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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
NASA NTRS1992

The E-region Rocket/Radar Instability Study (ERRRIS) - Scientific objectives and campaign overview

The plasma instabilities in the low-attitude auroral ionosphere and the sources of free energy that drive these waves have been examined in detail in the framework of the ERRRIS project. Independent sets of experiments were carried out on board three NASA sounding rockets which were flown in conjunction with radar backscatter measurements from Esrange, Sweden, in 1988 and 1989. The backscatter measurements were taken by the 50 MHz CUPRI system for determining the launch conditions. The Eiscat incoherent scatter radar was used to take plasma drift, density, and temperature measurements on board two of the flown rockets. STARE observations of 1 m backscatter echoes were also made. The STARE velocity fields were in agreement with the Eiscat and in situ measured electric fields. Both CUPRI and STARE observed a very dynamic and changing auroral ionosphere over Esrange. It is concluded that the ERRRIS experiments provided valuable data on plasma instabilities in the auroral electrojet, including detailed in situ measurements of the two-stream wave spectrum and phase velocities.

Pfaff, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Satellite observations of zonal electric fields near sunrise in the equatorial ionosphere

We report here on a number of examples of anomalous enhancements of eastward electric fields near sunrise in the equatorial ionospheric F-region. These examples were selected from the data base of the equatorial satellite, San Marco D (1988), which measured ionospheric electric fields during a period of solar minimum. The eastward electric fields reported correspond to vertical plasma drifts. The examples studied here are similar in signature and polarity to the pre-reversal electric field enhancements seen near sunset from ground-based radar systems. The morphology of these sunrise events, which are observed on about 14% of the morning-side satellite passes, are studied as a function of local zonal velocity, magnetic activity, geographic longitude and altitude. The nine events studied occur at locations where the zonal plasma flow is generally measured to be eastward, but reducing as a function of local time and at satellite longitudes where the magnetic declination has the opposite polarity as the declination of the sunrise terminator.

Aggson, T. L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Plasma shape control by pulsed solenoid on laser ion source

A Laser ion source (LIS) provides high current heavy ion beams with a very simple mechanical structure. Plasma is produced by a pulsed laser ablation of a solid state target and ions are extracted by an electric field. It was difficult to manipulate the beam parameters of a LIS, since the plasma condition could only be adjusted by the laser irradiation condition. To enhance flexibility of LIS operation, we employed a pulsed solenoid in the plasma drift section and investigated the effect of the solenoid field on singly charged iron beams. The experimentally obtained current profile was satisfactorily controlled by the pulsed magnetic field. Thus, this approach may also be useful to reduce beam emittance of a LIS.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1994

Polar cap potential distributions during periods of positive IMF B(sub y) and B(sub z)

We compare the DE-2 electric field measurements used by HEPPNER and MAYNARD (1987) to illustrate strongly distorted, BC convection patterns for interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub z) greater than 0 and large absolute value of B(sub y), with simultaneous detections of particle spectra, plasma drifts and magnetic perturbations. Measured potentials greater than 50 keV, driven by the solar wind speeds exceeding 500 km/s, are greater than published correlation analysis predictions by up to 27%. The potential distributions show only two extrema and thus support the basic conclusion that under these conditions the solar wind/IMF drives two-rather than four-cell convection patterns. However, several aspects of the distorted two-cell convection pattern must be revised. In addition to the strong east-west convection in the vicinity of the cusp, indicated by Heppner and Maynard, we also detect comparable components of sunward (equatorward) plasma flow. Combined equipotential and particle precipitation distributions indicate the presence of a lobe cell embedded within the larger, afternoon reconnection cell. Both types rotate in the same sense, with the lobe cell carrying 20-40% of the total afternoon cell potential. We detected no lobe cell within morning convection cell.

Burke, William J.↗
DOE OSTI2014

On the Numerical Dispersion of Electromagnetic Particle-In-Cell Code : Finite Grid Instability

The Particle-In-Cell (PIC) method is widely used in relativistic particle beam and laser plasma modeling. However, the PIC method exhibits numerical instabilities that can render unphysical simulation results or even destroy the simulation. For electromagnetic relativistic beam and plasma modeling, the most relevant numerical instabilities are the finite grid instability and the numerical Cherenkov instability. We review the numerical dispersion relation of the electromagnetic PIC algorithm to analyze the origin of these instabilities. We rigorously derive the faithful 3D numerical dispersion of the PIC algorithm, and then specialize to the Yee FDTD scheme. In particular, we account for the manner in which the PIC algorithm updates and samples the fields and distribution function. Temporal and spatial phase factors from solving Maxwell's equations on the Yee grid with the leapfrog scheme are also explicitly accounted for. Numerical solutions to the electrostatic-like modes in the 1D dispersion relation for a cold drifting plasma are obtained for parameters of interest. In the succeeding analysis, we investigate how the finite grid instability arises from the interaction of the numerical 1D modes admitted in the system and their aliases. The most significant interaction is due critically to the correct representation of the operators in the dispersion relation. We obtain a simple analytic expression for the peak growth rate due to this interaction.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Contribution of storm time substorms to the prompt electric field disturbances in the equatorial ionosphere

This study tries to bring out the fact that storm time substorms can compete and at times significantly contribute to the geomagnetically disturbed time prompt penetration electric field effects on low and equatorial latitudes. Observations of unusual equatorial plasma drift data from Jicamarca Unattended Long-term Investigations of the Ionosphere and Atmosphere during two space weather events show that substorms can induce both eastward and westward penetration electric fields under steady southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF B z ) conditions. During the first event on 2 January 2005, the enhancement of the daytime eastward electric field over Jicamarca due to substorm is found to be comparable with the Sq and interplanetary electric field (IEFy) generated electric fields combined. During the second event on 19 August 2006, the substorm is seen to weaken the daytime eastward field thereby inducing a westward field in spite of the absence of northward turning of IMF B z (overshielding). The westward electric field perturbation in the absence of any overshielding events is observationally sparse and contrary to the earlier results. Further, the substorm-induced field is found to be strong enough to compete or almost nullify the effects of storm time IEFy fields. This study also shows quantitatively that at times substorm contribution to the disturbed time prompt electric fields can be significant and thus should be taken into consideration in evaluating penetration events over low latitudes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Preliminary result of rapid solenoid for controlling heavy-ion beam parameters of laser ion source

To realize a heavy ion inertial fusion driver, we have studied a possibility of laser ion source (LIS). A LIS can provide high current high brightness heavy ion beams, however it was difficult to manipulate the beam parameters. To overcome the issue, we employed a pulsed solenoid in the plasma drift section and investigated the effect of the solenoid field on singly charged iron beams. The rapid ramping magnetic field could enhance limited time slice of the current and simultaneously the beam emittance changed accordingly. This approach may also useful to realize an ion source for HIF power plant.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

The ion kinetic D'Angelo mode

An extension of hydrodynamic D'Angelo mode of inhomogeneous sheared plasma flow along the magnetic field into the short wavelength range, where the hydrodynamic treatment is not valid, has been considered. We find that D'Angelo mode in this wavelength range is excited by inverse ion Landau damping and is a shear flow driven ion-kinetic mode.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Magnetic island evolution in the presence of ion-temperature gradient-driven turbulence

Turbulence is known to drive and sustain magnetic islands of width equal to multiples of the Larmor radius. The nature of the drive is studied here by means of numerical simulations of a fluid electrostatic model in 2D (single helicity) sheared-slab geometry. The electrostatic model eliminates the coalescence of short wavelength islands as a mechanism for sustaining longer wavelength islands. In quiescent islands, the polarization current, which depends on the propagation velocity of the island through the plasma, plays a critical role in determining the growth or decay of island chains. For turbulent islands, the unforced propagation velocity is significantly changed by strong zonal flow. The simulations show, however, that the turbulent fluctuations in the current density are much larger and faster than those in the zonal flow, and that they dominate the steady-state perturbed current density. In order to distinguish the roles of the zonal flow from the direct action of the fluctuations on the islands, a new diagnostic is implemented. This new diagnostic separates the effects of all the sources of parallel current. These are the curvature (which drives Pfirsch-Schlüter currents) and the divergences of the viscous and Reynolds stresses (the latter driving polarization currents). The new diagnostic also enables the contributions from short and long wavelengths to be separated for each term. It shows that in the absence of curvature, the drive is dominated by the contributions to the polarization current from the short wavelength fluctuations, while the long-wavelength fluctuations play a stabilizing role. In the presence of unfavorable curvature, by contrast, the effects of the short- and long-wavelength contributions of the polarization current reverse roles but nearly cancel, leaving the Pfirsch-Schlüter current as the dominant drive.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Using LGI experiments to achieve better understanding of pedestal-edge coupling in NSTX-U

PowerPoint presentation. Latest advances in granule or dust injection technologies, fast and high-resolution imaging, together with micro-/nano-structured material fabrication, provide new opportunities to examine plasma-material interaction (PMI) in magnetic fusion environment. Some of our previous work in these areas is summarized. The upcoming LGI experiments in NSTX-U will shed new light on granular matter transport in the pedestal-edge region. In addition to particle control, these results can also be used for code validation and achieving better understanding of pedestal-edge coupling in fusion plasmas in both NSTX-U and others.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1972

Synthesis of data obtained at Jicamarca, Peru, during the September 11, 1969, eclipse.

Results of continuous measurements of electron temperatures, electron concentrations, and vertical plasma drift made at Jicamarca during the Sept. 11, 1969, solar eclipse and of control measurements made on Sept. 13, 1969. Synthesis of the observed electron concentrations was made, using a model that solved the time-dependent electron-ion continuity equations. Ions O(-), NO(+), O2(+), and N2(+) were treated. Physical and chemical processes pertinent to the F region were considered in a realistic way. At noon, 300 km above Jicamarca, the values q = 290 per cu cm per sec for the O(+) production rate, beta = 1.94 x 0.0001 per sec for the loss coefficient, and H = 59 km for the atomic oxygen scale height were obtained. All large-scale features observed in the F2 region were synthesized by the model. This synthesis was not sensitive to a simultaneous 30% reduction of q and beta.

Sterling, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Multifluids description of dynamics of upper atmosphere

A multifluids model to investigate ionospheric dynamics was established on kinetic theory. Its resultant equations are used to examine the following dynamic problems in the gamma region of 80-2000 Km of the ionosphere: (1) propagation of acoustic modes in the 500-2,000 Km of the ionosphere (two fluid model); (2) the relation between the cross field plasma drift instabilities and type I and type II ionospheric irregularities; and (3) time dependent neutral wind structure and horizontal pressure gradient.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Report on coordinated satellite and incoherent scatter observations

Measurements taken at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory at Lima, Peru during the cooperative sounding rocket program are reported. The following types of data were acquired: (1) electron density and temperature; (2) vertical plasma drift, (3) electrojet relative echo power density; (4) electrojet doppler shift and condition; and (5) 150 km echoing region.

Calderon, C. H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Coordinated satellite and incoherent scatter observations

Measurements taken at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory at Lima, Peru during the Cooperative Sounding Rocket Program are reported. The following types of data were acquired: (1) electron density and temperature, (2) vertical plasma drift, (3) electrojet relative echo power density, (4) electrojet Doppler shift and condition, and (5) 150 km echoing region.

Calderon, C. H. J.↗