Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “plasma interactions”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Preliminary Results from the Flight of the Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE)

SAMPIE, the Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment, flew in the Space Shuttle Columbia payload bay as part of the OAST-2 mission on STS-62, March, 1994. SAMPIE biased samples of solar arrays and space power materials to varying potentials with respect to the surrounding space plasma, and recorded the plasma currents collected and the arcs which occurred, along with a set of plasma diagnostics data. A large set of high quality data was obtained on the behavior of solar arrays and space power materials in the space environment. This paper is the first report on the data SAMPIE telemetered to the ground during the mission. It will be seen that the flight data promise to help determine arcing thresholds, snapover potentials and floating potentials for arrays and spacecraft in LEO.

Ferguson, Dale C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Preliminary results from the flight of the Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE)

SAMPIE, the Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment, flew in the Space Shuttle Columbia payload bay as part of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology-2 (OAST-2) mission on STS-62, March, 1994. SAMPIE biased samples of solar arrays and space power materials to varying potentials with respect to the surrounding space plasma, and recorded the plasma currents collected and the arcs which occurred, along with a set of plasma diagnostics data. A large set of high quality data was obtained on the behavior of solar arrays and space power materials in the space environment. This paper is the first report on the data SAMPIE telemetered to the ground during the mission. It will be seen that the flight data promise to help determine arcing thresholds, snapover potentials, and floating potentials for arrays and spacecraft in LEO.

Ferguson, Dale C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The Space Station Photovoltaic Panels Plasma Interaction Test Program: Test plan and results

The Plasma Interaction Test performed on two space station solar array panels is addressed. This includes a discussion of the test requirements, test plan, experimental set-up, and test results. It was found that parasitic current collection was insignificant (0.3 percent of the solar array delivered power). The measured arcing threshold ranged from -210 to -457 V with respect to the plasma potential. Furthermore, the dynamic response of the panels showed the panel time constant to range between 1 and 5 microsec, and the panel capacitance to be between .01 and .02 microF.

Nahra, Henry K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Space Station photovoltaic panels plasma interaction test program - Test plan and results

The plasma Interaction Test performed on two space station solar array panels is addressed. This includes a discussion of the test requirements, test plan, experimental set-up, and test results. It was found that parasitic current collection was insignificant (0.3 percent of the solar array delivered power). The measured arcing threshold ranged from -210 to -457 V with respect to the plasma potential. Furthermore, the dynamic response of the panels showed the panel time constant to range between 1 and 5 microsec, and the panel capacitance to be between .01 and .02 microF.

Nahra, Henry K.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Preliminary Interpretation of Titan Plasma Interaction as Observed by the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer: Comparisons With Voyager 1

The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) instrument made measurements of Titan s plasma environment when the Cassini Orbiter flew through the moon s plasma wake October 26,2004 (flyby TA) and December 13,2004 (flyby TB). Preliminary CAPS ion and electron measurements from these encounters (1,2) are compared with measurements made by the Voyager I Plasma Science Instrument (PLS). The comparisons are used to evaluate previous interpretations and predictions of the Titan plasma environment that have been made using PLS measurements (3,4). The plasma wake trajectories of flybys TA, TB and Voyager 1 are similar because they occurred when Titan was near Saturn s local noon. These similarities make possible direct, meaningful comparisons between the various plasma wake measurements. The inquiries stimulated by the previous interpretations and predictions made using PLS data have produced the following results from the CAPS ion measurements: A) The major ambient ion components of Saturn s rotating magnetosphere in the vicinity of Titan are H+, H2+, and O+. B) Finite gyroradius effects are apparent in ambient 0 as the result of its interaction with Titan s atmosphere. C) The principal pickup ions are composed of H+, H2+, CH4+ and N2+. D) There is clear evidence of slowing down of the ambient plasma due to pickup ion mass loading; and, as the ionopause~ is approached, heavier pickup ions such as N2+ become dominant. The similarities and differences between the magnitudes and structures of the electron densities and temperatures along the three flyby trajectories are described

Hartle, R. E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Progress in relativistic laser–plasma interaction with kilotesla-level applied magnetic fields

We report on progress in the understanding of the effects of kilotesla-level applied magnetic fields on relativistic laser–plasma interactions. Ongoing advances in magnetic-field–generation techniques enable new and highly desirable phenomena, including magnetic-field–amplification platforms with reversible sign, focusing ion acceleration, and bulk-relativistic plasma heating. Building on recent advancements in laser–plasma interactions with applied magnetic fields, we introduce simple models for evaluating the effects of applied magnetic fields in magnetic-field amplification, sheath-based ion acceleration, and direct laser acceleration. These models indicate the feasibility of observing beneficial magnetic-field effects under experimentally relevant conditions and offer a starting point for future experimental design.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1985

Plasma interaction experiment 2 (PIX 2): Laboratory and flight results

The Plasma Interaction Experiments 1 and 2 (PIX 1 and 2) were designed as first steps toward understanding interactions between high-voltage solar arrays and the surrounding plasma. The PIX 2 consisted of an approximately 2000-sq cm array divided into four equal segments. Each of the segments could be biased independently and the current measured separately. In addition to the solar array segments, PIX 2 had a hot-wire-filament electron emitter and a spherical Langmuir probe. The emitter was operated when the array segments were biased positively bove 125 V. Thermal electrons from the emitter aided in balancing the electron currents collected by the array. Laboratory and flight results of PIX 2 are presented. At high positive voltages on the solar array segments, the flight currents were approximately an order of magnitude larger than the ground test currents. This is attributed to the tank walls in the laboratory interfering with the electron currents to the array segments. From previous tests it is known that the tank walls limit the electron currents at high voltages. This was the first verification of the extent of the laboratory tank effect on the plasma coupling current.

Grier, N. T.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Collaborative Research: Understanding Nanoparticle-Plasma Interactions in Dusty Non-Thermal Plasmas by Nanoparticle Probes and Online Aerosol Characterization (Final Technical Report)

This report describes results from the University of Minnesota’s contribution to studies performed under the award DE-SC0018202 (principal Investigator: Christopher J. Hogan Jr.. This award is a collaborative research grant with support equally provided to Case Western Reserve University and to the University of Illinois (with principal investigator R. Mohan Sankaran). To date ten peer-reviewed published papers have resulted from the studies performed with University of Minnesota personnel contributing; this report describes the results of these studies as well as several unpublished studies, grouped into seven separate study types. The overarching goal of the carried out studies was to understand nanoparticle behavior and dynamics in non-thermal plasma synthesis reactors, specifically adapting aerosol measurement technology to provide online measurements of particle size, charge, and structure in plasma reactor systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1992

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE): Science and technology objectives

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE) is an approved NASA Space Shuttle space flight experiment to be launched in Jul. 1993. The SAMPIE experiment is designed to investigate the interaction of high voltage space power systems with ionospheric plasma. To study the behavior of solar cells, a number of cell coupons, representing technologies of current interest, will be biased to high voltages to characterize both negative potential arcing and positive potential current collection. Additionally, various theories of arc suppression will be tested by including several specially modified cell coupons. Finally, SAMPIE will include experiments to study the basic nature of these interactions. The rationale for a space flight experiment, the measurements to be made, the significance of the expected results, and the current design status of the flight hardware are described.

Hillard, G. Barry↗
NASA NTRS1978

Spacecraft charging and plasma interaction implications for large space systems

Specific discharge mechanisms, plasma interactions, and scale effects associated with very large spacecraft are studied. The large area, low density character, and extensive use of non-conducting materials is thought to have a major impact on the performance and survivability of many large space systems.

Miller, E.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Ion Propulsion Plasma Interactions in the Solar Wind

This paper focuses on the plasma physics issues related to ion propulsion. We present an overview of our current understanding of ion thruster plume induced plasma interactions and discuss the planned investigations of such interactions form the DS1 mission.

Solar↗
NASA NTRS1993

Solar array module plasma interactions experiment (SAMPIE) - Science and technology objectives

The solar array module plasma interactions experiment (SAMPIE) is an approved NASA flight experiment manifested for Shuttle deployment in early 1994. The SAMPIE experiment is designed to investigate the interaction of high voltage space power systems with ionospheric plasma. To study the behavior of solar cells, a number of solar cell coupons (representing design technologies of current interest) will be biased to high voltages to measure both arcing and current collection. Various theories of arc suppression will be tested by including several specially modified cell coupons. Finally, SAMPIE will include experiments to study the basic nature of arcing and current collection. This paper describes the rationale for a space flight experiment, the measurements to be made, and the significance of the expected results. A future paper will present a detailed discussion of the engineering design.

Hillard, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Solar Array Module Plasma Interaction Experiment (SAMPIE)

The objective of the Solar Array Module Plasma Interaction Experiment (SAMPIE) is to investigate, by means of a shuttle-based flight experiment and relevant ground-based testing, the arcing and current collection behavior of materials and geometries likely to be exposed to the LEO plasma on high-voltage space power systems, in order to minimize adverse environmental interactions. An overview of the SAMPIE program is presented in outline and graphical form.

Ferguson, Dale C.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Magnetized laser–plasma interactions in high-energy-density systems: Parallel propagation

In this study, we investigate parametric processes in magnetized plasmas, driven by a large-amplitude pump light wave. Our focus is on laser–plasma interactions relevant to high-energy-density (HED) systems, such as the National Ignition Facility and the Sandia MagLIF concept. We present a self-contained derivation of a “parametric” dispersion relation for magnetized three-wave interactions, meaning the pump wave is included in the equilibrium, similar to the unmagnetized work of Drake et al., Phys. Fluids 17, 778 (1974). For this, we use a multi-species plasma fluid model and Maxwell's equations. The application of an external B field causes right- and left-polarized light waves to propagate with differing phase velocities. This leads to Faraday rotation of the polarization, which can be significant in HED conditions. Phase-matching and linear wave dispersion relations show that Raman and Brillouin scattering have modified spectra due to the background B field, though this effect is usually small in systems of current practical interest. We study a scattering process we call stimulated whistler scattering, where a light wave decays to an electromagnetic whistler wave (ω≲ω ce ) and a Langmuir wave. This only occurs in the presence of an external B field, which is required for the whistler wave to exist.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma Interaction Experiment (PIX) flight results

An auxiliary payload package called PIX (plasma interaction experiment) was launched on March 5, 1978, on the LANDSAT 3 launch vehicle to study interactions between the space charged-particle environment and surfaces at high applied positive and negative voltages. Three experimental surfaces were used in this package: a plain disk to act as a control, a disk on a Kapton sheet to determine the effect of surrounding insulation on current collection, and a small solar-array segment to evaluate the effect of distributing biased surfaces among an array of insulators. Only half of the results from the 4 hours of PIX operations were recovered. The results did verify effects found in ground simulation testing. The results of this experiment are discussed in detail.

Grier, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High-voltage plasma interactions calculations using NASCAP/LEO

This paper reviews four previous simulations (two laboratory and two space-flight) of interactions of a high-voltage spacecraft with a plasma under low-earth orbit conditions, performed using a three-dimensional computer code NASCAP/LEO. Results show that NASCAP/LEO can perform meaningful simulations of high-voltage plasma interactions taking into account three-dimensional effects of geometry, spacecraft motion, and magnetic field. Two new calculations are presented: (1) for current collection by 1-mm pinholes in wires (showing that a pinhole in a wire can collect far more current than a similar pinhole in a flat plate); and (2) current collection by Charge-2 mother vehicle launched in December 1985. It is shown that the Charge-2 calculations predicted successfully ion collection at negative bias, the floating potential of a probe outside or inside the sheath under negative bias conditions, and magnetically limited electron collection under electron beam operation at high altitude.

Mandell, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Plasma interactions monitoring system

The plasma environment around the space station is expected to be different from that environment which occurs naturally at these altitudes because of the unprecedented size of the space station, its orbital motion, and its high power distribution system. Although there are models which predict the environment around the station, they do not take into account changes in configuration, changes in the natural and induced environments, nor interactions between the different environments. There will be unique perturbations associated with the space station, which will vary as the space station is being developed. Even after the developed space station has been completed environmental conditions will change as the payloads are changed and as the station systems and materials undergo degradation and modification. Because the space station will be a point of many varied activities the environment will continually undergo perturbations from effluents resulting from operations of the reboost module, EVA, airlock operations, and vacuum venting. The use of the Mobile Service Center will cause disturbances which cannot, at this time, be predicted. Also, the natural environment will be affected by solar flares. In addition, the operations of attached payloads, (e.g., ASTROMAG) themselves will undoubtedly cause perturbations to the ambient environment. Finally, the natural environment will change as a result of natural perturbations such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms.

Roberts, William T.↗