pTC-1 observation of ion high-speed flow reversal in the near-Earth plasma sheet during substorm

Based on measurements of FGM and HIA on board TC-1 at its apogee on Septem-ber 14, 2004, we analyzed the ion high-speed flows in the near-Earth plasma sheet observed during the substorm expansion phase. Strong tailward high-speed flows (Vx ～ -350 km/s) were first seen at about X ～ -13.2 RE in near-Earth magnetotail, one minute later the flows reversed from tailward to earthward. The reversal process occurred quickly after the substorm expansion onset. The near-Earth magnetotail plasma sheet was one of key regions for substorm onset. Our analysis showed that the ion flow reversal from tailward to earthward was likely to be in close relation with the substorm expansion initiation and might play an important role in trigger-ing the substorm expansion onset.

Plasma Sheet Actuator Driven by Repetitive Nanosecond Pulses with a Negative DC Component

A type of electrical discharge called sliding discharge was developed to generate plasma aerodynamic actuation for flow control. A three-electrode plasma sheet actuator driven by repetitive nanosecond pulses with a negative DC component was used to generate sliding discharge, which can be called nanosecond-pulse sliding discharge. The phenomenology and behaviour of the plasma sheet actuator were investigated experimentally. Discharge morphology shows that the formation of nanosecond-pulse sliding discharge is dependent on the peak value of the repetitive nanosecond pulses and negative DC component applied on the plasma sheet actuator. Compared to dielectric barrier discharge （DBD）, the extension of plasma in nanosecond-pulse sliding discharge is quasi-diffusive, stable, longer and more intensive. Test results of particle image velocimetry demonstrate that the negative DC component applied to a third electrode could significantly modify the topology of the flow induced by nanosecond-pulse DBD. Body force induced by the nanosecond-pulse sliding discharge can be approximately in the order of mN. Both the maximum velocity and the body force induced by sliding discharge increase significantly as compared to single DBD. Therefore, nanosecond-pulse sliding discharge is a preferable plasma aerodynamic actuation generation mode, which is very promising in the field of aerodynamics.

Singular Sheet Etching of Graphene with Oxygen Plasma

This paper reports a simple and controllable post-synthesis method for engineering the number of graphene layers based on oxygen plasma etching. Singular sheet etching(SSE) of graphene was achieved with the optimum process duration of 38 seconds. As a demonstration of this SSE process, monolayer graphene films were produced from bilayer graphenes. Experimental investigations verified that the oxygen plasma etching removes a single layer graphene sheet in an anisotropic fashion rather than anisotropic mode. In addition,etching via the oxygen plasma at the ground electrodes introduced fewer defects to the bottom graphene layer compared with the conventional oxygen reactive ion etching using the powered electrodes. Such defects can further be reduced with an effective annealing treatment in an argon environment at 900-1000?C. These results demonstrate that our developed SSE method has enabled a microelectronics manufacturing compatible way for single sheet precision subtraction of graphene layers and a potential technique for producing large size graphenes with high yield from multilayer graphite materials.

Preservation and variation of ion-to-electron temperature ratio in the plasma sheet in geo-magnetotail

The ion-to-electron temperature ratio is a good indicator of the processes involved in solar wind plasma entering and being transported inside Earth’s plasma sheet.In this study,we have demonstrated that patchy magnetic reconnection has the potential to preserve the ion-to-electron temperature ratio under certain conditions.If the charged particles are non-adiabatically accelerated no more than once in a single reconnection,the temperature ratio would be preserved;on the other hand,this ratio would not be preserved if they are accelerated multiple times.Consequently,under a northward interplanetary magnetic field(IMF)condition,the reconnection in the nonlinear phase of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is the dominant process for solar-originated plasma entering the Earth’s magnetosphere,and the ion-to-electron temperature ratio is preserved inside the plasma sheet.When the direction of the IMF is southward,the reflection of electrons from the magnetic mirror point,and subsequent multiple non-adiabatic accelerations at the reconnection site,are the primary reasons for the observed low ion-to-electron temperature ratio close to the Earth at midnight.While reconnections that occur in the night-side far tail might preserve the ratio,turbulence on the boundaries of the bursty bulk flows(BBFs)could change the ratio in the far tail through the violation of the frozen-in condition of the ions.The plateau in the contour of the calculated ion-to-electron temperature ratio in the down tail distance between 40 and 60 Earth radii may explain the strong correlation between the ion and electron temperatures in the outer central plasma sheet,which has not been clearly understood till date.

Responses of the field-aligned currents in the plasma sheet boundary layer to a geomagnetic storm

Geomagnetic storms can result in large magnetic field disturbances and intense currents in the magnetosphere and even on the ground.As an important medium of momentum and energy transport among the solar wind,magnetosphere,and ionosphere,field-aligned currents(FACs)can also be strengthened in storm times.This study shows the responses of FACs in the plasma sheet boundary layer(PSBL)observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale(MMS)spacecraft in different phases of a large storm that lasted from May 27,2017,to May 29,2017.Most of the FACs were carried by electrons,and several FACs in the storm time also contained sufficient ion FACs.The FAC magnitudes were larger in the storm than in the quiet period,and those in the main phase were the strongest.In this case,the direction of the FACs in the main phase showed no preference for tailward or earthward,whereas the direction of the FACs in the recovery phase was mostly tailward.The results suggest that the FACs in the PSBL are closely related to the storm and could be driven by activities in the tail region,where the energy transported from the solar wind to the magnetosphere is stored and released as the storm is evolving.Thus,the FACs are an important medium of energy transport between the tail and the ionosphere,and the PSBL is a significant magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling region in the nightside.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in plasma-arc flexible forming of laminated-composite metal sheets

Flexible forming of laminated-composite metal sheets (LCMS) using plasma arc is a latest technique, which produces LCMS components by thermal stress without mould and external force. Considering that the controllable temperature field is the key during the forming process, a three-layer FEM model, based on the characteristics along LCMS thickness direction, was developed to study the variation rules of temperature field, which was verified robustness by experimental validation. Besides, the influences of process parameters such as plasma arc power, scanning speed and plasma arc diameter on LCMS temperature field were performed. The comparisons of LCMS with single layer metal sheet (SLMS) show the temperature difference of LCMS along thickness direction is smaller than that of SLMS, but the heat-affected zone of LCMS along X axis is wider than that of SLMS under the same process parameters.

Field emission characteristics of nano-sheet carbon films deposited by quartz-tube microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition

Nano-sheet carbon films are prepared on Si wafers by means of quartz-tube microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition （MPCVD） in a gas mixture of hydrogen and methane. The structure of the fabricated films is investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM） and Raman spectroscopy. These nano^carbon films are possessed of good field emission （FE） characteristics with a low threshold field of 2.6 V/μm and a high current density of 12.6 mA/cm^2 at an electric field of 9 V/μm. As the FE currents tend to be saturated in a high E region, no simple Fowler-Nordheim （F-N） model is applicable. A modified F N model considering statistic effects of FE tip structures and a space-charge-limited-current （SCLC） effect is applied successfully to explaining the FE data observed at low and high electric fields, respectively.

Conversion of coalbed methane surrogate into hydrogen and graphene sheets using rotating gliding arc plasma

The use of atmospheric rotating gliding arc(RGA)plasma is proposed as a facile,scalable and catalyst-free approach to synthesizing hydrogen(H2)and graphene sheets from coalbed methane(CBM).CH4 is used as a CBM surrogate.Based on a previous investigation of discharge properties,product distribution and energy efficiency,the operating parameters such as CH4 concentration,applied voltage and gas flow rate can effectively affect the CH4 conversion rate,the selectivity of H2 and the properties of solid generated carbon.Nevertheless,the basic properties of RGA plasma and its role in CH4 conversion are scarcely mentioned.In the present work,a 3D RGA model,with a detailed nonequilibrium CH4/Ar plasma chemistry,is developed to validate the previous experiments on CBM conversion,aiming in particular at the distribution of H2 and other gas products.Our results demonstrate that the dynamics of RGA is derived from the joint effects of electron convection,electron migration and electron diffusion,and is prominently determined by the variation of the gas flow rate and applied voltage.Subsequently,a combined experimental and chemical kinetical simulation is performed to analyze the selectivity of gas products in an RGA reaction,taking into consideration the formation and loss pathways of crucial targeted substances(such as CH4,C2H2,H2 and H radicals)and corresponding contribution rates.Additionally,the effects of operating conditions on the properties of solid products are investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and Raman spectroscopy.The results show that increasing the applied voltage and decreasing CH4 concentration will change the solid carbon from its initial spherical structure into folded multilayer graphene sheets,while the size of the graphene sheets is slightly affected by the change in gas flow rate.

The Interaction of C-Band Microwaves with Large Plasma Sheets

A large plasma sheet 60 cm×60 cm×2 cm in size was generated using a hollow cathode, and measurements were conducted for interactions including transmission, reflection and absorption. With different discharge parameters, plasma sheets can vary and influence microwave strength. Microwave reflection decreases when the discharge current rises, and the opposite occurs in transmission. The C-band microwave is absorbed when it is propagated through large plasma sheets at higher pressure. When plasma density and collision frequency are fitted with incident microwave frequency, a large amount of microwave energy is consumed. Reflection, transmission and absorption all exist simultaneously. Plasma sheets are an attractive alternative to microwave steering at low pressure, and the microwave reflection used in receiving radar can be altered by changing the discharge parameters.

Upper Hybrid Resonance of Microwaves with a Large Magnetized Plasma Sheet

A large magnetized plasma sheet with size of 60 cm×60 cm×2 cm was generated by a linear hollow cathode discharge under the confinement of a uniform magnetic field generated by a Helmholtz Coil. The microwave transmission characteristic of the plasma sheet was measured for different incident frequencies, in cases with the electric field polarization of the incident microwave either perpendicular or parallel to the magnetic field. In this measurement, parameters of the plasma sheet were changed by varying the discharge current and magnetic field intensity. In the experiment, upper hybrid resonance phenomena were observed when the electric field polarization of the incident wave was perpendicular to the magnetic field. These resonance phenomena cannot be found in the case of parallel polarization incidence. This result is consistent with theoretical consideration. According to the resonance condition, the electron density values at the resonance points are calculated under various experimental conditions. This kind of resonance phenomena can be used to develop a specific method to diagnose the electron density of this magnetized plasma sheet apparatus. Moreover, it is pointed out that the operating parameters of the large plasma sheet in practical applications should be selected to keep away from the upper hybrid resonance point to prevent signals from polarization distortion.

Effect of Atmospheric Plasma Paint Removal on the Fatigue Performance of 2024-T3 Aluminium Alloy Sheet

This article documents fatigue testing that was conducted using as-painted (baseline) and Atmospheric Plasma de-painted specimens made of 0.063 inch thick 2024-T3 aluminium alloy sheet. The intent of the test program was to determine whether AP de-painting would alter the fatigue properties of this aluminium substrate. AP de-painting process parameters were selected based on previous work that would remove the topcoat, while leaving most of the primer intact. This process was repeated five times to simulate service experience, where aircraft typically undergo five paint/de-paint cycles in their lifetime. As-painted (baseline) and five times de-painted specimens were fatigue tested under constant amplitude conditions, at two load ratios and several maximum stress levels. Ten samples per condition were used to establish statistical behaviour and repeatability. The test results and statistical analysis demonstrated that the selected AP process parameters did not have a detrimental effect on the fatigue performance of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy sheet.

Numerical Modeling of the Time Evolution of Super-Small-Scale Irregularities in the Near-Earth Rarefied Plasma

The time evolution of the magnetic field aligned super-small-scale irregularities in the concentration of charged particles, existing in the near-Earth rarefied plasma, is studied with the help of the model simulation. A new version of the two-dimensional mathematical model, developed earlier in the Polar Geophysical Institute, is utilized to investigate the temporal history of the irregularity with circular cross section, created initially in the near-Earth plasma. The utilized model is based on a numerical solution of the Vlasov-Poisson system of equations, with the Vlasov equations describing the distribution functions of charged particles and the Poisson equation governing the self-consistent electric field. The results of simulation indicate that the mobility of the positive ions ought to influence essentially on the time evolution of the super-small-scale irregularities in the concentration of charged particles, existing in the near-Earth rarefied plasma.

Observations of kinetic Alfvén waves and associated electron acceleration in the plasma sheet boundary layer

Kinetic Alfvén waves(KAWs),with a strong parallel disturbed electric field,play an important role in energy transport and particle acceleration in the magnetotail.On the basis of high-resolution observations of the Magnetospheric Multiscale(MMS)Mission,we present a detailed description of the acceleration process of electrons by KAWs in the plasma sheet boundary layer(PSBL).The MMS observed strong electromagnetic disturbances carrying a parallel disturbed electric field with an amplitude of up to 8 mV/m.The measured ratio of the electric to magnetic field perturbations was larger than the local Alfvén speed and was enhanced as the frequency increased,consistent with the theoretical predictions for KAWs.This evidence indicates that the electromagnetic disturbances should be identified as KAWs.During the KAWs,the energy flux of electrons at energies above 1 keV in the parallel and anti-parallel directions are significantly enhanced,implying occurrences of electron beams at higher energies.Additionally,the KAWs became more electrostaticlike and filled with high-frequency ion acoustic waves.The energy enhancement of electron beams is in accordance with the derived work done with the observed parallel disturbed electric field of KAWs,indicating electron acceleration caused by KAWs.Therefore,these results provide direct evidence of electron acceleration by KAWs embodying electrostatic ion acoustic waves in the PSBL.

Fractal Structure of the Heliospheric Plasma Sheet at the Earth's Orbit

An analysis of the data from the Wind and IMP-8 spacecraft revealed that a slow solar wind,flowing in the heliospheric plasma sheet, represents a set of magnetic tubes with plasma of increased density(N ＞ 10cm-3 at the Earth's orbit). They have a fine structure at several spatial scales (fractality), from2°-3° (at the Earth's orbit, it is equivalent to 3.6-5.4 h, or(5.4-8.0) × 106 km) to the minimum about0.025°, i.e. the angular siz.e of the nested tubes is changed nearly by two orders of magnitude. The magnetic tubes at each observed spatial scale are diamagnetic, i.e. their surface sustains a flow of diamagnetic (or drift)current that decreases the magnetic field within the tube itself and increases it outside the tube. Furthermore,the value of β = 8π[N(Te + Tp)]/B2 within the tube exceeds the value of β outside the tube. In many cases total pressure P = N(Te + Tp) + B2/8π is almost constant within and outside the tubes at any one of the aforementioned scales.

An embedded electron current layer observed at the edge of the plasma sheet in the Earth’s magnetotail

The formation of an embedded electron current sheet within the magnetotail plasma sheet has been poorly understood.In this article,we present an electron current layer detected at the edge of the magnetotail plasma sheet.The ions were demagnetized inside the electron current layer,but the electrons were still frozen in with the magnetic field line.Thus,this decoupling of ions and electrons gave rise to a strong Hall electric field,which could be the reason for the formation of the embedded thin current layer.The magnetized electrons,the absence of the nongyrotropic electron distribution,and negligible energy dissipation in the layer indicate that magnetic reconnection had not been triggered within the embedded thin current layer.The highly asymmetric plasma on the two sides of the current layer and low magnetic shear across it could suppress magnetic reconnection.The observations indicate that the embedded electric current layer,probably generated by the Hall electric field,even down to electron scale,is not a sufficient condition for magnetic reconnection.

Enhanced field emission characteristics of thin-Au-coated nano-sheet carbon films

This paper reports that the nano-sheet carbon films （NSCFs） were fabricated on Si wafer chips with hydrogen- methane gas mixture by means of quartz-tube-type microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition （MWPCVD）. In order to further improve the field emission （FE） characteristics, a 5-nm Au film was prepared on the samples by using electron beam evaporation. The FE properties were obviously improved due to depositing Au thin film on NSCFs. The FE current density at a macroscopic electric field, E, of 9 V/μm was increased from 12.4 mA/cm2 to 27.2 mA/cm2 and the threshold field was decreased from 2.6 V/μm to 2.0 V/μm for Au-coated carbon films. A modified F-N model considering statistic effects of FE tip structures in the low E region and a space-chavge-limited-current effect in the high E region were applied successfully to explain the FE data of the Au-coated NSCF.

New Methods Testing of Adhesion of the Coating to Sheet Metal by Bending

The article is deals for new experimental equipment for effective test adhesion for selected coating STEEL, applied cold on the coated metal sheet with Al (aluminum). Explanation to the word STEEL: STEEL coating has significant anti- corrosive properties and he is resistant for main oxidizing agents such as acids, alkalis, salt vapors etc. Resists tem- peratures to 600?C and create an elastic film that is resistant to abrasion, as soon as it was to complete po-lymerization. It is very simple to applied to metallic and nonmetallic surfaces. Dries quickly and is dry to the touch after 90 to 120 seconds. STEEL is the best possible solution anywhere, if needs arises powerful local protection against atmospheric and corrosive agents or to elevated temperatures. STEEL is also useful as a method for protect of welds on stainless steels instead of traditional staining procedures. Broad application is in automotive industry to modify the surfaces of block vehicle, car-body repairs, welds needing protection, in heating industry for example boilers, in air condition with heat exchanger and in shipping industry. [1-3].In experiments with a new test equipment is showed that for bending radius of interval from range R11 to R35 there is a change deposited coating STEEL from original coating Al and this coating was part of test metal sheet of thickness 1.5 mm. In the next stage of solution was developed technological process, which allowed increase of adhesion coating STEEL for bending up to or maximum 180? (shape U). Result of new technology is documented in article. Experiments was implementing with cooperation of the Masaryk University in Brno.

Study of Deformation Coating for Sheets by Using Tensile Test

This article focuses on the study of the defined values of tensile strain and the effect of low temperature plasma adhesion selected coatings on steel samples using a tensile testing flat test bars. Samples were made by machining and welding technologies. The flat test bars were tested by pulling on a test rig UPC 1200. Part of the samples was treated on the surface prior to coating by a tensile test, second base coat and with a final coat continuous multi plasma system. The selected test samples were determined from the tensile test of the material characteristics apparent from the tensile diagrams. The examined samples were fitted top and base coat. Another group was the KTL basis. The presented graphs show the dependence of the strength on elongation of a sample according to DIN EN ISO 6892-2. The samples were then examined under a stereo microscope SCHUT brand, type SSM-E in the laboratory to conduct coating on a steel sheet at the moment of total violation sectional samples. The base layer, in which the temperature ranges from 160°C - 180°C, was applied by electrophoresis method.

低温等离子体处理对豆腐皮杀菌效果及其品质的影响

豆腐皮作为中国传统的豆制品,因其营养丰富且易吸收的特点深受人们喜爱。然而豆腐皮在生产过程中易被外源微生物污染导致品质下降。低温等离子体杀菌技术作为一种新型非热的杀菌技术,具有杀菌效率高、无残留等优势。该文以等离子体的电源功率、处理时间及电极间距为试验因素,运用响应曲面试验方法探究各试验因素的交互作用机制,并优化杀菌工艺参数。结果表明:低温等离子体对豆腐皮杀菌的最优工艺为电源功率80 W、处理时间15 s、电极间距10 mm,菌落总数从4.56 lg(CFU/g)降低至3.85 lg(CFU/g);处理前后豆腐皮的感官评分、pH值无显著差异,而处理后的豆腐皮的弹性和咀嚼性有所提升。通过豆腐皮挥发性风味测定发现,低温等离子处理减少了豆腐皮中的豆腥味且增加了香味物质壬醛的含量。低温等离子体处理后的豆腐皮经真空包装后4℃下的货架期从3 d延长至6 d,具有较好的贮藏品质。