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At least 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

An intercomparison of plasma turbulence at three comets: Grigg-Skjellerup, Giacobini-Zinner, and Halley

We examine and intercompare the LF plasma wave turbulence at three comets: Grigg-Skjellerup (GS), Giacobini-Zinner (GZ), and Halley (H). All three have power spectral peaks at the local ion cyclotron frequency (the pump wave) at approx. 10(exp -2) Hz, and a power-law fall-off at higher frequencies that suggest the development of turbulent cascades. The power laws for the three comets are approximately f(exp -1.9), f(exp -1.9) and f(exp -2.1), respectively. However, other than the similarities in the power spectra, we find the magnetic field turbulence is considerably different at the three comets. Phase steepening is demonstrated to occur at the trailing edges of the GS waves. This is probably due to nonlinear steepening plus dispersion of the left-hand mode components. A coherency analysis of GZ turbulence indicates that it is primarily composed of righthanded mode components, i.e., the turbulence is 'whistlermode.' This too can be explained by nonlinear steepening plus dispersion of the magnetosonic waves. At the level of GS and GZ turbulence development when the spacecraft measurements were made, classical three-wave processes, such as the decay or modulation instabilities do not appear to play important roles. It is most likely that the nonlinear steepening and dispersive time scales are more rapid than three-wave processes, and the latter had not had time to develop for the relatively 'new' turbulence. The wave turbulence at Halley is linearly polarized. The exact nature of this turbulence is still not well understood at this time. Several possibilities are suggested, based on our preliminary analyses.

Tsurutani, Bruce T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Free-field propagation of high intensity noise

Research on high intensity (finite amplitude) acoustic waves shows that nonlinear distortion effects generally result in a shift of energy to higher frequencies. The higher intensities associated with supersonic jets would therefore indicate that high frequency enhancement of the spectrum should occur, resulting in the differences observed between subsonic and supersonic jets. A 10,000 acoustic watt source installed in an anechoic chamber generates sound levels such that acoustic shocks are readily observable. Dual frequency excitation of the source produces a strong parametric effect with a difference frequency comparable in level to the primary frequency. The test set up and recording equipment being used to determine the finite amplitude noise representative of an actual supersonic jet are described as well as the development of a computer program based on Burger's equation. The spectra of 1/2 octave band, 1 kHz sine wave, and dual frequency input and output are presented in graphs along with waveforms at Z = .025, 0.1, and 1.0.

Mcdaniel, O. H.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Acoustically Enhanced Electroplating Being Developed

In cooperation with the NASA Glenn Research Center, Alchemitron Corp. is developing the Acoustically Enhanced Electroplating Process (AEEP), a new technique of employing nonlinear ultrasonics to enhance electroplating. The applications range from electroplating full-panel electronic circuit boards to electroplating microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. In a conventional plating process, the surface area to be plated is separated from the nonplated areas by a temporary mask. The mask may take many forms, from a cured liquid coating to a simple tape. Generally, the mask is discarded when the plating is complete, creating a solid waste product that is often an environmental hazard. The labor and materials involved with the layout, fabrication, and tooling of masks is a primary source of recurring and nonrecurring production costs. The objective of this joint effort, therefore, is to reduce or eliminate the need for masks. AEEP improves selective plating processes by using directed beams of high-intensity acoustic waves to create nonlinear effects that alter the fluid dynamic and thermodynamic behavior of the plating process. It relies on two effects: acoustic streaming and acoustic heating. Acoustic streaming is observed when a high-intensity acoustic beam creates a liquid current within the beam. The liquid current can be directed as the beam is directed and, thus, users can move liquid around as desired without using pumps and nozzles. The current of the electroplating electrolyte, therefore, can be directed at distinct target areas where electroplating is desired. The current delivers fresh electrolyte to the target area while flushing away the spent electrolyte. This dramatically increases the plating rate in the target area. In addition, acoustic heating of both the liquid in the beam and the target surface increases the chemical reaction rate, which further increases the plating rate. The combined effects of acoustic streaming and heating accelerate the deposition of plating in that area and, thus, provide an effect similar to a mask but without the costs of masking. AEEP further improves the plating process by clearing debris and bubbles from the surface by acoustic radiation pressure and acoustic streaming.

Oeftering, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A Simple Theory of Capillary-Gravity Wave Turbulence

Employing a recently proposed 'multi-wave interaction' theory [JFM, 243, 623-625], spectra of capillary-gravity waves are derived. This case is characterized by a rather high degree of nonlinearity and a complicated dispersion law. The resultant absence of scale invariance makes this and some other problems of wave turbulence (e.g., nonlinear Rossby waves) intractable by small-perturbation techniques, even in the weak turbulence limit. The analytical solution obtained in the present work is shown to be in good agreement with experimental data. Its low- and high-frequency limits yield power-laws characterizing spectra of purely gravity and capillary waves, respectively. In the limits of weak and strong linearity, these reduce of the Zakharov-Filonenko and Phillips spectra, respectively.

Glazman, Roman E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Parameterization of planetary wave breaking in the middle atmosphere

A parameterization of planetary wave breaking in the middle atmosphere has been developed and tested in a numerical model which includes governing equations for a single wave and the zonal-mean state. The parameterization is based on the assumption that wave breaking represents a steady-state equilibrium between the flux of wave activity and its dissipation by nonlinear processes, and that the latter can be represented as linear damping of the primary wave. With this and the additional assumption that the effect of breaking is to prevent further amplitude growth, the required dissipation rate is readily obtained from the steady-state equation for wave activity; diffusivity coefficients then follow from the dissipation rate. The assumptions made in the derivation are equivalent to those commonly used in parameterizations for gravity wave breaking, but the formulation in terms of wave activity helps highlight the central role of the wave group velocity in determining the dissipation rate. Comparison of model results with nonlinear calculations of wave breaking and with diagnostic determinations of stratospheric diffusion coefficients reveals remarkably good agreement, and suggests that the parameterization could be useful for simulating inexpensively, but realistically, the effects of planetary wave transport.

Garcia, Rolando R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Self-ducting of large-amplitude whistler waves

Whistler waves are launched from an electric dipole of length L in a large-volume laboratory plasma. With increasing wave amplitude, the radiation pattern narrows and finally forms a duct of diameter approximately equal to L. The ducted waves propagate nearly undamped. The observed nonlinear effects are explained by wave-particle interactions.

Stenzel, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Computational aspects of the prediction of multidimensional transonic flows in turbomachinery

The analytical prediction and description of transonic flow in turbomachinery is complicated by three fundamental effects: (1) the fluid equations describing the transonic regime are inherently nonlinear, (2) shock waves may be present in the flow, and (3) turbomachine blading is geometrically complex, possessing large amounts of curvature, stagger, and twist. A three-dimensional computation procedure for the study of transonic turbomachine fluid mechanics is described. The fluid differential equations and corresponding difference operators are presented, the boundary conditions for complex blade shapes are described, and the computational implementation and mapping procedures are developed. Illustrative results of a typical unthrottled transonic rotor are also presented.

Oliver, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Stimulated plasma waves in the ionosphere

The reported discussion is concerned with longitudinal waves associated with electron motions. These waves are easily stimulated in the ionosphere by rocket- and satellite-borne RF sounders. Most of the observations of stimulated plasma waves in the ionosphere are based on ionograms obtained from the sounders carried on board five satellites, including Explorer 20, Alouette 1 and 2, and ISIS 1 and 2. The majority of the observations can be explained by considering the propagation of the sounder-stimulated plasma waves. Attention is given to aspects of plasma wave dispersion, linear phenomena, plasma wave instabilities and nonlinear phenomena, unexplained phenomena, diagnostic applications, geophysical and astrophysical applications, and a number of experiments planned for the future.

Benson, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Retrodirective-Optical-Transponder Concept

Pointing errors and optical imperfections automatically corrected. Coherent optical transponder employs nearly-degenerate four-wave mixing in nonlinear optical element to produce signal traveling back toward source of incoming signal. Return signal modulated for communication, navigation, data transmission, tracking, and identification. When perfected concept finds important civilian and military applications in line-of-sight tracking, communication and identification.

Dickinson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Structure and Energetics of Medium-scale Atmospheric Waves in the Southern Hemisphere Summer

The NMC analyses were used to study medium-scale waves during three Southern Hemisphere (SH) summers. The SH summer medium-scale waves are observed to exhibit remarkably regular eastward phase progression, and wave maxima can often be traced continuously around the globe. Frequent downstream development of existing wave patterns is observed. The medium-scale waves at times appear to be longitudinally localized features; at other times they resemble truly global-scale models. The time-mean wave structure is found to be consistent with basic-state propagation characteristics and the conservation of wave activity. There is a tendency for background wind structure to restrict wave propagation. From energetics studies it is found that wave-zonal-mean exchange is a valid concept for describing the SH summer circulation, and that the flow vacillated between periods of highly perturbed and zonally symmetric states. The medium-scale waves result from nonlinear baroclinic instabilities, and exhibit a well-defined life cycle of baroclinic growth, maturity, and barotropic decay.

Randel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Rocket measurements of mesospheric ionization irregularities

The Langmuir-probe technique for measurement of electron concentration in the mesosphere is capable of excellent altitude resolution, of order 1 m. Measurements from nine rocket flights frequently show small-scale ionization structures in the altitude region 60-90 km. These are believed to be identical with regions of strong coherent backscatter seen by VHF radars at Jicamarca, Peru and Urbana, Illinois. They are believed to represent intermittent turbulence attributable to nonlinear interaction of waves in the mesosphere. Parameters of the turbulent regions are estimated.

Stoltzfus, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Microwave emission and scattering from Earth surface and atmosphere

Nonlinear Electromagnetic (EM) wave interactions with the upper atmosphere were investigated during the period 15 December 1985 to 15 June 1986. Topics discussed include: the simultaneous excitation of ionospheric density irregularities and Earth's magnetic field fluctuations; the electron acceleration by Langmuir wave turbulence; and the occurrence of artificial spread F. The role of thermal effects in generating ionospheric irregularities by Whistler waves, intense Quasi-DC electric fields, atmospheric gravity waves, and electrojets was investigated. A model was developed to explain the discrete spectrum of the resonant ultralow frequency (ULF) waves that are commonly observed in the magnetosphere.

Kong, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A comparison of numerical flux formulas for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

Numerical flux formulas for the convection terms in the Euler or Navier-Stokes equations are analyzed with regard to their accuracy in representing steady nonlinear and linear waves (shocks and entropy/shear waves, respectively). Numerical results are obtained for a one-dimensional conical Navier-Stokes flow including both a shock and a boundary layer. Analysis and experiments indicate that for an accurate representation of both layers the flux formula must include information about all different waves by which neighboring cells interact, as in Roe's flux-difference splitting. In comparison, Van Leer's flux-vector splitting, which ignores the linear waves, badly diffuses the boundary layer. The results of MacCormack's scheme, if properly tuned, are significantly better. The use of a sufficiently detailed flux formula appears to reduce the number of cells required to resolve a boundary layer by a factor 1/2 to 1/4 and thus pays off.

Van Leer, Bram↗
NASA NTRS1989

Morphological instabilities in directional solidification of a binary alloy - End effects

This paper considers the unidirectional solidification of a binary alloy for which the liquid and solid phases are bounded by endwalls. In order to account for the transport of latent heat and solute, thermal and solutal boundary layers must be placed at the solidifying interface. Further, under the assumption of fixed temperature gradients, the presence of the endwalls leads to a velocity of solidification that decreases with time, and hence to an unsteady basic state having a planar interface. From a stability analysis of this state, a nonlinear long-wave evolution equation of Sivashinsky type is derived, with modified coefficients, that shows how the onset of cellular structure is delayed by the presence of endwalls.

Young, Gerald W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The effect of random Alfven waves on the propagation of hydromagnetic waves in a finite-beta plasma

Using first-order smoothing theory, Fourier analysis and perturbation methods, the evolution equation of the wave spectrum as well as the nonlinear forces generated by random Alfven waves in a finite-beta plasma with phenomenological Landau-damping effects are obtained. The effect of microscale random Alfven waves on the propagation of large-scale hydromagnetic waves is also investigated by solving the mean-field equations. It is shown that parallel-propagating random Alfven waves are modulationally stable and that obliquely propagating random Alfven waves can be modulationally unstable when the energy of random waves is converted to slow magnetoacoustic waves that can be Landau-damped, providing a dissipation mechanism for the Alfven waves.

Hamabata, Hiromitsu↗
NASA NTRS1990

Materials characterization using acoustic nonlinearity parameters and harmonic generation - Engineering materials

The paper reviews nonlinear bulk compressional wave acoustic measurement systems and the applications of measurements from such systems to engineering materials. Preliminary measurements indicate that it is possible to determine percent second phase precipitates in aluminum alloys, while other measurements show promise in the determination of properties related to the fatigue states of metals. It is also shown that harmonic generation can be used for the study of crack opening loads in compact tension specimens, which in turn gives useful information about the fatigue properties of various engineering materials.

Yost, William T.↗