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Smith, K

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, K.

31 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

THE PHOTOMETRIC CLASSIFICATION SERVER FOR Pan-STARRS1

The Pan-STARRS1 survey is obtaining multi-epoch imaging in five bands (g{sub P1} r{sub P1} i{sub P1} z{sub P1} y{sub P1}) over the entire sky north of declination -30 deg. We describe here the implementation of the Photometric Classification Server (PCS) for Pan-STARRS1. PCS will allow the automatic classification of objects into star/galaxy/quasar classes based on colors and the measurement of photometric redshifts for extragalactic objects, and will constrain stellar parameters for stellar objects, working at the catalog level. We present tests of the system based on high signal-to-noise photometry derived from the Medium-Deep Fields of Pan-STARRS1, using available spectroscopic surveys as training and/or verification sets. We show that the Pan-STARRS1 photometry delivers classifications and photometric redshifts as good as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry to the same magnitude limits. In particular, our preliminary results, based on this relatively limited data set down to the SDSS spectroscopic limits, and therefore potentially improvable, show that stars are correctly classified as such in 85% of cases, galaxies in 97%, and QSOs in 84%. False positives are less than 1% for galaxies, Almost-Equal-To 19% for stars, and Almost-Equal-To 28% for QSOs. Moreover, photometric redshifts for 1000 luminous red galaxies up to redshift 0.5 are determined to 2.4% precision (defined as 1.48 Multiplication-Sign Median|z{sub phot} - z{sub spec}|/(1 + z)) with just 0.4% catastrophic outliers and small (-0.5%) residual bias. For bluer galaxies up to the same redshift, the residual bias (on average -0.5%) trend, percentage of catastrophic failures (1.2%), and precision (4.2%) are higher, but still interestingly small for many science applications. Good photometric redshifts (to 5%) can be obtained for at most 60% of the QSOs of the sample. PCS will create a value-added catalog with classifications and photometric redshifts for eventually many millions of sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

The Nature of Electron Lone Pairs in BiVO4

The electronic structure of BiVO{sub 4} has been studied by x-ray photoelectron, x-ray absorption, and x-ray emission spectroscopies, in comparison with density functional theory calculations. Our results confirm both the direct band gap of 2.48 eV and that the Bi 6s electrons hybridize with O 2p to form antibonding 'lone pair' states at the top of the valence band. The results highlight the suitability of combining s{sup 2} and d{sup 0} cations to produce photoactive ternary oxides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Structural Basis of Differential Ligand Recognition by Two Classes of bis-(3-5)-cyclic Dimeric Guanosine Monophosphate-binding Riboswitches

The bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) signaling pathway regulates biofilm formation, virulence, and other processes in many bacterial species and is critical for their survival. Two classes of c-di-GMP-binding riboswitches have been discovered that bind this second messenger with high affinity and regulate diverse downstream genes, underscoring the importance of RNA receptors in this pathway. We have solved the structure of a c-di-GMP-II riboswitch, which reveals that the ligand is bound as part of a triplex formed with a pseudoknot. The structure also shows that the guanine bases of c-di-GMP are recognized through noncanonical pairings and that the phosphodiester backbone is not contacted by the RNA. Recognition is quite different from that observed in the c-di-GMP-I riboswitch, demonstrating that at least two independent solutions for RNA second messenger binding have evolved. We exploited these differences to design a c-di-GMP analog that selectively binds the c-di-GMP-II aptamer over the c-di-GMP-I RNA. There are several bacterial species that contain both types of riboswitches, and this approach holds promise as an important tool for targeting one riboswitch, and thus one gene, over another in a selective fashion.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

First-principles Calculation of Resonant X-ray Emission Spectra Applied to ZnO

A framework for calculating the k-conserving component of K edge resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy measurements of anisotropic solids is presented. The crystalline band structure is calculated using a quasiparticle self-consistent GW implementation. Coherent spectra are calculated in the Kramers-Heisenberg formalism, and the effect of the experimental geometry in the dipole approximation is fully considered. Coherent spectra are calculated for ZnO and successfully compared to previously measured data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Soft X-Ray Spectroscopic Study of Dense Strontium-Doped Lanthanum Manganite Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

The evolution of the Mn charge state, chemical composition, and electronic structure of La{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}MnO{sub 3} (LSMO) cathodes during the catalytic activation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been studies using X-ray spectroscopy of as-processed, exposed, and activated dense thin LSMO films. Comparison of O K-edge and Mn L{sub 3,2}-edge X-ray absorption spectra from the different stages of LSMO cathodes revealed that the largest change after the activation occurred in the Mn charge state with little change in the oxygen environment. Core-level X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and Mn L{sub 3} resonant photoemission spectroscopy studies of exposed and as-processed LSMO determined that the SOFC environment (800 C ambient pressure of O{sub 2}) alone results in La deficiency (severest near the surface with Sr doping >0.55) and a stronger Mn{sup 4+} contribution, leading to the increased insulating character of the cathode prior to activation. Meanwhile, O K-edge X-ray absorption measurements support Sr/La enrichment nearer the surface, along with the formation of mixed Sr{sub x}Mn{sub y}O{sub z} and/or passive MnO{sub x} and SrO species.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2011

Soft X-ray Spectroscopic Study of the Ferromagnetic Insulator V0.82Cr0.18O2

The chromium-vanadium oxide system V{sub 1-x}Cr{sub x}O{sub 2} (0.1 < x < 0.2) displays both insulating character in the rutile phase and room-temperature ferromagnetism. A combination of x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, and resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy of the V L{sub 3,2}, O K, and Cr L{sub 3,2} edges was used to study the electronic structure near the Fermi level of V{sub 0.82}Cr{sub 0.12}O{sub 2}. Our results show that the chromium enters as Cr{sup 3+} with the d{sup 3} configuration, resulting in the formation of Cr{sup 3+}-V{sup 5+} ion pairs, in contrast to the simple Cr{sup 4+} substitution expected from the end members VO{sub 2} and CrO{sub 2}. The occupied Cr 3d orbital is located -2 eV below the Fermi level. Comparison with the parent material VO{sub 2} reveals significant changes in the O 2p bandwidth and increased O 2p-V 3d hybridization in V{sub 0.82}Cr{sub 0.12}O{sub 2}, which are attributed to the reduced atomic spacing upon doping. Two energy loss features due to d-d* transitions are observed at 0.95 and 1.75 eV in the V L{sub 3}-edge x-ray scattering spectra and are explained in terms of the splitting of the t{sub 2g}-derived {pi} band.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Soft X-ray Spectroscopy of C60/Copper Phthalocyanine/MoO3 Interfaces: Role of Reduced MoO3 on Energetic Band Alignment and Improved Performance

The interfacial electronic structure of C{sub 60}/copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/molybdenum trioxide (MoO{sub 3}) thin films grown in situ on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates has been studied using synchrotron radiation-excited photoelectron spectroscopy in an attempt to understand the influence of oxide interlayers on the performance of small molecule organic photovoltaic devices. The MoO{sub 3} layer on ITO is found to significantly increase the work function of the substrate and induces large interface dipoles and band bending at the CuPc/MoO{sub 3} interface. The large band bending confirms the formation of an internal potential that assists hole extraction from the CuPc layer to the electrode. The electronic structure of the MoO{sub 3} layer on ITO was also examined using various soft X-ray spectroscopies to probe the conductive nature of the MoO{sub 3} thin film.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

RHIC performance for FY2011 Au+Au heavy ion run

Following the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (Run-10) Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Au+Au run, RHIC experiment upgrades sought to improve detector capabilities. In turn, accelerator improvements were made to improve the luminosity available to the experiments for this run (Run-11). These improvements included: a redesign of the stochastic cooling systems for improved reliability; a relocation of 'common' RF cavities to alleviate intensity limits due to beam loading; and an improved usage of feedback systems to control orbit, tune and coupling during energy ramps as well as while colliding at top energy. We present an overview of changes to the Collider and review the performance of the collider with respect to instantaneous and integrated luminosity goals. At the conclusion of the FY 2011 polarized proton run, preparations for heavy ion run proceeded on April 18, with Au+Au collisions continuing through June 28. Our standard operations at 100 GeV/nucleon beam energy was bracketed by two shorter periods of collisions at lower energies (9.8 and 13.5 GeV/nucleon), continuing a previously established program of low and medium energy runs. Table 1 summarizes our history of heavy ion operations at RHIC.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Three-Dimensional Thermal-Electrochemical Coupled Model for Spirally Wound Large-Format Lithium-Ion Batteries (Presentation)

This presentation discusses the behavior of spirally wound large-format Li-ion batteries with respect to their design. The objectives of the study include developing thermal and electrochemical models resolving 3-dimensional spirally wound structures of cylindrical cells, understanding the mechanisms and interactions between local electrochemical reactions and macroscopic heat and electrontransfers, and developing a tool and methodology to support macroscopic designs of cylindrical Li-ion battery cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2011

RHIC Polarized proton operation

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) operation as the polarized proton collider presents unique challenges since both luminosity(L) and spin polarization(P) are important. With longitudinally polarized beams at the experiments, the figure of merit is LP{sup 4}. A lot of upgrades and modifications have been made since last polarized proton operation. A 9 MHz rf system is installed to improve longitudinal match at injection and to increase luminosity. The beam dump was upgraded to increase bunch intensity. A vertical survey of RHIC was performed before the run to get better magnet alignment. The orbit control is also improved this year. Additional efforts are put in to improve source polarization and AGS polarization transfer efficiency. To preserve polarization on the ramp, a new working point is chosen such that the vertical tune is near a third order resonance. The overview of the changes and the operation results are presented in this paper. Siberian snakes are essential tools to preserve polarization when accelerating polarized beams to higher energy. At the same time, the higher order resonances still can cause polarization loss. As seen in RHIC, the betatron tune has to be carefully set and maintained on the ramp and during the store to avoid polarization loss. In addition, the orbit control is also critical to preserve polarization. The higher polarization during this run comes from several improvements over last run. First we have a much better orbit on the ramp. The orbit feedback brings down the vertical rms orbit error to 0.1mm, much better than the 0.5mm last run. With correct BPM offset and vertical realignment, this rms orbit error is indeed small. Second, the jump quads in the AGS improved input polarization for RHIC. Third, the vertical tune was pushed further away from 7/10 snake resonance. The tune feedback maintained the tune at the desired value through the ramp. To calibrate the analyzing power of RHIC polarimeters at any energy above injection, the polarized hydrogen jet target runs for every fill with both beams. Based on the known analyzing power, there is very little polarization loss between injection and 100 GeV. An alternative way is to measure the asymmetry at 100 GeV followed by ramping up to 250 GeV and back down to 100 GeV and then to measure the asymmetry again at 100 GeV. If the asymmetry after the down ramp is similar to the measurement before the up ramp, polarization was also preserved during the ramp to 250 GeV. The analyzing power at storage energy can then be extracted from the asymmetries measured at 100 GeV and 250 GeV. The tune and orbit feedbacks are essential for the down ramp to be possible. The polarized proton operation is still going on. We will push bunch intensity higher until reaching the beam-beam limit. The even higher intensity will have to wait for the electron lenses to compensate the beam-beam effect. To understand the details of spin dynamics in RHIC with two snakes, spin simulation with the real magnet fields have been developed recently. The study will provide guidance for possible polarization loss schemes. Further polarization gain will requires a polarized source upgrade; more careful setup jump quads in the AGS to get full benefit; and control emittance in the whole accelerator chain.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2011

RHIC spin flipper AC dipole controller

The RHIC Spin Flipper's five high-Q AC dipoles which are driven by a swept frequency waveform require precise control of phase and amplitude during the sweep. This control is achieved using FPGA based feedback controllers. Multiple feedback loops are used to and dynamically tune the magnets. The current implementation and results will be presented. Work on a new spin flipper for RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) incorporating multiple dynamically tuned high-Q AC-dipoles has been developed for RHIC spin-physics experiments. A spin flipper is needed to cancel systematic errors by reversing the spin direction of the two colliding beams multiple times during a store. The spin flipper system consists of four DC-dipole magnets (spin rotators) and five AC-dipole magnets. Multiple AC-dipoles are needed to localize the driven coherent betatron oscillation inside the spin flipper. Operationally the AC-dipoles form two swept frequency bumps that minimize the effect of the AC-dipole dipoles outside of the spin flipper. Both AC bumps operate at the same frequency, but are phase shifted from each other. The AC-dipoles therefore require precise control over amplitude and phase making the implementation of the AC-dipole controller the central challenge.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗