Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 19 of 19

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Shaping Carbon Nanotube Forests For Field Emission, Benjamin Pound Apr 2014

Shaping Carbon Nanotube Forests For Field Emission, Benjamin Pound

Student Showcase

Field emission is a phenomenon where electrons are extracted from a conducting material by an external electric field. This effect has been used for electron sources for many applications, from electron microscopes to flat-panel displays. One undesirable feature of field emitters is that they often require high turn-on voltages. One way to improve the field emission is to decrease the tip size. In previous works, single carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with nanometer tip sizes have been used as field emitters, and have achieved currents comparable or higher than commercial field emitters at relatively low operating voltages. However, the single CNT field …


Diffusive Electron Heat Flow And Temperature Variance Along Magnetic Field Lines, Michael Kushlan Jan 2014

Diffusive Electron Heat Flow And Temperature Variance Along Magnetic Field Lines, Michael Kushlan

Physics Capstone Projects

In this research we examine how electron heat moves along magnetic field lines and how this affects temperature variations in plasmas. Specifically we wrote FORTRAN code to solve the electron temperature equation numerically. We also solved the steady state electron temperature equation analytically using an integrating factor. We verified that the numerical and analytical solutions obtained the same result. Finally we calculated the standard deviation of temperature in our domain for the steady state. Gaussian legendre quadrature was used to integrate various functions. We represented our magnetic field and heat source with Fourier series. The sin and cosine coefficients for …


F3 Layerduring Penetration Electric Field, N. Balan, H. Alleyne, S. V. Thampi, K. Lynn, Y. Otsuka, Bela G. Fejer, M. A. Abdu Mar 2008

F3 Layerduring Penetration Electric Field, N. Balan, H. Alleyne, S. V. Thampi, K. Lynn, Y. Otsuka, Bela G. Fejer, M. A. Abdu

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The occurrence of an additional layer, called F3 layer, in the equatorial ionosphere at American, Indian, and Australian longitudes during the super double geomagnetic storm of 7–11 November 2004 is presented using observations and modeling. The observations show the occurrence, reoccurrence, and quick ascent to the topside ionosphere of unusually strong F3 layer in Australian longitude during the first super storm (8 November) and in Indian longitude during the second super storm (10 November), all with large reductions in peak electron density (Nmax) and total electron content (GPS-TEC). The unusual F3 layers can arise mainly from unusually strong fluctuations …


Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fields During The November 2004 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, T. Kikuchi, M. A. Abdu, J. L. Chau Oct 2007

Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fields During The November 2004 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, T. Kikuchi, M. A. Abdu, J. L. Chau

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use radar measurements from the Jicamarca Radio Observatory, magnetometer observations from the Pacific sector and ionosonde data from Brazil to study equatorial ionospheric electric fields during the November 2004 geomagnetic storm. Our data show very large eastward and westward daytime electrojet current perturbations with lifetimes of about an hour (indicative of undershielding and overshielding prompt penetration electric fields) in the Pacific equatorial region during the November 7 main phase of the storm, when the southward IMF, the solar wind and reconnection electric fields, and the polar cap potential drops had very large and nearly steady values. This result …


Electric Field Induced Hopping Conductivity And Polarization In Hytrel, Steve Hart Apr 2007

Electric Field Induced Hopping Conductivity And Polarization In Hytrel, Steve Hart

Senior Theses and Projects

The focus of my 4900 research project is centered on the conductivity of Hytrel, a complex, newly developed block co-polymer. I first began to study Hytrel during the summer of 2006, as part of the USU College of Science Mini-Grant program1. My general objective was to study the relationship between the resistivity of Hytrel and hopping conductivity. Hopping conductivity is a theory of electron transport for nonconducting solids, originally developed for amorphous semiconductors2,3. The theory will be examined in greater detail later in this document. While studying this relationship last summer, I noticed an unusual phenomenon …


Magnetospheric Electric Fields And Plasma Sheet Injections To Low-Lshells During The June 4-5, 1991 Magnetic Storm: Comparison Between The Rice Convectionmodel And Observations, T. W. Garner, R. A. Wolf, R. W. Spiro, W. J. Burke, Bela G. Fejer, S. Sazykin, J. L. Roeder, M. R. Hairston Jan 2004

Magnetospheric Electric Fields And Plasma Sheet Injections To Low-Lshells During The June 4-5, 1991 Magnetic Storm: Comparison Between The Rice Convectionmodel And Observations, T. W. Garner, R. A. Wolf, R. W. Spiro, W. J. Burke, Bela G. Fejer, S. Sazykin, J. L. Roeder, M. R. Hairston

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The major magnetic storm of 4–5 June 1991 was well observed with the Combined Release and Radiation Experiment (CRRES) satellite in the duskside inner magnetosphere and with three Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft in the polar ionosphere. These observations are compared to results from the Rice Convection Model (RCM), which calculates the inner magnetospheric electric field and particle distribution self-consistently. This case study, which uses the most complete RCM runs to date, demonstrates two significant features of magnetospheric storms, the development of subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and plasma-sheet particle injection deep into the inner magnetosphere. In particular, the …


Global Dayside Ionospheric Uplift And Enhancements Due To Interplanetary Shock Electric Fields, B. R. Tsurutani, A. Mannucci, B. Ijima, A. Saito, K. Yumoto, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, W. D. Gonzalez, F. L. Guarnieri, T. Tsuda, Bela G. Fejer, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, J. U.O. Kozyra, J. C. Foster, A. Coster, V. M. Vasyliumas Jan 2004

Global Dayside Ionospheric Uplift And Enhancements Due To Interplanetary Shock Electric Fields, B. R. Tsurutani, A. Mannucci, B. Ijima, A. Saito, K. Yumoto, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, W. D. Gonzalez, F. L. Guarnieri, T. Tsuda, Bela G. Fejer, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, J. U.O. Kozyra, J. C. Foster, A. Coster, V. M. Vasyliumas

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The interplanetary shock/electric field event of 5–6 November 2001 is analyzed using ACE interplanetary data. The consequential ionospheric effects are studied using GPS receiver data from the CHAMP and SAC-C satellites and altimeter data from the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. Data from ∼100 ground-based GPS receivers as well as Brazilian Digisonde and Pacific sector magnetometer data are also used. The dawn-to-dusk interplanetary electric field was initially ∼33 mV/m just after the forward shock (IMF BZ = −48 nT) and later reached a peak value of ∼54 mV/m 1 hour and 40 min later (BZ = −78 nT). The electric field was …


Low Latitude Ionospheric Disturbance Electric Field Effects Duringthe Recovery Phase Of The October 19-21, 1998 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert Dec 2003

Low Latitude Ionospheric Disturbance Electric Field Effects Duringthe Recovery Phase Of The October 19-21, 1998 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Low-latitude ionospheric electric fields and currents are often strongly disturbed during periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity. These perturbations can last for several hours after geomagnetic quieting. We use incoherent scatter radar measurements from Jicamarca and Arecibo during 19–21 October 1998 to study, for the first time, the low-latitude disturbance electric fields during the recovery phase of a large magnetic storm. On 19 October the Jicamarca data showed initially large and short-lived (time scale of about 10–20 min) upward and westward drift perturbations in the early afternoon sector, due to the penetration of strong magnetospheric electric fields probably driven by …


Time Dependent Response Of Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fieldsto Magnetospheric Disturbances, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess Apr 1995

Time Dependent Response Of Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fieldsto Magnetospheric Disturbances, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess

Bela G. Fejer

We use extensive radar measurements of F region vertical plasma drifts and auroral electrojet indices to determine the storm time dependence of equatorial zonal electric fields. These disturbance drifts result from the prompt penetration of high latitude electric fields and from the dynamo action of storm time winds which produce largest perturbations a few hours after the onset of magnetic activity. The signatures of the equatorial disturbance electric fields change significantly depending on the relative contributions of these two components. The prompt electric field responses, with lifetimes of about one hour, are in excellent agreement with results from global convection …


Lowand Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Electric Fields During The January 1984 Gismos Campaign, Bela G. Fejer, M. C. Kelley, C. Senior, O. De La Beaujardiere, J. A. Holt, C. A. Tepley, R. Burnside, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, R. F. Woodman, Y. Kamide, R. Lepping Mar 1990

Lowand Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Electric Fields During The January 1984 Gismos Campaign, Bela G. Fejer, M. C. Kelley, C. Senior, O. De La Beaujardiere, J. A. Holt, C. A. Tepley, R. Burnside, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, R. F. Woodman, Y. Kamide, R. Lepping

Bela G. Fejer

This paper examines in detail the electrical coupling between the high-, middle-, and low-latitude ionospheres during January 17–19, 1984, using interplanetary and high-latitude magnetic field data together with F region plasma drift measurements from the EISCAT, Sondre Stromfjord, Millstone Hill, Saint-Santin, Arecibo, and Jicamarca incoherent scatter radars. We study the penetration of both the zonal and meridional electric field components of high-latitude origin into the low-latitude and the equatorial ionospheres. In the dusk sector, a large perturbation of the zonal equatorial electric field was observed in the absence of similar changes at low and middle latitudes in the same longitudinal …


Electric Field And Plasmadensity Measurements In The Strongly-Driven Daytime Equatorial Electrojet: 1. The Unstablelayer And Gradient Drift Waves, R. F. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, E. Kudeki, Bela G. Fejer, K. D. Baker Dec 1987

Electric Field And Plasmadensity Measurements In The Strongly-Driven Daytime Equatorial Electrojet: 1. The Unstablelayer And Gradient Drift Waves, R. F. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, E. Kudeki, Bela G. Fejer, K. D. Baker

Bela G. Fejer

Electric field and plasma density instrumentation on board a sounding rocket launched from Punta Lobos, Peru, detected intense electrostatic waves indicative of plasma instabilities in the daytime equatorial electrojet. Simultaneous measurements taken by the Jicamarca radar showed strong 3-m type 1 electrojet echoes as well as evidence of kilometer scale horizontally propagating waves. The in situ electric field wave spectra displayed three markedly different height regions within the unstable layer: (1) a two-stream region on the topside between 103 and 111 km where the electron current was considered to be strongest, (2) a gradient drift region between 90 and 106.5 …


Electric Field And Plasmadensity Measurements In The Strongly-Driven Daytime Equatorial Electrojet: 2. Two-Streamwaves, R. F. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, E. Kudeki, Bela G. Fejer, K. D. Baker Dec 1987

Electric Field And Plasmadensity Measurements In The Strongly-Driven Daytime Equatorial Electrojet: 2. Two-Streamwaves, R. F. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, E. Kudeki, Bela G. Fejer, K. D. Baker

Bela G. Fejer

Both primary and secondary two-stream (Farley-Buneman) waves have been detected by in situ electric field and plasma density probes in the strongly driven daytime equatorial electrojet over Peru. Simultaneous Jicamarca radar observations showed strong vertical and oblique 3-m type 1 echoes, also indicative of the two-stream mechanism. The rocket data show the two-stream region on the topside of the unstable layer to be situated between 103 and 111 km where the electron current was the strongest. This region was characterized by broadband plasma oscillations extending past 1 kHz in the rocket frame. Furthermore, above 106.5 km, where the electron density …


The Prereversal Enhancement Of Thezonal Electric Field In The Equatorial Ionosphere, D. T. Farley, E. Bonelli, Bela G. Fejer, M. F. Larsen Jan 1986

The Prereversal Enhancement Of Thezonal Electric Field In The Equatorial Ionosphere, D. T. Farley, E. Bonelli, Bela G. Fejer, M. F. Larsen

Bela G. Fejer

The electric fields in the ionospheric E and F regions near the magnetic equator often show a strong eastward enhancement shortly after sunset and before the eastward (normally) daytime field reverses to westward. Several theoretical models of the low-latitude fields suggest that this enhancement is caused mainly or entirely by F region winds (the F region dynamo), but some authors have suggested that it could be produced solely by E region tidal winds. We give here additional calculations and arguments in support of the F region source. The enhancement of the eastward field for an eastward F region wind turns …


Electric Field And Plasma Density Measurements In The Auroral Electrojet, R. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, E. Kudeki, C. W. Carlson, A. Pedersen, B. Hausler Jan 1984

Electric Field And Plasma Density Measurements In The Auroral Electrojet, R. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, E. Kudeki, C. W. Carlson, A. Pedersen, B. Hausler

Bela G. Fejer

Intense electrostatic waves in the auroral E region have been detected simultaneously on two payloads launched in a mother-daughter configuration from Kiruna, Sweden. The data sets comprise electric field and density measurements from the ambient (dc) conditions to fluctuations as high as 50 kHz. The dc electric field measured by both payloads was 54 mV/m northwest, which corresponded to an electron drift velocity of 1080 m/s. This electric field drove two-stream waves perpendicular to both B and E observed by both spacecraft throughout an altitude region which agrees quite well with the range predicted by linear two-stream theory. The power …


Equatorial Disturbance Dynamo Electric Fields, Bela G. Fejer, M. F. Larsen, D. T. Farley Jul 1983

Equatorial Disturbance Dynamo Electric Fields, Bela G. Fejer, M. F. Larsen, D. T. Farley

Bela G. Fejer

F-region vertical drift data from Jicamarca, Peru show that equatorial east-west electric fields are sometimes perturbed 16-24 hours after the onset of geomagnetic storms. These disturbance dynamo electric fields, which must be caused primarily by the action of neutral winds at low and middle latitudes, decrease and sometimes even reverse the quiet time electric field pattern during both daytime and nighttime. The long delay excludes the possibility that gravity waves are responsible and suggests that the thermospheric circulation is disturbed. The data also show that after some storms there are no such delayed disturbances, a fact which may be due …


In-Situ Measurements Ofwave Electric Fields In The Equatorial Electrojet, R. C. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, N. C. Maynard, K. D. Baker Jun 1982

In-Situ Measurements Ofwave Electric Fields In The Equatorial Electrojet, R. C. Pfaff, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, N. C. Maynard, K. D. Baker

Bela G. Fejer

Electric field wave measurements have been performed on two sounding rockets in the equatorial ionosphere. During a daytime flight from Chilca, Peru, intense electrostatic waves were detected on the upward directed electron density gradient. During a nighttime flight from Kwajalein Atoll, similar waves were detected on a downward directed gradient. These results are in agreement with a gradient drift instability explanation of the generation of the waves. The wave amplitudes were as high as 5 mV/m implying perturbation drifts comparable to the driving drift velocities. Power spectra from the turbulent region show a peak at long wavelengths, followed by a …


An Empirical Model Of Quiet Dayionospheric Electric Fields Of Middle And Low Latitudes, A. D. Richmond, M. Blanc, B. A. Emery, R. H. Wand, Bela G. Fejer, R. F. Woodland, S. Ganguly, P. Amyenc, R. A. Behnke, C. Calderon, J. V. Evans Sep 1980

An Empirical Model Of Quiet Dayionospheric Electric Fields Of Middle And Low Latitudes, A. D. Richmond, M. Blanc, B. A. Emery, R. H. Wand, Bela G. Fejer, R. F. Woodland, S. Ganguly, P. Amyenc, R. A. Behnke, C. Calderon, J. V. Evans

Bela G. Fejer

Seasonally averaged quiet-day F region ionospheric E × B drift observations from the Millstone Hill, St. Santin, Arecibo, and Jicamarca incoherent scatter radars are used to produce a model of the middle and low-latitude electric field for solar minimum conditions. A function similar to an electrostatic potential is fitted to the data to provide model values continuous in latitude, longitude, time of day, and day of the year. This model is intended to serve as a reference standard for applications requiring global knowledge of the mean electric field or requiring information at some location removed from the observing radars. This …


Equatorial Electricfields During Magnetically Disturbed Conditions, 1. The Effect Of The Interplanetary Magneticfield, Bela G. Fejer, C. A. Gonzales, D. T. Farley, M. C. Kelley, R. F. Woodman Sep 1979

Equatorial Electricfields During Magnetically Disturbed Conditions, 1. The Effect Of The Interplanetary Magneticfield, Bela G. Fejer, C. A. Gonzales, D. T. Farley, M. C. Kelley, R. F. Woodman

Bela G. Fejer

Radar measurements of E and F region drift velocities have been used to look for correlations between changes in equatorial electric fields and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The east-west component of the IMF appears to be unimportant, but the north-south component has some effect; rapid reversals from south to north are sometimes correlated with reversals of the equatorial east-west electric field during both daytime and nighttime. This is not always true, however, the IMF may reverse without any apparent effect at the equator. Furthermore, large equatorial field perturbations are sometimes observed when the IMF Bz is large and southward …


Equatorialelectric Fields During Magnetically Disturbed Conditions, 2. Implications Of Simultaneousauroral And Equatorial Measurements, C. A. Gonzales, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, J. F. Vickrey, R. F. Woodman Jan 1979

Equatorialelectric Fields During Magnetically Disturbed Conditions, 2. Implications Of Simultaneousauroral And Equatorial Measurements, C. A. Gonzales, M. C. Kelley, Bela G. Fejer, J. F. Vickrey, R. F. Woodman

Bela G. Fejer

Simultaneous auroral and equatorial electric field data are used along with magnetic field data to study anomalous electric field patterns during disturbed times. During some substorms, accompanied by ring current activity, the worldwide equatorial zonal electric field component reverses from the normal pattern. This is interpreted as a partial closure of high latitude field aligned currents in the dayside, low latitude ionosphere. These currents flow westward across the dayside. In several cases the zonal equatorial electric field component was nearly identical in form to the zonal auroral component, indicating the close electrical coupling between these regions. Less certain, but equally …