Internal measurements of plasma rotation in an MPD arc.
Plasma rotation in MPD arc measured for electric and magnetic field distribution and current and electron density distribution
ROTATING PLASMA↗
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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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Nighttime cooling of the protonosphere.
Protonosphere nighttime cooling, calculating time dependent electron temperature and density profiles along geomagnetic field lines and electron and energy fluxes
Bauer, P.↗
Plasma model for thermal X-ray sources
Thermal X ray sources associated with rotating collapsed stars with surrounding plasma shells, discussing plasma density profile and electron distribution in stellar magnetosphere
Coppi, B.↗
On the effect of departures from spherical symmetry upon the bistatic-radar occultation experiment.
The dependence of residual phase shifts upon the angle of inclination of the orbit for a model Martian atmosphere is examined. It is found that departures from spherical symmetry in the electron number density profiles result in changes of as much as an order of magnitude in the phase shifts of radio waves passing through the atmosphere and ionosphere of the model. These results confirm the earlier findings of Pirraglia and Gross (1970).
Mccormick, P. T.↗
Effects of nonequilibrium ablation chemistry on Viking radio blackout.
The length of the entry blackout period during descent of the Viking Lander into the Mars atmosphere is predicted from calculated profiles of electron density in the shock layer over the aeroshell. Nonequilibrium chemistry plays a key role in the calculation, both in the inviscid flow and in the boundary layer. This is especially true in the boundary layer contaminated with ablation material, for which nonequilibrium chemistry predicts electron densities two decades lower than the same case calculated with equilibrium chemistry.
Evans, J. S.↗
Thermal proton flow in the plasmasphere - The morning sector
Vertical profiles of electron density obtained in the vicinity of the plasmapause using the Alouette-2 topside sounder have been analyzed to assess the presence of H(+) flow in the topside ionosphere. The observations in the midnight sector show clearly the presence of the plasmapause - i.e., there is a sharp boundary separating the poleward regions of polar wind H(+) flow and the more gentle conditions of the plasmasphere where light ions are present in abundance. In contrast, in the sunlit morning sector upward H(+) flow is deduced to be present to invariant latitudes as low as 48 deg (L = 2.2) in the regions normally known to be well inside the plasmasphere. The upward H(+) flux is so large 300,000,00 ions per sq cm per sec that the plasmapause cannot be seen in the latitudinal electron density contours of the topside ionosphere.
Banks, P. M.↗
The SAR arc event observed during the December 1971 magnetic storm
Observations from five separate experiments on the Isis 2 spacecraft are used to study the atmosphere/ionosphere during the magnetic storm of December 16-20, 1971. The data are most complete in the midlatitude region, permitting a study of the SAR arc (subauroral red arc) which developed during the night of December 17-18. Ion composition and temperature, electron temperature, electron-density height profiles from the spacecraft to the F region, and the intensity of the 6300-A oxygen emission are all presented for the region of interest. It is found that the H(+) concentration had sharp gradients near the SAR arc and that the plasma temperature was significantly enhanced over typical nighttime values, reaching nearly 7000 K at 1400 km on the field line which intersected the arc. A system of time-dependent equations for atmospheric/ionospheric composition and temperature is solved using boundary conditions which were selected so that the solutions are in agreement with the observations. From these solutions, an assessment is made of the influence of (1) the efflux of plasma from the ionosphere to the magnetosphere, (2) the decrease in O/N2 at the turbopause, (3) the increase in the loss coefficient as a result of an increase in the vibrational temperature of N2, and (4) the conduction of thermal energy into the ionosphere.
Maier, E. J.↗
ATS-6 satellite radio beacon measurements at Ootacamund, India
ATS-6 radio beacon measurements of modulation phase and Faraday rotation made at Ootacamund, India in 1975-1976 are discussed with emphasis on the measurement and analysis errors. The modulation-phase errors are insensitive to the geomagnetic field and provide an accurate determination of the total columnar electron content. Comparison of modulation-phase measurements at different frequencies shows a minor sensitivity to the ATS-6 pitch angle. For the low geomagnetic latitude and nearly transverse propagation conditions of Ootacamund, the use of a fixed conversion coefficient gives an unreliable Faraday content. However, the Faraday rotation measurements may be used to determine the shape factor F, which provides information about the electron density height profile.
Davies, K.↗
Ionospheric plasma bubble encounters or F region bottomside traversals?
Data from in situ Atmospheric Explorer (AE) measurements and ground-based ionosonde measurements of the ion composition and concentration in the equatorial plasma bubbles are analyzed. The ionosonde produced data on the bottomside electron density (NE) profiles and aided in ascertaining the satellite measurements as being in the topside or bottomside of the F layer. The AE data were taken during low latitude evening conditions at various altitudes, and revealed ion compositions consistent with plasma bubbles originating at the altitude of the steep F region bottomside ionization gradient. The lifetimes of NO ions were observed to be short even if the ions were dominant in the regions where the bubbles form. Vertical distortions of tens of kilometers in the equatorial F region occurred in the unstable postsunset period to the extent that the bubble formation area and the bottomside plasma region became virtually indistinguishable.
Benson, R. F.↗
Winter Anomaly of the Lower Ionosphere and Its Possible Causes
It is a well-known fact that in winter the midlatitude lower ionosphere differs considerably from that in summer. Attempts to explain the possible causes of the winter anomaly in the lower ionosphere were made. Integrated ground-based and rocket experiments were performed in the USSR. The rockets M-100B launched in Volgograd (psi = 48.7 deg N; lambda = 44.3 deg E; psi = 43.1 deg) provided weight profiles of electron density, wind and temperature. Radio wave absorption data obtained by a I method in Volgograd and F sub min parameters values obtained at a number of Soviet ionosone stations were used to determine the situation in the lower ionosphere. It was found that a correct interpretation of the midlatitude winter radio wave absorption changes is possible only if the whole spatial-time pattern of the event is taken into account.
Rapoport, Z. T.↗
The atmosphere of Saturn - An analysis of the Voyager radio occultation measurements
The Voyager 1 and 2 probes' radio links were used to study both the northern and southern latitudes of Saturn during occultation by that planet, yielding electron number density profiles for the ionosphere, and gas refractivity, number density, pressure, temperature, and ammonia abundance data for the troposphere and stratosphere. From the vertical pressure profiles obtained at different latitudes, it is possible to determine the size and shape of Saturn's isobaric surfaces.
Lindal, G. F.↗
Solar-cycle changes in the thermal structure of the Venus dayside ionosphere
Vertical profiles of electron density in the dayside ionosphere of Venus, measured by the Pioneer Venus radio occultation experiment, averaged in bins of solar zenith angle, have been used to examine the behavior of the ionospheric thermal structure with the solar cycle. It was found that the plasma scale height decreased by a factor ranging from 1.5 at 190 km to about 3.0 at 300 km altitude as the solar input went from maximum to minimum. If the assumption of diffusive equilibrium holds above h = 180 km for both the times of solar maximum and solar minimum, similar decreases in the plasma temperature and, consequently, the electron and ion temperatures, are inferred. If, however, diffusive equilibrium conditions do not apply at the time of solar activity minimum, perhaps due to the effects of enhanced solar wind interaction, no information on the plasma temperatures is contained in the data on the topside electron density structure.
Kliore, Arvydas J.↗
Plasma contactor research, 1990
Emissive and Langmuir probes were used to measure plasma potential profiles, plasma densities, electron energy distributions, and plasma noise levels near a hollow cathode-based plasma contactor emitting electrons. The effects of electron emission current (100 to 1500 mA) and contactor flowrate (2 to 10 sccm (Xenon)) on these data are examined. Retarding potential analyzer (RPA) measurements showing that high energy ions generally stream from a contactor along with the electrons being emitted are also presented, and a mechanism by which this occurs is postulated. This mechanism, which involves a high rate of ionization induced between electrons and atoms flowing together from the hollow cathode orifice, results in a region of high positive space charge and high positive potential. Langmuir and RPA probe data suggests that both electrons and ions expand spherically from this potential hill region. In addition to experimental observations, a simple one-dimensional model which describes the electron emission process and predicts the phenomena just mentioned is presented and is shown to agree qualitatively with these observations. Experimental results of the first stage of bilateral cooperation with the Italian Institute of Interplanetary Space Physics (IFSI CNR) are presented. Sharp, well-defined double layers were observed downstream of a contactor collecting electrons from an ambient plasma created in the IFSI Facility. The voltage drop across these double layers was observed to increase with the current drawn from the ambient plasma. This observation, which was not as clear in previous IFSI tests conducted at higher neutral pressures, is in agreement with previous experimental observations made at both Colorado State University and NASA Lewis Research Center. Greater double layer voltage drops, multiple double layers, and higher noise levels in the region near the double layers were also observed when a magnetic field was imposed and oriented perpendicular to the line joining the contactor and simulator.
Williams, John D.↗
Focal-Plane Arrays of Quantum-Dot Infrared Photodetectors
Focal-plane arrays of semiconductor quantum-dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) are being developed as superior alternatives to prior infrared imagers, including imagers based on HgCdTe devices and, especially, those based on quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs). HgCdTe devices and arrays thereof are difficult to fabricate and operate, and they exhibit large nonunformities and high 1/f (where f signifies frequency) noise. QWIPs are easier to fabricate and operate, can be made nearly uniform, and exhibit lower 1/f noise, but they exhibit larger dark currents, and their quantization only along the growth direction prevents them from absorbing photons at normal incidence, thereby limiting their quantum efficiencies. Like QWIPs, QDIPs offer the advantages of greater ease of operation, greater uniformity, and lower 1/f noise, but without the disadvantages: QDIPs exhibit lower dark currents, and quantum efficiencies of QDIPs are greater because the three-dimensional quantization of QDIPs is favorable to the absorption of photons at normal or oblique incidence. Moreover, QDIPs can be operated at higher temperatures (around 200 K) than are required for operation of QWIPs. The main problem in the development of QDIP imagers is to fabricate quantum dots with the requisite uniformity of size and spacing. A promising approach to be tested soon involves the use of electron-beam lithography to define the locations and sizes of quantum dots. A photoresist-covered GaAs substrate would be exposed to the beam generated by an advanced, high-precision electron beam apparatus. The exposure pattern would consist of spots typically having a diameter of 4 nm and typically spaced 20 nm apart. The exposed photoresist would be developed by either a high-contrast or a low-contrast method. In the high-contrast method, the spots would be etched in such a way as to form steep-wall holes all the way down to the substrate. The holes would be wider than the electron beam spots perhaps as wide as 15 to 20 nm, but may be sufficient to control the growth of the quantum dots. In the low-contrast method, the resist would be etched in such a way as to form dimples, the shapes of which would mimic the electron-beam density profile. Then by use of a transfer etching process that etches the substrate faster than it etches the resist, either the pattern of holes or a pattern comprising the narrow, lowest portions of the dimples would be imparted to the substrate. Having been thus patterned, the substrate would be cleaned. The resulting holes or dimples in the substrate would serve as nucleation sites for the growth of quantum dots of controlled size in the following steps. The substrate would be cleaned, then placed in a molecular-beam-epitaxy (MBE) chamber, where native oxide would be thermally desorbed and the quantum dots would be grown.
Gunapala, Sarath↗
A summary of blunt probe theory and experimental results.
Day- and nighttime electron and ion density profiles in lower ionosphere deduced from blunt probe theory and measurements
NIGHT IONOSPHERE↗
A post-Pioneer Venus reassessment of the Martian dayside ionosphere as observed by radio occultation methods
Global characteristics of the dayside ionosphere of Mars were investigated by reanalyzing the electron-density dayside altitude profiles obtained by Mariners 4, 6, 7, and 9 and the Viking 1 and 2. The properties of both the electron density peaks and the topside profiles with the behavior expected for a Chapman layer in the Mars ionosphere were compared with those observed at Venus with the Pioneer Venus. The results yield an improved picture of the solar zenith angle dependences of both the peaks and the scale heights of the ionosphere of Mars, and their comparison with Venus at solar minimum. It is shown that, under similar conditions where the incident solar wind dynamic pressure exceeds the peak ionospheric thermal pressure, the Martian dayside ionosphere peaks at higher altitudes in the flanks and has a greater scale height. Thus, Martian and Venusian ionospheres would present different obstacles to solar wind.
Zhang, M. H. G.↗
Radar Sounding of Mars: A Focus on MARSIS
Radar has the unique capability of looking under the dry and cold surfaces of Mars. The depth of penetration of radio waves depends on a number of surface and subsurface parameters such as surface topography, subsurface geological structure, and surface and subsurface electromagnetic properties. Among these parameters, the surface topography is known best largely due to valuable data provided by Mars Global Surveyor's MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter) instrument. However, little information is available on the electromagnetic properties and subsurface characteristics of Mars. In addition to dispersion, the ionosphere will also attenuate the radio wave. The level of attenuation depends on the ionosphere's electron density and its profile shape and the electron-neutral collision frequency. Fortunately, information from past missions can provide some information on the expected level of attenuation. A figure shows expected total radio wave attenuation under three different ionospheric conditions. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
Safaeinili, A.↗
Photochemistry of Triton's Atmosphere and Ionosphere
The photochemistry of 32 neutral and 21 ion species in Triton's atmosphere is considered. Parent species N2, CH4, and CO (with a mixing ratio of 3 x 10(exp -4) in our basic model) sublime from the ice with rates of 40, 208, and 0.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Chemistry below 50 km is driven mostly by photolysis of methane by the solar and interstellar medium Lyman-alpha photons, producing hydrocarbons C2H4, C2H6, and C2H2 which form haze particles with precipitation rates of 135, 28, and 1.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Some processes are discussed which increase the production of HCN (by an order of magnitude to a value of 29 g/sq cm/b.y.) and involve indirect photolysis of N2 by neutrals. Reanalysis of the measured methane profiles gives an eddy diffusion coefficient K = 4 x 10(exp 3)sq cm/s above the tropopause and a more accurate methane number density near the surface, (3.1 +/- 0.8)x IO(exp 11)/cu cm. Chemistry above 200 km is driven by the solar EUV radiation (lambda less than 1000 A) and by precipitation of magnetospheric electrons with a total energy input of 10(exp 8) W (based on thermal balance calculations). The most abundant photochemical species are N, H2, H, 0, and C. They escape with the total rates of 7.7 x 10(exp 24)/ s, 4.5 x 10(exp 25)/s, 2.4 x 10(exp 25)/s, 4.4 x 10(exp 22)/s, and 1.1 x 10(exp 24), respectively. Atomic species are transported to a region of 50-200 km and drive the chemistry there. Ionospheric chemistry explains the formation of an E region at 150-240 km with HCO(+) as a major ion, and of an F region above 240 km with a peak at 320 km and C(+) as a major ion. The ionosphere above 500 km consists of almost equal densities of C(+) and N(+) ions. The model profiles agree with the measured atomic nitrogen and electron density profiles. A number of other models with varying rate coefficients of some reactions, differing properties of the haze particles (chemically passive or active), etc., were developed. These models show that there are four basic unknown values which have strong impacts on the composition and structure of the atmosphere and ionosphere. These values and their plausible ranges are the CO mixing ratio f(sub co) = 10(exp -4) - 10(exp -3), the magnetospheric electron energy input (1 +/- 0.5) x 10(exp 8) W, the rate coefficient of charge-exchange reaction N2(+) + C(kappa) = 10(exp -11) - 10(exp -10)cu cm/s, and the ion escape velocity upsilon(sub i) approx. equals 150 cm/s.
Krasnopolsky, Vladimir A.↗