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At least 199 records · Page 11

Scalar and tensor neutrino interactions

We constrain general Dirac neutrino interactions based on the Standard Model Effective Field Theory framework extended with right-handed neutrinos N (SMNEFT) using deep inelastic and coherent elastic neutrino scattering, nuclear beta decay, and meson decay data, and high energy electron-proton and proton-proton collider data. We compute the one-loop anomalous dimensions of the low-energy effective field theory (LEFT) below the electroweak scale and of SMNEFT above the electroweak scale. The tree-level matching between LEFT and SMNEFT is performed at the electroweak scale. Currently, the most stringent limits on scalar and tensor interactions arise from pseudoscalar meson decays and the LHC measurements at the per mille level. In the future, the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) has the potential to reach the 10 -4 level and LHeC can play an important role under certain theoretical assumptions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The mechanics of brittle granular materials with coevolving grain size and shape

The influence of particle shape on the mechanics of sand is widely recognized, especially in mineral processing and geomechanics. However, most existing continuum theories for engineering applications do not encompass the morphology of the grains and its evolution during comminution. Similarly, the relatively few engineering models accounting for grain-scale processes tend to idealize particles as spheres, with their diameters considered as the primary and sole geometric descriptor. This paper inspires a new generation of constitutive laws for crushable granular continua with arbitrary, yet evolving, particle morphology. We explore the idea of introducing multiple grain shape descriptors into Continuum Breakage Mechanics (CBM), a theory originally designed to track changes in particle size distributions during confined comminution. We incorporate the influence of these descriptors on the elastic strain energy potential and treat them as dissipative state variables. In analogy with the original CBM, and in light of evidence from extreme fragmentation in nature, the evolution of the additional shape descriptors is postulated to converge towards an attractor. Comparisons with laboratory experiments, discrete element analyses and particle-scale fracture models illustrate the encouraging performance of the theory. The theory provides insights into the feedback among particle shape, compressive yielding and inelastic deformation in crushable granular continua. These results inspire new questions that should guide future research into crushable granular systems using particle-scale imaging and computations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A simple theoretical model for calculating and parameterizing the ionospheric photoelectron flux

A method for calculating the ionospheric photoelectron flux is developed which uses the concept of average electron energy loss to simplify the calculation of the degraded electron spectrum. This method requires only a knowledge of the total inelastic electron impact cross sections and can be used for the calculation of all secondary ion and excited state production rates. The simple calculation reduces the computing time by a factor of 10 and considerably reduces storage requirements. It is found that the ionospheric photoelectron flux in the local equilibrium region is directly proportional to the attenuated solar EUV flux, which is a function only of the total neutral column density, and is independent of the neutral density composition. Thus, it is shown that electron impact cross section can be chosen so that this method may also be used to parameterize the measured ionospheric photoelectron fluxes.

Richards, P. G.↗

Two-particle correlation functions in cluster perturbation theory: Hubbard spin susceptibilities

Cluster perturbation theory (CPT) is a computationally economic method commonly used to estimate the momentum- and energy-resolved single-particle Green's function. It has been used extensively in direct comparisons with experiments that effectively measure the single-particle Green's function, e.g., angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. However, many experimental observables are given by two-particle correlation functions. CPT can be extended to compute two-particle correlation functions by approximately solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation. We implement this method and focus on the transverse spin susceptibility, measurable via inelastic neutron scattering or with optical probes of atomic gases in optical lattices. Finally, we benchmark the method with the one-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard model by comparing with known results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nonlinear soliton confinement in weakly coupled antiferromagnetic spin chains

In this work, we analyze the low-energy dynamics of quasi-one-dimensional, large-$\textit{S}$ quantum antiferromagnets with easy-axis anisotropy, using a semiclassical nonlinear sigma model. The saddle point approximation leads to a sine-Gordon equation which supports soliton solutions. These correspond to the movement of spatially extended domain walls. Long-range magnetic order is a consequence of a weak interchain coupling. Below the ordering temperature, the coupling to nearby chains leads to an energy cost associated with the separation of two domain walls. From the kink-antikink two-soliton solution, we compute the effective confinement potential. At distances large compared to the size of the solitons the potential is linear, as expected for pointlike domain walls. At small distances the gradual annihilation of the solitons weakens the effective attraction and renders the potential quadratic. From numerically solving the effective one-dimensional Schrödinger equation with this nonlinear confinement potential we compute the soliton bound state spectrum. We apply the theory to CaFe 2 O 4 , an anisotropic $\textit{S}$ = 5/2 magnet based upon antiferromagnetic zigzag chains. Using inelastic neutron scattering, we are able to resolve seven discrete energy levels for spectra recorded slightly below the Néel temperature $T_N$ ≈ 200 K. These modes are well described by our nonlinear confinement model in the regime of large spatially extended solitons.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phonon Thermal Transport in UO 2 via Self-Consistent Perturbation Theory

Computing thermal transport from first-principles in UO 2 is complicated due to the challenges associated with Mott physics. Here, we use irreducible derivative approaches to compute the cubic and quartic phonon interactions in UO 2 from first principles, and we perform enhanced thermal transport computations by evaluating the phonon Green’s function via self-consistent diagrammatic perturbation theory. Our predicted phonon lifetimes at T = 600 K agree well with our inelastic neutron scattering measurements across the entire Brillouin zone, and our thermal conductivity predictions agree well with previous measurements. Finally, both the changes due to thermal expansion and self-consistent contributions are nontrivial at high temperatures, though the effects tend to cancel, and interband transitions yield a substantial contribution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

GAMBIT program

GAMBIT computer program provides multigroup flux and current averaged neutron cross sections for input to transport programs. The fast neutron compilation includes P/0/ and P/1/ elastic scattering transfer matrices, inelastic scattering matrices, n,2n cross section matrices, absorption and fission cross sections for all isotopes.

Collier, G.↗

Analytical and experimental studies of graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy angle ply laminates in compression

The applicability and adequacy of several computer techniques in predicting satisfactorily the nonlinear/inelastic response of angle ply laminates were evaluated. The analytical predictions were correlated with the results of a test program on the inelastic response under axial compression of a large variety of graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy angle ply laminates. These comparison studies indicate that neither of the abovementioned analyses can satisfactorily predict either the mode of response or the ultimate stress value corresponding to a particular angle ply laminate configuration. Consequently, also the simple failure mechanisms assumed in the analytical models were not verified.

Weller, T.↗

The MHOST finite element program: 3-D inelastic analysis methods for hot section components. Volume 1: Theoretical manual

Formulations and algorithms implemented in the MHOST finite element program are discussed. The code uses a novel concept of the mixed iterative solution technique for the efficient 3-D computations of turbine engine hot section components. The general framework of variational formulation and solution algorithms are discussed which were derived from the mixed three field Hu-Washizu principle. This formulation enables the use of nodal interpolation for coordinates, displacements, strains, and stresses. Algorithmic description of the mixed iterative method includes variations for the quasi static, transient dynamic and buckling analyses. The global-local analysis procedure referred to as the subelement refinement is developed in the framework of the mixed iterative solution, of which the detail is presented. The numerically integrated isoparametric elements implemented in the framework is discussed. Methods to filter certain parts of strain and project the element discontinuous quantities to the nodes are developed for a family of linear elements. Integration algorithms are described for linear and nonlinear equations included in MHOST program.

Nakazawa, Shohei↗

Slow and fast motion of cracks in inelastic solids. Part 1: Slow growth of cracks in a rate sensitive tresca solid. Part 2: Dynamic crack represented by the Dugdale model

An extension is proposed of the classical theory of fracture to viscoelastic and elastic-plastic materials in which the plasticity effects are confined to a narrow band encompassing the crack front. It is suggested that the Griffith-Irwin criterion of fracture, which requires that the energy release rate computed for a given boundary value problem equals the critical threshold, ought to be replaced by a differential equation governing the slow growth of a crack prior to the onset of rapid propagation. A new term which enters the equation of motion in the dissipative media is proportional to the energy lost within the end sections of the crack, and thus reflects the extent of inelastic behavior of a solid. A concept of apparent surface energy is introduced to account for the geometry dependent and the rate dependent phenomena which influence toughness of an inelastic solid. Three hypotheses regarding the condition for fracture in the subcritical range of load are compared. These are: (1) constant fracture energy (Cherepanov), (2) constant opening displacement at instability (Morozov) and (3) final stretch criterion (Wnuk).

Wnuk, M. P.↗

Computer simulation of the Farley-Buneman instability and anomalous electron heating in the auroral ionosphere

The nonlinear saturation of the Farley-Buneman instability in a collisional plasma is studied by a 2 1/2 dimensional electrostatic particle simulation which includes inelastic and elastic collisions of electrons and elastic collision of ions with neutrals. In the simulation, a uniform convection electric field is applied externally so that the relative velocity between the electrons and ions is greater than the ion sound speed and destabilizes the instability. A nonlinear frequency shift from higher to lower frequencies and diffusion of the wave spectrum in two dimensional wave number space are found. It is found that the dominant mechanism for electron heating is due to an enhanced effective electron collision frequency and hence enhanced resistive heating as suggested by Primdahl (1986) and not due to the heating of electrons by the electric field of the waves parallel to the magnetic field. For the ionospheric conditions discussed by Schlegel and St.-Maurice (1981)an anomalous heating rate of about 4 x 10 to the 7th W/cu cm is found.

Machida, S.↗

Direct prediction of inelastic neutron scattering spectra from the crystal structure*

Abstract Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is a powerful technique to study vibrational dynamics of materials with several unique advantages. However, analysis and interpretation of INS spectra often require advanced modeling that needs specialized computing resources and relevant expertise. This difficulty is compounded by the limited experimental resources available to perform INS measurements. In this work, we develop a machine-learning based predictive framework which is capable of directly predicting both one-dimensional INS spectra and two-dimensional INS spectra with additional momentum resolution. By integrating symmetry-aware neural networks with autoencoders, and using a large scale synthetic INS database, high-dimensional spectral data are compressed into a latent-space representation, and a high-quality spectra prediction is achieved by using only atomic coordinates as input. Our work offers an efficient approach to predict complex multi-dimensional neutron spectra directly from simple input; it allows for improved efficiency in using the limited INS measurement resources, and sheds light on building structure-property relationships in a variety of on-the-fly experimental data analysis scenarios.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Comment on the accuracy of Rabitz' effective potential approximation for rotational excitation by collisions

Cross sections for rotational excitation of HCN by low-energy collisions with He have been computed with the effective-potential approximation of Rabitz (1972) and compared with accurate quantum close-coupling results. Elastic cross sections are found to agree to about 20%; inelastic cross sections agree in general magnitude, but not in detailed values for specific quantum transitions.

Green, S.↗

Postseismic rebound due to creep of the lower lithosphere and asthenosphere

Postseismic surface deformations are attributed to the inelastic flow of the subcrustal regions of the Earth following an earthquake. A multilayer representation of the Earth's rheological properties is used in conjunction with a finite element computational scheme to calculate time dependent displacements and strains subsequent to a strike slip earthquake. The deviatoric stress strain relations for the uppermost layer is assumed elastic. Lower layers are assumed to be, in order of increasing depth, a standard, linear, three element, viscoelastic solid; a linear viscoelastic fluid; and another elastic solid. Physically these layers correspond to the upper lithosphere, lower lithosphere, asthenosphere, and lower mantle, respectively. Elastic dilatational properties are assumed throughout. Appreciable postseismic displacements, possibly approaching meters, for large earthquakes, arise from viscoelastic relaxation following sudden coseismic slip. Furthermore, compared to the simpler case of an elastic lithosphere over a viscoelastic asthenosphere and the near fault postseismic shear, strain is increased, by a factor of two or more in some cases, by the presence of a viscoelastic lower lithosphere. Also, the duration of postseismic straining is increased by the relatively slow relaxation of this layer.

Cohen, S. C.↗

Reactivity Coefficient Measurements to Aid in Reducing Compensating Errors in Plutonium Nuclear Data

Compensating errors between several nuclear data observables in a nuclear data library can adversely impact application simulations. The primary goal of the EUCLID project (Experiments Underpinned by Computational Learning for Improvements in Nuclear Data) is to reduce compensating errors between fast (0.1–5 MeV) 239Pu nuclear data for prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS), average prompt fission neutron multiplicities, and neutron induced fission, capture, elastic, and inelastic cross sections. This work will focus on the design and execution of void reactivity coefficient measurements in the EUCLID experiment, performed on the Planet vertical lift critical assembly machine at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Two different base configurations were designed and measured, one with high neutron leakage, and one with low neutron leakage. Both were primarily made up of plutonium metal (Zero Power Physics Reactor plates) without interstitial moderators and reflected by half-inch aluminum. Design optimization showed that void reactivity coefficient measurements in three locations per configuration was most impactful to reduce nuclear data uncertainties due to the varying impacts from elastic and inelastic scattering, as well as fission and capture. The locations for measurements were chosen based on preliminary studies which balanced measurement uncertainty and measurement practicality. The measurements were also selected to have sensitivities maximally complementary to previous arrangements. Comparisons across nuclear data libraries highlight the potential impact.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Simplified cyclic structural analyses of SSME turbine blades

Anisotropic high-temperature alloys are used to meet the safety and durability requirements of turbine blades for high-pressure turbopumps in reusable space propulsion systems. The applicability to anisotropic components of a simplified inelastic structural analysis procedure developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center is assessed. The procedure uses as input the history of the total strain at the critical crack initiation location computed from elastic finite-element analyses. Cyclic heat transfer and structural analyses are performed for the first stage high-pressure fuel turbopump blade of the space shuttle main engine. The blade alloy is directionally solidified MAR-M 246 (nickel base). The analyses are based on a typical test stand engine cycle. Stress-strain histories for the airfoil critical location are computed using both the MARC nonlinear finite-element computer code and the simplified procedure. Additional cases are analyzed in which the material yield strength is arbitrarily reduced to increase the plastic strains and, therefore, the severity of the problem. Good agreement is shown between the predicted stress-strain solutions from the two methods. The simplified analysis uses about 0.02 percent (5 percent with the required elastic finite-element analyses) of the CPU time used by the nonlinear finite element analysis.

Kaufman, A.↗