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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.

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At least 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Reproducing the observed energy-dependent structure of Earth's electron radiation belts during storm recovery with an event-specific diffusion model

Here, we present dynamic simulations of energy-dependent losses in the radiation belt “slot region” and the formation of the two-belt structure for the quiet days after the 1 March storm. The simulations combine radial diffusion with a realistic scattering model, based data-driven spatially and temporally resolved whistler-mode hiss wave observations from the Van Allen Probes satellites. The simulations reproduce Van Allen Probes observations for all energies and L shells (2–6) including (a) the strong energy dependence to the radiation belt dynamics (b) an energy-dependent outer boundary to the inner zone that extends to higher L shells at lower energies and (c) an “S-shaped” energy-dependent inner boundary to the outer zone that results from the competition between diffusive radial transport and losses. We find that the characteristic energy-dependent structure of the radiation belts and slot region is dynamic and can be formed gradually in ~15 days, although the “S shape” can also be reproduced by assuming equilibrium conditions. The highest-energy electrons (E > 300 keV) of the inner region of the outer belt (L ~ 4–5) also constantly decay, demonstrating that hiss wave scattering affects the outer belt during times of extended plasmasphere. Through these simulations, we explain the full structure in energy and L shell of the belts and the slot formation by hiss scattering during storm recovery. We show the power and complexity of looking dynamically at the effects over all energies and L shells and the need for using data-driven and event-specific conditions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Energetic Electron Precipitation Driven by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves from ELFIN’s Low Altitude Perspective

We review comprehensive observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave-driven energetic electron precipitation using data collected by the energetic electron detector on the Electron Losses and Fields InvestigatioN (ELFIN) mission, two polar-orbiting low-altitude spinning CubeSats, measuring 50-5000 keV electrons with good pitch-angle and energy resolution. EMIC wave-driven precipitation exhibits a distinct signature in energy-spectrograms of the precipitating-to-trapped flux ratio: peaks at >0.5 MeV which are abrupt (bursty) (lasting ~17 s, or ΔL ~ 0.56) with significant substructure (occasionally down to sub-second timescale). We attribute the bursty nature of the precipitation to the spatial extent and structuredness of the wave field at the equator. Multiple ELFIN passes over the same MLT sector allow us to study the spatial and temporal evolution of the EMIC wave - electron interaction region. Case studies employing conjugate ground-based or equatorial observations of the EMIC waves reveal that the energy of moderate and strong precipitation at ELFIN approximately agrees with theoretical expectations for cyclotron resonant interactions in a cold plasma. Using multiple years of ELFIN data uniformly distributed in local time, we assemble a statistical database of ~50 events of strong EMIC wave-driven precipitation. Most reside at L ~ 5 – 7 at dusk, while a smaller subset exists at L ~ 8 – 12 at post-midnight. The energies of the peak-precipitation ratio and of the half-peak precipitation ratio (our proxy for the minimum resonance energy) exhibit an L-shell dependence in good agreement with theoretical estimates based on prior statistical observations of EMIC wave power spectra. The precipitation ratio’s spectral shape for the most intense events has an exponential falloff away from the peak (i.e., on either side of ~ 1.45 MeV). It too agrees well with quasi-linear diffusion theory based on prior statistics of wave spectra. It should be noted though that this diffusive treatment likely includes effects from nonlinear resonant interactions (especially at high energies) and nonresonant effects from sharp wave packet edges (at low energies). Sub-MeV electron precipitation observed concurrently with strong EMIC wave-driven >1 MeV precipitation has a spectral shape that is consistent with efficient pitch-angle scattering down to ~ 200-300 keV by much less intense higher frequency EMIC waves at dusk (where such waves are most frequent). At ~100 keV, whistler-mode chorus may be implicated in concurrent precipitation. These results confirm the critical role of EMIC waves in driving relativistic electron losses. Nonlinear effects may abound and require further investigation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Wave associated anomalous drag during magnetic field reconnection

The anomalous drag, D, due to large amplitude plasma waves is used for the first time, in place of {eta}*j, to estimate dissipation at the sub-solar magnetopause and to determine the extent to which this drag accounts for the reconnection electric field. This anomalous drag is determined by measuring correlations of the fluctuations in the electric field and plasma density. Large amplitude electric fields occurred more than 60% of the time in the more than 100 sub-solar, low latitude magnetopause crossings of the THEMIS satellite. They occurred mainly near the magnetospheric separatrix in the form of electrostatic lower hybrid and whistler waves. The anomalous drag at the separatrix was generally <10% of the average reconnection electric field, and it was <1% of the field in the current sheet. Thus, anomalous drag due to waves is not a significant driver of reconnection or of the required dissipation at the sub-solar magnetopause.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Excitation of electromagnetic waves by a pulsed loop antenna in a magnetoplasma

A study is made of the radiation from a pulsed loop antenna immersed in a cold collisionless magnetoplasma. Using a rigorous solution for the total field of such an antenna, the energy characteristics of its radiation are determined. The radiated energy and its distribution over the spatial and frequency spectra of the excited waves are analyzed as functions of the antenna and plasma parameters. Numerical results referring to the case where the frequency spectrum of the antenna current is concentrated in the whistler frequency range are reported. The results obtained can be useful in understanding the basic features of wave excitation by pulsed sources in a magnetoplasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Axisymmetric nonlinear waves and structures in Hall plasmas

In this paper, a general equation for the evolution of an axisymmetric magnetic field in a Hall plasma is derived, with an integral similar to the Grad-Shafranov equation. Special solutions arising from curvature-whistler drift modes that propagate along the electron drift as a Burger's shock and nonlinear periodic and soliton-like solutions to the generalized Grad-Shafranov integral-are analyzed. We derive analytical and numerical solutions in a classical electron-ion Hall plasma, in which electrons and ions are the only species in the plasmas. Results may then be applied to the following low-ionized astrophysical plasmas: in protostellar disks, in which the ions may be coupled to the motion of gases; and in molecular clouds and protostellar jets, in which the much heavier charged dust in a dusty Hall plasma may be collisionally coupled to the gas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Alfven waves in dusty plasmas with plasma particles described by anisotropic kappa distributions

We utilize a kinetic description to study the dispersion relation of Alfven waves propagating parallelly to the ambient magnetic field in a dusty plasma, taking into account the fluctuation of the charge of the dust particles, which is due to inelastic collisions with electrons and ions. We consider a plasma in which the velocity distribution functions of the plasma particles are modelled as anisotropic kappa distributions, study the dispersion relation for several combinations of the parameters {kappa}{sub Parallel-To} and {kappa}{sub Up-Tack }, and emphasize the effect of the anisotropy of the distributions on the mode coupling which occurs in a dusty plasma, between waves in the branch of circularly polarized waves and waves in the whistler branch.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Laboratory studies of the dynamic of resonance cones formation in magnetized plasmas

The paper is devoted to experimental studies of formation of resonance cones in magnetized plasmas by pulsed RF source in the lower-hybrid (whistler) and the upper-hybrid frequency ranges. It is shown that in both frequency ranges, resonance cones exhibit similar dynamics after switching-on the RF source: at first, wide maxima of radiation are formed in non-resonance directions, which then become narrower, with their direction approaching the resonance one. While the resonance cones are being formed, one observes a fine structure in the form of secondary radiation maxima. It is shown that the characteristic formation time of stationary resonance cones is determined by the minimal value of the group velocity of the quasi-electrostatic waves excited by the antenna. In the low-temperature plasma, this value is limited in the lower-hybrid frequency range by the spatial spectrum of the emitting antenna and in the upper-hybrid range, by the effects of spatial plasma dispersion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Pitch angle scattering of an energetic magnetized particle by a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave

The interaction between a circularly polarized wave and an energetic gyrating particle is described using a relativistic pseudo-potential that is a function of the frequency mismatch. Analysis of the pseudo-potential provides a means for interpreting numerical results. The pseudo-potential profile depends on the initial mismatch, the normalized wave amplitude, and the initial angle between the wave magnetic field and the particle perpendicular velocity. For zero initial mismatch, the pseudo-potential consists of only one valley, but for finite mismatch, there can be two valleys separated by a hill. A large pitch angle scattering of the energetic electron can occur in the two-valley situation but fast scattering can also occur in a single valley. Examples relevant to magnetospheric whistler waves show that the energetic electron pitch angle can be deflected 5 Degree-Sign towards the loss cone when transiting a 10 ms long coherent wave packet having realistic parameters.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Spectral evolution of two-dimensional kinetic plasma turbulence in the wavenumber-frequency domain

We present a method for studying the evolution of plasma turbulence by tracking dispersion relations in the energy spectrum in the wavenumber-frequency domain. We apply hybrid plasma simulations in a simplified two-dimensional geometry to demonstrate our method and its applicability to plasma turbulence in the ion kinetic regime. We identify four dispersion relations: ion-Bernstein waves, oblique whistler waves, oblique Alfvén/ion-cyclotron waves, and a zero-frequency mode. The energy partition and frequency broadening are evaluated for these modes. The method allows us to determine the evolution of decaying plasma turbulence in our restricted geometry and shows that it cascades along the dispersion relations during the early phase with an increasing broadening around the dispersion relations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effects of Hall current and electron temperature anisotropy on proton fire-hose instabilities

The standard magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory predicts that the Alfvén wave may become fire-hose unstable for β{sub ∥}−β{sub ⊥}>2. In this study, we examine the proton fire-hose instability (FHI) based on the gyrotropic two-fluid model, which incorporates the ion inertial effects arising from the Hall current and electron temperature anisotropy but neglects the electron inertia in the generalized Ohm's law. The linear dispersion relation is derived and analyzed which in the long wavelength approximation, λ{sub i}k→0 or α{sub e}=μ{sub 0}(p{sub ∥,e}−p{sub ⊥,e})/B{sup 2}=1, recovers the ideal MHD model with separate temperature for ions and electrons. Here, λ{sub i} is the ion inertial length and k is the wave number. For parallel propagation, both ion cyclotron and whistler waves become propagating and growing for β{sub ∥}−β{sub ⊥}>2+λ{sub i}{sup 2}k{sup 2}(α{sub e}−1){sup 2}/2. For oblique propagation, the necessary condition for FHI remains to be β{sub ∥}−β{sub ⊥}>2 and there exist one or two unstable fire-hose modes, which can be propagating and growing or purely growing. For large λ{sub i}k values, there exists no nearly parallel FHI leaving only oblique FHI and the effect of α{sub e}>1 may greatly enhance the growth rate of parallel and oblique FHI. The magnetic field polarization of FHI may be reversed due to the sign change associated with (α{sub e}−1) and the purely growing FHI may possess linear polarization while the propagating and growing FHI may possess right-handed or left-handed polarization.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Large-amplitude circularly polarized electromagnetic waves in magnetized plasma

We consider large-amplitude circularly polarized (LACP) waves propagating in a magnetized plasma. It is well-known that the dispersion relation for such waves coincides with the dispersion relation given by the linear theory. We develop the model of LACP wave containing a finite population of Cerenkov resonant particles. We find that the current of resonant particles modifies the linear dispersion relation. Dispersion curves of low-frequency (i.e., whistler and magnetosonic) waves are shifted toward larger values of the wave vector, i.e., waves with arbitrarily large wavelengths do not exist in this case. Dispersion curves of high-frequency waves are modified so that the wave phase velocity becomes smaller than the speed of light.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Nonlinear evolution of the electromagnetic electron-cyclotron instability in bi-Kappa distributed plasma

This paper presents a numerical study of the linear and nonlinear evolution of the electromagnetic electron-cyclotron (EMEC) instability in a bi-Kappa distributed plasma. Distributions with high energy tails described by the Kappa power-laws are often observed in collision-less plasmas (e.g., solar wind and accelerators), where wave-particle interactions control the plasma thermodynamics and keep the particle distributions out of Maxwellian equilibrium. Under certain conditions, the anisotropic bi-Kappa distribution gives rise to plasma instabilities creating low-frequency EMEC waves in the whistler branch. The instability saturates nonlinearly by reducing the temperature anisotropy until marginal stability is reached. Numerical simulations of the Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations show excellent agreement with the growth-rate and real frequency of the unstable modes predicted by linear theory. The wave-amplitude of the EMEC waves at nonlinear saturation is consistent with magnetic trapping of the electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Kinetic structures of quasi-perpendicular shocks in global particle-in-cell simulations

We carried out global Particle-in-Cell simulations of the interaction between the solar wind and a magnetosphere to study the kinetic collisionless physics in super-critical quasi-perpendicular shocks. After an initial simulation transient, a collisionless bow shock forms as a result of the interaction of the solar wind and a planet magnetic dipole. The shock ramp has a thickness of approximately one ion skin depth and is followed by a trailing wave train in the shock downstream. At the downstream edge of the bow shock, whistler waves propagate along the magnetic field lines and the presence of electron cyclotron waves has been identified. A small part of the solar wind ion population is specularly reflected by the shock while a larger part is deflected and heated by the shock. Solar wind ions and electrons are heated in the perpendicular directions. Ions are accelerated in the perpendicular direction in the trailing wave train region. This work is an initial effort to study the electron and ion kinetic effects developed near the bow shock in a realistic magnetic field configuration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evolution of lower hybrid turbulence in the ionosphere

Three-dimensional evolution of the lower hybrid turbulence driven by a spatially localized ion ring beam perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field in space plasmas is analyzed. It is shown that the quasi-linear saturation model breaks down when the nonlinear rate of scattering by thermal electron is larger than linear damping rates, which can occur even for low wave amplitudes. The evolution is found to be essentially a three-dimensional phenomenon, which cannot be accurately explained by two-dimensional simulations. An important feature missed in previous studies of this phenomenon is the nonlinear conversion of electrostatic lower hybrid waves into electromagnetic whistler and magnetosonic waves and the consequent energy loss due to radiation from the source region. This can result in unique low-amplitude saturation with extended saturation time. It is shown that when the nonlinear effects are considered the net energy that can be permanently extracted from the ring beam is larger. The results are applied to anticipate the outcome of a planned experiment that will seed lower hybrid turbulence in the ionosphere and monitor its evolution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ion firehose instability in a dusty plasma considering product-bi-kappa distributions for the plasma particles

We study the dispersion relation for low frequency waves in the whistler mode propagating along the ambient magnetic field, considering ions and electrons with product-bi-kappa (PBK) velocity distributions and taking into account the presence of a population of dust particles. The results obtained by numerical analysis of the dispersion relation show that the decrease in the κ indexes in the ion PBK distribution contributes to the increase in magnitude of the growth rates of the ion firehose instability and the size of the region in wave number space where the instability occurs. It is also shown that the decrease in the κ indexes in the electron PBK distribution contribute to decrease in the growth rates of instability, despite the fact that the instability occurs due to the anisotropy in the ion distribution function. For most of the interval of κ values which has been investigated, the ability of the non-thermal ions to increase the instability overcomes the tendency of decrease due to the non-thermal electron distribution, but for very small values of the kappa indexes the deleterious effect of the non-thermal electrons tends to overcome the effect due to the non-thermal ion distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Determination of a macro- to micro-scale progression leading to a magnetized plasma disruption

We report here the observations of a plasma jet evolving through a macro- to micro-scale progression sequence. This leads to a fast magnetic reconnection that results in the jet breaking off from its originating electrode and forming a force-free state. A sausage-like pinching occurs first and squeezes an initially fat, short magnetized jet so that it becomes thin. The thin jet then becomes kink unstable. The lengthening of the jet by the kinking thins the jet even more since the kink is an incompressible instability. When the jet radius becomes comparable to the ion-skin depth, Hall and electron inertial physics become important and establish the environment for a fast magnetic reconnection. This fast reconnection occurs, disrupting the jet and establishing a force-free state. X-ray bursts and whistler waves, evidence of a magnetic reconnection, are observed when the plasma jet breaks off from the electrode. This experimentally confirmed sequence of successive thinning from pinching followed by kinking is reproduced in a three-dimensional ideal Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulation. The results of the experiment and the numerical simulation, together demonstrate a viable path from macro-scale MHD physics to micro-scale non-MHD physics where fast reconnection occurs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Lower-hybrid drift waves and their interaction with plasmas in a 3D symmetric reconnection simulation with zero guide field

We investigate lower-hybrid drift waves (LHDW) in symmetric magnetic reconnection with zero guide field using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The long-wavelength mode with kρiρe∼1 develops in the bifurcated electron current layer around the X-line within the width of the electron meandering motion from the mid-plane, where ρi(e) is the ion (electron) gyroradius. The short-wavelength mode with kρe∼1 develops in the separatrix region downstream of the electron outflow jet, producing electron vortices in the background flow frame. Electrons follow the E × B drift with corrections from the diamagnetic drift and are heated inside the vortices with diverging electric fields. In the vortices, ions have comparable E × B and inertia drifts, which together mostly cancel the diamagnetic drift. Toward the center of diverging field vortices, ions are decelerated, leading to a decrease in the perpendicular temperature, while the loss of low-energy ions results in an increase in the parallel temperature. Parallel electric fields exist as a combination of the LHDW wave field projected to the magnetic field direction and the penetration of whistler waves that are mainly outside of the LHDW layer. The magnetic flux tube is twisted in the vortices. The twist may potentially lead to slippage reconnection, as indicated by the non-uniform parallel potential variation across field lines, while the periodic variations of the twisting directions are a limiting factor.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Marginal stability constraint on runaway electron distribution

High-frequency kinetic instabilities of the strongly anisotropic runaway electrons (RE) can enhance the pitch-angle scattering of the runaways significantly. This wave-induced scattering can easily prevail over runaway scattering on high-Z impurities. In a steady state, collisional damping balances the kinetic drive of the unstable waves, keeping the RE distribution function at marginal stability. The marginal stability constraint limits the achievable RE densities and the shape of the RE distribution function. In this study, we consider whistler and compressional Alfvén waves as the primary source of enhanced elastic scattering of the runaways. By balancing the anomalous Doppler resonance drive with the collisional wave damping, we find the RE distribution function in the ultra-relativistic range of the phase space. We also derive an expression for the spectral energy density of the waves. We show that the power needed to compensate for the wave dissipation is negligible compared to the work of the electric field. The latter is in balance with the synchrotron losses of the runaway electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗