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At least 127 records · Page 7

Ion Storage with the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT)

The matter antimatter reaction represents the densest form of energy storage/release known to modern physics: as such it offers one of the most compact sources of power for future deep space exploration. To take the first steps along this path, NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center is developing a storage system referred to as the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) with a goal of maintaining 10(exp 12) particles for up to 18 days. Experiments have been performed with this hardware using normal matter (positive hydrogen ions) to assess the device's ability to hold charged particles. These ions are currently created using an electron gun method to ionize background gas; however, this technique is limited by the quantity that can be captured. To circumvent this issue, an ion source is currently being commissioned which will greatly increase the number of ions captured and more closely simulate actual operations expected at an antiproton production facility. Ions have been produced, stored for various time intervals, and then extracted against detectors to measure species, quantity and energy. Radio frequency stabilization has been tested as a method to prolong ion lifetime: results show an increase in the baseline 1/e lifetime of trapped particles from hours to days. Impurities in the residual background gas (typically carbon-containing species CH4, CO, CO2, etc.) present a continuing problem by reducing the trapped hydrogen population through the mechanism of ion charge exchange.

Martin, James↗

Effect of anode-cathode geometry on performance of the HIP-1 hot ion plasma

Hot-ion hydrogen plasma experiments were conducted in the NASA Lewis HIP-1 magnetic mirror facility to determine how the ion temperature was influenced by the axial position of the cathode tips relative to the anodes. A steady-state EXB plasma was formed by applying a strong radially inward dc electric field near the throats of the magnetic mirrors. The dc electric field was created between hollow cathode rods inside hollow anode cylinders, both concentric with the magnetic axis. The highest ion temperatures, 900 eV, were attained when the tip of each cathode was in the same plane as the end of its anode. These temperatures were reached with 22 kV applied to the electrodes in a field of 1.1 tesla. Scaling relations were empirically determined for ion temperature and the product of ion density and neutral particle density as a function of cathode voltage, discharge current, and electrode positions. Plasma discharge current vs voltage (I-V) characteristics were determined.

Lauver, M. R.↗

The ionization structure of the circumstellar envelope of Alpha Orionis

The physical processes which affect the ionization of the outer circumstellar envelope of Alpha Ori are analyzed and evaluated. The ultraviolet radiation fields of the chromosphere and the interstellar medium dominate the envelope, and the most common forms of all species are neutral atoms and first ions. Hydrogen recombines just outside the chromosphere, where atoms with smaller ionization potential are essentially fully ionized. The heavier ions gradually recombine with increasing distance from the star, until the interstellar radiation field reverses this trend. The electron fraction in the outer envelope is approximately equal to the abundance of all such heavy atoms, i.e., of the order of 0.0001. The analysis is applied to the case of neutral K, whose density in the envelope has been determined by scattering experiments. The theory predicts that the slope of the K I density distribution should decrease from -1.5 to -3.5 in the outer envelope. The mass loss rate of Alpha Ori implied by the K I scattering experiments is 4 x 10 to the -6th solar mass/yr.

Glassgold, A. E.↗

Hydromagnetic waves and instabilities associated with cometary ion pickup - ICE observations

The hydromagnetic turbulence surrounding comet Giacobini-Zinner is characterized by two dominant components: large amplitude, linearly polarized waves with periods near 100 s and circularly polarized wave packets with periods near 3 s. The latter appear in association with variations in field magnitude produced by the long period waves. A third, commonly observed feature is identified, consisting of a partial rotation of the magnetic field (a hook-like structure) which also appears to be triggered by the long period waves. The possibility that the long period waves are generated by the pickup of freshly ionized cometary neutrals has been investigated. A resonant instability identified by Wu and Davidson (1972) appears able to account for the long period waves in terms of the pickup of cometary ions of the water group. Application of the theory also indicates that the growth rate of proton cyclotron waves, as a consequence of hydrogen ion pickup, is somewhat lower, due to both higher neutral velocities and longer ionization times.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗

Hydrogen from the solar photolysis of water

Developments related to the study of photosynthesis are examined and aspects of photosensitization by solids are considered. It is pointed out that solids photosensitization for solar photochemical fuel formation is now an extremely active research area as a consequence of the promising results obtained with semiconductor photoelectrodes. The investigation of water decomposition schemes involving heterogeneous reactions is likely to be a productive area. As is the case for photosynthesis, the known examples of water decomposition by solids photosensitization involve charge separation processes immediately following light absorption. Homogeneous photoredox reactions are also discussed, taking into account thermochemical and photochemical cycles leading to the formation of a photooxidized ion, hydrogen quantum yields in the photo-oxidation aqueous ions, and thermochemical and photochemical cycles leading to the formation of a photoreduced ion.

Ryason, P. R.↗

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon deposited by ion-beam sputtering

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon films 1/2 to 1 micron thick were deposited on metal and glass substrates using ion-beam sputtering techniques. The 800 eV, 2 mA/sq cm beam was a mixture of argon and hydrogen ions. The argon sputtered silicon from a pure (7.6 cm) single crystal wafer, while the hydrogen combined with the sputtered material during the deposition. Hydrogen to argon pressure ratios and substrate temperatures were varied to minimize the defect state density in the amorphous silicon. Characterization was done by electrical resistivity, index of refraction and optical absorption of the films.

Lowe, V. E.↗

O(+) acceleration due to resistive momentum transfer in the auroral field line plasma

An analytical model is defined to demonstrate that parallel acceleration of an O(+) ion beam in the ionosphere can occur naturally due to the presence of a quasi-static parallel electric field. Momentum equations are defined for friction between hydrogen ions and electrons, which produces a quasi-static electric field. The field can accelerate ions, e.g., the O(+) ions, which do not participate in the frictional momentum exchange. The conditions are shown to be applicable to the auroral field line plasma if a current is present along the magnetic field. A simulation performed with the equations shows that the field line plasma exhibits dynamic behavior after a field-aligned current appears. The resulting momentum gain by O(+) ions can be sufficient for causing a potential drop of several kilovolts along the field line.

Mitchell, H. G., Jr.↗

Spectral line shapes. Volume 4 - Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, June 9-13, 1986

The present conference discusses topics in line broadening and shift phenomena in low-to-moderately dense plasmas, resonances in the continuum, hot and dense laser-produced plasmas, collisional broadening and intermolecular potentials, molecular broadening and collision-induced spectroscopy, collisional redistribution and laser-assisted collision processes, coherent and nonlinear spectroscopy, astrophysical line-shapes, and short-wavelength lasers. Attention is given to the widths and shifts of Be ion lines, the Stark broadening of Xe II and Fe I lines, perturbed and unperturbed series in the line-shapes of autoionizing Rydberg series, the line-broadening of hydrogenic ions in dense plasmas, Doppler-free line-shapes, the Franck-Condon principle, the dynamics of laser-assisted reactive collisions, the gas-kinetic effects of light, collision-induced processes in nonlinear optics, and line-shaping phenomena in cool stars.

Exton, Reginald J.↗

Optical model analyses of heavy ion fragmentation in hydrogen targets

Quantum-mechanical optical-model methods for calculating cross sections for the fragmentation of high-energy heavy ions by hydrogen targets are presented. The cross sections are calculated with a knockout-ablation collision formalism which has no arbitrary fitting parameters. Predictions of elemental production cross sections from the fragmentation of 1.2A Ge(V(La-139) nuclei and of isotope production cross sections from the fragmentation of 400A MeV(S-32) nuclei are in good agreement with recently reported experimental measurements.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

A mechanism for deep chromospheric heating during solar flares

The role of the negative hydrogen ion, H(-), in the energy balance of the deep solar chromosphere is reexamined and it is found, in contrast with earlier authors, that H(-) is a source of heating at these levels. The response of this region to an ionizing flux of flare-associated UV radiation (1500 to 1900 A) is then addressed: it is found that the excess ionization of Si to Si(+) increases the local electron number density considerably, since most species are largely neutral at deep chromospheric levels. This in turn increases the electron-hydrogen atom association rate, the H(-) abundance, and the rate of absorption of photospheric radiation by this ion. It is found that the excess absorption by this process may lead to a substantial temperature enhancement at temperature minimum levels during flares.

Machado, M. E.↗

Roughening Surfaces Of Solar Cells

Proposed treatment involving bombardment by ions gives silicon solar cells rough surfaces and increases amount of light absorbed by cells. First step of treatment, wafer of single-crystal silicon held at temperature of 70 degree C or higher while bombarded with argon or hydrogen ions at kinetic energies between 100 and 2,000 eV. This high dose produces damaged layer on surface, consisting of outer polycrystalline sublayer and underlying sublayer containing extended defects. Bombarded wafer then etched chemically. Photovoltaic conversion efficiency increases with number of reflections at surface of silicon cell because large part of light absorbed at each reflection. Deeply textured surface provides opportunities for multiple reflections.

Singh, Ranbir↗

Solar cycle variations in H(+) and D(+) densities in the Venus ionosphere - Implications for escape

The hydrogen ion concentrations recently observed on Venus, near solar minimum, by the Ion Mass Spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter in the anti-solar sector of the ionosphere are more than an order of magnitude less than those previously observed at solar maximum. This strong solar cycle variation has a profound effect on the escape of hydrogen (and deuterium) from Venus; almost all escape occurs during solar maximum. After adjustment for solar cycle variation, a planet-averaged hydrogen escape flux of 0.6-1.4 x 10 exp 7/sq cm per sec is obtained along with a large deuterium fractionation factor of 0.1-0.14. These results suggest at least two plausible scenarios for the evolution of water on Venus: (1) water vapor on Venus may be approaching a steady state if the escape flux is balanced by endogenous sources of water or (2) the present day D/H ratio of 0.024 could be established by Rayleigh fractionation of an early low D/H water reservoir if the escape flux was sufficiently large in earlier times. An early water endowment at least 340 times today's abundance would be needed.

Donahue, Thomas M.↗

A comparison of the Gurevich et al. and the Liu-Jew wake models for the ion flux around a satellite

Observations of ion currents obtained by a retarding potential analyzer on board the Explorer 31 satellite were used to compare the Liu-Jew (Liu, 1969) and Gurevich et al. (1970) wake models with experiment. The quantitative degree of agreement is shown and discussed. The Gurevich et al. 'neutral approximation' was tested via the observations and was found to be fairly good for regions where the hydrogen ions constitute more than 20 per cent of the plasma and the Mach number is low. For the case of high Mach number, the Liu-Jew computations are in better agreement with the observations over the angle of attack range which could be studied, namely, 100-130 degrees.

Samir, U.↗

Nickel-Hydrogen and Lithium Ion Space Batteries

The tasks of the Electrochemistry Branch of NASA Glenn Research Center are to improve and develop high energy density and rechargeable, life-long batteries. It is with these batteries that people across the globe are able to power their cell phones, laptop computers, and cameras. Here, at NASA Glenn Research Center, the engineers and scientists of the Electrochemistry branch are leading the way in the development of more powerful, long life batteries that can be used to power space shuttles and satellites. As of now, the cutting edge research and development is being done on nickel-hydrogen batteries and lithium ion batteries. Presently, nickel-hydrogen batteries are common types of batteries that are used to power satellites, space stations, and space shuttles, while lithium batteries are mainly used to power smaller appliances such as portable computers and phones. However, the Electrochemistry Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center is focusing more on the development of lithium ion batteries for deep space use. Because of the limitless possibilities, lithium ion batteries can revolutionize the space industry for the better. When compared to nickel-hydrogen batteries, lithium ion batteries possess more advantages than its counterpart. Lithium ion batteries are much smaller than nickel-hydrogen batteries and also put out more power. They are more energy efficient and operate with much more power at a reduced weight than its counterpart. Lithium ion cells are also cheaper to make, possess flexibility that allow for different design modifications. With those statistics in hand, the Electrochemistry Branch of NASA Glenn has decided to shut down its Nickel-Hydrogen testing for lithium ion battery development. Also, the blackout in the summer of 2003 eliminated vital test data, which played a part in shutting down the program. from the nickel-hydrogen batteries and compare it to past data. My other responsibilities include superheating the electrolyte that is used in the nickel-hydrogen cell in a calorimeter to test its performance under various conditions. 1 used a program called Arbin to study my data. The Arbin allows me to look at different parameters such as pressure and time and how they affect the changing temperature of the electrolyte that is being tested. In addition, I had the responsibility of taking apart and modifying battery coolers that would be used. My mentors told me that the batteries kept shutting down, so it was my responsibility to remove excess fan grilles, rotate the fans, and then switch the aluminum standoffs with nylon ones so that the coolers could operate without problems. My last task is to collect all the battery test data and organize them into charts using Microsoft Excel, before the Branch is able to conduct its research on lithium ion batteries. Therefore, during my tenure, it is my responsibility to take down final test data

Reid, Robert O., II↗

Theoretical studies of the solar atmosphere and interstellar pickup ions

Solar atmosphere research activities are summarized. Specific topics addressed include: (1) coronal mass ejections and related phenomena; (2) parametric instabilities of Alfven waves; (3) pickup ions in the solar wind; and (4) cosmic rays in the outer heliosphere. Also included is a list of publications covering the following topics: catastrophic evolution of a force-free flux rope; maximum energy release in flux-rope models of eruptive flares; sheet approximations in models of eruptive flares; material ejection, motions of loops and ribbons of two-ribbon flares; dispersion relations for parametric instabilities of parallel-propagating; parametric instabilities of parallel-propagating Alfven waves; beat, modulation, and decay instabilities of a circularly-polarized Alfven wave; effects of time-dependent photoionization on interstellar pickup helium; observation of waves generated by the solar wind pickup of interstellar hydrogen ions; ion thermalization and wave excitation downstream of the quasi-perpendicular bowshock; ion cyclotron instability and the inverse correlation between proton anisotrophy and proton beta; and effects of cosmic rays and interstellar gas on the dynamics of a wind.

Source record↗

Plasmaspheric H+, He+, O+, He++, and O++ Densities and Temperatures

Thermal plasmaspheric densities and temperatures for five ion species have recently become available, even though these quantities were derived some time ago from the Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer onboard the Dynamics Explorer 1 satellite over the years 1981-1984. The quantitative properties will be presented. Densities are found to have one behavior with lessor statistical variation below about L=2 and another with much greater variability above that Lshell. Temperatures also have a behavior difference between low and higher L-values. The density ratio He++/H+ is the best behaved with values of about 0.2% that slightly increase with increasing L. Unlike the He+/H+ density ratio that on average decreases with increasing Lvalue, the O+/H+ and O++/H+ density ratios have decreasing values below about L=2 and increasing average ratios at higher L-values. Hydrogen ion temperatures range from about 0.2 eV to several 10s of eV for a few measurements, although the bulk of the observations are of temperatures below 3 eV, again increasing with L-value. The temperature ratios of He+/H+ are tightly ordered around 1.0 except for the middle plasmasphere between L=3.5 and 4.5 where He+ temperatures can be significantly higher. The temperatures of He++, O+, and O++ are consistently higher than H+.

Gallagher, D. L.↗