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At least 163 records · Page 9

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DOE OSTI2023

Synchrotron Polarization Signatures of Surface Waves in Supermassive Black Hole Jets

Abstract Supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei are known to launch relativistic jets, which are observed across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and thought to be efficient particle accelerators. Their primary radiation mechanism for radio emission is polarized synchrotron emission produced by a population of nonthermal electrons. In this Letter, we present a global general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical (GRMHD) simulation of a magnetically arrested disk (MAD). After the simulation reaches the MAD state, we show that waves are continuously launched from the vicinity of the black hole and propagate along the interface between the jet and the wind. At this interface, a steep gradient in velocity is present between the mildly relativistic wind and the highly relativistic jet. The interface is, therefore, a shear layer, and due to the shear, the waves generate roll-ups that alter the magnetic field configuration and the shear layer geometry. We then perform polarized radiation transfer calculations of our GRMHD simulation and find signatures of the waves in both total intensity and linear polarization, effectively lowering the fully resolved polarization fraction. The telltale polarization signatures of the waves could be observable by future very long baseline interferometric observations, e.g., the next-generation Event Horizon Telescope.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

NASA NTRS1981

Towards a high-temperature solar electric converter

The concept of an ultrahigh-temperature solar electric heat-engine converter is examined in which an alkali plasma would serve as both the high-temperature collector of solar radiation and as the working fluid for a high-temperature working cycle. The working cycle would be a simple magnetohydrodynamic Rankine cycle. Theoretical and experimental results obtained to date are summarized. These include: (1) an experimental confirmation of the theoretical prediction that a plasma temperature of about 2800 K can be reached through heating cesium vapor by sunlight concentrated to approximately 300 W per sq cm; and (2) the establishment of a theoretical model of the complete solar heated plasma magnetohydrodynamic cycle.

Dunning, G. J.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Can we observe the ion-neutral drift velocity in prestellar cores?

Given the low-ionization fraction of molecular clouds, ambipolar diffusion is thought to be an integral process in star formation. However, chemical and radiative-transfer effects, observational challenges, and the fact that the ion-neutral drift velocity is inherently very small render a definite detection of ambipolar diffusion extremely non-trivial. Here, we study the ion-neutral drift velocity in a suite of chemodynamical, non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), two-dimensional axisymmetric simulations of prestellar cores where we alter the temperature, cosmic-ray ionization rate, visual extinction, mass-to-flux ratio, and chemical evolution. Subsequently, we perform a number of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative-transfer calculations considering various idealized and non-idealized scenarios in order to assess which factor (chemistry, radiative transfer, and/or observational difficulties) is the most challenging to overcome in our efforts to detect the ion-neutral drift velocity. We find that temperature has a significant effect in the amplitude of the drift velocity with the coldest modelled cores (T = 6 K) exhibiting drift velocities comparable to the sound speed. Against expectations, we find that in idealized scenarios (where two species are perfectly chemically co-evolving) the drift velocity ‘survives’ radiative-transfer effects and can in principle be observed. However, we find that observational challenges and chemical effects can significantly hinder our view of the ion-neutral drift velocity. Finally, we propose that HCN and HCNH + ⁠, being chemically co-evolving, could be used in future observational studies aiming to measure the ion-neutral drift velocity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1987

Plasma physics abstracts, 1 January - 31 December, 1986

Topics addressed include: ion-cyclotron waves; plasma waves; solar wind lithium releases; bow shock; Pi2 wave bursts; auroral kilometric radiation; ion energization; magnetic field corrections; electric fields; magnetospheric processes; electron acceleration; inner heliosphere; nightside auroral zone; computerized simulation; plasma wave turbulence; and magnetohydrodynamic waves in plasma sheets.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Operational space for lower hybrid heating scenarios in the full tungsten environment of WEST

In tungsten—W—Environment in Steady-state Tokamak (WEST), the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) system is key for achieving long pulse operation by providing most of the non-inductive plasma current, as well as a crucial source of electron heating. Therefore, determining the operational space for its application is fundamental. In the present study, the LHCD operational space is deeply analyzed for 0.5 MA pulses. This space is bounded by three limits: (i) the ratio of the LHCD power over density must be above a threshold to compensate tungsten radiation with enough core heating, (ii) the line-averaged density must be high enough to allow good coupling of the hybrid wave with the plasma, and (iii) fast electron ripple losses must be below a limit to avoid reaching a thermal threshold on plasma-facing components. If the tungsten radiation peak or burn-through phase is not safely overcome, a maximum electron temperature of 1.5 keV is obtained, confinement is degraded, and magnetohydrodynamic activity is frequently triggered, potentially causing a disruption. From experimental measurements and interpretative simulations, we highlight the main mechanisms that prevent the plasma from heating up during LHCD power ramp-up. Three parameters play a major role: plasma density, tungsten concentration and LHCD power deposition. A strategy to overcome this limitation is found: a precise density ramp-up performed simultaneously with the increase in LHCD power. Additionally, we show that boronization greatly facilitates the burn-through of tungsten by lowering its content during the heating phase. Finally, taking into account the three constraints given above, the LHCD operational space is determined at power ramp-up and during constant heating phases.

lower hybrid heating and current drive↗

NASA NTRS1988

Laser production and heating of plasma for MHD application

Experiments have been made on the production and heating of plasmas by the absorption of laser radiation. These experiments were performed to ascertain the feasibility of using laser-produced or laser-heated plasmas as the input for a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator. Such a system would have a broad application as a laser-to-electricity energy converter for space power transmission. Experiments with a 100-J-pulsed CO2 laser were conducted to investigate the breakdown of argon gas by a high-intensity laser beam, the parameters (electron density and temperature) of the plasma produced, and the formation and propagation of laser-supported detonation (LSD) waves. Experiments were also carried out using a 1-J-pulsed CO2 laser to heat the plasma produced in a shock tube. The shock-tube hydrogen plasma reached electron densities of approximately 10 to the 17th/cu cm and electron temperatures of approximately 1 eV. Absorption of the CO2 laser beam by the plasma was measured, and up to approximately 100 percent absorption was observed. Measurements with a small MHD generator showed that the energy extraction efficiency could be very large with values up to 56 percent being measured.

Jalufka, N. W.↗

DOE OSTI2021

iharm3D: Vectorized General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics

iharm3D is an open-source C code for simulating black hole accretion systems in arbitrary stationary spacetimes using ideal general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD). It is an implementation of the HARM (“High Accuracy Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics”) algorithm outlined in Gammie et al. (2003) with updates as outlined in McKinney & Gammie (2004) and Noble et al. (2006). The code is most directly derived from Ryan et al. (2015) but with radiative transfer portions removed. HARM is a conservative finite-volume scheme for solving the equations of ideal GRMHD, a hyperbolic system of partial differential equations, on a logically Cartesian mesh in arbitrary coordinates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Modeling the inner part of the jet in M87: Confronting jet morphology with theory

The formation of jets in black hole accretion systems is a long-standing problem. It has been proposed that a jet can be formed by extracting the rotation energy of the black hole (“BZ-jet”) or the accretion flow (“disk-jet”). While both models can produce collimated relativistic outflows, neither has successfully explained the observed jet morphology. By using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and considering nonthermal electrons accelerated by magnetic reconnection that is likely driven by magnetic eruption in the underlying accretion flow, we obtain images by radiative transfer calculations and compared them to millimeter observations of the jet in M87. We find that the BZ-jet originating from a magnetically arrested disk around a high-spin black hole can well reproduce the jet morphology, including its width and limb-brightening feature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1993

Analysis and design of an ultrahigh temperature hydrogen-fueled MHD generator

A coupled gas dynamics/radiative heat transfer analysis of partially ionized hydrogen, in local thermodynamic equilibrium, flowing through an ultrahigh temperature (10,000-20,000 K) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator is performed. Gas dynamics are modeled by a set of quasi-one-dimensional, nonlinear differential equations which account for friction, convective and radiative heat transfer, and the interaction between the ionized gas and applied magnetic field. Radiative heat transfer is modeled using nongray, absorbing-emitting 2D and 3D P-1 approximations which permit an arbitrary variation of the spectral absorption coefficient with frequency. Gas dynamics and radiative heat transfer are coupled through the energy equation and through the temperature- and density-dependent absorption coefficient. The resulting nonlinear elliptic problem is solved by iterative methods. Design of such MHD generators as onboard, open-cycle, electric power supplies for a particular advanced airbreathing propulsion concept produced an efficient and compact 128-MWe generator characterized by an extraction ratio of 35.5 percent, a power density of 10,500 MWe/cu m, and a specific (extracted) energy of 324 MJe/kg of hydrogen. The maximum wall heat flux and total wall heat load were 453 MW/sq m and 62 MW, respectively.

Moder, Jeffrey P.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Material effects on dynamics in triple-nozzle gas-puff Z pinches

Here, the gas-puff Z pinch has a long history with myriad applications as an efficient neutron or x-ray source. Its simplicity as a load configuration makes it suitable for studying fundamental plasma physics phenomena such as instabilities and energy transport. For example, the implosion of cylindrical shells onto a fusion fuel are inherently susceptible to instability growth on their external surfaces; if such instabilities are unmitigated, then the consequences in terms of degraded performance can be substantial. Similarly, mitigating heat transport from a hot fuel to its colder surrounding container can make fusion conditions more easily achievable. Here we have conducted a systematic study of triple-nozzle (outer liner, inner liner, fuel) gas puffs using two-dimensional (2D) magnetohydrodynamic simulations to investigate the effect of load material on the relevant dynamics. Analogous to past studies on spherical blast waves and converging shock waves, a trend emerges linking increased radiative cooling, lower adiabatic index, and increased magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth. Notably, our results suggest that, for the present configuration, Ar radiates less than both Ne and Kr during the early stages of the implosion while mass is being swept up and perturbations begin to seed instability growth. Consequently, pinches with Ar on the outer surface exhibit more stable 2D behavior. Here we also present a parameter scan of thermonuclear neutron yield, Y, as a function of peak current, I pk and dopant concentration with Ne or Ar, depending on the inner liner material. Above 6 MA, our results suggest Y ∝ $I$$^{5}_{pk}$ and even substantial mixing (10% by volume) of Ne into the fuel does not drastically reduce yield, suggesting an Ar/Ne/fuel configuration may reliably achieve DD thermonuclear yields of 10 13 – 10 14 /cm in the 10–20 MA range.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Performance-portable Binary Neutron Star Mergers with AthenaK

We introduce an extension to the AthenaK code for general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) in dynamical spacetimes using a 3+1 conservative Eulerian formulation. Like the fixed-spacetime GRMHD solver, we use standard finite-volume methods to evolve the fluid and a constrained-transport scheme to preserve the divergence-free constraint for the magnetic field. We also utilize a first-order flux correction (FOFC) scheme to reduce the need for an artificial atmosphere and optionally enforce a maximum principle to improve robustness. We demonstrate the accuracy of AthenaK using a set of standard tests in flat and curved spacetimes. Using a SANE accretion disk around a Kerr black hole, we compare the new solver to the existing solver for stationary spacetimes using the so-called "HARM-like" formulation. We find that both formulations converge to similar results. We also include the first published binary neutron star (BNS) mergers performed on graphical processing units (GPUs). Thanks to the FOFC scheme, our BNS mergers maintain a relative error of $\mathcal{O}$(10 –11 ) or better in baryon mass conservation up to collapse. Finally, we perform scaling tests of AthenaK on OLCF Frontier, where we show excellent weak scaling of ≥80% efficiency up to 32,768 GPUs and 74% up to 65,536 GPUs for a GRMHD problem in dynamical spacetimes with six levels of mesh refinement. AthenaK achieves an order-of-magnitude speedup using GPUs compared to CPUs, demonstrating that it is suitable for performing numerical relativity problems on modern exascale resources.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modelling CN Zeeman effect observations of the envelopes of a low-mass protostellar disc and a massive protostar

We use the POLARIS radiative transfer code to produce simulated circular polarization Zeeman emission maps of the cyanide (CN) J = 1–0 molecular line transition for two types of protostellar envelope magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Our first model is a low-mass disc envelope system (box length L = 200 au), and our second model is the envelope of a massive protostar (L = 104 au) with a protostellar wind and a CN-enhanced outflow shell. We compute the velocity-integrated Stokes I and V, as well as the implied V/I polarization percentage, for each detector pixel location in our simulated emission maps. Our results show that both types of protostellar environments are in principle accessible with current circular polarization instruments, with each containing swaths of envelope area that yield percentage polarizations that exceed the 1.8 percent nominal sensitivity limit for circular polarization experiments with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. In both systems, high-polarization (≳1.8 percent) pixels tend to lie at an intermediate distance away from the central star and where the line-centre opacity of the CN emission is moderately optically thin (τLC ~ 0.1–1). Furthermore, our computed V/I values scale roughly with the density-weighted mean line-of-sight magnetic field strength, indicating that Zeeman observations can effectively diagnose the strength of envelope-scale magnetic fields. We also find that pixels with large V/I are preferentially co-located where the absolute value of the velocity-integrated V is also large, suggesting that locations with favourable percentage polarization are also favourable in terms of raw signal.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Simulating ‘Two Ribbon’ Type Solar Flares [Slides]

The underlying mechanism in solar flares in a process known as magnetic reconnection. This astrophysical process is when magnetic field lines, running anti-parallel, break and reconnect. The change in configuration of field lines results in an explosive release of energy as the leftover magnetic energy is converted to kinetic and thermal energies. In this project, we are using an astrophysical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation code known as Athena++ with a reconnection problem generator file created by Li et al. 2018. Our current research is to successfully implement a radiative cooling term into the MHD equations as it could have important physical effects on the plasma. We use Klimchuk et al. 2008 and SPEX_DM as our chosen cooling functions. The results from the SPEX_DM function show there is a condensation forming that we had predicted but had not seen before with our simulation code. We will continue to analyze the SPEX_DM function and potentially implement thermal conduction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1982

Solar-Driven Liquid-Metal MHD Generator

Liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generator with solar oven as its heat source has potential to produce electric power in space and on Earth at high efficiency. Generator focuses radiation from Sun to heat driving gas that pushes liquid metal past magnetic coil. Power is extracted directly from electric currents set up in conducting liquid. Using solar energy as fuel can save considerable costs and payload weight, compared to previous systems.

Hohl, F.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Streamer Evaporation

Evaporation is the consequence of slow plasma heating near the tops of streamers where the plasma is only weakly contained by the magnetic field. The form it takes is the slow opening of field lines at the top of the streamer and transient formation of new solar wind. It was discovered in polytropic model calculations, where due to the absence of other energy loss mechanisms in magnetostatic streamers, its ultimate endpoint is the complete evaporation of the streamer. This takes, for plausible heating rates, weeks to months in these models. Of course streamers do not behave this way, for more than one reason. One is that there are losses due to thermal conduction to the base of the streamer and radiation from the transition region. Another is that streamer heating must have a characteristic time constant and depend on the ambient physical conditions. We use our global Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model with thermal conduction to examine a few examples of the effect of changing the heating scale height and of making ad hoc choices for how the heating depends on ambient conditions. At the same time, we apply and extend the analytic model of streamers, which showed that streamers will be unable to contain plasma for temperatures near the cusp greater than about 2xl0(exp 6) K. Slow solar wind is observed to come from streamers through transient releases. A scenario for this that is consistent with the above physical process is that heating increases the near-cusp temperature until field lines there are forced open. The subsequent evacuation of the flux tubes by the newly forming slow wind decreases the temperature and heating until the flux tubes are able to reclose. Then, over a longer time scale, heating begins to again refill the flux tubes with plasma and increase the temperature until the cycle repeats itself. The calculations we report here are first steps towards quantitative evaluation of this scenario.

Suess, Steven T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

On magnetohydrodynamic thermal instabilities in magnetic flux tubes

The stability of current-driven filamentary modes in magnetic flux tubes embedded in a plane-parallel atmosphere in LTE and in hydrostatic equilibrium is discussed. Within the tube, energy transport by radiation only is considered. The dominant contribution to the opacity is due to H- ions and H atoms (in the Paschen continuum). A region in the parameter space of the equilibrium configuration in which the instability is effective is delimited, and the relevance of this process for the formation of structured coronae in late-type stars and accretion disks is discussed.

Massaglia, S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

On the surface magnetic fields of rapidly rotating stars with winds

The consistency of estimates of angular velocities and magnetic field strength obtained from magnetic rotator models is examined. Upper and lower bounds for the surface magnetic field are derived with constraints of interior theory using magnetohydrodynamic considerations. The formulas for the bounds are applied to rapidly rotating Be stars and Wolf-Rayet type stars using Eddington-Vogt speed relevant for the radiative diffusion zone. It is suggested that stars which have equatorially enhanced winds driven by magnetic rotator effects must have fields such that the Aflven speed is close to the speed of the Eddington-Vogt currents at the base of the stellar atmosphere.

Maheswaran, Murugesapillai↗

NASA NTRS1986

Magnetohydrodynamic instability

There have been major advances in the theory of magnetic reconnection and of magnetic instability, with important implications for the observations, as follows: (1) Fast and slow magnetic shock waves are produced by the magnetohydrodynamics of reconnection and are potential particle accelerators. (2) The impulsive bursty regime of reconnection gives a rapid release of magnetic energy in a series of bursts. (3) The radiative tearing mode creates cool filamentary structures in the reconnection process. (4) The stability analyses imply that an arcade can become unstable when either its height or twist of plasma pressure become too great.

Priest, E. R.↗