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Lamkin, S. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Lamkin, S. L..

Space proton transport in one dimension

An approximate evaluation procedure is derived for a second-order theory of coupled nucleon transport in one dimension. An analytical solution with a simplified interaction model is used to determine quadrature parameters to minimize truncation error. Effects of the improved method on transport solutions with the BRYNTRN data base are evaluated. Comparisons with Monte Carlo benchmarks are given. Using different shield materials, the computational procedure is used to study the physics of space protons. A transition effect occurs in tissue near the shield interface and is most important in shields of high atomic number.

NASA Discipline Number 45-10

A closed-form solution to HZE propagation

An analytic solution for high energy heavy ion transport assuming straightahead and velocity conserving interactions with constant nuclear cross reactions is given in terms of a Green's function. The series solution for the Green's function is rapidly convergent for most practical applications. The green's function technique can be applied with equal success to laboratory beams as well as to galactic cosmic rays allowing laboratory validation of the resultant space shielding code.

Wilson, John W.

BRYNTRN: A baryon transport model

The development of an interaction data base and a numerical solution to the transport of baryons through an arbitrary shield material based on a straight ahead approximation of the Boltzmann equation are described. The code is most accurate for continuous energy boundary values, but gives reasonable results for discrete spectra at the boundary using even a relatively coarse energy grid (30 points) and large spatial increments (1 cm in H2O). The resulting computer code is self-contained, efficient and ready to use. The code requires only a very small fraction of the computer resources required for Monte Carlo codes.

Wilson, John W.

A closed form solution to HZE propagation

An analytic solution for high energy heavy ion transport assuming straightahead and velocity conserving interactions with constant nuclear cross reactions is given in terms of a Green's function. The series solution for the Green's function is rapidly convergent for most practical applications. The Green's function technique can be applied with equal success to laboratory beams as well as to galactic cosmic rays allowing laboratory validation of the resultant space shielding code.

Wilson, John W.

Nucleon-nucleus interaction data base: Total nuclear and absorption cross sections

Neutron total cross sections are represented for Li to Pu targets at energies above 0.1 MeV and less than 100 MeV using a modified nuclear Ramsauer formalism. The formalism is derived for energies above 100 MeV by fitting theoretical cross sections. Neutron absorption cross sections are represented by analytic expressions of similar form, but shape resonance phenomena of the Ramsauer effect is not present. Elastic differential cross sections are given as a renormalized impulse approximation. These cross section data bases are useful for nucleon transport applications.

Wilson, J. W.

An Euler code calculation of blade-vortex interaction noise

An Euler code has been developed for calculation of noise radiation due to the interaction of a distributed vortex with a Joukowski airfoil. THe time-dependent incompressible flow field is first determined and then integrated to yield the resulting sound production through use of the elegant low-frequency Green's function approach. This code has several interesting numerical features involved in the vortex motion and in continuous satisfaction of the Kutta condition. In addition, it removes the limitations on Reynolds number and is much more efficient than an earlier Navier-Stokes code. Results indicate that the noise production is due to the deceleration and subsequent acceleration of the vortex as it approaches and passes the airfoil. Predicted acoustic levels and frequencies agree with measured data although a precise comparison would require the strength, size, and position of the incoming vortex to be known.

Hardin, J. C.

Turbulent magnetic reconnection

The results of two-dimensional spectral-method MHD simulations of the effect of turbulence on magnetic-reconnection processes are presented in extensive graphs and tables and characterized in detail. In a periodic sheet-pinch configuration, early-onset, persistent turbulence is found to occur when a low level of broadband fluctuations is introduced into the initial data. Features observed include small-scale unsteady coherent electric-current and vorticity structures, enhanced viscous and resistive dissipation, unsteady and spatially asymmetric fluid flow, large-scale and small-scale magnetic islands, multiple X points, large-amplitude electric-field fluctuations, and spectral characteristics indicating that the turbulence is broadband in both spatial directions and similar to homogeneous MHD turbulence. The importance of reconnection for studies of solar, magnetospheric, and laboratory plasmas in inhomogeneous magnetic fields is indicated.

Matthaeus, W. H.

Concepts for reduction of blade-vortex interaction noise

A model is developed to determine the critical parameters that control noise generation by blade-vortex interaction (BVI). The equations for evaluation BVI are derived. The analysis of BVI using the model reveals that the interaction is dependent on incoming vortex strength, blade lift, the interaction length, and the miss distance of the interaction. Several methods for reduction of the noise source are proposed.

Hardin, J. C.

Computational aeroacoustics - Present status and future promise

The field of computational aeroacoustics (CAA), in which sound generation by unsteady flows is calculated from first principles, has recently emerged as a viable discipline. This paper describes one CAA technique which has been validated for low Mach number, low Reynolds number, two-dimensional flows. Results of its application to geometries producing both dipole and quadrupole type sound sources are presented along with theoretical and experimental comparisons. In addition, the future promise of this and other CAA techniques in removing the present limitations is evaluated.

Hardin, J. C.

Rapid magnetic reconnection caused by finite amplitude fluctuations

The nonlinear dynamics of the magnetohydrodynamic sheet pinch have been investigated as an unforced initial value problem for large scale Reynolds numbers up to 1000. Reconnection is triggered by adding to the sheet pinch a small but finite level of broadband random perturbations. Effects of turbulence in the solutions include the production of reconnected magnetic islands at rates that are insensitive to resistivity at early times. This is explained by noting that electric field fluctuations near the X point produce irregularities in the vector potential, sometimes taking the form of 'magnetic bubbles', which allow rapid change of field topology.

Matthaeus, W. H.

Aeroacoustic interaction of a distributed vortex with a lifting Joukowski airfoil

A first principles computational aeroacoustics calculation of the flow and noise fields produced by the interaction of a distributed vortex with a lifting Joukowski airfoil is accomplished at the Reynolds number of 200. The case considered is that where the circulations of the vortex and the airfoil are of opposite sign, corresponding to blade vortex interaction on the retreating side of a single helicopter rotor. The results show that the flow is unsteady, even in the absence of the incoming vortex, resulting in trailing edge noise generation. After the vortex is input, it initially experiences a quite rapid apparent diffusion rate produced by stretching in the airfoil velocity gradients. Consideration of the effects of finite vortex size and viscosity causes the noise radiation during the encounter to be much less impulsive than predicted by previous analyses.

Hardin, J. C.

Aeroacoustic computation of cylinder wake flow

Sound generation by uniform flow over a cylinder at the Reynolds number of 200 is calculated. The incompressible, time dependent flow field is first computed by standard computational fluid dynamics techniques using a stream function/vorticity formulation. The sound radiation is then obtained by integrating over the flow field with the Coriolis acceleration as the source term and a low frequency Green's function technique. Time histories, spectra, and directivity of the radiated sound are obtained. Comparisons with experimental data, where possible, indicate the feasibility of this computational aeroacoustics approach.

Hardin, J. C.

Mission analysis for earth atmospheric measurements using solar occultation experiments on Shuttle Spacelabs

The maximum geographical coverage of solar occultation experiments for various Shuttle-Spacelab mission concepts is defined and an analysis that includes trade-offs between parameters such as launch time, season, orbital inclination and altitude is presented as well as the mission design data for the Spacelab-3 flight. The effects of orbital ranges from 220 to 600 km on geographical coverage are examined with inclinations up to 97 deg for sun-synchronous orbit. Results show that the widest band of latitude coverage in the tropics and the temperate zones can be achieved with a mid-inclined (i.e., 57 deg) orbit and a mid-morning or late-night launch time.

Harrison, E. F.

Perturbation theory for charged-particle transport in one dimension

Perturbation theory, when applied to charged-particle transport, generates a series solution that requires a double quadrature per term. The continuity of higher-order terms leads to numerical evaluation of the series. The high rate of convergence of the series makes the method a practical tool for charged-particle transport problems. The coupling of the neutron component in the case of proton transport in tissue does not greatly alter the rate of convergence. The method holds promise for a practical high-energy proton transport theory.

Wilson, J. W.