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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Convergence of statistical moments of particle density time series in scrape-off layer plasmas

Particle density fluctuations in the scrape-off layer of magnetically confined plasmas, as measured by gas-puff imaging or Langmuir probes, are modeled as the realization of a stochastic process in which a superposition of pulses with a fixed shape, an exponential distribution of waiting times, and amplitudes represents the radial motion of blob-like structures. With an analytic formulation of the process at hand, we derive expressions for the mean squared error on estimators of sample mean and sample variance as a function of sample length, sampling frequency, and the parameters of the stochastic process. Employing that the probability distribution function of a particularly relevant stochastic process is given by the gamma distribution, we derive estimators for sample skewness and kurtosis and expressions for the mean squared error on these estimators. Numerically, generated synthetic time series are used to verify the proposed estimators, the sample length dependency of their mean squared errors, and their performance. We find that estimators for sample skewness and kurtosis based on the gamma distribution are more precise and more accurate than common estimators based on the method of moments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

High Performance Equilibrium Solvers for Integrated Magnetic Fusion Simulations

With the funding provided by this award, we developed numerical codes for the study of magnetically confined plasmas for fusion applications. Accordingly, our work can be divided into two separate categories: 1) the design and analysis of novel numerical methods providing high accuracy and high efficiency; 2) the study of the equilibrium and stability of magnetically confined plasmas with some of these numerical codes, as well as the study of the nature of the turbulent behavior which may arise in the presence of instabilities. We first developed new numerical schemes based on integral equation methods for the computation of steady-state magnetic configurations in fusion experiments, providing high accuracy for the magnetic field and its derivatives, which are required for stability and turbulence calculations. We employed different integral formulations depending on the application of interest: axisymmetric or non-axisymmetric equilibria, force-free or magnetohydrodynamic equilibria, fixed-boundary equilibria or free-boundary equilibria. While efficient, these methods do not yet apply to plasma boundaries which are not smooth, a situation which is fairly common in magnetic confinement experiments. To address this temporary weakness, we also constructed a new steady-state solver based on the Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method, which provides full geometric flexibility. In addition to these numerical tools focused on steady-states, we also contributed to the improvement of the speed and accuracy of codes simulating the plasma dynamics of fusion plasmas, by developing a novel velocity space representation for the efficient solution of kinetic equations, which most accurately describe the time evolution of hot plasmas in fusion experiments. Using the tools discussed above, we studied several questions pertaining to the equilibrium and stability of magnetically confined plasmas. In particular, we derived a new simple model for axisymmetric devices called tokamaks, to predict how elongated a fusion plasma can be before it becomes unstable and collapses. We also looked at the effect of the shape of the outer plasma surface on key properties of the steady-state magnetic configurations, and how these properties impact turbulence in fusion plasmas, and the corresponding transport of momentum. Likewise, we studied the role of large localized flows on the steady-state magnetic configurations, and how they may influence plasma stability and turbulence. Non-axisymmetric steady-state magnetic configurations are inherently more complex than axisymmetric steady-state configurations, and the subject of ongoing controversies regarding the regularity of the equations determining such steady-states, and their solutions. Implementing an existing NYU code in a new geometry, we studied the nature of the singularity of the solutions observed in the code, and methods to eliminate them. Our main conclusion is that by appropriately tailoring the plasma boundary, it is possible to eliminate the singularities otherwise appearing in our simulations, and to obtain steady-states which appear to be smooth. To gain further insights on incompletely understood turbulence phenomena, we proposed a new reduced model capturing most of these phenomena, which is simple enough to not require expensive numerical simulations on massive supercomputers to investigate them. We demonstrated the strong similarity between our simulations and published results obtained from computationally expensive simulations, and plan to rely on our reduced model to identify the key mechanisms determining the evolution and strength turbulent driven transport in fusion plasmas. Finally, we proposed a new framework for tokamak reactor design studies, enabling us to consider the relative merits of steady-state versus pulsed fusion reactors. We found that pulsed fusion reactors may benefit most from recent advances in magnet technology, and the availability of very high field magnets. As such, they may become more desirable than steady-state tokamak reactors for cost efficient electricity generation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Experimental investigation of microwave interaction with magnetoplasma in miniature multipolar configuration using impedance measurements

A miniature microwave plasma source employing both radial and axial magnetic fields for plasma confinement has been developed for micro-propulsion applications. Plasma is initiated by launching microwaves via a short monopole antenna to circumvent geometrical cutoff limitations. The amplitude and phase of the forward and reflected microwave power is measured to obtain the complex reflection coefficient from which the equivalent impedance of the plasma source is determined. Effect of critical plasma density condition is reflected in the measurements and provides insight into the working of the miniature plasma source. A basic impedance calculation model is developed to help in understanding the experimental observations. From experiment and theory, it is seen that the equivalent impedance magnitude is controlled by the coaxial discharge boundary conditions, and the phase is influenced primarily by the plasma immersed antenna impedance.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Characterization of detachment inferred from the Balmer line ratios in JET-ILW low-confinement mode plasmas

Spectroscopic measurements of the hydrogenic Balmer-α and Balmer-γ line emission in JET-ILW low-confinement mode (L-mode) deuterium plasmas are used to assess the onset of volume recombination in the low-field side (LFS) divertor. The evolution of the EDGE2D-EIRENE predicted Balmer-γ to Balmer-α emission ratio from low-recycling to detached conditions is in qualitative agreement with the measured ratio. In low-recycling conditions the EDGE2D-EIRENE predicted line-emission is within 30% of measured emission, in high-recycling within 20%t, and in detached conditions lower by a factor of 2.5.

Divertor visible spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2012

D-T gamma-to-neutron branching ratio determined from inertial confinement fusion plasmas

A new deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion gamma-to-neutron branching ratio [{sup 3}H(d,{gamma}){sup 5}He/{sup 3}H(d,n){sup 4}He] value of (4.2 {+-} 2.0) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -5} was recently reported by this group [Y. Kim et al. Phys. Rev. C (submitted)]. This measurement, conducted at the OMEGA laser facility located at the University of Rochester, was made for the first time using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) plasmas. Neutron-induced backgrounds are significantly reduced in these experiments as compared to traditional beam-target accelerator-based experiments due to the short pulse nature of ICF implosions and the use of gas Cherenkov {gamma}-ray detectors with fast temporal responses and inherent energy thresholds. It is expected that this ICF-based measurement will help resolve the large and long-standing inconsistencies in previously reported accelerator-based values, which vary by a factor of approximately 30. The reported value at ICF conditions was determined by averaging the results of two methods: (1) a direct measurement of ICF D-T {gamma}-ray and neutron emissions using absolutely calibrated detectors and (2) a separate cross-calibration against the better known D-{sup 3}He gamma-to-proton branching ratio [{sup 3}He(d, {gamma}){sup 5}Li/{sup 3}He(d,p){sup 4}He]. Here we include a detailed explanation of these results, and introduce as a corroborative method an in-situ{gamma}-ray detector calibration using neutron-induced {gamma}-rays. Also, by extending the established techniques to two additional series of implosions with significantly different ion temperatures, we test the branching ratio dependence on ion temperature. The data show a D-T branching ratio is nearly constant over the temperature range 2-9 keV. These studies motivate further investigation into the {sup 5}He and {sup 5}Li systems resulting from D-T and D-{sup 3}He fusion, respectively, and result in improved ICF {gamma}-ray reaction history diagnosis at the National Ignition Facility.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Experimental studies of high-confinement mode plasma response to non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbations in ASDEX Upgrade

Here, the interaction of externally applied small non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbations (MP) with tokamak high-confinement mode (H-mode) plasmas is reviewed and illustrated by recent experiments in ASDEX Upgrade. The plasma response to the vacuum MP field is amplified by stable ideal kink modes with low toroidal mode number n driven by the H-mode edge pressure gradient (and associated bootstrap current) which is experimentally evidenced by an observable shift of the poloidal mode number m away from field alignment (m = qn, with q being the safety factor) at the response maximum. A torque scan experiment demonstrates the importance of the perpendicular electron flow for shielding of the resonant magnetic perturbation, as expected from a two-fluid MHD picture. Two significant effects of MP occur in H-mode plasmas at low pedestal collisionality, $\nu _{\text{ped}}^{\ast}\leqslant 0.4$ : (a) a reduction of the global plasma density by up to $61 \% $ and (b) a reduction of the energy loss associated with edge localised modes (ELMs) by a factor of up to 9. A comprehensive database of ELM mitigation pulses at low ${{\nu}^{\ast}}$ in ASDEX Upgrade shows that the degree of ELM mitigation correlates with the reduction of pedestal pressure which in turn is limited and defined by the onset of ELMs, i. e. a modification of the ELM stability limit by the magnetic perturbation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2000

Overview of Advanced Space Propulsion Activities in the Space Environmental Effects Team at MSFC

Exploration of our solar system, and beyond, requires spacecraft velocities beyond our current technological level. Technologies addressing this limitation are numerous. The Space Environmental Effects (SEE) Team at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is focused on three discipline areas of advanced propulsion; Tethers, Beamed Energy, and Plasma. This presentation will give an overview of advanced propulsion related activities in the Space Environmental Effects Team at MSFC. Advancements in the application of tethers for spacecraft propulsion were made while developing the Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS). New tether materials were developed to meet the specifications of the ProSEDS mission and new techniques had to be developed to test and characterize these tethers. Plasma contactors were developed, tested and modified to meet new requirements. Follow-on activities in tether propulsion include the Air-SEDS activity. Beamed energy activities initiated with an experimental investigation to quantify the momentum transfer subsequent to high power, 5J, ablative laser interaction with materials. The next step with this experimental investigation is to quantify non-ablative photon momentum transfer. This step was started last year and will be used to characterize the efficiency of solar sail materials before and after exposure to Space Environmental Effects (SEE). Our focus with plasma, for propulsion, concentrates on optimizing energy deposition into a magnetically confined plasma and integration of measurement techniques for determining plasma parameters. Plasma confinement is accomplished with the Marshall Magnetic Mirror (M3) device. Initial energy coupling experiments will consist of injecting a 50 amp electron beam into a target plasma. Measurements of plasma temperature and density will be used to determine the effect of changes in magnetic field structure, beam current, and gas species. Experimental observations will be compared to predictions from computer modeling.

Edwards, David↗
DOE OSTI2014

Direct asymmetry measurement of temperature and density spatial distributions in inertial confinement fusion plasmas from pinhole space-resolved spectra

Two-dimensional space-resolved temperature and density images of an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosion core have been diagnosed for the first time. Argon-doped, direct-drive ICF experiments were performed at the Omega Laser Facility and a collection of two-dimensional space-resolved spectra were obtained from an array of gated, spectrally resolved pinhole images recorded by a multi-monochromatic x-ray imager. Detailed spectral analysis revealed asymmetries of the core not just in shape and size but in the temperature and density spatial distributions, thus characterizing the core with an unprecedented level of detail.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

The mitigating effect of magnetic fields on Rayleigh-Taylor unstable inertial confinement fusion plasmas

Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities at interfaces of disparate mass densities have long been known to generate magnetic fields during inertial confinement fusion implosions. An externally applied magnetic field can also be efficiently amplified by RT instabilities. The focus here is on magnetic field generation and amplification at the gas-ice interface which is RT unstable during the deceleration phase of the implosion. RT instabilities lead to undesirable mix of hot and cold plasmas which enhances thermal energy loss and tends to produce a more massive warm-spot instead of a hot-spot. Two mechanisms are shown here to mitigate the thermal energy loss from the hot-spot. The first mechanism is the reduction of electron thermal conductivity with interface-aligned magnetic fields. This can occur through self-generated magnetic fields via the Biermann battery effect as well as through externally applied magnetic fields that undergo an exponential growth via the stretch-and-fold magnetohydrodynamic dynamo. Self-generated magnetic fields during RT evolution can result in a factor of 2−10 decrease in the electron thermal conductivity at the gas-ice interface, while externally applied magnetic fields that are compressed to 6–1000 T at the onset of deceleration (corresponding to pre-implosion external fields of 0.06–10 T) could result in a factor of 2–500 reduction in electron thermal conductivity at the gas-ice interface. The second mechanism to mitigate thermal energy loss from the hot-spot is to decrease the interface mixing area between the hot and cold plasmas. This is achieved through large external magnetic fields of 1000 T at the onset of deceleration which damp short-wavelength RT modes and long-wavelength Kelvin-Helmholtz modes thus significantly slowing the RT growth and reducing mix.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2004

Magnetohydrodynamic Instabilities in a Simple Gasdynamic Mirror Propulsion System

The gasdynamic mirror has been proposed as a concept which could form the basis of a highly efficient fusion rocket engine. Gasdynamic mirrors differ from most other mirror type plasma confinement schemes in that they have much larger aspect ratios and operate at somewhat higher plasma densities. To evaluate whether a gasdynamic mirror could indeed confine plasmas in a stable manner for long periods of time, a small scale experimental gasdynamic mirror was built and tested. The objective of this experiment was to determine ranges of mirror ratios and plasma densities over which gasdynamic mirror could maintain stable plasmas. Theoretical analyses indicated that plasma magnetohydrodynamic instabilities were likely to occur during subsonic to supersonic flow transitions in the mirror throat region of the gasdynamic mirror. The experimental evidence based upon data derived from the Langmuir probe measurements seems to confirm this analysis. The assumption that a gasdynamic mirror using a simple mirror geometry could be used as a propulsion system, therefore, appears questionable. Modifications to the simple mirror concept are presented which could mitigate these MHD instabilities.

Emrich, William J., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2011

Velocity scaling for filament motion in scrape-off layer plasmas

The velocity scaling for isolated plasma filaments in non-uniformly magnetized plasmas with respect to filament amplitude and cross-field size has been investigated by means of numerical simulations. The model includes electric currents due to magnetic gradient and curvature drifts, polarization drifts, and parallel currents through sheaths, where the magnetic field lines intersect material walls. In the ideal limit, the radial velocity of the filament increases with the square root of its size. When sheath currents dominate over polarization currents, the filament velocity is inversely proportional to the square of its size. In the presence of sheath currents, the velocity is maximum for an intermediate filament size determined by the balance between diamagnetic, polarization, and sheath currents. The parameter dependence of this filament size and velocity is elucidated. The results are discussed in the context of blob-like structures in basic laboratory plasma experiments and in the scrape-off layer of magnetically confined plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Scaling of Microcavity Plasmas Toward 1 µm. Science and Engineering of Spatially-Confined, Low Temperature Plasmas

The DOE has provided, by means of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), $146,400 in funding for the purchase of scientific equipment. Specifically, these funds have enabled the purchase of two scientific cameras that have already been applied to the research in microcavity plasmas at the University of Illinois (Urbana). The first camera system that was purchased with these funds is a gated ICCD system that allows events as short as 5 ns in time to be captured. It is difficult to express the impact that this equipment has already had on our research. Despite having arrived just 6 - 7 months ago, this camera system has already been used by five graduate students and several undergraduates to capture phenomena that we simply could not see in the past. As an example, the low temperature plasma confined to a spiral structure we fabricate in the Al/Al₂O₃ materials system appears, on long time scales such as those we see with our eyes, to be spatially uniform. However, when captured with the new camera system, the plasma actually is formed initially at the center of the spiral and then moves radially (literally, "jumping" over channels as it goes) at a velocity of a few km/sec. This is an exciting result and I should add that the camera shows that plasma standing waves are produced in some of the structures as well. We do not currently understand all of the phenomena we are witnessing but it is obvious that this new system has quite literally opened new areas of plasma research and application. The second system purchased under this ARRA grant is an infrared system that is far more sensitive than anything our laboratory (or the University of Illinois, for that matter) has had previously. Although fewer experiments have been completed to date with this second camera, it is already clear that it is, indeed, extremely sensitive and it is slated for several experiments in the near future in which we will be measuring the infrared spectra of several arrays of microcavity plasmas. In summary, let me express my thanks to the DOE for granting these funds. We are most grateful for the extraordinary scientific capability that thee funds provide our students. We expect that the scientific data already acquired by this equipment will result in several publications in the next 2 - 3 months (two are being written now). Furthermore, the ability we now have to watch plasmas evolve on the nanosecond time scale has given us several ideas that are likely to result in patent applications. On behalf of our students and myself, I thank the DOE for this exceptional equipment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

The spherical tokamak advanced reactor (STAR) fusion power plant design

Scientific and technical advancements have been made that improve fusion’s prospects to provide a new energy source, showing enhanced plasma confinement conditions with plasma temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 million degrees. Overshadowing this progress is the challenge involved in developing an economically viable fusion power plant design. Many proposed next-step DEMO and pilot plant designs are extensions of existing physics-focused experimental devices defined to understand and control plasma operations to achieve and sustain a fusion reaction. Transitioning scientific and technical advancements into a functional power plant requires a dedicated focus on architectural designs that integrate diverse technologies, while optimizing physics conditions, with a focus on economic viability. This holistic approach is essential in turning the promise of fusion energy into a reality. The Spherical Tokamak Advanced Reactor (STAR) is a fusion power plant conceptual design with the architectural focus that strives to balance physics, engineering, and cost considerations. In conclusion, it has been set up to introduce relevant physics, engineering and concept features that an intermediate pilot plant might follow, with the goal of meeting system performances and economic requirements that lead to a commercially competitive fusion power plant.

Blanket segmentation↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ablating nanoscale pores in crystalline quartz using laser-induced micro-plasmas in tri-layer structures

We demonstrate a novel approach for achieving rapid, consistent, and controllable micro-pore fabrication in single-crystalline quartz. These micro-pores are essential for applications in biology, i.e., studying ion channels in general and mechano-sensitive channels (MSC) in particular. The fabrication process consists of direct material ablation using pulsed UV light from a 193 nm excimer laser. These pulses ablate single-crystalline quartz chips by burning a laser-induced plasma in a tri-layer structure. Controllable plasma confinement and thus pore size is achieved by sandwiching a thin layer of a selected organic solution between the quartz chip and different substrates. This solution causes the confined micro-plasma to generate special ablation conditions, to create uniformly sized and shaped nanopores.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2002

Current Status of the Gasdynamic Mirror Fusion Propulsion Experiment

Nuclear fusion appears to be the most promising concept for producing extremely high specific impulse rocket engines. One particular fusion concept which seems to be particularly well suited for fusion propulsion applications is the gasdynamic mirror (GDM). An experimental GDM device has been constructed at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to provide an initial assessment of the feasibility of this type of propulsion system. An initial shakedown of the device is currently underway with initial experiments slated to occur in late 2001. This device would operate at much higher plasma densities and with much larger L/D ratios than previous mirror machines. The high L/D ratio minimizes to a large extent certain magnetic curvature effects which lead to plasma instabilities causing a loss of plasma confinement. The high plasma density results in the plasma behaving much more like a conventional fluid with a mean free path shorter than the length of the device. This characteristic helps reduce problems associated with 'loss cone' microinstabilities. The device has been constructed to allow a considerable degree of flexibility in its configuration thus permitting the experiment to grow over time without necessitating a great deal of additional fabrication.

Emrich, William J., Jr.↗