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At least 1,117 records · Page 62

Isolation and characterization of a high-spin mixed-valent iron dinitrogen complex

Here, we report a rare example of a mixed-valence iron compound with an FeNNFe core, which gives insight into the structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic influences of single-electron reductions and oxidations. In the new compound, the odd electron is localized as judged from Mössbauer spectra at 80 K and infrared spectra at room temperature, and the backbonding into the N 2 unit is intermediate between diiron(I) and diiron(0) congeners. Magnetic susceptibility and relaxation studies on the series of FeNNFe compounds show significant magnetic anisotropy, but through-barrier pathways enable fairly rapid magnetic relaxation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Magnetic flux pumping in 3D nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic simulations

A self-regulating magnetic flux pumping mechanism in tokamaks that maintains the core safety factor at q≈1, thus preventing sawteeth, is analyzed in nonlinear 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations using the M3D-C1 code. In these simulations, the most important mechanism responsible for the flux pumping is that a saturated (m=1,n=1) quasi-interchange instability generates an effective negative loop voltage in the plasma center via a dynamo effect. It is shown that sawtoothing is prevented in the simulations if β is sufficiently high to provide the necessary drive for the (m=1,n=1) instability that generates the dynamo loop voltage. In conclusion, the necessary amount of dynamo loop voltage is determined by the tendency of the current density profile to centrally peak which, in our simulations, is controlled by the peakedness of the applied heat source profile.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Observation of trapped-electron-mode microturbulence in reversed field pinch plasmas

Density fluctuations in the large-density-gradient region of improved confinement Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch (RFP) plasmas exhibit multiple features that are characteristic of the trapped-electron mode (TEM). Core transport in conventional RFP plasmas is governed by magnetic stochasticity stemming from multiple long-wavelength tearing modes. Using inductive current profile control, these tearing modes are reduced, and global confinement is increased to that expected for comparable tokamak plasmas. Under these conditions, new short-wavelength fluctuations distinct from global tearing modes appear in the spectrum at a frequency of f ~ 50 kHz, which have normalized perpendicular wave numbers k ⊥ ρ s ≲0.2 and propagate in the electron diamagnetic drift direction. They exhibit a critical-gradient threshold, and the fluctuation amplitude increases with the local electron density gradient. These characteristics are consistent with predictions from gyrokinetic analysis using the Gene code, including increased TEM turbulence and transport from the interaction of remnant tearing magnetic fluctuations and zonal flow.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

On the frequency bifurcations of the MHD startup modes in NSTX

The observed bifurcations of the low frequency (<50 kHz) and low toroidal periodicity (n < 5) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity often present in the initial part of the National Spherical Tokamak Experiment (NSTX) discharges can be explained by the evolution of the radial profile of the safety factor (q=rB φ /RB θ ) crossing multiple rational surfaces in the core. Important performance limiting instability mechanisms in the NSTX spherical tokamak are often linked to low frequency and low-n MHD activity. They are quite common in long-pulse NSTX plasmas. They can be present at the beginning of the plasma current flat-top, at the end of the discharge or during the whole duration, and they have been observed to deleteriously impact performance over a wide range of q 95 . An interesting feature observed in some NSTX discharges is the presence of a bifurcation in the frequency of the low n modes, as low as n = 1, that have frequencies comparable to the plasma core rotation divided by n. Equilibrium reconstructions constrained by magnetic diagnostics data and motional stark effect pitch angle radial profiles suggest that the observed bifurcations are linked to a fast evolving minimum value of q. Finally, 3D non-linear resistive MHD simulations show that these modes are ideal and exist as non-resonant before the correspondent rational surface enters the plasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A reversible single-molecule switch based on activated antiaromaticity

Single-molecule electronic devices provide researchers with an unprecedented ability to relate novel physical phenomena to molecular chemical structures. Typically, conjugated aromatic molecular backbones are relied upon to create electronic devices, where the aromaticity of the building blocks is used to enhance conductivity. We capitalize on the classical physical organic chemistry concept of Hückel antiaromaticity by demonstrating a single-molecule switch that exhibits low conductance in the neutral state and, upon electrochemical oxidation, reversibly switches to an antiaromatic high-conducting structure. We form single-molecule devices using the scanning tunneling microscope–based break-junction technique and observe an on/off ratio of ~70 for a thiophenylidene derivative that switches to an antiaromatic state with 6-4-6-p electrons. Through supporting nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, we show that the doubly oxidized core has antiaromatic character and we use density functional theory calculations to rationalize the origin of the high-conductance state for the oxidized single-molecule junction. Together, our work demonstrates how the concept of antiaromaticity can be exploited to create single-molecule devices that are highly conducting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Final CRADA Report – NFE-21-08693

TAE Technologies is developing a magnetic fusion energy concept known as the beam-driven field-reversed configuration (FRC) with the ultimate goal of developing a reactor for commercial electricity production capable of burning aneutronic pB11 fuel. To achieve the high plasma temperatures this requires, auxiliary radiofrequency (RF) heating will likely be needed. High Harmonic Fast Wave (HHFW) heating has been identified as a candidate RF heating scheme to overcome the unique challenges posed to RF heating by the FRC, including the large distance from the plasma edge to the last closed flux surface and a magnetic field profile with strength decreasing from edge to core and reversing sign at a null point inside the plasma. The purpose of this project was to develop the experimental capabilities to test HHFW on TAE’s C-2W device through the design of a phased array antenna and accompanying matching network. The design was performed by ORNL and informed by experiments with a prototype four-strap phased antenna-array that was manufactured and installed on the LArge Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA and simulations conducted with the Petra-M code under the purview of a previous INFUSE grant. The ORNL team completed the conceptual design of the antenna and matching network which was then handed off to the TAE Mechanical Design team. The design was then iterated on to ensure changes to the mechanical design did not interfere with the RF performance. This process is now complete, and, with mechanical design in hand, TAE is proceeding with plans for final integration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Properties of magnetically balanced arcs

Magnetically balanced arcs in supersonic external flows, indicating central core with differential Lorentz forces analogous to Grashof number in free convection phenomena

Kuethe, A. M.↗

Hyperfine interactions of Fe/2+/ in ilmenite.

Hyperfine interactions at the Fe(2+) sites in ilmenite have been determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy. At 5 K, the internal magnetic field is -43 (plus or minus 3) kOe, and the quadrupole coupling constant is +1.44 (plus or minus 0.01) mm/sec. Theoretical interpretation of the internal magnetic field in terms of dipolar-, orbital-, and core-polarization contributions is shown to depend critically upon the still unknown lattice contribution to the quadrupole coupling constant.

Grant, R. W.↗

Sensor noise in low-level flux-gate magnetometers.

The noise mechanism in a well-designed magnetometer is shown to be due to small-scale magnetic moments which are probably small volumes of the core material that are not oriented by the drive field. Design developments include the sense coil radius and the development of a drive waveform which yields considerably improved performance over the commonly used sine wave drive.

Scouten, D. C.↗

Initial results from the S-056 X-ray telescope on Skylab

The S-056 instrument on Skylab-ATM consists of a glancing incidence X-ray telescope with a camera, five X-ray filters, and two small proportional counters to monitor X-rays from the whole sun in the wavelength range from 2 to 18 A. The telescope reflectivity and filter transmissions limit the photographs to the wavelength ranges from 6 to 18 A and from 27 to 37 A. Hence, the instrument is most useful for the study of active regions and solar activity. Active regions usually have bright cores which often appear as linear features straddling the magnetic field neutral line. A large loop appearing on the west limb in connection with prominence activity on Aug. 13, 1973, was analyzed using proportional counter data and photographs. Crude spectral analysis indicates the loop temperature reached 6 million K and the density was enhanced to a few times that obtained from quiet coronal models. Over a hundred solar flares were photographed during the three Skylab missions. Illustrative examples are discussed for solar flares and other transient coronal phenomena.

Mckenzie, D. L.↗

Lunar interaction with the solar wind - Effects on lunar electrical conductivity estimates

The lunar electromagnetic response, measured at very low frequencies with the moon in the solar wind, is used to evaluate interior electrical conductivity at great depth and to determine limits on the size of possible lunar core. A theory is developed wherein compression of the magnetic field in the lunar tail cavity caused by inflowing plasma at the lunar limbs and in the lunar wake, bends the magnetic field in the lunar interior and thereby alters the tangential component of magnetic field observed on the dayside surface. This theory strongly indicates that cavity fringing cannot explain the enhanced East-West fluctuations. It is proposed that the East-West fluctuations might be due to diamagnetic currents caused by lunar surface photoelectrons in the lunar terminator region.

Goldstein, B. E.↗

Changes of solar luminosity and radius following secular perturbations in the convective envelope

The effect on solar models of several types of slow, spherically symmetric perturbations, acting at various depths within the convective envelope, are calculated. Results are presented on perturbations of the efficiency of convective energy transport (alpha perturbations) and on changes in the nongas component of pressure (beta perturbations). The effects of magnetic fields concentrated near the interface between the radiative core and the convective envelope are explored. It is found that the response and relaxation diagnostics depend both on the type of perturbation and on the depth at which the perturbation is applied. In addition to the general depth dependence, model behavior is sensitive to the presence of major ionization zones near the perturbed layer. The time dependence of the solar model behavior is characterized by an initial hydrostatic reaction followed by a thermal readjustment on a time scale of about 100 years, and finally relaxation to a new thermal equilibrium on a Kelvin time scale.

Endal, A. S.↗

The collective emission of electromagnetic waves from astrophysical jets - Luminosity gaps, BL Lacertae objects, and efficient energy transport

A model of the inner portions of astrophysical jets is constructed in which a relativistic electron beam is injected from the central engine into the jet plasma. This beam drives electrostatic plasma wave turbulence, which leads to the collective emission of electromagnetic waves. The emitted waves are beamed in the direction of the jet axis, so that end-on viewing of the jet yields an extremely bright source (BL Lacertae object). The relativistic electron beam may also drive long-wavelength electromagnetic plasma instabilities (firehose and Kelvin-Helmholtz) that jumble the jet magnetic field lines. After a sufficient distance from the core source, these instabilities will cause the beamed emission to point in random directions and the jet emission can then be observed from any direction relative to the jet axis. This combination of effects may lead to the gap turn-on of astrophysical jets. The collective emission model leads to different estimates for energy transport and the interpretation of radio spectra than the conventional incoherent synchrotron theory.

Baker, D. N.↗

Scientific computing challenges arising from space-borne observations

Five supercomputing problems are described: (1) determining the motions of the earth's inner core boundary from outer-space measurements of the magnetic field, (2) simulating the global dynamics of the earth's ocean currents, sea-ice cycles, land surface biology, and interannual atmospheric climates, (3) upper atmospheric chemistry, (4) modeling solar flare eruptions, and (5) the role of jet processes in the birth of stars. In addition, two examples indicating the growing importance of the use of supercomputers for scientific visualization are presented. The first deals with remote mapping from space of the earth's topography or other planets. The second problem from astrophysics deals with mapping the cosmic background radiation in the presence of other astronomical signatures. A brief overview of interdisciplinary modeling plans under development for the next generation of supercomputers is given.

Halem, Milton↗

Whole earth telescope observations of the DBV white dwarf GD 358

We report on the analysis of 154 hours of early continuous high-speed photometry on the pulsating DB white dwarf (DBV) GD 358, obtained during the Whole Earth Telescope (WET) run of 1990 May. The power spectrum of the light curve is dominated by power in the range from 1000 to 2400 microHz with more than 180 significant peaks in the total spectrum. We identify all of the triplet frequencies as degree l = 1, and from the details of their spacings we derive the total stellar mass as 0.61 + or - 0.03 solar mass, the mass of the outer helium envelope as 2.0 + or - 1.0 x 10(exp -6) M(sub *), the absolute luminosity as 0.050 + or - 0.012 solar luminosity and the distance as 42 + or - 3 pc. We find strong evidence for differential rotation in the radial direction -- the outer envelope is rotating at least 1.8 times faster than the core -- and we detect the presence of a weak magnetic field with a strength of 1300 + or - 300 G. We also find a significant power at the sums and differences of the dominant frequencies, indicating nonlinear processes are significant, but they have a richness and complexity that rules out resonant mode coupling as a major cause.

Winget, D. E.↗

STS-75 Flight Day 1

On this first day of the STS-75 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. Andrew Allen, Pilot Scott Horowitz, Payload Cmdr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, Payload Specialist Umberto Guidoni (Italy), and Mission Specialists Jeffrey Hoffman, Maurizio Cheli (ESA) and Claude Nicollier (ESA), were shown performing pre-launch and launching activities. This international space mission's primary objective is the deployment of the Tethered Satellite System Reflight (TSS-1R) to a 12 mile length from the shuttle, a variety of experiments, and the satellite retrieval. These experiments include: Research on Orbital Plasma Electrodynamics (ROPE); TSS Deployer Core Equipment and Satellite Core Equipment (DCORE/SCORE); Research on Electrodynamic Tether Effects (RETE); Magnetic Field Experiments for TSS Missions (TEMAG); Shuttle Electrodynamic Tether Systems (SETS); Shuttle Potential and Return Electron Experiment (SPREE); Tether Optical Phenomena Experiment (TOP); and Observations at the Earth's Surface of Electromagnetic Emissions by TSS (OESSE). The mission's secondary objectives were those experiments found in the United States Microgravity Payload-3 (USMP-3), which include: Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF); Material pour l'Etude des Phenomenes Interessant la Solidification sur Terre et en Orbite (MEPHISTO); Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS); Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE); Critical Fluid Scattering Experiment (ZENO); and Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE).

Source record↗

A Comprehensive Model of the Near-Earth Magnetic Field

The near-Earth magnetic field is due to sources in Earth's core, ionosphere, magnetosphere, lithosphere, and from coupling currents between ionosphere and magnetosphere and between hemispheres. Traditionally, the main field (low degree internal field) and magnetospheric field have been modeled simultaneously, and fields from other sources modeled separately. Such a scheme, however, can introduce spurious features. A new model, designated CMP3 (Comprehensive Model: Phase 3), has been derived from quiet-time Magsat and POGO satellite measurements and observatory hourly and annual means measurements as part of an effort to coestimate fields from all of these sources. This model represents a significant advancement in the treatment of the aforementioned field sources over previous attempts, and includes an accounting for main field influences on the magnetosphere, main field and solar activity influences on the ionosphere, seasonal influences on the coupling currents, a priori characterization of ionospheric and magnetospheric influence on Earth-induced fields, and an explicit parameterization and estimation of the lithospheric field. The result of this effort is a model whose fits to the data are generally superior to previous models and whose parameter states for the various constituent sources are very reasonable.

Sabaka, Terence J.↗