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At least 235 records · Page 13

The reaction of N/2D/ with O2 as a source of O/1D/ atoms in aurorae

The source of O(1D) atoms in the auroral ionosphere is investigated using sounding rocket data. Previously, it has been shown that the conventional sources of O(1D) atoms in the aurora, dissociative recombination of O2(plus) and electron impact excitation of atomic oxygen, fail to explain the measured 6300 A volume emission rate profile. It is suggested that the atom-atom interchange reaction of N(2D) with O2 can be the major source of auroral 6300 A emission if O(1D) is created with high efficiency.

Rusch, D. W.↗

Multi-scale evaluation of diesel commuter rail fuel use, emissions, and eco-driving

Diesel commuter rail emissions affect populations near rail corridors. An approach is demonstrated to quantify mesoscale and microscale diesel commuter rail fuel use and emission rates (FUERs) of CO 2 , CO, NO x , particulate matter, and total hydrocarbons based on two U.S. systems. A speed trajectory simulator, an energy model, and an emissions model were calibrated, evaluated, and applied. FUERs and potential reductions from eco-driving were quantified based on simulated trajectories. Hotspots were defined as sections with ≥ 90 th percentile of section-average FUERs by species. A few key variables explain 74–80% of variability in mesoscopic and microscopic FUERs. On average, FUERs are 7–8 times greater for hotspots than non-hotspots. Eco-driving was estimated to reduce segment-average FUERs by 3–33% and eliminate 2–11% hotspots. However, mesoscale oriented eco-driving can, at some locations, increase microscopic FUERs. The approach is adaptable to other diesel commuter rail systems.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Radiative transitions involving the (2p2)(3 Pe) metastable autodetaching of H(-)

The absorption coefficient for the free-bound transition H (ls) + e(-)+ h omega yields H(-)(2 sq p,(3)P(e)) is calculated (together with the differential emission rate for the inverse process) using ls - 2s - 2p close coupling continuum wave functions and a Hylleraas bound state wave function. A maximum in the absorption and emission spectra is found to occur at a photon wavelength of 1219.5 A, which is 2 A closer to the Lyman alpha line than predicted by the calculations of Drake, and is in closer agreement with the stellar absorption feature identified by Heap and Stecher. The free-bound absorption process appears to be a significant source of continuous ultraviolet opacity.

Jacobs, V. L.↗

Superradiance and Subradiance due to Quantum Interference of Entangled Free Electrons

When multiple quantum emitters radiate, their emission rate may be enhanced or suppressed due to collective interference in a process known as super- or subradiance. Such processes are well known to occur also in light emission from free electrons, known as coherent cathodoluminescence. Unlike atomic systems, free electrons have an unbounded energy spectrum, and, thus, all their emission mechanisms rely on electron recoil, in addition to the classical properties of the dielectric medium. To date, all experimental and theoretical studies of super- and subradiance from free electrons assumed only classical correlations between particles. However, dependence on quantum correlations, such as entanglement between free electrons, has not been studied. Recent advances in coherent shaping of free-electron wave functions motivate the investigation of such quantum regimes of super- and subradiance. In this Letter, we show how a pair of coincident path-entangled electrons can demonstrate either super- or subradiant light emission, depending on the two-particle wave function. By choosing different free-electron Bell states, the spectrum and emission pattern of the light can be reshaped, in a manner that cannot be accounted for by a classical mixed state. We show these results for light emission in any optical medium and discuss their generalization to many-body quantum states. Furthermore, our findings suggest that light emission can be sensitive to the explicit quantum state of the emitting matter wave and possibly serve as a nondestructive measurement scheme for measuring the quantum state of many-body systems.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

SABER Observations of the OH Meinel Airglow Variability Near the Mesopause

The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument, one of four on board the TIMED satellite, observes the OH Meinel emission at 2.0 m that peaks near the mesopause. The emission results from reactions between members of the oxygen and hydrogen chemical families that can be significantly affected by mesopause dynamics. In this study we compare SABER measurements of OH Meinel emission rates and temperatures with predictions from a 3-dimensional chemical dynamical model. In general, the model is capable of reproducing both the observed diurnal and seasonal OH Meinel emission variability. The results indicate that the diurnal tide has a large effect on the overall magnitude and temporal variation of the emission in low latitudes. This tidal variability is so dominant that the seasonal cycle in the nighttime emission depends very strongly on the local time of the analysis. At higher latitudes, the emission has an annual cycle that is due mainly to transport of oxygen by the seasonally reversing mean circulation.

Marsh, Daniel R.↗

Spectroscopic diagnostics of the formation of auroral arcs

The theory and mechanisms for spectroscopic observations of auroral arcs are examined. The emission rate ratios of various spectroscopic features are used to determine the average energy of the auroral particles, noting that only proton bombardment of the atmosphere can produce the observed emissions of atomic hydrogen, Balmer alpha, and Balmer beta. The atomic hydrogen particles can cause excitation, stripping, or ionization. Differences in subsequent electron observations due to the relative energy levels of the bombardment are described, and the use of the First Negative bands of molecular N ions and the ground configuration transition in singly atomic O for optical emission studies is outlined. The mean energy of the bombarding electron flux can be obtained and may be equalled under certain conditions by the proton flux. Finally, the characteristics of an ideal spectrometer for exploring auroral emissions are introduced.

Rees, M. H.↗

Magnetospheric imaging of high latitude ion outflows

High latitude ion outflows mostly consist of upward streaming O(+) and He(+) emanating from the ionosphere. At heights above 1000 km, these flows consist of cold and hot components which resonantly scatter solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, however, the ion populations respond differently to Doppler shifting resulting from the large relative velocities between the ions and the Sun. The possibility of optical detection of the Doppler effect on the scattering rate will be discussed for the O(+) (83.4 nm) ions. We have contrasted the EUV solar resonance images of these outflows by simulations of the 30.4 nm He(+) and 83.4 nm O(+) emissions for both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. Input data for the 1000 km level has been obtained from the EICS instrument aboard the Dynamics Explorer (DE) satellite. Our results show emission rates of 50 and 56 milli-Rayleighs at 30.4 nm for quiet and disturbed conditions and 65 and 75 milli-Rayleighs at 83.4 nm for quiet and disturbed conditions, respectively, obtained for a polar orbiting satellite and viewing radially outward. We also find that an imager at an equatorial distance of 9 R(sub E) or more is in a favorable position for detecting ion outflows, particularly when the plasmapause is depressed in latitude. However, an occultation disk is necessary to obscure the bright plasmaspheric emissions.

Garrido, D. E.↗

Emission spectroscopy with coded apertures for enhanced dimensionality

A coded aperture is used to demonstrate emission spectroscopy from multiple one-dimensional measurement locations simultaneously with a single camera. The coded aperture mask has several columns of periodic apertures, each with a unique spatial frequency. Light transmitted through all mask columns is detected through an imaging spectrometer. Dispersed light from the various mask columns overlaps on the spectrometer camera but is separated using Fourier-domain filtering using the known spatial frequencies of the mask. As the coded aperture is placed at an image plane, each Fourier-filtered spectrogram comes from a unique one-dimensional measurement location. This technique represents a significant increase in the amount of spatially and spectrally resolved emission data available using a single emission spectrometer and camera at the expense of some spatial resolution due to the Fourier filtering. This instrument is particularly useful for studying transient, non-repeating events. Megahertz-rate emission spectroscopy from five one-dimensional measurement locations is demonstrated with explosive fireballs using a single camera. Optical design parameters and instrument performance characteristics are discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Engineering the radiative dynamics of thermalized excitons with metal interfaces

As a platform for optoelectronic devices based on exciton dynamics, monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are often placed near metal interfaces or inside planar cavities. While the radiative properties of point dipoles at metal interfaces has been studied extensively, those of excitons, which are delocalized and exhibit a temperature-dependent momentum distribution, lack a thorough treatment. Here, we analyze the emission properties of excitons in TMDCs near planar metal interfaces and explore their dependence on exciton center-of-mass momentum, transition dipole orientation, and temperature. Defining a characteristic energy scale k B T c = ($\hbar k$) 2 /2m (k being the radiative wavevector and m the exciton mass), we find that at temperatures T $\gg$ T c and low densities where the momentum distribution can be characterized by Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics, the modified emission rates (normalized to free space) behave similarly to point dipoles. This similarity in behavior arises due to the broad nature of wavevector components making up the exciton and point dipole emission. On the other hand, the narrow momentum distribution of excitons for T < T c can result in significantly different emission behavior as compared to point dipoles. These differences can be further amplified by considering excitons with a Bose Einstein distribution at high phase space densities, such as in a condensate phase. We find suppression or enhancement of emission relative to the point dipole case by several orders of magnitude. These insights can help optimize the performance of optoelectronic devices that incorporate 2D semiconductors near metal electrodes and can inform future studies of exciton radiative dynamics at low temperatures. Additionally, these studies show that nanoscale optical cavities are a viable pathway to generating long-lifetime exciton states in TMDCs.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Flyby- and rendezvous-type comet missions from the standpoint of large-particle dust experiments

The measurement by cometary flyby and rendezvous missions of the dust particles emitted from a cometary nucleus and believed to be the major source of the interplanetary dust is considered. The impact rate per unit area of particles in a given size range on a spacecraft dust sensor is calculated in terms of the distance between comet and probe and the particle emission rate and velocity. It is concluded that large-particle (greater than 100-micron) dust analysis experiments cannot be conducted on flyby missions to short-period comets since the required miss distance is orders of magnitude smaller than the targeting error, while for a rendezvous mission much greater miss distances are possible due to the longer period of cometary contact. The problem of designing dust sensors to operate at the subkilometer per second intercept velocities of a rendezvous mission is also noted.

Sekanina, Z.↗

Emission Inventories from Natural Gas Storage Facilities using Regional Frequency Comb Laser Monitoring and Aircraft Flyovers. Final Report

The project centers around a ground-based regional methane sensor developed by the CU/NIST team members under the DOE ARPA-E MONITOR program, and sophisticated aircraft measurement techniques developed by the UCD/Scientific Aviation team (responsible for a recent Science publication quantifying the Aliso Canyon storage field release). The dual frequency-comb spectrometer is an invisible, eye-safe laser capable of measuring atmospheric methane concentrations along beam paths 1+ miles in length with high precision and stability (<1 ppb methane over 1 mile). The CU/NIST team has developed a unique approach to using a single, central spectrometer to locate and size methane emissions as small as 6 scfh from specific gas field structures within the 1+ mile range of the laser. Deployment involves the stationing of small cubic mirrors at strategic locations across the gas storage site. The mirrors direct light from the spectrometer back to a detector, where methane concentrations are recorded based on light absorption at specific wavelengths. The measurements are coupled with high resolution gas transport models based on meteorological measurements (wind, etc.) to determine the precise location and emission rate of methane sources. The calibration-free and continuous nature of dual frequency-comb spectrometer measurements means that a large area can be monitored continuously for temporal variability of emissions over long periods of time. The aircraft measurements involve spiral flights around storage facilities with a sensitive ethane/methane measurement package. Upwind/downwind concentration comparisons and wind data provide total facility emissions data. During this project, a new micrometeorological package was integrated onto the Scientific Aviation aircraft to provide even greater emissions quantification capability. In this project, the ground-based measurement system was deployed for 11 months (to capture seasonal variability) at a West Coast storage facility, together with a campaign of twice monthly aircraft total facility emissions flights. The data from these two modalities was combined to quantify the methane emissions from the facility with first-of-its-kind temporal and spatial detail. Concurrent with this deployment, the aircraft team performed flights to quantify emissions at a wider array of previously un-surveyed storage sites. The ground-based measurement system was then moved to an additional site of differing total storage and delivery capacity. Aircraft mass balance flights continued, repeatedly surveying (twice monthly) this site, as well as surveying a large number of previously un-assessed sites spanning a variety of size, reservoir type and age. Assessment of ground-based, temporally and spatially detailed methane emissions information alongside aircraft-derived methane total facility emissions information led to an improved understanding of emissions, relevant for inventories of the natural gas storage sector. In particular, this work provided temporal detail (seasonal of emissions and frequency of leaks) to stakeholders and personnel responsible for updates to the EPA’s GHGI. The impact of the proposed work has been a dramatic improvement in the temporal, spatial, and site- and type- specific detail and quantification of emissions inventories for the natural gas storage sector. This work directly benefits the EPA’s GHGI, directly ameliorates the environmental impacts and public health and safety of the natural gas storage sector, and aids policymakers and industry to make sound choices with respect to management and regulation.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Self-contamination and environment of an orbiting spacecraft

The flux of molecules emitted by a spacecraft and subsequently reflected to its surface was investigated. The reflection occurs upon collision of the outgassed molecules with ambient molecules. Evaluation of the flux was based on a knowledge of the spacecraft outgassing rate, the spacecraft dimensions, and the orbit parameters. Condensation rates and adsorption layers on critical surfaces were calculated from the knowledge of this flux and the nature and temperature of the gas and the surface. Based on estimated and measured emission rates, calculation of these parameters was performed for a number of spacecraft. The relationships and graphs developed allow an estimate of several important parameters for an orbiting spacecraft to be made. The pressures and densities at various distances from the spacecraft, as produced by the surrounding ambient molecules and by the spacecraft's own outgassing, are presented. The pressure and density produced by the outgassing can be obtained as a function of time if the behavior of the outgassing with time is known. The number of desorbed molecules ionized by impact with ambient charged particles and the effect of the spacecraft's electric field on polarized desorbed molecules were considered.

Scialdone, J. J.↗

The role of energetic O(+) precipitation in a mid-latitude aurora

It is shown that fluxes of precipitating energetic O(+) that have been observed by satellites in the topside ionosphere can explain the magnitude of the N2+(1 N) (first negative) 3914-angstroms and N2(2 P) (second positive) 3371-angstroms emission rate observed during a mid-latitude aurora over Logan, Utah (41 degrees N, 111 degrees W), on 21-22 September 1982. Heavy particle precipitation has previously been invoked to explain the anomalously high populations in the upper vibrational levels of the N2+(1 N) system that are evident in the observed emissions. An improved model is used to investigate the impact of precipitating heavy ions on the atmosphere. The nocturnal thermospheric heating rate and ionization rate during one of these events can be equivalent to the daytime EUV heating and ionization rates. The observed spectrum can be explained by energetic O(+) precipitation to within the uncertainties of the inputs to the model.

Ishimoto, M.↗

An Assessment of Current Understanding of the Greenhouse Gas Impacts from H 2 Emissions

With the anticipated growth in hydrogen generation and use as part of a broad shift in energy use away from fossil fuels, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of increased H 2 emissions on global warming. Atmospheric scientists have long recognized that H 2 emissions into the atmosphere do have an indirect impact on global warming, largely because a portion of emitted H 2 is consumed by the hydroxyl radical (OH), which is the primary reactant that removes the potent greenhouse gas methane from the atmosphere. Therefore, increases in H 2 emissions will result in decreases in the average OH concentrations in the atmosphere and an increase in the atmospheric lifetime of methane. Various assessments of the impact of H 2 emissions on global warming have been performed over the past couple of decades. These assessments have yielded significant variability and recognized uncertainty in the magnitude of the warming effect of a given quantity of emitted H 2 , and an even greater uncertainty in the magnitude of H 2 leakage and releases that can be anticipated with an expanded H 2 infrastructure. Consequently, definitive estimates of the magnitude of the warming effect of additional emitted H 2 are lacking. However, given the current understanding of the warming potential of emitted H 2 and given reasonable expectations of the emission rate of an expanded H 2 infrastructure, it is anticipated that warming effects from emitted H 2 will offset no more than 5% of the reduction in warming associated with avoided CO 2 emissions from using clean H 2 . Further, it is highly unlikely that the warming effects from emitted H 2 will offset more than 10% of the benefit from avoided CO 2 emissions, at least as considered over a typical 100-year accounting period. Because of the short atmospheric lifetimes of H 2 and methane, however, the warming effect of emitted H 2 is enhanced over the first few years following increases in H 2 emission.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Mid- and low-latitude model of thermospheric emissions. I - O(+) (2P) 7320 A and N2 (2P) 3371 A

This paper presents an interhemispherically coupled model of airglow emissions of the O(+) (2P) metastable state (7320 A) and the 0-0 band of the N2 second positive system (3371 A), covering mid- and low-latitudes. The model produces volume emission rates as a function of altitude, latitude, longitude, and local time for any selected data and solar and magnetic conditions, and, thus, can be used to provide three-dimensional maps of the selected emission for comparison with data obtained from orbiting vehicles. The semiglobal graphical maps of the 7320 A and 3371 A emissions illustrate the seasonal, diurnal, and solar cyclic variations on a scale that covers mid- and low-latitudes, as well as the effects of interhemispheric coupling (conjugate photoelectrons). It is shown that, in both cases, conjugate photoelectrons result in excitation at mid- to high- nighttime-latitudes in the winter hemisphere.

Torr, Marsha R.↗

Times (and the Grid) are A-Changin'

<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Neue Plak&quot;, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">This webinar highlighted two datasets that provide forward-looking projections of electric grid GHG emissions for the United States. These data sets were created to help present-day analyses and decision-support tools incorporate what we know about the ongoing evolution of the U.S. electric grid.</span><p style="text-align: left;"><br><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Neue Plak&quot;, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">Additionally, the webinar compared these two databases to other data sources to summarize differences (i.e., attributional versus consequential emissions rates, age and source of underlying data, regionalization approach, and boundary conditions) and highlighted the value and need for expert guidance when an analyst or developer is choosing how to represent electric-sector GHG emissions.</span><p style="text-align: left;"><br><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Neue Plak&quot;, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">This webinar was intended to set the stage for ACLCA roundtable events to further discuss these issues.</span>

Jamieson, Matthew↗

Resonance scattering of the first positive system of N2 in the dayglow.

Rocket measurements of the differential photoelectron flux and the volume emission rate of the N2(0, 0) second positive band are used to calculate the daytime concentration of metastable A(super 3)Sigma(sub u)+ molecules, and consequently the resonance scattering contribution to the N2 first positive emission in the dayglow. The dominant source of N2 first positive emission is found to be photoelectron impact, with resonance scattering contributing only 10-20 per cent the total emission.

Feldman, P. D.↗