Electron Loss Rate Research Articles

Revisiting the Variation of the Ionospheric Irregularities in the Low Latitude Region of China Based on Small Regional Geodetic GNSS Station Network

AbstractThe rate of total electron content index (ROTI) and loss of lock (LoL) from global navigation satellite system (GNSS) observations are an important data source for ionospheric scintillation study. However, there are certain limitations of these data in ionospheric scintillation study, and clearing these limitations is important to understand the results from these data. In this paper, the variation of the ionospheric scintillation is revisited based on LoL and ROTI from a spatial dense GNSS network in the low latitude region of China. Via a priori knowledge of scintillation morphology, the method to determine the baseline ROTI for discriminating quiet and disturbed conditions is provided, and the abnormal data of ROTI and LoL unrelated to ionosphere are found and eliminated. Results show that the data examination is necessary. Using the qualified ROTI and LoL, the morphological variations of ionospheric irregularities are revisited. The temporal variation of ROTI and LoL are generally consistent, but there are some discrepancies. The maximum LoL occurrence is at about 21:00 LT, it is between 20:00 and 23:00 LT for ROTI. For spatial distribution, both parameters reach maximum occurrence in the southwest direction, but LoL is more concentrated. The azimuth range of maximum occurrence is 180–190° for LoL and 210–220° for ROTI. Statistically, the correlation between LoL occurrence and ROTI value from observation of single GNSS station is relatively good when ROTI <5 TECU/min, but it becomes worse when ROTI >5 TECU/min. However, their correlation can be greatly improved when data are averaged among all the stations.

Quantum Oscillations of the Energy Loss Rate of Hot Electrons in Graphene at Strong Magnetic Fields

We present a theoretical model for the calculation of the energy loss rate (ELR) of hot electrons in a monolayer graphene due to their coupling with acoustic phonons at high perpendicular magnetic fields. Electrons interact with both transverse acoustic (TA) and longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons. Numerical simulations of the ELR are performed as a function of the magnetic field, the electron temperature, the electron density, and the Landau level broadening. We find robust oscillations of the ELR as a function of the filling factor ν that originate from the oscillating density of states at the Fermi level. Screening effects on the deformation potential coupling are taken into account, and it is found that they lead to a significant reduction of ELR, especially, at low electron temperatures, Te, and high magnetic fields. At temperatures much lower than the Bloch-Grüneisen temperature, the ELR shows a Te4 dependence that is related to the unscreened electron interaction with TA acoustic phonons. Finally, our theoretical model is compared with existing experimental results and a very good quantitative agreement is found.

The Limitation Analysis of Two Dimensional Magnetic Field Configuration in Annular Ion Thruster

In this paper, the limitations of two-dimensional magnetic field configuration for an annular ion thruster are analyzed theoretically and numerically. The two-dimensional magnetic field, which is commonly used in traditional ion thrusters, has been proved to be a very effective way for the confinement of primary electrons and ions. Hence, the confinement characteristics of primary electrons and ions in an annular ion thruster with the two-dimensional magnetic field configuration are first analyzed theoretically. Then, according to the analysis, a two-dimensional magnetic field for an annular ion thruster is designed. On this basis, the limitations of the two-dimensional magnetic field configuration are analyzed and discussed by a three-dimensional (3D) Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) model. The results show that if the collision process is not considered, a uniform distribution of primary electrons can be achieved theoretically. However, when considering the collision process, the atom forms a significant impedance to the circumferential motion of primary electrons, thus greatly increasing the loss rate of primary electrons. Finally, it is found that, since primary electrons are not guided and constrained in the circumferential direction under the two-dimensional magnetic field, the discharge uniformity cannot be improved only by increasing the magnetic field intensity.

Electron heating in GaN/AlGaN quantum well in a longitudinal electric field

The heating of electrons under longitudinal optical phonon scattering in a triangular GaN/AlGaN quantum well was studied theoretically. The energy loss rate of electrons was calculated in consideration of the dynamical screening and the hot phonon effect. The dependence of the electron temperature on the longitudinal electric field was calculated. The integral terahertz emission of hot two-dimensional electrons was simulated. The role of coupled plasmon-phonon mode scattering in the GaN/AlGaN quantum well was discussed.

Hot electron relaxation and energy loss rate in silicon: Temperature dependence and main scattering channels

In this work, we revisit the density functional theory (DFT)-based results for electron–phonon scattering in highly excited silicon. Using the state-of-the-art ab initio methods, we examine the main scattering channels, which contribute to the total electron–phonon scattering rate and the energy loss rate of photoexcited electrons in silicon as well as their temperature dependence. Both temperature dependence and the main scattering channels are shown to strongly differ for the total electron–phonon scattering rate and the energy loss rate of photoexcited electrons. While the total electron–phonon scattering rate increases strongly with temperature, the temperature dependence of the energy loss rate is negligible. Also, while acoustic phonons dominate the total electron–phonon scattering rate at 300 K, the main contribution to the energy loss rate comes from optical modes. In this respect, DFT-based results are found to disagree with conclusions of Fischetti et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 114, 222104 (2019)]. We explain the origin of this discrepancy, which is mainly due to differences in the description of the electron–phonon scattering channels associated with transverse phonons.

Temporal sensing platform based on anodic dissolution of Ag and cathodic biocatalysis of oxygen reduction for Staphylococcus aureus detection

An Ag@C hybrid bipolar electrode (BPE) sensing platform has been established for the temporal detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in food. Combining the advantages of anodic dissolution of Ag and cathodic biocatalysis of oxygen (O2) reduction, this strategy showed an ultralow detection limit down to 10 CFU mL−1. As the formation of Ag@C completely quenched the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission of luminol, the ECL emission recovery reflected the extent of anodic dissolution. Meanwhile, S. aureus catalyzed the electrochemical reduction of O2 at the cathode, reducing the overpotential for cathodic O2 reduction and thus increasing the rate of anodic electron loss, facilitating Ag dissolution and restoring the ECL emission of luminol. When a constant potential was applied, through monitoring the ECL recovery time before and after the incubation of S. aureus on the cathode, S. aureus could be quantified due to the slight difference of the conductivity.

Variation of electron loss rate due to recombination processes in the upper ionospheric D-region plasma after a solar X-ray flare: a study case

In this paper, we study electron loss rate resulting from recombination processes in the upper part of the ionospheric D-region after being influenced by a solar X-ray flare activity. We analyse the altitude and time dependences of the governing plasma electron loss rate and its spatial and temporal derivatives. The presented numerical modelling is based on data recorded through remote sensing of the lower ionosphere utilizing the reflected very low-frequency radio signal emitted by the DHO transmitter in Germany and received in Belgrade, Serbia. Ionospheric parameters were calculated by a procedure based on a comparison of the observed changes in the signal amplitude and phase with their values modelled by the Long-Wave Propagation Capability numerical model. We consider the time period after influence of the solar X-ray flare of the class C8.8 occurred on 5 May, 2010 between 11:37 UT and 11:58 UT with the maximum at 11:52 UT. Due to the same tendencies of the D-region plasma parameters variation, the obtained conclusions can be extended and generalized to any solar X-ray flare.

Propagation of Microwave Discharge Sustained by Surface Wave in Quartz Tube Filled with Low-Pressure Air

Propagation was studied of the ionization front of the gas discharge sustained by the microwave surface wave in a quartz tube filled with low-pressure air. In a wide pressure range, the characteristic propagation velocities of the discharge front were measured, as well as the parameters of the stationary plasma column. The experimental results obtained are in satisfactory agreement with the discharge propagation model based on the concept of nonlocal electron heating in the plasma resonance region. The electrodynamic characteristics of the discharge were studied and the electron density averaged over the cross section of the plasma column was measured. Based on the experimental measurements of the ionization and electron loss rates, the electric field distribution was estimated in the ionization front region.

Steady-State Model of an Argon–Helium High-Pressure Radio Frequency Dielectric Barrier Discharge

A steady-state kinetic model of argon–helium high-pressure radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge is developed using a simplified reaction rate package appropriate for pressures ranging from 200 to 500 torr. Electron production and loss rates are analyzed as a function of pressure and Ar–He mixture, highlighting the importance of the Ar2* dimer for higher pressures and Ar rich mixtures. As pressure increases, the primary ionization mechanism shifts between ionization of ground state Ar to dimer ionization, which affects the steady-state reduced electric field due to the electron energy required for the two dominant ionization mechanisms. The resulting reduced electric field profile controls the metastable Ar(1s5) production, which, combined with the Ar(1s5) loss rates, reveals the metastable density as a function of pressure and Ar-fraction. This simplified 0-D steady-state model shows close agreement with previous time-dependent simulations using a robust reaction rate package.

Quantifying the Effect of Plasmaspheric Hiss on the Electron Loss From the Slot Region

AbstractWe present global statistical models of both wave amplitude and wave normal angle (WNA) of plasmaspheric hiss using Van Allen Probe‐A observations. They utilize the time history of solar wind parameters, that is, interplanetary magnetic field BZ and solar wind speed, and the AE index for each measurement of hiss waves as inputs. The solar wind parameter‐based model generally results in higher performance than using only the AE index as an input. Both observations and model results reveal a clear dependence of hiss wave distribution on the magnetic local time (MLT): Higher amplitudes with field‐aligned (<30o) WNAs occur more frequently on the dayside than on the nightside. Such a tendency does not depend on magnetic latitude (MLAT), but slightly larger WNAs with a relatively low amplitude frequently appear for larger MLAT (>10o). We also examine how significantly the electron loss rates in the slot region can be changed by incorporating the model output of hiss waves into a diffusive transport simulation. Simulation results show that during a typical timescale (roughly a couple of days) of a corotating interaction region‐driven storm, the nightside hiss waves with larger WNA (>30o) do not contribute to the electron loss in the slot region due to their low amplitude and large WNA, while dayside hiss with WNAs less than 30o and comparatively higher amplitudes leads to a fast drop in flux, especially for electrons of a few hundred keV.

Complex transients of input power and electron density in pulsed inductively coupled discharges

Time-dependent studies of pulsed inductively coupled Ar and Ar/CF4 discharges are presented in this work. By using a time-resolved power diagnosis system, i.e., a Langmuir probe and a Hairpin probe, the temporal evolutions of input power and electron density are measured. In the initial pulse stage, the input power exhibits two peaks, which are related to the properties of the source and the plasma, respectively. In addition, an overshoot of the electron density is observed in the initial pulse stage at high powers (500–800 W) and low pressures (1–10 mTorr), and the overshoot becomes weaker by increasing pressure (10–80 mTorr) or decreasing input power (200–500 W). This can be explained by the dependence of the power transfer efficiency on pressure and input power, as well as the balance between the electron production and loss rates. When the power is turned off, the electron density and the input power exhibit a peak at the initial afterglow period, due to the release of charges from capacitors and inductors in the radio frequency power source. In Ar/CF4 discharges, the plasma responds to the changes in the input power more quickly than in Ar discharges, so it takes a shorter time to reach the ionization equilibrium. This may be caused by more ionization channels, larger ionization cross section, and lower ionization thresholds in Ar/CF4 plasmas.

Formation of hot, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration plasmas on the C-2W device

TAE Technologies’ research is devoted to producing high temperature, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas by neutral-beam injection (NBI) and edge biasing/control. The newly constructed C-2W experimental device (also called ‘Norman’) is the world’s largest compact-toroid (CT) device, which has several key upgrades from the preceding C-2U device such as higher input power and longer pulse duration of the NBI system as well as installation of inner divertors with upgraded electrode biasing systems. Initial C-2W experiments have successfully demonstrated a robust FRC formation and its translation into the confinement vessel through the newly installed inner divertor with adequate guide magnetic field. They also produced dramatically improved initial FRC states with higher plasma temperatures (Te ~ 250 + eV; total electron and ion temperature >1.5 keV, based on pressure balance) and more trapped flux (up to ~15 mWb, based on rigid-rotor model) inside the FRC immediately after the merger of collided two CTs in the confinement section. As for effective edge control on FRC stabilization, a number of edge biasing schemes have been tried via open field-lines, in which concentric electrodes located in both inner and outer divertors as well as end-on plasma guns are electrically biased independently. As a result of effective outer-divertor electrode biasing alone, FRC plasma is well stabilized and diamagnetism duration has reached up to ~9 ms which is equivalent to C-2U plasma duration. Magnetic field flaring/expansion in both inner and outer divertors plays an important role in creating a thermal insulation on open field-lines to reduce a loss rate of electrons, which leads to improvement of the edge and core FRC confinement properties. An experimental campaign with inner-divertor magnetic-field flaring has just commenced and early result indicates that electron temperature of the merged FRC stays relatively high and increases for a short period of time, presumably by NBI and E × B heating.

Modeling Energetic Electron Nonlinear Wave‐Particle Interactions With Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves

AbstractElectromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in duskside plasmasphere and plasmaspheric plume scatter megaelectron volt electrons into the loss cone and are considered a major loss mechanism for the outer radiation belt. Wave‐particle interaction between energetic electrons and EMIC waves has been studied extensively by the quasi‐linear diffusion theory. However, EMIC waves are typically strong enough to trigger nonlinear wave‐particle interaction effects and transport electrons in very different ways from quasi‐linear diffusion. New mathematical method is therefore in demand to study the evolution of energetic electron distribution in response to nonlinear wave‐particle interaction. In this work, we present a Markov chain description of the wave‐particle interaction process, in which the electron distribution is represented by a state vector and is evolved by the Markov matrix. The Markov matrix is a matrix form of the electron response Green's function and could be determined from test particle simulations. Our modeling results suggest that electron loss rate is not significantly affected by phase bunching and phase trapping, but for strong EMIC waves, electron distribution is more saturated near loss cone than quasi‐linear theory prediction, and negative electron phase space density slope develops inside loss cone.

Transport and Loss of Ring Current Electrons Inside Geosynchronous Orbit During the 17 March 2013 Storm.

Ring current electrons (1–100 keV) have received significant attention in recent decades, but many questions regarding their major transport and loss mechanisms remain open. In this study, we use the four‐dimensional Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code to model the enhancement of phase space density that occurred during the 17 March 2013 storm. Our model includes global convection, radial diffusion, and scattering into the Earth's atmosphere driven by whistler‐mode hiss and chorus waves. We study the sensitivity of the model to the boundary conditions, global electric field, the electric field associated with subauroral polarization streams, electron loss rates, and radial diffusion coefficients. The results of the code are almost insensitive to the model parameters above 4.5 R E R E, which indicates that the general dynamics of the electrons between 4.5 R E and the geostationary orbit can be explained by global convection. We found that the major discrepancies between the model and data can stem from the inaccurate electric field model and uncertainties in lifetimes. We show that additional mechanisms that are responsible for radial transport are required to explain the dynamics of ≥40‐keV electrons, and the inclusion of the radial diffusion rates that are typically assumed in radiation belt studies leads to a better agreement with the data. The overall effect of subauroral polarization streams on the electron phase space density profiles seems to be smaller than the uncertainties in other input parameters. This study is an initial step toward understanding the dynamics of these particles inside the geostationary orbit.

Variations in ionospheric D-region recombination properties during increase of its X-ray heating induced by solar X-ray flare

In this paper we present an analysis of parameters describing the effective recombination processes in the upper ionospheric D-region in the period of its additional heating by the X-radiation emitted during a solar X-ray flare. We present a procedure for calculation of the effective recombination coefficient and electron loss rate in the period when the X-radiation flux detected by the GOES satellite in the wavelength domain between 0.1 and 0.8 nm increases. The developed procedure is based on observational data obtained in the low ionospheric monitoring by the very low/low frequency radio waves and it is related to the considered area and time period. The obtained expressions are applied to data for the very low frequency signal emitted in Germany and recorded in Serbia during the solar X-ray flare detected by the GOES-14 satellite on May 5, 2010.

Energy loss in nano-dimensional wire structures due to piezoelectric interaction at low temperatures

The theory of energy loss rate of non-equilibrium electrons due to inelastic interaction with intravalley piezoelectric phonons in a nano-dimensional semiconductor wire has been developed under the condition of low lattice temperatures, without recourse to the standard approximations which are usually made when developing theories at relatively higher temperatures. Such approximations are hardly valid when the lattice temperature is low. As expected, compared to the well-known earlier results, the theory here, reveals a complex and altogether different dependence of the energy loss rate upon the carrier energy and the lattice temperature. The numerical results have been obtained for narrow channel wires of GaAs and GaN. On comparison with other available results, it is revealed that the finite energy of piezoelectric phonons and the full form of the phonon distribution bring about quite significant changes in the energy loss characteristics at low temperatures.

Energy loss rate of hot electrons due to polar-optical phonon modes in a semiconductor nanowire under transverse electric field

Within the frame of electron-temperature model we calculate the average energy loss rate due to interface and confined longitudinal optical (LO) phonon emission from a hot-electron gas to a cold lattice in polar semiconductor nanowire surrounded by non-polar material. The system both with and without hot-phonon effect is investigated. The impact of a perpendicular electric field on average energy loss rate is explored. The energy loss rate dependences on electric field strength, wire radius and electron temperature are obtained. It has been shown that the energy loss rate is more sensitive to the electric field when the wire radius is larger. The presented results indicate that the electric field applied perpendicularly to the wire axis can serve as a means to control the energy loss rate. There is an experimental evidence concerning to the increase of energy loss rate with increasing electron temperature as we have obtained.

Miniature ion thruster ring-cusp discharge performance and behavior

Miniature ion thrusters are an attractive option for a wide range of space missions due to their low power levels and high specific impulse. Thrusters using ring-cusp plasma discharges promise the highest performance, but are still limited by the challenges of efficiently maintaining a plasma discharge at such small scales (typically 1–3 cm diameter). This effort significantly advances the understanding of miniature-scale plasma discharges by comparing the performance and xenon plasma confinement behavior for 3-ring, 4-ring, and 5-ring cusp by using the 3 cm Miniature Xenon Ion thruster as a modifiable platform. By measuring and comparing the plasma and electron energy distribution maps throughout the discharge, we find that miniature ring-cusp plasma behavior is dominated by the high magnetic fields from the cusps; this can lead to high loss rates of high-energy primary electrons to the anode walls. However, the primary electron confinement was shown to considerably improve by imposing an axial magnetic field or by using cathode terminating cusps, which led to increases in the discharge efficiency of up to 50%. Even though these design modifications still present some challenges, they show promise to bypassing what were previously seen as inherent limitations to ring-cusp discharge efficiency at miniature scales.

Quantifying the Precipitation Loss of Radiation Belt Electrons During a Rapid Dropout Event

AbstractRelativistic electron flux in the radiation belt can drop by orders of magnitude within the timespan of hours. In this study, we used the drift‐diffusion model that includes azimuthal drift and pitch angle diffusion of electrons to simulate low‐altitude electron distribution observed by POES/MetOp satellites for rapid radiation belt electron dropout event occurring on 1 May 2013. The event shows fast dropout of MeV energy electrons at L > 4 over a few hours, observed by the Van Allen Probes mission. By simulating the electron distributions observed by multiple POES satellites, we resolve the precipitation loss with both high spatial and temporal resolutions and a range of energies. We estimate the pitch angle diffusion coefficients as a function of energy, pitch angle, and L‐shell and calculate corresponding electron lifetimes during the event. The simulation results show fast electron precipitation loss at L > 4 during the electron dropout, with estimated electron lifetimes on the order of half an hour for MeV energies. The electron loss rate shows strong energy dependence with faster loss at higher energies, which suggest that this dropout event is dominated by quick and localized scattering process that prefers higher energy electrons. The improved temporal and spatial resolutions of electron precipitation rates provided by multiple low‐altitude observations can resolve fast‐varying electron loss during rapid electron dropouts (over a few hours), which occur too fast for a single low‐altitude satellite. The capability of estimating the fast‐varying electron lifetimes during rapid dropout events is an important step in improving radiation belt model accuracy.

Broadband Cooling Spectra of Hot Electrons and Holes in PbSe Quantum Dots.

Understanding cooling of hot charge carriers in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is of fundamental interest and useful to enhance the performance of QDs in photovoltaics. We study electron and hole cooling dynamics in PbSe QDs up to high energies where carrier multiplication occurs. We characterize distinct cooling steps of hot electrons and holes and build up a broadband cooling spectrum for both charge carriers. Cooling of electrons is slower than of holes. At energies near the band gap we find cooling times between successive electronic energy levels in the order of 0.5 ps. We argue that here the large spacing between successive electronic energy levels requires cooling to occur by energy transfer to vibrational modes of ligand molecules or phonon modes associated with the QD surface. At high excess energy the energy loss rate of electrons is 1–5 eV/ps and exceeds 8 eV/ps for holes. Here charge carrier cooling can be understood in terms of emission of LO phonons with a higher density-of-states in the valence band than the conduction band. The complete mapping of the broadband cooling spectrum for both charge carriers in PbSe QDs is a big step toward understanding and controlling the cooling of hot charge carriers in colloidal QDs.