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Results for “plasma processing”

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 1,693 records · Page 94

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NASA NTRS1985

Problems with interpreting the radio emission from hot stars

Problems in hot star radio emission interpretation due to radio flux source and other modeling assumptions are examined. An upper limit constraint on the value of the mass loss rate divided by the constant wind velocity is imposed by assuming that the outflow is due to bremsstrahlung in a spherically symmetric wind with the stationary photosphere visible at 4500 A, and by the need for it to be less than the luminosity divided by c. The constraints are satisfied for the deduced values for OB supergiants, and to some extent for early 0 stars, but not for Wolf-Rayet stars, due to mass loss rates excessive by a factor of 10. It is suggested that the problem can be solved by postulating that part of the radio flux from Wolf-Rayet stars is due to processes in a low-density magnetized plasma.

Underhill, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Rapid thermal annealing of Amorphous Hydrogenated Carbon (a-C:H) films

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) films were deposited on silicon and quartz substrates by a 30 kHz plasma discharge technique using methane. Rapid thermal processing of the films was accomplished in nitrogen gas using tungsten halogen light. The rapid thermal processing was done at several fixed temperatures (up to 600 C), as a function of time (up to 1800 sec). The films were characterized by optical absorption and by ellipsometry in the near UV and the visible. The bandgap, estimated from extrapolation of the linear part of a Tauc plot, decreases both with the annealing temperature and the annealing time, with the temperature dependence being the dominating factor. The density of states parameter increases up to 25 percent and the refractive index changes up to 20 percent with temperature increase. Possible explanations of the mechanisms involved in these processes are discussed.

Alterovitz, Samuel A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Interactions between the polar ionosphere and thermosphere

The temperature, composition and circulation of the ionosphere and thermosphere in the polar regions are closely coupled and display a marked variation with altitude, latitude, longitude, universal time, season, solar cycle, and geomagnetic activity. To a large degree, this variation is a consequence of the effect that magnetospheric electric fields, particle precipitation, and heat flows have on the ionosphere-thermosphere system. These magnetospheric processes act to produce ionospheric hot spots, plasma blobs, localized ionization troughs, extended tongues of ionization and ion composition changes. These ionospheric features then affect the thermosphere because of ion-neutral momentum and energy coupling. The resulting interactions act to modify the thermospheric circulation, composition, and temperature, and this, in turn, affects the ionosphere. However, there are significant time delays associated with the various interactions. These and other results are reviewed.

Schunk, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Fundamental plasma emission involving ion sound waves

The theory for fundamental plasma emission by the three-wave processes L + or - S to T (where L, S and T denote Langmuir, ion sound and transverse waves, respectively) is developed. Kinematic constraints on the characteristics and growth lengths of waves participating in the wave processes are identified. In addition the rates, path-integrated wave temperatures, and limits on the brightness temperature of the radiation are derived.

Cairns, Iver H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Applications of tethered satellites to some problems of terrestrial physics

An evaluation is made of the applicability of tethered satellites to geomagnetic field and low altitude magnetospheric/ionospheric plasma investigations. Geomagnetic field observations from tethered satellites with gradiometers promise higher field measurement accuracy and the separation of current effects; plasma observations are important in understanding such processes as the deposition of magnetospheric energy into the upper atmosphere, and the influence of magnetospheric current distribution on this process. The unusual requirements that emerge for attitude knowledge and dynamic isolation in the satellite's instrumentation are discussed.

Webster, William J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The role of high energy photons and particles in accretion flows in active nuclei

The creation of high energy pairs and photons in the conversion of gravitational to thermal energy is a process common to most accretion models for active galactic nuclei. These are two observational methods designed to explore this process: direct observations of the hot photons, through hard X-ray and gamma-ray data, and indirect observations of the energetic pairs, through their polarized, nonthermal low frequency radiation. However, interpretation of these observations in terms of the conditions in the inner accretion flow requires understanding of the various processes which modify the pair and photon distributions within the hot, dense core. These processes include opacity effects within the pair/photon plasma, Compton losses on external photons, further acceleration of the pairs and further radiation by the pairs, and the dynamic interaction of the pair/photon plasma with the surrounding gas. Current observational and theoretical work is reviewed and new directions are considered in a search for constraints on or tests of accretion models of active nuclei.

Eilek, Jean A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Production of organic compounds in plasmas - A comparison among electric sparks, laser-induced plasmas, and UV light

In order to ascertain the features of organic compound-production in planetary atmospheres under the effects of plasmas and shocks, various mixtures of N2, CH4, and H2 modeling the atmosphere of Titan were subjected to discrete sparks, laser-induced plasmas, and UV radiation. The experimental results obtained suggest that UV photolysis from the plasma is an important organic compound synthesis process, as confirmed by the photolysis of gas samples that were exposed to the light but not to the shock waves emitted by the sparks. The thermodynamic equilibrium theory is therefore incomplete in the absence of photolysis.

Scattergood, Thomas W.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Nuclear-electric propulsion - Manned Mars propulsion options

Nuclear-electric propulsion can significantly reduce the launch mass for manned Mars missions. By using high-specific-impulse (lsp) electric propulsion systems with advanced nuclear reactors, the total mass-to-orbit for a series of manned Mars flight is reduced. Propulsion technologies required for the manned Mars mission are described. Multi-megawatt Ion and Magneto-Plasma-Dynamic (MPD) propulsion thrusters, Power-Processing Units and nuclear power source are needed. Xenon (Xe)-Ion and MPD thruster performance are detailed. Mission analyses for several Mars mission options are addressed. Both MPD and Ion propulsion were investigated. A four-megawatt propulsion system power level was assumed. Mass comparisons for all-chemical oxygen/hydrogen propulsion missions and combined chemical and nuclear-electric propulsion Mars fleets are included. With fleets of small nuclear-electric vehicles, short trip times to Mars are also enabled.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗

NASA NTRS1994

A statistical survey of the central plasma sheet

We present a statistical analysis of the ion plasma properties and magnetic field of the central plasma sheet at distances from 10 to 23 R(sub E) from the Earth. This study incorporates International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE) 1 plasma sheet samples accumulated with the University of Iowa Lepedea plasma analyzer during 1979. Our study of the bulk properties of the ion plasma shows that there is relatively little change as a result of increasing geomagnetic activity. The main macroscopic effect is an increase in plasma temperature. When the transverse profile of the plasma sheet is examined, it is clear that this increase in temperature occurs preferentially at high latitudes. The magnetic field shows an increase in magnitude in the vicinity of the neutral sheet periods of high geomagnetic activity. The radial profiles of the density, temperature, plasma, and magnetic pressures show a gradient in total energy density in the plasma sheet. The convective velocities are systematically directed earthward, and there is a bias toward positive V(sub y) on the duskside of the magnetotail. We infer that particle motion can be attributed to a pressure gradient, combined with steady state convective electric fields. We compute the convective electric fields from our measured bulk velocities, arriving at a pattern similar to that observed at low altitudes. The cross-tail electric field E(sub y) is dominant near the neutral sheet region, but at high latitudes E(sub z) is a major component. Our results suggest that the plasma sheet boundary layer, rather than the central plasma sheet, is a region of diverging electric fields. The picture of the plasma sheet that emerges from our study is that of a stable reservoir of hot plasma in which thermodynamic, rather than dynamic, processes is important.

Huang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1994

High sensitivity dynamic spectral search for flare star radio

We observed ten well-known flare stars with the Arcibo radio telescope at 1.4 GHz and 5 GHz, using a special observing technique to discriminate between real flares and radio freqeuncy interference. With a high sensitivity of 5.5 K/Jy at 1.4 GHz when averaged over a 50 MHz band, we are able to recognize flux enhancements as weak as approximately 6 mJy above the sky background variations. In about 85 hours of observation, about a dozen bursts were detected, only from AD Leo. All had flux densities lower than 70 mJy, which probably explains their lack of fine structures (except for the strongest one), such as were reported in the literature for stronger flares. Half of the bursts that we recorded are 100% circularly polarized, and half are not circularly polarized. Our results are a first attempt of reliable statistics on dMe flare rates at 1.4 GHz. The high brightness temperatures we infer for the observed bursts are interpreted in terms of coherent emission processes, either the cyclotron maser instability or plasma radiation. Efficiencies are comparable to those of solar or planetary radio emissions in the case of the cyclotron maser, and higher than the solar efficiency in the case of plasma radiation, with the caveat that there are great uncertainties in the coronal model and the source size.

Abada-Simon, M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Numerical Simulation of Waves Driven by Plasma Currents Generated by Low-Frequency Alfven Waves in a Multi-Ion Plasma

When multi-ion plasma consisting of heavy and light ions is permeated by a low-frequency Alfven (LFA) wave, the crossed-electric-and-magnetic field (E x B), and the polarization drifts of the different ion species and the electrons could be quite different. The relative drifts between the charged-particle species drive waves, which energize the plasma. Using 2.5-dimensional (2.5-D) particle-in-cell simulations, we study this process of wave generation and its nonlinear consequences in terms of acceleration and heating plasma. Specifically, we study the situation for LFA wave frequency being lower than the heavy-ion cyclotron frequency in a multi-ion plasma. We impose such a wave to the plasma assuming that its wavelength is much larger than that of the waves generated by the relative drifts. For better understanding, the LFA-wave driven simulations are augmented by those driven by initialized ion beams. The driven high-frequency (HF) wave modes critically depend on the heavy ion density nh; for small values of nh, the lower hybrid (LH) waves dominate. On the other hand, for large nh a significantly enhanced level of waves occurs over a much broader frequency spectrum below the LH frequency and such waves are interpreted here as the ion Bernstein (IB) mode near the light ion cyclotron harmonics. Irrespective of the driven wave modes, both the light and heavy ions undergo significant transverse acceleration, but for the large heavy-ion densities, even the electrons are significantly accelerated in the parallel direction by the waves below the LH frequency. Even when the LFA wave drive is maintained, the ion heating leads to the cessation of HF wave excitation just after a few cycles of the former wave. On the basis of marginal stability seen in the simulations, an empirical relation for LFA wave amplitude, frequency and ion temperature is given.

Singh, Nagendra↗

NASA NTRS1998

Calcium signals and calcium channels in osteoblastic cells

Calcium (Ca2+) channels are present in non-excitable as well as in excitable cells. In bone cells of the osteoblast lineage, Ca2+ channels play fundamental roles in cellular responses to external stimuli including both mechanical forces and hormonal signals. They are also proposed to modulate paracrine signaling between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts at local sites of bone remodeling. Calcium signals are characterized by transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels that are associated with activation of intracellular signaling pathways that control cell behavior and phenotype, including patterns of gene expression. Development of Ca2+ signals is a tightly regulated cellular process that involves the concerted actions of plasma membrane and intracellular Ca2+ channels, along with Ca2+ pumps and exchangers. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the structure, function, and role of Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ signals in bone cells, focusing on the osteoblast.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2005

Materials Refining for Solar Array Production on the Moon

Silicon, aluminum, and glass are the primary raw materials that will be required for production of solar arrays on the moon. A process sequence is proposed for producing these materials from lunar regolith, consisting of separating the required materials from lunar rock with fluorine. The fluorine is brought to the moon in the form of potassium fluoride, and is liberated from the salt by electrolysis in a eutectic salt melt. Tetrafluorosilane produced by this process is reduced to silicon by a plasma reduction stage; the fluorine salts are reduced to metals by reaction with metallic potassium. Fluorine is recovered from residual MgF and CaF2 by reaction with K2O.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗

NASA NTRS2008

CME Initiation

One of the most challenging problems in solar physics is understanding the processes responsible for giant magnetic disruptions such as the event of July 14, 2000, which consisted of a massive filament ejection, a fast coronal mass ejection (CME), prolonged X-class flaring, and an intense particle storm. These major events are of critical importance because they drive the most destructive forms of space weather and they provide a unique opportunity to study, in revealing detail, MHD instability and nonequilibrium -- processes that are at the heart of plasma astrophysics. It is now widely accepted that CMEs/eruptive flares represent the explosive release of magnetic energy stored in the corona. Therefore, in order to understand the phenomenon, we must answer the following questions: What is the field structure responsible for the disruption and why is the energy released explosively? In this talk we address these two questions using the latest theories and numerical models for CMEs/eruptive flares.

Antiochos, Spiro K.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Solar Orbiter: Exploring the Sun-Heliosphere Connection

The heliosphere represents a uniquely accessible domain of space, where fundamental physical processes common to solar, astrophysical and laboratory plasmas can be studied under conditions impossible to reproduce on Earth and unfeasible to observe from astronomical distances. Solar Orbiter, the first mission of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015 - 2025 programme, will address the central question of heliophysics: How does the Sun create and control the heliosphere? In this paper, we present the scientific goals of the mission and provide an overview of the mission implementation.

Mueller, D.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Solar Orbiter Exploring the Sun-Heliosphere Connection

Corona Dynamics↗

NASA NTRS2016

Rippled Quasiperpendicular Shock Observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Spacecraft

Collisionless shock nonstationarity arising from microscale physics influences shock structure and particle acceleration mechanisms. Nonstationarity has been difficult to quantify due to the small spatial and temporal scales. We use the closely spaced (subgyroscale), high-time-resolution measurements from one rapid crossing of Earths quasiperpendicular bow shock by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft to compare competing nonstationarity processes. Using MMSs high-cadence kinetic plasma measurements, we show that the shock exhibits nonstationarity in the form of ripples.

Johlander, A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Foundations of Modern Magnetic Reconnection Research

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process operating in laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasmas. We understand today that it is the mechanism behind the often explosive release of the stored magnetic energy, and that it directly or indirectly powers as diverse a set of phenomena as solar eruptions, stellar flares, geomagnetic storms, the aurora, and even disruption events in fusion machines. It is also the mechanism powering the majority of the deleterious space effects collectively referred to as “space weather.” Owing to its importance, reconnection has been a research focus for many years, culminating in the research based on NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. A major component of foundational research involved studies of the stability and disruption of current sheets by collisionless tearing, which still plays a major role in the dynamical evolution of the interfaces between magnetic fields of different directions. This presentation will illuminate these beginnings, with special focus on the seminal work of Academician A. A. Galeev, and also provide a summary of the present state of knowledge. It will conclude with an outlook toward future reconnection research targets.

Plasma↗