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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 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Electric and magnetic contributions to spatial diffusion in collisionless plasmas

We investigate the role played by the different self-consistent fluctuations for particle diffusion in a magnetized plasma. We focus especially on the contribution of the electric fluctuations and how it combines with the (already investigated) magnetic fluctuations and with the velocity fluctuations. For that issue, we compute with a hybrid code the value of the diffusion coefficient perpendicular to the mean magnetic field and its dependence on the particle velocity. This study is restricted to small to intermediate level of electromagnetic fluctuations and focuses on particle velocities on the order of few times the Alfven speed. We briefly discuss the consequences for cosmic ray modulation and for the penetration of thermal solar wind particles in the Earth magnetosphere.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Perspectives on Geospace Plasma Coupling

There are a large variety of fascinating and instructive aspects to examining the coupling of mass and energy from the solar wind into the Earth's magnetosphere. Past research has suggested that magnetic reconnection (in a fluid sense) on the day-side magnetopause plays the key role in controlling the energy coupling. However, both linear and nonlinear coupling processes involving kinetic effects have been suggested through various types of innovative data analysis. Analysis and modeling results have also indicated a prominent role for multi-scale processes of plasma coupling. Examples include evidence of control by solar wind turbulence in the coupling sequence and localized (finite gyroradius) effects in dayside plasma transport. In this paper we describe several solar wind-magnetosphere coupling scenarios. We particularly emphasize the study of solar wind driving of magnetospheric substorm, and related geomagnetic disturbances.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Particle Pinch in Gyrokinetic Simulations of Closed Field-Line Systems

Gyrokinetic simulations of small-scale turbulent transport in a closed magnetic field-line plasma geometry are presented. The simulations are potentially applicable to dipolar systems such as the levitated dipole experiment (LDX) [J. Kesner et al., Plasma Phys. Rep. 23, 742 (1997)] and planetary magnetospheres, as well as simpler systems such as the Z pinch. We report here for the first time the existence of a robust particle (and weaker temperature) pinch regime, in which the particles are transported up the density gradient. The particle pinch is driven by non-MHD entropy-mode turbulence at k{sub perpendicular{rho}i}{approx}1 and particle pinch appears at larger {eta}{identical_to}L{sub n}/L{sub T} > or approx. 0.7, consistent with quasilinear theory. Our results suggest that entropy-mode transport will drive the LDX plasma profiles toward a state with {eta}{approx}0.7 and pressure gradients that are near marginal ideal MHD interchange-mode stability.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fermi Gamma-Ray Pulsars: Understanding the High-energy Emission from Dissipative Magnetospheres

Based on the Fermi observational data, we reveal meaningful constraints for the dependence of the macroscopic conductivity (σ) of dissipative pulsar magnetosphere models on the corresponding spin-down rate, E-dot . Our models are refinements of the FIDO (Force-free Inside, Dissipative Outside) models, which have dissipative regions that are restricted on the equatorial current sheet outside of the the light-cylinder. Taking into account the observed cutoff energies of all of the Fermi pulsars and assuming that (a) the corresponding γ-ray pulsed emission is due to curvature radiation at the radiation-reaction-limit regime, and (b) this emission is produced at the equatorial current sheet near the light cylinder, we show that the Fermi data provide clear indications about the corresponding accelerating electric-field components. A direct comparison between the Fermi cutoff energies and the model ones reveals that σ increases with E-dot for high E-dot -values, while it saturates for low ones. This comparison indicates also that the corresponding gap width increases toward low E-dot -values. Assuming the Goldreich–Julian flux for the emitting particles, we calculate the total γ-ray luminosity (L {sub γ}). A comparison between the dependence of the Fermi L {sub γ}-values and the model ones on E-dot indicates an increase of the emitting particle multiplicity with E-dot . Our modeling, guided by the Fermi data alone, enhances our understanding of the physical mechanisms behind the high-energy emission in pulsar magnetospheres.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Meso-Scale Electrodynamic Coupling of the Earth Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System

Within the fully integrated magnetosphere-ionosphere system, many electrodynamic processes interact with each other. We review recent advances in understanding three major meso-scale coupling processes within the system: the transient field-aligned currents (FACs), mid-latitude plasma convection, and auroral particle precipitation. (1) Transient FACs arise due to disturbances from either dayside or nightside magnetosphere. As the interplanetary shocks suddenly compress the dayside magnetosphere, short-lived FACs are induced at high latitudes with their polarity successively changing. Magnetotail dynamics, such as substorm injections, can also disturb the current structures, leading to the formation of substorm current wedges and ring current disruption. (2) The mid-latitude plasma convection is closely associated with electric fields in the system. Recent studies have unraveled some important features and mechanisms of subauroral fast flows. (3) Charged particles, while drifting around the Earth, often experience precipitating loss down to the upper atmosphere, enhancing the auroral conductivity. Recent studies have been devoted to developing more self-consistent geospace circulation models by including a better representation of the auroral conductance. It is expected that including these new advances in geospace circulation models could promisingly strengthen their forecasting capability in space weather applications. The remaining challenges especially in the global modeling of the circulation system are also discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Neutron Star Astronomy in the era of the European Extremely Large Telescope

About 25 isolated neutron stars (INSs) are now detected in the optical domain, mainly thanks to the HST and to VLT-class telescopes. The European Extremely Large Telescope(E-ELT) will yield {approx}100 new identifications, many of which from the follow-up of SKA, IXO, and Fermi observations. Moreover, the E-ELT will allow to carry out, on a much larger sample, INS observations which still challenge VLT-class telescopes, enabling studies on the structure and composition of the NS interior, of its atmosphere and magnetosphere, as well as to search for debris discs. In this contribution, I outline future perspectives for NS optical astronomy with the E-ELT.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Remarkable paramagnetic features of Fermi-Dirac-Pauli plasmas

In this paper by using the relativistic magnetic susceptibility of a Fermi-Dirac (relativistically degenerate) plasma, quantum magnetohydrodynamics model is used to investigate the propagation of spin-induced (SI) magnetosonic nonlinear excitations in a normally and relativistically degenerate dense electron-ion plasma in the presence of the spin magnetization effect. Based on the conventional pseudopotential method the matching criterion for the evolution of SI solitary structures is evaluated. It is found that, the plasma mass density and strength of the magnetic field have significant effects on excitation and evolution of magnetosonic nonlinear structures in Fermi-Dirac plasmas. Only rarefactive SI magnetosonic solitary structures are found to excite in such plasmas. Furthermore, fundamental differences are shown to exist in magnetosonic soliton dynamics in the two distinct plasma degeneracy regimes, which are due to interplay between the negative pressure-like paramagnetism and positive relativistic degeneracy pressure of electrons. Current investigation can help better understand the electron spin effects on nonlinear wave propagations in strongly magnetized dense astrophysical objects such as white dwarfs and pulsar magnetospheres.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Adiabatic description of capture into resonance and surfatron acceleration of charged particles by electromagnetic waves

We present an analytical and numerical study of the surfatron acceleration of nonrelativistic charged particles by electromagnetic waves. The acceleration is caused by capture of particles into resonance with one of the waves. We investigate capture for systems with one or two waves and provide conditions under which the obtained results can be applied to systems with more than two waves. In the case of a single wave, the once captured particles never leave the resonance and their velocity grows linearly with time. However, if there are two waves in the system, the upper bound of the energy gain may exist and we find the analytical value of that bound. We discuss several generalizations including the relativistic limit, different wave amplitudes, and a wide range of the waves' wavenumbers. The obtained results are used for qualitative description of some phenomena observed in the Earth's magnetosphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Plasma diffusion in self-consistent fluctuations

The problem of particle diffusion in position space, as a consequence of electromagnetic fluctuations is addressed. Numerical results obtained with a self-consistent hybrid code are presented, and a method to calculate diffusion coefficient in the direction perpendicular to the mean magnetic field is proposed. The diffusion is estimated for two different types of fluctuations. The first type (resulting from an agyrotropic initial setting) is stationary, wide band white noise, and associated to Gaussian probability distribution function for the magnetic fluctuations. The second type (resulting from a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability) is non-stationary, with a power-law spectrum, and a non-Gaussian probability distribution function. The results of the study allow revisiting the question of loading particles of solar wind origin in the Earth magnetosphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Perturbations of ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling by powerful VLF emissions from ground-based transmitters

The characteristics of the plasma-wave disturbances stimulated in the near-Earth plasma by powerful VLF radiation from ground-based transmitters are investigated. Radio communication VLF transmitters of about 1 MW in power are shown to produce artificial plasma-wave channels (density ducts) in the near-Earth space that originate in the lower ionosphere above the disturbing emission source and extend through the entire ionosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth along the magnetic field lines. Measurements with the onboard equipment of the DEMETER satellite have revealed that under the action of emission from the NWC transmitter, which is one of the most powerful VLF radio transmitters, the generation of quasi-electrostatic (plasma) waves is observed on most of the satellite trajectory along the disturbed magnetic flux tube. This may probably be indicative of stimulated emission of a magnetospheric maser.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Magnetic Reconnection in High-Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas

This project involved theoretical research on radiative magnetic reconnection in High-Energy Density (HED) plasmas, with applications to laboratory laser-plasma experiments [on facilities like OMEGA (LLE) and NIF (LLNL)] and to astrophysical systems, such as accreting black hole coronae and magnetospheres of strongly magnetized neutron stars (magnetars and pulsars). Relativistic magnetic reconnection is a leading candidate mechanism for powering high-energy flares and persistent emission in various astrophysical systems.The extremely high energy density found in many of these systems dictates that reconnection should proceed in the radiative regime, where radiation back reaction on the electrons (and, if present, positrons), manifested, e.g., as radiative cooling and radiative drag on reconnection-driven bulk flows, plays an important role. Moreover, under some conditions, the energy of the emitted photons is so high that they can readily produce electron-positron pairs, e.g., in black-hole accretion disk coronae and in pulsar and magnetar magnetospheres. Due to recent rapid developments of experimental capabilities in HED physics, we can now for the first time seriously contemplate studying these exciting physical processes in the laboratory. This project investigated fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection in this novel regime, by performing several computational [using radiative particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations] and theoretical studies.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetar giant flares in multipolar magnetic fields. II. Flux rope eruptions with current sheets

We propose a physical mechanism to explain giant flares and radio afterglows in terms of a magnetospheric model containing both a helically twisted flux rope and a current sheet (CS). With the appearance of a CS, we solve a mixed boundary value problem to get the magnetospheric field based on a domain decomposition method. We investigate properties of the equilibrium curve of the flux rope when the CS is present in background multipolar fields. In response to the variations at the magnetar surface, it quasi-statically evolves in stable equilibrium states. The loss of equilibrium occurs at a critical point and, beyond that point, it erupts catastrophically. New features show up when the CS is considered. In particular, we find two kinds of physical behaviors, i.e., catastrophic state transition and catastrophic escape. Magnetic energy would be released during state transitions. This released magnetic energy is sufficient to drive giant flares, and the flux rope would, therefore, go away from the magnetar quasi-statically, which is inconsistent with the radio afterglow. Fortunately, in the latter case, i.e., the catastrophic escape, the flux rope could escape the magnetar and go to infinity in a dynamical way. This is more consistent with radio afterglow observations of giant flares. We find that the minor radius of the flux rope has important implications for its eruption. Flux ropes with larger minor radii are more prone to erupt. We stress that the CS provides an ideal place for magnetic reconnection, which would further enhance the energy release during eruptions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nonlinear behavior of electron acoustic waves in an un-magnetized plasma

The nonlinear electron acoustic wave, which is found in the earth's magnetosphere by satellite observations, is studied analytically by Lagrangian fluid description. The basic linear mode is observed in a two temperature electron species plasma where ions form stationary charge neutral background. We have obtained nonlinear description of this mode, which depends on both time and space. A possible solution shows a soliton like structure, which is localized in space, and the amplitude increases with time in the absence of dispersion. Small dispersive correction, however, shows spread of the solution in space. This method can be generalized to study the nonlinear behavior of a general class of multispecies plasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

ON THE ORIGIN AND PHYSICS OF GAMMA FLARES IN CRAB NEBULA

We consider parametric generation of electrostatic waves in the magnetosphere of the pulsar PSR0531. The suggested mechanism allows us to convert the pulsar rotational energy into the energy of Langmuir waves. The maximum growth rate is achieved in the “superluminal” area, where the phase velocity of perturbations exceeds the speed of light. Therefore, electromagnetic waves do not damp on particles. Instead, they create plasmon condensate, which is carried out outside of the pulsar magnetosphere and reaches the Crab Nebula. It is shown that the transfer of the energy of the plasmon condensate from the light cylinder to the active region of the nebula happens practically without losses. Unlike the plasma of the magnetosphere, the one of the nebula contains ions, i.e., it may sustain modulation instability, that leads to the collapse of the Langmuir condensate. Langmuir wave collapse, in turn, leads to the acceleration of the distribution function particles. Furthermore, the processes that lead to self-trapping of the synchrotron radiation are discussed. The self-trapping results in the growth of the radiation intensity, which manifests itself observationally as a flare. The condition for the self-trapping onset is derived, showing that if the phenomenon takes place at 100 MeV, then it does not happen at lower (or higher) energies. This specific kind of higher-/lower-energy cutoff could explain why when we observe the flare at 100 MeV that no enhanced emission is observed at lower/higher energies!.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

HIGH JET EFFICIENCY AND SIMULATIONS OF BLACK HOLE MAGNETOSPHERES

This Letter reports on a growing body of observational evidence that many powerful lobe-dominated (FR II) radio sources likely have jets with high efficiency. This study extends the maximum efficiency line (jet power {approx}25 times the thermal luminosity) defined in Fernandes et al. so as to span four decades of jet power. The fact that this line extends over the full span of FR II radio power is a strong indication that this is a fundamental property of jet production that is independent of accretion power. This is a valuable constraint for theorists. For example, the currently popular 'no-net-flux' numerical models of black hole accretion produce jets that are two to three orders of magnitude too weak to be consistent with sources near maximum efficiency.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Auroral electrostatic solitons and supersolitons in a magnetized nonthermal plasma

Exploiting the spacecraft measurements in the auroral region, finite amplitude nonlinear low frequency electrostatic solitons and supersolitons in a magnetized plasma consisting of cold ions fluid, Boltzmann protons, and nonthermal hot electrons are studied by applying a pseudo-potential technique. The localized solution of the nonlinear structures is obtained through the charge neutrality condition. Further numerical investigation shows the existence of supersoliton solutions at supersonic Mach numbers regime. The amplitude of ion-acoustic structures decreased with an increase in nonthermal electrons and ion density ratio. For the plasma parameters relevant to the auroral zone of the Earth's magnetosphere, the electric field amplitude of supersolitons is found to be about 9 mV/m, which is in agreement with satellite observations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

TOWARD A REALISTIC PULSAR MAGNETOSPHERE

We present the magnetic and electric field structures and the currents and charge densities of pulsar magnetospheres that do not obey the ideal condition, E {center_dot} B = 0. Since the acceleration of particles and the production of radiation require the presence of an electric field component parallel to the magnetic field, E{sub ||}, the structure of non-ideal pulsar magnetospheres is intimately related to the production of pulsar radiation. Therefore, knowledge of the structure of non-ideal pulsar magnetospheres is important because their comparison (including models for the production of radiation) with observations will delineate the physics and the parameters underlying the pulsar radiation problem. We implement a variety of prescriptions that support non-zero values for E{sub ||} and explore their effects on the structure of the resulting magnetospheres. We produce families of solutions that span the entire range between the vacuum and the (ideal) force-free electrodynamic solutions. We also compute the amount of dissipation as a fraction of the Poynting flux for pulsars of different angles between the rotation and magnetic axes and conclude that this is at most 20%-40% (depending on the non-ideal prescription) in the aligned rotator and 10% in the perpendicular one. We present also the limiting solutions with the property J = {rho}c and discuss their possible implication on the determination of the 'on/off' states of the intermittent pulsars. Finally, we find that solutions with values of J greater than those needed to null E{sub ||} locally produce oscillations, potentially observable in the data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Particle-in-cell simulation study of the scaling of asymmetric magnetic reconnection with in-plane flow shear

We investigate magnetic reconnection in systems simultaneously containing asymmetric (anti-parallel) magnetic fields, asymmetric plasma densities and temperatures, and arbitrary in-plane bulk flow of plasma in the upstream regions. Such configurations are common in the high-latitudes of Earth's magnetopause and in tokamaks. We investigate the convection speed of the X-line, the scaling of the reconnection rate, and the condition for which the flow suppresses reconnection as a function of upstream flow speeds. We use two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations to capture the mixing of plasma in the outflow regions better than is possible in fluid modeling. We perform simulations with asymmetric magnetic fields, simulations with asymmetric densities, and simulations with magnetopause-like parameters where both are asymmetric. For flow speeds below the predicted cutoff velocity, we find good scaling agreement with the theory presented in Doss et al. [J. Geophys. Res. 120, 7748 (2015)]. Applications to planetary magnetospheres, tokamaks, and the solar wind are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗