Development of a Novel Magnetic Nano-Transmitter Plasma Wave Antenna (MNT)

We propose development of a novel magnetic loop antenna incorporating a high magnetic permeability ferrofluid core. The concept is based on a colloidal suspension of single-domain magnetic nanoparticles, which behave similar to a ferromagnet when driven by an AC magnetic field, but with very low coercivity and very low hysteresis loss. This proposal focuses on optimization of nanoparticle material selection and dipole geometry/configuration to develop a compact, high efficiency, low power laboratory prototype antenna for launching low-frequency electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in simulated inner radiation belt region plasma conditions. Development of such antenna will enable future in situ nonlinear wave-particle investigations to be carried out with laboratory-like precision from small spacecraft. In the magnetosphere, naturally occurring EMIC waves can grow to amplitudes large enough to trigger secondary wave emissions (Triggered Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (TEMIC) waves), which can grow to amplitudes up to 30 dB or more with respect to the primary EMIC wave. The TEMIC waves can, in turn, interact with energetic proton and electron populations in the radiation belts, leading to their acceleration or precipitation. Understanding such fundamental issues regarding nonlinear wave-particle interactions is key to interpreting observations from recent NASA magnetospheric missions that demonstrate the critical role that EMIC waves play in controlling the flux of radiation belt particles and to NASA's stated Heliophysics science goals. We will investigate the coupling of the antenna to the plasma in order to develop the required scaling laws necessary for the design of a future flight version of the antenna. We will optimize the choice of ferrofluid material and dipole geometry in order to enable EMIC wave generation with amplitude sufficient to observe Triggered EMIC (TEMIC) wave emissions with the minimum antenna size, weight, and power. We will characterize the antenna wave pattern and TEMIC wave generation. Successful completion of this work will result in a new compact high-efficiency, low-power transmitting and receiving antenna for plasma applications that, when implemented on future space missions, will provide measurements that bring closure to targeted science questions and goals. Additionally, it could open up new possibilities for the remediation of naturally and artificially enhanced radiation belt populations.

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

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