Skin Effects in a Dusty Plasma

A multifluid MHD model is applied to study the magnetic field dynamics in a dusty plasma. The motion of plasma electrons and ions is treated against the background of arbitrarily charged, immobile dust grains. When the dust density gradient is nonzero and when the inertia of the ions and electrons and the dissipation from their collisions with dust grains are neglected, we are dealing with a nonlinear convective penetration of the magnetic field into the plasma. When the dust density is uniform, the magnetic field dynamics is described by the nonlinear diffusion equations. The limiting cases of diffusion equations are analyzed for different parameter values of the problem (i.e., different rates of the collisions of ions and electrons with the dust grains and different ratios between the concentrations of the plasma components), and some of their solutions (including self-similar ones) are found. The results obtained can also be useful for research in solid-state physics, in which case the electrons and holes in a semiconductor may be analogues of plasma electrons and ions and the role of dust grains may be played by the crystal lattice and impurity atoms.     

Plasma heating in a variable magnetic field

The problem of particle acceleration in a periodically variable magnetic field that either takes a zero value or passes through zero is considered. It is shown that, each time the field [0]passes through zero, the particle energy increases abruptly. This process can be regarded as heating in the course of which plasma particles acquire significant energy within one field period. This mechanism of plasma heating takes place in the absence of collisions between plasma particles and is analogous to the mechanism of magnetic pumping in collisional plasma considered by Alfvén.     

Formation of ECR Plasma in a Dielectric Plasma Guide under Self-Excitation of a Standing Ion-Acoustic Wave

The formation of a spatially localized plasma with a high brightness has been experimentally observed in a dielectric plasma guide under the electron cyclotron resonance discharge at the excitation of a standing ion-acoustic wave. The results obtained show the possibility of designing compact high-intensity radiation sources with a spectrum determined by the working gas or gas mixture type, high-intensity chemically active particle flow sources, and plasma thrusters for correcting orbits of light spacecraft.     

High-Power X-Ray Line Radiation of the Plasma Produced in a Collision of High-Energy Plasma Flows

Results are presented from experimental studies of a pulsed source of soft X-ray (SXR) emission with photon energies in the range of 0.4–1 keV and an output energy of 2–10 kJ. SXR pulses with a duration of 10–15 μs were generated in collisions of two plasma flows propagating toward one another in a longitudinal magnetic field. The plasma flows with velocities of (2–4) × 10⁷ cm/s and energy contents of 70–100 kJ were produced by two electrodynamic coaxial accelerators with pulsed gas injection. Nitrogen and neon, as well as their mixtures with deuterium, were used as working gases. The diagnostic equipment is described, and the experimental results obtained under different operating conditions are discussed. In particular, X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the high-temperature plasma produced in a collision of two plasma flows. The observed intensities of spectral lines are compared with the results of detailed kinetic calculations performed in a steady-state approximation. The calculations of the nitrogen and neon kinetics have shown that the electron temperature of a nitrogen plasma can be most conveniently determined from the intensity ratio of the resonance lines of He- and H-like nitrogen ions, while that of a neon plasma, from the intensity ratio between the resonance line of He-like Ne IX ions and the 3p?2s line of Li-like Ne VIII ions. In the experiments with plasma flows containing nitrogen ions, the electron temperature was found to be ≈120 eV, whereas in the experiments with plasma flows containing neon ions, it was 160–170 eV.     

Plasma acceleration efficiency in a pulsed electrodynamic accelerator

Results are presented from two-dimensional gas-dynamic simulations of plasma acceleration in the channel of a pulsed electrodynamic accelerator. The electrical conductivity of the plasma is assumed to be infinite and its thermal conductivity is neglected. The effect of the initial plasma density distribution on the acceleration efficiency is investigated. It is shown that the acceleration efficiency can be as high as ~40%, the acceleration length being one order of magnitude larger than the width of the initial gas density distribution.     

Nonstationary Model of a Low-Density Plasma Jet Ejected from a Stationary Plasma Thruster

A time-dependent problem on finding the parameters of a low-density plasma jet ejected from a stationary plasma thruster is analyzed. In contrast to earlier works in which a stationary problem was solved using a Crook-type kinetic model, a set of kinetic equations is derived at the accuracy level accepted in the kinetic theory with allowance for resonant charge-exchange interaction between ions and neutrals. A method to solve the obtained set of equations is developed and used to perform test simulations, some results of which are presented.     

Stability of a Planar Plasma Crystal

Plasma Physics Reports - The stability of a planar plasma crystal in an external confining force field is investigated. Particles are assumed to be located in the plasma with Maxwellian electrons...     

Influence of Plasma Unsteadiness on the Spectrum and Shape of Microwave Pulses in a Plasma Relativistic Microwave Amplifier

Dependence of the shape of a microwave pulse in a plasma relativistic microwave amplifier (PRMA) on the initial plasma electron density in the system is detected experimentally. Depending on the plasma density, fast disruption of amplification, stable operation of the amplifier during the relativistic electron beam (REB) pulse, and its delayed actuation can take place. A reduction in the output signal frequency relative to the input frequency is observed experimentally. The change in the shape of the microwave signal and the reduction in its frequency are explained by a decrease in the plasma density in the system. The dynamics of the plasma density during the REB pulse is determined qualitatively from the experimental data by using the linear theory of a PRMA with a thin-wall hollow electron beam. The processes in a PRMA are analyzed by means of the KARAT particle-in-cell code. It is shown that REB injection is accompanied by an increase in the mean energy of plasma electrons and a significant decrease in their density.     

Plasma Parameters Controlled by a Movable Ion Sheath

It is shown that plasma parameters, such as the electron density, electron temperature, and plasma potential, in multidipole discharge plasma can be controlled by a negatively biased movable metal plate. Here, plasma is produced in the target region by a flux of energetic electrons coming from the source region of a double plasma device. Further, the thickness of the ion sheath formed in front of the biased metal plate varies depending on its axial position inside the cage.     

Plasma parameters controlled by remote electron shower in a double plasma device

The principal feature of this experiment is the electron showers consisting of three tungsten wires embedded by the plasma, which are heated up consequently emitting electrons inside the diffused plasma to control the plasma parameters in the discharge section of a double plasma device. These cold electrons emitted by the heated filament are free from maintenance of discharge which is sustained in the source section. The target plasma, where electrons are injected is produced as a result of diffusion from the source section. It is found that, plasma density and plasma potential can be effectively controlled in this way.     

Experimental Observation and Numerical Analysis of the Arc Plasma Axial Motion in a Magnetically Rotating Arc Plasma Generator

Plasma Physics Reports - To better understand the arc plasma axial motion under an axial magnetic field, a high-speed charge-coupled device camera was used to observe the arc plasma images in a...     

Plasma dopamine response to sympathetic activation in man: a biphasic pattern

We studied the plasma catecholamine response to standing and bicycle ergometric tests in 16 normal male subjects. During the standing test (performed in 10 subjects), we observed an early increase in plasma dopamine together with the fast increase in norepinephrine values; in the second half of this test (i.e. from 5 to 10 min of standing), we observed an increase in plasma dopamine levels. During the ergometric test (performed in 6 subjects), we observed a plasma dopamine increase at the maximal exercise; this persisted during the early recumbent recovery phase (6 min), despite the clear-cut decrease of both norepinephrine and epinephrine plasma levels. Our data are not in agreement with previous papers describing a simple increase in plasma dopamine after stimulation. This paper provides no informations regarding the mechanisms of this response of plasma dopamine. Other approaches must be used to study this aspect more directly.     

Plasma volume expansion in humans after a single intense exercise protocol.

We used intense intermittent exercise to produce a 10% expansion of plasma volume (PV) within 24 h and tested the hypothesis that PV expansion is associated with an increase in plasma albumin content. The protocol consisted of eight 4-min bouts of exercise at 85% maximal O2 uptake with 5-min recovery periods between bouts. PV, plasma concentrations of albumin and total protein (TP), and plasma osmolality were measured before and during exercise and at 1, 2, and 24 h of recovery from exercise. During exercise, PV decreased by 15%, while plasma TP and albumin content remained at control levels. At 1 h of recovery, plasma albumin content was elevated by 0.17 +/- 0.04 g/kg body wt, accounting for the entire increase in plasma TP content. PV returned to control level at 1 h of recovery without fluid intake by the subjects, despite a 820 +/- 120-g reduction in body weight. At 2 h of recovery, plasma TP content remained significantly elevated, and plasma TP and albumin concentration were significantly elevated. At 24 h of recovery, PV was expanded by 4.5 +/- 0.7 ml/kg body wt (10 +/- 1%), estimated from hematocrit and hemoglobin changes, and by 3.8 +/- 1.3 ml/kg body wt (8 +/- 3%), measured by Evans blue dye dilution. Plasma albumin content was increased by 0.19 +/- 0.05 g/kg body wt at 24 h of recovery. If 1 g of albumin holds 18 ml of water, this increase in plasma albumin content can account for a 3.4-ml/kg body wt expansion of the PV. No significant changes in plasma osmolality occurred during recovery, but total plasma osmotic content increased in proportion to PV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma creatine determination using a luminescence method

A new luminescence procedure based on the creatine kinase reaction was developed for measuring creatine in plasma. The method is highly applicable to small animal work where the amount of blood volume is critical. Only 20 microliter of sample is necessary for creatine analysis. Deproteinizing the plasma sample with ethanol at room temperature is convenient. This extraction method is adaptable to a clinical setting. The ethanol used in the extraction is compatible with the luminescence method but precipitated enzymes in the NADH spectrophotometric method because of the greater sample volume needed for analysis. The creatine concentration is stable in plasma for at least 1 hr in a final anticoagulant concentration of 10 mM EDTA. The correlation between the new luminescence method with the established NADH spectrophotometric method was excellent (r = 0.99). The accuracy of the within-run precision is high, with a mean coefficient of variation, 2-3%. Plasma creatine levels could be an important indicator denoting early cellular damage and of potential prognostic value. Preliminary studies in human muscle ischemia and early shock in rabbits revealed a significant increase in plasma creatine levels. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate its clinical importance.     

Identification of the Plasma Membrane Proteolipid Protein as a Constituent of Brain Coated Vesicles and Synaptic Plasma Membrane

We have analyzed brain coated vesicles and synaptic plasma membrane for the presence of the plasma membrane proteolipid protein. Coated vesicles were isolated from calf brain gray matter with a final purification on Sephacryl S-1000 and reisolated twice by chromatography to ensure homogeneity. Fractions were analyzed by gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting for clathrin heavy chain, and by electron microscopy. Using an immunoblotting assay we were able to demonstrate the presence of the plasma membrane proteolipid protein in these coated vesicles at a significant level (i.e., approximately 1% of the bilayer protein of these vesicles). Reisolation of coated vesicles did not diminish the concentration of the protein in this fraction. Removal of the clathrin coat proteins or exposure of the coated vesicles to 0.1 M Na2CO3 showed that the plasma membrane proteolipid protein is not removed during uncoating and lysis but is intrinsic to the membrane bilayer of these vesicles. These studies demonstrate that plasma membrane proteolipid protein represents a significant amount of the bilayer protein of coated vesicles, suggesting that these vesicles may be a transport vehicle for the intracellular movement of the plasma membrane proteolipid protein. Isolation of synaptic plasma membranes proteolipid adult rat brain and estimation of the plasma membrane proteolipid protein content using the immunoblotting method confirmed earlier studies that show this protein is present in this membrane fraction at high levels as well (approximately 1-2%). The level of this protein in the synaptic plasma membrane suggests that the synaptic plasma membrane is one major site to which these vesicles may be targeted or from which the protein is being retrieved.     

Launching of Microwaves into a Dense Plasma in Open Confinement Systems

A study is made of the propagation of microwave beams in a plasma and their passage through the critical surface. It is shown that, in order for microwaves to penetrate deeply into a dense plasma, it is necessary to launch them through a magnetic mirror at a slight angle to the device axis. The characteristic features of ray trajectories are analyzed both ahead of and behind the critical surface. In a dense plasma behind the critical surface, microwaves tend to run out of the axial region toward the plasma periphery. This tendency may be unfavorable for heating plasmas whose radial density profiles are strongly peaked about the system axis. The problems under analysis are particularly important for assessing the prospects for ECR heating of dense plasmas in open confinement systems.     

Plasma electron-emitting source in a low-pressure beam-plasma discharge in a stationary plasma thruster

A new type of plasma electron-emitting source capable of increasing the temperature of plasma electrons behind the edge of a stationary plasma thruster (SPT) to 7–15 eV has been developed and investigated experimentally. For the same parameters of the main discharge, the thrust, the thrust efficiency, the mass use factor, and the lifetime of the “SPT anode unit-plasma electron-emitting source” assembly are found to increase substantially as compared to a thruster equipped with a conventional cathode compensator. Simultaneously, the neutral particle pressure required for the existence of self-consistent distributions of the electric field and charged particle density in the drift space of the neutralized ion beam decreases appreciably. It is shown that the volume of the region in which primary slow ions are produced increases with increasing ionization frequency. Three additional channels for discharge control are implemented. The ranges in which the discharge parameters can be controlled are extended.     

Experience With a Hepatitis-free Plasma Protein Solution

Clinical experience with a 4.3% solution of plasma protein treated to render it free of the agent of serum hepatitis is satisfactory. Sixty-seven transfusions of 400 ml. of the commercial preparation were given to 33 patients (25 with acute blood loss, 4 with severe burns, and 4 with hypoproteinaemia secondary to hepatic or renal disease).The solution was clinically as effective as reconstituted dried plasma in expanding plasma volume and in replacing serum protein lost in burns. Adverse effects were mild pyrexial reactions in one case and facial flushing in another. No cases of serum hepatitis occurred.The solution is available for immediate use, it can be kept at room temperature, and, as it does not cause rouleaux formation, it can be given before blood is taken for grouping and cross-matching.     

Supernonlinear Waves in Plasma

A new class of nonlinear waves in plasma??supernonlinear waves (SNWs) characterized by the nontrivial topology of their phase portraits??has been revealed. The topological classification of such waves is given, and suitable notation for them is proposed. It is demonstrated using several examples that SNWs can exist in the form of plasma waves of different physical nature, e.g., electrostatic (ion-acoustic) and MHD (Alfvén) waves. It is shown that a necessary condition for the existence of SNWs is the presence of at least three different charged plasma components (electrons, positrons, ions, dust grains, etc.). As the number of plasma components increases, the topology of the SNW phase portrait becomes more complicated. Typical indications of SNWs are given, which make is possible to easily reveal such waves experimentally.     

Plasma equilibrium in a double-dipole magnetic confinement system with a separatrix

Results are presented from theoretical studies of plasma equilibrium consistent with the convective stability of ideal interchange modes in axisymmetric configurations with an outward-decreasing field that may have a separatrix limiting the plasma volume. A two-dimensional numerical code is developed to solve the Grad-Shafranov equation with a convectively stable pressure distribution at an arbitrary value of β. The problem is solved for an actual geometry of the magnetic field produced by thin current rings. Configurations of a double-dipole confinement system are calculated for the parameters measured in experiments carried out in the Magnetor device, as well as for higher β values. A configuration of a model mirror system with a divertor is also calculated. The code allows one to optimize confinement systems operating at high β values at which equilibrium still can exist.