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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
NASA NTRS2018

Systems and Methods for Ejection of Ions from an Ion Trap

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for ejection of ions from an ion trap. In certain embodiments, systems and methods of the invention sum two different frequency signals into a single summed signal that is applied to an ion trap. In other embodiments, an amplitude of a single frequency signal is modulated as the single frequency signal is being applied to the ion trap. In other embodiments, a first alternating current (AC) signal is applied to an ion trap that varies as a function of time, while a constant radio frequency (RF) signal is applied to the ion trap.

Cooks, Robert Graham↗
NASA NTRS2018

Computational Investigation of the Near-Field Plasma Plume in Ion-Ion Propulsion

A two-fluid numerical model of plasma flows was developed to investigate the plume of an ion-ion propulsion system. The densities of positive and negative ions, and the associated values of net charge, electric field, and electric potential were calculated as a function of time throughout the domain. The computational domain was chosen to be large enough (25 thruster diameters downstream of the exit plane) to allow for examining the neutralization of the plume. The resulting plasma electric potential and charge neutrality at the downstream end of the domain are shown and they indicate that it is possible to alternatively accelerate oppositely charged ions without the need for an electron-emitting neutralizer and without facing any electric potential hills that could cause stagnation. However, compared to existing literature on ion-ion plasma thrusters, the results from this simulation predict a longer length-scale for voltage decay.

Sankaran, K.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dependence of ion-cyclotron range of frequencies instabilities on species mix and fast-ion distribution: I. Stability

Ion cyclotron emission (ICE) driven by fast ions has the potential to be a reactor relevant diagnostic of confined and escaping fast ions; moreover, controlled experiments in magnetic fusion devices can shed light on similar magnetospheric instabilities below and above the ion cyclotron frequency f ci . Dedicated DIII-D experiments studied instabilities below f ci and at cyclotron harmonics l f ci by injecting thirteen different neutral beam populations into plasmas with different thermal compositions of H, D, and 3He at five different values of toroidal field. High-frequency magnetic loops diagnose mode properties. Each beam type is individually injected for an approximate slowing-down time (~100 ms), resulting in a database of 2529 conditions that are analyzed in frequency bands corresponding to ICE harmonics and < f ci global Alfvén eigenmodes. The sub-cyclotron modes are more unstable at low field and in plasmas with large H concentration. For D injection, first harmonic ICE at f cD is more unstable in hydrogen plasmas but, for H injection, the converse is true (ICE at f cH is more unstable in D), suggesting that thermal same-species ions damp fundamental ICE. ICE stability also depends upon the pitch-angle anisotropy gradient and upon the ‘bump-on-tail’ gradient ∂f/∂v. Although the frequency of unstable ICE in these plasmas always occurs near the central cyclotron frequency, the precise value also depends on the Alfvén speed and beam direction, consistent with the idea that instability occurs for modes that simultaneously satisfy ω ≃ 2πlf ci , the magnetosonic dispersion relation, and the Doppler-shifted resonance condition.

electromagnetic ion cyclotron instabilities↗
DOE OSTI2025

Developing low-cost rechargeable batteries: beyond traditional layered oxide cathodes for Li-ion and beyond Li-ion batteries

Here, the rising demand for energy storage systems, driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and the global shift toward renewable energy, necessitates continuous efforts to lower the cost of current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and enhance the sustainability of existing battery chemistries. This feature article examines the key challenges associated with Ni- and Co-containing LIB cathodes and compares advancements in cathode development for non-traditional Li-ion and beyond Li-ion chemistries. First, a review of earth-abundant element containing disordered rock-salt cathodes is presented, with a discussion of key strategies such as compositional tuning and carbon coating to improve their electrochemical performance. Hurdles in developing oxide-based cathodes for Na- and K-ion batteries are also highlighted, followed by an in-depth overview of polyanion and Prussian blue cathodes for Na- and K-ion systems. Overall, this article provides a systematic perspective on the design of earth-abundant, low-cost, and sustainable cathode materials for both LIB and beyond LIB technologies.

Lohani, Harshita [Lawrence Berkeley National Labor↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ion heating via turbulent ion acoustic waves.

The ion acoustic turbulence in the turbulent-heating experiment reported is excited by the ion-ion beam instability. Graphs are presented, showing the spatial evolution of the parallel ion beam energy and the spatial evolution of the ion acoustic turbulent wave spectrum. The observed characteristics of test waves in a turbulent beam-plasma imply that wave saturation is a dynamic balance between the emission of waves by the beam and the destruction or damping of wave coherence by the turbulent diffusion of particle orbits.

Taylor, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Reactions of ions in excited electronic states - Excited N2/+/ ion reacting with N2 to yield N3/+/ and N

Study of the mechanism of formation of the N3(+) ion from the bimolecular reaction of excited N2(+) ions in gaseous N2. Using ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy, an attempt is made to inquire more deeply than hitherto into the origin of the N3(+) ions and to determine the rate constant for their formation and the limits on the lifetime of the reactant excited N2(+) ions.

Bowers, M. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Experimental observation of the ion-ion beam instability in a cylindrical geometry

The ion-ion beam instability is investigated in a cylindrical geometry. In the presence of a cylindrically symmetric ion beam a coherent ion-ion beam instability is observed for a well-defined range of beam velocity. This instability gives rise to cylindrical standing waves whose frequency depends upon beam velocity. The beam distribution function is measured to be a ring in velocity space. The dispersion relation appropriate for the cylindrical standing waves is solved numerically and is shown to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed instability.

Romesser, T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A doubly charged ion model for ion thrusters

A theoretical equilibrium model of doubly charged ion production and loss processes in electron bombardment ion thrusters is presented. The model is shown to predict double ion density levels accurately for 15 and 30 cm diameter thrusters operating with several different grid sets and at several different power levels. The model indicates the dominant mechanism of double ion production involves the singly charged ground state. This result is used to develop a much simpler model which, along with correlations of the average plasma properties, can be used to determine the double ion density in thrusters with acceptable accuracy.

Peters, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Application of ion thruster technology to a 30-cm multipole sputtering ion source

A 30-cm electron-bombardment ion source has been designed and fabricated for micromachining and sputtering applications. This source has a multipole magnetic field that employs permanent magnets between permeable pole pieces. An average ion current density of 1 ma/sq cm with 500-eV argon ions was selected as a design operating condition. The ion beam at this operating condition was uniform and well collimated, with an average variation of + or -5 percent over the center 20 cm of the beam at a distance up to 30 cm from the ion source.

Robinson, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Photoionization and ion cyclotron resonance studies of the ion chemistry of ethylene oxide

The formation of the ethylene oxide molecular ion and its subsequent ion-molecule reactions leading to the products C2H5O(+) and C3H5O(+) have been studied using time-resolved photoionization mass spectroscopy, ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy, and photoelectron spectroscopy. An examination of the effects of internal energy on reactivity shows that the ratio of C3H5O(+) to C2H5O(+) increases by an order of magnitude with a single quantum of vibrational energy. The formation of (C2H4O/+/)-asterisk in a collision-induced isomerization is found which yields a ring-opened structure by C-C bond cleavage. The relaxed ring-opened C2H4O(+) ion reacts with neutral ethylene oxide by CH2(+) transfer to yield an intermediate product ion C3H6O(+) which gives C3H5O(+) by loss of H.

Corderman, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Ion beam plume and efflux measurements of an 8-cm mercury ion thruster

Measurements of the ion beam plume and efflux constituents of an 8-cm mercury ion thruster have been carried out in the TRW 5 x 10 foot testing chamber. Charged components (ion beam plume) were measured with an array of movable position Faraday cups and retarding potential analyzers yielding both current density and particle energy determinations. Neutral components (ion beam efflux) were determined with a movable position ionization gauge. Measurements of the ion beam plume were performed for a thruster both with and without a sputter shield. Analysis of data in terms of normalized effluxes has been carried out and has been applied to an example calculation of efflux compatibility with a communications spacecraft.

Komatsu, G. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Magnetospherically trapped ions as a source of magnetosheath energetic ions

It has been suggested that energetic ions observed in the magnetosheath may be due to the direct leakage of trapped magnetospheric ions. To test this hypothesis, three-dimensional ion spectra from the energetic particle experiment on ISEE 1 for a magnetopause crossing on Nov. 10, 1977 are utilized to construct three-dimensional distribution functions in the magnetosphere and in the sheath. Using the observed magnetic field, a simple one-dimensional model of the magnetopause is developed. Ions are then followed in the model, starting in the magnetosphere, through the magnetopause and ending up in the sheath. Using Liouville's Theorem a model sheath distribution function is then built up by following the magnetospheric distribution function through the model fields. The model distribution is then compared with the observed sheath distribution. For this case it is found that the main features of the observed ions in the sheath are consistent with direct leakage and with no energization or de-energization processes, and an inward-pointing normal component is required. The energetic particles mapped in this case apparently follow a flux tube which does not penetrate the magnetopause where local tangential electric fields have been reported.

Speiser, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Improved ion containment using a ring-cusp ion thruster

A 30-centimeter diameter ring-cusp ion thruster is described which operates at inert gas ion beam currents up to about 7 ampere, with significant improvements in discharge chamber performance over conventional divergent-field thrusters. The thruster has strong boundary ring-cusp magnetic fields, a diverging field on the cathode region, and a nearly field-free volume upstream of the ion extraction system. Minimum ion beam production costs of 90 to 100 watts per beam ampere (W/A) were obtained for argon, krypton and xenon. Propellant efficiencies in excess of 0.90 were achieved at 100 to 120 W/A for the three inert gases. The ion beam charge-state was documented with a collimating mass spectrometer probe to allow evaluation of overall thruster efficiencies.

Sovey, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ion-neutral coupling in the high-latitude F region Evaluation of ion heating terms from Dynamics Explorer 2

Ion and neutral motions in the high latitude F layer were studied simultaneously during six passes of the Dynamics Explorer 2 spacecraft. The passes were made over the south polar cap in October 1981. An ion energy balance equation was defined to express the exchange of energy between the F layer and other atmospheric constituents. A momentum equation expressed the momentum exchange between the species. An approximate form of the energy balance equation was also formulated. The time constant for ion-neutral collisional momentum transfer significantly affected Joule heating in the F layer. Regions of large velocity disparities and ion temperature enhancements were detected as hot spots. The results indicate that a feedback mechanism may arise in terms of neutral compositional changes and enhanced ionospheric recombination. The approximate equation furnished values for ion heating rates which matched the data.

Killeen, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Fast ion mass spectrometry and charged particle spectrography investigations of transverse ion acceleration and beam-plasma interactions

Ion acceleration transverse to the magnetic field in the topside ionosphere was investigated. Transverse acceleration is believed to be responsible for the upward-moving conical ion distributions commonly observed along auroral field lines at altitudes from several hundred to several thousand kilometers. Of primary concern in this investigation is the extent of these conic events in space and time. Theoretical predictions indicate very rapid initial heating rates, depending on the ion species. These same theories predict that the events will occur within a narrow vertical region of only a few hundred kilometers. Thus an instrument with very high spatial and temporal resolution was required; further, since different heating rates were predicted for different ions, it was necessary to obtain composition as well as velocity space distributions. The fast ion mass spectrometer (FIMS) was designed to meet these criteria. This instrument and its operation is discussed.

Gibson, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The acceleration of ions and electrons by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

Test particle calculations of the interaction of electrons and ions with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves are examined. It is observed that field-aligned electrons can be accelerated parallel to the magnetic fields by the cyclotron waves and that the ions can be accelerated perpendicular to the magnetic field. The data reveal that the ions can be accelerated more effectively when the wave frequency is half (.5) the ion gyrofrequency.

Temerin, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ion heating by waves with frequencies below the ion gyrofrequency

Ion heating by broadband and coherent waves with relatively small amplitude and frequencies below the ion gyrofrequency is examined. The theoretical results, verified by test particle calculations, show that such waves can heat ions to high energies, and in particular produce the ion conic distributions observed in the earth's magnetosphere. The model utilized differs from other approaches in that neither quasi-linear theory nor stochastic acceleration in a large amplitude wave are used to heat ions. This heating mechanism may be significant in other geophysical and astrophysical environments.

Temerin, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The ion-ion acoustic instability

This paper considers the linear theory of ion-acoustic-like instabilities in a homogeneous Vlasov plasma with two ion components, a less dense beam and a more dense core, with a relative drift velocity. Numerical solutions of the full electrostatic dispersion equation are presented, and the properties of the ion-ion acoustic instability are studied in detail. At relatively cold beam temperatures, the instability is fluid-like, but it becomes a beam resonant kinetic instability as the beam temperature becomes of the order of the core temperature; if the mode is unstable, its threshold lies well below the threshold of the electron-ion acoustic instability. An electron temperature anisotropy enhances the instability, and at sufficiently large beam-core relative drift speeds, electron magnetization can either detract from or enhance the instability.

Gary, S. Peter↗