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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 1,081 records · Page 60

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NASA NTRS2011

Drake Antarctic Agile Meteor Radar (DrAAMER) First Results: Configuration and Comparison of Mean and Tidal Wind and Gravity Wave Momentum Flux Measurements with SAAMER

A new-generation meteor radar was installed at the Brazilian Antarctic Comandante Ferraz Base (62.1degS) in March 2010. This paper describes the motivations for the radar location, its measurement capabilities, and comparisons of measured mean winds, tides, and gravity wave momentum fluxes from April to June of 2010 and 2011 with those by a similar radar on Tierra del Fuego (53.8degS). Motivations for the radars include the "hotspot" of small-scale gravity wave activity extending from the troposphere into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) centered over the Drake Passage, the maximum of the semidiurnal tide at these latitudes, and the lack of other MLT wind measurements in this latitude band. Mean winds are seen to be strongly modulated at planetary wave and longer periods and to exhibit strong coherence over the two radars at shorter time scales as well as systematic seasonal variations. The semidiurnal tide contribute most to the large-scale winds over both radars, with maximum tidal amplitudes during May and maxima at the highest altitudes varying from approx.20 to >70 m/s. In contrast, the diurnal tide and various planetary waves achieve maximum winds of approx.10 to 20 m/s. Monthly-mean gravity wave momentum fluxes appear to reflect the occurrence of significant sources at lower altitudes, with relatively small zonal fluxes over both radars, but with significant, and opposite, meridional momentum fluxes below approx.85 km. These suggest gravity waves propagating away from the Drake Passage at both sites, and may indicate an important source region accounting in part for this "hotspot".

Fritts, D. C.↗

DOE OSTI2019

On the propagation of electrodynamic waves along a wire by A. Sommerfeld

This is a translation of a classic paper of Arnold Sommerfeld published in 1899. It reflected the first rigorous theory of waves traveling on a resistive wire of finite radius. General solutions inside and outside the wire are written in terms of Bessel functions, and the boundary condition at the surface is well approximated by a transcendental equation. A detailed analysis of the equation demonstrates that surface waves are supported, which decay exponentially with the radial distance from the wire. The propagation velocity, less than c, and the longitudinal damping rate are related to the material properties of the wire. An historical overview of related work, on surface waves and open waveguides, is given by the translator.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS2018

Remote Sensing of the Ocean Surface Refractive Index via Short-Wave Infrared Polarimetry

The linear polarization of sunlight reflected by ocean surfaces in the shortwave infrared (SWIR), at geometries where specular reflection dominates the signal, is a direct function of the refractive index of the surface microlayer(SML). This simple physical concept is at the base of a novel technique presented in this study. We invert observations obtained by the airborne Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) in the sun glint region, where each pixel's radiance is dominated by the signal originating from the wave slopes oriented precisely to cause specular reflection. The SWIR wavelength ensures minimization of aerosol interference when radiance travels through the atmosphere; strong absorption by the water body then limits the penetration depth to the first micrometer or so, effectively probing the SML. The resulting Degree of Linear Polarization (DoLP) is then governed by the refractive index via the Fresnel law for the specfic pixel geometry, independently of the wind speed. The selected dataset concerns several field deployments from both low- and high-altitude aircraft, including total reflectance measurements with the sole purpose of accounting for the residual aerosol effect.Stable retrievals from transects above pure seawater yielded values of refractive index that match the values published in the literature within an accuracy of 5 x 10 [superscript 4]. Flying over the oil spill caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon platform, detected variations were found compatible with the presence of an oil slick. The robustness of the results, guaranteedby the high RSP polarimetric accuracy (less than or equal to 0:2%), opens the possibility for remote-sensing detection of other entities that similarly affect the refractive index including whitecaps, microplastics, biological gels, seaweed and grass mats.

Surface Microlayer↗

DOE OSTI2021

Plasma sheath and presheath development near a partially reflective surface

This work addresses one-dimensional evolution of a collisionless plasma next to a solid surface that is immersed into the plasma instantaneously. In particular, we consider how the self-similar rarefaction wave establishes dynamically and how the electron reflection from the surface modifies the structure of the rarefaction wave and the Debye sheath. Here, we demonstrate that a sufficiently strong reflection eliminates the Debye sheath and changes the wall potential and the plasma flow parameters significantly. The paper presents numerical results that illustrate the developed analytical theory.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2015

Excitation of a plasmon resonance in metal cylinders by an evanescent wave

The magnetic field distribution and electric-field amplification factor are found in the gap between periodically arranged parallel metal cylinders scattering an evanescent wave. Such a wave appears if an original plane wave is incident from the dielectric substrate onto the interface at an angle of total internal reflection. A substantial restructuring of the near-field distribution, which results from a small change in the angle of incidence, is revealed. Estimations of the angular dependence of the local field, explaining the shift and broadening of the plasmon resonance at a shorter wavelength, are presented. (nanostructures)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS1988

Unsteady heat transfer in turbine blade ducts: Focus on combustor sources

Thermal waves generated by either turbine rotor blades cutting through nonuniform combustor temperature fields or unsteady burning could lead to thermal fatigue cracking in the blades. To determine the magnitude of the thermal oscillation in blades with complex shapes and material compositions, a finite element Galerkin formulation has been developed to study combustor generated thermal wave propagation in a model two-dimensional duct with a uniform plug flow profile. The reflection and transmission of the thermal waves at the entrance and exit boundaries are determined by coupling the finite element solutions at the entrance and exit to the eigenfunctions of an infinitely long adiabatic duct. Example solutions are presented. In general, thermal wave propagation from an air passage into a metallic blade wall is small and not a problem. However, if a thermal barrier coating is applied to a metallic surface under conditions of a high heat transfer, a good impedance match is obtained and a significant portion of the thermal wave can pass into the blade material.

Baumeister, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Unsteady heat transfer in turbine blade ducts - Focus on combustor sources

Baumeister, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Optimization of a Deep Convective Cloud Technique in Evaluating the Long-Term Radiometric Stability of MODIS Reflective Solar Bands

MODIS reflective solar bands are calibrated on-orbit using a solar diffuser and near-monthly lunar observations. To monitor the performance and effectiveness of the on-orbit calibrations, pseudo-invariant targets such as deep convective clouds (DCCs), Libya-4, and Dome-C are used to track the long-term stability of MODIS Level 1B product. However, the current MODIS operational DCC technique (DCCT) simply uses the criteria set for the 0.65- m band. We optimize several critical DCCT parameters including the 11- micrometer IR-band Brightness Temperature (BT11) threshold for DCC identification, DCC core size and uniformity to help locate DCCs at convection centers, data collection time interval, and probability distribution function (PDF) bin increment for each channel. The mode reflectances corresponding to the PDF peaks are utilized as the DCC reflectances. Results show that the BT11 threshold and time interval are most critical for the Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) bands. The Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function model is most effective in reducing the DCC anisotropy for the visible channels. The uniformity filters and PDF bin size have minimal impacts on the visible channels and a larger impact on the SWIR bands. The newly optimized DCCT will be used for future evaluation of MODIS on-orbit calibration by MODIS Characterization Support Team.

Mu, Qiaozhen↗

NASA NTRS2001

Asymptotic Solutions for Optical Properties of Large Particles with Strong Absorption

The transverse wave condition is not applicable to the refracted electromagnetic wave within the context of geometrical optics when absorption is involved. Either the transverse magnetic (TM) or the transverse electric (TE) wave condition can be assumed for the wave to locally satisfy the electromagnetic boundary condition in a ray-tracing calculation. The assumed wave mode affects both the reflection and the refraction coefficients. As a result, nonunique solutions for these coefficients are inevitable. In this study the appropriate solutions for the Fresnel reflection-refraction coefficients are identified in light-scattering calculations based on the ray-tracing technique. In particular, a 3x2 refraction or transmission matrix is derived to account for the inhomogeneity of the refracted wave in an absorbing medium. An asymptotic solution that completely includes the effect of medium absorption on Fresnel coefficients is obtained for the scattering properties of a general polyhedral particle. Numerical results are presented for hexagonal plates and columns with both preferred and random orientations.

Yang, Ping↗

NASA NTRS1984

Linear models of acoustic waves in sunspot umbrae

The two-dimensional, linear hydrodynamics of quiet solar and umbral model atmospheres in a plane-parallel, adiabatic approximation are investigated. The 5.5-8.5 mHz oscillations observed in umbral chromospheres and transition regions are interpreted as acoustic waves propagating parallel, or nearly parallel, to the temperature gradient. These waves are not totally internally reflected by the steep temperature gradient and, thus, are not trapped. Partial reflections, however, are effective in modulating the transmission as a function of frequency. The resonant transmission mechanism of Zugzda, Locans, and Staude (1983) is found to produce a spectrum of resonances in the transmission of acoustic waves in any atmosphere with a temperature minimum. Since the observed umbral oscillations display power in only a narrow range of frequencies, characteristics of the umbral models, wave propagation, and observations that would tend to suppress the higher frequency resonances are examined.

Gurman, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS2003

MGS Radio Science Electron Density Profiles: Interannual Variability and Implications for the Martian Neutral Atmosphere

Martian electron density profiles provided by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Radio Science (RS) experiment over the 95-200 km altitude range indicate that the height of the electron peak and the longitudinal structure of the peak height are sensitive indicators of the physical state of the Mars lower atmosphere. The present analysis is carried out on five sets of occultation profiles, all at high solar zenith angles (SZA). Variations spanning 2-Martian years are investigated near aphelion conditions at high Northern latitudes (64.7-77.6N). A mean ionospheric peak height of 133.5-135 km was obtained for all aphelion profiles near SZA = 78-82; a corresponding mean peak density of 7.3-8.5 x 10(exp 4)/cu cm was also measured, reflecting solar moderate conditions. Strong wave 2-3 oscillations in peak heights were observed as a function of longitude over both Martian seasons. The Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model (MTGCM) is exercised for Mars aphelion conditions. The measured interannual variations in the mean and longitude structure of the peak heights are small (consistent with MTGCM simulations), signifying the repeatability of the Mars atmosphere during aphelion conditions. A non-migrating (semi-diurnal period, wave#l eastward propagating) tidal mode is likely responsible for the wave#3 longitude features identified. The height of this photochemically driven peak can be observed to provide an ongoing monitor of the changing state of the Mars lower atmosphere. The magnitudes of these same peaks may reflect more than changing solar EUV fluxes when they are located in the vicinity of Mars crustal magnetic field centers.

Bougher, Stephen W.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Three-Component Force Measurements on a Scramjet in a Reflected-Shock Tunnel

A three-component stress-wave force-balance for a large scramjet has been designed, calibrated and tested in the HYPULSE reflected shock tunnel at GASL Inc., New York. The scramjet model is over 3-foot long and weighs in excess of 90 Ibm. The stress-wave force-balance is comprised of three stress bars which are attached to the model. Calibration results indicate that the force balance responds well within about 1 ms and that the sensitivity of the balance to the distribution of load is not large. Results with and without fuel injection were obtained in the tunnel operated for Mach 7 and Mach 10 flight simulation. These tests showed the force-balance can resolve axial force increments due to combustion of about 40 lb in the presence of model lift forces of 500-700 lb.

Tsai, C.-Y.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Basic Physics of Alfven Wave Propagation in Inhomogeneous Plasmas (Final Report)

The objective of this project is to understand the damping, reflection, transmission, and phase mixing of Alfven waves in inhomogeneous plasmas by performing experiments on the Large Plasma Device (LAPD).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1982

LANDSAT-D investigations in snow hydrology

The sample LANDSAT-4 TM tape (7 bands) of NE Arkansas/Tennessee area was received and displayed. Snow reflectance in all 6 TM reflective bands, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 was simulated, using Wiscombe and Warren's (1980) delta-Eddington model. Snow reflectance in bands 4, 5, and 7 appear sensitive to grain size. One of the objectives is to interpret surface optical grain size of snow, for spectral extension of albedo. While TM data of the study area are not received, simulation results are encouraging. It also appears that the TM filters resemble a "square-wave" closely enough to permit assuming a square-wave in calculations. Integrated band reflectance over the actual response functions was simulated, using sensor data supplied by Santa Barbara Research Center. Differences between integrating over the actual response functions and the equivalent square wave were negligible.

Dozier, J.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Model predictive current profile control in tokamaks by exploiting spatially moving electron cyclotron current drives

The plasma control systems in next-generation tokamaks like ITER will balance competing control objectives to achieve the desired level of performance in advanced scenarios while preventing magnetohydrodynamic instabilities and disruptions. During normal tokamak operation, the points of incidence of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electron cyclotron heating and current drives (EC H&CDs) are usually fixed in space. However, the points of incidence can be modified in real-time by changing the angles of the mirrors that reflect the EC H&CD waves. Altering the points of incidence, in turn, varies the ability of the plasma control system to regulate a plasma property. For instance, changing the EC H&CD wave incidence location may place the power demands necessary to achieve a particular plasma target within saturation limits. Therefore, using the EC H&CD deposition location, which is related to the EC H&CD mirror angle, as a supplementary controllable variable may facilitate access to a given target scenario. However, active scenario-control algorithms have not been designed so far to fully exploit this capability in real time. In this work, a model predictive controller that can handle actuation locations as control inputs is developed. In particular, the controller is designed to regulate both the auxiliary powers and the EC H&CD deposition locations in a pre-defined optimal sense to achieve the control objective of attaining and sustaining a target current profile. Further, the proposed controller is tested for a DIII-D tokamak scenario in nonlinear simulations using the Control Oriented Transport SIMulator (COTSIM).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Detection of nonlinear picosecond acoustic pulses by time-resolved Brillouin scattering

In time-resolved Brillouin scattering (also called picosecond ultrasonic interferometry), the time evolution of the spatial Fourier component of an optically excited acoustic strain distribution is monitored. The wave number is determined by the momentum conservation in photon-phonon interaction. For linear acoustic waves propagating in a homogeneous medium, the detected time-domain signal of the optical probe transient reflectivity shows a sinusoidal oscillation at a constant frequency known as the Brillouin frequency. This oscillation is a result of heterodyning the constant reflection from the sample surface with the Brillouin-scattered field. Here, we present an analytical theory for the nonlinear reshaping of a propagating, finite amplitude picosecond acoustic pulse, which results in a time-dependence of the observed frequency. In particular, we examine the conditions under which this information can be used to study the time-evolution of the weak-shock front speed. Depending on the initial strain pulse parameters and the time interval of its nonlinear transformation, our theory predicts the detected frequency to either be monotonically decreasing or oscillating in time. We support these theoretical predictions by comparison with available experimental data. In general, we find that picosecond ultrasonic interferometry of nonlinear acoustic pulses provides access to the nonlinear acoustic properties of a medium spanning most of the GHz frequency range.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS1980

Deceleration of the solar wind upstream from the earth's bow shock and the origin of diffuse upstream ions

Observations with the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory/Max-Planck-Institut crossed-fan solar wind ion experiment on ISEE I reveal that the solar wind is decelerated and deflected away from the direction of the earth's bow shock as it enters that portion of the upstream region populated by diffuse bow shock ions and long-period (10-60 s) waves. Typically, the average directed velocity vector changes by 7-10 km/s as it enters the wave region. At times, average speed changes as large as 25-40 km/s are observed. Superposed upon these changes in average flow speed are large amplitude (+ or - 15) fluctuations in flow speed associated with the waves themselves. The observations suggest that the solar wind deceleration is the result of momentum transfer from reflected bow shock ions to the wind via the long-period waves as the reflected ion beams go unstable. The broad angular distributions of the diffuse ions thus appear to be produced as a consequence of the disruption of reflected ion beams.

Bame, S. J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Correlated spin-wave generation and domain-wall oscillation in a topologically textured magnetic film

Spin waves, or magnons, are essential for next-generation energy-efficient spintronics and magnonics. Yet, visualizing spin-wave dynamics at nanoscale and microwave frequencies remains a formidable challenge due to the lack of spin-sensitive, time-resolved microscopy. Here, in this study, we report a breakthrough in imaging dipole-exchange spin waves in a ferromagnetic film owing to the development of laser-free ultrafast Lorentz electron microscopy, which is equipped with a microwave-mediated electron pulser for high spatiotemporal resolution. Using topological spin textures, we captured the emission, propagation, reflection and interference of spin waves from spin anti-vortices under radio-frequency excitations. Remarkably, we show that spin-wave generation is closely tied to the oscillatory motion of specific magnetic domain walls, providing the missing link between wave emission and wall dynamics near magnetic singularities. This work opens new possibilities in magnonics, offering a nanoscopic view of spin dynamics via transmission electron microscopy and enabling controlled excitation via radio-frequency fields for exploring non-equilibrium states in magnetic and multiferroic systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗