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At least 1,351 records · Page 75
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Calibration method for a spectral computerized tomography system

A calibration method for an x-ray computerized tomography system and a method of tomographic reconstruction are provided. The calibration method includes steps of measuring at least one point spread function (PSF) at each of a plurality of points, compressing each PSF, and in one or more storing operations, storing the compressed PSFs in a computer-accessible storage medium. The PSF measurements are made in a grid of calibration points in a field of view (FOV) of the system. In the measuring step, an absorber is positioned at each of the calibration points, and an x-ray projection is taken at least once at each of those absorber positions. In the method of tomographic image reconstruction, projection data from an x-ray tomographic projection system are input to an iterative image reconstruction algorithm. The algorithm retrieves and utilizes a priori system information (APSI) The APSI comprises comprising point spread functions (PSFs) of all voxels in a voxelization of the field of view that are compressed in the form of vectors of parameters. For utilization, each retrieved vector of parameters is decompressed so as to generate a discretized PSF.

Jimenez, Jr., Edward Steven↗
NASA NTRS2018

An Overview of Methods for Deriving the Radiative Transfer Theory from the Maxwell Equations. II: Approach Based on the Dyson and Bethe-Salpeter Equations

In this paper, the vector radiative transfer equation is derived by means of the vector integral Foldy equations describing the electromagnetic scattering by a group of particles. By assuming that in a discrete random medium the positions of the particles are statistically independent and by applying the Twersky approximation to the order-of-scattering expansion of the total field, we derive the Dyson equation for the coherent field and the ladder approximated Bethe–Salpeter equation for the dyadic correlation function. Then, under the far-field assumption for sparsely distributed particles, the Dyson equation is reduced to the Foldy integral equation for the coherent field, while the iterated solution of the Bethe–Salpeter equation ultimately yields the vector radiative transfer equation.

Electromagnetic scattering↗
DOE OSTI2021

Weibel instability beyond bi-Maxwellian anisotropy

The shape of the anisotropic velocity distribution function, beyond the realm of strict Maxwellians can play a significant role in determining the evolution of the Weibel instability dictating the dynamics of self-generated magnetic fields. For non-Maxwellian distribution functions, we show that the direction of the maximum growth rate wave vector changes with shape. In this work, we investigate different laser-plasma interaction model distributions which show that their Weibel generated magnetic fields may require closer scrutiny beyond the second moment (temperature) anisotropy ratio characterization.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hysteretic Responses of Skyrmion Lattices to Electric Fields in Magnetoelectric Cu 2 OSeO 3

Electric field control of topologically nontrivial magnetic textures, such as skyrmions, provides a paradigm shift for future spintronics beyond current silicon-based technology. While significant progress has been made by X-ray and neutron scattering studies, direct observation of such nanoscale spin structures and their dynamics driven by external electric fields remains a challenge to understand underlying mechanisms and harness functionalities. Here, using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy combined with in situ electric and magnetic fields at liquid helium temperatures, we report the crystallographic-orientation dependent skyrmion responses to electric fields in thin slabs of magnetoelectric Cu 2 OSeO 3 . We show electric fields not only stabilize the hexagonally packed skyrmion lattices in the entire sample in a hysteretic manner but also induce the rotation of their reciprocal vector discretely by 30°. Furthermore, the nonvolatile and energy-efficient skyrmion-lattice control by electric fields demonstrated in this work provides an important foundation for designing skyrmion-based qubits and memory devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1993

Voyager planetary radio astronomy studies

Analysis of nonthermal radio emission data obtained by the Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRA) spectrometers on the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft was performed. This PRA data provided unique insights into the radio emission characteristics of the outer planets because of PRA's unique spectral response below the terrestrial ionospheric plasma frequency and its unprecedented proximity to the source. Of those results which were documented or published, this final report surveys only the highlights and cites references for more complete discussions. Unpublished results for Uranus, Neptune, and theoretical Ionian current distributions are presented at greater length. The most important conclusion to be drawn from these observations is that banded spectral emission is common to the radio emission below 1-2 MHz observed from all four Jovian planets. In every case multiple spectral features evolve on time scales of seconds to minutes. To the extent these features drift in frequency, they appear never to cross one another. The Neptunian spectral features appear to drift little or not at all, their evolution consisting principally of waxing and waning. Since other evidence strongly suggests that most or all of this radio emission is occurring near the local magnetospheric electron cyclotron frequency, this implies that this emission preferentially occurs at certain continually changing planetary radii. It remains unknown why certain radii might be favored, unless radial electric field components or other means serve to differentiate radially the magnetospheric plasma density, particle energy vectors, or particle coherence. Calculation of the spatial distribution and intensity of the Io-generated magnetospheric currents are also presented; these currents may be limited principally by wave impedance and local field strengths.

Staelin, David H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Study of waves in the earth's bow shock.

Results of an examination of the perturbation vectors of waves upstream and downstream from the region of maximum compression in the bow shock on Ogo 5 under particularly steady solar-wind conditions. The polarization of the upstream waves was right-hand circular, and that of the downstream waves left-hand elliptical in the spacecraft frame. By observing that the polarization of the waves remained unchanged as the shock motion swept the wave structure back and forth across the satellite three times in eight minutes, it was found that the waves were not stationary in the shock frame. A study of the methods of determining the shock normal indicates that the normal estimated from a shock model should be superior to the normal based on magnetic coplanarity. The propagation vectors of the waves examined did not coincide with the shock-model normal, the average magnetic field, or the plasma-flow velocity. However, the major axis of the polarization ellipse of the downstream wave was nearly parallel to the upstream propagation vector.

Holzer, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The Geopotential Research Mission - Mapping the near earth gravity and magnetic fields

The Geopotential Research Mission (GRM), NASA's low-level satellite system designed to measure the gravity and magnetic fields of the earth, and its objectives are described. The GRM will consist of two, Shuttle launched, satellite systems (300 km apart) that will operate simultaneously at a 160 km circular-polar orbit for six months. Current mission goals include mapping the global geoid to 10 cm, measuring gravity-field anomalies to 2 mgal with a spatial resolution of 100 km, detecting crustal magnetic anomalies of 100 km wavelength with 1 nT accuracy, measuring the vectors components to + or - 5 arc sec and 5 nT, and computing the main dipole or core field to 5 nT with a 2 nT/year secular variation detection. Resource analysis and exploration geology are additional applications considered.

Taylor, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Expanded Equations for Torque and Force on a Cylindrical Permanent Magnet Core in a Large-Gap Magnetic Suspension System

The expanded equations for torque and force on a cylindrical permanent magnet core in a large-gap magnetic suspension system are presented. The core is assumed to be uniformly magnetized, and equations are developed for two orientations of the magnetization vector. One orientation is parallel to the axis of symmetry, and the other is perpendicular to this axis. Fields and gradients produced by suspension system electromagnets are assumed to be calculated at a point in inertial space which coincides with the origin of the core axis system in its initial alignment. Fields at a given point in the core are defined by expanding the fields produced at the origin as a Taylor series. The assumption is made that the fields can be adequately defined by expansion up to second-order terms. Examination of the expanded equations for the case where the magnetization vector is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry reveals that some of the second-order gradient terms provide a method of generating torque about the axis of magnetization and therefore provide the ability to produce six-degree-of-freedom control.

Groom, Nelson J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-$\mathcal{k}$ magnetic structure and large anomalous Hall effect in candidate magnetic Weyl semimetal NdAlGe

Here, the magnetic structure, magnetoresistance (MR), and Hall effect of the noncentrosymmetric magnetic semimetal NdAlGe are investigated, revealing an unusual magnetic state and anomalous transport properties that are associated with the electronic structure of this compound. The magnetization and MR measurements are both highly anisotropic and indicate an Ising-like magnetic system. The magnetic structure is complex in that it involves two magnetic ordering vectors, including an incommensurate spin density wave and commensurate ferrimagnetic state in zero field. We have discovered a large anomalous Hall conductivity that reaches ≈430 Ω –1 cm –1 , implying that it originates from an intrinsic Berry curvature effect stemming from Weyl nodes found in the electronic structure. These electronic structure calculations indicate the presence of nested Fermi surface pockets with nesting wave vectors like the measured magnetic ordering wave vector and the presence of Weyl nodes in proximity to the Fermi surface. We associate the incommensurate magnetic structure with the large anomalous Hall response to be the result of the combination of Fermi surface nesting and the Berry curvature associated with Weyl nodes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1993

Numerical simulation using vorticity-vector potential formulation

An accurate and efficient computational method is needed for three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows in engineering applications. On solving the turbulent shear flows directly or using the subgrid scale model, it is indispensable to resolve the small scale fluid motions as well as the large scale motions. From this point of view, the pseudo-spectral method is used so far as the computational method. However, the finite difference or the finite element methods are widely applied for computing the flow with practical importance since these methods are easily applied to the flows with complex geometric configurations. However, there exist several problems in applying the finite difference method to direct and large eddy simulations. Accuracy is one of most important problems. This point was already addressed by the present author on the direct simulations on the instability of the plane Poiseuille flow and also on the transition to turbulence. In order to obtain high efficiency, the multi-grid Poisson solver is combined with the higher-order, accurate finite difference method. The formulation method is also one of the most important problems in applying the finite difference method to the incompressible turbulent flows. The three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations have been solved so far in the primitive variables formulation. One of the major difficulties of this method is the rigorous satisfaction of the equation of continuity. In general, the staggered grid is used for the satisfaction of the solenoidal condition for the velocity field at the wall boundary. However, the velocity field satisfies the equation of continuity automatically in the vorticity-vector potential formulation. From this point of view, the vorticity-vector potential method was extended to the generalized coordinate system. In the present article, we adopt the vorticity-vector potential formulation, the generalized coordinate system, and the 4th-order accurate difference method as the computational method. We present the computational method and apply the present method to computations of flows in a square cavity at large Reynolds number in order to investigate its effectiveness.

Tokunaga, Hiroshi↗
NASA NTRS1994

Static performance investigation of a skewed-throat multiaxis thrust-vectoring nozzle concept

The static performance of a jet exhaust nozzle which achieves multiaxis thrust vectoring by physically skewing the geometric throat has been characterized in the static test facility of the 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. The nozzle has an asymmetric internal geometry defined by four surfaces: a convergent-divergent upper surface with its ridge perpendicular to the nozzle centerline, a convergent-divergent lower surface with its ridge skewed relative to the nozzle centerline, an outwardly deflected sidewall, and a straight sidewall. The primary goal of the concept is to provide efficient yaw thrust vectoring by forcing the sonic plane (nozzle throat) to form at a yaw angle defined by the skewed ridge of the lower surface contour. A secondary goal is to provide multiaxis thrust vectoring by combining the skewed-throat yaw-vectoring concept with upper and lower pitch flap deflections. The geometric parameters varied in this investigation included lower surface ridge skew angle, nozzle expansion ratio (divergence angle), aspect ratio, pitch flap deflection angle, and sidewall deflection angle. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from 2 to a high of 11.5 for some configurations. The results of the investigation indicate that efficient, substantial multiaxis thrust vectoring was achieved by the skewed-throat nozzle concept. However, certain control surface deflections destabilized the internal flow field, which resulted in substantial shifts in the position and orientation of the sonic plane and had an adverse effect on thrust-vectoring and weight flow characteristics. By increasing the expansion ratio, the location of the sonic plane was stabilized. The asymmetric design resulted in interdependent pitch and yaw thrust vectoring as well as nonzero thrust-vector angles with undeflected control surfaces. By skewing the ridges of both the upper and lower surface contours, the interdependency between pitch and yaw thrust vectoring may be eliminated and the location of the sonic plane may be further stabilized.

Wing, David J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Physics-constrained 3D convolutional neural networks for electrodynamics

We present a physics-constrained neural network (PCNN) approach to solving Maxwell’s equations for the electromagnetic fields of intense relativistic charged particle beams. We create a 3D convolutional PCNN to map time-varying current and charge densities J(r, t) and ρ(r, t) to vector and scalar potentials A(r, t) and φ(r, t) from which we generate electromagnetic fields according to Maxwell’s equations: B = ∇ × A and E = −∇φ − ∂A/∂t. Our PCNNs satisfy hard constraints, such as ∇ · B = 0, by construction. Soft constraints push A and φ toward satisfying the Lorenz gauge.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Construction of quasisymmetric stellarators using a direct coordinate approach

In this work, optimized stellarator configurations and their analytical properties are obtained using a near-axis expansion approach. Such configurations are associated with good confinement as the guiding center particle trajectories and neoclassical transport are isomorphic to those in a tokamak. This makes them appealing as fusion reactor candidates. Using a direct coordinate approach, where the magnetic field and flux surface functions are found explicitly in terms of the position vector at successive orders in the distance to the axis, the set of ordinary differential equations for first and second order quasisymmetry is derived. Examples of quasi-axisymmetric shapes are constructed using a pseudospectral numerical method. Finally, the direct coordinate approach is used to independently verify two hypotheses commonly associated with quasisymmetric magnetic fields, namely that the number of equations exceeds the number of parameters at third order in the expansion and that the near-axis expansion does not prohibit exact quasisymmetry from being achieved on a single flux surface.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2001

Wave Normal and Poynting Vector Calculations using the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Instrument

Wave normal and Poynting vector measurements from the Cassini radio and plasma wave instrument (RPWS) are used to examine the propagation characteristics of various plasma waves during the Earth flyby on August 18, 1999. Using the five-channel waveform receiver (WFR), the wave normal vector is determined using the Means method for a lightning-induced whistler, equatorial chorus, and a series of low-frequency emissions observed while Cassini was in the magnetosheath. The Poynting vector for these emissions is also calculated from the five components measured by the WFR. The propagation characteristics of the lightning-induced whistler were found to be consistent with the whistler wave mode of propagation, with propagation antiparallel to the magnetic field (southward) at Cassini. The sferic associated with this whistler was observed by both Cassini and the Stanford VLF group at the Palmer Station in Antarctica. Analysis of the arrival direction of the sferic at the Palmer Station suggests that the lightning stroke is in the same sector as Cassini. Chorus was observed very close (within a few degrees) to the magnetic equator during the flyby. The chorus was found to propagate primarily away from the magnetic equator and was observed to change direction as Cassini crossed the magnetic equator. This suggests that the source region of the chorus is very near the magnetic equator. The low-frequency emission in the magnetosheath has many of the characteristics of lion roars. The average value of the angle between the wave normal vector and the local magnetic field was found to be 16 degrees, and the emissions ranged in frequency from 0. 19 to 0.75 f(sub ce), where f(sub ce) is the electron cyclotron frequency. The wave normal vectors of these waves were primarily in one direction for each individual burst (either parallel or antiparallel to the local field) but varied in direction throughout the magnetosheath. This suggests that the sources of the emissions are far from the spacecraft and that there are multiple source regions.

Hospodarsky, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Correlation of the CME Productivity of Solar Active Regions with Measures of their Global Nonpotentiality from Vector Magnetograms: Baseline Results

From conventional magnetograms and chromospheric and coronal images, it is known qualitatively that the fastest coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are magnetic explosions from sunspot active regions in which the magnetic field is globally strongly sheared and twisted from its minimum-energy potential configuration. In this paper, we present measurements from active-region vector magnetograms that begin to quantify the dependence of the CME productivity of an active region on the global nonpotentiality of its magnetic field. From each of 17 magnetograms of 12 bipolar active regions, we obtain a measure of the size of the active region (the magnetic flux content, phi) and three different measures of the global nonpotentiality (L(sub SS), the length of strong-shear, strong-field main neutral line; I(sub N), the net electric current arching from one polarity to the other; and alpha = muI(subN/phi), a flux-normalized measure of the field twist).

Falconer, David A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Using an Analytic-Based Magnetic Charge Fourier Series Model to Study a Magnetic Lead Screw when Operating as a Magnetic Spring

A magnetic charge field analysis approach is presented that models an array of magnets by using a magnetic vector Fourier series representation. Using a Fourier series function enables the magnets' relative permeability to be accounted for and also reduces the computational burden. The accuracy of the presented modelling approach is validated by studying the fields and forces created by a magnetic lead screw when acting as a magnetic spring

Kouhshahi, Mojtaba Bahrami↗
NASA NTRS2003

Analytic Solution to the Problem of Aircraft Electric Field Mill Calibration

It is by no means a simple task to retrieve storm electric fields from an aircraft instrumented with electric field mill sensors. The presence of the aircraft distorts the ambient field in a complicated way. Before retrievals of the storm field can be made, the field mill measurement system must be "calibrated". In other words, a relationship between impressed (i.e., ambient) electric field and mill output must be established. If this relationship can be determined, it is mathematically inverted so that ambient field can be inferred from the mill outputs. Previous studies have primarily focused on linear theories where the relationship between ambient field and mill output is described by a "calibration matrix" M. Each element of the matrix describes how a particular component of the ambient field is enhanced by the aircraft. For example the product M(sub ix), E(sub x), is the contribution of the E(sub x) field to the i(th) mill output. Similarly, net aircraft charge (described by a "charge field component" E(sub q)) contributes an amount M(sub iq)E(sub q) to the output of the i(th) sensor. The central difficulty in obtaining M stems from the fact that the impressed field (E(sub x), E(sub y), E(sub z), E(sub q) is not known but is instead estimated. Typically, the aircraft is flown through a series of roll and pitch maneuvers in fair weather, and the values of the fair weather field and aircraft charge are estimated at each point along the aircraft trajectory. These initial estimates are often highly inadequate, but several investigators have improved the estimates by implementing various (ad hoc) iterative methods. Unfortunately, none of the iterative methods guarantee absolute convergence to correct values (i.e., absolute convergence to correct values has not been rigorously proven). In this work, the mathematical problem is solved directly by analytic means. For m mills installed on an arbitrary aircraft, it is shown that it is possible to solve for a single 2m-vector that provides all other needed variables (i.e., the unknown fair weather field, the unknown aircraft charge, and the unknown matrix M). Numerical tests of the solution, effects of measurement errors, and studies of solution non-uniqueness are ongoing as of this writing.

Koshak, William↗
DOE OSTI2021

Intrinsic Anomalous Hall Conductivity in a Nonuniform Electric Field

We study how the intrinsic anomalous Hall conductivity is modified in two-dimensional crystals with broken time-reversal symmetry due to weak inhomogeneity of the applied electric field. Focusing on a clean noninteracting two-band system without band crossings, we derive the general expression for the Hall conductivity at small finite wave vector q to order q 2 , which governs the Hall response to the second gradient of the electric field. Using the Kubo formula, we show that the answer can be expressed through the Berry curvature, Fubini-Study quantum metric, and the rank-3 symmetric tensor which is related to the quantum geometric connection and physically corresponds to the gauge-invariant part of the third cumulant of the position operator. We further compare our results with the predictions made within the semiclassical approach. By deriving the semiclassical equations of motion, we reproduce the result obtained from the Kubo formula in some limits. We also find, however, that the conventional semiclassical description in terms of the definite position and momentum of the electron is not fully consistent because of singular terms originating from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. We thus present a clear example of a case when the semiclassical approach inherently suffers from the uncertainty principle, implying that it should be applied to systems in nonuniform fields with extra care.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗