Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “LONGITUDINAL WAVE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Excitation of kinetic Alfven waves by resonant mode conversion and longitudinal heating of magnetized plasmas

The excitation of the kinetic Alfven wave by resonant mode conversion and longitudinal heating of the plasma by the kinetic Alfven wave were demonstrated on the basis of a macroscale particle simulation. The longitudinal electron current was shown to be cancelled by the ions. The kinetic Alfven wave produced an ordered motion of the plasma particles in the wave propagation direction. The electrons were pushed forward along the ambient magnetic field by absorbing the kinetic Alfven wave through the Landau resonance.

Tanaka, Motohiko↗

The longitudinal movement of stratospheric ozone waves as determined by satellite

The Nimbus III Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer sensor provides several thousand total ozone data points over the entire globe each day. A time-longitudinal distribution of total ozone for 60 deg S is shown. A selection of this latitude makes it possible to compare the data with radiance values computed by Fritz (1970). Hemispheric differences in longitudinal progression during June 1969 are discussed together with group- and phase-velocities of ozone 'waves.'

Reiter, E. R.↗

Magnetic flux tubes as sources of wave generation

The structure of solar, and very likely stellar, surface magnetic fields is highly inhomogeneous: at the photospheric level, the fields are locally strong, and show concentration into a flux tube structure. In this case, the wave energy generated in stellar convection zones may be largely carried away by flux tube waves, which can then become important sources for the heating of the outer atmospheric layers. Such flux tube wave generation may help to explain the UV and X-ray fluxes observed by the IUE and Einstein observatories. The generation of longitudinal tube waves in magnetic flux tubes embedded in an otherwise magnetic field-free, turbulent, and stratified medium was considered. It is shown that compressible tube waves are generated by dipole emission and that the generation efficiency is a strong function of the magnetic field strength. Energy flux calculations are presented for different magnetic flux tubes, and show how the results depend on the magnetic field strength and the characteristics of the convective turbulence.

Musielak, Z. E.↗

On Wave Processes in the Solar Atmosphere

This grant was awarded by NASA/MSFC to The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) to investigate the physical processes responsible for heating and wind acceleration in the solar atmosphere, and to construct theoretical, self-consistent and time-dependent solar wind models based on the momentum deposition by finite amplitude and nonlinear Alfven waves. In summary, there are three main goals of the proposed research: (1) Calculate the wave energy spectra and wave energy fluxes carried by magnetic non- magnetic waves. (2) Find out which mechanism dominates in supplying the wave energy to different parts of the solar atmosphere. (3) Use the results obtained in (1) and (2) to construct theoretical, self-consistent and time- dependent models of the solar wind. We have completed the first goal by calculating the amount of non-radiative energy generated in the solar convection zone as acoustic waves and as magnetic tube waves. To calculate the amount of wave energy carried by acoustic waves, we have used the Lighthill-Stein theory for sound generation modified by Musielak, Rosner, Stein & Ulmschneider (1994). The acoustic wave energy fluxes for stars located in different regions of the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram have also been computed. The wave energy fluxes carried by longitudinal and transverse waves along magnetic flux tubes have been calculated by using both analytical and numerical methods. Our analytical approach is based a theory developed by Musielak, Rosner & Ulmschnelder and Musielak, Rosner, Gall & Ulmschneider, which allows computing the wave energy fluxes for linear tube waves. A numerical approach has been developed by Huang, Musielak & Ulmschneider and Ulmschneider & Musielak to compute the energy fluxes for nonlinear tube waves. Both methods have been used to calculate the wave energy fluxes for stars located in different regions of the HR diagram (Musielak, Rosner & Ulmschneider 1998; Ulmschneider, Musielak & Fawzy 1998). Having obtained the wave energy fluxes for acoustic and magnetic tube waves, we have investigated the behavior of these waves in the solar and stellar atmospheres. The results of our extensive studies have been published in many papers and presented at numerous scientific meetings. In these studies we have investigated different aspects of propagation of acoustic and magnetic waves, the efficiency of energy transfer along magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere, and behavior of Alfven waves in stgeady and expanding solar and stellar atmospheres. Recently, we have used some of these results to construct first purely theoretical, two component and time-dependent models of solar and stellar chromospheres. Finally, to address the third goal, we have constructed first fully theoretical, self-consistent and time dependent wind models based on the momentum deposition by non-linear Alfven waves. The full set of single-fluid MHD equations with the background flow has been solved by using a modified version of the ZEUS MHD code. The constructed wind models are radially symmetric with the magnetic field decreasing radially and the initial outflow is described by the standard Parker wind solution. In contrast to previous studies, no assumptions regarding wave linearity, wave damping, and wave-flow interaction are made; the models thus naturally account for the backreaction of the wind on the waves as well as for the nonlinear interaction between different types of MHD waves. The models have been used to explain the origin of fast speed streams in solar coronal holes. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that the momentum deposition by Alfven waves in the solar wind can be sufficient to explain the origin of fast stream components of the solar wind. The range of wave amplitudes required to obtain the desired results seems to be in good agreement with recent observations.

Musielak, Z. E.↗

Effect of a hypergravity environment on cortical bone elasticity in rats

There is considerable interest in determining whether hypergravity can be used as a countermeasure for microgravity-induced bone loss. This study was conducted on 20 immature male rats in order to investigate possible elastic adaptations of cortical bone in rapidly growing rats exposed to chronic hypergravity. Ten rats were continuously centrifuged for 14 days at twice gravitational acceleration (2G) on a 12.75 foot radius centrifuge and 10 rats concurrently acted as stationary controls. The effect of hypergravity on the elastic characteristics of cortical bone was quantified via ultrasonic wave propagation. Propagation velocities of longitudinal and shear waves were measured through cubic cortical specimens from the posterior femoral diaphyses. Density was measured with an Archimedes' technique. The orthotropic elastic properties were calculated and used to compare the difference between groups. Results showed an average increase in both the Young's moduli (Eii, + 2.2%) and shear moduli (Gij, + 4.3%) with a statistically significant increase only in G12 (+15.7%, P = 0.046). The ratio of transverse to axial strain (Poisson's ratio, nuij) demonstrated statistically significant changes in nu12, nu21, nu13, and nu31 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that although slight elastic changes were incurred via a hypergravity environment, the treatment level or duration in this study do not dramatically perturb the normal elastic behavior of cortical bone and that dramatic biomechanical differences noted in previous studies were due more to structural changes than material elasticity changes. Hypergravity applied post facto to a microgravity environment would offer further illucidation of this method as treatment for a degenerative spaceflight experience.

Non-NASA Center↗

Ion effects on ionospheric electron resonance phenomena

Ion effects are often observed on topside-sounder stimulated electron plasma wave phenomena. A commonly observed effect is a spur, appearing after a time delay corresponding to the proton gyro period, attached to the low frequency side of an electron plasma resonance. The spurs are often observed on the resonances at the electron plasma frequency f sub N, the harmonics nf sub H of the electron cyclotron frequency f sub H (n = 2, 3, 4, ...), and occasionally on the upper hybrid frequency. The spurs on the f sub N resonance are usually quite small unless the f sub N resonance overlaps with an nf sub H resonance; very large spurs are observed during such overlap conditions. Proton spurs are only observed on the nf sub H resonances when the electron plasma waves associated with these resonances are susceptible to the Harris instability and when the electromagnetic z wave can be initiated by the sounderpulse. This instability is the result of a sounder stimulated anisotropic electron velocity distribution. The observations suggest that energy is fed into the nf sub H longitudinal plasma wave from the z wave via wave-mode coupling. The magnitude of the nf sub H spurs for large n is much greater than for small n.

Benson, R. F.↗

Ion effects on ionospheric electron resonance phenomena

Ion effects are often observed on topside-sounder-stimulated electron plasma wave phenomena and the present study is concerned with the spur effect relative to electron plasma resonance. A spur appears after a time delay corresponding to the proton gyroperiod and is observed mainly on the resonances at the electron plasma frequency and the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency. Proton spurs occur at the harmonic resonances only, when the electron plasma waves associated with these resonances are susceptible to the Harris instability and when the electromagnetic wave can be initiated by the sounder pulse. This instability results from a sounder-stimulated anisotropic electron velocity distribution. The observations suggest that energy is fed into the harmonics of the longitudinal plasma wave from the electromagnetic wave through wave-mode coupling. The observations were made during eight passes of the Alouette-2 satellite.

Benson, R. F.↗

On the Origin and Evolution of Stellar Chromospheres, Coronae and Winds

This grant was awarded by NASA to The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) to construct state-of-the-art, theoretical, two-component, chromospheric models for single stars of different spectral types and different evolutionary status. In our proposal, we suggested to use these models to predict the level of the "basal flux", the observed range of variation of chromospheric activity for a given spectral type, and the decrease of this activity with stellar age. In addition, for red giants and supergiants, we also proposed to construct self-consistent, purely theoretical wind models, and used these models to investigate the origin of "dividing lines" in the H-R diagram. In the following, we describe our completed work. We have accomplished the first main goal of our proposal by constructing first purely theoretical, time-dependent and two-component models of stellar chromospheres.1 The models require specifying only three basic stellar parameters, namely, the effective temperature, gravity and rotation rate, and they take into account non-magnetic and magnetic regions in stellar chromospheres. The non-magnetic regions are heated by acoustic waves generated by the turbulent convection in the stellar subphotospheric layers. The magnetic regions are identified with magnetic flux tubes uniformly distributed over the entire stellar surface and they are heated by longitudinal tube waves generated by turbulent motions in the subphotospheric and photospheric layers. The coverage of stellar surface by magnetic regions (the so-called filling factor) is estimated for a given rotation rate from an observational relationship. The constructed models are time-dependent and are based on the energy balance between the amount of mechanical energy supplied by waves and radiative losses in strong Ca II and Mg II emission lines. To calculate the amount of wave energy in the non-magnetic regions, we have used the Lighthill-Stein theory for sound generation.

Musielak, Z. E.↗

Magnetosheath electrostatic turbulence

The spectrum of electrostatic wave turbulence in the terrestrial magnetosheath is investigated. Measurements of electric and magnetic field fluctuations in the range 20 Hz to 200 kHz were made by two 16-channel spectrum analyzers on board the IMP 6 satellite. It is found that the electrostatic wave spectra generally consist of three components, which may occur in any combination: a low frequency component which shows a decrease in spectral density with increasing frequency and which is associated with the bow shock wave, a high frequency component identified with electron plasma oscillations and an intermediate frequency component. The minimum wavelength of electrostatic waves is found to be about 0.1 km, with intensity of from 0.01 to 1.0 mV/m. Electric field polarization has been found to be parallel to the local magnetic field direction, implying the presence of longitudinal electrostatic wave modes, electron plasma oscillations and ion sound waves.

Rodriguez, P.↗

A theoretical formulation of wave-vortex interactions

A unified theoretical formulation for wave-vortex interaction, designated the '(omega, Pi) framework,' is presented. Based on the orthogonal decomposition of fluid dynamic interactions, the formulation can be used to study a variety of problems, including the interaction of a longitudinal (acoustic) wave and/or transverse (vortical) wave with a main vortex flow. Moreover, the formulation permits a unified treatment of wave-vortex interaction at various approximate levels, where the normal 'piston' process and tangential 'rubbing' process can be approximated dfferently.

Wu, J. Z.↗

Combined molecular and spin dynamics simulation of BCC iron with vacancy defects

Utilizing an atomistic computational model, which handles both translational and spin degrees of freedom, combined molecular and spin dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of vacancy defects on spin wave excitations in ferromagnetic iron. Fourier transforms of space- and time-displaced correlation functions yield the dynamic structure factor, providing characteristic frequencies and lifetimes of the spin wave modes. A comparison of the system with a 5% vacancy concentration with pure lattice data shows a decrease in frequency and a decrease in lifetime for all transverse spin wave excitations observed. In addition, the clearly defined transverse spin wave excitations are distorted with the introduction of vacancy defects, and we observe reduced excitation lifetimes due to increased magnon–magnon scattering. We observe further evidence of increased magnon–magnon scattering, as the peaks in the longitudinal spin wave spectrum become less distinct. Finally, similar impacts are observed in the vibrational subsystem, with a decrease in characteristic phonon frequency and flattening of lattice excitation signals due to vacancy defects.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Attenuation in a shock tube due to unsteady-boundary-layer action

A method is presented for obtaining the attenuation of a shock wave in a shock tube due to the unsteady boundary layer along the shock-tube walls. It is assumed that the boundary layer is thin relative to the tube diameter and induces one-dimensional longitudinal pressure waves whose strength is proportional to the vertical velocity at the edge of the boundary layer. The contributions of the various regions in a shock tube to shock attenuation are indicated. The method is shown to be in reasonably good agreement with existing experimental data.

Mirels, Harold↗

Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interactions in compressible boundary layer flows

The weakly nonlinear interaction of oblique Tollmien-Schlichting waves and longitudinal vortices in compressible, high Reynolds number, boundary-layer flow over a flat plate is considered for all ranges of the Mach number. The interaction equations comprise of equations for the vortex which is indirectly forced by the waves via a boundary condition, whereas a vortex term appears in the amplitude equation for the wave pressure. The downstream solution properties of interaction equations are found to depend on the sign of an interaction coefficient. Compressibility is found to have a significant effect on the interaction properties; principally through its impact on the waves and their governing mechanism, the triple-deck structure. It is found that, in general, the flow quantities will grow slowly with increasing downstream co-ordinate; i.e. in general, solutions do not terminate in abrupt, finite-distance 'break-ups'.

Blackaby, Nicholas D.↗

The generation of mesospheric planetary waves by zonally asymmetric gravity wave breaking

A semispectral numerical model is used to study the influence of a longitudinally varying gravity wave source on the general circulation of the winter mesosphere. The gravity wave source consists of stationary (topographic) waves with a longitudinally varying amplitude distribution that is approximated by the first two terms in a zonal harmonic expansion (i.e., the zonal mean plus planetary wavenumber 1). The computed zonal mean circulation in the mesosphere is nearly the same as that computed for a zonally symmetric gravity wave source of equal amplitude. However, the asymmetric source excites a strong stationary wavenumber 1 disturbance near the level of gravity wave breaking (equal to about 71 km). This disturbance has a zonal wind maximum about 1/4-cycle upstream from the gravity wave drag maximum. It is concluded that vertically propagating gravity waves produced in the troposphere are a possible source for mesospheric planetary waves.

Holton, J. R.↗

Standing waves observed at the dayside magnetopause

Energetic (greater than 24 keV) ion distributions are used in remotely sounding an ion trapping boundary at the dayside magnetopause for two inbound crossings of ISEE-2 on days 347 and 312, 1977, at 0830 and 1100 LT. Applying single particle trajectory models to the observed temporal relationships between trapping boundary distance and orientation parameters, it is concluded that longitudinal standing waves occur on the boundary, having typical wavelengths of 1500-3000 km, amplitudes of 500 km, and periods of 200-400 sec. The standing wave nodes move along the node axis with velocities ranging from 1.5 to 6 km/sec. The data are found to be inconsistent with models of traveling waves moving tailward along the boundary.

Fahnenstiel, S. C.↗

Infrasound direction of arrival determination using a balloon-borne aeroseismometer

Free-floating balloons are an emerging platform for infrasound recording, but they cannot host arrays sufficiently wide for multi-sensor acoustic direction finding techniques. Because infrasound waves are longitudinal, the balloon motion in response to acoustic loading can be used to determine the signal azimuth. This technique, called “aeroseismometry,” permits sparse balloon-borne networks to geolocate acoustic sources. This is demonstrated by using an aeroseismometer on a stratospheric balloon to measure the direction of arrival of acoustic waves from successive ground chemical explosions. A geolocation algorithm adapted from hydroacoustics is then used to calculate the location of the explosions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗