Physics Commons^™

Glow-Discharge Enhanced Permeation Of Oxygen Through Silver, D. Wu, R. A. Outlaw, Robert L. Ash

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The permeation of oxygen through Ag0.05Zr over the temperature range of 300-650°C under glow-discharge conditions has been studied and compared to the permeation of thermally dissociated molecular oxygen. A low-energy dc glow-discharge in O₂ has been employed which produced approximately 10% atoms. The permeation rate during the glow discharge was found to be much higher (a factor of ∼10) than without the glow discharge. The small fraction of oxygen atoms generated appears to dominate the permeation because of much higher solution probabilities. Below 500°C, the activation energy for the permeation with glow discharge was found to be 15.5 kcal/mol …

Erratum: "Temperature And Suction Effects On The Instability Of An Infinite Swept Attachment Line" [Physics Of Fluids A 4, 2008 (1992)], D. G. Lasseigne, T. L. Jackson, F. Q. Hu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Erratum to:

Lasseigne, D. G., Jackson, T. L., & Hu, F. Q. (1992). Temperature and suction effects on the instability of an infinite swept attachment line. Physics of Fluids A: Fluid Dynamics, 4(9), 2008-2012. doi:10.1063/1.858370

Induced Mach Wave-Flame Interactions In Laminar Supersonic Fuel Jets, F. Q. Hu, T. L. Jackson, D. G. Lasseigne, C. E. Grosch

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

A model problem is proposed to investigate the steady response of a reacting, compressible laminar jet to Mach waves generated by wavy walls in a channel of finite width. The model consists of a two-dimensional jet of fuel emerging into a stream of oxidizer which are allowed to mix and react in the presence of the Mach waves. The governing equations are taken to be the steady parabolized Navier-Stokes equations which are solved numerically. The kinetics is assumed to be a one-step, irreversible reaction of the Arrhenius type. Two important questions on the Mach wave-flame interactions are discussed: (i) how …

Absolute-Convective Instabilities And Their Associated Wave Packets In A Compressible Reacting Mixing Layer, F. Q. Hu, T. L. Jackson, D. G. Lasseigne, C. E. Grosch

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this paper the transition from convective to absolute instability in a reacting compressible mixing layer with finite rate chemistry is examined. The reaction is assumed to be one step, irreversible, and of Arrhenius type. It is shown that absolute instability can exist for moderate heat release without backflow. The effects of the temperature ratio, heat release parameter, Zeldovich number, equivalence ratio, direction of propagation of the disturbances, and the Mach number on the transition value of the velocity ratio are given. The present results are compared to those obtained from the flame sheet model for the temperature using the …

A Numerical Study Of Wave Propagation In A Confined Mixing Layer By Eigenfunction Expansions, Fang Q. Hu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

It is well known that the growth rate of instability waves of a two-dimensional free shear layer is reduced greatly at supersonic convective Mach numbers. In previous works, it has been shown that new wave modes exist when the shear layers are bounded by a channel due to the coupling effect between the acoustic wave modes and the motion of the mixing layer. The present work studies the simultaneous propagation of multiple stability waves using numerical simulation. It is shown here that the coexistence of two wave modes in the flow field can lead to an oscillatory growth of disturbance …

Temperature And Suction Effects On The Instability Of An Infinite Swept Attachment Line, D. G. Lasseigne, T. L. Jackson, F. Q. Hu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

It is known that the incompressible, infinite swept attachment line flow is unstable to streamwise disturbances that originate in the boundary layer when the cross-flow exceeds a critical magnitude. Furthermore, a small degree of suction at the surface has a significant stabilizing influence while a small degree of blowing has a considerable destabilizing influence. This paper investigates the stabilizing and destabilizing effects of, respectively, cooling or heating the plate and the competing or enhancing effects of suction or blowing. A nonorthogonal flow with respect to the attachment line is also considered by adding a component of shear to the mean …

Charge-State Equilibrium And Nonequilibrium Modeling Of The Carbon-Pellet Plasma Interaction, A. G. Elcashlan, G. A. Gerdin, L. L. Vahala, P. B. Parks

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Self-consistent equilibrium and nonequilibrium charge-state models are formulated for the spherical expansion of low-Z pellet vapor as an inviscid perfect gas of constant ratio of specific heats being heated volumetrically by the incident electrons of a thermonuclear plasma. The two models are found to be in agreement in the region where the ratio of the ionization length ζ_j to pellet radius r_p is less than unity, but a single parameter, such as the magnitude of this ratio on the sonic surface, is insufficient to determine whether an equilibrium model will be valid for all regions of the ablatant …

Effect Of Fluctuations On Lower Hybrid Power Deposition And Hard X-Ray Detection, George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala, Paul T. Bonoli

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The hard X-ray intensity radial profiles from lower hybrid current drive experiments are interpreted as being correlated with fluctuations in the bulk plasma. This view seems to be dictated by comparing the hard X-ray data for various n_║ with the Monte Carlo solutions of the lower hybrid wave energy deposition on plasma electrons. Information on internal magnetic fluctuations may, under certain conditions, be unfolded from a n_║ scan of the hard X-ray profiles.

Effect Of Magnetic And Density Fluctuations On The Propagation Of Lower Hybrid Waves In Tokamaks, George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala, Paul T. Bonoli

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Lower hybrid waves have been used extensively for plasma heating, current drive, and ramp-up as well as sawteeth stabilization, The wave kinetic equation for lower hybrid wave propagation is extended to include the effects of both magnetic and density fluctuations. This integral equation is then solved by Monte Carlo procedures for a toroidal plasma. It is shown that even for magnetic/density fluctuation levels on the order of 10^-4, there are significant magnetic fluctuation effects on the wave power deposition into the plasma. This effect is quite pronounced if the magnetic fluctuation spectrum is peaked within the plasma. For …

Electromagnetic Wave Scattering From Magnetic Fluctuations In Tokamaks, L. L. Vahala, G. Vahala, N. Bretz

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Cross sections are calculated for electromagnetic wave scattering and mode transformation from magnetic and density fluctuations in a homogeneous plasma. For the special case of scattering perpendicular to the magnetic field, density fluctuations scatter ordinary to ordinary and extraordinary to extraordinary modes-but cannot transform these modes. On the other hand, magnetic fluctuations perpendicular to the field can transform modes but cannot scatter on a single branch. For incident frequencies on the order of the electron plasma frequency or gyrofrequency, the cross sections for scattering and transformation due to field and density fluctuations have a similar value. Estimates are given for …

Self-Consistent Determination Of Low-Za Pellet Ablation And Pellet Penetration, Linda L. Vahala, Glenn Gerdin, A. G. El Cashlan, Paul Parks

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The ablation dynamics of LiT pellets are solved self-consistently over a modest range of parameters using a surface dissociation model. The self-consistently determined parameters are then used to modify the standard low-Z pellet penetration codes. Since LiT pellets have certain advantages over carbon [in particular, Li conditioning of the walls and T for refueling a D-T reaction], the penetration of LiT into fusion plasmas is considered.

Electric Field Induced Emission As A Diagnostic Tool For Measurement Of Local Electric Field Strengths, A. N. Dharamsi, K. H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

The phenomenon of electric field induced (EFI) emission is examined in several diatomic and polyatomic molecules. The possibility of using this phenomenon as a diagnostic tool to measure, nonintrusively, the strength and direction of local electric fields in plasmas is discussed. An estimate of the EFI signal emitted in a typical application plasma is given. This yields a lower bound on the detector sensitivity necessary to exploit EFI emission in practical applications. It is concluded that, at present, the EFI signal could be measured by some very sensitive infrared detection schemes available. Current progress in infrared detector technology, if maintained, …

Parametric Instability Of Supersonic Shear Layers Induced By Periodic Mach Waves, Fang Q. Hu, Christopher K. W. Tam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

It is suggested that parametric instability can be induced in a confined supersonic shear layer by the use of a periodic Mach wave system generated by a wavy wall. The existence of such an instability solution is demonstrated computationally by solving the Floquet system of equations. The solution is constructed by means of a Fourier-Chebyshev expansion. Numerical convergence is assured by using a very large number of Fourier and Chebyshev basis functions. The computed growth rate of the induced flow instability is found to vary linearly with the amplitude of the mach waves when the amplitude is not excessively large. …

Measurement Of Magnetic Fluctuations By O-X Mode Conversion, L. L. Vahala, G. Vahala, N. Bretz

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The possibility of measuring magnetic fluctuations in a fusion plasma is considered by examining the O→X mode conversion. Under certain conditions and with good angular resolution, this mode conversion can be attributed to the presence of magnetic fluctuations even though the level of these fluctuations is much lower than that of density fluctuations. Some nonideal effects such as mode polarization mismatch at the plasma edge are also discussed.

Application Of The Results Of Carbon Pellet Modeling To The Problem Of Plasma Penetration, L. L. Vahala, A. G. El Cashlan, G. A. Gerdin, P. B. Parks

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The assumptions of the evaporation model for low-Z pellets interacting with magnetic fusion plasmas developed by Parks are tested. These assumptions are that the vapor density profile in the region adjacent to the pellet surface falls off with radial distance as r^-α , where 5 <α<6, and that the ionization time for the transition between charge states ז_f (i.e., for r < ~3 sonic radii). The first assumption is tested by solving a two-parameter eigenvalue problem for the evaporation cloud in the region interior to the sonic radius; the results are found to be consistent with the low-Z evaporation model. The second assumption, that ז_zi «ז_f, is tested at the sonic radius using the results from atomic physics and the low-Z evaporation model. It is found that indeed ז_zi «ז_f for plasmas with parameters close to thermonuclear conditions (e.g. CIT), but not for those of smaller Tokamaks such as …

A Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problem In Astrophysical Magnetohydrodynamics: Some Properties Of The Spectrum, John A. Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with an external gravitational potential—a ‘‘magnetoatmosphere’’—are examined in detail as a singular nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Properties of the spectrum are discussed with specific emphasis on two systems relevant to solar magnetohydrodynamics. In the absence of a gravitational potential, the system reduces to that of importance in MHD and plasma physics, albeit in a different geometry. This further reduces to a form isomorphic to that derived in the study of plasma oscillations in a cold plasma, Alfvén wave propagation in an inhomogeneous medium, and MHD waves in a sheet pinch. In cylindrical geometry, the relevant …

A Criterion For Vortex Breakdown, R. E. Spall, T. B. Gatski, C. E. Grosch

CCPO Publications

A criterion for the onset of vortex breakdown over a wide range of the Reynolds number is proposed. Based upon previous experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies, as well as a new numerical study, an appropriately defined local Rossby number is used to delineate the region where breakdown occurs. Comparisons are made with previously suggested criticality parameters and the unique features of the proposed Rossby number parameter are shown. A number of previous theoretical studies concentrating on inviscid standing‐wave analyses for trailing wing‐tip vortices are reviewed and reinterpreted, along with the previous numerical and experimental studies, in terms of the Rossby …

Stable Equilibrium Statistical States For Spheromaks, George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Incompressible nondissipative magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is treated for spherical systems. From the absolute equilibrium expectation values of the fields one can investigate those initially quiescent states for which no large mean square velocity will develop. This stable state is force-free and gives rise to the Hill vortex structure for the magnetic flux surfaces.

Comments On 'Fluctuations In Guiding Center Plasma In Two Dimensions', George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala, David Montgomery, Glenn Joyce

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

It is stated that the principal result of the paper by Taylor and Thompson (see abstr. A14511 of 1973) on autocorrelations in density for the electrostatic guiding center plasma in two dimensions is wrong owing to an incorrect integration. It is further stated that there is no meaningful distinction between an `interaction cutoff' and a `fluctuation cutoff'.