SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “current sheet”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 793 records · Page 44

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1972

Trapping boundary and field-line motion during geomagnetic storms.

Observation that the high-latitude trapping boundary for 20-keV electrons and 100-keV protons became very thin in the early morning hours during two intense substorms. The gradients were too steep to be maintained by drifting particles, so they must have been produced locally over the nightside of the earth. The flux gradient is seen to move at speeds in excess of 100 km/sec. Plasma appears to move away from the tail and around the earth at these high speeds during the sudden expansion phases of the substorms. The rapid plasma motion requires the presence of fluctuating electric fields that sometimes exceed 50 to 100 mV/m at a geomagnetic latitude of 30 deg on the L = 5 field line. These observations fit best into a model that contains two field-aligned sheet currents. The high electric fields that accompany the rapid plasma flow can produce nonadiabatic acceleration of 0.1- to 1-MeV electrons and protons.

Kaufmann, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Changes in magnetospheric configuration during the substorm growth phase.

Investigation of various changes in the configuration of the geomagnetic tail that occur during the growth phase of magnetospheric substorms. A flaring-tail model indicates that the observed increases in geomagnetic tail field are explained if the dayside magnetopause shrinks by 1 to 2 earth radii. Increased tail flaring also requires that the tail current sheet approach near the earth during the growth phase. The motion of the inner edge of the plasma sheet, and consequently an equatorward shift of the nightside auroral oval, is consistent with the structural modifications mentioned above.

Coroniti, F. V.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Activity in galaxies and quasars.

Activity in galaxies and quasars is interpreted in terms of plasma processes occurring in the magnetosphere of a certain magnetoid model. This magnetoid comprises a core and an annulus rotating about a common axis with different angular velocities. The magnetic field linking the core to the annulus may begin in an initial current-free state but will be distorted along a sequence of force-free configurations. After a finite differential rotation, the force-free configuration has higher energy than a corresponding open-field configuration. It is conjectured that the transition from the closed configuration to an open configuration will be effected by an MHD eruptive instability, and that such eruptions lead to high-velocity clouds of cool gas identified with clouds producing absorption lines in quasars. It is proposed that minor instabilities of the current sheets are responsible for fluctuations in the nonthermal luminosity and for small-scale radio bursts sometimes observed in galaxies and quasars.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Magnetic field fluctuations during substorms.

Before a magnetospheric substorm and during its early phases, the magnetic field magnitude in the geomagnetic tail increases and field lines in the night-time hemisphere assume a more tail-like configuration. Before the substorm onset, a minimum amount of magnetic flux is observed to cross the neutral sheet which means that the neutral sheet currents attain their most earthward locations and their greatest current densities. This field configuration apparently results from an increased transport of magnetic flux to the tail caused by a southward interplanetary magnetic field. The field begins relaxing toward a more dipolar configuration at the time of a substorm onset with the recovery probably occurring first between 6 and 10 earth radii and later at greater distances. This recovery must be associated with magnetospheric convection which restores magnetic flux to the dayside hemisphere.

Fairfield, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Speed and thickness of the magnetopause.

We have used the finite gyroradius of protons with energies greater than 140 keV to determine the location of the magnetopause when the satellite is within the adjacent steep proton flux gradient. This steep gradient region is usually two to four 140-keV proton gyroradii, or about 1000 to 4000 km thick. The measurements described here were made within 45 deg of the earth-sun line on moderately disturbed days, when proton fluxes were unusually high. On these days, the magnetopause usually moves at a speed of less than 20 km/sec. The magnetopause velocity sometimes changes abruptly, while remaining below 20 km/sec. Very rapid (about 50 km/sec) radial motion appears to be associated with the propagation of single, isolated waves along the magnetopause. The thickness of the electric current sheet that produces the magnetic field rotation in the magnetopause is usually on the order of 10 times the gyroradius of a 1-keV proton, or about 1000 km.

Kaufmann, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Mass motion in solar flares

Mass motions in solar flares are here considered in terms of a previously proposed model. Particle acceleration occurs during reconnection of a current sheet located at coronal heights. The downward component of the particle flux produces an impulsive hard X-ray burst and heats the upper layers of the chromosphere sufficiently to lead to explosive evaporation. Some of the evaporated gas remains trapped in newly closed magnetic field lines and is responsible for the soft thermal component of X-ray emission. Gas which flows along open magnetic field lines subsequently forms a plasmoid which is ejected by magnetic stresses into interplanetary space and may subsequently cause a geomagnetic storm. Analysis of a highly simplified model leads to formulas for the density, temperature, and other parameters of the flare-produced plasma in terms of a length scale and mean magnetic field strength for the flare.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Type 2 and type 3 burst theory

The present state of the theory of type 3 bursts is reviewed by dividing the problem into the exciting agency, radiation source, and propagation of radiation between the source and the observer. In-situ measurements indicate that the excitors are electron streams of energy about 40 keV which are continuously relaxing. An investigation of neutralization of an electron stream indicates that n sub s is much less than 100,000 n sub e, where n sub s is the stream density and n sub e the coronal electron density. In situ observations are consistent with this result. An analysis of propagation of electrons in the current sheets of coronal streamers shows that such propagation at heights greater than 1 solar radius is impossible. The mechanisms for radiation are reviewed; it is shown that fundamental radiation at high frequencies (approximately 100 MHz) is highly beamed in the radial direction and that near the earth second harmonic radiation must be dominant. Because of beaming of the fundamental at high frequencies, it can often be quite weak near the limb so that the second harmonic is dominant. In considering propagation to the observer, the results of scattering of radiation are discussed. The present state of the theory of type 2 bursts is reviewed in the same manner as type 3 bursts.

Smith, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Plasma phenomena at magnetic neutral points

A model of the plasma focus is considered, in which large axial electric fields are induced by the imploding current sheet during the final few nanoseconds of the collapse phase. This field provides a mechanism for creation of a beam of electrons of highly suprathermal energies. For this beam, the bremsstrahlung radiation is calculated, which is expected either from electron-deuteron collisions in the focused plasma itself or from the beam as it reaches the walls of the device. Comparison with experimental results indicates that the walls are the more likely source of these hard X-rays and also find qualitative agreement of the expected angular distribution of X-rays with experiment.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Modelling the magnetosphere of Mercury

A model magnetosphere for Mercury is presented using an upstream image-dipole and nightside 2-dimensional tail current sheet method. The tail field is represented by an analytical formulation. Magnetic field data from the Mercury 1 encounter by Mariner 10 in March 1974 are used to determine quantitative parameters of the model magnetosphere, using the method of least squares. The magnetopause crossing points directly observed are used to determine the size of the magnetosphere, and the solar wind conditions are used to determine the magnetospheric field at the stagnation point. The model produces a magnetosphere-like region with planetary field lines that are confined in nearly circular cross-sections transverse to the sun-planet line. Results are used to show geometry, field line configuration, and contours of constant field intensity inside the magnetosphere.

Whang, Y. C.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Preliminary model studies of the magnetosphere of Jupiter: Pioneer 10

Observations of the Jovian magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind plasma were made while the Pioneer 10 spacecraft was within about 100 R sub j of the planet. The magnetosphere was found to be severely stretched due to the presence of an intense current sheet, which was particularly evident during the outbound passage of Pioneer 10 near the dawn terminator. Plots of the angle between the orientation of the outbound field and the radius vector from the planet to the spacecraft showed a strong tendency for the field to become radial at large distances from the planet. A similar trend has also been seen in both the inbound and outbound Pioneer 11 data. Preliminary work on a mathematical model of the magnetosphere of Jupiter is given, based upon the Pioneer 10 outbound data. Some of the implications of the radial field configuration inferred from the Pioneer 10 and 11 data are also discussed.

Jones, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A review of the Jovian magnetosphere based upon Pioneer 10 and 11

Data derived from the plasma, magnetic field, and energetic particle experiments on the December, 1973 and December, 1974 Jupiter encounters are reviewed. A bow shock was discovered on the solar side of the planet, as predicted. However, a smaller magnetic field and larger fluxes of energetic electrons were found than anticipated. A ring current and current sheet in the Jovian plasmasphere are inferred from magnetic field measurements.

Trainor, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The L = 6.6 Oosik barium plasma injection experiment and magnetic storm of March 7, 1972

A high-explosive shaped charge vaporizing a hollow conical liner of Ba metal and producing a fast field-aligned jet of plasma was detonated at high altitude, during a quiescent phase of a magnetic storm initiated by an ssc 10 hrs prior to the experiment, in an attempt to trace out and observe the dynamics of an auroral field line in the magnetosphere. Observations offer evidence for an upward Birkeland current sheet at the poleward edge of the auroral spiral of 8 x 10 to the minus second power A/m. Unusual features of the substorm leave open the possibility that the plasma injection may have triggered it.

Wescott, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Production of hard X rays in a plasma focus

A model of a plasma focus is examined wherein large axial electric fields are produced by an imploding current sheet during the final nanoseconds of the collapse phase and where the fields provide a mechanism for creating a beam of electrons of highly suprathermal energies. The expected bremsstrahlung radiation above 100 keV is calculated for such a beam, which has a power-law spectrum, both from electron-deuteron collisions in the focused plasma and when the beam reaches the wall of the device. It is concluded that, since the experimental results indicate little or no radiation above 100 keV originating in the walls, that the electrons in the beam must be decelerated after leaving the plasma and before reaching the wall. Comparisons with the results and the total energy of the device yield qualitative agreement with the expected angular distribution of hard X-rays and reasonable agreement with the total energy in accelerated electrons required to produce the observed total energy in hard X-rays by this mechanism.

Newman, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Dense plasma focus production in a hypocycloidal pinch

A type of high-power pinch apparatus consisting of disk electrodes was developed, and diagnostic measurements to study its mechanism of dense plasma production were made. The collapse fronts of the current sheets are well organized, and dense plasma focuses are produced on the axis with radial stability in excess of 5 microns. A plasma density greater than 10 to the 18th power/cubic cm was determined with Stark broadening and CO2 laser absorption. A plasma temperature of approximately 1 keV was measured with differential transmission of soft X-rays through thin foils. Essentially complete absorption of a high-energy CO2 laser beam was observed. The advantages of this apparatus over the coaxial plasma focus are in (1) the plasma volume, (2) the stability, (3) the containment time, (4) the easy access to additional heating by laser or electron beams, and (5) the possibility of scaling up to a multiple array for high-power operation.

Lee, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Modulation of auroral electron fluxes in the frequency range 50 kHz to 10 MHz

A sounding rocket-borne electron detector of high time resolution is used to search for modulation of auroral electron fluxes in the frequency range 50 kHz to 10 MHz and energy range 5-7 keV. Data were telemetered to ground via a 93-kHz subcarrier. A cross-correlation analysis of the data collected indicates low-level modulation near the detection threshold of the instrument. Two U-1 events are observed which are interpreted as indications of modulation. The two modulation events occur during a period of increasing flux for a region marking the boundary between two current sheets detected by the payload magnetometer. The strongest argument against interference contamination is the lack of any observable modulation at times other than those mentioned in the study.

Spiger, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The Skylab barium plasma injection experiments. II - Evidence for a double layer

Television observations of a barium-plasma flux tube extending from near 4500 km to near 10,000 km during a magnetic substorm and dawn-sector auroral display indicated several interesting anomalous events. Beyond 5500 km, there was a rapid increase in brightness accompanied by flux-tube splitting and diffusion, leaving behind a truncated single flux tube. From the orientation of the flux tube compared with theoretical field models, the presence of a substantial field-aligned current sheet is deduced. A suggested explanation of these phenomena is given in terms of a plasma potential double layer.

Wescott, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The mean magnetic field of the sun: Observations at Stanford

A solar telescope was built at Stanford University to study the organization and evolution of large-scale solar magnetic fields and velocities. The observations are made using a Babcock-type magnetograph which is connected to a 22.9 m vertical Littrow spectrograph. Sun-as-a-star integrated light measurements of the mean solar magnetic field were made daily since May 1975. The typical mean field magnitude is about 0.15 gauss with typical measurement error less than 0.05 gauss. The mean field polarity pattern is essentially identical to the interplanetary magnetic field sector structure (seen near the earth with a 4 day lag). The differences in the observed structures can be understood in terms of a warped current sheet model.

Scherrer, P. H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

X-ray emission from high temperature plasmas

The physical processes occurring in plasma focus devices were investigated with particular emphasis on X-ray emission. Topics discussed include: trajectories of high energy electrons; detection of ion trajectories; spatial distribution of neutron emission; space and time resolved emission of hard X-rays from a plasma focus; the staged plasma focus as a variation of the hypocloidal pinch; formation of current sheets in a staged plasma focus; and X-ray and neutron emission from a staged plasma focus. The possibility of operating dense plasma-focus type devices in multiple arrays beyond the scaling law for a single gun is discussed.

Harries, W. L.↗