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At least 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Transport Properties of Magnetized High-Energy Density Plasma (Final Project Report)

This report summarizes results of project DE-SC0016159 "Transport Properties of Magnetized High-Energy-Density Plasma,'' which ran from 7/15/2016 - 7/14/2021. The primary objectives of the work, as stated in the original proposal, were to develop a theory that describes transport coefficients in magnetized high energy density plasmas and to test the theory with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The science challenge is that strong ion coupling, strong magnetization of electrons, and partial degeneracy of electrons, cause the system to be in a regime that is not well described by current theory. The particular processes that were to be investigated include: ion stopping power, diffusion, electron-ion temperature relaxation, thermal conduction and viscosity. All of the primary research objectives were accomplished during the course of this work. In addition, some unexpected results were discovered along the way that led to new and productive research directions. This work resulted in 17 publications in well-respected peer-reviewed journals (primarily Physics of Plasmas and Physical Review E), and 2 more are being prepared for publication. A few of these were selected as Editor's Picks and one was published as a Rapid Communication. Highlights of the research results include: Transport phase space: The first identification of the parameter space that defines fundamental transport regimes in terms of the Coulomb coupling and magnetization parameters. Mean force kinetic theory: Systematic derivation of a kinetic theory for strongly coupled plasmas based on a new expansion parameter of the BBGKY hierarchy. This provided the derivation of a theory that we had previously posed phenomenologically, and also revealed a new term that captures the equation of state properties at all coupling strengths. Transverse friction force: Discovery that the friction force on a test charge in a strongly magnetized plasma includes a component that is perpendicular to the motion of the test charge in the plane defined by the velocity and magnetic field vectors. Gyrofriction force: Discovery that the friction force on a test charge in a plasma that is both strongly magnetized and strongly coupled includes a component of the force in the direction of the Lorentz force. Kinetic theory for warm dense matter: Extension of the mean force kinetic theory to include partial electron degeneracy, so that it applies to warm dense matter.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fast camera imaging of plasmas in Alcator C-Mod and W7-X

In this work we present an analysis of fast-camera imaging of Alcator C-Mod's divertor region and of the plasma cross section in the W7-X stellarator. In C-Mod, the dynamics of intermittent edge plasma filaments are imaged at 397,100 frames per second in an oblique view. An automatic pipeline was developed to reconstruct the filament motion in the R, Z plane of the divertor using EFIT field line projections. Next, we added our fast-framing camera to W7-X's diagnostic suite for the 2017 run campaign, the first with a divertor. It has a tangential view of the machine cross section, including part of a divertor module. The view is coupled to the camera via a coherent fiber bundle. The spatial resolution is 2–4 cm and the typical plasma brightness limits the fastest usable frame rate to 30k frames/s. We observe filaments in the plasma boundary that rotate around the magnetic axis during radiative collapse; filaments were observed in steady state in the limiter configuration of W7-X by Kocsis et al. [1]. We also observe for the first time a 1–2 kHz quasi-coherent fluctuation in divertor target emissions in the W7-X “standard” magnetic configuration. Finally, a rough analysis of edge gas fueling efficiency using fast camera data and S/XB coefficients finds that fueling is less efficient at densities higher than 4 × 10 19 m -3 .

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Reference Governor for Plasma-Shape Control in Tokamaks

Tokamaks are torus-shaped devices where a high-temperature, ionized gas (i.e. a plasma) is confined by means of helical magnetic fields. The ultimate goal of tokamaks is producing net electrical energy by means of nuclear-fusion reactions within the plasma. The shape of the plasma inside the tokamak is closely related with its confinement characteristics and, therefore, with the produced fusion power. In order to achieve and maintain plasma shapes that maximize the fusion yield, feedback controllers have been successfully developed during the years. However, machine-protection and plasma-stability requirements impose hard constraints on the plasma-shape targets that can be safely achieved by a feedback controller. In this work, a reference governor is proposed to provide, in real time, plasma-shape targets that fulfill the aforementioned safety requirements. The reference governor calculates such plasma-shape targets in response to changes in the state of the closed-loop system, as well as disturbances in the plasma energy and current. Here, the reference-governor design is based on a dynamical model of the plasma electromagnetic response. Simulation tests of the reference governor have been carried out for different plasma scenarios in the DIII-D tokamak to emulate realistic cases where safety may be compromised.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Spatio-temporal Fourier Transformer for Long-term Dynamics Prediction (StFT) v1.0

We propose a novel machine learning model spatio-temporal Fourier transformer (StFT) to emulate long-term dynamics of multi-scale and multi-physics systems. Our method StFT overcomes the limitations of rapid error accumulation, particularly in long-term forecasting of systems characterized by complex and coupled dynamics. StFT achieves outstanding accuracy and computational efficiency by effectively capturing multi-scale interactions, and quantify the uncertainties inherent in the predictions. Our model leverages a structured hierarchy of StFT blocks, and explicitly captures dynamics across both macro- and micro- spatial scales. Evaluations conducted on three benchmark datasets (plasma, fluid, and atmospheric dynamics) demonstrate the advantages of our approach over state-of-the-art ML methods.

Bai, Zhe [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (L↗
NASA NTRS1988

Consideration of Space Station requirements for tethers

Space Station requirements with regard to tethers are discussed with attention given to environmental requirements and Space Station plasma considerations. Conducting tethers can be used for electrodynamic experiments, power generation, and propulsion. It is noted that the use of nonconducting tethers with plasma contactors will produce dynamic effects which may alter the relationship between the Space Station and the ambient plasma.

Carruth, M. R., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of gas properties on the dynamics of the electrical slope asymmetry effect in capacitive plasmas: comparison of Ar, H 2 and CF 4

Tailored voltage excitation waveforms provide an efficient control of the ion energy (through the electrical asymmetry effect) in capacitive plasmas by varying the 'amplitude' asymmetry of the waveform. In this work, the effect of a 'slope' asymmetry of the waveform is investigated by using sawtooth-like waveforms, through which the sheath dynamic can be manipulated. A remarkably different discharge dynamic is found for Ar, H 2 , and CF 4 gases, which is explained by the different dominant electron heating mechanisms and plasma chemistries. In comparison to Argon we find that the electrical asymmetry can even be reversed by using an electronegative gas such as CF 4 . Phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements, probing the spatiotemporal distribution of the excitation rate show excellent agreement with the results of particle-in-cell simulations, confirming the high degree of correlation between the excitation rates with the dominant heating mechanisms in the various gases. It is shown that, depending on the gas used, sawtooth-like voltage waveforms may cause a strong asymmetry.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Perturbed soliton excitations of Rao-dust Alfvén waves in magnetized dusty plasmas

We investigate the propagation dynamics of the perturbed soliton excitations in a three component fully ionized dusty magnetoplasma consisting of electrons, ions, and heavy charged dust particulates. We derive the governing equation of motion for the two dimensional Rao-dust magnetohydrodynamic (R-D-MHD) wave by employing the inertialess electron equation of motion, inertial ion equation of motion, the continuity equations in a plasma with immobile charged dust grains, together with the Maxwell's equations, by assuming quasi neutrality and neglecting the displacement current in Ampere's law. Furthermore, we assume the massive dust particles are practically immobile since we are interested in timescales much shorter than the dusty plasma period, thereby neglecting any damping of the modes due to the grain charge fluctuations. We invoke the reductive perturbation method to represent the governing dynamics by a perturbed cubic nonlinear Schrödinger (pCNLS) equation. We solve the pCNLS, along the lines of Kodama-Ablowitz multiple scale nonlinear perturbation technique and explored the R-D-MHD waves as solitary wave excitations in a magnetized dusty plasma. Since Alfvén waves play an important role in energy transport in driving field-aligned currents, particle acceleration and heating, solar flares, and the solar wind, this representation of R-D-MHD waves as soliton excitations may have extensive applications to study the lower part of the earth's ionosphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1994

Influence of plasma sheet thickening toward the tail flanks on magnetotail stability and dynamics

On the basis of resistive MHD simulations we investigate the stability and dynamic evolution of the magnetotail for configurations with various degrees of plasma sheet thickening from midnight toward the tail flanks, associated with a similar increase of the B(sub z) component. This increase is varied by factors between 2 and 3.5, while the magnitude of B(sub z) at midnight is left unchanged. The increase of B(sub z) has a strong effect on the spatial extend of resistive tearing and reconnection across the tail and on the unstable evolution. For stronger thickening the cross-tail extent of the near-Earth neutral line, formed by reconnection, and correspondingly the amount of reconnected magnetic flux get reduced and the dipolarization effects earthward of the neutral line are more concentrated near midnight. An increase of B(sub z) from midnight toward the flanks by more than a factor of about 3 can possibly even suppress the resistive tearing instability. This indicates the possibility of a stability transition due to a reduction of B(sub z) in the flank regions in response to changes in the solar wind, even when the magnitude of B(sub z) near midnight and the fluctuation level in that region are unchanged (provided that a sufficient fluctuation level exists).

Birn, Joachim↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evidence for a Magnetic Reconnection Origin of Plasma Outflows along Post-CME Rays

Bright rays are often observed after coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupt. These rays are dynamical structures along which plasmas move outward. We investigated the outflows along the post-CME rays observed by the COR2 on board STEREO Behind on 2013 September 21 and 22. We tracked two CMEs, two ray tips, and seven blobs using the NAVE optical flow technique. As a result, we found that the departure times of blobs and ray tips from the optimally chosen starting height of 0.5 R{sub ⊙} coincided with the occurrence times of the corresponding recurrent small flares within 10 minutes. These small flares took place many hours after the major flares. This result supports a magnetic reconnection origin of the outward flows along the post-CME ray and the importance of magnetic islands for understanding the process of magnetic reconnection. The total energy of magnetic reconnection maintaining the outflows for 40 hr is estimated at 1.4×10{sup 30} erg. Further investigations of plasma outflows along post-CME rays will shed much light on the physical properties of magnetic reconnection occurring in the solar corona.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comment on "Continuum Lowering and Fermi-Surface Rising in Stromgly Coupled and Degenerate Plasmas"

In a recent Letter, Hu [1] reported photon absorption cross sections in strongly coupled, degenerate plasmas from quantum molecular dynamics (QMD). The Letter claims that the K-edge shift as a function of plasma density computed with simple ionization potential depression (IPD) models are in violent disagreement with the QMD results. The QMD calculations displayed an increase in Kedge shift with increasing density while the simpler models yielded a decrease. Here, this Comment shows that the claimed large errors reported by Hu for the widely used Stewart- Pyatt (SP) model [2] stem from an invalid comparison of disparate physical quantities and is largely resolved by including well-known corrections for degenerate systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

From Weibel seeds to dynamo beyond pair-plasmas

Bridging the spatiotemporal scales of magnetic seed field generation and subsequent dynamo amplification in the weakly collisional intracluster medium presents an extreme numerical challenge. We perform collisionless turbulence simulations with initially unmagnetised electrons that capture both magnetic seed generation via the electron Weibel instability and the ensuing dynamo amplification. Going beyond existing pair-plasma studies, we use an ion-to-electron mass ratio of 100 for which we find electron and ion dynamics are sufficiently decoupled. These simulations are enabled by the 10-moment collisionless fluid solver of Gkeyll, which evolves the full pressure tensor for all species. The electron heat-flux closure regulates pressure isotropisation and effectively sets the magnetic Reynolds number. We investigate how the strength of the closure influences the transition between a regime reminiscent of previous kinetic pair-plasma simulations and a regime exhibiting dynamo behaviour qualitatively similar to magnetohydrodynamics.

astrophysical plasmas↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dynamics of optical breakdown in air induced by single and double nanosecond laser pulses

In this paper, an optical breakdown in air induced by single and double nanosecond laser pulses was studied. A high power Nd:YAG laser beam was used for producing optical breakdown plasma in the air. The dynamics of breakdown plasma were studied using an optical probe beam. A portion of the laser beam was used, as the probe beam and was aligned to propagate (perpendicular to the pump beam) through the breakdown region. The transmission of the probe beam (through the breakdown region) was temporally measured for both single and double pulse irradiations. The results were used to describe the evolution of the induced plasma in both conditions. These results show that the plasma formation time and its absorptivity are strongly dependent on the single or double pulse configurations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

The absorption and radiation of a tungsten plasma plume during nanosecond laser ablation

In this paper, the effect of absorption of the laser beam and subsequent radiation on the dynamics of a tungsten plasma plume during pulsed laser ablation is analyzed. Different laser wavelengths are taken into consideration. The absorption and emission coefficients of tungsten plasma in a pressure range of 0.1–100 MPa and temperature up to 70 000 K are presented. The shielding effects due to the absorption and radiation of plasma may have an impact on the course of ablation. The numerical model that describes the tungsten target heating and the formation of the plasma and its expansion were made for 355 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths of a Nd:YAG laser. The laser beam with a Gaussian profile was focused to a spot size of 0.055 mm{sup 2} with a power density of 1 × 10{sup 9 }W/cm{sup 2} (10 ns full width half maximum pulse duration). The plasma expands into air at ambient pressure of 1 mPa. The use of the shorter wavelength causes faster heating of the target, thus the higher ablation rate. The consequences of a higher ablation rate are slower expansion and smaller dimensions of the plasma plume. The higher plasma temperature in the case of 1064 nm is due to the lower density and lower plasma radiation. In the initial phase of propagation of the plasma plume, when both the temperature and pressure are very high, the dominant radiation is emission due to photo-recombination. However, for a 1064 nm laser wavelength after 100 ns of plasma expansion, the radiation of the spectral lines is up to 46.5% of the total plasma radiation and should not be neglected.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Ultrafast carrier dynamics and optical pumping of lasing from Ar-plasma treated ZnO nanoribbons

We report that it is a well-known fact that ZnO has been one of the most studied wide bandgap II-VI materials by the scientific community specifically due to its potential for being used as exciton-related optical devices. Hence, realizing ways to increase the efficiency of these devices is important. We discuss a plasma treatment technique to enhance the near-band-edge (NBE) excitonic emission from ZnO based nanoribbons. We observed an enhancement of the NBE peak and simultaneous quenching of the visible emission peak resulting from the removal of surface traps on these ZnO nanoribbons. More importantly, we report here the associated ultrafast carrier dynamics resulting from this surface treatment. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy was performed using pump-probe differential transmission measurements shedding new light on these improved dynamics with faster relaxation times. The knowledge obtained is important for improving the application of ZnO based optoelectronic devices. Finally, we also observed how these improved carrier dynamics have a direct effect on the threshold and efficiency of random lasing from the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Bulk viscosity of the rigid rotor one-component plasma

Bulk viscosity of a plasma consisting of strongly coupled diatomic ions is computed using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations are based on the rigid rotor one-component plasma, which is introduced as a model system that adds two degrees of molecular rotation to the traditional one-component plasma. It is characterized by two parameters: the Coulomb coupling parameter, Γ, and the bond length parameter, Ω. Results show that the long-range nature of the Coulomb potential can lead to long rotational relaxation times, which in turn yield large values for bulk viscosity. Here, the bulk-to-shear viscosity ratio is found to span from small to large values depending on the values of Γ and Ω. Although bulk viscosity is often neglected in plasma modeling, these results motivate that it can be large in molecular plasmas with rotational degrees of freedom.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Impact of dynamics, entanglement and Markovian noise on the fidelity of few-qubit digital quantum simulation

Quantum algorithms have been proposed to accelerate the simulation of the chaotic dynamical systems that are ubiquitous in the physics of plasmas. Quantum computers without error correction might even use noise to their advantage to calculate the Lyapunov exponent by measuring the Loschmidt echo fidelity decay rate. For the first time, digital Hamiltonian simulations of the quantum sawtooth map, performed on the IBM-Q quantum hardware platform, show that the fidelity decay rate of a digital quantum simulation increases during the transition from dynamical localization to chaotic diffusion in the map. The observed error per CNOT gate increases by $1.5{\times }$ as the dynamics varies from localized to diffusive, while only changing the phases of virtual RZ gates and keeping the overall gate count constant. A gate-based Lindblad noise model that captures the effective change in relaxation and dephasing errors during gate operation qualitatively explains the effect of dynamics on fidelity as being due to the localization and entanglement of the states created. Specifically, highly delocalized states that are entangled with random phases show an increased sensitivity to dephasing and, on average, a similar sensitivity to relaxation as localized states. In contrast, delocalized unentangled states show an increased sensitivity to dephasing but a lower sensitivity to relaxation. This gate-based Lindblad model is shown to be a useful benchmarking tool by estimating the effective Lindblad coherence times during CNOT gates and finding a consistent $2\unicode{x2013}3{\times }$ shorter $T_2$ time than reported for idle qubits. Thus, the interplay of the dynamics of a simulation with the noise processes that are active can strongly influence the overall fidelity decay rate.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Current profile and normalized beta control via feedback linearization and Lyapunov techniques

Abstract Simultaneous control of the current profile and normalized plasma beta is an essential control problem in the development of advanced tokamak scenarios. However, this control problem is especially challenging due to the nonlinear nature of the current, heat, and particle transport dynamics, as well as the difficulty to understand and accurately model such processes. In this work, a nonlinear, robust, model-based controller for the simultaneous regulation of the current profile and normalized beta has been designed using feedback linearization and Lyapunov redesign techniques. Feedback linearization avoids approximate linearization of the plasma dynamics, retaining the original physics content of the model. Moreover, the use of Lyapunov redesign techniques makes the controller robust against the uncertainties arising during the modeling process. The controller’s performance in the presence of unknown dynamics is tested in nonlinear, one-dimensional simulations using the Control Oriented Transport SIMulator (COTSIM) code, which employs plasma models that are significantly more complex than those employed for control synthesis.

Physics↗