574 research outputs found
A Self-Similar Solution for the Propagation of a Relativistic Shock in an Exponential Atmosphere
We derive a fully relativistic, self-similar solution to describe the
propagation of a shock along an exponentially decreasing atmosphere, in the
limit of very large Lorentz factor. We solve the problem in planar symmetry and
compute the acceleration of the shock in terms of the density gradient crossed
during its evolution. We apply our solution to the acceleration of shocks
within the atmosphere of a HyperNova, and show that velocities consistent with
the requirements of GRB models can be achieved with exponential atmospheres
spanning a wide density range.Comment: ApJL in pres
On the stability of accelerating relativistic shock waves
We consider the corrugation instability of the self-similar flow with an
accelerating shock in the highly relativistic regime. We derive the correct
dispersion relation for the proper modes in the self-similar regime, and
conclude that this solution is unstable.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Moving boundary approximation for curved streamer ionization fronts: Solvability analysis
The minimal density model for negative streamer ionization fronts is
investigated. An earlier moving boundary approximation for this model consisted
of a "kinetic undercooling" type boundary condition in a Laplacian growth
problem of Hele-Shaw type. Here we derive a curvature correction to the moving
boundary approximation that resembles surface tension. The calculation is based
on solvability analysis with unconventional features, namely, there are three
relevant zero modes of the adjoint operator, one of them diverging;
furthermore, the inner/outer matching ahead of the front has to be performed on
a line rather than on an extended region; and the whole calculation can be
performed analytically. The analysis reveals a relation between the fields
ahead and behind a slowly evolving curved front, the curvature and the
generated conductivity. This relation forces us to give up the ideal
conductivity approximation, and we suggest to replace it by a constant
conductivity approximation. This implies that the electric potential in the
streamer interior is no longer constant but solves a Laplace equation; this
leads to a Muskat-type problem.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure
Moving boundary approximation for curved streamer ionization fronts: Numerical tests
Recently a moving boundary approximation for the minimal model for negative
streamer ionization fronts was extended with effects due to front curvature;
this was done through a systematic solvability analysis. A central prediction
of this analysis is the existence of a nonvanishing electric field in the
streamer interior, whose value is proportional to the front curvature. In this
paper we compare this result and other predictions of the solvability analysis
with numerical simulations of the minimal model.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Breakdown in hydrogen and deuterium gases in static and radio-frequency fields
We report the results of a combined experimental and modeling study of the electrical breakdown of hydrogen and deuterium in static (DC) and radio-frequency (RF) (13.56 MHz) electric fields. For the simulations of the breakdown events, simplified models are used and only electrons are traced by Monte Carlo simulation. The experimental DC Paschen curve of hydrogen is used for the determination of the effective secondary electron emission coefficient. A very good agreement between the experimental and the calculated RF breakdown characteristics for hydrogen is found. For deuterium, on the other hand, presently available cross section sets do not allow a reproduction of RF breakdown characteristics
Giant magnetoresistance in semiconductor / granular film heterostructures with cobalt nanoparticles
We have studied the electron transport in SiO(Co)/GaAs and
SiO(Co)/Si heterostructures, where the SiO(Co) structure is the
granular SiO film with Co nanoparticles. In SiO(Co)/GaAs
heterostructures giant magnetoresistance effect is observed. The effect has
positive values, is expressed, when electrons are injected from the granular
film into the GaAs semiconductor, and has the temperature-peak type character.
The temperature location of the effect depends on the Co concentration and can
be shifted by the applied electrical field. For the SiO(Co)/GaAs
heterostructure with 71 at.% Co the magnetoresistance reaches 1000 ( %)
at room temperature. On the contrary, for SiO(Co)/Si heterostructures
magnetoresistance values are very small (4%) and for SiO(Co) films the
magnetoresistance has an opposite value. High values of the magnetoresistance
effect in SiO(Co)/GaAs heterostructures have been explained by
magnetic-field-controlled process of impact ionization in the vicinity of the
spin-dependent potential barrier formed in the semiconductor near the
interface. Kinetic energy of electrons, which pass through the barrier and
trigger the avalanche process, is reduced by the applied magnetic field. This
electron energy suppression postpones the onset of the impact ionization to
higher electric fields and results in the giant magnetoresistance. The
spin-dependent potential barrier is due to the exchange interaction between
electrons in the accumulation electron layer in the semiconductor and
-electrons of Co.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figure
Spontaneous Branching of Anode-Directed Streamers between Planar Electrodes
Non-ionized media subject to strong fields can become locally ionized by
penetration of finger-shaped streamers. We study negative streamers between
planar electrodes in a simple deterministic continuum approximation. We observe
that for sufficiently large fields, the streamer tip can split. This happens
close to Firsov's limit of `ideal conductivity'. Qualitatively the tip
splitting is due to a Laplacian instability quite like in viscous fingering.
For future quantitative analytical progress, our stability analysis of planar
fronts identifies the screening length as a regularization mechanism.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to PRL on Nov. 16, 2001, revised
version of March 10, 200
The moving boundary problem in the presence of a dipole magnetic field
An exact analytic solution is obtained for a uniformly expanding, neutral,
infinitely conducting plasma sphere in an external dipole magnetic field. The
electrodynamical aspects related to the radiation and transformation of energy
were considered as well. The results obtained can be used in analyzing the
recent experimental and simulation data.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, Submitted to J. Phys. A, Math. and Genera
Investigation of initiation of gigantic jets connecting thunderclouds to the ionosphere
The initiation of giant electrical discharges called as "gigantic jets"
connecting thunderclouds to the ionosphere is investigated by numerical
simulation method in this paper. Using similarity relations, the triggering
conditions of streamer formation in laboratory situations are extended to form
a criterion of initiation of gigantic jets. The energy source causing a
gigantic jet is considered due to the quasi-electrostatic field generated by
thunderclouds. The electron dynamics from ionization threshold to streamer
initiation are simulated by the Monte Carlo technique. It is found that
gigantic jets are initiated at a height of ~18-24 km. This is in agreement with
the observations. The method presented in this paper could be also applied to
the analysis of the initiation of other discharges such as blue jets and red
sprites.Comment: 12th International Congress on Plasma Physics, 25-29 October 2004,
Nice (France
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