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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 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

A conservative scheme of drift kinetic electrons for gyrokinetic simulation of kinetic-MHD processes in toroidal plasmas

A conservative scheme of drift kinetic electrons for gyrokinetic simulations of kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic processes in toroidal plasmas has been formulated and verified. Both vector potential and electron perturbed distribution function are decomposed into adiabatic part with analytic solution and non-adiabatic part solved numerically. The adiabatic parallel electric field is solved directly from the electron adiabatic response, resulting in a high degree of accuracy. Here, the consistency between electrostatic potential and parallel vector potential is enforced by using the electron continuity equation. Since particles are only used to calculate the non-adiabatic response, which is used to calculate the non-adiabatic vector potential through Ohm's law, the conservative scheme minimizes the electron particle noise and mitigates the cancellation problem. Linear dispersion relations of the kinetic Alfvén wave and the collisionless tearing mode in cylindrical geometry have been verified in gyrokinetic toroidal code simulations, which show that the perpendicular grid size can be larger than the electron collisionless skin depth when the mode wavelength is longer than the electron skin depth.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1983

Experimental measurements of the plasma sheath around pinhole defects in a simulated high-voltage solar array

An emissive Langmuir probe was used to measure the potentials within the plasma sheath developed around a hole in a simulated solar array at voltages between 50 and 450 V. The hole sizes were larger than actual pinhole defects; the plasma density was in the 10,000 per cu cm range, which is considerably lower than the density of 1,000,000 per cu cm found at low-earth-orbit altitudes. Despite these inadequacies in the simulation, the experiments indicate that this type of probe is a useful diagnostic technique for investigating the plasma sheaths developing around pinhole defects.

Gabriel, S. B.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Direct implicit and explicit energy-conserving particle-in-cell methods for modeling of capacitively coupled plasma devices

Achieving large-scale kinetic modeling is a crucial task for the development and optimization of modern plasma devices. With the trend of decreasing pressure in applications, such as plasma etching, kinetic simulations are necessary to self-consistently capture the particle dynamics. The standard, explicit, electrostatic, momentum-conserving particle-in-cell method suffers from restrictive stability constraints on spatial cell size and temporal time step, requiring resolution of the electron Debye length and electron plasma period, respectively. This results in a very high computational cost, making the technique prohibitive for large volume device modeling. We investigate the direct implicit algorithm and the explicit energy conserving algorithm as alternatives to the standard approach, both of which can reduce computational cost with a minimal (or controllable) impact on results. These algorithms are implemented into the well-tested EDIPIC-2D and LTP-PIC codes, and their performance is evaluated via 2D capacitively coupled plasma discharge simulations. The investigation reveals that both approaches enable the utilization of cell sizes larger than the Debye length, resulting in a reduced runtime, while incurring only minor inaccuracies in plasma parameters. The direct implicit method also allows for time steps larger than the electron plasma period; however, care must be taken to avoid numerical heating or cooling. It is demonstrated that by appropriately adjusting the ratio of cell size to time step, it is possible to mitigate this effect to an acceptable level.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Simulation of filamentation instability of a current-carrying plasma by particle in cell method

The nonlinear dynamics of filamentation instability in a weakly ionized current-carrying plasma in the diffusion frequency region is studied using particle in cell simulation. The effects of electron thermal motion and ion-neutral collision on the evolution of this instability in the nonlinear stage of the filaments coalescence are discussed. It is found that the coalescence of the current filaments is enhanced by increasing the temperature and is delayed by increasing the collision frequency.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Influence of heat and particle fluxes nonlocality on spatial distribution of plasma density in two-chamber inductively coupled plasma sources

This study presents 2D simulations of the two-chamber inductively coupled plasma source where power is supplied in the small discharge chamber and extends by electron thermal conductivity mechanism to the big diffusion chamber. Depending on pressure, two main scenarios of plasma density and its spatial distribution behavior were identified. One case is characterized by the localization of plasma in the small driver chamber where power is deposed. Another case describes when the diffusion chamber becomes the main source of plasma with maximum of the electron density. The differences in spatial distribution are caused by local or non-local behavior of electron energy transport in the discharge volume due to different characteristic scale of heat transfer with electronic conductivity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Study of strong enhancement of synchrotron radiation via surface plasma waves excitation by particle-in-cell simulations

Synchrotron radiation is strongly enhanced by the resonant excitation of surface plasma waves (SPWs). Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that energy conversion efficiency from laser to radiation in the case of SPWs excitation is about 18.7%, which is improved by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared with that of no SPWs excitation. Besides the high energy conversion efficiency, the frequency spectrum and the angular distribution of the radiation are also improved in the case of SPWs excitation because of the quasi-static magnet field induced by surface plasma waves excitation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of L- and I-mode plasmas on Alcator C-Mod

New validation of global, nonlinear, ion-scale gyrokinetic simulations (GYRO) is carried out for L- and I-mode plasmas on Alcator C-Mod, utilizing heat fluxes, profile stiffness, and temperature fluctuations. Previous work at C-Mod found that ITG/TEM-scale GYRO simulations can match both electron and ion heat fluxes within error bars in I-mode [White PoP 2015], suggesting that multi-scale (cross-scale coupling) effects [Howard PoP 2016] may be less important in I-mode than in L-mode. New results presented here, however, show that global, nonlinear, ion-scale GYRO simulations are able to match the experimental ion heat flux, but underpredict electron heat flux (at most radii), electron temperature fluctuations, and perturbative thermal diffusivity in both L- and I-mode. Linear addition of electron heat flux from electron scale runs does not resolve this discrepancy. These results indicate that single-scale simulations do not sufficiently describe the I-mode core transport, and that multi-scale (coupled electron- and ion-scale) transport models are needed. A preliminary investigation with multi-scale TGLF, however, was unable to resolve the discrepancy between ion-scale GYRO and experimental electron heat fluxes and perturbative diffusivity, motivating further work with multi-scale GYRO simulations and a more comprehensive study with multi-scale TGLF.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Particle in cell simulations of Buneman instability of a current-driven plasma with q-nonextensive electron velocity distribution

The nonlinear evolution of low frequency Buneman instability in an unmagnetized current-driven plasma with q-nonextensive electron velocity distribution is investigated using particle in cell simulation. Simulation results show that the generation of electron phase space holes and the counter-streaming current induced in the plasma strongly depend on the q-parameter. It is found that by increasing the nonextensive parameter, the distribution of electron density becomes highly peaked. This density steepening or grating-like pattern occurs at the saturation time. In addition, a generalized dispersion relation is obtained using the kinetic theory. Analysis of the dispersion relation and the temporal evolution of the electric field energy density reveal that the growth rate of instability increases by increasing the q-parameter. Finally, the results of Maxwellian and q-nonextensive velocity distributions have been compared and discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

1D EDIPIC

EDIPIC codes were developed for simulation of kinetic effects in low-temperature plasmas. They can be used for simulation of plasmas in electrostatic approximation and include many atomistic and plasma-surface interaction processes needed for simulations of low temperature plasmas. These codes include a detailed model of secondary electron emission induced by electrons and ions. The Monte-Carlo model of electron-neutral collisions and the Langevin model of Coulomb collisions for electrons are also implemented.

Sydorenko, Dmytro↗
DOE OSTI2021

EDIPIC-2D

EDIPIC codes were developed for simulation of kinetic effects in low-temperature plasmas. They can be used for simulation of plasmas in electrostatic approximation and include many atomistic and plasma-surface interaction processes needed for simulations of low temperature plasmas. These codes include a detailed model of secondary electron emission induced by electrons and ions. The Monte-Carlo model of electron-neutral collisions and the Langevin model of Coulomb collisions for electrons are also implemented.

Sydorenko, Dmytro↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental investigation of supersonic low pressure air plasma flows obtained with different arc-jet operating conditions

A stationary arc-jet plasma flow at low pressure is used to simulate some properties of the gas flow surrounding a vehicle during its entry into celestial body's atmospheres. This paper presents an experimental study concerning plasmas simulating a re-entry into our planet. Optical measurements have been carried out for several operating plasma conditions in the free stream, and in the shock layer formed in front of a flat cylindrical plate, placed in the plasma jet. The analysis of the spectral radiation enabled the identification of the emitting species, the determination of the rotational and vibrational temperatures in the free-stream and in the shock layer and the determination of the distance of the shock to the flat plate face. Some plasma fluid parameters like, stagnation pressure, specific enthalpy and heat flux have been determined experimentally along the plasma-jet axis.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neoclassical transport of tungsten ion bundles in total-f neoclassical gyrokinetic simulations of a whole-volume JET-like plasma

Here, the application of a bundling technique to model the diverse charge states of tungsten impurity species in total-f gyrokinetic simulations is demonstrated. The gyrokinetic bundling method strategically groups tungsten ions of similar charge, optimizing computational efficiency. The initial radial configuration of these bundles and their respective charges are derived from a coronal approximation and the quasi-neutrality of the plasma. A low-density JET H-mode like plasma is simulated using the neoclassical version of XGC across the entire plasma volume, spanning from the magnetic axis to the divertor. An accumulation of tungsten is observed at the pedestal top, as a result of low-Z tungsten ions moving inward from the scrape-off-layer into the core region and high-Z tungsten ions moving outward from the core into the pedestal. This organization of the fluxes cannot be captured by a single tungsten-ion simulation. Large up-down poloidal asymmetries of tungsten form in the pedestal and strongly influence the direction of neoclassical fluxes. The temperature screening effect and its correlation with asymmetries are analyzed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Mathematical simulation of the amplification of 1790-nm laser radiation in a nuclear-excited He – Ar plasma containing nanoclusters of uranium compounds

The possibility of applying dusty active media in nuclearpumped lasers has been considered. The amplification of 1790-nm radiation in a nuclear-excited dusty He – Ar plasma is studied by mathematical simulation. The influence of nanoclusters on the component composition of the medium and the kinetics of the processes occurring in it is analysed using a specially developed kinetic model, including 72 components and more than 400 reactions. An analysis of the results indicates that amplification can in principle be implemented in an active laser He – Ar medium containing 10-nm nanoclusters of metallic uranium and uranium dioxide. (lasers)

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhanced betatron X-rays from axially modulated plasma wakefields

In the cavitation regime of plasma-based accelerators, a population of high-energy electrons trailing the driver can undergo betatron motion. The motion results in X-ray emission, but the brilliance and photon energy are limited by the electrons' initial transverse coordinate. To overcome this, we exploit parametrically unstable betatron motion in a cavitated, axially modulated plasma. Theory and simulations are presented showing that the unstable oscillations increase both the total X-ray energy and average photon energy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1986

Studies on counterstreaming plasma expansion

Recent studies on counterstreaming plasma expansions are summarized. The basic phenomenon of plasma expansion is reviewed, and results from one-dimensional simulations of counterstreaming plasma expansion are discussed. Results from simulations based on an electrostatic particle-in-cell code, in which the dynamics of both the electrons and ions are exactly followed, are discussed. The formation of electrostatic shocks is addressed. Finally, results are presented on the ionospheric plasma expansion along the geomagnetic flux tubes by solving the hydrodynamic equations.

Singh, N.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Excitation of low frequency Alfven eigenmodes in toroidal plasmas

Global gyrokinetic simulations find that realistic density gradients of energetic particles can simultaneously excite low frequency Alfven eigenmodes in toroidal geometry, beta-induced Alfven-acoustic eigenmode (BAAE) and beta-induced Alfven eigenmode (BAE), with similar radial mode widths and comparable linear growth rates even though damping rate of BAAE is much larger than BAE in the absence of energetic particles. Here, this surprising result is attributed to non-perturbative effects of energetic particles that modify ideal BAAE mode polarizations and nonlocal geometry effects that invalidate radially local dispersion relation. Dominant mode changes from BAAE in a larger tokamak to BAE in a smaller tokamak due to the dependence of wave-particle resonance condition on the tokamak size.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗