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At least 307 records · Page 17

Diagnostics for Burning Plasmas

Here, recent progress in the design and manufacturing development of in-vessel diagnostic components by the U.S. ITER team is reported. Design and manufacturing choices are driven by engineering challenges stemming from ITER’s burning plasma mission, which entails levels of plasma neutron emission, pulse lengths, and size scales well beyond the existing database. Challenges include port access limitations, neutron irradiation and activation risks, nuclear heating of components, complex interfaces, remote handling compatibility, and constraints on component and processing materials. Responses to these challenges are presented using examples from the low field side reflectometer, toroidal interferometer polarimeter, and electron cyclotron emission diagnostics. Relevance of the experience from ITER diagnostics engineering to the design of future integrated fusion facilities based on burning plasmas is addressed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Energetic electron transport in magnetic fields with island chains and stochastic regions

This paper investigates energetic electron transport in magnetized toroidal plasmas with magnetic fields characterized by island chains and regions of stochastic field lines produced by coil perturbations. We report on experiments performed in the DIII-D tokamak, which utilize electron cyclotron heating and current drive pulses to ‘tag’ electron populations within different locations across the discharge. The cross-field transport of these populations is then inferred from electron cyclotron emission measurements and gamma emission signals from scintillator detectors. Two types of energetic particles are distinguished and discussed: non-relativistic suprathermal electrons and relativistic runaway electrons. The magnetic field topology in each discharge is reconstructed with field-line tracing codes, which are also used to determine the location and scale of magnetic islands and stochastic regions. Comparison of simulations and experiments suggests that suprathermal transport is suppressed when the tagging is performed at a smaller radial location than the location of the $q = 1$ island chain and enhanced otherwise. Here q is the safety factor. We further demonstrate that increasing the width of the stochastic region within the edge plasma yields enhancement of the suprathermal electron transport.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The influence of the ionized medium on synchrotron emission in interstellar space.

The effect of the ionized gas on synchrotron emission in the interstellar medium is investigated. A detailed calculation of the synchrotron emissivity of cosmic electrons, assumed to have an isotropic pitch-angle distribution in a uniform magnetic field, is made as a function of frequency and observation angle with respect to the field. The results are presented both as a local emissivity and as an intensity, the latter obtained by neglecting free-free absorption in the interstellar medium and by assuming that the emissivity is constant along the line of sight. The comparison of these results with previous studies on the nature of the low-frequency turnover of the galactic nonthermal radio background reveals that, except if the component perpendicular to the line of sight of the interstellar magnetic field is small (less than 1 microgauss), or if the cosmic-ray electron spectrum is cut off at energies below a few hundred MeV, the suppression of synchrotron emission by the ambient electrons has in general a lesser effect than free-free absorption by these electrons, and that in some cases this suppression effect is almost entirely negligible.

Ramaty, R.↗

The Software Element of the NASA Portable Electronic Device Radiated Emissions Investigation

NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC) High Intensity Radiated Fields Laboratory (HIRF Lab) recently conducted a series of electromagnetic radiated emissions tests under a cooperative agreement with Delta Airlines and an interagency agreement with the FAA. The frequency spectrum environment at a commercial airport was measured on location. The environment survey provides a comprehensive picture of the complex nature of the electromagnetic environment present in those areas outside the aircraft. In addition, radiated emissions tests were conducted on portable electronic devices (PEDs) that may be brought onboard aircraft. These tests were performed in both semi-anechoic and reverberation chambers located in the HIRF Lab. The PEDs included cell phones, laptop computers, electronic toys, and family radio systems. The data generated during the tests are intended to support the research on the effect of radiated emissions from wireless devices on aircraft systems. Both tests systems relied on customized control and data reduction software to provide test and instrument control, data acquisition, a user interface, real time data reduction, and data analysis. The software executed on PC's running MS Windows 98 and 2000, and used Agilent Pro Visual Engineering Environment (VEE) development software, Common Object Model (COM) technology, and MS Excel.

Koppen, Sandra V.↗

Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering

High-voltage spinel LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) is a promising cathode material for high-energy-density and high-power-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The high cost of the currently available LIBs needs to be addressed urgently for wide application in the transport sector (electric vehicles, buses) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESS). Of significance, herein, novel fast and scalable microwave-assisted synthesis of LNMO is reported, which leads to a production cost cut. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of the desired phase with high crystallinity. Field emission scanning (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that the synthesized phase is of nanometric size (50–150 nm) due to an extremely short sintering time (20 min). The material synthesized at 750 °C shows a higher initial discharge capacity (130 mA h g -1 ) than that synthesized at 650 °C (115 mA h g -1 ). The materials heat treated at higher temperatures show better electrochemical performance in terms of initial capacity, rate capability, and improved cycling. The improved electrochemical performance of LNMO at 750 °C is attributed to the formation of a stable crystal structure, low charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface, high electrical conductivity due to the presence of a disorder structure, and improved ionic diffusivity.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

The atomic nature of polymer-metal interactions in adhesion, friction and wear

The adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of the solid polymers PTFE and polyimide in contact with various metals were studied using field ion microscopy, Auger emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the polymers will transfer to a clean tungsten surface on simple tough contact, forming a chemical bond. With PTFE, it is hypothesized that the bonding is of the carbon to the metal surface, while with the polyimide, both oxygen and carbon bonding to the tungsten surface are possible. In sliding contact, the friction process itself can initiate polymer film formation. The formation of such films has been suggested as a form of extreme pressure lubrication.

Buckley, D. H.↗

The metal to metal interface and its effect on adhesion and friction

The paper considers the interface between two bulk metals and the effect of this interface on adhesive bonding, resistance to tangential displacements, friction and the interfacial transport from one surface to another. Using Auger emission spectroscopy, field ion microscopy, and low energy electron diffraction techniques, the influence of surface orientation, lattice registry, crystal lattice structure and defects, metal surface chemistry and alloying on the characteristics of the interface was studied for noble, platinum, transition, and Group 4B metals. With dissimilar metals in contact, epitaxial transfer of the cohesively weaker to the cohesively stronger metal has been observed. Surface chemical activity of the noble and platinum metals is shown to affect interfacial behavior as does a valence bonding in the transition metals, and the degree of metallic nature in the Group 4B elements. Alloying elements, e.g., Si and Fe, can alter interfacial behavior by segregation to the surface of metals or by altering bulk properties such as crystal transformation kinetics.

Buckley, D. H.↗

The use of analytical surface tools in the fundamental study of wear

Various techniques and surface tools available for the study of the atomic nature of the wear of materials are reviewed These include chemical etching, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, Auger emission spectroscopy analysis, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, field ion microscopy, and the atom probe. Properties of the surface and wear surface regions which affect wear, such as surface energy, crystal structure, crystallographic orientation, mode of dislocation behavior, and cohesive binding, are discussed. A number of mechanisms involved in the generation of wear particles are identified with the aid of the aforementioned tools.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Auroral vector electric field and particle comparisons. I - Preliminary convection topology

Data obtained by Polar 3, launched from northern Norway January 27, 1974, are interpreted. The rocket, which traversed nearly 3 deg of latitude, crossed over a stable IBC II auroral arc in the positive bay region and continued north to a convection boundary which has been identified as the Harang discontinuity. Measurements of the complete electric field vector, of energetic electrons, and of auroral emissions were used to study the convection topology in the premagnetic midnight region. The inverted V nature of the electron precipitations at the convection boundary, compared with the lack of such structure over the arc which was within the positive bay region, is thought to indicate that auroral arcs are likely to be associated with inverted V type precipitation only at or poleward of convection boundaries and their eddy structures.

Maynard, N. C.↗

The use of analytical surface tools in the fundamental study of wear

This paper reviews the various techniques and surface tools available for the study of the atomic nature of the wear of materials. These include chemical etching, X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, Auger emission spectroscopy analysis, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, field ion microscopy, and the atom probe. Properties of the surface and wear surface regions which effect wear such as surface energy, crystal structure, crystallographic orientation, mode of dislocation behavior, and cohesive binding are discussed. A number of mechanisms involved in the generation of wear particles are identified with the aid of the aforementioned tools.

Buckley, D. H.↗

On Io's control of Jovian decametric radio emissions

Io's control of Jovian decametric radio emission (DAM) has been attributed to Io distorting the electron distribution in the inner Jovian magnetosphere. Observations of Faraday rotation in DAM are used to determine the properties of the electron distribution before and after its interaction with Io. It is shown that there is an enhancement in the density of the energetic component in the Io plasma torus correlated with certain Jovian longitude. Io's interaction with this energetic component can produce heating of this component. The Io-controlled emission is attributed to enhanced emission from the heated electrons moving down the field lines to Jupiter.

Winglee, R. M.↗

Neptune's non-thermal radio emissions - Phenomenology and source locations

During the inbound and the outbound leg of Voyager 2's encounter with Neptune, the Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRA) experiment aboard the spacecraft detected short radio bursts at frequencies within the range of about 500-1300 kHz, and broad-banded smoothly varying emission patterns within the frequency range from about 40-800 kHz. Both emissions can be described in terms of a period of 16.1 hours determining Neptune's rotation period. Furthermore, just near closest approach, a narrow-banded smoothly varying radio component was observed occurring between 600 and 800 kHz. After giving a brief overview about some general characteristics of Neptune's nonthermal radio emission, the source locations of Neptune's emission components are determined, using an offset tilted dipole model for Neptune's magnetic field. Assuming that the emission originates near the electron gyrofrequency a geometrical beaming model is developed in order to fit the observed emission episodes.

Rabl, Gerald K. F.↗

Gyrosynchrotron radiation and its transfer in a magnetoactive plasma.

Gyrosynchrotron radiation fields from mildly relativistic electrons in a magnetoactive plasma are asymptotically calculated by using the Green tensor and the Fourier transformation. These fields consist of the two components which correspond to the ordinary and extraordinary modes. Taking into account these fields, the emissivities and the absorption coefficients from an arbitrary distribution of electrons are calculated in order to discuss the intensity, spectrum, and polarization of gyrosynchrotron radiation. In general, the transfer of electromagnetic energy takes place along a direction different from that of the wave normal since the radiation fields have a nonvanishing component along the direction of the wave normal. A consideration is given on the problem of radiative transfer in relation to the Stokes parameters.

Sakurai, K.↗

Modeling solar flare conduction fronts. I - Homogeneous plasmas and ion-acoustic turbulence. II - Inhomogeneous plasmas and ambipolar electric fields

A one-dimensional, electrostatic, particle-in-cell simulation is used here to model the expansion of a heated electron population in a coronal loop during a solar flare and the characteristics of the associated X-ray emissions. The hot electrons expand outward from the localized region, creating an ambipolar electric field which accelerates a return current of cooler, ambient electrons. Ion-acoustic waves are generated by the return currents as proposed by Brown et al. (1979), but they play little or no role in containing energetic electrons and the conduction front proposed by Brown et al. does not form. The X-ray emission efficiency of the electrons is too low in the corona for them to be the source of hard X-ray bursts. The particle dynamics changes dramatically if the heated plasma is at low altitudes and expands upward into the more tenuous plasma at higher altitudes. Two important applications of this finding are the radio-frequency heating of the corona and the collisional heating of the chromosphere by precipitating energetic electrons. In both cases, the overlying plasma has a density that is too low to supply a balancing return current to the expanding hot electrons. As a result, an ambipolar electric field develops that tends to confine the energetic electrons behind a front that propagate outward at about the speed of sound.

Mckean, M. E.↗

Microwave radiation measurements near the electron plasma frequency of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

Microwave emission near the electron plasma frequency of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma has been observed, and its relation to the average electron density and the dc toroidal magnetic field was examined. The emission was detected using a spectrum analyzer and a 50-ohm miniature coaxial probe. The radiation appeared as a broad amplitude peak that shifted in frequency as the plasma parameters were varied. The observed radiation scanned an average plasma density ranging from 20 billion to 800 billion per cu cm. A linear relation was observed between the density calculated from the emission frequency and the average plasma density measured with a microwave interferometer. With the aid of a relative density profile measurement of the plasma, it was determined that the emissions occurred from the outer periphery of the plasma.

Mallavarpu, R.↗