upward field-aligned currents: Topics by Science.gov

Sample records for upward field-aligned currents

Relationship between field-aligned currents and inverted-V parallel potential drops observed at midaltitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakanoi, T.; Fukunishi, H.; Mukai, T.

1995-10-01

The inverted-V field-aligned acceleration region existing in the altitude range of several thousand kilometers plays an essential role for the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling system. The adiabatic plasma theory predicts a linear relationship between field-aligned current density (J∥) and parallel potential drop (Φ∥), that is, J∥=KΦ∥, where K is the field-aligned conductance. We examined this relationship using the charged particle and magnetic field data obtained from the Akebono (Exos D) satellite. The potential drop above the satellite was derived from the peak energy of downward electrons, while the potential drop below the satellite was derived from two different methods: the peak energy of upward ions and the energy-dependent widening of electron loss cone. On the other hand, field-aligned current densities in the inverted-V region were estimated from the Akebono magnetometer data. Using these potential drops and field-aligned current densities, we estimated the linear field-aligned conductance KJΦ. Further, we obtained the corrected field-aligned conductance KCJΦ by applying the full Knight's formula to the current-voltage relationship. We also independently estimated the field-aligned conductance KTN from the number density and the thermal temperature of magnetospheric source electrons which were obtained by fitting accelerated Maxwellian functions for precipitating electrons. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The latitudinal dependence of parallel potential drops is characterized by a narrow V-shaped structure with a width of 0.4°-1.0°. (2) Although the inverted-V potential region exactly corresponds to the upward field aligned current region, the latitudinal dependence of upward current intensity is an inverted-U shape rather than an inverted-V shape. Thus it is suggested that the field-aligned conductance KCJΦ changes with a V-shaped latitudinal dependence. In many cases, KCJΦ values at the edge of the inverted-V region are about 5-10 times larger than those at the center. (3) By comparing KCJΦ with KTN, KCJΦ is found to be about 2-20 times larger than KTN. These results suggest that low-energy electrons such as trapped electrons, secondary and back-scattered electrons, and ionospheric electrons significantly contribute to upward field-aligned currents in the inverted-V region. It is therefore inferred that non adiabatic pitch angle scattering processes play an important role in the inverted-V region. .
Field-aligned Currents Induced by Electrostatic Polarization at the Ionosphere: Application to the Poleward Boundary Intensification (PBI) of Auroral Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtani, S.; Yoshikawa, A.

2016-12-01

Although the field-aligned currents (Birkeland currents) are generally considered to be driven by magnetospheric processes, it is possible that some field-aligned currents are locally induced in the ionosphere in the presence of sharp conductance gradient. In this presentation we shall discuss the poleward boundary intensification (PBI) of auroral emission as an example effect of such electrostatic polarization. The observations show that the PBIs are very often preceded by the fast polar cap convection approaching the nightside auroral oval. We propose that the ionospheric currents driven by the associated electric field diverges/converges at the poleward boundary of the auroral oval as the background ionospheric conductance changes sharply in space, and they close with field-aligned currents. The associated upward field-aligned current is accompanied by electron precipitation, which may cause auroral emission as observed as PBIs. We test this idea by modeling the ionosphere as a slab-shaped enhancement of conductance and the polar cap flow channel as a pair of upward and downward FACs. The results show that (i) a pair of upward and downward FACs is induced at the poleward boundary when the front of the polar cap flow channel approaches the auroral oval; (ii) the upward FAC extends westward much wider in longitude than the flow channel; (iii) the peak FAC density is significantly larger than the incident FAC; and (iv) the induced upward and downward FACs are distributed almost symmetrically in longitude, indicating that the Pedersen polarization dominates the Hall polarization. These results are consistent with some general characteristics of PBIs, which are rather difficult to explain if the PBIs are the ionospheric manefestation of distant reconnection as often suggested.
The auroral current circuit and field-aligned currents observed by FAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elphic, R. C.; Bonnell, J. W.; Strangeway, R. J.; Kepko, L.; Ergun, R. E.; McFadden, J. P.; Carlson, C. W.; Peria, W.; Cattell, C. A.; Klumpar, D.; Shelley, E.; Peterson, W.; Moebius, E.; Kistler, L.; Pfaff, R.

FAST observes signatures of small-scale downward-going current at the edges of the inverted-V regions where the primary (auroral) electrons are found. In the winter pre-midnight auroral zone these downward currents are carried by upward flowing low- and medium-energy (up to several keV) electron beams. FAST instrumentation shows agreement between the current densities inferred from both the electron distributions and gradients in the magnetic field. FAST data taken near apogee (˜4000-km altitude) commonly show downward current magnetic field deflections consistent with the observed upward flux of ˜109 electrons cm-2 s-1, or current densities of several µA m-2. The electron, field-aligned current and electric field signatures indicate the downward currents may be associated with “black aurora” and auroral ionospheric cavities. The field-aligned voltage-current relationship in the downward current region is nonlinear.
A statistical study of the THEMIS satellite data for plasma sheet electrons carrying auroral upward field-aligned currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.; Shiokawa, K.; McFadden, J. P.

2010-12-01

The magnetospheric electron precipitation along the upward field-aligned currents without the potential difference causes diffuse aurora, and the magnetospheric electrons accelerated by a field-aligned potential difference cause the intense and bright type of aurora, namely discrete aurora. In this study, we are trying to find out when and where the aurora can be caused with or without electron acceleration. We statistically investigate electron density, temperature, thermal current, and conductivity in the plasma sheet using the data from the electrostatic analyzer (ESA) onboard the THEMIS-D satellite launched in 2007. According to Knight (Planet. Space Sci., 1973) and Lyons (JGR, 1980), the thermal current, jth(∝ nT^(1/2) where n is electron density and T is electron temperature in the plasma sheet), represents the upper limit to field aligned current that can be carried by magnetospheric electrons without field-aligned potential difference. The conductivity, K(∝ nT^(-1/2)), represents the efficiency of the upward field-aligned current (j) that the field-aligned potential difference (V) can produce (j=KV). Therefore, estimating jth and K in the plasma sheet is important in understanding the ability of plasma sheet electrons to carry the field-aligned current which is driven by various magnetospheric processes such as flow shear and azimuthal pressure gradient. Similar study was done by Shiokawa et al. (2000) based on the auroral electron data obtained by the DMSP satellites above the auroral oval and the AMPTE/IRM satellite in the near Earth plasma sheet at 10-18 Re on February-June 1985 and March-June 1986 during the solar minimum. The purpose of our study is to examine auroral electrons with pitch angle information inside 12 Re where Shiokawa et al. (2000) did not investigate well. For preliminary result, we found that in the dawn side inner magnetosphere (source of the region 2 current), electrons can make sufficient thermal current without field-aligned potential difference, particularly during active time (AE > 100 nT). On the other hand, in the dusk side outer magnetosphere (source of the region 1), electron density and temperature are small, thus the thermal current is much smaller than the typical auroral current suggested by Iijima and Potemra (JGR, 1976). From this result, we suppose that electron acceleration is necessary on the dusk side region 1 upward field-aligned current. Our preliminary result, however, does not consider contamination of the radiation belt particles into the ESA data that is apparent inside 9 Re. In the presentation, we show the results with removal of the radiation belt particle contamination.
DE 1 observations of theta aurora plasma source regions and Birkeland current charge carriers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menietti, J. D.; Burch, J. L.

1987-01-01

Detailed analyses of the DE 1 high-altitude plasma instrument electron and ion data have been performed for four passes during which theta auroras were observed. The data indicate that the theta auroras occur on what appear to be closed field lines with particle signatures and plasma parameters that are quite similar to those of the magnetospheric boundary plasma sheet. The field-aligned currents computed from particle fluxes in the energy range 18-13 keV above the theta auroras are observed to be generally downward on the dawnside of the arcs with a narrower region of larger (higher density) upward currents on the duskside of the arcs. These currents are carried predominantly by field-aligned beams of accelerated cold electrons. Of particualr interest in regions of upward field-aligned current are downward electron beams at energies less than the inferred potential drop above the spacecraft.
Relation of Field-Aligned Currents Measured by the Network of Iridium® Spacecraft to Solar Wind and Substorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McPherron, R. L.; Anderson, B. J.; Chu, Xiangning

2018-03-01

The strength of field-aligned currents coupling the magnetosphere to the ionosphere was obtained by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) using the network of Iridium® spacecraft. The distribution of current was integrated giving total current in and out of the ionosphere on the dayside and nightside of the Earth in both hemispheres. The onset of auroral zone negative bays and midlatitude positive bays corresponds to an increase in nightside upward current. The total outward current tends toward saturation with increasing solar wind driver strength. The optimum solar wind coupling function for AL index predicts 73% of the variance in nightside upward current. The dayside and nightside predictors of upward current rise to a peak at 30-45 min and decay slowly over 2.5 hr. Nightside response is delayed relative to dayside.
Relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields, and particle precipitation as observed by Dynamics Explorer-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugiura, M.; Iyemori, T.; Hoffman, R. A.; Maynard, N. C.; Burch, J. L.; Winningham, J. D.

1984-01-01

The relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields, and particle fluxes are determined using observations from the polar orbiting low-altitude satellite Dynamics Explorer-2. It is shown that the north-south electric field and the east-west magnetic field components are usually highly correlated in the field-aligned current regions. This proportionality observationally proves that the field-aligned current equals the divergence of the height-integrated ionospheric Pedersen current in the meridional plane to a high degree of approximation. As a general rule, in the evening sector the upward field-aligned currents flow in the boundary plasma sheet region and the downward currents flow in the central plasma sheet region. The current densities determined independently from the plasma and magnetic field measurements are compared. Although the current densities deduced from the two methods are in general agreement, the degree and extent of the agreement vary in individual cases.
Relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields and particle precipitation as observed by dynamics Explorer-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugiura, M.; Iyemori, T.; Hoffman, R. A.; Maynard, N. C.; Burch, J. L.; Winningham, J. D.

1983-01-01

The relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields, and particle fluxes are determined using observations from the polar orbiting low-altitude satellite Dynamics Explorer-2. It is shown that the north-south electric field and the east-west magnetic field components are usually highly correlated in the field-aligned current regions. This proportionality observationally proves that the field-aligned current equals the divergence of the height-integrated ionospheric Pedersen current in the meridional plane to a high degree of approximation. As a general rule, in the evening sector the upward field-aligned currents flow in the boundary plasma sheet region and the downward currents flow in the central plasma sheet region. The current densities determined independently from the plasma and magnetic field measurements are compared. Although the current densities deduced from the two methods are in general agreement, the degree and extent of the agreement vary in individual cases.
Characterization of the IMF By-dependent field-aligned currents in the cleft region based on DE 2 observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taguchi, S.; Sugiura, M.; Winningham, J. D.; Slavin, J. A.

1993-01-01

The magnetic field and plasma data from 47 passes of DE-2 are used to study the IMF By-dependent distribution of field-aligned currents in the cleft region. It is proposed that the low-latitude cleft current (LCC) region is not an extension of the region 1 or region 2 current system and that a pair of LCCs and high-latitude cleft currents (HCCs) constitutes the cleft field-aligned current regime. The proposed pair of cleft field-aligned currents is explained with a qualitative model in which this pair of currents is generated on open field lines that have just been reconnected on the dayside magnetopause. The electric fields are transmitted along the field lines to the ionosphere, creating a poleward electric field and a pair of field-aligned currents when By is positive; the pair of field-aligned currents consists of a downward current at lower latitudes and an upward current at higher latitudes. In the By negative case, the model explains the reversal of the field-aligned current direction in the LCC and HCC regions.
Field-aligned currents associated with multiple arc systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, J.; Knudsen, D. J.; Gillies, D. M.; Donovan, E.; Burchill, J. K.

2016-12-01

It is often thought that auroral arcs are a direct consequence of upward field-aligned currents. In fact, the relation between currents and brightness is more complicated. Multiple auroral arc systems provide and opportunity to study this relation in detail; this information can be used as a test of models for quasi-static arc formation. In this study, we have identified two types of FAC configurations in multiple parallel arc systems using ground-based optical data from the THEMIS all-sky imagers (ASIs), magnetometers and electric field instruments onboard the Swarm satellites during the period from December 2013 to March 2015. In type 1 events, each arc is an intensification within a broad, unipolar current sheet and downward currents only exist outside the upward current sheet. In type 2 events, multiple arc systems represent a collection of multiple up/down current pairs. By collecting 12 events for type 1 and 17 events for type 2, we find that (1) Type 1 events are mainly located between 22-23MLT. Type 2 events are mainly located around midnight. (2) The typical size of upward and downward FAC in type 2 events are comparable, while upward FAC in type 1 events are larger than downward FAC. (3) Upward currents with more arcs embedded have larger intensities and widths. (4) There is no significant difference between the characteristic widths of multiple arcs and single arcs.
Swarm observation of field-aligned current and electric field in multiple arc systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, J.; Knudsen, D. J.; Gillies, M.; Donovan, E.; Burchill, J. K.

2017-12-01

It is often thought that auroral arcs are a direct consequence of upward field-aligned currents. In fact, the relation between currents and brightness is more complicated. Multiple auroral arc systems provide and opportunity to study this relation in detail. In this study, we have identified two types of FAC configurations in multiple parallel arc systems using ground-based optical data from the THEMIS all-sky imagers (ASIs), magnetometers and electric field instruments onboard the Swarm satellites during the period from December 2013 to March 2015. In type 1 events, each arc is an intensification within a broad, unipolar current sheet and downward currents only exist outside the upward current sheet. These types of events are termed "unipolar FAC" events. In type 2 events, multiple arc systems represent a collection of multiple up/down current pairs, which are termed as "multipolar FAC" events. Comparisons of these two types of FAC events are presented with 17 "unipolar FAC" events and 12 "multipolar FAC" events. The results show that "unipolar FAC" and "multipolar FAC" events have systematic differences in terms of MLT, arc width and separation, and dependence on substorm onset time. For "unipolar FAC" events, significant electric field enhancements are shown on the edges of the broad upward current sheet. Electric field fluctuations inside the multiple arc system can be large or small. For "multipolar FAC" events, a strong correlation between magnetic and electric field indicate uniform conductance within each upward current sheet. The electrodynamical structures of multiple arc systems presented in this paper represents a step toward understanding arc generation.
The dependence of the strength and thickness of field-aligned currents on solar wind and ionospheric parameters

PubMed Central

Johnson, Jay R.; Wing, Simon

2017-01-01

Sheared plasma flows at the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) correlate well with early afternoon auroral arcs and upward field-aligned currents. We present a simple analytic model that relates solar wind and ionospheric parameters to the strength and thickness of field-aligned currents (Λ) in a region of sheared velocity, such as the LLBL. We compare the predictions of the model with DMSP observations and find remarkably good scaling of the upward region 1 currents with solar wind and ionospheric parameters in region located at the boundary layer or open field lines at 1100–1700 magnetic local time. We demonstrate that Λ~nsw−0.5 and Λ ~ L when Λ/L < 5 where L is the auroral electrostatic scale length. The sheared boundary layer thickness (Δm) is inferred to be around 3000 km, which appears to have weak dependence on Vsw. J‖ has dependencies on Δm, Σp, nsw, and Vsw. The analytic model provides a simple way to organize data and to infer boundary layer structures from ionospheric data. PMID:29057194
Characteristics of ionospheric convection and field-aligned current in the dayside cusp region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, G.; Lyons, L. R.; Reiff, P. H.; Denig, W. F.; Beaujardiere, O. De LA; Kroehl, H. W.; Newell, P. T.; Rich, F. J.; Opgenoorth, H.; Persson, M. A. L.

1995-01-01

The assimilative mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics (AMIE) technique has been used to estimate global distributions of high-latitude ionospheric convection and field-aligned current by combining data obtained nearly simultaneously both from ground and from space. Therefore, unlike the statistical patterns, the 'snapshot' distributions derived by AMIE allow us to examine in more detail the distinctions between field-aligned current systems associated with separate magnetospheric processes, especially in the dayside cusp region. By comparing the field-aligned current and ionospheric convection patterns with the corresponding spectrograms of precipitating particles, the following signatures have been identified: (1) For the three cases studied, which all had an IMF with negative y and z components, the cusp precipitation was encountered by the DMSP satellites in the postnoon sector in the northern hemisphere and in the prenoon sector in the southern hemisphere. The equatorward part of the cusp in both hemispheres is in the sunward flow region and marks the beginning of the flow rotation from sunward to antisunward. (2) The pair of field-aligned currents near local noon, i.e., the cusp/mantle currents, are coincident with the cusp or mantle particle precipitation. In distinction, the field-aligned currents on the dawnside and duskside, i.e., the normal region 1 currents, are usually associated with the plasma sheet particle precipitation. Thus the cusp/mantle currents are generated on open field lines and the region 1 currents mainly on closed field lines. (3) Topologically, the cusp/mantle currents appear as an expansion of the region 1 currents from the dawnside and duskside and they overlap near local noon. When B(sub y) is negative, in the northern hemisphere the downward field-aligned current is located poleward of the upward current; whereas in the southern hemisphere the upward current is located poleward of the downward current. (4) Under the assumption of quasi-steady state reconnection, the location of the separatrix in the ionosphere is estimated and the reconnection velocity is calculated to be between 400 and 550 m/s. The dayside separatrix lies equatorward of the dayside convection throat in the two cases examined.
Theory and observations of upward field-aligned currents at the magnetopause boundary layer.

PubMed

Wing, Simon; Johnson, Jay R

2015-11-16

The dependence of the upward field-aligned current density ( J ‖ ) at the dayside magnetopause boundary layer is well described by a simple analytic model based on a velocity shear generator. A previous observational survey confirmed that the scaling properties predicted by the analytical model are applicable between 11 and 17 MLT. We utilize the analytic model to predict field-aligned currents using solar wind and ionospheric parameters and compare with direct observations. The calculated and observed parallel currents are in excellent agreement, suggesting that the model may be useful to infer boundary layer structures. However, near noon, where velocity shear is small, the kinetic pressure gradients and thermal currents, which are not included in the model, could make a small but significant contribution to J ‖ . Excluding data from noon, our least squares fit returns log( J ‖,max_cal ) = (0.96 ± 0.04) log( J ‖_obs ) + (0.03 ± 0.01) where J ‖,max_cal = calculated J ‖,max and J ‖_obs = observed J ‖ .
Transient, Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents in the Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer During Storm Time Substorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakamura, R.; Sergeev, V. A.; Baumjohann, W.; Plaschke, F.; Magnes, W.; Fischer, D.; Varsani, A.; Schmid, D.; Nakamura, T. K. M.; Russell, C. T.;

2016-01-01

We report on field-aligned current observations by the four Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft near the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) during two major substorms on 23 June 2015. Small-scale field-aligned currents were found embedded in fluctuating PSBL flux tubes near the Separatrix region. We resolve, for the first time, short-lived earthward (downward) intense field-aligned current sheets with thicknesses of a few tens of kilometers, which are well below the ion scale, on flux tubes moving equatorward earth ward during outward plasma sheet expansion. They coincide with upward field-aligned electron beams with energies of a few hundred eV. These electrons are most likely due to acceleration associated with a reconnection jet or high-energy ion beam-produced disturbances. The observations highlight coupling of multiscale processes in PSBL as a consequence of magnetotail reconnection.

Transient, small-scale field-aligned currents in the plasma sheet boundary layer during storm time substorms.

PubMed

Nakamura, R; Sergeev, V A; Baumjohann, W; Plaschke, F; Magnes, W; Fischer, D; Varsani, A; Schmid, D; Nakamura, T K M; Russell, C T; Strangeway, R J; Leinweber, H K; Le, G; Bromund, K R; Pollock, C J; Giles, B L; Dorelli, J C; Gershman, D J; Paterson, W; Avanov, L A; Fuselier, S A; Genestreti, K; Burch, J L; Torbert, R B; Chutter, M; Argall, M R; Anderson, B J; Lindqvist, P-A; Marklund, G T; Khotyaintsev, Y V; Mauk, B H; Cohen, I J; Baker, D N; Jaynes, A N; Ergun, R E; Singer, H J; Slavin, J A; Kepko, E L; Moore, T E; Lavraud, B; Coffey, V; Saito, Y

2016-05-28

We report on field-aligned current observations by the four Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft near the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) during two major substorms on 23 June 2015. Small-scale field-aligned currents were found embedded in fluctuating PSBL flux tubes near the separatrix region. We resolve, for the first time, short-lived earthward (downward) intense field-aligned current sheets with thicknesses of a few tens of kilometers, which are well below the ion scale, on flux tubes moving equatorward/earthward during outward plasma sheet expansion. They coincide with upward field-aligned electron beams with energies of a few hundred eV. These electrons are most likely due to acceleration associated with a reconnection jet or high-energy ion beam-produced disturbances. The observations highlight coupling of multiscale processes in PSBL as a consequence of magnetotail reconnection.
DE 1 observations of type 1 counterstreaming electrons and field-aligned currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, C. S.; Burch, J. L.; Barfield, J. N.; Sugiura, M.; Nielsen, E.

1984-01-01

Dynamics Explorer 1 satellite observations of plasma and magnetic fields during type one counterstreaming electron events are presented. Counterstreaming electrons are observed at high altitudes in the region of field-aligned current. The total current density computed from the plasma data in the 18-10,000 eV energy range is generally about 1-2 micro-A/sq m. For the downward current, low-energy electrons contribute more than 40 percent of the total plasma current density integrated above 18 eV. For the upward current, such electrons contribute less than 50 percent of that current density. Electron beams in the field-aligned direction are occasionally detected. The pitch angle distributions of counterstreaming electrons are generally enhanced at both small and large pitch angles. STARE simultaneous observations for one DE 1 pass indicated that the field-aligned current was closed through Pedersen currents in the ionosphere. The directions of the ionospheric current systems are consistent with the DE 1 observations at high altitudes.
ST5 Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents and its Implication to Ionospheric Closure Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, G.

2008-01-01

A major unsolved question in the physics of ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling is how field-aligned currents (FACs) close. In order to maintain the divergence free condition, overall downward FACs (carried mainly by upward electrons) must eventually balance the overall upward FACs associated with the precipitating electrons through ionospheric Pedersen currents. Although much of the current closure may take place via local Pedersen currents flowing between Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) FACs, there is a generally an imbalance, i.e., more currents in R1 than in R2, in total currents between them. The net currents may be closed within R1 via cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. In this study, we use the magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of R1 and R2 currents. We will determine the net R1-R2 currents under various solar wind conditions and discuss the implication of such imbalance to the ionospheric closure currents.
A study of field-aligned currents observed at high and low altitudes in the nightside magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, R. C.; Craven, J. D.; Frank, L. A.; Sugiura, M.

1988-01-01

Field-aligned current structures on auroral field lines observed at low and high altitudes using DE 1 and ISEE 2 magnetometer, and particle data observed when the spacecraft are in magnetic conjunction in the near-midnight magnetosphere, are investigated. To minimize latitudinal ambiguity, the plasma-sheet boundary layer observed with ISEE 2 and the discrete aurora at the poleward edge of the auroral oval with DE 1 are studied. The overall current observed at highest latitudes is flowing into the ionosphere, and is likely to be carried by ionospheric electrons flowing upward. There are, however, smaller-scale current structures within this region. The sense and magnitude of the field-aligned currents agree at the two sites. The ISEE 2 data suggests that the high-latitude downward current corresponds to the high-latitude boundary of the plasma-sheet boundary layer, and may be associated with the ion beams observed there.
Field-parallel Acceleration: Comment on the Paper “Electric Currents on the Flare Ribbons: Observations and Standard Model” by Janvier et al. (2014, ApJ, 788, 60)

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

Haerendel, G.

It is proposed that the coincidence of higher brightness and upward electric current observed by Janvier et al. during a flare indicates electron acceleration by field-parallel potential drops sustained by extremely strong field-aligned currents of order 10{sup 4} A m{sup −2}. A few consequences are discussed here.

Field-Aligned Currents in Saturn's Nightside Magnetosphere: Subcorotation and Planetary Period Oscillation Components During Northern Spring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradley, T. J.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Provan, G.; Hunt, G. J.; Bunce, E. J.; Wharton, S. J.; Alexeev, I. I.; Belenkaya, E. S.; Kalegaev, V. V.; Dougherty, M. K.

2018-05-01

We newly analyze Cassini magnetic field data from the 2012/2013 Saturn northern spring interval of highly inclined orbits and compare them with similar data from late southern summer in 2008, thus providing unique information on the seasonality of the currents that couple momentum between Saturn's ionosphere and magnetosphere. Inferred meridional ionospheric currents in both cases consist of a steady component related to plasma subcorotation, together with the rotating current systems of the northern and southern planetary period oscillations (PPOs). Subcorotation currents during the two intervals show opposite north-south polar region asymmetries, with strong equatorward currents flowing in the summer hemispheres but only weak currents flowing to within a few degrees of the open-closed boundary (OCB) in the winter hemispheres, inferred due to weak polar ionospheric conductivities. Currents peak at 1 MA rad-1 in both hemispheres just equatorward of the open-closed boundary, associated with total downward polar currents 6 MA, then fall across the narrow auroral upward current region to small values at subauroral latitudes. PPO-related currents have a similar form in both summer and winter with principal upward and downward field-aligned currents peaking at 1.25 MA rad-1 being essentially collocated with the auroral upward current and approximately equal in strength. Though northern and southern PPO currents were approximately equal during both intervals, the currents in both hemispheres were dual modulated by both systems during 2012/2013, with approximately half the main current closing in the opposite ionosphere and half cross field in the magnetosphere, while only the northern hemisphere currents were similarly dual modulated in 2008.
Temporal evolution of the electric field accelerating electrons away from the auroral ionosphere.

PubMed

Marklund, G T; Ivchenko, N; Karlsson, T; Fazakerley, A; Dunlop, M; Lindqvist, P A; Buchert, S; Owen, C; Taylor, M; Vaivalds, A; Carter, P; André, M; Balogh, A

2001-12-13

The bright night-time aurorae that are visible to the unaided eye are caused by electrons accelerated towards Earth by an upward-pointing electric field. On adjacent geomagnetic field lines the reverse process occurs: a downward-pointing electric field accelerates electrons away from Earth. Such magnetic-field-aligned electric fields in the collisionless plasma above the auroral ionosphere have been predicted, but how they could be maintained is still a matter for debate. The spatial and temporal behaviour of the electric fields-a knowledge of which is crucial to an understanding of their nature-cannot be resolved uniquely by single satellite measurements. Here we report on the first observations by a formation of identically instrumented satellites crossing a beam of upward-accelerated electrons. The structure of the electric potential accelerating the beam grew in magnitude and width for about 200 s, accompanied by a widening of the downward-current sheet, with the total current remaining constant. The 200-s timescale suggests that the evacuation of the electrons from the ionosphere contributes to the formation of the downward-pointing magnetic-field-aligned electric fields. This evolution implies a growing load in the downward leg of the current circuit, which may affect the visible discrete aurorae.
Four large-scale field-aligned current systmes in the dayside high-latitude region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohtani, S.; Potemra, T. A.; Newell, P.T.; Zanetti, L. J.; Iijima, T.; Watanabe, M.; Blomberg, L. G.; Elphinstone, R. D.; Murphree, J. S.; Yamauchi, M.

1995-01-01

A system of four current sheets of large-scale field-aligned currents (FACs) was discovered in the data set of simultaneous Viking and Defense Meteorological Satellire Program-F7 (DMSP-F7) crossing of the dayside high-latitude region. This paper reports four examples of this system that were observed in the prenoon sector. The flow polarities of FACs are upward, downward, upward, and downward, from equatorward to poleward. The lowest-latitude upward current is flowing mostly in the central plasma sheet (CPS) precipitation region, often overlapping with the boundary plasma sheet (BPS) at its poleward edge, andis interpreted as a region 2 current. The pair of downward and upward FACs in the middle of te structure are collocated with structured electron precipitation. The precipitation of high-energy (greater than 1 keV) electrons is more intense in the lower-latitude downward current sheet. The highest-latitude downward flowing current sheet is located in a weak, low-energy particle precipitation region, suggesting that this current is flowing on open field lines. Simulaneous observations in the postnoon local time sector reveal the standard three-sheet structure of FACs, sometimes described as region 2, region 1, and mantle (referred to the midday region O) currents. A high correlation was found between the occurrence of the four FAC sheet structure and negative interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub Y). We discuss the FAC structurein terms of three types of convection cells: the merging, viscous, andlobe cells. During strongly negative IMF B(sub Y), two convection reversals exist in the prenoon sector; one is inside the viscous cell, and the other is between the viscous cell and the lobe cell. This structure of convection flow is supported by the Viking electric field and auroral UV image data. Based on the convection pattern, the four FAC sheet structure is interpreted as the latitude overlap of midday and morning FAC systems. We suggest that the for-current sheet structure is common in a certain prenoon localtime sector during strongly negative IMF B(sub Y).
Relationships between particle precipitation and auroral forms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burch, J. L.; Winningham, J. D.

1978-01-01

The paper discusses recent measurements pertaining to the relationship between high-latitude particle (electron) precipitation and auroras. The discussion covers three topics: the large-scale relationships between auroral forms and the particle populations of the magnetosphere as determined from satellite measurements; (2) the relationship between satellite and sounding-rocket observations, particularly field-aligned pitch-angle distributions and upward field-aligned currents measured in the vicinity of auroral forms; and (3) recent results on the interaction of auroral electrons with the atmosphere.
Observations of ionospheric electron beams in the plasma sheet.

PubMed

Zheng, H; Fu, S Y; Zong, Q G; Pu, Z Y; Wang, Y F; Parks, G K

2012-11-16

Electrons streaming along the magnetic field direction are frequently observed in the plasma sheet of Earth's geomagnetic tail. The impact of these field-aligned electrons on the dynamics of the geomagnetic tail is however not well understood. Here we report the first detection of field-aligned electrons with fluxes increasing at ~1 keV forming a "cool" beam just prior to the dissipation of energy in the current sheet. These field-aligned beams at ~15 R(E) in the plasma sheet are nearly identical to those commonly observed at auroral altitudes, suggesting the beams are auroral electrons accelerated upward by electric fields parallel (E([parallel])) to the geomagnetic field. The density of the beams relative to the ambient electron density is δn(b)/n(e)~5-13% and the current carried by the beams is ~10(-8)-10(-7) A m(-2). These beams in high β plasmas with large density and temperature gradients appear to satisfy the Bohm criteria to initiate current driven instabilities.
Evidence for Field-parallel Electron Acceleration in Solar Flares

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

Haerendel, G.

It is proposed that the coincidence of higher brightness and upward electric current observed by Janvier et al. during a flare indicates electron acceleration by field-parallel potential drops sustained by extremely strong field-aligned currents of the order of 10{sup 4} A m{sup −2}. A consequence of this is the concentration of the currents in sheets with widths of the order of 1 m. The high current density suggests that the field-parallel potential drops are maintained by current-driven anomalous resistivity. The origin of these currents remains a strong challenge for theorists.
A mechanism for magnetospheric substorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, G. M.; Heinemann, M.

1994-01-01

Energy-principle analysis performed on two-dimensional, self-consistent solutions for magnetospheric convection indicates that the magnetosphere is unstable to isobaric (yet still frozen-in) fluctuations of plasma-sheet flux tubes. Normally, pdV work associated with compression maintains stability of the inward/outward oscillating normal mode. However, if Earth's ionosphere can provide sufficient mass flux, isobaric expansion of flux tubes can occur. The growth of a field-aligned potential drop in the near-Earth, midnight portion of the plasma sheet, associated with upward field-aligned currents responsible for the Harang discontinuity, redistributes plasma along field lines in a manner that destabilizes the normal mode. The growth of this unstable mode results in an out-of-equilibrium situation near the inner edge. When this occurs over a downtail extent comparable to the half-thickness of the plasma sheet, collapse ensues and forces thinning of the plasma sheet whereby conditions favorable to reconnection occur. This scenario for substorm onset is consistent with observed upward fluxes of ions, parallel potential drops, and observations of substorm onset. These observations include near Earth onset, pseudobreakups, the substorm current wedge, and local variations of plasma-sheet thickness.
A case study of the cusp electrodynamics by the Aureol-3 satellite - Evidence for FTE signatures?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosqued, Jean M.; Berthelier, Annick; Berthelier, Jean J.; Escoubet, Christophe P.

1991-01-01

Particle and field data from a pass of the Aureol-3 satellite through the polar cusp, several minutes after the southward turning of the IMF, are analyzed in detail. Superposed on the classical cusp, characterized by the typical ion and electron precipitations, several very narrow arcs are detected where large fluxes of electrons and ions, accelerated to 2-4 keV, precipitate simultaneously. These localized arcs correspond to the upward current sheets of a succession in latitude of narrow, alternatively upward and downward field-aligned current sheets. The data suggest that the satellite has crossed the ionospheric footprints of 2 adjacent flux transfer events separated by 100-150 km in latitude. Electric spikes and electromagnetic turbulence are typically associated with the region of downward currents.
Swarm observations of field-aligned currents associated with pulsating auroral patches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillies, D. M.; Knudsen, D.; Spanswick, E.; Donovan, E.; Burchill, J.; Patrick, M.

2015-11-01

We have performed a superposed epoch study of in situ field-aligned currents located near the edges of regions of pulsating aurora observed simultaneously using ground-based optical data from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) all-sky imager (ASI) network and magnetometers on board the Swarm satellites. A total of nine traversals of Swarm over regions of pulsating aurora identified using THEMIS ASI were studied. We determined that in the cases where a clear boundary can be identified, strong downward currents are seen just poleward and equatorward of the pulsating patches. A downward current in the range of ~1-6 μA/m2 can be seen just poleward of the boundary. A weaker upward current of ~1-3 μA/m2 is observed throughout the interior of the patch. These observations indicate that currents carried by precipitating electrons within patches could close through horizontal currents and be returned at the edges, in agreement with Oguti and Hayashi (1984) and Hosokawa et al. (2010b). In addition to confirming these earlier results and adding to their statistical significance, the contribution of this study is to quantify the upward and downward current magnitudes, in some cases using two satellites traversing the same pulsating regions. Finally, we compare Swarm's two-satellite field-aligned current product to the single-satellite results and determine that the data product can be compromised in regions of pulsating aurora, a phenomenon that occurs over widespread regions and tends to persist for long periods of time. These results underscore the importance of electrical coupling between the ionosphere and magnetosphere in regions of patchy pulsating aurora.
Ionospheric Convection in the Postnoon Auroral Oval: SuperDARN and Polar UVI Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kozlovsky, A.; Koustov, A.; Lyatsky, W.; Kangas, J.; Parks, G.; Chua, D.

2002-01-01

Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) observations, ultraviolet imaging from the Polar satellite (UVI), and particle precipitation data from DMSP satellites have been used to investigate the electrodynamics of the postnoon auroral oval in the Northern hemisphere. We show that: (1) For negative IMF By, the convection reversal (CR) was co-located with the maximum of auroral luminosity, but during positive IMF By the convection reversal was poleward of the auroral oval up to several degrees in latitude; (2) Postnoon auroral oval was associated with a large-scale upward field-aligned current (FAC) of the order of 6x10(exp -7). A m(exp -2) in magnitude (the FAC was inferred from the SuperDARN and UVI data). For negative IMF By, maximum of the auroral intensity coincides in latitude with the maximum of the upward field-aligned current. However, for positive IMF By. the maximum of the upward FAC was shifted to the poleward edge of the auroral oval; (3) In response to the IMF By turning from positive to negative, the maximum of the auroral luminosity did not change its position noticeably, but the position of the convection reversal changed considerably from 80-81 degs to about 76 degs MLAT, and the maximum of FAC moved from 77-78 degs to about 76 degs MLAT. Thus, after IMF By turns negative, both the FAC maximum and CR tend to coincide with the auroral maximum; (4) The IMF Bz positive deflection was followed by a decrease in both field-aligned current intensity and auroral luminosity. However, the decrease in the auroral luminosity lags behind the FAC decrease by about 12 min. Firstly, these observations allow us to suggest that the IMF By-related electric field can penetrate into the closed magnetosphere and produce convection and FAC changes in the region of the postnoon auroral oval. Secondly, we suggest that the interchange instability is a promising mechanism for the postnoon auroras.
The Association of High-Latitude Dayside Aurora With NBZ Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, J. A.; Milan, S. E.; Fogg, A. R.; Paxton, L. J.; Anderson, B. J.

2018-05-01

The relationship between auroral emissions in the polar ionosphere and the large-scale flow of current within the Earth's magnetosphere has yet to be comprehensively established. Under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, magnetic reconnection occurs at the high-latitude magnetopause, exciting two reverse lobe convection cells in the dayside polar ionosphere and allowing ingress of solar wind plasma to form an auroral "cusp spot" by direct impact on the atmosphere. It has been hypothesized that a second class of NBZ auroras, High-latitude Dayside Aurora, are produced by upward field-aligned currents associated with lobe convection. Here we present data from the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager instrument and from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment, from January 2010 to September 2013, in a large statistical study. We reveal a northward IMF auroral phenomenon that is located adjacent to the cusp spot and that is colocated with a region of upward electrical current in the clockwise-rotating lobe cell. The emission only occurs in the sunlit summer hemisphere, demonstrating the influence of the conductance of the ionosphere on current closure. In addition, fast solar wind speed is required for this emission to be bright. The results show that dayside auroral emission is produced by IMF-magnetosphere electrodynamic coupling, as well as by direct impact of the atmosphere by the solar wind, confirming the association of High-latitude Dayside Aurora with NBZ currents.
Study on field-aligned electrons with Cluster observation in the Earth's cusp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jiankui; Torkar, Klaus; Cheng, Zhengwei

2017-04-01

Cusp region is very important to the solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. The solar wind particles, through the cusp, can directly entry into the magnetosphere and ionosphere, and transport the mass, momentum and energy. The gyrating charged particles with field-aligned velocity are significant to perform the transportation. In this study, data from Cluster observation are used to study the characteristics of field-aligned electrons (FAE's) including the downward and the upward FAEs in the cusp. We select FAE event to do analysis. The durations of the FAE event covered a wide range from 6 to 475 seconds. The FAE's were found to occur very commonly in a circumpolar zone in the polar region and the MLT and ILAT distributions showed that most of the FAE events were observed around the cusp (70-80°ILAT, 0900-1500MLT). With the FAE flux the contribution of the electrons to the Field-Aligned Current (FAC) is estimated and the result shows that the FAE was the main carrier to the FAC in the cusp. The physical mechanisms of the FAE are analyzed, namely that the downward electrons were mainly from the solar wind and the upward electrons may originated from accelerated ionospheric up-flowing electrons or mirrored solar wind electrons. The energy transportation into the magnetosphere by the solar wind electrons through the cusp is also investigated.
Modelling the Auroral Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling System at Jupiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bunce, E. J.; Cowley, S.; Provan, G.

2016-12-01

The magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling system at Jupiter is a topic of central significance in understanding the fundamental properties of its large-scale plasma environment. Theoretical discussion of this topic typically considers the properties of the field-aligned current systems that form part of a large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling current system associated with momentum exchange between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere, communicated via the magnetic field. The current system associated with the main oval is believed to be related to centrifugally-driven outward radial transport of iogenic plasma that leads to sub-corotation in the middle magnetosphere. In addition to the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling current system, upward-directed field-aligned currents may flow at the open-closed field line boundary due to the shear between outer closed field lines and open field lines, which may relate to emission poleward of the main oval. An axi-symmetric model of the plasma flow in the jovian system, the related coupling currents, and the consequent auroral precipitation based on these combined ideas was initially devised to represent typical steady-state conditions for the system and later extended to consider auroral effects resulting from sudden compressions of the magnetosphere. More recently, the model has been extended along model magnetic field lines into the magnetosphere in order to relate them to in situ observations from the NASA Juno spacecraft at Jupiter. The field-aligned coupling currents associated with the modelled current systems produce a readily-observable azimuthal field signature that bends the field lines out of magnetic meridians. Here we show the computed azimuthal fields produced by our model auroral current system throughout the region between the ionosphere and the magnetic equator, and illustrate the results by evaluation of various model parameters (e.g. field-aligned current density, accelerating voltages, accelerated energy flux) along the Juno orbits.
Mithras Studies of the Boundary Between Open and Closed Field Lines.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-31

I ¸ . . A- : - Final Report • March 1995 MITHRAS STUDIES OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED FIELD LINES John D. Kelly, Program Manager Richard A...Kelly, Program Manager Richard A. Doe, Research Physicist Geoscience and Engineering Center SRI Project 3245 Prepared for: Department of the Air...characteristic energy, energy flux, and an estimate for upward field-aligned current. On the basis of coordinated radar/optical experiments, Vallance Jones et al
A High-resolution Model of Field-aligned Currents Through Empirical Orthogonal Functions Analysis (MFACE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

He, Maosheng; Vogt, Joachim; Luehr, Hermann; Sorbalo, Eugen; Blagau, Adrian; Le, Guan; Lu, Gang

2012-01-01

Ten years of CHAMP magnetic field measurements are integrated into MFACE, a model of field-aligned currents (FACs) using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). EOF1 gives the basic Region-1/Region-2 pattern varying mainly with the interplanetary magnetic field Bz component. EOF2 captures separately the cusp current signature and By-related variability. Compared to existing models, MFACE yields significantly better spatial resolution, reproduces typically observed FAC thickness and intensity, improves on the magnetic local time (MLT) distribution, and gives the seasonal dependence of FAC latitudes and the NBZ current signature. MFACE further reveals systematic dependences on By, including 1) Region-1/Region-2 topology modifications around noon; 2) imbalance between upward and downward maximum current density; 3) MLT location of the Harang discontinuity. Furthermore, our procedure allows quantifying response times of FACs to solar wind driving at the bow shock nose: we obtain 20 minutes and 35-40 minutes lags for the FAC density and latitude, respectively.
Coupling of magnetopause-boundary layer to the polar ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wei, C. Q.; Lee, L. C.

1993-01-01

The plasma dynamics in the low-latitude boundary layer and its coupling to the polar ionosphere under boundary conditions at the magnetopause are investigated. In the presence of a driven plasma flow along the magnetopause, the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability can develop, leading to the formation and growth of plasma vortices in the boundary layer. The finite ionospheric conductivity leads to the decay of these vortices. The competing effect of the formation and decay of vortices leads to the formation of strong vortices only in a limited region. Several enhanced field-aligned power density regions associated with the boundary layer vortices and the upward field-aligned current (FAC) filaments can be found along the postnoon auroral oval. These enhanced field-aligned power density regions may account for the observed auroral bright spots.
Parallel Electric Field on Auroral Magnetic Field Lines.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Huey-Ching Betty

1982-03-01

The interaction of Birkeland (magnetic-field-aligned) current carriers and the Earth's magnetic field results in electrostatic potential drops along magnetic field lines. The statistical distributions of the field-aligned potential difference (phi)(,(PARLL)) were determined from the energy spectra of electron inverted "V" events observed at ionospheric altitude for different conditions of geomagnetic activity as indicated by the AE index. Data of 1270 electron inverted "V"'s were obtained from Low-Energy Electron measurements of the Atmosphere Explorer-C and -D Satellite (despun mode) in the interval January 1974-April 1976. In general, (phi)(,(PARLL)) is largest in the dusk to pre-midnight sector, smaller in the post-midnight to dawn sector, and smallest in the near noon sector during quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions; there is a steady dusk-dawn-noon asymmetry of the global (phi)(,(PARLL)) distribution. As the geomagnetic activity level increases, the (phi)(,(PARLL)) pattern expands to lower invariant latitudes, and the magnitude of (phi)(,(PARLL)) in the 13-24 magnetic local time sector increases significantly. The spatial structure and intensity variation of the global (phi)(,(PARLL)) distribution are statistically more variable, and the magnitudes of (phi)(,(PARLL)) have smaller correlation with the AE-index, in the post-midnight to dawn sector. A strong correlation is found to exist between upward Birkeland current systems and global parallel potential drops, and between auroral electron precipitation patterns and parallel potential drops, regarding their mophology, their intensity and their dependence of geomagnetic activity. An analysis of the fine-scale simultaneous current-voltage relationship for upward Birkeland currents in Region 1 shows that typical field-aligned potential drops are consistent with model predictions based on linear acceleration of the charge carriers through an electrostatic potential drop along convergent magnetic field lines to maintain current continuity. In a steady state, this model of simple electrostatic acceleration without anomalous resistivity also predicts observable relations between global parallel currents and parallel potential drops and between global energy deposition and parallel potential drops. The temperature, density, and species of the unaccelerated charge carriers are the relevant parameters of the model. The dusk-dawn -noon asymmetry of the global (phi)(,(PARLL)) distribution can be explained by the above steady-state (phi)(,(PARLL)) process if we associate the source regions of upward Birkeland current carriers in Region 1, Region 2, and the cusp region with the plasma sheet boundary layer, the near-Earth plasma sheet, and the magnetosheath, respectively. The results of this study provide observational information on the global distribution of parallel potential drops and the prevailing process of generating and maintaining potential gradients (parallel electric fields) along auroral magnetic field lines.
Direct evidence for two-stage (bimodal) acceleration of ionospheric ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klumpar, D. M.; Peterson, W. K.; Shelley, E. G.

1984-12-01

Energetic ion composition spectrometer data gathered on hybrid conical ion distributions by the Dynamics Explorer 1 in the topside ionosphere are reported. The observed ion distributions were field-aligned and upward flowing, with energies up to 5 keV. Increases in ion energy were accompanied by a departure from field-alignment and a cone patterned upward flow, with the apex in the auroral field lines and the cone angle widening upward as the energy increased. Both transverse and parallel accelerations were imparted to the ions, with the transverse heating occurring in a 5000 km extent region centered at 18,000 km altitude. A bi-Maxwellian distribution, a temperature of 1.2 keV and a 260 eV parallel temperature were found at the top of the region.
Field-aligned currents and the auroral electrojet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cahill, L. J.; Potter, W. E.; Kintner, P. M.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Choy, L. W.

1974-01-01

A Nike Tomahawk with fields and particles payload was launched on Nov. 18, 1970, over a strong westward electrojet current and auroral forms moving rapidly to the east. Electron fluxes moving up and down the magnetic field lines were measured. Upward-moving electrons below 1-keV energy were dominant and were equivalent to a net downward electric current that fluctuated between .2 and .6 microamp/sq m during the flight above 130 km. As the rocket traversed this broad region of downward electric current over and to the north of the auroral forms, the horizontal electric field slowly rotated from east to west. The magnetic measurements indicate that the westward electrojet was a horizontal sheet of current several hundred kilometers in north-south extent.
Swarm Observation of Field-Aligned Currents Associated With Multiple Auroral Arc Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, J.; Knudsen, D. J.; Gillies, D. M.; Donovan, E. F.; Burchill, J. K.

2017-10-01

Auroral arcs occur in regions of upward field-aligned currents (FACs); however, the relation is not one to one, since kinetic energy of the current-carrying electrons is also important in the production of auroral luminosity. Multiple auroral arc systems provide an opportunity to study the relation between FACs and auroral brightness in detail. In this study, we have identified two types of FAC configurations in multiple parallel arc systems using ground-based optical data from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms all-sky imagers, magnetometers and electric field instruments on board the Swarm satellites. In "unipolar FAC" events, each arc is an intensification within a broad, unipolar current sheet and downward return currents occur outside of this broad sheet. In "multipolar FAC" events, multiple arc systems represent a collection of multiple up/down current pairs. By collecting 17 events with unipolar FAC and 12 events with multipolar FACs, we find that (1) unipolar FAC events occur most frequently between 20 and 21 magnetic local time and multipolar FAC events tend to occur around local midnight and within 1 h after substorm onset. (2) Arcs in unipolar FAC systems have a typical width of 10-20 km and a spacing of 25-50 km. Arcs in multipolar FAC systems are wider and more separated. (3) Upward currents with more arcs embedded have larger intensities and widths. (4) Electric fields are strong and highly structured on the edges of multiple arc system with unipolar FAC. The fact that arcs with unipolar FAC are much more highly structured than the associated currents suggests that arc multiplicity is indicative not of a structured generator deep in the magnetosphere, but rather of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling process.

Climatology of the relationship of cusp-related density anomaly with zonal wind and large-scale FAC based on CHAMP observations: IMF By and solar cycle dependence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kervalishvili, Guram; Lühr, Hermann

2014-05-01

We present climatology of the relationship of cusp-related density enhancement with the neutral zonal wind velocity, large-scale field-aligned current (FAC), small-scale FAC, and electron temperature using the superposed epoch analysis (SEA) method. The dependence of these variables on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component orientation and solar cycle are of particular interest. In addition, the obtained results of relative density enhancement (ρrel), zonal wind, electron temperature and FAC are subdivided into three local seasons of 130 days each: local winter (1 January ±65 days), combined equinoxes (1 April ±32 days and 1 October ±32 days), and local summer (1 July ±65 days). Our investigation is based on CHAMP satellite observations and NASA/GSFC's OMNI online data set for solar maximum (Mar/2002-2007) and minimum (Mar/2004-2009) conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. The SEA technique uses the time and location of the thermospheric mass density anomaly peaks as reference parameters. The relative amplitude of cusp-related density enhancement does on average not depend on the IMF By orientation, solar cycle phase, and local season. Also, it is apparent that the IMF By amplitude does not have a big influence on the relative amplitude of the density anomaly. Conversely, there exists a good correlation between ρrel and the negative amplitude of IMF Bz prevailing about half an hour earlier. In the cusp region, both large-scale FAC distribution and thermospheric zonal wind velocity exhibit a clear dependence on the IMF By orientation. In the case of positive (negative) IMF By there is a systematic imbalance between downward (upward) and upward (downward) FACs peaks equatorward and poleward of the reference point, respectively. The zonal wind velocity is directed towards west i.e. towards dawn in a geomagnetic latitude-magnetic local time (MLat-MLT) frame. This is true for all local seasons and solar conditions. The thermospheric density enhancements appear half way between Region 1 (R1) and Region 0 (R0) field-aligned currents, in closer proximity to the upward FAC region. In our case R0 currents are systematically weaker than R1 ones. Also, around the cusp region we find no sign of Region 2 field-aligned currents. We can conclude that there is a close spatial relationship between FACs and cusp-related density enhancements, but we cannot offer any simple functional relation between field-aligned current strength and density anomaly amplitude. There seem to be other quantities (e.g. precipitating electrons) controlling this relation. All the conclusions drawn above are true for the Northern Hemisphere. There may be differences in the Southern Hemisphere.
Observations of field-aligned currents, particles, and plasma drift in the polar cusps near solstice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bythrow, P. F.; Potemra, T. A.; Hoffman, R. A.

1982-01-01

Magnetic perturbations observed by the TRIAD magnetometer within two hours of an AE-C spacecraft pass provide field-aligned current data, from the same local time in the northern hemisphere, for a study of the polar cusp. The AE-C spinning mode has allowed the use of the Z-axis magnetometer for Birkeland current observations, in conjunction with particle and drift measurements. The average B(z) were found to be 1.9 nT and -1.1 nT during the first two hourly intervals on January 15, 1977. Measurements from the low energy electron experiment revealed intense fluxes of soft, cusp-like 100 eV Maxwellian electrons throughout the prenoon polar cap. The upward directed current can be identified as the dominant cusp current appropriate for B(y) values lower than zero, while the downward directed current, which has the appropriate sign of a dayside region 1 current, is observed to lie entirely within a westerly, antisunward-convecting plasma.
The Extent to Which Dayside Reconnection Drives Field-Aligned Currents During Substorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forsyth, C.; Shortt, M. W.; Coxon, J.; Rae, J.; Freeman, M. P.; Kalmoni, N. M. E.; Jackman, C. M.; Anderson, B. J.

2016-12-01

Field-aligned currents, also known as Birkeland currents, are the agents by which energy and momentum is transferred to the ionosphere from the magnetosphere and solar wind. In order to understand this coupling, it is necessary to analyze the variations in these current systems with respect to the main energy sources of the solar wind and substorms. In this study, we perform a superposed epoch analysis of field-aligned currents determined by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) project with respect to substorm expansion phase onsets identified using the Substorm Onsets and Phases from Indices of the Electrojet (SOPHIE) technique. We examine the total upward and downward currents separately in the noon, dusk, dawn and midnight sectors. Our results show that the dusk and dawn currents have up to a 66% linear correlated with the dayside reconnection rate estimated from solar wind measurements, whereas the noon and midnight currents are not. The noon currents show little or no variation throughout the substorm cycle. The midnight currents follows the dusk currents up to 20 min before onset, after which the midnight current increases more rapidly and exponentially. At substorm onset, the exponential growth rate increases. While the midnight field-aligned currents grow exponentially after substorm onset, the auroral indices vary with a 1/6th power law. Overall, our results show that the growth and decay rates of the Region 1 and 2 current systems, which are strongest at dawn and dusk, are directly driven by the solar wind, whereas the growth and decay rates of the substorm current system, which are dominant at midnight, act independently of the upstream driver.
Electron currents associated with an auroral band

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spiger, R. J.; Anderson, H. R.

1975-01-01

Measurements of electron pitch angle distributions and energy spectra over a broad auroral band were used to calculate net electric current carried by auroral electrons in the vicinity of the band. The particle energy spectrometers were carried by a Nike-Tomahawk rocket launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 0722 UT on February 25, 1972. Data are presented which indicate the existence of upward field-aligned currents of electrons in the energy range 0.5-20 keV. The spatial relationship of these currents to visual structure of the auroral arc and the characteristics of the electrons carrying the currents are discussed.
Statistical Comparisons of Meso- and Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents with Auroral Electron Acceleration Mechanisms from FAST Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dombeck, J. P.; Cattell, C. A.; Prasad, N.; Sakher, A.; Hanson, E.; McFadden, J. P.; Strangeway, R. J.

2016-12-01

Field-aligned currents (FACs) provide a fundamental driver and means of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere (M-I) coupling. These currents need to be supported by local physics along the entire field line generally with quasi-static potential structures, but also supporting the time-evolution of the structures and currents, producing Alfvén waves and Alfvénic electron acceleration. In regions of upward current, precipitating auroral electrons are accelerated earthward. These processes can result in ion outflow, changes in ionospheric conductivity, and affect the particle distributions on the field line, affecting the M-I coupling processes supporting the individual FACs and potentially the entire FAC system. The FAST mission was well suited to study both the FACs and the electron auroral acceleration processes. We present the results of the comparisons between meso- and small-scale FACs determined from FAST using the method of Peria, et al., 2000, and our FAST auroral acceleration mechanism study when such identification is possible for the entire ˜13 year FAST mission. We also present the latest results of the electron energy (and number) flux ionospheric input based on acceleration mechanism (and FAC characteristics) from our FAST auroral acceleration mechanism study.
Modeled ground magnetic signatures of flux transfer events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mchenry, Mark A.; Clauer, C. Robert

1987-01-01

The magnetic field on the ground due to a small (not greater than 200 km scale size) localized field-aligned current (FAC) system interacting with the ionosphere is calculated in terms of an integral over the ionospheric distribution of FAC. Two different candidate current systems for flux transfer events (FTEs) are considered: (1) a system which has current flowing down the center of a cylindrical flux tube with a return current uniformly distributed along the outside edge; and (2) a system which has upward current on one half of the perimeter of a cylindrical flux tube with downward current on the opposite half. The peak magnetic field on the ground is found to differ by a factor of 2 between the two systems, and the magnetic perturbations are in different directions depending on the observer's position.
The interhemispheric and F region dynamo currents revisited with the Swarm constellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lühr, Hermann; Kervalishvili, Guram; Michaelis, Ingo; Rauberg, Jan; Ritter, Patricia; Park, Jaeheung; Merayo, Jose M. G.; Brauer, Peter

2015-05-01

Based on magnetic field data sampled by the Swarm satellite constellation it is possible for the first time to determine uniquely F region currents at low latitudes. Initial results are presented from the first 200 days of formation flight (17 April to 5 November 2014). Detailed results have been obtained for interhemispheric field-aligned currents connecting the solar quiet day magnetic variation (Sq) current systems in the two hemispheres. We obtain prominent currents from the Southern (winter) Hemisphere to the Northern around noon. Weaker currents in opposite direction are observed during morning and evening hours. Furthermore, we could confirm the existence of vertical currents above the dip equator, downward around noon and upward around sunset. For both current systems we present and discuss longitudinal variations.
Simulation of the westward traveling surge and Pi 2 pulsations during substorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kan, J. R.; Sun, W.

1985-01-01

The westward traveling surge and the Pi2 pulsations are simulated as a consequence of an enhanced magnetospheric convection in a model of magnetosphere coupling. The coupling is characterized by the bouncing of Alfven waves launched by the enhanced convection. The reflection of Alfven waves from the ionosphere is treated in which the height-integrated conductivity is allowed to be highly nonuniform and fully anisotropic. The reflection of Alfven waves from the magnetosphere is characterized by the coefficient Rm, depending on whether the field lines are open or closed. The conductivity in the model is self-consistently enhanced with increasing upward field-aligned current density. The results of the simulation, including the convection pattern, the electrojets, the field-aligned current, the conductivity enhancement, the oscillation of the westward electrojet, and the average speed of the westward surge are in reasonable agreement with the features of the westward traveling surge and the Pi 2 pulsations observed during substorms.
Mirror force induced wave dispersion in Alfvén waves

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

Damiano, P. A.; Johnson, J. R.

2013-06-15

Recent hybrid MHD-kinetic electron simulations of global scale standing shear Alfvén waves along the Earth's closed dipolar magnetic field lines show that the upward parallel current region within these waves saturates and broadens perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field and that this broadening increases with the electron temperature. Using resistive MHD simulations, with a parallel Ohm's law derived from the linear Knight relation (which expresses the current-voltage relationship along an auroral field line), we explore the nature of this broadening in the context of the increased perpendicular Poynting flux resulting from the increased parallel electric field associated with mirror forcemore » effects. This increased Poynting flux facilitates wave energy dispersion across field lines which in-turn allows for electron acceleration to carry the field aligned current on adjacent field lines. This mirror force driven dispersion can dominate over that associated with electron inertial effects for global scale waves.« less
Effect of high-latitude ionospheric convection on Sun-aligned polar caps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sojka, J. J.; Zhu, L.; Crain, D. J.; Schunk, R. W.

1994-01-01

A coupled magnetospheric-ionospheric (M-I) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model has been used to simulate the formation of Sun-aligned polar cap arcs for a variety of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) dependent polar cap convection fields. The formation process involves launching an Alfven shear wave from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere where the ionospheric conductance can react self-consistently to changes in the upward currents. We assume that the initial Alfven shear wave is the result of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. The simulations show how the E region density is affected by the changes in the electron precipitation that are associated with the upward currents. These changes in conductance lead to both a modified Alfven wave reflection at the ionosphere and the generation of secondary Alfven waves in the ionosphere. The ensuing bouncing of the Alfven waves between the ionosphere and magnetosphere is followed until an asymptotic solution is obtained. At the magnetosphere the Alfven waves reflect at a fixed boundary. The coupled M-I Sun-aligned polar cap arc model of Zhu et al.(1993a) is used to carry out the simulations. This study focuses on the dependence of the polar cap arc formation on the background (global) convection pattern. Since the polar cap arcs occur for northward and strong B(sub y) IMF conditions, a variety of background convection patterns can exist when the arcs are present. The study shows that polar cap arcs can be formed for all these convection patterns; however, the arc features are dramatically different for the different patterns. For weak sunward convection a relatively confined single pair of current sheets is associated with the imposed Alfven shear wave structure. However, when the electric field exceeds a threshold, the arc structure intensifies, and the conductance increases as does the local Joule heating rate. These increases are faster than a linear dependence on the background electric field strength. Furthermore, above the threshold, the single current sheet pair splits into multiple current sheet pairs. For the fixed initial ionospheric and magnetospheric conditions used in this study, the separation distance between the current pairs was found to be almost independent of the background electric field strength. For either three-cell or distorted two-cell background convection patterns the arc formation favored the positive B(sub y) case in the northern hemisphere.
Two-dimensional quasineutral description of particles and fields above discrete auroral arcs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

1985-01-01

Stationary hot and cool particle distributions in the auroral magnetosphere are modelled using adiabatic assumptions of particle motion in the presence of broad-scale electrostatic potential structure. The study has identified geometrical restrictions on the type of broadscale potential structure which can be supported by a multispecies plasma having specified sources and energies. Without energization of cool thermal ionospheric electrons, a substantial parallel potential drop cannot be supported down to altitudes of 2000 km or less. Observed upward-directed field-aligned currents must be closed by return currents along field lines which support little net potential drop. In such regions the plasma density appears significantly enhanced. Model details agree well with recent broad-scale implications of satellite observations.
Sources, properties, and energization of auroral particle precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wing, S.; Johnson, J.; Khazanov, G. V.

2017-12-01

The sources of and the physical processes associated with the auroral ion and electron precipitation are studied with DMSP satellites. The electron aurora has been previously classified into three categories: diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband aurorae. The diffuse auroral electrons can be observed mainly in 22:00 - 09:00 MLT, which coincides much with the spatial distribution of the whistler-mode chorus waves that have been shown to be the predominant mechanism for pitch-angle scattering magnetospheric electrons into the loss cone, but there appears to be a separate population near noon, which may be associated with solar wind particles. The broadband auroral electrons can be found mostly at 22:00 - 02:00 MLT and pre-noon where Alfvén waves, which cause broadband electron acceleration, are observed in the magnetosphere. On the other hand, the monoenergetic auroral electrons can be observed at dusk-midnight sector, pre- and post-noon. The monoenergetic electrons have been previously thought as magnetospheric electrons that have gone through a quasi-static parallel electric field in the upward field-aligned current regions. However, there may be a connection between monoenergetic and broadband electrons in that the low frequency Alfvén wave-electron interaction can result in monoenergetic electron signature. This is consistent with the observations where broadband and monoenergetic electrons are often spatially co-located. Precipitating electrons can ionize the neutrals in the ionosphere, which can travel upward, which can precipitate in the opposite hemisphere or reflected back to the same hemisphere by upward field-aligned potential drop. Either way, the upward flowing electrons can greatly modify the initial precipitating electron population. Substorm processes increase the power of the diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband electron aurora by 310%, 71%, and 170%, respectively. Substorms energize the ion aurora mainly in the 21:00-05:00 MLT sector. The duration of the substorm cycle for monoenergetic and broadband auroral is 5 hr, but it is larger than 5 hr for diffuse auroral electrons.
Two types of expansion onsets in the Earth's two hemispheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foerster, M.; Mishin, V.; Mishin, V. M.; Kurikalova, M.; Karavaev, Y.; Lunyushkin, S.

2016-12-01

On the maps of distribution of field - aligned currents (FAC) of 15 investigated substorms we have found two main types of M-I feedback instability: 1) "summer" (type 1), and 2) "winter" (type 2). In equinox both types were observed, different in the two hemispheres. Each type of instability creates two simultaneous local expansion onsets, EOs: Type 1 - non-linear amplification of the downward FAC in one hemisphere and Type 2 - non-linear amplification of the upward FAC in the other hemisphere.
Theoretical study of the effect of ionospheric return currents on the electron temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schunk, R. W.; Sojka, J. J.; Bowline, M. D.

1987-01-01

A time-dependent, three-dimensional model of the high-altitude ionosphere is presently used to study the effects of field-aligned ionospheric return currents on auroral electron temperatures for different seasonal and solar cycle conditions, as well as for different upper boundary heat fluxes. The average, large scale, return current densities, which are a few microamps/sq m, are too small to affect auroral electron temperatures. The thermoelectric effect exhibits a pronounced solar cycle and seasonal dependence, and its heat transport corresponds to an upward flow of electron energy which can be either a source or sink of electron energy depending on altitude and geophysical conditions.
Investigations in the ionosphere on Kosmos 378. V. Anisotropy of electron fluxes of 0. 5-12 keV at high latitudes

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

Khokhlov, M.Z.

1975-01-01

Electron fluxes directed upward and earthward were compared by means of electrostatic analyzers oriented in opposite directions. The reflection coefficients reached 0.3-0.45 in the loss cone and were frequently less than 1 outside the cone. In some cases the fluxes of reflected electrons exceeded those of incident electrons. The direction of the current carried by such electrons was mostly opposite to the adopted direction of the system of field-aligned currents in the magnetosphere, which is determined by electrons of much lower energies. 17 references.
Relation of field-aligned currents measured by AMPERE project to solar wind and substorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McPherron, R. L.; Anderson, B. J.; Chu, X.

2016-12-01

Magnetic perturbations measured in the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) by the Iridium constellation of spacecraft have been processed to obtain the time history of field-aligned currents (FAC) connecting the magnetosphere to the ionosphere. We find that the strength of these currents is closely related to the strength of the solar wind driver defined as a running average of the previous three hours of the optimum AL (auroral lower) coupling function. The relation is well represented by a saturation model I = A*S*Ss/(S+Ss) with I the current strength in mega Amps, S the driver strength in mV/m, Ss the saturation value of 7.78 mV/m, and A = 2.55 scales the relation to units of current. We also find that in general the upward current on the nightside increases with each substorm expansion onset defined by a combination of the SuperMag SML (SuperMag AL) and midlatitude positive bay (MPB) onset lists. A superposed epoch analysis using 700 onsets in 2010 shows the following: solar wind coupling peaks at expansion onset; dayside outward current starts to increase one hour before onset while nightside outward current starts suddenly at onset; nightside outward current reaches a peak at 28 minutes as do SML and MPB indices; FAC, SML, and MPB respectively take 1, 2, and 3 hours to decay to background. The data indicate that the substorm current wedge is superposed on a pre-existing field-aligned current system and that the location and properties of the current wedge can be studied with the AMPERE data.
Energy Flow Exciting Field-Aligned Current at Substorm Expansion Onset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebihara, Y.; Tanaka, T.

2017-12-01

At substorm expansion onset, upward field-aligned currents (FACs) increase abruptly, and a large amount of electromagnetic energy starts to consume in the polar ionosphere. A question arises as to where the energy comes from. Based on the results obtained by the global magnetohydrodynamics simulation, we present energy flow and energy conversion associated with the upward FACs that manifest the onset. Our simulations show that the cusp/mantle region transmits electromagnetic energy to almost the entire region of the magnetosphere when the interplanetary magnetic field is southward. Integral curve of the Poynting flux shows a spiral moving toward the ionosphere, probably suggesting the pathway of electromagnetic energy from the cusp/mantle dynamo to the ionosphere. The near-Earth reconnection initiates three-dimensional redistribution of the magnetosphere. Flow shear in the near-Earth region results in the generation of the near-Earth dynamo and the onset FACs. The onset FACs are responsible to transport the electromagnetic energy toward the Earth. In the near-Earth region, the electromagnetic energy coming from the cusp/mantle dynamo is converted to the kinetic energy (known as bursty bulk flow) and the thermal energy (associated with high-pressure region in the inner magnetosphere). Then, they are converted to the electromagnetic energy associated with the onset FACs. A part of electromagnetic energy is stored in the lobe region during the growth phase. The release of the stored energy, together with the continuously supplied energy from the cusp/mantle dynamo, contributes to the energy supply to the ionosphere during the expansion phase.
On the formation and origin of substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs inferred from conjugate space-ground observations

DOE PAGES

Motoba, T.; Ohtani, S.; Anderson, B. J.; ...

2015-10-27

In this study, magnetotail processes and structures related to substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs remain poorly understood mostly due to the lack of adequate observations. In this study we make a comparison between ground-based optical measurements of the premidnight growth phase/onset arcs at subauroral latitudes and magnetically conjugate measurements made by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) at ~780 km in altitude and by the Van Allen Probe B (RBSP-B) spacecraft crossing L values of ~5.0–5.6 in the premidnight inner tail region. The conjugate observations offer a unique opportunity to examine the detailed features of the arcmore » location relative to large-scale Birkeland currents and of the magnetospheric counterpart. Our main findings include (1) at the early stage of the growth phase the quiet auroral arc emerged ~4.3° equatorward of the boundary between the downward Region 2 (R2) and upward Region 1 (R1) currents; (2) shortly before the auroral breakup (poleward auroral expansion) the latitudinal separation between the arc and the R1/R2 demarcation narrowed to ~1.0°; (3) RBSP-B observed a magnetic field signature of a local upward field-aligned current (FAC) connecting the arc with the near-Earth tail when the spacecraft footprint was very close to the arc; and (4) the upward FAC signature was located on the tailward side of a local plasma pressure increase confined near L ~5.2–5.4. These findings strongly suggest that the premidnight arc is connected to highly localized pressure gradients embedded in the near-tail R2 source region via the local upward FAC.« less
On the formation and origin of substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs inferred from conjugate space-ground observations

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

Motoba, T.; Ohtani, S.; Anderson, B. J.

In this study, magnetotail processes and structures related to substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs remain poorly understood mostly due to the lack of adequate observations. In this study we make a comparison between ground-based optical measurements of the premidnight growth phase/onset arcs at subauroral latitudes and magnetically conjugate measurements made by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) at ~780 km in altitude and by the Van Allen Probe B (RBSP-B) spacecraft crossing L values of ~5.0–5.6 in the premidnight inner tail region. The conjugate observations offer a unique opportunity to examine the detailed features of the arcmore » location relative to large-scale Birkeland currents and of the magnetospheric counterpart. Our main findings include (1) at the early stage of the growth phase the quiet auroral arc emerged ~4.3° equatorward of the boundary between the downward Region 2 (R2) and upward Region 1 (R1) currents; (2) shortly before the auroral breakup (poleward auroral expansion) the latitudinal separation between the arc and the R1/R2 demarcation narrowed to ~1.0°; (3) RBSP-B observed a magnetic field signature of a local upward field-aligned current (FAC) connecting the arc with the near-Earth tail when the spacecraft footprint was very close to the arc; and (4) the upward FAC signature was located on the tailward side of a local plasma pressure increase confined near L ~5.2–5.4. These findings strongly suggest that the premidnight arc is connected to highly localized pressure gradients embedded in the near-tail R2 source region via the local upward FAC.« less
Convection and electrodynamic signatures in the vicinity of a Sun-aligned arc: Results from the Polar Acceleration Regions and Convection Study (Polar ARCS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiss, L. A.; Weber, E. J.; Reiff, P. H.; Sharber, J. R.; Winningham, J. D.; Primdahl, F.; Mikkelsen, I. S.; Seifring, C.; Wescott, Eugene M.

1994-01-01

An experimental campaign designed to study high-latitude auroral arcs was conducted in Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, on February 26, 1987. The Polar Acceleration Regions and Convection Study (Polar ARCS) consisted of a coordinated set of ground-based, airborne, and sounding rocket measurements of a weak, sun-aligned arc system within the duskside polar cap. A rocket-borne barium release experiment, two DMSP satellite overflights, all-sky photography, and incoherent scatter radar measurements provided information on the large-scale plasma convection over the polar cap region while a second rocket instrumented with a DC magnetometer, Langmuir and electric field probes, and an electron spectrometer provided measurements of small-scale electrodynamics. The large-scale data indicate that small, sun-aligned precipitation events formed within a region of antisunward convection between the duskside auroral oval and a large sun-aligned arc further poleward. This convection signature, used to assess the relationship of the sun-aligned arc to the large-scale magnetospheric configuration, is found to be consistent with either a model in which the arc formed on open field lines on the dusk side of a bifurcated polar cap or on closed field lines threading an expanded low-latitude boundary layer, but not a model in which the polar cap arc field lines map to an expanded plasma sheet. The antisunward convection signature may also be explained by a model in which the polar cap arc formed on long field lines recently reconnected through a highly skewed plasma sheet. The small-scale measurements indicate the rocket passed through three narrow (less than 20 km) regions of low-energy (less than 100 eV) electron precipitation in which the electric and magnetic field perturbations were well correlated. These precipitation events are shown to be associated with regions of downward Poynting flux and small-scale upward and downward field-aligned currents of 1-2 micro-A/sq m. The paired field-aligned currents are associated with velocity shears (higher and lower speed streams) embedded in the region of antisunward flow.

Electrodynamic parameters in the nighttime sector during auroral substorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fujii, R.; Hoffman, R. A.; Anderson, P. C.; Craven, J. D.; Sugiura, M.; Frank, L. A.; Maynard, N. C.

1994-01-01

The characteristics of the large-scale electrodynamic parameters, field-aligned currents (FACs), electric fields, and electron precipitation, which are associated with auroral substorm events in the nighttime sector, have been obtained through a unique analysis which places the ionospheric measurements of these parameters into the context of a generic substorm determined from global auroral images. A generic bulge-type auroral emission region has been deduced from auroral images taken by the Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE 1) satellite during a number of isolated substorms, and the form has been divided into six sectors, based on the peculiar emission characteristics in each sector: west of bulge, surge horn, surge, middle surge, eastern bulge, and east of bulge. By comparing the location of passes of the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite to the simultaneously obtained auroral images, each pass is placed onto the generic aurora. The organization of DE 2 data in this way has systematically clarified peculiar characteristics in the electrodynamic parameters. An upward net current mainly appears in the surge, with little net current in the surge horn and the west of bulge. The downward net current is distributed over wide longitudinal regions from the eastern bulge to the east of bulge. Near the poleward boundary of the expanding auroral bulge, a pair of oppositely directed FAC sheets is observed, with the downward FAC on the poleward side. This downward FAC and most of the upward FAC in the surge and the middle surge are assoc iated with narrow, intense antisunwqard convection, corresponding to an equatorward directed spikelike electric field. This pair of currents decreases in amplitude and latitudinal width toward dusk in the surge and the west of bulge, and the region 1 and 2 FACs become embedded in the sunward convection region. The upward FAC region associated with the spikelike field on the poleward edge of the bulge coincides well with intense electron precipitation and aurora appearing in this western and poleward protion of the bulge. The convection reversal is sharp in the west of bulge and surge horn sectors, and near the high-latitude boundary of the upward region 1, with a near stagnation region often extending over a large interval of latitude. In the eastern bulge and east of bulge sectors, the region 1 and 2 FACs are located in the sunward convection region, while a spikelike electric field occasionally appears poleward of the aurora but usually not associated with a pair of FAC sheets. In the eastern bulge, magnetic field data show complicated FAC distributions which correspond to current segments and filamentary currents.
Coupling between Mercury and its nightside magnetosphere: Cross-tail current sheet asymmetry and substorm current wedge formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poh, Gangkai; Slavin, James A.; Jia, Xianzhe; Raines, Jim M.; Imber, Suzanne M.; Sun, Wei-Jie; Gershman, Daniel J.; DiBraccio, Gina A.; Genestreti, Kevin J.; Smith, Andy W.

2017-08-01

We analyzed MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) magnetic field and plasma measurements taken during 319 crossings of Mercury's cross-tail current sheet. We found that the measured BZ in the current sheet is higher on the dawnside than the duskside by a factor of ≈3 and the asymmetry decreases with downtail distance. This result is consistent with expectations based upon MHD stress balance. The magnetic fields threading the more stretched current sheet in the duskside have a higher plasma beta than those on the dawnside, where they are less stretched. This asymmetric behavior is confirmed by mean current sheet thickness being greatest on the dawnside. We propose that heavy planetary ion (e.g., Na+) enhancements in the duskside current sheet provides the most likely explanation for the dawn-dusk current sheet asymmetries. We also report the direct measurement of Mercury's substorm current wedge (SCW) formation and estimate the total current due to pileup of magnetic flux to be ≈11 kA. The conductance at the foot of the field lines required to close the SCW current is found to be ≈1.2 S, which is similar to earlier results derived from modeling of Mercury's Region 1 field-aligned currents. Hence, Mercury's regolith is sufficiently conductive for the current to flow radially then across the surface of Mercury's highly conductive iron core. Mercury appears to be closely coupled to its nightside magnetosphere by mass loading of upward flowing heavy planetary ions and electrodynamically by field-aligned currents that transfer momentum and energy to the nightside auroral oval crust and interior. Heavy planetary ion enhancements in Mercury's duskside current sheet provide explanation for cross-tail asymmetries found in this study. The total current due to the pileup of magnetic flux and conductance required to close the SCW current is found to be ≈11 kA and 1.2 S. Mercury is coupled to magnetotail by mass loading of heavy ions and field-aligned currents driven by reconnection-related fast plasma flow.
Rocket observations at the northern edge of the eastward electrojet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cahill, L. J., Jr.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Taylor, W. W. L.

1980-01-01

The paper discusses a Nike-Tomahawk rocket launched north over quiet, late evening auroral arcs in March 1975. A northward magnetic disturbance was observed on the ground under the rocket trajectory; south of the arcs the northward electric field was 60 mV/m, indicating strong westward plasma flow. An eastward electrojet current layer was penetrated in the upward flight, and precipitating electrons were observed over each arc. Using the observed electron flux and a model of the ionosphere, the Hall and Pedersen conductivities were calculated which were used to compute the eastward and northward components of the horizontal ionospheric currents. The joule power decreased abruptly in the auroral arcs, as the precipitating electron power increased; the total dissipated power was the same inside the arcs, between them and southward. North of the aurora the electric field and dissipated power remained low; field-aligned currents carried by the observed electrons were about a factor of 3 lower than those inferred from the magnetic field measurements.
Strong Ionospheric Electron Heating Associated With Pulsating Auroras - A Swarm Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, J.; Yang, B.; Burchill, J. K.; Donovan, E.; Knudsen, D. J.

2016-12-01

A pulsating aurora is a repetitive modulation of auroral luminosity with periods typically of the order of 1-30 sec. It is often observed in the equatorward portion of the auroral oval. While it is generally recognized that the ultimate source of the pulsating auroral precipitation comes from energetic electrons of magnetospheric origin, investigating the ionospheric signature of the pulsating aurora may offer clues to the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling aspect of the pulsating aurora and, under certain circumstance, to the generation mechanism of the pulsating aurora. In this study, we perform an extensive survey on the ionospheric signatures (electron temperature, plasma density and field-aligned current etc.) of pulsating auroras using Swarm satellite data. Via the survey we repeatedly identify a strong electron temperature enhancement associated with the pulsating aurora. On average, the electron temperature at Swarm satellite altitude ( 500 km) increases from 2100 K at subauroral altitudes to a peak of 2900 K upon entering the pulsating aurora patch. This indicates that the pulsating auroras may act as an important heating source of the nightside ionosphere/thermosphere. On the other hand, no well-defined trend of plasma density variation associated with pulsating auroras is identified in the survey. There often exist moderate upward field-aligned currents (up to a few mA/m2) within the pulsating auroral patch when the patch is "on" during the traversal of satellites [Gillies et al., 2015], and the electron temperature enhancement is found to be positively correlated with the magnitude of the field-aligned current. In a few events with high-resolution Swarm electric field instrument (EFI) data, we find that the on-time pulsating auroral patch is associated with structured electric field disturbances with peaks exceeding 10 mV/m. Based upon observations and ionospheric models, we consider and evaluate several possible mechanisms that may account for the strong electron heating associated with the pulsating aurora, including the Joule heating related to the field-aligned current and to the structured electric field, the backscattered secondary electrons led by the impact of pulsating auroral precipitation, and the vertical conductive heat transport.
The Harang reversal and the interchange stability of the magnetotail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtani, Shinichi; Gkioulidou, Matina; Wang, Chih-Ping; Wolf, Richard A.

2016-04-01

The present study addresses steady convection in the plasma sheet in terms of the interchange stability with special attention to the Harang reversal. The closure of the tail current with a field-aligned current (FAC) results from the divergence/convergence of the pressure gradient current. If the magnetotail is in a steady state, the associated change of local plasma pressure p has to balance with its advective change. Accordingly, for adiabatic transport, the flux tube entropy parameter pVγ increases and decreases along the convection path in regions corresponding to downward and upward FACs, respectively. This requirement, along with the condition for the interchange stability imposes an important constraint on the direction of convection especially in the regions of downward FACs. It is deduced that for the dusk cell, the convection in the downward R2 current has to be directed azimuthally duskward, which follows the sunward, possibly dawnward deflected, convection in the region of the premidnight upward R1 current. This duskward turn of convection takes place in the vicinity of the R1-R2 demarcation, and it presumably corresponds to the Harang reversal. For the dawn cell the convection in the postmidnight downward R1 current has to deflect dawnward, and then it proceeds sunward in the upward R2 current. The continuity of the associated ionospheric currents consistently reproduces the assumed FAC distribution. The proposed interrelationships between the convection and FACs are also verified with a quasi-steady plasma sheet configuration and convection reproduced by a modified Rice Convection Model with force balance.
The L = 6.6 Oosik barium plasma injection experiment and magnetic storm of March 7, 1972

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wescott, E. M.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.; Davis, T. N.; Murcray, W. B.; Peek, H. M.; Bottoms, P. J.

1975-01-01

A high-explosive shaped charge vaporizing a hollow conical liner of Ba metal and producing a fast field-aligned jet of plasma was detonated at high altitude, during a quiescent phase of a magnetic storm initiated by an ssc 10 hrs prior to the experiment, in an attempt to trace out and observe the dynamics of an auroral field line in the magnetosphere. Observations offer evidence for an upward Birkeland current sheet at the poleward edge of the auroral spiral of 8 x 10 to the minus second power A/m. Unusual features of the substorm leave open the possibility that the plasma injection may have triggered it.
Boundary layer polarization and voltage in the 14 MLT region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundin, R.; Yamauchi, M.; Woch, J.; Marklund, G.

1995-05-01

Viking midlatitude observations of ions and electrons in the postnoon auroral region show that field-aligned acceleration of electrons and ions with energies up to a few kiloelectron volts takes place. The characteristics of the upgoing ion beams and the local transverse electric field observed by Viking indicate that parallel ion acceleration is primarily due to a quasi-electrostatic field-aligned acceleration process below Viking altitudes, i.e., below 10,000-13,500 km. A good correlation is found between the maximum upgoing ion beam energy and the depth of the local potential well determined by the Viking electric field experiment within dayside 'ion inverted Vs.' The total transverse potential throughout the entire region near the ion inverted Vs. is generally much higher than the field-aligned potential and may reach well above 10 kV. However, the detailed mapping of the transverse potential out to the boundary layer, a fundamental issue which remains controversial, was not attempted here. An important finding in this study is the strong correlation between the maximum up going ion beam energy of dayside ion inverted Vs and the solar wind velocity. This suggests a direct coupling of the solar wind plasma dynamo/voltage generator to the region of field-aligned particle acceleration. The fact that the center of dayside ion inverted Vs coincide with convection reversals/flow stagnation and upward Birkeland currents on what appears to be closed field lines (Woch et al., 1993), suggests that field-aligned potential structures connect to the inner part of an MHD dyanmo in the low-latitude boundary layer. Thus the Viking observations substantiate the idea of a solar wind induced boundary layer polarization where negatively charged perturbations in the postnoon sector persistently develops along the magnetic field lines, establishing accelerating potential drops along the geomagnetic field lines in the 0.5-10 kV range.
Multi-scale multi-point observation of dipolarization in the near-Earth's magnetotail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, R.; Varsani, A.; Genestreti, K.; Nakamura, T.; Baumjohann, W.; Birn, J.; Le Contel, O.; Nagai, T.

2017-12-01

We report on evolution of the dipolarization in the near-Earth plasma sheet during two intense substorms based on observations when the four spacecraft of the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) together with GOES and Geotail were located in the near Earth magnetotail. These multiple spacecraft together with the ground-based magnetogram enabled to obtain the location of the large- scale substorm current wedge (SCW) and overall changes in the plasma sheet configuration. MMS was located in the southern hemisphere at the outer plasma sheet and observed fast flow disturbances associated with dipolarizations. The high time-resolution measurements from MMS enable us to detect the rapid motion of the field structures and the flow disturbances separately and to resolve signatures below the ion-scales. We found small-scale transient field-aligned current sheets associated with upward streaming cold plasmas and Hall-current layers in the fast flow shear region. Observations of these current structures are compared with simulations of reconnection jets.
Effects of scapular upward rotation exercises on alignment of scapula and clavicle and strength of scapular upward rotators in subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome.

PubMed

Ha, Sung-min; Kwon, Oh-yun; Yi, Chung-hwi; Cynn, Heon-seock; Weon, Jong-hyuck; Kim, Tae-ho

2016-02-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6-week scapular upward rotation exercise (SURE) on scapular and clavicular alignment and scapular upward rotators strength in subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS). Seventeen volunteer subjects with SDRS were recruited from university populations. The alignment of the scapula and clavicle was measured using radiographic analysis and compared in subjects before and after a 6-week self-SURE program. A hand-held dynamometer was used to measure the strength of the scapular upward rotators. The subjects were instructed how to perform the self-SURE program at home. The 6-week self-SURE program was divided into two sections (the first section with non-resistive SURE during weeks 1-3, and the second section with resistive SURE using thera-band during weeks 4-6). The significance of the difference between pre- and post-program was assessed using a paired t-test, with the level of statistical significance set at p<0.05. Significant differences between pre- and post-program were found for scapular and clavicular alignment (p<0.05). Additionally, the comparison between pre- and post-program measurements of the strength of the scapular upward rotators showed significant differences (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that a 6-week self-SURE program is effective for improving scapular and clavicular alignment and increasing the strength of scapular upward rotator muscles in subjects with SDRS. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
An empirical model of the auroral oval derived from CHAMP field-aligned current signatures - Part 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, C.; Lühr, H.

2014-06-01

In this paper we introduce a new model for the location of the auroral oval. The auroral boundaries are derived from small- and medium-scale field-aligned current (FAC) based on the high-resolution CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) magnetic field observations during the years 2000-2010. The basic shape of the auroral oval is controlled by the dayside merging electric field, Em, and can be fitted well by ellipses at all levels of activity. All five ellipse parameters show a dependence on Em which can be described by quadratic functions. Optimal delay times for the merging electric field at the bow shock are 30 and 15 min for the equatorward and poleward boundaries, respectively. A comparison between our model and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) auroral model derived from IMAGE (Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration) optical observations has been performed. There is good agreement between the two models regarding both boundaries, and the differences show a Gaussian distribution with a width of ±2° in latitude. The difference of the equatorward boundary shows a local-time dependence, which is 1° in latitude poleward in the morning sector and 1° equatorward in the afternoon sector of the BAS model. We think the difference between the two models is caused by the appearance of auroral forms in connection with upward FACs. All information required for applying our auroral oval model (CH-Aurora-2014) is provided.
An explanation of auroral intensification during the substorm expansion phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Zhonghua; Rae, I. J.; Lui, A. T. Y.; Murphy, K. R.; Owen, C. J.; Pu, Z. Y.; Forsyth, C.; Grodent, D.; Zong, Q.-G.; Du, A. M.; Kalmoni, N. M. E.

2017-08-01

A multiple auroral onset substorm on 28 March 2010 provides an opportunity to understand the physical mechanism in generating auroral intensifications during a substorm expansion phase. Conjugate observations of magnetic fields and plasma from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft, of field-aligned currents (FACs) from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) satellites, and from ground-based magnetometers and aurora are all available. The comprehensive measurements allow us to further our understanding of the complicated causalities among dipolarization, FAC generation, particle acceleration, and auroral intensification. During the substorm expansion phase, the plasma sheet expanded and was perturbed leading to the generation of a slow mode wave, which modulated electron flux in the outer plasma sheet. During this current sheet expansion, field-aligned currents formed, and geomagnetic perturbations were simultaneously detected by ground-based instruments. However, a magnetic dipolarization did not occur until about 3 min later in the outer plasma sheet observed by THEMIS-A spacecraft (THA). We believe that this dipolarization led to an efficient Fermi acceleration to electrons and consequently the cause of a significant auroral intensification during the expansion phase as observed by the All-Sky Imagers (ASIs). This Fermi acceleration mechanism operating efficiently in the outer plasma sheet during the expansion phase could be a common explanation of the poleward auroral development after substorm onset. These results also show a good agreement between the upward FAC derived from AMPERE measurements and the auroral brightening observed by the ASIs.
Multi-Instrument Analysis of a Traveling Convection Vortex Event on July 24, 1996 Coordinated with the Polar UVI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sitar, R. J.; Clauer, C. R.; Baker, J. B.; Ridley, A. J.; Cumnock, J.; Germany, G. A.; Spann, J. F., Jr.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Parks, G. K.

1998-01-01

We present the analysis of a coordinated set of observations from the POLAR Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors, DMSP and GOES satellites, focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on 24th July 1996. Starting at approximately 10:48 UT, around magnetometers in Greenland and northern Canada observe pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of alternating TCV filed-aligned current pairs. Azimuthal scans by the Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar located near Kangerlussuaq (formerly Sondrestrom), Greenland, at this time show strong modulation in the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow. The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 11:39 UT, at which time images form the UVI instrument show a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 11:58 UT at which time the intensification fades. These observations are consistent with the westward passage of two pairs of moderately intense TCVs over central Greenland followed by a third very intense TCV pair. The intensification of auroral emissions at 11:39 UT is associated with the trailing vortex of the third TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field aligned current. The modulated flow observed by the radar is the result of the strong electric fields associated with the impulsive TCV related field aligned current systems as they pass through the field of view of the radar. Measurements of the solar wind from the V;IND and IMP-8 spacecraft suggest that a pressure change may be responsible for triggering the first two pairs of TCVS, and that a subsequent sudden change in the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field may have produced the intensification of the third TCV pair and the associated auroral brightening. Magnetometer data from the GOES satellite located over the eastern United States at geostationary orbit is consistent with a series of field-aligned moving tailward past the satellite. DMSP particle data indicated that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet (BPS).
A Statistical Survey of the 630.0-nm Optical Signature of Periodic Auroral Arcs Resulting From Magnetospheric Field Line Resonances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillies, D. Megan; Knudsen, David; Rankin, Robert; Milan, Stephen; Donovan, Eric

2018-05-01

Advances in networks of ground-based optical instrumentation have enabled us to identify over 400 examples of auroral arcs with an infrequently observed, temporally periodic auroral morphology. This study focuses on these arcs observed via the 630-nm ("redline") auroral emission wavelength and connects them to global magnetospheric wave modes known as field line resonances (FLRs). We show that optical redline FLR auroral arcs occur most frequently near 20 and 4 magnetic local time, in contrast to nonperiodic redline arcs, which occur most frequently near midnight. We find that this periodic type of auroral arc is rare, occurring in approximately 5% of redline aurora observed by the Redline Emission Geospace Observatory all-sky imagers. We also show Swarm satellite observations of two separate instances of 630-nm FLR arcs with strong upward field-aligned currents of the order of 3-6 μA/m2.
The Skaergaard trough layering: sedimentation in a convecting magma chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vukmanovic, Z.; Holness, M. B.; Monks, K.; Andersen, J. C. Ø.

2018-05-01

The upper parts of the floor cumulates of the Skaergaard Intrusion, East Greenland, contain abundant features known as troughs. The troughs are gently plunging synformal structures comprising stacks of crescentic modally graded layers with a sharply defined mafic base that grades upward into plagioclase-rich material. The origin of the troughs and layering is contentious, attributed variously to deposition of mineral grains by magmatic currents descending from the nearby walls, or to in situ development by localised recrystallisation during gravitationally-driven compaction. They are characterised by outcrop-scale features such as mineral lineations parallel to the trough axis, evidence of erosion and layer truncation associated with migration of the trough axis, and disruption of layering by syn-magmatic slumping. A detailed microstructural study of the modal trough layers, using electron backscatter diffraction together with geochemical mapping, demonstrates that these rocks do not record evidence for deformation by either dislocation creep or dissolution-reprecipitation. Instead, the troughs are characterised by the alignment of euhedral plagioclase crystals with unmodified primary igneous compositional zoning. We argue that the lineations and foliations are, therefore, a consequence of grain alignment during magmatic flow. Post-accumulation amplification of the modal layering occurred as a result of differential migration of an unmixed immiscible interstitial liquid, with upwards migration of the Si-rich conjugate into the plagioclase-rich upper part of the layers, whereas the Fe-rich immiscible conjugate remained in the mafic base. Both field and microstructure evidence support the origin of the troughs as the sites of repeated deposition from crystal-rich currents descending from the nearby chamber walls.
Climatology of the inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents system over the Nigeria ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolaji, O. S.; Rabiu, A. B.; Oyeyemi, E. O.; Yumoto, K.

2012-11-01

Records of the declination (D) magnetic field data for the year 2009 from the Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS) facilities at University of Ilorin were employed for this work. From the minutes value of the D-component, the deduced hourly values of the D-component (Sq(QD)) were used to estimate its diurnal (Sq(D)) values with the most five quietest days identified. The monthly mean (MSq(D)) of the most five quietest days and their seasonal (SSq(D)) variabilities were investigated. The inter-hemispheric field aligned currents (IHFACs) exhibit downward and upward inter-hemispheric field-aligned sheet current that appears as a pair at all local times of the Sq(D), MSq(D), and SSq(D) variations. From these variabilities, the IHFACs were observed to flow from the winter to summer hemisphere during noon and dusk sector and flowing in opposite direction during the dawn sector. The Sq(D) variability patterns that were observed in May, June, August September are gentle compared to the disturbed variabilities in January, February, March and November. The highest positive (˜1.7 arc-min) and negative (˜-2.7 arc min) MSq(D) maxima values were observed in August during the dawn and noon sectors respectively. These values indicated that the IHFACs flow in August is strongly southbound (positive) and northbound (negative) in the dawn and noon sectors respectively. Dusk-side IHFACs as can be observed by MAGDAS are weakly northbound in all the seasons. The direction of IHFACs does not flip at the equinoxes but in June and November and does not become largest at solstices but in August. The IHFACs was observed to exhibit longitudinal variability, which indicated that larger amplitude of winter-to-summer IHFACs is observed to be greater in June solstice (northbound/negative IHFACs) than in the December solstice (southbound/positive IHFACs) during the noon sector.
Auroral activity associated with Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the inner edge of the low-latitude boundary layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrugia, C. J.; Sandholt, P. E.; Burlaga, L. F.

1994-01-01

Auroral activity occurred in the late afternoon sector (approx. 16 MLT) in the northern hemisphere during the passage at Earth of an interplanetary magnetic cloud on January 14, 1988. The auroral activity consisted of a very dynamic display which was preceded and followed by quiet auroral displays. During the quiet displays, discrete rayed arcs aligned along the geomagnetic L shells were observed. In the active stage, rapidly evolving spiral forms centered on magnetic zenith were evident. The activity persisted for many minutes and was characterized by the absence of directed motion. They were strongly suggestive of intense filaments of upward field-aligned currents embedded in the large-scale region 1 current system. Distortions of the flux ropes as they connect from the equatorial magnetosphere to the ionosphere were witnessed. We assess as possible generating mechanisms three nonlocal sources known to be associated with field-aligned currents. Of these, partial compressions of the magnetosphere due to variations of solar wind dynamic pressure seem an unlikely source. The possibility that the auroral forms are due to reconnection is investigated but is excluded because the active aurora were observed on the closed field line region just equatorward of the convection reversal boundary. To support this conclusion further, we apply recent results on the mapping of ionospheric regions to the equatorial plane based on the Tsyganenko 1989 model (Kaufmann et al., 1993). We find that for comparable magnetic activity the aurora map to the equatorial plane at X(sub GSM) = approx. 3 R(sub E) and approx. 2 R(sub E) inward of the magnetopause, that is, the inner edge of the boundary layer close to dusk. Since the auroral forms are manifestly associated with magnetic field shear, a vortical motion at the equatorial end of the flux rope is indicated, making the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability acting at the inner edge of the low-latitude boundary layer the most probable generating source.
Strong ionospheric field-aligned currents for radial interplanetary magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Lühr, Hermann; Shue, Jih-Hong; Frey, Harald. U.; Kervalishvili, Guram; Huang, Tao; Cao, Xue; Pi, Gilbert; Ridley, Aaron J.

2014-05-01

The present work has investigated the configuration of field-aligned currents (FACs) during a long period of radial interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on 19 May 2002 by using high-resolution and precise vector magnetic field measurements of CHAMP satellite. During the interest period IMF By and Bz are weakly positive and Bx keeps pointing to the Earth for almost 10 h. The geomagnetic indices Dst is about -40 nT and AE about 100 nT on average. The cross polar cap potential calculated from Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics and derived from DMSP observations have average values of 10-20 kV. Obvious hemispheric differences are shown in the configurations of FACs on the dayside and nightside. At the south pole FACs diminish in intensity to magnitudes of about 0.1 μA/m2, the plasma convection maintains two-cell flow pattern, and the thermospheric density is quite low. However, there are obvious activities in the northern cusp region. One pair of FACs with a downward leg toward the pole and upward leg on the equatorward side emerge in the northern cusp region, exhibiting opposite polarity to FACs typical for duskward IMF orientation. An obvious sunward plasma flow channel persists during the whole period. These ionospheric features might be manifestations of an efficient magnetic reconnection process occurring in the northern magnetospheric flanks at high latitude. The enhanced ionospheric current systems might deposit large amount of Joule heating into the thermosphere. The air densities in the cusp region get enhanced and subsequently propagate equatorward on the dayside. Although geomagnetic indices during the radial IMF indicate low-level activity, the present study demonstrates that there are prevailing energy inputs from the magnetosphere to both the ionosphere and thermosphere in the northern polar cusp region.
Dynamic auroral storms on Saturn as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

PubMed

Nichols, J D; Badman, S V; Baines, K H; Brown, R H; Bunce, E J; Clarke, J T; Cowley, S W H; Crary, F J; Dougherty, M K; Gérard, J-C; Grocott, A; Grodent, D; Kurth, W S; Melin, H; Mitchell, D G; Pryor, W R; Stallard, T S

2014-05-28

We present observations of significant dynamics within two UV auroral storms observed on Saturn using the Hubble Space Telescope in April/May 2013. Specifically, we discuss bursts of auroral emission observed at the poleward boundary of a solar wind-induced auroral storm, propagating at ∼330% rigid corotation from near ∼01 h LT toward ∼08 h LT. We suggest that these are indicative of ongoing, bursty reconnection of lobe flux in the magnetotail, providing strong evidence that Saturn's auroral storms are caused by large-scale flux closure. We also discuss the later evolution of a similar storm and show that the emission maps to the trailing region of an energetic neutral atom enhancement. We thus identify the auroral form with the upward field-aligned continuity currents flowing into the associated partial ring current.
Dynamic auroral storms on Saturn as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope

PubMed Central

Nichols, J D; Badman, S V; Baines, K H; Brown, R H; Bunce, E J; Clarke, J T; Cowley, S W H; Crary, F J; Dougherty, M K; Gérard, J-C; Grocott, A; Grodent, D; Kurth, W S; Melin, H; Mitchell, D G; Pryor, W R; Stallard, T S

2014-01-01

We present observations of significant dynamics within two UV auroral storms observed on Saturn using the Hubble Space Telescope in April/May 2013. Specifically, we discuss bursts of auroral emission observed at the poleward boundary of a solar wind-induced auroral storm, propagating at ∼330% rigid corotation from near ∼01 h LT toward ∼08 h LT. We suggest that these are indicative of ongoing, bursty reconnection of lobe flux in the magnetotail, providing strong evidence that Saturn's auroral storms are caused by large-scale flux closure. We also discuss the later evolution of a similar storm and show that the emission maps to the trailing region of an energetic neutral atom enhancement. We thus identify the auroral form with the upward field-aligned continuity currents flowing into the associated partial ring current. PMID:26074636
Features of Upward Positive Leaders Initiated From Towers in Natural Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Based on Simultaneous High-Speed Videos, Measured Currents, and Electric Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visacro, Silverio; Guimaraes, Miguel; Murta Vale, Maria Helena

2017-12-01

Original simultaneous records of currents, close electric field, and high-speed videos of natural negative cloud-to-ground lightning striking the tower of Morro do Cachimbo Station are used to reveal typical features of upward positive leaders before the attachment, including their initiation and mode of propagation. According to the results, upward positive leaders initiate some hundreds of microseconds prior to the return stroke, while a continuous uprising current of about 4 A and superimposed pulses of a few tens amperes flow along the tower. Upon leader initiation, the electric field measured 50 m away from the tower at ground level is about 60 kV/m. The corresponding average field roughly estimated 0.5 m above the tower top is higher than 0.55 MV/m. As in laboratory experiments, the common propagation mode of upward positive leaders is developing continuously, without steps, from their initiation. Unlike downward negative leaders, upward positive leaders typically do not branch off, though they can bifurcate under the effect of a downward negative leader's secondary branch approaching their lateral surface. The upward positive leader's estimated average two-dimensional propagation speed, in the range of 0.06 × 106 to 0.16 × 106 m/s, has the same order of magnitude as that of downward negative leaders. Apparently, the speed tends to increase just before attachment.

Upward gaze and head deviation with frontal eye field stimulation.

PubMed

Kaiboriboon, Kitti; Lüders, Hans O; Miller, Jonathan P; Leigh, R John

2012-03-01

Using electrical stimulation to the deep, most caudal part of the right frontal eye field (FEF), we demonstrate a novel pattern of vertical (upward) eye movement that was previously only thought possible by stimulating both frontal eye fields simultaneously. If stimulation was started when the subject looked laterally, the initial eye movement was back to the midline, followed by upward deviation. Our finding challenges current view of topological organisation in the human FEF and may have general implications for concepts of topological organisation of the motor cortex, since sustained stimulation also induced upward head movements as a component of the vertical gaze shift. [Published with video sequences].
Numerical simulation of large-scale field-aligned current generation from finite-amplitude magnetosonic waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamauchi, M.

1994-01-01

A two-dimensional numerical simulation of finite-amplitude magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) magnetosonic waves is performed under a finite-velocity background convection condition. Isothermal cases are considered for simplicity. External dissipation is introduced by assuming that the field-aligned currents are generated in proportion to the accumulated charges. The simulation results are as follows: Paired field-aligned currents are found from the simulated waves. The flow directions of these field-aligned currents depend on the angle between the background convection and the wave normal, and hence two pairs of field-aligned currents are found from a bowed wave if we look at the overall structure. The majority of these field-aligned currents are closed within each pair rather than between two wings. These features are not observed under slow background convection. The result could be applied to the cusp current system and the substorm current system.
Why does substorm-associated auroral surge travel westward?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebihara, Y.; Tanaka, T.

2018-01-01

A substorm is a long-standing unsolved issue in solar-terrestrial physics. One of the big challenges is to explain reasonably the evolution of the morphological structure of the aurora associated with the substorm. The sudden appearance of a bright aurora and an auroral surge traveling westward (westward traveling surge, WTS) are noticeable features of the aurora during the substorm expansion phase. By using a global magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation, we obtained the following results regarding the WTS. When the interplanetary magnetic field turns southward, a persistent dynamo appears in the cusp/mantle region, driving the two-cell magnetospheric convection. Then, the substorm growth phase begins. When magnetic reconnection takes place in the magnetotail, plasma is accelerated earthward in the plasma sheet, and accelerated toward the equatorial plane in the lobe. The second dynamo appears in the near-Earth region, which is closely associated with the generation of the field-aligned current (FAC) on the nightside. When the FAC reaches the ionosphere, the aurora becomes bright, and the onset of the expansion phase begins. In the ionosphere, the conductivity is intensified in the bright aurora due to the precipitation of accelerated electrons. The conductivity gradient gives rise to the overflow of the Hall current, which acts as the third dynamo. The overflow results in the accumulation of space charge, which causes a divergent electric field. The divergent electric field generates a thin, structured upward FAC adjacent to the bright aurora. The opposite process takes place on the opposite side of the bright aurora. In short, the upward FAC increases (appearance of aurora) at the leading edge of the surge, and decreases (disappearance of aurora) at the trailing edge of the surge. By repeating these processes, the surge seems to travel westward.
Relation of the auroral substorm to the substorm current wedge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McPherron, Robert L.; Chu, Xiangning

2016-12-01

The auroral substorm is an organized sequence of events seen in the aurora near midnight. It is a manifestation of the magnetospheric substorm which is a disturbance of the magnetosphere brought about by the solar wind transfer of magnetic flux from the dayside to the tail lobes and its return through the plasma sheet to the dayside. The most dramatic feature of the auroral substorm is the sudden brightening and poleward expansion of the aurora. Intimately associated with this expansion is a westward electrical current flowing across the bulge of expanding aurora. This current is fed by a downward field-aligned current (FAC) at its eastern edge and an upward current at its western edge. This current system is called the substorm current wedge (SCW). The SCW forms within a minute of auroral expansion. FAC are created by pressure gradients and field line bending from shears in plasma flow. Both of these are the result of pileup and diversion of plasma flows in the near-earth plasma sheet. The origins of these flows are reconnection sites further back in the tail. The auroral expansion can be explained by a combination of a change in field line mapping caused by the substorm current wedge and a tailward growth of the outer edge of the pileup region. We illustrate this scenario with a complex substorm and discuss some of the problems associated with this interpretation.
Current Closure in the Auroral Ionosphere: Results from the Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure Rocket Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaeppler, S. R.; Kletzing, C. A.; Bounds, S. R.; Gjerloev, J. W.; Anderson, B. J.; Korth, H.; LaBelle, J. W.; Dombrowski, M. P.; Lessard, M.; Pfaff, R. F.;

2012-01-01

The Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission consisted of two sounding rockets launched nearly simultaneously from Poker Flat Research Range, AK on January 29, 2009 into a dynamic multiple-arc aurora. The ACES rocket mission was designed to observe electrodynamic and plasma parameters above and within the current closure region of the auroral ionosphere. Two well instrumented payloads were flown along very similar magnetic field footprints, at different altitudes, with small temporal separation between both payloads. The higher altitude payload (apogee 360 km), obtained in-situ measurements of electrodynamic and plasma parameters above the current closure region to determine the input signature. The low altitude payload (apogee 130 km), made similar observations within the current closure region. Results are presented comparing observations of the electric fields, magnetic components, and the differential electron energy flux at magnetic footpoints common to both payloads. In situ data is compared to the ground based all-sky imager data, which presents the evolution of the auroral event as the payloads traversed through magnetically similar regions. Current measurements derived from the magnetometers on the high altitude payload observed upward and downward field-aligned currents. The effect of collisions with the neutral atmosphere is investigated to determine if it is a significant mechanism to explain discrepancies in the low energy electron flux. The high altitude payload also observed time-dispersed arrivals in the electron flux and perturbations in the electric and magnetic field components, which are indicative of Alfven waves.

Current Closure in the Auroral Ionosphere: Results from the Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure Rocket Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaeppler, S. R.; Kletzing, C. A.; Bounds, S. R.; Gjerloev, J. W.; Anderson, B. J.; Korth, H.; LaBelle, J. W.; Dombrowski, M. P.; Lessard, M.; Pfaff, R. F.;

2011-01-01

The Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission consisted of two sounding rockets launched nearly simultaneously from Poker Flat Research Range, AK on January 29, 2009 into a dynamic multiple-arc aurora. The ACES rocket mission was designed to observe electrodynamic and plasma parameters above and within the current closure region of the auroral ionosphere. Two well instrumented payloads were flown along very similar magnetic field footprints, at different altitudes, with small temporal separation between both payloads. The higher altitude payload (apogee 360 km), obtained in-situ measurements of electrodynamic and plasma parameters above the current closure region to determine the input signature. The low altitude payload (apogee 130 km), made similar observations within the current closure region. Results are presented comparing observations of the electric fields, magnetic components, and the differential electron energy flux at magnetic footpoints common to both payloads. In situ data is compared to the ground based all-sky imager data, which presents the evolution of the auroral event as the payloads traversed through magnetically similar regions. Current measurements derived from the magnetometers on the high altitude payload observed upward and downward field-aligned currents. The effect of collisions with the neutral atmosphere is investigated to determine it is a significant mechanism to explain discrepancies in the low energy electron flux. The high altitude payload also observed time-dispersed arrivals in the electron flux and perturbations in the electric and magnetic field components, which are indicative of Alfven waves.

Mesoscale Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling along Open Magnetic Field Lines Associated with Airglow Patches: Field-aligned Currents and Precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Y.; Nishimura, Y.; Lyons, L. R.; Shiokawa, K.; Burchill, J. K.; Knudsen, D. J.; Buchert, S. C.; Chen, S.; Nicolls, M. J.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; McWilliams, K. A.; Nishitani, N.

2016-12-01

Although airglow patches are traditionally regarded as high-density plasma unrelated to local field-aligned currents (FACs) and precipitation, past observations were limited to storm-time conditions. Recent non-storm time observations show patches to be associated with azimuthally narrow ionospheric fast flow channels that substantially contribute to plasma transportation across the polar cap and connect dayside and nightside explosive disturbances. We examine whether non-storm time patches are related also to localized polar cap FACs and precipitation using Swarm- and FAST-imager-radar conjunctions. In Swarm data, we commonly (66%) identify substantial magnetic perturbations indicating FAC enhancements around patches. These FACs have substantial densities (0.1-0.2 μA/m-2) and can be approximated as infinite current sheets (typically 75 km wide) orientated roughly parallel to patches. They usually exhibit a Region-1 sense, i.e. a downward FAC lying eastward of an upward FAC, and can close through Pedersen currents in the ionosphere, implying that the locally enhanced dawn-dusk electric field across the patch is imposed by processes in the magnetosphere. In FAST data, we identify localized precipitation that is enhanced within patches in comparison to weak polar rain outside patches. The precipitation consists of structured or diffuse soft electron fluxes. While the latter resembles polar rain only with higher fluxes, the former consists of discrete fluxes enhanced by 1-2 orders of magnitude from several to several hundred eV. Although the precipitation is not a major contributor to patch ionization, it implies that newly reconnected flux tubes that retain electrons of magnetosheath origin can rapidly traverse the polar cap from the dayside. Therefore non-storm time patches should be regarded as part of a localized magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling system along open magnetic field lines, and their transpolar evolution as a reflection of reconnected flux tubes traveling from the dayside to nightside magnetosphere.
Field-aligned current associated with a distorted two-cell convection pattern during northward interplanetary magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhu, L.; Schunk, R. W.; Sojka, J. J.

1991-01-01

The influence of the ionospheric conductance on the field-aligned current associated with a distorted two-cell convection pattern during northward IMF was investigated using the Heppner-Maynard (1987) convection model and the Utah State University conductivity model described by Rasmussen and Schunk (1987). Results show that the variation of the ionospheric conductivity distribution can significantly affect the features of the field-aligned current for northward IMF, where matching or mismatching between the conductance gradient and the convection electric field plays a key role. It was found that the increase of the field-aligned current in the polar cap observed during summer is mainly due to the increasing contribution from the Pedersen current, and that the increase of the field-aligned current in both the oval region and the evening-midnight sector during the active aurora period is mainly due to the increasing contribution from the Hall current.
Field-aligned Currents at Mercury and Implications for Crustal Electrical Conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, B. J.; Johnson, C. L.; Korth, H.; Winslow, R. M.; Slavin, J. A.; Solomon, S. C.; McNutt, R. L., Jr.

2013-12-01

Magnetic field data acquired in orbit about Mercury by the Magnetometer on the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft are used to identify signatures of steady-state field-aligned or Birkeland currents in the northern polar region. These signatures allow us to determine the distribution, area, and total current typically flowing toward and away from the planet and closing at low altitudes. Results reveal that current flows downward on the dawn side and upward on the dusk side, a pattern corresponding to the Region-1 current system at Earth. Typical current densities are 10 to 20 nA/m2. The total current ranges from 10 kA under magnetically calm conditions to nearly 40 kA during disturbed periods. Both the current density and the total current are approximately two orders of magnitude lower than at Earth. The electric potential, consistent with dayside magnetopause magnetic reconnection, is estimated to be ~30 kV under typical conditions, implying that the net resistance to closure of the Birkeland currents is on the order of 1 ohm. At Earth this resistance is typically 0.02 ohms, and if the height-integrated low-altitude conductance were the same, the resistance at Mercury would be even lower than at Earth, ~0.01 ohms. The comparatively low current observed and the estimated high resistance are consistent with expectations that current closure at Mercury is markedly different than at Earth. We solve for the potential implied by the observed currents given closure through the planet. We consider crustal and mantle conductances consistent with experimental results for olivine, and we use a nominal present-day radial temperature profile for Mercury. Net potentials comparable to 30 kV require that the current closes radially through the crust and horizontally through the higher-conductivity mantle at depths of 50 to 400 km. The crust accounts for nearly all of the resistance to current flow, and the results are consistent with a crustal conductivity on the order of 10-8 S/m.
Field-aligned currents and large scale magnetospheric electric fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dangelo, N.

1980-01-01

D'Angelo's model of polar cap electric fields (1977) was used to visualize how high-latitude field-aligned currents are driven by the solar wind generator. The region 1 and region 2 currents of Iijima and Potemra (1976) and the cusp field-aligned currents of Wilhjelm et al. (1978) and McDiarmid et al. (1978) are apparently driven by different generators, although in both cases the solar wind is their ultimate source.
A comparison between initial continuous currents of different types of upward lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D.; Sawada, N.; Takagi, N.

2009-12-01

We have observed the lightning to a wind turbine and its lightning-protection tower for four consecutive winter seasons from 2005 to 2009. Our observation items include (1) thunderstorm electrical fields and lightning-caused electric field changes at multi sites around the wind turbine, (2) electrical currents at the bottom of the wind turbine and its lightning protection tower, (3) normal video and high speed image of lightning optical channels. Totally, we have obtained the data for 42 lightning that hit either on wind turbine or its lightning protection tower or both. Among these 42 lightning, 38 are upward lightning and 2 are downward lightning. We found the upward lightning can be sub-classified into two types. Type 1 upward lightning are self-triggered from a high structure, while type 2 lightning are triggered by a discharge occurred in other places which could be either a cloud discharge or a cloud-to-ground discharge (other-triggered). In this study, we have compared the two types of upward lightning in terms of initial continuous current rise time, peak current and charge transferred to the ground. We found that the initial current of self-triggered lightning tends to rise significantly faster and to a bigger peak value than the other-triggered lightning, although both types of lightning transferred similar amount of charge to the ground.
27 August 2001 substorm: Preonset phenomena, two main onsets, field-aligned current systems, and plasma flow channels in the ionosphere and in the magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishin, V. M.; Mishin, V. V.; Lunyushkin, S. B.; Wang, J. Y.; Moiseev, A. V.

2017-05-01

We supplement the results of the 27 August 2001 substorm studied earlier in the series of papers. Described is the plasma flow in the nightside ionosphere from the near-polar region from the polar cap to the auroral oval during the substorm preonset phase and two expansion onsets, EO1 and EO2, produced by reconnection in the closed tail (magnetic reconnection (MR1) and in the open tail lobes (MR2), respectively. We discuss the location of the MR2 region (is it near, middle, and/or distant tail?) and the EO2 trigger mechanism. The upward substorm current wedge field-aligned current (FAC) and the downward FAC in the polar cap dusk sector that were both produced by different types of magnetosphere-ionosphere feedback instability are found to provide the main contribution to the system of FACs during EO1 and EO2. Also, we obtain the estimates for the EO1 and EO2 power and energy. Addressed are the variations in the tail lobe magnetic flux and their (variations) association with EO2. In addition, we describe a 3-D system of mesoscale cells, each of which involves a plasma vortex and a local FAC maximum. The cells of this system in the inner magnetosphere and in the tail lobes intensify one after other within 2 min interval. At last, we substantiate the assumption that the fast plasma flow recorded by the Cluster satellites 7 min prior to EO1 was a bursty bulk flow from the most distant tail.
Cusp Ion Fountain Observations from the e-POP Suprathermal Electron Imager (SEI) with DMSP and RISR-N conjunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Y.; Knudsen, D. J.; Burchill, J. K.; Howarth, A. D.; Yau, A. W.; Redmon, R. J.

2015-12-01

Low-energy (<10 eV) ion upflows associated with ambipolar ion acceleration in the cusp/cleft and polar cap regions are investigated using conjunctions of the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) satellite, the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR-N) and the DMSP satellites in June 2014. e-POP encountered the cusp/cleft ion fountain at 10-14 MLT and around 1000 km altitude during these experiments. Such intermediate-altitude observations of ion upflow have been sampled only rarely by previous satellite missions and ground-based radars. The Suprathermal Electron Imager (SEI) onboard e-POP measures two-dimensional ion distribution functions with a frame rate of 100 images per second, from which, high-precision energy and angle information of entering ions can be inferred. Large field-aligned ion bulk flow velocities (2.5 km/s) are estimated from the angle information with a resolution of the order of 25 m/s. The ion velocities were, in general, upward in the cusp region and downward in the polar cap region. The ion temperatures have been resolved by investigating the slop shape of the distribution function. It has been found that only weak perpendicular (to B) heating occurred during these events, which when combined with the simultaneous soft electron precipitation observed by the DMSP SSJ/4 instrument, suggests that ambipolar electric fields play a dominant role in accelerating ions upward at and below 1000 km. Also, structured DC field-aligned currents derived from the magnetic field instrument (MGF) onboard e-POP are found to be well-correlated with upflow velocities. In addition, ion composition information is available from e-POP's ion mass spectrometer (IRM). Oxygen ions (O+) were found to dominate (85%) in the identified events, accompanied by a small fraction (15%) of hydrogen ions (H+) and helium ions (He+). We will compare these in situ measurements with RISR-N observations in order to further our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for, and the three-dimensional structure of, the cusp ion fountain. Acknowledgement: This research is supported by Eyes High Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship at University of Calgary.
Coherent radar estimates of high latitude field-aligned currents: the importance of conductance gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosch, M.; Nielsen, E.

Two bi-static VHF radar systems STARE and SABRE have been employed to estimate ionospheric electric field distributions in the geomagnetic latitude range 61 1 - 69 3 degrees over Scandinavia corresponding to the global Region 2 current system 173 days of data from all four radars have been analysed during the period 1982 to 1986 The average magnetic field-aligned currents have been computed as a function of the Kp and Ae indices using an empirical model of ionospheric Pedersen and Hall conductance taking into account conductance gradients The divergence of horizontal Pedersen currents and Hall conductance gradients have approximately the same importance for generating the Region 2 field-aligned currents Pedersen conductance gradients have a significant modifying effect A case study of field-aligned currents has been performed using the STARE radar system to obtain the instantaneous ionospheric electric field distribution in the vicinity of an auroral arc The instantaneous Hall conductance was estimated from the Scandinavian Magnetometer Array This study clearly shows that even for quiet steady state geomagnetic conditions conductance gradients are important modifiers of magnetic field-aligned currents
Transmission of the convection electric field to the inner magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, T.

2003-12-01

Low latitude magnetometer observations revealed that the partial ring current started to develop within several minutes after the onset of growth of the polar cap potential (PCP), and decayed simultaneously with the decrease in the PCP (Hashimoto, Kikuchi and Ebihara., JGR 2002). The magnetometer observations also indicated that the DP2 ionospheric currents were driven by the convection electric field at mid latitudes as well as at high latitudes. These observational facts suggest that the ionospheric electric field plays a crucial role in driving the convection in the inner magnetosphere. A probable model for the electric field transmission should explain both the convection in the inner magnetosphere and the ionospheric currents at mid latitudes. The instantaneous transmission of the ionospheric electric field and currents from the polar ionosphere to the equator was explained by Kikuchi and Araki (JATP 1979) based on the TM0 mode in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. In this paper, we attempt to explain the transmission of the convection electric field to the inner magnetosphere by applying the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. However, two issues remained unresolved in the paper by Kikuchi and Araki (1979). One is the excitation of the TM0 mode in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, and the other is the attenuation under the nighttime ionospheric condition. To examine the excitation of the TM0 mode, we couple the Earth-ionosphere waveguide (transmission line) with a magnetospheric transmission line composed of a pair of field-aligned currents (e.g., R1 FACs). A fraction of the electromagnetic energy carried from the magnetosphere is transmitted into the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, although substantial energy is dissipated in the polar ionosphere intervening between the two transmission lines. The transmitted electromagnetic energy excites the TM0 mode in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. We then evaluate the attenuation of the TM0 mode by calculating upward flow of energy from the waveguide into the conducting ionosphere and the magnetosphere. It is shown that the attenuation of the TM0 mode is not significant even for the nighttime condition, when compared to the geometrical attenuation due to the finite size of the polar electric field. Furthermore, it is shown that the ionospheric electric field carried by the TM0 mode is transmitted by Alfven waves upward into the inner magnetosphere along the magnetic field lines, supplying energy for the convection in the inner magnetosphere. It should be stressed that the ionosphere never creates electromagnetic energy but acts as a transmission line for the convection electric field. We conclude that the Earth-ionosphere waveguide connected with the magnetospheric transmission line explains both the instantaneous propagation of the electric field and currents in the ionosphere and of the convection electric field into the inner magnetosphere.
Field-Aligned Currents in Saturn's Magnetosphere: Observations From the F-Ring Orbits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, G. J.; Provan, G.; Bunce, E. J.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Dougherty, M. K.; Southwood, D. J.

2018-05-01

We investigate the azimuthal magnetic field signatures associated with high-latitude field-aligned currents observed during Cassini's F-ring orbits (October 2016-April 2017). The overall ionospheric meridional current profiles in the northern and southern hemispheres, that is, the regions poleward and equatorward of the field-aligned currents, differ most from the 2008 observations. We discuss these differences in terms of the seasonal change between data sets and local time (LT) differences, as the 2008 data cover the nightside while the F-ring data cover the post-dawn and dusk sectors in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. The F-ring field-aligned currents typically have a similar four current sheet structure to those in 2008. We investigate the properties of the current sheets and show that the field-aligned currents in a hemisphere are modulated by that hemisphere's "planetary period oscillation" (PPO) systems. We separate the PPO-independent and PPO-related currents in both hemispheres using their opposite symmetry. The average PPO-independent currents peak at 1.5 MA/rad just equatorward of the open closed field line boundary, similar to the 2008 observations. However, the PPO-related currents in both hemispheres are reduced by 50% to 0.4 MA/rad. This may be evidence of reduced PPO amplitudes, similar to the previously observed weaker equatorial oscillations at similar dayside LTs. We do not detect the PPO current systems' interhemispheric component, likely a result of the weaker PPO-related currents and their closure within the magnetosphere. We also do not detect previously proposed lower latitude discrete field-aligned currents that act to "turn off" the PPOs.
Inertial Currents in Isotropic Plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinemann, M.; Erickson, G. M.; Pontius, D. H., Jr.

1993-01-01

The magnetospheric convection electric field contributes to Birkeland currents. The effects of the field are to polarize the plasma by displacing the bounce paths of the ions from those of electrons, to redistribute the pressure so that it is not constant along magnetic field lines, and to enhance the pressure gradient by the gradient of the bulk speed. Changes in the polarization charge during the convection of the plasma are neutralized by electrons in the form of field-aligned currents that close through the ionosphere. The pressure drives field-aligned currents through its gradient in the same manner as in quasi-static plasma, but with modifications that are important if the bulk speed is of the order of the ion thermal speed; the variations in the pressure along field lines are maintained by a weak parallel potential drop. These effects are described in terms of the field-aligned currents in steady state, isotropic, MED plasma. Solutions are developed by taking the MHD limit of two-fluid solutions and illustrated in the special case of Maxwellian plasma for which the temperature is constant along magnetic field lines. The expression for the Birkeland current density is a generalization of Vasyliunas' expression for the field-aligned current density in quasi-static plasma and provides a unifying expression when both pressure gradients and ion inertia operate simultaneously as sources of field-aligned currents. It contains a full account of different aspects of the ion flow (parallel and perpendicular velocity and vorticity) that contribute to the currents. Contributions of ion inertia to field-aligned currents will occur in regions of strong velocity shear, electric field reversal, or large gradients in the parallel velocity or number density, and may be important in the low-latitude boundary layer, plasma sheet boundary layer, and the inner edge region of the plasma sheet.
Inertial currents in isotropic plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinemann, M.; Erickson, G. M.; Pontius, D. H. JR.

1994-01-01

The magnetospheric convection electric field contributes to Birkeland currents. The effects of the field are to polarize the plasma by displacing the bounce paths of the ions from those of electrons, to redistribute the pressure so that it is not constant along magnetic field lines, and to enhance the pressure gradient by the gradient of the bulk speed. Changes in the polarization charge during the convection of the plasma are neutralized by electrons in the form of field-aligned currents that close through the ionosphere. The pressure drives field-aligned currents through its gradient in the same manner as in quasi-static plasma, but with modifications that are important if the bulk speed is of the order of the ion thermal speed; the variations in the pressure along field lines are maintained by a weak parallel potential drop. These effects are described in terms of the field-aligned currents in steady state, isotropic, magnetohyrodynamic (MHD) plasma. Solutions are developed by taking the MHD limit of two-fluid solutions and illustrated in the special case of Maxwellian plasma for which the temperature is constant along magnetic field lines. The expression for the Birkeland current density is a generalization of Vasyliunas' expression for the field-aligned current density in quasi-static plasma and provides a unifying expression when both pressure gradients and ion inertia operate simultaneously as sources of field-aligned currents. It contains a full account of different aspects of the ion flow (parallel and perpendicular velocity and vorticity) that contribute to the currents. Contributions of ion inertia to field-aligned currents will occur in regions of strong velocity shear, electric field reversal, or large gradients in the parallel velocity or number density, and may be important in the low-latitude boundary layer, plasma sheet boundary layer, and the inner edge region of the plasma sheet.
Inertial currents in isotropic plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinemann, M.; Erickson, G. M.; Pontius, D. H., Jr.

1994-01-01

The magnetospheric convection electric field contributes to Birkeland currents. The effects of the field are to polarize the plasma by displacing the bounce paths of the ions from those of electrons, to redistribute the pressure so that it is not constant along magnetic field lines, and to enhance the pressure gradient by the gradient of the bulk speed. Changes in the polarization charge during the convection of the plasma are neutralized by electrons in the form of field-aligned currents that close through the ionosphere. The pressure drives field-aligned currents through its gradient in the same manner as in quasi-static plasmas, but with modifications that are important if the bulk speed is of the order of the ion thermal speed; the variations in the pressure along field lines are maintained by a weak parallel potential drop. These effects are described in terms of the field-aligned currents in steady state, isotropic, MHD plasma. Solutions are developed by taking the MHD limit ot two-fluid solutions and illustrated in the special case of Maxwellian plasma for which the temperature is constant along magnetic field lines. The expression for the Birkeland current density is a generalization of Vasyliunas' expression for the field-aligned current density in quasi-static plasma and provides a unifying expression when both pressure gradients and ion inertia operate simultaneously as sources of field-aligned currents. It contains a full account of different aspects of the ion flow (parallel and perpendicular velocity and vorticity) that contribute to the currents. Contributions of ion inertia to field-aligned currents will occur in regions of strong velocity shear, electric field reversal, or large gradients in the parallel velocity or number density, and may be important in the low-latitude boundary layer, plasma sheet boundary layer, and the inner edge region of the plasma sheet.
Superposed epoch analysis of vertical ion velocity, electron temperature, field-aligned current, and thermospheric wind in the dayside auroral region as observed by DMSP and CHAMP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kervalishvili, G.; Lühr, H.

2016-12-01

This study reports on the results obtained by a superposed epoch analysis (SEA) method applied to the electron temperature, vertical ion velocity, field-aligned current (FAC), and thermospheric zonal wind velocity at high-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The SEA study is performed in a magnetic latitude versus magnetic local time (MLat-MLT) frame. The obtained results are based on observations collected during the years 2001-2005 by the CHAMP and DMSP (F13 and F15) satellites. The dependence on interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientations is also investigated using data from the NASA/GSFC's OMNI database. Further, the obtained results are subdivided into three Lloyd seasons of 130 days each, which are defined as follows: local winter (1 January ± 65 days), combined equinoxes (1 April and 1 October ± 32days), and local summer (1 July ± 65 days). A period of 130 days is needed by the CHAMP satellite to pass through all local times. The time and location of the electron temperature peaks from CHAMP measurements near the cusp region are used as the reference parameter for the SEA method to investigate the relationship between the electron temperature and other ionospheric quantities. The SEA derived MLat profiles of the electron temperature show a seasonal dependence, increasing from winter to summer, as expected. But, the temperature rise (difference between the reference temperature peak and the background electron temperature) strongly decreases towards local summer. The SEA derived MLat profiles of the ion vertical velocity at DMSP altitude show the same seasonal behaviour as the electron temperature rice. There exists a clear linear relation between these two variables with a quiet large correlation coefficient value, >0.9. The SEA derived MLat profiles of both, thermospheric zonal wind velocity and FAC, show a clear IMF By orientation dependence for all local seasons. The zonal wind velocity is prominently directed towards west in the MLat-MLT frame for both signs of IMF By, but speeds are larger for positive By. FAC shows a systematic imbalance between downward (upward) and upward (downward) peaks equatorward and poleward of the reference point for positive (negative) IMF By. The influence of upflow events depends strongly on the amplitude of IMF By, to a lesser extend on Bz.

Magnetopause Erosion During the 17 March 2015 Magnetic Storm: Combined Field-Aligned Currents, Auroral Oval, and Magnetopause Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, G.; Luehr, H.; Anderson, B. J.; Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Singer, H.; Slavin, J. A.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, T.; Bromund, K.;

2016-01-01

We present multimission observations of field-aligned currents, auroral oval, and magnetopause crossings during the 17 March 2015 magnetic storm. Dayside reconnection is expected to transport magnetic flux, strengthen field-aligned currents, lead to polar cap expansion and magnetopause erosion. Our multimission observations assemble evidence for all these manifestations. After a prolonged period of strongly southward interplanetary magnetic field, Swarm and AMPERE observe significant intensification of field-aligned currents .The dayside auroral oval, as seen by DMSP, appears as a thin arc associated with ongoing dayside reconnection. Both the field-aligned currents and the auroral arc move equatorward reaching as low as approx. 60 deg. magnetic latitude. Strong magnetopause erosion is evident in the in situ measurements of the magnetopause crossings by GOES 13/15 and MMS. The coordinated Swarm, AMPERE, DMSP, MMS and GOES observations, with both global and in situ coverage of the key regions, provide a clear demonstration of the effects of dayside reconnection on the entire magnetosphere.

Multiscale Currents Observed by MMS in the Flow Braking Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Rumi; Varsani, Ali; Genestreti, Kevin J.; Le Contel, Olivier; Nakamura, Takuma; Baumjohann, Wolfgang; Nagai, Tsugunobu; Artemyev, Anton; Birn, Joachim; Sergeev, Victor A.; Apatenkov, Sergey; Ergun, Robert E.; Fuselier, Stephen A.; Gershman, Daniel J.; Giles, Barbara J.; Khotyaintsev, Yuri V.; Lindqvist, Per-Arne; Magnes, Werner; Mauk, Barry; Petrukovich, Anatoli; Russell, Christopher T.; Stawarz, Julia; Strangeway, Robert J.; Anderson, Brian; Burch, James L.; Bromund, Ken R.; Cohen, Ian; Fischer, David; Jaynes, Allison; Kepko, Laurence; Le, Guan; Plaschke, Ferdinand; Reeves, Geoff; Singer, Howard J.; Slavin, James A.; Torbert, Roy B.; Turner, Drew L.

2018-02-01

We present characteristics of current layers in the off-equatorial near-Earth plasma sheet boundary observed with high time-resolution measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission during an intense substorm associated with multiple dipolarizations. The four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft, separated by distances of about 50 km, were located in the southern hemisphere in the dusk portion of a substorm current wedge. They observed fast flow disturbances (up to about 500 km/s), most intense in the dawn-dusk direction. Field-aligned currents were observed initially within the expanding plasma sheet, where the flow and field disturbances showed the distinct pattern expected in the braking region of localized flows. Subsequently, intense thin field-aligned current layers were detected at the inner boundary of equatorward moving flux tubes together with Earthward streaming hot ions. Intense Hall current layers were found adjacent to the field-aligned currents. In particular, we found a Hall current structure in the vicinity of the Earthward streaming ion jet that consisted of mixed ion components, that is, hot unmagnetized ions, cold E × B drifting ions, and magnetized electrons. Our observations show that both the near-Earth plasma jet diversion and the thin Hall current layers formed around the reconnection jet boundary are the sites where diversion of the perpendicular currents take place that contribute to the observed field-aligned current pattern as predicted by simulations of reconnection jets. Hence, multiscale structure of flow braking is preserved in the field-aligned currents in the off-equatorial plasma sheet and is also translated to ionosphere to become a part of the substorm field-aligned current system.
Field Aligned Currents Derived from Pressure Profiles Obtained from TWINS ENA Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, K.; Perez, J. D.; McComas, D. J.; Goldstein, J.; Valek, P. W.

2015-12-01

Field aligned currents (FACs) that flow from the Earth's magnetosphere into the ionosphere are an important coupling mechanism in the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. Assuming pressure balance along with charge conservation yields an expression for the FACs in terms of plasma pressure gradients and pressure anisotropy. The Two Wide-Angle Imaging Neutral Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) mission, the first stereoscopic ENA magnetospheric imager, provides global images of the inner magnetosphere from which ion pressure distributions and pressure anisotropies can be obtained. Following the formulations in Heineman [1990] and using results from TWINS observations, we calculate the distribution of field aligned currents for the 17-18 March 2015 geomagnetic storm in which extended ionospheric precipitation was observed. Initial results for the field aligned currents will be generated assuming an isotropic pitch angle distribution. Global maps of field aligned currents during the main and recovery phase of the storm will be presented. Heinemann, H. (1990), Representations of Currents and Magnetic Fields in Anisotropic Magnetohydrostatic Plasma, J. Geophys. Res., 95, 7789.
Field-aligned current sources in the high-latitude ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbosa, D. D.

1979-01-01

The paper determines the electric potential in a plane which is fed current from a pair of field-aligned current sheets. The ionospheric conductivity is modelled as a constant with an enhanced conductivity annular ring. It is shown that field-aligned current distributions are arbitrary functions of azimuth angle (MLT) and thus allow for asymmetric potential configurations over the pole cap. In addition, ionospheric surface currents are computed by means of stream functions. Finally, the discussion relates these methods to the electrical characteristics of the magnetosphere.
Graphene electron cannon: High-current edge emission from aligned graphene sheets

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

Liu, Jianlong; Li, Nannan; Guo, Jing

2014-01-13

High-current field emitters are made by graphene paper consist of aligned graphene sheets. Field emission luminance pattern shows that their electron beams can be controlled by rolling the graphene paper from sheet to cylinder. These specific electron beams would be useful to vacuum devices and electron beam lithograph. To get high-current emission, the graphene paper is rolled to array and form graphene cannon. Due to aligned emission array, graphene cannon have high emission current. Besides high emission current, the graphene cannon is also tolerable with excellent emission stability. With good field emission properties, these aligned graphene emitters bring application insight.
Flapping current sheet with superposed waves seen in space and on the ground

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, G. Q.; Volwerk, M.; Nakamura, R.; Boakes, P.; Zhang, T. L.; Yoshikawa, A.; Baishev, D. G.

2014-12-01

A wavy current sheet event observed on 15 October 2004 between 1235 and 1300 UT has been studied by using Cluster and ground-based magnetometer data. Waves propagating from the tail center to the duskside flank with a period ~30 s and wavelength ~1 RE are superimposed on a flapping current sheet, accompanied with a bursty bulk flow. Three Pi2 pulsations, with onset at ~1236, ~1251, and ~1255 UT, respectively, are observed at the Tixie station located near the foot points of Cluster. The mechanism creating the Pi2 (period ~40 s) onset at ~1236 UT is unclear. The second Pi2 (period ~90 s, onset at ~1251 UT) is associated with a strong field-aligned current, which has a strong transverse component of the magnetic field, observed by Cluster with a time delay ~60 s. We suggest that it is caused by bouncing Alfvén waves between the northern and southern ionosphere which transport the field-aligned current. For the third Pi2 (period ~60 s) there is almost no damping at the first three periods. They occur in conjunction with periodic field-aligned currents one-on-one with 72 s delay. We suggest that it is generated by these periodic field-aligned currents. We conclude that the strong field-aligned currents generated in the plasma sheet during flapping with superimposed higher-frequency waves can drive Pi2 pulsations on the ground, and periodic field-aligned currents can even control the period of the Pi2s.
A Unified Model of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Stroke

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nag, A.; Rakov, V. A.

2014-12-01

The first stroke in a cloud-to-ground lightning discharge is thought to follow (or be initiated by) the preliminary breakdown process which often produces a train of relatively large microsecond-scale electric field pulses. This process is poorly understood and rarely modeled. Each lightning stroke is composed of a downward leader process and an upward return-stroke process, which are usually modeled separately. We present a unified engineering model for computing the electric field produced by a sequence of preliminary breakdown, stepped leader, and return stroke processes, serving to transport negative charge to ground. We assume that a negatively-charged channel extends downward in a stepped fashion through the relatively-high-field region between the main negative and lower positive charge centers and then through the relatively-low-field region below the lower positive charge center. A relatively-high-field region is also assumed to exist near ground. The preliminary breakdown pulse train is assumed to be generated when the negatively-charged channel interacts with the lower positive charge region. At each step, an equivalent current source is activated at the lower extremity of the channel, resulting in a step current wave that propagates upward along the channel. The leader deposits net negative charge onto the channel. Once the stepped leader attaches to ground (upward connecting leader is presently neglected), an upward-propagating return stroke is initiated, which neutralizes the charge deposited by the leader along the channel. We examine the effect of various model parameters, such as step length and current propagation speed, on model-predicted electric fields. We also compare the computed fields with pertinent measurements available in the literature.
High Latitude Precipitating Energy Flux and Joule Heating During Geomagnetic Storms Determined from AMPERE Field-aligned Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, R. M.; Zanetti, L. J.; Anderson, B. J.; Korth, H.; Samara, M.; Michell, R.; Grubbs, G. A., II; Hampton, D. L.; Dropulic, A.

2016-12-01

A high latitude conductivity model based on field-aligned currents measured by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) provides the means for complete specification of electric fields and currents at high latitudes. Based on coordinated measurements made by AMPERE and the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar, the model determines the most likely value of the ionospheric conductance from the direction, magnitude, and magnetic local time of the field-aligned current. A conductance model driven by field-aligned currents ensures spatial and temporal consistency between the calculated electrodynamic parameters. To validate the results, the Pedersen and Hall conductances were used to calculate the energy flux associated with the energetic particle precipitation. When integrated over the entire hemisphere, the total energy flux compares well with the Hemispheric Power Index derived from the OVATION-PRIME model. The conductances were also combined with the field-aligned currents to calculate the self-consistent electric field, which was then used to compute horizontal currents and Joule heating. The magnetic perturbations derived from the currents replicate most of the variations observed in ground-based magnetograms. The model was used to study high latitude particle precipitation, currents, and Joule heating for 24 magnetic storms. In most cases, the total energy input from precipitating particles and Joule heating exhibits a sharply-peaked maximum at the times of local minima in Dst, suggesting a close coupling between the ring current and the high latitude currents driven by the Region 2 field-aligned currents. The rapid increase and decrease of the high latitude energy deposition suggests an explosive transfer of energy from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere just prior to storm recovery.
Space Technology 5 Multipoint Observations of Temporal and Spatial Variability of Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, G.; Wang, Y.; Slavin, J. A.; Strangeway, R. L.

2009-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST5) is a constellation mission consisting of three microsatellites. It provides the first multipoint magnetic field measurements in low Earth orbit, which enables us to separate spatial and temporal variations. In this paper, we present a study of the temporal variability of field-aligned currents using the ST5 data. We examine the field-aligned current observations during and after a geomagnetic storm and compare the magnetic field profiles at the three spacecraft. The multipoint data demonstrate that mesoscale current structures, commonly embedded within large-scale current sheets, are very dynamic with highly variable current density and/or polarity in approx.10 min time scales. On the other hand, the data also show that the time scales for the currents to be relatively stable are approx.1 min for mesoscale currents and approx.10 min for large-scale currents. These temporal features are very likely associated with dynamic variations of their charge carriers (mainly electrons) as they respond to the variations of the parallel electric field in auroral acceleration region. The characteristic time scales for the temporal variability of mesoscale field-aligned currents are found to be consistent with those of auroral parallel electric field.
POLAR-UVI and other Coordinated Observations of a Traveling Convection Vortex Event Observed on 24 July 1996

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clauer, C. R.; Baker, J. B.; Ridley, A. J.; Sitar, R. J.; Papitashvili, V. O.; Cumnock, J.; Spann, J. F., Jr.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Parks, G. K.

1997-01-01

Coordinated analysis of data from the POLAR UVI instrument, ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors IMP-8 and WIND, and DMSP satellite is focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on 24 July 1966. Starting at 10:48 UT, ground magnetometers in Greenland and eastern Canada measure pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of alternating TCV field-aligned current pairs. Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar measures strong modulation of the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow, The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 11:39 UT, at which time the UVI instrument measures a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 11:58 UT at which time the emissions fade. These observations are consistent with the westward passage of two pairs of moderately intense TCVs over central Greenland followed by a third very intense TCV pair. The intensification of auroral emissions at 11:39 UT is associated with the trailing vortex of the third TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field-aligned current. Measurements of the solar wind suggest that a pressure change may be responsible for triggering the first two pairs of TCVS, and that a subsequent sudden change in orientation of the IMF may have produced the intensification of the third TCV pair and the associated aurora] brightening. DMSP particle data indicate that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet or outer edge of the low latitude boundary layer.
Auroral field-aligned current observations during the Cassini F-ring and Proximal orbits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, G. J.; Bunce, E. J.; Cao, H.; Cowley, S.; Dougherty, M. K.; Khurana, K. K.; Provan, G.; Southwood, D. J.

2017-12-01

Cassini's F-ring and Proximal orbits have provided a fantastic opportunity to examine Saturn's magnetic field closer to the planet than ever before. It is critical to understand external contributions to the azimuthal field component, as it can provide information on any asymmetry of the internal field. However, signatures of the auroral field-aligned currents are also present in this field component. Here we will identify and discuss these current signatures in the dawn and dusk sections in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. Previous results from observations during 2008 showed that in southern hemisphere these currents were strongly modulated by the southern planetary period oscillation (PPO) system. While the northern hemisphere data was modulated by both northern and southern PPOs, thus giving the first direct evidence of inter-hemispheric PPO currents. In both hemispheres, the PPO currents that give rise to the 10.7 h magnetic field oscillations observed throughout Saturn's magnetosphere, were separated from the PPO-independent (e.g. subcorotation) currents. These results provide a framework to which the Grand Finale orbits can be examined within. Here, we will assess how the field-aligned currents have evolved in comparison to the 2008 dataset. We will show that for the most part the observed field-aligned currents agree with the theoretical expectations. However, we will discuss the differences in terms of the PPO modulation, seasonal, and local time changes between the two datasets. Finally, we will discuss the implications of the azimuthal magnetic field contributions of these field-aligned currents on the data from the Proximal orbits.
Multiscale Currents Observed by MMS in the Flow Braking Region.

PubMed

Nakamura, Rumi; Varsani, Ali; Genestreti, Kevin J; Le Contel, Olivier; Nakamura, Takuma; Baumjohann, Wolfgang; Nagai, Tsugunobu; Artemyev, Anton; Birn, Joachim; Sergeev, Victor A; Apatenkov, Sergey; Ergun, Robert E; Fuselier, Stephen A; Gershman, Daniel J; Giles, Barbara J; Khotyaintsev, Yuri V; Lindqvist, Per-Arne; Magnes, Werner; Mauk, Barry; Petrukovich, Anatoli; Russell, Christopher T; Stawarz, Julia; Strangeway, Robert J; Anderson, Brian; Burch, James L; Bromund, Ken R; Cohen, Ian; Fischer, David; Jaynes, Allison; Kepko, Laurence; Le, Guan; Plaschke, Ferdinand; Reeves, Geoff; Singer, Howard J; Slavin, James A; Torbert, Roy B; Turner, Drew L

2018-02-01

We present characteristics of current layers in the off-equatorial near-Earth plasma sheet boundary observed with high time-resolution measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission during an intense substorm associated with multiple dipolarizations. The four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft, separated by distances of about 50 km, were located in the southern hemisphere in the dusk portion of a substorm current wedge. They observed fast flow disturbances (up to about 500 km/s), most intense in the dawn-dusk direction. Field-aligned currents were observed initially within the expanding plasma sheet, where the flow and field disturbances showed the distinct pattern expected in the braking region of localized flows. Subsequently, intense thin field-aligned current layers were detected at the inner boundary of equatorward moving flux tubes together with Earthward streaming hot ions. Intense Hall current layers were found adjacent to the field-aligned currents. In particular, we found a Hall current structure in the vicinity of the Earthward streaming ion jet that consisted of mixed ion components, that is, hot unmagnetized ions, cold E × B drifting ions, and magnetized electrons. Our observations show that both the near-Earth plasma jet diversion and the thin Hall current layers formed around the reconnection jet boundary are the sites where diversion of the perpendicular currents take place that contribute to the observed field-aligned current pattern as predicted by simulations of reconnection jets. Hence, multiscale structure of flow braking is preserved in the field-aligned currents in the off-equatorial plasma sheet and is also translated to ionosphere to become a part of the substorm field-aligned current system.
a review and an update on the winter lightning that occurred on a rotating windmill and its standalone lightning protection tower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D.; Takagi, N.

2012-12-01

We have observed the lightning occurred on a 100 m high windmill and its 105 m high standalone lightning-protection tower about 45 m separated from the windmill in the Hokuriku area of Japan for 7 consecutive winter seasons from 2005 to 2012. Our main observation items include: (1) Lightning current at the bottom of both the windmill and the tower. (2) Thunderstorm electric fields and the electric field changes caused by lightning at multiple sites. (3) Optical images by both low and high speed imaging systems. During the 7 winter seasons, over 100 lightning have hit either the tower or the windmill or both. All the lightning but two observed are of upward lightning. Those upward lightning can be sub-classified into self-initiated types and other-triggered types according to whether there is a discharge activity prior to the upward leaders or not. Self-initiated and other-triggered upward lightning tend to have biased percentages in terms of striking locations (windmill versus tower) and thunderstorm types (active versus weak). All the upward lightning but one contained only initial continuous current stages. In the presentation, we will first give a review on those results we have reported before [1-3]. As an update, we will report the following results. (1) The electric field change required for triggering a negative upward leader is usually more than twice bigger than that for triggering a positive upward leader. (2) An electric current pulse with an amplitude of several tens of Amperes along a high structure has been observed to occur in response to a rapid electric change generated by either a nearby return stroke or K-change. References [1] D.Wang, N.Takagi, T.Watanebe, H. Sakurano, M. Hashimoto, Observed characteristics of upward leaders that are initiated from a windmill and its lightning protection tower, Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol.35, L02803, doi:10.1029/2007GL032136, 2008. [2] W. Lu, D.Wang, Y. Zhang and N. Takagi, Two associated upward lightning flashes that produced opposite polarity electric field changes, Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol.36, L05801, doi:10.1029/2008GL036598, 2009. [3] D. Wang, N. Takagi, Characteristics of Winter Lightning that Occurred on a Windmill and its Lightning Protection Tower in Japan, IEEJ Trans. on Power and Energy, Vol. 132, No.6, pp.568-572, Doi:10.1541/ieejpes.132.568, 2012.
Flapping current sheet with superposed waves seen in space and on the ground

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guoqiang; Volwerk, Martin; Nakamura, Rumi; Boakes, Peter; Zhang, Tielong; Ge, Yasong; Yoshikawa, Akimasa; Baishev, Dmitry

2015-04-01

A wavy current sheet event observed on 15th of October 2004 between 1235 and 1300 UT has been studied by using Cluster and ground-based magnetometer data. Waves propagating from the tail centre to the duskside flank with a period ~30 s and wavelength ~1 RE, are superimposed on a flapping current sheet, accompanied with a bursty bulk flow (BBF). Three Pi2 pulsations, with onset at ~1236, ~1251 and ~1255 UT, respectively, are observed at the Tixie (TIK) station located near the foot-points of Cluster. The mechanism creating the Pi2 (period ~40 s) onset at ~1236 UT is unclear. The second Pi2 (period ~90 s, onset at ~1251 UT) is associated with a strong field-aligned current, which has a strong transverse component of the magnetic field, observed by Cluster with a time delay ~60 s. We suggest that it is caused by bouncing Alfvén waves between the northern and southern ionosphere which transport the field-aligned current. For the third Pi2 (period ~60 s) there is almost no damping at the first three periods. They occur in conjunction with periodic field-aligned currents one-on-one with 72s delay. We suggest that it is generated by these periodic field-aligned currents. We conclude that the strong field-aligned currents generated in the plasma sheet during flapping with superimposed higher frequency waves can drive Pi2 pulsations on the ground, and periodic field-aligned currents can even control the period of the Pi2s.
Saturation of the Electric Field Transmitted to the Magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyatsky, Wladislaw; Khazanov, George V.; Slavin, James A.

2010-01-01

We reexamined the processes leading to saturation of the electric field, transmitted into the Earth's ionosphere from the solar wind, incorporating features of the coupled system previously ignored. We took into account that the electric field is transmitted into the ionosphere through a region of open field lines, and that the ionospheric conductivity in the polar cap and auroral zone may be different. Penetration of the electric field into the magnetosphere is linked with the generation of the Alfven wave, going out from the ionosphere into the solar wind and being coupled with the field-aligned currents at the boundary of the open field limes. The electric field of the outgoing Alfven wave reduces the original electric field and provides the saturation effect in the electric field and currents during strong geomagnetic disturbances, associated with increasing ionospheric conductivity. The electric field and field-aligned currents of this Alfven wave are dependent on the ionospheric and solar wind parameters and may significantly affect the electric field and field-aligned currents, generated in the polar ionosphere. Estimating the magnitude of the saturation effect in the electric field and field-aligned currents allows us to improve the correlation between solar wind parameters and resulting disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere.
In search of a Self-Consistent Explanation of Saturn's Magnetospheric Periodicities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, P. C.; Mitchell, D. G.; Carbary, J. F.; Tsyganenko, N. A.; Ebihara, Y.

2011-12-01

A global picture of Saturn's magnetospheric periodicities is emerging from several observations and modeling efforts. In this presentation we demonstrate that these observations likely contain sufficient information to explain the mysterious periodicities at Saturn, without the need of any prescribed (and often, unobservable) longitudinal anomalies. In this picture plasmoids are released quasi-periodically down the tail, leading to fast planet-ward flows and particle energization ("injections") that enhance the plasma pressure in the night side magnetosphere in the 8-20 Rs region as clearly observed in energetic neutral atom (ENA) observations by the Ion Neutral Camera (INCA) on board Cassini. Both the fast flows and the enhanced pressure drive a 3D current system that closes through the ionosphere, whose upward field-aligned component can be linked to bursts of Saturn Kilometric Radition (SKR). The current system driven by the energetic particle pressure - the partial ring current (PRC) - also distorts the magnetic field significantly leading to its periodic oscillations as the enhanced particle pressure island drifts around Saturn with a period between 10-11 h. The missing link is how the plasmoid release can be periodic. We present global INCA observations showing that pre-existing energetic particle pressure distributions from a previous injection seem to trigger the next injection. This is likely to happen due to the inflation of the magnetic field and modification of the properties of the night side current sheet, leading to an unstable current sheet. The presence of a PRC rotating around Saturn also modifies the electric field in the magnetosphere due to its closure through the ionosphere. Such a modification is called a shielding electric field, and is commonly observed at Earth associated with a radially outward density enhancement of the cold, dense plasmasphere below the PRC. This can further contribute to triggering the plasmoid release. In regards to the "dual" SKR and field periodicities that appear to be different in the northern and southern hemispheres, we investigate the possibilities that this could be a combined effect of injections in to two different radial ranges and inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents (FAC) set up by the seasonal conductance differences of the two hemispheres. Injections have been observed in the two radial ranges of roughly 9-12 Rs and >15Rs where the drift periods differ. We will attempt to quantify if this holds statistically and visualize what the combination of a rotating PRC and inter hemispheric currents look like.
An MHD simulation of By-dependent magnetospheric convection and field-aligned currents during northward IMF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ogino, T.; Walker, R. J.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Dawson, J. M.

1985-01-01

A three-dimensional MHD simulation code is used to model the magnetospheric configuration when the IMF has both a northward B(z) component and a B(y) component in the east-west direction. Projections of the plasma pressure, the field-aligned velocity, the field-aligned vorticity, and the field-aligned current along the magnetic field lines into the northern ionosphere are shown and discussed. Cross-sectional patterns of these parameters are shown. The results demonstrate that the B(y) component of the IMF strongly influences the plasma sheet configuration and the magnetospheric convection pattern.
A unified engineering model of the first stroke in downward negative lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nag, Amitabh; Rakov, Vladimir A.

2016-03-01

Each stroke in a negative cloud-to-ground lightning flash is composed of downward leader and upward return stroke processes, which are usually modeled individually. The first stroke leader is stepped and starts with preliminary breakdown (PB) which is often viewed as a separate process. We present the first unified engineering model for computing the electric field produced by a sequence of PB, stepped leader, and return stroke processes, serving to transport negative charge to ground. We assume that a negatively charged channel extends downward in a stepped fashion during both the PB and leader stages. Each step involves a current wave that propagates upward along the newly formed channel section. Once the leader attaches to ground, an upward propagating return stroke neutralizes the charge deposited along the channel. Model-predicted electric fields are in reasonably good agreement with simultaneous measurements at both near (hundreds of meters, electrostatic field component is dominant) and far (tens of kilometers, radiation field component is dominant) distances from the lightning channel. Relations between the features of computed electric field waveforms and model input parameters are examined. It appears that peak currents associated with PB pulses are similar to return stroke peak currents, and the observed variation of electric radiation field peaks produced by leader steps at different heights above ground is influenced by the ground corona space charge.
Relationship between PC index and magnetospheric field-aligned currents measured by Swarm satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troshichev, O.; Sormakov, D.; Behlke, R.

2018-03-01

The relationship between the magnetospheric field-aligned currents (FAC) monitored by the Swarm satellites and the magnetic activity PC index (which is a proxy of the solar wind energy incoming into the magnetosphere) is examined. It is shown that current intensities measured in the R1 and R2 FAC layers at the poleward and equtorward boundaries of the auroral oval are well correlated, the R2 currents being evidently secondary in relation to R1 currents and correlation in the dawn and dusk oval sectors being better than in the noon and night sectors. There is evident relationship between the PC index and the intensity of field-aligned currents in the R1 dawn and dusk layers: increase of FAC intensity in the course of substorm development is accompanied by increasing the PC index values. Correlation between PC and FAC intensities in the R2 dawn and dusk layers is also observed, but it is much weaker. No correlation is observed between PC and field-aligned currents in the midnight as well as in the noon sectors ahead of the substorm expansion phase. The results are indicative of the R1 field-aligned currents as a driver of the polar cap magnetic activity (PC index) and currents in the R2 layer.
Lightning Attachment to Wind Turbines in Central Kansas: Video Observations, Correlation with the NLDN and in-situ Peak Current Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, J.; Cummins, K. L.; Hutchinson, M.; Nag, A.

2012-12-01

Lightning attachment to tall objects has been studied for decades. The attachment of lightning to electric power transmission towers in elevated terrain has driven much of the quantitative assessment of lightning characteristics in the 1970's and 80's. This has led to the understanding that in flat terrain, the probability of upward-initiated lightning is negligible for tower heights less than 100 m. For tower heights greater than 100, the probability increases roughly linearly with the log of height, reaching 100% at a height of 400 m. Additionally, the probability of upward initiation increases when the object resides on locally-elevated terrain. Over the last decade, there has been renewed interest in the study of lightning attachment to tall objects in general, and wind turbines in particular, following the establishment of large "wind farms" in lightning-prone regions. In this study, we present video observations, radiation magnetic field, and in-situ peak current measurements of lightning from an ongoing field program in a large wind farm in north-central Kansas, located in the U.S. Central Great Plains. The terrain variations within the wind farm are small rolling hills with peak variations on the order of 25 m. All turbines had a turbine hub height of 80 m, and a blade tip maximum height of 125 m. Two digital video camera systems (60 fields-per-second) were configured to self-trigger 2-second video sequences using a sequential-field-subtraction scene analysis (ufo-Capture). The two cameras had a common field of view that included 8 of the wind turbines. Nearby NLDN sensors were configured to record information that allows reconstruction of magnetic field waveforms within the bandwidth of the NLDN sensors. Some of the turbines were equipped with semi-quantitative in-situ peak current measuring devices. To date, more than 100 cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes have terminated within the perimeter of the wind farm. Video observations of flashes that attached to turbines (all to turbine blades) include five natural (downward leader) flashes and two "upward flashes" (fully developed upward leaders lasting 10's of milliseconds). Both upward flashes appear to have been triggered by nearby positive CG flashes, resulting in upward (presumably positive) leaders. Selected video observations in conjunction with NLDN data and waveform measurements, and in situ current measurements obtained during this campaign, will be presented and discussed in the context of storm characteristics. Differences with previous findings for fixed towers (no rotating blades) will also be discussed.

Evidence of Ubiquitous Large-Amplitude Alfven waves in the Global Field-Aligned Current System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pakhotin, I.; Mann, I.; Lysak, R. L.; Knudsen, D. J.; Burchill, J. K.; Gjerloev, J. W.; Rae, J.; Forsyth, C.; Murphy, K. R.; Miles, D.; Ozeke, L.; Balasis, G.

2017-12-01

Large-amplitude non-stationarities have been observed during an analysis of a quiescent field-aligned current system crossing using the multi-satellite Swarm constellation. Using simultaneous electric and magnetic field measurements it has been determined that these non-stationarities, reaching tens to hundreds of nanoteslas, are Alfvenic in nature. Evidence suggests that these large-amplitude Alfven waves are a ubiquitous, fundamentally inherent feature of and exist in a continuum with larger-scale field-aligned currents, and both can be explained using the same physical paradigm of reflected Alfven waves.
Magnetospheric convection during quiet or moderately disturbed times

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caudal, G.; Blanc, M.

1988-01-01

The processes which contribute to the large-scale plasma circulation in the earth's environment during quiet times, or during reasonable stable magnetic conditions are reviewed. The various sources of field-aligned current generation in the solar wind and the magnetosphere are presented. The generation of field-aligned currents on open field lines connected to either polar cap and the generation of closed field lines of the inner magnetosphere are examined. Consideration is given to the hypothesis of Caudal (1987) that loss processes of trapped particles are competing with adiabatic motions in the generation of field-aligned currents in the inner magnetosphere.
SABRE observations of Pi2 pulsations: case studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradshaw, E. G.; Lester, M.

1997-01-01

The characteristics of substorm-associated Pi2 pulsations observed by the SABRE coherent radar system during three separate case studies are presented. The SABRE field of view is well positioned to observe the differences between the auroral zone pulsation signature and that observed at mid-latitudes. During the first case study the SABRE field of view is initially in the eastward electrojet, equatorward and to the west of the substorm-enhanced electrojet current. As the interval progresses, the western, upward field-aligned current of the substorm current wedge moves westward across the longitudes of the radar field of view. The westward motion of the wedge is apparent in the spatial and temporal signatures of the associated Pi2 pulsation spectra and polarisation sense. During the second case study, the complex field-aligned and ionospheric currents associated with the pulsation generation region move equatorward into the SABRE field of view and then poleward out of it again after the third pulsation in the series. The spectral content of the four pulsations during the interval indicate different auroral zone and mid-latitude signatures. The final case study is from a period of low magnetic activity when SABRE observes a Pi2 pulsation signature from regions equatorward of the enhanced substorm currents. There is an apparent mode change between the signature observed by SABRE in the ionosphere and that on the ground by magnetometers at latitudes slightly equatorward of the radar field of view. The observations are discussed in terms of published theories of the generation mechanisms for this type of pulsation. Different signatures are observed by SABRE depending on the level of magnetic activity and the position of the SABRE field of view relative to the pulsation generation region. A twin source model for Pi2 pulsation generation provides the clearest explanation of the signatures observed Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to Prof. D. J. Southwood (Imperial College, London), J. C. Samson (University of Alberta, Edmonton), L. J. Lanzerotti (AT&T Bell Laboratories), A. Wolfe (New York City Technical College) and to Dr. M. Vellante (University of LÁquila) for helpful discussions. They also thank Dr. A. Meloni (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica, Roma) who made available geomagnetic field observations from LÁquila Geomagnetic Observatory. This research activity at LÁquila is supported by MURST (40% and 60% contracts) and by GIFCO/CNR. Topical Editor K.-H. Glaßmeier thanks C. Waters and S. Fujita for their help in evaluating this paper.-> Correspondence to :P. Francia->
Return Stroke Current Reflections in Rocket-Triggered Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caicedo, J.; Uman, M. A.; Jordan, D.; Biagi, C. J.; Hare, B.

2015-12-01

In the six years from 2009 to 2014, there have been eight triggered flashes at the ICLRT, from a total of 125, in which a total of ten return stroke channel-base currents exhibited a dip 3.0 to 16.6 μs after the initial current peak. Close range electric field measurements show a related dip following the initial electric field peak, and electric field derivative measurements show an associated bipolar pulse, confirming that this phenomenon is not an instrumentation effect in the current measurement. For six of the eight flashes, high-speed video frames show what appears to be suspended sections of unexploded triggering wire at heights of about 150 to 300 m that are illuminated when the upward current wave reaches them. The suspended wire can act as an impedance discontinuity, perhaps as it explodes, and cause a downward reflection of some portion of the upward-propagating current wave. This reflected wave travels down the channel and causes the dip in the measured channel-base current when it reaches ground and reflects upward. The modified transmission line model with exponential decay (MTLE) is used to model the close electric field and electric field derivatives of the postulated initial and reflected current waves, starting with the measured channel base current, and the results are compared favorably with measurements made at distances ranging from 92 to 444 m. From the measured time between current impulse initiation and the time the current reflection reaches the channel base and the current dip initiates, along with the reflection height from the video records, we find the average return stroke current speed for each of the ten strokes to be from 0.28 to 1.9×108 ms-1, with an error of ±0.01×108 ms-1 due to a ±0.1 μs uncertainty in the measurement. This represents the first direct measurement of return stroke current speed, all previous return stroke speed measurements being derived from the luminosity of the process.
Highly anisotropic magneto-transport and field orientation dependent oscillations in aligned carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wells, Brian; Kumar, Raj; Reynolds, C. Lewis; Peters, Kara; Bradford, Philip D.

2017-12-01

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated as additive materials for composites with potential applications in electronic devices due to their extremely large electrical conductivity and current density. Here, highly aligned CNT composite films were created using a sequential layering fabrication technique. The degree of CNT alignment leads to anisotropic resistance values which varies >400× in orthogonal directions. Similarly, the magnetoresistance (MR) of the CNT composite differs depending upon the relative direction of current and the applied magnetic field. A suppression of negative to positive MR crossover was also observed. More importantly, an overall positive magnetoresistance behavior with localized +/- oscillations was discovered at low fields which persists up to room temperature when the current (I) and in-plane magnetic field (B) were parallel to the axis of CNT (B∥I∥CNT), which is consistent with Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in our CNT/epoxy composites. When the current, applied magnetic field, and nanotube axis are aligned, the in-plane MR is positive instead of negative as observed for all other field, current, and tube orientations. Here, we provide in-depth analysis of the conduction mechanism and anisotropy in the magneto-transport properties of these aligned CNT-epoxy composites.
Space Technology 5 Multi-Point Observations of Temporal Variability of Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan; Wang, Yongli; Slavin, James A.; Strangeway, Robert J.

2008-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this paper, we present a study of the temporal variability of field-aligned currents using multi-point magnetic field measurements from ST5. The data demonstrate that meso-scale current structures are commonly embedded within large-scale field-aligned current sheets. The meso-scale current structures are very dynamic with highly variable current density and/or polarity in time scales of approximately 10 min. They exhibit large temporal variations during both quiet and disturbed times in such time scales. On the other hand, the data also shown that the time scales for the currents to be relatively stable are approximately 1 min for meso-scale currents and approximately 10 min for large scale current sheets. These temporal features are obviously associated with dynamic variations of their particle carriers (mainly electrons) as they respond to the variations of the parallel electric field in auroral acceleration region. The characteristic time scales for the temporal variability of meso-scale field-aligned currents are found to be consistent with those of auroral parallel electric field.
Space Technology 5 (ST-5) Observations of Field-Aligned Currents: Temporal Variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan

2010-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST-5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this paper, we present a study of the temporal variability of field-aligned currents using multi-point magnetic field measurements from STS. The data demonstrate that masoscale current structures are commonly embedded within large-scale field-aligned current sheets. The meso-scale current structures are very dynamic with highly variable current density and/or polarity in time scales of about 10 min. They exhibit large temporal variations during both quiet and disturbed times in such time scales. On the other hand, the data also shown that the time scales for the currents to be relatively stable are about I min for meso-scale currents and about 10 min for large scale current sheets. These temporal features are obviously associated with dynamic variations of their particle carriers (mainly electrons) as they respond to the variations of the parallel electric field in auroral acceleration region. The characteristic time scales for the temporal variability of meso-scale field-aligned currents are found to be consistent with those of auroral parallel electric field.
Space Technology 5 Multi-point Observations of Field-aligned Currents: Temporal Variability of Meso-Scale Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan; Wang, Yongli; Slavin, James A.; Strangeway, Robert J.

2007-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this paper, we present a study of the temporal variability of field-aligned currents using multi-point magnetic field measurements from ST5. The data demonstrate that meso-scale current structures are commonly embedded within large-scale field-aligned current sheets. The meso-scale current structures are very dynamic with highly variable current density and/or polarity in time scales of - 10 min. They exhibit large temporal variations during both quiet and disturbed times in such time scales. On the other hand, the data also shown that the time scales for the currents to be relatively stable are approx. 1 min for meso-scale currents and approx. 10 min for large scale current sheets. These temporal features are obviously associated with dynamic variations of their particle carriers (mainly electrons) as they respond to the variations of the parallel electric field in auroral acceleration region. The characteristic time scales for the temporal variability of meso-scale field-aligned currents are found to be consistent with those of auroral parallel electric field.
Space Technology 5 (ST-5) Multipoint Observations of Temporal and Spatial Variability of Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan

2010-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST-5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this paper, we present a study of the temporal variability of field-aligned currents using multi-point magnetic field measurements from ST5. The data demonstrate that mesoscale current structures are commonly embedded within large-scale field-aligned current sheets. The meso-scale current structures are very dynamic with highly variable current density and/or polarity in time scales of about 10 min. They exhibit large temporal variations during both quiet and disturbed times in such time scales. On the other hand, the data also shown that the time scales for the currents to be relatively stable are about 1 min for meso-scale currents and about 10 min for large scale current sheets. These temporal features are obviously associated with dynamic variations of their particle carriers (mainly electrons) as they respond to the variations of the parallel electric field in auroral acceleration region. The characteristic time scales for the temporal variability of meso-scale field-aligned currents are found to be consistent with those of auroral parallel electric field.
Effects of a parallel electric field and the geomagnetic field in the topside ionosphere on auroral and photoelectron energy distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Min, Q.-L.; Lummerzheim, D.; Rees, M. H.; Stamnes, K.

1993-01-01

The consequences of electric field acceleration and an inhomogeneous magnetic field on auroral electron energy distributions in the topside ionosphere are investigated. The one-dimensional, steady state electron transport equation includes elastic and inelastic collisions, an inhomogeneous magnetic field, and a field-aligned electric field. The case of a self-consistent polarization electric field is considered first. The self-consistent field is derived by solving the continuity equation for all ions of importance, including diffusion of O(+) and H(+), and the electron and ion energy equations to derive the electron and ion temperatures. The system of coupled electron transport, continuity, and energy equations is solved numerically. Recognizing observations of parallel electric fields of larger magnitude than the baseline case of the polarization field, the effect of two model fields on the electron distribution function is investigated. In one case the field is increased from the polarization field magnitude at 300 km to a maximum at the upper boundary of 800 km, and in another case a uniform field is added to the polarization field. Substantial perturbations of the low energy portion of the electron flux are produced: an upward directed electric field accelerates the downward directed flux of low-energy secondary electrons and decelerates the upward directed component. Above about 400 km the inhomogeneous magnetic field produces anisotropies in the angular distribution of the electron flux. The effects of the perturbed energy distributions on auroral spectral emission features are noted.
Effects of a Parallel Electric Field and the Geomagnetic Field in the Topside Ionosphere on Auroral and Photoelectron Energy Distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Min, Q.-L.; Lummerzheim, D.; Rees, M. H.; Stamnes, K.

1993-01-01

The consequences of electric field acceleration and an inhomogencous magnetic field on auroral electron energy distributions in the topside ionosphere are investigated. The one- dimensional, steady state electron transport equation includes elastic and inelastic collisions, an inhomogencous magnetic field, and a field-aligned electric field. The case of a self-consistent polarization electric field is considered first. The self-consistent field is derived by solving the continuity equation for all ions of importance, including diffusion of 0(+) and H(+), and the electron and ion energy equations to derive the electron and ion temperatures. The system of coupled electron transport, continuity, and energy equations is solved numerically. Recognizing observations of parallel electric fields of larger magnitude than the baseline case of the polarization field, the effect of two model fields on the electron distribution function in investigated. In one case the field is increased from the polarization field magnitude at 300 km to a maximum at the upper boundary of 800 km, and in another case a uniform field is added to the polarization field. Substantial perturbations of the low energy portion of the electron flux are produced: an upward directed electric field accelerates the downward directed flux of low-energy secondary electrons and decelerates the upward directed component. Above about 400 km the inhomogencous magnetic field produces anisotropies in the angular distribution of the electron flux. The effects of the perturbed energy distributions on auroral spectral emission features are noted.
Laboratory simulation of field-aligned currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wessel, Frank J.; Rostoker, Norman

1993-01-01

A summary of progress during the period Apr. 1992 to Mar. 1993 is provided. Objectives of the research are (1) to simulate, via laboratory experiments, the three terms of the field-aligned current equation; (2) to simulate auroral-arc formation processes by configuring the boundary conditions of the experimental chamber and plasma parameters to produce highly localized return currents at the end of a field-aligned current system; and (3) to extrapolate these results, using theoretical and computational techniques, to the problem of magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling and to compare them with published literature signatures of auroral-arc phenomena.
Alfven Wave Reflection Model of Field-Aligned Currents at Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyatsky, Wladislaw; Khazanov, George V.; Slavin, James

2010-01-01

An Alfven Wave Reflection (AWR) model is proposed that provides closure for strong field-aligned currents (FACs) driven by the magnetopause reconnection in the magnetospheres of planets having no significant ionospheric and surface electrical conductance. The model is based on properties of the Alfven waves, generated at high altitudes and reflected from the low-conductivity surface of the planet. When magnetospheric convection is very slow, the incident and reflected Alfven waves propagate along approximately the same path. In this case, the net field-aligned currents will be small. However, as the convection speed increases. the reflected wave is displaced relatively to the incident wave so that the incident and reflected waves no longer compensate each other. In this case, the net field-aligned current may be large despite the lack of significant ionospheric and surface conductivity. Our estimate shows that for typical solar wind conditions at Mercury, the magnitude of Region 1-type FACs in Mercury's magnetosphere may reach hundreds of kilo-Amperes. This AWR model of field-aligned currents may provide a solution to the long-standing problem of the closure of FACs in the Mercury's magnetosphere. c2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Field-aligned particle currents near an auroral arc.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choy, L. W.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Potter, W.; Kintner, P.; Cahill, L. J., Jr.

1971-01-01

A Nike-Tomahawk rocket equipped to measure electric and magnetic fields and charged particles from a few eV to several hundred keV energy was flown into an auroral band on April 11, 1970. The purpose of this flight was to obtain evidence of the low-energy electrons and protons that constitute a field-aligned sheet current, and also to obtain the magnetic signature of such a current and the electric field in and near the auroral-arc electric current system. Particular attention was given to a sudden increase in the field-aligned current associated with a prior sudden increase in the electric field and a sudden change in the magnetic field, all occurring near the edge of a visual auroral arc. Data obtained are discussed and analyzed; they present an important contribution to the problem of mapping of atmospheric auroral phenomena to the magnetospheric equatorial plane.
Possibility of Ionospheric Cause of FACs and Convection Field in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System: The Harang Reversal, Premidnight Upward-FAC, and the Ionospheric Hall Polarization Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamizo, A.; Yoshikawa, A.

2016-12-01

Whereas it is generally thought that Birkeland Currents (FACs) are generated in the magnetosphere and that the ionospheric convection reflects the magnetospheric convection, we present a possibility that the ionosphere drives FACs and the convection field in the M-I system. We apply this idea to the Harang Reversal (HR) for demonstration. By using an ionospheric potential solver we calculate the electrostatic field for given distributions of FACs and conductance. The result shows that a conspicuous structure resembling HR is generated even for a symmetric distribution of the R1-type FACs and that the Hall polarization field is produced at the equatorward boundary of the auroral region as the primary currents diverge/converge at the conductance gradient there, which causes the potential deformation (HR). Conventionally HR has been considered to be of the magnetospheric origin, and a ring current model actually produces the corresponding structure in the magnetosphere [e.g., Erickson et al., 1991]. Observationally the divE equivalent to HR is consistent with the premidnight upward-FAC seen in Iijima and Potemra's diagram. A recent theoretical study [Ohtani et al., 2016] proposes that HR is a required structure for the interchange stability of the magnetotail in the presence of the R1 and R2-FAC systems including a premidnight upward-FAC. Returning to our result, the important point is that HR is reproduced at the conductance edge by the ionospheric polarization field, for which the primary field originates from the R1-FACs distributed far from that region. We also suggest: (i) In a more realistic finite ΣA, the total ionospheric polarization is partly released by a FAC, which may be a part of the premidnight upward-FAC. (ii) However, existing simulation models do not allow this type of current closure, and accordingly they may enhance the HR structure in the magnetosphere. This discussion should hold generally and would promote the global M-I coupling studies to the next step.
The Consequences of Saturn’s Rotating Asymmetric Ring Current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Southwood, D. J.; Kivelson, M. G.

2009-12-01

The plasma and field behavior in the dipolar region of the Saturnian magnetosphere is described, based primarily on interpretation of the magnetic field behavior measured by the Cassini spacecraft. Previous authors, such as Provan and Khurana, have pointed out that the regular pulses in field strength at around 10.8 hrs period detected in this region imply the existence not only of a symmetric ring current but also of a partial ring current. Once spacecraft motion in local time has been allowed for, one finds a close to sinusoidal variation with azimuth and time of the magnetic signal. Hence the partial ring current appears to quasi-rigidly rotate about the planetary axis at the same 10.8 hr period as the pulsing of the Saturn kilometric radiation. We point out that, independent of whether the excess current is due to asymmetry in flux tube population or in plasma beta (pressure normalized to field pressure), such a current gives rise to a rotating circulation system. The compressional field pattern is consistent with an m = 1 pattern of circulation. The fairly uniform inner magnetosphere cam magnetic signature predicted on the basis of inner magnetosphere transverse field components in our past work is modified in a systematic way by the partial ring current effects. The circulation due to the partial ring current has its own set of distributed field aligned currents (FACs). The rotating transverse perturbation field components are twisted by the FACs so that the radial field is reduced at low L-shells and increased at larger L. Overall the cam field is depressed at low L and enhanced as one approaches the boundary of the cam region at L = 10-12. In practice the system must also respond to some local time effects. Loss of plasma is easier on the night-side and flanks than on the day-side and so a day-night asymmetry is imposed tending to increase the perturbation field amplitudes by night. The FACs driven by the asymmetric ring current should be broadly distributed throughout the cam region and correspondingly are associated with smaller current densities than those associated with the more narrowly confined cam current system on the outer edge of the cam. Accordingly the intense fluxes of electrons that give rise to the SKR signals are associated with the upward elements of the latter current system.
Attachment process in rocket-triggered lightning strokes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D.; Rakov, V. A.; Uman, M. A.; Takagi, N.; Watanabe, T.; Crawford, D. E.; Rambo, K. J.; Schnetzer, G. H.; Fisher, R. J.; Kawasaki, Z.-I.

1999-01-01

In order to study the lightning attachment process, we have obtained highly resolved (about 100 ns time resolution and about 3.6 m spatial resolution) optical images, electric field measurements, and channel-base current recordings for two dart leader/return-stroke sequences in two lightning flashes triggered using the rocket-and-wire technique at Camp Blanding, Florida. One of these two sequences exhibited an optically discernible upward-propagating discharge that occurred in response to the approaching downward-moving dart leader and connected to this descending leader. This observation provides the first direct evidence of the occurrence of upward connecting discharges in triggered lightning strokes, these strokes being similar to subsequent strokes in natural lightning. The observed upward connecting discharge had a light intensity one order of magnitude lower than its associated downward dart leader, a length of 7-11 m, and a duration of several hundred nanoseconds. The speed of the upward connecting discharge was estimated to be about 2 × 107 m/s, which is comparable to that of the downward dart leader. In both dart leader/return-stroke sequences studied, the return stroke was inferred to start at the point of junction between the downward dart leader and the upward connecting discharge and to propagate in both upward and downward directions. This latter inference provides indirect evidence of the occurrence of upward connecting discharges in both dart leader/return-stroke sequences even though one of these sequences did not have a discernible optical image of such a discharge. The length of the upward connecting discharges (observed in one case and inferred from the height of the return-stroke starting point in the other case) is greater for the event that is characterized by the larger leader electric field change and the higher return-stroke peak current. For the two dart leader/return-stroke sequences studied, the upward connecting discharge lengths are estimated to be 7-11 m and 4-7 m, with the corresponding return-stroke peak currents being 21 kA and 12 kA, and the corresponding leader electric field changes 30 m from the rocket launcher being 56 kV/m and 43 kV/m. Additionally, we note that the downward dart leader light pulse generally exhibits little variation in its 10-90% risetime and peak value over some tens of meters above the return-stroke starting point, while the following return-stroke light pulse shows an appreciable increase in risetime and a decrease in peak value while traversing the same section of the lightning channel. Our findings regarding (1) the initially bidirectional development of return-stroke process and (2) the relatively strong attenuation of the upward moving return-stroke light (and by inference current) pulse over the first some tens of meters of the channel may have important implications for return-stroke modeling.
On the Nocturnal Downward and Westward Equatorial Ionospheric Plasma Drifts During the 17 March 2015 Geomagnetic Storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagiya, Mala S.; Vichare, Geeta; Sinha, A. K.; Sripathi, S.

2018-02-01

During quiet period, the nocturnal equatorial ionospheric plasma drifts eastward in the zonal direction and downward in the vertical direction. This quiet time drift pattern could be understood through dynamo processes in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere. The present case study reports the nocturnal simultaneous occurrence of the vertically downward and zonally westward plasma drifts over the Indian latitudes during the geomagnetic storm of 17 March 2015. After 17:00 UT ( 22:10 local time), the vertical plasma drift became downward and coincided with the westward zonal drift, a rarely observed feature of low latitude plasma drifts. The vertical drift turned upward after 18:00 UT, while the zonal drift became eastward. We mainly emphasize here the distinct bipolar type variations of vertical and zonal plasma drifts observed around 18:00 UT. We explain the vertical plasma drift in terms of the competing effects between the storm time prompt penetration and disturbance dynamo electric fields. Whereas, the westward drift is attributed to the storm time local electrodynamical changes mainly through the disturbance dynamo field in addition to the vertical Pedersen current arising from the spatial (longitudinal) gradient of the field aligned Pedersen conductivity.
Distributioin, orientation and scales of the field-aligned currents measured by Swarm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, J.; Dunlop, M. W.

2016-12-01

We have statistically studied the R1, R2 and net field aligned currents using the FAC data of the Swarm satellites. We also have investigated the statistical, dual-spacecraft correlations of field-aligned current signatures between two Swarm spacecraft (A and C). For the first time we have inferred the orientations of the current sheets of FACs directly, using the maximum correlations, obtained from sliding data segments, which show clear trends in magnetic local time (MLT). To compare with this we also check the MVAB method. To explore the scale and variability of the current sheet supposition, we investigate the MLT dependence of the maximum correlations in different time shift or longitude shift bins.
Observations of ionospheric convection vortices - Signatures of momentum transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mchenry, M. A.; Clauer, C. R.; Friis-Christensen, E.; Kelly, J. D.

1988-01-01

Several classes of traveling vortices in the dayside ionospheric flow have been detected and tracked using the Greenland magnetometer chain. One class observed during quiet times consists of a continuous series of vortices moving generally antisunward for several hours at a time. Assuming each vortex to be the convection pattern produced by a small field aligned current moving across the ionosphere, the amount of field aligned current was found by fitting a modeled ground magnetic signature to measurements from the chain of magnetometers. The calculated field aligned current is seen to be steady for each vortex and neighboring vortices have currents of opposite sign. Low altitude DMSP observations indicate the vortices are on field lines which map to the inner edge of the low latitude boundary layer. Because the vortices are conjugate to the boundary layer, repeat in a regular fashion and travel antisunward, it is argued that this class of vortices is caused by surface waves at the magnetopause. No strong correlations between field aligned current strength and solar wind density, velocity, or Bz is found.

Fourier analysis of polar cap electric field and current distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbosa, D. D.

1984-01-01

A theoretical study of high-latitude electric fields and currents, using analytic Fourier analysis methods, is conducted. A two-dimensional planar model of the ionosphere with an enhanced conductivity auroral belt and field-aligned currents at the edges is employed. Two separate topics are treated. A field-aligned current element near the cusp region of the polar cap is included to investigate the modifications to the convection pattern by the east-west component of the interplanetary magnetic field. It is shown that a sizable one-cell structure is induced near the cusp which diverts equipotential contours to the dawnside or duskside, depending on the sign of the cusp current. This produces characteristic dawn-dusk asymmetries to the electric field that have been previously observed over the polar cap. The second topic is concerned with the electric field configuration obtained in the limit of perfect shielding, where the field is totally excluded equatorward of the auroral oval. When realistic field-aligned current distributions are used, the result is to produce severely distorted, crescent-shaped equipotential contours over the cap. Exact, analytic formulae applicable to this case are also provided.
A multi-point perspective on the formation of polar cap arcs: kinetic modeling and observations by Cluster and TIMED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Keyser, J. M.; Maggiolo, R.; Echim, M.; Simon, C.; Zhang, Y.; Trotignon, J.

2010-12-01

On April 1st, 2004 the GUVI imager onboard the TIMED spacecraft spots an isolated and elongated polar cap arc. Simultaneously, the Cluster spacecraft detects an isolated upflowing ion beam above the polar cap. Cluster observations show that the ions are accelerated upward by a quasi-stationary electric field. The field-aligned potential drop is estimated to about 600 V and the upflowing ions are accompanied by a tenuous population of isotropic protons with a temperature of about 300eV. The footprint of the magnetic field line on which the Cluster spacecraft are situated, is located just outside the GUVI field of view in the prolongation of the polar cap arc. This suggests that the upflowing ion beam and the polar cap arc may be different signatures of the same phenomenon, as suggested by a recent statistical study of polar cap ion beams using Cluster data. We use Cluster observations at high altitude as input to a quasi-stationary magnetosphere-ionosphere (MI) coupling model. Using a Knight-type current-voltage relationship and the current continuity at the topside ionosphere, the model computes the energy spectrum of precipitating electrons at ionospheric altitudes corresponding to the generator electric field observed by Cluster. The MI coupling model provides a field-aligned potential drop in agreement with Cluster observations of upflowing ions and a spatial scale of the polar cap arc consistent with the optical observations by TIMED. The energy spectrum of the precipitating electrons provided by the model is introduced as input to the Trans4 ionospheric transport code. This 1-D model, based on Boltzmann's kinetic formalism, takes into account ionospheric processes like photoionisation and electron/proton precipitation, and computes the optical and UV emissions due to precipitating electrons. The emission rates provided by the Trans4 code are then compared to the optical observations by TIMED. Data and modeling results are consistent with quasi-static acceleration of precipitating magnetospheric electrons. We also discuss possible implications of our modeling results for optical observations of polar cap arcs.
Field-aligned currents in Saturn's northern nightside magnetosphere: Evidence for interhemispheric current flow associated with planetary period oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, G. J.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Provan, G.; Bunce, E. J.; Alexeev, I. I.; Belenkaya, E. S.; Kalegaev, V. V.; Dougherty, M. K.; Coates, A. J.

2015-09-01

We investigate the magnetic perturbations associated with field-aligned currents observed on 34 Cassini passes over the premidnight northern auroral region during 2008. These are found to be significantly modulated not only by the northern planetary-period oscillation (PPO) system, similar to the southern currents by the southern PPO system found previously, but also by the southern PPO system as well, thus providing the first clear evidence of PPO-related interhemispheric current flow. The principal field-aligned currents of the two PPO systems are found to be co-located in northern ionospheric colatitude, together with the currents of the PPO-independent (subcorotation) system, located between the vicinity of the open-closed field boundary and field lines mapping to ~9 Saturn radius (Rs) in the equatorial plane. All three systems are of comparable magnitude, ~3 MA in each PPO half-cycle. Smaller PPO-related field-aligned currents of opposite polarity also flow in the interior region, mapping between ~6 and ~9 Rs in the equatorial plane, carrying a current of ~ ±2 MA per half-cycle, which significantly reduce the oscillation amplitudes in the interior region. Within this interior region the amplitudes of the northern and southern oscillations are found to fall continuously with distance along the field lines from the corresponding hemisphere, thus showing the presence of cross-field currents, with the southern oscillations being dominant in the south, and modestly lower in amplitude than the northern oscillations in the north. As in previous studies, no oscillations related to the opposite hemisphere are found on open field lines in either hemisphere.
Relationship of the interplanetary electric field to the high-latitude ionospheric electric field and currents Observations and model simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clauer, C. R.; Banks, P. M.

1986-01-01

The electrical coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere is studied. The coupling is analyzed using observations of high-latitude ion convection measured by the Sondre Stromfjord radar in Greenland and a computer simulation. The computer simulation calculates the ionospheric electric potential distribution for a given configuration of field-aligned currents and conductivity distribution. The technique for measuring F-region in velocities at high time resolution over a large range of latitudes is described. Variations in the currents on ionospheric plasma convection are examined using a model of field-aligned currents linking the solar wind with the dayside, high-latitude ionosphere. The data reveal that high-latitude ionospheric convection patterns, electric fields, and field-aligned currents are dependent on IMF orientation; it is observed that the electric field, which drives the F-region plasma curve, responds within about 14 minutes to IMF variations in the magnetopause. Comparisons of the simulated plasma convection with the ion velocity measurements reveal good correlation between the data.
Effects of Auroral Potential Drops on Field-Aligned Currents and Nightside Reconnection Dynamos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotko, W.; Xi, S.; Zhang, B.; Wiltberger, M. J.; Lyon, J.

2016-12-01

The reaction of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system to dynamic auroral potential drops is investigated using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global model and, for the first time in a global simulation, including the dissipative load of field-aligned potential drops in the low-altitude boundary condition. This extra load reduces the demand for field-aligned current (j||) from nightside reconnection dynamos. The system adapts by forcing the nightside x-line closer to Earth to reduce current lensing (j||/B = constant) at the ionosphere, with the plasma sheet undergoing additional contraction during substorm recovery and steady magnetospheric convection. For steady and moderate solar wind driving and with constant ionospheric conductance, the cross-polar cap potential and hemispheric field-aligned current are lower by approximately the ratio of the peak field-aligned potential drop to the cross polar cap potential (10-15%) when potential drops are included. Hemispheric ionospheric Joule dissipation is less by 8%, while the area-integrated, average work done on the fluid by the reconnecting magnetotail field increases by 50% within |y| < 8 RE. Effects on the nightside plasma sheet include: (1) an average x-line 4 RE closer to Earth; (2) a 12% higher mean reconnection rate; and (3) dawn-dusk asymmetry in reconnection with a 17% higher rate in the premidnight sector.
Dynamics Explorer measurements of particles, fields, and plasma drifts over a horse-collar auroral pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharber, J. R.; Hones, E. W., Jr.; Heelis, R. A.; Craven, J. D.; Frank, L. A.; Maynard, N. C.; Slavin, J. A.; Birn, J.

1992-01-01

As shown from ground-based measurements and satellite-borne imagers, one type of global auroral pattern characteristic of quiet (usually northward IMF) intervals is that of a contracted but thickened emission region of a pattern referred to as 'horse-collar' aurora (Hones et al., 1989). In this report we use the Dynamics Explorer data set to examine a case in which this horse-collar pattern was observed by the DE-1 auroral imager, while at the same time DE-2, at lower altitude, measured precipitating particles, electric and magnetic fields, and plasma drifts. Our analysis shows that, in general, there is close agreement between the optical signatures and the particle precipitation patterns. In many instances, over scales ranging from tens to a few hundred kilometers, electron precipitation features and upward field-aligned currents are observed at locations where the plasma flow gradients indicate negative V-average x E. The particle, plasma, and field measurements made along the satellite track and the 2D perspective of the imager provide a means of determining the configuration of convective flows in the high-latitude ionosphere during this interval of northward IMF. Recent mapping studies are used to relate the low-altitude observations to possible magnetospheric source regions.
Field-aligned electric currents and their measurement by the incoherent backscatter technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, P.; Cole, K. D.; Lejeume, G.

1975-01-01

Field aligned electric currents flow in the magnetosphere in many situations of fundamental geophysical interest. It is shown here that the incoherent backscatter technique can be used to measure these currents when the plasma line can be observed. The technique provides a ground based means of measuring these currents which complements the rocket and satellite ones.
Artificial stimulation of auroral electron acceleration by intense field aligned currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmgren, G.; Bostrom, R.; Kelley, M. C.; Kintner, P. M.; Lundin, R.; Bering, E. A.; Sheldon, W. R.; Fahleson, U. V.

1979-01-01

A cesium-doped high explosion was detonated at 165 km altitude in the auroral ionosphere during quiet conditions. An Alfven wave pulse with a 200-mV/m electric field was observed, with the peak occurring 135 ms after the explosion at a distance of about 1 km. The count rate of fixed energy 2-keV electron detectors abruptly increased at 140 ms, peaked at 415 ms, and indicated a downward field-aligned beam of accelerated electrons. An anomalously high-field aligned beam of backscattered electrons was also detected. The acceleration is interpreted as due to production of an electrostatic shock or double layer between 300 and 800 km altitude. The structure was probably formed by an instability of the intense field-aligned currents in the Alfven wave launched by the charge-separation electric field due to the explosion.
Modeling of the coupled magnetospheric and neutral wind dynamos

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thayer, Jeffrey P.

1994-01-01

This report summarizes the progress made in the first year of NASA Grant No. NAGW-3508 entitled 'Modeling of the Coupled Magnetospheric and Neutral Wind Dynamos.' The approach taken has been to impose magnetospheric boundary conditions with either pure voltage or current characteristics and solve the neutral wind dynamo equation under these conditions. The imposed boundary conditions determine whether the neutral wind dynamo will contribute to the high-latitude current system or the electric potential. The semi-annual technical report, dated December 15, 1993, provides further detail describing the scientific and numerical approach of the project. The numerical development has progressed and the dynamo solution for the case when the magnetosphere acts as a voltage source has been evaluated completely using spectral techniques. The simulation provides the field-aligned current distribution at high latitudes due to the neutral wind dynamo. A number of geophysical conditions can be simulated to evaluate the importance of the neutral wind dynamo contribution to the field-aligned current system. On average, field-aligned currents generated by the neutral wind dynamo contributed as much as 30 percent to the large-scale field-aligned current system driven by the magnetosphere. A term analysis of the high-latitude neutral wind dynamo equation describing the field aligned current distribution has also been developed to illustrate the important contributing factors involved in the process. The case describing the neutral dynamo response for a magnetosphere acting as a pure current generator requires the existing spectral code to be extended to a pseudo-spectral method and is currently under development.
Alignment of Iron Nanoparticles in a Magnetic Field Due to Shape Anisotropy

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

Radhakrishnan, Balasubramaniam; Nicholson, Don M; Eisenbach, Markus

2015-07-09

During high magnetic field processing there is evidence for alignment of non-spherical metallic particles above the Curie temperature in alloys with negligible magneto-crystalline anisotropy. The main driving force for alignment is the magnetic shape anisotropy. Current understanding of the phenomenon is not adequate to quantify the effect of particle size, aspect ratio, temperature and the magnetic field on particle alignment. We demonstrate a Monte Carlo approach coupled with size scaling to show the conditions under which alignment is possible.
Space Technology 5 Multi-point Measurements of Near-Earth Magnetic Fields: Initial Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slavin, James A.; Le, G.; Strangeway, R. L.; Wang, Y.; Boardsen, S.A.; Moldwin, M. B.; Spence, H. E.

2007-01-01

The Space Technology 5 (ST-5) mission successfully placed three micro-satellites in a 300 x 4500 km dawn-dusk orbit on 22 March 2006. Each spacecraft carried a boom-mounted vector fluxgate magnetometer that returned highly sensitive and accurate measurements of the geomagnetic field. These data allow, for the first time, the separation of temporal and spatial variations in field-aligned current (FAC) perturbations measured in low-Earth orbit on time scales of approximately 10 sec to 10 min. The constellation measurements are used to directly determine field-aligned current sheet motion, thickness and current density. In doing so, we demonstrate two multi-point methods for the inference of FAC current density that have not previously been possible in low-Earth orbit; 1) the "standard method," based upon s/c velocity, but corrected for FAC current sheet motion, and 2) the "gradiometer method" which uses simultaneous magnetic field measurements at two points with known separation. Future studies will apply these methods to the entire ST-5 data set and expand to include geomagnetic field gradient analyses as well as field-aligned and ionospheric currents.
Characteristics of Currents and Electric Fields Associated with the Initial Stage of Upward Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, N.; Nag, A.; Diendorfer, G.; Pichler, H.; Schulz, W.

2017-12-01

There is increasing interest in understanding processes associated with the initiation of upward lightning from tall structures. Characterization of such processes is essential for the development of appropriate models. We examine current and electric field waveforms for 15 negative upward flashes occurring in 2007-2009 initiated from the Gaisberg Tower located in Salzburg, Austria. Current was measured at the top of the tower using a 0.25 mΩ shunt. Electric field was measured simultaneously at close (170 m from the tower) and far (79 km from the tower in 2007 and 109 km in 2008-2009) distances. The initial stage (IS) of these flashes comprised of relatively slowly varying "background" current (having durations ranging from 132 to 692 ms), with faster, more impulsive current variations (pulses having durations ranging from 4.7 µs to 22.9 ms) overlaid on this background current. In five of the 15 (33%) flashes, this IS background current was negative while in the other ten (67%) flashes, the current was bipolar (changing between negative and positive values). 150 current pulses occurred during the IS of these 15 flashes, of which 28 (19%) were positive bipolar (positive initial polarity with a negative opposite polarity overshoot), 5 (3.3%) were positive unipolar (positive initial polarity with no opposite polarity overshoot), and 117 (78%) were negative unipolar. No negative bipolar pulses were found. The median peak current and risetime for the 28 bipolar pulses were 0.74 kA and 2.8 µs, respectively, and those for the 122 unipolar pulses were 0.87 kA and 70 µs, respectively. Generally speaking, majority of the pulses occurring at the beginning of the initial stage were lower-amplitude positive bipolar, while higher-amplitude unipolar pulses were more likely to occur at later times. These 150 IS current pulses produced 133 detectable electric field change signatures at the near station and 59 at the far station (all recorded at 79 km in 12 flashes occurring in 2007). We will examine in detail the characteristics of these electric field pulses in order to gain insights into the mechanisms of the underlying processes.
Do Stackable Credentials Reinforce Stratification or Promote Upward Mobility? An Analysis of Health Professions Pathways Reform in a Community College Consortium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giani, Matthew; Fox, Heather Lee

2017-01-01

Career pathways, comprised of stackable credentials and a coherently aligned sequence of programmes of study, are being hailed as an effective means for promoting postsecondary attainment and upward mobility, particularly for low-income and low-skilled adult workers. However, concerns have been raised regarding whether this strategy accomplishes…
Galaxy Alignments: Theory, Modelling & Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiessling, Alina; Cacciato, Marcello; Joachimi, Benjamin; Kirk, Donnacha; Kitching, Thomas D.; Leonard, Adrienne; Mandelbaum, Rachel; Schäfer, Björn Malte; Sifón, Cristóbal; Brown, Michael L.; Rassat, Anais

2015-11-01

The shapes of galaxies are not randomly oriented on the sky. During the galaxy formation and evolution process, environment has a strong influence, as tidal gravitational fields in the large-scale structure tend to align nearby galaxies. Additionally, events such as galaxy mergers affect the relative alignments of both the shapes and angular momenta of galaxies throughout their history. These "intrinsic galaxy alignments" are known to exist, but are still poorly understood. This review will offer a pedagogical introduction to the current theories that describe intrinsic galaxy alignments, including the apparent difference in intrinsic alignment between early- and late-type galaxies and the latest efforts to model them analytically. It will then describe the ongoing efforts to simulate intrinsic alignments using both N-body and hydrodynamic simulations. Due to the relative youth of this field, there is still much to be done to understand intrinsic galaxy alignments and this review summarises the current state of the field, providing a solid basis for future work.
Magnetic field direction differentially impacts the growth of different cell types.

PubMed

Tian, Xiaofei; Wang, Dongmei; Zha, Meng; Yang, Xingxing; Ji, Xinmiao; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Xin

2018-04-05

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines have horizontal or upright static magnetic field (SMF) of 0.1-3 T (Tesla) at sites of patients and operators, but the biological effects of these SMFs still remain elusive. We examined 12 different cell lines, including 5 human solid tumor cell lines, 2 human leukemia cell lines and 4 human non-cancer cell lines, as well as the Chinese hamster ovary cell line. Permanent magnets were used to provide 0.2-1 T SMFs with different magnetic field directions. We found that an upward magnetic field of 0.2-1 T could effectively reduce the cell numbers of all human solid tumor cell lines we tested, but a downward magnetic field mostly had no statistically significant effect. However, the leukemia cells in suspension, which do not have shape-induced anisotropy, were inhibited by both upward and downward magnetic fields. In contrast, the cell numbers of most non-cancer cells were not affected by magnetic fields of all directions. Moreover, the upward magnetic field inhibited GIST-T1 tumor growth in nude mice by 19.3% (p < 0.05) while the downward magnetic field did not produce significant effect. In conclusion, although still lack of mechanistical insights, our results show that different magnetic field directions produce divergent effects on cancer cell numbers as well as tumor growth in mice. This not only verified the safety of SMF exposure related to current MRI machines but also revealed the possible antitumor potential of magnetic field with an upward direction.
Strong IMF By-Related Plasma Convection in the Ionosphere and Cusp Field-Aligned Currents Under Northward IMF Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, G.; Lu, G.; Strangeway, R. J.; Pfaff, R. F., Jr.; Vondrak, Richard R. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We present in this paper an investigation of IMF-By related plasma convection and cusp field-aligned currents using FAST data and AMIE model during a prolonged interval with large positive IMF By and northward Bz conditions (By/Bz much greater than 1). Using the FAST single trajectory observations to validate the global convection patterns at key times and key locations, we have demonstrated that the AMIE procedure provides a reasonably good description of plasma circulations in the ionosphere during this interval. Our results show that the plasma convection in the ionosphere is consistent with the anti-parallel merging model. When the IMF has a strongly positive By component under northward conditions, we find that the global plasma convection forms two cells oriented nearly along the Sun-earth line in the ionosphere. In the northern hemisphere, the dayside cell has clockwise convection mainly circulating within the polar cap on open field lines. A second cell with counterclockwise convection is located in the nightside circulating across the polar cap boundary, The observed two-cell convection pattern appears to be driven by the reconnection along the anti-parallel merging lines poleward of the cusp extending toward the dusk side when IMF By/Bz much greater than 1. The magnetic tension force on the newly reconnected field lines drives the plasma to move from dusk to dawn in the polar cusp region near the polar cap boundary. The field-aligned currents in the cusp region flow downward into the ionosphere. The return field-aligned currents extend into the polar cap in the center of the dayside convection cell. The field-aligned currents are closed through the Peterson currents in the ionosphere, which flow poleward from the polar cap boundary along the electric field direction.
Electrostatic ion instabilities in the presence of parallel currents and transverse electric fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ganguli, G.; Palmadesso, P. J.

1988-01-01

The electrostatic ion instabilities are studied for oblique propagation in the presence of magnetic field-aligned currents and transverse localized electric fields in a weakly collisional plasma. The presence of transverse electric fields result in mode excitation for magnetic field aligned current values that are otherwise stable. The electron collisions enhance the growth while ion collisions have a damping effect. These results are discussed in the context of observations of low frequency ion modes in the auroral ionosphere by radar and rocket experiments.
Current distribution and ac susceptibility response of a thin superconducting disc in an axial field: a theoretical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aruna, S. A.; Zhang, P.; Lin, F. Y.; Ding, S. Y.; Yao, X. X.

2000-04-01

Within the framework of the thermally activated process of the flux line or flux line bundles, and by time integration of the 1D equation of motion of the circulating current density icons/Journals/Common/vecJ" ALT="vecJ" ALIGN="TOP"/> (icons/Journals/Common/rho" ALT="rho" ALIGN="TOP"/> ,t ), which is suitable for thin superconducting films (R >>d ,icons/Journals/Common/le" ALT="le" ALIGN="TOP"/> icons/Journals/Common/lambda" ALT="lambda" ALIGN="TOP"/> ), we present numerical calculations of the current profiles, magnetization hysteresis loops and ac susceptibility icons/Journals/Common/chi" ALT="chi" ALIGN="TOP"/> n = icons/Journals/Common/chi" ALT="chi" ALIGN="TOP"/> ´n +iicons/Journals/Common/chi" ALT="chi" ALIGN="TOP"/> ´´n for n = 1, 3 and 5 of a thin disc immersed in an axial time-dependent external magnetic field Ba (t ) = Bdc +Bac cos(2icons/Journals/Common/pi" ALT="pi" ALIGN="TOP"/> icons/Journals/Common/nu" ALT="nu" ALIGN="TOP"/> t ). Our calculated results are compared with those of the critical state model (CSM) and found to prove the approximate validity of the CSM below the irreversibility field. The differences between our computed results and those of the CSM are also discussed.
Finite geometry effects of field-aligned currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, Shing F.; Hoffman, R. A.

1992-01-01

Results are presented of model calculations of the magnetic field produced by finite current regions that would be measured by a spaceborne magnetometer. Conditions were examined under which the infinite current sheet approximation can be applied to the calculation of the field-aligned current (FAC) density, using satellite magnetometer data. The accuracy of the three methods used for calculating the current sheet normal direction with respect to the spacecraft trajectory was assessed. It is shown that the model can be used to obtain the position and the orientation of the spacecraft trajectory through the FAC region.
Skyrmion based universal memory operated by electric current

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

Zang, Jiadong; Chien, Chia-Ling; Li, Yufan

2017-09-26

A method for generating a skyrmion, comprising: depositing a vertical metallic nanopillar electrode on a first side of a helimagnetic thin film, the helimagnetic thin film having a contact on a second side to provide a current drain; injecting a current through the vertical metallic nanopillar electrode to generate a rotating field; and applying a static upward magnetic field perpendicular to the helimagnetic thin film to maintain an FM phase background.

Variational optimization analysis of temperature and moisture advection in a severe storm environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcfarland, M. J.

1975-01-01

Horizontal wind components, potential temperature, and mixing ratio fields associated with a severe storm environment in the south central U.S. were analyzed from synoptic upper air observations with a nonhomogeneous, anisotropic weighting function. Each data field was filtered with variational optimization analysis techniques. Variational optimization analysis was also performed on the vertical motion field and was used to produce advective forecasts of the potential temperature and mixing ratio fields. Results show that the dry intrusion is characterized by warm air, the advection of which produces a well-defined upward motion pattern. A corresponding downward motion pattern comprising a deep vertical circulation in the warm air sector of the low pressure system was detected. The axes alignment of maximum dry and warm advection with the axis of the tornado-producing squall line also resulted.
Equatorial ionospheric currents derived from MAGSAT data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roy, M. (Principal Investigator)

1983-01-01

The MAGSAT data on the three component's of the geomagnetic field are subjected to ring current correction and crustal anomaly elimination near the dip equator. The evidence of a strong west east electrojet current below the satellite height (approximately 350 km) is confirmed. Strong evidence of east-west component of the field suggests the existence of a vertical current originating at the jet level and extending upwards. A model calculation shows that such a current system can explain the satellite data as well as the ground data.
Studying internal and external magnetic fields in Japan using MAGSAT data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fukushima, N. (Principal Investigator); Maeda, H.; Yukutake, T.; Tanaka, M.; Oshima, S.; Ogawa, K.; Kawamura, M.; Miyazaki, Y.; Uyeda, S.; Kobayashi, K.

1980-01-01

Examination of the total intensity data of CHRONIT on a few paths over Japan and its neighboring sea shows MAGSAT is extremely useful for studying the local magnetic anomaly. In high latitudes, the signatures of field aligned currents are clearly recognized. These include (1) the persistent basic pattern of current flow; (2) the more intense currents in the summer hemisphere than in the winter hemisphere; (3) more fluctuations in current intensities in summer dawn hours; and (4) apparent dawn-dusk asymmetry in the field-aligned current intensity between the north and south polar regions.
Formation of the Sun-aligned arc region and the void (polar slot) under the null-separator structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, T.; Obara, T.; Watanabe, M.; Fujita, S.; Ebihara, Y.; Kataoka, R.

2017-04-01

From the global magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling simulation, we examined the formation of the Sun-aligned arc region and the void (polar slot) under the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) with negative By condition. In the magnetospheric null-separator structure, the separatrices generated from two null points and two separators divide the entire space into four types of magnetic region, i.e., the IMF, the northern open magnetic field, the southern open magnetic field, and the closed magnetic field. In the ionosphere, the Sun-aligned arc region and the void are reproduced in the distributions of simulated plasma pressure and field-aligned current. The outermost closed magnetic field lines on the boundary (separatrix) between the northern open magnetic field and the closed magnetic field are projected to the northern ionosphere at the boundary between the Sun-aligned arc region and the void, both on the morning and evening sides. The magnetic field lines at the plasma sheet inner edge are projected to the equatorward boundary of the oval. Therefore, the Sun-aligned arc region is on the closed magnetic field lines of the plasma sheet. In the plasma sheet, an inflated structure (bulge) is generated at the junction of the tilted plasma sheet in the far-to-middle tail and nontilted plasma sheet in the ring current region. In the Northern Hemisphere, the bulge is on the evening side wrapped by the outermost closed magnetic field lines that are connected to the northern evening ionosphere. This inflated structure (bulge) is associated with shear flows that cause the Sun-aligned arc.
FAST/Polar Conjunction Study of Field-Aligned Auroral Acceleration and Corresponding Magnetotail Drivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schriver, D.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Strangeway, R. J.; Richard, R. L.; Klezting, C.; Dotan, Y.; Wygant, J.

2003-01-01

The discrete aurora results when energized electrons bombard the Earth's atmosphere at high latitudes. This paper examines the physical processes that can cause field-aligned acceleration of plasma particles in the auroral region. A data and theoretical study has been carried out to examine the acceleration mechanisms that operate in the auroral zone and to identi@ the magnetospheric drivers of these acceleration mechanisms. The observations used in the study were collected by the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) and Polar satellites when the two satellites were in approximate magnetic conjunction in the auroral region. During these events FAST was in the middle of the auroral zone and Polar was above the auroral zone in the near-Earth plasma sheet. Polar data were used to determine the conditions in the magnetotail at the time field-aligned acceleration was measured by FAST in the auroral zone. For each of the magnetotail drivers identified in the data study, the physics of field-aligned acceleration in the auroral region was examined using existing theoretical efforts and/or a long-system particle in cell simulation to model the magnetically connected region between the two satellites. Results from the study indicate that there are three main drivers of auroral acceleration: (1) field-aligned currents that lead to quasistatic parallel potential drops (parallel electric fields), (2) earthward flow of high-energy plasma beams from the magnetotail into the auroral zone that lead to quasistatic parallel potential drops, and (3) large-amplitude Alfven waves that propagate into the auroral region from the magnetotail. The events examined thus far confm the previously established invariant latitudinal dependence of the drivers and show a strong dependence on magnetic activity. Alfven waves tend to occur primarily at the poleward edge of the auroral region during more magnetically active times and are correlated with intense electron precipitation. At lower latitudes away from the poleward edge of the auroral zone is the primary field-aligned current region which results in the classical field- aligned acceleration associated with the auroral zone (electrons earthward and ion beams tailward). During times of high magnetic activity, high-energy ion beams originating from the magnetotail are observed within, and overlapping, the regions of primary and return field-aligned current. Along the field lines where the high-energy magnetotail ion beams are located, field-aligned acceleration can occur in the auroral zone leading to precipitating electrons and upwelling ionospheric ion beams. Field-aligned currents are present during both quiet and active times, while the Alfven waves and magnetotail ion beams were observed only during more magnetically active events.
Net field-aligned currents observed by Triad

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugiura, M.; Potemra, T. A.

1975-01-01

From the Triad magnetometer observation of a step-like level shift in the east-west component of the magnetic field at 800 km altitude, the existence of a net current flowing into or away from the ionosphere in a current layer was inferred. The current direction is toward the ionosphere on the morning side and away from it on the afternoon side. The field aligned currents observed by Triad are considered as being an important element in the electro-dynamical coupling between the distant magnetosphere and the ionosphere. The current density integrated over the thickness of the layer increases with increasing magnetic activity, but the relation between the current density and Kp in individual cases is not a simple linear relation. An extrapolation of the statistical relation to Kp = 0 indicates existence of a sheet current of order 0.1 amp/m even at extremely quiet times. During periods of higher magnetic activity an integrated current of approximately 1 amp/m and average current density of order 0.000001 amp/sq m are observed. The location and the latitudinal width of the field aligned current layer carrying the net current very roughly agree with those of the region of high electron intensities in the trapping boundary.
Correlation between magnetic and electric field perturbations in the field-aligned current regions deduced from DE 2 observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ishii, M.; Sugiura, M.; Iyemori, T.; Slavin, J. A.

1992-01-01

The satellite-observed high correlations between magnetic and electric field perturbations in the high-latitude field-aligned current regions are investigated by examining the dependence of the relationship between Delta-B and E on spatial scale, using the electric and magnetic field data obtained by DE 2 in the polar regions. The results are compared with the Pedersen conductivity inferred from the international reference ionosphere model and the Alfven wave velocity calculated from the in situ ion density and magnetic field measurements.
Excitation of high-frequency electromagnetic waves by energetic electrons with a loss cone distribution in a field-aligned potential drop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, Shing F.; Vinas, Adolfo F.

1994-01-01

The electron cyclotron maser instability (CMI) driven by momentum space anisotropy (df/dp (sub perpendicular) greater than 0) has been invoked to explain many aspects, such as the modes of propagation, harmonic emissions, and the source characteristics of the auroral kilometric radiation (AKR). Recent satellite observations of AKR sources indicate that the source regions are often imbedded within the auroral acceleration region characterized by the presence of a field-aligned potential drop. In this paper we investigate the excitation of the fundamental extraordinary mode radiation due to the accelerated electrons. The momentum space distribution of these energetic electrons is modeled by a realistic upward loss cone as modified by the presence of a parallel potential drop below the observation point. On the basis of linear growth rate calculations we present the emission characteristics, such as the frequency spectrum and the emission angular distribution as functions of the plasma parameters. We will discuss the implication of our results on the generation of the AKR from the edges of the auroral density cavities.
Driven magnetic reconnection in three dimensions - Energy conversion and field-aligned current generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sato, T.; Walker, R. J.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.

1984-01-01

The energy conversion processes occurring in three-dimensional driven reconnection is analyzed. In particular, the energy conversion processes during localized reconnection in a taillike magnetic configuration are studied. It is found that three-dimensional driven reconnection is a powerful energy converter which transforms magnetic energy into plasma bulk flow and thermal energy. Three-dimensional driven reconnection is an even more powerful energy converter than two-dimensional reconnection, because in the three-dimensional case, plasmas were drawn into the reconnection region from the sides as well as from the top and bottom. Field-aligned currents are generated by three-dimensional driven reconnection. The physical mechanism responsible for these currents which flow from the tail toward the ionosphere on the dawnside of the reconnection region and from the ionosphere toward the tail on the duskside is identified. The field-aligned currents form as the neutral sheet current is diverted through the slow shocks which form on the outer edge of the reconnected field lines (outer edge of the plasma sheet).
Filamentary field-aligned currents at the polar cap region during northward interplanetary magnetic field derived with the Swarm constellation

PubMed Central

Lühr, Hermann; Huang, Tao; Wing, Simon; Kervalishvili, Guram; Rauberg, Jan; Korth, Haje

2017-01-01

ESA’s Swarm constellation mission makes it possible for the first time to determine field-aligned currents (FACs) in the ionosphere uniquely. In particular at high latitudes, the dual-satellite approach can reliably detect some FAC structures which are missed by the traditional single-satellite technique. These FAC events occur preferentially poleward of the auroral oval and during times of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation. Most events appear on the nightside. They are not related to the typical FAC structures poleward of the cusp, commonly termed NBZ. Simultaneously observed precipitating particle spectrograms and auroral images from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are consistent with the detected FACs and indicate that they occur on closed field lines mostly adjacent to the auroral oval. We suggest that the FACs are associated with Sun-aligned filamentary auroral arcs. Here we introduce in an initial study features of the high-latitude FAC structures which have been observed during the early phase of the Swarm mission. A more systematic survey over longer times is required to fully characterize the so far undetected field aligned currents. PMID:29056833
Simulation of electrostatic ion instabilities in the presence of parallel currents and transverse electric fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nishikawa, K.-I.; Ganguli, G.; Lee, Y. C.; Palmadesso, P. J.

1989-01-01

A spatially two-dimensional electrostatic PIC simulation code was used to study the stability of a plasma equilibrium characterized by a localized transverse dc electric field and a field-aligned drift for L is much less than Lx, where Lx is the simulation length in the x direction and L is the scale length associated with the dc electric field. It is found that the dc electric field and the field-aligned current can together play a synergistic role to enable the excitation of electrostatic waves even when the threshold values of the field aligned drift and the E x B drift are individually subcritical. The simulation results show that the growing ion waves are associated with small vortices in the linear stage, which evolve to the nonlinear stage dominated by larger vortices with lower frequencies.
Observations of field-aligned currents, waves, and electric fields at substorm onset

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smits, D. P.; Hughes, W. J.; Cattell, C. A.; Russell, C. T.

1986-01-01

Substorm onsets, identified Pi 2 pulsations observed on the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory Magnetometer Network, are studied using magnetometer and electric field data from ISEE 1 as well as magnetometer data from the geosynchronous satellites GOES 2 and 3. The mid-latitude magnetometer data provides the means of both timing and locating the substorm onset so that the spacecraft locations with respect to the substorm current systems are known. During two intervals, each containing several onsets or intensifications, ISEE 1 observed field-aligned current signatures beginning simultaneously with the mid-latitude Pi 2 pulsation. Close to the earth broadband bursts of wave noise were observed in the electric field data whenever field-aligned currents were detected. One onset occurred when ISEE 1 and GOES 2 were on the same field line but in opposite hemispheres. During this onset ISEE 1 and GOES 2 saw magnetic signatures which appear to be due to conjugate field-aligned currents flowing out of the western end of the westward auroral electrojets. The ISEE 1 signature is of a line current moving westward past the spacecraft. During the other interval, ISEE 1 was in the near-tail region near the midnight meridian. Plasma data confirms that the plasma sheet thinned and subsequently expanded at onset. Electric field data shows that the plasma moved in the opposite direction to the plasma sheet boundary as the boundary expanded which implies that there must have been an abundant source of hot plasma present. The plasma motion was towards the center of the plasma sheet and earthwards and consisted of a series of pulses rather than a steady flow.
Field-aligned currents observed in the vicinity of a moving auroral arc

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goertz, C. K.; Bruening, K.

1984-01-01

The sounding rocket Porcupine F4 was launched into an auroral arc and the field aligned currents were independently deduced from magnetic field measurements; the horizontal current deduced from the electric field measurements and height integrated conductivity calculations; and measurements of electron fluxes. Above the arc the different methods agree. The magnetosphere acts as generator and the ionosphere as load. North of the arc, the first two methods disagree, possibly due to an Alfven wave carrying the observed magnetic field perturbation. The energy flow is out of the ionosphere. Here the ionosphere acts as generator and the magnetosphere as load.
Effect of Alfvén waves on the growth rate of the electron-cyclotron maser emission

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

Wu, D. J., E-mail: djwu@pmo.ac.cn

By using the non-relativistic approximation for the calculation of growth rates, but taking account of the weakly relativistic modification for the electron-cyclotron resonance condition, it is shown that the effect of Alfvén waves (AWs) on the electron-cyclotron maser emission leads to the significant increase of the O-mode growth rate, but has little effect on the X-mode growth rate. We propose that this is because the O-mode wave has the field-aligned polarization sense in the same as the field-aligned oscillatory current, which is created by the field-aligned oscillatory motion of the energetic electrons caused via the presence of AWs. It ismore » this field-aligned oscillatory current that contributes a novel growth rate to the O-mode wave but has little effect on the X-mode wave.« less
Field-aligned currents in the undisturbed polar ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroehl, H. W.

1989-09-01

Field-aligned currents, FAC's, which couple ionospheric currents at high latitudes with magnetospheric currents have become an essential cornerstone to our understanding of plasma dynamics in the polar region and in the earth's magnetosphere. Initial investigators of polar electrodynamics including the aurora were unable to distinguish between the ground magnetic signatures of a purely two-dimensional current and those from a three-dimensional current system, ergo many scientists ignored the possible existence of these vertical currents. However, data from magnetometers and electrostatic analyzers flown on low-altitude, polar-orbiting satellites proved beyond any reasonable doubt that field-aligned currents existed, and that different ionospheric regions were coupled to different magnetospheric regions which were dominated by different electrodynamic processes, e.g., magnetospheric convection electric fields, magnetospheric substorms and parallel electric fields. Therefore, to define the “undisturbed” polar ionosphere and its structure and dynamics, one needs to consider these electrodynamic processes, to select times for analysis when they are not strongly active and to remember that the polar ionosphere may be disturbed when the equatorial, mid-latitude and sub-auroral ionospheres are not. In this paper we will define the principle high-latitude current systems, describe the effects of FAC's associated with these systems, review techniques which would minimize these effects and present our description of the “undisturbed” polar ionosphere.
Modeling of Jovian Auroral Polar Ion and Proton Precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houston, S. J.; Ozak, N. O.; Cravens, T.; Schultz, D. R.; Mauk, B.; Haggerty, D. K.; Young, J. T.

2017-12-01

Auroral particle precipitation dominates the chemical and physical environment of the upper atmospheres and ionospheres of the outer planets. Precipitation of energetic electrons from the middle magnetosphere is responsible for the main auroral oval at Jupiter, but energetic electron, proton, and ion precipitation take place in the polar caps. At least some of the ion precipitation is associated with soft X-ray emission with about 1 GW of power. Theoretical modeling has demonstrated that the incident sulfur and oxygen ion energies must exceed about 0.5 MeV/nucleon (u) in order to produce the measured X-ray emission. In this work we present a model of the transport of magnetospheric oxygen ions as they precipitate into Jupiter's polar atmosphere. We have revised and updated the hybrid Monte Carlo model originally developed by Ozak et al., 2010 to model the Jovian X-ray aurora. We now simulate a wider range of incident oxygen ion energies (10 keV/u - 5 MeV/u) and update the collision cross-sections to model the ionization of the atmospheric neutrals. The polar cap location of the emission and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling both indicate the associated field-aligned currents must originate near the magnetopause or perhaps the distant tail. Secondary electrons produced in the upper atmosphere by ion precipitation could be accelerated upward to relativistic energies due to the same field-aligned potentials responsible for the downward ion acceleration. To further explore this, we simulate the effect of the secondary electrons generated from the heavy ion precipitation. We use a two-stream transport model that computes the secondary electron fluxes, their escape from the atmosphere, and characterization of the H2 Lyman-Werner band emission, including a predicted observable spectrum with the associated color ratio. Our model predicts that escaping electrons have an energy range from 1 eV to 6 keV, H2 band emission rates produced are on the order of 75 kR for an input of 10 mW/m2 of 2 MeV/u oxygen ions, and a color ratio of 10 is expected for this case. Moreover, recent Juno data indicates the presence of both upward and downward relativistic energy beams over the polar cap, hence we perform some preliminary calculations of the effect of proton precipitation into the polar atmosphere and its contributions to the aurora dynamics.
Ground and satellite observations of multiple sun-aligned auroral arcs on the duskside

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosokawa, K.; Maggiolo, R.; Zhang, Y.; Fear, R. C.; Fontaine, D.; Cumnock, J. A.; Kullen, A.; Milan, S. E.; Kozlovsky, A.; Echim, M.; Shiokawa, K.

2014-12-01

Sun-aligned auroral arcs (SAAs) are one of the outstanding phenomena in the high-latitude region during periods of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Smaller scale SAAs tend to occur either in the duskside or dawnside of the polar cap and are known to drift in the dawn-dusk direction depending on the sign of the IMF By. Studies of SAAs are of particular importance because they represent dynamical characteristics of their source plasma in the magnetosphere, for example in the interaction region between the solar wind and magnetosphere or in the boundary between the plasma sheet and tail lobe. To date, however, very little has been known about the spatial structure and/or temporal evolution of the magnetospheric counterpart of SAAs. In order to gain more comprehensive understanding of the field-aligned plasma transport in the vicinity of SAAs, we have investigated an event of SAAs on November 10, 2005, during which multiple SAAs were detected by a ground-based all-sky camera at Resolute Bay, Canada. During this interval, several SAAs were detached from the duskside oval and moved poleward. The large-scale structure of these arcs was visualized by space-based imagers of TIMED/GUVI and DMSP/SSUSI. In addition to these optical observations, we employ the Cluster satellites to reveal the high-altitude particle signature corresponding to the small-scale SAAs. The ionospheric footprints of the 4 Cluster satellites encountered the SAAs sequentially and observed well correlated enhancements of electron fluxes at weak energies (< 1 keV). The Cluster satellites also detected signatures of upflowing beams of ions and electrons in the vicinity of the SAAs. This implies that these ions and electrons were accelerated upward by a quasi-stationary electric field existing in the vicinity of the SAAs and constitute a current system in the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling system. Ionospheric convection measurement from one of the SuperDARN radars shows an indication that the SAAs are embedded in the lobe cell during northward IMF conditions. In the presentation, we will show the results of detailed comparison between the ground-based radio and optical signatures of the SAAs and those obtained by the Cluster spacecraft at magnetospheric altitudes.
Formation of Electrostatic Potential Drops in the Auroral Zone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schriver, D.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Richard, R. L.

2001-01-01

In order to examine the self-consistent formation of large-scale quasi-static parallel electric fields in the auroral zone on a micro/meso scale, a particle in cell simulation has been developed. The code resolves electron Debye length scales so that electron micro-processes are included and a variable grid scheme is used such that the overall length scale of the simulation is of the order of an Earth radii along the magnetic field. The simulation is electrostatic and includes the magnetic mirror force, as well as two types of plasmas, a cold dense ionospheric plasma and a warm tenuous magnetospheric plasma. In order to study the formation of parallel electric fields in the auroral zone, different magnetospheric ion and electron inflow boundary conditions are used to drive the system. It has been found that for conditions in the primary (upward) current region an upward directed quasi-static electric field can form across the system due to magnetic mirroring of the magnetospheric ions and electrons at different altitudes. For conditions in the return (downward) current region it is shown that a quasi-static parallel electric field in the opposite sense of that in the primary current region is formed, i.e., the parallel electric field is directed earthward. The conditions for how these different electric fields can be formed are discussed using satellite observations and numerical simulations.
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.
Atmosphere-Ionosphere Electrodynamic Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorokin, V. M.; Chmyrev, V. M.

Numerous phenomena that occur in the mesosphere, ionosphere, and the magnetosphere of the Earth are caused by the sources located in the lower atmosphere and on the ground. We describe the effects produced by lightning activity and by ground-based transmitters operated in high frequency (HF) and very low frequency (VLF) ranges. Among these phenomena are the ionosphere heating and the formation of plasma density inhomogeneities, the excitation of gamma ray bursts and atmospheric emissions in different spectral bands, the generation of ULF/ELF/VLF electromagnetic waves and plasma turbulence in the ionosphere, the stimulation of radiation belt electron precipitations and the acceleration of ions in the upper ionosphere. The most interesting results of experimental and theoretical studies of these phenomena are discussed below. The ionosphere is subject to the action of the conductive electric current flowing in the atmosphere-ionosphere circuit. We present a physical model of DC electric field and current formation in this circuit. The key element of this model is an external current, which is formed with the occurrence of convective upward transport of charged aerosols and their gravitational sedimentation in the atmosphere. An increase in the level of atmospheric radioactivity results in the appearance of additional ionization and change of electrical conductivity. Variation of conductivity and external current in the lower atmosphere leads to perturbation of the electric current flowing in the global atmosphere-ionosphere circuit and to the associated DC electric field perturbation both on the Earth's surface and in the ionosphere. Description of these processes and some results of the electric field and current calculations are presented below. The seismic-induced electric field perturbations produce noticeable effects in the ionosphere by generating the electromagnetic field and plasma disturbances. We describe the generation mechanisms of such experimentally observed effects as excitation of plasma density inhomogeneities, field-aligned currents, and ULF/ELF emissions and the modification of electron and ion altitude profiles in the upper ionosphere. The electrodynamic model of the ionosphere modification under the influence of some natural and man-made processes in the atmosphere is also discussed. The model is based on the satellite and ground measurements of electromagnetic field and plasma perturbations and on the data on atmospheric radioactivity and soil gas injection into the atmosphere.

Characteristics of M-component in rocket-triggered lightning and a discussion on its mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Rubin; Qie, Xiushu; Yang, Jing; Wang, Caixia; Zhao, Yang

2013-09-01

The current and electric field pulses associated with M-component following dart leader-return stroke sequences in negative rocket-triggered lightning flashes were analyzed in detail by using the data from Shandong Artificially Triggering Lightning Experiment, conducted from 2005 to 2010. For 63 M-components with current waveforms superimposed on the relatively steady continuing current, the geometric mean values of the peak current, duration, and charge transfer were 276 A, 1.21 ms, and 101 mC, respectively. The behaviors of the channel base current versus close electric field changes and the observation facts by different authors were carefully examined for investigation on mechanism of the M-component. A modified model based on Rakov's "two-wave" theory is proposed and confirms that the evolution of M-component through the lightning channel involves a downward wave transferring negative charge from the upper to the lower channel and an upward wave draining the charge transported by the downward wave. The upward wave serves to deplete the negative charge by the downward wave at its interface and makes the charge density of the channel beneath the interface layer to be roughly zero. Such modified concept is recognized to be reasonable by the simulated results showing a good agreement between the calculated and the measured E-field waveforms.
Optical and electrical observations of an abnormal triggered lightning event with two upward propagations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Dong; Zhang, Yijun; Lu, Weitao; Zhang, Yang; Dong, Wansheng; Chen, Shaodong; Dan, Jianru

2012-08-01

This study investigates an abnormal artificially triggered lightning event that produced two positive upward propagations: one during the initial stage (i.e., the upward leader (UL)) and the other after a negative downward aborted leader (DAL). The triggered lightning was induced in a weak thunderstorm over the experiment site and did not produce a return stroke. All of the intra-cloud lightning around the experiment site produced positive changes in the electric field. The initial stage was a weak discharge process. A downward dart leader propagated along the channel produced by the first UL, ending at a height of approximately 453 m and forming a DAL. Under the influence of the DAL, the electric field at a point located 78 m from the rod experienced a steady reduction of about 6.8 kV m-1 over 5.24 ms prior to the initiation of a new upward channel (i.e., the second upward propagation (UP)). The second UP, which started approximately 4.1 ms after the termination of the DAL and propagated along the original channel, was triggered by the DAL and sustained for approximately 2.95 ms. Two distinct current pulses were superimposed on the current of the second UP. The first pulse, which was related to the sudden initiation of the second UP, was characterized by a more rapid increase and decrease and a larger peak value than the second pulse, which was related to the development of the second UP into the area affected by the DAL. The second UP contained both a similar-to-leader process and a following neutralization process. This study introduces a new type of triggering leader, in which a new upward discharge is triggered in an established channel by an aborted leader propagating along the same channel with opposite polarity and propagation direction.
Discrete and broadband electron acceleration in Jupiter's powerful aurora.

PubMed

Mauk, B H; Haggerty, D K; Paranicas, C; Clark, G; Kollmann, P; Rymer, A M; Bolton, S J; Levin, S M; Adriani, A; Allegrini, F; Bagenal, F; Bonfond, B; Connerney, J E P; Gladstone, G R; Kurth, W S; McComas, D J; Valek, P

2017-09-06

The most intense auroral emissions from Earth's polar regions, called discrete for their sharply defined spatial configurations, are generated by a process involving coherent acceleration of electrons by slowly evolving, powerful electric fields directed along the magnetic field lines that connect Earth's space environment to its polar regions. In contrast, Earth's less intense auroras are generally caused by wave scattering of magnetically trapped populations of hot electrons (in the case of diffuse aurora) or by the turbulent or stochastic downward acceleration of electrons along magnetic field lines by waves during transitory periods (in the case of broadband or Alfvénic aurora). Jupiter's relatively steady main aurora has a power density that is so much larger than Earth's that it has been taken for granted that it must be generated primarily by the discrete auroral process. However, preliminary in situ measurements of Jupiter's auroral regions yielded no evidence of such a process. Here we report observations of distinct, high-energy, downward, discrete electron acceleration in Jupiter's auroral polar regions. We also infer upward magnetic-field-aligned electric potentials of up to 400 kiloelectronvolts, an order of magnitude larger than the largest potentials observed at Earth. Despite the magnitude of these upward electric potentials and the expectations from observations at Earth, the downward energy flux from discrete acceleration is less at Jupiter than that caused by broadband or stochastic processes, with broadband and stochastic characteristics that are substantially different from those at Earth.
Field-aligned currents and magnetospheric convection - A comparison between MHD simulations and observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Raymond J.; Ogino, Tatsuki

1988-01-01

A time-dependent three-dimensional MHD model was used to investigate the magnetospheric configuration as a function of the interplanetary magnetic field direction when it was in the y-z plane in geocentric solar magnetospheric coordinates. The model results show large global convection cells, tail lobe cells, high-latitude polarcap cells, and low latitude cells. The field-aligned currents generated in the model magnetosphere and the model convection system are compared with observations from low-altitude polar orbiting satellites.
On the limit of field-aligned current intensity in the polar magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Keith D.

1991-01-01

Field-aligned current (FAC) is here defined by 4 pi j = alpha B, where alpha is constant along a magnetic field line. The upper limit value of alpha in the polar magnetosphere, possible source regions of the strongest FAC and the relationship of them to some auroral and ionospheric irregularity cross-field scale sizes are discussed. Cross-field dimensions of the strongest FAC are related to the gyroradii of source particles (O(+), He(2+), He(+), H(+), e) in the current-generating region. It is suggested that experimental determination, and mapping of the values of alpha, may assist with the search for the generators of such currents in near-earth space including in the nearby solar wind. The upper limit of alpha is associated with the breakup of FAC systems.
Recent developments in the understanding of equatorial ionization anomaly: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balan, N.; Souza, J.; Bailey, G. J.

2018-06-01

A brief review of the recent developments in the understanding of the equatorial plasma fountain (EPF) and equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) under quiet and active conditions is presented. It is clarified that (1) the EPF is not upward ExB plasma drift at the equator followed by downward plasma diffusion, but it is field perpendicular ExB plasma drift and field-aligned plasma diffusion acting together all along the field lines at all altitudes and plasma flowing in the direction of the resultant. (2) The EIA is formed not from the accumulation of plasma at the crests but mainly from the removal of plasma from around the equator by the upward ExB drift with small accumulations when the crests are within approximately ±20° magnetic latitude. The accumulations reduce with increasing latitude and become zero by approximately ±25°. (3) An asymmetric neutral wind makes EPF and EIA asymmetric with stronger fountain and stronger crest usually occurring in opposite hemispheres especially at equinoxes when winter anomaly is absent. (4) During the early stages of daytime main phase of major geomagnetic storms, the plasma fountain becomes a super fountain and the EIA becomes strong not due to the eastward prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) alone but due to the combined effect of eastward PPEF and storm-time equatorward winds (SEW). (5) During the later stages of the storms when EIA gets inhibited a peak sometimes occurs around the equator not due to westward electric fields but mainly due to the convergence of plasma from both hemispheres due to SEW.
Magnetospheric discontinuities and interfaces as roots of discrete auroral arcs: modeling and comparison with in-situ data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Echim, M.; Maggiolo, R.; de Keyser, J. M.; Roth, M. A.

2009-12-01

We discuss the quasi-stationary coupling between magnetospheric sharp plasma interfaces and discrete auroral arcs. The magnetospheric generator is described by a Vlasov equilibrium similar to the kinetic models of tangential discontinuities. It provides the self-consistent profile of the magnetospheric convergent electric field, Φm. A kinetic current-voltage relationship gives the field-aligned current density flowing into and out of the ionosphere as a function of the potential difference between the magnetospheric generator and the ionospheric load. The electric potential in the ionosphere, Φi, is computed from the current continuity equation taking into account the variation of the Pedersen conductance, ΣP, with the energy flux of the precipitating magnetospheric electrons (ɛem). We discuss results obtained for the interface between the Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer (PSBL) and the lobes and respectively for the inner edge of the Low Latitude Boundary Layer (LLBL). This type of interfaces provides a field-aligned potential drop, ΔΦ=Φi-Φm, of the order of several kilovolts and field-aligned current densities, j||, of the order of tens of μA/m2 . The precipitating particles are confined in thin regions whose thickness is of the order of several kilometers at 200 km altitude. We show that visible auroral arcs form when the velocity shear across the generator magnetospheric plasma interface is above a threshold depending also on the kinetic properties of the generator. Brighter arcs forms for larger velocity shear in the magnetospheric generator. The field-aligned potential drop tends to decrease when the density gradient across the interface increases. Conjugated observations on April 28, 2001 by Cluster and DMSP-F14 give us the opportunity to validate the model with data gathered simultaneously below and above the acceleration region. The magnetospheric module of the coupling model provides a good estimation of the plasma parameters measured by Cluster across the magnetospheric interface: the electric potential, the plasma density and the parallel flux of downgoing electrons and upgoing Oxygen ions. The results of the ionospheric module of the model are in good agreement with the DMSP-F14 measurements of the field-aligned current density, the flux of precipitating energy and the accelerating field-aligned potential drop. A synthetic electron energy spectrum derived from the computed field-aligned potential drop retrieves the spatial scale and spectral width of the inverted-V event observed by DMSP-F14.
Effects of auroral potential drops on plasma sheet dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xi, Sheng; Lotko, William; Zhang, Binzheng; Wiltberger, Michael; Lyon, John

2016-11-01

The reaction of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system to dynamic auroral potential drops is investigated using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global model including, for the first time in a global simulation, the dissipative load of field-aligned potential drops in the low-altitude boundary condition. This extra load reduces the field-aligned current (j||) supplied by nightside reconnection dynamos. The system adapts by forcing the nightside X line closer to Earth, with a corresponding reduction in current lensing (j||/B = constant) at the ionosphere and additional contraction of the plasma sheet during substorm recovery and steady magnetospheric convection. For steady and moderate solar wind driving and with constant ionospheric conductance, the cross polar cap potential and hemispheric field-aligned current are lower by approximately the ratio of the peak field-aligned potential drop to the cross polar cap potential (10-15%) when potential drops are included. Hemispheric ionospheric Joule dissipation is less by 8%, while the area-integrated, average work done on the fluid by the reconnecting magnetotail field increases by 50% within |y| < 8 RE. Effects on the nightside plasma sheet include (1) an average X line 4 RE closer to Earth; (2) a 12% higher mean reconnection rate; and (3) dawn-dusk asymmetry in reconnection with a 17% higher rate in the premidnight sector.
Field-aligned Poynting flux observations in the high-latitude ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gary, J. B.; Heelis, R. A.; Hanson, W. B.; Slavin, J. A.

1994-06-01

We have used data from Dynamics Explorer 2 to investigate the rate of conversion of electromagnetic energy into both thermal and bulk flow particle kinetic energy in the high-latitude ionosphere. The flux tube integrated conversion rate E.J can be determined from spacecraft measurements of the electric and magnetic field vectors by deriving the field-aligned Poynting flux, S∥=S.B0, where B0 is in the direction of the geomagnetic field. Determination of the Poynting flux from satellite observations is critically dependent upon the establishment of accurate values of the fields and is especially sensitive to errors in the baseline (unperturbed) geomagnetic field. We discuss our treatment of the data in some detail, particularly in regard to systematically correcting the measured magnetic field to account for attitude changes and model deficiencies. S∥ can be used to identify the relative strengths of the magnetosphere and thermospheric winds as energy drivers and we present observations demonstrating the dominance of each of these. Dominance of the magnetospheric driver is indicated by S∥ directed into the ionosphere. Electromagnetic energy is delivered to and dissipated within the region. Dominance of the neutral wind requires that the conductivity weighted neutral wind speed in the direction of the ion drift be larger than the ion drift, resulting in observations of an upward directed Poynting flux. Electromagnetic energy is generated within the ionospheric region in this case. We also present observations of a case where the neutral atmosphere motion may be reaching a state of sustained bulk flow velocity as evidenced by very small Poynting flux in the presence of large electric fields.
Field-aligned current response to solar indices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Thom R.; Weimer, D. R.; Tobiska, W. K.; Olsen, Nils

2017-05-01

Magnetometer data from three satellite missions have been used to analyze and identify the effects of varying solar radiation on the magnitudes and locations of field-aligned currents in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Data from the CHAMP, Ørsted, and Swarm satellite missions have been brought together to provide a database spanning a 15 year period. The extensive time frame has been augmented by data from the ACE satellite, as well as a number of indices of solar radiation. This data set has been sorted by a number of solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field, and solar radiation indices to provide measurements for the field-aligned current structures in both hemispheres for arbitrary seasonal tilts. In addition, routines have been developed to extract the total current for different regions of the current structures, including regions 0, 1, and 2. Results from this study have been used to evaluate the effects of variations in four different solar indices on the total current in different regions of the polar cap. While the solar indices do not have major influence on the total current of the polar cap when compared to solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field parameters, it does appear that there is a nonlinear response to increasing F10.7, M10.7, and S10.7 solar indices. Surprisingly, there appears to be a very linear response as Y10.7 solar index increases.
Observations of barium ion jets in the magnetosphere using Doppler imaging systems and very sensitive imaging systems using imaging photon detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rees, D.; Conboy, J.; Heinz, W.; Heppner, J. P.

1985-01-01

Observations of four shaped charge releases from rockets launched from Alaska are described. Results demonstrate that imaging and Doppler imaging instruments, based on exploiting the imaging photon detector, provide additional insight into the motion and development of low intensity targets such as the fast ion jets produced by shaped charge releases. It is possible to trace the motion of fast ion jets to very great distances, of the order of 50,000 km, outward along the Earth's magnetic field, when the conditions are suitable for the outward (upward) motion and/or acceleration of such ion jets. It is shown that ion jets, which fade below the lower sensitivity threshold of previous instruments, do not always disappear. There is no evidence of an abrupt field-aligned shear-type acceleration.
Plasma currents and anisotropy in the tail-dipole transition region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artemyev, A.; Zhang, X. J.; Angelopoulos, V.; Runov, A.

2017-12-01

Using conjugated THEMIS and Van Allen Probes observations in the nightside magnetosphere, we examine statistically plasma and magnetic field characteristics at multiple locations simultaneously across the 3-10 RE region (i.e., across the tail-dipole transition region, whose location depends on tail flux loading and the strength of global convection). We find that the spatial distributions of ion and electron anisotropies vary significantly but systematically with radial distance and geomagnetic activity. For low Kp (<2), ions are transversely anisotropic near Earth but isotropic in the tail, whereas electrons are isotropic closer to Earth but field-aligned in tail. For large Kp (>4), the anisotropy profiles for ions and electrons reverse: ions are isotropic closer to the Earth and field-aligned in the tail, whereas electrons are transversely anisotropic closer to Earth but isotropic in the tail. Using the measured plasma anisotropy radial profiles we estimate the currents from curvature drifts and compare them with diamagnetic currents. We also discuss the implications of the observed plasma anisotropies for the presence and spatial distribution of field-aligned electric fields.
Latitudinal Variations Of The F3 Layer Observed From The SEALION Ionosonde Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uemoto, J.; Ono, T.; Maruyama, T.; Saito, S.; Iizima, M.; Kumamoto, A.

2006-12-01

[INTRODUCTION] The occurrence probability, local time, solar and magnetic activity dependences of the F3 layer have been clarified experimentally from ionosonde observations as well as model calculation, whereas some unexplained problems have remained; It has been reported that the F3 layer was frequently obrved in June solstice season at Fortaleza in Brazil (geographic latitude -4 deg, geographic longitude 322 deg, and dip latitude -5.4 deg) though in this season (local winter season), frequently occurrences of the F3 layer were not predicted from the model calculation with normal values of the E x B drift and meridional neutral wind and seasonal dependence of occurrences at Waltair (17.7 deg, 83.3 deg, 11.5 deg) shows a different tendency from that at Fortaleza. The latter problem seems to result from geographic control or differences of dip latitude between two observation locations, however, its physical mechanism has not been clarified. Then conjugate observations in a magnetic meridional plane are needed. For the purpose of clarifying the mechanism of the F3 layer in more detail, we are analyzing the ionosonde data of the South East Asian Low-latitude IOnosonde Network [SEALION] mainly provided by NiCT which consists of 4 ionosonde stations. In this study, we analyzed ionosonde data observed at Chiang Mai (CMU [18.8 deg, 98.9 deg, 13.0 deg]), Chumphon(CPN [10.7 deg, 99.4 deg, 3.3 deg]) and Kototabang (KTB [-0.2 deg, 100.3 deg, -10.0 deg]). [ANALYSIS] As a result from analyzing ionosonde data on 31st March, 2005, following dip latitudinal differences have been found; At CPN, in the vicinity of the dip equator, the F3 layer moved upward rapidly and disappeared in earlier local time, while at CMU and KTB, in the low dip latitude region, the F3 layer stayed at almost the same altitude and remained to be detectable with longer time duration. [CONCLUSION] From comparing between observation results and the model calculation, it is suggested that such a dip latitudinal difference can be explained by considering that (1) the magnetic field line at the F2 peak which moved upward by the E x B drift (corresponding to the F3 peak or subsequently ionization ledge peak) in the vicinity of the dip equator is also crossing at that in the low dip latitude region and (2) a dip latitudinal difference of field aligned plasma diffusion effects; In the vicinity of the dip equator, since plasma at the upward drifted peak altitude diffuses aligned magnetic field line to higher altitude, plasma density at upward drifted peak decreases and becomes smaller immediately than the F2 peak existing at the usual altitude, then double peak structure is observable from the ground with shorter duration time and the ionization ledge structure might be formed in earlier local time. On the other hand, in the low latitude region, since plasma are transported from the vicinity of the dip equator, plasma density at upward drifted peak altitude is retained denser than that at usual F2 peak altitude for a longer time. Then double peak structure is observable from the ground with longer duration time.
Magnetic tearing of plasma discharges due to nonuniform resistivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hassam, A. B.

1988-01-01

The rearrangement of current in a plasma discharge in response to resistivity nonuniformities within a magnetic surface is studied. It is shown that macroscopic magnetic islands develop about those surfaces where the nonuniformity is aligned with the magnetic field. If the nonuniformity and the field are not aligned anywhere, there is no current rearrangement; instead, relatively large plasma flows are set up. Such resistivity inhomogeneities can obtain in solar coronal loops and, in some circumstances, in tokamak discharges.
Field aligned current study during the solar declining- extreme minimum of 23 solar cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nepolian, Jeni Victor; Kumar, Anil; C, Panneerselvam

Field Aligned Current (FAC) density study has been carried out during the solar declining phase from 2004 to 2006 of the 23rd solar cycle and the ambient terrestrial magnetic field of the extended minimum period of 2008 and 2009. We mainly depended on CHAMP satellite data (http://isdc.gfz-potsdam.de/) for computing the FAC density with backup of IGRF-10 model. The study indicates that, the FAC is controlled by quasi-viscous processes occurring at the flank of the earth’s magnetosphere. The dawn-dusk conventional pattern enhanced during disturbed days. The intensity of R1 current system is higher than the R2 current system. Detailed results will be discussed in the conference.
DMSP F7 observations of a substorm field-aligned current

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, R. E.; Spence, H. E.; Meng, C.-I.

1991-01-01

Observations are described of a substorm field-aligned current (FAC) system traversed by the DMSP F7 spacecraft just after 0300 UT on April 25, 1985. It is shown that the substorm FAC portion of the current system was located equatorward of the boundary between open and closed field lines. The equatorward boundary of the substorm FAC into the magnetotail was mapped using the Tsyganenko (1987) model, showing that the boundary corresponds to 6.9 earth radii. The result is consistent with the suggestion of Akasofu (1972) and Lopez and Lui (1990) that the region of substorm initiation lies relatively close to the earth and the concept that an essential feature of substorms is the disruption and diversion of the near-earth current sheet.
ST5 Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents and Its Implication to the Cross-Polar Cap Pedersen Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan; Slavin, J. A.; Strangeway, Robert

2011-01-01

In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total R1 currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.
ST5 Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents and its Implication to the Cross-Polar Cap Pedersen Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan; Slavin, J. A.; Strangeway, Robert

2010-01-01

In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total R1 currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar windmagnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of approximately 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.
Maintenance of Surface Current Balance by Field-Aligned Thermoelectric Currents at Astronomical Bodies: Cassini at Rhea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teolis, B. D.

2014-12-01

Cassini spacecraft magnetic field data at Saturn's moon Rhea reveal a field-aligned electric current system in the flux tube, which forms to satisfy the requirement to balance ion and electron currents on the moon's sharp surface. Unlike induction currents at bodies surrounded by significant atmospheres, Rhea's flux tube current system is not driven by motion through the plasma, but rather thermoelectrically, by heat flow into the object. In addition to Rhea, the requirements for the current system are easily satisfied at many plasma absorbing bodies: (1) a difference of average ion and electron gyroradii radii, and (2) a "sharp" body of any size, i.e., without a significant thick atmosphere. This type of current system is therefore expected to occur generally, e.g. at other airless planetary satellites, asteroids, and even spacecraft; and accordingly, represents a fundamental aspect of the physics of the interaction of astrophysical objects with space plasmas.
Field-aligned currents and large-scale magnetospheric electric fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dangelo, N.

1979-01-01

The existence of field-aligned currents (FAC) at northern and southern high latitudes was confirmed by a number of observations, most clearly by experiments on the TRIAD and ISIS 2 satellites. The high-latitude FAC system is used to relate what is presently known about the large-scale pattern of high-latitude ionospheric electric fields and their relation to solar wind parameters. Recently a simplified model was presented for polar cap electric fields. The model is of considerable help in visualizing the large-scale features of FAC systems. A summary of the FAC observations is given. The simplified model is used to visualize how the FAC systems are driven by their generators.

Associating ground magnetometer observations with current or voltage generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartinger, M. D.; Xu, Z.; Clauer, C. R.; Yu, Y.; Weimer, D. R.; Kim, H.; Pilipenko, V.; Welling, D. T.; Behlke, R.; Willer, A. N.

2017-07-01

A circuit analogy for magnetosphere-ionosphere current systems has two extremes for drivers of ionospheric currents: ionospheric electric fields/voltages constant while current/conductivity vary—the "voltage generator"—and current constant while electric field/conductivity vary—the "current generator." Statistical studies of ground magnetometer observations associated with dayside Transient High Latitude Current Systems (THLCS) driven by similar mechanisms find contradictory results using this paradigm: some studies associate THLCS with voltage generators, others with current generators. We argue that most of this contradiction arises from two assumptions used to interpret ground magnetometer observations: (1) measurements made at fixed position relative to the THLCS field-aligned current and (2) negligible auroral precipitation contributions to ionospheric conductivity. We use observations and simulations to illustrate how these two assumptions substantially alter expectations for magnetic perturbations associated with either a current or a voltage generator. Our results demonstrate that before interpreting ground magnetometer observations of THLCS in the context of current/voltage generators, the location of a ground magnetometer station relative to the THLCS field-aligned current and the location of any auroral zone conductivity enhancements need to be taken into account.
Eddy correlation measurements of size-dependent cloud droplet turbulent fluxes to complex terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vong, Richard J.; Kowalski, Andrew S.

1995-07-01

An eddy correlation technique was used to measure the turbulent flux of cloud droplets to complex, forested terrain near the coast of Washington State during the spring of 1993. Excellent agreement was achieved for cloud liquid water content measured by two instruments. Substantial downward liquid water fluxes of 1mm per 24 h were measured at night during "steady and continuous" cloud events, about twice the magnitude of those measured by Beswick etal. in Scotland. Cloud water chemical fluxes were estimated to represent up to 50% of the chemical deposition associated with precipitation at the site. An observed size-dependence in the turbulent liquid water fluxes suggested that both droplet impaction, which leads to downward fluxes, and phase change processes, which can lead to upward fluxes, consistently are important contributors to the eddy correlation results. The diameter below which phase change processes were important to observed fluxes was shown to depend upon σL, the relative standard deviation of the liquid water content (LWC) within a 30-min averaging period. The crossover from upward to downward LW flux occurs at 8µm for steady and continuous cloud events but at 13µm for events with a larger degree of LWC variability. This comparison of the two types of cloud events suggested that evaporation was the most likely cause of upward droplet fluxes for the smaller droplets (dia<13µm) during cloud with variable LWC (σL>0.3).
Field line twist and field-aligned currents in an axially symmetric equilibrium magnetosphere. [of Uranus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voigt, Gerd-Hannes

1986-01-01

Field-aligned Birkeland currents and the angle of the magnetic line twist were calculated for an axially symmetric pole-on magnetosphere (assumed to be in MHD equilibrium). The angle of the field line twist was shown to have a strong radial dependence on the axisymmetric magnetotail as well as on the ionospheric conductivity and the amount of thermal plasma contained in closed magnetotail flux tubes. The field line twist results from the planetary rotation, which leads to the development of a toroidal magnetic B-sub-phi component and to differentially rotating magnetic field lines. It was shown that the time development of the toroidal magnetic B-sub-phi component and the rotation frequency are related through an induction equation.
Thermal Electron Contributions to Current-Driven Instabilities: SCIFER Observations in the 1400-km Cleft Ion Fountain and Their Implications to Thermal Ion Energization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adrian, Mark L.; Pollock, C. J.; Moore, T. E.; Kintner, P. M.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

SCIFER TECHS observations of the variations in the thermal electron distribution in the 1400-km altitude cleft are associated with periods of intense ion heating and field-aligned currents. Energization of the thermal ion plasma in the mid-altitude cleft occurs within density cavities accompanied by enhanced thermal electron temperatures, large field-aligned thermal electron plasma flows and broadband low-frequency electric fields. Variations in the thermal electron contribution to field-aligned current densities indicate small scale (approximately 100's m) filamentary structure embedded within the ion energization periods. TECHS observations of the field-aligned drift velocities and temperatures of the thermal electron distribution are presented to evaluate the critical velocity thresholds necessary for the generation of electrostatic ion cyclotron and ion acoustic instabilities. This analysis suggests that, during periods of thermal ion energization, sufficient drift exists in the thermal electron distribution to excite the electrostatic ion cyclotron instability. In addition, brief periods exist within the same interval where the drift of the thermal electron distribution is sufficient to marginally excite the ion acoustic instability. In addition, the presence an enhancement in Langmuir emission at the plasma frequency at the center of the ion energization region, accompanied by the emission's second-harmonic, and collocated with observations of high-frequency electric field solitary structures suggest the presence of electron beam driven decay of Langmuir waves to ion acoustic modes as an additional free energy source for ion energization.
Quantitative maps of geomagnetic perturbation vectors during substorm onset and recovery

PubMed Central

Pothier, N M; Weimer, D R; Moore, W B

2015-01-01

We have produced the first series of spherical harmonic, numerical maps of the time-dependent surface perturbations in the Earth's magnetic field following the onset of substorms. Data from 124 ground magnetometer stations in the Northern Hemisphere at geomagnetic latitudes above 33° were used. Ground station data averaged over 5 min intervals covering 8 years (1998–2005) were used to construct pseudo auroral upper, auroral lower, and auroral electrojet (AU*, AL*, and AE*) indices. These indices were used to generate a list of substorms that extended from 1998 to 2005, through a combination of automated processing and visual checks. Events were sorted by interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation (at the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite), dipole tilt angle, and substorm magnitude. Within each category, the events were aligned on substorm onset. A spherical cap harmonic analysis was used to obtain a least error fit of the substorm disturbance patterns at 5 min intervals up to 90 min after onset. The fits obtained at onset time were subtracted from all subsequent fits, for each group of substorm events. Maps of the three vector components of the averaged magnetic perturbations were constructed to show the effects of substorm currents. These maps are produced for several specific ranges of values for the peak |AL*| index, IMF orientation, and dipole tilt angle. We demonstrate an influence of the dipole tilt angle on the response to substorms. Our results indicate that there are downward currents poleward and upward currents just equatorward of the peak in the substorms' westward electrojet. Key Points Show quantitative maps of ground geomagnetic perturbations due to substorms Three vector components mapped as function of time during onset and recovery Compare/contrast results for different tilt angle and sign of IMF Y-component PMID:26167445
A morphological study of vertical ionospheric flows in the high-latitude F region

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

Loranc, M.; St.-Maurice, J.P.; Hanson, W.B.

1991-03-01

The authors have studied the vertical bulk ion drift data recorded by the DE 2 satellite between 200 and 1,000 km altitudes. For this data set, they have found that field-aligned ion flows between 100 m s{sup {minus}1} and 3 km s{sup {minus}1} are a common occurence in the high-latitude F region. The flows are predominantly upward near the cusp region and throughout the auroral zone. Strong downward flows of somewhat smaller magnitude are also recorded but mostly over the polar cap. These statements are true for all drift speeds in excess of 50 m s{sup {minus}1} and for allmore » altitudes and magnetic activity levels sampled. The morphology of low-altitude upward flowing ions agrees well with the morphology of outflowing ions, ion beams, and ion conics observed at much higher altitudes, but the low-altitude fluxes are often considerably greater. This suggests that a large fraction of the upflowing ions actually returns to the ionosphere, to be observed as large downward ion fluxes. They propose that upflowing ion events are generated by sudden large changes in the ion temperature below the neutral exobase, where ion frictional heating dominates the ion energy balance. The sudden changes in temperature occur when the horizontal velocity of a convecting field tube increases rapidly in regions like the cusp.« less
Periodic magnetic field as a polarized and focusing thermal neutron spectrometer and monochromator.

PubMed

Cremer, J T; Williams, D L; Fuller, M J; Gary, C K; Piestrup, M A; Pantell, R H; Feinstein, J; Flocchini, R G; Boussoufi, M; Egbert, H P; Kloh, M D; Walker, R B

2010-01-01

A novel periodic magnetic field (PMF) optic is shown to act as a prism, lens, and polarizer for neutrons and particles with a magnetic dipole moment. The PMF has a two-dimensional field in the axial direction of neutron propagation. The PMF alternating magnetic field polarity provides strong gradients that cause separation of neutrons by wavelength axially and by spin state transversely. The spin-up neutrons exit the PMF with their magnetic spins aligned parallel to the PMF magnetic field, and are deflected upward and line focus at a fixed vertical height, proportional to the PMF period, at a downstream focal distance that increases with neutron energy. The PMF has no attenuation by absorption or scatter, as with material prisms or crystal monochromators. Embodiments of the PMF include neutron spectrometer or monochromator, and applications include neutron small angle scattering, crystallography, residual stress analysis, cross section measurements, and reflectometry. Presented are theory, experimental results, computer simulation, applications of the PMF, and comparison of its performance to Stern-Gerlach gradient devices and compound material and magnetic refractive prisms.
Periodic magnetic field as a polarized and focusing thermal neutron spectrometer and monochromator

PubMed Central

Cremer, J. T.; Williams, D. L.; Fuller, M. J.; Gary, C. K.; Piestrup, M. A.; Pantell, R. H.; Feinstein, J.; Flocchini, R. G.; Boussoufi, M.; Egbert, H. P.; Kloh, M. D.; Walker, R. B.

2010-01-01

A novel periodic magnetic field (PMF) optic is shown to act as a prism, lens, and polarizer for neutrons and particles with a magnetic dipole moment. The PMF has a two-dimensional field in the axial direction of neutron propagation. The PMF alternating magnetic field polarity provides strong gradients that cause separation of neutrons by wavelength axially and by spin state transversely. The spin-up neutrons exit the PMF with their magnetic spins aligned parallel to the PMF magnetic field, and are deflected upward and line focus at a fixed vertical height, proportional to the PMF period, at a downstream focal distance that increases with neutron energy. The PMF has no attenuation by absorption or scatter, as with material prisms or crystal monochromators. Embodiments of the PMF include neutron spectrometer or monochromator, and applications include neutron small angle scattering, crystallography, residual stress analysis, cross section measurements, and reflectometry. Presented are theory, experimental results, computer simulation, applications of the PMF, and comparison of its performance to Stern–Gerlach gradient devices and compound material and magnetic refractive prisms. PMID:20113108
Upward electron beams measured by DE-1 - A primary source of dayside region-1 Birkeland currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burch, J. L.; Reiff, P. H.; Sugiura, M.

1983-01-01

Measurements made by the High Altitude Plasma Instrument on DE-1 have shown that intense upward electron beams with energies from about 20 eV to about 200 eV are a common feature of the region just equatorward of the morning-side polar cusp. Computations of the currents carried by these beams and by the precipitating cusp electrons show excellent agreement with the simultaneous DE-1 magnetometer measurements for both upward and downward Birkeland currents. The data indicate that cold ionospheric electrons, which carry the downward region-1 Birkeland currents on the morning side, are accelerated upward by potential drops of a few tens of eV at altitudes of several thousand kilometers. This acceleration process allows spacecraft above those altitudes to measure routinely the charge carriers of both downward and upward current systems.
Investigation of the magnetospheric convection influence on equatorial electrojet and electric field at the geomagnetic equator in quiet conditions on the basis of the GSM TIP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimenko, M. V.; Klimenko, V. V.; Bryukhanov, V. V.

Inclusion in the Global Self-consistent Model of the Thermosphere Ionosphere and Protonosphere GSM TIP developed in WD IZMIRAN of the new block of the electric field calculation allows to carry out the investigation of the equatorial ionosphere In this block the decision of the three-dimensional equation of the full current density conservation in the ionosphere of the Earth is realized by adduction it to the two-dimensional by integration on thickness of the current conductive layer along geomagnetic field lines which are expected equipotential In the given work are presented the calculation results on the basis of the model GSM TIP in which the composition and the temperature of neutral atmosphere computed on the basis of model MSIS The calculations were carried out for the quiet equinox conditions in the minimum of the solar activity The magnetosphere convection field calculated in the model by two ways paid in models - by setting of the field aligned currents of the first zone or potential difference across the polar caps Herewith in the first variant of calculations the currents of the first zone were selected so as got the potential difference through the polar caps was approximately such as assigned in the second variant There are considered two events - an absence of the screening by Alfven layer electric field that is to say the absence of the field aligned currents of the second zone and presence of such screening under given field aligned currents of the second zone All calculations were carried out with taking into account of
On Alfvenic Waves and Stochastic Ion Heating with 1Re Observations of Strong Field-aligned Currents, Electric Fields, and O+ ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coffey, Victoria; Chandler, Michael; Singh, Nagendra

2008-01-01

The role that the cleft/cusp has in ionosphere/magnetosphere coupling makes it a very dynamic region having similar fundamental processes to those within the auroral regions. With Polar passing through the cusp at 1 Re in the Spring of 1996, we observe a strong correlation between ion heating and broadband ELF (BBELF) emissions. This commonly observed relationship led to the study of the coupling of large field-aligned currents, burst electric fields, and the thermal O+ ions. We demonstrate the role of these measurements to Alfvenic waves and stochastic ion heating. Finally we will show the properties of the resulting density cavities.
Space Technology 5 (ST-5) Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Guan

2010-01-01

Space Technology 5 (ST-5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total RI currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of approx. 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.
Comparison of field-aligned currents at ionospheric and magnetospheric altitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spence, H. E.; Kivelson, M. G.; Walker, R. J.

1988-01-01

Using the empirical terrestrial magnetospheric magnetic field models of Tsyganenko and Usmanov (1982) and Tsyganenko (1987) the average field-aligned currents (FACs) in the magnetosphere were determined as a function of the Kp index. Three major model FAC systems were identified, namely, the dayside region 1, the nightside region 1, and the nightside polar cap. The models provide information about the sources of the current systems. Mapped ionospheric model FACs are compared with low-altitude measurements obtained by the spacecraft. It is found that low-altitude data can reveal either classic region 1/2 or more highly structured FAC patterns. Therefore, statistical results either obtained from observations or inferred from models are expected to be averages over temporally and spatially shifting patterns.
Ground and CHAMP observations of field-aligned current circuits generated by lower atmospheric disturbances and expectations to the SWARM to clarify their three dimensional structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iyemori, Toshihiko; Nakanishi, Kunihito; Aoyama, Tadashi; Lühr, Hermann

2014-05-01

Acoustic gravity waves propagated to the ionosphere cause dynamo currents in the ionosphere. They divert along geomagnetic field lines of force to another hemisphere accompanying electric field and then flow in the ionosphere of another hemisphere by the electric field forming closed current circuits. The oscillating current circuits with the period of acoustic waves generate magnetic variations on the ground, and they are observed as long period geomagnetic pulsations. This effect has been detected during big earthquakes, strong typhoons, tornados etc. On a low-altitude satellite orbit, the spatial distribution (i.e., structure) of the current circuits along the satellite orbit should be detected as temporal magnetic oscillations, and the effect is confirmed by a CHAMP data analysis. On the spatial structure, in particular, in the longitudinal direction, it has been difficult to examine by a single satellite or from ground magnetic observations. The SWARM satellites will provide an unique opportunity to clarify the three dimensional structure of the field-aligned current circuits.
Relation between precipitation of energetic electrons, field-aligned currents, and the westward electrojet

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

Dronov, A.V.; Tsirs, V.E.

1988-11-01

We have investigated the relation between the precipitation of energetic electrons and protons (>30 keV), field aligned currents, and the position of the westward electrojet during the active phase of substorms. Our work is based on measurements by Kosmos-426 in November 11-12 and 22-25, 1971, and by Kosmos-900 and Interkosmos-17 in December 1-2, 1977. Maximum fluxes of precipitating energetic electrons arrive in the region of outflowing current. Maximum fluxes of protons are precipitated preferentially in regions of inflowing current. During the active phase of substorms, the maximum fluxes of energetic electrons are recorded at the leading edge of the westwardmore » electrojet.« less
High-latitude Daytime Magnetic Bays as Effects of Strong Positive IMF Bz: Case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gromova, L. I.; Kleimenova, N. G.; Levitin, A. E.; Dremukhina, L. A.; Antonova, E. E.; Gromov, S. V.

2017-08-01

We present unusual negative magnetic bay-like disturbances occurred in the dayside polar geomagnetic latitudes under positive IMF Bz. The considered events were observed during the recovery phase of the storm of May 30, 2003 and the main phase of the storm of Nov 24, 2001. We call such magnetic disturbances "dayside polar substorms". It is supposed that the development of dayside polar substorms can be represented as a magnetospheric response to a significant change of the IMF Bz from negative to high positive values. The vector construction of the geomagnetic data (Scandinavian magnetometer chain IMAGE) demonstrated a clockwise vortex during the storm of Nov 24, 2001, and two opposing vortices in the event of May 30, 2003. These vortices could be regarded as a proxy of an intensification of downward and upward field-aligned currents. This assumption is based on the IZMIRAN model estimations and the simultaneous DMSP and CHAMP satellite data. According to the OVATION model and the electron images from IMAGE satellite, the Scandinavian polar stations that registered these dayside polar magnetic substorms, were mapped into the dayside auroral oval, i.e. inside the closed magnetosphere.
Generation of Alfvenic Double Layers, Formation of Auroral Arcs, and Their Impact on Energy and Momentum Transfer in M-I Coupling System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Y.; Lysak, R. L.

2017-12-01

Parallel electrostatic electric fields provide a powerful mechanism to accelerate auroral particles to high energy in the auroral acceleration region (AAR), creating both quasi-static and Alfvenic discrete aurorae. The total field-aligned current can be written as J||total=J||+J||D, where the displacement current is denoted as J||D=(1/4π)(∂E||/∂t), which describes the E||-generation (Song and Lysak, 2006). The generation of the total field-aligned current is related to spatial gradients of the parallel vorticity caused by the axial torque acting on field-aligned flux tubes in M-I coupling system. It should be noticed that parallel electric fields are not produced by the field-aligned current. In fact, the E||-generation is caused by Alfvenic interaction in the M-I coupling system, and is favored by a low plasma density and the enhanced localized azimuthal magnetic flux. We suggest that the nonlinear interaction of incident and reflected Alfven wave packets in the AAR can create reactive stress concentration, and therefore can generate the parallel electrostatic electric fields together with a seed low density cavity. The generated electric fields will quickly deepen the seed low density cavity, which can effectively create even stronger electrostatic electric fields. The electrostatic electric fields nested in a low density cavity and surrounded by enhanced azimuthal magnetic flux constitute Alfvenic electromagnetic plasma structures, such as Alfvenic Double Layers (DLs). The Poynting flux carried by Alfven waves can continuously supply energy from the generator region to the auroral acceleration region, supporting and sustaining Alfvenic DLs with long-lasting electrostatic electric fields which accelerate auroral particles to high energy. The generation of parallel electric fields and the formation of auroral arcs can redistribute perpendicular mechanical and magnetic stresses in auroral flux tubes, decoupling the magnetosphere from ionosphere drag locally. This may enhance the magnetotail earthward shear flows and rapidly buildup stronger parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region, leading to a sudden and violent tail energy release, if there is accumulated free magnetic energy in the tail.
Currents and Associated Electron Scattering and Bouncing Near the Diffusion Region at Earth's Magnetopause

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lavraud, B.; Zhang, Y. C.; Vernisse, Y.; Gershman, D. J.; Dorelli, J.; Cassak, P. A.; Dargent, J.; Pollock, C.; Giles, B.; Aunai, N.;

2016-01-01

Based on high-resolution measurements from NASA's Magnetospheric Multlscale mission, we present the dynamics of electrons associated with current systems observed near the diffusion region of magnetic reconnection at Earth's magnetopause. Using pitch angle distributions (PAD) and magnetic curvature analysis, we demonstrate the occurrence of electron scattering in the curved magnetic field of the diffusion region down to energies of 20eV. We show that scattering occurs closer to the current sheet as the electron energy decreases. The scattering of Inflowing electrons, associated with field-aligned electrostatic potentials and Hall currents, produces a new population of scattered electrons with broader PAD which bounce back and forth in the exhaust. Except at the center of the diffusion region the two populations are collocated and appear to behave adiabatically: the inflowing electron PAD focuses inward (toward lower magnetic field), while the bouncing population PAD gradually peaks at 90 degrees away from the center (where it mirrors owing to higher magnetic field and probable field-aligned potentials).

Statistical average estimates of high latitude field-aligned currents from the STARE and SABRE coherent VHF radar systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosch, M. J.; Nielsen, E.

Two bistatic VHF radar systems, STARE and SABRE, have been employed to estimate ionospheric electric fields in the geomagnetic latitude range 61.1 - 69.3° (geographic latitude range 63.8 - 72.6°) over northern Scandinavia. 173 days of good backscatter from all four radars have been analysed during the period 1982 to 1986, from which the average ionospheric divergence electric field versus latitude and time is calculated. The average magnetic field-aligned currents are computed using an AE-dependent empirical model of the ionospheric conductance. Statistical Birkeland current estimates are presented for high and low values of the Kp and AE indices as well as positive and negative orientations of the IMF B z component. The results compare very favourably to other ground-based and satellite measurements.
Vorticity equation for MHD fast waves in geospace environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamauchi, M.; Lundin, R.; Lui, A. T. Y.

1993-01-01

The MHD vorticity equation is modified in order to apply it to nonlinear MHD fast waves or shocks when their extent along the magnetic field is limited. Field-aligned current (FAC) generation is also discussed on the basis of this modified vorticity equation. When the wave normal is not aligned to the finite velocity convection and the source region is spatially limited, a longitudinal polarization causes a pair of plus and minus charges inside the compressional plane waves or shocks, generating a pair of FACs. This polarization is not related to the separation between the electrons and ions caused by their difference in mass, a separation which is inherent to compressional waves. The resultant double field-aligned current structure exists both with and without the contributions from curvature drift, which is questionable in terms of its contribution to vorticity change from the viewpoint of single-particle motion.

The Effects of Neutral Inertia on Ionospheric Currents in the High-Latitude Thermosphere Following a Geomagnetic Storm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deng, W.; Killeen, T. L.; Burns, A. G.; Roble, R. G.; Slavin, J. A.; Wharton, L. E.

1993-01-01

Results of an experimental and theoretical investigation into the effects of the time dependent neutral wind flywheel on high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics are presented. The results extend our previous work which used the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere/Ionosphere General Circulation Model (NCAR TIGCM) to theoretically simulate flywheel effects in the aftermath of a geomagnetic storm. The previous results indicated that the neutral circulation, set up by ion-neutral momentum coupling in the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, is maintained for several hours after the main phase has ended and may dominate height-integrated Hall currents and field-aligned currents for up to 4-5 hours. We extend the work of Deng et al. to include comparisons between the calculated time-dependent ionospheric Hall current system in the storm-time recovery period and that measured by instruments on board the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite. Also, comparisons are made between calculated field-aligned currents and those derived from DE 2 magnetometer measurements. These calculations also allow us to calculate the power transfer rate (sometimes called the Poynting flux) between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) Neutral winds can contribute significantly to the horizontal ionospheric current system in the period immediately following the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, especially over the magnetic polar cap and in regions of ion drift shear. (2) Neutral winds drive Hall currents that flow in the opposite direction to those driven by ion drifts. (3) The overall morphology of the calculated field-aligned current system agrees with previously published observations for the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub Z) southward conditions, although the region I and region 2 currents are smeared by the TI(ICM model grid resolution. (4) Neutral winds can make significant contributions to the field-aligned current system when B(sub Z) northward conditions prevail following the main phase of a storm, but can account for only a fraction of the observed currents. (5) DE 2 measurements provide a demonstration of "local" (satellite-altitude) flywheel effects. (6) On the assumption that the magnetosphere acts as an insulator, we calculate neutral-wind-induced polarization electric fields of approx. 20-30 kV in the period immediately following the geomagnetic storm.
Space Technology 5 Observations of Auroral Field-Aligned Currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slavin, James

2008-01-01

During its three month long technology validation mission, Space Technology 5 (ST-5) returned high quality multi-point measurements of the near-Earth magnetic field. Its three micro-satellites were launched into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn - dusk, sun synchronous orbit (inclination = 105.60) orbit with a period of 138 min by a Pegasus launch vehicle on March 22, 2006. The spacecraft were maintained in a "pearls on a sting" constellation with controlled spacings ranging from just over 5000 km down to under 50 km. The individual micro-satellites were 48 cm tall octagons with diameters of 50 cm. They were spin-stabilized at approximately 20 rpm at deployment and slowly spun-down to about 15 rpm by the end of the mission. Each spacecraft carried a miniature tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer (MAG) provided by the University of California at Los Angeles mounted at the end of a ultra-low mass 72 cm boom. These data allow, for the first time, the separation of temporal and spatial variations in field-aligned current (FAC) perturbations measured in low-Earth orbit on time scales of 10 sec to 10 min. The constellation measurements are used to directly determine field-aligned current sheet motion, thickness. and current density. Two multi-point methods for the inference of FAC current density that have not previously been possible in low-Earth orbit are demonstrated: 1) the -standard method." based upon s/c velocity, but corrected for FAC current sheet motion. and 2) the "gradiometer method" which uses simultaneous magnetic field measurements at two points with known separation. Future studies will apply these methods to the entire ST-5 data sct and expand to include horizontal ionospheric currents. ULF waves and geomagnetic field gradient analyses.
A review of advances in lightning observations during the past decade in Guangdong, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yijun; Lü, Weitao; Chen, Shaodong; Zheng, Dong; Zhang, Yang; Yan, Xu; Chen, Lüwen; Dong, Wansheng; Dan, Jianru; Pan, Hanbo

2016-08-01

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding the physical processes of artificially triggered lightning and natural lightning as well as the progress in testing lightning protection technologies, based on a series of lightning field campaigns jointly conducted by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences and Guangdong Meteorological Bureau since 2006. During the decade-long series of lightning field experiments, the technology of rocket-wire artificially triggered lightning has been improved, and has successfully triggered 94 lightning flashes. Through direct lightning current waveform measurements, an average return stroke peak current of 16 kA was obtained. The phenomenon that the downward leader connects to the lateral surface of the upward leader in the attachment process was discovered, and the speed of the upward leader during the connection process being significantly greater than that of the downward leader was revealed. The characteristics of several return strokes in cloud-to-ground lighting have also been unveiled, and the mechanism causing damage to lightning protection devices (i.e., ground potential rise within the rated current) was established. The performance of three lightning monitoring systems in Guangdong Province has also been quantitatively assessed.
Exploration of a possible cause of magnetic reconfiguration/reconnection due to generation, rather than annihilation, of magnetic field in a nun-uniform thin current sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Y. C.; Lyu, L. H.

2014-12-01

Magnetic reconfiguration/reconnection plays an important role on energy and plasma transport in the space plasma. It is known that magnetic field lines on two sides of a tangential discontinuity can connect to each other only at a neutral point, where the strength of the magnetic field is equal to zero. Thus, the standard reconnection picture with magnetic field lines intersecting at the neutral point is not applicable to the component reconnection events observed at the magnetopause and in the solar corona. In our early study (Yu, Lyu, & Wu, 2011), we have shown that annihilation of magnetic field near a thin current sheet can lead to the formation of normal magnetic field component (normal to the current sheet) to break the frozen-in condition and to accelerate the reconnected plasma flux, even without the presence of a neutral point. In this study, we examine whether or not a generation, rather than annihilation, of magnetic field in a nun-uniform thin current sheet can also lead to reconnection of plasma flux. Our results indicate that a non-uniform enhancement of electric current can yield formation of field-aligned currents. The normal-component magnetic field generated by the field-aligned currents can yield reconnection of plasma flux just outside the current-enhancement region. The particle motion that can lead to non-uniform enhancement of electric currents will be discussed.
Enhanced photoluminescence and field-emission behavior of vertically well aligned arrays of In-doped ZnO Nanowires.

PubMed

Ahmad, Mashkoor; Sun, Hongyu; Zhu, Jing

2011-04-01

Vertically oriented well-aligned Indium doped ZnO nanowires (NWs) have been successfully synthesized on Au-coated Zn substrate by controlled thermal evaporation. The effect of indium dopant on the optical and field-emission properties of these well-aligned ZnO NWs is investigated. The doped NWs are found to be single crystals grown along the c-axis. The composition of the doped NWs is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photospectroscopy (XPS). The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of doped NWs having a blue-shift in the UV region show a prominent tuning in the optical band gap, without any significant peak relating to intrinsic defects. The turn-on field of the field emission is found to be ∼2.4 V μm(-1) and an emission current density of 1.13 mA cm(-2) under the field of 5.9 V μm(-1). The field enhancement factor β is estimated to be 9490 ± 2, which is much higher than that of any previous report. Furthermore, the doped NWs exhibit good emission current stability with a variation of less than 5% during a 200 s under a field of 5.9 V μm(-1). The superior field emission properties are attributed to the good alignment, high aspect ratio, and better crystallinity of In-doped NWs. © 2011 American Chemical Society
Multiscale field-aligned current analyzer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bunescu, C.; Marghitu, O.; Constantinescu, D.; Narita, Y.; Vogt, J.; Blǎgǎu, A.

2015-11-01

The magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling is achieved, essentially, by a superposition of quasi-stationary and time-dependent field-aligned currents (FACs), over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. The planarity of the FAC structures observed by satellite data and the orientation of the planar FAC sheets can be investigated by the well-established minimum variance analysis (MVA) of the magnetic perturbation. However, such investigations are often constrained to a predefined time window, i.e., to a specific scale of the FAC. The multiscale field-aligned current analyzer, introduced here, relies on performing MVA continuously and over a range of scales by varying the width of the analyzing window, appropriate for the complexity of the magnetic field signatures above the auroral oval. The proposed technique provides multiscale information on the planarity and orientation of the observed FACs. A new approach, based on the derivative of the largest eigenvalue of the magnetic variance matrix with respect to the length of the analysis window, makes possible the inference of the current structures' location (center) and scale (thickness). The capabilities of the FAC analyzer are explored analytically for the magnetic field profile of the Harris sheet and tested on synthetic FAC structures with uniform current density and infinite or finite geometry in the cross-section plane of the FAC. The method is illustrated with data observed by the Cluster spacecraft on crossing the nightside auroral region, and the results are cross checked with the optical observations from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms ground network.
Investigating the development of double-peak subauroral ion drift (DSAID)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horvath, Ildiko; Lovell, Brian C.

2017-04-01

This study focuses on the newly described ionospheric feature, called double-peak subauroral ion drift (DSAID), which is a subclass of the well-known single-peak SAID. Double-layer Region 2 (R2) field aligned currents (FACs) could be the main driver of DSAID. Our aim is to gain new insights into the development of DSAID during its two-stage progression. Observational results are provided by five scenarios, each demonstrating a certain progression sequence of DSAID. Results show that SAID/DSAID occurred during flux transfer events and was accompanied by flow channels (FCs) associated with dayside magnetopause (FC-2) and nightside magnetotail (FC-3) reconnections, with westward electrojet (eastward FC), and with auroral streamers (FC-4). In the premidnight magnetic local time (MLT) sector of stage 2, DSAID development was due to the short-circuiting of the reconnection-injected plasma jets during substorms or pseudobreakups. Thus, the related ring current pressure buildup enhanced the downward R2 FACs leading to double/multiple circuits forming double-layer R2 FACs. During the midnight MLT hours of stage 2, DSAID development was closely related to the westward traveling surge (WTS)/substorm current wedge (SCW). WTS/SCW-related strong upward R1 FACs closed with meriodional currents producing eastward and downward (i.e., downward R2 FAC-style) return currents enhancing the downward R2 FACs and thus leading to double/multiple circuits forming double-layer R2 FACs. Auroral streamers/FC-4 represent a substorm substructure and their occurrence with DSAID after stage 2 demonstrates that this substructure occasionally includes DSAID. Our results demonstrate also that the short-circuited system underlying SAID/DSAID acted sometimes as a current generator and sometimes as a voltage generator.
ELECTRODYNAMICS OF AXISYMMETRIC PULSAR MAGNETOSPHERE WITH ELECTRON-POSITRON DISCHARGE: A NUMERICAL EXPERIMENT

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

Chen, Alexander Y.; Beloborodov, Andrei M., E-mail: amb@phys.columbia.edu

2014-11-01

We present the first self-consistent global simulations of pulsar magnetospheres with operating e {sup ±} discharge. We focus on the simple configuration of an aligned or anti-aligned rotator. The star is spun up from a zero (vacuum) state to a high angular velocity, and we follow the coupled evolution of its external electromagnetic field and plasma particles using the ''particle-in-cell'' method. A plasma magnetosphere begins to form through the extraction of particles from the star; these particles are accelerated by the rotation-induced electric field, producing curvature radiation and igniting e {sup ±} discharge. We follow the system evolution for severalmore » revolution periods, longer than required to reach a quasi-steady state. Our numerical experiment puts to test previous ideas for the plasma flow and gaps in the pulsar magnetosphere. We first consider rotators capable of producing pairs out to the light cylinder through photon-photon collisions. We find that their magnetospheres are similar to the previously obtained force-free solutions with a Y-shaped current sheet. The magnetosphere continually ejects e {sup ±} pairs and ions. Pair creation is sustained by a strong electric field along the current sheet. We observe powerful curvature and synchrotron emission from the current sheet, consistent with Fermi observations of gamma-ray pulsars. We then study pulsars that can only create pairs in the strong-field region near the neutron star, well inside the light cylinder. We find that both aligned and anti-aligned rotators relax to the ''dead'' state with suppressed pair creation and electric currents, regardless of the discharge voltage.« less
Penetration of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field B(sub y) into Earth's Plasma Sheet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hau, L.-N.; Erickson, G. M.

1995-01-01

There has been considerable recent interest in the relationship between the cross-tail magnetic field component B(sub y) and tail dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to give an overall description of the penetration of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub y) into the near-Earth plasma sheet. We show that plasma sheet B(sub y) may be generated by the differential shear motion of field lines and enhanced by flux tube compression. The latter mechanism leads to a B(sub y) analogue of the pressure-balance inconsistency as flux tubes move from the far tail toward the Earth. The growth of B(sub y), however, may be limited by the dawn-dusk asymmetry in the shear velocity as a result of plasma sheet tilting. B(sub y) penetration into the plasma sheet implies field-aligned currents flowing between hemispheres. These currents together with the IMF B(sub y) related mantle field-aligned currents effectively shield the lobe from the IMF B(sub y).
High latitude currents in the 0600 to 0900 MLT sector - Observations from Viking and DMSP-F7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bythrow, P. F.; Potemra, T. A.; Zanetti, L. J.; Erlandson, R. A.; Hardy, D. A.; Rich, F. J.; Acuna, M. H.

1987-01-01

High-resolution magnetic field and charged-particle data acquired on March 25, 1986 by the Viking and DMSP-F7 satellites, as they traversed the dawn sector auroral zone on nearly antiparallel trajectories within 40 min of each oher, are analyzed. Magnetic field measurements by Viking at 0850 MLT and by DMSP at 0630 MLT indicate the presence of a large-scale earthward-directed region 1 Birkeland current and an upward-flowing region 2 current. Both satellites also observed a third Birkeland current adjacent to and poleward of the region 1 system with opposite flow. This poleward system is about 0.5 deg invariant latitude wide and has a current density comparable to the region 1 and 2 systems. The highest-latitude current is identified as region 0. Its charged-particle signatures were used to infer field line mapping to the equatorial plane.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sato, M.; Kamide, Y.; Richmond, A.D.

A new technique is presented to estimate electric fields and currents in a localized region of the high-latitude ionosphere by combining two magnetogram-inversion algorithms. This paper describes the concept and practical procedures of the method as well as the first results of our efforts in which this new scheme is applied to northern Scandinavia, computing the ionospheric parameters on a small scale. Examining latitudinal profiles of these parameters and precipitating particles, it is found that the region of the most intense precipitation in the morning sector is located equatorward of the region of the strongest electric field. To evaluate themore » relative importance of ionospheric and magnetospheric effects, the field-aligned current is divided into two components: (del Sigma) dot E and Sigma del dot E. These two components give often the opposite directions in the resultant field-aligned currents. The relative strength of the two components appears to vary considerably with latitude.« less
ISEE-1 and 2 observations of field-aligned currents in the distant midnight magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, R. C.; Kelly, T. J.; Russell, C. T.

1985-01-01

Magnetic field measurements obtained in the nightside magnetosphere by the co-orbiting ISEE-1 and 2 spacecraft have been examined for signatures of field-aligned currents (FAC). Such currents are found on the boundary of the plasma sheet both when the plasma sheet is expanding and when it is thinning. Evidence is often found for the existence of waves on the plasma sheet boundary, leading to multiple crossings of the FAC sheet. At times the boundary layer FAC sheet orientation is nearly parallel to the X-Z GSM plane, suggesting 'protrusions' of plasma sheet into the lobes. The boundary layer current polarity is, as expected, into the ionosphere in the midnight to dawn local time sector, and outward near dusk. Current sheet thicknesses and velocities are essentially independent of plasma sheet expansion or thinning, having typical values of 1500 km and 20-40 km/s respectively. Characteristic boundary layer current densities are about 10 nanoamps per square meter.
A new statistical framework to assess structural alignment quality using information compression

PubMed Central

Collier, James H.; Allison, Lloyd; Lesk, Arthur M.; Garcia de la Banda, Maria; Konagurthu, Arun S.

2014-01-01

Motivation: Progress in protein biology depends on the reliability of results from a handful of computational techniques, structural alignments being one. Recent reviews have highlighted substantial inconsistencies and differences between alignment results generated by the ever-growing stock of structural alignment programs. The lack of consensus on how the quality of structural alignments must be assessed has been identified as the main cause for the observed differences. Current methods assess structural alignment quality by constructing a scoring function that attempts to balance conflicting criteria, mainly alignment coverage and fidelity of structures under superposition. This traditional approach to measuring alignment quality, the subject of considerable literature, has failed to solve the problem. Further development along the same lines is unlikely to rectify the current deficiencies in the field. Results: This paper proposes a new statistical framework to assess structural alignment quality and significance based on lossless information compression. This is a radical departure from the traditional approach of formulating scoring functions. It links the structural alignment problem to the general class of statistical inductive inference problems, solved using the information-theoretic criterion of minimum message length. Based on this, we developed an efficient and reliable measure of structural alignment quality, I-value. The performance of I-value is demonstrated in comparison with a number of popular scoring functions, on a large collection of competing alignments. Our analysis shows that I-value provides a rigorous and reliable quantification of structural alignment quality, addressing a major gap in the field. Availability: http://lcb.infotech.monash.edu.au/I-value Contact: arun.konagurthu@monash.edu Supplementary information: Online supplementary data are available at http://lcb.infotech.monash.edu.au/I-value/suppl.html PMID:25161241
A preliminary study of the fabrics in the Skaergaard Layered Series and implications for the significance of compaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vukmanovic, Z.; Holness, M. B.; Mariani, E.

2016-12-01

Gabbroic cumulates often have foliations and/or lineations defined by shape-preferred orientations of cumulus grains (SPO). These fabrics are commonly interpreted as a product of crystal alignment by flowing magma or by slumping of a non-cohesive mush. Conversely it has also been argued that cumulate fabrics are secondary and formed during compaction via dislocation creep and/or solution-reprecipitation creep. The dominant plagioclase slip system, (010)[001], creates a crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) defined by the alignment of (010) planes, with [001] parallel to lineation. Solution-reprecipitation results in a CPO with (010) planes aligned parallel to the principal compressive stress, and preferential mineral growth on (010) planes to form an SPO defined by grains elongated perpendicular to (010). In the Skaergaard Layered Series, the shape of cumulus plagioclase grains changes systematically from highly tabular to equant up the stratigraphy. Foliations, defined both by a plagioclase SPO (with tabular grains aligned horizontally) and an associated CPO ((010) parallel to foliation), are strongest lower in the stratigraphy and reduce in strength upwards. Lineations are generally absent or weak. Evidence for crystal plasticity is limited to bending of some plagioclase crystals and small numbers of low angle boundaries in all phases. Compositional zoning is present on all plagioclase growth faces in the lower part of the stratigraphy, inconsistent with preferential solution - reprecipitation during compression. There are no fabrics or microstructures that can be attributed to solution-reprecipitation, and evidence for only minor microstructural modification by dislocation creep. Plagioclase grain shape and strength of foliations are approximately anti-correlated with incompatible element concentration. It has been argued that the upwards decrease in incompatible element concentration in the Skaergaard Layered Series is due to an upwards increasing significance of compaction driven by gravitational loading. Our observations suggest that the Skaergaard fabrics are primary and formed at or close to the magma-mush interface, with only minor deformation-related modification deeper in the mush. The Skaergaard adcumulates cannot therefore be attributed to compaction.
Filamentation of plasma in the auroral region by an ion-ion instability: A process for the formation of bidimensional potential structures

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

Mottez, F.; Chanteur, G.; Roux, A.

1992-07-01

A two-dimensional, explicit, electrostatic particle code is used to investigate the nonlinear behavior of electrostatic ion waves generated by an ion beam flowing through a thermal ion and electron background in a strongly magnetized plasma ({omega}{sub ce} {much gt} {omega}{sub pe} where {omega}{sub ce} and {omega}{sub pe} are the electron gyrofrequency and the plasma frequency). To follow the nonlinear evolution of these ions waves, a long-lasting simulation is run with a large simulation grid: 128 {times} 512{lambda}{sub d}. Beam ions are shown to generate oblique waves. The nonlinear beatings between these oblique waves produce purely transverse waves, which leads tomore » a strong modulation of the density and of the electric potential in a direction transverse to the magnetic field. The transverse scale of these essentially field-aligned filaments is L{sub {perpendicular}} = 10 {rho}{sub i} where {rho}{sub i} is the ion Larmor radius of beam ions. Within these filaments, relatively stable field-aligned density and potential structures develop. The typical size, along the magnetic field, of these structures is L{sub {parallel}} = 10 {lambda}{sub d}, the density is modulated by 30%, and the electric potential is as large as T{sub e} within these structures. Unlike the potential structures that develop in a two-component plasma with downgoing electrons, these structures move upward. These characteristics are in good agreement with the weak double layers recently detected by Viking.« less
The Structure and Properties of 0.1 - 100 keV Electron Distributions Over Jupiter's Polar Aurora Region and their Contribution to Polar Aurora Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebert, R. W.; Allegrini, F.; Bagenal, F.; Bolton, S. J.; Chae, K.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Clark, G. B.; Gladstone, R.; Hue, V.; Kurth, W. S.; Levin, S.; Louarn, P.; Mauk, B.; McComas, D. J.; Paranicas, C.; Saur, J.; Reno, C.; Szalay, J. R.; Thomsen, M. F.; Valek, P. W.; Weidner, S.; Wilson, R. J.

2017-12-01

In addition to the main emissions in the north and south, Jupiter's auroral emissions also include polar, satellite-related, and other features. Here we present observations from Juno's Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) of 0.1 - 100 keV electrons in Jupiter's polar aurora region during the spacecraft's northern and southern polar passes bounding PJ1 (27 August 2016), PJ3 (11 December 11 2016), PJ4 (2 February 2017), PJ5 (27 March 2017), PJ6 (19 May 2017), and PJ7 (11 July 2017). Specifically, we focus on the spatial structure, energy and pitch angle distributions, and energy flux and spectra of these electrons. The observations reveal regions containing magnetic field aligned beams of bi-directional electrons having broad energy distributions interspersed between beams of upward electrons with narrow, peaked energy distributions, regions void of these electrons, and regions dominated by penetrating radiation, with penetrating radiation being most common. The electrons show evidence of acceleration via parallel electric fields (inverted-V structures) and via stochastic processes (bi-directional distributions). The inverted-V structures identified to date were observed from 1.4 - 2.9 RJ and had spatial scales of 100s to 1000s of kilometers along Juno's trajectory. The upward energy flux of the electron distributions was typically greater than the downward energy flux and their contribution to producing Jupiter's polar aurora emissions will be discussed.
A leader-return-stroke consistent macroscopic model for calculations of return stroke current and its optical and electromagnetic emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Shuyao; Chen, Mingli; Du, Yaping; Qin, Zilong

2017-08-01

A downward lightning flash usually starts with a downward leader and an upward connecting leader followed by an upward return stroke. It is the preceding leader that governs the following return stroke property. Besides, the return stroke property evolves with height and time. These two aspects, however, are not well addressed in most existing return stroke models. In this paper, we present a leader-return stroke consistent model based on the time domain electric field integral equation, which is a growth and modification of Kumar's macroscopic model. The model is further extended to simulate the optical and electromagnetic emissions of a return stroke by introducing a set of equations relating the return stroke current and conductance to the optical and electromagnetic emissions. With a presumed leader initiation potential, the model can then simulate the temporal and spatial evolution of the current, charge transfer, channel size, and conductance of the return stroke, furthermore the optical and electromagnetic emissions. The model is tested with different leader initiation potentials ranging from -10 to -140 MV, resulting in different return stroke current peaks ranging from 2.6 to 209 kA with different return stroke speed peaks ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 speed of light and different optical power peaks ranging from 4.76 to 248 MW/m. The larger of the leader initiation potential, the larger of the return stroke current and speed. Both the return stroke current and speed attenuate exponentially as it propagates upward. All these results are qualitatively consistent with those reported in the literature.
Polar cap arcs from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere: kinetic modelling and observations by Cluster and TIMED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maggiolo, R.; Echim, M.; Wedlund, C. Simon; Zhang, Y.; Fontaine, D.; Lointier, G.; Trotignon, J.-G.

2012-02-01

On 1 April 2004 the GUVI imager onboard the TIMED spacecraft spots an isolated and elongated polar cap arc. About 20 min later, the Cluster satellites detect an isolated upflowing ion beam above the polar cap. Cluster observations show that the ions are accelerated upward by a quasi-stationary electric field. The field-aligned potential drop is estimated to about 700 V and the upflowing ions are accompanied by a tenuous population of isotropic protons with a temperature of about 500 eV. The magnetic footpoints of the ion outflows observed by Cluster are situated in the prolongation of the polar cap arc observed by TIMED GUVI. The upflowing ion beam and the polar cap arc may be different signatures of the same phenomenon, as suggested by a recent statistical study of polar cap ion beams using Cluster data. We use Cluster observations at high altitude as input to a quasi-stationary magnetosphere-ionosphere (MI) coupling model. Using a Knight-type current-voltage relationship and the current continuity at the topside ionosphere, the model computes the energy spectrum of precipitating electrons at the top of the ionosphere corresponding to the generator electric field observed by Cluster. The MI coupling model provides a field-aligned potential drop in agreement with Cluster observations of upflowing ions and a spatial scale of the polar cap arc consistent with the optical observations by TIMED. The computed energy spectrum of the precipitating electrons is used as input to the Trans4 ionospheric transport code. This 1-D model, based on Boltzmann's kinetic formalism, takes into account ionospheric processes such as photoionization and electron/proton precipitation, and computes the optical and UV emissions due to precipitating electrons. The emission rates provided by the Trans4 code are compared to the optical observations by TIMED. They are similar in size and intensity. Data and modelling results are consistent with the scenario of quasi-static acceleration of electrons that generate a polar cap arc as they precipitate in the ionosphere. The detailed observations of the acceleration region by Cluster and the large scale image of the polar cap arc provided by TIMED are two different features of the same phenomenon. Combined together, they bring new light on the configuration of the high-latitude magnetosphere during prolonged periods of Northward IMF. Possible implications of the modelling results for optical observations of polar cap arcs are also discussed.
Shear-induced opening of the coronal magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolfson, Richard

1995-01-01

This work describes the evolution of a model solar corona in response to motions of the footpoints of its magnetic field. The mathematics involved is semianalytic, with the only numerical solution being that of an ordinary differential equation. This approach, while lacking the flexibility and physical details of full MHD simulations, allows for very rapid computation along with complete and rigorous exploration of the model's implications. We find that the model coronal field bulges upward, at first slowly and then more dramatically, in response to footpoint displacements. The energy in the field rises monotonically from that of the initial potential state, and the field configuration and energy appraoch asymptotically that of a fully open field. Concurrently, electric currents develop and concentrate into a current sheet as the limiting case of the open field is approached. Examination of the equations shows rigorously that in the asymptotic limit of the fully open field, the current layer becomes a true ideal MHD singularity.
Spatial relationship of field-aligned currents, electron precipitation, and plasma convection in the auroral oval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coley, W. R.

1983-01-01

Observations reported by Winningham et al. (1975) have established that the auroral oval mapped to the magnetosphere along closed field lines divided the oval into two distinct regions of particle precipitation. In order to determine relationships between field-aligned current, convection, and particle precipitation, simultaneous measurements of all quantities are needed. The studies of Bythrow et al. (1980, 1981) have utilized Atmosphere Explorer C data for sunlit passes of the high-latitude ionosphere. The addition of magnetometer information for the eclipsed high-latitude passes of the Atmospheric Explorer C spacecraft makes it possible to make simultaneous measurements of Birkeland currents, plasma convection, and electron precipitation in the nightside auroral oval and polar cap. The present investigation provides the results of such observations, discusses the observed relationships, and attempts to correlate boundaries.

Two-dimensional potential double layers and discrete auroras

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kan, J. R.; Lee, L. C.; Akasofu, S.-I.

1979-01-01

This paper is concerned with the formation of the acceleration region for electrons which produce the visible auroral arc and with the formation of the inverted V precipitation region. The former is embedded in the latter, and both are associated with field-aligned current sheets carried by plasma sheet electrons. It is shown that an electron current sheet driven from the plasma sheet into the ionosphere leads to the formation of a two-dimensional potential double layer. For a current sheet of a thickness less than the proton gyrodiameter solutions are obtained in which the field-aligned potential drop is distributed over a length much greater than the Debye length. For a current sheet of a thickness much greater than the proton gyrodiameter solutions are obtained in which the potential drop is confined to a distance on the order of the Debye length. The electric field in the two-dimensional double-layer model is the zeroth-order field inherent to the current sheet configuration, in contrast to those models in which the electric field is attributed to the first-order field due to current instabilities or turbulences. The maximum potential in the two-dimensional double-layer models is on the order of the thermal energy of plasma sheet protons, which ranges from 1 to 10 keV.
Terminator field-aligned current system: A new finding from model-assimilated data set (MADS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, L.; Schunk, R. W.; Scherliess, L.; Sojka, J. J.; Gardner, L. C.; Eccles, J. V.; Rice, D.

2013-12-01

Physics-based data assimilation models have been recognized by the space science community as the most accurate approach to specify and forecast the space weather of the solar-terrestrial environment. The model-assimilated data sets (MADS) produced by these models constitute an internally consistent time series of global three-dimensional fields whose accuracy can be estimated. Because of its internal consistency of physics and completeness of descriptions on the status of global systems, the MADS has also been a powerful tool to identify the systematic errors in measurements, reveal the missing physics in physical models, and discover the important dynamical physical processes that are inadequately observed or missed by measurements due to observational limitations. In the past years, we developed a data assimilation model for the high-latitude ionospheric plasma dynamics and electrodynamics. With a set of physical models, an ensemble Kalman filter, and the ingestion of data from multiple observations, the data assimilation model can produce a self-consistent time-series of the complete descriptions of the global high-latitude ionosphere, which includes the convection electric field, horizontal and field-aligned currents, conductivity, as well as 3-D plasma densities and temperatures, In this presentation, we will show a new field-aligned current system discovered from the analysis of the MADS produced by our data assimilation model. This new current system appears and develops near the ionospheric terminator. The dynamical features of this current system will be described and its connection to the active role of the ionosphere in the M-I coupling will be discussed.
Plasma Deposited SiO2 for Planar Self-Aligned Gate Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors on Semi-Insulating InP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tabory, Charles N.; Young, Paul G.; Smith, Edwyn D.; Alterovitz, Samuel A.

1994-01-01

Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) field effect transistors were fabricated on InP substrates using a planar self-aligned gate process. A 700-1000 A gate insulator of Si02 doped with phosphorus was deposited by a direct plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition at 400 mTorr, 275 C, 5 W, and power density of 8.5 MW/sq cm. High frequency capacitance-voltage measurements were taken on MIS capacitors which have been subjected to a 700 C anneal and an interface state density of lxl0(exp 11)/eV/cq cm was found. Current-voltage measurements of the capacitors show a breakdown voltage of 107 V/cm and a insulator resistivity of 10(exp 14) omega cm. Transistors were fabricated on semi-insulating InP using a standard planar self-aligned gate process in which the gate insulator was subjected to an ion implantation activation anneal of 700 C. MIS field effect transistors gave a maximum extrinsic transconductance of 23 mS/mm for a gate length of 3 microns. The drain current drift saturated at 87.5% of the initial current, while reaching to within 1% of the saturated value after only 1x10(exp 3). This is the first reported viable planar InP self-aligned gate transistor process reported to date.
Field Aligned Currents Derived From Pressure Profiles Obtained From TWINS ENA Images for Geomagnetic Storms That Occurred On 01 June 2013 and 17 March 2015.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, K.; Perez, J. D.; Goldstein, J.; McComas, D. J.; Valek, P. W.

2016-12-01

Field aligned currents (FACs) that flow from the Earth's magnetosphere into the ionosphere are an important coupling mechanism in the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Assuming pressure balance and charge conservation yields an expression for the FACs in terms of plasma pressure gradients and pressure anisotropy. The Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) mission, the first stereoscopic ENA magnetospheric imager, provides global images of the inner magnetosphere from which ion pressure distributions and pressure anisotropies are obtained. Following the formulations in Vasyliunas (1970), Vasyliunas (1984), and Heinemann (1990), and using results from TWINS observations, we calculate the distributions of field aligned currents for geomagnetic storms on 1 June 2013 and 17 March 2015, in which extended ionospheric precipitation was observed. As previous work has assumed isotropic pressure distributions, we perform calculations both assuming pressure isotropy, and using the pressure anisotropy observed by TWINS, and compare the results from the two storms. References: 1. Vasyliunas, V. M. (1970). Mathematical Models of Magnetospheric Convection and its Coupling to the Ionosphere. Particles and Fields in the Magnetosphere Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 60-71. doi:10.1007/978-94-010-3284-1_6 2. Vasyliunas, V. M. (1984). Fundamentals of current description. Magnetospheric Currents Geophysical Monograph Series, 63-66. doi:10.1029/gm028p0063 3. Heinemann, M. (1990). Representations of currents and magnetic fields in anisotropic magnetohydrostatic plasma. J. Geophys. Res. Journal of Geophysical Research, 95(A6), 7789. doi:10.1029/ja095ia06p07789
Coordinated measurements of auroral processes at Saturn from the Cassini spacecraft and HST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, D. G.; Kurth, W. S.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Gurnett, D. A.; Krupp, N.; Saur, J.; Mauk, B. A.; Carbary, J. F.; Krimigis, S. M.; Brandt, P. C.; Dougherty, M. K.; Clarke, J. T.; Nichols, J. D.; Gerard, J.; Grodent, D.; Pryor, W. R.; Bunce, E. J.; Crary, F. J.

2008-12-01

One of the primary Cassini mission objectives at Saturn is to characterize Saturn's aurora-its spatial morphology, associated particle energization, radio wave generation, and magnetospheric currents, relationship with solar wind pressure and magnetic field, and its large scale mapping to the magnetosphere. By design, the Cassini orbital tour included high inclination and low periapsis orbits late in the prime mission specifically to address many of these topics. In this presentation, we will provide a snapshot of the current state of our investigation into the relationship between magnetospheric measurements of particles and fields, and the aurora. For in situ data, we will show measurements of upward traveling light ion conics (~30 keV to 200 keV), often accompanied by electron beams (<20 keV to ~1 MeV) and enhanced broadband noise (10 Hz to a few kHz), throughout the outer magnetosphere on field lines that nominally map from well into the polar cap (dipole L > 50) to well into the closed field region (dipole L < 10). Sometimes the particle phenomena and the broadband noise occur in pulses of roughly five-minute duration, separated by tens of minutes. At other times they are relatively steady over an hour or more. Magnetic signatures associated with some of the pulsed events are consistent with field aligned current structures. Correlative observations of solar wind (Cassini) and aurora (HST) have established a strong relationship between solar wind pressure and auroral activity (brightness) (Crary et al., Nature, 2005; Clarke et al., JGR, 2008). A similar correspondence between bright auroral arcs and ring current ion acceleration will be shown here. So while some auroral forms seem to be associated with the open/closed field boundary (i.e. in the cusp-Bunce et al., JGR, 2008), we also demonstrate that under some magnetospheric conditions for which protons and oxygen ions are accelerated once per Saturn magnetosphere rotation at a preferred local time between midnight and dawn, simultaneous auroral observations by the HST reveal a close correlation between these dynamical magnetospheric events and dawn-side transient auroral brightenings. Likewise, many of the recurrent energetic neutral atom enhancements coincide closely with bursts of Saturn kilometric radiation, again suggesting a linkage with high latitude auroral processes. Finally, we will show some intriguing results of auroral movie sequences from the Cassini UVIS instrument with corresponding ring current movies from the Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument Ion and Neutral Camera (MIMI/INCA).
Dynamic Response of a Magnetized Plasma to AN External Source: Application to Space and Solid State Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Huai-Bei

This dissertation examines the dynamic response of a magnetoplasma to an external time-dependent current source. To achieve this goal a new method which combines analytic and numerical techniques to study the dynamic response of a 3-D magnetoplasma to a time-dependent current source imposed across the magnetic field was developed. The set of the cold electron and/or ion plasma equations and Maxwell's equations are first solved analytically in (k, omega)^ace; inverse Laplace and 3 -D complex Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques are subsequently used to numerically transform the radiation fields and plasma currents from the (k, omega) ^ace to the (r, t) space. The dynamic responses of the electron plasma and of the compensated two-component plasma to external current sources are studied separately. The results show that the electron plasma responds to a time -varying current source imposed across the magnetic field by exciting whistler/helicon waves and forming of an expanding local current loop, induced by field aligned plasma currents. The current loop consists of two anti-parallel field-aligned current channels concentrated at the ends of the imposed current and a cross-field current region connecting these channels. The latter is driven by an electron Hall drift. A compensated two-component plasma responds to the same current source as following: (a) For slow time scales tau > Omega_sp{i}{-1} , it generates Alfven waves and forms a non-local current loop in which the ion polarization currents dominate the cross-field current; (b) For fast time scales tau < Omega_sp{i}{-1} , the dynamic response of the compensated two-component plasma is the same as that of the electron plasma. The characteristics of the current closure region are determined by the background plasma density, the magnetic field and the time scale of the current source. This study has applications to a diverse range of space and solid state plasma problems. These problems include current closure in emf inducing tethered satellite systems (TSS), generation of ELF/VLF waves by ionospheric heating, current closure and quasineutrality in thin magnetopause transitions, and short electromagnetic pulse generation in solid state plasmas. The cross-field current in TSS builds up on a time scale corresponding to the whistler waves and results in local current closure. Amplitude modulated HF ionospheric heating generates ELF/VLF waves by forming a horizontal magnetic dipole. The dipole is formed by the current closure in the modified region. For thin transition the time-dependent cross-field polarization field at the magnetopause could be neutralized by the formation of field aligned current loops that close by a cross-field electron Hall current. A moving current source in a solid state plasma results in microwave emission if the speed of the source exceeds the local phase velocity of the helicon or Alfven waves. Detailed analysis of the above problems is presented in the thesis.
Validation of a new plasmapause model derived from CHAMP field-aligned current signatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heilig, Balázs; Darrouzet, Fabien; Vellante, Massimo; Lichtenberger, János; Lühr, Hermann

2014-05-01

Recently a new model for the plasmapause location in the equatorial plane was introduced based on magnetic field observations made by the CHAMP satellite in the topside ionosphere (Heilig and Lühr, 2013). Related signals are medium-scale field-aligned currents (MSFAC) (some 10km scale size). An empirical model for the MSFAC boundary was developed as a function of Kp and MLT. The MSFAC model then was compared to in situ plasmapause observations of IMAGE RPI. By considering this systematic displacement resulting from this comparison and by taking into account the diurnal variation and Kp-dependence of the residuals an empirical model of the plasmapause location that is based on MSFAC measurements from CHAMP was constructed. As a first step toward validation of the new plasmapause model we used in-situ (Van Allen Probes/EMFISIS, Cluster/WHISPER) and ground based (EMMA) plasma density observations. Preliminary results show a good agreement in general between the model and observations. Some observed differences stem from the different definitions of the plasmapause. A more detailed validation of the method can take place as soon as SWARM and VAP data become available. Heilig, B., and H. Lühr (2013) New plasmapause model derived from CHAMP field-aligned current signatures, Ann. Geophys., 31, 529-539, doi:10.5194/angeo-31-529-2013
Field-aligned currents onboard the Intercosmos Bulgaria-1300 satellite in comparison with modeled FAC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danov, Dimitar

2008-02-01

The statistical field-aligned current (FAC) distribution has been demonstrated by [Iijima, T., Potemra, T.A., 1976. The amplitude distribution of field-aligned currents at northern high latitudes observed by Triad. Journal of Geophysical Research 81(13), 2165-2174] and many other authors. The large-scale (LS) FACs have been described by different empirical/statistical models [Feldstein, Ya. I., Levitin, A.E., 1986. Solar wind control of electric fields and currents in the ionosphere. Journal of Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity 38, 1143; Papitashvili, V.O., Rich, F.J., Heinemann, M.A., Hairston, M.R., 1999. Parameterization of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program ionospheric electrostatic potentials by the interplanetary magnetic field strength and direction. Journal of Geophysical Research 104, 177-184; Papitashvili, V.O., Christiansen, F., Neubert, T., 2002. A new model of field-aligned currents derived from high-precision satellite magnetic field data. Geophysical Research Letters, 29(14), 1683, doi:10.1029/2001GL014207; Tsyganenko, N.A., 2001. A model of the near magnetosphere with a dawn-dusk asymetry (I. Mathematical structure). Journal of Geophysical Research 107(A8), doi:10.1029/2001JA000219; Weimer, D.R., 1996a. A new model for prediction of ionospheric electric potentials as a function of the IMF. In: Snowmass'96 Online Poster Session; Weimer, D.R., 1996b. Substorm influence on the ionospheric convection patterns. In: Snowmass'96 Online Poster Session; Weimer, D.R., 2001. Maps of ionospheric field-aligned currents as a function of the interplanetary magnetic field derived from Dynamic Explorer 2 data. Journal of Geophysical Research 106, 12,889-12,902; Weimer, D.R., 2005. Improved ionospheric electrodynamic models and application to calculating Joule heating rates. Journal of Geophysical Research 110, A05306, doi:10.1029/2004JA010884]. In the present work, we compare two cases of LS FAC obtained from magnetic field measurements onboard the Intercosmos Bulgaria-1300 satellite with three models: two empirical [Tsyganenko, N.A., 2001. A model of the near magnetosphere with a down-dusk asymetry (I. Mathematical structure). Journal of Geophysical Research 107(A8), doi:10.1029/2001JA000219; Weimer, D.R., 2005. Improved ionospheric electrodynamic models and application to calculating Joule heating rates. Journal of Geophysical Research 110, A05306, doi:10.1029/2004JA010884] and one computer-based MHD-simulation in "The Community Coordinated Modeling Center" (CCMC) [Toth, G., et al., 2005. Space weather modeling framework: a new tool for the space science community. Journal of Geophysical Research 110, A12226, doi:10.1029/2005JA011126]. We found that the position of the measured FAC is close to the positions predicted by the models, but the measured density can be greater than the model FAC densities. We discuss the possible reasons for the observed discrepancy between the measured and modeled FACs.
Latitudinal and longitudinal behavior of the geomagnetic field during a disturbed period: A case study using wavelet techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klausner, Virginia; Domingues, Margarete Oliveira; Mendes, Odim; da Costa, Aracy Mendes; Papa, Andres Reinaldo Rodriguez; Gonzalez, Arian Ojeda

2016-11-01

Coronal mass ejections are the primary cause of the highly disturbed conditions observed in the magnetosphere. Momentum and energy from the solar wind are transferred to the Earth's magnetosphere mainly via magnetic reconnection which produces open field lines connecting the Earth magnetic field to the solar wind. Magnetospheric currents are coupled to the ionosphere through field-aligned currents. This particular characteristic of the magnetosphere-ionosphere interconnection is discussed here on the basis of the energy transfer from high (auroral currents) to low-latitudes (ring current). The objective of this work is to examine how the conditions during a magnetic storm can affect the global space and time configuration of the ring current, and, how these processes can affect the region of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly. The H- or X-components of the Earth's magnetic field were examined using a set of six magnetometers approximately aligned around the geographic longitude at about 10 °, 140 ° and 295 ° from latitudes of 70 ° N to 70 ° S and aligned throughout the equatorial region, for the event of October 18-22, 1998. The investigation of simultaneous observations of data measured at different locations makes it possible to determine the effects of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and, it tries to establish some relationships among them. This work also compares the responses of the aligned magnetic observatories to the responses in the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly region. The major contribution of this paper is related to the applied methodology of the discrete wavelet transform. The wavelet coefficients are used as a filter to extract the information in high frequencies of the analyzed magnetogram. They also better represent information about the injections of energy and, consequently, the disturbances of the geomagnetic field measured on the ground. As a result, we present a better way to visualize the correlation between the X- or H-components. In the latitude range from ∼ 40 ° S to ∼ 60 ° N, the wavelet signatures do not show remarkable differences, except for the amplitudes of the wavelet coefficients. The sequence of transient field variations detected at auroral latitudes is probably associated to occurrences of substorms, while at lower latitudes, these variations are associated to the enhancement of the ring current.
Tuning vertical alignment and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube bundles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sreekanth, M.; Ghosh, S.; Srivastava, P.

2018-01-01

We report the growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotube bundles on Si substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition technique. Vertical alignment was achieved without any carrier gas or lithography-assisted deposition. Growth has been carried out at 850 °C for different quantities of solution of xylene and ferrocene ranging from 2.25 to 3.00 ml in steps of 0.25 ml at a fixed concentration of 0.02 gm (ferrocene) per ml. To understand the growth mechanism, deposition was carried out for different concentrations of the solution by changing only the ferrocene quantity, ranging from 0.01 to 0.03 gm/ml. A tunable vertical alignment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been achieved by this process and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Micro-crystalline structural analysis has been done using Raman spectroscopy. A systematic variation in field emission (FE) current density has been observed. The highest FE current density is seen for the film grown with 0.02 gm/ml concentration, which is attributed to the better alignment of CNTs, less structural disorder and less entanglement of CNTs on the surface. The alignment of CNTs has been qualitatively understood on the basis of self-assembled catalytic particles.
Earth fissures and localized differential subsidence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holzer, Thomas L.; Pampeyan, Earl Haig

1979-01-01

Long tension cracks caused by declines of ground-water level at four sites in Arizona, California, and Nevada occur at points of maximum, convex-upward curvature in subsidence profiles based on relevelings of closely-spaced bench marks aligned perpendicular to the cracks. We conclude the cracks are caused by horizontal strains associated with the differential subsidence.
Magnetospheric electric fields and currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mauk, B. H.; Zanetti, L. J.

1987-01-01

The progress made in the years 1983-1986 in understanding the character and operation of magnetospheric electric fields and electric currents is discussed, with emphasis placed on the connection with the interior regions. Special attention is given to determinations of global electric-field configurations, measurements of the response of magnetospheric particle populations to the electric-field configurations, and observations of the magnetospheric currents at high altitude and during northward IMF. Global simulations of current distributions are discussed, and the sources of global electric fields and currents are examined. The topics discussed in the area of impulsive and small-scale phenomena include substorm current systems, impulsive electric fields and associated currents, and field-aligned electrodynamics. A key finding of these studies is that the electric fields and currents are interrelated and cannot be viewed as separate entities.
Patterned growth of carbon nanotubes over vertically aligned silicon nanowire bundles for achieving uniform field emission.

PubMed

Hung, Yung-Jr; Huang, Yung-Jui; Chang, Hsuan-Chen; Lee, Kuei-Yi; Lee, San-Liang

2014-01-01

A fabrication strategy is proposed to enable precise coverage of as-grown carbon nanotube (CNT) mats atop vertically aligned silicon nanowire (VA-SiNW) bundles in order to realize a uniform bundle array of CNT-SiNW heterojunctions over a large sample area. No obvious electrical degradation of as-fabricated SiNWs is observed according to the measured current-voltage characteristic of a two-terminal single-nanowire device. Bundle arrangement of CNT-SiNW heterojunctions is optimized to relax the electrostatic screening effect and to maximize the field enhancement factor. As a result, superior field emission performance and relatively stable emission current over 12 h is obtained. A bright and uniform fluorescent radiation is observed from CNT-SiNW-based field emitters regardless of its bundle periodicity, verifying the existence of high-density and efficient field emitters on the proposed CNT-SiNW bundle arrays.
Auroral particle acceleration: An example of a universal plasma process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haerendel, G.

1980-06-01

The occurrence of discrete and narrow auroral arcs is attributed to a sudden release of magnetic tensions set up in a magnetospheric-ionospheric current circuit of high strength. At altitudes of several 1000 km the condition of frozen in magnetic fields can be broken temporarily in thin regions corresponding to the observed width of auroral arcs. This implies magnetic field-aligned potential drops of several kilovolts supported by certain anomalous transport processes which can only be maintained in a quasi-stationary fashion if the current density exceeds a critical limit. The region of field aligned potential drops is structured by two pairs of standing waves which are generalized Alfven waves of large amplitude across which the parallel electric field has a finite jump. The waves are emitted from the leading edge of the acceleration region which propagates slowly into the stressed magnetic field.
Utilizing field-aligned current profiles derived from Swarm to estimate the peak emission height of 630 nm auroral arcs: a comparison of methods and discussion of associated error estimates in the ASI data.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillies, D. M.; Knudsen, D. J.; Donovan, E.; Jackel, B. J.; Gillies, R.; Spanswick, E.

2017-12-01

We compare field-aligned currents (FACs) measured by the Swarm constellation of satellites with the location of red-line (630 nm) auroral arcs observed by all-sky imagers (ASIs) to derive a characteristic emission height for the optical emissions. In our 10 events we find that an altitude of 200 km applied to the ASI maps gives optimal agreement between the two observations. We also compare the new FAC method against the traditional triangulation method using pairs of all-sky imagers (ASIs), and against electron density profiles obtained from the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar-Canadian radar (RISR-C), both of which are consistent with a characteristic emission height of 200 km. We also present the spatial error associated with georeferencing REdline Geospace Observatory (REGO) and THEMIS all-sky imagers (ASIs) and how it applies to altitude projections of the mapped image. Utilizing this error we validate the estimated altitude of redline aurora using two methods: triangulation between ASIs and field-aligned current profiles derived from magnetometers on-board the Swarm satellites.
Controlled growth of well-aligned GaS nanohornlike structures and their field emission properties.

PubMed

Sinha, Godhuli; Panda, Subhendu K; Datta, Anuja; Chavan, Padmakar G; Shinde, Deodatta R; More, Mahendra A; Joag, D S; Patra, Amitava

2011-06-01

Here, we report the synthesis of vertically aligned gallium sulfide (GaS) nanohorn arrays using simple vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method. The morphologies of GaS nano and microstructures are tuned by controlling the temperature and position of the substrate with respect to the source material. A plausible mechanism for the controlled growth has been proposed. It is important to note that the turn-on field value of GaS nanohorns array is found to be the low turn-on field 4.2 V/μm having current density of 0.1 μA/cm(2). The striking feature of the field emission behavior of the GaS nanohorn arrays is that the average emission current remains nearly constant over long time without any degradation. © 2011 American Chemical Society
Electric fields and field-aligned currents in polar regions of the solar corona: 3-D MHD consideration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pisanko, Yu. V.

1995-01-01

The calculation of the solar rotation electro-dynamical effects in the near-the-Sun solar wind seems more convenient from the non-inertial corotating reference frame. This implies some modification of the 3-D MHD equations generally on the base of the General Theory of Relativity. The paper deals with the search of stationary (in corotating non-inertial reference frame) solutions of the modified 3-D MHD equations for the in near-the-Sun high latitude sub-alfvenic solar wind. The solution is obtained requiring electric fields and field-aligned electric currents in the high latitude near-the-Sun solar wind. Various scenario are explored self-consistently via a number of numerical experiments. The analogy with the high latitude Earth's magnetosphere is used for the interpretation of the results. Possible observational manifestations are discussed.
Reduction of the field-aligned potential drop in the polar cap during large geomagnetic storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitamura, N.; Seki, K.; Nishimura, Y.; Hori, T.; Terada, N.; Ono, T.; Strangeway, R. J.

2013-12-01

We have studied photoelectron flows and the inferred field-aligned potential drop in the polar cap during 5 large geomagnetic storms that occurred in the periods when the photoelectron observations in the polar cap were available near the apogee of the FAST satellite (~4000 km) at solar maximum, and the footprint of the satellite paths in the polar cap was under sunlit conditions most of the time. In contrast to the ~20 V potential drop during geomagnetically quiet periods at solar maximum identified by Kitamura et al. [JGR, 2012], the field-aligned potential drop frequently became smaller than ~5 V during the main and early recovery phases of the large geomagnetic storms. Because the potential acts to inhibit photoelectron escape, this result indicates that the corresponding acceleration of ions by the field-aligned potential drop in the polar cap and the lobe region is smaller during the main and early recovery phases of large geomagnetic storms compared to during geomagnetically quiet periods. Under small field-aligned current conditions, the number flux of outflowing ions should be nearly equal to the net escaping electron number flux. Since ions with large flux originating from the cusp/cleft ionosphere convect into the polar cap during geomagnetic storms [e.g., Kitamura et al., JGR, 2010], the net escaping electron number flux should increase to balance the enhanced ion outflows. The magnitude of the field-aligned potential drop would be reduced to let a larger fraction of photoelectrons escape.
Chromospheric-coronal coupling during solar flares: Current systems and particle acceleration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winglee, Robert M.; Mckean, M. E.; Dulk, G. A.

1989-01-01

Two-dimensional (three velocity) electrostatic particle simulations are used to investigate the particle heating and acceleration associated with the impulsive phase of a solar flare. A crossfield current in the high corona (which is presumably driven by reconnection processes) is used to initiate the flare. Due to the differential motion of the electrons and ions, currents, and associated quasi-static electric fields are generated with the primary current and balancing return current being on adjacent field lines. These currents extend from the corona down into the chromosphere. Electrons can be accelerated to energies exceeding 100 keV on short time scales via the quasi-static fields and wave-particle interactions. The spectra of these electrons has a broken power-law distribution which hardens in time. The spatially separate primary and return currents are closed by the cross-field acceleration of the ambient ions into the primary current regions. These ions are then accelerated upwards into the corona by the same quasi-static electric field accelerating the electrons downwards. This acceleration can account for the broadened stationary and weak blue shifted component seen in soft x ray line emissions and enhancements in heavy ion abundances seen in the solar wind in associations with solar flares.
Source imaging of potential fields through a matrix space-domain algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baniamerian, Jamaledin; Oskooi, Behrooz; Fedi, Maurizio

2017-01-01

Imaging of potential fields yields a fast 3D representation of the source distribution of potential fields. Imaging methods are all based on multiscale methods allowing the source parameters of potential fields to be estimated from a simultaneous analysis of the field at various scales or, in other words, at many altitudes. Accuracy in performing upward continuation and differentiation of the field has therefore a key role for this class of methods. We here describe an accurate method for performing upward continuation and vertical differentiation in the space-domain. We perform a direct discretization of the integral equations for upward continuation and Hilbert transform; from these equations we then define matrix operators performing the transformation, which are symmetric (upward continuation) or anti-symmetric (differentiation), respectively. Thanks to these properties, just the first row of the matrices needs to be computed, so to decrease dramatically the computation cost. Our approach allows a simple procedure, with the advantage of not involving large data extension or tapering, as due instead in case of Fourier domain computation. It also allows level-to-drape upward continuation and a stable differentiation at high frequencies; finally, upward continuation and differentiation kernels may be merged into a single kernel. The accuracy of our approach is shown to be important for multi-scale algorithms, such as the continuous wavelet transform or the DEXP (depth from extreme point method), because border errors, which tend to propagate largely at the largest scales, are radically reduced. The application of our algorithm to synthetic and real-case gravity and magnetic data sets confirms the accuracy of our space domain strategy over FFT algorithms and standard convolution procedures.

Field emission from in situ-grown vertically aligned SnO2 nanowire arrays

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Vertically aligned SnO2 nanowire arrays have been in situ fabricated on a silicon substrate via thermal evaporation method in the presence of a Pt catalyst. The field emission properties of the SnO2 nanowire arrays have been investigated. Low turn-on fields of 1.6 to 2.8 V/μm were obtained at anode-cathode separations of 100 to 200 μm. The current density fluctuation was lower than 5% during a 120-min stability test measured at a fixed applied electric field of 5 V/μm. The favorable field-emission performance indicates that the fabricated SnO2 nanowire arrays are promising candidates as field emitters. PMID:22330800
An MHD simulation of the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field By component on the interaction of the solar wind with the earth's magnetosphere during southward interplanetary magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ogino, T.; Walker, R. J.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Dawson, J. M.

1986-01-01

The interaction between the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere has been studied by using a time-dependent three-dimensional MHD model in which the IMF pointed in several directions between dawnward and southward. When the IMF is dawnward, the dayside cusp and the tail lobes shift toward the morningside in the northern magnetosphere. The plasma sheet rotates toward the north on the dawnside of the tail and toward the south on the duskside. For an increasing southward IMF component, the plasma sheet becomes thinner and subsequently wavy because of patchy or localized tail reconnection. At the same time, the tail field-aligned currents have a filamentary layered structure. When projected onto the northern polar cap, the filamentary field-aligned currents are located in the same area as the region 1 currents, with a pattern similar to that associated with auroral surges. Magnetic reconnection also occurs on the dayside magnetopause for southward IMF.
Saturn's Magnetic Field from the Cassini Grand Finale orbits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dougherty, M. K.; Cao, H.; Khurana, K. K.; Hunt, G. J.; Provan, G.; Kellock, S.; Burton, M. E.; Burk, T. A.

2017-12-01

The fundamental aims of the Cassini magnetometer investigation during the Cassini Grand Finale orbits were determination of Saturn's internal planetary magnetic field and the rotation rate of the deep interior. The unique geometry of the orbits provided an unprecedented opportunity to measure the intrinsic magnetic field at close distances never before encountered. The surprising close alignment of Saturn's magnetic axis with its spin axis, known about since the days of Pioneer 11, has been a focus of the team's analysis since Cassini Saturn Orbit Insertion. However, the varying northern and southern magnetospheric planetary period oscillations, which fill the magnetosphere, has been a factor in masking the field signals from the interior. Here we describe an overview of the magnetometer results from the Grand Finale orbits, including confirmation of the extreme axisymmetric nature of the planetary magnetic field, implications for knowledge of the rotation rate and the behaviour of external magnetic fields (arising from the ring current, field aligned currents both at high and low latitudes and the modulating effect of the planetary period oscillations).
Spontaneous magnetic alignment behaviour in free-living lizards.

PubMed

Diego-Rasilla, Francisco J; Pérez-Mellado, Valentín; Pérez-Cembranos, Ana

2017-04-01

Several species of vertebrates exhibit spontaneous longitudinal body axis alignment relative to the Earth's magnetic field (i.e., magnetic alignment) while they are performing different behavioural tasks. Since magnetoreception is still not fully understood, studying magnetic alignment provides evidence for magnetoreception and broadens current knowledge of magnetic sense in animals. Furthermore, magnetic alignment widens the roles of magnetic sensitivity in animals and may contribute to shed new light on magnetoreception. In this context, spontaneous alignment in two species of lacertid lizards (Podarcis muralis and Podarcis lilfordi) during basking periods was monitored. Alignments in 255 P. muralis and 456 P. lilfordi were measured over a 5-year period. The possible influence of the sun's position (i.e., altitude and azimuth) and geomagnetic field values corresponding to the moment in which a particular lizard was observed on lizards' body axis orientation was evaluated. Both species exhibited a highly significant bimodal orientation along the north-northeast and south-southwest magnetic axis. The evidence from this study suggests that free-living lacertid lizards exhibit magnetic alignment behaviour, since their body alignments cannot be explained by an effect of the sun's position. On the contrary, lizard orientations were significantly correlated with geomagnetic field values at the time of each observation. We suggest that this behaviour might provide lizards with a constant directional reference while they are sun basking. This directional reference might improve their mental map of space to accomplish efficient escape behaviour. This study is the first to provide spontaneous magnetic alignment behaviour in free-living reptiles.
Spontaneous magnetic alignment behaviour in free-living lizards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diego-Rasilla, Francisco J.; Pérez-Mellado, Valentín; Pérez-Cembranos, Ana

2017-04-01

Several species of vertebrates exhibit spontaneous longitudinal body axis alignment relative to the Earth's magnetic field (i.e., magnetic alignment) while they are performing different behavioural tasks. Since magnetoreception is still not fully understood, studying magnetic alignment provides evidence for magnetoreception and broadens current knowledge of magnetic sense in animals. Furthermore, magnetic alignment widens the roles of magnetic sensitivity in animals and may contribute to shed new light on magnetoreception. In this context, spontaneous alignment in two species of lacertid lizards ( Podarcis muralis and Podarcis lilfordi) during basking periods was monitored. Alignments in 255 P. muralis and 456 P. lilfordi were measured over a 5-year period. The possible influence of the sun's position (i.e., altitude and azimuth) and geomagnetic field values corresponding to the moment in which a particular lizard was observed on lizards' body axis orientation was evaluated. Both species exhibited a highly significant bimodal orientation along the north-northeast and south-southwest magnetic axis. The evidence from this study suggests that free-living lacertid lizards exhibit magnetic alignment behaviour, since their body alignments cannot be explained by an effect of the sun's position. On the contrary, lizard orientations were significantly correlated with geomagnetic field values at the time of each observation. We suggest that this behaviour might provide lizards with a constant directional reference while they are sun basking. This directional reference might improve their mental map of space to accomplish efficient escape behaviour. This study is the first to provide spontaneous magnetic alignment behaviour in free-living reptiles.
Aligning fast alternating current electroosmotic flow fields and characteristic frequencies with dielectrophoretic traps to achieve rapid bacteria detection.

PubMed

Gagnon, Zachary; Chang, Hsueh-Chia

2005-10-01

Tailor-designed alternating current electroosmotic (AC-EO) stagnation flows are used to convect bioparticles globally from a bulk solution to localized dielectrophoretic (DEP) traps that are aligned at the flow stagnation points. The multiscale trap, with a typical trapping time of seconds for a dilute 70 microL volume of 10(3) particles per cc sample, is several orders of magnitude faster than conventional DEP traps and earlier AC-EO traps with parallel, castellated, or finger electrodes. A novel serpentine wire capable of sustaining a high voltage, up to 2500 V(RMS), without causing excessive heat dissipation or Faradaic reaction in strong electrolytes is fabricated to produce the strong AC-EO flow with two separated stagnation lines, one aligned with the field minimum and one with the field maximum. The continuous wire design allows a large applied voltage without inducing Faradaic electrode reactions. Particles are trapped within seconds at one of the traps depending on whether they suffer negative or positive DEP. The particles can also be rapidly released from their respective traps by varying the frequency of the applied AC field below particle-distinct cross-over frequencies. Zwitterion addition to the buffer allows further geometric and frequency alignments of the AC-EO and DEP motions. The same device hence allows fast trapping, detection, sorting, and characterization on a sample with realistic conductivity, volume, and bacteria count.
Generation of field-aligned currents and Alfven waves by 3D magnetic reconnection

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

Ma, Z.W.; Lee, L.C.; Otto, A.

1995-07-01

The authors have carried out a three-dimensional compressible MHD simulation to study the generation of field-aligned currents (FAC`s) and Alfven waves by magnetic reconnection for locally antiparallel magnetic fields across the current sheet. Reconnection is triggered by a localized resistivity. The results indicate that both FAC`s and Alfven waves are generated by the three-dimensional reconnection process. Two pairs of FAC`s are generated on each side of current sheet. The polarities of the resulting FAC pair in the leading bulge region are opposite to those of a FAC pair in the trailing quasi-steady region. It is further found that a largemore » portion of the FAC`s ({approximately}40%) is located in the closed field line region. They examine the Walen relation between FAC and parallel vorticity and find that Alfven waves are generated and propagate away from the reconnection site. They discuss the relevance of the results to the observed Region 1 FAC`s at noon. 15 refs., 4 figs.« less
Theoretical magnetograms based on quantitative simulation of a magnetospheric substorm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C.-K.; Wolf, R. A.; Karty, J. L.; Harel, M.

1982-01-01

Substorm currents derived from the Rice University computer simulation of the September 19, 1976 substorm event are used to compute theoretical magnetograms as a function of universal time for various stations, integrating the Biot-Savart law over a maze of about 2700 wires and bands that carry the ring, Birkeland and horizontal ionospheric currents. A comparison of theoretical results with corresponding observations leads to a claim of general agreement, especially for stations at high and middle magnetic latitudes. Model results suggest that the ground magnetic field perturbations arise from complicated combinations of different kinds of currents, and that magnetic field disturbances due to different but related currents cancel each other out despite the inapplicability of Fukushima's (1973) theorem. It is also found that the dawn-dusk asymmetry in the horizontal magnetic field disturbance component at low latitudes is due to a net downward Birkeland current at noon, a net upward current at midnight, and, generally, antisunward-flowing electrojets.
Lightning protection using energized Franklin rods

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

Abdel-Salam, M.; Al-Abdul-Latif, U.

1995-12-31

In this paper, the onset criterion of the upward streamers from an energized Franklin rod is formulated as a function of the geometry of the rod and the height and current of the downward leader. The electric field in the vicinity of the lightning rod is calculated using the charge simulation technique. The dependency of the radius of protection on the amplitude of the pulse voltage applied to Franklin rod, the downward leader current and the tip radius and height of the rod is investigated.
Effect of electric field induced alignment and dispersion of functionalized carbon nanotubes on properties of natural rubber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Jiangshan; He, Yan; Gong, Xiubin

2018-06-01

The original equipment and method for orienting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in natural rubber (NR) by alternating current (AC) electric field were reported in the present study. MWCNTs with various volume fractions were dispersed in the mixture latex which composed of natural rubber, additives and methylbenzene. The application of AC electric field during nanocomposites curing process was used to induce the formation of aligned conductive nanotube networks between the electrodes. The aligned MWCNTs in the composites have a better orientation performance and dispersion quality than these of random MWCNTs by analyzing TEM and SEM images. The effects of MWCNTs anisotropy on thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of NR were studied. The mean value of thermal conductivity of composites loading with aligned MWCNTs was 8.67% higher than that of composites with random MWCNTs due to the anisotropy of aligned MWCNTs. The compounds with aligned MWCNTs possessed low dielectric constant, loss tangents and conductivity, namely a good insulativity. The compounds loading with aligned MWCNTs had lower loss modulus and better dynamic mechanical properties than those with random MWCNTs. This method can make full use of the high thermal conductivity of MWCNTs axis, and expand the application areas of natural rubber like conducting heat in a certain direction with a high efficiency.
Ion-beam-spurted dimethyl-sulfate-doped PEDOT:PSS composite-layer-aligning liquid crystal with low residual direct-current voltage

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

Liu, Yang; Lee, Ju Hwan; Seo, Dae-Shik, E-mail: dsseo@yonsei.ac.kr

2016-09-05

Thin ion-beam (IB)-spurted dimethyl sulfate/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (DMS/PEDOT:PSS) layers with improved electro-optic performance are presented for aligning liquid crystals. IB spurting is effective for enhancing the conductivity of such layers, as well as the anchoring energy of the liquid crystals sandwiched between them. Compared with a commercial twisted-nematic cell assembled with polyimide alignment layers, the same cell assembled with 3.0-keV IB-spurted DMS/PEDOT:PSS alignment layers shows a 38% faster switching and a 93% lower residual direct current. The improved electro-optic performance here is likely due to the enhanced electric field effect and the charge-releasing ability of thin IB-spurted DMS/PEDOT:PSS layers.
Disruption of Helmet Streamers by Current Emergence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guo, W. P.; Wu, S. T.; Tandberg-Hanssen, E.

1996-01-01

We have investigated the dynamic response of a coronal helmet streamer to the emergence from below of a current with its magnetic field in a direction opposite to the overlying streamer field. Once the emerging current moves into the closed region of the streamer, a current sheet forms between the emerging field and the streamer field, because the preexisting field and the newly emerging field have opposite polarities. Thus magnetic reconnection will occur at the flanks of the emerged structure where the current density is maximum. If the emerging current is large enough, the energy contained in the current and the reconnection will promptly disrupt the streamer. If the emerging current is small, the streamer will experience a stage of slow evolution. In this stage, slow magnetic reconnection occurring at the flanks of the emerged structure leads to the degeneration of the emerged current to a neutral point. Above this point, a new magnetic bubble will form. The resulting configuration resembles an inverse-polarity prominence. Depending on the initial input energy of the current, the resulting structure will either remain in situ, forming a quasi-static structure, or move upward, forming a coronal transient similar to coronal jets. The numerical method used in this paper can be used to construct helmet streamers containing a detached magnetic structure in their closed field region. The quasi-static solution may serve as a preevent corona for studying coronal mass ejection initiation.
Textural evidence of the significance of compaction in the formation of adcumulates in the Skaergaard intrusion, East Greenland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vukmanovic, Zoja; Holness, Marian; Mariani, Elisabetta

2017-04-01

It has been argued that the upwards decrease in incompatible element concentration in the Skaergaard Layered Series is due to an upwards increasing significance of compaction driven by gravitational loading. The suggested mechanisms for compaction are dislocation creep and dissolution-reprecipitation creep. Localised elongate zones of strong modal banding in the upper part of the Layered Series, known as trough bands, have also been interpreted as the result of localised recrystallization during compaction. In this study we examine the microstructures of Skaergaard gabbros to determine whether their fabrics (foliations and lineations) preserve a record of compaction. The most common microstructures formed by dislocation creep are low angle boundaries and, as a result of ongoing recovery processes, new grains. The (010)[001] slip system in plagioclase is commonly observed to be a "soft" orientation, creating a crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) defined by the alignment of (010) planes, with [001] parallel to lineation. Previous work on dissolution-reprecipitation creep, shows a CPO with (010) planes aligned parallel to the principal compressive stress, and preferential mineral growth on (010) planes to form an SPO defined by grains elongated perpendicular to (010). In the Skaergaard Layered Series, the shape of cumulus plagioclase grains (as viewed in thin section) changes systematically up through the stratigraphy from highly tabular to equant. Foliations, defined both by a plagioclase SPO (with tabular grains aligned horizontally) and an associated CPO ((010) parallel to foliation), are strongest lower in the stratigraphy and reduce in strength upwards. Evidence for crystal plasticity is limited to bending of some plagioclase crystals and small numbers of low angle boundaries in all phases. There are no signs of recovery associated with dislocation creep. Compositional zoning is present on all plagioclase growth faces in the lower part of the stratigraphy, inconsistent with preferential dissolution-reprecipitation during compression. There are no fabrics or microstructures that can be attributed to solution-reprecipitation, and evidence for only minor microstructural modification by dislocation creep throughout the entire stratigraphy. The trough bands are characterised by strong lineation of elongate grains, an almost complete absence of microstructures caused by deformation, and euhedral plagioclase grains with concentric compositional zoning. These observations rule out recrystallization driven by compaction, and support the hypothesis that the modal banding in the trough bands is a result of grain sorting by magmatic flow. Our observations suggest that the Skaergaard fabrics throughout the Layered Series, are primary and formed at or close to the magma-mush interface as a consequence of particle re-arrangement by magmatic current, with only minor deformation-related fabric modification deeper in the mush. The Skaergaard adcumulates cannot therefore be attributed to compaction.
Electromagnetic Waves and Bursty Electron Acceleration: Implications from Freja

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andersson, Laila; Ivchenko, N.; Wahlund, J.-E.; Clemmons, J.; Gustavsson, B.; Eliasson, L.

2000-01-01

Dispersive Alfven wave activity is identified in four dayside auroral oval events measured by the Freja satellite. The events are characterized by ion injection, bursty electron precipitation below about I keV, transverse ion heating and broadband extremely low frequency (ELF) emissions below the lower hybrid cutoff frequency (a few kHz). The broadband emissions are observed to become more electrostatic towards higher frequencies. Large-scale density depletions/cavities, as determined by the Langmuir probe measurements, and strong electrostatic emissions are often observed simultaneously. A correlation study has been carried out between the E- and B-field fluctuations below 64 Hz (the dc instrument's upper threshold) and the characteristics of the precipitating electrons. This study revealed that the energization of electrons is indeed related to the broadband ELF emissions and that the electrostatic component plays a predominant role during very active magnetospheric conditions. Furthermore, the effect of the ELF electromagnetic emissions on the larger scale field-aligned current systems has been investigated, and it is found that such an effect cannot be detected. Instead, the Alfvenic activity creates a local region of field-aligned currents. It is suggested that dispersive Alfven waves set up these local field-aligned current regions and in turn trigger more electrostatic emissions during certain conditions. In these regions ions are transversely heated, and large-scale density depletions/cavities may be created during especially active periods.
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.
A quick and reliable procedure for assessing foot alignment in athletes.

PubMed

De Michelis Mendonça, Luciana; Bittencourt, Natália Franco Netto; Amaral, Giovanna Mendes; Diniz, Lívia Santos; Souza, Thales Rezende; da Fonseca, Sérgio Teixeira

2013-01-01

Quick procedures with proper psychometric properties that can capture the combined alignment of the foot-ankle complex in a position that may be more representative of the status of the lower limb during ground contact are essential for assessing a large group of athletes. The assessed lower limb was positioned with the calcaneus surface facing upward in a way that all of the marks could be seen at the center of the camera display. After guaranteeing maintenance of the foot at 90° of dorsiflexion actively sustained by the athlete, the examiner took the picture of the foot-ankle alignment. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 demonstrated excellent intratester and intertester reliability for the proposed measurements of forefoot, rearfoot, and shank-forefoot alignments. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the shank-forefoot measures and the sum of the rearfoot and forefoot measures was 0.98, suggesting that the shank-forefoot alignment measures can represent the combined rearfoot and forefoot alignments. This study describes a reliable and practical measurement procedure for rearfoot, forefoot, and shank-forefoot alignments that can be applied to clinical and research situations as a screening procedure for risk factors for lower-limb injuries in athletes.
Electric-Field-Directed Parallel Alignment Architecting 3D Lithium-Ion Pathways within Solid Composite Electrolyte.

PubMed

Liu, Xueqing; Peng, Sha; Gao, Shuyu; Cao, Yuancheng; You, Qingliang; Zhou, Liyong; Jin, Yongcheng; Liu, Zhihong; Liu, Jiyan

2018-05-09

It is of great significance to seek high-performance solid electrolytes via a facile chemistry and simple process for meeting the requirements of solid batteries. Previous reports revealed that ion conducting pathways within ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes mainly occur at ceramic particles and the ceramic-polymer interface. Herein, one facile strategy toward ceramic particles' alignment and assembly induced by an external alternating-current (AC) electric field is presented. It was manifested by an in situ optical microscope that Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4 ) 3 particles and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (LATP@PEGDA@PDMS) assembled into three-dimensional connected networks on applying an external AC electric field. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the ceramic LATP particles aligned into a necklacelike assembly. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed that the ionic conductivity of this necklacelike alignment was significantly enhanced compared to that of the random one. It was demonstrated that this facile strategy of applying an AC electric field can be a very effective approach for architecting three-dimensional lithium-ion conductive networks within solid composite electrolyte.
Composition dependence of band alignments in GaxIn1-xAsySb1-y heterojunctions lattice matched to GaSb and InAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Kyurhee

2013-11-01

A theoretical model utilizing a universal tight binding method and a correlated function expansion technique is presented to calculate the valence band maximum (VBM) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) of the binary (GaAs, InAS, GaSb, and InSb) and quaternary alloy GaxIn1-xAsySb1-y systems. By organizing the relative positions of the VBM and CBM between semiconductors, the band alignments and band types in the heterojunctions are determined. A straddling (type-I) band alignment in InAs/GaAs, InSb/GaAs, and GaSb/InSb, staggered (type-II) band alignment in GaSb/GaAs, and broken (type-III) band alignment in InSb/InAs and InAs/GaSb are found respectively. In addition, the compositional variations of VBM, CBM, valence band offset, conduction band offset, and band type for the alloy GaxIn1-xAsySb1-y lattice matched on GaSb and InAs are obtained as increasing the composition x. A pronounced upward bowing for the VBM and a very slight upward bowing (almost linear) for CBM are found, respectively. By controlling the compositions (x, y), band type transitions occur. The GaxIn1-xAsySb1-y heterojunctions lattice matched to GaSb changes their band types from type-III at x ˜0→ to type-II at x = 0.07, and → to type-I at x = 0.38. In contrast, the GaxIn1-xAsySb1-y heterojunctions lattice matched to InAs changes their band types from type-II x ˜0→ to type-III at x = 0.32. Reasonable agreement is obtained between our theoretical results and existing experimental data.
Nonguiding Center Motion and Substorm Effects in the Magnetotail

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufmann, Richard L.; Kontodinas, Ioannis D.; Ball, Bryan M.; Larson, Douglas J.

1997-01-01

Thick and thin models of the middle magnetotail were developed using a consistent orbit tracing technique. It was found that currents carried near the equator by groups of ions with anisotropic distribution functions are not well approximated by the guiding center expressions. The guiding center equations fail primarily because the calculated pressure tensor is not magnetic field aligned. The pressure tensor becomes field aligned as one moves away from the equator, but here there is a small region in which the guiding center equations remain inadequate because the two perpendicular components of the pressure tensor are unequal. The significance of nonguiding center motion to substorm processes then was examined. One mechanism that may disrupt a thin cross-tail current sheet involves field changes that cause ions to begin following chaotic orbits. The lowest-altitude chaotic region, characterized by an adiabaticity parameter kappa approx. equal to 0.8, is especially important. The average cross-tail particle drift is slow, and we were unable to generate a thin current sheet using such ions. Therefore, any process that tends to create a thin current sheet in a region with kappa approaching 0.8 may cause the cross-tail current to get so low that it becomes insufficient to support the lobes. A different limit may be important in resonant orbit regions of a thin current sheet because particles reach a maximum cross-tail drift velocity. If the number of ions per unit length decreases as the tail is stretched, this part of the plasma sheet also may become unable to carry the cross-tail current needed to support the lobes. Thin sheets are needed for both resonant and chaotic orbit mechanisms because the distribution function must be highly structured. A description of current continuity is included to show how field aligned currents can evolve during the transition from a two-dimensional (2-D) to a 3-D configuration.
Evaluation, development, and characterization of superconducting materials for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thorpe, Arthur N.

1990-01-01

The anisotropic electromagnetic features of a grain-aligned YBa2Cu3O(x) bulk sample derived from a process of long-time partial melt growth were investigated by the measurements of direct current magnetization (at 77 K) and alternating current susceptibility as a function of temperature, with the fields applied parallel and perpendicular to the c axis, respectively. The extended Bean model was further studied and applied to explain the experimental results. Upon comparison of the grain-aligned sample with pure single crystal materials, it is concluded that because of the existence of more effective pinning sites in the grain-aligned sample, not only its critical current density perpendicular to the c axis is improved, but the one parallel to the c axis is improved even more significantly. The anisotropy in the critical current densities in the grain-aligned sample at 77 K is at least one to two orders of magnitude smaller than in the pure single crystal. The measurement of anisotropy of alternating current susceptibility as a function of temperature, especially its imaginary part, shows that there are still some residues of interlayer weak links in the grain-aligned samples, but they are quite different from and far less serious than the weak links in the sintered sample.

ULF Waves in the Ionospheric Alfven Resonator: Modeling of MICA Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Streltsov, A. V.; Tulegenov, B.

2017-12-01

We present results from a numerical study of physical processes responsible for the generation of small-scale, intense electromagnetic structures in the ultra-low-frequency range frequently observed in the close vicinity of bright discrete auroral arcs. In particular, our research is focused on the role of the ionosphere in generating these structures. A significant body of observations demonstrate that small-scale electromagnetic waves with frequencies below 1 Hz are detected at high latitudes where the large-scale, downward magnetic field-aligned current (FAC) interact with the ionosphere. Some theoretical studies suggest that these waves can be generated by the ionospheric feedback instability (IFI) inside the ionospheric Alfven resonator (IAR). The IAR is the region in the low-altitude magnetosphere bounded by the strong gradient in the Alfven speed at high altitude and the conducting bottom of the ionosphere (ionospheric E-region) at low altitude. To study ULF waves in this region we use a numerical model developed from reduced two fluid MHD equations describing shear Alfven waves in the ionosphere and magnetosphere of the earth. The active ionospheric feedback on structure and amplitude of magnetic FACs that interact with the ionosphere is implemented through the ionospheric boundary conditions that link the parallel current density with the plasma density and the perpendicular electric field in the ionosphere. Our numerical results are compared with the in situ measurements performed by the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfven Resonator (MICA) sounding rocket, launched on February 19, 2012 from Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska to measure fields and particles during a passage through a discreet auroral arc. Parameters of the simulations are chosen to match actual MICA parameters, allowing the comparison in the most precise and rigorous way. Waves generated in the numerical model have frequencies between 0.30 and 0.45 Hz, while MICA measured similar waves in the range from 0.18 to 0.50 Hz. These results prove that the IFI driven inside the IAR by a system of large-scale upward-downward currents is the main mechanism responsible for the generation of small-scale intense ULF waves in the vicinity of discrete auroral arcs.
The Physical Elements of Onset of the Magnetospheric Substorm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary M.

1997-01-01

During this reporting period effort continued in the areas: (1) understanding the mechanisms responsible for substorm onset, and (2) application of a fundamental description of field-aligned currents and parallel electric fields to the plasma-sheet boundary layer.
Clinical Evidence for the Relationship between Nail Configuration and Mechanical Forces

PubMed Central

Ogawa, Rei

2014-01-01

Summary: Mechanobiology is an emerging field of science that focuses on the way physical forces and changes in cell or tissue mechanics contribute to development, physiology, and disease. As nails are always exposed to physical stimulation, mechanical forces may have a particularly pronounced effect on nail configuration and could be involved in the development of nail deformities. However, the role of mechanobiology in nail configuration and deformities has rarely been assessed. This review describes what is currently understood regarding the effect of mechanical force on nail configuration and deformities. On the basis of these observations, we hypothesize that nails have an automatic curvature function that allows them to adapt to the daily upward mechanical forces. Under normal conditions, the upward daily mechanical force and the automatic curvature force are well balanced. However, an imbalance between these 2 forces may cause nail deformation. For example, pincer nails may be caused by the absence of upward mechanical forces or a genetic propensity increase in the automatic curvature force, whereas koilonychias may occur when the upward mechanical force exceeds the automatic curvature force, thereby causing the nail to curve outward. This hypothesis is a new concept that could aid the development of innovative methods to prevent and treat nail deformities. PMID:25289309
Internal tides in the Northern Gulf of California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filonov, Anatoliy E.; LavíN, M. F.

2003-05-01

The characteristics of the internal tide in the Northern Gulf of California are described using data from two moored arrays of temperature and current sensors, one for summer and one for winter, located between Angel de la Guarda Island and the mainland. From the summer six-sensor mooring it was found that: (1) the current fluctuations are dominated by the semidiurnal frequency band, while the quarterdiurnal frequency dominated the temperature fluctuations. (2) The baroclinic semidiurnal horizontal current fluctuations are aligned with the gulf axis, and have amplitudes of 10-15 cm s-1; the vertical displacements reached 4 m in this frequency band. (3) The vertical modal structure for the temperature and velocity oscillations was dominated by the first and third modes. (4) The energy of the semidiurnal internal tide is 45% of that of the barotropic tide. (5) Vertical wave number spectra showed slightly asymmetric peaks in the high wave number components, indicating that their downflowing energy is larger than that flowing upward. From the winter two-sensor mooring, it was found that the vertical oscillations were mainly semidiurnal, with root mean square amplitudes of 7 m.
Ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufmann, Richard L.

1994-01-01

Principal results are presented for the four papers that were supported from this grant. These papers include: 'Mapping and Energization in the Magnetotail. 1. Magnetospheric Boundaries; 'Mapping and Energization in the Magnetotail. 2. Particle Acceleration'; 'Cross-Tail Current: Resonant Orbits'; and 'Cross-Tail Current, Field-Aligned Current, and B(sub y)'.
High-performance field emission device utilizing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes-based pillar architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Bipin Kumar; Kedawat, Garima; Gangwar, Amit Kumar; Nagpal, Kanika; Kashyap, Pradeep Kumar; Srivastava, Shubhda; Singh, Satbir; Kumar, Pawan; Suryawanshi, Sachin R.; Seo, Deok Min; Tripathi, Prashant; More, Mahendra A.; Srivastava, O. N.; Hahm, Myung Gwan; Late, Dattatray J.

2018-01-01

The vertical aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based pillar architectures were created on laminated silicon oxide/silicon (SiO2/Si) wafer substrate at 775 °C by using water-assisted chemical vapor deposition under low pressure process condition. The lamination was carried out by aluminum (Al, 10.0 nm thickness) as a barrier layer and iron (Fe, 1.5 nm thickness) as a catalyst precursor layer sequentially on a silicon wafer substrate. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that synthesized CNTs are vertically aligned and uniformly distributed with a high density. The CNTs have approximately 2-30 walls with an inner diameter of 3-8 nm. Raman spectrum analysis shows G-band at 1580 cm-1 and D-band at 1340 cm-1. The G-band is higher than D-band, which indicates that CNTs are highly graphitized. The field emission analysis of the CNTs revealed high field emission current density (4mA/cm2 at 1.2V/μm), low turn-on field (0.6 V/μm) and field enhancement factor (6917) with better stability and longer lifetime. Emitter morphology resulting in improved promising field emission performances, which is a crucial factor for the fabrication of pillared shaped vertical aligned CNTs bundles as practical electron sources.
Discharge processes, electric field, and electron energy in ISUAL-recorded gigantic jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Cheng-Ling; Chou, J. K.; Tsai, L. Y.; Chen, A. B.; Su, H. T.; Hsu, R. R.; Cummer, S. A.; Frey, H. U.; Mende, S. B.; Takahashi, Y.; Lee, L. C.

2009-04-01

This article reports the first high time resolution measurements of gigantic jets from the Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) experiment. The velocity of the upward propagating fully developed jet stage of the gigantic jets was ˜107 m s-1, which is similar to that observed for downward sprite streamers. Analysis of spectral ratios for the fully developed jet emissions gives a reduced E field of 400-655 Td and average electron energy of 8.5-12.3 eV. These values are higher than those in the sprites but are similar to those predicted by streamer models, which implies the existence of streamer tips in fully developed jets. The gigantic jets studied here all contained two distinct photometric peaks. The first peak is from the fully developed jet, which steadily propagates from the cloud top (˜20 km) to the lower ionosphere at ˜90 km. We suggest that the second photometric peak, which occurs ˜1 ms after the first peak, is from a current wave or potential wave-enhanced emissions that originate at an altitude of ˜50 km and extend toward the cloud top. We propose that the fully developed jet serves as an extension of the local ionosphere and produces a lowered ionosphere boundary. As the attachment processes remove the charges, the boundary of the local ionosphere moves up. The current in the channel persists and its contact point with the ionosphere moves upward, which produces the upward surging trailing jets. Imager and photometer data indicate that the lightning activity associated with the gigantic jets likely is in-cloud, and thus the initiation of the gigantic jets is not directly associated with cloud-to-ground discharges.
The effect of Birkeland currents on magnetic field topology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peroomian, Vahe; Lyons, Larry R.; Schulz, Michael

1996-01-01

A technique was developed for the inclusion of large scale magnetospheric current systems in magnetic field models. The region 1 and 2 Birkeland current systems are included in the source surface model of the terrestrial magnetosphere. The region 1 and 2 Birkeland currents are placed in the model using a series of field aligned, infinitely thin wire segments. The normal component of the magnetic field from these currents is calculated on the surface of the magnetopause and shielded using image current carrying wires placed outside of the magnetosphere. It is found that the inclusion of the Birkeland currents in the model results in a northward magnetic field in the near-midnight tail, leading to the closure of previously open flux in the tail, and a southward magnetic field in the flanks. A sunward shift in the separatrix is observed.
High altitude observations of Birkeland currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, C. T.

1977-01-01

Several models of field-aligned currents (Birkeland currents) in the magnetosphere are discussed, and high altitude observations of these currents, carried out with the aid of highly eccentric earth-orbiting spacecraft of the OGO and IMP series, are reviewed. The essential roles of Birkeland currents are identified: they relieve charge imbalances, transmit stresses, and lead to particle acceleration anomalous resistivity.
Structure of High Latitude Currents in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiltberger, M.; Rigler, E. J.; Merkin, V.; Lyon, J. G.

2017-03-01

Using three resolutions of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetosphere-ionosphere model (LFM) and the Weimer 2005 empirical model we examine the structure of the high latitude field-aligned current patterns. Each resolution was run for the entire Whole Heliosphere Interval which contained two high speed solar wind streams and modest interplanetary magnetic field strengths. Average states of the field-aligned current (FAC) patterns for 8 interplanetary magnetic field clock angle directions are computed using data from these runs. Generally speaking the patterns obtained agree well with results obtained from the Weimer 2005 computing using the solar wind and IMF conditions that correspond to each bin. As the simulation resolution increases the currents become more intense and narrow. A machine learning analysis of the FAC patterns shows that the ratio of Region 1 (R1) to Region 2 (R2) currents decreases as the simulation resolution increases. This brings the simulation results into better agreement with observational predictions and the Weimer 2005 model results. The increase in R2 current strengths also results in the cross polar cap potential (CPCP) pattern being concentrated in higher latitudes. Current-voltage relationships between the R1 and CPCP are quite similar at the higher resolution indicating the simulation is converging on a common solution. We conclude that LFM simulations are capable of reproducing the statistical features of FAC patterns.
Structure of high latitude currents in global magnetospheric-ionospheric models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wiltberger, M; Rigler, E. J.; Merkin, V; Lyon, J. G

2016-01-01

Using three resolutions of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetosphere-ionosphere model (LFM) and the Weimer 2005 empirical model we examine the structure of the high latitude field-aligned current patterns. Each resolution was run for the entire Whole Heliosphere Interval which contained two high speed solar wind streams and modest interplanetary magnetic field strengths. Average states of the field-aligned current (FAC) patterns for 8 interplanetary magnetic field clock angle directions are computed using data from these runs. Generally speaking the patterns obtained agree well with results obtained from the Weimer 2005 computing using the solar wind and IMF conditions that correspond to each bin. As the simulation resolution increases the currents become more intense and narrow. A machine learning analysis of the FAC patterns shows that the ratio of Region 1 (R1) to Region 2 (R2) currents decreases as the simulation resolution increases. This brings the simulation results into better agreement with observational predictions and the Weimer 2005 model results. The increase in R2 current strengths also results in the cross polar cap potential (CPCP) pattern being concentrated in higher latitudes. Current-voltage relationships between the R1 and CPCP are quite similar at the higher resolution indicating the simulation is converging on a common solution. We conclude that LFM simulations are capable of reproducing the statistical features of FAC patterns.
The effect of longitudinal conductance variations on the ionospheric prompt penetration electric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sazykin, S.; Wolf, R.; Spiro, R.; Fejer, B.

Ionospheric prompt penetration electric fields of magnetospheric origin, together with the atmospheric disturbance dynamo, represent the most important parameters controlling the storm-time dynamics of the low and mid-latitude ionosphere. These prompt penetration fields result from the disruption of region-2 field-aligned shielding currents during geomagnetically disturbed conditions. Penetration electric fields con- trol, to a large extent, the generation and development of equatorial spread-F plasma instabilities as well as other dynamic space weather phenomena in the ionosphere equatorward of the auroral zone. While modeling studies typically agree with average patterns of prompt penetration fields, experimental results suggest that longitudinal variations of the ionospheric con- ductivities play a non-negligible role in controlling spread-F phenomena, an effect that has not previously been modeled. We present first results of modeling prompt pene- tration electric fields using a version of the Rice Convection Model (RCM) that allows for longitudinal variations in the ionospheric conductance tensor. The RCM is a first- principles numerical ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling model that solves for the electric fields, field-aligned currents, and particle distributions in the ionosphere and inner/middle magnetosphere. We compare these new theoretical results with electric field observations.
Physical mechanism and numerical simulation of the inception of the lightning upward leader

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

Li Qingmin; Lu Xinchang; Shi Wei

2012-12-15

The upward leader is a key physical process of the leader progression model of lightning shielding. The inception mechanism and criterion of the upward leader need further understanding and clarification. Based on leader discharge theory, this paper proposes the critical electric field intensity of the stable upward leader (CEFISUL) and characterizes it by the valve electric field intensity on the conductor surface, E{sub L}, which is the basis of a new inception criterion for the upward leader. Through numerical simulation under various physical conditions, we verified that E{sub L} is mainly related to the conductor radius, and data fitting yieldsmore » the mathematical expression of E{sub L}. We further establish a computational model for lightning shielding performance of the transmission lines based on the proposed CEFISUL criterion, which reproduces the shielding failure rate of typical UHV transmission lines. The model-based calculation results agree well with the statistical data from on-site operations, which show the effectiveness and validity of the CEFISUL criterion.« less
Scanned-probe field-emission studies of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkulov, Vladimir I.; Lowndes, Douglas H.; Baylor, Larry R.

2001-02-01

Field emission properties of dense and sparse "forests" of randomly placed, vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) were studied using a scanned probe with a small tip diameter of ˜1 μm. The probe was scanned in directions perpendicular and parallel to the sample plane, which allowed for measuring not only the emission turn-on field at fixed locations but also the emission site density over large surface areas. The results show that dense forests of VACNFs are not good field emitters as they require high extracting (turn-on) fields. This is attributed to the screening of the local electric field by the neighboring VACNFs. In contrast, sparse forests of VACNFs exhibit moderate-to-low turn-on fields as well as high emission site and current densities, and long emission lifetime, which makes them very promising for various field emission applications.
Effect of microgravity and hypergravity on embryo axis alignment during postencystment embryogenesis in Artemia franciscana (Anostraca)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosowski, J. R.; Gouthro, M. A.; Schmidt, K. K.; Klement, B. J.; Spooner, B. S.

1995-01-01

Cysts of brine shrimp attached with a liquid adhesive to 12-mm diameter glass coverslips in a syringe-type fluid processing apparatus were flown aboard the NASA space shuttle Discovery, flight STS-60, from 3-11 February 1994, and were allowed to undergo postencystment embryogenesis and to hatch in microgravity. The shuttle flight and the ground-based control coverslips with attached cysts were parallel to the earth's surface during incubation in salt water. Based on the position of the cyst shell crack in the attached cyst population, the ground-control nauplii emerged mostly upward. On the shuttle in microgravity, although our method of detection of orientation would not reveal emergence toward the coverslip, the ratio of the position of the cyst shell crack in the population after hatching best fit the predicted values of a random direction for nauplii emergence. Centrifugation on earth was then used to create hypergravity forces of up to 73 g during postencystment embryogenesis and hatching. The upward orientation of emerging nauplii showed a high degree of correlation (r(2) =98.8%) with a linear relationship to the log of g, with 78.2% of the total hatching upward at 1 g and 91.0% hatching upward at 73 g.
Field emission from isolated individual vertically aligned carbon nanocones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baylor, L. R.; Merkulov, V. I.; Ellis, E. D.; Guillorn, M. A.; Lowndes, D. H.; Melechko, A. V.; Simpson, M. L.; Whealton, J. H.

2002-04-01

Field emission from isolated individual vertically aligned carbon nanocones (VACNCs) has been measured using a small-diameter moveable probe. The probe was scanned parallel to the sample plane to locate the VACNCs, and perpendicular to the sample plane to measure the emission turn-on electric field of each VACNC. Individual VACNCs can be good field emitters. The emission threshold field depends on the geometric aspect ratio (height/tip radius) of the VACNC and is lowest when a sharp tip is present. VACNCs exposed to a reactive ion etch process demonstrate a lowered emission threshold field while maintaining a similar aspect ratio. Individual VACNCs can have low emission thresholds, carry high current densities, and have long emission lifetime. This makes them very promising for various field emission applications for which deterministic placement of the emitter with submicron accuracy is needed.
Interpretation of the electric fields measured in an ionospheric critical ionization velocity experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brenning, N.; Faelthammar, C.-G.; Marklund, G.; Haerendel, G.; Kelley, M. C.; Pfaff, R.

1991-01-01

The quasi-dc electric fields measured in the CRIT I ionospheric release experiment are studied. In the experiment, two identical barium shaped charges were fired toward a main payload, and three-dimensional measurements of the electric field inside the streams were made. The relevance of proposed mechanisms for electron heating in the critical ionization velocity (CIV) mechanism is addressed. It is concluded that both the 'homogeneous' and the 'ionizing front' models probably are valid, but in different parts of the streams. It is also possible that electrons are directly accelerated by a magnetic field-aligned component of the electric field. The coupling between the ambient ionosphere and the ionized barium stream is more complicated that is usually assumed in CIV theories, with strong magnetic-field-aligned electric fields and probably current limitation as important processes.
Linear response of field-aligned currents to the interplanetary electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weimer, D. R.; Edwards, T. R.; Olsen, Nils

2017-08-01

Many studies that have shown that the ionospheric, polar cap electric potentials (PCEPs) exhibit a "saturation" behavior in response to the level of the driving by the solar wind. As the magnitudes of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and electric field (IEF) increase, the PCEP response is linear at low driving levels, followed with a rollover to a more constant level. While there are several different theoretical explanations for this behavior, so far, no direct observational evidence has existed to confirm any particular model. In most models of this saturation, the interaction of the field-aligned currents (FACs) with the solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere system has a role. As the FACs are more difficult to measure, their behavior in response to the level of the IEF has not been investigated as thoroughly. In order to resolve the question of whether or not the FAC also exhibit saturation, we have processed the magnetic field measurements from the Ørsted, CHAMP, and Swarm missions, spanning more than a decade. As the amount of current in each region needs to be known, a new technique is used to separate and sum the current by region, widely known as R0, R1, and R2. These totals are found separately for the dawnside and duskside. Results indicate that the total FAC has a response to the IEF that is highly linear, continuing to increase well beyond the level at which the electric potentials saturate. The currents within each region have similar behavior.
The misalignment of institutional "pillars": consequences for the U.S. health care field.

PubMed

Caronna, Carol A

2004-01-01

This paper uses an institutional perspective (Scott, 1994; 2001; DiMaggio and Powell, 1991) to analyze the history and current state of the American health care field in terms of the alignment of its normative, cognitive, and regulatory elements. I depict the relation between institutional elements in each of three historical eras of the health care field (Scott et al. 2000): the era of professional dominance (1945--1965), the era of federal involvement (1966--1982), and the era of managerial control and market mechanisms (after 1983 to the present). I argue that a weakening of alignment between these elements, beginning in the 1970s and increasing in the 1980s, led to consumer and provider dissatisfaction with managed care, and that the state of the field in the beginning of the 21st century suggests that a new era is emerging with renewed alignment between normative beliefs and values, cognitive models, and regulation. Implications for the future of health care and institutional theory are discussed.
Substorm onset: Current sheet avalanche and stop layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haerendel, Gerhard

2015-03-01

A new scenario is presented for the onset of a substorm and the nature of the breakup arc. There are two main components, current sheet avalanche and stop layer. The first refers to an earthward flow of plasma and magnetic flux from the central current sheet of the tail, triggered spontaneously or by some unknown interaction with an auroral streamer or a suddenly appearing eastward flow at the end of the growth phase. The second offers a mechanism to stop the flow abruptly at the interface between magnetosphere and tail and extract momentum and energy to be partially processed locally and partially transmitted as Poynting flux toward the ionosphere. The stop layer has a width of the order of the ion inertial length. The different dynamics of the ions entering freely and the magnetized electrons create an electric polarization field which stops the ion flow and drives a Hall current by which flow momentum is transferred to the magnetic field. A simple formalism is used to describe the operation of the process and to enable quantitative conclusions. An important conclusion is that by necessity the stop layer is also highly structured in longitude. This offers a natural explanation for the coarse ray structure of the breakup arc as manifestation of elementary paths of energy and momentum transport. The currents aligned with the rays are balanced between upward and downward directions. While the avalanche is invoked for explaining the spontaneous substorm onset at the inner edge of the tail, the expansion of the breakup arc for many minutes is taken as evidence for a continued formation of new stop layers by arrival of flow bursts from the near-Earth neutral line. This is in line with earlier conclusions about the nature of the breakup arc. Small-scale structure, propagation speed, and energy flux are quantitatively consistent with observations. However, the balanced small-scale currents cannot constitute the substorm current wedge. The source of the latter must be located just earthward of the stop layer in the near-dipolar magnetosphere and be powered by the internal energy of the flow bursts. The stop layer mechanism is in some way the inverse of reconnection, as it converts flow into electromagnetic energy, and may have wide applicability in astrophysical plasmas.

Disturbance of the inclined inserting-type sand fence to wind-sand flow fields and its sand control characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Jian-jun; Lei, Jia-qiang; Li, Sheng-yu; Wang, Hai-feng

2016-06-01

The inclined inserting-type sand fence is a novel sand retaining wall adopted along the Lanxin High-Speed Railway II in Xinjiang for controlling and blocking sand movement. To verify the effectiveness of the new fence structure for sand prevention, a wind tunnel test was used for flow field test simulation of the sand fence. The results indicate that the inclined inserting-type sand fence was able to deflect the flow of the sand and was able to easily form an upward slant acceleration zone on the leeward side of the sand fence. As shown by the percentage change in sand collection rates on the windward side and the leeward side of the sand fence, the sand flux per unit area at 4 m height in the slant upward direction increased on the leeward side of the inclined inserting-type sand fence. By comparing the flow fields, this site is an acceleration zone, which also reaffirms the correspondence of wind-sand flow fields with the spatial distribution characteristic of the wind-carried sand motion. The field sand collection data indicates that under the effects of the inclined inserting-type sand fence, the sandy air currents passing in front and behind the sand fence not only changed in quality, but the grain composition and particle size also significantly changed, suggesting that the inclined inserting-type sand fence has a sorting and filtering effect on the sandy air currents that passed through. The fence retained coarse particulates on the windward side and fine particulates within the shade of the wind on the leeward side.
Magnetospheric Multiscale Observations of Field-Aligned Currents in the Magnetotail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Zhao, C.; Plaschke, F.; Fischer, D.; Anderson, B. J.; Weygand, J. M.; Le, G.; Kepko, L.; Nakamura, R.; Baumjohann, W.; Slavin, J. A.; Paterson, W. R.; Giles, B. L.; Shuster, J. R.; Torbert, R. B.; Burch, J. L.

2017-12-01

Field-aligned currents (FACs) are frequently observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) within the Earth's magnetotail. However, unlike the FACs observed by MMS at the dayside magnetopause, which are of the order 100s of nA/m2, the magnetotail FACs are relatively weak, of the order 10s of nA/m2. There appear to be a variety of sources for the FACs. FACs are observed in association with dipolarization fronts that are propagating both earthward and tailward, at the boundary of the current sheet, and in flux-ropes. FACs are also observed to be embedded in regions of high speed flow, both earthward and tailward, and not just at the dipolarization front frequently associated with high speed flows. As is the case for FACs observed at the dayside magnetopause, these observations raise questions as to how or where the FACs close.
Summary of Almost 20 Years of Storm Overflight Electric Field, Conductivity, Flash Rate, and Current Statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blakeslee, Richard J.; Mach, Douglas M.; Bateman, Monte J.; Bailey, Jeffrey C.

2011-01-01

We present total conduction (Wilson) currents for more than 1000 high-altitude aircraft overflights of electrified clouds acquired over nearly two decades. The overflights include a wide geographical sample of storms over land and ocean, with and without lightning, and with positive (i.e., upward-directed) and negative current. Peak electric field, with lightning transients removed, ranged from -1.0 kV/m to 16. kV/m, with mean (median) of 0.9 kV/m (0.29 kV/m). Total conductivity at flight altitude ranged from 0.6 pS/m to 3.6 pS/m, with mean and median of 2.2 pS/m. Peak current densities ranged from -2.0 nA m(exp -2) to 33.0 nA m(exp -2) with mean (median) of 1.9 nA m(exp -2) (0.6 nA m(exp -2)). Total upward current flow from storms in our dataset ranged from -1.3 to 9.4 A. The mean current for storms with lightning is 1.7 A over ocean and 1.0 A over land. The mean current for electrified shower clouds (i.e. electrified storms without lightning) is 0.41 A for ocean and 0.13 A for land. About 78% (43%) of the land (ocean) storms have detectable lightning. Land storms have 2.8 times the mean flash rate as ocean storms (2.2 versus 0.8 flashes min-1, respectively). Approximately 7% of the overflights had negative current. The mean and median currents for positive (negative) polarity storms are 1.0 and 0.35 A (-0.30 and -0.26 A). We found no regional or latitudinal-based patterns in our storm currents, nor support for simple scaling laws between cloud top height and lightning flash rate.
Summary of Almost 20 Years of Storm Overflight Electric Field, Conductivity, Flash Rates, and Electric Current Statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blakeslee, Richard J.; Mach, Douglas M.; Bateman, Monte J.; Bailey, Jeffrey C.

2011-01-01

We determined total conduction currents and flash rates for around 900 high-altitude aircraft overflights of electrified clouds over 17 years. The overflights include a wide geographical sample of storms over land and ocean, with and without lightning, and with positive (i.e., upward-directed) and negative current. Peak electric field, with lightning transients removed, ranged from -1.0 kV m(sup -1) to 16. kV m(sup -1), with mean (median) of 0.9 kV m(sup -1) (0.29 kV m(sup -1)). Total conductivity at flight altitude ranged from 0.6 pS m(sup -1) to 3.6 pS m(sup -1), with mean and median of 2.2 pS m(sup -1). Peak current densities ranged from -2.0 nA m(sup -2) to 33.0 nA m(sup -2) with mean (median) of 1.9 nA m(sup -2) (0.6 nA m(sup -2)). Total upward current flow from storms in our dataset ranged from -1.3 to 9.4 A. The mean current for storms with lightning is 1.6 A over ocean and 1.0 A over land. The mean current for electrified shower clouds (i.e. electrified storms without lightning) is 0.39 A for ocean and 0.13 A for land. About 78% (43%) of the land (ocean) storms have detectable lightning. Land storms have 2.8 times the mean flash rate as ocean storms (2.2 versus 0.8 flashes min(sup -1), respectively). Approximately 7% of the overflights had negative current. The mean and median currents for positive (negative) polarity storms are 1.0 and 0.35 A (-0.30 and -0.26 A). We found no regional or latitudinal-based patterns in our storm currents, nor support for simple scaling laws between cloud top height and lightning flash rate.
One-dimensional models of quasi-neutral parallel electric fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stern, D. P.

1981-01-01

Parallel electric fields can exist in the magnetic mirror geometry of auroral field lines if they conform to the quasineutral equilibrium solutions. Results on quasi-neutral equilibria and on double layer discontinuities were reviewed and the effects on such equilibria due to non-unique solutions, potential barriers and field aligned current flows using as inputs monoenergetic isotropic distribution functions were examined.
Inversion of inherited thrusts by wastewater injection induced seismicity at the Val d’Agri oilfield (Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buttinelli, M.; Improta, L.; Bagh, S.; Chiarabba, C.

2016-11-01

Since 2006 wastewater has been injected below the Val d’Agri Quaternary basin, the largest on-land oilfield in Europe, inducing micro-seismicity in the proximity of a high-rate injection well. In this study, we have the rare opportunity to revise a massive set of 2D/3D seismic and deep borehole data in order to investigate the relationship between the active faults that bound the basin and the induced earthquakes. Below the injection site we identify a Pliocene thrusts and back-thrusts system inherited by the Apennines compression, with no relation with faults bounding the basin. The induced seismicity is mostly confined within the injection reservoir, and aligns coherently with a NE-dipping back-thrust favorably oriented within the current extensional stress field. Earthquakes spread upwards from the back-thrust deep portion activating a 2.5-km wide patch. Focal mechanisms show a predominant extensional kinematic testifying to an on-going inversion of the back-thrust, while a minor strike-slip compound suggests a control exerted by a high angle inherited transverse fault developed within the compressional system, possibly at the intersection between the two fault sets. We stress that where wastewater injection is active, understanding the complex interaction between injection-linked seismicity and pre-existing faults is a strong requisite for safe oilfield exploitation.
Evidence of negative leaders which precede fast rise ICC pulses of upward

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, S.; Akita, M.; Morimoto, T.; Ushio, T.; Kawasaki, Z.; Wang, D.; Takagi, N.

2008-12-01

During winter thunderstorm season in Japan, a lightning observation campaign was conducted with using a VHF broadband digital interferometer (DITF), a capacitive antenna, and Rogowski coils to study the charge transfer mechanism associated with ICC pulses of upward lightning. All the detection systems recorded one upward negative lightning stroke hitting a lightning protection tower. The upward lightning consists of only the Initial Stage (IS) with one upward positive leader and six ICC pulses. The six ICC pulses are sub-classified clearly into two types according to current pulse shapes. The type 1 ICC pulses have a higher geometric mean (GM) current peak of 17 kA and a shorter GM 10-90% risetime of 8.9 μs, while the type 2 ICC pulses have a lower GM current peak of 0.34 kA and longer GM 10-90% risetime of 55 μs. The type 1 ICC pulses have the preceding negative leaders connecting to the channel of the continuing current, while the type 2 ICC pulses have no clear preceding negative leader. These negative leaders prior to the type 1 ICC pulses probably caused the current increases of the ICC pulses, which means that the negative leaders created the channels for the ICC pulses. The height of the space charge transferred by one of the type 1 ICC pulses was estimated about 700 m above sea level at most. This observation result is the first evidence to show explicitly the existence of the negative leaders prior to the fast rise ICC pulse. Furthermore, the result shows that space charge could exist at a low attitude such as 700 m above sea level. This fact is one of the reasons why upward lightning occurs even from rather low structures during winter thunderstorm season in Japan.
Freja Studies of the Current-Voltage Relation in Substorm-Related Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olsson, A.; Andersson, Laila; Eriksson, A. I.; Clemmons, J.; Erlandsson, R. E.; Reeves, G.; Hughes, T.; Murphee, J. S.

2000-01-01

Field-aligned currents and electrostatic potentials play important roles in the coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. If one assumes that the ionosphere-magnetosphere potential difference is mainly due to the mirror force, one can use the single particle adiabatic kinetic theory to describe the system. From this theory, a linear relationship j(sub II) = KV between field-aligned current density j(sub II) and potential drop V along the same field line can be derived, provided that the potential drop is not too large and not too small. With rare exceptions, observational tests of this relation have mainly concentrated on quiet magnetospheric situations, with acceleration voltages V approx. less than 5 kV. Here we use observations from the Freja satellite of precipitating auroral electrons at 1.700 km altitude to study substorm related events, with acceleration voltages up to 20 keV. The observations are found to be consistent with a linear current-voltage relation even i n these conditions, although with values of the field aligned K lower than previously reported (1-5 x 10(exp 11 S/sq m). This can be explained by lower densities and higher characteristic electron energies in the magnetospheric source region of the precipitating electrons. We analyze the data by three different methods, which are all found to be in general agreement. The results are in agreement with a previous study, where the spectra of precipitating electrons --were indirectly inferred by inversion of data from the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar, thereby validating the use of radar data for studies of auroral electrons. Comparisons with previous studies are made, emphasizing the dependence of the results on the type of auroral structure and magnetospheric conditions.
Freja studies of the current-voltage relation in substorm-related events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olsson, A.; Andersson, L.; Eriksson, A. I.; Clemmons, J.; Erlandsson, R. E.; Reeves, G.; Huges, T.; Murphee, J. S.

1998-03-01

Field-aligned currents and electrostatic potentials play important roles in the coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. If one assumes that the ionosphere-magnetosphere potential difference is mainly due to the mirror force, one can use the single particle adiabatic kinetic theory to describe the system. From this theory, a linear relationship j∥=KV between field-aligned current density j∥ and potential drop V along the same field line can be derived, provided that the potential drop is not too large and not too small. With rare exceptions, observational tests of this relation have mainly concentrated on quiet magnetospheric situations, with acceleration voltages V<~5kV. Here we use observations from the Freja satellite of precipitating auroral electrons at 1.700 km altitude to study substorm related events, with acceleration voltages up to 20 keV. The observations are found to be consistent with a linear current-voltage relation even in these conditions, although with values of the field aligned K lower than previously reported (1-5×10-11S/m2). This can be explained by lower densities and higher characteristic electron energies in the magnetospheric source region of the precipitating electrons. We analyze the data by three different methods, which are all found to be in general agreement. The results are in agreement with a previous study [Olsson et al., 1996 b], where the spectra of precipitating electrons were indirectly infered by inversion of data from the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar, thereby validating the use of radar data for studies of auroral electrons. Comparisons with previous studies are made, emphasizing the dependence of the results on the type of auroral structure and magnetospheric conditions.
Magnetic preferential orientation of metal oxide superconducting materials

DOEpatents

Capone, D.W.; Dunlap, B.D.; Veal, B.W.

1990-07-17

A superconductor comprised of a polycrystalline metal oxide such as YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus]X] (where 0 < X < 0.5) exhibits superconducting properties and is capable of conducting very large current densities. By aligning the two-dimensional Cu-O layers which carry the current in the superconducting state in the a- and b-directions, i.e., within the basal plane, a high degree of crystalline axes alignment is provided between adjacent grains permitting the conduction of high current densities. The highly anisotropic diamagnetic susceptibility of the polycrystalline metal oxide material permits the use of an applied magnetic field to orient the individual crystals when in the superconducting state to substantially increase current transport between adjacent grains. In another embodiment, the anisotropic paramagnetic susceptibility of rare-earth ions substituted into the oxide material is made use of as an applied magnetic field orients the particles in a preferential direction. This latter operation can be performed with the material in the normal (non-superconducting) state. 4 figs.
Magnetic preferential orientation of metal oxide superconducting materials

DOEpatents

Capone, Donald W.; Dunlap, Bobby D.; Veal, Boyd W.

1990-01-01

A superconductor comprised of a polycrystalline metal oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-X (where 0
Substorm Electric And Magnetic Fields In The Earth's Magnetotail: Observations Compared To The WINDMI Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivas, P. G.; Spencer, E. A.; Vadepu, S. K.; Horton, W., Jr.

2017-12-01

We compare satellite observations of substorm electric fields and magnetic fields to the output of a low dimensional nonlinear physics model of the nightside magnetosphere called WINDMI. The electric and magnetic field satellite data are used to calculate the E X B drift, which is one of the intermediate variables of the WINDMI model. The model uses solar wind and IMF measurements from the ACE spacecraft as input into a system of 8 nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The state variables of the differential equations represent the energy stored in the geomagnetic tail, central plasma sheet, ring current and field aligned currents. The output from the model is the ground based geomagnetic westward auroral electrojet (AL) index, and the Dst index.Using ACE solar wind data, IMF data and SuperMAG identification of substorm onset times up to December 2015, we constrain the WINDMI model to trigger substorm events, and compare the model intermediate variables to THEMIS and GEOTAIL satellite data in the magnetotail. By forcing the model to be consistent with satellite electric and magnetic field observations, we are able to track the magnetotail energy dynamics, the field aligned current contributions, energy injections into the ring current, and ensure that they are within allowable limts. In addition we are able to constrain the physical parameters of the model, in particular the lobe inductance, the plasma sheet capacitance, and the resistive and conductive parameters in the plasma sheet and ionosphere.
Transport in a field aligned magnetized plasma/neutral gas boundary: the end of the plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Christopher Michael

The objective of this dissertation is to characterize the physics of a boundary layer between a magnetized plasma and a neutral gas along the direction of a confining magnetic field. A series of experiments are performed at the Enormous Toroidal Plasma Device (ETPD) at UCLA to study this field aligned Neutral Boundary Layer (NBL) at the end of the plasma. A Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) cathode and semi-transparent anode creates a magnetized, current-free helium plasma which terminates on a neutral helium gas without touching any walls. Probes are inserted into the plasma to measure the basic plasma parameters and study the transport in the NBL. The experiment is performed in the weakly ionized limit where the plasma density (ne) is much less than the neutral density (nn) such that ne/nn < 5%. The NBL is characterized by a field-aligned electric field which begins at the point where the plasma pressure equilibrates with the neutral gas pressure. Beyond the pressure equilibration point the electrons and ions lose their momentum by collisions with the neutral gas and come to rest. An electric field is established self consistently to maintain a current-free termination through equilibration of the different species' stopping rates in the neutral gas. The electric field resembles a collisional quasineutral sheath with a length 10 times the electron-ion collision length, 100 times the neutral collision length, and 10,000 times the Debye length. Collisions with the neutral gas dominate the losses in the system. The measured plasma density loss rates are above the classical cross-field current-free ambipolar rate, but below the anomalous Bohm diffusion rate. The electron temperature is below the ionization threshold of the gas, 2.2 eV in helium. The ions are in thermal equilibrium with the neutral gas. A generalized theory of plasma termination in a Neutral Boundary Layer is applied to this case using a two-fluid, current-free, weakly ionized transport model. The electron and ion momentum equations along the field are combined in a generalized Ohm's law which predicts the axial electric field required to maintain a current-free termination. The pressure balance criteria for termination and the predicted electric field are confirmed over a scaling of plasma parameters. The experiment and the model are relevant for studying NBLs in other systems, such as the atmospheric termination of the aurora or detached gaseous divertors. A steady state modified ambipolar system is measured in the ETPD NBL. The drift speeds associated with these currents are a small fraction of the plasma flow speeds and the problem is treated as a perturbation to the termination model. The current-free condition on the model is relaxed to explain the presence of the divergence free current.
Interplanetary magnetic field effects on high latitude ionospheric convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heelis, R. A.

1985-01-01

Relations between the electric field and the electric current in the ionosphere can be established on the basis of a system of mathematical and physical equations provided by the equations of current continuity and Ohm's law. For this reason, much of the synthesis of electric field and plasma velocity data in the F-region is made with the aid of similar data sets derived from field-aligned current and horizontal current measurements. During the past decade, the development of a self-consistent picture of the distribution and behavior of these measurements has proceeded almost in parallel. The present paper is concerned with the picture as it applies to the electric field and plasma drift velocity and its dependence on the interplanetary magnetic field. Attention is given to the southward interplanetary magnetic field and the northward interplanetary magnetic field.
Small-scale field-aligned currents caused by tropical cyclones as observed by the SWARM satellites above the ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoyama, T.; Iyemori, T.; Nakanishi, K.

2014-12-01

We present case studies of small-scale magnetic fluctuations above typhoons, hurricanes and cyclones as observed by the swarm constellation. It is reported lately that AGWs(atmospheric gravity waves) generated by meteorological phenomena in the troposphere such as typhoons and tornadoes, large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions propagate to the mesosphere and thermosphere. We observe them in various forms(e.g. airglows, ionospheric disturbances and TEC variations). We are proposing the following model. AGWs caused by atmospheric disturbances in the troposphere propagate to the ionospheric E-layer, drive dynamo action and generate field-aligned currents. The satellites observe magnetic fluctuations above the ionosphere. In this presentation, we focus on cases of tropical cyclone(hurricanes in North America, typhoons in North-West Pacific).
The neutral wind 'flywheel' as a source of quiet-time, polar-cap currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, L. R.; Walterscheid, R. L.; Killeen, T. L.

1985-01-01

The neutral wind pattern over the summer polar cap can be driven by plasma convection to resemble the convection pattern. For a north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field Bz directed southward, the wind speeds in the conducting E-region can become approximately 25 percent of the electric field drift speeds. If convection ceases, this neutral wind distribution can drive a significant polar cap current system for approximately 6 hours. The currents are reversed from those driven by the electric fields for southward Bz, and the Hall and field-aligned components of the current system resemble those observed during periods of northward Bz. The current magnitudes are similar to those observed during periods of small, northward Bz; however, observations indicate that electric fields often contribute to the currents as much as, or more than, the neutral winds.
Field-aligned currents, convection electric fields, and ULF-ELF waves in the cusp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saflekos, N. A.; Potemra, T. A.; Kintner, P. M., Jr.; Green, J. L.

1979-01-01

Nearly simultaneous observations from the Triad and Hawkeye satellites over the Southern Hemisphere, at low altitudes near the noon meridian and close to the usual polar cusp latitudes, show that in and near the polar cusp there exist several relationships between field-aligned currents (FACs), convection electric fields, ULF-ELF magnetic noise, broadband electrostatic noise and interplanetary magnetic fields. The most important findings are (1) the FACs directed into the ionosphere in the noon-to-dusk local time sector and directed away from the ionosphere in the noon-to-dawn local time sector and identified as region-1 permanent FACs (Iijima and Potemra, 1976a) and are located equatorward of the regions of antisunward (westward) convection; (2) the observations are consistent with a two-cell convection pattern symmetric in one case (throat positioned at noon) and asymmetric in another (throat located in a sector on the forenoon side in juxtaposition to the region of strong convection on the afternoon side); and (3) fine-structure FACs are responsible for the generation of ULF-ELF noise in the polar cusp.
Structure of high latitude currents in magnetosphere-ionosphere models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiltberger, M. J.; Lyon, J.; Merkin, V. G.; Rigler, E. J.

2016-12-01

Using three resolutions of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetosphere-ionosphere model (LFM) and the Weimer 2005 empirical model the structure of the high latitude field-aligned current patterns is examined. Each LFM resolution was run for the entire Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI), which contained two high-speed solar wind streams and modest interplanetary magnetic field strengths. Average states of the field-aligned current (FAC) patterns for 8 interplanetary magnetic field clock angle directions are computed using data from these runs. Generally speaking the patterns obtained agree well with results from the Weimer 2005 computed using the solar wind and IMF conditions that correspond to each bin. As the simulation resolution increases the currents become more intense and confined. A machine learning analysis of the FAC patterns shows that the ratio of Region 1 (R1) to Region 2 (R2) currents decreases as the simulation resolution increases. This brings the simulation results into better agreement with observational predictions and the Weimer 2005 model results. The increase in R2 current strengths in the model also results in a better shielding of mid- and low-latitude ionosphere from the polar cap convection, also in agreement with observations. Current-voltage relationships between the R1 strength and the cross-polar cap potential (CPCP) are quite similar at the higher resolutions indicating the simulation is converging on a common solution. We conclude that LFM simulations are capable of reproducing the statistical features of FAC patterns.
Transport Gap Opening and High On-Off Current Ratio in Trilayer Graphene with Self-Aligned Nanodomain Boundaries.

PubMed

Wu, Han-Chun; Chaika, Alexander N; Huang, Tsung-Wei; Syrlybekov, Askar; Abid, Mourad; Aristov, Victor Yu; Molodtsova, Olga V; Babenkov, Sergey V; Marchenko, D; Sánchez-Barriga, Jaime; Mandal, Partha Sarathi; Varykhalov, Andrei Yu; Niu, Yuran; Murphy, Barry E; Krasnikov, Sergey A; Lübben, Olaf; Wang, Jing Jing; Liu, Huajun; Yang, Li; Zhang, Hongzhou; Abid, Mohamed; Janabi, Yahya T; Molotkov, Sergei N; Chang, Ching-Ray; Shvets, Igor

2015-09-22

Trilayer graphene exhibits exceptional electronic properties that are of interest both for fundamental science and for technological applications. The ability to achieve a high on-off current ratio is the central question in this field. Here, we propose a simple method to achieve a current on-off ratio of 10(4) by opening a transport gap in Bernal-stacked trilayer graphene. We synthesized Bernal-stacked trilayer graphene with self-aligned periodic nanodomain boundaries (NBs) on the technologically relevant vicinal cubic-SiC(001) substrate and performed electrical measurements. Our low-temperature transport measurements clearly demonstrate that the self-aligned periodic NBs can induce a charge transport gap greater than 1.3 eV. More remarkably, the transport gap of ∼0.4 eV persists even at 100 K. Our results show the feasibility of creating new electronic nanostructures with high on-off current ratios using graphene on cubic-SiC.
Cusp field-aligned currents and ion outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Carlson, C. W.; McFadden, J. P.; Ergun, R. E.; Temerin, M.; Klumpar, D. M.; Peterson, W. K.; Moore, T. E.

2000-09-01

On September 24 and 25, 1998, the Polar spacecraft observed intense outflows of terrestrial ions in association with the passage of an interplanetary shock and coronal mass ejection. The orbit of the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) Explorer was in the noon-midnight meridian during this ion outflow event, and FAST passed through the day side cusp region at ˜4000 km altitude every 2.2 hours. FAST was therefore able to monitor the ion outflows subsequently observed by Polar. We show that while the outflows were more intense after the shock passage, the overall particle and field signatures within the cusp region were qualitatively similar both before and after the shock passage. FAST observations show that the cusp particle precipitation marks the lower latitude leg of a pair of field-aligned currents and further, that both field-aligned current sheets appear to be on open field lines. Moreover, the polarity of the cusp currents is controlled by the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) y-component, such that the magnetic field perturbation associated with the pair of cusp currents is in the same direction as the IMF By. This is a consequence of the reconnection of cusp-region field lines at the magnetopause, with the flux transport resulting in electromagnetic energy being transmitted along field lines to the ionosphere as Poynting flux. We show that this Poynting flux can be as high as 120 mW m-2 (120 ergs cm-2 s-1) at FAST altitudes (˜500 mW m-2 at ionospheric altitudes), presumably because of the strong IMF By (˜40 nT), and is the dominant energy input to the cusp-region ionosphere. Furthermore, we find that the peak ion outflow flux is correlated with the peak downward Poynting flux, although only a few passes through the cusp centered around the time of the shock passage were used to determine this correlation. The energy carried by Poynting flux is dissipated as heat within the ionosphere, through Joule dissipation. The heating will tend to increase the ionospheric scale height, allowing greater access of ionospheric ions to the altitudes where transverse ion heating via ELF waves can occur. Thus electromagnetic energy supplied by the transport of reconnected magnetic flux is the essential first step in a multistep process that enhances the outflow of ionospheric plasma in the dayside cusp.

"Liquid-liquid-solid"-type superoleophobic surfaces to pattern polymeric semiconductors towards high-quality organic field-effect transistors.

PubMed

Wu, Yuchen; Su, Bin; Jiang, Lei; Heeger, Alan J

2013-12-03

Precisely aligned organic-liquid-soluble semiconductor microwire arrays have been fabricated by "liquid-liquid-solid" type superoleophobic surfaces directed fluid drying. Aligned organic 1D micro-architectures can be built as high-quality organic field-effect transistors with high mobilities of >10 cm(2) ·V(-1) ·s(-1) and current on/off ratio of more than 10(6) . All these studies will boost the development of 1D microstructures of organic semiconductor materials for potential application in organic electronics. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Channel length dependence of field-effect mobility of c-axis-aligned crystalline In-Ga-Zn-O field-effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuda, Shinpei; Kikuchi, Erumu; Yamane, Yasumasa; Okazaki, Yutaka; Yamazaki, Shunpei

2015-04-01

Field-effect transistors (FETs) with c-axis-aligned crystalline In-Ga-Zn-O (CAAC-IGZO) active layers have extremely low off-state leakage current. Exploiting this feature, we investigated the application of CAAC-IGZO FETs to LSI memories. A high on-state current is required for the high-speed operation of these LSI memories. The field-effect mobility μFE of a CAAC-IGZO FET is relatively low compared with the electron mobility of single-crystal Si (sc-Si). In this study, we measured and calculated the channel length L dependence of μFE for CAAC-IGZO and sc-Si FETs. For CAAC-IGZO FETs, μFE remains almost constant, particularly when L is longer than 0.3 µm, whereas that of sc-Si FETs decreases markedly as L shortens. Thus, the μFE difference between both FET types is reduced by miniaturization. This difference in μFE behavior is attributed to the different susceptibilities of electrons to phonon scattering. On the basis of this result and the extremely low off-state leakage current of CAAC-IGZO FETs, we expect high-speed LSI memories with low power consumption.
Numerical simulations of current generation and dynamo excitation in a mechanically forced turbulent flow.

PubMed

Bayliss, R A; Forest, C B; Nornberg, M D; Spence, E J; Terry, P W

2007-02-01

The role of turbulence in current generation and self-excitation of magnetic fields has been studied in the geometry of a mechanically driven, spherical dynamo experiment, using a three-dimensional numerical computation. A simple impeller model drives a flow that can generate a growing magnetic field, depending on the magnetic Reynolds number Rm=micro0sigmaVa and the fluid Reynolds number Re=Vanu of the flow. For Re<420, the flow is laminar and the dynamo transition is governed by a threshold of Rmcrit=100, above which a growing magnetic eigenmode is observed that is primarily a dipole field transverse to the axis of symmetry of the flow. In saturation, the Lorentz force slows the flow such that the magnetic eigenmode becomes marginally stable. For Re>420 and Rm approximately 100 the flow becomes turbulent and the dynamo eigenmode is suppressed. The mechanism of suppression is a combination of a time varying large-scale field and the presence of fluctuation driven currents (such as those predicted by the mean-field theory), which effectively enhance the magnetic diffusivity. For higher Rm, a dynamo reappears; however, the structure of the magnetic field is often different from the laminar dynamo. It is dominated by a dipolar magnetic field aligned with the axis of symmetry of the mean-flow, which is apparently generated by fluctuation-driven currents. The magnitude and structure of the fluctuation-driven currents have been studied by applying a weak, axisymmetric seed magnetic field to laminar and turbulent flows. An Ohm's law analysis of the axisymmetric currents allows the fluctuation-driven currents to be identified. The magnetic fields generated by the fluctuations are significant: a dipole moment aligned with the symmetry axis of the mean-flow is generated similar to those observed in the experiment, and both toroidal and poloidal flux expulsion are observed.
34 CFR 645.10 - What kinds of projects are supported under the Upward Bound Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... programs of postsecondary education. (b) Upward Bound Math and Science Centers designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and...
34 CFR 645.10 - What kinds of projects are supported under the Upward Bound Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... programs of postsecondary education. (b) Upward Bound Math and Science Centers designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and...
34 CFR 645.10 - What kinds of projects are supported under the Upward Bound Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... programs of postsecondary education. (b) Upward Bound Math and Science Centers designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and...
34 CFR 645.10 - What kinds of projects are supported under the Upward Bound Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... programs of postsecondary education. (b) Upward Bound Math and Science Centers designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and...
34 CFR 645.10 - What kinds of projects are supported under the Upward Bound Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... programs of postsecondary education. (b) Upward Bound Math and Science Centers designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and...
The influence of atomic alignment on absorption and emission spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Heshou; Yan, Huirong; Richter, Philipp

2018-06-01

Spectroscopic observations play essential roles in astrophysics. They are crucial for determining physical parameters in the universe, providing information about the chemistry of various astronomical environments. The proper execution of the spectroscopic analysis requires accounting for all the physical effects that are compatible to the signal-to-noise ratio. We find in this paper the influence on spectroscopy from the atomic/ground state alignment owing to anisotropic radiation and modulated by interstellar magnetic field, has significant impact on the study of interstellar gas. In different observational scenarios, we comprehensively demonstrate how atomic alignment influences the spectral analysis and provide the expressions for correcting the effect. The variations are even more pronounced for multiplets and line ratios. We show the variation of the deduced physical parameters caused by the atomic alignment effect, including alpha-to-iron ratio ([X/Fe]) and ionisation fraction. Synthetic observations are performed to illustrate the visibility of such effect with current facilities. A study of PDRs in ρ Ophiuchi cloud is presented to demonstrate how to account for atomic alignment in practice. Our work has shown that due to its potential impact, atomic alignment has to be included in an accurate spectroscopic analysis of the interstellar gas with current observational capability.
Properties and behaviour of FAC currents in the inner magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Junying; Dunlop, Malcolm; Yang, Yanyan; Xiong, Chao; Lühr, Hermann; Cao, Jinbin; Li, Liuyuan; Ma, Yuduan; Shen, Chao

2017-04-01

Cusp, region 1 and 2, and other large scale field-aligned currents (FACs), are sampled in situ by both the four Cluster spacecraft and by the three Swarm spacecraft at different altitudes, separated by a few to several Earth radii, and sometimes simultaneously. Here, the capability of Swarm-Cluster coordination for probing the behaviour of the field aligned currents (FACs) at medium and low orbits is explored. Joint signatures of R1 and R2 FACs (as well as cusp, R0 and NBZ currents) can be found and compared in terms of the magnetic signatures, using multi-spacecraft analysis where possible. Using the Swarm configuration, statistical correlation analysis of the local time variation of R1/R2 FACs can be shown and compared to standard MVA analysis. For context, we identify the associated auroral boundaries through application of a method to determine the FAC intensity gradients in order to interpret and resolve the R1 and R2 FACs. We also explore the relation of R2 FACs to the ring current properties measured in situ.
Field-Aligned Current Systems at Mercury

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heyner, Daniel; Exner, Willi

2017-04-01

Mercury exhibits a very dynamic magnetosphere, which is partially due to strong dayside reconnection and fast magnetospheric convection. It has been shown that dayside reconnection occurs even on low magnetic shear angles across the magnetopause. This drives quasi-steady region 1 field-aligned currents (FAC) that are observable in in-situ MESSENGER data. Here, the structure of the Hermean FAC-system is discussed and compared to the terrestrial counterpart. Due to the lack of a significant ionosphere at Mercury, it has to be examined how much of the poloidal FAC is reflected back to the magnetosphere, closed via toroidal currents in the planetary interior or via Pedersen currents in the tenuous exosphere. This investigation gives insights into the planetary conductivity structure as well as the exospheric plasma densities. Furthermore, it will be examined how much the only partially developed ring current at Mercury produces possible region 2 FAC signatures. We conclude with requirements to simulations that are needed to forecast the FAC structure on the southern hemisphere that will be closely studied with the upcoming BepiColombo mission.
Field-aligned current and auroral Hall current characteristics derived from the Swarm constellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Tao; Wang, Hui; Hermann, Luehr

2017-04-01

On the basis of field-aligned currents (FACs) and Hall currents derived from high-resolution magnetic field data of the Swarm constellation the average characteristics of these two current systems in the auroral regions are comprehensively investigated by statistical methods. This is the first study considering both current types simultaneously and for both hemispheres. The FAC distribution, derived from the Swarm dual-spacecraft approach, reveals the well-known features of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) FACs. At high latitudes, Region 0 (R0) FACs appear on the dayside. Their direction depends on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component. Of particular interest is the distribution of auroral Hall currents. The most prominent auroral electrojets are found to be closely controlled by the solar wind input. But there is no dependence on the IMF By orientation. The eastward electrojet is about twice as strong in summer as in winter. Conversely, the westward electrojet shows less dependence on season. Part of the electrojet current is closed over the polar cap. Here the seasonal variation of conductivity mainly controls the current density. There is a clear channeling of return currents over the polar cap. Depending on IMF By orientation most of the current is flowing either on the dawn or dusk side. The direction of Hall currents in the noon sector depends directly on the orientation of the IMF By. This is true for both signs of the IMF Bz component. But largest differences between summer and winter seasons are found for northward IMF Bz. Around the midnight sector the westward substorm electrojet is dominating. As expected, it is highly dependent on magnetic activity, but shows only little response to the IMF By polarity.
Electron acceleration in downward auroral field-aligned currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cran-McGreehin, Alexandra P.; Wright, Andrew N.

2005-10-01

The auroral downward field-aligned current is mainly carried by electrons accelerated up from the ionosphere into the magnetosphere along magnetic field lines. Current densities are typically of the order of a few μ Am-2, and the associated electrons are accelerated to energies of several hundred eV up to a few keV. This downward current has been modeled by Temerin and Carlson (1998) using an electron fluid. This paper extends that model by describing the electron populations via distribution functions and modeling all of the F region. We assume a given ion density profile, and invoke quasi-neutrality to solve for the potential along the field line. Several important locations and quantities emerge from this model: the ionospheric trapping point, below which the ionospheric population is trapped by an ambipolar electric field; the location of maximum E∥, of the order of a few mVm-1, which lies earthward of the B/n peak; the acceleration region, located around the B/n peak, which normally extends between altitudes of 500 and 3000 km; and the total potential increase along the field line, of the order of a few hundred V up to several kV. The B/n peak is found to be the central factor determining the altitude and magnitude of the accelerating potential required. Indeed, the total potential drop is found to depend solely on the equilibrium properties in the immediate vicinity of the B/n peak.
Aligned Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composites Using an Electric Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Cheol; Wiklinson, John; Banda, Sumanth; Ounaies, Zoubeida; Wise, Kristopher E.; Sauti, Godfrey; Lillehei, Peter T.; Harrison, Joycelyn S.

2005-01-01

While high shear alignment has been shown to improve the mechanical properties of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT)-polymer composites, it is difficult to control and often results in degradation of the electrical and dielectric properties of the composite. Here, we report a novel method to actively align SWNTs in a polymer matrix, which allows for control over the degree of alignment of SWNTs without the side effects of shear alignment. In this process, SWNTs are aligned via field-induced dipolar interactions among the nanotubes under an AC electric field in a liquid matrix followed by immobilization by photopolymerization while maintaining the electric field. Alignment of SWNTs was controlled as a function of magnitude, frequency, and application time of the applied electric field. The degree of SWNT alignment was assessed using optical microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy and the morphology of the aligned nanocomposites was investigated by high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The structure of the field induced aligned SWNTs is intrinsically different from that of shear aligned SWNTs. In the present work, SWNTs are not only aligned along the field, but also migrate laterally to form thick, aligned SWNT percolative columns between the electrodes. The actively aligned SWNTs amplify the electrical and dielectric properties in addition to improving the mechanical properties of the composite. All of these properties of the aligned nanocomposites exhibited anisotropic characteristics, which were controllable by tuning the applied field conditions.
Identifying intervals of temporally invariant field-aligned currents from Swarm: Assessing the validity of single-spacecraft methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forsyth, C.; Rae, I. J.; Mann, I. R.; Pakhotin, I. P.

2017-03-01

Field-aligned currents (FACs) are a fundamental component of coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere. By assuming that FACs can be approximated by stationary infinite current sheets that do not change on the spacecraft crossing time, single-spacecraft magnetic field measurements can be used to estimate the currents flowing in space. By combining data from multiple spacecraft on similar orbits, these stationarity assumptions can be tested. In this technical report, we present a new technique that combines cross correlation and linear fitting of multiple spacecraft measurements to determine the reliability of the FAC estimates. We show that this technique can identify those intervals in which the currents estimated from single-spacecraft techniques are both well correlated and have similar amplitudes, thus meeting the spatial and temporal stationarity requirements. Using data from European Space Agency's Swarm mission from 2014 to 2015, we show that larger-scale currents (>450 km) are well correlated and have a one-to-one fit up to 50% of the time, whereas small-scale (<50 km) currents show similar amplitudes only 1% of the time despite there being a good correlation 18% of the time. It is thus imperative to examine both the correlation and amplitude of the calculated FACs in order to assess both the validity of the underlying assumptions and hence ultimately the reliability of such single-spacecraft FAC estimates.
Geohydrology and Potential for Upward Movement of Saline Water in the Cocoa Well Field, East Orange County, Florida

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

11 8. Map showing chloride concentration in water from the Upper...not move upward. Upconing of saline water probably is not taking place in the center and western part of the well field, based on the low vertical...zone of low hydraulic conductivity, based on the geophysical logs of well R (fig. 5). Chloride concentrations increase sharply in water from both
Schwinger effect in de Sitter space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fröb, Markus B.; Garriga, Jaume; Kanno, Sugumi; Sasaki, Misao; Soda, Jiro; Tanaka, Takahiro; Vilenkin, Alexander

2014-04-01

We consider Schwinger pair production in 1+1 dimensional de Sitter space, filled with a constant electric field E. This can be thought of as a model for describing false vacuum decay beyond the semiclassical approximation, where pairs of a quantum field phi of mass m and charge e play the role of vacuum bubbles. We find that the adiabatic ``in" vacuum associated with the flat chart develops a space-like expectation value for the current J, which manifestly breaks the de Sitter invariance of the background fields. We derive a simple expression for J(E), showing that both ``upward" and ``downward" tunneling contribute to the build-up of the current. For heavy fields, with m2 gg eE,H2, the current is exponentially suppressed, in agreement with the results of semiclassical instanton methods. Here, H is the inverse de Sitter radius. On the other hand, light fields with m ll H lead to a phenomenon of infrared hyperconductivity, where a very small electric field mHlesssimeE ll H2 leads to a very large current J ~ H3/E. We also show that all Hadamard states for phi necessarily break de Sitter invariance. Finally, we comment on the role of initial conditions, and ``persistence of memory" effects.
MUSE optical alignment procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurent, Florence; Renault, Edgard; Loupias, Magali; Kosmalski, Johan; Anwand, Heiko; Bacon, Roland; Boudon, Didier; Caillier, Patrick; Daguisé, Eric; Dubois, Jean-Pierre; Dupuy, Christophe; Kelz, Andreas; Lizon, Jean-Louis; Nicklas, Harald; Parès, Laurent; Remillieux, Alban; Seifert, Walter; Valentin, Hervé; Xu, Wenli

2012-09-01

MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) is a second generation VLT integral field spectrograph (1x1arcmin² Field of View) developed for the European Southern Observatory (ESO), operating in the visible wavelength range (0.465-0.93 μm). A consortium of seven institutes is currently assembling and testing MUSE in the Integration Hall of the Observatoire de Lyon for the Preliminary Acceptance in Europe, scheduled for 2013. MUSE is composed of several subsystems which are under the responsibility of each institute. The Fore Optics derotates and anamorphoses the image at the focal plane. A Splitting and Relay Optics feed the 24 identical Integral Field Units (IFU), that are mounted within a large monolithic instrument mechanical structure. Each IFU incorporates an image slicer, a fully refractive spectrograph with VPH-grating and a detector system connected to a global vacuum and cryogenic system. During 2011, all MUSE subsystems were integrated, aligned and tested independently in each institute. After validations, the systems were shipped to the P.I. institute at Lyon and were assembled in the Integration Hall This paper describes the end-to-end optical alignment procedure of the MUSE instrument. The design strategy, mixing an optical alignment by manufacturing (plug and play approach) and few adjustments on key components, is presented. We depict the alignment method for identifying the optical axis using several references located in pupil and image planes. All tools required to perform the global alignment between each subsystem are described. The success of this alignment approach is demonstrated by the good results for the MUSE image quality. MUSE commissioning at the VLT (Very Large Telescope) is planned for 2013.
Significant initial results from the environmental measurements experiment on ATS-6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritz, T. A.; Arthur, C. W.; Blake, J. B.; Coleman, P. J., Jr.; Corrigan, J. P.; Cummings, W. D.; Deforest, S. E.; Erickson, K. N.; Konradi, A.; Lennartsson, W.

1977-01-01

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6), launched into synchronous orbit on 30 May 1974, carried a set of six particle detectors and a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer. The particle detectors were able to determine the ion and electron distribution functions from 1 to greater than 10 to the 8th power eV. It was found that the magnetic field is weaker and more tilted than predicted by models which neglect internal plasma and that there is a seasonal dependence to the magnitude and tilt. ATS-6 magnetic field measurements showed the effects of field-aligned currents associated with substorms, and large fluxes of field-aligned particles were observed with the particle detectors. Encounters with the plasmasphere revealed the existence of warm plasma with temperatures up to 30 eV. A variety of correlated waves in both the particles and fields were observed: pulsation continuous oscillations, seen predominantly in the plasmasphere bulge; ultralow frequency (ULF) standing waves; ring current proton ULF waves; and low frequency waves that modulate the energetic electrons. In additon, large scale waves on the energetic-ion-trapping boundary were observed, and the intensity of energetic electrons was modulated in association with the passage of sector boundaries of the interplanetary magnetic field.
The interplanetary magnetic field B[sub y] effects on large-scale field-aligned currents near local noon: Contributions from cusp part and noncusp part

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

Yamauchi, M.; Lundin, R.; Woch, J.

1993-04-01

latitudinals develop a model to account for the effect of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B[sub y] component on the dayside field-aligned currents (FACs). As part of the model the FACs are divided into a [open quotes]cusp part[close quotes] and a [open quotes]noncusp part[close quotes]. The authors then propose that the cusp part FACs shift in the longitudinal direction while the noncusplike part FACs shift in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions in response to the y component of the IMF. If combined, it is observed that the noncusp part FAC is found poleward of the cusp part FAC system whenmore » the y component of the IMF is large. These two FAC systems flow in the same direction. They reinforce one another, creating a strong FAC, termed the DPY-FAC. The model also predicts that the polewardmost part of the DPY-FAC flows on closed field lines, even in regions conventionally occupied by the polar cap. Results of the model are successfully compared with particle and magnetic field data from Viking missions.« less

Advanced electric-field scanning probe lithography on molecular resist using active cantilever

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaestner, Marcus; Aydogan, Cemal; Ivanov, Tzvetan; Ahmad, Ahmad; Angelov, Tihomir; Reum, Alexander; Ishchuk, Valentyn; Krivoshapkina, Yana; Hofer, Manuel; Lenk, Steve; Atanasov, Ivaylo; Holz, Mathias; Rangelow, Ivo W.

2015-07-01

The routine "on demand" fabrication of features smaller than 10 nm opens up new possibilities for the realization of many devices. Driven by the thermally actuated piezoresistive cantilever technology, we have developed a prototype of a scanning probe lithography (SPL) platform which is able to image, inspect, align, and pattern features down to the single digit nanoregime. Here, we present examples of practical applications of the previously published electric-field based current-controlled scanning probe lithography. In particular, individual patterning tests are carried out on calixarene by using our developed table-top SPL system. We have demonstrated the application of a step-and-repeat SPL method including optical as well as atomic force microscopy-based navigation and alignment. The closed-loop lithography scheme was applied to sequentially write positive and negative tone features. Due to the integrated unique combination of read-write cycling, each single feature is aligned separately with the highest precision and inspected after patterning. This routine was applied to create a pattern step by step. Finally, we have demonstrated the patterning over larger areas, over existing topography, and the practical applicability of the SPL processes for lithography down to 13-nm pitch patterns. To enhance the throughput capability variable beam diameter electric field, current-controlled SPL is briefly discussed.
Genesis and shape of natural solution cavities within salt deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gechter, Daniel; Huggenberger, Peter; Ackerer, Philippe; Waber, H. Niklaus

2008-11-01

Since the genesis and shape of natural deep-seated cavities within a salt body are insufficiently understood, the current study tries to shed some light on this topic. To this end, freshwater was pumped slowly through a horizontal borehole in rock salt cores. Owing to fast halite dissolution kinetics, high solubility, and slow inflow rate, halite dissolution took place only in the inflow of the rock salt cylinder. The shape of the created cavities is an approximately symmetrical half cone with a horizontal base facing upward. A conceptual model is presented that is inspired by the experimental results and based on theoretical hydraulic-geochemical considerations, as well as on field observations. It proposes that triangular prism or conically shaped cavities develop within salt under confined conditions, where aggressive water flows upward along a fracture/conduit from an insoluble aquifer into the soluble stratum. Such cavity enlargements may cause land subsidence and structure collapse.
Microwave conductance properties of aligned multiwall carbon nanotube textile sheets

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

Brown, Brian L.; Martinez, Patricia; Zakhidov, Anvar A.

2015-07-06

Understanding the conductance properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) textile sheets in the microwave regime is essential for their potential use in high-speed and high-frequency applications. To expand current knowledge, complex high-frequency conductance measurements from 0.01 to 50 GHz and across temperatures from 4.2 K to 300 K and magnetic fields up to 2 T were made on textile sheets of highly aligned MWNTs with strand alignment oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the microwave electric field polarization. Sheets were drawn from 329 and 520 μm high MWNT forests that resulted in different DC resistance anisotropy. For all samples, themore » microwave conductance can be modeled approximately by a shunt capacitance in parallel with a frequency-independent conductance, but with no inductive contribution. Finally, this is consistent with diffusive Drude conduction as the primary transport mechanism up to 50 GHz. Further, it is found that the microwave conductance is essentially independent of both temperature and magnetic field.« less
Three-dimensional modeling of electron quasiviscous dissipation in guide-field magnetic reconnection

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

Hesse, Michael; Kuznetsova, Masha; Schindler, Karl

2005-10-01

A numerical study of guide-field magnetic reconnection in a three-dimensional model is presented. Starting from an initial, perturbed, force-free current sheet, it is shown that reconnection develops to an almost translationally invariant state, where magnetic perturbations are aligned primarily along the main current flow direction. An analysis of guide-field and electron flow signatures indicates behavior that is very similar to earlier, albeit not three-dimensional, simulations. Furthermore, a detailed investigation of electron pressure nongyrotropies in the central diffusion region confirms the major role the associated dissipation process plays in establishing the reconnection electric field.
Dynamic Scattering Mode LCDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahadur, Birendra

The following sections are included: * INTRODUCTION * CELL DESIGNING * EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS IN NEMATICS RELATED WITH DYNAMIC SCATTERING * Experimental Observations at D.C. Field and Electrode Effects * Experimental Observation at Low Frequency A.C. Fields * Homogeneously Aligned Nematic Regime * Williams Domains * Dynamic Scattering * Experimental Observation at High Frequency A.C. Field * Other Experimental Observations * THEORETICAL INTERPRETATIONS * Felici Model * Carr-Helfrich Model * D.C. Excitation * Dubois-Violette, de Gennes and Parodi Model * Low Freqency or Conductive Regime * High Frequency or Dielectric Regime * DYNAMIC SCATTERING IN SMECRIC A PHASE * ELECTRO-OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND LIMITATIONS * Contrast Ratio vs. Voltage, Viewing Angle, Cell Gap, Wavelength and Temperature * Display Current vs. Voltage, Cell Gap and Temperature * Switching Time * Effect of Alignment * Effect of Conductivity, Temperature and Frequency * Addressing of DSM LCDs * Limitations of DSM LCDs * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS * REFERENCES
Temporal Development of Auroral Acceleration Potentials: High-Altitude Evolutionary Sequences, Drivers and Consequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, A. J.; Wilber, M.; Chaston, C.; Bonnell, J.; Mozer, F.; McFadden, J.; Goldstein, M.; Fillingim, M.

2007-12-01

The region above the auroral acceleration region is an integral part of the auroral zone electrodynamic system. At these altitudes (≥ 3 Re) we find the source plasma and fields that determine acceleration processes occurring at lower altitudes, which play a key role in the transport of mass and energy into the ionosphere. Dynamic changes in these high-altitude regions can affect and/or control lower-altitude acceleration processes according to how field-aligned currents and specific plasma sources form and decay and how they are spatially distributed, and through magnetic configuration changes deeper in the magnetotail. Though much progress has been made, the time development and consequential effects of the high-altitude plasma and fields are still not fully understood. We present Cluster multi-point observations at key instances within and above the acceleration region (> 3 RE) of evolving auroral arc current systems. Results are presented from events occurring under different conditions, such as magnetospheric activity, associations with density depletions or gradients, and Alfvenic turbulence. A preliminary survey, primarily at or near the plasma sheet boundary, indicates quasi- static up-down current pair systems are at times associated with density depletions and other instances occur in association with density gradients. The data suggest that such quasi-static current systems may be evolving from structured Alfvenic current systems. We will discuss the temporal development of auroral acceleration potentials, plasma and currents, including quasi-static system formation from turbulent systems of structured Alfvenic field-aligned currents, density depletion and constituent reorganization of the source and ionospheric plasma that transpire in such systems. Of particular emphasis is how temporal changes in magnetospheric source plasma and fields affect the development of auroral acceleration potentials at lower altitudes.
The particle carriers of field-aligned currents in the Earth's magnetotail during a substorm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Z. W.; Zhang, J. C.; Shi, J. K.; Kistler, L. M.; Dunlop, M.; Dandouras, I.; Fazakerley, A.

2016-04-01

Although the particle carriers of field-aligned currents (FACs) in the Earth's magnetotail play an important role in the transfer of momentum and energy between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere, the characteristics of the FAC carriers have been poorly understood. Taking advantage of multiinstrument magnetic field and plasma data collected by the four spacecraft of the Cluster constellation as they traversed the northern plasma sheet boundary layer in the magnetotail on 14 September 2004, we identified the species type and energy range of the FAC carriers for the first time. The results indicate that part of tailward FACs is carried by energetic keV ions, which are probably originated from the ionosphere through outflow, and they are not too small (~2 nA/m2) to be ignored. The earthward (tailward) FACs are mainly carried by the dominant tailward (earthward) motion of electrons, and higher-energy electrons (from ~0.5 to 26 keV) are the main carriers.
Observation of a Unipolar Field-aligned Current System Associated With IMF By-triggered Theta Auroras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hairston, M. R.; Watanabe, M.

2016-12-01

We investigate the existence of a specific field-aligned current (FAC) system predicted by numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations in a past study. The FAC system is expected to occur when a drifting theta aurora is formed in response to a stepwise transition of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By during strongly northward IMF periods. When the IMF By changes from positive to negative, a crossbar forms in the Northern Hemisphere that moves dawnward, while in the Southern Hemisphere the crossbar moves in the opposite direction. The crossbar motion reverses when the IMF By changes from negative to positive. The FAC system appears on the trailing side of the drifting crossbar of the theta aurora as it moves either dawnward or duskward. When the theta aurora is drifting dawnward, the FACs flow into the ionosphere. The FAC polarity reverses when the theta aurora is drifting duskward. Using low-altitude satellite data, we confirmed the real existence of the above model-predicted FAC system.
MUSE alignment onto VLT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurent, Florence; Renault, Edgard; Boudon, Didier; Caillier, Patrick; Daguisé, Eric; Dupuy, Christophe; Jarno, Aurélien; Lizon, Jean-Louis; Migniau, Jean-Emmanuel; Nicklas, Harald; Piqueras, Laure

2014-07-01

MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) is a second generation Very Large Telescope (VLT) integral field spectrograph developed for the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It combines a 1' x 1' field of view sampled at 0.2 arcsec for its Wide Field Mode (WFM) and a 7.5"x7.5" field of view for its Narrow Field Mode (NFM). Both modes will operate with the improved spatial resolution provided by GALACSI (Ground Atmospheric Layer Adaptive Optics for Spectroscopic Imaging), that will use the VLT deformable secondary mirror and 4 Laser Guide Stars (LGS) foreseen in 2015. MUSE operates in the visible wavelength range (0.465-0.93 μm). A consortium of seven institutes is currently commissioning MUSE in the Very Large Telescope for the Preliminary Acceptance in Chile, scheduled for September, 2014. MUSE is composed of several subsystems which are under the responsibility of each institute. The Fore Optics derotates and anamorphoses the image at the focal plane. A Splitting and Relay Optics feed the 24 identical Integral Field Units (IFU), that are mounted within a large monolithic structure. Each IFU incorporates an image slicer, a fully refractive spectrograph with VPH-grating and a detector system connected to a global vacuum and cryogenic system. During 2012 and 2013, all MUSE subsystems were integrated, aligned and tested to the P.I. institute at Lyon. After successful PAE in September 2013, MUSE instrument was shipped to the Very Large Telescope in Chile where that was aligned and tested in ESO integration hall at Paranal. After, MUSE was directly transported, fully aligned and without any optomechanical dismounting, onto VLT telescope where the first light was overcame the 7th of February, 2014. This paper describes the alignment procedure of the whole MUSE instrument with respect to the Very Large Telescope (VLT). It describes how 6 tons could be move with accuracy better than 0.025mm and less than 0.25 arcmin in order to reach alignment requirements. The success of the MUSE alignment is demonstrated by the excellent results obtained onto MUSE image quality and throughput directly onto the sky.
SIMULATING THE IN SITU CONDENSATION PROCESS OF SOLAR PROMINENCES

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

Xia, C.; Keppens, R.; Antolin, P.

2014-09-10

Prominences in the solar corona are a hundredfold cooler and denser than their surroundings, with a total mass of 10{sup 13} up to 10{sup 15} g. Here, we report on the first comprehensive simulations of three-dimensional, thermally and gravitationally stratified magnetic flux ropes where in situ condensation to a prominence occurs due to radiative losses. After a gradual thermodynamic adjustment, we witness a phase where runaway cooling occurs while counter-streaming shearing flows drain off mass along helical field lines. After this drainage, a prominence-like condensation resides in concave upward field regions, and this prominence retains its overall characteristics for moremore » than two hours. While condensing, the prominence establishes a prominence-corona transition region where magnetic field-aligned thermal conduction is operative during the runaway cooling. The prominence structure represents a force-balanced state in a helical flux rope. The simulated condensation demonstrates a right-bearing barb, as a remnant of the drainage. Synthetic images at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths follow the onset of the condensation, and confirm the appearance of horns and a three-part structure for the stable prominence state, as often seen in erupting prominences. This naturally explains recent Solar Dynamics Observatory views with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on prominences in coronal cavities demonstrating horns.« less
Trigger, an active release experiment that stimulated auroral particle precipitation and wave emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmgren, G.; Bostroem, R.; Kelley, M. C.; Kintner, P. M.; Lundin, R.; Fahleson, U. V.; Bering, E. A.; Sheldon, W. R.

1979-01-01

The experiment design, including a description of the diagnostic and chemical release payload, and the general results are given for an auroral process simulation experiment. A drastic increase of the field aligned charged particle flux was observed over the approximate energy range 10 eV to more than 300 keV, starting about 150 ms after the release and lasting about one second. The is evidence of a second particle burst, starting one second after the release and lasting for tens of seconds, and evidence for a periodic train of particle bursts occurring with a 7.7 second period from 40 to 130 seconds after the release. A transient electric field pulse of 200 mv/m appeared just before the particle flux increase started. Electrostatic wave emissions around 2 kHz, as well as a delayed perturbation of the E-region below the plasma cloud were also observed. Some of the particle observations are interpreted in terms of field aligned electrostatic acceleration a few hundred kilometers above the injected plasma cloud. It is suggested that the acceleration electric field was created by an instability driven by field aligned currents originating in the plasma cloud.
Growth of multiwalled-carbon nanotubes using vertically aligned carbon nanofibers as templates/scaffolds and improved field-emission properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, H.; Yang, X.; Baylor, L. R.; Lowndes, D. H.

2005-01-01

Multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are grown on top of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) via microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD). The VACNFs are first grown in a direct-current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactor using nickel catalyst. A layer of carbon-silicon materials is then deposited on the VACNFs and the nickel catalyst particle is broken down into smaller nanoparticles during an intermediate reactive-ion-plasma deposition step. These nickel nanoparticles nucleate and grow MWCNTs in the following MPECVD process. Movable-probe measurements show that the MWCNTs have greatly improved field-emission properties relative to the VACNFs.
Microplasma illumination enhancement of vertically aligned conducting ultrananocrystalline diamond nanorods

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Vertically aligned conducting ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) nanorods are fabricated using the reactive ion etching method incorporated with nanodiamond particles as mask. High electrical conductivity of 275 Ω·cm−1 is obtained for UNCD nanorods. The microplasma cavities using UNCD nanorods as cathode show enhanced plasma illumination characteristics of low threshold field of 0.21 V/μm with plasma current density of 7.06 mA/cm2 at an applied field of 0.35 V/μm. Such superior electrical properties of UNCD nanorods with high aspect ratio potentially make a significant impact on the diamond-based microplasma display technology. PMID:23009733
Optical design concept for the Giant Magellan Telescope Multi-object Astronomical and Cosmological Spectrograph (GMACS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Luke M.; Ribeiro, Rafael; Taylor, Keith; Jones, Damien; Prochaska, Travis; DePoy, Darren L.; Marshall, Jennifer L.; Cook, Erika; Froning, Cynthia; Ji, Tae-Geun; Lee, Hye-In; Mendes de Oliveira, Claudia; Pak, Soojong; Papovich, Casey

2016-08-01

We present a preliminary conceptual optical design for GMACS, a wide field, multi-object, optical spectrograph currently being developed for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). We include details of the optical design requirements derived from the instrument scientific and technical objectives and demonstrate how these requirements are met by the current design. Detector specifications, field acquisition/alignment optics, and optical considerations for the active flexure control system are also discussed.
Ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling and convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolf, R. A.; Spiro, R. W.

1984-01-01

The following international Magnetospheric Study quantitative models of observed ionosphere-magnetosphere events are reviewed: (1) a theoretical model of convection; (2) algorithms for deducing ionospheric current and electric-field patterns from sets of ground magnetograms and ionospheric conductivity information; and (3) empirical models of ionospheric conductances and polar cap potential drop. Research into magnetic-field-aligned electric fields is reviewed, particularly magnetic-mirror effects and double layers.
An Agent-based Approach to Evaluating the Impact of Technologies on C2

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

from field experimentation and current military doctrine were identified for the evaluation of SPEYES technologies , which we aligned with field test...and procedures (TTPs). However, the introduction of new technologies to support C2 significantly impacts performance and effectiveness of military ...addressed various challenges of Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT). Our novel approach combined the strengths of field assessment with
A dawn to dusk electric field in the Jovian magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goertz, C. K.; Ip, W. I.

1983-01-01

It is shown that if Io-injected plasma is lost via a planetary wind-fixed Birkeland current system may result. This is due to the fact that the azimuthal centrifugal current flows across a density gradient produced by the loss of plasma through the planetary wind in the tail. The divergent centrifugal current is connected to field-aligned Birkeland currents which flow into the ionosphere at dawn and out of it at dusk. The closure currents in the ionosphere require a dawn to dusk electric field which at the orbit of Io is estimated to have a strength of 0.2 mV/m. However, the values of crucial parameters are not well known and the field at Io's orbit may well be significantly larger. Independent estimates derived from the local time asymmetry of the torus UV emission indicate a field of 1.5 mV/m.
Magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions: Near Earth manifestations of the plasma universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faelthammar, Carl-Gunne

1986-01-01

As the universe consists almost entirely of plasma, the understanding of astrophysical phenomena must depend critically on the understanding of how matter behaves in the plasma state. In situ observations in the near Earth cosmical plasma offer an excellent opportunity of gaining such understanding. The near Earth cosmical plasma not only covers vast ranges of density and temperature, but is the site of a rich variety of complex plasma physical processes which are activated as a results of the interactions between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. The geomagnetic field connects the ionosphere, tied by friction to the Earth, and the magnetosphere, dynamically coupled to the solar wind. This causes an exchange of energy an momentum between the two regions. The exchange is executed by magnetic-field-aligned electric currents, the so-called Birkeland currents. Both directly and indirectly (through instabilities and particle acceleration) these also lead to an exchange of plasma, which is selective and therefore causes chemical separation. Another essential aspect of the coupling is the role of electric fields, especially magnetic field aligned (parallel) electric fields, which have important consequences both for the dynamics of the coupling and, especially, for energization of charged particles.
Estimation of electric fields and current from ground-based magnetometer data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamide, Y.; Richmond, A. D.

1984-01-01

Recent advances in numerical algorithms for estimating ionospheric electric fields and currents from groundbased magnetometer data are reviewed and evaluated. Tests of the adequacy of one such algorithm in reproducing large-scale patterns of electrodynamic parameters in the high-latitude ionosphere have yielded generally positive results, at least for some simple cases. Some encouraging advances in producing realistic conductivity models, which are a critical input, are pointed out. When the algorithms are applied to extensive data sets, such as the ones from meridian chain magnetometer networks during the IMS, together with refined conductivity models, unique information on instantaneous electric field and current patterns can be obtained. Examples of electric potentials, ionospheric currents, field-aligned currents, and Joule heating distributions derived from ground magnetic data are presented. Possible directions for future improvements are also pointed out.
On the coupling of convective updrafts prior to secondary eyewall formation in Hurricane Katrina (2005)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Rivera, Jose M.; Lin, Yuh-Lang

2017-09-01

Hurricane Katrina (2005) was simulated by the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model to understand the mechanism of a secondary eyewall formation (SEF) prior to its last landfall. The storm underwent a series of structural changes that were deemed necessary for the concentric cycle to begin, which included (1) increased rainband activity outside the primary eyewall in the hours before, mostly related to an intensifying main feeder band, (2) close to initiation of the SEF, an updraft (explained by a pre-existing hypothesis) emerged outside the primary eyewall near the top of the boundary layer (BL), (3) this updraft then intensified and extended both upward and outward, while the storm intensified and approached SEF, (4) eventually, the updraft coupled with the upward motion associated with rainband-related convection near the SEF radius, and (5) once the alignment occurred, the deep updraft quickly organized to support deep convection that led to SEF within hours of initiation. The coupling of updrafts emanating from the BL with the environmental upward motion associated with the pre-existing rainband activity is proposed to be the key mechanism for the SEF initiation in this case.

Numerical simulation of solar coronal magnetic fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dahlburg, Russell B.; Antiochos, Spiro K.; Zang, T. A.

1990-01-01

Many aspects of solar activity are believed to be due to the stressing of the coronal magnetic field by footpoint motions at the photosphere. The results are presented of a fully spectral numerical simulation which is the first 3-D time dependent simulation of footpoint stressing in a geometry appropriate for the corona. An arcade is considered that is initially current-free and impose a smooth footpoint motion that produces a twist in the field of approx 2 pi. The footprints were fixed and the evolution was followed until the field relaxes to another current-free state. No evidence was seen for any instability, either ideal or resistive and no evidence for current sheet formation. The most striking feature of the evolution is that in response to photospheric motions, the field expands rapidly upward to minimize the stress. The expansion has two important effects. First, it suppresses the development of dips in the field that could support dense, cool material. For the motions assumed, the magnetic field does not develop a geometry suitable for prominence formation. Second, the expansion inhibits ideal instabilities such as kinking. The results indicate that simple stearing of a single arcade is unlikely to lead to solar activity such as flares or prominences. Effects are discussed that might possibly lead to such activity.
Electric-field-induced flow-aligning state in a nematic liquid crystal.

PubMed

Fatriansyah, Jaka Fajar; Orihara, Hiroshi

2015-04-01

The response of shear stress to a weak ac electric field as a probe is measured in a nematic liquid crystal under shear flow and dc electric fields. Two states with different responses are clearly observed when the dc electric field is changed at a constant shear rate: the flow aligning and non-flow aligning states. The director lies in the shear plane in the flow aligning state and out of the plane in the non-flow aligning state. Through application of dc electric field, the non-flow aligning state can be changed to the flow aligning state. In the transition from the flow aligning state to the non-flow aligning state, it is found that the response increases and the relaxation time becomes longer. Here, the experimental results in the flow aligning state are discussed on the basis of the Ericksen-Leslie theory.
Controle de l'alignement des nanotubes de carbone multiparois a l'interieur d'un polymere et d''un materiau composite multi-echelles a l'aide d'un champ electrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arguin, Maxime

Composite materials are lightweight and have very good mechanical properties which make them a good alternative to metallic structures traditionally used in aircraft. However, these materials have a very low electrical conductivity compared to metal which limits their use for electrical application such as current return network. For example, carbon fiber composites have relatively good in-plane conductivity but a resistance between each ply, generated by the epoxy, reduced the conductivity through the thickness of the material by a thousand. The anisotropy results in a poor current diffusion through each layer of the composite and heat generation at surface when an electric current is applied on a composite panel. For this reason, the electrical conductivity of carbon fibers composite must be improved to be used for electrical applications. This thesis shows a new procedure to enhance the electrical conductivity of composite material in a preferential way (i.e., through the thickness). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the epoxy matrix of a composite to create multiscale composite. An electric field was also used to control the global distribution of the NTCs. Alignment results made on a UV epoxy reinforced with 0.01wt.% of MWCNTs showed a decrease of the resistivity by four orders of magnitude. This decrease of resistivity was also associated with formation of a filamentary microstructure that goes from one electrode to the others creating preferential conduction pathways. Afterwards, a hand lay-up process was modified to incorporate electric field alignment during the manufacturing of the composite. An improvement of the conductivity of 36% and 99% were obtained when an electric of 60V/mm were used to align the nanoparticles in multiscale composites containing 0.01wt.% and 0.1wt.% of MWCNTs, respectively. However, these modest improvements were still not enough to reach a complete current diffusion through the thickness but this technique is still a potential way to achieve it. Finally, the project shows the potential of using electric field induced alignment of the MWCNTs to improve the conductivity of multiscale composite. Furthermore, this technique has the advantage to be suitable to other common manufacturing processes using in the industry.
Generation of field-aligned current (FAC) and convection through the formation of pressure regimes: Correction for the concept of Dungey's convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, T.; Watanabe, M.; Den, M.; Fujita, S.; Ebihara, Y.; Kikuchi, T.; Hashimoto, K. K.; Kataoka, R.

2016-09-01

In this paper, we try to elucidate the generation mechanism of the field-aligned current (FAC) and coexisting convection. From the comparison between the theoretical prediction and the state of numerical solution from the high-resolution global simulation, we obtain the following conclusions about the distribution of dynamo, the magnetic field structure along the flow path that diverges Poynting flux, and energy conversion promoting the generation of electromagnetic energy. The dynamo for the region 1 FAC, which is in the high-latitude-side cusp-mantle region, has a structure in which magnetic field is compressed along the convection path by the slow mode motion. The dynamo for the region 2 FAC is in the ring current region at the inner edge of the plasma sheet, and has a structure in which magnetic field is curved outward along the convection path. Under these structures, electromagnetic energy is generated from the work done by pressure gradient force, in both dynamos for the region 1 and region 2 FACs. In these generation processes of the FACs, the excitation of convection and the formation of pressure regimes occur as interdependent processes. This structure leads to a modification in the way of understanding the Dungey's convection. Generation of the FAC through the formation of pressure regimes is essential even for the case of substorm onset.
Cold cathode emission studies on topographically modified few layer and single layer MoS2 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaur, Anand P. S.; Sahoo, Satyaprakash; Mendoza, Frank; Rivera, Adriana M.; Kumar, Mohit; Dash, Saroj P.; Morell, Gerardo; Katiyar, Ram S.

2016-01-01

Nanostructured materials, such as carbon nanotubes, are excellent cold cathode emitters. Here, we report comparative field emission (FE) studies on topographically tailored few layer MoS2 films consisting of ⟨0001⟩ plane perpendicular (⊥) to c-axis (i.e., edge terminated vertically aligned) along with planar few layer and monolayer (1L) MoS2 films. FE measurements exhibited lower turn-on field Eto (defined as required applied electric field to emit current density of 10 μA/cm2) ˜4.5 V/μm and higher current density ˜1 mA/cm2, for edge terminated vertically aligned (ETVA) MoS2 films. However, Eto magnitude for planar few layer and 1L MoS2 films increased further to 5.7 and 11 V/μm, respectively, with one order decrease in emission current density. The observed differences in emission behavior, particularly for ETVA MoS2 is attributed to the high value of geometrical field enhancement factor (β), found to be ˜1064, resulting from the large confinement of localized electric field at edge exposed nanograins. Emission behavior of planar few layers and 1L MoS2 films are explained under a two step emission mechanism. Our studies suggest that with further tailoring the microstructure of ultra thin ETVA MoS2 films would result in elegant FE properties.
Modeling of Mutiscale Electromagnetic Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Interactions near Discrete Auroral Arcs Observed by the MICA Sounding Rocket

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Streltsov, A. V.; Lynch, K. A.; Fernandes, P. A.; Miceli, R.; Hampton, D. L.; Michell, R. G.; Samara, M.

2012-12-01

The MICA (Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén Resonator) sounding rocket was launched from Poker Flat on February 19, 2012. The rocket was aimed into the system of discrete auroral arcs and during its flight it detected small-scale electromagnetic disturbances with characteristic features of dispersive Alfvén waves. We report results from numerical modeling of these observations. Our simulations are based on a two-fluid MHD model describing multi-scale interactions between magnetic field-aligned currents carried by shear Alfven waves and the ionosphere. The results from our simulations suggest that the small-scale electromagnetic structures measured by MICA indeed can be interpreted as dispersive Alfvén waves generated by the active ionospheric response (ionopspheric feedback instability) inside the large-scale downward magnetic field-aligned current interacting with the ionosphere.
Field-aligned currents' scale analysis performed with the Swarm constellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lühr, Hermann; Park, Jaeheung; Gjerloev, Jesper W.; Rauberg, Jan; Michaelis, Ingo; Merayo, Jose M. G.; Brauer, Peter

2015-01-01

We present a statistical study of the temporal- and spatial-scale characteristics of different field-aligned current (FAC) types derived with the Swarm satellite formation. We divide FACs into two classes: small-scale, up to some 10 km, which are carried predominantly by kinetic Alfvén waves, and large-scale FACs with sizes of more than 150 km. For determining temporal variability we consider measurements at the same point, the orbital crossovers near the poles, but at different times. From correlation analysis we obtain a persistent period of small-scale FACs of order 10 s, while large-scale FACs can be regarded stationary for more than 60 s. For the first time we investigate the longitudinal scales. Large-scale FACs are different on dayside and nightside. On the nightside the longitudinal extension is on average 4 times the latitudinal width, while on the dayside, particularly in the cusp region, latitudinal and longitudinal scales are comparable.
Upward gaze-evoked nystagmus with organoarsenic poisoning.

PubMed

Nakamagoe, Kiyotaka; Ishii, Kazuhiro; Tamaoka, Akira; Shoji, Shin'ichi

2006-01-10

The authors report assessment of abnormal ocular movements in three patients after organoarsenic poisoning from diphenylarsinic acid. The characteristic and principal sign is upward gaze-evoked nystagmus. Moreover, vertical gaze holding impairment was shown by electronystagmography on direct current recording.
Electron/ion whistler instabilities and magnetic noise bursts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akimoto, K.; Gary, S. Peter; Omidi, N.

1987-01-01

Two whistler instabilities are investigated by means of the linear Vlasov dispersion equation. They are called the electron/ion parallel and oblique whistler instabilities, and are driven by electron/ion relative drifts along the magnetic field. It is demonstrated that the enhanced fluctuations from these instabilities can explain several properties of magnetic noise bursts in and near the plasma sheet in the presence of ion beams and/or field-aligned currents. At sufficiently high plasma beta, these instabilities may affect the current system in the magnetotail.
Crystal alignments in the Fast ice of arctic Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weeks, W. F.; Gow, A. J.

1980-02-01

Field observations at 60 sites located in the fast or near-fast ice along a 1200-km stretch of the north coast of Alaska between the Bering Strait and Barter Island have shown that the great majority of the ice samples (95%) exhibit striking c axis alignments within the horizontal plane. In all cases the degree of preferred orientation increased with depth in the ice. Representative standard deviations around a mean direction in the horizontal plane are commonly less than ±10° for samples collected near the bottom of the ice. At a given site the mean c axis direction ?0 may vary as much as 20° with vertical location in the ice sheet. The c axis allignments in the nearshore region generally parallel the coast, with strong alignments occurring in the lagoon systems between the barrier islands and the coast and seaward of the barrier islands. In passes between islands and in entrances such as the opening to Kotzebue Sound the alignment is parallel to the channel. Only limited observations are available farther seaward over the inner (10- to 50-m isobaths) and outer (50-m isobath to shelf break) shelf regions. These indicate NE-SW and E-W alignments, respectively, in the Beaufort Sea north of Prudhoe Bay. The general patterns of the alignments support the correlation between the preferred c axis direction and the current direction at the ice/water interface suggested by Weeks and Gow (1978). A comparison between c axis alignments and instantaneous current measurements made at 42 locations shows that the most frequent current direction coincides with ?0. At the one site where we were able to determine the current direction (52°T) over a longer period (7 hours), the agreement with ?0. (48°T) was excellent. Similarly, if only ?0. values determined in the nearshore region are considered, the most frequent deviation is 10° or less between ?0. and the trend of the adjacent shoreline, which is presumably parallel to the prevailing longshore currents. The c axis alignments are believed to be the result of geometric selection, with the most favored orientation being that in which the current flows normal to the (0001) plates of ice that comprise the dendritic sea ice/seawater interface. The instantaneous current observations suggest SW nearshore currents along the Chukchi coast between SW of Point Lay and SW of the Rogers-Post Monument. In the vicinity of Barrow all currents measured along the Chukchi coast were toward the NE. Current directions along the Beaufort coast in the nearshore region were generally parallel to the coast, with 45% of the observations indicating currents toward the E and 55% currents toward the W.
ELF waves and ion resonances produced by an electron beam emitting rocket in the ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winckler, J. R.; Abe, Y.; Erickson, K. N.

1986-01-01

Results are reported from the ECHO-6 electron-beam-injection experiment, performed in the auroral-zone ionosphere on March 30, 1983 using a sounding rocket equipped with two electron guns and a free-flying plasma-diagnostics instrument package. The data are presented in extensive graphs and diagrams and characterized in detail. Large ELF wave variations, superposed on the strong beam-sector-directed quasi-dc component, are observed in the 100-eV beam-induced plasma when the beam is injected in a transverse spiral, but not when it is injected upward parallel to the magnetic-field line. ELF activity is found to be suppressed whenever the rocket passed through field lines with auroral activity, suggesting that the waves are produced by the interaction of the beam potentials, plasma currents, and return currents neutralizing the accelerator payload.
The Skylab barium plasma injection experiments. I - Convection observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wescott, E. M.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.; Davis, T. N.; Peek, H. M.

1976-01-01

Two barium-plasma injection experiments were carried out during magnetically active periods in conjunction with the Skylab 3 mission. The high-explosive shaped charges were launched near dawn on November 27 and December 4, 1973, UT. In both cases, the AE index was near 400 gammas, and extensive pulsating auroras covered the sky. The first experiment, Skylab Alpha, occurred in the waning phase of a 1000-gamma substorm, and the second, Skylab Beta, occurred in the expansive phase of an 800-gamma substorm. In both, the convection was generally magnetically eastward, with 100-km-level electric fields near 40 mV/m. However, in the Alpha experiment the observed orientation of the barium flux tube fit theoretical field lines having no parallel current, but the Beta flux-tube orientation indicated a substantial upward parallel sheet current.
Global Hybrid Simulations of The Magnetopause Boundary Layers In Low- and High-latitude Magnetic Reconnections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Y.; Perez, J. D.

A 2-D global hybrid simulation is carried out to study the structure of the dayside mag- netopause in the noon-midnight meridian plane associated with magnetic reconnec- tion. In the simulation the bow shock, magnetosheath, and magnetopause are formed self-consistently by supersonic solar wind passing the geomagnetic field. The recon- nection events at high- and low-latitudes are simulated for various IMF conditions. The following results will be presented. (1) Large-amplitude rotational discontinuities and Alfvén waves are present in the quasi-steady reconnection layer. (2) The rotational discontinuity possesses an electron sense, or right-hand polarization in the magnetic field as the discontinuity forms from the X line. Later, however, the rotational dis- continuity tends to evolve to a structure with a smallest field rotational angle and thus may reverse its sense of the field rotation. The Walén relation is tested for elec- tron and ion flows in the magnetopause rotational discontinuities with left-hand and right-hand polarizations. (3) The structure of the magnetopause discontinuities and that of the accelerated/decelerated flows are modified significantly by the presence of the local magnetosheath flow. (4) Field-aligned currents are generated in the magne- topause rotational discontinuities. Part of the magnetopause currents propagate with Alfvén waves along the field lines into the polar ionosphere, contributing to the field- aligned current system in the high latitudes. The generation of the parallel currents under northward and southward IMF conditions is investigated. (5) Finally, typical ion velocity distributions will be shown at various locations across the magnetopause northward and southward of the X lines. The ion distributions associated with single or multiple X lines will be discussed.
Effects of post-deposition annealing ambient on band alignment of RF magnetron-sputtered Y2O3 film on gallium nitride

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The effects of different post-deposition annealing ambients (oxygen, argon, forming gas (95% N2 + 5% H2), and nitrogen) on radio frequency magnetron-sputtered yttrium oxide (Y2O3) films on n-type gallium nitride (GaN) substrate were studied in this work. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to extract the bandgap of Y2O3 and interfacial layer as well as establishing the energy band alignment of Y2O3/interfacial layer/GaN structure. Three different structures of energy band alignment were obtained, and the change of band alignment influenced leakage current density-electrical breakdown field characteristics of the samples subjected to different post-deposition annealing ambients. Of these investigated samples, ability of the sample annealed in O2 ambient to withstand the highest electric breakdown field (approximately 6.6 MV/cm) at 10−6 A/cm2 was related to the largest conduction band offset of interfacial layer/GaN (3.77 eV) and barrier height (3.72 eV). PMID:23360596
On the Role of Global Magnetic Field Configuration in Affecting Ring Current Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zheng, Y.; Zaharia, S. G.; Fok, M. H.

2010-01-01

Plasma and field interaction is one important aspect of inner magnetospheric physics. The magnetic field controls particle motion through gradient, curvature drifts and E cross B drift. In this presentation, we show how the global magnetic field affects dynamics of the ring current through simulations of two moderate geomagnetic storms (20 November 2007 and 8-9 March 2008). Preliminary results of coupling the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM) with a three-dimensional plasma force balance code (to achieve self-consistency in both E and B fields) indicate that inclusion of self-consistency in B tends to mitigate the intensification of the ring current as other similar coupling efforts have shown. In our approach, self-consistency in the electric field is already an existing capability of the CRCM. The magnetic self-consistency is achieved by computing the three-dimensional magnetic field in force balance with anisotropic ring current ion distributions. We discuss the coupling methodology and its further improvement. In addition, comparative studies by using various magnetic field models will be shown. Simulation results will be put into a global context by analyzing the morphology of the ring current, its anisotropy and characteristics ofthe interconnected region 2 field-aligned currents.
Understating Polarization in the Interstellar Medium Through the Theory of Radiative Torque Alignment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caputo, Miranda; Andersson, B.-G.; Kulas, Kristin Rose

2018-06-01

Although it is known that the dust grains in the ISM align with magnetic fields, the alignment physics of these particles is still somewhat unclear. Utilizing direct observational data and Radiative Alignment Torque (RAT) theory, further constraints can be put onto this alignment. Due to the physics of this alignment, there is a linear relationship between the extinction of the light seen through a dust cloud (AV) and the wavelength of maximum polarization. A previous study, focusing on the Taurus cloud, found that there is a second, steeper relationship seen beyond an extinction of about four magnitudes, likely due to grain growth, in addition to the original linear relationship. We present early results from observations of low-to-medium extinction lines of sight in the starless cloud L183 (aka L134N), aimed at testing the Taurus results. We are currently extending the survey of stars behind L183 to higher extinctions to better probe the origins of the bifurcation seen in the Taurus results.
Field-Effect Transistors Based on Networks of Highly Aligned, Chemically Synthesized N = 7 Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons.

PubMed

Passi, Vikram; Gahoi, Amit; Senkovskiy, Boris V; Haberer, Danny; Fischer, Felix R; Grüneis, Alexander; Lemme, Max C

2018-03-28

We report on the experimental demonstration and electrical characterization of N = 7 armchair graphene nanoribbon (7-AGNR) field effect transistors. The back-gated transistors are fabricated from atomically precise and highly aligned 7-AGNRs, synthesized with a bottom-up approach. The large area transfer process holds the promise of scalable device fabrication with atomically precise nanoribbons. The channels of the FETs are approximately 30 times longer than the average nanoribbon length of 30 nm to 40 nm. The density of the GNRs is high, so that transport can be assumed well-above the percolation threshold. The long channel transistors exhibit a maximum I ON / I OFF current ratio of 87.5.
Parametric Transformation Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, G. Allan

2003-01-01

Because twisted coronal features are important proxies for predicting solar eruptive events, and, yet not clearly understood, we present new results to resolve the complex, non-potential magnetic field configurations of active regions. This research uses free-form deformation mathematics to generate the associated coronal magnetic field. We use a parametric representation of the magnetic field lines such that the field lines can be manipulated to match the structure of EUV and SXR coronal loops. The objective is to derive sigmoidal magnetic field solutions which allows the beta greater than 1 regions to be included, aligned and non-aligned electric currents to be calculated, and the Lorentz force to be determined. The advantage of our technique is that the solution is independent of the unknown upper and side boundary conditions, allows non-vanishing magnetic forces, and provides a global magnetic field solution, which contains high- and low-beta regimes and is consistent with all the coronal images of the region. We show that the mathematical description is unique and physical.
X-ray emission from upward initiated lightning at Gaisberg tower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hettiarachchi, P.; Cooray, G. V.; Diendorfer, G.; Pichler, H.; Dwyer, J. R.; Rassoul, H.

2016-12-01

We report the occurrence of X-rays at ground level due to cloud to ground flashes of upward initiated lightning from Gaisberg tower in Austria which is located at a 1300m altitude. This is the first time that the X-rays from upward lightning from a tower top located in high altitude is observed. Measurement was carried out using scintillation detectors installed close to the tower top. X-rays were recorded in three subsequent strokes of two flashes out of the total 15 flashes recorded in the system in the period December 2014 to July 2015. In contrast to the observations from downward natural or triggered lightning, X-rays were observed only within 10 µs prior to the subsequent return stroke. This shows that X-rays were emitted when the dart leader is in the vicinity of the tower top and hence during the most intense phase of the dart leader. Both the detected energy and the fluence of X-rays are far lower compared to X-rays from downward natural or rocket triggered lightning. The X-ray waveforms together with current and electric field measurements is presented and comparison of this result to previous ground level observations of X-rays from natural and triggered lightning is discussed.
Low temperature superconductor and aligned high temperature superconductor magnetic dipole system and method for producing high magnetic fields

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

Gupta, Ramesh; Scanlan, Ronald; Ghosh, Arup K.

A dipole-magnet system and method for producing high-magnetic-fields, including an open-region located in a radially-central-region to allow particle-beam transport and other uses, low-temperature-superconducting-coils comprised of low-temperature-superconducting-wire located in radially-outward-regions to generate high magnetic-fields, high-temperature-superconducting-coils comprised of high-temperature-superconducting-tape located in radially-inward-regions to generate even higher magnetic-fields and to reduce erroneous fields, support-structures to support the coils against large Lorentz-forces, a liquid-helium-system to cool the coils, and electrical-contacts to allow electric-current into and out of the coils. The high-temperature-superconducting-tape may be comprised of bismuth-strontium-calcium-copper-oxide or rare-earth-metal, barium-copper-oxide (ReBCO) where the rare-earth-metal may be yttrium, samarium, neodymium, or gadolinium. Advantageously, alignment of themore » large-dimension of the rectangular-cross-section or curved-cross-section of the high-temperature-superconducting-tape with the high-magnetic-field minimizes unwanted erroneous magnetic fields. Alignment may be accomplished by proper positioning, tilting the high-temperature-superconducting-coils, forming the high-temperature-superconducting-coils into a curved-cross-section, placing nonconducting wedge-shaped-material between windings, placing nonconducting curved-and-wedge-shaped-material between windings, or by a combination of these techniques.« less

Aligning the magnetic field of a linear induction accelerator with a low-energy electron beam

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

Clark, J.C.; Deadrick, F.J.; Kallman, J.S.

1989-03-10

The Experimental Test Accelerator II (ETA-II) linear induction accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory uses a solenoid magnet in each acceleration cell to focus and transport an electron beam over the length of the accelerator. To control growth of the corkscrew mode the magnetic field must be precisely aligned over the full length of the accelerate. Concentric with each solenoid magnet is sine/cosmic-wound correction coil to steer the beam and correct field errors. A low-energy electron probe traces the central flux line through the accelerator referenced to a mechanical axis that is defined by a copropagating laser beam. Correction coilsmore » are activated to force the central flux line to cross the mechanical axis at the end of each acceleration cell. The ratios of correction coil currents determined by the low-energy electron probe are then kept fixed to correct for field errors during normal operation with an accelerated beam. We describe the construction of the low-energy electron probe and report the results of experiments we conducted to measure magnetic alignment with and without the correction coils activated. 5 refs., 3 figs.« less
Measuring gravity currents in the Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oberg, K.A.; Czuba, J.A.; Johnson, K.K.

2008-01-01

Recent studies of the Chicago River have determined that gravity currents are responsible for persistent bidirectional flows that have been observed in the river. A gravity current is the flow of one fluid within another caused by a density difference between the fluids. These studies demonstrated how acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) can be used to detect and characterize gravity currents in the field. In order to better understand the formation and evolution of these gravity currents, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has installed ADCPs and other instruments to continuously measure gravity currents in the Chicago River and the North Branch Chicago River. These instruments include stage sensors, thermistor strings, and both upward-looking and horizontal ADCPs. Data loggers and computers installed at gaging stations along the river are used to collect data from these instruments and transmit them to USGS offices. ?? 2008 IEEE.
Electron precipitation in the post midnight sector of the auroral zones. [on the Explorer 40 satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frank, L. A.; Saflekos, N. A.; Ackerson, K. L.

1975-01-01

Comprehensive measurements of the angular distributions and energy spectra of electron intensities with electrostatic analyzer arrays on board the low-altitude satellite Injun 5 are reported. These are for the post-midnight sector of the auroral zones during the high-intensity events accompanying magnetic substorms. Precipitation features on closed terrestrial field lines well equatorward of the trapping boundary for energetic electrons with E greater than 45 keV were examined. No evidences of maxima in the differential energy spectra or of strongly field-aligned currents which are indicative of quasi-static electric fields aligned parallel to the geomagnetic field were found. Precipitation of low-energy electron intensities fluctuated on time scales greater than 2 seconds as viewed at the satellite position. This precipitation was characterized by isotropy for all pitch angles outside the atmospheric backscatter cone.
Low-altitude ion heating with downflowing and upflowing ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Y.; Knudsen, D. J.; Burchill, J. K.; Howarth, A. D.; Yau, A. W.; James, G.; Miles, D.; Cogger, L. L.; Perry, G. W.

2017-12-01

Mechanisms that energize ions at the initial stage of ion upflow are still not well understood. We statistically investigate ionospheric ion energization and field-aligned motion at very low altitudes (330-730 km) using simultaneous plasma, magnetic field, wave electric field and optical data from the e-POP satellite. The high-time-resolution (10 ms) dataset enables us to study the micro-structures of ion heating and field-aligned ion motion. The ion temperature and field-aligned bulk flow velocity are derived from 2-D ion distribution functions measured by the SEI instrument. From March 2015 to March 2016, we've found 17 orbits (in total 24 ion heating periods) with clear ion heating signatures passing across the dayside cleft or the nightside auroral regions. Most of these events have consistent ion heating and flow velocity characteristics observed from both the SEI and IRM instruments. The perpendicular ion temperature goes up to 4.5 eV within a 2 km-wide region in some cases, in which the Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) sees broadband extremely low frequency (BBELF) waves, demonstrating significant wave-ion heating down to as low as 350 km. The e-POP Fast Auroral Imager (FAI) and Magnetic Field (MGF) instruments show that many events are associated with active aurora and are within downward current regions. Contrary to what would be expected from mirror-force acceleration of heated ions, the majority of these heating events (17 out of 24) are associated with the core ion downflow rather than upflow. These statistical results provide us with new sights into ion heating and field-aligned flow processes at very low altitudes.
Modeling of Field-Aligned Guided Echoes in the Plasmasphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, Shing F.; Green, James L.

2004-01-01

The conditions under which high frequency (f>>f(sub uh)) long-range extraordinary-mode discrete field-aligned echoes observed by the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) on board the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite in the plasmasphere are investigated by ray tracing modeling. Field-aligned discrete echoes are most commonly observed by RPI in the plasmasphere although they are also observed over the polar cap region. The plasmasphere field-aligned echoes appearing as multiple echo traces at different virtual ranges are attributed to signals reflected successively between conjugate hemispheres that propagate along or nearly along closed geomagnetic field lines. The ray tracing simulations show that field-aligned ducts with as little as 1% density perturbations (depletions) and less than 10 wavelengths wide can guide nearly field-aligned propagating high frequency X mode waves. Effective guidance of wave at a given frequency and wave normal angle (Psi) depends on the cross-field density scale of the duct, such that ducts with stronger density depletions need to be wider in order to maintain the same gradient of refractive index across the magnetic field. While signal guidance by field aligned density gradient without ducting is possible only over the polar region, conjugate field-aligned echoes that have traversed through the equatorial region are most likely guided by ducting.
Reconnection Mediated by Magnetic Fractures and the Solar Flare

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haerendel, Gerhard

2018-03-01

Reconnection of sheared magnetic fields is commonly treated by regarding the component perpendicular to the antiparallel components as a largely inert guide field. In this paper an alternative is proposed in which the free energy residing in the shear field is being converted prior to reconnection. This happens in high-density, dissipative current sheets bordering the reconnection site. A global scenario is presented in which low-intensity currents out of the photosphere are converging into the narrow, high-intensity currents at high altitude. This is enabled by the obliqueness of the latter. The very short timescale of the energy conversion causes a lateral propagation of the current sheets. In a quasi-stationary situation, it balances the reconnection rate, which turns out to be much lower than in guide-field approaches. Another important consequence of the obliqueness is the field-parallel emission of runaway electrons. Accelerated up to tens of keV, they are possibly important contributors to the production of hard X-rays during the impulsive phase of a flare, but only in areas of upward-directed currents. Quantitative evaluation of the model predicts various potentially observable properties, such as width and propagation speed of the generated flare ribbons, spatial dependences of the electron spectrum, size of the area of energy deposition, and successive decrease of the shear angle between conjugate footpoints. The presented theoretical model can account for the observed brightness asymmetry of flare ribbons with respect to the direction of the vertical currents.
Time-averaged current analysis of a thunderstorm using ground-based measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Driscoll, Kevin T.; Blakeslee, Richard J.; Koshak, William J.

1994-05-01

The amount of upward current provided to the ionosphere by a thunderstorm that appeared over the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on July 11, 1978, is reexamined using an analytic equation that describes a bipolar thunderstorm's current contribution to the global circuit in terms of its generator current, lightning currents, the altitudes of its charge centers, and the conductivity profile of the atmosphere. Ground-based measurements, which were obtained from a network of electric field mills positioned at various distances from the thunderstorm, were used to characterize the electrical activity inside the thundercloud. The location of the lightning discharges, the type of lightning, and the amount of charge neutralized during this thunderstorm were computed through a least squares inversion of the measured changes in the electric fields following each lightning discharge. These measurements provided the information necessary to implement the analytic equation, and consequently, a time-averaged estimate of this thunderstorm's current contribution to the global circuit was calculated. From these results the amount of conduction current supplied to the ionosphere by this small thunderstorm was computed to be less than 25% of the time-averaged generator current that flowed between the two vertically displaced charge centers.
Outflow off the Beaten Path: Low Energy (< keV) O+ Outflow Directly Into the Inner Magnetosphere as Observed by the Van Allen Probes and the Implications for Mid- and Low-Latitude Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gkioulidou, M.; Mitchell, D. G.; Ukhorskiy, S.; Ohtani, S.; Takahashi, K.

2017-12-01

The low-energy (eV to hundreds of eV) ion population in the inner magnetosphere, the warm plasma cloak, and in particular its heavy ion component, the O+ torus, is crucial to magnetospheric dynamics. Yet, although the effects of high latitude and cusp ionospheric O+ outflow and its subsequent transport and acceleration within the magnetotail and plasma sheet have been extensively studied, the source of low-energy O+ within the inner magnetosphere (already observed by the DE1 spacecraft in the 80s) remains a compelling open question. The HOPE instrument aboard each of the Van Allen Probes, moving in highly elliptical, equatorial orbits with apogee of 5.8 RE, has repeatedly detected low-energy O+ field-aligned enhancements. We present a comprehensive study of one such event, where low energy O+ field-aligned intensity enhancements were observed, both at small and large pitch angles, during a geomagnetic storm. The energy spectrogram exhibited a dispersive signature and a banded structure, features that our simple particle tracing simulation demonstrated are due to O+ ions outflowing from both hemispheres of the night-side ionosphere directly into the magnetosphere within L = 4, and subsequently bouncing from one hemisphere to the other. These outflows are associated with field-aligned Poynting flux enhancements and field-aligned electron beams, as observed at the Van Allen Probes location, revealing energy transport from the magnetosphere to ionosphere as well as simultaneous field-aligned electron heating. We also incorporate ionospheric measurements, such as field-aligned currents, as those are inferred by AMPERE data. The combination of unprecedented simultaneous magnetospheric and ionospheric observations allow us to investigate the processes that lead to an O+ outflow event from the low-latitude, night-side ionosphere directly into the inner magnetosphere. The ubiquity of such events in the Van Allen Probes data might reveal one of the sources for the O+ torus.
The protein structure prediction problem could be solved using the current PDB library

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yang; Skolnick, Jeffrey

2005-01-01

For single-domain proteins, we examine the completeness of the structures in the current Protein Data Bank (PDB) library for use in full-length model construction of unknown sequences. To address this issue, we employ a comprehensive benchmark set of 1,489 medium-size proteins that cover the PDB at the level of 35% sequence identity and identify templates by structure alignment. With homologous proteins excluded, we can always find similar folds to native with an average rms deviation (RMSD) from native of 2.5 Å with ≈82% alignment coverage. These template structures often contain a significant number of insertions/deletions. The tasser algorithm was applied to build full-length models, where continuous fragments are excised from the top-scoring templates and reassembled under the guide of an optimized force field, which includes consensus restraints taken from the templates and knowledge-based statistical potentials. For almost all targets (except for 2/1,489), the resultant full-length models have an RMSD to native below 6 Å (97% of them below 4 Å). On average, the RMSD of full-length models is 2.25 Å, with aligned regions improved from 2.5 Å to 1.88 Å, comparable with the accuracy of low-resolution experimental structures. Furthermore, starting from state-of-the-art structural alignments, we demonstrate a methodology that can consistently bring template-based alignments closer to native. These results are highly suggestive that the protein-folding problem can in principle be solved based on the current PDB library by developing efficient fold recognition algorithms that can recover such initial alignments. PMID:15653774
Field aligned currents and the auroral spectrum below 1 keV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnoldy, R. L.

1973-01-01

Measurements during auroral events were conducted with the aid of detectors flown aboard three Nike-Tomahawk rocket flights. The detectors used to measure the auroral spectrum below 1 keV consisted of electrostatic analyzers positioned in the rocket to measure particles moving up and down the magnetic field lines. The analyzers measured electrons and protons simultaneously during a given sweep.
Field-aligned electrostatic potential differences on the Martian night side

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lillis, Rob; Collinson, Glyn; Mitchell, David

2017-04-01

Field-aligned electrostatic potential differences on the Martian night side above 170 km can be inferred with the aid of a kinetic electron transport model and in a statistical sense, by energy-dependent angular shifts in electron loss cones measured in Mars orbit. Potentials between 170 km and 400 km derived from pitch angle distributions measured by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Magnetometer/ Electron Reflectometer experiment (MAG/ER) at 2 a.m. local time are typically small (-10 V to 10 V) but can reach magnitudes of >100 V. Geographically, the strongest negative potential differences (with mean values up to -50 V) are preferentially observed at the boundaries between open and closed strong magnetic field regions, while positive potential differences are preferentially observed further from open field lines. These characteristics may reflect current systems closing at high altitude through cross-tail currents and at low altitude in the conducting night side ionosphere. We will present a synthesis of potentials derived from pitch angle distributions measured by both MGS MAG/ER as mentioned above, and by the MAVEN Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA) collected at a range of local times and altitudes.
Branches of electrostatic turbulence inside solitary plasma structures in the auroral ionosphere

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

Golovchanskaya, Irina V.; Kozelov, Boris V.; Chernyshov, Alexander A.

2014-08-15

The excitation of electrostatic turbulence inside space-observed solitary structures is a central topic of this exposition. Three representative solitary structures observed in the topside auroral ionosphere as large-amplitude nonlinear signatures in the electric field and magnetic-field-aligned current on the transverse scales of ∼10{sup 2}–10{sup 3} m are evaluated by the theories of electrostatic wave generation in inhomogeneous background configurations. A quantitative analysis shows that the structures are, in general, effective in destabilizing the inhomogeneous energy-density-driven (IEDD) waves, as well as of the ion acoustic waves modified by a shear in the parallel drift of ions. It is demonstrated that the dominatingmore » branch of the electrostatic turbulence is determined by the interplay of various driving sources inside a particular solitary structure. The sources do not generally act in unison, so that their common effect may be inhibiting for excitation of electrostatic waves of a certain type. In the presence of large magnetic-field-aligned current, which is not correlated to the inhomogeneous electric field inside the structure, the ion-acoustic branch becomes dominating. In other cases, the IEDD instability is more central.« less
Are the gyro-ages of field stars underestimated?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovács, Géza

2015-09-01

By using the current photometric rotational data on eight galactic open clusters, we show that the evolutionary stellar model (isochrone) ages of these clusters are tightly correlated with the period shifts applied to the (B - V)0-Prot ridges that optimally align these ridges to the one defined by Praesepe and the Hyades. On the other hand, when the traditional Skumanich-type multiplicative transformation is used, the ridges become far less aligned due to the age-dependent slope change introduced by the period multiplication. Therefore, we employ our simple additive gyro-age calibration on various datasets of Galactic field stars to test its applicability. We show that, in the overall sense, the gyro-ages are systematically greater than the isochrone ages. The difference could exceed several giga years, depending on the stellar parameters. Although the age overlap between the open clusters used in the calibration and the field star samples is only partial, the systematic difference indicates the limitation of the currently available gyro-age methods and suggests that the rotation of field stars slows down with a considerably lower speed than we would expect from the simple extrapolation of the stellar rotation rates in open clusters.
Beam alignment based on two-dimensional power spectral density of a near-field image.

PubMed

Wang, Shenzhen; Yuan, Qiang; Zeng, Fa; Zhang, Xin; Zhao, Junpu; Li, Kehong; Zhang, Xiaolu; Xue, Qiao; Yang, Ying; Dai, Wanjun; Zhou, Wei; Wang, Yuanchen; Zheng, Kuixing; Su, Jingqin; Hu, Dongxia; Zhu, Qihua

2017-10-30

Beam alignment is crucial to high-power laser facilities and is used to adjust the laser beams quickly and accurately to meet stringent requirements of pointing and centering. In this paper, a novel alignment method is presented, which employs data processing of the two-dimensional power spectral density (2D-PSD) for a near-field image and resolves the beam pointing error relative to the spatial filter pinhole directly. Combining this with a near-field fiducial mark, the operation of beam alignment is achieved. It is experimentally demonstrated that this scheme realizes a far-field alignment precision of approximately 3% of the pinhole size. This scheme adopts only one near-field camera to construct the alignment system, which provides a simple, efficient, and low-cost way to align lasers.
Artificial Aurora Generated by HAARP (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Streltsov, A. V.; Kendall, E. A.

2013-12-01

We present results from the ionospheric heating experiment conducted on March 12, 2013 at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska. During the experiment HAARP transmitted X-mode 4.57 MHz waves modulated with the frequency 0.9 mHz and pointed in the direction of the magnetic zenith. The beam was focused to ~20 km spot at the altitude 100 km. The heating produces two effects: First, it generates magnetic field-aligned currents producing D and H components of the magnetic field with frequency 0.9 mHz detected by fluxgate magnetometer in Gakona. Second, the heating produced bright luminous structures in the heated region detected with the SRI telescope in 427.8 nm, 557.7 nm, 630.0 nm wavelengths. We emphasize, that for the best of our knowledge, this is the first experiment where the heating of the ionosphere with X-mode produces luminous structures in the ionosphere. We classify this luminosity as an 'artificial aurora', because it correlate with the intensity of the magnetic field-aligned currents, and such correlation is constantly seen in the natural aurora.
Quantifying the relationship between the plasmapause and the inner boundary of small-scale field-aligned currents, as deduced from Swarm observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heilig, Balázs; Lühr, Hermann

2018-04-01

This paper presents a statistical study of the equatorward boundary of small-scale field-aligned currents (SSFACs) and investigates the relation between this boundary and the plasmapause (PP). The PP data used for validation were derived from in situ electron density observations of NASA's Van Allen Probes. We confirmed the findings of a previous study by the same authors obtained from the observations of the CHAMP satellite SSFAC and the NASA IMAGE satellite PP detections, namely that the two boundaries respond similarly to changes in geomagnetic activity, and they are closely located in the near midnight MLT sector, suggesting a dynamic linkage. Dayside PP correlates with the delayed time history of the SSFAC boundary. We interpreted this behaviour as a direct consequence of co-rotation: the new PP, formed on the night side, propagates to the dayside by rotating with Earth. This finding paves the way toward an efficient PP monitoring tool based on an SSFAC index derived from vector magnetic field observations at low-Earth orbit.
Cooperative ordering and kinetics of cellulose nanocrystal alignment in a magnetic field

DOE PAGES

De France, Kevin J.; Yager, Kevin G.; Hoare, Todd; ...

2016-07-13

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are emerging nanomaterials that form chiral nematic liquid crystals above a critical concentration (C*) and additionally orient within electromagnetic fields. The control over CNC alignment is significant for materials processing and end use; to date, magnetic alignment has been demonstrated using only strong fields over extended or arbitrary time scales. This work investigates the effects of comparatively weak magnetic fields (0–1.2 T) and CNC concentration (1.65–8.25 wt %) on the kinetics and degree of CNC ordering using small-angle X-ray scattering. Interparticle spacing, correlation length, and orientation order parameters (η and S) increased with time and field strengthmore » following a sigmoidal profile. In a 1.2 T magnetic field for CNC suspensions above C*, partial alignment occurred in under 2 min followed by slower cooperative ordering to achieve nearly perfect alignment in under 200 min (S = –0.499 where S = –0.5 indicates perfect antialignment). At 0.56 T, nearly perfect alignment was also achieved, yet the ordering was 36% slower. Outside of a magnetic field, the order parameter plateaued at 52% alignment (S = –0.26) after 5 h, showcasing the drastic effects of relatively weak magnetic fields on CNC alignment. For suspensions below C*, no magnetic alignment was detected.« less
Magnetic field effect for cellulose nanofiber alignment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jaehwan; Chen, Yi; Kang, Kwang-Sun; Park, Young-Bin; Schwartz, Mark

2008-11-01

Regenerated cellulose formed into cellulose nanofibers under strong magnetic field and aligned perpendicularly to the magnetic field. Well-aligned microfibrils were found as the exposure time of the magnetic field increased. Better alignment and more crystalline structure of the cellulose resulted in the increased decomposition temperature of the material. X-ray crystallograms showed that crystallinity index of the cellulose increased as the exposure time of the magnetic field increased.
Observations of the ground-attachment process in natural lightning in the absence of tall strike objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, M. D.; Rakov, V. A.

2017-12-01

Synchronized high-speed (124 or 210 kiloframes per second) video images and wideband electromagnetic field records of the attachment process were obtained for 4 negative strokes in natural lightning at the Lightning Observatory in Gainesville, Florida. The apparent strike objects were trees, whose heights were less than 30 m or so. Upward connecting leaders (UCLs) and multiple upward unconnected leaders were imaged in multiple frames. The majority of these upward positive leaders exhibited a pulsating behavior (brightening/fading cycles). UCLs, whose maximum extent ranged from 11 to 25 m, propagated at speeds ranging from 1.8×105 to 6.0×105 m/s with a mean of 3.4×105 m/s. Within about 100 m of the ground, the ratio of speeds of the downward negative leader and the corresponding UCL was about 3-4 for 2 events and 0.5 for 1 event. The breakthrough phase (BTP), corresponding to leader extensions inside the common streamer zone (CSZ), was imaged for 2 events. The initial length of CSZ was estimated to be about 30-40 m. For 2 events, estimated speeds of positive and negative leaders inside the CSZ were found to be between 2.4×106 and 3.7×106 m/s. For 1 event, opposite polarity leaders were observed to accelerate inside the CSZ. Further, in this same event, a space-leader-like formation, accompanied by significant intensification of UCL and apparently associated with the onset of BTP, was imaged. We speculate that the step-wise extension of the downward leader facilitated corona streamer bursts from both the downward negative and upward positive (UCL) leader tips, resulting in the establishment of CSZ. First speed profiles for colliding positive and negative leaders were obtained. In one event, the negative leader speed increased from 7.2 ×105 in virgin air to 2.5×106 (by a factor of 3.5), and then to 3.2×106 m/s just prior to the fast transition (FT) in the return-stroke field waveform. The positive leader accelerated from 1.8×105 (in virgin air) to 2.5×106 (by a factor of 14), and then to 3.2×106 m/s. Using integrated dB/dt waveforms, a transmission-line-type model, and peak current reported by the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network, we inferred the current increases during the BTP and FT to be on average 16 and 18 kA, respectively, indicating that these two processes contribute about equally to the overall current peak.
Eye muscle prosthesis.

PubMed

Scott, A B; Miller, J M; Collins, C C

1992-01-01

We inserted a silicone rubber elastic band along the course of a paralyzed lateral rectus and of a paralyzed superior oblique to restore alignment and to provide a spring against which the antagonist could pull. The lateral rectus band has been in place for 7 years. It provides alignment and a field of single binocular vision of 20 degrees. The superior oblique band has been in place for 17 months. It provides alignment and single vision over 30 degrees from the primary position except for a restriction in upgaze-adduction to 25 degrees (Brown syndrome) and in downgaze-adduction to 20 degrees. Such engineered elastic bands are a useful addition to current surgical techniques for management of cases of paralysis and restriction.

Simultaneous prenoon and postnoon observations of three field-aligned current systems from Viking and DMSP-F7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohtani, S.; Potemra, T. A.; Newell, P. T.; Zanetti, L. J.; Iijima, T.; Watanabe, M.; Yamauchi, M.; Elphinstone, R. D.; De La Beauijardie, O.; Blomberg, L. G.

1995-01-01

The spatial structure of dayside large-scale field-aligned current (FAC) systems is examined by using Viking and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F7 (DMSP-F7) data. We focus on four events in which the satellites simultaneously observed postnoon and prenoon three FAC systems: the region 2, the region 1, and the mantle (referred to as midday region O) systems, from equatorward to poleward. These events provide the most solid evidence to date that the midday region O system is a separate and unique FAC system, and is not an extension of the region 1 system from other local times. The events are examined comprehensively by making use of a mulit-instrumental data set, which includes magnetic field, particle flux, electric field, auroral UV image data from the satellites, and the Sondrestrom convection data. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Region 2 currents flow mostly in the central plasma sheet (CPS) precipitation region, often overlapping with the boundary plasma sheet (BPD) at their poleward edge. (2) The region 1 system is located in the core part of the auroral oval and is confined in a relatively narrow range in latitude which includes the convection reversal. The low-latitude boundary layer, possibly including the outer part of the plasma sheet, and the external cusp are the major source regions of dayside region 1 currents. (2) Midday region O currents flow on open field lines and are collocated with the shear of antisunward convection flows with velocites decreasing poleward. On the basis of these results we support the view that both prenoon and postnoon current systems consist of the three-sheet structure when the disctortion ofthe convection pattern associated with interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub Y) is small and both morningside and eveningside convection cells are crescent-shaped. We also propose that the midday region O and a part of the region 1 systems are closely coupled to the same source.
The Effect of a Corona Discharge on a Lightning Attachment

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

Aleksandrov, N.L.; Bazelyan, E.M.; Raizer, Yu.P.

2005-01-15

The interaction between the lightning leader and the space charge accumulated near the top of a ground object in the atmospheric electric field is considered using analytical and numerical models developed earlier to describe spark discharges in long laboratory gaps. The specific features of a nonstationary corona discharge that develops in the electric field of a thundercloud and a downward lightning leader are analyzed. Conditions for the development of an upward lightning discharge from a ground object and for the propagation of an upward-connecting leader from the object toward a downward lightning leader (the process determining the point of strikemore » to the ground) are investigated. Possible mechanisms for the interaction of the corona space charge with an upward leader and prospects of using it to control downward lightning discharges are analyzed.« less
Electric fields and conductivity in the nighttime E-region - A new magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupling effect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, P. M.; Yasuhara, F.

1978-01-01

Calculations have been made of the effects of intense poleward-directed electric fields upon the nighttime ionospheric E-region. The results show the Pedersen and Hall conductivities are substantially changed, thereby decreasing the ionospheric electrical load seen by magnetospheric sources. It appears that relatively large electric fields can exist in the absence of accompanying large field-aligned currents, as long as the underlying ionosphere remains in darkness and/or energetic particle precipitation is absent.
Modelling the core magnetic field of the earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, C. G. A.; Carle, H. M.

1982-01-01

It is suggested that radial off-center dipoles located within the core of the earth be used instead of spherical harmonics of the magnetic potential in modeling the core magnetic field. The off-center dipoles, in addition to more realistically modeling the physical current systems within the core, are if located deep within the core more effective at removing long wavelength signals of either potential or field. Their disadvantage is that their positions and strengths are more difficult to compute, and such effects as upward and downward continuation are more difficult to manipulate. It is nevertheless agreed with Cox (1975) and Alldredge and Hurwitz (1964) that physical realism in models is more important than mathematical convenience. A radial dipole model is presented which agrees with observations of secular variation and excursions.
Earthquake forewarning — A multidisciplinary challenge from the ground up to space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freund, Friedemann

2013-08-01

Most destructive earthquakes nucleate at between 5-7 km and about 35-40 km depth. Before earthquakes, rocks are subjected to increasing stress. Not every stress increase leads to rupture. To understand pre-earthquake phenomena we note that igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks contain defects which, upon stressing, release defect electrons in the oxygen anion sublattice, known as positive holes. These charge carriers are highly mobile, able to flow out of stressed rocks into surrounding unstressed rocks. They form electric currents, which emit electromagnetic radiation, sometimes in pulses, sometimes sustained. The arrival of positive holes at the ground-air interface can lead to air ionization, often exclusively positive. Ionized air rising upward can lead to cloud condensation. The upward flow of positive ions can lead to instabilities in the mesosphere, to mesospheric lightning, to changes in the Total Electron Content (TEC) at the lower edge of the ionosphere, and electric field turbulences. Advances in deciphering the earthquake process can only be achieved in a broadly multidisciplinary spirit.
Polar Plasma at Ganymede: Ionospheric outflow and discovery of the plasma sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collinson, G.; Paterson, W.; Dorelli, J.; Glocer, A.; Sarantos, M.; Wilson, R. J.; Bard, C.

2017-12-01

On the 27th of June 1996, the NASA Galileo spacecraft made humanities first flyby of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede, discovering that it is unique to science in being the only moon known to possess an internally generated magnetic dynamo field. Although Galileo carried a plasma spectrometer, the Plasma Subsystem (PLS), converting its highly complex raw data stream into meaningful plasma moments (density, temperature, velocity) is extremely challenging, and was only ever performed for the second (out of six) Ganymede flybys. Resurrecting the original Galileo PLS data analysis software, we processed the raw PLS data from G01, and for the first time present the properties of plasmas encountered. Dense, cold ions were observed outflowing from the moon's north pole (presumed to be dominated by H+ from the icy surface), with more diffuse, warmer field-aligned outflows in the lobes. Dropouts in plasma density combined with velocity perturbations either side of this suggest that Galileo briefly crossed the cusps onto closed magnetic field lines. PLS observations show that upon entry into the magnetosphere, Galileo crossed through the plasma sheet, observing plasma flows consistent with reconnection-driven convection, highly energized 105 eV ions, and a reversal in the magnetic field. The densities of plasmas flowing upwards from Ganymede's ionosphere were higher on open "lobe" field lines than on closed field lines, suggesting that the ionospheric source of these plasmas may be denser at the poles, there may be additional acceleration mechanisms at play, or the balance of ions were outside the energy range of PLS.
Nighttime magnetic field fluctuations in the topside ionosphere at midlatitudes and their relation to medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances: The spatial structure and scale sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jaeheung; Lühr, Hermann; Kervalishvili, Guram; Rauberg, Jan; Michaelis, Ingo; Stolle, Claudia; Kwak, Young-Sil

2015-08-01

Previous studies suggested that electric and/or magnetic field fluctuations observed in the nighttime topside ionosphere at midlatitudes generally originate from quiet time nocturnal medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs). However, decisive evidences for the connection between the two have been missing. In this study we make use of the multispacecraft observations of midlatitude magnetic fluctuations (MMFs) in the nighttime topside ionosphere by the Swarm constellation. The analysis results show that the area hosting MMFs is elongated in the NW-SE (NE-SW) direction in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere. The elongation direction and the magnetic field polarization support that the area hosting MMFs is nearly field aligned. All these properties of MMFs suggest that they have close relationship with MSTIDs. Expectation values of root-mean-square field-aligned currents associated with MMFs are up to about 4 nA/m2. MMF coherency significantly drops for longitudinal distances of ≥1∘.
Scanning retarding field analyzer for plasma profile measurements in the boundary of the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

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

Brunner, D.; LaBombard, B.; Ochoukov, R.

2013-03-15

A new Retarding Field Analyzer (RFA) head has been created for the outer-midplane scanning probe system on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. The new probe head contains back-to-back retarding field analyzers aligned with the local magnetic field. One faces 'upstream' into the field-aligned plasma flow and the other faces 'downstream' away from the flow. The RFA was created primarily to benchmark ion temperature measurements of an ion sensitive probe; it may also be used to interrogate electrons. However, its construction is robust enough to be used to measure ion and electron temperatures up to the last-closed flux surface in C-Mod. Amore » RFA probe of identical design has been attached to the side of a limiter to explore direct changes to the boundary plasma due to lower hybrid heating and current drive. Design of the high heat flux (>100 MW/m{sup 2}) handling probe and initial results are presented.« less
Reversing the polarity of a cochlear implant magnet after magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Jeon, Ju Hyun; Bae, Mi Ran; Chang, Jae Won; Choi, Jae Young

2012-08-01

The number of patients with cochlear implant (CI) has been rapidly increasing in recent years, and these patients show a growing need of examination by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the use of MRI on patients with CI is restricted by the internal magnet of the CI. Many studies have investigated the safety of performing 1.5T MRI on patients with CI, which is now being practiced in a clinical setting. We experienced a case in which the polarity of the cochlear implant magnet was reversed after the patient was examined using 1.5T MRI. The external device was attached to the internal device oppositely. We could not find displacement of the internal device, magnet, or electrode upon radiological evaluation. We came up with two possible mechanisms by which the polarity of the magnet reversed. The first possibility was that the magnetic field of MRI reversed the polarity of the magnet. The second was that the internal magnet was physically realigned while interacting with the MRI. We believe the second hypothesis to be more reliable. A removable magnet and a loose magnet boundary of a CI device may have allowed for physical reorientation of the internal magnet. Therefore, in order to avoid these complications, first, the internal magnet must not be aligned anti-parallel with the magnetic polarity of MRI. In the Siemens MRI, the vector of the magnetic field is downward, so implant site should be placed in facing upwards to minimize demagnetization. In the GE Medical Systems MRI, the vector of the magnetic field is upward, so the implant site should be placed facing downwards. Second, wearing of a commercial mold which is fixed to the internal device before performing MRI can be helpful. In addition, any removable internal magnets in a CI device should be removed before MRI, especially in the trunk. However, to ultimately solve this problem, the pocket of the internal magnet should be redesigned for safety. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Experimental Estimation of CLASP Spatial Resolution: Results of the Instrument's Optical Alignment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giono, Gabrial; Katsukawa, Yukio; Ishikawa, Ryoko; Narukage, Noriyuki; Bando, Takamasa; Kano, Ryohei; Suematsu, Yoshinori; Kobayashi, Ken; Winebarger, Amy; Auchere, Frederic

2015-01-01

The Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha SpectroPolarimeter (CLASP) is a sounding-rocket experiment currently being built at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. This instrument aims to probe for the first time the magnetic field strength and orientation in the solar upper-chromosphere and lower-transition region. CLASP will measure the polarization of the Lyman-Alpha line (121.6nm) with an unprecedented accuracy, and derive the magnetic field information through the Hanle effect. Although polarization accuracy and spectral resolution are crucial for the Hanle effect detection, spatial resolution is also important to get reliable context image via the slit-jaw camera. As spatial resolution is directly related with the alignment of optics, it is also a good way of ensuring the alignment of the instrument to meet the scientific requirement. This poster will detail the experiments carried out to align CLASP's optics (telescope and spectrograph), as both part of the instrument were aligned separately. The telescope was aligned in double-pass mode, and a laser interferometer (He-Ne) was used to measure the telescope's wavefront error (WFE). The secondary mirror tilt and position were adjusted to remove comas and defocus aberrations from the WFE. Effect of gravity on the WFE measurement was estimated and the final WFE derived in zero-g condition for CLASP telescope will be presented. In addition, an estimation of the spot shape and size derived from the final WFE will also be shown. The spectrograph was aligned with a custom procedure: because Ly-??light is absorbed by air, the spectrograph's off-axis parabolic mirrors were aligned in Visible Light (VL) using a custom-made VL grating instead of the flight Ly-? grating. Results of the alignment in Visible Light will be shown and the spot shape recorded with CCDs at various position along the slit will be displayed. Results from both alignment experiment will be compared to the design requirement, and will be combined in order to estimate CLASP spatial resolution after its alignment in visible light.
The Role of Superthermal Electrons in the Formation of Double Layers and their Application in Space Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, N.

2014-12-01

It is now widely recognized that superthermal electrons commonly exist with the thermal population in most space plasmas. When plasmas consisting of such electron population expand, double layers (DLs) naturally forma due to charge separation; the more mobile superthermal electrons march ahead of the thermal population, leaving a positive charge behind and generating electric fields. Under certain conditions such fields evolve into thin double layers or shocks. The double layers accelerate ions. Such double-layer formation was first invoked to explain expansion of laser produced plasmas. Since then it has been studied in laboratory experiments, and applied to (i) polar wind acceleration,(ii) the existence of low-altitude double layers in the auroral acceleration, (iii) a possible mechanism for the origination of the solar wind, (iv) the helicon double layer thrusters, and (v) the deceleration of electrons after their acceleration in solar flare events. The role of superthermal-electron driven double layers, also known as the low-altitude auroral double layers in the upward current region, in the upward acceleration of ionospheric ions is well-known. In the auroral application the upward moving superthermal electrons consist of backscattered downgoing primary energetic electrons as well as the secondary electrons. Similarly we suggest that such double layers might play roles in the acceleration of ions in the solar wind across the coronal transition region, where the superthermal electrons are supplied by magnetic reconnection events. We will present a unified theoretical view of the superthermal electron-driven double layers and their applications. We will summarize theoretical, experimental, simulation and observational results highlighting the common threads running through the various existing studies.
Effects of electron pressure anisotropy on current sheet configuration

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

Artemyev, A. V., E-mail: aartemyev@igpp.ucla.edu; Angelopoulos, V.; Runov, A.

2016-09-15

Recent spacecraft observations in the Earth's magnetosphere have demonstrated that the magnetotail current sheet can be supported by currents of anisotropic electron population. Strong electron currents are responsible for the formation of very thin (intense) current sheets playing the crucial role in stability of the Earth's magnetotail. We explore the properties of such thin current sheets with hot isotropic ions and cold anisotropic electrons. Decoupling of the motions of ions and electrons results in the generation of a polarization electric field. The distribution of the corresponding scalar potential is derived from the electron pressure balance and the quasi-neutrality condition. Wemore » find that electron pressure anisotropy is partially balanced by a field-aligned component of this polarization electric field. We propose a 2D model that describes a thin current sheet supported by currents of anisotropic electrons embedded in an ion-dominated current sheet. Current density profiles in our model agree well with THEMIS observations in the Earth's magnetotail.« less
The Effects of Bursty Bulk Flows on Global-Scale Current Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Y.; Cao, J.; Fu, H.; Lu, H.; Yao, Z.

2017-12-01

Using a global magnetospheric MHD model coupled with a kinetic ring current model, we investigate the effects of magnetotail dynamics, particularly the earthward bursty bulk flows (BBFs) produced by the tail reconnection, on the global-scale current systems. The simulation results indicate that after BBFs brake around X = -10 RE due to the dipolar "magnetic wall," vortices are generated on the edge of the braking region and inside the inner magnetosphere. Each pair of vortex in the inner magnetosphere disturbs the westward ring current to arc radially inward as well as toward high latitudes. The resultant pressure gradient on the azimuthal direction induces region-1 sense field-aligned component from the ring current, which eventually is diverted into the ionosphere at high latitudes, giving rise to a pair of field-aligned current (FAC) eddies in the ionosphere. On the edge of the flow braking region where vortices also emerge, a pair of region-1 sense FACs arises, diverted fromthe cross-tail duskward current, generating a substorm current wedge. This is again attributed to the increase of thermal pressure ahead of the bursty flows turning azimuthally. It is further found that when multiple BBFs, despite their localization, continually and rapidly impinge on the "wall," carrying sufficient tail plasma sheet population toward the Earth, they can lead to the formation of a new ring current. These results indicate the important role that BBFs play in bridging the tail and the inner magnetosphere ring current and bring new insight into the storm-substorm relation.
The effects of bursty bulk flows on global-scale current systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Yiqun; Cao, Jinbin; Fu, Huishan; Lu, Haoyu; Yao, Zhonghua

2017-06-01

Using a global magnetospheric MHD model coupled with a kinetic ring current model, we investigate the effects of magnetotail dynamics, particularly the earthward bursty bulk flows (BBFs) produced by the tail reconnection, on the global-scale current systems. The simulation results indicate that after BBFs brake around X = -10 RE due to the dipolar "magnetic wall," vortices are generated on the edge of the braking region and inside the inner magnetosphere. Each pair of vortex in the inner magnetosphere disturbs the westward ring current to arc radially inward as well as toward high latitudes. The resultant pressure gradient on the azimuthal direction induces region-1 sense field-aligned component from the ring current, which eventually is diverted into the ionosphere at high latitudes, giving rise to a pair of field-aligned current (FAC) eddies in the ionosphere. On the edge of the flow braking region where vortices also emerge, a pair of region-1 sense FACs arises, diverted from the cross-tail duskward current, generating a substorm current wedge. This is again attributed to the increase of thermal pressure ahead of the bursty flows turning azimuthally. It is further found that when multiple BBFs, despite their localization, continually and rapidly impinge on the "wall," carrying sufficient tail plasma sheet population toward the Earth, they can lead to the formation of a new ring current. These results indicate the important role that BBFs play in bridging the tail and the inner magnetosphere ring current and bring new insight into the storm-substorm relation.
Earthquake-Ionosphere Coupling Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamogawa, Masashi

After a giant earthquake (EQ), acoustic and gravity waves are excited by the displacement of land and sea surface, propagate through atmosphere, and then reach thermosphere, which causes ionospheric disturbances. This phenomenon was detected first by ionosonde and by HF Doppler sounderin the 1964 M9.2 Great Alaskan EQ. Developing Global Positioning System (GPS), seismogenic ionospheric disturbance detected by total electron content (TEC) measurement has been reported. A value of TEC is estimated by the phase difference between two different carrier frequencies through the propagation in the dispersive ionospheric plasma. The variation of TEC is mostly similar to that of F-region plasma. Acoustic-gravity waves triggered by an earthquake [Heki and Ping, EPSL, 2005; Liu et al., JGR, 2010] and a tsunami [Artu et al., GJI, 2005; Liu et al., JGR, 2006; Rolland, GRL, 2010] disturb the ionosphere and travel in the ionosphere. Besides the traveling ionospheric disturbances, ionospheric disturbances excited by Rayleigh waves [Ducic et al, GRL, 2003; Liu et al., GRL, 2006] as well as post-seismic 4-minute monoperiodic atmospheric resonances [Choosakul et al., JGR, 2009] have been observed after the large earthquakes. Since GPS Earth Observation Network System (GEONET) with more than 1200 GPS receiving points in Japan is a dense GPS network, seismogenic ionospheric disturbance is spatially observed. In particular, the seismogenic ionospheric disturbance caused by the M9.0 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku EQ (henceforth the Tohoku EQ) on 11 March 2011 was clearly observed. Approximately 9 minutes after the mainshock, acoustic waves which propagated radially emitted from the tsunami source area were observed through the TEC measurement (e. g., Liu et al. [JGR, 2011]). Moreover, there was a depression of TEC lasting for several tens of minutes after a huge earthquake, which was a large-scale phenomenon extending to a radius of a few hundred kilometers. This TEC depression may be an ionospheric phenomenon attributed to tsunami, termed tsunamigenic ionospheric hole (TIH) [Kakinami and Kamogwa et al., GRL, 2012]. After the TEC depression accompanying a monoperiodic variation with approximately 4-minute period as an acoustic resonance between the ionosphere and the solid earth, the TIH gradually recovered. In addition, geomagnetic pulsations with the periods of 150, 180 and 210 seconds were observed on the ground in Japan approximately 5 minutes after the mainshock. Since the variation with the period of 180 seconds was simultaneously detected at the magnetic conjugate of points of Japan, namely Australia, field aligned currents along the magnetic field line were excited. The field aligned currents might be excited due to E and F region dynamo current caused by acoustic waves originating from the tsunami. This result implies that a large earthquake generates seismogenic field aligned currents. Furthermore, monoperiodical geomagnetic oscillation pointing to the epicenter of which velocity corresponds to Rayleigh waves occurs. This may occur due to seismogenic arc-current in E region. Removing such magnetic oscillations from the observed data, clear tsunami dynamo effect was found. This result implies that a large EQ generates seismogenic field aligned currents, seismogenic arc-current and tsunami dynamo current which disturb geomagnetic field. Thus, we found the complex coupling process between a large EQ and an ionosphere from the results of Tohoku EQ.
Midlatitude Plasma Bubbles Over China and Adjacent Areas During a Magnetic Storm on 8 September 2017

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aa, Ercha; Huang, Wengeng; Liu, Siqing; Ridley, Aaron; Zou, Shasha; Shi, Liqin; Chen, Yanhong; Shen, Hua; Yuan, Tianjiao; Li, Jianyong; Wang, Tan

2018-03-01

This paper presents observations of postsunset super plasma bubbles over China and adjacent areas during the second main phase of a storm on 8 September 2017. The signatures of the plasma bubbles can be seen or deduced from (1) deep field-aligned total electron content depletions embedded in regional ionospheric maps derived from dense Global Navigation Satellite System networks, (2) significant equatorial and midlatitudinal plasma bite-outs in electron density measurements on board Swarm satellites, and (3) enhancements of ionosonde virtual height and scintillation in local evening associated with strong southward interplanetary magnetic field. The bubbles/depletions covered a broad area mainly within 20°-45°N and 80°-110°E with bifurcated structures and persisted for nearly 5 hr (˜13-18 UT). One prominent feature is that the bubbles extended remarkably along the magnetic field lines in the form of depleted flux tubes, reaching up to midlatitude of around 50°N (magnetic latitude: 45.5°N) that maps to an altitude of 6,600 km over the magnetic equator. The maximum upward drift speed of the bubbles over the magnetic equator was about 700 m/s and gradually decreased with altitude and time. The possible triggering mechanism of the plasma bubbles was estimated to be storm time eastward prompt penetration electric field, while the traveling ionospheric disturbance could play a role in facilitating the latitudinal extension of the depletions.
Transport in a field-aligned magnetized plasma and neutral gas boundary: the end of the plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Christopher; Gekelman, Walter

2012-10-01

A series of experiments at the Enormous Toroidal Plasma Device (ETPD) at UCLA study the Neutral Boundary Layer (NBL) between a magnetized plasma and a neutral gas in the direction of the confining field. A lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) cathode and semi-transparent anode create a current-free, weakly ionized (ne/nn<5%), helium plasma (B˜250 G, Rplasma=10cm, ne<10^12cm^3, Te<3eV, and Ti˜Tn) that terminates on helium gas without touching any walls. Probes inserted into the plasma measure the basic plasma parameters in the NBL. The NBL begins where the plasma and neutral gas pressures equilibrate and the electrons and ions come to rest through collisions with the neutral gas. A field-aligned electric field (δφ/kTe˜1) is established self-consistently to maintain a current-free termination and dominates transport in the NBL, similar to a sheath but with a length L˜10λei˜10^2λen˜10^5λD. A two-fluid weakly-ionized transport model describes the system. A generalized Ohm's Law correctly predicts the electric field observed. The pressure balance criteria and magnitude of the termination electric field are confirmed over a scaling of parameters. The model can also be used to describe the atmospheric termination of aurora or fully detached gaseous divertors.
Alternating current electric fields of varying frequencies: effects on proliferation and differentiation of porcine neural progenitor cells.

PubMed

Lim, Ji-Hey; McCullen, Seth D; Piedrahita, Jorge A; Loboa, Elizabeth G; Olby, Natasha J

2013-10-01

Application of sinusoidal electric fields (EFs) has been observed to affect cellular processes, including alignment, proliferation, and differentiation. In the present study, we applied low-frequency alternating current (AC) EFs to porcine neural progenitor cells (pNPCs) and investigated the effects on cell patterning, proliferation, and differentiation. pNPCs were grown directly on interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) localizing the EFs to a region accessible visually for fluorescence-based assays. Cultures of pNPCs were exposed to EFs (1 V/cm) of 1 Hz, 10 Hz, and 50 Hz for 3, 7, and 14 days and compared to control cultures. Immunocytochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of neural markers. pNPCs grew uniformly with no evidence of alignment to the EFs and no change in cell numbers when compared with controls. Nestin expression was shown in all groups at 3 and 7 days, but not at 14 days. NG2 expression was low in all groups. Co-expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and TUJ1 was significantly higher in the cultures exposed to 10- and 50-Hz EFs than the controls. In summary, sinusoidal AC EFs via IDEs did not alter the alignment and proliferation of pNPCs, but higher frequency stimulation appeared to delay differentiation into mature astrocytes.
Why do Hematite FORCs Look Weird?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, R. J.

2017-12-01

Although much progress has been made in the modelling of first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams for ensembles of interacting single domain (SD) magnetite particles with cubic and uniaxial anisotropy, a comprehensive understanding of FORC diagrams for magnetic minerals with other forms of anisotropy is currently lacking. For example, it has long been recognised that FORC diagrams for hematite display a range of unexplained features, including one or more of the following: 1) a kidney-shaped positive peak that is negatively offset from the horizontal axis; 2) a negative peak that sits below the offset positive peak; and 3) a negative-positive streak that extends at a steep negative angle to the horizontal axis. Here we demonstrate that many of the diagnostic features of hematite FORCs can be explained as an intrinsic consequence of hexagonal anisotropy operating within the basal plane. Simulations are performed for an ensemble of identical, randomly oriented, non-interacting SD particles, with easy axes located at 60° to each other within a basal plane. In the general case, there are six stable or metastable solutions for the magnetic state of a particle, with different critical fields for switching into and out of the corresponding hysteresis branch. Downward switching between branches at the reversal field is paired with either symmetrical or asymmetrical upward switching between branches at the measurement field. Paired switching events lead to both symmetrical (central ridge) and asymmetrical (negatively shifted) signals in the FORC diagram. A downward transition out of one branch means the corresponding upward transition from that branch is no longer accessible, leading to a negative contribution to the FORC distribution. At the same time, an upward transition from a different branch becomes newly accessible, leading to a paired positive contribution to the FORC distribution. Simulations of interacting SD particles with hexagonal anisotropy and a broad range of switching fields reproduce many of the features typically associated with hematite FORC diagrams, demonstrating that key features can largely be explained as an intrinsic effect caused by the availability of multiple hysteresis branches.
Magnetosheath-ionspheric plasma interactions in the cusp/cleft. 2: Mesoscale particle simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winglee, R. M.; Menietti, J. D.; Lin, C. S.

1993-01-01

Ionospheric plasma flowing out from the cusp can be an important source of plasma to the magnetosphere. One source of free energy that can drive this outflow is the injection of magnetosheath plasma into the cusp. Two-dimensional (three velocity) mesoscale particle simulations are used to investigate the particle dynamics in the cusp during southward interplanetary magnetic field. This mesoscale model self-consistently incorporates (1) global influences such as the convection of plasma across the cusp, the action of the mirror force, and the injection of the magnetosheath plasma, and (2) wave-particle interactions which produce the actual coupling between the magnetosheath and ionospheric plasmas. It is shown that, because the thermal speed of the electrons is higher than the bulk motion of the magnetosheath plasma, an upward current is formed on the equatorward edge of the injection region with return currents on either side. However, the poleward return currents are the stronger due to the convection and mirroring of many of the magnetosheath electrons. The electron distribution in this latter region evolves from upward directed streams to single-sided loss cones or possibly electron conics. The ion distribution also shows a variety of distinct features that are produced by spatial and/or temporal effects associated with varying convection patterns and wave-particle interactions. On the equatorward edge the distribution has a downflowing magnetosheath component and an upflowing cold ionospheric component due to continuous convection of ionospheric plasma into the region. In the center of the magnetosheath region, heating from the development of an ion-ion streaming instability causes the suppression of the cold ionospheric component and the formation of downward ionospheric streams. Further poleward there is velocity filtering of ions with low pitch angles, so that the magnetosheath ions develop a ring-beam distribution and the ensuing wave instabilities generate downward ionospheric conics. These downward ionospheric components are eventually turned by the mirror force, leading to the production of upward conics at elevated energies throughout the region.

Ultrahigh density alignment of carbon nanotube arrays by dielectrophoresis.

PubMed

Shekhar, Shashank; Stokes, Paul; Khondaker, Saiful I

2011-03-22

We report ultrahigh density assembly of aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) two-dimensional arrays via AC dielectrophoresis using high-quality surfactant-free and stable SWNT solutions. After optimization of frequency and trapping time, we can reproducibly control the linear density of the SWNT between prefabricated electrodes from 0.5 SWNT/μm to more than 30 SWNT/μm by tuning the concentration of the nanotubes in the solution. Our maximum density of 30 SWNT/μm is the highest for aligned arrays via any solution processing technique reported so far. Further increase of SWNT concentration results in a dense array with multiple layers. We discuss how the orientation and density of the nanotubes vary with concentrations and channel lengths. Electrical measurement data show that the densely packed aligned arrays have low sheet resistances. Selective removal of metallic SWNTs via controlled electrical breakdown produced field-effect transistors with high current on-off ratio. Ultrahigh density alignment reported here will have important implications in fabricating high-quality devices for digital and analog electronics.
Magnetic Alignment of Pulsed Solenoids Using the Pulsed Wire Method

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

Arbelaez, D.; Madur, A.; Lipton, T.M.

2011-04-01

A unique application of the pulsed-wire measurement method has been implemented for alignment of 2.5 T pulsed solenoid magnets. The magnetic axis measurement has been shown to have a resolution of better than 25 {micro}m. The accuracy of the technique allows for the identification of inherent field errors due to, for example, the winding layer transitions and the current leads. The alignment system is developed for the induction accelerator NDCX-II under construction at LBNL, an upgraded Neutralized Drift Compression experiment for research on warm dense matter and heavy ion fusion. Precise alignment is essential for NDCX-II, since the ion beammore » has a large energy spread associated with the rapid pulse compression such that misalignments lead to corkscrew deformation of the beam and reduced intensity at focus. The ability to align the magnetic axis of the pulsed solenoids to within 100 pm of the induction cell axis has been demonstrated.« less
ON THE MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN CHROMOSPHERIC FEATURES AND THE MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE SUN

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

Martínez-Sykora, Juan; Pontieu, Bart De; Hansteen, Viggo

2016-11-01

Observations of the upper chromosphere show an enormous amount of intricate fine structure. Much of this comes in the form of linear features, which are most often assumed to be well aligned with the direction of the magnetic field in the low plasma β regime that is thought to dominate the upper chromosphere. We use advanced radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations, including the effects of ion-neutral interactions (using the generalized Ohm’s law) in the partially ionized chromosphere, to show that the magnetic field is often not well aligned with chromospheric features. This occurs where the ambipolar diffusion is large, i.e., ions andmore » neutral populations decouple as the ion-neutral collision frequency drops, allowing the field to slip through the neutral population; where currents perpendicular to the field are strong; and where thermodynamic timescales are longer than or similar to those of ambipolar diffusion. We find this often happens in dynamic spicule or fibril-like features at the top of the chromosphere. This has important consequences for field extrapolation methods, which increasingly use such upper chromospheric features to help constrain the chromospheric magnetic field: our results invalidate the underlying assumption that these features are aligned with the field. In addition, our results cast doubt on results from 1D hydrodynamic models, which assume that plasma remains on the same field lines. Finally, our simulations show that ambipolar diffusion significantly alters the amount of free energy available in the coronal part of our simulated volume, which is likely to have consequences for studies of flare initiation.« less
The interplanetary electric field, cleft currents and plasma convection in the polar caps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, P. M.; Clauer, C. R.; Araki, T.; St. Maurice, J. P.; Foster, J. C.

1984-01-01

The relationship between the pattern of plasma convection in the polar cleft and the dynamics of the interplanetary electric field (IEF) is examined theoretically. It is shown that owing to the geometrical properties of the magnetosphere, the East-West component of the IEF will drive field-aligned currents which connect to the ionosphere at points lying on either side of noon, while currents associated with the North-South component of the IEF will connect the two polar caps as sheet currents, also centered at 12 MLT. In order to describe the consequences of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) effects upon high-latitude electric fields and convection patterns, a series of numerical simulations was carried out. The simulations were based on a solution to the steady-state equation of current continuity in a height-integrated ionospheric current. The simulations demonstrate that a simple hydrodynamical model can account for the narrow 'throats' of strong dayside antisunward convection observed during periods of southward interplanetary IMF drift, as well as the sunward convection observed during periods of strongly northward IMF drift.
The synchronous orbit magnetic field data set

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcpherron, R. L.

1979-01-01

The magnetic field at synchronous orbit is the result of superposition of fields from many sources such as the earth, the magnetopause, the geomagnetic tail, the ring current and field-aligned currents. In addition, seasonal changes in the orientation of the earth's dipole axis causes significant changes in each of the external sources. Main reasons for which the synchronous orbit magnetic field data set is a potentially valuable resource are outlined. The primary reason why synchronous magnetic field data have not been used more extensively in magnetic field modeling is the presence of absolute errors in the measured fields. Nevertheless, there exists a reasonably large collection of synchronous orbit magnetic field data. Some of these data can be useful in quantitative modeling of the earth's magnetic field. A brief description is given of the spacecraft, the magnetometers, the standard graphical data displays, and the digital data files.
By-controlled convection and field-aligned currents near midnight auroral oval for northward interplanetary magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taguchi, S.; Sugiura, M.; Iyemori, T.; Winningham, J. D.; Slavin, J. A.

1994-01-01

Using the Dynamics Explorer (DE) 2 magnetic and electric field and plasma data, B(sub y)- controlled convection and field-aligned currents in the midnight sector for northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) are examined. The results of an analysis of the electric field data show that when IMF is stable and when its magnitude is large, a coherent B(sub y)-controlled convection exists near the midnight auroral oval in the ionosphere having adequate conductivities. When B(sub y) is negative, the convection consists of a westward (eastward) plasma flow at the lower latitudes and an eastward (westward) plasma flow at the higher latitudes in the midnight sector in the northern (southern) ionosphere. When B(sub y) is positive, the flow directions are reversed. The distribution of the field-aligned currents associated with the B(sub y)-controlled convection, in most cases, shows a three-sheet structure. In accordance with the convection the directions of the three sheets are dependent on the sign of B(sub y). The location of disappearance of the precipitating intense electrons having energies of a few keV is close to the convection reversal surface. However, the more detailed relationship between the electron precipitation boundary and the convection reversal surface depends on the case. In some cases the precipitating electrons extend beyond the convection reversal surface, and in others the poleward boundary terminates at a latitude lower than the reversal surface. Previous studies suggest that the poleward boundary of the electrons having energies of a few keV is not necessarily coincident with an open/closed bounary. Thus the open/closed boundary may be at a latitude higher than the poleward boundary of the electron precipitation, or it may be at a latitude lower than the poleward boundary of the electron precipitation. We discuss relationships between the open/closed boundary and the convection reversal surface. When as a possible choice we adopt a view that the open/closed boundary agrees with the convection reversal surface, we can explain qualitatively the configuration of the B(sub y)-controlled convection on the open and close field line regions by proposing a mapping modified in accordance with IMF B(sub y).
Images of Bottomside Irregularities Observed at Topside Altitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burke, William J.; Gentile, Louise C.; Shomo, Shannon R.; Roddy, Patrick A.; Pfaff, Robert F.

2012-01-01

We analyzed plasma and field measurements acquired by the Communication/ Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite during an eight-hour period on 13-14 January 2010 when strong to moderate 250 MHz scintillation activity was observed at nearby Scintillation Network Decision Aid (SCINDA) ground stations. C/NOFS consistently detected relatively small-scale density and electric field irregularities embedded within large-scale (approx 100 km) structures at topside altitudes. Significant spectral power measured at the Fresnel (approx 1 km) scale size suggests that C/NOFS was magnetically conjugate to bottomside irregularities similar to those directly responsible for the observed scintillations. Simultaneous ion drift and plasma density measurements indicate three distinct types of large-scale irregularities: (1) upward moving depletions, (2) downward moving depletions, and (3) upward moving density enhancements. The first type has the characteristics of equatorial plasma bubbles; the second and third do not. The data suggest that both downward moving depletions and upward moving density enhancements and the embedded small-scale irregularities may be regarded as Alfvenic images of bottomside irregularities. This interpretation is consistent with predictions of previously reported theoretical modeling and with satellite observations of upward-directed Poynting flux in the low-latitude ionosphere.
Blob dynamics in TORPEX poloidal null configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanahan, B. W.; Dudson, B. D.

2016-12-01

3D blob dynamics are simulated in X-point magnetic configurations in the TORPEX device via a non-field-aligned coordinate system, using an isothermal model which evolves density, vorticity, parallel velocity and parallel current density. By modifying the parallel gradient operator to include perpendicular perturbations from poloidal field coils, numerical singularities associated with field aligned coordinates are avoided. A comparison with a previously developed analytical model (Avino 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 116 105001) is performed and an agreement is found with minimal modification. Experimental comparison determines that the null region can cause an acceleration of filaments due to increasing connection length, but this acceleration is small relative to other effects, which we quantify. Experimental measurements (Avino 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 116 105001) are reproduced, and the dominant acceleration mechanism is identified as that of a developing dipole in a moving background. Contributions from increasing connection length close to the null point are a small correction.
Observations of double layer-like and soliton-like structures in the ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boehm, M. H.; Carlson, C. W.; Mcfadden, J.; Mozer, F. S.

1984-01-01

Two types of large electric field signatures, individual pulses and pulse trains, were observed on a sounding rocket launched into the afternoon auroral zone on January 21, 1982. The typical electric fields in the individual pulses were 50 mV/m or larger, aligned mostly parallel to B, and the corresponding potentials were at leat 100 mV (kT approximately 0.3 eV). A lower limit of 15 km/sec can be set on the velocity of these structures, indicating that they were not ion acoustic double layers. The pulse trains, each consisting of on the order of 100 pulses, were observed in close association with intense plasma frequency waves. This correlation is consistent with the interpretation of these trains as Langmuir solitons. The pulse trains correlate better with the intensity of the field-aligned currents than with the energetic electron flux.
Electrode alignment of transverse tripoles using a percutaneous triple-lead approach in spinal cord stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sankarasubramanian, V.; Buitenweg, J. R.; Holsheimer, J.; Veltink, P.

2011-02-01

The aim of this modeling study is to determine the influence of electrode alignment of transverse tripoles on the paresthesia coverage of the pain area in spinal cord stimulation, using a percutaneous triple-lead approach. Transverse tripoles, comprising a central cathode and two lateral anodes, were modeled on the low-thoracic vertebral region (T10-T12) using percutaneous triple-lead configurations, with the center lead on the spinal cord midline. The triple leads were oriented both aligned and staggered. In the staggered configuration, the anodes were offset either caudally (caudally staggered) or rostrally (rostrally staggered) with respect to the midline cathode. The transverse tripolar field steering with the aligned and staggered configurations enabled the estimation of dorsal column fiber thresholds (IDC) and dorsal root fiber thresholds (IDR) at various anodal current ratios. IDC and IDR were considerably higher for the aligned transverse tripoles as compared to the staggered transverse tripoles. The aligned transverse tripoles facilitated deeper penetration into the medial dorsal columns (DCs). The staggered transverse tripoles always enabled broad and bilateral DC activation, at the expense of mediolateral steerability. The largest DC recruited area was obtained with the rostrally staggered transverse tripole. Transverse tripolar geometries, using percutaneous leads, allow for selective targeting of either medial or lateral DC fibers, if and only if the transverse tripole is aligned. Steering of anodal currents between the lateral leads of the staggered transverse tripoles cannot target medially confined populations of DC fibers in the spinal cord. An aligned transverse tripolar configuration is strongly recommended, because of its ability to provide more post-operative flexibility than other configurations.
Ionospheric and Birkeland current distributions inferred from the MAGSAT magnetometer data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zanetti, L. J.; Potemra, T. A.; Baumjohann, W.

1983-01-01

Ionospheric and field-aligned sheet current density distributions are presently inferred by means of MAGSAT vector magnetometer data, together with an accurate magnetic field model. By comparing Hall current densities inferred from the MAGSAT data and those inferred from simultaneously recorded ground based data acquired by the Scandinavian magnetometer array, it is determined that the former have previously been underestimated due to high damping of magnetic variations with high spatial wave numbers between the ionosphere and the MAGSAT orbit. Among important results of this study is noted the fact that the Birkeland and electrojet current systems are colocated. The analyses have shown a tendency for triangular rather than constant electrojet current distributions as a function of latitude, consistent with the statistical, uniform regions 1 and 2 Birkeland current patterns.
Modeling of field-aligned guided echoes in the plasmasphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fung, Shing F.; Green, James L.

2005-01-01

Ray tracing modeling is used to investigate the plasma conditions under which high-frequency (f ≫ fuh) extraordinary mode waves can be guided along geomagnetic field lines. These guided signals have often been observed as long-range discrete echoes in the plasmasphere by the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) onboard the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration satellite. Field-aligned discrete echoes are most commonly observed by RPI in the plasmasphere, although they are also observed over the polar cap region. The plasmasphere field-aligned echoes appearing as multiple echo traces at different virtual ranges are attributed to signals reflected successively between conjugate hemispheres that propagate along or nearly along closed geomagnetic field lines. The ray tracing simulations show that field-aligned ducts with as little as 1% density perturbations (depletions) and <10 wavelengths wide can guide nearly field-aligned propagating high-frequency X mode waves. Effective guidance of a wave at a given frequency and wave normal angle (Ψ) depends on the cross-field density scale of the duct, such that ducts with stronger density depletions need to be wider in order to maintain the same gradient of refractive index across the magnetic field. While signal guidance by field aligned density gradient without ducting is possible only over the polar region, conjugate field-aligned echoes that have traversed through the equatorial region are most likely guided by ducting.
High scale flavor alignment in two-Higgs doublet models and its phenomenology

DOE PAGES

Gori, Stefania; Haber, Howard E.; Santos, Edward

2017-06-21

The most general two-Higgs doublet model (2HDM) includes potentially large sources of flavor changing neutral currents (FCNCs) that must be suppressed in order to achieve a phenomenologically viable model. The flavor alignment ansatz postulates that all Yukawa coupling matrices are diagonal when expressed in the basis of mass-eigenstate fermion fields, in which case tree-level Higgs-mediated FCNCs are eliminated. In this work, we explore models with the flavor alignment condition imposed at a very high energy scale, which results in the generation of Higgs-mediated FCNCs via renormalization group running from the high energy scale to the electroweak scale. Using the currentmore » experimental bounds on flavor changing observables, constraints are derived on the aligned 2HDM parameter space. In the favored parameter region, we analyze the implications for Higgs boson phenomenology.« less
Method for alignment of microwires

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

Beardslee, Joseph A.; Lewis, Nathan S.; Sadtler, Bryce

2017-01-24

A method of aligning microwires includes modifying the microwires so they are more responsive to a magnetic field. The method also includes using a magnetic field so as to magnetically align the microwires. The method can further include capturing the microwires in a solid support structure that retains the longitudinal alignment of the microwires when the magnetic field is not applied to the microwires.
Antecedents and Consequences of the Frequency of Upward and Downward Social Comparisons at Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Douglas J.; Ferris, D. Lance; Heller, Daniel; Keeping, Lisa M.

2007-01-01

The current paper examines the dispositional and situational antecedents, as well as the attitudinal and behavioral consequences, of the frequency of upward and downward social comparisons. We predicted social comparison frequency would be influenced by uncertainty-related antecedents, and that social comparisons in organizations would be…
Cleaning the Southern African Large Telescope's M5 mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crause, Lisa A.; Gajjar, Hitesh; Love, Jonathan; Strümpfer, Francois; O'Connor, James E.; O'Donoghue, Darragh E.; Strydom, Ockert J.; Buckley, David A. H.; Gillingham, Peter

2010-07-01

This paper describes the cleaning of M5, one of the four mirrors that make up the Southern African Large Telescope's Spherical Aberration Corrector. As the top upward-facing mirror in a relatively exposed environment, M5 had accumulated a considerable amount of dust and dirt during the six years it had been on the telescope. With the corrector on the ground for re-alignment and testing, we had the opportunity to remove, wash and replace the mirror. Various cleaning techniques were investigated, including an unsuccessful trial application of First Contact surface cleaning polymer film - fortunately only to a small region outside the mirror's clear aperture. Ultimately, "drag-wiping" with wads of cotton wool soaked in a 10g/l sodium lauryl sulphate solution proved highly effective in restoring the reflectivity of M5's optical surface. Following this success, we repeated the procedure for M3, the other upward-facing mirror in the corrector. The results for M3 were equally spectacular.
Electron Beam/Optical Hybrid Lithography For The Production Of Gallium Arsenide Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (Mimics)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarajan, Rao M.; Rask, Steven D.

1988-06-01

A hybrid lithography technique is described in which selected levels are fabricated by high resolution direct write electron beam lithography and all other levels are fabricated optically. This technique permits subhalf micron geometries and the site-by-site alignment for each field written by electron beam lithography while still maintaining the high throughput possible with optical lithography. The goal is to improve throughput and reduce overall cost of fabricating MIMIC GaAS chips without compromising device performance. The lithography equipment used for these experiments is the Cambridge Electron beam vector scan system EBMF 6.4 capable of achieving ultra high current densities with a beam of circular cross section and a gaussian intensity profile operated at 20 kev. The optical aligner is a Karl Suss Contact aligner. The flexibility of the Cambridge electron beam system is matched to the less flexible Karl Suss contact aligner. The lithography related factors, such as image placement, exposure and process related analyses, which influence overlay, pattern quality and performance, are discussed. A process chip containing 3.2768mm fields in an eleven by eleven array was used for alignment evaluation on a 3" semi-insulating GaAS wafer. Each test chip contained five optical verniers and four Prometrix registration marks per field along with metal bumps for alignment marks. The process parameters for these chips are identical to those of HEMT/epi-MESFET ohmic contact and gate layer processes. These layers were used to evaluate the overlay accuracy because of their critical alignment and dimensional control requirements. Two cases were examined: (1) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to optically imaged ohmic contact layers and (2) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to electron beam written ohmic contact layers. The effect of substrate charging by the electron beam is also investigated. The resulting peak overlay error accuracies are: (1) Electron beam to optical with t 0.2μm (2 sigma) and (2) Electron beam to electron beam with f 0.lμm (2 sigma). These results suggest that the electron beam/optical hybrid lithography techniques could be used for MIMIC volume production as alignment tolerances required by GaAS chips are met in both cases. These results are discussed in detail.
Revisiting a magnetopause Kelvin-Helmholtz event seen by the MMS spacecraft on 8 September 2015: Large-scale context and wave properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, H.; Nakamura, T.; Kitamura, N.; Hoshi, Y.; Saito, Y.; Figueroa-Vinas, A.; Giles, B. L.; Lavraud, B.; Khotyaintsev, Y. V.; Ergun, R.

2017-12-01

The Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability is known to grow along the Earth's magnetopause, but its role in transporting solar wind mass and energy into the magnetosphere is not fully understood. On 8 September 2015, the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft, located at the postnoon, southern-hemisphere magnetopause, encountered thin low-shear current sheets at the trailing edge of the KH waves, where KH-induced reconnection, one of the plasma transport processes, was occurring [Eriksson et al., GRL, 2016; Li et al., GRL, 2016]. The event was observed during a prolonged period of northward interplanetary magnetic field, and was characterized by an extended region of the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) immediately earthward of the KH unstable magnetopause, which appeared to have been formed through magnetopause reconnection poleward of the cusp. In this LLBL, MMS observed plasma turbulence, another agent for the plasma transport [Stawarz et al., JGR, 2016]. Key features are that (i) significant magnetic shears were seen only at the trailing edges of the KH surface waves, (ii) for both the leading and trailing edge traversals, both field-aligned and anti-field-aligned streaming D-shaped ion populations, which are consistent with reconnection on the southward and northward sides, respectively, of MMS, were observed on either the magnetosheath or LLBL side of the magnetopause, though not always simultaneously, and (iii) the field-aligned Poynting flux was positive in some parts of the LLBL but was negative in other parts. Based on these observations and further wave analysis, we address the questions of how the current sheets at the KH wave trailing edges were generated, and what could have been the driver of the turbulent fluctuations observed within the KH vortices.
A new B-dot probe-based diagnostic for amplitude, polarization, and wavenumber measurements of ion cyclotron range-of frequency fields on ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ochoukov, R.; Bobkov, V.; Faugel, H.; Fünfgelder, H.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.

2015-11-01

A new B-dot probe-based diagnostic has been installed on an ASDEX Upgrade tokamak to characterize ion cyclotron range-of frequency (ICRF) wave generation and interaction with magnetized plasma. The diagnostic consists of a field-aligned array of B-dot probes, oriented to measure fast and slow ICRF wave fields and their field-aligned wavenumber (k//) spectrum on the low field side of ASDEX Upgrade. A thorough description of the diagnostic and the supporting electronics is provided. In order to compare the measured dominant wavenumber of the local ICRF fields with the expected spectrum of the launched ICRF waves, in-air near-field measurements were performed on the newly installed 3-strap ICRF antenna to reconstruct the dominant launched toroidal wavenumbers (ktor). Measurements during a strap current phasing scan in tokamak discharges reveal an upshift in k// as strap phasing is moved away from the dipole configuration. This result is the opposite of the ktor trend expected from in-air near-field measurements; however, the near-field based reconstruction routine does not account for the effect of induced radiofrequency (RF) currents in the passive antenna structures. The measured exponential increase in the local ICRF wave field amplitude is in agreement with the upshifted k//, as strap phasing moves away from the dipole configuration. An examination of discharges heated with two ICRF antennas simultaneously reveals the existence of beat waves at 1 kHz, as expected from the difference of the two antennas' operating frequencies. Beats are observed on both the fast and the slow wave probes suggesting that the two waves are coupled outside the active antennas. Although the new diagnostic shows consistent trends between the amplitude and the phase measurements in response to changes applied by the ICRF antennas, the disagreement with the in-air near-field measurements remains. An electromagnetic model is currently under development to address this issue.
A new B-dot probe-based diagnostic for amplitude, polarization, and wavenumber measurements of ion cyclotron range-of frequency fields on ASDEX Upgrade.

PubMed

Ochoukov, R; Bobkov, V; Faugel, H; Fünfgelder, H; Noterdaeme, J-M

2015-11-01

A new B-dot probe-based diagnostic has been installed on an ASDEX Upgrade tokamak to characterize ion cyclotron range-of frequency (ICRF) wave generation and interaction with magnetized plasma. The diagnostic consists of a field-aligned array of B-dot probes, oriented to measure fast and slow ICRF wave fields and their field-aligned wavenumber (k(//)) spectrum on the low field side of ASDEX Upgrade. A thorough description of the diagnostic and the supporting electronics is provided. In order to compare the measured dominant wavenumber of the local ICRF fields with the expected spectrum of the launched ICRF waves, in-air near-field measurements were performed on the newly installed 3-strap ICRF antenna to reconstruct the dominant launched toroidal wavenumbers (k(tor)). Measurements during a strap current phasing scan in tokamak discharges reveal an upshift in k(//) as strap phasing is moved away from the dipole configuration. This result is the opposite of the k(tor) trend expected from in-air near-field measurements; however, the near-field based reconstruction routine does not account for the effect of induced radiofrequency (RF) currents in the passive antenna structures. The measured exponential increase in the local ICRF wave field amplitude is in agreement with the upshifted k(//), as strap phasing moves away from the dipole configuration. An examination of discharges heated with two ICRF antennas simultaneously reveals the existence of beat waves at 1 kHz, as expected from the difference of the two antennas' operating frequencies. Beats are observed on both the fast and the slow wave probes suggesting that the two waves are coupled outside the active antennas. Although the new diagnostic shows consistent trends between the amplitude and the phase measurements in response to changes applied by the ICRF antennas, the disagreement with the in-air near-field measurements remains. An electromagnetic model is currently under development to address this issue.

Reliable low-power control of ultrafast vortex-core switching with the selectivity in an array of vortex states by in-plane circular-rotational magnetic fields and spin-polarized currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sang-Koog; Lee, Ki-Suk; Yu, Young-Sang; Choi, Youn-Seok

2008-01-01

The authors investigated the technological utility of counterclockwise (CCW) and clockwise (CW) circular-rotating fields (HCCW and HCW) and spin-polarized currents with an angular frequency ωH close to the vortex eigenfrequency ωD, for the reliable, low-power, and selective switching of the bistate magnetization (M) orientations of a vortex core (VC) in an array of soft magnetic nanoelements. CCW and CW circular gyrotropic motions in response to HCCW and HCW, respectively, show remarkably contrasting resonant behaviors, (i.e., extremely large-amplitude resonance versus small-amplitude nonresonance), depending on the M orientation of a given VC. Owing to this asymmetric resonance characteristics, the HCCW(HCW) with ωH˜ωD can be used to effectively switch only the up (down) core to its downward (upward) M orientation, selectively, by sufficiently low field (˜10Oe) and current density (˜107A/cm2). This work provides a reliable, low power, effective means of information storage, information recording, and information readout in vortex-based random access memory, simply called VRAM.
Upward and downward facing high mass flux spray cooling with additives: A novel technique to enhance the heat removal rate at high initial surface temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pati, A. R.; Kumar, A.; Mohapatra, S. S.

2018-06-01

The objective of the current work is to enhance the spray cooling by changing the orientation of the nozzle with different additives (acetone, methanol, ethanol, benzene, n-hexane, tween 20 and salt) in water. The experiments are carried out by upward, downward and both upward and downward facing sprays. The optimization result depicts that the spray produced by upward facing spray gives higher heat flux than the downward facing spray and also cooling by both the upward and downward facing spray simultaneously produces better result than the individual. Further experiments with both upward and downward facing spray by using different coolants reveal that in case of cooling by ethanol (500 ppm) + water mixture, the maximum enhancement of surface heat flux ( 2.57 MW/m2) and cooling rate (204 °C/s) is observed. However, the minimum surface heat flux is achieved in case of methanol (100 ppm) + water due to higher contact angle (710) among all the considered coolants.
The Mediating Roles of Upward Social Comparison and Self-esteem and the Moderating Role of Social Comparison Orientation in the Association between Social Networking Site Usage and Subjective Well-Being.

PubMed

Wang, Jin-Liang; Wang, Hai-Zhen; Gaskin, James; Hawk, Skyler

2017-01-01

The increased pervasiveness of social media use has raised questions about potential effects on users' subjective well-being, with studies reaching contrasting conclusions. To reconcile these discrepancies and shed new light on this phenomenon, the current study examined: (1) whether upward social comparison and self-esteem mediate the association between social networking site (SNS) usage and users' subjective well-being, and (2) whether the association between SNS usage and upward social comparison is moderated by users' social comparison orientation. Data from 696 participants were collected. Structural equation modeling revealed that upward social comparison and self-esteem mediated the relationship between SNS usage and users' subjective well-being. We found that social comparison orientation moderated the association between passive SNS usage and users' upward social comparison. Specifically, social comparison orientation strengthened the association between passive SNS usage and upward social comparison. The results might suggest a process through which passive SNS usage is related to subjective well-being, and identify a context under which these associations may differ.
The Mediating Roles of Upward Social Comparison and Self-esteem and the Moderating Role of Social Comparison Orientation in the Association between Social Networking Site Usage and Subjective Well-Being

PubMed Central

Wang, Jin-Liang; Wang, Hai-Zhen; Gaskin, James; Hawk, Skyler

2017-01-01

The increased pervasiveness of social media use has raised questions about potential effects on users’ subjective well-being, with studies reaching contrasting conclusions. To reconcile these discrepancies and shed new light on this phenomenon, the current study examined: (1) whether upward social comparison and self-esteem mediate the association between social networking site (SNS) usage and users’ subjective well-being, and (2) whether the association between SNS usage and upward social comparison is moderated by users’ social comparison orientation. Data from 696 participants were collected. Structural equation modeling revealed that upward social comparison and self-esteem mediated the relationship between SNS usage and users’ subjective well-being. We found that social comparison orientation moderated the association between passive SNS usage and users’ upward social comparison. Specifically, social comparison orientation strengthened the association between passive SNS usage and upward social comparison. The results might suggest a process through which passive SNS usage is related to subjective well-being, and identify a context under which these associations may differ. PMID:28553256
Bunker probe: A plasma potential probe almost insensitive to its orientation with the magnetic field

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

Costea, S., E-mail: stefan.costea@uibk.ac.at; Schneider, B. S.; Schrittwieser, R.

Due to their ability to suppress a large part of the electron current and thus measuring directly the plasma potential, ion sensitive probes have begun to be widely tested and used in fusion devices. For these probes to work, almost perfect alignment with the total magnetic field is necessary. This condition cannot always be fulfilled due to the curvature of magnetic fields, complex magnetic structure, or magnetic field reconnection. In this perspective, we have developed a plasma potential probe (named Bunker probe) based on the principle of the ion sensitive probe but almost insensitive to its orientation with the totalmore » magnetic field. Therefore it can be used to measure the plasma potential inside fusion devices, especially in regions with complex magnetic field topology. Experimental results are presented and compared with Ball-Pen probe measurements taken under identical conditions. We have observed that the floating potential of the Bunker probe is indeed little affected by its orientation with the magnetic field for angles ranging from 90° to 30°, in contrast to the Ball-Pen probe whose floating potential decreases towards that of a Langmuir probe if not properly aligned with the magnetic field.« less
Characterization and Mitigation of ICRF Antenna - Plasma Edge Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Rongjie; Tynan, George; Wukitch, Steve; Lin, Yijun; Terry, Jim; Chilenski, M.; Golfinopoulos, T.; Hubbard, A.; Mumgaard, R. T.; Perkins, R.; Reinke, M. L.; Alcator C-Mod Team

2017-10-01

Recent experiments reveal that RF-induced potentials (VRF) in the SOL and impurity source at the antenna can be reduced to background levels via optimizing the power ratio between the inner and outer current straps, Pcent /Pout . Experiments indicate the antenna impurity source reduction for the field aligned antenna is due to geometrical alignment rather than electrical symmetry. Additional experiments performed without an optimized Pcent /Pout showed that VRF and the associated convection cells do not influence the impurity penetration or core impurity confinement. These results suggest the core impurity contamination associated with ICRF heating is dominated by an increased impurity source rather than a change in impurity transport. Further, the convective cell strength was expected to scale inversely with B-field. The observed poloidal velocity (measure of convective cell strength), however, decreased less than expected. In addition, the measured maximum VRF increased and penetrated farther into the SOL at higher B-field and plasma current. Results also suggest VRF is strongly influenced by the SOL plasma parameters rather than by RF parameters. Work supported by the U.S. DoE, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, User Facility Alcator C-Mod under DE-FC02-99ER54512 and DE-SC 0010720.
Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes from natural precursors by spray pyrolysis method and their field electron emission properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Pradip; Soga, T.; Tanemura, M.; Zamri, M.; Jimbo, T.; Katoh, R.; Sumiyama, K.

2009-01-01

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes have been synthesized from botanical hydrocarbons: Turpentine oil and Eucalyptus oil on Si(100) substrate using Fe catalyst by simple spray pyrolysis method at 700°C and at atmospheric pressure. The as-grown carbon nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Raman spectroscopy. It was observed that nanotubes grown from turpentine oil have better degree of graphitization and field emission performance than eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes. The turpentine oil and eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes indicated that the turn-on field of about 1.7 and 1.93 V/μm, respectively, at 10 μA/cm2. The threshold field was observed to be about 2.13 and 2.9 V/μm at 1 mA/cm2 of nanotubes grown from turpentine oil and eucalyptus oil respectively. Moreover, turpentine oil grown carbon nanotubes show higher current density in relative to eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes. The maximum current density of 15.3 mA/cm2 was obtained for ˜3 V/μm corresponding to the nanotubes grown from turpentine oil. The improved field emission performance was attributed to the enhanced crystallinity, fewer defects, and greater length of turpentine oil grown carbon nanotubes.
Changes in collection efficiency in nylon net filter media through magnetic alignment of elongated aerosol particles.

PubMed

Lam, Christopher O; Finlay, W H

2009-10-01

Fiber aerosols tend to align parallel to surrounding fluid streamlines in shear flows, making their filtration more difficult. However, previous research indicates that composite particles made from cromoglycic acid fibers coated with small nanoscaled magnetite particles can align with an applied magnetic field. The present research explored the effect of magnetically aligning these fibers to increase their filtration. Nylon net filters were challenged with the aerosol fibers, and efficiency tests were performed with and without a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the flow direction. We investigated the effects of varying face velocities, the amount of magnetite material on the aerosol particles, and magnetic field strengths. Findings from the experiments, matched by supporting single-fiber theories, showed significant efficiency increases at the low face velocity of 1.5 cm s(-1) at all magnetite compositions, with efficiencies more than doubling due to magnetic field alignment in certain cases. At a higher face velocity of 5.12 cm s(-1), filtration efficiencies were less affected by the magnetic field alignment being, at most, 43% higher for magnetite weight compositions up to 30%, while at a face velocity of 10.23 cm s(-1) alignment effects were insignificant. In most cases, efficiencies became independent of magnetic field strength above 50 mT, suggesting full alignment of the fibers. The present data suggest that fiber alignment in a magnetic field may warrant applications in the filtration and detection of fibers, such as asbestos.
Quick-Connect/Disconnect Joint For Truss Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sprague, Benny B.

1991-01-01

Simple connector used for temporary structures and pipes. Truss connector joins and aligns structural members. Consists of two sections, one flanged and other with mating internal groove. When flanged half inserted in groove, moves lever of trigger mechanism upward. Cone then shoots into grooved half. Attached without tools in less than 2 seconds and taken apart just as quickly and easily. Developed for assembling structures in outer space, also useful for temporary terrestrial structures like scaffolds and portable bleachers. With modifications, used to join sections of pipelines carrying liquids or gases.
Self-learning computers for surgical planning and prediction of postoperative alignment.

PubMed

Lafage, Renaud; Pesenti, Sébastien; Lafage, Virginie; Schwab, Frank J

2018-02-01

In past decades, the role of sagittal alignment has been widely demonstrated in the setting of spinal conditions. As several parameters can be affected, identifying the driver of the deformity is the cornerstone of a successful treatment approach. Despite the importance of restoring sagittal alignment for optimizing outcome, this task remains challenging. Self-learning computers and optimized algorithms are of great interest in spine surgery as in that they facilitate better planning and prediction of postoperative alignment. Nowadays, computer-assisted tools are part of surgeons' daily practice; however, the use of such tools remains to be time-consuming. NARRATIVE REVIEW AND RESULTS: Computer-assisted methods for the prediction of postoperative alignment consist of a three step analysis: identification of anatomical landmark, definition of alignment objectives, and simulation of surgery. Recently, complex rules for the prediction of alignment have been proposed. Even though this kind of work leads to more personalized objectives, the number of parameters involved renders it difficult for clinical use, stressing the importance of developing computer-assisted tools. The evolution of our current technology, including machine learning and other types of advanced algorithms, will provide powerful tools that could be useful in improving surgical outcomes and alignment prediction. These tools can combine different types of advanced technologies, such as image recognition and shape modeling, and using this technique, computer-assisted methods are able to predict spinal shape. The development of powerful computer-assisted methods involves the integration of several sources of information such as radiographic parameters (X-rays, MRI, CT scan, etc.), demographic information, and unusual non-osseous parameters (muscle quality, proprioception, gait analysis data). In using a larger set of data, these methods will aim to mimic what is actually done by spine surgeons, leading to real tailor-made solutions. Integrating newer technology can change the current way of planning/simulating surgery. The use of powerful computer-assisted tools that are able to integrate several parameters and learn from experience can change the traditional way of selecting treatment pathways and counseling patients. However, there is still much work to be done to reach a desired level as noted in other orthopedic fields, such as hip surgery. Many of these tools already exist in non-medical fields and their adaptation to spine surgery is of considerable interest.
Substorms: The Attempt at Magnetospheric Dynamic Equilibrium between Magnetically-Driven Frontside Reconnection and Particle-Driven Reconnection in a Multiple-Current-Sheet Magnetotail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sofko, G. J.; Hussey, G. C.; McWilliams, K. A.; Reimer, A. S.

2016-12-01

We propose a multi-current-sheet model for magnetic substorms. Those storms are normally driven by frontside magnetically-driven reconnection (MDRx), in which the diffusion zone current JD and the electric field E have a "load" relationship JD*E >0, indicating transfer if magnetic energy to the particles in the "reconnection jets". As a result of lobe field line transport over the north and south poles, polar cap particles are subject to parallel energization as they flow upward out of the ionosphere. These particles convectively drift toward the equator and subsequently mirror near the Neutral Sheet (NSh) region, forming an extended westward NSh current sheet which is unstable and "tears up" into multiple current sheets. Each current sheet has very different behaviour at its ends: (a) strong magnetic pressure and weak particle pressure at its tailward end; (b) strong particle pressure and weak magnetic field at its earthward end. Therefore, in each Separation Zone (SZ) between current sheets, a strong eastward magnetic curl develops. The associated eastward SZ current, caused by diamagnetic electron drift, is squeezed by the repulsion of the westward currents tailward and earthward. That current becomes intense enough to act as a diffusion zone for "generator-type" or Particle-driven reconnection (PDRx) for which JD*E<0, indicating that the particles return energy to the magnetic field. The PDRx produces a Dipolarization Front (DF) on the earthward side of the SZ and a Plasmoid (PMD) on the tailward side. Such DF-PMD pairs form successively in time and radial downtail SZ distance. In this way, the magnetosphere attempts to achieve a dynamic equilibrium between magnetic and particle energy.
Ion distributions in the Earth's foreshock upstream from the bow shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuselier, S. A.

1995-01-01

A variety of suprathermal and energetic ion distributions are found upstream from shocks. Some distributions, such as field-aligned beams, are generated directly at the shock either through reflection processes or through leakage from the hotter downstream region. Other distributions, such as intermediate distributions, evolve from these parent distributions through wave-particle interactions. This paper reviews our current understanding of the creation and evolution of suprathermal distributions at shocks. Examples of suprathermal ion distributions are taken from observations at the Earth's bow shock. Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of field-aligned beams and specularly reflected ion distributions and on the evolution of these distributions in the Earth's ion foreshock. However, the results from this heavily studied region are applicable to interplanetary shocks, bow shocks at other planets, and comets.
Ionospheric Alfvén resonator and aurora: Modeling of MICA observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tulegenov, B.; Streltsov, A. V.

2017-07-01

We present results from a numerical study of small-scale, intense magnetic field-aligned currents observed in the vicinity of the discrete auroral arc by the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén Resonator (MICA) sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, on 19 February 2012. The goal of the MICA project was to investigate the hypothesis that such currents can be produced inside the ionospheric Alfvén resonator by the ionospheric feedback instability (IFI) driven by the system of large-scale magnetic field-aligned currents interacting with the ionosphere. The trajectory of the MICA rocket crossed two discrete auroral arcs and detected packages of intense, small-scale currents at the edges of these arcs, in the most favorable location for the development of the ionospheric feedback instability, predicted by the IFI theory. Simulations of the reduced MHD model derived in the dipole magnetic field geometry with realistic background parameters confirm that IFI indeed generates small-scale ULF waves inside the ionospheric Alfvén resonator with frequency, scale size, and amplitude showing a good, quantitative agreement with the observations. The comparison between numerical results and observations was performed by "flying" a virtual MICA rocket through the computational domain, and this comparison shows that, for example, the waves generated in the numerical model have frequencies in the range from 0.30 to 0.45 Hz, and the waves detected by the MICA rocket have frequencies in the range from 0.18 to 0.50 Hz.
Three-dimensional canopy fuel loading predicted using upward and downward sensing LiDAR systems

Treesearch

Nicholas S. Skowronski; Kenneth L. Clark; Matthew Duveneck; John. Hom

2011-01-01

We calibrated upward sensing profiling and downward sensing scanning LiDAR systems to estimates of canopy fuel loading developed from field plots and allometric equations, and then used the LiDAR datasets to predict canopy bulk density (CBD) and crown fuel weight (CFW) in wildfire prone stands in the New Jersey Pinelands. LiDAR-derived height profiles were also...
High magnetic field test of bismuth Hall sensors for ITER steady state magnetic diagnostic.

PubMed

Ďuran, I; Entler, S; Kohout, M; Kočan, M; Vayakis, G

2016-11-01

Performance of bismuth Hall sensors developed for the ITER steady state magnetic diagnostic was investigated for high magnetic fields in the range ±7 T. Response of the sensors to the magnetic field was found to be nonlinear particularly within the range ±1 T. Significant contribution of the planar Hall effect to the sensors output voltage causing undesirable cross field sensitivity was identified. It was demonstrated that this effect can be minimized by the optimization of the sensor geometry and alignment with the magnetic field and by the application of "current-spinning technique."
Wafer-scale, massively parallel carbon nanotube arrays for realizing field effect transistors with current density exceeding silicon and gallium arsenide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, Michael

Calculations have indicated that aligned arrays of semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) promise to outperform conventional semiconducting materials in short-channel, aggressively scaled field effect transistors (FETs) like those used in semiconductor logic and high frequency amplifier technologies. These calculations have been based on extrapolation of measurements of FETs based on one CNT, in which ballistic transport approaching the quantum conductance limit of 2Go = 4e2/h has been achieved. However, constraints in CNT sorting, processing, alignment, and contacts give rise to non-idealities when CNTs are implemented in densely-packed parallel arrays, which has resulted in a conductance per CNT far from 2Go. The consequence has been that it has been very difficult to create high performance CNT array FETs, and CNT array FETs have not outperformed but rather underperformed channel materials such as Si by 6 x or more. Here, we report nearly ballistic CNT array FETs at a density of 50 CNTs um-1, created via CNT sorting, wafer-scale alignment and assembly, and treatment. The on-state conductance in the arrays is as high as 0.46 Go per CNT, and the conductance of the arrays reaches 1.7 mS um-1, which is 7 x higher than previous state-of-the-art CNT array FETs made by other methods. The saturated on-state current density reaches 900 uA um-1 and is similar to or exceeds that of Si FETs when compared at equivalent gate oxide thickness, off-state current density, and channel length. The on-state current density exceeds that of GaAs FETs, as well. This leap in CNT FET array performance is a significant advance towards the exploitation of CNTs in high-performance semiconductor electronics technologies.
Feedback between neutral winds and auroral arc electrodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, L. R.; Walterscheid, R. L.

1986-01-01

The feedback between neutral atmospheric winds and the electrodynamics of a stable, discrete auroral arc is analyzed. The ionospheric current continuity equation and the equation for neutral gas acceleration by ion drag are solved simultaneously, as a function of time. The results show that, in general, the electric field in the ionosphere adjusts to neutral wind acceleration so as to keep auroral field-aligned currents and electron acceleration approximately independent of time. It is thus concluded that the neutral winds that develop as a result of the electrodynamical forcing associated with an arc do not significantly affect the intensity of the arc.
Auroral vortex street formed by the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiraki, Y.

2015-02-01

By performing three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations including Alfvén eigenmode perturbations most unstable to the ionospheric feedback effects, we examined the auroral vortex street that often appears just before substorm onset. We found that an initially placed arc splits, intensifies, and rapidly deforms into a vortex street. We also found that there is a critical convection electric field for growth of the Alfvén eigenmodes. The vortex street is shown to be a consequence of coupling between the magnetospheric Alfvén waves carrying field-aligned currents and the ionospheric density waves driven by Pedersen/Hall currents.
Laser beam alignment and profilometry using diagnostic fluorescent safety mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lizotte, Todd E.

2011-03-01

There are a wide range of laser beam delivery systems in use for various purposes; including industrial and medical applications. Virtually all such beam delivery systems for practical purposes employ optical systems comprised of mirrors and lenses to shape, focus and guide the laser beam down to the material being processed. The goal of the laser beam delivery is to set the optimum parameters and to "fold" the beam path to reduce the mechanical length of the optical system, thereby allowing a physically compact system. In many cases, even a compact system can incorporate upwards of six mirrors and a comparable number of lenses all needing alignment so they are collinear. One of the major requirements for use of such systems in industry is a method of safe alignment. The alignment process requires that the aligner determine where the beam strikes each element. The aligner should also preferably be able to determine the shape or pattern of the laser beam at that point and its relative power. These alignments are further compounded in that the laser beams generated are not visible to the unaided human eye. Such beams are also often of relatively high power levels, and are thereby a significant hazard to the eyes of the aligner. Obvious an invisible beam makes it nearly impossible to align laser system without some form of optical assistance. The predominant method of visually aligning the laser beam delivery is the use of thermal paper, paper cards or fluorescing card material. The use of paper products which have limited power handling capability or coated plastics can produce significant debris and contaminants within the beam line that ultimately damage the optics. The use of the cards can also create significant laser light scatter jeopardizing the safety of the person aligning the system. This paper covers a new safety mirror design for use with at various UV and Near IR wavelengths (193 nm to 1064 nm) within laser beam delivery systems and how its use can provide benefits covering eye safety, precise alignment and beam diagnostics.
Correlations between Geomagnetic Disturbances and Field-Aligned Currents during the 22-29 July 2004 Storm Time Interval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hood, R.; Woodroffe, J. R.; Morley, S.; Aruliah, A. L.

2017-12-01

Using the CHAMP fluxgate magnetometer to calculate field-aligned current (FAC) densities and magnetic latitudes, with SuperMAG ground magnetometers analogously providing ground geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) magnetic perturbations and latitudes, we probe FAC locations and strengths as predictors of GMD locations and strengths. We also study the relationships between solar wind drivers and global magnetospheric activity, and both FACs and GMDs using IMF Bz and the Sym-H index. We present an event study of the 22-29 July 2004 storm time interval, which had particularly large GMDs given its storm intensity. We find no correlation between FAC and GMD magnitudes, perhaps due to CHAMP orbit limitations or ground magnetometer coverage. There is, however, a correlation between IMF Bz and nightside GMD magnitudes, supportive of their generation via tail reconnection. IMF Bz is also correlated with dayside FAC and GMD magnetic latitudes, indicating solar wind as an initial driver. The ring current influence increases during the final storm, with improved correlations between the Sym-H index and both FAC magnetic latitudes and GMD magnitudes. Sym-H index correlations may only be valid for higher intensity storms; a statistical analysis of many storms is needed to verify this.

The Poleward Boundary Intensification (PBI) of Auroral Emission: Its Dynamics and Associated Field-aligned Current System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtani, S.; Motoba, T.; Gjerloev, J. W.

2016-12-01

The poleward boundary intensification (PBI) of aurora emission is often addressed in terms of distant reconnection. Recently, however, Ohtani and Yoshikawa [2016] proposed that the PBIs, at least at the initial stage of their formation, are actually the effect of ionospheric polarization in the presence of the enhanced convection in the polar cap and conductance gradient at the poleward boundary of the auroral oval. Whereas the ionospheric polarization itself is a transient process, it is known that the PBIs occasionally extend longitudinally suggesting that a 3D current system forms subsequently, which electrodynamically couples the magnetosphere and ionosphere. In the present study we observationally examine the associated field-aligned current (FAC) observed by the SWARM satellites and compare its characteristics with ground all-sky images. It is found that complex signatures of FACs as suggested by magnetic disturbances reflect the spatial structure of aurora (e.g., location and orientation), whereas the overall motion of PBIs is well explained in terms of the background convection suggested by the FAC distribution. We shall discuss the implications of these results for the responsible evolution process of the PBIs.
Ionospheric dynamo theory for production of far ultraviolet emissions on Uranus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, M. K.; Warren, J. A.; Clarke, J. T.

1989-01-01

A model is presented to explain diffuse FUV emissions from the outer planets, specifically Uranus, in excess of those diffuse emissions that are currently explainable by scattering of sunlight and/or excitation by photoelectrons. These electroglow emissions in H Ly-alpha and H2 bands, which occur in the sunlit hemisphere slightly above the homopause, appear to require particle excitation in the 10- to 50-eV range. An in situ mechanism for accelerating photoelectrons (and ions is proposed, involving neutral wind dynamo generation of field-aligned currents analogous to what occurs in the earth's equatorial E and F regions. Sufficiently strong field-aligned currents are found in the model calculation for Uranus to produce a potential drop of about 100 eV or greater between the F peak and homopause, concentrated at lower altitudes, and capable in principle of accelerating photoelectrons (and ions) to the 10- to 50-eV energies required to explain the observed emissions. The fact that the excitation and ionization cross sections are larger than elastic scattering cross sections in an H2 atmosphere at these energies makes in situ acceleration feasible for the production of UV on the outer planets.
Structure and Dynamics of Current Sheets in 3D Magnetic Fields with the X-line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, Anna G.; Bogdanov, S. Yu.; Bugrov, S. G.; Markov, V. S.; Dreiden, G. V.; Ostrovskaya, G. V.

2004-11-01

Experimental results are presented on the structure of current sheets formed in 3D magnetic fields with singular lines of the X-type. Two basic diagnostics were used with the device CS - 3D: two-exposure holographic interferometry and magnetic measurements. Formation of extended current sheets and plasma compression were observed in the presence of the longitudinal magnetic field component aligned with the X-line. Plasma density decreased and the sheet thickness increased with an increase of the longitudinal component. We succeeded to reveal formation of the sheets taking unusual shape, namely tilted and asymmetric sheets, in plasmas with the heavy ions. These current sheets were obviously different from the planar sheets formed in 2D magnetic fields, i.e. without longitudinal component. Analysis of typical plasma parameters made it evident that plasma dynamics and current sheet evolution should be treated on the base of the two-fluid approach. Specifically it is necessary to take into account the Hall currents in the plane perpendicular to the X-line, and the dynamic effects resulting from interaction of the Hall currents and the 3D magnetic field. Supported by RFBR, grant 03-02-17282, and ISTC, project 2098.
A new DMSP magnetometer and auroral boundary data set and estimates of field-aligned currents in dynamic auroral boundary coordinates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilcommons, Liam M.; Redmon, Robert J.; Knipp, Delores J.

2017-08-01

We have developed a method for reprocessing the multidecadal, multispacecraft Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Special Sensor Magnetometer (DMSP SSM) data set and have applied it to 15 spacecraft years of data (DMSP Flight 16-18, 2010-2014). This Level-2 data set improves on other available SSM data sets with recalculated spacecraft locations and magnetic perturbations, artifact signal removal, representations of the observations in geomagnetic coordinates, and in situ auroral boundaries. Spacecraft locations have been recalculated using ground-tracking information. Magnetic perturbations (measured field minus modeled main field) are recomputed. The updated locations ensure the appropriate model field is used. We characterize and remove a slow-varying signal in the magnetic field measurements. This signal is a combination of ring current and measurement artifacts. A final artifact remains after processing: step discontinuities in the baseline caused by activation/deactivation of spacecraft electronics. Using coincident data from the DMSP precipitating electrons and ions instrument (SSJ4/5), we detect the in situ auroral boundaries with an improvement to the Redmon et al. (2010) algorithm. We embed the location of the aurora and an accompanying figure of merit in the Level-2 SSM data product. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of this new data set by estimating field-aligned current (FAC) density using the Minimum Variance Analysis technique. The FAC estimates are then expressed in dynamic auroral boundary coordinates using the SSJ-derived boundaries, demonstrating a dawn-dusk asymmetry in average FAC location relative to the equatorward edge of the aurora. The new SSM data set is now available in several public repositories.
MUSE field splitter unit: fan-shaped separator for 24 integral field units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurent, Florence; Renault, Edgard; Anwand, Heiko; Boudon, Didier; Caillier, Patrick; Kosmalski, Johan; Loupias, Magali; Nicklas, Harald; Seifert, Walter; Salaun, Yves; Xu, Wenli

2014-07-01

MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) is a second generation Very Large Telescope (VLT) integral field spectrograph developed for the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It combines a 1' x 1' field of view sampled at 0.2 arcsec for its Wide Field Mode (WFM) and a 7.5"x7.5" field of view for its Narrow Field Mode (NFM). Both modes will operate with the improved spatial resolution provided by GALACSI (Ground Atmospheric Layer Adaptive Optics for Spectroscopic Imaging), that will use the VLT deformable secondary mirror and 4 Laser Guide Stars (LGS) foreseen in 2015. MUSE operates in the visible wavelength range (0.465-0.93 μm). A consortium of seven institutes is currently commissioning MUSE in the Very Large Telescope for the Preliminary Acceptance in Chile, scheduled for September, 2014. MUSE is composed of several subsystems which are under the responsibility of each institute. The Fore Optics derotates and anamorphoses the image at the focal plane. A Splitting and Relay Optics feed the 24 identical Integral Field Units (IFU), that are mounted within a large monolithic instrument mechanical structure. Each IFU incorporates an image slicer, a fully refractive spectrograph with VPH-grating and a detector system connected to a global vacuum and cryogenic system. During 2012 and 2013, all MUSE subsystems were integrated, aligned and tested to the P.I. institute at Lyon. After successful PAE in September 2013, MUSE instrument was shipped to the Very Large Telescope in Chile where it was aligned and tested in ESO integration hall at Paranal. After, MUSE was directly transferred in monolithic way onto VLT telescope where the first light was achieved. This paper describes the MUSE main optical component: the Field Splitter Unit. It splits the VLT image into 24 subfields and provides the first separation of the beam for the 24 Integral Field Units. This talk depicts its manufacturing at Winlight Optics and its alignment into MUSE instrument. The success of the MUSE alignment is demonstrated by the excellent results obtained onto MUSE positioning, image quality and throughput onto the sky. MUSE commissioning at the VLT is planned for September, 2014.
An experimental test of the 'transmission-line model' of electromagnetic radiation from triggered lightning return strokes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willett, J. C.; Idone, V. P.; Orville, R. E.; Leteinturier, C.; Eybert-Berard, A.

1988-01-01

Peak currents, two-dimensional average propagation speeds, and electric field waveforms for a number of subsequent return strikes in rocket-triggered lightning flashes were measured in order to test the 'transmission-line model' of return-stroke radiation of Uman and McLain (1970). Reasonable agreement is found between the propagation speeds measured with the streak camera and those deduced from the transmission-line model. A modification of the model is proposed in which two wave fronts travel upward and downward away from a junction point a short distance above the ground.
An experimental test of the 'transmission-line model' of electromagnetic radiation from triggered lightning return strokes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willett, J. C.; Idone, V. P.; Orville, R. E.; Leteinturier, C.; Eybert-Berard, A.

1988-04-01

Peak currents, two-dimensional average propagation speeds, and electric field waveforms for a number of subsequent return strikes in rocket-triggered lightning flashes were measured in order to test the 'transmission-line model' of return-stroke radiation of Uman and McLain (1970). Reasonable agreement is found between the propagation speeds measured with the streak camera and those deduced from the transmission-line model. A modification of the model is proposed in which two wave fronts travel upward and downward away from a junction point a short distance above the ground.
Pyroclastic deposits of the Mount Edgecumbe volcanic field, southeast Alaska: eruptions of a stratified magma chamber

USGS Publications Warehouse

Riehle, J.R.; Champion, D.E.; Brew, D.A.; Lanphere, M.A.

1992-01-01

The Mount Edgecumbe volcanic field in southeastern Alaska consists of 5-6 km3 (DRE) of postglacial pyroclasts that overlie Pleistocene lavas. All eleven pyroclast vents align with the long axis of the field, implying that the pyroclast magma conduits followed a crustal fissure. Most of these vents had previously erupted lavas that are compositionally similar to the pyroclasts, so a persistent magma system (chamber) had likely evolved by the onset of the pyroclastic eruptions. The pyroclastic sequence was deposited in about a millennium and is remarkable for a wide range of upward-increasing silica contents (51-72% SiO2), which is consistent with rise of coexisting magmas at different rates governed by their viscosity. Basaltic and andesitic lava flows have erupted throughout the lifetime of the field. Rhyolite erupted late; we infer that it formed early but was hindered from rising by its high viscosity. Most of the magmas-and all siliceous ones-erupted from vents on the central fissure. Basalt has not erupted from the center of the field during at least the latter part of its lifetime. Thus the field may illustrate basalt underplating: heat and mass flux are concentrated at the center of a stratified magma chamber in which a cap of siliceous melt blocks the rise of basalt. Major-element, strontium isotope, and mineral compositions of unaltered pyroclasts are broadly similar to those of older lavas of similar SiO2 content. Slightly fewer phenocrysts, inherited grains, and trace amphibole in pyroclastic magmas may be due simply to faster rise and less undercooling and degassing before eruption relative to the lavas. Dacite occurs only in the youngest deposits; the magma formed by mixing of andesitic and rhyolitic magmas erupted shortly before by the dacitic vents. ?? 1992.
Dynamical and Physical Properties of a Post-Coronal Mass Ejection Current Sheet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, Yuan-Kuen; Raymond, John C.; Lin, Jun; Lawrence, Gareth; Li, Jing; Fludra, Andrzej

2003-01-01

In the eruptive process of the Kopp-Pneuman type, the closed magnetic field is stretched by the eruption so much that it is usually believed to be " open " to infinity. Formation of the current sheet in such a configuration makes it possible for the energy in the coronal magnetic field to quickly convert into thermal and kinetic energies and cause significant observational consequences, such as growing postflare/CME loop system in the corona, separating bright flare ribbons in the chromosphere, and fast ejections of the plasma and the magnetic flux. An eruption on 2002 January 8 provides us a good opportunity to look into these observational signatures of and place constraints on the theories of eruptions. The event started with the expansion of a magnetic arcade over an active region, developed into a coronal mass ejection (CME), and left some thin streamer-like structures with successively growing loop systems beneath them. The plasma outflow and the highly ionized states of the plasma inside these streamer-like structures, as well as the growing loops beneath them, lead us to conclude that these structures are associated with a magnetic reconnection site, namely, the current sheet, of this eruptive process. We combine the data from the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer, Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment, EUV Imaging Telescope, and Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, as well is from the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory Mark IV K-coronameter, to investigate the morphological and dynamical properties of this event, as well as the physical properties of the current sheet. The velocity and acceleration of the CME reached up to 1800 km/s and 1 km/sq s, respectively. The acceleration is found to occur mainly at the lower corona (<2.76 Solar Radius). The post-CME loop systems showed behaviors of both postflare loops (upward motion with decreasing speed) and soft X-ray giant arches (upward motion with constant speed, or acceleration) according to the definition of Svestka. In the current sheet, the presence of highly ionized ions, such as Fe(+17) and Ca(+13), suggests temperature as high as (3-4) x 10(exp 6) K, and the plasma outflows have speeds ranging from 300 to 650 km/s. Absolute elemental abundances in the current sheet show a strong first ionization potential effect and have values similar to those found in the active region streamers. The magnetic field strength in the vicinity of the current sheet is found to be of the order of 1 G.
Multiscale analysis of potential fields by a ridge consistency criterion: the reconstruction of the Bishop basement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedi, M.; Florio, G.; Cascone, L.

2012-01-01

We use a multiscale approach as a semi-automated interpreting tool of potential fields. The depth to the source and the structural index are estimated in two steps: first the depth to the source, as the intersection of the field ridges (lines built joining the extrema of the field at various altitudes) and secondly, the structural index by the scale function. We introduce a new criterion, called 'ridge consistency' in this strategy. The criterion is based on the principle that the structural index estimations on all the ridges converging towards the same source should be consistent. If these estimates are significantly different, field differentiation is used to lessen the interference effects from nearby sources or regional fields, to obtain a consistent set of estimates. In our multiscale framework, vertical differentiation is naturally joint to the low-pass filtering properties of the upward continuation, so is a stable process. Before applying our criterion, we studied carefully the errors on upward continuation caused by the finite size of the survey area. To this end, we analysed the complex magnetic synthetic case, known as Bishop model, and evaluated the best extrapolation algorithm and the optimal width of the area extension, needed to obtain accurate upward continuation. Afterwards, we applied the method to the depth estimation of the whole Bishop basement bathymetry. The result is a good reconstruction of the complex basement and of the shape properties of the source at the estimated points.
Japanese Magsat Team. A: Crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic Station. B: Electric currents and hydromagnetic waves in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fukushima, N.; Maeda, H.; Yukutake, T.; Tanaka, M.; Oshima, S.; Ogawa, K.; Kawamura, M.; Miyzaki, Y.; Uyeda, S.; Kobayashi, K. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

Efforts continue in compiling tapes which contain vector and scalar data decimated at an interval of 0.5 sec, together with time and position data. A map of the total force field anomaly around Japan was developed which shows a negative magnetic anomaly in the Okhotsk Sea. Examination of vector residuals from the MGST model shows that the total force perturbation is almost ascribable to the perturbation parallel to the main geomagnetic field and that the contribution from the perturbation transverse to the main field to the total force perturbation is negligibly small. The influences of ionospheric current with equatorial electroject and of the magnetospheric field aligned current on the dawn-dusk asymmetry of daily geomagnetic variations are being considered. The total amount of electric current flowing through the plane of the Magsat orbit loop was calculated by direct application of Maxwell's equation. Results show that the total electric current is 1 to 5 ampheres, and the current direction is either sunward or antisunward.
Controlling orientational order in block copolymers using low-intensity magnetic fields

PubMed Central

Choo, Youngwoo; Kawabata, Kohsuke; Kaufman, Gilad; Feng, Xunda; Di, Xiaojun; Rokhlenko, Yekaterina; Mahajan, Lalit H.; Ndaya, Dennis; Kasi, Rajeswari M.

2017-01-01

The interaction of fields with condensed matter during phase transitions produces a rich variety of physical phenomena. Self-assembly of liquid crystalline block copolymers (LC BCPs) in the presence of a magnetic field, for example, can result in highly oriented microstructures due to the LC BCP’s anisotropic magnetic susceptibility. We show that such oriented mesophases can be produced using low-intensity fields (<0.5 T) that are accessible using permanent magnets, in contrast to the high fields (>4 T) and superconducting magnets required to date. Low-intensity field alignment is enabled by the addition of labile mesogens that coassemble with the system’s nematic and smectic A mesophases. The alignment saturation field strength and alignment kinetics have pronounced dependences on the free mesogen concentration. Highly aligned states with orientation distribution coefficients close to unity were obtained at fields as small as 0.2 T. This remarkable field response originates in an enhancement of alignment kinetics due to a reduction in viscosity, and increased magnetostatic energy due to increases in grain size, in the presence of labile mesogens. These developments provide routes for controlling structural order in BCPs, including the possibility of producing nontrivial textures and patterns of alignment by locally screening fields using magnetic nanoparticles. PMID:29078379
Investigation of MAGSAT and TRIAD magnetometer data to provide corrective information on high-lattitude external fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potemra, T. A. (Principal Investigator); Sugiura, M.; Zanettic, L. J.

1982-01-01

Disturbances in the MAGSAT magnetometer data set due to high latitude phenomena were evaluated. Much of the categorization of disturbances due to Birkeland currents, ionospheric Hall currents, fine structure and wave phenomena was done with the MAGSAT data catalog. A color graphics technique was developed for the display of disturbances from multiple orbits, from which one can infer a 'global-image' of the current systems of the auroral zone. The MAGSAT 4/81 magnetic field model appears to represent the Earth's main field at high latitudes very well for the epoch 1980. MAGSAT's low altitude allows analysis of disturbances in the magnetometer data due to ionospheric electrojet currents. These current distributions were modeled properly for single events as a precursor to the inference of the Birkeland current system. MAGSAT's orbit was approximately shared with that of the Navy/APL TRIAD satellite. This allowed space-time studies of the magnetic disturbance signatures to be performed, the result being an approximately 75% agreement in, as well as high frequency of, signatures due to Birkeland currents. Thus the field-aligned currents are a steady-state participant in the Earth's magnetospheric current system.
Toroidal current asymmetry and boundary conditions in disruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strauss, Henry

2014-10-01

It was discovered on JET that disruptions were accompanied by toroidal asymmetry of the plasma current. The toroidal current asymmetry ΔIϕ is proportional to the vertical current moment ΔMIZ , with positive sign for an upward vertical displacement event (VDE) and negative sign for a downward VDE. It was claimed that this could only be explained by Hiro current. It is shown that instead it is essentially a kinematic effect produced by the VDE displacement of a 3D magnetic perturbation. This is verified by M3D simulations. The simulation results do not require penetration of plasma into the boundary, as in the Hiro current model. It is shown that the normal velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field vanishes at the wall, in the small Larmor radius limit of electromagnetic sheath boundary conditions. Plasma is absorbed into the wall only via the parallel velocity, which is small, penetrates only an infinitesimal distance into the wall, and does not affect forces exerted by the plasma on the wall. Supported by USDOE and ITER.
The interplanetary magnetic field B sub y -dependent field-aligned current in the dayside polar cap under quiet conditions

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

Yamauchi, M.; Araki, T.

1989-03-01

Spatial distribution and temporal variation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B{sub y}-dependent cusp region field-aligned currents (FACs) during quiet periods were studied by use of magnetic data observed by Magsat. The analysis was made for 11 events (each event lasts more than one and a half days) when the IMF B{sub y} component was steadily large and B{sub x} was relatively small ({vert bar}B{sub z}{vert bar} < {vert bar}B{sub y}{vert bar}). Results of the analysis of total 62 half-day periods for the IMF B{sub y}-dependent cusp region FAC are summarized as follows: (1) the IMF B{sub y}-dependent cusp regionmore » FAC is located at around 86{degree}-87{degree} invariant latitude local noon, which is more poleward than the location of the IMF B{sub z}-dependent cusp region FAC; (2) the current density of this FAC is greater than previous studies ({ge} 4 {mu}A/m{sup 2} for IMF B{sub y} = 6 nT); (3) there are two time scales for the IMF B{sub y}-dependent cusp region FAC to appear: the initial rise of the current is on a short time scale, {approximately} 10 min, and it is followed by a gradual increase on a time scale of several hours to a half day; (4) the seasonal change of this FAC is greater than that of the nightside region 1 or region 2 FACs; (5) the IMF B{sub z}-dependent cusp region FAC is not well observed around the cusp when the IMF B{sub y}-dependent cusp region FAC is intense.« less
Thermal coupling of conjugate ionospheres and the tilt of the earth's magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, P. G.; Torr, D. G.

1986-01-01

The effect of thermal coupling and the tilt of the earth's magnetic field on interhemispheric coupling is investigated, and, due to a longitudinal displacement in the conjugate points, it is found that the tilt significantly effects the upward flow of H(+) flux such that the maximum upward flux can occur several hours before local sunrise. Heating from the conjugate atmosphere, which accompanies solar illumination in one hemisphere, produces electron temperatures 1000 K higher in the dark than in the sunlit hemisphere, and the morning upward H(+) fluxes in the dark ionosphere are as large as the daytime fluxes. A strong symmetry is also noted in the overall behavior of the H(+) fluxes due to the differing day lengths at the conjugate points, which are separated by 15 deg in latitude. Electron temperatures in the conjugate hemispheres are found to be strongly coupled above the F region peaks, though in the vicinity of the peaks near 250 km, the coupling is weak during the day and strong during the night.
IFU simulator: a powerful alignment and performance tool for MUSE instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurent, Florence; Boudon, Didier; Daguisé, Eric; Dubois, Jean-Pierre; Jarno, Aurélien; Kosmalski, Johan; Piqueras, Laure; Remillieux, Alban; Renault, Edgard

2014-07-01

MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) is a second generation Very Large Telescope (VLT) integral field spectrograph (1x1arcmin² Field of View) developed for the European Southern Observatory (ESO), operating in the visible wavelength range (0.465-0.93 μm). A consortium of seven institutes is currently commissioning MUSE in the Very Large Telescope for the Preliminary Acceptance in Chile, scheduled for September, 2014. MUSE is composed of several subsystems which are under the responsibility of each institute. The Fore Optics derotates and anamorphoses the image at the focal plane. A Splitting and Relay Optics feed the 24 identical Integral Field Units (IFU), that are mounted within a large monolithic instrument mechanical structure. Each IFU incorporates an image slicer, a fully refractive spectrograph with VPH-grating and a detector system connected to a global vacuum and cryogenic system. During 2012 and 2013, all MUSE subsystems were integrated, aligned and tested to the P.I. institute at Lyon. After successful PAE in September 2013, MUSE instrument was shipped to the Very Large Telescope in Chile where that was aligned and tested in ESO integration hall at Paranal. After, MUSE was directly transferred in monolithic way without dismounting onto VLT telescope where the first light was overcame. This talk describes the IFU Simulator which is the main alignment and performance tool for MUSE instrument. The IFU Simulator mimics the optomechanical interface between the MUSE pre-optic and the 24 IFUs. The optomechanical design is presented. After, the alignment method of this innovative tool for identifying the pupil and image planes is depicted. At the end, the internal test report is described. The success of the MUSE alignment using the IFU Simulator is demonstrated by the excellent results obtained onto MUSE positioning, image quality and throughput. MUSE commissioning at the VLT is planned for September, 2014.
Fabrication and characterization of vertically aligned carbon-nanotube membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castellano, Richard; Akin, Cevat; Purri, Matt; Shan, Jerry; Kim, Sangil; Fornasiero, Francesco

2015-11-01

Membranes having vertically-aligned carbon-nanotube (VACNT) pores offer promise as highly efficient and permeable membranes for use as breathable thin films, or in filtration and separation applications, among others. However, current membrane-fabrication techniques utilizing chemical-vapor-deposition-grown VACNT arrays are costly and difficult to scale up. We have developed a solution-based, electric-field-assisted approach as a cost-effective and scalable method to produce large-area VACNT membranes. Nanotubes are dispersed in a liquid polymer, and aligned and electrodeposited with the aid of an electric field prior to crosslinking the polymer to create VACNT membranes. We experimentally examine the electrodeposition process, focusing on parameters including the electric field, composition of the solution, and CNT functionalization that can affect the nanotube number density in the resulting membrane. We characterize the CNT pore size and number density and investigate the transport properties of the membrane. Size-exclusion tests are used to check for defects and infer the pore size of the VACNT membranes. Dry-gas membrane permeability is measured with a pressurized nitrogen-flow system, while moisture-vapor-transfer rate is measured with the ASTM-E96 upright-cup test. We discuss the measured transport properties of the solution-based, electric-field-fabricated VACNT membranes in reference to their application as breathable thin films. We would like to acknowledge DTRA for their funding and support of our research.
Enhanced piezoresponse of highly aligned electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Sung Bum; Won, Sang Hyuk; Im, Min Ji; Kim, Chan Ul; Park, Won Il; Baik, Jeong Min; Choi, Kyoung Jin

2017-09-01

Well-ordered nanostructure arrays with controlled densities can potentially improve material properties; however, their fabrication typically involves the use of complicated processing techniques. In this work, we demonstrate a uniaxial alignment procedure for fabricating poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) electrospun nanofibers (NFs) by introducing collectors with additional steps. The mechanism of the observed NF alignment, which occurs due to the concentration of lateral electric field lines around collector steps, has been elucidated via finite-difference time-domain simulations. The membranes composed of well-aligned PVDF NFs are characterized by a higher content of the PVDF β-phase, as compared to those manufactured from randomly orientated fibers. The piezoelectric energy harvester, which was fabricated by transferring well-aligned PVDF NFs onto flexible substrates with Ag electrodes attached to both sides, exhibited a 2-fold increase in the output voltage and a 3-fold increase in the output current as compared to the corresponding values obtained for the device manufactured from randomly oriented NFs. The enhanced piezoresponse observed for the aligned PVDF NFs is due to their higher β-phase content, denser structure, smaller effective radius of curvature during bending, greater applied strain, and higher fraction of contributing NFs.
Internal Architecture of Meteorite Impact Crater at Bukit Bunuh, Lenggong – Perak, Malaysia Inferred from Upward Continuation of Magnetic Field Intensity Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muhammad, S. B.; Saad, R.; Saidin, M.; Yusoh, R.; Sabrian, T. A.; Samuel, Y. M.

2018-04-01

2–D upward continuation of magnetic field data acquired at Bukit Bunuh, Lenggong – Perak, Malaysia, with the objective to ascertain the impact crater and possible rebounds, has be carried out and interpreted in this study. Ground magnetic survey was conducted first as regional study in the entire area followed by a detailed study at the suspected crater region. Data from both studies were compiled, corrected and separated (regional – residual). The residual magnetic data ranged between -272 and +134.2 nT. 2–D upward continuation at various planes of observation was carried out on the gridded residual magnetic field data after coordinates were converted (from degrees to meters) to understate anomalies due to shallow features. The planes were at 250 m, 500 m and 750 m above the ground level. The continuation at 500 m revealed a low magnetic region, believed to be an impact crater, which is now filled with sediments, surrounded by a high magnetic shallow bedrock. Other high magnetic key features interpreted as rebounds (R) also remained after filtering out the ambiguous anomalies.

Agreements between ground-based and satellite-based observations. [of earth magnetospheric currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akasofu, S.-I.; Weimer, D.; Iijima, T.; Ahn, B.-H.; Kamide, Y.

1990-01-01

The polar ionospheric parameters obtained by the meridian chain of magnetometers are compared with those obtained by satellites, and a number of ionospheric quantities including the distribution of the electric potential, field-aligned currents, ionospheric currents and their equatorial counterparts, and the relationship between the AE index and the cross-polar cap potential is determined. It is noted that the agreement observed between the ground-based and satellite-based results allows to reduce the search for the driving mechanism of the ionospheric Pedersen current to identifying the driving mechanism of the Pedersen counterpart current in the equatorial plane.
The magnetospheric currents - An introduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akasofu, S.-I.

1984-01-01

It is pointed out that the scientific discipline concerned with magnetospheric currents has grown out from geomagnetism and, in particular, from geomagnetic storm studies. The International Geophysical Year (IGY) introduced a new area for this discipline by making 'man-made satellites' available for the exploration of space around the earth. In this investigation, a brief description is provided of the magnetospheric currents in terms of eight component current systems. Attention is given to the Sq current, the Chapman-Ferraro current, the ring current (the symmetric component), the current systems driven by the solar wind-magnetosphere dynamo (SMD), the cross-tail current system, the average ionospheric current pattern, an example of an instantaneous current pattern, field-aligned currents, and driving mechanisms and models.
Evolution of auroral acceleration region field-aligned current systems, plasma, and potentials observed by Cluster during substorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, A. J.; Chaston, C. C.; Fillingim, M. O.; Frey, H. U.; Goldstein, M. L.; Bonnell, J. W.; Mozer, F.

2015-12-01

The auroral acceleration region is an integral link in the chain of events that transpire during substorms, and the currents, plasma and electric fields undergo significant changes driven by complex dynamical processes deep in the magnetotail. The acceleration processes that occur therein accelerate and heat the plasma that ultimately leads to some of the most intense global substorm auroral displays. Though this region has garnered considerable attention, the temporal evolution of field-aligned current systems, associated acceleration processes, and resultant changes in the plasma constituents that occur during key stages of substorm development remain unclear. In this study we present a survey of Cluster traversals within and just above the auroral acceleration region (≤3 Re altitude) during substorms. Particular emphasis is on the spatial morphology and developmental sequence of auroral acceleration current systems, potentials and plasma constituents, with the aim of identifying controlling factors, and assessing auroral emmission consequences. Exploiting multi-point measurements from Cluster in combination with auroral imaging, we reveal the injection powered, Alfvenic nature of both the substorm onset and expansion of auroral particle acceleration. We show evidence that indicates substorm onsets are characterized by the gross-intensification and filamentation/striation of pre-existing large-scale current systems to smaller/dispersive scale Alfven waves. Such an evolutionary sequence has been suggested in theoretical models or single spacecraft data, but has not been demonstrated or characterized in multispacecraft observations until now. It is also shown how the Alfvenic variations over time may dissipate to form large-scale inverted-V structures characteristic of the quasi-static aurora. These findings suggest that, in addition to playing active roles in driving substorm aurora, inverted-V and Alfvenic acceleration processes are causally linked. Key elements of substorm current spatial structure and temporal development, relationship to electric fields/potentials, plasma moment and distribution features, causal linkages to auroral emission features, and other properties will be discussed.
Studies on in situ magnetic alignment of bonded anisotropic Nd-Fe-B alloy powders

DOE PAGES

Nlebedim, I. C.; Ucar, Huseyin; Hatter, Christine B.; ...

2016-08-30

We presented some considerations for achieving high degree of alignment in polymer bonded permanent magnets via the results of a study on in situ magnetic alignment of anisotropic Nd-Fe-B magnet powders. Contributions from effect of the alignment temperature, alignment magnetic field and the properties of the polymer on the hard magnetic properties of the bonded magnet were considered. Moreover, the thermo-rheological properties of the polymer and the response of the magnet powders to the applied magnetic field indicate that hard magnetic properties were optimized at an alignment temperature just above the melting temperature of the EVA co-polymer. This agrees withmore » an observed correlation between the change in magnetization due to improved magnetic alignment of the anisotropic powders and the change in viscosity of the binder. Finally, manufacturing cost can be minimized by identifying optimum alignment temperatures and magnetic field strengths.« less
Studies on in situ magnetic alignment of bonded anisotropic Nd-Fe-B alloy powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nlebedim, I. C.; Ucar, Huseyin; Hatter, Christine B.; McCallum, R. W.; McCall, Scott K.; Kramer, M. J.; Paranthaman, M. Parans

2017-01-01

Considerations for achieving high degree of alignment in polymer bonded permanent magnets are presented via the results of a study on in situ magnetic alignment of anisotropic Nd-Fe-B magnet powders. Contributions from effect of the alignment temperature, alignment magnetic field and the properties of the polymer on the hard magnetic properties of the bonded magnet were considered. The thermo-rheological properties of the polymer and the response of the magnet powders to the applied magnetic field indicate that hard magnetic properties were optimized at an alignment temperature just above the melting temperature of the EVA co-polymer. This agrees with an observed correlation between the change in magnetization due to improved magnetic alignment of the anisotropic powders and the change in viscosity of the binder. Manufacturing cost can be minimized by identifying optimum alignment temperatures and magnetic field strengths.
Alignments of Dark Matter Halos with Large-scale Tidal Fields: Mass and Redshift Dependence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Sijie; Wang, Huiyuan; Mo, H. J.; Shi, Jingjing

2016-07-01

Large-scale tidal fields estimated directly from the distribution of dark matter halos are used to investigate how halo shapes and spin vectors are aligned with the cosmic web. The major, intermediate, and minor axes of halos are aligned with the corresponding tidal axes, and halo spin axes tend to be parallel with the intermediate axes and perpendicular to the major axes of the tidal field. The strengths of these alignments generally increase with halo mass and redshift, but the dependence is only on the peak height, ν \\equiv {δ }{{c}}/σ ({M}{{h}},z). The scaling relations of the alignment strengths with the value of ν indicate that the alignment strengths remain roughly constant when the structures within which the halos reside are still in a quasi-linear regime, but decreases as nonlinear evolution becomes more important. We also calculate the alignments in projection so that our results can be compared directly with observations. Finally, we investigate the alignments of tidal tensors on large scales, and use the results to understand alignments of halo pairs separated at various distances. Our results suggest that the coherent structure of the tidal field is the underlying reason for the alignments of halos and galaxies seen in numerical simulations and in observations.
Ionospheric electron heating, optical emissions, and striations induced by powerful HF radio waves at high latitudes: Aspect angle dependence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rietveld, M. T.; Kosch, M. J.; Blagoveshchenskaya, N. F.; Kornienko, V. A.; Leyser, T. B.; Yeoman, T. K.

2003-04-01

In recent years, large electron temperature increases of 300% (3000 K above background) caused by powerful HF-radio wave injection have been observed during nighttime using the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar near Tromsø in northern Norway. In a case study we examine the spatial structure of the modified region. The electron heating is accompanied by ion heating of about 100 degrees and magnetic field-aligned measurements show ion outflows increasing with height up to 300 m s-1 at 582 km. The electron density decreases by up to 20%. When the radar antenna was scanned between three elevations from near field-aligned to vertical, the strongest heating effects were always obtained in the field-aligned position. When the HF-pump beam was scanned between the same three positions, the heating was still almost always strongest in the field-aligned direction. Simultaneous images of the 630 nm O(1D) line in the radio-induced aurora showed that the enhancement caused by the HF radio waves also remained localized near the field-aligned position. Coherent HF radar backscatter also appeared strongest when the pump beam was pointed field-aligned. These results are similar to some Langmuir turbulence phenomena which also show a strong preference for excitation by HF rays launched in the field-aligned direction. The correlation of the position of largest temperature enhancement with the position of the radio-induced aurora suggests that a common mechanism, upper-hybrid wave turbulence, is responsible for both effects. Why the strongest heating effects occur for HF rays directed along the magnetic field is still unclear, but self-focusing on field-aligned striations is a candidate mechanism, and possibly ionospheric tilts may be important.
Magnetic moment of solar plasma and the Kelvin force: -The driving force of plasma up-flow -

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibasaki, Kiyoto

2017-04-01

Thermal plasma in the solar atmosphere is magnetized (diamagnetic). The magnetic moment does not disappear by collisions because complete gyration is not a necessary condition to have magnetic moment. Magnetized fluid is subjected to Kelvin force in non-uniform magnetic field. Generally, magnetic field strength decreases upwards in the solar atmosphere, hence the Kelvin force is directed upwards along the field. This force is not included in the fluid treatment of MHD. By adding the Kelvin force to the MHD equation of motion, we can expect temperature dependent plasma flows along the field which are reported by many observations. The temperature dependence of the flow speed is explained by temperature dependence of magnetic moment. From the observed parameters, we can infer physical parameters in the solar atmosphere such as scale length of the magnetic field strength and the friction force acting on the flowing plasma. In case of closed magnetic field lines, loop-top concentration of hot plasma is expected which is frequently observed.
Polar Spacecraft Based Comparisons of Intense Electric Fields and Poynting Flux Near and Within the Plasma Sheet-Tail Lobe Boundary to UVI Images: An Energy Source for the Aurora

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wygant, J. R.; Keiling, A.; Cattell, C. A.; Johnson, M.; Lysak, R. L.; Temerin, M.; Mozer, F. S.; Kletzing, C. A.; Scudder, J. D.; Peterson, W.;

2000-01-01

In this paper, we present measurements from two passes of the Polar spacecraft of intense electric and magnetic field structures associated with Alfven waves at and within the outer boundary of the plasma sheet at geocentric distances of 4-6 R(sub E), near local midnight. The electric field variations have maximum values exceeding 100 mV/m and are typically polarized approximately normal to the plasma sheet boundary. The electric field structures investigated vary over timescales (in the spacecraft frame.) ranging front 1 to 30 s. They are associated with strong magnetic field fluctuations with amplitudes of 10-40 nT which lie predominantly ill the plane of the plasma sheet and are perpendicular to the local magnetic field. The Poynting flux associated with the perturbation fields measured at these altitudes is about 1-2 ergs per square centimeters per second and is directed along the average magnetic field direction toward the ionosphere. If the measured Poynting flux is mapped to ionospheric altitudes along converging magnetic field lines. the resulting energy flux ranges up to 100 ergs per centimeter squared per second. These strongly enhanced Poynting fluxes appear to occur in layers which are observed when the spacecraft is magnetically conjugate (to within a 1 degree mapping accuracy) to intense auroral structures as detected by the Polar UV Imager (UVI). The electron energy flux (averaged over a spatial resolution of 0.5 degrees) deposited in the ionosphere due to auroral electron beams as estimated from the intensity in the UVI Lyman-Birge-Hopfield-long filters is 15-30 ergs per centimeter squared per second. Thus there is evidence that these electric field structures provide sufficient Poynting flux to power the acceleration of auroral electrons (as well as the energization of upflowing ions and Joule heating of the ionosphere). During some events the phasing and ratio of the transverse electric and magnetic field variations are consistent with earthward propagation of Alfven surface waves with phase velocities of 4000-10000 kilometers per second. During other events the phase shifts between electric and magnetic fields suggest interference between upward and downward propagating Alfven waves. The E/B ratios are about an order of magnitude larger than typical values of C/SIGMA(sub p), where SIGMA(sub p), is the height integrated Pedersen conductivity. The contribution to the total energy flux at these altitudes from Poynting flux associated with Alfven waves is comparable to or larger than the contribution from the particle energy flux and 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that estimated from the large-scale steady state convection electric field and field-aligned current system.

Polar spacecraft based comparisons of intense electric fields and Poynting flux near and within the plasma sheet-tail lobe boundary to UVI images: An energy source for the aurora

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wygant, J. R.; Keiling, A.; Cattell, C. A.; Johnson, M.; Lysak, R. L.; Temerin, M.; Mozer, F. S.; Kletzing, C. A.; Scudder, J. D.; Peterson, W.; Russell, C. T.; Parks, G.; Brittnacher, M.; Germany, G.; Spann, J.

2000-08-01

In this paper, we present measurements from two passes of the Polar spacecraft of intense electric and magnetic field structures associated with Alfven waves at and within the outer boundary of the plasma sheet at geocentric distances of 4-6 RE near local midnight. The electric field variations have maximum values exceeding 100 mV/m and are typically polarized approximately normal to the plasma sheet boundary. The electric field structures investigated vary over timescales (in the spacecraft frame) ranging from 1 to 30 s. They are associated with strong magnetic field fluctuations with amplitudes of 10-40 nT which lie predominantly in the plane of the plasma sheet and are perpendicular to the local magnetic field. The Poynting flux associated with the perturbation fields measured at these altitudes is about 1-2 ergs cm-2 s-1 and is directed along the average magnetic field direction toward the ionosphere. If the measured Poynting flux is mapped to ionospheric altitudes along converging magnetic field lines, the resulting energy flux ranges up to 100 ergs cm-2s-1. These strongly enhanced Poynting fluxes appear to occur in layers which are observed when the spacecraft is magnetically conjugate (to within a 1° mapping accuracy) to intense auroral structures as detected by the Polar UV Imager (UVI). The electron energy flux (averaged over a spatial resolution of 0.5° ) deposited in the ionosphere due to auroral electron beams as estimated from the intensity in the UVI Lyman-Birge-Hopfield-long filters is 15-30 ergs cm-2s-1. Thus there is evidence that these electric field structures provide sufficient Poynting flux to power the acceleration of auroral electrons (as well as the energization of upflowing ions and Joule heating of the ionosphere). During some events the phasing and ratio of the transverse electric and magnetic field variations are consistent with earthward propagation of Alfven surface waves with phase velocities of 4000-10000 km/s. During other events the phase shifts between electric and magnetic fields suggest interference between upward and downward propagating Alfven waves. The E/B ratios are about an order of magnitude larger than typical values of c/Σp, where Σp is the height integrated Pedersen conductivity. The contribution to the total energy flux at these altitudes from Poynting flux associated with Alfven waves is comparable to or larger than the contribution from the particle energy flux and 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that estimated from the large-scale steady state convection electric field and field-aligned current system.
Educating Engineers: Designing for the Future of the Field. Book Highlights

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheppard, Sheri D.; Macatangay, Kelly; Colby, Anne; Sullivan, William M.

2008-01-01

This multi-year study of undergraduate engineering education in the United States initiated questions about the alignment of engineering programs with the demands of current professional engineering practice. While describing engineering education from within the classroom and the lab, the report on the study offers new possibilities for teaching…
Multi-Level Alignment Model: Transforming Face-to-Face into E-Instructional Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byers, Celina

2005-01-01

Purpose--To suggest to others in the field an approach equally valid for transforming existing courses into online courses and for creating new online courses. Design/methodology/approach--Using the literature for substantiation, this article discusses the current rapid change within organizations, the role of technology in that change, and the…
A case study of lightning attachment to flat ground showing multiple unconnected upward leaders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cummins, Kenneth L.; Krider, E. Philip; Olbinski, Mike; Holle, Ronald L.

2018-04-01

On 10 July 2015, a cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash that produced two ground terminations was photographed from inside the safety of a truck in southern New Mexico. An analysis of archived NLDN data verified that this was a two-stroke flash, and a close-up view of the first stroke shows that it also initiated at least 12 unconnected, upward leaders (or "streamers") near the ground termination. No unconnected upward leaders were seen near the second ground attachment. After combining an analysis of the photograph with information provided by the NLDN, we infer that the first stroke was of negative (normal) polarity, had modest peak current, and struck about 460 m (± 24%) from the camera. Attachment occurred when an upward-propagating positive leader reached an inferred height of about 21 m above local ground. The second stroke struck ground about 740 m from the camera, and the height of its attachment leader is estimated to be 15 m. The estimated lengths of the unconnected upward leaders in the two-dimensional (2-D) plane of the first stroke range from 2 to 8 m, and all appear to be located within 15 m (2-D) of the main ground termination, with 24% uncertainty. Many of the unconnected upward leaders (inferred to be positive) exhibit multiple upward branches, and most of those branches have upward-directed forks or splits at their ends. This is the first report showing such extensive branching for positive upward leaders in natural lightning strikes to ground. None of the upward leaders can be seen to emanate from the tops of tall, isolated, or pointed objects on the ground, but they likely begin on small plants and rocks, or flat ground. In terms of lightning safety, this photo demonstrates that numerous upward leaders can be produced near a lightning strike point and have the potential to damage or cause injury at more than one specific point on the ground.
Seasonal and Temporal Variations of Field-Aligned Currents and Ground Magnetic Deflections During Substorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forsyth, C.; Shortt, M.; Coxon, J. C.; Rae, I. J.; Freeman, M. P.; Kalmoni, N. M. E.; Jackman, C. M.; Anderson, B. J.; Milan, S. E.; Burrell, A. G.

2018-04-01

Field-aligned currents (FACs), also known as Birkeland currents, are the agents by which energy and momentum are transferred to the ionosphere from the magnetosphere and solar wind. This coupling is enhanced at substorm onset through the formation of the substorm current wedge. Using FAC data from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment and substorm expansion phase onsets identified using the Substorm Onsets and Phases from Indices of the Electrojet technique, we examine the Northern Hemisphere FACs in all local time sectors with respect to substorm onset and subdivided by season. Our results show that while there is a strong seasonal dependence on the underlying FACs, the increase in FACs following substorm onset only varies by 10% with season, with substorms increasing the hemispheric FACs by 420 kA on average. Over an hour prior to substorm onset, the dayside currents in the postnoon quadrant increase linearly, whereas the nightside currents show a linear increase starting 20-30 min before onset. After onset, the nightside Region 1, Region 2, and nonlocally closed currents and the SuperMAG AL (SML) index follow the Weimer (1994, https://doi.org/10.1029/93JA02721) model with the same time constants in each season. These results contrast earlier contradictory studies that indicate that substorms are either longer in the summer or decay faster in the summer. Our results imply that, on average, substorm FACs do not change with season but that their relative impact on the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system does due to the changes in the underlying currents.
Japanese MAGSAT team

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fukushima, N.; Maeda, H.; Yukutake, T.; Tanaka, M.; Miyazaki, Y.; Oshima, S.; Ogawa, K.; Kawamura, M.; Uyeda, S.; Kobayashi, K.

1982-01-01

Construction of a model of the regional magnetic field and investigation of the local magnetic anomalies and their origin were approaches used in attempts to study the crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic bases. Spatial properties of the regional magnetic field and comparison of the regional model with that derived from MAGSAT data are discussed. Possible causes of the magnetic anomalies, and results of aeromagnetic surveys incorporating gravity and seismic data are explored. Ionospheric and magnetospheric contributions to geomagnetic variations, field-aligned currents, magnetic geomagnetic pulsations, and hydromagnetic waves by analysis of MAGSAT data are also examined.
Collisionless dissipation in quasi-perpendicular shocks. [in terresrial bow waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forslund, D. W.; Quest, K. B.; Brackbill, J. U.; Lee, K.

1984-01-01

Microscopic dissipation processes in quasi-perpendicular shocks are studied by two-dimensional plasma simulations in which electrons and ions are treated as particles moving in self-consistent electric and magnetic fields. Cross-field currents induce substantial turbulence at the shock front reducing the reflected ion fraction, increasing the bulk ion temperature behind the shock, doubling the average magnetic ramp thickness, and enhancing the upstream field aligned electron heat flow. The short scale length magnetic fluctuations observed in the bow shock are probably associated with this turbulence.
Substorm Birkeland currents and Cowling channels in the ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujii, R.

2016-12-01

Field-aligned current (FAC) connects electromagnetically the ionosphere with the magnetosphere and plays important roles on dynamics and energetics in the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. In particular, connections between FACs in the ionosphere give important information on various current sources in the magnetosphere and the linkage between them, although the connection between FACs in the ionosphere does not straightforwardly give that in the magnetosphere. FACs in the ionosphere are closed to each other through ionospheric currents determined with the electric field and the Hall and Pedersen conductivities. The electric field and the conductivities are not independently distributed, but rather they are harmonized with each other spatially and temporarily in a physically consistent manner to give a certain FAC. In particular, the divergence of the Hall current due to the inhomogeneity of the Hall conductivity either flows in/out to the magnetosphere as a secondary FAC or accumulates excess charges that produce a secondary electric field. This electric field drives a current circuit connecting the Hall current with the Pedersen current; a Cowling channel current circuit. The FAC (the electric field) we observe is the sum of the primary and secondary FACs (electric fields). The talk will present characteristics of FACs and associated electric field and auroras during substorms, and the ionospheric current closures between the FACs. A statistical study has shown that the majority of region 1 currents are connected to their adjacent region 2 or region 0 currents, indicating the Pedersen current closure rather than the Hall current closure is dominant. On the other hand, the Pedersen currents associated with surge and substorm-related auroras often are connected to the Hall currents, forming a Cowling channel current circuit within the ionosphere.
Global modeling of storm-time thermospheric dynamics and electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuller-Rowell, T. J.; Richmond, A. D.; Maruyama, N.

Understanding the neutral dynamic and electrodynamic response of the upper atmosphere to geomagnetic storms, and quantifying the balance between prompt penetration and disturbance dynamo effects, are two of the significant challenges facing us today. This paper reviews our understanding of the dynamical and electrodynamic response of the upper atmosphere to storms from a modeling perspective. After injection of momentum and energy at high latitude during a geomagnetic storm, the neutral winds begin to respond almost immediately. The high-latitude wind system evolves quickly by the action of ion drag and the injection of kinetic energy; however, Joule dissipation provides the bulk of the energy source to change the dynamics and electrodynamics globally. Impulsive energy injection at high latitudes drives large-scale gravity waves that propagate globally. The waves transmit pressure gradients initiating a change in the global circulation. Numerical simulations of the coupled thermosphere, ionosphere, plasmasphere, and electrodynamic response to storms indicate that although the wind and waves are dynamic, with significant apparent "sloshing" between the hemispheres, the net effect is for an increased equatorward wind. The dynamic changes during a storm provide the conduit for many of the physical processes that ensue in the upper atmosphere. For instance, the increased meridional winds at mid latitudes push plasma parallel to the magnetic field to regions of different composition. The global circulation carries molecular rich air from the lower thermosphere upward and equatorward, changing the ratio of atomic and molecular neutral species, and changing loss rates for the ionosphere. The storm wind system also drives the disturbance dynamo, which through plasma transport modifies the strength and location of the equatorial ionization anomaly peaks. On a global scale, the increased equatorward meridional winds, and the generation of zonal winds at mid latitudes via the Coriolis effects, produce a current system opposing the normal quiet-time Sq current system. At the equator, the storm-time zonal electric fields reduce or reverse the normal upward and downward plasma drift on the dayside and nightside, respectively. In the numerical simulations, on the dayside, the disturbance dynamo appears fairly uniform, whereas at night a stronger local time dependence is apparent with increased upward drift between midnight and dawn. The simulations also indicate the possibility for a rapid dynamo response at the equator, within 2 h of storm onset, before the arrival of the large-scale gravity waves. All these wind-driven processes can result in dramatic ionospheric changes during storms. The disturbance dynamo can combine and interact with the prompt penetration of magnetospheric electric fields to the equator.
Field gradients can control the alignment of nanorods.

PubMed

Ooi, Chinchun; Yellen, Benjamin B

2008-08-19

This work is motivated by the unexpected experimental observation that field gradients can control the alignment of nonmagnetic nanorods immersed inside magnetic fluids. In the presence of local field gradients, nanorods were observed to align perpendicular to the external field at low field strengths, but parallel to the external field at high field strengths. The switching behavior results from the competition between a preference to align with the external field (orientational potential energy) and preference to move into regions of minimum magnetic field (positional potential energy). A theoretical model is developed to explain this experimental behavior by investigating the statistics of nanorod alignment as a function of both the external uniform magnetic field strength and the local magnetic field variation above a periodic array of micromagnets. Computational phase diagrams are developed which indicate that the relative population of nanorods in parallel and perpendicular states can be adjusted through several control parameters. However, an energy barrier to rotation was discovered to influence the rate kinetics and restrict the utility of this assembly technique to nanorods which are slightly shorter than the micromagnet length. Experimental results concerning the orientation of nanorods inside magnetic fluid are also presented and shown to be in strong agreement with the theoretical work.
Middle atmospheric electrodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelley, M. C.

1983-01-01

A review is presented of the advances made during the last few years with respect to the study of the electrodynamics in the earth's middle atmosphere. In a report of the experimental work conducted, attention is given to large middle atmospheric electric fields, the downward coupling of high altitude processes into the middle atmosphere, and upward coupling of tropospheric processes into the middle atmosphere. It is pointed out that new developments in tethered balloons and superpressure balloons should greatly increase the measurement duration of earth-ionospheric potential measurements and of stratospheric electric field measurements in the next few years. Theoretical work considered provides an excellent starting point for study of upward coupling of transient and dc electric fields. Hays and Roble (1979) were the first to construct a model which included orographic features as well as the classical thunderstorm generator.

Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.