406 research outputs found

    Interaction of laser generated ultrasonic waves with wedge-shaped samples

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    Wedge-shaped samples can be used as a model of acoustic interactions with samples ranging from ocean wedges, to angled defects such as rolling contact fatigue, to thickness measurements of samples with non-parallel faces. We present work on laser generated ultrasonic waves on metal samples; one can measure the dominant Rayleigh-wave mode, but longitudinal and shear waves are also generated. We present calculations, models, and measurements giving the dependence of the arrival times and amplitudes of these modes on the wedge apex angle and the separation of generation and detection points, and hence give a measure of the wedge characteristics

    Solar Cycle Variation of 0.3-1.29 MeV/nucleon Heavy Ion Composition during Quiet Times near 1 AU in Solar Cycles 23 and 24

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    We report on the annual variation of quiet-time suprathermal ion composition for C through Fe using Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)/Ultra-Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer (ULEIS) data over the energy range 0.3 MeV/nuc to 1.28 MeV/nuc from 1998 through 2019, covering solar cycle 23's rising phase through Solar Cycle 24's declining phase. Our findings are (1) quiet time suprathermal abundances resemble CIR-associated particles during solar minima; (2) quiet time suprathermals are M/Q fractionated in a manner that is consistent with M/Q fractionation in large gradual solar energetic particle events (GSEP) during solar maxima; and (3) variability within the quiet time suprathermal pool increases as a function of M/Q and is consistent with the analogous variability in GSEP events. From these observations, we infer that quiet time suprathermal ions are remnants of CIRs in solar minima and GSEP events in solar maxima. Coincident with these results, we also unexpectedly show that S behaves like a low FIP ion in the suprathermal regime and therefore drawn from low FIP solar sources.Comment: Accepted in Astrophysical Journal. 19 pages, 10 figures, 4 table

    A Majority of Solar Wind Intervals Support Ion-Driven Instabilities

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    We perform a statistical assessment of solar wind stability at 1 AU against ion sources of free energy using Nyquist's instability criterion. In contrast to typically employed threshold models which consider a single free-energy source, this method includes the effects of proton and He2+^{2+} temperature anisotropy with respect to the background magnetic field as well as relative drifts between the proton core, proton beam, and He2+^{2+} components on stability. Of 309 randomly selected spectra from the Wind spacecraft, 53.7%53.7\% are unstable when the ion components are modeled as drifting bi-Maxwellians; only 4.5%4.5\% of the spectra are unstable to long-wavelength instabilities. A majority of the instabilities occur for spectra where a proton beam is resolved. Nearly all observed instabilities have growth rates γ\gamma slower than instrumental and ion-kinetic-scale timescales. Unstable spectra are associated with relatively-large He2+^{2+} drift speeds and/or a departure of the core proton temperature from isotropy; other parametric dependencies of unstable spectra are also identified.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, accepted in Physical Review Letters; fixed typos in version

    Nonlinear viscosity and velocity distribution function in a simple longitudinal flow

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    A compressible flow characterized by a velocity field ux(x,t)=ax/(1+at)u_x(x,t)=ax/(1+at) is analyzed by means of the Boltzmann equation and the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook kinetic model. The sign of the control parameter (the longitudinal deformation rate aa) distinguishes between an expansion (a>0a>0) and a condensation (a<0a<0) phenomenon. The temperature is a decreasing function of time in the former case, while it is an increasing function in the latter. The non-Newtonian behavior of the gas is described by a dimensionless nonlinear viscosity η(a)\eta^*(a^*), that depends on the dimensionless longitudinal rate aa^*. The Chapman-Enskog expansion of η\eta^* in powers of aa^* is seen to be only asymptotic (except in the case of Maxwell molecules). The velocity distribution function is also studied. At any value of aa^*, it exhibits an algebraic high-velocity tail that is responsible for the divergence of velocity moments. For sufficiently negative aa^*, moments of degree four and higher may diverge, while for positive aa^* the divergence occurs in moments of degree equal to or larger than eight.Comment: 18 pages (Revtex), including 5 figures (eps). Analysis of the heat flux plus other minor changes added. Revised version accepted for publication in PR

    Parker Solar Probe observations of proton beams simultaneous with ion-scale waves

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    Parker Solar Probe (PSP), NASA's latest and closest mission to the Sun, is on a journey to investigate fundamental enigmas of the inner heliosphere. This paper reports initial observations made by the Solar Probe Analyzer for Ions (SPAN-I), one of the instruments in the Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) instrument suite. We address the presence of secondary proton beams in concert with ion-scale waves observed by FIELDS, the electromagnetic fields instrument suite. We show two events from PSP's 2nd orbit that demonstrate signatures consistent with wave-particle interactions. We showcase 3D velocity distribution functions (VDFs) measured by SPAN-I during times of strong wave power at ion-scales. From an initial instability analysis, we infer that the VDFs departed far enough away from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) to provide sufficient free energy to locally generate waves. These events exemplify the types of instabilities that may be present and, as such, may guide future data analysis characterizing and distinguishing between different wave-particle interactions.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, 2 table

    Evaluation of equity in informal land development systems in two Nigerian cities

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    The informal land development system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is perceived to promote equity and could be leveraged to support sustainable urban development and management. However, scanty empirical evidence exists on the extent of the system’s provision of equity to support policy formulation and practice in the region. Based on stakeholder workshops, focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys, this study analyses the system’s provision of equity in Nigeria. The study finds all categories of people undertake informal developments. Consistent with literature, this finding reflects wide patronage of the informal land development system and its relevance. Nevertheless, contrary to the existing perception, the system’s provision of equity is low. The study recommends for the institution of pro-poor and gender sensitive land development and management policies and programmes to increase the levels of equity to support the achievement of the country’s sustainable urban development and management agenda
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