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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Interaction between ions in hot dense plasma via screened Cornell potential

Hot dense plasma with non-ideal ions and weakly coupled electrons is studied analytically in the framework of the random phase approximation. It is shown that at some plasma parameters ions interact by a screened Cornell potential. The reduction in the transport coefficients due to the localization of the electron around the ion is predicted. This prediction is confirmed by the molecular dynamics simulation of the one-component ion plasma interacting via the obtained screened Cornell type potential.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Measurement of a density profile of a hot-electron plasma in RT-1 with three-chord interferometry

The electron density profile of a plasma in a magnetospheric dipole field configuration was measured with a multi-chord interferometry including a relativistic correction. In order to improve the accuracy of density reconstruction, a 75 GHz interferometer was installed at a vertical chord of the Ring Trap 1 (RT-1) device in addition to previously installed ones at tangential and another vertical chords. The density profile was calculated by using the data of three-chord interferometry including relativistic effects for a plasma consisting of hot and cold electrons generated by electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECH). The results clearly showed the effects of density peaking and magnetic mirror trapping in a strongly inhomogeneous dipole magnetic field.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

FullWave — A Full Wave Parallel Code for Modeling RF Fields in Hot Tokamak Plasma

FullWave is a computer code that simulates how radio-frequency (RF) waves travel and deposit energy in the hot plasma inside a fusion reactor. RF waves are used to heat the plasma and drive electrical current, which is essential for sustaining fusion reactions. The code uses a new algorithm that can handle much finer spatial detail than previous codes — more than 100 times finer — while running efficiently on national supercomputers. It incorporates a detailed physics model that captures subtle kinetic effects important for accurate prediction of wave behavior. Under this project, FullWave was extended to cover multiple RF frequency ranges relevant to present and future tokamaks, and validated against experimental parameters from the DIII-D tokamak at General Atomics. Results were published in peer-reviewed journal articles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of edge plasma density on hot spot in LHCD plasma in EAST

Hot spots are a serious challenge limiting long pulse operation with lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) in tokamaks. Here, in order to mitigate hot spots in the guard limiter and improve LHCD capability, the effect of edge plasma density on inducing hot spots and current drive has been studied in EAST. The temperature in the guard limiter of the LH antenna, inducing hot spot directly, increases with edge density and LH power. Studies show that the hot spot is mainly ascribed to the heat flux in front of LH antenna. Further simulation indicates that such spots correspond to the peak position of edge density due to local LH electric field. In addition, due to the stronger parametric instability (PI) behavior in the case of higher edge density, the current drive capability decreases with edge density. Strike-point splitting behaviour appears as density increase, in agreement with current profiles in the edge region and the reduction of total driven current, suggesting that more power is deposited in the edge region, which then contributes more to hot spot formation. These studies offer one possible idea to optimize the edge density so as to satisfy the coupling, mitigate the heat flux in the guard limiter, and improve current drive capability in fusion devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

A PARALLEL-PROPAGATING ALFVENIC ION-BEAM INSTABILITY IN THE HIGH-BETA SOLAR WIND

We investigate the conditions under which parallel-propagating Alfven/ion-cyclotron waves are driven unstable by an isotropic (T{sub {alpha}} = T{sub Parallel-To {alpha}}) population of alpha particles drifting parallel to the magnetic field at an average speed U{sub {alpha}} with respect to the protons. We derive an approximate analytic condition for the minimum value of U{sub {alpha}} needed to excite this instability and refine this result using numerical solutions to the hot-plasma dispersion relation. When the alpha-particle number density is {approx_equal} 5% of the proton number density and the two species have similar thermal speeds, the instability requires that {beta}{sub p} {approx}> 1, where {beta}{sub p} is the ratio of the proton pressure to the magnetic pressure. For 1 {approx}< {beta}{sub p} {approx}< 12, the minimum U{sub {alpha}} needed to excite this instability ranges from 0.7v{sub A} to 0.9v{sub A}, where v{sub A} is the Alfven speed. This threshold is smaller than the threshold of {approx_equal} 1.2v{sub A} for the parallel magnetosonic instability, which was previously thought to have the lowest threshold of the alpha-particle beam instabilities at {beta}{sub p} {approx}> 0.5. We discuss the role of the parallel Alfvenic drift instability for the evolution of the alpha-particle drift speed in the solar wind. We also analyze measurements from the Wind spacecraft's Faraday cups and show that the U{sub {alpha}} values measured in solar-wind streams with T{sub {alpha}} Almost-Equal-To T{sub Parallel-To {alpha}} are approximately bounded from above by the threshold of the parallel Alfvenic instability.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS2011

Are Spicules the Primary Source of Hot Coronal Plasma?

The recent discovery of Type II spicules has generated considerable excitement. It has even been suggested that these ejections can account for a majority of the hot plasma observed in the corona, thus obviating the need for "coronal" heating. If this is the case, however, then there should be observational consequences. We have begun to examine some of these consequences and find reason to question the idea that spicules are the primary source of hot coronal plasma.

Klimchuk, James A.↗
DOE OSTI2010

RHESSI LINE AND CONTINUUM OBSERVATIONS OF SUPER-HOT FLARE PLASMA

We use RHESSI high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy observations from {approx}5 to 100 keV to characterize the hot thermal plasma during the 2002 July 23 X4.8 flare. These measurements of the steeply falling thermal X-ray continuum are well fit throughout the flare by two distinct isothermal components: a super-hot (T{sub e} > 30 MK) component that peaks at {approx}44 MK and a lower-altitude hot (T{sub e} {approx}< 25 MK) component whose temperature and emission measure closely track those derived from GOES measurements. The two components appear to be spatially distinct, and their evolution suggests that the super-hot plasma originates in the corona, while the GOES plasma results from chromospheric evaporation. Throughout the flare, the measured fluxes and ratio of the Fe and Fe-Ni excitation line complexes at {approx}6.7 and {approx}8 keV show a close dependence on the super-hot continuum temperature. During the pre-impulsive phase, when the coronal thermal and non-thermal continua overlap both spectrally and spatially, we use this relationship to obtain limits on the thermal and non-thermal emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Self-focusing of circularly polarized laser pulse in the hot magnetized plasma in the quasi-neutral limit

In this paper the problem of self-focusing of an intense laser beam in the hot magnetized plasma is studied. Using a relativistic two-fluid model, the propagation of intense circularly polarized laser beam along the external magnetic field is considered. The nonlinear equation describing the interaction of laser beam with magnetized hot plasma in the quasi-neutral approximation is derived. Expanding the nonlinear terms of current density and saving only the parabolic nonlinear terms, we investigated the self-focusing phenomenon for right- and left-hand circularly polarized laser beam. The evolution of laser beam spot size with Gaussian profile for both polarizations is considered and the effect of the temperature and external magnetic field on the self-focusing quality is studied. It is shown that for the right-hand polarization, the effect of temperature and external magnetic field on the self-focusing property is more considerable.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Plasmas are Hot and Fusion is Cool

The DOE Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) collaborates to develop fusion as a safe, clean and abundant energy source for the future. This video discusses PPPL's research and development on plasma, the fourth state of matter. In this simulation of plasma turbulence inside PPPL's National Spherical Torus Experiment, the colorful strings represent higher and lower electron density in turbulent plasma as it circles around a donut-shaped fusion reactor; red and orange are higher density. This image is among those featured in the slide show, "Plasmas are Hot and Fusion is Cool," a production of PPPL and the Princeton University Broadcast Center.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hot-cold plasma interactions in the earth's magnetosphere

The paper gives a synopsis of observations and results obtained from the Explorer-45 satellite which pertain directly to the interaction of the magnetospheric hot and cold plasma populations. The specific case discussed is the interaction of the hot ring current plasma with the cold plasmaspheric plasma in the evening to early morning local time sector during magnetic storm recovery phase. It was found that above the plasmapause region, the hot ring current plasma is stable with negligible losses due to pitch angle diffusion; the hot ring current plasma enters a moderate pitch angle regime in the plasmapause region, whereby the addition of cold plasma destabilizes the hot plasma. Analysis of the energy, spatial, and temporal dependence of the above destabilization along with the ion-cyclotron resonant energy equation, and comparison of this analysis with an in situ estimate of the plasma density strongly indicate that the mechanism responsible for destabilization of the hot plasma is the amplification of ion-cyclotron waves due to the interaction of the cold plasmaspheric plasma with the hot ring current plasma in a manner similar to that discussed by Cornwall et al. (1970).

Williams, D. J.↗
DOE OSTI2011

Plasmon effects on the entanglement fidelity for elastic collisions in hot quantum plasmas

The plasmon and screening effects on the entanglement fidelity for the elastic electron-ion collision are investigated in hot quantum plasmas. The partial wave analysis and effective interaction including the plasmon couplings are employed to obtain the entanglement fidelity function in hot quantum plasmas. It is shown that the plasmon effect enhances the entanglement fidelity in quantum plasmas for 0<{beta}({identical_to}({Dirac_h}/2{pi}){omega}{sub p}/k{sub B}T)<0.8 and, however, suppresses the entanglement fidelity for 0.8<{beta}<1, where {omega}{sub p} is the plasmon frequency, k{sub B} is the Boltzmann constant, and T is the plasma temperature. It is also found that the entanglement fidelity decreases with increasing Debye length and collision energy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1978

Extreme-ultraviolet observations of nearby B stars - Constraints on hot circumstellar plasma

The extreme-ultraviolet telescope on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Mission observed several nearby stars of spectral type earlier than B3 in search of thermal emission from possible hot circumstellar plasma. The stars studied in the 45-185 and 114-185 A passbands of the instrument included Lambda Sco, Nu Sco, Beta CMa, Beta Cen, Sigma Sgr, and Alpha Pav. Diffuse emission around these stars in excess of about 1 billionth erg/sq cm/sec per sr/eV in the 45-185 A band and about 1 hundred-millionth erg/sq cm/sec per sr/eV in the 114-185 A band was not detected. The experimental data have been used to place upper limits on the emission measure of the plasma and the stellar-wind luminosity, using standard models. The data rule out the existence of sizable bubbles of hot plasma around any of the stars surveyed. In all cases the electron density in these regions, if they exist, may not exceed about 0.2 electron/cu cm.

Paresce, F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hot ion plasma production in HIP-1 using water-cooled hollow cathodes

The paper reports on hot-ion plasma experiments conducted in a magnetic mirror facility. A steady-state E x B plasma was formed by applying a strong radially inward dc electric field near the mirror throats. Most of the results were for hydrogen, but deuterium and helium plasmas were also studied. Three water-cooled hollow cathodes were operated in the hot-ion plasma mode with the following results: (1) thermally emitting cathodes were not required to achieve the hot-ion mode; (2) steady-state operation (several minutes) was attained; (3) input powers greater than 40 kW were achieved; (4) cathode outside diameters were increased from 1.2 cm (uncooled) to 4.4 cm (water-cooled); (5) steady-state hydrogen plasmas with ion temperatures from 185 to 770 eV and electron temperatures from 5 to 21 eV were produced. Scaling relations were empirically obtained for discharge current, ion temperature, electron temperature, and relative ion density as a function of hydrogen gas feed rate, magnetic field, and cathode voltage.

Reinmann, J. J.↗
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.↗
DOE OSTI2015

THERMAL FRONTS IN SOLAR FLARES

We studied the formation of a thermal front during the expansion of hot plasma into colder plasma. We used a three-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell model that includes inductive effects. In early phases, in the area of the expanding hot plasma, we found several thermal fronts, which are defined as a sudden decrease of the local electron kinetic energy. The fronts formed a cascade. Thermal fronts with higher temperature contrast were located near plasma density depressions, generated during the hot plasma expansion. The formation of the main thermal front was associated with the return-current process induced by hot electron expansion and electrons backscattered at the front. A part of the hot plasma was trapped by the thermal front while another part, mainly with the most energetic electrons, escaped and generated Langmuir and electromagnetic waves in front of the thermal front, as shown by the dispersion diagrams. Considering all of these processes and those described in the literature, we show that anomalous electric resistivity is produced at the location of the thermal front. Thus, the thermal front can contribute to energy dissipation in the current-carrying loops of solar flares. We estimated the values of such anomalous resistivity in the solar atmosphere together with collisional resistivity and electric fields. We propose that the slowly drifting reverse drift bursts, observed at the beginning of some solar flares, could be signatures of the thermal front.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗