Engineering topics

Savin, D. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Savin, D. W..

At least 19 records

DOE OSTI2018

Measurements of the effective electron density in an electron beam ion trap using extreme ultraviolet spectra and optical imaging

In an electron beam ion trap (EBIT), the ions are not confined to the electron beam, but rather oscillate in and out of the beam. As a result, the ions do not continuously experience the full density of the electron beam. To determine the effective electron density, n e,eff , experienced by the ions, the electron beam size, the nominal electron density n e , and the ion distribution around the beam, i.e., the so-called ion cloud, must be measured. We use imaging techniques in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and optical to determine these. The electron beam width is measured using 3 d → 3 p emission from Fe xii and xiii between 185 and 205 Å. These transitions are fast and the EUV emission occurs only within the electron beam. The measured spatial emission profile and variable electron current yield a nominal electron density range of n e ~ 10 11 –10 13 cm –3 . We determine the size of the ion cloud using optical emission from metastable levels of ions with radiative lifetimes longer than the ion orbital periods. Here, the resulting emission maps out the spatial distribution of the ion cloud. We find a typical electron beam radius of ~60 μm and an ion cloud radius of ~300 μ m. These yield a spatially averaged effective electron density, ne,eff, experienced by the ions in EBIT spanning ~ 5 × 10 9 –5 × 10 11 cm –3 .

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NASA NTRS2018

Toolbox for Research and Exploration (TREX): Investigations of Fine-Grained Materials on Small Bodies

The Toolbox for Research and Exploration (TREX) is a NASA SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute) node. TREX (trex.psi.edu) aims to decrease risk to future missions, specifically to the Moon, the Martian moons, and near- Earth asteroids, by improving mission success and assuring the safety of astronauts, their instruments, and spacecraft. TREX studies will focus on characteristics of the fine grains that cover the surfaces of these target bodies - their spectral characteristics and the potential resources (such as H2O) they may harbor. TREX studies are organized into four Themes (Laboratory- Studies, Moon-Studies, Small-Bodies Studies, and Field-Work). In this presentation, we focus on the work targeted by the Small-Bodies Theme. The Small-Bodies' Theme delves into several topics, many which overlap or are synergistic with the other TREX Themes. The main topics include photometry, spectral modeling, laboratory simulations of space weathering processes relevant to asteroids, the assembly of an asteroid regolith database, the dichotomy between nuclear and reflectance spectroscopy, and the dynamical evolution of asteroids and the implications for the retention of volatiles.

Domingue, D. L.↗

DOE OSTI2016

Inner-shell photoionization studies of neutral atomic nitrogen

Inner-shell ionization of a 1s electron by either photons or electrons is important for X-ray photoionized objects such as active galactic nuclei and electron-ionized sources such as supernova remnants. Modeling and interpreting observations of such objects requires accurate predictions for the charge state distribution (CSD), which results as the 1s-hole system stabilizes. Due to the complexity of the complete stabilization process, few modern calculations exist and the community currently relies on 40-year-old atomic data. Here, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study for inner-shell photoionization of neutral atomic nitrogen for photon energies of 403–475 eV. Results are reported for the total ion yield cross section, for the branching ratios for formation of N{sup +}, N{sup 2+}, and N{sup 3+}, and for the average charge state. We find significant differences when comparing to the data currently available to the astrophysics community. For example, while the branching ratio to N{sup 2+} is somewhat reduced, that for N{sup +} is greatly increased, and that to N{sup 3+}, which was predicted to be zero, grows to ≈10% at the higher photon energies studied. This work demonstrates some of the shortcomings in the theoretical CSD data base for inner-shell ionization and points the way for the improvements needed to more reliably model the role of inner-shell ionization of cosmic plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Merged-beams reaction studies of O + H{sub 3}{sup +}

We have measured the reaction of O+H{sub 3}{sup +} forming OH{sup +} and H{sub 2}O{sup +}. This is believed to be one of the key gas-phase astrochemical processes initiating the formation of water molecules in dense molecular clouds. For this work, we have used a novel merged fast-beams apparatus that overlaps a beam of H{sub 3}{sup +} onto a beam of ground-term neutral O. Here, we present cross-section data for forming OH{sup +} and H{sub 2}O{sup +} at relative energies from ≈3.5 meV to ≈15.5 and 0.13 eV, respectively. Measurements were performed for statistically populated O({sup 3}P{sub J}) in the ground term reacting with hot H{sub 3}{sup +} (with an internal temperature of ∼2500–3000 K). From these data, we have derived rate coefficients for translational temperatures from ≈27 K to ∼10{sup 5} K for the formation of OH{sup +} and ∼10{sup 3} K for the formation of H{sub 2}O{sup +}. In order to convert these results to a thermal rate coefficient suitable for astrochemistry, we have added the results together for both exit channels and scaled the summed data on statistically populated oxygen to thermally populated oxygen. For this we have used theory as a guide, thereby accounting for the temperature dependence of the O fine-structure levels. Our results are in good agreement with two independent flowing afterglow measurements at a temperature of ≈300 K, and with a corresponding level of H{sub 3}{sup +} internal excitation. This good agreement suggests that the internal excitation of the H{sub 3}{sup +} does not play a significant role in this reaction. The Langevin rate coefficient is in reasonable agreement with the experimental results at 10 K but a factor of ∼2 larger at 300 K. The two published classical trajectory studies using quantum-mechanical potential energy surfaces lie a factor of ∼1.5 above our experimental results over this 10–300 K range.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

STORAGE RING CROSS SECTION MEASUREMENTS FOR ELECTRON IMPACT IONIZATION OF Fe{sup 7+}

We have measured electron impact ionization for Fe{sup 7+} from the ionization threshold up to 1200 eV. The measurements were performed using the TSR heavy ion storage ring. The ions were stored long enough prior to measurements to remove most metastables, resulting in a beam of 94% ground-level ions. Comparing with the previously recommended atomic data, we find that the Arnaud and Raymond cross section is up to about 40% larger than our measurement, with the largest discrepancies below about 400 eV. The cross section of Dere agrees to within 10%, which is about the magnitude of the experimental uncertainties. The remaining discrepancies between our measurement and the Dere calculations are likely due to shortcomings in the theoretical treatment of the excitation-autoionization contribution.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR MODELING COLLISION PROCESSES IN PLASMAS WITH A KAPPA ENERGY DISTRIBUTION

We demonstrate that a nonthermal distribution of particles described by a kappa distribution can be accurately approximated by a weighted sum of Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions. We apply this method to modeling collision processes in kappa-distribution plasmas, with a particular focus on atomic processes important for solar physics. The relevant collision process rate coefficients are generated by summing appropriately weighted Maxwellian rate coefficients. This method reproduces the rate coefficients for a kappa distribution to an estimated accuracy of better than 3%. This is equal to or better than the accuracy of rate coefficients generated using “reverse-engineering” methods, which attempt to extract the needed cross sections from the published Maxwellian rate coefficient data and then reconvolve the extracted cross sections with the desired kappa distribution. Our approach of summing Maxwellian rate coefficients is easy to implement using existing spectral analysis software. Moreover, the weights in the sum of the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution rate coefficients can be found for any value of the parameter κ, thereby enabling one to model plasmas with a time-varying κ. Tabulated Maxwellian fitting parameters are given for specific values of κ from 1.7 to 100. We also provide polynomial fits to these parameters over this entire range. Several applications of our technique are presented, including the plasma equilibrium charge state distribution (CSD), predicting line ratios, modeling the influence of electron impact multiple ionization on the equilibrium CSD of kappa-distribution plasmas, and calculating the time-varying CSD of plasmas during a solar flare.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Reaction studies of neutral atomic C with H{sub 3}{sup +} using a merged-beams apparatus

We have investigated the chemistry of C+H{sub 3}{sup +} forming CH{sup +}, CH{sub 2}{sup +}, and CH{sub 3}{sup +}. These reactions are believed to be some of the key gas-phase astrochemical processes initiating the formation of organic molecules in molecular clouds. For this work, we have constructed a novel merged fast-beams apparatus which overlaps a beam of molecular ions onto a beam of ground-term neutral atoms. Here, we describe the apparatus in detail and present cross section data for forming CH{sup +} and CH{sub 2}{sup +} at relative energies from ≈9 meV to ≈20 and 3 eV, respectively. Measurements were performed for statistically populated C ({sup 3}P{sub J}) in the ground term reacting with hot H{sub 3}{sup +} (at an internal temperature of ∼2550 K). Using these data, we have derived rate coefficients for translational temperatures from ≈72 K to ∼2.3×10{sup 5} and 3.4×10{sup 4} K, respectively. For the formation of CH{sub 3}{sup +}, we are only able to place an upper limit on the rate coefficient. Our results for CH{sup +} and CH{sub 2}{sup +} are in good agreement with the mass-scaled results from a previous ion trap study of C + D{sub 3}{sup +}, at a translational temperature of ∼1000 K. That work also used statistically populated C ({sup 3}P{sub J}) but internally cold D{sub 3}{sup +} (∼77 K). The good agreement between the two experiments implies that the internal excitation of the H{sub 3}{sup +} is not significant so long as the reaction proceeds adiabatically. At 300 K, the C fine-structure levels are predicted to be essentially statistically populated, enabling us to compare our translational temperature results to thermal equilibrium calculations. At this temperature, our rate coefficient for forming CH{sup +} lies a factor of ≈2.9 below the Langevin rate coefficient currently given in astrochemical databases, and a factor of ∼1.8−3.3 below the published classical trajectory studies using quantum mechanical potential energy surfaces. Our results for CH{sub 2}{sup +} formation at 300 K are a factor of ≈26.7 above these semi-classical results. Astrochemical databases do not currently include this channel. We also present a method for converting our translational temperature results to thermal rate coefficients for temperatures below ∼300 K. The results indicated that CH{sub 2}{sup +} formation dominates over that of CH{sup +} at temperatures ≲50 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2015

INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON-IMPACT MULTIPLE IONIZATION ON EQUILIBRIUM AND DYNAMIC CHARGE STATE DISTRIBUTIONS: A CASE STUDY USING IRON

We describe the influence of electron-impact multiple ionization (EIMI) on the ionization balance of collisionally ionized plasmas. Previous ionization balance calculations have largely neglected EIMI. Here, EIMI cross-section data are incorporated into calculations of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium charge-state distributions (CSDs). For equilibrium CSDs, we find that EIMI has only a small effect and can usually be ignored. However, for non-equilibrium plasmas the influence of EIMI can be important. In particular, we find that for plasmas in which the temperature oscillates there are significant differences in the CSD when including versus neglecting EIMI. These results have implications for modeling and spectroscopy of impulsively heated plasmas, such as nanoflare heating of the solar corona.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Evidence for wave heating of the quiet-sun corona

We have measured the energy and dissipation of Alfvénic waves in the quiet Sun. A magnetic field model was used to infer the location and orientation of the magnetic field lines along which the waves are expected to travel. The waves were measured using spectral lines to infer the wave amplitude. The waves cause a non-thermal broadening of the spectral lines, which can be expressed as a non-thermal velocity v {sub nt}. By combining the spectroscopic measurements with this magnetic field model, we were able to trace the variation of v {sub nt} along the magnetic field. At each footpoint of the quiet-Sun loops, we find that waves inject an energy flux in the range of 1.3-5.5 × 10{sup 5} erg cm{sup –2} s{sup –1}. At the minimum of this range, this amounts to more than 80% of the energy needed to heat the quiet Sun. We also find that these waves are dissipated over a region centered on the top of the loops. The position along the loop where the damping begins is strongly correlated with the length of the loop, implying that the damping mechanism depends on the global loop properties rather than on local collisional dissipation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Dissociative recombination measurements of NH{sup +} using an ion storage ring

We have investigated dissociative recombination (DR) of NH{sup +} with electrons using a merged beams configuration at the TSR heavy-ion storage ring located at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany. We present our measured absolute merged-beams recombination rate coefficient for collision energies from 0 to 12 eV. From these data, we have extracted a cross section, which we have transformed to a plasma rate coefficient for the collisional plasma temperature range from T {sub pl} = 10 to 18,000 K. We show that the NH{sup +} DR rate coefficient data in current astrochemical models are underestimated by up to a factor of approximately nine. Our new data will result in predicted NH{sup +} abundances lower than those calculated by present models. This is in agreement with the sensitivity limits of all observations attempting to detect NH{sup +} in interstellar clouds.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Electron-ion recombination of Fe{sup 12+} forming Fe{sup 11+}: Laboratory measurements and theoretical calculations

We have measured dielectronic recombination (DR) for Fe{sup 12+} forming Fe{sup 11+} using the heavy ion storage ring TSR located at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany. Using our results, we have calculated a plasma rate coefficient from these data that can be used for modeling astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. For the low temperatures characteristic of photoionized plasmas, the experimentally derived rate coefficient is orders of magnitude larger than the previously recommended atomic data. The existing atomic data were also about 40% smaller than our measurements at temperatures relevant for collisionally ionized plasmas. Recent state-of-the-art theory has difficulty reproducing the detailed energy dependence of the DR spectrum. However, for the Maxwellian plasma rate coefficient, recent theoretical results agree with our measurements to within about 30% for both photoionized and collisionally ionized plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

DISSOCIATIVE RECOMBINATION MEASUREMENTS OF HCl{sup +} USING AN ION STORAGE RING

We have measured dissociative recombination (DR) of HCl{sup +} with electrons using a merged beams configuration at the TSR heavy-ion storage ring located at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany. We present the measured absolute merged beams recombination rate coefficient for collision energies from 0 to 4.5 eV. We have also developed a new method for deriving the cross section from the measurements. Our approach does not suffer from approximations made by previously used methods. The cross section was transformed to a plasma rate coefficient for the electron temperature range from T = 10 to 5000 K. We show that the previously used HCl{sup +} DR data underestimate the plasma rate coefficient by a factor of 1.5 at T = 10 K and overestimate it by a factor of three at T = 300 K. We also find that the new data may partly explain existing discrepancies between observed abundances of chlorine-bearing molecules and their astrochemical models.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

OBSERVATIONAL QUANTIFICATION OF THE ENERGY DISSIPATED BY ALFVÉN WAVES IN A POLAR CORONAL HOLE: EVIDENCE THAT WAVES DRIVE THE FAST SOLAR WIND

We present a measurement of the energy carried and dissipated by Alfvén waves in a polar coronal hole. Alfvén waves have been proposed as the energy source that heats the corona and drives the solar wind. Previous work has shown that line widths decrease with height in coronal holes, which is a signature of wave damping, but have been unable to quantify the energy lost by the waves. This is because line widths depend on both the non-thermal velocity v{sub nt} and the ion temperature T{sub i}. We have implemented a means to separate the T{sub i} and v{sub nt} contributions using the observation that at low heights the waves are undamped and the ion temperatures do not change with height. This enables us to determine the amount of energy carried by the waves at low heights, which is proportional to v{sub nt}. We find the initial energy flux density present was 6.7 ± 0.7 × 10{sup 5} erg cm{sup –2} s{sup –1}, which is sufficient to heat the coronal hole and accelerate the solar wind during the 2007-2009 solar minimum. Additionally, we find that about 85% of this energy is dissipated below 1.5 R{sub ☉}, sufficiently low that thermal conduction can transport the energy throughout the coronal hole, heating it and driving the fast solar wind. The remaining energy is roughly consistent with what models show is needed to provide the extended heating above the sonic point for the fast solar wind. We have also studied T{sub i}, which we found to be in the range of 1-2 MK, depending on the ion species.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

STORAGE RING CROSS SECTION MEASUREMENTS FOR ELECTRON IMPACT SINGLE AND DOUBLE IONIZATION OF Fe{sup 13+} AND SINGLE IONIZATION OF Fe{sup 16+} AND Fe{sup 17+}

We report measurements of electron impact ionization for Fe{sup 13+}, Fe{sup 16+}, and Fe{sup 17+} over collision energies from below threshold to above 3000 eV. The ions were recirculated using an ion storage ring. Data were collected after a sufficiently long time that essentially all the ions had relaxed radiatively to their ground state. For single ionization of Fe{sup 13+}, we find that previous single pass experiments are more than 40% larger than our results. Compared to our work, the theoretical cross section recommended by Arnaud and Raymond is more than 30% larger, while that of Dere is about 20% greater. Much of the discrepancy with Dere is due to the theory overestimating the contribution of excitation-autoionization via n = 2 excitations. Double ionization of Fe{sup 13+} is dominated by direct ionization of an inner shell electron accompanied by autoionization of a second electron. Our results for single ionization of Fe{sup 16+} and Fe{sup 17+} agree with theoretical calculations to within the experimental uncertainties.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

MEASUREMENTS OF ANISOTROPIC ION TEMPERATURES, NON-THERMAL VELOCITIES, AND DOPPLER SHIFTS IN A CORONAL HOLE

We present a new diagnostic allowing one to measure the anisotropy of ion temperatures and non-thermal velocities, as well as Doppler shifts with respect to the ambient magnetic field. This method provides new results, as well as an independent test for previous measurements obtained with other techniques. Our spectral data come from observations of a low-latitude, on-disk coronal hole. A potential field source surface model was used to calculate the angle between the magnetic field lines and the line of sight for each spatial bin of the observation. A fit was performed to determine the line widths and Doppler shifts parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field. For each line width component we derived ion temperatures T {sub i,} and T {sub i, Parallel-To} and non-thermal velocities v {sub nt,} and v {sub nt, Parallel-To }. T {sub i,} was cooler than off-limb polar coronal hole measurements, suggesting increasing collisional cooling with decreasing height. T {sub i, Parallel-To} is consistent with a uniform temperature of (1.8 {+-} 0.2) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 6} K for each ion. Since parallel ion heating is expected to be weak, this ion temperature should reflect the proton temperature. A comparison between our results and others implies a large proton temperature gradient around 1.02 R {sub Sun }. The non-thermal velocities are thought to be proportional to the amplitudes of various waves. Our results for v {sub nt,} agree with Alfven wave amplitudes inferred from off-limb polar coronal hole line width measurements. Our v {sub nt, Parallel-To} results are consistent with slow magnetosonic wave amplitudes inferred from Fourier analysis of time-varying intensity fluctuations. Doppler shift measurements yield outflows of Almost-Equal-To 5 km s{sup -1} for ions formed over a broad temperature range. This differs from other studies that found a strong Doppler shift dependence on formation temperature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2012

Laboratory Astrophysics Division of the AAS (LAD)

The purpose of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) is to advance our understanding of the Universe through the promotion of fundamental theoretical and experimental research into the underlying processes that drive the Cosmos. LAD represents all areas of astrophysics and planetary sciences. The first new AAS Division in more than 30 years, the LAD traces its history back to the recommendation from the scientific community via the White Paper from the 2006 NASA-sponsored Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop. This recommendation was endorsed by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC), which advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on selected issues within the fields of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies. In January 2007, at the 209th AAS meeting, the AAS Council set up a Steering Committee to formulate Bylaws for a Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics (WGLA). The AAS Council formally established the WGLA with a five-year mandate in May 2007, at the 210th AAS meeting. From 2008 through 2012, the WGLA annually sponsored Meetings in-a-Meeting at the AAS Summer Meetings. In May 2011, at the 218th AAS meeting, the AAS Council voted to convert the WGLA, at the end of its mandate, into a Division of the AAS and requested draft Bylaws from the Steering Committee. In January 2012, at the 219th AAS Meeting, the AAS Council formally approved the Bylaws and the creation of the LAD. The inaugural gathering and the first business meeting of the LAD were held at the 220th AAS meeting in Anchorage in June 2012. You can learn more about LAD by visiting its website at http://lad.aas.org/ and by subscribing to its mailing list.

Salama, Farid↗

DOE OSTI2011

Associative detachment of H{sup -} + H {yields} H{sub 2} + e{sup -}

Using a merged-beams apparatus, we have measured the associative detachment (AD) reaction of H{sup -}+H{yields}H{sub 2}+e{sup -} for relative collision energies up to E{sub r}{<=}4.83 eV. These data extend above the 1-eV limit of our earlier results. We have also updated our previous theoretical work to account for AD via the repulsive {sup 2}{Sigma}{sub g}{sup +} H{sub 2}{sup -} potential energy surface and for the effects at E{sub r}{>=}0.76 eV on the experimental results due to the formation of long-lived H{sub 2} resonances lying above the H+H separated atoms limit. Merging both experimental data sets, our results are in good agreement with our new theoretical calculations and confirm the prediction that this reaction essentially turns off for E{sub r}(greater-or-similar sign)2 eV. Similar behavior has been predicted for the formation of protonium from collisions of antiprotons and hydrogen atoms.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2006

Collisional Ionization Equilibrium for Optically Thin Plasmas

Reliably interpreting spectra from electron-ionized cosmic plasmas requires accurate ionization balance calculations for the plasma in question. However, much of the atomic data needed for these calculations have not been generated using modern theoretical methods and their reliability are often highly suspect. We have utilized state-of-the-art calculations of dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients for the hydrogenic through Na-like ions of all elements from He to Zn. We have also utilized state-of-the-art radiative recombination (RR) rate coefficient calculations for the bare through Na-like ions of all elements from H to Zn. Using our data and the recommended electron impact ionization data of Mazzotta et al. (1998), we have calculated improved collisional ionization equilibrium calculations. We compare our calculated fractional ionic abundances using these data with those presented by Mazzotta et al. (1998) for all elements from H to Ni, and with the fractional abundances derived from the modern DR and RR calculations of Gu (2003a,b, 2004) for Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni.

Bryans, P.↗