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At least 253 records · Page 14

Stability of mixing layers

The research program for the first year of this project (see the original research proposal) consists of developing an explicit marching scheme for solving the parabolized stability equations (PSE). Performing mathematical analysis of the computational algorithm including numerical stability analysis and the determination of the proper boundary conditions needed at the boundary of the computation domain are implicit in the task. Before one can solve the parabolized stability equations for high-speed mixing layers, the mean flow must first be found. In the past, instability analysis of high-speed mixing layer has mostly been performed on mean flow profiles calculated by the boundary layer equations. In carrying out this project, it is believed that the boundary layer equations might not give an accurate enough nonparallel, nonlinear mean flow needed for parabolized stability analysis. A more accurate mean flow can, however, be found by solving the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations. The advantage of the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations is that its accuracy is consistent with the PSE method. Furthermore, the method of solution is similar. Hence, the major part of the effort of the work of this year has been devoted to the development of an explicit numerical marching scheme for the solution of the Parabolized Navier-Stokes equation as applied to the high-seed mixing layer problem.

Tam, Christopher↗

NASA Ocean Altimeter Pathfinder Project: Data Set Validation - Report 2

The NOAA/NASA Pathfinder program was created by the Earth Observing System (EOS) Program Office to determine how existing satellite-based data sets can be processed and used to study global change. The data sets are designed to be long time-series data processed with stable calibration and community consensus algorithms to better assist the research community. The Ocean Altimeter Pathfinder Project involves the reprocessing of all altimeter observations with a consistent set of improved algorithms, based on the results from TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P), into easy-to-use data sets for the oceanographic community for climate research. Details are currently presented in two technical reports: Report# 1: Data Processing Handbook Report #2: Data Set Validation This report describes the validation of the data sets against a global network of high quality tide gauge measurements and provides an estimate of the error budget. The first report describes the processing schemes used to produce the geodetic consistent data set comprised of SEASAT, GEOSAT, ERS-1, TOPEX/ POSEIDON, and ERS-2 satellite observations.

Koblinsky, C. J.↗

A Radiometric Consistent Spectral Fingerprinting Algorithm for Continuity Products of Hyperspectral Sounders

A radiometric consistent climate fingerprinting methodology has been developed to derive long-term temperature, water vapor, cloud, trace gases, and surface skin temperature anomaly time series from the hyper-spectral sounder measurements of multiple platforms. The spectral fingerprinting methodology requires the use of radiative kernels that are radiometrically consistent with observations. Radiative kernels are built using space-time averaged Jacobians that are physically retrieved from observations under all sky conditions. The physical retrieval algorithm uses the Principal Component based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM) for the forward simulation. The incorporation of multiple scattering simulation in PCRTM allows the direct radiative relationship between single field-of-view (FOV) radiance observations and corresponding thermal dynamic variables including cloud properties to be established. Therefore, radiance ?closure? can be achieved under all-sky conditions by the fingerprinting scheme. This methodology has been used to derive climate anomalies from the space-time averaged spectra of AIRS/AMSU and CrIS/ATMS. The use of a consistent fingerprinting scheme provides an effective mean of generating continuity product by merging observations from different platforms and therefore facilitating the long-term climate trend study.

Wan Wu↗

Optimization-Based Model Reduction Scheme for Renewable Energy Power Plants Using Standardized Testing Scenarios

This paper presents an optimization-based model reduction scheme for renewable energy (RE) power plants consisting of inverter-based resources (IBRs) operating in grid-following (GFL) or grid-forming (GFM) modes. More importantly, the datasets feeding the optimization-based model reduction scheme are generated and re-used through the standardized grid-interactive testing scenarios. Particularly, the proposed scheme makes use of the power plant point of common coupling (PCC) measurements of various quantities specified by standardized tests (e.g., voltage and frequency ride through) as per IEEE 2800, to estimate the parameters of the reduced-order model such that its dynamic performance aligns with the original detailed power plant model. The proposed model reduction approach does not require the parameters of individual IBRs and using standardized test data as input to the formulated optimization problem simplifies the reduced-order modelling scheme. Extensive case studies following standardized test scenarios verified the remarkable accuracy of the proposed approach.

Yallamilli, Ram S. [Purdue University]↗

The Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC 2 ) v1.1: an open-source ground-based lidar and radar instrument simulator and subcolumn generator for large-scale models

Abstract. Climate models are essential for our comprehensive understanding of Earth's atmosphere and can provide critical insights on future changes decades ahead. Because of these critical roles, today's climate models are continuously being developed and evaluated using constraining observations and measurements obtained by satellites, airborne, and ground-based instruments. Instrument simulators can provide a bridge between the measured or retrieved quantities and their sampling in models and field observations while considering instrument sensitivity limitations. Here we present the Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC2), an open-source ground-based lidar and radar instrument simulator and subcolumn generator, specifically designed for large-scale models, in particular climate models, but also applicable to high-resolution model output. EMC2 provides a flexible framework enabling direct comparison of model output with ground-based observations, including generation of subcolumns that may statistically represent finer model spatial resolutions. In addition, EMC2 emulates ground-based (and air- or space-borne) measurements while remaining faithful to large-scale models' physical assumptions implemented in their cloud or radiation schemes. The simulator uses either single particle or bulk particle size distribution lookup tables, depending on the selected scheme approach, to perform the forward calculations. To facilitate model evaluation, EMC2 also includes three hydrometeor classification methods, namely, radar- and sounding-based cloud and precipitation detection and classification, lidar-based phase classification, and a Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project Observational Simulator Package (COSP) lidar simulator emulator. The software is written in Python, is easy to use, and can be straightforwardly customized for different models, radars, and lidars. Following the description of the logic, functionality, features, and software structure of EMC2, we present a case study of highly supercooled mixed-phase cloud based on measurements from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE). We compare observations with the application of EMC2 to outputs from four configurations of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) climate model (ModelE3) in single-column model (SCM) mode and from a large-eddy simulation (LES) model. We show that two of the four ModelE3 configurations can form and maintain highly supercooled precipitating cloud for several hours, consistent with observations and LES. While our focus is on one of these ModelE3 configurations, which performed slightly better in this case study, both of these configurations and the LES results post-processed with EMC2 generally provide reasonable agreement with observed lidar and radar variables. As briefly demonstrated here, EMC2 can provide a lightweight and flexible framework for comparing the results of both large-scale and high-resolution models directly with observations, with relatively little overhead and multiple options for achieving consistency with model microphysical or radiation scheme physics.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC2) v1.1: An Open-Source Ground-Based Lidar and Radar Instrument Simulator and Subcolumn Generator for Large-Scale Models

Climate models are essential for our comprehensive understanding of Earth's atmosphere and can provide critical insights on future changes decades ahead. Because of these critical roles, today's climate models are continuously being developed and evaluated using constraining observations and measurements obtained by satellites, airborne, and ground-based instruments. Instrument simulators can provide a bridge between the measured or retrieved quantities and their sampling in models and field observations while considering instrument sensitivity limitations. Here we present the Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC2), an open-source ground-based lidar and radar instrument simulator and subcolumn generator, specifically designed for large-scale models, in particular climate models, but also applicable to high-resolution model output. EMC2 provides a flexible framework enabling direct comparison of model output with ground-based observations, including generation of subcolumns that may statistically represent finer model spatial resolutions. In addition, EMC2 emulates ground-based (and air- or space-borne) measurements while remaining faithful to large-scale models' physical assumptions implemented in their cloud or radiation schemes. The simulator uses either single particle or bulk particle size distribution lookup tables, depending on the selected scheme approach, to perform the forward calculations. To facilitate model evaluation, EMC2 also includes three hydrometeor classification methods, namely, radar- and sounding-based cloud and precipitation detection and classification, lidar-based phase classification, and a Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project Observational Simulator Package (COSP) lidar simulator emulator. The software is written in Python, is easy to use, and can be straightforwardly customized for different models, radars, and lidars. Following the description of the logic, functionality, features, and software structure of EMC2, we present a case study of highly supercooled mixed-phase cloud based on measurements from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE). We compare observations with the application of EMC2 to outputs from four configurations of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) climate model (ModelE3) in single-column model (SCM) mode and from a large-eddy simulation (LES) model. We show that two of the four ModelE3 configurations can form and maintain highly supercooled precipitating cloud for several hours, consistent with observations and LES. While our focus is on one of these ModelE3 configurations, which performed slightly better in this case study, both of these configurations and the LES results post-processed with EMC2 generally provide reasonable agreement with observed lidar and radar variables. As briefly demonstrated here, EMC2 can provide a lightweight and flexible framework for comparing the results of both large-scale and high-resolution models directly with observations, with relatively little overhead and multiple options for achieving consistency with model microphysical or radiation scheme physics.

Earth Model Column Collaboratory↗

Evaluating Implementations of the Immersed Boundary Method in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model

The terrain-following coordinate system used by many atmospheric models can cause numerical instabilities due to discretization errors as resolved terrain slopes increase and the grid becomes highly skewed. The immersed boundary (IB) method, which does not require the grid to conform to the terrain, has been shown to alleviate these errors, and has been used successfully for high-resolution atmospheric simulations over steep terrain, including vertical building surfaces. Since many previous applications of IB methods to atmospheric models have used very fine grid resolution (5 m or less), the present study seeks to evaluate IB method performance over a range of grid resolutions and aspect ratios. Two classes of IB algorithms, velocity reconstruction and shear stress reconstruction, are tested within the common framework of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Performance is evaluated in two test cases, one with flat terrain and the other with the topography of Askervein Hill, both under neutrally stratified conditions. WRF-IB results are compared to similarity theory, observations, and native WRF results. Despite sensitivity to the location at which the IB intersects the model grid, the velocity reconstruction IB method shows consistent performance when used with a hybrid RANS/LES surface scheme. The shear stress reconstruction IB method is not sensitive to the grid intersection, but is less consistent and near-surface velocity errors can occur at coarse resolutions. This study represents an initial investigation of IB method variability across grid resolutions in WRF. Future work will focus on improving IB method performance at intermediate to coarse resolutions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Comparing numerical accuracy and stability for different horizontal discretizations in MPAS-Ocean

This manuscript investigates the effectiveness of two possible horizontal discretizations for the global ocean model MPAS-Ocean, both applied to Spherical Centroidal Voronoi Tessellations (SCVTs). The first discretization is TRiSK, a C-grid, finite-volume method, that possesses many desirable mimetic properties, but has a low order accuracy. The second discretization was introduced for the first time by Peixoto (2016), and consists of modifications to the TRiSK scheme designed to achieve at least first-order accuracy in the L ∞ norm, with the loss of some of the mimetic properties. Tests on shallow-water and primitive-equation models show that the scheme due to Peixoto is indeed more accurate, but presents stability issues with respect to TRiSK. Here, TRiSK is indeed found to be often more stable in time and more robust with respect to errors in the geometric properties of the grid.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

On the discretization error of the discrete generalized quantum master equation

The transfer tensor method (TTM) [Cerrillo and Cao, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112 , 110401 (2014)] can be considered a discrete-time formulation of the Nakajima–Zwanzig quantum master equation (NZ-QME) for modeling non-Markovian quantum dynamics. A recent paper [Makri, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 21 , 5037 (2025)] raised concerns regarding the consistency of the TTM discretization, particularly a spurious term at the initial time t = 0. Here, this work presents a detailed analysis of the discretization structure of the TTM, clarifying the origin of the initial-time correction and establishing a consistent relationship between the TTM discrete-time memory kernel K N and the continuous-time NZ-QME kernel $\mathscr{K}$( N Δ t ). This relationship is validated numerically using the spin-boson model, demonstrating convergence of reconstructed memory kernels and accurate dynamical evolution as Δ t → 0. While the TTM provides a consistent discretization, we note that alternative schemes are also viable, such as the midpoint derivative/midpoint integral scheme proposed in Makri’s work. The relative performance of various schemes for either computing accurate $\mathscr{K}$( N Δ t ) from exact dynamics or obtaining accurate dynamics from exact $\mathscr{K}$( N Δ t ) warrants further investigation.

Density-matrix↗

A Step Towards Machine Learning-based Coherent Generator Grouping for Emergency Control Applications in Modern Power Grid

A dynamic neural network (NN) based multi-class classifier is proposed for improving online prediction of coherent generator groups (CGGs), following the occurrences of various contingencies in the power grid. This is motivated by the increasing availability of the measurements from phasor measurement units (PMUs) and the number of grouping schemes is limited. The proposed method consists of three steps. First, by performing offline simulations, a library of system dynamic responses characterized by post-contingency rotor angles and speeds of individual generators is obtained. To generate sufficient data, up to N-2 contingencies and the uncertain parameters associated with the power grid including type and location of disturbance and fault clearing times are modeled. Secondly, the training data-set is produced by generating labels for individual contingencies using a hierarchical clustering method based on rotor angle and speed data. Lastly, the dynamic NN models are trained for online applications such as emergency controls and controlled islanding. The proposed method is tested on the standard 16-generator 68-bus system to demonstrate its performance. Furthermore, the impact of the sample data lengths on the CGG numbers is evaluated. It is interesting to observe that the time domain stability behaviors can be determined by examining the changes in the CGG numbers.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Plasma-assisted atomic layer etching of single-crystal diamond

Applications of near-surface nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are often limited by surface defects created during processing. Understanding and controlling plasma-induced surface damage is important for preserving the optical and spin properties of diamond NV centers. We report molecular dynamics simulations of a novel form of plasma-aided atomic layer etching of diamond. In this proposed scheme, the initial surface modification step consists of Ar + ion bombardment. This creates an amorphous layer at the surface, the thickness of which is controlled by the ion energy. Amorphization is known to help smooth the surface, at least locally, and would also serve to sputter clean an initially contaminated surface. A second step impacts the amorphous carbon layer with O + between about 1 and 5 eV. Simulations show that this energy range will remove the amorphous carbon but will not etch the underlying diamond. Though this energy range is not trivial to achieve in a conventional low-temperature plasma, potential methods for creating these low-energy O + ions are discussed. In addition to a-C etching, the O + impacts are predicted to remove any isolated (100) diamond terraces by selectively attacking the edges of the terraces. The proposed atomic layer etching (ALE) approach reverses the conventional ALE sequence in which the surface modification step is usually chemical modification (oxidation in this case), followed by a removal step using Ar + impacts. This plasma ALE procedure is predicted to create a diamond surface that is atomically flat and defect free.

Draney, J. S. [Princeton University, NJ (United St↗

Background-field Method and QCD Factorization

One method for deriving a factorization for QCD processes is to use successive integration over fields in the functional integral. In this approach, we separate the fields into two categories: dynamical fields with momenta above a relevant cutoff, and background fields with momenta below the cutoff. The dynamical fields are then integrated out in the background of the low-momentum background fields. This strategy works well at tree level, allowing us to quickly derive QCD factorization formulas at leading order. However, to extend the approach to higher loops, it is necessary to rigorously define the functional integral over dynamical fields in an arbitrary background field. This framework was carefully developed for the calculation of the effective action in a background field at the two-loop level in the classic paper by Abbott «The Background Field Method Beyond One Loop», Nucl. Phys. B 185 , 189 (1981). Building on this work, I specify the renormalized background-field Lagrangian and define the notion of the quantum average of an operator in a background field, consistent with the “separation of scales” scheme mentioned earlier. As examples, I discuss the evolution of the twist-2 gluon light-ray operator and the one-loop gluon propagator in a background field near the light cone.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A viscous flow analysis of the tip vortex generation process

A viscous primary-secondary flow analysis designed for numerical solution by forward marching integration is applied to the tip vortex generation problem. Equations governing streamwise momentum, streamwise vorticity, and a gas law are solved in conjunction with equations governing scalar and vector surface potentials for the secondary velocities. The numerical method used combines a consistently split linearized block implicit (LBI) scheme for parabolic equations and a scalar iterative ADI scheme for elliptic equations. Computed results are presented for a wing of rectangular planform immersed in a high Reynolds number stream at 6 degrees incidence. The physical mechanism for generation of the tip vortex, as revealed by the analysis and computations, is discussed. Detailed flow results for the case of 6 degree incidence are included.

Shamroth, S. J.↗

Solution of three-dimensional time-dependent viscous flows

A procedure for solving three-dimensional, time-dependent turbulent flows is presented. The consistently split Linearized Block Implicit (LBI) scheme is used in conjunction with the QR Operator scheme to solve an approximate form of the Navier-Stokes equations in generalized nonorthogonal coordinates employing physical velocity components. Results of computations for both second order finite differences and the fourth order generalized Operator Compact Implicit (OCI) schemes are presented.

Weinberg, B. C.↗

A solution procedure for two- and three-dimensional unsteady viscous flows

An efficient computational procedure for solving three-dimensional unsteady turbulent flows is described. The consistently split Linearized Block Implicit (LBI) scheme is used in conjunction with the QR operator scheme to solve an approximate form of the Navier-Stokes equations in generalized nonorthogonal coordinates employing physical velocity components. As a demonstration calculation the turbulent oscillating flow over a flat plate corresponding to the experiment of Karlsson is considered in both two and three dimensions. New inflow boundary conditions are proposed which yield physically plausible solutions near the upstream boundary. The results obtained agree both qualitatively and quantitatively with Karlsson's data and shed new light on the controversy concerning the interpretation of the skin friction phase angle as a function of reduced frequency.

Weinberg, B. C.↗

Overset grids in compressible flow

Numerical experiments have been performed to investigate the importance of boundary data handling with overset grids in computational fluid dynamics. Experience in using embedded grid techniques in compressible flow has shown that shock waves which cross grid boundaries become ill defined and convergence is generally degraded. Numerical boundary schemes were studied to investigate the cause of these problems and a viable solution was generated using the method of characteristics to define a boundary scheme. The model test problem investigated consisted of a detached shock wave on a 2-dimensional Mach 2 blunt, cylindrical body.

Eberhardt, S.↗

Study of optical techniques for the Ames unitary wind tunnels. Part 1: Schlieren

Alignment procedures and conceptual designs for the rapid alignment of the Ames Unitary Wind Tunnel schlieren systems were devised. The schlieren systems can be aligned by translating the light source, the mirrors, and the knife edge equal distances. One design for rapid alignment consists of a manual pin locking scheme. The other is a motorized electronic position scheme. A study of two optical concepts which can be used with the schlieren system was made. These are the 'point diffraction interferometers' and the 'focus schlieren'. Effects of vibrations were studied.

Lee, George↗

Diurnal heating and cloudiness in the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM2)

In this paper, the authors assess the suitability of the heating fileds in the latest version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model (CCM2) for modeling the thermal forcing of atmospheric tides. Accordingly, diurnal variations of the surface pressure, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), cloudiness, and precipitation are examined in the CCM2. The fields of radiative, sensible, and latent heating are similarly analyzed. These results are subjectively compared with available data. Equatorial diurnal surface pressure tides are fairly well simulated by CCM2. The model successfully reproduces the semidiurnal surface pressure tides; however, this may result in part from reflection of wave energy at the upper boundary. The CCM2 large-scale diurnal OLR is generally consistent with observations. The moist-convective scheme in the model is able to reproduce the diurnally varying cloudiness and precipitation patterns associated with land-sea contrasts; however, the amplitudes of CCM2 diurnal continental convective cloudiness are weaker than observations. The CCM2 boundary-layer sensible heating is consistent with a very limited set of observations, and with estimates obtained from simple models of diffusive heating. Although the CCM2 tropospheric solar radiative heating is similar in magnitude to previous estimates, there are substantial differences in the vertical structures. A definitive assessment of the validity of the CCM2 diurnal cycle is precluded by the lack of detailed observations and the limitations of our CCM2 sample. Nevertheless, the authors conclude that the global-scale components of the CCM2 diurnal heating are useful proxies for the true diurnal forcing of the tides.

Lieberman, Ruth S.↗