A neutral lithium beam source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, XiaoDong; Wang, ZhengMin; Hu, LiQun

1994-04-01

A low energy neutral lithium beam source with energy about 6 keV and a neutral beam equivalent current of 20 μA/cm2 has been developed in ASIPP in order to measure the density gradient and the fluctuations in the edge plasma of the HT-6M tokamak. In the source, lithium ions are extracted from a solid emitter (β-eucryptite), focused in a two-tube immersion lens, and neutralized in a charge-exchange cell with sodium. This source operates in pulsed mode. The pulse length is adjustable from 10 to 100 ms.

Assessment of effects of neutrals on the power threshold for L to H transitions in DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Owen, L.W.; Carreras, B.A.; Maingi, R.

1997-09-01

To assess the effect of edge neutrals on the low to high confinement transition threshold, a broad range of plasma discharges has been analyzed. From this analysis, the transition power divided by the density, at constant magnetic field, appears to be a function of a single parameter measuring the neutrals` effect, This parameter cannot be uniquely identified. For instance, it may be the radial decay length of the neutral profile or the charge exchange damping rate at about r/a {approx} 0.95. This results suggest that there is a missing parameter linked to the neutrals in the power threshold scaling laws.

Compatibility of lithium plasma-facing surfaces with high edge temperatures in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Majeski, R.; Bell, R. E.; Boyle, D. P.

We measured high edge electron temperatures (200 eV or greater) at the wall-limited plasma boundary in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX). Flat electron temperature profiles are a long-predicted consequence of low recycling boundary conditions. Plasma density in the outer scrape-off layer is very low, 2-3 x 10(17) m(-3), consistent with a low recycling metallic lithium boundary. In spite of the high edge temperature, the core impurity content is low. Z(eff) is estimated to be similar to 1.2, with a very modest contribution (< 0.1) from lithium. Experiments are transient. Gas puffing is used to increase the plasma density. After gasmore » injection stops, the discharge density is allowed to drop, and the edge is pumped by the low recycling lithium wall. An upgrade to LTX-LTX-beta, which includes a 35A, 20 kV neutral beam injector (on loan to LTX from Tri-Alpha Energy) to provide core fueling to maintain constant density, as well as auxiliary heating, is underway. LTX-beta is briefly described.« less

Compatibility of lithium plasma-facing surfaces with high edge temperatures in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment

DOE PAGES

Majeski, R.; Bell, R. E.; Boyle, D. P.; ...

2017-03-20

We measured high edge electron temperatures (200 eV or greater) at the wall-limited plasma boundary in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX). Flat electron temperature profiles are a long-predicted consequence of low recycling boundary conditions. Plasma density in the outer scrape-off layer is very low, 2-3 x 10(17) m(-3), consistent with a low recycling metallic lithium boundary. In spite of the high edge temperature, the core impurity content is low. Z(eff) is estimated to be similar to 1.2, with a very modest contribution (< 0.1) from lithium. Experiments are transient. Gas puffing is used to increase the plasma density. After gasmore » injection stops, the discharge density is allowed to drop, and the edge is pumped by the low recycling lithium wall. An upgrade to LTX-LTX-beta, which includes a 35A, 20 kV neutral beam injector (on loan to LTX from Tri-Alpha Energy) to provide core fueling to maintain constant density, as well as auxiliary heating, is underway. LTX-beta is briefly described.« less

Compatibility of lithium plasma-facing surfaces with high edge temperatures in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majeski, R.; Bell, R. E.; Boyle, D. P.; Kaita, R.; Kozub, T.; LeBlanc, B. P.; Lucia, M.; Maingi, R.; Merino, E.; Raitses, Y.; Schmitt, J. C.; Allain, J. P.; Bedoya, F.; Bialek, J.; Biewer, T. M.; Canik, J. M.; Buzi, L.; Koel, B. E.; Patino, M. I.; Capece, A. M.; Hansen, C.; Jarboe, T.; Kubota, S.; Peebles, W. A.; Tritz, K.

2017-05-01

High edge electron temperatures (200 eV or greater) have been measured at the wall-limited plasma boundary in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX). Flat electron temperature profiles are a long-predicted consequence of low recycling boundary conditions. Plasma density in the outer scrape-off layer is very low, 2-3 × 1017 m-3, consistent with a low recycling metallic lithium boundary. Despite the high edge temperature, the core impurity content is low. Zeff is estimated to be ˜1.2, with a very modest contribution (<0.1) from lithium. Experiments are transient. Gas puffing is used to increase the plasma density. After gas injection stops, the discharge density is allowed to drop, and the edge is pumped by the low recycling lithium wall. An upgrade to LTX-LTX-β, which includes a 35A, 20 kV neutral beam injector (on loan to LTX from Tri-Alpha Energy) to provide core fueling to maintain constant density, as well as auxiliary heating, is underway. LTX-β is briefly described.

Adsorption of Potassium on the MoS2(100) Surface: A First-Principles Investigation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andersen, Amity; Kathmann, Shawn M.; Lilga, Michael A.

2011-04-15

Periodic density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the interaction that potassium with the Mo and S edges of the MoS2(100) surface. Both neutral and cationic (+1) charged potassium-promoted systems at different sulfur coverages were considered. Our calculations indicate that the potassium atom readily donates its single 4s valence electron to the MoS2 structure for the neutral potassium-promoted system, and the neutral and cationic potassium-promoted systems demonstrate a similar adsorption behavior. Moreover, potassium changes the magnetic properties known to occur at the metallic edge surface, which have implications for electron spin dependent surface characterization methods (i.e., electron spin/paramagnetic spectroscopy).more » Potassium in both the neutral and cationic systems tends to maximize its interactions with the available sulfur atoms at the edge surface, preferring sites over four-fold S hollows on fully sulfided Mo and S edges and over the interstitial gap where two to four edge surface S atoms are available for coordination. As the potassium coverage increases, the adsorption energy per potassium atom, surface work function, and transfer of the K 4s electron to the MoS2(100) surface decreases, which is in line with an increased metallization of the potassium adlayer. The potassium adlayer tends to form chains along the interstitial with K-K distances ~1 Å, which is notably less than those of bulk bcc K metal (4.61 Å). Density of states for the potassium-saturated surface suggests enhanced involvement of broad K 3d states beginning just above the Fermi level. Potassium-promotion of MoS2(100) has implications for alcohol catalysis: increasing the surface basicity by increasing the electron charge of the surface, providing hydrogenation-promoting CO site, blocking edge surface that dissociate CO and lead to methanation, and limiting H2 dissociative adsorption to the edge surface and possibly inhibiting the H2 dissociative adsorption via s character electron repulsion. This research was performed in part using the Molecular Science Computing Facility in the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national scientific user facility located at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is operated by Battelle for DOE.« less

Measurement and simulation of passive fast-ion D-alpha emission from the DIII-D tokamak

DOE PAGES

Bolte, Nathan G.; Heidbrink, William W.; Pace, David; ...

2016-09-14

Spectra of passive fast-ion D-alpha (FIDA) light from beam ions that charge exchange with background neutrals are measured and simulated. The fast ions come from three sources: ions that pass through the diagnostic sightlines on their first full orbit, an axisymmetric confined population, and ions that are expelled into the edge region by instabilities. A passive FIDA simulation (P-FIDASIM) is developed as a forward model for the spectra of the first-orbit fast ions and consists of an experimentally-validated beam deposition model, an ion orbit-following code, a collisional-radiative model, and a synthetic spectrometer. Model validation consists of the simulation of 86more » experimental spectra that are obtained using 6 different neutral beam fast-ion sources and 13 different lines of sight. Calibrated spectra are used to estimate the neutral density throughout the cross-section of the tokamak. The resulting 2D neutral density shows the expected increase toward each X-point with average neutral densities of 8 X 10 9 cm -3 at the plasma boundary and 1 X 10 11 cm -3 near the wall. Here, fast ions that are on passing orbits are expelled by the sawtooth instability more readily than trapped ions. In a sample discharge, approximately 1% of the fast-ion population is ejected into the high neutral density region per sawtooth crash.« less

How northward turnings of the IMF can lead to substorm expansion onsets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, C. T.

2000-10-01

The frequent triggering of the expansion phase of substorms by northward turnings of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) can be understood in terms of the existence of two neutral points. The distant neutral point produces a plasma sheet on closed field lines that resupplies the magnetized plasma surrounding the near-Earth neutral point. As long as the near-Earth neutral point reconnects in moderately dense plasma, the reconnection rate is low. When the IMF turns northward, reconnection at the distant neutral point ceases but reconnection at the near-Earth neutral point continues and soon reaches open, low density magnetic field lines where the rate of reconnection is rapid, and a full expansion phase occurs. This model is consistent with the observations of substorms with two onsets: an initial one at low invariant latitudes when reconnection at the near Earth neutral point first begins and the second when reconnection reaches low density field lines at the edge of the plasma sheet and continues into the open flux of the tail lobes. It is also consistent with the occurrence of pseudo breakups in which reconnection at the near Earth neutral point begins but does not proceed to lobe field lines and a full expansion phase.

Measurements of Ion and Neutral Fluctuation Changes with Pressure in a Large-Scale Helicon Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwyer, R. H.; Fisher, D. M.; Kelly, R. F.; Hatch, M. W.; Gilmore, M.

2017-10-01

Neutral particle dynamics may play an important role both in laboratory plasmas and in the edge of magnetic fusion devices. However, studies of neutral dynamics in these plasmas have been limited to date. Here we report on a basic study of ion and neutral fluctuations as a function of background neutral gas pressure. These experiments have been conducted in helicon discharges in the HelCat (Helicon-Cathode) dual-source plasma device at the University of New Mexico. The goal is to measure changes in ion and neutral density fluctuations with pressure and to gain an improved understanding of plasma-neutral interactions. Langmuir probe, Ar-I LIF, and high-speed imaging measurements of the fluctuations will be presented. Supported by U.S. National Science Foundation Award 1500423 and The University of New Mexico School of Engineering.

Semi-analytical study of the tokamak pedestal density profile in a single-null diverted plasma with puffing-recycling gas sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Bingren

2010-10-01

The tokamak pedestal density structure is generally studied using a diffusion-dominant model. Recent investigations (Stacey and Groebner 2009 Phys. Plasmas 16 102504) from first principle based physics have shown a plausible existence of large inward convection in the pedestal region. The diffusion-convection equation with rapidly varying convection and diffusion coefficients in the near edge region and model puffing-recycling neutral particles is studied in this paper. A peculiar property of its solution for the existence of the large convection case is that the pedestal width of the density profile, qualitatively different from the diffusion-dominant case, depends mainly on the width of the inward convection and only weakly on the neutral penetration length and its injection position.

Measurements of neutral hydrogen profiles on the EXTRAP-T2 reversed-field pinch from time-resolved ? line emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sallander, J.; Hedqvist, A.; Rachlew-Källne, E.

1998-09-01

The investigations of the radial distributions of 0953-4075/31/17/015/img2 emission from the EXTRAP-T2 reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasma show that the emission profile varies a lot, even during one plasma discharge. At central electron temperatures of about 150 eV it was expected that the 0953-4075/31/17/015/img2 emission should emerge from the plasma centre. In comparison, 0953-4075/31/17/015/img4 is always observed to radiate from the centre. Our measurements of 0953-4075/31/17/015/img2 emission have, however, shown that this is not always the case, the emission often comes from the plasma edge. The analysis of the measurements has led us to conclude that the edge emission comes from charge-exchange recombination with neutral hydrogen near the carbon first wall. These observations provide a way to estimate the change in neutral hydrogen density during local plasma-wall interaction.

Two photon absorption laser induced fluorescence measurements of neutral density in a helicon plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Galante, M. E.; Magee, R. M.; Scime, E. E.

2014-05-15

We have developed a new diagnostic based on two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence (TALIF). We use a high intensity (5 MW/cm{sup 2}), narrow bandwidth (0.1 cm{sup −1}) laser to probe the ground state of neutral hydrogen, deuterium and krypton with spatial resolution better than 0.2 cm, a time resolution of 10 ns, and a measurement cadence of 20 Hz. Here, we describe proof-of-principle measurements in a helicon plasma source that demonstrate the TALIF diagnostic is capable of measuring neutral densities spanning four orders of magnitude; comparable to the edge neutral gradients predicted in the DIII-D tokamak pedestal. The measurements are performed in hydrogen and deuteriummore » plasmas and absolute calibration is accomplished through TALIF measurements in neutral krypton. The optical configuration employed is confocal, i.e., both light injection and collection are accomplished with a single lens through a single optical port in the vacuum vessel. The wavelength resolution of the diagnostic is sufficient to separate hydrogen and deuterium spectra and we present measurements from mixed hydrogen and deuterium plasmas that demonstrate isotopic abundance measurements are feasible. Time resolved measurements also allow us to explore the evolution of the neutral hydrogen density and temperature and effects of wall recycling. We find that the atomic neutral density grows rapidly at the initiation of the discharge, reaching the steady-state value within 1 ms. Additionally, we find that neutral hydrogen atoms are born with 0.08 eV temperatures, not 2 eV as is typically assumed.« less

Capacity improvement of the carbon-based electrochemical capacitor by zigzag-edge introduced graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamura, Naoki; Tomai, Takaaki; Oka, Nobuto; Honma, Itaru

2018-01-01

The electrochemical properties of graphene edge has been attracted much attention. Especially, zigzag edge has high electrochemical activity because neutral radical exits on edge. However, due to a lack of efficient production method for zigzag graphene, the electrochemical properties of zigzag edge have not been experimentally demonstrated and the capacitance enhancement of carbonaceous materials in energy storage devices by the control in their edge states is still challenge. In this study, we fabricated zigzag-edge-rich graphene by a one-step method combining graphene exfoliation in supercritical fluid and anisotropic etching by catalytic nanoparticles. This efficient production of zigzag-edge-rich graphene allows us to investigate the electrochemical activity of zigzag edge. By cyclic voltammetry, we revealed the zigzag edge-introduced graphene exhibited unique redox reaction in aqueous acid solution. Moreover, by the calculation on the density function theory (DFT), this unique redox potential for zigzag edge-introduced graphene can be attributed to the proton-insertion/-extraction reactions at the zigzag edge. This finding indicates that the graphene edge modification can contribute to the further increase in the capacitance of the carbon-based electrochemical capacitor.

Recent improvements of the JET lithium beam diagnostica)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brix, M.; Dodt, D.; Dunai, D.; Lupelli, I.; Marsen, S.; Melson, T. F.; Meszaros, B.; Morgan, P.; Petravich, G.; Refy, D. I.; Silva, C.; Stamp, M.; Szabolics, T.; Zastrow, K.-D.; Zoletnik, S.; JET-EFDA Contributors

2012-10-01

A 60 kV neutral lithium diagnostic beam probes the edge plasma of JET for the measurement of electron density profiles. This paper describes recent enhancements of the diagnostic setup, new procedures for calibration and protection measures for the lithium ion gun during massive gas puffs for disruption mitigation. New light splitting optics allow in parallel beam emission measurements with a new double entrance slit CCD spectrometer (spectrally resolved) and a new interference filter avalanche photodiode camera (fast density and fluctuation studies).

Determination of the neutral oxygen atom density in a plasma reactor loaded with metal samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mozetic, Miran; Cvelbar, Uros

2009-08-01

The density of neutral oxygen atoms was determined during processing of metal samples in a plasma reactor. The reactor was a Pyrex tube with an inner diameter of 11 cm and a length of 30 cm. Plasma was created by an inductively coupled radiofrequency generator operating at a frequency of 27.12 MHz and output power up to 500 W. The O density was measured at the edge of the glass tube with a copper fiber optics catalytic probe. The O atom density in the empty tube depended on pressure and was between 4 and 7 × 1021 m-3. The maximum O density was at a pressure of about 150 Pa, while the dissociation fraction of O2 molecules was maximal at the lowest pressure and decreased with increasing pressure. At about 300 Pa it dropped below 10%. The measurements were repeated in the chamber loaded with different metallic samples. In these cases, the density of oxygen atoms was lower than that in the empty chamber. The results were explained by a drain of O atoms caused by heterogeneous recombination on the samples.

Edge Stability and Performance of the ELM-Free Quiescent H-Mode and the Quiescent Double Barrier Mode on DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

West, W P; Burrell, K H; Casper, T A

2004-12-03

The quiescent H (QH) mode, an edge localized mode (ELM)-free, high-confinement mode, combines well with an internal transport barrier to form quiescent double barrier (QDB) stationary state, high performance plasmas. The QH-mode edge pedestal pressure is similar to that seen in ELMing phases of the same discharge, with similar global energy confinement. The pedestal density in early ELMing phases of strongly pumped counter injection discharges drops and a transition to QH-mode occurs, leading to lower calculated edge bootstrap current. Plasmas current ramp experiment and ELITE code modeling of edge stability suggest that QH-modes lie near an edge current stability boundary.more » At high triangularity, QH-mode discharges operate at higher pedestal density and pressure, and have achieved ITER level values of {beta}{sub PED} and {nu}*. The QDB achieves performance of {alpha}{sub N}H{sub 89} {approx} 7 in quasi-stationary conditions for a duration of 10 tE, limited by hardware. Recently we demonstrated stationary state QDB discharges with little change in kinetic and q profiles (q{sub 0} > 1) for 2 s, comparable to ELMing ''hybrid scenarios'', yet without the debilitating effects of ELMs. Plasma profile control tools, including electron cyclotron heating and current drive and neutral beam heating, have been demonstrated to control simultaneously the q profile development, the density peaking, impurity accumulation and plasma beta.« less

Extreme ultraviolet observations of HZ 43 and the local H/He ratio with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimble, Randy A.; Davidsen, Arthur F.; Long, Knox S.; Feldman, Paul D.

1993-01-01

We present a spectrum of the hot DA white dwarf HZ 43 in the EUV, near the 504-A ionization edge of neutral helium, obtained with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) during the 1990 December Astro-1 mission. The interstellar column densities derived from this spectrum rule out the anomalous interstellar absorption model proposed by Heise et al.(1991), which required a greater column density of neutral helium than neutral hydrogen toward HZ 43 in order to explain the low EUV flux from HZ 43 reported by EXOSAT. Instead, we find the interstellar neutral H/He ratio toward HZ 43 to be consistent with the canonical cosmic abundance ratio of 10 or with the 11.6 +/- 1.0 ratio measured by HUT along the line of sight toward another DA white dwarf, G191-B2B. The HUT observations suggest that either there is a substantial calibration error in the EXOSAT spectroscopy of HZ 43, or otherwise undetected metals in the nominally pure hydrogen HZ 43 atmosphere suppress its flux between 150 and 300 A, or both.

Nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure of pyrimidine-containing nucleotides in aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, Hiroyuki; Minami, Hirotake; Okuizumi, Naoto; Sakuma, Ichiro; Ukai, Masatoshi; Fujii, Kentaro; Yokoya, Akinari; Fukuda, Yoshihiro; Saitoh, Yuji

2015-05-01

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) was measured at energies around the N K-edge of the pyrimidine-containing nucleotides, cytidine 5'-monophosphate (CMP), 2'-deoxythymidine 5'-monophosphate (dTMP), and uridine 5'-monophosphate (UMP), in aqueous solutions and in dried films under various pH conditions. The features of resonant excitations below the N K-edge in the XANES spectra for CMP, dTMP, and UMP changed depending on the pH of the solutions. The spectral change thus observed is systematically explained by the chemical shift of the core-levels of N atoms in the nucleobase moieties caused by structural changes due to protonation or deprotonation at different proton concentrations. This interpretation is supported by the results of theoretical calculations using density functional theory for the corresponding nucleobases in the neutral and protonated or deprotonated forms.

Nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure of pyrimidine-containing nucleotides in aqueous solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shimada, Hiroyuki, E-mail: hshimada@cc.tuat.ac.jp; Minami, Hirotake; Okuizumi, Naoto

2015-05-07

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) was measured at energies around the N K-edge of the pyrimidine-containing nucleotides, cytidine 5′-monophosphate (CMP), 2′-deoxythymidine 5′-monophosphate (dTMP), and uridine 5′-monophosphate (UMP), in aqueous solutions and in dried films under various pH conditions. The features of resonant excitations below the N K-edge in the XANES spectra for CMP, dTMP, and UMP changed depending on the pH of the solutions. The spectral change thus observed is systematically explained by the chemical shift of the core-levels of N atoms in the nucleobase moieties caused by structural changes due to protonation or deprotonation at different proton concentrations.more » This interpretation is supported by the results of theoretical calculations using density functional theory for the corresponding nucleobases in the neutral and protonated or deprotonated forms.« less

Low density of neutral hydrogen and helium in the local interstellar medium: Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer photometry of the Lyman continuum of the hot white dwarfs MCT 0501-2858, MCT 0455-2812, HZ 43, and GD 153

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vennes, Stephane; Dupuis, Jean; Bowyer, Stuart; Fontaine, Gilles; Wiercigroch, Alexandria; Jelinsky, Patrick; Wesemael, Francois; Malina, Roger

1994-01-01

The first comprehensive sky survey of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral range performed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) has uncovered a handful of very bright sources at wavelengths longer than the He I 504 A photoionization edge. Among these objects are four white dwarfs with exceptionally low interstellar medium (ISM) column densities along the line of sight. Analysis of EUV photometry of the He-rich DO white dwarf MCT 0501-2858 and the H-rich DA white dwarf MCT 0455-2812 along one line of sight and of the DA white dwarfs HZ 43 and GD 153 near the north Galactic pole indicates that the overall minimum column density of the neutral material centered on the Sun is N(H I) = 0.5-1.0 x 10(exp 18)/sq cm. In the case of MCT 0501-2858, EUV photometric measurements provide a clear constraint to the effective temperature (60,000-70,000 K). Given these neutral hydrogen columns, the actual contribution to the density of neutral species from the immediate solar environment (the 'local fluff') would only cover a distance of approximately equals 2-3 pc (assuming an average density n(H I) = 0.1/cu cm) leaving these lines of sight almost entirely within the hot phase of the ISM. A preliminary examination of the complete EUVE long-wavelength survey indicates that these lines of sight are exceptional and set a minimum column density in the solar environment.

Hα line shape in front of the limiter in the HT-6M tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Baonian; Li, Jiangang; Luo, Jiarong; Xie, Jikang; Wu, Zhenwei; Zhang, Xianmei; HT-6M Group

1999-11-01

The Hα line shape in front of the limiter in the HT-6M tokamak is analysed by multi-Gaussian fitting. The energy distribution of neutral hydrogen atoms reveals that Hα radiation is contributed by Franck-Condon atoms, atoms reflected at the limiter surface and charge exchange. Multi-Gaussian fitting of the Hα spectral profile indicates contributions of 60% from reflection particles and 40% from molecule dissociation to recycling. Ion temperatures in central regions are obtained from the spectral width of charge exchange components. Dissociation of hydrogen molecules and reflection of particles at the limiter surface are dominant in edge recycling. Reduction of particle reflection at the limiter surface is important for controlling edge recycling. The measured profiles of neutral hydrogen atom density are reproduced by a particle continuity equation and a simplified one dimensional Monte Carlo simulation code.

Qualification and implementation of line ratio spectroscopy on helium as plasma edge diagnostic at ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griener, M.; Muñoz Burgos, J. M.; Cavedon, M.; Birkenmeier, G.; Dux, R.; Kurzan, B.; Schmitz, O.; Sieglin, B.; Stroth, U.; Viezzer, E.; Wolfrum, E.; the ASDEX Upgrade Team

2018-02-01

A new thermal helium beam diagnostic has been implemented as plasma edge diagnostic at the ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) tokamak. The helium beam is built to measure the electron density n e and temperature T e simultaneously with high spatial and temporal resolution in order to investigate steady-state as well as fast transport processes in the plasma edge region. For the thermal helium beam emission line ratio spectroscopy, neutral helium is locally injected into the plasma by a piezo valve. This enabled the measurement of the line resolved emission intensities of seven He I lines for different plasma scenarios in AUG. The different line ratios can be used together with a collisional-radiative model (CRM) to reconstruct the underlying electron temperature and density. Ratios from the same spin species are used for the electron density reconstruction, whereas spin mixed ratios are sensitive to electron temperature changes. The different line ratios as well as different CRMs are tested for their suitability for diagnostic applications. Furthermore their consistency in calculating identical parameters is validated and the resulting profiles are compared to other available diagnostics at AUG.

Equilibrium theory of cylindrical discharges with special application to helicons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curreli, Davide; Chen, Francis F.

2011-11-01

Radiofrequency discharges used in industry often have centrally peaked plasma density profiles n(r) although ionization is localized at the edge, even in the presence of a dc magnetic field. This can be explained with a simple cylindrical model in one dimension as long as the short-circuit effect at the endplates causes a Maxwellian electron distribution. Surprisingly, a universal profile can be obtained, which is self-similar for all discharges with uniform electron temperature Te and neutral density nn. When all collisions and ionizations are radially accounted for, the ion drift velocity toward the wall reaches the Bohm velocity at a radius which can be identified with the sheath edge, thus obviating a pre-sheath calculation. For non-uniform Te and nn, the profiles change slightly but are always peaked on axis. For helicon discharges, iteration with the HELIC code for antenna-wave coupling yields profiles consistent with both energy deposition and diffusion profiles. Calculated density is in absolute-value agreement with experiment.

Numerical exploration of non-axisymmetric divertor closure in the small angle slot (SAS) divertor at DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Frerichs, H.; Schmitz, O.; Covele, B.; ...

2018-02-28

Numerical simulations of toroidal asymmetries in a tightly baffled small angle slot (SAS) divertor on the DIII-D tokamak show that toroidal asymmetries in divertor closure result in (non-axisymmetric) local onset of detachment within a density window of 10-15% on top of the nominal threshold separatrix density. The SAS divertor is explored at DIII-D for improving access to cold, dissipative/detached divertor conditions. The narrow width of the slot divertor coupled with a small magnetic field line-to-target angle facilitates the buildup of neutral density, thereby increasing radiative and neutrals-related (atoms and molecules) losses in the divertor. Therefore, small changes in the strikemore » point location can be expected to have a large impact on diverter conditions. The combination of misaligned slot structure and non-axisymmetric perturbations to the magnetic field configuration causes the strike point to move along the divertor target plate, possibly leaving the diverter slot at some locations. The latter extreme case essentially introduces an opening in the divertor slot from where recycling neutrals can easily escape, and thereby degrade the performance of the slot divertor. Such a strike point dislocation is approximated by a finite gap in the divertor baffle for which three dimensional edge plasma and neutral gas simulations are performed with the EMC3-EIRENE code.« less

Numerical exploration of non-axisymmetric divertor closure in the small angle slot (SAS) divertor at DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frerichs, H.; Schmitz, O.; Covele, B.

Numerical simulations of toroidal asymmetries in a tightly baffled small angle slot (SAS) divertor on the DIII-D tokamak show that toroidal asymmetries in divertor closure result in (non-axisymmetric) local onset of detachment within a density window of 10-15% on top of the nominal threshold separatrix density. The SAS divertor is explored at DIII-D for improving access to cold, dissipative/detached divertor conditions. The narrow width of the slot divertor coupled with a small magnetic field line-to-target angle facilitates the buildup of neutral density, thereby increasing radiative and neutrals-related (atoms and molecules) losses in the divertor. Therefore, small changes in the strikemore » point location can be expected to have a large impact on diverter conditions. The combination of misaligned slot structure and non-axisymmetric perturbations to the magnetic field configuration causes the strike point to move along the divertor target plate, possibly leaving the diverter slot at some locations. The latter extreme case essentially introduces an opening in the divertor slot from where recycling neutrals can easily escape, and thereby degrade the performance of the slot divertor. Such a strike point dislocation is approximated by a finite gap in the divertor baffle for which three dimensional edge plasma and neutral gas simulations are performed with the EMC3-EIRENE code.« less

Numerical exploration of non-axisymmetric divertor closure in the small angle slot (SAS) divertor at DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frerichs, H.; Schmitz, O.; Covele, B.; Feng, Y.; Guo, H. Y.; Hill, D.

2018-05-01

Numerical simulations of toroidal asymmetries in a tightly baffled small angle slot (SAS) divertor on the DIII-D tokamak show that toroidal asymmetries in divertor closure result in (non-axisymmetric) local onset of detachment within a density window of 10-15% on top of the nominal threshold separatrix density. The SAS divertor is explored at DIII-D for improving access to cold, dissipative/detached divertor conditions. The narrow width of the slot divertor coupled with a small magnetic field line-to-target angle facilitates the buildup of neutral density, thereby increasing radiative and neutrals-related (atoms and molecules) losses in the divertor. Small changes in the strike point location can be expected to have a large impact on divertor conditions. The combination of misaligned slot structure and non-axisymmetric perturbations to the magnetic field configuration causes the strike point to move along the divertor target plate, possibly leaving the divertor slot at some locations. The latter extreme case essentially introduces an opening in the divertor slot from where recycling neutrals can easily escape, and thereby degrade the performance of the slot divertor. Such a strike point dislocation is approximated by a finite gap in the divertor baffle for which 3D edge plasma and neutral gas simulations are performed with the EMC3-EIRENE code.

Extreme ultraviolet observations of G191-B2B and the local interstellar medium with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimble, Randy A.; Davidsen, Arthur F.; Blair, William P.; Bowers, Charles W.; Van Dyke Dixon, W.; Durrance, Samuel T.; Feldman, Paul D.; Ferguson, Henry C.; Henry, Richard C.; Kriss, Gerard A.

1993-01-01

During the Astro-l mission in 1990 December, the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) was used to observe the extreme ultraviolet spectrum (415-912 A) of the hot DA white dwarf GI91-B2B. Absorption by neutral helium shortward of the 504 A He I absorption edge is clearly detected in the raw spectrum. Model fits to the observed spectrum require interstellar neutral helium and neutral hydrogen column densities of 1.45 +/- 0.065 x 10 exp 17/sq cm and 1.69 +/- 0.12 x 10 exp 18/sq cm, respectively. Comparison of the neutral columns yields a direct assessment of the ionization state of the local interstellar cloud surrounding the Sun. The neutral hydrogen to helium ratio of 11.6 +/- 1.0 observed by HUT strongly contradicts the widespread view that hydrogen is much more ionized than helium in the local interstellar medium, a view which has motivated some exotic theoretical explanations for the supposed high ionization.

Studies of the pedestal structure and inter-ELM pedestal evolution in JET with the ITER-like wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maggi, C. F.; Frassinetti, L.; Horvath, L.; Lunniss, A.; Saarelma, S.; Wilson, H.; Flanagan, J.; Leyland, M.; Lupelli, I.; Pamela, S.; Urano, H.; Garzotti, L.; Lerche, E.; Nunes, I.; Rimini, F.; Contributors, JET

2017-11-01

The pedestal structure of type I ELMy H-modes has been analysed for JET with the ITER-like Wall (JET-ILW). The electron pressure pedestal width is independent of ρ * and increases proportionally to  √β pol,PED. Additional broadening of the width is observed, at constant β pol, PED, with increasing ν * and/or neutral gas injection and the contribution of atomic physics effects in setting the pedestal width cannot as yet be ruled out. Neutral penetration alone does not determine the shape of the edge density profile in JET-ILW. The ratio of electron density to electron temperature scale lengths in the edge transport barrier region, η e, is of order 2-3 within experimental uncertainties. Existing understanding, represented in the stationary linear peeling-ballooning mode stability and the EPED pedestal structure models, is extended to the dynamic evolution between ELM crashes in JET-ILW, in order to test the assumptions underlying these two models. The inter-ELM temporal evolution of the pedestal structure in JET-ILW is not unique, but depends on discharge conditions, such as heating power and gas injection levels. The strong reduction in p e,PED with increasing D 2 gas injection at high power is primarily due to clamping of \

Integration of uncooled scraper elements and its diagnostics into Wendelstein 7-X

DOE PAGES

Fellinger, Joris; Loesser, Doug; Neilson, Hutch; ...

2017-08-08

The modular stellarator Wendelstein 7-X in Greifswald (Germany) successfully started operation in 2015 with short pulse limiter plasmas. In 2017, the next operation phase (OP) OP1.2 will start once 10 uncooled test divertor units (TDU) with graphite armor will be installed. The TDUs allow for plasma pulses of 10 s with 8 MW heating. OP2, allowing for steady state operation, is planned for 2020 after the TDUs will be replaced by 10 water cooled CFC armored divertors. Due to the development of plasma currents like bootstrap currents in long pulse plasmas in OP2, the plasma could hit the edge ofmore » the divertor targets which has a reduced cooling capacity compared to the central part of the target tiles. To prevent overloading of these edges, a so-called scraper element can be positioned in front of the divertor, intersecting those strike lines that would otherwise hit the divertor edges. As a result, these edges are protected but as a drawback the pumping efficiency of neutrals is also reduced. As a test an uncooled scraper element with graphite tiles will be placed in two out of ten half modules in OP1.2. A decision to install ten water cooled scraper elements for OP2 is pending on the results of this test in OP1.2. To monitor the impact of the scraper element on the plasma, Langmuir probes are integrated in the plasma facing surface, and a neutral gas manometer measures the neutral density directly behind the plasma facing surface. Moreover, IR and VIS cameras observe the plasma facing surface and thermocouples monitor the temperatures of the graphite tiles and underlying support structure. This paper describes the integration of the scraper element and its diagnostics in Wendelstein 7-X.« less

A novel flexible field-aligned coordinate system for tokamak edge plasma simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leddy, J.; Dudson, B.; Romanelli, M.; Shanahan, B.; Walkden, N.

2017-03-01

Tokamak plasmas are confined by a magnetic field that limits the particle and heat transport perpendicular to the field. Parallel to the field the ionised particles can move freely, so to obtain confinement the field lines are "closed" (i.e. form closed surfaces of constant poloidal flux) in the core of a tokamak. Towards, the edge, however, the field lines intersect physical surfaces, leading to interaction between neutral and ionised particles, and the potential melting of the material surface. Simulation of this interaction is important for predicting the performance and lifetime of future tokamak devices such as ITER. Field-aligned coordinates are commonly used in the simulation of tokamak plasmas due to the geometry and magnetic topology of the system. However, these coordinates are limited in the geometry they allow in the poloidal plane due to orthogonality requirements. A novel 3D coordinate system is proposed herein that relaxes this constraint so that any arbitrary, smoothly varying geometry can be matched in the poloidal plane while maintaining a field-aligned coordinate. This system is implemented in BOUT++ and tested for accuracy using the method of manufactured solutions. A MAST edge cross-section is simulated using a fluid plasma model and the results show expected behaviour for density, temperature, and velocity. Finally, simulations of an isolated divertor leg are conducted with and without neutrals to demonstrate the ion-neutral interaction near the divertor plate and the corresponding beneficial decrease in plasma temperature.

Transition from edge-localized to center-localized power deposition in helicon discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curreli, D.

2011-11-01

In radiofrequency (RF) helicon discharges the electromagnetic power is transferred from the RF field irradiated by the antenna to the plasma medium by means of plasma-wave coupling of the electromagnetic wave with the electrons. For the common industrial frequencies of tens of MHz, and for typical pressures of few Pascals, the power deposition occurs mostly at the edge of the discharge. In these conditions, ionization and electron heating occur in a layer close to the chamber walls, where a consistent fraction of the plasma is rapidly lost by diffusion toward the surface. The remaining fraction of plasma diffuses inward toward the center of the discharge, setting up a uniform and almost flat density profile, used in applications. A one-dimensional model considering both the plasma-wave coupling of the electrons with the RF wave and the macroscopic transport of ions and neutrals along the radial dimension of a cylindrical processing chamber has been derived and used to evaluate the profiles at equilibrium. The model has been validated through Langmuir probe measurements in helicon processing chambers. The numerical model has then been used to study the power-coupling behavior of the discharge when the pressure of the neutral gas is decreased. When the Knudsen number of the neutral gas approaches unity and in conditions of slightly magnetized discharge, the power deposition shifts from being edge-localized to center-localized, thus reducing the particle fluxes toward the walls and increasing the efficiency of the coupling.

Development and validation of a critical gradient energetic particle driven Alfven eigenmode transport model for DIII-D tilted neutral beam experiments

DOE PAGES

Waltz, Ronald E.; Bass, Eric M.; Heidbrink, William W.; ...

2015-10-30

Recent experiments with the DIII-D tilted neutral beam injection (NBI) varying the beam energetic particle (EP) source profiles have provided strong evidence that unstable Alfven eigenmodes (AE) drive stiff EP transport at a critical EP density gradient. Here the critical gradient is identified by the local AE growth rate being equal to the local ITG/TEM growth rate at the same low toroidal mode number. The growth rates are taken from the gyrokinetic code GYRO. Simulation show that the slowing down beam-like EP distribution has a slightly lower critical gradient than the Maxwellian. The ALPHA EP density transport code, used tomore » validate the model, combines the low-n stiff EP critical density gradient AE mid-core transport with the energy independent high-n ITG/TEM density transport model controling the central core EP density profile. For the on-axis NBI heated DIII-D shot 146102, while the net loss to the edge is small, about half the birth fast ions are transported from the central core r/a < 0.5 and the central density is about half the slowing down density. Lastly, these results are in good agreement with experimental fast ion pressure profiles inferred from MSE constrained EFIT equilibria.« less

Carbon nanofibers with radially grown graphene sheets derived from electrospinning for aqueous supercapacitors with high working voltage and energy density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Lei; Qiu, Yejun; Yu, Jie; Deng, Xianyu; Dai, Chenglong; Bai, Xuedong

2013-05-01

Improvement of energy density is an urgent task for developing advanced supercapacitors. In this paper, aqueous supercapacitors with high voltage of 1.8 V and energy density of 29.1 W h kg-1 were fabricated based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and Na2SO4 electrolyte. The CNFs with radially grown graphene sheets (GSs) and small average diameter down to 11 nm were prepared by electrospinning and carbonization in NH3. The radially grown GSs contain between 1 and a few atomic layers with their edges exposed on the surface. The CNFs are doped with nitrogen and oxygen with different concentrations depending on the carbonizing temperature. The supercapacitors exhibit excellent cycling performance with the capacity retention over 93.7% after 5000 charging-discharging cycles. The unique structure, possessing radially grown GSs, small diameter, and heteroatom doping of the CNFs, and application of neutral electrolyte account for the high voltage and energy density of the present supercapacitors. The present supercapacitors are of high promise for practical application due to the high energy density and the advantages of neutral electrolyte including low cost, safety, low corrosivity, and convenient assembly in air.

Singularity and Bohm criterion in hot positive ion species in the electronegative ion sources

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aslaninejad, Morteza; Yasserian, Kiomars

2016-05-15

The structure of the discharge for a magnetized electronegative ion source with two species of positive ions is investigated. The thermal motion of hot positive ions and the singularities involved with it are taken into account. By analytical solution of the neutral region, the location of the singular point and also the values of the plasma parameter such as electric potential and ion density at the singular point are obtained. A generalized Bohm criterion is recovered and discussed. In addition, for the non-neutral solution, the numerical method is used. In contrast with cold ion plasma, qualitative changes are observed. Themore » parameter space region within which oscillations in the density and potential can be observed has been scanned and discussed. The space charge behavior in the vicinity of edge of the ion sources has also been discussed in detail.« less

Turbulent fluctuations during pellet injection into a dipole confined plasma torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garnier, D. T.; Mauel, M. E.; Roberts, T. M.; Kesner, J.; Woskov, P. P.

2017-01-01

We report measurements of the turbulent evolution of the plasma density profile following the fast injection of lithium pellets into the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) [Boxer et al., Nat. Phys. 6, 207 (2010)]. As the pellet passes through the plasma, it provides a significant internal particle source and allows investigation of density profile evolution, turbulent relaxation, and turbulent fluctuations. The total electron number within the dipole plasma torus increases by more than a factor of three, and the central density increases by more than a factor of five. During these large changes in density, the shape of the density profile is nearly "stationary" such that the gradient of the particle number within tubes of equal magnetic flux vanishes. In comparison to the usual case, when the particle source is neutral gas at the plasma edge, the internal source from the pellet causes the toroidal phase velocity of the fluctuations to reverse and changes the average particle flux at the plasma edge. An edge particle source creates an inward turbulent pinch, but an internal particle source increases the outward turbulent particle flux. Statistical properties of the turbulence are measured by multiple microwave interferometers and by an array of probes at the edge. The spatial structures of the largest amplitude modes have long radial and toroidal wavelengths. Estimates of the local and toroidally averaged turbulent particle flux show intermittency and a non-Gaussian probability distribution function. The measured fluctuations, both before and during pellet injection, have frequency and wavenumber dispersion consistent with theoretical expectations for interchange and entropy modes excited within a dipole plasma torus having warm electrons and cool ions.

Effect of 3-D magnetic fields on neutral particle fueling and exhaust in MAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flesch, Kurt; Kremeyer, Thierry; Waters, Ian; Schmitz, Oliver; Kirk, Andrew; Harrison, James

2017-10-01

The application of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is used to suppress edge localized modes but causes in many cases a density pump-out. At MAST, this particle pump out was found to be connected to an amplifying MHD plasma response. An analysis is presented on past MAST discharges to understand the effect of these RMPs on the neutral household and on changes in neutral fueling and exhaust during the pump out. A global, 0-D particle balance model was used to study the neutral dynamics and plasma confinement during shots with and without RMP application. Using the D α emission measured by filterscopes and a calibrated 1-D CCD camera, as well as S/XB coefficients determined by the edge plasma parameters, globally averaged ion confinement times were calculated. In L-mode, discharges with RMPs that caused an MHD response had a 15-20% decrease in confinement time but an increase in total recycling flux. The application of RMPs in H-mode caused either a decrease or no change in confinement, like those in L-mode, depending on the configuration of the RMPs and plasma response. A spectroscopically assisted Penning gauge is being prepared for the next campaign at MAST-U to extend this particle balance to study impurity exhaust with RMPs. This work was funded in part by the U.S. DoE under Grant DE-SC0012315.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garnier, D. T.; Mauel, M. E.; Roberts, T. M.

Here, we report measurements of the turbulent evolution of the plasma density profile following the fast injection of lithium pellets into the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) [Boxer et al., Nat. Phys. 6, 207 (2010)]. As the pellet passes through the plasma, it provides a significant internal particle source and allows investigation of density profile evolution, turbulent relaxation, and turbulent fluctuations. The total electron number within the dipole plasma torus increases by more than a factor of three, and the central density increases by more than a factor of five. During these large changes in density, the shape of the densitymore » profile is nearly “stationary” such that the gradient of the particle number within tubes of equal magnetic flux vanishes. In comparison to the usual case, when the particle source is neutral gas at the plasma edge, the internal source from the pellet causes the toroidal phase velocity of the fluctuations to reverse and changes the average particle flux at the plasma edge. An edge particle source creates an inward turbulent pinch, but an internal particle source increases the outward turbulent particle flux. Statistical properties of the turbulence are measured by multiple microwave interferometers and by an array of probes at the edge. The spatial structures of the largest amplitude modes have long radial and toroidal wavelengths. Estimates of the local and toroidally averaged turbulent particle flux show intermittency and a non-Gaussian probability distribution function. The measured fluctuations, both before and during pellet injection, have frequency and wave number dispersion consistent with theoretical expectations for interchange and entropy modes excited within a dipole plasma torus having warm electrons and cool ions.« less

Compatibility of lithium plasma-facing surfaces with high edge temperatures in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majeski, Dick

2016-10-01

High edge electron temperatures (200 eV or greater) have been measured at the wall-limited plasma boundary in the Lithium Tokamak eXperiment (LTX). High edge temperatures, with flat electron temperature profiles, are a long-predicted consequence of low recycling boundary conditions. The temperature profile in LTX, measured by Thomson scattering, varies by as little as 10% from the plasma axis to the boundary, determined by the lithium-coated high field-side wall. The hydrogen plasma density in the outer scrape-off layer is very low, 2-3 x 1017 m-3 , consistent with a low recycling metallic lithium boundary. The plasma surface interaction in LTX is characterized by a low flux of high energy protons to the lithium PFC, with an estimated Debye sheath potential approaching 1 kV. Plasma-material interactions in LTX are consequently in a novel regime, where the impacting proton energy exceeds the peak in the sputtering yield for the lithium wall. In this regime, further increases in the edge temperature will decrease, rather than increase, the sputtering yield. Despite the high edge temperature, the core impurity content is low. Zeff is 1.2 - 1.5, with a very modest contribution (<0.1) from lithium. So far experiments are transient. Gas puffing is used to increase the plasma density. After gas injection stops, the discharge density is allowed to drop, and the edge is pumped by the low recycling lithium wall. An upgrade to LTX which includes a 35A, 20 kV neutral beam injector to provide core fueling to maintain constant density, as well as auxiliary heating, is underway. Two beam systems have been loaned to LTX by Tri Alpha Energy. Additional results from LTX, as well as progress on the upgrade - LTX- β - will be discussed. Work supported by US DOE contracts DE-AC02-09CH11466 and DE-AC05-00OR22725.

Modelling of transitions between L- and H-mode in JET high plasma current plasmas and application to ITER scenarios including tungsten behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koechl, F.; Loarte, A.; Parail, V.; Belo, P.; Brix, M.; Corrigan, G.; Harting, D.; Koskela, T.; Kukushkin, A. S.; Polevoi, A. R.; Romanelli, M.; Saibene, G.; Sartori, R.; Eich, T.; Contributors, JET

2017-08-01

The dynamics for the transition from L-mode to a stationary high Q DT H-mode regime in ITER is expected to be qualitatively different to present experiments. Differences may be caused by a low fuelling efficiency of recycling neutrals, that influence the post transition plasma density evolution on the one hand. On the other hand, the effect of the plasma density evolution itself both on the alpha heating power and the edge power flow required to sustain the H-mode confinement itself needs to be considered. This paper presents results of modelling studies of the transition to stationary high Q DT H-mode regime in ITER with the JINTRAC suite of codes, which include optimisation of the plasma density evolution to ensure a robust achievement of high Q DT regimes in ITER on the one hand and the avoidance of tungsten accumulation in this transient phase on the other hand. As a first step, the JINTRAC integrated models have been validated in fully predictive simulations (excluding core momentum transport which is prescribed) against core, pedestal and divertor plasma measurements in JET C-wall experiments for the transition from L-mode to stationary H-mode in partially ITER relevant conditions (highest achievable current and power, H 98,y ~ 1.0, low collisionality, comparable evolution in P net/P L-H, but different ρ *, T i/T e, Mach number and plasma composition compared to ITER expectations). The selection of transport models (core: NCLASS  +  Bohm/gyroBohm in L-mode/GLF23 in H-mode) was determined by a trade-off between model complexity and efficiency. Good agreement between code predictions and measured plasma parameters is obtained if anomalous heat and particle transport in the edge transport barrier are assumed to be reduced at different rates with increasing edge power flow normalised to the H-mode threshold; in particular the increase in edge plasma density is dominated by this edge transport reduction as the calculated neutral influx across the separatrix remains unchanged (or even slightly decreases) following the H-mode transition. JINTRAC modelling of H-mode transitions for the ITER 15 MA / 5.3 T high Q DT scenarios with the same modelling assumptions as those being derived from JET experiments has been carried out. The modelling finds that it is possible to access high Q DT conditions robustly for additional heating power levels of P AUX  ⩾  53 MW by optimising core and edge plasma fuelling in the transition from L-mode to high Q DT H-mode. An initial period of low plasma density, in which the plasma accesses the H-mode regime and the alpha heating power increases, needs to be considered after the start of the additional heating, which is then followed by a slow density ramp. Both the duration of the low density phase and the density ramp-rate depend on boundary and operational conditions and can be optimised to minimise the resistive flux consumption in this transition phase. The modelling also shows that fuelling schemes optimised for a robust access to high Q DT H-mode in ITER are also optimum for the prevention of the contamination of the core plasma by tungsten during this phase.

Investigation of the hydrogen fluxes in the plasma edge of W7-AS during H-mode discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langer, U.; Taglauer, E.; Fischer, R.; W7-AS Team

2001-03-01

In the stellarator W7-AS the H-mode is characterized by an edge transport barrier which is localized within a few centimeters inside the separatrix. The corresponding L-H transition shows well-known features such as the steepening of the temperature and density profiles in the region of the separatrix. With a so-called sniffer probe the temporal development of the hydrogen and deuterium fluxes has been studied in the plasma edge during different H-mode discharges with deuterium gas puffing. Prior to the transition a significant reduction of the deuterium and also the hydrogen fluxes can be observed. This fact confirms the assumption that the steepening of the density profiles starts at the outermost edge of the plasma. Moreover, sniffer probe measurements in the plasma edge could therefore identify a precursor for the L-H transition. The analysis of the hydrogen neutral gases shows a distinct change of the hydrogen isotope ratio during the transition. This observation is in agreement with the change in the particle fluxes onto the targets and can also be seen in the reduced H α signals from the limiters. It is further demonstrated that significant improvement in the time resolution of the measured data can be obtained by deconvolution of the data with the apparatus function using Bayesian probability theory and the Maximum Entropy method with adaptive kernels.

Low-temperature study of neutral and charged excitons in the large-area monolayer WS2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Hong; Chen, Le; Lu, Youming; Tian, Feifei; Zhang, Zhiqiang; Xu, Ke; Wu, Jing; Divakar Botcha, V.; Li, Kuilong; Liu, Xinke

2018-06-01

We present a low-temperature optical study of the large-area monolayer WS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements were conducted, and temperature-dependent PL spectra were measured in the range of 3 to 300 K. With the comparative PL bands obtained, a stronger trion emission in the edge region was detected to be the key difference. Sulfur vacancies (SVs) were observed to increase in density along the growth direction and found to be the main source of the large population of local charge carriers. The monolayer WS2 exhibited an upper bound for the trion binding energy of 18 meV in the edge region.

Development of a high current 60 keV neutral lithium beam injector for beam emission spectroscopy measurements on fusion experiments.

PubMed

Anda, G; Dunai, D; Lampert, M; Krizsanóczi, T; Németh, J; Bató, S; Nam, Y U; Hu, G H; Zoletnik, S

2018-01-01

A 60 keV neutral lithium beam system was designed and built up for beam emission spectroscopy measurement of edge plasma on the KSTAR and EAST tokamaks. The electron density profile and its fluctuation can be measured using the accelerated lithium beam-based emission spectroscopy system. A thermionic ion source was developed with a SiC heater to emit around 4-5 mA ion current from a 14 mm diameter surface. The ion optic is following the 2 step design used on other devices with small modifications to reach about 2-3 cm beam diameter in the plasma at about 4 m from the ion source. A newly developed recirculating sodium vapour neutralizer neutralizes the accelerated ion beam at around 260-280 °C even during long (<20 s) discharges. A set of new beam diagnostic and manipulation techniques are applied to allow optimization, aiming, cleaning, and beam modulation. The maximum 60 keV beam energy with 4 mA ion current was successfully reached at KSTAR and at EAST. Combined with an efficient observation system, the Li-beam diagnostic enables the measurement of the density profile and fluctuations on the plasma turbulence time scale.

Development of a high current 60 keV neutral lithium beam injector for beam emission spectroscopy measurements on fusion experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anda, G.; Dunai, D.; Lampert, M.; Krizsanóczi, T.; Németh, J.; Bató, S.; Nam, Y. U.; Hu, G. H.; Zoletnik, S.

2018-01-01

A 60 keV neutral lithium beam system was designed and built up for beam emission spectroscopy measurement of edge plasma on the KSTAR and EAST tokamaks. The electron density profile and its fluctuation can be measured using the accelerated lithium beam-based emission spectroscopy system. A thermionic ion source was developed with a SiC heater to emit around 4-5 mA ion current from a 14 mm diameter surface. The ion optic is following the 2 step design used on other devices with small modifications to reach about 2-3 cm beam diameter in the plasma at about 4 m from the ion source. A newly developed recirculating sodium vapour neutralizer neutralizes the accelerated ion beam at around 260-280 °C even during long (<20 s) discharges. A set of new beam diagnostic and manipulation techniques are applied to allow optimization, aiming, cleaning, and beam modulation. The maximum 60 keV beam energy with 4 mA ion current was successfully reached at KSTAR and at EAST. Combined with an efficient observation system, the Li-beam diagnostic enables the measurement of the density profile and fluctuations on the plasma turbulence time scale.

Thermonuclear instabilities and plasma edge transport in tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fulop, Tunde Maria

High-energy ions generated by fusion reactions in a burning fusion plasma may give rise to different types of wave instabilities. The present thesis investigates two types of such instabilities which recently have been observed in fusion experiments: the Toroidal Alfvén Eigenmode (TAE) instability and the magnetoacoustic cyclotron instability (MCI) which is predicted to give rise to ion cyclotron emission (ICE). The TAE instability may degrade the confinement of fusion-produced high energy alpha particles and adversely affect the possibilities of reaching ignition. The present work derives it generalized expression for the linear growth rate of the instability, by including the effects of finite orbit width and finite Larmor radius of energetic particles, as well as the effects of mode localization and the possible mode excitation by both passing and trapped energetic ions. ICE does not threaten the plasma performance, but it might be useful as a fast ion diagnostic. The ICE originates from the MCI involving fast magnetoacoustic waves driven unstable by toroidicity-affected cyclotron resonance with fast ions. In the present thesis a detailed numerical and analytical investigation of this instability is presented, that explains most of the experimental ICE features observed in JET and TFTR. Moreover, the radial and poloidal localization of the fast magnetoacoustic eigenmodes is investigated, including the effects of toroidicity, ellipticity, the presence of a subpopulation of high energy ions and various profiles of the bulk ion density. In a fusion reactor, the transport of the particles near the edge have a strong influence on the global confinement of the plasma. In the edge region, where neutral atoms and impurity ions are abundant and the temperature and density gradients are large, the assumptions of the standard neoclassical theory break down. In this thesis, we explore the effect of neutral particles on the ion flow shear in the edge region. Furthermore, the neoclassical transport theory in an impure, toroidally rotating plasma is extended to allow for steeper pressure and temperature gradients than are usually considered.

Solid energy calibration standards for P K-edge XANES: electronic structure analysis of PPh4Br.

PubMed

Blake, Anastasia V; Wei, Haochuan; Donahue, Courtney M; Lee, Kyounghoon; Keith, Jason M; Daly, Scott R

2018-03-01

P K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is a powerful method for analyzing the electronic structure of organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds. Like all XANES experiments, P K-edge XANES requires well defined and readily accessible calibration standards for energy referencing so that spectra collected at different beamlines or under different conditions can be compared. This is especially true for ligand K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which has well established energy calibration standards for Cl (Cs 2 CuCl 4 ) and S (Na 2 S 2 O 3 ·5H 2 O), but not neighboring P. This paper presents a review of common P K-edge XANES energy calibration standards and analysis of PPh 4 Br as a potential alternative. The P K-edge XANES region of commercially available PPh 4 Br revealed a single, highly resolved pre-edge feature with a maximum at 2146.96 eV. PPh 4 Br also showed no evidence of photodecomposition when repeatedly scanned over the course of several days. In contrast, we found that PPh 3 rapidly decomposes under identical conditions. Density functional theory calculations performed on PPh 3 and PPh 4 + revealed large differences in the molecular orbital energies that were ascribed to differences in the phosphorus oxidation state (III versus V) and molecular charge (neutral versus +1). Time-dependent density functional theory calculations corroborated the experimental data and allowed the spectral features to be assigned. The first pre-edge feature in the P K-edge XANES spectrum of PPh 4 Br was assigned to P 1s → P-C π* transitions, whereas those at higher energy were P 1s → P-C σ*. Overall, the analysis suggests that PPh 4 Br is an excellent alternative to other solid energy calibration standards commonly used in P K-edge XANES experiments.

Turbulent fluctuations during pellet injection into a dipole confined plasma torus

DOE PAGES

Garnier, D. T.; Mauel, M. E.; Roberts, T. M.; ...

2017-01-01

Here, we report measurements of the turbulent evolution of the plasma density profile following the fast injection of lithium pellets into the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) [Boxer et al., Nat. Phys. 6, 207 (2010)]. As the pellet passes through the plasma, it provides a significant internal particle source and allows investigation of density profile evolution, turbulent relaxation, and turbulent fluctuations. The total electron number within the dipole plasma torus increases by more than a factor of three, and the central density increases by more than a factor of five. During these large changes in density, the shape of the densitymore » profile is nearly “stationary” such that the gradient of the particle number within tubes of equal magnetic flux vanishes. In comparison to the usual case, when the particle source is neutral gas at the plasma edge, the internal source from the pellet causes the toroidal phase velocity of the fluctuations to reverse and changes the average particle flux at the plasma edge. An edge particle source creates an inward turbulent pinch, but an internal particle source increases the outward turbulent particle flux. Statistical properties of the turbulence are measured by multiple microwave interferometers and by an array of probes at the edge. The spatial structures of the largest amplitude modes have long radial and toroidal wavelengths. Estimates of the local and toroidally averaged turbulent particle flux show intermittency and a non-Gaussian probability distribution function. The measured fluctuations, both before and during pellet injection, have frequency and wave number dispersion consistent with theoretical expectations for interchange and entropy modes excited within a dipole plasma torus having warm electrons and cool ions.« less

Extension of Pressure Measurement to 6× 10-11 Torr Using the Dynamics of the m=1 Diocotron Mode*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Stephen F.; Morrison, Kyle; Davidson, Ronald C.; Jenkins, Thomas

2001-10-01

Damping of the m=1 diocotron mode is used to measure neutral pressure in the Electron Diffusion Gauge (EDG). The drag exerted on the rotating plasma by collisions with neutrals is expected to excite the mode. However, previous studies in the EDG showed that the diocotron mode is more strongly damped at higher neutral pressures. The damping scaled as P-1/2 in the range from 5× 10-10 to 2× 10-7 Torr. This range has been extended from 6× 10-11 to 5× 10-7 Torr. Above 10-7 Torr, the damping increases linearly with P. Below 5× 10-9 Torr, the scaling is less sensitive, ≈ P-1/4, exhibiting a smooth transition. Sensitivity to pressure increments of less than ΔP = 1× 10-10 Torr are observed. Mode damping is correlated with the rate of expansion of the plasma, which occurs simultaneously. At high pressure, collisions with neutrals dominate the expansion, resulting in a similarly sensitive dependence on pressure. At low pressure, device asymmetries dominate the plasma expansion. Whereas plasma expansion is virtually insensitive to pressures below 5× 10-8 Torr, diocotron mode measurements have shown sensitivity over two orders of magnitude lower in pressure. Both diocotron mode damping and plasma expansion also depend similarly on electron density and magnetic field. Conditions that favor expansion (low field, high collisionality) also favor mode damping. *Research supported by the Office of Naval Research

Optical identification of sulfur vacancies: Bound excitons at the edges of monolayer tungsten disulfide

PubMed Central

Carozo, Victor; Wang, Yuanxi; Fujisawa, Kazunori; Carvalho, Bruno R.; McCreary, Amber; Feng, Simin; Lin, Zhong; Zhou, Chanjing; Perea-López, Néstor; Elías, Ana Laura; Kabius, Bernd; Crespi, Vincent H.; Terrones, Mauricio

2017-01-01

Defects play a significant role in tailoring the optical properties of two-dimensional materials. Optical signatures of defect-bound excitons are important tools to probe defective regions and thus interrogate the optical quality of as-grown semiconducting monolayer materials. We have performed a systematic study of defect-bound excitons using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy combined with atomically resolved scanning electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Spatially resolved PL spectroscopy at low temperatures revealed bound excitons that were present only on the edges of monolayer tungsten disulfide and not in the interior. Optical pumping of the bound excitons was sublinear, confirming their bound nature. Atomic-resolution images reveal that the areal density of monosulfur vacancies is much larger near the edges (0.92 ± 0.45 nm−2) than in the interior (0.33 ± 0.11 nm−2). Temperature-dependent PL measurements found a thermal activation energy of ~36 meV; surprisingly, this is much smaller than the bound-exciton binding energy of ~300 meV. We show that this apparent inconsistency is related to a thermal dissociation of the bound exciton that liberates the neutral excitons from negatively charged point defects. First-principles calculations confirm that sulfur monovacancies introduce midgap states that host optical transitions with finite matrix elements, with emission energies ranging from 200 to 400 meV below the neutral-exciton emission line. These results demonstrate that bound-exciton emission induced by monosulfur vacancies is concentrated near the edges of as-grown monolayer tungsten disulfide. PMID:28508048

Physics of the current injection process during localized helicity injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinson, Edward Thomas

An impedance model has been developed for the arc-plasma cathode electron current source used in localized helicity injection tokamak startup. According to this model, a potential double layer (DL) is established between the high-density arc plasma (narc ˜ 1021 m-3) in the electron source, and the less-dense external tokamak edge plasma (nedge ˜ 10 18 m-3) into which current is injected. The DL launches an electron beam at the applied voltage with cross-sectional area close to that of the source aperture: Ainj ≈ 2 cm 2. The injected current, Iinj, increases with applied voltage, Vinj, according to the standard DL scaling, Iinj ˜ V(3/2/ inj), until the more restrictive of two limits to beam density nb arises, producing Iinj ˜ V(1/2/inj), a scaling with beam drift velocity. For low external tokamak edge density nedge, space-charge neutralization of the intense electron beam restricts the injected beam density to nb ˜ nedge. At high Jinj and sufficient edge density, the injected current is limited by expansion of the DL sheath, which leads to nb ˜ narc. Measurements of narc, Iinj , nedge, Vinj, support these predicted scalings, and suggest narc as a viable control actuator for the source impedance. Magnetic probe signals ≈ 300 degrees toroidally from the injection location are consistent with expectations for a gyrating, coherent electron beam with a compact areal cross-section. Technological development of the source has allowed an extension of the favorable Iinj ˜ V(1/2/inj) to higher power without electrical breakdown.

Compression and ablation of the photo-irradiated molecular cloud the Orion Bar.

PubMed

Goicoechea, Javier R; Pety, Jérôme; Cuadrado, Sara; Cernicharo, José; Chapillon, Edwige; Fuente, Asunción; Gerin, Maryvonne; Joblin, Christine; Marcelino, Nuria; Pilleri, Paolo

2016-09-08

The Orion Bar is the archetypal edge-on molecular cloud surface illuminated by strong ultraviolet radiation from nearby massive stars. Our relative closeness to the Orion nebula (about 1,350 light years away from Earth) means that we can study the effects of stellar feedback on the parental cloud in detail. Visible-light observations of the Orion Bar show that the transition between the hot ionized gas and the warm neutral atomic gas (the ionization front) is spatially well separated from the transition between atomic and molecular gas (the dissociation front), by about 15 arcseconds or 6,200 astronomical units (one astronomical unit is the Earth-Sun distance). Static equilibrium models used to interpret previous far-infrared and radio observations of the neutral gas in the Orion Bar (typically at 10-20 arcsecond resolution) predict an inhomogeneous cloud structure comprised of dense clumps embedded in a lower-density extended gas component. Here we report one-arcsecond-resolution millimetre-wave images that allow us to resolve the molecular cloud surface. In contrast to stationary model predictions, there is no appreciable offset between the peak of the H 2 vibrational emission (delineating the H/H 2 transition) and the edge of the observed CO and HCO + emission. This implies that the H/H 2 and C + /C/CO transition zones are very close. We find a fragmented ridge of high-density substructures, photoablative gas flows and instabilities at the molecular cloud surface. The results suggest that the cloud edge has been compressed by a high-pressure wave that is moving into the molecular cloud, demonstrating that dynamical and non-equilibrium effects are important for the cloud evolution.

Compression and ablation of the photo-irradiated molecular cloud the Orion Bar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goicoechea, Javier R.; Pety, Jérôme; Cuadrado, Sara; Cernicharo, José; Chapillon, Edwige; Fuente, Asunción; Gerin, Maryvonne; Joblin, Christine; Marcelino, Nuria; Pilleri, Paolo

2016-09-01

The Orion Bar is the archetypal edge-on molecular cloud surface illuminated by strong ultraviolet radiation from nearby massive stars. Our relative closeness to the Orion nebula (about 1,350 light years away from Earth) means that we can study the effects of stellar feedback on the parental cloud in detail. Visible-light observations of the Orion Bar show that the transition between the hot ionized gas and the warm neutral atomic gas (the ionization front) is spatially well separated from the transition between atomic and molecular gas (the dissociation front), by about 15 arcseconds or 6,200 astronomical units (one astronomical unit is the Earth-Sun distance). Static equilibrium models used to interpret previous far-infrared and radio observations of the neutral gas in the Orion Bar (typically at 10-20 arcsecond resolution) predict an inhomogeneous cloud structure comprised of dense clumps embedded in a lower-density extended gas component. Here we report one-arcsecond-resolution millimetre-wave images that allow us to resolve the molecular cloud surface. In contrast to stationary model predictions, there is no appreciable offset between the peak of the H2 vibrational emission (delineating the H/H2 transition) and the edge of the observed CO and HCO+ emission. This implies that the H/H2 and C+/C/CO transition zones are very close. We find a fragmented ridge of high-density substructures, photoablative gas flows and instabilities at the molecular cloud surface. The results suggest that the cloud edge has been compressed by a high-pressure wave that is moving into the molecular cloud, demonstrating that dynamical and non-equilibrium effects are important for the cloud evolution.

A two photon absorption laser induced fluorescence diagnostic for fusion plasmas.

PubMed

Magee, R M; Galante, M E; McCarren, D; Scime, E E; Boivin, R L; Brooks, N H; Groebner, R J; Hill, D N; Porter, G D

2012-10-01

The quality of plasma produced in a magnetic confinement fusion device is influenced to a large extent by the neutral gas surrounding the plasma. The plasma is fueled by the ionization of neutrals, and charge exchange interactions between edge neutrals and plasma ions are a sink of energy and momentum. Here we describe a diagnostic capable of measuring the spatial distribution of neutral gas in a magnetically confined fusion plasma. A high intensity (5 MW/cm(2)), narrow bandwidth (0.1 cm(-1)) laser is injected into a hydrogen plasma to excite the Lyman β transition via the simultaneous absorption of two 205 nm photons. The absorption rate, determined by measurement of subsequent Balmer α emission, is proportional to the number of particles with a given velocity. Calibration is performed in situ by filling the chamber to a known pressure of neutral krypton and exciting a transition close in wavelength to that used in hydrogen. We present details of the calibration procedure, including a technique for identifying saturation broadening, measurements of the neutral density profile in a hydrogen helicon plasma, and discuss the application of the diagnostic to plasmas in the DIII-D tokamak.

A two photon absorption laser induced fluorescence diagnostic for fusion plasmasa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magee, R. M.; Galante, M. E.; McCarren, D.; Scime, E. E.; Boivin, R. L.; Brooks, N. H.; Groebner, R. J.; Hill, D. N.; Porter, G. D.

2012-10-01

The quality of plasma produced in a magnetic confinement fusion device is influenced to a large extent by the neutral gas surrounding the plasma. The plasma is fueled by the ionization of neutrals, and charge exchange interactions between edge neutrals and plasma ions are a sink of energy and momentum. Here we describe a diagnostic capable of measuring the spatial distribution of neutral gas in a magnetically confined fusion plasma. A high intensity (5 MW/cm2), narrow bandwidth (0.1 cm-1) laser is injected into a hydrogen plasma to excite the Lyman β transition via the simultaneous absorption of two 205 nm photons. The absorption rate, determined by measurement of subsequent Balmer α emission, is proportional to the number of particles with a given velocity. Calibration is performed in situ by filling the chamber to a known pressure of neutral krypton and exciting a transition close in wavelength to that used in hydrogen. We present details of the calibration procedure, including a technique for identifying saturation broadening, measurements of the neutral density profile in a hydrogen helicon plasma, and discuss the application of the diagnostic to plasmas in the DIII-D tokamak.

Measurement and Simulation of First-Orbit Fast-Ion D-Alpha Emission and the Application to Fast-Ion Loss Detection in the DIII-D Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolte, Nathan; Heidbrink, W. W.; Pace, D. C.; van Zeeland, M. A.; Chen, X.

2015-11-01

A new fast-ion diagnostic method uses passive emission of D-alpha radiation to determine fast-ion losses quantitatively. The passive fast-ion D-alpha simulation (P-FIDAsim) forward models the Doppler-shifted spectra of first-orbit fast ions that charge exchange with edge neutrals. Simulated spectra are up to 80 % correlated with experimental spectra. Calibrated spectra are used to estimate the 2D neutral density profile by inverting simulated spectra. The inferred neutral density shows the expected increase toward each x-point and an average value of 8 × 10 9 cm-3 at the plasma boundary and 1 × 10 11 cm-3 near the wall. Measuring and simulating first-orbit spectra effectively ``calibrates'' the system, allowing for the quantification of more general fast-ion losses. Sawtooth crashes are estimated to eject 1.2 % of the fast-ion inventory, in good agreement with a 1.7 % loss estimate made by TRANSP. Sightlines sensitive to passing ions observe larger sawtooth losses than sightlines sensitive to trapped ions. Supported by US DOE under SC-G903402, DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Measurements of Plasma Power Losses in the C-2 Field-Reversed Configuration Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korepanov, Sergey; Smirnov, Artem; Garate, Eusebio; Donin, Alexandr; Kondakov, Alexey; Singatulin, Shavkat

2013-10-01

A high-confinement operating regime with plasma lifetimes significantly exceeding past empirical scaling laws was recently obtained by combining plasma gun edge biasing and tangential Neutral Beam Injection in the C-2 field-reversed configuration (FRC) experiment. To analyze the power balance in C-2, two new diagnostic instruments - the pyroelectric (PE) and infrared (IR) bolometers - were developed. The PE bolometer, designed to operate in the incident power density range from 0.1-100 W/cm2, is used to measure the radial power loss, which is dominated by charge-exchange neutrals and radiation. The IR bolometer, which measures power irradiated onto a thin metal foil inserted in the plasma, is designed for the power density range from 0.5-5 kW/cm2. The IR bolometer is used to measure the axial power loss from the plasma near the end divertors. The maximum measurable pulse duration of ~ 10 ms is limited by the heat capacitance of the IR detector. Both detectors have time resolution of about 10-100 μs and were calibrated in absolute units using a high power neutral beam. We present the results of first direct measurements of axial and radial plasma power losses in C-2.

An approximate stationary solution for multi-allele neutral diffusion with low mutation rates.

PubMed

Burden, Conrad J; Tang, Yurong

2016-12-01

We address the problem of determining the stationary distribution of the multi-allelic, neutral-evolution Wright-Fisher model in the diffusion limit. A full solution to this problem for an arbitrary K×K mutation rate matrix involves solving for the stationary solution of a forward Kolmogorov equation over a (K-1)-dimensional simplex, and remains intractable. In most practical situations mutations rates are slow on the scale of the diffusion limit and the solution is heavily concentrated on the corners and edges of the simplex. In this paper we present a practical approximate solution for slow mutation rates in the form of a set of line densities along the edges of the simplex. The method of solution relies on parameterising the general non-reversible rate matrix as the sum of a reversible part and a set of (K-1)(K-2)/2 independent terms corresponding to fluxes of probability along closed paths around faces of the simplex. The solution is potentially a first step in estimating non-reversible evolutionary rate matrices from observed allele frequency spectra. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

IUE observations of PG 1115 + 080 - The He I Gunn-Peterson test and a search for the lensing galaxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tripp, Todd M.; Green, Richard F.; Bechtold, Jill

1990-01-01

Five observations of PG 1115 + 080 taken with the IUE SWP camera have been combined in order to carry out the He I Gunn-Peterson test and to search for a Lyman limit which could determine the redshift of the lens candidate reported by Christian et al. (1987). No Lyman-limit discontinuities are found, implying that the lensing galaxy does not intercept the line of sight or does not contain enough neutral hydrogen to be detected as a Lyman-limit edge. It is estimated that the lens column density for neutral hydrogen is 3 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm or less if it intercepts the line of sight.

The ratio of neutral hydrogen to neutral helium in the local interstellar medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, James Carswell

The results are described from a sounding rocket borne EUV spectrometer that was designed and built. This instrument operated from 400 to 1150A with a spectral resolution of approx. 15A. The instrument effective area was about 1 sq cm. The instrument was successfully launched, and observed the nearby DA white dwarf G191-B2B. From this observation, it was determined that the stellar effective temperature is 61,000 + or -4000 to 6000K, and the ratio of helium to hydrogen in the stellar photosphere is 1.0 + or -0.68 to 2.2 x 10-4. Additionally, the neutral column densities of helium and hydrogen were measured to the star. The neutral helium column density was determined from the first observation of the interstellar absorption edge at 504A. The ratio of neutral helium to neutral hydrogen constrains the mean ionization of the warm gas along the line of sight to G191-B2B. The fractional ionization of hydrogen (H II/H) is approx. less than 20 percent, unless significant helium ionization is present as well. The scenario where the fractional ionization of hydrogen is high (H II/H) approx. less than 40 percent and the helium is neutral is ruled out with 99 percent certainty. This result is consistent with some recent theoretical calculations. Using these results, a self-consistent model of the local interstellar medium along the line of sight to G191-B2B is developed. In addition, an unexpected emission feature at 584A was detected in this observation with a high level of significance. Possible sources of this emission are examined, including the companion K dwarf G191-B2A, and an emission nebula near or around G191-B2B.

Two-dimensional quasi-neutral description of particles and fields above discrete auroral arcs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, A. L.; Chiu, Y. T.; Cornwall, J. M.

1986-01-01

Models are presented for particle distributions, electric fields and currents in an adiabatic treatment of auroral electrostatic potential distributions in order to describe the quiet-time evening auroral arcs featuring both upward and return currents. The models are consistent with current continuity and charge balance requirements for particle populations controlled by adiabatic invariants and quasi-neutrality in the magnetosphere. The effective energy of the cool electron population is demonstrated to have a significant effect on the latitudinal breadth of the auroral electrostatic potential structure and the extent of the penetration of the accelerating potential into the ionosphere. Another finding is that the energy of any parallel potential drop in the lowest few thousand kilometers of the field line is of the same order of magnitude as the thermal energy of the cool electrons. Additional predictions include density cavities along field lines that support large potential drops, and density enhancements along field lines at the edge of an inverted V with a small potential drop.

Experimental validation of an analytical kinetic model for edge-localized modes in JET-ITER-like wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillemaut, C.; Metzger, C.; Moulton, D.; Heinola, K.; O’Mullane, M.; Balboa, I.; Boom, J.; Matthews, G. F.; Silburn, S.; Solano, E. R.; contributors, JET

2018-06-01

The design and operation of future fusion devices relying on H-mode plasmas requires reliable modelling of edge-localized modes (ELMs) for precise prediction of divertor target conditions. An extensive experimental validation of simple analytical predictions of the time evolution of target plasma loads during ELMs has been carried out here in more than 70 JET-ITER-like wall H-mode experiments with a wide range of conditions. Comparisons of these analytical predictions with diagnostic measurements of target ion flux density, power density, impact energy and electron temperature during ELMs are presented in this paper and show excellent agreement. The analytical predictions tested here are made with the ‘free-streaming’ kinetic model (FSM) which describes ELMs as a quasi-neutral plasma bunch expanding along the magnetic field lines into the Scrape-Off Layer without collisions. Consequences of the FSM on energy reflection and deposition on divertor targets during ELMs are also discussed.

Miniature Trailing Edge Effector for Aerodynamic Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Hak-Tae (Inventor); Bieniawski, Stefan R. (Inventor); Kroo, Ilan M. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

Improved miniature trailing edge effectors for aerodynamic control are provided. Three types of devices having aerodynamic housings integrated to the trailing edge of an aerodynamic shape are presented, which vary in details of how the control surface can move. A bucket type device has a control surface which is the back part of a C-shaped member having two arms connected by the back section. The C-shaped section is attached to a housing at the ends of the arms, and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down and neutral states. A flip-up type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down, neutral and brake states. A rotating type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the chord line to provide up, down and neutral states.

Scaling of confinement and profiles in the EXTRAP T2 reversed-field pinch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welander, A.

1999-01-01

In the EXTRAP T2 reversed-field pinch the diagnostic techniques for the measurement of electron density and temperature include; Thomson scattering which gives values at three radial positions in the core (r/a = 0, 0.28, 0.56), Langmuir probes which give values at the edge (r/a > 0.9) and interferometry which gives a line-averaged density. The empirical scaling of electron density and temperature including profile information with global plasma parameters has been studied. The density profile is subject to large variations, with an average parabolic shape when the density is low and flatter shapes when the density is increased. The change in the profile shape can be attributed to a shift in the penetration length of neutrals from the vicinity of the wall. The temperature scales roughly as I/n1/2 where I is the plasma current and n is the density. The temperature profile is always quite flat with lower variations and there is a tendency for a flatter profile at higher temperatures.

Development and validation of a critical gradient energetic particle driven Alfven eigenmode transport model for DIII-D tilted neutral beam experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waltz, R. E.; Bass, E. M.; Heidbrink, W. W.; VanZeeland, M. A.

2015-11-01

Recent experiments with the DIII-D tilted neutral beam injection (NBI) varying the beam energetic particle (EP) source profiles have provided strong evidence that unstable Alfven eigenmodes (AE) drive stiff EP transport at a critical EP density gradient [Heidbrink et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 093006]. Here the critical gradient is identified by the local AE growth rate being equal to the local ITG/TEM growth rate at the same low toroidal mode number. The growth rates are taken from the gyrokinetic code GYRO. Simulation show that the slowing down beam-like EP distribution has a slightly lower critical gradient than the Maxwellian. The ALPHA EP density transport code [Waltz and Bass 2014 Nucl. Fusion 54 104006], used to validate the model, combines the low-n stiff EP critical density gradient AE mid-core transport with the Angioni et al (2009 Nucl. Fusion 49 055013) energy independent high-n ITG/TEM density transport model controling the central core EP density profile. For the on-axis NBI heated DIII-D shot 146102, while the net loss to the edge is small, about half the birth fast ions are transported from the central core r/a  <  0.5 and the central density is about half the slowing down density. These results are in good agreement with experimental fast ion pressure profiles inferred from MSE constrained EFIT equilibria.

Ultrafast two-dimensional lithium beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic on the EAST tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zoletnik, S.; Hu, G. H.; Tál, B.; Dunai, D.; Anda, G.; Asztalos, O.; Pokol, G. I.; Kálvin, S.; Németh, J.; Krizsanóczi, T.

2018-06-01

A diagnostic instrument is described for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) for the measurement of the edge plasma electron density profile and plasma turbulence properties. An accelerated neutral lithium beam is injected into the tokamak and the Doppler shifted 670.8 nm light emission of the Li2p-2s transition is detected. A novel compact setup is used, where the beam injection and observation take place from the same equatorial diagnostic port and radial-poloidal resolution is achieved with microsecond time resolution. The observation direction is optimized in order to achieve a sufficient Doppler shift of the beam light to be able to separate from the strong edge lithium line emission on this lithium coated device. A 250 kHz beam chopping technique is also demonstrated for the removal of background light. First results show the capability of measuring turbulence and its poloidal flow velocity in the scrape-off layer and edge region and the resolution of details of transient phenomena like edge localized modes with few microsecond time resolution.

Stemflow Acid Neutralization Capacity in a Broadleaved Deciduous Forest: The Role of Edge Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levia, D. F., Jr.; Shiklomanov, A.

2014-12-01

The fragmentation of forests is occurring at an accelerated rate in parts of the United States. Forest fragmentation creates edge habitat that affects the biogeochemistry of forests. Atmospheric deposition is known to increase at the forest edge in comparison to the forest interior. Past research has demonstrated the critical role of edge effects on throughfall chemistry but no known work has examined the relationship between stemflow chemistry and edge effects. To fill this data gap, we quantified the stemflow acid neutralization capacity (ANC) of nineteen Liriodendron tulipifera L. (yellow poplar) trees between forest edge and interior locations in the Piedmont of the mid-Atlantic USA. ANC was measured directly by potentiometric titration. Both stemflow pH and ANC were higher for L. tulipifera trees on the forest edge as opposed to those in interior locations (p < 0.01), although marked variability was observed among individual trees. It is critical to note that the ANC of stemflow of edge trees is almost certainly contextual, depending on geographic locality. This is to say that stemflow from edge trees may neutralize acid inputs in some locations (as in our case) but lead to enhanced acidification of aqueous inputs to forest soils in other locales where the dry deposition of acid anions is high. The experimental results have ramifications for forest management schema seeking to increase or decrease the extent of edge habitat in forest fragments.

Coherence recovery mechanisms of quantum Hall edge states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goremykina, Anna S.; Sukhorukov, Eugene V.

2018-03-01

This paper is motivated by an unexpected observation in a recent experiment [S. Tewari et al., Phys. Rev. B 93, 035420 (2016)., 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.035420], where a robust coherence recovery, starting from a certain energy, was detected for an electron injected into a quantum Hall edge at a filling factor of 2. After passing through a quantum dot, the electron then tunnels into the edge with a subsequent propagation towards a symmetric Mach-Zender interferometer (MZI). Afterwards, the visibility of Aharonov-Bohm (AB) oscillations is measured. An earlier study, based on the bosonization framework with a linear spectrum of the edge excitations, predicted a decay of the visibility with increasing energy. We associate this result with the destructive interference of the two quasiparticles (charge and neutral modes), formed at the edge out of the incoming electron wave packet (WP). However, in reality, it might be suppressed due to an imbalance between the quasiparticles, for instance, in the presence of dispersion and/or dissipation. This idea could also be explored further experimentally by applying a periodic potential to the arms of the MZI and thus creating the imbalance. Yet another possibility to restore phase coherence, also based on dispersion and dissipation, accounts for a drop in the energy density of the electron WP by the time it arrives at the interferometer, leading to a significantly smaller dephasing inside it. We then show that the energy density is defined by a parameter completely independent of the injected energy, which naturally explains the emergence of threshold energy in the experiment.

Blobs and drift wave dynamics

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Yanzeng; Krasheninnikov, S. I.

2017-09-29

The modified Hasegawa-Mima equation retaining all nonlinearities is investigated from the point of view of the formation of blobs. The linear analysis shows that the amplitude of the drift wave packet propagating in the direction of decreasing background plasma density increases and eventually saturates due to nonlinear effects. Nonlinear modification of the time averaged plasma density profile results in the formation of large amplitude modes locked in the radial direction, but still propagating in the poloidal direction, which resembles the experimentally observed chain of blobs propagating in the poloidal direction. Such specific density profiles, causing the locking of drift waves,more » could form naturally at the edge of tokamak due to a neutral ionization source. Thus, locked modes can grow in situ due to plasma instabilities, e.g., caused by finite resistivity. Furthermore, the modulation instability (in the poloidal direction) of these locked modes can result in a blob-like burst of plasma density.« less

Stemflow acid neutralization capacity in a broadleaved deciduous forest: the role of edge effects.

PubMed

Shiklomanov, Alexey N; Levia, Delphis F

2014-10-01

Atmospheric deposition is an important pathway for moisture, nutrient, and pollutant exchange among the atmosphere, forest, and soils. Previous work has shown the importance of proximity to the forest edge to chemical fluxes in throughfall, but far less research has considered stemflow. This study examined the difference in acid neutralization capacity (ANC) of stemflow of nineteen Liriodendron tulipifera L. (yellow poplar) trees between the forest edge and interior in a rural area of northeastern Maryland. We measured ANC directly via potentiometric titration. Stemflow from trees at the forest edge was found to have significantly higher and more variable pH and ANC than in the forest interior (p < 0.01). No mathematical trend between ANC and distance to the forest edge was observed, indicating the importance of individual tree characteristics in stemflow production and chemistry. These results reaffirm the importance of stemflow for acid neutralization by deciduous tree species. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pedestal and edge electrostatic turbulence characteristics from an XGC1 gyrokinetic simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Churchill, R. M.; Chang, C. S.; Ku, S.; Dominski, J.

2017-10-01

Understanding the multi-scale neoclassical and turbulence physics in the edge region (pedestal + scrape-off layer (SOL)) is required in order to reliably predict performance in future fusion devices. We explore turbulent characteristics in the edge region from a multi-scale neoclassical and turbulent XGC1 gyrokinetic simulation in a DIII-D like tokamak geometry, here excluding neutrals and collisions. For an H-mode type plasma with steep pedestal, it is found that the electron density fluctuations increase towards the separatrix, and stay high well into the SOL, reaching a maximum value of δ {n}e/{\\bar{n}}e˜ 0.18. Blobs are observed, born around the magnetic separatrix surface and propagate radially outward with velocities generally less than 1 km s-1. Strong poloidal motion of the blobs is also present, near 20 km s-1, consistent with E × B rotation. The electron density fluctuations show a negative skewness in the closed field-line pedestal region, consistent with the presence of ‘holes’, followed by a transition to strong positive skewness across the separatrix and into the SOL. These simulations indicate that not only neoclassical phenomena, but also turbulence, including the blob-generation mechanism, can remain important in the steep H-mode pedestal and SOL. Qualitative comparisons will be made to experimental observations.

Improved kinetic neoclassical transport calculation for a low-collisionality QH-mode pedestal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Battaglia, D. J.; Burrell, K. H.; Chang, C. S.

The role of neoclassical, anomalous and neutral transport to the overall H-mode pedestal and scrape-off layer (SOL) structure in an ELM-free QH-mode discharge on DIII-D is explored using XGC0, a 5D full-f multi-species particle-in-cell drift-kinetic solver with self-consistent neutral recycling and sheath potentials. The work in this paper builds on previous work aimed at achieving quantitative agreement between the flux-driven simulation and the experimental electron density, impurity density and orthogonal measurements of impurity temperature and flow profiles. Improved quantitative agreement is achieved by performing the calculations with a more realistic electron mass, larger neutral density and including finite-Larmor-radius corrections self-consistentlymore » in the drift-kinetic motion of the particles. Consequently, the simulations provide stronger evidence that the radial electric field (E r) in the pedestal is primarily established by the required balance between the loss of high-energy tail main ions against a pinch of colder main ions and impurities. The kinetic loss of a small population of ions carrying a large proportion of energy and momentum leads to a separation of the particle and energy transport rates and introduces a source of intrinsic edge torque. Ion orbit loss and finite orbit width effects drive the energy distributions away from Maxwellian, and describe the anisotropy, poloidal asymmetry and local minimum near the separatrix observed in the T i profile.« less

Improved kinetic neoclassical transport calculation for a low-collisionality QH-mode pedestal

DOE PAGES

Battaglia, D. J.; Burrell, K. H.; Chang, C. S.; ...

2016-07-15

The role of neoclassical, anomalous and neutral transport to the overall H-mode pedestal and scrape-off layer (SOL) structure in an ELM-free QH-mode discharge on DIII-D is explored using XGC0, a 5D full-f multi-species particle-in-cell drift-kinetic solver with self-consistent neutral recycling and sheath potentials. The work in this paper builds on previous work aimed at achieving quantitative agreement between the flux-driven simulation and the experimental electron density, impurity density and orthogonal measurements of impurity temperature and flow profiles. Improved quantitative agreement is achieved by performing the calculations with a more realistic electron mass, larger neutral density and including finite-Larmor-radius corrections self-consistentlymore » in the drift-kinetic motion of the particles. Consequently, the simulations provide stronger evidence that the radial electric field (E r) in the pedestal is primarily established by the required balance between the loss of high-energy tail main ions against a pinch of colder main ions and impurities. The kinetic loss of a small population of ions carrying a large proportion of energy and momentum leads to a separation of the particle and energy transport rates and introduces a source of intrinsic edge torque. Ion orbit loss and finite orbit width effects drive the energy distributions away from Maxwellian, and describe the anisotropy, poloidal asymmetry and local minimum near the separatrix observed in the T i profile.« less

Investigation of Physical Processes Limiting Plasma Density in DIII--D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maingi, R.

1996-11-01

Understanding the physical processes which limit operating density is crucial in achieving peak performance in confined plasmas. Studies from many of the world's tokamaks have indicated the existence(M. Greenwald, et al., Nucl. Fusion 28) (1988) 2199 of an operational density limit (Greenwald limit, n^GW_max) which is proportional to the plasma current and independent of heating power. Several theories have reproduced the current dependence, but the lack of a heating power dependence in the data has presented an enigma. This limit impacts the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) because the nominal operating density for ITER is 1.5 × n^GW_max. In DIII-D, experiments are being conducted to understand the physical processes which limit operating density in H-mode discharges; these processes include X-point MARFE formation, high core recycling and neutral pressure, resistive MHD stability, and core radiative collapse. These processes affect plasma properties, i.e. edge/scrape-off layer conduction and radiation, edge pressure gradient and plasma current density profile, and core radiation, which in turn restrict the accessible density regime. With divertor pumping and D2 pellet fueling, core neutral pressure is reduced and X-point MARFE formation is effectively eliminated. Injection of the largest-sized pellets does cause transient formation of divertor MARFEs which occasionally migrate to the X-point, but these are rapidly extinguished in pumped discharges in the time between pellets. In contrast to Greenwald et al., it is found that the density relaxation time after pellets is largely independent of the density relative to the Greenwald limit. Fourier analysis of Mirnov oscillations indicates the de-stabilization and growth of rotating, tearing-type modes (m/n= 2/1) when the injected pellets cause large density perturbations, and these modes often reduce energy confinement back to L-mode levels. We are examining the mechanisms for de-stabilization of the mode, the primary ones being neo-classical pressure gradient drivers. Discharges with a gradual density increase are often free of large amplitude tearing modes, allowing access to the highest density regimes in which off-axis beam deposition can lead to core radiative collapse, i.e. a central power balance limit. The highest achieved barne was 1.5 × n^GW_max with τ_E/τ_E^JET-DIII-D >= 0.9. The highest density obtained in L-mode discharges was 3 × n^GW_max. Implications of these results for ITER will be discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gianetti, Thomas L.; Nocton, Grégory; Minasian, Stefan G.

Reaction of the neutral diniobium benzene complex {[Nb(BDI)N tBu] 2(μ-C 6H 6)} (BDI = N,N'-diisopropylbenzene-β-diketiminate) with Ag[B(C 6F 5) 4] results in a single electron oxidation to produce a cationic diniobium arene complex, {[Nb(BDI)N tBu] 2(μ-C 6H 6)}{B(C 6F 5) 4}. Investigation of the solid state and solution phase structure using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, magnetic susceptibility, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy indicates that the oxidation results in an asymmetric molecule with two chemically inequivalent Nb atoms. Further characterization using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, UV-visible, Nb L 3,2-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and EPR spectroscopies supports assignment ofmore » a diniobium complex, in which one Nb atom carries a single unpaired electron that is not largely delocalized on the second Nb atom. During the oxidative transformation, one electron is removed from the δ-bonding HOMO, which causes a destabilization of the molecule and formation of an asymmetric product. Subsequent reactivity studies indicate that the oxidized product allows access to metal-based chemistry with substrates that did not exhibit reactivity with the starting neutral complex.« less

Overview of ASDEX Upgrade results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

A. Kallenbachthe ASDEX Upgrade Team; the EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-10-01

The ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) programme is directed towards physics input to critical elements of the ITER design and the preparation of ITER operation, as well as addressing physics issues for a future DEMO design. Since 2015, AUG is equipped with a new pair of 3-strap ICRF antennas, which were designed for a reduction of tungsten release during ICRF operation. As predicted, a factor two reduction on the ICRF-induced W plasma content could be achieved by the reduction of the sheath voltage at the antenna limiters via the compensation of the image currents of the central and side straps in the antenna frame. There are two main operational scenario lines in AUG. Experiments with low collisionality, which comprise current drive, ELM mitigation/suppression and fast ion physics, are mainly done with freshly boronized walls to reduce the tungsten influx at these high edge temperature conditions. Full ELM suppression and non-inductive operation up to a plasma current of {{I}\\text{p}}=0.8 MA could be obtained at low plasma density. Plasma exhaust is studied under conditions of high neutral divertor pressure and separatrix electron density, where a fresh boronization is not required. Substantial progress could be achieved for the understanding of the confinement degradation by strong D puffing and the improvement with nitrogen or carbon seeding. Inward/outward shifts of the electron density profile relative to the temperature profile effect the edge stability via the pressure profile changes and lead to improved/decreased pedestal performance. Seeding and D gas puffing are found to effect the core fueling via changes in a region of high density on the high field side (HFSHD). The integration of all above mentioned operational scenarios will be feasible and naturally obtained in a large device where the edge is more opaque for neutrals and higher plasma temperatures provide a lower collisionality. The combination of exhaust control with pellet fueling has been successfully demonstrated. High divertor enrichment values of nitrogen {{E}\\text{N}}≥slant 10 have been obtained during pellet injection, which is a prerequisite for the simultaneous achievement of good core plasma purity and high divertor radiation levels. Impurity accumulation observed in the all-metal AUG device caused by the strong neoclassical inward transport of tungsten in the pedestal is expected to be relieved by the higher neoclassical temperature screening in larger devices.

Ionized gas at the edge of the central molecular zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langer, W. D.; Goldsmith, P. F.; Pineda, J. L.; Velusamy, T.; Requena-Torres, M. A.; Wiesemeyer, H.

2015-04-01

Context. The edge of the central molecular zone (CMZ) is the location where massive dense molecular clouds with large internal velocity dispersions transition to the surrounding more quiescent and lower CO emissivity region of the Galaxy. Little is known about the ionized gas surrounding the molecular clouds and in the transition region. Aims: We determine the properties of the ionized gas at the edge of the CMZ near Sgr E using observations of N+ and C+. Methods: We observed a small portion of the edge of the CMZ near Sgr E with spectrally resolved [C ii] 158 μm and [N ii] 205 μm fine structure lines at six positions with the GREAT instrument on SOFIA and in [C ii] using Herschel HIFI on-the-fly strip maps. We use the [N ii] spectra along with a radiative transfer model to calculate the electron density of the gas and the [C ii] maps to illuminate the morphology of the ionized gas and model the column density of CO-dark H2. Results: We detect two [C ii] and [N ii] velocity components, one along the line of sight to a CO molecular cloud at - 207 km s-1 associated with Sgr E and the other at -174 km s-1 outside the edge of another CO cloud. From the [N ii] emission we find that the average electron density is in the range of ~5 to 21 cm-3 for these features. This electron density is much higher than that of the disk's warm ionized medium, but is consistent with densities determined for bright diffuse H ii nebula. The column density of the CO-dark H2 layer in the -207 km s-1 cloud is ~1-2 × 1021 cm-2 in agreement with theoretical models. The CMZ extends further out in Galactic radius by ~7 to 14 pc in ionized gas than it does in molecular gas traced by CO. Conclusions: The edge of the CMZ likely contains dense hot ionized gas surrounding the neutral molecular material. The high fractional abundance of N+ and high electron density require an intense EUV field with a photon flux of order 106 to 107 photons cm-2 s-1, and/or efficient proton charge exchange with nitrogen, at temperatures of order 104 K, and/or a large flux of X-rays. Sgr E is a region of massive star formation as indicated by the presence of numerous compact H ii regions. The massive stars are potential sources of the EUV radiation that ionizes and heat the gas. In addition, X-ray sources and the diffuse X-ray emission in the CMZ are candidates for ionizing nitrogen.

Modeling Neutral Densities Downstream of a Gridded Ion Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soulas, George C.

2010-01-01

The details of a model for determining the neutral density downstream of a gridded ion thruster are presented. An investigation of the possible sources of neutrals emanating from and surrounding a NEXT ion thruster determined that the most significant contributors to the downstream neutral density include discharge chamber neutrals escaping through the perforated grids, neutrals escaping from the neutralizer, and vacuum facility background neutrals. For the neutral flux through the grids, near- and far-field equations are presented for rigorously determining the neutral density downstream of a cylindrical aperture. These equations are integrated into a spherically-domed convex grid geometry with a hexagonal array of apertures for determining neutral densities downstream of the ion thruster grids. The neutrals escaping from an off-center neutralizer are also modeled assuming diffuse neutral emission from the neutralizer keeper orifice. Finally, the effect of the surrounding vacuum facility neutrals is included and assumed to be constant. The model is used to predict the neutral density downstream of a NEXT ion thruster with and without neutralizer flow and a vacuum facility background pressure. The impacts of past simplifying assumptions for predicting downstream neutral densities are also examined for a NEXT ion thruster.

Small angle slot divertor concept for long pulse advanced tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, H. Y.; Sang, C. F.; Stangeby, P. C.; Lao, L. L.; Taylor, T. S.; Thomas, D. M.

2017-04-01

SOLPS-EIRENE edge code analysis shows that a gas-tight slot divertor geometry with a small-angle (glancing-incidence) target, named the small angle slot (SAS) divertor, can achieve cold, dissipative/detached divertor conditions at relatively low values of plasma density at the outside midplane separatrix. SAS exhibits the following key features: (1) strong enhancement of the buildup of neutral density in a localized region near the plasma strike point on the divertor target; (2) spreading of the cooling front across the divertor target with the slot gradually flaring out from the strike point, thus effectively reducing both heat flux and erosion on the entire divertor target surface. Such a divertor may potentially provide a power and particle handling solution for long pulse advanced tokamaks.

Edge Turbulence Imaging in Alcator C-Mod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zweben, Stewart J.

2001-10-01

This talk will describe measurements and modeling of the 2-D structure of edge turbulence in Alcator C-Mod. The radial vs. poloidal structure was measured using Gas Puff Imaging (GPI) (R. Maqueda et al, RSI 72, 931 (2001), J. Terry et al, J. Nucl. Materials 290-293, 757 (2001)), in which the visible light emitted by an edge neutral gas puff (generally D or He) is viewed along the local magnetic field by a fast-gated video camera. Strong fluctuations are observed in the gas cloud light emission when the camera is gated at ~2 microsec exposure time per frame. The structure of these fluctuations is highly turbulent with a typical radial and poloidal scale of ≈1 cm, and often with local maxima in the scrape-off layer (i.e. ``blobs"). Video clips and analyses of these images will be presented along with their variation in different plasma regimes. The local time dependence of edge turbulence is measured using high-speed photodiodes viewing the gas puff emission, a scanning Langmuir probe, and also with a Princeton Scientific Instruments ultra-fast framing camera, which can make 2-D images the gas puff at up to 200,000 frames/sec. Probe measurements show that the strong turbulence region moves to the separatrix as the density limit is approached, which may be connected to the density limit (B. LaBombard et al., Phys. Plasmas 8 2107 (2001)). Comparisons of this C-Mod turbulence data will be made with results of simulations from the Drift-Ballooning Mode (DBM) (B.N. Rogers et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 20 4396 (1998))and Non-local Edge Turbulence (NLET) codes.

ORNL diagnostic and modeling development for LAPD ICRF experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isler, R. C.; Caughman, J. B. O.; Lau, C.; Martin, E. H.; Perkins, R. J.; Compernolle, B. Van; Vincena, S.; Tripathi, S. K. P.; Gekelman, W.

2017-10-01

PPPL, UCLA, and ORNL scientists have recently collaborated on a three week ICRF campaign at the upgraded LAPD device to study near field-plasma interactions associated with a single strap antenna driven at 2.38 MHz with 100 kW of RF power. This poster highlights ORNL involvement through implementation of the following diagnostics: an optical emission probe to measure neutral density, a retarding field energy analyzer to measure fast ions, phase locked imaging to measure line integrated RF-driven optical emission fluctuations, and an RF compensated triple Langmuir probe to measure density and temperature. To interpret the results of the experimental campaign a 3D cold plasma finite element model with realistic antenna and vacuum vessel geometry was developed in COMSOL. A summary of these results will be discussed. Highlights include a proof of principle localized and spatially resolved measurement of the neutral density, a strong increase in RF-driven optical emission fluctuations directly in front of the RF antenna strap, a shift in fast ion energies near the plasma edge, and qualitative agreement between the COMSOL cold plasma model with the various diagnostics. Funded by the DOE OFES (DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-AC02-09CH11466, and DE-FC02-07ER54918) and the Univ. of California (12-LR-237124).

Effect of heating scheme on SOL width in DIII-D and EAST

DOE PAGES

Wang, L.; Makowski, M. A.; Guo, H. Y.; ...

2017-03-10

Joint DIII-D/EAST experiments in the radio-frequency (RF) heated H-mode scheme with comparison to that of neutral beam (NB) heated H-mode scheme were carried out on DIII-D and EAST under similar conditions to examine the effect of heating scheme on scrape-off layer (SOL) width in H-mode plasmas for application to ITER. A dimensionally similar plasma equilibrium was used to match the EAST shape parameters. The divertor heat flux and SOL widths were measured with infra-red camera in DIII-D, while with divertor Langmuir probe array in EAST. It has been demonstrated on both DIII-D and EAST that RF-heated plasma has a broadermore » SOL than NB-heated plasma when the edge electrons are effectively heated in low plasma current and low density regime with low edge collisionality. Detailed edge and pedestal profile analysis on DIII-D suggests that the low edge collisionality and ion orbit loss effect may account for the observed broadening. Finally, the joint experiment in DIII-D has also demonstrated the strong inverse dependence of SOL width on the plasma current in electron cyclotron heated (ECH) H-mode plasmas.« less

Effect of heating scheme on SOL width in DIII-D and EAST

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, L.; Makowski, M. A.; Guo, H. Y.

Joint DIII-D/EAST experiments in the radio-frequency (RF) heated H-mode scheme with comparison to that of neutral beam (NB) heated H-mode scheme were carried out on DIII-D and EAST under similar conditions to examine the effect of heating scheme on scrape-off layer (SOL) width in H-mode plasmas for application to ITER. A dimensionally similar plasma equilibrium was used to match the EAST shape parameters. The divertor heat flux and SOL widths were measured with infra-red camera in DIII-D, while with divertor Langmuir probe array in EAST. It has been demonstrated on both DIII-D and EAST that RF-heated plasma has a broadermore » SOL than NB-heated plasma when the edge electrons are effectively heated in low plasma current and low density regime with low edge collisionality. Detailed edge and pedestal profile analysis on DIII-D suggests that the low edge collisionality and ion orbit loss effect may account for the observed broadening. Finally, the joint experiment in DIII-D has also demonstrated the strong inverse dependence of SOL width on the plasma current in electron cyclotron heated (ECH) H-mode plasmas.« less

Development of ITER non-activation phase operation scenarios

DOE PAGES

Kim, S. H.; Poli, F. M.; Koechl, F.; ...

2017-06-29

Non-activation phase operations in ITER in hydrogen (H) and helium (He) will be important for commissioning of tokamak systems, such as diagnostics, heating and current drive (HCD) systems, coils and plasma control systems, and for validation of techniques necessary for establishing operations in DT. The assessment of feasible HCD schemes at various toroidal fields (2.65–5.3 T) has revealed that the previously applied assumptions need to be refined for the ITER non-activation phase H/He operations. A study of the ranges of plasma density and profile shape using the JINTRAC suite of codes has indicated that the hydrogen pellet fuelling into Hemore » plasmas should be utilized taking the optimization of IC power absorption, neutral beam shine-through density limit and H-mode access into account. The EPED1 estimation of the edge pedestal parameters has been extended to various H operation conditions, and the combined EPED1 and SOLPS estimation has provided guidance for modelling the edge pedestal in H/He operations. The availability of ITER HCD schemes, ranges of achievable plasma density and profile shape, and estimation of the edge pedestal parameters for H/He plasmas have been integrated into various time-dependent tokamak discharge simulations. In this paper, various H/He scenarios at a wide range of plasma current (7.5–15 MA) and field (2.65–5.3 T) have been developed for the ITER non-activation phase operation, and the sensitivity of the developed scenarios to the used assumptions has been investigated to provide guidance for further development.« less

Development of ITER non-activation phase operation scenarios

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, S. H.; Poli, F. M.; Koechl, F.

Non-activation phase operations in ITER in hydrogen (H) and helium (He) will be important for commissioning of tokamak systems, such as diagnostics, heating and current drive (HCD) systems, coils and plasma control systems, and for validation of techniques necessary for establishing operations in DT. The assessment of feasible HCD schemes at various toroidal fields (2.65–5.3 T) has revealed that the previously applied assumptions need to be refined for the ITER non-activation phase H/He operations. A study of the ranges of plasma density and profile shape using the JINTRAC suite of codes has indicated that the hydrogen pellet fuelling into Hemore » plasmas should be utilized taking the optimization of IC power absorption, neutral beam shine-through density limit and H-mode access into account. The EPED1 estimation of the edge pedestal parameters has been extended to various H operation conditions, and the combined EPED1 and SOLPS estimation has provided guidance for modelling the edge pedestal in H/He operations. The availability of ITER HCD schemes, ranges of achievable plasma density and profile shape, and estimation of the edge pedestal parameters for H/He plasmas have been integrated into various time-dependent tokamak discharge simulations. In this paper, various H/He scenarios at a wide range of plasma current (7.5–15 MA) and field (2.65–5.3 T) have been developed for the ITER non-activation phase operation, and the sensitivity of the developed scenarios to the used assumptions has been investigated to provide guidance for further development.« less

Pedestal and edge electrostatic turbulence characteristics from an XGC1 gyrokinetic simulation

DOE PAGES

Churchill, R. M.; Chang, C. S.; Ku, S.; ...

2017-08-30

Understanding the multi-scale neoclassical and turbulence physics in the edge region (pedestal + scrape-off layer (SOL)) is required in order to reliably predict performance in future fusion devices. We explore turbulent characteristics in the edge region from a multi-scale neoclassical and turbulent XGC1 gyrokinetic simulation in a DIII-D like tokamak geometry, here excluding neutrals and collisions. For an H-mode type plasma with steep pedestal, it is found that the electron density fluctuations increase towards the separatrix, and stay high well into the SOL, reaching a maximum value ofmore » $$\\delta {n}_{e}/{\\bar{n}}_{e}\\sim 0.18$$. Blobs are observed, born around the magnetic separatrix surface and propagate radially outward with velocities generally less than 1 km s –1. Strong poloidal motion of the blobs is also present, near 20 km s –1, consistent with E × B rotation. The electron density fluctuations show a negative skewness in the closed field-line pedestal region, consistent with the presence of 'holes', followed by a transition to strong positive skewness across the separatrix and into the SOL. These simulations indicate that not only neoclassical phenomena, but also turbulence, including the blob-generation mechanism, can remain important in the steep H-mode pedestal and SOL. Lastly, qualitative comparisons will be made to experimental observations.« less

Implementation of a plasma-neutral model in NIMROD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taheri, S.; Shumlak, U.; King, J. R.

2016-10-01

Interaction between plasma fluid and neutral species is of great importance in the edge region of magnetically confined fusion plasmas. The presence of neutrals can have beneficial effects such as fueling burning plasmas and quenching the disruptions in tokamaks, as well as deleterious effects like depositing high energy particles on the vessel wall. The behavior of edge plasmas in magnetically confined systems has been investigated using computational approaches that utilize the fluid description for the plasma and Monte Carlo transport for neutrals. In this research a reacting plasma-neutral model is implemented in NIMROD to study the interaction between plasma and neutral fluids. This model, developed by E. T. Meier and U. Shumlak, combines a single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma model with a gas dynamic neutral fluid model which accounts for electron-impact ionization, radiative recombination, and resonant charge exchange. Incorporating this model into NIMROD allows the study of the interaction between neutrals and plasma in a variety of plasma science problems. An accelerated plasma moving through a neutral gas background in a coaxial electrode configuration is modeled, and the results are compared with previous calculations from the HiFi code.

Si K EDGE STRUCTURE AND VARIABILITY IN GALACTIC X-RAY BINARIES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schulz, Norbert S.; Corrales, Lia; Canizares, Claude R.

2016-08-10

We survey the Si K edge structure in various absorbed Galactic low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) to study states of silicon in the inter- and circum-stellar medium. The bulk of these LMXBs lie toward the Galactic bulge region and all have column densities above 10{sup 22} cm{sup −2}. The observations were performed using the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer. The Si K edge in all sources appears at an energy value of 1844 ± 0.001 eV. The edge exhibits significant substructure that can be described by a near edge absorption feature at 1849 ± 0.002 eV and a far edgemore » absorption feature at 1865 ± 0.002 eV. Both of these absorption features appear variable with equivalent widths up to several mÅ. We can describe the edge structure using several components: multiple edge functions, near edge absorption excesses from silicates in dust form, signatures from X-ray scattering optical depths, and a variable warm absorber from ionized atomic silicon. The measured optical depths of the edges indicate much higher values than expected from atomic silicon cross sections and interstellar medium abundances, and they appear consistent with predictions from silicate X-ray absorption and scattering. A comparison with models also indicates a preference for larger dust grain sizes. In many cases, we identify Si xiii resonance absorption and determine ionization parameters between log ξ = 1.8 and 2.8 and turbulent velocities between 300 and 1000 km s{sup −1}. This places the warm absorber in close vicinity of the X-ray binaries. In some data, we observe a weak edge at 1.840 keV, potentially from a lesser contribution of neutral atomic silicon.« less

Computer enhancement of radiographs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dekaney, A.; Keane, J.; Desautels, J.

1973-01-01

Examination of three relevant noise processes and the image degradation associated with Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) X-ray/scanning system was conducted for application to computer enhancement of radiographs using MSFC's digital filtering techniques. Graininess of type M, R single coat and R double coat X-ray films was quantified as a function of density level using root-mean-square (RMS) granularity. Quantum mottle (including film grain) was quantified as a function of the above film types, exposure level, specimen material and thickness, and film density using RMS granularity and power spectral density (PSD). For various neutral-density levels the scanning device used in digital conversion of radiographs was examined for noise characteristics which were quantified by RMS granularity and PSD. Image degradation of the entire pre-enhancement system (MG-150 X-ray device; film; and optronics scanner) was measured using edge targets to generate modulation transfer functions (MTF). The four parameters were examined as a function of scanning aperture sizes of approximately 12.5 25 and 50 microns.

Electron localization in a mixed-valence diniobium benzene complex

DOE PAGES

Gianetti, Thomas L.; Nocton, Grégory; Minasian, Stefan G.; ...

2014-11-11

Reaction of the neutral diniobium benzene complex {[Nb(BDI)N tBu] 2(μ-C 6H 6)} (BDI = N,N'-diisopropylbenzene-β-diketiminate) with Ag[B(C 6F 5) 4] results in a single electron oxidation to produce a cationic diniobium arene complex, {[Nb(BDI)N tBu] 2(μ-C 6H 6)}{B(C 6F 5) 4}. Investigation of the solid state and solution phase structure using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, magnetic susceptibility, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy indicates that the oxidation results in an asymmetric molecule with two chemically inequivalent Nb atoms. Further characterization using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, UV-visible, Nb L 3,2-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and EPR spectroscopies supports assignment ofmore » a diniobium complex, in which one Nb atom carries a single unpaired electron that is not largely delocalized on the second Nb atom. During the oxidative transformation, one electron is removed from the δ-bonding HOMO, which causes a destabilization of the molecule and formation of an asymmetric product. Subsequent reactivity studies indicate that the oxidized product allows access to metal-based chemistry with substrates that did not exhibit reactivity with the starting neutral complex.« less

Balancing the edge effects budget: bay scallop settlement and loss along a seagrass edge.

PubMed

Carroll, John M; Furman, Bradley T; Tettelbach, Stephen T; Peterson, Bradley J

2012-07-01

Edge effects are a dominant subject in landscape ecology literature, yet they are highly variable and poorly understood. Often, the literature suggests simple models for edge effects-positive (enhancement at the edge), negative (enhancement at the interior), or no effect (neutral)--on a variety of metrics, including abundance, diversity, and mortality. In the marine realm, much of this work has focused on fragmented seagrass habitats due to their importance for a variety of commercially important species. In this study, the settlement, recruitment, and survival of bay scallops was investigated across a variety of seagrass patch treatments. By simultaneously collecting settlers (those viable larvae available to settle and metamorphose) and recruits (those settlers that survive some period of time, in this case, 6 weeks) on the same collectors, we were able to demonstrate a "balance" between positive and negative edge effects, resulting in a net neutral effect. Scallop settlement was significantly enhanced along seagrass edges, regardless of patch type while survival was elevated within patch interiors. However, recruitment (the net result of settlement and post-settlement loss) did not vary significantly from edge to center, representing a neutral effect. Further, results suggest that post-settlement loss, most likely due to predation, appears to be the dominant mechanism structuring scallop abundance, not patterns in settlement. These data illustrate the complexity of edge effects, and suggest that the metric used to investigate the effect (be it abundance, survival, or other metrics) can often influence the magnitude and direction of the perceived effect. Traditionally, high predation along a habitat edge would have indicated an "ecological trap" for the species in question; however, this study demonstrates that, at the population level, an ecological trap may not exist.

Dephasing in a 5/2 quantum Hall Mach-Zehnder interferometer due to the presence of neutral edge modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinaii, Yehuda; Goldstein, Moshe; Gefen, Yuval

Non-Abelian statistics is an intriguing feature predicted to characterize quasiparticles in certain topological phases of matter. This property is both fascinating on the theoretical side and the key ingredient for the implementation of future topological quantum computers. A smoking gun manifestation of non-Abelian statistics consists of demonstrating that braiding of quasiparticles leads to transitions among different states in the relevant degenerate Hilbert manifold. This can be achieved utilizing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, where Coulomb effects can be neglected, and the electric current is expected to carry clear signatures of non-Abelianity. Here we argue that attempts to measure non-Abelian statistics in the prominent quantum Hall fraction of 5/2 may fail; this can be understood by studying the corresponding edge theory at finite temperatures and bias. We find that the presence of neutral modes imposes stronger limitations on the experimental conditions as compared to quantum Hall states that do not support neutral edge modes. We discuss how to overcome this hindrance. Interestingly, neutral-mode-induced dephasing can be quite different in the Pfaffian state as compared to the anti-Pfaffian state, if the neutral and charge velocities are comparable.

Numerical Characterization of Wall Recycling Conditions of the HIDRA Stellarator using EMC3-EIRENE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcinko, Steven; Curreli, Davide

2015-11-01

The wall recycling conditions created by energetic bombardment of plasma-facing components (PFCs) are of critical importance to determining the plasma and impurity profile in the edge region of a magnetically confined plasma. In this work a pre-online numerical characterization of the edge plasma in HIDRA has been carried out. HIDRA is the former WEGA experiment, now relocated to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Numerical simulations of the HIDRA edge environment are performed utilizing the 3D edge plasma and neutral transport code EMC3-EIRENE [Y. Feng J. Nucl. Mater 241-243, 930 (1997)]. In our analysis, emphasis is placed on the influence of the neutrals and the impurities on edge plasma profiles and thus on energy and particle fluxes impingent onto PFCs. We examine the effect of different wall types, comparing high recycling conditions to situations of low recycling. The effect of intrinsic impurity screening is also taken into account under the expected HIDRA operating regimes. We report the calculated particle confinement time and fluid moments of both plasma and neutrals at the low recycling regimes expected with lithium-based PFCs, and compare them with the high recycling regimes found with conventional metal-based PFCs.

Edge Mechanisms for Power Excursion Control in Burning Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, M. D.; Stacey, W. M.

2017-10-01

ITER must have active and preferably also passive control mechanisms that will limit inadvertent plasma power excursions which could trigger runaway fusion heating. We are identifying and investigating the potential of ion-orbit loss, impurity seeding, and various divertor ``choking'' phenomena to control or limit sudden increases in plasma density or temperature by reducing energy confinement, increasing radiation loss, etc., with the idea that such mechanisms could be tested on DIII-D and other existing tokamaks. We are assembling an edge-divertor code (GTEDGE-2) with a neutral transport model and a burn dynamics code, for this purpose. One potential control mechanism is the enhanced ion orbit loss from the thermalized ion distribution that would result from heating of the thermalized plasma ion distribution. Another possibility is impurity seeding with ions whose emissivity would increase sharply if the edge temperature increased. Enhanced radiative losses should also reduce the thermal energy flux across the separatrix, perhaps dropping the plasma into the poorer L-mode confinement regime. We will present some initial calculations to quantify these ideas. Work supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Progress in diagnostics of the COMPASS tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinzettl, V.; Adamek, J.; Berta, M.; Bilkova, P.; Bogar, O.; Bohm, P.; Cavalier, J.; Dejarnac, R.; Dimitrova, M.; Ficker, O.; Fridrich, D.; Grover, O.; Hacek, P.; Havlicek, J.; Havranek, A.; Horacek, J.; Hron, M.; Imrisek, M.; Komm, M.; Kovarik, K.; Krbec, J.; Markovic, T.; Matveeva, E.; Mitosinkova, K.; Mlynar, J.; Naydenkova, D.; Panek, R.; Paprok, R.; Peterka, M.; Podolnik, A.; Seidl, J.; Sos, M.; Stockel, J.; Tomes, M.; Varavin, M.; Varju, J.; Vlainic, M.; Vondracek, P.; Zajac, J.; Zacek, F.; Stano, M.; Anda, G.; Dunai, D.; Krizsanoczi, T.; Refy, D.; Zoletnik, S.; Silva, A.; Gomes, R.; Pereira, T.; Popov, Tsv.; Sarychev, D.; Ermak, G. P.; Zebrowski, J.; Jakubowski, M.; Rabinski, M.; Malinowski, K.; Nanobashvili, S.; Spolaore, M.; Vianello, N.; Gauthier, E.; Gunn, J. P.; Devitre, A.

2017-12-01

The COMPASS tokamak at IPP Prague is a small-size device with an ITER-relevant plasma geometry and operating in both the Ohmic as well as neutral beam assisted H-modes since 2012. A basic set of diagnostics installed at the beginning of the COMPASS operation has been gradually broadened in type of diagnostics, extended in number of detectors and collected channels and improved by an increased data acquisition speed. In recent years, a significant progress in diagnostic development has been motivated by the improved COMPASS plasma performance and broadening of its scientific programme (L-H transition and pedestal scaling studies, magnetic perturbations, runaway electron control and mitigation, plasma-surface interaction and corresponding heat fluxes, Alfvenic and edge localized mode observations, disruptions, etc.). In this contribution, we describe major upgrades of a broad spectrum of the COMPASS diagnostics and discuss their potential for physical studies. In particular, scrape-off layer plasma diagnostics will be represented by a new concept for microsecond electron temperature and heat flux measurements - we introduce a new set of divertor Langmuir and ball-pen probe arrays, newly constructed probe heads for reciprocating manipulators as well as several types of standalone probes. Among optical tools, an upgraded high-resolution edge Thomson scattering diagnostic for pedestal studies and a set of new visible light and infrared (plasma-surface interaction investigations) cameras will be described. Particle and beam diagnostics will be covered by a neutral particle analyzer, diagnostics on a lithium beam, Cherenkov detectors (for a direct detection of runaway electrons) and neutron detectors. We also present new modifications of the microwave reflectometer for fast edge density profile measurements.

Direct evidence of stationary zonal flows and critical gradient behavior for Er during formation of the edge pedestal in JET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillesheim, Jon

2015-11-01

High spatial resolution measurements with Doppler backscattering in JET have provided new insights into the development of the edge radial electric field during pedestal formation. The characteristics of Er have been studied as a function of density at 2.5 MA plasma current and 3 T toroidal magnetic field. We observe fine-scale spatial structure in the edge Er well prior to the LH transition, consistent with stationary zonal flows. Zonal flows are a fundamental mechanism for the saturation of turbulence and this is the first direct evidence of stationary zonal flows in a tokamak. The radial wavelength of the zonal flows systematically decreases with density. The zonal flows are clearest in Ohmic conditions, weaker in L-mode, and absent in H-mode. Measurements also show that after neutral beam heating is applied, the edge Er builds up at a constant gradient into the core during L-mode, at radii where Er is mainly due to toroidal velocity. The local stability of velocity shear driven turbulence, such as the parallel velocity gradient mode, will be assessed with gyrokinetic simulations. This critical Er shear persists across the LH transition into H-mode. Surprisingly, a reduction in the apparent magnitude of the Er well depth is observed directly following the LH transition at high densities. Establishing the physics basis for the LH transition is important for projecting scalings to ITER and these observations challenge existing models based on increased Er shear or strong zonal flows as the trigger for the transition. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Far-IR spectroscopy of the galactic center: Neutral and ionized gas in the central 10 pc of the galaxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollenbach, D. J.; Watson, D. M.; Townes, C. H.; Dinerstein, H. L.; Hollenbach, D.; Lester, D. F.; Werner, M.; Storey, J. W. V.

1983-01-01

The 3P1 - 3P2 fine structure line emission from neutral atomic oxygen at 63 microns in the vicinity of the galactic center was mapped. The emission is extended over more than 4' (12 pc) along the galactic plane, centered on the position of Sgr A West. The line center velocities show that the O I gas is rotating around the galactic center with an axis close to that of the general galactic rotation, but there appear also to be noncircular motions. The rotational velocity at R is approximately 1 pc corresponds to a mass within the central pc of about 3 x 10(6) solar mass. Between 1 and 6 pc from the center the mass is approximately proportional to radius. The (O I) line probability arises in a predominantly neutral, atomic region immediately outside of the ionized central parsec of out galaxy. Hydrogen densities in the (O I) emitting region are 10(3) to 10(6) cm(-3) and gas temperatures are or = 100 K. The total integrated luminosity radiated in the line is about 10(5) solar luminosity, and is a substantial contribution to the cooling of the gas. Photoelectric heating or heating by ultraviolet excitation of H2 at high densities (10(5) cm(-3)) are promising mechanisms for heating of the gas, but heating due to dissipation of noncircular motions of the gas may be an alternative possibility. The 3P1 - 3P0 fine structure line of (O III) at 88 microns toward Sgr A West was also detected. The (O III) emission comes from high density ionized gas (n 10(4) cm(-3)), and there is no evidence for a medium density region (n 10(3) cm(-3)), such as the ionized halo in Sgr A West deduced from radio observations. This radio halo may be nonthermal, or may consist of many compact, dense clumps of filaments on the inner edges of neutral condensations at R or = 2 pc.

Electron-intramolecular-vibration interactions in positively charged phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Takashi; Yamabe, Tokio

2004-02-01

Electron-phonon interactions in positively charged phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons such as phenanthrene, chrysene, and picene are studied. The C-C stretching modes around 1500 cm-1 and the low-frequency modes around 500 cm-1 strongly couple to the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) in phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons. The total electron-phonon coupling constants for the monocations (lHOMO) of 0.251, 0.135, and 0.149 eV for phenanthrene, chrysene, and picene, respectively, are estimated to be larger than those of 0.130, 0.107, and 0.094 eV for anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene, respectively. The phase patterns difference between the HOMO localized on carbon atoms which are located at the molecular edge in acene-edge-type hydrocarbons and the delocalized HOMO in phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons is the main reason for the result. Strengths of orbital interactions between two neighboring carbon atoms in the HOMO become weaker with an increase in molecular size because the electron density on each carbon atom in the HOMO becomes smaller with an increase in molecular size in phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons. On the other hand, the frontier orbitals of acene-edge-type hydrocarbons have somewhat nonbonding characters and thus cannot strongly couple to the totally symmetric vibrational modes compared with the frontier orbitals of phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons. This is the reason why the lHOMO value for phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons decreases with an increase in molecular size more significantly than that for acene-edge-type hydrocarbons, and the reason why the lHOMO value for polyphenanthrene with C2v geometry (0.033 eV) is estimated to be similar to that for polyacene (0.036 eV). The reorganization energies between the neutral molecules and the corresponding monocations for phenanthrene-edge-type hydrocarbons with large molecular size are estimated to be larger than those for acene-edge-type hydrocarbons with large molecular size.

3D Modeling of Antenna Driven Slow Waves Excited by Antennas Near the Plasma Edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smithe, David; Jenkins, Thomas

2016-10-01

Prior work with the 3D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) plasma and sheath model used to model ICRF antennas in fusion plasmas has highlighted the possibility of slow wave excitation at the very low end of the SOL density range, and thus the prudent need for a slow-time evolution model to treat SOL density modifications due to the RF itself. At higher frequency, the DIII-D helicon antenna has much easier access to a parasitic slow wave excitation, and in this case the Faraday screen provides the dominant means of controlling the content of the launched mode, with antenna end-effects remaining a concern. In both cases, the danger is the same, with the slow-wave propagating into a lower-hybrid resonance layer a short distance ( cm) away from the antenna, which would parasitically absorb power, transferring energy to the SOL edge plasma, primarily through electron-neutral collisions. We will present 3D modeling of antennas at both ICRF and helicon frequencies. We've added a slow-time evolution capability for the SOL plasma density to include ponderomotive force driven rarefaction from the strong fields in the vicinity of the antenna, and show initial application to NSTX antenna geometry and plasma configurations. The model is based on a Scalar Ponderomotive Potential method, using self-consistently computed local field amplitudes from the 3D simulation.

Overview of recent physics results from MAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirk, A.; Adamek, J.; Akers, R. J.; Allan, S.; Appel, L.; Arese Lucini, F.; Barnes, M.; Barrett, T.; Ben Ayed, N.; Boeglin, W.; Bradley, J.; Browning, P. K.; Brunner, J.; Cahyna, P.; Cardnell, S.; Carr, M.; Casson, F.; Cecconello, M.; Challis, C.; Chapman, I. T.; Chapman, S.; Chorley, J.; Conroy, S.; Conway, N.; Cooper, W. A.; Cox, M.; Crocker, N.; Crowley, B.; Cunningham, G.; Danilov, A.; Darrow, D.; Dendy, R.; Dickinson, D.; Dorland, W.; Dudson, B.; Dunai, D.; Easy, L.; Elmore, S.; Evans, M.; Farley, T.; Fedorczak, N.; Field, A.; Fishpool, G.; Fitzgerald, I.; Fox, M.; Freethy, S.; Garzotti, L.; Ghim, Y. C.; Gi, K.; Gibson, K.; Gorelenkova, M.; Gracias, W.; Gurl, C.; Guttenfelder, W.; Ham, C.; Harrison, J.; Harting, D.; Havlickova, E.; Hawkes, N.; Hender, T.; Henderson, S.; Highcock, E.; Hillesheim, J.; Hnat, B.; Horacek, J.; Howard, J.; Howell, D.; Huang, B.; Imada, K.; Inomoto, M.; Imazawa, R.; Jones, O.; Kadowaki, K.; Kaye, S.; Keeling, D.; Klimek, I.; Kocan, M.; Kogan, L.; Komm, M.; Lai, W.; Leddy, J.; Leggate, H.; Hollocombe, J.; Lipschultz, B.; Lisgo, S.; Liu, Y. Q.; Lloyd, B.; Lomanowski, B.; Lukin, V.; Lupelli, I.; Maddison, G.; Madsen, J.; Mailloux, J.; Martin, R.; McArdle, G.; McClements, K.; McMillan, B.; Meakins, A.; Meyer, H.; Michael, C.; Militello, F.; Milnes, J.; Morris, A. W.; Motojima, G.; Muir, D.; Naylor, G.; Nielsen, A.; O'Brien, M.; O'Gorman, T.; O'Mullane, M.; Olsen, J.; Omotani, J.; Ono, Y.; Pamela, S.; Pangione, L.; Parra, F.; Patel, A.; Peebles, W.; Perez, R.; Pinches, S.; Piron, L.; Price, M.; Reinke, M.; Ricci, P.; Riva, F.; Roach, C.; Romanelli, M.; Ryan, D.; Saarelma, S.; Saveliev, A.; Scannell, R.; Schekochihin, A.; Sharapov, S.; Sharples, R.; Shevchenko, V.; Shinohara, K.; Silburn, S.; Simpson, J.; Stanier, A.; Storrs, J.; Summers, H.; Takase, Y.; Tamain, P.; Tanabe, H.; Tanaka, H.; Tani, K.; Taylor, D.; Thomas, D.; Thomas-Davies, N.; Thornton, A.; Turnyanskiy, M.; Valovic, M.; Vann, R.; Van Wyk, F.; Walkden, N.; Watanabe, T.; Wilson, H.; Wischmeier, M.; Yamada, T.; Young, J.; Zoletnik, S.; the MAST Team; the EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-10-01

New results from MAST are presented that focus on validating models in order to extrapolate to future devices. Measurements during start-up experiments have shown how the bulk ion temperature rise scales with the square of the reconnecting field. During the current ramp-up, models are not able to correctly predict the current diffusion. Experiments have been performed looking at edge and core turbulence. At the edge, detailed studies have revealed how filament characteristics are responsible for determining the near and far scrape off layer density profiles. In the core the intrinsic rotation and electron scale turbulence have been measured. The role that the fast ion gradient has on redistributing fast ions through fishbone modes has led to a redesign of the neutral beam injector on MAST Upgrade. In H-mode the turbulence at the pedestal top has been shown to be consistent with being due to electron temperature gradient modes. A reconnection process appears to occur during edge localized modes (ELMs) and the number of filaments released determines the power profile at the divertor. Resonant magnetic perturbations can mitigate ELMs provided the edge peeling response is maximised and the core kink response minimised. The mitigation of intrinsic error fields with toroidal mode number n  >  1 has been shown to be important for plasma performance.

Confinement & Stability in MAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akers, Rob

2001-10-01

Transition to H-mode has been achieved in the MAST spherical tokamak (ST) for both ohmically and neutral beam heated plasmas (P_NBI ~ 0.5-1.5MW), resulting in double-null diverted discharges containing both regular and irregular edge localised modes (ELMs). The observed L-H power threshold is ~10 times higher than predicted by established empirical scalings. L-H transition in MAST is accompanied by a sharp increase in edge density gradient, the efficient conversion of internal electron Bernstein waves into free space waves, the onset and saturation of edge poloidal rotation and a marked decrease in turbulence. During ELM free periods, a reduction in outboard power deposition width is observed using a Langmuir probe array. A novel divertor structure has been installed to counter the resulting increase in target heat-flux by applying a toroidally varying potential to the divertor plasma, theory suggesting that convective broadening of the scrape off layer will take place. Global confinement in H-mode is found to routinely exceed the international IPB(y,2) scaling, even for discharges approaching the Greenwald density. In an attempt to further extend the density range (densities in excess of Greenwald having been achieved for plasma currents up to 0.8MA) a multi-pellet injector has been installed at the low-field-side. In addition, high field side fuelling can be supplied via a gas-feed located at the centre-column mid-plane, this technique having been found to significantly enhance H-mode accessibility and quality. A range of stability issues will be discussed, including vertical displacement events, the rich variety of high frequency MHD seen in MAST and the physics of the Neoclassical Tearing Mode. This work was funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry and by EURATOM. The NBI equipment is on loan from ORNL and the pellet injector was provided by FOM.

Measuring the isoelectric point of the edges of clay mineral particles: the case of montmorillonite.

PubMed

Pecini, Eliana M; Avena, Marcelo J

2013-12-03

The isoelectric point (IEP) of the edge surface of a montmorillonite sample was determined by using electrophoretic mobility measurements. This parameter, which is fundamental for the understanding of the charging behavior of clay mineral surfaces, was never measured so far because of the presence of permanent negative charges within the montmorillonite structure, charges that mask the electrokinetic behavior of the edges. The strategy was to block or neutralize the structural charges with two different cations, methylene blue (MB(+)) and tetraethylenepentaminecopper(II) ([Cu(tetren)](2+)), so that the charging behavior of the particles becomes that of the edge surfaces. Adsorption isotherms of MB(+) and [Cu(tetren)](2+) at different ionic strengths (NaCl) were performed to establish the uptakes that neutralize the cation exchange capacity (CEC, 0.96 meq g(-1)) of the sample. At high adsorptive concentrations, there was a superequivalent adsorption of MB(+) (adsorption exceeding the CEC) and an equivalent adsorption of [Cu(tetren)](2+) (adsorption reaching the CEC). In both cases, structural charges were neutralized at uptakes very close to the CEC. Zeta potential (ζ) vs pH data at different ionic strengths of montmorillonite with adsorbed MB(+) allowed to estimate an upper limit of the edge's IEP, 5.3 ± 0.2. The same kind of data obtained with adsorbed [Cu(tetren)](2+) provided a lower limit of the IEP, 4.0 ± 0.2. These values are in agreement with previously informed IEP and point of zero charge of pyrophyllite, which is structurally analogous to montmorillonite but carries no permanent charges. The importance of knowing the IEP of the edge surface of clay minerals is discussed. This value characterizes the intrinsic reactivity of edges, that is, the protonating capacity of edge groups in absence of any electric field generated by structural charges. It also allows us to correct relative edge charge vs pH curves obtained by potentiometric titrations and to obtain the true edge charge vs pH curves at different electrolyte concentrations.

Divertor, scrape-off layer and pedestal particle dynamics in the ELM cycle on ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laggner, F. M.; Keerl, S.; Gnilsen, J.; Wolfrum, E.; Bernert, M.; Carralero, D.; Guimarais, L.; Nikolaeva, V.; Potzel, S.; Cavedon, M.; Mink, F.; Dunne, M. G.; Birkenmeier, G.; Fischer, R.; Viezzer, E.; Willensdorfer, M.; Wischmeier, M.; Aumayr, F.; the EUROfusion MST1 Team; the ASDEX Upgrade Team

2018-02-01

In addition to the relaxation of the pedestal, edge localised modes (ELMs) introduce changes to the divertor and scrape-off layer (SOL) conditions. Their impact on the inter-ELM pedestal recovery is investigated, with emphasis on the electron density (n e) evolution. The typical ELM cycle occurring in an exemplary ASDEX Upgrade discharge interval at moderate applied gas puff and heating power is characterised, utilising several divertor, SOL and pedestal diagnostics. In the studied discharge interval the inner divertor target is detached before the ELM crash, while the outer target is attached. The particles and power expelled by the ELM crash lead to a re-attachment of the inner target plasma. After the ELM crash, the outer divertor target moves into a high recycling regime with large n e in front of the plate, which is accompanied by high main chamber neutral fluxes. On similar timescales, the inner target fully detaches and the high field side high density region (HFSHD) is formed reaching up to the high field side midplane. This state evolves again to the pre-ELM state, when the main chamber neutral fluxes are reduced later in the ELM cycle. Neither the timescale of the appearance of the HFSHD nor the increase of the main chamber neutral fluxes fit the timescale of the n e pedestal, which is faster. It is found that during the n e pedestal recovery, the magnetic activity at the low field side midplane is strongly reduced indicating a lower level of fluctuations. A rough estimation of the particle flux across the pedestal suggests that the particle flux is reduced in this period. In conclusion, the evolution of the n e pedestal is determined by a combination of neutral fluxes, HFSHD and reduced particle flux across the pedestal. A reduced particle flux explains the fast, experimentally observed re-establishment of the n e pedestal best, whereas neutrals and HFSHD impact on the evolution of the SOL and separatrix conditions.

Field reversed configuration confinement enhancement through edge biasing and neutral beam injection.

PubMed

Tuszewski, M; Smirnov, A; Thompson, M C; Korepanov, S; Akhmetov, T; Ivanov, A; Voskoboynikov, R; Schmitz, L; Barnes, D; Binderbauer, M W; Brown, R; Bui, D Q; Clary, R; Conroy, K D; Deng, B H; Dettrick, S A; Douglass, J D; Garate, E; Glass, F J; Gota, H; Guo, H Y; Gupta, D; Gupta, S; Kinley, J S; Knapp, K; Longman, A; Hollins, M; Li, X L; Luo, Y; Mendoza, R; Mok, Y; Necas, A; Primavera, S; Ruskov, E; Schroeder, J H; Sevier, L; Sibley, A; Song, Y; Sun, X; Trask, E; Van Drie, A D; Walters, J K; Wyman, M D

2012-06-22

Field reversed configurations (FRCs) with high confinement are obtained in the C-2 device by combining plasma gun edge biasing and neutral beam injection. The plasma gun creates an inward radial electric field that counters the usual FRC spin-up. The n = 2 rotational instability is stabilized without applying quadrupole magnetic fields. The FRCs are nearly axisymmetric, which enables fast ion confinement. The plasma gun also produces E × B shear in the FRC edge layer, which may explain the observed improved particle transport. The FRC confinement times are improved by factors 2 to 4, and the plasma lifetimes are extended from 1 to up to 4 ms.

Observation of the standing wave effect in large-area, very-high-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas by using a fiber Bragg grating sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Dao-Man; Liu, Yong-Xin; Gao, Fei; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Li, Ang; Xu, Jun; Jing, Zhen-Guo; Wang, You-Nian

2018-06-01

The large-area capacitive discharges driven at very high frequencies have been attracting much attention due to their wide applications in material etching and thin film deposition. However, in the regime, the standing wave effect (SWE) becomes a major limitation for plasma material processing uniformity. In this work, a fiber Bragg grating sensor was utilized for the observation of the SWE in a large-area capacitive discharge reactor by measuring the radial distribution of the neutral gas temperature T g. The influences of the RF power and the working pressure on the radial profiles of T g were studied. At a higher frequency (100 MHz) and a lower pressure (5 Pa), T g presents a center-peaked radial distribution, indicating a significant SWE. As the RF power increases, the central peak of T g becomes more evident due to the enhanced SWE. By contrast, at 100 MHz and a higher pressure (40 Pa), the radial distribution of T g shows an evident peak at the electrode edge and T g decays dramatically towards the discharge center because the electromagnetic waves are strongly damped as they are propagating from the edge to the center. At a lower frequency (27 MHz), only edge-high profiles of T g are observed for various pressures. For the sake of a comparison, a hairpin resonance probe was used to measure the radial distributions of the plasma density n p under the same condition. The radial profiles of T g are found to generally resemble those of n p under various conditions. Based on the experimental results, the neutral gas heating mechanism was analyzed.

Flow adjustment inside homogeneous canopies after a leading edge – An analytical approach backed by LES

DOE PAGES

Kroniger, Konstantin; Banerjee, Tirtha; De Roo, Frederik; ...

2017-10-06

A two-dimensional analytical model for describing the mean flow behavior inside a vegetation canopy after a leading edge in neutral conditions was developed and tested by means of large eddy simulations (LES) employing the LES code PALM. The analytical model is developed for the region directly after the canopy edge, the adjustment region, where one-dimensional canopy models fail due to the sharp change in roughness. The derivation of this adjustment region model is based on an analytic solution of the two-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equation in neutral conditions for a canopy with constant plant area density (PAD). The main assumptionsmore » for solving the governing equations are separability of the velocity components concerning the spatial variables and the neglection of the Reynolds stress gradients. These two assumptions are verified by means of LES. To determine the emerging model parameters, a simultaneous fitting scheme was applied to the velocity and pressure data of a reference LES simulation. Furthermore a sensitivity analysis of the adjustment region model, equipped with the previously calculated parameters, was performed varying the three relevant length, the canopy height ( h), the canopy length and the adjustment length ( Lc), in additional LES. Even if the model parameters are, in general, functions of h/ Lc, it was found out that the model is capable of predicting the flow quantities in various cases, when using constant parameters. Subsequently the adjustment region model is combined with the one-dimensional model of Massman, which is applicable for the interior of the canopy, to attain an analytical model capable of describing the mean flow for the full canopy domain. As a result, the model is tested against an analytical model based on a linearization approach.« less

Flow adjustment inside homogeneous canopies after a leading edge – An analytical approach backed by LES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kroniger, Konstantin; Banerjee, Tirtha; De Roo, Frederik

A two-dimensional analytical model for describing the mean flow behavior inside a vegetation canopy after a leading edge in neutral conditions was developed and tested by means of large eddy simulations (LES) employing the LES code PALM. The analytical model is developed for the region directly after the canopy edge, the adjustment region, where one-dimensional canopy models fail due to the sharp change in roughness. The derivation of this adjustment region model is based on an analytic solution of the two-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equation in neutral conditions for a canopy with constant plant area density (PAD). The main assumptionsmore » for solving the governing equations are separability of the velocity components concerning the spatial variables and the neglection of the Reynolds stress gradients. These two assumptions are verified by means of LES. To determine the emerging model parameters, a simultaneous fitting scheme was applied to the velocity and pressure data of a reference LES simulation. Furthermore a sensitivity analysis of the adjustment region model, equipped with the previously calculated parameters, was performed varying the three relevant length, the canopy height ( h), the canopy length and the adjustment length ( Lc), in additional LES. Even if the model parameters are, in general, functions of h/ Lc, it was found out that the model is capable of predicting the flow quantities in various cases, when using constant parameters. Subsequently the adjustment region model is combined with the one-dimensional model of Massman, which is applicable for the interior of the canopy, to attain an analytical model capable of describing the mean flow for the full canopy domain. As a result, the model is tested against an analytical model based on a linearization approach.« less

Formation and properties of surface-anchored polymer assemblies with tunable physico-chemical characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Tao

We describe two new methodologies leading to the formation of novel surface-anchored polymer assemblies on solid substrates. While the main goal is to understand the fundamentals pertaining to the preparation and properties of the surface-bound polymer assemblies (including neutral and chargeable polymers), several examples also are mentioned throughout the Thesis that point out to practical applications of such structures. The first method is based on generating assemblies comprising anchored polymers with a gradual variation of grafting densities on solid substrates. These structures are prepared by first covering the substrate with a molecular gradient of the polymerization initiator, followed by polymerization from these substrate-bound initiator centers ("grafting from"). We apply this technique to prepare grafting density gradients of poly(acryl amide) (PAAm) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on silica-covered substrates. We show that using the grafting density gradient geometry, the characteristics of surface-anchored polymers in both the low grafting density ("mushroom") regime as well as the high grafting density ("brush") regime can be accessed conveniently on a single sample. We use a battery of experimental methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-edge absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS), contact angle, ellipsometry, to study the characteristics of the surface-bound polymer layers. We also probe the scaling laws of neutral polymer as a function of grafting density, and for weak polyelectrolyte, in addition to the grafting density, we study the affect of solution ionic strength and pH values. In the second novel method, which we coined as "mechanically assisted polymer assembly" (MAPA), we form surface anchored polymers by "grafting from" polymerization initiators deposited on elastic surfaces that have been previously extended uniaxially by a certain length increment, Deltax. Upon releasing the strain in the substrate after completion of polymerization, we show the grafting density of the polymers grafted to flexible substrates can be tuned as a function of Deltax.

Parameter dependence of ELM loss reduction by magnetic perturbations at low pedestal density and collisionality in ASDEX upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leuthold, N.; Suttrop, W.; Fischer, R.; Kappatou, A.; Kirk, A.; McDermott, R.; Mlynek, A.; Valovič, M.; Willensdorfer, M.; the ASDEX Upgrade Team; the EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-05-01

ELM mitigation by magnetic perturbations is studied at low pedestal collisionalities down to ITER-like values ({ν }{e,{PED}}* =0.1) in ASDEX Upgrade. A comprehensive database of ELM energy losses for varying plasma density, heating power, edge safety factor and magnetic perturbation structure has been assembled to investigate parameter dependencies of ELM mitigation. It is found that magnetic perturbations with a toroidal mode number n = 2 can reduce the ELM energy loss normalized to the energy stored in the plasma pedestal from about 30% to less than 5%, i.e. by a factor of six, below an electron pedestal collisionality of {ν }{e,{PED}}* =0.4. At this level of ELM mitigation a significant reduction of the pedestal pressure and, therefore, global plasma confinement occurs. This pedestal pressure reduction is mostly due to a reduction of plasma density, the so-called ‘pump-out’ effect. Refueling by neutral beams and in particular by pellet injection is possible and can re-establish confinement, however, the ELM energy loss increases as well with increasing density.

Scrape off layer modelling studies for SST-I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warrier, M.; Jaishankar, S.; Deshpande, S.; Coster, D.; Schneider, R.; Chaturvedi, S.; Srinivasan, R.; Braams, B. J.; SST Team

SOL modelling results for SST-1 (SST Team, Proceedings of the 16th IEEE/NPSS Symposium on Fusion Engineering, Champaign, IL, vol. II, 1995, p. 481) show a sheath limited flow regime. This is due to the low edge densities required by lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), coupled with high power input per unit volume. Coupled plasma-neutral transport studies using B2-Eirene [R. Schneider et al., J. Nucl. Mater. 196-198 (1992) 810] show significantly high charge exchange losses and radiated power from the core. It also shows that the heat flux to the inner divertor is higher than that to the outer divertor due to thinner inner SOL widths. The Monte-Carlo neutral transport code DEGAS [D. Heifitz et al., J. Comput. Phys. 46 (1982) 309] was used to optimise the baffle plate geometry and it was seen that a configuration where the baffle plate shields the main plasma from the divertor strike point results in reduced backflow of neutrals. The divertor erosion code DIVER (M. Warrier et al., SST Divertor Modelling Report, 1996-1997) was used to predict a steady state operating temperature for the SST divertor plate lying in the range 750-1000°C for which the erosion will be minimum.

Development of edge effects around experimental ecosystem hotspots is affected by edge density and matrix type

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ecological edge effects are sensitive to landscape context. In particular, edge effects can be altered by matrix type and by the presence of other nearby edges. We experimentally altered patch configurations in an African savanna to determine how edge density and matrix type influence edge effect de...

On the applicability of the standard approaches for evaluating a neoclassical radial electric field in a tokamak edge region

DOE PAGES

Dorf, M. A.; Cohen, R. H.; Simakov, A. N.; ...

2013-08-27

The use of the standard approaches for evaluating a neoclassical radial electric field E r, i.e., the Ampere (or gyro-Poisson) equation, requires accurate calculation of the difference between the gyroaveraged electron and ion particle fluxes (or densities). In the core of a tokamak, the nontrivial difference appears only in high-order corrections to a local Maxwellian distribution due to the intrinsic ambipolarity of particle transport. The evaluation of such high-order corrections may be inconsistent with the accuracy of the standard long wavelength gyrokinetic equation (GKE), thus imposing limitations on the applicability of the standard approaches. However, in the edge of amore » tokamak, charge-exchange collisions with neutrals and prompt ion orbit losses can drive non-intrinsically ambipolar particle fluxes for which a nontrivial (E r-dependent) difference between the electron and ion fluxes appears already in a low order and can be accurately predicted by the long wavelength GKE. As a result, the parameter regimes where the radial electric field dynamics in the tokamak edge region is dominated by the non-intrinsically ambipolar processes, thus allowing for the use of the standard approaches, are discussed.« less

Comparison of fluid neutral models for one-dimensional plasma edge modeling with a finite volume solution of the Boltzmann equation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Horsten, N., E-mail: niels.horsten@kuleuven.be; Baelmans, M.; Dekeyser, W.

2016-01-15

We derive fluid neutral approximations for a simplified 1D edge plasma model, suitable to study the neutral behavior close to the target of a nuclear fusion divertor, and compare its solutions to the solution of the corresponding kinetic Boltzmann equation. The plasma is considered as a fixed background extracted from a detached 2D simulation. We show that the Maxwellian equilibrium distribution is already obtained very close to the target, justifying the use of a fluid approximation. We compare three fluid neutral models: (i) a diffusion model; (ii) a pressure-diffusion model (i.e., a combination of a continuity and momentum equation) assumingmore » equal neutral and ion temperatures; and (iii) the pressure-diffusion model coupled to a neutral energy equation taking into account temperature differences between neutrals and ions. Partial reflection of neutrals reaching the boundaries is included in both the kinetic and fluid models. We propose two methods to obtain an incident neutral flux boundary condition for the fluid models: one based on a diffusion approximation and the other assuming a truncated Chapman-Enskog distribution. The pressure-diffusion model predicts the plasma sources very well. The diffusion boundary condition gives slightly better results overall. Although including an energy equation still improves the results, the assumption of equal ion and neutral temperature already gives a very good approximation.« less

Benchmark of 3D halo neutral simulation in TRANSP and FIDASIM and application to projected neutral-beam-heated NSTX-U plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, D.; Medley, S. S.; Gorelenkova, M. V.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Stagner, L.

2014-10-01

A cloud of halo neutrals is created in the vicinity of beam footprint during the neutral beam injection and the halo neutral density can be comparable with beam neutral density. Proper modeling of halo neutrals is critical to correctly interpret neutral particle analyzers (NPA) and fast ion D-alpha (FIDA) signals since these signals strongly depend on local beam and halo neutral density. A 3D halo neutral model has been recently developed and implemented inside TRANSP code. The 3D halo neutral code uses a ``beam-in-a-box'' model that encompasses both injected beam neutrals and resulting halo neutrals. Upon deposition by charge exchange, a subset of the full, one-half and one-third beam energy components produce thermal halo neutrals that are tracked through successive halo neutral generations until an ionization event occurs or a descendant halo exits the box. A benchmark between 3D halo neural model in TRANSP and in FIDA/NPA synthetic diagnostic code FIDASIM is carried out. Detailed comparison of halo neutral density profiles from two codes will be shown. The NPA and FIDA simulations with and without 3D halos are applied to projections of plasma performance for the National Spherical Tours eXperiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) and the effects of halo neutral density on NPA and FIDA signal amplitude and profile will be presented. Work supported by US DOE.

Plasma-Neutral Coupling on the Dark and Bright Sides of Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, X.; Yu, Z.; Fong, W.; Chen, C.; Zhao, J.; Huang, W.; Roberts, B. R.; Fuller-Rowell, T. J.; Richmond, A. D.; Gerrard, A. J.; Weatherwax, A. T.; Gardner, C. S.

2014-12-01

The polar mesosphere and thermosphere provide a unique natural laboratory for studying the complex physical, chemical, neutral dynamical and electrodynamics processes in the Earth's atmosphere and space environment. McMurdo (geographic 77.83S, geomagnetic 80S) is located by the poleward edge of the aurora oval; so energetic particles may penetrate into the lower thermosphere and mesosphere along nearly vertical geomagnetic field lines. Lidar observations at McMurdo from December 2010 to 2014 have discovered several neutral atmosphere phenomena closely related to ionosphereic parameters and geomagnetic activity. For example, the diurnal tidal amplitude of temperatures not only increases super-exponentially from 100 to 110 km but also its growth rate becomes larger at larger Kp index. The lidar discovery of neutral iron (Fe) layers with gravity wave signatures in the thermosphere enabled the direct measurements of neutral temperatures from 30 to 170 km, revealing the neutral-ion coupling and aurora-enhanced Joule heating. A lidar 'marathon' of 174-hour continuous observations showed dramatic changes of composition (Fe atoms and ice particles) densities (over 40 times) in the mesopause region and their correlations to solar events. In this paper we will study the plasma-neutral coupling on the dark side of Antarctica via observation analysis and numerical modeling of the thermospheric Fe layers in the 100-200 km. A newly developed thermospheric Fe/Fe+ model is used to quantify how Fe+ ions are transported from their main deposition region to the E-F region and then neutralized to form Fe layers under dark polar conditions. We will also study the plasma-neutral coupling on the bright side of Antarctica via analyzing Fe events in summer. Complementary observations will be combined to show how the extreme changes of Fe layers are related to aurora particle precipitation and visible/sub-visible ice particles. These observations and studies will open new areas of scientific inquiry regarding the composition, chemistry, neutral dynamics, thermodynamics, and electrodynamics of one of the least-understood regions in the atmosphere.

Linear calculations of edge current driven kink modes with BOUT++ code

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, G. Q., E-mail: ligq@ipp.ac.cn; Xia, T. Y.; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550

This work extends previous BOUT++ work to systematically study the impact of edge current density on edge localized modes, and to benchmark with the GATO and ELITE codes. Using the CORSICA code, a set of equilibria was generated with different edge current densities by keeping total current and pressure profile fixed. Based on these equilibria, the effects of the edge current density on the MHD instabilities were studied with the 3-field BOUT++ code. For the linear calculations, with increasing edge current density, the dominant modes are changed from intermediate-n and high-n ballooning modes to low-n kink modes, and the linearmore » growth rate becomes smaller. The edge current provides stabilizing effects on ballooning modes due to the increase of local shear at the outer mid-plane with the edge current. For edge kink modes, however, the edge current does not always provide a destabilizing effect; with increasing edge current, the linear growth rate first increases, and then decreases. In benchmark calculations for BOUT++ against the linear results with the GATO and ELITE codes, the vacuum model has important effects on the edge kink mode calculations. By setting a realistic density profile and Spitzer resistivity profile in the vacuum region, the resistivity was found to have a destabilizing effect on both the kink mode and on the ballooning mode. With diamagnetic effects included, the intermediate-n and high-n ballooning modes can be totally stabilized for finite edge current density.« less

Effect of Thermospheric Neutral Density upon Inner Trapped-belt Proton Flux

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Thomas L.; Lodhi, M. A. K.; Diaz, Abel B.

2007-01-01

We wish to point out that a secular change in the Earth's atmospheric neutral density alters charged-particle lifetime in the inner trapped radiation belts, in addition to the changes recently reported as produced by greenhouse gases. Heretofore, changes in neutral density have been of interest primarily because of their effect on the orbital drag of satellites. We extend this to include the orbital lifetime of charged particles in the lower radiation belts. It is known that the charged-belt population is coupled to the neutral density of the atmosphere through changes induced by solar activity, an effect produced by multiple scattering off neutral and ionized atoms along with ionization loss in the thermosphere where charged and neutral populations interact. It will be shown here that trapped-belt flux J is bivariant in energy E and thermospheric neutral density , as J(E,rho). One can conclude that proton lifetimes in these belts are also directly affected by secular changes in the neutral species populating the Earth s thermosphere. This result is a consequence of an intrinsic property of charged-particle flux, that flux is not merely a function of E but is dependent upon density rho when a background of neutrals is present.

Turbulent edge transport in the Princeton Beta Experiment-Modified high confinement mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tynan, G. R.; Schmitz, L.; Blush, L.; Boedo, J. A.; Conn, R. W.; Doerner, R.; Lehmer, R.; Moyer, R.; Kugel, H.; Bell, R.; Kaye, S.; Okabayashi, M.; Sesnic, S.; Sun, Y.

1994-10-01

The first probe measurements of edge turbulence and transport in a neutral beam induced high confinement mode (H-mode) are reported. A strong negative radial electric field is directly observed in H-mode. A transient suppression of normalized ion saturation and floating potential fluctuation levels occurs at the low confinement mode to high confinement mode (L-H) transition, followed by a recovery to near low mode (L-mode) levels. The average poloidal wave number and the poloidal wave-number spectral width are decreased, and the correlation between fluctuating density and potential is reduced. A large-amplitude coherent oscillation, localized to the strong radial electric field region, is observed in H-mode but does not cause transport. In H-mode the effective turbulent diffusion coefficient is reduced by an order of magnitude inside the last closed flux surface and in the scrape-off layer. The results are compared with a heuristic model of turbulence suppression by velocity-shear stabilization.

The MARIA Helicon Plasma Experiment at UW Madison: Upgrade, Initial Scientific Goals Mission and First Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winters, Victoria; Green, Jonathan; Hershkowitz, Noah; Schmitz, Oliver; Severn, Greg

2015-11-01

The versatile helicon plasma device, MARIA (Magnetized AnisotRopic Ion-distribution Apparatus), was upgraded with stronger magnetic field B <= 1200G. The main focus is to understand the neutral particle dynamics and ionization mechanism with helicon waves to establish a high-density plasma (10 ∧ 20/m ∧ 3) at substantial electron (Te ~5-15eV) and ion (Ti ~1-3eV) temperature. To achieve this, installation of higher RF Power <= 15kW is planned as well as design of an ion cyclotron-heating antenna. To quantify the plasma characteristics, diagnostics including a Triple Langmuir Probe, Emissive Probe, and Laser Induced Fluorescence were established. We show first results from characterization of the device. The coupling of the helicon mode in the electron temperature and density parameter space in Argon was mapped out with regard to neutral pressure, B-field and RF power. In addition, validity of the Bohm Criterion and of the Chodura model starting in the weakly collisional regime is tested. A key goal in all efforts is to develop methods of quantitative spectroscopy based on cutting-edge models and active laser spectroscopy. This work was funded by Startup funds of the Department of Engineering Physics at UW Madison, the NSF CAREER award PHY-1455210 and NSF grant PHY-1206421.

ELM suppression in helium plasmas with 3D magnetic fields

DOE PAGES

Evans, T. E.; Loarte, A.; Orlov, D. M.; ...

2017-06-21

Experiments in DIII-D, using non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbation fields in high-purity low toroidal rotation, 4He plasmas have resulted in Type-I edge localized mode (ELM) suppression and mitigation. Suppression is obtained in plasmas with zero net input torque near the L–H power threshold using either electron cyclotron resonant heating (ECRH) or balanced co- and counter-I p neutral beam injection (NBI) resulting in conditions equivalent to those expected in ITER's non-active operating phase. In low-power ECRH H-modes, periods with uncontrolled density and impurity radiation excursions are prevented by applying n = 3 non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbation fields. ELM suppression results from a reduction andmore » an outward shift of the electron pressure gradient peak compared to that in the high-power ELMing phase. Here, the change in the electron pressure gradient peak is primarily due to a drop in the pedestal temperature rather than the pedestal density.« less

ELM suppression in helium plasmas with 3D magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, T. E.; Loarte, A.; Orlov, D. M.; Grierson, B. A.; Knölker, M. M.; Lyons, B. C.; Cui, L.; Gohil, P.; Groebner, R. J.; Moyer, R. A.; Nazikian, R.; Osborne, T. H.; Unterberg, E. A.

2017-08-01

Experiments in DIII-D, using non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbation fields in high-purity low toroidal rotation, 4He plasmas have resulted in Type-I edge localized mode (ELM) suppression and mitigation. Suppression is obtained in plasmas with zero net input torque near the L-H power threshold using either electron cyclotron resonant heating (ECRH) or balanced co- and counter-I p neutral beam injection (NBI) resulting in conditions equivalent to those expected in ITER’s non-active operating phase. In low-power ECRH H-modes, periods with uncontrolled density and impurity radiation excursions are prevented by applying n  =  3 non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbation fields. ELM suppression results from a reduction and an outward shift of the electron pressure gradient peak compared to that in the high-power ELMing phase. The change in the electron pressure gradient peak is primarily due to a drop in the pedestal temperature rather than the pedestal density.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Churchill, R. M.; Chang, C. S.; Ku, S.

Understanding the multi-scale neoclassical and turbulence physics in the edge region (pedestal + scrape-off layer (SOL)) is required in order to reliably predict performance in future fusion devices. We explore turbulent characteristics in the edge region from a multi-scale neoclassical and turbulent XGC1 gyrokinetic simulation in a DIII-D like tokamak geometry, here excluding neutrals and collisions. For an H-mode type plasma with steep pedestal, it is found that the electron density fluctuations increase towards the separatrix, and stay high well into the SOL, reaching a maximum value ofmore » $$\\delta {n}_{e}/{\\bar{n}}_{e}\\sim 0.18$$. Blobs are observed, born around the magnetic separatrix surface and propagate radially outward with velocities generally less than 1 km s –1. Strong poloidal motion of the blobs is also present, near 20 km s –1, consistent with E × B rotation. The electron density fluctuations show a negative skewness in the closed field-line pedestal region, consistent with the presence of 'holes', followed by a transition to strong positive skewness across the separatrix and into the SOL. These simulations indicate that not only neoclassical phenomena, but also turbulence, including the blob-generation mechanism, can remain important in the steep H-mode pedestal and SOL. Lastly, qualitative comparisons will be made to experimental observations.« less

Neutral depletion and the helicon density limit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Magee, R. M.; Galante, M. E.; Carr, J. Jr.

2013-12-15

It is straightforward to create fully ionized plasmas with modest rf power in a helicon. It is difficult, however, to create plasmas with density >10{sup 20} m{sup −3}, because neutral depletion leads to a lack of fuel. In order to address this density limit, we present fast (1 MHz), time-resolved measurements of the neutral density at and downstream from the rf antenna in krypton helicon plasmas. At the start of the discharge, the neutral density underneath the antenna is reduced to 1% of its initial value in 15 μs. The ionization rate inferred from these data implies that the electronmore » temperature near the antenna is much higher than the electron temperature measured downstream. Neutral density measurements made downstream from the antenna show much slower depletion, requiring 14 ms to decrease by a factor of 1/e. Furthermore, the downstream depletion appears to be due to neutral pumping rather than ionization.« less

Two-photon LIF on the HIT-SI3 experiment: Absolute density and temperature measurements of deuterium neutrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliott, Drew; Sutherland, Derek; Siddiqui, Umair; Scime, Earl; Everson, Chris; Morgan, Kyle; Hossack, Aaron; Nelson, Brian; Jarboe, Tom

2016-11-01

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence measurements were performed on the helicity injected torus (HIT-SI3) device to determine the density and temperature of the background neutral deuterium population. Measurements were taken in 2 ms long pulsed plasmas after the inductive helicity injectors were turned off. Attempts to measure neutrals during the main phase of the plasma were unsuccessful, likely due to the density of neutrals being below the detection threshold of the diagnostic. An unexpectedly low density of atomic deuterium was measured in the afterglow; roughly 100 times lower than the theoretical prediction of 1017 m-3. The neutral temperatures measured were on the order of 1 eV. Temporally and spatially resolved neutral density and temperature data are presented.

A continuum theory of edge dislocations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berdichevsky, V. L.

2017-09-01

Continuum theory of dislocation aims to describe the behavior of large ensembles of dislocations. This task is far from completion, and, most likely, does not have a "universal solution", which is applicable to any dislocation ensemble. In this regards it is important to have guiding lines set by benchmark cases, where the transition from a discrete set of dislocations to a continuum description is made rigorously. Two such cases have been considered recently: equilibrium of dislocation walls and screw dislocations in beams. In this paper one more case is studied, equilibrium of a large set of 2D edge dislocations placed randomly in a 2D bounded region. The major characteristic of interest is energy of dislocation ensemble, because it determines the structure of continuum equations. The homogenized energy functional is obtained for the periodic dislocation ensembles with a random contents of the periodic cell. Parameters of the periodic structure can change slowly on distances of order of the size of periodic cells. The energy functional is obtained by the variational-asymptotic method. Equilibrium positions are local minima of energy. It is confirmed the earlier assertion that energy density of the system is the sum of elastic energy of averaged elastic strains and microstructure energy, which is elastic energy of the neutralized dislocation system, i.e. the dislocation system placed in a constant dislocation density field making the averaged dislocation density zero. The computation of energy is reduced to solution of a variational cell problem. This problem is solved analytically. The solution is used to investigate stability of simple dislocation arrays, i.e. arrays with one dislocation in the periodic cell. The relations obtained yield two outcomes: First, there is a state parameter of the system, dislocation polarization; averaged stresses affect only dislocation polarization and cannot change other characteristics of the system. Second, the structure of dislocation phase space is strikingly simple. Dislocation phase space is split in a family of subspaces corresponding to constant values of dislocation polarizations; in each equipolarization subspace there are many local minima of energy; for zero external stresses the system is stuck in a local minimum of energy; for non-zero slowly changing external stress, dislocation polarization evolves, while the system moves over local energy minima of equipolarization subspaces. Such a simple picture of dislocation dynamics is due to the presence of two time scales, slow evolution of dislocation polarization and fast motion of the system over local minima of energy. The existence of two time scales is justified for a neutral system of edge dislocations.

A method to estimate the neutral atmospheric density near the ionospheric main peak of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Hong; Ye, Yu Guang; Wang, Jin Song; Nielsen, Erling; Cui, Jun; Wang, Xiao Dong

2016-04-01

A method to estimate the neutral atmospheric density near the ionospheric main peak of Mars is introduced in this study. The neutral densities at 130 km can be derived from the ionospheric and atmospheric measurements of the Radio Science experiment on board Mars Global Surveyor (MGS). The derived neutral densities cover a large longitude range in northern high latitudes from summer to late autumn during 3 Martian years, which fills the gap of the previous observations for the upper atmosphere of Mars. The simulations of the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique Mars global circulation model can be corrected with a simple linear equation to fit the neutral densities derived from the first MGS/RS (Radio Science) data sets (EDS1). The corrected simulations with the same correction parameters as for EDS1 match the derived neutral densities from two other MGS/RS data sets (EDS2 and EDS3) very well. The derived neutral density from EDS3 shows a dust storm effect, which is in accord with the Mars Express (MEX) Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars measurement. The neutral density derived from the MGS/RS measurements can be used to validate the Martian atmospheric models. The method presented in this study can be applied to other radio occultation measurements, such as the result of the Radio Science experiment on board MEX.

First Order Statistics of Speckle around a Scatterer Volume Density Edge and Edge Detection in Ultrasound Images.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yue

1990-01-01

Ultrasonic imaging plays an important role in medical imaging. But the images exhibit a granular structure, commonly known as speckle. The speckle tends to mask the presence of low-contrast lesions and reduces the ability of a human observer to resolve fine details. Our interest in this research is to examine the problem of edge detection and come up with methods for improving the visualization of organ boundaries and tissue inhomogeneity edges. An edge in an image can be formed either by acoustic impedance change or by scatterer volume density change (or both). The echo produced from these two kinds of edges has different properties. In this work, it has been proved that the echo from a scatterer volume density edge is the Hilbert transform of the echo from a rough impedance boundary (except for a constant) under certain conditions. This result can be used for choosing the correct signal to transmit to optimize the performance of edge detectors and characterizing an edge. The signal to noise ratio of the echo produced by a scatterer volume density edge is also obtained. It is found that: (1) By transmitting a signal with high bandwidth ratio and low center frequency, one can obtain a higher signal to noise ratio. (2) For large area edges, the farther the transducer is from the edge, the larger is the signal to noise ratio. But for small area edges, the nearer the transducer is to the edge, the larger is the signal to noise ratio. These results enable us to maximize the signal to noise ratio by adjusting these parameters. (3) The signal to noise ratio is not only related to the ratio of scatterer volume densities at the edge, but also related to the absolute value of scatterer volume densities. Some of these results have been proved through simulation and experiment. Different edge detection methods have been used to detect simulated scatterer volume density edges to compare their performance. A so-called interlaced array method has been developed for speckle reduction in the images formed by synthetic aperture focussing technique, and experiments have been done to evaluate its performance.

Modeling of detachment experiments at DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Canik, John M.; Briesemeister, Alexis R.; Lasnier, C. J.; ...

2014-11-26

Edge fluid–plasma/kinetic–neutral modeling of well-diagnosed DIII-D experiments is performed in order to document in detail how well certain aspects of experimental measurements are reproduced within the model as the transition to detachment is approached. Results indicate, that at high densities near detachment onset, the poloidal temperature profile produced in the simulations agrees well with that measured in experiment. However, matching the heat flux in the model requires a significant increase in the radiated power compared to what is predicted using standard chemical sputtering rates. Lastly, these results suggest that the model is adequate to predict the divertor temperature, provided thatmore » the discrepancy in radiated power level can be resolved.« less

Calibration of scintillation-light filters for neutron time-of-flight spectrometers at the National Ignition Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sayre, D. B., E-mail: sayre4@llnl.gov; Barbosa, F.; Caggiano, J. A.

Sixty-four neutral density filters constructed of metal plates with 88 apertures of varying diameter have been radiographed with a soft x-ray source and CCD camera at National Security Technologies, Livermore. An analysis of the radiographs fits the radial dependence of the apertures’ image intensities to sigmoid functions, which can describe the rapidly decreasing intensity towards the apertures’ edges. The fitted image intensities determine the relative attenuation value of each filter. Absolute attenuation values of several imaged filters, measured in situ during calibration experiments, normalize the relative quantities which are now used in analyses of neutron spectrometer data at the Nationalmore » Ignition Facility.« less

Calibration of scintillation-light filters for neutron time-of-flight spectrometers at the National Ignition Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sayre, D. B.; Barbosa, F.; Caggiano, J. A.

Sixty-four neutral density filters constructed of metal plates with 88 apertures of varying diameter have been radiographed with a soft x-ray source and CCD camera at National Security Technologies, Livermore. An analysis of the radiographs fits the radial dependence of the apertures’ image intensities to sigmoid functions, which can describe the rapidly decreasing intensity towards the apertures’ edges. Here, the fitted image intensities determine the relative attenuation value of each filter. Absolute attenuation values of several imaged filters, measured in situ during calibration experiments, normalize the relative quantities which are now used in analyses of neutron spectrometer data at themore » National Ignition Facility.« less

Calibration of scintillation-light filters for neutron time-of-flight spectrometers at the National Ignition Facility

DOE PAGES

Sayre, D. B.; Barbosa, F.; Caggiano, J. A.; ...

2016-07-26

Sixty-four neutral density filters constructed of metal plates with 88 apertures of varying diameter have been radiographed with a soft x-ray source and CCD camera at National Security Technologies, Livermore. An analysis of the radiographs fits the radial dependence of the apertures’ image intensities to sigmoid functions, which can describe the rapidly decreasing intensity towards the apertures’ edges. Here, the fitted image intensities determine the relative attenuation value of each filter. Absolute attenuation values of several imaged filters, measured in situ during calibration experiments, normalize the relative quantities which are now used in analyses of neutron spectrometer data at themore » National Ignition Facility.« less

A numerical study of variable density flow and mixing in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yin; Kahawita, René

1994-10-01

A numerical study of a negatively buoyant plume intruding into a neutrally stratified porous medium has been undertaken using finite different methods. Of particular interest has been to ascertain whether the experimentally observed gravitational instabilities that form along the lower edge of the plume are reproduced in the numerical model. The model has been found to faithfully reproduce the mean flow as well as the gravitational instabilities in the intruding plume. A linear stability analysis has confirmed the fact that the negatively buoyant plume is in fact gravitationally unstable and that the stability depends on two parameters: a concentration Rayleigh number and a characteristic length scale which is dependent on the transverse dispersivity.

Calibration of scintillation-light filters for neutron time-of-flight spectrometers at the National Ignition Facility.

PubMed

Sayre, D B; Barbosa, F; Caggiano, J A; DiPuccio, V N; Eckart, M J; Grim, G P; Hartouni, E P; Hatarik, R; Weber, F A

2016-11-01

Sixty-four neutral density filters constructed of metal plates with 88 apertures of varying diameter have been radiographed with a soft x-ray source and CCD camera at National Security Technologies, Livermore. An analysis of the radiographs fits the radial dependence of the apertures' image intensities to sigmoid functions, which can describe the rapidly decreasing intensity towards the apertures' edges. The fitted image intensities determine the relative attenuation value of each filter. Absolute attenuation values of several imaged filters, measured in situ during calibration experiments, normalize the relative quantities which are now used in analyses of neutron spectrometer data at the National Ignition Facility.

The atmospheric emission method of calculating the neutral atmosphere and charged particle densities in the upper atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McElroy, Kenneth L., Jr.

1992-12-01

A method is presented for the determination of neutral gas densities in the ionosphere from rocket-borne measurements of UV atmospheric emissions. Computer models were used to calculate an initial guess for the neutral atmosphere. Using this neutral atmosphere, intensity profiles for the N2 (0,5) Vegard-Kaplan band, the N2 Lyman-Birge-Hopfield band system, and the OI2972 A line were calculated and compared with the March 1990 NPS MUSTANG data. The neutral atmospheric model was modified and the intensity profiles recalculated until a fit with the data was obtained. The neutral atmosphere corresponding to the intensity profile that fit the data was assumed to be the atmospheric composition prevailing at the time of the observation. The ion densities were then calculated from the neutral atmosphere using a photochemical model. The electron density profile calculated by this model was compared with the electron density profile measured by the U.S. Air Force Geophysics Laboratory at a nearby site.

Thermodynamic neutral density: A new physically-based, energy-constrained, materially conserved neutral density variable for quantifying mixing and tracking water masses in the ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tailleux, R.

2016-02-01

A new materially-conserved quasi-neutral density variable has been constructed, called thermodynamic neutral density. It is composed of two parts. The first part is the Lorenz reference density entering Lorenz theory of available potential energy, which can be interpreted as the potential density of a fluid parcel referenced to the pressure it would have in Lorenz reference state of minimum potential energy. The second part is an empirical correction for pressure, which can be suitably chosen to make thermodynamic neutral density a very good approximation of Jackett and McDougall (1997) neutral density over most of the ocean water masses for which the latter is defined. Thermodynamic neutral density possesses many advantages over the empirically constructed Jackett and McDougall (1997) neutral density: 1) it is physically-based; 2) it is easily computed using fast and efficient methods for arbitrary states of the ocean, not just the present state, using the recently developed methodology by Saenz et al. (2015); 3) it is exactly neutral in a state of rest, and approximately neutral in the present ocean; 4) it is exactly materially conserved (it is a function of salinity and potential temperature only) and not plagued by unphysical nonmaterial effects, so can be used unambiguously to define and diagnose diapycnal and isopycnal mixing; 5) it is based on available potential energy, and therefore is the most suitable variable to discuss the energy cost of adiabatic stirring; 6) it is the variable that should be used to define the isopycnal and diapycnal directions in rotated diffusion tensor, as it can be shown that using the directions defined by the local neutral tangent plane as currently done causes spurious destruction of water masses. References: J. A. Saenz, R. Tailleux, E.D. Butler, G.O. Hughes, and K.I.C. Oliver, 2015: Estimating Lorenz's reference state in an ocean with a nonlinear equation of state for seawater. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 45, 1242—1257

Effect of the Edge Radial Electric Field on Neutral Particle Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guldi, C.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Beitzel, T. A.; Burrell, K. H.

2000-10-01

Neutral particle measurements in ASDEX were originally interpreted as evidence that the edge radial electric field Er changes gradually at the L-H transition.(W. Herrmann et al.), Phys. Rev. Lett. 75 (1995) 4401. We have relocated an analyzer to an orientation similar to the ASDEX analyzer: at the outer midplane viewing perpendicular ions midway between toroidal field coils. The electric field is measured by charge-exchange recombination and motional stark effect diagnostics. The passive charge exchange signal from the relocated analyzer is usually undetectable but, in discharges with large E_r, the flux of 5 keV neutrals can resemble ASDEX signals. The combined effects of ripple trapping and E_r× B_φ drifts(J.A. Heikkinen et al.), Plasma Phys. Contr. Fusion 40 (1998) 679. may explain the results.

Neutral-depletion-induced axially asymmetric density in a helicon source and imparted thrust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Kazunori; Takao, Yoshinori; Ando, Akira

2016-02-01

The high plasma density downstream of the source is observed to be sustained only for a few hundreds of microsecond at the initial phase of the discharge, when pulsing the radiofrequency power of a helicon plasma thruster. Measured relative density of argon neutrals inside the source implies that the neutrals are significantly depleted there. A position giving a maximum plasma density temporally moves to the upstream side of the source due to the neutral depletion and then the exhausted plasma density significantly decreases. The direct thrust measurement demonstrates that the higher thrust-to-power ratio is obtained by using only the initial phase of the high density plasma, compared with the steady-state operation.

Edge effects and their influence on lemur density and distribution in Southeast Madagascar.

PubMed

Lehman, Shawn M; Rajaonson, Andry; Day, Sabine

2006-02-01

Edge effects are caused by the penetration of abiotic and biotic conditions from the matrix into forest interiors. Although edge effects influence the biogeography of many tropical organisms, they have not been studied directly in primates. Edge effects are particularly relevant to lemurs due to the loss of 80-90% of forests in Madagascar. In this study, data are presented on how biotic edge effects influenced the distribution and density of lemurs in the Vohibola III Classified Forest in southeastern Madagascar. In total, 415 lemur surveys were conducted during June-October 2003 and May-September 2004 along six 1,250-m transects that ran perpendicular to the forest edge. Data were also collected on lemur food trees along the six transects (density, height, diameter at breast height, area, volume, and distance to forest edge). Four nocturnal species (Avahi laniger, Cheirogaleus major, Lepilemur microdon, and Microcebus rufus) and four diurnal species (Eulemur rubriventer, Eulemur fulvus rufus, Hapalemur grisesus griseus, and Propithecus diadema edwardsi) were sighted during surveys. Regression analyses of lemur densities as a function of distance to forest edge provided edge tolerances for A. laniger (edge-tolerant), M. rufus (edge-tolerant), E. rubriventer (edge-tolerant or omnipresent), and H. g. griseus (omnipresent). The density and distribution of M. rufus and their foods trees were correlated. Edge-related variations in food quality and predation pressures may also be influencing lemurs in Vohibola III. Tolerance for edge effects may explain, in part, how lemurs have survived extreme habitat loss and forest fragmentation in southeastern Madagascar.

Overview of ASDEX Upgrade results

DOE PAGES

Aguiam, D.

2017-06-28

Here, the ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) programme is directed towards physics input to critical elements of the ITER design and the preparation of ITER operation, as well as addressing physics issues for a future DEMO design. Since 2015, AUG is equipped with a new pair of 3-strap ICRF antennas, which were designed for a reduction of tungsten release during ICRF operation. As predicted, a factor two reduction on the ICRF-induced W plasma content could be achieved by the reduction of the sheath voltage at the antenna limiters via the compensation of the image currents of the central and side straps in the antenna frame. There are two main operational scenario lines in AUG. Experiments with low collisionality, which comprise current drive, ELM mitigation/suppression and fast ion physics, are mainly done with freshly boronized walls to reduce the tungsten influx at these high edge temperature conditions. Full ELM suppression and non-inductive operation up to a plasma current ofmore » $${{I}_{\\text{p}}}=0.8$$ MA could be obtained at low plasma density. Plasma exhaust is studied under conditions of high neutral divertor pressure and separatrix electron density, where a fresh boronization is not required. Substantial progress could be achieved for the understanding of the confinement degradation by strong D puffing and the improvement with nitrogen or carbon seeding. Inward/outward shifts of the electron density profile relative to the temperature profile effect the edge stability via the pressure profile changes and lead to improved/decreased pedestal performance. Seeding and D gas puffing are found to effect the core fueling via changes in a region of high density on the high field side (HFSHD).« less

Ion temperature profiles in front of a negative planar electrode studied by a one-dimensional two-fluid model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gyergyek, T.; Kovačič, J.

2016-06-01

Plasma-wall transition is studied by a one-dimensional steady state two-fluid model. Continuity and momentum exchange equations are used for the electrons, while the continuity, momentum exchange, and energy transport equation are used for the ions. Electrons are assumed to be isothermal. The closure of ion equations is made by the assumption that the heat flux is zero. The model equations are solved for potential, ion and electron density, and velocity and ion temperature as independent variables. The model includes coulomb collisions between ions and electrons and charge exchange collisions between ions and neutral atoms of the same species and same mass. The neutral atoms are assumed to be essentially at rest. The model is solved for finite ratio ɛ = /λ D L between the Debye length and λD and ionization length L in the pre-sheath and in the sheath at the same time. Charge exchange collisions heat the ions in the sheath and the pre-sheath. Even a small increase of the frequency of charge exchange collisions causes a substantial increase of ion temperature. Coulomb collisions have negligible effect on ion temperature in the pre-sheath, while in the sheath they cause a small cooling of ions. The increase of ɛ causes the increase of ion temperature. From the ion density and temperature profiles, the polytropic function κ is calculated according to its definition given by Kuhn et al. [Phys. Plasmas 13, 013503 (2006)]. The obtained profiles of κ indicate that the ion flow is isothermal only in a relatively narrow region in the pre-sheath, while close to the sheath edge and in the sheath it is closer to adiabatic. The ion sound velocity is space dependent and exhibits a maximum. This maximum indicates the location of the sheath edge only in the limit ɛ → 0 .

The influence of anthropogenic edge effects on primate populations and their habitat in a fragmented rainforest in Costa Rica.

PubMed

Bolt, Laura M; Schreier, Amy L; Voss, Kristofor A; Sheehan, Elizabeth A; Barrickman, Nancy L; Pryor, Nathaniel P; Barton, Matthew C

2018-05-01

When a forest is fragmented, this increases the amount of forest edge relative to the interior. Edge effects can lead to loss of animal and plant species and decreased plant biomass near forest edges. We examined the influence of an anthropogenic forest edge comprising cattle pasture, coconut plantations, and human settlement on the mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus), Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), and plant populations at La Suerte Biological Research Station (LSBRS), Costa Rica. We predicted that there would be lower monkey encounter rate, mean tree species richness, and diameter at breast height (DBH) in forest edge versus interior, and that monkeys would show species-specific responses to edge based on diet, body size, and canopy height preferences. Specifically, we predicted that howler monkeys would show positive or neutral edge effects due to their flexible folivorous diet, large body size, and preference for high canopy, capuchins would show positive edge effects due to their diverse diet, small body size, and preference for low to middle canopy, and spider monkeys would show negative edge effects due their reliance on ripe fruit, large body size, and preference for high upper canopy. We conducted population and vegetation surveys along edge and interior transects at LSBRS. Contrary to predictions, total monkey encounter rate did not vary between the forest edge and forest interior. Furthermore, all three species showed neutral edge effects with no significant differences in encounter rate between forest edge and interior. Interior transects had significantly higher mean tree species richness than edge transects, and interior trees had greater DBH than edge trees, although this difference was not significant. These results suggest that forest edges negatively impact plant populations at La Suerte but that the monkeys are able to withstand these differences in vegetation.

Exospheric Neutral Density at the Earth's subsolar magnetopause deduced from the XMM-Newton X-ray observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Connor, H. K.; Carter, J. A.

2017-12-01

Soft X-rays can be emitted when highly charged solar wind ions and exospheric neutrals exchange electrons. Astrophysics missions, such as XMM-Newton and ROSAT X-ray telescopes, have found that such solar wind charge exchange happens at the Earth's exosphere. The Earth's magnetosphere can be imaged via soft X-rays in order to understand its interaction with solar wind. Consequently, two soft X-ray telescope missions (CuPID and SMILE) are scheduled to launch in 2019 and 2021. They will provide wide field-of-view soft X-ray images of the Earth's dayside magnetosphere. The imagers will track the location and movement of the cusps, magnetopause, and bow shock in response to solar wind variations. To support these missions, an understanding of exospheric neutral density profile is needed. The neutral density is one of the controlling factors of soft X-ray signals. Strong neutral density can help to obtain high-resolution and high-cadence of soft X-ray images. In this study, we estimate the exospheric neutral density at 10 RE subsolar point using XMM X-ray observations, Cluster plasma observations, and OpenGGCM global magnetosphere - ionosphere MHD model. XMM-Newton observes line-of-sight, narrow field-of-view, integrated soft X-ray emissions when it looks through the dayside magnetosphere. OpenGGCM reproduces soft X-ray signals seen by the XMM spacecraft, assuming exospheric neutral density as a function of the neutral density at the 10RE subsolar point and the radial distance. Cluster observations are used to confirm OpenGGCM plasma results. Finally, we deduce the neutral density at 10 RE subsolar point by adjusting the model results to the XMM-Newton soft X-ray observations.

Density and beta limits in the Madison Symmetric Torus Reversed-Field Pinch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caspary, Kyle Jonathan

Operational limits and the underlying physics are explored on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) Reversed-Field Pinch (RFP) using deuterium pellet fueling. The injection of a fast pellet provides a large source of fuel in the plasma edge upon impact with the vessel wall, capable of triggering density limit terminations for the full range of plasma current, up to 600 kA. As the pellet size and plasma density increase, approaching the empirical Greenwald limit, plasma degradation is observed in the form of current decay, increased magnetic activity in the edge and core, increased radiation and plasma cooling. The complete termination of the plasma is consistent with the Greenwald limit; however, a slightly smaller maximum density is observed in discharges without toroidal field reversal. The plasma beta is the ratio of the plasma pressure to the confining magnetic pressure. Beta limits are known to constrain other magnetic confinement devices, but no beta limit has yet been established on the RFP. On MST, the highest beta values are obtained in improved confinement discharges with pellet fueling. By using pellet injection to scan the plasma density during PPCD, we also achieve a scan of Ohmic input power due to the increase in plasma resistivity. We observe a factor of 3 or more increase in Ohmic power as we increase the density from 1*1019 to 3*10 19 m-3. Despite this increased Ohmic power, the electron contribution to beta is constant, suggesting a confinement limited beta for the RFP. The electrons and ions are classically well coupled in these cold, dense pellet fueled plasmas, so the increase in total beta at higher density is primarily due to the increased ion contribution. The interaction of pellet fueling and NBI heating is explored. Modeling of MST's neutral heating beam suggests an optimal density for beam power deposition of 2-3*1019 m-3. Low current, NBI heated discharges show evidence of an increased electron beta in this density range. Additionally, the fast ion population can enhance ablation as well as cause pellet deflection. Other exploratory experiments with the pellet injection system explore additional injection scenarios and expand the injector capabilities.

Edge transport and turbulence reduction, and formation of ultra-wide pedestals with lithium coated PFCs in NSTX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canik, John

2010-11-01

The coating of plasma facing components (PFCs) with lithium improves energy confinement [1] and eliminates ELMs in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), the latter due to a relaxation of the density and pressure profiles that reduces the drive for peeling-ballooning modes [2]. Here we show that both a reduction in recycling (due to lithium pumping) and cross-field transport is needed to reproduce the measured profile changes. Furthermore we document a concomitant density fluctuation reduction measured in the steep gradient region. The experimental transport coefficients are obtained via data-constrained modeling using the SOLPS code [3], which couples a 2D fluid treatment of the edge plasma transport to a Monte Carlo neutrals calculation. First, a reduction in the PFC recycling coefficient from R˜0.98 to R˜0.90 is required to match the drop in Dα emission with lithium coatings. Furthermore, a ˜75% drop of the D and χe from 0.8 < ψN < 0.93 are needed to match the profile relaxation with lithium coatings; indeed, the region of low transport in the H-mode simply extends to the innermost domain of the simulation. Transport is similar with and without lithium coatings outside of ψN ˜ 0.93, with D/χe ˜ 0.2/1.0 m2/s. Turbulence measurements using an edge reflectometry system [4] show a decrease in broadband density fluctuations with lithium coatings, primarily at frequencies <10 kHz. These transport changes allow the realization of very wide pedestals, with a ˜100% width increase relative to the reference discharges. [4pt] [1] H. W. Kugel et al, Phys. Plas. 15 (2008) 056118. [0pt] [2] R. Maingi et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103 (2009) 075001. [0pt] [3] R. Schneider et al, Contr. Plas. Phys. 46 (2006) 3. [0pt] [4] S Kubota et al, Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 53 (2008) 188.

Spatial variations in Eulemur fulvus rufus and Lepilemur mustelinus densities in Madagascar.

PubMed

Lehman, Shawn M

2007-01-01

I present data on variations in Eulemur fulvus rufus and Lepilemur mustelinus densities as well as tree characteristics (height, diameter and stem frequency) between edge and interior forest habitats in southeastern Madagascar. Line transect surveys were conducted from June 2003 to November 2005 in edge and interior forest habitats in the Vohibola III Classified Forest. Although E. f. rufus densities were significantly lower in edge habitats than in interior habitats, density estimates for L. mustelinus did not differ significantly between habitats. Trees in edge habitats were significantly shorter, had smaller diameters and had lower stem frequencies (for those >25 cm in diameter) than trees in interior habitats. Spatial characteristics of food abundance and quality may explain lemur density patterns in Vohibola III. Low E. f. rufus densities may reduce seed dispersal in edge habitats, which has important consequences for the long-term viability of forest ecosystems in Madagascar. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Investigating the polar ionosphere during the development of neutral density enhancements on 24-25 September 2000

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horvath, Ildiko; Lovell, Brian C.

2017-04-01

We focus on the well-known northern daytime neutral density spikes detected by CHAMP on 25 September 2000 and related coupled magnetospheric-ionospheric-thermospheric processes. We investigate the underlying magnetic events and resultant thermospheric variations plus the state of the ionospheric polar region by employing multi-instrument CHAMP and DMSP data. Results show the unfolding of a weak (SYM-HMin ≈ -27 nT; 0345 UT) magnetic storm during which these northern density spikes occurred. Some smaller southern daytime density spikes were also detected prior to this storm on the previous day. All these density spikes were detected in or near polar convection flow channels (FCs). Each FC was characterized by strong antisunward zonal ion drifts that excited the zonal and meridional neutral winds leaving the signature of FC in the CHAMP neutral wind measurements and thus providing direct observational evidence of FC underlying the density spike. Additional to the small-scale field-aligned current (SS-FAC) filaments, the sudden intensifications of ionospheric closure current in the FC fueled the thermosphere and contributed to the development of upwelling and density spike. Some smaller density increases occurred due to the weak intensification of ionospheric closure currents. Equatorward (poleward) directed meridional neutral winds strengthened (weakened) the density spike by moving the neutral density up and along (down and against) the upwelling fueled by the ionospheric closure current and SS-FAC filaments.

Density of Electronic States in Impurity-Doped Quantum Well Wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sierra-Ortega, J.; Mikhailov, I. D.

2003-03-01

We analyze the electronic states in a cylindrical quantum well-wire (QWW) with randomly distributed neutral, D^0 and negatively charged D^- donors. In order to calculate the ground state energies of the off-center donors D^0 and D^- as a function of the distance from the axis of the QWW, we use the recently developed fractal dimension method [1]. There the problems are reduced to those similar for a hydrogen-like atom and a negative-hydrogen-like ion respectively, in an isotropic effective space with variable fractional dimension. The numerical trigonometric sweep method [2] and the three-parameter Hylleraas-type trial function are used to solve these problems. Novel curves for the density of impurity states in cylindrical QWWs with square-well, parabolic and soft-edge barrier potentials are present. Additionally we analyze the effect of the repulsive core on the density of the impurity states. [1] I.D. Mikhailov, F. J. Betancur, R. Escorcia and J. Sierra-Ortega, Phys. Stat. Sol., 234(b), 590 (2002) [2] F. J. Betancur, I. D. Mikhailov and L. E. Oliveira, J. Appl. Phys. D, 31, 3391(1998)

Self-consistent discharge growing model of helicon plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isayama, Shogo; Hada, Tohru; Shinohara, Shunjiro; Tanikawa, Takao

2015-11-01

Helicon plasma is a high-density and low-temperature plasma generated by the electromagnetic (Helicon) wave excited in the plasma. It is thought to be useful for various applications including electric thrusters. Physics of helicon plasma production involves such fundamental processes as the wave propagation (dispersion relation), collisional and non-collisional wave damping, plasma heating, ionization/recombination of neutral particles, and modification of the dispersion relation by newly ionized plasma. There remain a number of unsolved physical issues such as, how the Helicon and the TG modes influence the plasma density, electron temperature and their spatial profiles. While the Helicon mode is absorbed in the bulk plasma, the TG mode is mostly absorbed near the edge of the plasma. The local power deposition in the helicon plasma is mostly balanced by collisional loss. This local power balance can give rise to the inhomogeneous electron temperature profile that leads to time evolution of density profile and dispersion relation. In our study, we construct a self-consistent model of the discharge evolution that includes the wave excitation, electron heat transfer, and diffusion of charged particles.

Density Limit due to SOL Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Ippolito, D. A.; Myra, J. R.; Russell, D. A.

2004-11-01

Recent measurements on C-Mod(M. Greenwald, Plasma Phys. Contr. Fusion 44), R27 (2002). suggest there is a density limit due to rapid convection in the SOL: this region starts in the far SOL but expands inward to the separatrix as the density approaches the Greenwald limit. This idea is supported by a recent analysis(D. A. Russell et al., Lodestar Report LRC-04-99 (2004).) of a 3D BOUT code turbulence simulation(X. Q. Xu et al., Bull. APS 48), 184 (2003), paper KP1-20. with neutral fueling of the X-point region. Our work suggests that rapid outwards convection of plasma by turbulent coherent structures (``blobs'') occurs when the X-point collisionality is sufficiently large. Here, we calculate a density limit due to loss of thermal equilibrium in the edge plasma due to rapid radial convective heat transport. We expect a synergistic effect between blob convection and X-point cooling. The cooling increases the parallel resistivity at the X-point, ``disconnects'' the blobs electrically from the sheaths, and increases their radial velocity,(D.A. D'Ippolito et al., 2004 Sherwood Meeting, paper 1C 43.) which in turn further cools the X-points. Progress on a theoretical model will be reported.

Tailoring the Edge Structure of Molybdenum Disulfide toward Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abbasi, Pedram; Asadi, Mohammad; Liu, Cong

2017-01-24

Electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into energy-rich fuels is considered to be the most efficient approach to achieve a carbon neutral cycle. Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have recently shown a very promising catalytic performance for CO2 reduction reaction in an ionic liquid electrolyte. Here, we report that the catalytic performance of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a member of TMDCs, can be significantly improved by using an appropriate dopant. Our electrochemical results indicate that 5% niobium (Nb)-doped vertically aligned MoS2 in ionic liquid exhibits 1 order of magnitude higher CO formation turnover frequency (TOF) than pristine MoS2 at an overpotential range ofmore » 50-150 mV. The TOF of this catalyst is also 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of Ag nanoparticles over the entire range of studied overpotentials (100-650 mV). Moreover, the in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry experiment shows the onset overpotential of 31 mV for this catalyst, which is the lowest onset potential for CO2 reduction reaction reported so far. Our density functional theory calculations reveal that low concentrations of Nb near the Mo edge atoms can enhance the TOF of CO formation by modifying the binding energies of intermediates to MoS2 edge atoms.« less

m=1 diocotron mode damping in the Electron Diffusion Gauge (EDG) experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Stephen F.; Morrison, Kyle A.; Davidson, Ronald C.; Jenkins, Thomas G.

2002-01-01

The evolution of the amplitude of the m=1 diocotron mode is used to measure the background neutral pressure in the Electron Diffusion Gauge (EDG), a Malmberg-Penning trap. Below 5×10-8 Torr, the dependence on pressure scales as P1/4, and is sensitive to pressure changes as small as ΔP=5×10-11 Torr. Previous studies on the EDG showed that the diocotron mode is more strongly damped at higher neutral pressures. Both the diocotron mode damping rate and the plasma expansion rate depend similarly on experimental parameters, i.e., conditions which favor expansion also favor suppression of the diocotron mode. The sensitivity of the mode evolution is examined as a function of the resistive growth driving conditions, which are controlled by the amount of wall resistance connected to the trap.

Edge effects in the primate community of the biological dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Amazonas, Brazil.

PubMed

Lenz, Bryan B; Jack, Katharine M; Spironello, Wilson R

2014-11-01

While much is known about abiotic and vegetative edge effects in tropical forests, considerably less is known about the impact of forest edges on large mammals. In this study, we examine edge effects in a primate community to determine: 1) the distance from the edge over which edge effects in primate density are detectable, 2) whether individual species exhibit edge effects in their density, and 3) whether biological characteristics can be used to predict primate presence in edge habitats. Given their importance to many primate species, we also examine the influence of the number of large trees. We found edge penetration distances of 150 m for the five species that experienced edge effects, suggesting that primates respond to edge-related changes in the plant community that are known to be strongest over the first 150 m. Four species had higher edge densities: Alouatta macconnelli (folivore-frugivore), Chiropotes chiropotes (frugivorous seed predator), Saguinus midas (frugivore-faunivore), and Sapajus apella apella (frugivore-faunivore); one species' density was lower: Ateles paniscus (frugivore); and the final species, Pithecia chrysocephala (frugivorous seed predator), did not show an edge-related pattern. The lone significant relationship between the biological characteristics examined (body weight, diet, group size, and home range size) and primate presence in edge habitats was a negative relationship with the amount of fruit consumed. Though we did not examine primate responses to edges that border a denuded matrix, we have shown that edges influence primate distribution even following decades of secondary forest regeneration at habitat edges. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Numerical Solution of the Gyrokinetic Poisson Equation in TEMPEST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorr, Milo; Cohen, Bruce; Cohen, Ronald; Dimits, Andris; Hittinger, Jeffrey; Kerbel, Gary; Nevins, William; Rognlien, Thomas; Umansky, Maxim; Xiong, Andrew; Xu, Xueqiao

2006-10-01

The gyrokinetic Poisson (GKP) model in the TEMPEST continuum gyrokinetic edge plasma code yields the electrostatic potential due to the charge density of electrons and an arbitrary number of ion species including the effects of gyroaveraging in the limit kρ1. The TEMPEST equations are integrated as a differential algebraic system involving a nonlinear system solve via Newton-Krylov iteration. The GKP preconditioner block is inverted using a multigrid preconditioned conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm. Electrons are treated as kinetic or adiabatic. The Boltzmann relation in the adiabatic option employs flux surface averaging to maintain neutrality within field lines and is solved self-consistently with the GKP equation. A decomposition procedure circumvents the near singularity of the GKP Jacobian block that otherwise degrades CG convergence.

Adjacent Habitat Influence on Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Densities and the Associated Damage at Field Corn and Soybean Edges

PubMed Central

Venugopal, P. Dilip; Coffey, Peter L.; Dively, Galen P.; Lamp, William O.

2014-01-01

The local dispersal of polyphagous, mobile insects within agricultural systems impacts pest management. In the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, stink bugs, especially the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål 1855), contribute to economic losses across a range of cropping systems. Here, we characterized the density of stink bugs along the field edges of field corn and soybean at different study sites. Specifically, we examined the influence of adjacent managed and natural habitats on the density of stink bugs in corn and soybean fields at different distances along transects from the field edge. We also quantified damage to corn grain, and to soybean pods and seeds, and measured yield in relation to the observed stink bug densities at different distances from field edge. Highest density of stink bugs was limited to the edge of both corn and soybean fields. Fields adjacent to wooded, crop and building habitats harbored higher densities of stink bugs than those adjacent to open habitats. Damage to corn kernels and to soybean pods and seeds increased with stink bug density in plots and was highest at the field edges. Stink bug density was also negatively associated with yield per plant in soybean. The spatial pattern of stink bugs in both corn and soybeans, with significant edge effects, suggests the use of pest management strategies for crop placement in the landscape, as well as spatially targeted pest suppression within fields. PMID:25295593

Adjacent habitat influence on stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) densities and the associated damage at field corn and soybean edges.

PubMed

Venugopal, P Dilip; Coffey, Peter L; Dively, Galen P; Lamp, William O

2014-01-01

The local dispersal of polyphagous, mobile insects within agricultural systems impacts pest management. In the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, stink bugs, especially the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål 1855), contribute to economic losses across a range of cropping systems. Here, we characterized the density of stink bugs along the field edges of field corn and soybean at different study sites. Specifically, we examined the influence of adjacent managed and natural habitats on the density of stink bugs in corn and soybean fields at different distances along transects from the field edge. We also quantified damage to corn grain, and to soybean pods and seeds, and measured yield in relation to the observed stink bug densities at different distances from field edge. Highest density of stink bugs was limited to the edge of both corn and soybean fields. Fields adjacent to wooded, crop and building habitats harbored higher densities of stink bugs than those adjacent to open habitats. Damage to corn kernels and to soybean pods and seeds increased with stink bug density in plots and was highest at the field edges. Stink bug density was also negatively associated with yield per plant in soybean. The spatial pattern of stink bugs in both corn and soybeans, with significant edge effects, suggests the use of pest management strategies for crop placement in the landscape, as well as spatially targeted pest suppression within fields.

The diagnosed mobile limiters of the TJ-II stellarator for plasma boundary studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Cal, E.; Tabarés, F. L.; Tafalla, D.; Cortés, I. García.; Hidalgo, C.; López-Fraguas, A.

TJ-II is a medium size (major radius R=1.5 m, average plasma radius a <0.25 m, on axis magnetic field B=1 T) helical axis stellarator. The main characteristic is its magnetic configuration flexibility, due to the separate control of the different magnetic field coils. The two diagnosed mobile limiters are installed to reduce thermal loads on the thin protection plates of the contacting plasma-chamber regions and to study the plasma edge. First diagnostics are a set of thermocouples, Langmuir probes, H α-detectors and a CCD video camera with different filters (atomic lines of HeI, H α and near IR) looking at the limiter. A method of passive spectroscopy is proposed to map the electron temperature and density over the whole limiter surface by analysing the emission of helium recycling neutrals. It is expected from previous results of other stellarators, that the boundary magnetic topology will have a strong influence on the plasma-wall interaction. The mobile limiters can control the last closed magnetic surface and diagnose the plasma boundary. A qualitative different plasma edge scenario is foreseen between the limiter and the natural island divertor configuration (rational rotational transform inside the limiter radius). Plasma-wall interaction in TJ-II shows very specific features and the optimisation of the plasma edge topology can influence strongly the core plasma parameters. In particular, impurity screening will be a challenge due to the large power density which will be available in future (up to 2 MW NBI for 0.5 s). A safe operation for future high β-plasmas is also required and the mobile limiters should help to remove a fraction of the conductive/convective power.

Far-infrared line emission from the galaxy. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stacey, G. J.

1985-01-01

The diffuse 157.74 micron (CII) emission from the Galaxy was sampled at several galactic longitudes near the galactic plane including complete scan across the plane at (II) = 2.16 deg and (II) = 7.28 deg. The observed (CII) emission profiles follow closely the nearby (12)CO (J=1to0) emission profiles. The (CII) emission probably arises in neutral photodissociation regions near the edges of giant moleclar clouds (GMC's). These regions have densities of approximately 350 cm(-3) and temperatures of approximately 300 K, and amount to 4x10(8) solar mass of hydrogen in the inner Galaxy. The total 157.74 micron luminosity of the Galaxy is estimated to be 6x10(7) solar luminosity. Estimates were also made of the galactic emission in other far-infrared (FIR) cooling lines. The (CII) line was found to be the dominant FIR emission line from the galaxy and the primary coolant for the warm neutral gas near the galactic plane. Other cooling lines predicted to be prominent in the galactic spectrum are discussed. The 145.53 micron (OI) emission line from the Orion nebula was also measured.

Alpha particles diffusion due to charge changes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clauser, C. F., E-mail: cesar.clauser@ib.edu.ar; Farengo, R.

2015-12-15

Alpha particles diffusion due to charge changes in a magnetized plasma is studied. Analytical calculations and numerical simulations are employed to show that this process can be very important in the pedestal-edge-SOL regions. This is the first study that presents clear evidence of the importance of atomic processes on the diffusion of alpha particles. A simple 1D model that includes inelastic collisions with plasma species, “cold” neutrals, and partially ionized species was employed. The code, which follows the exact particle orbits and includes the effect of inelastic collisions via a Monte Carlo type random process, runs on a graphic processormore » unit (GPU). The analytical and numerical results show excellent agreement when a uniform background (plasma and cold species) is assumed. The simulations also show that the gradients in the density of the plasma and cold species, which are large and opposite in the edge region, produce an inward flux of alpha particles. Calculations of the alpha particles flux reaching the walls or divertor plates should include these processes.« less

Symmetry Enriched Topological Phases and Their Edge Theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinrich, Christopher

In this thesis we investigate topological phases of matter that have a global, unbroken symmetry group--also known as symmetry enriched topological (SET) phases. We address three questions about these phases: (1) how can we build exactly solvable models that realize them? (2) how can we determine if their edge theories can be gapped without breaking the symmetry? and (3) how do we understand the phenomenon of decoupled charge and neutral modes which occurs in certain fractional quantum Hall states? More specifically, we address the first question by constructing exactly solvable models for a wide class of symmetry enriched topological (SET) phases, which we call symmetry-enriched string nets. The construction applies to 2D bosonic SET phases with finite unitary onsite symmetry group G, and we conjecture that our models realize every phase in this class that can be described by a commuting projector Hamiltonian. As an example, we present a model for a phase with the same anyon excitations as the toric code and with a Z2 symmetry which exchanges the e and m type anyons. We further illustrate our construction with a number of additional examples. For the second question, we focus on the edge theories of 2D SET phases with Z2 symmetry. The central problem we seek to solve is to determine which edge theories can be gapped without breaking the symmetry. Previous attempts to answer this question in special cases relied on constructing perturbations of a particular type to gap the edge. This method proves the edge can be gapped when the appropriate perturbations can be found, but is inconclusive if they cannot be found. We build on this previous work by deriving a necessary and sufficient algebraic condition for when the edge can be gapped. Our results apply to Z2 symmetry protected topological phases as well as Abelian Z2 SET phases. Finally, in the fourth chapter, we describe solvable models that capture how impurity scattering in certain fractional quantum Hall edges can give rise to a neutral mode--i.e. an edge mode that does not carry electric charge. These models consist of two counter-propagating chiral Luttinger liquids together with a collection of discrete impurity scatterers. Our main result is an exact solution of these models in the limit of infinitely strong impurity scattering. From this solution, we explicitly derive the existence of a neutral mode and we determine all of its microscopic properties including its velocity. We also study the stability of the neutral mode and show that it survives at finite but sufficiently strong scattering. Our results are applicable to a family of Abelian fractional quantum Hall states of which the nu = 2/3 state is the most prominent example.

The Construction of 3-d Neutral Density for Arbitrary Data Sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riha, S.; McDougall, T. J.; Barker, P. M.

2014-12-01

The Neutral Density variable allows inference of water pathways from thermodynamic properties in the global ocean, and is therefore an essential component of global ocean circulation analysis. The widely used algorithm for the computation of Neutral Density yields accurate results for data sets which are close to the observed climatological ocean. Long-term numerical climate simulations, however, often generate a significant drift from present-day climate, which renders the existing algorithm inaccurate. To remedy this problem, new algorithms which operate on arbitrary data have been developed, which may potentially be used to compute Neutral Density during runtime of a numerical model.We review existing approaches for the construction of Neutral Density in arbitrary data sets, detail their algorithmic structure, and present an analysis of the computational cost for implementations on a single-CPU computer. We discuss possible strategies for the implementation in state-of-the-art numerical models, with a focus on distributed computing environments.

Defining the lateral and accessory views of the patella: an anatomic and radiographic study with implications for fracture treatment.

PubMed

Berkes, Marschall B; Little, Milton T M; Pardee, Nadine C; Lazaro, Lionel E; Helfet, David L; Lorich, Dean G

2013-12-01

The majority of orthopaedic surgeons rely on a lateral fluoroscopic image to assess reduction during patella fracture osteosynthesis. However, a comprehensive radiographic description of the lateral view of the patella has not been performed previously, and no accessory views to better visualize specific anatomic features have been developed. The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed anatomic description of all radiographic features of the true lateral of the patella, describe reproducible accessory views for assessing specific features of the patella, and demonstrate their utility in a fracture model. Twelve cadaver knee specimens free of patellofemoral pathology were used, and imaging was performed using standard C-arm fluoroscopy. For each specimen, a true lateral radiographic projection of the patella was obtained and distinct features were noted. Next, an arthrotomy was made and steel wire was contoured and fixed to various anatomic regions of the patella so as to obliterate the radiographic densities on the true lateral projection, thus confirming their anatomic correlation. Ideal views of the lateral and medial facets themselves were determined using radiographic markers and varying amounts of internal or external rotation of the specimen. Last, a transverse osteotomy was created in each patella and the ability of the true lateral and accessory views to detect malreduction was assessed. The true lateral projection of the patella was obtained with the limb in neutral alignment. Constant radiographic features of the lateral view of the patella include the articular tangent, a secondary articular density of variable length, and a dorsal cortical density. The articular tangent was produced by the central ridge between the medial and lateral facets in all specimens. The secondary articular density was created by a confluence of the edge of the lateral and edge of the medial facets in 5 patellas, a confluence of the edge of the lateral facet and the intersection of the odd and medial facets in 6 patellas, and the edge of the lateral facet alone in 1 patella. The edge of the lateral facet gave a constant contribution to the appearance of the secondary articular density in all cases. A distinct accessory view of the tangent of the lateral facet could be seen with an average of 17 degrees of patella external rotation (range, 12-35 degrees), and the tangent of the medial facet with an average of 26.5 degrees of internal rotation (range, 15-45 degrees). These accessory views were better able to visualize malreduction than the single lateral projection in a fracture model in all specimens. Described here is a comprehensive description of the true lateral radiographic view of the patella and accessory views. These views can be used in the evaluation of minimally displaced patella fractures if a computerized tomography is not desired to better assess the true amount of displacement and when assessing intraoperative reduction during patella fracture osteosynthesis.

Thermospheric neutral density estimates from heater-induced ion up-flow at EISCAT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosch, Michael; Ogawa, Yasunobu; Yamazaki, Yosuke; Vickers, Hannah; Blagoveshchenskaya, Nataly

We exploit a recently-developed technique to estimate the upper thermospheric neutral density using measurements of ionospheric plasma parameters made by the EISCAT UHF radar during ionospheric modification experiments. Heating the electrons changes the balance between upward plasma pressure gradient and downward gravity, resulting in ion up-flow up to ~200 m/s. This field-aligned flow is retarded by collisions, which is directly related to the neutral density. Whilst the ion up-flow is consistent with the plasma pressure gradient, the estimated thermospheric neutral density depends on the assumed composition, which varies with altitude. Results in the topside ionosphere are presented.

Implementation of a 3D halo neutral model in the TRANSP code and application to projected NSTX-U plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medley, S. S.; Liu, D.; Gorelenkova, M. V.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Stagner, L.

2016-02-01

A 3D halo neutral code developed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and implemented for analysis using the TRANSP code is applied to projected National Spherical Torus eXperiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U plasmas). The legacy TRANSP code did not handle halo neutrals properly since they were distributed over the plasma volume rather than remaining in the vicinity of the neutral beam footprint as is actually the case. The 3D halo neutral code uses a ‘beam-in-a-box’ model that encompasses both injected beam neutrals and resulting halo neutrals. Upon deposition by charge exchange, a subset of the full, one-half and one-third beam energy components produce first generation halo neutrals that are tracked through successive generations until an ionization event occurs or the descendant halos exit the box. The 3D halo neutral model and neutral particle analyzer (NPA) simulator in the TRANSP code have been benchmarked with the Fast-Ion D-Alpha simulation (FIDAsim) code, which provides Monte Carlo simulations of beam neutral injection, attenuation, halo generation, halo spatial diffusion, and photoemission processes. When using the same atomic physics database, TRANSP and FIDAsim simulations achieve excellent agreement on the spatial profile and magnitude of beam and halo neutral densities and the NPA energy spectrum. The simulations show that the halo neutral density can be comparable to the beam neutral density. These halo neutrals can double the NPA flux, but they have minor effects on the NPA energy spectrum shape. The TRANSP and FIDAsim simulations also suggest that the magnitudes of beam and halo neutral densities are relatively sensitive to the choice of the atomic physics databases.

Implementation of a 3D halo neutral model in the TRANSP code and application to projected NSTX-U plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Medley, S. S.; Liu, D.; Gorelenkova, M. V.

2016-01-12

A 3D halo neutral code developed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and implemented for analysis using the TRANSP code is applied to projected National Spherical Torus eXperiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U plasmas). The legacy TRANSP code did not handle halo neutrals properly since they were distributed over the plasma volume rather than remaining in the vicinity of the neutral beam footprint as is actually the case. The 3D halo neutral code uses a 'beam-in-a-box' model that encompasses both injected beam neutrals and resulting halo neutrals. Upon deposition by charge exchange, a subset of the full, one-half and one-third beam energy components producemore » first generation halo neutrals that are tracked through successive generations until an ionization event occurs or the descendant halos exit the box. The 3D halo neutral model and neutral particle analyzer (NPA) simulator in the TRANSP code have been benchmarked with the Fast-Ion D-Alpha simulation (FIDAsim) code, which provides Monte Carlo simulations of beam neutral injection, attenuation, halo generation, halo spatial diffusion, and photoemission processes. When using the same atomic physics database, TRANSP and FIDAsim simulations achieve excellent agreement on the spatial profile and magnitude of beam and halo neutral densities and the NPA energy spectrum. The simulations show that the halo neutral density can be comparable to the beam neutral density. These halo neutrals can double the NPA flux, but they have minor effects on the NPA energy spectrum shape. The TRANSP and FIDAsim simulations also suggest that the magnitudes of beam and halo neutral densities are relatively sensitive to the choice of the atomic physics databases.« less

Edge currents shunt the insulating bulk in gapped graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, M. J.; Kretinin, A. V.; Thompson, M. D.; Bandurin, D. A.; Hu, S.; Yu, G. L.; Birkbeck, J.; Mishchenko, A.; Vera-Marun, I. J.; Watanabe, K.; Taniguchi, T.; Polini, M.; Prance, J. R.; Novoselov, K. S.; Geim, A. K.; Ben Shalom, M.

2017-02-01

An energy gap can be opened in the spectrum of graphene reaching values as large as 0.2 eV in the case of bilayers. However, such gaps rarely lead to the highly insulating state expected at low temperatures. This long-standing puzzle is usually explained by charge inhomogeneity. Here we revisit the issue by investigating proximity-induced superconductivity in gapped graphene and comparing normal-state measurements in the Hall bar and Corbino geometries. We find that the supercurrent at the charge neutrality point in gapped graphene propagates along narrow channels near the edges. This observation is corroborated by using the edgeless Corbino geometry in which case resistivity at the neutrality point increases exponentially with increasing the gap, as expected for an ordinary semiconductor. In contrast, resistivity in the Hall bar geometry saturates to values of about a few resistance quanta. We attribute the metallic-like edge conductance to a nontrivial topology of gapped Dirac spectra.

Three-dimensional modeling of the neutral gas depletion effect in a helicon discharge plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kollasch, Jeffrey; Schmitz, Oliver; Norval, Ryan; Reiter, Detlev; Sovinec, Carl

2016-10-01

Helicon discharges provide an attractive radio-frequency driven regime for plasma, but neutral-particle dynamics present a challenge to extending performance. A neutral gas depletion effect occurs when neutrals in the plasma core are not replenished at a sufficient rate to sustain a higher plasma density. The Monte Carlo neutral particle tracking code EIRENE was setup for the MARIA helicon experiment at UW Madison to study its neutral particle dynamics. Prescribed plasma temperature and density profiles similar to those in the MARIA device are used in EIRENE to investigate the main causes of the neutral gas depletion effect. The most dominant plasma-neutral interactions are included so far, namely electron impact ionization of neutrals, charge exchange interactions of neutrals with plasma ions, and recycling at the wall. Parameter scans show how the neutral depletion effect depends on parameters such as Knudsen number, plasma density and temperature, and gas-surface interaction accommodation coefficients. Results are compared to similar analytic studies in the low Knudsen number limit. Plans to incorporate a similar Monte Carlo neutral model into a larger helicon modeling framework are discussed. This work is funded by the NSF CAREER Award PHY-1455210.

Development of a new gas puff imaging diagnostic on the HL-2A tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, B.; Xu, M.; Yu, Y.; Zang, L.; Hong, R.; Chen, C.; Wang, Z.; Nie, L.; Ke, R.; Guo, D.; Wu, Y.; Long, T.; Gong, S.; Liu, H.; Ye, M.; Duan, X.; HL-2A team

2018-03-01

A new gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic has been developed on the HL-2A tokamak to study two-dimensional plasma edge turbulence in poloidal vs. radial plane. During a discharge, neutral helium or deuterium gas is puffed at the edge of the plasma through a rectangular multi\

Ionospheric E-region electron density and neutral atmosphere variations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stick, T. L.

1976-01-01

Electron density deviations from a basic variation with the solar zenith angle were investigated. A model study was conducted in which the effects of changes in neutral and relative densities of atomic and molecular oxygen on calculated electron densities were compared with incoherent scatter measurements in the height range 100-117 km at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The feasibility of determining tides in the neutral atmosphere from electron density profiles was studied. It was determined that variations in phase between the density and temperature variation and the comparable magnitudes of their components make it appear improbable that the useful information on tidal modes can be obtained in this way.

Characterizing the 21-cm Signal from Neutral Hydrogen in the IGM at Redshifts 27>z>6 with EDGES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monsalve, Raul A.; Rogers, Alan E. E.; Bowman, Judd D.; Mozdzen, Thomas J.; Mahesh, Nivedita

2018-01-01

Understanding the period when the first stars formed and ionized the InterGalactic Medium (IGM) during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) represents one of the main objectives of modern cosmology. The Experiment to Detect the Global EoR Signature (EDGES) strives to characterize this period by measuring, for the first time, the all-sky spectrum of the 21-cm signal produced by neutral hydrogen in the IGM at redshifts 27>z>6. In this talk I will describe recent EDGES constraints for the 21-cm signal. Specifically, with measurements from the EDGES High-Band instrument in the range 90-190 MHz, we rule out traditional Tanh models for the epoch of reionization with durations of up to dz=1 over the redshift range 14>z>7. We also rule out a wide range of phenomenological and physically-motivated 21-cm models that contain a large absorption feature in this redshift range, produced by the complex interaction between UV and X-ray radiation from the first sources and the neutral hydrogen in the IGM. Finally, I will describe our efforts to detect the 21-cm signal in the range 27>z>13 with two Low-Band instruments that have observed over 50-100 MHz since 2015. These instruments implement refined calibration techniques and lessons learned from previous generations of EDGES, and have achieved a level of systematic uncertainty low enough to enable detection. I will present Low-Band analysis results, including a variety of cross-checks performed to discriminate between residual instrumental effects and spectral structure that is intrinsic to the sky. I will conclude by describing the preparation of the next observational campaign with upgraded instrumentation.

Edge Density Imaging: Mapping the Anatomic Embedding of the Structural Connectome Within the White Matter of the Human Brain

PubMed Central

Owen, Julia P.; Chang, Yi-Shin; Mukherjee, Pratik

2015-01-01

The structural connectome has emerged as a powerful tool to characterize the network architecture of the human brain and shows great potential for generating important new biomarkers for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The edges of the cerebral graph traverse white matter to interconnect cortical and subcortical nodes, although the anatomic embedding of these edges is generally overlooked in the literature. Mapping the paths of the connectome edges could elucidate the relative importance of individual white matter tracts to the overall network topology of the brain and also lead to a better understanding of the effect of regionally-specific white matter pathology on cognition and behavior. In this work, we introduce edge density imaging (EDI), which maps the number of network edges that pass through every white matter voxel. Test-retest analysis shows good to excellent reliability for edge density (ED) measurements, with consistent results using different cortical and subcortical parcellation schemes and different diffusion MR imaging acquisition parameters. We also demonstrate that ED yields complementary information to both traditional and emerging voxel-wise metrics of white matter microstructure and connectivity, including fractional anisotropy, track density, fiber orientation dispersion and neurite density. Our results demonstrate spatially ordered variations of ED throughout the white matter, notably including greater ED in posterior than anterior cerebral white matter. The EDI framework is employed to map the white matter regions that are enriched with pathways connecting rich club nodes and also those with high densities of intra-modular and inter-modular edges. We show that periventricular white matter has particularly high ED and high densities of rich club edges, which is significant for diseases in which these areas are selectively affected, ranging from white matter injury of prematurity in infants to leukoaraiosis in the elderly. Using edge betweenness centrality, we identify specific white matter regions involved in a large number of shortest paths, some containing highly connected rich club edges while others are relatively isolated within individual modules. Overall, these findings reveal an intricate relationship between white matter anatomy and the structural connectome, motivating further exploration of EDI for biomarkers of cognition and behavior. PMID:25592996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryan, Philip Michael; Ahn, Joonwook; Bell, R. E.

High-harmonic fast wave (HHFW) heating and current drive is being developed in NSTX to provide bulk electron heating and q(0) control during non-inductively sustained Hmode plasmas fuelled by deuterium neutral-beam injection (NBI). In addition, it is used to assist the plasma current ramp-up. A major modification to increase the RF power limit was made in 2009; the original end-grounded, single end-powered current straps of the 12- element array were replaced with center-grounded, double end-powered straps. Greater than 3 MW have been coupled into NBI-driven, ELMy H-mode plasmas with this upgraded antenna. Improved core HHFW heating, particularly at longer wavelengths andmore » during low-density start-up and plasma current ramp-up, has been obtained by lowering the edge density with lithium wall conditioning, thereby moving the critical density for fast-wave propagation away from the vessel wall [1]. Significant core electron heating of NBI-fuelled H-modes has been observed for the first time over a range of launched wavelengths and H-modes can be accessed by HHFW alone. Visible and IR camera images of the antenna and divertor indicate that fast wave interactions can deposit considerable RF energy on the outboard divertor plate, especially at longer wavelengths that begin to propagate closer to the vessel walls. Edge power loss can also arise from HHFWgenerated parametric decay instabilities; edge ion heating is observed that is wavelength dependent. During plasmas where HHFW is combined with NBI, there is a significant enhancement in neutron rate, and fast-ion D-alpha (FIDA) emission measurements clearly show broadening of the fast-ion profile in the plasma core. Large edge localized modes (ELMs) have been observed immediately following the termination of RF power, whether the power turn off is programmed or due to antenna arcing. Causality has not been established but new experiments are planned and will be reported. Fast digitization of the reflected power signal indicates a much faster rise time for arcs than for ELMs. Based on this observation, an ELM/arc discrimination system is being implemented to maintain RF power during ELMs even when the reflection coefficient becomes large. This work is supported by US DOE contracts DE-AC-05-00OR22725 and DE-AC02- 09CH11466. References [1] C. K. Phillips, et al, Nuclear Fusion 10, 075015 (2009)« less

Edge effects in vertically-oriented graphene based electric double-layer capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Huachao; Yang, Jinyuan; Bo, Zheng; Zhang, Shuo; Yan, Jianhua; Cen, Kefa

2016-08-01

Vertically-oriented graphenes (VGs) have been demonstrated as a promising active material for electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), partially due to their edge-enriched structure. In this work, the 'edge effects', i.e., edges as the promoters of high capacitance, in VG based EDLCs are investigated with experimental research and numerical simulations. VGs with diverse heights (i.e., edge-to-basal ratios) and edge densities are prepared with varying the plasma-enabled growth time and employing different plasma sources. Electrochemical measurements show that the edges play a predominant role on the charge storage behavior of VGs. A simulation is further conducted to unveil the roles of the edges on the separation and adsorption of ions within VG channels. The initial charge distribution of a VG plane is obtained with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which is subsequently applied to a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation system to gain the insights into the microscope EDLC structures. Compared with the basal planes, the edges present higher initial charge density (by 4.2 times), higher ion packing density (by 2.6 times), closer ion packing location (by 0.8 Å), and larger ion separation degree (by 14%). The as-obtained findings will be instructive in designing the morphology and structure of VGs for enhanced capacitive performances.

Active spectroscopy upgrades and neutral beam injection on LTX- β

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliott, Drew; Biewer, Theodore; Canik, John; Reinke, Matthew; Bell, Ronald; Boyle, Dennis; Guttenfelder, Walter; Kaita, Robert; Kozub, Thomas; Majeski, Richard; Merino, Enrique

2017-10-01

The LTX- β upgrade includes the addition of neutral beam injection (NBI) and increased active spectroscopy. Typical plasmas have been and are expected to remain inboard limited, at 14 cm with minor radii of 18-23 cm. The NBI, 35 Amps of 20 keV particles, will enable active diagnosis of ion velocity distribution profiles through charge exchange (CHERS). 18 CHERS views will cover more than a full minor radius, each sampling 2 cm of major radius. The system has both a set of beam directed ``active'' views and a symmetric set of views pointing away from the beam for stray light subtraction. Along with measuring ion temperatures and impurity transport, the CHERS diagnostic will measure the plasma rotation profiles. The recently described low recycling regime is predicted to allow for high rotational velocities due to the low neutral drag. The planned NBI has been predicted to give on axis velocities near 100 km/s. Flow shear is expected to increase confinement in this regime by suppressing trapped electron mode and other microturbulence enhanced transport. Upgrades to the Thomson scattering system, including an array of polychromators and a new camera, will assist in diagnosing the low density hot edge in this low recycling regime. Supported by US DOE contracts DE-AC02-09CH11466 and DE-AC05-00OR22725.

High-Latitude Neutral Density Structures Investigated by Utilizing Multi-Instrument Satellite Data and NRLMSISE-00 Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horvath, Ildiko; Lovell, Brian C.

2018-02-01

This study investigates various types of neutral density features developed in the cusp region during magnetically active and quiet times. Multi-instrument Challenging Minisatellite Payload data provide neutral density, electron temperature, neutral wind speed, and small-scale field-aligned current (SS-FAC) values. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment neutral density data are also employed. During active times, cusp densities or density spikes appeared with their underlying flow channels (FCs) and enhanced SS-FACs implying upwelling, fueled by Joule heating, within/above FCs. Both the moderate nightside cusp enhancements under disturbed conditions and the minor dayside cusp enhancements under quiet conditions developed without any underlying FC and enhanced SS-FACs implying the role of particle precipitation in their development. Observations demonstrate the relations of FCs, density spikes, and upwelling-related divergent flows and their connections to the underlying (1) dayside magnetopause reconnection depositing magnetospheric energy into the high-latitude region and (2) Joule heating-driven disturbance dynamo effects. Results provide observational evidence that the moderate nightside cusp enhancements and the minor dayside cusp enhancements detected developed due to direct heating by weak particle precipitation. Chemical compositions related to the dayside density spike and low cusp densities are modeled by Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Radar Extended 2000. Modeled composition outputs for the dayside density spike's plasma environment depict some characteristic upwelling signatures. Oppositely, in the case of low dayside cusp densities, composition outputs show opposite characteristics due to the absence of upwelling.

Two-dimensional turbulence cross-correlation functions in the edge of NSTX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zweben, S. J.; Stotler, D. P.; Scotti, F.

The 2D radial vs. poloidal cross-correlation functions of edge plasma turbulence were measured near the outer midplane using a gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic on NSTX. These correlation functions were evaluated at radii r = 0 cm, ±3 cm, and ±6 cm from the separatrix and poloidal locations p = 0 cm and ±7.5 cm from the GPI poloidal center line for 20 different shots. The ellipticity ε and tilt angle φ of the positive cross-correlation regions and the minimum negative cross-correlation “cmin” and total negative over positive values “neg/pos” were evaluated for each of these cases. The average resultsmore » over this dataset were ε = 2.2 ± 0.9, φ = 87° ± 34° (i.e., poloidally oriented), cmin =-0.30 ± 0.15, and neg/pos = 0.25 ± 0.24. Thus, there was a significant variation in these correlation results within this database, with dependences on the location within the image, the magnetic geometry, and the plasma parameters. In conclusion, possible causes for this variation are discussed, including the misalignment of the GPI view with the local B field line, the magnetic shear of field lines at the edge, the poloidal flow shear of the turbulence, blob-hole correlations, and the neutral density 'shadowing' effect in GPI.« less

Two-dimensional turbulence cross-correlation functions in the edge of NSTX

DOE PAGES

Zweben, S. J.; Stotler, D. P.; Scotti, F.; ...

2017-09-26

The 2D radial vs. poloidal cross-correlation functions of edge plasma turbulence were measured near the outer midplane using a gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic on NSTX. These correlation functions were evaluated at radii r = 0 cm, ±3 cm, and ±6 cm from the separatrix and poloidal locations p = 0 cm and ±7.5 cm from the GPI poloidal center line for 20 different shots. The ellipticity ε and tilt angle φ of the positive cross-correlation regions and the minimum negative cross-correlation “cmin” and total negative over positive values “neg/pos” were evaluated for each of these cases. The average resultsmore » over this dataset were ε = 2.2 ± 0.9, φ = 87° ± 34° (i.e., poloidally oriented), cmin =-0.30 ± 0.15, and neg/pos = 0.25 ± 0.24. Thus, there was a significant variation in these correlation results within this database, with dependences on the location within the image, the magnetic geometry, and the plasma parameters. In conclusion, possible causes for this variation are discussed, including the misalignment of the GPI view with the local B field line, the magnetic shear of field lines at the edge, the poloidal flow shear of the turbulence, blob-hole correlations, and the neutral density 'shadowing' effect in GPI.« less

Local Thermometry of Neutral Modes on the Quantum Hall Edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hart, Sean; Venkatachalam, Vivek; Pfeiffer, Loren; West, Ken; Yacoby, Amir

2012-02-01

A system of electrons in two dimensions and strong magnetic fields can be tuned to create a gapped 2D system with one dimensional channels along the edge. Interactions among these edge modes can lead to independent transport of charge and heat, even in opposite directions. Measuring the chirality and transport properties of these charge and heat modes can reveal otherwise hidden structure in the edge. Here, we heat the outer edge of such a quantum Hall system using a quantum point contact. By placing quantum dots upstream and downstream along the edge of the heater, we can measure both the chemical potential and temperature of that edge to study charge and heat transport, respectively. We find that charge is transported exclusively downstream, but heat can be transported upstream when the edge has additional structure related to fractional quantum Hall physics.

Fast-ion transport in low density L-mode plasmas at TCV using FIDA spectroscopy and the TRANSP code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geiger, B.; Karpushov, A. N.; Duval, B. P.; Marini, C.; Sauter, O.; Andrebe, Y.; Testa, D.; Marascheck, M.; Salewski, M.; Schneider, P. A.; the TCV Team; the EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-11-01

Experiments with the new neutral beam injection source of TCV have been performed with high fast-ion fractions (>20%) that exhibit a clear reduction of the loop voltage and a clear increase of the plasma pressure in on- and off-axis heating configurations. However, good quantitative agreement between the experimental data and TRANSP predictions is only found when including strong additional fast-ion losses. These losses could in part be caused by turbulence or MHD activity as, e.g. high frequency modes near the frequency of toroidicity induced Alfvén eignmodes are observed. In addition, a newly installed fast-ion D-alpha (FIDA) spectroscopy system measures strong passive radiation and, hence, indicates the presence of high background neutral densities such that charge-exchange losses are substantial. Also the active radiation measured with the FIDA diagnostic, as well as data from a neutral particle analyzer, suggest strong fast-ion losses and large neutral densities. The large neutral densities can be justified since high electron temperatures (3-4 keV), combined with low electron densities (about 2× {10}19 m-3) yield long mean free paths of the neutrals which are penetrating from the walls.

Plasma Turbulence Imaging via Beam Emission Spectroscopy in the Core of the DIII-D Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKee, George R.; Fonck, Raymond J.; Gupta, Deepak K.; Schlossberg, David J.; Shafer, Morgan W.; Boivin, Réjean L.; Solomon, Wayne

Beam Emission Spectroscopy (BES), a high-sensitivity, good spatial resolution imaging diagnostic system, has been deployed and recently upgraded and expanded at the DIII-D tokamak to better understand density fluctuations arising from plasma turbulence. The currently deployed system images density fluctuations over an approximately 5 × 7 cm region at the plasma mid-plane (radially scannable over 0.2 < r/a ≤ 1) with a 5 × 6 (radial × poloidal) grid of rectangular detection channels, with one microsecond time resolution. BES observes collisionally-induced, Doppler-shifted Dα fluorescence (λ = 652-655 nm) of injected deuterium neutral beam atoms. The diagnostic wavenumber sensitivity is approximately k⊥ < 2.5 cm-1, allowing measurement of longwavelength (k⊥ρI < 1) density fluctuations. The recent upgrade includes expanded fiber optics bundles, customdesigned high-transmission, sharp-edge interference filters, ultra fast collection optics, and enlarged photodiode detectors that together provide nearly an order of magnitude increase in sensitivity relative to an earlier generation BES system. The high sensitivity allows visualization of turbulence at normalized density fluctuation amplitudes of ‾n/n < 1%, typical of fluctuation levels in the core region. The imaging array allows for sampling over 2-3 turbulent eddy scale lengths, which captures the essential dynamics of eddy evolution, interaction and shearing.

Measurements of neutral helium density in helicon plasmas.

PubMed

Houshmandyar, Saeid; Sears, Stephanie H; Thakur, Saikat Chakraborty; Carr, Jerry; Galante, Matthew E; Scime, Earl E

2010-10-01

Laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) is used to measure the density of helium atoms in a helicon plasma source. For a pump wavelength of 587.725 nm (vacuum) and laser injection along the magnetic field, the LIF signal exhibits a signal decrease at the Doppler shifted central wavelength. The drop in signal results from the finite optical depth of the plasma and the magnitude of the decrease is proportional to the density of excited state neutral atoms. Using Langmuir probe measurements of plasma density and electron temperature and a collisional-radiative model, the absolute ground state neutral density is calculated from the optical depth measurements. Optimal plasma performance, i.e., the largest neutral depletion on the axis of the system, is observed for antenna frequencies of 13.0 and 13.5 MHz and magnetic field strengths of 550-600 G.

Modeling thermospheric neutral density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Liying

Satellite drag prediction requires determination of thermospheric neutral density. The NCAR Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) and the global-mean Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIMEGCM) were used to quantify thermospheric neutral density and its variations, focusing on annual/semiannual variation, the effect of using measured solar irradiance on model calculations of solar-cycle variation, and global change in the thermosphere. Satellite drag data and the MSIS00 empirical model were utilized to compare to the TIEGCM simulations. The TIEGCM simulations indicated that eddy diffusion and its annual/semiannual variation is a mechanism for annual/semiannual density variation in the thermosphere. It was found that eddy diffusion near the turbopause can effectively influence thermospheric neutral density. Eddy diffusion, together with annual insolation variation and large-scale circulation, generated global annual/semiannual density variation observed by satellite drag. Using measured solar irradiance as solar input for the TIEGCM improved the solar-cycle dependency of the density calculation shown in F10.7 -based thermospheric empirical models. It has been found that the empirical models overestimate density at low solar activity. The TIEGCM simulations did not show such solar-cycle dependency. Using historic measurements of CO2 and F 10.7, simulations of the global-mean TIMEGCM showed that thermospheric neutral density at 400 km had an average long-term decrease of 1.7% per decade from 1970 to 2000. A forecast of density decrease for solar cycle 24 suggested that thermospheric density will decrease at 400 km from present to the end of solar cycle 24 at a rate of 2.7% per decade. Reduction in thermospheric density causes less atmospheric drag on earth-orbiting space objects. The implication of this long-term decrease of thermospheric neutral density is that it will increase the lifetime of satellites, but also it will increase the amount of space junk.

Energetics of edge oxidization of graphene nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasuma, Airi; Yamanaka, Ayaka; Okada, Susumu

2018-06-01

On the basis of the density functional theory, we studied the geometries and energetics of O atoms adsorbed on graphene edges for simulating the initial stage of the edge oxidization of graphene. Our calculations showed that oxygen atoms are preferentially adsorbed onto the graphene edges with the zigzag portion, resulting in a large adsorption energy of about 5 eV. On the other hand, the edges with armchair shape are rarely oxidized, or the oxidization causes substantial structural reconstructions, because of the stable covalent bond at the armchair edge with the triple bond nature. Furthermore, the energetics sensitively depends on the edge angles owing to the inhomogeneity of the charge density at the edge atomic sites.

Photoevaporation of Dusty Clouds near Active Galactic Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pier, Edward A.; Voit, G. Mark

1995-09-01

We investigate the hydrodynamic and line-emitting properties of dusty clouds exposed to an active galactic nucleus (AGN) continuum. Such clouds may be found on the inner edges of the tori commonly implicated in AGN unification schemes. An X-ray-heated wind will be driven off the surface of such a cloud, eventually destroying it. Dust grains are carried along with the flow and are destroyed by sputtering as the wind heats. In smaller clouds, sputtering regulates the outflow by reducing the radiation force opposing the flow. Cloud evaporation may be fast enough to determine the location of the inner edge of the torus. However, since the evaporation time is much longer than the orbital time, clouds on eccentric orbits can penetrate well inside the inner edge of the torus. Therefore, the ionization structure of the cloud is determined only by the incipient continuum shape. The inner faces of exposed clouds are pressurized primarily by the incident radiation. Radiation pressure on dust grains regulates how gas pressure increases with optical depth. Ionization levels decrease inward, and the bulk of the cloud is molecular and neutral. The effects of dust extinction and high density suppress the hydrogen recombination lines and the forbidden lines from C, N, and 0 ions below observed levels despite the high covering factor expected for the torus. However, the inner edge of the torus is a natural place for producing the iron coronal lines often seen in the spectra of AGNs (i.e., [Fe VII] λ6087, [Fe X] λ6375, [Fe XI] λ7892, and [Fe XIV] λ5303).

Symmetrical metallic and magnetic edge states of nanoribbon from semiconductive monolayer PtS2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shan; Zhu, Heyu; Liu, Ziran; Zhou, Guanghui

2018-03-01

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) MoS2 or graphene could be designed to metallic nanoribbons, which always have only one edge show metallic properties due to symmetric protection. In present work, a nanoribbon with two parallel metallic and magnetic edges was designed from a noble TMD PtS2 by employing first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). Edge energy, bonding charge density, band structure, density of states (DOS) and simulated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of four possible edge states of monolayer semiconductive PtS2 were systematically studied. Detailed calculations show that only Pt-terminated edge state among four edge states was relatively stable, metallic and magnetic. Those metallic and magnetic properties mainly contributed from 5d orbits of Pt atoms located at edges. What's more, two of those central symmetric edges coexist in one zigzag nanoribbon, which providing two atomic metallic wires thus may have promising application for the realization of quantum effects, such as Aharanov-Bohm effect and atomic power transmission lines in single nanoribbon.

Direct detection of albedo neutron decay electrons at the inner edge of the radiation belt and experimental determination of neutron density in near-Earth space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, X.; Selesnick, R.; Schiller, Q. A.; Zhang, K.; Zhao, H.; Baker, D. N.; Temerin, M. A.

2017-12-01

The galaxy is filled with cosmic ray particles, mostly protons with kinetic energy above hundreds of mega-electron volts (MeV). Soon after the discovery of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts almost six decades ago, it was recognized that the main source of inner belt protons, with kinetic energies of tens to hundreds of MeV, is Cosmic Ray Albedo Neutron Decay (CRAND). In this process, cosmic rays reaching the upper atmosphere from throughout the galaxy interact with neutral atoms to produce albedo neutrons which, being unstable to 𝛽 decay, are a potential source of geomagnetically trapped protons and electrons. Protons retain most of the neutrons' kinetic energy while the electrons have lower energies, mostly below 1 MeV. The viability of the electron source was, however, uncertain because measurements showed that electron intensity can vary greatly while the neutron decay rate should be almost constant. Recent measurements from the Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope integrated little experiment (REPTile) onboard the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat now show that CRAND is the main electron source for the radiation belt near its inner edge, and also contributes to the inner belt elsewhere. Furthermore, measurement of the CRAND electron intensity provides the first experimental determination of the neutron density in near-Earth space, 2x10-9/cm3, confirming earlier theoretical estimates.

Model Insensitive and Calibration Independent Method for Determination of the Downstream Neutral Hydrogen Density Through Ly-alpha Glow Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gangopadhyay, P.; Judge, D. L.

1996-01-01

Our knowledge of the various heliospheric phenomena (location of the solar wind termination shock, heliopause configuration and very local interstellar medium parameters) is limited by uncertainties in the available heliospheric plasma models and by calibration uncertainties in the observing instruments. There is, thus, a strong motivation to develop model insensitive and calibration independent methods to reduce the uncertainties in the relevant heliospheric parameters. We have developed such a method to constrain the downstream neutral hydrogen density inside the heliospheric tail. In our approach we have taken advantage of the relative insensitivity of the downstream neutral hydrogen density profile to the specific plasma model adopted. We have also used the fact that the presence of an asymmetric neutral hydrogen cavity surrounding the sun, characteristic of all neutral densities models, results in a higher multiple scattering contribution to the observed glow in the downstream region than in the upstream region. This allows us to approximate the actual density profile with one which is spatially uniform for the purpose of calculating the downstream backscattered glow. Using different spatially constant density profiles, radiative transfer calculations are performed, and the radial dependence of the predicted glow is compared with the observed I/R dependence of Pioneer 10 UV data. Such a comparison bounds the large distance heliospheric neutral hydrogen density in the downstream direction to a value between 0.05 and 0.1/cc.

Langley Full-scale-tunnel Investigation of Maximum Lift and Stability Characteristics of an Airplane Having Approximately Triangular Plan Form (DM-1 Glider)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lovell, J Calvin; Wilson, Herbert A JR

1947-01-01

An investigation of the DM-1 Glider, which had approximately triangular plan form, an aspect ratio of 1.8 and a 60 degree sweptback leading edge, has been conducted in the Langley full-scale tunnel. The investigation consisted of the determination of the separate effects of the following modifications made to the glider on its maximum lift and stability characteristics: (a) installation of sharp leading edges over the inboard semispan of the wing, (b) removal of the vertical fin, (c) sealing of the elevon control-balance slots, (d) installation of redesigned thin vertical surfaces, (e) installation of faired sharp leading edges, and (f) installation of canopy. The maximum lift coefficient of the DM-1 glider was increased from 0.61 to 1.01 by the installation of semispan sharp leading edges, and from 1.01 to 1.24 by the removal of the vertical fin and sealing of the elevon control-balance slots. The highest maximum lift coefficient (1.32) was obtained when the faired sharp leading edges and the thin vertical surfaces were attached to the glider. The original DM-1 glider was longitudinally stable. The semispan sharp leading edges shifted the neutral point forward approximately 3 percent of the root chord at moderate lift coefficients, and the glider configuration with these sharp leading edges attached was longitudinally unstable, for the assumed center-of-gravity location, at lift coefficients above 0.73. Sealing the elevon control-balance slots and installing the faired sharp leading edges, the thin vertical surfaces, and the canopy shifted the neutral point forward approximately 8 percent of the root chord.

Sheath formation in low-pressure discharges, the Bohm criterion and the consequences of collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valentini, H.-B.; Kaiser, D.

2014-02-01

The space charge density in low-pressure discharges results from the generation of charged particles, the momentum transfer from these particles to the neutral gas and the electric field. A simplified model is used to treat this process analytically and numerically across the whole plasma. The effect of the electric field alone can cause the formation of the space charge sheath if the ion drift velocity υi to the wall exceeds the modified Bohm velocity υC = υB × (ni/ne)1/2, where υB is the Bohm velocity and ni and ne are the number densities of the ions and the electrons, respectively. However, a domain with υi ⩾ υC can occur only if the effect of collisions is weak. This domain is very narrow and does not come up to the wall. Limits of the electric field strength determining the sheath formation are given. It is shown that the electric field strength cannot be set equal to zero at υi = υB or υC under collisional conditions. The sheath extends from the region near the wall towards the centre and a result of that is to lower υi with respect to υB as the collisionality rises. These results are used to take into consideration various sheath criteria. The Bohm criterion takes into account the effect of the electric field only and reveals a well-defined sheath edge at υi = υB. This criterion remains a useful approximation of the sheath edge in almost collisionless plasmas as well. Under collisional conditions the definition of the sheath edge becomes more difficult and a little arbitrary. This paper takes into account new sheath criteria modified for the case of finite collisionality. The divergence between the densities of the ions and the electrons, the gradients of the space charge density and of the generalized Bohm speed υC are studied as functions of υi or the distance from the wall. These criteria are compared with the collisionally modified Bohm criteria proposed by Godyak (1982 Phys. Lett. A 89 80), Valentini (1996 Phys. Plasmas 3 1459), Chen (1998 Phys. Plasmas 5 804) and Brinkmann (2011 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 44 042002).

A RELATION BETWEEN THE WARM NEUTRAL AND IONIZED MEDIA OBSERVED IN THE CANADIAN GALACTIC PLANE SURVEY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Foster, T.; Kothes, R.; Brown, J. C., E-mail: Tyler.Foster@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

2013-08-10

We report on a comparison between 21 cm rotation measure (RM) and the optically thin atomic hydrogen column density (N{sub H{sub I}}({tau} {yields} 0)) measured toward unresolved extragalactic sources in the Galactic plane of the northern sky. H I column densities integrated to the Galactic edge are measured immediately surrounding each of nearly 2000 sources in 1 arcmin 21 cm line data, and are compared to RMs observed from polarized emission of each source. RM data are binned in column density bins 4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} cm{sup -2} wide, and one observes a strong relationship between the number of hydrogenmore » atoms in a 1 cm{sup 2} column through the plane and the mean RM along the same line of sight and path length. The relationship is linear over one order of magnitude (from 0.8 to 14 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 21} atoms cm{sup -2}) of column densities, with a constant RM/N{sub H{sub I}}{approx} -23.2 {+-} 2.3 rad m{sup -2}/10{sup 21} atoms cm{sup -2}, and a positive RM of 45.0 {+-} 13.8 rad m{sup -2} in the presence of no atomic hydrogen. This slope is used to calculate a mean volume-averaged magnetic field in the second quadrant of (B{sub Parallel-To }) {approx}1.0 {+-} 0.1 {mu}G directed away from the Sun, assuming an ionization fraction of 8% (consistent with the warm-neutral medium; WNM). The remarkable consistency between this field and (B) = 1.2 {mu}G found with the same RM sources and a Galactic model of dispersion measures (DMs) suggests that electrons in the partially ionized WNM are mainly responsible for pulsar DMs, and thus the partially ionized WNM is the dominant form of the magneto-ionic interstellar medium.« less

The Swift Burst Alert Telescope Detected Seyfert 1 Galaxies: X-Ray Broadband Properties and Warm Absorbers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winter, Lisa M.; Veilleux, Sylvain; McKernan, Barry; Kallman, T.

2012-01-01

We present results from an analysis of the broadband, 0.3-195 keV, X-ray spectra of 48 Seyfert 1-1.5 sources detected in the very hard X-rays with the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT). This sample is selected in an all-sky survey conducted in the 14-195 keV band. Therefore, our sources are largely unbiased toward both obscuration and host galaxy properties. Our detailed and uniform model fits to Suzaku/BAT and XMM-Newton/BAT spectra include the neutral absorption, direct power-law, reflected emission, soft excess, warm absorption, and narrow Fe I K[alpha] emission properties for the entire sample. We significantly detect O VII and O VIII edges in 52% of our sample. The strength of these detections is strongly correlated with the neutral column density measured in the spectrum. Among the strongest detections, X-ray grating and UV observations, where available, indicate outflowing material. The ionized column densities of sources with O VII and O VIII detections are clustered in a narrow range with Nwarm [approx] 1021 cm-2, while sources without strong detections have column densities of ionized gas an order of magnitude lower. Therefore, we note that sources without strong detections likely have warm ionized outflows present but at low column densities that are not easily probed with current X-ray observations. Sources with strong complex absorption have a strong soft excess, which may or may not be due to difficulties in modeling the complex spectra of these sources. Still, the detection of a flat [Gamma] [approx] 1 and a strong soft excess may allow us to infer the presence of strong absorption in low signal-to-noise active galactic nucleus spectra. Additionally, we include a useful correction from the Swift BAT luminosity to bolometric luminosity, based on a comparison of our spectral fitting results with published spectral energy distribution fits from 33 of our sources.

An innovative small angle slot divertor concept for long pulse advanced tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Houyang

2017-10-01

A new Small Angle Slot (SAS) divertor is being developed in DIII-D to address the challenge of efficient divertor heat dispersal at the relatively low plasma density required for non-inductive current drive in future advanced tokamaks. SAS features a small incident angle near the plasma strike point on the divertor target plate with a progressively opening slot. SOLPS (B2-Eirene) edge code analysis finds that SAS can achieve strong plasma cooling when the strike point is placed near the small angle target plate in the slot, leading to low electron temperature Te across the entire divertor target. This is enabled by strong coupling between a gas tight slot and directed neutral recycling by the small angle target to enhance neutral buildup near the target. SOLPS analysis reveals a strong correlation between Te and D2 density at the target for various divertor configurations including the flat target, slanted target, and lower single null divertor. The strong correlation suggests that achievement of low Te may reduce essentially to identifying the divertor baffle geometry that achieves the highest target gas density at a given upstream condition. The SAS divertor concept has recently been tested in DIII-D for a range of plasma configurations and conditions with precise control of slot strike point location. In confirmation of SOLPS predictions, a sharp transition is observed when the strike point is moved to the critical outer corner of SAS. A set of Langmuir probes imbedded in SAS show that the Te radial profile, which is peaked at the strike point when it is located away from the SAS corner, becomes low across the target when the strike point is located near the corner. With further increase in density, deep-slot detachment occurs with Te 1 eV, measured by the unique DIII-D divertor Thomson Scattering diagnostic. Work supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Scale Sizes of High-Latitude Neutral Mass Density Perturbations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C. Y.; Huang, Y.; Su, Y. J.; Huang, T.; Sutton, E. K.

2017-12-01

In a statistical study of neutral mass density maxima, we found for a select interval, that 57% of the maxima have correlated field-aligned current (FAC) signatures, indicative of localized Ohmic heating. However the remaining 43% do not, and we suggested that these maxima may be due to gravity waves generated by neutral heating. We follow up on this study by an investigation into the spatial scale sizes of the mass density maxima using high-resolution neutral density and FAC data from CHAMP, when the satellite is in conjunction with DMSP, which provides the corresponding ion drift velocity, particle precipitation and Poynting flux. The study shows the average scale sizes of the perturbations due to J x B heating, as well as the sizes of the waves generated by Joule heating.

Improved Confinement by Edge Multi-pulse Turbulent Heating on HT-6M Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Jian-shan; Luo, Jia-rong; Li, Jian-gang; Pan, Yuan; Wang, Mao-quan; Liu, Bao-hua; Wan, Yuan-xi; Li, Qiang; Wu, Xin-chao; Liang, Yun-feng; Xu, Yu-hong; Yu, Chang-xuan

1997-10-01

In the recent experiment on HT-6M tokamak, an improved ohmic confinement phase has been observed after application of the edge multi-pulse turbulent heating, and variance of plasma current ΔIp/Ip is about 14-20%. The improved edge plasma confinement phase is characterized by (a) increased average electron density bar Ne and electron temperature Te; (b) reduced Hα radiation from the edge; (c) steeper density and temperature profiles at the edge; (d) a more negative radial electric field over a region of ~ 5 mm deep inside the limiter; (e) a deeper electrostatic potential well at the edge; (f) reduced magnetic fluctuations at the edge.

3D two-fluid simulations of turbulence in LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisher, Dustin M.

The Large Plasma Device (LAPD) is modeled using a modified version of the 3D Global Braginskii Solver code (GBS) for a nominal Helium plasma. The unbiased low-flow regime is explored in simulations where there is an intrinsic E x B rotation of the plasma. In the simulations this rotation is caused primarily by sheath effects with the Reynolds stress and J x B torque due to a cross-field Pederson conductivity having little effect. Explicit biasing simulations are also explored for the first time where the intrinsic rotation of the plasma is modified through boundary conditions that mimic the biasable limiter used in LAPD. Comparisons to experimental measurements in the unbiased case show strong qualitative agreement with the data, particularly the radial dependence of the density fluctuations, cross-correlation lengths, radial flux dependence outside of the cathode edge, and camera imagery. Kelvin Helmholtz (KH) turbulence at relatively large scales is the dominant driver of cross-field transport in these simulations with smaller-scale drift waves and sheath modes playing a secondary role. Plasma holes and blobs arising from KH vortices are consistent with the scale sizes and overall appearance of those in LAPD camera images. The addition of ion-neutral collisions in the unbiased simulations at previously theorized values reduces the radial particle flux due to a modest stabilizing contribution of the collisions on the KH-modes driving the turbulent transport. In the biased runs the ion-neutral collisions have a much smaller effect due to the modification of the potential from sheath terms. In biasing the plasma to increase the intrinsic rotation, simulations show the emergence of a nonlinearly saturated coherent mode of order m = 6. In addition, the plasma inside of the cathode edge becomes quiescent due to the strong influence of the wall bias in setting up the equilibrium plasma potential. Biasing in the direction opposite to the intrinsic flow reduces the effective shear and leads to a stronger presence of drift modes that are seen to saturate when the KH drive has been suppressed. Both biasing cases show a moderate density confinement similarly seen in the experiment.

Coupled two-dimensional edge plasma and neutral gas modeling of tokamak scrape-off-layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maingi, Rajesh

1992-08-01

The objective of this study is to devise a detailed description of the tokamak scrape-off-layer (SOL), which includes the best available models of both the plasma and neutral species and the strong coupling between the two in many SOL regimes. A good estimate of both particle flux and heat flux profiles at the limiter/divertor target plates is desired. Peak heat flux is one of the limiting factors in determining the survival probability of plasma-facing-components at high power levels. Plate particle flux affects the neutral flux to the pump, which determines the particle exhaust rate. A technique which couples a two-dimensionalmore » (2-D) plasma and a 2-D neutral transport code has been developed (coupled code technique), but this procedure requires large amounts of computer time. Relevant physics has been added to an existing two-neutral-species model which takes the SOL plasma/neutral coupling into account in a simple manner (molecular physics model), and this model is compared with the coupled code technique mentioned above. The molecular physics model is benchmarked against experimental data from a divertor tokamak (DIII-D), and a similar model (single-species model) is benchmarked against data from a pump-limiter tokamak (Tore Supra). The models are then used to examine two key issues: free-streaming-limits (ion energy conduction and momentum flux) and the effects of the non-orthogonal geometry of magnetic flux surfaces and target plates on edge plasma parameter profiles.« less

Observations of ELM stabilization during neutral beam injection in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bortolon, Alessandro; Kramer, Gerrit; Diallo, Ahmed; Knolker, Matthias; Maingi, Rajesh; Nazikian, Raffi; Degrassie, John; Osborne, Thomas

2017-10-01

Edge localized modes (ELMs) are generally interpreted as peeling-ballooning instabilities, driven by the pedestal current and pressure gradient, with other subdominant effects possibly relevant close to marginal stability. We report observations of transient stabilization of type-I ELMs during neutral beam injection (NBI), emerging from a combined dataset of DIII-D ELMy H-mode plasmas with moderate heating obtained through pulsed NBI waveforms. Statistical analysis of ELM onset times indicates that, in the selected dataset, the likelihood of onset of an ELM lowers significantly during NBI modulation pulses, with the stronger correlation found with counter-current NBI. The effect is also found in rf-heated H-modes, where ELMs appear inhibited when isolated diagnostic beam pulses are applied. Coherent average analysis is used to determine how plasma density, temperature, rotation as well as beam ion quantities evolve during a NB modulation cycle, finding relatively small changes ( 3%) of pedestal Te and ne and toroidal and poloidal rotation variations up to 5 km/s. The effect of these changes on pedestal stability will be discussed. Work supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Experimental investigation of stability, frequency and toroidal mode number of compressional Alfvén eigenmodes in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, S.; Thome, K.; Pace, D.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Carter, T. A.; Crocker, N. A.; NSTX-U Collaboration; DIII-D Collaboration

2017-10-01

An experimental investigation of the stability of Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonant compressional Alfvén eigenmodes (CAE) using the flexible DIII-D neutral beams has begun to validate a theoretical understanding and realize the CAE's diagnostic potential. CAEs are excited by energetic ions from neutral beams [Heidbrink, NF 2006], with frequencies and toroidal mode numbers sensitive to the fast-ion phase space distribution, making them a potentially powerful passive diagnostic. The experiment also contributes to a predictive capability for spherical tokamak temperature profiles, where CAEs may play a role in energy transport [Crocker, NF 2013]. CAE activity was observed using the recently developed Ion Cyclotron Emission diagnostic-high bandwidth edge magnetic sensors sampled at 200 MS/s. Preliminary results show CAEs become unstable in BT ramp discharges below a critical threshold in the range 1.7 - 1.9 T, with the exact value increasing as density increases. The experiment will be used to validate simulations from relevant codes such as the Hybrid MHD code [Belova, PRL 2015]. This work was supported by US DOE Grants DE-SC0011810 and DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Origin of Non-Gaussian Spectra Observed via the Charge Exchange Recombination Spectroscopy Diagnostic in the DIII-D Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulyman, Alex; Chrystal, Colin; Haskey, Shaun; Burrell, Keith; Grierson, Brian

2017-10-01

The possible observation of non-Maxwellian ion distribution functions in the pedestal of DIII-D will be investigated with a synthetic diagnostic that accounts for the effect of finite neutral beam size. Ion distribution functions in tokamak plasmas are typically assumed to be Maxwellian, however non-Gaussian features observed in impurity charge exchange spectra have challenged this concept. Two possible explanations for these observations are spatial averaging over a finite beam size and a local ion distribution that is non-Maxwellian. Non-Maxwellian ion distribution functions could be driven by orbit loss effects in the edge of the plasma, and this has implications for momentum transport and intrinsic rotation. To investigate the potential effect of finite beam size on the observed spectra, a synthetic diagnostic has been created that uses FIDAsim to model beam and halo neutral density. Finite beam size effects are investigated for vertical and tangential views in the core and pedestal region with varying gradient scale lengths. Work supported in part by US DoE under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program, DE-FC02-04ER54698, and DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Comparative analysis of core heat transport of JET high density H-mode plasmas in carbon wall and ITER-like wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyun-Tae; Romanelli, M.; Voitsekhovitch, I.; Koskela, T.; Conboy, J.; Giroud, C.; Maddison, G.; Joffrin, E.; contributors, JET

2015-06-01

A consistent deterioration of global confinement in H-mode experiments has been observed in JET [1] following the replacement of all carbon plasma facing components (PFCs) with an all metal (‘ITER-like’) wall (ILW). This has been correlated to the observed degradation of the pedestal confinement, as lower electron temperature (Te) values are routinely measured at the top of the edge barrier region. A comparative investigation of core heat transport in JET-ILW and JET-CW (carbon wall) discharges has been performed, to assess whether core confinement has also been affected by the wall change. The results presented here have been obtained by analysing a set of discharges consisting of high density JET-ILW H-mode plasmas and comparing them against their counterpart discharges in JET-CW having similar global operational parameters. The set contains 10 baseline ({βN}=1.5∼ 2 ) discharge-pairs with 2.7 T toroidal magnetic field, 2.5 MA plasma current, and 14 to 17 MW of neutral beam injection (NBI) heating. Based on a Te profile analysis using high resolution Thomson scattering (HRTS) data, the Te profile peaking (i.e. core Te (ρ = 0.3) / edge Te (ρ = 0.7)) is found to be similar, and weakly dependent on edge Te, for both JET-ILW and JET-CW discharges. When ILW discharges are seeded with N2, core and edge Te both increase to maintain a similar peaking factor. The change in core confinement is addressed with interpretative TRANSP simulations. It is found that JET-ILW H-mode plasmas have higher NBI power deposition to electrons and lower NBI power deposition to ions as compared to the JET-CW counterparts. This is an effect of the lower electron temperature at the top of the pedestal. As a result, the core electron energy confinement time is reduced in JET-ILW discharges, but the core ion energy confinement time is not decreased. Overall, the core energy confinement is found to be the same in the JET-ILW discharges compared to the JET-CW counterparts.

Influence of oxygen vacancy on the electronic structure of CaCu3Ti4O12 and its deep-level vacancy trap states by first-principle calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, H. B.; Yang, C. P.; Huang, C.; Xu, L. F.; Shi, D. W.; Marchenkov, V. V.; Medvedeva, I. V.; Bärner, K.

2012-03-01

The electronic structure, formation energy, and transition energy levels of intrinsic defects have been studied using the density-functional method within the generalized gradient approximation for neutral and charged oxygen vacancy in CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO). It is found that oxygen vacancies with different charge states can be formed in CCTO under both oxygen-rich and poor conditions for nonequilibrium and higher-energy sintering processes; especially, a lower formation energy is obtained for poor oxygen environment. The charge transition level (0/1+) of the oxygen vacancy in CCTO is located at 0.53 eV below the conduction-band edge. The (1+/2+) transition occurs at 1.06 eV below the conduction-band edge. Oxygen vacancies of Vo1+ and Vo2+ are positive stable charge states in most gap regions and can act as a moderately deep donor for Vo1+ and a borderline deep for Vo2+, respectively. The polarization and dielectric constant are considerably enhanced by oxygen vacancy dipoles, due to the off-center Ti and Cu ions in CCTO.

Feedbacks of Composition and Neutral Density Changes on the Structure of the Cusp Density Anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brinkman, D. G.; Walterscheid, R. L.; Clemmons, J. H.

2015-12-01

The Earth's magnetospheric cusp provides direct access of energetic particles to the thermosphere. These particles produce ionization and kinetic (particle) heating of the atmosphere. The increased ionization coupled with enhanced electric fields in the cusp produces increased Joule heating and ion drag forcing. These energy inputs cause large wind and temperature changes in the cusp region. Measurements by the CHAMP satellite (460-390- km altitude) have shown strongly enhanced density in the cusp region. The Streak mission (325-123 km), on the other hand, showed a relative depletion. The atmospheric response in the cusp can be sensitive to composition and neutral density changes. In response to heating in the cusp, air of heavier mean molecular weight is brought up from lower altitudes significantly affecting pressure gradients. This opposes the effects of temperature change due to heating and in-turn affects the density and winds produced in the cusp. Also changes in neutral density change the interaction between precipitating particles and the atmosphere and thus change heating rates and ionization in the region affected by cusp precipitation. In this study we assess the sensitivity of the wind and neutral density structure in the cusp region to changes in the mean molecular weight induced by neutral dynamics, and the changes in particle heating rates and ionization which result from changes in neutral density. We use a high resolution two-dimensional time-dependent nonhydrostatic nonlinear dynamical model where inputs can be systematically altered. The resolution of the model allows us to examine the complete range of cusp widths. We compare the current simulations to observations by CHAMP and Streak. Acknowledgements: This research was supported by The Aerospace Corporation's Technical Investment program

Effects of Density and Impurity on Edge Localized Modes in Tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Ping

2017-10-01

Plasma density and impurity concentration are believed to be two of the key elements governing the edge tokamak plasma conditions. Optimal levels of plasma density and impurity concentration in the edge region have been searched for in order to achieve the desired fusion gain and divertor heat/particle load mitigation. However, how plasma density or impurity would affect the edge pedestal stability may have not been well known. Our recent MHD theory modeling and simulations using the NIMROD code have found novel effects of density and impurity on the dynamics of edge-localized modes (ELMs) in tokamaks. First, previous MHD analyses often predict merely a weak stabilizing effect of toroidal flow on ELMs in experimentally relevant regimes. We find that the stabilizing effects on the high- n ELMs from toroidal flow can be significantly enhanced with the increased edge plasma density. Here n denotes the toroidal mode number. Second, the stabilizing effects of the enhanced edge resistivity due to lithium-conditioning on the low- n ELMs in the high confinement (H-mode) discharges in NSTX have been identified. Linear stability analysis of the experimentally constrained equilibrium suggests that the change in the equilibrium plasma density and pressure profiles alone due to lithium-conditioning may not be sufficient for a complete suppression of the low- n ELMs. The enhanced resistivity due to the increased effective electric charge number Zeff after lithium-conditioning provides additional stabilization of the low- n ELMs. These new effects revealed in our theory analyses may help further understand recent ELM experiments and suggest new control schemes for ELM suppression and mitigation in future experiments. They may also pose additional constraints on the optimal levels of plasma density and impurity concentration in the edge region for H-mode tokamak operation. Supported by National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Science Program of China Grants 2014GB124002 and 2015GB101004, the 100 Talent Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and U.S. Department of Energy Grants DE-FG02-86ER53218 and DE-FC02-08ER54975.

Synthetic Microwave Imaging Reflectometry diagnostic using 3D FDTD Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruger, Scott; Jenkins, Thomas; Smithe, David; King, Jacob; Nimrod Team Team

2017-10-01

Microwave Imaging Reflectometry (MIR) has become a standard diagnostic for understanding tokamak edge perturbations, including the edge harmonic oscillations in QH mode operation. These long-wavelength perturbations are larger than the normal turbulent fluctuation levels and thus normal analysis of synthetic signals become more difficult. To investigate, we construct a synthetic MIR diagnostic for exploring density fluctuation amplitudes in the tokamak plasma edge by using the three-dimensional, full-wave FDTD code Vorpal. The source microwave beam for the diagnostic is generated and refelected at the cutoff surface that is distorted by 2D density fluctuations in the edge plasma. Synthetic imaging optics at the detector can be used to understand the fluctuation and background density profiles. We apply the diagnostic to understand the fluctuations in edge plasma density during QH-mode activity in the DIII-D tokamak, as modeled by the NIMROD code. This work was funded under DOE Grant Number DE-FC02-08ER54972.

Neutral Theory and Scale-Free Neural Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinello, Matteo; Hidalgo, Jorge; Maritan, Amos; di Santo, Serena; Plenz, Dietmar; Muñoz, Miguel A.

2017-10-01

Neural tissues have been consistently observed to be spontaneously active and to generate highly variable (scale-free distributed) outbursts of activity in vivo and in vitro. Understanding whether these heterogeneous patterns of activity stem from the underlying neural dynamics operating at the edge of a phase transition is a fascinating possibility, as criticality has been argued to entail many possible important functional advantages in biological computing systems. Here, we employ a well-accepted model for neural dynamics to elucidate an alternative scenario in which diverse neuronal avalanches, obeying scaling, can coexist simultaneously, even if the network operates in a regime far from the edge of any phase transition. We show that perturbations to the system state unfold dynamically according to a "neutral drift" (i.e., guided only by stochasticity) with respect to the background of endogenous spontaneous activity, and that such a neutral dynamics—akin to neutral theories of population genetics and of biogeography—implies marginal propagation of perturbations and scale-free distributed causal avalanches. We argue that causal information, not easily accessible to experiments, is essential to elucidate the nature and statistics of neural avalanches, and that neutral dynamics is likely to play an important role in the cortex functioning. We discuss the implications of these findings to design new empirical approaches to shed further light on how the brain processes and stores information.

Two-fluid (plasma-neutral) Extended-MHD simulations of spheromak configurations in the HIT-SI experiment with PSI-Tet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sutherland, D. A.; Hansen, C. J.; Jarboe, T. R.

2017-10-01

A self-consistent, two-fluid (plasma-neutral) dynamic neutral model has been implemented into the 3-D, Extended-MHD code PSI-Tet. A monatomic, hydrogenic neutral fluid reacts with a plasma fluid through elastic scattering collisions and three inelastic collision reactions: electron-impact ionization, radiative recombination, and resonant charge-exchange. Density, momentum, and energy are evolved for both the plasma and neutral species. The implemented plasma-neutral model in PSI-Tet is being used to simulate decaying spheromak configurations in the HIT-SI experimental geometry, which is being compare to two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence measurements (TALIF) made on the HIT-SI3 experiment. TALIF is used to measure the absolute density and temperature of monatomic deuterium atoms. Neutral densities on the order of 1015 m-3 and neutral temperatures between 0.6-1.7 eV were measured towards the end of decay of spheromak configurations with initial toroidal currents between 10-12 kA. Validation results between TALIF measurements and PSI-Tet simulations with the implemented dynamic neutral model will be presented. Additionally, preliminary dynamic neutral simulations of the HIT-SI/HIT-SI3 spheromak plasmas sustained with inductive helicity injection will be presented. Lastly, potential benefits of an expansion of the two-fluid model into a multi-fluid model that includes multiple neutral species and tracking of charge states will be discussed.

Calculation of two-dimension radial electric field in boundary plasmas by using BOUT++

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, N. M.; Xu, X. Q.; Rognlien, T. D.; Gui, B.; Sun, J. Z.; Wang, D. Z.

2018-07-01

The steady state radial electric field (Er) is calculated by coupling a plasma transport model with the quasi-neutrality constraint and the vorticity equation within the BOUT++ framework. Based on the experimentally measured plasma density and temperature profiles in Alcator C-Mod discharges, the effective radial particle and heat diffusivities are inferred from the set of plasma transport equations. The effective diffusivities are then extended into the scrape-off layer (SOL) to calculate the plasma density, temperature and flow profiles across the separatrix into the SOL with the electrostatic sheath boundary conditions (SBC) applied on the divertor plates. Given these diffusivities, the electric field can be calculated self-consistently across the separatrix from the vorticity equation with SBC coupled to the plasma transport equations. The sheath boundary conditions act to generate a large and positive Er in the SOL, which is consistent with experimental measurements. The effect of magnetic particle drifts is shown to play a significant role on local particle transport and Er by inducing a net particle flow in both the edge and SOL regions.

Evaluation of thermal helium beam and line-ratio fast diagnostic on the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade

DOE PAGES

Munoz Burgos, Jorge M.; Agostini, Matteo; Scarin, Paolo; ...

2015-05-06

A 1-D kinetic collisional radiative model (CRM) with state-of-the-art atomic data is developed and employed to simulate line emission to evaluate the Thermal Helium Beam (THB) diagnostic on NSTX-U. This diagnostic is currently in operation on RFX-mod, and it is proposed to be installed on NSTX-U. The THB system uses the intensity ratios of neutral helium lines 667.8, 706.5, and 728.1 nm to derive electron temperature (eV ) and density (cm –3) profiles. The purpose of the present analysis is to evaluate the applications of this diagnostic for determining fast (~4 μs) electron temperature and density radial profiles on themore » scrape-off layer (SOL) and edge regions of NSTX-U that are needed in turbulence studies. The diagnostic is limited by the level of detection of the 728.1 nm line, which is the weakest of the three. In conclusion, this study will also aid in future design of a similar 2-D diagnostic systems on the divertor.« less

Electron density and gas density measurements in a millimeter-wave discharge

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schaub, S. C., E-mail: sschaub@mit.edu; Hummelt, J. S.; Guss, W. C.

2016-08-15

Electron density and neutral gas density have been measured in a non-equilibrium air breakdown plasma using optical emission spectroscopy and two-dimensional laser interferometry, respectively. A plasma was created with a focused high frequency microwave beam in air. Experiments were run with 110 GHz and 124.5 GHz microwaves at powers up to 1.2 MW. Microwave pulses were 3 μs long at 110 GHz and 2.2 μs long at 124.5 GHz. Electron density was measured over a pressure range of 25 to 700 Torr as the input microwave power was varied. Electron density was found to be close to the critical density, where the collisional plasma frequency is equal tomore » the microwave frequency, over the pressure range studied and to vary weakly with input power. Neutral gas density was measured over a pressure range from 150 to 750 Torr at power levels high above the threshold for initiating breakdown. The two-dimensional structure of the neutral gas density was resolved. Intense, localized heating was found to occur hundreds of nanoseconds after visible plasma formed. This heating led to neutral gas density reductions of greater than 80% where peak plasma densities occurred. Spatial structure and temporal dynamics of gas heating at atmospheric pressure were found to agree well with published numerical simulations.« less

Plasma oscillations in spherical Gaussian shaped ultracold neutral plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Tianxing; Lu, Ronghua, E-mail: lurh@siom.ac.cn; Guo, Li

2016-04-15

The collective plasma oscillations are investigated in ultracold neutral plasma with a non-uniform density profile. Instead of the plane configuration widely used, we derive the plasma oscillation equations with spherically symmetric distribution and Gaussian density profile. The damping of radial oscillation is found. The Tonks–Dattner resonances of the ultracold neutral plasma with an applied RF field are also calculated.

Access to a New Plasma Edge State with High Density and Pressures using Quiescent H-mode

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Solomon, Wayne M.; Snyder, P. B.; Burrell, K. H.

2014-07-01

A path to a new high performance regime has been discovered in tokamaks that could improve the attractiveness of a fusion reactor. Experiments on DIII-D using a quiescent H-mode edge have navigated a valley of improved edge peeling-ballooning stability that opens up with strong plasma shaping at high density, leading to a doubling of the edge pressure over standard edge localized mode (ELM)ing H-mode at these parameters. The thermal energy confinement time increases both as a result of the increased pedestal height and improvements in the core transport and reduced low-k turbulence. Calculations of the pedestal height and width asmore » a function of density using constraints imposed by peeling-ballooning and kinetic-ballooning theory are in quantitative agreement with the measurements.« less

Estimating the neutrally buoyant energy density of a Rankine-cycle/fuel-cell underwater propulsion system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waters, Daniel F.; Cadou, Christopher P.

2014-02-01

A unique requirement of underwater vehicles' power/energy systems is that they remain neutrally buoyant over the course of a mission. Previous work published in the Journal of Power Sources reported gross as opposed to neutrally-buoyant energy densities of an integrated solid oxide fuel cell/Rankine-cycle based power system based on the exothermic reaction of aluminum with seawater. This paper corrects this shortcoming by presenting a model for estimating system mass and using it to update the key findings of the original paper in the context of the neutral buoyancy requirement. It also presents an expanded sensitivity analysis to illustrate the influence of various design and modeling assumptions. While energy density is very sensitive to turbine efficiency (sensitivity coefficient in excess of 0.60), it is relatively insensitive to all other major design parameters (sensitivity coefficients < 0.15) like compressor efficiency, inlet water temperature, scaling methodology, etc. The neutral buoyancy requirement introduces a significant (∼15%) energy density penalty but overall the system still appears to offer factors of five to eight improvements in energy density (i.e., vehicle range/endurance) over present battery-based technologies.

Tables of thermospheric temperature, density and composition derived from satellite and ground based measurements. Volume 2: Ap=20

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedin, A. E.

1979-01-01

A mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter empirical thermosphere model is used to measure the neutral temperature and neutral densities for N2, O2, O, Ar, He and H, the mean molecular weight, and the total mass density. The data is presented in tabular form.

Interstellar abundances and depletions inferred from observations of neutral atoms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snow, T. P.

1984-01-01

Data on neutral atomic species are analyzed for the purpose of inferring relative elemental abundances and depletions in diffuse cloud cores, where it is assumed that densities are enhanced in comparison with mean densities over integrated lines of sight. Column densities of neutral atoms are compared to yield relative column densities of singly ionized species, which are assumed dominant in cloud cores. This paper incorporates a survey of literature data on neutral atomic abundances with the result that no systematic enhancement in the depletions of calcium or iron in cloud cores is found, except for zeta Ophiuchi. This may imply that depletions are not influenced by density, but other data argue against this interpretation. It is concluded either that in general all elements are depleted together in dense regions so that their relative abundances remain constant, or that typical diffuse clouds do not have significant cores, but instead are reasonably homogeneous. The data show a probable correlation between cloud-core depletion and hydrogen-molecular fraction, supporting the assumption that overall depletions are a function of density.

L-H transition and pedestal studies on MAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, H.; De Bock, M. F. M.; Conway, N. J.; Freethy, S. J.; Gibson, K.; Hiratsuka, J.; Kirk, A.; Michael, C. A.; Morgan, T.; Scannell, R.; Naylor, G.; Saarelma, S.; Saveliev, A. N.; Shevchenko, V. F.; Suttrop, W.; Temple, D.; Vann, R. G. L.; MAST, the; NBI Teams

2011-11-01

On MAST studies of the profile evolution of the electron temperature (Te), electron density (ne), radial electric field (Er) as well as novel measurements of the ion temperature (Ti) and toroidal current density (jphi) in the pedestal region allow further insight into the processes forming and defining the pedestal such as the H-mode access conditions and MHD stability. This includes studies of fast evolution of Te, ne and Er with Δt = 0.2 ms time resolution and the evolution of pe and jphi through an edge-localized mode (ELM) cycle. Measurements of the H-mode power threshold, PL-H revealed that about 40% more power is required to access H-mode in 4He than in D and that a change in the Z-position of the X-point can change PL-H significantly in single and double null configurations. The profile measurements in the L-mode phase prior to H-mode suggest that neither the gradient nor the value of the mean Te or Er at the plasma edge play a major role in triggering the L-H transition. After the transitions, first the fluctuations are suppressed, then the Er shear layer and the ne pedestal develops followed by the Te pedestal. In the banana regime at low collisionality (νsstarf) ∇Ti ≈ 0 leading to Ti > Te in the pedestal region with Ti ~ 0.3 keV close to the separatrix. A clear correlation of ∇Ti with νsstarf is observed. The measured jphi (using the motional Stark effect) Te and ne are in broad agreement with the common peeling-ballooning stability picture for ELMs and neoclassical calculations of the bootstrap current. The jphi and ∇pe evolution Δt ≈ 2 ms as well as profiles in discharges with counter current neutral beam injection raise questions with respect to this edge stability picture.

Measurement of neoclassically predicted edge current density at ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunne, M. G.; McCarthy, P. J.; Wolfrum, E.; Fischer, R.; Giannone, L.; Burckhart, A.; the ASDEX Upgrade Team

2012-12-01

Experimental confirmation of neoclassically predicted edge current density in an ELMy H-mode plasma is presented. Current density analysis using the CLISTE equilibrium code is outlined and the rationale for accuracy of the reconstructions is explained. Sample profiles and time traces from analysis of data at ASDEX Upgrade are presented. A high time resolution is possible due to the use of an ELM-synchronization technique. Additionally, the flux-surface-averaged current density is calculated using a neoclassical approach. Results from these two separate methods are then compared and are found to validate the theoretical formula. Finally, several discharges are compared as part of a fuelling study, showing that the size and width of the edge current density peak at the low-field side can be explained by the electron density and temperature drives and their respective collisionality modifications.

Temporal parallelization of edge plasma simulations using the parareal algorithm and the SOLPS code

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Samaddar, Debasmita; Coster, D. P.; Bonnin, X.

We show that numerical modelling of edge plasma physics may be successfully parallelized in time. The parareal algorithm has been employed for this purpose and the SOLPS code package coupling the B2.5 finite-volume fluid plasma solver with the kinetic Monte-Carlo neutral code Eirene has been used as a test bed. The complex dynamics of the plasma and neutrals in the scrape-off layer (SOL) region makes this a unique application. It is demonstrated that a significant computational gain (more than an order of magnitude) may be obtained with this technique. The use of the IPS framework for event-based parareal implementation optimizesmore » resource utilization and has been shown to significantly contribute to the computational gain.« less

Temporal parallelization of edge plasma simulations using the parareal algorithm and the SOLPS code

DOE PAGES

Samaddar, Debasmita; Coster, D. P.; Bonnin, X.; ...

2017-07-31

We show that numerical modelling of edge plasma physics may be successfully parallelized in time. The parareal algorithm has been employed for this purpose and the SOLPS code package coupling the B2.5 finite-volume fluid plasma solver with the kinetic Monte-Carlo neutral code Eirene has been used as a test bed. The complex dynamics of the plasma and neutrals in the scrape-off layer (SOL) region makes this a unique application. It is demonstrated that a significant computational gain (more than an order of magnitude) may be obtained with this technique. The use of the IPS framework for event-based parareal implementation optimizesmore » resource utilization and has been shown to significantly contribute to the computational gain.« less

Production of high-density highly-ionized helicon plasmas in the ProtoMPEX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caneses, J. F.; Kafle, N.; Showers, M.; Goulding, R. H.; Biewer, T. M.; Caughman, J. B. O.; Bigelow, T.; Rapp, J.

2017-10-01

High-density (2-6e19 m-3) Deuterium helicon plasmas in the ProtoMPEX have been produced that successfully use differential pumping to produce neutral gas pressures suitable for testing the RF electron and ion heating concepts. To minimize collisional losses when heating electrons and ions, plasmas with very low neutral gas content (<< 0.1 Pa) in the heating sections are required. This requirement is typically not compatible with the neutral gas pressures (1-2 Pa) commonly used in high-density light-ion helicon sources. By using skimmers, a suitable gas injection scheme and long duration discharges (>0.3 s), high-density plasmas with very low neutral gas pressures (<< 0.1 Pa) in the RF heating sections have been produced. Measurements indicate the presence of a highly-ionized plasma column and that discharges lasting at least 0.3 s are required to significantly reduce the neutral gas pressure in the RF heating sections to levels suitable for investigating electron/ion RF heating concepts in this linear configuration. This work was supported by the US. D.O.E. contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.

A Non-Neutral Plasma Device: Electron Beam Penning Trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Ge; Liu, Wan-dong; Zheng, Jian; Fu, Cheng-jiang; Bai, Bo; Chi, Ji; Zhao, Kai; Xie, Jin-lin; Liang, Xiao-ping; Yu, Chang-xuan

1999-12-01

An electron beam Penning trap (EBPT) non- neutral plasma system, built to investigate the formation of a dense electron core with the density beyond Brillouin limit and possible application to fusion research, has been described. The density in the center of the EBPT has been verified to be up to 10 times of Brillouin density limit.

Access to a new plasma edge state with high density and pressures using the quiescent H mode

DOE PAGES

Solomon, Wayne M.; Snyder, Philip B.; Burrell, Keith H.; ...

2014-09-24

A path to a new high performance regime has been discovered in tokamaks that could improve the attractiveness of a fusion reactor. Experiments on DIII-D using a quiescent H-mode edge have navigated a valley of improved edge peeling-ballooning stability that opens up with strong plasma shaping at high density, leading to a doubling of the edge pressure over the standard H mode with edge localized modes at these parameters. The thermal energy confinement time increases as a result of both the increased pedestal height and improvements in the core transport and reduced low-k turbulence. As a result, calculations of themore » pedestal height and width as a function of density using constraints imposed by peeling-ballooning and kinetic-ballooning theory are in quantitative agreement with the measurements.« less

Theoretical study on third-order nonlinear optical properties in hexagonal graphene nanoflakes: Edge shape effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagai, Hiroshi; Nakano, Masayoshi; Yoneda, Kyohei; Fukui, Hitoshi; Minami, Takuya; Bonness, Sean; Kishi, Ryohei; Takahashi, Hideaki; Kubo, Takashi; Kamada, Kenji; Ohta, Koji; Champagne, Benoît; Botek, Edith

2009-08-01

Using hybrid density functional theory methods, we investigate the second hyperpolarizabilities ( γ) of hexagonal shaped finite graphene fragments, which are referred to as hexagonal graphene nanoflakes (HGNFs), with two types of edge shapes: zigzag (Z) and armchair (A) edges. It is found that Z-HGNF, which gives intermediate diradical characters ( y), exhibits about 3.3 times larger orthogonal components of γ ( γ xxxx = γ yyyy in this case) than A-HGNF, which gives zero y value (closed-shell system). The γ density analysis reveals that this enhancement originates in the significant contribution of γ densities on edge regions in Z-HGNF. These observations strongly indicate that Z-HGNF is a promising candidate of open-shell singlet NLO systems.

A numerical study of neutral-plasma interaction in magnetically confined plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taheri, S.; Shumlak, U.; King, J. R.

2017-10-01

Interactions between plasma and neutral species can have a large effect on the dynamic behavior of magnetically confined plasma devices, such as the edge region of tokamaks and the plasma formation of Z-pinches. The presence of neutrals can affect the stability of the pinch and change the dynamics of the pinch collapse, and they can lead to deposition of high energy particles on the first wall. However, plasma-neutral interactions can also have beneficial effects such as quenching the disruptions in tokamaks. In this research a reacting plasma-neutral model, which combines a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma model with a gas dynamic neutral fluid model, is used to study the interaction between plasma and neutral gas. Incorporating this model into NIMROD allows the study of electron-impact ionization, radiative recombination, and resonant charge-exchange in plasma-neutral systems. An accelerated plasma moving through a neutral gas background is modeled in both a parallel plate and a coaxial electrode configuration to explore the effect of neutral gas in pinch-like devices. This work is supported by a Grant from US DOE.

Electronic structure of oxygen-vacancy defects in amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noh, Hyeon-Kyun; Chang, K. J.; Ryu, Byungki; Lee, Woo-Jin

2011-09-01

We perform first-principles density functional calculations to investigate the atomic and electronic properties of various O-vacancy (VO) defects in amorphous indium gallium zinc oxides (a-IGZO). The formation energies of VO have a tendency to increase with increasing number of neighboring Ga atoms, whereas they are generally low in the environment surrounded with In atoms. Thus, adding Ga atoms suppresses the formation of O-deficiency defects, which are considered as the origin of device instability in a-IGZO-based thin film transistors. The conduction band edge state is characterized by the In s orbital and insensitive to disorder, in good agreement with the experimental finding that increasing the In content enhances the carrier density and mobility. In a-IGZO, while most VO defects are deep donors, some of the defects act as shallow donors due to local environments different from those in crystalline oxides. As ionized O vacancies can capture electrons, it is suggested that these defects are responsible for positive shifts of the threshold voltage observed under positive gate bias stress. Under light illumination stress, VO defects can be ionized, becoming VO2+ defects due to the negative-U behavior. When electrons are captured by applying a negative bias voltage, ionized VO2+ defects return to the original neutral charge state. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the initial neutral state is restored by annealing, in good agreement with experiments, although the annealing temperature depends on the local environment. Our calculations show that VO defects play an important role in the instability of a-IGZO-based devices.

Urbanization impacts on mammals across urban-forest edges and a predictive model of edge effects.

PubMed

Villaseñor, Nélida R; Driscoll, Don A; Escobar, Martín A H; Gibbons, Philip; Lindenmayer, David B

2014-01-01

With accelerating rates of urbanization worldwide, a better understanding of ecological processes at the wildland-urban interface is critical to conserve biodiversity. We explored the effects of high and low-density housing developments on forest-dwelling mammals. Based on habitat characteristics, we expected a gradual decline in species abundance across forest-urban edges and an increased decline rate in higher contrast edges. We surveyed arboreal mammals in sites of high and low housing density along 600 m transects that spanned urban areas and areas turn on adjacent native forest. We also surveyed forest controls to test whether edge effects extended beyond our edge transects. We fitted models describing richness, total abundance and individual species abundance. Low-density housing developments provided suitable habitat for most arboreal mammals. In contrast, high-density housing developments had lower species richness, total abundance and individual species abundance, but supported the highest abundances of an urban adapter (Trichosurus vulpecula). We did not find the predicted gradual decline in species abundance. Of four species analysed, three exhibited no response to the proximity of urban boundaries, but spilled over into adjacent urban habitat to differing extents. One species (Petaurus australis) had an extended negative response to urban boundaries, suggesting that urban development has impacts beyond 300 m into adjacent forest. Our empirical work demonstrates that high-density housing developments have negative effects on both community and species level responses, except for one urban adapter. We developed a new predictive model of edge effects based on our results and the literature. To predict animal responses across edges, our framework integrates for first time: (1) habitat quality/preference, (2) species response with the proximity to the adjacent habitat, and (3) spillover extent/sensitivity to adjacent habitat boundaries. This framework will allow scientists, managers and planners better understand and predict both species responses across edges and impacts of development in mosaic landscapes.

Lower hybrid wave edge power loss quantification on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faust, I. C.; Brunner, D.; LaBombard, B.; Parker, R. R.; Terry, J. L.; Whyte, D. G.; Baek, S. G.; Edlund, E.; Hubbard, A. E.; Hughes, J. W.; Kuang, A. Q.; Reinke, M. L.; Shiraiwa, S.; Wallace, G. M.; Walk, J. R.

2016-05-01

For the first time, the power deposition of lower hybrid RF waves into the edge plasma of a diverted tokamak has been systematically quantified. Edge deposition represents a parasitic loss of power that can greatly impact the use and efficiency of Lower Hybrid Current Drive (LHCD) at reactor-relevant densities. Through the use of a unique set of fast time resolution edge diagnostics, including innovative fast-thermocouples, an extensive set of Langmuir probes, and a Lyα ionization camera, the toroidal, poloidal, and radial structure of the power deposition has been simultaneously determined. Power modulation was used to directly isolate the RF effects due to the prompt ( t < τ E ) response of the scrape-off-layer (SOL) plasma to Lower Hybrid Radiofrequency (LHRF) power. LHRF power was found to absorb more strongly in the edge at higher densities. It is found that a majority of this edge-deposited power is promptly conducted to the divertor. This correlates with the loss of current drive efficiency at high density previously observed on Alcator C-Mod, and displaying characteristics that contrast with the local RF edge absorption seen on other tokamaks. Measurements of ionization in the active divertor show dramatic changes due to LHRF power, implying that divertor region can be a key for the LHRF edge power deposition physics. These observations support the existence of a loss mechanism near the edge for LHRF at high density ( n e > 1.0 × 10 20 (m-3)). Results will be shown addressing the distribution of power within the SOL, including the toroidal symmetry and radial distribution. These characteristics are important for deducing the cause of the reduced LHCD efficiency at high density and motivate the tailoring of wave propagation to minimize SOL interaction, for example, through the use of high-field-side launch.

Lower Hybrid wave edge power loss quantification on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faust, I. C.

2015-11-01

For the first time, the power deposition of Lower Hybrid RF waves into the edge plasma of a diverted tokamak has been systematically quantified. Edge deposition represents a parasitic loss of power that can greatly impact the use and efficiency of Lower Hybrid Current Drive (LHCD) at reactor-relevant densities. Through the use of a unique set of fast time resolution edge diagnostics, including innovative fast-thermocouples, an extensive set of Langmuir probes, and a Lyα ionization camera, the toroidal, poloidal and radial structure of the power deposition has been simultaneously determined. Power modulation was used to directly isolate the RF effects due to the prompt (t <τE) response of the scrape-off-layer (SOL) plasma to LHRF power. LHRF power was found to absorb more strongly in the edge at higher densities. It is found that a majority of this edge-deposited power is promptly conducted to the divertor. This correlates with the loss of current drive efficiency at high density previously observed on Alcator C-Mod, and displaying characteristics that contrast with the local RF edge absorption seen on other tokamaks. Measurements of ionization in the active divertor show dramatic changes due to LHRF power, implying that divertor region can be key for the LHRF edge power deposition physics. These observations support the existence a loss mechanism near the edge for LHRF at high density (ne > 1 . 0 .1020 [m-3]). Results will be shown addressing the distribution of power within the SOL, including the toroidal symmetry and radial distribution. These characteristics are important for deducing the cause of the reduced LHCD efficiency at high density and motivates the tailoring of wave propagation to minimize SOL interaction, for example, through the use of high-field-side launch. This work was performed on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, a DoE Office of Science user facility, and is supported by USDoE award DE-FC02-99ER54512.

Urbanization Impacts on Mammals across Urban-Forest Edges and a Predictive Model of Edge Effects

PubMed Central

Villaseñor, Nélida R.; Driscoll, Don A.; Escobar, Martín A. H.; Gibbons, Philip; Lindenmayer, David B.

2014-01-01

With accelerating rates of urbanization worldwide, a better understanding of ecological processes at the wildland-urban interface is critical to conserve biodiversity. We explored the effects of high and low-density housing developments on forest-dwelling mammals. Based on habitat characteristics, we expected a gradual decline in species abundance across forest-urban edges and an increased decline rate in higher contrast edges. We surveyed arboreal mammals in sites of high and low housing density along 600 m transects that spanned urban areas and areas turn on adjacent native forest. We also surveyed forest controls to test whether edge effects extended beyond our edge transects. We fitted models describing richness, total abundance and individual species abundance. Low-density housing developments provided suitable habitat for most arboreal mammals. In contrast, high-density housing developments had lower species richness, total abundance and individual species abundance, but supported the highest abundances of an urban adapter (Trichosurus vulpecula). We did not find the predicted gradual decline in species abundance. Of four species analysed, three exhibited no response to the proximity of urban boundaries, but spilled over into adjacent urban habitat to differing extents. One species (Petaurus australis) had an extended negative response to urban boundaries, suggesting that urban development has impacts beyond 300 m into adjacent forest. Our empirical work demonstrates that high-density housing developments have negative effects on both community and species level responses, except for one urban adapter. We developed a new predictive model of edge effects based on our results and the literature. To predict animal responses across edges, our framework integrates for first time: (1) habitat quality/preference, (2) species response with the proximity to the adjacent habitat, and (3) spillover extent/sensitivity to adjacent habitat boundaries. This framework will allow scientists, managers and planners better understand and predict both species responses across edges and impacts of development in mosaic landscapes. PMID:24810286

Sheared-flow induced confinement transition in a linear magnetized plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, S.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Boehmer, H.; McWilliams, R.; Carter, T. A.; Vincena, S.; Friedman, B.; Schaffner, D.

2012-01-01

A magnetized plasma cylinder (12 cm in diameter) is induced by an annular shape obstacle at the Large Plasma Device [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky, J. Bamber, D. Leneman, and J. Maggs, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)]. Sheared azimuthal flow is driven at the edge of the plasma cylinder through edge biasing. Strong fluctuations of density and potential (δn /n~eδφ/kTe~0.5) are observed at the plasma edge, accompanied by a large density gradient (Ln=|∇lnn |-1~2cm) and shearing rate (γ ~300kHz). Edge turbulence and cross-field transport are modified by changing the bias voltage (Vbias) on the obstacle and the axial magnetic field (Bz) strength. In cases with low Vbias and large Bz, improved plasma confinement is observed, along with steeper edge density gradients. The radially sheared flow induced by E ×B drift dramatically changes the cross-phase between density and potential fluctuations, which causes the wave-induced particle flux to reverse its direction across the shear layer. In cases with higher bias voltage or smaller Bz, large radial transport and rapid depletion of the central plasma density are observed. Two-dimensional cross-correlation measurement shows that a mode with azimuthal mode number m =1 and large radial correlation length dominates the outward transport in these cases. Linear analysis based on a two-fluid Braginskii model suggests that the fluctuations are driven by both density gradient (drift wave like) and flow shear (Kelvin-Helmholtz like) at the plasma edge.

Efficient Coupling of Fluid-Plasma and Monte-Carlo-Neutrals Models for Edge Plasma Transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimits, A. M.; Cohen, B. I.; Friedman, A.; Joseph, I.; Lodestro, L. L.; Rensink, M. E.; Rognlien, T. D.; Sjogreen, B.; Stotler, D. P.; Umansky, M. V.

2017-10-01

UEDGE has been valuable for modeling transport in the tokamak edge and scrape-off layer due in part to its efficient fully implicit solution of coupled fluid neutrals and plasma models. We are developing an implicit coupling of the kinetic Monte-Carlo (MC) code DEGAS-2, as the neutrals model component, to the UEDGE plasma component, based on an extension of the Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov (JFNK) method to MC residuals. The coupling components build on the methods and coding already present in UEDGE. For the linear Krylov iterations, a procedure has been developed to ``extract'' a good preconditioner from that of UEDGE. This preconditioner may also be used to greatly accelerate the convergence rate of a relaxed fixed-point iteration, which may provide a useful ``intermediate'' algorithm. The JFNK method also requires calculation of Jacobian-vector products, for which any finite-difference procedure is inaccurate when a MC component is present. A semi-analytical procedure that retains the standard MC accuracy and fully kinetic neutrals physics is therefore being developed. Prepared for US DOE by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344 and LDRD project 15-ERD-059, by PPPL under Contract DE-AC02-09CH11466, and supported in part by the U.S. DOE, OFES.

Simulations of Atmospheric Neutral Wave Coupling to the Ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siefring, C. L.; Bernhardt, P. A.

2005-12-01

The densities in the E- and F-layer plasmas are much less than the density of background neutral atmosphere. Atmospheric neutral waves are primary sources of plasma density fluctuations and are the sources for triggering plasma instabilities. The neutral atmosphere supports acoustic waves, acoustic gravity waves, and Kelvin Helmholtz waves from wind shears. These waves help determine the structure of the ionosphere by changes in neutral density that affect ion-electron recombination and by neutral velocities that couple to the plasma via ion-neutral collisions. Neutral acoustic disturbances can arise from thunderstorms, chemical factory explosions and intentional high-explosive tests. Based on conservation of energy, acoustic waves grow in amplitude as they propagate upwards to lower atmospheric densities. Shock waves can form in an acoustic pulse that is eventually damped by viscosity. Ionospheric effects from acoustic waves include transient perturbations of E- and F-Regions and triggering of E-Region instabilities. Acoustic-gravity waves affect the ionosphere over large distances. Gravity wave sources include thunderstorms, auroral region disturbances, Space Shuttle launches and possibly solar eclipses. Low frequency acoustic-gravity waves propagate to yield traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID's), triggering of Equatorial bubbles, and possible periodic structuring of the E-Region. Gravity wave triggering of equatorial bubbles is studied numerically by solving the equations for plasma continuity and ion velocity along with Ohms law to provide an equation for the induced electric potential. Slow moving gravity waves provide density depressions on bottom of ionosphere and a gravitational Rayleigh-Taylor instability is initiated. Radar scatter detects field aligned irregularities in the resulting plasma bubble. Neutral Kelvin-Helmholtz waves are produced by strong mesospheric wind shears that are also coincident with the formation of intense E-layers. An atmospheric model for periodic structures with Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) wavelengths is used to show the development of quasi-periodic structures in the E-layer. For the model, a background atmosphere near 100 km altitude with a scale height of 12.2 km is subjected to a wind shear profile varying by 100 m/s over a distance of 1.7 km. This neutral speed shear drives the KH instability with a growth time of about 100 seconds. The neutral KH wave is a source of plasma turbulence. The E-layer responds to the KH-Wave structure in the neutral atmosphere as an electrodynamic tracer. The plasma flow leads to small scale plasma field aligned irregularities from a gradient drift, plasma interchange instability (GDI) or a Farley-Buneman, two-stream instability (FBI). These irregularities are detected by radar scatter as quasi-periodic structures. All of these plasma phenomena would not occur without the initiation by neutral atmospheric waves.

Evolution of HI from Z=5 to the present

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Storrie-Lombardi, L. J.

2002-01-01

Studies of damped Lya systems provide us with a good measure of the evolution of the HI column density distribution function and the contribution to the comoving mass density in neutral gas out to redshifts of z = 5 . The column density distribution function at high redshift steepens for the highest column density HI absorbers, though the contribution to the comoving mass density of neutral gas remains fiat from 2 < z < 5 . Results from studies at z < 2 are finding substantial numbers of damped absorbers identified from MgII absorption, compared to previous blind surveys. These results indicate that the contribution to the comoving mass density in neutral gas may be constant from z 0 to z 5. Details of recent work in the redshift range z < 2 work is covered elsewhere in this volume (see D. Nestor). We review here recent results for the redshift range 2 < z < 5.

Parametric scaling of neutral and ion excited state densities in an argon helicon source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarren, D.; Scime, E.

2016-04-01

We report measurements of the absolute density and temperature of ion and neutral excited states in an argon helicon source. The excited ion state density, which depends on ion density, electron density, and electron temperature, increases sharply with increasing magnetic field in the source. The neutral argon metastable density measurements are consistent with an increasing ionization fraction with increasing magnetic field strength. The ion temperature shows no evidence of increased heating with increasing magnetic field strength (which has only been observed in helicon sources operating at driving frequencies close to the lower hybrid frequency). The measurements were obtained through cavity ring down spectroscopy, a measurement technique that does not require the target excited state to be metastable or part of a fluorescence scheme; and is therefore applicable to any laser accessible atomic or ionic transition in a plasma.

Interstellar X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy of the Crab Pulsar with the LETGS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paerels, Frits; Weisskopf, Martin C.; Tennant, Allyn F.; ODell, Stephen L.; Swartz, Douglas A.; Kahn, Steven M.; Behar, Ehud; Becker, Werner; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We study the interstellar X-ray absorption along the line of sight to the Crab Pulsar. The Crab was observed with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the pulsar, a point source, produces a full resolution spectrum. The continuum spectrum appears smooth, and we compare its parameters with other measurements of the pulsar spectrum. The spectrum clearly shows absorption edges due to interstellar Ne, Fe, and O. The O edge shows spectral structure that is probably due to O bound in molecules or dust. We search for near-edge structure (EXAFS) in the O absorption spectrum. The Fe L absorption spectrum is largely due to a set of unresolved discrete n=2-3 transitions in neutral or near-neutral Fe, and we analyze it using a new set of dedicated atomic structure calculations, which provide absolute cross sections. In addition to being interesting in its own right, the ISM absorption needs to be understood in quantitative detail in order to derive spectroscopic constraints on possible soft thermal radiation from the pulsar.

Feedbacks of Composition and Neutral Density Changes on the Structure of the Cusp Density Anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brinkman, D. G.; Walterscheid, R. L.; Clemmons, J. H.

2016-12-01

The Earth's magnetospheric cusp provides direct access of energetic particles to the thermosphere. These particles produce ionization and kinetic (particle) heating of the atmosphere. The increased ionization coupled with enhanced electric fields in the cusp produces increased Joule heating and ion drag forcing. These energy inputs cause large wind and temperature changes in the cusp region. Measurements by the CHAMP satellite (460-390- km altitude) have shown strongly enhanced density in the cusp region. The Streak mission (325-123 km), on the other hand, showed a relative depletion. The atmospheric response in the cusp can be sensitive to composition and neutral density changes. In response to heating in the cusp, air of heavier mean molecular weight is brought up from lower altitudes significantly affecting pressure gradients. This opposes the effects of temperature change due to heating and in-turn affects the density and winds produced in the cusp. Also changes in neutral density change the interaction between precipitating particles and the atmosphere and thus change heating rates and ionization in the region affected by cusp precipitation. In this study we assess the sensitivity of the wind and neutral density structure in the cusp region to changes in the mean molecular weight induced by neutral dynamics via advection, and the changes in particle heating rates and ionization which result from changes in neutral density. We use a high resolution two-dimensional time-dependent nonhydrostatic nonlinear dynamical model where inputs can be systematically altered. The resolution of the model allows us to examine the complete range of cusp widths. We compare the current simulations to observations by CHAMP and Streak. Acknowledgements: This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant: NNX16AH46G issues through the Heliophysics Supporting Research Program. This research was also supported by The Aerospace Corporation's Technical Investment program

The impact of exospheric neutral dynamics on ring current decay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilie, R.; Liemohn, M. W.; Skoug, R. M.; Funsten, H. O.; Gruntman, M.; Bailey, J. J.; Toth, G.

2015-12-01

The geocorona plays an important role in the energy budget of the Earth's inner magnetosphere since charge exchange of energetic ions with exospheric neutrals makes the exosphere act as an energy sink for ring current particles. Long-term ring current decay following a magnetic storm is mainly due to these electron transfer reactions, leading to the formation energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) that leave the ring current system on ballistic trajectories. The number of ENAs emitted from a given region of space depends on several factors, such as the energy and species of the energetic ion population in that region and the density of the neutral gas with which the ions undergo charge exchange. However, the density and structure of the exosphere are strongly dependent on changes in atmospheric temperature and density as well as charge exchange with the ions of plasmaspheric origin, which depletes the geocorona (by having a neutral removed from the system). Moreover, the radiation pressure exerted by solar far-ultraviolet photons pushes the geocoronal hydrogen away from the Earth in an anti-sunward direction to form a tail of neutral hydrogen. TWINS ENA images provide a direct measurement of these ENA losses and therefore insight into the dynamics of the ring current decay through interactions with the geocorona. We assess the influence of geocoronal neutrals on ring current formation and decay by analysis of the predicted ENA emissions using 6 different geocoronal models and simulations from the HEIDI ring current model during storm time. Comparison with TWINS ENA images shows that the location of the peak ENA enhancements is highly dependent on the distribution of geocoronal hydrogen density. We show that the neutral dynamics has a strong influence on the time evolution of the ring current populations as well as on the formation of energetic neutral atoms.

Semiannual and solar activity variations of daytime plasma observed by DEMETER in the ionosphere-plasmasphere transition region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L. Y.; Cao, J. B.; Yang, J. Y.; Berthelier, J. J.; Lebreton, J.-P.

2015-12-01

Using the plasma data of Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) satellite and the NRLMSISE-00 atmospheric model, we examined the semiannual and solar activity variations of the daytime plasma and neutral composition densities in the ionosphere-plasmasphere transition region (~670-710 km). The results demonstrate that the semiannually latitudinal variation of the daytime oxygen ions (O+) is basically controlled by that of neutral atomic oxygen (O), whereas the latitude distributions of the helium and hydrogen ions (He+ and H+) do not fully depend on the neutral atomic helium (He) and hydrogen (H). The summer enhancement of the heavy oxygen ions is consistent with the neutral O enhancement in the summer hemisphere, and the oxygen ion density has significantly the summer-dense and winter-tenuous hemispheric asymmetry with respect to the dip equator. Although the winter enhancements of the lighter He+ and H+ ions are also associated with the neutral He and H enhancements in the winter hemisphere, the high-density light ions (He+ and H+) and electrons (e-) mainly appear at the low and middle magnetic latitudes (|λ| < 50°). The equatorial accumulations of the light plasma species indicate that the light charged particles (He+, H+, and e-) are easily transported by some equatorward forces (e.g., the magnetic mirror force and centrifugal force). The frequent Coulomb collisions between the charged particles probably lead to the particle trappings at different latitudes. Moreover, the neutral composition densities also influence their ion concentrations during different solar activities. From the low-F10.7 year (2007-2008) to the high-F10.7 year (2004-2005), the daytime oxygen ions and electrons increase with the increasing neutral atomic oxygen, whereas the daytime hydrogen ions tend to decrease with the decreasing neutral atomic hydrogen. The helium ion density has no obvious solar activity variation, suggesting that the generation (via the neutral He photoionization) and loss (via the charge exchange with neutral nitrogen N2 and/or the recombination with electrons) of the daytime He+ ions are comparable during different solar activities.

AFLPs and Mitochondrial Haplotypes Reveal Local Adaptation to Extreme Thermal Environments in a Freshwater Gastropod

PubMed Central

Quintela, María; Johansson, Magnus P.; Kristjánsson, Bjarni K.; Barreiro, Rodolfo; Laurila, Anssi

2014-01-01

The way environmental variation shapes neutral and adaptive genetic variation in natural populations is a key issue in evolutionary biology. Genome scans allow the identification of the genetic basis of local adaptation without previous knowledge of genetic variation or traits under selection. Candidate loci for divergent adaptation are expected to show higher FST than neutral loci influenced solely by random genetic drift, migration and mutation. The comparison of spatial patterns of neutral markers and loci under selection may help disentangle the effects of gene flow, genetic drift and selection among populations living in contrasting environments. Using the gastropod Radix balthica as a system, we analyzed 376 AFLP markers and 25 mtDNA COI haplotypes for candidate loci and associations with local adaptation among contrasting thermal environments in Lake Mývatn, a volcanic lake in northern Iceland. We found that 2% of the analysed AFLP markers were under directional selection and 12% of the mitochondrial haplotypes correlated with differing thermal habitats. The genetic networks were concordant for AFLP markers and mitochondrial haplotypes, depicting distinct topologies at neutral and candidate loci. Neutral topologies were characterized by intense gene flow revealed by dense nets with edges connecting contrasting thermal habitats, whereas the connections at candidate loci were mostly restricted to populations within each thermal habitat and the number of edges decreased with temperature. Our results suggest microgeographic adaptation within Lake Mývatn and highlight the utility of genome scans in detecting adaptive divergence. PMID:25007329

The Influence of Mesh Density on the Impact Response of a Shuttle Leading-Edge Panel Finite Element Simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Karen E.; Fasanella, Edwin L.; Lyle, Karen H.; Spellman, Regina L.

2004-01-01

A study was performed to examine the influence of varying mesh density on an LS-DYNA simulation of a rectangular-shaped foam projectile impacting the space shuttle leading edge Panel 6. The shuttle leading-edge panels are fabricated of reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) material. During the study, nine cases were executed with all possible combinations of coarse, baseline, and fine meshes of the foam and panel. For each simulation, the same material properties and impact conditions were specified and only the mesh density was varied. In the baseline model, the shell elements representing the RCC panel are approximately 0.2-in. on edge, whereas the foam elements are about 0.5-in. on edge. The element nominal edge-length for the baseline panel was halved to create a fine panel (0.1-in. edge length) mesh and doubled to create a coarse panel (0.4-in. edge length) mesh. In addition, the element nominal edge-length of the baseline foam projectile was halved (0.25-in. edge length) to create a fine foam mesh and doubled (1.0- in. edge length) to create a coarse foam mesh. The initial impact velocity of the foam was 775 ft/s. The simulations were executed in LS-DYNA version 960 for 6 ms of simulation time. Contour plots of resultant panel displacement and effective stress in the foam were compared at five discrete time intervals. Also, time-history responses of internal and kinetic energy of the panel, kinetic and hourglass energy of the foam, and resultant contact force were plotted to determine the influence of mesh density. As a final comparison, the model with a fine panel and fine foam mesh was executed with slightly different material properties for the RCC. For this model, the average degraded properties of the RCC were replaced with the maximum degraded properties. Similar comparisons of panel and foam responses were made for the average and maximum degraded models.

Model-Observation Comparisons of Electron Number Densities in the Coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during January 2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vigren, E.; Altwegg, K.; Edberg, N. J. T.; Eriksson, A. I.; Galand, M.; Henri, P.; Johansson, F.; Odelstad, E.; Tzou, C.-Y.; Valliéres, X.

2016-09-01

During 2015 January 9-11, at a heliocentric distance of ˜2.58-2.57 au, the ESA Rosetta spacecraft resided at a cometocentric distance of ˜28 km from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, sweeping the terminator at northern latitudes of 43°N-58°N. Measurements by the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis/Comet Pressure Sensor (ROSINA/COPS) provided neutral number densities. We have computed modeled electron number densities using the neutral number densities as input into a Field Free Chemistry Free model, assuming H2O dominance and ion-electron pair formation by photoionization only. A good agreement (typically within 25%) is found between the modeled electron number densities and those observed from measurements by the Mutual Impedance Probe (RPC/MIP) and the Langmuir Probe (RPC/LAP), both being subsystems of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium. This indicates that ions along the nucleus-spacecraft line were strongly coupled to the neutrals, moving radially outward with about the same speed. Such a statement, we propose, can be further tested by observations of H3O+/H2O+ number density ratios and associated comparisons with model results.

Relationship between dislocation and the visible luminescence band observed in ZnO epitaxial layers grown on c-plane p-GaN templates by chemical vapor deposition technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saroj, Rajendra K.; Dhar, S.

2016-08-01

ZnO epitaxial layers are grown on c-plane GaN (p-type)/sapphire substrates using a chemical vapor deposition technique. Structural and luminescence properties of these layers have been studied systematically as a function of various growth parameters. It has been found that high quality ZnO epitaxial layers can indeed be grown on GaN films at certain optimum conditions. It has also been observed that the growth temperature and growth time have distinctly different influences on the screw and edge dislocation densities. While the growth temperature affects the density of edge dislocations more strongly than that of screw dislocations, an increase of growth duration leads to a rapid drop in the density of screw dislocation, whereas the density of edge dislocation hardly changes. Densities of both edge and screw dislocations are found to be minimum at a growth temperature of 500 °C. Interestingly, the defect related visible luminescence intensity also shows a minimum at the same temperature. Our study indeed suggests that the luminescence feature is related to threading edge dislocation. A continuum percolation model, where the defects responsible for visible luminescence are considered to be formed under the influence of the strain field surrounding the threading edge dislocations, is proposed. The theory explains the observed variation of the visible luminescence intensity as a function of the concentration of the dislocations.

The response of plasma density to breaking inertial gravity wave in the lower regions of ionosphere

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tang, Wenbo, E-mail: Wenbo.Tang@asu.edu; Mahalov, Alex, E-mail: Alex.Mahalov@asu.edu

2014-04-15

We present a three-dimensional numerical study for the E and lower F region ionosphere coupled with the neutral atmosphere dynamics. This model is developed based on a previous ionospheric model that examines the transport patterns of plasma density given a prescribed neutral atmospheric flow. Inclusion of neutral dynamics in the model allows us to examine the charge-neutral interactions over the full evolution cycle of an inertial gravity wave when the background flow spins up from rest, saturates and eventually breaks. Using Lagrangian analyses, we show the mixing patterns of the ionospheric responses and the formation of ionospheric layers. The correspondingmore » plasma density in this flow develops complex wave structures and small-scale patches during the gravity wave breaking event.« less

Evolution of Field-Aligned Electron and Ion Densities From Whistler Mode Radio Soundings During Quiet to Moderately Active Period and Comparisons With SAMI2 Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, A.; Sonwalkar, V. S.; Huba, J. D.

2018-02-01

Knowledge of field-aligned electron and ion distributions is necessary for understanding the physical processes causing variations in field-aligned electron and ion densities. Using whistler mode sounding by Radio Plasma Imager/Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (RPI/IMAGE), we determined the evolution of dayside electron and ion densities along L ˜ 2 and L ˜ 3 (90-4,000 km) during a 7 day (21-27 November 2005) geomagnetically quiet to moderately active period. Over this period the O+/H+ transition height was ˜880 ± 60 km and ˜1000 ± 100 km, respectively, at L ˜ 2 and L ˜ 3. The electron density varied in a complex manner; it was different at L ˜ 2 and L ˜ 3 and below and above the O+/H+ transition height. The measured electron and ion densities are consistent with those from Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and other past measurements, but they deviated from bottomside sounding and International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2012 empirical model results. Using SAMI2 (Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) ionosphere model) with reasonably adjusted values of inputs (neutral densities, winds, electric fields, and photoelectron heating), we simulated the evolution of O+/H+ transition height and field-aligned electron and ion densities so that a fair agreement was obtained between the simulation results and observations. Simulation studies indicated that reduced neutral densities (H and/or O) with time limited O+-H charge exchange process. This reduction in neutral densities combined with changes in neutral winds and plasma temperature led to the observed variations in the electron and ion densities. The observation/simulation method presented here can be extended to investigate the role of neutral densities and composition, disturbed winds, and prompt penetration electric fields in the storm time ionosphere/plasmasphere dynamics.

Plasma Density Effects on Toroidal Flow Stabilization of Edge Localized Modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Shikui; Zhu, Ping; Banerjee, Debabrata

2016-10-01

Recent EAST experiments have demonstrated mitigation and suppression of edge localized modes (ELMs) with toroidal rotation flow in higher collisionality regime, suggesting potential roles of plasma density. In this work, the effects of plasma density on the toroidal flow stabilization of the high- n edge localized modes have been extensively studied in linear calculations for a circular-shaped limiter H-mode tokamak, using the initial-value extended MHD code NIMROD. In the single MHD model, toroidal flow has a weak stabilizing effects on the high- n modes. Such a stabilization, however, can be significantly enhanced with the increase in plasma density. Furthermore, our calculations show that the enhanced stabilization of high- n modes from toroidal flow with higher edge plasma density persists in the 2-fluid MHD model. These findings may explain the ELM mitigation and suppression by toroidal rotation in higher collisionality regime due to the enhancement of plasma density obtained in EAST experiment. Supported by the National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Program of China under Grant Nos. 2014GB124002 and 2015GB101004, the 100 Talent Program and the President International Fellowship Initiative of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Use of .sup.3 He.sup.30 + ICRF minority heating to simulate alpha particle heating

DOEpatents

Post, Jr., Douglass E.; Hwang, David Q.; Hovey, Jane

1986-04-22

Neutron activation due to high levels of neutron production in a first heated deuterium-tritium plasma is substantially reduced by using Ion Cyclotron Resonance Frequency (ICRF) heating of energetic .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions in a second deuterium-.sup.3 He.sup.++ plasma which exhibit an energy distribution and density similar to that of alpha particles in fusion reactor experiments to simulate fusion alpha particle heating in the first plasma. The majority of the fast .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions and their slowing down spectrum can be studied using either a modulated hydrogen beam source for producing excited states of He.sup.+ in combination with spectrometers or double charge exchange with a high energy neutral lithium beam and charged particle detectors at the plasma edge. The maintenance problems thus associated with neutron activation are substantially reduced permitting energetic alpha particle behavior to be studied in near term large fusion experiments.

A Mesh Refinement Study on the Impact Response of a Shuttle Leading-Edge Panel Finite Element Simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Jackson, Karen E.; Lyle, Karen H.; Spellman, Regina L.

2006-01-01

A study was performed to examine the influence of varying mesh density on an LS-DYNA simulation of a rectangular-shaped foam projectile impacting the space shuttle leading edge Panel 6. The shuttle leading-edge panels are fabricated of reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) material. During the study, nine cases were executed with all possible combinations of coarse, baseline, and fine meshes of the foam and panel. For each simulation, the same material properties and impact conditions were specified and only the mesh density was varied. In the baseline model, the shell elements representing the RCC panel are approximately 0.2-in. on edge, whereas the foam elements are about 0.5-in. on edge. The element nominal edge-length for the baseline panel was halved to create a fine panel (0.1-in. edge length) mesh and doubled to create a coarse panel (0.4-in. edge length) mesh. In addition, the element nominal edge-length of the baseline foam projectile was halved (0.25-in. edge length) to create a fine foam mesh and doubled (1.0-in. edge length) to create a coarse foam mesh. The initial impact velocity of the foam was 775 ft/s. The simulations were executed in LS-DYNA for 6 ms of simulation time. Contour plots of resultant panel displacement and effective stress in the foam were compared at four discrete time intervals. Also, time-history responses of internal and kinetic energy of the panel, kinetic and hourglass energy of the foam, and resultant contact force were plotted to determine the influence of mesh density.

Observation of the origin of d0 magnetism in ZnO nanostructures using X-ray-based microscopic and spectroscopic techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Shashi B.; Wang, Yu-Fu; Shao, Yu-Cheng; Lai, Hsuan-Yu; Hsieh, Shang-Hsien; Limaye, Mukta V.; Chuang, Chen-Hao; Hsueh, Hung-Chung; Wang, Hsaiotsu; Chiou, Jau-Wern; Tsai, Hung-Ming; Pao, Chih-Wen; Chen, Chia-Hao; Lin, Hong-Ji; Lee, Jyh-Fu; Wu, Chun-Te; Wu, Jih-Jen; Pong, Way-Faung; Ohigashi, Takuji; Kosugi, Nobuhiro; Wang, Jian; Zhou, Jigang; Regier, Tom; Sham, Tsun-Kong

2014-07-01

Efforts have been made to elucidate the origin of d0 magnetism in ZnO nanocactuses (NCs) and nanowires (NWs) using X-ray-based microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The photoluminescence and O K-edge and Zn L3,2-edge X-ray-excited optical luminescence spectra showed that ZnO NCs contain more defects than NWs do and that in ZnO NCs, more defects are present at the O sites than at the Zn sites. Specifically, the results of O K-edge scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and the corresponding X-ray-absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy demonstrated that the impurity (non-stoichiometric) region in ZnO NCs contains a greater defect population than the thick region. The intensity of O K-edge STXM-XANES in the impurity region is more predominant in ZnO NCs than in NWs. The increase in the unoccupied (occupied) density of states at/above (at/below) the conduction-band minimum (valence-band maximum) or the Fermi level is related to the population of defects at the O sites, as revealed by comparing the ZnO NCs to the NWs. The results of O K-edge and Zn L3,2-edge X-ray magnetic circular dichroism demonstrated that the origin of magnetization is attributable to the O 2p orbitals rather than the Zn d orbitals. Further, the local density approximation (LDA) + U verified that vacancies in the form of dangling or unpaired 2p states (due to Zn vacancies) induced a significant local spin moment in the nearest-neighboring O atoms to the defect center, which was determined from the uneven local spin density by analyzing the partial density of states of O 2p in ZnO.Efforts have been made to elucidate the origin of d0 magnetism in ZnO nanocactuses (NCs) and nanowires (NWs) using X-ray-based microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The photoluminescence and O K-edge and Zn L3,2-edge X-ray-excited optical luminescence spectra showed that ZnO NCs contain more defects than NWs do and that in ZnO NCs, more defects are present at the O sites than at the Zn sites. Specifically, the results of O K-edge scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and the corresponding X-ray-absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy demonstrated that the impurity (non-stoichiometric) region in ZnO NCs contains a greater defect population than the thick region. The intensity of O K-edge STXM-XANES in the impurity region is more predominant in ZnO NCs than in NWs. The increase in the unoccupied (occupied) density of states at/above (at/below) the conduction-band minimum (valence-band maximum) or the Fermi level is related to the population of defects at the O sites, as revealed by comparing the ZnO NCs to the NWs. The results of O K-edge and Zn L3,2-edge X-ray magnetic circular dichroism demonstrated that the origin of magnetization is attributable to the O 2p orbitals rather than the Zn d orbitals. Further, the local density approximation (LDA) + U verified that vacancies in the form of dangling or unpaired 2p states (due to Zn vacancies) induced a significant local spin moment in the nearest-neighboring O atoms to the defect center, which was determined from the uneven local spin density by analyzing the partial density of states of O 2p in ZnO. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) results of ZnO NCs and NWs. Computational details and calculated total and partial density of states (PDOS) of bulk wurtzite ZnO with oxygen anion vacancies (VO). See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr01961j

Sensory Organ Like Response of Zigzag Edge Graphene Nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shenoy, Vijay; Bhowmick, Somnath

2011-03-01

Using a continuum Dirac theory, we study the density and spin response of zigzag edge terminated graphene ribbons subjected to edge potentials and Zeeman fields. Our analytical calculations of the density and spin responses of the closed system (fixed particle number) to the static edge fields, show a highly nonlinear Weber-Fechner type behavior where the response depends logarithmically on the edge potential. The dependence of the response on the size of the system (e.g.~width of a nanoribbon) is also uncovered. Zigzag edge graphene nanoribbons, therefore, provide a realization of response of organs such as the eye and ear that obey Weber-Fechner law. We validate our analytical results with tight binding calculations. These results are crucial in understanding important effects of electron-electron interactions in graphene nanoribbons such as edge magnetism etc., and also suggest possibilities for device applications of graphene nanoribbons. Work supported by DST, India through MONAMI and Ramanujan grants.

Effect of chemoepitaxial guiding underlayer design on the pattern quality and shape of aligned lamellae for fabrication of line-space patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nation, Benjamin D.; Peters, Andrew J.; Lawson, Richard A.; Ludovice, Peter J.; Henderson, Clifford L.

2017-10-01

Chemoepitaxial guidance of block copolymer directed self-assembly in thin films is explored using a coarse-grained molecular dynamics model. The underlayers studied are 2× density multiplying line-space patterns composed of repeating highly preferential pinning stripes of various widths separated by larger, more neutral, background regions of various compositions. Decreasing the pinning stripe width or making the background region more neutral is found to increase the line edge roughness (LER) of the lines, but these conditions are found to give the straightest sidewalls for the formed lines. Varying these underlayer properties is found to have minimal effect on linewidth roughness. A larger pinning stripe causes the pinned line (PL) to foot (expand near the substrate), and a preferential background region causes the unpinned line (UPL) to undercut (contract near the substrate). A simple model was developed to predict the optimal conditions to eliminate footing. Using this model, conditions are found that decrease footing of the PL, but these conditions increase undercutting in the UPL. Deformations in either the PL or UPL propagate to the other line. There exists a trade-off between LER and the footing/undercutting, that is, decreasing LER increases footing/undercutting and vice versa.

Correlations of charge neutrality level with electronic structure and p-d hybridization

PubMed Central

Das, Arkaprava; Gautam, Subodh K.; Shukla, D. K.; Singh, Fouran

2017-01-01

The formation of charge neutrality level (CNL) in highly conducting Cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films is demonstarted by the observed variation in the band gap upon annealing and doping. It may be explained by the observation that Tin (Sn) doping breaks the perfect periodicity of CdO cubic crystal structure and creates virtual gap states (ViGS). The level of local CNL resides at the branch point of ViGS, making the energy at which native defect’s character changes from predominantly donor-like below CNL to predominantly acceptor-like above the CNL and a schematic band diagram is developed to substantiate the same. Further investigations using soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (SXAS) at Oxygen and Cadmium edges show the reduction of Sn4+ to Sn2+. The analysis of the spectral features has revealed an evidence of p-d interaction between O 2p and Cd 4d orbitals that pushes the valence band minima at higher energies which is symmetry forbidden at г point and causing a positive valance band dispersion away from the zone centre in the г ~ L, K direction. Thus, origin of the CNL is attributed to the high density of the Oxygen vacancies as confirmed by the change in the local electronic structure and p-d hybridization of orbitals. PMID:28102312

Correlations of charge neutrality level with electronic structure and p-d hybridization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Arkaprava; Gautam, Subodh K.; Shukla, D. K.; Singh, Fouran

2017-01-01

The formation of charge neutrality level (CNL) in highly conducting Cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films is demonstarted by the observed variation in the band gap upon annealing and doping. It may be explained by the observation that Tin (Sn) doping breaks the perfect periodicity of CdO cubic crystal structure and creates virtual gap states (ViGS). The level of local CNL resides at the branch point of ViGS, making the energy at which native defect’s character changes from predominantly donor-like below CNL to predominantly acceptor-like above the CNL and a schematic band diagram is developed to substantiate the same. Further investigations using soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (SXAS) at Oxygen and Cadmium edges show the reduction of Sn4+ to Sn2+. The analysis of the spectral features has revealed an evidence of p-d interaction between O 2p and Cd 4d orbitals that pushes the valence band minima at higher energies which is symmetry forbidden at г point and causing a positive valance band dispersion away from the zone centre in the г ~ L, K direction. Thus, origin of the CNL is attributed to the high density of the Oxygen vacancies as confirmed by the change in the local electronic structure and p-d hybridization of orbitals.

Electrochemical lithium intercalation into Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimono, Takahiro; Kobayashi, Wataru; Nitani, Hiroaki; Kumai, Reiji; Moritomo, Yutaka

2013-04-01

We have prepared Li-intercalated LixBi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (x =0-2.0) samples by using electrochemical method, and performed synchrotron x-ray diffraction, Cu K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and magnetic susceptibility measurements. With increasing x, a- and c-lattice parameters monotonically increase, which shows lithium intercalation into Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. Accompanied by the lithium insertion, the valence of Cu ion changes from Cu2+/Cu3+ to Cu1+/Cu2+ to realize charge neutrality. This change of the valence was detected by Cu K-edge XAFS measurement. A clear increase of spectral weight that corresponds to 1s→ 4pπ(3d10L) was observed at around 8982 eV with x. The superconducting (SC) transition temperature TC significantly changes from 74 K for x = 0 to 90 K for x = 0.8, which is attributed to modified density of states by the decrease of hole concentration. A volume fraction of the superconducting phase was 1-2 % for x >= 0.6 implying phase separation where Li-rich non SC phase and Li-poor SC phase coexist. Such a phase separation is universally seen in electrode active materials.

Theoretical and experimental studies of a planar inductive coupled rf plasma source as the driver in simulator facility (ISTAPHM) of interactions of waves with the edge plasma on tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanei, V.; Nasrabadi, M. N.; Chin, O.-H.; Jayapalan, K. K.

2017-11-01

This research aims to design and build a planar inductive coupled RF plasma source device which is the driver of the simulator project (ISTAPHM) of the interactions between ICRF Antenna and Plasma on tokamak by using the AMPICP model. For this purpose, a theoretical derivation of the distribution of the RF magnetic field in the plasma-filled reactor chamber is presented. An experimental investigation of the field distributions is described and Langmuir measurements are developed numerically. A comparison of theory and experiment provides an evaluation of plasma parameters in the planar ICP reactor. The objective of this study is to characterize the plasma produced by the source alone. We present the results of the first analysis of the plasma characteristics (plasma density, electron temperature, electron-ion collision frequency, particle fluxes and their velocities, stochastic frequency, skin depth and electron energy distribution functions) as function of the operating parameters (injected power, neutral pressure and magnetic field) as measured with fixed and movable Langmuir probes. The plasma is currently produced only by the planar ICP. The exact goal of these experiments is that the produced plasma by external source can exist as a plasma representative of the edge of tokamaks.

Gyrokinetic simulation of edge blobs and divertor heat-load footprint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, C. S.; Ku, S.; Hager, R.; Churchill, M.; D'Azevedo, E.; Worley, P.

2015-11-01

Gyrokinetic study of divertor heat-load width Lq has been performed using the edge gyrokinetic code XGC1. Both neoclassical and electrostatic turbulence physics are self-consistently included in the simulation with fully nonlinear Fokker-Planck collision operation and neutral recycling. Gyrokinetic ions and drift kinetic electrons constitute the plasma in realistic magnetic separatrix geometry. The electron density fluctuations from nonlinear turbulence form blobs, as similarly seen in the experiments. DIII-D and NSTX geometries have been used to represent today's conventional and tight aspect ratio tokamaks. XGC1 shows that the ion neoclassical orbit dynamics dominates over the blob physics in setting Lq in the sample DIII-D and NSTX plasmas, re-discovering the experimentally observed 1/Ip type scaling. Magnitude of Lq is in the right ballpark, too, in comparison with experimental data. However, in an ITER standard plasma, XGC1 shows that the negligible neoclassical orbit excursion effect makes the blob dynamics to dominate Lq. Differently from Lq 1mm (when mapped back to outboard midplane) as was predicted by simple-minded extrapolation from the present-day data, XGC1 shows that Lq in ITER is about 1 cm that is somewhat smaller than the average blob size. Supported by US DOE and the INCITE program.

Compact, accurate description of diagnostic neutral beam propagation and attenuation in a high temperature plasma for charge exchange recombination spectroscopy analysis.

PubMed

Bespamyatnov, Igor O; Rowan, William L; Granetz, Robert S

2008-10-01

Charge exchange recombination spectroscopy on Alcator C-Mod relies on the use of the diagnostic neutral beam injector as a source of neutral particles which penetrate deep into the plasma. It employs the emission resulting from the interaction of the beam atoms with fully ionized impurity ions. To interpret the emission from a given point in the plasma as the density of emitting impurity ions, the density of beam atoms must be known. Here, an analysis of beam propagation is described which yields the beam density profile throughout the beam trajectory from the neutral beam injector to the core of the plasma. The analysis includes the effects of beam formation, attenuation in the neutral gas surrounding the plasma, and attenuation in the plasma. In the course of this work, a numerical simulation and an analytical approximation for beam divergence are developed. The description is made sufficiently compact to yield accurate results in a time consistent with between-shot analysis.

Satellite tori at Saturn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, J. D.; Eviatar, A.; Siscoe, G. L.

1986-01-01

The inner satellites of Saturn are icy bodies imbedded in a plasma environment in which they are continuously bombarded by energetic ions, corotating plasma, and solar radiation. Laboratory sputtering experiments indicate that this should result in the injection of substantial amounts of neutral H, H2, OH, H2O, and O2 into the magnetosphere. The atomic processes affecting these neutrals and the neutrals and ions formed from them are modeled, and the steady state neutral and ion densities expected in the plasma tori of Enceladus, Dione-Tethys, and Rhea are calculated. Comparison with observations shows that recombination can limit the Enceladus and Dione-Tethys tori to the observed densities, but that transport rates of at least 4 x 10 to the -8th Saturn radii squared/s are required to limit torus densities at Rhea to the observed values.

Pellet injection into H-mode ITER plasma with the presence of internal transport barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leekhaphan, P.; Onjun, T.

2011-04-01

The impacts of pellet injection into ITER type-1 ELMy H-mode plasma with the presence of internal transport barriers (ITBs) are investigated using self-consistent core-edge simulations of 1.5D BALDUR integrated predictive modeling code. In these simulations, the plasma core transport is predicted using a combination of a semi-empirical Mixed B/gB anomalous transport model, which can self-consistently predict the formation of ITBs, and the NCLASS neoclassical model. For simplicity, it is assumed that toroidal velocity for ω E× B calculation is proportional to local ion temperature. In addition, the boundary conditions are predicted using the pedestal temperature model based on magnetic and flow shear stabilization width scaling; while the density of each plasma species, including both hydrogenic and impurity species, at the boundary are assumed to be a large fraction of its line averaged density. For the pellet's behaviors in the hot plasma, the Neutral Gas Shielding (NGS) model by Milora-Foster is used. It was found that the injection of pellet could result in further improvement of fusion performance from that of the formation of ITB. However, the impact of pellet injection is quite complicated. It is also found that the pellets cannot penetrate into a deep core of the plasma. The injection of the pellet results in a formation of density peak in the region close to the plasma edge. The injection of pellet can result in an improved nuclear fusion performance depending on the properties of pellet (i.e., increase up to 5% with a speed of 1 km/s and radius of 2 mm). A sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the impact of pellet parameters, which are: the pellet radius, the pellet velocity, and the frequency of injection. The increase in the pellet radius and frequency were found to greatly improve the performance and effectiveness of fuelling. However, changing the velocity is observed to exert small impact.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Shu-Xia; Zhang, Yu-Ru; Research Group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp

A hybrid model is used to investigate the fragmentation of C{sub 4}F{sub 8} inductive discharges. Indeed, the resulting reactive species are crucial for the optimization of the Si-based etching process, since they determine the mechanisms of fluorination, polymerization, and sputtering. In this paper, we present the dissociation degree, the density ratio of F vs. C{sub x}F{sub y} (i.e., fluorocarbon (fc) neutrals), the neutral vs. positive ion density ratio, details on the neutral and ion components, and fractions of various fc neutrals (or ions) in the total fc neutral (or ion) density in a C{sub 4}F{sub 8} inductively coupled plasma source,more » as well as the effect of pressure and power on these results. To analyze the fragmentation behavior, the electron density and temperature and electron energy probability function (EEPF) are investigated. Moreover, the main electron-impact generation sources for all considered neutrals and ions are determined from the complicated C{sub 4}F{sub 8} reaction set used in the model. The C{sub 4}F{sub 8} plasma fragmentation is explained, taking into account many factors, such as the EEPF characteristics, the dominance of primary and secondary processes, and the thresholds of dissociation and ionization. The simulation results are compared with experiments from literature, and reasonable agreement is obtained. Some discrepancies are observed, which can probably be attributed to the simplified polymer surface kinetics assumed in the model.« less

Bulk plasma fragmentation in a C4F8 inductively coupled plasma: A hybrid modeling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Shu-Xia; Zhang, Yu-Ru; Gao, Fei; Wang, You-Nian; Bogaerts, Annemie

2015-06-01

A hybrid model is used to investigate the fragmentation of C4F8 inductive discharges. Indeed, the resulting reactive species are crucial for the optimization of the Si-based etching process, since they determine the mechanisms of fluorination, polymerization, and sputtering. In this paper, we present the dissociation degree, the density ratio of F vs. CxFy (i.e., fluorocarbon (fc) neutrals), the neutral vs. positive ion density ratio, details on the neutral and ion components, and fractions of various fc neutrals (or ions) in the total fc neutral (or ion) density in a C4F8 inductively coupled plasma source, as well as the effect of pressure and power on these results. To analyze the fragmentation behavior, the electron density and temperature and electron energy probability function (EEPF) are investigated. Moreover, the main electron-impact generation sources for all considered neutrals and ions are determined from the complicated C4F8 reaction set used in the model. The C4F8 plasma fragmentation is explained, taking into account many factors, such as the EEPF characteristics, the dominance of primary and secondary processes, and the thresholds of dissociation and ionization. The simulation results are compared with experiments from literature, and reasonable agreement is obtained. Some discrepancies are observed, which can probably be attributed to the simplified polymer surface kinetics assumed in the model.

Antarctic krill under sea ice: elevated abundance in a narrow band just south of ice edge.

PubMed

Brierley, Andrew S; Fernandes, Paul G; Brandon, Mark A; Armstrong, Frederick; Millard, Nicholas W; McPhail, Steven D; Stevenson, Peter; Pebody, Miles; Perrett, James; Squires, Mark; Bone, Douglas G; Griffiths, Gwyn

2002-03-08

We surveyed Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) under sea ice using the autonomous underwater vehicle Autosub-2. Krill were concentrated within a band under ice between 1 and 13 kilometers south of the ice edge. Within this band, krill densities were fivefold greater than that of open water. The under-ice environment has long been considered an important habitat for krill, but sampling difficulties have previously prevented direct observations under ice over the scale necessary for robust krill density estimation. Autosub-2 enabled us to make continuous high-resolution measurements of krill density under ice reaching 27 kilometers beyond the ice edge.

Tables of thermospheric temperature, density and composition derived from satellite and ground based measurements. Volume 1: Ap=4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedin, A. E.

1979-01-01

The tables contain the neutral temperature, neutral densities for N2, O2, O, Ar, He and H, mean molecular weight, and total mass density as predicted by the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter empirical thermosphere model for selected altitudes, latitudes, local times, days and other geophysical conditions. The model is based on a least squares fit to density data from mass spectrometers on five satellites and temperature data from four incoherent scatter stations, providing coverage for most of solar sunspot cycle 20. Included in the model data base are longitudinally average N3, He, and O densities from the OGO-6 mass spectrometer longitudinally average N2, He, O and Ar densities from the AEROS-A (NATE) mass spectrometer the N2, He, O, and Ar densities from the San Marco 3 mass spectrometer the N2 densities from the AE-B mass spectrometer and the N2, He, O, and Ar densities from the AE-C (OSS, NACE, NATE) mass spectrometers. The O2 and H densities are inferred using ion mass spectrometer data from AE-C (BIMS). Neutral exospheric temperature data are included from Arecibo, St. Santin, Millstone Hill and Jicamarca.

Center for the Study of Plasma Microturbulence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parker, Scott E.

We have discovered a possible "natural fueling" mechanism in tokamak fusion reactors using large scale gyrokinetic turbulence simulation. In the presence of a heat flux dominated tokamak plasma, cold ions naturally pinch radially inward. If cold DT fuel is introduced near the edge using shallow pellet injection, the cold fuel will pinch inward, at the expense of hot helium ash going radially outward. By adjusting the cold DT fuel concentration, the core DT density profiles can be maintained. We have also shown that cold source ions from edge recycling of cold neutrals are pinched radially inward. This mechanism may bemore » important for fully understanding the edge pedestal buildup after an ELM crash. Work includes benchmarking the gyrokinetic turbulence codes in the electromagnetic regime. This includes cyclone base case parameters with an increasing plasma beta. The code comparisons include GEM, GYRO and GENE. There is good linear agreement between the codes using the Cyclone base case, but including electromagnetics and scanning the plasma beta. All the codes have difficulty achieving nonlinear saturation as the kinetic ballooning limit is approached. GEM does not saturate well when beta gets above about 1/2 of the ideal ballooning limit. We find that the lack of saturation is due to the long wavelength k{sub y} modes being nonlinearly pumped to high levels. If the fundamental k{sub y} mode is zeroed out, higher values of beta nonlinearly saturate well. Additionally, there have been studies to better understand CTEM nonlinear saturation and the importance of zonal flows. We have continued our investigation of trapped electron mode (TEM) turbulence. More recently, we have focused on the nonlinear saturation of TEM turbulence. An important feature of TEM is that in many parameter regimes, the zonal flow is unimportant. We find that when zonal flows are unimportant, zonal density is the dominant saturation mechanism. We developed a simple theory that agrees with the simulation and predicts zonal density generation and feedback stabilization of the most unstable mode even in the absence of zonal flow. We are using GEM to simulate NSTX discharges. We have also done verification and validation on DIII-D. Good agreement with GYRO and DIII-D flux levels were reported in the core region.« less

Processing of Swarm Accelerometer Data into Thermospheric Neutral Densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doornbos, E.; Siemes, C.; Encarnacao, J.; Peřestý, R.; Grunwaldt, L.; Kraus, J.; Holmdahl Olsen, P. E.; van den IJssel, J.; Flury, J.; Apelbaum, G.

2015-12-01

The Swarm satellites were launched on 22 November 2013 and carry accelerometers and GPS receivers as part of their scientific payload. The GPS receivers are not only used for locating the position and time of the magnetic measurements, but also for determining non-gravitational forces like drag and radiation pressure acting on the spacecraft. The accelerometers measure these forces directly, at much finer resolution than the GPS receivers, from which thermospheric neutral densities and potentially winds can be derived. Unfortunately, the acceleration measurements suffer from a variety of disturbances, the most prominent being slow temperature-induced bias variations and sudden bias changes. These disturbances have caused a significant delay of the accelerometer data release. In this presentation, we describe the new three-stage processing that is required for transforming the disturbed acceleration measurements into scientifically valuable thermospheric neutral densities. In the first stage, the sudden bias changes in the acceleration measurements are removed using a dedicated software tool. The second stage is the calibration of the accelerometer measurements against the non-gravitational accelerations derived from the GPS receiver, which includes the correction for the slow temperature-induced bias variations. The third stage consists of transforming the corrected and calibrated accelerations into thermospheric neutral densities. We describe the methods used in each stage, highlight the difficulties encountered, and comment on the quality of the thermospheric neutral density data set, which covers the geomagnetic storm on 17 March 2015.

Photoemission and Photoabsorption Investigation of the Electronic Structure of Ytterbium Doped Strontium Fluoroapatite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nelson, A J; van Buuren, T; Bostedt, C

X-ray photoemission and x-ray photoabsorption were used to study the composition and the electronic structure of ytterbium doped strontium fluoroapatite (Yb:S-FAP). High resolution photoemission measurements on the valence band electronic structure was used to evaluate the density of occupied states of this fluoroapatite. Element specific density of unoccupied electronic states in Yb:S-FAP were probed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Yb 4d (N{sub 4,5}-edge), Sr 3d (M{sub 4,5}-edge), P 2p (L{sub 2,3}-edge), F 1s and O 1s (K-edges) absorption edges. These results provide the first measurements of the electronic structure and surface chemistry of this material.

MODEL-OBSERVATION COMPARISONS OF ELECTRON NUMBER DENSITIES IN THE COMA OF 67P/CHURYUMOV–GERASIMENKO DURING 2015 JANUARY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vigren, E.; Edberg, N. J. T.; Eriksson, A. I.

2016-09-01

During 2015 January 9–11, at a heliocentric distance of ∼2.58–2.57 au, the ESA Rosetta spacecraft resided at a cometocentric distance of ∼28 km from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, sweeping the terminator at northern latitudes of 43°N–58°N. Measurements by the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis/Comet Pressure Sensor (ROSINA/COPS) provided neutral number densities. We have computed modeled electron number densities using the neutral number densities as input into a Field Free Chemistry Free model, assuming H{sub 2}O dominance and ion-electron pair formation by photoionization only. A good agreement (typically within 25%) is found between the modeled electron numbermore » densities and those observed from measurements by the Mutual Impedance Probe (RPC/MIP) and the Langmuir Probe (RPC/LAP), both being subsystems of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium. This indicates that ions along the nucleus-spacecraft line were strongly coupled to the neutrals, moving radially outward with about the same speed. Such a statement, we propose, can be further tested by observations of H{sub 3}O{sup +}/H{sub 2}O{sup +} number density ratios and associated comparisons with model results.« less

Theoretical study of chlordecone and surface groups interaction in an activated carbon model under acidic and neutral conditions.

PubMed

Gamboa-Carballo, Juan José; Melchor-Rodríguez, Kenia; Hernández-Valdés, Daniel; Enriquez-Victorero, Carlos; Montero-Alejo, Ana Lilian; Gaspard, Sarra; Jáuregui-Haza, Ulises Javier

2016-04-01

Activated carbons (ACs) are widely used in the purification of drinking water without almost any knowledge about the adsorption mechanisms of the persistent organic pollutants. Chlordecone (CLD, Kepone) is an organochlorinated synthetic compound that has been used mainly as agricultural insecticide. CLD has been identified and listed as a persistent organic pollutant by the Stockholm Convention. The selection of the best suited AC for this type of contaminants is mainly an empirical and costly process. A theoretical study of the influence of AC surface groups (SGs) on CLD adsorption is done in order to help understanding the process. This may provide a first selection criteria for the preparation of AC with suitable surface properties. A model of AC consisting of a seven membered ring graphene sheet (coronene) with a functional group on the edge was used to evaluate the influence of the SGs over the adsorption. Multiple Minima Hypersurface methodology (MMH) coupled with PM7 semiempirical Hamiltonian was employed in order to study the interactions of the chlordecone with SGs (hydroxyl and carboxyl) at acidic and neutral pH and different hydration conditions. Selected structures were re-optimized using CAM-B3LYP to achieve a well-defined electron density to characterize the interactions by the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules approach. The deprotonated form of surface carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of AC models show the strongest interactions, suggesting a chemical adsorption. An increase in carboxylic SGs content is proposed to enhance CLD adsorption onto AC at neutral pH conditions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Induced Superconductivity in the Quantum Spin Hall Edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Hechen; Hart, Sean; Wagner, Timo; Leubner, Philipp; Muehlbauer, Mathias; Bruene, Christoph; Buhmann, Hartmut; Molenkamp, Laurens; Yacoby, Amir

2014-03-01

Two-dimensional topological insulators have a gapped bulk and helical edge states, making it a quantum spin Hall insulator. Combining such edge states with superconductivity can be an excellent platform for observing and manipulating localized Majorana fermions. In the context of condensed matter, these are emergent electronic states that obey non-Abelian statistics and hence support fault-tolerant quantum computing. To realize such theoretical constructions, an essential step is to show these edge channels are capable of carrying coherent supercurrent. In our experiment, we fabricate Josephson junctions with HgTe/HgCdTe quantum wells, a two-dimensional material that becomes a quantum spin Hall insulator when the quantum well is thicker than 6.3 nm and the bulk density is depleted. In this regime, we observe supercurrents whose densities are confined to the edges of the junctions, with edge widths ranging from 180 nm to 408 nm. To verify the topological nature of these edges, we measure identical junctions with HgTe/HgCdTe quantum wells thinner than 6.3 nm and observe only uniform supercurrent density across the junctions. This research is supported by Microsoft Corporation Project Q, the NSF DMR-1206016, the DOE SCGF Program, the German Research Foundation, and EU ERC-AG program.

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE PAGES

Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.; ...

2014-08-05

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Xi, E-mail: chenxi@fusion.gat.com; Heidbrink, W. W.; Van Zeeland, M. A.

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of (1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge and (2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g., Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally imposed 3D fields, e.g., magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. In addition, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Sensitivity of the 6300 A twilight airglow to neutral composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melendez-Alvira, D. J.; Torr, D. G.; Richards, P. G.; Swift, W. R.; Torr, M. R.; Baldridge, T.; Rassoul, H.

1995-01-01

The field line interhemispheric plasma (FLIP) model is used to study the 6300 A line intensity measured during three morning twilights from the McDonald Observatory in Texas. The Imaging Spectrometric Observatory (ISO) measured the 6300 A intensity during the winter of 1987 and the spring and summer of 1988. The FLIP model reproduces the measured intensity and its variation through the twilight well on each day using neutral densities from the MSIS-86 empirical model. This is in spite of the fact that different component sources dominate the integrated volume emission rate on each of the days analyzed. The sensitivity of the intensity to neutral composition is computed by varying the N2, O2, and O densities in the FLIP model and comparing to the intensity computed with the unmodified MSIS-86 densities. The ion densities change self-consistently. Thus the change in neutral composition also changes the electron density. The F2 peak height is unchanged in the model runs for a given day. The intensity changes near 100 deg SZA are comparable to within 10% when either (O2), (N2), or (O) is changed, regardless of which component source is dominant. There is strong sensitivity to changes in (N2) when dissociative recombination is dominant, virtually no change in the nighttime (SZA greater than or equal to 108 deg) intensity with (O2) doubled, and sensitivity of over 50% to doubling or halving (O) at night. When excitation by conjugate photoelectrons is the dominant nighttime component source, the relative intensity change with (O) doubled or halved is very small. This study shows the strong need for simultaneous measurements of electron density and of emissions proportional to photoelectron fluxes if the 6300 A twilight airglow is to be used to retrieve neutral densities.

Measurement of electron temperature and density of the edge plasma of JET by ECE and microwave reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlett, D. V.; Costley, A. E.; Porte, L.; Prentice, R.; Salmon, N. A.; Sips, G.

1990-12-01

The potential of electron cyclotron emission and microwave reflectometry as techniques for measuring the electron temperature and density in the edge region of tokamak plasmas is investigated. Experiments to realize this potential on JET are described and some illustrative results presented.

Modelling injection rates of PUIs from photoionization using kinetic simulations of interstellar neutrals traversing the heliosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keilbach, D.; Drews, C.; Taut, A.; Wimmer-Schweingruber, R. F.

2016-12-01

Recent studies of the inflow direction of the local insterstellar medium from PUI density distributions have shown that the extrema of the longitudinal distribution of PUI velocities (with respect to the solar wind speed) can be attributed to the radial velocity of the interstellar neutral seed population and is symmetric around the inflow direction of the local interstellar medium. This work is aimed to model pickup ion injection rates from photoionization (which is the main process of interstellar PUI production) throughout the heliosphere. To that end a seed population of interstellar neutrals is injected into a model heliosphere at 60 AU distance from the sun, whereas each particle's initial speed is given by a maxwellian distribution at a temperature of 1 eV and an inflow speed of 22 km/s. Then the density of the interstellar neutrals is integrated over the model heliosphere, while the movement of the neutrals is simulated using timestep methods. To model the focusing of the interstellar neutral trajectories from the sun's gravitational potential the model heliosphere contains a central gravitational potential.Each neutral test particle can be ionized via photoionization with a per-timestep probability antiproportional to the neutral's distance to the sun squared. By tracking the ionization rate location-dependently, PUI injection rates have been determined. Therefore using these simulations the density distributions of different species of interstellar neutrals have been calculated. In addition location-dependent injection rates of different species of PUIs have been calculated, which show an increased rate of PUI production in the focusing cone region (e.g. for He+ PUIs), but also in the crescent region (e.g. for O+ PUIs).Furthermore the longitudinal distribution of the neutrals' velocity at 1 AU is calculated from the simulation's results in order to estimate the PUI cut-off as a function of ecliptic longitude. Figure: Simulated He neutral density (left) and simulated He PUI production rates from photoionization (right). The sun is located at 0 AU at both x-and y-axes.

Magnetically operated beam dump for dumping high power beams in a neutral beamline

DOEpatents

Dagenhart, W.K.

1984-01-27

It is an object of this invention to provide a beam dump system for a neutral beam generator which lowers the time-averaged power density of the beam dump impingement surface. Another object of this invention is to provide a beam dump system for a neutral particle beam based on reionization and subsequent magnetic beam position modulation of the beam onto a beam dump surface to lower the time-averaged power density of the beam dump ion impingement surface.

Deleterious mutations can surf to high densities on the wave front of an expanding population.

PubMed

Travis, Justin M J; Münkemüller, Tamara; Burton, Olivia J; Best, Alex; Dytham, Calvin; Johst, Karin

2007-10-01

There is an increasing recognition that evolutionary processes play a key role in determining the dynamics of range expansion. Recent work demonstrates that neutral mutations arising near the edge of a range expansion sometimes surf on the expanding front leading them rather than that leads to reach much greater spatial distribution and frequency than expected in stationary populations. Here, we extend this work and examine the surfing behavior of nonneutral mutations. Using an individual-based coupled-map lattice model, we confirm that, regardless of its fitness effects, the probability of survival of a new mutation depends strongly upon where it arises in relation to the expanding wave front. We demonstrate that the surfing effect can lead to deleterious mutations reaching high densities at an expanding front, even when they have substantial negative effects on fitness. Additionally, we highlight that this surfing phenomenon can occur for mutations that impact reproductive rate (i.e., number of offspring produced) as well as mutations that modify juvenile competitive ability. We suggest that these effects are likely to have important consequences for rates of spread and the evolution of spatially expanding populations.

Supercurrent and multiple Andreev reflections in micrometer-long ballistic graphene Josephson junctions.

PubMed

Zhu, Mengjian; Ben Shalom, Moshe; Mishchsenko, Artem; Fal'ko, Vladimir; Novoselov, Kostya; Geim, Andre

2018-02-08

Ballistic Josephson junctions are predicted to support a number of exotic physics processess, providing an ideal system to inject the supercurrent in the quantum Hall regime. Herein, we demonstrate electrical transport measurements on ballistic superconductor-graphene-superconductor junctions by contacting graphene to niobium with a junction length up to 1.5 μm. Hexagonal boron nitride encapsulation and one-dimensional edge contacts guarantee high-quality graphene Josephson junctions with a mean free path of several micrometers and record-low contact resistance. Transports in normal states including the observation of Fabry-Pérot oscillations and Sharvin resistance conclusively witness the ballistic propagation in the junctions. The critical current density J C is over one order of magnitude larger than that of the previously reported junctions. Away from the charge neutrality point, the I C R N product (I C is the critical current and R N the normal state resistance of junction) is nearly a constant, independent of carrier density n, which agrees well with the theory for ballistic Josephson junctions. Multiple Andreev reflections up to the third order are observed for the first time by measuring the differential resistance in the micrometer-long ballistic graphene Josephson junctions.

Tuning electronic properties in graphene quantum dots by chemical functionalization: Density functional theory calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelsalam, Hazem; Elhaes, Hanan; Ibrahim, Medhat A.

2018-03-01

The energy gap and dipole moment of chemically functionalized graphene quantum dots are investigated by density functional theory. The energy gap can be tuned through edge passivation by different elements or groups. Edge passivation by oxygen considerably decreases the energy gap in hexagonal nanodots. Edge states in triangular quantum dots can also be manipulated by passivation with fluorine. The dipole moment depends on: (a) shape and edge termination of the quantum dot, (b) attached group, and (c) position to which the groups are attached. Depending on the position of attached groups, the total dipole can be increased, decreased, or eliminated.

Monte Carlo Simulations of Electron Energy-Loss Spectra with the Addition of Fine Structure from Density Functional Theory Calculations.

PubMed

Attarian Shandiz, Mohammad; Guinel, Maxime J-F; Ahmadi, Majid; Gauvin, Raynald

2016-02-01

A new approach is presented to introduce the fine structure of core-loss excitations into the electron energy-loss spectra of ionization edges by Monte Carlo simulations based on an optical oscillator model. The optical oscillator strength is refined using the calculated electron energy-loss near-edge structure by density functional theory calculations. This approach can predict the effects of multiple scattering and thickness on the fine structure of ionization edges. In addition, effects of the fitting range for background removal and the integration range under the ionization edge on signal-to-noise ratio are investigated.

Influence of a falling edge on high power microwave pulse combination

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Jiawei; Huang, Wenhua; Science and Technology on High Power Microwave Laboratory, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an 710024

This paper presents an explanation of the influence of a microwave falling edge on high-power microwave pulse combination. Through particle-in-cell simulations, we discover that the falling edge is the driving factor that limits the output power of the combined pulses. We demonstrate that the space charge field, which accumulates to become comparable to the E-field at the falling edge of the former pulse, will trap the electrons in the gas layer and decrease its energy to attain a high ionization rate. Hence, avalanche discharge, caused by trapped electrons, makes the plasma density to approach the critical density and cuts offmore » the latter microwave pulse. An X-band combination experiment is conducted with different pulse intervals. This experiment confirms that the high density plasma induced by the falling edge can cut off the latter pulse, and that the time required for plasma recombination in the transmission channel is several microseconds. To ensure a high output power for combined pulses, the latter pulse should be moved ahead of the falling edge of the former one, and consequently, a beat wave with high peak power becomes the output by adding two pulses with normal amplitudes.« less

Influence of a falling edge on high power microwave pulse combination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiawei; Huang, Wenhua; Zhu, Qi; Xiao, Renzhen; Shao, Hao

2016-07-01

This paper presents an explanation of the influence of a microwave falling edge on high-power microwave pulse combination. Through particle-in-cell simulations, we discover that the falling edge is the driving factor that limits the output power of the combined pulses. We demonstrate that the space charge field, which accumulates to become comparable to the E-field at the falling edge of the former pulse, will trap the electrons in the gas layer and decrease its energy to attain a high ionization rate. Hence, avalanche discharge, caused by trapped electrons, makes the plasma density to approach the critical density and cuts off the latter microwave pulse. An X-band combination experiment is conducted with different pulse intervals. This experiment confirms that the high density plasma induced by the falling edge can cut off the latter pulse, and that the time required for plasma recombination in the transmission channel is several microseconds. To ensure a high output power for combined pulses, the latter pulse should be moved ahead of the falling edge of the former one, and consequently, a beat wave with high peak power becomes the output by adding two pulses with normal amplitudes.

High-Energy Emissions Induced by Air Density Fluctuations of Discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köhn, C.; Chanrion, O.; Neubert, T.

2018-05-01

Bursts of X-rays and γ-rays are observed from lightning and laboratory sparks. They are bremsstrahlung from energetic electrons interacting with neutral air molecules, but it is still unclear how the electrons achieve the required energies. It has been proposed that the enhanced electric field of streamers, found in the corona of leader tips, may account for the acceleration; however, their efficiency is questioned because of the relatively low production rate found in simulations. Here we emphasize that streamers usually are simulated with the assumption of homogeneous gas, which may not be the case on the small temporal and spatial scales of discharges. Since the streamer properties strongly depend on the reduced electric field E/n, where n is the neutral number density, fluctuations may potentially have a significant effect. To explore what might be expected if the assumption of homogeneity is relaxed, we conducted simple numerical experiments based on simulations of streamers in a neutral gas with a radial gradient in the neutral density, assumed to be created, for instance, by a previous spark. We also studied the effects of background electron density from previous discharges. We find that X-radiation and γ-radiation are enhanced when the on-axis air density is reduced by more than ˜25%. Pre-ionization tends to reduce the streamer field and thereby the production rate of high-energy electrons; however, the reduction is modest. The simulations suggest that fluctuations in the neutral densities, on the temporal and spacial scales of streamers, may be important for electron acceleration and bremsstrahlung radiation.

Neutral and Plasma Sources in the Saturn's Magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurac, S.; Johnson, R. E.

1999-05-01

The heavy ion plasma in Saturnian inner magnetosphere is derived from the icy satellites and ring particles imbedded in the plasma. Recent Hubble Space Telescope measurements of the densities of neutral OH molecules which co-exist with and are precursors of the plasma ions have constrained models for the plasma sources. Richardson et al (1998) considered all existing HST observations and derived water-like neutral densities and estimated required sources to maintain equilibrium. Their neutral densities show maximum close to Enceladus (where the E-ring density peaks) and their total neutral source rate needed to maintain neutrals in steady state is for an order of magnitude larger than source rate given by Shi et al (1995). We model the sputtering of water-ice using the recently developed Monte-Carlo collisional transport code, and calculate neutral supply rates from sputtering of Enceladus and the E-ring. This collisional code, used previously to evaluate sputtering from the interstellar grains (Jurac et al, 1998) is modified to include electronic processes relevant to water-ice sputtering, and then applied to the E-ring grains. It is shown that the grain erosion rate increases substantially when the ion penetration depth becomes comparable to the grain radius. The sputtering and collection rates for plasma ions and neutrals are evaluated and it is shown that the E-ring might be the dominant source of water-like neutrals in the Saturnian magnetosphere. We also describe competition between grain growth and erosion and discuss implications to the existing E-ring evolutionary models. References: Jurac S., R. E. Johnson, B. Donn; Astroph. J. 503, 247, 1998 Richardson, J. D., A. Eviatar, M. A. McGrath, V. M. Vasyliunas; J. Geophys. Res., 103, 20245, 1998 Shi, M., R.A. Baragiola, D.E. Grosjean, R.E. Johnson, S. Jurac and J. Schou; J. Geophys. Res., 100, 26387, 1995.

Measurement of He neutral temperature in detached plasmas using laser absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aramaki, M.; Tsujihara, T.; Kajita, S.; Tanaka, H.; Ohno, N.

2018-01-01

The reduction of the heat load onto plasma-facing components by plasma detachment is an inevitable scheme in future nuclear fusion reactors. Since the control of the plasma and neutral temperatures is a key issue to the detached plasma generation, we have developed a laser absorption spectroscopy system for the metastable helium temperature measurements and used together with a previously developed laser Thomson scattering system for the electron temperature and density measurements. The thermal relaxation process between the neutral and the electron in the detached plasma generated in the linear plasma device, NAGDIS-II was studied. It is shown that the electron temperature gets close to the neutral temperature by increasing the electron density. On the other hand, the pressure dependence of electron and neutral temperatures shows the cooling effect by the neutrals. The possibility of the plasma fluctuation measurement using the fluctuation in the absorption signal is also shown.

Electronic Structures of Silicene Nanoribbons: Two-Edge-Chemistry Modification and First-Principles Study.

PubMed

Yao, Yin; Liu, Anping; Bai, Jianhui; Zhang, Xuanmei; Wang, Rui

2016-12-01

In this paper, we investigate the structural and electronic properties of zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs) with edge-chemistry modified by H, F, OH, and O, using the ab initio density functional theory method and local spin-density approximation. Three kinds of spin polarized configurations are considered: nonspin polarization (NM), ferromagnetic spin coupling for all electrons (FM), ferromagnetic ordering along each edge, and antiparallel spin orientation between the two edges (AFM). The H, F, and OH groups modified 8-ZSiNRs have the AFM ground state. The directly edge oxidized (O1) ZSiNRs yield the same energy and band structure for NM, FM, and AFM configurations, owning to the same s p (2) hybridization. And replacing the Si atoms on the two edges with O atoms (O2) yields FM ground state. The edge-chemistry-modified ZSiNRs all exhibit metallic band structures. And the modifications introduce special edge state strongly localized at the Si atoms in the edge, except for the O1 form. The modification of the zigzag edges of silicene nanoribbons is a key issue to apply the silicene into the field effect transistors (FETs) and gives more necessity to better understand the experimental findings.

Dislocation density evolution in the process of high-temperature treatment and creep of EK-181 steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vershinina, Tatyana, E-mail: vershinina@bsu.edu.ru

2017-03-15

X-ray diffraction has been used to study the dislocation structure in ferrite-martensite high-chromium steel EK-181 in the states after heat treatment and high-temperature creep. The influence of heat treatment and stress on evolution of lath martensite structure was investigated by and electron back-scattered diffraction. The effect of nitrogen content on the total dislocation density, fraction of edge and screw dislocation segments are analyzed. - Highlights: •Fraction of edge dislocation in quenched state depends on nitrogen concentration. •Nitrogen affects the character of dislocation structure evolution during annealing. •Edge dislocations fraction influences on dislocation density after aging and creep.

Evaluation of ITER MSE Viewing Optics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Allen, S; Lerner, S; Morris, K

2007-03-26

The Motional Stark Effect (MSE) diagnostic on ITER determines the local plasma current density by measuring the polarization angle of light resulting from the interaction of a high energy neutral heating beam and the tokamak plasma. This light signal has to be transmitted from the edge and core of the plasma to a polarization analyzer located in the port plug. The optical system should either preserve the polarization information, or it should be possible to reliably calibrate any changes induced by the optics. This LLNL Work for Others project for the US ITER Project Office (USIPO) is focused on themore » design of the viewing optics for both the edge and core MSE systems. Several design constraints were considered, including: image quality, lack of polarization aberrations, ease of construction and cost of mirrors, neutron shielding, and geometric layout in the equatorial port plugs. The edge MSE optics are located in ITER equatorial port 3 and view Heating Beam 5, and the core system is located in equatorial port 1 viewing heating beam 4. The current work is an extension of previous preliminary design work completed by the ITER central team (ITER resources were not available to complete a detailed optimization of this system, and then the MSE was assigned to the US). The optimization of the optical systems at this level was done with the ZEMAX optical ray tracing code. The final LLNL designs decreased the ''blur'' in the optical system by nearly an order of magnitude, and the polarization blur was reduced by a factor of 3. The mirror sizes were reduced with an estimated cost savings of a factor of 3. The throughput of the system was greater than or equal to the previous ITER design. It was found that optical ray tracing was necessary to accurately measure the throughput. Metal mirrors, while they can introduce polarization aberrations, were used close to the plasma because of the anticipated high heat, particle, and neutron loads. These mirrors formed an intermediate image that then was relayed out of the port plug with more ideal (dielectric) mirrors. Engineering models of the optics, port plug, and neutral beam geometry were also created, using the CATIA ITER models. Two video conference calls with the USIPO provided valuable design guidelines, such as the minimum distance of the first optic from the plasma. A second focus of the project was the calibration of the system. Several different techniques are proposed, both before and during plasma operation. Fixed and rotatable polarizers would be used to characterize the system in the no-plasma case. Obtaining the full modulation spectrum from the polarization analyzer allows measurement of polarization effects and also MHD plasma phenomena. Light from neutral beam interaction with deuterium gas (no plasma) has been found useful to determine the wavelength of each spatial channel. The status of the optical design for the edge (upper) and core (lower) systems is included in the following figure. Several issues should be addressed by a follow-on study, including whether the optical labyrinth has sufficient neutron shielding and a detailed polarization characterization of actual mirrors.« less

Assimilation of thermospheric measurements for ionosphere-thermosphere state estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miladinovich, Daniel S.; Datta-Barua, Seebany; Bust, Gary S.; Makela, Jonathan J.

2016-12-01

We develop a method that uses data assimilation to estimate ionospheric-thermospheric (IT) states during midlatitude nighttime storm conditions. The algorithm Estimating Model Parameters from Ionospheric Reverse Engineering (EMPIRE) uses time-varying electron densities in the F region, derived primarily from total electron content data, to estimate two drivers of the IT: neutral winds and electric potential. A Kalman filter is used to update background models based on ingested plasma densities and neutral wind measurements. This is the first time a Kalman filtering technique is used with the EMPIRE algorithm and the first time neutral wind measurements from 630.0 nm Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) are ingested to improve estimates of storm time ion drifts and neutral winds. The effects of assimilating remotely sensed neutral winds from FPI observations are studied by comparing results of ingesting: electron densities (N) only, N plus half the measurements from a single FPI, and then N plus all of the FPI data. While estimates of ion drifts and neutral winds based on N give estimates similar to the background models, this study's results show that ingestion of the FPI data can significantly change neutral wind and ion drift estimation away from background models. In particular, once neutral winds are ingested, estimated neutral winds agree more with validation wind data, and estimated ion drifts in the magnetic field-parallel direction are more sensitive to ingestion than the field-perpendicular zonal and meridional directions. Also, data assimilation with FPI measurements helps provide insight into the effects of contamination on 630.0 nm emissions experienced during geomagnetic storms.

Nekton density patterns and hurricane recovery in submerged aquatic vegetation, and along non-vegetated natural and created edge habitats

USGS Publications Warehouse

La Peyre, M.K.; Gordon, J.

2012-01-01

We compared nekton habitat value of submerged aquatic vegetation, flooded non-vegetated natural and man-made edge habitats in mesohaline interior marsh areas in southwest Louisiana using a 1-m 2 throw trap and 3-mm bag seine. When present, SAV habitats supported close to 4 times greater densities and higher species richness of nekton as compared to either natural or man-made edge habitats, which supported similar densities to one another. Three species of concern (bayou killifish, diamond killifish, chain pipefish) were targeted in the analysis, and two of the three were collected almost entirely in SAV habitat. During the course of the study, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav passed directly over the study sites in September 2008. Subsequent analyses indicated significant reductions in resident nekton density 1-mo post hurricanes, and only limited recovery 13-mo post-hurricane. Possible alteration of environmental characteristics such as scouring of SAV habitat, deposition of sediment over SAV, edge erosion and marsh loss, and extended high salinities may explain these lasting impacts. ?? 2011.

Structure-driven turbulence in ``No man's Land''

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosuga, Yusuke; Diamond, Patrick

2012-10-01

Structures are often observed in many physical systems. In tokamaks, for example, such structures are observed as density blobs and holes. Such density blobs and holes are generated at the tokamak edge, where strong gradient perturbations generate an outgoing blob and an incoming hole. Since density holes can propagate from the edge to the core, such structures may play an important role in understanding the phenomenology of the edge-core coupling region, so-called ``No Man's Land.'' In this work, we discuss the dynamics of such structures in real space. In particular, we consider the dynamics of density blobs and holes in the Hasegawa-Wakatani system. Specific questions addressed here include: i) how these structures extract free energy and enhance transport? how different is the relaxation driven by such structures from that driven by linear drift waves? ii) how these structures interact with shear flows? In particular, how these structures interact with a shear layer, which can absorb structures resonantly? iii) how can we calculate the coupled evolution of structures and shear flows? Implications for edge-core coupling problem are discussed as well.

Plasma Irregularities on the Leading and Trailing Edges of Polar Cap Patches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamarche, L. J.; Varney, R. H.; Gillies, R.; Chartier, A.; Mitchell, C. N.

2017-12-01

Plasma irregularities in the polar cap have often been attributed to the gradient drift instability (GDI). Traditional fluid theories of GDI predicts irregularity growth only on the trailing edge of polar patches, where the plasma density gradient is parallel to the plasma drift velocity, however many observations show irregularities also form on the leading edge of patches. We consider decameter-scale irregularities detected by polar-latitude SuperDARN (Super Dual Auroral Radar Network) radars with any relationship between the background density gradients and drift velocity. Global electron density from the Multi-Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS), a GPS tomography routine, is used to provide context for where irregularities are observed relative to polar patches and finer-scale background density gradients are found from 3D imaging from both the North and Canada faces of the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radars (RISR-N and RISR-C) jointly. Shear-based instabilities are considered as mechanisms by which plasma irregularities could form on the leading edge of patches. Theoretical predictions of instability growth from both GDI and shear instabilities are compared with irregularity observations for the October 13, 2016 storm.

Influence of soil pathogens on early regeneration success of tropical trees varies between forest edge and interior.

PubMed

Krishnadas, Meghna; Comita, Liza S

2018-01-01

Soil fungi are key mediators of negative density-dependent mortality in seeds and seedlings, and the ability to withstand pathogens in the shaded understory of closed-canopy forests could reinforce light gradient partitioning by tree species. For four species of tropical rainforest trees-two shade-tolerant and two shade-intolerant-we conducted a field experiment to examine the interactive effects of fungal pathogens, light, and seed density on germination and early seedling establishment. In a fully factorial design, seeds were sown into 1 m 2 plots containing soil collected from underneath conspecific adult trees, with plots assigned to forest edge (high light) or shaded understory, high or low density, and fungicide or no fungicide application. We monitored total seed germination and final seedling survival over 15 weeks. Shade-intolerant species were strongly constrained by light; their seedlings survived only at the edge. Fungicide application significantly improved seedling emergence and/or survival for three of the four focal species. There were no significant interactions between fungicide and seed density, suggesting that pathogen spread with increased aggregation of seeds and seedlings did not contribute to pathogen-mediated mortality. Two species experienced significant edge-fungicide interactions, but fungicide effects in edge vs. interior forest varied with species and recruitment stage. Our results suggest that changes to plant-pathogen interactions could affect plant recruitment in human-impacted forests subject to fragmentation and edge-effects.

Development of a 1-m plasma source for heavy ion beam charge neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, Philip C.; Gilson, Erik P.; Grisham, Larry; Davidson, Ronald C.; Yu, Simon; Waldron, William; Grant Logan, B.

2005-05-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being employed as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus to a small spot size. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1-100 times the ion beam density and at a length ˜0.1-1 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. A radio frequency (RF) source was constructed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in support of the joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization. Pulsing the source enabled operation at pressures ˜10 -6 Torr with plasma densities of 10 11 cm -3. Near 100% ionization was achieved. The plasma was 10 cm in length, but future experiments require a source 1 m long. The RF source does not easily scale to the length. Consequently, large-volume plasma sources based upon ferroelectric ceramics are being considered. These sources have the advantage of being able to increase the length of the plasma and operate at low neutral pressures. The source will utilize the ferroelectric ceramic BaTiO 3 to form metal plasma. A 1 m long section of the drift tube inner surface of NTX will be covered with ceramic. A high voltage (˜1-5 kV) is applied between the drift tube and the front surface of the ceramic by placing a wire grid on the front surface. Plasma densities of 10 12 cm -3 and neutral pressures ˜10 -6 Torr are expected. A test stand to produce 20 cm long plasma is being constructed and will be tested before a 1 m long source is developed.

Comparison of accelerometer data calibration methods used in thermospheric neutral density estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vielberg, Kristin; Forootan, Ehsan; Lück, Christina; Löcher, Anno; Kusche, Jürgen; Börger, Klaus

2018-05-01

Ultra-sensitive space-borne accelerometers on board of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are used to measure non-gravitational forces acting on the surface of these satellites. These forces consist of the Earth radiation pressure, the solar radiation pressure and the atmospheric drag, where the first two are caused by the radiation emitted from the Earth and the Sun, respectively, and the latter is related to the thermospheric density. On-board accelerometer measurements contain systematic errors, which need to be mitigated by applying a calibration before their use in gravity recovery or thermospheric neutral density estimations. Therefore, we improve, apply and compare three calibration procedures: (1) a multi-step numerical estimation approach, which is based on the numerical differentiation of the kinematic orbits of LEO satellites; (2) a calibration of accelerometer observations within the dynamic precise orbit determination procedure and (3) a comparison of observed to modeled forces acting on the surface of LEO satellites. Here, accelerometer measurements obtained by the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) are used. Time series of bias and scale factor derived from the three calibration procedures are found to be different in timescales of a few days to months. Results are more similar (statistically significant) when considering longer timescales, from which the results of approach (1) and (2) show better agreement to those of approach (3) during medium and high solar activity. Calibrated accelerometer observations are then applied to estimate thermospheric neutral densities. Differences between accelerometer-based density estimations and those from empirical neutral density models, e.g., NRLMSISE-00, are observed to be significant during quiet periods, on average 22 % of the simulated densities (during low solar activity), and up to 28 % during high solar activity. Therefore, daily corrections are estimated for neutral densities derived from NRLMSISE-00. Our results indicate that these corrections improve model-based density simulations in order to provide density estimates at locations outside the vicinity of the GRACE satellites, in particular during the period of high solar/magnetic activity, e.g., during the St. Patrick's Day storm on 17 March 2015.

Implementation of the new multichannel X-mode edge density profile reflectometer for the ICRF antenna on ASDEX Upgrade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aguiam, D. E., E-mail: daguiam@ipfn.tecnico.ulisboa.pt; Silva, A.; Carvalho, P. J.

A new multichannel frequency modulated continuous-wave reflectometry diagnostic has been successfully installed and commissioned on ASDEX Upgrade to measure the plasma edge electron density profile evolution in front of the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) antenna. The design of the new three-strap ICRF antenna integrates ten pairs (sending and receiving) of microwave reflectometry antennas. The multichannel reflectometer can use three of these to measure the edge electron density profiles up to 2 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3}, at different poloidal locations, allowing the direct study of the local plasma layers in front of the ICRF antenna. ICRF power coupling,more » operational effects, and poloidal variations of the plasma density profile can be consistently studied for the first time. In this work the diagnostic hardware architecture is described and the obtained density profile measurements were used to track outer radial plasma position and plasma shape.« less

Mapping the conduction band edge density of states of γ-In2Se3 by diffuse reflectance spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Pradeep; Vedeshwar, Agnikumar G.

2018-03-01

It is demonstrated that the measured diffuse reflectance spectra of γ-In2Se3 can be used to map the conduction band edge density of states through Kubelka-Munk analysis. The Kubelka-Munk function derived from the measured spectra almost mimics the calculated density of states in the vicinity of conduction band edge. The calculation of density of states was carried out using first-principles approach yielding the structural, electronic, and optical properties. The calculations were carried out implementing various functionals and only modified Tran and Blaha (TB-MBJ) results tally closest with the experimental result of band gap. The electronic and optical properties were calculated using FP-LAPW + lo approach based on the Density Functional Theory formalism implementing only TB-mBJ functional. The electron and hole effective masses have been calculated as me * = 0.25 m 0 and mh * = 1.11 m 0 , respectively. The optical properties clearly indicate the anisotropic nature of γ-In2Se3.

High-Latitude Neutral Mass Density Maxima

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C. Y.; Huang, Y.; Su, Y.-J.; Huang, T.; Sutton, E. K.

2017-10-01

Recent studies have reported that thermospheric effects due to solar wind driving can be observed poleward of auroral latitudes. In these papers, the measured neutral mass density perturbations appear as narrow, localized maxima in the cusp and polar cap. They conclude that Joule heating below the spacecraft is the cause of the mass density increases, which are sometimes associated with local field-aligned current structures, but not always. In this paper we investigate neutral mass densities measured by accelerometers on the CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) spacecraft from launch until years 2010 (CHAMP) and 2012 (GRACE), approximately 10 years of observations from each satellite. We extract local maxima in neutral mass densities over the background using a smoothing window with size of one quarter of the orbit. The maxima have been analyzed for each year and also for the duration of each set of satellite observations. We show where they occur, under what solar wind conditions, and their relation to magnetic activity. The region with the highest frequency of occurrence coincides approximately with the cusp and mantle, with little direct evidence of an auroral zone source. Our conclusions agree with the "hot polar cap" observations that have been reported and studied in the past.

Neutral buoyancy is optimal to minimize the cost of transport in horizontally swimming seals

PubMed Central

Sato, Katsufumi; Aoki, Kagari; Watanabe, Yuuki Y.; Miller, Patrick J. O.

2013-01-01

Flying and terrestrial animals should spend energy to move while supporting their weight against gravity. On the other hand, supported by buoyancy, aquatic animals can minimize the energy cost for supporting their body weight and neutral buoyancy has been considered advantageous for aquatic animals. However, some studies suggested that aquatic animals might use non-neutral buoyancy for gliding and thereby save energy cost for locomotion. We manipulated the body density of seals using detachable weights and floats, and compared stroke efforts of horizontally swimming seals under natural conditions using animal-borne recorders. The results indicated that seals had smaller stroke efforts to swim a given speed when they were closer to neutral buoyancy. We conclude that neutral buoyancy is likely the best body density to minimize the cost of transport in horizontal swimming by seals. PMID:23857645

Neutral buoyancy is optimal to minimize the cost of transport in horizontally swimming seals.

PubMed

Sato, Katsufumi; Aoki, Kagari; Watanabe, Yuuki Y; Miller, Patrick J O

2013-01-01

Flying and terrestrial animals should spend energy to move while supporting their weight against gravity. On the other hand, supported by buoyancy, aquatic animals can minimize the energy cost for supporting their body weight and neutral buoyancy has been considered advantageous for aquatic animals. However, some studies suggested that aquatic animals might use non-neutral buoyancy for gliding and thereby save energy cost for locomotion. We manipulated the body density of seals using detachable weights and floats, and compared stroke efforts of horizontally swimming seals under natural conditions using animal-borne recorders. The results indicated that seals had smaller stroke efforts to swim a given speed when they were closer to neutral buoyancy. We conclude that neutral buoyancy is likely the best body density to minimize the cost of transport in horizontal swimming by seals.

Simultaneous estimation of plasma parameters from spectroscopic data of neutral helium using least square fitting of CR-model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Jalaj; Prakash, Ram; Vyas, Gheesa Lal; Pal, Udit Narayan; Chowdhuri, Malay Bikas; Manchanda, Ranjana; Halder, Nilanjan; Choyal, Yaduvendra

2015-12-01

In the present work an effort has been made to estimate the plasma parameters simultaneously like—electron density, electron temperature, ground state atom density, ground state ion density and metastable state density from the observed visible spectra of penning plasma discharge (PPD) source using least square fitting. The analysis is performed for the prominently observed neutral helium lines. The atomic data and analysis structure (ADAS) database is used to provide the required collisional-radiative (CR) photon emissivity coefficients (PECs) values under the optical thin plasma condition in the analysis. With this condition the estimated plasma temperature from the PPD is found rather high. It is seen that the inclusion of opacity in the observed spectral lines through PECs and addition of diffusion of neutrals and metastable state species in the CR-model code analysis improves the electron temperature estimation in the simultaneous measurement.

Modeling of neutral entrainment in an FRC thruster

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brackbill, Jeremiah; Gimelshein, Natalia; Gimelshein, Sergey

2012-11-27

Neutral entrainment in a field reversed configuration thruster is modeled numerically with an implicit PIC code extended to include thermal and chemical interactions between plasma and neutral particles. The contribution of charge exchange and electron impact ionization reactions is analyzed, and the sensitivity of the entrainment efficiency to the plasmoid translation velocity and neutral density is evaluated.

Current density distributions, field distributions and impedance analysis of segmented deep brain stimulation electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Xuefeng F.; Grill, Warren M.

2005-12-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are designed to stimulate specific areas of the brain. The most widely used DBS electrode has a linear array of 4 cylindrical contacts that can be selectively turned on depending on the placement of the electrode and the specific area of the brain to be stimulated. The efficacy of DBS therapy can be improved by localizing the current delivery into specific populations of neurons and by increasing the power efficiency through a suitable choice of electrode geometrical characteristics. We investigated segmented electrode designs created by sectioning each cylindrical contact into multiple rings. Prototypes of these designs, made with different materials and larger dimensions than those of clinical DBS electrodes, were evaluated in vitro and in simulation. A finite element model was developed to study the effects of varying the electrode characteristics on the current density and field distributions in an idealized electrolytic medium and in vitro experiments were conducted to measure the electrode impedance. The current density over the electrode surface increased towards the edges of the electrode, and multiple edges increased the non-uniformity of the current density profile. The edge effects were more pronounced over the end segments than over the central segments. Segmented electrodes generated larger magnitudes of the second spatial difference of the extracellular potentials, and thus required lower stimulation intensities to achieve the same level of neuronal activation as solid electrodes. For a fixed electrode conductive area, increasing the number of segments (edges) decreased the impedance compared to a single solid electrode, because the average current density over the segments increased. Edge effects played a critical role in determining the current density distributions, neuronal excitation patterns, and impedance of cylindrical electrodes, and segmented electrodes provide a means to increase the efficiency of DBS.

Edge-effect interactions in fragmented and patchy landscapes.

PubMed

Porensky, Lauren M; Young, Truman P

2013-06-01

Ecological edges are increasingly recognized as drivers of landscape patterns and ecosystem processes. In fragmented and patchy landscapes (e.g., a fragmented forest or a savanna with scattered termite mounds), edges can become so numerous that their effects pervade the entire landscape. Results of recent studies in such landscapes show that edge effects can be altered by the presence or proximity of other nearby edges. We considered the theoretical significance of edge-effect interactions, illustrated various landscape configurations that support them and reviewed existing research on this topic. Results of studies from a variety of locations and ecosystem types show that edge-effect interactions can have significant consequences for ecosystems and conservation, including higher tree mortality rates in tropical rainforest fragments, reduced bird densities in grassland fragments, and bush encroachment and reduced wildlife densities in a tropical savanna. To clarify this underappreciated concept and synthesize existing work, we devised a conceptual framework for edge-effect interactions. We first worked to reduce terminological confusion by clarifying differences among terms such as edge intersection and edge interaction. For cases in which nearby edge effects interact, we proposed three possible forms of interaction: strengthening (presence of a second edge causes stronger edge effects), weakening (presence of a second edge causes weaker edge effects), and emergent (edge effects change completely in the presence of a second edge). By clarifying terms and concepts, this framework enables more precise descriptions of edge-effect interactions and facilitates comparisons of results among disparate study systems and response variables. A better understanding of edge-effect interactions will pave the way for more appropriate modeling, conservation, and management in complex landscapes. © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology.

Parametric dependence of density limits in the Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research (TEXTOR): Comparison of thermal instability theory with experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, F. A.; Stacey, W. M.; Rapp, J.

2001-11-01

The observed dependence of the TEXTOR [Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research: E. Hintz, P. Bogen, H. A. Claassen et al., Contributions to High Temperature Plasma Physics, edited by K. H. Spatschek and J. Uhlenbusch (Akademie Verlag, Berlin, 1994), p. 373] density limit on global parameters (I, B, P, etc.) and wall conditioning is compared with the predicted density limit parametric scaling of thermal instability theory. It is necessary first to relate the edge parameters of the thermal instability theory to n¯ and the other global parameters. The observed parametric dependence of the density limit in TEXTOR is generally consistent with the predicted density limit scaling of thermal instability theory. The observed wall conditioning dependence of the density limit can be reconciled with the theory in terms of the radiative emissivity temperature dependence of different impurities in the plasma edge. The thermal instability theory also provides an explanation of why symmetric detachment precedes radiative collapse for most low power shots, while a multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge MARFE precedes detachment for most high power shots.

Novel analysis technique for measuring edge density fluctuation profiles with reflectometry in the Large Helical Device.

PubMed

Creely, A J; Ida, K; Yoshinuma, M; Tokuzawa, T; Tsujimura, T; Akiyama, T; Sakamoto, R; Emoto, M; Tanaka, K; Michael, C A

2017-07-01

A new method for measuring density fluctuation profiles near the edge of plasmas in the Large Helical Device (LHD) has been developed utilizing reflectometry combined with pellet-induced fast density scans. Reflectometer cutoff location was calculated by proportionally scaling the cutoff location calculated with fast far infrared laser interferometer (FIR) density profiles to match the slower time resolution results of the ray-tracing code LHD-GAUSS. Plasma velocity profile peaks generated with this reflectometer mapping were checked against velocity measurements made with charge exchange spectroscopy (CXS) and were found to agree within experimental uncertainty once diagnostic differences were accounted for. Measured density fluctuation profiles were found to peak strongly near the edge of the plasma, as is the case in most tokamaks. These measurements can be used in the future to inform inversion methods of phase contrast imaging (PCI) measurements. This result was confirmed with both a fixed frequency reflectometer and calibrated data from a multi-frequency comb reflectometer, and this method was applied successfully to a series of discharges. The full width at half maximum of the turbulence layer near the edge of the plasma was found to be only 1.5-3 cm on a series of LHD discharges, less than 5% of the normalized minor radius.

Novel analysis technique for measuring edge density fluctuation profiles with reflectometry in the Large Helical Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creely, A. J.; Ida, K.; Yoshinuma, M.; Tokuzawa, T.; Tsujimura, T.; Akiyama, T.; Sakamoto, R.; Emoto, M.; Tanaka, K.; Michael, C. A.

2017-07-01

A new method for measuring density fluctuation profiles near the edge of plasmas in the Large Helical Device (LHD) has been developed utilizing reflectometry combined with pellet-induced fast density scans. Reflectometer cutoff location was calculated by proportionally scaling the cutoff location calculated with fast far infrared laser interferometer (FIR) density profiles to match the slower time resolution results of the ray-tracing code LHD-GAUSS. Plasma velocity profile peaks generated with this reflectometer mapping were checked against velocity measurements made with charge exchange spectroscopy (CXS) and were found to agree within experimental uncertainty once diagnostic differences were accounted for. Measured density fluctuation profiles were found to peak strongly near the edge of the plasma, as is the case in most tokamaks. These measurements can be used in the future to inform inversion methods of phase contrast imaging (PCI) measurements. This result was confirmed with both a fixed frequency reflectometer and calibrated data from a multi-frequency comb reflectometer, and this method was applied successfully to a series of discharges. The full width at half maximum of the turbulence layer near the edge of the plasma was found to be only 1.5-3 cm on a series of LHD discharges, less than 5% of the normalized minor radius.

The relationships between edge localized modes suppression, pedestal profiles and lithium wall coatings in NSTX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boyle, D. P.; Maingi, R.; Snyder, P. B.

2011-01-01

Recently in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), increasing lithium wall coatings suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs), gradually but not quite monotonically. This work details profile and stability analysis as ELMs disappeared throughout the lithium scan. While the quantity of lithium deposited between discharges did not uniquely determine the presence of ELMs, profile analysis demonstrated that lithium was correlated with wider density and pressure pedestals with peak gradients farther from the separatrix. Moreover, the ELMy and ELM-free discharges were cleanly separated by their density and pedestal widths and peak gradient locations. Ultimately, ELMs were only suppressed when lithium caused themore » density pedestal to widen and shift inward. These changes in the density gradient were directly reflected in the pressure gradient and calculated bootstrap current. This supports the theory that ELMs in NSTX are caused by peeling and/or ballooning modes, as kink/peeling modes are stabilized when the edge current and pressure gradient shift away from the separatrix. Edge stability analysis using ELITE corroborated this picture, as reconstructed equilibria from ELM-free discharges were generally farther from their kink/peeling stability boundaries than ELMy discharges. We conclude that density profile control provided by lithium is the key first step to ELM suppression in NSTX.« less

Invited Review Article: Gas puff imaging diagnostics of edge plasma turbulence in magnetic fusion devices

DOE PAGES

Zweben, S. J.; Terry, J. L.; Stotler, D. P.; ...

2017-04-27

Gas puff imaging (GPI) is a diagnostic of plasma turbulence which uses a puff of neutral gas at the plasma edge to increase the local visible light emission for improved space-time resolution of plasma fluctuations. This paper reviews gas puff imaging diagnostics of edge plasma turbulence in magnetic fusion research, with a focus on the instrumentation, diagnostic cross-checks, and interpretation issues. The gas puff imaging hardware, optics, and detectors are described for about 10 GPI systems implemented over the past similar to 15 years. Comparison of GPI results with other edge turbulence diagnostic results is described, and many common featuresmore » are observed. Here, several issues in the interpretation of GPI measurements are discussed, and potential improvements in hardware and modeling are suggested.« less

Interaction-induced interference in the integer quantum Hall effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivan, I.; Bhattacharyya, R.; Choi, H. K.; Heiblum, M.; Feldman, D. E.; Mahalu, D.; Umansky, V.

2018-03-01

In recent interference experiments with an electronic Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI), implemented in the integer quantum Hall effect regime, a flux periodicity of h /2 e was observed at bulk fillings νB>2.5 . The halved periodicity was accompanied by an interfering charge e*=2 e , determined by shot-noise measurements. Here, we present measurements demonstrating that, counterintuitively, the coherence and the interference periodicity of the interfering chiral edge channel are solely determined by the coherence and the enclosed flux of the adjacent edge channel. Our results elucidate the important role of the latter and suggest that a neutral chiral edge mode plays a crucial role in the pairing phenomenon. Our findings reveal that the observed pairing of electrons is not a curious isolated phenomenon, but one of many manifestations of unexpected edge physics in the quantum Hall effect regime.

Streakline flow visualization study of a horseshoe vortex in a large-scale, two-dimensional turbine stator cascade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaugler, R. E.; Russell, L. M.

1980-01-01

Neutrally buoyant helium-filled bubbles were observed as they followed the streamlines in a horseshoe vortex system around the vane leading edge in a large-scale, two-dimensional, turbine stator cascade. Bubbles were introduced into the endwall boundary layer through a slot upstream of the vane leading edge. The paths of the bubbles were recorded photographically as streaklines on 16-mm movie film. Individual frames from the film have been selected, and overlayed to show the details of the horseshoe vortex around the leading edge. The transport of the vortex across the passage near the leading edge is clearly seen when compared to the streaks formed by bubbles carried in the main stream. Limiting streamlines on the endwall surface were traced by the flow of oil drops.

Invited Review Article: Gas puff imaging diagnostics of edge plasma turbulence in magnetic fusion devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zweben, S. J.; Terry, J. L.; Stotler, D. P.

Gas puff imaging (GPI) is a diagnostic of plasma turbulence which uses a puff of neutral gas at the plasma edge to increase the local visible light emission for improved space-time resolution of plasma fluctuations. This paper reviews gas puff imaging diagnostics of edge plasma turbulence in magnetic fusion research, with a focus on the instrumentation, diagnostic cross-checks, and interpretation issues. The gas puff imaging hardware, optics, and detectors are described for about 10 GPI systems implemented over the past similar to 15 years. Comparison of GPI results with other edge turbulence diagnostic results is described, and many common featuresmore » are observed. Here, several issues in the interpretation of GPI measurements are discussed, and potential improvements in hardware and modeling are suggested.« less

Propagation and Interactions of Ultrahigh Power Light: Relativistic Nonlinear Optics

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

energy electron beams [16,17]. In the simplest implementation, a 2-mm supersonic nozzle is used to produce a high density gas flow (ne=10 19 cm-3...was a high-density jet of neutral helium produced by a 3 or 4 mm-diameter supersonic Laval nozzle . The neutral density profile (characterized...250 MeV and total charge of 0.1 nC (>50 MeV) Figure 7: (a) Gas target profiles, measured using tomography, at a height of 2 mm above the nozzle

Semiclassical neutral atom as a reference system in density functional theory.

PubMed

Constantin, Lucian A; Fabiano, E; Laricchia, S; Della Sala, F

2011-05-06

We use the asymptotic expansions of the semiclassical neutral atom as a reference system in density functional theory to construct accurate generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) for the exchange-correlation and kinetic energies without any empiricism. These asymptotic functionals are among the most accurate GGAs for molecular systems, perform well for solid state, and overcome current GGA state of the art in frozen density embedding calculations. Our results also provide evidence for the conjointness conjecture between exchange and kinetic energies of atomic systems.

Tables of thermospheric temperature, density and composition derived from satellite and ground based measurements. Volume 3: Ap=100

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedin, A. E.

1979-01-01

The neutral temperature, neutral densities for N2, O2, O, Ar, He and H, mean molecular weight, and total mass density as predicted by the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter empirical thermosphere model are presented in tabular form. The predictions are based on selected altitudes, latitudes, local times, days and other geophysical conditions. The model is dependent on a least squares fit to density data from mass spectrometers on five satellites and temperature data from four incoherent scatter stations, providing coverage for most of solar sunspot cycle 20.

Integrated modelling of steady-state scenarios and heating and current drive mixes for ITER

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murakami, Masanori; Park, Jin Myung; Giruzzi, G.

2011-01-01

Recent progress on ITER steady-state (SS) scenario modelling by the ITPA-IOS group is reviewed. Code-to-code benchmarks as the IOS group's common activities for the two SS scenarios (weak shear scenario and internal transport barrier scenario) are discussed in terms of transport, kinetic profiles, and heating and current drive (CD) sources using various transport codes. Weak magnetic shear scenarios integrate the plasma core and edge by combining a theory-based transport model (GLF23) with scaled experimental boundary profiles. The edge profiles (at normalized radius rho = 0.8-1.0) are adopted from an edge-localized mode-averaged analysis of a DIII-D ITER demonstration discharge. A fullymore » noninductive SS scenario is achieved with fusion gain Q = 4.3, noninductive fraction f(NI) = 100%, bootstrap current fraction f(BS) = 63% and normalized beta beta(N) = 2.7 at plasma current I(p) = 8MA and toroidal field B(T) = 5.3 T using ITER day-1 heating and CD capability. Substantial uncertainties come from outside the radius of setting the boundary conditions (rho = 0.8). The present simulation assumed that beta(N)(rho) at the top of the pedestal (rho = 0.91) is about 25% above the peeling-ballooning threshold. ITER will have a challenge to achieve the boundary, considering different operating conditions (T(e)/T(i) approximate to 1 and density peaking). Overall, the experimentally scaled edge is an optimistic side of the prediction. A number of SS scenarios with different heating and CD mixes in a wide range of conditions were explored by exploiting the weak-shear steady-state solution procedure with the GLF23 transport model and the scaled experimental edge. The results are also presented in the operation space for DT neutron power versus stationary burn pulse duration with assumed poloidal flux availability at the beginning of stationary burn, indicating that the long pulse operation goal (3000s) at I(p) = 9 MA is possible. Source calculations in these simulations have been revised for electron cyclotron current drive including parallel momentum conservation effects and for neutral beam current drive with finite orbit and magnetic pitch effects.« less

RF Plasma Source for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, P. C.; Gilson, E.; Grisham, L.; Davidson, R. C.

2003-10-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being employed as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus to a small spot size. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 - 100 times the ion beam density and at a length 0.1-0.5 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An ECR source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in support of the joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 0-10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures 10-5 Torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10-4 - 10-1 Torr. Electron densities in the range of 10^8 - 10^11 cm-3 have been achieved. Recently, pulsed operation of the source has enabled operation at pressures in the 10-6 Torr range with densities of 10^11 cm-3. Near 100% ionization has been achieved. The source has been integrated with NTX and is being used in the experiments. The plasma is approximately 10 cm in length in the direction of the beam propagation. Modifications to the source will be presented that increase its length in the direction of beam propagation.

Neutral surfaces and potential vorticity in the world's oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Yuzhu; McDougall, Trevor J.

1990-08-01

Several neutral surfaces are mapped in this paper and their properties are contrasted with those of potential density surfaces. It is shown that the Pacific is relatively forgiving to the use of potential density, while more care must be taken in the Atlantic and Indian oceans because of the larger compensating lateral gradients of potential temperature and salinity along neutral surfaces in these oceans. The dynamically important tracer, neutral-surface potential vorticity (NSPV), defined to be proportional to f/h (where f is the Coriolis frequency and h is the height between two neutral surfaces), is mapped on several neutral surfaces in each of the world's oceans. At a depth of 1000m in the Atlantic and Indian oceans, the epineutral gradient of NSPV is different to the isopycnal variations of fN2 by as much as a factor of two (here N is the buoyancy frequency). Maps of isopycnal potential vorticity (IPV) resemble those of fN2, but the values of IPV are less by the simple factor μ, defined by μ = c[Rρ-1]/[Rρ-c], where Rρ is the stability ratio of the water column and c is the ratio of the values of α/β at the in situ pressure to that at the reference pressure (α and β being the thermal expansion and saline contraction coefficients, respectively). Layered models of the ocean circulation often take the vertical shear between layers (the thermal wind) to be given by the product of the interface slope and the contrast of potential density across the interface. The true thermal wind equation involves the interfaeial difference of in situ density, which is larger than the corresponding difference of potential density by the factor μ that is mapped in this paper, taking values up to 1.25 at a depth of 1000 m. This implies that the thermal wind is currently underestimated by up to 25% in layered ocean models. The differences between the slopes of neutral surfaces and potential density surfaces can be quantified Using the factory μ. The magnitudes of these slopes are illustrated here with contour maps and with vertical profiles, One would think that by choosing the reference pressure of potential density to be at the central pressure of a data set, the conservation equation of potential vorticity could be expressed with respect to these potential density surfaces with sufficient accuracy. Here it is shown that even the best potential density variable is significantly in error at thermoclinic frontal regions. This is linked to the fact that diapycnal velocities are not simply due to vertical mixing processes, but are also partly caused by epineutral mixing.

Lunar Neutral Exposphere Properties from Pickup Ion Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartle, R. E.; Sarantos, M.; Killen, R.; Sittler, E. C. Jr.; Halekas, J.; Yokota, S.; Saito, Y.

2009-01-01

Composition and structure of neutral constituents in the lunar exosphere can be determined through measurements of phase space distributions of pickup ions borne from the exosphere [1]. An essential point made in an early study [ 1 ] and inferred by recent pickup ion measurements [2, 3] is that much lower neutral exosphere densities can be derived from ion mass spectrometer measurements of pickup ions than can be determined by conventional neutral mass spectrometers or remote sensing instruments. One approach for deriving properties of neutral exospheric source gasses is to first compare observed ion spectra with pickup ion model phase space distributions. Neutral exosphere properties are then inferred by adjusting exosphere model parameters to obtain the best fit between the resulting model pickup ion distributions and the observed ion spectra. Adopting this path, we obtain ion distributions from a new general pickup ion model, an extension of a simpler analytic description obtained from the Vlasov equation with an ion source [4]. In turn, the ion source is formed from a three-dimensional exospheric density distribution, which can range from the classical Chamberlain type distribution to one with variable exobase temperatures and nonthermal constituents as well as those empirically derived. The initial stage of this approach uses the Moon's known neutral He and Na exospheres to deriv e He+ and Na+ pickup ion exospheres, including their phase space distributions, densities and fluxes. The neutral exospheres used are those based on existing models and remote sensing studies. As mentioned, future ion measurements can be used to constrain the pickup ion model and subsequently improve the neutral exosphere descriptions. The pickup ion model is also used to estimate the exosphere sources of recently observed pickup ions on KAGUYA [3]. Future missions carrying ion spectrometers (e.g., ARTEMIS) will be able to study the lunar neutral exosphere with great sensitivity, yielding the necessary ion velocity spectra needed to further analysis of parent neutral exosphere properties.

Correlations between critical current density, j{sub c}, critical temperature, T{sub c}, and structural quality of Y{sub 1}B{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-x} thin superconducting films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chrzanowski, J.; Xing, W.B.; Atlan, D.

1994-12-31

Correlations between critical current density (j{sub c}) critical temperature (T{sub c}) and the density of edge dislocations and nonuniform strain have been observed in YBCO thin films deposited by pulsed laser ablation on (001) LaAlO{sub 3} single crystals. Distinct maxima in j{sub c} as a function of the linewidths of the (00{ell}) Bragg reflections and as a function of the mosaic spread have been found in the epitaxial films. These maxima in j{sub c} indicate that the magnetic flux lines, in films of structural quality approaching that of single crystals, are insufficiently pinned which results in a decreased critical currentmore » density. T{sub c} increased monotonically with improving crystalline quality and approached a value characteristic of a pure single crystal. A strong correlation between j{sub c} and the density of edge dislocations N{sub D} was found. At the maximum of the critical current density the density of edge dislocations was estimated to be N{sub D}{approximately}1-2 x 10{sup 9}/cm{sup 2}.« less

Correlations between critical current density, j(sub c), critical temperature, T(sub c),and structural quality of Y1B2Cu3O(7-x) thin superconducting films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chrzanowski, J.; Xing, W. B.; Atlan, D.; Irwin, J. C.; Heinrich, B.; Cragg, R. A.; Zhou, H.; Angus, V.; Habib, F.; Fife, A. A.

1995-01-01

Correlations between critical current density (j(sub c)) critical temperature (T(sub c)) and the density of edge dislocations and nonuniform strain have been observed in YBCO thin films deposited by pulsed laser ablation on (001) LaAlO3 single crystals. Distinct maxima in j(sub c) as a function of the linewidths of the (00 l) Bragg reflections and as a function of the mosaic spread have been found in the epitaxial films. These maxima in j(sub c) indicate that the magnetic flux lines, in films of structural quality approachingthat of single crystals, are insufficiently pinned which results in a decreased critical current density. T(sub c) increased monotonically with improving crystalline quality and approached a value characteristic of a pure single crystal. A strong correlation between j(sub c) and the density of edge dislocations ND was found. At the maximum of the critical current density the density of edge dislocations was estimated to be N(sub D) approximately 1-2 x 10(exp 9)/sq cm.

Local Neutral Density and Plasma Parameter Measurements in a Hollow Cathode Plume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jameson, Kristina K.; Goebel, Dan M.; MiKellides, Joannis; Watkins, Ron M.

2006-01-01

In order to understand the cathode and keeper wear observed during the Extended Life Test (ELT) of the DS1 flight spare NSTAR thruster and provide benchmarking data for a 2D cathode/cathode-plume model, a basic understanding of the plasma and neutral gas parameters in the cathode orifice and keeper region of the cathode plume must be obtained. The JPL cathode facility is instrumented with an array of Langmuir probe diagnostics along with an optical diagnostic to measure line intensity of xenon neutrals. In order to make direct comparisons with the present model, a flat plate anode arrangement was installed for these tests. Neutral density is deduced from the scanning probe data of the plasma parameters and the measured xenon line intensity in the optical regime. The Langmuir probes are scanned both axially, out to 7.0 cm downstream of the keeper, and radially to obtain 2D profile of the plasma parameters. The optical fiber is housed in a collimating stainless steel tube, and is scanned to view across the cathode plume along cuts in front of the keeper with a resolution of 1.5 mm. The radial intensities are unfolded using the Abel inversion technique that produces radial profiles of local neutral density. In this paper, detailed measurements of the plasma parameters and the local neutral densities will be presented in the cathode/keeper plume region for a 1.5 cm diameter NEXIS cathode at 25A of discharge current at several different strengths of applied magnetic field.

Feedback controlled, reactor relevant, high-density, high-confinement scenarios at ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, P. T.; Blanken, T. C.; Dunne, M.; McDermott, R. M.; Wolfrum, E.; Bobkov, V.; Felici, F.; Fischer, R.; Janky, F.; Kallenbach, A.; Kardaun, O.; Kudlacek, O.; Mertens, V.; Mlynek, A.; Ploeckl, B.; Stober, J. K.; Treutterer, W.; Zohm, H.; ASDEX Upgrade Team

2018-03-01

One main programme topic at the ASDEX Upgrade all-metal-wall tokamak is development of a high-density regime with central densities at reactor grade level while retaining high-confinement properties. This required development of appropriate control techniques capable of coping with the pellet tool, a powerful means of fuelling but one which presented challenges to the control system for handling of related perturbations. Real-time density profile control was demonstrated, raising the core density well above the Greenwald density while retaining the edge density in order to avoid confinement losses. Recently, a new model-based approach was implemented that allows direct control of the central density. Investigations focussed first on the N-seeding scenario owing to its proven potential to yield confinement enhancements. Combining pellets and N seeding was found to improve the divertor buffering further and enhance the operational range accessible. For core densities up to about the Greenwald density, a clear improvement with respect to the non-seeding reference was achieved; however, at higher densities this benefit is reduced. This behaviour is attributed to recurrence of an outward shift of the edge density profile, resulting in a reduced peeling-ballooning stability. This is similar to the shift seen during strong gas puffing, which is required to prevent impurity influx in ASDEX Upgrade. First tests indicate that highly-shaped plasma configurations like the ITER base-line scenario, respond very well to pellet injection, showing efficient fuelling with no measurable impact on the edge density profile.

Restricted cross-scale habitat selection by American beavers.

PubMed

Francis, Robert A; Taylor, Jimmy D; Dibble, Eric; Strickland, Bronson; Petro, Vanessa M; Easterwood, Christine; Wang, Guiming

2017-12-01

Animal habitat selection, among other ecological phenomena, is spatially scale dependent. Habitat selection by American beavers Castor canadensis (hereafter, beaver) has been studied at singular spatial scales, but to date no research addresses multi-scale selection. Our objectives were to determine if beaver habitat selection was specialized to semiaquatic habitats and if variables explaining habitat selection are consistent between landscape and fine spatial scales. We built maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models to relate landscape-scale presence-only data to landscape variables, and used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate fine spatial scale habitat selection using global positioning system (GPS) relocation data. Explanatory variables between the landscape and fine spatial scale were compared for consistency. Our findings suggested that beaver habitat selection at coarse (study area) and fine (within home range) scales was congruent, and was influenced by increasing amounts of woody wetland edge density and shrub edge density, and decreasing amounts of open water edge density. Habitat suitability at the landscape scale also increased with decreasing amounts of grass frequency. As territorial, central-place foragers, beavers likely trade-off open water edge density (i.e., smaller non-forested wetlands or lodges closer to banks) for defense and shorter distances to forage and obtain construction material. Woody plants along edges and expanses of open water for predator avoidance may limit beaver fitness and subsequently determine beaver habitat selection.

Restricted cross-scale habitat selection by American beavers

PubMed Central

Taylor, Jimmy D; Dibble, Eric; Strickland, Bronson; Petro, Vanessa M; Easterwood, Christine; Wang, Guiming

2017-01-01

Abstract Animal habitat selection, among other ecological phenomena, is spatially scale dependent. Habitat selection by American beavers Castor canadensis (hereafter, beaver) has been studied at singular spatial scales, but to date no research addresses multi-scale selection. Our objectives were to determine if beaver habitat selection was specialized to semiaquatic habitats and if variables explaining habitat selection are consistent between landscape and fine spatial scales. We built maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models to relate landscape-scale presence-only data to landscape variables, and used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate fine spatial scale habitat selection using global positioning system (GPS) relocation data. Explanatory variables between the landscape and fine spatial scale were compared for consistency. Our findings suggested that beaver habitat selection at coarse (study area) and fine (within home range) scales was congruent, and was influenced by increasing amounts of woody wetland edge density and shrub edge density, and decreasing amounts of open water edge density. Habitat suitability at the landscape scale also increased with decreasing amounts of grass frequency. As territorial, central-place foragers, beavers likely trade-off open water edge density (i.e., smaller non-forested wetlands or lodges closer to banks) for defense and shorter distances to forage and obtain construction material. Woody plants along edges and expanses of open water for predator avoidance may limit beaver fitness and subsequently determine beaver habitat selection. PMID:29492032

Physics of neutral gas jet interaction with magnetized plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhanhui; Xu, Xueqiao; Diamond, Patrick; Xu, Min; Duan, Xuru; Yu, Deliang; Zhou, Yulin; Shi, Yongfu; Nie, Lin; Ke, Rui; Zhong, Wulv; Shi, Zhongbing; Sun, Aiping; Li, Jiquan; Yao, Lianghua

2017-10-01

It is critical to understand the physics and transport dynamics during the plasma fuelling process. Plasma and neutral interactions involve the transfer of charge, momentum, and energy in ion-neutral and electron-neutral collisions. Thus, a seven field fluid model of neutral gas jet injection (NGJI) is obtained, which couples plasma density, heat, and momentum transport equations together with neutrals density and momentum transport equations of both molecules and atoms. Transport dynamics of plasma and neutrals are simulated for a complete range of discharge times, including steady state before NGJI, transport during NGJI, and relaxation after NGJI. With the trans-neut module of BOUT + + code, the simulations of mean profile variations and fueling depths during fueling have been benchmarked well with other codes and also validated with HL-2A experiment results. Both fast component (FC) and slow component (SC) of NGJI are simulated and validated with the HL-2A experimental measurements. The plasma blocking effect on the FC penetration is also simulated and validated well with the experiment. This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11575055.

Storm-Time Meridional Wind Perturbations in the Equatorial Thermosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haaser, R. A.; Davidson, R.; Heelis, R. A.; Earle, G. D.; Venkatraman, S.; Klenzing, J.

2013-12-01

We present observations from the Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI) of storm-time modifications to the neutral atmosphere at equatorial latitudes near the magnetic equator at 400 km altitude during the active period near solar maximum in 2011 and 2012. Perturbations in the neutral temperature on the dayside and the nightside are consistent with observed increases in the neutral density in accord with hydrostatic equilibrium. In the evening and midnight sectors these modifications are additionally accompanied by perturbations in the meridional neutral wind, which are the focus of the work. The observations are made in the southern hemisphere near the magnetic equator, usually dominated by energy inputs from the southern polar regions that produce south to north (northward) wind perturbations to accompany perturbations in the neutral density and temperature. In one exceptional case when observations are made near midnight and the north magnetic pole rotates through the midnight sector, north to south (southward) meridional wind perturbations are observed.

Multi-device studies of pedestal physics and confinement in the I-mode regime

DOE PAGES

Hubbard, A. E.; Osborne, T.; Ryter, F.; ...

2016-07-05

This paper describes joint ITPA studies of the I-mode regime, which features an edge thermal barrier together with L-mode-like particle and impurity transport and no Edge Localized Modes (ELMs). The regime has been demonstrated on the Alcator C-Mod, ASDEX Upgrade and DIII-D tokamaks, over a wide range of device parameters and pedestal conditions. Dimensionless parameters at the pedestal show overlap across devices and extend to low collisionality. When they are matched, pedestal temperature profiles are also similar. Pedestals are stable to peeling ballooning modes, consistent with lack of ELMs. Access to Imode is independent of heating method (neutral beam injection,more » Ion Cyclotron and/or Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating). Normalized energy confinement H 98,y2 ≥ 1 has been achieved for a range of 3 ≤ q 95 ≤ 4.9 and scales favourably with power. Changes in turbulence in the pedestal region accompany the transition from L-mode to I-mode. The L-I threshold increases with plasma density and current, and with device size, but has a weak dependence on toroidal magnetic field B T. The upper limit of power for I-modes, which is set by I-H transitions, increases with B T and the power range is largest on Alcator C-Mod at B > 5 T. Finally, issues for extrapolation to ITER and other future fusion devices are discussed.« less

Imaging at an x-ray absorption edge using free electron laser pulses for interface dynamics in high energy density systems [Resonant phase contrast imaging for interface physics

DOE PAGES

Beckwith, M. A.; Jiang, S.; Schropp, A.; ...

2017-05-01

Tuning the energy of an x-ray probe to an absorption line or edge can provide material-specific measurements that are particularly useful for interfaces. Simulated hard x-ray images above the Fe K-edge are presented to examine ion diffusion across an interface between Fe 2O 3 and SiO 2 aerogel foam materials. The simulations demonstrate the feasibility of such a technique for measurements of density scale lengths near the interface with submicron spatial resolution. A proof-of-principle experiment is designed and performed at the Linac coherent light source facility. Preliminary data show the change of the interface after shock compression and heating withmore » simultaneous fluorescence spectra for temperature determination. Here, the results provide the first demonstration of using x-ray imaging at an absorption edge as a diagnostic to detect ultrafast phenomena for interface physics in high-energy-density systems.« less

VIEW OF LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE FROM TOP LEVEL OF ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

VIEW OF LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE FROM TOP LEVEL OF TAIL DOCK STAND. LEADING AND TRAILING EDGE FLAPS ARE DOWN; AIELERONS ARE IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE COWLING OFF FOR HEAVY INSPECTION. - Greater Buffalo International Airport, Maintenance Hangar, Buffalo, Erie County, NY

Assessment of female ballet dancers' ankles in the en pointe position using high field strength magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Russell, Jeffrey A; Yoshioka, Hiroshi

2016-08-01

The en pointe position of the ankle in ballet is extreme. Previously, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of ballet dancers' ankles en pointe was confined to a low field, open MR device. To develop a reproducible ankle MRI protocol for ballet dancers en pointe and to assess the positions of the key structures in the dancers ankles. Six female ballet dancers participated; each was randomly assigned to stand en pointe while one of her feet and ankles was splinted with wooden rods affixed with straps or to begin with the ankle in neutral position. She lay in an MR scanner with the ankle inside a knee coil for en pointe imaging and inside an ankle/foot coil for neutral position imaging. Proton density weighted images with and without fat suppression and 3D water excitation gradient recalled echo images were obtained en pointe and in neutral position in sagittal, axial, and coronal planes. We compared the bones, cartilage, and soft tissues within and between positions. No difficulties using the protocol were encountered. En pointe the posterior articular surface of the tibial plafond was incongruent with the talar dome and rested on the posterior talus. The posterior edge of the plafond impinged Kager's fat pad. All participants exhibited one or more small ganglion cysts about the ankle and proximal foot, as well as fluid accumulation in the flexor and fibularis tendon sheaths. Our MRI protocol allows assessment of female ballet dancers' ankles in the extreme plantar flexion position in which the dancers perform. We consistently noted incongruence of the talocrural joint and convergence of the tibia, talus, and calcaneus posteriorly. This protocol may be useful for clinicians who evaluate dancers. © The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2015.

Pre-sheath density drop induced by ion-neutral friction along plasma blobs and implications for blob velocities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furno, I.; Chabloz, V.; Fasoli, A.

2014-01-15

The pre-sheath density drop along the magnetic field in field-aligned, radially propagating plasma blobs is investigated in the TORPEX toroidal experiment [Fasoli et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 52, 124020 (2010)]. Using Langmuir probes precisely aligned along the magnetic field, we measure the density n{sub se} at a poloidal limiter, where blobs are connected, and the upstream density n{sub 0} at a location half way to the other end of the blobs. The pre-sheath density drop n{sub se}/n{sub 0} is then computed and its dependence upon the neutral background gas pressure is studied. At low neutral gas pressures, the pre-sheathmore » density drop is ≈0.4, close to the value of 0.5 expected in the collisionless case. In qualitative agreement with a simple model, this value decreases with increasing gas pressure. No significant dependence of the density drop upon the radial distance into the limiter shadow is observed. The effect of reduced blob density near the limiter on the blob radial velocity is measured and compared with predictions from a blob speed-versus-size scaling law [Theiler et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 065001 (2009)].« less

Dual view FIDA measurements on MAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michael, C. A.; Conway, N.; Crowley, B.; Jones, O.; Heidbrink, W. W.; Pinches, S.; Braeken, E.; Akers, R.; Challis, C.; Turnyanskiy, M.; Patel, A.; Muir, D.; Gaffka, R.; Bailey, S.

2013-09-01

A fast-ion deuterium alpha (FIDA) spectrometer was installed on MAST to measure radially resolved information about the fast-ion density and its distribution in energy and pitch angle. Toroidally and vertically directed collection lenses are employed, to detect both passing and trapped particle dynamics, and reference views are installed to subtract the background. This background is found to contain a substantial amount of passive FIDA emission driven by edge neutrals, and to depend delicately on viewing geometry. Results are compared with theoretical expectations based on the codes NUBEAM (for fast-ion distributions) and FIDASIM. Calibrating via the measured beam emission peaks, the toroidal FIDA signal profile agrees with classical simulations in magnetohydrodynamic quiescent discharges where the neutron rate is also classical. Long-lived modes (LLMs) and chirping modes decrease the core FIDA signal significantly, and the profile can be matched closely to simulations using anomalous diffusive transport; a spatially uniform diffusion coefficient is sufficient for chirping modes, while a core localized diffusion is better for a LLM. Analysis of a discharge with chirping mode activity shows a dramatic drop in the core FIDA signal and rapid increase in the edge passive signal at the onset of the burst indicating a very rapid redistribution towards the edge. Vertical-viewing measurements show a discrepancy with simulations at higher Doppler shifts when the neutron rate is classical, which, combined with the fact that the toroidal signals agree, means that the difference must be occurring for pitch angles near the trapped-passing boundary, although uncertainties in the background subtraction, which are difficult to assess, may contribute to this. Further evidence of an anomalous transport mechanism for these particles is provided by the fact that an increase of beam power does not increase the higher energy vertical FIDA signals, while the toroidal signals do increase.

Kinetic simulations of scrape-off layer physics in the DIII-D tokamak

DOE PAGES

Churchill, Randy M.; Canik, John M.; Chang, C. S.; ...

2016-12-27

Simulations using the fully kinetic code XGCa were undertaken to explore the impact of kinetic effects on scrape-off layer (SOL) physics in DIII-D H-mode plasmas. XGCa is a total- f, gyrokinetic code which self-consistently calculates the axisymmetric electrostatic potential and plasma dynamics, and includes modules for Monte Carlo neutral transport. Fluid simulations are normally used to simulate the SOL, due to its high collisionality. However, depending on plasma conditions, a number of discrepancies have been observed between experiment and leading SOL fluid codes (e.g. SOLPS), including underestimating outer target temperatures, radial electric field in the SOL, parallel ion SOL flowsmore » at the low field side, and impurity radiation. Many of these discrepancies may be linked to the fluid treatment, and might be resolved by including kinetic effects in SOL simulations. The XGCa simulation of the DIII-D tokamak in a nominally sheath-limited regime show many noteworthy features in the SOL. The density and ion temperature are higher at the low-field side, indicative of ion orbit loss. The SOL ion Mach flows are at experimentally relevant levels ( Mi ~0.5), with similar shapes and poloidal variation as observed in various tokamaks. Surprisingly, the ion Mach flows close to the sheath edge remain subsonic, in contrast to the typical fluid Bohm criterion requiring ion flows to be above sonic at the sheath edge. Related to this are the presence of elevated sheath potentials, eΔΦ/T e ~ 3–4, over most of the SOL, with regions in the near-SOL close to the separatrix having eΔΦ/Te > 4. Finally, these two results at the sheath edge are a consequence of non-Maxwellian features in the ions and electrons there.« less

Shock formation induced by poloidal flow and its effects on the edge stability in tokamaks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seol, J.; Aydemir, A. Y.; Shaing, K. C.

2016-04-15

In the high confinement mode of tokamaks, magnitude of the radial electric field increases at the edge. Thus, the poloidal flow inside the transport barrier can be sonic when the edge pressure gradient is not steep enough to make the poloidal flow subsonic. When the poloidal Mach number is close to unity, a shock appears in the low field side and causes a large density perturbation. In this study, we describe a shock induced by the sonic poloidal plasma flow. Then, an entropy production across the shock is calculated. Finally, we introduce a simple model for Type III edge localizedmore » modes using the poloidal density variation driven by the sonic poloidal flow.« less

SOLPS modeling of the effect on plasma detachment of closing the lower divertor in DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Sang, C. F.; Stangeby, P. C.; Guo, H. Y.; ...

2016-12-15

SOLPS modeling has been carried out to assess the effect of tightly closing the lower divertor in DIII-D, which at present is almost fully open, on the achievement of cold dissipative/detached divertor conditions. To isolate the impact of other factors on the divertor plasma solution and to make direct comparisons, most of the parameters including the meshes were kept as similar as possible. Only the neutral baffling was modified to compare a fully open divertor with a tightly closed one. The modeling shows that the tightly closed divertor greatly improves trapping of recycling neutrals, thereby increasing radiative and charge exchangemore » losses in the divertor and reducing the electron temperature T et and deposited power density q dep at the target plate. Furthermore, the closed structure enables the divertor plasma to enter into highly dissipative and detached divertor conditions at a significantly lower upstream density. The effects of divertor closure on the neutral density and pressure, and their correlation with the divertor plasma conditions are also demonstrated. The effect of molecular D 2- ion D + elastic collisions and neutral-neutral collisions on the divertor plasma solution are assessed.« less

Magnetic field, reconnection, and particle acceleration in extragalactic jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanova, M. M.; Lovelace, R. V. E.

1992-01-01

Extra-galactic radio jets are investigated theoretically taking into account that the jet magnetic field is dragged out from the central rotating source by the jet flow. Thus, magnetohydrodynamic models of jets are considered with zero net poloidal current and flux, and consequently a predominantly toroidal magnetic field. The magnetic field naturally has a cylindrical neutral layer. Collisionless reconnection of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the neutral layer acts to generate a non-axisymmetric radial magnetic field. In turn, axial shear-stretching of reconnected toroidal field gives rise to a significant axial magnetic field if the flow energy-density is larger than the energy-density of the magnetic field. This can lead to jets with an apparent longitudinal magnetic field as observed in the Fanaroff-Riley class II jets. In the opposite limit, where the field energy-density is large, the field remains mainly toroidal as observed in Fanaroff-Riley class I jets. Driven collisionless reconnection at neutral layers may lead to acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies in the weak electrostatic field of the neutral layer. A simple model is discussed for particle acceleration at neutral layers in electron/positron and electron/proton plasmas.

Statistical analysis of suprathermal electron drivers at 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broiles, Thomas W.; Burch, J. L.; Chae, K.; Clark, G.; Cravens, T. E.; Eriksson, A.; Fuselier, S. A.; Frahm, R. A.; Gasc, S.; Goldstein, R.; Henri, P.; Koenders, C.; Livadiotis, G.; Mandt, K. E.; Mokashi, P.; Nemeth, Z.; Odelstad, E.; Rubin, M.; Samara, M.

2016-11-01

We use observations from the Ion and Electron Sensor (IES) on board the Rosetta spacecraft to study the relationship between the cometary suprathermal electrons and the drivers that affect their density and temperature. We fit the IES electron observations with the summation of two kappa distributions, which we characterize as a dense and warm population (˜10 cm-3 and ˜16 eV) and a rarefied and hot population (˜0.01 cm-3 and ˜43 eV). The parameters of our fitting technique determine the populations' density, temperature, and invariant kappa index. We focus our analysis on the warm population to determine its origin by comparing the density and temperature with the neutral density and magnetic field strength. We find that the warm electron population is actually two separate sub-populations: electron distributions with temperatures above 8.6 eV and electron distributions with temperatures below 8.6 eV. The two sub-populations have different relationships between their density and temperature. Moreover, the two sub-populations are affected by different drivers. The hotter sub-population temperature is strongly correlated with neutral density, while the cooler sub-population is unaffected by neutral density and is only weakly correlated with magnetic field strength. We suggest that the population with temperatures above 8.6 eV is being heated by lower hybrid waves driven by counterstreaming solar wind protons and newly formed, cometary ions created in localized, dense neutral streams. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first observations of cometary electrons heated through wave-particle interactions.

Electrostatic properties of graphene edges for electron emission under an external electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yanlin; Okada, Susumu

2018-04-01

Electronic properties of graphene edges under a lateral electric field were theoretically studied in regard to their edge shapes and terminations to provide a theoretical insight into their field emission properties. The work function and potential barrier for the electron emission from the graphene edges are sensitive to their shape and termination. We also found that the hydrogenated armchair edge shows the largest emission current among all edges studied here. The electric field outside the chiral edges is spatially modulated along the edge because of the inhomogeneous charge density at the atomic sites of the edge arising from the bond alternation.

Experimental investigation of density behaviors in front of the lower hybrid launcher in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, L.; Ding, B. J.; Li, M. H.

2013-06-15

A triple Langmuir probe is mounted on the top of the Lower Hybrid (LH) antenna to measure the electron density near the LH grills in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. In this work, the LH power density ranges from 2.3 MWm{sup −2} to 10.3 MWm{sup −2} and the rate of puffing gas varies from 1.7 × 10{sup 20} el/s to 14 × 10{sup 20} el/s. The relation between the edge density (from 0.3 × n{sub e-cutoff} to 20 × n{sub e-cutoff}, where n{sub e-cutoff} is the cutoff density, n{sub e-cutoff} = 0.74 × 10{sup 17} m{sup −3} for 2.45 GHz lowermore » hybrid current drive) near the LH grill and the LH power reflection coefficients is investigated. The factors, including the gap between the LH grills and the last closed magnetic flux surface, line-averaged density, LH power, edge safety factor, and gas puffing, are analyzed. The experiments show that injection of LH power is beneficial for increasing edge density. Gas puffing is beneficial for increasing grill density but excess gas puffing is unfavorable for coupling and current drive.« less

Continuing Development of a Hybrid Model (VSH) of the Neutral Thermosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, Alan

1996-01-01

We propose to continue the development of a new operational model of neutral thermospheric density, composition, temperatures and winds to improve current engineering environment definitions of the neutral thermosphere. This model will be based on simulations made with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Thermosphere-Ionosphere- Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) and on empirical data. It will be capable of using real-time geophysical indices or data from ground-based and satellite inputs and provides neutral variables at specified locations and times. This "hybrid" model will be based on a Vector Spherical Harmonic (VSH) analysis technique developed (over the last 8 years) at the University of Michigan that permits the incorporation of the TIGCM outputs and data into the model. The VSH model will be a more accurate version of existing models of the neutral thermospheric, and will thus improve density specification for satellites flying in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Role of selection and gene flow in population differentiation at the edge vs. interior of the species range differing in climatic conditions.

PubMed

Volis, S; Ormanbekova, D; Shulgina, I

2016-04-01

Evaluating the relative importance of neutral and adaptive processes as determinants of population differentiation across environments is a central theme of evolutionary biology. We applied the QST-FST comparison flanked by a direct test for local adaptation to infer the role of climate-driven selection and gene flow in population differentiation of an annual grass Avena sterilis in two distinct parts of the species range, edge and interior, which represent two globally different climates, desert and Mediterranean. In a multiyear reciprocal transplant experiment, the plants of desert and Mediterranean origin demonstrated home advantage, and population differentiation in several phenotypic traits related to reproduction exceeded neutral predictions, as determined by comparisons of QST values with theoretical FST distributions. Thus, variation in these traits likely resulted from local adaptation to desert and Mediterranean environments. The two separate common garden experiments conducted with different experimental design revealed that two population comparisons, in contrast to multi-population comparisons, are likely to detect population differences in virtually every trait, but many of these differences reflect effects of local rather than regional environment. We detected a general reduction in neutral (SSR) genetic variation but not in adaptive quantitative trait variation in peripheral desert as compared with Mediterranean core populations. On the other hand, the molecular data indicated intensive gene flow from the Mediterranean core towards desert periphery. Although species range position in our study (edge vs. interior) was confounded with climate (desert vs. Mediterranean), the results suggest that the gene flow from the species core does not have negative consequences for either performance of the peripheral plants or their adaptive potential. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cosmic Ray Flux in the Presence of a Neutral Background

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Thomas L.; Lodhi, Arfin; Diaz, Abel

2007-01-01

The study of cosmic rays (CRs) is a very mature subject developed around the concept of radiative particle flux phi as a mono-variant function of energy E, that is phi = phi(E). This is based on the notion of the cosmos as being filled with cosmic radiation in the form of a collisionless exosphere of plasma. Neutrals, however, are likewise ubiquitous in space and planetary trapped-radiation belts. It will be shown that in the presence of a neutral background of density rho, flux phi is actually bivariant in energy E and rho, creating a surface phi(E,rho). This is an intrinsic property of charged-particle flux, that flux is not merely a function of E but is dependent upon density rho when a background of neutrals is present. The effect is produced by multiple scattering of charged particles off neutral and ionized atoms along with ionization loss where charged and neutral populations interact. For the harder portion of CR spectra, flux is mono-variant but at nonrelativistic energies (below approx, 350 MeV) it becomes sensitive to the presence of neutral backgrounds. The dependence of phi(E,rho) upon background neutrals is helpful in discussing the anomalous CR (ACR) flux made up of ionized components of the heliospheric neutral atmosphere.

Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescope Observations of the Debris Disk around the nearby K Dwarf HD 92945

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golimowski, D. A.; Krist, J. E.; Stapelfeldt, K. R.; Chen, C. H.; Ardila, D. R.; Bryden, G.; Clampin, M.; Ford, H. C.; Illingworth, G. D.; Plavchan, P.; Rieke, G. H.; Su, K. Y. L.

2011-07-01

We present the first resolved images of the debris disk around the nearby K dwarf HD 92945, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST 's) Advanced Camera for Surveys. Our F606W (Broad V) and F814W (Broad I) coronagraphic images reveal an inclined, axisymmetric disk consisting of an inner ring about 2farcs0-3farcs0 (43-65 AU) from the star and an extended outer disk whose surface brightness declines slowly with increasing radius approximately 3farcs0-5farcs1 (65-110 AU) from the star. A precipitous drop in the surface brightness beyond 110 AU suggests that the outer disk is truncated at that distance. The radial surface-density profile is peaked at both the inner ring and the outer edge of the disk. The dust in the outer disk scatters neutrally but isotropically, and it has a low V-band albedo of 0.1. This combination of axisymmetry, ringed and extended morphology, and isotropic neutral scattering is unique among the 16 debris disks currently resolved in scattered light. We also present new infrared photometry and spectra of HD 92945 obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope's Multiband Imaging Photometer and InfraRed Spectrograph. These data reveal no infrared excess from the disk shortward of 30 μm and constrain the width of the 70 μm source to lsim180 AU. Assuming that the dust comprises compact grains of astronomical silicate with a surface-density profile described by our scattered-light model of the disk, we successfully model the 24-350 μm emission with a minimum grain size of a min = 4.5 μm and a size distribution proportional to a -3.7 throughout the disk, but with maximum grain sizes of 900 μm in the inner ring and 50 μm in the outer disk. Together, our HST and Spitzer observations indicate a total dust mass of ~0.001M ⊕. However, our observations provide contradictory evidence of the dust's physical characteristics: its neutral V-I color and lack of 24 μm emission imply grains larger than a few microns, but its isotropic scattering and low albedo suggest a large population of submicron-sized grains. If grains smaller than a few microns are absent, then stellar radiation pressure may be the cause only if the dust is composed of highly absorptive materials like graphite. The dynamical causes of the sharply edged inner ring and outer disk are unclear, but recent models of dust creation and transport in the presence of migrating planets support the notion that the disk indicates an advanced state of planet formation around HD 92945. Based in part on guaranteed observing time awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the Advanced Camera for Surveys Investigation Definition Team and the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer Instrument Team.

Effects of neutral gas releases on electron beam injection from electrically tethered spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winglee, R. M.

1990-01-01

The presence of high neutral densities at low altitudes and/or during thruster firings is known to modify the spacecraft potential during active electron beam injection. Two-dimensional (three velocity) particle simulations are used to investigate the ionization processes including the neutral density required, the modification of the spacecraft potential, beam profile and spatial distribution of the return current into the spacecraft. Three processes are identified: (1) beam-induced ionization, (2) vehicle-induced ionization, and (3) beam plasma discharge. Only in the first two cases does the beam propagate away with little distortion.

Continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy for velocity distribution measurements in plasma.

PubMed

McCarren, D; Scime, E

2015-10-01

We report the development of a continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CW-CRDS) diagnostic for real-time, in situ measurement of velocity distribution functions of ions and neutral atoms in plasma. This apparatus is less complex than conventional CW-CRDS systems. We provide a detailed description of the CW-CRDS apparatus as well as measurements of argon ions and neutrals in a high-density (10(9) cm(-3) < plasma density <10(13) cm(-3)) plasma. The CW-CRDS measurements are validated through comparison with laser induced fluorescence measurements of the same absorbing states of the ions and neutrals.

Distribution of E/N and N/e/ in a cross-flow electric discharge laser. [electric field to neutral gas density and electron number density

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunning, J. W., Jr.; Lancashire, R. B.; Manista, E. J.

1976-01-01

Measurements have been conducted of the effect of the convection of ions and electrons on the discharge characteristics in a large scale laser. The results are presented for one particular distribution of ballast resistance. Values of electric field, current density, input power density, ratio of electric field to neutral gas density (E/N), and electron number density were calculated on the basis of measurements of the discharge properties. In a number of graphs, the E/N ratio, current density, power density, and electron density are plotted as a function of row number (downstream position) with total discharge current and gas velocity as parameters. From the dependence of the current distribution on the total current, it appears that the electron production in the first two rows significantly affects the current flowing in the succeeding rows.

Electrochemistry at Edge of Single Graphene Layer in a Nanopore

PubMed Central

Banerjee, Shouvik; Shim, Jiwook; Rivera, Jose; Jin, Xiaozhong; Estrada, David; Solovyeva, Vita; You, Xiuque; Pak, James; Pop, Eric; Aluru, Narayana; Bashir, Rashid

2013-01-01

We study the electrochemistry of single layer graphene edges using a nanopore-based structure consisting of stacked graphene and Al2O3 dielectric layers. Nanopores, with diameters ranging from 5 to 20 nm, are formed by an electron beam sculpting process on the stacked layers. This leads to unique edge structure which, along with the atomically thin nature of the embedded graphene electrode, demonstrates electrochemical current densities as high as 1.2 × 104 A/cm2. The graphene edge embedded structure offers a unique capability to study the electrochemical exchange at an individual graphene edge, isolated from the basal plane electrochemical activity. We also report ionic current modulation in the nanopore by biasing the embedded graphene terminal with respect to the electrodes in the fluid. The high electrochemical specific current density for a graphene nanopore-based device can have many applications in sensitive chemical and biological sensing, and energy storage devices. PMID:23249127

Stacked 3D RRAM Array with Graphene/CNT as Edge Electrodes

PubMed Central

Bai, Yue; Wu, Huaqiang; Wang, Kun; Wu, Riga; Song, Lin; Li, Tianyi; Wang, Jiangtao; Yu, Zhiping; Qian, He

2015-01-01

There are two critical challenges which determine the array density of 3D RRAM: 1) the scaling limit in both horizontal and vertical directions; 2) the integration of selector devices in 3D structure. In this work, we present a novel 3D RRAM structure using low-dimensional materials, including 2D graphene and 1D carbon nanotube (CNT), as the edge electrodes. A two-layer 3D RRAM with monolayer graphene as edge electrode is demonstrated. The electrical results reveal that the RRAM devices could switch normally with this very thin edge electrode at nanometer scale. Meanwhile, benefited from the asymmetric carrier transport induced by Schottky barrier at metal/CNT and oxide/CNT interfaces, a selector built-in 3D RRAM structure using CNT as edge electrode is successfully fabricated and characterized. Furthermore, the discussion of high array density potential is presented. PMID:26348797

Stacked 3D RRAM Array with Graphene/CNT as Edge Electrodes.

PubMed

Bai, Yue; Wu, Huaqiang; Wang, Kun; Wu, Riga; Song, Lin; Li, Tianyi; Wang, Jiangtao; Yu, Zhiping; Qian, He

2015-09-08

There are two critical challenges which determine the array density of 3D RRAM: 1) the scaling limit in both horizontal and vertical directions; 2) the integration of selector devices in 3D structure. In this work, we present a novel 3D RRAM structure using low-dimensional materials, including 2D graphene and 1D carbon nanotube (CNT), as the edge electrodes. A two-layer 3D RRAM with monolayer graphene as edge electrode is demonstrated. The electrical results reveal that the RRAM devices could switch normally with this very thin edge electrode at nanometer scale. Meanwhile, benefited from the asymmetric carrier transport induced by Schottky barrier at metal/CNT and oxide/CNT interfaces, a selector built-in 3D RRAM structure using CNT as edge electrode is successfully fabricated and characterized. Furthermore, the discussion of high array density potential is presented.

Synthetic reconstruction of recycling on the limiter during startup phase of W7-X based on EMC3-EIRENE simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frerichs, Heinke; Effenberg, Florian; Schmitz, Oliver; Stephey, Laurie; W7-X Team

2016-10-01

Interpretation of spectroscopic measurements in the edge region of high-temperature plasmas can be a challenge due to line of sight integration effects. The EMC3-EIRENE code - a 3D fluid edge plasma and kinetic neutral gas transport code - is a suitable tool for full 3D reconstruction of such signals. A versatile synthetic diagnostic module has been developed recently which allows the realistic three dimensional setup of various plasma edge diagnostics to be captured. We present an analysis of recycling on the inboard limiter of W7-X during its startup phase in terms of a synthetic camera for Hα light observations and reconstruct the particle flux from these synthetic images based on ionization per photon coefficients (S/XB). We find that line of sight integration effects can lead to misinterpretation of data (redistribution of particle flux due to neutral gas diffusion), and that local plasma effects are important for the correct treatment of photon emissions. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Grant DE-SC0014210, by startup funds of the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and by the EUROfusion Consortium under Euratom Grant No 633053.

Radiation−condensation instability in tokamaks with mixed impurities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morozov, D. Kh.; Pshenov, A. A., E-mail: Pshenov.andrey@gmail.com

2015-08-15

Radiation−condensation instability (RCI) is one of the possible mechanisms behind the formation of microfaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE) of a tokamak. It has been previously shown by the authors that RCI in carbon-seeded plasma can be stabilized using neon injection. Recently, beryllium- and tungsten-seeded plasmas became a subject of great interest. Therefore, in the present paper, RCI stability analysis of the edge plasma seeded with beryllium, tungsten, nitrogen, and carbon is performed. The influence of neutral hydrogen fluxes from the wall on the marginal stability limit is studied as well.

Theoretical investigation of the role of clay edges in prebiotic peptide bond formation. II - Structures and thermodynamics of the activated complex species

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, Jack R.; Loew, Gilda H.; Luke, Brian T.; White, David H.

1988-01-01

Molecular orbital calculations are used to study amino acid activation by anhydride formation in neutral phosphates and in tetrahedral silicate and aluminate sites on clay edges. The results agree with previous ab initio studies of Luke et al. (1984) on the reactant species. Relative heats of formation of the anhydrides indicate the extent of anhydride formation to be the greatest for Al and the least for phosphate, which is the same order as the stability of hydrolysis.

X-ray absorption in insulators with non-Hermitian real-time time-dependent density functional theory.

PubMed

Fernando, Ranelka G; Balhoff, Mary C; Lopata, Kenneth

2015-02-10

Non-Hermitian real-time time-dependent density functional theory was used to compute the Si L-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of α-quartz using an embedded finite cluster model and atom-centered basis sets. Using tuned range-separated functionals and molecular orbital-based imaginary absorbing potentials, the excited states spanning the pre-edge to ∼20 eV above the ionization edge were obtained in good agreement with experimental data. This approach is generalizable to TDDFT studies of core-level spectroscopy and dynamics in a wide range of materials.

Modeling of Thermospheric Neutral Density Variations in Response to Geomagnetic Forcing using GRACE Accelerometer Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calabia, A.; Matsuo, T.; Jin, S.

2017-12-01

The upper atmospheric expansion refers to an increase in the temperature and density of Earth's thermosphere due to increased geomagnetic and space weather activities, producing anomalous atmospheric drag on LEO spacecraft. Increased drag decelerates satellites, moving their orbit closer to Earth, decreasing the lifespan of satellites, and making satellite orbit determination difficult. In this study, thermospheric neutral density variations due to geomagnetic forcing are investigated from 10 years (2003-2013) of GRACE's accelerometer-based estimates. In order to isolate the variations produced by geomagnetic forcing, 99.8% of the total variability has been modeled and removed through the parameterization of annual, LST, and solar-flux variations included in the primary Empirical Orthogonal Functions. The residual disturbances of neutral density variations have been investigated further in order to unravel their relationship to several geomagnetic indices and space weather activity indicators. Stronger fluctuations have been found in the southern polar cap, following the dipole-tilt angle variations. While the parameterization of the residual disturbances in terms of Dst index results in the best fit to training data, the use of merging electric field as a predictor leads to the best forecasting performance. An important finding is that modeling of neutral density variations in response geomagnetic forcing can be improved by accounting for the latitude-dependent delay. Our data-driven modeling results are further compared to modeling with TIEGCM.

Statistical analysis of dust signals observed by ROSINA/COPS onboard of the Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tzou, Chia-Yu; altwegg, kathrin; Bieler, Andre; Calmonte, Ursina; Gasc, Sébastien; Le Roy, Léna; Rubin, Martin

2016-10-01

ROSINA is the in situ Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis on board of Rosetta, one of the corner stone missions of the European Space Agency (ESA) to land and orbit the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). ROSINA consists of two mass spectrometers and a pressure sensor. The Reflectron Time of Flight Spectrometer (RTOF) and the Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer (DFMS) complement each other in mass and time resolution.The Comet Pressure Sensor (COPS) provides density measurements of the neutral molecules in the cometary coma of 67P. COPS has two gauges, a nude gauge that measures the total neutral density and a ram gauge that measures the dynamic pressure from the comet. Combining the two COPS is also capable of providing gas dynamic information such as gas velocity and gas temperature of the coma.While Rosetta started orbiting around 67P in August 2014, COPS observed diurnal and seasonal variations of the neutral gas density in the coma. Surprisingly, additional to these major density variation patterns, COPS occasionally observed small spikes in the density that are associated with dust. These dust signals can be interpreted as a result of cometary dust releasing volatiles while heated up near COPS. A statistical analysis of dust signals detected by COPS will be presented.

Compositional design and optimization of dentin adhesive with neutralization capability.

PubMed

Song, Linyong; Ye, Qiang; Ge, Xueping; Spencer, Paulette

2015-09-01

The objective of this work was to investigate the polymerization behavior, neutralization capability, and mechanical properties of dentin adhesive formulations with the addition of the tertiary amine co-monomer, 2-N-morpholinoethyl methacrylate (MEMA). A co-monomer mixture based on HEMA/BisGMA (45/55, w/w) was used as a control adhesive. Compared with the control formulation, the MEMA-containing adhesive formulations were characterized comprehensively with regard to water miscibility of liquid resin, water sorption and solubility of cured polymer, real-time photopolymerization kinetics, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The neutralization capacity was characterized by monitoring the pH shift of 1mM lactic acid (LA) solution, in which the adhesive polymers were soaked. With increasing MEMA concentrations, experimental copolymers showed higher water sorption, lower glass transition temperature and lower crosslinking density compared to the control. The pH values of LA solution gradually increased from 3.5 to about 6.0-6.5 after 90 days. With the increase in crosslinking density of the copolymers, the neutralization rate was depressed. The optimal MEMA concentration was between 20 and 40 wt%. As compared to the control, the results indicated that the MEMA-functionalized copolymer showed neutralization capability. The crosslinking density of the copolymer networks influenced the neutralization rate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the Li beam probe with a beam profile monitor on JETa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedzelskiy, I. S.; Korotkov, A.; Brix, M.; Morgan, P.; Vince, J.; Jet Efda Contributors

2010-10-01

The lithium beam probe (LBP) is widely used for measurements of the electron density in the edge plasma of magnetically confined fusion experiments. The quality of LBP data strongly depends on the stability and profile shape of the beam. The main beam parameters are as follows: beam energy, beam intensity, beam profile, beam divergence, and the neutralization efficiency. For improved monitoring of the beam parameters, a beam profile monitor (BPM) from the National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC) has been installed in the Li beam line at JET. In the NEC BPM, a single grounded wire formed into a 45° segment of a helix is rotated by a motor about the axis of the helix. During each full revolution, the wire sweeps twice across the beam to give X and Y profiles. In this paper, we will describe the properties of the JET Li beam as measured with the BPM and demonstrate that it facilitates rapid optimization of the gun performance.

A New Instrument for Measurement of the Solar Aureole Radiance Distribution from Unstable Platforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritter, Joseph M.; Voss, Kenneth J.

1999-01-01

A novel imaging solar aureole radiometer, which can obtain absolute radiometric measurements of the solar aureole when operated on an unstable platform is described. A CCD array is used to image the aureole, while a neutral density occulter on a long pole blocks the direct solar radiation. This ensures accurate direction registration as the sun appears in acquired images, and the total circumsolar region is measured simultaneously. The imaging nature of this instrument along with a special triggering device permit acquisition of the circumsolar sky radiance within 7.5 degrees of the center of the solar disk, and within 1 degree of the edge of the solar disk. This innovation makes possible for the first time, reliable and accurate radiometric measurements of the solar aureole from unstable mobile platforms such as ships. This allows determination small angle atmospheric scattering. The instrument has been used in field studies of atmospheric aerosols and will be used in satellite validation and calibration campaigns.

A neutral-beam profile monitor with a phosphor screen and a high-sensitivity camera for the J-PARC KOTO experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumura, T.; Kamiji, I.; Nakagiri, K.; Nanjo, H.; Nomura, T.; Sasao, N.; Shinkawa, T.; Shiomi, K.

2018-03-01

We have developed a beam-profile monitor (BPM) system to align the collimators for the neutral beam-line at the Hadron Experimental Facility of J-PARC. The system is composed of a phosphor screen and a CCD camera coupled to an image intensifier mounted on a remote control X- Y stage. The design and detailed performance studies of the BPM are presented. The monitor has a spatial resolution of better than 0.6 mm and a deviation from linearity of less than 1%. These results indicate that the BPM system meets the requirements to define collimator-edge positions for the beam-line tuning. Confirmation using the neutral beam for the KOTO experiment is also presented.

Polarity control of h-BN nanoribbon edges by strain and edge termination.

PubMed

Yamanaka, Ayaka; Okada, Susumu

2017-03-29

We studied the polarity of h-BN nano-flakes in terms of their edge geometries, edge hydrogen termination, and uniaxial strain by evaluating their electrostatic potential using density functional theory. Our calculations have shown that the polarity of the nanoribbons is sensitive to their edge shape, edge termination, and uniaxial tensile strain. Polarity inversion of the ribbons can be induced by controlling the hydrogen concentration at the edges and the uniaxial tensile strain. The polarity inversion indicates that h-BN nanoribbons can exhibit non-polar properties at a particular edge hydrogen concentration and tensile strain, even though the nanoribbons essentially have polarity at the edge. We also found that the edge angle affects the polarity of nanoribbons with hydrogenated edges.

Genomes: At the edge of chaos with maximum information capacity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Sing-Guan; Chen, Hong-Da; Torda, Andrew; Lee, H. C.

2016-12-01

We propose an order index, ϕ, which quantifies the notion of “life at the edge of chaos” when applied to genome sequences. It maps genomes to a number from 0 (random and of infinite length) to 1 (fully ordered) and applies regardless of sequence length and base composition. The 786 complete genomic sequences in GenBank were found to have ϕ values in a very narrow range, 0.037 ± 0.027. We show this implies that genomes are halfway towards being completely random, namely, at the edge of chaos. We argue that this narrow range represents the neighborhood of a fixed-point in the space of sequences, and genomes are driven there by the dynamics of a robust, predominantly neutral evolution process.

Design and Operation of a Two-Color Interferometer to Measure Plasma and Neutral Gas Densities in a Laser-Triggered Spark Gap Switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camacho, J. F.; Ruden, E. L.; Domonkos, M. T.; Schmitt-Sody, A.; Lucero, A.

2014-10-01

A Mach-Zehnder imaging interferometer, operating with 1064-nm and 532-nm wavelength beams from a short-pulse laser and a frequency-doubled branch, respectively, has been designed and built to simultaneously measure plasma free electron and neutral gas densities profiles within a laser-triggered spark gap switch with a 5-mm gap. The switch will be triggered by focusing a separate 532-nm or 1064-nm laser pulse along the gap's axis to trigger low-jitter breakdown. Illuminating the gap transverse to this axis, the diagnostic will generate interferograms for each wavelength, which will then be numerically converted to phase-shift maps. These will be used to calculate independent line-integrated free electron and neutral density profiles by exploiting their different frequency dispersion curves. The density profiles themselves, then, will be calculated by Abel inversion. Details of the interferometer's design will be presented along with density data obtained using a variety of fill gasses at various pressures. Other switch parameters will be varied as well in order to characterize more fully the performance of the switch.

Streakline flow visualization study of a horseshoe vortex in a large-scale, two-dimensional turbine stator cascade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaugler, R. E.; Russell, L. M.

1979-01-01

Neutrally bouyant helium-filled bubbles were observed as they followed the streamlines in a horseshoe vortex system around the vane leading edge in a large scale, two dimensional, turbine stator cascade. Inlet Reynolds number, based on true chord, ranged between 100,000 to 300,000. Bubbles were introduced into the endwall boundary layer through a slot upstream of the vane leading edge. The paths of the bubbles were recorded photographically as streaklines on 16 mm movie film. Individual frames from the film were selected, and overlayed to show the details of the horseshoe vortex around the leading edge. The transport of the vortex across the passage near the leading edge is clearly seen when compared to the streaks formed by bubbles carried in the main stream. Limiting streamlines on the endwall surface were traced by the flow of oil drops.

Detection and labeling ribs on expiration chest radiographs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Mira; Jin, Jesse S.; Wilson, Laurence S.

2003-06-01

Typically, inspiration is preferred when xraying the lungs. The x-ray technologist will ask a patient to be still and to take a deep breath and to hold it. This not only reduces the possibility of a blurred image but also enhances the quality of the image since air-filled lungs are easier to see on x-ray film. However, inspiration causes low density in the inner part of lung field. That means that ribs in the inner part of lung field have lower density than the other parts nearer to the border of the lung field. That is why edge detection algorithms often fail to detect ribs. Therefore to make rib edges clear we try to produce an expiration lung field using a 'hemi-elliptical cavity.' Based on the expiration lung field, we extract the rib edges using canny edge detector and a new connectivity method, called '4 way with 10-neighbors connectivity' to detect clavicle and rib edge candidates. Once the edge candidates are formed, our system selects the best candidates using knowledge-based constraints such as a gradient, length and location. The edges can be paired and labeled as superior rib edge and inferior rib edge. Then the system uses the clavicle, which is obtained in a same method for the rib edge detection, as a landmark to label all detected ribs.

Intense conductivity suppression by edge defects in zigzag MoS2 and WSe2 nanoribbons: a density functional based tight-binding study.

PubMed

Silva, F W N; Costa, A L M T; Liu, Lei; Barros, E B

2016-11-04

The effects of edge vacancies on the electron transport properties of zigzag MoS2/WSe2 nanoribbons are studied using a density functional theory (DFT)-based tight-binding model with a sp(3)d(5) basis set for the electronic structure calculation and applying the Landauer-Büttiker approach for the electronic transport. Our results show that the presence of a single edge vacancy, with a missing MoS2/WSe2 triplet, is enough to suppress the conductance of the system by almost one half for most energies around the Fermi level. Furthermore, the presence of other single defects along the same edge has little effect on the overall conductance, indicating that the conductance of that particular edge has been strongly suppressed by the first defect. The presence of another defect on the opposite edge further suppresses the quantum conductance, independently of the relative position between the two defects in opposite edges. The introduction of other defects cause the suppression to be energy dependent, leading to conductance peaks which depend on the geometry of the edges. The strong conductance dependence on the presence of edge defects is corroborated by DFT calculations using SIESTA, which show that the electronic bands near the Fermi energy are strongly localized at the edge.

On the response of superpressure balloons to displacements from equilibrium density level

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levanon, N.; Kushnir, Y.

1976-01-01

The response of a superpressure balloon to an initial displacement from its constant-density floating level is examined. An approximate solution is obtained to the governing vertical equation of motion for constant-density superpressure balloons. This solution is used to filter out neutrally buoyant oscillations in balloon records despite the nonlinear behavior of the balloon. The graph depicting the pressure data after deconvolution between the raw pressure data and the normalized balloon wavelet shows clearly the strong filtering-out of the neutral buoyancy oscillations.

Two new hot white dwarfs in a region of exceptionally low hi density

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barstow, M. A.; Wesemael, F.; Holberg, J. B.; Werner, K.; Buckley, D. A. H.; Stobie, R. S.; Fontaine, G.; Rosen, S. R.; Demers, S.; Lamontagne, R.

1993-01-01

We report the discovery of two hot white dwarfs which have the lowest line-of-sight neutral hydrogen column densities yet measured. The stars were found independently by the ROSAT EUV, Montreal-Cambridge-Tololo, and Edinburgh-Cape surveys. Follow-up observations made using the Voyager 2 ultraviolet spectrometer reveal strong continua shortward of the 912A Lyman limit from which we deduce that the neutral hydrogen column densities are 1.3 x 10(exp 17) and 2.0 x 10(exp 17) atoms/sq cm.

Axisymmetric Density Waves in Saturn's Rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedman, Matthew; Nicholson, Philip

2018-04-01

Density waves in Saturn's rings are typically tightly wrapped spiral patterns generated by resonances with either Saturn's moons or structures inside the planet. However, between the Barnard and Bessel Gaps in the Cassini Division (i.e. between 120,240 and 120,300 km), there are density variations that appear to form an axisymmetric density wave, which consists of concentric regions of varying density that propagate radially through the rings. Such a wave requires some process that forces ring particles at all longitudes to pass through pericenter at the same time, and so cannot be generated by satellite resonances. Instead this particular wave appears to be excited by interference between a nearby satellite resonance and normal mode oscillations on the inner edge of the Barnard Gap. Similar axisymmetric waves may exist within the Dawes ringlet and the outermost part of the B ring, which are also just interior to resonantly confined edges that exhibit a large number of normal modes. These waves may therefore provide new insights into how resonant perturbations near an edge can propagate through a disk of material.

Modeling L2,3-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy with Real-Time Exact Two-Component Relativistic Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory.

PubMed

Kasper, Joseph M; Lestrange, Patrick J; Stetina, Torin F; Li, Xiaosong

2018-04-10

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a powerful technique to probe local electronic and nuclear structure. There has been extensive theoretical work modeling K-edge spectra from first principles. However, modeling L-edge spectra directly with density functional theory poses a unique challenge requiring further study. Spin-orbit coupling must be included in the model, and a noncollinear density functional theory is required. Using the real-time exact two-component method, we are able to variationally include one-electron spin-orbit coupling terms when calculating the absorption spectrum. The abilities of different basis sets and density functionals to model spectra for both closed- and open-shell systems are investigated using SiCl 4 and three transition metal complexes, TiCl 4 , CrO 2 Cl 2 , and [FeCl 6 ] 3- . Although we are working in the real-time framework, individual molecular orbital transitions can still be recovered by projecting the density onto the ground state molecular orbital space and separating contributions to the time evolving dipole moment.

Edge Currents and Stability in DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas, D M; Fenstermacher, M E; Finkenthal, D K

2004-12-01

Understanding the stability physics of the H-mode pedestal in tokamak devices requires an accurate measurement of plasma current in the pedestal region with good spatial resolution. Theoretically, the high pressure gradients achieved in the edge of H-mode plasmas should lead to generation of a significant edge current density peak through bootstrap and Pfirsh-Schl{umlt u}ter effects. This edge current is important for the achievement of second stability in the context of coupled magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) modes which are both pressure (ballooning) and current (peeling) driven. Many aspects of edge localized mode (ELM) behavior can be accounted for in terms of anmore » edge current density peak, with the identification of Type 1 ELMs as intermediate-n toroidal mode number MHD modes being a natural feature of this model. The development of a edge localized instabilities in tokamak experiments code (ELITE) based on this model allows one to efficiently calculate the stability and growth of the relevant modes for a broad range of plasma parameters and thus provides a framework for understanding the limits on pedestal height. This however requires an accurate assessment of the edge current. While estimates of j{sub edge} can be made based on specific bootstrap models, their validity may be limited in the edge (gradient scalelengths comparable to orbit size, large changes in collisionality, etc.). Therefore it is highly desirable to have an actual measurement. Such measurements have been made on the DIII-D tokamak using combined polarimetry and spectroscopy of an injected lithium beam. By analyzing one of the Zeeman-split 2S-2P lithium resonance line components, one can obtain direct information on the local magnetic field components. These values allow one to infer details of the edge current density. Because of the negligible Stark mixing of the relevant atomic levels in lithium, this method of determining j(r) is insensitive to the large local electric fields typically found in enhanced confinement (H-mode) edges, and thus avoids an ambiguity common to MSE measurements of B{sub pol}.« less

Edge Currents and Stability in DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas, D M; Fenstermacher, M E; Finkenthal, D K

2005-05-05

Understanding the stability physics of the H-mode pedestal in tokamak devices requires an accurate measurement of plasma current in the pedestal region with good spatial resolution. Theoretically, the high pressure gradients achieved in the edge of H-mode plasmas should lead to generation of a significant edge current density peak through bootstrap and Pfirsh-Schlueter effects. This edge current is important for the achievement of second stability in the context of coupled magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) modes which are both pressure (ballooning) and current (peeling) driven [1]. Many aspects of edge localized mode (ELM) behavior can be accounted for in terms of anmore » edge current density peak, with the identification of Type 1 ELMs as intermediate-n toroidal mode number MHD modes being a natural feature of this model [2]. The development of a edge localized instabilities in tokamak experiments code (ELITE) based on this model allows one to efficiently calculate the stability and growth of the relevant modes for a broad range of plasma parameters [3,4] and thus provides a framework for understanding the limits on pedestal height. This however requires an accurate assessment of the edge current. While estimates of j{sub edge} can be made based on specific bootstrap models, their validity may be limited in the edge (gradient scale lengths comparable to orbit size, large changes in collisionality, etc.). Therefore it is highly desirable to have an actual measurement. Such measurements have been made on the DIII-D tokamak using combined polarimetry and spectroscopy of an injected lithium beam. [5,6]. By analyzing one of the Zeeman-split 2S-2P lithium resonance line components, one can obtain direct information on the local magnetic field components. These values allow one to infer details of the edge current density. Because of the negligible Stark mixing of the relevant atomic levels in lithium, this method of determining j(r) is insensitive to the large local electric fields typically found in enhanced confinement (H-mode) edges, and thus avoids an ambiguity common to MSE measurements of B{sub pol}.« less

Discharge Characterization of 40 cm-Microwave ECR Ion Source and Neutralizer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, John E.; Patterson, Michael J.; Britton, Melissa

2003-01-01

Discharge characteristics of a 40 cm, 2.45 GHz Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion thruster discharge chamber and neutralizer were acquired. Thruster bulk discharge plasma characteristics were assessed using a single Langmuir probe. Total extractable ion current was measured as a function of input microwave power and flow rate. Additionally, radial ion current density profiles at the thruster.s exit plane were characterized using five equally spaced Faraday probes. Distinct low and high density operating modes were observed as discharge input power was varied from 0 to 200 W. In the high mode, extractable ion currents as high as 0.82 A were measured. Neutralizer emission current was characterized as a function of flow rate and microwave power. Neutralizer extraction currents as high as 0.6 A were measured.

Turbulence and sheared flow structures behind the isotopic dependence of the L-H power threshold on DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yan, Zheng; Gohil, Punit; McKee, George R.

Measurements of long wavelength (kmore » $$\\perp$$p i < 1) density fluctuation characteristics in the edge of both Deuterium (D) and Hydrogen (H) plasmas across the L-H transition on DIII-D demonstrate the existence of single or double bands of low-wavenumber turbulence observed near the edge of H and D plasmas. These are strongly correlated with the L to H-mode transition power threshold (P LH) and can help explain the isotopic and density dependence of P LH, and how the P LH difference is reduced at higher density. Understanding and accurately predicting the L-H power threshold is critical to accessing to H-mode, and operating and achieving high confinement in burning plasmas such as ITER. Above about n e ~ 4 × 10 19 m -3, P LH is seen to converge for H and D, and increases for both with higher density. Surprisingly, the P LH increases significantly at low density in H but not in D plasmas. Two distinct frequency bands of density fluctuations are observed in the D plasmas at low density, n e ~ 1.2-1.5 × 10 19 m -3, but not in H plasmas with similar density, which appears to be correlated to the much lower power threshold in D at low density. Consistently, E × B shear in the region of r/a ~ 0.95-1.0 is larger in D plasmas than in H plasmas at low density; as the P LH increases with increasing density, the dual mode structure disappears while E × B shear becomes similar and small for both D and H plasmas at higher density, n e ~ 5 × 10 19 m -3, where P LH is similar for both D and H plasmas. Lastly, the increased edge fluctuations, increased flow shear, and the dualband nature of edge turbulence correlating with lower P LH may account for the strong isotope and density dependencies of PLH and support current L-H transition theories but suggest a complex behavior that can inform a more complete model of the L-H transition threshold.« less

Turbulence and sheared flow structures behind the isotopic dependence of the L-H power threshold on DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Yan, Zheng; Gohil, Punit; McKee, George R.; ...

2017-09-18

Measurements of long wavelength (kmore » $$\\perp$$p i < 1) density fluctuation characteristics in the edge of both Deuterium (D) and Hydrogen (H) plasmas across the L-H transition on DIII-D demonstrate the existence of single or double bands of low-wavenumber turbulence observed near the edge of H and D plasmas. These are strongly correlated with the L to H-mode transition power threshold (P LH) and can help explain the isotopic and density dependence of P LH, and how the P LH difference is reduced at higher density. Understanding and accurately predicting the L-H power threshold is critical to accessing to H-mode, and operating and achieving high confinement in burning plasmas such as ITER. Above about n e ~ 4 × 10 19 m -3, P LH is seen to converge for H and D, and increases for both with higher density. Surprisingly, the P LH increases significantly at low density in H but not in D plasmas. Two distinct frequency bands of density fluctuations are observed in the D plasmas at low density, n e ~ 1.2-1.5 × 10 19 m -3, but not in H plasmas with similar density, which appears to be correlated to the much lower power threshold in D at low density. Consistently, E × B shear in the region of r/a ~ 0.95-1.0 is larger in D plasmas than in H plasmas at low density; as the P LH increases with increasing density, the dual mode structure disappears while E × B shear becomes similar and small for both D and H plasmas at higher density, n e ~ 5 × 10 19 m -3, where P LH is similar for both D and H plasmas. Lastly, the increased edge fluctuations, increased flow shear, and the dualband nature of edge turbulence correlating with lower P LH may account for the strong isotope and density dependencies of PLH and support current L-H transition theories but suggest a complex behavior that can inform a more complete model of the L-H transition threshold.« less

Electron precipitation control of the Mars nightside ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lillis, R. J.; Girazian, Z.; Mitchell, D. L.; Adams, D.; Xu, S.; Benna, M.; Elrod, M. K.; Larson, D. E.; McFadden, J. P.; Andersson, L.; Fowler, C. M.

2017-12-01

The nightside ionosphere of Mars is known to be highly variable, with densities varying substantially with ion species, solar zenith angle, solar wind conditions and geographic location. The factors that control its structure include neutral densities, day-night plasma transport, plasma temperatures, dynamo current systems driven by neutral winds, solar energetic particle events, superthermal electron precipitation, chemical reaction rates and the strength, geometry and topology of crustal magnetic fields. The MAVEN mission has been the first to systematically sample the nightside ionosphere by species, showing that shorter-lived species such as CO2+ and O+ are more correlated with electron precipitation flux than longer lived species such as O2+ and NO+, as would be expected, and is shown in the figure below from Girazian et al. [2017, under review at Geophysical Research Letters]. In this study we use electron pitch-angle and energy spectra from the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA) and Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) instruments, ion and neutral densities from the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS), electron densities and temperatures from the Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW) instrument, as well as electron-neutral ionization cross-sections. We present a comprehensive statistical study of electron precipitation on the Martian nightside and its effect on the vertical, local-time and geographic structure and composition of the ionosphere, over three years of MAVEN observations. We also calculate insitu electron impact ionization rates and compare with ion densities to judge the applicability of photochemical models of the formation and maintenance of the nightside ionosphere. Lastly, we show how this applicability varies with altitude and is affected by ion transport measured by the Suprathermal and thermal Ion Composition (STATIC) instrument.

An analytic model for limiting high density LH transition by the onset of the tertiary instability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Raghvendra, E-mail: rsingh129@gmail.com; Jhang, Hogun; Kaang, Helen H.

2016-07-15

We perform an analytic study of the tertiary instability driven by a strong excitation of zonal flows during high density low to high (LH) mode transition. The drift resistive ballooning mode is assumed to be a dominant edge turbulence driver. The analysis reproduces main qualitative features of early computational results [Rogers and Drake, Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 4396 (1998); Guzdar et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 020701 (2007)], as well as new characteristics of the maximum edge density due to the onset of the tertiary instability. An analytical scaling indicates that the density scaling of LH transition power may be determinedmore » by the onset condition of the tertiary instability when the operating density approaches to the Greenwald density.« less

RFEA measurements of high-energy electrons in a helicon plasma device with expanding magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gulbrandsen, Njål; Fredriksen, Åshild

2017-01-01

In the inductively coupled plasma of the Njord helicon device we have, for the same parameters as for which an ion beam exists, measured a downstream population of high-energy electrons emerging from the source. Separated measurements of energetic tail electrons was carried out by Retarding Field Energy Analyzer (RFEA) with a grounded entrance grid, operated in an electron collection mode. In a radial scan with the RFEA pointed toward the source, we found a significant population of high-energy electrons just inside the magnetic field line mapping to the edge of the source. A second peak in high-energy electrons density was observed in a radial position corresponding to the radius of the source. Also, throughout the main column a small contribution of high-energy electrons was observed. In a radial scan with a RFEA biased to collect ions a localized increase in the plasma ion density near the magnetic field line emerging from the plasma near the wall of the source was observed. This is interpreted as a signature of high-energy electrons ionizing the neutral gas. Also, a dip in the floating potential of a Langmuir probe is evident in this region where high-energy electrons is observed.

Gravity Wave Seeding of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Sardul; Johnson, F. S.; Power, R. A.

1997-01-01

Some examples from the Atmosphere Explorer E data showing plasma bubble development from wavy ion density structures in the bottomside F layer are described. The wavy structures mostly had east-west wavelengths of 150-800 km, in one example it was about 3000 km. The ionization troughs in the wavy structures later broke up into either a multiple-bubble patch or a single bubble, depending upon whether, in the precursor wavy structure, shorter wavelengths were superimposed on the larger scale wavelengths. In the multiple bubble patches, intrabubble spacings vaned from 55 km to 140 km. In a fully developed equatorial spread F case, east-west wavelengths from 690 km down to about 0.5 km were present simultaneously. The spacings between bubble patches or between bubbles in a patch appear to be determined by the wavelengths present in the precursor wave structure. In some cases, deeper bubbles developed on the western edge of a bubble patch, suggesting an east-west asymmetry. Simultaneous horizontal neutral wind measurements showed wavelike perturbations that were closely associated with perturbations in the plasma horizontal drift velocity. We argue that the wave structures observed here that served as the initial seed ion density perturbations were caused by gravity waves, strengthening the view that gravity waves seed equatorial spread F irregularities.

Highly Enhanced Gas Adsorption Properties in Vertically Aligned MoS2 Layers.

PubMed

Cho, Soo-Yeon; Kim, Seon Joon; Lee, Youhan; Kim, Jong-Seon; Jung, Woo-Bin; Yoo, Hae-Wook; Kim, Jihan; Jung, Hee-Tae

2015-09-22

In this work, we demonstrate that gas adsorption is significantly higher in edge sites of vertically aligned MoS2 compared to that of the conventional basal plane exposed MoS2 films. To compare the effect of the alignment of MoS2 on the gas adsorption properties, we synthesized three distinct MoS2 films with different alignment directions ((1) horizontally aligned MoS2 (basal plane exposed), (2) mixture of horizontally aligned MoS2 and vertically aligned layers (basal and edge exposed), and (3) vertically aligned MoS2 (edge exposed)) by using rapid sulfurization method of CVD process. Vertically aligned MoS2 film shows about 5-fold enhanced sensitivity to NO2 gas molecules compared to horizontally aligned MoS2 film. Vertically aligned MoS2 has superior resistance variation compared to horizontally aligned MoS2 even with same surface area exposed to identical concentration of gas molecules. We found that electrical response to target gas molecules correlates directly with the density of the exposed edge sites of MoS2 due to high adsorption of gas molecules onto edge sites of vertically aligned MoS2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborate the experimental results as stronger NO2 binding energies are computed for multiple configurations near the edge sites of MoS2, which verifies that electrical response to target gas molecules (NO2) correlates directly with the density of the exposed edge sites of MoS2 due to high adsorption of gas molecules onto edge sites of vertically aligned MoS2. We believe that this observation extends to other 2D TMD materials as well as MoS2 and can be applied to significantly enhance the gas sensor performance in these materials.

Permeability and kinetic coefficients for mesoscale BCF surface step dynamics: Discrete two-dimensional deposition-diffusion equation analysis

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Renjie; Evans, James W.; Oliveira, Tiago J.

2016-04-08

Here, a discrete version of deposition-diffusion equations appropriate for description of step flow on a vicinal surface is analyzed for a two-dimensional grid of adsorption sites representing the stepped surface and explicitly incorporating kinks along the step edges. Model energetics and kinetics appropriately account for binding of adatoms at steps and kinks, distinct terrace and edge diffusion rates, and possible additional barriers for attachment to steps. Analysis of adatom attachment fluxes as well as limiting values of adatom densities at step edges for nonuniform deposition scenarios allows determination of both permeability and kinetic coefficients. Behavior of these quantities is assessedmore » as a function of key system parameters including kink density, step attachment barriers, and the step edge diffusion rate.« less

Permeability and kinetic coefficients for mesoscale BCF surface step dynamics: Discrete two-dimensional deposition-diffusion equation analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Renjie; Evans, James W.; Oliveira, Tiago J.

Here, a discrete version of deposition-diffusion equations appropriate for description of step flow on a vicinal surface is analyzed for a two-dimensional grid of adsorption sites representing the stepped surface and explicitly incorporating kinks along the step edges. Model energetics and kinetics appropriately account for binding of adatoms at steps and kinks, distinct terrace and edge diffusion rates, and possible additional barriers for attachment to steps. Analysis of adatom attachment fluxes as well as limiting values of adatom densities at step edges for nonuniform deposition scenarios allows determination of both permeability and kinetic coefficients. Behavior of these quantities is assessedmore » as a function of key system parameters including kink density, step attachment barriers, and the step edge diffusion rate.« less

Electronic properties of disordered Weyl semimetals at charge neutrality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holder, Tobias; Huang, Chia-Wei; Ostrovsky, Pavel M.

2017-11-01

Weyl semimetals have been intensely studied as a three-dimensional realization of a Dirac-like excitation spectrum where the conduction bands and valence bands touch at isolated Weyl points in momentum space. Like in graphene, this property entails various peculiar electronic properties. However, recent theoretical studies have suggested that resonant scattering from rare regions can give rise to a nonzero density of states even at charge neutrality. Here, we give a detailed account of this effect and demonstrate how the semimetallic nature is suppressed at the lowest scales. To this end, we develop a self-consistent T -matrix approach to investigate the density of states beyond the limit of weak disorder. Our results show a nonvanishing density of states at the Weyl point, which exhibits a nonanalytic dependence on the impurity density. This unusually strong effect of rare regions leads to a revised estimate for the conductivity close to the Weyl point and emphasizes possible deviations from semimetallic behavior in dirty Weyl semimetals at charge neutrality even with very low impurity concentration.

Optical properties of highly compressed polystyrene: An ab initio study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, S. X.; Collins, L. A.; Colgan, J. P.; Goncharov, V. N.; Kilcrease, D. P.

2017-10-01

Using all-electron density functional theory, we have performed an ab initio study on x-ray absorption spectra of highly compressed polystyrene (CH). We found that the K -edge shifts in strongly coupled, degenerate polystyrene cannot be explained by existing continuum-lowering models adopted in traditional plasma physics. To gain insights into the K -edge shift in warm, dense CH, we have developed a model designated as "single mixture in a box" (SMIAB), which incorporates both the lowering of the continuum and the rising of the Fermi surface resulting from high compression. This simple SMIAB model correctly predicts the K -edge shift of carbon in highly compressed CH in good agreement with results from quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) calculations. Traditional opacity models failed to give the proper K -edge shifts as the CH density increased. Based on QMD calculations, we have established a first-principles opacity table (FPOT) for CH in a wide range of densities and temperatures [ρ =0.1 -100 g /c m3 and T =2000 -1 000 000 K ]. The FPOT gives much higher Rosseland mean opacity compared to the cold-opacity-patched astrophysics opacity table for warm, dense CH and favorably compares to the newly improved Los Alamos atomic model for moderately compressed CH (ρCH≤10 g /c m3 ), but remains a factor of 2 to 3 higher at extremely high densities (ρCH≥50 g /c m3 ). We anticipate the established FPOT of CH will find important applications to reliable designs of high-energy-density experiments. Moreover, the understanding of K -edge shifting revealed in this study could provide guides for improving the traditional opacity models to properly handle the strongly coupled and degenerate conditions.

Living on the edge: Space use of Eurasian red squirrels in marginal high-elevation habitat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romeo, Claudia; Wauters, Lucas A.; Preatoni, Damiano; Tosi, Guido; Martinoli, Adriano

2010-11-01

In marginal habitats located at the edge of a species' range, environmental conditions are frequently extreme and individuals may be subject to different selective pressures compared to central populations. These so-called edge or marginal populations tend to have lower densities and reproductive rates than populations located in more suitable habitats, but little is known about local adaptations in spacing behavior. We studied space use and social organization in a population of Eurasian red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris) in a high-elevation marginal habitat of dwarf mountain pine ( Pinus mugo) and compared it with spacing patterns in high-quality Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris) forest at lower-elevation. Home ranges and core areas were larger in the marginal habitat. In both habitats, males used larger home ranges than females, but sex differences in core area size were significant only in the edge population. Patterns of core area overlap were similar in both habitats with intra-sexual territoriality among adult females and higher degrees of inter-sexual overlap, typical for the species throughout its range. However, low densities in the edge population resulted in higher female by males overlap in spring-summer, suggesting males increased home ranges and core areas during mating season to augment access to estrus females. Thus, in the marginal habitat, with low food abundance and low population densities, linked with extreme winter conditions, squirrels, especially males, used large home ranges. Finally, squirrels responded more strongly to variation in food availability (inverse relation between home range size and seed abundance), and even to fluctuations in density (inverse relation between core area size and density of animals of the same sex), in the marginal than in the high-quality habitat, suggesting high behavioral plasticity to respond to the ecological constraints in marginal habitats.

Optical properties of highly compressed polystyrene: An ab initio study

DOE PAGES

Hu, S. X.; Collins, L. A.; Colgan, J. P.; ...

2017-10-16

Using all-electron density functional theory, we have performed an ab initio study on x ray absorption spectra of highly compressed polystyrene (CH). Here, we found that the K-edge shifts in strongly coupled, degenerate polystyrene cannot be explained by existing continuum-lowering models adopted in traditional plasma physics. To gain insights into the K edge shift in warm, dense CH, we have developed a model designated as “single-mixture-in-a-box” (SMIAB), which incorporates both the lowering of continuum and the rising of Fermi surface resulting from high compression. This simple SMIAB model correctly predicts the K-edge shift of carbon in highly compressed CH inmore » good agreement with results from quantum-molecular-dynamics (QMD) calculations. Traditional opacity models failed to give the proper K-edge shifts as the CH density increased. Based on QMD calculations, we have established a first-principles opacity table (FPOT) for CH in a wide range of densities and temperatures [p = 0.1 to 100 g/cm 3 and T = 2000 to 1,000,000 K]. The FPOT gives much higher Rosseland mean opacity compared to the cold-opacity–patched astrophysics opacity table for warm, dense CH and favorably compares to the newly improved Los Alamos ATOMIC model for moderately compressed CH (pCH ≤10 g/cm 3) but remains a factor of 2 to 3 higher at extremely high densities (pCH ≥ 50 g/cm 3). We anticipate the established FPOT of CH will find important applications to reliable designs of high-energy-density experiments. Moreover, the understanding of K-edge shifting revealed in this study could provide guides for improving the traditional opacity models to properly handle the strongly coupled and degenerate conditions.« less

Optical properties of highly compressed polystyrene: An ab initio study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu, S. X.; Collins, L. A.; Colgan, J. P.

Using all-electron density functional theory, we have performed an ab initio study on x ray absorption spectra of highly compressed polystyrene (CH). Here, we found that the K-edge shifts in strongly coupled, degenerate polystyrene cannot be explained by existing continuum-lowering models adopted in traditional plasma physics. To gain insights into the K edge shift in warm, dense CH, we have developed a model designated as “single-mixture-in-a-box” (SMIAB), which incorporates both the lowering of continuum and the rising of Fermi surface resulting from high compression. This simple SMIAB model correctly predicts the K-edge shift of carbon in highly compressed CH inmore » good agreement with results from quantum-molecular-dynamics (QMD) calculations. Traditional opacity models failed to give the proper K-edge shifts as the CH density increased. Based on QMD calculations, we have established a first-principles opacity table (FPOT) for CH in a wide range of densities and temperatures [p = 0.1 to 100 g/cm 3 and T = 2000 to 1,000,000 K]. The FPOT gives much higher Rosseland mean opacity compared to the cold-opacity–patched astrophysics opacity table for warm, dense CH and favorably compares to the newly improved Los Alamos ATOMIC model for moderately compressed CH (pCH ≤10 g/cm 3) but remains a factor of 2 to 3 higher at extremely high densities (pCH ≥ 50 g/cm 3). We anticipate the established FPOT of CH will find important applications to reliable designs of high-energy-density experiments. Moreover, the understanding of K-edge shifting revealed in this study could provide guides for improving the traditional opacity models to properly handle the strongly coupled and degenerate conditions.« less

Neutral Orbital Altitude Density Effects on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, O.E.; Adelfang, S. I.; Smith, R. E.

1997-01-01

One of the design requirements of the International Space Station (ISS) is that each year accelerations of one micro-g cannot be exceeded at the ISS internal payload location for 6 periods of not less than 30 consecutive days. Although there are other causes, this study deals only with the accelerations caused by atmospheric drag. The critical ambient neutral density, computed using the Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model, required to produce accelerations of one micro-g on the ISS, is estimated using an atmospheric drag acceleration equation. Results show that the design requirements may be difficult to meet during periods of extremely high solar activity; the planned reboost and altitude strategies for the ISS may have to be revised to allow for the uncertainty in the prediction of neutral atmospheric density within the 100-day period established for orbital decay before reboost.

Sensitivity of MSE measurements on the beam atomic level population

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ruiz, C., E-mail: carlos.ruiz@wisc.edu; Kumar, S. T. A.; Anderson, F. S. B.

The effect of variation in atomic level population of a neutral beam on the Motional Stark Effect (MSE) measurements is investigated in the low density plasmas of HSX stellarator. A 30 KeV, 4 A, 3 ms hydrogen diagnostic neutral beam is injected into HSX plasmas of line averaged electron density ranging from 2 to 4 ⋅ 10{sup 18} m{sup −3} at a magnetic field of 1 T. For this density range, the excited level population of the hydrogen neutral beam is expected to undergo variations. Doppler shifted and Stark split H{sub α} and H{sub β} emissions from the beam aremore » simultaneously measured using two cross-calibrated spectrometers. The emission spectrum is simulated and fit to the experimental measurements and the deviation from a statistically populated beam is investigated.« less

Neutral Solution Low in Glucose Degradation Products Is Associated with Less Peritoneal Fibrosis and Vascular Sclerosis in Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis

PubMed Central

Kawanishi, Kunio; Honda, Kazuho; Tsukada, Misao; Oda, Hideaki; Nitta, Kosaku

2013-01-01

♦ Background: The effects of novel biocompatible peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions on human peritoneal membrane pathology have yet to be determined. Quantitative evaluation of human peritoneal biopsy specimens may reveal the effects of the new solutions on peritoneal membrane pathology. ♦ Methods: Peritoneal specimens from 24 PD patients being treated with either acidic solution containing high-glucose degradation products [GDPs (n = 12)] or neutral solution with low GDPs (n = 12) were investigated at the end of PD. As controls, pre-PD peritoneal specimens, obtained from 13 patients at PD catheter insertion, were also investigated. The extent of peritoneal fibrosis, vascular sclerosis, and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation were evaluated by quantitative or semi-quantitative methods. The average densities of CD31-positive vessels and podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels were also determined. ♦ Results: Peritoneal membrane fibrosis, vascular sclerosis, and AGE accumulation were significantly suppressed in the neutral group compared with the acidic group. The neutral group also showed lower peritoneal equilibration test scores and preserved ultrafiltration volume. The density of blood capillaries, but not of lymphatic capillaries, was significantly increased in the neutral group compared with the acidic and pre-PD groups. ♦ Conclusions: Neutral solutions with low GDPs are associated with less peritoneal membrane fibrosis and vascular sclerosis through suppression of AGE accumulation. However, contrary to expectation, blood capillary density was increased in the neutral group. The altered contents of the new PD solutions modified peritoneal membrane morphology and function in patients undergoing PD. PMID:23123670

Reduced model (SOLT) simulations of neutral-plasma interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, David; Myra, James

2017-10-01

The 2D scrape-off-layer turbulence (SOLT) code has been enhanced by the addition of kinetic-neutral physics. Plasma-neutral interactions include charge exchange (CX) and ionization (IZ). Under the assumption that the CX and IZ collision rates are independent of the ion-neutral relative velocity, a 1D (radial: x) Boltzmann equation has been derived for the evolution of the (vy,vz) -averaged neutral distribution function (G), and that evolution has been added to SOLT. The CX and IZ rates are determined by the poloidally (y) averaged plasma density and temperatures, and G = G(x,vx,t). Results from 1D simulations that use diffusion as a proxy for turbulent transport are presented to illustrate the capability, including the approach to a steady state driven by sustained neutral injection in the far-SOL and source-driven heating in the core. Neutral density and energy profiles are obtained for the resulting self-consistent equilibrium plasma profiles. The effect of neutral drag on poloidal ExB mean flow and shearing rate is illustrated. Progress on 2D turbulence (blob) simulations is reported. Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, under Award Number DE-FG02-97ER54392.

Compact Torus Acceleration and Injection Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukumoto, Naoyuki; Fujiwara, Makoto; Nagata, Masayoshi; Uyama, Tadao; Oda, Yasushi; Azuma, Kingo

1996-11-01

The spheromak-type compact torus (CT) acceleration and injection experiment has been carried out using the Himeji Institute of Technology Compact Torus Injector (HIT-CTI). We explore the possibility of refueling, density control, current drive, and edge electric field control of tokamak plasma by means of CT injection. In last September the new HIT-CTI was built up to achieve higher speed (Vct>200 km/s) and higher density CT plasmoid by improving the capacitor bank system and eliminating the impurity and neutral particles. At initial formation discharge tests the gun for formation and compression successfully produced a CT plasmoid and injected it between electrodes for acceleration. (Initial velocity Vct.ini. 32 km/s, Bct 1 kG, Rct=5.5 cm). The formation capacitor bank will be upgraded to two 36 mF capacitors operating at 20 kV (14.4 kJ). The acceleration capacitor bank will be also upgraded to two 36 mF capacitors operating at 20 kV (14.4 kJ). The HIT-CTI will be optimized to obtain suitable CT parameters after acceleration (Bct>5 kG, Lct 20 cm, Vct>200 km/s). In the respect of CT parameter measurement magnetic probes and a He-Ne laser interferometer will be employed in order to measure the CT magnetic field, velocity, density, and length. CT acceleration experimental data on the HIT-CTI and the plan of CT injection experiment on the JFT-2M tokamak (JAERI) will be presented at the meeting.

Measuring Mars' Atmospheric Neutral Density from 160 to 220km with the MGS Electron Reflectometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lillis, R.; Engel, J.; Mitchell, D.; Brain, D.; Lin, R.; Bougher, S.; Acuna, M.

2005-08-01

The Magnetometer/Electron Reflectometer (MAG/ER) experiment aboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) samples the local electron population's distribution in energy and pitch angle (angle between electron velocity and local magnetic field direction) at the mapping orbit altitude of ˜400km. We develop a single-particle model of the electrons' interaction with the neutral atmosphere and motion along open field-lines connecting the solar wind to remnant crustal magnetization. Electron reflection from magnetic gradients and absorption due to inelastic collisons with atmospheric neutrals results in characteristic pitch angle (PA) distributions for open field lines. By assuming the validity of spherical harmonic expansions (Cain et al, 2003) in the strongest field regions of Mars (such as Terra Sirenum), we trace the electron paths and fit these PA distributions to our model to constrain the scale height and density of the neutral atmosphere in the region of greatest absorption, 160-220km. We analyse almost 3 martian years of MGS mapping Orbit Data and present the first measurements of Mars' neutral density above 180km. Although the uncertainties in single measurements are quite large, averaging over many measurements over a period of weeks allows us to see long-term trends. Major results are: 1) a mean density of 0.03 kg/km3 at 160km with a month-averaged variation of ˜40%, 2) a very strong annual seasonal variation, confirmed by periodogram and least-squares fit and 3) increasing seasonal density variability with distance from the equator. We see broad general agreement with predictions from Mars Thermosphere Global Circulation Model (MTGCM) simulations [Bougher et al, 2004] and with inferred densities from MGS Doppler tracking data [Tracadas et al, 2001]. Our results will help to constrain the upper boundaries of GCMs and assist orbital decay calculations for low-orbiting spacecraft, such as the 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. We thank the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for funding assistance for this research.

Fractured-rock hydrogeophysics with electrically conductive and neutrally buoyant tracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shakas, A.; Linde, N.; Baron, L.; Le Borgne, T.; Bour, O.; Lavenant, N.; Gerard, M. F.

2016-12-01

Artificial tracer tests help to characterize and understand the dynamics of groundwater systems. This remains a challenging task, especially when dealing with highly heterogeneous formations in which flow can be very localized and the interpretation of tracer breakthrough curves may be ambiguous. As a complement to tracer tests, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography can map the space-time migration of electrically conductive tracers. In hydrogeophysics, the most common tracer is dissolved table salt in water. However, conventional salt tracers lead to density effects that are often ignored. Even less than 1% density variations can have a dramatic effect on transport behavior and affect tracer tests in complex ways. Such effects have been demonstrated in our previous experiments that used single-hole GPR to monitor saline push-pull tests in fractured granite. It is possible to model density effects, but this leads to computational complexity and field dynamics that are not necessarily representative of the natural responses of the system. To minimize density effects, we performed a new set of push-pull tests using a neutrally buoyant and electrically conductive tracer at the same test site located close to Ploemeur, France. This novel tracer consists of a mixture of salt (NaCl), water and pure ethanol. Ethanol has a density of 789 g/L at 20° C and is used to counter-act the salt-induced density increase. Our GPR time-lapse images and tracer breakthrough data indicate a largely reversible transport process that confirms the neutral buoyancy of the tracer. Ethanol is biodegradable and does not pose significant environmental issues. Furthermore, calibration of the neutral-buoyant mixture is straightforward to perform in the field using Archimedes principle. Based on these results, we argue that neutrally buoyant ethanol-salt-water mixtures are ideal for a wide variety of hydrogeophysical tracer tests in porous or fractured media.

Annular vortex merging processes in non-neutral electron plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaga, Chikato, E-mail: d146073@hiroshima-u.ac.jp; Ito, Kiyokazu; Higaki, Hiroyuki

2015-06-29

Non-neutral electron plasmas in a uniform magnetic field are investigated experimentally as a two dimensional (2D) fluid. Previously, it was reported that 2D phase space volume increases during a vortex merging process with viscosity. However, the measurement was restricted to a plasma with a high density. Here, an alternative method is introduced to evaluate a similar process for a plasma with a low density.

Effects of early morning nap sleep on associative memory for neutral and emotional stimuli.

PubMed

Sopp, Marie Roxanne; Michael, Tanja; Mecklinger, Axel

2018-06-18

Emotional events are preferentially retained in episodic memory. This effect is commonly attributed to enhanced consolidation and has been linked specifically to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep physiology. While several studies have demonstrated an enhancing effect of REM sleep on emotional item memory, it has not been thoroughly explored whether this effect extends to the retention of associative memory. Moreover, it is unclear how non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep contributes to these effects. The present study thus examined associative recognition of emotional and non-emotional material across an early morning nap (N= 23) and sustained wakefulness (N= 23). Nap group subjects demonstrated enhanced post-sleep associative memory performance, which was evident across both valence categories. Subsequent analyses revealed significant correlations between NREM spindle density and pre-sleep memory performance. Moreover, NREM spindle density was positively correlated with post-sleep neutral associative memory performance but not with post-sleep emotional associative memory. Accordingly, only neutral associative memory, but not emotional associative memory, was significantly correlated with spindle density after an additional night of sleep (+24 h). These results illustrate a temporally persistent relationship between spindle density and memory for neutral associations, whereas post-sleep emotional associative memory appears to be disengaged from NREM-sleep-dependent processes. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

ON THE ELECTRON-TO-NEUTRAL NUMBER DENSITY RATIO IN THE COMA OF COMET 67P/CHURYUMOV–GERASIMENKO: GUIDING EXPRESSION AND SOURCES FOR DEVIATIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vigren, E.; Eriksson, A. I.; Edberg, N. J. T.

2015-10-10

We compute partial photoionization frequencies of H{sub 2}O, CO{sub 2}, and CO, the major molecules in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, the target comet of the ongoing ESA Rosetta mission. Values are computed from Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energy and Dynamics/Solar EUV Experiment solar EUV spectra for 2014 August 1, 2015 March 1, and for perihelion (2015 August, as based on prediction). From the varying total photoionization frequency of H{sub 2}O, as computed from 2014 August 1 to 2015 May 20, we derive a simple analytical expression for the electron-to-neutral number density ratio as a function of cometocentric and heliocentric distance. Themore » underlying model assumes radial movement of the coma constituents and does not account for chemical loss or the presence of electric fields. We discuss various effects/processes that can cause deviations between values from the analytical expression and actual electron-to-neutral number density ratios. The analytical expression is thus not strictly meant as predicting the actual electron-to-neutral number density ratio, but is useful in comparisons with observations as an indicator of processes at play in the cometary coma.« less

Occurrence Locations, Dipole Tilt Angle Effects, and Plasma Cloud Drift Paths of Polar Cap Neutral Density Anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, C. S.; Sutton, E. K.; Huang, C. Y.; Cooke, D. L.

2018-02-01

Polar cap neutral density anomaly (PCNDA) with large mass density enhancements over the background has been frequently observed in the polar cap during magnetic storms. By tracing field lines to the magnetosphere from the polar ionosphere, we divide the polar cap into two regions, an open field line (OFL) region with field lines connecting to the magnetopause boundary and a distant tail field line (TFL) region threaded with magnetotail lobe field lines. A statistical study of neutral density observed by the Challenging Minisatellite Payload satellite during major magnetic storms with Dst < -100 from July 2001 to 2006 indicates that over 85% of density anomalies were detected in the TFL region, at about 18° to 25° equatorward the center of the OFL region. PCNDAs were frequently accompanied by plasma clouds with peak density greater than 105 #/cm3. Modeling of plasma cloud drift paths suggests that plasma clouds originating in the dayside ionosphere could convect through the OFL region following the zero-potential line and reach the PCNDA locations. Plasma clouds could become stagnate in the TFL region, allowing a long duration of collisions with the neutral gas and possibly contributing to heating of PCNDAs. The PCNDA observations are interpreted as evidence that traveling atmospheric disturbance could be generated in the nightside polar cap. From the PCNDA size and speed of sound at 400 km, we derive an initial energy deposition duration for producing traveling atmospheric disturbance in the range from 0.5 to 2.5 hr.

Seasonal Variability in Global Eddy Diffusion and the Effect on Thermospheric Neutral Density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilinski, M.; Crowley, G.

2014-12-01

We describe a method for making single-satellite estimates of the seasonal variability in global-average eddy diffusion coefficients. Eddy diffusion values as a function of time between January 2004 and January 2008 were estimated from residuals of neutral density measurements made by the CHallenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and simulations made using the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics - Global Circulation Model (TIME-GCM). The eddy diffusion coefficient results are quantitatively consistent with previous estimates based on satellite drag observations and are qualitatively consistent with other measurement methods such as sodium lidar observations and eddy-diffusivity models. The eddy diffusion coefficient values estimated between January 2004 and January 2008 were then used to generate new TIME-GCM results. Based on these results, the RMS difference between the TIME-GCM model and density data from a variety of satellites is reduced by an average of 5%. This result, indicates that global thermospheric density modeling can be improved by using data from a single satellite like CHAMP. This approach also demonstrates how eddy diffusion could be estimated in near real-time from satellite observations and used to drive a global circulation model like TIME-GCM. Although the use of global values improves modeled neutral densities, there are some limitations of this method, which are discussed, including that the latitude-dependence of the seasonal neutral-density signal is not completely captured by a global variation of eddy diffusion coefficients. This demonstrates the need for a latitude-dependent specification of eddy diffusion consistent with diffusion observations made by other techniques.

Seasonal variability in global eddy diffusion and the effect on neutral density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilinski, M. D.; Crowley, G.

2015-04-01

We describe a method for making single-satellite estimates of the seasonal variability in global-average eddy diffusion coefficients. Eddy diffusion values as a function of time were estimated from residuals of neutral density measurements made by the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and simulations made using the thermosphere-ionosphere-mesosphere electrodynamics global circulation model (TIME-GCM). The eddy diffusion coefficient results are quantitatively consistent with previous estimates based on satellite drag observations and are qualitatively consistent with other measurement methods such as sodium lidar observations and eddy diffusivity models. Eddy diffusion coefficient values estimated between January 2004 and January 2008 were then used to generate new TIME-GCM results. Based on these results, the root-mean-square sum for the TIME-GCM model is reduced by an average of 5% when compared to density data from a variety of satellites, indicating that the fidelity of global density modeling can be improved by using data from a single satellite like CHAMP. This approach also demonstrates that eddy diffusion could be estimated in near real-time from satellite observations and used to drive a global circulation model like TIME-GCM. Although the use of global values improves modeled neutral densities, there are limitations to this method, which are discussed, including that the latitude dependence of the seasonal neutral-density signal is not completely captured by a global variation of eddy diffusion coefficients. This demonstrates the need for a latitude-dependent specification of eddy diffusion which is also consistent with diffusion observations made by other techniques.

Continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy for velocity distribution measurements in plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCarren, D.; Lockheed Martin, Palmdale, California 93599; Scime, E., E-mail: earl.scime@mail.wvu.edu

2015-10-15

We report the development of a continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CW-CRDS) diagnostic for real-time, in situ measurement of velocity distribution functions of ions and neutral atoms in plasma. This apparatus is less complex than conventional CW-CRDS systems. We provide a detailed description of the CW-CRDS apparatus as well as measurements of argon ions and neutrals in a high-density (10{sup 9} cm{sup −3} < plasma density <10{sup 13} cm{sup −3}) plasma. The CW-CRDS measurements are validated through comparison with laser induced fluorescence measurements of the same absorbing states of the ions and neutrals.

Enabling Colloidal Synthesis of Edge-Oriented MoS2 with Expanded Interlayer Spacing for Enhanced HER Catalysis.

PubMed

Sun, Yugang; Alimohammadi, Farbod; Zhang, Dongtang; Guo, Guangsheng

2017-03-08

By selectively promoting heterogeneous nucleation/growth of MoS 2 on graphene monolayer sheets, edge-oriented (EO) MoS 2 nanosheets with expanded interlayer spacing (∼9.4 Å) supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets were successfully synthesized through colloidal chemistry, showing the promise in low-cost and large-scale production. The number and edge length of MoS 2 nanosheets per area of graphene sheets were tuned by controlling the reaction time in the microwave-assisted solvothermal reduction of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate [(NH 4 ) 2 MoS 4 ] in dimethylformamide. The edge-oriented and interlayer-expanded (EO&IE) MoS 2 /rGO exhibited significantly improved catalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in terms of larger current density, lower Tafel slope, and lower charge transfer resistance compared to the corresponding interlayer-expanded MoS 2 sheets without edge-oriented geometry, highlighting the importance of synergistic effect between edge-oriented geometry and interlayer expansion on determining HER activity of MoS 2 nanosheets. Quantitative analysis clearly shows the linear dependence of current density on the edge length of MoS 2 nanosheets.

Modifications to intermittent turbulent structures by sheared flow in LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, Giovanni; Schaffner, David; Carter, Troy; Guice, Danny; Bengtson, Roger

2012-10-01

Turbulence in the edge of the Large Plasma Device is generally observed to be intermittent with the production of filamentary structures. Density-enhancement events (called ``blobs'') are localized to the region radially outside the edge of the cathode source while density-depletion events (called ``holes'') are localized to the region radially inward. A flow-shear layer is also observed to be localized to this same spatial region. Control over the edge flow and shear in LAPD is now possible using a biasable limiter. Edge intermittency is observed to be strongly affected by variations in the edge flow, with intermittency (as measured by skewness of the fluctuation amplitude PDF) increasing with edge flow (in either direction) and reaching a minimum when spontaneous edge flow is zeroed-out using biasing. This trend is counter to the observed changes in turbulent particle flux, which peaks at low flow/shear. Two-dimensional cross-conditional averaging confirms the blobs to be detached filamentary structures with a clear dipolar potential structure and a geometry also dependent on the magnitude of sheared flow. More detailed measurements are made to connect the occurrence of these blobs to observed flow-driven coherent modes and their contribution to radial particle flux.

First artificial periodic inhomogeneity experiments at HAARP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hysell, D. L.; McCarrick, M. J.; Fallen, C. T.; Vierinen, J.

2015-03-01

Experiments involving the generation and detection of artificial periodic inhomogeneities have been performed at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility. Irregularities were created using powerful X-mode HF emissions and then probed using short (10 μs) X- and O-mode pulses. Reception was performed using a portable software-defined receiver together with the crossed rhombic antenna from the local ionosonde. Echoes were observed reliably between about 85 and 140 km altitude with signal-to-noise ratios as high as about 30 dB. The Doppler shift of the echoes can be associated with the vertical neutral wind in this altitude range. Small but persistent Doppler shifts were observed. The decay time constant of the echoes is meanwhile indicative of the ambipolar diffusion coefficient which depends on the plasma temperature, composition, and neutral gas density. The measured time constants appear to be consistent with theoretical expectations and imply a methodology for measuring neutral density profiles. The significance of thermospheric vertical neutral wind and density measurements which are difficult to obtain using ground-based instruments by other means is discussed.

Field type, trap type and field-edge characteristics affect Rhagoletis mendax captures in lowbush blueberries.

PubMed

Renkema, Justin M; Cutler, G Christopher; Gaul, Sonia O

2014-11-01

Blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most important pest of blueberries in eastern North America. Insecticide use in fruit-bearing lowbush blueberry fields could be reduced with management strategies focused on vegetative fields. Fly distribution and fruit infestation levels were assessed where fruit-bearing and vegetative fields adjoin and along forested edges of vegetative fields. Along adjoining edges, immature female flies were captured in fruiting fields and mature females in vegetative fields throughout the season. Male fly captures and fruit infestation levels were greater at 5 m than at 30 m from the edge. Along forested edges, fly captures were best predicted by densities of ripe lowbush blueberries and large coniferous trees. Maggot infestation level in lowbush blueberries was best predicted by blueberry density and small deciduous trees. Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis L., was the only non-crop host in which blueberry maggot was found. We have shown that relatively high numbers of flies occur in vegetative fields and at edges of fruiting fields. Ripe blueberries and certain vegetation in forested edges affect fly distribution and probably maintain populations. These results may help to predict where controls for blueberry maggot should be targeted and suggest that management strategies focused on vegetative fields and field edges may be worthwhile. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dust dynamics and diagnostic applications in quasi-neutral plasmas and magnetic fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhehui; Ticos, Catalin M.; Si, Jiahe; Delzanno, Gian Luca; Lapenta, Gianni; Wurden, Glen

2007-11-01

Little is known about dust dynamics in highly ionized quasi-neutral plasmas with ca. 1.0 e+20 per cubic meter density and ion temperature at a few eV and above, including in magnetic fusion. For example, dust motion in fusion, better known as UFO's, has been observed since 1980's but not explained. Solid understanding of dust dynamics is also important to International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) because of concerns about safety and dust contamination of fusion core. Compared with well studied strongly-coupled dusty plasma regime, new physics may arise in the higher density quasi-neutral plasma regime because of at least four orders of magnitude higher density and two orders of magnitude hotter ion temperature. Our recent laboratory experiments showed that plasma-flow drag force dominates over other forces in a quasi-neutral flowing plasma. In contrast, delicate balance among different forces in dusty plasma has led to many unique phenomena, in particular, the formation of dust crystal. Based on our experiments, we argue that 1) dust crystal will not form in the highly ionized plasmas with flows; 2) the UFO's are moving dust dragged by plasma flows; 3) dust can be used to measure plasma flow. Two diagnostic applications using dust for laboratory quasi-neutral plasmas and magnetic fusion will also be presented.

Studies of Ion Beam Charge Neutralization by Ferroelectric Plasma Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanov, A.; Gilson, E. P.; Grisham, L.; Davidson, R. C.

2013-10-01

Space-charge forces limit the possible transverse compression of high perveance ion beams that are used in ion-beam-driven high energy density physics applications; the minimum radius to which a beam can be focused is an increasing function of perveance. The limit can be overcome if a plasma is introduced in the beam path between the focusing element and the target in order to neutralize the space charge of the beam. This concept has been implemented on the Neutralized Drift Compression eXperiment (NDCX) at LBNL using Ferroelectric Plasma Sources (FEPS). In our experiment at PPPL, we propagate a perveance-dominated ion beam through a FEPS to study the effect of the neutralizing plasma on the beam envelope and its evolution in time. A 30-60 keV space-charge-dominated Argon beam is focused with an Einzel lens into a FEPS located at the beam waist. The beam is intercepted downstream from the FEPS by a movable Faraday cup that provides time-resolved 2D current density profiles of the beam spot on target. We report results on: (a) dependence of charge neutralization on FEPS plasma density; (b) effects on beam emittance, and (c) time evolution of the beam envelope after the FEPS pulse. Research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The quiescent H-mode regime for high performance edge localized mode-stable operation in future burning plasmas [The quiescent H-mode regime for high performance ELM-stable operation in future burning plasmas

DOE PAGES

Garofalo, Andrea M.; Burrell, Keith H.; Eldon, David; ...

2015-05-26

For the first time, DIII-D experiments have achieved stationary quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) operation for many energy confinement times at simultaneous ITER-relevant values of beta, confinement, and safety factor, in an ITER similar shape. QH-mode provides excellent energy confinement, even at very low plasma rotation, while operating without edge localized modes (ELMs) and with strong impurity transport via the benign edge harmonic oscillation (EHO). By tailoring the plasma shape to improve the edge stability, the QH-mode operating space has also been extended to densities exceeding 80% of the Greenwald limit, overcoming the long-standing low-density limit of QH-mode operation. In the theory,more » the density range over which the plasma encounters the kink-peeling boundary widens as the plasma cross-section shaping is increased, thus increasing the QH-mode density threshold. Here, the DIII-D results are in excellent agreement with these predictions, and nonlinear MHD analysis of reconstructed QH-mode equilibria shows unstable low n kink-peeling modes growing to a saturated level, consistent with the theoretical picture of the EHO. Furthermore, high density operation in the QH-mode regime has opened a path to a new, previously predicted region of parameter space, named “Super H-mode” because it is characterized by very high pedestals that can be more than a factor of two above the peeling-ballooning stability limit for similar ELMing H-mode discharges at the same density.« less

Unoccupied states in Cu and Zn octaethyl-porphyrin and phthalocyanine.

PubMed

Cook, Peter L; Yang, Wanli; Liu, Xiaosong; García-Lastra, Juan María; Rubio, Angel; Himpsel, F J

2011-05-28

Copper and zinc phthalocyanines and porphyrins are used in organic light emitting diodes and dye-sensitized solar cells. Using near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at the Cu 2p and Zn 2p edges, the unoccupied valence states at the Cu and Zn atoms are probed and decomposed into 3d and 4s contributions with the help of density functional calculations. A comparison with the N 1s edge provides the 2p states of the N atoms surrounding the metal, and a comparison with inverse photoemission provides a combined density of states. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

DFT study on stability and H2 adsorption activity of bimetallic Au79-nPdn (n = 1-55) clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xuejing; Tian, Dongxu; Meng, Changgong

2013-03-01

The stability and H2 adsorption activity of bimetallic Au79-nPdn (n = 1-55) clusters were studied by density functional theory with GGA-PW91 functional. The stability order for four Pd substitution types is face > mid-edge > corner > edge, and the stability is improved with increasing Pd content. In contrast with the stability order, H2 adsorption activity is corner ≈ edge > mid-edge > face. The Au36Pd43 (3) with Au:Pd ≈ 1:1 ratio and twenty-four Pd substitutions at (1 1 1) facets and nineteen Pd substitutions at subshell sites shows high stability and H2 non-activated dissociation activity. The partial density of d-states and d band center revealed that the electronic properties are closely associated with the geometric characteristic and adsorption activity. Correlating the d band center ɛd and the adsorption energies, the ɛd order agrees with the adsorption activity that the Pd substitution at edge and corner sites are more active than at face and mid-edge sites.

Edge-functionalization of armchair graphene nanoribbons with pentagonal-hexagonal edge structures.

PubMed

Ryou, Junga; Park, Jinwoo; Kim, Gunn; Hong, Suklyun

2017-06-21

Using density functional theory calculations, we have studied the edge-functionalization of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) with pentagonal-hexagonal edge structures. While the AGNRs with pentagonal-hexagonal edge structures (labeled (5,6)-AGNRs) are metallic, the edge-functionalized (5,6)-AGNRs with substitutional atoms opens a band gap. We find that the band structures of edge-functionalized (5,6)-N-AGNRs by substitution resemble those of defect-free (N-1)-AGNR at the Γ point, whereas those at the X point show the original ones of the defect-free N-AGNR. The overall electronic structures of edge-functionalized (5,6)-AGNRs depend on the number of electrons, supplied by substitutional atoms, at the edges of functionalized (5,6)-AGNRs.

Dimensionless, Scale Invariant, Edge Weight Metric for the Study of Complex Structural Networks

PubMed Central

Colon-Perez, Luis M.; Spindler, Caitlin; Goicochea, Shelby; Triplett, William; Parekh, Mansi; Montie, Eric; Carney, Paul R.; Price, Catherine; Mareci, Thomas H.

2015-01-01

High spatial and angular resolution diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with network analysis provides a unique framework for the study of brain structure in vivo. DWI-derived brain connectivity patterns are best characterized with graph theory using an edge weight to quantify the strength of white matter connections between gray matter nodes. Here a dimensionless, scale-invariant edge weight is introduced to measure node connectivity. This edge weight metric provides reasonable and consistent values over any size scale (e.g. rodents to humans) used to quantify the strength of connection. Firstly, simulations were used to assess the effects of tractography seed point density and random errors in the estimated fiber orientations; with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), edge weight estimates improve as the seed density increases. Secondly to evaluate the application of the edge weight in the human brain, ten repeated measures of DWI in the same healthy human subject were analyzed. Mean edge weight values within the cingulum and corpus callosum were consistent and showed low variability. Thirdly, using excised rat brains to study the effects of spatial resolution, the weight of edges connecting major structures in the temporal lobe were used to characterize connectivity in this local network. The results indicate that with adequate resolution and SNR, connections between network nodes are characterized well by this edge weight metric. Therefore this new dimensionless, scale-invariant edge weight metric provides a robust measure of network connectivity that can be applied in any size regime. PMID:26173147

Dimensionless, Scale Invariant, Edge Weight Metric for the Study of Complex Structural Networks.

PubMed

Colon-Perez, Luis M; Spindler, Caitlin; Goicochea, Shelby; Triplett, William; Parekh, Mansi; Montie, Eric; Carney, Paul R; Price, Catherine; Mareci, Thomas H

2015-01-01

High spatial and angular resolution diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with network analysis provides a unique framework for the study of brain structure in vivo. DWI-derived brain connectivity patterns are best characterized with graph theory using an edge weight to quantify the strength of white matter connections between gray matter nodes. Here a dimensionless, scale-invariant edge weight is introduced to measure node connectivity. This edge weight metric provides reasonable and consistent values over any size scale (e.g. rodents to humans) used to quantify the strength of connection. Firstly, simulations were used to assess the effects of tractography seed point density and random errors in the estimated fiber orientations; with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), edge weight estimates improve as the seed density increases. Secondly to evaluate the application of the edge weight in the human brain, ten repeated measures of DWI in the same healthy human subject were analyzed. Mean edge weight values within the cingulum and corpus callosum were consistent and showed low variability. Thirdly, using excised rat brains to study the effects of spatial resolution, the weight of edges connecting major structures in the temporal lobe were used to characterize connectivity in this local network. The results indicate that with adequate resolution and SNR, connections between network nodes are characterized well by this edge weight metric. Therefore this new dimensionless, scale-invariant edge weight metric provides a robust measure of network connectivity that can be applied in any size regime.

Collective epithelial cell sheet adhesion and migration on polyelectrolyte multilayers with uniform and gradients of compliance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martinez, Jessica S.; Schlenoff, Joseph B.; Keller, Thomas C.S., E-mail: tkeller@bio.fsu.edu

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMUs) are tunable thin films that could serve as coatings for biomedical implants. PEMUs built layer by layer with the polyanion poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) modified with a photosensitive 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzophenone (PAABp) group and the polycation poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) are mechanically tunable by UV irradiation, which forms covalent bonds between the layers and increases PEMU stiffness. PAH-terminated PEMUs (PAH-PEMUs) that were uncrosslinked, UV-crosslinked to a uniform stiffness, or UV-crosslinked with an edge mask or through a neutral density optical gradient filter to form continuous compliance gradients were used to investigate how differences in PEMU stiffness affect the adhesion andmore » migration of epithelial cell sheets from scales of the fish Poecilia sphenops (Black Molly) and Carassius auratus (Comet Goldfish). During the progressive collective cell migration, the edge cells (also known as ‘leader’ cells) in the sheets on softer uncrosslinked PEMUs and less crosslinked regions of the gradient formed more actin filaments and vinculin-containing adherens junctions and focal adhesions than formed in the sheet cells on stiffer PEMUs or glass. During sheet migration, the ratio of edge cell to internal cell (also known as ‘follower’ cells) motilities were greater on the softer PEMUs than on the stiffer PEMUs or glass, causing tension to develop across the sheet and periods of retraction, during which the edge cells lost adhesion to the substrate and regions of the sheet retracted toward the more adherent internal cell region. These retraction events were inhibited by the myosin II inhibitor Blebbistatin, which reduced the motility velocity ratios to those for sheets on the stiffer PEMUs. Blebbistatin also caused disassembly of actin filaments, reorganization of focal adhesions, increased cell spreading at the leading edge, as well as loss of edge cell-cell connections in epithelial cell sheets on all surfaces. Interestingly, cells throughout the interior region of the sheets on uncrosslinked PEMUs retained their actin and vinculin organization at adherens junctions after treatment with Blebbistatin. Like Blebbistatin, a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y27632, promoted loss of cell-cell connections between edge cells, whereas a Rac1 inhibitor, NSC23766, primarily altered the lamellipodial protrusion in edge cells. Compliance gradient PAH-PEMUs promoted durotaxis of the cell sheets but not of individual keratocytes, demonstrating durotaxis, like plithotaxis, is an emergent property of cell sheet organization. - Highlights: • Fish scale cell sheets migrate on PAH-PAABp polyelectrolyte multilayers. • Sheets migrating on softer PEMUs periodically retract. • Sheets durotax on modulus gradients. • Myosin II inhibitors inhibit sheet integrity and migration.« less

Crystal step edges can trap electrons on the surfaces of n-type organic semiconductors.

PubMed

He, Tao; Wu, Yanfei; D'Avino, Gabriele; Schmidt, Elliot; Stolte, Matthias; Cornil, Jérôme; Beljonne, David; Ruden, P Paul; Würthner, Frank; Frisbie, C Daniel

2018-05-30

Understanding relationships between microstructure and electrical transport is an important goal for the materials science of organic semiconductors. Combining high-resolution surface potential mapping by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) with systematic field effect transport measurements, we show that step edges can trap electrons on the surfaces of single crystal organic semiconductors. n-type organic semiconductor crystals exhibiting positive step edge surface potentials display threshold voltages that increase and carrier mobilities that decrease with increasing step density, characteristic of trapping, whereas crystals that do not have positive step edge surface potentials do not have strongly step density dependent transport. A device model and microelectrostatics calculations suggest that trapping can be intrinsic to step edges for crystals of molecules with polar substituents. The results provide a unique example of a specific microstructure-charge trapping relationship and highlight the utility of surface potential imaging in combination with transport measurements as a productive strategy for uncovering microscopic structure-property relationships in organic semiconductors.

Micrometeorite erosion of the man rings as a source of plasma in the inner Saturnian plasma torus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pospieszalska, M. K.; Johnson, R. E.

1991-01-01

Micrometeorite bombardment is presently suggested to be a source of water molecules and molecular ions in the region between the outer edge of the main rings of Saturn and Encedalus, adding to those neutrals and plasma that are generated by the sputtering of icy satellites. In view of uncertainties concerning the magnitude and distribution of the ring source, an examination is conducted of limiting cases. The implications of such cases for the Cassini division are calculated, and a discussion of their possible relevance to the region's neutral and plasma cloud is presented.

Titan's gas and plasma torus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eviatar, A.; Podolak, M.

1983-01-01

The implications of the Voyager observations for a steady state model of a torus of hydrogen and nitrogen neutral gas and plasma are assessed. Constraints are placed on the nitrogen neutral density, the neutral hydrogen and nitrogen escape fluxes (from Titan), and the diffusion rate in terms of observed or inferred quantities. The results obtained are consistent with the Voyager observations.

Compression of a mixed antiproton and electron non-neutral plasma to high densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghion, Stefano; Amsler, Claude; Bonomi, Germano; Brusa, Roberto S.; Caccia, Massimo; Caravita, Ruggero; Castelli, Fabrizio; Cerchiari, Giovanni; Comparat, Daniel; Consolati, Giovanni; Demetrio, Andrea; Di Noto, Lea; Doser, Michael; Evans, Craig; Fanì, Mattia; Ferragut, Rafael; Fesel, Julian; Fontana, Andrea; Gerber, Sebastian; Giammarchi, Marco; Gligorova, Angela; Guatieri, Francesco; Haider, Stefan; Hinterberger, Alexander; Holmestad, Helga; Kellerbauer, Alban; Khalidova, Olga; Krasnický, Daniel; Lagomarsino, Vittorio; Lansonneur, Pierre; Lebrun, Patrice; Malbrunot, Chloé; Mariazzi, Sebastiano; Marton, Johann; Matveev, Victor; Mazzotta, Zeudi; Müller, Simon R.; Nebbia, Giancarlo; Nedelec, Patrick; Oberthaler, Markus; Pacifico, Nicola; Pagano, Davide; Penasa, Luca; Petracek, Vojtech; Prelz, Francesco; Prevedelli, Marco; Rienaecker, Benjamin; Robert, Jacques; Røhne, Ole M.; Rotondi, Alberto; Sandaker, Heidi; Santoro, Romualdo; Smestad, Lillian; Sorrentino, Fiodor; Testera, Gemma; Tietje, Ingmari C.; Widmann, Eberhard; Yzombard, Pauline; Zimmer, Christian; Zmeskal, Johann; Zurlo, Nicola; Antonello, Massimiliano

2018-04-01

We describe a multi-step "rotating wall" compression of a mixed cold antiproton-electron non-neutral plasma in a 4.46 T Penning-Malmberg trap developed in the context of the AEḡIS experiment at CERN. Such traps are routinely used for the preparation of cold antiprotons suitable for antihydrogen production. A tenfold antiproton radius compression has been achieved, with a minimum antiproton radius of only 0.17 mm. We describe the experimental conditions necessary to perform such a compression: minimizing the tails of the electron density distribution is paramount to ensure that the antiproton density distribution follows that of the electrons. Such electron density tails are remnants of rotating wall compression and in many cases can remain unnoticed. We observe that the compression dynamics for a pure electron plasma behaves the same way as that of a mixed antiproton and electron plasma. Thanks to this optimized compression method and the high single shot antiproton catching efficiency, we observe for the first time cold and dense non-neutral antiproton plasmas with particle densities n ≥ 1013 m-3, which pave the way for an efficient pulsed antihydrogen production in AEḡIS.

A Low-Cost Neutral Zinc-Iron Flow Battery with High Energy Density for Stationary Energy Storage.

PubMed

Xie, Congxin; Duan, Yinqi; Xu, Wenbin; Zhang, Huamin; Li, Xianfeng

2017-11-20

Flow batteries (FBs) are one of the most promising stationary energy-storage devices for storing renewable energy. However, commercial progress of FBs is limited by their high cost and low energy density. A neutral zinc-iron FB with very low cost and high energy density is presented. By using highly soluble FeCl 2 /ZnBr 2 species, a charge energy density of 56.30 Wh L -1 can be achieved. DFT calculations demonstrated that glycine can combine with iron to suppress hydrolysis and crossover of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ . The results indicated that an energy efficiency of 86.66 % can be obtained at 40 mA cm -2 and the battery can run stably for more than 100 cycles. Furthermore, a low-cost porous membrane was employed to lower the capital cost to less than $ 50 per kWh, which was the lowest value that has ever been reported. Combining the features of low cost, high energy density and high energy efficiency, the neutral zinc-iron FB is a promising candidate for stationary energy-storage applications. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electron-cyclotron wave scattering by edge density fluctuations in ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsironis, Christos; Peeters, Arthur G.; Isliker, Heinz; Strintzi, Dafni; Chatziantonaki, Ioanna; Vlahos, Loukas

2009-11-01

The effect of edge turbulence on the electron-cyclotron wave propagation in ITER is investigated with emphasis on wave scattering, beam broadening, and its influence on localized heating and current drive. A wave used for electron-cyclotron current drive (ECCD) must cross the edge of the plasma, where density fluctuations can be large enough to bring on wave scattering. The scattering angle due to the density fluctuations is small, but the beam propagates over a distance of several meters up to the resonance layer and even small angle scattering leads to a deviation of several centimeters at the deposition location. Since the localization of ECCD is crucial for the control of neoclassical tearing modes, this issue is of great importance to the ITER design. The wave scattering process is described on the basis of a Fokker-Planck equation, where the diffusion coefficient is calculated analytically as well as computed numerically using a ray tracing code.

Optimization studies of the ITER low field side reflectometer.

PubMed

Diem, S J; Wilgen, J B; Bigelow, T S; Hanson, G R; Harvey, R W; Smirnov, A P

2010-10-01

Microwave reflectometry will be used on ITER to measure the electron density profile, density fluctuations due to MHD/turbulence, edge localized mode (ELM) density transients, and as an L-H transition monitor. The ITER low field side reflectometer system will measure both core and edge quantities using multiple antenna arrays spanning frequency ranges of 15-155 GHz for the O-mode system and 55-220 GHz for the X-mode system. Optimization studies using the GENRAY ray-tracing code have been done for edge and core measurements. The reflectometer launchers will utilize the HE11 mode launched from circular corrugated waveguide. The launched beams are assumed to be Gaussian with a beam waist diameter of 0.643 times the waveguide diameter. Optimum launcher size and placement are investigated by computing the antenna coupling between launchers, assuming the launched and received beams have a Gaussian beam pattern.

Studies on effective atomic numbers, electron densities from mass attenuation coefficients near the K edge in some samarium compounds.

PubMed

Akman, F; Durak, R; Turhan, M F; Kaçal, M R

2015-07-01

The effective atomic numbers and electron densities of some samarium compounds were determined using the experimental total mass attenuation coefficient values near the K edge in the X-ray energy range from 36.847 up to 57.142 keV. The measurements, in the region from 36.847 to 57.142 keV, were done in a transmission geometry utilizing the Kα2, Kα1, Kβ1 and Kβ2 X-rays from different secondary source targets excited by the 59.54 keV gamma-photons from an Am-241 annular source. This paper presents the first measurement of the effective atomic numbers and electron densities for some samarium compounds near the K edge. The results of the study showed that the measured values were in good agreement with the theoretically calculated ones. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transmission and reflection of charge-density wave packets in a quantum Hall edge controlled by a metal gate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuura, Masahiro; Mano, Takaaki; Noda, Takeshi; Shibata, Naokazu; Hotta, Masahiro; Yusa, Go

2018-02-01

Quantum energy teleportation (QET) is a proposed protocol related to quantum vacuum. The edge channels in a quantum Hall system are well suited for the experimental verification of QET. For this purpose, we examine a charge-density wave packet excited and detected by capacitively coupled front gate electrodes. We observe the waveform of the charge packet, which is proportional to the time derivative of the applied square voltage wave. Further, we study the transmission and reflection behaviors of the charge-density wave packet by applying a voltage to another front gate electrode to control the path of the edge state. We show that the threshold voltages where the dominant direction is switched in either transmission or reflection for dense and sparse wave packets are different from the threshold voltage where the current stops flowing in an equilibrium state.

Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection effects on thermospheric density as inferred from International Space Station orbital data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendaza, T.; Blanco-Ávalos, J. J.; Martín-Torres, J.

2017-11-01

The solar activity induces long term and short term periodical variations in the dynamics and composition of Earth's atmosphere. The Sun also shows non periodical (i.e., impulsive) activity that reaches the planets orbiting around it. In particular, Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) reach Earth and interact with its magnetosphere and upper neutral atmosphere. Nevertheless, the interaction with the upper atmosphere is not well characterized because of the absence of regular and dedicated in situ measurements at high altitudes; thus, current descriptions of the thermosphere are based on semi empirical models. In this paper, we present the total neutral mass densities of the thermosphere retrieved from the orbital data of the International Space Station (ISS) using the General Perturbation Method, and we applied these densities to routinely compiled trajectories of the ISS in low Earth orbit (LEO). These data are explicitly independent of any atmospheric model. Our density values are consistent with atmospheric models, which demonstrates that our method is reliable for the inference of thermospheric density. We have inferred the thermospheric total neutral density response to impulsive solar activity forcing from 2001 to the end of 2006 and determined how solar events affect this response. Our results reveal that the ISS orbital parameters can be used to infer the thermospheric density and analyze solar effects on the thermosphere.

The effect of subauroral polarization streams on the mid-latitude thermospheric disturbance neutral winds: a universal time effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Zhang, Kedeng; Zheng, Zhichao; Ridley, Aaron James

2018-03-01

The temporal and spatial variations in thermospheric neutral winds at an altitude of 400 km in response to subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are investigated using global ionosphere and thermosphere model simulations under the southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) condition. During SAPS periods the westward neutral winds in the subauroral latitudes are greatly strengthened at dusk. This is due to the ion drag effect, through which SAPS can accelerate neutral winds in the westward direction. The new findings are that for SAPS commencing at different universal times, the strongest westward neutral winds exhibit large variations in amplitudes. The ion drag and Joule heating effects are dependent on the solar illumination, which exhibit UT variations due to the displacement of the geomagnetic and geographic poles. With more sunlight, stronger westward neutral winds can be generated, and the center of these neutral winds shifts to a later magnetic local time than neutral winds with less solar illumination. In the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, the disturbance neutral wind reaches a maximum at 18:00 and 04:00 UT, and a minimum at 04:00 and 16:00 UT, respectively. There is a good correlation between the neutral wind velocity and cos0.5(SZA) (solar zenith angle). The reduction in the electron density and enhancement in the air mass density at an altitude of 400 km are strongest when the maximum solar illumination collocates with the SAPS. The correlation between the neutral wind velocity and cos0.5(SZA) is also good during the northward IMF period. The effect of a sine-wave oscillation of SAPS on the neutral wind also exhibits UT variations in association with the solar illumination.

Effect of morphology and defect density on electron transfer of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yan; Hao, Huilian; Wang, Linlin

2016-12-01

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) is widely used to construct electrochemical sensors. Understanding the electron transfer behavior of ERGO is essential for its electrode material applications. In this paper, different morphologies of ERGO were prepared via two different methods. Compared to ERGO/GCEs prepared by electrochemical reduction of pre-deposited GO, more exposed edge planes of ERGO are observed on the surface of ERGO-GCE that was constructed by electrophoretic deposition of GO. The defect densities of ERGO were controlled by tuning the mass or concentration of GO. The electron transfer kinetics (k0) of GCE with different ERGOs was comparatively investigated. Owing to increased surface areas and decreased defect density, the k0 values of ERGO/GCE initially increase and then decrease with incrementing of GO mass. When the morphology and surface real areas of ERGO-GCE are the same, an increased defect density induces an accelerated electron transfer rate. k0 valuesof ERGO-GCEs are about 1 order of magnitude higher than those of ERGO/GCEs due to the difference in the amount of edge planes. This work demonstrates that both defect densities and edge planes of ERGO play crucial roles in electron transfer kinetics.

Rings and Waves

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-09-30

Saturn A ring is decorated with several kinds of waves. NASA Cassini spacecraft has captured a host of density waves, a bending wave, and the edge waves on the edge of the Keeler gap caused by the small moon Daphnis.

Habitat edges affect patterns of artificial nest predation along a wetland-meadow boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suvorov, Petr; Svobodová, Jana; Albrecht, Tomáš

2014-08-01

Wetland habitats are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world. However, little is known about factors affecting the nesting success of birds in pristine grass-dominated wetlands. During three breeding periods we conducted an experiment with artificial ground nests to test two basic mechanisms (the matrix and ecotonal effects) that may result in edge effects on nest predation in grass-dominated wetland habitats. Whereas the matrix effect model supposes that predator penetrate from habitat of higher predator density to habitat of lower predator density, thus causing an edge effect in the latter, according to the ecotonal effect model predators preferentially use edge habitats over habitat interiors. In addition, we tested the edge effect in a wetland habitat using artificial shrub nests that simulated the real nests of small open-cup nesting passerines. In our study area, the lowest predation rates on ground nests were found in wetland interiors and were substantially higher along the edges of both wetland and meadow habitat. However, predation was not significantly different between meadow and wetland interiors, indicating that both mechanisms can be responsible for the edge effect in wetland edges. An increased predation rate along wetland edges was also observed for shrub nests, and resembled the predation pattern of real shrub nests in the same study area. Though we are not able to distinguish between the two mechanisms of the edge effect found, our results demonstrate that species nesting in wetland edges bordering arable land may be exposed to higher predation. Therefore, an increase in the size of wetland patches that would lead to a reduced proportion of edge areas might be a suitable management practice to protect wetland bird species in cultural European landscapes.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Resin Adsorption at Kaolinite Edge Sites: Effect of Surface Deprotonation on Interfacial Structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zeitler, T. R.; Greathouse, J. A.; Cygan, R. T.

Low-salinity water flooding, a method of enhanced oil recovery, consists of injecting low ionic strength fluids into an oil reservoir in order to detach oil from mineral surfaces in the underlying formation. Although highly successful in practice, the approach is not completely understood at the molecular scale. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the effect of surface protonation on the adsorption of an anionic crude oil component on clay mineral edge surfaces. A set of interatomic potentials appropriate for edge simulations has been applied to the kaolinite (010) surface in contact with an aqueous nanopore. Decahydro-2-napthoic acid inmore » its deprotonated form (DHNA –) was used as a representative resin component of crude oil, with monovalent and divalent counterions, to test the observed trends in low-salinity water flooding experiments. Surface models include fully protonated (neutral) and deprotonated (negative) edge sites, which require implementation of a new deprotonation scheme. The surface adsorptive properties of the kaolinite edge under neutral and deprotonated conditions have been investigated for low and high DHNA – concentrations with Na + and Ca 2+ as counterions. The tendency of DHNA – ions to coordinate with divalent (Ca 2+) rather than monovalent (Na +) ions greatly influences adsorption tendencies of the anion. Additionally, the formation of net positively charged surface sites due to Ca 2+ at deprotonated sites results in increased DHNA – adsorption. Divalent cations such as Ca 2+ are able to efficiently bridge surface sites and organic anions. Replacing those cations with monovalent cations such as Na + diminishes the bridging mechanism, resulting in reduced adsorption of the organic species. As a result, a clear trend of decreased DHNA – adsorption is observed in the simulations as Ca 2+ is replaced by Na + for deprotonated surfaces, as would be expected for oil detachment from reservoir formations following a low-salinity flooding event.« less

Validation of the kinetic-turbulent-neoclassical theory for edge intrinsic rotation in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashourvan, Arash; Grierson, B. A.; Battaglia, D. J.; Haskey, S. R.; Stoltzfus-Dueck, T.

2018-05-01

In a recent kinetic model of edge main-ion (deuterium) toroidal velocity, intrinsic rotation results from neoclassical orbits in an inhomogeneous turbulent field [T. Stoltzfus-Dueck, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 065002 (2012)]. This model predicts a value for the toroidal velocity that is co-current for a typical inboard X-point plasma at the core-edge boundary (ρ ˜ 0.9). Using this model, the velocity prediction is tested on the DIII-D tokamak for a database of L-mode and H-mode plasmas with nominally low neutral beam torque, including both signs of plasma current. Values for the flux-surface-averaged main-ion rotation velocity in the database are obtained from the impurity carbon rotation by analytically calculating the main-ion—impurity neoclassical offset. The deuterium rotation obtained in this manner has been validated by direct main-ion measurements for a limited number of cases. Key theoretical parameters of ion temperature and turbulent scale length are varied across a wide range in an experimental database of discharges. Using a characteristic electron temperature scale length as a proxy for a turbulent scale length, the predicted main-ion rotation velocity has a general agreement with the experimental measurements for neutral beam injection (NBI) powers in the range PNBI < 4 MW. At higher NBI power, the experimental rotation is observed to saturate and even degrade compared to theory. TRANSP-NUBEAM simulations performed for the database show that for discharges with nominally balanced—but high powered—NBI, the net injected torque through the edge can exceed 1 Nm in the counter-current direction. The theory model has been extended to compute the rotation degradation from this counter-current NBI torque by solving a reduced momentum evolution equation for the edge and found the revised velocity prediction to be in agreement with experiment. Using the theory modeled—and now tested—velocity to predict the bulk plasma rotation opens up a path to more confidently projecting the confinement and stability in ITER.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Resin Adsorption at Kaolinite Edge Sites: Effect of Surface Deprotonation on Interfacial Structure

DOE PAGES

Zeitler, T. R.; Greathouse, J. A.; Cygan, R. T.; ...

2017-10-05

Low-salinity water flooding, a method of enhanced oil recovery, consists of injecting low ionic strength fluids into an oil reservoir in order to detach oil from mineral surfaces in the underlying formation. Although highly successful in practice, the approach is not completely understood at the molecular scale. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the effect of surface protonation on the adsorption of an anionic crude oil component on clay mineral edge surfaces. A set of interatomic potentials appropriate for edge simulations has been applied to the kaolinite (010) surface in contact with an aqueous nanopore. Decahydro-2-napthoic acid inmore » its deprotonated form (DHNA –) was used as a representative resin component of crude oil, with monovalent and divalent counterions, to test the observed trends in low-salinity water flooding experiments. Surface models include fully protonated (neutral) and deprotonated (negative) edge sites, which require implementation of a new deprotonation scheme. The surface adsorptive properties of the kaolinite edge under neutral and deprotonated conditions have been investigated for low and high DHNA – concentrations with Na + and Ca 2+ as counterions. The tendency of DHNA – ions to coordinate with divalent (Ca 2+) rather than monovalent (Na +) ions greatly influences adsorption tendencies of the anion. Additionally, the formation of net positively charged surface sites due to Ca 2+ at deprotonated sites results in increased DHNA – adsorption. Divalent cations such as Ca 2+ are able to efficiently bridge surface sites and organic anions. Replacing those cations with monovalent cations such as Na + diminishes the bridging mechanism, resulting in reduced adsorption of the organic species. As a result, a clear trend of decreased DHNA – adsorption is observed in the simulations as Ca 2+ is replaced by Na + for deprotonated surfaces, as would be expected for oil detachment from reservoir formations following a low-salinity flooding event.« less

Hierarchical Ni-Mo-S nanosheets on carbon fiber cloth: A flexible electrode for efficient hydrogen generation in neutral electrolyte.

PubMed

Miao, Jianwei; Xiao, Fang-Xing; Yang, Hong Bin; Khoo, Si Yun; Chen, Jiazang; Fan, Zhanxi; Hsu, Ying-Ya; Chen, Hao Ming; Zhang, Hua; Liu, Bin

2015-08-01

A unique functional electrode made of hierarchal Ni-Mo-S nanosheets with abundant exposed edges anchored on conductive and flexible carbon fiber cloth, referred to as Ni-Mo-S/C, has been developed through a facile biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal method. The incorporation of Ni atoms in Mo-S plays a crucial role in tuning its intrinsic catalytic property by creating substantial defect sites as well as modifying the morphology of Ni-Mo-S network at atomic scale, resulting in an impressive enhancement in the catalytic activity. The Ni-Mo-S/C electrode exhibits a large cathodic current and a low onset potential for hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral electrolyte (pH ~7), for example, current density of 10 mA/cm(2) at a very small overpotential of 200 mV. Furthermore, the Ni-Mo-S/C electrode has excellent electrocatalytic stability over an extended period, much better than those of MoS2/C and Pt plate electrodes. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to understand the formation process and electrocatalytic properties of Ni-Mo-S/C. The intuitive comparison test was designed to reveal the superior gas-evolving profile of Ni-Mo-S/C over that of MoS2/C, and a laboratory-scale hydrogen generator was further assembled to demonstrate its potential application in practical appliances.

Do Transient Electrodynamic Processes Support Enhanced Neutral Mass Densities in Earth's Cusp-Region Thermosphere via Divergent Upward Winds?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conde, M.; Larsen, M. F.; Troyer, R.; Gillespie, D.; Kosch, M.

2017-12-01

Satellite accelerometer measurements show that Earth's thermosphere contains two substantial and permanent regions of enhanced mass density that are located at around 400 km altitude near the footprints of the north and south geomagnetic cusps. The additional mass in these regions must be supported against gravity, which requires that similarly localized perturbations must occur in one or more of the other fields (beyond mass density) that appear in the momentum conservation equation for the thermospheric neutral fluid. However more than a decade after the density enhancements were first discovered, there are still no observations of any other corresponding perturbations to terms appearing directly in this equation that would indicate what is supporting the extra mass. To date, most candidate mechanisms involve high-altitude transient electrodynamic heating (at 250 km and above) that drives upwelling and associated horizontal divergence. Indeed, there are very few viable mechanisms that don't ultimately cause substantial localized neutral wind perturbations to occur near the density anomalies. Thus, we report here on a study to search for signatures of these localized perturbations in winds, using several data sources. These are the WATS instrument that flew aboard the DE-2 spacecraft, the C-REX-1 rocket flight through the CUSP in 2014, and two ground-based Fabry-Perot instruments that are located in Antarctica at latitudes that pass under the geomagnetic cusps - i.e. at McMurdo and South Pole stations. Using these data, we will present both climatological averages and also individual case studies to illustrate what localized signatures occur (if any) in the neutral wind fields near the cusp-region density anomalies.

Investigation of Thermospheric and Ionospheric Changes during Ionospheric Storms with Satellite and Ground-Based Data and Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, Philip G.

2001-01-01

The purpose of this proposed research is to improve our basic understanding of the causes of ionospheric storm behavior in the midlatitude F region ionosphere. This objective will be achieved by detailed comparisons between ground based measurements of the peak electron density (N(sub m)F(sub 2)), Atmosphere Explorer satellite measurements of ion and neutral composition, and output from the Field Line Interhemispheric Plasma (FLIP) model. The primary result will be a better understanding of changes in the neutral densities and ion chemistry during magnetic storms that will improve our capability to model the weather of the ionosphere which will be needed as a basis for ionospheric prediction. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions: (1) To what extent are negative ionospheric storm phases caused by changes in the atomic to molecular ratio? (2) Are the changes in neutral density ratio due to increased N2, or decreased O, or both? (3) Are there other chemical processes (e.g., excited N2) that increase O+ loss rates during negative storms? (4) Do neutral density altitude distributions differed from hydrostatic equilibrium? (5) Why do near normal nighttime densities often follow daytime depletions of electron density; and (6) Can changes in h(sub m)F2 fully account for positive storm phases? To answer these questions, we plan to combine ground-based and space-based measurements with the aid of our ionospheric model which is ideally suited to this purpose. These proposed studies will lead to a better capability to predict long term ionospheric variability, leading to better predictions of ionospheric weather.

Lift producing device exhibiting low drag and reduced ventilation potential and method for producing the same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caldwell, Richard A. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A lift producing device is disclosed which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle to provide lift to the vehicle when the vehicle is moved relative to a first fluid medium having a first density and viscosity and being in contact with a second fluid medium adjacent the vehicle. The second fluid medium has a second fluid density which is different from the first fluid density. The lift producing device comprises opposed first and second major surfaces joined at a longitudinally extending leading edge and at a longitudinally extending trailing edge, with at least a portion of the longitudinally extending leading edge being spaced from the longitudinally extending trailing edge by a predetermined mean chord length. When the vehicle is moved relative to the first fluid medium at a velocity within a range of predetermined velocities, with each of the velocities having a direction inclined from a plane extending through the leading edge and the trailing edge within a predetermined angular range, a region of high pressure is generated in the first fluid medium adjacent the first major surface and a region of low pressure is generated in the first fluid medium adjacent the second major surface. The lift producing device has a cross-sectional shape which will generate a pressure distribution around the device when the vehicle is moved relative to the first fluid medium at a velocity within the range of predetermined velocities such that the first fluid medium exhibits attached laminar flow along the device for a portion of the predetermined mean chord length from the leading edge to the trailing edge and will neither form a laminar separation bubble adjacent the second major surface of the device, nor exhibit turbulent separation adjacent the second major surface for substantially all of the predetermined mean chord length from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The portion along which attached laminar flow is maintained is the longest portion which will still fulfill the flow separation requirements. A method for producing the foil is also disclosed.

Large-scale Map of Millimeter-wavelength Hydrogen Radio Recombination Lines around a Young Massive Star Cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen-Luong, Q.; Anderson, L. D.; Motte, F.; Kim, Kee-Tae; Schilke, P.; Carlhoff, P.; Beuther, H.; Schneider, N.; Didelon, P.; Kramer, C.; Louvet, F.; Nony, T.; Bihr, S.; Rugel, M.; Soler, J.; Wang, Y.; Bronfman, L.; Simon, R.; Menten, K. M.; Wyrowski, F.; Walmsley, C. M.

2017-08-01

We report the first map of large-scale (10 pc in length) emission of millimeter-wavelength hydrogen recombination lines (mm-RRLs) toward the giant H II region around the W43-Main young massive star cluster (YMC). Our mm-RRL data come from the IRAM 30 m telescope and are analyzed together with radio continuum and cm-RRL data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and HCO+ 1-0 line emission data from the IRAM 30 m. The mm-RRLs reveal an expanding wind-blown ionized gas shell with an electron density ˜70-1500 cm-3 driven by the WR/OB cluster, which produces a total Lyα photon flux of 1.5× {10}50 s-1. This shell is interacting with the dense neutral molecular gas in the W43-Main dense cloud. Combining the high spectral and angular resolution mm-RRL and cm-RRL cubes, we derive the two-dimensional relative distributions of dynamical and pressure broadening of the ionized gas emission and find that the RRL line shapes are dominated by pressure broadening (4-55 {km} {{{s}}}-1) near the YMC and by dynamical broadening (8-36 {km} {{{s}}}-1) near the shell’s edge. Ionized gas clumps hosting ultra-compact H II regions found at the edge of the shell suggest that large-scale ionized gas motion triggers the formation of new star generation near the periphery of the shell.

Ablative overlays for Space Shuttle leading edge ascent heat protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strauss, E. L.

1975-01-01

Ablative overlays were evaluated via a plasma-arc simulation of the ascent pulse on the leading edge of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Overlay concepts included corkboard, polyisocyanurate foam, low-density Teflon, epoxy, and subliming salts. Their densities ranged from 4.9 to 81 lb per cu ft, and the thicknesses varied from 0.107 to 0.330 in. Swept-leading-edge models were fabricated from 30-lb per cu ft silicone-based ablators. The overlays were bonded to maintain the surface temperature of the base ablator below 500 F during ascent. Foams provided minimum-weight overlays, and subliming salts provided minimum-thickness overlays. Teflon left the most uniform surface after ascent heating.

Control of neutral particle fueling and exhaust by plasma edge topology optimization in Wendelstein 7-X and HSX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephey, Laurie

2016-10-01

Comparative experiments at the HSX and Wendelstein 7-X stellarators are being performed. At W7-X it was shown that fine control of the edge magnetic structure in W7-X is a feasible actuator to control global particle confinement. During the startup campaign of W7-X, the edge magnetic structure is defined by five poloidal limiters. Inside of the last closed flux surface in the standard magnetic configuration, the 5/6 resonance and corresponding magnetic island are located directly inside of the plasma source region. Inward movement of the island in a predominantly electron-root transport regime has been found to increase the effective helium confinement time τp* He, a critical metric for plasma purity control in future burning plasmas, by a factor of two. The experimental analysis is supported by fully 3-D fluid plasma and kinetic neutral modeling using the EMC3-EIRENE code and will be compared to these experimental results from both devices. A single reservoir, single species particle balance will be extracted from experimental measurements aided by the fully 3-D modeling analysis from EMC3-EIRENE to quantify the causal link established above based on measured parameters. At HSX, similar investigations to those performed at W7-X are ongoing. HSX has substantial flexibility in both its edge magnetic configuration and also in edge connection lengths via limiter insertion. Both are being examined to study any resulting changes global particle confinement and provide insight into the physics of the underlying mechanism. Together with the results from W7-X, both experiments will provide information on the link between the plasma edge topology and the global particle confinement. This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy under Grants DE-SC0014210, DE-FG02-93ER54222, DE-AC05-00OR22725, DOE LANS Contract DE-AC52- 06NA25396, and within the EUROfusion Consortium under Euratom Grant No 633053.

Forcing of the Coupled Ionosphere-Thermosphere (IT) System During Magnetic Storms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Cheryl; Huang, Yanshi; Su, Yi-Jiun; Sutton, Eric; Hairston, Marc; Coley, W. Robin; Doornbos, Eelco; Zhang, Yongliang

2014-01-01

Poynting flux shows peaks around auroral zone AND inside polar cap. Energy enters IT system at all local times in polar cap. Track-integrated flux at DMSP often peaks at polar latitudes- probably due to increased area of polar cap during storm main phases. center dot lon temperatures at DMSP show large increases in polar region at all local times; cusp and auroral zones do not show distinctively high Ti. center dot I on temperatures in the polar cap are higher than in the auroral zones during quiet times. center dot Neutral densities at GRACE and GOCE show maxima at polar latitudes without clear auroral signatures. Response is fast, minutes from onset to density peaks. center dot GUVI observations of O/N2 ratio during storms show similar response as direct measurements of ion and neutral densities, i.e. high temperatures in polar cap during prestorm quiet period, heating proceeding from polar cap to lower latitudes during storm main phase. center dot Discrepancy between maps of Poynting flux and of ion temperatures/neutral densities suggests that connection between Poynting flux and Joule heating is not simple.

Turbulence and sheared flow structures behind the isotopic dependence of the L-H power threshold on DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Z.; Gohil, P.; McKee, G. R.; Eldon, D.; Grierson, B.; Rhodes, T.; Petty, C. C.

2017-12-01

Measurements of long wavelength ({{k}\\bot }{{ρ }i}   <  1) density fluctuation characteristics in the edge of both Deuterium (D) and Hydrogen (H) plasmas across the L-H transition on DIII-D demonstrate the existence of single or double bands of low-wavenumber turbulence observed near the edge of H and D plasmas. These are strongly correlated with the L to H-mode transition power threshold (P LH) and can help explain the isotopic and density dependence of P LH, and how the P LH difference is reduced at higher density. Understanding and accurately predicting the L-H power threshold is critical to accessing to H-mode, and operating and achieving high confinement in burning plasmas such as ITER. Above about n e ~ 4  ×  1019 m-3, P LH is seen to converge for H and D, and increases for both with higher density. Surprisingly, the P LH increases significantly at low density in H but not in D plasmas. Two distinct frequency bands of density fluctuations are observed in the D plasmas at low density, n e ~ 1.2-1.5  ×  1019 m-3, but not in H plasmas with similar density, which appears to be correlated to the much lower power threshold in D at low density. Consistently, E  ×  B shear in the region of r/a ~ 0.95-1.0 is larger in D plasmas than in H plasmas at low density; as the P LH increases with increasing density, the dual mode structure disappears while E  ×  B shear becomes similar and small for both D and H plasmas at higher density, n e ~ 5  ×  1019 m-3, where P LH is similar for both D and H plasmas. The increased edge fluctuations, increased flow shear, and the dual-band nature of edge turbulence correlating with lower P LH may account for the strong isotope and density dependencies of P LH and support current L-H transition theories but suggest a complex behavior that can inform a more complete model of the L-H transition threshold.

Electronic structures of tris(dioxolene)chromium and tris(dithiolene)chromium complexes of the electron-transfer series [Cr(dioxolene)(3)](z) and [Cr(dithiolene)(3)](z) (z = 0, 1-, 2-, 3-). A combined experimental and density functional theoretical study.

PubMed

Kapre, Ruta R; Bothe, Eberhard; Weyhermüller, Thomas; George, Serena Debeer; Muresan, Nicoleta; Wieghardt, Karl

2007-09-17

From the reaction mixture of 3,6-di-tert-butylcatechol, H2[3,6L(cat)], [CrCl3(thf)3], and NEt3 in CH3CN in the presence of air, the neutral complex [CrIII(3,6L*(sq))3] (S = 0) (1) was isolated. Reduction of 1 with [Co(Cp)2] in CH2Cl2 yielded microcrystals of [Co(Cp)2][CrIII(3,6L*(sq))2(3,6L(cat))] (S = 1/2) (2) where (3,6L*(sq)(1-) is the pi-radical monoanionic o-semiquinonate of the catecholate dianion (3,6Lcat)(2-). Electrochemistry demonstrated that both species are members of the electron-transfer series [Cr(3,6LO,O)]z (z = 0, 1-, 2-, 3-). The corresponding tris(benzo-1,2-dithiolato)chromium complex [N(n-Bu)4][CrIII(3,5L*S,S)2(3,5LS,S)] (S = 1/2) (3) has also been isolated; (3,5LS,S)(2-) represents the closed-shell dianion 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-), and (3,5L*S,S)(1-) is its monoanionic pi radical. Complex 3 is a member of the electron-transfer series [Cr(3,5L(S,S))3]z (z = 0, 1-, 2-, 3-). It is shown by Cr K-edge and S K-edge X-ray absorption, UV-vis, and EPR spectroscopies, as well as X-ray crystallography, of 1 and 3 that the oxidation state of the central Cr ion in each member of both electron-transfer series remains the same (+III) and that all redox processes are ligand-based. These experimental results have been corroborated by broken symmetry density functional theoretical calculations by using the B3LYP functional.

Edge-enriched, porous carbon-based, high energy density supercapacitors for hybrid electric vehicles.

PubMed

Kim, Yong Jung; Yang, Cheol-Min; Park, Ki Chul; Kaneko, Katsumi; Kim, Yoong Ahm; Noguchi, Minoru; Fujino, Takeshi; Oyama, Shigeki; Endo, Morinobu

2012-03-12

Supercapacitors can store and deliver energy by a simple charge separation, and thus they could be an attractive option to meet transient high energy density in operating fuel cells and in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. To achieve such requirements, intensive studies have been carried out to improve the volumetric capacitance in supercapacitors using various types and forms of carbons including carbon nanotubes and graphenes. However, conventional porous carbons are not suitable for use as electrode material in supercapacitors for such high energy density applications. Here, we show that edge-enriched porous carbons are the best electrode material for high energy density supercapacitors to be used in vehicles as an auxiliary powertrain. Molten potassium hydroxide penetrates well-aligned graphene layers vertically and consequently generates both suitable pores that are easily accessible to the electrolyte and a large fraction of electrochemically active edge sites. We expect that our findings will motivate further research related to energy storage devices and also environmentally friendly electric vehicles. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Particle visualization in high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. I. 2D density mapping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Britun, Nikolay, E-mail: nikolay.britun@umons.ac.be; Palmucci, Maria; Konstantinidis, Stephanos

2015-04-28

Time-resolved characterization of an Ar-Ti high-power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge has been performed. This paper deals with two-dimensional density mapping in the discharge volume obtained by laser-induced fluorescence imaging. The time-resolved density evolution of Ti neutrals, singly ionized Ti atoms (Ti{sup +}), and Ar metastable atoms (Ar{sup met}) in the area above the sputtered cathode is mapped for the first time in this type of discharges. The energetic characteristics of the discharge species are additionally studied by Doppler-shift laser-induced fluorescence imaging. The questions related to the propagation of both the neutral and ionized discharge particles, as well as to theirmore » spatial density distributions, are discussed.« less

ECR Plasma Source for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, P. C.; Gilson, E.; Grishman, L.; Kolchin, P.; Davidson, R. C.

2002-01-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being considered as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus beyond the space-charge limit. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 - 100 times the ion beam density and at a length of approximately 0.1-2 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An ECR source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) to support a joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 1-10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures of approximately 10-6 torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10-4 - 10-1. Electron densities in the range of 108 - 1011 per cubic centimeter have been achieved. Low-pressure operation is important to reduce ion beam ionization. A cusp magnetic field has been installed to improve radial confinement and reduce the field strength on the beam axis. In addition, axial confinement is believed to be important to achieve lower-pressure operation. To further improve breakdown at low pressure, a weak electron source will be placed near the end of the ECR source.

Dissociative recombination in planetary ionospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, J. L.

1993-01-01

Ionization in planetary atmospheres can be produced by solar photoionization, photoelectron impact ionization, and, in auroral regions, by impact of precipitating particles. This ionization is lost mainly in dissociative recombination (DR) of molecular ions. Although atomic ions cannot undergo DR, they can be transformed locally through ion-molecule reactions into molecular ions, or they may be transported vertically or horizontally to regions of the atmosphere where such transformations are possible. Because DR reactions tend to be very exothermic, they can be an important source of kinetically or internally excited fragments. In interplanetary thermospheres, the neutral densities decrease exponentially with altitude. Below the homopause (or turbopause), the atmosphere is assumed to be throughly mixed by convection and/or turbulence. Above the homopause, diffusion is the major transport mechanism, and each species is distributed according to its mass, with the logarithmic derivative of the density with repect to altitude given approximately by -1/H, where H = kT/mg is the scale height. In this expression, T is the neutral temperature, g is the local acceleratiion of gravity, and m is the mass of the species. Thus lighter species become relatively more abundant, and heavier species less abundant, as the altitude increases. This variation of the neutral composition can lead to changes in the ion composition; furthermore, as the neutral densities decrease, dissociative recombination becomes more important relative to ion-neutral reactions as a loss mechanism for molecular ions.

Electrostatic and magnetic measurements of turbulence and transport in Extrap T2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Möller, Anders; Sallander, Eva

1999-10-01

Langmuir probe and magnetic pick-up coil measurements are used to study edge turbulence in the Extrap T2 reversed field pinch. Magnetic fluctuations resonant outside the toroidal field reversal surface are observed where previously only fluctuations in the spectra of potential and electron density and temperature have been measured. Results are presented which imply that these fluctuations are coupled to and also correlated to the internally resonant tearing mode fluctuations. Evidence of coupling between low-frequency (<100 kHz) and high-frequency fluctuations is also presented. The normalized floating potential fluctuations are seen to increase with the edge electron temperature. This causes an increase of the potential and density fluctuation driven transport with the temperature which is faster than linear. These results, in combination, are consistent with a picture where internally resonant fluctuations couple to edge fluctuations through radial heat conduction from the stochastic core to the edge.

Modification of strain and 2DEG density induced by wafer bending of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure: Influence of edges caused by processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ashu; Zeng, Lingyan; Wang, Wen; Calle, Fernando

2018-03-01

Due to the piezoelectricity, the density of 2DEG (NS) formed in the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure can be altered when it is deformed externally, which may be exploited to develop pressure sensors and to enhance the performance of power devices by stress engineering based on the heterostructure. In this paper, a 3D electro-mechanical simulation is presented to study how the induced strains and NS for the AlGaN/GaN wafer under bending exerted uniaxial stress are influenced by the edges caused by processing: the fabrication of the mesa used for isolation, the ohmic contact metal, the gate metal, and the passivation. Results show that the influences are dependent on distance between the edges, depth of the edges, and direction of the exerted uniaxial stress.

Investigation of the transition of multicycle AC operation in ISTTOK under edge electrode biasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malaquias, A.; Henriques, R. B.; Silva, C.; Figueiredo, H.; Nedzelskiy, I. S.; Fernandes, H.; Sharma, R.; Plyusnin, V. V.

2017-11-01

In this paper we present recent results obtained on plasma edge electrode biasing during AC discharges. The goal is to obtain experimental evidence on a number of plasma parameters that can play a role during the AC transition on the repeatability and reproducibility of AC operation. The control of the plasma density in the quiescent phase is made just before the AC transition by means of positive edge biasing leading to a transitory improved of density (30%-40%). Gas puff experiments show that the increase of background gas pressure during discharge led to a better success of the AC transition. The experimental results indicate that the increase of density during the AC transition induced by edge biasing is followed by an electron temperature drop. The drop in electron temperature leads in most cases the formation of runaway electrons. It has been observed that the runaway population during discharge flattop depends on the interplay between gas content and plasma density and temperature. The results also confirm that the correct balance of external magnetic fields is crucial during the AC transition phase where drift electron currents are formed. The results from the heavy ion beam diagnostic show that the formation of plasma current during consecutive AC transitions is asymmetric. Numerical simulations indicate that for some particular conditions this result could be reproduced from assuming the presence of two counter-currents during AC transition.

Step Bunching: Influence of Impurities and Solution Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernov, A. A.; Vekilov, P. G.; Coriell, S. R.; Murray, B. T.; McFadden, G. B.

1999-01-01

Step bunching results in striations even at relatively early stages of its development and in inclusions of mother liquor at the later stages. Therefore, eliminating step bunching is crucial for high crystal perfection. At least 5 major effects causing and influencing step bunching are known: (1) Basic morphological instability of stepped interfaces. It is caused by concentration gradient in the solution normal to the face and by the redistribution of solute tangentially to the interface which redistribution enhances occasional perturbations in step density due to various types of noise; (2) Aggravation of the above basic instability by solution flowing tangentially to the face in the same directions as the steps or stabilization of equidistant step train if these flows are antiparallel; (3) Enhanced bunching at supersaturation where step velocity v increases with relative supersaturation s much faster than linear. This v(s) dependence is believed to be associated with impurities. The impurities of which adsorption time is comparable with the time needed to deposit one lattice layer may also be responsible for bunching; (4) Very intensive solution flow stabilizes growing interface even at parallel solution and step flows; (5) Macrosteps were observed to nucleate at crystal corners and edges. Numerical simulation, assuming step-step interactions via surface diffusion also show that step bunching may be induced by random step nucleation at the facet edge and by discontinuity in the step density (a ridge) somewhere in the middle of a face. The corresponding bunching patterns produce the ones observed in experiment. The nature of step bunching generated at the corners and edges and by dislocation step sources, as well as the also relative importance and interrelations between mechanisms 1-5 is not clear, both from experimental and theoretical standpoints. Furthermore, several laws controlling the evolution of existing step bunches have been suggested, though unambiguous conclusions are still missing. Addressing these issues is the major goal of the present project. The theory addressing the above problem, experimental methods, several figures which include: (1) the spatial wave numbers at which the system is neutrally stable as a function of growth velocity for linear kinetics and supersaturation for nonlinear kinetics; (2) a schematic of the experiment of lysozyme crystal growing under conditions of natural convection; (3) fluctuations in time, t, of the normal growth rate, R(t), vicinal slope, p(t) and Fourier Spectra of R(t), discussions and conclusions are presented.

Search for pair-produced long-lived neutral particles decaying to jets in the ATLAS hadronic calorimeter in pp collisions at √ s=8 TeV

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; ...

2015-02-10

The ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN is used to search for the decay of a scalar boson to a pair of long-lived particles, neutral under the Standard Model gauge group, in 20.3 fb -1 of data collected in proton–proton collisions at √s=8 TeV. This search is sensitive to long-lived particles that decay to Standard Model particles producing jets at the outer edge of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter or inside the hadronic calorimeter. No significant excess of events is observed. Limits are reported on the product of the scalar boson production cross section times branching ratio intomore » long-lived neutral particles as a function of the proper lifetime of the particles. Limits are reported for boson masses from 100 GeV to 900 GeV, and a long-lived neutral particle mass from 10 GeV to 150 GeV.« less

MAVEN Pickup Ion Constraints on Mars Neutral Escape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmati, A.; Larson, D. E.; Cravens, T.; Lillis, R. J.; Dunn, P.; Halekas, J. S.; McFadden, J. P.; Mitchell, D. L.; Thiemann, E.; Connerney, J. E. P.; DiBraccio, G. A.; Espley, J. R.; Eparvier, F. G.

2017-12-01

Mars is currently losing its atmosphere mainly due to the escape of neutral hydrogen and oxygen. Directly measuring the rate of escaping neutrals is difficult, because the neutral density in the Mars exosphere is dominated, up to several Martian radii, by atoms that are gravitationally bound to the planet. Neutral atoms in the Martian exosphere, however, can get ionized, picked up, and accelerated by the solar wind motional electric field and energized to energies high enough for particle detectors to measure them. The MAVEN SEP instrument detects O+ pickup ions that are created at altitudes where the escaping part of the exosphere is dominant. Fluxes of these ions reflect neutral densities in the distant exosphere of Mars, allowing us to constrain neutral oxygen escape rates. The MAVEN SWIA and STATIC instruments measure pickup H+ and O+ created closer to Mars; comparisons of these data with models can be used to constrain exospheric hot O and thermal H densities and escape rates. In this work, pickup ion measurements from SEP, SWIA, and STATIC, taken during the first 3 Earth years of the MAVEN mission, are compared to the outputs of a pickup ion model to constrain the variability of neutral escape at Mars. The model is based on data from six MAVEN instruments, namely, MAG providing magnetic field used in calculating pickup ion trajectories, SWIA providing solar wind velocity as well as 3D pickup H+ and O+ spectra, SWEA providing solar wind electron spectrum used in electron impact ionization rate calculations, SEP providing pickup O+ spectra, STATIC providing mass resolved 3D pickup H+ and O+ spectra, and EUVM providing solar EUV spectra used in photoionization rate calculations. A variability of less than a factor of two is observed in hot oxygen escape rates, whereas thermal escape of hydrogen varies by an order of magnitude with Mars season. This hydrogen escape variability challenges our understanding of the H cycle at Mars, but is consistent with other recent measurements.

Electronic structure and electric polarity of edge-functionalized graphene nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taira, Remi; Yamanaka, Ayaka; Okada, Susumu

2017-08-01

On the basis of the density functional theory combined with the effective screening medium method, we studied the electronic structure of graphene nanoribbons with zigzag edges, which are terminated by functional groups. The work function of the nanoribbons is sensitive to the functional groups. The edge state inherent in the zigzag edges is robust against edge functionalization. OH termination causes the injection of electrons into the nearly free electron states situated alongside the nanoribbons, resulting in the formation of free electron channels outside the nanoribbons. We also demonstrated that the polarity of zigzag graphene nanoribbons is controllable by the asymmetrical functionalization of their edges.

Influence of the first wall material on the particle fuelling in ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lunt, T.; Reimold, F.; Wolfrum, E.; Carralero, D.; Feng, Y.; Schmid, K.; the ASDEX Upgrade Team

2017-05-01

In the period from 2002 to 2007 the material of the plasma facing components (PFCs) of ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) was changed from carbon (C) to tungsten (W). Comparing the measured density profiles of low-density L-mode discharges with little or no gas puff before and after this modification, a significantly higher pedestal-top density was found for W PFCs together with a steeper gradient and a lower pedestal temperature. This change can be explained by larger particle- and energy reflection coefficients for D on W compared to D on C, as shown by EMC3-EIRENE simulations of AUG discharges in similar conditions on a computational grid extending to the main chamber first wall. In the simulations, a change of the wall material at fixed separatrix density indeed shows that for W PFCs more neutrals cross the separatrix, resulting in a steeper density gradient. Analysis of the source resolved and poloidally resolved neutral flux densities across the separatrix show a dominant contribution of the divertor targets to the fuelling profile in the simulation of the low density case. Increasing the density decreases the electron temperature at the target and therefore the potential drop in the electrostatic sheath as well as the energy of the ions impinging on the surface. Neutrals with ∼eV energies, able to reach the separatrix, are then only produced via molecular dissociation processes in the plasma volume independently of the PFC material. Also the contribution of the main chamber PFCs to the fuelling is observed to increase at higher densities.

Temperate forest fragments maintain aboveground carbon stocks out to the forest edge despite changes in community composition.

PubMed

Ziter, Carly; Bennett, Elena M; Gonzalez, Andrew

2014-11-01

Edge effects are among the primary mechanisms by which forest fragmentation can influence the link between biodiversity and ecosystem processes, but relatively few studies have quantified these mechanisms in temperate regions. Carbon storage is an important ecosystem function altered by edge effects, with implications for climate change mitigation. Two opposing hypotheses suggest that aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks at the forest edge will (a) decrease due to increased tree mortality and compositional shifts towards smaller, lower wood density species (e.g., as seen in tropical systems) or, less often, (b) increase due to light/temperature-induced increases in diversity and productivity. We used field-based measurements, allometry, and mixed models to investigate the effects of proximity to the forest edge on AGC stocks, species richness, and community composition in 24 forest fragments in southern Quebec. We also asked whether fragment size or connectivity with surrounding forests altered these edge effects. AGC stocks remained constant across a 100 m edge-to-interior gradient in all fragment types, despite changes in tree community composition and stem density consistent with expectations of forest edge effects. We attribute this constancy primarily to compensatory effects of small trees at the forest edge; however, it is due in some cases to the retention of large trees at forest edges, likely a result of forest management. Our results suggest important differences between temperate and tropical fragments with respect to mechanisms linking biodiversity and AGC dynamics. Small temperate forest fragments may be valuable in conservation efforts based on maintaining biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services.

Living on the Edges: Spatial Niche Occupation of Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), in Citrus Groves.

PubMed

Sétamou, Mamoudou; Bartels, David W

2015-01-01

The spatial niche occupation of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908, was evaluated to determine its field colonization and food resource exploitation strategies in citrus groves. Mature grapefruit and sweet orange groves were surveyed as part of an area-wide program in 2009-2010 to determine D. citri population densities and between-tree distribution. In both cultivars, significantly more psyllids were found on perimeter trees throughout the study period suggesting a strong edge effect in D. citri distribution in the groves. D. citri densities and infestation levels gradually declined from the edge to the center of grove. Higher numbers of D. citri were recorded on trees located on the east and south sides of the groves than those on the west and north sides. Citrus groves located at the outer edge of the study with at least one side non-surrounded to other citrus groves harbored significantly more D. citri than groves located within the block cluster and entirely surrounded by other groves. In detailed field studies during 2012, infestation of D. citri started from border trees in the grove where possibly one generation is completed before inner trees become infested. In addition, psyllid densities decreased significantly with increasing distance from the grove edge. Using the selection index, D citri exhibited a strong niche occupation preference for border trees.

Living on the Edges: Spatial Niche Occupation of Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), in Citrus Groves

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The spatial niche occupation of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908, was evaluated to determine its field colonization and food resource exploitation strategies in citrus groves. Mature grapefruit and sweet orange groves were surveyed as part of an area-wide program in 2009–2010 to determine D. citri population densities and between-tree distribution. In both cultivars, significantly more psyllids were found on perimeter trees throughout the study period suggesting a strong edge effect in D. citri distribution in the groves. D. citri densities and infestation levels gradually declined from the edge to the center of grove. Higher numbers of D. citri were recorded on trees located on the east and south sides of the groves than those on the west and north sides. Citrus groves located at the outer edge of the study with at least one side non-surrounded to other citrus groves harbored significantly more D. citri than groves located within the block cluster and entirely surrounded by other groves. In detailed field studies during 2012, infestation of D. citri started from border trees in the grove where possibly one generation is completed before inner trees become infested. In addition, psyllid densities decreased significantly with increasing distance from the grove edge. Using the selection index, D citri exhibited a strong niche occupation preference for border trees. PMID:26193111

Network Reliability: The effect of local network structure on diffusive processes

PubMed Central

Youssef, Mina; Khorramzadeh, Yasamin; Eubank, Stephen

2014-01-01

This paper re-introduces the network reliability polynomial – introduced by Moore and Shannon in 1956 – for studying the effect of network structure on the spread of diseases. We exhibit a representation of the polynomial that is well-suited for estimation by distributed simulation. We describe a collection of graphs derived from Erdős-Rényi and scale-free-like random graphs in which we have manipulated assortativity-by-degree and the number of triangles. We evaluate the network reliability for all these graphs under a reliability rule that is related to the expected size of a connected component. Through these extensive simulations, we show that for positively or neutrally assortative graphs, swapping edges to increase the number of triangles does not increase the network reliability. Also, positively assortative graphs are more reliable than neutral or disassortative graphs with the same number of edges. Moreover, we show the combined effect of both assortativity-by-degree and the presence of triangles on the critical point and the size of the smallest subgraph that is reliable. PMID:24329321

Global distribution of the He+ column density observed by Extreme Ultra Violet Imager on the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hozumi, Yuta; Saito, Akinori; Yoshikawa, Ichiro; Yamazaki, Atsushi; Murakami, Go; Yoshioka, Kazuo; Chen, Chia-Hung

2017-07-01

The global distribution of He+ in the topside ionosphere was investigated using data of the He+ resonant scattering emission at 30.4 nm obtained by the Extreme Ultra Violet Imager (EUVI) onboard the International Space Station. The optical observation by EUVI from the low-Earth orbit provides He+ column density data above the altitude of 400 km, presenting a unique opportunity to study the He+ distribution with a different perspective from that of past studies using data from in situ measurements. We analyzed data taken in 2013 and elucidated, for the first time, the seasonal, longitudinal, and latitudinal variations of the He+ column density in the dusk sector. It was found that the He+ column density in the winter hemisphere was about twice that in the summer hemisphere. In the December solstice season, the magnitude of this hemispheric asymmetry was large (small) in the longitudinal sector where the geomagnetic declination is eastward (westward). In the June solstice season, this relationship between the He+ distribution and the geomagnetic declination is reversed. In the equinox seasons, the He+ column densities in the two hemispheres are comparable at most longitudes. The seasonal and longitudinal dependence of the hemispheric asymmetry of the He+ distribution was attributed to the geomagnetic meridional neutral wind in the F region ionosphere. The neutral wind effect on the He+ distribution was examined with an empirical neutral wind model, and it was confirmed that the transport of ions in the topside ionosphere is predominantly affected by the F region neutral wind and the geomagnetic configuration.

Planetary rings: Structure and history

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esposito, L.

The composition and structure of planetary rings provide the key evidence to understand their origin and evolution. Before the first space observations, we were able to maintain an idealized view of the rings around Saturn, the only known ring system at that time. Rings were then discovered around Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Saturn's F ring was discovered by Pioneer 11. Our ideal view of circular, planar, symmetric and unchanging rings was shattered by observations of inclined, eccentric rings, waves and wavy edges, and numerous processes acting at rates that give timescales much younger than the solar system. Moons within and near the rings sculpt them and are the likely progenitors of future rings. The moonlet lifetimes are much less than Saturn's age. The old idea of ancient rings gave rise to youthful rings, that are recently created by erosion and destruction of small nearby moons. Although this explanation may work well for most rings, Saturn's massive ring system provides a problem. It is extremely improbable that Saturn's rings were recently created by the destruction of a moon as large as Mimas, or even by the breakup of a large comet that passed too close to Saturn. The history of Saturn's rings has been a difficult problem, now made even more challenging by the close-up Cassini measurements. Cassini observations show unexpected ring variability in time and space. Time variations are seen in ring edges, in the thinner D and F rings, and in the neutral oxygen cloud, which outweighs the E ring in the same region around Saturn. The rings are inhomogeneous, with structures on all scales, sharp gradients and edges. Compositional gradients are sharper than expected, but nonetheless cross structural boundaries. This is evidence for ballistic transport that has not gone to completion. The autocovariance maximizes in the middle of the A ring, with smaller structure near the main rings' outer edge. Density wave locations have a fresher ice composition. The processes of collisions, diffusion and transport should have homogenized the rings over the age of the solar system. Instead, these differences persist. The mass density in the Cassini division inferred from density waves is so low, that the material there would be ground to 1 dust in 30,000 years. The observed moons that cause such interesting structure in the rings have short lifetimes against disruption by cometary bombardment and against the angular momentum transfers that push them away from the rings. These rapid processes evident in the Cassini data have been taken as evidence that the rings were recently created, perhaps from a comet that passed too close to Saturn. Instead, an alternative is that primordial material may have been re-used and recycled. In the zone near the Roche limit where rings are found, limited accretion is possible, with the larger bodies able to recapture smaller fragments. The `propeller' structures, the self-gravity wakes, and the size distribution of clumps in Saturn's F ring are all indications of the accretion process. Recycling could extend the ring lifetime almost indefinitely. The variety evident in the latest observations and the low mass density inferred for the largest bodies are both consistent with extensive recycling of ring material as the explanation of the apparent youth of Saturn's rings. Similar processes are likely occurring tin the other ring systems and in the formation of planets around other stars. 2

Defect reduction in MBE-grown AlN by multicycle rapid thermal annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenlee, Jordan D.; Gunning, Brendan; Feigelson, Boris N.; Anderson, Travis J.; Koehler, Andrew D.; Hobart, Karl D.; Kub, Francis J.; Doolittle, W. Alan

2016-01-01

Multicycle rapid thermal annealing (MRTA) is shown to reduce the defect density of molecular beam epitaxially grown AlN films. No damage to the AlN surface occurred after performing the MRTA process at 1520°C. However, the individual grain structure was altered, with the emergence of step edges. This change in grain structure and diffusion of AlN resulted in an improvement in the crystalline structure. The Raman E2 linewidth decreased, confirming an improvement in crystal quality. The optical band edge of the AlN maintained the expected value of 6.2 eV throughout MRTA annealing, and the band edge sharpened after MRTA annealing at increased temperatures, providing further evidence of crystalline improvement. X-ray diffraction shows a substantial improvement in the (002) and (102) rocking curve FWHM for both the 1400 and 1520°C MRTA annealing conditions compared to the as-grown films, indicating that the screw and edge type dislocation densities decreased. Overall, the MRTA post-growth annealing of AlN lowers defect density, and thus will be a key step to improving optoelectronic and power electronic devices. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Theoretical and Experimental Beam Plasma Physics (TEBPP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, W. T.

1985-01-01

The theoretical and experimental beam plasma physics (TEBPP) consists of a package of five instruments to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasma density and temperature, neutral density, photometric emissions, and energetic particle spectra during firings of the particle injector (SEPAC) electron beam. The package is deployed on a maneuverable boom (or RMS) and is used to measure beam characteristics and induced perturbations in the near field ( 10 m) and mid field (10 m to 100 m) along the electron beam. The TEBPP package will be designed to investigate induced oscillations and induced electromagnetic mode waves, neutral and ion density and temperature effects, and beam characteristics as a function of axial distance.

Theoretical and Experimental Beam Plasma Physics (TEBPP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, B.

1986-01-01

The theoretical and experimental beam plasma physics (TEBPP) consists of a package of five instruments to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasma density and temperature, neutral density, photometric emissions, and energetic particle spectra during firings of the particle injector (SEPAC) electron beam. The package is developed on a maneuverable boom (or RMS) and is used to measure beam characteristics and induced perturbations field ( 10 m) and mid field ( 10 m to 100 m) along the electron beam. The TEBPP package will be designed to investigate induced oscillations and induced electromagnetic mode waves, neutral and ion density and temperature effects, and beam characteristics as a function of axial distance.

Analysis of polarization in hydrogen bonded complexes: An asymptotic projection approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drici, Nedjoua

2018-03-01

The asymptotic projection technique is used to investigate the polarization effect that arises from the interaction between the relaxed, and frozen monomeric charge densities of a set of neutral and charged hydrogen bonded complexes. The AP technique based on the resolution of the original Kohn-Sham equations can give an acceptable qualitative description of the polarization effect in neutral complexes. The significant overlap of the electron densities, in charged and π-conjugated complexes, impose further development of a new functional, describing the coupling between constrained and non-constrained electron densities within the AP technique to provide an accurate representation of the polarization effect.

Did the April 14-24 storms impact the mesopause region sodium density, temperature and wind over Fort Collins, CO (41N, 105W)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, K. S.; She, C.; Yuan, T.; Williams, B. P.; Krueger, D. A.

2002-12-01

The April 14-24 storms is under intense study to determine, among other things, its MLTI response. The change in sodium density, neutral temperature and winds in the mesopause region (80-110km) is a useful signature to look for. The Colorado State Sodium Lidar happened to have made nocturnal observations of sodium density, neutral temperature and zonal wind in April, 8th, 12th, 13th, 18th, and 22nd through 25th. We hope to determine and report if statistically meaningful changes in these important quantities had indeed occurred.

Effect of neutral gas heating in argon radio frequency inductively coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chin, O. H.; Jayapalan, K. K.; Wong, C. S.

2014-08-01

Heating of neutral gas in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is known to result in neutral gas depletion. In this work, this effect is considered in the simulation of the magnetic field distribution of a 13.56 MHz planar coil ICP. Measured electron temperatures and densities at argon pressures of 0.03, 0.07 and 0.2 mbar were used in the simulation whilst neutral gas temperatures were heuristically fitted. The simulated results showed reasonable agreement with the measured magnetic field profile.

Radial and azimuthal distribution of Io's oxygen neutral cloud observed by Hisaki/EXCEED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koga, R.; Tsuchiya, F.; Kagitani, M.; Sakanoi, T.; Yoneda, M.; Yoshikawa, I.; Yoshioka, K.; Murakami, G.; Yamazaki, A.; Kimura, T.; Smith, H. T.

2017-12-01

We report the spatial distributions of oxygen neural cloud surrounding Jupiter's moon Io and along Io's orbit observed by the HISAKI satellite. Atomic oxygen and sulfur in Io's atmosphere escape from the exobase and move to corona (< 5.8 Io radii, the boundary where Jupiter's gravity begins to dominate) and neutral clouds (> 5.8 Io radii) mainly due to atmospheric sputtering. Io plasma torus is formed by ionization of these atoms by electron impact and charge exchange processes. It is essential to examine the dominant source of Io plasma torus, particularly in the vicinity of Io (<5.8 Io radii; atmosphere and corona) or the region away from Io (>5.8 Io radii; extended neutral clouds). The spatial distribution of oxygen and sulfur neutral clouds is important to understand the source. The extreme ultraviolet spectrometer called EXCEED (Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscope for Exospheric Dynamics) installed on the Hisaki satellite observed Io plasma torus continuously in 2014-2015, and we carried out the monitoring of the distribution of atomic oxygen emission at 130.4 nm. The emission averaged over the distance range of 4.5-6.5 Jovian radii on the dawn and dusk sides strongly depends on the Io phase angle (IPA), and has a emission peak between IPA of 60-90 degrees on the dawn side, and between 240-270 degrees on the dusk side, respectively. It also shows the asymmetry with respect to Io's position: the intensity averaged for IPA 60-90 degrees (13.3 Rayleighs (R)) is 1.2 times greater than that for IPA 90-120 degrees (11.1 R) on the dawn side. The similar tendency is found on the dusk side. Weak atomic oxygen emission (4 R) uniformly distributes in every IPA. We also examined the radial distribution of the oxygen neutral cloud during the same period and found the emission peak near Io's orbit with decreasing the intensity toward 8.0 Jupiter radii. The results show the high density component of the oxygen neutral cloud is concentrated around Io and extends mainly toward leading side of Io. In addition, the low density neutrals uniformly exist along Io's orbit. Both components extend radially outward up to 8 Jovian radii with decreasing the density. In the presentation, we give the estimation of spatial distribution of oxygen neutral density and the oxygen ion source rate in the Io plasma torus.

Advanced Biasing Experiments on the C-2 Field-Reversed Configuration Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, Matthew; Korepanov, Sergey; Garate, Eusebio; Yang, Xiaokang; Gota, Hiroshi; Douglass, Jon; Allfrey, Ian; Valentine, Travis; Uchizono, Nolan; TAE Team

2014-10-01

The C-2 experiment seeks to study the evolution, heating and sustainment effects of neutral beam injection on field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas. Recently, substantial improvements in plasma performance were achieved through the application of edge biasing with coaxial plasma guns located in the divertors. Edge biasing provides rotation control that reduces instabilities and E × B shear that improves confinement. Typically, the plasma gun arcs are run at ~ 10 MW for the entire shot duration (~ 5 ms), which will become unsustainable as the plasma duration increases. We have conducted several advanced biasing experiments with reduced-average-power plasma gun operating modes and alternative biasing cathodes in an effort to develop an effective biasing scenario applicable to steady state FRC plasmas. Early results show that several techniques can potentially provide effective, long-duration edge biasing.

STM/STS investigation of edge structure in epitaxial graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ridene, M.; Girard, J. C.; Travers, L.; David, C.; Ouerghi, A.

2012-08-01

In this paper, we have used low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (LT-STM/STS) to study zigzag or armchair edges of epitaxial graphene on 6H-SiC (0001). The monolayer carbon structures exhibit occasionally one-dimensional ridge (1D) in close vicinity to step edge. This ridge exhibits different edges orientations in armchair-zigzag transition which give rise to different local density of states (LDOS) along this 1D structure. This ridge formation is likely explained by residual compressive in-plane stresses.

Gas-Grain Models for Interstellar Anion Chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cordiner, M. A.; Charnely, S. B.

2012-01-01

Long-chain hydrocarbon anions C(sub n) H(-) (n = 4, 6, 8) have recently been found to be abundant in a variety of interstellar clouds. In order to explain their large abundances in the denser (prestellar/protostellar) environments, new chemical models are constructed that include gas-grain interactions. Models including accretion of gas-phase species onto dust grains and cosmic-ray-induced desorption of atoms are able to reproduce the observed anion-to-neutral ratios, as well as the absolute abundances of anionic and neutral carbon chains, with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Due to their destructive effects, the depletion of oxygen atoms onto dust results in substantially greater polyyne and anion abundances in high-density gas (with n(sub H2) approx > / cubic cm). The large abundances of carbon-chain-bearing species observed in the envelopes of protostars such as L1527 can thus be explained without the need for warm carbon-chain chemistry. The C6H(-) anion-to-neutral ratio is found to be most sensitive to the atomic O and H abundances and the electron density. Therefore, as a core evolves, falling atomic abundances and rising electron densities are found to result in increasing anion-to-neutral ratios. Inclusion of cosmic-ray desorption of atoms in high-density models delays freeze-out, which results in a more temporally stable anion-to-neutral ratio, in better agreement with observations. Our models include reactions between oxygen atoms and carbon-chain anions to produce carbon-chain-oxide species C6O, C7O, HC6O, and HC7O, the abundances of which depend on the assumed branching ratios for associative electron detachment

The role of density discontinuity in the inviscid instability of two-phase parallel flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behzad, M.; Ashgriz, N.

2014-02-01

We re-examine the inviscid instability of two-phase parallel flows with piecewise linear velocity profiles. Although such configuration has been theoretically investigated, we employ the concept of waves resonance to physically interpret the instability mechanism as well as the essential role of density discontinuity in the flow. Upon performing linear stability analysis, we demonstrate the existence of neutrally stable "density" and "density-vorticity" waves which are emerged due to the density jump in the flow, in addition to the well-known vorticity waves. Such waves are capable of resonating with each other to form unstable modes in the flow. Although unstable modes in this study are classified as the "shear instability" type, we demonstrate that they are not necessarily of the Rayleigh type. The results also show that the density can have both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on the flow stability. We verify that the difference in the resonating pair of neutral waves leads to such distinct behavior of the density variation.

Effects of low central fuelling on density and ion temperature profiles in reversed shear plasmas on JT-60U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takenaga, H.; Ide, S.; Sakamoto, Y.; Fujita, T.; JT-60 Team

2008-07-01

Effects of low central fuelling on density and ion temperature profiles have been investigated using negative ion based neutral beam injection and electron cyclotron heating (ECH) in reversed shear plasmas on JT-60U. Strong internal transport barrier (ITB) was maintained in density and ion temperature profiles, when central fuelling was decreased by switching positive ion based neutral beam injection to ECH after the strong ITB formation. Similar density and ion temperature ITBs were formed for the low and high central fuelling cases during the plasma current ramp-up phase. Strong correlation between the density gradient and the ion temperature gradient was observed, indicating that particle transport and ion thermal transport are strongly coupled or the density gradient assists the ion temperature ITB formation through suppression of drift wave instabilities such as ion temperature gradient mode. These results support that the density and ion temperature ITBs can be formed under reactor relevant conditions.

Annual and seasonal variations in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Y. Z.; Bailey, G. J.; Oyama, K.-I.

1998-08-01

Annual and seasonal variations in the low-latitude topside ionosphere are investigated using observations made by the Hinotori satellite and the Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model (SUPIM). The observed electron densities at 600 km altitude show a strong annual anomaly at all longitudes. The average electron densities of conjugate latitudes within the latitude range +/-25° are higher at the December solstice than at the June solstice by about 100 during daytime and 30 during night-time. Model calculations show that the annual variations in the neutral gas densities play important roles. The model values obtained from calculations with inputs for the neutral densities obtained from MSIS86 reproduce the general behaviour of the observed annual anomaly. However, the differences in the modelled electron densities at the two solstices are only about 30 of that seen in the observed values. The model calculations suggest that while the differences between the solstice values of neutral wind, resulting from the coupling of the neutral gas and plasma, may also make a significant contribution to the daytime annual anomaly, the E×B drift velocity may slightly weaken the annual anomaly during daytime and strengthen the anomaly during the post-sunset period. It is suggested that energy sources, other than those arising from the 6 difference in the solar EUV fluxes at the two solstices due to the change in the Sun-Earth distance, may contribute to the annual anomaly. Observations show strong seasonal variations at the solstices, with the electron density at 600 km altitude being higher in the summer hemisphere than in the winter hemisphere, contrary to the behaviour in NmF2. Model calculations confirm that the seasonal behaviour results from effects caused by transequatorial component of the neutral wind in the direction summer hemisphere to winter hemisphere. Acknowledgements. We thank all the members of the Exos-D project team, especially K. Tsuruda and H. Oya, for their extensive support. We are grateful to A. W. Yau for valuable discussion and useful comments on this work. Topical Editor K.-H. Glassmeier thanks J. L. Burch and B. Hultqvist for their help in evaluating this paper.--> Correspondence to: W. Miyake-->

Moiré edge states in twisted graphene nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleischmann, M.; Gupta, R.; Weckbecker, D.; Landgraf, W.; Pankratov, O.; Meded, V.; Shallcross, S.

2018-05-01

The edge physics of graphene based systems is well known to be highly sensitive to the atomic structure at the boundary, with localized zero mode edge states found only on the zigzag-type termination of the lattice. Here we demonstrate that the graphene twist bilayer supports an additional class of edge states, that (i) are found for all edge geometries and thus are robust against edge roughness, (ii) occur at energies coinciding with twist induced Van Hove singularities in the bulk and (iii) possess an electron density strongly modulated by the moiré lattice. Interestingly, these "moiré edge states" exist only for certain lattice commensurations and thus the edge physics of the twist bilayer is, in dramatic contrast to that of the bulk, not uniquely determined by the twist angle.

Improvements to the ICRH antenna time-domain 3D plasma simulation model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smithe, David N.; Jenkins, Thomas G.; King, J. R.

2015-12-01

We present a summary of ongoing improvements to the 3D time-domain plasma modeling software that has been used to look at ICRH antennas on Alcator C-Mod, NSTX, and ITER [1]. Our past investigations have shown that in low density cases where the slow wave is propagating, strong amplitude lower hybrid resonant fields can occur. Such a scenario could result in significant parasitic power loss in the SOL. The primary resonance broadening in this case is likely collisions with neutral gas, and thus we are upgrading the model to include realistic neutral gas in the SOL, in order to provide a better understanding of energy balance in these situations. Related to this, we are adding a temporal variation capability to the local plasma density in front of the antenna in order to investigate whether the near fields of the antenna could modify the local density sufficiently to initiate a low density situation. We will start with a simple scalar ponderomotive potential density expulsion model [2] for the density evolution, but are also looking to eventually couple to a more complex fluid treatment that would include tensor pressures and convective physics and sources of neutrals and ionization. We also review continued benchmarking efforts, and ongoing and planned improvements to the computational algorithms, resulting from experience gained during our recent supercomputing runs on the Titan supercomputer, including GPU operations.

The effect of UV irradiation on the refractive index modulation in photo-thermo-refractive glasses: Mechanisms and application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernakov, Dmitry I.; Sidorov, Alexander I.; Stolyarchuk, Maxim V.; Kozlova, Darya A.; Krykova, Victoria A.; Nikonorov, Nikolay V.

2018-02-01

It is shown experimentally that in photo-thermo-refractive glasses the transformation of charged silver subnanosized molecular clusters to neutral state by UV irradiation results in the increase of glass refractive index. The increment of the refractive index reaches Δn = 0.76·10-4. Computer simulation has shown that the polarizability of neutral molecular clusters is by 20-40% larger than of charged ones. The reason of this is the increase of electron density and volume of electron density surfaces during the transformation of molecular cluster to the neutral state. The transition molecular cluster from the ground state to the excited state also results in the increase of its polarizability.

Probing the structural evolution and bonding properties of PtnC2-/0 (n = 1-7) clusters by density functional calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Sheng-Jie

2018-05-01

We present a theoretical investigation on the structural evolution and bonding properties of PtnC2-/0 (n = 1-7) clusters using density functional theoretical calculations. The results showed that both anionic and neutral PtnC2 (n = 1-7) clusters primarily adopt 2D planar chain-shaped or ring-based structures. The two C atoms directly interact with each other to form a Csbnd C bond for n = 1-3, while the two C atoms are separated by the Pt atoms for n = 4-7, except for neutral Pt5C2. Pt4C2- anion and Pt4C2 neutral both show σ plus π double delocalized bonding patterns.

Black bear (Ursus americanus Pallas) feeding damage across timber harvest edges in northern California coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens[D. Don] Endl.) forests, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Russell, W.H.; Carnell, K.; McBride, J.R.

2001-01-01

Feeding damage to trees by black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas) was recorded in proximity to timber harvest edges in harvested and old-growth stands of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don] Endl.) in northern California, USA. Bears exhibited distinct preference in their feeding patterns related to stand structure and composition and to distance from the timber-harvest edge. Most damage was recorded within regenerating stands. Regression analysis indicated that density of damaged trees was negatively correlated with distance from timber harvest edges within old-growth stands. A significant negative correlation was also found between the density of trees damaged by bears and habitat diversity (H') as measured by the Shannon diversity index. In addition, bears exhibited preference for pole-size trees (dbh = 10-50 cm) over all other size classes, and coast redwood over other species. In general, damage by bears appeared to act as a natural thinning agent in even-aged stands. No damage was recorded in old-growth stands except in close proximity to the timber-harvest edge where subcanopy recruitment was high.

Effects of Edge on-Site Potential in a Honeycomb Topological Magnon Insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantaleón, Pierre A.; Xian, Yang

2018-06-01

While the deviation of the edge on-site potential from the bulk values in a magnonic topological honeycomb lattice leads to the formation of edge states in a bearded boundary, this is not the case for a zigzag termination, where no edge state is found. In a semi-infinite lattice, the intrinsic on-site interactions along the boundary sites generate an effective defect and this gives rise to Tamm-like edge states. If a nontrivial gap is induced, both Tamm-like and topologically protected edge states appear in the band structure. The effective defect can be strengthened by an external on-site potential, and the dispersion relation, velocity and magnon density of the edge states all become tunable.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garofalo, Andrea M.; Burrell, Keith H.; Eldon, David

For the first time, DIII-D experiments have achieved stationary quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) operation for many energy confinement times at simultaneous ITER-relevant values of beta, confinement, and safety factor, in an ITER similar shape. QH-mode provides excellent energy confinement, even at very low plasma rotation, while operating without edge localized modes (ELMs) and with strong impurity transport via the benign edge harmonic oscillation (EHO). By tailoring the plasma shape to improve the edge stability, the QH-mode operating space has also been extended to densities exceeding 80% of the Greenwald limit, overcoming the long-standing low-density limit of QH-mode operation. In the theory,more » the density range over which the plasma encounters the kink-peeling boundary widens as the plasma cross-section shaping is increased, thus increasing the QH-mode density threshold. Here, the DIII-D results are in excellent agreement with these predictions, and nonlinear MHD analysis of reconstructed QH-mode equilibria shows unstable low n kink-peeling modes growing to a saturated level, consistent with the theoretical picture of the EHO. Furthermore, high density operation in the QH-mode regime has opened a path to a new, previously predicted region of parameter space, named “Super H-mode” because it is characterized by very high pedestals that can be more than a factor of two above the peeling-ballooning stability limit for similar ELMing H-mode discharges at the same density.« less

Impact of Te and ne on edge current density profiles in ELM mitigated regimes on ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunne, M. G.; Rathgeber, S.; Burckhart, A.; Fischer, R.; Giannone, L.; McCarthy, P. J.; Schneider, P. A.; Wolfrum, E.; the ASDEX Upgrade Team

2015-01-01

ELM resolved edge current density profiles are reconstructed using the CLISTE equilibrium code. As input, highly spatially and temporally resolved edge electron temperature and density profiles are used in addition to data from the extensive set of external poloidal field measurements available at ASDEX Upgrade, flux loop difference measurements, and current measurements in the scrape-off layer. Both the local and flux surface averaged current density profiles are analysed for several ELM mitigation regimes. The focus throughout is on the impact of altered temperature and density profiles on the current density. In particular, many ELM mitigation regimes rely on operation at high density. Two reference plasmas with type-I ELMs are analysed, one with a deuterium gas puff and one without, in order to provide a reference for the behaviour in type-II ELMy regimes and high density ELM mitigation with external magnetic perturbations at ASDEX Upgrade. For type-II ELMs it is found that while a similar pedestal top pressure is sustained at the higher density, the temperature gradient decreases in the pedestal. This results in lower local and flux surface averaged current densities in these phases, which reduces the drive for the peeling mode. No significant differences between the current density measured in the type-I phase and ELM mitigated phase is seen when external perturbations are applied, though the pedestal top density was increased. Finally, ELMs during the nitrogen seeded phase of a high performance discharge are analysed and compared to ELMs in the reference phase. An increased pedestal pressure gradient, which is the source of confinement improvement in impurity seeded discharges, causes a local current density increase. However, the increased Zeff in the pedestal acts to reduce the flux surface averaged current density. This dichotomy, which is not observed in other mitigation regimes, could act to stabilize both the ballooning mode and the peeling mode at the same time.

Electron energy distribution function in the divertor region of the COMPASS tokamak during neutral beam injection heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, E.; Dimitrova, M.; Havlicek, J.; Mitošinková, K.; Stöckel, J.; Varju, J.; Popov, Tsv K.; Komm, M.; Dejarnac, R.; Hacek, P.; Panek, R.; the COMPASS Team

2018-02-01

This paper presents the results from swept probe measurements in the divertor region of the COMPASS tokamak in D-shaped, L-mode discharges, with toroidal magnetic field BT = 1.15 T, plasma current Ip = 180 kA and line-average electron densities varying from 2 to 8×1019 m-3. Using neutral beam injection heating, the electron energy distribution function is studied before and during the application of the beam. The current-voltage characteristics data are processed using the first-derivative probe technique. This technique allows one to evaluate the plasma potential and the real electron energy distribution function (respectively, the electron temperatures and densities). At the low average electron density of 2×1019 m-3, the electron energy distribution function is bi-Maxwellian with a low-energy electron population with temperatures 4-6 eV and a high-energy electron group 12-25 eV. As the line-average electron density is increased, the electron temperatures decrease. At line-average electron densities above 7×1019 m-3, the electron energy distribution function is found to be Maxwellian with a temperature of 6-8.5 eV. The effect of the neutral beam injection heating power in the divertor region is also studied.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ku, S.; Chang, C. S.; Hager, R.

Here, a fast edge turbulence suppression event has been simulated in the electrostatic version of the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code XGC1 in a realistic diverted tokamak edge geometry under neutral particle recycling. The results show that the sequence of turbulent Reynolds stress followed by neoclassical ion orbit-loss driven together conspire to form the sustaining radial electric field shear and to quench turbulent transport just inside the last closed magnetic flux surface. As a result, the main suppression action is located in a thin radial layer around ψ N≃0.96–0.98, where ψ N is the normalized poloidal flux, with the time scale ~0.1more » ms.« less

The effect of small streamwise velocity distortion on the boundary layer flow over a thin flat plate with application to boundary layer stability theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldstein, M. E.; Leib, S. J.; Cowley, S. J.

1990-01-01

Researchers show how an initially linear spanwise disturbance in the free stream velocity field is amplified by leading edge bluntness effects and ultimately leads to a small amplitude but linear spanwise motion far downstream from the edge. This spanwise motion is imposed on the boundary layer flow and ultimately causes an order-one change in its profile shape. The modified profiles are highly unstable and can support Tollmein-Schlichting wave growth well upstream of the theoretical lower branch of the neutral stability curve for a Blasius boundary layer.

Time-dependent density-functional theory simulation of local currents in pristine and single-defect zigzag graphene nanoribbons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

He, Shenglai, E-mail: shenglai.he@vanderbilt.edu; Russakoff, Arthur; Li, Yonghui

2016-07-21

The spatial current distribution in H-terminated zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) under electrical bias is investigated using time-dependent density-functional theory solved on a real-space grid. A projected complex absorbing potential is used to minimize the effect of reflection at simulation cell boundary. The calculations show that the current flows mainly along the edge atoms in the hydrogen terminated pristine ZGNRs. When a vacancy is introduced to the ZGNRs, loop currents emerge at the ribbon edge due to electrons hopping between carbon atoms of the same sublattice. The loop currents hinder the flow of the edge current, explaining the poor electric conductancemore » observed in recent experiments.« less

Quantifying edge effect extent and its impacts on carbon stocks across a degraded landscape in the Amazon using airborne lidar.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

dos-Santos, M. N.; Keller, M.; Morton, D. C.; Longo, M.; Scaranello, M. A., Sr.; Pinagé, E. R.; Correa Pabon, R.

2017-12-01

Ongoing tropical forest degradation and forest fragmentation increases forest edge area. Forest edges experience hotter, drier, and windier conditions and greater exposure to fires compared to interior areas, which elevate rates of tree mortality. Previous studies have suggested that forests within 100 m from the edge may lose 36% of biomass during the first two decades following fragmentation, although such estimates are based on a limited number of experimental plots. Degraded forests behave differently from intact forests and quantifying edge effect extension in a degraded forest landscape is more challenging compared to experimental studies. To overcome these limitations, we used airborne lidar data to quantify changes in forest structure near 91 edges in a heavily degraded tropical forest in Paragominas Municipality, eastern Brazilian Amazon. Paragominas was a center of timber production in the 1990s. Today, the landscape is a mosaic of different agricultural uses, degraded, secondary and unmanaged forests. A total of 3000 ha of high density (mean density of 17.9 points/m2) lidar data were acquired in August/September 2013 and June/July 2014 over 30 transects (200 x 5000m), systematically distributed over the study area, using the Optech Orion M-200 laser scanning system. We adopted lidar-measured forest heights as the edge effect criteria and found that mean extent of edge effect was highly variable across degraded forests (150 ± 354m) and secondary forest fragments (265 ± 365m). We related the extent of forest edges to the historical disturbances identified in Landsat imagery since 1984. Contrary to previous studies, we found that carbon stocks along forest edges were not significantly lower than forest core biomass when edges were defined by previously estimated range of 100 and 300m. In frontier forests, ecological edge effect may be masked by the cumulative impact of historic forest degradation - an anthropogenic edge effect that extends beyond the scale of changes in forest microclimate from fragmentation.