Measurement of vertical atmospheric density profile from the X-ray Earth occultation of the Crab Nebula with Insight-HXMT

The X-ray Earth occultation sounding (XEOS) is an emerging method for measuring the neutral density in the lower thermosphere. In this paper, the X-ray Earth occultation (XEO) of the Crab Nebula is investigated by using the Insight-HXMT. The pointing observation data on the 30th September, 2018 recorded by the Low Energy X-ray telescope (LE) of Insight-HXMT are selected and analyzed. The extinction lightcurves and spectra during the X-ray Earth occultation process are extracted. A forward model for the XEO lightcurve is established and the theoretical observational signal for lightcurve is predicted. A Bayesian data analysis method is developed for the XEO lightcurve modeling and the atmospheric density retrieval. The posterior probability distribution of the model parameters is derived through the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm with the NRLMSISE-00 model and the NRLMSIS 2.0 model as basis functions and the best-fit density profiles are retrieved respectively. It is found that in the altitude range of 105–200 km, the retrieved density profile is 88.8 % of the density of NRLMSISE-00 and 109.7 % of the density of NRLMSIS 2.0 by fitting the lightcurve in the energy range of 1.0–2.5 keV based on XEOS method. In the altitude range of 95–125 km, the retrieved density profile is 81.0 % of the density of NRLMSISE-00 and 92.3 % of the density of NRLMSIS 2.0 by fitting the lightcurve in the energy range of 2.5–6.0 keV based on XEOS method. In the altitude range of 85–110 km, the retrieved density profile is 87.7 % of the density of NRLMSISE-00 and 101.4 % of the density of NRLMSIS 2.0 by fitting the lightcurve in the energy range of 6.0–10.0 keV based on XEOS method. The measurements of density profiles are compared with the NRLMSISE-00/NRLMSIS 2.0 model simulations and the previous retrieval results with RXTE satellite. Finally, we find that the retrieved density profile from Insight-HXMT based on the NRLMSISE-00/NRLMSIS 2.0 models is qualitatively consistent with the previous retrieved results from RXTE. This study demonstrate that the XEOS from the X-ray astronomical satellite Insight-HXMT can provide an approach for the study of the upper atmosphere. The Insight-HXMT satellite can join the family of the XEOS. The Insight-HXMT satellite with other X-ray astronomical satellites in orbit can form a space observation network for XEOS in the future.

Improving a high-power laser based relativistic electron source: the role of laser pulse contrast and gas jet density profile

A relativistic electron source based on high power laser interaction with gas jet targets has been developed at the Institute of Plasma Physics & Lasers of the Hellenic Mediterranean University. Initial measurements were conducted using the “Zeus” 45 TW laser with peak intensities in the range of 1018-1019 W/cm2 interacting with a He pulsed gas jet having a 0.8 mm diameter nozzle. A significant improvement of the electron signal was measured after using an absorber to improve the laser pulse contrast from 10-10 to 10-11. A high stability quasi-monoenergetic electron beam of about 50 MeV was achieved and measured using a magnetic spectrometer for pulsed gas jet backing pressure of 12 bar. Supplementary studies using a 3 mm diameter nozzle for backing pressures in the range of 35 to 40 bar showed electron beam production with energies spread in the range from 50 to 150 MeV. The pulsed jet density profile was determined using interferometric techniques. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, at the above experimentally determined conditions, support our experimental findings.

Transport and losses of fusion-born alpha particles in the presence of tearing modes using the new Toroidal Accelerated P Article Simulator (TAPAS)

The transport and losses of fusion-born alpha particles is studied in the presence of a single-helicity tearing mode, characterized by (m=2,n=1). The analysis is performed by means of the recently developed Toroidal Accelerated PArticle Simulator (TAPAS). Although such modes have been usually believed to result only in a local flattening of the radial profiles, it is shown that the density profile can exhibit a global modification leading to significant losses of alpha particles. This is due to the fact that, although the magnetic field does not exhibit any chaotic behaviour, the trajectories of alpha particles do, as revealed by their Poincaré maps. Such result is in qualitative agreement with past observations and simulations of energetic particles generated by neutral beam injection in TFTR, DIII-D and AUG tokamaks. In-depth analysis is carried out to characterize the impact of the tearing mode on the transport and losses of fusion-born alpha-particles with a realistic density profile. The impact of the amplitude is evidenced. Moreover, the effect of the island rotation frequency is assessed based on a detailed analysis of the linear resonances in phase-space, in agreement with the simulation results. Finally, the probability density function of the exit time has been computed and the transport of alpha particles has been found to be anomalous.

Exploring the magnetohydrodynamic stretched flow of Williamson Maxwell nanofluid through porous matrix over a permeated sheet with bioconvection and activation energy

The evolution of compact density heat gadgets demands effective thermal transportation. The notion of nanofluid plays active role for this requirements. A comparative account for Maxwell nanofluids and Williamson nanofluid is analyzed. The bioconvection of self motive microorganisms, non Fourier heat flux and activation energy are new aspects of this study. This article elaborates the effects of viscous dissipation, Cattaneo–Christov diffusion for Maxwell and Williamson nanofluid transportation that occurs due to porous stretching sheet. The higher order non-linear partial differential equations are solved by using similarity transformations and a new set of ordinary differential equations is formed. For numerical purpose, Runge–Kutta method with shooting technique is applied. Matlab plateform is used for computational procedure. The graphs for various profiles .i.e. velocity, temperature, concentration and concentration of motile micro-organisms are revealed for specific non-dimensional parameters. It is observed that enhancing the magnetic parameter M, the velocity of fluid decreases but opposite behavior happens for temperature, concentration and motile density profile. Also the motile density profile decrease down for Pe and Lb. The skin friction coefficient is enhanced for both the Williamson and Maxwell fluid.

Simulation prediction of micro-instability transition and associated particle transport in tokamak plasmas

Two reduced simulation approaches are exploited to predict the parametric boundary of dominant instability regime with global effects and the characteristics of corresponding turbulent particle fluxes in tokamak plasmas. One is usual numerical simulation of coexisting ion temperature gradient (ITG) mode and trapped electron mode (TEM) turbulence employing an extended fluid code (ExFC) based on the so-called Landau-Fluid model including the trapped electron dynamics. Here the density gradient (i.e. R/Ln) driven TEM (∇n-TEM) is emphasized. The other one is a surrogate turbulence transport model, taking a neural network (NN) based approach with speeding calculation. It is shown that the turbulent particle flux, particularly their directions depend on the type of micro-instability as ITG and/or TEM. On the other hand, the density gradient may govern the direction of the turbulent particle fluxes in general circumstances. Specifically, in the parameter regime explored here, the ITG and the electron temperature gradient driven TEM (∇Te-TEM) are destabilized for flat density profile, generally causing an inward particle flux, i.e., particle pinch. Contrarily, for steep density profile, the ∇n-TEM or coexisting ITG and TEM turbulence are dominant so that the particle always diffuses outwards. An empirical criterion is obtained to predict the dominant instability and the direction of particle flux for medium density gradients, involving the gradients of both ion and electron temperature as well as the density. These two transport models are applied to analyze the spontaneous excitation of a quasi-coherent mode (QCM) in the turbulence modulation discharge by MHD magnetic island observed on tokamak HL-2A, clearly showing a dynamic transition from ITG to TEM. Furthermore, the ExFC-NN model can predict and speed up the analysis of the turbulence transport in tokamak experiments.

The impact of inverted density gradients on density profiles measured by reflectometry: an experimental and numerical investigation at ASDEX Upgrade

The high-field side high-density (HFSHD) region at ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) is a well-documented phenomenon leading to a dense plasma in the inner divertor region that expands upwards to the midplane, resulting in poloidally asymmetric scrape-off layer density profiles. This work investigates, via simulation and experiment, whether the HFSHD at the midplane leads to hollow density profiles at the high-field side. Using the frequency-modulated continuous-wave O-mode reflectometer at AUG, experimental evidence has been found of reflection patterns compatible with a hollow density profile that are reproduced by 1D full-wave simulations. Furthermore, this work assesses the uncertainties in the density profile reconstruction as a consequence of the inverted gradient, showing that the presence of an HFSHD may lead to an overestimation of the density in the confined region.

On boundary corrections of Lüscher-Weisz string

The potential and the density profile of the QCD flux-tube are investigated within the framework of the Luscher-Weisz (LW) string action with two boundary terms. The Numerical simulations involve 4D SU(3) Yang-Mills LGT at finite temperature. In general, we detect signatures of the two boundary terms considered in the LWstring action. Near the end of QCD Plateau, the LW string is yielding a static potential which is in a good agreement with the lattice data for source separations R ≥ 0.3 fm. However, at T/Tc = 0.9, the fit to the potential data improves with a good fit attained at R ≥ 0.7 fm. The mean-square width of the energy profile at T/Tc = 0.9 matches well the width of the LW string over distance scales R ≥ 0.5 fm.

Compression strength-focused properties of wood composites induced by structure

Compression strength-focused properties of wood composites induced by structure. The aim of the following study was to examine the contractual compression strength and modulus of elasticity when compressing (MOEC) of three different wood composites with various structure types: softwood (coniferous) plywood, OSB and laminated particleboard 24 mm thick. The biggest MOEC value was performed by the particleboard laminated 24 mm MOEC equalling 70.00 N/mm2. The second was found by the OSB panels, equalling 63.03 N/mm2. Last, but with MOEC value close to OSB, was softwood plywood with MOEC of 62.44 N/mm2. The lowest compression strength was observed by OSB samples, with a value of 2.75 N/mm2. The second lowest value has been performed by coniferous plywood (2.80 N/mm2). The highest compression strength occurred by the particleboard laminated 24 mm, equalling 3.31 N/mm2. Density shares and density profiles of the samples were also analysed, all of the examined composites performed U-shaped density profile The results of the study showed that there is no significant correlation between density and obtained parameters under compression. Observation of density share let the Authors conclude conversely than the results showed. It is supposed that the key factor affecting the compression performance of samples was the adhesive area and solid glue content within the composites. It is assumed that the bigger total contact surface of wood particles coated with adhesive resin, so the sum of the effective (gluing particles) surfaces of the adhesive joint is the better mechanical properties can be performed. This is why the laminated particleboard gave the best mechanical properties, while the worst were observed by the softwood plywood.

Inward diffusion driven by low frequency fluctuations in self-organizing magnetospheric plasma

The new findings for dynamic process of inward diffusion in the magnetospheric plasma are reported on the RT-1 experiment: (i) The evolution of local density profile in the self-organized process has been analysed by the newly developed tomographic reconstruction applying a deep learning method. (ii) The impact of neutral-gas injection excites low-frequency fluctuations, which continues until the peaked density profile recovers. The fluctuations have magnetic components (suggesting the high-beta effect) which have two different frequencies and propagation directions. The phase velocities are of the order of magnetization drifts, and both the velocities and the intensities increase in proportion to the electron density. The self-regulating mechanism of density profile works most apparently in the naturally made confinement system, magnetosphere, which teaches the basic physics of long-lived structures underlying every stationary confinement scheme.