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Properties of Cusp Diamagnetic CavitiesProgress can be reported in two areas related to characterizing the properties of cusp diamagnetic cavities. Laboratory terrella experiments have been conducted for the purpose of using neutral gas excitation as a tracer of trapped electron populations in the presence of two dipoles that are used to develop a magnetic cusp topology. Figure 1 and 2 show top and side views of two configurations. Dipole trapped electron populations appear as the two luminous annular rings. Other populations are the most intense regions are shown. Interspersed between these regions are narrow regions that represent the topological cusps in these configurations. That they contain luminous gas is evidence for cusp trapping similar to what we believe exists in the terrestrial magnetosphere. The asymmetry of these cusp regions as seen in Figure 1 is the result of a relative tilt between the two dipoles suggestive of what would be expected in space. It is in these regions that particle observations were sought, so as to validate the realization of proposed and laboratory achieved trapping in a diamagnetic cusp. Figure 3 shows particle trajectories in a modeled cusp magnetic topology for three particle energies. Blue, green, and red traces correspond to increasing energies. Due to factors discussed outside of this final report, a thorough exploration of relevant satellite observations have not been achieved.
Document ID
20030052048
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other
Authors
Sheldon, Robert B.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Report/Patent Number
UAH-5-21050
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-9741
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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