NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

calculated x-ray fluxes from the proposed Advanced Light Source (ALS) imaging beamline, and from the calculated flux for
a tungsten anode x-ray generator operated in a point focus mode.
NTIS
Imaging Techniques; Time Dependence; X Ray Sources
20040070819 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA, USA
Microcalorimeters with NTD and Expitaxial Germanium Thermistors for High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy
Silver, Eric; Brinton, John C., Technical Monitor; April 2004; 6 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NAG5-5269; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
This is a progress report for the second year of a three year SR&T grant to continue the advancement of NTD-based
microcalorimeters. We reported last year that we re-prioritized certain aspects of the statement of work and chose to emphasize
issues of array development in the first year rather than wait until year two. Consequently, some of the projects scheduled for
the first year were delayed to the second year and we report on those topics here. These include: a) Measurements that map
out JFET , thermistor, l/f and feedback resistor noise; b) Investigations that evaluate the limits of the JFET preamplifier
circuitry as it pertains to stability at the 2 eV level; The results of a) and b) have led to preliminary measurements that
demonstrate 3.08 eV resolution at 6 keV. c) Calculations that can predict the current performance.
Derived from text
Calorimeters; Germanium; High Resolution; Thermistors; X Ray Spectroscopy; Epitaxy
20040070995 Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA
National Ignition Facility (NIF) Control Network Design and Analysis
Bryant, R. M.; Carey, R. W.; Claybourn, R. V.; Pavel, G.; Schaefer, W. J.; 2004; In English
Report No.(s): DE2003-15005546; No Copyright; Avail: National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
The control network for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is designed to meet the needs for common object request
broker architecture (CORBA) inter-process communication, multicast video transport, device triggering, and general TCP/IP
communication within the NIF facility. The network will interconnect approximately 650 systems, including the embedded
controllers, front-end processors (FEPs), supervisory systems, and centralized servers involved in operation of the NIF. All
systems are networked with Ethernet to serve the majority of communication needs, and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
is used to transport multicast video and synchronization triggers. CORBA software infra-structure provides locationindependent
communication services over TCP/IP between the application processes in the 15 supervisory and 300 FEP
systems. Video images sampled from 500 video cameras at a 10-Hz frame rate will be multicast using direct ATM Application
Programming Interface (API) communication from video FEPs to any selected operator console. The Ethernet and ATM
control networks are used to broadcast two types of device triggers for last-second functions in a large number of FEPs, thus
eliminating the need for a separate infrastructure for these functions. Analysis, design, modeling, and testing of the NIF
network has been performed to provide confidence that the network design will meet NIF control requirements.
NTIS
Research Facilities; Design Analysis; Synchronism; Plant Design; Network Analysis
20040071145 Cleveland State Univ., Cleveland, OH, USA
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Space Power
Harris, Jerry D.; Hehemann, David G.; Duraj, Stan A.; [2003]; 11 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NCC3-869; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
During the course of this grant, dye-sensitized solar cells were prepared and characterized. The solar cells were prepared
using materials (dyes, electrolytes, transparent conductive oxide coated glass, nanocrystalline TiO2) entirely prepared
in-house, as well as prepared using materials available commercially. Complete cells were characterized under simulated AM0
illumination. The best cell prepared at NASA had an AM0 efficiency of 1.22% for a 1.1 sq cm cell. Short circuit current (Isc),
open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) for the cell were 6.95 mA, 618 mV and 42.8%, respectively. For comparison
purposes, two commercially prepared dye-sensitized solar cells were obtained from Solaronix SA, Aubonne, Switzerland. The
Solaronix cells were also characterized under simulated AM0 illumination. The best cell from Solaronix had an active area
of 3.71 sq cm and measured an AM0 efficiency of 3.16%. with Isc, Voc and FF of 45.80 mA, 669.6 mV and 52.3%,
respectively. Both cells from Solaronix were rapid thermal cycled between -80 C and 80 C. Thermal cycling led to a 4.6%
263