Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PLASMA COMPOSITION”

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
DOE OSTI2016

TRANSITION REGION ABUNDANCE MEASUREMENTS DURING IMPULSIVE HEATING EVENTS

It is well established that elemental abundances vary in the solar atmosphere and that this variation is organized by first ionization potential (FIP). Previous studies have shown that in the solar corona, low-FIP elements such as Fe, Si, Mg, and Ca, are generally enriched relative to high-FIP elements such as C, N, O, Ar, and Ne. In this paper we report on measurements of plasma composition made during impulsive heating events observed at transition region temperatures with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on Hinode . During these events the intensities of O iv, v, and vi emission lines are enhanced relative to emission lines from Mg v, vi, and vii and Si vi and vii, and indicate a composition close to that of the photosphere. Long-lived coronal fan structures, in contrast, show an enrichment of low-FIP elements. We conjecture that the plasma composition is an important signature of the coronal heating process, with impulsive heating leading to the evaporation of unfractionated material from the lower layers of the solar atmosphere and higher-frequency heating leading to long-lived structures and the accumulation of low-FIP elements in the corona.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Survey of 0.1- to 16-keV/e plasma sheet ion composition

An analysis is performed of all plasma sheet data collected in 1978-79 in order to discern statistical trends in the data. Attention is focused on the bulk parameters of 0.1-16 keV/e plasma sheet ions detected by the Plasma Composition Experiment on the ISEE 1 satellite. The data were collected at 10-23 earth radii, and are averaged for various levels of activity in the AE index. Solar H(+) and He(2+) ions dominate during quiet periods and possess energies similar to those of the solar wind when the quiet period lasts several hours. Increasing AE index values eventually lead to a replacement of the solar ions with terrestrial ions, particularly O(+), which can have an average energy density of 3-4 keV/e at every activity level. The solar ions, however, increase in energy as their density decreases. The O(+) density is highest near the local midnight and becomes the most numerous during highly disturbed conditions. Finally, the O(+) density was observed to increase by a factor of three over the monitoring period, possibly due to enhanced solar EUV radiation.

Lennartsson, W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A scenario for solar wind penetration of earth's magnetic tail based on ion composition data from the ISEE 1 spacecraft

Based on He(2+) and H(-) ion composition data from the Plasma Composition Experiment on ISEE 1, a scenario is proposed for the solar wind penetration of the earth's magnetic tail, which does not require that the solar wind plasma be magnetized. While this study does not take issue with the notion that earth's magnetic field merges with the solar wind magnetic field on a regular basis, it focuses on certain aspects of interaction between the solar wind particles and the earth's field, e.g, the fact that the geomagnetic tail always has a plasma sheet, even during times when the physical signs of magnetic merging are weak or absent. It is argued that the solar plasma enters along slots between the tail lobes and the plasma sheet, even quite close to earth, convected inward along the plasma sheet boundary layer or adjacent to it, by the electric fringe field of the ever present low-latitude magnetopause boundary layer (LLBL). The required E x B drifts are produced by closing LLBL equipotential surfaces through the plasma sheet.

Lennartsson, W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of Sandia's 2021 Pilot Program for Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Fusion Energy Science: Development and Rapid Screening of Refractory Multi-Principal Elemental Composites for Plasma Facing Components

The Fusion Energy Sciences office supported “A Pilot Program for Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Fusion Energy Sciences” at Sandia National Laboratories during the summer of 2021. This pilot project was motivated in part by the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee report observation that “The multidisciplinary workforce needed for fusion energy and plasma science requires that the community commit to the creation and maintenance of a healthy climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which will benefit the community as a whole and the mission of FES”. The pilot project was designed to work with North Carolina A&T (NCAT) University and leverage SNL efforts in FES to engage underrepresented students in developing and accessing advanced material solutions for plasma facing components in fusion systems. The intent was to create an environment conducive to the development of a sense of belonging amongst participants, foster a strong sense of physics identity among the participants, and provide financial support to enable students to advance academically while earning money. The purpose of this assessment is to review what worked well and lessons that can be learned. We reviewed implementation and execution of the pilot, describe successes and areas for improvement and propose a no-cost extension of the pilot project to apply these lessons and continue engagement activities in the summer of 2022.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1986

Meal composition and plasma amino acid ratios: Effect of various proteins or carbohydrates, and of various protein concentrations

The effects of meals containing various proteins and carbohydrates, and of those containing various proportions of protein (0 percent to 20 percent of a meal, by weight) or of carbohydrate (0 percent to 75 percent), on plasma levels of certain large neutral amino acids (LNAA) in rats previously fasted for 19 hours were examined. Also the plasma tryptophan ratios (the ratio of the plasma trytophan concentration to the summed concentrations of the other large neutral amino acids) and other plasma amino acid ratios were calculated. (The plasma tryptophan ratio has been shown to determine brain tryptophan levels and, thereby, to affect the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter serotonin). A meal containing 70 percent to 75 percent of an insulin-secreting carbohydrate (dextrose or dextrin) increased plasma insulin levels and the tryptophan ratio; those containing 0 percent or 25 percent carbohydrate failed to do so. Addition of as little as 5 percent casein to a 70 percent carbohydrate meal fully blocked the increase in the plasma tryptophan ratio without affecting the secretion of insulin - probably by contributing much larger quantities of the other LNAA than of tryptophan to the blood. Dietary proteins differed in their ability to suppress the carbohydrate-induced rise in the plasma tryptophan ratio. Addition of 10 percent casein, peanut meal, or gelatin fully blocked this increase, but lactalbumin failed to do so, and egg white did so only partially. (Consumption of the 10 percent gelatin meal also produced a major reduction in the plasma tyrosine ratio, and may thereby have affected brain tyrosine levels and catecholamine synthesis.) These observations suggest that serotonin-releasing neurons in brains of fasted rats are capable of distinguishing (by their metabolic effects) between meals poor in protein but rich in carbohydrates that elicit insulin secretion, and all other meals. The changes in brain serotonin caused by carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor meals may affect subsequent food choice and various serotonin-mediated behaviors.

Yokogoshi, Hidehiko↗
NASA NTRS1984

Results of the SCATHA ion composition experiment during the IMS

Hot plasma composition measurements of the near equatorial SCATHA spacecraft at geocentric distances of 5.3 to 7.8 RE, provided pitch angle distributions of ion composition in the vicinity of geosynchronous orbit. Pronounced pitch angle and spectral differences between ion species, and temporal variations within each species, are indicative of many of the complex source, energization, transport, and loss mechanisms at play in the magnetosphere. Ion populations of interest include field aligned ions below several keV which are primarily ionospheric; more energetic ions peaked at 90 deg pitch angle; and intense equatorially trapped ions below a few hundred eV, primarily protons. Ionospheric plasma is observed to take part in the substorm injection process, and there is evidence of an enhanced ionospheric source at the inner edge of the injection region.

Quinn, J. M.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Characterization of plasma chemistry and ion energy in cathodic arc plasma from Ti-Si cathodes of different compositions

Arc plasma from Ti-Si compound cathodes with up to 25 at. % Si was characterized in a DC arc system with respect to chemistry and charge-state-resolved ion energy. The plasma ion composition showed a lower Si content, diverging up to 12 at. % compared to the cathode composition, yet concurrently deposited films were in accordance with the cathode stoichiometry. Significant contribution to film growth from neutrals is inferred besides ions, since the contribution from macroparticles, estimated by scanning electron microscopy, cannot alone account for the compositional difference between cathode, plasma, and film. The average ion charge states for Ti and Si were higher than reference data for elemental cathodes. This result is likely related to TiSi{sub x} phases of higher cohesive energies in the compound cathodes and higher effective electron temperature in plasma formation. The ion energy distributions extended up to {approx}200 and {approx}130 eV for Ti and Si, respectively, with corresponding average energies of {approx}60 and {approx}30 eV. These averages were, however, not dependent on Si content in the cathode, except for 25 at. % Si where the average energies were increased up to 72 eV for Ti and 47 eV for Si.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Diffusion in plasma: The Hall effect, compositional waves, and chemical spots

Diffusion caused by a combined influence of the electric current and Hall effect is considered, and it is argued that such diffusion can form inhomogeneities of a chemical composition in plasma. The considered mechanism can be responsible for the formation of element spots in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. This current-driven diffusion can be accompanied by propagation of a particular type of waves in which the impurity number density oscillates alone. These compositional waves exist if the magnetic pressure in plasma is much greater than the gas pressure.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

EVIDENCE FOR LOCAL ACCELERATION OF SUPRATHERMAL HEAVY ION OBSERVATIONS DURING INTERPLANETARY CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS

Suprathermal particles are an important seed population for a variety of energetic particles found throughout the heliosphere, but their origin is in debate. We present, for the first time, high-cadence observations of suprathermal heavy ions during interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), from the Suprathermal Ion Composition Spectrometer on board the Wind spacecraft, and investigate their ionic composition and compare it to the bulk solar wind plasma composition, observed from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer on board the Advanced Composition Explorer. We find that the composition of the suprathermal plasma is related to the local bulk solar wind plasma and not to the plasma upstream of the ICME. This implies that the suprathermal plasma is accelerated from the local bulk solar wind plasma and not the upstream solar wind plasma.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1987

Plasma sheet ion composition at various levels of geomagnetic and solar activity

The data obtained in the earth's plasma sheet by the Plasma Composition Experiment on the ISEE-1 spacecraft are briefly reexamined. The data are shown in the form of statistically averaged bulk parameters for the four major ions H(+), He(2+), He(+), and O(+) to illustrate the apparent mixture of solar and terrestrial ions, a mixture that varies with geomagnetic and other conditions. Some major differences in the statistical properties of different ions, which may have a bearing on the physics of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction, are highlighted.

Lennartsson, W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

ISEE 1 observations of thermal plasma in the vicinity of the plasmasphere during periods of quieting magnetic activity

An investigation of thermal plasma behavior in the vicinity of the plasmasphere during periods of quieting magnetic activity was conducted by combining thermal ion observations made with the plasma composition experiment on ISEE 1 with plasma density profiles obtained from plasma frequency measurements made with the same satellite's plasma wave experiment. During periods in which the magnetic activity quiets, the two regions characterized by H(+):He(+):O(+) (isotropic) and H(+):O(+):He(+) (field-aligned) ion species distributions (in order of dominance) are separated by a new region in which low-energy H(+) and He(+) are found flowing along the magnetic field lines. At other times, following quieting magnetic activity, distributions having peak fluxes at 90 deg pitch angle are observed in this region.

Horwitz, J. L.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fast ion transport by sawtooth instability in the presence of ICRF-NBI synergy in JET plasmas

JET experiments have shown that the three-ion scenarios using waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) is an efficient way to build fast ion population through beam ion acceleration by radio frequency (RF) waves. Here, such a heating scheme is applied to plasmas with at least two thermal ion species. Analysis of mixed discharges with complex heating schemes requires a workflow that allows to model thermal and fast ion transport consistently. This paper is dedicated to modelling of a mixed plasma discharge with significant fraction of fast ions and contributes to development of fast ion transport models. For interpretive analysis with the TRANSP code a JET hydrogen-deuterium (HD) plasma discharge with neutral beam injection (NBI) and ICRF heating has been chosen. The task is complicated by NBI-ICRF synergy and plasma magnetohydrodynamic activity, like sawtooth crashes. D beam ions accelerated by RF waves form a high energy tail in fast ion distribution. Significant difference between the neutron rate computed by TRANSP and measured one is observed if the same diffusivity for electrons and ions is assumed. Sensitivity studies show that uncertainties in input plasma parameters and thermal ion transport models are crucial for modelling mixed plasma discharges and increased D transport is required to reach the plasma composition consistent with diagnostic measurements at the plasma edge. Fast ion redistribution by a sawtooth instability is characterised by non-resonant transport due to reconnection of magnetic field lines and resonant transport caused by resonance interaction between the instability and fast ions. With ORBIT simulations it has been shown that resonant interaction strongly affects fast ions of high energies, like beam ions accelerated by RF waves and fusion products. For the considered case, fast ion profiles simulated by ORBIT remain peaked after the sawtooth crashes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ion composition and energy distribution during 10 magnetic storms

Data from the plasma composition experiment of ISEE 1 are used to investigate the relative quantities and energy characteristics of H(+), He(++), He(+), and O(+) ions in the near-equatorial magnetosphere during magnetic storm conditions. The ions in the study had energies between 0.1 and 17 keV/e and pitch angles between 45 and 135 deg. The data were obtained during 10 storms, for the most part at or immediately following the peak Dst, covering all major local time sectors and geocentric distances between 2 and 15 earth radii. The ion fluxes are averaged over the spacecraft spin angle and over time for periods ranging from about 20 min close to the earth to more than an hour in most distant regions. The inferred 'isotropic' number densities are characterized by a large to dominant fraction of terrestrial ions throughout the energy range covered. The data are found to be consistent with a terrestrial origin for all of the O(+), most of the He(+), and a large but varying fraction of the H(+), whereas the He(++) and part of the H(+) appear to be of solar wind origin.

Lennartsson, W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Pioneer Venus observations of plasma and field structure in the near wake of Venus

Ionospheric plasma density depletions or 'holes' are observed by the Pioneer Venus orbiter in association with radial magnetic fields in the near wake of Venus. This report presents examples of the collected observations of these unexpected features of the Venus nightside ionosphere obtained by the Langmuir probe, magnetometer, ion mass spectrometer, retarding potential analyzer, plasma analyzer, and electric field experiments. The connection between plasma density depletions and temperature changes, changes in ion composition, plasma wave emissions, and magnetic fields with a substantial radial component is illustrated. Mechanisms that may be responsible for the formation and maintenance of holes are suggested.

Luhmann, J. G.↗