 251.880 ± 0.031 Mya, an interval of 60 ± 48 ka. Onset of a major reorganization of the carbon cycle immediately precedes the initiation of extinction and is punctuated by a sharp (3‰), short-lived negative spike in the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon. Carbon cycle volatility persists for ∼500 ka before a return to near preextinction values. Decamillenial to millennial level resolution of the mass extinction and its aftermath will permit a refined evaluation of the relative roles of rate-dependent processes contributing to the extinction, allowing insight into postextinction ecosystem expansion, and establish an accurate time point for evaluating the plausibility of trigger and kill mechanisms.

Unusual dynamics of extinction in a simple ecological model.

PubMed Central

Sinha, S; Parthasarathy, S

1996-01-01

Studies on natural populations and harvesting biological resources have led to the view, commonly held, that (i) populations exhibiting chaotic oscillations run a high risk of extinction; and (ii) a decrease in emigration/exploitation may reduce the risk of extinction. Here we describe a simple ecological model with emigration/depletion that shows behavior in contrast to this. This model displays unusual dynamics of extinction and survival, where populations growing beyond a critical rate can persist within a band of high depletion rates, whereas extinction occurs for lower depletion rates. Though prior to extinction at lower depletion rates the population exhibits chaotic dynamics with large amplitudes of variation and very low minima, at higher depletion rates the population persists at chaos but with reduced variation and increased minima. For still higher values, within the band of persistence, the dynamics show period reversal leading to stability. These results illustrate that chaos does not necessarily lead to population extinction. In addition, the persistence of populations at high depletion rates has important implications in the considerations of strategies for the management of biological resources. PMID:8643661

SAM 2 measurements of the polar stratospheric aerosol. Volume 9: October 1982 - April 1983

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcmaster, L. R.; Powell, K. A.

1991-01-01

The Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM) II sensor aboard Nimbus 7 is providing 1.0 micron extinction measurements of Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric aerosols with a vertical resolution of 1 km. Representative examples and weekly averages including corresponding temperature profiles provided by NOAA for the time and place of each SAM II measurement are presented. Contours of aerosol extinction as a function of altitude and longitude or time are plotted, and aerosol optical depths are calculated for each week. Typical values of aerosol extinction and stratospheric optical depth in the Arctic are unusually large due to the presence of material from the El Chichon volcano eruption in the Spring of 1982. For example, the optical depth peaked at 0.068, more than 50 times background values. Typical values of aerosol extinction and stratospheric optical depth in the Antarctic varied considerably during this period due to the transport and arrival of the material from the El Chichon eruption. For example, the stratospheric optical depth varied from 0.002 in October 1982, to 0.021 in January 1983. Polar stratospheric clouds were observed during the Arctic winter, as expected. A representative sample is provided of the ninth 6-month period of data to be used in atmospheric and climatic studies.

The extinction properties of forest components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.; Blanchard, A. J.; Nance, C. E.

1988-01-01

The effect of each forest component on the extinction of electromagnetic waves is investigated by modeling the branches with finite cylinders, deciduous leaves with elliptic disks, and coniferous leaves with needles. The inner field is estimated by the field inside an infinitely long cylinder of similar properties for the branches, and by the Shifrin approximation for the leaves. For each forest component analytic expressions were derived for the extinction cross section via the forward scattering theorem and for ohmic and scattered losses. For branches, the variation of the extinction cross section obtained via the forward scattering theorem is illustrated numerically as a function of the branch radius and the imaginery part of its dielectric constant. It is compared with the measurements from a single branch. For the leaves, the forward scattering theorem gives value for the extinction cross section equal to the ohmic cross section.

Application of the CALIOP Layer Product to Evaluate the Vertical Distribution of Aerosols Estimated by Global Models: AeroCom Phase I Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koffi, Brigitte; Schulz, Michael; Breon, Francois-Marie; Griesfeller, Jan; Winker, David; Balkanski, Yves; Bauer, Susanne; Berntsen, Terje; Chin, Mian; Collins, William D.;

Extinction maps toward the Milky Way bulge: Two-dimensional and three-dimensional tests with apogee

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schultheis, M.; Zasowski, G.; Allende Prieto, C.

Galactic interstellar extinction maps are powerful and necessary tools for Milky Way structure and stellar population analyses, particularly toward the heavily reddened bulge and in the midplane. However, due to the difficulty of obtaining reliable extinction measures and distances for a large number of stars that are independent of these maps, tests of their accuracy and systematics have been limited. Our goal is to assess a variety of photometric stellar extinction estimates, including both two-dimensional and three-dimensional extinction maps, using independent extinction measures based on a large spectroscopic sample of stars toward the Milky Way bulge. We employ stellar atmosphericmore » parameters derived from high-resolution H-band Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) spectra, combined with theoretical stellar isochrones, to calculate line-of-sight extinction and distances for a sample of more than 2400 giants toward the Milky Way bulge. We compare these extinction values to those predicted by individual near-IR and near+mid-IR stellar colors, two-dimensional bulge extinction maps, and three-dimensional extinction maps. The long baseline, near+mid-IR stellar colors are, on average, the most accurate predictors of the APOGEE extinction estimates, and the two-dimensional and three-dimensional extinction maps derived from different stellar populations along different sightlines show varying degrees of reliability. We present the results of all of the comparisons and discuss reasons for the observed discrepancies. We also demonstrate how the particular stellar atmospheric models adopted can have a strong impact on this type of analysis, and discuss related caveats.« less

Organic Model of Interstellar Grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yabushita, S.; Inagaki, T.; Kawabe, T.; Wada, K.

1987-04-01

Extinction efficiency of grains is calculated from the Mie formula on the premise that the grains are of organic composition. The optical constants adopted for the calculations are those of E. coli, polystyrene and bovine albumin. The grain radius a is assumed to obey a distribution of the form N(a) ∝ a-α and the value of α is chosen so as to make the calculated extinction curve match the observed interstellar extinction curve. Although the calculated curve gives a reasonably good fit to the observed extinction curve for wavelengths less than 2100 Å, at longer wavelength regions, agreement is poor. It is concluded that another component is required for the organic model to be viable.

Extinction times of epidemic outbreaks in networks.

PubMed

Holme, Petter

2013-01-01

In the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) model of disease spreading, the time to extinction of the epidemics happens at an intermediate value of the per-contact transmission probability. Too contagious infections burn out fast in the population. Infections that are not contagious enough die out before they spread to a large fraction of people. We characterize how the maximal extinction time in SIR simulations on networks depend on the network structure. For example we find that the average distances in isolated components, weighted by the component size, is a good predictor of the maximal time to extinction. Furthermore, the transmission probability giving the longest outbreaks is larger than, but otherwise seemingly independent of, the epidemic threshold.

A global, space-based stratospheric aerosol climatology: 1979 to 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomason, L. W.; Vernier, J. P.; Bourassa, A. E.; Millan, L.; Manney, G. L.

2016-12-01

Herein, we report on a global space-based stratospheric aerosol climatology (GloSSAC) that has been developed to support Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) (REF to CMIP6 and ETH work). GloSSAC is most closely related to the ASAP[SPARC, 2006] and CCMI data sets and follows a similar approach used to produce those data sets. It is primarily built using space-based measurements by a number of instruments including the SAGE series, OSIRIS, CALIPSO, CLAES and HALOE. The data set is presented as monthly depictions for 80S to 80N and from at least the tropopause to 40 km. The data set consists primarily of measurements by the instruments at their native wavelength and measurement type (e.g., extinction coefficient). However, every bin in these monthly grids receives measured or indirectly inferred values for aerosol extinction coefficient at 525 and 1020 nm. Generally, bins where no data are available are filled via simple linear interpolation in time only. The exceptions are in the SAGE I/II gap from 1982 to 1984 where data from SAM II and ground-based and airborne lidar data sets are used to span the 3 years between the end of the SAGE I mission in November 1981 and the beginning of the SAGE II mission in October 1984. Ground-based lidar also supplements space-based data in the months following the Pinatubo eruption when much of the lower stratosphere is too optically opaque for occultation measurements. This data set includes total aerosol surface area density and volume estimates based on Thomason et al.[2008] though these should be interpreted as bounding values (low and high) rather than functional aerosol parameters that are generally produced from this and predecessor data sets by other parties. Unlike previous versions of this data set, GloSSAC has been permanently archived at NASA's Atmospheric Science Data Center and a digital object identifier (doi) for GloSSAC is available. SPARC (2006), Assessment of Stratospheric Aerosol Properties (ASAP), 348 pp., WCRP-124, WMO/TD No. 1295, SPARC Report No. 4. Thomason, L. W., S. P. Burton, B. P. Luo, and T. Peter (2008), SAGE II measurements of stratospheric aerosol properties at non-volcanic levels, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 8(4), 983-995, doi:10.5194/acp-8-983-2008.

VLT/X-shooter GRBs: Individual extinction curves of star-forming regions★

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zafar, T.; Watson, D.; Møller, P.; Selsing, J.; Fynbo, J. PU; Schady, P.; Wiersema, K.; Levan, A. J.; Heintz, K. E.; Postigo, A. de Ugarte; D'Elia, V.; Jakobsson, P.; Bolmer, J.; Japelj, J.; Covino, S.; Gomboc, A.; Cano, Z.

2018-05-01

The extinction profiles in Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglow spectral energy distributions (SEDs) are usually described by the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)-type extinction curve. In different empirical extinction laws, the total-to-selective extinction, RV, is an important quantity because of its relation to dust grain sizes and compositions. We here analyse a sample of 17 GRBs (0.34

Aerosol profiling using the ceilometer network of the German Meteorological Service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flentje, H.; Heese, B.; Reichardt, J.; Thomas, W.

2010-08-01

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) operates about 52 lidar ceilometers within its synoptic observations network, covering Germany. These affordable low-power lidar systems provide spatially and temporally high resolved aerosol backscatter profiles which can operationally provide quasi 3-D distributions of particle backscatter intensity. Intentionally designed for cloud height detection, recent significant improvements allow following the development of the boundary layer and to detect denser particle plumes in the free tropospere like volcanic ash, Saharan dust or fire smoke. Thus the network builds a powerful aerosol plume alerting and tracking system. If auxiliary aerosol information is available, the particle backscatter coefficient, the extinction coefficient and even particle mass concentrations may be estimated, with however large uncertainties. Therefore, large synergistic benefit is achieved if the ceilometers are linked to existing lidar networks like EARLINET or integrated into WMO's envisioined Global Aerosol Lidar Observation Network GALION. To this end, we demonstrate the potential and limitations of ceilometer networks by means of three representative aerosol episodes over Europe, namely Sahara dust, Mediterranean fire smoke and, more detailed, the Icelandic Eyjafjoll volcano eruption from mid April 2010 onwards. The DWD (Jenoptik CHM15k) lidar ceilometer network tracked the Eyjafjoll ash layers over Germany and roughly estimated peak extinction coefficients and mass concentrations on 17 April of 4-6(± 2) 10-4 m-1 and 500-750(± 300) μg/m-3, respectively, based on co-located aerosol optical depth, nephelometer (scattering coefficient) and particle mass concentration measurements. Though large, the uncertainties are small enough to let the network suit for example as aviation advisory tool, indicating whether the legal flight ban threshold of presently 2 mg/m3 is imminent to be exceeded.

Estimation of black carbon content for biomass burning aerosols from multi-channel Raman lidar data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talianu, Camelia; Marmureanu, Luminita; Nicolae, Doina

2015-04-01

Biomass burning due to natural processes (forest fires) or anthropical activities (agriculture, thermal power stations, domestic heating) is an important source of aerosols with a high content of carbon components (black carbon and organic carbon). Multi-channel Raman lidars provide information on the spectral dependence of the backscatter and extinction coefficients, embedding information on the black carbon content. Aerosols with a high content of black carbon have large extinction coefficients and small backscatter coefficients (strong absorption), while aerosols with high content of organic carbon have large backscatter coefficients (weak absorption). This paper presents a method based on radiative calculations to estimate the black carbon content of biomass burning aerosols from 3b+2a+1d lidar signals. Data is collected at Magurele, Romania, at the cross-road of air masses coming from Ukraine, Russia and Greece, where burning events are frequent during both cold and hot seasons. Aerosols are transported in the free troposphere, generally in the 2-4 km altitude range, and reaches the lidar location after 2-3 days. Optical data are collected between 2011-2012 by a multi-channel Raman lidar and follows the quality assurance program of EARLINET. Radiative calculations are made with libRadTran, an open source radiative model developed by ESA. Validation of the retrievals is made by comparison to a co-located C-ToF Aerosol Mass Spectrometer. Keywords: Lidar, aerosols, biomass burning, radiative model, black carbon Acknowledgment: This work has been supported by grants of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, Programme for Research- Space Technology and Advanced Research - STAR, project no. 39/2012 - SIAFIM, and by Romanian Partnerships in priority areas PNII implemented with MEN-UEFISCDI support, project no. 309/2014 - MOBBE

Aerosol optical extinction during the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Éxperiment (FRAPPÉ) 2014 summertime field campaign, Colorado, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dingle, Justin H.; Vu, Kennedy; Bahreini, Roya; Apel, Eric C.; Campos, Teresa L.; Flocke, Frank; Fried, Alan; Herndon, Scott; Hills, Alan J.; Hornbrook, Rebecca S.; Huey, Greg; Kaser, Lisa; Montzka, Denise D.; Nowak, John B.; Reeves, Mike; Richter, Dirk; Roscioli, Joseph R.; Shertz, Stephen; Stell, Meghan; Tanner, David; Tyndall, Geoff; Walega, James; Weibring, Petter; Weinheimer, Andrew

2016-09-01

Summertime aerosol optical extinction (βext) was measured in the Colorado Front Range and Denver metropolitan area as part of the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Éxperiment (FRAPPÉ) campaign during July-August 2014. An Aerodyne cavity attenuated phase shift particle light extinction monitor (CAPS-PMex) was deployed to measure βext (at average relative humidity of 20 ± 7 %) of submicron aerosols at λ = 632 nm at 1 Hz. Data from a suite of gas-phase instrumentation were used to interpret βext behavior in various categories of air masses and sources. Extinction enhancement ratios relative to CO (Δβext / ΔCO) were higher in aged urban air masses compared to fresh air masses by ˜ 50 %. The resulting increase in Δβext / ΔCO for highly aged air masses was accompanied by formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). In addition, the impacts of aerosol composition on βext in air masses under the influence of urban, natural oil and gas operations (O&G), and agriculture and livestock operations were evaluated. Estimated non-refractory mass extinction efficiency (MEE) values for different air mass types ranged from 1.51 to 2.27 m2 g-1, with the minimum and maximum values observed in urban and agriculture-influenced air masses, respectively. The mass distribution for organic, nitrate, and sulfate aerosols presented distinct profiles in different air mass types. During 11-12 August, regional influence of a biomass burning event was observed, increasing the background βext and estimated MEE values in the Front Range.

Ca, Sr, Mo and U isotopes evidence ocean acidification and deoxygenation during the Late Permian mass extinction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva-Tamayo, Juan Carlos; Payne, Jon; Wignall, Paul; Newton, Rob; Eisenhauer, Anton; Weyer, Stenfan; Neubert, Nadja; Lau, Kim; Maher, Kate; Paytan, Adina; Lehrmann, Dan; Altiner, Demir; Yu, Meiyi

2014-05-01

The most catastrophic extinction event in the history of animal life occurred at the end of the Permian Period, ca. 252 Mya. Ocean acidification and global oceanic euxinia have each been proposed as causes of this biotic crisis, but the magnitude and timing of change in global ocean chemistry remains poorly constrained. Here we use multiple isotope systems - Ca, Sr, Mo and U - measured from well dated Upper Permian- Lower Triassic sedimentary sections to better constrain the magnitude and timing of change in ocean chemistry and the effects of ocean acidification and de-oxygenation through this interval. All the investigated carbonate successions (Turkey, Italy and China) exhibit decreasing δ44/40Ca compositions, from ~-1.4‰ to -2.0‰ in the interval preceding the main extinction. These values remain low during most of the Griesbachian, to finally return to -1.4‰ in the middle Dienerian. The limestone succession from southern Turkey also displays a major decrease in the δ88/86Sr values from 0.45‰ to 0.3‰ before the extinction. These values remain low during the Griesbachian and finally increase to 0.55‰ by the middle Dienerian. The paired negative anomalies on the carbonate δ44/40Ca and δ88/86Sr suggest a decrease in the carbonate precipitation and thus an episode of ocean acidification coincident with the major biotic crisis. The Mo and U isotope records also exhibit significant rapid negative anomalies at the onset of the main extinction interval, suggesting rapid expansion of anoxic and euxinic marine bottom waters during the extinction interval. The rapidity of the isotope excursions in Mo and U suggests substantially reduced residence times of these elements in seawater relative to the modern, consistent with expectations for a time of widespread anoxia. The large C-isotope variability within Lower Triassic rocks, which is similar to that of the Lower-Middle Cambrian, may reflect biologically controlled perturbations of the oceanic carbon cycle. These findings strengthen the evidence for a global ocean acidification event coupled with rapid expansion of anoxic zones as drivers of end-Permian extinction in the oceans.

Volcanic Signatures in Estimates of Stratospheric Aerosol Size, Distribution Width, Surface Area, and Volume Deduced from Global Satellite-Based Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauman, J. J.; Russell, P. B.

2000-01-01

Volcanic signatures in the stratospheric aerosol layer are revealed by two independent techniques which retrieve aerosol information from global satellite-based observations of particulate extinction. Both techniques combine the 4-wavelength Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II extinction measurements (0.385 <= lambda <= 1.02 microns) with the 7.96 micron and 12.82 micron extinction measurements from the Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer (CLAES) instrument. The algorithms use the SAGE II/CLAES composite extinction spectra in month-latitude-altitude bins to retrieve values and uncertainties of particle effective radius R(sub eff), surface area S, volume V and size distribution width sigma(sub R). The first technique is a multi-wavelength Look-Up-Table (LUT) algorithm which retrieves values and uncertainties of R(sub eff) by comparing ratios of extinctions from SAGE II and CLAES (e.g., E(sub lambda)/E(sub 1.02) to pre-computed extinction ratios which are based on a range of unimodal lognormal size distributions. The pre-computed ratios are presented as a function of R(sub eff) for a given sigma(sub g); thus the comparisons establish the range of R(sub eff) consistent with the measured spectra for that sigma(sub g). The fact that no solutions are found for certain sigma(sub g) values provides information on the acceptable range of sigma(sub g), which is found to evolve in response to volcanic injections and removal periods. Analogous comparisons using absolute extinction spectra and error bars establish the range of S and V. The second technique is a Parameter Search Technique (PST) which estimates R(sub eff) and sigma(sub g) within a month-latitude-altitude bin by minimizing the chi-squared values obtained by comparing the SAGE II/CLAES extinction spectra and error bars with spectra calculated by varying the lognormal fitting parameters: R(sub eff), sigma(sub g), and the total number of particles N(sub 0). For both techniques, possible biases in retrieved-parameters caused by assuming a unimodal functional form are removed using correction factors computed from representative in situ measurements of bimodal size distributions. Some interesting features revealed by the LUT and PST retrievals include: (1) Increases in S and V (but not R(sub eff)) after the Ruiz and Kelut injections, (2) Increases in S, V, R(sub eff) after Pinatubo, (3) Post-Pinatubo increases in S, V, and R(sub eff) that are more rapid in the tropics than elsewhere, (4) Mid-latitude post-Pinatubo increases in R(sub eff) that lag increases in S and V, (5) S and V returning to pre-Pinatubo values sooner than R(sub eff) does, (6) Sharp increases in sigma(sub g), after Pinatubo and slight increases in sigma(sub g) after Ruiz, Etna, Kelut, Spurr and Rabaul, and (7) Gradual declines in the heights at which R(sub eff), S and V peak after Pinatubo.

High Transparent Conductive Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films by Reactive Co-Sputtering (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-30

wavelength where n = k) is 1605 nm from the film (f). Figure 1 XRD patterns of the AZO films on quartz substrate Figure 2 UV-Vis-NIR...71.6 1605 9.87 x10 -4 Figure 3 Refractive index n (left) and extinction coefficient k of (right) the AZO films. 4. Conclusions AZO films were

Determination of a refractive index and an extinction coefficient of standard production of CVD-graphene.

PubMed

Ochoa-Martínez, Efraín; Gabás, Mercedes; Barrutia, Laura; Pesquera, Amaia; Centeno, Alba; Palanco, Santiago; Zurutuza, Amaia; Algora, Carlos

2015-01-28

The refractive index and extinction coefficient of chemical vapour deposition grown graphene are determined by ellipsometry analysis. Graphene films were grown on copper substrates and transferred as both monolayers and bilayers onto SiO2/Si substrates by using standard manufacturing procedures. The chemical nature and thickness of residual debris formed after the transfer process were elucidated using photoelectron spectroscopy. The real layered structure so deduced has been used instead of the nominal one as the input in the ellipsometry analysis of monolayer and bilayer graphene, transferred onto both native and thermal silicon oxide. The effect of these contamination layers on the optical properties of the stacked structure is noticeable both in the visible and the ultraviolet spectral regions, thus masking the graphene optical response. Finally, the use of heat treatment under a nitrogen atmosphere of the graphene-based stacked structures, as a method to reduce the water content of the sample, and its effect on the optical response of both graphene and the residual debris layer are presented. The Lorentz-Drude model proposed for the optical response of graphene fits fairly well the experimental ellipsometric data for all the analysed graphene-based stacked structures.

Preparation and Characterization of Ion-Irradiated Nanodiamonds as Photoacoustic Contrast Agents.

PubMed

Fang, Chia-Yi; Chang, Cheng-Chun; Mou, Chung-Yuan; Chang, Huan-Cheng

2015-02-01

Highly radiation-damaged or irradiated nanodiamonds (INDs) are a new type of nanomaterial developed recently as a potential photoacoustic (PA) contrast agent for deep-tissue imaging. This work characterized in detail the photophysical properties of these materials prepared by ion irradiation of natural diamond powders using various spectroscopic methods. For 40-nm NDs irradiated with 40-keV He+ at a dose of 3 x 10(15) ions/cm2, an average molar extinction coefficient of 4.2 M-1 cm-1 per carbon atom was measured at 1064 nm. Compared with gold nanorods of similar dimensions (10 nm x 67 nm), the INDs have a substantially smaller (by > 4 orders of magnitude) molar extinction coefficient per particle. However, the deficit is readily compensated by the much higher thermal stability, stronger hydrophilic interaction with water, and a lower nanobubble formation threshold (~30 mJ/cm2) of the sp3-carbon-based nanomaterial. No sign of photodamage was detected after high-energy (>100 mJ/cm2) illumination of the INDs for hours. Cell viability assays at the IND concentration of up to 100 µg/mL showed that the nanomaterial is non-cytotoxic and potentially useful for long-term PA bioimaging applications.

The New Horizons Ultraviolet Solar Occultation by Pluto's Atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, L. A.; Kammer, J.; Steffl, A.; Gladstone, R.; Summers, M. E.; Strobel, D. F.; Hinson, D. P.; Stern, A.; Weaver, H. A., Jr.; Olkin, C.; Ennico Smith, K.; McComas, D. J.

2017-12-01

The Alice instrument on NASA's New Horizons spacecraft observed an ultraviolet solar occultation by Pluto's atmosphere on 2015 July 14, as the spacecraft flew nearly diametrically though the solar shadow. The resulting dataset was a time-series of spectra from 52 to 187 nm with a spectral resolution of 0.3 nm. From these, we derived line-of-sight abundances and local number densities for the major species (N2 and CH4) and minor hydrocarbons (C2H2, C2H4, C2H6), and line-of-sight optical depth and extinction coefficients for the haze. Analysis of these data imply that (1) temperatures in Pluto's upper atmosphere were colder than expected before the New Horizons flyby, with upper atmospheric temperatures near 65-68 K, and subsequently lower escape rates, dominated by CH4 escape over N2; (2) the lower atmosphere was very stable, placing the homopause within 12 km of the surface, (3) the abundance profiles of the "C2Hx hydrocarbons" had non-exponential density profiles that compared favorably with models for hydrocarbon production near 300-400 km and haze condensation near 200 km, and (4) haze had an extinction coefficient approximately proportional to N2 density.

Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Constants of Silicon Oxycarbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Memon, Faisal Ahmed; Morichetti, Francesco; Abro, Muhammad Ishaque; Iseni, Giosue; Somaschini, Claudio; Aftab, Umair; Melloni, Andrea

2017-03-01

High refractive index glasses are preferred in integrated photonics applications to realize higher integration scale of passive devices. With a refractive index that can be tuned between SiO2 (1.45) and a-SiC (3.2), silicon oxycarbide SiOC offers this flexibility. In the present work, silicon oxycarbide thin films from 0.1 - 2.0 μm thickness are synthesized by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering a silicon carbide SiC target in a controlled argon and oxygen environment. The refractive index n and material extinction coefficient k of the silicon oxycarbide films are acquired with variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry over the UV-Vis-NIR wavelength range. Keeping argon and oxygen gases in the constant ratio, the refractive index n is found in the range from 1.41 to 1.93 at 600 nm which is almost linearly dependent on RF power of sputtering. The material extinction coefficient k has been estimated to be less than 10-4 for the deposited silicon oxycarbide films in the visible and near-infrared wavelength regions. Morphological and structural characterizations with SEM and XRD confirms the amorphous phase of the SiOC films.

Characterization of light scattering in nematic droplet-polymer films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinugasa, Naoki; Yano, Yuichi; Takigawa, Akio; Kawahara, Hideo

1992-06-01

The optical properties of nematic droplet-polymer films were studied both in the on and off state using Lambert-Beer''s law to characterize their scattering phenomena. For the preparation of the devices, NCAP process was employed with the different diameter, distribution, shape, and density of nematic droplets. Their cell thickness and refractive indices concerning the birefringence of liquid crystals were also controlled. The results showed that the scattering phenomena of nematic droplet-polymer films were likely caused by two types of features. One, related to the surface area of nematic droplets, was the difference of the refractive indices in the interface between liquid crystals and polymer matrix. The other, related to the liquid crystal volume inside the nematic droplets, was the birefringence of liquid crystals. Considering such relations, the extinction coefficient of Lambert-Beer''s law could be described by the sum of the area in the interface multiplied by the difference of the refractive indices between two materials and the liquid crystal volume multiplied by their birefringence. Furthermore, it was found their parallel transmittance in the off state and haze ratio in the on state were well characterized by such extinction coefficient of Lambert-Beer''s law.

The concept of apparent polarizability for calculating the extinction of electromagnetic radiation by porous aerosol particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haspel, C.; Adler, G.

2017-04-01

In the current study, the electromagnetic properties of porous aerosol particles are calculated in two ways. In the first, a porous target input file is generated by carving out voids in an otherwise homogeneous particle, and the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) is used to compute the extinction efficiency of the particle assuming that the voids are near vacuum dielectrics and assuming random particle orientation. In the second, an effective medium approximation (EMA) style approach is employed in which an apparent polarizability of the voids is defined based on the well-known solution to the problem in classical electrostatics of a spherical cavity within a dielectric. It is found that for porous particles with smaller overall diameter with respect to the wavelength of incident radiation, describing the voids as near vacuum dielectrics within the DDA sufficiently reproduces measured values of extinction efficiency, whereas for porous particles with moderate to larger overall diameters with respect to the wavelength of the radiation, the apparent polarizability EMA approach better reproduces the measured values of extinction efficiency.

Expansion or extinction: deterministic and stochastic two-patch models with Allee effects.

PubMed

Kang, Yun; Lanchier, Nicolas

2011-06-01

We investigate the impact of Allee effect and dispersal on the long-term evolution of a population in a patchy environment. Our main focus is on whether a population already established in one patch either successfully invades an adjacent empty patch or undergoes a global extinction. Our study is based on the combination of analytical and numerical results for both a deterministic two-patch model and a stochastic counterpart. The deterministic model has either two, three or four attractors. The existence of a regime with exactly three attractors only appears when patches have distinct Allee thresholds. In the presence of weak dispersal, the analysis of the deterministic model shows that a high-density and a low-density populations can coexist at equilibrium in nearby patches, whereas the analysis of the stochastic model indicates that this equilibrium is metastable, thus leading after a large random time to either a global expansion or a global extinction. Up to some critical dispersal, increasing the intensity of the interactions leads to an increase of both the basin of attraction of the global extinction and the basin of attraction of the global expansion. Above this threshold, for both the deterministic and the stochastic models, the patches tend to synchronize as the intensity of the dispersal increases. This results in either a global expansion or a global extinction. For the deterministic model, there are only two attractors, while the stochastic model no longer exhibits a metastable behavior. In the presence of strong dispersal, the limiting behavior is entirely determined by the value of the Allee thresholds as the global population size in the deterministic and the stochastic models evolves as dictated by their single-patch counterparts. For all values of the dispersal parameter, Allee effects promote global extinction in terms of an expansion of the basin of attraction of the extinction equilibrium for the deterministic model and an increase of the probability of extinction for the stochastic model.

MEASURING REDDENING WITH SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY STELLAR SPECTRA AND RECALIBRATING SFD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schlafly, Edward F.; Finkbeiner, Douglas P.

2011-08-20

We present measurements of dust reddening using the colors of stars with spectra in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We measure reddening as the difference between the measured and predicted colors of a star, as derived from stellar parameters from the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration Stellar Parameter Pipeline. We achieve uncertainties of 56, 34, 25, and 29 mmag in the colors u - g, g - r, r - i, and i - z, per star, though the uncertainty varies depending on the stellar type and the magnitude of the star. The spectrum-based reddening measurements confirm ourmore » earlier 'blue tip' reddening measurements, finding reddening coefficients different by -3%, 1%, 1%, and 2% in u - g, g - r, r - i, and i - z from those found by the blue tip method, after removing a 4% normalization difference. These results prefer an R{sub V} = 3.1 Fitzpatrick reddening law to O'Donnell or Cardelli et al. reddening laws. We provide a table of conversion coefficients from the Schlegel et al. (SFD) maps of E(B - V) to extinction in 88 bandpasses for four values of R{sub V} , using this reddening law and the 14% recalibration of SFD first reported by Schlafly et al. and confirmed in this work.« less

Theoretical and experimental investigations of optical, structural and electronic properties of the lower-dimensional hybrid [NH3-(CH2)10-NH3]ZnCl4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Mrabet, R.; Kassou, S.; Tahiri, O.; Belaaraj, A.; Guionneau, P.

2016-10-01

In the current study, a combination between theoretical and experimental studies has been made for the hybrid perovskite [NH3-(CH2)10-NH3]ZnCl4. The density functional theory (DFT) was performed to investigate structural and electronic properties of the tilted compound. A local approximation (LDA) and semi-local approach (GGA) were employed. The results are obtained using, respectively, the local exchange correlation functional of Perdew-Wang 92 (PW92) and semi local functional of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE). The optimized cell parameters are in good agreement with the experimental results. Electronic properties have been studied through the calculation of band structures and density of state (DOS), while structural properties are investigated by geometry optimization of the cell. Fritz-Haber-Institute (FHI) pseudopotentials were employed to perform all calculations. The optical diffuse reflectance spectra was mesured and applied to deduce the refractive index ( n), the extinction coefficient ( k), the absorption coefficient (α), the real and imaginary dielectric permittivity parts (ɛr,ɛi)) and the optical band gap energy Eg. The optical band gap energy value shows good consistent with that obtained from DFT calculations and reveals the insulating behavior of the material.

Effect of 60Co γ-irradiation on structural and optical properties of thin films of Ga10Se80Hg10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Shabir; Asokan, K.; Shahid Khan, Mohd.; Zulfequar, M.

2015-08-01

Thin films of Ga10Se80Hg10 have been deposited onto a chemically cleaned Al2O3 substrates by thermal evaporation technique under vacuum. The investigated thin films are irradiated by 60Co γ-rays in the dose range of 50-150 kGy. X-ray diffraction patterns of the investigated thin films confirm the preferred crystallite growth occurs in the tetragonal phase structure. It also shows, the average crystallite size increases after γ-exposure, which indicates the crystallinity of the material increases after γ-irradiation. These results were further supported by surface morphological analysis carried out by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope which also shows the crystallinity of the material increases with increasing the γ-irradiation dose. The optical transmission spectra of the thin films at normal incidence were investigated in the spectral range from 190 to 1100 nm. Using the transmission spectra, the optical constants like refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) were calculated based on Swanepoel's method. The optical band gap (Eg) was also estimated using Tauc's extrapolation procedure. The optical analysis shows: the value of optical band gap of investigated thin films decreases and the corresponding absorption coefficient increases continuously with increasing dose of γ-irradiation.

EXTINCTION LAWS TOWARD STELLAR SOURCES WITHIN A DUSTY CIRCUMSTELLAR MEDIUM AND IMPLICATIONS FOR TYPE IA SUPERNOVAE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nagao, Takashi; Maeda, Keiichi; Nozawa, Takaya, E-mail: nagao@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Many astronomical objects are surrounded by dusty environments. In such dusty objects, multiple scattering processes of photons by circumstellar (CS) dust grains can effectively alter extinction properties. In this paper, we systematically investigate the effects of multiple scattering on extinction laws for steady-emission sources surrounded by the dusty CS medium using a radiation transfer simulation based on the Monte Carlo technique. In particular, we focus on whether and how the extinction properties are affected by properties of CS dust grains by adopting various dust grain models. We confirm that behaviors of the (effective) extinction laws are highly dependent on themore » properties of CS grains, especially the total-to-selective extinction ratio R{sub V}, which characterizes the extinction law and can be either increased or decreased and compared with the case without multiple scattering. We find that the criterion for this behavior is given by a ratio of albedos in the B and V bands. We also find that either small silicate grains or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are necessary for realizing a low value of R{sub V} as often measured toward SNe Ia if the multiple scattering by CS dust is responsible for their non-standard extinction laws. Using the derived relations between the properties of dust grains and the resulting effective extinction laws, we propose that the extinction laws toward dusty objects could be used to constrain the properties of dust grains in CS environments.« less

A theoretical quantitative genetic study of negative ecological interactions and extinction times in changing environments.

PubMed

Jones, Adam G

2008-04-25

Rapid human-induced changes in the environment at local, regional and global scales appear to be contributing to population declines and extinctions, resulting in an unprecedented biodiversity crisis. Although in the short term populations can respond ecologically to environmental alterations, in the face of persistent change populations must evolve or become extinct. Existing models of evolution and extinction in changing environments focus only on single species, even though the dynamics of extinction almost certainly depend upon the nature of species interactions. Here, I use a model of quantitative trait evolution in a two-species community to show that negative ecological interactions, such as predation and competition, can produce unexpected results regarding time to extinction. Under some circumstances, negative interactions can be expected to hasten the extinction of species declining in numbers. However, under other circumstances, negative interactions can actually increase times to extinction. This effect occurs across a wide range of parameter values and can be substantial, in some cases allowing a population to persist for 40 percent longer than it would in the absence of the species interaction. This theoretical study indicates that negative species interactions can have unexpected positive effects on times to extinction. Consequently, detailed studies of selection and demographics will be necessary to predict the consequences of species interactions in changing environments for any particular ecological community.

An efficient method for the calculation of mean extinction. I - The analyticity of the complex extinction efficiency of homogeneous spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Zhang-Fan; Greenberg, J. M.

1992-11-01

Results of an investigation of the analyticity of the complex extinction efficiency Q-tilde(ext) in different parameter domains are presented. In the size parameter domain, x = omega(a/c), numerical Hilbert transforms are used to study the analyticity properties of Q-tilde(ext) for homogeneous spheres. Q-tilde(ext) is found to be analytic in the entire lower complex x-tilde-plane when the refractive index, m, is fixed as a real constant (pure scattering) or infinity (perfect conductor); poles, however, appear in the left side of the lower complex x-tilde-plane as m becomes complex. The computation of the mean extinction produced by an extended size distribution of particles may be conveniently and accurately approximated using only a few values of the complex extinction evaluated in the complex plane.

The Mid-Infrared Extinction Law in the Ophiuchus, Perseus, and Serpens Molecular Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapman, Nicholas L.; Mundy, Lee G.; Lai, Shih-Ping; Evans, Neal J., II

2009-01-01

We compute the mid-IR extinction law from 3.6 to 24 μm in three molecular clouds—Ophiuchus, Perseus, and Serpens—by combining data from the "Cores to Disks" Spitzer Legacy Science program with deep JHKs imaging. Using a new technique, we are able to calculate the line-of-sight (LOS) extinction law toward each background star in our fields. With these LOS measurements, we create, for the first time, maps of the χ2 deviation of the data from two extinction law models. Because our χ2 maps have the same spatial resolution as our extinction maps, we can directly observe the changing extinction law as a function of the total column density. In the Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) bands, 3.6-8 μm, we see evidence for grain growth. Below A_{K_s} = 0.5, our extinction law is well fitted by the Weingartner and Draine RV = 3.1 diffuse interstellar-medium dust model. As the extinction increases, our law gradually flattens, and for A_{K_s} \\ge 1, the data are more consistent with the Weingartner and Draine RV = 5.5 model that uses larger maximum dust grain sizes. At 24 μm, our extinction law is 2-4 times higher than the values predicted by theoretical dust models, but is more consistent with the observational results of Flaherty et al. Finally, from our χ2 maps we identify a region in Perseus where the IRAC extinction law is anomalously high considering its column density. A steeper near-IR extinction law than the one we have assumed may partially explain the IRAC extinction law in this region.

A New Reddening Law for M4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendricks, Benjamin; Stetson, Peter B.; VandenBerg, Don A.; Dall'Ora, Massimo

2012-07-01

We have used a combination of broadband near-infrared and optical Johnson-Cousins photometry to study the dust properties in the line of sight to the Galactic globular cluster M4. We have investigated the reddening effects in terms of absolute strength and variation across the cluster field, as well as the shape of the reddening law defined by the type of dust. All three aspects had been poorly defined for this system and, consequently, there has been controversy about the absolute distance to this globular cluster, which is closest to the Sun. Here, we determine the ratio of absolute to selective extinction (RV ) in the line of sight toward M4, which is known to be a useful indicator for the type of dust and therefore characterizes the applicable reddening law. Our method is independent of age assumptions and appears to be significantly more precise and accurate than previous approaches. We obtain AV /E(B - V) = 3.76 ± 0.07 (random error) for the dust in the line of sight to M4 for our set of filters. That corresponds to a dust-type parameter RV = 3.62 ± 0.07 in the Cardelli et al. reddening law. With this value, the distance to M4 is found to be 1.80 ± 0.05 kpc, corresponding to a true distance modulus of (m - M)0 = 11.28 ± 0.06 (random error). A reddening map for M4 has been created, which reveals a spatial differential reddening of δE(B - V) >= 0.2 mag across the field within 10' around the cluster center; this is about 50% of the total mean reddening, which we have determined to be E(B - V) = 0.37 ± 0.01. In order to provide accurate zero points for the extinction coefficients of our photometric filters, we investigated the impact of stellar parameters such as temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity on the extinction properties and the necessary corrections in different bandpasses. Using both synthetic ATLAS9 spectra and observed spectral energy distributions, we found similarly sized effects for the range of temperature and surface gravity typical of globular cluster stars: each causes a change of about 3% in the necessary correction factor for each filter combination. Interestingly, variations in the metallicity cause effects of the same order when the assumed value is changed from the solar metallicity ([Fe/H] = 0.0) to [Fe/H] = -2.5. The systematic differences between the reddening corrections for a typical main-sequence turnoff star in a metal poor globular cluster and a Vega-like star are even stronger (~5%). We compared the results from synthetic spectra to those obtained with observed spectral energy distributions and found significant differences for temperatures lower than ~5000 K. We have attributed these discrepancies to the inadequate treatment of some molecular bands in the B filter within the ATLAS9 models. Fortunately, these differences do not affect the principal astrophysical conclusions in this study, which are based on stars hotter than 5000 K. From our calculations, we provide extinction zero points for Johnson-Cousins and Two Micron All Sky Survey filters, spanning a wide range of stellar parameters and dust types. These extinction tables are suited for accurate, object-specific extinction corrections.

The extinction law from photometric data: linear regression methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ascenso, J.; Lombardi, M.; Lada, C. J.; Alves, J.

2012-04-01

Context. The properties of dust grains, in particular their size distribution, are expected to differ from the interstellar medium to the high-density regions within molecular clouds. Since the extinction at near-infrared wavelengths is caused by dust, the extinction law in cores should depart from that found in low-density environments if the dust grains have different properties. Aims: We explore methods to measure the near-infrared extinction law produced by dense material in molecular cloud cores from photometric data. Methods: Using controlled sets of synthetic and semi-synthetic data, we test several methods for linear regression applied to the specific problem of deriving the extinction law from photometric data. We cover the parameter space appropriate to this type of observations. Results: We find that many of the common linear-regression methods produce biased results when applied to the extinction law from photometric colors. We propose and validate a new method, LinES, as the most reliable for this effect. We explore the use of this method to detect whether or not the extinction law of a given reddened population has a break at some value of extinction. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile (ESO programmes 069.C-0426 and 074.C-0728).

[Analysis of visible extinction spectrum of particle system and selection of optimal wavelength].

PubMed

Sun, Xiao-gang; Tang, Hong; Yuan, Gui-bin

2008-09-01

In the total light scattering particle sizing technique, the extinction spectrum of particle system contains some information about the particle size and refractive index. The visible extinction spectra of the common monomodal and biomodal R-R particle size distribution were computed, and the variation in the visible extinction spectrum with the particle size and refractive index was analyzed. The corresponding wavelengths were selected as the measurement wavelengths at which the second order differential extinction spectrum was discontinuous. Furthermore, the minimum and the maximum wavelengths in the visible region were also selected as the measurement wavelengths. The genetic algorithm was used as the inversion method under the dependent model The computer simulation and experiments illustrate that it is feasible to make an analysis of the extinction spectrum and use this selection method of the optimal wavelength in the total light scattering particle sizing. The rough contour of the particle size distribution can be determined after the analysis of visible extinction spectrum, so the search range of the particle size parameter is reduced in the optimal algorithm, and then a more accurate inversion result can be obtained using the selection method. The inversion results of monomodal and biomodal distribution are all still satisfactory when 1% stochastic noise is put in the transmission extinction measurement values.

Standard UBV Observations at the Çanakkale University Observatory (ÇUO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakis, Hicran; Bakis, Volkan; Demircan, Osman; Budding, Edwin

2005-07-01

By using standard and comparison star observations carried out at different times of the year, at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory, we obtained the atmospheric extinction coefficients at the observatory. We also obtained transformation coefficients and zero-point constants for the transformation to the standard Johnson UBV system, of observations in the local system carried out with the SSP5A photometer and T40 telescope. The transmission curves and the mean wavelengths of the UBV filters as measured in the laboratory appear not much different from those of the standard Johnson system and found inside the transmission curve of the standard mean atmosphere.

Sensitivity Analysis of Biome-Bgc Model for Dry Tropical Forests of Vindhyan Highlands, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, M.; Raghubanshi, A. S.

2011-08-01

A process-based model BIOME-BGC was run for sensitivity analysis to see the effect of ecophysiological parameters on net primary production (NPP) of dry tropical forest of India. The sensitivity test reveals that the forest NPP was highly sensitive to the following ecophysiological parameters: Canopy light extinction coefficient (k), Canopy average specific leaf area (SLA), New stem C : New leaf C (SC:LC), Maximum stomatal conductance (gs,max), C:N of fine roots (C:Nfr), All-sided to projected leaf area ratio and Canopy water interception coefficient (Wint). Therefore, these parameters need more precision and attention during estimation and observation in the field studies.

Atmospheric aerosols: Their Optical Properties and Effects (supplement)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

A digest of technical papers is presented. Topics include aerosol size distribution from spectral attenuation with scattering measurements; comparison of extinction and backscattering coefficients for measured and analytic stratospheric aerosol size distributions; using hybrid methods to solve problems in radiative transfer and in multiple scattering; blue moon phenomena; absorption refractive index of aerosols in the Denver pollution cloud; a two dimensional stratospheric model of the dispersion of aerosols from the Fuego volcanic eruption; the variation of the aerosol volume to light scattering coefficient; spectrophone in situ measurements of the absorption of visible light by aerosols; a reassessment of the Krakatoa volcanic turbidity, and multiple scattering in the sky radiance.

NONLINEAR OPTICAL PHENOMENA: Self-reflection in a system of excitons and biexcitons in semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khadzhi, P. I.; Lyakhomskaya, K. D.

1999-10-01

The characteristic features of the self-reflection of a powerful electromagnetic wave in a system of coherent excitons and biexcitons in semiconductors were investigated as one of the manifestations of the nonlinear optical skin effect. It was found that a monotonically decreasing standing wave with an exponentially falling spatial tail is formed in the surface region of a semiconductor. Under the influence of the field of a powerful pulse, an optically homogeneous medium is converted into one with distributed feedback. The appearance of spatially separated narrow peaks of the refractive index, extinction coefficient, and reflection coefficient is predicted.

Existential Risk and Cost-Effective Biosecurity

PubMed Central

Snyder-Beattie, Andrew

2017-01-01

In the decades to come, advanced bioweapons could threaten human existence. Although the probability of human extinction from bioweapons may be low, the expected value of reducing the risk could still be large, since such risks jeopardize the existence of all future generations. We provide an overview of biotechnological extinction risk, make some rough initial estimates for how severe the risks might be, and compare the cost-effectiveness of reducing these extinction-level risks with existing biosecurity work. We find that reducing human extinction risk can be more cost-effective than reducing smaller-scale risks, even when using conservative estimates. This suggests that the risks are not low enough to ignore and that more ought to be done to prevent the worst-case scenarios. PMID:28806130

SOI ring resonators with controllable MMI coupler sections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Youfang; Gardes, Frédéric Y.; Mashanovich, Goran Z.; Reed, Graham T.

2011-01-01

A ring resonator using a single 2×2 MMI as the coupler section has the distinct advantages of low sensitivity to fabrication error, temperature, wavelength and polarisation. However, the coupling coefficient of the 2×2 MMI coupler is fixed; hence, the performance of this type of device is limited, e.g. transmission spectrum with high extinction ratio is difficult to achieve. We have designed and simulated ring resonators with coupler sections consisting of two 2×2 MMIs and phase shifters, so that the coupling efficiency can be varied from 0% to 100% with relative ease. For a single ring resonator, the transmission spectrum can be controlled to achieve an extinction ratio of >20dB and a spectral bandwidth of <1nm. For a multiple ring filter, the transmission spectrum can be controlled to achieve an extinction ratio of >30dB and a bandwidth of <1nm in addition, a flat-top transmission spectrum is also achievable. The whole device has a footprint of approximately 200μm by 100μm.

Spectrally-Invariant Approximation Within Atmospheric Radiative Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshak, A.; Knyazikhin, Y.; Chiu, J. C.; Wiscombe, W. J.

2011-01-01

Certain algebraic combinations of single scattering albedo and solar radiation reflected from, or transmitted through, vegetation canopies do not vary with wavelength. These "spectrally invariant relationships" are the consequence of wavelength independence of the extinction coefficient and scattering phase function in vegetation. In general, this wavelength independence does not hold in the atmosphere, but in clouddominated atmospheres the total extinction and total scattering phase function vary only weakly with wavelength. This paper identifies the atmospheric conditions under which the spectrally invariant approximation can accurately describe the extinction. and scattering properties of cloudy atmospheres. The validity of the assumptions and the accuracy of the approximation are tested with ID radiative transfer calculations using publicly available radiative transfer models: Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (DISORT) and Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART). It is shown for cloudy atmospheres with cloud optical depth above 3, and for spectral intervals that exclude strong water vapor absorption, that the spectrally invariant relationships found in vegetation canopy radiative transfer are valid to better than 5%. The physics behind this phenomenon, its mathematical basis, and possible applications to remote sensing and climate are discussed.

Memory destabilization is critical for the success of the reactivation-extinction procedure.

PubMed

Piñeyro, Marcelo E; Ferrer Monti, Roque I; Alfei, Joaquín M; Bueno, Adrián M; Urcelay, Gonzalo P

2013-12-18

It has been suggested that, unlike pure extinction which typically results in the return of the fear response under a variety of circumstances, memory reactivation followed by extinction can attenuate the reemergence of conditioned fear. The reactivation-extinction procedure has attracted the attention of basic and clinical researchers due to its potential clinical value for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and drug abuse disorders. However, mixed results have been achieved so far in replicating and understanding this paradigm. It has been proposed that memory destabilization could be critical in this sense. Using contextual fear conditioning in rats and midazolam as an amnesic agent, we first determined what reactivation conditions are necessary to destabilize the mnemonic trace. After establishing the conditions for memory destabilization, a series of experiments was conducted to determine if destabilization is critical for the success of the reactivation-extinction procedure. Data confirmed the importance of memory destabilization prior to extinction inside the reconsolidation window to attenuate spontaneous recovery and retard reacquisition of conditioned fear. The present report offers a candidate explanation of the discrepancy in results obtained with the reactivation-extinction procedure by different laboratories.

Memory destabilization is critical for the success of the reactivation–extinction procedure

PubMed Central

Piñeyro, Marcelo E.; Ferrer Monti, Roque I.; Alfei, Joaquín M.; Bueno, Adrián M.; Urcelay, Gonzalo P.

2014-01-01

It has been suggested that, unlike pure extinction which typically results in the return of the fear response under a variety of circumstances, memory reactivation followed by extinction can attenuate the reemergence of conditioned fear. The reactivation–extinction procedure has attracted the attention of basic and clinical researchers due to its potential clinical value for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and drug abuse disorders. However, mixed results have been achieved so far in replicating and understanding this paradigm. It has been proposed that memory destabilization could be critical in this sense. Using contextual fear conditioning in rats and midazolam as an amnesic agent, we first determined what reactivation conditions are necessary to destabilize the mnemonic trace. After establishing the conditions for memory destabilization, a series of experiments was conducted to determine if destabilization is critical for the success of the reactivation–extinction procedure. Data confirmed the importance of memory destabilization prior to extinction inside the reconsolidation window to attenuate spontaneous recovery and retard reacquisition of conditioned fear. The present report offers a candidate explanation of the discrepancy in results obtained with the reactivation–extinction procedure by different laboratories. PMID:24353292

Extinction and renewal of cue-elicited reward-seeking.

PubMed

Bezzina, Louise; Lee, Jessica C; Lovibond, Peter F; Colagiuri, Ben

2016-12-01

Reward cues can contribute to overconsumption of food and drugs and can relapse. The failure of exposure therapies to reduce overconsumption and relapse is generally attributed to the context-specificity of extinction. However, no previous study has examined whether cue-elicited reward-seeking (as opposed to cue-reactivity) is sensitive to context renewal. We tested this possibility in 160 healthy volunteers using a Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT) design involving voluntary responding for a high value natural reward (chocolate). One reward cue underwent Pavlovian extinction in the same (Group AAA) or different context (Group ABA) to all other phases. This cue was compared with a second non-extinguished reward cue and an unpaired control cue. There was a significant overall PIT effect with both reward cues eliciting reward-seeking on test relative to the unpaired cue. Pavlovian extinction substantially reduced this effect, with the extinguished reward cue eliciting less reward-seeking than the non-extinguished reward cue. Most interestingly, extinction of cue-elicited reward-seeking was sensitive to renewal, with extinction less effective for reducing PIT when conducted in a different context. These findings have important implications for extinction-based interventions for reducing maladaptive reward-seeking in practice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Size-dependent optical properties of colloidal PbS quantum dots.

PubMed

Moreels, Iwan; Lambert, Karel; Smeets, Dries; De Muynck, David; Nollet, Tom; Martins, José C; Vanhaecke, Frank; Vantomme, André; Delerue, Christophe; Allan, Guy; Hens, Zeger

2009-10-27

We quantitatively investigate the size-dependent optical properties of colloidal PbS nanocrystals or quantum dots (Qdots), by combining the Qdot absorbance spectra with detailed elemental analysis of the Qdot suspensions. At high energies, the molar extinction coefficient epsilon increases with the Qdot volume d(3) and agrees with theoretical calculations using the Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory and bulk values for the Qdot dielectric function. This demonstrates that quantum confinement has no influence on epsilon in this spectral range, and it provides an accurate method to calculate the Qdot concentration. Around the band gap, epsilon only increases with d(1.3), and values are comparable to the epsilon of PbSe Qdots. The data are related to the oscillator strength f(if) of the band gap transition and results agree well with theoretical tight-binding calculations, predicting a linear dependence of f(if) on d. For both PbS and PbSe Qdots, the exciton lifetime tau is calculated from f(if). We find values ranging between 1 and 3 mus, in agreement with experimental literature data from time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. Our results provide a thorough general framework to calculate and understand the optical properties of suspended colloidal quantum dots. Most importantly, it highlights the significance of the local field factor in these systems.

Standardized UV-vis spectra as the foundation for a threshold-based, integrated photosafety evaluation.

PubMed

Bauer, Daniel; Averett, Lacey A; De Smedt, Ann; Kleinman, Mark H; Muster, Wolfgang; Pettersen, Betty A; Robles, Catherine

2014-02-01

Phototoxicity is a relatively common phenomenon and is an adverse effect of some systemic drugs. The fundamental initial step of photochemical reactivity is absorption of a photon; however, little guidance has been provided thus far regarding how ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light absorption spectra may be used to inform testing strategies for investigational drugs. Here we report the results of an inter-laboratory study comparing the data from harmonized UV-vis light absorption spectra obtained in methanol with data from the in vitro 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test. Six pharmaceutical companies submitted data according to predefined quality criteria for 76 compounds covering a wide range of chemical classes showing a diverse but "positive"-enhanced distribution of photo irritation factors (22%: PIF<2, 12%: PIF 2-5, 66%: PIF>5). For compounds being formally positive (PIF value above 5) the lowest reported molar extinction coefficient (MEC) was 1700 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ in methanol. However, the majority of these formally positive compounds showed MEC values being significantly higher (up to almost 40,000 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). In conclusion, an MEC value of 1000 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ may represent a reasonable and pragmatic threshold warranting further experimental photosafety evaluation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of vacuum annealing and substrate temperature on structural and optical properties of ZnIn2Se4 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Nahass, M. M.; Attia, A. A.; Salem, G. F.; Ali, H. A. M.; Ismail, M. I.

2013-09-01

Zinc indium selenide (ZnIn2Se4) thin films were prepared by the thermal evaporation technique with high deposition rate. The effect of thermal annealing in vacuum on the crystallinity of the as-deposited films was studied at different temperatures (523, 573 and 623 K). The effect of substrate temperature (623 K) for different thickness values (173, 250, 335 and 346 nm) on the optical parameters of ZnIn2Se4 was also studied. The structural studies showed nanocrystalline nature of the room temperature (300 K) deposited films with crystallite size of about a few nanometers. The crystallite size increased up to 31 nm with increasing the annealing temperature in vacuum. From the reflection and transmission data, the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k were estimated for ZnIn2Se4 thin films and they were found to be independent of film thickness. Analysis of the absorption coefficient data of the as-deposited films revealed the existence of allowed direct and indirect transitions with optical energy gaps of 2.21 eV and 1.71 eV, respectively. These values decreased with increasing annealing temperature. At substrate temperature of 623 K, the direct band gap increased to 2.41 eV whereas the value of indirect band gap remained nearly unchanged. The dispersion analysis showed that the values of the oscillator energy Eo, dispersion energy Ed, dielectric constant at infinite frequency ε∞, and lattice dielectric constant εL were changed appreciably under the effect of annealing and substrate temperature. The covalent nature of structure was studied as a function of the annealing and substrate temperature using an empirical relation for the dispersion energy Ed. Generalized Miller's rule and linear refractive index were used to estimate the nonlinear susceptibility and nonlinear refractive index of the thin films.

Direct Method for Continuous Determination of Iron Oxidation by Autotrophic Bacteria

PubMed Central

Steiner, Michael; Lazaroff, Norman

1974-01-01

A method for direct, continuous determination of ferric ions produced in autotrophic iron oxidation, which depends upon the measurement of ferric ion absorbance at 304 nm, is described. The use of initial rates is shown to compensate for such changes in extinction during oxidation, which are due to dependence of the extinction coefficient on the ratio of complexing anions to ferric ions. A graphical method and a computer method are given for determination of absolute ferric ion concentration, at any time interval, in reaction mixtures containing Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and ferrous ions at known levels of SO42+ and hydrogen ion concentrations. Some examples are discussed of the applicability of these methods to study of the rates of ferrous ion oxidation related to sulfate concentration. PMID:4441066

Optical Properties of Aerosols and Implications for Radiative Effects in Beijing During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yaqing; Wang, Qiyuan; Huang, Rujin; Liu, Suixin; Tie, Xuexi; Su, Xiaoli; Niu, Xinyi; Zhao, Zhuzi; Ni, Haiyan; Wang, Meng; Zhang, Yonggang; Cao, Junji

2017-09-01

An intensive measurement campaign was conducted in Beijing during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2014 to investigate the effectiveness of stringent emission controls on aerosol optical properties and direct radiative forcing (DRF). Average values of PM2.5, light scattering (bscat), and light absorption (babs) coefficients decreased by 40, 64, and 56%, respectively, during the APEC control period compared with noncontrol periods. For the APEC control period, the PM2.5 mass scattering and absorption efficiencies were both smaller than the noncontrol period by a factor of 2. Calculations based on a revised IMPROVE method and linear regression showed that sulfate, nitrate, organic matter, elemental carbon, and fine soil contributed comparably to the light extinction coefficient (bext) in both periods, but the bext values were 27-64% lower during the APEC period. A positive matrix factorization receptor model showed that bext from two secondary aerosol sources, biomass burning, traffic-related emissions, and coal burning decreased by 26-87% during the APEC control period. The average DRF calculated from the Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible radiation model was -11.9 and -4.6 W m-2 at the surface during the noncontrol and APEC control periods, respectively, suggesting an overall cooling effect. The reduction of DRF from each emission source ranged from 30-80% during the APEC control period. The results suggest that the pollution control measures implemented for APEC substantially reduced air pollution and could help mitigate the cooling effects of aerosols at the surface in Beijing.

Optical and Structural Properties of Si Nanocrystals in SiO2 Films.

PubMed

Nikitin, Timur; Khriachtchev, Leonid

2015-04-22

Optical and structural properties of Si nanocrystals (Si-nc) in silica films are described. For the SiOx (x < 2) films annealed above 1000 °C, the Raman signal of Si-nc and the absorption coefficient are proportional to the amount of elemental Si detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A good agreement is found between the measured refractive index and the value estimated by using the effective-medium approximation. The extinction coefficient of elemental Si is found to be between the values of crystalline and amorphous Si. Thermal annealing increases the degree of Si crystallization; however, the crystallization and the Si-SiO2 phase separation are not complete after annealing at 1200 °C. The 1.5-eV PL quantum yield increases as the amount of elemental Si decreases; thus, this PL is probably not directly from Si-nc responsible for absorption and detected by Raman spectroscopy. Continuous-wave laser light can produce very high temperatures in the free-standing films, which changes their structural and optical properties. For relatively large laser spots, the center of the laser-annealed area is very transparent and consists of amorphous SiO2. Large Si-nc (up to ∼300 nm in diameter) are observed in the ring around the central region. These Si-nc lead to high absorption and they are typically under compressive stress, which is connected with their formation from the liquid phase. By using strongly focused laser beams, the structural changes in the free-standing films can be made in submicron areas.

Optical and Structural Properties of Si Nanocrystals in SiO2 Films

PubMed Central

Nikitin, Timur; Khriachtchev, Leonid

2015-01-01

Optical and structural properties of Si nanocrystals (Si-nc) in silica films are described. For the SiOx (x < 2) films annealed above 1000 °C, the Raman signal of Si-nc and the absorption coefficient are proportional to the amount of elemental Si detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A good agreement is found between the measured refractive index and the value estimated by using the effective-medium approximation. The extinction coefficient of elemental Si is found to be between the values of crystalline and amorphous Si. Thermal annealing increases the degree of Si crystallization; however, the crystallization and the Si–SiO2 phase separation are not complete after annealing at 1200 °C. The 1.5-eV PL quantum yield increases as the amount of elemental Si decreases; thus, this PL is probably not directly from Si-nc responsible for absorption and detected by Raman spectroscopy. Continuous-wave laser light can produce very high temperatures in the free-standing films, which changes their structural and optical properties. For relatively large laser spots, the center of the laser-annealed area is very transparent and consists of amorphous SiO2. Large Si-nc (up to ~300 nm in diameter) are observed in the ring around the central region. These Si-nc lead to high absorption and they are typically under compressive stress, which is connected with their formation from the liquid phase. By using strongly focused laser beams, the structural changes in the free-standing films can be made in submicron areas. PMID:28347028

Vertical distribution of aerosols in the vicinity of Mexico City during MILAGRO-2006 Campaign

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lewandowski, P.A.; Kleinman, L.; Eichinger, W. E.

On 7 March 2006, a mobile, ground-based, vertical pointing, elastic lidar system made a North-South transect through the Mexico City basin. Column averaged, aerosol size distribution (ASD) measurements were made on the ground concurrently with the lidar measurements. The ASD ground measurements allowed calculation of the column averaged mass extinction efficiency (MEE) for the lidar system (1064 nm). The value of column averaged MEE was combined with spatially resolved lidar extinction coefficients to produce total aerosol mass concentration estimates with the resolution of the lidar (1.5 m vertical spatial and 1 s temporal). Airborne ASD measurements from DOE G-1 aircraftmore » made later in the day on 7 March 2006, allowed the evaluation of the assumptions of constant ASD with height and time used for estimating the column averaged MEE. The results showed that the aerosol loading within the basin is about twice what is observed outside of the basin. The total aerosol base concentrations observed in the basin are of the order of 200 {mu}g/m{sup 3} and the base levels outside are of the order of 100 {mu}g/m{sup 3}. The local heavy traffic events can introduce aerosol levels near the ground as high as 900 {mu}g/m{sup 3}. The article presents the methodology for estimating aerosol mass concentration from mobile, ground-based lidar measurements in combination with aerosol size distribution measurements. An uncertainty analysis of the methodology is also presented.« less

An Aerosol Extinction-to-Backscatter Ratio Database Derived from the NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network: Applications for Space-based Lidar Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welton, Ellsworth J.; Campbell, James R.; Spinhime, James D.; Berkoff, Timothy A.; Holben, Brent; Tsay, Si-Chee; Bucholtz, Anthony

2004-01-01

Backscatter lidar signals are a function of both backscatter and extinction. Hence, these lidar observations alone cannot separate the two quantities. The aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratio, S, is the key parameter required to accurately retrieve extinction and optical depth from backscatter lidar observations of aerosol layers. S is commonly defined as 4*pi divided by the product of the single scatter albedo and the phase function at 180-degree scattering angle. Values of S for different aerosol types are not well known, and are even more difficult to determine when aerosols become mixed. Here we present a new lidar-sunphotometer S database derived from Observations of the NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET). MPLNET is a growing worldwide network of eye-safe backscatter lidars co-located with sunphotometers in the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Values of S for different aerosol species and geographic regions will be presented. A framework for constructing an S look-up table will be shown. Look-up tables of S are needed to calculate aerosol extinction and optical depth from space-based lidar observations in the absence of co-located AOD data. Applications for using the new S look-up table to reprocess aerosol products from NASA's Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) will be discussed.

The CO2 absorption continuum by high pressure CRDS in the 1.74 μm window

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondelain, D.; Campargue, A.; Čermák, P.; Gamache, R. R.; Kassi, S.; Tashkun, S. A.; Tran, H.

2017-12-01

The very weak absorption continuum of CO2 is studied by Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy in three 20 cm-1 wide spectral intervals near the centre of the 1.74 μm window (5693-5795 cm-1). For each spectral interval, a set of room temperature spectra is recorded at pressures between 0 and 10 bar thanks to a high pressure CRDS spectrometer. The absorption continuum is retrieved after subtraction of the contributions due to Rayleigh scattering and to local lines of CO2 and water (present as an impurity in the sample) from the measured extinction. Due to some deficiencies of the CO2 HITRAN2012 line list, a composite line list had to be built on the basis of the Ames calculated line list with line positions adjusted according to the Carbon Dioxide Spectroscopic Databank and self-broadening and pressure shift coefficients calculated with the Complex Robert Bonamy method. The local line contribution of the CO2 monomer is calculated using this list and a Voigt profile truncated at ±25 cm-1 from the line centre. Line mixing effects were taken into account through the use of the impact and Energy Corrected Sudden approximations. The density dependence of the retrieved continuum absorption was found to be purely quadratic in the low frequency interval below 5710 cm-1 but a small significant linear contribution was required to reproduce the observations above this value. This linear increase is tentatively attributed to the foreign-continuum of water vapor present in CO2 sample with a relative concentration of some tens ppm. The retrieved binary coefficient is observed to vary smoothly with the wavenumber with a minimum value of 6×10-10 cm-1 amagat-2. By gathering the present data with the results reported in Kassi et al. J Quant Spectrosc Radiat Transf 2015;167:97, a recommended set of binary coefficients is provided for the 5700-5950 cm-1 region.

A theoretical study on the impact of particle scattering on the channel characteristics of underwater optical communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahu, Sanjay Kumar; Shanmugam, Palanisamy

2018-02-01

Scattering by water molecules and particulate matters determines the path and distance of photon propagation in underwater medium. Consequently, photon angle of scattering (given by scattering phase function) requires to be considered in addition to the extinction coefficient of the aquatic medium governed by the absorption and scattering coefficients in channel characterization for an underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) system. This study focuses on analyzing the received signal power and impulse response of UWOC channel based on Monte-Carlo simulations for different water types, link distances, link geometries and transceiver parameters. A newly developed scattering phase function (referred to as SS phase function), which represents the real water types more accurately like the Petzold phase function, is considered for quantification of the channel characteristics along with the effects of absorption and scattering coefficients. A comparison between the results simulated using various phase function models and the experimental measurements of Petzold revealed that the SS phase function model predicts values closely matching with the actual values of the Petzold's phase function, which further establishes the importance of using a correct scattering phase function model while estimating the channel capacity of UWOC system in terms of the received power and channel impulse response. Results further demonstrate a great advantage of considering the nonzero probability of receiving scattered photons in estimating channel capacity rather than considering the reception of only ballistic photons as in Beer's Law, which severely underestimates the received power and affects the range of communication especially in the scattering water column. The received power computed based on the Monte-Carlo method by considering the receiver aperture sizes and field of views in different water types are further analyzed and discussed. These results are essential for evaluating the underwater link budget and constructing different system and design parameters for an UWOC system.

A new interpretation of Serkowski's polarization law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papoular, R.

2018-06-01

The basic tenets of the alternative interpretation to be presented here are that the spectral profiles of the star light polarization peaks observed in the visible and near IR are a result of the optical properties of silicate grains in the same spectral range, not of the grain size, provided it remains within the range of Rayleigh's approximation. The silicate properties are those obtained experimentally by Scott and Duley (1996) for the non-iron bearing amorphous forsterite and enstatite. The whole range of observed Serkowski polarization profiles can be simulated with mixtures made of forsterite plus an increasing fraction (0 to 0.5) of enstatite as the spectral peak shifts from 0.8 to 0.3 μm. Fits to individual observed polarization spectra are also demonstrated. The optical extinction of silicates in the vis/IR (the "transparency range") can be understood by analogy with the thoroughly studied amorphous hydrogenated carbons and amorphous silica. It is due to structural disorder (dangling bonds and coordination defects) and impurities, which give rise to electronic states in the forbidden gap of semi-conductors. Because they are partially localized, their extinction power is dramatically reduced and has been ignored or simply described by a low, flat plateau. As their number density depends on the environment, one expects variations in the ratio of optical extinction coefficients in the visible and mid-IR. It is also argued that the measured steep rise of extinction beyond 3 μm-1 into the UV is due to atomic transitions, and so cannot give rise to coherent molecular polarization, but only localized extinction.

Complementary sex determination substantially increases extinction proneness of haplodiploid populations.

PubMed

Zayed, Amro; Packer, Laurence

2005-07-26

The role of genetic factors in extinction is firmly established for diploid organisms, but haplodiploids have been considered immune to genetic load impacts because deleterious alleles are readily purged in haploid males. However, we show that single-locus complementary sex determination ancestral to the haplodiploid Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) imposes a substantial genetic load through homozygosity at the sex locus that results in the production of inviable or sterile diploid males. Using stochastic modeling, we have discovered that diploid male production (DMP) can initiate a rapid and previously uncharacterized extinction vortex. The extinction rate in haplodiploid populations with DMP is an order of magnitude greater than in its absence under realistic but conservative demographic parameter values. Furthermore, DMP alone can elevate the base extinction risk in haplodiploids by over an order of magnitude higher than that caused by inbreeding depression in threatened diploids. Thus, contrary to previous expectations, haplodiploids are more, rather than less, prone to extinction for genetic reasons. Our findings necessitate a fundamental shift in approaches to the conservation and population biology of these ecologically and economically crucial insects.

Multi-Wavelength Measurement of Soot Optical Properties: Influence of Non-Absorbing Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freedman, Andrew; Renbaum-Wollf, Lindsay; Forestieri, Sara; Lambe, Andrew; Cappa, Christopher; Davidovits, Paul; Onasch, Timothy

2015-04-01

Soot, a product of incomplete combustion, plays an important role in the earth's climate system through the absorption and scattering of solar radiation. Important in quantifying the direct radiative impacts of soot in climate models, and specifically of black carbon (BC), is the assumed BC refractive index and shape-dependent interaction of light with BC particles. The latter assumption carries significant uncertainty because BC particles are fractal-like, being agglomerates of smaller (20-40 nm) spherules, yet many optical models such as Mie theory in particular, typically assume a spherical particle morphology. It remains unclear under what conditions this is an acceptable assumption. To investigate the ability of various optical models to reproduce observed BC optical properties, we obtained measurements of light absorption, scattering and extinction coefficients and thus single scattering albedo (SSA) of size-resolved soot particles. Measurements were made on denuded soot particles produced using both methane and ethylene as fuels. In addition, these soot particles were coated with dioctyl sebacate or sulfuric acid and the enhancement in the apparent mass absorption coefficient determined. Extinction and absorption were measured using a dual cavity ringdown photoacoustic spectrometer (CRD-PAS) at 405 nm and 532 nm. Scattering and extinction were measured using a CAPS PMssa single scattering albedo monitor (Aerodyne) at 630 nm. Soot particle mass was quantified using a centrifugal particle mass analyzer (CPMA, Cambustion), mobility size with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS, TSI) and soot concentration with a CPC (Brechtel). The results will be interpreted in light of both Mie theory which assumes spherical and uniform particles and Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) theory, which assumes that the absorption properties of soot are dictated by the individual spherules. For denuded soot, effective refractive indices will be determined.

Comparison of Two Air Pollution Episodes over Northeast China in Winter 2016/17 Using Ground-Based Lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yanjun; Zhao, Hujia; Dong, Yunsheng; Che, Huizheng; Li, Xiaoxiao; Hong, Ye; Li, Xiaolan; Yang, Hongbin; Liu, Yuche; Wang, Yangfeng; Liu, Ningwei; Sun, Cuiyan

2018-04-01

This study analyzes and compares aerosol properties and meteorological conditions during two air pollution episodes in 19-22 (E1) and 25-26 (E2) December 2016 in Northeast China. The visibility, particulate matter (PM) mass concentration, and surface meteorological observations were examined, together with the planetary boundary layer (PBL) properties and vertical profiles of aerosol extinction coefficient and volume depolarization ratio that were measured by a ground-based lidar in Shenyang of Liaoning Province, China during December 2016-January 2017. Results suggest that the low PBL height led to poor pollution dilution in E1, while the high PBL accompanied by low visibility in E2 might have been due to cross-regional and vertical air transmission. The PM mass concentration decreased as the PBL height increased in E1 while these two variables were positively correlated in E2. The enhanced winds in E2 diffused the pollutants and contributed largely to the aerosol transport. Strong temperature inversion in E1 resulted in increased PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, and the winds in E2 favoured the southwesterly transport of aerosols from the North China Plain into the region surrounding Shenyang. The large extinction coefficient was partially attributed to the local pollution under the low PBL with high ground-surface PM mass concentrations in E1, whereas the cross-regional transport of aerosols within a high PBL and the low PM mass concentration near the ground in E2 were associated with severe aerosol extinction at high altitudes. These results may facilitate better understanding of the vertical distribution of aerosol properties during winter pollution events in Northeast China.

Fine Particulate Pollution and its Impact on Visibility Impairment in the Seoul Metropolitan Area during 2002-2004 Campaigns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Y.; Jung, H.; Kim, M.; Lee, B.; Kim, S.; Park, J.; Lee, D.; Lee, B.; Han, J.; Lee, S.; Kim, K.

2004-12-01

In order to investigate the causes for fine particulate pollution and visibility impairment in the Seoul metropolitan area, extensive aerosol chemical and optical monitoring had been conducted at two urban sites, Junnong, Seoul and Younghyun, Incheon during six seasonal intensive monitoring periods (IMP); 5-26 August and 20-28 October 2002, 10-24 January and 6-14 June 2003, and 6-15 January and 13-22 April 2004. Light extinction and scattering coefficient were measured simultaneously with a transmissometer and a nephelometer, respectively. Average light extinction coefficient and visual range were measured to be 569ør"ú338Mm-1 and 6.9ør"ú5.4km at Junnong, Seoul and 614ør"ú409Mm-1 and 6.4ør"ú4.7km at Younghyun, Incheon, respectively. Light extinction budget for six major aerosol components; ammonium sulfate (NHSO), ammonium nitrate (NHNO), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) particles, fine soil (FS), and coarse particles (CM) was estimated based on the measured aerosol chemistry data. When the visibility was degraded from the worst 20% to the best 20% condition, percent increased contribution by each aerosol component was estimated to be 28.9% (NHSO), 16.8% (NHNO), 7.4% (OC), 22.4%(EC), 1.2% (FS), and 23.3% (CM), respectively at Junnong, Seoul. Contributions by ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate included the effects of relative humidity increase, which accounted for 47.4% and 59.5% of them, respectively. Impact of air mass characteristics on the visibility condition over the Seoul metropolitan area was also analyzed based on the air mass pathway information obtained using the HYSPLIT model.

Interpretation of Extinction in Gaussian-Beam Scattering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lock, James A.

1995-01-01

The extinction efficiency for the interaction of a plane wave with a large nonabsorbing spherical particle is approximately 2.0. When a Gaussian beam of half-width w(sub 0) is incident upon a spherical particle of radius a with w(sub 0)/a less than 1, the extinction efficiency attains unexpectedly high or low values, contrary to intuitive expectations. The reason for this is associated with the so-called compensating term in the scattered field, which cancels the field of the Gaussian beam behind the particle, thereby producing the particle's shadow. I introduce a decomposition of the total exterior field into incoming and outgoing portions that are free of compensating terms. It is then shown that a suitably defined interaction efficiency has the intuitively expected asymptotic values of 2.0 for w(sub 0)/a much greater than 1 and 1.0 for w(sub 0)/a much less than 1.

Estimating conformation content of a protein using citrate-stabilized Au nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deka, Jashmini; Paul, Anumita; Chattopadhyay, Arun

2010-08-01

Herein we report the use of the optical properties of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for estimation of native or denatured conformation content in a mixture of a protein in solution. The UV-vis extinction spectrum of citrate-stabilized Au NPs is known to broaden differently in the presence of native and denatured states of α-amylase, bovine serum albumin (BSA) or amyloglucosidase (AMG). On the other hand, herein we show that when a mixture of native and denatured protein was present in the medium, the broadening of the spectrum differed for different fractional content of the conformations. Also, the total area under the extinction spectrum varied linearly with the change in the mole fraction content of a state and for a constant total protein concentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements revealed different levels of agglomeration for different fractional contents of the native or denatured state of a protein. In addition, time-dependent denaturation of a protein could be followed using the present method. The rate constants calculated for denaturation indicated a possible fast change in conformation of a protein before complete thermal denaturation. The observations have been explained based on the changes in extinction coefficient (thereby oscillator strength) upon interaction of citrate-stabilized NPs with proteins being in different states and levels of agglomeration.Herein we report the use of the optical properties of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for estimation of native or denatured conformation content in a mixture of a protein in solution. The UV-vis extinction spectrum of citrate-stabilized Au NPs is known to broaden differently in the presence of native and denatured states of α-amylase, bovine serum albumin (BSA) or amyloglucosidase (AMG). On the other hand, herein we show that when a mixture of native and denatured protein was present in the medium, the broadening of the spectrum differed for different fractional content of the conformations. Also, the total area under the extinction spectrum varied linearly with the change in the mole fraction content of a state and for a constant total protein concentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements revealed different levels of agglomeration for different fractional contents of the native or denatured state of a protein. In addition, time-dependent denaturation of a protein could be followed using the present method. The rate constants calculated for denaturation indicated a possible fast change in conformation of a protein before complete thermal denaturation. The observations have been explained based on the changes in extinction coefficient (thereby oscillator strength) upon interaction of citrate-stabilized NPs with proteins being in different states and levels of agglomeration. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional UV-vis and fluorescence spectra and graphs based on UV-vis studies. See DOI: 10.1039/c0nr00154f

Extinction-to-Backscatter Ratios of Saharan Dust Layers Derived from In-Situ Measurements and CALIPSO Overflights During NAMMA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Omar, Ali H.; Liu, Zhaoyan; Vaughan, Mark A.; Hu, Yongxiang; Ismail, Syed; Powell, Kathleen A.; Winker, David M.; Trepte, Charles R.; Anderson, Bruce E.

2010-01-01

We determine the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter (Sa) ratios of dust using airborne in-situ measurements of microphysical properties, and CALIPSO observations during the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA). The NAMMA field experiment was conducted from Sal, Cape Verde during Aug-Sept 2006. Using CALIPSO measurements of the attenuated backscatter of lofted Saharan dust layers, we apply the transmittance technique to estimate dust Sa ratios at 532 nm and a 2-color method to determine the corresponding 1064 nm Sa. Using this method, we found dust Sa ratios of 39.8 plus or minus 1.4 sr and 51.8 plus or minus 3.6 sr at 532 nm and 1064 nm, respectively. Secondly, Sa ratios at both wavelengths is independently calculated using size distributions measured aboard the NASA DC-8 and estimates of Saharan dust complex refractive indices applied in a T-Matrix scheme. We found Sa ratios of 39.1 plus or minus 3.5 sr and 50.0 plus or minus 4 sr at 532 nm and 1064 nm, respectively, using the T-Matrix calculations applied to measured size spectra. Finally, in situ measurements of the total scattering (550 nm) and absorption coefficients (532 nm) are used to generate an extinction profile that is used to constrain the CALIPSO 532 nm extinction profile.

Optical Extinction Measurements of Laser Side-Scatter During Tropical Storm Colin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lane, John E.; Kasparis, Takis; Metzger, Philip; Michaelides, Silas

2017-01-01

A side-scatter imaging (SSI) technique using a 447 nm, 500 mW laser and a Nikon D80 camera was tested at Kennedy Space Center, Florida during the passing of a rain band associated with Tropical Storm Colin. The June 6, 2016, 22:00 GMT rain event was intense but short-lived owing to the strong west-to-east advection of the rain band. An effort to validate the optical extinction measurement was conducted by setting up a line of three tipping rain gauges along an 80 m east-west path and below the laser beam. Differences between tipping bucket measurements were correlated to the extinction coefficient profile along the lasers path, as determined by the SSI measurement. In order to compare the tipping bucket to the optical extinction data, a Marshall-Palmer DSD model was assumed. Since this was a daytime event, the laser beam was difficult to detect in the camera images, pointing out an important limitation of SSI measurements: the practical limit of DSD density that can be effectively detected and analyzed under daylight conditions using this laser and camera, corresponds to a fairly moderate rainfall rate on the order of 20 mmh (night measurements achieve a much improved sensitivity). The SSI analysis model under test produced promising results, but in order to use the SSI method for routine meteorological studies, improvements to the math model will be required.

1984-1995 Evolution of Stratospheric Aerosol Size, Surface Area, and Volume Derived by Combining SAGE II and CLAES Extinction Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Philip B.; Bauman, Jill J.

2000-01-01

This SAGE II Science Team task focuses on the development of a multi-wavelength, multi- sensor Look-Up-Table (LUT) algorithm for retrieving information about stratospheric aerosols from global satellite-based observations of particulate extinction. The LUT algorithm combines the 4-wavelength SAGE II extinction measurements (0.385 <= lambda <= 1.02 microns) with the 7.96 micron and 12.82 micron extinction measurements from the Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer (CLAES) instrument, thus increasing the information content available from either sensor alone. The algorithm uses the SAGE II/CLAES composite spectra in month-latitude-altitude bins to retrieve values and uncertainties of particle effective radius R(sub eff), surface area S, volume V and size distribution width sigma(sub g).

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) thin films deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) and dip coating techniques—a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khimani, Ankurkumar J.; Chaki, Sunil H.; Malek, Tasmira J.; Tailor, Jiten P.; Chauhan, Sanjaysinh M.; Deshpande, M. P.

2018-03-01

The CdS thin films were deposited on glass slide substrates by Chemical Bath Deposition and dip coating techniques. The films thickness variation with deposition time showed maximum films deposition at 35 min for both the films. The energy dispersive analysis of x-ray showed both the films to be stoichiometric. The x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the films possess hexagonal crystal structure. The transmission electron, scanning electron and optical microscopy study showed the films deposition to be uniform. The selected area electron diffraction exhibited ring patterns stating the films to be polycrystalline in nature. The atomic force microscopy images showed surface formed of spherical grains, hills and valleys. The recorded optical absorbance spectra analysis revealed the films possess direct optical bandgap having values of 2.25 eV for CBD and 2.40 eV for dip coating. The refractive index (η), extinction coefficient (k), complex dielectric constant (ε) and optical conductivity (σ 0) variation with wavelength showed maximum photon absorption till the respective wavelengths corresponding to the optical bandgap energy values. The recorded photoluminescence spectra showed two emission peaks. All the obtained results have been discussed in details.

Preliminary Analysis of Night-time Aerosol Optical Depth Retrievals at a Rural, Near-urban Site in Southern Canada

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baibakov, K.; O'Neill, N. T.; Firanski, B.

2009-03-11

In the summer of 2007, a SPSTAR03 starphotometer was installed at Egbert, Canada (44 deg. 13' N, 79 deg. 45' W, alt 264 m) and a continuous series of initial measurements was performed between August 26 and September 19. Several sunphotometry parameters such as the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the 'fine' and 'coarse' optical depths were extracted from the SPSTAR03 extinction spectra. The SPSTAR03 data was analyzed in conjunction with sunphotometry and zenith-pointing lidar data acquired during the same time period. Preliminary results show coarse continuity between the day- and night time AOD values (with the mean difference betweenmore » the measured and the interpolated values being 0.05) as well as a qualitative correlation between the 'fine' and 'coarse' optical depths and the normalized lidar backscatter coefficient profiles. It was also found that the spectra produced with the differential two-star measurement method were sensitive to non-horizontally homogeneous differences in the line-of-sight conditions of both stars. The one-star method helps to reduce the uncertainties but requires the determination of a calibration constant.« less

Simultaneous estimation of transcutaneous bilirubin, hemoglobin, and melanin based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishidate, Izumi; Abdul, Wares MD.; Ohtsu, Mizuki; Nakano, Kazuya; Haneishi, Hideaki

2018-02-01

We propose a method to estimate transcutaneous bilirubin, hemoglobin, and melanin based on the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In the proposed method, the Monte Carlo simulation-based multiple regression analysis for an absorbance spectrum in the visible wavelength region (460-590 nm) is used to specify the concentrations of bilirubin (Cbil), oxygenated hemoglobin (Coh), deoxygenated hemoglobin (Cdh), and melanin (Cm). Using the absorbance spectrum calculated from the measured diffuse reflectance spectrum as a response variable and the extinction coefficients of bilirubin, oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, and melanin, as predictor variables, multiple regression analysis provides regression coefficients. Concentrations of bilirubin, oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, and melanin, are then determined from the regression coefficients using conversion vectors that are numerically deduced in advance by the Monte Carlo simulations for light transport in skin. Total hemoglobin concentration (Cth) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) are simply calculated from the oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin. In vivo animal experiments with bile duct ligation in rats demonstrated that the estimated Cbil is increased after ligation of bile duct and reaches to around 20 mg/dl at 72 h after the onset of the ligation, which corresponds to the reference value of Cbil measured by a commercially available transcutaneous bilirubin meter. We also performed in vivo experiments with rats while varying the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). Coh and Cdh decreased and increased, respectively, as FiO2 decreased. Consequently, StO2 was dramatically decreased. The results in this study indicate potential of the method for simultaneous evaluation of multiple chromophores in skin tissue.

Determination of dispersive optical constants of nanocrystalline CdSe (nc-CdSe) thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharma, Kriti; Al-Kabbi, Alaa S.; Saini, G.S.S.

2012-06-15

Highlights: ► nc-CdSe thin films are prepared by thermal vacuum evaporation technique. ► TEM analysis shows NCs are spherical in shape. ► XRD reveals the hexagonal (wurtzite) crystal structure of nc-CdSe thin films. ► The direct optical bandgap of nc-CdSe is 2.25 eV in contrast to bulk (1.7 eV). ► Dispersion of refractive index is discussed in terms of Wemple–DiDomenico single oscillator model. -- Abstract: The nanocrystalline thin films of CdSe are prepared by thermal evaporation technique at room temperature. These thin films are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-raymore » diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The transmission spectra are recorded in the transmission range 400–3300 nm for nc-CdSe thin films. Transmittance measurements are used to calculate the refractive index (n) and absorption coefficient (α) using Swanepoel's method. The optical band gap (E{sub g}{sup opt}) has been determined from the absorption coefficient values using Tauc's procedure. The optical constants such as extinction coefficient (k), real (ε{sub 1}) and imaginary (ε{sub 2}) dielectric constants, dielectric loss (tan δ), optical conductivity (σ{sub opt}), Urbach energy (E{sub u}) and steepness parameter (σ) are also calculated for nc-CdSe thin films. The normal dispersion of refractive index is described using Wemple–DiDomenico single-oscillator model. Refractive index dispersion is further analysed to calculate lattice dielectric constant (ε{sub L}).« less

Noninvasive spectral imaging of skin chromophores based on multiple regression analysis aided by Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishidate, Izumi; Wiswadarma, Aditya; Hase, Yota; Tanaka, Noriyuki; Maeda, Takaaki; Niizeki, Kyuichi; Aizu, Yoshihisa

2011-08-01

In order to visualize melanin and blood concentrations and oxygen saturation in human skin tissue, a simple imaging technique based on multispectral diffuse reflectance images acquired at six wavelengths (500, 520, 540, 560, 580 and 600nm) was developed. The technique utilizes multiple regression analysis aided by Monte Carlo simulation for diffuse reflectance spectra. Using the absorbance spectrum as a response variable and the extinction coefficients of melanin, oxygenated hemoglobin, and deoxygenated hemoglobin as predictor variables, multiple regression analysis provides regression coefficients. Concentrations of melanin and total blood are then determined from the regression coefficients using conversion vectors that are deduced numerically in advance, while oxygen saturation is obtained directly from the regression coefficients. Experiments with a tissue-like agar gel phantom validated the method. In vivo experiments with human skin of the human hand during upper limb occlusion and of the inner forearm exposed to UV irradiation demonstrated the ability of the method to evaluate physiological reactions of human skin tissue.

Spatial and temporal variations of aerosols around Beijing in summer 2006: 2. Local and column aerosol optical properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matsui, Hitoshi; Koike, Makoto; Kondo, Yutaka

Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-chem model calculations were conducted to study aerosol optical properties around Beijing, China, during the Campaign of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region 2006 (CAREBeijing-2006) period. In this paper, we interpret aerosol optical properties in terms of aerosol mass concentrations and their chemical compositions by linking model calculations with measurements. In general, model calculations reproduced observed features of spatial and temporal variations of various surface and column aerosol optical parameters in and around Beijing. Spatial and temporal variations of aerosol absorption, scattering, and extinction coefficient corresponded well to those of elemental carbon (primary aerosol),more » sulfate (secondary aerosol), and the total aerosol mass concentration, respectively. These results show that spatial and temporal variations of the absorption coefficient are controlled by local emissions (within 100 km around Beijing during the preceding 24 h), while those of the scattering coefficient are controlled by regional-scale emissions (within 500 km around Beijing during the preceding 3 days) under synoptic-scale meteorological conditions, as discussed in our previous study of aerosol mass concentration. Vertical profiles of aerosol extinction revealed that the contribution of secondary aerosols and their water uptake increased with altitude within the planetary boundary layer, leading to a considerable increase in column aerosol optical depth (AOD) around Beijing. These effects are the main factors causing differences in regional and temporal variations between particulate matter (PM) mass concentration at the surface and column AOD over a wide region in the northern part of the Great North China Plain.« less

The importance of habitat and life history to extinction risk in sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras

PubMed Central

García, Verónica B; Lucifora, Luis O; Myers, Ransom A

2007-01-01

We compared life-history traits and extinction risk of chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and chimaeras), a group of high conservation concern, from the three major marine habitats (continental shelves, open ocean and deep sea), controlling for phylogenetic correlation. Deep-water chondrichthyans had a higher age at maturity and longevity, and a lower growth completion rate than shallow-water species. The average fishing mortality needed to drive a deep-water chondrichthyan species to extinction (Fextinct) was 38–58% of that estimated for oceanic and continental shelf species, respectively. Mean values of Fextinct were 0.149, 0.250 and 0.368 for deep-water, oceanic and continental shelf species, respectively. Reproductive mode was an important determinant of extinction risk, while body size had a weak effect on extinction risk. As extinction risk was highly correlated with phylogeny, the loss of species will be accompanied by a loss of phylogenetic diversity. Conservation priority should not be restricted to large species, as is usually suggested, since many small species, like those inhabiting the deep ocean, are also highly vulnerable to extinction. Fishing mortality of deep-water chondrichthyans already exploited should be minimized, and new deep-water fisheries affecting chondrichthyans should be prevented. PMID:17956843

Orbitofrontal cortex inactivation impairs between- but not within-session Pavlovian extinction: an associative analysis.

PubMed

Panayi, Marios C; Killcross, Simon

2014-02-01

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is argued to be the neural locus of Pavlovian outcome expectancies. Reinforcement learning theories argue that extinction learning in Pavlovian procedures is caused by the discrepancy between the expected value of the outcome (US) that is elicited by a predictive stimulus (CS), and the lack of experienced US. If the OFC represents Pavlovian outcome expectancies that are necessary for extinction learning, then disrupting OFC function prior to extinction training should impair extinction learning. This was tested. In experiment 1, Long Evans rats received infusions of saline or muscimol targeting the lateral OFC prior to three appetitive Pavlovian extinction sessions. Muscimol infused into the OFC disrupted between-session but not within-session extinction behaviour. This finding was not due to muscimol infusions disrupting the memory consolidation process per se as there was no effect of muscimol infusion when administered immediately post session (experiment 2). These findings support a role for the OFC in representing outcome expectancies that are necessary for learning. A number of ways in which disrupting outcome expectancy information might block learning will be discussed in the context of traditional associative learning theories and the associative structures they depend on. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The extinction and dust-to-gas structure of the planetary nebula NGC 7009 observed with MUSE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, J. R.; Monreal-Ibero, A.; Barlow, M. J.; Ueta, T.; Wesson, R.; Zijlstra, A. A.

2016-04-01

Context. Dust plays a significant role in planetary nebulae. Dust ejected with the gas in the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase is subject to the harsh environment of the planetary nebula (PN) while the star is evolving towards a white dwarf. Dust surviving the PN phase contributes to the dust content of the interstellar medium. Aims: The morphology of the internal dust extinction has been mapped for the first time in a PN, the bright nearby Galactic nebula NGC 7009. The morphologies of the gas, dust extinction and dust-to-gas ratio are compared to the structural features of the nebula. Methods: Emission line maps in H Balmer and Paschen lines were formed from analysis of MUSE cubes of NGC 7009 observed during science verification of the instrument. The measured electron temperature and density from the same cube were employed to predict the theoretical H line ratios and derive the extinction distribution across the nebula. After correction for the interstellar extinction to NGC 7009, the internal AV/NH has been mapped for the first time in a PN. Results: The extinction map of NGC 7009 has considerable structure, broadly corresponding to the morphological features of the nebula. The dust-to-gas ratio, AV/NH, increases from 0.7 times the interstellar value to >5 times from the centre towards the periphery of the ionized nebula. The integrated AV/NH is about 2× the mean ISM value. A large-scale feature in the extinction map is a wave, consisting of a crest and trough, at the rim of the inner shell. The nature of this feature is investigated and instrumental and physical causes considered; no convincing mechanisms were identified to produce this feature, other than AGB mass loss variations. Conclusions: Extinction mapping from H emission line imaging of PNe with MUSE provides a powerful tool for revealing the properties of internal dust and the dust-to-gas ratio. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere under ESO programme 060.A-9347(A).

The Relative Impact of Climate Change on the Extinction Risk of Tree Species in the Montane Tropical Andes.

PubMed

Tejedor Garavito, Natalia; Newton, Adrian C; Golicher, Duncan; Oldfield, Sara

2015-01-01

There are widespread concerns that anthropogenic climate change will become a major cause of global biodiversity loss. However, the potential impact of climate change on the extinction risk of species remains poorly understood, particularly in comparison to other current threats. The objective of this research was to examine the relative impact of climate change on extinction risk of upper montane tree species in the tropical Andes, an area of high biodiversity value that is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The extinction risk of 129 tree species endemic to the region was evaluated according to the IUCN Red List criteria, both with and without the potential impacts of climate change. Evaluations were supported by development of species distribution models, using three methods (generalized additive models, recursive partitioning, and support vector machines), all of which produced similarly high AUC values when averaged across all species evaluated (0.82, 0.86, and 0.88, respectively). Inclusion of climate change increased the risk of extinction of 18-20% of the tree species evaluated, depending on the climate scenario. The relative impact of climate change was further illustrated by calculating the Red List Index, an indicator that shows changes in the overall extinction risk of sets of species over time. A 15% decline in the Red List Index was obtained when climate change was included in this evaluation. While these results suggest that climate change represents a significant threat to tree species in the tropical Andes, they contradict previous suggestions that climate change will become the most important cause of biodiversity loss in coming decades. Conservation strategies should therefore focus on addressing the multiple threatening processes currently affecting biodiversity, rather than focusing primarily on potential climate change impacts.

Approximate Bayesian estimation of extinction rate in the Finnish Daphnia magna metapopulation.

PubMed

Robinson, John D; Hall, David W; Wares, John P

2013-05-01

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is useful for parameterizing complex models in population genetics. In this study, ABC was applied to simultaneously estimate parameter values for a model of metapopulation coalescence and test two alternatives to a strict metapopulation model in the well-studied network of Daphnia magna populations in Finland. The models shared four free parameters: the subpopulation genetic diversity (θS), the rate of gene flow among patches (4Nm), the founding population size (N0) and the metapopulation extinction rate (e) but differed in the distribution of extinction rates across habitat patches in the system. The three models had either a constant extinction rate in all populations (strict metapopulation), one population that was protected from local extinction (i.e. a persistent source), or habitat-specific extinction rates drawn from a distribution with specified mean and variance. Our model selection analysis favoured the model including a persistent source population over the two alternative models. Of the closest 750,000 data sets in Euclidean space, 78% were simulated under the persistent source model (estimated posterior probability = 0.769). This fraction increased to more than 85% when only the closest 150,000 data sets were considered (estimated posterior probability = 0.774). Approximate Bayesian computation was then used to estimate parameter values that might produce the observed set of summary statistics. Our analysis provided posterior distributions for e that included the point estimate obtained from previous data from the Finnish D. magna metapopulation. Our results support the use of ABC and population genetic data for testing the strict metapopulation model and parameterizing complex models of demography. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The Relative Impact of Climate Change on the Extinction Risk of Tree Species in the Montane Tropical Andes

PubMed Central

Tejedor Garavito, Natalia; Newton, Adrian C.; Golicher, Duncan; Oldfield, Sara

2015-01-01

There are widespread concerns that anthropogenic climate change will become a major cause of global biodiversity loss. However, the potential impact of climate change on the extinction risk of species remains poorly understood, particularly in comparison to other current threats. The objective of this research was to examine the relative impact of climate change on extinction risk of upper montane tree species in the tropical Andes, an area of high biodiversity value that is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The extinction risk of 129 tree species endemic to the region was evaluated according to the IUCN Red List criteria, both with and without the potential impacts of climate change. Evaluations were supported by development of species distribution models, using three methods (generalized additive models, recursive partitioning, and support vector machines), all of which produced similarly high AUC values when averaged across all species evaluated (0.82, 0.86, and 0.88, respectively). Inclusion of climate change increased the risk of extinction of 18–20% of the tree species evaluated, depending on the climate scenario. The relative impact of climate change was further illustrated by calculating the Red List Index, an indicator that shows changes in the overall extinction risk of sets of species over time. A 15% decline in the Red List Index was obtained when climate change was included in this evaluation. While these results suggest that climate change represents a significant threat to tree species in the tropical Andes, they contradict previous suggestions that climate change will become the most important cause of biodiversity loss in coming decades. Conservation strategies should therefore focus on addressing the multiple threatening processes currently affecting biodiversity, rather than focusing primarily on potential climate change impacts. PMID:26177097

Light extinction method for diagnostics of particles sizes formed in magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myshkin, Vyacheslav; Izhoykin, Dmitry; Grigoriev, Alexander; Gamov, Denis; Leonteva, Daria

2018-03-01

The results of laser diagnostics of dispersed particles formed upon cooling of Zn vapor are presented. The radiation attenuation in the wavelength range 420-630 nm with a step of 0.3 nm was registered. The attenuation coefficients spectral dependence was processed using known algorithms for integral equation solving. The 10 groups of 8 attenuation coefficients were formed. Each group was processed taking with considering of previous decisions. After processing of the 10th group of data, calculations were repeated from the first one. Data of the particles sizes formed in a magnetic field of 0, 44 and 76 mT are given. A model of physical processes in a magnetic field is discussed.

Linear, non-linear and thermal properties of single crystal of LHMHCl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulshrestha, Shobha; Shrivastava, A. K.

2018-05-01

The single crystal of amino acid of L-histidine monohydrochloride was grown by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. High optical quality and appropriate size of crystals were grown under optimized growth conditions. The grown crystals were transparent. Crystals are characterized with different characterizations such as Solubility test, UV-Visible, optical band gap (Eg). With the help of optical data to be calculate absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (k), refractive index (n), dielectric constant (ɛ). These optical constants are shows favorable conditions for photonics devices. Second harmonic generation (NLO) test show the green light emission which is confirm that crystal have properties for laser application. Thermal stability of grown crystal is confirmed by TG/DTA.

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS: Investigation of a fiber-optic polarizer with a metal film and a dielectric buffer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelikonov, V. M.; Gusovskiĭ, D. D.; Konoplev, Yu N.; Leonov, V. I.; Mamaev, Yu A.; Turkin, A. A.

1990-01-01

A model of a plane-layer waveguide is used in a theoretical analysis of the attenuation coefficients of the TM0 and TE0 waves in a fiber-optic polarizer with a metal film and two dielectric buffer layers, one of which is the residual part of the fiber cladding. A report is given of the construction and experimental investigation of polarizers with a buffer layer of magnesium fluoride and an aluminum film operating at wavelengths of 0.63 and 0.81 μm and characterized by extinction coefficients of at least 53 and 46 dB, respectively, and by losses not exceeding 0.5 dB.

The Effects of ph on Structural and Optical Characterization of Iron Oxide Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tezel, Fatma Meydaneri; Özdemir, Osman; Kariper, I. Afşin

In this study, the iron oxide thin films have been produced by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method as a function of pH onto amorphous glass substrates. The surface images of the films were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystal structures, orientation of crystallization, crystallite sizes, and dislocation density i.e. structural properties of the thin films were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical band gap (Eg), optical transmission (T%), reflectivity (R%), absorption coefficient (α), refraction index (n), extinction coefficient (k) and dielectric constant (ɛ) of the thin films were investigated depending on pH, deposition time, solution temperature, substrate temperature, thickness of the films by UV-VIS spectrometer.

Earlinet single calculus chain: new products overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Amico, Giuseppe; Mattis, Ina; Binietoglou, Ioannis; Baars, Holger; Mona, Lucia; Amato, Francesco; Kokkalis, Panos; Rodríguez-Gómez, Alejandro; Soupiona, Ourania; Kalliopi-Artemis, Voudouri

2018-04-01

The Single Calculus Chain (SCC) is an automatic and flexible tool to analyze raw lidar data using EARLINET quality assured retrieval algorithms. It has been already demonstrated the SCC can retrieve reliable aerosol backscatter and extinction coefficient profiles for different lidar systems. In this paper we provide an overview of new SCC products like particle linear depolarization ratio, cloud masking, aerosol layering allowing relevant improvements in the atmospheric aerosol characterization.

Excited-state properties of nucleic acid components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salet, C.; Bensasson, R. V.; Becker, R. S.

1981-12-01

Measurements were made of the fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes, and also of the absorption spectra, lifetimes, extinction coefficients, and quantum yields of the T1 lower triplet states of thymine, uracil, their N, N'-dimethyl derivatives, thymidine, thymidine monophosphate, uridine, and uridine monophosphate in various solvents at 300 °K. The influence of the solvent on the quantum yield of the T1 state of nucleic acid components is discussed.

PMMA and polystyrene films modification under ion implantation studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leontyev, A. V.; Kovalev, V. I.; Khomich, A. V.; Komarov, Fadei F.; Grigoryev, V. V.; Kamishan, A. S.

2004-05-01

We have applied spectroscopic ellipsometry with binary polarization modulation to study the refractive index n(λ) and extinction coefficient k(λ) spectra of as-deposited and irradiated with nitrogen ions polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) films in 300-1030 nm range. The results of performed investigation confirmed the possibility and estimate restrictions of the ion implantation for local change the refractive index of polymeric materials.

Innovative Techniques for High-Resolution Imaging and Precision Tracking

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-04-20

field-of-view ladar. 6 𔄁 The bipath method employs two separate single-ended ladar systems to measure both the backscattering and extinction coefficients... Transmissometer measurements are very important not only for determining the overall accuracy of the proposed system but also for assessing its performance under...the maximum path length difference between the target elements. The necessary laser power can be deduced from the system resolution requirement. The

Optical Thin Film Modeling: Using FTG's FilmStar Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freese, Scott

2009-01-01

Every material has basic optical properties that define its interaction with light: The index of refraction (n) and extinction coefficient (k) vary for the material as a function of the wavelength of the incident light. Also significant are the phase velocity and polarization of the incident light These inherent properties allow for the accurate modeling of light s behavior upon contact with a surface: Reflectance, Transmittance, Absorptance.

Microscale determination of the spectral characteristics and carbon-isotopic compositions of porphyrins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Popp, B. N.; Hayes, J. M.; Boreham, C. J.

1993-01-01

Molar extinction coefficients for band III of Ni porphyrins are calculated from results of spectrophotometric and manometric analyses of individual etioporphyrins, DPEP, cyclic, and diDPEP porphyrins known to initially be pure from mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and analytical HPLC studies. A method for determining carbon-isotopic compositions and purity of micromolar quantities of individual porphyrins using combined spectrophotometric and manometric techniques is presented.

Correlation between Satellite-Derived Aerosol Characteristics and Oceanic Dimethylsulfide (DMS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

intensity gained by multiple scattering into the beam from all directions and the beam addition term accounting for single scattering events. The physical...the extinction and scattering coefficients are the integracion over radius of the product of the cross sectional area of aerosol particles, the...the same photon more than once is small. Therefore, the multiple interaction term can be neglected and a single scattering approximation is made. The

Accurate Measurements of Aircraft Engine Soot Emissions Using a CAPS PMssa Monitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onasch, Timothy; Thompson, Kevin; Renbaum-Wolff, Lindsay; Smallwood, Greg; Make-Lye, Richard; Freedman, Andrew

2016-04-01

We present results of aircraft engine soot emissions measurements during the VARIAnT2 campaign using CAPS PMssa monitors. VARIAnT2, an aircraft engine non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) emissions field campaign, was focused on understanding the variability in nvPM mass measurements using different measurement techniques and accounting for possible nvPM sampling system losses. The CAPS PMssa monitor accurately measures both the optical extinction and scattering (and thus single scattering albedo and absorption) of an extracted sample using the same sample volume for both measurements with a time resolution of 1 second and sensitivity of better than 1 Mm-1. Absorption is obtained by subtracting the scattering signal from the total extinction. Given that the single scattering albedo of the particulates emitted from the aircraft engine measured at both 630 and 660 nm was on the order of 0.1, any inaccuracy in the scattering measurement has little impact on the accuracy of the ddetermined absorption coefficient. The absorption is converted into nvPM mass using a documented Mass Absorption Coefficient (MAC). Results of soot emission indices (mass soot emitted per mass of fuel consumed) for a turbojet engine as a function of engine power will be presented and compared to results obtained using an EC/OC monitor.

Broadband optical properties of graphene and HOPG investigated by spectroscopic Mueller matrix ellipsometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Baokun; Gu, Honggang; Zhu, Simin; Jiang, Hao; Chen, Xiuguo; Zhang, Chuanwei; Liu, Shiyuan

2018-05-01

Optical properties of mono-graphene fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) are comparatively studied by Mueller matrix ellipsometry (MME) over an ultra-wide energy range of 0.73-6.42 eV. A multilayer stacking model is constructed to describe the CVD mono-graphene, in which the roughness of the glass substrate and the water adsorption on the graphene are considered. We introduce a uniaxial anisotropic dielectric model to parameterize the optical constants of both the graphene and the HOPG. With the established models, broadband optical constants of the graphene and the HOPG are determined from the Mueller matrix spectra based on a point-by-point method and a non-linear regression method, respectively. Two significant absorption peaks at 4.75 eV and 6.31 eV are observed in the extinction coefficient spectra of the mono-graphene, which can be attributed to the von-Hove singularity (i.e., the π-to-π∗ exciton transition) near the M point and the σ-to-σ∗ exciton transition near the Γ point of the Brillouin zone, respectively. Comparatively, only a major absorption peak at 4.96 eV appears in the ordinary extinction coefficient spectra of the HOPG, which is mainly formed by the π-to-π∗ interband transition.

Characterization of ozone in the lower troposphere during the 2016 G20 conference in Hangzhou.

PubMed

Su, Wenjing; Liu, Cheng; Hu, Qihou; Fan, Guangqiang; Xie, Zhouqing; Huang, Xin; Zhang, Tianshu; Chen, Zhenyi; Dong, Yunsheng; Ji, Xiangguang; Liu, Haoran; Wang, Zhuang; Liu, Jianguo

2017-12-12

Recently, atmospheric ozone pollution has demonstrated an aggravating tendency in China. To date, most research about atmospheric ozone has been confined near the surface, and an understanding of the vertical ozone structure is limited. During the 2016 G20 conference, strict emission control measures were implemented in Hangzhou, a megacity in the Yangtze River Delta, and its surrounding regions. Here, we monitored the vertical profiles of ozone concentration and aerosol extinction coefficients in the lower troposphere using an ozone lidar, in addition to the vertical column densities (VCDs) of ozone and its precursors in the troposphere through satellite-based remote sensing. The ozone concentrations reached a peak near the top of the boundary layer. During the control period, the aerosol extinction coefficients in the lower lidar layer decreased significantly; however, the ozone concentration fluctuated frequently with two pollution episodes and one clean episode. The sensitivity of ozone production was mostly within VOC-limited or transition regimes, but entered a NOx-limited regime due to a substantial decline of NOx during the clean episode. Temporary measures took no immediate effect on ozone pollution in the boundary layer; instead, meteorological conditions like air mass sources and solar radiation intensities dominated the variations in the ozone concentration.

Determination of nocturnal aerosol properties from a combination of lunar photometer and lidar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Donghui; Li, Zhengqiang; Lv, Yang; Zhang, Ying; Li, Kaitao; Xu, Hua

2015-10-01

Aerosol plays a key role in the assessment of global climate change and environmental health, while observation is one of important way to deepen the understanding of aerosol properties. In this study, the newly instrument - lunar photometer is used to measure moonlight and nocturnal column aerosol optical depth (AOD, τ) is retrieved. The AOD algorithm is test and verified with sun photometer both in high and low aerosol loading. Ångström exponent (α) and fine/coarse mode AOD (τf, τc) 1 is derived from spectral AOD. The column aerosol properties (τ, α, τf, τc) inferred from the lunar photometer is analyzed based on two month measurement in Beijing. Micro-pulse lidar has advantages in retrieval of aerosol vertical distribution, especially in night. However, the typical solution of lidar equation needs lidar ratio(ratio of aerosol backscatter and extinction coefficient) assumed in advance(Fernald method), or constrained by AOD2. Yet lidar ratio is varied with aerosol type and not easy to fixed, and AOD is used of daylight measurement, which is not authentic when aerosol loading is different from day and night. In this paper, the nocturnal AOD measurement from lunar photometer combined with mie scattering lidar observations to inverse aerosol extinction coefficient(σ) profile in Beijing is discussed.

Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, D.N.; Veselovskii, I.; Kolgotin, A.; Korenskii, M.; Andrews, E.

2008-01-01

The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Al-Robaee, M.S.; Krishna, M.G.; Rao, K.N.

Single layer films of CeO{sub 2} have been deposited both by conventional electron beam evaporation and ion assisted deposition with oxygen and argon ions. A broad beam Kaufman ion source (3 cm diam) has been used to generate the ions. A systematic study has been made on optical properties such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and inhomogeneity of the films as a function of: (1) oxygen partial pressure in the range 1{times}10{sup {minus}4} to 1{times}10{sup {minus}5} mbar. (2) Incidence of oxygen ions with energy in the range 300--700 eV and current density in the range 50--220 {mu}A/cm{sup 2}. (3) Incidencemore » of mixed argon and oxygen ions of different ratios. The refractive index of the films deposited under the influence of ion bombardment showed higher indices than the conventionally evaporated films. The maximum index obtained with an oxygen ion bombardment was 2.3 at an ion energy of 600 eV and current density of 220 {mu}A/cm{sup 2}. The bombardment of the films with a mixed argon--oxygen (25% Ar) ion beam of the same energy and current density was found to further increase the refractive index. The extinction coefficient in both cases was negligible.« less

Measurement of thickness of film deposited on the plasma-facing wall in the QUEST tokamak by colorimetry.

PubMed

Wang, Z; Hanada, K; Yoshida, N; Shimoji, T; Miyamoto, M; Oya, Y; Zushi, H; Idei, H; Nakamura, K; Fujisawa, A; Nagashima, Y; Hasegawa, M; Kawasaki, S; Higashijima, A; Nakashima, H; Nagata, T; Kawaguchi, A; Fujiwara, T; Araki, K; Mitarai, O; Fukuyama, A; Takase, Y; Matsumoto, K

2017-09-01

After several experimental campaigns in the Kyushu University Experiment with Steady-state Spherical Tokamak (QUEST), the originally stainless steel plasma-facing wall (PFW) becomes completely covered with a deposited film composed of mixture materials, such as iron, chromium, carbon, and tungsten. In this work, an innovative colorimetry-based method was developed to measure the thickness of the deposited film on the actual QUEST wall. Because the optical constants of the deposited film on the PFW were position-dependent and the extinction coefficient k 1 was about 1.0-2.0, which made the probing light not penetrate through some thick deposited films, the colorimetry method developed can only provide a rough value range of thickness of the metal-containing film deposited on the actual PFW in QUEST. However, the use of colorimetry is of great benefit to large-area inspections and to radioactive materials in future fusion devices that will be strictly prohibited from being taken out of the limited area.

Fluorine-free preparation of titanium carbide MXene quantum dots with high near-infrared photothermal performances for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Yu, Xinghua; Cai, Xingke; Cui, Haodong; Lee, Seung-Wuk; Yu, Xue-Feng; Liu, Bilu

2017-11-23

Titanium carbide MXene quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using an effective fluorine-free method as a biocompatible and highly efficient nanoagent for photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. In contrast to the traditional, hazardous and time-consuming process of HF pretreatment, our fluorine-free method is safe and simple. More importantly, abundant Al oxoanions were found to be modified on the MXene QD surface by the fluorine-free method, which endowed the QDs with strong and broad absorption in the NIR region. As a result, the as-prepared MXene QDs exhibited an extinction coefficient as large as 52.8 Lg -1 cm -1 at 808 nm and a photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 52.2%. Both the values are among the best reported so far. The as-prepared MXene QDs achieved simultaneous photoacoustic (PA) imaging and the remarkable PTT effect of tumors. Moreover, MXene QDs showed great biocompatibility without causing noticeable toxicity in vitro and in vivo, indicating their high potential for clinical applications.

Silicon oxynitride films deposited by reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering using nitrous oxide as a single-source precursor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hänninen, Tuomas, E-mail: tuoha@ifm.liu.se; Schmidt, Susann; Jensen, Jens

2015-09-15

Silicon oxynitride thin films were synthesized by reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering of silicon in argon/nitrous oxide plasmas. Nitrous oxide was employed as a single-source precursor supplying oxygen and nitrogen for the film growth. The films were characterized by elastic recoil detection analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Results show that the films are silicon rich, amorphous, and exhibit a random chemical bonding structure. The optical properties with the refractive index and the extinction coefficient correlate with the film elemental composition, showing decreasing values with increasing film oxygen and nitrogen content.more » The total percentage of oxygen and nitrogen in the films is controlled by adjusting the gas flow ratio in the deposition processes. Furthermore, it is shown that the film oxygen-to-nitrogen ratio can be tailored by the high power impulse magnetron sputtering-specific parameters pulse frequency and energy per pulse.« less

Morphological, elemental, and optical characterization of plasma polymerized n-butyl methacrylate thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasrin, Rahima; Hossain, Khandker S.; Bhuiyan, A. H.

2018-05-01

Plasma polymerized n-butyl methacrylate (PPnBMA) thin films of varying thicknesses were prepared at room temperature by AC plasma polymerization system using a capacitively coupled parallel plate reactor. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic investigation have been performed to study the morphological, elemental, and optical properties of the PPnBMA thin films, respectively. The flat and defect-free nature of thin films were confirmed by FESEM and AFM images. With declining plasma power, average roughness and root mean square roughness increase. Allowed direct transition ( E gd) and indirect transition ( E gi) energy gaps were found to be 3.64-3.80 and 3.38-3.45 eV, respectively, for PPnBMA thin films of different thicknesses. Values of E gd as well as E gi increase with the increase of thickness. The extinction coefficient, Urbach energy, and steepness parameter were also determined for these thin films.

Semiautomated Method for Microbiological Vitamin Assays

PubMed Central

Berg, T. M.; Behagel, H. A.

1972-01-01

A semiautomated method for microbiological vitamin assays is described, which includes separate automated systems for the preparation of the cultures and for the measurement of turbidity. In the dilution and dosage unit based on the continuous-flow principle, vitamin samples were diluted to two different dose levels at a rate of 40 per hr, mixed with the inoculated test broth, and dispensed into culture tubes. After incubation, racks with culture tubes were placed on the sampler of an automatic turbidimeter. This unit, based on the discrete-sample system, measured the turbidity and printed the extinction values at a rate of 300 per hr. Calculations were computerized and the results, including statistical data, are presented in an easily readable form. The automated method is in routine use for the assays of thiamine, riboflavine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, calcium pantothenate, nicotinic acid, pantothenol, and folic acid. Identical vitamin solutions assayed on different days gave variation coefficients for the various vitamin assays of less than 10%. Images PMID:4553802

Growth, spectral, linear and nonlinear optical characteristics of an efficient semiorganic acentric crystal: L-valinium L-valine chloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nageshwari, M.; Jayaprakash, P.; Kumari, C. Rathika Thaya; Vinitha, G.; Caroline, M. Lydia

2017-04-01

An efficient nonlinear optical semiorganic material L-valinium L-valine chloride (LVVCl) was synthesized and grown-up by means of slow evaporation process. Single crystal XRD evince that LVVCl corresponds to monoclinic system having acentric space group P21. The diverse functional groups existing in LVVCl were discovered with FTIR spectral investigation. The UV-Visible and photoluminescence spectrum discloses the optical and electronic properties respectively for the grown crystal. Several optical properties specifically extinction coefficient, reflectance, linear refractive index, electrical and optical conductivity were also determined. The SEM analysis was also carried out and it portrayed the surface morphology of LVVCl. The calculated value of laser damage threshold was 2.59 GW/cm2. The mechanical and dielectric property of LVVCl was investigated employing microhardness and dielectric studies. The second and third order nonlinear optical characteristics of LVVCl was characterized utilizing Kurtz Perry and Z scan technique respectively clearly suggest its suitability in the domain of optics and photonics.

Are preference and resistance to change convergent expressions of stimulus value?

PubMed

Podlesnik, Christopher A; Jimenez-Gomez, Corina; Shahan, Timothy A

2013-07-01

Behavioral momentum theory asserts that preference and relative resistance to disruption depend on reinforcement rates and provide converging expressions of the conditioned value of discriminative stimuli. However, preference and resistance to disruption diverge when assessing preference during brief extinction probes. We expanded upon this opposing relation by arranging target stimuli signaling equal variable-interval schedules across components of a multiple schedule. We paired one target stimulus with a richer reinforced alternative and the other with a leaner alternative. Furthermore, we varied reinforcement rates for the paired alternatives to assess the effects of manipulating relative conditioned value on preference and resistance to disruption by presession feeding, intercomponent food, and extinction. We replicated the opposing relation between preference and resistance to disruption but varying reinforcement rates for the paired alternatives did not systematically affect preference or resistance to disruption beyond levels observed in our initial condition. Importantly, we found that only preference between the target stimuli was related to relative baseline response rates in the presence of those stimuli. These findings suggest that preference during extinction probes might reveal more about baseline response rates between concurrently available alternatives than relative conditioned value. Resistance to disruption, conversely, appears to better reflect conditioned value because it is less confounded with baseline response rates and is a function of all sources of reinforcement obtained in the presence of a stimulus context. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Extinction-sedimentation inversion technique for measuring size distribution of artificial fogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deepak, A.; Vaughan, O. H.

1978-01-01

In measuring the size distribution of artificial fog particles, it is important that the natural state of the particles not be disturbed by the measuring device, such as occurs when samples are drawn through tubes. This paper describes a method for carrying out such a measurement by allowing the fog particles to settle in quiet air inside an enclosure through which traverses a parallel beam of light for measuring the optical depth as a function of time. An analytic function fit to the optical depth time decay curve can be directly inverted to yield the size distribution. Results of one such experiment performed on artificial fogs are shown as an example. The forwardscattering corrections to the measured extinction coefficient are also discussed with the aim of optimizing the experimental design so that the error due to forwardscattering is minimized.

Extinction of aversive classically conditioned human sexual response.

PubMed

Brom, Mirte; Laan, Ellen; Everaerd, Walter; Spinhoven, Philip; Both, Stephanie

2015-04-01

Research has shown that acquired subjective likes and dislikes are quite resistant to extinction. Moreover, studies on female sexual response demonstrated that diminished genital arousal and positive affect toward erotic stimuli due to aversive classical conditioning did not extinguish during an extinction phase. Possible resistance to extinction of aversive conditioned sexual responses may have important clinical implications. However, resistance to extinction of aversive conditioned human sexual response has not been studied using extensive extinction trials. This article aims to study resistance to extinction of aversive conditioned sexual responses in sexually functional men and women. A differential conditioning experiment was conducted, with two erotic pictures as conditioned stimulus (CSs) and a painful stimulus as unconditioned stimuli (USs). Only one CS (the CS+) was followed by the US during the acquisition phase. Conditioned responses were assessed during the extinction phase. Penile circumference and vaginal pulse amplitude were assessed, and ratings of affective value and subjective sexual arousal were obtained. Also, a stimulus response compatibility task was included to assess automatic approach and avoidance tendencies. Men and women rated the CS+ more negative as compared with the CS-. During the first trials of the extinction phase, vaginal pulse amplitude was lower in response to the CS+ than in response to the CS-, and on the first extinction trial women rated the CS+ as less sexually arousing. Intriguingly, men did not demonstrate attenuated genital and subjective sexual response. Aversive conditioning, by means of painful stimuli, only affects sexual responses in women, whereas it does not in men. Although conditioned sexual likes and dislikes are relatively persistent, conditioned affect eventually does extinguish. © 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Estimating extinction using unsupervised machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meingast, Stefan; Lombardi, Marco; Alves, João

2017-05-01

Dust extinction is the most robust tracer of the gas distribution in the interstellar medium, but measuring extinction is limited by the systematic uncertainties involved in estimating the intrinsic colors to background stars. In this paper we present a new technique, Pnicer, that estimates intrinsic colors and extinction for individual stars using unsupervised machine learning algorithms. This new method aims to be free from any priors with respect to the column density and intrinsic color distribution. It is applicable to any combination of parameters and works in arbitrary numbers of dimensions. Furthermore, it is not restricted to color space. Extinction toward single sources is determined by fitting Gaussian mixture models along the extinction vector to (extinction-free) control field observations. In this way it becomes possible to describe the extinction for observed sources with probability densities, rather than a single value. Pnicer effectively eliminates known biases found in similar methods and outperforms them in cases of deep observational data where the number of background galaxies is significant, or when a large number of parameters is used to break degeneracies in the intrinsic color distributions. This new method remains computationally competitive, making it possible to correctly de-redden millions of sources within a matter of seconds. With the ever-increasing number of large-scale high-sensitivity imaging surveys, Pnicer offers a fast and reliable way to efficiently calculate extinction for arbitrary parameter combinations without prior information on source characteristics. The Pnicer software package also offers access to the well-established Nicer technique in a simple unified interface and is capable of building extinction maps including the Nicest correction for cloud substructure. Pnicer is offered to the community as an open-source software solution and is entirely written in Python.

The Optical/Near-infrared Extinction Law in Highly Reddened Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosek, Matthew W., Jr.; Lu, Jessica R.; Anderson, Jay; Do, Tuan; Schlafly, Edward F.; Ghez, Andrea M.; Clarkson, William I.; Morris, Mark R.; Albers, Saundra M.

2018-03-01

A precise extinction law is a critical input when interpreting observations of highly reddened sources such as young star clusters and the Galactic Center (GC). We use Hubble Space Telescope observations of a region of moderate extinction and a region of high extinction to measure the optical and near-infrared extinction law (0.8–2.2 μm). The moderate-extinction region is the young massive cluster Westerlund 1 (Wd1; A Ks ∼ 0.6 mag), where 453 proper-motion selected main-sequence stars are used to measure the shape of the extinction law. To quantify the shape, we define the parameter {{ \\mathcal S }}1/λ , which behaves similarly to a color-excess ratio, but is continuous as a function of wavelength. The high-extinction region is the GC (A Ks ∼ 2.5 mag), where 819 red clump stars are used to determine the normalization of the law. The best-fit extinction law is able to reproduce the Wd1 main-sequence colors, which previous laws misestimate by 10%–30%. The law is inconsistent with a single power law, even when only the near-infrared filters are considered, and has A F125W/A Ks and A F814W/A Ks values that are 18% and 24% higher than the commonly used Nishiyama et al. law, respectively. Using this law, we recalculate the Wd1 distance to be 3905 ± 422 pc from published observations of the eclipsing binary W13. This new extinction law should be used for highly reddened populations in the Milky Way, such as the Quintuplet cluster and Young Nuclear Cluster. A python code is provided to generate the law for future use.

75 FR 29489 - Listing Endangered and Threatened Species: Completion of a Review of the Status of the Oregon...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-26

... chance of not going extinct in 100 years. In addition, the BRT was concerned that the values for the... during the last 50 years. Total spawning escapement of naturally produced OC coho held steady through the... sustainable. The model predicts the likelihood that the ESU will persist (i.e., not go extinct) over a 100...

Brief communication: Lumbar lordosis in extinct hominins: implications of the pelvic incidence.

PubMed

Been, Ella; Gómez-Olivencia, Asier; Kramer, Patricia A

2014-06-01

Recently, interest has peaked regarding the posture of extinct hominins. Here, we present a new method of reconstructing lordosis angles of extinct hominin specimens based on pelvic morphology, more specifically the orientation of the sacrum in relation to the acetabulum (pelvic incidence). Two regression models based on the correlation between pelvic incidence and lordosis angle in living hominoids have been developed. The mean values of the calculated lordosis angles based on these models are 36°-45° for australopithecines, 45°-47° for Homo erectus, 27°-34° for the Neandertals and the Sima de los Huesos hominins, and 49°-51° for fossil H. sapiens. The newly calculated lordosis values are consistent with previously published values of extinct hominins (Been et al.: Am J Phys Anthropol 147 (2012) 64-77). If the mean values of the present nonhuman hominoids are representative of the pelvic and lumbar morphology of the last common ancestor between humans and nonhuman hominoids, then both pelvic incidence and lordosis angle dramatically increased during hominin evolution from 27° ± 5 to 22° ± 3 (respectively) in nonhuman hominoids to 54° ± 10 and 51° ± 11 in modern humans. This change to a more human-like configuration appeared early in the hominin evolution as the pelvis and spines of both australopithecines and H. erectus show a higher pelvic incidence and lordosis angle than nonhuman hominoids. The Sima de los Huesos hominins and Neandertals show a derived configuration with a low pelvic incidence and lordosis angle. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

On the evils of group averaging: commentary on Nevin's "Resistance to extinction and behavioral momentum".

PubMed

Gallistel, C R

2012-05-01

Except under unusually favorable circumstances, one can infer from functions obtained by averaging across the subjects neither the form of the function that describes the behavior of the individual subject nor the central tendencies of descriptive parameter values. We should restore the cumulative record to the place of honor as our means of visualizing behavioral change, and we should base our conclusions on analyses that measure where the change occurs in these response-by-response records of the behavior of individual subjects. When that is done, we may find that the extinction of responding to a continuously reinforced stimulus is faster than the extinction of responding to a partially reinforced stimulus in a within-subject design because the latter is signaled extinction. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How humans drive speciation as well as extinction

PubMed Central

Maron, M.

2016-01-01

A central topic for conservation science is evaluating how human activities influence global species diversity. Humanity exacerbates extinction rates. But by what mechanisms does humanity drive the emergence of new species? We review human-mediated speciation, compare speciation and known extinctions, and discuss the challenges of using net species diversity as a conservation objective. Humans drive rapid evolution through relocation, domestication, hunting and novel ecosystem creation—and emerging technologies could eventually provide additional mechanisms. The number of species relocated, domesticated and hunted during the Holocene is of comparable magnitude to the number of observed extinctions. While instances of human-mediated speciation are known, the overall effect these mechanisms have upon speciation rates has not yet been quantified. We also explore the importance of anthropogenic influence upon divergence in microorganisms. Even if human activities resulted in no net loss of species diversity by balancing speciation and extinction rates, this would probably be deemed unacceptable. We discuss why, based upon ‘no net loss’ conservation literature—considering phylogenetic diversity and other metrics, risk aversion, taboo trade-offs and spatial heterogeneity. We conclude that evaluating speciation alongside extinction could result in more nuanced understanding of biosphere trends, clarifying what it is we actually value about biodiversity. PMID:27358365

Experimental study of transient paths to the extinction in sonoluminescence.

PubMed

Urteaga, Raúl; Dellavale, Damián; Puente, Gabriela F; Bonetto, Fabián J

2008-09-01

An experimental study of the extinction threshold of single bubble sonoluminescence in an air-water system is presented. Different runs from 5% to 100% of air concentrations were performed at room pressure and temperature. The intensity of sonoluminescence (SL) and time of collapse (t(c)) with respect to the driving were measured while the acoustic pressure was linearly increased from the onset of SL until the bubble extinction. The experimental data were compared with theoretical predictions for shape and position instability thresholds. It was found that the extinction of the bubble is determined by different mechanisms depending on the air concentration. For concentrations greater than approximately 30%-40% with respect to the saturation, the parametric instability limits the maximum value of R(0) that can be reached. On the other hand, for lower concentrations, the extinction appears as a limitation in the time of collapse. Two different mechanisms emerge in this range, i.e., the Bjerknes force and the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The bubble acoustic emission produces backreaction on the bubble itself. This effect occurs in both mechanisms and is essential for the correct prediction of the extinction threshold in the case of low air dissolved concentration.

How humans drive speciation as well as extinction.

PubMed

Bull, J W; Maron, M

2016-06-29

A central topic for conservation science is evaluating how human activities influence global species diversity. Humanity exacerbates extinction rates. But by what mechanisms does humanity drive the emergence of new species? We review human-mediated speciation, compare speciation and known extinctions, and discuss the challenges of using net species diversity as a conservation objective. Humans drive rapid evolution through relocation, domestication, hunting and novel ecosystem creation-and emerging technologies could eventually provide additional mechanisms. The number of species relocated, domesticated and hunted during the Holocene is of comparable magnitude to the number of observed extinctions. While instances of human-mediated speciation are known, the overall effect these mechanisms have upon speciation rates has not yet been quantified. We also explore the importance of anthropogenic influence upon divergence in microorganisms. Even if human activities resulted in no net loss of species diversity by balancing speciation and extinction rates, this would probably be deemed unacceptable. We discuss why, based upon 'no net loss' conservation literature-considering phylogenetic diversity and other metrics, risk aversion, taboo trade-offs and spatial heterogeneity. We conclude that evaluating speciation alongside extinction could result in more nuanced understanding of biosphere trends, clarifying what it is we actually value about biodiversity. © 2016 The Author(s).

Geography of cretaceous extinctions: Data base development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raup, D. M.

1991-01-01

Data bases built from the source literature are plagued by problems of data quality. Unless the data acquisition is done by experts, working slowly, the data base may contain so much garbage that true signals and patterns cannot be detected. On the other hand, high quality data bases develop so slowly that satisfactory statistical analysis may never be possible due to the small sample sizes. Results of a test are presented of the opposite strategy: rapid data acquisition by non-experts with minimal control on data quality. A published list of 186 species and genera of fossil invertibrates of the latest Cretaceous Age (Maestrichtian) were located through a random search of the paleobiological and geological literature. The geographic location for each faunal list was then transformed electronically to Maestrichtian latitude and longitude and the lists were further digested to identify the genera occurring in each ten-degree, latitude-longitude block. The geographical lists were clustered using the Otsuka similarity coefficient and a standard unweight-pair-group method. The resulting clusters are remarkably consistent geographically, indicating that a strong biogeographic signal is visible despite low-quality data. A further test evaluated the geographic pattern of end-Cretaceaous extinctions. All genera in the data base were compared with Sepkoski's compendium of time ranges of genera to determine which of the reported genera survived the Cretaceous mass extinction. In turn, extinction rates for the ten-degree, latitude-longitude blocks were mapped. The resulting distribution is readily interpretable as a robust pattern of the geography of the mass extinction. The study demonstrates that a low-quality data base, built rapidly, can provide a basis for meaningful analysis of past biotic events.

Can an aversive, extinction-resistant memory trigger impairments in walking adaptability? An experimental study using adult rats.

PubMed

Medeiros, Filipe Mello; de Carvalho Myskiw, Jociane; Baptista, Pedro Porto Alegre; Neves, Laura Tartari; Martins, Lucas Athaydes; Furini, Cristiane Regina Guerino; Izquierdo, Iván; Xavier, Léder Leal; Hollands, Kristen; Mestriner, Régis Gemerasca

2018-02-05

Cognitive demands can influence the adaptation of walking, a crucial skill to maintain body stability and prevent falls. Whilst previous research has shown emotional load tunes goal-directed movements, little attention has been given to this finding. This study sought to assess the effects of suffering an extinction-resistant memory on skilled walking performance in adult rats, as an indicator of walking adaptability. Thus, 36 Wistar rats were divided in a two-part experiment. In the first part (n=16), the aversive, extinction-resistance memory paradigm was established using a fear-conditioning chamber. In the second, rats (n=20) were assessed in a neutral room using the ladder rung walking test before and tree days after inducing an extinction-resistance memory. In addition, the elevated plus-maze test was used to control the influence of the anxiety-like status on gait adaptability. Our results revealed the shock group exhibited worse walking adaptability (lower skilled walking score), when compared to the sham group. Moreover, the immobility time in the ladder rung walking test was similar to the controls, suggesting that gait adaptability performance was not a consequence of the fear generalization. No anxiety-like behavior was observed in the plus maze test. Finally, correlation coefficients also showed the skilled walking performance score was positively correlated with the number of gait cycles and trial time in the ladder rung walking test and the total crossings in the plus maze. Overall, these preliminary findings provide evidence to hypothesize an aversive, extinction-resistant experience might change the emotional load, affecting the ability to adapt walking. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evaluating the potential for near-shore bathymetry on the Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, using Landsat 8 and WorldView-3 imagery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poppenga, Sandra K.; Palaseanu-Lovejoy, Monica; Gesch, Dean B.; Danielson, Jeffrey J.; Tyler, Dean J.

2018-04-16

Satellite-derived near-shore bathymetry (SDB) is becoming an increasingly important method for assessing vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards in low-lying atolls of the northern tropical Pacific Ocean. Satellite imagery has become a cost-effective means for mapping near-shore bathymetry because ships cannot collect soundings safely while operating close to the shore. Also, green laser light detection and ranging (lidar) acquisitions are expensive in remote locations. Previous research has demonstrated that spectral band ratio-based techniques, commonly called the natural logarithm approach, may lead to more precise measurements and modeling of bathymetry because of the phenomenon that different substrates at the same depth have approximately equal ratio values. The goal of this research was to apply the band ratio technique to Landsat 8 at-sensor radiance imagery and WorldView-3 atmospherically corrected imagery in the coastal waters surrounding the Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, to derive near-shore bathymetry that could be incorporated into a seamless topobathymetric digital elevation model of Majuro. Attenuation of light within the water column was characterized by measuring at-sensor radiance and reflectance at different depths and calculating an attenuation coefficient. Bathymetric lidar data, collected by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office in 2006, were used to calibrate the SDB results. The bathymetric lidar yielded a strong linear relation with water depths. The Landsat 8-derived SDB estimates derived from the blue/green band ratio exhibited a water attenuation extinction depth of 6 meters with a coefficient of determination R2=0.9324. Estimates derived from the coastal/red band ratio had an R2=0.9597. At the same extinction depth, SDB estimates derived from WorldView-3 imagery exhibited an R2=0.9574. Because highly dynamic coastal shorelines can be affected by erosion, wetland loss, hurricanes, sea-level rise, urban development, and population growth, consistent bathymetric data are needed to better understand sensitive coastal land/water interfaces in areas subject to coastal disasters.

Rapid-cadence optical monitoring for short-period variability of ɛ Aurigae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Billings, Gary

2013-07-01

ɛ Aurigae was observed with CCD cameras and 35 mm SLR camera lenses, at rapid cadence (>1/minute), for long runs (up to 11 hours), on multiple occasions during 2009 - 2011, to monitor for variability of the system at scales of minutes to hours. The lens and camera were changed during the period to improve results, finalizing on a 135 mm focal length Canon f/2 lens (at f/2.8), an ND8 neutral density filter, a Johnson V filter, and an SBIG ST-8XME camera (Kodak KAF-1603ME microlensed chip). Differential photometry was attempted, but because of the large separation between the variable and comparison star (η Aur), noise caused by transient extinction variations was not consistently eliminated. The lowest-noise time series for searching for short-period variability proved to be the extinction-corrected instrumental magnitude of ɛ Aur obtained on "photometric nights", with η Aur used to determine and monitor the extinction coefficient for the night. No flares or short-period variations of ɛ Aur were detected by visual inspection of the light curves from observing runs with noise levels as low as 0.008 magnitudes rms.

Injection of mineral dust into the free troposphere during fire events observed with polarization lidar at Limassol, Cyprus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisantzi, A.; Mamouri, R. E.; Ansmann, A.; Hadjimitsis, D.

2014-11-01

Four-year observations (2010-2014) with EARLINET polarization lidar and AERONET sun/sky photometer at Limassol (34.7° N, 33° E), Cyprus, were used to study the soil dust content in lofted fire smoke plumes advected from Turkey. This first systematic attempt to characterize less than 3-day-old smoke plumes in terms of particle linear depolarization ratio (PDR), measured with lidar, contributes to the more general effort to properly describe the life cycle of free-tropospheric smoke-dust mixtures from the emission event to phases of long-range transport (> 4 days after emission). We found significant PDR differences with values from 9 to 18% in lofted aerosol layers when Turkish fires contributed to the aerosol burden and of 3-13 % when Turkish fires were absent. High Ångström exponents of 1.4-2.2 during all these events with lofted smoke layers, occurring between 1 and 3 km height, suggest the absence of a pronounced particle coarse mode. When plotted vs. travel time (spatial distance between Limassol and last fire area), PDR decreased strongly from initial values around 16-18% (1 day travel) to 4-8% after 4 days of travel caused by deposition processes. This behavior was found to be in close agreement with findings described in the literature. Computation of particle extinction coefficient and mass concentrations, derived from the lidar observations, separately for fine-mode dust, coarse-mode dust, and non-dust aerosol components show extinction-related dust fractions on the order of 10% (for PDR =4%, travel times > 4 days) and 50% (PDR =15%, 1 day travel time) and respective mass-related dust fractions of 25% (PDR =4%) to 80% (PDR =15%). Biomass burning should therefore be considered as another source of free tropospheric soil dust.

Physical properties of CO-dark molecular gas traced by C+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Ningyu; Li, Di; Heiles, Carl; Wang, Shen; Pan, Zhichen; Wang, Jun-Jie

2016-09-01

Context. Neither Hi nor CO emission can reveal a significant quantity of so-called dark gas in the interstellar medium (ISM). It is considered that CO-dark molecular gas (DMG), the molecular gas with no or weak CO emission, dominates dark gas. Determination of physical properties of DMG is critical for understanding ISM evolution. Previous studies of DMG in the Galactic plane are based on assumptions of excitation temperature and volume density. Independent measurements of temperature and volume density are necessary. Aims: We intend to characterize physical properties of DMG in the Galactic plane based on C+ data from the Herschel open time key program, namely Galactic Observations of Terahertz C+ (GOT C+) and Hi narrow self-absorption (HINSA) data from international Hi 21 cm Galactic plane surveys. Methods: We identified DMG clouds with HINSA features by comparing Hi, C+, and CO spectra. We derived the Hi excitation temperature and Hi column density through spectral analysis of HINSA features. The Hi volume density was determined by utilizing the on-the-sky dimension of the cold foreground Hi cloud under the assumption of axial symmetry. The column and volume density of H2 were derived through excitation analysis of C+ emission. The derived parameters were then compared with a chemical evolutionary model. Results: We identified 36 DMG clouds with HINSA features. Based on uncertainty analysis, optical depth of HiτHi of 1 is a reasonable value for most clouds. With the assumption of τHi = 1, these clouds were characterized by excitation temperatures in a range of 20 K to 92 K with a median value of 55 K and volume densities in the range of 6.2 × 101 cm-3 to 1.2 × 103 cm-3 with a median value of 2.3 × 102 cm-3. The fraction of DMG column density in the cloud (fDMG) decreases with increasing excitation temperature following an empirical relation fDMG =-2.1 × 10-3Tex,(τHi = 1) + 1.0. The relation between fDMG and total hydrogen column density NH is given by fDMG = 1.0-3.7 × 1020/NH. We divided the clouds into a high extinction group and low extinction group with the dividing threshold being total hydrogen column density NH of 5.0 × 1021 cm-2 (AV = 2.7 mag). The values of fDMG in the low extinction group (AV ≤ 2.7 mag) are consistent with the results of the time-dependent, chemical evolutionary model at the age of ~10 Myr. Our empirical relation cannot be explained by the chemical evolutionary model for clouds in the high extinction group (AV > 2.7 mag). Compared to clouds in the low extinction group (AV ≤ 2.7 mag), clouds in the high extinction group (AV > 2.7 mag) have comparable volume densities but excitation temperatures that are 1.5 times lower. Moreover, CO abundances in clouds of the high extinction group (AV > 2.7 mag) are 6.6 × 102 times smaller than the canonical value in the Milky Way. Conclusions: The molecular gas seems to be the dominate component in these clouds. The high percentage of DMG in clouds of the high extinction group (AV > 2.7 mag) may support the idea that molecular clouds are forming from pre-existing molecular gas, I.e., a cold gas with a high H2 content but that contains a little or no CO content.

Thickness dependent structural, optical and electrical properties of Se85In12Bi3 nanochalcogenide thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, Ravi P.; Zulfequar, M.; Khan, Shamshad A.

2018-04-01

Our aim is to study the thickness dependent effects on structure, electrical and optical properties of Se85In12Bi3 nanochalcogenide thin films. Bulk alloy of Se85In12Bi3 was synthesized by melt-quenching technique. The amorphous as well as glassy nature of Se85In12Bi3 chalcogenide was confirmed by non-isothermal Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The nanochalcogenide thin films of thickness 30, 60 and 90 nm were prepared on glass/Si wafer substrate using Physical Vapour Condensation Technique (PVCT). From XRD studies it was found that thin films have amorphous texture. The surface morphology and particle size of films were studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). From optical studies, different optical parameters were estimated for Se85In12Bi3 thin films at different thickness. It was found that the absorption coefficient (α) and extinction coefficient (k) increases with photon energy and decreases with film thickness. The optical absorption process followed the rule of indirect transitions and optical band gap were found to be increase with film thickness. The value of Urbach energy (Et) and steepness parameter (σ) were also calculated for different film thickness. For electrical studies, dc-conductivity measurement was done at different temperature and activation energy (ΔEc) were determined and found to be increase with film thickness.

Light extinction by fine atmospheric particles in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire and its relationship to air mass transport.

PubMed

Slater, John F; Dibb, Jack E; Keim, Barry D; Talbot, Robert W

2002-03-27

Chemical, optical, and physical measurements of fine aerosols (aerodynamic diameter < or = 2.5 microm) have been performed at a mountaintop location adjacent to the White Mountain National Forest in northern NH, USA. A 1-month long sampling campaign was conducted at Cranmore Mountain during spring 2000. We report on the apportionment of light extinction by fine aerosols into its major chemical components, and relationships between variations in aerosol parameters and changes in air mass origin. Filter-based, 24-h integrated samples were collected and analyzed for major inorganic ions, as well as organic (OC), elemental (EC), and total carbon. Light scattering and light absorption coefficients were measured at 5-min intervals using an integrating nephelometer and a light absorption photometer. Fine particle number density was measured with a condensation particle counter. Air mass origins and transport patterns were investigated through the use of 3-day backward trajectories and a synoptic climate classification system. Two distinct transport regimes were observed: (1) flow from the north/northeast (N/NE) occurred during 9 out of 18 sample-days; and (2) flow from the west/southwest (W/SW) occurred 8 out of 18 sample-days. All measured and derived aerosol and meteorological parameters were separated into two categories based on these different flow scenarios. During W/SW flow, higher values of aerosol chemical concentration, absorption and scattering coefficients, number density, and haziness were observed compared to N/NE flow. The highest level of haziness was associated with the climate classification Frontal Atlantic Return, which brought polluted air into the region from the mid-Atlantic corridor. Fine particle mass scattering efficiencies of (NH4)2SO4 and OC were 5.35 +/- 0.42 m2 g(-1) and 1.56 +/- 0.40 m2 g(-1), respectively, when transport was out of the N/NE. When transport was from the W/SW the values were 4.94 +/- 0.68 m2 g(-1) for (NH4)2SO4 and 2.18 +/- 0.91 m2 g(-1) for OC. EC mass absorption efficiency when transport was from the N/NE was 9.66 +/- 1.06 m2 g(-1) and 10.80 +/- 1.76 m2 g(-1) when transport was from the W/SW. Results from this work can be used to predict visual air quality in the White Mountain National Forest based on a forecasted synoptic climate classification and its associated visibility.

Improved solution of the lidar equation utilizing particle counter measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaeger, H.; Hofmann, D. J.; Jaeger, H.; Hofmann, D. J.

1986-01-01

The extraction of particle backscattering from incoherent lidar measurements poses some problems. In the case of measurements of the stratospheric aerosol layer the solution of the lidar equation is based on two assumptions which are necessary to normalize the measured signal and to correct it with the two-way transmission of the laser pulse. Normalization and transmission are tackled by adding the information contained in aerosol particle counter measurements of the University of Wyoming to the ruby lidar measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Calculated backscattering from height levels above 25 km for the El Chichon period will be compared with lidar measurements and necessary corrections. The calculated backscatter-to-extinction ratios are compared to those, which were derived from a comparison of published extinction values to measured lidar backscattering at Garmisch. These ratios were used to calculate the Garmisch lidar returns. For the period 4 to 12 months after the El Chichon eruption a backscater-to-extinction ratio of 0.026 1/sr was applied with smaller values before and after that time.

Spatial distribution of aerosol hygroscopicity and its effect on PM2.5 retrieval in East China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Qianshan; Zhou, Guangqiang; Geng, Fuhai; Gao, Wei; Yu, Wei

2016-03-01

The hygroscopic properties of aerosol particles have strong impact on climate as well as visibility in polluted areas. Understanding of the scattering enhancement due to water uptake is of great importance in linking dry aerosol measurements with relevant ambient measurements, especially for satellite retrievals. In this study, an observation-based algorithm combining meteorological data with the particulate matter (PM) measurement was introduced to estimate spatial distribution of indicators describing the integrated humidity effect in East China and the main factors impacting the hygroscopicity were explored. Investigation of 1 year data indicates that the larger mass extinction efficiency αext values (> 9.0 m2/g) located in middle and northern Jiangsu Province, which might be caused by particulate organic material (POM) and sulfate aerosol from industries and human activities. The high level of POM in Jiangsu Province might also be responsible for the lower growth coefficient γ value in this region. For the inland junction provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, a considerable higher hygroscopic growth region in East China might be attributed to more hygroscopic particles mainly comprised of inorganic salts (e.g., sulfates and nitrates) from several large-scale industrial districts distributed in this region. Validation shows good agreement of calculated PM2.5 mass concentrations with in situ measurements in most stations with correlative coefficients of over 0.85, even if several defective stations induced by station location or seasonal variation of aerosol properties in this region. This algorithm can be used for more accurate surface level PM2.5 retrieval from satellite-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) with combination of the vertical correction for aerosol profile.

Optical and semiconductive properties of binary and ternary thin films from the Nb-Ti-O system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aperador, W.; Yate, L.; Pinzón, M. J.; Caicedo, J. C.

2018-06-01

A study has been conducted based on the Mott-Schottky model acquisition by potentiodynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to determine the physical-chemical properties of binary TiO2, Nb2O5 and ternary Nb-Ti-O thin films (semiconductor type) based on Nb,Ti, O elements. The technique used for the study of optical properties was that of spectral transmittance, measurements were performed using a spectrophotometer. The consistency of the impedance data has been studied by calculating the Kramers-Kronig relations. The structural properties were analyzed by XRD patterns; the chemical composition measurements for all thin films were made by using XPS technique. So, in this research the transmittance values change from 72.74% for Nb2O5 to 59.68% for Ti-Nb-O with wavelength around 355 nm. The absorption coefficients for all films were analyzed from 31823.87 cm-1 for Nb2O5 to 91240.90 cm-1 for Nb-Ti-O with wavelength around 355 nm evidencing thus a 65% reduction. The direct band gap it was found that the photon energy (band gap Eg) changes in all films from 3.56 eV for Nb2O5 to 3.96 eV for Ti-Nb-O evidencing a 10% reduction. The extinction coefficient values change in all films from 0.038 cm-1 for Nb2O5 to 0.277 cm-1 for Ti-Nb-O films with wavelength around 355 nm, exhibiting an 86% increasing. Finally, it was observed by the Mott-Schottky analysis that the reference potential (Ag/AgCl) changes for all films from -2.09 V for Nb2O5 to -0.80 V for Ti-Nb-O material showing a 62% reduction.