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At least 73 records · Page 4

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1999

Particle Simulations of Plasma Detachment in VASIMR

The particle simulations in a Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) currently include self-consistent calculation of. 1) stationary magnetic field in plasma, 2) ion density and velocity, 3) ion-cyclotron radio-frequency heating, 4) ambipolar electric field. The assumptions of quasineutral and collissionless plasma are based on the range of operating VASIMR parameters. The main motivation for the particle simulation in VASIMR is plasma detachment from the magnetic field in the exhaust area. The plasma detachment is caused mainly by the Larmor radius increase. The plasma beta effect on detachment is observed and investigated as well. The results of particle simulations are compared with those from MHD simulations.

Ilin, A. V.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Bubble Formation and Detachment in Reduced Gravity Under the Influence of Electric Fields

The objective of the study is to investigate the behavior of individual air bubbles injected through an orifice into an electrically insulating liquid under the influence of a static electric field. Both uniform and nonuniform electric field configurations were considered. Bubble formation and detachment were recorded and visualized in reduced gravity (corresponding to gravity levels on Mars, on the Moon as well as microgravity) using a high-speed video camera. Bubble volume, dimensions and contact angle at detachment were measured. In addition to the experimental studies, a simple model, predicting bubble characteristics at detachment was developed. The model, based on thermodynamic considerations, accounts for the level of gravity as well as the magnitude of the uniform electric field. Measured data and model predictions show good agreement and indicate that the level of gravity and the electric field magnitude significantly affect bubble shape, volume and dimensions.

Herman, Cila↗

NASA NTRS2003

In-Situ Pressure Measurements During the Detached Growth of Germanium

Crystal growth by the vertical Bridgman method in which there is little or no contact between the wall and the crystal has been termed detached solidification. Detachment has been observed frequently in previous microgravity experiments, and has been reported under some terrestrial conditions as well. It is expected that detachment can be conditioned by establishing an appropriate pressure difference below and above the melt. To test this hypothesis, an experimental technique has been developed to measure this pressure difference during the growth of germanium by the vertical Bridgman method. The apparatus allows for both monitoring the pressures and actively controlling them during growth. For a given melt height, there is a maximum pressure difference attainable before gas bubbles up through the melt. This maximum pressure increases with increasing melt height. As the melt height approaches zero, the maximum pressure difference, about 20 mbar in these experiments, is determined by the surface tension and gap width of the meniscus at the bottom of the melt.

Volz, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Evaluation of a Second-Order Accurate Navier-Stokes Code for Detached Eddy Simulation Past a Circular Cylinder

We evaluate the applicability of a production computational fluid dynamics code for conducting detached eddy simulation for unsteady flows. A second-order accurate Navier-Stokes code developed at NASA Langley Research Center, known as TLNS3D, is used for these simulations. We focus our attention on high Reynolds number flow (Re = 5 x 10(sup 4) - 1.4 x 10(sup 5)) past a circular cylinder to simulate flows with large-scale separations. We consider two types of flow situations: one in which the flow at the separation point is laminar, and the other in which the flow is already turbulent when it detaches from the surface of the cylinder. Solutions are presented for two- and three-dimensional calculations using both the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes paradigm and the detached eddy simulation treatment. All calculations use the standard Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model as the base model.

Vatsa, Veer N.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Detached Growth of Germanium by Directional Solidification

The conditions of detached solidification under controlled pressure differential across the meniscus were investigated. Uncoated and graphite- or BN-coated silica and pBN crucibles were used. Detached and partly detached growth was achieved in pBN and BN-coated crucibles, respectively. The results of the experiments are discussed based on the theory of Duffar et al.

Palosz, W.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Stability of Detached Solidification

Bridgman crystal growth can be conducted in the so-called "detached" solidification regime, where the growing crystal is detached from the crucible wall. A small gap between the growing crystal and the crucible wall, of the order of 100 micrometers or less, can be maintained during the process. A meniscus is formed at the bottom of the melt between the crystal and crucible wall. Under proper conditions, growth can proceed without collapsing the meniscus. The meniscus shape plays a key role in stabilizing the process. Thermal and other process parameters can also affect the geometrical steady-state stability conditions of solidification. The dynamic stability theory of the shaped crystal growth process has been developed by Tatarchenko. It consists of finding a simplified autonomous set of differential equations for the radius, height, and possibly other process parameters. The problem then reduces to analyzing a system of first order linear differential equations for stability. Here we apply a modified version of this theory for a particular case of detached solidification. Approximate analytical formulas as well as accurate numerical values for the capillary stability coefficients are presented. They display an unexpected singularity as a function of pressure differential. A novel approach to study the thermal field effects on the crystal shape stability has been proposed. In essence, it rectifies the unphysical assumption of the model that utilizes a perturbation of the crystal radius along the axis as being instantaneous. It consists of introducing time delay effects into the mathematical description and leads, in general, to stability over a broader parameter range. We believe that this novel treatment can be advantageously implemented in stability analyses of other crystal growth techniques such as Czochralski and float zone methods.

Mazuruk, K.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Bubble Detachment in Variable Gravity Under the Influence of Electric Fields

The objective of the research is to investigate the behavior of individual air bubbles injected through an orifice into an electrically insulating liquid under the influence of a static electric field. Situations were considered with both uniform and nonuniform electric fields. Bubble formation and detachment were visualized in terrestrial gravity as well as for several levels of reduced gravity (lunar, martian and microgravity) using a high-speed video camera. Bubble volume, dimensions and contact angles at detachment were measured. In addition to the experimental studies, a simple model, predicting bubble characteristics at detachment in an initially uniform electric field was developed. The model, based on thermodynamic considerations, accounts for the level of gravity as well as the magnitude of the uniform electric field. The results of the study indicate that the level of gravity and the electric field magnitude significantly affect bubble behavior as well as shape, volume and dimensions.

Herman, Cila↗

NASA NTRS2002

Electric Field Effects on an Injected Air Bubble at Detachment in a Low Gravity Environment

The objective of the study is to investigate the behavior of individual air bubbles injected through an orifice into an electrically insulating liquid under the influence of a static and uniform electric field. Bubble formation and detachment were visualized and recorded in microgravity using a high-speed video camera. Bubble volume, dimensions and contact angle at detachment were measured. In addition to the experimental studies, a simple model, predicting bubble characteristics at detachment was developed. The model, based on thermodynamic considerations, accounts for the level of gravity as well as the magnitude of the uniform electric field. Measured data and model predictions show good agreement, and indicate that the level of gravity and the electric field magnitude significantly affect bubble shape, volume and dimensions.

Iacona, Estelle↗

NASA NTRS2015

Shape Evolution of Detached Bridgman Crystals Grown in Microgravity

A theory describing the shape evolution of detached Bridgman crystals in microgravity has been developed. A starting crystal of initial radius r0 will evolve to one of the following states: Stable detached gap; Attachment to the crucible wall; Meniscus collapse. Only crystals where alpha plus omega is great than 180 degrees will achieve stable detached growth in microgravity. Results of the crystal shape evolution theory are consistent with predictions of the dynamic stability of crystallization (Tatarchenko, Shaped Crystal Growth, Kluwer, 1993). Tests of transient crystal evolution are planned for ICESAGE, a series of Ge and GeSi crystal growth experiments planned to be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS).

Volz, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS2018

The Discovery of an Asymmetric Detached Shell Around the “fresh” Carbon AGB Star TX Psc

We present ALMA observations of the circumstellar envelope around the AGB carbon star TX Psc in molecular CO(2–1) emission, and detect a previously unknown detached shell with ﬁlamentary structure and elliptical shape. Up to now, all observed detached shells are found around carbon AGB stars and are of remarkable spherical symmetry. The elliptical shell around TX Psc is the ﬁrst clear exception to that rule, with TX Psc being classiﬁed as rather ”fresh” carbon star, that most likely has only experienced very few thermal pulses yet. We investigate and discuss the 3D structure of the CSE and its most likely formation scenarios, as well as the link of this peculiar detached shell to the AGB evolutionary status of TX Psc.

M. Brunner↗

NASA NTRS2021

Signatures of a Distant Planet on the Inclination Distribution of the Detached Kuiper Belt

A distant, massive planet in the outer solar system has recently been proposed to explain some observed features of extreme trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). Here we use N-body simulations of the formation of the Kuiper Belt and Oort cloud as well as a survey simulator to compare models of the solar system with and without a ninth planet to one another as well as to observations. The main mechanism for TNOs to be deposited into the distant (a > 50 au), detached (q > 40 au) region of the Kuiper Belt in the eight-planet model is Kozai–Lidov oscillation of objects in mean motion resonances (MMR) with Neptune. This effect does not deposit low-inclination (i ≲ 20°) objects into this region. However, we find that the ninth planet generates a group of distant, detached TNOs at low inclinations that are not present in the eight-planet model. This disparity between the eight-planet and nine-planet models could provide a strong constraint on a possible planet nine with further detections of TNOs in the distant, detached region of the Kuiper Belt.

Kalee E Anderson↗

DOE OSTI2025

Demonstrating the impact of ro-vibrationally excited H 2 on divertor detachment via population modelling

EDGE2D-EIRENE profiles characteristic for low recycling, high recycling and detached plasmas are postprocessed applying a vibrationally resolved collisional radiative (CR) model based on the Yacora solver to predict excited state densities and thus the molecular Lyman-, Werner- and Fulcher band emission intensities. These emission intensities are compared to predictions from the AMJUEL database standardly used in EIRENE. Lower Fulcher band and higher Lyman- and Werner band emission is predicted by the Yacora model in comparison to AMJUEL suggesting that inconsistent results from model based evaluation of measured spectra are expected depending on which model and molecular emission band is considered. The implications on detachment rate predictions are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Divertor detachment and heat exhaust mitigation control in KSTAR with tungsten divertor

KSTAR has recently undergone an upgrade to use a new tungsten divertor to run experiments in ITER-relevant scenarios. Even with a high melting point of tungsten, it is important to control the heat flux impinging on tungsten divertor targets to minimize sputtering and contamination of the core plasma. Heat flux on the divertor is often controlled by increasing the degree of detachment of scrape-off layer plasma from the target plates. In this work, we have demonstrated successful divertor detachment and heat exhaust dissipation control experiments using two different methods. The first method uses attachment fraction as a control variable which is estimated using ion saturation current measurements from embedded Langmuir probes in the divertor. The second method uses a novel machine-learning-based surrogate model of 2D UEDGE simulation database, DivControlNN. We demonstrated running inference operation of DivControlNN in realtime to estimate heat flux at the divertor and use it as the control variable in a feedback loop with impurity gas flow. We present interesting insights from these experiments including a systematic approach to tuning controllers and discuss future improvements in the control infrastructure and control variables for future burning plasma experiments.

KSTAR tungsten divertor operations↗

DOE OSTI2024

Effect of detachment on Magnum-PSI ELM-like pulses: direct observations and qualitative results

Abstract Conditions similar to those at the end of the divertor leg in a tokamak were replicated in the linear plasma machine Magnum-PSI. The neutral pressure in the target chamber is then increased to cause the target to transition from an attached to a detached state. Superimposed to this steady state regime, edge localised mode (ELM)-like pulses are reproduced, resulting in a sudden increase in plasma temperature and density, such that the heat flux increases transiently by half an order of magnitude. Visible light emission, target thermography, and Thomson scattering are used to demonstrate that the higher the neutral pressure the more energy is removed from the ELM-like pulse in the volume. If the neutral pressure is sufficiently high, the ELM-like pulse can be prevented from affecting the target and the plasma energy is fully dissipated in the volume instead (ID 4 in table 1). The visible light images allow the division of the ELM-plasma interaction process of ELM energy dissipation into 3 ‘stages’ ranging from no dissipation to full dissipation (the target plasma is detached). In the second publication related to this study, spectroscopic data is analysed with a Bayesian approach, to acquire insights into the significance of molecular processes in dissipating the plasma energy and particles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Characterization of detachment inferred from the Balmer line ratios in JET-ILW low-confinement mode plasmas

Spectroscopic measurements of the hydrogenic Balmer-α and Balmer-γ line emission in JET-ILW low-confinement mode (L-mode) deuterium plasmas are used to assess the onset of volume recombination in the low-field side (LFS) divertor. The evolution of the EDGE2D-EIRENE predicted Balmer-γ to Balmer-α emission ratio from low-recycling to detached conditions is in qualitative agreement with the measured ratio. In low-recycling conditions the EDGE2D-EIRENE predicted line-emission is within 30% of measured emission, in high-recycling within 20%t, and in detached conditions lower by a factor of 2.5.

Divertor visible spectroscopy↗

DOE OSTI2025

Latent space mapping: Revolutionizing predictive models for divertor plasma detachment control

The inherent complexity of boundary plasma, characterized by multi-scale and multi-physics challenges, has historically restricted high-fidelity simulations to scientific research due to their intensive computational demands. Consequently, routine applications such as discharge control and scenario development have relied on faster but less accurate empirical methods. This work introduces DivControlNN, a novel machine-learning-based surrogate model designed to address these limitations by enabling quasi-real-time predictions (i.e., ~ 0.2 ms) of boundary and divertor plasma behavior. Trained on over 70,000 2D UEDGE simulations from KSTAR tokamak equilibria, DivControlNN employs latent space mapping to efficiently represent complex divertor plasma states, achieving a computational speed-up of over 10 8 compared to traditional simulations while maintaining a relative error below 20% for key plasma property predictions. During the 2024 KSTAR experimental campaign, a prototype detachment control system powered by DivControlNN successfully demonstrated detachment control on its first attempt, even for a new tungsten divertor configuration and without any fine-tuning. These results highlight the transformative potential of DivControlNN in overcoming diagnostic challenges in future fusion reactors by providing fast, robust, and reliable predictions for advanced integrated control systems.

Artificial neural networks↗

NASA NTRS1979

A detached experiment carrier aids adaptation of experiments from sounding rockets to Space Shuttle

The detached experiment carrier (DEC) system aids the adaptation of small, low-weight experiments to Space Shuttle missions. The carrier system consists of the detached experiment carrier (free-flyer), a command station at the Orbiter aft station, and a flight support station in the Orbiter payload bay. The carrier is a compact vehicle that is radio controlled by the Shuttle crew. It uses control television, command, and cold gas propulsion systems to deploy experiments from and later rendezvous with the Orbiter. The carrier propulsion system also maintains the attitude control required during experiment execution. Results of engineering investigation, analysis, component design and development, and testing indicate that the DEC system concept is practical. Results of preliminary engineering investigations, including maneuvering system handling qualities and television/telemetry display formats, indicate that the concept of flying the DEC 'out of' and 'into' the Orbiter payload bay is both safe and practical for small, compact free-flyer deployment and retrieval. This paper describes the carrier system, its operations, and potential applications.

Ritz, W. F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Detached plasma in Saturn's front side magnetosphere

Plasma observations in the outer front side Saturnian magnetosphere are discussed which indicate the existence of dense flux tubes outside the plasma sheets. It is suggested that flux tubes are detached from the plasma sheet by a centifugally driven flute instability. The same instability leads to a dispersal of Titan-injected plasma. It is shown that the detached flux tubes will probably break open as they convect into the nightside magnetotail and lose their content in the form of a planetary wind.

Goertz, C. K.↗