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Results for “ELECTRIC FIELD”

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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Electric fields in the dayside auroral oval

The results from four independent electric field experiments flown on three Black Brant 4 rockets in the forenoon dayside auroral oval in December 1974 and January 1975 are correlated with ground-based observations and rocket particle data. The electric field varied from zero to 150 mV/m. The predominant plasma convection was toward noon along the auroral oval with a smaller component directed toward the polar cap. In one case, however, a reversal occurred within the oval with plasma convection away from noon. Comparisons with magnetometer data indicate that in the dayside auroral oval, Hall currents sometimes are responsible for magnetic fluctuations observed on the ground. Comparisons with particle data show that the magnitude of the electric fields is inversely correlated with the electron energy flux.

Jorgensen, T. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Inward transport of a toroidally confined plasma subject to strong radial electric fields

The paper aims at showing that the density and confinement time of a toroidal plasma can be enhanced by radial electric fields far stronger than the ambipolar values, and that, if such electric fields point into the plasma, radially inward transport can result. The investigation deals with low-frequency fluctuation-induced transport using digitally implemented spectral analysis techniques and with the role of strong applied radial electric fields and weak vertical magnetic fields on plasma density and particle confinement times in a Bumpy Torus geometry. Results indicate that application of sufficiently strong radially inward electric fields results in radially inward fluctuation-induced transport into the toroidal electrostatic potential well; this inward transport gives rise to higher average electron densities and longer particle confinement times in the toroidal plasma.

Roth, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effect of electric fields on the daytime high-latitude E and F regions

We have obtained solutions of the coupled continuity, momentum, and energy equations for NO(+), O(+), and O2(+) ions for conditions appropriate to the daytime high-latitude E and F regions. Owing to the rapid increase of the reaction O(+) + N2 yielding NO(+) + N with ion energy, high-latitude electric fields and consequent perpendicular-E x B drifts deplete O(+) in favor of NO(+). For electric field strengths less than about 10 mV/m the depletion of O(+) is small, and the altitude profiles of ion density are similar to those found at mid-latitudes. However, for moderate electric field strengths (50 mV/m), NO(+) is substantially increased in relation to O(+) and becomes an important ion throughout the F region. For large electric fields (200 mV/m), NO(+) completely dominates the ion composition to at least 600 km, decreasing at high altitudes with a diffusive equilibrium scale height. Since the overall F region electron density decreases markedly with increasing electric field strength, it appears that high-latitude, daytime electron density troughs are directly related to the presence of ionospheric electric fields.

Schunk, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Satellite observations of zonal electric fields near sunrise in the equatorial ionosphere

We report here on a number of examples of anomalous enhancements of eastward electric fields near sunrise in the equatorial ionospheric F-region. These examples were selected from the data base of the equatorial satellite, San Marco D (1988), which measured ionospheric electric fields during a period of solar minimum. The eastward electric fields reported correspond to vertical plasma drifts. The examples studied here are similar in signature and polarity to the pre-reversal electric field enhancements seen near sunset from ground-based radar systems. The morphology of these sunrise events, which are observed on about 14% of the morning-side satellite passes, are studied as a function of local zonal velocity, magnetic activity, geographic longitude and altitude. The nine events studied occur at locations where the zonal plasma flow is generally measured to be eastward, but reducing as a function of local time and at satellite longitudes where the magnetic declination has the opposite polarity as the declination of the sunrise terminator.

Aggson, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Lunar electric fields, surface potential and associated plasma sheaths

A review is given of studies of the electric-field environment of the moon. Surface electric potentials are reported for the dayside and terminator regions, electron and ion densities in the plasma sheath adjacent to each surface-potential regime are evaluated, and the corresponding Debye lengths are estimated. The electric fields, which are approximated by the surface potential over the Debye length, are shown to be at least three orders of magnitude higher than the pervasive solar-wind electric field and to be confined to within a few tens of meters of the lunar surface.

Freeman, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Latitudinal variation of perturbation electric fields during magnetically disturbed periods - 1986 Sundial observations and model results

F-region incoherent scatter radar drift observations from Millstone Hill and Jicamarca, h-prime F observations from Huancayo, and high latitude ground-magnetometer measurements taken during the Sundial 1986 campaign are used to study the relationship between plasmaspheric electric field perturbations and high latitude currents during disturbed periods. The observations are in good agreement with numerical results from a Rice Covection Model run that involved a sharp increase in the polar cap potential drop followed by a subsequent decrease. The zonal disturbance electric field pattern is latitude independent, and the corresponding amplitudes change approximately as L exp n (where n is about 1.5). The meridional electric field patterns and amplitudes have larger latitudinal variations. The mid-, low, and equatorial electric fields from the Rice Convection Model are in good agreement with previous results from the semianalytic, Senior-Blanc (1987) model. Also discussed are three physical mechanisms (over-shielding, fossil winds, and magnetic reconfiguration) that contribute to the long lasting (1-2 h) equatorial zonal electric field perturbations associated with a sudden northward turning of the IMF. It is predicted that the penetration of high latitude electric fields to low latitudes should, in general, be closely related to the rate of motion of the shielding layer and the equatorward edge of the diffuse aurora.

Fejer, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Comparison of fast electric field changes from subsequent return strokes of natural and triggered lightning

Fast electric field changes from subsequent return strokes of natural and triggered lightning with propagation paths almost entirely over water are compared. Data were collected at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during the summer of 1987. Comparisons have been made of the average shape, the risetime, and the spectrum of the electric field changes. To a first approximation, the waveforms are very similar; however, the electric field changes from the triggered flashes tend to rise to peak faster and decay faster than do their counterparts in natural cloud-to-ground flashes.

Le Vine, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Electric fields in the solar atmosphere - A review

A review is presented of remote sensing techniques which measure the electric field component transverse to the line of sight and achieve a sensitivity range of 5-10 V/cm. Three models are shown to predict quasistatic, macroscopic values of E(parallel), the electric field component parallel to the magnetic vector, beyond the sensitivity range considered. These processes are: the discharge model of flares; the models of return currents related to flare particle beams; and the models of neutral sheets related to two-ribbon flares and postflare loops. Time dependent electric fields related to MHD and plasma waves, and to plasma disturbance, may allow the detection of both E components (parallel and perpendicular). The uncertainty relating to the emission measures, time scales, volumes, and plasma conditions of these flares and electrified plasma volumes is emphasized. It is pointed out, however, that important information can be obtained by observing electric fields at existing sensitivity levels. By measuring these E-fields, the understanding of flares and related dynamic events can be improved.

Foukal, P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares

An 'electrograph' instrument designed for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in solar plasmas is described, using the polarization dependence of line width in Stark-broadened hydrogen Paschen emission lines. Observations of quiescent prominences and limb chromosphere with the electrograph at the NSO/Sac Peak Evans Coronal Facility provide upper limits of 5-10 V/cm for transverse macroscopic electric fields in these structures, averaged over an area of about 5 x 7 arcsec. Random thermal motions of hydrogen ions across magnetic field lines generate a quasi-static electric field, which should be distinguishable from pressure broadening in the intensely magnetized chromosphere over a sunspot, given an electrograph sensitivity a factor 2-3 better than that achieved here. Future electrograph measurements of limb flares, post-flare loops, and eruptive prominences, even at 5-V/cm sensitivity, could provide a useful new test of reconnection and discharge effects in such dynamic structures.

Moran, T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Combining electric field and aurora observations from DE 1 and 2 with ground magnetometer records to estimate ionospheric electromagnetic quantities

Global distribution of electric fields and currents in the high-latitude ionosphere was estimated using data from the ground-based network of magnetometers and from nearly simultaneous observations with DE 1 and DE 2 satellites. The electric field and current distributions at high altitudes were calculated from instantaneous ionospheric conductivity (estimated from the DE 1 auroral data), using the Kamide et al. (1981) magnetogram inversion technique; an optimum conductivity was then chosen iteratively so that the resultant electric fields would become consistent with electric field deduced from ion drifts measured along the DE-2 orbit. It is demonstrated that, when analyzing the large-scale electrodynamics of individual substorms, statistical conductivity models are not fully adequate for use with the magnetogram inversion technique.

Kamide, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electrostatic ion instabilities in the presence of parallel currents and transverse electric fields

The electrostatic ion instabilities are studied for oblique propagation in the presence of magnetic field-aligned currents and transverse localized electric fields in a weakly collisional plasma. The presence of transverse electric fields result in mode excitation for magnetic field aligned current values that are otherwise stable. The electron collisions enhance the growth while ion collisions have a damping effect. These results are discussed in the context of observations of low frequency ion modes in the auroral ionosphere by radar and rocket experiments.

Ganguli, G.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Rotationally Vibrating Electric-Field Mill

A proposed instrument for measuring a static electric field would be based partly on a conventional rotating-split-cylinder or rotating-split-sphere electric-field mill. However, the design of the proposed instrument would overcome the difficulty, encountered in conventional rotational field mills, of transferring measurement signals and power via either electrical or fiber-optic rotary couplings that must be aligned and installed in conjunction with rotary bearings. Instead of being made to rotate in one direction at a steady speed as in a conventional rotational field mill, a split-cylinder or split-sphere electrode assembly in the proposed instrument would be set into rotational vibration like that of a metronome. The rotational vibration, synchronized with appropriate rapid electronic switching of electrical connections between electric-current-measuring circuitry and the split-cylinder or split-sphere electrodes, would result in an electrical measurement effect equivalent to that of a conventional rotational field mill. A version of the proposed instrument is described.

Kirkham, Harold↗
NASA NTRS1971

A rocket borne instrument to measure electric fields inside electrified clouds

The development of a rocket borne instrument to measure electric fields in thunderstorms is described. Corona currents from a sharp needle atop a small rocket are used to sense the electric field. A high ohm resistor in series with the corona needle linearizes the relationship between corona current and electric field. The corona current feeds a relaxation oscillator, whose pulses trigger a transmitter which operates in the 395 to 410 MHz meteorological band. The instrument senses fields between 5 kV/m and 100 kV/m.

Ruhnke, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Electric field measurements with stratospheric balloons

Electric fields and currents in the middle atmosphere are important elements of the modern picture of this region. Balloon instruments, reaching the level of the stratosphere, were used extensively for the experimental work. The research has shown good progress, both in the MAP period and in the years before and after. The knowledge was increased about, e.g., the upper atmosphere potential, the electric properties of the medium itself and about the coupling with magnetospheric (ionospheric) fields and currents. Also various measurements have brought about a discussion of the possible existence of hitherto unknown sources. Throughout the MAP period the work on a possible definition of an electric index has continued.

Iversen, I. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Models of the earth's electric field

Detailed models of the electric field of the magnetosphere are derived in several stages. For all, the conductivity along field lines is assumed to be high enough to ensure the vanishing of E B everywhere except in the ionosphere. At first the rotation of the earth is ignored completely and a simple model is constructed which fits certain observed properties. Next, the rotation of the earth is taken into account, but the field is assumed to be that of a magnetic dipole rotating around its symmetry axis. This allows the concept of the electric potential to be retained, which permits the derivation of interesting properties including the use of a conjugate potential which paces the drift of charged particles in the field. Finally, the general case involving asymmetrical rotation is briefly discussed.

Stern, D.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Vertical neutral wind in the equatorial F-region deduced from electric field and ion density measurements

Direct current (DC) electric field and ion density measurements near density depletion regions (that is, equatorial plasma bubbles) are used to estimate the vertical neutral wind speed. The measured zonal electric field in a series of density depletions crossed by the San Marco D satellite at 01.47-01.52 Universal Time (UT) on 25 October 1988, can be explained if a downward neutral wind of 15-30 m/s exists. Simultaneously, the F-region plasma was moving downward at a speed of 30-50 m/s. These events appear in the local time sector of 23.00-23.15 in which strong downward neutral winds may occur. Indeed, airglow measurements suggest that downward neutral velocities of 25-50 m/s are possible at time near midnight in the equatorial F-region.

Laakso, Harri↗
NASA NTRS1984

Some features of auroral electric fields as seen in 2D numerical simulations

Results of 2D plasma simulations are presented and related to auroral observations. The formation of V-shaped potentials is studied with a 2 1/2 dimensional electrostatic particle-in-cell code for a magnetized plasma. It is shown that amplitudes for perpendicular electric fields are larger than for parallel electric fields, and for Te less than 100 eV, the amplitudes are comparable to the electric fields associated with the electrostatic shocks observed from the S3-3 satellite. The excitation of electrostatic ion-cyclotron EIC waves which occurs in the region below the parallel potential drop is discussed. In auroral plasmas EIC waves are observed above the V-shaped double layers in association with ion beams and field-aligned currents. The results also show that oppositely directed electric fields in the center and at the edges of the simulation region produce oppositely directed currents. Precipitating auroral ions in association with electron inverted-V events are seen by the DMSP-F6 satellite.

Thiemann, H.↗