Variation Of Ion Density Research Articles

An Experimental Study of Stable and Chaotic Structures in a Plasma System Analogous to Earth Magnetosphere

Abstract In recent years, studies on magnetospheric plasmas have increased drastically. Different theoretical models are proposed to match the data observed from various space missions. Still, no sufficient experimental setup is there to replicate the formation like a double layer in these kinds of plasma. In this study, we have made an experimental setup that nearly replicates the magnetospheric plasma environment. We have placed a stainless steel (SS) plate inside our plasma chamber. The argon plasma is produced in the hot cathode discharge method at comparatively high pressure. Then a positive bias is applied to the SS plate with and without attaching a permanent magnet. This positively biased SS plate creates a fireball and firerod-like structures in the absence and presence of the magnet, respectively. This scenario is analogous to the Earth’s magnetospheric plasma and the SS plate represents the pole of the Earth. In this plasma, we have studied the axial variation of ion density (ni ), electron temperature (Te ), electron energy distribution function (EEDF), and the plasma potential for both cases. Lastly, we have discussed the nature of the plasma potential variation with a theoretical model.

Three-dimensional Venusian ionosphere model

To study the Venusian ionosphere, a 3D ionospheric model is included in the Venus Planetary Climate Model (Venus PCM), which we present here with a number of recent extensions and improvements. Our ionospheric model of Venus consists of 15 charged species (electron and 14 ions), 13 photo-ionization for 8 species, an ion-neutral chemistry (61 reactions) and an ambipolar diffusion scheme for the ion vertical transport. The electron temperature is assumed independent of the solar activity. Simulation results are compared with observation from the Pioneer Venus (PV) and Venus Express (VEX) for high and low/intermediate solar activity respectively. The model shows that ambipolar diffusion dominates photochemical equilibrium above 180 km and above 130 km altitude on the dayside and the nightside respectively. On the dayside, the electron density predicted by Venus PCM and its variation with solar zenith angle (SZA) are in good agreement with PV observations at high solar activity, even if the secondary electron peak is underestimated by the model, due to the absence of (photo-)electron impact ionization process, in Venus PCM. At higher solar activity, the predicted horizontal and vertical variations in electron and ion densities are both significantly underestimated on the nightside, probably due to the currently predicted weak day-to-night transport and the absence of photo-electron impact ionization process which is the main source of ion production on the nightside. On the dayside at low solar activity, the electron density predicted by Venus PCM are over-estimated by a factor 1.25 at the altitude of the main ionospheric peak and by a factor 2–3 at 250 km, compared to VEX observations. We suggest that this difference between high and low solar activity is linked to the overestimation of the neutral density at low solar activity and the independence of electron temperature with solar activity used in Venus PCM, which should have a significant effect on ion chemistry and the scale height of ion species.

Seasonal Variations in Ion Density, Ion Temperature, and Migrating Tides in the Topside Ionosphere Revealed by ICON/IVM

Based on the plasma parameters measured by the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) instrument on the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite from 2020 to 2021, we present an analysis of seasonal variations in ion density, ion temperature, and migrating tides in the low-latitude topside ionosphere. The interannual variations in total ion density and O+ density are directly impacted by solar radiation. However, the concentration of H+ is not highly related to solar activity. The measurements show that the hemispheric dividing latitude for the seasonal variation in Ti is at about 9°N. We suggest that the reason for the hemispheric dividing latitude being 9°N is because measurements at this geographical latitude represent the closest match to the geomagnetic equator. An anticorrelation in the seasonal variations between the total ion density (as well as the O+ density) and the ion temperature is observed at all observed latitudes while the correlations between H+ density and the ion temperature are positive in most of the latitudes except for serval degrees around 9°N. The latitudinal variations in the correlation coefficients lead us to suggest that thermal conduction is likely more important than ion-neutral collision in the ion energy budget at 600 km. Additionally, semiannual oscillations with peak amplitudes in winters and summers at the extra-equatorial latitudes are revealed in the observations of diurnal migrating tides in the topside ionosphere, which are different from the latitudinal and seasonal distributions of diurnal migrating tides captured in the lower thermospheric temperature and total electron content.

Correlation between plasma characteristics, morphology, and microstructure of sputtered CuAl alloy films with varied target geometry

The effect of target geometry on coating microstructure and morphology is correlated to changes in deposition conditions, plasma characteristics, and film growth during planar and hollow cathode sputtering. The sputtering plasma properties for the two target geometries were characterized via Langmuir probe analysis as a function of power density and Ar pressure to determine the evolution of ion density for each configuration. Films were then synthesized at the low (0.4 W cm−2) and high (1.2 W cm−2) power densities and characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction to link changes in texturing, morphology, and microstructure with variations in ion density and sputtering deposition conditions caused by target geometry. It was observed that varying target geometry led to an over threefold increase in deposition rate, homologous temperature, and ion density, which altered the morphology and texture of the film without significant changes to the grain size.

Ionospheric Oscillations With a Quasi‐Period of ∼6 hr During Intense Magnetic Storms

AbstractWe study the variations of the topside ionospheric ion density measured by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites during the intense magnetic storm on 7–10 November 2004. It is found for the first time that quasi‐periodic enhancements in the ion density with a period of ∼6 hr occur nearly simultaneously at 0630, 0830, and 0930 local time in the dawn sector during the storm main phase with southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The quasi‐periodic density enhancements extend from the southern subauroral latitudes to the northern subauroral latitudes. In the dusk sector, the topside ion density during the storm main phase is increased at middle latitudes for ∼12 hr but shows decrease or relatively small increase over the magnetic equator, indicating that penetration electric fields dominate the ion density redistribution. Similar quasi‐periodic enhancements in the topside ion density are also observed in the dawn sector during other intense magnetic storms. The solar wind and IMF do not have quasi‐periodic variations in this storm case. Periodic processes in geospace, such as periodic substorms in the magnetosphere, waves and tides in the atmosphere, and traveling ionospheric disturbances, cannot explain the observed periodic enhancements of the ionospheric ion density. We suggest that the magnetosphere‐ionospheric‐thermospheric system may have an intrinsic period of ∼6 hr and that oscillations of the magnetosphere‐ionospheric‐thermospheric system with this period can be excited during intense magnetic storms, although the mechanisms for the generation of the long‐periodic oscillations are not understood.

(Keynote) Deciphering Electrocatalytic Reactions with Theory and Computation: The Case of CO2 Reduction

The interfacial region between metal surface and aqueous electrolyte is of central importance for electrochemical reactions. The need to understand the properties of this electrochemical double layer (EDL) region drives extensive research.1,2 A foremost goal of research in electrocatalysis is the development of a theoretical-computational framework. The fundamental task for such a framework is to unravel the complex interplay of electronic structure effects of the catalyst material, potential-induced variations of the chemisorption state, local reaction conditions on the electrolyte side, and electrochemical kinetics of reactions of interest. A recently developed theoretical approach revealed the non-monotonic charging behaviour of a Pt electrode3 and it was thereafter used to decipher the oxygen reduction reaction.4 In the present work, we adapt this approach to study how the local reaction environment dictates the mechanism and kinetics of reduction to CO at an Ag electrode. Our hierarchical model accounts for the multistep reaction kinetics of surface reactions, local chemical equilibria (involving CO2, HCO3 -, CO3 2-, OH-, H+), the specific surface charging state at a given electrode potential, solvent polarization and ion density variations, and reactant/product transport. It integrates interface and pore-level models to account for this interplay. The combined approach rationalizes the impact of the considered effects on the kinetics of the reaction, manifested experimentally in changes of the effective Tafel slope as a function of electrode potential. Lateral interactions between chemisorbed species are seen to contribute to the decrease of the CO current density at high electrode potentials, in addition to mass transport effects, surface charging effects and pH increase. We will conclude with a discussion of the parameters that allow tuning the local reaction environment and thus the electrocatalytic activity and selectivity of the electrocatalyst. 1O.M. Magnussen and A. Gross, Toward an Atomic-Scale Understanding of Electrochemical Interface Structure and Dynamics, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 4777–4790 (2019). 2M.J. Eslamibidgoli and M.H. Eikerling, Approaching the Self-consistency Challenge of Electrocatalysis with Theory and Computation, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry 9, 189-197 (2018). 3J. Huang, A. Malek, J. Zhang and M.H. Eikerling, Non-monotonic Surface Charging Behavior of Platinum: A Paradigm Change, J. Phys. Chem. C 120, 13587-13595 (2016). 4J. Huang, J. Zhang and M. Eikerling, Unifying Theoretical Framework for Deciphering the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Platinum, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 20, 11776-11786 (2018).

Semiannual Variation of Total Ion Density of Topside Ionosphere Over Indian Equatorial and Low Latitudes

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Energy Distribution Functions of Ions Generated by a Circular-type Anode Layer Ion Source

An anode layer ion source, or an ALIS, is classified as a gridless ion source that produces a high-energy ion beam for either surface etching or thin film deposition. In the present work, the energy distribution functions of the ions generated in a circular ALIS were measured using a retarding field energy analyzer (RFA). Consequently, the average density and energy of the ions arriving at the ground surface were determined for the given range of process parameters. The IEDFs show two different groups of ions, namely, a narrow low energy group and a broad high energy group. The low-energy ions are probably generated in the background plasma and accelerated via the cathode sheath adjacent to the RFA. High-energy ions, on the other hand, are possibly generated in the discharge channel and gain an energy of up to 0.7eVanode through the anode sheath. The variations in average ion energies and densities as a function of process conditions could be due to the potential profile between the source and the ground surface.

Species-dependent solar rotation effects on the Martian ionosphere

ABSTRACT Atmospheric escape is a central issue in understanding how Mars lost the habitability and it is critically controlled by the link between the atmosphere and the interplanetary space, i.e. the ionosphere. The predominant driver of the Martian ionospheric variability is the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. To date, how the ionospheric electrons respond to this radiation has been well investigated, but the responses of various ion species are to be understood. Based on a multi-instrument data set from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, we report direct observations of quasi-periodical variations of photoelectrons and ions, with a common period of ≈27.2 d and almost in exact phase with the solar rotation. These diverse variations present remarkably different amplitudes. The ion density variation has a much larger amplitude than the solar flux variation and the electron density variation has a smaller amplitude. For comparison, the amplitude of the photoelectron intensity variation is nearly identical to that of the solar flux variation. The species-dependent solar rotation effects provide a good diagnostic of the upper atmospheric and ionospheric chemistry, urging reconsiderations of the solar-driven composition and variability of any planetary ionosphere.

Influence of magnetic filter position on negative ion density in oxygen RF discharge

In this study, the influence of the position of a magnetic filter on electron temperature and hence on the negative ion density in helicon oxygen discharge is investigated. This study is performed with the view to improve negative ion density in radio frequency (RF) plasma. RF plasma is produced in the source region of Helicon Plasma Source (HeliPS) and the variation of electron temperature, density, and negative ion density in case of oxygen discharge is studied to determine the optimum position of the magnetic filter relative to the position of the antenna where RF power is applied. It is observed that the RF field can penetrate beyond the magnetic filter and cause additional ionization in the expansion chamber and thereby produce high energy electrons and decrease the negative ion density. Therefore, the position of the magnetic filter should be sufficiently away from the location of the antenna as it influences the formation of negative ions.

Nanoscale chemistry and ion segregation in zirconia-based ceramic at grain boundaries by atom probe tomography

In this work nanoscale features that are of importance in the stability of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) are quantified through atom probe tomography. In-depth analysis of grain boundary chemistry revealed preferential segregation of lighter and smaller ions towards specific grain boundaries. The relationship between elemental segregation and the local atomistic structure is investigated at the sub-nanometer level to gain insights on nanoscale features associated with the tetragonal-monoclinic phase transformation in Y-TZP through grain boundary characterization. Principal component analysis was implemented to reveal any potential biases from varied field evaporation across stabilizer-rich grain boundaries. The observed variations in ion density across different grains suggested a variation in field which was attributed to potential variations in grain crystal orientation. In order to reveal the subtle depletion of oxygen atoms within grain boundaries a new methodology to map oxygen vacancies is proposed, utilizing the relative neighborhood chemistry of individual yttrium atoms.

Seasonal and Dust‐Related Variations in the Dayside Thermospheric and Ionospheric Compositions of Mars Observed by MAVEN/NGIMS

AbstractWe report seasonal and dust‐related variations in neutral and ion species (CO2, O, and N2, and CO2+, O2+, O+, and N+, respectively) in the dayside Martian upper atmosphere between altitudes of ∼150 and ∼250 km observed by the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer aboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft. The sinusoidal seasonal variations in CO2+ and O2+ densities are clearly identified, while that of O+ is less discernible. These observed variations in ion densities are well reproduced by a photochemical equilibrium model for CO2+ and O+ densities when we combine them with solar cycle variations. Furthermore, we find a decrease in O, O+, and O2+ densities in the whole altitude range at Ls = 342–346 in MY 33 during a regional dust event. The decrease in O density would lead to decreases in O+ and O2+ densities in the ionosphere through ion‐neutral reactions. Observed variations in ion and neutral species associated with the season and a regional dust storm are also confirmed in pressure coordinates. Observations show that the CO2+/O+ ratio at a given pressure level in the ionosphere varies by a factor of ∼3, which can modify the composition of ion outflow from the Martian atmosphere.

Effect of the copper plasma density on the growth of SiOx-Cu thin films by PLD

Copper containing silicon oxide layers were grown by pulsed laser deposition. Silicon and copper targets were simultaneously ablated in order to combine both laser produced plasmas using a parallel configuration in an oxygen containing atmosphere at a fixed pressure of 20 mTorr. The plasmas were characterized independently using a Langmuir planar probe to calculate the mean kinetic energy and density of the silicon and copper ions. Fixed values for plasma parameters of Si were chosen while the Cu plasma density was varied from 0 to 1.7x1013 cm−3 with the aim to modify the Cu content on the films. Nanolayers of SiOx-Cu with thicknesses ranging from 50 to 110 nm were obtained. As Cu ion density increased, different Cu species (Cu and CuO) were incorporated into SiOx matrices with different Si/O atomic ratios, which were strongly affected by variations in Cu ion density.

Electrode surface modification of graphene-MnO2 supercapacitors using molecular dynamics simulations.

In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to explore the variation of ion density and electric potential due to electrode surface modification. Two different surface morphologies, having planer and slit pore with different conditions of surface charge, have been studied for graphene-MnO2 surface using LAMMPS. For different pore widths, the concentration of ions in the double layer is observed to be very low when the surface of the graphene-MnO2 electrode is charged. With a view to identify the optimal pore size for the simulation domain considered, three different widths for the nano-slit type pores and the corresponding ion-ion interactions are examined. Though this effect is negligible for pores with 9.23 and 3.55Å widths, a considerable increase in the ionic concentration within the 7.10Å pores is observed when the electrode is kept neutral. The edge region of these nano-slit pores leads to effective energy storage by promoting ion separation and a significantly higher charge accumulation is found to occur on the edges compared to the basal planes. For the simulation domain of the present study, partition coefficient is maximum for a pore size of 7.10Å, indicating that the ions' penetration and movement into nano-slit pores are most favorable for this optimum pore size for MnO2-graphene electrodes with aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Graphical Abstract The importance of understanding the commercial feasibility of supercapacitor material has made qualitatively predicting the optimized electrode structure one of the main targets of energy related researches. While great progress has been made in recent years, a coherent theoretical picture of the optimized electrode structure remains elusive. This article discusses the most favorable design of supercapacitor electrode for ion-electrode interaction.

SEISMO – IONOSPHERIC INDUCED PERTURBATIONS PRIOR TO THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2007 M7.5 NORTHERN MARIANA U.S.A. GEOQUAKE FROM GPS, TEC AND DEMETER DATA

Data from DEMETER (IAP and ISL sensors) and GPS (TEC), were used to decipher variations of electron density, electron temperature and ion density within the seismogenic zone of a seismic event that occurred on September 28, 2007 at Northern Mariana U.S.A, through statistical analysis. The study revealed both pre and post ionospheric perturbations from both sets of data. The observed anomalous variations were screened for false alarm using the geomagnetic indices of kp and Dst. It was observed that the abnormal TEC on -10, – 7, -3 and -2 days occurred under quiet geomagnetic conditions while all pre-seismic (-15, -10, – 9 -7 days) ionospheric variations from the DEMETER data were also obtained during quiet geomagnetic conditions suggesting them to be seismo-ionospheric induced perturbations. Interestingly, the perturbations on -10 and -7 days were simultaneously observed from both GPS and DEMETER datasets under quiet geomagnetic ionospheric conditions offering a strong pointer to the impending geo-quake.

Ionospheric induced plasma disturbances afore the m7.9 eastern Sichuan china earthquake of 12th may, 2008

A great number of earthquakes occur yearly in different areas and almost 100 -120 of them have a magnitude above 5. These seismic activities are very harmful for the inhabitants. Findings reveal that this seismo-electro-magnetic abnormality is a mirror image of some processes, which originated a few weeks before the main event and stay until few days after it. Plasma ion analyser (IAP) and Instrument Sonde de Langmuir (ISL) sensors) experiments available on Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) and Total Electron Content (TEC) from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, were employed to study the variations of electron and ion density for ionospheric disturbances before the M7.9 Eastern Sichuan China earthquake of 12th May, 2008. The study revealed seismo-ionospheric induced perturbations exactly three weeks afore the earthquake in all four investigated parameters. Electron density recorded 16.94 cm-3, electron temperature revealed - 2.25 o C while total ion density displayed 6.57 cm-1. The total electron content ranged from 4.28 to 3.6. The disturbance storm time (Dst) and planetary 3-hourly range (Kp) indices were used to classify pre-earthquake anomalies from the other anomalies associated with geomagnetic activities and was seen that this day (-21days relative to the earthquake) was devoid of geomagnetic storm, thus the observed perturbations were seismo-induced but not geomagnetic induced.

Variations of ion density and temperature as measured by ROCSAT-1satellite and comparison with IRI-2016 model over low latitude region

Topside ionospheric parameters-total ion density (Ni) and ion temperature (Ti) have been analysed at low latitude region with changing solar activity (years 1999 to 2003). The Ni and Ti data collected from ROCSAT-1 satellite has been compared with the estimated values of IRI-2016 model. The annual diurnal features observed for Ni (measured by ROCSAT-1) are: a minimum value just before local sunrise (~04:00/05:00 LT), a day-time peak (~13:00/14:00 LT) and then a gradual decrement throughout the evening and nighttime. The annual diurnal variation of Ti (measured by ROCSAT-1) shows that Ti exhibits a morning peak (morning overshoot, ~07:00 LT), a day-time trough, a secondary peak (evening enhancement) followed by nighttime minima and a minimum value before the sunrise. The distinct annual diurnal feature observed by the IRI model is the presence of a secondary evening peak in Ni which is absent in Ti, which is ex- actly opposite to the trend measured by ROCSAT-1. Some other discrepancies observed in the model are:overestimation of Ni during all the years, specifically in the morning and evening time; overestimation of Ti, during the entire day except in the morning peak hours of the year 1999, 2000 and 2003.For each year, the hourly averaged ROCSAT-1 measured value of Ni and Ti has been correlated with the estimated value of IRI-2016 model. The correlation coefficient factor R2 is ~ 0.8 for Ni and ~ 0.9 for Ti respectively. The variations of Ni and Ti with changing solar flux have also been studied. The ionospheric parameters are found positively and linearly correlated with solar- flux (F10.7). The correlation coefficient factor R2 for Ni and Ti with F10.7 is ~ 0.8 and ~ 0.9 respectively.

Global Effects on the Variation of Ion Density and Electrostatic Potential on the Flux Surface in Helical Plasmas

Global Effects on the Variation of Ion Density and Electrostatic Potential on the Flux Surface in Helical Plasmas

Assessing seismo-ionospheric disturbances using Vanuatu and Honshu earthquakes of March 25, 2007, employing DEMETER and GPS data

The signals of detection of electromagnetic emissions transmitted from earthquake regions (DEMETER), plasma ion analyser, instrument Sonde de Langmuir sensors, global positioning system and total electron content (TEC) were used to decipher variations of electron and ion density in the neighbourhoods of twin seismic events. These events took place on March 25, 2007, at Vanuatu and Honshu (Japan). Investigations through statistical analysis revealed that ionospheric plasma parameters of electron density and ion density were disturbed on both sets of data on the 6th and 4th days before the Honshu earthquake in Japan, during quiet geomagnetic period. However, for the Vanuatu earthquake, all detected irregularities from DEMETER data occurred during geomagnetic storm. Nevertheless, TEC anomaly showed unusual variations exactly two weeks before the seismic activity on quiet geomagnetic day. The disturbance storm time and planetarische Kennziffer indices were engaged in isolating pre-earthquake irregularities from other irregularities associated with geomagnetic actions.

Interhemispheric conjugate effect in longitude variations of mid-latitude ion density

Earlier incoherent scatter radar measurements revealed upward topside ion fluxes in the summer and downward fluxes in the winter at mid-latitudes at night; a summer to winter interhemispheric coupling was accordingly inferred. However, this interhemispheric coupling through the plasmasphere is difficult to confirm directly from observations. A possible result induced by this coupling is interhemispheric conjugacy of the mid-latitude ionosphere. In this paper, interhemispheric conjugate effect in longitude variations of mid-latitude total ion density (Ni) is presented, for the first time, using the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) measurements; northern and southern Ni longitude variations at 21:30 LT are similar between magnetically conjugate mid-latitudes around solar minimum June Solstice of 1996. The conjugate effect after sunset also occurs around the June Solstice in other solar minimum years but disappears when solar activity increases. We suggested that mid-latitude interhemispheric coupling is responsible for the conjugate effect. Neutral wind induced ionospheric transport causes topside longitude variations via upward diffusion at summer mid-latitudes; this further induces similar longitude variations of topside Ni at winter mid-latitudes via the summer to winter interhemispheric coupling. The conjugate effect occurs only inside the plasmapause where magnetic flux tubes are closed and the plasma in these tubes can stably corotate with the Earth. The conjugate effect not only proves mid-latitude interhemispheric coupling through the plasmasphere, but also implies that neutral wind induced transport can affect ionospheric coupling to the plasmasphere at mid-latitudes.