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Results for “harmonic instability”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

A mechanism for plasma waves at the harmonics of the plasma frequency in the electron foreshock boundary

A bump-on-tail unstable reduced velocity distribution, constructed from data obtained at the upstream boundary of the electron foreshock by the GSFC electron spectrometer experiment on the ISEE-1 satellite, is used as the initial plasma state for a numerical integration of the 1D-Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations. The integration is carried through the growth of the instability, beyond its saturation, and well into the stabilized plasma regime. A power spectrum computed for the electric field of the stabilized plasma is dominated by a narrow peak at the Bohm-Gross frequency of the unstable field mode but also contains significant power at the harmonics of the Bohm-Gross frequency. The harmonic power is in sharp peaks which are split into closely spaced doublets. The fundamental peak at the Bohm-Gross frequency is split into a closely spaced triplet. The mechanism for excitation of the second harmonic is shown to be second order wave-wave coupling. Previously announced in STAR as N83-17315

Klimas, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Collsionless tearing instability in a non-Maxwellian neutral sheet - An integro-differential formulation

In the present investigation, a general integro-differential formalism is derived for the study of the collisionless tearing mode in a highly non-Maxwellian neutral sheet in which both electrons and ions are treated kinetically. The obtained formalism is applied to a specific non-Maxwellian distribution. The dispersion relation for the considered system is determined, taking into account the fundamental harmonic of the orbital frequency. It is found that the dispersion relation is dominated by the electrons. The results are presented in a number of graphs. The growth rates of non-Maxwellian distributions are generally much greater than the growth rate of the conventional isotropic tearing instability.

Chen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Simulation study of the role of ion kinetics in low-frequency wave train evolution

The evolution of uniform, parallel propagating, low-frequency (less than or approx. ion cyclotron) wave trains is followed with a one-dimensional hybrid numerical code with fluid electrons and particle ions. We show that moderate amplitude (delta B/B less than 1/2) wave trains give instabilities and saturated states which differ completely from pure fluid evolution. This is most clearly seen when beta greater than 1 and instability exists for wavenumbers both below and above the wavenumber of an inital, left-handed wave train or pump wave. For corresponding parameters a fluid theory gives only a narrow range of instability above the pump wavenumber where decay and beat instabilities can occur. in simulations wave energy inverse cascades to smaller wavenumbers and into a greater number of forward than backward going waves. In fluids energy by decay goes mostly to backward ones of smaller wavenumber, and energy by beat goes mostly to forward ones of larger wavenumber. Neither fluid instability explains simulation results. The instability is saturated by thermalizing ions and sometimes exciting small wavenumber electrostatic or acoustic modes. In contrast, saturation in fluids first occurs by generating the harmonics of the growing linear modes. Harmonic generation is mostly absent in simulations. Simulations are carried out to long times and mostly reach a limit beyond which no further significant evolution can occur. Application to Alfvenic fluctuations in the solar wind is discussed.

Vasquez, Bernard J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Direct Simulation of Evolution and Control of Three-Dimensional Instabilities in Attachment-Line Boundary Layers

The spatial evolution of three-dimensional disturbances in an attachment-line boundary layer is computed by direct numerical simulation of the unsteady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Disturbances are introduced into the boundary layer by harmonic sources that involve unsteady suction and blowing through the wall. Various harmonic- source generators are implemented on or near the attachment line, and the disturbance evolutions are compared. Previous two-dimensional simulation results and nonparallel theory are compared with the present results. The three-dimensional simulation results for disturbances with quasi-two-dimensional features indicate growth rates of only a few percent larger than pure two-dimensional results; however, the results are close enough to enable the use of the more computationally efficient, two-dimensional approach. However, true three-dimensional disturbances are more likely in practice and are more stable than two-dimensional disturbances. Disturbances generated off (but near) the attachment line spread both away from and toward the attachment line as they evolve. The evolution pattern is comparable to wave packets in at-plate boundary-layer flows. Suction stabilizes the quasi-two-dimensional attachment-line instabilities, and blowing destabilizes these instabilities; these results qualitatively agree with the theory. Furthermore, suction stabilizes the disturbances that develop off the attachment line. Clearly, disturbances that are generated near the attachment line can supply energy to attachment-line instabilities, but suction can be used to stabilize these instabilities.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Direct Simulation of Evolution and Control of Nonlinear Instabilities in Attachment-Line Boundary Layers

The unsteady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are used for the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of spatially evolving disturbances in a three-dimensional (3-D) attachment-line boundary layer. Two-dimensional (2-D) disturbances are introduced either by forcing at the in ow or by harmonic-source generators at the wall; 3-D disturbances are introduced by harmonic-source generators at the wall. The DNS results are in good agreement with both 2-D non-parallel theory (for small-amplitude disturbances) and weakly nonlinear theory (for finite-amplitude disturbances), which validates the two theories. The 2-D DNS results indicate that nonlinear disturbance growth occurs near branch II of the neutral stability curve; however, steady suction can be used to stabilize this disturbance growth. For 3-D instabilities that are generated o the attachment line, spreading both toward and away from the attachment line causes energy transfer to the attachment-line and downstream instabilities; suction stabilizes these instabilities. Furthermore, 3-D instabilities are more stable than 2-D or quasi-2-D instabilities.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Waves in space plasmas - The mirror trapping of hot auroral electrons

A brief review is given of the problem of precipitation of auroral electrons by electrostatic Bernstein waves. Since the magnetospheric loss cone is small, only moderately small intense levels of wave turbulence are required to remove any large anisotropy sources of free energy and to maintain a weakly anisotropic electron distribution on strong diffusion precipitation. The electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves are nonconvectively unstable for weak loss cone anisotropies and over a large range of parameters for both the hot and cold distributions. Since the instability is nonconvective, weak wave growth can be maintained independent of the flux level of the hot electrons, i.e., the instability does not have the stably trapped flux limit imposed by convective amplification. Recent plasma numerical simulations show that the nonlinear evolution of this instability involves both the pitch angle diffusion of the hot electrons and the heating of the cold electrons.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ion acceleration and abundance enhancements by electron beam instabilities in impulsive solar flares

We show that a nonrelativistic electron beam in a hydrogen-helium solar flare plasma will excite H(+) electromagnetic ion cyclotron, shear Alfven, and R-X waves, in addition to waves resulting from the two-stream instability. The H(+) electromagnetic ion cyclotron and shear Alfven waves are able to selectively accelerate ambient He-3 and Fe, respectively, to MeV energies through first harmonic gyroresonance, and thereby account for the large (He-3)/(He-4) and Fe/C ratios seen in the energetic particles from impulsive solar flares. In this model, separate heating and acceleration mechanisms for either He-3 or Fe are not required, and Fe acceleration is quite efficient since it does not need to occur by second harmonic gyroresonance. The combination of the other two unstable modes is able to accelerate ions to hundreds of MeV if the particles become trapped in an electrostatic potential well of a two-stream wave.

Miller, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Excitation of high-frequency electromagnetic waves by energetic electrons with a loss cone distribution in a field-aligned potential drop

The electron cyclotron maser instability (CMI) driven by momentum space anisotropy (df/dp (sub perpendicular) greater than 0) has been invoked to explain many aspects, such as the modes of propagation, harmonic emissions, and the source characteristics of the auroral kilometric radiation (AKR). Recent satellite observations of AKR sources indicate that the source regions are often imbedded within the auroral acceleration region characterized by the presence of a field-aligned potential drop. In this paper we investigate the excitation of the fundamental extraordinary mode radiation due to the accelerated electrons. The momentum space distribution of these energetic electrons is modeled by a realistic upward loss cone as modified by the presence of a parallel potential drop below the observation point. On the basis of linear growth rate calculations we present the emission characteristics, such as the frequency spectrum and the emission angular distribution as functions of the plasma parameters. We will discuss the implication of our results on the generation of the AKR from the edges of the auroral density cavities.

Fung, Shing F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Control-nonlinear-nonstationary structural response and radiation near a supersonic jet

This paper is on the control of nonlinear-nonstationary vibration of a frame-stringer structure resulting from high levels of excitation from a nearby supersonic jet exhaust. The structure exhibits periodic, chaotic, or random behaviors when forced by high-intensity sound from a supersonic jet exhaust with 'shock' loading superimposed on a broadband response. The time history of the pressure, showing the rotation and flapping of the shock structure in the jet column due to large-scale instabilities, indicates that the response is not only nonlinear but also nonstationary. The acoustic pressure radiated by the structure also contains shocks and the formation of harmonics with distance. Control of the structural response is achieved by actively forcing the structure with an actuator at the shock oscillation frequency whose amplitude is locked into a self-control cycle. Results show that the peak power level is reduced by a factor of 63, or 18 dB. As a result, new broadband components emerge with at least four harmonics. At accelerating and decelerating supersonic speeds, the exhaust from the jet induces higher transient loading on the nearby flexible structure due to the occurrence of multiple shock from the jet.

TRT-EXPERIMENTAL↗
NASA NTRS1994

Control-nonlinear-nonstationary structural response and radiation near a supersonic jet

This paper is on the control of nonlinear-nonstationary vibration of a frame-stringer structure resulting from high levels of excitaation from a nearby supersonic jet exhaust. The structure exhibits periodic, chaotic, or random behaviors when forced by high-intensity sound from a supersonic jet exhaust with shock loading superimposed on the broadband response. The time history of the pressure, showing the rotation and flapping of the shock structure in the jet column due to large-scale instabilities, indicates that the response is not only nonlinear but also nonstationary. The acoustic pressure radiated by the structure also contains shocks and the formation of harmonics with distance. Control of the structural response is achieved by actively forcing the structure with an actuator at the shock oscillation frequency whose amplitude is locked into a self-control cycle. Results show that the peak power level is reduced by a factor of 63, or 18 dB. As a result, new broadband components emerge with at least four harmonics. At accelerating and decelerating supersonic speeds, the exhaust from the jet induces higher transient loading on the nearby flexible structure due to the occurence of multiple shocks from the jet.

Maestrello, Lucio↗
NASA NTRS1992

Nonlinear development and secondary instability of large-amplitude Goertler vortices in hypersonic boundary layers

The weakly nonlinear development of large-amplitude Goertler vortices in a small neighborhood of the neutral stability position given by the linear theory is considered. It is shown that if the basic state and the wall curvature satisfy a certain condition, the Goertler vortices will grow until they become so large as to drive a mean flow correction as large as the basic state. Attention is then given to the further downstream evolution of these large-amplitude vortices, and it is shown that the vortices have a triple layer structure which consists of a region of vortex activity bounded by two transition layers over which the amplitude of the harmonic part of the vortex decays to zero exponentially. The positions of the two transition layers are found to be governed by a free boundary problem, which is solved for a number of curvature distribution cases. The secondary instability of the two transition layers is investigated with respect to traveling waves which are pi/2 out of phase in the spanwise direction with the steady Goertler vortices.

Fu, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Symbol synchronizer assembly instability study, part 2

Data processing to develop a third-order phase model and to translate all such processed data to the frequency realm for further analysis was described. The frequency study yields a long frequency modulation (FM) drift sinusoid (1600-sec period), an impressed secondary drift wave with a period of about 116 sec, and a set of even harmonics of twice the ramp period-the latter arising from, and used to modify, the phase detector model. The result is applied secondarily to estimate the strong-signal SSA phase detector response "out-of-lock." Finally, the main drift components are verified against all available data, and the result is used to estimate minimum lock conditions and the SSA drift effect under normal operating modes. The instability problem appears marginally resolvable if the acquisition technique is modified.

Bunce, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Cluster/Peace Electrons Velocity Distribution Function: Modeling the Strahl in the Solar Wind

We present a study of kinetic properties of the strahl electron velocity distribution functions (VDF's) in the solar wind. These are used to investigate the pitch-angle scattering and stability of the population to interactions with electromagnetic (whistler) fluctuations. The study is based on high time resolution data from the Cluster/PEACE electron spectrometer. Our study focuses on the mechanisms that control and regulate the pitch-angle and stability of strahl electrons in the solar wind; mechanisms that are not yet well understood. Various parameters are investigated such as the electron heat-flux and temperature anisotropy. The goal is to check whether the strahl electrons are constrained by some instability (e.g., the whistler instability), or are maintained by other types of processes. The electron heat-flux and temperature anisotropy are determined by fitting the VDF's to a spectral spherical harmonic model from which the moments are derived directly from the model coefficients.

Figueroa-Vinas, Adolfo↗
NASA NTRS2018

Observational Evidence for Langmuir Wave Collapse in the Source Region of a Solar Type III Radio Burst

High-time-resolution in situ wave observations show that Langmuir waves associated with solar type III radio bursts often occur as coherent localized one-dimensional magnetic-field-aligned wave packets with short durations of a few milliseconds and peak intensities well above the strong turbulence thresholds. In this paper, we report observations of a wave packet obtained by the time domain sampler of the STEREO WAVES experiment, which is unique in the sense that it is the most intense wave packet ever detected in association with a solar type III radio burst, with a peak intensity Et ∼ 107 mVm(sup-1). We show that this wave packet provides evidence for (1) oscillating two-stream instability (OTSI), (2) a collapsing soliton formed as a result of OTSI, (3) the formation of a soliton-caviton pair, and (4) excitation of second and third harmonic electromagnetic waves. We also show that the peak intensity and spatial width satisfy the threshold condition for this wave packet to be the collapsing Langmuir wave packet formed as a result of nucleation processes even when δn(sub b) > δn(sub p), where δn(sub b) and δn(sub p) are the levels of background and ponderomotive-force-induced density fluctuations, respectively. Thus, these observations provide unambiguous evidence for the spatial collapse of Langmuir waves in the source region of a type III radio burst, and the observed spectral evidence for OTSI and the ponderomotive-force-induced density cavity strongly suggest that OTSI is mostly likely responsible for the collapse of the observed wave packet.

Radio↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High Speed Data Investigation of an LOX/LNG Combustor Assisted by Non-linear Acoustic Simulations

During testing of a regenerative cooled liquid oxygen/liquid natural gas combustor large amplitude combustion instabilities were observed in half of the series conducted. These instabilities produced an unsteady pressure Root Mean Square (RMS) value greater than the chamber steady state pressure. Quick look investigations of the test data presented some standard indications of non-linear tangential instability such as a non-sinusoidal time series, and larger peaks than trough. Also observed in the data quick look were some atypical findings including a first harmonic amplitude larger than the fundamental, and numerous side bands on the fundamental and subsequent harmonics. A simplified model of the combustor was created using a commercially available finite element software. The first tangential acoustic mode was then simulated using a non-linear wave equation in conjunction with a time explicit discontinuous Gelarkin flow solver. Numerous simulations were evaluated providing valuable insight and reproducing the atypical findings in the data. Side bands were created through non-linear signal modulation like an AM radio. This happens due to the non-linear steepening and relaxing that occurs in large amplitude oscillations. The simulation was also able to reproduce a signal with a first harmonic amplitude larger than the fundamental. Investigating the pressure signal at multiple locations across the chamber head end revealed radial dependent frequency content. A literature review of the topic revealed corroboration of these effect in idealized geometries.

Combustion Stability↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High Speed Data Investigation of an LOX/LNG Combustor Assisted by Non-linear Acoustic Simulations

During testing of a regenerative cooled liquid oxygen/liquid natural gas combustor large amplitude combustion instabilities were observed in half of the series conducted. These instabilities produced an unsteady pressure Root Mean Square (RMS) value greater than the chamber steady state pressure. Quick look investigations of the test data presented some standard indications of non-linear tangential instability such as a non-sinusoidal time series, and larger peaks than trough. Also observed in the data quick look were some atypical findings including a first harmonic amplitude larger than the fundamental, and numerous side bands on the fundamental and subsequent harmonics. A simplified model of the combustor was created using a commercially available finite element software. The first tangential acoustic mode was then simulated using a non-linear wave equation in conjunction with a time explicit discontinuous Gelarkin flow solver. Numerous simulations were evaluated providing valuable insight and reproducing the atypical findings in the data. Side bands were created through non-linear signal modulation like an AM radio. This happens due to the non-linear steepening and relaxing that occurs in large amplitude oscillations. The simulation was also able to reproduce a signal with a first harmonic amplitude larger than the fundamental. Investigating the pressure signal at multiple locations across the chamber head end revealed radial dependent frequency content. A literature review of the topic revealed corroboration of these effect in idealized geometries.

Combustion Stability↗
NASA NTRS1989

The development of crossflow vortices on a 45 degree swept wing

Three-dimensional boundary-layer experiments are currently being conducted on a 45 deg swept wing in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel. Crossflow-dominated transition is produced via a model with contoured end liners to simulate infinite swept-wing flow. Fixed-wavelength stationary and traveling crossflow vortex are observed. The stationary vortex wavelengths vary with Reynolds number as predicted by linear-stability theory, but with observed wavelengths which are about 25 percent smaller than theoretically predicted. The frequencies of the most-amplified moving waves are in agreement with linear-stability theory; traveling waves at higher frequencies than predicted are also observed. These higher-frequency waves may be harmonics of the primary crossflow waves generated by a parametric resonance phenomena. Boundary-layer profiles measured at several spanwise locations show streamwise disturbance profiles characteristic of the crossflow instability. Near the transition location, severe distortions of the laminar boundary-layer profiles are observed. Mean-profile measurements are compared to theoretical predictions.

Mousseux, Marc C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Experiments on swept-wing boundary layers

Three-dimensional boundary-layer experiments are currently being conducted on a 45-deg swept wing in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel. Crossflow-dominated transition is produced via a model with contoured end liners to simulate infinite swept-wing flow. Fixed-wavelength stationary and traveling crossflow vortices are observed. The stationary vortex wavelengths vary with Reynolds number as predicted by linear-stability theory, but with observed wavelengths which are about 25 percent smaller than theoretically predicted. The frequencies of the most amplified moving waves are in agreement with linear stability theory; however, traveling waves at higher frequencies than predicted are also observed. These higher-frequency waves may be harmonics of the primary crossflow waves generated by a parametric resonance phenomena. Boundary-layer profiles measured at several spanwise locations show streamwise disturbance profiles characteristic of the crossflow instability.

Dagenhart, J. R.↗