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NASA NTRS2012

Heliospheric Neutral Atom Spectra Between 0.01 and 6 keV fom IBEX

Since 2008 December, the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) has been making detailed observations of neutrals from the boundaries of the heliosphere using two neutral atom cameras with overlapping energy ranges. The unexpected, yet defining feature discovered by IBEX is a Ribbon that extends over the energy range from about 0.2 to 6 keV. This Ribbon is superposed on a more uniform, globally distributed heliospheric neutral population. With some important exceptions, the focus of early IBEX studies has been on neutral atoms with energies greater than approx. 0.5 keV. With nearly three years of science observations, enough low-energy neutral atom measurements have been accumulated to extend IBEX observations to energies less than approx. 0.5 keV. Using the energy overlap of the sensors to identify and remove backgrounds, energy spectra over the entire IBEX energy range are produced. However, contributions by interstellar neutrals to the energy spectrum below 0.2 keV may not be completely removed. Compared with spectra at higher energies, neutral atom spectra at lower energies do not vary much from location to location in the sky, including in the direction of the IBEX Ribbon. Neutral fluxes are used to show that low energy ions contribute approximately the same thermal pressure as higher energy ions in the heliosheath. However, contributions to the dynamic pressure are very high unless there is, for example, turbulence in the heliosheath with fluctuations of the order of 50-100 km/s.

Fuselier, S. A.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Vacuum Neutral Transport Model in UEDGE for Tokamak Far Scrape‐Off Layer

A model for neutral transport in the far scrape-off layer (SOL) vacuum region (vacuum neutral model) has been developed and implemented in UEDGE. Free-streaming neutral trajectories between the outermost UEDGE boundary and the vessel wall are preprocessed using DEGAS2 to construct a tele-transport matrix that captures non-local neutral relocation through the vacuum. Here, this matrix is then used in UEDGE as a non-local boundary condition for the neutral equations, preserving the robustness and convergence of the implicit solver without introducing statistical noise. Simulations of a DIII-D lower single-null configuration show that the vacuum neutral model relocates neutrals from the divertor to the upstream region, increasing the outer midplane separatrix density required for detachment onset by about 30%. However, the characteristic target temperature at detachment (T e, osp ~ 3 - 4eV) and the radiation front behavior remain unchanged.

DEGAS2↗

NASA NTRS1973

A hollow cathode neutralizer for a 30-cm diameter bombardment thruster

Recent improvements in overall thrustor performance have imposed new constraints on neutralizer performance. The use of compensated grid extraction system requires a re-evaluation of neutralizer position. In addition a suitable control logic for the neutralizer has proven difficult. A series of tests were conducted to determine what effect neutralizer cathode geometry has on performance. The parameters investigated included orifice diameter and length, and cathode diameter. Similar tests investigated open and enclosed keeper geometries. Neutralizer position tests with compensated grids suggest positions approximately 10 cm from the accelerator and radially out of the beam envelope should result in satisfactory performance and long life. Finally operation at keeper currents of 1.5 amp has resulted in lower total neutralizer power, the elimination of tip heater power, and suitable closed loop control of the neutralizer vaporizer.

Bechtel, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Neutral winds and electric fields from model studies using reduced ionograms

A relationship between the vertical component of the ion velocity and electron density profiles derived from reduced ionograms is developed. Methods for determining the horizontal components of the neutral winds and electric fields by using this relationship and making use of the variations of the inclinations and declinations of the earth's magnetic field are presented. The effects that electric fields have on the neutral wind calculations are estimated to be small but not second order. Seasonal and latitudinal variations of the calculated neutral winds are presented. From the calculated neutral winds a new set of neutral pressure gradients is determined. The new pressure gradients are compared with those generated from several static neutral atmospheric models. Sensitivity factors relating the pressure gradients and neutral winds are calculated and these indicate that mode coupling and harmonic generation are important to studies which assume linearized theories.

Baran, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1976

An analysis of auroral E region neutral winds based on incoherent scatter radar observations at Chatanika

The physical origin of auroral E-region neutral winds during geomagnetic disturbances is investigated by comparing incoherent-backscatter radar observations made at Chatanika, Alaska, during such disturbances with detailed theoretical calculations of neutral velocities for these conditions. In the analysis, an ion-drag collisional-coupling model is adopted as the primary driving force for the neutral winds. Electric fields and electron number densities observed by the radar facility are used in the calculations, and the coupled ion and neutral momentum equations are solved numerically as functions of altitude and time in the ion-drag approximation. The altitude structure of the velocity field is examined, and the detailed response of the neutral gas to the ion-drag mechanism is delineated. Weighted altitude averages of the calculated velocities are obtained, the accuracy of the procedure for deriving neutral winds from incoherent-scatter radar observations is evaluated, and the comparison is carried out. It is concluded that both ion drag and pressure gradients appear to be required to explain the neutral winds observed in the auroral E-region during geomagnetic disturbances.

Comfort, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Neutralization tests on the SERT 2 spacecraft

Neutralization test data obtained on the SERT 2 spacecraft are presented. Tests included ion beam neutralization of a thruster by a close (normal design) neutralizer as well as by a distant (1 meter) neutralizer. Parameters affecting neutralization, such as neutralizer bias voltage, neutralizer anode voltage, local spacecraft plasma density, and solar array voltage configuration were varied and changes in plasma potentials were measured. A plasma model is presented as an approximation of observed results.

Kerslake, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ion neutral coupling in the high latitude thermosphere, part 1

Measurements of the neutral wind in the polar F region from Dynamics Explorer-2 (DE-2) were used to illustrate asymmetries in the neutral circulation that are dependent on the sign of the B sub y component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Individual DE-2 orbits and averaged data sets from different Universal times are presented. The data are categorized according to the sign of the hourly averaged IMF B sub y component measured by ISEE-3 for the hour preceding the DE-2 measurement. The major features observed are: (1) an asymmetry in the polar cap neutral flow velocity with the region of most rapid antisunward flow shifting from the dawn side to the dusk side of the polar cap as B sub y changes from positive to negative; (2) a shift in magnetic local time of the region of entry of neutral gas into the polar cap from a location on the dawn side of the noon-midnight meridian for B sub y positive to one more biased towards the dusk side for B sub y negative; (3) an enhancement in the velocities associated with the dawn, anti-clockwise neutral vortex B suby y negative relative to those observed for B sub y positive. The B sub y neutral wind asymmetries can be explained by similar asymmetries, previously observed, in the polar ion convection pattern. They imply a direct causal relationship between solar wind/magnetosphere coupling and neutral thermospheric dynamics.

Killeen, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ion-neutral coupling in the high latitude thermosphere, part 2

On the 24th November, 1982, The North-South (Bz) component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) became positive for a period of about 11 hours reaching a relatively large and steady value of approximately 25 nT. During this rare occurrence, the Dynamics Explorer-2 (DE-2) spacecraft was in a configuration that enabled the dynamics of both ionic and neutral species of the high latitude F region to be measured simultaneously along the track of the polar orbiting satellite. Results from two Northern (winter) polar passes of DE-2, extracted from a larger data set, are shown to illustrate the response of the neutral F region to ion drag forcing arising from a configuration of ion convection characteristics of strongly northward IMF. The measured neutral winds differ appreciably from those more commonly observed for periods of southward IMF. The multi-cellular ion drift pattern associated with positive Bz is observed to drive a similar but less structured and weaker neutral wind configuration in the winter polar cap. Major features of the ion drift pattern are mimicked by the neutral circulation but smaller scale and more irregular sturctures of ion flow are not. This is ascribed to the relatively long time constant (few hours) for momentum exchange between the ion and neutral gases. The results demonstrate that sunward flow of neutral gas can be established and maintained by ion drag in the central polar cap for positive Bz.

Killeen, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Modeling of the coupled magnetospheric and neutral wind dynamos

The solar wind interaction with the earth's magnetosphere generates electric fields and currents that flow from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere at high latitudes. Consequently, the neutral atmosphere is subject to the dissipation and conversion of this electrical energy to thermal and mechanical energy through Joule heating and Lorentz forcing. As a result of the mechanical energy stored within the neutral wind (caused in part by Lorentz--and pressure gradient--forces set up by the magnetospheric flux of electrical energy), electric currents and fields can be generated in the ionosphere through the neutral wind dynamo mechanism. At high latitudes this source of electrical energy has been largely ignored in past studies, owing to the assumed dominance of the solar wind/magnetospheric dynamo as an electrical energy source to the ionosphere. However, other researchers have demonstrated that the available electrical energy provided by the neutral wind is significant at high latitudes, particularly in the midnight sector of the polar cap and in the region of the magnetospheric convection reversal. As a result, the conclusions of a number of broad ranging high-latitude investigations may be modified if the neutral-wind contribution to high-latitude electrodynamics is properly accounted for. These include the following: studies assessing solar wind-magnetospheric coupling by comparing the cross polar cap potential with solar wind parameters; research based on the alignment of particle precipitation with convection or field aligned current boundaries; and synoptic investigations attributing seasonal variations in the observed electric field and current patterns to external sources. These research topics have been initiated by satellite and ground-based observations and have been attributed to magnetospheric causes. However, the contribution of the neutral wind to the high-latitude electric field and current systems and their seasonal and local time dependence has yet to be quantitatively evaluated. In this program, we are evaluating the coupled magnetospheric and neutral wind dynamos at high latitudes under various conditions. In addition to examining the impact of seasonal variations, we are investigating the consequences of the separate dynamos having pure current-source or voltage-source behaviors.

Thayer, Jeff P.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The Effects of Neutral Inertia on Ionospheric Currents in the High-Latitude Thermosphere Following a Geomagnetic Storm

Results of an experimental and theoretical investigation into the effects of the time dependent neutral wind flywheel on high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics are presented. The results extend our previous work which used the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere/Ionosphere General Circulation Model (NCAR TIGCM) to theoretically simulate flywheel effects in the aftermath of a geomagnetic storm. The previous results indicated that the neutral circulation, set up by ion-neutral momentum coupling in the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, is maintained for several hours after the main phase has ended and may dominate height-integrated Hall currents and field-aligned currents for up to 4-5 hours. We extend the work of Deng et al. to include comparisons between the calculated time-dependent ionospheric Hall current system in the storm-time recovery period and that measured by instruments on board the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite. Also, comparisons are made between calculated field-aligned currents and those derived from DE 2 magnetometer measurements. These calculations also allow us to calculate the power transfer rate (sometimes called the Poynting flux) between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) Neutral winds can contribute significantly to the horizontal ionospheric current system in the period immediately following the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, especially over the magnetic polar cap and in regions of ion drift shear. (2) Neutral winds drive Hall currents that flow in the opposite direction to those driven by ion drifts. (3) The overall morphology of the calculated field-aligned current system agrees with previously published observations for the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub Z) southward conditions, although the region I and region 2 currents are smeared by the TI(ICM model grid resolution. (4) Neutral winds can make significant contributions to the field-aligned current system when B(sub Z) northward conditions prevail following the main phase of a storm, but can account for only a fraction of the observed currents. (5) DE 2 measurements provide a demonstration of "local" (satellite-altitude) flywheel effects. (6) On the assumption that the magnetosphere acts as an insulator, we calculate neutral-wind-induced polarization electric fields of approx. 20-30 kV in the period immediately following the geomagnetic storm.

Deng, W.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Neutral Solar Wind Generated by Lunar Exospheric Dust at the Terminator

We calculate the flux of neutral solar wind observed on the lunar surface at the terminator due to solar wind protons penetrating exospheric dust with: (1) grains larger that 0.1 microns and (2) grains larger than 0.01 microns. For grains larger than 0.1 microns, the ratio of the neutral solar wind to solar wind flux is estimated to be approx.10(exp -4)-10(exp -3) at solar wind speeds in excess of 800 km/s, but much lower (less than 10(exp -5) at average to low solar wind speeds. However, when the smaller grain sizes are considered, the ratio of the neutral solar wind flux to solar wind flux is estimated to be greater than or equal to 10(exp -5) at all speeds and at speeds in excess of 700 km/s reaches 10(exp -3)-10(exp -2). These neutral solar wind fluxes are easily measurable with current low energy neutral atom instrumentation. Observations of neutral solar wind from the surface of the Moon could provide a very sensitive determination of the distribution of very small dust grains in the lunar exosphere and would provide data complementary to optical measurements at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. Furthermore, neutral solar wind, unlike its ionized counterpart, is .not held-off by magnetic anomalies, and may contribute to greater space weathering than expected in certain lunar locations.

Collier, Michael R.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Quantifying the Storm Time Thermospheric Neutral Density Variations Using Model and Observations

Accurate determination of thermospheric neutral density holds crucial importance for satellited rag calculations. The problem is twofold and involves the correct estimation of the quiet time climatology and storm time variations. In this work, neutral density estimations from two empirical and threephysics based models of the ionosphere thermosphere are compared with the neutral densities along the Challenging MicroSatellite Payload satellite track for six geomagnetic storms. Storm time variations are extracted from neutral density by (1) subtracting the mean difference between model and observation (bias),(2) setting climatological variations to zero, and (3) multiplying model data with the quiet time ratio between the model and observation. Several metrics are employed to evaluate the model performances. We find that the removal of bias or climatology reveals actual performance of the model in simulating the storm time variations. When bias is removed, depending on event and model, storm time errors in neutral density can decrease by an amount of 113% or can increase by an amount of 12% with respect to error in models with quiet time bias. It is shown that using only average and maximum values of neutral density to determine the model performances can be misleading since a model can estimate the averages fairly well but may not capture the maximum value or vice versa. Since each of the metrics used for determining model performances provides different aspects of the error, among these, we suggest employing mean absolute error, prediction efficiency, and normalized root mean square error together as a standard set ofmetrics for the neutral density.

Eyiguler, E. Ceren Kalafatoglu↗

DOE OSTI2024

A near X-point charge exchange neutral spectroscopy (CENS) system for DIII-D

A 16 channel spectroscopy system has been installed on DIII-D to provide information about the energy distribution of the atomic neutrals using the Doppler shift and broadening of passive Balmer-α emission. Here, the lines of sight are dominantly in the toroidal direction, with tangencies near the lowest point on closed magnetic flux surfaces moving from the lower divertor upward into the confined plasma. This allows the system to provide details of the neutrals as they undergo various atomic physics processes while traveling upward from the lower divertor. The spectrally resolved measurements provide several advantages that complement typical optical filter based measurements of hydrogenic spectral lines. These include more direct measurements of the neutrals that fuel deeper in the plasma and capturing neutral velocity distribution information via the Doppler broadened and shifted line. In addition, the spectral separation of higher energy “thermal” neutrals and bright cold emission from the scrape-off layer allows for a more straightforward calculation of the underlying neutral densities based on the emission because of the dependence of the thermal emission on confined plasma properties that are approximately flux functions and well measured.

Atomic and molecular physics↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of radial neutral density profiles from Balmer- α emission in Wendelstein 7-X

Radial neutral density profiles are estimated from measurements of passive H α emission in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator. To parametrize the generally three-dimensional distribution with a low number of degrees of freedom, the neutral density is reduced to a flux surface quantity. Accounting for emission from excitation and recombination processes, neutral density profiles are derived independently for each of the available lines of sight. Density profiles obtained from the different viewing geometries are found to vary within one order of magnitude. Toroidally oriented lines of sight predict systematically lower neutral densities when compared to poloidally oriented ones. This discrepancy is attributed to the simplifications inherent in the imposed model and significant differences in integration volumes across the viewing geometries. In line with expectations, obtained neutral densities are found to decrease with increasing plasma density. Key restrictions of the model include the reduction of the neutral density to a flux surface quantity, uncertainties in the plasma profiles and instrument function, and line integration effects outside the last closed flux surface.

Wendelstein 7-X↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of the differential cross section for neutral pion production in charged-current muon neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector

We present a measurement of neutral pion production in charged-current interactions using data recorded with the MicroBooNE detector exposed to Fermilab’s booster neutrino beam. The signal comprises one muon, one neutral pion, any number of nucleons, and no charged pions. Studying neutral pion production in the MicroBooNE detector provides an opportunity to better understand neutrino-argon interactions, and is crucial for future accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiments. Using a dataset corresponding to 6.86 ×10 20 protons on target, we present single-differential cross sections in muon and neutral pion momenta, scattering angles with respect to the beam for the outgoing muon and neutral pion, as well as the opening angle between the muon and neutral pion. Data extracted cross sections are compared to generator predictions. We report good agreement between the data and the models for scattering angles, except for an over-prediction by generators at muon forward angles. Similarly, the agreement between data and the models as a function of momentum is good, except for an underprediction by generators in the medium momentum ranges, 200–400 MeV for muons and 100–200 MeV for pions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Directed evolution of a stem-helix–targeting antibody enables MERS-CoV cross-neutralization through enhanced binding affinity

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved regions of the betacoronavirus spike are important for pan-betacoronavirus protection and pandemic preparedness. Here, we report the isolation of a human monoclonal antibody, CC65.1, from a SARS-CoV-2 convalescent donor that targets the conserved S2 stem helix region. CC65.1 neutralizes various sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and binds to the MERS-CoV spike but lacks MERS-CoV-neutralizing activity due to insufficient binding affinity. We utilized directed evolution to enhance the binding affinity of CC65.1 for the MERS-CoV S2 stem helix, yielding engineered antibody variants with newly acquired MERS-CoV-neutralizing activity. High-resolution structural analysis reveals key paratope mutations that enhance binding and stabilize epitope engagement. Our findings demonstrate the potential of in vitro affinity maturation to expand the neutralization breadth of stem-helix-targeting antibodies across divergent betacoronaviruses. This work supports the development of engineered bnAbs for broadly protective betacoronavirus countermeasures and provides a strategy for achieving cross-lineage neutralization.

Zhou, Panpan↗

NASA NTRS1972

Performance of a neutralizer for electron bombardment thruster.

Results of the SERT II flight indicate that the hollow cathode neutralizer not only represents a power and propellant weight penalty but can be a contributing cause to accelerator grid erosion. Tests with a 30-cm diameter thruster have shown that a neutralizer position of approximately 9 cm axially downstream of the accelerator grid and approximately 9 cm radially away from the outer edge of the accelerator grid and pointing parallel to the thruster axis provides the best overall performance. The estimated grid wear rate was less than 0.08 mm in 10,000 hr. The coupling voltage (neutralizer to beam voltage) was approximately 17 volts at a neutralizer flow rate of 22 equivalent milliamperes of mercury and a beam current of 1.5 amperes. Neutralizer power (excluding heaters) was 31 watts and the effect of neutralizer flow on overall propellant utilization efficiency is a 1.2 percentage point reduction at a thruster utilization efficiency of 90 percent.

Bechtel, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1973

A hollow cathode neutralizer for a 30-cm diameter bombardment thruster

Recent improvements in overall thruster performance have imposed new constraints on neutralizer performance. The use of compensated grid extraction system requires a reevaluation of neutralizer position. A series of tests were conducted to determine what effect neutralizer cathode geometry has on performance. The parameters investigated included orifice diameter and length, and cathode diameter. Similar tests investigated open and enclosed keeper geometries. Neutralizer position tests with compensated grids suggested positions approximately 10 cm from the accelerator and radially out of the beam envelope should result in satisfactory performance and long life. Operation at keeper current of 1.5 am resulted in lower total neutralizer power, the elimination of tip heater power, and suitable closed loop control of the neutralizer vaporizer.

Bechtel, R. T.↗