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NASA NTRS1974

The origin and propagation of chorus in the outer magnetosphere

Wave normals of chorus in the outer magnetosphere have been determined for the first time from data obtained with the Ogo 5 search coil magnetometer. These measurements combined with simultaneous information concerning geomagnetic field, plasma density, and the electron energy and pitch angle distributions provide a consistent picture of the generation, propagation, and subsequent damping of chorus in agreement with theory. Specifically, the data are consistent with chorus generation within 25 deg of the equatorial plane on the dayside and within 2 deg on the nightside. Chorus is generated by a Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with electrons between 5 and 150 keV but only when the pitch angle distribution is peaked at 90 deg to the local magnetic field and the anisotropy exceeds a critical value.

Burton, R. K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The role of topography in geodetic gravity field modelling

Masses associated with the topography, bathymetry, and its isostatic compensation are a dominant source of gravity field variations, especially at shorter wavelengths. On global scales the topographic/isostatic effects are also significant, except for the lowest harmonics. In practice, though, global effects need not be taken into account as such effects are included in the coefficients of the geopotential reference fields. On local scales, the short-wavelength gravity variations due to the topography may, in rugged terrain, be an order of magnitude larger than other effects. In such cases, explicit or implicit terrain reduction procedures are mandatory in order to obtain good prediction results. Such effects may be computed by space-domain integration or by fast Fourier transformation (FFT) methods. Numerical examples are given for areas of the Canadian Rockies. In principle, good knowledge of the topographic densities is required to produce the smoothest residual field. Densities may be determined from sample measurements or by gravimetric means, but both are somewhat troublesome methods in practice. The use of a standard density, e.g., 2.67 g/cu cm, may often yield satisfactory results and may be put within a consistent theoretical framework. The independence of density assumptions is the key point of the classical Molodensky approach to the geodetic boundary value problem. The Molodensky solutions take into account that land gravity field observations are done on a non-level surface. Molodensky's problem may be solved by integral expansions or more effective FFT methods, but the solution should not be intermixed with the use of terrain reductions. The methods are actually complimentary and may both be required in order to obtain the smoothest possible signal, least prone to aliasing and other effects coming from sparse data coverage, typical of rugged topography.

Forsberg, R.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Plasma and Field Observations at the Day-Side, Equatorial Magnetopause, Boundary Layers and Magnetosphere

The Polar spacecraft's orbit has precessed in latitude to an orientation that places it at the dayside magnetopause every 18 hours. In this configuration the various regions near the magnetopause(LLBL, turbulent boundary layer, magnetosphere, and magnetosheath) are sampled with high temporal and spatial resolution. These observational periods-ranging from several minutes to more than two hours-provide an unprecedented look at plasma conditions in these regions. Initial analysis of the low-energy ion data from TIDE reveal plasmaspheric-like ions within the turbulent boundary layer. Within this layer, circularly polarized waves accelerate these ions to 30-40 kilometers per second perpendicular to the local magnetic field. These relatively high velocities allow the H(+) to be observed above the -2V spacecraft potential. They also put the low-density O(+) in the higher-energy, higher sensitivity channels such that densities of order 10e-2 can be observed.

Chandler, M. O.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Radiometric calibration of Landsat Thematic Mapper Thermal Band

Radiometric calibration of satellite-acquired data is essential for quantitative scientific studies, as well as for a variety of image-processing applications. This paper describes a multiyear, on-orbit radiometric calibration of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) Band 6 conducted at DOE's Pacific Northwest Laboratory. Numerous Landsat TM scenes acquired and analyzed included day and night coverages at several geographical locations over several seasons. Concurrent with Landsat overpasses, thermal field and local meteorological (surface and radiosonde) measurements were collected. At-satellite (uncorrected) radiances and temperatures for water and nonwater land cover were compared to ground truth (GT) measurements after making adjustments for atmospheric (using LOWTRAN), mixed-pixel, and emissivity effects. Results indicate that, for both water and nonwater features, TM Band 6 average corrected temperature determinations using local radiosonde data to adjust for atmospheric effects, and using appropriate emissivities, are within 1.0 C of GT temperature values. Temperatures of water pixels derived from uncorrected TM Band 6 data varied roughly between 1 and 3 C of ground truth values for water temperatures ranging between 4 and 24 C. Moreover, corrections using nonlocal and noncoincident radiosonde data resulted in errors as large as 12 C. Corrections using the U.S. Standard Atmosphere gave temperature values within 1 to 2 C of GT. The average uncertainty for field instruments was + or - 0.2 C; average uncertainty for Landsat TM corrected temperature determinations was + or - 0.4 C.

Wukelic, G. E.↗

DOE OSTI2021

On the Nature of Field-Enhanced Water Dissociation in Bipolar Membranes

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) possess the potential to optimize pH environments for electrochemical synthesis applications when employed in reverse bias. Unfortunately, the performance of BPMs in reverse bias has long been limited by the rate of water dissociation (WD) occurring at the interface of the BPM. Herein, we develop a continuum model of the BPM that agrees with experiment to understand and enhance WD catalyst performance by considering multiple kinetic pathways for WD in the BPM junction catalyst layer. Here, the model reveals that WD catalysts with a more highly alkaline or acidic pH at the point of zero charge (pH PZC ) exhibit accelerated WD kinetics because the more acidic or alkaline pH PZC catalysts possess greater surface charge, enhancing the local electric field and rate of WD. The model is then employed to explore the sensitivity of the BPM performance to various BPM physical parameters. Finally, the model is used to simulate the operation of bimetallic WD catalysts, demonstrating that an optimal bimetallic catalyst has an acidic pH PZC catalyst matched with the cation-exchange layer and an alkaline pH PZC catalyst matched with the anion-exchange layer. The study provides insight into the operation of BPM WD catalysts and gives direction toward the development of next-generation WD catalysts for optimal BPM performance under water-splitting and related conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1985

Short-wavelength electrostatic waves in the earth's magnetosheath

Recent observations with the ISEE-1 spacecraft have found electric field emissions in the dayside magnetosheath whose frequency spectrum is modulated at twice the spacecraft spin period. The upper frequency cut-off in the frequency-time spectrum of the emissions has a characteristic parabola shape or festoon shape. The low frequency cutoff ranges from 100 Hz to 400 Hz, while the high frequency limit ranges from about 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The bandwidth is found to minimize for antenna orientations parallel to the wave vectors. The wave vector does not appear to be related to either the local magnetic field direction of the plasma flow velocity. The spacecraft observed frequency spectrum results from the spacecraft antenna response to the Doppler shifted wave vector spectrum which exists in the plasma. Imposed constraints on the plasma restframe wave vectors and frequencies indicate that the emissions occur within the frequency range from about 150 Hz to 1 kHz, with wavelengths between about 30 meters and 600 meters. These constraints strongly suggest that the festoon-shaped emissions are ion-acoustic waves. The small group velocity and k direction of the ion-acoustic mode are consistent with wave generation upstream at the bow shock and convection downstream to locations within the outer dayside magnetosheath.

Gallagher, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Kinematics of Nearby Gas and Stars

The kinematic properties of gas and stars in the solar neighborhood are described in terms of the line of sight component of a three dimensional first order Taylor series expansion of the local velocity field. The types of object analyzed are: (1) 21 cm absorbing clouds; (2) intercloud medium; (3) main sequence B-stars closer than 200 pc; (4) B-stars of luminosity class ranging from I to IV; (5) main sequence A stars; (6) K-giant stars. The least squares fitting procedure used to derive the 10 coefficients describes each of the six velocity fields was essentially the same for comparison. Marked departures from circular motion are found in most cases, but the only systematic trend is a correlation between delta u/delta x and stellar spectral type, where the gas behaves like a medium younger than the early type stars. It is indicated that the standard plane-parallel model provides a good description for the intercloud medium, but is inadequate for the absorbing clouds. A velocity ellipsoid description of the residuals is presented for each type of object. The influence of the Gould belt on local kinematics is discussed.

Goulet, T.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Two distinct regions of response drive differential growth in Vigna root electrotropism

Although exogenous electric fields have been reported to influence the orientation of plant root growth, reports of the ultimate direction of differential growth have been contradictory. Using a high-resolution image analysis approach, the kinetics of electrotropic curvature in Vigna mungo L. roots were investigated. It was found that curvature occurred in the same root toward both the anode and cathode. However, these two responses occurred in two different regions of the root, the central elongation zone (CEZ) and distal elongation zone (DEZ), respectively. These oppositely directed responses could be reproduced individually by a localized electric field application to the region of response. This indicates that both are true responses to the electric field, rather than one being a secondary response to an induced gravitropic stimulation. The individual responses differed in the type of differential growth giving rise to curvature. In the CEZ, curvature was driven by inhibition of elongation, whereas curvature in the DEZ was primarily due to stimulation of elongation. This stimulation of elongation is consistent with the growth response of the DEZ to other environmental stimuli.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS1993

Energetic ion anisotropies in the geomagnetic tail. I - A statistical survey. II - Magnetic field and substorm characteristics

A comprehensive data set from the ISEE 2 spacecraft is used here to perform a statistical study of events in the earth's central magnetotail that are characterized by high anisotropies of energetic ions. In about 75 percent of the cases the anisotropy vector deviates no more than 45 deg from the tidal axis. High-anisotropy samples within 45 deg of the tidal axis are dominated by the earthward fraction. High ion anisotropies are observed continuously for longer than 1 min only in a few cases. The probability of observing high ion anisotropies is significantly enhanced beyond about 16 R(E) downtail distance within a few earth radii of the neutral sheet and on the duskside of the magnetotail. The analysis is extended with respect to the local magnetic field and to the relationship between energetic ion anisotropies and substorm phases. It is found that the events can be well organized in terms of substorm expansion phase and substorm recovery. These relations and the magnetic field characteristics during the events support the notion that the near-earth source of tailward streaming ions is identical with a substorm neutral line.

Kettmann, Georg↗

NASA NTRS2007

Self-consistent Model of Magnetospheric Electric Field, RC and EMIC Waves

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are an important magnetospheric emission, which is excited near the magnetic equator with frequencies below the proton gyro-frequency. The source of bee energy for wave growth is provided by temperature anisotropy of ring current (RC) ions, which develops naturally during inward convection from the plasma sheet These waves strongly affect the dynamic s of resonant RC ions, thermal electrons and ions, and the outer radiation belt relativistic electrons, leading to non-adiabatic particle heating and/or pitch-angle scattering and loss to the atmosphere. The rate of ion and electron scattering/heating is strongly controlled by the Wave power spectral and spatial distributions, but unfortunately, the currently available observational information regarding EMIC wave power spectral density is poor. So combinations of reliable data and theoretical models should be utilized in order to obtain the power spectral density of EMIC waves over the entire magnetosphere throughout the different storm phases. In this study, we present the simulation results, which are based on two coupled RC models that our group has developed. The first model deals with the large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamic coupling, and provides a self-consistent description of RC ions/electrons and the magnetospheric electric field. The second model is based on a coupled system of two kinetic equations, one equation describes the RC ion dynamics and another equation describes the power spectral density evolution of EMIC waves, and self-consistently treats a micro-scale electrodynamic coupling of RC and EMIC waves. So far, these two models have been applied independently. However, the large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamics controls the convective patterns of both the RC ions and plasmasphere altering conditions for EMIC wave-particle interaction. In turn, the wave induced RC precipitation Changes the local field-aligned current distributions and the ionospheric conductances, which are crucial for a large-scale electrodynamics. The initial results from this new self-consistent model of the magnetospheric electric field, RC and EMIC waves will be shown in this presentation.

Gamayunov, K. V.↗

DOE OSTI2024

An octahedral Mach B-dot probe for 3D flows and magnetic fields in the edge of reversed field pinches

Measurements and simulations show that plasma relaxation processes in the reversed field pinch drive and redistribute both magnetic flux and momentum. To examine this relaxation process, a new 3D Mach B-dot probe has been constructed. This probe collects ion saturation currents through six molybdenum electrodes arranged on the flattened vertices of an octahedron made of boron nitride (BN). The ion saturation current flows through configurable voltage dividers for measurement and returns through one of six selectable return electrodes equally spaced along the 12 cm BN probe arm. In addition, the probe arm houses three B-dot magnetic pickup coils in the BN stalk immediately below to the octahedron, to measure the local magnetic field. Inserted in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) during deuterium discharges with 220 kA plasma current, density of 0.8 × 10 13 cm –3 , the probe collects ion saturation currents with sawtooth-like peaks correlated with relaxation events. This compact octahedral design fitting six Mach electrode surfaces within a 1 cm3 cube will enable future multi-point, multi-field probes compatible with the 1.5 in. ports of MST. Such probes will allow for flow circulation, current, and canonical vorticity to be calculated in the center of the finite difference stencil formed by the measurement locations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS2012

Exploring the Longwave Radiative Effects of Dust Aerosols

Dust aerosols not only affect air quality and visibility where they pose a significant health and safety risk, but they can also play a role in modulating the energy balance of the Earth-atmosphere system by directly interacting with local radiative fields. Consequently, dust aerosols can impact regional climate patterns such as changes in precipitation and the evolution of the hydrological cycle. Assessing the direct effect of dust aerosols at the solar wavelengths is fairly straightforward due in part to the relatively large signal-to-noise ratio in broadband irradiance measurements. The longwave (LW) impacts, on the other hand, are rather difficult to ascertain since the measured dust signal level (10 Wm-2) is on the same order as the instrumental uncertainties. Moreover, compared to the shortwave (SW), limited experimental data on the LW optical properties of dust makes it a difficult challenge for constraining the LW impacts. Owing to the strong absorption features found in many terrestrial minerals (e.g., silicates and clays), the LW effects, although much smaller in magnitude compared to the SW, can still have a sizeable impact on the energetics of the Earth-atmosphere system, which can potentially trigger changes in the heat and moisture surface budgets, and dynamics of the atmosphere. The current endeavor is an integral part of an on-going research study to perform detailed assessments of dust direct aerosol radiative effects (DARE) using comprehensive global datasets from NASA Goddards mobile ground-based facility (cf. http://smartlabs.gsfc.nasa.gov/) during previous field experiments near key dust source regions. Here we examine and compare the results from two of these studies: the 2006 NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Activities and the 2008 Asian Monsoon Years. The former study focused on transported Saharan dust at Sal Island (16.73N, 22.93W), Cape Verde along the west coast of Africa while the latter focused on Asian dust at Zhangye China (39.082N, 100.276E), a semi-arid region between the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts. NASA Goddards Giovanni system is used to help map out the spatial distribution of retrieved aerosol optical depths across the latter desert regions. 1-D radiative transfer model constrained by local measurements, including spectral photometry/interferometry and lidar for characterizing the spatiotemporal variability in dust properties and atmospheric conditions, is employed to evaluate the local instantaneous LW DARE of dust both at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere along with heating rate profiles for cloud-free atmospheres. The efficiency in LW DARE and its significance relative to the diurnally averaged SW effects are explored and compared in both studies. Found to be non-negligible, LW DARE is an important component in the study of regional climate variation with important implications for more detailed global assessments.

Hansell, Richard A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Patched Local Lunar Gravity Solutions using GRAIL Data

We present a method to determine local gravity fields for the Moon using Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) data. We express gravity as gridded gravity anomalies on a sphere, and we estimate adjustments to a background global start model expressed in spherical harmonics. We processed GRAIL Ka-band range-rate data with a short-arc approach, using only data over the area of interest. We determine our gravity solutions using neighbor smoothing constraints. We divided the entire Moon into twelve regions and two polar caps, with a resolution of 0.15˚ x 0.15˚ (which is equivalent to degree and order 1199 in spherical harmonics), and determined the optimal smoothing parameter for each area by comparing localized correlations between gravity and topography for each solution set. Our selected areas share nodes with surrounding areas and they are overlapping. To mitigate boundary effects, we patch the solutions together by symmetrically omitting the boundary parts of overlapping solutions. Our new solution has been iterated, and it has improved correlations with topography when compared to a fully iterated global model. Our method requires fewer resources, and can easily handle regionally varying resolution or constraints. The smooth model describes small-scale features clearly, and can be used in local studies of the structure of the lunar crust.

Sander Goossens↗

NASA NTRS2014

High-resolution Local Gravity Model of the South Pole of the Moon from GRAIL Extended Mission Data

We estimated a high-resolution local gravity field model over the south pole of the Moon using data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory's extended mission. Our solution consists of adjustments with respect to a global model expressed in spherical harmonics. The adjustments are expressed as gridded gravity anomalies with a resolution of 1/6deg by 1/6deg (equivalent to that of a degree and order 1080 model in spherical harmonics), covering a cap over the south pole with a radius of 40deg. The gravity anomalies have been estimated from a short-arc analysis using only Ka-band range-rate (KBRR) data over the area of interest. We apply a neighbor-smoothing constraint to our solution. Our local model removes striping present in the global model; it reduces the misfit to the KBRR data and improves correlations with topography to higher degrees than current global models.

South Pole↗

DOE OSTI2023

Chapter 14: Surface plasmon resonance enhanced artificial photosynthesis of chemical fuels for energy storage

Nanostructured noble metals such as Au, Ag, and Cu have interesting optical properties because of the oscillation motions of their surface electrons upon strong coupling with light under resonance conditions. This resonant oscillation motion of conduction electrons refers to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR (LSPR) when localized near the surface of a nanoparticle. The extinction spectrum of a solution of plasmonic nanoparticles has tunable wavelength responses from UV to NIR due to strong light scattering and absorption which are highly sensitive to the permittivity of the nanoparticles, their sizes and shapes, and chemical environment. Strong light scattering due to the LSPR of plasmonic nanoparticles creates a strong localized and far-field intensity capable of enhancing light absorption characteristics of a chromophore near a plasmonic surface. Engineering the chromophores’ radiative decay dynamics can be done by 1) increasing its radiative decay rate to increase its photoluminescence intensity and 2) increasing its nonradiative decay rates associated to direct charge transfer to the metal surface. Such interesting photophysical properties of a chromophore can be extended to other light-absorbing materials such as semiconductor thin films and nanostructures. This plasmonic effect on the photophysics of a light-absorbing material can be theoretically and experimentally validated. The phenomenon has also been applied to advanced optoelectronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLED)1 and organic photovoltaics (OPV).2-4 The local field created by the SPR can provide an intense EM field to enhance photoluminescence emission of an organic chromophore5-8 and Raman scattering of an organic molecule, and single-molecule Raman9-10 can be detected on specially designed LSPR substrate. (Figure 1 on SPR for energy) Recent studies suggest that LSPR can be incorporated in light-harvesting and conversion systems to increase energy conversion in a solar cell and photoelectrochemical cell and chemical transformations of CO2 to chemical fuels.11-12 Plasmonic active metals naturally exhibit catalytic activities for electrochemical fuel conversion that can be enhanced by engineering their structures to form unique catalytic structures such as symmetry-broken Au-Cu Janus nanocrystals.13 These studies are critical to addressing the global challenges of energy14-15 and CO2 emission from nonrenewable sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas.16-17 Electrochemical systems comprised of unique photonic structures and functions that enable efficient and affordable energy harvesting/conversion/storage are highly desired for providing safe and environment-friendly energy sources. This chapter reviews our recent work of LSPR enabled photoelectrochemical water splitting and recent advances in LSPR-enabled CO2 reduction and photochemical reactions reported in the literature. Scientific and technical challenges of applying LSPR to enhance these energy conversion and storage systems are discussed at the conclusion of this chapter.

Pan, Shanlin↗

DOE OSTI2023

A ‘black hole theorem,’ and its implications

A general formulation of the basic conflict of the information problem is given, encapsulated in a 'black hole theorem.' This is framed in a more general context than the usual one of quantum field theory on a background, and is based on describing a black hole as a quantum subsystem of a larger system, including its environment. This sharpens the limited set of possible consistent options; as with the Coleman-Mandula theorem, the most important point is probably the loophole in the 'theorem,' and what this tells us about the fundamental structure of quantum gravity. This 'theorem' in particular involves the general question of how to define quantum subsystems in quantum gravity. If black holes do behave as quantum subsystems, at least to a good approximation, evolve unitarily, and do not leave remnants, the 'theorem' implies the presence of interactions between a black hole and its environment that go beyond a description based on local quantum fields. This provides further motivation for and connects to previous work giving a principled parameterization of these interactions, and investigating their possible observational signatures via electromagnetic or gravitational wave observations of black holes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Boundary conditions manipulation of polar vortex domains in BiFeO 3 membranes via phase-field simulations

Polar vortex domains have recently become an emergent research field due to the abundant physical phenomena and potential applications in high-density memories. Here, we explore the mechanisms of creating polar vortex domains in the BiFeO3 (BFO) membranes subjected to different boundary conditions using phase-field simulations. A major difference is that the vortex in membrane can be stabilized even under short-circuit electrical boundary conditions compared to vortex in other systems, such as thin film or superlattice. We found that (a) the formation of polar vortex domains at the membrane interior under bending is mainly driven by the reduction of elastic energy under short-circuit boundary condition, and the vortex chirality (namely, clockwise and counterclockwise) could be identified by n-shape and u-shape bending; (b) in the unbent open-circuit BFO membrane case, exotic trapezoid-shaped vortex nanodomains form at the terminations of 109 degrees domain walls (DWs) and partially charged 71 degrees DWs, which is driven by the local depolarization field and the interplay among electrostatic, elastic, and gradient and Landau energies. We also examine Kittel's law by establishing the dependence of vortex periods on the membrane thickness. Furthermore, these results give further understanding of the effect of boundary conditions on the formation of polar vortex domains, guiding experimental designs of vortex-based high-density memories.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Completely Multipolar Model for Many-Body Water–Ion and Ion–Ion Interactions

This work constructs an advanced force field, the Completely Multipolar Model (CMM), to quantitatively reproduce each term of an energy decomposition analysis (EDA) for aqueous solvated alkali metal cations and halide anions and their ion pairings. We find that all individual EDA terms remain well-approximated in the CMM for ion-water and ion-ion interactions, except for polarization, which shows errors due to the partial covalency of ion interactions near their equilibrium. We quantify the onset of the dative bonding regime by examining the change in molecular polarizability and Mayer bond indices as a function of distance, showing that partial covalency manifests by breaking the symmetry of atomic polarizabilities while strongly damping them at short-range. This motivates an environment-dependent atomic polarizability parameter that depends on the strength of the local electric field experienced by the ions to account for strong damping, with anisotropy introduced by atomic multipoles. The resulting CMM model for ions provides accurate dimer surfaces and three-body polarization and charge transfer compared to EDA, and shows excellent performance on various ion benchmarks including vibrational frequencies and cluster geometries.

Heindel, Joseph P↗