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NASA NTRS1985

The dispersive evolution of charged-particle bunches in random magnetic fields

Shortly after a strongly anisotropic beam of charged particles is injected along a guiding magnetic field on which is superimposed a small random conponent, the particle density can be represented by a Gaussian profile whose center moves with the coherent velocity and whose width increases with time at a rate controlled by the coefficient of dispersion. Both parameters depend upon the mean free path, which characterizes scattering by the random fields, and the focusing length, which characterizes spatial variations of the guiding field. These dependencies are known explicitly for the coherent velocity. Formulae for coefficient of dispersion are available only in the limits of very weak and very strong focusing. A new expression for coefficient of dispersion, which spans this gap, is presented.

Earl, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The effect of dispersion upon charged particle transport in random magnetic fields

Shortly after a strongly anisotropic beam is injected along a guiding magnetic field on which is superposed a small random component, the charged-particle density can be represented by a Gaussian profile whose center moves with the coherent velocity and whose width increases with time at a rate controlled by the coefficient of dispersion. Both parameters of this coherent mode of propagation depend upon the mean free path, which characterizes scattering by the random fields, and the focusing length, which characterizes spatial variations of the guiding field. These dependences are known explicitly for the coherent velocity, but expressions for the coefficient of dispersion are available only in the limits of very weak and very strong focusing. To span this gap, a more comprehensive analytic description of focused transport has been developed. This description includes dispersion and is valid for arbitrary spatial dependences of both the scattering mean free path and the focusing length.

Earl, James A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Measurement of photoemission and secondary emission from laboratory dust grains

The overall goal of this project is experimentally determine the emission properties of dust grains in order to provide theorists and modelers with an accurate data base to use in codes that predict the charging of grains in various plasma environments encountered in the magnetospheres of the planets. In general these modelers use values which have been measured on planar, bulk samples of the materials in question. The large enhancements expected due to the small size of grains can have a dramatic impact upon the predictions and the ultimate utility of these predictions. The first experimental measurement of energy resolved profiles of the secondary electron emission coefficient, 6, of sub-micron diameter particles has been accomplished. Bismuth particles in the size range of .022 to .165 micrometers were generated in a moderate pressure vacuum oven (average size is a function of oven temperature and pressure) and introduced into a high vacuum chamber where they interacted with a high energy electron beam (0.4 to 20 keV). Large enhancements in emission were observed with a peak value, delta(sub max) = 4. 5 measured for the ensemble of particles with a mean size of .022 micrometers. This is in contrast to the published value, delta(sub max) = 1.2, for bulk bismuth. The observed profiles are in general agreement with recent theoretical predictions made by Chow et al. at UCSD.

Hazelton, Robert C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Scaling and applied field studies of MPD thrusters with laser diagnostics

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: self-field magnetoplasmadynamics; 1/4-scale applied-field MPD; scaling of arcs and MPD-arcs; magnetic nozzle studies; advanced diagnostic techniques needed for obtaining particle velocity, temperature, and current distributions in plasma thrusters; nonintrusive laser diagnostics for arcs and MPD-arcs; and schematic of multi-beam interferometer for electron density profile determination.

York, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Early Chromospheric Response During a Solar Microflare Observed with SOHO's CDS and RHESSI

We observed a solar microflare with RHESSI and SOHO's Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on 2009 July 5. With CDS we obtained rapid cadence (7 s) stare spectra within a narrow field of view toward the center of AR 11024. The spectra contain emission lines from ions that cover a wide range of temperature, including He I (< 0.025 MK), O V (0.25 MK), Si XII (2 MK), and Fe XIX (8 MK). The start of a precursor burst of He I and O V line emission preceded the steady increase of Fe XIX line emission by about 1 minute, and the emergence of 3-12 keV X-ray emission by about 4 minutes. Thus the onset of the microflare was observed in upper chromospheric (He I) and transition region (O V) line emission before it was detected in high temperature flare plasma emission. Redshifted O V emission during the precursor suggests explosive chromospheric evaporation, but no corresponding blueshifts were found with either Fe XIX (which was very weak) or Si XII. Similarly, in subsequent microflare brightenings the O V and He I intensities increased (between 49 s and almost 2 minutes) before emissions from the hot flare plasma. Although these time differences likely indicate heating by a nonthermal particle beam, the RHESSI spectra provide no additional evidence for such a beam. In intervals lasting up to about 3 minutes during several bursts, the He I and O V emission line profiles showed secondary, highly blueshifted ( approximately 200 km/s) components; during intervals lasting nearly 1 minute the velocities of the primary and secondary components were oppositely directed. Combined with no corresponding blueshifts in either Fe XIX or Si XII, this indicates that explosive chromospheric evaporation occurred predominantly at either comparatively cool temperatures (< 2 MK) or within a hot temperature range to which our observations were not sensitive (e.g., between 2 and 8 MK).

Brosius, Jeffrey W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Laser transit anemometer measurements on a slender cone in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel

A laser transit anemometer (LTA) system was used to probe the boundary layer on a slender (5 degree half angle) cone model in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel. The anemometer system utilized a pair of laser beams with a diameter of 40 micrometers spaced 1230 micrometers apart to measure the transit times of ensembles of seeding particles using a cross-correlation technique. From these measurements, boundary layer profiles around the model were constructed and compared with CFD calculations. The measured boundary layer profiles representing the boundary layer velocity normalized to the edge velocity as a function of height above the model surface were collected with the model at zero angle of attack for four different flow conditions, and were collected in a vertical plane that bisected the model's longitudinal center line at a location 635 mm from the tip of the forebody cone. The results indicate an excellent ability of the LTA system to make velocity measurements deep into the boundary layer. However, because of disturbances in the flow field caused by onboard seeding, premature transition occurred implying that upstream seeding is mandatory if model flow field integrity is to be maintained. A description and results of the flow field surveys are presented.

Humphreys, William M., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2022

Modeling Broadband Phase Noise from Extended Targets in a 170 GHz Cloud-Imaging Radar

VIPR (Vapor Inside-cloud Profiling Radar) is a differential absorption radar operating over 155-175 GHz, covering a portion of the lower frequency flank of the 183 GHz water vapor absorption resonance. Transmitting at a ~1.9 mm wavelength, VIPR is highly sensitive to scattering from small particles comprising clouds and precipitation. Variation of VIPR’s cloud and precipitation echo power with frequency is often dominated by water vapor absorption, allowing humidity profiles to be retrieved along the radar’s beam path. One confounding effect in practical measurements is phase noise carried by the radar’s transmit signal, which can result in strong range sidelobes extending from bright targets and obscuring the echo signals of more weakly scattering clouds. Here we show that the magnitude and shape of phase-noise induced clutter from extended, bright cloud signals can be accurately modeled using a combination of empirical measurements of surface-echo phase noise and an analytic model based on the phase-noise sidelobe magnitude from a theoretical point target. This improved understanding of a potential clutter source in millimeter-wave imagine radar can lead to better performance modeling, and it provides motivation to improve the phase noise of very high frequency local oscillators.

Cooper, Ken B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Numerical calculations of high-altitude differential charging: Preliminary results

A two dimensional simulation program was constructed in order to obtain theoretical predictions of floating potential distributions on geostationary spacecraft. The geometry was infinite-cylindrical with angle dependence. Effects of finite spacecraft length on sheath potential profiles can be included in an approximate way. The program can treat either steady-state conditions or slowly time-varying situations, involving external time scales much larger than particle transit times. Approximate, locally dependent expressions were used to provide space charge, density profiles, but numerical orbit-following is used to calculate surface currents. Ambient velocity distributions were assumed to be isotropic, beam-like, or some superposition of these.

Laframboise, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Stellar occultation probes of the Uranian rings at 0.1 and 2.2 microns - A comparison of Voyager UVS and earth-based results

A comparison between Voyager 2 UV spectrometer data for stellar occultations of the Uranian ring system obtained at 0.11 microns and 2.2-micron earth-based occultation data reveals the anticipated factor-of-two reduction in observed optical depths relative to those observed from earth. This is due to Voyager's proximity to the rings, which allows light diffracted out of the direct beam by ring particles to be replaced by light diffracted into the direct beam light from other particles, and further permits the placing of firm lower limits on typical particle sizes of 0.3 and 1 cm for the epsilon and delta rings, respectively. As a function of true anomaly, the epsilon ring profile is noted to remain very similar in shape and essentially constant in equivalent depth, even very near periapse.

Holberg, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Generation, saturation, and convection of electrostatic waves in Jupiter's shock foot

In this paper, a model is developed for the analysis of the electrostatic waves produced in the shock foot at Jupiter. It is shown that an ion beam instability involving the ions reflected at the shock ramp and the incoming solar-wind electrons produces waves at the observed frequencies and that saturation via orbit diffusion limits the waves to amplitudes near to what is observed. Results from a two-dimensional model of the reflected beam in the foot indicate that the waves propagate against the solar wind away from the shock ramp and are amplified up to their saturation amplitudes. The saturation results, combined with the electron temperature profile due to wave-particle interactions predicted by quasi-linear theory, reproduce a wave amplitude profile for the shock foot that is in reasonable agreement with the observations.

Moses, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A structural analysis of small vapor-deposited 'multiply twinned' gold particles

High resolution selected zone dark field, Bragg reflection imaging and weak beam dark field techniques of transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the structure of small gold particles vapor deposited on NaCl substrates. Attention was focused on the analysis of those particles in the 50-150 A range that have pentagonal or hexagonal bright field profiles. These particles have been previously described as multiply twinned crystallites composed of face-centered cubic tetrahedra. The experimental evidence of the present studies can be interpreted on the assumption that the particle structure is a regular icosahedron or decahedron for the hexagonal or the pentagonal particles respectively. The icosahedron is a multiply twinned rhombohedral crystal and the decahedron is a multiply twinned body-centered orthorhombic crystal, each of which constitutes a slight distortion from the face-centered cubic structure.

Yang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1986

ISEE 3 observations during a plasma sheet encounter at 140 earth radii - Evidence for enhancement of reconnection at the distant neutral line

A plasma sheet encounter of the ISEE-3 spacecraft in the distant tail at 140 earth radii on March 20, 1983 is studied using magnetic field, energetic particle, and plasma electron data sets. The H-component magnetograms from auroral magnetometer stations, intensity-time profiles, high resolution magnetic field measurements, and electron and proton angular distributions are analyzed. The dynamics of the plasma sheet displayed by the strong tailward and earthward directed ion beams, large northward and southward magnetic fields excursions, and short tailward and earthward plasma flows are described.

Scholer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Energetic particle beams in the plasma sheet boundary layer following substorm expansion - Simultaneous near-earth and distant tail observations

Simultaneous observations of ions and electron beams in the near-earth and deep magnetotail following the onset of substorm are analyzed in terms of the substorm neutral line model. The observations were collected on March 20, 1983 with ISSE 1 and 3. Energy fluxes and intensity-time profiles of protons and electrons are studied. The data reveal that the reconnection at the near-earth neutral line produces ions and electrons for the plasma sheet boundary layer. The maximum electric potential along the neutral line is evaluated.

Scholer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Multiple dataset water-quality analyses in the vicinity of an ocean wastewater plume

The White's Point ocean outfall is the method of disposal for approximately 374 million gallons of treated wastewater per day from Los Angeles County. The photosynthetic characteristics and particle distributions have well-defined properties that can be exploited to yield information on transport of the plume, mixing dynamics, and resuspension of bottom sediments during periods of bottom current velocity in excess of ca. 0.1 m/s. This plume of particles serves as a conservative tracer, which was studied using a number of sampling platforms and strategies, including underway sawtooth, or 'tow-yo' sampling, moored arrays of instruments, stationary profiling, and now for the first time with remotely-sensed multispectral color imagery. Research in this area previously focused on examination of the plume as it relates to the local current field and transport of particles, and on the resuspension of bottom sediments during periods of increased currents. In addition, Wu et al elucidated techniques for separating the particle signal into photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic components, based on the beam attenuation to chlorophyll fluorescence ratio. High-frequency time series measurements of the current field and bio-optical characteristics at a site close to the waste diffusers were also collected. These are being analyzed for the spectral characteristics of the longer-timescale variability, in order to predict particle transport through simple meteorological measurements. With the advent of high spectral and spatial resolution imaging spectrometers such as AVIRIS, it is now possible to construct causal relationships between particle distributions and signature of the upwelled radiance from the surface. The availability of a constant and well-characterized source of material lends itself well to models which predict upwelled radiance from the surface. The availability of a constant and well-characterized source of material lends itself well to models which predict upwelled light as a function of particle distributions, photosynthetic pigments, colored dissolved organic material, and detrital and degradation products of photosynthesis. In addition, the spatial coverage provided by the tow-yo sampling device, combined with the profile measurements of the light field, should facilitate the best inverse modeling attempts possible thus far.

Hamilton, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1984

Magnetospheric ions and electrons in the distant magnetosheath at about 50 and 180 earth radii - ISEE-3 observations

Energetic particle data were obtained in the dawn magnetosheath at about 50 earth radii (ER), analyzed, and compared with data taken at 180 ER. Both data sets were acquired during the ISEE-3 geotail mission. The results of analyses of the 16 sec time profiles of 32 and 130 keV protons, 75-115 keV electrons, and some of the 30-36 keV proton angular distributions (PAD) are presented. No temporal dispersions were detected in the particle bursts, implying instead a spatial dispersion. The particles filled flux tubes of 6 ER, with the energetic electrons being beamed along magnetic field lines. PADs displayed anisotropy symmetric relative to the magnetic field. The electrons were not detected at 180 ER. The phenomena are modeled as flux tubes connected to the magnetotail magnetic field in the near-earth magnetopause. The particles leak out along connected field lines. Lion roars scatter the electrons, which escape into interplanetary space. Ions, however, may carry their intensity out to 200 ER, a factor which awaits verification by further data.

Scholer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Interference of Backscatter from Two Droplets in a Focused Continuous Wave CO2 Doppler Lidar Beam

Interference due to the superposition of backscatter, beta, from two micron-sized droplets using a NASA/MSFC cw (continuous wave) CO2 Doppler lidar at 9.1 micrometer wavelength was detected for the first time. The resultant single beta signal from both droplets contained an interference structure with a well-defined periodicity which was accurately measured and compared with cw lidar theory. The agreement between measurements and theory is excellent, indicating that the interference arises because the droplets are moving at different speeds and, therefore, the relative droplet separation is not constant. This gives the superimposed beta signal from both droplets in the lidar beam moving in and out of constructive and destructive interference with a well-defined periodic structure. A measurement of a time-resolved signal pulse with an oscilloscope of the combined from two approx. 14.12 micrometers in diameter silicone oil droplets responding to the Gaussian lidar beam intensity at the lidar beam focus is shown. Full details of this laboratory experimental setup, particle generation method, measurement technique, and the cw lidar can be found elsewhere. The stream of silicone oil droplets resided at a Doppler-shift center frequency of f (sub D) approx. (3.4 plus or minus 0.2) MHz, giving droplet speed v approx.(21.9 plus or minus 1.3) ms (exp. -1). Also shown on a separate channel is the corresponding signature using an amplitude demodulator circuit designed to detect the amplitude envelope of f(sub D) within the pulse profile. beta from simultaneous droplet events show a complete cyclic interference structure of maximum and minimum. The average period T of the complete cycle of interference is 13.02 plus or minus.39 microseconds. Toward the right edge of the profile, the interference disappears because one of the droplets is leaving the lidar beam while the other one remains in the beam, thus, giving beta for a single droplet.

Jarzembski, Maurice A.↗

NASA NTRS2023

The Gamma-Ray Pulsar Phenomenology in View of 3D Kinetic Global Magnetosphere Models

We develop kinetic plasma models of pulsar magnetospheres with magnetic-field-line-dependent plasma injection that reveal the importance of various magnetosphere regions in regulating the gamma-ray emission. We set different particle injection rates for the so-called open, closed, and separatrix zones. Moderate particle injection rates in open and closed zones ensure a global field structure close to the force-free one, while the dissipation occurs mainly in and around the equatorial current sheet. The particles injected in the separatrix zone affect the particle populations that enter the equatorial current sheet region and, therefore, the corresponding accelerating electric fields, particle energies, the spectral cutoff energy, and gamma-ray efficiency. The separatrix zone models reproduce the recently discovered fundamental plane of gamma-ray pulsars consistent with curvature radiation emission, the gamma-ray light-curve shapes, and the radio-lag vs. peak-separation correlation reported in the Fermi second pulsar catalog. The model beaming factors indicate that the pulsar total gamma-ray luminosities listed in the Fermi catalogs are overestimations of the actual ones. We find that the radiation reaction limited regime starts ceasing to govern the high-energy emission for spin-down powers less than 1034 erg/s. Our results also indicate that toward high magnetic inclination angles, the "Y point" around the rotational equator migrates well inside the light cylinder sparking additional peaks in the gamma-ray pulse profiles. We find that an equivalent enhanced particle injection beyond the Y point strengthens these features making the model gamma-ray light curves inconsistent with those observed.

Neutron stars↗

NASA NTRS1979

Efficient laser anemometer for intra-rotor flow mapping in turbomachinery

A fringe type laser anemometer is described. Features of the anemometer include; a rapid and efficient data acquisition process; a detailed real time graphic display of the data being accumulated; and input laser beam positioning that maximizes the size of the intrarotor region being mapped. Results are presented that demonstrate the anemometer's capability in flow mapping within a transonic axial flow compressor rotor. A velocity profile, derived from 30,000 measurements along 1000 sequential circumferential positions covering 20 blade passages, was obtained in 30 seconds. The use of fluorescent seed particles allowed flow measurements near the rotor hub and the casing window.

Powell, J. A.↗