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At least 379 records · Page 21

Nonlinear acoustic wave propagation in atmosphere TLSP - Final report

In this paper a model problem is considered that simulates an atmospheric acoustic wave propagation situation that is nonlinear. The model is derived from the basic Euler equations for the atmospheric flow and from the regular perturbations for the acoustic part. The nonlinear effects are studied by obtaining two successive linear problems in which the second one involves the solution of the first problem. Well-posedness of these problems is discussed and approximations of the radiation boundary conditions that can be used in numerical simulations are presented.

Hariharan, S. I.↗

Simulating Electron Distribution Function in the Pulsating Aurora Using Particle and Wave Data of ARASE Satellite

Decades lasting research on the pulsating aurora suggested that this phenomenon forms as result of interactions between the magnetospheric keVs electrons and whistler-mode chorus waves. Arase satellite observation reported the direct evidence for this process confirming in situ measurement of highly correlated precipitated electrons and chorus wave activity. This paper presents the theoretical analysis of this observational event based on the SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) code that simulates the highly dynamic environment of measured waves and particle data. Specifically, the STET code simulated results confirms the delicate loss-cone observation results of this mission and further reveals the broader energy range of precipitated electron fluxes that was not measurable by Arase satellite.

George V Khazanov↗

A simulation study of cold electron heating by loss cone instabilities

Results are presented of a computer simulation study of electron cyclotron harmonic waves; an electrostatic finite size particle simulation code is used. The initial electron velocity distribution function is modeled as a hot ring perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field and a cold Maxwellian component. Nonlinear cyclotron resonance is found to be the saturation mechanism of the unstable waves and the heating mechanism of the cold electrons. The results can be related to certain ionospheric phenomena.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗

Numerical simulation of the atmosphere during a CAT encounter

In an attempt to determine whether clear air turbulence (CAT) which caused a brief, intense turbulence encounter to a jetliner might have been related to gravity waves generated by a line of thunderstorms, local sounding data taken within two hours of the incident have been used as input to a numerical model designed to simulate stratified flow over obstacles. In the model a rigid obstacle at the lower boundary acted as the source of the gravity waves. The model results show a large amplitude disturbance localized over the obstacle at and above flight level, in regions where CAT would be expected. Stratification studies have been conducted, varying the height and shape of the obstacle and the input wind profile. The success of the experiment leads to the conclusion that atmospheric gravity wave simulation can be useful in understanding and possibly avoiding CAT.

Keller, T. L.↗

High amplitude waves in the expanding solar wind plasma

We simulated the 1-D nonlinear time-evolution of high-amplitude Alfven, slow and fast magnetoacoustic waves in the solar wind propagating outward at different angles to the mean magnetic (spiral) field, using the expanding box model. The simulation results for Alfven waves and fast magnetoacustic waves fit the observational constraints in the solar wind best, showing decreasing trends for energies and other rms-quantities due to expansion and the appearance of inward propagating waves as minor species in the wind. Inward propagating waves are generated by reflection of Alfven waves propagating at large angles to the magnetic field or they coincide with the occurrence of compressible fluctuations. In our simulations, fast and slow magnetoacoustic waves seem to have a level in the density-fluctuations which is too high when we compare with the observations. Furthermore, the evolution of energies for slow magnetoacoustic waves differs strongly from the evolution of fluctuation energies in situ.

Schmidt, J. M.↗

Reconstruction of a Broadband Spectrum of Alfvenic Fluctuations

Alfvenic fluctuations in the solar wind exhibit a high degree of velocities and magnetic field correlations consistent with Alfven waves propagating away and toward the Sun. Two remarkable properties of these fluctuations are the tendencies to have either positive or negative magnetic helicity (-1 less than or equal to sigma(sub m) less than or equal to +1) associated with either left- or right- topological handedness of the fluctuations and to have a constant magnetic field magnitude. This paper provides, for the first time, a theoretical framework for reconstructing both the magnetic and velocity field fluctuations with a divergence-free magnetic field, with any specified power spectral index and normalized magnetic- and cross-helicity spectrum field fluctuations for any plasma species. The spectrum is constructed in the Fourier domain by imposing two conditions-a divergence-free magnetic field and the preservation of the sense of magnetic helicity in both spaces-as well as using Parseval's theorem for the conservation of energy between configuration and Fourier spaces. Applications to the one-dimensional spatial Alfvenic propagation are presented. The theoretical construction is in agreement with typical time series and power spectra properties observed in the solar wind. The theoretical ideas presented in this spectral reconstruction provide a foundation for more realistic simulations of plasma waves, solar wind turbulence, and the propagation of energetic particles in such fluctuating fields.

waves↗

Numerical simulations of a nonequilibrium argon plasma in a shock-tube experiment

A code developed for the numerical modeling of nonequilibrium radiative plasmas is applied to the simulation of the propagation of strong ionizing shock waves in argon gas. The simulations attempt to reproduce a series of shock-tube experiments which will be used to validate the numerical models and procedures. The ability to perform unsteady simulations makes it possible to observe some fluctuations in the shock propagation, coupled to the kinetic processes. A coupling mechanism by pressure waves, reminiscent of oscillation mechanisms observed in detonation waves, is described. The effect of upper atomic levels is also briefly discussed.

Cambier, Jean-Luc↗

Comparative energetics diagnosis of the observed and simulated blockings in the Northern Hemisphere

The blocking phenomena, in particular winter blocking, are stuided using energetic diagnostics. Sequences of blockings during the FGGE winter and summer in observed and simulated circulations, and energy transformations associated with blockings are examined. It is observed that the simulation of the Northern Hemisphere circulation correlates better with the observed circulation during summer than during winter. It is noted that the observed winter blockings are maintained by the supply of kinetic energy to the ultralong waves from the shorter cyclone scales through nonlinear wave-wave interaction; in the simulated winter blocking, the energy converted at the cyclone scale cascades down to the shorter wave range; and the summer blockings are supported by the baroclinic conversion of long waves in both the observed and simulated circulations.

Kung, Ernest C.↗

Plasma wave signatures in the magnetotail reconnection region - MHD simulation and ray tracing

An MHD simulation was performed to obtain a self-consistent model of magnetic field and plasma density near the X point reconnection region. The MHD model was used to perform extensive ray tracing calculations in order to clarify the propagation characteristics of the plasma waves near the X point reconnection region. The dynamic wave spectra possibly observed by the Geotail spacecraft during a typical cross-tail trajectory are reconstructed. By comparing the extensive ray tracing calculations with the plasma wave data from Geotail, it is possible to perform a kind of 'remote sensing' to identify the location and structure of potential X point reconnection regions.

Omura, Yoshiharu↗

Theory and simulation of a high-frequency magnetic drift wave

The equilibrium of a nonneutral plasma in a toroidal vessel with a toroidal magnetic field is analyzed. In the zero inertia limit it is heuristically shown from force balance considerations that there is an electrostatic hoop force and a force due to diamagnetism along the major radius. The problem of equilibrium is formulated in terms of solutions of a 2D partial difference equation. This equation is solved in the large-aspect-ratio limit and a general expression for the shift of the potential axis is obtained which shows that the shift is approximately epsilon and that it depends solely on the internal capacitance of the cloud. The simulation study is based upon the modified MHD equations and the nonlocal nature of the mode is investigated. Applications to sub-Alfvenic plasma expansions, electromagnetic waves in the earth's magnetosphere, and plasma switches are discussed.

Huba, J. D.↗

Modeling of Guided Waves for Aerospace Applications

Advancements in computer hardware has led to new possibilities for rapid modeling and simulation capabilities across many scientific fields. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) can benefit from increased use of simulation tools to guide optimization of inspection and health monitoring methods, enhance understanding of data, aid in development of defect characterization methods, and generate data sets for use with machine learning and model-assisted probability of detection. Recent work at NASA has entailed development and benchmarking of both custom simulation codes and commercial simulation tools for ultrasonic wave propagation. This paper describes recent work at NASA in modeling of guided waves in composites and other aerospace materials. Results and computational speeds for a composite benchmark case are reported for a custom finite difference Rotated Staggered Grid code and for the commercial finite element software package, Pogo. Recent progress in linking NDE models to parametric analysis tools is also discussed.

Nondestructive evaluation↗

Computational study of nonlinear plasma waves

A low-noise plasma simulation model is developed and applied to a series of linear and nonlinear problems associated with electrostatic wave propagation in a one-dimensional, collisionless, Maxwellian plasma, in the absence of magnetic field. It is demonstrated that use of the hybrid simulation model allows economical studies to be carried out in both the linear and nonlinear regimes with better quantitative results, for comparable computing time, than can be obtained by conventional particle simulation models, or direct solution of the Vlasov equation. The characteristics of the hybrid simulation model itself are first investigated, and it is shown to be capable of verifying the theoretical linear dispersion relation at wave energy levels as low as .000001 of the plasma thermal energy. Having established the validity of the hybrid simulation model, it is then used to study the nonlinear dynamics of monochromatic wave, sideband instability due to trapped particles, and satellite growth.

Matsuda, Y.↗

Spectral methods for compressible flow problems

Recent results concerning numerical simulation of shock waves using spectral methods are reviewed. Shock fitting techniques were discussed as well as shock capturing techniques with finite difference artificial viscosity. Also the notion of the information contained in the numerical results obtained by spectral methods and show how this information is recovered was discussed.

Gottlieb, D.↗

A note on the finite differencing of the linearized primitive equations' lower boundary condition

This note examines the accuracy of finite difference solutions of the midlatitude primitive equations and the quasi-geostrophic equation. First order accurate forward differencing of the equations' lower boundary condition is shown to poorly simulate the radiating wave response to midlatitude heating. Forward differencing always exaggerates the magnitude of the radiating response. For a realistic heating height scale and for a reasonable mesh size this exaggeration is on the order of 50 percent. Central differencing of the lower boundary condition gives an error of only about 3 percent.

Jacqmin, D.↗

Quality Evaluation By Acousto-Ultrasonic Testing Of Composites

Promising nondestructive-testing method based on ultrasonic simulation of stress waves. Report reviews acousto-ultrasonic technology for nondestructive testing. Discusses principles, suggests advanced signal-analysis schemes for development, and presents potential applications. Acousto-ultrasonics applied principally to assess defects in laminated and filament-wound fiber-reinforced composite materials. Technique used to determine variations in such properties as tensile, shear, and flexural strengths and reductions in strength and toughness caused by defects. Also used to evaluate states of cure, porosities, orientation of fibers, volume fractions of fibers, bonding between fibers and matrices, and qualities of interlaminar bonds.

Vary, Alex↗

Large velocity shears and associated electrostatic waves and turbulence in the auroral F region

Broadband electrostatic waves at 10-1000 Hz have been observed with very large shears in the plasma flow velocity transverse to the ambient magnetic field in the auroral F region. The shears were detected through their perpendicular electric field signatures, which changed by as much as 200 mV/m over distances of only a few hundred meters. Transverse shears can be uniquely related to field-aligned currents through the current continuity equation, and the resulting field-aligned drift exceeds the threshold for excitation of current-driven electrostatic ion-cyclotron waves. A numerical simulation of this instability has been used to generate electric-field spectra in the rocket frame of reference, and these spectra are similar to the spectra generated form the actual rocket data.

Earle, G. D.↗

Matrix-based, finite-difference algorithms for computational acoustics

A compact numerical algorithm is introduced for simulating multidimensional acoustic waves. The algorithm is expressed in terms of a set of matrix coefficients on a three-point spatial grid that approximates the acoustic wave equation with a discretization error of O(h exp 5). The method is based on tracking a local phase variable and its implementation suggests a convenient coordinate splitting along with natural intermediate boundary conditions. Results are presented for oblique plane waves and compared with other procedures. Preliminary computations of acoustic diffraction are also considered.

Davis, Sanford↗