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At least 307 records · Page 17

Interplanetary magnetic field control of high-latitude activity on July 29, 1977

Multisatellite particle and magnetic field data for the substorms of July 29, 1977, show auroral-like activity above 80 deg invariant latitude during the recovery period. The movement of auroral zone activity to high latitudes followed the substorm sequence, at which time the inferred interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was strongly northward. Electron energy spectra indicative of a field-aligned potential drop, and the absence of supporting precipitating ions, are found at latitudes greater than 80 deg. The north-south symmetry of these observations suggests that the events are on closed field lines. It is noted the very strong northward IMF connected to the sunward tilted geomagnetic dipole field plays a role in the driving of strong Birkeland and ionospheric current systems in the northern polar regions, while eliminating them from the southern polar regions.

Zanetti, L. J.↗

Transient effects in beam-plasma interactions in a space simulation chamber stimulated by a fast pulse electron gun

Interest in the interaction of electron beams with plasma generated by ionization caused by the primary electron beam was stimulated by the need to develop special vacuum tubes to operate in the kMHz frequency region. The experiments of Getty and Smullin (1963) indicated that the interaction of an energetic electron beam with its self-produced plasma resulted in the emission of wave energy over a wide range of frequencies associated with cyclotron and longitudinal plasma instabilities. This enhanced the thermal plasma density in the vicinity of the beam, and the term Beam-Plasma Discharge (BPD) was employed to described this phenomenon. The present investigation is concerned with some of the transient phenomena associated with wave emission during the beam switch-on and switch-off periods. Results are presented on the changes in electron energy spectra on a time scale of tens of milliseconds following beam switch-on. The results are discussed in terms of the beam plasma discharge phenomenon.

Raitt, W. J.↗

Stochastic particle acceleration in flaring stars

The acceleration of electrons by the Fermi-Parker mechanisms in a quasistationary turbulent plasma of dimension l, mean magnetic field strength B, and mean number density n are considered. The electrons suffer radiative and ionization losses and have a scattering mean free path that increases linearly with their momentum. Analytic solutions for the steady-state electron energy spectra are presented. The spectra are characterized by an exponential cutoff above a given momentum determined by the synchrontron or the confinement time, depending on the physical characteristics of the accelerating region.

Bogdan, T. J.↗

Electron-CF4 elastic scattering in the static-exchange approximation

Differential, integral, and momentum-transfer cross sections for the elastic scattering of electrons by CF4 from 5 to 35 eV are reported. The calculations were carried out at the fixed-nuclei, static-exchange level usign the Schwinger variational principle. Analyses of the partial channel amplitudes show four broad shape resonances; two in T2, one in A1, and one in E symmetries. The positions of these resonances agree with experimental data from total-cross-section measurements, dissociative attachment studies, and low-energy electron excitation spectra, the only exception being the 8.9-eV structure in the total-cross-section data. No experimental measurements on differential cross sections are available, but comparing with the corresponding static-exchange calculations for the e-CH4 system, the e-CF4 cross sections generally are less backward peaked.

Huo, Winifred M.↗

Classification of auroral precipitation fluxes by characteristic parameters and their effects on the coupling of the precipitation to the ambient ionosphere

The spectral shapes of the precipitating auroral electron flux spectra are quantified by an automated fitting procedure which represents each flux spectrum as a superposition of Maxwellian and Gaussian partial fluxes. This makes it possible to represent each spectrum by a set of characteristic parameters which describe the shape of that spectrum. A set of inverted-V events observed by the Low-Energy Plasma Instrument on Dynamics Explorer 2 near the fall 1981 equinox, has been analyzed. The distribution of the peak inverted-V energies in magnetic local time and invariant latitude (IL) has been obtained, and it is shown that by far the highest peak energies occur in the range of IL between 65 and 70 and MLT between 18 and 24 hrs. It is also shown how the difference in spectral characteristics of the precipitation fluxes between the cusp and the nighttime auroral zone determines the thermal coupling of the precipitation to the ambient ionosphere.

Fontheim, E. G.↗

Ionization processes in collisions of open-shell atoms. III - The autoionizing states of nitrogen

Results of a study of the energy spectra of electrons produced in collisions of N atoms with inert gases at low keV energies are reported. Ionization here is partly due to production of the (1Dnl) autoionizing states of nitrogen and partly due to another mechanism, which is presumably quasi molecular Auger ionization. A discussion of the assignments of the autoionizing states is presented.

Boumsellek, S.↗

Theoretical Evaluation of the Radiation Hazards from Cosmic Rays Within Space Vehicles

We may summarize our efforts as follows: a. Improvement of our calculations of the radial dose distribution from delta rays ejected in the passage of heavy ions through matter through the application of new data to a previous calculation by Kobetich and Katz (1968). Supplementing this calculation, we have found the radial distribution of electron energy spectra and the radial distribution of microdosimetric quantities (Cucinotta et al, 1996, 1997). b. Extension of the Katz model of cellular survival to bacteria, to lethal mutations in C. Elegans in vivo, to mutation induction in vitro, to thindown in radiobiology (observed experimentally at GSI, Darmstadt, and there called "Darmstadt hooks", predicted by Katz theory years before GSI was constructed). c. Coupling the Katz theory of RBE to the NASA theory of the diffusion of heavy ion beams in matter to yield predictions of the effects for monoenergetic heavy ion beams as well as range modulated beams used for cancer therapy. Here we have directed attention to the role of "ion-kill" (the effects produced by heavy ions passing through the nucleus of a cell), responsible for increased RBE, decreased OER, and reduced repair. We predict that the use of beams of heavy ions in cancer therapy will create late effect problems for fractionated therapy. We highlight also the damage by "ion-kill", from single heavy ions in the cosmic rays, to the central nervous system in space flight. d. The coupling of Katz theory and the NASA theory of heavy ion diffusion and penetration through matter, and knowledge of the space radiation environment, has been applied to design of shielding, to the cell damage in space flight.

Katz, Robert↗

Time Dependent Density Functional Theory Calculations of Large Compact PAH Cations: Implications for the Diffuse Interstellar Bands

We investigate the electronic absorption spectra of several maximally pericondensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radical cations with time dependent density functional theory calculations. We find interesting trends in the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths for this series containing pyrene through circumcoronene, the largest species containing more than 50 carbon atoms. We discuss the implications of these new results for the size and structure distribution of the diffuse interstellar band carriers.

Weisman, Jennifer L.↗

Penning Ionization Electron Spectroscopy in Glow Discharge: A New Dimension for Gas Chromatography Detectors

Admixtures to helium of 100 ppm and 5 ppm of nitrogen, and 100 ppm and 10 ppm of carbon monoxide were identified and measured in the helium discharge afterglow using an electrical probe placed into the plasma. For nitrogen and carbon monoxide gases, the measured electron energy spectra display distinct characteristic peaks (fingerprints). Location of the peaks on the energy scale is determined by the ionization energies of the analyte molecules. Nitrogen and carbon monoxide fingerprints were also observed in a binary mixture of these gases in helium, and the relative concentration analytes has been predicted. The technically simple and durable method is considered a good candidate for a number of analytical applications, and in particular, in GC and for analytical flight instrumentation.

Sheverev, V. A.↗

Pulsed Discharge Nozzle Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy of Cold PAH Ions

The gas-phase electronic absorption spectra of the naphthalene (C10H8(+)) and acenaphthene (C12H10(+)) cations have been measured in the visible range in a free 10 jet planar expansion in an attempt to collect data in an astrophysically relevant environment. The direct absorption spectra of two out of four bands measured of the gas-phase cold naphthalene cation along with the gas-phase vibronic absorption spectrum of the cold acenaphthene cation are reported for the first time. The study has been carried out using the ultrasensitive and versatile technique of cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) coupled to a pulsed discharge slit nozzle (PDN). The new CRDS-PDN set up is described and its characteristics are evaluated. The direct-absorption spectra of the PAH ions are discussed and compared to the gas-phase and solid-phase data available in the literature. The analysis of the results show that cold, free flying PAH ions are generated in the argon discharge primarily through soft Penning ionization. This enables the intrinsic band profiles to be measured, a key requirement for astrophysical applications.

Biennier, Ludovic↗

The High Energy Telescope for STEREO

The IMPACT investigation for the STEREO Mission includes a complement of Solar Energetic Particle instruments on each of the two STEREO spacecraft. Of these instruments, the High Energy Telescopes (HETs) provide the highest energy measurements. This paper describes the HETs in detail, including the scientific objectives, the sensors, the overall mechanical and electrical design, and the on-board software. The HETs are designed to measure the abundances and energy spectra of electrons, protons, He, and heavier nuclei up to Fe in interplanetary space. For protons and He that stop in the HET, the kinetic energy range corresponds to approx. 13 to 40 MeV/n. Protons that do not stop in the telescope (referred to as penetrating protons) are measured up to approx. 100 MeV/n, as are penetrating He. For stopping He, the individual isotopes He-3 and He-4 can be distinguished. Stopping electrons are measured in the energy range approx. 0.7 - 6 MeV.

vonRosenvinge, Tycho↗

Understanding Solar Energetic Particles With STEREO HET

The project evaluates solar energetic particles (SEPs) in the Heliosphere utilizing in situ data from the STEREO mission. More specifically, raw data from the High Energy Telescope (HET) corresponding to the abundances and energy spectra of electrons, protons, He, and heavier nuclei was extracted. C codes were modified and written to analyze Pulse heights and fluxes in a readable format. Plots of the data were formulated in Python. Low fluxes of heavier elements prompted a revaluation of the onboard binning process. New selection criteria will be generated to orient the particle energy loss in the detectors with the expected locations of the energy tracks corresponding to each element.

Energetic Particles↗

Spectral line profiles of nickel and argon in supernova 1987A - Expansion velocity and electron scattering effects

Spectra of SN 1987A showing the Ni II 6.634-micron and Ar II 6.983-micron fine-structure lines were obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory in April 1988. The signal-to-noise ratio of 100 near the peaks and resolving power of 200 are sufficient to show the average velocity of expansion from the core of about 1400 km/s and to indicate the range of velocities. An asymmetry in the profiles of both lines and a redshift of the line centroids of about 440 km/s above the 280-km/s recessional velocity of the LMC can be explained in terms of scattering of the photons by electrons in the expanding hydrogen envelope of the supernova. A mass of 0.0030 solar masses of Ni II can be deduced from the line strength of the Ni II line and a mass of 0.0009 solar masses of Ar II from the Ar II line strength.

Witteborn, F. C.↗

D1((2)B2g) to D0((2)Au) Fluorescence from the Matrix-Isolated Perylene Cation Following Laser Excitation into the D5(2)B3g) and D2 ((2)B3g) Electronic States

Fluorescence spectra of the perylene cation, pumped by direct laser excitation via the D(sub 2)((2)B(sub 3g)) (left arrow) D(sub 0)((2)A(sub u)) and D(sub 5)(2)B(sub 3g)) (left arrow) D(sub 0)((2)A(sub u)) transitions, are presented. Direct excitation into the D5 or D2 states is followed by rapid non-radiative relaxation to D1 that, in turn,relaxes radiatively. Excitation spectroscopy across the D(sub 2)((2)B(sub 3g)) (left arrow) D(sub 0)((2)A(sub u)) transition near 730 nm shows that site splitting plays little or no role in determining the spectral substructure in the ion spectra. Tentative assignments for ground state vibrational frequencies are made by comparison of spectral intervals with calculated normal mode frequencies.

Chillier, Xavier D. F.↗