Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Electrostatic accelerators”

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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Correlation of ion and beam current densities in Kaufman thrusters.

In the absence of direct impingement erosion, electrostatic thruster accelerator grid lifetime is defined by the charge exchange erosion that occurs at peak values of the ion beam current density. In order to maximize the thrust from an engine with a specified grid lifetime, the ion beam current density profile should therefore be as flat as possible. Knauer (1970) has suggested this can be achieved by establishing a radial plasma uniformity within the thruster discharge chamber; his tests with the radial field thruster provide an example of uniform plasma properties within the chamber and a flat ion beam profile occurring together. It is shown that, in particular, the ion density profile within the chamber determines the beam current density profile, and that a uniform ion density profile at the screen grid end of the discharge chamber should lead to a flat beam current density profile.

Wilbur, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Some physical parameters of micrometeoroids

Detailed morphological parameters (depth/diameter ratio, circularity index) of microcraters in the 0.2 to 100 micron diameter range were obtained via SEM techniques for three lunar glass surfaces. The depth/diameter ratios are typically 0.5 to 0.8 with a range of 0.3 to 1.3. The circularity index varies from 0.4 to 1.0 with a pronounced maximum at 0.7 to 0.9. These parameters are compared with microcraters produced in the laboratory via electrostatic particle accelerators. The following conclusions are drawn: The great majority of observed crater depths are compatible with micrometeoroid densities of 2 to 4 g/cu cm; crater depths are incompatible for projectile densities less than 1 g/cu cm and greater than 7 g/cu cm. The circularity index of microcrater pits indicates rather equidimensional, if not spherical, projectiles. Needles, platelets and other highly irregular shapes can be excluded. Less than 5% of all craters observed may offer different conclusions.

Brownlee, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar wind ions accelerated to 40 keV by shock wave disturbances

Observations in the solar wind with the LASL/MPI fast plasma experiment on ISEE 1 and 2 reveal the common presence of ions with energies extending from 100 eV up to at least 40 keV in a broad region, typically 10 million kilometers wide, following interplanetary shocks. Peak differential fluxes up to 5000/sq cm s sr keV at 28 keV are observed either at the shock or within the first 1.5 hours following shock passage. In the solar wind frame the distribution function of these ions is roughly isotropic, peaks near zero velocity, and above 5 keV can adequately be characterized as power law in energy with a spectral index of 2.7. The effective 'temperature' of these ions generally exceeds 100 million K. These suprathermal interplanetary ions are almost certainly solar wind ions which have been accelerated by some mechanism associated with the shock wave disturbance. Present evidence leads the authors to favor stochastic particle acceleration involving electrostatic and/or electromagnetic turbulence in the postshock flow.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ion beams from laser-generated plasmas

The paper describes the space-charge-limited beams produced by the plasma blowoffs generated by 20-MW bursts of 1.06-micron radiation from an active Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Laser power densities near 10 to the 11th/sq cm on solid targets generate thermalized plasma plumes which drift to a 15-kV gridded extraction gap where the ions are extracted, accelerated, and electrostatically focused; the spatially defined ion beams are then magnetically analyzed to determine the charge state content in the beams formed from carbon, aluminum, copper, and lead targets. This technique preserves time-of-flight (TOF) information in the plasma drift region, which permits plasma ion temperatures and mass flow velocities to be determined from the Maxwellian ion curve TOF shapes for the individual charge species.

Hughes, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The applicability of MFD thrusters to satellite power systems

The high power self field MPD thruster uses electromagnetic forces rather than electrostatic to accelerate a neutral plasma. The most attractive application of MPD thrusters to satellite power systems is in the area of electric propulsion for a cargo orbit transfer vehicle (COTV). Calculations were performed in order to compare the performance of a COTV using an ion or MPD propulsion system. Results show that the MPD propulsion system gives a shorter trip time with the same power and payload when compared to the ion thruster propulsion system at either value of specific impulse. More important than the trip time benefit may be the advantage a MPD propulsion system provides in system simplicity. Another interesting COTV concept using MPD thrusters is the use of a remote power supply located on the Earth, at GEO, or somewhere in between to transmit power to the COTV in a microwave transmission. The specific impulse at thrust levels of tens of newtons makes a MPD propulsion system a candidate for stationkeeping and attitude control of large space structures such as a SPS.

Jones, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Transversely accelerated ions in auroral arcs

Ionospheric ions apparently accelerated transversely to the geomagnetic field in the topside ionosphere are regularly detected by the soft particle spectrometers on the ISIS satellites. Such gyro-accelerated ions are observed in association with precipitating auroral electrons. A detailed study of their relationship with such electrons and with field-aligned currents, together with simultaneous measurements of the local plasma composition and density, reveals the specific conditions present in the topside ionosphere during the generation of such transversely accelerated ions (TAI). A proposed mechanism for generation of TAI involving acceleration by electrostatic ion cyclotron waves is consistent with the present observations.

Klumpar, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Overview of the Center for Advanced Space Propulsion

The mission of the Center for Advanced Space Propulsion (CASP), a Center for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS), is to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in space technology, foster cooperative research with industry and government, assist industry in developing commercial products and services, and perform research in advanced space propulsion. Current areas of focus are (1) advanced chemical propulsion, including high area ratio nozzle performance, variable thrust engine performance, and spray combustion stability; (2) artificial intelligence propulsion applications, including health monitoring of rocket engines, fault pattern detection and diagnosis, and intelligent hypertext applications; (3) microgravity fluid management, including liquid storage and transfer, a subscale orbital fluid transfer experiment, and helical, two-phase flow; (4) electric propulsion, including magnetic annular arc thruster, ion thrustor, and electrostatic plasma accelerator; and (5) laser materials processing.

George W Garrison↗
NASA NTRS2013

Development And Testing Of The Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Diffusion Thruster

The Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) diffusion thruster is an experiment in active development that takes advantage of physical phenomenon that occurs during operation of an IEC device. The IEC device has been proposed as a fusion reactor design that relies on traditional electrostatic ion acceleration and is typically arranged in a spherical geometry. The design incorporates two radially-symmetric spherical electrodes. Often the inner electrode utilizes a grid of wire shaped in a sphere with a radius 15 to 50 percent of the radius of the outer electrode. The inner electrode traditionally has 90 percent or more transparency to allow particles (ions) to pass to the center of the spheres and collide/recombine in the dense plasma core at r=0. When operating the IEC, an unsteady plasma leak is typically observed passing out one of the gaps in the lattice grid of the inner electrode. The IED diffusion thruster is based upon the idea that this plasma leak can be used for propulsive purposes. The IEC diffusion thruster utilizes the radial symmetry found in the IEC device. A cylindrical configuration is employed here as it will produce a dense core of plasma the length of the cylindrical grid while promoting the plasma leak to exhaust through an electromagnetic nozzle at one end of the apparatus. A proof-of-concept IEC diffusion thruster is operational and under testing using argon as propellant (Figure 1).

Becnel, Mark D.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Electrostatic Wave Generation and Transverse Ion Acceleration by Alfvenic Wave Components of BBELF Turbulence

We present results here from 2.5-D particle-in-cell simulations showing that the electrostatic (ES) components of broadband extremely low frequency (BBELF) waves could possibly be generated by cross-field plasma instabilities driven by the relative drifts between the heavy and light ion species in the electromagnetic (EM) Alfvenic component of the BBELF waves in a multi-ion plasma. The ES components consist of ion cyclotron as well as lower hybrid modes. We also demonstrate that the ES wave generation is directly involved in the transverse acceleration of ions (TAI) as commonly measured with the BBELF wave events. The heating is affected by ion cyclotron resonance in the cyclotron modes and Landau resonance in the lower hybrid waves. In the simulation we drive the plasma by the transverse electric field, E(sub y), of the EM waves; the frequency of E(sub y), omega(sub d), is varied from a frequency below the heavy ion cyclotron frequency, OMEGA(sub h), to below the light ion cyclotron frequency, OMEGA(sub i). We have also performed simulations for E(sub y) having a continuous spectrum given by a power law, namely, |Ey| approx. omega(sub d) (exp -alpha), where the exponent alpha = _, 1, and 2 in three different simulations. The driving electric field generates polarization and ExB drifts of the ions and electrons. When the interspecies relative drifts are sufficiently large, they drive electrostatic waves, which cause perpendicular heating of both light and heavy ions. The transverse ion heating found here is discussed in relation to observations from Cluster, FAST and Freja.

Singh, Nagendra↗
NASA NTRS1979

A low-cost solar-cell front contact using trapped silver mesh and electrostatic bonding

A new system to provide a contact with a silver mesh trapped between the cell and an encapsulating glass cover is described. Borosilicate glass is joined to the cell by electrostatic bonding during which the glass is deformed around the silver mesh to form a permanent optically coupled integral bond to the cell. The hermetic seal prevents the silver from oxidizing and destroying the electrical contact formed during the bonding process. It is demonstrated that electrostatic glass/silicon bonds have excellent stability under a variety of accelerated environmental tests. Electrostatic bonds to thin films of AL2O3, Ta2O5, and ZrO2 on glass can be used to make antireflective coatings for solar cells manufactured by this process. Test solar cells were manufactured by electrostatic bonding with good curve fill factors and efficiencies of 10 percent.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

High-Frequency Electrostatic Wave Generation and Transverse Ion Acceleration by Low Alfvenic Wave Components of BBELF Turbulence

Satellite observations in the auroral plasma have revealed that extremely low frequency (ELF) waves play a dominant role in the acceleration of electrons and ions in the auroral plasma. The electromagnetic components of the ELF (EMELF) waves are the electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves below the cyclotron frequency of the lightest ion species in a multi-ion plasma. Shear Alfv6n waves (SAWS) constitute the lowest frequency components of the ELF waves below the ion cyclotron frequency of the heaviest ion. The -2 mechanism for the transfer of energy from such EMELF waves to ions affecting transverse ion heating still remains a matter of debate. A very ubiquitous fe8ture of ELF waves now observed in several rocket and satellite experiments is that they occur in conjunction with high-frequency electrostatic waves. The frequency spectrum of the composite wave turbulence extends from the low frequency of the Alfvenic waves to the high frequency of proton plasma frequency and/or the lower hybrid frequency. The spectrum does not show any feature organized by the ion cyclotron frequencies and their harmonics. Such broadband waves consisting of both the EM and ES waves are now popularly referred as BBELF waves. We present results here from 2.5-D particle-in-cell simulations showing that the ES components are directly generated by cross- field plasma instabilities driven by the drifts of the ions and electrons in the EM component of the BBELF waves.

Singh, Nagendra↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ion acceleration at the earth's bow shock - A review of observations in the upstream region

Positive ions are accelerated at or near the earth's bow shock and propagate into the upstream region. Two distinctly different populations of these ions, distinguished by their greatly different spectral and angular widths, can be identified there. The type of ion population observed in the upstream region is strongly correlated with the presence or absence of long-period compressive waves in the solar wind. Very few ions are accelerated in the vicinity of the shock to energies much above about 100 keV. It is not yet clear whether the most energetic ions (i.e., those near 100 keV) are accelerated at the shock or in the broad disturbed region upstream from the shock. In either case stochastic acceleration by turbulent electrostatic fields seems to be the most viable candidate for the acceleration of the most energetic particles.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Thermophysical Property Measurement and Materials Research in the NASA/MSFC Electrostatic Levitator

Containerless processing is an important tool for materials research. The freedom from a crucible allows processing of liquid materials in a metastable undercooled state, as well as allowing processing of high temperature and highly reactive melts. Electrostatic levitation (ESL) is a containerless method which provides a number of unique advantages, including the decoupling of positioning force from sample heating, the ability to operate in ultra-high vacuum or at moderate gas pressure (approx. 3 atm), and the ability to process non-conducting materials. ESL also has the potential to reduce internal flow velocities below those possible with electromagnetic, acoustic, or aero-acoustic techniques. In electrostatic levitation, the acceleration of gravity (or residual acceleration in reduced gravity) is opposed by the action of an applied electric field on a charged sample. Microgravity allows electrostatic levitation to work even more effectively. In microgravity, ESL can position larger samples than is possible on the ground, or it can position samples which maintain their charge poorly. Microgravity also reduces the effects of buoyant convection and sedimentation. The ESL facility at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is in use for thermophysical property measurements and materials research by a number of different internal and external investigators. The methods for obtaining access to the facility, as well as a summary of current capabilities and some future directions will be discussed.

Rogers, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2003

An Overview of the Materials Science Research at the Marshall Space Flight Center Electrostatic Levitator Facility and Recent CDDF Efforts

Containerless processing is an important tool for materials research. The freedom from a crucible allows processing of liquid materials in a metastable undercooled state, as well as allowing processing of high temperature and highly reactive melts. Electrostatic levitation (ESL) is a containerless method which provides a number of unique advantages, including the ability to process non-conducting materials, the ability to operate in ultra-high vacuum or at moderate gas pressure (approx. = 5 atm), and the decoupling of positioning force from sample heating. ESL also has the potential to reduce internal flow velocities below those possible with electromagnetic, acoustic, or aero-acoustic techniques. In electrostatic levitation, the acceleration of gravity (or residual acceleration in reduced gravity) is opposed by the action of an applied electric field on a charged sample. Microgravity allows electrostatic levitation to work even more effectively. The ESL facility at NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center is in use for materials research and thermophysical property measurement by a number of different internal and external investigators. Results from the recent CDDF studies on the high energy X-ray beamline at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory will be presented. The Microgravity Research Program supports the facility.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1994

Generation of electrostatic waves as a consequence of chaotic ion acceleration in the neutral sheet

The stability of ion distributions with velocity space holes caused by chaotic ion acceleration in the vicinity of the field reversal region in the Earth's magnetotail is investigated. It is shown that such distributions are unstable to electrostatic waves with wave vector directed along the Sun-Earth line. The solution of the quasi-linear equation shows that the saturation of the instability occurs due to velocity space trapping of the low-energy background ions and results in a flattening of the reduced ion distribution function in the region of the original velocity space hole. The energy level of the excited waves in the vicinity of the Earth's midplane is estimated as a function of the initial size of the empty velocity space region.

Burinskaya, T.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Thermophysical Property Measurement and Materials Research in the NASA/MSFC Electrostatic Levitator

Containerless processing is an important tool for thermophysical property measurements and materials research. The freedom from a crucible allows processing of liquid materials in a metastable undercooled state, as well as allowing processing of high temperature and highly reactive melts. Electrostatic levitation (ESL) is a containerless method which provides a number of unique advantages, including the decoupling of positioning force from sample heating, the ability to operate in ultra-high vacuum or at moderate gas pressure (approximately 3 atm), and the ability to process non-conducting materials. ESL also has the potential to reduce internal flow velocities below those possible with electromagnetic, acoustic, or aero-acoustic techniques. The ESL facility at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is in use for thermophysical property measurements and materials research by a number of different internal and external investigators. The methods for obtaining access to the facility, as well as a summary of current capabilities and some future directions will be discussed. In electrostatic levitation, the acceleration of gravity (or residual acceleration in reduced gravity) is opposed by the action of an applied electric field on a charged sample. This positioning method is applicable to any material which can be electrically charged, whether solid or liquid, conducting, or insulating. Because the position of the sample is unstable, a 3-dimensional active control loop rapidly adjusts the applied field to maintain levitation and minimize motion of the sample. Heating lasers melt the sample, and may be adjusted to maintain specified thermal profiles. Microgravity allows electrostatic levitation to work even more effectively. With the need to cancel less than 1 milli-g, the applied field required is reduced from approximately 10 MV/m to approximately 10 kV/m. Alternatively, a microgravity ESL can position larger samples than is possible on the ground, or it can position samples which maintain their charge poorly. Microgravity also reduces the effects of buoyant convection and sedimentation. In the MSFC ESL, many different classes of experiments and measurements have been demonstrated in collaboration with many investigators. These capabilities include heat capacity measurement, phase diagram determination, and nucleation and growth experiments including nucleation rate, TTT curves, and phase selection. We have demonstrated the capability of triggering recalescence of an undercooled liquid sample without loss of levitation. Currently under development are techniques for measuring the surface tension, viscosity, and density of levitated samples, as well as other thermophysical properties. Expanded levitation capabilities including various gas environments for sample processing, sample rotation control and management of thermal gradients are under development for the MSFC ESL. Containerless processing allows research on materials which may not be processed any other way. Electrostatic levitation extends the range of containerless processing to include many materials and classes of materials which cannot be processed by conventional electromagnetic, acoustic, or aerodynamic levitation techniques.

Rogers, Jan↗
NASA NTRS1977

Mass-driver reaction engine as Shuttle upper-stage

Optimization has been carried out on the design of a mass-driver intended for upgrading the Shuttle to geosynchronous and lunar-orbit capability. The machine accelerates 2,100 tons/yr of external tankage, in 14-gram segments, to exhaust velocities of 8,000-10,000 m/s. The resulting reaction force raises 1,700 tons/yr. of Shuttle payloads to high orbit, in two round trips. Exhaust velocity and thrust can be optimized for each mission segment. For a mission requiring an exhaust velocity of 8,000 m/sec, thrust is 560 newtons, power is 2.9 megawatts, and efficiency is 75%. Total electrical component mass including power supplies and waste-heat radiators is 89 tons. To insure that reaction mass does not constitute a hazard, segments may be in the form of powder, electrostatically dispersed after acceleration, and/or thrust may be vectored.

Oneill, G. K.↗