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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

POSSIBLE SIGNATURES OF MAGNETOSPHERIC ACCRETION ONTO YOUNG GIANT PLANETS

Magnetospheric accretion is an important process for a wide range of astrophysical systems and may play a role in the formation of gas giant planets. Extending the formalism describing stellar magnetospheric accretion into the planetary regime, we demonstrate that magnetospheric processes may govern accretion onto young gas giants in the isolation phase of their development. Planets in the isolation phase have cleared out large gaps in their surrounding circumstellar disks and settled into a quasi-static equilibrium with radii only modestly larger than their final sizes (i.e., r {approx} 1.4r{sub final}). Magnetospheric accretion is less likely to play a role in a young gas giant's main accretion phase, when the planet's envelope is predicted to be much larger than the planet's Alfven radius. For a fiducial 1 M{sub J} gas giant planet with a remnant isolation phase accretion rate of M-dot{sub sun}= 10{sup -10} M{sub sun} yr{sup -1} = 10{sup -7} M{sub J} yr{sup -1}, the disk accretion will be truncated at {approx}2.7r{sub J} (with r{sub J} is Jupiter's radius) and drive the planet to rotate with a period of {approx}7 hr. Thermal emission from planetary magnetospheric accretion will be difficult to observe; the most promising observational signatures may be non-thermal, such as gyrosynchrotron radiation that is clearly modulated at a period much shorter than the rotation period of the host star.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Kinetic characterization of 3D magnetic reconnection: A transformative step (Final Report)

We investigated magnetic reconnection in the Earth’s magnetopause, magnetotail, and the bow shock, by means of fully kinetic simulations and analysis of space data obtained by NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. We elucidated signatures of particle energization in particle distribution functions in the vicinity of reconnection X-line, properties of reconnection in shock-driven turbulence, and wave excitations and nonlinear structures. We advanced the understanding of magnetic reconnection from the viewpoint of particle kinetics in the diffusion region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Composition and Dynamical Processes of Ions in Giant Magnetospheres: The Importance of In Situ Measurements for Advancing the Current Knowledge [Slides]

In this white paper, we emphasize the importance of in situ ion composition measurements provided by plasma mass spectrometers in planetary magnetospheres (Uranus and Neptune) aimed for future planetary missions. We present our current understanding on magnetospheres of Uranus and Neptune that are largely based on Plasma Science Investigation (PLS, faraday cups) and Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) instrument on Voyager 2 and what measurements need to be made to improve it. We emphasize that the future missions equipped with plasma mass spectrometers must visit these magnetospheres again to advance our current knowledge. Finally, this white paper summarizes key science questions that needs to be addressed which all of them requires a direct ion composition measurements from a plasma spectrometer.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

High-Frequency QPOs as a Product of Inner Disk Dynamics around Neutron Stars

The kHz QPOs observed in a neutron star low mass X-ray binary are likely to be produced in the innermost regions of accretion disk around the neutron star. The rotational dynamics of the inner disk can be characterized by the presence of either sub-Keplerian or super-Keplerian accretion flow depending on the relative fastness of the neutron spin as compared to the Keplerian frequency at the inner disk radius. Within the magnetosphere-disk interaction model, the frequency difference between the two kHz QPOs observed in a given source can be estimated to be slightly higher than or nearly around the neutron star spin frequency if the neutron star is a slow rotator and less than the stellar spin frequency if the neutron star is a fast rotator.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Outstanding Questions and Future Research on Magnetic Reconnection

This short article highlights unsolved problems of magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasma. Advanced in-situ plasma measurements and simulations have enabled scientists to gain a novel understanding of magnetic reconnection. Nevertheless, outstanding questions remain concerning the complex dynamics and structures in the diffusion region, cross-scale and regional couplings, the onset of magnetic reconnection, and the details of particle energization. We discuss future directions for magnetic reconnection research, including new observations, new simulations, and interdisciplinary approaches.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Ion-acoustic solitons in warm magnetoplasmas with super-thermal electrons

In this work, the phenomenon of formation of localised electrostatic waves (ESWs) or soliton is considered in a warm magnetoplasma with the possibility of non-thermal electron distribution. The parameter regime considered here is relevant in case of magnetospheric plasmas. We show that deviation from a usual relaxed Maxwellian distribution of the electron population has a significant bearing in the allowed parameter regime, where these ESWs can be found. We further consider the presence of more than one electron temperature, which is inspired by several space-based observations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

HIGH-RESOLUTION X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BURSTING PULSAR GRO J1744-28

The bursting pulsar GRO J1744-28 is a Galactic low-mass X-ray binary that distinguishes itself by displaying type-II X-ray bursts: brief, bright flashes of X-ray emission that likely arise from spasmodic accretion. Combined with its coherent 2.1 Hz X-ray pulsations and relatively high estimated magnetic field, it is a particularly interesting source to study the physics of accretion flows around neutron stars. Here we report on Chandra/High Energy Transmission Grating observations obtained near the peak of its bright 2014 accretion outburst. Spectral analysis suggests the presence of a broad iron emission line centered at E {sub l} ≅ 6.7 keV. Fits with a disk reflection model yield an inclination angle of i ≅ 52° and an inner disk radius of R {sub in} ≅ 85 GM/c {sup 2}, which is much further out than typically found for neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. Assuming that the disk is truncated at the magnetospheric radius of the neutron star, we estimate a magnetic field strength of B ≅ (2-6) × 10{sup 10} G. Furthermore, we identify an absorption feature near ≅ 6.85 keV that could correspond to blue-shifted Fe XXV and point to a fast disk wind with an outflow velocity of v {sub out} ≅ (7.5-8.2) × 10{sup 3} km s{sup –1} (≅ 0.025c-0.027c). If the covering fraction and filling factor are large, this wind could be energetically important and perhaps account for the fact that the companion star lost significant mass while the magnetic field of the neutron star remained strong.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Hard Look at the Neutron Stars and Accretion Disks in 4U 1636-53, GX 17+2, and 4U 1705-44 with NuStar

We present NuSTAR observations of neutron star (NS) low-mass X-ray binaries: 4U 1636-53, GX 17+2, and 4U 1705-44. We observed 4U 1636-53 in the hard state, with an Eddington fraction, F{sub Edd}, of 0.01; GX 17+2 and 4U 1705-44 were in the soft state with fractions of 0.57 and 0.10, respectively. Each spectrum shows evidence for a relativistically broadened Fe K{sub α} line. Through accretion disk reflection modeling, we constrain the radius of the inner disk in 4U 1636-53 to be R{sub in}=1.03±0.03 ISCO (innermost stable circular orbit), assuming a dimensionless spin parameter a{sub ∗}=cJ/GM{sup 2}=0.0, and R{sub in}=1.08±0.06 ISCO for a{sub ∗}=0.3 (errors quoted at 1σ). This value proves to be model independent. For a{sub ∗}=0.3 and M=1.4 M{sub ⊙}, for example, 1.08 ± 0.06 ISCO translates to a physical radius of R=10.8±0.6 km, and the NS would have to be smaller than this radius (other outcomes are possible for allowed spin parameters and masses). For GX 17+2, R{sub in}=1.00--1.04 ISCO for a{sub ∗}=0.0 and R{sub in}=1.03--1.30 ISCO for a{sub ∗}=0.3. For a{sub ∗}=0.3 and M=1.4 M{sub ⊙}, R{sub in}=1.03--1.30 ISCO translates to R=10.3--13.0 km. The inner accretion disk in 4U 1705-44 may be truncated just above the stellar surface, perhaps by a boundary layer or magnetosphere; reflection models give a radius of 1.46–1.64 ISCO for a{sub ∗}=0.0 and 1.69–1.93 ISCO for a{sub ∗}=0.3. We discuss the implications our results may have on the equation of state of ultradense, cold matter and our understanding of the innermost accretion flow onto NSs with low surface magnetic fields, and systematic errors related to the reflection models and spacetime metric around less idealized NSs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Understanding cold electron impact on parallel-propagating whistler chorus waves via moment-based quasilinear theory

Earth's magnetosphere hosts a wide range of collisionless particle populations that interact through various wave-particle processes. Among these, cold electrons, with energies below 100 eV, often dominate the plasma density but remain poorly characterized due to measurement challenges such as spacecraft charging and photoelectron contamination. Understanding the contribution of these cold populations to wave–particle interaction is of significant interest. Recent kinetic simulations identified a secondary drift-driven instability, in which parallel-propagating whistler-mode chorus waves excite oblique electrostatic whistler waves near the resonance cone and Bernstein-mode turbulence. These secondary modes enable a new channel of energy transfer from the parallel-propagating whistler wave to the cold electrons. In this work, we develop a moment-based quasilinear theory of the secondary instabilities to quantify such energy exchange. Our results show that these secondary instabilities persist for a wide range of parameters and, in many cases, lead to nearly complete damping of the primary wave. Such secondary instability might limit the amplitude of parallel-propagating whistler waves in Earth's magnetosphere and might explain why high-amplitude oblique whistler or electron Bernstein waves are rarely observed simultaneously with high-amplitude field-aligned whistler waves in the inner magnetosphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Fermi LAT Observations of LS 5039

The first results from observations of the high-mass X-ray binary LS 5039 using the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope data between 2008 August and 2009 June are presented. Our results indicate variability that is consistent with the binary period, with the emission being modulated with a period of 3.903 {+-} 0.005 days; the first detection of this modulation at GeV energies. The light curve is characterized by a broad peak around superior conjunction in agreement with inverse Compton scattering models. The spectrum is represented by a power law with an exponential cutoff, yielding an overall flux (100 MeV-300 GeV) of 4.9 {+-} 0.5(stat) {+-} 1.8(syst) x 10{sup -7} photon cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}, with a cutoff at 2.1 {+-} 0.3(stat) {+-} 1.1(syst) GeV and photon index {Gamma} = 1.9 {+-} 0.1(stat) {+-} 0.3(syst). The spectrum is observed to vary with orbital phase, specifically between inferior and superior conjunction. We suggest that the presence of a cutoff in the spectrum may be indicative of magnetospheric emission similar to the emission seen in many pulsars by Fermi.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Dipolar vortices and collisional instability in rotating electron-positron-ion plasmas

Linear dispersion relation of electrostatic waves is derived for rotating electron-positron-ion (e-p-i) plasmas. The role of the rotational plasma frequency on drift wave through Coriolis force in the pulsar magnetosphere is discussed. This wave can couple with acoustic mode. In the nonlinear regime, stationary solution in the form of dipolar vortices is obtained. At the end we have also found the collisional instability in the presence of neutral-ion collisions for this rotating e-p-i plasma. The importance of the study with respect to astrophysical plasmas is also pointed out.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Density gradient effects on transverse shear driven lower hybrid waves

Shear driven instabilities are commonly observed in the near-Earth space, particularly in boundary layer plasmas. When the shear scale length (L{sub E}) is much less than the ion gyro-radius (ρ{sub i}) but greater than the electron gyro-radius (ρ{sub e}), the electrons are magnetized in the shear layer, but the ions are effectively un-magnetized. The resulting shear driven instability, the electron-ion hybrid (EIH) instability, is investigated in a new interpenetrating plasma configuration in the Auburn Linear EXperiment for Instability Studies. In order to understand the dynamics of magnetospheric boundary layers, the EIH instability is studied in the presence of a density gradient located at the boundary layer between two plasmas. This paper reports on a recent experiment in which electrostatic lower hybrid waves are identified as the EIH instability, and the effect of a density gradient on the instability properties are investigated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evolution of flux ropes in the magnetotail: A three-dimensional global hybrid simulation

Flux ropes in the Earth's magnetotail are widely believed to play a crucial role in energy transport during substorms and the generation of energetic particles. Previous kinetic simulations are limited to the local-scale regime, and thus cannot be used to study the structure associated with the geomagnetic field and the global-scale evolution of the flux ropes. Here, the evolution of flux ropes in the magnetotail under a steady southward interplanetary magnetic field are studied with a newly developed three-dimensional global hybrid simulation model for dynamics ranging from the ion Larmor radius to the global convection time scales. Magnetic reconnection with multiple X-lines is found to take place in the near-tail current sheet at geocentric solar magnetospheric distances x=−30R{sub E}∼−15R{sub E} around the equatorial plane (z=0). The magnetotail reconnection layer is turbulent, with a nonuniform structure and unsteady evolution, and exhibits properties of typical collisionless fast reconnection with the Hall effect. A number of small-scale flux ropes are generated through the multiple X-line reconnection. The diameter of the flux ropes is several R{sub E}, and the spatial scale of the flux ropes in the dawn-dusk direction is on the order of several R{sub E} and does not extend across the entire section of the magnetotail, contrary to previous models and MHD simulation results and showing the importance of the three-dimensional effects. The nonuniform and unsteady multiple X-line reconnection with particle kinetic effects leads to various kinds of flux rope evolution: The small-scale flux ropes propagate earthward or tailward after formation, and eventually merge into the near-Earth region or the mid-/distant-tail plasmoid, respectively. During the propagation, some of the flux ropes can be tilted in the geocentric solar magnetospheric (x,y) plane with respect to the y (dawn-dusk) axis. Coalescence between flux ropes is also observed. At the same time, the evolution of the flux ropes in the multiple X-line reconnection layer can also lead to the acceleration and heating of ions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

On the interpretation of Langmuir probe data inside a spacecraft sheath

If a Langmuir probe is located inside the sheath of a negatively charged spacecraft, there is a risk that the probe characteristic is modified compared to that of a free probe in the ambient plasma. We have studied this probe-in-spacecraft-sheath problem in the parameter range of a small Langmuir probe (with radius r{sub LP}<<{lambda}{sub D}) using a modified version of the orbit motion limited (OML) probe theory. We find that the ambient electron contribution I{sub e}(U{sub LP}) to the probe characteristic is suitably analyzed in terms of three regions of applied probe potential U{sub LP}. In region I, where the probe is negatively charged (i.e., U{sub LP} U{sub 1}, there is first a transition region II in applied potential, U{sub 1}<U{sub LP}<U{sub 2}, in which the key factor to determine the shape of I{sub e}(U{sub LP}) is a potential minimum U{sub M} between the probe and the ambient plasma. This minimum gives the depth U{sub pl}-U{sub M} of a potential barrier that prevents the lowest energy ambient electrons from reaching the probe. For a high enough positive probe potential, in region III, the barrier becomes small. Here, I{sub e}(U{sub LP}) again approaches OML theory for a free probe. The boundary U{sub 2} between regions II and III is somewhat arbitrary; we propose a condition on the barrier, U{sub pl}-U{sub M}<<k{sub B}T{sub e}/e, as the definition of region III. The main findings in this work are qualitative rather than quantitative. The existence of the transition region points to that special care must be taken to extract plasma parameters from measured I(U{sub LP}) as the probe characteristic is likely to depart from usual OML in crucial respects: (1) the ambient plasma potential U{sub pl} falls into the transition region, but there is no obvious knee or other feature to identify it, (2) there is in this region no exponential part of I{sub e}(U{sub LP}) that can be used to obtain T{sub e}, instead, (3) the probe size is important in determining the curve shape. We have tentatively applied our simplified probe-in-sheath model to real probe data from the Cassini spacecraft, taken in the dense plasma of Saturn's magnetosphere. We propose that our model gives a better description than OML of measured Langmuir probe sweeps in space plasmas where the Langmuir probe is situated within the spacecraft sheath, i.e., for long Debye lengths. The understanding of these probe sweep effects in such regions may improve by self-consistent particle simulations of the spacecraft environment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Collaborative Research: Vlasov-Maxwell Simulations to Resolve Electron Heating and Dissipation, in Quasi-Perpendicular Shocks (Final Report)

Collisionless shocks are a grand challenge problem in plasma physics and have been the subject of study for more than six decades. Shocks are ubiquitous phenomena in the universe and are responsible for transforming high energy and momentum flows into thermal energy and energetic particles. Understanding how shocks operate is of primary importance to understand the sun-earth coupling, protecting manned missions and spacecrafts from high energy particles, inertial confinement fusion, and radiation observed from astrophysical plasmas, such as supernova remnants and astrophysical jets. A major unanswered question on this frontier is, how does a collisionless plasma transform flow energy and momentum into electron thermal energy? Many potential mechanisms have been proposed to perform the conversion between flow and thermal energy in a collisionless plasma, but the answer has been elusive. To solve the mystery, non-relativistic perpendicular and quasi-perpendicular shocks are studied via a coordinated approach employing cutting-edge numerical simulations with the continuum kinetic code Gkeyll and spacecraft observations supplied by NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. In both sets of data, we employ novel techniques to identify how and where energy is exchanged between electromagnetic fields and plasma particles. By combining cutting-edge spacecraft data and numerical simulations with these diagnostics, we have been able to identify some of the primary mechanisms responsible electron heating and dissipation in heliospheric shocks. In addition to electron dynamics, we have complete access to proton simulation and in situ data, enabling us to characterize proton heating and acceleration in quasi-perpendicular shocks. Many astrophysical quasi-perpendicular shocks have similar parameters to those in this study, including supernova remnants and shocks in galaxy clusters. Additionally, the simulation code, Gkeyll, and associated analysis scripts are openly available for community use. This award has supported a collaborative effort between Princeton University, the University of Arizona - Tucson, and the University of Maryland - College Park. The award funded three early career scientists, including the funding and training of one female postdoctoral researcher, who was involved in all aspects of the MMS data analysis and some portions of the simulation analysis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Identification of Kelvin-Helmholtz generated vortices in magnetised fluids

The Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI), arising from velocity shear across the magnetopause, plays a significant role in the viscous-like transfer of mass, momentum, and energy from the shocked solar wind into the magnetosphere. While the KHI leads to growth of surface waves and vortices, suitable detection methods for these applicable to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are currently lacking. A novel method is derived based on the well-established λ-family of hydrodynamic vortex identification techniques, which define a vortex as a local minimum in an adapted pressure field. The J × B Lorentz force is incorporated into this method by using an effective total pressure in MHD, including both magnetic pressure and a pressure-like part of the magnetic tension derived from a Helmholtz decomposition. The λ MHD method is shown to comprise of four physical effects: vortical momentum, density gradients, fluid compressibility, and the rotational part of the magnetic tension. A local three-dimensional MHD simulation representative of near-flank magnetopause conditions (plasma β’s 0.5 – 5 and convective Mach numbers M f ∼ 0.4) under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is used to validate λ MHD . Analysis shows it correlates well with hydrodynamic vortex definitions, though the level of correlation decreases with vortex evolution. Overall, vortical momentum dominates λ MHD at all times. During the linear growth phase, density gradients act to oppose vortex formation. By the highly nonlinear stage, the formation of small-scale structures leads to a rising importance of the magnetic tension. Compressibility was found to be insignificant throughout. Finally, a demonstration of this method adapted to tetrahedral spacecraft observations is performed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Wave associated anomalous drag during magnetic field reconnection

The anomalous drag, D, due to large amplitude plasma waves is used for the first time, in place of {eta}*j, to estimate dissipation at the sub-solar magnetopause and to determine the extent to which this drag accounts for the reconnection electric field. This anomalous drag is determined by measuring correlations of the fluctuations in the electric field and plasma density. Large amplitude electric fields occurred more than 60% of the time in the more than 100 sub-solar, low latitude magnetopause crossings of the THEMIS satellite. They occurred mainly near the magnetospheric separatrix in the form of electrostatic lower hybrid and whistler waves. The anomalous drag at the separatrix was generally <10% of the average reconnection electric field, and it was <1% of the field in the current sheet. Thus, anomalous drag due to waves is not a significant driver of reconnection or of the required dissipation at the sub-solar magnetopause.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Wideband dynamic radio spectra of two ultra-cool dwarfs

A number of radio-loud ultra-cool dwarf (UCD) stars exhibit both continuous broadband and highly polarized pulsed radio emission. In order to determine the nature of the emission and the physical characteristics in the source region, we have made multi-epoch, wideband spectral observations of TVLM 0513-46 and 2M 0746+20. We combine these observations with archival radio data to fully characterize both the temporal and spectral properties of the radio emission. The continuum spectral energy distribution can be well modeled using gyrosynchrotron emission from mildly relativistic electrons in a dipolar field. The pulsed emission exhibits a variety of time-variable characteristics, including frequency drifts, frequency cutoffs, and multiple pulses per period. For 2M 0746+20 we determine a pulse period consistent with previously determined values. We modeled locations of pulsed emission using an oblique rotating magnetospheric model with beamed electron-cyclotron maser (ECM) sources. The best-fit models have narrow ECM beaming angles aligned with the local source magnetic field direction, except for one isolated burst from 2M 0746+20. For TVLM 0513-46, the best-fit rotation axis inclination is nearly orthogonal to the line of sight. For 2M 0746+20 we found a good fit using a fixed inclination i=36{sup ∘}, determined from optical observations. For both stars the ECM sources are located near feet of magnetic loops with radial extents 1.2R{sub s}–2.7R{sub s} and surface fields 2.2–2.5 kG. These results support recent suggestions that radio over-luminous UCDs have a global “weak field” non-axisymmetric magnetic topologies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗