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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Faraday rotation measurement method and apparatus

A method and device for measuring Faraday rotation of a received RF signal is described. A simultaneous orthogonal polarization receiver compensates for a 3 db loss due to splitting of a received signal into left circular and right circular polarization channels. The compensation is achieved by RF and modulation arraying utilizing a specific receiver array which also detects and measures Faraday rotation in the presence or absence of spin stabilization effects on a linear polarization vector. Either up-link or down-link measurement of Faraday rotation is possible. Specifically, the Faraday measurement apparatus utilized in conjunction with the specific receiver array provides a means for comparing the phase of a reference signal in the receiver array to the phase of a tracking loop signal related to the incoming signal, and comparing the phase of the reference signal to the phase of the tracking signal shifted in phase by 90 degrees. The averaged and unaveraged signals, are compared, the phase changes between the two signals being related to Faraday rotation.

Brockman, M. H.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Magnetized laser–plasma interactions in high-energy-density systems: Parallel propagation

In this study, we investigate parametric processes in magnetized plasmas, driven by a large-amplitude pump light wave. Our focus is on laser–plasma interactions relevant to high-energy-density (HED) systems, such as the National Ignition Facility and the Sandia MagLIF concept. We present a self-contained derivation of a “parametric” dispersion relation for magnetized three-wave interactions, meaning the pump wave is included in the equilibrium, similar to the unmagnetized work of Drake et al., Phys. Fluids 17, 778 (1974). For this, we use a multi-species plasma fluid model and Maxwell's equations. The application of an external B field causes right- and left-polarized light waves to propagate with differing phase velocities. This leads to Faraday rotation of the polarization, which can be significant in HED conditions. Phase-matching and linear wave dispersion relations show that Raman and Brillouin scattering have modified spectra due to the background B field, though this effect is usually small in systems of current practical interest. We study a scattering process we call stimulated whistler scattering, where a light wave decays to an electromagnetic whistler wave (ω≲ω ce ) and a Langmuir wave. This only occurs in the presence of an external B field, which is required for the whistler wave to exist.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2013

Farfield Plume Measurement and Analysis on the NASA-300M

NASA is developing a 15-kW Hall thruster to support future NASA missions. This activity is funded under the Space Technology Mission Directorate Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Demonstration project. As a part of the development process, the far-field plume characteristics of the NASA-300M, a 20-kW Hall thruster, were studied. The results will be used to study how various aspects of the operation of this thruster affect the overall performance. This data will be used to guide future design work and serve as a baseline for comparison to a magnetically shielded version of the NASA-300M that will be tested in the future. For this study, a far-field Faraday probe was swept in a polar fashion to map the ion current density. An ExB probe (Wien filter), two retarding potential analyzers, and a Langmuir probe were mounted at a fixed location on the thruster axis in the far-field plume. The data reduction method followed recommendations in recent studies by Brown, Reid, and Shastry with modifications that are tailored to the plasma plume environment of high-power Hall thrusters. Results from this and prior testing show that the plume is richer in doubly-charged ions, larger in spatial extent, and capable of greater probe heating than lower power thrusters. These characteristics require special treatment in experimental setup and data analysis, which will be the main focus of this paper. In particular, covered topics will include a new, more accurate, method of integration for analysis of the ExB probe data and effect of secondary electron emission on the Faraday probe data.

Huang, Wensheng↗
NASA NTRS2001

Effects of the Ionosphere on Passive Microwave Remote Sensing of Ocean Salinity from Space

Among the remote sensing applications currently being considered from space is the measurement of sea surface salinity. The salinity of the open ocean is important for understanding ocean circulation and for modeling energy exchange with the atmosphere. Passive microwave remote sensors operating near 1.4 GHz (L-band) could provide data needed to fill the gap in current coverage and to complement in situ arrays being planned to provide subsurface profiles in the future. However, the dynamic range of the salinity signal in the open ocean is relatively small and propagation effects along the path from surface to sensor must be taken into account. In particular, Faraday rotation and even attenuation/emission in the ionosphere can be important sources of error. The purpose or this work is to estimate the magnitude of these effects in the context of a future remote sensing system in space to measure salinity in L-band. Data will be presented as a function of time location and solar activity using IRI-95 to model the ionosphere. The ionosphere presents two potential sources of error for the measurement of salinity: Rotation of the polarization vector (Faraday rotation) and attenuation/emission. Estimates of the effect of these two phenomena on passive remote sensing over the oceans at L-band (1.4 GHz) are presented.

LeVine, D. M.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effects of gas purity on backgrounds of collision reaction cell-equipped MC-ICP-MS

The advent of multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) instruments equipped with collision reaction cells (CRCs) facilitates interference removal/mitigation via online gas phase separations. This approach has proven effective for high intensity ion beams measured on Faraday collectors; however, it has been observed that introduction of gas in the CRC can result in significant background signals relative to the more sensitive ion counters. These backgrounds hinder use of these instruments for low level concentration and isotopic ratio measurements when employing a reaction gas. Here, this work directly evaluates the effect of gas purity on backgrounds of CRC-MC-ICP-MS instruments. Introducing high-purity research grade O 2 (99.999%) into the CRC produces complex background spectra with intensities >10 4 cps observed at most masses across the measured mass range (7-300 m / z ). Some features of the observed spectra (i.e., positive mass defects) can be attributed to molecular compounds comprised of significant hydrogen. Additionally, some specific molecular species can be identified (i.e., MoO x H y + ) and appear to be derived from molybdenum rods comprising the CRC. Further purifying the gas reduces the intensity of these backgrounds by several orders of magnitude, to <10 2 cps in many cases, and reduces complexity of the resulting spectra. This reduction in background appears to be in part driven by removal of impurities (i.e., H 2 O) from the gas. This work demonstrates that additional purification of reaction gases prior to introduction into the CRC significantly reduces backgrounds detected, potentially expanding the utility of CRC-MC-ICP-MS for making low level measurements using inline gas phase ion separations.

Schlieder, Tyler D. [Pacific Northwest National La↗
NASA NTRS1980

Off-design performance analysis of MHD generator channels

A computer code for performing parametric design point calculations, and evaluating the off-design performance of MHD generators has been developed. The program is capable of analyzing Faraday, Hall, and DCW channels, including the effect of electrical shorting in the gas boundary layers and coal slag layers. Direct integration of the electrode voltage drops is included. The program can be run in either the design or off-design mode. Details of the computer code, together with results of a study of the design and off-design performance of the proposed ETF MHD generator are presented. Design point variations of pre-heat and stoichiometry were analyzed. The off-design study included variations in mass flow rate and oxygen enrichment.

Wilson, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Particle-Charge Spectrometer

An instrument for rapidly measuring the electric charges and sizes (from approximately 1 to approximately 100 micrometers) of airborne particles is undergoing development. Conceived for monitoring atmospheric dust particles on Mars, instruments like this one could also be used on Earth to monitor natural and artificial aerosols in diverse indoor and outdoor settings for example, volcanic regions, clean rooms, powder-processing machinery, and spray-coating facilities. The instrument incorporates a commercially available, low-noise, ultrasensitive charge-sensing preamplifier circuit. The input terminal of this circuit--the gate of a field-effect transistor--is connected to a Faraday-cage cylindrical electrode. The charged particles of interest are suspended in air or other suitable gas that is made to flow along the axis of the cylindrical electrode without touching the electrode. The flow can be channeled and generated by any of several alternative means; in the prototype of this instrument, the gas is drawn along a glass capillary tube (see upper part of figure) coaxial with the electrode. The size of a particle affects its rate of acceleration in the flow and thus affects the timing and shape of the corresponding signal peak generated by the charge-sensing amplifier. The charge affects the magnitude (and thus also the shape) of the signal peak. Thus, the signal peak (see figure) conveys information on both the size and electric charge of a sensed particle. In experiments thus far, the instrument has been found to be capable of measuring individual aerosol particle charges of magnitude greater than 350 e (where e is the fundamental unit of electric charge) with a precision of +/- 150 e. The instrument can sample particles at a rate as high as several thousand per second.

Fuerstenau, Stephen↗
NASA NTRS2018

Faraday Forcing of High-Temperature Levitated Liquid Metal Drops for the Measurement of Surface Tension

In this work, a method for the measurement of surface tension using continuous periodic forcing is presented. To reduce gravitational effects, samples are electrostatically levitated prior to forcing. The method, called Faraday forcing, is particularly well suited for fluids that require high temperature measurements such as liquid metals where conventional surface tension measurement methods are not possible. It offers distinct advantages over the conventional pulse-decay analysis method when the sample viscosity is high or the levitation feedback control system is noisy. In the current method, levitated drops are continuously translated about a mean position at a small, constant forcing amplitude over a range of frequencies. At a particular frequency in this range, the drop suddenly enters a state of resonance, which is confirmed by large executions of prolate/oblate deformations about the mean spherical shape. The arrival at this resonant condition is a signature that the parametric forcing frequency is equal to the drop’s natural frequency, the latter being a known function of surface tension. A description of the experimental procedure is presented. A proof of concept is given using pure Zr and a Ti(sub 39.5)Zr(sub 39.5)Ni(sub 21) alloy as examples. The results compare favorably with accepted literature values obtained using the pulse-decay method.

Nevin Brosius↗
DOE OSTI2025

Simulations of plasma current induced by toroidal field ramping down on tokamaks

In tokamak experiments, the BT ramping down can drive off-axis and parallel inductive current. This approach leads to a decrease in q95 and an increase in normalized beta, βN. The off-axis inductive current also broadens the current profile. Typically, the 1.5D transport code is used to simulate the time evolution of the plasma current profile, which is based on the flux-surface-averaged Faraday’s law. The ONETWO code is one of those transport codes. However, this code cannot simulate the situation of the evolving toroidal field BT. This article proposes a new time-dependent model to take into account the BT ramping down situation. A modified formula of flux-surface-averaged Faraday’s law was derived to consider the effect of the BT ramping rate on the current evolution, and it was implemented in the ONETWO code. Then, the modified ONETWO code was used to simulate the BT ramping down experiment on DIII-D. The simulation result of the plasma current evolution with BT ramping down shows a broader current profile with smaller ohmic current induced by the poloidal field, compared to that without BT ramping down.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1973

Transverse low frequency wave in a two fluid solar wind

Investigation is made of the properties of low frequency transverse waves in a two-fluid solar wind having a radial magnetic field and radial streaming velocity. In order to examine what effects this streaming medium has on the waves, linearly polarized waves are decomposed into left and right circularly polarized waves. Computation is made of analytic expressions valid to first order for the radial amplitude and phase dependence of these constituent waves. It is shown that after travelling a given distance r, these waves have different amplitudes and phases. The former result causes their superposition to become elliptical rather than linear. The latter causes the axis of the ellipse of polarization to rotate through a well-defined angle. Analytic expressions are obtained for the eccentricity of the ellipse and for the angle of rotation. In analogy with regular Faraday rotation, in which the plane of polarization of a linear polarized wave rotates, the effect is denoted as generalized Faraday rotation.

Solodyna, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comparisons of Aquarius Measurements over Oceans with Radiative Transfer Models at L-Band

The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft includes three L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometers dedicated to measuring sea surface salinity. It was launched in June 2011 by NASA and CONAE (Argentine space agency). We report detailed comparisons of Aquarius measurements with radiative transfer model predictions. These comparisons are used as part of the initial assessment of Aquarius data and to estimate the radiometer calibration bias and stability. Comparisons are also being performed to assess the performance of models used in the retrieval algorithm for correcting the effect of various sources of geophysical "noise" (e.g. Faraday rotation, surface roughness). Such corrections are critical in bringing the error in retrieved salinity down to the required 0.2 practical salinity unit on monthly global maps at 150 km by 150 km resolution.

Dinnat, E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Aquarius: The Instrument and Initial Results

Aquarius was launched on June 10, 2011 aboard the Aquarius/SAC-D observatory and the instrument has been operating continuously since the initial turned-on was completed on August 25. The initial observed antenna temperatures were close to predicted and the first salinity map was released in September. In order to map the ocean salinity field, Aquarius includes several special features such as the inclusion of a scatterometer to provide a roughness correction, measurement of the third Stokes parameter to correct for Faraday rotation, and fast sampling to mitigate the effects of RFI. This paper provides an overview of the instrument and an example of initial results. Details are covered in subsequent papers in the session on Aquarius

Ocean salinity↗
NASA NTRS2001

An Analytical Model for Non-Uniform Magnetic Field Effects on Two-Dimensional Laminar Jet Diffusion Flames

In 1846, Michael Faraday found that permanent magnets could cause candle flames to deform into equatorial disks. He believed that the change in flame shape was caused by the presence of charged particles within the flames interacting with the magnetic fields. Later researchers found that the interaction between the flame ions and the magnetic fields were much too small to cause the flame deflection. Through a force analysis, von Engel and Cozens showed that the change in the flame shape could be attributed to the diamagnetic flame gases in the paramagnetic atmosphere. Paramagnetism occurs in materials composed of atoms with permanent magnetic dipole moments. In the presence of magnetic field gradients, the atoms align with the magnetic field and are drawn into the direction of increasing magnetic field. Diamagnetism occurs when atoms have no net magnetic dipole moment. In the presence of magnetic gradient fields, diamagnetic substances are repelled towards areas of decreasing magnetism. Oxygen is an example of a paramagnetic substance. Nitrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide, and most hydrocarbon fuels are examples of diamagnetic substances. In order to evaluate the usefulness of these magnets in altering flame behavior, a study has been undertaken to develop an analytical model to describe the change in the flame length of a laminar diffusion jet in the presence of a nonuniform magnetic field.

Calvert, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The effects of RF plasma ashing on zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate thermal control coatings

Samples of YB-71, a white thermal control coating composed of zinc orthotitanate pigment in a potassium silicate binder, were exposed in air plasma and in oxygen plasma to determine optical property and surface chemistry changes. Results show that YB-71 undergoes a significant reflectance decrease upon exposure to the simulated LEO atomic oxygen environment provided by an air plasma asher. YB-71 samples exposed to the same effective fluence in oxygen plasma, or in a UV screening Faraday cage in air or oxygen, do not undergo as severe reflectance decreases as the samples exposed in the air plasma asher environment. The UV and VUV radiation present in the plasma ashers affects the YB-71 degradation. It is noted that, when using plasma ashers to determine LEO degradation, it is necessary to take into account the sensitivity of the material to the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen and accelerated UV radiation.

Dever, Joyce A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Plastic superconductor bearings any size-any shape: 77 K and up

'Friction free' bearings at 77 K or higher are possible using the high T(sub c) copper oxide ceramic superconductors. The conventional method for making such bearings is to use a sintered ceramic monolith. This puts great restraints on size, shape, and postforming machining. The material is hard and abrasive. It is possible to grind up ceramic superconductors and suspend the granules in a suitable matrix. Mechanical properties improve and are largely dependent on the binder. The Meissner effect is confined to individual grains containing electron vortices. Tracks, rails, levitation areas, and bearings can be made this way with conventional plastic molding and extruding machines or by painting. The parts are easily machined. The sacrifice is in bulk electrical conductivity. A percolating wick feed for LN2 is used to cool remote superconductors and large areas quite effectively. A hollow spheroid or cylinder of superconductor material is molded with the internal surfaces shielded by the Meissner effect. It can be thought of as the DC magnetic analog of the Faraday cage and the inside is the 'Meissner space'. It is selective. The AC fields are transmitted with minor attenuation. Particle size and distribution have a profound effect on final magnetic and electrical characteristics.

Reick, Franklin G.↗
DOE OSTI2020

THz-range Faraday rotation in the Weyl semimetal candidate Co 2 TiGe

The Co 2 family of ferromagnetic Heusler alloys has attracted interest due to their fully spin-polarized nature, making them ideal for applications in spintronic devices. More recently, the existence of room temperature time-reversal-breaking Weyl nodes near the Fermi level was predicted and confirmed in these systems. As a result of the presence of these Weyl nodes, these systems possess a non-zero momentum space Berry curvature that can dramatically influence transport properties such as the anomalous Hall effect. One of these candidate compounds is Co 2 TiGe. Recently, high-quality molecular beam epitaxy-grown thin films of Co 2 TiGe have become available. In this work, we present a THz-range measurement of MBE-grown Co 2 TiGe films. We measure the THz-range Faraday rotation, which can be understood as a measure of the anomalous Hall effect. We supplement this work with electronic band-structure calculations showing that the principal contribution to the anomalous Hall effect in this material stems from the Berry curvature of the material. Overall, our work shows that this class of Heusler materials shows promise for Weyl semimetal based spintronics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1990

Plastic superconductor bearings any size, any shape, 77 k and up

Friction free bearings at 77 k or higher are possible using the high T(sub c) copper oxide ceramic superconductors. The conventional method for making such bearings is to use a sintered ceramic monolith. This puts great restraints on size, shape and postforming machining. The material is hard and abrasive. It's possible to grind up ceramic superconductors and suspend the granules in a suitable matrix. Mechanical properties improve and are largely dependent on the binder. The Meissner effect is confined to individual grains containing electron vortices. Tracks, rails, levitation areas and bearings can be made this way with conventional plastic molding and extruding machines or by painting. The parts are easily machined. The sacrifice is in bulk electrical conductivity. A percolating wick feel for LN2 can be used to cool remote superconductors and large areas quite effectively. A hollow spheroid or cylinder of superconductor material can be molded with the internal surfaces shielded by the Meissner effect. It might be thought of as the dc magnetic analogue of the Faraday cage and the inside can be called the Meissner space. It's selective. The ac fields are transmitted with minor attenuation. Particle size and distribution have a profound effect on final magnetic and electrical characteristics.

Reick, Franklin G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Solar plasma: Viking 1975 interplanetary spacecraft dual-frequency Doppler data

Viking 1975 interplanetary S- and X-band Doppler data are surveyed. These data show consistency with differenced range versus integrated Doppler (DRVID) data when there is solar plasma and with Faraday rotation data otherwise. An increase of solar plasma effects with decreasing sun-earth-probe (SEP) angle (approaching Mars orbit insertion) is demonstrated. The 2-way/3-way data indicate a homogeneous solar plasma structure over a 8,000-km spread. Occasional cycle slips in the data are pinpointed and tabulated.

Wu, S. C.↗