Space charge sheath in plasma-neutral gas interaction

A space charge sheath is found to be formed whenever a high-velocity magnetized plasma stream penetrates a gas cloud. The sheath is always located at the head of the plasma stream, and its thickness is very small compared to the length of the plasma stream. Soon after the sheath is formed it quickly slows down to the Alfvén critical velocity. The plasma behind the sheath continues to move at higher velocity until the whole plasma stream is retarded to the critical velocity. In the interaction at gas density 10¹⁹ m^–3 the sheaths are observed to be accompanied by a single loop of current with current density of 10⁵ Å m^–2. Maximum potential in the sheath ranges between 50 and 200 V.Presently available models for the sheath may explain the initiation of the sheath formation. Physical processes like heating of the electrons and ionization of the gas cloud which come into play at a later stage of the interaction are not included in these models. These processes considerably alter the potential structure in the sheath region. A schematic model of the observed sheath is presented here.Experiments reveal a threshold value of the magnetic field for plasma retardation to occur. This seems to correspond to the threshold condition for excitation of the modified two-stream instability which can lead to the electron heating. The observed current are found sufficient to account for the plasma retardation at a gas density of 10¹⁷ m^–3.     

The dynamics of the Orion Nebula

A model is constructed of a spherically symmetric self-gravitating condensation of neutral hydrogen immersed in anHii region. The structure of the condensation is represented by the isothermal gas sphere at a temperature of 100°K. Typical parameters of such a condensation compatible with the estimated ultra-violet radiation field in the central regions of the Orion Nebula are, mass 1M ; radius 10¹⁶ cm; mean density 10^–15 gm cm^–3. The condensations are not static configurations but evolve because of mass loss by ionization from their surfaces. Perhaps 5% become gravitationally unstable and collapse. The remainder act as sources of ionized gas which flows into the surrounding nebula.     

Bipolar outflows from stars and galaxies as a tornado phenomenon

At an early stage in the lives of stars and galaxies when they are surrounded by discs, vorticity in the disc concentrates into a central vortex, thus converting a Keplerian velocity fieldu _ø r ^–1/2 into an irrotational velocity fieldu _ør ^–1, which implies inward transfer of angular momentum. Centrifugal forces due to spin-up of the inner region and gravity dominant in the outer region then squeeze gas at intermediate layers, increasing pressure gradient in the axial direction sufficiently to drive a wide-angle low-velocity bipolar outflow from the disc. A logarithmic singularity of vorticity at the axis implies strong centrifugal forces which expand plasma to radiusR where pressure gradient balances centrifugal force density of ions; the much weaker centrifugal force density of electrons cannot balance pressure gradient, so that electrons are driven inwards relative to ions until charge separation limits the relative displacement. Now the radial gradient ofu _øcauses ions to rotate at a different rate to electrons, generating an azimuthal current densityj _øwhich is the source of an axial magnetic fieldB _zin the core of the central vortex. Centrifuging carries lines of B to the core wall, where they are wound into helical force-free configuration with B j. An annular channel of radiusR and thickness R into which parallel helical lines ofj andB are compressed constitutes a magnetic vortex tube (MVT). An MVT separates an inner high-velocity highly collimated outflow from the outer low-velocity wide-angle outflow, and is responsible for jets. Magnetic pinches in the MVT may constrict the core flow at HH objects.     

Numerical Study of the First Compression of a Two-Dimensional Pinch

For studying the first compression phase of a Plasma Focus machine, we developed a 2-fluid, time-dependent, 2-D code. The code includes two species (ions and electrons), two temperatures, radiation, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, magnetic diffusion, and viscosity and is coupled to an external circuit. In order to get reasonable initial conditions for the pinch phase, a simple 1-D model is used for the run-down phase. Under this somewhat ideal Plasma Focus discharge condition, relatively simple scaling laws are obtained. In particular, for a given machine, the pressure (p_o) of maximum thermonuclear production scales with the charging voltage (V_o) as p_o V_{o 2}; the thermonuclear production (Y_n) at these pressures increases with the current (I_o) as Y_n I_o ⁴ and the mean energy per particle is almost independent of all parameters (note that this means that the converging speed should be almost the same regardless of the machine at the optimum conditions). These laws show a reasonable agreement with experimental data and can be explained with a dimensional analysis.     

Contributions to the theory of spiral structure. II. The density wave theory and the very hot interstellar gas component

Starting from the argument that the density wave theory of spiral structure is incompatible with the existence of a stationary very hot extended component of the interstellar gas, we develop a cyclic model, in which an interstellar gas of a temperature around 10⁴ K is heated to roughly 10⁶ K by type II supernovae resulting from the enhanced star formation triggered by the density wave, and cools down again to 10⁴ K after the supernova activity subsides to be ready for shock compression in the next sweep of the density wave pattern. The time scales for heating by supernovae and subsequent cooling turn out to be consistent with current density wave theory. The scenario proposed is corroborated by recent results on cosmic ray composition and -ray observations.     

Nonradial oscillations of a neutron star in an inhomogeneous hydrodynamic model

An inhomogeneous model neutron star with a variable density profile of the type ₀(r)=_c[1–(2/3)r²/R²]exp(–r²/R²) is considered, where _c is the central density, R is the star's radius, and is the inhomogeneity parameter in the radial mass distribution. This parameterization adequately reproduces the results of numerical evolutionary calculations of the density profile and enables one to obtain in analytical form the parameters of hydrostatic equilibrium and the eigenmodes of nonradial oscillations of a nonrotating neutron star, modeled by a spherical mass of incompressible, inviscid liquid. It is shown that a characteristic manifestation of the star's inhomogeneity is the presence of a stable dipole f-mode, the lowest one in the spectrum of natural oscillations. The presence of this mode serves as a general and primary criterion that evidently distinguishes all inhomogeneous hydrodynamic models from the homogeneous Kelvin model, in which the quadrupole mode is the lowest stable mode. Estimates obtained for the periods of nonradial pulsations coincide with the periods of micropulses observed in the average pulse profiles of c-pulsars. This suggests that the detected variations in emission intensity in the range of micropulse duration (on the order of 10^–4 sec) are associated with nonradial stellar oscillations.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 475–488, July–September, 1996.     

Non-inductive current driven by Alfvén waves in solar coronal loops

It has been shown that Alfvén waves can drive non-inductive current in solar coronal loops via collisional or collisionless damping. Assuming that all the coronal-loop density of dissipated wave power (W= 10–3 erg cm^–3 s^–1), which is necessary to keep the plasma hot, is due to Alfvén wave electron heating, we have estimated the axial current density driven by Alfvén waves to be jz 10³–10⁵ statA cm^–2. This current can indeed support the quasi-stationary equilibrium and stability of coronal loops and create the poloidal magnetic field up to B 1–5 G.     

The magnetic field in a protostellar cloud

General forms of theB-p relation are investigated in both the isothermal and the non-isothermal regions. The magnetic flux dissipation either by ambipolar diffusion or by Ohmic dissipation has been studied. The rates of heating due to the magnetic dissipation processes have been calculated in comparison with the rate of compressional heating.The magnetic field strength is derived as a function of flux/mass ratio, mass, density, and geometry of the isothermal cloud. In the non-isothermal region, the temperature is added to the above-mentioned variables.It has been found that the magnetic flux starts to dissipate via ambipolar diffusion at neutral density ofn>3×10⁹ cm^–3. Ambipolar diffusion continues effective until reaching densities ofn>10¹¹ cm^–3, where Ohmic dissipation dominates. Under some conditions, the electrons evaporate from the grain surface atn>10¹³ cm^–3, while the ions are still adsorbed on the grain surfce. In this case, the magnetic flux loss returns to be influenced by ambipolar diffusion.The rates of heating by both Ohmic dissipation _OD and ambipolar diffusion _AD are found to be smaller than the rate of compressional heating _C in case of magnetic dissipation. Assuming that the magnetic field is frozen in the medium, then _C is smaller than both _OD and _AD . The above results of heating were found in the non-isothermal region.     

Neutron-phonon interaction in neutron stars: Phonon spectrum of Coulomb lattice

The phonon excitation spectrum of Coulomb lattice in the neutron star crusts is studied by solving Dyson's equation for phonons. It is shown that a strong renormalization of the phonon spectrum occurs at densities _s /4 for the crustal matter compositions with spherical nuclei, which imply relatively small nuclear mass numbers and charges. It is shown that, the lattice becomes unstable against density fluctuations above a critical density of the order of _s /3, where _s 2.6x10¹⁴ g cm^–3 is the nuclear saturation density. The neutron quasiparticle spectrum and the virtual mass of a nucleus are briefly discussed.     

Plasma jet and shock formation during current loop coalescence in solar flares

We report on the results of plasma jet and shock formation during the current loop coalescence in solar flares. It is shown by a theoretical model based on the ideal MHD equation that the spiral, two-sided plasma jet can be explosively driven by the plasma rotational motion induced during the two current loop coalescence process. The maximum velocity of the jet can exceed the Alfvén velocity, depending on the plasma (= c _s ² v _A ² ) ratio. The acceleration time getting to the maximum jet velocity is quite short and le than 1 s. The rebound following the plasma collapse driven by magnetic pinch effect can strongly induce super-Alfvénic flow. We present the condition of the shock formation. We briefly discuss the high-energy particle acceleration during the plasma collapse as well as by the shocks.     

On the distribution of material as a function of temperature in the post-flare loop system of 12 August 1970

Observations of the post-flare loop system formed after the east limb proton flare of 12 August 1970 include (a) sets of filtergrams from which photographic subtractions have been constructed and (b) spectra from which a distribution of electron density as a function of temperature for three coronal regions are derived. The filtergrams show no indications of radial velocities in excess of 80 km/s. The spectra indicate an increase in density at the tops of the loops with most of the material at a relatively cool temperature: N 6.0 × 10¹⁰, T = 3 × 10⁵K. The distribution functions obtained for areas just above and just below loops indicate a lower electron density and the presence of material at high temperatures, N 2.0 × 10¹⁰ and T 2.6 × 10⁶K (above the loops) and T _e > > 4.4 × 10⁶K for material below the loops.     

On Low-Mass, Strange Quark Stars with a Crust

Low-mass strange stars with a crust are investigated within the framework of the bag model. The crust, which consists of degenerate electrons and atomic nuclei, has a limiting boundary density _cr , which is determined by the mass of the crust, and it cannot exceed the value _drip = 4.3·10¹¹ g/cm³, corresponding to the density at which neutrons drip from nuclei. For different values of _cr in the low-mass range (M 0.1 M) we calculate several series of configurations: we find the dependence of the stellar mass M on the central density _c for _cr = const, with 10⁹ g/cm³ _{cr drip} , and for each series we determine the parameters of the configuration for which the condition dM/d _c > 0 is violated. When the boundary density of the crust decreases to 10⁹ g/cm³, the minimum mass of a strange star decreases to M _min 10^-3 M, while the radius reaches 600 km.     

Laboratory solar flare experiments

Several laboratory experiments on magnetic field line reconnection are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the double inverse pinch device (DIPD) in which magnetic flux is built up during a quiescent reconnection phase and then abruptly transferred during an impulsive reconnection phase. Scaling estimates show that this impulsive phase corresponds to a solar release of 10³⁰ ergs in 10² seconds with the production of GeV potentials. The trigger for the impulsive flare is a conduction mode instability (ion-acoustic) which abruptly changes the resistance of the neutral point region when the reconnection current density reaches a critical value.Some results are presented from another reconnection device which has exactly antiparallel fields at the boundaries. This flat plate device develops one x-type neutral point rather than tearing into many neutral points. The reconnection rate is more quiescent than in the DIPD. A mild conduction mode instability occurs. The results suggest that regions with flattened boundary fields may not be as conducive to flares as regions with more curved fields.     

The interpretation of flows in molecular clouds

Stellar winds interacting with gas in dense molecular clouds produce flows which may be initially energy or momentum driven. A criterion for this is derived which depends sensitively on the wind velocity. Flows may change from one regime to another depending on the gas distribution about the wind source and these changes are discussed for power law density distributions. In general, the flows observed in CO associated with infrared point sources seem to be in the energy driven regime. By combining CO observations with radio continuum flux measurements, wind parameters are derived for several of these sources. There is some evidence from the derived parameters that high (L _*2×10³ L ) luminosity sources have radiatively-driven winds. Lower luminosity source winds are driven by some agency as yet unknow. We suggest that the widths of infrared lines from wind sources seriously underestimate the wind terminal velocities.     

Radiation hydrodynamics of high-luminosity accretion into black holes

To extend Shapiro's (1973a, b) calculations of black hole accretion to the regimes of interstellar gas densities and of black hole masses for which emergent luminosities are expected to be high, the radiation hydrodynamics of spherically symmetric gas flows in static isotropic metrics is discussed. Since for the more luminous objects the optical depth of the accretion volume becomes large, particular attention has to be paid to radiative transfer through non-Euclidean spaces, and a method for solving the full transfer problem is presented. The method is applied to accretion into black holes of mass between 10M and 10⁵ M , under the conservative assumption that all other heat sources, like dissipation of magnetic or turbulent energy, can be neglected in comparison to the compressional work term,p dV. In the interstellar gas parameter range of interest, the radiation field is then dominated by emission and absorption of synchrotron radiation from inner zones of the flow. Temperature stratifications, luminosities and emergent spectra resulting from these processes are calculated.     

The evolution of nonlinear hydrodynamical density fluctuations of the photon-plasma gas during the recombination era of the Universe

On the basis of the hydrodynamical equations of a two-component gas (photons and hydrogen with coupling via Thomson scattering) in the recombination era of the Universe (standard model), the evolution of the density perturbations up to second order are calculated. It is shown, that the generated second-order amplitudes of the density fluctuations of the matter reach values of the same order as the first-order amplitudes within only one tenth of the expansion time for fluctuations with wavelengths corresponding to 10⁷ M . Upper limits in the density fluctuations (for the gravitationally instable modes) up to which first-order calculations are valid, are given. This calculation indicates that the linear perturbation analysis is very restricted, especially at wavelengths near the lower limit of the Jeans length.The linear analysis would be a good approximation only for density fluctuations of the matter with the density contrast less than 10^–5–10^–4 at the recombination era. Therefore, a nonlinear analysis which is not based on a perturbation series is required for studying the evolution of the density perturbations, because for this we need a density contrast of 10^–2–10^–3 at the end of the recombination era.     

The magnetic fields in M31, NGC 7331, NGC 2841, NGC 6946, and our galaxy

A time-independent model for the radial distributions of gas and magnetic field has been applied to the galaxies Milky Way, M31, NGC 7331, and NGC 2841, in order to explain the gaseous ring patterns in spiral galaxies, and to NGC 6946 to see if this model is valid for galaxies without a gaseous ring. The model takes the gas pressure as its input data and solves the MHD equations to calculate the magnetic field responsible for the gas distribution. This field has an azimuthal component only, and can be used to predict synchrotron radio emission. A discussion about the dependence of the synchrotron radiation profiles obtained upon the assumed relationN ₀(,B) for the cosmic-ray density per unit energy as a function of gas density and field strength, is here considered in detail. It is shown that a relation of the typeN ₀/B, which takes into account the loss of energy of the cosmic-relativistic electrons, yields good agreement with the observations.     

The local interstellar medium: A test-bed for the galactic ISM

We outline a method to explore the column density of the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM) using absorptions in the resonance H and K lines of Mgii. The intrinsic strengths of these lines in the temperature and density conditions prevailing in warm clouds (T _eff<10⁴ K) in the LISM allows them to be used to explore many lines of sight where lines such a NaD and Caii H and K are too weak, but where L is saturated. The number of measurable lines-of-sight is greatly enhanced by using cool stars as the background emitters, but this implies reliable separation of the LISM components from stellar chromospheric selfabsorptions. We explain how to do this, and how to use a combination of column density and radial velocity data to measure the spatial extent and the physical parameters of the single cloud in which the Sun is embedded. This proves to be an oblate spheroid, of characteristic diameter 8 pc, withT _eff 10⁴ K,n(Hi) of 0.1 cm^–3 and a mass <5M , streaming in the LSR from a point 1=4°,B=+16° with velocity equal to 16 km s^–1, and is surrounded by the much hotter lower density ionized gas of the local supernova bubble.     

Ultraviolet spectra of the Cygnus loop-depletion of the heavy elements

A comparison between the observed UV spectra and detailed consistent calculations of the Cygnus Loop is presented. The results demonstrate that the spectra can be explained by supposing that the Cygnus Loop (C.L.) moves into a fully ionized gas. The [O III]/H ratio is shown to be an indicator to the fraction of He⁺⁺ in the gas entering the shock.Further results are:(a) Observed shocks of higher velocity propagation move into regions of lower density; (b) the optical and UV spectra are emitted by very close and almost overlapping shocks (c) fast shocks (v240 km s^–1) propagation in the intercloud medium produce the X-ray emission, however, they can also produce faint H on impinging interstellar clouds.We find that carbon (C_I, C_II, C_III, and C_IV) depletion relative to other heavy elements is not more than a factor 3; whereas, we confirm that all heavy elements, relative to their solar abundance, are depleted by a factor 10. Heavy elemental depletion is likely to result formation of grains, sputtering and molecules in ISM.     

Effect of drift-resonance broadening on radial diffusion in the magnetosphere

In the quasilinear theory of magnetospheric radial diffusion caused by fluctuating electrostatic (E) or magnetic (B) fields, the diffusion coefficientD _LLis proportional to the spectral density of E or B at the particle drift frequency ₃/2. Since ₃ varies withL at fixedM andJ (adiabatic invariants), the drift resonance =₃ can be maintained only transiently, and therefore is not perfectly sharp. Its bandwidth ^* is approximately (16D _LL /L ²₃)^1/3₃. In magnetospheric radial diffusion caused mainly by electrostatic fluctuations, the value of ^*₃ typically exceeds 0.4 for particle energiesE40 keV. However, the numerical value ofD _LLis correctly given (within 1% in all cases) by quasilinear theory because the spectrum of E is rather flat at resonance frequencies for which the bandwidth is an appreciable fraction of ₃. (Numerical conclusions are based on a quasilinear model forD _LLused successfully by Cornwall in 1972.)