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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 NTRS1978

Structure of current sheets in magnetic holes at 1 AU

Current density profiles in several types of interplanetary magnetic holes have been calculated using high-resolution Imp 6 magnetic field data (12.5 vector measurements/s), assuming that the currents flow in planar sheets and that the magnetic field varies only in the direction normal to the sheet. The planarity was verified in four holes which were observed by two suitably spaced spacecraft. Four types of simple magnetic holes are discussed, in which B varies nearly monotonically on each side of the hole. In two of the holes, B varies in intensity but not in direction as a result of currents normal to B. In the other two holes, B changes in both magnitude and direction as a result of currents both normal and parallel to B. The observed structures are found to be qualitatively consistent with the models of Burlaga and Lemaire (1978). Examples of complex irregular magnetic holes are also presented, and they are shown to contain multiple current sheets in which currents flow parallel to one another at various angles with respect to B. There is no model of such magnetic holes at present.

Fitzenreiter, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Mutual Inductance Problem for a System Consisting of a Current Sheet and a Thin Metal Plate

Rapid inspection of aircraft structures for flaws is of vital importance to the commercial and defense aircraft industry. In particular, inspecting thin aluminum structures for flaws is the focus of a large scale R&D effort in the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) community. Traditional eddy current methods used today are effective, but require long inspection times. New electromagnetic techniques which monitor the normal component of the magnetic field above a sample due to a sheet of current as the excitation, seem to be promising. This paper is an attempt to understand and analyze the magnetic field distribution due to a current sheet above an aluminum test sample. A simple theoretical model, coupled with a two dimensional finite element model (FEM) and experimental data will be presented in the next few sections. A current sheet above a conducting sample generates eddy currents in the material, while a sensor above the current sheet or in between the two plates monitors the normal component of the magnetic field. A rivet or a surface flaw near a rivet in an aircraft aluminum skin will disturb the magnetic field, which is imaged by the sensor. Initial results showed a strong dependence of the flaw induced normal magnetic field strength on the thickness and conductivity of the current-sheet that could not be accounted for by skin depth attenuation alone. It was believed that the eddy current imaging method explained the dependence of the thickness and conductivity of the flaw induced normal magnetic field. Further investigation, suggested the complexity associated with the mutual inductance of the system needed to be studied. The next section gives an analytical model to better understand the phenomenon.

Fulton, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Electrostatic Solitary Waves in the Solar Wind: Evidence for Instability at Solar Wind Current Sheets

A strong spatial association between bipolar electrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) and magnetic current sheets (CSs) in the solar wind is reported here for the first time. This association requires that the plasma instabilities (e.g., Buneman, electron two stream) which generate ESWs are preferentially localized to solar wind CSs. Distributions of CS properties (including shear angle, thickness, solar wind speed, and vector magnetic field change) are examined for differences between CSs associated with ESWs and randomly chosen CSs. Possible mechanisms for producing ESW-generating instabilities at solar wind CSs are considered, including magnetic reconnection.

Electrostatic Solitary Waves↗
NASA NTRS1982

Cosmic rays near the heliospheric current sheet

A discussion of full, three-dimensional model simulations of the solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays, including drift, is presented. Particular emphasis is on the variation of the cosmic-ray intensity near the heliospheric current sheet. It is shown that the model quite naturally produces a negative gradient away from a wavy current sheet as seen by an observer on the earth. It is concluded that recent observations of Newkirk and Lockwood (1981) are not in conflict with these model results, and hence are consistent with modulation models in which drift plays an important role.

Kota, J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Current sheet collapse in a plasma focus.

Collapse of the current sheets in a plasma focus has been recorded simultaneously through slits parallel and perpendicular to the symmetry axis in the streak mode. The dark period following the collapse is due to the plasma moving out of the field of view. Microdensitometric measurements of intensity variation also support this conclusion. A large anisotropy is also found in the x-ray radiation pattern. Effects of different vacuum vessels were investigated.

Jalufka, N. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observational study of the IMF spiral north and south of the current sheet

We have analyzed 23 years of spacecraft observations spanning 27 AU. Our analysis reveals both an overwinding of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and a sustained asymmetry between the northern and southern hemispheres of the heliosphere. Nonzero azimuthal field components at the source boundary may account for the observed overwinding. The north-south asymmetry, whereby the IMF spiral north of the current sheet is more tightly wound than the IMF spiral south of the current sheet, persists due to unknown sources. It is also shown that there exist significant, correlated departures from the Parker theory in the azimuthal component of the field.

Smith, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Current Sheet and Reconnection Inflow-Outflow Observations During Solar Eruptions

Magnetic reconnection is widely accepted as a dominant source of energy during solar flares; however, observations of it have been indirect and/or incomplete. Using the suite of instruments available spanning wavelength space, we will provide observations and measurements of both the inputs and outputs predicted from reconnection in the form of inflows preceding outflows (i.e. supra-arcade downflows, supra-arcade downflowing loops, upflows, and disconnection events). We will also present evidence for current sheets through which reconnection is expected to occur and discuss current sheet motion during flare progression.

Savage, Sabrina↗
NASA NTRS2005

Intermittent Turbulence and SOC Dynamics in a 2-D Driven Current-Sheet Model

Borovsky et al. have shown that Earth's magnetotail plasma sheet is strongly turbulent. More recently, Borovsky and Funsten have shown that eddy turbulence dominates and have suggested that the eddy turbulence is driven by fast flows that act as jets in the plasma. Through basic considerations of energy and magnetic flux conservation, these fast flows are thought to be localized to small portions of the total plasma sheet and to be generated by magnetic flux reconnection that is similarly localized. Angelopoulos et al., using single spacecraft Geotail data, have shown that the plasma sheet turbulence exhibits signs of intermittence and Weygand et al., using four spacecraft Cluster data, have confirmed and expanded on this conclusion. Uritsky et al., using Polar UVI image data, have shown that the evolution of bright, nightside, UV auroral emission regions is consistent with many of the properties of systems in self-organized criticality (SOC). Klimas et al. have suggested that the auroral dynamics is a reflection of the dynamics of the fast flows in the plasma. sheet. Their hypothesis is that the transport of magnetic fludenergy through the magnetotail is enabled by scale-free avalanches of localized reconnection whose SOC dynamics are reflected in the auroral UV emission dynamics. A corollary of this hypothesis is that the strong, intermittent, eddy turbulence of the plasma sheet is closely related to its critical dynamics. The question then arises: Can in situ evidence for the SOC dynamics be found in the properties of the plasma sheet turbulence? A 2-dimensional numerical driven current-sheet model of the central plasma sheet has been developed that incorporates an idealized current-driven instability with a resistive MHD system. It has been shown that the model can evolve into SOC in a physically relevant parameter regime. Initial results from a study of intermittent turbulence in this model and the relationship of this turbulence to the model's known SOC dynamics will be discussed.

Klimas, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Ion precipitation from the magnetopause current sheet

Measurements from the polar-orbiting S3-3 satellite show that energetic ions frequently precipitate with isotropic pitch-angle distributions at auroral latitudes on the dayside. It is proposed that this precipitation results from nonguiding center motion of radiation-belt ions that drift into the magnetopause current sheet, and that the ion precipitation and flows of energetic ions observed in the magnetosheath originate together within the magnetopause current sheet. Ions ejected from the magnetopause toward the earth flow along open field lines that are adjacent to the separatrix between open and closed field lines. Those ejected into the magnetosheath flow along field lines that are connected to the geomagnetic field and adjacent to the separatrix between the connected field lines and purely magnetosheath fields lines. These proposals are tested by comparing the S3-3 observations of precipitating ions with previously analyzed ISEE-1 observations of energetic ions, obtained near the magnetopause and in the magnetosheath. The S3-3 observations imply that the region of ion precipitation is often continuous as a function of local time. This suggests that, at least on the dayside, there is often a continuous shell of manetospheric ions within the magnetosheath flowing from the magnetosphere. These ions are likely an important source for energetic ions in the interplanetary medium.

Lyons, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Thin current sheets in the magnetotail during substorms: CDAW 6 revisited

The global magnetic field configuration during the growth phase of the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshop (CDAW) 6 substorm (March 22, 1979, 1054 UT) is modeled using data from two suitably located spacecraft and temporally evolving variations of the Tsyganenko magnetic field model. These results are compared with a local calculation of the current sheet location and thickness carried out by McPherron et al. (1987) and Sanny et al. (this issue). Both models suggest that during the growth phase the current sheet rotated away from its nominal location, and simultaneously thinned strongly. The locations and thickness obtained from the two models are in good agreement. The global model suggests that the peak current density is approximately 120 nA/sq m and that the cross-tail current almost doubled its intensity during this very strong growth phase. The global model predicts a field configuration that is sufficiently stretched to scatter thermal electrons, which may be conducive to the onset of ion tearing in the tail. The electron plasma data further support this scenario, as the anisotropy present in the low-energy electrons disappears close to the substorm onset. The electron contribution to the intensifying current in this case is of the order of 10% before the isotropization of the distribution.

Pulkkinen, T. I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Current sheet model

The model of a rectenna based on the current sheet equivalency of a large planar array is described. The model is mathematically characterized by expression for the fraction of the incident plane wave that is reflected from the sheet. The model is conceptually justified for normal incidence by comparing it to the waveguide model in which evanescent modes, present as beyond and cutoff, correspond to the near field components which become negligible at any significant distance from the antenna array.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Experimental investigation of possible geomagnetic feedback from energetic (0.1 to 16 keV) terrestrial O(+) ions in the magnetotail current sheet

Data from energetic ion mass spectrometers on the International Sun Earth Explorer 1 (ISEE 1) and AMPTE/CCE spacecraft are combined with geomagnetic and solar indices to investigate, in a statistical fashion, whether energized O(+) ions of terrestrial origin constitute a source of feedback which triggers or amplifies geomagnetic magnetotail current sheet. The ISSE 1 data (0.1-16 keV/e) provide in situ observations of the O(+) solar cycle 21, as well as inner magnetosphere data from same period. The CCE data (0.1-17 keV/e), taken during the subsequent solar minimum, all within 9 R(sub E), provide a reference for long-term variations in the magnetosphere O(+) content. Statistical correlations between the ion data and the indices, and between different indices, all point in the same direction: there is probably no feedback specific to the O(+) ions, in spite of the fact that they often contribute most of the ion mass density in the tail current sheet.

Lennartsson, O. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Coronal current-sheet formation - The effect of asymmetric and symmetric shears

A 2.5D numerical code is used to investigate the results of an asymmetric shear imposed on a potential quadrupolar magnetic field under two sets of atmospheric boundary conditions - a low-beta plasma with line tying at the base, similar to the line-tied analytic model, and a hydrostatic-equilibrium atmosphere with solar gravity, typical of the observed photosphere-chromosphere interface. The low-beta simulation confirms the crucial role of the line-tying assumption in producting current sheets. The effects of a symmetric shear on the same hydrostatic-equilibrium atmosphere is examined, using more grid points to improve the resolution of the current structures which form along the flux surfaces. It is found that true current sheets do not form in the corona when a more realistic model is considered. The amount of Ohmic dissipation in the thick currents is estimated to be two to four orders of magnitude below that required to heat the corona. It is concluded that magnetic topologies of the type examined here do not contribute significantly to coronal heating.

Karpen, Judith T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The structure of the heliospheric current sheet - 1978-1982

Continuing the study near solar minimum in 1976-1977 (Hoeksema et al., 1982), the configuration of the heliospheric magnetic field for the period 1976-1982 is calculated using a potential field model. Particular attention is given to the structure during the rising phase, maximum, and early decline of sunspot cycle 21, from 1978 to 1982. Four warps in the current sheet (the boundary between interplanetary magnetic field toward and away from the sun) are seen early in this interval; these give rise to a four-sector structure in the interplanetary magnetic field observed at earth. It is noted that the location of the current sheet changes slowly and extends to a heliographic latitude of approximately 50 deg. The strength of the polar field correction throughout this period is determined and included in the model calculations. The lower latitude magnetic fields become much stronger as the polar fields weaken and reverse polarity near maximum, decreasing the effect of the polar field correction.

Hoeksema, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Experimental investigation of possible geomagnetic feedback from energetic (0.1 to 16 keV) terrestrial O(+) ions in the magnetotail current sheet

Data from energetic ion mass spectrometers on the ISEE 1 and AMPTE/CCE spacecraft are combined with geomagnetic and solar indices to investigate, in a statistical fashion, whether energized O(+) ions of terrestrial origin constitute a source of feedback which triggers or amplifies geomagnetic activity as has been suggested in the literature, by contributing a destabilizing mass increase in the magnetotail current sheet. The ISEE 1 data (0.1-16 keV/e) provide in situ observations of the O(+) concentration in the central plasma sheet, inside of 23 R(sub E), during the rising and maximum phases of solar cycle 21, as well as inner magnetosphere data from same period. The CCE data (0.1-17 keV/e) taken during the subsequent solar minimum all within 9 R(sub E). provide a reference for long-term variations in the magnetosphere O(+) content. Statistical correlations between the ion data and the indices, and between different indices. all point in the same direction: there is probably no feedback specific to the O(+) ions, in spite of the fact that they often contribute most of the ion mass density in the tail current sheet.

Lennartsson, O. W.↗
NASA NTRS2008

MESSENGER and Venus Express Observations of the Near-tail of Venus: Magnetic Flux Transport, Current Sheet Structure, and Flux Rope Formation

At 23:08 UT on 5 June 2007 the MESSENGER spacecraft reached its closest approach altitude (338 km) during its second flyby of Venus en route to its 2011 orbit insertion at Mercury. Whereas no measurements were collected during MESSENGER'S first Venus flyby in October 2006, the Magnetometer (MAG) and the Energetic Particle and Plasma Spectrometer (EPPS) operated successfully throughout this second encounter. Venus provides the solar system's best example to date of a solar wind - ionosphere planetary interaction. We present MESSENGER observations of the near-tail of Venus with emphasis on determining the time scales for magnetic flux transport, the structure of the cross-tail current sheet at very low altitudes (approx. 300 to 1000 km), and the nature and origin of a magnetic flux rope observed in the current sheet. The availability of the simultaneous Venus Express upstream measurements provides a unique opportunity to examine the influence of solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field conditions on this planet's solar wind interaction at solar minimum.

Slavin, James A.↗