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At least 739 records · Page 41

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NASA NTRS1973

A 5000-hour test of a grid-translation beam-deflection system for a 5-cm diameter Kaufman thruster

A grid-translation type beam deflection system was tested on a 5-cm diameter mercury ion thruster for 5000 hours at a thrust level of about 0.36 mlb. During the first 2000 hours the beam was vectored 10 degrees in one direction. No erosion damage attributable to beam deflection was detected. Results indicate a possible lifetime of 15,000 to 20,000 hours. An optimized neutralizer position was used which eliminated the sputter erosion groove observed on the SERT 2 thrusters.

Lathem, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Numerical simulation of the generation of electrostatic turbulence in the magnetotail

A two-dimensional plasma model is used to investigate the development of electrostatic turbulence in a magnetized plasma from plasma instabilities. The simulation consists of following the motion of 100,000 ions in their self-consistent electrostatic field. The electrons are treated as a constant neutralizing background. The instabilities modeled are driven by a ring-type velocity distribution and by interpenetrating ion beams in a time-variable magnetic field. Instability growth times are of the order of an ion gyroperiod in the case of the ring distribution and of the order of an ion plasma period in the case of the beam simulation. Maximum potential differences generated are of the order of the ion kinetic energies. These simulations demonstrate the cascade of wave energy to long wavelengths, thus showing the E x B turbulence can be generated from plasma microinstabilities. After the free energy feeding, the instabilities are exhausted, and wave energy at wavelengths less than an ion gyrodiameter decays quickly to equilibrium levels, while longer wavelength modes persist for much longer times. In one model with a time dependent, but spatially uniform, magnetic field the electric field energy at long wavelengths appeared to increase as a result of the increase of the magnetic field.

Swift, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Design evolution of a telerobotic servicer through neutral buoyancy simulation

This paper briefly recounts the history of telerobotic vehicles in the Space Systems Laboratory. Based on this overview, the design of two vehicles are examined in depth, and directly compared. The Beam Assembly Teleoperator was the first true telerobot designed be the Space Systems Laboratory, and has been used extensively for six years. Ranger is the newest telerobot of the SSL, and is currently under development for operational testing in the summer of 1992. The primary focus of this paper is to compare and contrast the design details of these two telerobots, and to examine in some detail the evolution of design knowledge on some telerobots gained over the years of neutral buoyancy testing in the SSL.

Akin, David L.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of neutrino-induced neutral-current coherent $π^0$ production in the NOvA near detector

The cross section of neutrino-induced neutral-current coherent $\pi^0$ production on a carbon-dominated target is measured in the NOvA near detector. This measurement uses a narrow-band neutrino beam with the average neutrino energy of 2.7\,GeV, xwhich is of interest to the ongoing and future long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments. The measured, flux-averaged cross section is $\sigma = 14.0\pm0.9$\,(stat.)$\pm2.1$\,(syst.)$\times 10^{-40}$ $\text{cm}^2/$nucleus, consistent with model prediction. This result is the most precise measurement of neutral-current coherent $\pi^0$ production in the few-GeV neutrino energy region.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of Differential Neutral Current Elastic $ν_μ$-Argon Scattering Cross Sections with MicroBooNE

The MicroBooNE experiment is an 85 ton active mass liquid-argon time projection chamber located in the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beamline. MicroBooNE’s ability to detect low-energy protons allows us to study single proton events with momenta as low as 300 MeV/c. We present a measurement of the flux-averaged neutral-current elastic differential cross section for neutrinos scattering on argon as functions of four-momentum transfer squared, Q 2 , proton kinetic energy, momentum and angle with respect to the beam direction. Our measured cross section as a function of Q 2 goes as low Q 2 = 0.10 GeV2 . This is our first step towards extracting the strange quark contribution to the axial form factor, which is not only the least-constrained contribution to the neutral-current elastic scattering cross section but is also crucial for understanding the strange quark contribution to the proton spin.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1998

Isotopic Enrichment of Boron in the Sputtering of Boron Nitride with Xenon Ions

An experimental study is described to measure the isotopic enrichment of boron. Xenon ions from 100 eV to 1.5 keV were used to sputter a boron nitride target. An ion gun was used to generate the ion beam. The ion current density at the target surface was approximately 30 microA/sq cm. Xenon ions impinged on the target surface at 50 deg angle to the surface normal. Since boron nitride is an insulator, a flood electron gun was used in our experiments to neutralize the positive charge buildup on the target surface. The sputtered secondary ions of boron were detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The spectrometer entrance aperture was located perpendicular to the ion beam direction and 10 mm away from the target surface. The secondary ion flux was observed to be enriched in the heavy isotopes at lower ion energies. The proportion of heavy isotopes in the sputtered secondary ion flux was found to decrease with increasing primary ion energy from 100 to 350 eV. Beyond 350 eV, light isotopes were sputtered preferentially. The light isotope enrichment factor was observed to reach an asymptotic value of 1.27 at 1.5 keV. This trend is similar to that of the isotopic enrichment observed earlier when copper was sputtered with xenon ions in the same energy range.

Ray, P. K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Transport of low- and medium-energy electron and ion beams in seawater and its vapors

A general theory of stopping power for electrons and ions in a target medium (gas, liquid, or thin solid foil) containing neutral as well as positive and negative ions is developed. The approach is quite accurate in the low- and medium-energy range (less than 1 MeV), where the Bethe stopping-power cross section is inaccurate. The energy transfer during individual collisions is treated by the binary-encounter approximation. The theory is applied to determine the stopping power of seawater, whose major components are H2O molecules and Na(+) and Cl(-) ions. The stopping-power cross sections for low- and medium-energy protons in water show excellent agreement with existing measurements.

Erwin, Daniel A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectible Space Structure (ACCESS) Neutral Buoyancy Testing Results

ACCESS, which is an acronym for Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structure, is a planned Shuttle flight experiment to assess the potential of a manual on orbit construction concept and generate assembly data for correlation of ground test data. The individual parts (struts and nodal joints used to interconnect the struts) of the beam truss shown attached to the Shuttle in the figure are unpackaged and assembled by two astronauts working from fixed foot restraints (work stations). The planned flight experiment is described and results of the baseline neutral buoyancy simulation of the flight test are presented.

Heard, W. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Auroral electron acceleration and atmospheric interactions - /1/ Rocket-borne observations and /2/ scattering calculations

Electron energy and pitch angle spectra are obtained by an instrumented rocket payload launched across a pre-midnight auroral arc. The interaction of the incident electron beam with the atmosphere is described through transport theory including inelastic and multiple-elastic scattering of electrons by neutrals. A two-stream approximation to the electron transport equation is used to compute the hemispherically averaged upcoming electron transport that resulted from the measured downcoming intensity. The model of Evans (1974) is employed to infer a primary electron spectrum within the discrete arc.

Pulliam, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A simulation study of the critical ionization velocity process

The critical ionization velocity process is studied by first investigating a coupled system of equations describing the production of several ion species and electrons by impact ionization, their collisions with neutrals, and the heating of electrons. Analytic relations derived from this were tested with the help of a particle simulation, including collisional processes between neutrals and plasma particles. It was found that resistive heating of electrons plays an important role when the density of the neutrals is high, and that electron heating due to lower hybrid waves is significant when the neutral density is low. In both cases, the control of the plasma production rate by the ratio of the beam velocity to the critical velocity was verified.

Machida, S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Computer Control For Ion Engines

Computer system controls start-up, steady-state operation, throttling, and shutdown of pair of xenon-ion propulsion engines. Controls direction of thrust of each engine through operation of gimbal stepping motors. Controls valves in propellant-storage and propellant-distribution system. Control software establishes and maintains efficient, stable operation over entire range of operating variables, and throttles engines to any point within range. Computer operates power supplies, valves, and flow controllers of two ion engines, ion-neutralizer subsystem, and other equipment. Designed for use in interplanetary flight, system adaptable to industrial use in ion-beam deposition of thin films.

Brophy, John R.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Carbonaceous materials play an important role in space. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a ubiquitous component of the carbonaceous materials. PAHs are the best-known candidates to account for the IR emission bands. They are also thought to be among the carriers of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands (DIBs). PAH ionization states reflect the ionization balance of the medium while PAH size, composition, and structure reflect the energetic and chemical history of the medium. A major challenge is to reproduce in the laboratory the physical conditions that exist in the emission and absorption interstellar zones. The harsh physical conditions of the ISM -low temperature, collisionless, strong UV radiation fields- are simulated in the laboratory by associating a molecular beam with an ionizing discharge to generate a cold plasma expansion. PAH ions and radicals are formed from the neutral precursors in an isolated environment at low temperature and probed with high-sensitivity cavity ringdown spectroscopy in the NUV-NIR range. Carbon nanoparticles are also formed during the short residence time of the precursors in the plasma and are characterized with time-offlight mass spectrometry. These experiments provide unique information on the spectra of large carbonaceous molecules and ions in the gas phase that can now be directly compared to interstellar and circumstellar observations (IR emission bands, DIBs, extinction curve). These findings also hold great potential for understanding the formation process of interstellar carbonaceous grains. We will review recent progress in the experimental and theoretical studies of PAHs, compare the laboratory data with astronomical observations and discuss the global implications.

Salama, Farid↗

DOE OSTI2024

Reconstruction and interpretation of ionization asymmetry in magnetic confinement via synthetic diagnostics

Abstract Strong poloidal refueling asymmetry in the DIII-D tokamak is inferred from line radiation measurements. Synthetic diagnostics in neutral transport modeling coupled to gyrokinetic simulations illuminate implications for the plasma flow profile in the scrape-off layer of single-null beam-driven discharges. Recycling occurs primarily either on the inner or outer divertor legs, depending on the toroidal magnetic field direction. By reversing the toroidal magnetic field, the observed line radiation asymmetry is nearly eliminated or reversed. It is determined that, while relatively simple physics can describe the observed ionization asymmetry, predicting the overall brightness of the hydrogenic Lyman- α signal requires detailed simulation of the plasma and resulting turbulence. To this end, kinetic plasma simulations fully coupled to comprehensive neutral transport calculations—a novel capability—provide first-principles reproduction of Lyman- α observations on DIII-D.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1992

On the termination of the closed field line region of the magnetotail

Experimental models and global computer simulations are used to study the field structure and location of the site where the closed plasma sheet terminates. The site - also called the 'distant neutral line' - is described with references to several solar-wind parameters that can change its characteristic properties. A laboratory experiment is then conducted in which a flowing magnetized plasma beam interacts with a dipole field. High-latitude nightside reconnection is supported by the simulation results comparing the effects of northward and southward interplanetary fields. The results support the models by Dungey (1961, 1963) that predict high-latitude nightside reconnection and an open magnetosphere. A significant finding is that a magnetic neutral line at the closed-field line region is not a necessary component of the region.

Birn, J.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Electron Beam Return-Current Losses in Solar Flares: Initial Comparison of Analytical and Numerical Results

Accelerated electrons play an important role in the energetics of solar flares. Understanding the process or processes that accelerate these electrons to high, nonthermal energies also depends on understanding the evolution of these electrons between the acceleration region and the region where they are observed through their hard X-ray or radio emission. Energy losses in the co-spatial electric field that drives the current-neutralizing return current can flatten the electron distribution toward low energies. This in turn flattens the corresponding bremsstrahlung hard X-ray spectrum toward low energies. The lost electron beam energy also enhances heating in the coronal part of the flare loop. Extending earlier work by Knight & Sturrock (1977), Emslie (1980), Diakonov & Somov (1988), and Litvinenko & Somov (1991), I have derived analytical and semi-analytical results for the nonthermal electron distribution function and the self-consistent electric field strength in the presence of a steady-state return-current. I review these results, presented previously at the 2009 SPD Meeting in Boulder, CO, and compare them and computed X-ray spectra with numerical results obtained by Zharkova & Gordovskii (2005, 2006). The phYSical significance of similarities and differences in the results will be emphasized. This work is supported by NASA's Heliophysics Guest Investigator Program and the RHESSI Project.

Holman, Gordon↗

NASA NTRS1992

Kinetic description of electron beams in the solar chromosphere

We formulate the relativistic Fokker-Plank equation for a beam of accelerated electrons interacting with a partially ionized plasma. In our derivation we conserved those terms contributing to velocity diffusion and found that this effect cannot be neglected a priori. We compute the terms accounting for elastic and inelastic collisions with neutral hydrogen and helium. Collisions with neutral hydrogen are found to be dominant throughout the chromosphere, except at the uppermost layers close to the transition region. As an application, we compute the loss of energy and momentum for a power-law beam impinging on the solar chromosphere, for a particular case in which the Fokker-Planck equation can be integrated analytically. We find that most of the beam energy is deposited in a relatively thin region of the chromosphere, a result which is largely insensitive to the theoretical method employed to compute the energy deposition rate.

Gomez, Daniel O.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Experimental Investigation of a Hall-Current Accelerator

The Hall-current accelerator is being investigated for use in the 1000-2000 sec. range of specific impulse. Three models of this thruster were tested. The first two models had three permanent magnets to supply the magnetic field and the third model had six magnets to supply the field. The third model thus had approximately twice the magnetic field of the first two. The first and second models differ only in the shape of the magnetic field. All other factors remained the same for the three models except for the anode-cathode distance, which was changed to allow for the three thrusters to have the same magnetic field integral between the anode and the cathode. These Hall thrusters were tested to determine the plasma properties, the beam characteristics, and the thruster characteristics. The thruster operated in three modes: (1) main cathode only, (2) main cathode with neutralizer cathode, and (3) neutralizer cathode only. The plasma properties were measured along an axial line, 1 mm inside the cathode radius, at a distance of 0.2 to 6.2 cm from the anode. Results show that the current used to heat the cathode produced nonuniformities in the magnetic field, hence also in the plasma properties. In a Hall thruster this general design appears to provide the most thrust when operated at a magnetic field less than the maximum value studied.

Plank, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The production and sputtering of S2 by keV ion bombardment

The ion bombardment of S-containing molecules in comets is simulated experimentally. Mass-analyzed 30-keV beams of Ar(+) and He(+) are directed at solid S, H2S, and CS2 targets at temperatures 15 K, and the neutral molecular species produced are ionized and analyzed using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The dominant species detected are S1 and S2 for the S target, H2S and S2 for the H2S target, and S, CS, S2, and CS2 for the CS2 target. In the latter case, it is found that after about 10 to the 14th He(+) ions/sq cm have struck the target, further sputtering is prevented by formation of a dark brown deposit which is stable at room temperature; the residue forms more slowly when Ar(+) ions are used. These results, indicating relatively efficient S2 production by ion bombardment, are applied to theoretical models of S2 production and/or ejection by solar-wind, solar-flare, or cosmic-ray ions striking comets. It is found that direct solar-wind production of S2 by sputtering is unlikely at realistic bombardment rates, but that H2S-S2 conversion by energetic ions could be significant, with less stringent ice-temperature and irradiation-flux constraints than in the case of S2 production by photons.

Boring, J. W.↗