DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY GAUGE BASED ON THE BREMSSTRAHLUNG EFFECT.

Abstract

Research and development concluding with the design and construction of a rocket borne air density measurement system is reported. This system utilizes detection of bremsstrahlung X-rays generated by injection of an electron beam from the rocket into the atmosphere. At the high altitudes at which this system is designed to operate, between 100 and 200 km, the detected X-ray flux is linearly related to ambient air density. It is concluded that the system operates as theoretically predicted, and that further research on the possiblity of utilizing this technique to measure atmospheric parameters other than density, such as the argon/nitrogen ratio, is warranted. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0652236

Entities

People

  • Bach Sellers
  • Charles A. Ziegler

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Bremsstrahlung
  • Construction
  • Detection
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • High Altitude
  • Measurement
  • Nitrogen
  • Radiation
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics