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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Thirty-centimeter-diameter ion milling source

A 30-cm beam diameter ion source has been designed and fabricated for micromachining and sputtering applications. An argon ion current density of 1 mA/cu cm at 500 eV ion energy was selected as a design operating condition. The completed ion source met the design criteria at this operating condition with a uniform and well-collimated beam having an average variation in current density of + or - 5% over the center of 20 cm of the beam. This ion source has a multipole magnetic field that employs permanent magnets between permeable pole pieces. Langmuir probe surveys of the source plasma support the design concepts of a multipole field and a circumferential cathode to enhance plasma uniformity.

Robinson, R. S.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Gating of Hydrophobic Nanopores with Large Anions

In this report, understanding ion transport in nanoporous materials is critical to a wide variety of energy and environmental technologies, ranging from ion-selective membranes, drug delivery, and biosensing, to ion batteries and supercapacitors. While nanoscale transport is often described by continuum models that rely on a point charge description for ions and a homogeneous dielectric medium for the solvent, here, we show that transport of aqueous solutions at a hydrophobic interface can be highly dependent on the size and hydration strength of the solvated ions. Specifically, measurements of ion current through single silicon nitride nanopores that contain a hydrophobic-hydrophilic junction show that transport properties are dependent not only on applied voltage but also the type of anion. We find that in Cl - -contained solutions the nanopores only conducted ionic current above a negative voltage threshold. On the other hand, introduction of large polarizable anions, such as Br - and I - , facilitated the pore wetting, making the pore conductive at all examined voltages. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the large anions, Br - and I - , have a weaker solvation shell compared to that of Cl - , and consequently were prone to migrate from the aqueous solution to the hydrophobic surface, leading to the anion accumulation responsible for pore wetting. The results are essential for designing nanoporous systems that are selective to ions of the same charge, for realization of ion-induced wetting in hydrophobic pores, as well as for fundamental understanding on the role of ion hydration shell on the properties of solid/liquid interfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1996

Alpha-Particle Gas-Pressure Sensor

An approximate model was developed to establish design curves for the saturation region and a more complete model developed to characterize the current-voltage curves for an alpha-particle pressure sensor. A simple two-parameter current-voltage expression was developed to describe the dependence of the ion current on pressure. The parameters are the saturation-current pressure coefficient and mu/D, the ion mobility/diffusion coefficient. The sensor is useful in the pressure range between 0.1 and 1000 mb using a 1 - mu Ci(241) Am source. Experimental results, taken between 1 and up to 200 mb, show the sensor operates with an anode voltage of 5 V and a sensitivity of 20 fA/mb in nitrogen.

Buehler, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A study of SCATHA eclipse charging

The events of charging of the SCATHA satellite in eclipse were investigated and correlated to the spacecraft surface-averaged and angle-averaged fluxes. It is shown that the large negative vehicle potentials produced in eclipse correlated with the net current due to the high-energy plasma electrons. These potentials also depend on the ion energy, ion current, and the average ion yield. An explanation for this behavior is proposed.

Li, Wei-Wei↗
NASA NTRS1994

Segmented Ion Engine Plume Characteristics

Preliminary evaluation of the segmented ion thruster (SIT) ion beam characteristics was performed by measuring the two dimensional ion current density distribution at four axial locations downstream from the thruster. Current density profiles were measured with the concurrent operation of multiple ion sources. Preliminary assessments regarding symmetry of the plume, characterization of plume development as a function of axial position, and the interactions of multiple simultaneously operating ion sources were conducted. A numerical integration scheme was applied to the acquired data to determine the total beam current. A qualitative analysis of the downstream development of the ion beam was conducted. Most of the data acquired so far has been on somewhat of a trial basis and extensive testing is scheduled to resume in August 1994.

ion↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of satellite potential on direct ion density measurements through the plasmapause

A simplified theory has been developed for calculating the effect of satellite potential on the ion current measured by an experiment such as an ion mass spectrometer or an ion trap. The theory is based on the use of a spherically symmetric Debye potential distribution in the sheath around the satellite and is particularly appropriate for use in regions where the Debye length is large, such as in the plasmasphere and magnetosphere. Ion data obtained from the ion trap on the Ogo 3 satellite during a pass through the plasmasphere show excellent agreement with the theory. The inferred ion densities from this analysis are as much as 1 order of magnitude different from what would be inferred from previous analyses.

Whipple, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tethered Satellite System (TSS) core equipment

To date, three Tethered Satellite System (TSS) missions of the Italian provided scientific satellite orbiting in the ionosphere connected to U.S. Space Shuttle is foreseen. The first mission will use an electrically conductive tether of 20 km deployed upward from the orbiter flying at 300 km altitude. This mission will allow investigation of the TSS electrodynamic interaction with the ionosphere due to the high voltage induced across the two terminators of the system during its motion throughout the geomagnetic field. The second mission will use a dielectric tether of 100 km deployed downward from the Orbiter flying at 230 km altitude. Tethered-vehicle access to altitude as low as 120 to 150 km from the Orbiter would permit direct long term observation of phenomena in the lower thermosphere and determination of other dynamical physical processes. The third mission would use the same configuration of the first electrodynamic mission with the complete Core Equipment. Study of power generation by tethered systems would be possible by operating the Core Equipment in the inverted current mode. This mode of operation would allow ion current collection upon the TSS satellite by controlling its potential with respect to the ambient ionospheric plasma. The main requirements of the Core Equipment configuration to date foreseen for the first TSS electrodynamic mission is described. Besides the Core Equipment purposes, its hardware and operational sub-modes of operation are described.

Bonifazi, C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

'Self-consistent' production of ion conics on return current region auroral field lines - A time-dependent, semi-kinetic model

We describe initial results from a time-dependent, semi-kinetic model of plasma outflow incorporating wave-particle interactions along current-carrying auroral field lines. Electrostatic waves are generated by the current driven ion cyclotron instability (CDICI), causing perpendicular velocity diffusion of ions plus electron heating via anomalous resistivity when and where the relative drift between electrons and ions exceeds certain critical velocities. Using the local bulk parameters we calculate these critical velocities, and so are able to self-consistently switch on and off the heating of the various particle species. Due to the dependence of these critical velocities on the bulk parameters of the species the heating effects exhibit quite complex spatial and temporal variations. A wide range of ion distribution functions are observed in these simulations, including conics with energies of a few electron volts and 'ring' distributions. The rings are seen to be a natural result of transverse heating and velocity filter effects and do not require coherent acceleration processes. We also observe the formation of a density depletion in hydrogen and enhanced oxygen densities at high altitudes.

Brown, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Ring Current Development During Storm Main Phase

The development of the ring current ions in the inner magnetosphere during the main phase of a magnetic storm is studied. The temporal and spatial evolution of the ion phase space densities in a dipole field are calculated using a three dimensional ring current model, considering charge exchange and Coulomb losses along drift paths. The simulation starts with a quiet time distribution. The model is tested by comparing calculated ion fluxes with Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers/CCE measurement during the storm main phase on May 2, 1986. Most of the calculated omnidirectional fluxes are in good agreement with the data except on the dayside inner edge (L less than 2.5) of the ring current, where the ion fluxes are underestimated. The model also reproduces the measured pitch angle distributions of ions with energies below 10 keV. At higher energy, an additional diffusion in pitch angle is necessary in order to fit the data. The role of the induced electric field on the ring current dynamics is also examined by simulating a series of substorm activities represented by stretching and collapsing the magnetic field lines. In response to the impulsively changing fields, the calculated ion energy content fluctuates about a mean value that grows steadily with the enhanced quiescent field.

Fok, Mei-Ching↗
NASA NTRS1970

Apparatus for simultaneous ion counting and current recording in mass spectrometry

Ion counting system is coupled to the last dynode of an Allen-type electron multiplier on the mass analyzer of a double focusing mass spectrometer. This leaves the anode available for an electrometer, making possible simultaneous measurements. Coupling is achieved by a ferrite core transformer and associated circuitry.

Kohl, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spectral characteristics of two types of low latitude aurorae

Attention is given to two types of aurorae whose low altitude emissions seem to be due to energy loss from trapped ring current ions or electrons whose energy is of the order of 1 eV. The spectral characteristics which predominate in the first type of aurora indicate direct precipitation of ring current particles as ions, and/or indirect precipitation as energetic neutrals, following charge transfer with exospheric H or O neutrals. The spectral characteristics of the second type indicate excitation by electrons and can yield brighter displays. The time variations of the emissions are found to be closely related to fluctuations of periods shorter than an hour in the magnetograms from nearby observatories.

Tinsley, B. A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

First simultaneous observation of co- and counter-current fast-ion losses in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

In ITER and future fusion power plants, the source of the fusion born alpha particles is almost isotropic in pitch angle, thus having co- and counter-current populations. For trapped ions, the co-current side of the orbit corresponds to its outer leg, while the counter-current side corresponds to the inner leg. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the fast-ion losses (FILs) is critical for future magnetically confined fusion power plants. To further study the interplay of fast ions with plasma instabilities, a double pinhole collimator has been developed for a Fast-Ion Loss Detector (FILD) in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak (AUG). This new FILD opens the operational window to simultaneous measurements of the co- and counter-current ion velocity-space. In this paper, the first results for the AUG double collimator FILD detector are shown. The commissioning of this new probe is carried out in H-mode plasmas with an on-axis magnetic field $B_0 = -2.5$ T, and a plasma current $I_{\textrm{p}} = 0.7$ MA. Simultaneous co- and counter-current FILs have been measured. Both have shown a similar dependence on Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) power, where the main difference is the intensity of the losses, with the co-losses being an order of magnitude larger. Toroidal Alfvén eigenmode-coherent ICRH-only losses have been identified for the co-current ions. Additionally, the presence of Edge Localized Modes during the discharge were shown to increment Neutral Beam Injection prompt losses, while partially mitigating ICRH-driven losses on both co- and counter- sides of the velocity-space. Finally, a very trapped and high gyroradius losses, with an unclear origin, have been measured in the co- and counter-current velocity-space. The computed ion trajectories show that these ions remain permanently near the vessel wall, suggesting that they are accelerated within the scrape-off layer.

ELM↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ion extraction from a plasma

An experimental investigation of the physical processes governing ion extraction from a plasma is presented. The screen hole plasma sheath of a multiaperture ion accelerator system is defined by equipotential plots for a variety of accelerator system geometries and operating conditions. A sheath thickness of at least fifteen Debye lengths is shown to be typical. The electron density variation within the sheath satisfies a Maxwell Boltzmann density distribution at an effective electron temperature dependent on the discharge plasma primary to Maxwellian electron density ratio. Plasma ion flow up to and through the sheath is predominately one dimensional and the ions enter the sheath with a modified Bohm velocity. Low values of the screen grid thickness to screen hole diameter ratio give good ion focusing and high extracted ion currents because of the effect of screen webbing on ion focusing.

Aston, G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ion extraction from a plasma

The physical processes governing ion extraction from a plasma have been examined experimentally. The screen hole plasma sheath (the transition region wherein significant ion acceleration and complete electron retardation occurs) has been defined by equipotential plots for a variety of ion accelerator system geometries and operating conditions. It was found that the screen hole plasma sheath extends over a large distance, and influences ion and electron trajectories at least 15 Debye lengths within the discharge chamber. The electron density variation within the screen hole plasma sheath satisfied a Maxwell-Boltzmann density distribution at an effective electron temperature dependent on the discharge plasma primary-to-Maxwellian electron density ratio. Plasma ion flow up to and through the sheath was predominantly one-dimensional, and the ions entered the sheath region with a modified Bohm velocity. Low values of the screen grid thickness to screen hole diameter ratio were found to give good ion focusing and high extracted ion currents because of the effect of screen webbing on ion focusing.

Aston, G.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of Kinetic-Scale Current Filamentation Dynamics and Associated Magnetic Fields in Interpenetrating Plasmas

Here, we present the first local, quantitative measurements of ion current filamentation and magnetic field amplification in interpenetrating plasmas, characterizing the dynamics of the ion Weibel instability. The interaction of a pair of laser-generated, counterpropagating, collisionless, supersonic plasma flows is probed using optical Thomson scattering (TS). Analysis of the TS ion-feature revealed anticorrelated modulations in the density of the two ion streams at the spatial scale of the ion skin depth c/ω pi = 120 μm, and a correlated modulation in the plasma current. The inferred current profile implies a magnetic field amplitude ~30 ± 6 T , corresponding to ~1% of the flow kinetic energy, indicating that magnetic trapping is the dominant saturation mechanism.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1976

Ring current loss mechanisms and composition as inferred from equatorial pitch angle distributions observed during a storm recovery phase

Explorer 45 measurements of pitch angle distributions (PAD's) of ring current ions were examined for evidence of charge exchange or pitch-angle diffusion as loss mechanisms for the ring current during a storm recovery phase. The observed rounding of the PAD's above a minimum parallel energy is seen as resulting from pitch angle diffusion driven by resonant interactions with ion cyclotron waves. Calculations of growth rates using observed ion fluxes and PAD's have shown that ion cyclotron waves can be significantly amplified by the ring current plasma. However, wave growth off the equator must be taken into account in order to understand the time evolution of the observed PAD's. Isotropic distributions at lower energies remain isotropic at L-values between 3 and 4 despite the presence of charge exchange losses. An explanation for this apparent inconsistency may be that ring current is dominated by some ion species other than protons during recovery phase.

Lyons, L. R.↗