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Results for “PLASMA THEORY”

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
DOE OSTI2024

The kinetic analog of the pressure–strain interaction

Energy transport in weakly collisional plasma systems is often studied with fluid models and diagnostics. However, the applicability of fluid models is limited when collisions are weak or absent, and using a fluid approach can obscure kinetic processes that provide key insights into the physics of energy transport. Kinetic diagnostics retain all of the information in 3D-3V phase space and thereby reach beyond the insights of fluid models to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for collisionless energy transport. In this work, we derive the Kinetic Pressure–Strain (KPS): a kinetic analog of the pressure–strain interaction, which is the channel between flow energy density and internal energy density in fluid models. Through two case studies of electron Landau damping, we demonstrate that the KPS diagnostic can elucidate kinetic mechanisms that are responsible for energy transport in this channel, just as the related field–particle correlation is known to identify kinetic mechanisms of transport between electromagnetic field energy density and kinetic energy density in particle flows. In addition, we show that resonant electrons play a major role in transferring energy between fluid flows and internal energy during the process of Landau damping.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quantum kinetic modeling of KEEN waves in a warm-dense regime

We report the first fully kinetic, quantum study of kinetic electrostatic electron nonlinear (KEEN) waves, showing that quantum diffraction systematically erodes the classical trapping mechanism, narrows harmonic locking to the fundamental, and hastens post-drive decay. Electrons are evolved with a second-order Strang-split 1D1V Wigner–Poisson solver that couples conservative semi-Lagrangian WENO advection to an analytic Fourier space update for the non-local Wigner term, while ions remain classical. We focus on collisionless dynamics in a weakly coupled regime, providing a controlled baseline before collisional extensions. Short, frequency-tuned ponderomotive pulses drive KEEN formation in a uniform Maxwellian plasma; as the dimensionless quantum parameter H rises from the classical limit to values relevant to warm-dense matter, doped semiconductors, and 2D electron systems, the drive threshold increases, higher harmonics are damped, trapped electron vortices diffuse, and the subplasma electrostatic energy relaxes to a lower stationary level, as confirmed by continuous wavelet analysis. These microscopic changes carry macroscopic weight. Ignition-scale capsules now compress matter to regimes where the electron de Broglie wavelength rivals the Debye length, making classical kinetic descriptions insufficient. By extending KEEN physics into this quantum domain, our results offer a potential diagnostic of non-equilibrium electron dynamics for next-generation inertial-confinement designs and high-energy-density platforms, indicating that predictive fusion modeling may benefit from the integration of kinetic fidelity with quantum effects.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1973

Plasma and potential at the lunar surface

The various plasma environments of the moon are described for the lunar orbit through the solar wind and geomagnetic tail. The sources of lunar surface charge, including plasma, photo, and secondary currents, are compared for their expected range of values. The electric potential is calculated from probe theory as a function of local position on the lunar surface; the theory includes plasma environments which are both stationary and flowing. In agreement with several other calculations, the potential at the subsolar point is likely to be a few volts positive. However, for the case when the moon is in the solar wind, the potential is calculated to be a few tens of volts negative at the terminator, and is expected to go to larger negative values on the dark side. If the moon traverses a significant plasma sheet in the geomagnetic tail, then the dark side potential tends toward several kilovolts negative but may be strongly limited by the secondary electron current. Associated surface electric fields are estimated.

Manka, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Arcing rates for High Voltage Solar Arrays - Theory, experiment, and predictions

All solar arrays have biased surfaces that can be exposed to the space environment. It has been observed that when the array bias is less than a few hundred volts negative, then the exposed conductive surfaces may undergo arcing in the space plasma. A theory for arcing is developed on these high voltage solar arrays that ascribes the arcing to electric field runaway at the interface of the plasma, conductor, and solar cell dielectric. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory for the High Voltage Solar Array experiment that will fly on the Japanese Space Flyer Unit (SFU) in 1994. The theory was compared in detail with the experiment and shown to give a reasonable explanation for the data. The combined theory and ground experiments were then used to develop predictions for the SFU flight.

Hastings, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The arcing rate for a High Voltage Solar Array - Theory, experiment and predictions

All solar arrays have biased surfaces which can be exposed to the space environment. It has been observed that when the array bias is less than a few hundred volts negative then the exposed conductive surfaces may undergo arcing in the space plasma. A theory for arcing is developed on these high voltage solar arrays which ascribes the arcing to electric field runaway at the interface of the plasma, conductor and solar cell dielectric. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory for the High Voltage Solar Array (HVSA) experiment which will fly on the Japanese Space Flyer Unit (SFU) in 1994. The theory was compared in detail to the experiment and shown to give a reasonable explanation for the data. The combined theory and ground experiments were then used to develop predictions for the SFU flight.

Hastings, Daniel E.↗
DOE OSTI2026

A new effective field theory for heavy quarks in the quark-gluon plasma

A bstract An effective field theory framework is developed to study the interaction of heavy quarks in strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma (QGP). The latter is treated as a relativistic non-dissipative colorless fluid which can be studied using a derivatively coupled effective field theory based on previous work. Coupling this to heavy quarks provides a systematic way to obtain the interaction between the heavy quark and phonons, excitations of the fluid. In particular we calculate the quasiparticle width of heavy quark to phonon and phonon-heavy quark scattering in a thermal medium.

Kirchner, Andreas [Duke University] (ORCID:0000000↗
NASA NTRS1983

Delta function excitation of waves in the earth's ionosphere

Excitation of the earth's ionosphere by delta function current sheets is considered, and the temporal and spatial evolution of wave packets is analyzed for a two-component collisional F2 layer. Approximations of an inverse Fourier-Laplace transform via saddle point methods provide plots of typical wave packets. These illustrate cold plasma wave theory and may be used as a diagnostic tool since it is possible to relate specific features, e.g., the frequency of a modulation envelope, to plasma parameters such as the electron cyclotron frequency. It is also possible to deduce the propagation path length and orientation of a remote radio beacon.

Vidmar, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Three-dimensional simulation study of ionospheric plasma clouds

The results of fully three-dimensional numerical simulations of ionospheric plasma cloud evolution are presented. The evolution of the plasma cloud considered by Drake and Huba (1987) in the limit of vanishingly small ion compressibility is discussed. Simulations support the results of the analytical theory: finite plasma temperature, combined with fully three-dimensional plasma dynamics, is a stabilizing influence on plasma cloud evolution. This stability is associated with sheared azimuthal ion flows in the vicinity of the cloud surface. Cloud evolution using realistic values of ion compressibility show that the cloud rapidly diffuses to a state in which the sheared azimuthal flow is substantially reduced; subsequently, the cloud becomes unstable and structures.

Zalesak, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Fundamental plasma emission involving ion sound waves

The theory for fundamental plasma emission by the three-wave processes L + or - S to T (where L, S and T denote Langmuir, ion sound and transverse waves, respectively) is developed. Kinematic constraints on the characteristics and growth lengths of waves participating in the wave processes are identified. In addition the rates, path-integrated wave temperatures, and limits on the brightness temperature of the radiation are derived.

Cairns, Iver H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Observations of ion cyclotron waves near synchronous orbit and on the ground

Ion cyclotron waves (ICWs) generated in the magnetosphere by the ion cyclotron instability of 10-100 keV protons are now known to be the origin of short-period (0.1-5 Hz) electromagnetic field oscillations observed by synchronous spacecraft and on the earth's surface. Observations of the various wave characteristics, including spectral and polarization properties, that lead to the identification of generation and propagation mechaniisms, and regions in the magnetosphere are described with reference to ATS-6, GEOS, and ground-based wave data and interpreted using cold plasma propagation theory. The presence of heavy ions (O/+/, He/+/) dramatically modifies ICW magnetospheric propagation characteristics giving rise to spectral slots and polarization reversals. These properties may be used in plasma diagnostics. Finally satellite-ground correlations and techniques for determining the magnetospheric source position of ICWs not seen at synchronous orbit but observed on the ground as structured Pc1 pulsations are considered.

Fraser, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves observed near the oxygen cyclotron frequency by ISEE 1 and 2

The first results of observations of ion cyclotron waves by the elliptically orbiting ISEE 1 and 2 pair of spacecraft are reported. The most intense waves (8 nT) were observed in the outer plasmasphere where convection drift velocities were largest and the Alfven velocity was a minimum. Wave polarization is predominantly left-handed with propagation almost parallel to the ambient magnetic field, and the spectral slot and polarization reversal predicted by cold plasma propagation theory are identified in the wave data. Computations of the experimental wave spectra during the passage through the plasmapause show that the spectral slots relate to the local plasma parameters, possibly suggesting an ion cyclotron wave growth source near the spacecraft. A regular wave packet structure seen over the first 30 min of the event is attributed to the modulation of this energy source by the Pc 5 waves seen at the same time.

Fraser, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Electric conductivity of plasma in solar wind

One of the most important parameters in MHD description of the solar wind is the electric conductivity of plasma. There exist now two quite different approaches to the evaluation of this parameter. In the first one a value of conductivity taken from the most elaborated current theory of plasma should be used in calculations. The second one deals with the empirical, phenomenological value of conductivity. E.g.: configuration of interplanetary magnetic field, stretched by the expanding corona, depends on the magnitude of electrical conductivity of plasma in the solar wind. Knowing the main empirical features of the field configuration, one may estimate the apparent phenomenological value of resistance. The estimations show that the electrical conductivity should be approximately 10(exp 13) times smaller than that calculated by Spitzer. It must be noted that the empirical value should be treated with caution. Due to the method of its obtaining it may be used only for 'large-scale' description of slow processes like coronal expansion. It cannot be valid for 'quick' processes, changing the state of plasma, like collisions with obstacles, e.g., planets and vehicles. The second approach is well known in large-scale planetary hydrodynamics, stemming from the ideas of phenomenological thermodynamics. It could formulate real problems which should be solved by modern plasma physics, oriented to be adequate for complicated processes in space.

Chertkov, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Research briefing on contemporary problems in plasma science

An overview is presented of the broad perspective of all plasma science. Detailed discussions are given of scientific opportunities in various subdisciplines of plasma science. The first subdiscipline to be discussed is the area where the contemporary applications of plasma science are the most widespread, low temperature plasma science. Opportunities for new research and technology development that have emerged as byproducts of research in magnetic and inertial fusion are then highlighted. Then follows a discussion of new opportunities in ultrafast plasma science opened up by recent developments in laser and particle beam technology. Next, research that uses smaller scale facilities is discussed, first discussing non-neutral plasmas, and then the area of basic plasma experiments. Discussions of analytic theory and computational plasma physics and of space and astrophysical plasma physics are then presented.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

A quasi-linear kinetic equation for cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium

A kinetic equation for interplanetary cosmic rays is set up with the aid of weak-plasma-turbulence theory for an idealized radially symmetric model of the interplanetary magnetic field. As a starting point, this treatment invokes the Vlasov equation instead of the traditional Fokker-Planck equation. Quasi-linear theory is applied to obtain a momentum diffusion equation for the heliocentric frame of reference which describes the interaction of cosmic rays with convecting magnetic irregularities in the solar-wind plasma. Under restricted conditions, the well-known equation of solar modulation can be obtained from this kinetic equation.

Luhmann, J. G.↗
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.↗