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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.

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At least 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

A high-energy-density, high-Mach number single jet experiment

A high-energy-density, x-ray-driven, high-Mach number (M{>=} 17) single jet experiment shows constant propagation speeds of the jet and its bowshock into the late time regime. The jet assumes a characteristic mushroom shape with a stalk and a head. The width of the head and the bowshock also grow linearly in time. The width of the stalk decreases exponentially toward an asymptotic value. In late time images, the stalk kinks and develops a filamentary nature, which is similar to experiments with applied magnetic fields. Numerical simulations match the experiment reasonably well, but ''exterior'' details of the laser target must be included to obtain a match at late times.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

High energy x-ray scattering studies of the local order in liquid Al

The x-ray structure factors and densities for liquid aluminum from 1123 K to 1273 K have been measured using the beamline electrostatic levitator. Atomic structures as a function of temperature have been constructed from the diffraction data with reverse Monte Carlo simulations. An analysis of the local atomic structures in terms of the Honeycutt-Andersen indices indicates a high degree of icosahedral and distorted icosahedral order, a modest amount of body-centered cubic order, and marginal amounts of face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed order.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Simulation of dust streaming in toroidal traps: Stationary flows

Molecular-dynamic simulations were performed to study dust motion in a toroidal trap under the influence of the ion drag force driven by a Hall motion of the ions in E x B direction, gravity, inter-particle forces, and friction with the neutral gas. This article is focused on the inhomogeneous stationary streaming motion. Depending on the strength of friction, the spontaneous formation of a stationary shock or a spatial bifurcation into a fast flow and a slow vortex flow is observed. In the quiescent streaming region, the particle flow features a shell structure which undergoes a structural phase transition along the flow direction.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Ion velocity distributions in the sheath and presheath of a biased object in plasma

Ion velocity distributions in the vicinity of a spherical object with a negative potential with respect to collisionless, source-free plasma are studied with three-dimensional numerical simulations. The ion dynamics around the object leads to distorted radial velocity distributions in the presheath and the sheath edge region. Far in the sheath, an increase in the thermal velocity in the radial direction is observed. Different potentials of the object, ion temperatures, and ion masses are considered, as well as the role of spatial and temporal resolutions in laboratory measurements of ion velocity distributions. The simulations are carried out with the DiP3D, a three-dimensional particle-in-cell numerical code.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Comment on ''Interaction of two solitary waves in quantum electron-positron-ion plasma''[Phys. Plasmas 18, 052301 (2011)]

Recently, Xu et al.[Phys. Plasmas 18, 052301 (2011)] have studied the effects of various plasma parameters on interaction of two ion-acoustic solitary waves in an unmagnetized three-dimensional electron-positron-ion quantum plasma. They have used the extended reductive perturbation technique, the so-called, extended Poincare-Lighthill-Kuo technique, to deduce from the model governing the quantum hydrodynamics differential equations leading to the soliton dynamical properties, namely, Korteweg-de Vries evolution equations (one for each wave) and coupled differential equations describing the phase-shift in trajectories of solitons due to the two dimensional collision. The variation of the calculated collision phase-shifts are then numerically inspected in terms of numerous plasma fractional parameters. In this comment, we give some notes specific to the validity of the results of above-mentioned article and refer to important misconceptions about the use of the Fermi-temperature in quantum plasmas, appearing in this article and many other recently published ones.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Response to ''Comment on 'Interaction of two solitary waves in quantum electron-positron-ion plasma''' [Phys. Plasmas 18, 084701 (2011)]

According to the comments of Akbari-Moghanjoughi that the electron-positron-ion(e-p-i) plasmas parameters {sigma} representing the ratio of the positron to electron Fermi-temperature and p standing for the positron to electron number-density ratio are related by the equation of p {sigma}{sup 3/2}. Based on this conclusion, we have replaced the Figs. 1-6 (Ref. 1) in the present paper.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Shear driven electromagnetic drift-waves in a nonuniform dense magnetoplasma

Linear characteristic properties of high- and low-frequency (in comparison with the cyclotron frequency) electromagnetic drift-waves are studied in a nonuniform, dense magnetoplasma (composed of electrons and ions), in the presence of parallel (magnetic field-aligned) velocity shear, by using quantum magnetohydrodynamic model. By applying the drift-approximation (viz., |{partial_derivative} {sub t}|<<{omega}{sub ci}<<{omega}{sub ce}) to the quantum momentum equations, together with the continuity equations and the Poisson equation, we derive the governing equations for electromagnetic drift-waves with the shear flow. These linear equations are then Fourier transformed to obtain the dispersion relation in both high-frequency and low-frequency regimes. The dispersion relations are then discussed under various limiting cases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Wave front-ray synthesis for solving the multidimensional quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation

A Cauchy initial-value approach to the complex-valued quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation (QHJE) is investigated for multidimensional systems. In this approach, ray segments foliate configuration space which is laminated by surfaces of constant action. The QHJE incorporates all quantum effects through a term involving the divergence of the quantum momentum function (QMF). The divergence term may be expressed as a sum of two terms, one involving displacement along the ray and the other incorporating the local curvature of the action surface. It is shown that curvature of the wave front may be computed from coefficients of the first and second fundamental forms from differential geometry that are associated with the surface. Using the expression for the divergence, the QHJE becomes a Riccati-type ordinary differential equation (ODE) for the complex-valued QMF, which is parametrized by the arc length along the ray. In order to integrate over possible singularities in the QMF, a stable and accurate Moebius propagator is introduced. This method is then used to evolve rays and wave fronts for four systems in two and three dimensions. From the QMF along each ray, the wave function can be easily computed. Computational difficulties that may arise are described and some ways to circumvent them are presented.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Electron acceleration by laser wakefield and x-ray emission at moderate intensity and density in long plasmas

The dynamics of electron acceleration by laser wakefield and the associated x-rays emission in long plasmas are numerically investigated for parameters close to the threshold of laser self-focusing. The plasma length is set by the use of dielectric capillary tubes that confine the gas and the laser energy. Electrons self-injection and acceleration to the 170 MeVs are obtained for densities as low as 5 x 10{sup 18} cm{sup -3} and a moderate input intensity (0.77 x 10{sup 18} W/cm{sup 2}). The associated x-ray emission at the exit of the capillary tube is shown to be an accurate diagnostic of the electrons self-injection and acceleration process.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Investigation of lower hybrid wave coupling and current drive experiments at different configurations in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

Using a 2 MW 2.45 GHz lower hybrid wave (LHW) system installed in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak, we have systematically carried out LHW-plasma coupling and lower hybrid current drive experiments in both divertor (double null and lower single null) and limiter plasma configuration with plasma current (I{sub p}) {approx} 250 kA and central line averaged density (n{sub e}) {approx} 1.0-1.3 x 10{sup 19} m{sup -3} recently. Results show that the reflection coefficient (RC) first is flat up to some distance between plasma and LHW grill, and then increases with the distance. Studies indicate that with the same plasma parameters, the best coupling is obtained in the limiter case (with plasma leaning on the inner wall), followed by the lower single null, and the one with the worst coupling is the double null configuration, explained by different magnetic connection length. The RCs in the different poloidal rows show that they have different coupling characteristics, possibly due to local magnetic connection length. Current drive efficiency has been investigated by a least squares fit with N{sub //}{sup peak}=2.1, where N{sub //}{sup peak} is the peak value of parallel refractive index of the launched wave. Results show that there is no obvious difference in the current drive efficiency between double null and lower single null cases, whereas the efficiency is somewhat small in the limiter configuration. This is in agreement with the ray tracing/Fokker-Planck code simulation by LUKE/C3PO and can be interpreted by the power spectrum up-shift factor in different plasma configurations. A transformer recharge is realized with {approx}0.8 MW LHW power and the energy conversion efficiency from LHW to poloidal field energy is about 2%.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Zero-{beta} modeling of coaxial helicity injection in the HIT-II spherical torus

Coaxial helicity injection in the HIT-II [A. J. Redd et al., Phys. Plasmas 9, 2006 (2002)] spherical torus is modeled with time-dependent resistive magnetohydrodynamics computations run to steady state for conditions without strong relaxation. Laboratory and computed results on injector current and plasma current agree reasonably well as toroidal magnetic field and injector flux are scaled. The scalings are consistent with a dimensional estimate from the Grad-Shafranov equation that provides a new perspective on a previously published model based on a current-sheet equilibrium and the magnetic pressure required for the ''bubble-burst'' criterion. Numerical solutions of the Grad-Shafranov equation with an assumed current profile also indicate large qualitative changes as the predicted criterion is crossed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Kinetic analysis of two dimensional metallic grating Cerenkov maser

The dispersion relation of two dimensional metallic grating Cerenkov maser has been given by using kinetic analysis, in which the influence of electron movement is directly considered without using an equivalent dielectric medium assumption. The effects of structural parameters and beam state on the interaction gain and synchronous frequency have also been investigated in detail by numerical calculations. To an illustrative case, the quantitative relations produced from varying the gap distance between electron beam and metallic grating, beam current, electron transverse to axial velocity ratio, and electron axial velocity spread have been obtained. The developed method can be used to predict the real interaction system performances.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

The effects of strong temperature anisotropy on the kinetic structure of collisionless slow shocks and reconnection exhausts. II. Theory

Simulations of collisionless oblique propagating slow shocks have revealed the existence of a transition associated with a critical temperature anisotropy {epsilon} = 1 - {mu}{sub 0}(P{sub ||} - P{sub perpendicular})/B{sup 2} = 0.25 (Y.-H. Liu, J. F. Drake, and M. Swisdak, Phys. Plasmas 18, 062110 (2011)). An explanation for this phenomenon is proposed here based on anisotropic fluid theory, in particular, the anisotropic derivative nonlinear-Schroedinger-Burgers equation, with an intuitive model of the energy closure for the downstream counter-streaming ions. The anisotropy value of 0.25 is significant because it is closely related to the degeneracy point of the slow and intermediate modes and corresponds to the lower bound of the coplanar to non-coplanar transition that occurs inside a compound slow shock (SS)/rotational discontinuity (RD) wave. This work implies that it is a pair of compound SS/RD waves that bound the outflows in magnetic reconnection, instead of a pair of switch-off slow shocks as in Petschek's model. This fact might explain the rareness of in-situ observations of Petschek-reconnection-associated switch-off slow shocks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Analysis of saturation phenomena in Cerenkov free-electron lasers with a planar waveguide

In this paper, the operation of the stimulated emission in Cerenkov free-electron laser (CFEL) is studied on the basis of the modulations of electron velocity and density by the electromagnetic (EM) field. The influence of the electron relaxation, due to mutual electrons collisions, on the electron dynamics is taken into account. We investigate the growth characteristics of Cerenkov laser operating in the small-signal and saturation regimes. In the saturation regime, the effect of velocity reduction of the electron beam on the gain dynamics is demonstrated. We also show that our results match with those of other well-known treatments in the small-signal gain limit.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Relativistic effects in the interaction of high intensity ultra-short laser pulse with collisional underdense plasma

In this paper, the effect of weakly relativistic ponderomotive force in the interaction of intense laser pulse with nonisothermal, underdense, collisional plasma is studied. Ponderomotive force modifies the electron density and temperature distribution. By considering the weakly relativistic effect and ohmic heating of plasma electrons, the nonlinear dielectric permittivity of plasma medium is obtained and the equation of electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma is solved. It is shown that with considering the ohmic heating of electrons and collisions, the effect of ponderomotive force in weakly relativistic regime leads to steepening the electron density profile and increases the temperature of plasma electrons noticeably. Bunches of electrons in plasma become narrower. By increasing the laser pulse strength, the wavelength of density oscillations decreases. In this regime of laser-plasma interaction, electron temperature increases sharply by increasing the intensity of laser pulse. The amplitude of electric and magnetic fields increases by increasing the laser pulse energy while their wavelength decreases and they lost their sinusoidal form.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

RF-Plasma Source Commissioning in Indian Negative Ion Facility

The Indian program of the RF based negative ion source has started off with the commissioning of ROBIN, the inductively coupled RF based negative ion source facility under establishment at Institute for Plasma research (IPR), India. The facility is being developed under a technology transfer agreement with IPP Garching. It consists of a single RF driver based beam source (BATMAN replica) coupled to a 100 kW, 1 MHz RF generator with a self excited oscillator, through a matching network, for plasma production and ion extraction and acceleration. The delivery of the RF generator and the RF plasma source without the accelerator, has enabled initiation of plasma production experiments. The recent experimental campaign has established the matching circuit parameters that result in plasma production with density in the range of 0.5-1x10{sup 18}/m{sup 3}, at operational gas pressures ranging between 0.4-1 Pa. Various configurations of the matching network have been experimented upon to obtain a stable operation of the set up for RF powers ranging between 25-85 kW and pulse lengths ranging between 4-20 s. It has been observed that the range of the parameters of the matching circuit, over which the frequency of the power supply is stable, is narrow and further experiments with increased number of turns in the coil are in the pipeline to see if the range can be widened. In this paper, the description of the experimental system and the commissioning data related to the optimisation of the various parameters of the matching network, to obtain stable plasma of required density, are presented and discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

On the bounce-averaging of scattering rates and the calculation of bounce period

For many applications to planetary magnetospheres and elsewhere in the Universe, it is desirable to average physical quantities such as particle and plasma transport coefficients over a charged particle's bounce motion between magnetic mirror points along field lines. In this paper, we perform such bounce-averaging in a way that avoids singularities in the integrands of expressions that arise in calculations of this sort. Our method applies in principle to an almost arbitrary magnetic field model. We illustrate the advantage of using our method for removing the integrand's singularity through a change of variables (rather than by truncating the integral over latitude at points progressively nearer to the mirror point) by computing the component of the bounce-averaged momentum-space diffusion tensor in a dipolar magnetic field both ways for resonance interaction of geomagnetically trapped relativistic (1 MeV) electrons with field-aligned whistler-mode plasma waves at L = 6 (a field line that passes near synchronous altitude). Moreover, we develop improved analytical approximations for particle bounce periods in a dipolar magnetic field by minimizing mean square errors with respect to expansion coefficients in algebraic representations of the bounce period.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗