NASA Tech Briefs, December 1989

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

3D Micromachining of Optical Devices on Transparent Material by Ultrafast Laser

Ultrafast lasers, also referred to as ultrashort pulse lasers, have played an important role in the development of next generation manufacturing technologies in recent years. Their broad range of applications has been investigated in the field of microstructure processing for the biomedical, optical, and many other laboratory and industrial fields. Ultrafast laser machining has numerous unique advantages, including high precision, a small heat affected area, high peak intensity, 3D direct-writing, and other flexible capabilities When integrated with optical delivery, motion devices and control systems, one-step fabrication of assemble-free micro-devices can be realized. In particular, ultrafast lasers enable the creation of various three-dimensional, laser-induced modifications using an extremely high peak intensity over a short time frame, producing precise ablation of material and a small heat affected area in transparent materials. In contrast, lasers with longer pulse durations are based on a thermal effect, which results in significant melting in the heat affected area. In general, ultrafast laser micromachining can be used either to subtract material from or to change the material properties of both absorptive and transparent substances. Recently, integrated micro-devices including optical fiber sensors, microfluidic devices, and lab-on-chips (LOC) have gained worldwide recognition because of their unique characteristics. These micro-devices have been widely used for a broad range of applications, from fundamental research to industry. The development of integrated glass micro-devices introduced new possibilities for biomedical, environmental, civil and other industries and research areas. Of these devices, optical fiber sensors are recognized for their small size, accuracy, resistance to corrosion, fast response and high integration. They have demonstrated their excellent performance in sensing temperature, strain, refractive index and many other physical quantities. In addition to the all-in-fiber device, the LOC is another attractive candidate for use in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) because it includes several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit. LOCs provide such advantages as low fluid volume consumption, improved analysis and response times due to short diffusion distances, and better process control, all of which are specific to their application. Combining ultrafast laser micromachining techniques with integrated micro-devices has resulted in research on a variety of fabrication methods targeted for particular purposes. In this dissertation, the direct creation of three-dimensional (3D) structures using an ultra-fast laser was investigated for use in optical devices. This research was motivated by the desire to understand more fully the relationship among laser parameters, material properties and 3D optical structures. Various all-in-fiber sensors in conjunction with femtosecond laser ablation and irradiation were investigated based on magnetic field, temperature and strain application. An incoherent optical carrier based microwave interferometry technique was used for in-situ weak reflector fabrication and a picosecond laser micromachining technique was introduced for developing LOCs with unlimited utilization potential

Air pollution monitoring instrumentation A survey

Air pollution monitoring instrumentation developed for aerospace uses surveyed for industrial application

A review of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of aluminium alloys: Microstructure and properties

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic alloys for structural and functional applications has attracted significant interest in the last two decades as it brings a step change in the philosophy of design and manufacturing. The ability to design and fabricate complex geometries not amenable to conventional manufacturing, and the potential to reduce component weight without compromising performance, is particularly attractive for aerospace and automotive applications. This has culminated in rapid progress in AM with Ti- and Ni-based alloys. In contrast, the development of AM with Al-alloys has been slow, despite their widespread adoption in industry owing to an excellent combination of low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. Research to date has focused on castable and weldable AlSiMg-based alloys (which are less desirable for demanding structural applications), as well as on the development of new AM-specific AlMgSc alloys (based on 5xxx series). However, high strength wrought Al-alloys have typically been unsuitable for AM due to their unfavourable microstructural characteristics under rapid directional solidification conditions. Nevertheless, recent research has shown that there is promise in overcoming the associated challenges. Herein, we present a review of the current status of AM with Al-alloys. We primarily focus on the microstructural characteristics, and on exploring how these influence mechanical properties. The current metallurgical understanding of microstructure and defect formation in Al-alloys during AM is discussed, along with recent promising research exploring various microstructural modification methodologies. Finally, the remaining challenges in the development of AM with high-strength Al-alloys are discussed

A hydrogen beam to characterize the ASACUSA antihydrogen hyperfine spectrometer

The antihydrogen programme of the ASACUSA collaboration at the antiproton decelerator of CERN focuses on Rabi-type measurements of the ground-state hyperfine splitting of antihydrogen for a test of the combined Charge-Parity-Time symmetry. The spectroscopy apparatus consists of a microwave cavity to drive hyperfine transitions and a superconducting sextupole magnet for quantum state analysis via Stern-Gerlach separation. However, the small production rates of antihydrogen forestall comprehensive performance studies on the spectroscopy apparatus. For this purpose a hydrogen source and detector have been developed which in conjunction with ASACUSA's hyperfine spectroscopy equipment form a complete Rabi experiment. We report on the formation of a cooled, polarized, and time modulated beam of atomic hydrogen and its detection using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and a lock-in amplification scheme. In addition key features of ASACUSA's hyperfine spectroscopy apparatus are discussed.