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At least 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Double ion production in mercury thrusters

The development of a model which predicts doubly charged ion density is discussed. The accuracy of the model is shown to be good for two different thruster sizes and a total of 11 different cases. The model indicates that in most cases more than 80% of the doubly charged ions are produced from singly charged ions. This result can be used to develop a much simpler model which, along with correlations of the average plasma properties, can be used to determine the doubly charged ion density in ion thrusters with acceptable accuracy. Two different techniques which can be used to reduce the doubly charged ion density while maintaining good thruster operation, are identified as a result of an examination of the simple model. First, the electron density can be reduced and the thruster size then increased to maintain the same propellant utilization. Second, at a fixed thruster size, the plasma density, temperature and energy can be reduced and then to maintain a constant propellant utilization the open area of the grids to neutral propellant loss can be reduced through the use of a small hole accelerator grid.

Peters, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Space-resolved spectra of laser-produced plasmas in the XUV

The design and imaging properties of an XUV (extreme ultraviolet, 200-550 A) normal-incidence slitless spectrograph, the spectrum obtained from laser-generated plasmas, and the monochromatic plasma images are described. The electron temperature of the plasmas, electron density as a function of position in the plasma, and the thickness of material penetrated by the laser pulse are determined. Elements from Z = 6 to Z = 28 were investigated, in addition to Nb. Secondary plasma-emission regions were observed 2-3 mm from the flat (thick or thin) targets. Time-integrated photographs of the expanding plasmas were recorded by the slitless spectrograph. A technique for obtaining time-resolved images of the plasmas in picosecond time intervals is proposed, and problems in the design of a stigmatic XUV spectrograph are discussed.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Doppler wavelength shifts of transition zone lines measured in Skylab solar spectra

Wavelengths of lines of the transition-zone ions Si IV, C IV, O IV, N V, and O V are observed to be redshifted relative to the wavelengths of chromospheric lines in XUV spectra obtained from the normal-incidence spectrograph on Skylab. The spectra cover the wavelength range from 1200 to 1565 A and were obtained with the slit positioned over chromospheric network and cell regions, on coronal holes, and above the limb. The network-area and coronal-hole spectra were obtained near the disk center. Only some of the spectra show redshifted transition-zone lines. The observed shifts are between 0.03 and 0.08 A, implying velocities of 15 km/s or less. The amount of wavelength shift does not always appear to be the same for lines of different ions. The shifts imply that descending plasma in the solar atmosphere produces more emission than ascending plasma at temperatures between approximately 70,000 and 200,000 K.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The plasmatron: Advanced mode thermionic energy conversion

A theory of the plasmatron was developed. Also, a wide range of measurements were obtained with two versatile, research devices. To gain insight into plasmatron performance, the experimental results are compared with calculations based on the theoretical model of plasmatron operation. Results are presented which show that the plasma arc drop of the conventional arc (ignited) mode converter can be suppressed by use of an auxiliary ion source. The improved performance, however, is presently limited to low current densities because of voltage losses due to plasma resistance. This resistance loss could be suppressed by an increase in the plasma electron temperature or a decrease in spacing. Plasmatron performance characteristics for both argon and cesium are reported. The argon plasmatron has superior performance. Results are also presented for magnetic cutoff effects and for current distributing effects. These are shown to be important factors for the design of practical devices.

Hansen, L. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Forbidden lines of the solar corona and transition zone - 975-3000 A

Forbidden lines characteristic of plasmas at temperatures of 50,000 to 3 million K are observed in ATM UV spectra. Identifications, accurate wavelengths, ionization classes, intensities, and half-widths are presented. Coronal blends with He II at 1640 A are noted. Variations in nonthermal velocities with limb distance are observed. Doppler shifts in the coronal lines observed on the disk may be related to the solar wind. The coincidence of two lines with F IV(3P-5S) is evidence for atomic fluorine in the sun.

Sandlin, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Comments regarding energy release and transfer in solar flares

Skylab observations of the high-temperature coronal plasma are used in characterizing energy released in the corona during flare-like events. The loop structure of the soft X-ray flare features is reviewed; short-term exposures of several soft X-ray images are employed in suggesting that energy, and possibly material as well, is added to the apex of loop systems during flare events. An accompanying restriction in the flow of mass and energy from the loop apex is also hypothesized to account for the recorded observations. Further investigations of the confining ability of the magnetic fields that contain the X-ray emitting plasma are proposed.

Vorpahl, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Significant initial results from the environmental measurements experiment on ATS-6

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6), launched into synchronous orbit on 30 May 1974, carried a set of six particle detectors and a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer. The particle detectors were able to determine the ion and electron distribution functions from 1 to greater than 10 to the 8th power eV. It was found that the magnetic field is weaker and more tilted than predicted by models which neglect internal plasma and that there is a seasonal dependence to the magnitude and tilt. ATS-6 magnetic field measurements showed the effects of field-aligned currents associated with substorms, and large fluxes of field-aligned particles were observed with the particle detectors. Encounters with the plasmasphere revealed the existence of warm plasma with temperatures up to 30 eV. A variety of correlated waves in both the particles and fields were observed: pulsation continuous oscillations, seen predominantly in the plasmasphere bulge; ultralow frequency (ULF) standing waves; ring current proton ULF waves; and low frequency waves that modulate the energetic electrons. In additon, large scale waves on the energetic-ion-trapping boundary were observed, and the intensity of energetic electrons was modulated in association with the passage of sector boundaries of the interplanetary magnetic field.

Fritz, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Design of a submillimeter laser Thomson scattering system for measurement of ion temperature in SUMMA

A thorough discussion of submillimeter laser Thomson scattering for the measurement of ion temperature in plasmas is presented. This technique is very promising and work is being actively pursued on the high power lasers and receivers necessary for its implementation. In this report we perform an overall system analysis of the Thomson scattering technique aimed to: (1) identify problem areas; (2) establish specifications for the main components of the apparatus; (3) study signal processing alternatives and identify the optimum signal handling procedure. Because of its importance for the successful implementation of this technique, we also review the work presently being carried out on the optically pumped submillimeter CH3F and D2O lasers.

Praddaude, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Effect of prolonged hypodynamia on certain physiological functions in dogs

The behavior of 20 dogs whose mobility was restricted was experimentally investigated. Their reactions to hypodynamia were either active behavior or progressive general depression and increased muscular weakness. Arterial pressure, pressor sinocarotid reflex valve, body weight, pulse rate, body temperature, and plasma cholinesterase activity were monitered for 28 days. Results are reported.

Yaremenko, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Plasma physics analysis of SERT-2 operation

An analysis of the major plasma processes involved in the SERT 2 spacecraft experiments was conducted to aid in the interpretation of recent data. A plume penetration model was developed for neutralization electron conduction to the ion beam and showed qualitative agreement with flight data. In the SERT 2 configuration conduction of neutralization electrons between thrusters was experimentally demonstrated in space. The analysis of this configuration suggests that the relative orientation of the two magnetic fields was an important factor in the observed results. Specifically, the opposed field orientation appeared to provide a high conductivity channel between thrusters and a barrier to the ambient low energy electrons in space. The SERT 2 neutralizer currents with negative neutralizer biases were up to about twice the theoretical prediction for electron collection by the ground screen. An explanation for the higher experimental values was a possible conductive path from the neutralizer plume to a nearby part of the ground screen. Plasma probe measurements of SERT 2 gave the clearest indication of plasma electron temperature, with normal operation being near 5 eV and discharge only operation near 2 eV.

Kaufman, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Parametric dependence of ion temperature and electron density in the SUMMA hot-ion plasma using laser light scattering and emission spectroscopy

Hot-ion plasma experiments were conducted in the NASA Lewis SUMMA facility. A steady-state modified Penning discharge was formed by applying a radially inward dc electric field of several kilovolts near the magnetic mirror maxima. Results are reported for a hydrogen plasma covering a wide range in midplane magnetic flux densities from 0.5 to 3.37 T. Input power greater than 45 kW was obtained with water-cooled cathodes. Steady-state plasmas with ion kinetic temperatures from 18 to 830 eV were produced and measured spectroscopically. These ion temperatures were correlated with current, voltage, and magnetic flux density as the independent variables. Electron density measurements were made using an unusually sensitive Thomson scattering apparatus. The measured electron densities range from 2.1 x 10 to the 11th to 6.8 x 10 to the 12th per cu cm.

Snyder, A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ion beams from laser-generated plasmas

The paper describes the space-charge-limited beams produced by the plasma blowoffs generated by 20-MW bursts of 1.06-micron radiation from an active Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Laser power densities near 10 to the 11th/sq cm on solid targets generate thermalized plasma plumes which drift to a 15-kV gridded extraction gap where the ions are extracted, accelerated, and electrostatically focused; the spatially defined ion beams are then magnetically analyzed to determine the charge state content in the beams formed from carbon, aluminum, copper, and lead targets. This technique preserves time-of-flight (TOF) information in the plasma drift region, which permits plasma ion temperatures and mass flow velocities to be determined from the Maxwellian ion curve TOF shapes for the individual charge species.

Hughes, R. H.↗