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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

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DOE OSTI2020

Basic factors for acquiring, correcting, and interpreting probe current-voltage characteristic in moderate-collisional plasma for determining electron energy distribution

Methods for inferring the electron distribution function (EDF) from a probe current–voltage trace are reviewed for moderate-collisional plasma. The explicit accounting of particle collisions, modeling sheath depletion, and electron refilling processes are rarely performed when analyzing probe measurements, yet they are critical for regime validity, EDF-profile accuracy, and space potential quantification precision. Furthermore, the advantages, limitations, and utilization of large-area wall probes in moderate-collisional plasma, capable of highly resolved indications of energetic electrons in plasma, are outlined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Nonlinear global gyrokinetic delta- f turbulence simulations in a quasi-axisymmetric stellarator

We use the global gyrokinetic stellarator code XGC-S to look at turbulence physics in geometry of the proposed quasi-axisymmetric stellarator, QUASAR. In this article, the XGC-S code is first verified for nonlinear simulations of ion temperature gradient-driven turbulence by a successful benchmark with the established nonlinear tokamak code XGC1 in a CYCLONE-like tokamak case. We then apply the XGC-S code to QUASAR for nonlinear turbulence physics. We find that the highly poloidally localized linear mode gives way to a more evenly distributed nonlinear turbulent structure. Furthermore, the radial extent of the mode increases and occupies a large fraction of the volume, despite the initially localized temperature profile, as the profiles relax.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Direct imaging of plasma waves using ultrafast electron microscopy

A femtosecond plasma imaging modality based on a new development of ultrafast electron microscope is introduced. We investigated the laser-induced formation of high-temperature electron microplasmas and their subsequent non-equilibrium evolution. Based on a straightforward field imaging principle, we directly retrieve detailed information about the plasma dynamics, including plasma wave structures, particle densities, and temperatures. We discover that directly subjected to a strong magnetic field, the photo-generated microplasmas manifest in novel transient cyclotron echoes and form new wave states across a broad range of field strengths and different laser fluences. Intriguingly, the transient cyclotron waves morph into a higher frequency upper-hybrid wave mode with the dephasing of local cyclotron dynamics. The quantitative real-space characterizations of the non-equilibrium plasma systems demonstrate the feasibilities of a new microscope system in studying the plasma dynamics or transient electric fields with high spatiotemporal resolutions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2020

Laser-heated capillary discharge plasma waveguides for electron acceleration to 8 GeV

A plasma channel created by the combination of a capillary discharge and inverse Bremsstrahlung laser heating enabled the generation of electron bunches with energy up to 7.8 GeV in a laser-driven plasma accelerator. The capillary discharge created an initial plasma channel and was used to tune the plasma temperature, which optimized laser heating. Although optimized colder initial plasma temperatures reduced the ionization degree, subsequent ionization from the heater pulse created a fully ionized plasma on-axis. The heater pulse duration was chosen to be longer than the hydrodynamic timescale of ≈ 1 ns, such that later temporal slices were more efficiently guided by the channel created by the front of the pulse. Here, simulations are presented which show that this thermal self-guiding of the heater pulse enabled channel formation over 20 cm. The post-heated channel had lower on-axis density and increased focusing strength compared to relying on the discharge alone, which allowed for guiding of relativistically intense laser pulses with a peak power of 0.85 PW and wakefield acceleration over 15 diffraction lengths. Electrons were injected into the wake in multiple buckets and times, leading to several electron bunches with different peak energies. To create single electron bunches with low energy spread, experiments using localized ionization injection inside a capillary discharge waveguide were performed. A single injected bunch with energy 1.6 GeV, charge 38 pC, divergence 1 mrad, and relative energy spread below 2% full-width half-maximum was produced in a 3.3 cm-long capillary discharge waveguide. This development shows promise for mitigation of energy spread and future high efficiency staged acceleration experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Fluid and gyrokinetic turbulence in open field-line, helical plasmas

Two-fluid Braginskii codes have simulated open-field line turbulence for over a decade, and only recently, it has become possible to study these systems with continuum gyrokinetic codes. This work presents a first-of-its-kind comparison between fluid and (long-wavelength) gyrokinetic models in open field-lines, using the GDB and Gkeyll codes to simulate interchange turbulence in the Helimak device at the University of Texas [T. N. Bernard et al., Phys. Plasmas 26, 042301 (2019)]. Partial agreement is attained in a number of diagnostic channels when the GDB sources and sheath boundary conditions (BCs) are selected carefully, especially the heat-flux BCs that can drastically alter the temperature. The radial profile of the fluctuation levels is qualitatively similar and quantitatively comparable on the low-field side, although statistics such as moments of the probability density function and the high-frequency spectrum show greater differences. This comparison indicates areas for future improvement in both simulations, such as sheath BCs, and improvements in GDB like particle conservation and spatially varying thermal conductivity, in order to achieve better fluid-gyrokinetic agreement and increase fidelity when simulating experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Physics of E × B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies

This paper provides perspectives on recent progress in understanding the physics of devices in which the external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the discharge current. This configuration generates a strong electric field that acts to accelerate ions. The many applications of this set up include generation of thrust for spacecraft propulsion and separation of species in plasma mass separation devices. These “E × B” plasmas are subject to plasma–wall interaction effects and to various micro- and macroinstabilities. In many devices we also observe the emergence of anomalous transport. This perspective presents the current understanding of the physics of these phenomena and state-of-the-art computational results, identifies critical questions, and suggests directions for future research.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Laser-heated capillary discharge waveguides as tunable structures for laser-plasma acceleration

Laser-heated capillary discharge waveguides are novel, low plasma density guiding structures able to guide intense laser pulses over many diffraction lengths and have recently enabled the acceleration of electrons to 7.8 GeV by using a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). These devices represent an improvement over conventional capillary discharge waveguides, as the channel matched spot size and plasma density can be tuned independently of the capillary radius. This has allowed the guiding of petawatt-scale pulses focused to small spot sizes within large diameter capillaries, preventing laser damage of the capillary structure. High performance channel-guided LPAs require control of matched spot size and density, which experiments and simulations reported here show can be tuned over a wide range via initial discharge and laser parameters. In this paper, measurements of the matched spot size and plasma density in laser-heated capillary discharges are presented, which are found to be in excellent agreement with simulations performed using the MHD code MARPLE. Strategies for optimizing accelerator performance are identified based on these results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Generalized slab universal instability and its appearance in pair plasma

In this work, a generalized linear dispersion relation of electromagnetic slab universal modes is derived, taking into account arbitrary ion charge state, electron finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects, and Debye shielding effects. As a consequence, it provides more accurate predictions and is applicable to a wider range of plasmas. We find that electron FLR effects have a weakly stabilizing effect on the slab universal instability in electron–ion plasma, while Debye shielding strongly stabilizes this instability when λ D approaches ρ i (λ D is the Debye length and ρi is the ion gyroradius). In particular, we examine the stability criterion for this instability in electron–positron pair plasmas and find that the instability persists in this simplest plasma system as long as the pair plasma number density exceeds the critical value n c = B 2 /(8πm e c 2 ).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Laser propagation in a subcritical foam: Subgrid model

Here, we present a subgrid model for laser propagation in a subcritical foam. Our model describes the expansion of laser-irradiated foam elements that are below the resolution of the simulation grid and predicts the plasma conditions that result from burning down the foam. Our model can be included as a module within a larger multiphysics code, and we have implemented it within the code pF3D, which is used for simulating a laser-plasma interaction. The model predicts a reduced propagation velocity for a laser through a subcritical foam compared to simulating that foam as a homogeneous gas. This is attributed to the laser energy that goes into burning down the foam microstructure. We compare our model against experimental data by simulating a 2 mg/cc SiO 2 foam shot performed at the Janus laser facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. pF3D simulations with the foam model predict hot ion temperatures. This leads to a reduction in the level of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), bringing the simulated level of SBS into agreement with the data. Intensity fluctuations at the foam front due to laser speckles and refraction result in ion temperature fluctuations when the foam burns down. These drive long-lived electron density fluctuations on scales that are large compared to the pore size.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Evidence for electron energization accompanying spontaneous formation of ion acceleration regions in expanding plasmas

We report experiments conducted in an expanding argon plasma generated in the inductive mode of a helicon source in the Hot hELIcon eXperiment–Large Experiment on Instabilities and Anisotropies facility. As the neutral gas pressure increases, the supersonic ion acceleration weakens. Increasing neutral pressure also alters the radial profile of electron temperature, density, and plasma potential upstream of the plasma expansion region. Langmuir probe measurements of the electron energy probability function (EEPF) show that heating of electrons at the plasma edge by RF fields diminishes with increasing gas pressure, yielding a plasma with a centrally peaked electron temperature, and flat potential profiles at higher neutral pressures. For neutral pressures at which ion acceleration regions develop in the expanding plasma plume, EEPFs reveal electrons with two temperature components.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2021

Evolution of the self-injection process in long wavelength infrared laser driven LWFA

In this work, long wavelength infrared laser-driven plasma wakefield accelerators are investigated in the self-modulated laser wakefield acceleration (SM-LWFA) and blowout regimes using 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The simulation results show that in the SM-LWFA regime, self-injection arises with wave breaking, whereas in the blowout regime, self-injection is not observed under the simulation conditions. The wave breaking process in the SM-LWFA regime occurs at a field strength that is significantly below the 1D wave-breaking threshold. This process intensifies at higher laser power and plasma density and is suppressed at low plasma densities (≤1×10 17 cm –3 here). The produced electrons show spatial modulations with a period matching that of the laser wavelength, which is a clear signature of direct laser acceleration.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Creation of large temperature anisotropies in a laboratory plasma

Ion temperature anisotropy in an expanding magnetized plasma is investigated using laser induced fluorescence. Parallel and perpendicular ion velocity distribution functions (IVDFs) were measured simultaneously with high spatial resolution in the expanding plasma. Large ion temperature anisotropies (T ⊥i /T ∥i ~ 10) are observed in a conical region at the periphery of the expanding plasma plume. A simple 2D Boris stepper model that incorporates the measured electric field structure is able to reproduce the gross features of the measured perpendicular IVDFs. Here, a Nyquist stability analysis of the measured IVDFs suggests that multiple instabilities with k ⊥ρi ~ 1 and k ||ρi ~ 0.2 are likely to be excited in these plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Comparison of 1D and 2D particle-in-cell simulations for DC magnetron sputtering discharges

One-dimensional and two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC)/Monte Carlo collision simulations are performed for a balanced direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) discharge. The plasma parameters obtained by both simulations above the target racetrack share similar features and magnitudes under similar discharge intensities, i.e., similar local discharge current densities. The commonly observed high-energy tail of electron energy distribution in DCMS discharges is reproduced in both simulations. Additionally, the accuracy and applicability of using onedimensional simulations to qualitatively investigate the characteristics of balanced DCMS discharge are confirmed. In terms of capturing the key physical mechanisms in DCMS, one-dimensional PIC simulation is an efficient method, which could largely alleviate the computational expense and preserve the physical fidelity of modeling results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2021

Laser-driven plasma sources of intense, ultrafast, and coherent radiation

High-power lasers can deliver extreme light intensities, but avoiding damage in optical components requires large beam sizes, hindering further advances. The use of plasma as a medium for generating and manipulating light avoids the damage thresholds of solid materials and can support extraordinarily bright radiation. In this work, we discuss here how parametric plasma amplification and relativistic high-order harmonic generation offer paths to the development of light sources with peak powers beyond the capabilities of solid-state optics.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Transition characteristics and electron kinetics in microhollow cathode discharges

We demonstrate the transition characteristics and electron kinetics of microdischarges in a microgap with a cathode having microstructures using two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (2d3v) simulations. It is found that the microdischarge is inside the hollow cavity at lower pressures, forming microhollow cathode discharges (MHCDs), while the dominant discharge moves outside the cavity at higher pressures, locating above the cathode rectangular protrusion tip. The spatial distributions of the microdischarge parameters (e.g., electric potential and electron density) are presented by capturing the transition characteristics. The electron kinetics of the microdischarges are examined based on the moment analysis of the electron Boltzmann equation. The collisional and non-collisional components of the electron power absorption are decomposed, which were seldomly investigated for microdischarges previously. The results provide fundamental insights into MHCD formation with a structured electrode at varying pressure conditions, which could be beneficial for the design and fabrication of microplasma devices in practical applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2021

Suppression of power losses during laser pulse propagation in underdense plasma slab

For current state-of-the-art terawatt lasers, the primary laser scattering mechanisms in plasma include Forward Raman Scattering (FRS), excitation of plasma waves, and the self-modulational instability (SMI). Using 2D PIC simulations, we demonstrate the dominance of the FRS in the regime with medium-to-low density plasma and non-relativistic laser fields. However, the use of multi-colored lasers with frequency detuning exceeding the plasma frequency, Δω > ω pe , suppresses the FRS. Finally, the laser power can then be transmitted efficiently.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2021

Statistical analysis of non-Maxwellian electron distribution functions measured with angularly resolved Thomson scattering

Angularly resolved Thomson scattering is a novel extension of Thomson scattering, enabling the measurement of the electron velocity distribution function over many orders of magnitude. Here, details of the theoretical basis of the technique and the instrument designed for this measurement are described. Angularly resolved Thomson-scattering data from several experiments are shown with descriptions of the corresponding distribution functions. A reduced model describing the distribution function is given and used to perform a Monte Carlo analysis of the uncertainty in the measurements. The electron density and temperature were determined to a precision of 12% and 21%, respectively, on average, while all other parameters defining the distribution function were generally determined to better than 20%. It was found that these uncertainties were primarily due to limited signal to noise and instrumental effects. Furthermore, measurements with this level of precision were sufficient to distinguish between Maxwellian and non-Maxwellian distribution functions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Dispersion and the speed-limited particle-in-cell algorithm

This paper discusses temporally continuous and discrete forms of the speed-limited particle-in-cell (SLPIC) method first treated by Werner et al. [Phys. Plasmas 25, 123512 (2018)]. The dispersion relation for a 1D1V electrostatic plasma whose fast particles are speed-limited is derived and analyzed. By examining the normal modes of this dispersion relation, we show that the imposed speed-limiting substantially reduces the frequency of fast electron plasma oscillations while preserving the correct physics of lower-frequency plasma dynamics (e.g. ion acoustic wave dispersion and damping). We then demonstrate how the timestep constraints of conventional electrostatic particle-in-cell methods are relaxed by the speed-limiting approach, thus enabling larger timesteps and faster simulations. Here, these results indicate that the SLPIC method is a fast, accurate, and powerful technique for modeling plasmas wherein electron kinetic behavior is nontrivial (such that a fluid/Boltzmann representation for electrons is inadequate) but evolution is on ion timescales.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗