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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Particle simulations of mode conversion between slow mode and fast mode in lower hybrid range of frequencies

The propagation and mode conversion of lower hybrid waves in an inhomogeneous plasma are investigated by using the nonlinear δf algorithm in a two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation code based on the gyrokinetic electron and fully kinetic ion (GeFi) scheme [Lin et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 47, 657 (2005)]. The characteristics of the simulated waves, such as wavelength, frequency, phase, and group velocities, agree well with the linear theoretical analysis. It is shown that a significant reflection component emerges in the conversion process between the slow mode and the fast mode when the scale length of the density variation is comparable to the local wavelength. The dependences of the reflection coefficient on the scale length of the density variation are compared with the results based on the linear full wave model for cold plasmas. It is indicated that the mode conversion for the waves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz (ω ∼ 3ω{sub LH}, where ω{sub LH} represents the lower hybrid resonance) and within Tokamak relevant amplitudes can be well described in the linear scheme. As the frequency decreases, the modification due to the nonlinear term becomes important. For the low-frequency waves (ω ∼ 1.3ω{sub LH}), the generations of the high harmonic modes and sidebands through nonlinear mode-mode coupling provide new power channels and thus could reduce the reflection significantly.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1974

Analytical model for tilting proprotor aircraft dynamics, including blade torsion and coupled bending modes, and conversion mode operation

An analytical model is developed for proprotor aircraft dynamics. The rotor model includes coupled flap-lag bending modes, and blade torsion degrees of freedom. The rotor aerodynamic model is generally valid for high and low inflow, and for axial and nonaxial flight. For the rotor support, a cantilever wing is considered; incorporation of a more general support with this rotor model will be a straight-forward matter.

Johnson, W.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Well-posedness and generalized plane waves simulations of a 2D mode conversion model

Certain types of electro-magnetic waves propagating in a plasma can undergo a mode conversion process. In magnetic confinement fusion, this phenomenon is very useful to heat the plasma, since it permits to transfer the heat at or near the plasma center. This work focuses on a mathematical model of wave propagation around the mode conversion region, from both theoretical and numerical points of view. It aims at developing, for a well-posed equation, specific basis functions to study a wave mode conversion process. These basis functions, called generalized plane waves, are intrinsically based on variable coefficients. As such, they are particularly adapted to the mode conversion problem. The design of generalized plane waves for the proposed model is described in detail. Their implementation within a discontinuous Galerkin method then provides numerical simulations of the process. These first 2D simulations for this model agree with qualitative aspects studied in previous works.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Validation of full-wave simulations for mode conversion of waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies with phase contrast imaging in Alcator C-Mod

Mode conversion of fast waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) is known to result in current drive and flow drive under optimised conditions, which may be utilized to control plasma profiles and improve fusion plasma performance. To describe these processes accurately in a realistic toroidal geometry, numerical simulations are essential. Quantitative comparison of these simulations and the actual experimental measurements is important to validate their predictions and to evaluate their limitations. The phase contrast imaging (PCI) diagnostic has been used to directly detect the ICRF waves in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. The measurements have been compared with full-wave simulations through a synthetic diagnostic technique. Recently, the frequency response of the PCI detector array on Alcator C-Mod was recalibrated, which greatly improved the comparison between the measurements and the simulations. In this study, mode converted waves for D-{sup 3}He and D-H plasmas with various ion species compositions were re-analyzed with the new calibration. For the minority heating cases, self-consistent electric fields and a minority ion distribution function were simulated by iterating a full-wave code and a Fokker-Planck code. The simulated mode converted wave intensity was in quite reasonable agreement with the measurements close to the antenna, but discrepancies remain for comparison at larger distances.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

One-dimensional full wave simulation on XB mode conversion in electron cyclotron heating

The XB mode conversion in electron cyclotron resonance frequency heating has been studied in detail through 1D full wave simulation. The field pattern depends on the density scale length, and the wave absorption near upper hybrid resonance is maximized beyond the R(X) mode cutoff density for optimized density scale length. The simulated mode conversion efficiency has been compared with that of an analytic formula, showing good agreements except for the phase dependent term of the X wave. The mode conversion efficiency is calculated for oblique injections as well, and it is found that the efficiency decreases as the injection angles increases. Short magnetic field scale length is confirmed to relax the short density scale length condition maximizing the XB mode conversion efficiency. Finally, the simulation code is used to analyze the mode conversion and power absorption of a pre-ionization plasma in versatile experiment spherical torus.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Is the bulk mode conversion important in high density helicon plasma?

In a high-density helicon plasma production process, a contribution of Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) wave for surface power deposition is widely accepted. The TG wave can be excited either due to an abrupt density gradient near the plasma edge (surface conversion) or due to linear mode conversion from the helicon wave in a density gradient in the bulk region (bulk mode conversion). By numerically solving the boundary value problem of linear coupling between the helicon and the TG waves in a background with density gradient, we show that the efficiency of the bulk mode conversion strongly depends on the dissipation included in the plasma, and the bulk mode conversion is important when the dissipation is small. Also, by performing FDTD simulation, we show the time evolution of energy flux associated with the helicon and the TG waves.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quasioptical modeling of wave beams with and without mode conversion. III. Numerical simulations of mode-converting beams

This work continues a series of papers where we propose an algorithm for quasi-optical modeling of electromagnetic beams with and without mode conversion. The general theory was reported in the first paper of this series, where a parabolic partial differential equation was derived for the field envelope that may contain one or multiple modes with close group velocities. In the second paper, we presented a corresponding code PARADE (PAraxial RAy DEscription) and its test applications to single-mode beams. Here, we report quasi-optical simulations of mode-converting beams for the first time. Here, we also demonstrate that PARADE can model splitting of two-mode beams. The numerical results produced by PARADE show good agreement with those of one-dimensional full-wave simulations and also with conventional ray tracing (to the extent that one-dimensional and ray-tracing simulations are applicable).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quasioptical modeling of wave beams with and without mode conversion: III. Numerical simulations of mode-converting beams

This work continues a series of papers where we propose an algorithm for quasioptical modeling of electromagnetic beams with and without mode conversion. The general theory was reported in the first paper of this series, where a parabolic partial differential equation was derived for the field envelope that may contain one or multiple modes with close group velocities. In the second paper, we presented a corresponding code PARADE (PAraxial RAy DEscription) and its test applications to single-mode beams. Here, we report quasioptical simulations of mode-converting beams for the first time. We also demonstrate that PARADE can model splitting of two-mode beams. The numerical results produced by PARADE show good agreement with those of one-dimensional full-wave simulations and also with conventional ray tracing (to the extent that one-dimensional and ray-tracing simulations are applicable).

ECRH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Broadband wide-angle absorption enhancement due to mode conversion in cold unmagnetized plasmas with periodic density variations

We study theoretically the mode conversion and the associated resonant absorption of p-polarized electromagnetic waves into longitudinal plasma oscillations in cold, unmagnetized and stratified plasmas with periodic spatial density variations. We consider sinusoidal density configurations for which the frequency band where mode conversion occurs is well included within a transmission band of the one-dimensional plasma photonic crystal. We calculate the mode conversion coefficient, which measures the fraction of the electromagnetic wave energy absorbed into the plasma, and the spatial distribution of the magnetic field intensity for various values of the wave frequency and the incident angle using the invariant imbedding theory of mode conversion. We find that the absorption is greatly enhanced over a wide range of frequency and incident angle due to the interplay between the mode conversion and the photonic band structure. The enhancement occurs because for frequencies within a transmission band, the wave reflection is strongly suppressed and the waves penetrate more deeply into the inhomogeneous region, thereby increasing the possibility for them to reach many resonance points where the dielectric permittivity vanishes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Study of a condition for the mode conversion from purely perpendicular electrostatic waves to electromagnetic waves

One of the mechanisms for generating electromagnetic plasma waves (Z-mode and LO-mode) is mode conversion from electrostatic waves into electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous plasma. Herein, we study a condition required for mode conversion of electrostatic waves propagating purely perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, by numerically solving the full dispersion relation. An approximate model is derived describing the coupling between electrostatic waves (hot plasma Bernstein mode) and Z-mode waves at the upper hybrid frequency. The model is used to study conditions required for mode conversion from electrostatic waves (electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves, including Bernstein mode) into electromagnetic plasma waves (LO-mode). It is shown that for mode conversion to occur in inhomogeneous plasma, the angle between the boundary surface and the magnetic field vector should be within a specific range. The range of the angle depends on the norm of the k vector of waves at the site of mode conversion in the inhomogeneous region. The present study reveals that inhomogeneity alone is not a sufficient condition for mode conversion from electrostatic waves to electromagnetic plasma waves and that the angle between the magnetic field and the density gradient plays an important role in the conversion process.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quasioptical modeling of wave beams with and without mode conversion. II. Numerical simulations of single-mode beams

This work continues a series of papers where we propose an algorithm for the quasi-optical modeling of electromagnetic beams with and without mode conversion. The general theory was reported in the first paper of this series, where a parabolic partial differential equation was derived for the field envelope that may contain one or multiple modes with close group velocities. Here, we present a corresponding code paraxial ray description and its test applications to single-mode beams in vacuum and also in inhomogeneous magnetized plasma. Here, the numerical results are compared with analytic formulas from Gaussian-beam optics and also with cold-plasma ray tracing, respectively. The quasi-optical simulations of mode-converting beams are reported in the third paper of this series.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quasioptical modeling of wave beams with and without mode conversion: II. Numerical simulations of single-mode beams

This work continues a series of papers where we propose an algorithm for quasioptical modeling of electromagnetic beams with and without mode conversion. The general theory was reported in the first paper of this series, where a parabolic partial differential equation was derived for the field envelope that may contain one or multiple modes with close group velocities. Here, we present a corresponding code PARADE (PAraxial RAy DEscription) and its test applications to single-mode beams in vacuum and also in inhomogeneous magnetized plasma. The numerical results are compared, respectively, with analytic formulas from Gaussian-beam optics and also with cold-plasma ray tracing. Quasioptical simulations of mode-converting beams are reported in the next, third paper of this series.

ECRH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optomechanical control of mode conversion in a hybrid semiconductor microcavity containing a quantum dot

The future of quantum communication systems and quantum networks heavily rely on the ability to fabricate and coherently control the conversion of photons between different modes based on a solid-state plateform. In this work, we propose and theoretically investigate a scheme to optomechanically control coherent mode conversion of optical photons by utilizing two optically coupled hybrid semiconductor microcavities containing a quantum dot (QD). One of the microcavity is pumped by an external laser and the second cavity is driven by light emitted by the QD that is embedded in the interface separating the two microcavities. The semiconductor microcavities can be fabricated using distributed Bragg reflectors and can be made movable. We have demonstrated that photon-mode-conversion efficiency can be coherently manipulated by the optomechanical mode under appropriate conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Mode-conversion of the extraordinary wave at the upper hybrid resonance in the presence of small-amplitude density fluctuations

We report in spherical tokamaks, the electron plasma frequency is greater than the electron cyclotron (EC) frequency. Electromagnetic waves in the EC range of frequencies are unsuitable for directly heating such plasmas due to their reduced accessibility. However, mode-conversion of the extraordinary wave to the electron Bernstein wave (X–B mode-conversion) at the upper hybrid resonance makes it possible to efficiently couple externally-launched electromagnetic wave energy into an overdense plasma core. Traditional mode-conversion models describe an X-mode wave propagating in a potential containing two cutoffs that bracket a single wave resonance. Often, however, the mode-conversion region is in the edge, where turbulent fluctuations and blobs can generate abrupt cutoffs and scattering of the incident X-mode wave. We present a new framework for studying the X–B mode-conversion which makes the inclusion of these fluctuations analytically tractable. In the new approach, the high-field cutoff is modeled as an infinite barrier, which manifests as a boundary condition applied to a wave equation involving only one cutoff adjacent to the resonance on the low-field side. The new model reproduces the main features of the previous approach, yet is more suitable for analyzing experimental observations and extrapolating to higher dimensions. We then develop an analytical estimate for the effect of small-amplitude, quasi-monochromatic density fluctuations on the X–B mode-conversion efficiency using perturbation theory. We find that Bragg backscattering of the launched X-mode wave reduces the mode-conversion efficiency significantly when the fluctuation wavenumber is resonant with the wavenumber of the incident X-mode wave. These analytical results are corroborated by numerically integrating the mode-conversion equations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Mode-conversion of the extraordinary wave at the upper hybrid resonance in the presence of small-amplitude density fluctuations

In spherical tokamaks, the electron plasma frequency is greater than the electron cyclotron frequency. Electromagnetic waves in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies are unsuitable for directly heating such plasmas due to their reduced accessibility. However, mode-conversion of the extraordinary wave to the electron Bernstein wave (X-B mode-conversion) at the upper hybrid resonance makes it possible to efficiently couple externally-launched electromagnetic wave energy into an overdense plasma core. Traditional mode-conversion models describe an X-mode wave propagating in a potential containing two cutoffs that bracket a single wave resonance. Often, however, the mode-conversion region is in the edge, where turbulent fluctuations and blobs can generate abrupt cutoffs and scattering of the incident X-mode wave. We present a new framework for studying the X-B mode-conversion which makes the inclusion of these fluctuations analytically tractable. In the new approach, the high- field cutoff is modelled as an infinite barrier, which manifests as a boundary condition applied to a wave equation involving only one cutoff adjacent to the resonance on the low-field side. The new model reproduces the main features of the previous approach, yet is more suitable for analyzing experimental observations and extrapolating to higher dimensions. We then develop an analytical estimate for the effect of small-amplitude, quasi-monochromatic density fluctuations on the X-B mode-conversion efficiency using perturbation theory. We find that Bragg backscattering of the launched X-mode wave reduces the mode-conversion efficiency significantly when the fluctuation wavenumber is resonant with the wavenumber of the incident X-mode wave. These analytical results are corroborated by numerically integrating the mode-conversion equations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Direct X-B mode conversion for high-β national spherical torus experiment in nonlinear regime

Electron Bernstein wave (EBW) can be effective for heating and driving currents in spherical tokamak plasmas. Power can be coupled to EBW via mode conversion of the extraordinary (X) mode wave. The most common and successful approach to study the conditions for optimized mode conversion to EBW was evaluated analytically and numerically using a cold plasma model and an approximate kinetic model. The major drawback in using radio frequency waves was the lack of continuous wave sources at very high frequencies (above the electron plasma frequency), which has been addressed. A future milestone is to approach high power regime, where the nonlinear effects become significant, exceeding the limits of validity for present linear theory. Therefore, one appropriate tool would be particle in cell (PIC) simulation. The PIC method retains most of the nonlinear physics without approximations. In this work, we study the direct X-B mode conversion process stages using PIC method for incident wave frequency f{sub 0} = 15 GHz, and maximum amplitude E{sub 0} = 10{sup 5 }V/m in the national spherical torus experiment (NSTX). The modelling shows a considerable reduction in X-B mode conversion efficiency, C{sub modelling} = 0.43, due to the presence of nonlinearities. Comparison of system properties to the linear state reveals predominant nonlinear effects; EBW wavelength and group velocity in comparison with linear regime exhibit an increment around ∼36% and 17%, respectively.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

O–X mode conversion in a non-symmetric torus at electron cyclotron frequencies

Previous work on this topic, [Weitzner, Phys. Plasmas 11, 866 (2004)], applicable in a system with toroidal symmetry, is here extended to the case of a non-symmetric background equilibrium state. Maxwell's equations with the cold plasma dielectric tensor are used to represent the plasma-electromagnetic wave interaction. Away from the mode conversion region, geometrical optics adequately characterizes the wave propagation. A new, simpler derivation of the wave equations in the mode conversion region is given. Aside from one very special case in which a general plasma equilibrium behaves like a stratified medium, the previous results apply and highly effective mode conversion is found. The matching of the mode conversion solution to the geometrical optics solution, not previously examined, is discussed. A relatively weak condition on the perpendicular wave number near the resonance layer is found. Provided that the perpendicular wave number is small, it tends to zero at the mode conversion layer and the solutions match effectively.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗