Flat Target Research Articles

Modified Target Pressure Distribution for Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow Wing Design

Natural laminar flow (NLF) is an important technique for reducing drag of the next-generation supersonic transport aircraft. However, achieving NLF on supersonic transport wings is challenging due to the large swept angles and high-Reynolds-number conditions, which significantly amplify Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) and crossflow (CF) instabilities. To address this problem, this paper proposes a modified target pressure distribution to attenuate the TS and CF instabilities. Compared with conventional targets defined using empirical functions, it is derived in two steps: the first step is to prescribe an initial flat target pressure distribution with a narrow leading-edge flow acceleration region and conduct inverse designs; the second step is to modify the target pressure distribution according to the stability analysis results of the designed wing in order to achieve a balance of disturbance growth at positive and negative wave angles. The proposed approach is validated on a 60°-swept infinite-span wing at Ma=2 and Re=1.39×107. Results demonstrate that TS and CF instabilities are well-suppressed under the modified target pressure distribution, with the transition location delayed from xtr/c=0.26 on the baseline wing to xtr/c=0.95 on the designed wing, suggesting that the proposed method is effective for NLF design on supersonic highly swept wings.

Heliostat field aiming strategy based on deterministic optimization: An experimental validation

In Solar Power Tower plants, the aiming strategy plays a key role in the performance and interaction between heliostat field and receiver. This work presents an aiming strategy based on a deterministic optimization that maximizes the flux uniformity and minimizes the spillage losses. The algorithm can be fed either by a flux mapping model or by the synthesis – superposition – of experimental images. Both approaches are experimentally tested at PROTEAS research facility, aiming 16 heliostats at a flat Lambertian target. In the comparison between experimental and computed flux maps, the cross-correlation coefficient exceeds 97%. The spillage loss factors are underestimated by the computations: 9.2 percentage points by the model-based and 6.7 points by the synthesis-based approach.

Optimizing laser ablation in liquid: The role of ablation region confinement

In the present work, pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) experiments have been conducted on a disk-shaped copper (Cu) target with a confined ablation region. Nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by employing a flat target and targets with valley (channel) widths of 4 and 3 mm to investigate the effect of confinement on properties of NPs. On the flat target, Cu NPs exhibiting bimodal size distribution with average sizes of 8 and 23 nm have been produced. In contrast, monomodal NPs are synthesized in confined valleys, with average sizes decreasing to 4 and 6 nm for 4 and 3 mm valleys, respectively. To understand the influence of confinement on cavitation bubble dynamics, shadowgraphy investigation is employed. The study revealed that the bubble size increases as the valley width decreases. The Gilmore model has been used to estimate the temperature and pressure within the bubble, indicating that both the parameters enhance with confinement. The shadowgraphy results suggest that the reheating of the ablation region due to shockwave interaction with the valley walls is the primary factor influencing the NP properties and cavitation bubble dynamics.

Numerical analysis of heat transfer and fluid flow structures of jet impingement on a flat plate with different shapes of roughness elements

Jet impingement is a heat transfer technique utilized in different applications in industry. It is used for cooling the turbine blade and the combustor wall because of its high cooling rate. The heat transfer (HT) and flow structure of a circular air-impinging jet over a flat target plate with a circular row of 48 roughness elements are numerically investigated using renormalization group k–ε turbulence model. Different shapes of roughness elements, namely cylindrical roughness elements (CREs), droplet roughness elements (DREs), and hemispherical roughness elements (HREs), are examined. The effects of Reynolds number changed from 7,000 to 35,000, and the roughness elements location relative to jet diameter ( s / d ) of 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 at a constant jet-to-target plate distance ( H / d ) of 2 are studied. Temperature distribution, local Nusselt number ( Nu ), average Nusselt number (Nuavg ), average Nusselt number ratio (Nuavg,r ), velocity distribution, turbulence kinetic energy, streamline contours, and static pressure ( p ) over the roughness elements are evaluated and discussed. The results showed that the existence of roughness elements has a significant effect on the thermal and hydraulic characteristics. The Nuavg,r for the CREs, DREs, and HREs is up to 1.61, 2.02, and 1.2, respectively. All roughness element shapes increase the flow velocity in the narrow area between the elements and increase the wetted area. CREs augment the HT rates by increasing the turbulence intensity, while DREs reduce the drag force effects.

Flow and heat transfer characteristics of a return-flow impingement cooling scheme with varied target surface curvature for turbine blade leading edge

The effect of target surface curvature on flow field and heat transfer performance of a return-flow impingement cooling structure is investigated numerically by the BSL turbulence model in this study. Seven cases are presented and the jet Reynolds number is set as 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 in each case. The effects of sidewall are considered so that the results are more convincing. The results indicate that the increase of target surface curvature further suppresses the crossflow in the impingement channel and contributes to the scraping effect of the swirling flow in return channel, which improves the intensity and the uniformity of overall heat transfer performance. The average Nusselt number in the impingement channel is increased by 16.6%-21.4% while that in the return channel is increased by 26.4%-30.0%, comparing the case with the highest target surface curvature and the case with flat target surface.

Experimental investigation of thermal characteristics of slot synthetic jet impingement on a circular cylinder: Free and constrained environment

The present study aimed to comprehensively investigate the thermal behavior of a slot synthetic jet (SJ) interacting with a circular cylinder in both free and constrained environments through experimental analysis. By traversing the cylinder along the jet centerline across a range of non-dimensional distances (H/w = 5-50), spanning from the near-field to the fully developed region, the research aimed to elucidate the factors governing heat transfer performance. Key parameters such as Reynolds number, jet-cylinder separation distance, and excitation frequency were scrutinized to understand their influence on thermal performance. The SJ was found to perform better in the constrained environment, attributed to relatively higher flow fluctuations developed by the complex interaction of the vortex with the sidewall boundary layer and the cylinder. Almost 12% higher average heat transfer was observed in the case of the constrained environment over the range of parameters employed in the current work. Moreover, a strong dependence of heat transfer on the jet cylinder separation distance was also found. In contrast to the SJ impinging on flat target surfaces where the maximum heat transfer was attained in the intermediate field, at H/w = 14 to 18, for SJ impingement on the circular cylinder, however, this was consistently achieved in the near field, i.e., H/w = 5. Also, the thermal performance as a function of the flow Reynolds number was comparable to the uniform flow case when the Reynolds number was based on the approach flow velocity (i.e., local velocity based on the cylinder location) instead of the velocity at the slot exit.

Convective heat transfer improvement for a single row of continuous air jets by the acoustic-actuator integration

An experimental study is performed to identify the roles of acoustic-actuator integration on improving convective heat transfer from a row of continuous air jets onto a flat target surface, by using a representative element that involves three continuous-jet pipes with a fixed jet-to-jet pitch (X/d = 5) and two acoustic actuators positioned at the intermediate centers of adjacent continuous jets. The tests are performed under Re = 3000–7000 (continuous jet), f = 150Hz–250Hz (acoustic actuator) and H/d = 2–10 (jet-to-target distance). In addition, several numerical simulations regarding the flow fields are also made to illustrate the mutual interaction mechanism between neighboring synthetic jet and continuous jet. The results clearly demonstrate that three featured local-Nu distribution patterns would happen, dependent on the reference velocity ratio (UR) and the jet-to-target distance. Within the limit of this study, the most possibilities in accordance with different featured local-Nu distribution patterns are put forward. As far as spatially-averaged Nusselt number (Nus-av) and heat transfer uniformity indicator (HTU) for a specified zone, the roles of acoustic-actuator integration on heat transfer performance are thoroughly evaluated. Its positive role on heat transfer enhancement is identified to behave significantly in the situations of UR > 1 and H/d ≥ 6, wherein Nus-av could be raised by 20 % at least in terms of the baseline continuous-jet configurations. However, when UR is far less than 1.0, a little negative influence on Nus-av would happen at larger jet-to-target distances. Meanwhile it is confirmed that the acoustic-actuator integration could always improve the heat transfer uniformity, especially at larger jet-to-target distances wherein HTU could be mostly reduced beyond 30 % with respect to the baseline continuous-jet situations.

Evolution of flow structure and heat transfer enhancement mechanism in impinging jets excited by piezoelectric fan

While jet impingement is recognized for significantly enhancing local convective heat transfer, there remains a considerable challenge in further improving its heat transfer performance and uniformity to meet the growing demand for efficient heat transfer. To address this challenge, this study proposes a method that integrates a piezoelectric fan into a continuous jet, taking advantage of the piezoelectric fan's vibration to deliver pulsating excitation to jet impingement while preserving its continuity. An experimental study is performed to identify the roles of piezo-fan integration on improving convective heat transfer from a continuous circular jet onto a flat target surface. The tests are performed under Rej=2,500∼7,500 (circular jet), s/d = 2∼28 (non-dimensional fan-to-jet distance) and L/d = 2∼8 (non-dimensional jet-to-target distance). In addition, few numerical simulations regarding the flow fields are also made to illustrate the mutual interaction mechanism between piezo-fan and continuous jet. The findings reveal that, in the longitudinal configuration, the average values of heat transfer enhancement factor (χ) and heat transfer uniformity factor (ξ) are approximately 13% and 0.5% higher, respectively, compared to the transverse configuration. In the longitudinal arrangement, the significance of the piezoelectric fan amplifies as the circular nozzle gradually distances itself from the target surface. This fan assumes a pivotal role in augmenting both the uniformity and efficiency of heat transfer associated with the circular jet. Conversely, when the piezoelectric fan moves beyond a specific s/d value (s/d = 10), the interaction between intermittent flow and the wall-jet experiences complete cessation. Despite the existence of a fountain effect resulting from the interaction between the piezoelectric fan and the circular jet in the longitudinal configuration, its discernible impact on overall heat transfer attenuation is minimal. The insights gained from this study will be valuable in improving active strategies for jet impingement and promoting the development of piezoelectric functional devices.

Simulation of interaction of a vortex ring with a normally located flat target

The need to develop models and methods for calculating unsteady gas and fluid flows with concentrated vorticity is determined by the wide distribution of such flows in nature and technology. Numerical simulation of the formation of a vortex ring, its propagation and interaction with a flat target oriented normal to the direction of movement of the ring is considered. The construction of a model of a virtual generator of vortex rings and the choice of a set of parameters describing the generating pulse (pulse duration and its amplitude) are discussed. The computational domain consists of the internal region of the vortex ring generator and the external space region behind its outlet, in which the formation and movement of the vortex ring occurs. For numerical calculations, unsteady Navier–Stokes equations in an axisymmetric formulation are used, for discretization of which the finite volume method is applied. To simulate the flow generated by the movement of the piston in the tube, unsteady boundary conditions are used at the outlet of the generating tube, describing the distribution of mass flow rate over time. The distribution of pressure over the target and the change in the longitudinal force acting on the target over time, as well as the change in the characteristics of the vortex ring during its interaction with the target are given. The results of numerical calculations are compared with the data of a physical experiment. A qualitative pattern of the flow that occurs when a vortex ring approaches a wall is presented, and the key features of the flow and critical points that are formed during the interaction of the vortex ring with the wall are discussed.

A numerical study of thermal shrinkage influence on the impact dynamics of alumina droplets thermally sprayed on flat, grit-blasted and laser treated surfaces

Thermal spray splat morphology and its microstructure are of significance to the coating resulting properties. Depending on the material, the changes in density as the droplet solidifies during splat development and solidification could have a substantial role in the particle deformation dynamics, formation of porosity and subsequent adhesion to the flat or rough target surface.In the current study, the effect of shrinkage on the final splat shape is numerically investigated for collisions occurring under several high-speed impact conditions using the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method on real surface topography. This influence is also studied for the interaction of two successive impacting particles. The developed models study the splat impact, development and dynamics of heat transfer on flat, laser-patterned, grit-blasted surfaces and numerically designed features. The results of droplet material variable density cases are compared with those assuming constant density. Experimentally obtained single splat depositions are also used to validate the developed models and obtained numerical results.Findings show that micro substrate surface features lead to splat stretching, porosity and limited finger creation subsequent to improved solidification through interfacial contact area increase. Macro surface characteristics, however, lead to splashing and separation from the substrate surface driven by fluid instabilities. Irrespective of the interface topography, shrinkage processes reduce droplet spreading and accentuate splat feature discontinuities such as porosity.

Model of self-generated magnetic field generation from relativistic laser interaction with solid targets

Generation of self-generated annular magnetic fields at the rear side of a solid target driven by relativistic laser pulse is investigated by using theoretical analysis and particle-in-cell simulations. The spatial strength distribution of magnetic fields can be accurately predicted by calculating the net flow caused by the superposition of source flow and return flow of hot electrons. The theoretical model established shows good agreement with the simulation results, indicating that the magnetic-field strength scales positively to the temperature of hot electrons. This provides us a way to improve the magnetic-field generation by using a micro-structured plasma grating in front of the solid target. Compared with that for a common flat target, hot electrons can be effectively heated with the well-designed grating size, leading to a stronger magnetic field. The spatial distribution of magnetic fields can be modulated by optimizing the grating period and height as well as the incident angle of the laser pulse.

Not-so-efficient proton acceleration by an intense laser pulse obliquely incident on a structured target

The interaction of an obliquely incident laser pulse with a flat TNSA target is known to enhance the cut-off energy of protons/ions as compared to a normally incident laser pulse, owing to Brunel or v × B heating. However, it is not well understood how the oblique incidence of the laser pulse would affect the protons/ion spectra in the case of a micro-structured target. Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we show here that the protons/ions cut-off energies are rather reduced in the case of oblique incidence of the laser pulse if the target has a micron-sized groove on its front surface. This is also found to be true for a periodically grooved target.

Thermo-hydraulic performance of tungsten flat tile type divertor target with two types of novel engineered cooling channel wall

The divertor is one of the key components in magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Improving the heat transfer performance of the divertor has great importance for promoting its service capacity. This work proposed a new kind of cooling surface configuration for a flat-type divertor design, which is based on the concept of synergetic heat transfer enhancement via combination of a sinusoidal undulation structure with a micro-nano structured surface (copper-mesh brazed coating). The combination surface configuration is preliminarily obtained by numerical optimization based on the calibrated model of subcooled flow boiling heat transfer. Then, experimental mockups were fabricated and tests with high heat flux (HHF) conditions were conducted to examine the effects of the new design. Both the numerical and experimental results confirm that the incident critical heat flux is increased from 15 MW/m2 of the micro-nano structured flat surface case to over 22 MW/m2 of the combination case under the conditions of relatively low flow velocity of 3 m/s and low flow resistance increase of 7.3 %.

Hundreds-petawatt laser pulses shaping and heavy ion acceleration based on conical plasma channels

In this paper, the effects of conical plasma channels on the laser pulses shaping and the heavy ion acceleration under the extreme light field conditions of hundreds-petawatt are investigated using a particle simulation method. The law of influence of the conical plasma channel on the spatio-temporal waveform and intensity of the incident laser is analyzed, when the QED effect is taken into account. The reason for the shaping laser-enhanced heavy ion acceleration is given, and the role of the QED effect in the acceleration process is explained.<br>It is found that, due to the non-linear interference and focusing effects, the conical plasma channel can shape the spatio-temporal waveform of the laser pulse and enhance the laser intensity. A tightly focused (beam waist radius < 1 μm) and ultra-high intensity (enhanced 6 times) shaping laser is obtained for a linearly polarized laser with an intensity of 5.46 × 10<sup>22</sup> W/cm<sup>2</sup> and a waist radius of 10 μm at an incident angle of <i>θ</i> = 10°. In the simulation, the conical plasma channel is fully ionized high-Z gold plasma with the electron densities up to <i>n<sub>e</sub></i>=2626.5<i>n<sub>c</sub></i>. Therefore most of the laser energy in the channel is reflected by the channel wall, and the QED effect has less impact on laser focusing and shaping. Using this laser to accelerate an ultra-thin flat target placed at the end of the channel. It is found that, the radiation reaction force can effectively suppress the transverse expansion of the ultra-thin flat target caused by the electron heating and the transverse non-uniform of the laser intensity. The transparency time of the ultra-thin flat target is prolonged, which will allow the gold ions to be fully accelerated. Ultimately, gold ions with a cutoff energy of up to ~ 240 GeV can be obtained. The results are expected to provide theoretical references and technical support for the design of future hundreds-petawatt laser heavy ion acceleration experiments and their application research of high-quality ion source, such as nucleus-nucleus collisions.

Ultrahigh-energy density state in nanowire arrays irradiated with picosecond kilojoule-class ultra-intense laser

Ultrahigh-energy density (UHED) states greater than 1 Gbar pressure are typically observed under extreme conditions, such as in the core of an inertial confinement fusion implosion. A novel alternative approach for generating volumetric UHED states is to use nanowire arrays irradiated with a femtosecond ultrahigh-intensity laser. In this paper, we present an experimental investigation on laser absorption and energy transport in nanowire arrays irradiated with a picosecond kilojoule petawatt laser. The laser–target interactions were studied by measuring the x-ray emission and escaping hot electrons from a bare Cu foil and a foil with a nanowire array grown on its surface. The measured Cu-Kα and He-α emissions from the nanowire array were higher than those from the flat foil. In addition, hot electrons observed from the front surface of the nanowire array were enhanced. On the other hand, despite the stronger Kα emission from the nanowire array and the enhancement of hot electrons escaping from the front surface of the nanowire array, the number of hot electrons observed from the rear side of the flat foil target was slightly lower than that of the flat foil. A comparison of the experimental results with the results of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation code suggested that the magnetic fields generated around the periodic nanowire array trap hot electrons, improving the electron-to-target energy coupling and efficiently producing UHED states.

Nonstationary laser-supported ionization wave in layer of porous substance with subcritical density

A time-dependent analytical solution is found for the velocity of a plane ionization wave generated under nanosecond laser pulse action on the surface of a flat layer of low-Z porous substance with density less than the critical density of the produced plasma. With corrections for the two-dimensional nature of the problem when a laser beam of finite radius interacts with a flat target, this solution is in quantitative agreement with measurements of ionization wave velocity in various experiments. The solution compared with experimental data covering wide ranges of performance conditions, namely, (3–8) × 1014 W cm−2 for laser pulse intensity, 0.3–3 ns for pulse duration, 0.35–0.53 μm for laser wavelength, 100–1000 μm for laser beam radius, 380–950 μm for layer thickness, 4.5–12 mg cm−3 for average density of porous substance, and 1–25 μm for average pore size. The parameters of the laser beam that ensure the generation of a plane ionization wave in a layer of subcritical porous matter are determined for the problem statements and are found to meet the requirements of practical applications.

Enhanced laser-driven backward proton acceleration using micro-wire array targets

Micro-structured targets can be employed to enhance the coupling of laser energy to the high energy density plasma. Here we report on experimental measurement of enhanced proton beam energy from laser-driven micro-wire array (MWA) targets along the backward direction. An ultra-intense (∼2×1020W/cm2) laser pulse of ∼ 40 fs pulse duration interacts with the MWA structure and induces large population of energetic electrons. The enhanced sheath field efficiently accelerates protons both transversely and longitudinally. The spectrometers record proton cut-off energy of around 16 MeV and temperature 813keV along the backward direction, which is 20%−60% higher than that of a flat target under commensurate laser conditions. Comparison with particle-in-cell simulations suggests that the enhancement originates from the increased temperature and population of the hot electrons within the micro-wires. These measurements provide a direct probe of the high energy density plasma condition in laser-driven solid targets and a useful benchmark for further studies on laser-driven micro-structured targets.

Enhanced target normal sheath acceleration with a grooved hydrocarbon target

The interaction of a high-intensity ultrashort laser pulse with a few micrometers-thick hydrocarbon target is known to accelerate protons/ions to multi-MeV, on the rear side of the target, via the mechanism of target normal sheath acceleration. Micro-structuring the target front is one of the promising approaches to enhance the cutoff energy as well as to reduce the divergence of accelerated protons/ions. In this paper, the interaction of a normally incident intense laser pulse with targets having single micrometer-sized grooves, at their front side, of semi-circular, triangular, and rectangular shapes has been studied by using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is observed that as compared to a flat target for targets with a rectangular groove at the front side the focused hot electron beam at the rear side results in an approximately fourfold increase in the cutoff energy of accelerated protons. For triangular and semi-circular groove targets, the cutoff energy remains comparatively lower (higher than the flat target though). The angular divergence of the accelerated protons/ions is also found to be relatively much lower in the case of a rectangular groove.

Optimization of proton beam quality by obliquely incident laser pre-pulse

An investigation has been made to enhance the proton acceleration through the use of an additional obliquely incident lower intense pre-pulse. We observed by means of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation that the surface plasma waves can be generated on a flat target using a low-intensity pre-pulse, which is beneficial for enhancing the laser self-focusing and consequently boosting the proton acceleration. We noticed that the proton acceleration is driven by a hybrid acceleration process. The obtained proton beam peak energy and the maximum energy are found to increase by about 205% and 68%, respectively, for the case with pre-pulse in comparison to the cases where the pre-pulse is absent. Moreover, significant degradation of the proton beam energy spread and angular divergence are also seen.

INFLUENCE OF A UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE GENERATION OF STRONG SMALL-SCALE MAGNETIC FIELDS DURING THE INJECTION OF A PLASMA WITH HOT ELECTRONS INTO AN INHOMOGENEOUS COLD PLASMA LAYER

We carry out a numerical modeling of plasma injection with hot electrons into a thin layer of cold plasma in the presence of an external magnetic field. We show that the latter can significantly affect the emerging small-scale current filaments and sheets, even if it does not magnetize the particles and does not change the overall dynamics of the redistribution of the total plasma density in the process of injection. The effect observed depends on the orientation of the external magnetic field that is parallel to the plane that bounds the cold plasma layer, if the injection occurs from a narrow strip lying in this plane. In this situation, which corresponds to the ablation of a flat target by a femtosecond laser beam using cylindrical focusing, we study the evolution of the characteristic structures of the formed small-scale magnetic field. It is established that its generation is associated with instabilities of the anisotropic velocity distribution of electrons, and its value can be many times greater than the value of the external magnetic field.