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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 217 records · Page 12

MHD wave breaking in the outer plasmasphere

Empirical models of the average magnetospheric magnetic field, plasma density, and temperature distributions are used to construct a model of the distribution of MHD wave mode speeds within the magnetosphere. A persistent feature of the derived optical structure is a pronounced minimum of the wave speeds in the outer plasmasphere, i.e., a magnetospheric 'shoal'. This feature does not map along magnetic field lines, but is confined to the equatorial region, leading to a positive radial gradient of wave speeds near synchronous orbit. The breaking of earthward propagating disturbances in this region may play an essential role in the formation of the substorm injection boundary and in the creation of equatorially trapped warm ion distributions.

Moore, T. E.↗

Transferable GeSn ribbon photodetectors for high-speed short-wave infrared photonic applications

We experimentally demonstrate a low-cost transfer process of GeSn ribbons to insulating substrates for short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensing/imaging applications. By releasing the original compressive GeSn layer to nearly fully relaxed state GeSn ribbons, the room-temperature spectral response of the photodetector is further extended to 3.2 μm, which can cover the entire SWIR range. Compared with the as-grown GeSn reference photodetectors, the fabricated GeSn ribbon photodetectors have a fivefold improvement in the light-to-dark current ratio, which can improve the detectivity for high-performance photodetection. The transient performance of a GeSn ribbon photodetector is investigated with a rise time of about 40 μs, which exceeds the response time of most GeSn (Ge)-related devices. In addition, this transfer process can be applied on various substrates, making it a versatile technology that can be used for various applications ranging from optoelectronics to large-area electronics. These results provide insightful guidance for the development of low-cost and high-speed SWIR photodetectors based on Sn-containing group IV low-dimensional structures.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Density and Velocity Fluctuations of Alpha Particles in Magnetic Switchbacks

Magnetic switchbacks, or sudden reversals in the magnetic field’s radial direction, are one of the more striking observations of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) in its mission thus far. While their precise production mechanisms are still unknown, the two main theories are via interchange reconnection events and in situ generation. In this work, density and abundance variations of alpha particles are studied inside and outside individual switchbacks. We find no consistent compositional differences in the alpha particle abundance ratio, nαp, inside versus outside switchbacks, nor do we observe any signature when separating the switchbacks according to Vαp/Vpw, the ratio of the alpha–proton differential speed to the wave phase speed (the speed at which the switchback is traveling). We argue that these measurements cannot be used to rule in favor of one production mechanism over the other, due to the distance between PSP and the postulated interchange reconnection events. In addition, we examine the 3D velocity fluctuations of protons and alpha particles within individual switchbacks. While switchbacks are always associated with increases in proton velocity, alpha velocities may be enhanced, unchanged, or decrease. This is due to the interplay between Vpw and Vαp, with the Alfvénic motion of the alpha particles vanishing as the difference |Vpw – Vαp| decreases. We show how the Alfvénic motion of both the alphas and the protons through switchbacks can be understood as an approximately rigid arm rotation about the location of the wave frame, and illustrate that the wave frame can therefore be estimated using particle measurements alone, via sphere fitting.

Michael D. McManus↗

The speed of wave-wave interactions in the atmosphere

Resonant wave-wave interactions are considered. Studies of the interaction coefficient show that rapid transfer of wave action can take place in the disjoined parts of the spectrum for three processes, namely: elastic scattering, parametric subharmonic instability and induced diffusion. Of the three processes, the vertical shear plays a role in two. The vertical shear of a moderate scale interacts through elastic scattering to make the spectrum vertically symmetric. On the other hand, the vertical shear of a large scale interacts through induced diffusion and is responsible for diffusion in k sub z space. When interacting with a vertical shear, it is known that the vertical shear acts as a catalyst and is not involved in energy transfer. Consequently, in both elastic scattering and induced diffusion, the vertical shear does not gain or lose energy. Through parametric subharmonic instability the more energetic large-scale waves are feeding energy into moderate and small scale waves of an elevation angle of 60 deg or larger.

Yeh, K. C.↗

Extension of Kirchhoff's formula to radiation from moving surfaces

Kirchhoff's formula for radiation from a closed surface has been used recently for prediction of the noise of high speed rotors and propellers. Because the closed surface on which the boundary data are prescribed in these cases is in motion, an extension of Kirchhoff's formula to this condition is required. In this paper such a formula, obtained originally by Morgans for the interior problem, is derived for regions exterior to surfaces moving at speeds below the wave propagation speed by making use of some results of generalized function theory. It is shown that the usual Kirchhoff formula is a special case of the main result of the paper. The general result applies to a deformable surface. However, the special form it assumes for a rigid surface in motion is also noted. In addition, Morgans' result is further extended by showing that edge line integrals appear in the formula when applied to a surface that is piecewise smooth. Some possible areas of application of the formula to problems of current interest in aeroacoustics are discussed.

Farassat, F.↗

Extension of Kirchhoff's formula to radiation from moving surfaces

Kirchhoff's formula for radiation from a closed surface has been used recently for prediction of the noise of high speed rotors and propellers. Because the closed surface on which the boundary data are prescribed in these cases is in motion, an extension of Kirchhoff's formula to this condition is required. In this paper such a formula, obtained originally by Morgans for the interior problem, is derived for regions exterior to surfaces moving at speeds below the wave propagation speed by making use of some results of generalized function theory. It is shown that the usual Kirchhoff formula is a special case of the main result of the paper. The general result applies to a deformable surface. However, the special form it assumes for a rigid surface in motion is also noted. In addition, Morgans' result is further extended by showing that edge line integrals appear in the formula when applied to a surface that is piecewise smooth. Some possible areas of application of the formula to problems of current interest in aeroacoustics are discussed.

Farassat, F.↗

On the three families of instability waves of high-speed jets

An analytical and computational study of the normal-mode small-amplitude waves of high-speed jets is presented. Three families of instability waves have been identified: (1) the familiar Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves; (2) supersonic instability waves; and (3) subsonic waves. It is demonstrated that the computed wave patterns and propagation characteristics of these three wave types are consistent with the findings of Oetel (1979, 1980, 1982). The subsonic waves are shown to be unstable only for jets with mixing layers of finite thickness.

Tam, Christopher K. W.↗

Neural operator prediction of linear instability waves in high-speed boundary layers

Here, we investigate if neural operators can predict the linear evolution of instability waves in high-speed boundary layers. To this end, we extend the design of the DeepOnet to ensure accurate and robust predictions, and also to perform data assimilation. In particular, we train DeepONet to take as inputs an upstream disturbance and a downstream location of interest, and to provide as output the perturbation field downstream in the boundary layer. DeepONet thus approximates the linearized and parabolized Navier-Stokes operator for this flow. For successful application to the high-speed boundary layer problem, we add sample weighting and Fourier input features to the regular DeepONet formulation. Once trained, the DeepOnet can perform fast and accurate predictions of the downstream disturbances within the range of training frequencies (inside the distribution). In addition, we show that DeepONet can solve the inverse problem, where downstream wall measurements are adopted as input, and a trained network can predict the upstream disturbances that led to these observations. This capability, along with the forward predictions, allows us to perform a full data assimilation cycle efficiently: starting from wall-pressure data, we predict the upstream disturbance using the inverse DeepONet and its evolution using the forward DeepONet. Finally, we introduce three new metrics to benchmark the training, evaluation and break-even cost of neural operators.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Rayleigh-Scattering-Based Measurement of 'trapped waves' in High-speed Jets

Recently reported research by others identified a system of waves in the near-exit region of high-speed jets that are different from the well-known Kelvin-Helmholtz waves. In an experimental study, Rayleigh-scattering-based measurement of density fluctuations associated with these waves was used. Simultaneously, a microphone placed near the exit of the jet measured pressure fluctuations associated with the ‘trapped waves’. The pressure fluctuations were observed as a series of peaks in the spectra. Measurements were acquired in high subsonic and under-expanded screeching supersonic flows from a 1-inch diameter convergent nozzle in a free jet facility. The Rayleigh measurement volume was translated throughout the flow field while the microphone was held fixed just outside the flow near the nozzle exit. Even though the signal-to-noise ratio for the Rayleigh data was poor, cross-correlation of density fluctuations with the microphone signal provided some insight into the propagation characteristics of the trapped waves as well as the screech component.

Rayleigh scattering↗

Global centroid moment tensor solutions in a heterogeneous earth: the CMT3D catalogue

SUMMARY For over 40 yr, the global centroid-moment tensor (GCMT) project has determined location and source parameters for globally recorded earthquakes larger than magnitude 5.0. The GCMT database remains a trusted staple for the geophysical community. Its point-source moment-tensor solutions are the result of inversions that model long-period observed seismic waveforms via normal-mode summation for a 1-D reference earth model, augmented by path corrections to capture 3-D variations in surface wave phase speeds, and to account for crustal structure. While this methodology remains essentially unchanged for the ongoing GCMT catalogue, source inversions based on waveform modelling in low-resolution 3-D earth models have revealed small but persistent biases in the standard modelling approach. Keeping pace with the increased capacity and demands of global tomography requires a revised catalogue of centroid-moment tensors (CMT), automatically and reproducibly computed using Green's functions from a state-of-the-art 3-D earth model. In this paper, we modify the current procedure for the full-waveform inversion of seismic traces for the six moment-tensor parameters, centroid latitude, longitude, depth and centroid time of global earthquakes. We take the GCMT solutions as a point of departure but update them to account for the effects of a heterogeneous earth, using the global 3-D wave speed model GLAD-M25. We generate synthetic seismograms from Green's functions computed by the spectral-element method in the 3-D model, select observed seismic data and remove their instrument response, process synthetic and observed data, select segments of observed and synthetic data based on similarity, and invert for new model parameters of the earthquake’s centroid location, time and moment tensor. The events in our new, preliminary database containing 9382 global event solutions, called CMT3D for ‘3-D centroid-moment tensors’, are on average 4 km shallower, about 1 s earlier, about 5 per cent larger in scalar moment, and more double-couple in nature than in the GCMT catalogue. We discuss in detail the geographical and statistical distributions of the updated solutions, and place them in the context of earlier work. We plan to disseminate our CMT3D solutions via the online ShakeMovie platform.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Sound Transmission Through a Curved Honeycomb Composite Panel

Composite structures are often used in aircraft because of the advantages offered by a high strength to weight ratio. However, the acoustical properties of these light and stiff structures can often be less than desirable resulting in high aircraft interior noise levels. In this paper, measurements and predictions of the transmission loss of a curved honeycomb composite panel are presented. The transmission loss predictions are validated by comparisons to measurements. An assessment of the behavior of the panel is made from the dispersion characteristics of transverse waves propagating in the panel. The speed of transverse waves propagating in the panel is found to be sonic or supersonic over the frequency range from 100 to 5000 Hz. The acoustical benefit of reducing the wave speed for transverse vibration is demonstrated.

Klos, Jacob↗

Improving NOAA's NWLON Through Enhanced Data Inputs from NASA's Ocean Surface Topography

This report assesses the benefit of incorporating NASA's OSTM (Ocean Surface Topography Mission) altimeter data (C- and Ku-band) into NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NWLON (National Water Level Observation Network) DSS (Decision Support System). This data will enhance the NWLON DSS by providing additional inforrnation because not all stations collect all meteorological parameters (sea-surface height, ocean tides, wave height, and wind speed over waves). OSTM will also provide data where NWLON stations are not present. OSTM will provide data on seasurface heights for determining sea-level rise and ocean circulation. Researchers and operational users currently use satellite altimeter data products with the GSFCOO NASA data model to obtain sea-surface height and ocean circulation inforrnation. Accurate and tirnely inforrnation concerning sea-level height, tide, and ocean currents is needed to irnprove coastal tidal predictions, tsunarni and storm surge warnings, and wetland restoration.

Guest, DeNeice C.↗

Arrangement of fusiform bodies to reduce the wave drag at supersonic speeds

By means of linearized-body theory and reverse-flow theorems, the wave drag of a system of fusiform bodies at zero angle of attack and supersonic speeds is studied to determine the effect of varying the relative location of the component parts. The investigation is limited to two-body and three-body arrangements of Sears-Haack minimum-drag bodies. It is found that in certain arrangements the interference effects are beneficial, and may even result in the two or three-body system having no more wave drag than that of the principal body alone. The most favorable location appears to be one in which the maximum cross-section of the auxiliary body is slightly forward of the Mach cone from the tail of the main body. The least favorable is the region between the Mach cone from the nose and the forecone from the tail of the main body. (author)

Friedman, Morris D↗

Nonlinear Alfven waves in high-speed solar wind streams

A nonlinear proton distribution function that is an exact stationary solution of the nonlinear Vlasov equation and Maxwell's equations and which supports a single nonlinear transverse Alfven (ion cyclotron) wave that is circularly polarized and nondispersive is proposed for most of the observations during high-speed solar wind streams. This nonlinear distribution removes the strong Alfven wave instability, inconsistent with the persistence of the observed proton distribution functions in high-speed streams, found by the linear stability analysis. Model temperature anisotropies and drift velocities of the two spatially inhomogeneous bi-Maxwellian components are consistent with typical proton velocity distributions measured in high-speed streams at 1 AU. Two derived relations for each of the wave number and the phase velocity of the wave are obeyed within experimental uncertainties by two typical proton measurements. Our model also predicts that the alpha particle bulk flow velocity exceeds the proton particle bulk flow velocity, as is observed.

Abraham-Shrauner, B.↗