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Results for “COLLISIONAL PLASMA”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Kinetic model for the collisionless sheath of a collisional plasma

Collisional plasmas typically have mean-free-path still much greater than the Debye length, so the sheath is mostly collisionless. Once the plasma density, temperature, and flow are specified at the sheath entrance, the profile variation of electron and ion density, temperature, flow speed, and conductive heat fluxes inside the sheath is set by collisionless dynamics, and can be predicted by an analytical kinetic model distribution. These predictions are contrasted here with direct kinetic simulations, showing good agreement.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Magnetic susceptibility and Landau diamagnetism of quantum collisional plasma

Quantum collisional plasma with an arbitrary degree of degeneracy of the electron gas is considered. Using the exact expression for the transverse electric conductivity of quantum collisional plasma, the magnetic susceptibility is described using the kinetic approach and a formula for calculating Landau diamagnetism is derived. Quantum Maxwellian plasma is considered as a special case. To this end, in the formulas derived, the limit is taken for the chemical potential tending to minus infinity. The properties of the magnetic susceptibility of quantum plasma are compared to those of degenerate and Maxwellian plasmas.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Excitation of whistler and slow-X waves by runaway electrons in a collisional plasma

Runaway electrons are known to provide robust ideal or collisionless kinetic drive for plasma wave instabilities in both the whistler and slow-X branches, via the anomalous Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonances. In a cold and dense post-thermal-quench plasma, collisional damping of the plasma waves can compete with the collisionless drive. Previous studies have found that, due to their higher wavelength and frequency, slow-X waves suffer stronger collisional damping than the whistlers, while the ideal growth rate of slow-X modes is higher. Here, we study runaway avalanche distributions that maintain the same eigen distribution and increase only in magnitude over time. The distributions are computed from the relativistic Fokker–Planck–Boltzmann solver, upon which a linear dispersion analysis is performed to search for the most unstable or least damped slow-X and whistler modes. Taking into account the effect of plasma density, plasma temperature, and effective charge number, we find that the slow-X modes tend to be excited before the whistlers in a runaway current ramp-up. Furthermore, even when the runaway current density is sufficiently high that both branches are excited, the most unstable slow-X mode has a much higher growth rate than the most unstable whistler mode. The qualitative and quantitative trends uncovered in the current study indicate that even though past experiments and modeling efforts have concentrated on whistler modes, there is a compelling case that slow-X modes should also be a key area of focus in the runaway self-mediation through wave instabilities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Electrostatic fluctuations in collisional plasmas

Here, we present a theory of electrostatic fluctuations in two-component plasmas where electrons and ions are described by Maxwellian distribution functions at unequal temperatures. Based on the exact solution of the Landau kinetic equation, that includes electron-electron, electron-ion, and ion-ion collision integrals, the dynamic form factor, S( → k,ω), is derived for weakly coupled plasmas. The collective plasma responses at ion-acoustic, Langmuir, and entropy mode resonances are described for arbitrary wave numbers and frequencies in the entire range of plasma collisionality. The collisionless limit of S( → k,ω) and the strong-collision result based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and classical transport at T e = T i are recovered and discussed. Results of several Thomson scattering experiments in the broad range of plasma parameters are described and discussed by means of our theory for S( → k,ω).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2005

Emission Process II: Collisional Plasmas

Covered are the basic atomic processes that are important in X-ray emitting plasmas; collisional excitation/ionization, photoexitation/ionization, radiative decay and so on.

Smith, Randall K.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Discrete Kinetic Eigenmode Spectra of Electron Plasma Oscillations in Weakly Collisional Plasma: A Numerical Study

It has been demonstrated that in the presence of weak collisions, described by the Lenard-Bernstein collision operator, the Landau-damped solutions become true eigenmodes of the system and constitute a complete set. We present numerical results from an Eulerian Vlasov code that incorporates the Lenard-Bernstein collision operator. The effect of the collisions on the numerical recursion phenomenon seen in Vlasov codes is discussed. The code is benchmarked against exact linear eigenmode solutions in the presence of weak collisions, and a spectrum of Landau-damped solutions is determined within the limits of numerical resolution. Tests of the orthogonality and the completeness relation are presented.

Kinetic Eigenmode Spectra↗
NASA NTRS1974

The electromagnetic interchange mode in a partially ionized collisional plasma

A collisional electromagnetic dispersion relation is derived from two-fluid theory for the interchange mode coupled to the Alfven, acoustic, drift and entropy modes in a partially ionized plasma. The fundamental electromagnetic nature of the interchange model is noted; coupling to the intermediate Alfven mode is strongly stabilizing for finite k sub z. Both ion viscous and ion-neutral stabilization are included, and it was found that collisions destroy the ion finite Larmor radius cutoff at short perpendicular wavelengths.

Hudson, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The electromagnetic interchange mode in a partly-ionized collisional plasma

A collisional electromagnetic dispersion relation is derived from two-fluid theory for the interchange mode coupled to the Alfven, acoustic, drift, and entropy modes in a partially ionized plasma. The fundamental electromagnetic nature of the interchange mode is noted: coupling to the intermediate Alfven mode is strongly stabilizing for finite perturbations of the magnetic field. Both ion-viscous and ion-neutral stabilization are included; and it is found that collisions destroy the FLR (finite Larmor radius) cutoff at short perpendicular wavelengths.

Hudson, M. K.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Nonextensive statistics and skin depth of transverse wave in collisional plasma

Skin depth of transverse wave in a collisional plasma is studied taking into account the nonextensive electron distribution function. Considering the kinetic theory for charge particles and using the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collision model, a generalized transverse dielectric permittivity is obtained. The transverse dispersion relation in different frequency ranges is investigated. Obtaining the imaginary part of the wave vector from the dispersion relation, the skin depth for these frequency ranges is also achieved. Profiles of the skin depth show that by increasing the q parameter, the penetration depth decreases. In addition, the skin depth increases by increasing the electron temperature. Finally, it is found that in the high frequency range and high electron temperature, the penetration depth decreases by increasing the collision frequency. In contrast, by increasing the collision frequency in a highly collisional frequency range, the skin depth of transverse wave increases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Interaction between two conducting spheres in weakly ionized collisional plasma

Charging of two conducting spheres in a weakly ionized collisional plasma flow is considered. The spheres are arranged along the flow, and the plasma is assumed to consist of two ion species with the charges equal in magnitude but opposite in sign. The problem is analyzed with allowance for the external electric field, charging of the spheres due to the sedimentation of plasma ions on them, the fields of the sphere charges, the space charge field, and the processes of recombination and molecular diffusion. The interaction between the spheres and plasma is studied by numerically solving a time-dependent problem in a bispherical coordinate system by the finite difference method. The steady-state values of the sphere charges and the distributions of the space charge and ion densities in the ambient plasma are found as functions of the plasma parameters and the distance between the spheres. The electrostatic forces acting on the spheres are determined, and the effects of the external field, the space charge fields, and the fields of the sphere charges are comparatively analyzed. It is shown that, for the considered plasma parameters, the main electrostatic effect in the interaction between two spheres is their mutual approach in the external field due to the difference in their charges (one sphere catches up with the other). Due to the friction force with the neutral gas, this mutual approach is much slower than all other processes in the system. For widely spaced spheres, the results coincide with the solution obtained previously for a solitary sphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

A stringent limit on the amplitude of Alfvénic perturbations in high-beta low-collisionality plasmas

It is shown that low-collisionality plasmas cannot support linearly polarized shear-Alfvén fluctuations above a critical amplitude δB{sub ⊥}/B{sub 0}∼β{sup −1/2}, where β is the ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure. Above this cutoff, a developing fluctuation will generate a pressure anisotropy that is sufficient to destabilize itself through the parallel firehose instability. This causes the wave frequency to approach zero, interrupting the fluctuation before any oscillation. The magnetic field lines rapidly relax into a sequence of angular zig-zag structures. Such a restrictive bound on shear-Alfvén-wave amplitudes has far-reaching implications for the physics of magnetized turbulence in the high-β conditions prevalent in many astrophysical plasmas, as well as for the solar wind at ∼1 au where β ≳ 1.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Experimental Measurements of Ion Heating in Collisional Plasma Shocks and Interpenetrating Supersonic Plasma Flows

Here, we present time-resolved measurements of ion heating due to collisional plasma shocks and interpenetrating supersonic plasma flows, which are formed by the oblique merging of two coaxial-gun-formed plasma jets. Our study is repeated using four jet species: N, Ar, Kr, and Xe. In conditions with small interpenetration between jets, the observed peak ion temperature T i is consistent with the predictions of collisional plasma-shock theory showing a substantial elevation of T i above the electron temperature T e and also the subsequent decrease of T i on the classical ion-electron temperature-equilibration timescale. In conditions of significant interpenetration between jets, such that shocks do not apparently form, the observed peak T i is still appreciable and greater than T e but much lower than that predicted by collisional plasma-shock theory. Experimental results are compared with multifluid plasma simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Final Scientific/Technical Report: Correlations and Fluctuations in Weakly Collisional Plasma

Plasma is a state of matter that exhibits a very rich range of phenomena. To begin with, plasma is both electrical and mechanical - bringing together theories of particle motion and the electromagnetic field. Furthermore, and especially important for this project, a weakly-collisional plasma, such as is found in high-temperature (fusion energy) experiments on earth and the majority of contexts in space and astrophysics, has many moving parts. For example, sitting in earth’s atmosphere we are immersed in a mechanical wave field (sound), a possibly turbulent fluid motion (wind), and an electromagnetic vector wave field with two polarizations (light). This is already enough to produce a rich range of possibilities. In plasma, the electromagnetic field is coupled to the mechanical motion of the medium because it is ionized. Furthermore, a weakly-collisional plasma supports an infinite number of mechanically independent fluids. Thus, plasmas support an infinite number of independent electromechanical waves. Much has been done to describe plasmas with "reduced models" of various kinds. The goal of this project was to both explore the validity of reduced plasma models that are in use, and to propose and validate new models of plasma motion. The primary means to his end was laboratory experiments employing both electrical probes and laser spectroscopy. Laser spectroscopy enables many techniques which can separate the spectrum of independent fluid motions in the ion phase-space. The choice was to focus on low frequency electrostatic waves because the electron motion is relatively simple, the experiments can be on a spatial scale of a few meters, and all the relevant parameters can be measured with a few lasers systems. No study of this kind had previously been undertaken for the study of plasmas. The validation of theories required that the experimental descriptions be compared with theory and simulation in detail. It was found that even multi-fluid theories leave out a large part of the complexity of plasma motion. Reduced descriptions were found to fail under most circumstances. A new technique was developed that enabled a measurement of the phase-space resolved ion correlation function for the first time. The wide range of plasma dynamics possible became clear through this technique. It was found that collisionless (Vlasov) theory has a large field of application even when the plasma is weakly-collisional. A new approach, the kinetic wave expansion, was proposed, tested and found to be very useful for describing electrostatic ion waves. This project demonstrated a new way of looking at the "degrees-of-freedom" of plasmas and provided significant validation tests of fluid and kinetic plasma descriptions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
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 OSTI2016

Laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity

We present theory and numerical analysis which demonstrate laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under the weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity. Plasma equilibrium density is modified due to the ohmic heating of electrons, the collisions, and the weak relativistic-ponderomotive force during the interaction of a laser pulse with plasmas. First, within one-dimensional analysis, the longitudinal self-compression mechanism is discussed. Three-dimensional analysis (spatiotemporal) of laser pulse propagation is also investigated by coupling the self-compression with the self-focusing. In the regime in which the laser becomes self-focused due to the weak relativistic-ponderomotive nonlinearity, we provide results for enhanced pulse compression. The results show that the matched interplay between self-focusing and self-compression can improve significantly the temporal profile of the compressed pulse. Enhanced pulse compression can be achieved by optimizing and selecting the parameters such as collision frequency, ion-temperature, and laser intensity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effective viscosity, resistivity, and Reynolds number in weakly collisional plasma turbulence

ABSTRACT We examine dissipation and energy conversion in weakly collisional plasma turbulence, employing in situ observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission and kinetic particle-in-cell simulations of proton–electron plasma. A previous result indicated the presence of viscous-like and resistive-like scaling of average energy conversion rates – analogous to scalings characteristic of collisional systems. This allows for extraction of collisional-like coefficients of effective viscosity and resistivity, and thus also determination of effective Reynolds numbers based on these coefficients. The effective Reynolds number, as a measure of the available bandwidth for turbulence to populate various scales, links turbulence macroscale properties with kinetic plasma properties in a novel way.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nonmagnetized Collisional Plasma Parameter Estimation From Two Frequency Signal Interrogation Attenuation

A nonmagnetized collisional plasma parameter estimator from two frequency signal interrogation attenuation is developed. The plasma parameters that are estimated are the plasma frequency, electron neutral momentum collision frequency, and the plasma thickness. The plasma frequency and electron neutral momentum collision frequency are considered uniform across the plasma thickness. The relative permittivity is defined, and the complex index of refraction is developed. Using this definition and applying the plasma frequency, electron neutral momentum collision frequency, the radial propagation frequency, and plasma thickness, an attenuation is determined for known cases. The development of the estimator is discussed. The estimator uses a performance index where the minimum difference between the plasma frequencies and electron neutral momentum collision frequencies is determined for the two signal interrogation frequencies under the constraint of the same plasma thickness. The estimator was developed in three stages which include iterative, sequential, and adaptive. The setups of the iterative, sequential, and adaptive approaches are discussed. The impact of the interrogation frequency and the estimator setup is investigated. The estimator in the three development stages is compared with known cases and the plasma parameter estimator performance is quantified.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗