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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

d.c. electric field stabilization of plasma fluctuations due to a velocity shear in the parallel ion flow

Consideration is given to the suggestion by Basu and Coppi (1988, 1989) that the DE-2 observations of broadband turbulence associated with sheared ion flows can be explained by electrostatic waves driven by a sheared ion flow along the magnetic field. It is pointed out that such a theory ignores the stronger shear in the ion flow transverse to the magnetic field, and that, when this shear is taken into account, the modes described by Basu and Coppi are easily destabilized. The theory of Basu and Coppi is shown to break down even when the shear in the parallel flow exceeds the shear in the transverse flow.

Ganguli, G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Chromospheric-coronal coupling during solar flares: Current systems and particle acceleration

Two-dimensional (three velocity) electrostatic particle simulations are used to investigate the particle heating and acceleration associated with the impulsive phase of a solar flare. A crossfield current in the high corona (which is presumably driven by reconnection processes) is used to initiate the flare. Due to the differential motion of the electrons and ions, currents, and associated quasi-static electric fields are generated with the primary current and balancing return current being on adjacent field lines. These currents extend from the corona down into the chromosphere. Electrons can be accelerated to energies exceeding 100 keV on short time scales via the quasi-static fields and wave-particle interactions. The spectra of these electrons has a broken power-law distribution which hardens in time. The spatially separate primary and return currents are closed by the cross-field acceleration of the ambient ions into the primary current regions. These ions are then accelerated upwards into the corona by the same quasi-static electric field accelerating the electrons downwards. This acceleration can account for the broadened stationary and weak blue shifted component seen in soft x ray line emissions and enhancements in heavy ion abundances seen in the solar wind in associations with solar flares.

Winglee, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The streaming-trapped ion interface in the equatorial inner magnetosphere

Spacecraft measurements of core ions on L=4-7 field-lines typically show trapped ion distributions near the magnetic equator, and frequently indicate field-aligned ion streams at higher latitudes. The nature of the transition between them may indicate both the microphysics of hot-cold plasma interactions and overall consequences for core plasma evolution. We have undertaken a statistical analysis and characterization of this interface and its relation to the equatorial region of the inner magnetosphere. In this analysis, we have characterized such features as the equatorial ion flux anisotropy, the penetration of field-aligned ionospheric streams into the equatorial region, the scale of the transition into trapped ion populations, and the transition latitude. We found that most transition latitudes occur within 13 deg of the equator. The typical values of equatorial ion anisotropies are consistent with bi-Maxwellian temperature ratios of T(sub perpendicular)/T(sub parallel) in the range of 3-5. The latitudinal scales for the edges of the trapped ion populations display a rather strong peak in the 2-3 deg range. We also found that there is a trend for the penetration ratio, the anisotropy half width, and the transition scale length to decrease with a higher equatorial ion anisotropy. We may interpret these features in terms of Liouville mapping of equatorially trapped ions and the reflection of the incoming ionospheric ion streams from the equatorial potential peaks associated with such trapped ions.

Lin, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10 observations of the solar wind associated with the August 1972 events

Observations are presented of the changes in the solar wind proton parameters at 0.8 and 2.2 AU as a result of the solar flares in August 1972. These observations were obtained by the NASA Ames Research Center solar wind plasma analyzer experiments on Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10. High time resolution measurements are presented of the solar wind proton speed associated with the arrival of the interplanetary shocks at Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10. For these events, differential ion energy per unit charge spectra are shown which indicate the changes in the solar wind ion distribution function associated with the arrival of each of the interplanetary shocks. Four fast shocks are identified at Pioneer 9, and it is found that previously the time of arrival of the first interplanetary shock at Pioneer 9 was not correctly identified. Two fast shocks and one reverse shock are identified at Pioneer 10.

Intriligator, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Thermal instability in the inner coma of a comet

The spacecraft and ground based observations of comet Halley inner coma showed a localized ion density depletion region whose origin is not well understood. Although it has been linked to a thermal instability associated with negative ions, the photodetachment lifetime of negative ions (approximately 1 sec) is too short compared to the electron attachment time scale (approximately 100 sec) for this process to have a significant effect. A mechanism for the ion density depletion based on the thermal instability of the cometary plasma due to the excitation of rotational and vibrational levels of water molecules is proposed. The electron energy losses due to these processes peak near 4000 K (0.36 eV) and at temperatures higher than this value a localized cooling leads to further cooling (thermal instability) due to the increased radiation loss. The resulting increase in recombination leads to an ion density depletion and the estimates for this depletion at comet Halley agree with the observations.

Milikh, G. M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Realistic Ion Dynamics through Charge Renormalization in Nonaqueous Electrolytes

While many practically important electrolytes contain lithium ions, interactions of these ions are particularly difficult to probe experimentally because of their small X-ray and neutron scattering cross sections and large neutron absorption cross sections. Molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful tool for understanding the properties of nonaqueous electrolyte solutions from the atomic level, but the accuracy of this computational method crucially depends on the physics built into the classical force field. In this study, we demonstrate that several force fields for lithium bistriflimide (LiTFSI) in acetonitrile yield a solution structure that is consistent with the neutron scattering experiments, yet these models produce dramatically different ion dynamics in solution. Such glaring discrepancies indicate that inadequate representation of long-range interactions leads to excessive ionic association and ion-pair clustering. We show that reasonable agreement with the experimental observations can be achieved by renormalization of the ion charges using a “titration” method suggested herewith. This simple modification produces realistic concentration dependencies for ionic diffusion and conductivity in <2 M solutions, without loss in quality for simulation of the structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ba +2 ion trapping using organic submonolayer for ultra-low background neutrinoless double beta detector

If neutrinos are their own antiparticles the otherwise-forbidden nuclear reaction known as neutrinoless double beta decay can occur. The very long lifetime expected for these exceptional events makes its detection a daunting task. In order to conduct an almost background-free experiment, the NEXT collaboration is investigating novel synthetic molecular sensors that may capture the Ba dication produced in the decay of certain Xe isotopes in a high-pressure gas experiment. The use of such molecular detectors immobilized on surfaces must be explored in the ultra-dry environment of a xenon gas chamber. Here, using a combination of highly sensitive surface science techniques in ultra-high vacuum, we demonstrate the possibility of employing the so-called Fluorescent Bicolor Indicator as the molecular component of the sensor. We unravel the ion capture process for these molecular indicators immobilized on a surface and explain the origin of the emission fluorescence shift associated to the ion trapping.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Local distortion driven magnetic phase switching in pyrochlore Yb 2 ( Ti 1 - x Sn x ) 2 O 7

While it is commonly accepted that the disorder induced by magnetic ion doping in quantum magnets usually generates a rugged free-energy landscape resulting in slow or glassy spin dynamics, the disorder/distortion effects associated with nonmagnetic ion sites doping are still illusive. Here, using AC susceptibility measurements, we show that the mixture of Sn/Ti on the nonmagnetic ion sites of pyrochlore Yb 2 ⁢(Ti 1-x⁢ Sn x ) 2⁢ O 7 induces an antiferromagnetic ground state despite both parent compounds, Yb 2 ⁢Ti 2 ⁢O 7 and Yb 2 ⁢Sn 2⁢ O 7 , order ferromagnetically. Local structure studies through neutron total scattering reveals the local distortion in the nonmagnetic ion sites and its strong correlation with the magnetic phase switching. Further, our study demonstrates the local distortion as induced by the nonmagnetic ion site mixture could be a new path to achieve magnetic phase switching, which has been traditionally obtained by external stimuli such as temperature, magnetic field, pressure, strain, light, etc.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1983

Electric currents and voltage drops along auroral field lines

An assessment is presented of the current state of knowledge concerning Birkeland currents and the parallel electric field, with discussions focusing on the Birkeland primary region 1 sheets, the region 2 sheets which parallel them and appear to close in the partial ring current, the cusp currents (which may be correlated with the interplanetary B(y) component), and the Harang filament. The energy required by the parallel electric field and the associated particle acceleration processes appears to be derived from the Birkeland currents, for which evidence is adduced from particles, inverted V spectra, rising ion beams and expanded loss cones. Conics may on the other hand signify acceleration by electrostatic ion cyclotron waves associated with beams accelerated by the parallel electric field.

Stern, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Norbornene-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Cells

Norbornene-based polymers have shown promise as solid electrolytes for lithium-based rechargeable electrochemical cells. These polymers are characterized as single-ion conductors. Single-ion-conducting polymers that can be used in lithium cells have long been sought. Single-ion conductors are preferred to multiple-ion conductors as solid electrolytes because concentration gradients associated with multiple-ion conduction lead to concentration polarization. By minimizing concentration polarization, one can enhance charge and discharge rates. Norbornene sulfonic acid esters have been synthesized by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization technique, using ruthenium-based catalysts. The resulting polymer structures (see figure) include sulfonate ionomers attached to the backbones of the polymer molecules. These molecules are single-ion conductors in that they conduct mobile Li+ ions only; the SO3 anions in these polymers, being tethered to the backbones, do not contribute to ionic conduction. This molecular system is especially attractive in that it is highly amenable to modification through functionalization of the backbone or copolymerization with various monomers. Polymers of this type have been blended with poly(ethylene oxide) to lend mechanical integrity to free-standing films, and the films have been fabricated into solid polymer electrolytes. These electrolytes have been demonstrated to exhibit conductivity of 2 10(exp -5)S/cm (which is high, relative to the conductivities of other solid electrolytes) at ambient temperature, plus acceptably high stability. This type of norbornene-based polymeric solid electrolyte is in the early stages of development. Inasmuch as the method of synthesis of these polymers is inherently flexible and techniques for the fabrication of the polymers into solid electrolytes are amenable to optimization, there is reason to anticipate further improvements.

Cheung, Iris↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ion-neutral coupling in the high latitude thermosphere, part 2

On the 24th November, 1982, The North-South (Bz) component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) became positive for a period of about 11 hours reaching a relatively large and steady value of approximately 25 nT. During this rare occurrence, the Dynamics Explorer-2 (DE-2) spacecraft was in a configuration that enabled the dynamics of both ionic and neutral species of the high latitude F region to be measured simultaneously along the track of the polar orbiting satellite. Results from two Northern (winter) polar passes of DE-2, extracted from a larger data set, are shown to illustrate the response of the neutral F region to ion drag forcing arising from a configuration of ion convection characteristics of strongly northward IMF. The measured neutral winds differ appreciably from those more commonly observed for periods of southward IMF. The multi-cellular ion drift pattern associated with positive Bz is observed to drive a similar but less structured and weaker neutral wind configuration in the winter polar cap. Major features of the ion drift pattern are mimicked by the neutral circulation but smaller scale and more irregular sturctures of ion flow are not. This is ascribed to the relatively long time constant (few hours) for momentum exchange between the ion and neutral gases. The results demonstrate that sunward flow of neutral gas can be established and maintained by ion drag in the central polar cap for positive Bz.

Killeen, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The dynamic cusp

Results of a study of satellite and ground-based data acquired near the dayside cusp during a period when the IMF was inferred to have a strong northward component are presented. The presence of Pc 1 bursts, Pc 4-5 pulsations, and a tailward traveling twin vortex pattern of ionospheric convection suggests that the magnetosphere may have been temporarily compressed. Magnetic field data acquired at a synchronous altitude from GOES 5 and on the ground from Huanacayo support this suggestion. Plasma with ion dispersion characteristics associated with a cusp during southward IMF was detected by Viking over a 3.5-deg range of latitude. The presence of standing Alfven waves and ring current ions suggests that this 'cusplike' plasma was observed on closed geomagnetic field lines. It is suggested that the magnetosphere, during a northward IMF, is temporarily compressed by a solar wind pressure enhancement that produces the Pc 1 bursts, Pc 4-5 pulsations, and ionospheric vortices.

Potemra, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A perpendicular ion beam instability - Solutions to the linear dispersion relation

A 200-eV Xe(+) ion beam directed perpendicular to the terrestrial magnetic field in the F region ionosphere produced very narrow band electrostatic emissions just above multiples of the hydrogen cyclotron frequency. Although the plasma conditions associated with the ion beam were undoubtedly very complex, a simple ion beam in a background ionosphere is considered first. The dispersion relation for flute mode waves and an unmagnetized perpendicular ion beam is solved for a diffuse H(+) plasma and then for a combination of dense O(+) and diffuse H(+). These solutions account for most of the wave properties, including the observation of narrow spectral peaks separated by the hydrogen cyclotron frequency and the observation of no spectral peaks below 2000 Hz. We cannot dismiss field-aligned currents associated with the Xe(+) beam as an alternate source of free energy for the narrow band emissions. However, our intention here is to examine closely the Xe(+) beam as a source for directly exciting the plasma waves.

Kintner, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Neutral motions in the polar thermosphere for northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field

During the rare occurrence of November 24, 1982, when the north-south B(z) component of the IMF became positive for a period of about 11 hours and reached a steady value of about 25 nT, the DE-2 spacecraft simultaneously measured the ionic and neutral species of the high latitude F-region along the track of the polar-orbiting satellite. Data from two northern winter polar passes of DE-2 illustrate the response of the neutral F-region to ion drag forcing that arises from a configuration of ion convection characteristics of strongly northward IMF. The multicellular ion drift pattern associated with positive B(z) is observed to drive a similar, but less structured and weaker, neutral wind configuration in the winter polar cap. While major features of the ion drift pattern are mimicked by the neutral circulation, smaller scale ion flow structures are not. These results demonstrate that the sunward flow of neutral gas can be established and maintained by ion drag in the central polar cap, for positive B(z).

Killeen, T. L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural incorporation into goethite fractionates rare earth elements

Up to 20% of rare earth elements (REEs) in ion adsorption deposits (IADs) are associated with iron oxide minerals, primarily goethite. Often termed “non-extractable”, goethite-hosted REEs are thought to be structurally incorporated into the mineral lattice. The large mismatch in size and charge density between REEs (ionic radius, r = 0.86–1.03 Å) and Fe 3+ (r = 0.65 Å), however, makes direct substitution energetically unfavorable. To determine REE compatibility with and incorporation into goethite on the atomic level, we used X-ray pair distribution function analysis (PDF) and LIII-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The compatibility of REEs with goethite and the precursor ferrihydrite (FH) is Lu ≥ Yb ≫ Dy > Nd for both phases. Nd and Dy primarily form secondary amorphous phases, with <30% Nd and Dy incorporated into goethite. In the FH precursor at pH 6.8, Yb and Lu assumed a local REE-OOH like structure with next nearest neighbor Fe. The Yb, Lu, and Nd-FH samples were also matured at ambient conditions for 100 days; despite the presence of only ∼5% goethite, Lu and Yb were 42% and 100% in goethite-like structural environments, respectively, whereas the PDF and EXAFS of Nd showed little evidence of any incorporation. Using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) to model the EXAFS, we determined the presence of protonated Fe vacancies, edge-sharing with structural Lu and Yb, likely helped accommodate these REEs in the goethite structure. Incorporation into Fe oxyhydroxides thus potentially fractionates the REEs during weathering associated with formation of lateritic and ion adsorption deposits.

Mergelsberg, Sebastian T. [Pacific Northwest Natio↗
NASA NTRS1978

Observations of two distinct populations of bow shock ions in the upstream solar wind

Observations upstream of the earth's bow shock with the LASL/MPI fast plasma experiments on ISEE 1 and 2 reveal the presence of two distinct and mutually exclusive populations of low energy (no more than 40 keV) ions apparently accelerated at the bow shock. The first of these, the 'reflected' population, is characterized by (1) sharply peaked spectra seldom extending much above about 10 keV/ion and (2) relatively collimated flow coming from the direction of the shock. On the other hand, the 'diffuse' ions are distinguished by relatively flat energy spectra above about 10 keV and broad angular distributions. They are by far the most commonly observed upstream ion event. A close causal association is suggested between the diffuse ion population in the upstream solar wind and energetic plasma ions observed within the magnetosheath.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Plasma waves and transversely accelerated ions in the terrestrial ionosphere

Developments in measuring the physical mechanisms responsible for strongly driven transverse ion acceleration in the ionosphere are reviewed. Lower-hybrid waves and ion Bernstein waves can be associated very closely with transversely accelerated ions in the auroral ionosphere. In a recent development, very intense and localized lower-hybrid waves have been observed to produce transversely accelerated ions with characteristic energies of 10 eV. The case for current-driven electrostatic oxygen cyclotron waves producing transversely accelerated ions is less compelling.

Kintner, Paul M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Neutral and ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diffuse interstellar bands and the ultraviolet extinction curve

Neutral naphthalene C10H8, phenanthrene C14H10 and pyrene C16H10 absorb strongly in the ultraviolet region and may contribute to the extinction curve. High abundances are required to produce detectable structures. The cations of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) absorb in the visible C10H8(+) has 13 discrete absorption bands which fall between 6800 and 4500 A. The strongest band at 6741 A falls close to the weak 6742 A diffuse interstellar band (DIB). Five other weaker bands also match DIBs. The possibility that C10H8(+) is responsible for some of the DIBs can be tested by searching for new DIBs at 6520 and 6151 A, other strong naphthalene cation band positions. If C10H8(+) is indeed responsible for the 6742 A feature, it accounts for 0.3% of the cosmic carbon. The spectrum of C16H10(+) is dominated by a strong band at 4435 A in an Ar matrix and 4395 A in Ne, wavelengths which fall very close to the strongest DIB at 4430 A. If C16H10(+) or a closely related pyrene-like ion, is indeed responsible for the 4430 A feature, it accounts for 0.2% of the cosmic carbon. An intense, very broad UV-to-visible continuum is reported which is associated with both ions and could explain how PAHs convert interstellar UV and visible radiation into IR radiation.

Salama, Farid↗