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At least 469 records · Page 26

Elastic-plastic deformation of molybdenum single crystals shocked along [100]

To understand the elastic-plastic deformation response of shock-compressed molybdenum (Mo) – a body-centered cubic (BCC) metal, single crystal samples were shocked along the [100] crystallographic orientation to an elastic impact stress of 12.5 GPa. Elastic-plastic wave profiles, measured at different propagation distances ranging between ~0.23 to 2.31 mm using laser interferometry, showed a time-dependent material response. Within experimental scatter, the measured elastic wave amplitudes were nearly constant over the propagation distances examined. These data point to a large and rapid elastic wave attenuation near the impact surface, before reaching a threshold value (elastic limit) of ~3.6 GPa. Numerical simulations of the measured wave profiles, performed using a dislocation-based continuum model, suggested that {110}<111> and/or {112}<111> slip systems are operative under shock loading. In contrast to shocked metal single crystals with close-packed structures, the measured wave profiles in Mo single crystals could not be explained in terms of dislocation multiplication alone. A dislocation generation mechanism, operative for shear stresses larger than that at the elastic limit, was required to model the rapid elastic wave attenuation and to provide a good overall match to the measured wave profiles. However, the physical basis for this mechanism was not established for the high-purity single crystal samples used in this study. As a result, the numerical simulations also suggested that Mo single crystals do not work harden significantly under shock loading in contrast to the behavior observed under quasi-static loading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synchrotron Spectrum of Fast Cooling Electrons in GRBs

We discuss the synchrotron emission of fast cooling electrons in shocks. The fast cooling electrons behind the shocks can generate a position-dependent inhomogeneous electron distribution if they do not have enough time to mix homogeneously. This can lead to a very different synchrotron spectrum in low-frequency bands from that in the homogeneous case, due to the synchrotron absorption. In this paper, we calculate the synchrotron spectrum in the inhomogeneous case in a gamma-ray burst (GRB). Both the forward shock and the reverse shock are considered. We find that for the reverse shock dominated case, we would expect a “reverse shock bump” in the low-frequency spectrum. The spectral bump is due to the combination of synchrotron absorption in both the forward and reverse shock regions. In the low frequencies the forward shock spectrum has two unconventional segments, with spectral slopes of ≲1 and 11/8. The slope of 11/8 has been found by some authors, while the slope of ≲1 is new and due to the approximately constant electron temperature in the optically thick region. In the future, simultaneous observations in multiple bands (especially in the low-frequency bands) in the GRB early afterglow or prompt emission phases will possibly reveal these spectral characteristics and enable us to identify the reverse shock component and distinguish between the forward and reverse shock emissions. This also may be a method with which to diagnose the electron distribution status (homogeneous or inhomogeneous) after fast cooling in the relativistic shock region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Experimental evidence of early-time saturation of the ion-Weibel instability in counterstreaming plasmas of CH, Al, and Cu

The collisionless ion-Weibel instability is a leading candidate mechanism for the formation of collisionless shocks in many astrophysical systems, where the typical distance between particle collisions is much larger than the system size. Multiple laboratory experiments aimed at studying this process utilize laser-driven (I≳10 15 W/cm 2 ), counterstreaming plasma flows (V≲ 2000 km/s) to create conditions unstable to Weibel-filamentation and growth. This technique intrinsically produces temporally varying plasma conditions at the midplane of the interaction where Weibel-driven B fields are generated and studied. Experiments discussed herein demonstrate robust formation of Weibel-driven B fields under multiple plasma conditions using CH, Al, and Cu plasmas. Linear theory based on benchmarked radiation-hydrodynamic FLASH calculations is compared with Fourier analyses of proton images taken ~5–6 linear growth times into the evolution. Our new analyses presented here indicate that the low-density, high-velocity plasma-conditions present during the first linear-growth time (~300–500 ps) sets the spectral characteristics of Weibel filaments during the entire evolution. It is shown that the dominant wavelength (~300 μm) at saturation persists well into the nonlinear phase, consistent with theory under these experimental conditions. However, estimates of B-field strength, while difficult to determine accurately due to the path-integrated nature of proton imaging, are shown to be in the ~10–30 T range, an order of magnitude above the expected saturation limit in homogenous plamas but consistent with enhanced B fields in the midplane due to temporally varying plasma conditions in experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A steady and oscillatory kernel function method for interfering surfaces in subsonic, transonic and supersonic flow

The theory, results and user instructions for an aerodynamic computer program are presented. The theory is based on linear lifting surface theory, and the method is the kernel function. The program is applicable to multiple interfering surfaces which may be coplanar or noncoplanar. Local linearization was used to treat nonuniform flow problems without shocks. For cases with imbedded shocks, the appropriate boundary conditions were added to account for the flow discontinuities. The data describing nonuniform flow fields must be input from some other source such as an experiment or a finite difference solution. The results are in the form of small linear perturbations about nonlinear flow fields. The method was applied to a wide variety of problems for which it is demonstrated to be significantly superior to the uniform flow method. Program user instructions are given for easy access.

Cunningham, A. M., Jr.↗

Impact mineralogy and chemistry of the cretaceous-tertiary boundary at DSDP site 576

We have identified the K/T boundary in pelagic clay sediments from cores at DSDP Site 576 in the western North Pacific. Detailed geochemical and trace mineralogical analyses of this boundary section are in progress and initial results indicate similarities and differences relative to the only other clay core investigated in detail; DSDP Site 596, a locality in the western South Pacific. Peak Ir concentrations of 13 ng/g in DSDP Hole 576B are virtually identical with those observed in the South Pacific, but in the North Pacific this peak is much narrower and the integrated Ir fluence of 85 ng cm(exp -2) is 4 times lower (320 in Hole 596). Of the 34 elements measured, only Ir and Cr were found to have anomalous concentrations in K/T boundary samples. Trace mineral residues were obtained by washing away clays and sequential chemical leaches (including HF) to remove typical hydrogenous and biogenous sediment components (e.g., zeolites and radiolarian opal). We attempted to quantitatively recover the entire trace mineral assemblage for grains greater than 30 micrometers in diameter. Our mineral residues were dominated by two phases: quartz and magnesioferrite spinel. Other non-opaque mineral grains we have positively identified were trace K-feldspar, plagioclase, corundum, and muscovite. Of these only K-feldspar exhibited planar deformation features (PDF). We have not found abundant plagioclase, as in the South Pacific suggesting that this phase was either not preserved in the North Pacific, or that in the south, it has a non-impact (i.e., volcanic) source. PDF in quartz were commonly obscured by secondary overgrowths on the surfaces of quartz grains, presumably from diagenetic reprecipitation of silica dissolved from opaline radiolarian tests that are common in these sediments. However, careful examination revealed that most grains had multiple sets of PDF. Of the 133 quartz grains greater than 30 micrometers analyzed, 62 percent showed evidence of shock. The largest shocked grain recovered to date had a maximum diameter of 160 micrometers, consistent with other sites in the Pacific.

Bostwick, Jennifer A.↗

Magnetic Reconnection Inside Solar Wind Rotational Discontinuity During Its Interaction With the Quasi-Perpendicular Bow Shock and Magnetosheath

Here, using a three-dimensional global hybrid simulation, we investigate the formation and evolution of ion-scale magnetic reconnection inside an interplanetary rotational discontinuity (RD) owing to its interaction with the quasi-perpendicular (Q-⟂) bow shock and the magnetosphere. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is initially predominantly northward, while it changes to purely southward across the RD. A significantly thinned RD current layer with a width ~ ion skin depth and normal magnetic field B n ≈0 is formed by a shock compression process as the RD interacts with the Q-⟂ shock. Magnetic reconnection thereupon takes place inside the thin RD current layer, where Hall magnetic and electric fields, reconnection electric field, and high-speed ion outflow jets are identified. Simultaneously, flux ropes form with an extension of a few ion inertial lengths. As the RD is transmitted into the magnetosheath, multiple reconnection sites lead to the formation of longer flux ropes. Moreover, magnetosheath reconnection is also found at new reconnection sites inside the RD. No reconnection is found in the Q-⟂ shock alone outside the RD. The flux ropes propagate poleward and tailward in the magnetosheath. In addition, magnetopause reconnection takes place under the southward IMF on the sunward side of the RD after the RD passes through the magnetopause.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Comparison of Separation Shock for Explosive and Nonexplosive Release Actuators on a Small Spacecraft Panel

Functional shock, safety, overall system costs, and emergence of new technologies, have raised concerns regarding continued use of pyrotechnics on spacecraft. NASA Headquarters-Office of Chief Engineer requested Langley Research Center (LaRC) study pyrotechnic alternatives using non-explosive actuators (NEA's), and LARC participated with Lockheed Martin Missile and Space Co. (LMMSC)-Sunnyvale, CA in objectively evaluating applicability of some NEA mechanisms to reduce small spacecraft and booster separation event shock. Comparative tests were conducted on a structural simulator using five different separation nut mechanisms, consisting of three pyrotechnics from OEA-Aerospace and Hi-Shear Technology and two NEA's from G&H Technology and Lockheed Martin Astronautics (LMA)-Denver, CO. Multiple actuations were performed with preloads up to 7000 pounds, 7000 being the comparison standard. All devices except LMA's NEA rotary flywheel-nut concept were available units with no added provisions to attenuate shock. Accelerometer measurements were recorded, reviewed, processed into Shock Response Spectra (SRS), and comparisons performed. For the standard preload, pyrotechnics produced the most severe and the G&H NEA the least severe functional shock levels. Comparing all results, the LMA concept produced the lowest levels, with preload limited to approximately 4200 pounds. Testing this concept over a range of 3000 to 4200 pounds indicated no effect of preload on shock response levels. This report presents data from these tests and the comparative results.

Lucy, M. H.↗

Numerical Analysis of Fatigue Behavior of ITER-Like Monoblock Divertor Interlayer Under Coupled Heat Loads

High-confinement mode is a very prominent operation style for future fusion device due to its unique advantages. However, the conjuncted edge localized modes (ELMs) are very difficult to control so that divertor plates are very prone to suffer both stationary high heat flux (HHF) loads of long-pulse operating mode and transient shock loads of ELMs. Most previous researches focus on degradation of plasma facing material (PFM), however, as a layer joining PFM and cooling tube, the soft copper interlayer suffers concentrated thermal stress loads due to mismatched thermal expansion of PFM and cooling tube. Its thermal fatigue behavior under such coupled loads is also of great significance to structural safety of divertor component. With such a motivation, the reduction effects on fatigue life time of a typical interlayer of monoblock divertor under series of coupled HHF and ELMs shock loading conditions are investigated. It is found that: (1) The transient shock feature of ELMs loading is propagated into interlayer with less sharp pattern. The increase of damage induced by coupled ELMs loading is limited in single cycle, while the accumulated damage of multiple consecutive coupled loading cycles is increased nonlinearly. (2) Under the coupled HHF and ELMs loading, the fatigue life time of interlayer is generally decreasing. The magnitude of decrease is increasing nonlinearly with the magnitude of ELMs peak and averaged heat flux. (3) For three characteristic parameters of ELMs shock loading such as frequency, duration and peak heat flux, the peak heat flux and frequency are two parameters more sensitive to determine coupled reduction effects on fatigue lifetime of the interlayer, while for high frequency case, time averaged heat flux takes the lead.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Shock-driven three-fluid mixing with various chevron interface configurations

When a shock wave crosses a density interface, the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability causes perturbations to grow. Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities arise from the deposition of vorticity from the misaligned density and pressure gradients at the shock front. In many engineering applications, microscopic surface roughness will grow into multi-mode perturbations, inducing mixing between the fluid on either side of an initial interface. Applications often have multiple interfaces, some of which are close enough to interact in the later stages of instability growth. In this study, we numerically investigate the mixing of a three-layer system with periodic zigzag (or chevron) interfaces, calculating the dependence of the width and mass of mixed material on properties such as the shock timing, chevron amplitude, multi-mode perturbation spectrum, density ratio, and shock mach number. The multi-mode case is also compared with a single-mode perturbation. The Flash hydrodynamic code is used to solve the Euler equations in three dimensions with adaptive grid refinement. Key results include a significant increase in mixed mass when changing from a single-mode to a multi-mode perturbation on one of the interfaces. The mixed width is mainly sensitive to the density ratio and chevron amplitude, whereas the mixed mass also depends on the multi-mode spectrum. In conclusion, steeper initial perturbation spectra have lower mixed mass at early times but a greater mixed mass after the reflected shock transits back across the layer.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Converging Shock Flows for a Mie-Grüneisen Equation of State

Previous work has shown that the one-dimensional (1D) inviscid compressible flow (Euler) equations admit a wide variety of scale-invariant solutions (including the famous Noh, Sedov, and Guderley shock solutions) when the included equation of state (EOS) closure model assumes a certain scale-invariant form. However, this scale-invariant EOS class does not include even simple models used for shock compression of crystalline solids, including many broadly applicable representations of Mie-Grüneisen EOS. Intuitively, this incompatibility naturally arises from the presence of multiple dimensional scales in the Mie-Grüneisen EOS, which are otherwise absent from scale-invariant models that feature only dimensionless parameters (such as the adiabatic index in the ideal gas EOS). The current work extends previous efforts intended to rectify this inconsistency, by using a scale-invariant EOS model to approximate a Mie-Grüneisen EOS form. To this end, the adiabatic bulk modulus for the Mie-Grüneisen EOS is constructed, and its key features are used to motivate the selection of a scale-invariant approximation form. Here, the remaining surrogate model parameters are selected through enforcement of the Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions for an infinitely strong shock in a Mie-Grüneisen material. Finally, the approximate EOS is used in conjunction with the 1D inviscid Euler equations to calculate a semi-analytical Guderley-like imploding shock solution in a metal sphere and to determine if and when the solution may be valid for the underlying Mie-Grüneisen EOS.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Printed Spacecraft Separation System

In this project Planetary Systems Corporation proposed utilizing additive manufacturing (3D printing) to manufacture a titanium spacecraft separation system for commercial and US government customers to realize a 90% reduction in the cost and energy. These savings were demonstrated via “printing-in” many of the parts and sub-assemblies into one part, thus greatly reducing the labor associated with design, procurement, assembly and calibration of mechanisms. Planetary Systems Corporation redesigned several of the components of the separation system based on additive manufacturing principles including geometric flexibility and the ability to fabricate complex designs, ability to combine multiple parts of an assembly into a single component, and the ability to optimize design for specific mechanical property targets. Shock absorption was specifically targeted and requirements were established to attenuate damage to the Lightband system from shock of initiation. Planetary Systems Corporation redesigned components based on these requirements and sent the designs to Oak Ridge National Laboratory to be printed. ORNL printed the parts using the Arcam electron beam melting technology based on the desire for the parts to be fabricated from Ti-6Al-4V based on the weight and mechanical performance of the material. A second set of components was fabricated from stainless steel material on the Renishaw laser powder bed technology due to the improved geometric accuracy, surface finish, and wear resistance of the material. Planetary Systems Corporation evaluated these components and determined that 3D printing is potentially a viable method for achieving significant cost and savings metrics.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Fully implicit shock tracking

A tracking method for solving hyperbolic free boundary problems arising in fluid dynamics is presented. The principal feature of the new approach is that the implicit form is used to simultaneously treat both interior points and boundary conditions. In particular, the location of the free boundary (shock) surface is treated implicitly and coupled with all other unknowns. The method is presented in the context of unsteady one-dimensional flow in a variable area duct with an internal shock wave. The fully implicit method and other strategies for advancing the shock are compared for computing a steady solution via a time asymptotic approach. Issues regarding extension of the method to multiple dimensions are also discussed.

Bell, J. B.↗

Multiple-grid acceleration of Lax-Wendroff algorithms

A technique for accelerating the convergence of a one-step Lax-Wendroff method to a steady-state solution is discussed and its applicability extended to the more general class of two-step Lax-Wendroff methods. Several two-step methods which lead to quite efficient multiple grid algorithms are discussed. Computational results are presented using the full two dimensional Euler equations for both subcritical and shocked supercritical flows. Extensions and generalizations are mentioned.

Johnson, G. M.↗

Particle acceleration in solar flares

The most direct signatures of particle acceleration in flares are energetic particles detected in interplanetary space and in the Earth atmosphere, and gamma rays, neutrons, hard X-rays, and radio emissions produced by the energetic particles in the solar atmosphere. The stochastic and shock acceleration theories in flares are reviewed and the implications of observations on particle energy spectra, particle confinement and escape, multiple acceleration phases, particle anistropies, and solar atmospheric abundances are discussed.

Ramaty, R.↗

Alkali element constraints on Earth-Moon relations

Given their range of volatilities, alkali elements are potential tracers of temperature-dependent processes during planetary accretion and formation of the Earth-Moon system. Under the giant impact hypothesis, no direct connection between the composition of the Moon and the Earth is required, and proto-lunar material does not necessarily experience high temperatures. Models calling for multiple collisions with smaller planetesimals derive proto-lunar materials mainly from the Earth's mantle and explicitly invoke vaporization, shock melting and volatility-related fractionation. Na/K, K/Rb, and Rb/Cs should all increase in response to thermal volatization, so theories which derive the Moon substantially from Earth's mantle predict these ratios will be higher in the Moon than in the primitive mantle of the Earth. Despite the overall depletion of volatile elements in the Moon, its Na/K and K/Rb are equal to or less than those of Earth. A new model presented here for the composition of Earth's continental crust, a major repository of the alkali elements, suggests the Rb/Cs of the Moon is also less than that of Earth. Fractionation of the alkali elements between Earth and Moon are in the opposite sense to predictions based on the relative volatilities of these elements, if the Moon formed by high-T processing of Earth's mantle. Earth, rather than the Moon, appears to carry a signature of volatility-related fractionation in the alkali elements. This may reflect an early episode of intense heating on Earth with the Moon's alkali budget accreting from cooler material.

Norman, M. D.↗

A Petrographic History of Martian Meteorite ALH84001: Two Shocks and an Ancient Age

ALH84001 is an igneous meteorite, an orthopyroxenite of martian origin. It contains petrographic evidence of two shock metamorphic events, separated by thermal and chemical events. The evidence for two shock events suggests that ALH84001 is ancient and perhaps a sample of the martian highlands. From petrography and mineral chemistry, the history of ALH84001 must include: crystallization from magma, a first shock (impact) metamorphism, thermal metamorphism, low-temperature chemical alteration, and a second shock (impact) metamorphism. Originally, ALH84001 was igneous, an orthopyroxene-chromite cumulate. In the first shock event, the igneous rock was cut by melt-breccia or cataclastic veinlets, now bands of equigranular fine-grained pyroxene and other minerals (crush zones). Intact fragments of the cumulate were fractured and strained (now converted to polygonized zones). The subsequent thermal metamorphism (possibly related to the first shock) annealed the melt-breccia or cataclastic veinlets to their present granoblastic texture and permitted chemical homogenization of all mineral species present. The temperature of metamorphism was at least 875 C, based on mineral thermometers. Next, Mg-Fe-Ca carbonates and pyrite replaced plagioclase in both clasts and granular bands, producing ellipsoidal carbonate globules with sub-micron scale compositional stratigraphy, repeated identically in all globules, The second shock event produced microfault offsets of carbonate stratigraphy and other mineral contacts, radial fractures around chromite and maskelynite, and strain birefringence in pyroxene. Maskelynite could not have been preserved from the first shock event, because it would have crystallized back to plagioclase. The martian source area for ALH84001 must permit this complex, multiple impact history. Very few craters on young igneous surfaces are on or near earlier impact features. It is more likely that ALH84001 was ejected from an old igneous unit (Hesperian or Noachian age), pocked by numerous impact craters over its long exposure at the martian surface.

Treiman, Allan H.↗

Numerical Simulation of Inlet Bleed with Circular Holes on Plate Under Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions

A numerical study was performed to investigate the shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions on a flat plate with bleed through one or more circular holes that vent into a plenum. The bleed-hole patterns considered for the study include in-line multiple holes and staggered multiple-row holes that are configured to simulate the patterns used in inlet bleed systems of high performance aircraft. The focus of the study was to examine how the bleed through multiple holes affect bleed rate and the pressure and Mach number distributions. Since the bleed performance was found sensitive to the change in bleed conditions, a computational procedure was developed to give a good turnaround computational time for parametric studies involving changes in bleed hole geometry and the structure of shock-wave/boundary-layer flowfield. The procedure includes the grid-generation methodology and the flow simulation with solutions from the Navier-Stokes equations. The computational techniques permit analysis of complex bleed systems and make possible the investigation of a broader range of design variables associated with inlet bleed operation.

Chyu, Wei J.↗