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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Numerical study of effect of secondary electron emission on discharge characteristics in low pressure capacitive RF argon discharge

Based on the drift and diffusion approximation theory, a 1D fluid model on capacitively coupled RF argon glow discharge at low pressure is established to study the effect of secondary electron emission (SEE) on the discharge characteristics. The model is numerically solved by using a finite difference method and the numerical results are obtained. The numerical results indicate that when the SEE coefficient is larger, the plasma density is higher and the time of reaching steady state is longer. It is also found that the cycle-averaged electric field, electric potential, and electron temperature change a little as the SEE coefficient is increased. Moreover, the discharge characteristics in some nonequilibrium discharge processes with different SEE coefficients have been compared. The analysis shows that when the SEE coefficient is varied from 0.01 to 0.3, the cycle-averaged electron net power absorption, electron heating rate, thermal convective term, electron energy dissipation, and ionization all have different degrees of growth. While the electron energy dissipation and ionization are quite special, there appear two peaks near each sheath region in the discharge with a relatively larger SEE coefficient. In this case, the discharge is certainly operated in a hybrid α-γ-mode.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Quantitative characterization of arc discharge as vacuum interface

An arc discharge with channel diameters of 3 mm and 6 mm and lengths between 30mm and 60mm was experimentally investigated for its potential to function as plasma window, i.e., interface vacuum regions of different pressures. In this study, electron temperature of the plasma channel measured spectroscopically varied in the range of 7000K to 15000K, increasing with discharge current while decreasing with gas flow rate. The plasma window had a slightly positive I-V characteristics over the whole range of investigated current 30A–70 A. Measurements of pressure separation capability, which were determined by input current, gas flow rate, discharge channel diameter, and length, were well explained by viscosity effect and “thermal-block” effect. The experimental results of global parameters including temperature, gas flow rate, and voltage had a good agreement with the simulation results calculated by an axis-symmetry Fluent-based magneto-hydrodynamic model.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A prototype of an electric-discharge gas flow oxygen−iodine laser: I. Modeling of the processes of singlet oxygen generation in a transverse cryogenic slab RF discharge

The existing kinetic model describing self-sustained and electroionization discharges in mixtures enriched with singlet oxygen has been modified to calculate the characteristics of a flow RF discharge in molecular oxygen and its mixtures with helium. The simulations were performed in the gas plug-flow approximation, i.e., the evolution of the plasma components during their motion along the channel was represented as their evolution in time. The calculations were carried out for the O{sub 2}: He = 1: 0, 1: 1, 1: 2, and 1: 3 mixtures at an oxygen partial pressure of 7.5 Torr. It is shown that, under these conditions, volumetric gas heating in a discharge in pure molecular oxygen prevails over gas cooling via heat conduction even at an electrode temperature as low as ~100 K. When molecular oxygen is diluted with helium, the behavior of the gas temperature changes substantially: heat removal begins to prevail over volumetric gas heating, and the gas temperature at the outlet of the discharge zone drops to ~220–230 K at room gas temperature at the inlet, which is very important in the context of achieving the generation threshold in an electric-discharge oxygen−iodine laser based on a slab cryogenic RF discharge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation Of Electron-beam-induced Phase Evolution Mimicking The Effect Of Charge-discharge Cycle In Li-rich Layered Cathode Materials Used For Li-ion Batteries

Capacity loss, and voltage fade upon electrochemical charge-discharge cycling observed in lithium-rich layered cathode oxides (Li[LixMnyTM1-x-y]O2 , TM = Ni, Co or Fe) have recently been identified to be correlated to the gradual phase transformation, featuring the formation of a surface reconstructed layer (SRL) that evolves from a thin (<2 nm), defect spinel layer upon the first charge, to a relatively thick (~5 nm), spinel or rock-salt layer upon continuous charge-discharge cycling. Here we report observations of a SRL and structural evolution of the SRL on the Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 (LMR) particles, which are identical to those reported due to the charge-discharge cycle but are a result of electron-beam irradiation during scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Sensitivity of the lithium-rich layered oxides to high-energy electrons leads to the formation of thin, defect spinel layer on surfaces of the particles when exposed to a 200 kV electron beam for as little as 30 seconds under normal high-resolution STEM imaging conditions. Further electron irradiation produces a thicker layer of the spinel phase, ultimately producing a rock-salt layer at a higher electron exposure. Atomic-scale chemical mapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in STEM indicates the electron-beam-induced SRL formation on LMR is accomplished by migration of the transition metal ions to the Li sites without breaking down the lattice. This study provides an insight for understanding the mechanism of forming the SRL and also possibly a mean to study structural evolution in the Li-rich layered oxides without involving the electrochemistry.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2026

Breakdown and Discharge Characteristics of High Repetition Frequency Nanosecond Pulsed Air Dielectric Barrier Discharge

This study explores the breakdown characteristics and discharge modes in a parallel plate air dielectric barrier discharge system using repetitive nanosecond pulses, with pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) from 0.1 to 100 kHz. It examines how pulse parameters—PRF, pulse number and gas pressure—affect the memory effect, leveraging current and voltage measurements, fast imaging and optical emission spectroscopy. The findings show that higher PRFs lead to a reduction in breakdown voltage well below the streamer breakdown threshold. We argue that this effect may be attributed to the cumulative buildup of metastable species and negative ions in the discharge gap which could sustain free electrons in‐between the voltage pulses. Despite observing increased energy deposition with higher PRFs, the impact on filament formation was minimal, highlighting a strong dependence of discharge morphology on the accumulation of plasma‐produced species. This research studies provides valuable insights for controlling discharge regimes in applications such as plasma‐assisted combustion, surface treatment and air treatment by clarifying the interactions between discharge mechanisms at different PRFs and pressures.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1986

Discharge cell for optogalvanic spectroscopy having orthogonal relationship between the probe laser and discharge axis

A method and apparatus for an optogalvanic spectroscopy system are disclosed. Orthogonal geometry exists between the axis of a laser probe beam and the axis of a discharge created by a pair of spaced apart and longituduinally aligned high voltage electrodes. The electrodes are movable to permit adjustment of the location of a point in the discharge which is to irradiated by a laser beam crossing the discharge region. The cell dimensions are selected so that the cross section of the discharge region is substantly comparable in size to the cross section of the laser beam passing orthogonally through the discharge region.

Webster, C. R.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Study of the switching rate of gas-discharge devices based on the open discharge with counter-propagating electron beams

The switching rate of gas-discharge devices “kivotrons” based on the open discharge with counter-propagating electron beams has been experimentally studied. Structures with 2-cm{sup 2} overall cathode area were examined. The switching time was found to show a monotonic decrease with increasing the working-gas helium pressure and with increasing the voltage across the discharge gap at breakdown. The minimum switching time was found to be ∼240 ps at 17 kV voltage, and the maximum rate of electric-current rise limited by the discharge-circuit inductance was 3 × 10{sup 12 }A/s.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optical characteristics for capacitively and inductively radio frequency discharge and post-discharge of helium

The optical properties for radiofrequency (RF) post-discharge of pure helium (He) with two different methods as capacitively and inductively have been presented using the modified Boltzmann method in comparison. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is often used in the diagnosis of laboratory plasma, such as gas discharge plasma. OES is a very useful method for calculating of the electron temperature in the plasma and the determination of different atoms and molecules. In this study, OES is applied for characterizations of capacitively and inductively RF He plasma at pressures between 0.62 and 2.2 mbar for newly reactor type. Plasmas are generated with an RF power generator at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and output powers of 100, 160, and 200 W. Spectra have been evaluated in the range 200–1200 nm by an optical spectrometer. At low pressure, the main spectral features reported are the wavelengths of the atomic He transitions at 388.87 and 728.13 nm. The atomic emission intensities showed a maximum in inductive system when the pressure is about 0.62 mbar. OES of capacitive discharge and inductive discharge is compared in detail. The transition for 587.56 nm is shown to be increased in time.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Demonstration of a high repetition rate capillary discharge waveguide

A hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide operating at kHz repetition rates is presented for parameters relevant to laser plasma acceleration (LPA). The discharge current pulse was optimized for erosion mitigation with laser guiding experiments and MHD simulation. Heat flow simulations and measurements showed modest temperature rise at the capillary wall due to the average heat load at kHz repetition rates with water-cooled capillaries, which is promising for applications of LPAs such as high average power radiation sources.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Concomitant ion effects on isotope ratio measurements with liquid sampling – atmospheric pressure glow discharge ion source Orbitrap mass spectrometry

RATIONALE: The field of highly accurate and precise isotope ratio (IR) analysis has been dominated by inductively coupled plasma and thermal ionization mass spectrometers. While these instruments are considered the gold standard for IR analysis, the International Atomic Energy Agency desires a field deployable instrument capable of accurately and precisely measuring U isotope ratios. METHODS: The proposed system interfaces the liquid sampling – atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) ion source with a high resolution Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. With this experimental setup certified U isotope standards and unknown samples were analyzed. The accuracy and precision of the system were then determined. RESULTS: The LS-APGD /Exactive instrument measures a certified reference material of natural U (235U/238U = 0.007258) as 0.007041 with a relative standard deviation of 0.158% meeting the International Target Values for Uncertainty for the destructive analysis of U. Additionally, when three unknowns measured and compared to the results from an ICP multi collector instrument, there is no statistical difference between the two instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The LS-APGD / Orbitrap system, while still in the preliminary stages of development, offers highly accurate and precise IR analysis that suggest a paradigm shift in the world of IR analysis. Furthermore, the portability of the LS-APGD as an elemental ion source combined with the low overhead and small size of the Orbitrap suggest that the instrumentation is capable of being field deployable. With liquid sampling glow discharge-Orbitrap MS, isotope ratio and precision performance improves with rejection of concomitant ion species.

atmospheric pressure sampling↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effects of discharge voltage waveform on the discharge characteristics in a helium atmospheric plasma jet

We present here an analysis of the discharge characteristics of a He plasma jet operating under three different types of applied voltage waveform: (a) a μs-pulse voltage waveform with a slow voltage rise time, (b) ns-pulse, and (c) rectangular voltage waveforms with fast voltage rise time. Optical emission measurements show that the application of a voltage with a fast voltage rise time induces rapid discharge growth and, consequently, produces an abundance of energetic electrons, which in turn leads to high optical emission from the O atoms. We also estimate the optical emission efficiency of the O atom (η{sub o}), which corresponds roughly to the production efficiency of the reactive O species. η{sub o} increases with increasing applied voltage, and the highest value of η{sub o} is obtained in the shortest pulse discharge, which was ignited by a ns-pulse voltage waveform with a fast voltage rise time and short pulse width.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Study on hexagonal super-lattice pattern with surface discharges in dielectric barrier discharge

The hexagonal super-lattice pattern with surface discharges (SDs) in dielectric barrier discharge is investigated by intensified charge-coupled device. The pattern is composed of the bright spot and the dim spot which is located at the centroid of surrounding other three bright spots. The phase diagram of the pattern as a function of the gas pressure and the argon concentration is given. The instantaneous images indicate that the bright spot emerging at the front of the current pulse is formed by the volume discharge (VD), and dim spot occurring at the tail of the current pulse is formed by the SD. The above result shows that the SD is induced by the VD. The simulation of the electric fields of wall charges accumulated by VDs confirms that the dim spot is formed by the confluences of the SDs of surrounding other three bright spots. By using optical emission spectrum method, both the molecule vibration temperature and electron density of the SD are larger than that of the VD.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Integrated modeling of temperature profiles in L-mode tokamak discharges

Simulations of doublet III-D, the joint European tokamak, and the tokamak fusion test reactor L-mode tokamak plasmas are carried out using the PTRANSP predictive integrated modeling code. The simulation and experimental temperature profiles are compared. The time evolved temperature profiles are computed utilizing the Multi-Mode anomalous transport model version 7.1 (MMM7.1) which includes transport associated with drift-resistive-inertial ballooning modes (the DRIBM model [T. Rafiq et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 082511 (2010)]). The tokamak discharges considered involved a broad range of conditions including scans over gyroradius, ITER like current ramp-up, with and without neon impurity injection, collisionality, and low and high plasma current. The comparison of simulation and experimental temperature profiles for the discharges considered is shown for the radial range from the magnetic axis to the last closed flux surface. The regions where various modes in the Multi-Mode model contribute to transport are illustrated. In the simulations carried out using the MMM7.1 model it is found that: The drift-resistive-inertial ballooning modes contribute to the anomalous transport primarily near the edge of the plasma; transport associated with the ion temperature gradient and trapped electron modes contribute in the core region but decrease in the region of the plasma boundary; and neoclassical ion thermal transport contributes mainly near the center of the discharge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Electron energy distribution functions and fractional power transfer in “cold” and excited CO{sub 2} discharge and post discharge conditions

A Boltzmann equation, in the presence of superelastic vibrational and electronic collisions and of electron-electron Coulomb collisions, has been solved in CO{sub 2} plasma in discharge and post discharge conditions. Superelastic vibrational collisions play an important role in affecting the electron energy distribution function (eedf) in a wide range of the reduced electric field E/N and of vibrational temperatures characterizing the vibrational modes of CO{sub 2}. An important result is the dependence of fractional power losses and of the relevant rate coefficients on the vibrational temperatures of the system. Superelastic electronic collisions, on the other hand, are the main processes affecting eedf and related quantities in the post discharge conditions (i.e., E/N = 0). In particular at low vibrational temperatures, the superelastic electronic collisions form an important plateau in the eedf, largely influencing the rate coefficients and the fractional power transfer.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electric field distribution in a non-self-sustained RF discharge with ionization generated by Ns discharge pulses

Abstract Electric field in a capacitively coupled, non-self-sustained RF discharge nitrogen plasma with external ionization generated by high-voltage ns pulses has been measured by ps Electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH). The measurements are made both in the bulk of the plasma and in the sheaths, using the absolute calibration by the Laplacian field between two plane electrodes. The results are compared with the kinetic modeling calculations. The RF electric field in the sheaths is significantly higher compared to that in the plasma, due to the displacement of the electrons by the drift oscillations and the resultant plasma self-shielding. However, the kinetic modeling predictions indicate that the electron impact ionization in the sheaths is largely ineffective, due to the low electron density. The reduction of the electric field in the plasma by the self-shielding in the sheaths is moderate, such that the energy is coupled to the plasma by the below-breakdown RF field. The peak RF field in the plasma is in the range of 15–25 Td, indicating the efficient vibrational excitation of N 2 by electron impact. The modeling predictions suggest that the targeted vibrational excitation of molecular species in a non-self-sustained RF discharge with external ionization is scalable to high pressures, electron densities, and discharge powers. The present approach can be extended to the vibrational excitation of other molecular species where the vibrational relaxation is relatively slow, such as CO, CO 2 , and H 2 .

Physics↗