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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

Towards the Identification of the Keeper Erosion Cause(s): Numerical Simulations of the Plasma and Neutral Gas Using the Global Cathode Model OrCa2D-II

Numerical simulations with the time-dependent Orificed Cathode (OrCa2D-II) computer code show that classical enhancements of the plasma resistivity can not account for the elevated electron temperatures and steep plasma potential gradients measured in the plume of a 25-27.5 A discharge hollow cathode. The cathode, which employs a 0.11-in diameter orifice, was operated at 5.5 sccm without an applied magnetic field using two different anode geometries. It is found that anomalous resistivity based on electron-driven instabilities improves the comparison between theory and experiment. It is also estimated that other effects such as the Hall-effect from the self-induced magnetic field, not presently included in OrCa2D-II, may contribute to the constriction of the current density streamlines thus explaining the higher plasma densities observed along the centerline.

plasma modeling↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nuclear spin dependence of the reaction of H{sub 3}{sup +} with H{sub 2}. II. Experimental measurements

The nuclear spin dependence of the chemical reaction H{sub 3}{sup +}+ H{sub 2}{yields} H{sub 2} +H{sub 3}{sup +} has been studied in a hollow cathode plasma cell. Multipass infrared direct absorption spectroscopy has been employed to monitor the populations of several low-energy rotational levels of ortho- and para-H{sub 3}{sup +} (o-H{sub 3}{sup +} and p-H{sub 3}{sup +}) in hydrogenic plasmas of varying para-H{sub 2} (p-H{sub 2}) enrichment. The ratio of the rates of the proton hop (k{sup H}) and hydrogen exchange (k{sup E}) reactions {alpha}{identical_to}k{sup H}/k{sup E} is inferred from the observed p-H{sub 3}{sup +} fraction as a function of p-H{sub 2} fraction using steady-state chemical models. Measurements have been performed both in uncooled (T{sub kin}{approx} 350 K) and in liquid-nitrogen-cooled (T{sub kin}{approx} 135 K) plasmas, marking the first time this reaction has been studied at low temperature. The value of {alpha} has been found to decrease from 1.6 {+-} 0.1 at 350 K to 0.5 {+-} 0.1 at 135 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Towards higher stability of resonant absorption measurements in pulsed plasmas

Possible ways to increase the reliability of time-resolved particle density measurements in pulsed gaseous discharges using resonant absorption spectroscopy are proposed. A special synchronization, called “dynamic source triggering,” between a gated detector and two pulsed discharges, one representing the discharge of interest and another being used as a reference source, is developed. An internal digital delay generator in the intensified charge coupled device camera, used at the same time as a detector, is utilized for this purpose. According to the proposed scheme, the light pulses from the reference source follow the gates of detector, passing through the discharge of interest only when necessary. This allows for the utilization of short-pulse plasmas as reference sources, which is critical for time-resolved absorption analysis of strongly emitting pulsed discharges. In addition to dynamic source triggering, the reliability of absorption measurements can be further increased using simultaneous detection of spectra relevant for absorption method, which is also demonstrated in this work. The proposed methods are illustrated by the time-resolved measurements of the metal atom density in a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge, using either a hollow cathode lamp or another HiPIMS discharge as a pulsed reference source.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Low-energy, high-current, ion source with cold electron emitter

An ion source based on a two-stage discharge with electron injection from a cold emitter is presented. The first stage is the emitter itself, and the second stage provides acceleration of injected electrons for gas ionization and formation of ion flow (<20 eV, 5 A dc). The ion accelerating system is gridless; acceleration is accomplished by an electric field in the discharge plasma within an axially symmetric, diverging, magnetic field. The hollow cathode electron emitter utilizes an arc discharge with cathode spots hidden inside the cathode cavity. Selection of the appropriate emitter material provides a very low erosion rate and long lifetime.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Capacitive radio frequency discharges with a single ring-shaped narrow trench of various depths to enhance the plasma density and lateral uniformity

Spatial structures of the electron density and temperature in ring-shaped hollow cathode capacitive rf plasma with a single narrow trench of 2 mm width have been investigated at various trench depths of D = 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 mm. It is found that the plasma density is increased in the presence of the trench and that the radial profile of the plasma density has a peak around the narrow hollow trench near the cathode. The density becomes uniform further away from the cathode at all trench depths, whereas the electron temperature distribution remains almost uniform. The measured radial profiles of the plasma density are in good agreement with a theoretical diffusion model for all the trench depths, which explains the local density increase by a local enhancement of the electron heating. Under the conditions investigated, the trench of 10 mm depth is found to result in the highest plasma density at various axial and radial positions. The results show that the radial uniformity of the plasma density at various axial positions can be improved by using structured electrodes of distinct depths rather than planar electrodes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ribbon electron beam formation by a forevacuum plasma electron source

Results of the numerical analysis and experimental research on ribbon electron beam generation based on hollow cathode discharge at forevacuum gas pressure are presented. Geometry of the accelerating gap has modified. It lets us focus the ribbon electron beam and to transport it on a distance of several tens of centimeters in the absence of an axial magnetic field. The results of numerical simulations are confirmed by the experiment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Accurate Frequency Determination of Vibration–Rotation and Rotational Transitions of SiH{sup +}

The fundamental {sup 28}SiH{sup +} ion has been characterized in a collaborative work, utilizing a hollow-cathode discharge laser spectrometer and a cryogenic ion trap spectrometer. Twenty-three vibration–rotation transitions around 4.75 μm have been detected with high accuracy. This has facilitated the first direct measurement of the pure rotational transition J=1←0 at 453056.3632(4) MHz in the trap spectrometer. The measured and accurately predicted transitions enable the search for this ion in space with IR and sub-mm telescopes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2003

An overview of the Nuclear Electric Xenon Ion System (NEXIS) program

NASA is investigating high power, high specific impulse propulsion technologies that could enable ambitious flights such as multi-body rendezvous missions, outer planet orbiters and interstellar precursor missions. The requirements for these missions are much more demanding than those for state-of-the-art solar-powered ion propulsion applications. The purpose of the NEXIS program is to develop advanced ion thruster technologies that satisfy the requirements for high power, high specific impulse operation, high efficiency and long thruster life. The nominal design point for the NEXIS thruster is 20 kWe at a specific impulse of 7500 s with an efficiency over 78% and a xenon throughput capability of greater than 2000 kg. These performance and throughput goals will be achieved by applying a combination of advanced technologies including a large discharge chamber, erosion resistant carbon-carbon grids, an advanced reservoir hollow cathode and techniques for increasing propellant efficiency such as grid masking and accelerator grid aperture diameter tailoring. This paper provides an overview of the challenges associated with these requirements and how they are being addressed in the NEXIS program.

carbon-carbon grids↗
DOE OSTI2014

Enhancement of the EUV emission of a metallic capillary discharge operated with argon ambient gas

In this work, the metallic capillary discharge is operated with two different ambients: air and argon. In the experiments reported here, the chamber is first evacuated to 10{sup −5} mbar. The discharge is initiated by the transient hollow cathode effect generated electron beam, with either air ambient or argon ambient at 10{sup −4} mbar. The bombardment of electron beam at the tip of the stainless steel anode gives rise to a metallic vapor, which is injected into the capillary and initiates the main discharge through the capillary. The EUV emission is measured for different discharge voltages for both conditions and compared. It is found that the metallic capillary discharge with argon ambientis able to produce higher EUV energy compared to that with air ambient.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

IMPROVED DETERMINATION OF THE 1{sub 0}-0{sub 0} ROTATIONAL FREQUENCY OF NH{sub 3}D{sup +} FROM THE HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTRUM OF THE {nu}{sub 4} INFRARED BAND

The high-resolution spectrum of the {nu}{sub 4} band of NH{sub 3}D{sup +} has been measured by difference frequency IR laser spectroscopy in a multipass hollow cathode discharge cell. From the set of molecular constants obtained from the analysis of the spectrum, a value of 262817 {+-} 6 MHz ({+-}3{sigma}) has been derived for the frequency of the 1{sub 0}-0{sub 0} rotational transition. This value supports the assignment to NH{sub 3}D{sup +} of lines at 262816.7 MHz recorded in radio astronomy observations in Orion-IRc2 and the cold prestellar core B1-bS.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

HIGH-RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM SPECTROSCOPY OF Nb i IN THE NEAR-INFRARED

In this study, a Fourier Transform spectrum of Niobium (Nb) is investigated in the near-infrared spectral range from 6000 to 12,000 cm{sup −1} (830–1660 nm). The Nb spectrum is produced using a hollow cathode discharge lamp in an argon atmosphere. Both Nb and Ar spectral lines are visible in the spectrum. A total of 110 spectral lines are assigned to the element Nb. Of these lines, 90 could be classified as transitions between known levels of atomic Nb. From these classified Nb i transitions, 27 have not been listed in literature previously. Additionally, 8 lines are classified for the first time.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Plasma electron source for the generation of wide-aperture pulsed beam at forevacuum pressures

This article reports on design and application of wide-aperture pulsed beam source, based on hollow cathode discharge. The source is intended for electron beam generation in pressure range 2-15 Pa. Multi-aperture extraction system, used in a source, provided beam cross-section uniformity of 10% on diameter 40 mm. The limiting values of the current density, pulse duration, and accelerating voltage are 350 mA/cm{sup 2}, 250 {mu}s, and 10 kV, respectively. These parameters are sufficient for surface modification of various materials, including non-conducting matters.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fabrication of AlN/BN bishell hollow nanofibers by electrospinning and atomic layer deposition

Aluminum nitride (AlN)/boron nitride (BN) bishell hollow nanofibers (HNFs) have been fabricated by successive atomic layer deposition (ALD) of AlN and sequential chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of BN on electrospun polymeric nanofibrous template. A four-step fabrication process was utilized: (i) fabrication of polymeric (nylon 6,6) nanofibers via electrospinning, (ii) hollow cathode plasma-assisted ALD of AlN at 100 °C onto electrospun polymeric nanofibers, (iii) calcination at 500 °C for 2 h in order to remove the polymeric template, and (iv) sequential CVD growth of BN at 450 °C. AlN/BN HNFs have been characterized for their chemical composition, surface morphology, crystal structure, and internal nanostructure using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Measurements confirmed the presence of crystalline hexagonal BN and AlN within the three dimensional (3D) network of bishell HNFs with relatively low impurity content. In contrast to the smooth surface of the inner AlN layer, outer BN coating showed a highly rough 3D morphology in the form of BN nano-needle crystallites. It is shown that the combination of electrospinning and plasma-assisted low-temperature ALD/CVD can produce highly controlled multi-layered bishell nitride ceramic hollow nanostructures. While electrospinning enables easy fabrication of nanofibrous template, self-limiting reactions of plasma-assisted ALD and sequential CVD provide control over the wall thicknesses of AlN and BN layers with sub-nanometer accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Study of nonlinear oscillations in a glow discharge plasma using empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert Huang transform

Hilbert Huang transform (HHT) based time series analysis was carried out on nonlinear floating potential fluctuations obtained from hollow cathode glow discharge plasma in the presence of anode glow. HHT was used to obtain contour plots and the presence of nonlinearity was studied. Frequency shift with time, which is a typical nonlinear behaviour, was detected from the contour plots. Various plasma parameters were measured and the concepts of correlation coefficients and the physical contribution of each intrinsic mode function have been discussed. Physically important quantities such as instantaneous energy and their uses in studying physical phenomena such as intermittency and non-stationary data have also been discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Anodization of aluminum and silicon in plasma of a non-self-sustained glow discharge

The results of anodization of aluminum and silicon in an oxygen plasma are presented. The plasma was generated by a non-self-sustained glow discharge with a hollow cathode excited by an electron beam at the oxygen pressure of 20 Pa. The density of the current flowing through the anodized specimen did not exceed 1.5 mA/cm{sup 2}, and its temperature was 200-250 Degree-Sign C. Continuous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SiO{sub 2} films were formed on the aluminum and silicon surfaces. The growth rate of the oxide layers was 150-200 nm/h for Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and 400-800 nm/h for SiO{sub 2}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Early results of microwave transmission experiments through an overly dense rectangular plasma sheet with microparticle injection

These experiments utilize a linear hollow cathode to create a dense, rectangular plasma sheet to simulate the plasma layer surrounding vehicles traveling at hypersonic velocities within the Earth's atmosphere. Injection of fine dielectric microparticles significantly reduces the electron density and therefore lowers the electron plasma frequency by binding a significant portion of the bulk free electrons to the relatively massive microparticles. Measurements show that microwave transmission through this previously overly dense, impenetrable plasma layer increases with the injection of alumina microparticles approximately 60 μm in diameter. This method of electron depletion is a potential means of mitigating the radio communications blackout experienced by hypersonic vehicles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Sustenance of inhomogeneous electron temperature in a magnetized plasma column

This paper presents the equilibrium properties of a magnetized plasma column sustained by direct-current (dc) operated hollow cathode discharge in conjunction with a conducting end-plate, acting as the anode. The survey of radial plasma characteristics, performed in argon plasma, shows hotter plasma in the periphery as compared to the central plasma region; whereas the plasma density peaks at the center. The off-centered peak in radial temperature is attributed due to inhomogeneous power deposition in the discharge volume in conjunction with short-circuiting effect by the conducting end plate. A theoretical model based on particle flux and energy balance is given to explain the observed characteristics of the plasma column.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ferm cathode operation in the test bed ion engine

A rapid start hollow cathode has been developed for high power ion thruster application. Using no low work function insert or heater, the Field Enhanced Refractory Metal (FERM) cathode electron emission occurs from a refractory metal tube concentric with the cathode barrel. Results are presented for FERM cathode operation in the high field strength Test Bed Ion Engine. Using a controlled glow discharge heating technique, cathode start up times of 1-2 secs are shown. Cathode V-I curves up to 35 ampere emission are presented and life limiting component erosion mechanisms, at these high current levels, are discussed.

Aston, G.↗