Whistler waves in plasmas with time-varying magnetic field: Laboratory investigation

Modulation of whistler waves in a plasma with time-dependant magnetic field perturbations was investigated experimentally. The experiments were performed on large “Krot” device, which was specially designed to study space plasma physics phenomena. It is shown that magnetic field variations on the wave propagation path can lead to splitting of initially continuous whistler wave into the sequence of bursts, whose repetition rate corresponds to magnetic field perturbation period. The frequency inside each burst is changing from its front edge to the back edge. Relative shift of the wave frequency can be as large as the relative magnetic disturbance. Distortion of whistler wave frequency spectrum after its passing through magnetically disturbed areas can be used as a diagnostics for low-frequency magnetic field variations. The applicability of our laboratory results to space plasma is discussed.     

A lunar cargo mission design strategy using variable low thrust

A design technique for a near optimal, Earth–Moon transfer trajectory using continuous variable low thrust is proposed. For the Earth–Moon transfer trajectory, analytical and numerical methods are combined to formulate the trajectory optimization problem. The basic concept of the proposed technique is to utilize analytically optimized solutions when the spacecraft is flying near a central body where the transfer trajectories are nearly circular shaped, and to use a numerical optimization method to match the spacecraft’s states to establish a final near optimal trajectory. The plasma thruster is considered as the main propulsion system which is currently being developed for crewed/cargo missions for interplanetary flight. The gravitational effects of the 3rd body and geopotential effects are included during the trajectory optimization process. With the proposed design technique, Earth–Moon transfer trajectory is successfully designed with the plasma thruster having a thrust direction sequence of “fixed-varied-fixed” and a thrust acceleration sequence of “constant-variable-constant”. As this strategy has the characteristics of a lesser computational load, little sensitivity to initial conditions, and obtaining solutions quickly, this method can be utilized in the initial scoping studies for mission design and analysis. Additionally, derived near optimal trajectory solution can be used as for initial trajectory solution for further detailed optimization problem. The demonstrated results will give various insights into future lunar cargo trajectories using plasma thrusters with continuous variable low thrust, establishing approximate costs as well as trajectory characteristics.     

Corotating interplanetary streams and associated ionospheric disturbances at Venus and Earth

During the summer of 1979, solar coronal structure was such that a sequence of recurrent regions produced a corresponding sequence of corotating solar wind streams, with pronounced downstream signatures. One of these stream events passed Earth on July 3, and was observed later at Venus late on July 11th, with similar characteristics. Corresponding in-situ measurements at Earth from the Atmospheric Explorer-E satellite and at Venus from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter are examined for evidence of comparable perturbations of the planetary ionospheres. The passage of the stream shock front is found to be associated with pronounced fluctuations in n(0⁺) which appear as pronounced local depletion of ion concentrations in both ionospheres. The ionosphere disturbances appear to be closely associated with large variations in the solar wind momentum flux. The implied local ionospheric depletions observed at each planet are interpreted to be the consequence of plasma redistribution, rather than actual depletions of plasma.     

Ground and satellite-based observations of ionospheric plasma bubbles and blobs at 5.65° latitude in the Brazilian sector

This investigation uses simultaneous observations from all-sky imager system and an ionosonde collocated at Araguatins (5.65° S, 48.07° W and dip-latitude of 4.17° S), a near-equatorial region in Brazil. These simultaneous observations were used to investigate the occurrence of plasma bubbles and blobs in the field of the imaging system and their association with atypical range Spread-F signature in ionograms. Also, in-situ observation of plasma density from Swarm satellites were used to support the ground-based observations. Using a few cases, a methodology will be established to identify in the plasma blobs (atypical ESF) in the ionograms when there is the simultaneous observation of plasma bubbles and blobs in the field of view of the ionosonde. For this purpose, simultaneous sequence of OI 630.0 nm nightglow images and ionograms are presented for different case studies; 1. when there is the absence of a plasma bubble or blob, 2. when there is only the occurrence of plasma bubbles and 3. when there is the occurrence of plasma bubbles and blobs, in order to compare traces in the ionogram in all these case studies. With these we can cover all kinds of signatures in the ionograms corresponding to no irregularities, plasma bubbles only and plasma bubbles-blobs. These OI 630.0 nm nightglow and ionograms recorded simultaneously make it possible to establish a novel methodology to recognize in ionograms cases when there is the occurrence of Spread-F signature associated with bubble-blob in the FOV of the ionosonde.     

基于BP神经网络的GEO等离子体环境参数反演分析

空间等离子体环境诱发的表面充电效应会对航天器运行产生干扰,严重时将导致太阳电池等部件失效。通过神经网络反演方法,以GEO环境中介质表面充电电位曲线作为输入,在双峰麦克斯韦分布假设下,可以逆向得到高能峰的等离子体参数。分析了GEO等离子体环境参数对表面充电电位曲线的影响,表明高能峰在充电过程中起决定性作用;其次通过MATLAB搭建BP神经网络,采用COMSOL计算得到多组充电曲线进行网络训练和反演计算,得到等离子体密度反演的平均相对误差为0.42%,温度反演的平均相对误差为0.03%,整体误差在0.1%～5.6%。结果表明,采用神经网络对等离子体环境进行反演具有可行性,该方法可以作为空间等离子体环境探测结果的对比参考和航天器非探测点表面电位计算的输入条件。     

柱形等离子体辐射场的数值计算和分析

参照金属辐射场的求解方法,在简化条件下计算出柱形等离子体行波传输和驻波传输的辐射图．当改变等离子体密度以及相关参数时,对应的辐射图会相应地发生变化,得出与信号在金属介质中传输相类似的结果．根据理想柱形等离子体表面波的色散关系得到波矢,求出的柱形等离子体辐射方向图与金属介质的辐射方向图相比,会发生较大的变化,因此利用等离子体进行信号传输有一定的价值．     

Chandra observation of the interaction between the plasma nebula RCW89 and the pulsar jet of PSR B1509–58

We present a Chandra observation of the H II region RCW89. The nebula lies 10′ north from the central pulsar PSR B1509–58, and it has been suggested that the nebula is irradiated by the pulsar jet. We performed a spectral analysis of the seven brightest emitting regions aligned in a horse-shoe like shape, and found that the temperature of the knots increases along the horse-shoe in the clockwise direction, while, in contrast, the ionization parameter n_et decreases. This result implies that RCW89 was heated in sequence. We examined the energy budget assuming that RCW89 is powered by the pulsar jet. The rate of energy injection into RCW89 by the jet was estimated from the synchrotron radiation flux. We obtained a heating time-scale of 1400 yr, which is consistent with the pulsar characteristic age of 1700 yr. To explain the temperature gradient, we discuss the cooling process for plasma clouds in RCW89. We argue that the plasma clumps can be cooled down by the adiabatic expansion within 250 yr, and form the temperature gradient reflecting the sequential heating by the precessing pulsar jet.     

利用半导体二极管伏安特性进行朗缪尔探针性能测试研究

研究讨论了一种利用半导体二极管伏安特性进行朗缪尔探针性能测试的方法. 设计的朗缪尔探针性能测试方法对外界因素要求较低,在常温常压的通常实 验室环境下即可进行,其测试结果可作为利用地面等离子体环境进行定标测试 前的初步性能验证. 通过实验室环境下的测试试验, 验证了该方法的有效性和 可行性.      

从空间飞行器入射进电离层的调制电子束产生的高频波辐射

在主动束-等离子体试验中,调制电子束从空间飞行器入射进电离层等离子体将会产生电磁波辐射,在不同试验条件下电磁波辐射机理也不一样,由电子束纵向约束性产生电磁波辐射是其中之一.对半无界稀薄调制电子束从空间飞行器入射进电离层等离子体时所产生的波现象进行了理论分析和数值计算.结果表明,当调制电子束沿磁力线入射时,会在电离层等离子体中产生高频电磁波辐射,该辐射主要集中在垂直于入射电子束运动方向的平面内.      

Effective Coulomb force modeling for spacecraft in Earth orbit plasmas

Coulomb formation flight is a concept that utilizes electrostatic forces to control the separations of close proximity spacecraft. The Coulomb force between charged bodies is a product of their size, separation, potential and interaction with the local plasma environment. A fast and accurate analytic method of capturing the interaction of a charged body in a plasma is shown. The Debye–Hückel analytic model of the electrostatic field about a charged sphere in a plasma is expanded to analytically compute the forces. This model is fitted to numerical simulations with representative geosynchronous and low Earth orbit (GEO and LEO) plasma environments using an effective Debye length. This effective Debye length, which more accurately captures the charge partial shielding, can be up to 7 times larger at GEO, and as great as 100 times larger at LEO. The force between a sphere and point charge is accurately captured with the effective Debye length, as opposed to the electron Debye length solutions that have errors exceeding 50%. One notable finding is that the effective Debye lengths in LEO plasmas about a charged body are increased from centimeters to meters. This is a promising outcome, as the reduced shielding at increased potentials provides sufficient force levels for operating the electrostatically inflated membrane structures concept at these dense plasma altitudes.     

Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Structure and Dynamics as Seen From Cluster and Double Star Measurements

In this review, we discuss the structure and dynamics of the magnetospheric Low-Latitude Boundary Layer (LLBL) based on recent results from multi-satellite missions Cluster and Double Star. This boundary layer, adjacent to the magnetopause on the magnetospheric side, usually consists of a mixture of plasma of magnetospheric and magnetosheath origins, and plays an important role in the transfer of mass and energy from the solar wind into the magnetosphere and subsequent magnetospheric dynamics. During southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) conditions, this boundary layer is generally considered to be formed as a result of the reconnection process between the IMF and magnetospheric magnetic field lines at the dayside magnetopause, and the structure and plasma properties inside the LLBL can be understood in terms of the time history since the reconnection process. During northward IMF conditions, the LLBL is usually thicker, and has more complex structure and topology. Recent observations confirm that the LLBL observed at the dayside can be formed by single lobe reconnection, dual lobe reconnection, or by sequential dual lobe reconnection, as well as partially by localized cross-field diffusion. The LLBL magnetic topology and plasma signatures inside the different sub-layers formed by these processes are discussed in this review. The role of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the formation of the LLBL at the flank magnetopause is also discussed. Overall, we conclude that the LLBL observed at the flanks can be formed by the combination of processes, (dual) lobe reconnection and plasma mixing due to non-linear Kelvin-Helmholtz waves.      

Formation of Saturn's spokes

The scattering properties of the spokes in Saturn's rings suggest that they consist of micron-sized dust particles. We suggest that these grains are elevated above the ring plane by electrostatic charging. We show that electrostatic levitation requires a sufficiently large plasma density near the rings. If the plasma density near the rings exceeds a few 10² cm^?3 levitation may occur at significant rates in the strong electric fields which exist in the wall-sheaths at the ring. Once the dust particles are elevated they drift relative to the plasma (except at synchronous orbit). This relative motion constitutes a current which causes a polarization electric field if the plasma is azimuthally inhomogeneous. The dense plasma will drift radially in response to this electric field and cause levitation of more dust particles as it moves along. It leaves a radially aligned trail of elevated dust particles—the spokes. One way of producing dense plasma is by meteor impact on the rings. We discuss the mechanisms of ring charging, electrostatic levitation and the currents in the plasma-dust mixture. We show that for reasonable conditions spokes of more than 10,000 km radial length can be formed in less than five minutes. We also show that under the same conditions the electrostatic levitation model predicts a dust grain population which peaks at a size of 0.6 microns and can reach optical depths of 0.1.     

飞行器脉动压力测量及校准技术研究现状

脉动压力来源于飞行器表面凸起物产生的气流分离,具有明显随机特性。其测量与量值校准准确与否直接决定飞行器研制和试验成败,是飞行器研制过程中一项重要内容。本文简要阐述了飞行器脉动压力测量、测量脉动压力用传感器的特点及其校准等内容。     

Electron acceleration and parallel electric fields due to kinetic Alfvén waves in plasma with similar thermal and Alfvén speeds

We investigate electron acceleration due to shear Alfvén waves in a collissionless plasma for plasma parameters typical of 4–5R_E radial distance from the Earth along auroral field lines. Recent observational work has motivated this study, which explores the plasma regime where the thermal velocity of the electrons is similar to the Alfvén speed of the plasma, encouraging Landau resonance for electrons in the wave fields. We use a self-consistent kinetic simulation model to follow the evolution of the electrons as they interact with a short-duration wave pulse, which allows us to determine the parallel electric field of the shear Alfvén wave due to both electron inertia and electron pressure effects. The simulation demonstrates that electrons can be accelerated to keV energies in a modest amplitude sub-second period wave. We compare the parallel electric field obtained from the simulation with those provided by fluid approximations.     

强磁场中电磁辐射散射的自激效应

电子在磁场中运动,对频率ω_i的外来电磁波的散射,除频率仍为ω_i的部分以外,还发出与回旋辐射相同频率的散射波,这可以称作是自激效应.除了高频极限,该效应对散射截面有相当大的影响.本文对单个电子及冷等离子体情形,给出了强磁场中非相对论性经典电子散射截面的修正计算.讨论了电子散射的谱分布,给出某些典型情形中平衡状态下磁等离子体的Thomsom吸收系数.本文结果可应用于X射线脉冲星谱线形成等问题.      

The plasma sheet and boundary layers under northward IMF: A multi-point and multi-instrument perspective

During conditions of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the near-tail plasma sheet is known to become denser and cooler, and is described as the cold-dense plasma sheet (CDPS). While its source is likely the solar wind, the prominent penetration mechanisms are less clear. The two main candidates are solar wind direct capture via double high-latitude reconnection on the dayside and Kelvin–Helmholtz/diffusive processes at the flank magnetopause. This paper presents a case study on the formation of the CDPS utilizing a wide variety of space- and ground-based observations, but primarily from the Double Star and Polar spacecraft on December 5th, 2004. The pertinent observations can be summarized as follows: TC-1 observes quasi-periodic (∼2 min period) cold-dense boundary layer (compared to a hot-tenuous plasma sheet) signatures interspersed with magnetosheath plasma at the dusk flank magnetopause near the dawn-dusk terminator. Analysis of this region suggests the boundary to be Kelvin–Helmholtz unstable and that plasma transport is ongoing across the boundary. At the same time, IMAGE spacecraft and ground based SuperDARN measurements provide evidence of high-latitude reconnection in both hemispheres. The Polar spacecraft, located in the southern hemisphere afternoon sector, sunward of TC-1, observes a persistent boundary layer with no obvious signature of boundary waves. The plasma is of a similar appearance to that observed by TC-1 inside the boundary layer further down the dusk flank, and by TC-2 in the near-Earth magnetotail. We present comparisons of electron phase space distributions between the spacecraft. Although the dayside boundary layer at Polar is most likely formed via double high-altitude reconnection, and is somewhat comparable to the flank boundary layer at Double Star, some differences argue in favour of additional transport that augment solar wind plasma entry into the tail regions.     

A new approach to solar wind monitoring

The monitoring of solar wind parameters is a key problem of the space weather program. We are presenting a new solution of plasma parameter determination suitable for small and fast solar wind monitors. The first version will be launched during the SPECTR-R project into a highly elongated orbit with apogee ∼350,000 km. The method is based on simultaneous measurements of the total ion flux and ion integral energy spectrum by six identical Faraday cups. Three of them are dedicated to determination of the ion flow direction, the other three (equipped with control grids supplied by a retarding potential) are used for determination of the density, temperature, and speed of the plasma flow. The version under development is primarily designed for the measurements in the solar wind and tail magnetosheath, thus for velocities range from 270 to 750 km/s, temperatures from 1 to 30 eV, and densities up to 200 cm⁻³. However, the instrument design can be simply modified for measurements in other regions with a substantial portion of low-energy plasma as a subsolar magnetosheath, cusp or low-latitude boundary layer. Testing of the engineering model shows that the proposed method can provide reliable plasma parameters with a high time resolution (up to 8 Hz). The paper presents not only the method and its technical realization but it documents all advantages and peculiarities of the suggested approach.     

热离子质谱分析仪的研制及定标

热离子质谱分析是空间等离子体探测的核心技术之一.热离子质谱分析仪采用了半球形静电分析器结合基于碳膜的飞行时间系统方案,是目前应用最广泛、最成熟的空间热离子质谱分析技术.热离子质谱分析仪解决了三项关键技术,即5mV高分辨扫描高压,10~20nm超薄碳膜处理以及30kV超高加速电压.分析仪原理样机在瑞士伯尔尼大学完成了定标试验,实现指标参数如下:能量范围为0.499eV~29.94keV,能量分辨率为10.5%;能够实现离子成分H+,He+,O+的分辨;视场范围为360°×8.4°,角度分辨率为22.5°×8.4°.基于热离子质谱分析仪的研制基础,可以进一步开发出更高质谱分辨、更大探测视场以及小型化的等离子体探测载荷.      

Study of fast atoms in molecular gas plasma via emission spectroscopy

Fast atoms are generated in reactions of ions with the molecular gas in laboratory and astrophysical plasma. In hydrogen they are observed in the emission spectra via Excessive line broadening. Energetic atoms also occur in astrophysical plasma in hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. The proposal here is that low pressure discharges can be used to simulate the phenomena in certain space plasma. In this study, we have used a special configuration of the electrode system, to obtain energetic atoms in plasma of three types of diatomic gases (H₂, O₂, N₂). Emission spectroscopy was used to detect the atoms and measure their velocity. Energy analysis was performed to obtain atoms’ distributions and evaluate the mean energy of atoms. This was compared to the potential energy available from the electric field. The field acceleration model, previously established for hydrogen, was extended to nitrogen and oxygen. We suggest, that the same method of analysis can be applied for astrophysical plasma spectrum.     

利用孤立导体建立等离子体探测载荷参考电位方法

研究讨论了一种利用孤立导体在空间等离子体环境中建立探测器参考电位的技术.将一个金属导体与航天器进行电隔离,利用电路将孤立导体电位引入探测器电源模块,为探测器建立参考电位.该技术可安全方便地应用于卫星等航天器,使探测器的地电位与空间等离子体电位基本一致,避免航天器本体电位对探测器的影响.该技术将应用于中国空间站等离子体原位探测器,通过测试验证了该技术方法可以建立-210～+210V的参考电位,满足空间站等离子体原位探测器-200～+200V的参考电位技术需求.