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At least 73 records · Page 4

Dynamical features of moving double layers

Numerical simulations of the dynamics of double layers that form in response to an applied potential drop across a plasma are carried out for plasmas of lengths much greater than previously considered. The evolution of finite-size plasmas of lengths 100, 200 and 400 Debye lengths at the low-potential end of the simulation region was followed by the solution of the Vlasov and Poisson equations. Results show that the double layer moves towards the high-potential side of the layer, at a speed directly dependent on the length of the plasma. The moving double layer is accompanied by a moving density front which is similar to an ion acoustic shock created by the expansion of a high-density plasma into a low-density plasma, as well as plasma heating and evacuation, electron and ion current interruptions and recovery. Double layer formation, motion, and accompanying phenomena are found to repeat periodically. Results are in good agreement with laboratory experiments, and may be used to explain certain phenomena observed in auroral plasmas.

Singh, N.↗

The scaling of oblique plasma double layers

Strong oblique plasma double layers are investigated using three methods, i.e., electrostatic particle-in-cell simulations, numerical solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations, and analytical approximations to the Poisson-Vlasov equations. The solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations and numerical simulations show that strong oblique double layers scale in terms of Debye lengths. For very large potential jumps, theory and numerical solutions indicate that all effects of the magnetic field vanish and the oblique double layers follow the same scaling relation as the field-aligned double layers.

Borovsky, J. E.↗

The production of ion conics by oblique double layers

Magnetized test ions are subjected to acceleration through a numerically simulated oblique double layer in order to determine whether they emerge with velocity vectors aligned with or oblique to the ambient magnetic field. A criterion for oblique alignment, depending on the double-layer parameters and on the external magnetization, is obtained. When it is applied to observed and theoretical auroral double layers, this criterion predicts that accelerated heavy ions will be substantially less magnetic field aligned than will accelerated hydrogen ions, thus suggesting auroral double layers as a source of high-energy ion conics. Test particle simulations are also used to investigate the perpendicular heating of ions at low altitudes by the electric fields associated with moving auroral arcs. The rapid motion of small-scale structures in the arcs is suggested as a source of low-energy conical ion distributions, and the slow drifts of the entire arc forms are inferred to heat ionospheric ions.

Borovsky, J. E.↗

Laboratory observations of ion cyclotron waves associated with a double layer in an inhomogeneous magnetic field

Observations of coherent electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves associated with a strong, magnetized double layer are presented. The double layers are produced in a weakly ionized argon plasma by applying a positive potential to an electrode plate located in the diverging magnetic field region of a cylindrical plasma column. Ionization within the electrode sheath is essential to the formation of these double layers. The resulting V-shaped potential structures have extended parallel, oblique and perpendicular (to B) electric field components. The frequency of the ion cyclotron instability is dependent upon the magnetic field strength at the position of the parallel potential structure. The properties of EIC waves in the presence of the double layer are discussed in relation to the possible excitation mechanisms (field-aligned currents, ion and electron beams, and perpendicular E fields).

Alport, M. J.↗

Parallel electric fields in extragalactic jets - Double layers and anomalous resistivity in symbiotic relationships

After examining the properties of Coulomb-collision resistivity, anomalous (collective) resistivity, and double layers, a hybrid anomalous-resistivity/double-layer model is introduced. In this model, beam-driven waves on both sides of a double layer provide electrostatic plasma-wave turbulence that greatly reduces the mobility of charged particles. These regions then act to hold open a density cavity within which the double layer resides. In the double layer, electrical energy is dissipated with 100 percent efficiency into high-energy particles, creating conditions optimal for the collective emission of polarized radio waves.

Borovsky, J. E.↗

Experimental observation of ion-acoustic double layers in laboratory plasma

Experimental results on the observation of ion-acoustic double layers in laboratory plasma are presented. In a double-plasma device, modified suitably to inject an electron beam into the target plasma, modulation of the beam through a step potential leads to excitation of ion-acoustic fluctuations. The fluctuations, growing away from the separating grids, develop into weak asymmetric ion-acoustic double layers. The observations are compared with the scenario emerging out of the computer simulations and analytical results on ion-acoustic double layers.

Saxena, Y. C.↗

A new hydrodynamic analysis of double layers

A genuine two-fluid model of plasmas with collisions permits the calculation of dynamic (not necessarily static) electric fields and double layers inside of plasmas including oscillations and damping. For the first time a macroscopic model for coupling of electromagnetic and Langmuir waves was achieved with realistic damping. Starting points were laser-produced plasmas showing very high dynamic electric fields in nonlinear force-produced cavitous and inverted double layers in agreement with experiments. Applications for any inhomogeneous plasma as in laboratory or in astrophysical plasmas can then be followed up by a transparent hydrodynamic description. Results are the rotation of plasmas in magnetic fields and a new second harmonic resonance, explanation of the measured inverted double layers, explanation of the observed density-independent, second harmonics emission from laser-produced plasmas, and a laser acceleration scheme by the very high fields of the double layers.

Hora, Heinrich↗

Weak double layers in the auroral ionosphere

Previous work on the evolution of weak double layers in a hydrogen plasma was extended to include H(+) and O(+) with relative drift. The relative drift between hydrogen and oxygen ions due to a quasi-static parallel electric field gives rise to a strong linear fluid instability which dominates the ion-acoustic mode at the bottom of the auroral acceleration region. This ion-ion instability can modify ion distributions at lower altitudes and the subsequent nonlinear evolution of weak double layers at higher altitudes in the ion-acoustic regime. Ion hole formation can occur for smaller relative electron-ion drifts than seen in previous simulations, due to the hydrogen-oxygen two-stream instability. This results in local modification of the ion distributions in phase space, and a partial filling of the valley between the hydrogen and oxygen peaks, which would be expected at higher altitudes on auroral field lines. The observed velocity diffusion does not necessarily preclude ion hole and double layer formation in hydrogen in the ion-acoustic regime. These simulation results are consistent with the experimentally measured persistence of separate hydrogen and oxygen peaks, and the observation of weak double layers above an altitude of 3000 km on auroral field lines.

Hudson, M. K.↗

Conditions for double layers in the Earth's magnetosphere and perhaps in other astrophysical objects

Double layers form along auroral field lines in the Earth's magnetosphere. They form in order to maintain current continuity in the ionosphere in the presence of a magnetospheric electric field E with nabla x E is not equal to 0. Features which govern the formation of the double layers are: (1) the divergence of E, (2) the conductivity of the ionosphere, and (3) the current-voltage characteristics of auroral magnetic field lines. Astrophysical situations where nabla x E is not equal to 0 is applied to a conducting plasma similar to the Earth's ionosphere are potential candidates for the formation of double layers. The region with nabla x E is not equal to 0 can be generated within, or along field lines connected to, the conducting plasma. In addition to nabla x E, shear neutral flow in the conducting plasma can also form double layers.

Lyons, L. R.↗

Double layers and plasma-wave resistivity in extragalactic jets: Cavity formation and radio-wave emission

For estimated values of the currents carried by extragalactic jets, current-driven electrostatic-wave- and electromagnetic-wave-produced resistivities do not occur. Strong plasma double layers, however, may exist within self-maintained density cavities, the relativistic double-layer-emitted electron, and ion beams driving plasma-wave resistivities in the low- and high-potential plasma adjacent to the double layers. The double-layer-emitted electron beams may also emit polarized radio waves via a collective bremsstrahlung process mediated by electrostatic two-stream instabilities.

Borovsky, Joseph E.↗

Double layers and plasma-wave resistivity in extragalactic jets - Cavity formation and radio-wave emission

Current driven electrostatic-wave- and electromagnetic-wave-produced resistivities do not occur in extragalactic jets for estimated values of the carried currents. Strong plasma double layers, however, may exist within self-maintained density cavities. The relativistic double-layer-emitted electron and ion beams drive plasma-wave resistivities in the low- and high-potential plasma adjacent to the double layers. The double-layer-emitted electron beams may also emit polarized radio waves via a collective bremsstrahlung process mediated by electrostatic two-stream instabilities.

Borovsky, Joseph E.↗

Climate change and the middle atmosphere. I - The doubled CO2 climate

The effect of doubling the atmospheric content of CO2 on the middle-atmosphere climate is investigated using the GISS global climate model. In the standard experiment, the CO2 concentration is doubled both in the stratosphere and troposphere, and the SSTs are increased to match those of the doubled CO2 run of the GISS model. Results show that the doubling of CO2 leads to higher temperatures in the troposphere, and lower temperatures in the stratosphere, with a net result being a decrease of static stability for the atmosphere as a whole. The middle atmosphere dynamical differences found were on the order of 10-20 percent of the model values for the current climate. These differences, along with the calculated temperature differences of up to about 10 C, may have a significant impact on the chemistry of the future atmosphere, including that of stratospheric ozone, the polar ozone 'hole', and basic atmospheric composition.

Rind, D.↗

Observation of a stationary, current-free double layer in a plasma

A stationary, current-free, potential double layer is formed in a two-electron-population plasma due to self-consistent separation of the two electron species. The position and amplitude of the double layer are controlled by the relative densities of the two electron populations. The steady-state double layer traps the colder electrons on the high potential side, and generates a neutralized, monoenergetic ion beam on the low potential side. The field-aligned double layer is annihilated when an electron current is drawn through the plasma.

Hairapetian, G.↗

The effect of a magnetic field gradient on anode double layers

In experiments on anode (ionization) double layers in nonuniform magnetic fields it has been noted that the magnetic field gradient seems to stabilize the double layer position. This effect is further investigated in a Q machine in which the magnetic field geometry could be varied. It is found that the position of the double layers, along the axis of the device, could be controlled by changing the magnetic geometry. This effect is accounted for in a physical model which takes into account the effect of ion reflection by the magnetic mirror force in the region of magnetic field nonuniformity. This model is also able to account for variation of the double layer position when the neutral gas pressure is varied.

Song, B.↗

Cartilage formation in the CELLS 'double bubble' hardware

The CELLS experiment scheduled to be flown on the first International Microgravity Laboratory is designed to study the effect of microgravity on the cartilage formation, by measuring parameters of growth in a differentiating cartilage cell culture. This paper investigates the conditions for this experiment by studying cartilage differentiation in the 'bubble exchange' hardware with the 'double bubble' design in which the bubbles are joined by a flange which also overlays the gasket. Four types of double bubbles (or double gas permeable membranes) were tested: injection-molded bubbles 0.01- and 0.005-in. thick, and compression molded bubbles 0.015- and 0.01-in. thick. It was found that double bubble membranes of 0.005- and 0.010-in. thickness supported cartilage differentiation, while the 0.015-in. bubbles did not. It was also found that nodule count, used in this study as a parameter, is not the best measure of the amount of cartilage differentiation.

Duke, P. J.↗

Millimeter-wave double-dipole antennas for high-gain integrated reflector illumination

A double-dipole antenna backed by a ground plane has been fabricated for submillimeter wavelengths. The double-dipole antenna is integrated on a thin dielectric membrane with a planar detector at its center. Measured feed patterns at 246 GHz agree well with theory and demonstrate a rotationally symmetric pattern with high coupling efficiency to Gaussian beams. The input impedance is around 50 ohms, and will match well to a Schottky diode or SIS detector. The double-dipole antenna served as the feed for a small machined parabolic reflector. The integrated reflector had a measured gain of 37 dB at 119 microns. This makes the double-dipole antenna ideally suited as a feed for high resolution tracking or for long focal length Cassegrain antenna systems.

Filipovic, Daniel F.↗

Washington Double Star Catalog Cross Index (1950 position sort)

A machine-readable version of the Washington Catalog of Visual Double Stars (WDS) was prepared in 1984 on the basis of a data file that was collected and maintained for more than a century by a succession of double-star observers. Although this catalog is being continually updated, a new copy for distribution is not expected to be available for a few years. The WDS contains DM numbers, but many of these are listed only in the notes, which makes it difficult to search for double-star information, except by position. Hence, a cross index that provides complete DM identifications is desirable, and it appears useful to add HD numbers for systems in that catalog. Aitken Double Star (ADS) numbers were retained from the WDS, but no attempt was made to correct these except for obvious errors.

Source record↗

Acoustic double layers in multispecies plasma

The formation of acoustic double layers in the presence of two ion species is examined via a particle simulation in a 1D bounded system. The effect of having two ion components, an H(+) and an O(+) beam, on double-layer evolution from ion acoustic turbulence driven by an electron drift relative to the H(+) beam of about 0.5 u sub e, where u sub e is the electron thermal speed, is examined. It is found that acoustic double layers form in either ion species on a time scale of about 100 omega sub ps exp -1, where omega sub ps is the ion plasma frequency for species 's' and s = H or O, and for drifts relative to the electrons lower than that required for double layer formation in simulations of single ion component plasma.

Gray, Perry C.↗