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At least 235 records · Page 13

Theory of flux anisotropies in a guiding center plasma

Assuming time stationarity of the one-particle distribution function f on the scale of the bounce motion of particles in a magnetic field, the paper expands the Vlasov equation through O(epsilon) in the adiabatic parameter epsilon, which is the ratio of particle gyroradius to scale length of the magnetic field. Since f is directly proportional to particle flux differential in kinetic energy and solid angle, f is in principle measurable in space experiments, and the present analysis is tailored to be explicitly applicable to space problems. It is shown that the usual expression for the electric field which produces plasma corotation in an axisymmetric system such as a dipole also holds for any nonaxisymmetric but rigidly rotating magnetic field pattern, provided the observed magnetic field is used in place of the dipole field. The analysis is applied to the electric field in a rigidly corotating magnetosphere.

Birmingham, T. J.↗

The motion of a proton in the equatorial magnetosphere

In a time-independent model of the magnetosphere including a dipole magnetic field, a convection electric field (deduced from polar orbit observations), and an electric field due to the earth's rotation, the motion of a proton in the equatorial plane is analyzed. By means of the Hamiltonian of the motion, three regimes of motion are identified. A method is then developed for determining for any given observation point which arrival energies correspond to trapped particles and which represent 'open' trajectories.

Stern, D. P.↗

A measurement of the hyperfine structure of CO-17

It is pointed out that the isotope of carbon monoxide, CO-17, has appreciable hyperfine structure caused by the electric quadrupole and the magnetic dipole interactions of the O-17 nucleus which has a spin of 5/3. During a radioastronomical study of the structure and dynamics of cold interstellar clouds, it was found that the Bok globule B335 had an extremely small velocity dispersion such that the hyperfine components are clearly resolved. A graph is provided which shows the antenna temperature (a measure of intensity) of the CO-17 emission as a function of frequency. The hyperfine constants and line frequencies were redetermined for the CO-17 J=1 yields 0 rational transition. The observation of CO-17 was carried out with a 7 meter Cassegrain antenna during 1979 and 1980. The CO-17 molecular line parameters are listed in a table.

Frerking, M. A.↗

Maser cavity servo-tuning system

Two collocated, weakly coupled probes, one loop and one dipole, detect the magnetic and electric fields inside a maser cavity. Signals from the probes are compared in phase, and the signal output from the phase detector is applied to a varactor, the reactance of which is coupled into the cavity by a microwave coupler. Alternatively, the varactor may be placed inside the cavity. Any deviation of phase from 90 deg as detected by the phase detector will then produce an error signal that will change the reactance coupled into the resonant cavity to change its reactance, and thus correct its resonance frequency. An alternative to using two probes is to use a single disk probe oriented to detect both the magnetic and electric fields, and thus provide the error signal directly.

Sydnor, R. L.↗

Equivalent Circuit Modeling for Carbon Nanotube Schottky Barrier Modulation in Polarized Gases

We study the carbon nanotube Schottky barrier at the metallic electrode interface in polarized gases using an equivalent circuit model. The gas-nanotube interaction is often weak and very little charge transfer is expected [l]. This is the case with'oxygen, but the gas-electrode interaction is appreciable and makes the oxygen molecules negatively charged. In the closed circuit condition, screening positive charges appear in the nanotube as well as in the electrode, and the Schottky barrier is modulated due to the resultant electrostatic effects [2]. In the case of ammonia, both the gas-nanotube and gas-electrode interactions are weak, but the Schottky barrier can still be modulated since the molecules are polarized and align in the preferred orientation within the gap between the electrode and nanotube in the open circuit condition (dipole layer formation). In the closed circuit condition, an electric field appears in the gap and strengthens or weakens the preferred dipole alignment reflecting the nanotube Fermi level. The modulation is visible when the nanotube depletion mode is involved, and the required dipole density is as low as 2 x 10(exp 13) dipoles/sq cm, which is quite feasible experimentally,

Yamada, Toshishige↗

Note on the electric splitting of drift shells

A nonrelativistic analysis is presented for the deviation of a particle from its dipole magnetic drift shell in the presence of an electric field. An alternative definition of weak shell splitting is introduced in which the corotation drift velocity need not be small with respect to the azimuthal magnetic drift velocity. Approximate explicit solutions are obtained for the asymmetry of drift shells in the strong shell splitting case, i.e., for the case where the cross-magnetosphere potential drop is not small compared to particle kinetic energy. Upper limits to drift shell asymmetry are obtained from considerations of the Alfven layer.

Kivelson, M. G.↗

An electromagnetic Thirring problem.

A neutral rotating mass shell surrounds a concentric stationary electrically charged insulating shell. The dipole-like magnetic field induced by (and proportional to) the rotation of the neutral shell is calculated on the basis of the coupled linearized Einstein-Maxwell field equations of general relativity. This field is apparently at variance with a conjecture made on Machian grounds, for which a possible explanation is suggested. The corresponding induced quadrupolar electric field is calculated for the region within the charged shell, and the potential is given for this field everywhere. Though understandable on mutually inconsistent elementary grounds, we regard this field as a useful example of a solution of linearized general relativity.-

Ehlers, J.↗

An MHD simulation study of the poloidal mode field line resonance in the Earth's dipole magnetosphere

The poloidal mode field line resonance in the Earth's dipole magnetic field is investigated using cold plasma ideal MHD simulations in dipole geometry. In order to excite the poloidal mode resonance, we use either an initial or a continuous velocity perturbation to drive the system. The perturbation is localized at magnetic shell L = 7 with plasma flow in the radial direction (electric field component in the azimuthal direction). It is found that with the initial perturbation alone, no polodial mode resonance can be obtained and the initially localized perturbation spreads out across all magnetic L shells. With the continuous perturbation, oscillating near the poloidal resonance frequency, a global-scale poloidal cavity mode can be obtained. For the first time, a localized guided poloidal mode resonance is obtained when a radial component of electric field is added to the initial perturbation such that the curl of the electric field is everywhere perpendicular to the background dipole magnetic field. During the localized poloidal resonance, plasma vortices parallel/antiparallel to the background dipole magnetic field B(sub 0). This circular flow, elongated radially, results in twisting of magnetic field flux tubes, which, in turn, leads to the slowdown of the circular plasma flow and reversal of the plasma vortices. The energy associated with the localized poloidal resonance is conserved as it shifts back and forth between the oscillating plasma vortices and the alternately twisted magnetic flux tubes. In the simulations the eigenfunctions associated with the localized poloidal resonance are grid-scale singular functions. This result indicates that ideal MHD is inadequate to describe the underlying problem and nonideal MHD effects are needed for mode broadening.

Ding, D. Q.↗

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients for ferroelectric crystals with polarizable molecules

Expressions for piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients for a crystal of polarizable point dipoles are derived. The effect of crystal structure on the local electric field acting to polarize the molecules is included via the Lorentz-factor formalism. The derived expressions for the piezo- and pyroelectric coefficients are found to contain terms dependent on derivatives of the Lorentz factors. These terms reflect the changing of molecular dipole moments in response to the changing local electric field in the strained crystal. Inclusion of this effect results in predictions of coefficients substantially different from those obtained using the Lorentz field approximation.

Purvis, C. K.↗

Electrostatic and electromagnetic turbulence associated with the earth's bow shock

Simultaneous measurements were made of the electric and magnetic field spectral densities in the earth's bow shock by a plasma wave experiment on the Imp 6 spacecraft. The frequency range of the plasma wave detector was 20 Hz to 200 kHz. Electric fields were measured with high-sensitivity 100-m long dipole antennas and magnetic fields were measured with single-turn loop antennas. Two components are distinguished in the electric field spectrum in the bow shock: one component has a broad peak centered in the region 200-800 Hz, while the other component increases monotonically with decreasing frequency. The magnetic field spectrum has only one component that increases monotonically with decreasing frequency and has an upper cutoff frequency near the local electron gyrofrequency. This magnetic field turbulence is judged to be caused by whistler mode waves. The monotonic component of the electric field spectrum is thought to be the electric field spectrum of these whistler mode waves.

Rodriguez, P.↗

Electrostatics of Granular Material (EGM): Space Station Experiment

Aggregates were observed to form very suddenly in a lab-contained dust cloud, transforming (within seconds) an opaque monodispersed cloud into a clear volume containing rapidly-settling, long hair-like aggregates. The implications of such a "phase change" led to a series of experiments progressing from the lab, to KC-135, followed by micro-g flights on USML-1 and USML-2, and now EGM slated for Space Station. We attribute the sudden "collapse" of a cloud to the effect of dipoles. This has significant ramifications for all types of cloud systems, and additionally implicates dipoles in the processes of cohesion and adhesion of granular matter. Notably, there is the inference that like-charged grains need not necessarily repel if they are close enough together: attraction or repulsion depends on intergranular distance (the dipole being more powerful at short range), and the D/M ratio for each grain, where D is the dipole moment and M is the net charge. We discovered that these ideas about dipoles, the likely pervasiveness of them in granular material, the significance of the D/M ratio, and the idea of mixed charges on individual grains resulting from tribological processes --are not universally recognized in electrostatics, granular material studies, and aerosol science, despite some early seminal work in the literature, and despite commercial applications of dipoles in such modern uses as "Krazy Glue", housecleaning dust cloths, and photocopying. The overarching goal of EGM is to empirically prove that (triboelectrically) charged dielectric grains of material have dipole moments that provide an "always attractive" intergranular force as a result of both positive and negative charges residing on the surfaces of individual grains. Microgravity is required for this experiment because sand grains can be suspended as a cloud for protracted periods, the grains are free to rotate to express their electrostatic character, and Coulombic forces are unmasked. Suspended grains will be "interrogated" by applied electrical fields. In one module, grains will be immersed in an inhomogeneous electric field and allowed to be attracted towards or repelled from the central electrode of the module: part of the grain's speed will be a function of its net charge (monopole), part will be a function of the dipole. Observed grain position vs. time will provide a curve that can be deconvolved into the dipole and monopole forces responsible, since both have distinctive radial dependencies. In a second approach, the inhomogeneous field will be alternated at low frequency (e.g., every 5-10 seconds) so that the grains are alternately attracted and repelled from the center of the field. The resulting "zigzag" grain motion will gradually drift inwards, then suddenly change to a unidirectional inward path when a critical radial distance is encountered (a sort of "Coulombic event horizon") at which the dipole strength supersedes the monopole strength --thus proving the presence of a dipole, while also quantifying the D/M ratio. In a second module, an homogeneous electric field eliminates dipole effects (both Coulombic and induced) to provide calibration of the monopole and to more readily evaluate net charge statistical variance. In both modules, the e-fields will be exponentially step-ramped in voltage during the experiment, so that the field "nominalizes" grain speed while spreading the response time --effectively forcing each grain to "wait its turn" to be measured. In addition to rigorously quantifying M, D, and the D/M ratio for many hundreds of grains, the experiment will also observe gross electrometric and RF discharge phenomena associated with grain activity. The parameter space will encompass grain charging levels (via intentional triboelectrification), grain size, cloud density, and material type. Results will prove or disprove the dipole hypothesis. In either case, light will be shed on the role of electrostatic forces in governing granular systems. Knowledge so gained can be applied to natural clouds such as protostellar and protoplanetary dust and debris systems, planetary rings, planetary dust palls and aerosols created by volcanic, impact, aeolian, firestorm, or nuclear winter processes. The data are also directly applicable to adhesion, cohesion, transport, dispersion, and collection of granular materials in industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical applications, and in fields as diverse as dust contamination of space suits on Mars and crop spraying on Earth.

Marshall, J.↗

Forbidden transition probabilities for ground terms of ions with p or p5 configurations

Forbidden transition probabilities are given for ground term transitions of ions in the isoelectronic sequences with outer configurations 2s2 2p (B I), 2p5 (F I), 3s2 3p (Al I), and 3p5 (Cl I). Tables give, for each ion, the ground term interval, the associated wavelength, the quadrupole radial integral, the electric quadrupole transition probability, and the magnetic dipole transition probability. Coronal lines due to some of these ions have been observed, while others are yet to be observed. The tales for the Al I and Cl I sequences include elements up to germanium.

Kastner, S. O.↗

A simple model for polar cap convection patterns and generation of theta auroras

An addition of the uniform interplanetary magnetic field and the earth's dipole magnetic field is used to evaluate electric field convection patterns over the polar caps that result from solar wind flow across open geomagnetic field lines. The model also accounts for field-aligned patterns within, and auroral arcs across, the polar cap. The qualitative predictions derived from the model express the electric field magnitudes, aurora intensity, sunward and antisunward flow, and the dusk-side reversal of the convection field in terms of the x and y components of the interplanetary magnetic field.

Lyons, L. R.↗

A modeling study of the time-averaged electric currents in the vicinity of isolated thunderstorms

A thorough examination of the results of a time-dependent computer model of a dipole thunderstorm revealed that there are numerous similarities between the time-averaged electrical properties and the steady-state properties of an active thunderstorm. Thus, the electrical behavior of the atmosphere in the vicinity of a thunderstorm can be determined with a formulation similar to what was first described by Holzer and Saxon (1952). From the Maxwell continuity equation of electric current, a simple analytical equation was derived that expresses a thunderstorm's average current contribution to the global electric circuit in terms of the generator current within the thundercloud, the intracloud lightning current, the cloud-to-ground lightning current, the altitudes of the charge centers, and the conductivity profile of the atmosphere. This equation was found to be nearly as accurate as the more computationally expensive numerical model, even when it is applied to a thunderstorm with a reduced conductivity thundercloud, a time-varying generator current, a varying flash rate, and a changing lightning mix.

Driscoll, Kevin T.↗

Pair Cascades and Deathlines in Offset Magnetic Dipole Fields

We investigate electron-positron pair cascades in a dipole magnetic field whose axis is offset from the neutron star center. In such a field geometry, the polar cap is displaced from the neutron star symmetry axis and the field line radius of curvature is modified. Using the modified parallel electric field near the polar cap of an offset dipole, we simulate pair cascades to determine the pair deathlines and pair multiplicities as a function of the offset parameter. We find that the pair multiplicity can change dramatically with a modest offset, with a significant increase on one side of the polar cap. Lower pair deathlines allow a larger fraction of the pulsar population, that include old and millisecond pulsars, to produce cascades with high multiplicity.

Harding, Alice↗

Method and apparatus for guiding ablative therapy of abnormal biological electrical excitation

This invention involves method and apparatus for guiding ablative therapy of abnormal biological electrical excitation. In particular, it is designed for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In the method of this invention electrical signals are acquired from passive electrodes, and an inverse dipole method is used to identify the site of origin of an arrhytmia. The location of the tip of the ablation catheter is similarly localized from signals acquired from the passive electrodes while electrical energy is delivered to the tip of the catheter. The catheter tip is then guided to the site of origin of the arrhythmia, and ablative radio frequency energy is delivered to its tip to ablate the site.

Armoundas, Antonis A.↗