Evolution of slow electrostatic shock into a plasma shock mediated by electrostatic turbulence

The collision of two plasma clouds at a speed that exceeds the ion acoustic speed can result in the formation of shocks. This phenomenon is observed not only in astrophysical scenarios, such as the propagation of supernova remnant (SNR) blast shells into the interstellar medium, but also in laboratory-based laser-plasma experiments. These experiments and supporting simulations are thus seen as an attractive platform for small-scale reproduction and study of astrophysical shocks in the laboratory. We model two plasma clouds, which consist of electrons and ions, with a 2D particle-in-cell simulation. The ion temperatures of both clouds differ by a factor of ten. Both clouds collide at a speed that is realistic for laboratory studies and for SNR shocks in their late evolution phase, like that of RCW86. A magnetic field, which is orthogonal to the simulation plane, has a strength that is comparable to that of SNR shocks. A forward shock forms between the overlap layer of both plasma clouds and the cloud with cooler ions. A large-amplitude ion acoustic wave is observed between the overlap layer and the cloud with hotter ions. It does not steepen into a reverse shock because its speed is below the ion acoustic speed. A gradient of the magnetic field amplitude builds up close to the forward shock as it compresses the magnetic field. This gradient gives rise to an electron drift that is fast enough to trigger an instability. Electrostatic ion acoustic wave turbulence develops ahead of the shock, widens its transition layer, and thermalizes the ions, but the forward shock remains intact. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.

Developed turbulence and nonlinear amplification of magnetic fields in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas

The visible matter in the universe is turbulent and magnetized. Turbulence in galaxy clusters is produced by mergers and by jets of the central galaxies and believed responsible for the amplification of magnetic fields. We report on experiments looking at the collision of two laser-produced plasma clouds, mimicking, in the laboratory, a cluster merger event. By measuring the spectrum of the density fluctuations, we infer developed, Kolmogorov-like turbulence. From spectral line broadening, we estimate a level of turbulence consistent with turbulent heating balancing radiative cooling, as it likely does in galaxy clusters. We show that the magnetic field is amplified by turbulent motions, reaching a nonlinear regime that is a precursor to turbulent dynamo. Thus, our experiment provides a promising platform for understanding the structure of turbulence and the amplification of magnetic fields in the universe.

Current and Turbulence Measurement with Collocated ADP and Turbulence Profiler Data

This paper presents a current and turbulence measurement campaign conducted at a test site in an energetic tidal channel known as Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland. The data was collected as part of the MaRINET project funded by the EU under their FP7 framework. It was a collaborative effort between Queen’s University Belfast, SCHOTTEL and Fraunhofer IWES. The site is highly turbulent with a strong shear flow. Longer term measurements of the flow regime were made using a bottom mounted Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP). During a specific turbulence measurement campaign, two collocated in- struments were used to measure incoming flow characteristics: an ADP (Aquadopp, Nortek) and a turbulence profiler (MicroRider, Rockland Scientific International). The instruments recorded the same incoming flow, so that direct comparisons between the data can be made. In this study the methodology adopted to deploy the instruments is presented. The resulting turbulence measurements using the different types of instrumentation are compared and the usefulness of each instrument for the relevant range of applications is discussed. The paper shows the ranges of the frequency spectra obtained using the different instruments, with the combined measurements providing insight into the structure of the turbulence across a wide range of scales.

A mechanical design approach to testing fluid turbulence over a rough surface

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 444

A study of hydrodynamic turbulence using laser transmission

Using laser transmission, the characteristics of hydrodynamic turbulence is studied following one of the recently developed technique in nonlinear dynamics. The existence of deterministic chaos in turbulence is proved by evaluating two invariants viz. dimension of attractor and Kolmogorov entropy. The behaviour of these invariants indicates that above a certain strength of turbulence the system tends to more ordered states.

Langmuir turbulence and deeply penetrating jets in an unstratified mixed layer

The influence of surface waves and an applied wind stress is studied in an ensemble of large eddy simulations to investigate the nature of deeply penetrating jets into an unstratified mixed layer. The influence of a steady monochromatic surface wave propagating parallel to the wind direction is parameterized using the wave-filtered Craik-Leibovich equations. Tracer trajectories and instantaneous downwelling velocities reveal classic counterrotating Langmuir rolls. The associated downwelling jets penetrate to depths in excess of the wave's Stokes depth scale, δs. Qualitative evidence suggests the depth of the jets is controlled by the Ekman depth scale. Analysis of turbulent kinetic energy (tke) budgets reveals a dynamical distinction between Langmuir turbulence and shear-driven turbulence. In the former, tke production is dominated by Stokes shear and a vertical flux term transports tke to a depth where it is dissipated. In the latter, tke production is from the mean shear and is locally balanced by dissipation. We define the turbulent Langmuir number Lat = (v*/Us)0.5 (v* is the ocean's friction velocity and Us is the surface Stokes drift velocity) and a turbulent anisotropy coefficient Rt = /( + ). The transition between shear-driven and Langmuir turbulence is investigated by varying external wave parameters δs and Lat and by diagnosing Rt and the Eulerian mean and Stokes shears. When either Lat or δs are sufficiently small the Stokes shear dominates the mean shear and the flow is preconditioned to Langmuir turbulence and the associated deeply penetrating jets.

Application of the Lighthill-Ford theory of spontaneous imbalance to clear-air turbulence forecasting

A new method of clear-air turbulence (CAT) forecasting based on the Lighthill–Ford theory of spontaneous imbalance and emission of inertia–gravity waves has been derived and applied on episodic and seasonal time scales. A scale analysis of this shallow-water theory for midlatitude synoptic-scale flows identifies advection of relative vorticity as the leading-order source term. Examination of leading- and second-order terms elucidates previous, more empirically inspired CAT forecast diagnostics. Application of the Lighthill–Ford theory to the Upper Mississippi and Ohio Valleys CAT outbreak of 9 March 2006 results in good agreement with pilot reports of turbulence. Application of Lighthill–Ford theory to CAT forecasting for the 3 November 2005–26 March 2006 period using 1-h forecasts of the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) 2 1500 UTC model run leads to superior forecasts compared to the current operational version of the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG1) algorithm, the most skillful operational CAT forecasting method in existence. The results suggest that major improvements in CAT forecasting could result if the methods presented herein become operational.

Characteristics of Langmuir Turbulence in the Ocean Mixed Layer

This study uses large-eddy simulation (LES) to investigate the characteristics of Langmuir turbulence through the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget. Based on an analysis of the TKE budget a velocity scale for Langmuir turbulence is proposed. The velocity scale depends on both the friction velocity and the surface Stokes drift associated with the wave field. The scaling leads to unique profiles of nondimensional dissipation rate and velocity component variances when the Stokes drift of the wave field is sufficiently large compared to the surface friction velocity. The existence of such a scaling shows that Langmuir turbulence can be considered as a turbulence regime in its own right, rather than a modification of shear-driven turbulence. Comparisons are made between the LES results and observations, but the lack of information concerning the wave field means these are mainly restricted to comparing profile shapes. The shapes of the LES profiles are consistent with observed profiles. The dissipation length scale for Langmuir turbulence is found to be similar to the dissipation length scale in the shear-driven boundary layer. Beyond this it is not possible to test the proposed scaling directly using available data. Entrainment at the base of the mixed layer is shown to be significantly enhanced over that due to normal shear turbulence.

Comparison of balloon-carried atmospheric motion sensors with Doppler lidar turbulence measurements

Magnetic sensors have been added to a standard weather balloon radiosonde package to detect motion in turbulent air. These measure the terrestrial magnetic field and return data over the standard uhf radio telemetry. Variability in the magnetic sensor data is caused by motion of the instrument package. A series of radiosonde ascents carrying these sensors has been made near a Doppler lidar measuring atmospheric properties. Lidar-retrieved quantities include vertical velocity (w) profile and its standard deviation (w). w determined over 1 h is compared with the radiosonde motion variability at the same heights. Vertical motion in the radiosonde is found to be robustly increased when w>0.75 m s−1 and is linearly proportional to w. ©2009 American Institute of Physics