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At least 19 records

Observations of charging dynamics

Plasma data from the University of California, San Diego, Auroral Particles experiments on Applied Technology satellites 5 and 6 are used to investigate the dynamics of natural charging events. Both eclipse and daylight charging events are considered, and typical responses are illustrated by data from specific events. Two different physical processes are found to be involved in the charging process. One of these is straightforward: the spacecraft structure potential responds rapidly to changes in the environment, typically changing by hundreds of volts in a few seconds. The other process is more subtle: differential charging and potential barrier formation precede structural charging and determine the time scale; typically, tens of minutes are required for the potential to change by several hundreds of volts. The latter process is found to be predominately responsible for daylight charging on both spacecraft.

Olsen, R. C.

Ohm's law in the fast lane: general relatiivistic charge dynamics

Fully relativistic and causal equations for the flow of charge in curved spacetime are derived. It is believed that this is the first set of equations to be published that correctly describes the flow of charge, as well as the evolution of the electromagnetic field, in highly dynamical relativistic environments on timescales much shorter than the collapse time (GM/c3).

magnetic fields black holes

Space-charge dynamics of liquids.

The propagation and instability characteristics of small-signal electro-fluid-mechanical space-charge and polarization waves in nonhomogeneous fluids are developed. Stratified equilibrium configurations with fluid properties and space-charge density constant within planar, cylindrical, and spherical surfaces, are emphasized. Equilibrium electric fields due both to charges in the fluid and to externally imposed potentials are normal to these surfaces. The liquid is modeled as incompressible, inviscid, and perfectly insulating, with domains of sufficiently high frequency or growth rate to validate the last assumption defined in terms of electrical conductivity or mobility. A general set of relations for perturbation field and flow variables on the perturbed surfaces of fluid layers having constant properties and space charge are derived in each of the configurations.

Zahn, M.

Charged dust dynamics - Orbital resonance due to planetary shadows

The dynamics of a weakly charged dust grain orbiting in the equatorial plane of a planet surrounded by a rigidly corotating magnetospehre is examined. It is shown that an introduction of an effectilve 1D potential causes a perturbation due to electrostatic forces, which induces a motion of the pericenter, similar to the effect of the planetary oblateness. A case is examined where the charge varies periodically due to the modulation of the photoelectron current occurring as the grain enters and leaves the planetary shadow, causing the electromagnetic perturbation to resonate with the orbital period and to modify the size and eccentricity of the orbit. This effect is demonstrated both numerically and analytically for small grains comprising the Jovian ring, showing that their resulting changes are periodic, and their amplitude is much larger than that of the periodic changes due to light-pressure perturbation or the secular changes due to resonant charge variations that develop over a comparable time span.

Horanyi, M.

Nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail

An important region of the earth's magnetosphere is the nightside magnetotail, which is believed to play a significant role in energy storage and release associated with substorms. The magnetotail contains a current sheet which separates regions of oppositely directed magnetic field. Particle motion in the collisionless magnetotail has been a long-standing problem. Recent research from the dynamical point of view has yielded considerable new insights into the fundamental properties of orbits and of particle distribution functions. A new framework of understanding magnetospheric plasma properties is emerging. Some novel predictions based directly on nonlinear dynamics have proved to be robust and in apparent good agreement with observation. The earth's magnetotail may serve as a paradigm, one accessible by in situ observation, of a broad class of boundary regions with embedded current sheets. This article reviews the nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail configuration. The emphasis is on the relationships between the dynamics and physical observables. At the end of the introduction, sections containing basic material are indicated.

Chen, James

The dynamics of charged particles in turbulent astrophysical plasmas

We consider the resonant interaction of energetic charged particles and transverse plasma wave propagating parallel and/or antiparallel to the uniform magnetic field B(sub 0) in an underlying background plasma of density n. The coupling of the plasma waves and the energetic particles will be controlled by the ratio n/(the absolute value of B(sub 0)(exp 2). A variation of this ratio leads to a strong variation of the dynamics of the energetic particles. By taking into account the whole transverse plasma branch for the resonant interaction we discuss the influence of the background plasma density, the background magnetic field, the cross helicity, and the magnetic helicities on the dynamics of charged particles in astrophysical plasmas. It is shown that low-energy electrons can be accelerated efficiently by the higher electromagnetic waves and short-wavelength whistlers for low values of the ratio n/(the absolute value of B(sub 0)(exp 2), which means for low values of the ratio of plasma frequency to gyrofrequency.

Dung, Rudiger

The thermal-wave model: A Schroedinger-like equation for charged particle beam dynamics

We review some results on longitudinal beam dynamics obtained in the framework of the Thermal Wave Model (TWM). In this model, which has recently shown the capability to describe both longitudinal and transverse dynamics of charged particle beams, the beam dynamics is ruled by Schroedinger-like equations for the beam wave functions, whose squared modulus is proportional to the beam density profile. Remarkably, the role of the Planck constant is played by a diffractive constant epsilon, the emittance, which has a thermal nature.

Fedele, Renato

Dynamics of charged particles in a Paul radio-frequency quadrupole trap

A molecular-dynamics simulation of hundreds of ions confined in a Paul trap has been performed. The simulation includes the trapped particles' micromotion and interparticle Coulomb interactions. A random walk in velocity was implemented to bring the secular motion to a given temperature which was numerically measured. When the coupling Gamma is large the ions from concentric shells which undergo a quadrupole oscillation at the RF frequency, while the ions within a shell form a 2D hexagonal lattice. Ion clouds at 5 mK show no RF heating for q(z) less than about 0.6, whereas rapid heating is seen for qz = 0.8.

Prestage, J. D.

The dynamics of charged particles in the near wake of a very negatively charged body - Laboratory experiment and numerical simulation

A numerical simulation that is cylindrical in configuration space and three-dimensional in velocity space has been initiated to test a model for the near-wake dynamics of a very negatively charged body, with reference to the plasma environment around spacecraft. The simulation parameters were closely matched to those of a laboratory experiment so that the results can be compared directly. The laboratory study showed that the electrons and ions can display different temporal features in the filling-in of the wake; and that they can both be found within one body diameter of an object with a highly negative body potential. It was also found that the temperature of the electrons in the very near wake could be somewhat colder than the ambient value, suggesting the possibility of a filtering mechanism being operative there. The simulation results to date largely corroborate the density findings.

Morgan, M. Alvin

Charged drop dynamics experiment using an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system

The design and the performance of an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system and its application to a charge drop rotation experiment are presented. This system can levitate a charged drop electrostatically and induce drop rotation or oscillation by imposing an acoustic torque or an oscillating acoustic pressure. Using this system, the equilibrium shapes and stability of a rotating charged drop were experimentally investigated. A 3 mm size water drop was rotated as a rigid body and its gyrostatic equilibrium shapes were observed. Families of axisymmetric shapes, two-lobed shapes, and eventual fissioning have been observed. With the assumption of 'effective surface tension' in which the surface charge simply modified the surface tension of neutral liquid, the results agree exceptionally well with the Brown and Scriven's (1980) prediction for uncharged drops.

Rhim, W. K.

The dynamics of charged dust in the tail of Comet Giacobini-Zinner

A numerical simulation has been performed to calculate the distributions of dust particles of various sizes down the tail of comet P/Giacobini-Zinner. When the electrostatic charging of the grains in the plasma and radiative environment of the comet is taken into account, it is found that the distribution of the grains (particularly at the lowest end of the mass spectrum) in a plane normal to the orbital plane is entirely different from what is expected had the grains been uncharged. Although the NASA-ICE spacecraft, which will fly through the tail of this comet almost normal to its orbital plane on September 11, 1985, has no dedicated dust experiments, it is expected that the plasma wave instrument will serve as an indirect detector, even of the smallest grains, via the plasma clouds created by the high-velocity dust impacts. Knowledge of the spatial variation of the grain sizes encountered along the flight path of the spacecraft will provide us with the information necessary to calculate the electrostatic potential of the grains, which in turn will lead to an estimation of the role of the electromagnetic forces on the dynamics of such grains.

Horanyi, M.

Helium and minor ions in the corona and solar wind - Dynamics and charge states

A theoretical model of the acceleration region of the solar wind with major species (p, alpha, e) and minor ions (e.g., He-3, C, O, Mg, Si) is presented. Observed n(e)-profiles and the equations of continuity and momentum are used to calculate profiles of T, n, and u for all species, as well as charge states of minor ions. The disagreement of the results of a pure p-e model with observations is discussed in some detail, and it is shown that a model consistent with observations both in the corona and at 1 AU requires a finite abundance of He(2+). This model predicts a strong enhancement of He/H in the lower corona. The results for the frozen-in charge states in the p-alpha-e model are in agreement with measurements in the low speed solar wind, especially for the well determined pair O(6+)/O(7+). Finally, a model for a coronal hole is investigated and it is found that wave pressure is necessary to model successfully the observed solar wind speeds and abundances. Although various simplifying assumptions had to be introduced, care was taken to ensure that the model remains physically consistent, i.e., that the same physics is used for the major species as well as the minor ions.

Buergi, A.

Internal Electrostatic Discharge Monitor - IESDM

A document discusses an innovation designed to effectively monitor dielectric charging in spacecraft components to measure the potential for discharge in order to prevent damage from internal electrostatic discharge (IESD). High-energy electrons penetrate the structural materials and shielding of a spacecraft and then stop inside dielectrics and keep accumulating. Those deposited charges generate an electric field. If the electric field becomes higher than the breakdown threshold (approx. =2 x 10(exp 5) V/cm), discharge occurs. This monitor measures potentials as a function of dielectric depth. Differentiation of potential with respect to the depth yields electric field. Direct measurement of the depth profile of the potential in a dielectric makes real-time electronic field evaluation possible without simulations. The IESDM has been designed to emulate a multi-layer circuit board, to insert very thin metallic layers between the dielectric layers. The conductors serve as diagnostic monitoring locations to measure the deposited electron-charge and the charge dynamics. Measurement of the time-dependent potential of the metal layers provides information on the amount of charge deposited in the dielectrics and the movement of that charge with time (dynamics).

Kim, Wousik

Annual Conference on Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects, 19th, Las Vegas, NV, July 20-22, 1982, Proceedings

The results of research concerning the effects of nuclear and space radiation are presented. Topics discussed include the basic mechanisms of nuclear and space radiation effects, radiation effects in devices, and radiation effects in microcircuits, including studies of radiation-induced paramagnetic defects in MOS structures, silicon solar cell damage from electrical overstress, radiation-induced charge dynamics in dielectrics, and the enhanced radiation effects on submicron narrow-channel NMOS. Also examined are topics in SGEMP/IEMP phenomena, hardness assurance and testing, energy deposition, desometry, and radiation transport, and single event phenomena. Among others, studies are presented concerning the limits to hardening electronic boxes to IEMP coupling, transient radiation screening of silicon devices using backside laser irradiation, the damage equivalence of electrons, protons, and gamma rays in MOS devices, and the single event upset sensitivity of low power Schottky devices.

Long, D. M.

Charged dust in planetary magnetospheres: Hamiltonian dynamics and numerical simulations for highly charged grains

We use a combination of analytical and numerical methods to investigate the dynamics of charged dust grains in planetary magnetospheres. Our emphasis is on obtaining results valid for particles that are not necessarily dominated either by gravitational or electromagnetic forces. A Hamiltonian formulation of the problem yields exact results, for all values of charge-to-mass ratio, when we introduce two constraints: particles remain in the equatorial plane and the magnetic field is taken as axially symmetric. In particular, we obtain locations of equilibrium points, the frequencies of stable periodic orbits, the topology of separatrices in phase space, and the rate of longitudinal drift. These results are significant for specific applications: motion in the nearly aligned dipolar field of Saturn, and the trajectories of arbitrarily charged particles in complex magnetic fields for limited periods of time after ejection from parent bodies. Since the model is restrictive, we also use numerical integrations of the full three-dimensional equations of motion and illustrate under what conditions the constrained problem yields reasonable results. We show that a large fraction of the intermediately charged and highly charged (gyrating) particles will always be lost to a planet's atmosphere within a few hundred hours, for motion through tilted-dipole magnetic fields. We find that grains must have a very high charge-to-mass ratio in order to be mirrored back to the ring plane. Thus, except perhaps at Saturn where the dipole tilt is very small, the likely inhabitants of the dusty ring systems are those particles that are either nearly Keplerian (weakly charged) grains or grains whose charges place them in the lower end of the intermediate charge zone. Fianlly, we demonstrate the effect of plasma drag on the orbits of gyrating particles to be a rapid decrease in gyroradius followed by a slow radial evolution of the guiding center.

Schaffer, L.

Charge and Spin Dynamics of the Hubbard Chains

We calculate the local correlation functions of charge and spin for the one-chain and two-chain Hubbard model using density matrix renormalization group method and the recursion technique. Keeping only finite number of states we get good accuracy for the low energy excitations. We study the charge and spin gaps, bandwidths and weights of the spectra for various values of the on-site Coulomb interaction U and the electron filling. In the low energy part, the local correlation functions are different for the charge and spin. The bandwidths are proportional to t for the charge and J for the spin respectively.

Park, Youngho

Single phase dynamic CMOS PLA using charge sharing technique

A single phase dynamic CMOS NOR-NOR programmable logic array (PLA) using triggered decoders and charge sharing techniques for high speed and low power is presented. By using the triggered decoder technique, the ground switches are eliminated, thereby, making this new design much faster and lower power dissipation than conventional PLA's. By using the charge-sharing technique in a dynamic CMOS NOR structure, a cascading AND gate can be implemented. The proposed PLA's are presented with a delay-time of 15.95 and 18.05 nsec, respectively, which compare with a conventional single phase PLA with 35.5 nsec delay-time. For a typical example of PLA like the Signetics 82S100 with 16 inputs, 48 input minterms (m) and 8 output minterms (n), the 2-SOP PLA using the triggered 2-bit decoder is 2.23 times faster and has 2.1 times less power dissipation than the conventional PLA. These results are simulated using maximum drain current of 600 micro-A, gate length of 2.0 micron, V sub DD of 5 V, the capacitance of an input miniterm of 1600 fF, and the capacitance of an output minterm of 1500 fF.

Dhong, Y. B.