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At least 199 records · Page 11

A kinetic model of friction in strongly coupled strongly magnetized plasmas

Plasmas that are strongly magnetized in the sense that the gyrofrequency exceeds the plasma frequency exhibit novel transport properties that are not well understood. As a representative example, we compute the friction force acting on a massive test charge moving through a strongly coupled and strongly magnetized one-component plasma using a generalized Boltzmann kinetic theory. Recent works studying the weakly coupled regime have shown that strong magnetization leads to a transverse component of the friction force that is perpendicular to both the Lorentz force and velocity of the test charge, in addition to the stopping power component aligned antiparallel to the velocity. Recent molecular dynamics simulations have also shown that strong Coulomb coupling in addition to strong magnetization gives rise to a third component of the friction force in the direction of the Lorentz force. Here, we show that the generalized Boltzmann kinetic theory captures these effects and generally agrees well with the molecular dynamics simulations over a broad range of Coulomb coupling and magnetization strength regimes. The theory is also used to show that the “gyro” component of the friction in the direction of the Lorentz force arises due to asymmetries associated with gyromotion during short-range collisions. Computing the average motion of the test charge through the background plasma, the transverse force is found to strongly influence the trajectory by changing the gyroradius and the gyrofriction force is found to slightly change the gyrofrequency of the test charge resulting in a phase shift.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Fully coupled simulation of cosmic reionization. II. Recombinations, clumping factors, and the photon budget for reionization

We use a fully coupled cosmological simulation including dark matter dynamics, multispecies hydrodynamics, nonequilibrium chemical ionization, flux-limited diffusion radiation transport, and a parameterized model of star formation and feedback (thermal and radiative) to investigate the epoch of hydrogen reionization in detail. In this paper, the first of several application papers, we investigate the mechanics of reionization from stellar sources forming in high-z galaxies, the utility of various formulations for the gas clumping factor on accurately estimating the effective recombination time in the intergalactic medium (IGM), and the photon budget required to achieve reionization. We also test the accuracy of the static and time-dependent models of Madau et al. as predictors of reionization completion/maintenance. We simulate a WMAP7 ΛCDM cosmological model in a 20 comoving Mpc cube, resolved with 800{sup 3} uniform fluid cells and dark matter particles. By tuning our star formation recipe to approximately match the observed high-redshift star formation rate density and galaxy luminosity function, we have created a fully coupled radiation hydrodynamical realization of hydrogen reionization, which begins to ionize at z ≈ 10 and is completed at z ≈ 5.8 without further tuning. We find that roughly two ionizing photons per H atom are required to convert the neutral IGM to a highly ionized state. After reionization concludes, we find that the quantity n-dot{sub ion}×(1 Gyr)/n{sub H} is ∼9 at z = 5, in rough agreement with measurements of the ionizing emissivity by Becker and Bolton. The complicated events during reionization that lead to this number can be generally described as inside-out, but in reality, the narrative depends on the level of ionization of the gas one attributes as being ionized. We find that the formula for the ionizing photon production rate needed to maintain the IGM in an ionized state derived by Madau et al. should not be used to predict the epoch of reionization completion because it ignores history-dependent terms in the global ionization balance which are not ignorable. We find that the time-dependent model for the ionized volume fraction Q{sub HII} is more predictive, but overestimates the redshift of reionization completion z{sub reion} by Δz ≈ 1. We propose a revised formulation of the time-dependent model that agrees with our simulation to a few percent accuracy. Finally, we use our simulation data to measure the absorption of ionizing radiation due to circumgalactic gas resolved on our mesh and find f-bar{sub esc}(CGM)≈0.7.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optimal control of coupled quantum systems based on the first-order Magnus expansion: Application to multiple dipole-dipole-coupled molecular rotors

This paper presents a method for performing approximate optimal control simulations for quantum systems with multiple coupled degrees of freedom. In this work, the time evolution is simulated using the first-order Magnus expansion in the interaction picture, where the couplings between different degrees of freedom are treated as the perturbation. A numerical implementation procedure is presented that leverages upon pairwise couplings and the separability of the zeroth-order time evolution operator to achieve a reduced computational cost, which is analyzed with respect to the number of degrees of freedom. The formulation is compatible with gradient-free methods to optimize the control field, and a stochastic hill climbing algorithm is adopted for this purpose. As illustrations, optimal control simulations are performed for systems of two and three dipole-dipole-coupled molecular rotors under the influence of a control field. For the two-rotor system, the field is optimized to achieve either orientation or entanglement objectives. For the three-rotor system, the field is optimized either to orient all three rotors in the same direction or to orient one rotor in a particular direction while the other two rotors point in the opposite direction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Heralding efficiency and correlated-mode coupling of near-IR fiber-coupled photon pairs

We report on a systematic experimental study of heralding efficiency and generation rate of telecom-band infrared photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion and coupled to single mode optical fibers. We define the correlated-mode coupling efficiency--an inherent source efficiency--and explain its relation to heralding efficiency. For our experiment, we developed a reconfigurable computer controlled pump-beam and collection-mode optical apparatus which we used to measure the generation rate and correlated-mode coupling efficiency. The use of low-noise, high-efficiency superconducting-nanowire single-photon-detectors in this setup allowed us to explore focus configurations with low overall photon flux. The measured data agree well with theory and we demonstrated a correlated-mode coupling efficiency of 97%±2%, which is the highest efficiency yet achieved for this type of system. These results confirm theoretical treatments and demonstrate that very high overall heralding efficiencies can, in principle, be achieved in quantum optical systems. We expect that these results and techniques will be widely incorporated into future systems that require, or benefit from, a high heralding efficiency.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Local imaging of diamagnetism in proximity-coupled niobium nanoisland arrays on gold thin films.

In this work, we study the effect of engineered disorder on the local magnetic response of proximity-coupled superconducting island arrays by comparing scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) susceptibility measurements to a model in which we treat the system as a network of one-dimensional (1D) superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor Josephson junctions, each with a Josephson coupling energy E-J determined by the junction length or distance between islands. We find that the disordered arrays exhibit a spatially inhomogeneous diamagnetic response which, for low local applied magnetic fields, is well described by this junction network model, and we discuss these results as they relate to inhomogeneous 2D superconductors. Our model of the static magnetic response of the arrays does not fully capture the onset of nonlinearity and dissipation with increasing applied field, as these effects are associated with vortex motion due to the dynamic nature of the scanning SQUID susceptometry measurement. This work demonstrates a model 2D superconducting system with engineered disorder, and it highlights the impact of dissipation on the local magnetic properties of 2D superconductors and Josephson junction arrays.

Bishop-Van Horn, Logan↗

Toward open-shell nuclei with coupled-cluster theory

We develop a method based on equation-of-motion coupled-cluster theory to describe properties of open-shell nuclei with A{+-}2 nucleons outside a closed shell. We perform proof-of-principle calculations for the ground states of the helium isotopes {sup 3-6}He and the first excited 2{sup +} state in {sup 6}He. The comparison with exact results from matrix diagonalization in small model spaces demonstrates the accuracy of the coupled-cluster methods. Three-particle-one-hole excitations of {sup 4}He play an important role for the accurate description of {sup 6}He. For the open-shell nucleus {sup 6}He, the computational cost of the method is comparable with the coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles approximation while its accuracy is similar to the coupled-cluster with singles, doubles, and triples excitations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Slater Insulator in Iridate Perovskites with Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling

The perovskite (Pv) SrIrO 3 is an exotic narrow-band metal owing to a confluence of the strengths of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and the electron-electron correlations. It has been proposed that topological and magnetic insulating phases can be achieved by tuning the SOC, Hubbard interactions, and/or lattice symmetry. Here, we report that the substitution of nonmagnetic, isovalent Sn 4+ for Ir 4+ in the SrIr 1-x Sn x O 3 perovskites synthesized under high pressure leads to a metal-insulator transition to an antiferromagnetic phase at TN ≥ 225 K. The continuous change of the cell volume as detected by X-ray diffraction and the l-shape transition of the specific heat on cooling through TN demonstrate that the metal-insulator transition is of second-order. Neutron powder diffraction results indicate that the Sn substitution enlarges an octahedral-site distortion that reduces the SOC relative to the spin-spin exchange interaction and results in the type-G AF spin ordering below TN. Measurement of high-temperature magnetic susceptibility shows the evolution of magnetic coupling in the paramagnetic phase typical of weak itinerant-electron magnetism in the Sn-substituted samples. A reduced structural symmetry in the magnetically ordered phase leads to an electron gap opening at the Brillouin zone boundary below TN in the same way as proposed by Slater.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Readout optimization of multi-amplifier sensing charge-coupled devices for single-quantum measurement

The non-destructive readout capability of the Skipper Charge Coupled Device (CCD) has been demonstrated to reduce the noise limitation of conventional silicon devices to levels that allow single-photon or single-electron counting. The noise reduction is achieved by taking multiple measurements of the charge in each pixel. These multiple measurements come at the cost of extra readout time, which has been a limitation for the broader adoption of this technology in particle physics, quantum imaging, and astronomy applications. This work presents recent results of a novel sensor architecture that uses multiple non-destructive floating-gate amplifiers in series to achieve sub-electron readout noise in a thick, fully-depleted silicon detector to overcome the readout time overhead of the Skipper-CCD. This sensor is called the Multiple-Amplifier Sensing Charge-Coupled Device (MAS-CCD) can perform multiple independent charge measurements with each amplifier, and the measurements from multiple amplifiers can be combined to further reduce the readout noise. We will show results obtained for sensors with 8 and 16 amplifiers per readout stage in new readout operations modes to optimize its readout speed. The noise reduction capability of the new techniques will be demonstrated in terms of its ability to reduce the noise by combining the information from the different amplifiers, and to resolve signals in the order of a single photon per pixel. The first readout operation explored here avoids the extra readout time needed in the MAS-CCD to read a line of the sensor associated with the extra extent of the serial register. The second technique explore the capability of the MAS-CCD device to perform a region of interest readout increasing the number of multiple samples per amplifier in a targeted region of the active area of the device.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Electrically coupling complex oxides to semiconductors: A route to novel material functionalities

Complex oxides and semiconductors exhibit distinct yet complementary properties owing to their respective ionic and covalent natures. By electrically coupling complex oxides to traditional semiconductors within epitaxial heterostructures, enhanced or novel functionalities beyond those of the constituent materials can potentially be realized. Essential to electrically coupling complex oxides to semiconductors is control of the physical structure of the epitaxially grown oxide, as well as the electronic structure of the interface. In this paper, we discuss how composition of the perovskite A- and B-site cations can be manipulated to control the physical and electronic structure of semiconductor—complex oxide heterostructures. Two prototypical heterostructures, Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 /Ge and SrZr x Ti 1-x O 3 /Ge, will be discussed. In the case of Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 /Ge, we discuss how strain can be engineered through A-site composition to enable the re-orientable ferroelectric polarization of the former to be coupled to carriers in the semiconductor. In the case of SrZr x Ti 1-x O 3 /Ge we discuss how B-site composition can be exploited to control the band offset at the interface. Finally, analogous to heterojunctions between compound semiconducting materials, control of band offsets, i.e., band-gap engineering, provides a pathway to electrically couple complex oxides to semiconductors to realize a host of functionalities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physical Yukawa couplings in heterotic string compactifications

One of the challenges of heterotic compactification on a CalabiYau threefold is to determine the physical (27) 3 Yukawa couplings of the resulting four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}$ = 1 theory. In general, the calculation necessitates knowledge of the Ricci-flat metric. However, in the standard embedding, which references the tangent bundle, we can compute normalized Yukawa couplings from the Weil-Petersson metric on the moduli space of complex structure deformations of the Calabi-Yau manifold. In various examples (the Fermat quintic, the intersection of two cubics in $\mathbb{P}$ 5 , and the TianYau manifold), we calculate the normalized Yukawa couplings for (2,1)-forms using the Weil-Petersson metric obtained from the Kodaira-Spencer map. In cases where $h^{1,1}$ = 1 , this is compared to a complementary calculation based on performing period integrals. A third expression for the normalized Yukawa couplings is obtained from a machine learned approximate Ricci-flat metric making use of explicit harmonic representatives. Finally, the excellent agreement between the different approaches opens the door to precision string phenomenology.

Butbaia, Giorgi↗

Rotational excitation of symmetric top molecules by collisions with atoms: Close coupling, coupled states, and effective potential calculations for NH3-He

The formalism for describing rotational excitation in collisions between symmetric top rigid rotors and spherical atoms is presented both within the accurate quantum close coupling framework and also the coupled states approximation of McGuire and Kouri and the effective potential approximation of Rabitz. Calculations are reported for thermal energy NH3-He collisions, treating NH3 as a rigid rotor and employing a uniform electron gas (Gordon-Kim) approximation for the intermolecular potential. Coupled states are found to be in nearly quantitative agreement with close coupling results while the effective potential method is found to be at least qualitatively correct. Modifications necessary to treat the inversion motion in NH3 are discussed.

Green, S.↗

Broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides and their end-coupled band-pass filter applications

New broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides, suitable for applications requiring wide bandwidths, tight couplings, and large mode effective-dielectric-constant ratios, are presented. Their analysis and investigation are described. Simple equations relating the per-unit-length capacitances of the c- and pi-modes and the per-unit-length capacitance matrices of the coupled structures to those obtained when applying even- and odd-symmetric voltages are also derived. New broadside end-coupled band-pass filters have been developed at X-band (8-12 GHz) with less than 1.5 and 1.0 dB passband insertion losses using the proposed four-ground-plane and two-ground-plane coplanar waveguide structures, respectively. Good agreement between the experimental results and those predicted theoretically was also observed.

Nguyen, Cam↗

Modeling and Simulation Techniques for the NASA SLS Service Module Panel Separation Event; from Loosely-Coupled Euler to Fully-Coupled 6-DOF, Time-Accurate, Navier-Stokes Methodologies

An aerodynamic database has been generated for use by the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Program to analyze Service Module (SM) panel jettison from the NASA SLS vehicle. The database is a combination of CFD data for the panel aerodynamic coefficients, and MATLAB code written to query the CFD data. The Cart3D inviscid CFD flow solver was used to generate the panel aerodynamic coefficients for static panel orientations and free stream conditions that can occur during the jettison event. The MATLAB code performs the multivariate interpolation to obtain aerodynamic coefficients. The MATLAB code uses input for SM panel parameters and returns the SM panel aerodynamic force and moment coefficients for use with a Six-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DOF) motion solver to model the jettison event. This paper examines the accuracy of the sequential-static database approach by modeling the panel jettison event with a fully-coupled, time-dependent, viscous, moving-body CFD simulation. The fully-coupled simulation is obtained using the Loci/Chem unstructured Navier-Stokes CFD solver. The results show that the fully-coupled approach agrees well with the loosely-coupled database/6-DOF approach, indicating that unsteady effects are minimal for the panel jettison event. These results suggest that the database/6-DOF approach is sufficient. In addition, this paper presents the development of an uncertainty model for use in Monte Carlo analysis of the panel jettison event. Here viscous CFD simulations are obtained with Loci/Chem and compared to the inviscid CFD forces and moments. An uncertainty model based on model-form error and numerical error is presented.

Hall, Leslie H.↗

Application of power time-projection on the operator-splitting coupling scheme of the TRACE/S3K coupled code

This paper reports refinement studies on the temporal coupling scheme and time-stepping management of TRACE/S3K, a dynamically coupled code version of the thermal-hydraulics system code TRACE and the 3D core simulator Simulate-3K. The studies were carried out for two test cases, namely a PWR rod ejection accident and the Peach Bottom 2 Turbine Trip Test 2. The solution of the coupled calculation, especially the power peak, proves to be very sensitive to the time-step size with the currently employed conventional operator-splitting. Furthermore, a very small time-step size is necessary to achieve decent accuracy. This degrades the trade-off between accuracy and performance. A simple and computationally cheap implementation of time-projection of power has been shown to be able to improve the convergence of the coupled calculation. This scheme is able to achieve a prescribed accuracy with a larger time-step size. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗