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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Resonance between coherent whistler mode waves and electrons in the topside ionosphere

Landau resonance and cyclotron resonance of coherent whistler mode waves and energetic electrons are explored for magnetoplasmas with appreciable gradients in the plasma density and magnetic field strength. It is shown that in the topside ionosphere of the earth near the ion transition height the gradients in plasma density and magnetic field strength along a magnetic field line may match in a way which enhances both Landau and cyclotron interactions between waves and electrons at the loss cone pitch angle. The pitch angle scattering induced by a signal from a ground-based VLF transmitter in the ionosphere above the transmitter has been estimated and compared to the pitch angle scattering induced by naturally occurring ELF hiss through cyclotron resonance. It is found that the expected scattering due to plasmapheric hiss is an order of magnitude larger than that due to Landau resonance in the topside ionosphere. Pitch angle scattering due to cyclotron resonance in the topside ionosphere, however, may be larger by a factor of 2. It is suggested that the 'fast Trimpi' effect may be caused by a cyclotron resonance interaction in the topside ionosphere.

Neubert, T.↗
NASA NTRS2015

A Launch Requirements Trade Study for Active Space Radiation Shielding for Long Duration Human Missions

A trade study for an active shielding concept based on magnetic fields in a solenoid configuration versus mass based shielding was developed. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the radiation exposure for two values of the magnetic field strength and the mass of the magnetic shield configuration. For each field strength, results were reported for the magnetic region shielding (end caps ignored) and total region shielding (end caps included but no magnetic field protection) configurations. A value of 15 cSv was chosen to be the maximum exposure for an astronaut. The radiation dose estimate over the total shield region configuration cannot be used at this time without a better understanding of the material and mass present in the end cap regions through a detailed vehicle design. The magnetic shield region configuration, assuming the end cap regions contribute zero exposure, can be launched on a single Space Launch System rocket and up to a two year mission can be supported. The magnetic shield region configuration results in two versus nine launches for a comparable mass based shielding configuration. The active shielding approach is clearly more mass efficient because of the reduced number of launches than the mass based shielding for long duration missions.

Singleterry, Robert C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Subsatellite measurements of the lunar magnetic field

The Apollo 15 subsatellite magnetometer data have been used to map the lunar magnetic field over a narrow band of the lunar surface. Within this band the magnetic field is generally stronger and more variable over the farside highlands than the nearside maria. The correspondence between the strong variable lunar field regions and the source regions for limb compressions suggests that limb compressions arise as the result of the deflection of the solar wind just upstream of the terminator by the lunar magnetic field. Using this apparent relationship between field strength and limb compression source regions, it is deduced that the field strength in the northern farside highlands is not as strong as in the southern hemisphere at similar longitudes. Simultaneous measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field obtained by Explorer 35 and the Apollo 15 subsatellite above the dayside hemisphere are essentially identical. Thus, both instruments are measuring the undisturbed interplanetary field.

Russell, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

An altitude-dependent spacecraft charging model

A model for the altitude dependence of the hot plasma parameters responsible for the electrostatic charging of spacecraft was developed. Based upon plasma orbit theory, the directed velocity is a function of the ambient magnetic field flux density. A consequence of this approach is that while the thermal velocity distributions (assumed to be Maxwellian) of the plasma particles are independent of the magnetic field strength (and hence altitude), the particle densities increase with magnetic field strength. Thus, according to this model, while the equilibrium voltage is independent of altitude, the charging current density increases with decreasing altitude. However, the probability of such spacecraft charging decreases with decreasing altitude.

Haffner, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Magnetic fields greater than 10 to the 20th power gauss

Zaumen (1976) found that spontaneous pair production in a uniform magnetic field should be a feasible process for field strengths at least of the order of 10 to the 20th power gauss. This note points out that a magnetic field of this order of magnitude is most unlikely to occur in realistic astrophysical situations because of the large dynamical and quantum-mechanical effects such a field would produce. It is suggested that Zaumen's calculation would probably have little bearing on the suspected evolution of astrophysical systems since other processes (either dynamical or quantum-mechanical) apparently limit the field strength before such high magnetic fields would be reached. An upper limit of about 10 to the 16th power gauss is obtained by considering the isotropy of the 3-K blackbody radiation, the formation of collapsed objects in very high magnetic fields, and magnetic bremsstrahlung processes in quantum electrodynamics.

Lerche, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Stabilized luminous arcs (rotating arcs) in nitrogen and carbon dioxide at pressures of one to forty atmospheres

The arcs were run in the axis of a rapidly rotating glass tube, at 1 to 20 atm. For pressures over 20 atm., a decrease of stability appeared and above 40 atm., the results were very unsatisfactory owing to turbulence. The voltage and longitudinal-field-strength curves for both gases had a descending character. The field strength was 1.5 to 2.0 times as high in CO2 as in N. Under 10 atm. of pressure approx. linear values obtained. In N the column diam. increased with pressure. C. d. increased with pressure in CO2. Good agreement with the Steenbeck minimum principle was in general obtained.

Foitzik, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Nanoflare Heating Frequency of an X-Ray Bright Point Observed By MaGIXS

Nanoflares are thought to be one of the prime candidates that can heat the solar corona to its multimillion kelvin temperature. Individual nanoflares are difficult to detect with the present generation instruments, however their presence can be inferred by comparing simulated nanoflare-heated plasma emissions with the observed emission. Using HYDRAD coronal loop simulations, we model the emission from an X-ray bright point observed by the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS), along with concurrent observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and X-Ray Telescope (XRT) onboard Hinode observatory. The length and magnetic field strength of the coronal loops are derived from the potential field extrapolation of the observed photospheric magnetogram by Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard SDO. Each loop is assumed to be heated by random nanoflares, whose magnitude and frequency are determined by the loop length and magnetic field strength. The simulation results are then compared and matched against the measured intensity from AIA, XRT, and MaGIXS. Our model results indicate the loop morphology and emissions from the XBP under study could be well matched by a distribution of nanoflares with average delay times 400 s to 800 s, which strongly suggest that the heating is dominated by high-frequency events. Further, we demonstrate the high sensitivity of MaGIXS and XRT to diagnose the heating frequency using this method, while AIA passbands are found to be the least sensitive.

coronal heating↗
NASA NTRS1987

The rotationally modulated Zeeman spectrum at nearly 10 to the 9th Gauss of the white dwarf PG 1031 + 234

Detailed analyses are performed of high-quality, phase-resolved CCD spectroscopy of the absorption-line spectrum throughout its rotation period of the new white dwarf PG 1031 + 234. The spectral variations are discussed and compared with new theoretical calculations of the behavior of hydrogen in strong magnetic fields. This analysis is then extended through a modeling procedure which produces a synthetic magnetically distorted spectrum for a star of arbitrary field strength and structure. The results confirm that PG 1031 + 234 possesses the strongest field yet detected on a white dwarf, with regions on the surface spanning the range of about 200 to nearly 1000 MG. The spectroscopic data reflect a field pattern containing a slightly offset global component of polar field strength of about 500 MG together with a localized magnetic 'spot' whose central field approaches 2000 MG.

Latter, William B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

An investigation of magnetic field effects on plume density and temperature profiles of an applied-field MPD thruster

Applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster performance is below levels required for primary propulsion missions. While MPD thruster performance has been found to increase with the magnitude of the applied-field strength, there is currently little understanding of the impact of applied-field shape on thruster performance. The results of a study in which a single applied-field thruster was operated using three solenoidal magnets with diameters of 12.7, 15.2, and 30.4-cm are presented. Thruster voltage and anode power deposition were measured for each applied field shape over a range of field strengths. Plume electron number density and temperature distributions were measured using a Langmuir probe in an effort to determine the effect of field shape on plume confinement by the diverging magnetic-field for each of the three magnetic field shapes. Results show that the dependence of the measured thruster characteristics on field shape were non-monotonic and that the field shape had a significant effect on the plume density and temperature profiles.

Bullock, S. Ray↗
NASA NTRS1981

Stellar chromospheric and coronal heating by magnetohydrodynamic waves

An investigation is presented on the way in which the generation of magnetohydrodynamic waves by turbulent motions in stellar convection zones depends on the star's effective temperature, surface gravity, and magnetic field strength. It is shown that the emitted Alfven wave flux (and acoustic slow wave flux in a very strong magnetic field) is in reasonable agreement with the general trend of observed chromospheric radiative losses in stars, and with the observations of three stars for which magnetic field strength, surface area covered by strong fields, and radiative losses have all been measured.

Stein, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Comparison of weakly and strongly nonlinear wave evolution in a dispersive plasma

An investigation of the evolution of strongly nonlinear, low frequency (ion gyrofrequency), parallel propagating wave packets in a dispersive, collisionless, and low beta(= 8piP/B-squared = 0.3) plasma is undertaken using a hybrid numerical code. These strongly nonlinear wave packets have a transverse magnetic field strength, or wave amplitude, which is of order or greater the field strength along the direction of propagation, and their evolution can differ qualitatively from that of weakly nonlinear packets. The development of spreading fast wave (right helicity) and rarefraction regions competes strongly with steepening, and leads to a long time waveform which differs greatly from that for weak nonlinearity. Results are used to suggest that strongly nonlinear wave evolution occurs frequently in the earth's foreshock.

Vasquez, Bernard J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Evolution of open magnetic structures on the sun - The Skylab period

High-resolution harmonic analysis of the measured photospheric magnetic field of the sun is used to construct models of open magnetic structures over a period of 11 solar rotations. The models successfully reproduce the surface location and topology of all coronal holes during the Skylab period. In addition, there is persistent evidence in the models that open field lines are associated with active regions in a systematic way. These associations are listed for the period studied; they suggest that open field lines are a basic feature of solar magnetism. Specific examples of the evolution of coronal holes and of calculated open structures are presented. Quantitative study of the measured field strength within and neighboring a hole confirms the fact that coronal hole regions are indistinguishable by local magnetic properties. However, the calculated field strengths at the footpoints of open field lines within coronal holes show distinct evolutionary patterns and may indicate that, at least in young coronal holes, a significant amount of magnetic flux is closed. Problems of studying magnetic field divergence by using these models are discussed.

Levine, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Some unique applications of intense magnetic fields

A brief history of our knowledge of ordinary magnetism and electromagnetism is given, from the time of the Roman poet, Lucretius Carus, to the present. Practical examples of magnetic field strength associated with objects familiar to all are discussed, and a frame of reference regarding magnetic field strength is thereby established. The earliest known investigators of intense transient magnetic field manipulation of solid conductor materials are mentioned, and the phenomena described. Systems, apparatus, and basic theory of operation are detailed. The importance of adequate diagnostics is discussed, and some techniques employed are illustrated. The "magnetic sawing" phenomenon is described, and implications explained. Typical applications are shown, including swaging, sizing, sealing. clamping, forming, and other unique neoterisms. A particularly successful application, the magnetomotive sizer, is described in detail, and beneficial application in the Saturn V program is described. Potential industrial applications are prognosticated, and developmental trends are indicated.

Electromagnetic field↗
NASA NTRS1974

Physics of compact nonthermal sources. II Determination of physical parameters

A set of restrictions upon the magnetic field and visible angular size of a canonical nonthermal source (one whose emission is incoherent electron synchrotron) has been obtained in another paper. The degree of electron anisotropy and magnetic field disordering were left as free parameters. In the present paper these restrictions are applied to the variable compact radio sources 3C 84, 3C 120, 3C 273, 3C 279, 3C 454.3, CTA 102, 3C 446, PKS 2134 + 004, VRO 42.22.01, and OJ 287. The theoretically derived angular sizes for these sources are in reasonable agreement with published VLBI sizes, provided that the characteristic pitch angles are not extremely small. The magnetic field strengths determined from the degree of circular polarization are generally compatible with field strengths derived from the self-absorption and synchrotron self-Compton conditions, again provided that the pitch angles are not too small. It is argued that the self-absorption optical depth cannot be much less than unity near the low-frequency turnovers; otherwise, serious discrepancies with observation result.

Jones, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Anomalous attenuation of ultrasound in ferrofluids under the influence of a magnetic field

Ultrasonic wave propagation has been studied in a water-base ferrofluid by pulse-echo methods. A commercial box-car integrator was used to measure the change in attenuation due to an external magnetic field applied at various angles relative to the ultrasonic propagation vector. Anomalous results were obtained when the attenuation was plotted as a function of the magnetic field strength. As the field increased, the attenuation reached a maximum and then decreased to a flat minimum before it approached saturation at a field of 2 KG. This variation of attenuation with magnetic field cannot be explained from the simple picture derivable from the work of McTague on the viscosity of ferrofluids. In no case was the viscosity seen to decrease with field, nor was the oscillatory behavior observed. The results of this study were compared with the theory developed by Parsons.

Isler, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radial diffusion in magnetodiscs

The orbits of charged particles in magnetodiscs are considered. The bounce motion is assumed adiabatic except for transits of a small equatorial region of weak magnetic field strength and high field curvature. Previous theory and modeling have shown that particles scatter randomly in pitch angle with each passage through the equator. A peaked distribution thus diffuses in pitch angle on the time scale of many bounces. It is argued in this paper that spatial diffusion is a further consequence when the magnetodisc has a longitudinal asymmetry. A general expression for DLL, the diffusion of equatorial crossing radii, is derived. DLL is evaluated explicitly for ions in Jupiter's 20-35 radii magnetodisc, assumed to be represented by Connerney et al.'s (1982) Voyager model plus a small image dipole asymmetry. Rates are energy, species, and space dependent but can average as much as a few tenths of a planetary radius per bounce period.

Birmingham, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Alfven wave trapping, network microflaring, and heating in solar coronal holes

Fresh evidence that much of the heating in coronal holes is provided by Alfven waves is presented. This evidence comes from examining the reflection of Alfven waves in an isothermal hydrostatic model coronal hole with an open magnetic field. Reflection occurs if the wavelength is as long as the order of the scale height of the Alfven velocity. For Alfven waves with periods of about 5 min, and for realistic density, magnetic field strength, and magnetic field spreading in the model, the waves are reflected back down within the model hole if the coronal temperature is only slightly less than 1.0 x 10 to the 6th K, but are not reflected and escape out the top of the model if the coronal temperature is only slightly greater than 1.0 x 10 to the 6th K. Because the spectrum of Alfven waves in real coronal holes is expected to peak around 5 min and the temperature is observed to be close to 1.0 x 10 to the 6th K, the sensitive temperature dependence of the trapping suggests that the temperature in coronal holes is regulated by heating by the trapped Alfven waves.

Moore, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Cold equation of state in a strong magnetic field - Effects of inverse beta-decay

The influence of a high magnetic field (B is greater than 10 exp 12 G) on the degenerate matter equation of state appropriate to a neutron star is studied. The regime dominated by relativistic electrons up to the neutron drip density is highlighted. The equilibrium matter composition and equation of state, allowing for inverse beta-decay. Two different equilibrium models are determined: an ideal neutron-proton-electron (npe) gas and the more realistic model of Baym, Pethick, and Sutherland (1971) consisting of a Coulomb lattice of heavy nuclei embedded in an electron gas. For a sufficiently high field strength, the magnetic field has an appreciable effect, changing the adiabatic index of the matter and the nuclear transition densities. The influence of a strong field on some simple nonequilibrium processes, including beta-decay and inverse beta-decay (electron capture) is also considered. The effects produced by the magnetic field are mainly due to the changes in the transverse electron quantum orbits and the allowed electron phase space induced by the field.

Lai, Dong↗