Plasma Parameters (plasma + parameter)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Comparison of Two Methods of Interpretation of LangmuirProbe Data for an Inductively Coupled Oxygen Plasma

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 5-6 2006
T. H. Chung
Abstract The Langmuir probe technique has some drawback in applying to electronegative plasma since it is difficult to interpret the probe I , V data. The positive ion flux to the probe is modified due to the presence of negative ions. In this study, an inductively coupled oxygen RF plasma is employed to perform the Langmuir probe measurement of the electronegative discharge. Plasma parameters are obtained from Langmuir probe measurement using two different methods which are based on electron energy distribution function (EEDF) integrals, and the method based on the fluid model for the modified ion flux, respectively. The EEDF is measured by a double differentiation of the I , V characteristics according to the Druyvesteyn formula. The electron densities estimated based on the two methods are compared. The EEDF integral method gives little higher values than the modified ion flux method. It is observed that at low pressure the EEDF is close to a Maxwellian. Generally, as the pressure increases, the distributions switch to bi-Maxwellian and to Druyvesteyn, and suggest some depletion of electrons with larger energies. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Characterization of a 2.8 kJ Small Plasma Focus Using a Five Phase Radiative Model

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1-2 2009
Sh. Al-Hawat
Abstract A radiative five-phase plasma focus model (axial phase, inward radial phase, reflected shock phase, radiative phase and expanded phase) was applied to a 2.8 kJ plasma focus device to find the structure of the plasma focus formation and to calculate the plasma parameters and emitted radiation from the plasma pinch. To verify the model, the radiation probability of such device in neon plasma has been studied; a linear approximation method was applied by a FORTRAN program which has been written for this purpose. The theoretical and experimental results of the temporal development of current and voltage at 0.9 mbar of neon and spike voltages at different filling gas pressures were obtained and compared. In addition to that our plasma focus (PF) device was compared with different PF devices in relation to the plasma energy density and the drive parameter (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Longitudinal Dust Lattice Shock Wave in a Strongly Coupled Complex Dusty Plasma

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 8 2008
S. Ghosh
Abstract The effect of hydrodynamical damping that arises due to the irreversible processes within the system have been studied on 1D nonlinear longitudinal dust lattice wave (LDLW) in homogeneous strongly coupled complex (dusty) plasma. Analytical investigation shows that the nonlinear wave is governed by Korteweg-de Vries Burgers' equation. This hydrodynamical damping induced dissipative effect is responsible for the Burgers' term that causes the generation of shock wave in dusty plasma crystal. Numerical investigation on the basis of the glow-discharge plasma parameters reveal that LDLW exhibits both oscillatory and monotonic shock. The shock is compressive in nature and its strength decreases (increases) with the increase of the shielding parameter , (characteristic length L). The effects of dust-neutral collision are also discussed. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Characteristics of VHF H2 Plasma Produced at High Pressure

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 4 2008
Y. Yamauchi
Abstract A VHF H2 plasma was produced with the multi rod electrode at high pressure and the plasma parameters were measured as a function of pressure for different VHF powers at 60 MHz. It was found that when the pressure is increased, the ion saturation current peaks at certain pressure and finally decreases at high pressures, while the electron temperature is around 10 eV. The wall potential at high pressure was lower than the values estimated from the electron temperature using the probe theory. Furthermore, the anomalous reduction of the electron saturation current was observed. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


On Kinetic Effects during Parallel Transport in the SOL

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1-3 2008
D. Tskhakaya
Abstract 1D kinetic (PIC) and fluid simulations have been performed in order to study boundary conditions and heat flux and viscosity limiting coefficients in the inter-ELM and ELMy SOLs. Simulated plasma parameters correspond to the JET SOL under different conditions. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Development of the Detachment under the Influence of the Supersonic Flow in the Divertor Region

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1-3 2008
O. Marchuk
Abstract It is demonstrated in the framework of a one-dimensional model for the scrape-off layer that with increasing upstream plasma density and decreasing temperature near divertor target plates a supersonic flow develops in the front of the target. This flow is an important mechanism for the transition from high-recycling regime to a weak detached state and has a significant impact on the plasma parameters, in particular, the pressure and particle flux to the plates, after detachment. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Influence of the Wall Characteristics on the Development of MARFE in Tokamaks

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 7-9 2006
O. Marchuk
Abstract Multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE) normally develops in fusion devices close to the density limit. MARFE is considered a result of thermal instabilities excited under critical conditions through different mechanisms: impurity radiation, recycling of neutral particles, anomalous transport of charged particles and energy. Recent experiments on tokamaks TEXTOR and JET show that plasma-wall interaction, leading to release of recycling neutrals and impurities, plays a very important role for the formation of MARFE. In the present contribution we develop further the MARFE models based on the instability of particle recycling on the tokamak wall by including a simple description for the release of recycling neutrals from the wall surface into the plasma. This development takes into account the time delay between the out flow of charged particles from the plasma and in flux of neutrals. The linear stability analysis shows that this does not change the critical plasma density for the MARFE formation but modifies significantly the growth rate of unstable perturbations developing when the density exceeds the threshold. These findings are confirmed in a non-linear consideration by solving the equations for the particle, momentum and energy transfer in the plasma coupled with the wall particle balance equations. This is done in a one-dimensional approximation by taking into account the variation of the main plasma parameters in the poloidal direction and making averaging in the radial direction over the plasma edge width of the penetration depth of neutrals. The intrinsic poloidal asymmetry of the system, defining the MARFE localization, is introduced by the Shafranov shift of magnetic flux surfaces. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Fast Reciprocating Probe Assembly for the KSTAR

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 5-6 2006
J. G. Bak
Abstract A fast reciprocating probe assembly (FRPA) that can scan a distance of up to 32.5 cm with a maximum speed of 1.7 m/s was fabricated to obtain the spatial profile of basic plasma parameters in the edge region of the KSTAR plasma during a plasma discharge of 20 s. The probe driving mechanism consists of two parts; first a slow movement driven by a servo motor system and then a fast reciprocating movement actuated by a pneumatic system. A performance test of the drive system, which is remotely controlled by a PC, was carried out. The prototype of the probe head for the KSTAR FRPA was fabricated as a modular type for easy replacement. It was installed in the fast injection probe assembly (FIPA) in the Hanbit magnetic mirror device, and a radial plasma parameter profile measurement was carried out. The performance test results of the drive system and the profile measurements using the probe head are presented. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Elementary Many-Particle Processes in Plasma Microfields

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 3 2006
M. Yu.
Abstract The effect of electric and magnetic plasma microfields on elementary many-body processes in plasmas is considered. As detected first by Inglis and Teller in 1939, the electric microfield controls several elementary processes in plasmas as transitions, line shifts and line broadening. We concentrate here on the many-particle processes ionization, recombination, and fusion and study a wide area of plasma parameters. In the first part the state of art of investigations on microfield distributions is reviewed in brief. In the second part, various types of ionization processes are discussed with respect to the influence of electric microfields. It is demonstrated that the processes of tunnel and rescattering ionization by laser fields as well as the process of electron collisional ionization may be strongly influenced by the electric microfields in the plasma. The third part is devoted to processes of microfield action on fusion processes and the effects on three-body recombination are investigated. It is shown that there are regions of plasma densities and temperatures, where the rate of nuclear fusion is accelerated by the electric microfields. This effect may be relevant for nuclear processes in stars. Further, fusion processes in ion clusters are studied. Finally we study in this section three-body recombination effects and show that an electric microfield influences the three-body electron-ion recombination via the highly excited states. In the fourth part, the distribution of the magnetic microfield is investigated for equilibrium, nonequilibrium, and non-uniform magnetized plasmas. We show that the field distribution in a neutral point of a non-relativistic ideal equilibrium plasma is similar to the Holtsmark distribution for the electrical microfield. Relaxation processes in nonequilibrium plasmas may lead to additional microfields. We show that in turbulent plasmas the broadening of radiative electron transitions in atoms and ions, without change of the principle quantum number, may be due to the Zeeman effect and may exceed Doppler and Stark broadening as well. Further it is shown that for optical radiation the effect of depolarization of a linearly polarized laser beams propagating through a magnetized plasma may be rather strong. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Flow characteristics of a cold helium arc-jet plasma along open field lines

IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2009
Kazuyuki Yoshida Member
Abstract We experimentally study plasma parameters including ion acoustic Mach number of expanding cold helium plasma jet with an electron temperature of less than 1 eV flowing along open field lines. It is experimentally found that the ion Mach number increases from 1 to 3, and that the plasma potential decreases by about 1 V. We discuss the experimental results based on a quasi one-dimensional flow model in which the plasma is assumed to be quasi-neutral and in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium. Our model describes the ion acceleration, the axial profiles of the potential drop, and the electron temperature/density. The model also shows that the helium ions are accelerated both by the electric field and by the increasing cross-sectional area of the transonic flow. After the ion acceleration, the ion Mach number decreases and the electron temperature increases. These phenomena are discussed in terms of a shock wave. It is noted that the electron density decreases even in the shock wave. This is discussed in terms of rapid recombination because of the low electron temperature. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


Metabolic changes during the perinatal period in dairy sheep in relation to level of nutrition and breed.

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2000

Summary The effect of level of nutrition during pregnancy was investigated on various plasma parameters, on energy intake, body weight, energy balance and milk yield, after parturition in two Greek dairy breeds. Thirteen Chios (CH) and 17 Karagouniko (K) pregnant ewes were assigned to groups A and B, which received 110% of their energy requirements for maintenance plus pregnancy for two foetuses and 90% of their maintenance energy requirements, respectively. After parturition all ewes were fed ad libitum. Body weights of group A and K ewes were higher (p 0.05) compared with group B and CH ewes, during lactation, although daily energy intakes tended to be greater in group B than in A ewes, during the first 3 weeks and in CH than K ewes (p 0.05), after the second week post-partum. Total mean milk production was 114 ± 11 l and 82 ± 10 l for groups A and B (p 0.05) and 120 ± 12 l and 70 ± 7 l for CH and K ewes (p 0.001), respectively. Positive energy balance appeared after the day 15 and 7 of lactation, for groups A and B ewes and after the day 15 and 5 of lactation, for CH and K ewes, respectively. The group B and K ewes tended to have higher mean plasma glucose concentrations than group A and CH ewes, during early lactation. There were no significant differences in free fatty acids, ,-hydroxybutyric acid, insulin and T4 concentrations between A and B ewes. CH had higher free fatty acids (p 0.05) and ,-hydroxybutyric acid (p 0.05), and lower T4 (p 0.01) and insulin (p 0.05) concentrations than K ewes. It was concluded that under-nutrition during pregnancy results in low milk yields of ewes fed ad libitum in early lactation, due to the poor development of the udder during late gestation. [source]


Uniform boundedness of the magnetic field in a resistive plasma

MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 2 2003
Manuel Núñez
While the magnetic energy in a plasma can be easily bounded by classical energy inequalities, the behaviour of the maximum of the magnetic field is less clear. In fact, the field in chaotic flows appears to concentrate in progressively smaller regions of the domain, so that conceivably it could grow there without limit. However, we prove that as long as the magnetic energy and the plasma remain bounded, so does the magnetic field. The dependence of these bounds on the main plasma parameters is analysed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


X-ray beaming caused by resonance scattering in the accretion column of magnetic cataclysmic variables

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2001
Y. Terada
Extremely strong ionized Fe emission lines, with equivalent widths reaching ,4000 eV, were discovered by ASCA from a few Galactic compact objects, including AX J2315,0592, RX J1802.1+1804 and AX J1842.8,0423. These objects are thought to be binary systems containing magnetized white dwarfs (WDs). A possible interpretation of the strong Fe K line is the line-photon collimation in the WD accretion column, as a result of resonance scattering of line photons. The collimation occurs when the accretion column has a flat shape, and the effect is augmented by the vertical velocity gradient, which reduces the resonant trapping of resonant photons along the magnetic field lines. This effect was quantitatively confirmed with Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, with ASCA observations of the polar V834 Centauri, this collimation effect was clearly detected as a rotational modulation of the equivalent width of the Fe K emission line. The extremely strong emission lines mentioned above can be explained consistently by our interpretation. Combining this effect with other X-ray information, the geometry and plasma parameters in the accretion column were determined. [source]


1-D Self-consistent Fluid Modelling of the Pulsed Magnetron Discharge

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2009
Philip Thomason
Abstract A 1-D fluid code simulation of the region above the racetrack in a magnetron discharge has been developed to yield predictions for the temporal evolution of the axial plasma parameters during pulsed DC operation. To take into account anomalous cross-field diffusion transport rates, an effective magnetic field profile has been calculated based on the real experimental values, to yield ratios in the effective electron gyro and collision frequencies comparable with Bohm diffusion. Pulse frequencies from 100 to 500,kHz are considered, with gas pressures ranging from 0.25 to 0.65,Pa. The model results for the plasma potential, electron and ion densities, during the pulse cycle agree well with experimental measurements made in the Liverpool magnetron using time-resolved Langmuir and emissive probes. In the bulk plasma, the predictions for electron temperature are close to the measured values; however, in the sheath region they are artificially high due to the model assumption that only Maxwellian distributed electrons exist in all regions of the discharge. This inadequacy in the model and the methods to improve has been discussed. Results for DC magnetrons are also shown. [source]


Cover Picture: Plasma Process.

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 3 2006
Polym.
Cover: Plasma polymerized films undergo ageing processes when they are exposed to ambient air. The surface of a really fresh film can be studied when the reactor is online with analytical instruments, such as X-ray photoelectron or absorption spectrometers as well as Time-of-Flight SIMS. Allyl amine plasma polymers deposited at varied plasma parameters were thoroughly investigated using this approach. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by U. Oran,* S. Swaraj, A. Lippitz, and W. E. S. Unger on page 288. [source]


Probe Diagnostics of Expanding Plasmas at Low Gas Pressure

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 2 2006
Mariya Dimitrova
Abstract Summary: Results from tandem-type probe diagnostics of a plasma source based on an inductive discharge are presented in this study. The driver region is in the classical form of a cylindrically shaped inductive discharge, with a coil positioned over a gas discharge tube, whereas a bigger metal chamber provides volume for plasma expansion. Low pressure argon discharges were studied. The axial profiles of the plasma parameters were measured in the discharge in the metal chamber. The results obtained show that decreasing electron temperature and plasma density with increasing distance from the driver characterizes the behavior of the expanding plasmas. Moreover, two regions with different rates of variation of the plasma parameters complete the plasma expansion volume: a faster drop close to the driver and slow axial changes away from it. The gas pressure and power applied for the discharge maintenance were the external parameters varied. Axial profiles of the electron concentration in the plasma expansion region of an inductive discharge. [source]


Effect of dietary substitution of fish oil by Echium oil on growth, plasma parameters and body lipid composition in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2009
M. DÍAZ-LÓPEZ
Abstract Gilthead seabream juveniles were fed on either a fish oil (FO)-containing diet or a diet containing a 50 : 50 blend of FO and Echium oil (EO) to determine the effect of EO on growth, plasma parameters and tissue lipid compositions. After 4 months of feeding, there was a significant increase of 18 : 2n -6 and a reduction of approximately 25% of 20 : 5n -3 in the flesh of fish fed the EO diet. At this point, half of the fish that fed on EO were returned to the FO diet as a third treatment and the trial continued with the three groups for a further 3 months. At the end of the experiment, food intake, survival, growth and plasma parameters were not affected by the inclusion of dietary EO. However, hepatosomatic index (HSI), total lipid and triacylglycerol contents of muscle decreased in fish fed the EO diet. Feeding the EO diet resulted in significant increments of potentially health-promoting fatty acids such as 18 : 3n -6, 18 : 4n -3 and 20 : 3n -6 but reduced n -3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, particularly 20 : 5n -3. When EO-fed fish were returned to the FO diet, tissue lipid contents and HSI tended to increase, but 18 : 2n -6 and 20 : 5n -3 levels were not fully restored to the levels of fish fed the FO diet for the entire trial. Furthermore, the fatty acids present in EO, which may promote beneficial health effects, were reduced. [source]


Nutritional, physiological, and histological responses in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. fed diets with genetically modified maize

AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2007
G.-I. HEMRE
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate whether standard fish meal diets prepared with increasing levels of genetically modified (GM; 150 and 300 g kg,1) maize (event MON810®) as a starch source, showed any nutritional or physiological adverse effects on Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. postsmolt. The diets with low or high inclusions of GM maize and its near-isogenic parental line (nongenetically modified; nGM maize), were balanced with Suprex maize (Reference) to obtain compositional equivalency of diet starch, sugars and all other nutrients. Total starch level in all diets was 160 g kg,1. After 82 days of feeding, fish growth was high in all groups, however fish fed the GM maize showed slight but significant lower feed intake, which was followed by slight but significant lower specific growth rate and final body weights, compared with fish fed nGM maize, none of the groups varied significantly from fish fed the Reference diet. There was no variation in feed conversion ratios (FCR), protein and lipid efficiency ratios (PER and LER), or protein- and lipid-productive values (PPV and LPV) in this study. No significant effect of maize type was detected on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, protein or lipid. Hematological analysis and plasma nutrients varied within normal ranges for Atlantic salmon in all diet groups, except for somewhat elevated aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) values in all groups. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) with values ranging from 1.37 to 1.60, was significantly higher for the high GM maize group compared with the high nGM maize group but not when compared with the Reference diet group. Lowered spleen (SSI) and head-kidney somatic indices (H-KSI) were registered when fed GM compared with nGM maize, the Reference treatment was however, equal to both. Distal intestine somatic index (DISI) was significantly higher for GM maize-fed fish compared with nGM maize-fed fish, but not significantly different from the Reference diet group. Histological evaluation of the mid- and distal intestine, liver, spleen and head-kidney did not reveal any diet-related morphological changes. Maltase activities in the mid- and distal intestinal tissue homogenates were affected by diet, the fish fed high GM maize having higher activities compared with high nGM maize-fed fish. Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activities were not affected by diet. Sodium-dependent d -glucose uptake in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) isolated from pyloric caeca of fish fed high GM maize was significantly higher than that found in fish fed the analogous diet with high nGM maize. Based on the present findings, the conclusions made are: Atlantic salmon smolts fed GM maize (event MON810®), its near-isogenic parental line and suprex maize (Reference diet), all resulted in high growth rates, ADC and feed utilization. Health, when evaluated by means of mortality (low), normal ranges of blood and plasma parameters, except somewhat elevated ASAT values and minor variations in organ sizes, were considered good in all diet groups. The changes in the glucose transport mechanism and intestinal maltase enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract warrant further studies. [source]


Biochemical parameters of blood plasma and content of microcystins in tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) from a hypertrophic pond with cyanobacterial water bloom

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2009
Radovan Kopp
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of the blood plasma parameters and the content of microcystins in the tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in relation to the toxic cyanobacterial water bloom. Fish (average body mass 2176±697 g) in the hypertrophic pond were exposed to natural water bloom (dominated by Planktothrix agardhii, Pseudanabaena limnetica and Limnothrix redekei), which contained microcystins (concentration in biomass 20,181 ,g g,1 dry wt, concentration in water 0.3,9.5 ,g L,1). Biochemical parameters in fish blood plasma were analysed in 89 fish at 14-day intervals during the whole season (nine sampling periods). Our results demonstrated high variability and fluctuations in the investigated parameters. The content of microcystins and density of cyanobacterial cells correlated with some haematological indices as lipase, alanine,aminotransferase, albumin, magnesium and chlorides. The concentrations of microcystins in the muscle and liver of the fish (determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometer) were below the limit of detection during the monitored period [0.31 ng g,1 fresh weight (f.w.) for the liver and 0.13 ng g,1 f.w. for muscle]. Our study demonstrates that although known cyanobacterial toxin microcystins were not detected in the fish tissues, several biochemical parameters important for the fish physiology were modulated by natural cyanobacterial bloom. [source]