Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “WAVE INTERACTION”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23

Plasma waves near Saturn: Initial results from Voyager 1

The Voyager 1 encounter with Saturn provided the first opportunity to investigate plasma wave interactions in the magnetosphere of Saturn. An overview of the principal results from the Voyager 1 plasma wave instrument is presented starting with the initial detection of Saturn and ending about four weeks after closest approach. A survey plot of the electric field intensities detected during the Saturn encounter is shown starting shortly before the inbound shock crossing and ending shortly after the outbound magnetopause crossing. Many intense waves were observed in the vicinity of Saturn. To provide a framework for presenting the observations, the results are discussed more or less according to the sequence in which the data were obtained.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Comparative energetics diagnosis of the observed and simulated blockings in the Northern Hemisphere

The blocking phenomena, in particular winter blocking, are stuided using energetic diagnostics. Sequences of blockings during the FGGE winter and summer in observed and simulated circulations, and energy transformations associated with blockings are examined. It is observed that the simulation of the Northern Hemisphere circulation correlates better with the observed circulation during summer than during winter. It is noted that the observed winter blockings are maintained by the supply of kinetic energy to the ultralong waves from the shorter cyclone scales through nonlinear wave-wave interaction; in the simulated winter blocking, the energy converted at the cyclone scale cascades down to the shorter wave range; and the summer blockings are supported by the baroclinic conversion of long waves in both the observed and simulated circulations.

Kung, Ernest C.↗

A contribution to computer analysis of coupled-cavity traveling wave tubes

A flexible accurate large-signal computer program has been developed for the design of coupled-cavity traveling wave tubes. The program is written for a TSS-360 time sharing system. The beam is described by a disk model and the slow wave structure by a sequence of cavities or cells. The computational approach is arranged so that each cavity may have different geometrical or electrical parameters than its neighbors. This allows the program user to simulate a tube of almost arbitrary complexity. Input and output couplers, severs, complicated velocity tapers, and other features peculiar to one or a few cavities may be modeled by a correct choice of input data. The beam-wave interaction is handled by a new approach in which the RF fields are expanded in solutions to the TM wave equation retaining all significant space harmonics. The program was used to perform a design study of the TWT developed for the CTS satellite. Good agreement was obtained between the predictions of the program and the measured performance of the flight tube. The internal check on power balance was satisfied within plus or minus 0.2 per cent of input beam power.

Connolly, D. J.↗

Ring Current Electrodynamic Coupling

In this talk we will address the two primary issues of ring current (RC) electrodynamic coupling: 1. RC self-consistent coupling with electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves (small scale electrodynamic coupling); and 2. RC self-consistent magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling that includes calculation of the magnetospheric electric field (large scale electrodynamic coupling). Our study will be based on two RC models that we have recently developed in our group. The first model by Khazanov et al. [2002, 20031 couples the system of two kinetic equations: one equation which describes the RC ion dynamics and another equation which describes the energy density evolution of EMIC waves. The second model by Khazanov et al. [2003] deals with large scale electrodynamic coupling processes and provides a self-consistent simulation of RC ions, electrons and the magnetospheric electric field. There is presently no model that addresses both of these issues simultaneously in a self-consistent calculation. However, the need exists for such a model, because these two processes directly influence each other, with the mesoscale coupling changing the drift paths of the thermal and energetic particle populations in the inner magnetosphere, thereby changing the wave interactions, and the microscale coupling altering the pitch angle distributions and ionospheric conductivities (through increased precipitation), thus changing the field-aligned currents and electric potential structure. The initial thrust of the work will be the development of a combined kinetic model of micro- and meso-scale RC electrodynamic coupling processes and to examine their interactions with each other on a global scale. We also discuss the nonlinear coupling of EMIC and lower hybrid waves in the RC region during the May 2-7, 1998 storm period.

Khazanov, G. V.↗

Evidence for Oscillating Two-Stream Instability and Spatial Collapse of Langmuir Waves in a Solar Type II Radio Burst

We present the high time resolution in situ observations of Langmuir waves, likely excited by an electron beam accelerated by a coronal-mass ejection-driven super-critical quasi-perpendicular interplanetary shock into its upstream solar wind, which happens to be the source region of a solar type II radio burst. We show that (1) these waves occur as coherent localized magnetic-field-aligned, one-dimensional wave packets with durations of a few milliseconds and with peak intensities well in excess of the threshold for strong turbulence processes, (2) they provide what is believed to be the first evidence for: (a) the oscillating two-stream instability (OTSI) L(sub 1) + L(sub 2) S/⟶ U + D, where L(sub 1) and L(sub 2), U and D, and S are the pump Langmuir waves, up- and down-shifted side bands, and ion sound waves, respectively, (b) a three-wave interaction U + D ⟶ T(sub 2f(sub pe)), where T(sub 2f(sub pe)) is the second harmonic electromagnetic wave, (3) they satisfy the threshold condition for formation of collapsing solitons, and (4) they are accompanied by their ponderomotive force induced density cavities with δn(sub p)/n(sub e) > δn(sub b)/n(sub e), where δn(sub p)/n(sub e) is the level of ponderomotive force induced density fluctuations and δn(sub b)/n(sub e) is that of the ambient fluctuations. These findings strongly suggest that the observed wave packets provide evidence for the collapsing solitons formed as a result of OTSI. The implication is that the strong turbulence processes probably play very important roles in excitation of type II radio emissions as well as in stabilization of shock-accelerated electron beams.

Sun radio radiation↗

Computer program for analysis of coupled-cavity traveling wave tubes

A flexible, accurate, large signal computer program was developed for the design of coupled cavity traveling wave tubes. The program is written in FORTRAN IV for an IBM 360/67 time sharing system. The beam is described by a disk model and the slow wave structure by a sequence of cavities, or cells. The computational approach is arranged so that each cavity may have geometrical or electrical parameters different from those of its neighbors. This allows the program user to simulate a tube of almost arbitrary complexity. Input and output couplers, severs, complicated velocity tapers, and other features peculiar to one or a few cavities may be modeled by a correct choice of input data. The beam-wave interaction is handled by an approach in which the radio frequency fields are expanded in solutions to the transverse magnetic wave equation. All significant space harmonics are retained. The program was used to perform a design study of the traveling-wave tube developed for the Communications Technology Satellite. Good agreement was obtained between the predictions of the program and the measured performance of the flight tube.

Connolly, D. J.↗

A fully nonlinear, mixed spectral and finite difference model for thermally driven, rotating flows

Finite difference in time and the meridional plane, in conjunction with a spectral technique in the azimuthal direction, are used to approximate the Navier-Stokes equations in a model that can simulate a variety of thermally driven rotating flows in cylindrical and spherical geometries. Axisymmetric flow, linearized waves relative to a fixed or changing axisymmetric flow, nonlinear waves without wave-wave interaction, and fully nonlinear 3D flow, can in this way be calculated. A reexamination is conducted of the steady baroclinic wave case previously treated by Williams (1971) and Quon (1976).

Miller, Timothy L.↗

On disk-planet interactions and orbital eccentricities

While Lindblad resonances both within and without a perturber's orbit excite its eccentricity, the present study of the eccentricity evolution due to the density wave interaction between a planetesimal and a Keplerian disk notes that coronation resonances in these regions lose their eccentricity damping effectiveness if the object is embedded in a continuous disk without a gap. Attention is given to another class of Lindblad resonances which, under these conditions, operates on disk material coorbiting with the perturber; these resonances thereby become the most important source of eccentricity damping. A model problem indicates that eccentricity ultimately undergoes decay.

Ward, William R.↗

Nonlinear interaction of two waves in boundary-layer flows

First-order nonlinear interactions of Tollmien-Schlichting waves of different frequencies and initial amplitudes in boundary-layer flows are analyzed using the method of multiple scales. Numerical results for flow past a flat plate show that the spatial detuning wipes out resonant interactions unless the initial amplitudes are very large. Thus, a wave having a moderate amplitude has little influence on its subharmonic although it has a strong influence on its second harmonic. Moreover, two waves having moderate amplitudes have a strong influence on their difference frequency. The results show that the difference frequency can be very unstable when generated by the nonlinear interaction, even though it may be stable when introduced by itself in the boundary layer.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

Generation of auroral kilometric and Z mode radiation by the cyclotron maser mechanism

The relativistic Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance condition for EM wave interactions with a plasma defines an ellipse in velocity space when the product of the index of refraction and cosine of the wave normal angle is less than or equal to unity, and defines a partial ellipse when the product is greater than unity. It is also noted that waves with frequencies greater than the gyrofrequency can only resonate with particles moving in the same direction along the magnetic field, while waves with lower frequencies than these resonate with particles moving in both directions along the magnetic field. It is found, in the case of auroral kilometric radiation, that both the upgoing and the downgoing electrons are unstable and can give rise to this radiation's growth. The magnitudes of the growth rates for both the upgoing and downgoing auroral kilometric radiation are comparable, and indicate that the path lengths needed to account for the observed intensities of this radiation are of the order of a few hundred km, which is probably too large. Growth rate calculations for the Z mode radiation show that, for wave frequencies just below the gyrofrequency and wave normal angles at or near 90 deg, the electron distribution is unstable and the growth rates are large enough to account for the observed intensities.

Omidi, N.↗

The effects of oppositely sloping boundaries with Ekman dissipation in a nonlinear baroclinic system

The present analytical and numerical examination of the effect of the slope Delta with dissipation delta on baroclinic flows in linear and nonlinear systems uses a modified Eady channel model with oppositely sloping top and bottom Ekman layers, and truncates the spectral wave solution up to six components. Comparisons are made wherever possible with results from beta-plane dissipative systems. In the linear system, the combined effect of Delta and delta strongly stabilizes long waves. In a nonlinear system without wave-wave interaction, Delta stabilizes the flow even for small delta and reduces the domain of vacillation while enlarging the domain of single-wave steady state.

Weng, H.-Y.↗

Backscatter Measurements Over Vegetation by Ground-Based Microwave Radars

In the study of radar backscattering from vegetated terrain, it is important to understand how the electromagnetic wave interacts with vegetation and the underlying ground. In this paper, an expression of backscattering from a vegetation canopy in the case of spherical wave illumination is derived. Such an expression might apply to the practical case of a ground-based scatterometer overlooking vegetation. The relative importance of the beamwidth as well as the platform height on backscattering from vegetated terrain is studied. Preliminary results indicate that the discrepancy with plane wave illumination can be rather significant, and therefore should not be overlooked.

Kurum, Mehmet↗

Interaction of Oblique Instability Waves with a Nonlinear Plane Wave

This paper is concerned with the downstream evolution of a resonant triad of initially non-interacting linear Instability waves in a boundary layer with a weak adverse pressure gradient. The triad consists of a two-dimensional fundamental mode and a pair of equal-amplitude oblique modes that form a subharmonic standing wave in the spanwise direction. The growth rates are small and there is a well-defined common critical layer for these waves. As in Goldstein & Lee (1992), the wave interaction takes place entirely within this critical layer and is initially of the parametric-resonance type. This enhances the spatial growth rate of the subharmonic but does not affect that of the fundamental. However, in contrast to Goldstein & Lee (1992), the initial subharmonic amplitude is assumed to be small enough so that the fundamental can become nonlinear within its own critical layer before it is affected by the subharmonic. The subharmonic evolution is then dominated by the parametric-resonance effects and occurs on a much shorter streamwise scale than that of the fundamental. The subharmonic amplitude continues to increase during this parametric-resonance stage - even as the growth rate of the fundamental approaches zero - and the subharmonic eventually becomes large enough to influence the fundamental which causes both waves to evolve on the same shorter streamwise scale.

Wundrow, David W.↗

Flowfield analysis for successive oblique shock wave-turbulent boundary layer interactions

A computation procedure is described for predicting the flowfields which develop when successive interactions between oblique shock waves and a turbulent boundary layer occur. Such interactions may occur, for example, in engine inlets for supersonic aircraft. Computations are carried out for axisymmetric internal flows at M 3.82 and 2.82. The effect of boundary layer bleed is considered for the M 2.82 flow. A control volume analysis is used to predict changes in the flow field across the interactions. Two bleed flow models have been considered. A turbulent boundary layer program is used to compute changes in the boundary layer between the interactions. The results given are for flows with two shock wave interactions and for bleed at the second interaction site. In principle the method described may be extended to account for additional interactions. The predicted results are compared with measured results and are shown to be in good agreement when the bleed flow rate is low (on the order of 3% of the boundary layer mass flow), or when there is no bleed. As the bleed flow rate is increased, differences between the predicted and measured results become larger. Shortcomings of the bleed flow models at higher bleed flow rates are discussed.

Sun, C. C.↗

Turbulent wake/shock interaction at Mach 6

The paper presents measurements of mean pitot, static pressure and total temperature profiles for a two-dimensional turbulent wake in the vicinity and downstream of intersection with a shock/expansion wave system. The wake centerline Mach number, velocity, and total temperature distributions indicated that the shock increased turbulent mixing, while the expansion field that followed the shock decreased mixing. The overall effect of the shock/expansion wave interaction was to increase mixing for shock angles 15 deg and less for the shock generator geometry used in the present study. Wake growth rates determined from the total temperature profiles confirmed the increased turbulent mixing effect of the shock. These data could be used to validate nonquilibrium turbulence modeling and numerical solution of the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations.

Walsh, M. J.↗

The role of intermediate ΔΔ states in nucleon–nucleon scattering in the large-Nc and unitary limits, and ΔΔ and ΩΩ scattering

We explore potential explanations for why using large-Nc (Nc is the number of colors) scaling to determine the relative size of few-nucleon low-energy operators agrees with experiment even when dynamical Δ’s are not explicitly included. Given that the large-Nc analysis is predicated on the nucleons and Δ’s being degenerate, this is a curious result. We show that for purely S-wave interactions the relationships dictated by large-Nc scaling are unaffected whether the Δ is included or not. In the case of higher partial waves that do not mix with S-waves, the impact of the Δ is perturbative, which makes the agreement with naive (Δ-less) large-Nc ordering unsurprising. For higher partial waves that mix with S-waves, the nucleon and Δ would need to decouple to get agreement with naive large-Nc ordering. We find all NN, ΔN, and ΔΔ low energy coefficients for leading-order baryon–baryon scattering in Δ-full pionless effective field theory in terms of the two independent parameters dictated by the SU(2F) spin-flavor symmetry that arises in the Nc → ∞ limit. Because of recent lattice quantum chromodynamics results and experimental interest, we extend our analysis to the three-flavor case to study ΩΩ scattering. We show that in the unitary limit (where scattering lengths become infinite) one of the two SU(2F) parameters is driven to zero, resulting in enhanced symmetries, which agree with those found in spin-1/2 entanglement studies.

Richardson, Thomas R↗

A 29.3-GHz cavity-enclosed aperture-coupled circular-patch antenna for microwave circuit integration

A circular patch antenna fed by an aperture-coupled microstrip line has been demonstrated at 29.3 GHz. The patch was enclosed by a cavity to reduce surface-wave interactions in an array environment and to improve heat dissipation when using active devices. The antenna exhibited a 2:1 input VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) over a bandwidth of 12 percent from 27.52 to 30.95 GHz. The antenna should have applications in conformal phased arrays at millimeter-wave frequencies.

Navarro, Julio A.↗

Lagrangian solution of supersonic real gas flows

The present extention of a Lagrangian approach of the Riemann solution procedure, which was originally proposed for perfect gases, to real gases, is nontrivial and requires the development of an exact real-gas Riemann solver for the Lagrangian form of the conservation laws. Calculations including complex wave interactions of various types were conducted to test the accuracy and robustness of the approach. Attention is given to the case of 2D oblique waves' capture, where a slip line is clearly in evidence; the real gas effect is demonstrated in the case of a generic engine nozzle.

Loh, Ching-Yuen↗