Abstract: A microcalorimeter has been built in WR 10 waveguide, 75-110 GHz, to serve as a power standard at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Included here is an evaluation of the errors in using the microcalorimeter for the measurement of effective efficiency of bolometer mounts. The error analysis shows a systematic uncertainty of +/- .83 percent and a random uncertainty of .37 percent.

Forward: The purpose of this report is to summarize the results obtained from a brief investigation of supercritical fluid extraction principles and applications. This study was one portion of a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, contract nuriber DE-AI01076PR06010, in response to a preliminary proposal submitted by the authors. This report sometimes uses company trade naries to identify processes and patent holders. This usage implies no endorsement by HBS. Note also that some figures reproduced from other sources do not conform with NBS policy concerning SI units.

From introduction: Simple, precise expressions for lunar diameter, average brightness temperature, flux density, and shape factor are presented. An analysis of the relationship between these parameters and corresponding errors are included. For broadbeam (HPBW>d) antennas, results show that flux density and shape factor can be determined with errors less than 13 percent and 0.4 percent respectively at frequencies below 10 GHz. Extension of the analysis to higher frequencies is indicated.

From introduction: This note describes the design and construction of a coaxial thermal noise standard. The standard is designed to operate at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen with a noise temperature accurate to t 1 K in the frequency range from 1 GHz to 12.4 GHz.

Abstract: Densimeters for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from four manufacturers were tested in liquid methane and an LNG-like mixture of methane, propane, and nitrogen in the density reference system (DRS). The calibration and performance of one type tested for the first time are reported. The stability of the calibrations and performances of three densimeters of a type previously tested have been examined and are also reported here.

Abstract: As a first step in the development of a beam-profile measuring instrument for laser sources that is capable of determining the distribution of low-order (less than 25) Hermitian modes in a series of laser pulses, I designed and evaluated the three key parts of such an instrument. First, there is the telescope system which allows the incident laser beam to be phase, beamwidth, and beam center matched to the optical spatial filter. Second, there is a brief error analysis of the structure of the mismatch function between the beam out of the telescope and that expected by the filter. Finally, there is the detailed analysis and design of the computer-generated spatial filter that will cause the incident-laser beam to be cross correlated with the low-order Hermite modes and will create an array of light spots in the detector (Fourier transform) plane each of which can be uniquely related to a particular Hermite mode of the original laser pulse. The principal conclusion is that the Hermite mode analysis can be done with better than 99 percent separation between modes, provided the phase between modes is uncorrelated from pulse to pulse when the filter has been fabricated with a two-level, gray-scale …

From introduction: For the first time, transfer standards have been developed for measuring 1.064 Pm laser pulses of duration about 10-100 ns, peak irradiance of about 10-8-10-4 W/cm2, and fluences of about 10-16-10-11 J/cm2 . These energy and power measurement devices use PIN and APD silicon detectors, respectively, and can be used as stable transfer standards with total uncertainties (random errors computed at the 95 percent confidence level) of 10 to 15 percent. The system for calibrating these transfer standards is also described and consists of a cw Nd:YAG laser beam acousto-optically modulated to provide low-level laser pulses of known peak power and energy. A detailed evaluation of systematic and random errors is also shown.

From introduction: A new method for determining the radiation characteristics of leakage from electronic equipment for interference studies is described in this report. Basically, an unintentional leakage source is considered to be electrically small, and may be characterized by three equivalent orthogonal electric dipole moments and three equivalent orthogonal magnetic dipole moments. When an unknown source object is placed at the center of a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell, its radiated energy couples into the fundamental transmission mode and propagates toward the two output ports of the TEM cell. With a hybrid junction inserted into a loop connecting the cell output ports, one is able to measure the sum and difference powers and the relative phase between the sum and difference outputs. Systematic measurements of these powers and phases at six different source object positions, based on a well-developed theory, are sufficient to determine the amplitudes and phases of the unknown component dipole moments, from which the detailed free-space radiation pattern of the unknown source and the total radiated power can be determined. Results of simulated theoretical examples and an experiment using a spherical dipole radiator are given to illustrate the theory and measurement procedure.

From introduction: The accurate prediction of phase equilibria plays an important. role in the chemical process industries. A grief overview of final phase equilibria predictive techniques is presented with special emphasis on methods in current use in industry. Areas were better fundamental understanding will lead to improved models are discussed whenever possible.

From abstract: The excitation of a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell by a vertical electric Hertzian dipole is analyzed where the gap between the septum and side wall is assumed to be small. Approximate expressions for the field distribution and characteristic impedance are derived. These expressions are numerically evaluated for some typical geometries, and good agreement with previously published results is shown. The formation also allows a vertical offset for the septum position, thus offering more flexibility of increasing the size of the test area to accommodate larger pieces of test equipment.

Abstract: The improved Density Reference System, the reference densimeter, and the method of determining sample density are described. The uncertainty of the density reference system is + 0.055%. The contribution from the estimated systema -ic error in density was + 0.022%. The estimated uncertainty caused by random error is three times the standard deviation of 0.011% and is based on sixty-three measurements of the densities of saturated liquid methane. The total density uncertainty is taken to be the sum of the systematic and random errors. This applies to the density range of 400 to 480 kg/m at pressures from 0.8 to 4 bar absolute and temperatures between 109 and 128 K. This accuracy statement is expected to apply over ranges of at least 400 to 1000 kg/m3 in density, 77 to 300 K in temperature, and 0.8 to 7 bar in pressure though the accuracy over these ranges has not been verified.

From abstract: The thermophysical and transport properties of selected fluids have been programmed in FORTRAN 77 which is available for micro computers. The input variables are any two of P, p, T (pressure, density, and temperature) in the single phase regions, and either P or T for the saturated liquid or vapor states. The output is pressure, density, temperature, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, specific heat capacities (Cp and Cv), speed of sound and, in most cases, viscosity, thermal conductivity and dielectric constant.

From introduction: This note describes the design and error analysis of a WR10 thermal noise power standard. The standard is designed to operate at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen with a noise temperature accurate to plus or minus 1 K.

From introduction: The feasibility of using a near-field array for electromagnetic susceptibility testing is studied. The basic objective is to control the element weightings such that a plane wave is generated within the test volume. The basic theory is developed for arbitrary array geometries, and numerical results are obtained for finite planar arrays. A general near-field array synthesis technique is developed, and the technique minimizes the mean square error in the test volume while constraining the array excitations. The constraint prevents large excitations and is useful in minimizing the fields outside the test volume. The basic idea looks promising, but some practical considerations, such as bandwidth and angular scanning limitations, require further theoretical and experimental investigation.

Abstract: This report describes a system based on electromagnetic-acoustic transducers (EMATs) as an approach to automated nondestructive evaluation of thick weldments (>25 mm). Good signal-to-noise ratios, often a problem with EMATs, were possibTe through careful design of the transducers and associated electronic circuits and the use of signal averaging. At 454 kHz, the transducers produce shear-horizontal waves of approximately 7-mm wavelength in steel. The long wavelength permits determination of through-thickness flaw depth from the amplitudes of scattered ultrasonic waves. A minicomputer controlled transducer positioning and acquired the digitized ultrasonic waveforms for synthetic aperture processing. The synthetic aperture technique further improved signal quality and yielded flaw localization through the weld thickness. Measurements on artificial flaws demonstrated a detectability threshold of 0.5 mm (through thickness) and sizing ability up to 2.5 mm, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Details include the design of the transducers and electronics, as well as the mechanical positioner, signal processing algorithms, and complete computer program listing.

Introduction: Small aperture theory is used to investigate the dual TEM cell. Analyzing coupling through an empty versus a loaded aperture leads to a model of dual TEM cell shielding effectiveness measurements. Small obstacle scattering yields results for both the field perturbation and the change in a cell's transmission line characteristics due to the presence of a test object in a TEM cell. In each case, theoretical values are compared to experimental data.

From abstract: I propose the use of a template method for quantitative, correct, and transparent measurement of signal power to additive noise power ratios (SNR) of digital signals and systems under full operating conditions. Outer guard chips of digital templates hold intersymbol interference fixed on inner target chips in realizations of the respective template patterns in traffic. The proposed template method needs to be developed and proven as a potentially valuable metrology capability; it can be especially important for real time online performance assessment and monitoring of digital communication systems.

From abstract: This paper describes a Bessel null technique to measure the frequency response of a frequency-modulated rf carrier and a program to automate frequency response measurements of signal generators with output frequencies from 0.450 to 2000 MHz. The measurements obtained using this technique are more precise than those obtained by a highly trained technician using a manual system.

Abstract: Electroexplosive devices (EEDs) are electrically fired explosive initiators used in a wide variety of applications. The nature of most of these applications requires that the devices function with near certainty when required and remain inactive otherwise. Recent concern with pulsed electromagnetic interference (EMI) and nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) made apparent the lack of methodology for assessing EED vulnerability. A new and rigorous approach for characterizing EED firing levels is developed in the context of statistical linear models and is demonstrated in this paper. We combine statistical theory and methodology with thermodynamic modeling to determine the probability that an EED, of a particular type, fires when excited by a pulse of a given width and amplitude. The results can be applied to any type of EED for which the hot-wire explosive binder does not melt below the firing temperature. Included are methods.for assessing model validity and for obtaining probability plots, called "Firing Likelihood Plots". A method of measuring the thermal time constant of an EED is given. This parameter is necessary to evaluate the effect of a train of pulses. These statistical methods are both more general and more efficient than previous methods for EED assessment. The results provide information …

Abstract: Shielding effectiveness relates to a material's ability to reduce the transmission of propagating fields in order to electromagnetically isolate one region from another. Because a complex material's shielding capability is difficult to predict, it often must be measured. A number of measurement approaches are studied including the use of a shielded room, coaxial transmission line holders, time domain signals, the dual TEM cell, and an apertured TEM cell in a reverberation chamber. In each case, we consider the system's frequency range, test sample requirements, test field type, dynamic range, time required, analytical background, and present data taken on a common set of materials.

Abstract: Results of a research program to develop fitness-for-service criteria for assessing the significance of fatigue cracks in offshore structures are presented in five papers. Each paper describes the goals and approaches to a specific task and details the results of the study.

Abstract: Site attenuation is a measure of performance of an open test site used at frequencies below about 1 GHz for antenna calibration and equipment emission and susceptibility testing. These sites typically consist of a large, obstruction-free ground plane and the hemisphere above it. Site attenuation of an ideal site is calculated and compared to data measured using the 30 m by 60 m NBS ground screen.

Abstract: The preliminary design and testing of a planar circuit six-port with diode detectors is described. The planar circuit medium was chosen to be finline, and all preliminary work was done in WR-42 waveguide (18-26.5 GHz). The finline substrate was alumina, and initially commercial beam-lead diodes were bonded to the finline metalization. The goal is to design an integrated circuit which could be fabricated on one chip (with diode detectors) and used as part of a six port network analyzer in the waveguide bands above 18 GHz. Initial designs proved to b unsatisfactory because of high losses and reflections. Most of the problems have b en solved, and a usable integrated finline circuit is a good possibility for a millimeter wave six-port.

Abstract: This report presents the results of work at the National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colorado, to carefully evaluate, document, develop (when necessary), and describe the methodology for performing radiated susceptibility/vulnerability measurements using a reverberation chamber. The report describes the reverberation chamber theory of operation, construction, evaluation, functional operation, and use for performing immunity measurements. It includes an estimate of measurement uncertainties derived empirically from test results and from comparisons with anechoic chamber measurements. Finally, it discusses the limitations and advantages of the measurement technique to assist potential users in determining the applicability for this technique to their electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) measurement needs.