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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Expansion of an ion cloud in the earth's magnetosphere.

The initial expansion of a barium ion cloud release in the distant earth's magnetosphere is numerically investigated by means of a computer model with self-consistent electric and magnetic interactions. Initial conditions for the calculations are an expanding neutral cloud that is photoionized with a time constant of 20 sec. The results show that after the first 30 sec, the large fluctuations in the magnetic field and in other parameters are damped out and the magnetic field in the central region of the cloud is reduced to near zero. Also, after only 10 sec, a relatively high central ion density has developed and remains for the duration of the calculations.

Hohl, F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Temperature and density structure of thermal proton flows

Thermal proton flows along magnetic field lines are an important feature of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this paper we report the results of a theoretical study of the thermal structure of such flows. The adopted steady state model is based upon O+, H+, and electrons with self-consistent solutions for the separate O+, H+, and electron temperatures, the O+ and H+ densities and the H+ drift velocity. Through investigation of a number of parameters affecting the model, it is shown that Joule heating arising from the flow of H+ through O+ preferentially heats H+, so that the H+ temperature is substantially greater than the O+ temperature. Low O+ densities characteristic of the trough region appear to give high H+/O+ temperature ratios. Typical O+ densities characteristic of polar wind flow regions give moderate H+/O3 temperature ratios. The Mach number of H+ outflow is substantially reduced in the present models in comparison with the older fixed temperature calculations.

Banks, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Helium ion outflow from the terrestrial ionosphere

For situations where ion outflow occurs from the topside ionosphere, steady-state solutions for the He(+) continuity, momentum, and energy equations have been obtained self-consistently, yielding density, velocity, and temperature profiles of He(+) from 200 to 2000 km altitude. The study indicates that the outflowing He(+) has density profiles of similar shape to those of H(+), for basically different reasons; the effect of the perpendicular electric field differs considerably for H(+) and He(+); the fractional heating of He(+) due to the He(+)-O(+) relative flow is not as effective in heating He(+) as the flow is in heating H(+); during magnetospheric disturbances the He(+) peak density decreases only by approximately a factor of 2; and the He(+) escape flux over the winter pole is approximately a factor of 20 greater than the He(+) escape flux over the summer pole. The possibility of interhemispheric He(+) flux from winter to summer on high-latitude closed field lines is considered.

Raitt, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Skynet satellite electron precharging experiments

Large surface areas (approximately 1 sq m) of the Skynet I qualification model satellite were exposed to the environments of a flux of monoenergetic electrons and pulsed high-intensity X-ray photons from an exploding-wire-radiator source, separately and simultaneously. Experiments were performed with both the cylindrical solar cell panels and the end thermal blanket exposed to these environments. The satellite was instrumented with fiber-optics isolated fast-response sensors capable of sensing and recording the time-varying electric fields and surface currents on the satellite. Spontaneous discharges of the two surfaces were characterized prior to measurements of the interaction of the system-generated electromagnetic pulse from the X-ray photon burst with the electron precharged surfaces. A two-dimensional self-consistent finite difference computer code was used to predict the currents on the Skynet both with and without precharging of the thermal-blanket. These calculations, which used an thermal-blanket voltage profile, predicted a factor of 2 increase in satellite exterior axial currents.

Vanlint, V. A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Precise calculation of the magnetosphere surface for a tilted dipole.

The shape of the magnetosphere has been calculated self-consistently for inclinations of the earth's magnetic dipole from perpendicular to the solar wind. Inclination angles of 0-35 deg have been chosen in steps of 5 deg and various smooth trends in the surface characteristics with increasing inclination angle noted. The surface points and the complete field at the surface points have been calculated for the entire surfaces. The neutral point region has been given precise study in one degree steps and is found to be tangent to the solar wind velocity and to have a smooth continuous curvature.

Choe, J. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Earth's magnetosphere - Global problems in magnetospheric plasma physics

Magnetospheric physics is presently in a transition from the exploratory stage to one in which satellite missions and ground-based observations are planned with the specific object of achieving a global understanding and self-consistent quantitative description of the cause-and-effect relationship among the principal dynamic processes involved. Measurements turn to lower and lower energies and to higher ion mass species, in order to encompass the entire particle population, and to a broader range of the frequency spectrum of magnetic and electric field variations. In the present paper, the current status of our knowledge on magnetospheric plasma physics is reviewed, with particular reference of such fundamental advances as the discovery of layers of streaming plasma in the magnetosphere beneath its boundary surface, the identification of the terrestrial magnetosphere as a celestial source of kilometric radiation and relativistic particles, the identification of parallel electric field regions within the magnetosphere and their role in auroral particle acceleration, and the discovery of large fluxes of energetic heavy ions trapped in the magnetosphere.

Roederer, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Supercritical time-dependent accretion onto compact objects. I - Neutron stars

The time-dependent flow resulting from spherically symmetric, supercritical accretion onto a nonmagnetic neutron star is computed for accretion rates between 3 and 30. In addition, the fully time-dependent self-consistent set of coupled radiation-hydrodynamic equations governing such flow has been solved. Effects that have not previously been treated are taken into account, including separate energy equations for ions and electrons allowing for nonequilibrium, variable Eddington factors in the radiation transfer to account for anisotropy of the radiation field due to highly spherically extended envelopes, and convection of ions, electrons and photons in the accretion envelope. It is found that supercritical flow, for material falling from a radius of less than 10 to the 10th cm, is characterized by stable accretion with no evidence of stellar wind outflow at any phase of the evolution.

Klein, R. I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Heavily doped transparent-emitter regions in junction solar cells, diodes, and transistors

The paper presents an analytical treatment of transparent-emitter devices, particularly solar cells, that is more complete than previously available treatments. The proposed approach includes the effects of bandgap narrowing, Fermi-Dirac statistics, built-in field due to impurity profile, and a finite surface recombination velocity at the emitter surface. It is demonstrated that the transparent-emitter model can predict experimental values of Voc observed on n(plus)-p thin diffused junction silicon solar cells made on low-resistivity (0.1 ohm-cm) substrates. A test is included for the self-consistent validity of the transparent-emitter model. This test compares the calculated transit time of minority carriers across the emitter with the Auger-impact minority-carrier lifetime within the emitter region.

Shibib, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Diffuse auroral precipitation

The paper summarizes the development of a plausibly coherent view of the self-consistent coupling of convection in the plasma sheet to auroral particle precipitation and the ionosphere. Attention is given to an understanding of the plasma instabilities responsible for diffuse auroral precipitation. The electrostatic ion and electron cyclotron harmonic loss-cone instabilities seem to be the best candidates, although they depend sensitively upon the cold electron density and temperature deep in space on auroral field lines. However, there is little or no experimental or theoretical information about these parameters. For this reason, further theoretical progress on cyclotron harmonic instabilities will be limited until the cold electron temperature is known. Also necessary are a complete phenomenological understanding of ion harmonic modes and a modeling of the cold electron distribution on auroral field lines.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Physical conditions in the solar corona during flarelike events

Soft X-ray images of the sun obtained with the S-056 telescope aboard Skylab are used to investigate physical conditions in the X-ray-emitting coronal plasma during flarelike events. Temporal and spatial variations in the density and temperature of the main X-ray source during a flare are determined along with the total radiative energy emitted by an observed loop system. Models for heat sources and energy balance are analyzed, radiative as well as conductive energy losses are computed, and an attempt is made to develop a self-consistent model of the observed X-ray event. It is concluded that: (1) loop tips constitute the source of the maximum X-ray flux; (2) conductive losses exceed radiative losses by several orders of magnitude; (3) energy (and possibly new matter) is added at loop tips; and (4) the most intense X-ray structures are located in areas where the magnetic field has a small radius of curvature and the axis of a loop sequence changes direction.

Vorpahl, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Accretion onto magnetized neutron stars - Structure and interchange instability of a model magnetosphere

A self-consistent model is analyzed for the spherical infall of weakly magnetized plasma into the magnetosphere of a slowly rotating, strongly magnetized neutron star. It is shown that spherical infall is probably a good approximation for X-ray sources which accrete from a stellar wind. The location of the standoff shock which halts the hypersonic infall is estimated along with the emission from the shocked layer. The location of the equilibrium magnetopause and the structure of the magnetic field within it are calculated; it is found that the magnetic poles are true cusps and that the entry of gas due to equilibrium flow across a cusp is almost certainly dominated by the interchange instability near the magnetic equator. The energy principle is applied to derive necessary conditions for the occurrence of this instability. The results indicate that the strong magnetic-pressure gradient stabilizes the gas unless moderately strong radiative cooling takes place and that the cooled plasma enters the magnetosphere as long filaments capable of moving between field lines. The rate at which the equilibrium magnetopause can 'absorb' mass and momentum is derived, the validity of the approximations employed is discussed, and the likely evolution of the sinking filaments is outlined to show that the spatial distribution of the plasma is determined mainly by the dynamics and thermodynamics of the filaments rather than the magnetic-field structure.

Arons, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Influence of finite-beta effects on the lower-hybrid-drift instability in post-implosion theta pinches

The influence of finite values of the plasma parameter beta on the lower-hybrid-drift instability is investigated, with particular emphasis on the post-implosion theta-pinch configurations. The analysis is carried out in a fully self-consistent manner and includes the finite-beta effects associated with transverse electromagnetic perturbations as well as with resonant and nonresonant electron-orbit modifications. Except in the limit where the ratio of electron and ion temperatures approaches zero, it is found that there is a critical value for the local beta such that the lower-hybrid-drift instability is completely stabilized. For typical post-implosion theta pinches, it is concluded that if the magnetic-field depression is sufficiently large, the interior region of the pinch will be stable to the examined instability but the exterior region will be unstable.

Davidson, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Spectrophotometry of AM Herculis at minimum

Spectrophotometric observations of AM Her during its 1980 minimum are reported. The M dwarf in the system is revealed by its TiO bands and domination of the spectrum longward of 6000 A. The blue region of the spectrum reveals a hot, magnetic white dwarf with Zeeman-split hydrogen absorption lines, and emission lines of H, He I, and Fe II. The inferred surface magnetic field of roughly 10 to the 7th gauss permits the presence of an accretion disk in the system. Velocities and intensities of the H emission lines indicate an origin in the X-ray-heated atmosphere of the M dwarf. The continuum light variation in the red appears to result from the heating of the secondary, while the blue light variation probably results from the rotation of the bright spot at the white dwarf's magnetic pole. A self-consistent geometrical model is proposed, in which the minimum state is interpreted as a lull in the rate of accretion onto the white dwarf.

Patterson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A two component model of the diurnal variations in the thermospheric composition

A self-consistent, two-dimensional, two-component diffusion model is presented to describe the diurnal component of thermosphere dynamics. In the regions where oxygen and helium are the minor constituents, diffusion is shown to increase the amplitudes of these constituents and to advance the times of their diurnal maxima by several hours with respect to the gas temperature and the major species. Both effects are in basic agreement with satellite observations. The diffusion process is relatively insignificant for temperature, total mass density, and wind fields. The magnitude of the temperature-density phase delay is discussed with respect to its dependence on the electron density distribution.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Solitons and second harmonic radiation in type III bursts

The emission at the second harmonic of the plasma frequency from self-consistent Langmuir solitons is calculated. The theory predicts, in a natural way, the observed transition from the region where the intensity is linearly proportional to the electron flux to the region where the radio intensity is proportional to the square of the electron flux. A detailed comparison of the radiation observed at the second harmonic for the burst of 18:10 UT March 31, 1976, with the one expected on the assumption of radiation from solitons, using the correlated in situ measurements of the electric fields at the second harmonic, and their spatial structure, provides strong evidence that, for the first time, Langmuir solitons have been observed in space.

Papadopoulos, K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Diamagnetic boundary layers - A kinetic theory

A kinetic theory is presented for boundary layers associated with MHD tangential 'discontinuities' in a collisionless magnetized plasma, such as those observed in the solar wind. The theory consists of finding self-consistent solutions of Vlasov's equation and Maxwell's equation for stationary one-dimensional boundary layers separating two Maxwellian plasma states. Layers in which the current is carried by electrons are found to have a thickness of the order of a few electron gyroradii, but the drift speed of the current-carrying electrons is found to exceed the Alfven speed, and accordingly such layers are not stable. Several types of layers in which the current is carried by protons are discussed; in particular, cases are considered in which the magnetic-field intensity, direction, or both, changed across the layer. In every case, the thickness was of the order of a few proton gyroradii, and the field changed smoothly, although the characteristics depended somewhat on the boundary conditions. The drift speed was always less than the Alfven speed, consistent with stability of such structures. These results are consistent with observations of boundary layers in the solar wind near 1 AU.

Lemaire, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Calculations of molecular ionization energies using a self-consistent-charge Hartree-Fock-Slater method

A numerical-variational method for performing self-consistent molecular calculations in the Hartree-Fock-Slater (HFS) model is presented. Molecular wavefunctions are expanded in terms of basis sets constructed from numerical HFS solutions of selected one-center atomlike problems. Binding energies and wavefunctions for the molecules are generated using a discrete variational method for a given molecular potential. In the self-consistent-charge (SCC) approximation to the complete self-consistent-field (SCF) method, results of a Mulliken population analysis of the molecular eigenfunctions are used in each iteration to produce 'atomic' occupation numbers. The simplest SCC potential is then obtained from overlapping spherical atomlike charge distributions. Molecular ionization energies are calculated using the transition-state procedure; results are given for CO, H2O, H2S, AlCl, InCl, and the Ni5O surface complex. Agreement between experimental and theoretical ionization energies for the free-molecule valence levels is generally within 1 eV. The simple SCC procedure gives a reasonably good approximation to the molecular potential, as shown by comparison with experiment, and with complete SCF calculations for CO, H2O, and H2S.

Rosen, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Structure of current sheets in magnetic holes at 1 AU

Current density profiles in several types of interplanetary magnetic holes were calculated assuming that the currents flow in planar sheets and that the magnetic field varies only in the direction normal to the sheet. The planarity was verified in four holes which were observed by two suitably spaced spacecraft. The structure of the current sheets ranges from very simple in some holes to very complex in others. The observed structures are found to be qualitatively consistent with models based on self-consistent solutions of Vlasov's equation and Maxwell's equations. Examples of complex, irregular magnetic holes are also presented, and they are shown to contain multiple, current sheets in which currents flow parallel to one another.

Fitzenreiter, R. J.↗