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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Kilometric radio waves generated along auroral field lines observed by ground facilities - A theoretical model

A theory of generation of radio waves observed by ground-based facilities in the frequency range 150-700 kHz is discussed. This work is a continuation of an earlier discussion (Wu et al., 1989) in which it was proposed that the trapped electrons along the auroral field lines can lead to a cyclotron instability which amplifies the whistler waves observed at ground level. The objective of the present study is to investigate the propagation effect on the wave amplification and to examine whether the proposed mechanism is indeed viable.

Ziebell, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A model for the noise radiated by turbulent boundary layers and its interaction with laminar layers in supersonic flow

Motivated by the noise-boundary layer transition problem in supersonic flow, the interaction between incoming aerodynamic noise and the laminar boundary layer has been studied. The noise field has been modeled as a Mach wave radiation field consisting of discrete waves emanating from coherent turbulent entities moving downstream within the supersonic turbulent boundary layer. The individual disturbances are likened to miniature sonic booms and the laminar boundary layer is strafed by the waves as the sources move downstream. The mean, autocorrelation, and power spectral density of the field are expressed in terms of the wave shapes and their average arrival rates. The emphasis in the interaction analysis is on the behavior of the shocklets in the noise field. The shocklets are shown to be focused by the laminar boundary layer in its outer region. Borrowing wave-propagation terminology, this region is termed the caustic region. Using scaling laws from sonic boom work, focus factors at the caustic are estimated to vary from 2 to 6 for incoming shocklet strengths of 1 to .01 percent of the free stream pressure level.

Schopper, M. R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

High Field Side Launch of Lower Hybrid Waves: A Scoping Study for ADX

Launching lower hybrid (LH) waves from the high field side (HFS) of a tokamak offers significant advantages over low field side (LFS) launch with respect to both wave physics and plasma material interactions (PMI). The higher magnetic field opens the window between wave accessibility and the condition for strong electron Landau damping, allowing LH waves from the HFS to penetrate into the core of a burning plasma, while waves launched from the LFS are restricted to the periphery of the plasma. The lower parallel refractive index (n) of waves launched from the HFS yields a higher current drive efficiency as well. The absence of turbulent heat and particle fluxes on the HFS, particularly in double null configuration, makes it the ideal location to minimize PMI damage to the antenna structure. The quiescent SOL also eliminates the need to couple LH waves across a long distance to the separatrix, as the antenna can be located close to plasma without risking damage to the structure.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1987

Beaming of Uranian kilometric radiation and implications for the planetary magnetic field

Radio waves from Uranus at 481.2 kHz detected by Voyager 2 show a strong beaming effect. When the data are analyzed according to the magnetic latitude of the observer in an offset tilted dipole field model, a sharply defined emission beam extending from 25 to 55 deg latitude is evident consistent with a source over the south magnetic pole. The lack of prominent emission from the north magnetic pole can be attributed to the large spatial offset of the magnetic dipole resulting in much lower source frequencies. For proper alignment of the beam, an advance of the dipole axis longitude by 23 deg from the standard model is required. This phase shift is interpreted as the result of higher order magnetic moments producing a skew of the field lines at low altitudes in the polar source region. This conclusion further substantiates models of the interior of Uranus which predict a complex intrinsic field with significant nondipolar contributions to the surface magnetic field.

Barbosa, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Anomalous attenuation of ultrasound in ferrofluids under the influence of a magnetic field

Ultrasonic wave propagation has been studied in a water-base ferrofluid by pulse-echo methods. A commercial box-car integrator was used to measure the change in attenuation due to an external magnetic field applied at various angles relative to the ultrasonic propagation vector. Anomalous results were obtained when the attenuation was plotted as a function of the magnetic field strength. As the field increased, the attenuation reached a maximum and then decreased to a flat minimum before it approached saturation at a field of 2 KG. This variation of attenuation with magnetic field cannot be explained from the simple picture derivable from the work of McTague on the viscosity of ferrofluids. In no case was the viscosity seen to decrease with field, nor was the oscillatory behavior observed. The results of this study were compared with the theory developed by Parsons.

Isler, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Jovian electron bursts - Correlation with the interplanetary field direction and hydromagnetic waves

The bursts of relativistic electrons detected on Pioneer 10 upstream from Jupiter and within 400 Jovian radii of the planet have been found to be correlated with the interplanetary magnetic field. In three examples, electrons with energies between 3 and 6 MeV escaping from Jupiter's magnetosphere were observed only when the interplanetary magnetic field was along the Jupiter-spacecraft line. Large-amplitude interplanetary waves with characteristic periods of 10 min were found to be well correlated with intervals during which the field was along the Jupiter-spacecraft line. Abrupt changes in the field away from the preferred direction caused equally abrupt terminations of the waves with an accompanying reduction in the electron flux. These results are consistent with propagation of the electrons from Jupiter to Pioneer along the magnetic field lines. Hydromagnetic wave generation by Jovian charged particles, presumably the relativistic electrons themselves, as they travel upstream, appears to be an attractive explanation for the origin of the waves. At the observed frequency, hydromagnetic waves are Doppler-shifted to the gyrofrequency of the relativistic electrons. A plasma instability that appears capable of explaining the observations is a cyclotron overstability that occurs when the velocity of runaway electrons exceeds the velocity of hydromagnetic waves.

Smith, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Kinetic Alfven Wave Electron Acceleration on Auroral Field Lines

Major results of the S3-3 Langmuir sweep study are published. Studies show statistics and average density and temperature variation on auroral field lines up to 8000 km altitude. Alfven wave papers were published. Our model of Alfven wave propagation on auroral field lines was successfully extended to handle varying density and magnetic field for the inertial mode. The study showed that Alfven wave can create time-dispersed electron signatures. A study was undertaken to extend Langmuir sweep I-V curves to handle the case of an kappa electron distribution as well as Maxwellian. The manuscript is in preparation. Participated in International Space Science Institute study of Alfvenic structures which resulted in a group review paper. The proposed work was to develop an extended model of Alfven wave propagation along auroral field lines to study electron acceleration. As part of this work, a major task was to characterize density and temperature along auroral field lines by using spacecraft Langmuir sweep data. The work that was completed under this funding was successful at both tasks. Three papers have been published as part of this work and a fourth manuscript is in preparation.

Kletzing, Craig A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Far field expansion for anisotropic wave equations

A necessary ingredient for the numerical simulation of many time dependent phenomena in acoustics and aerodynamics is the imposition of accurate radiation conditions at artificial boundaries. The asymptotic analysis of propagating waves provides a rational approach to the development of such conditions. A far field asymptotic expansion of solutions of anisotropic wave equations is derived. This generalizes the well known Friedlander expansion for the standard wave operator. The expansion is used to derive a hierarchy of radiation conditions of increasing accuracy. Two numerical experiments are given to illustrate the utility of this approach. The first application is the study of unsteady vortical disturbances impinging on a flat plate; the second is the simulation of inviscid flow past an impulsively started cylinder.

Hariharan, S. I.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Propagation of electromagnetic waves parallel to the magnetic field in the nightside Venus ionosphere

The propagation of electromagnetic waves parallel to the magnetic field in the nightside Venus ionosphere is presented in a theoretical and numerical analysis. The model assumes a source of electromagnetic radiation in the Venus atmosphere, such as that produced by lightning. Specifically addressed is wave propagation in the altitude range z = 130-160 km at the four frequencies detectable by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Electric Field Detector: 100 Hz, 730 Hz, 5.4 kHz, and 30 kHz. Parameterizations of the wave intensities, peak electron density, and Poynting flux as a function of magnetic field are presented. The waves are found to propagate most easily in conditions of low electron density and high magnetic field. The results of the model are consistent with observational data.

Huba, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Resonances of electromagnetically induced transparency and absorption in a light field of elliptically polarised waves

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) resonances excited by a strong two-frequency field are considered for various values of the total angular momenta of the ground (F{sub g}) and excited (F{sub e}) states at a degenerated optical closed transition F{sub g} → F{sub e}. The light field is formed by two co-propagating waves with arbitrary elliptical polarisations. The process of spontaneous transfer of anisotropy from the excited state to the ground state is shown to determine the formation of the EIA resonance at the transition F{sub g} = F → F{sub e} = F + 1. The results obtained generalise the classification of transitions into ‘bright’ (F{sub g} = F → F{sub e} = F + 1) and ‘dark’ (F{sub g} = F → F{sub e} = F and F{sub g} = F → F{sub e} = F – 1) transitions with respect to the direction of a subnatural resonance. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1989

Reflections, diffractions, and surface waves for an interior impedance wedge of arbitrary angle

The asymptotic-impedance wedge solution for plane-wave illumination at normal incidence is examined for interior wedge diffraction. An efficient method for calculating the diffraction coefficient for arbitrary wedge angle is presented. The asymptotic solution isolates the incident, singly reflected, multiply reflected, diffracted, surface-wave, and associated-surface-wave transition fields. Multiply reflected fields (of any order) from the exact solution arise as ratios of auxiliary Maliuzhinets functions; however, by using properties of these functions, the representation can be reduced to products of reflection coefficients, much more efficient for calculation. A surface-wave transition field is added to the surface wave to retain continuity of the total field at the surface wave boundaries. This formulation is equally valid for both exterior and interior wedges with uniform but different impedances on each face, for both soft and hard polarizations.

Griesser, Timothy↗
NASA NTRS1975

The generation of gravitational waves. I - Weak-field sources

This paper derives and summarizes a 'plug-in-and-grind' formalism for calculating the gravitational waves emitted by any system with weak internal gravitational fields. If the internal fields have negligible influence on the system's motions, the formalism reduces to standard 'linearized theory'. Independent of the effects of gravity on the motions, the formalism reduces to the standard 'quadrupole-moment formalism' if the motions are slow and internal stresses are weak. In the general case, the formalism expresses the radiation in terms of a retarded Green's function for slightly curved spacetime and breaks the Green's function integral into five easily understood pieces: direct radiation, produced directly by the motions of the source; whump radiation, produced by the 'gravitational stresses' of the source; transition radiation, produced by a time-changing time delay ('Shapiro effect') in the propagation of the nonradiative 1/r field of the source; focusing radiation, produced when one portion of the source focuses, in a time-dependent way, the nonradiative field of another portion of the source; and tail radiation, produced by 'back-scatter' of the nonradiative field in regions of focusing.

Thorne, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Determination of plate wave velocities and diffuse field decay rates with braod-band acousto-ultrasonic signals

Lowest symmetric and lowest antisymmetric plate wave modes were excited and identified in broad-band acousto-ultrasonic (AU) signals collected from various high temperature composite materials. Group velocities have been determined for these nearly nondispersive modes. An algorithm has been developed and applied to determine phase velocities and hence dispersion curves for the frequency ranges of the broad-band pulses. It is demonstrated that these data are sensitive to changes in the various stiffness moduli of the materials, in agreement by analogy, with the theoretical and experimental results of Tang and Henneke on fiber reinforced polymers. Diffuse field decay rates have been determined in the same specimen geometries and AU configuration as for the plate wave measurements. These decay rates are of value in assessing degradation such as matrix cracking in ceramic matrix composites. In addition, we verify that diffuse field decay rates respond to fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength and density in ceramic matrix composites. This work shows that velocity/stiffness and decay rate measurements can be obtained in the same set of AU experiments for characterizing materials and in specimens with geometries useful for mechanical measurements.

Kautz, Harold E.↗
DOE OSTI2023

3D simulation of lower-hybrid drift waves in strong guide field asymmetric reconnection in laboratory experiments

The magnetic reconnection experiment has recently seen short wavelength ([Formula: see text]) lower-hybrid waves near the electron diffusion region in strong guide field reconnection. Based on plasma parameters from the experiment, we perform a three-dimensional fully kinetic simulation in order to investigate the generation of the lower-hybrid waves and their effects on the reconnection process. We find that the low-beta regions around the reconnection site are unstable to the lower-hybrid drift instability propagating in the outflow direction, driven by the difference between the electron and ion outflows. The waves modify the electron distributions, leading to periodic opening and closing of gaps in electron velocity space, and provide a small contribution to the anomalous resistivity. Finally, the simulation results are discussed in the context of space observations and laboratory experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2023

3D Simulation of Lower-Hybrid Drift Waves in Strong Guide Field Asymmetric Reconnection in Laboratory Experiments

The magnetic reconnection experiment has recently seen short wavelength (kp (e)(1) lower-hybrid waves near the electron diffusion region in strong guide field reconnection. Based on plasma parameters from the experiment, we perform a three-dimensional fully kinetic simulation in order to investigate the generation of the lower-hybrid waves and their effects on the reconnection process. We find that the low-beta regions around the reconnection site are unstable to the lower-hybrid drift instability propagating in the outflow direction, driven by the difference between the electron and ion outflows. The waves modify the electron distributions, leading to periodic opening and closing of gaps in electron velocity space, and provide a small contribution to the anomalous resistivity. Finally, the simulation results are discussed in the context of space observations and laboratory experiments.

J. Ng↗
NASA NTRS1990

On the theory of CIV

The critical ionization velocity (CIV) phenomenon involves the transfer of energy from neutrals moving relative to a plasma to electrons. Three mechanisms are discussed and illustrated with numerical simulations. If the elastic electron neutral collision frequency is large (comparable to the electron cyclotron frequency) the electrons can gain enough energy from the neutrals to ionize them. Newly created ions form beams in the plasma which are unstable to lower hybrid waves propagating obliquely to the magnetic field. These waves have an electric field component parallel to the background magnetic field which can accelerate electrons. However, the efficiency of this heating is significantly reduced by electromagnetic effects which occur when the relative velocity exceeds the Alfven speed or when the plasma beta is large. A third mechanism involves the E x B drift of electrons in the secondary electric field due to charge separation at the front of a neutral gas cloud. This E field is opposite to the neutral gas velocity and can be much larger than the polarization field. The electron drift excites the modified two-stream instability which causes rapid electron heating and thus ionization in the front.

Goertz, C. K.↗