Multifractality and intermittency in the solar wind

Within the complex dynamics of the solar wind's fluctuating plasma parameters, there is a detectable, hidden order described by a chaotic strange attractor which has a multifractal structure. The multifractal spectrum has been investigated using Voyager (magnetic field) data in the outer heliosphere and using Helios (plasma) data in the inner heliosphere. We have also analyzed the spectrum for the solar wind attractor. The spectrum is found to be consistent with that for the multifractal measure of the self-similar one-scale weighted Cantor set with two parameters describing uniform compression and natural invariant probability measure of the attractor of the system. In order to further quantify the multifractality, we also consider a generalized weighted Cantor set with two different scales describing nonuniform compression. We investigate the resulting multifractal spectrum depending on two scaling parameters and one probability measure parameter, especially for asymmetric scaling. We hope that this generalized model will also be a useful tool for analysis of intermittent turbulence in space plasmas

Mechanism of Reconnection on Kinetic Scales Based on Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Observations

We examine the role that ions and electrons play in reconnection using observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission on kinetic ion and electron scales, which are much shorter than magnetohydrodynamic scales. This study reports observations with unprecedented high resolution that MMS provides for magnetic eld (7.8 ms) and plasma (30 ms for electrons and 150 ms for ions). We analyze and compare approaches to the magnetopause in 2016 November, to the electron diffusion region in the magnetotail in 2017 July followed by a current sheet crossing in 2018 July. Besides magnetic eld reversals, changes in the direction of the ow velocity, and ion and electron heating, MMS observed large uctuations in the electron ow speeds in the magnetotail. As expected from numerical simulations, we have veried that when the eld lines and plasma become decoupled a large reconnecting electric eld related to the Hall current (110 mV/m) is responsible for fast reconnection in the ion diffusion region. Although inertial accelerating forces remain moderate (12 mV/m), the electric elds resulting from the divergence of the full electron pressure tensor provide the main contribution to the generalized Ohms law at the neutral sheet (as large as 200 mV/m). In our view, this illustrates that when ions decouple electron physics dominates. The results obtained on kinetic scales may be useful for better understanding the physical mechanisms governing reconnection processes in various magnetized laboratory and space plasmas

Generalized two-scale weighted Cantor set model for solar wind turbulence, Geophys

[1] In order to quantify the multifractality of solar wind turbulence, we consider a generalized weighted Cantor set with two different scales describing nonuniform compression of cascading eddies. We investigate the resulting multifractal spectrum of generalized dimensions depending on two scaling parameters and one probability measure parameter, especially for asymmetric scaling. In particular, we show that intermittent pulses are stronger for the model with two different scaling parameters and a much better agreement with the solar wind data is obtained, especially for the negative index of the generalized dimensions. Therefore we argue that there is a need to use a two-scale cascade model. Hence we propose this new more general model as a useful tool for analysis of intermittent turbulence in various environments. Citation: Macek, W. M., and A. Szczepania

Abrasion Resistance of S235, S355, C45, AISI 304 and Hardox 500 Steels with Usage of Garnet, Corundum and Carborundum Abrasives

В статті містяться результати випробувань основних типів сталей при терті по нежорстко закріплених частинках абразивуВ статье содержаться результаты испытаний основных типов сталей при трении о нежостко закрепленные абразивные частицыThe article contains the results of tests of the main types of steels by friction on non-rigidly fixed abrasive particles. The steel presents a wide field of application. The abrasive wear resistance of steel relies mainly on the microstructure, hardness as well as on the abrasive material properties. Moreover, the selection of a abrasion-resistant grade of steel still seems to be a crucial and unsolved problem, especially due to the fact that the actual operating conditions can be affected by the presence of different abrasive materials. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of different abrasive grit materials i.e. garnet, corundum and carborundum on the abrasive wear result of a commonly used in industry practice steels i.e. S235, S355, C45, AISI 304 and Hardox 500. The microstructure of the steel was investigated using light optical microscopy. Moreover, hardness was measured with Vickers hardness tester. Additionally, the size and morphology of the abrasive materials were characterized. The abrasion tests were conducted with the usage of T-07 tribotester (dry sand rubber wheel). The results demonstrate that the hardness and structure of steels and hardness of abrasive grids influenced the wear results. The abrasive wear behavior of steels was dominated by microscratching and microcutting wear mechanisms. The highest mass loss was obtained for garnet, corundum, and carborundum, respectively. The usage of various abrasives results in different abrasion resistance for each tested steel grade. The AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel presents an outstanding abrasive wear resistance while usage of corundum and Hardox 500 while using a garnet as abrasive material. The C45 carbon steel was less resistant than AISI 304 for all three examined abrasives. The lowest resistance to wear in garnet and carborundum was obtained for the S235JR and S355J2 ferritic-perlitic carbon steels and in corundum for Hardox 500 which has tempered martensitic structure

Evolution of Intermittency in the Slow and Fast Solar Wind beyond the Ecliptic Plane

We study intermittency as a departure from self-similarity of the solar wind magnetic turbulence and investigate the evolution with the heliocentric distance and latitude. We use data from the Ulysses spacecraft measured during two solar minima (1997-1998 and 2007-2008) and one solar maximum (1999-2001). In particular, by modeling a multifractal spectrum, we revealed the intermittent character of turbulence in the small-scale fluctuations of the magnetic field embedded in the slow and fast solar wind. Generally, at small distances from the Sun, in both the slow and fast solar wind, we observe the high degree of multifractality (intermittency) that decreases somewhat slowly with distance and slowly with latitude. The obtained results seem to suggest that generally intermittency in the solar wind has a solar origin. However, the fast and slow streams, shocks, and other nonlinear interactions can only be considered as the drivers of the intermittent turbulence. It seems that analysis shows that turbulence beyond the ecliptic plane evolves too slowly to maintain the intermittency with the distance and latitude. Moreover, we confirm that the multifractality and intermittency are at a lower level than in the ecliptic, as well as the existence of symmetry with respect to the ecliptic plane, suggesting that there are similar turbulent properties observed in the two hemispheres

Study of astronaut capabilities to perform extravehicular maintenance and assembly functions in weightless conditions

Analysis of astronaut capabilities to perform extravehicular maintenance and assembly functions under simulated weightlessnes

Low-Energy Universality in Atomic and Nuclear Physics

An effective field theory developed for systems interacting through short-range interactions can be applied to systems of cold atoms with a large scattering length and to nucleons at low energies. It is therefore the ideal tool to analyze the universal properties associated with the Efimov effect in three- and four-body systems. In this "progress report", we will discuss recent results obtained within this framework and report on progress regarding the inclusion of higher order corrections associated with the finite range of the underlying interaction.Comment: Commissioned article for Few-Body Systems, 47 pp, 16 fig

Threshold Laws for the Break-up of Atomic Particles into Several Charged Fragments

The processes with three or more charged particles in the final state exhibit particular threshold behavior, as inferred by the famous Wannier law for (2e + ion) system. We formulate a general solution which determines the threshold behavior of the cross section for multiple fragmentation. Applications to several systems of particular importance with three, four and five leptons (electrons and positrons) in the field of charged core; and two pairs of identical particles with opposite charges are presented. New threshold exponents for these systems are predicted, while some previously suggested threshold laws are revised.Comment: 40 pages, Revtex, scheduled for the July issue of Phys.Rev.A (1998