A Survey of Low-Frequency (LF) Waves at Jupiter: The Ulysses Encounter
This paper presents the results of a survey of LF plasma waves detected during the Ulysses Jupiter flyby.
LF plasma waves Jupiter flyby↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “PLASMA WAVES”
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Wave-particle interactions induced by SEPAC on Spacelab 1 Wave observations
Space experiments with particle accelerators (SEPAC) flew on Spacelab 1 in November and December 1983. SEPAC included an accelerator which emitted electrons into the ionospheric plasma with energies up to 5 keV and currents up to 300 mA. The SEPAC equipment also included an energetic plasma generator, a neutral gas generator, and an extensive array of diagnostics. The diagnostics included plasma wave detectors, and energetic electron analyzer, a photometer, a high sensitivity television camera, a Langmuir probe and a pressure gage. Twenty-eight experiments were performed during the mission to investigate beam-plasma interactions, electron beam dynamics, plasma beam propagation, and vehicle charging. The wave-particle interactions were monitored by the plasma wave instrumentation, by the energetic electron detector and by the optical detectors. All show evidence of wave-particle interactions, which are described in this paper.
Taylor, W. W. L.↗
Theoretical and experimental studies of the nature and characteristics of space related plasma resonance phenomena
Theoretical and experimental studies of space related plasma wave propagation and resonance phenomena cover whistler emissions and instabilities, low frequency plasma instabilities, nonlinear wave interactions and scattering from plasma column, and the resonance come of dipole antenna immersed in cold overdense magnetoplasma.
Crawford, F. W.↗
IS VOYAGER 1 INSIDE AN INTERSTELLAR FLUX TRANSFER EVENT?
Plasma wave observations from Voyager 1 have recently shown large increases in plasma density, to about 0.1 cm{sup –3}, consistent with the density of the local interstellar medium. However, corresponding magnetic field observations continue to show the spiral magnetic field direction observed throughout the inner heliosheath. These apparently contradictory observations may be reconciled if Voyager 1 is inside an interstellar flux transfer event—similar to flux transfer events routinely seen at the Earth's magnetopause. If this were the case, Voyager 1 remains inside the heliopause and based on the Voyager 1 observations we can determine the polarity of the interstellar magnetic field for the first time.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Particle simulations in magnetospheric plasmas
In view of the recent remarkable advancement of computer technology and simulation software, simulation studies are one of the most powerful academic tools for establishment of quantitative space physics and modelling of our space environment. The complex nature encountered in space plasma physics has motivated considerable development in computer simulations, which have played an essential role in the development of space plasma theory. This report describes research undertaken to understand physical processes involved in plasma waves observed in the magnetospheric plasmas, and associated nonlinear phenomena such as heating, diffusion, and acceleration of particles due to excited waves. The research explains and clarifies the observational data both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi↗
The collision effect between dust grains and ions to the dust ion acoustic waves in a dusty plasma
Damping solitary wave in dusty plasma is studied by considering the collision effect between dust grains and ions. It can be described by a KdV type equation in which a damping term of {phi}{sup 2} exist. It is found that both the amplitude and propagation velocity of the solitary wave decrease with time exponentially. Our results are compared with another KdV type equation with the damping term of {phi}. It is noted that the damping rate of the KdV type equation with the damping term of {phi}{sup 2} is larger than that with the term of {phi}. It is found that the damping rate is proportional to the collision frequency between dust grains and ions.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
The emission and absorption of waves by charged particles in magnetized plasmas.
Semiclassical wave emission and absorption theory applied to charged particles interaction with waves in magnetized plasmas
Melrose, D. B.↗
Grating formation by a high power radio wave in near-equator ionosphere
The formation of a volume grating in the near-equator regions of ionosphere due to a high power radio wave is investigated. The radio wave, launched from a ground based transmitter, forms a standing wave pattern below the critical layer, heating the electrons in a space periodic manner. The thermal conduction along the magnetic lines of force inhibits the rise in electron temperature, limiting the efficacy of heating to within a latitude of few degrees around the equator. The space periodic electron partial pressure leads to ambipolar diffusion creating a space periodic density ripple with wave vector along the vertical. Such a volume grating is effective to cause strong reflection of radio waves at a frequency one order of magnitude higher than the maximum plasma frequency in the ionosphere. Linearly mode converted plasma wave could scatter even higher frequency radio waves.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
MPD thruster plasma instability studies
Results of an ongoing experimental/theoretical effort to understand the influence of plasma waves and instabilities upon coaxial plasma thruster performance and longevity are discussed. An experiment which permits measurement of the plasma dispersion relation plus a suite of plasma parameters for each one millisecond quasi-steady discharge is described. This investigation is guided by a linearized Boltzmann-Poisson kinetic numerical model which can accommodate the effects of collisions, inhomogeneities and the magnetic field. Preliminary tests reveal the presence of the low-frequency branch of an ion cyclotron wave. Although the stability of these waves still has to be established through spatial growth rate measurements, it is well known that they are prone to 'current-driven' instabilities. 'Current-driven' instabilities in the collisional tensor conducting plasma of the MPD thruster are analytically discussed and their relevance to the MPD plasma is illustrated by estimating a critical total current at which their onset occurs.
Kelly, A. J.↗
Nonextensive statistics and skin depth of transverse wave in collisional plasma
Skin depth of transverse wave in a collisional plasma is studied taking into account the nonextensive electron distribution function. Considering the kinetic theory for charge particles and using the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collision model, a generalized transverse dielectric permittivity is obtained. The transverse dispersion relation in different frequency ranges is investigated. Obtaining the imaginary part of the wave vector from the dispersion relation, the skin depth for these frequency ranges is also achieved. Profiles of the skin depth show that by increasing the q parameter, the penetration depth decreases. In addition, the skin depth increases by increasing the electron temperature. Finally, it is found that in the high frequency range and high electron temperature, the penetration depth decreases by increasing the collision frequency. In contrast, by increasing the collision frequency in a highly collisional frequency range, the skin depth of transverse wave increases.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Rotating Alfvén waves in rotating plasmas
Angular momentum coupling between a rotating magnetized plasma and torsional Alfvén waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) is examined. It is demonstrated not only that rotation is the source of Fresnel–Faraday rotation – or orbital Faraday rotation effects – for OAM-carrying Alfvén waves, but also that angular momentum from an OAM-carrying Alfvén wave can be transferred to a rotating plasma through the inverse process. For the direct process, the transverse structure angular rotation frequency is derived by considering the dispersion relation for modes with opposite OAM content. For the inverse process, the torque exerted on the plasma is derived as a function of wave and plasma parameters.
Physics↗
A finite element procedure for radio-frequency sheath–plasma interactions based on a sheath impedance model
A finite element code that solves self-consistent radio-frequency (RF) sheath-plasma interaction problems is improved by incorporating a generalized sheath boundary condition in the macroscopic solution scheme. This sheath boundary condition makes use of a complex sheath impedance including both the sheath capacitance and resistance, which enables evaluation of not only the RF voltage across the sheath but also the power dissipation in the sheath. The newly developed finite element procedure is applied to cases where the background magnetic field is perpendicular to the sheath surface in one- and two-dimensional domains filled by uniform low- and high-density plasmas. The numerical results are compared with those obtained by employing the previous capacitive sheath model at a typical frequency for ion cyclotron heating used in fusion experiments. It is shown that for sheaths on the order of 100 V in a high-density plasma, localized RF power deposition can reach a level which causes material damage. It is also shown that the sheath-plasma wave resonances predicted by the capacitive sheath model do not occur when parameters are such that the generalized sheath impedance model substantially modifies the capacitive character of the sheath. Here, possible explanations for the difference in the maximum RF sheath voltage depending on the plasma density are also discussed.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Delta function excitation of waves in the earth's ionosphere
Excitation of the earth's ionosphere by delta function current sheets is considered, and the temporal and spatial evolution of wave packets is analyzed for a two-component collisional F2 layer. Approximations of an inverse Fourier-Laplace transform via saddle point methods provide plots of typical wave packets. These illustrate cold plasma wave theory and may be used as a diagnostic tool since it is possible to relate specific features, e.g., the frequency of a modulation envelope, to plasma parameters such as the electron cyclotron frequency. It is also possible to deduce the propagation path length and orientation of a remote radio beacon.
Vidmar, R. J.↗
Investigation of stopping power for deuterons in partially ionized warm Al plasmas
The stopping powers for deuterons in Al plasmas with a fixed density of 0.02 g/cm{sup 3} and the temperatures at 4.5, 13, and 17 eV are studied in detail for a wide projectile energy range with different models. Comparison of these models indicates that our model is totally in best agreement with the experimental data and the main reason for this is that our calculation for the inelastic processes should be the most reliable. It is found that the difference between our model and the local density approximation model (Wang et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 2977 (1998)) is mainly due to the quite different physical picture behind them. In Mehlhorn's model (J. Appl. Phys. 52, 6522 (1981)), the Bethe equation is found to overestimate the inelastic stopping in Al plasmas, meanwhile, it is gradually close to our results with temperature decreasing. The model by classical dielectric function with the choice of the maximum of the momentum transfer associated with the temperature is found not suitable to describe the stopping in warm plasmas. With temperature increasing the stopping due to plasma wave rises up which rapidly exceeds the inelastic stopping in warm Al plasmas.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Second harmonic generation by self-focusing of intense hollow Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma
The effect of self focused hollow Gaussian laser beam (HGLB) (carrying null intensity in center) on the excitation of electron plasma wave (EPW) and second harmonic generation (SHG) has been investigated in collisionless plasma, where relativistic-ponderomotive and only relativistic nonlinearities are operative. The relativistic change of electron mass and the modification of the background electron density due to ponderomotive nonlinearity lead to self-focusing of HGLB in plasma. Paraxial ray theory has been used to derive coupled equations for the self focusing of HGLB in plasma, generation of EPW, and second harmonic. These coupled equations are solved analytically and numerically to study the laser intensity in the plasma, electric field associated with the excited EPW, and the power of SHG. Second harmonic emission is generated due to nonlinear coupling between incident HGLB and EPW satisfying the proper phase matching conditions. The results show that the effect of including the ponderomotive nonlinearity is significant on the generation of EPW and second harmonic. The electric field associated with EPW and the power of SHG are found to be highly sensitive to the order of the hollow Gaussian beam.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Experimental investigation of the fundamental modes of a collisionless plasma quarterly report no. 3, sep. 11 - dec. 10, 1964
Plasma waves between electron cyclotron frequency and upper hybrid frequency in collisionless hydrogen plasma
HYDROGEN PLASMA↗
Electron plasma oscillations in the Venus foreshock
Plasma waves are observed in the solar wind upstream of the Venus bow shock by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. These wave signatures occur during periods when the interplanetary magnetic field through the spacecraft position intersects the bow shock, thereby placing the spacecraft in the foreshock region. The electron foreshock boundary is clearly evident in the data as a sharp onset in wave activity and a peak in intensity. Wave intensity is seen to drop rapidly with increasing penetration into the foreshock. The peak wave electric field strength at the electron foreshock boundary is found to be similar to terrestrial observations. A normalized wave spectrum was constructed using measurements of the electron plasma frequency and the spectrum was found to be centered about this value. These results, along with polarization studies showing the wave electric field to be field aligned, are consistent with the interpretation of the waves as electron plasma oscillations.
Crawford, G. K.↗
Microscopic Lagrangian description of warm plasmas. I - Linear wave propagation. II - Nonlinear wave interactions
It is pointed out that the conventional iterative analysis of nonlinear plasma wave phenomena, which involves a direct use of Maxwell's equations and the equations describing the particle dynamics, leads to formidable theoretical and algebraic complexities, especially for warm plasmas. As an effective alternative, the Lagrangian method may be applied. It is shown how this method may be used in the microscopic description of small-signal wave propagation and in the study of nonlinear wave interactions. The linear theory is developed for an infinite, homogeneous, collisionless, warm magnetoplasma. A summary is presented of a perturbation expansion scheme described by Galloway and Kim (1971), and Lagrangians to third order in perturbation are considered. Attention is given to the averaged-Lagrangian density, the action-transfer and coupled-mode equations, and the general solution of the coupled-mode equations.
Kim, H.↗