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At least 127 records · Page 7

Sensitivities of time-dependent temperature profile predictions for NSTX with the multi-mode model

The Multi-Mode Model (MMM) for turbulent transport was applied to a large set of well-analyzed discharges from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) in order to evaluate its sensitivities to a wide range of plasma conditions. MMM calculations were performed for hundreds of milliseconds in each discharge by performing time-dependent predictive simulations with the 1.5D tokamak integrated modeling code TRANSP. A closely related study (Lestz et al 2025 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 67 105029) concluded that MMM predicted electron and ion temperature profiles that were in reasonable agreement with NSTX observations, generally outperforming a different reduced transport model, TGLF. This finding motivates the more thorough investigation of the characteristics of the MMM predictions conducted in this work. The simulations with MMM have electron energy transport dominated by electron temperature gradient modes in the examined discharges with relatively low plasma β (ratio of kinetic plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure) and high collisionality, transitioning to a mixture of different modes for higher β and lower collisionality. The thermal ion diffusivity predicted by MMM is much smaller than the neoclassical contribution, in line with previous experimental analysis of NSTX. Nonetheless, the electron and ion temperature profiles are coupled via collisional energy exchange and thus sensitive to which transport channels are predicted. The time-dependent simulations with MMM are robust to the simulation start time, converging to remarkably similar temperature profiles later during the discharge. MMM typically overpredicts confinement relative to NSTX observations, leading to the prediction of overly steep temperature profiles. Plasmas with spatially broader temperature profiles, higher plasma β, and longer energy confinement times tend to be predicted by MMM with better agreement with the experiment. As a result, these findings provide useful context for understanding the regime-dependent tendencies of MMM in anticipation of self-consistent, time-dependent predictive simulations of NSTX-U discharges with these same modeling tools.

MMM

Designs and Materials for Better Coronagraph Occulting Masks

New designs, and materials appropriate for such designs, are under investigation in an effort to develop coronagraph occulting masks having broad-band spectral characteristics superior to those currently employed. These designs and materials are applicable to all coronagraphs, both ground-based and spaceborne. This effort also offers potential benefits for the development of other optical masks and filters that are required (1) for precisely tailored spatial transmission profiles, (2) to be characterized by optical-density neutrality and phase neutrality (that is, to be characterized by constant optical density and constant phase over broad wavelength ranges), and/or (3) not to exhibit optical- density-dependent phase shifts. The need for this effort arises for the following reasons: Coronagraph occulting masks are required to impose, on beams of light transmitted through them, extremely precise control of amplitude and phase according to carefully designed transmission profiles. In the original application that gave rise to this effort, the concern has been to develop broad-band occulting masks for NASA s Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph. Until now, experimental samples of these masks have been made from high-energy-beam-sensitive (HEBS) glass, which becomes locally dark where irradiated with a high-energy electron beam, the amount of darkening depending on the electron-beam energy and dose. Precise mask profiles have been written on HEBS glass blanks by use of electron beams, and the masks have performed satisfactorily in monochromatic light. However, the optical-density and phase profiles of the HEBS masks vary significantly with wavelength; consequently, the HEBS masks perform unsatisfactorily in broad-band light. The key properties of materials to be used in coronagraph occulting masks are their extinction coefficients, their indices of refraction, and the variations of these parameters with wavelength. The effort thus far has included theoretical predictions of performances of masks that would be made from alternative materials chosen because the wavelength dependences of their extinction coefficients and their indices of refraction are such that that the optical-density and phase profiles of masks made from these materials can be expected to vary much less with wavelength than do those of masks made from HEBS glass. The alternative materials considered thus far include some elemental metals such as Pt and Ni, metal alloys such as Inconel, metal nitrides such as TiN, and dielectrics such as SiO2. A mask as now envisioned would include thin metal and dielectric films having stepped or smoothly varying thicknesses (see figure). The thicknesses would be chosen, taking account of the indices of refraction and extinction coefficients, to obtain an acceptably close approximation of the desired spatial transmittance profile with a flat phase profile

Balasubramanian, Kunjithapatham

Development of a Climatology of Vertically Complete Wind Profiles from Doppler Radar Wind Profiler Systems

This paper describes in detail the QC and splicing methodology for KSC's 50- and 915-MHz DRWP measurements that generates an extensive archive of vertically complete profiles from 0.20-18.45 km. The concurrent POR from each archive extends from April 2000 to December 2009. MSFC NE applies separate but similar QC processes to each of the 50- and 915-MHz DRWP archives. DRWP literature and data examination provide the basis for developing and applying the automated and manual QC processes on both archives. Depending on the month, the QC'ed 50- and 915-MHz DRWP archives retain 52-65% and 16-30% of the possible data, respectively. The 50- and 915-MHz DRWP QC archives retain 84-91% and 85-95%, respectively, of all the available data provided that data exist in the non- QC'ed archives. Next, MSFC NE applies an algorithm to splice concurrent measurements from both DRWP sources. Last, MSFC NE generates a composite profile from the (up to) five available spliced profiles to effectively characterize boundary layer winds and to utilize all possible 915-MHz DRWP measurements at each timestamp. During a given month, roughly 23,000-32,000 complete profiles exist from 0.25-18.45 km from the composite profiles' archive, and approximately 5,000- 27,000 complete profiles exist from an archive utilizing an individual 915-MHz DRWP. One can extract a variety of profile combinations (pairs, triplets, etc.) from this sample for a given application. The sample of vertically complete DRWP wind measurements not only gives launch vehicle customers greater confidence in loads and trajectory assessments versus using balloon output, but also provides flexibility to simulate different DOL situations across applicable altitudes. In addition to increasing sample size and providing more flexibility for DOL simulations in the vehicle design phase, the spliced DRWP database provides any upcoming launch vehicle program with the capability to utilize DRWP profiles on DOL to compute vehicle steering commands, provided the program applies the procedures that this report describes to new DRWP data on DOL. Decker et al. (2015) details how SLS is proposing to use DRWP data and splicing techniques on DOL. Although automation could enhance the current DOL 50-MHz DRWP QC process and could streamline any future DOL 915-MHz DRWP QC and splicing process, the DOL community would still require manual intervention to ensure that the vehicle only uses valid profiles. If a program desires to use high spatial resolution profiles, then the algorithm could randomly add high-frequency components to the DRWP profiles. The spliced DRWP database provides lots of flexibility in how one performs DOL simulations, and the algorithms that this report provides will assist the aerospace and atmospheric communities that are interested in utilizing the DRWP.

Barbre, Robert E., Jr.

Quantifying the thermal effect and methyl radical production in nanosecond repetitively pulsed glow discharges applied to a methane-air flame

In this work, we investigated non-equilibrium plasma produced by nanosecond repetitively pulsed glow discharges applied across a lean premixed methane-air flame. The flame is stationary, axisymmetric, and laminar. The discharges are applied on the symmetry axis crossing the reactant gases, flame front, and product gases, allowing phase-locked averaged measurements and comparisons with axisymmetric numerical simulations. The thermal effect and methyl radical production are quantified in the discharge in the reactant gas region. One-dimensional, two-beam, hybrid, femtosecond-picosecond, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering is used to acquire spatial and temporal profiles of temperature and oxygen-to-nitrogen concentration ratio. Photo-fragmentation laser-induced fluorescence is used to acquire quantitative two-dimensional profiles of methyl radicals in the discharge providing the first quantitative imaging of methyl produced ahead of a flame by plasma-induced methane dissociation. The spatial profiles of temperature and oxygen-to-nitrogen concentration ratio are in steady state, indicating that individual discharges have an insignificant heating effect. Upper and lower bounds of the produced mole fraction of methyl radicals in the plasma are obtained due to uncertainties in the collisional quenching rates of excited state methylidyne radicals in the plasma. The discharges produce a maximum of 600–1100 ppm of methyl radicals upstream of the flame front within 25 ns. This amount is similar to the predicted methyl mole fraction for the flame without plasma and thus represents a significant chemical perturbation to the reactants upstream of the flame front. The produced methyl follows an exponential decay in the first microsecond after the discharge with a decay constant of 8 µs close to the flame, and 0.8 µs further from the flame. The decay then deviates from the exponential curve and the methyl persists for tens of microseconds. The results suggest that for the tested configuration, the thermal effect of individual discharges through fast gas heating is negligible, while active chemical species are produced in large quantities in the reactant gases, upstream of the flame front.

hybrid fs-ps CARS

Optical spectrophotometry of Comet P/Giacobini-Zinner and emission profiles of H2O+

Two-dimensional CCD spectrograms were obtained of Comet P/Giacobini-Zinner (1984e) on five occasions between July and October 1985. Spatial emission profiles of H2O+ were extracted at 6198 angstroms (the strongest ionic line in the visible spectrum). This emission line traces the extent of the ion, or plasma, tail. The spectrographic slit was placed approximately along the trajectory of the ICE spacecraft on September 11, 1985; the resulting H2O+ profile has a full-width-half-maximum of about 5700 km, about three times that of the plasma density profile measured by ICE, and has a full-width-zero-intensity of about 30,000 km, very similar to the ICE values. H2O production rates for the comet are derived and compared with those of Comet P/Halley (1982i).

Strauss, M. A.

Field experiment to measure the radiative characteristics of a hazy atmosphere

Preliminary results are presented of a field experiment to measure the effect of atmospheric aerosols on the upward radiance at aircraft and satellite altitudes. These measurements, made over Chesapeake Bay, were conducted simultaneously with measurements of aerosol optical characteristics, profile, and spatial distribution. The aerosol vertical optical thickness and the scattering phase function were determined along with profiles of the scattering coefficient, temperatures, and humidity. The results are used to quantify the atmospheric effect on the surface reflectivity as detected from space, including the adjacency effect, and to test theoretical radiative transfer models. The experimental results are also used to test procedures to measure the aerosol optical thickness, the scale height, and the absorption from satellite imagery, and to use the results to correct satellite imagery of the surface. Ground measurements of surface reflectivity and the scattering coefficient at the surface are compared with airborne results.

Kaufman, Y. J.

Brillouin Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne Oceanographic Lidar Receiver for Profiling Temperature, Salinity, and Sound Velocity

A lidar receiver employing a proposed Brillouin asymmetric spatial heterodyne (BASH) spectrometer to measure depth resolved profiles of near surface ocean temperature, salinity, and sound velocity from aircraft is conceptualized. A BASH spectrometer can have high throughput, can be designed for any wavelength and, importantly, can be field widened, allowing accurate, high spectral resolution of the Brillouin spectrum within diffuse scatter from depth. Temperature and salinity are measured independently with no assumptions about one or the other and the measurements are unbiased by the presence of particulate or elastic scatter. A sensitivity analysis and lidar simulations show the expected performance.

John A Smith

An Optothermal Raman Model Accounting for Convection, Radiation, and Substrate Effects for Evaluation of the Thermal Conductivity of Two‐Dimensional Coatings

Thermal conductivity of two‐dimensional (2D) materials is important to characterize as this will govern thermal transport physics in the various thermal and energy applications benefitting from the unique properties of these materials. Here, analytical and numerical techniques are presented to determine the thermal conductivity and interfacial conductance of a 2D material coating using confocal micro‐Raman spectroscopy as a noncontact diagnostic. While several methods have been proposed for calculating the values of thermal conductivity, interfacial conductance, and spatial temperature profile, these models often do not consider effects of radiation, convection, and substrate resistance on the temperature and heat flux profiles. We present a model to calculate the thermal conductivity and interfacial conductance which accounts for convection, radiation, and substrate effects to characterize a variety of 2D material coatings, which is demonstrated using large area graphene transferred onto copper and nickel substrates. Convection and radiation effects are found to have a negligible effect on the temperature profile of supported coatings, while the substrate effects have a considerable effect and therefore impact the quantification of thermal conductivity and interfacial conductance in addition to limiting the spatial resolution of the technique. These findings will allow for more accurate and reproducible extraction of the thermal conductivity of graphene and other 2D material coatings when employing noncontact optothermal Raman spectroscopy methods.

2D coatings

Model Insensitive and Calibration Independent Method for Determination of the Downstream Neutral Hydrogen Density Through Ly-alpha Glow Observations

Our knowledge of the various heliospheric phenomena (location of the solar wind termination shock, heliopause configuration and very local interstellar medium parameters) is limited by uncertainties in the available heliospheric plasma models and by calibration uncertainties in the observing instruments. There is, thus, a strong motivation to develop model insensitive and calibration independent methods to reduce the uncertainties in the relevant heliospheric parameters. We have developed such a method to constrain the downstream neutral hydrogen density inside the heliospheric tail. In our approach we have taken advantage of the relative insensitivity of the downstream neutral hydrogen density profile to the specific plasma model adopted. We have also used the fact that the presence of an asymmetric neutral hydrogen cavity surrounding the sun, characteristic of all neutral densities models, results in a higher multiple scattering contribution to the observed glow in the downstream region than in the upstream region. This allows us to approximate the actual density profile with one which is spatially uniform for the purpose of calculating the downstream backscattered glow. Using different spatially constant density profiles, radiative transfer calculations are performed, and the radial dependence of the predicted glow is compared with the observed I/R dependence of Pioneer 10 UV data. Such a comparison bounds the large distance heliospheric neutral hydrogen density in the downstream direction to a value between 0.05 and 0.1/cc.

Gangopadhyay, P.

Source and Variability of Formaldehyde (HCHO) at Northern High Latitude: an Integrated Satellite, Aircraft, and Model Study

Here we use satellite observations of formaldehyde (HCHO)vertical column densities (VCD) from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), aircraft measurements, combined with a nested regional chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem at 0.5°×0.625° resolution), to understand the variability and sources of summertime HCHO better in Alaska. We first evaluate GEOS-Chem with in-situ airborne measurements during Atmospheric Tomography Mission 1 (ATom-1) aircraft campaign. We show reasonable agreement between observed and modeled HCHO, isoprene, monoterpenes and the sum of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein (MVK+MACR) in continental boundary layer. In particular, HCHO profiles show spatial homogeneity in Alaska, suggesting a minor contribution of biogenic emissions to HCHO VCD. We further examine the TROPOMI HCHO product in Alaska summer, reprocessed by GEOS-Chem model output for a priori profiles and shape factors. For the year with low wildfire activity (e.g.,2018), we find that HCHO VCDs are largely dominated by background HCHO (58-71%), with minor contributions from wildfires (20-32%) and biogenic VOC emissions (8-10%). For the year with intense wildfires (e.g.,2019), summertime HCHO VCD is dominated by wildfire emissions (50-72%), with minor contributions from background (22-41%) and biogenic VOCs (6-10%). In particular, the model indicates a major contribution of wildfires from direct emissions of HCHO, instead of secondary production of HCHO from oxidation of larger VOCs. We find that the column contributed by biogenic VOC is often small and below the TROPOMI detection limit, in part due to the slow HCHO production from isoprene oxidation under low NOx conditions. This work highlights challenges for quantifying HCHO and its precursors in remote pristine regions.

HCHO

Visualization of Subsurface Defects in Composites using a Focal Plane Array Infrared Camera

A technique for enhanced defect visualization in composites via transient thermography is presented in this paper. The effort targets automated defect map construction for multiple defects located in the observed area. Experimental data were collected on composite panels of different thickness with square inclusions and flat bottom holes of different depth and orientation. The time evolution of the thermal response and spatial thermal profiles are analyzed. The pattern generated by carbon fibers and the vignetting effect of the focal plane array camera make defect visualization difficult. An improvement of the defect visibility is made by the pulse phase technique and the spatial background treatment. The relationship between a size of a defect and its reconstructed image is analyzed as well. The image processing technique for noise reduction is discussed.

Plotnikov, Yuri A.

How Cities Breathe: Ground-Referenced, Airborne Hyperspectral Imaging Precursor Measurements To Space-Based Monitoring

Methane's (CH4) large global warming potential (Shindell et al., 2012) and likely increasing future emissions due to global warming feedbacks emphasize its importance to anthropogenic greenhouse warming (IPCC, 2007). Furthermore, CH4 regulation has far greater near-term climate change mitigation potential versus carbon dioxide CO2, the other major anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) (Shindell et al., 2009). Uncertainties in CH4 budgets arise from the poor state of knowledge of CH4 sources - in part from a lack of sufficiently accurate assessments of the temporal and spatial emissions and controlling factors of highly variable anthropogenic and natural CH4 surface fluxes (IPCC, 2007) and the lack of global-scale (satellite) data at sufficiently high spatial resolution to resolve sources. Many important methane (and other trace gases) sources arise from urban and mega-urban landscapes where anthropogenic activities are centered - most of humanity lives in urban areas. Studying these complex landscape tapestries is challenged by a wide and varied range of activities at small spatial scale, and difficulty in obtaining up-to-date landuse data in the developed world - a key desire of policy makers towards development of effective regulations. In the developing world, challenges are multiplied with additional political access challenges. As high spatial resolution satellite and airborne data has become available, activity mapping applications have blossomed - i.e., Google maps; however, tap a minute fraction of remote sensing capabilities due to limited (three band) spectral information. Next generation approaches that incorporate high spatial resolution hyperspectral and ultraspectral data will allow detangling of the highly heterogeneous usage megacity patterns by providing diagnostic identification of chemical composition from solids (refs) to gases (refs). To properly enable these next generation technologies for megacity include atmospheric radiative transfer modeling the complex and often aerosol laden, humid, urban microclimates, atmospheric transport and profile monitoring, spatial resolution, temporal cycles (diurnal and seasonal which involve interactions with the surrounding environment diurnal and seasonal cycles) and representative measurement approaches given traffic realities. Promising approaches incorporate contemporaneous airborne remote sensing and in situ measurements, nocturnal surface surveys, with ground station measurement

Leifer, Ira

Mobile lidar system for measurement of water vapor mixing ratio and ozone number density

The Water Vapor Lidar was modified and extended to make differential absorption measurements of ozone. Water vapor measurements make use of a weak molecular scattering process known as Raman scattering. It is characterized by a shift in wavelength of the scattered beam of light relative to the incident one. Some of the energy of the incident photon is converted to vibrational or rotational energy within the molecule leaving the scattered photon shifted to a slightly longer wavelength. When performing water vapor measurements, profiles are acquired of water vapor mixing ratio from near the ground to beyond 7 km every 2 minutes. By forming a color composite image of the individual profiles, the spatial and temporal evolution of water vapor is visible with vertical resolution of 75 to 150m and temporal resolution of 2 minutes. The ozone lidar is intended for use as a cross calibration facility for other stationary ozone lidar systems. The ozone measurement employs the technique known as differential absorption. The backscattered laser radiation from two different wavelengths is measured. Successful measurements of 308 nm returns were made from 80 km with an averaging period of 6 hours. Using these data and a standard atmosphere density curve, an ozone number density profile was made which agrees very well with the standard ozone curve between 20 and 40 km.

Whiteman, D.

The Eastern Pacific ITCZ during the Boreal Spring

The 6-year (1998-2003) rainfall products from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) are used to quantify the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the eastern Pacific (defined by longitudinal averages over 90 degrees W-130 degrees W) during boreal spring (March-April). The double ITCZ phenomenon, represented by the occurrence of two maxima with respect to latitude in monthly mean rainfall, is observed in most but not all of the years studied. The relative spatial locations of maxima in sea surface temperature (SST), rainfall, and surface pressure are examined. Interannual and weekly variability are characterized in SST, rainfall, surface convergence, total column water vapor, and cloud water. There appears to be a competition for rainfall between the two hemispheres during this season. When one of the two rainfall maxima is particularly strong, the other tends to be weak, with the total rainfall integrated over the two varying less than does the difference between the rainfall integrated over each separately. There is some evidence for a similar competition between the SST maxima in the two hemispheres, but this is more ambiguous, and there is evidence that some variations in the relative strengths of the two rainfall maxima may be independent of SST. Using a 25-year (1979-2003) monthly rainfall dataset from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), four distinct ITCZ types during March-April are defined, based on the relative strengths of rainfall peaks north and south of, and right over the equator. Composite meridional profiles and spatial distributions of rainfall and SST are documented for each type. Consistent with previous studies, an equatorial cold tongue is essential to the existence of the double ITCZs. However, too strong a cold tongue may dampen either the southern or northern rainfall maximum, depending on the magnitude of SST north of the equator.

Gu, Guojun

Effect of Illumination Area on the Ultrafast Temporal Response of MSM GaN Photodiodes

We investigate the influence of spatial illumination profiles on the temporal response of metal–semiconductor–metal GaN photodiodes. Using both simulation and experimental measurements, we compare the response curves under two scenarios: illumination confined to the active area between electrodes and extended illumination beyond the contacts. The results show that limiting the beam illumination to the active region significantly sharpens the response, reducing the long decay tails associated with slow carrier drift from peripheral regions. As a result, the experimental data closely match simulation predictions, confirming that illumination geometry plays a critical role in optimizing photodiode performance for ultrafast detection applications.

Carrier drift time

Measuring pH Changes Inside a Bipolar Membrane Junction

Here, the local pH environment within bipolar membrane (BPM) junctions is complex and not well understood, yet it is important to control for advancing the performance of BPM-based electrochemical systems. We report a voltammetric strategy using an ultrathin Ni mesh pH probe to spatially resolve pH changes in the BPM junction during model BPM electrolyzer operation. Under reverse bias, we observe depletion of OH – at the anion-exchange layer (AEL) interface, with a degree diminishing with increasing distance from the AEL. These gradients correlate with current-dependent water dissociation (WD) and are modulated by the electric field and the surface charge state of the catalyst. By correlating spatial pH profiles with the surface-charging behavior of WD catalysts, we explore a mechanism of catalyst-mediated H + and OH – transfer facilitated by hydrogen-bonding networks. These findings highlight the role of local chemistry and electrostatics in BPM performance and offer new methods to probe and engineer catalytic junctions in electrochemical energy devices.

Hou, Shujin [University of California, Berkeley, C

Propagation of partially spatially coherent laser beams in instantaneous Kerr media

The propagation of intense, partially spatially coherent laser beams in a medium with instantaneous third-order susceptibility is studied analytically and numerically. For sufficiently high power relative to that required for nonlinear self-focusing, the propagation initially proceeds in two stages. In the first stage, spatial coherence builds up, and in the second stage, the number of speckles reduces. Once the degree of coherence is sufficiently high, whole-beam self-focusing occurs. The beam power is mostly confined within the initial spot radius. Two analytical approaches for describing the evolution of the beam are presented. The method of moments leads to an analytical solution for the rms spot radius that is in excellent agreement with simulations. This method does not require any knowledge of the field statistics beyond the initial conditions and provides no information about the evolution of the individual speckles. The other approach employs a self-similar solution for the second-order coherence function of the field and assumes that the fourth-order coherence function is factorizable and obeys complex circular Gaussian random statistics. The latter method also leads to an analytical expression for the spot radius, but its predictions for the qualitative evolution of the speckles disagree with wave-optics simulations.

lasers

Numerical simulations of loops heated to solar flare temperatures. III - Asymmetrical heating

A numerical model is defined for asymmetric full solar flare loop heating and comparisons are made with observational data. The Dynamic Flux Tube Model is used to describe the heating process in terms of one-dimensional, two fluid conservation equations of mass, energy and momentum. An adaptive grid allows for the downward movement of the transition region caused by an advancing conduction front. A loop 20,000 km long is considered, along with a flare heating system and the hydrodynamic evolution of the loop. The model was applied to generating line profiles and spatial X-ray and UV line distributions, which were compared with SMM, P78-1 and Hintori data for Fe, Ca and Mg spectra. Little agreement was obtained, and it is suggested that flares be treated as multi-loop phenomena. Finally, it is concluded that chromospheric evaporation is not an effective mechanism for generating the soft X-ray bursts associated with flares.

Cheng, C.-C.