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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Ion and Electron Acceleration in Fully Kinetic Plasma Turbulence

Turbulence is often invoked to explain the origin of nonthermal particles in space and astrophysical plasmas. By means of 3D fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that turbulence in low-β plasmas (β is the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic pressure) accelerates ions and electrons into a nonthermal energy distribution with a power-law energy range. The ion spectrum is harder than the electron one, and both distributions get steeper for higher β. We show that the energization of electrons is accompanied by a significant energy-dependent pitch-angle anisotropy, with most electrons moving parallel to the local magnetic field, while ions stay roughly isotropic. We demonstrate that particle injection from the thermal pool occurs in regions of high current density. Parallel electric fields associated with magnetic reconnection are responsible for the initial energy gain of electrons, whereas perpendicular electric fields control the overall energization of ions. Our findings have important implications for the origin of nonthermal particles in space and astrophysical plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

RELATIVISTIC (E > 0.6, > 2.0, AND > 4.0 MeV) ELECTRON ACCELERATION AT GEOSYNCHRONOUS ORBIT DURING HIGH-INTENSITY, LONG-DURATION, CONTINUOUS AE ACTIVITY (HILDCAA) EVENTS

Radiation-belt relativistic (E > 0.6, > 2.0, and > 4.0 MeV) electron acceleration is studied for solar cycle 23 (1995-2008). High-intensity, long-duration, continuous AE activity (HILDCAA) events are considered as the basis of the analyses. All of the 35 HILDCAA events under study were found to be characterized by flux enhancements of magnetospheric relativistic electrons of all three energies compared to the pre-event flux levels. For the E > 2.0 MeV electron fluxes, enhancement of >50% occurred during 100% of HILDCAAs. Cluster-4 passes were examined for electromagnetic chorus waves in the 5 < L < 10 and 0 < MLT < 12 region when wave data were available. Fully 100% of these HILDCAA cases were associated with enhanced whistler-mode chorus waves. The enhancements of E > 0.6, > 2.0, and > 4.0 MeV electrons occurred ∼1.0 day, ∼1.5 days, and ∼2.5 days after the statistical HILDCAA onset, respectively. The statistical acceleration rates for the three energy ranges were ∼1.8 × 10{sup 5}, 2.2 × 10{sup 3}, and 1.0 × 10{sup 1} cm{sup –2} s{sup –1} sr{sup –1} d{sup –1}, respectively. The relativistic electron-decay timescales were determined to be ∼7.7, 5.5, and 4.0 days for the three energy ranges, respectively. The HILDCAAs were divided into short-duration (D ≤ 3 days) and long-duration (D > 3 days) events to study the dependence of relativistic electron variation on HILDCAA duration. For long-duration events, the flux enhancements during HILDCAAs with respect to pre-event fluxes were ∼290%, 520%, and 82% for E > 0.6, > 2.0, and > 4.0 MeV electrons, respectively. The enhancements were ∼250%, 400%, and 27% respectively, for short-duration events. The results are discussed with respect to the current understanding of radiation-belt dynamics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Relativistic electron acceleration by oblique whistler waves

Test-particle simulations of electrons interacting with finite-amplitude, obliquely propagating whistler waves are carried out in order to investigate the acceleration of relativistic electrons by these waves. According to the present findings, an efficient acceleration of relativistic electrons requires a narrow range of oblique propagation angles, close to the whistler resonance cone angle, when the wave amplitude is held constant at relatively low value. For a constant wave propagation angle, it is found that a range of oblique whistler wave amplitudes permits the acceleration of relativistic electrons to O(MeV) energies. An initial distribution of test electrons is shown to form a power-law distribution when plotted in energy space. It is also found that the acceleration is largely uniform in electron pitch-angle space.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evidence for Field-parallel Electron Acceleration in Solar Flares

It is proposed that the coincidence of higher brightness and upward electric current observed by Janvier et al. during a flare indicates electron acceleration by field-parallel potential drops sustained by extremely strong field-aligned currents of the order of 10{sup 4} A m{sup −2}. A consequence of this is the concentration of the currents in sheets with widths of the order of 1 m. The high current density suggests that the field-parallel potential drops are maintained by current-driven anomalous resistivity. The origin of these currents remains a strong challenge for theorists.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of Photonuclear Reactions near the Threshold at an Electron Accelerator and a Femtosecond Laser

A brief review of the works devoted to studying the photonuclear reactions near the threshold at the LUE-8.5 MeV linear electron accelerator of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the terawatt femtosecond laser complex of the International Laser Center at Moscow State University is provided. The main focus of attention is the simulation of the experiments using the GEANT-4 code. This allowed us to compare the possibilities of different methods and determine the main directions of future research.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Energetic Electrons Accelerated and Trapped in a Magnetic Bottle above a Solar Flare Arcade

Where and how flares efficiently accelerate charged particles remains an unresolved question. Recent studies revealed that a “magnetic bottle” structure, which forms near the bottom of a large-scale reconnection current sheet above the flare arcade, is an excellent candidate for confining and accelerating charged particles. However, further understanding its role requires linking the various observational signatures to the underlying coupled plasma and particle processes. Here we present the first study combining multiwavelength observations with data-informed macroscopic magnetohydrodynamics and particle modeling in a realistic eruptive flare geometry. The presence of an above-the-loop-top magnetic bottle structure is strongly supported by the observations, which feature not only a local minimum of magnetic field strength but also abruptly slowing plasma downflows. It also coincides with a compact above-the-loop-top hard X-ray source and an extended microwave source that bestrides the flare arcade. Spatially resolved spectral analysis suggests that nonthermal electrons are highly concentrated in this region. Our model returns synthetic emission signatures that are well matched to the observations. The results suggest that the energetic electrons are strongly trapped in the magnetic bottle region due to turbulence, with only a small fraction managing to escape. The electrons are primarily accelerated by plasma compression and facilitated by a fast-mode termination shock via the Fermi mechanism. Our results provide concrete support for the magnetic bottle as the primary electron acceleration site in eruptive solar flares. They also offer new insights into understanding the previously reported small population of flare-accelerated electrons entering interplanetary space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modeling laser-driven electron acceleration using WARP with Fourier decomposition

WARP is used with the recent implementation of the Fourier decomposition algorithm to model laser-driven electron acceleration in plasmas. Simulations were carried out to analyze the experimental results obtained on ionization-induced injection in a gas cell. The simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental ones, confirming the ability of the code to take into account the physics of electron injection and reduce calculation time. We present a detailed analysis of the laser propagation, the plasma wave generation and the electron beam dynamics.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Peculiarities of laser phase behavior associated with the accelerated electron in a chirped laser pulse

In this paper, we qualitatively analyzed peculiarities of laser phase behavior associated with the accelerated electron in a chirped laser pulse. We unveiled the relationship between the changes in the orientation of the electron trajectory and the cusps in magnitude of the phase velocity of the optical field along the electron trajectory in a chirped laser pulse. We also explained how the chirp effect induced the singular point of the phase velocity. Finally, we discussed the phase velocity and phase witnessed by the electron in the particle's moving instantaneous frame.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Comment on ''Electron acceleration by a short laser beam in the presence of a long-wavelength electromagnetic wave'' [J. Appl. Phys. 102, 056106 (2007)]

Gupta et al.[J. Appl. Phys. 102, 056106 (2007)] investigated vacuum electron acceleration by a short laser beam in the presence of a long-wavelength electromagnetic wave. However, we consider that their simulation results to be questionable. We have investigated their simulation in detail and present our own simulation results, which do not match the good acceleration as theirs given in the original paper.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

The role of three-dimensional transport in driving enhanced electron acceleration during magnetic reconnection

Magnetic reconnection is an important driver of energetic particles in many astrophysical phenomena. Using kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, we explore the impact of three-dimensional reconnection dynamics on the efficiency of particle acceleration. In two-dimensional systems, Alfvénic outflows expel energetic electrons into flux ropes where they become trapped and disconnected from acceleration regions. However, in three-dimensional systems these flux ropes develop an axial structure that enables particles to leak out and return to acceleration regions. This requires a finite guide field so that particles may move quickly along the flux rope axis. We show that greatest energetic electron production occurs when the guide field is of the same order as the reconnecting component: large enough to facilitate strong transport, but not so large as to throttle the dominant Fermi mechanism responsible for efficient electron acceleration. This suggests a natural explanation for the envelope of electron acceleration during the impulsive phase of eruptive flares.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Beamline Design and Beam Diagnostic for Mo-99 Production Facility Utilizing High Power Electron Accelerators

NorthStar Medical Isotope, LLC, is planning to produce 99 Mo through a γ,n reaction on 100 Mo. This pathway for 99 Mo production relies on the use of high-power electron accelerators, which are not currently commercially available. IBA Industrial announced in its Summer 2017 newsletter (http://iba-industrial.com/emailing/2017-beamline/index.html) that they have begun working on pulsed Rhodotron features (New Horizon project). This accelerator is capable of producing a high power and high energy electron beam suitable for production via a photonuclear route. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne), in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), provided assistance to NorthStar in technology development. Over the course of several years, we have conducted several demonstrations of the technology that proved the feasibility of photo-nuclear approach. The target, designed by LANL, is composed of a series of 99 Mo disks held in a target holder with cooling gaps between the thin disks. Cooling of the target is provided by flowing helium gas under high pressure through the target holderHandling the high-power beam requires a carefully designed beam transport system because of likely vacuum failure if the beam strikes an uncooled part of the system. This publication summarizes recommendations on the beam transport line equipment, costs, and on the optional components.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Two-beam detuned-cavity electron accelerator structure

Progress has been made in the theory, development, cavity design and optimization, beam dynamics study, beam transport design, and hardware construction for studies of a detuned two-beam electron accelerator structure.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Growth of emittance in laser-plasma electron acceleration in guiding structures

We study angular characteristics, such as emittance and fraction of electrons emitted into a prescribed solid angle, for electron bunches that are accelerated in wake fields generated in various guiding structures – capillary waveguides and plasma channels, in which intense laser pulses propagate. The investigation is performed at various injection energies, which simulate input conditions to different cascades of a multistage electron accelerator. It is shown that, in contrast to the limitations issuing from the requirement of trapping and accelerating a substantial part of bunch electrons, the condition of maintaining the low emittance of the bunch, needed for successful transfer of the accelerated bunch to the entry of the next acceleration cascade or other device, imposes much more strict limitations on the accuracy of focusing of laser radiation to the guiding structure. (paper)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Mechanisms of electron acceleration in the excitation of nuclear reactions in solid-state laser plasmas

Investigation of nuclear reactions in a solid-state plasma generated by modern high-intensity sources of ultrashort-wavelength laser radiation is undoubtedly of interest for establishing nuclear-reaction yields versus the intensity of laser radiation and for efficiently exciting new nuclear and photonuclear reactions-in particular, in the resonance energy region. The present article is devoted to describing, for laser plasmas, various mechanisms of electron acceleration, which triggers the acceleration of atomic ions and the excitation of subsequent nuclear reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Long-Range Persistence of Femtosecond Modulations on Laser-Plasma-Accelerated Electron Beams

We report laser plasma accelerators have produced femtosecond electron bunches with a relative energy spread ranging from 100% to a few percent. Simulations indicate that the measured energy spread can be dominated by a correlated spread, with the slice spread significantly lower. Measurements of coherent optical transition radiation are presented for broad-energy-spread beams with laser-induced density and momentum modulations. The long-range (meter-scale) observation of coherent optical transition radiation indicates that the slice energy spread is below the percent level to preserve the modulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

ELECTRON ACCELERATION IN PULSAR-WIND TERMINATION SHOCKS: AN APPLICATION TO THE CRAB NEBULA GAMMA-RAY FLARES

The γ -ray flares from the Crab Nebula observed by AGILE and Fermi -LAT reaching GeV energies and lasting several days challenge the standard models for particle acceleration in pulsar-wind nebulae because the radiating electrons have energies exceeding the classical radiation-reaction limit for synchrotron. Previous modeling has suggested that the synchrotron limit can be exceeded if the electrons experience electrostatic acceleration, but the resulting spectra do not agree very well with the data. As a result, there are still some important unanswered questions about the detailed particle acceleration and emission processes occurring during the flares. We revisit the problem using a new analytical approach based on an electron transport equation that includes terms describing electrostatic acceleration, stochastic wave-particle acceleration, shock acceleration, synchrotron losses, and particle escape. An exact solution is obtained for the electron distribution, which is used to compute the associated γ -ray synchrotron spectrum. We find that in our model the γ -ray flares are mainly powered by electrostatic acceleration, but the contributions from stochastic and shock acceleration play an important role in producing the observed spectral shapes. Our model can reproduce the spectra of all the Fermi -LAT and AGILE flares from the Crab Nebula, using magnetic field strengths in agreement with the multi-wavelength observational constraints. We also compute the spectrum and duration of the synchrotron afterglow created by the accelerated electrons, after they escape into the region on the downstream side of the pulsar-wind termination shock. The afterglow is expected to fade over a maximum period of about three weeks after the γ -ray flare.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Measurement of Electro-Optic Shock and Electron Acceleration in a Strongly Cavitated Laser Wakefield Accelerator

Conically emitted second harmonic radiation was observed when a relativistically intense, ultrashort laser pulse was focused into a jet of gas. This second harmonic electro-optic shock is the result of frequency mixing within the sheath of electrons surrounding a highly cavitated plasma region created by the ponderomotive force of the laser. Strong correlation between the second harmonic characteristics and electron acceleration has been observed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ultrashort megaelectronvolt positron beam generation based on laser-accelerated electrons

Experimental generation of ultrashort MeV positron beams with high intensity and high density using a compact laser-driven setup is reported. A high-density gas jet is employed experimentally to generate MeV electrons with high charge; thus, a charge-neutralized MeV positron beam with high density is obtained during laser-accelerated electrons irradiating high-Z solid targets. It is a novel electron–positron source for the study of laboratory astrophysics. Meanwhile, the MeV positron beam is pulsed with an ultrashort duration of tens of femtoseconds and has a high peak intensity of 7.8 × 10{sup 21} s{sup −1}, thus allows specific studies of fast kinetics in millimeter-thick materials with a high time resolution and exhibits potential for applications in positron annihilation spectroscopy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗