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At least 55 records · Page 3

Electron-impact vibrational excitation rates in the flow field of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles

This paper examines the vibrational excitation rate processes expected in the flow field of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles (AOTVs). An analysis of the multiple-quantum vibrational excitation processes by electron impact is made to predict the vibrational excitation cross sections, rate coefficients, and relaxation times which control vibrational temperature. The expression for the rate of electron-vibration energy transfer is derived by solving the system of master equations which account for the multiple-level transitions. The vibrational excitation coefficients, which are the prerequisite physical quantities in solving the obtained vibrational equation, are calculated based on the theoretically predicted cross sections. These cross sections are obtained from quantum mechanical calculations, based on the concept that vibrational excitation of molecules by electron impact occurs through formation of an intermediate negative ion state. Finally, the modified Landau-Teller-type rate equation, which is suitable for the numerical calculations for the AOTV flow fields, is suggested.

Lee, J.-H.↗

A Multivibrational Mode Relaxation Scheme for Two-Temperature Thermochemical State Models

An approach to estimate the effective vibrational relaxation time for polyatomic molecules under the context of two-temperature thermochecmial state model is proposed. Landau-Teller vibrational relaxation equation is used as a basis, and vibrational energies are estimated with partition energy functions assuming harmonic oscillator model. A special weighting procedure is presented, and effective vibrational relaxation time is derived. A series of numerical experiments with CO2 and NH3 mixtures is performed, and the aeroheating results are presented. The results of CO2 environment simulations are compared with the vibrational relaxation model of Park et al. [JTHT, 8(1994), pp. 9–23]. The simulations are also conducted with a modified Landau-Teller expression.

Vibrational relaxation time↗

Vlasov equation eigenvalues and eigenvectors for Fourier-Hermite dispersion matrices of order greater than 1,000

The connection between the Van Kampen and Landau representations of the Vlasov equations has been extended to Fourier-Hermite expansions containing more than 1000 terms by taking advantage of the properties of tridiagonal matrices. These numerical results are regarded as conclusive indications of the nonuniformly convergent behavior of the approximation curve in the limit of an infinite number of terms and represent an extension of work begun by Grant (1967) and by Grant and Feix (1967).

Grant, F. C.↗

Theory of Metastable State Relaxation in a Gravitational Field for Non-Critical Binary Systems with Non-Conserved Order Parameter

A new mathematical ansatz is developed for solution of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau nonlinear partial differential equation describing metastable state relaxation in binary (solute+solvent) non-critical solutions with non-conserved scalar order parameter in presence of a gravitational field. It has been demonstrated analytically that in such systems metastability initiates heterogeneous solute redistribution which results in the formation of a non-equilibrium singly-periodic spatial solute structure in the new solute-rich phase. The critical radius of nucleation and the induction time in these systems are gravity-dependent. It has also been proved that metastable state relaxation in vertical columns of supersaturated non-critical binary solutions leads to formation of the solute concentration gradient. Analytical expression for this concentration gradient is found and analysed. It is concluded that gravity can initiate phase separation (nucleation or spinodal decomposition).

Izmailov, Alexander F.↗

Raman scattering measurements of vibrational and rotational distributions in expanding nitrogen

Vibrational and rotational population distributions in expanding nitrogen in the supersonic nozzle of a reflected shock tunnel were investigated using spontaneous Raman scattering spectroscopy. The experimental data are compared with two multitemperature nonequilibrium calculations, one based on the Landau-Teller model for vibrational relaxation, the other on the solution of the vibrational master equations. Good agreement was found between both the Landau-Teller and the master equation solutions for the vibrational energy mode, but the experimentally inferred rotational temperatures were found to be systematically low, due to collisional narrowing. The dramatic increase in vibrational relaxation rates for a cooling flowfield reported in most previous studies was not reproduced by the present experiments.

Gillespie, Walter D.↗

Nonequilibrium vibrational population measurements in an expanding flow using spontaneous Raman scattering

Vibrational relaxation of nitrogen in a 2D nozzle flow is studied using spontaneous Raman scattering. An electric arc driven shock tube operating as a reflected shock tunnel produces stagnation conditions of 5600 K and 100 atm. A 248 nm KrF laser pulse is focused into the nozzle to produce spatially resolved spontaneous Raman spectra. Vibrational population distributions are derived from the spectra for the states v = 0 to v = 8. The experimental results are compared with two theoretical models: the Landau-Teller relaxation model and a numerical solution of the master equations using transition rates derived from SSH theory. The Landau-Teller correction factor has been measured at 1.0 - 1.5.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

Quantum limit studies in single crystal and pyrolytic graphite

The occupied regions of momentum space in graphite are confined to elongated volumes near the hexagonal Brillouin zone edges. The elongation is along the hexagonal axis (c-axis), so that cross sectional areas perpendicular to that axis are very small. When magnetic fields are applied parallel to the c-axis, only the n = 0 Landau levels remain below the Fermi energy for fields above 7 tesla. The energy bands in graphite can be described by a set of seven parameters (including the Fermi energy as a parameter). In a quantizing magnetic field the Landau levels are described by a secular equation determined by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian. A major feature for the levels along the Brillouin zone edge is that the n = 0 Landau level for electrons is independent of magnetic field, while that for holes is field-dependent.

Woollam, J. A.↗

Quantum limit studies in single-crystal and pyrolytic graphite

The occupied regions of momentum space in graphite are confined to very elongated volumes near the hexagonal Brillouin zone edges. The elongation is along the hexagonal axis (c axis) so that cross-sectional areas perpendicular to that axis are very small. Hence, when magnetic fields are applied parallel to the c axis only the n = 0 Landau levels remain below the Fermi energy for fields above 7 T (Woollam, 1971). The energy bands in graphite can be described by a set of seven parameters (McClure, 1971) (including the Fermi energy as a parameter). In a quantizing magnetic field the Landau levels are described by a secular equation determined by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian (McClure, 1960). A major unusual feature for the levels along the Brillouin zone edge is that the n = 0 Landau level for electrons is independent of magnetic field, while that for holes is field dependent.

Woollam, J. A.↗

Landau damping of magnetospherically reflected whistlers

Unducted VLF signals produced by lightning activity can form a population of magnetospherically reflected (MR) whistlers in the inner magnetosphere. It has been suggested recently that in the absence of significant attenuation such waves could merge into a broadband continuum with sufficient intensity to account for plasmaspheric hiss. To test this conjecture we have evaluated the path-integrated attenuation of MR whistlers along representative ray paths using the HOTRAY code. Using a realistic plasma distribution modeled on in-situ data, we find that the majority of MR waves experience significant damping after a few transits across the equator. This is primarily due to Landau resonance with suprathermal (0.1-1 keV) electrons. The attenuation is most pronounced for waves that propagate through the outer plasmasphere; this can readily account for the infrequent occurrence of multiple-hop MR waves for L greater than or equal to 3.5. Selected waves that originate at intermediate latitudes (15 deg is less than or equal to lambda is less than or equal to 35 deg) and whose ray paths are confined to the inner plasma- sphere may experience up to 10 magnetospheric reflections before substantial attentuation occurs. These waves should form the population of observed MR waves. Wave attenuation becomes more pronounced at higher frequencies; this can account for the absence of multiple-hop waves above 5 kHz. Weakly attenuated MR waves tend to migrate outward to the L shell, where their frequency is comparable to the equatorial lower hybrid frequency. The enhanced concentration of waves due to a merging of ray paths would produce a spectral feature that rises in frequency at lower L. This is quite distinct from the reported properties of plasmaspheric hiss, which maintains a constant frequency band throughout the entire plasmasphere. Furthermore, in the absence of mode conversion, waves below 500 Hz, which often form an important if not dominant part of the spectral properties of hiss, are unable to escape from the topside ionosphere in the whistler mode. Consequently, we conclude that unducted lightning signals cannot account for the origin of plasmaspheric hiss.

Thorne, Richard M.↗

Flow of superfluid helium in tubes with heated walls

The equations for superfluid helium flowing through a straight tube with heated walls are integrated. The model equations are based on those of Landau as modified for superfluid turbulence by Gorter and Mellink (1949). The model is implemented by the program SUPERFLOW which runs on a personal computer. The effect of the heating level on the mass flux, the energy flux, and the pressure and temperature profiles is investigated. The four types of profiles which occur without sidewall heating are also found with heated walls. The progression through these four types is shown to depend primarily on the dimensionless parameter, defined previously to characterize the unheated profiles, and a dimensionless ratio of heat fluxes. The pressure and temperature maxima which rise well above the boundary values increase significantly with sidewall heating. Approximate design equations for estimating the mass flux and the profiles are presented. The physical basis of the results is discussed. These results are useful in the design of optimal cooling loops and other superfluid flow systems.

Snyder, H. A.↗

Resonance, particle trapping, and Landau damping in finite amplitude obliquely propagating waves

The equations of motion for a particle in resonance with a small finite amplitude wave are solved approximately, using secularity free perturbation theory. The wave propagates at an arbitrary angle to a uniform background magnetic field in an infinite collisionless plasma. The wave fields include a longitudinal electrostatic component and elliptically polarized transverse electric and magnetic components. The trajectories of trapped and resonant untrapped particles are described, for each of the possible wave-particle resonances. These trajectories are used to construct an estimate of the nonlinear time dependent Landau damping rate of the wave.

Palmadesso, P. J.↗

The theory of magnetohydrodynamic wave generation by localized sources. II - Collisionless dissipation of wave packets

The dispersion equation of Barnes (1966) is used to study the dissipation of asymptotic wave packets generated by localized periodic sources. The solutions of the equation are linear waves, damped by Landau and transit-time processes, in a collisionless warm plasma. For the case of an ideal MHD system, most of the waves emitted from a source are shown to cancel asympotically through destructive interference. The modes transporting significant flux to asymptotic distances are found to be Alfven waves and fast waves with theta (the angle between the magnetic field and the characteristics of the far-field waves) of about 0 and about pi/2.

Collins, William↗

Critical-point analysis of the liquid-vapor interfacial surface tension

The interfacial surface tension of the liquid-vapor system is analyzed near the critical point in a manner similar to bulk thermodynamic critical-point analyses. This is accomplished by a critical-point analysis of the single-phase hard-wall surface tension. Both a Landau expansion and a scaling theory equation of state are investigated. Some general exponent relations are derived and, in addition, some thermodynamically defined correlation lengths are discussed.

Salvino, R. E.↗

Density measurements in an expanding flow using holographic interferometry

A nonequilibrium expansion of nitrogen through a 2-dimensional nozzle of a reflected shock tunnel is investigated with laser holography, time resolved pressure measurements and emission spectroscopy to characterize the flow field for vibrational relaxation measurements. A 2D computation is used to simulate the nozzle flow field. Synthetic holograms are generated using the computed density profiles and are compared with the experimental holograms. Also, using a quasi 1-D approximation, populations for each vibrational level are computed by (1) solving the master equations and (2) using the Landau-Teller formulation. Computational accuracy of both models is assessed against the experimental data.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

Theory of Metastable State Relaxation for Non-Critical Binary Systems with Non-Conserved Order Parameter

A new mathematical ansatz for a solution of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau non-linear partial differential equation is developed for non-critical systems such as non-critical binary solutions (solute + solvent) described by the non-conserved scalar order parameter. It is demonstrated that in such systems metastability initiates heterogeneous solute redistribution which results in formation of the non-equilibrium singly-periodic spatial solute structure. It is found how the time-dependent period of this structure evolves in time. In addition, the critical radius r(sub c) for solute embryo of the new solute rich phase together with the metastable state lifetime t(sub c) are determined analytically and analyzed.

Izmailov, Alexander↗