Publications

2013

In situ observations of high-Mach number collisionless shocks in space plasmas
- Masters A.
- Stawarz L.
- Fujimoto M.
- Schwartz S. J.
- Sergis N.
- Thomsen M. F.
- Retinò Alessandro
- Hasegawa H.
- Zieger B.
- Lewis G. R.
- Coates A. J.
- Canu Patrick
- Dougherty M. K.
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, IOP Publishing, 2013, 55 (12), pp.124035. Shock waves are widespread in collisionless space plasmas throughout the Universe. How particles are accelerated at these shocks has been the subject of much research attention. The dominant source of the high-energy particles that pervade our Galaxy (cosmic rays) is thought to be the high-Mach number collisionless shocks that form around young supernova remnants, but it is unclear how much the lower Mach number collisionless shock waves frequently encountered by spacecraft in Solar System space plasmas can tell us about particle acceleration in the higher Mach number regime. Here we review recent studies of the shock wave that stands in the solar wind in front of the planet Saturn (Saturn's bow shock), based on Cassini spacecraft observations. This review represents a new direction of shock physics research, with the potential to bridge the gap between Solar System and astrophysical shocks. These studies have confirmed that Saturn's bow shock is one of the strongest shocks in the Solar System, and a recent discovery indicates that electron acceleration at high-Mach numbers may occur irrespective of the upstream magnetic field geometry. This is important because astrophysical shocks can often only be studied remotely via emissions associated with accelerated electrons. We discuss possible future directions of this emerging sub-field of collisionless space plasma shock physics. (10.1088/0741-3335/55/12/124035)
DOI : 10.1088/0741-3335/55/12/124035
Reinterpretation of Slowdown of Solar Wind Mean Velocity in Nonlinear Structures Observed Upstream of Earth's Bow Shock
- Parks G. K.
- Lee E.
- Lin N.
- Fu S. Y.
- Mccarthy M.
- Cao J.B.
- Hong J.
- Liu Y.
- Shi J. K.
- Goldstein M. L.
- Canu Patrick
- Dandouras I.
- Rème H.
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Bristol : IOP Publishing, 2013, 771, pp.L39. Two of the many features associated with nonlinear upstream structures are (1) the solar wind (SW) mean flow slows down and deviates substantially and (2) the temperature of the plasma increases in the structure. In this Letter, we show that the SW beam can be present throughout the entire upstream event maintaining a nearly constant beam velocity and temperature. The decrease of the velocity is due to the appearance of new particles moving in the opposite direction that act against the SW beam and reduce the mean velocity as computed via moments. The new population, which occupies a larger velocity space, also contributes to the second moment, increasing the temperature. The new particles include the reflected SW beam at the bow shock and another population of lower energies, accelerated nearby at the shock or at the boundary of the nonlinear structures. (10.1088/2041-8205/771/2/L39)
DOI : 10.1088/2041-8205/771/2/L39
Vibrational relaxation of N2 on catalytic surfaces studied by infrared titration with time resolved Quantum Cascade Laser diagnostics
- Marinov Daniil
- Guaitella Olivier
- Lopatik D.
- Hübner M.
- Ionikh Y.
- Roepcke J.
- Rousseau Antoine
, 2013.
Hysteresis effects in the formation of a neutralizing beam plasma at low ion energy
- Rafalskyi D.V.
- Aanesland Ane
EPL - Europhysics Letters, European Physical Society / EDP Sciences / Società Italiana di Fisica / IOP Publishing, 2013, 104 (3), pp.35004. In this paper, the PEGASES II thruster prototype is used as an ion source generating low-energy positive Ar ion beam, extracted without an external neutralizer. The ions are extracted and accelerated from the source using a two-grid system. The extracted positive ion beam current is measured on a large beam target that can be translated along the acceleration axis. The ion beam current shows a stepwise transition from a low-current to a high-current extraction regime with hysteresis. The hysteresis region depends strongly upon the beam target position. Langmuir probe measurements in the plume show high plasma potentials and low plasma densities in the low-current mode, while the plasma potential drops and the density increases in the high-current mode. The ion energy distribution functions of the beam are measured for different regimes of ion extraction. The ion beam extracted in the high-current mode is indicated by the presence of an additional low-energy peak corresponding to ions from an ion-beam plasma created in the downstream chamber, as well as 1020 times higher intensity of the primary ion beam peak. The hysteresis behavior is explained by the formation of a downstream neutralizing beam plasma, that depends on the target position and pressure in agreement with a Paschen-like breakdown by secondary electrons. The obtained results are of high relevance for further development of the PEGASES thruster, as well as for improving existing neutralizer-free concepts of the broad-beam ion sources. (10.1209/0295-5075/104/35004)
DOI : 10.1209/0295-5075/104/35004
On the reactivity of plasma-treated photo-catalytic TiO2 surfaces for oxidation of C2H2 and CO
- Lopatik D.
- Marinov Daniil
- Guaitella Olivier
- Rousseau Antoine
- Roepcke J.
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, IOP Publishing, 2013, 46, pp.255203. The objective of this study is to understand fundamental aspects of interactions of plasmas with catalytic surfaces. Based on this approach the reactivity of plasma treated and stimulated catalytic surfaces of TiO2 is studied by analysing the oxidation (i) of C2H2 to CO and CO2 and (ii) of CO to CO2. The inner surface of a Pyrex discharge tube is coated with TiO2 films impregnated with TiO2 nanoparticles, which provides a surface area of about 4 m2. In addition to the exposure of the TiO2 surface by low-pressure radio-frequency plasmas using O2, Ar or N2 (f = 13.56 MHz, p = 0.53 mbar, P = 17 W) the surfaces are stimulated by heating and UV radiation treatment. The temporal development of the concentrations of the precursor gases C2H2 or CO and of the reaction products is monitored using quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy, which provides multi-component detection in the mid-infrared spectral range. The C2H2 concentration was found to be nearly constant over time after a pre-treatment with Ar or N2 discharges using an initial gas mixture of 1% C2H2 in Ar. However, a strong decay of the concentration of C2H2 is observed for pure O2 plasma pre-treatment. In general, the decay is found to be nearly exponential with time constant in the order of about 10 min. The reactive adsorption of C2H2 molecules on the inner surface of the tube reactor showed a density of about 7.5 × 1012 C2H2 molecules cm−2. This behaviour demonstrates that the reaction (\rm O_\rm ads \rm C_2 \rm H_2)_\rm TiO_2 produces some adsorbed intermediates, which can be thermally or photo-catalytically oxidized to CO2. In contrast, when 1% CO in Ar is used as an initial gas mixture no adsorption processes on the TiO2 surface could be detected. An effective destruction of CO took part via photo-catalytic oxidation. (10.1088/0022-3727/46/25/255203)
DOI : 10.1088/0022-3727/46/25/255203
Cell death induced on cell cultures and nude mouse skin by non-thermal, nanosecond-pulsed generated plasma
- Duval Arnaud
- Marinov Ilya
- Bousquet Guilhem
- Gapihan Guillaume
- Starikovskaia Svetlana
- Rousseau Antoine
- Janin Anne
PLoS ONE, Public Library of Science, 2013, 8 (12), pp.e83001. Non-thermal plasmas are gaseous mixtures of molecules, radicals, and excited species with a small proportion of ions and energetic electrons. Non-thermal plasmas can be generated with any high electro-magnetic field. We studied here the pathological effects, and in particular cell death, induced by nanosecond-pulsed high voltage generated plasmas homogeneously applied on cell cultures and nude mouse skin. In vitro, Jurkat cells and HMEC exhibited apoptosis and necrosis, in dose-dependent manner. In vivo, on nude mouse skin, cell death occurred for doses above 113 J/cm(2) for the epidermis, 281 J/cm(2) for the dermis, and 394 J/cm(2) for the hypodermis. Using electron microscopy, we characterized apoptosis for low doses and necrosis for high doses. We demonstrated that these effects were not related to thermal, photonic or pH variations, and were due to the production of free radicals. The ability of cold plasmas to generate apoptosis on cells in suspension and, without any sensitizer, on precise skin areas, opens new fields of application in dermatology for extracorporeal blood cell treatment and the eradication of superficial skin lesions. (10.1371/journal.pone.0083001)
DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0083001
Controlled deposition of sulphur-containing semiconductor and dielectric nano-structured films on metals in SF6 ion-ion plasma
- Rafalskyi D.V.
- Bredin Jérôme
- Aanesland Ane
Journal of Applied Physics, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 114 (21), pp.213303. In the present paper, the deposition processes and formation of films in SF6 ion-ion plasma, with positive and negative ion flows accelerated to the surface, are investigated. The PEGASES (acronym for Plasma Propulsion with Electronegative GASES) source is used as an ion-ion plasma source capable of generating almost ideal ion-ion plasma with negative ion to electron density ratio more than 2500. It is shown that film deposition in SF6 ion-ion plasma is very sensitive to the polarity of the incoming ions. The effect is observed for Cu, W, and Pt materials. The films formed on Cu electrodes during negative and positive ion assisted deposition were analyzed. Scanning electron microscope analysis has shown that both positive and negative ion fluxes influence the copper surface and leads to film formation, but with different structures of the surface: the low-energy positive ion bombardment causes the formation of a nano-pored film transparent for ions, while the negative ion bombardment leads to a continuous smooth insulating film. The transversal size of the pores in the porous film varies in the range 50500 nm, and further analysis of the film has shown that the film forms a diode together with the substrate preventing positive charge drain, and positive ions are neutralized by passing through the nano-pores. The film obtained with the negative ion bombardment has an insulating surface, but probably with a multi-layer structure: destroying the top surface layer allows to measure similar diode IV-characteristics as for the nano-pored film case. Basing on results, practical conclusions for the probes and electrodes cleaning in ion-ion SF6 plasmas have been made. Different applications are proposed for the discovered features of the controlled deposition from ion-ion plasmas, from Li-sulphur rechargeable batteries manufacturing and nanofluidics issues to the applications for microelectronics, including low-k materials formation. (10.1063/1.4842915)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4842915
Progress on theoretical issues in modelling turbulent transport
- Kosuga Y.
- Diamond P.H.
- Wang L.
- Gürcan Özgür D.
- Hahm T.S.
Nuclear Fusion, IOP Publishing, 2013, 53 (4), pp.043008. We discuss theoretical progress in turbulent transport modelling in tokamaks. In particular, we address issues that the conventional quasilinear type calculation cannot confront, such as (i) the nature of turbulence in the edge-core coupling region of tokamaks (i.e. the so-called no mans land'), and the dynamics of incoming structures coupled to zonal flows, (ii) nonlinear dynamics of zonal flows and (iii) transport by drift wave turbulence with strong waveparticle interaction. A unifying theme of these studies is their formulation in terms of the phase space density correlation evolution. (10.1088/0029-5515/53/4/043008)
DOI : 10.1088/0029-5515/53/4/043008
How the Propagation of Heat-Flux Modulations Triggers ExB Flow Pattern Formation
- Kosuga Y.
- Diamond P.H.
- Gürcan Özgür D.
Physical Review Letters, American Physical Society, 2013, 110, pp.105002. We propose a novel mechanism to describe E×B flow pattern formation based upon the dynamics of propagation of heat-flux modulations. The E×B flows of interest are staircases, which are quasiregular patterns of strong, localized shear layers and profile corrugations interspersed between regions of avalanching. An analogy of staircase formation to jam formation in traffic flow is used to develop an extended model of heat avalanche dynamics. The extension includes a flux response time, during which the instantaneous heat flux relaxes to the mean heat flux, determined by symmetry constraints. The response time introduced here is the counterpart of the drivers response time in traffic, during which drivers adjust their speed to match the background traffic flow. The finite response time causes the growth of mesoscale temperature perturbations, which evolve to form profile corrugations. The length scale associated with the maximum growth rate scales as Δ2∼(vthi/λTi)ρi√χneoτ, where λTi is a typical heat pulse speed, χneo is the neoclassical thermal diffusivity, and τ is the response time of the heat flux. The connection between the scale length Δ2 and the staircase interstep scale is discussed. (10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.105002)
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.105002
Transport of radial heat flux and second sound in fusion plasmas
- Gürcan Özgür D.
- Diamond P.H.
- Garbet X.
- Berionni Vincent
- Dif-Pradalier Guilhem
- Hennequin Pascale
- Morel Pierre
- Kosuga Y.
- Vermare Laure
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 20, pp.022307. Simple flux-gradient relations that involve time delay and radial coupling are discussed. Such a formulation leads to a rather simple description of avalanches and may explain breaking of gyroBohm transport scaling. The generalization of the flux-gradient relation (i.e., constitutive relation), which involve both time delay and spatial coupling, is derived from drift-kinetic equation, leading to kinetic definitions of constitutive elements such as the flux of radial heat flux. This allows numerical simulations to compute these cubic quantities directly. The formulation introduced here can be viewed as an extension of turbulence spreading to include the effect of spreading of cross-phase as well as turbulence intensity, combined in such a way to give the flux. The link between turbulence spreading and entropy production is highlighted. An extension of this formulation to general quasi-linear theory for the distribution function in the phase space of radial position and parallel velocity is also discussed. (10.1063/1.4792161)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4792161
In Situ Cassini Spacecraft Observations of Turbulence in Saturn's Magnetosheath
- Hadid L. Z.
- Sahraoui Fouad
- Retinò Alessandro
- Modolo Ronan
- Canu Patrick
- Jackman C. M.
- Masters A.
- Dougherty M. K.
- Gurnett D. A.
, 2013, 8, pp.EPSC2013-1056. Throughout this work we investigate, the properties of turbulence in the Magnetosheath of Saturn. To do so, we computed Power Spectral Densities (PSD) based on Cassini interplanetary magnetic field data between 2004 and 2007. As a preliminary result, we show the absence of the Kolmogorov scale ~ f-5/3 in the inertial range whereas only the f-1 scale is present.
A study of helium atmospheric-pressure guided streamers for potential biological applications
- Gazeli Kristacq
- Noel Cédric
- Clement Franck
- Dauge C.
- Svarnas P.
- Belmonte Thierry
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2013, 22 (2), pp.025020. The origin of differences in the rotational temperatures of various molecules and ions (N-2(+)(B), OH(A) and N-2(C)) is studied in helium atmospheric-pressure guided streamers. The rotational temperature of N-2(+)(B) is room temperature. It is estimated from the emission band of the first negative system at 391.4 nm, and it is governed by the temperature of N-2(X) in the surrounding air. N-2(X) is ionized by direct electron impact in the outer part of the plasma. N-2(+)(B) is deactivated by collisions with N-2 and O-2. The rotational temperature of OH(A), estimated from the OH band at 306.4 nm, is slightly higher than that of N-2(+)(B). OH(A) is excited by electron impact with H2O during the first 100 ns of the applied voltage pulse. Next, OH(A) is produced by electron impact with OH(X) created by the quenching of OH(A) by N-2 and O-2. H2O diffuses deeper than N-2 into the plasma ring and the rotational temperature of OH(A) is slightly higher than that of N-2(+)(B). The rotational temperature of N-2(C), estimated from the emission of the second positive system at 315.9 nm, is governed by its collisions with helium. The gas temperature of helium at the beginning of the pulse is predicted to be several hundred kelvin higher than room temperature. (10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025020)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025020
Atmospheric Pressure Townsend Discharges in nitrogen with small admixtures of oxygen: discussion on the origin of the memory effect
- Naudé Nicolas
- Bouzidi Mohamed Cherif
- Dang V.S.
- Dang van Sung Mussard Marguerite
- Puechagut Loïc
- Belinger Antoine
- Ségur Pierre
- Gherardi Nicolas
, 2013.
Direction for the future - Successive acceleration of positive and negative ions applied to space propulsion
- Aanesland Ane
- Bredin Jérôme
- Popelier Lara
- Chabert Pascal
, 2013 (CERN-2013-007).
Radiation from Ag High Energy Density Z-pinch Plasmas with Applications to Lasing
- Weller M. E.
- Safronova Alla S.
- Kantsyrev Viktor L.
- Esaulov A. A.
- Shrestha Ishor
- Apruzese J. P.
- Giuliani J. L.
- Chuvatin Alexandre S.
- Stafford A.
- Keim S. F.
- Shlyaptseva V. V.
- Osborne Glenn C.
- Petkov E. E.
, 2013.
ROLE OF REACTOR CAPACITANCE ON THE PROPAGATION OF IONISATION WAVES
- Guaitella Olivier
- Sobota Ana
- Rousseau Antoine
, 2013.
Azimuthal directions of equatorial noise propagation determined using 10 years of data from the Cluster spacecraft
- Nemec F.
- Santolík O.
- Pickett J. S.
- Hrbackova Z.
- Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2013, 118, pp.7160-7169. Equatorial noise (EN) emissions are electromagnetic waves at frequencies between the proton cyclotron frequency and the lower hybrid frequency routinely observed within a few degrees of the geomagnetic equator at radial distances from about 2 to 6 RE. They propagate in the extraordinary (fast magnetosonic) mode nearly perpendicularly to the ambient magnetic field. We conduct a systematic analysis of azimuthal directions of wave propagation, using all available Cluster data from 2001 to 2010. Altogether, combined measurements of the Wide-Band Data and Spectrum Analyzer of the Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations instruments allowed us to determine azimuthal angle of wave propagation for more than 100 EN events. It is found that the observed propagation pattern is mostly related to the plasmapause location. While principally isotropic azimuthal directions of EN propagation were detected inside the plasmasphere, wave propagation in the plasma trough was predominantly found directed to the West or East, perpendicular to the radial direction. The observed propagation pattern can be explained using a simple propagation analysis, assuming that the emissions are generated close to the plasmapause. (10.1002/2013JA019373)
DOI : 10.1002/2013JA019373
A double-plasma source of continuous bipolar ion-ion beam
- Dudin S.V.
- Rafalskyi D.V.
Applied Physics Letters, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 102, pp.034102. A double-plasma source capable of the generation of a continuous bipolar ion-ion beam is described. The quasi-neutral ion-ion flow to an extraction electrode is formed in the system containing primary inductively coupled plasma separated from a secondary plasma by an electrostatic grid-type filter. The total current of each ion species to the 250 mm diameter extraction electrode is about 80 mA; the electron current does not exceed 30% of the ion current. Method of positive/negative ion current ratio control is proposed, allowing the ion currents ratio variation in wide range. (10.1063/1.4788711)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4788711
Normal regime of the weak-current mode of an rf capacitive discharge
- Lisovskiy V. A.
- Yegorenkov V. D.
- Artushenko E.
- Booth Jean-Paul
- Martins S.
- Landry K.
- Douai D.
- Cassagne V.
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2013, 22 (1), pp.015018. This paper studies the normal and abnormal regimes of a weak-current rf discharge in ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen and N 2 O for the rf electric field frequencies of 13.56 and 27.12 MHz. We reveal that only the abnormal regime of burning is observed at low pressures when the current growth is accompanied by an rf voltage increase while the surface of the electrodes is completely covered with the discharge. The normal regime occurs at higher gas pressures when the current growth is due to the increase in the surface area occupied by the discharge on the electrodes. The discharge burns in the abnormal mode after the surface of the electrodes is completely covered with the discharge. We demonstrate that the normal current density is directly proportional to the gas pressure and it depends approximately on the square of the rf electric field frequency. We present an analytical model for two limiting cases: constant free path length and constant mobility of positive ions furnishing a satisfactory description of the experimental data. (10.1088/0963-0252/22/1/015018)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/22/1/015018
Particle-in-cell simulation of an electronegative plasma under direct current bias studied in a large range of electronegativity
- Oudini N.
- Raimbault Jean-Luc
- Chabert Pascal
- Meige A.
- Aanesland Ane
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 20, pp.043501. A one-dimensional electronegative plasma situated between two symmetrical parallel electrodes under DC bias is studied by Particle-In-Cell simulation with Monte Carlo Collisions. By varying the electronegativity α ≡ n−/ne from the limit of electron-ion plasmas (negative ion free) to ion-ion plasmas (electron free), the sheaths formation, the negative ion flux flowing towards the electrodes, and the particle velocities at the sheath edges are investigated. Depending on α, it is shown that the electronegative plasma behavior can be described by four regimes. In the lowest regime of α, i.e., α < 50, negative ions are confined by two positive sheaths within the plasma, while in the higher regimes of α, a negative sheath is formed and the negative ion flux can be extracted from the bulk plasma. In the two intermediate regimes of α, i.e., 50 < α < 10⁵, both the electron and the negative ion fluxes are involved in the neutralization of the positive ions flux that leaves the plasma. In particular, we show that the velocity of the negative ions entering the negative sheath is affected by the presence of the electrons, and is not given by the modified Bohm velocity generally accepted for electronegative plasmas. For extremely high electronegativity, i.e., α > 10⁵, the presence of electrons in the plasma is marginal and the electronegative plasma can be considered as an ion-ion plasma (electron free). (10.1063/1.4798501)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4798501
Secondary electron induced asymmetry in capacitively coupled plasmas
- Lafleur Trevor
- Chabert Pascal
- Booth Jean-Paul
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, IOP Publishing, 2013, 46, pp.135201. Using a simple analytical model, together with a 1D particle-in-cell simulation, we show that it is possible to generate an asymmetric plasma response in a sinusoidally excited, geometrically symmetric, capacitively coupled plasma (CCP). The asymmetric response is produced using rf electrodes of differing materials, and hence different secondary electron emission coefficients. This asymmetry in the emission coefficients can produce a significant, measurable dc bias voltage (Vbias /Vrf ∼ 00.2), together with an asymmetry in the plasma density profiles and ion flux to each electrode. The dc bias formation can be understood from a particle-flux balance applied to each electrode, and results from two main effects: (1) the larger effective ion flux at each electrode due to the emission of secondary electrons and (2) ion-flux multiplication within the sheath due to ionization from these emitted secondary electrons. By making use of an empirical fit to the simulation data, the possibility of non-invasively estimating secondary electron emission coefficients in CCP systems is discussed. (10.1088/0022-3727/46/13/135201)
DOI : 10.1088/0022-3727/46/13/135201
Absolute atomic oxygen and nitrogen densities in radio-frequency driven atmospheric pressure cold plasmas: Synchrotron vacuum ultra-violet high-resolution Fourier-transform absorption measurements
- Niemi K.
- O'Connell D.
- de Oliveira N.
- Joyeux D.
- Nahon L.
- Booth Jean-Paul
- Gans T.
Applied Physics Letters, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 103 (3), pp.034102. Reactive atomic species play a key role in emerging cold atmospheric pressure plasma applications, in particular, in plasma medicine. Absolute densities of atomic oxygen and atomic nitrogen were measured in a radio-frequency driven non-equilibrium plasma operated at atmospheric pressure using vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) absorption spectroscopy. The experiment was conducted on the DESIRS synchrotron beamline using a unique VUV Fourier-transform spectrometer. Measurements were carried out in plasmas operated in helium with air-like N2/O2 (4:1) admixtures. A maximum in the O-atom concentration of (9.1 ± 0.7)×1020 m−3 was found at admixtures of 0.35 vol. %, while the N-atom concentration exhibits a maximum of (5.7 ± 0.4)×1019 m−3 at 0.1 vol. %. (10.1063/1.4813817)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4813817
Ozone kinetics in low-pressure discharges: vibrationally excited ozone and molecule formation on surfaces
- Marinov Daniil
- Guerra V.
- Guaitella Olivier
- Booth Jean-Paul
- Rousseau Antoine
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2013, 22, pp.055018. A combined experimental and modeling investigation of the ozone kinetics in the afterglow of pulsed direct current discharges in oxygen is carried out. The discharge is generated in a cylindrical silica tube of radius 1 cm, with short pulse durations between 0.5 and 2 ms, pressures in the range 15 Torr and discharge currents ∼40120 mA. Time-resolved absolute concentrations of ground-state atoms and ozone molecules were measured simultaneously in situ, by two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence and ultraviolet absorption, respectively. The experiments were complemented by a self-consistent model developed to interpret the results and, in particular, to evaluate the roles of vibrationally excited ozone and of ozone formation on surfaces. It is found that vibrationally excited ozone, O∗ 3, plays an important role in the ozone kinetics, leading to a decrease in the ozone concentration and an increase in its formation time. In turn, the kinetics of O∗ 3 is strongly coupled with those of atomic oxygen and O2(a 1g) metastables. Ozone formation at the wall does not contribute significantly to the total ozone production under the present conditions. Upper limits for the effective heterogeneous recombination probability of O atoms into ozone are established. (10.1088/0963-0252/22/5/055018)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/22/5/055018
Design and Testing of a Surface Switch for the Dynamic Load Current Multiplier on the SPHINX Microsecond LTD
- Maysonnave Thomas
- Bayol Frédéric
- Demol Gauthier
- d'Almeida Thierry
- Morell Alain
- Lassalle Francis
- Grunenwald Julien
- Chuvatin Alexandre S.
- Pecastaing Laurent
- de Ferron Antoine Silvestre
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2013, 41 (10), pp.2593 - 2599. SPHINX is a microsecond linear transformer driver located at Atomic Energy Comission (CEA) Gramat (France), which can deliver a current pulse of 6 MA within 800 ns in a Z -pinch load. Using the concept of the dynamic load current multiplier (DLCM), which was proposed by Chuvatin, we expect to increase the load current above 6 MA, while decreasing its rise time to ~ 300 ns. The DLCM developed by the CEA Gramat and International Technologies for High Pulsed Power (ITHPP) is a compact system made up of concentric electrodes (autotransformer), a dynamic flux extruder (cylindrical wire array), a vacuum convolute (eight post-hole rods), and a closing switch (compact vacuum surface switch). The latter is a key component of the system, which is used to prevent the current from flowing into the load until the inductance builds up due to the implosion of the wire array. This paper presents the design and testing of the DLCM surface switch, resulting from both electrostatic simulations and experiments on the SPHINX generator. These studies, carried out either with or without load (open circuit), were valuable for a first experimental evaluation of the DLCM scheme in a microsecond regime and provided detailed information on the surface switch behavior. (10.1109/TPS.2013.2245148)
DOI : 10.1109/TPS.2013.2245148
Comparison between hybrid and fully kinetic models of asymmetric magnetic reconnection: Coplanar and guide field configurations
- Aunai Nicolas
- Hesse Michael
- Zenitani Seiji
- Kuznetsova M. M.
- Black Carrie
- Evans Rebekah
- Smets Roch
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2013, 20, pp.022902. Magnetic reconnection occurring in collisionless environments is a multi-scale process involving both ion and electron kinetic processes. Because of their small mass, the electron scales are difficult to resolve in numerical and satellite data, it is therefore critical to know whether the overall evolution of the reconnection process is influenced by the kinetic nature of the electrons, or is unchanged when assuming a simpler, fluid, electron model. This paper investigates this issue in the general context of an asymmetric current sheet, where both the magnetic field amplitude and the density vary through the discontinuity. A comparison is made between fully kinetic and hybrid kinetic simulations of magnetic reconnection in coplanar and guide field systems. The models share the initial condition but differ in their electron modeling. It is found that the overall evolution of the system, including the reconnection rate, is very similar between both models. The best agreement is found in the guide field system, which confines particle better than the coplanar one, where the locality of the moments is violated by the electron bounce motion. It is also shown that, contrary to the common understanding, reconnection is much faster in the guide field system than in the coplanar one. Both models show this tendency, indicating that the phenomenon is driven by ion kinetic effects and not electron ones. (10.1063/1.4792250)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4792250

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