Fractal Structure of the Heliospheric Plasma Sheet at the Earth''''s Orbit

An analysis of the data from the Wind and IMP-8 spacecraft revealed that a slow solar wind, flowing in the heliospheric plasma sheet, represents a set of magnetic tubes with plasma of increased density (N > 10cm-3 at the Earth's orbit). They have a fine structure at several spatial scales (fractality), from 2°-3°(at the Earth's orbit, it is equivalent to 3.6-5.4h, or (5.4-8.0)×106km) to the minimum about 0.025°, i.e. the angular size of the nested tubes is changed nearly by two orders of magnitude. The magnetic tubes at each observed spatial scale are diamagnetic, i.e. their surface sustains a flow of diamagnetic (or drift) current that decreases the magnetic field within the tube itself and increases it outside the tube. Furthermore, the value of β= 8π[N(Te + Tp)]/B2 within the tube exceeds the value of βoutside the tube. In many cases total pressure P = N(Te + Tp) + B2/8πis almost constant within and outside the tubes at any one of the aforementioned scales.     

Study of GNSS-measured ionospheric total electron content variations generated by powerful HF-heating

The purpose of this work is to report the experimental evidences for the influence of perturbations in the electron density in the dayside mid-latitude ionosphere, that are caused by high-frequency heating of the F2 layer, on the GNSS signals. The experiments were carried out at the Sura heater (Radio Physical Research Institute, N. Novgorod). During the sessions of ionospheric heating with different time modulations of the radiated power the rays linking the navigational satellites with the ground receiver intersected the heated region. Variations in the total electron content (TEC) were studied; these variations are proportional to the reduced phases of navigational signals. It is shown that with the square-wave modulation of the radiated power (with periods of 1, 6, 10 and 15 min), perturbations with periods of the main modulation of heating and its harmonics appear in the spectrum of TEC variations. Examples are presented of identification of the heating-induced variations in TEC, including determination of the amplitudes and time characteristics of these variations.     

三角翼DBD等离子体流动控制研究进展

现代战机采用较多的三角翼，在大迎角绕流时存在前缘涡破裂等气动问题。作为新型主动流动控制技术，等离子体激励频带宽、响应快、结构简单、便于闭环控制，在解决三角翼气动问题上具有潜力。回顾了介质阻挡放电（DBD）等离子体气动激励的基本原理，及其用于三角翼前缘涡控制的研究进展。从来流条件、几何构型、激励参数等方面分析了DBD等离子体激励对流动控制效果的影响规律；结合不同激励频率下流场演化特性，分析了流动控制机理。最后，从理论研究和工程应用的角度，对三角翼前缘涡控制的发展进行总结展望。     

自制等离子喷枪冷却系统的设计及测试

等离子喷枪是制备热障涂层中的研究重点。目前关于等离子喷枪的研究多集中于喷嘴(阳极)、阴极,鲜有关于喷枪冷却系统方面的研究;喷枪冷却系统的优劣直接影响喷枪的工作寿命和喷涂过程的稳定性,同时制备热障涂层的质量也与冷却效果紧密相关。本文利用三维模型,详细阐述了自制的喷枪冷却系统通道及工作原理,并对设计进行了理论计算,对自制的喷枪进行点火试验和喷涂测试,结果显示自制的喷枪冷却系统功能良好,喷枪工作稳定,涂层质量较好。     

基于新型丝状电极等离子体激励器的前体涡控制

本文首次将新型丝状暴露电极DBD等离子激励器应用于大迎角下细长体非对称涡控制。丝状暴露电极的材料的选择对DBD推力以及推力效率至关重要,通过地面精细推力测量对丝状暴露电极等离子体激励器进行了优化,结果表明,本文研究材料中采用钨丝作为暴露电极,其推力效率最优;且随着电极直径从d=0.3 mm减小到d=0.08 mm,DBD推力效率显著提升。基于优化后的DBD激励器,将其应用于前体非对称涡控制:未施加等离子体控制时,压力测量以及PIV结果均表明细长体背风区流场为明显的非对称涡结构;在等离子体激励下,该非对称涡结构可变为对称甚至反向非对称,且非稳态激励控制能力明显优于稳态激励。研究发现,大迎角下细长体非对称涡控制与背风区原始涡系结构有关,其中包含对称涡系和非对称涡系。本文研究为大迎角下细长体非对称涡控制提供了一种新思路,同时也为丝状暴露电极DBD等离子体激励器的应用提供参考。     

Application of small-size antennas for estimation of angles of arrival of HF signals scattered by ionospheric irregularities

A modification of the Doppler Interferometry Technique is suggested to enable estimating angles of arrival of comparatively broadband HF signals scattered by random irregularities of the ionospheric plasma with the use of small-size weakly directional antennas. The technique is based on the measurements of cross-spectra phases of the probe radiation recorded at least in three spatially separated points. The developed algorithm has been used to investigate the angular and frequency-time characteristics of HF signals propagating at frequencies above the maximum usable one (MUF) for the direct radio path Moscow-Kharkiv. The received signal spectra show presence of three families of spatial components attributed, respectively, to scattering by plasma irregularities near the middle point of the radio path, ground backscatter signals and scattering of the sounding signals by the intense plasma turbulence associated with auroral activations. It has been shown that the regions responsible for the formation of the third family components are located well inside the auroral oval. The drift velocity and direction of the auroral ionosphere plasma have been determined. The obtained estimates are consistent with the classical conception of the ionospheric plasma convection at high latitudes and do not contradict the results of investigations of the auroral ionosphere dynamics using the SuperDARN network.     

Spectroscopy peculiarities of thermal plasma of electric arc discharge between electrodes with Zn admixtures

Plasma of the free burning electric arc between Ag–SnO₂–ZnO composite electrodes as well as brass electrodes were investigated. The plasma temperature distributions were obtained by Boltzmann plot method involving Cu I, Ag I or Zn I spectral line emissions. The electron density distributions were obtained from the width and from absolute intensity of spectral lines. The laser absorption spectroscopy was used for measurement of copper atom concentration in plasma. Plasma equilibrium composition was calculated using two independent groups of experimental values (temperature and copper atom concentration, temperature and electron density). It was found that plasma of the free burning electric arc between brass electrodes is in local thermodynamical equilibrium. The experimental verification of the spectroscopic data of Zn I spectral lines was carried out.     

毫秒脉冲等离子体激励改善飞翼的气动性能实验

在来流速度为30m/s时,进行了毫秒脉冲介质阻挡放电等离子体激励改善飞翼气动性能的风洞实验.等离子体激励器布置在飞翼前缘,峰峰值电压为9.5kV时,放电的脉冲能量在0.1mJ/cm量级.通过六分量测力天平测力研究了脉冲激励频率和占空比对升/阻力系数、升阻比和俯仰力矩系数的作用效果.结果表明:等离子体激励可以有效改善飞翼大攻角气动特性;在最佳无量纲脉冲激励频率F+≈1时,临界失速迎角由14°提高到17°,最大升力系数提高10%;占空比对流动控制效果影响较大,减小占空比可以降低能耗,实验中最佳占空比为5%;俯仰力矩系数的变化表明施加等离子体激励改善了飞翼纵向静稳定性.      

Mathematical modeling of plasma drifts over equatorial low latitude regions

This paper presents a mathematical model to simulate ionospheric plasma drifts at equatorial low latitude regions by coupling of E- and F-regions. The governing non-linear differential equations (of elliptic and parabolic nature) are solved numerically through finite-difference schemes and obtained neutral winds and electric fields. The temperature and electron density profiles are generated utilizing MSIS-86 atmospheric model. The continuity equation is employed to obtain night-time E-region density profile using measured ionograms at Trivandrum (India). The computed vertical and zonal plasma drifts are comparable with measured Jacamarca plasma drifts with little variations during noon and evening times. The plasma drifts at Trivandrum (8.5° N, 76.5° E, dip 0.5° N) are compared with those of Jicamarca (12° S, 76.9° W, dip 2° N). Neutral wind simulations of present model agree well with those of horizontal wind model (HWM-93). The post-sunset enhancement and its reversal are also discussed.     

Remote upgrading of a space-borne instrument

The main purposes of experiment “Obstanovka” (“Environment” in Russian) consisting of several instruments are to measure a set of electromagnetic and plasma phenomena characterizing the space weather conditions, and to evaluate how such a big and highly energy consuming body as the International Space Station disturbs the surrounding plasma, and how the station itself is charged due to the operation of so many instruments, solar batteries, life supporting devices, etc. Two identical Langmuir electrostatic probes are included in the experiment “Obstanovka”. In this paper the Langmuir probes for “Obstanovka” experiment are described, including the choice of geometry (spherical or cylindrical), a more reliable method for the sweep voltage generation, an adaptive algorithm for the probe’s operation. Special attention is paid to the possibility for remote upgrading of the instrument from the ground using the standard communication channels.