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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Double layer formation

An investigation is conducted of the plasma processes which occur during the formation of a double layer in response to an applied initial electric field, when triggered by a current in the plasma. The important feature of the formation process was the creation of an ion-rich plasma-density cavity. The positive space charge of the cavity was shielded by induction of a negative space charge on the low potential side of the cavity, giving rise to the formation of a fully developed double layer. The shielding was complete only when the electron current from the low potential side exceeded the electron thermal current. It was found that during the formation of double layers counterstreaming electrons are generated. Moreover, transient double layers with reverse polarity also occur during this phase. Thus, the recurring formation of double layers can give rise to flickering double layers.

Singh, N.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Temporal study of the current collected by a Langmuir probe biased to high voltages in the wake behind a conducting body

The temporal evolution of the voltage-current characteristic of a spherical Langmuir probe in the near-wake region of a conducting body is investigated in a pulsed plasma device. Measurements of the current collected by a sphere placed on axis behind a conducting disk are presented as a function of the bias voltage and time. The bias voltage on the collecting sphere is large enough, ranging from +500 to -3000 V, to attract ions or electrons across the wake region. In addition, plasma potential profiles as a function of sphere bias voltage and time throughout the nearwake and midwake region are presented. It is found that for a negative sphere bias a threshold voltage exists for current collection. This threshold voltage decreases during the formation of the wake behind the conducting disk. Potential measurements indicate that the sheath region around the negatively biased sphere contracts as the wake region establishes itself. This contraction of the sheath region increases the electric field attracting ions to the sphere and decreases the threshold voltage for current collection. For positive sphere bias voltage the current collected by the sphere does not exhibit a threshold voltage but is monotonically increasing.

Meassick, S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

More on Ru Endemic Isotope Anomalies in Meteorites

We reported last year on endemic isotope anomalies for Ru in iron meteorites, pallasites, ordinary chondrites, and on a whole-rock sample of Allende. We have extended the Ru measurements to more meteorites, to refractory Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAI) from Allende, and to a whole rock sample of Murchison (CM2). In a companion abstract we report on new measurements for the Mo isotopes, in some of the same samples. There has been a renewed interest in searching for isotope anomalies in this nuclide region, as Ru and Mo include many isotopes from r-, s-, and p-process nucleosynhesis. Furthermore, the Ru and Mo p-process isotopes show atypically high abundances, which have been hard to explain through the standard nucleosynthetic processes. Effects are possible in Ru-98 and Ru-99 from Tc-98 (with a poorly known t(sub 1/2)=4.2 to 10Ma) and from Tc-99 (t(sub 1/2)=0.21Ma). Natural Tc is now extinct on Earth due to the short half-lives, but may have been present in the early solar system. Both radiogenic and general isotope anomalies are important in understanding the processes for the formation of the early solar system. The current emphasis on Ru and Mo is also the result of the development of Negative-ion Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry and of Multiple-Collector, Inductively-Coupled-Mass-Spectrometry. We have also developed specific chemical siparation techniques for Ru, which eliminated mass interference effects.

Papanastassiou, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Stratospheric condensation nuclei variations may relate to solar activity

Observations of increases of stratospheric condensation nuclei suggest a photo-initiated sulphuric acid vapour formation process in spring in polar regions. It is proposed that the sulphuric acid rapidly forms condensation nuclei through attachment to negatively charged multi-ion complexes and that the process may be modulated through variations in solar activity.

Hofmann, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A new technique for in situ measurement of the composition of neutral gas in interplanetary space

Neutral atoms in interplanetary space play an important role in many processes relevant to the formation and evolution of the Solar System. An experimental approach is proposed for in situ atom detection based on the conversion of neutral atoms to negative ions at a specially prepared sensitive surface. Negative ions are subsequently analyzed and detected in an essentially noise-free mode. The use of the technique for in situ study of the composition of neutral interstellar atoms is considered. It is shown that interstellar H, D, and O atoms and possibly H2 molecules can be measured by the proposed technique. The experiment can be performed from a high-apogee Earth-orbiting satellite or from a deep space probe. Possible applications of the technique are discussed.

Gruntman, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Condensation nuclei events at 30 km and possible influences of solar cosmic rays

Two recent observations have provided the basis for study of a relationship between solar activity and the formation of small particles in the earth's atmosphere; the discovery of annual increases of condensation nuclei (CN) at 30 km and the detection of sulfuric acid molecules in large negative ion clusters in the 25-35-km altitude region. These observations have led to formulation and testing of a model wherein CN are formed in a 'polar cloud chamber' supersaturated with sulfuric acid vapor and triggered by ionization associated with solar flare cosmic radiation. It is concluded that such a model provides a potential explanation of the observations.

Hofmann, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Electrical conductivity of Jupiter's shallow interior and the formation of a resonant of a resonant planetary-ionospheric cavity

The present consideration of hydrogenic atmospheric reactions on Jupiter, to a depth of 4000 km, notes the primary ion constituents at these depths to be both positive and negative ions of molecular hydrogen contributing less than 20 percent to total electrical conductivity by free electrons. An electrical surface defined by the boundary beneath which the interior is electrically conducting exists at depths which vary according to EM wave frequency, from 1100 km for 1 mHz to 3000 for 1 MHz. The presence of a lower electrical boundary within the shallow interior suggests that a planetary-ionosphere resonant cavity analogous to the earth-ionosphere cavity may exist.

Sentman, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS2007

The Photodetachment of Ps ion and Low-Energy e(+) -H Collisions

Two calculations in the area of positron collisions are presented. The first is the calculation of the photodetachment cross section of the positronium negative ion (Ps-) using accurate variational wave functions for both the initial bound-state and the final P continuum state. The second is the calculation of partial wave cross sections for Ps(1s)-formation in ef -H(ls) collisions using the hyperspherical hidden crossing method. Since the S-wave Stiickelberg phase is close to pi, the very small S-wave Ps(1s) formation cross section can be understood in terms of destructive interference. Other examples in positron collisions are given where it is either known or expected that destructive interference is the cause of the small S-wave Ps(1s) formation cross section. In addition, examples are presented of processes in atomic physics where the Stiickelberg phase is a multiple of pi/2.

Ward, S.J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Laboratory simulation of the surface of Halley's Comet

In the past year we have developed a model for the dissociation of icy grains in comets. In general, this model does not predict the radical yield that is observed in the jets of comets. To reproduce these yields, the concentration of the radical's precursors will have to be too high to be consistent with the abundance that we expect in comets. We have also constructed a theoretical model for the formation of ions on icy cometary grains. That model shows that only a small number of the cometary ions could be produced as ions in icy grains if the particle has only positively charged ions. If it contains both positive and negative ions then it could have a higher concentration of ions without violating charge neutrality. When such a particle evaporates, it can release ions with both charges into the gas phase. These ions could produce radicals via dissociative recombination with electrons if they are positive ions or by photoattachment of electrons if they are negative electrons. Finally, an avalanche process involving the acceleration of electrons towards charged particles is evaluated. It is shown that this will not lead directly to gas phase ions, but it might lead to additional ionization and dissociation on the grain.

Jackson, William M.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Fabricating Radial Groove Gratings Using Projection Photolithography

Projection photolithography has been used as a fabrication method for radial grove gratings. Use of photolithographic method for diffraction grating fabrication represents the most significant breakthrough in grating technology in the last 60 years, since the introduction of holographic written gratings. Unlike traditional methods utilized for grating fabrication, this method has the advantage of producing complex diffractive groove contours that can be designed at pixel-by-pixel level, with pixel size currently at the level of 45 45 nm. Typical placement accuracy of the grating pixels is 10 nm over 30 nm. It is far superior to holographic, mechanically ruled or direct e-beam written gratings and results in high spatial coherence and low spectral cross-talk. Due to the smooth surface produced by reactive ion etch, such gratings have a low level of randomly scattered light. Also, due to high fidelity and good surface roughness, this method is ideally suited for fabrication of radial groove gratings. The projection mask is created using a laser writer. A single crystal silicon wafer is coated with photoresist, and then the projection mask, with its layer of photoresist, is exposed for patterning in a stepper or scanner. To develop the photoresist, the fabricator either removes the exposed areas (positive resist) of the unexposed areas (negative resist). Next, the patterned and developed photoresist silicon substrate is subjected to reactive ion etching. After this step, the substrate is cleaned. The projection mask is fabricated according to electronic design files that may be generated in GDS file format using any suitable CAD (computer-aided design) or other software program. Radial groove gratings in off-axis grazing angle of incidence mount are of special interest for x-ray spectroscopy, as they allow achieving higher spectral resolution for the same grating area and have lower alignment tolerances than traditional in-plane grating scheme. This is especially critical for NASA Constellation- X project that will utilize hundreds of gratings all of which need to be precisely aligned for x-ray observation of space.

Iazikov, Dmitri↗
NASA NTRS2012

Vlasov Simulation of Electrostatic Solitary Structures in Multi-Component Plasmas

Electrostatic solitary structures have been observed in the Earth's magnetosheath by the Cluster spacecraft. Recent theoretical work has suggested that these solitary structures are modeled by electron acoustic solitary waves existing in a four-component plasma system consisting of core electrons, two counter-streaming electron beams, and one species of background ions. In this paper, the excitation of electron acoustic waves and the formation of solitary structures are studied by means of a one-dimensional electrostatic Vlasov simulation. The present result first shows that either electron acoustic solitary waves with negative potential or electron phase-space holes with positive potential are excited in four-component plasma systems. However, these electrostatic solitary structures have longer duration times and higher wave amplitudes than the solitary structures observed in the magnetosheath. The result indicates that a high-speed and small free energy source may be needed as a fifth component. An additional simulation of a five-component plasma consisting of a stable four-component plasma and a weak electron beam shows the generation of small and fast electron phase-space holes by the bump-on-tail instability. The physical properties of the small and fast electron phase-space holes are very similar to those obtained by the previous theoretical analysis. The amplitude and duration time of solitary structures in the simulation are also in agreement with the Cluster observation.

magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)↗
NASA NTRS1993

Nonlinear evolution of electromagnetic ion beam instabilities

A comparative study of the ion/ion right-hand resonant instability and the ion/ion nonresonant instability is carried out to investigate and contrast their properties. Linear analysis demonstrates that the nonresonant instability becomes resonant if the density of the ion beam is sufficiently high. Hybrid simulations show that both the resonant and nonresonant instabilities result in the formation of nonlinear pulses, called pulsations, but with distinct features. For example, the pulsations generated by the resonant instability have a positive correlation with the ion density, while those generated by the nonresonant instability are likely to have a relatively weak negative correlation. The waves generated by the nonresonant instability are subject to a parametric decay instability and tend to form a state of condensate where the turbulence becomes nearly monochromatic.

Akimoto, K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Stratospheric condensation nuclei and possible solar influences

Balloon-borne measurements of condensation nuclei and H2SO4 molecules in large negative ion clusters have been made in the stratosphere at around 30 km altitude. The nuclei observed were in the 0.01-0.1 micron diameter range. Consideration was given to sunspot activity as a triggering event for ionization of upper atmospheric H2SO4 species and subsequent formation of the nuclei. A numerical model was defined for a steady state between the H2SO4 association and ion recombination in order to determine a critical nucleation rate. It is concluded that condensation nuclei are produced in ion nucleation in an H2SO4 supersaturated polar cloud chamber, with the process being initiated by solar flare particle ionization.

Hofmann, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1960

On Ion Clusters in the Interstellar Gas

In a recent paper V.I. Krassovsky (1958) predicts the occurrence of clusters of large numbers of atoms and molecules around ions in the interstellar gas. He then proposes a number of physicochemical processes that would be considerably enhanced by the high particle density in such clusters. In particular, he suggests that absorption by negative ions formed in the clusters would account for the interstellar extinction without any necessity for the presence of grains. Because of the important consequences that ion clusters could have, it is necessary to examine their occurrence more fully. This note re-examines the formation of ion clusters in space and shows that even ion-molecule pairs are essentially non-existent. Ion clusters have been considered by Bloom and Margenau (1952) from the same point of view as that used by Krassovsky, whose basic reference (Joffe and Semenov 1933) unfortunately is not available. A different approach has been used by Eyring, Hirschfelder, and Taylor (1936) following the methods of chemical equilibrium. Both the references cited here enable one to conclude that clustering is negligible. Therefore, the treatment of Eyring et al. is more appropriate than the method of Bloom and Margenau, which depends on the statistical equilibrium of an atmosphere in a force field.

Donn, Bertram↗
NASA NTRS1981

Electrostatic shocks in the auroral magnetosphere

A 1d unmagnetized double layer simulation is presented along with analytic considerations of the Langmuir-Bohm criterion for double layer formation. It is found that this requirement of large electron drift is not reduced by trapped thermal electron and ion populations; the assumption of a nonthermal population which requires the preexistence of the double layer cannot reduce the required electron drift. It is noted that negative charge density spikes and holes in ion phase space accompany the double layer. A magnetized BGK mode solution to Poisson's equation for the potential profile perpendicular to B for cold counter-streaming electrons and ions shows how the spatial structure changes in a magnetized plasma.

Hudson, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Thermodynamic Data to 20,000 K For Monatomic Gases

This report contains standard-state thermodynamic functions for 50 gaseous atomic elements plus deuterium and electron gas, 51 singly ionized positive ions, and 36 singly ionized negative ions. The data were generated by the NASA Lewis computer program PAC97, a modified version of PAC91 reported in McBride and Gordon. This report is being published primarily to document part of the data currently being used in several NASA Lewis computer programs. The data are presented in tabular and graphical format and are also represented in the form of least-squares coefficients. The tables give the following data as functions of temperature : heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy Gibbs energy, enthalpy of formation, and equilibrium constant. A brief discussion and a comparison of calculated results are given for several models for calculating ideal thermodynamic data for monatomic gases.

Gordon, Sanford↗
NASA NTRS1997

Origin of magnetite in oxidized CV chondrites: in situ measurement of oxygen isotope compositions of Allende magnetite and olivine

Magnetite in the oxidized CV chondrite Allende mainly occurs as spherical nodules in porphyritic-olivine (PO) chondrules, where it is associated with Ni-rich metal and/or sulfides. To help constrain the origin of the magnetite, we measured oxygen isotopic compositions of magnetite and coexisting olivine grains in PO chondrules of Allende by an in situ ion microprobe technique. Five magnetite nodules form a relatively tight cluster in oxygen isotopic composition with delta 18O values from -4.8 to -7.1% and delta 17O values from -2.9 to -6.3%. Seven coexisting olivine grains have oxygen isotopic compositions from -0.9 to -6.3% in delta 18O and from -4.6 to -7.9% in delta 17O. The delta 17O values of the magnetite and coexisting olivine do not overlap; they range from -0.4 to -2.6%, and from -4.0 to -5.7%, respectively. Thus, the magnetite is not in isotopic equilibrium with the olivine in PO chondrules, implying that it formed after the chondrule formation. The delta 17O of the magnetite is somewhat more negative than estimates for the ambient solar nebula gas. We infer that the magnetite formed on the parent asteroid by oxidation of metal by H2O which had previously experienced minor O isotope exchange with fine-grained silicates.

Iron/analysis/chemistry↗
NASA NTRS1988

Dynamics of localized ion-acoustic waves in a magnetized plasma

The evolution of negative potential pulses in a magnetized plasma is studied. A three-dimensional nonlinear ion-acoustic wave equation, including nonstationary effects of reflected electrons, has been derived from the Poisson-Vlasov equations with uniform magnetic field. The studies show that a negative potential pulse can be enhanced by drifting electrons. The growing pulse develops asymmetrically with an oscillatory precursor and a local potential jump resembling the early phase of weak double layer formation.

Qian, S.↗