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At least 829 records · Page 46

Computer simulation of auroral kilometric radiation

An investigation is carried out of the linear amplification and nonlinear saturation of electromagnetic waves associated with two components of electrons consisting of a cold Maxwellian background and a weakly relativistic population of electrons possessing a loss-cone distribution. The goal is to understand the mechanism responsible for the production of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR). A relativistic 1-2/2 dimensional electromagnetic particle simulation code is used in studying an initial value problem modeling the AKR source region. The simulation makes it possible to follow the growth of all modes of radiation, including the ordinary mode (O-mode), slow extraordinary mode (Z-mode), whistler mode and fast extraordinary mode (X-mode), past the point of saturation.

Wagner, J. S.↗

Plasma channel produced by femtosecond laser pulses as a medium for amplifying electromagnetic radiation of the subterahertz frequency range

The electron energy distribution function in the plasma channel produced by a femtosecond laser pulse with a wavelength of 248 nm in atmospheric-pressure gases was considered. Conditions were determined whereby this channel may be employed for amplifying electromagnetic waves up to the terahertz frequency range over the energy spectrum relaxation time ∼10{sup -7} s. Gains were calculated as functions of time and radiation frequency. The effect of electron – electron collisions on the rate of relaxation processes in the plasma and on its ability to amplify the electromagnetic radiation was investigated. (interaction of laser radiation with matter)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Plasma waves in the polar cusp - Observations from Hawkeye 1

Based on data from the Hawkeye 1 spacecraft in the polar-cusp vicinity, the characteristics of plasma waves are studied. Four types of plasma waves are identified: (1) a band of ULF-ELF magnetic noise, (2) broadband electrostatic emissions with maximum intensities at 10-50 Hz, (3) electrostatic electron cyclotron waves near electron gyrofrequency, and (4) whistler mode auroral hiss emissions. Only ULF-ELF noise is a reliable index of the polar cusp region. Since ULF-ELF magnetic noise extends only to the local electron gyrofrequency, it is suggested that the noise consists of whistler-mode electromagnetic waves. Possible mechanisms for this noise include the whistler-mode cyclotron-resonance, Kelvin-Helmholtz, and drift-wave instabilities. It is felt that a current-driven electrostatic instability causes the broadband electrostatic noise.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Measurement of the dispersion of radiation from a steady cosmological source

The 'missing baryons' of the near universe are believed to be principally in a partially ionized state. Although passing electromagnetic waves are dispersed by the plasma, the effect has hitherto not been utilized as a means of detection because it is generally believed that a successful observation requires the background source to be highly variable, i.e., the class of sources that could potentially deliver a verdict is limited. We argue in two stages that this condition is not necessary. First, by modeling the fluctuations on macroscopic scales as interference between wave packets, we show that, in accordance with the ideas advanced by Einstein in 1917, both the behavior of photons as bosons (i.e., the intensity variance has contributions from Poisson and phase noise) and the van-Cittert-Zernike theorem are a consequence of wave-particle duality. Nevertheless, we then point out that, in general, the variance on some macroscopic timescale τ consists of (1) a main contributing term ∝1/τ, plus (2) a small negative term ∝1/τ{sup 2} due to the finite size of the wave packets. If the radiation passes through a dispersive medium, this size will be enlarged well beyond its vacuum minimum value of Δt ≈ 1/Δν, leading to a more negative (2) term (while (1) remains unchanged), and hence a suppression of the variance wrt the vacuum scenario. The phenomenon, which is typically at a few parts in 10{sup 5} level, enables one to measure cosmological dispersion in principle. Signal-to-noise estimates, along with systematic issues and how to overcome them, will be presented.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Production of flickering aurora and field-aligned electron flux by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

Recent observations have suggested that flickering aurora is produced by a modulation of the field-aligned component of the electron flux within an auroral arc. It is proposed that a portion of the field-aligned electrons are of ionospheric origin and that these electrons are accelerated and their flux modulated by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves that occur below the main acceleration region on auroral arc field lines. A model of the electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave shows that the parallel phase velocity of the wave increase as the wave propagates toward the ionosphere. A test particle calculation shows that ionospheric electrons trapped or reflected by the wave are accelerated to energies of several keV and that their flux is modulated at the wave frequency. The relative amplitudes of the model wave electric fields are consistent with the observations of small-scale low-frequency ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields near auroral arcs of approximately 10 mV/m and 100 mV/m, respectively. The large-amplitude ion cyclotron waves also produce a ponderomotive force and a self-consistent ambipolar electric field. Energy considerations show that the downward energy flux in the electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave can be several percent of the total downward auroral electron energy flux.

Temerin, M.↗

Method for Describing the Angular Distribution of Optical Radiation Scattered by a Monolayer of Ordered Spherical Particles (Normal Illumination)

We have developed a method for describing the angular distribution of intensity of radiation scattered by a monolayer of homogeneous spatially ordered monodisperse spherical particles normally illuminated by a plane circularly polarized electromagnetic wave. The method is based on the quasicrystalline approximation (QCA) of the theory of multiple scattering of waves (TMSW) using the multipole expansion of fields and the tensor Green function in vectorial spherical wavefunctions. The method is applied for analyzing the characteristics of radiation scattered by a partially ordered monolayer and a monolayer with a nonideal lattice. The results of calculations are compared with the available experimental data on the position of the first-order diffraction peak on the angular and spectral dependences of the intensity of radiation scattered by a closely packed monolayer with a nonideal triangular lattice of SiO{sub 2} particles. Good conformity of the results has been established.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Model of Metamaterial Based on Graphene Scrolls and Carbon Nanotubes with Negative Refractive Index

The structure of a new metamaterial with negative permittivity and permeability that is made of periodically positioned graphene/boron nitride nanoscrolls and carbon nanotubes is proposed. The parameters of the metamaterial structure with a negative refractive index for the frequency of an electromagnetic wave within the visible range (namely, from near infrared to yellow) are calculated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Functional composites of plasmas and metamaterials: Flexible waveguides, and variable attenuators with controllable phase shift

Numerical predictions and experimental results in this study verify that plasmas with negative permittivity work as functional media for electromagnetic waves and that their composites with metallic metamaterials show further extraordinary properties. Chain structures of individual plasmas with negative permittivity, forming a straight line and a L-shaped bent line, serve flexible waveguides via coupling structures of localized surface waves standing around each plasma. Further progresses as wave controllers are achievable in an array of the composites of plasmas and micro metallic resonators; functions of phase shifters and attenuators are individually controlled, with rotation of working points on the complex refractive index plane by varying gas conditions and permeability modulation. Such proposed sets of flexible combination will lead to advanced scientific products with novel functions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design of Terahertz Bio-Absorber Using Plum Flower Curves

A double peaks bio-absorber, which includes two metal layers and one dielectric layer, is proposed. The surface metal layer of the bio-absorber is a square array that consists of a plum shape metal cell that can produce double resonance absorption. By studying the surface current and electric field z component, the double peak is shown to originate from the two distinct resonance modes of the plum flower curves induced by the incident electromagnetic wave. Due to the symmetrical structure, the proposed bio-absorber is not sensitive to the polarization direction of incident waves and can maintain high absorption rates in a wide, range of angles.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Low-frequency resonances of the refractive index in weakly ionized plasma with an admixture of dust

The propagation of low-frequency electromagnetic waves along the magnetic field in weakly ionized plasma with an admixture of dust is studied in the framework of the Hall magnetohydrodynamics. Explicit expressions for the coefficients of magnetic field diffusion in plasma are derived. The resonance of the refractive index is found to occur for either right- or left-hand polarized waves. A quantitative criterion is obtained that allows one to determine the polarization of waves that experience resonance at given plasma parameters. The physical mechanism of the resonance is discussed, and the obtained results are compared with the available literature data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Physical characteristics of interplanetary space

The Sun The properties of interplanetary space are determined, to a considerable extent, by the central body of the solar system-the Sun which is the source of powerful streams of corpuscular and electromagnetic radiation, and is responsible for the structure of the interplanetary magnetic fields. Many phenomena on the Earth are closely related to processes occurring on the Sun. The mechanism of this relationship is not yet fully understood, but it is clear that the solar wind, the corpuscular streams, and short-wave electromagnetic radiation of the Sun play a prominent role in these processes. Before describing the manifestations of Sun-Earth relationships, the elements of solar activity should be discussed.

S. N. Vernov↗

Interactions between volume and surface EM waves in layered structures

Using light scattering spectroscopy, the interaction of Surface Plasmon Polariton SPP in silver films on a glass substrate is with the incident radiation and with optical phonons of an external medium in contact with the film. The mean free path and the field strength of SPP are determined. The same SPP plays an important role in light emitting tunnel junctions (LETJ) in which an electrical current is converted into Volume Electromagnetic Wave VEW. The efficiency of light emission from LETJ through a prism coupler rather than through surface roughness is discussed. The coupling between phonon surface polaritons (PhSP) and optical guided waves (OGW) in thin films of GaP is also examined.

Ushioda, S.↗

Plasma and cyclotron frequency effects on output power of the plasma wave-pumped free-electron lasers

Significant progress has been made employing plasmas in the free-electron lasers (FELs) interaction region. In this regard, we study the output power and saturation length of the plasma whistler wave-pumped FEL in a magnetized plasma channel. The small wavelength of the whistler wave (in sub-μm range) in plasma allows obtaining higher radiation frequency than conventional wiggler FELs. This configuration has a higher tunability by adjusting the plasma density relative to the conventional ones. A set of coupled nonlinear differential equations is employed which governs on the self-consistent evolution of an electromagnetic wave. The electron bunching process of the whistler-pumped FEL has been investigated numerically. The result reveals that for a long wiggler length, the bunching factor can appreciably change as the electron beam propagates through the wiggler. The effects of plasma frequency (or plasma density) and cyclotron frequency on the output power and saturation length have been studied. Simulation results indicate that with increasing the plasma frequency, the power increases and the saturation length decreases. In addition, when density of background plasma is higher than the electron beam density (i.e., for a dense plasma channel), the plasma effects are more pronounced and the FEL-power is significantly high. It is also found that with increasing the strength of the external magnetic field frequency, the power decreases and the saturation length increases, noticeably.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

On the magnetic mirroring as the basic cause of parallel electric fields

Among the different proposed mechanisms for generating parallel electric fields, magnetic mirroring of charged particles seems to be the most plausible. In the present paper, it is suggested that magnetic mirroring is the basic cause of parallel electric fields in the magnetosphere and that the magnetic mirroring effect may be able to form the basis of an auroral theory that can remove a major portion of the ambiguity of observations. In the model proposed, the parallel electric field is due to a magnetic confinement of a negatively charged hot collision-free plasma. A transfer of electron gyroenergy into wave energy tends to weaken this confinement; if this energy transfer becomes too strong, the parallel potential gradient will break down. Hence, from this model, in contrast to certain other models of parallel electric fields, only a small fraction of the total auroral particle energy may be expected to be transformed into electromagnetic wave energy during the acceleration process.

Lennartsson, W.↗

Low-reflection beam refractions by ultrathin Huygens metasurface

We propose a Huygens source unit cell to develop an ultrathin low-reflection metasurface, which could provide extreme controls of phases of the transmitted waves. Both electric and magnetic currents are supported by the proposed unit cell, thus leading to highly efficient and full controls of phases. The coupling between electric and magnetic responses is negligible, which will significantly reduce the difficulty of design. Since the unit cell of metasurface is printed on two bonded boards, the fabrication process is simplified and the thickness of metasurface is reduced. Based on the proposed unit cell, a beam-refracting metasurface with low-reflection is designed and manufactured. Both near-field and far-field characteristics of the beam-refracting metasurface are investigated by simulations and measurements, which indicate that the proposed Huygens metasurface performs well in controlling electromagnetic waves.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The acceleration of ions and electrons by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

Test particle calculations of the interaction of electrons and ions with obliquely propagating electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves are presented. Such waves have frequencies below the ion cyclotron frequency. The test particle calculations show that field-aligned electrons can be accelerated parallel to the magnetic field by such waves and that ions can be accelerated perpendicular to the magnetic field to form ion conics. Ions can be accelerated much more effectively when the wave frequency is half the ion gyrofrequency. The results are applicable to acceleration of ions and electrons in the low-Beta plasma of the auroral zone.

Temerin, M.↗

Temperature dependence of mode conversion in warm, unmagnetized plasmas with a linear density profile

We study theoretically the linear mode conversion between electromagnetic waves and Langmuir waves in warm, stratified, and unmagnetized plasmas, using a numerically precise calculation based on the invariant imbedding method. We verify that the principle of reciprocity for the forward and backward mode conversion coefficients holds precisely regardless of temperature. We also find that the temperature dependence of the mode conversion coefficient is substantially stronger than that previously reported. Depending on the wave frequency and the incident angle, the mode conversion coefficient is found to increase or decrease with the increase of temperature.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Arc-Fault Primer: Numerical, Analytical, and Experimental Characteristics of Initiation and Sustainment of Arc Plasmas (DRAFT)

While arc-faults are rare in electrical installations, many documented events have led to fires that resulted in significant damage to energy-generation, commercial and residential systems, as well as surrounding structures, in both the United States and abroad. Arc-plasma discharges arise over time due to a variety of reliability issues related to cable material degradation, electrical and mechanical stresses or acute conductive wiring dislocations. These may lead to discontinuity between energized conductors, facilitating arcing events and fires. Arc-flash events rapidly release significant energy in a localized volume, where the electric arc experiences a reduction in resistance. This facilitates a reduction in electrical resistance as the arc temperature and pressure can increase rapidly. Strong pressure waves, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and intense light from an arc pose a threat to electrical worker safety and system equipment. This arc-fault primer provides basic fundamental insight into arc-fault plasma discharges, and an overview of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) arc-fault phenomena. This primer also covers pressure waves and EMI arc-fault hazard analyses related to incident energy prediction and potential damage analysis. Mitigation strategies are also discussed related to engineering design and employment of protective devices including arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Best practices related to worker safety are also covered, especially as they pertain to electrical codes and standards, particularly Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1584 and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 70E. Throughout the primer various modelling and test capabilities at Sandia National Laboratories are also covered, especially as they relate to novel methods of arc-fault/arc-flash characterization and mitigation approaches. Herein, this work describes methods for producing and characterizing controlled, sustained arcs at atmospheric pressures as well as methods for mitigation with novel materials.

42 ENGINEERING↗