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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

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DOE OSTI2024

Development of a compact electron cyclotron resonance accelerator for industrial and security applications

We describe the development of a novel accelerator, an electron Cyclotron Resonance Accelerator (eCRA) [1], to produce high power electron beams and X-ray beams for medical, research, sterilization, and national security applications. The several attractive features of eCRA include: a compact robust room-temperature single-cell RF cavity as the accelerating structure; continuous ampere-level high current output; and production of a self-rastering electron beam, thus eliminating the need for a separate beam scanner. Progress on the eCRA development, including numerical simulation, engineering design, and on-going experimental efforts will be reported here.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Magnetic Field Amplification by a Plasma Cavitation Instability in Relativistic Shock Precursors

Abstract Plasma streaming instabilities play an important role in magnetic field amplification and particle acceleration in relativistic shocks and their environments. However, in the far shock precursor region where accelerated particles constitute a highly relativistic and dilute beam, streaming instabilities typically become inefficient and operate at very small scales when compared to the gyroradii of the beam particles. We report on a plasma cavitation instability that is driven by dilute relativistic beams and can increase both the magnetic field strength and coherence scale by orders of magnitude to reach near-equipartition values with the beam energy density. This instability grows after the development of the Weibel instability and is associated with the asymmetric response of background leptons and ions to the beam current. The resulting net inductive electric field drives a strong energy asymmetry between positively and negatively charged beam species. Large-scale particle-in-cell simulations are used to verify analytical predictions for the growth and saturation level of the instability and indicate that it is robust over a wide range of conditions, including those associated with pair-loaded plasmas. These results can have important implications for the magnetization and structure of shocks in gamma-ray bursts, and more generally for magnetic field amplification and asymmetric scattering of relativistic charged particles in plasma astrophysical environments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1962

Beam Neutralization Test of a Flight Model Electron Bombardment Engine

Beam neutralization tests of electron bombardment engine model in simulated space environment

IONIC PROPULSION↗

NASA NTRS1972

Mass separator for low velocity ions

Separator provides broad beam of protons free of other charged species to simulate the solar wind in experiments designed to determine effect on materials.

King, H. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Shape determination and control for large space structures

An integral operator approach is used to derive solutions to static shape determination and control problems associated with large space structures. Problem assumptions include a linear self-adjoint system model, observations and control forces at discrete points, and performance criteria for the comparison of estimates or control forms. Results are illustrated by simulations in the one dimensional case with a flexible beam model, and in the multidimensional case with a finite model of a large space antenna. Modal expansions for terms in the solution algorithms are presented, using modes from the static or associated dynamic mode. These expansions provide approximated solutions in the event that a used form analytical solution to the system boundary value problem is not available.

Weeks, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A Nonlinear Dual-Adaptive Control Strategy for Identification and Control of Flexible Structures

A technique is presented for obtaining a control law to regulate the modal dynamics and identify the modal parameters of a flexible structure. The method is based on using a min-max performance index to derive a control law which may be considered to be a best compromise between optimum one step control and identification inputs. Features of the approach are demonstrated by a computer simulation of the controlled modal response of a flexible beam.

Thau, F. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A new model for the ion beams in the plasma sheet boundary layer

A new model is proposed for the ion beams frequently observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer. The model assumes injection of magnetosheath plasma onto closed tail field lines. The plasma then expands along the field lines and is convected towards the earth. Particle simulations of the expansion process are used to calculate properties of these beams. The expansion produces beams of ions at energies of up to a few tens of k(B)T(e), which are consistent with the observed energies of the beams.

Whelan, T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Quasi-static shape estimation and control of adaptive truss structures

Methods for estimating the deformation of adaptive truss structures are proposed which employ internal displacement sensors to measure changes in the length of selected truss members. Based on the measured data from the instrumented truss member, the total truss deformation pattern can be estimated through direct interpolation. To verify the validity of the methods presented here, numerical simulations are carried out for simple plane trusses, a beam truss, and a tetrahedral truss.

Kuwao, Fumihiro↗

NASA NTRS1991

The analysis and large-angle control of a flexible beam using an adaptive truss

This preliminary study of an adaptive truss slewing problem investigates the static positioning of an adaptive truss at slewed orientations and the dynamic vibrations of an attached flexible beam. A nonlinear model of an adaptive truss and flexible beam is derived. Linear control laws are developed and simulated for various truss configurations. Results show the linear control laws developed at a slewed configuration perform best at that configuration.

Warrington, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Free-space laser communication technologies III; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 21, 22, 1991

The present volume on free-space laser communication technologies discusses system analysis, performance, and applications, pointing, acquisition, and tracking in beam control, laboratory demonstration systems, and transmitter and critical component technologies. Attention is given to a space station laser communication transceiver, meeting intersatellite links mission requirements by an adequate optical terminal design, an optical approach to proximity-operations communications for Space Station Freedom, and optical space-to-ground link availability assessment and diversity requirements. Topics addressed include nonmechanical steering of laser beams by multiple aperture antennas, a free-space simulator for laser transmission, heterodyne acquisition and tracking in a free-space diode laser link, and laser terminal attitude determination via autonomous star tracking. Also discussed are stability considerations in relay lens design for optical communications, liquid crystals for lasercom applications, and narrowband optical interference filters.

Begley, David L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Computational strategies in the dynamic simulation of constrained flexible MBS

This research focuses on the computational dynamics of flexible constrained multibody systems. At first a recursive mapping formulation of the kinematical expressions in a minimum dimension as well as the matrix representation of the equations of motion are presented. The method employs Kane's equation, FEM, and concepts of continuum mechanics. The generalized active forces are extended to include the effects of high temperature conditions, such as creep, thermal stress, and elastic-plastic deformation. The time variant constraint relations for rolling/contact conditions between two flexible bodies are also studied. The constraints for validation of MBS simulation of gear meshing contact using a modified Timoshenko beam theory are also presented. The last part deals with minimization of vibration/deformation of the elastic beam in multibody systems making use of time variant boundary conditions. The above methodologies and computational procedures developed are being implemented in a program called DYAMUS.

Amirouche, F. M. L.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Numerical Simulation of Waves Driven by Plasma Currents Generated by Low-Frequency Alfven Waves in a Multi-Ion Plasma

When multi-ion plasma consisting of heavy and light ions is permeated by a lowfrequency Alfien (LFA) wave, the EXB and the polarization drifts of the different ion species and the electrons could be quite different. The relative drifts between the charged-particle species drive waves, which energize the plasma. Using 2.5-D particle-in-cell simulations, we study this process of wave generation and its nonlinear consequences in terms of acceleration and heating plasma. Specifically we study the situation for LFA wave frequency being lower than the heavyion cyclotron frequency in a multi-ion plasma. We impose such a wave to the plasma assuming that its wavelength is much larger than that of the waves generated by the relative drifts. For better understanding, the LFA-wave driven simulations are augmented by those driven by initialized ion beams.

Singh, Nagendra↗

NASA NTRS2003

Laboratory Simulation of Space Weathering: ESR Measurements of Nanophase Metallic Iron in Laser-irradiated Olivine and Pyroxene Samples

S-type asteroids are believed to be parent bodies of ordinary chondrites. Although both S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites contain the same mineral assemblage, mainly olivine and pyroxene, the reflectance spectra of the asteroids exhibit more overall depletion (darkening) and reddening, and more weakening of absorption bands relative to the meteorites. This spectral mismatch is explained by space weathering process, where high-velocity dust particle impacts should change the optical properties of the uppermost regolith surface of asteroids. In order to simulate the space weathering, we irradiated nanosecond pulse laser beam onto pellet samples of olivine (8.97wt% FeO) and pyroxene (enstatite: 9.88wt% FeO, hypersthene: 16.70wt%). We got spectral changes in our samples similar to that by space weathering on asteroids and confirmed nanophase alpha-metallic iron particles, which were theoretically predicted, not only on olivine but also on pyroxene samples by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Nanophase metallic iron particles were widely scattered throughout the amorphous rims developed along the olivine grains, whereas they were embedded in aggregates of amorphous in enstatite samples. Recently, we also measured laser-irradiated samples by ESR (Electron Spin Resonance). Strong ESR signals, characteristic to nanophase iron particles, are observed on irradiated olivine samples. In this paper, we report the quantities of nanophase metallic iron particles in pyroxene samples by ESR observations in addition to olivine samples.

Kurahashi, E.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Spectroscopy of Jet-Cooled Neutral and Ionized PAHs: Implications for Interstellar Dust

We present the gas-phase spectroscopy of neutral and ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured in the W-Visible-NIR range in an astrophysically relevant environment. These measurements provide data on PAHs and nanometer sized particles that can now be directly compared to astronomical observations. The harsh physical conditions of the IS medium - characterized by a low temperature, an absence of collisions and strong VUV radiation fields - are simulated in the laborat'ory by associating a molecular beam with an ionizing discharge to generate a cold plasma expansion. PAH ions are formed from the neutral precursors in an isolated environment at low temperature ($\sim lOO$-K). The spectra of neutral and ionized PAHs are measured using the high sensitivity methods of cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) and multiplex integrated cavity output spectroscopy (MICOS). These experiments provide unique information on the spectra of free, cold large carbon molecules and ions in the gas phase. The electronic bands measured for ionized PAH are found to be intrinsically broad ($\geq$20 cm$^{-l}$) while the bands associated with the neutral precursors are narrower (of the order of 2 - 10 cm$^{-l}$). The laboratory data are discussed and compared with recent astronomical spectra of large and narrow DIBs and with the spectra of circumstellar environments of selected carbon stars (see contribution of Cami et al.) and the implications for the interstellar PAH population are derived. Preliminary results also show that carbon nanoparticles are formed during the short residence time of the precursors in the plasma. This finding holds great potential for understanding the formation process of interstellar grains.

Salama, F.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Measurements of few-mode fiber photonic lanterns in emulated atmospheric conditions for a low earth orbit space to ground optical communication receiver application

Photonic lanterns are being evaluated as a component of a scalable photon counting real-time optical ground receiver for space-to-ground photon-starved communication applications. The function of the lantern as a component of a receiver is to efficiently couple and deliver light from the atmospherically distorted focal spot formed behind a telescope to multiple small-core fiber-coupled single-element super-conducting nanowire detectors. This architecture solution is being compared to a multimode fiber coupled to a multi-element detector array. This paper presents a set of measurements that begins this comparison. This first set of measurements are a comparison of the throughput coupling loss at emulated atmospheric conditions for the case of a 60 cm diameter telescope receiving light from a low earth orbit satellite. The atmospheric conditions are numerically simulated at a range of turbulence levels using a beam propagation method and are physically emulated with a spatial light modulator. The results show that for the same number of output legs as the single-mode fiber lantern, the few-mode fiber lantern increases the power throughput up to 3.92 dB at the worst emulated atmospheric conditions tested of D/r(sub 0)=8.6. Furthermore, the coupling loss of the few-mode fiber lantern approaches the capability of a 30 micron graded index multimode fiber chosen for coupling to a 16 element detector array.

Tedder, Sarah A.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Measurements of Few-Mode Fiber Photonic Lanterns in Emulated Atmospheric Conditions for a Low Earth Orbit Space to Ground Optical Communication Receiver Application

Photonic lanterns are being evaluated as a component of a scalable photon counting real-time optical ground receiver for space-to-ground photon-starved communication applications. The function of the lantern as a component of a receiver is to efficiently couple and deliver light from the atmospherically distorted focal spot formed behind a telescope to multiple small-core fiber-coupled single-element super-conducting nanowire detectors. This architecture solution is being compared to a multimode fiber coupled to a multi-element detector array. This paper presents a set of measurements that begins this comparison. This first set of measurements are a comparison of the throughput coupling loss at emulated atmospheric conditions for the case of a 60 cm diameter telescope receiving light from a low earth orbit satellite. The atmospheric conditions are numerically simulated at a range of turbulence levels using a beam propagation method and are physically emulated with a spatial light modulator. The results show that for the same number of output legs as the single-mode fiber lantern, the few mode fiber lantern increases the power throughput up to 3.92 dB at the worst emulated atmospheric conditions tested of D/r0=8.6. Furthermore, the coupling loss of the few mode fiber lantern approaches the capability of a 30 micron graded index multimode fiber chosen for coupling to a 16 element detector array.

Tedder, Sarah A.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Metasurface-assisted 3D beam shaping for desired phase, amplitude, and polarization

Cascaded metasurfaces can control the phase, amplitude and polarization of an electromagnetic beam, shaping it in three dimensional configuration not achievable with other methods. Each cascaded metasurface has dielectric or metallic scatterers arranged in a period array. The shape of the scatterers determines the three dimensional configuration of the output beam and is determined with iterative calculations through computational simulations.

Kamali, Seyedeh Mahsa↗

DOE OSTI2023

Metasurface-assisted 3D beam shaping using array of scatterers

Kamali, Seyedeh Mahsa↗