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At least 181 records · Page 10

The COBE cosmic 3 K anisotropy experiment: A gravity wave and cosmic string probe

Among the experiments to be carried into orbit next year, by the COBE satellite, are differential microwave radiometers. They will make sensitive all-sky maps of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation at three frequencies, giving dipole, quadrupole, and higher order multipole measurements of the background radiation. The experiment will either detect, or place significant constraints on, the existence of cosmic strings and long wavelength gravity waves.

Bennett, Charles L.↗

Cosmic strings and baryon decay

The current literature is reviewed on baryon decay catalysis by cosmic string. A summary is presented of the main arguments for decay catalysis.

Gregory, Ruth↗

Comment on high resolution simulations of cosmic strings. 1: Network evoloution

Comments are made on recent claims (Albrecht and Turok, 1989) regarding simulations of cosmic string evolution. Specially, it was claimed that results were dominated by a numerical artifact which rounds out kinks on a scale of the order of the correlation length on the network. This claim was based on an approximate analysis of an interpolation equation which is solved herein. The typical rounding scale is actually less than one fifth of the correlation length, and comparable with other numerical cutoffs. Results confirm previous estimates of numerical uncertainties, and show that the approximations poorly represent the real solutions to the interpolation equation.

Turok, Neil↗

Superclustering in the explosion scenario. II - Prolate spheroidal shells from superconducting cosmic strings

If galaxies form on shells, then clusters of galaxies should form at the vertices where three shells intersect. Weinberg, Ostriker, and Dekel (WOD, 1989) studied this picture quantitatively and found that an intersecting spherical shell model reproduces many of the properties of the observed distribution of galaxy clusters, but that too much superclustering is produced. In this paper, the WOD analysis is repeated with prolate spheroids that could be created by superconducting cosmic strings. It is found that most of the attractive features of the WOD model are maintained in the more general case and there is slight improvement in some aspects, but that the overall problem of excessive superclustering is not really alleviated.

Borden, David↗

Thick strings, the liquid crystal blue phase, and cosmological large-scale structure

A phenomenological model based on the liquid crystal blue phase is proposed as a model for a late-time cosmological phase transition. Topological defects, in particular thick strings and/or domain walls, are presented as seeds for structure formation. It is shown that the observed large-scale structure, including quasi-periodic wall structure, can be well fitted in the model without violating the microwave background isotropy bound or the limits from induced gravitational waves and the millisecond pulsar timing. Furthermore, such late-time transitions can produce objects such as quasars at high redshifts. The model appears to work with either cold or hot dark matter.

Luo, Xiaochun↗

Second quantization in bit-string physics

Using a new fundamental theory based on bit-strings, a finite and discrete version of the solutions of the free one particle Dirac equation as segmented trajectories with steps of length h/mc along the forward and backward light cones executed at velocity +/- c are derived. Interpreting the statistical fluctuations which cause the bends in these segmented trajectories as emission and absorption of radiation, these solutions are analogous to a fermion propagator in a second quantized theory. This allows us to interpret the mass parameter in the step length as the physical mass of the free particle. The radiation in interaction with it has the usual harmonic oscillator structure of a second quantized theory. How these free particle masses can be generated gravitationally using the combinatorial hierarchy sequence (3,10,137,2(sup 127) + 136), and some of the predictive consequences are sketched.

Noyes, H. Pierre↗

NEXT Single String Integration Test Results

As a critical part of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) test validation process, a single string integration test was performed on the NEXT ion propulsion system. The objectives of this test were to verify that an integrated system of major NEXT ion propulsion system elements meets project requirements, to demonstrate that the integrated system is functional across the entire power processor and xenon propellant management system input ranges, and to demonstrate to potential users that the NEXT propulsion system is ready for transition to flight. Propulsion system elements included in this system integration test were an engineering model ion thruster, an engineering model propellant management system, an engineering model power processor unit, and a digital control interface unit simulator that acted as a test console. Project requirements that were verified during this system integration test included individual element requirements ; integrated system requirements, and fault handling. This paper will present the results of these tests, which include: integrated ion propulsion system demonstrations of performance, functionality and fault handling; a thruster re-performance acceptance test to establish baseline performance: a risk-reduction PMS-thruster integration test: and propellant management system calibration checks.

Soulas, George C.↗

Trajectory Design for a Single-String Impactor Concept

This paper introduces a trajectory design for a secondary spacecraft concept to augment science return in interplanetary missions. The concept consist of a single-string probe with a kinetic impactor on board that generates an artificial plume to perform in-situ sampling. The trajectory design was applied to a particular case study that samples ejecta particles from the Jovian moon Europa. Results were validated using statistical analysis. Details regarding the navigation, targeting and disposal challenges related to this concept are presented herein.

Monte Carlo↗

Impedance Controlled Twisted String Actuators for Tensegrity Robots

We are developing impedance controlled twisted string actuators (TSA) for use in tensegrity robots, as an alternative to traditional spooled cable actuation. Tensegrity robots are composed of continuous tension and discontinuous compression elements, with no rigid joints between elements, which give them unique force distribution properties. The use of tensegrity robots is strongly motivated by biological examples, and they are capable of locomotion and manipulation by changing lengths of their continuous network of tensional elements, which is also the primary pathways for load transfer through the structure. TSA show the potential to address some of the unique engineering challenges faced by tensegrity structures, and provide unique qualities well suited to an actively controlled tension system, such as compact, light-weight mechanical structures, inherent compliance, variable gearing'', and the ability to transmit high forces with a very low input torque. The inherent variable compliance of impedance control is essential for tensegrity robots to move through and manipulate the environment, and is a natural match to the unique qualities of TSA. This paper briefly introduces the tensegrity robots in the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group and an overview of their future application to space planetary exploration. Then the effectiveness and robustness of TSA are verified through the performance of impedance control modes.

Park, In-Won↗

String Midpoint Monitoring for Li-Ion Batteries

The paper introduces the midpoint monitoring method for detecting cell voltage imbalance in a series string of 8 electrochemical cells. Monte Carlo analysis is performed for normal cell End of Discharge open and closed circuit voltage behavior to assess the extent to which derived guard band voltage limits will detect over discharged cells, provide false positive indication, or fail to detect over discharged cells. Forward work is proposed to refine the battery monitoring method for operational use in 28V lithium ion batteries.

Russell, S.↗

Overview and Performance Characterization of Northrop Grumman’s 1 kW Hall Thruster String

Northrop Grumman (NG) Tactical Space SystemsDivisionhas embarked on the development and qualification of a high throughput, low power Hall Thruster String (HTS) using hardware designed and built in-house.Following the success of Mission Extension Vehicles 1 and 2, NG is currently developing the next generation in its lineupof satellite servicing capabilities, the Mission Robotics Vehicle(MRV)and Mission Extension Pod (MEP).MEP’s mission profile imposes highly demanding requirements upon the electric propulsion system. When surveying the industry for available systems, NGwas unable to identify any mature Hall thrustersystems that could satisfy the performance and lifetime requirements for MEP. Eventually, it was decided to vertically integrate the EP development process, partneringwith NASA Glenn Research Center to leverage ongoing development at GRC of a high throughput, low power Hall thruster. The components of the HTS have successfully passed PDR and are currently in the engineering development and test phase. Based on performancecharacterization testingof the development hardware,NG’s low power Hall thruster, dubbed the NGHT-1X, promises to deliver state-of-the-art performanceand lifetime for a sub-kW Hall thruster, achieving total efficiencies of 50-55% over a wide range of throttle conditions. Results of a seriesof characterization tests including integrated systems testingwith the PPUare presented.Qualification methodology andthruster lifetime verification is also discussed. Environmental qualification of the HTS components is expected to completein mid-2023 with a first flight in mid-2024.

Propulsion↗

String breaking in the heavy quark limit with scalable circuits

Quantum simulations of non-Abelian gauge theories require efficient mappings onto quantum computers and practical state preparation and measurement procedures. A truncation of the Hilbert space of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories with matter in the heavy quark limit is developed. This truncation is applied to SU(2) lattice gauge theory in 1+1D to map the theory efficiently onto a quantum computer. Scalable variational circuits are found to prepare the vacuum and single meson states. It is also shown how these state preparation circuits can be used to perform measurements of the number of mesons produced during the system’s time evolution. A state with a single qq¯ pair is prepared on quantum hardware and the inelastic production of qq¯ pairs is observed using 104 qubits on IBM’s Heron quantum computer ibm_torino.

Ciavarella, Anthony N↗

Assembling the SSR2 Cavities String for PIP-II

Characterization of the interaction between airflow and a superconducting radio frequency cavity for particle accelerators in an ultra-clean environment

Tamburrino, Alessandro [Pisa U.]↗