Discrete sources and the statistics of cosmic- ray propagation
Cosmic ray diffusion from discrete sources in random galactic location, studying chemical constituents anisotropy and age with scattering model
Ramaty, R.↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Diffuse Scattering”
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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Spectral structure of the diffuse X-ray sky
A description of diffuse celestial X-ray flux is drawn from data taken by rocket borne detectors. It was concluded that the diffuse flux is intra- and extra-galactic in origin and is caused by Compton scattering of .052 rad black body photons of relativistic electrons leaking out of the galaxies.
Boldt, E. A.↗
A finite difference method of solving anisotropic scattering problems
A new method of solving radiative transfer problems is described including a comparison of its speed with that of the doubling method, and a discussion of its accuracy and suitability for computations involving variable optical properties. The method uses a discretization in angle to produce a coupled set of first-order differential equations which are integrated between discrete depth points to produce a set of recursion relations for symmetric and anti-symmetric angular sums of the radiation field at alternate depth points. The formulation given here includes depth-dependent anisotropic scattering, absorption, and internal sources, and allows arbitrary combinations of specular and non-Lambertian diffuse reflection at either or both boundaries. Numerical tests of the method show that it can return accurate emergent intensities even for large optical depths. The method is also shown to conserve flux to machine accuracy in conservative atmospheres
Barkstrom, B. R.↗
Determination of the ground albedo and the index of absorption of atmospheric particulates by remote sensing. II - Application
A hemispherical radiometer has been used to obtain spectrally narrow-band measurements of the downward hemispheric diffuse and total (global) flux densities at varying solar zenith angles on 14 days over Tucson. Data are presented which illustrate the effects of temporally varying atmospheric conditions as well as clear stable conditions on the ratio of the diffuse to direct solar radiation at the earth's surface. The ground albedo and the effective imaginary term of the complex refractive index of atmospheric particulates are derived from the diffuse-direct ratio measurements on seven clear stable days at two wavelengths using the statistical procedure described by King and Herman (1979). Results indicate that the downwelling diffuse radiation field in the midvisible region in Tucson can be adequately described by Mie scattering theory if the ground albedo is 0.279 + or - 0.100 and the index of absorption is 0.0306 + or - 0.0082.
King, M. D.↗
Acceleration and transport processes - Verification and observations
The general problem of diffusive transport and acceleration of energetic charged particles is considered. The transport of solar-flare particles, solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays and shock acceleration processes on the solar wind are examined and observational tests are summarized. It is concluded that the basic diffusive transport equation is a useful approximation in situations like the solar wind, where turbulent scattering by magnetic irregularities is sufficient to maintain near isotropy. The application of this equation to the interstellar medium andd other, more distant astrophysical regimes is then discussed and implications for gamma-ray astrophysics are outlined. Finally the evidence for interstellar turbulence is reviewed and its consequences briefly discussed.
Jokipii, J. R.↗
Modeling of infrared flux spectra from disk-shaped interstellar dust clouds
Although there is growing observational and theoretical evidence for many disk-shaped objects of astrophysical interest, spherical geometry is assumed in most radiative transfer models. Recently we generalized the quasi-diffusion method developed by Leung (1975, 1976) for spherical geometry to solve the problem of scattering, absorption, and reemission by dust grains in a medium of disk geometry. The method is applicable to a variety of astronomical sources whose dynamics are angular-momentum dominated and hence not accurately treated by spherical geometry, e.g., protoplanetary nebulae, circumstellar disks, bipolar-flow molecular clouds, accretion disks and disk galaxies. Using this technique and realistic grain opacities we construct theoretical models to determine self-consistently the dust temperature distribution and infrared emission from disk-shaped, quiescent dark globules heated externally by the intersteller radiation field. The effects of the following parameters on the temperature structure and the emergent spectrum are studied: grain type (graphite and silicate), optical depth, density inhomogeneity, and degree of disk flattening. The disk models are characterized by an aspect ratio and an optical depth at 0.55 microns. For inhomogeneous models, a gaussian density distribution is assumed such that the ratio of central to surface density is 100. To study the effects of source geometry, we also compare results for models with spherical and disk geometry. In this case both models have the same radius and central optical depth, the disk models having a 1:1 aspect ratio. While the dust temperature distributions in the two cases are very similar, the emergent flux for the disk model depends sensitively on the viewing angle. For clouds which are unresolved, one would expect, since the thermal emission is isotropic in the neighborhood of an emitting grain, and since the emission (in the far infrared) is optically thin, that the emergent flux spectrum should be characteristic only of the dust temperature, and independent of viewing angle. However, because of the lack of complete symmetry and the resulting radiation anisotropy, this is found not to be the case for the disk models. Angle is that it implies a large uncertainty in estimating the radiation dust mass.
Spagna, G. F., Jr.↗
L Band Brightness Temperature from Forest: Comparison of Approximate Techniques
In this paper, three approximate physical microwave radiometry models have been used to calculate brightness temperatures from a forest canopy at L-band. These models are (1) tau-omega model (zero order scattering approximation to radiative transfer equations), (2) successive order of scattering model up to first order (first order scattering approximation to the radiative transfer equations), and (3) Peak technique utilizing the active solution obtained from the Distorted Born Approximation (DBA). These models are physically-based and treat vegetation as a layer of discrete scatterers over a rough surface. Vegetation components within the canopy are represented by canonical shapes such as dielectric discs and cylinders. The tau-omega model is based on a zero-order solution to the radiative transfer (RT) equations. The model ignores scattering except for the effect of the scatterers in the attenuation of the emission through the vegetation. Application of the tau-omega model to data acquired during airborne and ground-based campaigns over the years has solidified scientific understanding of microwave interactions with different landscapes. In particular, shrubland, grasslands, agricultural crops, and light to moderate vegetation have been investigated. Its applicability to areas with a significant tree fraction is unknown. The first order scattering model is based on an iterative solution of the RT equation up to the first order. The first order solution is obtained by substituting the zeroth-order solution into the scattering source term and then solving the resulting radiative transfer equations. This formulation adds a new scattering term to the tau-omega model. It represents emission by particles in the layer and emission by the ground that is scattered once by particles in the layer. The resulting model represents an improvement over the standard zero-order solution (the tau-omega model) since it accounts for the scattered vegetation and ground radiation that can have a pronounced effect on the observed brightness temperature. The third model is based on the Peake formulation in conjunction with the DBA. The procedure for calculation of forest emission is accomplished by first calculating the bistatic scattering cross section for each type of scatterer, then by using the DBA to calculate specular albedo of the ground and the diffused albedo of the layer. Once the albedos are determined, Peake s principle relating active and passive problems can be used to determine the effective emissivity of the forest layer.
Kurum, Mehmet↗
Sedimentology of Martian Gravels from Mardi Twilight Imaging: Techniques
Quantitative sedimentologic analysis of gravel surfaces dominated by pebble-sized clasts has been employed in an effort to untangle aspects of the provenance of surface sediments on Mars using Curiosity's MARDI nadir-viewing camera operated at twilight Images have been systematically acquired since sol 310 providing a representative sample of gravel-covered surfaces since the rover departed the Shaler region. The MARDI Twilight imaging dataset offers approximately 1 millimeter spatial resolution (slightly out of focus) for patches beneath the rover that cover just under 1 m2 in area, under illumination that makes clast size and inter-clast spacing analysis relatively straightforward using semi- automated codes developed for use with nadir images. Twilight images are utilized for these analyses in order to reduce light scattering off dust deposited on the front MARDI lens element during the terminal stages of Curiosity's entry, descent and landing. Such scattering is worse when imaging bright, directly-illuminated surfaces; twilight imaging times yield diffusely-illuminated surfaces that improve the clarity of the resulting MARDI product. Twilight images are obtained between 10-30 minutes after local sunset, governed by the timing of the end of the no-heat window for the camera. Techniques were also utilized to examine data terrestrial locations (the Kau Desert in Hawaii and near Askja Caldera in Iceland). Methods employed include log hyperbolic size distribution (LHD) analysis and Delauney Triangulation (DT) inter-clast spacing analysis. This work extends the initial results reported in Yingst et al., that covered the initial landing zone, to the Rapid-Transit Route (RTR) towards Mount Sharp.
sedimentologic↗
Comparison of Pyranometers and Reference Cells on Fixed and One-Axis Tracking Surfaces: Preprint
A wide variety of sensors are used to monitor the irradiance incident on solar modules to evaluate the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. These instruments range from secondary standard pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers to reference cells. Although instruments are mounted in the plane of array of the modules, a wide range of results have been obtained. Some of these difference have been assumed to come from systematic uncertainties associated with the irradiance sensors. This study is an attempt to quantify these differences by comparing the output of selected thermopile pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells on a horizontal surface, a fixed-tilt surface, and a one-axis tracking surface. This analysis focuses on clear-sky results from two sites with different climatic conditions. Several important features were observed. Photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells produce widely different results under clear skies, especially at larger angles of incidence, even though both instruments are based on measuring the short-circuit current of solar cells. The difference is caused by the scattering of light as it passes through the glazing of the reference cell or the diffuser lens of the photodioded-base pyranometer. Both instruments are shown to have similar response to the spectral distribution of the irradiance when compared to the thermopile-based pyranometer, which has a response nearly independent of the wavelength of light used by PV modules.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
AMBIPOLAR DIFFUSION HEATING IN TURBULENT SYSTEMS
The temperature of the gas in molecular clouds is a key determinant of the characteristic mass of star formation. Ambipolar diffusion (AD) is considered one of the most important heating mechanisms in weakly ionized molecular clouds. In this work, we study the AD heating rate using two-fluid turbulence simulations and compare it with the overall heating rate due to turbulent dissipation. We find that for observed molecular clouds, which typically have Alfven Mach numbers of {approx}1 and AD Reynolds numbers of {approx}20, about 70% of the total turbulent dissipation is in the form of AD heating. AD has an important effect on the length scale where energy is dissipated: when AD heating is strong, most of the energy in the cascade is removed by ion-neutral drift, with a comparatively small amount of energy making it down to small scales. We derive a relation for the AD heating rate that describes the results of our simulations to within a factor of two. Turbulent dissipation, including AD heating, is generally less important than cosmic-ray heating in molecular clouds, although there is substantial scatter in both.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Heating and ablation of high- Z cryogenic pellets in high temperature plasmas
A kinetic model is developed here to determine the power deposition from energetic electrons into the neutral gas shield of an ablating high-Z pellet. For high-Z, the velocity distribution of the hot electrons is nearly isotropic, and we use this feature to develop solutions to the kinetic equation. In contrast to pre-existing models, we consider the effect of gyro-motion as well as elastic scattering of the hot electrons. Two limits are considered: when the gyro-frequency is much greater than the elastic collision frequency, the hot electrons diffuse longitudinally along the field lines as they slow down; but if the gyro-frequency is much less than the elastic collision frequency, the hot electrons diffuse radially. In both limits, it is possible to express the kinetic equation describing the hot electrons independently of the gas density profile, and therefore, the power deposition model is universal in this respect. The emphasis on elastic scattering yields an ablation rate which scales as Z -7/6 which is different than Z -2/3 shown in Sergeev et al (2006 Plasma Phys. Rep. 32 5). It is also demonstrated that the sheath potential required to maintain ambipolarity in the cloud scales as Z -1/3 . Fluid simulations yield ablation rates that scale with the four-thirds power of the pellet radius in agreement with [2].
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Accelerating the solution of the S N equations with highly anisotropic scattering using the Fokker-Planck approximation
The discrete ordinates method can model forward-peaked transport problems accurately. However, convergence of discrete ordinates solution can become arbitrarily slow upon use of standard iterative procedures like source iteration. Standard zeroth and first moment-based acceleration methods like nonlinear diffusion acceleration and diffusion synthetic acceleration are ineffective in accelerating such problems because these methods do not correct higher order Legendre-moments of angular flux. In this paper, we explore the idea of using the Fokker-Planck approximation as a preconditioner to accelerate the convergence of solution of forward-peaked transport problems. Finally, we observe that such preconditioning can successfully reduce the iteration count by up to four orders of magnitude, and solver runtime by up to three orders of magnitude when compared to diffusion synthetic acceleration.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Deep HST/STIS Visible-Light Imaging of Debris Systems Around Solar Analog Hosts
We present new Hubble Space Telescope observations of three a priori known starlight-scattering circumstellar debris systems (CDSs) viewed at intermediate inclinations around nearby close-solar analog stars: HD 207129, HD202628, and HD 202917. Each of these CDSs possesses ring-like components that are more massive analogs of our solar systems Edgeworth Kuiper Belt. These systems were chosen for follow-up observations to provide imaging with higher fidelity and better sensitivity for the sparse sample of solar-analog CDSs that range over two decades in systemic ages, with HD 202628 and HD 207129 (both approx. 2.3 Gyr) currently the oldest CDSs imaged in visible or near-IR light. These deep (10-14 ks) observations, made with six-roll point-spread-function template visible-light coronagraphy using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, were designed to better reveal their angularly large debris rings of diffuse low surface brightness, and for all targets probe their exo-ring environments for starlight-scattering materials that present observational challenges for current ground-based facilities and instruments. Contemporaneously also observing with a narrower occulter position, these observations additionally probe the CDS endo-ring environments that are seen to be relatively devoid of scatterers. We discuss the morphological, geometrical, and photometric properties of these CDSs also in the context of other CDSs hosted by FGK stars that we have previously imaged as a homogeneously observed ensemble. From this combined sample we report a general decay in quiescent-disk F disk /F star optical brightness approx. t( exp.-0.8), similar to what is seen at thermal IR wavelengths, and CDSs with a significant diversity in scattering phase asymmetries, and spatial distributions of their starlight-scattering grains.
starlight-scattering circumstellar debris systems ↗
PARTICLE SCATTERING OFF OF RIGHT-HANDED DISPERSIVE WAVES
Resonant scattering of fast particles off low frequency plasma waves is a major process determining transport characteristics of energetic particles in the heliosphere and contributing to their acceleration. Usually, only Alfvén waves are considered for this process, although dispersive waves are also present throughout the heliosphere. We investigate resonant interaction of energetic electrons with dispersive, right-handed waves. For the interaction of particles and a single wave a variable transformation into the rest frame of the wave can be performed. Here, well-established analytic models derived in the framework of magnetostatic quasi-linear theory can be used as a reference to validate simulation results. However, this approach fails as soon as several dispersive waves are involved. Based on analytic solutions modeling the scattering amplitude in the magnetostatic limit, we present an approach to modify these equations for use in the plasma frame. Thereby we aim at a description of particle scattering in the presence of several waves. A particle-in-cell code is employed to study wave–particle scattering on a micro-physically correct level and to test the modified model equations. We investigate the interactions of electrons at different energies (from 1 keV to 1 MeV) and right-handed waves with various amplitudes. Differences between model and simulation arise in the case of high amplitudes or several waves. Analyzing the trajectories of single particles we find no microscopic diffusion in the case of a single plasma wave, although a broadening of the particle distribution can be observed.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
High resolution ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic correlations in La 0.7 Ca 0.3 MnO 3
La 0.7 Ca 0.3 MnO 3 (LCMO30) is a perovskite manganite with a phase transition (T C = 238 K) between a paramagnetic insulator and a ferromagnetic metal. We use single-crystal, inelastic neutron scattering to refine previous work on the low energy (ℏω < 10 meV) magnetic excitations. At 300 K the spectrum consists of a diffusive ferromagnetic component at the pseudo-cubic Brillouin zone center coexisting with a quasielastic excitation located at the pseudo-cubic Brillouin zone edge. Both components are anti-correlated with ferromagnetic long-range order, showing weakened intensity at 215 K in the ferromagnetic phase. Polarized neutron scattering shows both features to be purely magnetic in origin. Furthermore, this indicates the simultaneous presence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic correlations (located, respectively, at the zone center and zone edge) in a three-dimensional perovskite, while this coexistence had been previously observed only in a bilayer compound.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Studies of dust grain properties in infrared reflection nebulae
A model has been developed for reflection nebulae around luminous IR sources embedded in dense dust clouds. The shape of the IR spectrum is shown to be the result of a combination of the scattering properties of the dust, the spectrum of the illuminating source, and foreground extinction, while geometry plays a minor role. Comparison of the model results with IR observations of the reflection nebula surrounding OMC-2/IRS 1 shows that either a grain size distribution like that found in the diffuse ISM, or consisting of larger grains, can explain the observed shape of the spectrum. However, the absolute intensity level of the scattered light, as well as the observed polarization, requires large grains. By adding water-ice mantles to the silicate and graphite cores, the 3.08 micron ice-band feature observed in the spectra of several IR reflection nebulae has been modeled. It is shown that this ice band arises naturally in optically thick reflection nebulae containing ice-coated grains.
Pendleton, Y. J.↗
Hindered segmental dynamics in associative protein hydrogels studied by neutron spin-echo spectroscopy
Transient binding between associating macromolecules can cause qualitative changes to chain dynamics, including modes of conformational relaxation and diffusion, through tethering effects imparted by long-range connectivity. Here, in this work, the role of binding on short-time segmental dynamics in associative polymer gels is investigated by neutron spin-echo (NSE) measurements on a class of model artificial coiled-coil proteins with a systematically varied architecture, probing timescales of 0.1–130 ns, and length scales close to the molecular radius of gyration. The results illustrate effects of transient cross-linking on chain dynamics on different timescales, manifested in changes in segmental relaxation behavior with variations in strand length, chain concentration, and sticker distribution (endblock- vs midblock-functionalized). In all gels, a short-time cooperative diffusion mode is seen over all wave vectors, analogous to a semidilute solution, with no transitions seen at any known structural length scale. However, the diffusion coefficients are found to decrease with increasing junction density across all gels, with the strand length and number of stickers per chain in each gel appearing to play a relatively minor role. The slowing of cooperative diffusion with junction density contrasts with classical predictions of a greater restoring force for fluctuation dissipation due to the increased elasticity, suggesting additional effects of the coiled-coil junctions such as an enhancement in local viscosity that slows dynamics. Notably, the relaxation rates for all gels can be rescaled by the interjunction spacing inferred from small-angle neutron scattering, where they collapse onto a master curve suggestive of self-similar dynamics even in networks with different strand lengths and chain architectures. On long timescales (but shorter than the junction exchange time), a slowing of network relaxation is observed, resulting in a nondecaying plateau in the spin-echo amplitude attributed to a freezing of chain dynamics due to tethering. A characteristic length scale corresponding to the extent of dynamic fluctuations is estimated for each gel, which appears to be smaller than the interjunction spacing but similar to the correlation blob size of the overlapping strands. The results indicate an important role of transient binding on molecular-scale dynamics in associative polymer gels, even on timescales shorter than the junction exchange time, in addition to its effects on long-range self-diffusion previously observed.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Hole effective masses and subband splitting in type-II superlattice infrared detectors
We explore band structure effects to help determine the suitability of n-type type-II superlattice (T2SL) absorbers for infrared detectors. It is often assumed that the exceedingly large growth-direction band-edge curvature hole effective mass in n-type long wavelength infrared (LWIR) T2SL would lead to low hole mobility and therefore low detector collection quantum efficiency. We computed the thermally averaged conductivity effective mass and show that the LWIR T2SL hole conductivity effective mass along the growth direction can be orders of magnitude smaller than the corresponding band-edge effective mass. LWIR InAs/GaSb T2SL can have significantly smaller growth-direction hole conductivity effective mass than its InAs/InAsSb counterpart. For the InAs/InAsSb T2SL, higher Sb fraction is more favorable for hole transport. Achieving long hole diffusion length becomes progressively more difficult for the InAs/InAsSb T2SL as the cutoff wavelength increases, since its growth-direction hole conductivity effective mass increases significantly with decreasing band gap. However, this is mitigated by the fact that the splitting between the top valence subbands also increases with the cutoff wavelength, leading to reduced inter-subband scattering and increased relaxation time.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗