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NASA NTRS1989

Discrete electromagnetic emissions in planetary magnetospheres

The present state of knowledge and observations of discrete electromagnetic emissions detected in the magnetospheres of earth and the outer planets are reviewed. The history of ground observations and satellite observations is included. Active experiments studying wave propagation, wave-wave and wave-particle interactions, and the generation and triggering of discrete emissions are addressed. The various theories proposed to explain the phenomena are examined, and computer simulations of wave-particle interactions and the generation and triggering of discrete emissions are reviewed. Related phenomena observed at frequencies above both the electron cyclotron frequency and the plasma frequency are considered. Areas of future investigation are discussed.

Anderson, Roger R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

UTD analysis of electromagnetic scattering by flat structures

The different scattering mechanisms that contribute to the radar cross of finite flat plates were identified and analyzed. The geometrical theory of diffraction, the equivalent current and the corner diffraction are used for this study. A study of the cross polarized field for a monopole mounted on a plate is presented, using novel edge wave mechanism in the analysis. The results are compared with moment method solutions as well as measured data.

Sikta, F. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The second-order theory of electromagnetic hot ion beam instabilities

The present investigation is concerned with the application of a second-order theory for electromagnetic instabilities in a collisionless plasma to two modes which resonate with hot ion beams. The application of the theory is strictly limited to the linear growth phase. However, the application of the theory may be extended to obtain a description of the beam at postsaturation if the wave-beam resonance is sufficiently broad in velocity space. Under the considered limitations, it is shown that, as in the cold beam case, the fluctuating fields do not gain appreciable momentum and that the primary exchange of momentum is between the beam and main component.

Gary, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Second harmonic plasma emission involving ion sound waves

The theory for second harmonic plasma emission by the weak turbulence (or random phase) processes L + L + or - S to T, proceeding in two three-wave steps, L + or - S to L prime and L + L prime to T, where L, S and T denote Langmuir, ion sound and electromagnetic waves, respectively, is developed. Kinematic constraints on the characteristics and growth lengths of waves participating in the wave processes, and constraints on the characteristics of the source plasma, are derived. Limits on the brightness temperature of the radiation and the levels of the L prime and S waves are determined. Expressions for the growth rates and path-integrated wave temperatures are derived for simple models of the wave spectra and source plasma.

Cairns, Iver H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Adaptive optics and optical structures; Proceedings of the Meeting, European Congress on Optics, 3rd, The Hague, Netherlands, Mar. 12-14, 1990

The present conference on adaptive optics (AO) and optical structures addresses AO systems and controls, AO components, nonlinear optics applications to AO, astronomical applications of AO, large telescopes and optical alignment, as well as the wavefront control experiment for the use of AO in beam propagation. Specific references are made to applications of electromagnetic theory in optics, theoretical studies of system performance and design parameters, Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensing, the use of ray-based techniques in cophasing segmented mirrors, the use of a phase-conjugating mirror for real-time phase visualization, and the absolute instability of oppositely directed waves with respect to a high-reflectivity phase-conjugate mirror. Also addressed are automatic control systems, precision segmented reflectors, AO system creation, the VLT's 8.2-m primary mirrors, an optical 12-m telescope, alignment optimization via the Talbot effect, and a combination of interferometry and ray-tracing analysis.

Tyson, Robert K.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A global analysis of the electrodynamic interactions between a space station and the ionospheric plasma environment

A general analysis of the electrodynamic interactions between a space station with two biased platforms and the ionospheric plasma is presented. This problem can be separated into a far-field problem, concerned with the electromagnetic interference surrounding the entire space station, and a near-field problem, concentrated on the interactions in the vicinity of the biased platforms. The far-field problem is solved by application of plasma fluid theory. The space station will generate a radiation field composed mainly of the Alfven waves. This far-field radiation depends on the details of the near-field current collection. Computer particle simulations were performed in the near-field of the biased platform to study the plasma flow field, the sheath structure and the current collection. Approximate analytical solutions to the near-field are also obtained. The far-field and near-field solutions are coupled to provide a global description of the electrodynamic interactions.

Wang, J.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Generation of Squeezed Light Using Photorefractive Degenerate Two-Wave Mixing

We present a quantum nonlinear model of two-wave mixing in a lossless photorefractive medium. A set of equations describing the quantum nonlinear coupling for the field operators is obtained. It is found that, to the second power term, the commutation relationship is maintained. The expectation values for the photon number concur with those of the classical electromagnetic theory when the initial intensities of the two beams are strong. We also calculate the quantum fluctuations of the two beams initially in the coherent state. With an appropriate choice of phase, quadrature squeezing or number state squeezing can be produced.

Lu, Yajun↗

NASA NTRS1995

Progressive wave expansions and open boundary problems

In this paper we construct progressive wave expansions and asymptotic boundary conditions for wave-like equations in exterior domains, including applications to electromagnetics, compressible flows and aero-acoustics. The development of the conditions will be discussed in two parts. The first part will include derivations of asymptotic conditions based on the well-known progressive wave expansions for the two-dimensional wave equations. A key feature in the derivations is that the resulting family of boundary conditions involves a single derivative in the direction normal to the open boundary. These conditions are easy to implement and an application in electromagnetics will be presented. The second part of the paper will discuss the theory for hyperbolic systems in two dimensions. Here, the focus will be to obtain the expansions in a general way and to use them to derive a class of boundary conditions that involve only time derivatives or time and tangential derivatives. Maxwell's equations and the compressible Euler equations are used as examples. Simulations with the linearized Euler equations are presented to validate the theory.

Hagstrom, T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A theory of Jovian decameter radiation

A theory of the Jovian decameter radiation is presented based on the assumed existence of beams of energetic electrons in the inner Jovian magnetosphere. Beam-like electron distributions are shown to be unstable to the growth of both upper hybrid and lower hybrid electrostatic waves. The upconversion of these waves to fast extraordinary mode electromagnetic radiation is calculated by using a fluid model. Two possibilities are considered. First, a random phase approximation is made which leads to a very conservative estimate of intensity that can be expected in decameter radiation. The alternative possibility is also considered, viz, that the upconversion process is coherent. A comparison of both processes suggests that an incoherent interaction may be adequate to account for the observed intensity of decametric radiation, except perhaps near the peak of the spectrum (8 MHz). The coherent process is intrinsically more efficient and can easily produce the observed intensity near 8 MHz if only 0.01% of the energy in the beam is converted to electrostatic energy.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-11435-DND

Acoustical studies of atmospheric events like convective storms, shear-induced turbulence, acoustic gravity waves, microbursts, hurricanes, and clear air turbulence (CAT) over the past thirty years have established that these events are strong emitters of infrasound. Several mechanisms for the production of infrasound have been proposed, for example by the acceleration of vorticity or by space-time correlations of the turbulent Reynolds stresses (Lighthill theory). Electromagnetic (EM) sensors suffer two severe disadvantages in the detection of clear air turbulence and severe storms. The first is the inability to receive returns in clear air, where reflective targets (precipitation, particulate matter) are absent. The second disadvantage is that EM systems, being active, require scanning to locate an event, as opposed to a passive infrasonic array, which receives infrasonic radiation independently of event location. Further, EM systems, even weather radar ("NEXRAD"), do not have the extensive range (hundreds of miles) characteristic of infrasound. The leading laboratory for studies on atmospheric infrasound over the past thirty years has been the Environmental Technology Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This laboratory conducted measurements of infrasound from many sources, among which clear air turbulence was but a small part of the overall program. The summary of the results of this program suggests for development of a practical detection system. In other words, despite the progress made in this area, there does not exist today a National network of stations to monitor infrasound from turbulence. Under Innovative Partnership Program, Researchers at NASA Langley Research Center have been working to achieve that goal. As a first step, NASA Langley has designed and developed a portable infrasonic detection system which can be used to make useful infrasound measurements at a location where it was not possible previously. The design and results of the compact system, based upon laboratory and field experiments, will be presented.

Qamar Shams↗

NASA NTRS2006

Optical Vortices with Large Orbital Momentum: Generation and Interference

We demonstrate a method for generation of beams of light with large angular momenta. The method utilizes whispering gallery mode resonators that transform a plane electromagnetic wave into high order Bessel beams. Interference pattern among the beams as well as shadow pictures induced by the beams are observed and studied.

diffraction theory↗

NASA NTRS1977

Induced emission of Jupiter's decametric radiation by Io-accelerated electrons

A source mechanism for the Io-modulated component of the Jovian decametric radiation is proposed on the basis of the model where electrons in the Io flux tube (IFT) can be accelerated by Io's sheath. It is suggested that a significant fraction of the Io-sheath-accelerated electrons can have pitch angles greater than the atmospheric loss cone and therefore become trapped in the IFT. These electrons have flat helical orbits near their mirror points and can give rise to induced emission of extraordinary-mode radiation with frequencies close to the local electron gyrofrequency. The excitation mechanism is primarily due to the interaction of electromagnetic waves with the electrons via a relativistic gyroresonance which arises because of the momentum dependence of the gyrofrequency. Emphasis is put on the case of nearly perpendicular propagation because it is consistent with the observed source regions and beaming pattern of the decametric emissions. The energy requirement is satisfied within the context of the theory. It is also shown that emission occurs in regions close to the planet above the ionosphere.

Wu, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Plasma waves at and near the neutral sheet

The ISEE 1 and 2 plasma wave observations in the geomagnetic tail in the vicinity of neutral sheet crossings are reported. The relevance of the plasma wave observations to the magnetic field, plasma, and energetic particle observations is considered. Broadband electrostatic noise and low frequency electromagnetic bursts are characteristic of the plasma sheet boundary layer and regions near the neutral sheet especially in the presence of strong flows, fluctuationg currents and sharp gradients in the fluxes of few keV electrons and protons. However, exactly at the neutral sheet most wave intensities decrease dramatically and this observation has important implications for theories requiring anomalous resistivity from plasma turbulence at the neutral sheet.

Anderson, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A theory of the terrestrial kilometric radiation

During magnetospheric substorms, electrons with energies of about 1 keV are injected from the plasma-sheet region into the auroral region. A fraction of these energetic electrons can precipitate into the upper atmosphere, and the rest are reflected because of the mirror effect of the convergent geomagnetic field. It is found that these reflected electrons can result in the amplification of electromagnetic waves via a relativistic normal cyclotron resonance. This process may explain the recently discovered terrestrial kilometric radiation.

Wu, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Sferics in the stratosphere

Experimental and theoretical work on describing the propagation of sferics (electromagnetic waves) in the stratosphere is reviewed. Measurements are made with a double Langmuir probe that measures the potential difference between two identical, separated conductors, thereby permitting calculation of the electric field. The probe is usually mounted on a balloon floated up to the stratosphere. Data are presented that were taken over a thunderstorm and a theory of sferic propagation is developed, including defined relationships among the source, the propagation medium, and the detected signal. It is demonstrated that the signals recorded by the balloon instrumentation can be used to define the upper limit of the current density and total current in the stratosphere when a sferic is propagating.

Holzworth, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Time-domain imaging

The quest for the highest resolution microwave imaging and principle of time-domain imaging has been the primary motivation for recent developments in time-domain techniques. With the present technology, fast time varying signals can now be measured and recorded both in magnitude and in-phase. It has also enhanced our ability to extract relevant details concerning the scattering object. In the past, the interface of object geometry or shape for scattered signals has received substantial attention in radar technology. Various scattering theories were proposed to develop analytical solutions to this problem. Furthermore, the random inversion, frequency swept holography, and the synthetic radar imaging, have two things in common: (1) the physical optic far-field approximation, and (2) the utilization of channels as an extra physical dimension, were also advanced. Despite the inherent vectorial nature of electromagnetic waves, these scalar treatments have brought forth some promising results in practice with notable examples in subsurface and structure sounding. The development of time-domain techniques are studied through the theoretical aspects as well as experimental verification. The use of time-domain imaging for space robotic vision applications has been suggested.

Tolliver, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Data Analysis Challenges for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

Recent multi-messenger observations of gravitational-wave and high-energy neutrino sources together with electromagnetic signatures have opened new ways of observing the Universe. These promise a future in which physics and astronomy will be advanced by combining observations and data from across the electromagnetic spectrum with gravitational waves and neutrinos. We consider the challenges the field is facing in fully utilizing data for multi-messenger astrophysics. Such data come from heterogeneous detector networks and standards, and their analysis is often time-critical to guide further observations. In this area, science capabilities depend on the interplay among observation, theory and computational/modeling work. Advances in data science and computing present additional opportunities and considerations in analyzing such data. We invited ADASS participants to a Birds of a Feather session to engage in discussion on the challenges and opportunities in data analysis for multimessenger astrophysics.

Peter S Shawhan↗

NASA NTRS1979

Solution of electromagnetic scattering and radiation problems using a spectral domain approach - A review

This paper presents a brief review of some recent developments on the use of the spectral-domain approach for deriving high-frequency solutions to electromagnetics scattering and radiation problems. The spectral approach is not only useful for interpreting the well-known Keller formulas based on the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD), it can also be employed for verifying the accuracy of GTD and other asymptotic solutions and systematically improving the results when such improvements are needed. The problem of plane wave diffraction by a finite screen or a strip is presented as an example of the application of the spectral-domain approach.

Mittra, R.↗