Publications

2014

Theory and Modeling for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission
- Hesse Michael
- Aunai Nicolas
- Birn Joachim
- Cassak P.
- Denton R.~e.
- Drake J. F.
- Gombosi Tamas I.
- Hoshino M.
- Matthaeus W.
- Sibeck David G.
- Zenitani Seiji
Space Science Reviews, Springer Verlag, 2014. The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission will provide measurement capabilities, which will exceed those of earlier and even contemporary missions by orders of magnitude. MMS will, for the first time, be able to measure directly and with sufficient resolution key features of the magnetic reconnection process, down to the critical electron scales, which need to be resolved to understand how reconnection works. Owing to the complexity and extremely high spatial resolution required, no prior measurements exist, which could be employed to guide the definition of measurement requirements, and consequently set essential parameters for mission planning and execution. Insight into expected details of the reconnection process could hence only been obtained from theory and modern kinetic modeling. This situation was recognized early on by MMS leadership, which supported the formation of a fully integrated Theory and Modeling Team (TMT). The TMT participated in all aspects of mission planning, from the proposal stage to individual aspects of instrument performance characteristics. It provided and continues to provide to the mission the latest insights regarding the kinetic physics of magnetic reconnection, as well as associated particle acceleration and turbulence, assuring that, to the best of modern knowledge, the mission is prepared to resolve the inner workings of the magnetic reconnection process. The present paper provides a summary of key recent results or reconnection research by TMT members. (10.1007/s11214-014-0078-y)
DOI : 10.1007/s11214-014-0078-y
CLUSTER-STAFF search coil magnetometer calibration - comparisons with FGM
- Robert Patrick
- Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
- Piberne Rodrigue
- de Conchy Y.
- Lacombe C.
- Bouzid V.
- Grison B.
- Alison Dominique
- Canu Patrick
Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, European Geosciences Union, 2014, 3, pp.153-177. The main part of the Cluster Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations (STAFF) experiment consists of triaxial search coils allowing the measurements of the three magnetic components of the waves from 0.1 Hz up to 4 kHz. Two sets of data are produced, one by a module to filter and transmit the corresponding waveform up to either 10 or 180 Hz (STAFF-SC), and the second by the onboard Spectrum Analyser (STAFF-SA) to compute the elements of the spectral matrix for five components of the waves, 3 × B and 2 × E (from the EFW experiment), in the frequency range 8 Hz to 4 kHz. In order to understand the way the output signals of the search coils are calibrated, the transfer functions of the different parts of the instrument are described as well as the way to transform telemetry data into physical units across various coordinate systems from the spinning sensors to a fixed and known frame. The instrument sensitivity is discussed. Cross-calibration inside STAFF (SC and SA) is presented. Results of cross-calibration between the STAFF search coils and the Cluster Fluxgate Magnetometer (FGM) data are discussed. It is shown that these cross-calibrations lead to an agreement between both data sets at low frequency within a 2% error. By means of statistics done over 10 yr, it is shown that the functionalities and characteristics of both instruments have not changed during this period. (10.5194/gi-3-153-2014)
DOI : 10.5194/gi-3-153-2014
E x B shear pattern formation by radial propagation of heat flux waves
- Kosuga Y.
- Diamond P.H.
- Dif-Pradalier Guilhem
- Gürcan Özgür D.
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21 (5). A novel theory to describe the formation of E x B flow patterns by radially propagating heat flux waves is presented. A model for heat avalanche dynamics is extended to include a finite delay time between the instantaneous heat flux and the mean flux, based on an analogy between heat avalanche dynamics and traffic flow dynamics. The response time introduced here is an analogue of the drivers' response time in traffic dynamics. The microscopic foundation for the time delay is the time for mixing of the phase space density. The inclusion of the finite response time changes the model equation for avalanche dynamics from Burgers equation to a nonlinear telegraph equation. Based on the telegraph equation, the formation of heat flux jams is predicted. The growth rate and typical interval of jams are calculated. The connection of the jam interval to the typical step size of the E x B staircase is discussed. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC. (10.1063/1.4872018)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4872018
Electron energy distributions in a magnetized inductively coupled plasma
- Song Sang-Heon
- Yang Yang
- Chabert Pascal
- Kushner M.J.
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21 (9), pp.093512. Optimizing and controlling electron energy distributions (EEDs) is a continuing goal in plasma materials processing as EEDs determine the rate coefficients for electron impact processes. There are many strategies to customize EEDs in low pressure inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs), for example, pulsing and choice of frequency, to produce the desired plasma properties. Recent experiments have shown that EEDs in low pressure ICPs can be manipulated through the use of static magnetic fields of sufficient magnitudes to magnetize the electrons and confine them to the electromagnetic skin depth. The EED is then a function of the local magnetic field as opposed to having non-local properties in the absence of the magnetic field. In this paper, EEDs in a magnetized inductively coupled plasma (mICP) sustained in Ar are discussed with results from a two-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics model. Results are compared with experimental measurements. We found that the character of the EED transitions from non-local to local with application of the static magnetic field. The reduction in cross-field mobility increases local electron heating in the skin depth and decreases the transport of these hot electrons to larger radii. The tail of the EED is therefore enhanced in the skin depth and depressed at large radii. Plasmas densities are non-monotonic with increasing pressure with the external magnetic field due to transitions between local and non-local kinetics. (10.1063/1.4896711)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4896711
Plasma composition and ion acceleration in the PEGASES thruster
- Renaud D.
- Mazouffre S.
- Aanesland Ane
Space Propulsion, 2014 (2969109).
Ambipolar and non-ambipolar diffusion in an rf plasma source containing a magnetic filter
- Lafleur Trevor
- Aanesland Ane
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21, pp.063510. By placing a magnetic filter across a rectangular plasma source (closed at one end with a ceramic plate and an rf antenna, and terminated at the opposite end by a grounded grid), we experimentally investigate the effect of conducting and insulating source walls on the nature of the plasma diffusion phenomena. The use of a magnetic filter creates a unique plasma, characterized by a high upstream electron temperature (Teu∼5 eV) near the rf antenna and a low downstream electron temperature (Ted∼1 eV) near the grid, which more clearly demonstrates the role of the source wall materials. For conducting walls a net ion current to ground is measured on the grid, and the plasma potential is determined by a mean electron temperature within the source. For insulating walls the plasma potential is determined by the downstream electron temperature (i.e., Vp∼5.2Ted in argon), and the net current to the grid is exactly zero. Furthermore, by inserting a small additional upstream conductor (that can be made floating or grounded through an external circuit switch), we demonstrate that the plasma potential can be controlled and set to a low (Vp∼5.2Ted), or high (Vp∼5.2Teu) value. (10.1063/1.4885109)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4885109
Surface deactivation of vibrationally excited N2 studied using infrared titration combined with quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy
- Marinov Daniil
- Lopatik D.
- Guaitella Olivier
- Ionikh Y.
- Röpcke J.
- Rousseau Antoine
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, IOP Publishing, 2014, 47 (1), pp.015203. The wall de-excitation probability of vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules was determined using infrared (IR) titration with CO, CO 2 and N 2 O. Gas mixtures of N 2 with 0.05?0.5% of CO (CO 2 or N 2 O) were excited by a pulsed dc discharge at p = 133 Pa in a cylindrical discharge tube. During the afterglow, the vibrational relaxation of titrating molecules was monitored in situ with quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy. The value of was deduced from measured vibrational relaxation times using a model of vibrational kinetics in N 2 . It was found that adsorption of IR tracers on the surface may increase the value of by a factor up to two, depending on the molecule and the surface material. It was demonstrated that N 2 O is the most inert and reliable tracer and it was used for the determination of on silica, Pyrex, TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and anodized aluminum. Pretreatment of the silica surface by low-pressure plasma was found to have a strong effect on the vibrational de-excitation. Values of measured after O 2 , Ar and N 2 plasma pretreatment of the same silica discharge tube were 5.7 × 10 ?4 , 8.2 × 10 ?4 and 11 × 10 ?4 , respectively. This study clearly demonstrates that the presence of adsorbed atoms and molecules on the surface may significantly alter the value of . (10.1088/0022-3727/47/1/015203)
DOI : 10.1088/0022-3727/47/1/015203
Experimental characterization of plasma formation and shockwave propagation induced by high power pulsed underwater electrical discharge
- Claverie Alain
- Deroy Julien
- Boustié Michel
- Avrillaud Gilles
- Chuvatin Alexandre S.
- Mazanchenko Ekaterina
- Demol G.
- Dramane B.
Review of Scientific Instruments, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 85 (06), pp.063701. High power pulsed electrical discharges into liquids are investigated for new industrial applications based on the efficiency of controlled shock waves. We present here new experimental data obtained by combination of detailed high speed imaging equipments. It allows the visualization of the very first instants of plasma discharge formation, and then the pulsations of the gaseous bubble with an accurate timing of events. The time history of the expansion/compression of this bubble leads to an estimation of the energy effectively transferred to water during the discharge. Finally, the consecutive shock generation driven by this pulsating bubble is optically monitored by shadowgraphs and schlieren setup. These data provide essential information about the geometrical pattern and chronometry associated with the shock wave generation and propagation. (10.1063/1.4879715)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4879715
Study of gas heating mechanisms in millisecond pulsed discharges and afterglows in air at low pressures
- Pintassilgo C.D.
- Guerra V.
- Guaitella Olivier
- Rousseau Antoine
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2014, 23, pp.025006. A self-consistent model is developed to study the temporal variation of the gas temperature in millisecond single dc pulsed discharges and their afterglows in air-like mixtures (N220%O2) at low pressures. The model is based on the solutions to the time-dependent gas thermal balance equation, under the assumption of a parabolic gas temperature profile across the discharge tube, coupled to the electron, vibrational and chemical kinetics. Modelling results provide a satisfactory explanation for recently published time-resolved experimental data for the gas temperature in a 5 ms pulsed air plasma with a current of 150mA and the corresponding afterglow at a pressure of 133 Pa (1 Torr). It is shown that the main heating mechanisms during the first millisecond of the pulse come predominantly from O2 dissociation by electron impact through the pre-dissociative excited state O2(B 3− u ) and the quenching of nitrogen electronically excited states N2(A 3 u , B 3 g, a 1− u , a 1 g, w 1u) by O2, agreeing with other studies on fast gas heating in air plasmas. As the pulse duration increases, other gas heating sources become important, namely VT N2O energy exchanges, recombination of oxygen atoms at the wall, N2(A) quenching by O(3P) and reaction N(4S) NO(X) → N2(X, v ∼3) O, contributing altogether to an additional smooth increase in the gas temperature until the end of the pulse. In the first instants of the early afterglow, the gas temperature decreases very rapidly as a consequence of the minor role played by electronic collisions and due to a fast decay of N2 electronic states. For afterglow times up to 10 ms, the gas temperature continues to decrease, following the time-dependent kinetics of [N2(X,v)], [N(4S)], [O(3P)] and [NO(X)]. Sensitivity of the model to different input parameters such as thermal accommodation coefficient and probabilities for atomic recombination at the wall are reported. (10.1088/0963-0252/23/2/025006)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/23/2/025006
Finite ballooning angle effects on ion temperature gradient driven mode in gyrokinetic flux tube simulations
- Singh Rameswar
- Brunner Stephan
- Ganesh R.
- Jenko F.
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21 (3), pp.032115. This paper presents effects of finite ballooning angles on linear ion temperature gradient (ITG) driven mode and associated heat and momentum flux in Gyrokinetic flux tube simulation GENE. It is found that zero ballooning angle is not always the one at which the linear growth rate is maximum. The ITG mode acquires a short wavelength (SW) branch (k⊥ρi > 1) when growth rates maximized over all ballooning angles are considered. However, the SW branch disappears on reducing temperature gradient showing characteristics of zero ballooning angle SWITG in case of extremely high temperature gradient. Associated heat flux is even with respect to ballooning angle and maximizes at nonzero ballooning angle while the parallel momentum flux is odd with respect to the ballooning angle. (10.1063/1.4868425)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4868425
Momentum transport in the vicinity of qmin in reverse shear tokamaks due to ion temperature gradient turbulence
- Singh Rameswar
- Singh R.
- Jhang Hogun
- Diamond P.H.
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21 (1), pp.012302. This paper presents effects of finite ballooning angles on linear ion temperature gradient (ITG) driven mode and associated heat and momentum flux in Gyrokinetic flux tube simulation GENE. It is found that zero ballooning angle is not always the one at which the linear growth rate is maximum. The ITG mode acquires a short wavelength (SW) branch (k⊥ρi > 1) when growth rates maximized over all ballooning angles are considered. However, the SW branch disappears on reducing temperature gradient showing characteristics of zero ballooning angle SWITG in case of extremely high temperature gradient. Associated heat flux is even with respect to ballooning angle and maximizes at nonzero ballooning angle while the parallel momentum flux is odd with respect to the ballooning angle. (10.1063/1.4861625)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4861625
The double well mass filter
- Gueroult R
- Fisch Nathaniel J.
- Rax Jean-Marcel
Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 21 (2), pp.020701. Various mass filter concepts based on rotating plasmas have been suggested with the specific purpose of nuclear waste remediation. We report on a new rotating mass filter combining radial separation with axial extraction. The radial separation of the masses is the result of a “double-well” in effective radial potential in rotating plasma with a sheared rotation profile. (10.1063/1.4864325)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4864325
Pulsed discharges in a wide density range: plasma development and media excitation
- Starikovskaia Svetlana
- Starikovskii A.Yu.
, 2014. The Chapter demonstrates the peculiarities of pulsed nonequilibrium plasma generation in different media by nano- and picosecond high-voltage discharges. Fast ionization waves in long tubes at low pressures, streamers and dielectric barrier discharges at moderate and atmospheric pressures, surface dielectric barrier discharges at elevated pressures are considered. Special attention is given to start of picoseconds and nanosecond discharges in liquid media. The data used were consciously restricted to ICCD fast imaging of picoseconds and nanosecond discharges, to underline the dynamics of pulsed discharge development and the importance of spatial distribution of the discharge energy.
A nanosecond surface dieletric barrier discharge in air at high pressure and different polarities of applied pulses. Transition to filamentary mode
- Stepanyan S.A.
- Starikovskiy a Yu
- Popov N.A.
- Starikovskaia Svetlana
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2014, 23 (4), pp.045003. The development of a nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge in air at pressures 16 bar is studied. At atmospheric pressure, the discharge develops as a set of streamers starting synchronously from the high-voltage electrode and propagating along the dielectric layer. Streamers cover the dielectric surface creating a 'quasi-uniform' plasma layer. At high pressures and high voltage amplitudes on the cathode, filamentation of the discharge is observed a few nanoseconds after the discharge starts. Parameters of the observed 'streamers-to-filaments' transition are measured; physics of transition is discussed on the basis of theoretical estimates and numerical modeling. Ionization-heating instability on the boundary of the cathode layer is suggested as a mechanism of filamentation. (10.1088/0963-0252/23/4/045003)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/23/4/045003
Oxidation of isopropanol and acetone adsorbed on TiO2 under plasma generated ozone flow: Gas phase and adsorbed species monitoring
- Barakat Christelle
- Gravejat Paul
- Guaitella Olivier
- Thévenet Frédéric
- Rousseau Antoine
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Elsevier, 2014, 147, pp.302-313. The regeneration of isopropanol (IPA) and/or acetone saturated TiO2 surface by ozone is investigated. TiO2 catalyst is placed downstream a dielectric barrier discharge and is subsequently exposed to ozone considered as the main oxidative species generated by non-thermal plasma and able to interact with the material surface at room temperature. The oxidation of isopropanol and/or acetone is monitored using two parallel and complementary infrared diagnostics: (1) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the analysis of the gas phase composition; and (2) Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy for the in situ analysis of the adsorbent/catalyst surface. In this study, the pollutant is first adsorbed on the TiO2 surface, the plasma being switched off. The irreversibly adsorbed amounts of isopropanol and acetone have been respectively quantified as 5.3 μmol/m2 and 1.9 μmol/m2. In a second step, the plasma is switched on to regenerate the surface by mineralization of the adsorbed organic species. A 70-min plasma phase, with approximately 20 ppm of ozone constantly flowing through the adsorbent bed yields 8.5 nmol and 8.9 nmol of CO2 per injected joule of energy for isopropanol and acetone saturated surfaces, respectively. Acetone has been evidenced as the main oxidation intermediate of isopropanol on TiO2 surface. It has been proven that the complete oxidation of isopropanol and acetone is mainly limited by the acetone oxidation rate. Competitive adsorption on the surface of the catalyst between both compounds has been studied. Results obtained are compared with those observed in the photocatalytic oxidation of the same species. (10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.09.008)
DOI : 10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.09.008
Propagation of lower-band whistler-mode waves in the outer Van Allen belt: Systematic analysis of 11 years of multi-component data from the Cluster spacecraft
- Santolík O.
- Macusova E.
- Kolmasova Ivana
- Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
- Conchy Y.
Geophysical Research Letters, American Geophysical Union, 2014, 41, pp.2729-2737. Lower-band whistler-mode emissions can influence the dynamics of the outer Van Allen radiation belts. We use 11 years of measurements of the STAFF-SA instruments onboard the four Cluster spacecraft to systematically build maps of wave propagation parameters as a function of position. We determine probability distributions of wave vector angle weighted by the wave intensity. The results show that wave vector directions of intense waves are close to a Gaussian-shaped peak centered on the local magnetic field line. The width of this peak is between 10 and 20 degrees. The cumulative percentage of oblique waves is below 1015%. This result is especially significant for an important class of whistler-mode emissions of lower-band chorus at higher latitudes, well outside their source region, where a simple ray tracing model fails and another mechanism is necessary to keep the wave vectors close to the field-aligned direction. (10.1002/2014GL059815)
DOI : 10.1002/2014GL059815
Numerical computation of the modified plasma dispersion function with curvature
- Gürcan Özgür D.
Journal of Computational Physics, Elsevier, 2014, 269, pp.156-167. A particular generalization of the plasma dispersion function, which is linked to the regular plasma dispersion function via recurrence relations is discussed. The generalization allows a fast numerical implementation of a certain two-dimensional integral that appears in the description of the plasma dispersion in curved geometry, by reducing it to a single integral over a function involving the generalized plasma dispersion function. The local dielectric function of the toroidal ion temperature gradient driven mode can be written in terms of these integral functions. A matrix method is proposed to combine the consecutive integrals as a single 1D integral over a single integrand. The method allows two orders of magnitude speed up over the 2D integral implementation. Using various optimizations and an efficient implementation of the regular plasma dispersion function, further speed up is obtained. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (10.1016/j.jcp.2014.03.017)
DOI : 10.1016/j.jcp.2014.03.017
Investigation of drift velocity effects on the EDGE and SOL transport.
- Leybros Robin
- Bufferand H.
- Ciraolo G.
- Fedorczak N.
- Ghendrih Ph.
- Hennequin Pascale
- Marandet Y.
- Serre E.
- Schwander F.
- Tamain P.
, 2014.
A radio-frequency sheath model for complex waveforms
- Turner M.M.
- Chabert Pascal
Applied Physics Letters, American Institute of Physics, 2014, 104 (16), pp.164102. Plasma sheaths driven by radio-frequency voltages occur in contexts ranging from plasma processing to magnetically confined fusion experiments. An analytical understanding of such sheaths is therefore important, both intrinsically and as an element in more elaborate theoretical structures. Radio-frequency sheaths are commonly excited by highly anharmonic waveforms, but no analytical model exists for this general case. We present a mathematically simple sheath model that is in good agreement with earlier models for single frequency excitation, yet can be solved for arbitrary excitation waveforms. As examples, we discuss dual-frequency and pulse-like waveforms. The model employs the ansatz that the time-averaged electron density is a constant fraction of the ion density. In the cases we discuss, the error introduced by this approximation is small, and in general it can be quantified through an internal consistency condition of the model. This simple and accurate model is likely to have wide application. (10.1063/1.4872172)
DOI : 10.1063/1.4872172
Electron heating in capacitively coupled plasmas revisited
- Lafleur Trevor
- Chabert Pascal
- Booth Jean-Paul
Plasma Sources Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, 2014, 23 (3), pp.035010. We revisit the problem of electron heating in capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs), and propose a method for quantifying the level of collisionless and collisional heating in plasma simulations. The proposed procedure, based on the electron mechanical energy conservation equation, is demonstrated with particle-in-cell simulations of a number of single and multi-frequency CCPs operated in regimes of research and industrial interest. In almost all cases tested, the total electron heating is comprised of collisional (ohmic) and pressure heating parts. This latter collisionless component is in qualitative agreement with the mechanism of electron heating predicted from the recent re-evaluation of theoretical models. Finally, in very electrically asymmetric plasmas produced in multi-frequency discharges, we observe an additional collisionless heating mechanism associated with electron inertia. (10.1088/0963-0252/23/3/035010)
DOI : 10.1088/0963-0252/23/3/035010
Theory for helical turbulence under fast rotation
- Galtier Sébastien
Physical Review E, American Physical Society (APS), 2014, 89, pp.41001. Recent numerical simulations have shown the strong impact of helicity on homogeneous rotating hydrodynamic turbulence. The main effect can be summarized through the law n ñ=-4, where n and ñ are the power law indices of the one-dimensional energy and helicity spectra, respectively. We investigate this rotating turbulence problem in the small Rossby number limit by using the asymptotic weak turbulence theory derived previously. We show that the empirical law is an exact solution of the helicity equation where the power law indices correspond to perpendicular (to the rotation axis) wave number spectra. It is proposed that when the cascade towards small scales tends to be dominated by the helicity flux the solution tends to ñ=-2, whereas it is ñ=-3/2 when the energy flux dominates. The latter is compatible with the solution previously observed numerically and derived theoretically in the weak turbulence regime when only the energy equation is used, whereas the former solution is constrained by a locality condition. (10.1103/PhysRevE.89.041001)
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevE.89.041001
Ionospheric disturbance dynamo associated to a coronal hole: Case study of 5-10 April 2010
- Fathy Ibrahim
- Amory-Mazaudier Christine
- Fathy A.
- Mahrous A. M.
- Yumoto K.
- Ghamry E.
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2014, 119 (5), pp.4120–4133. In this paper we study the planetary magnetic disturbance during the magnetic storm occurring on 5 April 2010 associated with high-speed solar wind stream due to a coronal hole following a coronal mass ejection. We separate the magnetic disturbance associated to the ionospheric disturbance dynamo (Ddyn) from the magnetic disturbance associated to the prompt penetration of magnetospheric electric field (DP2). This event exhibits different responses of ionospheric disturbance dynamo in the different longitude sectors (European-African, Asian, and American). The strongest effect is observed in the European-African sector. The Ddyn disturbance reduces the amplitude of the daytime H component at low latitudes during four consecutive days in agreement with the Blanc and Richmond's model of ionospheric disturbance dynamo. The amplitude of Ddyn decreased with time during the 4 days. We discuss its diverse worldwide effects. The observed signature of magnetic disturbance process in specific longitude sector is strongly dependent on which Earth's side faces the magnetic storms (i.e., there is a different response depending on which longitude sector is at noon when the SSC hits). Finally, we determined an average period of 22 h for Ddyn using wavelet analysis. (10.1002/2013JA019510)
DOI : 10.1002/2013JA019510
Quantified energy dissipation rates in the terrestrial bow shock: 2. Waves and dissipation
- Wilson Iii L. B.
- Sibeck David G.
- Breneman A. W.
- Le Contel Olivier
- Cully C. M.
- Turner D. L.
- Angelopoulos V.
- Malaspina D. M.
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2014, 119 (8), pp.6475-6495. We present the first quantified measure of the energy dissipation rates, due to wave-particle interactions, in the transition region of the Earth's collisionless bow shock using data from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms spacecraft. Our results show that wave-particle interactions can regulate the global structure and dominate the energy dissipation of collisionless shocks. In every bow shock crossing examined, we observed both low-frequency (<10 Hz) and high-frequency (≳10 Hz) electromagnetic waves throughout the entire transition region and into the magnetosheath. The low-frequency waves were consistent with magnetosonic-whistler waves. The high-frequency waves were combinations of ion-acoustic waves, electron cyclotron drift instability driven waves, electrostatic solitary waves, and whistler mode waves. The high-frequency waves had the following: (1) peak amplitudes exceeding deltaB 10 nT and deltaE 300 mV/m, though more typical values were deltaB 0.1-1.0 nT and deltaE 10-50 mV/m; (2) Poynting fluxes in excess of 2000 muW m-2 (typical values were 1-10 muW m-2); (3) resistivities > 9000 Omega m; and (4) associated energy dissipation rates >10 muW m-3. The dissipation rates due to wave-particle interactions exceeded rates necessary to explain the increase in entropy across the shock ramps for 90% of the wave burst durations. For 22% of these times, the wave-particle interactions needed to only be <= 0.1% efficient to balance the nonlinear wave steepening that produced the shock waves. These results show that wave-particle interactions have the capacity to regulate the global structure and dominate the energy dissipation of collisionless shocks. (10.1002/2014JA019930)
DOI : 10.1002/2014JA019930
Investigation of Switch Designs for the Dynamic Load Current Multiplier Scheme on the SPHYNX Microsecond Linear Transformer Driver
- Maysonnave Thomas
- Bayol Frédéric
- Demol Gauthier
- d'Almeida Thierry
- Lassalle Francis
- Morell Alain
- Grunenwald Julien
- Chuvatin Alexandre S.
- Pecastaing Laurent
- de Ferron Antoine Silvestre
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2014, 42 (10), pp.2974-2980. SPHINX is a microsecond linear transformer driver LTD, used essentially for implosion of Z-pinch loads in direct drive mode. It can deliver a 6-MA current pulse within 800 ns into a Z-pinch load. The dynamic load current multiplier concept enables the current pulse to be modified by increasing its amplitude while reducing its rise time before being delivered to the load. This compact system is made up of concentric electrodes (autotransformer), a dynamic flux extruder (cylindrical wire array), a vacuum convolute (eight postholes), and a vacuum closing switch, which is the key component of the system. Several different schemes are investigated for designing a vacuum switch suitable for operating the dynamic load current multiplier on the SPHINX generator for various applications, including isentropic compression experiments and Z-pinch radiation effects studies. In particular, the design of a compact vacuum surface switch and a multichannel vacuum switch, located upstream of the load are studied. Electrostatic simulations supporting the switch designs are presented along with test bed experiments. Initial results from shots on the SPHINX driver are also presented. (10.1109/TPS.2014.2313372)
DOI : 10.1109/TPS.2014.2313372
In situ spatiotemporal measurements of the detailed azimuthal substructure of the substorm current wedge
- Forsyth C.
- Fazakerley A.
- Rae I. J.
- Watt C. E. J.
- Murphy K.
- Wild James A.
- Karlsson T.
- Mutel R. L.
- Owen C. J.
- Ergun R.
- Masson A.
- Berthomier Matthieu
- Donovan E.
- Frey H.~u.
- Matzka J.
- Stolle C.
- Zhang Y.
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2014, 119 (2), pp.927-946. The substorm current wedge (SCW) is a fundamental component of geomagnetic substorms. Models tend to describe the SCW as a simple line current flowing into the ionosphere toward dawn and out of the ionosphere toward dusk, linked by a westward electrojet. We use multispacecraft observations from perigee passes of the Cluster 1 and 4 spacecraft during a substorm on 15 January 2010, in conjunction with ground-based observations, to examine the spatial structuring and temporal variability of the SCW. At this time, the spacecraft traveled east-west azimuthally above the auroral region. We show that the SCW has significant azimuthal substructure on scales of 100 km at altitudes of 40007000 km. We identify 26 individual current sheets in the Cluster 4 data and 34 individual current sheets in the Cluster 1 data, with Cluster 1 passing through the SCW 120240 s after Cluster 4 at 13002000 km higher altitude. Both spacecraft observed large-scale regions of net upward and downward field-aligned current, consistent with the large-scale characteristics of the SCW, although sheets of oppositely directed currents were observed within both regions. We show that the majority of these current sheets were closely aligned to a north-south direction, in contrast to the expected east-west orientation of the preonset aurora. Comparing our results with observations of the field-aligned current associated with bursty bulk flows (BBFs), we conclude that significant questions remain for the explanation of SCW structuring by BBF-driven wedgelets. Our results therefore represent constraints on future modeling and theoretical frameworks on the generation of the SCW. (10.1002/2013JA019302)
DOI : 10.1002/2013JA019302

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