Properties of Energetic Ions in the Solar Atmosphere from ��-Ray and Neutron Observations

Gamma-rays and neutrons are the only sources of information on energetic ions present during solar flares and on properties of these ions when they interact in the solar atmosphere. The production of ??-rays and neutrons results from convolution of the nuclear cross-sections with the ion distribution functions in the atmosphere. The observed ??-ray and neutron fluxes thus provide useful diagnostics for the properties of energetic ions, yielding strong constraints on acceleration mechanisms as well as properties of the interaction sites. The problem of ion transport between the accelerating and interaction sites must also be addressed to infer as much information as possible on the properties of the primary ion accelerator. In the last couple of decades, both theoretical and observational developments have led to substantial progress in understanding the origin of solar ??-rays and neutrons. This chapter reviews recent developments in the study of solar ??-rays and of solar neutrons at the time of the RHESSI era. The unprecedented quality of the RHESSI data reveals ??-ray line shapes for the first time and provides ??-ray images. Our previous understanding of the properties of energetic ions based on measurements from the former solar cycles is also summarized. The new results??obtained owing both to the gain in spectral resolution (both with RHESSI and with the non solar-dedicated INTEGRAL/SPI instrument) and to the pioneering imaging technique in the ??-ray domain??are presented in the context of this previous knowledge. Still open questions are emphasized in the last section of the chapter and future perspectives on this field are briefly discussed.     

Propagation of solar disturbances: Theories and models

Space Science Reviews - Recent theoretical developments and construction of several models for the propagation of solar disturbances from the Sun and their continuation throughout heliospheric...     

The solar wind interaction with Venus

This paper assesses our current understanding of the solar wind interaction with Venus in light of developments since the last major reviews were published in 1983. Suggestions for making further progress in the area of solar wind interactions with planetary atmospheres and ionospheres are offered based on the available observations and techniques, and from the viewpoint of forthcoming missions to Mars.     

Turbulence in the Solar Photosphere

The precise nature of photospheric flows, and of the transport effects they give rise to, has been the subject of intense debate in the last decade. Here we attempt to give a brief review of the subject emphasizing interdisciplinary (solar physics–turbulence theory) aspects, key open questions, and recent developments.     

Energy and power

Energy sources for aerospace systems include electrochemicals, mechanical rotation, solar illumination, radioisotopes, and nuclear reactors. Energy is converted to power with engines, turbines, photovoltaics, thermoelectric and thermionic devices, and electrochemical processes. Although some early spacecraft flew with battery power, for longer flights the choice has been either solar or nuclear. Manned spacecraft must have power for the total mission duration including boost into orbit, on-orbit, and subsequent re-entry. Batteries are too heavy for extended manned space missions; tradeoff study alternatives range from radioisotope heated thermionic converters to hyperbolic-fueled engines. Arrays of solar cells are the obvious choice for powering space stations and for other extended-duration missions. This article emphasizes developments for space and airplane power systems. Enabling technologies are described along with significant spin-offs and future systems     

Spectroscopic diagnostics for CDS and SUMER

The CDS and SUMER instruments will make extensive use of spectroscopic diagnostics to determine the physical parameters of the solar transition region and corona. A great deal of effort is going into the development of these techniques to ensure that they are accurate. This requires interfacing solar analysis programs with the best available atomic data calculations. Recent developments in this work will be presented, with specific examples of useful spectral line ratios.     

ATS-6 Solar Cell Flight Experiment After 325 Days in Synchronous Orbit

Preliminary Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) solar cell flight experiment data through the first 325 days in synchronous orbit is present. The experiment is transmitting data on 16 different solar cell/cover glass configurations. The experiment is designed to study the effect of this orbit on select solar cells and cover glass parameters such as solar cell thickness and base resistivity, cover glass thickness variation, new cover and adhesive processes and materials such as 7940 and 7070 integral covers and the fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) covers, the COMSAT "violet" cell, and backside irradiation effects. The in-spece solar cell data indicate short circuit currents are higher by 1 to 8 percent than measurements made with solar simulations; maximum power varied between -1 to +6 percent . Degradation of /sc due to ultraviolet effects was determined to be about 2 percent after 50 days in orbit. All cells performed well through 325 days in orbit, except the FEP-covered cells, which appear to have increased their rate of degradation during the first eclipse season.     

Water Loss from Young Planets

Good progress has been made in the past few years to better understand the XUV evolution trend of Sun-like stars, the capture and dissipation of hydrogen dominant envelopes of planetary embryos and protoplanets, and water loss from young planets around M dwarfs. This chapter reviews these recent developments. Observations of exoplanets and theoretical works in the near future will significantly advance our understanding of one of the fundamental physical processes shaping the evolution of solar system terrestrial planets.     

The Genesis Solar Wind Concentrator

The primary goal of the Genesis Mission is to collect solar wind ions and, from their analysis, establish key isotopic ratios that will help constrain models of solar nebula formation and evolution. The ratios of primary interest include ¹⁷O/¹⁶O and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O to ±0.1%, ¹⁵N/¹⁴N to ±1%, and the Li, Be, and B elemental and isotopic abundances. The required accuracies in N and O ratios cannot be achieved without concentrating the solar wind and implanting it into low-background target materials that are returned to Earth for analysis. The Genesis Concentrator is designed to concentrate the heavy ion flux from the solar wind by an average factor of at least 20 and implant it into a target of ultra-pure, well-characterized materials. High-transparency grids held at high voltages are used near the aperture to reject >90% of the protons, avoiding damage to the target. Another set of grids and applied voltages are used to accelerate and focus the remaining ions to implant into the target. The design uses an energy-independent parabolic ion mirror to focus ions onto a 6.2 cm diameter target of materials selected to contain levels of O and other elements of interest established and documented to be below 10% of the levels expected from the concentrated solar wind. To optimize the concentration of the ions, voltages are constantly adjusted based on real-time solar wind speed and temperature measurements from the Genesis ion monitor. Construction of the Concentrator required new developments in ion optics; materials; and instrument testing and handling. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

考虑局部遮挡的太阳能无人机能源控制

针对太阳能无人机在飞行状态下可能出现的太阳能电池局部遮挡情况,开展相应的太阳能电池最大功率点追踪算法和能源控制研究。通过将发光亮度引入相对吸引力计算过程对萤火虫算法进行改进,实现了局部阴影情况下太阳能电池最大功率点的高效追踪。以此为基础,设计了考虑局部遮挡情况下太阳能无人机的太阳能电池/蓄电池混合能源状态机控制规则。以"蒲公英I"无人机为例,建立了太阳能电池阵列模型,开展了考虑局部遮挡情况下太阳能电池最大功率点追踪仿真实验;基于"蒲公英I"飞行剖面,开展了考虑局部遮挡情况的混合能源控制仿真试验。研究结果表明：改进的萤火虫算法可以实现在局部阴影情况下太阳能电池最大功率点的有效跟踪,与萤火虫算法相比收敛时间更短、且功率波动幅度更小;采用改进萤火虫算法和状态机能源管理策略,在考虑局部遮挡的飞行状态下可以实现太阳能电池/蓄电池之间的合理功率分配与控制。     

Tandem solar cells with 31% (AM0) and 37% (AM1.5D) energyconversion efficiencies

The authors demonstrate that the efficiency of GaAs satellite solar cells can be increased to 31% (AM0) with two straightforward modifications. First, the wire grid reflection losses on the GaAs cell can be eliminated by attaching and aligning a thin grooved cover slide. The grooves in this cover slide deflect the incident light rays away from the wire grid lines into the cell active area, increasing the efficiency from 22% to 24%. The second modification involves making the GaAs cell transparent to the infrared energy that normally is wasted and then placing an infrared sensitive GaSb booster cell behind the GaAs cell. This increases the AM0 solar energy conversion efficiency from 24% to 31%. The GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cells have conversion efficiencies of 37% if used for terrestrial (AM1.5) rather than space (AM0) solar electric power systems, high enough that utility-scale solar electric power may someday be economical     

Summary of European Solar Cell Activities

A review of activities in the solar cell field by the European manufacturers and agencies is presented. These activities include considerable efforts in research, development, and production of solar cells, covers, and solar cell arrays. Details of the qualification and use of European cells and covers on the Intelsat IV program are presented.     

Multidecadal Signal of Solar Variability in the Upper Troposphere During the 20th Century

Studies based on data from the past 25–45 years show that irradiance changes related to the 11-yr solar cycle affect the circulation of the upper troposphere in the subtropics and midlatitudes. The signal has been interpreted as a northward displacement of the subtropical jet and the Ferrel cell with increasing solar irradiance. In model studies on the 11-yr solar signal this could be related to a weakening and at the same time broadening of the Hadley circulation initiated by stratospheric ozone anomalies. Other studies, focusing on the direct thermal effect at the Earth’s surface on multidecadal scales, suggest a strengthening of the Hadley circulation induced by an increased equator-to-pole temperature gradient. In this paper we analyse the solar signal in the upper troposphere since 1922, using statistical reconstructions based on historical upper-air data. This allows us to address the multidecadal variability of solar irradiance, which was supposedly large in the first part of the 20th century. Using a simple regression model we find a consistent signal on the 11-yr time scale which fits well with studies based on later data. We also find a significant multidecadal signal that is similar to the 11-yr signal, but somewhat stronger. We interpret this signal as a poleward shift of the subtropical jet and the Ferrel cell. Comparing the magnitude of the two signals could provide important information on the feedback mechanisms involved in the solar climate relationship with respect to the Hadley and Ferrel circulations. However, in view of the uncertainty in the solar irradiance reconstructions, such interpretations are not currently possible.     

Energetic particle transport coefficients in the heliosphere

It is the purpose of this review to summarize and discuss recent research done in the field of particle propagation in the heliosphere. Several lines of approach have been followed to treat this problem. As a starting point the different forms of the transport equation are discussed. Quasi-Linear Theory (QLT) relates the power contained in fluctuations of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) to the transport coefficients of energetic particles, an outline of the basic results of this theory is presented followed by a discussion of subsequent corrections made to the original formulation with an emphasis in recent developments where the effects of wave polarization, its propagation respect to the solar wind and the dissipation of power at large frequencies have been taken into account. The numerical approach using test particle trajectory integrations to obtain transport coefficients based on in situ satellite measureents is also discussed. It is well known that the determination of the particles mean free path for solar particle events by alternative methods leads to conflicting results, corrections made to original QLT are attempts to bridge the gap. Determination of the transport parameters from different lines of approach in a comparative basis have been done recently by calculating power spectra of IMF measured at the time solar particles were detected on the same spaceprobe, and performing numerical simulations with equivalent IMF data. Some of the results of such studies point to the solution of the conflicting determinations of the mean free path which has existed for nearly 30 years. An assesment of the present situation in this respect is given. Numerical determinations of transport parameters in the outer heliosphere are also reviewed and its consequences for solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays discussed. Space Science Reviews 62: Printed in Belgium.     

Energetic particle transport coefficients in the heliosphere

It is the purpose of this review to summarize and discuss recent research done in the field of particle propagation in the heliosphere. Several lines of approach have been followed to treat this problem. As a starting point the different forms of the transport equation are discussed. Quasi-Linear Theory (QLT) relates the power contained in fluctuations of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) to the transport coefficients of energetic particles, an outline of the basic results of this theory is presented followed by a discussion of subsequent corrections made to the original formulation with an emphasis in recent developments where the effects of wave polarization, its propagation respect to the solar wind and the dissipation of power at large frequencies have been taken into account. The numerical approach using test particle trajectory integrations to obtain transport coefficients based on in situ satellite measureents is also discussed. It is well known that the determination of the particles mean free path for solar particle events by alternative methods leads to conflicting results, corrections made to original QLT are attempts to bridge the gap. Determination of the transport parameters from different lines of approach in a comparative basis have been done recently by calculating power spectra of IMF measured at the time solar particles were detected on the same spaceprobe, and performing numerical simulations with equivalent IMF data. Some of the results of such studies point to the solution of the conflicting determinations of the mean free path which has existed for nearly 30 years. An assesment of the present situation in this respect is given. Numerical determinations of transport parameters in the outer heliosphere are also reviewed and its consequences for solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays discussed. Space Science Reviews 62: Printed in Belgium.     

Heliospheric radio emissions

A review is given of heliospheric radio emissions. Only radio emissions generated well away from the Sun (beyond a few solar radii) and well away from the magnetized planets are considered. These consist of (1) type III radio bursts, (2) type II radio bursts, and (3) heliospheric 2–3 kHz radio emissions. The physical processes involved in the generation of each of these radio emissions are described with an emphasis on recent developments. A prognosis is given of advances that can be expected from the forthcoming flight of Ulysses over the poles of the Sun and the flights of Voyagers 1 and 2 to the outer limits of the heliosphere.     

Flexible Solar Cell Arrays for Increased Space Power

The importance of solar cells for space power supplies continues with increased emphasis. The need for advances in the design of solar cell arrays becomes more pressing as the requirement for increased power levels is apparent. This paper discusses a flexible solar cell concept, includes a brief history of the development, describes a conceptual design for a 20-kW array, giving weight breakdown, and describes an existing design effort.     

小型太阳能无人机超大展弦比轻质主梁设计

太阳能无人机表面需要铺设太阳能电池,这就要求太阳能无人机的结构要同时满足不影响太阳能电池效率的光学特性和要达到足够强度、刚度的力学特性。文章针对小型太阳能飞机超大展弦比机翼进行轻质化结构设计,过程中充分考虑超大展弦比机翼的柔性变形,对比不同的设计方案并提出合理设计方案。     

新型太阳能利用装置的研究

对目前太阳能的几种常见的应用领域及相关装置进行了分析和研究,并在此基础上,结合相关理论,设计了利用太阳能的新型装置,如:太阳能房、太阳能热发电装置、聚光式太阳能电池发电装置等,这些装置将为更好地利用太阳能开辟新的途径.太阳能作为一种新兴的可再生能源有着不可限量的发展前景.