Showing papers in "Physics of Plasmas in 2001"
TL;DR: In this paper, Marinak et al. used the HYDRA multiphysics radiation hydrodynamics code to simulate a cylindrical NIF hohlraum that includes an imploding capsule.
Abstract: The performance of a targets designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are simulated in three dimensions using the HYDRA multiphysics radiation hydrodynamics code. [M. Marinak et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 1125 (1998)] In simulations of a cylindrical NIF hohlraum that include an imploding capsule, all relevant hohlraum features and the detailed laser illumination pattern, the motion of the wall material inside the hohlraum shows a high degree of axisymmetry. Laser light is able to propagate through the entrance hole for the required duration of the pulse. Gross hohlraum energetics mirror the results from an axisymmetric simulation. A NIF capsule simulation resolved the full spectrum of the most dangerous modes that grow from surface roughness. Hydrodynamic instabilities evolve into the weakly nonlinear regime. There is no evidence of anomalous low mode growth driven by nonlinear mode coupling.
615 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors quantitatively discussed the nature of oscillations in the 1 kHz-60 MHz frequency range that have been observed during operation of Hall thrusters and compared the calculated contours to reported observations.
Abstract: The nature of oscillations in the 1 kHz–60 MHz frequency range that have been observed during operation of Hall thrusters is quantitatively discussed. Contours of various plasma parameters measured inside the accelerating channel of a typical Hall thruster are used to evaluate the various stability criteria and dispersion relations of oscillations that are suspected to occur. A band by band up-to-date overview of the oscillations is carried out with a description of their observed behavior and a discussion of their nature and dependencies through comparison of the calculated contours to reported observations. The discussion encompasses the excitation of low frequency azimuthal drift waves that can form a rotating spoke, axially propagating “transit-time” oscillations, azimuthal drift waves, ionization instability-type waves, and wave emission peculiar to weakly ionized inhomogeneous plasmas in crossed electric and magnetic fields.
483 citations
TL;DR: Dusty plasmas also occur in noctilucent clouds in the arctic troposphere and mesosphere, cloud-to-ground lightening in thunderstorms containing smoke-contaminated air over the United States, as well as in microelectronic processing devices, in low-temperature laboratory discharges, and in tokamaks.
Abstract: Two omnipresent ingredients of the Universe are plasmas and charged dust. The interplay between these two has opened up a new and fascinating research area, that of dusty plasmas, which are ubiquitous in different parts of our solar system, namely planetary rings, circumsolar dust rings, the interplanetary medium, cometary comae and tails, as well as in interstellar molecular clouds, etc. Dusty plasmas also occur in noctilucent clouds in the arctic troposphere and mesosphere, cloud-to-ground lightening in thunderstorms containing smoke-contaminated air over the United States, in the flame of a humble candle, as well as in microelectronic processing devices, in low-temperature laboratory discharges, and in tokamaks. Dusty plasma physics has appeared as one of the most rapidly growing fields of science, besides the field of the Bose–Einstein condensate, as demonstrated by the number of published papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings. In fact, it is a truly interdisciplinary science becaus...
472 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an effective pseudopotential model taking into account both quantum-mechanical effects and plasma screening effects is applied to describe electron-electron interactions in dense high-temperature plasmas.
Abstract: Quantum-mechanical effects on electron–electron scattering cross sections are investigated in dense high-temperature plasmas. An effective pseudopotential model taking into account both quantum-mechanical effects and plasma screening effects is applied to describe electron–electron interactions in dense high-temperature plasmas. The Born approximation and the total spin states are considered to obtain high-energy electron–electron scattering cross sections. The results show that the differential scattering cross sections are significantly reduced with increasing the thermal de Broglie wavelength. It is also found that the quantum-mechanical effects are especially important at the scattering angle θlab=π/4.
366 citations
TL;DR: Intermittent plasma objects (IPOs) featuring higher pressure than the surrounding plasma, and responsible for ∼50% of the E×BT radial transport, are observed in the scrape off layer (SOL) and edge of the DIII-D tokamak.
Abstract: Intermittent plasma objects (IPOs) featuring higher pressure than the surrounding plasma, and responsible for ∼50% of the E×BT radial transport, are observed in the scrape off layer (SOL) and edge of the DIII-D tokamak [J. Watkins et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 63, 4728 (1992)]. Conditional averaging reveals that the IPOs, produced at a rate of ∼3×103 s−1, are positively charged and also polarized, featuring poloidal electric fields of up to 4000 V/m. The IPOs move poloidally at speeds of up to 5000 m/s and radially with E×BT/B2 velocities of ∼2600 m/s near the last closed flux surface (LCFS), and ∼330 m/s near the wall. The IPOs slow down as they shrink in radial size from 4 cm at the LCFS to 0.5 cm near the wall. The IPOs appear in the SOL of both L and H mode discharges and are responsible for nearly 50% of the SOL radial E×B transport at all radii; however, they are highly reduced in absolute amplitude in H-mode conditions.
328 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a special metallic electrode covered by a thin layer of porous ceramic has been developed and used for generation of a multichannel discharge in a water solution as a function of conductivity.
Abstract: Partial electrical discharges in a water solution as a function of conductivity have been studied experimentally. Using needle-plate electrodes it has been demonstrated that the discharge evolves in two phases. During the first streamer-like phase, the discharge propagated with a velocity of 106 cm/s, while during the second arc-like phase the length of the discharge remained almost constant although the current still increased. Higher solution conductivity resulted in the generation of shorter channels, in larger discharge current, and in a higher plasma electron density. Degradation of phenol by the discharge has also been demonstrated. A special metallic electrode covered by a thin layer of porous ceramic has been developed and used for generation of a multichannel discharge. At comparable solution conductivity the ceramic-coated electrode produced plasma with very similar parameters as the needle-plate electrode configuration. Generation of strong focused shock waves by the multichannel discharge in a...
324 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of the highly damped modes in the energy and reaction rates in a plasma are discussed, assuming that the de Broglie wavelength is much less than the distance of closest approach of thermal electrons, a classical analysis of the plasma can be made.
Abstract: The effects of the highly damped modes in the energy and reaction rates in a plasma are discussed. These modes, with wave numbers k≫kD, even being only weakly excited, with less than kBT per mode, make a significant contribution to the energy and screening in a plasma. When the de Broglie wavelength is much less than the distance of closest approach of thermal electrons, a classical analysis of the plasma can be made. It is assumed, in the classical analysis, with ℏ→0, that the energy of the fluctuations ℏω≪kBT. Using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, the spectra of fluctuations with ℏ≠0 is appreciably decreased. The decrease is mainly for the highly damped modes at high frequencies (∼0.5–3kBT). Reaction rates are enhanced in a plasma due to the screening of the reacting ions. This is taken into account by the Salpeter factor, which assumes slow motion for the ions. The implication of including the highly damped modes (with ℏ≠0) in the nuclear reaction rates in a plasma is discussed. Finally, the inves...
298 citations
TL;DR: Mitchell et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a phenomenological model of wire array Z-pinch implosions, based on the analysis of experimental data obtained on the MAGPIE generator.
Abstract: A phenomenological model of wire array Z-pinch implosions, based on the analysis of experimental data obtained on the mega-ampere generator for plasma implosion experiments (MAGPIE) generator [I. H. Mitchell et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 67, 1533 (1996)], is described. The data show that during the first ∼80% of the implosion the wire cores remain stationary in their initial positions, while the coronal plasma is continuously jetting from the wire cores to the array axis. This phase ends by the formation of gaps in the wire cores, which occurs due to the nonuniformity of the ablation rate along the wires. The final phase of the implosion starting at this time occurs as a rapid snowplow-like implosion of the radially distributed precursor plasma, previously injected in the interior of the array. The density distribution of the precursor plasma, being peaked on the array axis, could be a key factor providing stability of the wire array implosions operating in the regime of discrete wires. The modified “initial” conditions for simulations of wire array Z-pinch implosions with one-dimension (1D) and two-dimensions (2D) in the r–z plane, radiation-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) codes, and a possible scaling to a larger drive current are discussed.
290 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the many recent advances in high-field science, called high field science, and present a review of these advances in laser-based accelerators.
Abstract: As tabletop lasers continue to reach record levels of peak power, the interaction of light with matter has crossed a new threshold, in which plasma electrons at the laser focus oscillate at relativistic velocities. The highest forces ever exerted by light have been used to accelerate beams of electrons and protons to energies of a million volts in distances of only microns. Not only is this acceleration gradient up to a thousand times greater than in radio-frequency-based sources, but the transverse emittance of the particle beams is comparable or lower. Additionally, laser-based accelerators have been demonstrated to work at a repetition rate of 10 Hz, an improvement of a factor of 1000 over their best performance of just a couple of years ago. Anticipated improvements in energy spread may allow these novel compact laser-based radiation sources to be useful someday for cancer radiotherapy and as injectors into conventional accelerators, which are critical tools for x-ray and nuclear physics research. They might also be used as a spark to ignite controlled thermonuclear fusion. The ultrashort pulse duration of these particle bursts and the x rays they can produce, hold great promise as well to resolve chemical, biological or physical reactions on ultrafast (femtosecond) time scales and on the spatial scale of atoms. Even laser-accelerated protons are soon expected to become relativistic. The dense electron–positron plasmas and vast array of nuclear reactions predicted to occur in this case might even help bring astrophysical phenomena down to Earth, into university laboratories. This paper reviews the many recent advances in this emerging discipline, called high-field science.
273 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the character of transport in a plasma turbulence model with avalanche transport, and the motion of tracer particles has been followed, both the time evolution of the moments of the distribution function of the tracer particle radial positions, 〈|r(t)−r(0)|n〉, and their finite scale Lyapunov number are used to determine the anomalous diffusion exponent, ν.
Abstract: To explore the character of transport in a plasma turbulence model with avalanche transport, the motion of tracer particles has been followed. Both the time evolution of the moments of the distribution function of the tracer particle radial positions, 〈|r(t)−r(0)|n〉, and their finite scale Lyapunov number are used to determine the anomalous diffusion exponent, ν. The numerical results show that the transport mechanism is superdiffusive with an exponent ν close to 0.88±0.07. The distribution of the exit times of particles trapped into stochastic jets is also determined. These particles have the lowest separation rate at the low resonant surfaces.
270 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a linear gyrokinetic simulation of toroidal electron temperature gradient (ETG) modes in tokamak core and edge plasmas is presented, and an algebraic formula for the threshold of the linear instability is derived from the numerical solutions of the logarithmic equations which recovers previous analytical results in appropriate limits.
Abstract: Under certain conditions, the electron heat transport induced by electron temperature gradient (ETG) streamers is sufficiently large and sensitive with respect to the normalized electron temperature gradient to represent a possible cause for electron temperature profile consistency (“stiffness”). Here, linear gyrokinetic simulations of toroidal ETG modes in tokamak core and edge plasmas are presented. An algebraic formula for the threshold of the linear instability is derived from the numerical solutions of the linear gyrokinetic equations which recovers previous analytical results in the appropriate limits.
TL;DR: In this paper, an experiment on ion-acoustic solitary waves in dusty plasma was performed in a dusty double-plasma device, where the leading part of a sinusoidal pulse develops to an oscillation.
Abstract: An experiment on ion-acoustic solitary waves in dusty plasma is performed in a dusty double-plasma device. The leading part of a sinusoidal pulse develops to an oscillation. The troughs of the oscillation become shallow when dust particles are mixed into the plasma. The Mach velocity of the first peak in the oscillation decreases due to the presence of negatively charged dust grains for a fixed height of the peak. The width of the peak normalized with Debye length increases when the dust particles are introduced into the plasma. The experimental results are compared with the numerical integrations of a modified Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation which contains the terms of kinematic viscosity and of collisions of ions with the dust particles.
TL;DR: The Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) as mentioned in this paper is a high-power laser system with up to 1.2 kJ of energy in ∼400 ps pulses at the wavelength of 1.315 μm.
Abstract: The Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) is a new international laboratory where research teams are invited to compete for the beam time. The PALS Center runs an iodine photodissociation high-power laser system delivering up to 1.2 kJ of energy in ∼400 ps pulses at the wavelength of 1.315 μm. Optional doubling and tripling of the frequency is assured by large-diameter nonlinear crystals. The ASTERIX IV laser [H. Baumhacker et al., Appl. Phys. B 61, 325 (1995)], transferred from Garching into a new laser hall in Prague, was updated and put into operation on 8 June 2000. These upgrades include new beam delivery options and a twin interaction chamber, which is designed flexibly for a broad spectrum of applications. Results of the first series of experiments are presented and some planned upgrades are briefly described. These include implementation of adaptive optics, replacement of the iodine master oscillator by a more flexible solid state oscillator based on fiber optics, and a femtosecond extension of the laser output to reach the petawatt pulse power region.
TL;DR: In this paper, an effective particle diffusivity (Deff) that increases markedly with distance from the separatrix is characterized by a two-layer structure: Steep gradients and moderate fluctuation levels are typically found in a ∼5 mm region near the separation point, where parallel electron conduction typically dominates energy losses.
Abstract: Cross-field particle transport in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of Alcator C-Mod [Phys. Plasmas 1, 1511 (1994)] can be characterized by an effective particle diffusivity (Deff) that increases markedly with distance from the separatrix. As a consequence, recycling onto the main-chamber walls is large compared to plasma flows into the divertor volume. The SOL exhibits a two-layer structure: Steep gradients and moderate fluctuation levels are typically found in a ∼5 mm region near the separatrix (near SOL) where parallel electron conduction typically dominates energy losses. Small gradients and larger fluctuation levels with longer correlation times are found outside this region (far SOL). Deff in the near SOL increases strongly with local plasma collisionality normalized to the magnetic connection length. As the discharge density limit is approached, Deff and associated fluctuation levels become large across the entire SOL and cross-field heat convection everywhere exceeds parallel conduction losses, impacting the power balance of the discharge.
TL;DR: In this article, the late-time nonlinear evolution of the three-dimensional (3D) Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instabilities for random initial perturbations is investigated.
Abstract: The late-time nonlinear evolution of the three-dimensional (3D) Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) instabilities for random initial perturbations is investigated. Using full 3D numerical simulations, a statistical mechanics bubble-competition model, and a Layzer-type drag-buoyancy model, it is shown that the RT scaling parameters, αB and αS, are similar in two and three dimensions, but the RM exponents, θB and θS are lower by a factor of 2 in three dimensions. The similarity parameter hB/〈λ〉 is higher by a factor of 3 in the 3D case compared to the 2D case, in very good agreement with recent Linear Electric Motor (LEM) experiments. A simple drag-buoyancy model, similar to that proposed by Youngs [see J. C. V. Hanson et al., Laser Part. Beams 8, 51 (1990)], but using the coefficients from the A=1 Layzer model, rather than phenomenological ones, is introduced.
TL;DR: In this paper, a 9 cm cylindrical, ceramic-channel, Hall thruster with a cusp-type magnetic field distribution was investigated, which exhibits discharge characteristics similar to conventional coaxial Hall thrusters, but does not expose as much channel surface.
Abstract: Hall thrusters might better scale to low power with nonconventional geometry. A 9 cm cylindrical, ceramic-channel, Hall thruster with a cusp-type magnetic field distribution has been investigated. It exhibits discharge characteristics similar to conventional coaxial Hall thrusters, but does not expose as much channel surface. Significantly, its operation is not accompanied by large amplitude discharge low frequency oscillations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the low-frequency inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources with a planar external coil and showed that highly uniform, high-density (ne∼9×1012 cm−3) plasmas can be produced in low-pressure argon discharges with moderate rf powers.
Abstract: Operation regimes, plasma parameters, and applications of the low-frequency (∼500 kHz) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources with a planar external coil are investigated. It is shown that highly uniform, high-density (ne∼9×1012 cm−3) plasmas can be produced in low-pressure argon discharges with moderate rf powers. The low-frequency ICP sources operate in either electrostatic (E) or electromagnetic (H) regimes in a wide pressure range without any Faraday shield or an external multipolar magnetic confinement, and exhibit high power transfer efficiency, and low circuit loss. In the H mode, the ICP features high level of uniformity over large processing areas and volumes, low electron temperatures, and plasma potentials. The low-density, highly uniform over the cross-section, plasmas with high electron temperatures and plasma and sheath potentials are characteristic to the electrostatic regime. Both operation regimes offer great potential for various plasma processing applications. As examples, the efficie...
TL;DR: In this article, a model of the quasineutral plasma and the transition between the plasma and dielectric wall in a Hall thruster channel is developed, where the plasma is considered using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic approximation while the sheath in front of the surface is considered to be one dimensional and collisionless.
Abstract: In this paper a model of the quasineutral plasma and the transition between the plasma and the dielectric wall in a Hall thruster channel is developed. The plasma is considered using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic approximation while the sheath in front of the dielectric surface is considered to be one dimensional and collisionless. The dielectric wall effect is taken into account by introducing an effective coefficient of the secondary electron emission (SEE), s. In order to develop a self-consistent model, the boundary parameters at the sheath edge (ion velocity and electric field) are obtained from the two-dimensional plasma bulk model. In the considered condition, i.e., ion temperature much smaller than that of electrons and significant ion acceleration in the axial direction, the presheath scale length becomes comparable to the channel width so that the plasma channel becomes an effective presheath. It is found that the radial ion velocity component at the plasma–sheath interface varies along the thr...
TL;DR: A general circuit formulation of resistive wall mode (RWM) feedback stabilization developed by Boozer [Phys. Plasmas 5, 3350 (1998)] has been used as the basis for the VALEN computer code that calculates the performance of an active control system in arbitrary geometry as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A general circuit formulation of resistive wall mode (RWM) feedback stabilization developed by Boozer [Phys. Plasmas 5, 3350 (1998)] has been used as the basis for the VALEN computer code that calculates the performance of an active control system in arbitrary geometry. The code uses a finite element representation of a thin shell structure in an integral formulation to model arbitrary conducting walls. This is combined with a circuit representation of stable and unstable plasma modes. Benchmark comparisons of VALEN results with large aspect ratio analytic model of the current driven kink mode are in very good agreement. VALEN also models arbitrary sensors, control coils, and the feedback logic connecting these sensors and control coils to provide a complete simulation capability for feedback control of plasma instabilities. VALEN modeling is in good agreement with experimental results on DIII-D [Garofalo et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 1491 (2000)] and HBT-EP [Cates et al., Phys. Plasmas 7, 3133 (2000)]. VALEN feedback simulations have also been used to evaluate and optimize the sensor/coil configurations for present and planned RWM experiments on DIII-D. These studies have shown a clear advantage for the use of local poloidal field sensors driving a “mode control” feedback logic control loop and configurations which minimize the control coil coupling to the stabilizing resistive wall.
TL;DR: Luxon et al. as mentioned in this paper have achieved quiescent H-mode operation that is ELM-free and yet has good density and impurity control, and they have demonstrated that an internal transport barrier can be produced and maintained inside the h-mode edge barrier for long periods of time (>3.5 s or >25 en...
Abstract: High-confinement (H-mode) operation is the choice for next-step tokamak devices based either on conventional or advanced tokamak physics. This choice, however, comes at a significant cost for both the conventional and advanced tokamaks because of the effects of edge localized modes (ELMs). ELMs can produce significant erosion in the divertor and can affect the beta limit and reduced core transport regions needed for advanced tokamak operation. Experimental results from DIII-D [J. L. Luxon et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1986 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159] this year have demonstrated a new operating regime, the quiescent H-mode regime, which solves these problems. We have achieved quiescent H-mode operation that is ELM-free and yet has good density and impurity control. In addition, we have demonstrated that an internal transport barrier can be produced and maintained inside the H-mode edge barrier for long periods of time (>3.5 s or >25 en...
TL;DR: In this article, a Korteweg-de Vries-Zakharov-Kuznetsov (KdV-ZK) equation is derived for a plasma comprised of cool and hot electrons and a species of fluid ions.
Abstract: Motivated by a recent paper [Phys. Plasmas 7, 2987 (2000)] highlighting the potential importance of the electron-acoustic wave in interpreting the solitary waves observed by high time resolution measurements of the electric field in the auroral region, the effect of a magnetic field on weakly nonlinear electron-acoustic waves is investigated. A Korteweg–de Vries–Zakharov–Kuznetsov (KdV-ZK) equation is derived for a plasma comprised of cool and hot electrons and a species of fluid ions. Two models are employed for the ions: magnetized and unmagnetized. When the ions are magnetized the frequency constraints imposed upon the electron-acoustic wave packet prove to be too limiting to be of general use. The second model, which treats the ions as a stationary neutralizing background, overcomes the restrictions imposed by the former and is more fitting for the frequency domain of the electron-acoustic wave. Plane and ellipsoidal soliton solutions are admitted by the KdV-ZK equation, the latter perhaps able to explain some of the two dimensional features of the solitary waves observed in the Earth’s high altitude auroral region. Both models for the ions predict only negative potential solitons. It is discussed how the plasma model might be adapted to produce positive potential solitons.
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that with a sufficiently large wave amplitude, significant perpendicular stochastic heating can be obtained with wave frequency at a fraction of the cyclotron frequency.
Abstract: Resonant heating of particles by electrostatic and Alfven waves propagating in a confining uniform magnetic field is examined. It is shown that, with a sufficiently large wave amplitude, significant perpendicular stochastic heating can be obtained with wave frequency at a fraction of the cyclotron frequency. This result may have relevance for the heating of ions in the solar corona, and is a generic phenomenon, independent of the type of wave considered.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new parametrization and iteration scheme is given which permits rapid analysis of Langmuir probe data using these theories, however, at high n, measured ion saturation curves are shown which do not agree in shape with the "correct" theory, yielding anomalously high values of n. The discrepancy with independent measures of n, which can exceed a factor of 2, is believed to be caused by charge exchange collisions well outside the sheath.
Abstract: High-density, radio-frequency plasmas used in semiconductor processing have progressed to densities n⩾5×1011 cm−3, where the methods used to interpret Langmuir probe characteristics in low-density (109–11 cm−3) plasma reactors are no longer valid. Though theory and computations for arbitrarily dense collisionless plasmas exist, they are difficult to apply in real time. A new parametrization and iteration scheme is given which permits rapid analysis of Langmuir probe data using these theories. However, at high n, measured ion saturation curves are shown which do not agree in shape with the “correct” theory, yielding anomalously high values of n. The discrepancy with independent measures of n, which can exceed a factor of 2, is believed to be caused by charge-exchange collisions well outside the sheath. Probe designs for avoiding this discrepancy are suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that fine-particle clouds rotate in the azimuthal direction on the horizontal plane even in such a weak magnetic field that positive ions are slightly magnetized.
Abstract: Here are presented experiments on fine particles levitating in low-pressure weakly ionized plasmas under a vertical magnetic field. The magnetic field is useful to provide a vertically long cylindrical column of fine-particle clouds, yielding even string-shaped vertically aligned fine particles, under the double-plasma configuration. Measurements show that fine-particle clouds rotate in the azimuthal direction on the horizontal plane even in such a weak magnetic field that positive ions are slightly magnetized. With an increase of the magnetic field, the rotation speed increases, being followed by subsequent saturation. The rotation speed and direction can be controlled by varying radial plasma potential and/or density profiles. The rotation is induced under the condition that the interparticle distance is small enough for the strong Coulomb coupling among fine particles. A mechanism of the rotation could be explained by effects of ion motions on fine particles, which are modified in the presence of the vertical magnetic field.
TL;DR: In this paper, a broad hydrodynamic similarity (called the Euler similarity) was found to allow a direct scaling of laboratory results to astrophysical phenomena, such as supernovae explosions, young supernova remnants, galactic jets, and molecular clouds.
Abstract: During the last few years, considerable progress has been made in simulating astrophysical phenomena in laboratory experiments with high-power lasers. Astrophysical phenomena that have drawn particular interest include supernovae explosions; young supernova remnants; galactic jets; the formation of fine structures in late supernovae remnants by instabilities; and the ablation-driven evolution of molecular clouds. A question may arise as to what extent the laser experiments, which deal with targets of a spatial scale of ∼100 μm and occur at a time scale of a few nanoseconds, can reproduce phenomena occurring at spatial scales of a million or more kilometers and time scales from hours to many years. Quite remarkably, in a number of cases there exists a broad hydrodynamic similarity (sometimes called the “Euler similarity”) that allows a direct scaling of laboratory results to astrophysical phenomena. A discussion is presented of the details of the Euler similarity related to the presence of shocks and to a ...
TL;DR: In this paper, high-resolution x-ray radiographs of X pinches driven by current pulses that rise to 200-250 kA peak current in 40 ns were used to study the dynamics of X-pinch plasmas, formed using two fine wires that cross and touch at a single point (in the form of an X) as the load of a high current pulser.
Abstract: Experimental results are presented from studies of the dynamics of X-pinch plasmas, formed using two fine wires that cross and touch at a single point (in the form of an X) as the load of a high current pulser. High-resolution (sub-ns in time and 2–3 μm in space) x-ray radiographs of X pinches driven by current pulses that rise to 200–250 kA peak current in 40 ns show that ⩽300 μm long Z pinches form in the region of the original wire cross-point a few ns prior to the first sub-ns intense x-ray bursts that are characteristic of an X pinch. The Z pinches implode to ⩽10 μm diam and then appear to develop gaps in the radiographic images in one or two places, coincident in time with the x-ray burst(s). The emission spectra of the intense x-ray bursts from different wire materials indicate electron temperatures of 500–1300 eV and densities in excess of 1022/cm3.
TL;DR: In this paper, a macroscopic model for Hall thrusters is presented, which accounts for the complex interactions between electrostatic, thermal, and kinetic effects in a Hall thruster.
Abstract: A macroscopic model which accounts for the complex interactions between electrostatic, thermal, and kinetic effects in a Hall thruster is presented. The analysis establishes the one-dimensional steady structure of the flow as consisting of an anode sheath, a long electron free-diffusion region, with reverse ion flow, a thin ionization layer, and the acceleration region, which extends into the plume. The ion flow presents a forward sonic point around the exit of the ionization layer, which can be either internal, with a smooth sonic transition, or localized at the channel exit. The supersonic plume is included via a simple expansion model, allowing closure of the formulation and calculation of thruster performance. The results indicate good agreement with experimental data for the case of an internal sonic point, and they delineate the existence and nonexistence regions in the space of externally controllable parameters. They also unveil the importance of the electron pressure, the reverse flow of ions, an...
TL;DR: In this article, expansion rates for the dense, exploding wire cores for several wire materials under these conditions, with and without insulating coatings, and shows that these rates are related to the energy deposition prior to plasma formation around the wire.
Abstract: Wire-array Z-pinch implosion experiments begin with wire heating, explosion, and plasma formation phases that are driven by an initial 50–100 ns, 0–1 kA/wire portion of the current pulse. This paper presents expansion rates for the dense, exploding wire cores for several wire materials under these conditions, with and without insulating coatings, and shows that these rates are related to the energy deposition prior to plasma formation around the wire. The most rapid and uniform expansion occurs for wires in which the initial energy deposition is a substantial fraction of the energy required to completely vaporize the wire. Conversely, wire materials with less energy deposition relative to the vaporization energy show complex internal structure and the slowest, most nonuniform expansion. This paper also presents calibrated radial density profiles for some Ag wire explosions, and structural details present in some wire explosions, such as foam-like appearance, stratified layers and gaps.
TL;DR: In this paper, Campbell et al. reviewed the current direct-drive ignition capsule designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and examined the effects on target performance due to laser imprint, power imbalance, and inner and outer target-surface roughness.
Abstract: This paper reviews the current direct-drive ignition capsule designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [M. D. Campbell and W. J. Hogan, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41, B39 (1999)]. The ignition design consists of a cryogenic deuterium–tritium (DT) shell contained within a very thin CH shell. To maintain shell integrity during the implosion, the target is placed on an isentrope approximately three times that of Fermi-degenerate DT (α=3). One-dimensional studies show that the ignition design is robust. Two-dimensional simulations examine the effects on target performance due to laser imprint, power imbalance, and inner- and outer-target-surface roughness. Results from these studies indicate that the capsule gain can be scaled to the ice/vapor surface deformation at the end of the acceleration stage of the implosion. The physical reason for gain reduction as a function of increasing nonuniformities is examined. Simulations show that direct-drive target gains in excess of 30 can be achieved for an inner-ice-surface roughness of 1 μm rms, an on-target power imbalance of 2% rms, and by using the beam-smoothing technique SSD with 1 THz and two color cycles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of three-dimensional fluid global simulations of electrostatic ion turbulence in tokamaks with reversed magnetic shear, and show that a transport barrier appears at the location of magnetic reversal, due to a rarefaction of resonant surfaces in this region.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of three-dimensional fluid global simulations of electrostatic ion turbulence in tokamaks with reversed magnetic shear. It is found that a transport barrier appears at the location of magnetic shear reversal. This is due to a rarefaction of resonant surfaces in this region. For the same reason, the barrier is more pronounced when the minimum of the safety factor is a simple rational number. The barrier is broadened by velocity shear effects. It is also found that large-scale transport events hardly cross a transport barrier. Finally, a significant amount of toroidal rotation is generated by the turbulence. This rotation changes its sign at the position of magnetic shear reversal, as expected from a quasi-linear estimate of the Reynolds stresstensor.