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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 NTRS1985

Evidence for gain on the C VI 182 A transition in a radiation-cooled selenium/Formvar plasma

Thin plastic foils coated with selenium have been irradiated using from 4 to 8 beams of the OMEGA laser in a line focus configuration. Spectra were recorded using a 3 meter spectrograph that viewed the plasma along the line focus. Based on a comparison of the intensities of the spectral lines from plasmas with lengths of 1.7, 3.4, 6.8, and 13.6 mm, the C VI n = 3 to 2 transition at 182 A was anomalously intense in the spectra from the longer plasmas. Calculations indicate that the carbon plasma was cooled by radiation from the highly-charged selenium plasma in a time that was smaller than the expansion time of the plasma. These plasma conditions are favorable for the occurrence of population inversions between the n = 2 and 3 levels of C VI resulting from recombination and cascading from higher levels. The measured gain coefficient for the C VI 182 A transition is 3/cm, and this corresponds to a gain-length product of 4 in the longest plasma.

Seely, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Constraints on CME Evolution from in situ Observations of Ionic Charge States

We present a novel procedure for deriving the physical properties of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMES) in the corona. Our methodology uses in-situ measurements of ionic charge states of C, O, Si and Fe in the heliosphere and interprets them in the context of a model for the early evolution of ICME plasma, between 2 - 5 R-solar. We find that the data can be fit only by an evolution that consists of an initial heating of the plasma, followed by an expansion that ultimately results in cooling. The heating profile is consistent with a compression of coronal plasma due to flare reconnect ion jets and an expansion cooling due to the ejection, as expected from the standard CME/flare model. The observed frozen-in ionic charge states reflect this time-history and, therefore, provide important constraints for the heating and expansion time-scales, as well as the maximum temperature the CME plasma is heated to during its eruption. Furthermore, our analysis places severe limits on the possible density of CME plasma in the corona. We discuss the implications of our results for CME models and for future analysis of ICME plasma composition.

Gruesbeck, Jacob R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Recent Progress in Laboratory Astrophysics and Astrochemistry Achieved with the COSmIC Facility

We describe the characteristics and the capabilities of the laboratory facility, COSmIC, that was developed at NASA Ames to generate, process and analyze interstellar, circumstellar and planetary analogs in the laboratory. COSmIC stands for "Cosmic Simulation Chamber" and is dedicated to the study of neutral and ionized molecules and nanoparticles under the low temperature and high vacuum conditions that are required to simulate various space environments such as diffuse interstellar clouds, circumstellar outflows and planetary atmospheres. COSmIC integrates a variety of state-of-the-art instruments that allow recreating simulated space conditions to generate, process and monitor cosmic analogs in the laboratory. The COSmIC experimental setup is composed of a Pulsed Discharge Nozzle (PDN) expansion, that generates a plasma in the stream of a free supersonic jet expansion, coupled to high-sensitivity, complementary in situ diagnostics: cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) systems for photonic detection, and Reflectron Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ReTOF-MS) for mass detection. Recent results obtained using COSmIC will be highlighted. In particular, the progress that has been achieved in the domain of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and in monitoring, in the laboratory, the formation of circumstellar dust grains and planetary atmosphere aerosols from their gas-phase molecular precursors. Plans for future laboratory experiments on interstellar and planetary molecules and grains will also be addressed, as well as the implications of the studies underway for astronomical observations and past and future space mission data analysis.

Salama, Farid↗
DOE OSTI2021

The interplay between laser focusing conditions, expansion dynamics, ablation mechanisms, and emission intensity in ultrafast laser-produced plasmas

The interplay between ultrafast laser focusing conditions, emission intensity, expansion dynamics, and ablation mechanisms is critical to the detection of light isotopes relevant to nuclear energy, forensics, and geochemistry applications. Here, we study deuterium (2Hα) emission in plasmas generated from femtosecond laser ablation of a Zircaloy-4 target with a deuterium concentration of ≈37 at. %. Changes in emission intensity, plume morphology, crater dimensions, and surface modifications were investigated for varying focusing lens positions, where the laser was focused behind, at, and in front of the target. Spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy and spectrally integrated plasma imaging were performed to investigate emission spectral features and plume morphology. Laser ablation crater dimensions and morphology were analyzed via optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. The 2Hα emission intensity showed significant reduction at the geometrical focal point or when the focal point is in front of the target. For all laser spot sizes, a two-component plume was observed but with different temporal histories. At the best focal point, the plume was spherical. When the laser was focused behind the target, the plume was elongated and propagated to farther distances than for the best focal position. In contrast, when the laser was focused in front of the target, filaments were generated in the beam path, and filament-plasma coupling occurred. By focusing the laser behind the target, the amount of material removal in the laser ablation process can be significantly reduced while still generating a plasma with a sufficient 2Hα emission signal for analysis.

Kautz, Elizabeth J. (ORCID:0000000263389223)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Wave steepening and shock formation in ultracold neutral plasmas

We present observations of wave steepening and signatures of shock formation during expansion of ultracold neutral plasmas formed with an initial density distribution that is centrally peaked and decays exponentially with distance. The plasma acceleration and velocity decrease at large distance from the plasma center, leading to central ions overtaking ions in the outer regions and the development of a steepening front that is narrow compared to the size of the plasma. The density and velocity change dramatically across the front, and significant heating of the ions is observed in the region of steepest gradients. For a reasonable estimate of electron temperature, the relative velocity of ions on either side of the front modestly exceeds the local sound speed (Mach number M≳1). This indicates that by sculpting steep density gradients, it is possible to create the conditions for shock formation, or very close to it, opening a new avenue of research for ultracold neutral plasmas.

Computational fluid dynamics↗
NASA NTRS1989

The POLAR code wake model - Comparison with in situ observations

Measurements made by the plasma diagnostics package during Spacelab 2 are discussed and compared with predictions made with the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory POLAR wake code. This code uses a complex geometric model of the orbiter and the self-similar solution of the expansion of a plasma into a vacuum as its model basis. Excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement is found at distances greater than about 30 m. At least to the first order, the model's approximations are justified.

Murphy, G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Substorm-related plasma sheet motions as determined from differential timing of plasma changes at the ISEE satellites

From an ISEE survey of substorm dropouts and recoveries during the period February 5 to May 25, 1978, 66 timing events observed by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory/Max-Planck-Institut Fast Plasma Experiments were studied in detail. Near substorm onset, both the average timing velocity and the bulk flow velocity at the edge of the plasma sheet are inward, toward the center. Measured normal to the surface of the plasma sheet, the timing velocity is 23 + or - 18 km/s and the proton flow velocity is 20 + or - 8 km/s. During substorm recovery, the plasma sheet reappears moving outward with an average timing velocity of 133 + or - 31 km/s; however, the corresponding proton flow velocity is only 3 + or - 7 km/s in the same direction. It is suggested that the difference between the average timing velocity for the expansion of the plasma sheet and the plasma bulk flow perpendicular to the surface of the sheet during substorm recovery is most likely the result of surface waves moving past the position of the satellites.

Forbes, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Source Distributions of Substorm Ions Observed in the Near-Earth Magnetotail

This study employs Geotail plasma observations and numerical modeling to determine sources of the ions observed in the near-Earth magnetotail near midnight during a substorm. The growth phase has the low-latitude boundary layer as its most important source of ions at Geotail, but during the expansion phase the plasma mantle is dominant. The mantle distribution shows evidence of two distinct entry mechanisms: entry through a high latitude reconnection region resulting in an accelerated component, and entry through open field lines traditionally identified with the mantle source. The two entry mechanisms are separated in time, with the high-latitude reconnection region disappearing prior to substorm onset.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

An implicit particle code with exact energy and charge conservation for studies of dense plasmas in axisymmetric geometries

A collisional particle code based on implicit energy- and charge-conserving methods in axisymmetric geometries is presented. A new particle pusher for axisymmetric systems is introduced that is compatible with exact energy and charge conservation and yields improved accuracy compared to other methods. How to appropriately treat all aspects of the algorithm near the r = 0 axis of symmetry is described in detail. Here, the axisymmetric model is verified by simulating the free expansion of a plasma sphere in 2D cylindrical and 1D spherical geometries. The algorithm's ability to study the dynamic compression of a dense plasma is illustrated by simulating the dynamic Z-pinch in 1D cylindrical geometry.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1984

The laboratory simulation of unmagnetized supernova remnants Absence of a blast wave

Supernova remnants are experimentally simulated by irradiating spherical targets with eight-beam carbon dioxide laser in a chamber containing finite amounts of neutral gas, the gas being ionized by radiation from the hot target. The expansion velocities of the target plasmas are approximately the same as the expansion velocities of supernova ejecta and the experiment is successfully scaled to the case of a supernova remnant in an unmagnetized, low-density, interstellar medium. No sweep-up of the ambient plasma is detected, indicating that no hydrodynamic shock wave is formed to couple the target ejecta to the ambient gas. The experiment implies that if supernova ejecta couple to the interstellar medium, magnetic-field effects may be crucial to the physical description.

Borovsky, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Working group report on beam plasmas, electronic propulsion, and active experiments using beams

The JPL Workshop addressed a number of plasma issues that bear on advanced spaceborne technology for the years 2000 and beyond. Primary interest was on the permanently manned space station with a focus on identifying environmentally related issues requiring early clarification by spaceborne plasma experimentation. The Beams Working Group focused on environmentally related threats that platform operations could have on the conduct and integrity of spaceborne beam experiments and vice versa. Considerations were to include particle beams and plumes. For purposes of definition it was agreed that the term particle beams described a directed flow of charged or neutral particles allowing single-particle trajectories to represent the characteristics of the beam and its propagation. On the other hand, the word plume was adopted to describe a multidimensional flow (or expansion) of a plasma or neutral gas cloud. Within the framework of these definitions, experiment categories included: (1) Neutral- and charged-particle beam propagation, with considerations extending to high powers and currents. (2) Evolution and dynamics of naturally occurring and man-made plasma and neutral gas clouds. In both categories, scientific interest focused on interactions with the ambient geoplasma and the evolution of particle densities, energy distribution functions, waves, and fields.

Dawson, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS2013

MHD Simulations of the Plasma Flow in the Magnetic Nozzle

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of plasma through a magnetic nozzle is simulated by solving the governing equations for the plasma flow in the presence of an static magnetic field representing the applied nozzle. This work will numerically investigate the flow and behavior of the plasma as the inlet plasma conditions and magnetic nozzle field strength are varied. The MHD simulations are useful for addressing issues such as plasma detachment and to can be used to gain insight into the physical processes present in plasma flows found in thrusters that use magnetic nozzles. In the model, the MHD equations for a plasma, with separate temperatures calculated for the electrons and ions, are integrated over a finite cell volume with flux through each face computed for each of the conserved variables (mass, momentum, magnetic flux, energy) [1]. Stokes theorem is used to convert the area integrals over the faces of each cell into line integrals around the boundaries of each face. The state of the plasma is described using models of the ionization level, ratio of specific heats, thermal conductivity, and plasma resistivity. Anisotropies in current conduction due to Hall effect are included, and the system is closed using a real-gas equation of state to describe the relationship between the plasma density, temperature, and pressure.A separate magnetostatic solver is used to calculate the applied magnetic field, which is assumed constant for these calculations. The total magnetic field is obtained through superposition of the solution for the applied magnetic field and the self-consistently computed induced magnetic fields that arise as the flowing plasma reacts to the presence of the applied field. A solution for the applied magnetic field is represented in Fig. 1 (from Ref. [2]), exhibiting the classic converging-diverging field pattern. Previous research was able to demonstrate effects such as back-emf at a super-Alfvenic flow, which significantly alters the shape of the magnetic field in both the near- and far-field regions. However, in that work the downstream domain was constrained to a channel of constant cross-sectional area. In the present work we seek to address this issue by modeling the downstream region with a domain that permits free expansion of the plasma, permitting a better evaluation of the downstream effects the applied field has on the plasma. The inlet boundary conditions and applied magnetic field values will also be varied to determine the effect the initial plasma energy content and applied magnetic field energy density have on the near- and far-field plasma properties on the MHD code. This will determine the effect of inlet boundary conditions on the results downstream and address issues related to the restrictive numerical domain previously used.

Smith, T. E. R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Turbulence and transport in mirror geometries in the Large Plasma Device

Thanks to advances in plasma science and enabling technology, mirror machines are being reconsidered for fusion power plants and as possible fusion volumetric neutron sources. However, cross-field transport and turbulence in mirrors remains relatively understudied compared with toroidal devices. Turbulence and transport in mirror configurations were studied utilizing the flexible magnetic geometry of the Large Plasma Device (LAPD). Multiple mirror ratios from $M=1$ to $M=2.68$ and three mirror-cell lengths from $L=3.51$ to $L=10.86$ m were examined. Langmuir and magnetic probes were used to measure profiles of density, temperature, potential and magnetic field. The electric field-fluctuation-driven ${\tilde {\boldsymbol{E}}} \times {\boldsymbol{B}}$ particle flux, where $\boldsymbol{B}$ is the background field, was calculated from these quantities. Two probe correlation techniques were used to infer wavenumbers and two-dimensional structure. Cross-field particle flux and density fluctuation power decreased with increased mirror ratio. Core density and temperatures remain similar with mirror ratio, but radial line-integrated density increased. The physical expansion of the plasma in the mirror cell by using a higher field in the source region may have led to reduced density fluctuation power through the increased gradient scale length. This increased scale length reduced the growth rate and saturation level of rotational interchange and drift-like instabilities. Despite the introduction of magnetic curvature, no evidence of mirror-driven instabilities – interchange, velocity space or otherwise – were observed. For curvature-induced interchange, many possible stabilization mechanisms were present, suppressing the visibility of the instability.

Travis, Phil (ORCID:0000000343170432)↗
NASA NTRS1984

Magnetosonic waves adjacent to the plasma sheet in the distant magnetotail - ISEE-3

The presence of large-amplitude magnetosonic waves in the distant plasma sheet boundary layers is demonstrated, and their properties are discussed. The waves for almost all the events examined are right-hand circularly polarized, with the degree of polarization varying from 1.04 to 1.87, i.e., from circular to slightly elliptical. The waves are all propagating nearly along the magnetic field. Their periods vary from 3.7 seconds to as long as 35 seconds, with a median value of about 10 seconds, and are slightly larger than the proton gyroperiod in all but two cases. Most waves have a relatively large compressional component varying from 30 to 90 percent of the wave amplitude. Several possible generation mechanisms are discussed, along with the role that the waves may play in the heating and expansion of the plasma sheet.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Near-field models and simulations of pellet ablation in tokamaks

Here, detailed numerical studies of the ablation of a single neon pellet in the plasma disruption mitigation parameter space have been performed. Simulations were carried out using FronTier, a hydrodynamic/low magnetic Reynolds number MHD code with explicit tracking of material interfaces. FronTier's physics models resolve the pellet surface ablation and the formation of a dense, cold cloud of ablated material, the deposition of energy from hot plasma electrons, the expansion of the ablation cloud along magnetic field lines, and the radiation losses. A local thermodynamic equilibrium model based on Saha equations has been used to resolve atomic processes in the cloud and Redlich–Kwong corrections to the ideal gas equation of state for cold and dense gases, which have been used near the pellet surface. The FronTier pellet code is a next generation of the code described. It has been validated against the semi-analytic improved neutral gas shielding model in the 1D spherically symmetric approximation. Main results include quantification of the influence of atomic processes and Redlich–Kwong corrections on the pellet ablation in spherically symmetric approximation and verification of analytic scaling laws in a broad range of pellet and plasma parameters. Using axially symmetric MHD simulations, the properties of ablation channels and the reduction of pellet ablation rates in magnetic fields of increasing strength have been studied. While the main emphasis has been given to neon pellets for the plasma disruption mitigation, selected results on deuterium fueling pellets have also been presented.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Experimental and theoretical comparison of ion properties from nanosecond laser-produced plasmas of metal targets

The ion emission properties of laser-produced plasmas as a function of laser intensities between 4–50 GW cm –2 and varying angles with respect to the target normal were investigated. The plasmas were produced by focusing 1064 nm, 6 ns pulses from an Nd:YAG laser on various metal targets. The targets used for this study include Ti, Mo, and Gd (Z = 22, 42, 64). It is noted that all ion profiles are composed of multiple peaks—a prompt emission peak trailed by three ion peaks (ultrafast, fast, and thermal). Experimentally, it is shown that each of these ion peaks follows a unique trend as a function of laser intensity, angle, and distance away from the target. Theoretically, it is shown that simple analytical models can be used to explain the properties of the ions. The variations in the ion velocity and density as a function of laser intensity are found to be in good agreement with theoretical models of sheath acceleration, isothermal self-similar expansion, and ablative plasma flow for various ion peaks.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Power Flow Spectroscopy Diagnostics & Platform Development at the Z Pulsed Power Facility

Large pulsed power accelerators deliver multi-MJ pulses of electrical energy to a variety of high energy density (HED) physics experiments that support stockpile science programs. Understanding the plasma formation mechanisms and resulting electrical power transport (or "power flow") in the vacuum magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) is an important area of ongoing research, and could provide a means to improve the performance of today's pulsed power accelerators while improving confidence in the design options for next-generation pulsed power concepts. Power flow science has been studied for decades, but these studies have not provided a predictive understanding of plasma formation and expansion in MITL systems. Several recent factors in pulsed power system design have generated a renewed (and urgent) interest in developing validated, multi-physics power flow engineering models with increased scrutiny and understanding. Examples of these factors include (i) the use of high inductance experimental configurations that could increase current "loss", (ii) interest in long-pulse applications that require predictable pulse shapes, and (iii) the desire to develop a deeper understanding of how current loss phenomena scale to larger accelerator configurations. This work is directed to support the validation of multi-physics power flow engineering models required to realize pulsed power systems for the NNSA mission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗