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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Advances in heavy alkaline earth chemistry provide insight into complexation of weakly polarizing Ra 2+ , Ba 2+ , and Sr 2+ cations

Numerous technologies—with catalytic, therapeutic, and diagnostic applications—would benefit from improved chelation strategies for heavy alkaline earth elements: Ra 2+ , Ba 2+ , and Sr 2+ . Unfortunately, chelating these metals is challenging because of their large size and weak polarizing power. We found 18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid (H 4 COCO) bound Ra 2+ , Ba 2+ , and Sr 2+ to form M(H x COCO) x–2 . Upon isolating radioactive 223 Ra from its parent radionuclides ( 227 Ac and 227 Th), 223 Ra 2+ reacted with the fully deprotonated COCO 4- chelator to generate Ra(COCO) 2- (aq) (log K Ra(COCO)2- = 5.97 ± 0.01), a rare example of a molecular radium complex. Comparative analyses with Sr 2+ and Ba 2+ congeners informed on what attributes engendered success in heavy alkaline earth complexation. Chelators with high negative charge [-4 for Ra(COCO) 2- (aq) ] and many donor atoms [≥11 in Ra(COCO) 2- (aq) ] provided a framework for stable complex formation. These conditions achieved steric saturation and overcame the weak polarization powers associated with these large dicationic metals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Weak binding effects on the structure of 40 Mg

We report while the phenomenon of one- and two-neutron ground-state halo nuclei is well established, the effects of weak binding on nuclear excitation properties remain largely unexplored. Motivated by this question and by recent data in 40 Mg we investigate the coupling of weakly bound (halo) valence neutrons to a core using the known properties of 40 Mg to explore and illustrate possible particle-core coupling schemes and their impact on the low-lying excitation spectrum.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Impact of Topography on the Environment and Life Cycle of Weakly and Strongly Forced MCSs during RELAMPAGO

Intense deep convection and large mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are known to occur downstream of the Andes in subtropical South America. Deep convection is often focused along the Sierras de Córdoba (SDC) in the afternoon and then rapidly grows upscale and moves to the east overnight. However, how the Andes and SDC impact the life cycle of MCSs under varying synoptic conditions is not well understood. Two sets of terrain-modification experiments using WRF are used to investigate the impact of topography in different synoptic regimes. The first set is run on the 13–14 December 2018 MCS case from RELAMPAGO, which featured a deep synoptic trough, strong lee cyclogenesis near the SDC, an enhanced low-level jet, and rapid upscale growth of an MCS. When the Andes are reduced by 50%, the lee cyclone and low-level jet that develop are weaker than with the full Andes, and the resulting MCS is weak and moves faster to the east. When the SDC are removed, few differences between the environment and resulting MCS relative to the control run are seen. A second set of experiments are run on the 25–26 January 2019 case in which a large MCS developed over the SDC and remained tied there for an extended period under weak synoptic forcing. Finally, the experiment that produces the most similar MCS to the control is when the Andes are reduced by 50% while maintaining the height of the SDC, suggesting the SDC may play a more important role in the MCS life cycle under quiescent synoptic conditions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Simultaneous measurements of forward Thomson scattering and rotational Raman scattering in a weakly ionized plasma

This paper demonstrates a simultaneous Thomson scattering and rotational Raman scattering spectroscopy in a weakly ionized plasma in air. Thomson scattering was collected in the forward scattering direction, in order to compress the relative spectra width of Thomson scattering from the plasma. Simultaneous measurements of rotational Raman scattering were obtained in the same direction, which was not affected by the collection angles. The measurements thus yielded electron temperature (T e ) and electron number density (n e ) as well as gas temperature in a weakly ionized atmospheric pressure plasma. The separation of rotational Raman scattering and Thomson scattering occurred when the scattering angle decreased to 20 degrees in the plasma, where the air temperature was found to be 150 ± 25 °C, and electron temperature of the plasma was 0.587 ± 0.087 eV, and electron number density was (1.608 ± 0.416) × 1021 m-3. The technique could be used for various plasma and combustion diagnostics in realistic engineering environments.

He, Zichen (ORCID:0000000183159882)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Tipping points emerge from weak mutualism in metacommunities

The coexistence of obligate mutualists is often precariously close to tipping points where small environmental changes can drive catastrophic shifts in species composition. For example, microbial ecosystems can collapse by the decline of a strain that provides an essential resource on which other strains cross-feed. Here, we show that tipping points, ecosystem collapse, bistability and hysteresis arise even with very weak (non-obligate) mutualism provided the population is spatially structured. Based on numeric solutions of a metacommunity model and mean-field analyses, we demonstrate that weak mutualism lowers the minimal dispersal rate necessary to avoid stochastic extinction, while species need to overcome a mean threshold density to survive in this low dispersal rate regime. Our results allow us to make numerous predictions for mutualistic metacommunities regarding tipping points, hysteresis effects, and recovery from external perturbations, and let us draw general conclusions for ecosystems even with random, not necessarily mutualistic, interactions and systems with density-dependent dispersal rather than direct mutualistic interactions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Effect of Splashback on Weak Lensing Mass Estimates of Galaxy Clusters and Groups

The splashback radius of a dark matter halo, which corresponds to the first apocenter radius reached by infalling matter and substructures, has been detected around galaxy clusters using a multitude of observational methods, including weak lensing measurements. In this manuscript, we present how the splashback feature in the halo density profile affects galaxy cluster masses derived through weak lensing measurements if it is not accounted for. We find that the splashback radius has an increasingly large effect on group-sized halos towards $M_{200m} \sim 10^{13.5} \mathrm{M_\odot}$. Depending on the model and the radial scale used, the cluster/group masses can be biased low by more than 0.1 dex. This bias, in turn, would result in a slightly lower $\Omega_m$ value if propagated into a cluster cosmology analysis. The splashback effect with group-sized dark matter halos may become important to consider, given the increasingly stringent cosmological constraints coming from optical wide-field surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Weak Gravitational Lensing of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies in the Dark Energy Year 3 Catalog

We present galaxy-galaxy lensing measurements of a sample of low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs) drawn from the Dark Energy Survey Year 3 (Y3) data. LSBGs are diffuse galaxies with a surface brightness dimmer than the ambient night sky. Given their faintness, the use of standard observational techniques proves challenging. Weak gravitational lensing probes both the baryonic and dark matter content of galaxies, rendering it a powerful technique to estimate LSBG masses. The LSBG lens sample consists of 23, 790 total extended galaxies separated into red and blue color types at \(g-i\ge 0.60\) and \(g-i\le 0.60\), respectively. We use the Y3 \sc{metacalibration} shape catalog as the source sample, with a number density of \(5.59 \mathrm{gal}/\mathrm{arcmin}^2\). We measure the tangential shear around the lens galaxies across angular scales of \(0.25-400\) arcmin and find a signal-to-noise of 6.67 for red galaxies, 2.17 for blue galaxies, and 5.30 for the total sample. We fit a model built from two NFW profiles corresponding to the LSBG dark matter subhalo and host halo to the red LSBG shear measurements with an MCMC. We estimate the host halo mass at \(7.3 ^{+2.0}_{-1.6}\times 10^{12} M_\mathrm{\odot}\). We place a 95\% upper bound on the subhalo mass at \(3\times 10^{11} M_\mathrm{\odot}\). We utilize the lens sample photometry to obtain an estimate of the red LSBG stellar mass distribution. We compare the ratio between the stellar mass and the subhalo mass to the parameterized, satellite-specific SHMR. This work represents the first example of an attempted constraint on the masses of LSBGs using weak gravitational lensing.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Guidance to Defeat Systematic OT Weaknesses

This research summary outlines the University of Illinois Information Trust Institute (ITI) team's evaluation of whether applying the 12 Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Principles could reduce or eliminate weaknesses identified by the SEI-ETF in engineered systems. ITI's findings suggest that applying CIE principles to weaknesses in MITRE CWE View 1358 can potentially mitigate or eliminate those vulnerabilities.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

All-optical, Microwave-free NV-Diamond Magnetometer for Weak Magnetic Field Environments

Sensitive nitrogen-vacancy (NV) magnetometry typically requires a bias field to lift the spin level degeneracy and has commonly utilized microwave sources to selectively manipulate the sensor's spin state. However, this external bias field and microwave sources may perturb the sample of interest or be incompatible with operational conditions. Here, we demonstrate an all-optical, microwave-free NV-diamond magnetometer in the presence of weak or no bias magnetic field (<20 G). We experimentally measure photoluminescence spectra using diamonds with varying NV concentrations; and numerically simulate matching features due to cross-relaxation between NVs. Our results pave the way towards a sensitive probe to study magnetic systems that can be disrupted by microwave signals and can only tolerate weak bias magnetic field.

Ung, Kristine↗
DOE OSTI2023

Search for Weak Side Branches in the Electromagnetic Decay Paths of the 6526-keV 10 + Isomer in 54 Fe

High-spin nuclear isomers in $N≈Z$ nuclei between doubly magic 40 Ca and 56 Ni provide an excellent testing ground for the nuclear shell model and questions related to isospin symmetry breaking in the vicinity of the proton drip line. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the possibility of weak electromagnetic decay branches along the decay paths of the 6526-keV 10 + isomer in 54 Fe. The isomer was strongly populated by means of the fusion-evaporation reaction 24 Mg( 36 Ar,$α$2$p$) 54$m$ Fe. The Gammasphere array was used to detect $γ$-ray cascades emitted from the isomeric state. By means of $γγγ$ coincidences, weak non-yrast decay branches can be discriminated, with the isomer’s half-life confirmed at $T$ 1/2 = 363 (4) ns. The yrast ${6}_{1}^{+}$ → ${2}_{1}^{+}$ $E4$ cross-over transition was interrogated. The observations are compared with shell-model calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Optimizing Simulation Parameters for Weak Lensing Analyses Involving Non-Gaussian Observables

We performed a series of numerical experiments to quantify the sensitivity of the predictions for weak lensing statistics obtained in ray-tracing dark matter (DM)-only simulations, to two hyper-parameters that influence the accuracy as well as the computational cost of the predictions: the thickness of the lens planes used to build past light cones and the mass resolution of the underlying DM simulation. The statistics considered are the power spectrum (PS) and a series of non-Gaussian observables, including the one-point probability density function, lensing peaks, and Minkowski functionals. Counterintuitively, we find that using thin lens planes (< 60 h {sup −1} Mpc on a 240 h {sup −1} Mpc simulation box) suppresses the PS over a broad range of scales beyond what would be acceptable for a survey comparable to the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). A mass resolution of 7.2 × 10{sup 11} h {sup −1} M {sub ⊙} per DM particle (or 256{sup 3} particles in a (240 h {sup −1} Mpc){sup 3} box) is sufficient to extract information using the PS and non-Gaussian statistics from weak lensing data at angular scales down to 1′ with LSST-like levels of shape noise.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Igniting Weak Interactions in Neutron Star Postmerger Accretion Disks

The merger of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole typically results in the formation of a postmerger accretion disk. Outflows from disks may dominate the overall ejecta from mergers and be a major source of r-process nuclei in our universe. We explore the parameter space of such disks and their outflows and r-process yields by performing 3D general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations with weak interactions and approximate neutrino transport. We discuss the mapping between the initial binary parameters and the parameter space of the resulting disks, chiefly characterized by their initial accretion rate. We demonstrate the existence of an ignition threshold for weak interactions at around ~10 -3 M⊙ s -1 for typical parameters by means of analytic calculations and numerical simulations. We find a degenerate, self-regulated, neutrino-cooled regime above the threshold and an advection-dominated regime below the threshold. Excess heating in the absence of neutrino cooling below the threshold leads to ≳60% of the initial disk mass being ejected in outflows, with typical velocities of ~(0.1–0.2)c, compared to ≲40% at ~(0.1–0.15)c above the threshold. While disks below the threshold show suppressed production of light r-process elements, disks above the threshold can produce the entire range of r-process elements, in good agreement with the observed solar system abundances. Disks below the ignition threshold may produce an overabundance of actinides seen in actinide-boost stars. As gravitational-wave detectors start to sample the neutron star merger parameter space, different disk realizations may be observable via their associated kilonova emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mechanism for the Efficient Homogeneous Nucleation of Ice in a Weakly Ionized, Ultracold Plasma

Abstract It is proposed that the rapid observed homogeneous nucleation of ice dust in a cold, weakly ionized plasma depends on the formation of hydroxide (OH − ) by fast electrons impacting water molecules. These OH − ions attract neutral water molecules because of the high dipole moment of the water molecules and so hydrates of the form (OH) − (H 2 O) n are formed. The hydrates continuously grow in the cold environment to become macroscopic ice grains. These ice grains are negatively charged as a result of electron impact and so continue to attract water molecules. Because hydroxide is a negative ion, unlike positive ions, it does not suffer recombination loss from collision with plasma electrons. Recombination with positive ions is minimal because positive ions are few in number (weak ionization) and slow-moving as result of being in thermal equilibrium with the cold background gas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

LoVoCCS. II. Weak Lensing Mass Distributions, Red-sequence Galaxy Distributions, and Their Alignment with the Brightest Cluster Galaxy in 58 Nearby X-Ray-luminous Galaxy Clusters

The Local Volume Complete Cluster Survey is an ongoing program to observe nearly a hundred low-redshift X-ray-luminous galaxy clusters (redshifts 0.03 < z < 0.12 and X-ray luminosities in the 0.1–2.4 keV band L X500c > 10 44 erg s −1 ) with the Dark Energy Camera, capturing data in the u, g, r, i, z bands with a 5σ point source depth of approximately 25th–26th AB magnitudes. Here, we map the aperture masses in 58 galaxy cluster fields using weak gravitational lensing. These clusters span a variety of dynamical states, from nearly relaxed to merging systems, and approximately half of them have not been subject to detailed weak lensing analysis before. In each cluster field, we analyze the alignment between the 2D mass distribution described by the aperture mass map, the 2D red-sequence (RS) galaxy distribution, and the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG). We find that the orientations of the BCG and the RS distribution are strongly aligned throughout the interiors of the clusters: the median misalignment angle is 19° within 2 Mpc. We also observe the alignment between the orientations of the RS distribution and the overall cluster mass distribution (by a median difference of 32° within 1 Mpc), although this is constrained by galaxy shape noise and the limitations of our cluster sample size. These types of alignment suggest long-term dynamical evolution within the clusters over cosmic timescales.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

First Measurement of 87 Rb( α , xn ) Cross Sections at Weak r -process Energies in Supernova ν -driven Ejecta to Investigate Elemental Abundances in Low-metallicity Stars

Observed abundances of Z ∼ 40 elements in metal-poor stars vary from star to star, indicating that the rapid and slow neutron capture processes may not contribute alone to the synthesis of elements beyond iron. The weak r-process was proposed to produce Z ∼ 40 elements in a subset of old stars. Thought to occur in the ν-driven ejecta of a core-collapse supernova, ( α, xn ) reactions would drive the nuclear flow toward heavier masses at T = 2−5 GK. However, current comparisons between modeled and observed yields do not bring satisfactory insights into the stellar environment, mainly due to the uncertainties of the nuclear physics inputs where the dispersion in a given reaction rate often exceeds 1 order of magnitude. Involved rates are calculated with the statistical model where the choice of an α -optical-model potential ( α OMP) leads to such a poor precision. The first experiment on 87 Rb( α, xn ) reactions at weak r -process energies is reported here. Total inclusive cross sections were assessed at E c.m. = 8.1−13 MeV (3.7−7.6 GK) with the active target MUlti-Sampling Ionization Chamber. With an N = 50 seed nucleus, the measured values agree with statistical model estimates using the α OMP Atomki-V2. A reevaluated reaction rate was incorporated into new nucleosynthesis calculations, focusing on ν-driven ejecta conditions known to be sensitive to this specific rate. These conditions were found to fail to reproduce the lighter heavy element abundances in metal-poor stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low-metallicity Nova Explosions: A Site for Weak rp -process Nucleosynthesis

Classical novae are common cataclysmic events involving a binary system of a white dwarf and a main-sequence or red giant companion star. In metal-poor environments, these explosions produce ejecta differently from their solar counterparts due to the accretion of subsolar-metallicity material onto the white dwarf. In particular, it has been suggested that the nucleosynthesis flow in such low-metallicity nova explosions extends up to the Cu–Zn region, much beyond the expected endpoint, around Ca, predicted for solar-metallicity classical novae. This behavior resembles a weak rp-process, and such nuclear activity has never been observed in accreting white dwarf binaries with typical accretion flows. In this work, we study the characteristics of the weak rp-process for four nova models with metallicities Z = 2 × 10 −9 , 10 −7 , 2 × 10 −6 , and 2 × 10 −5 , and explore the impact of the nuclear physics uncertainties via a Monte Carlo sensitivity study. We identify nuclear reactions whose uncertainties affect the production of intermediate-mass nuclei under these conditions. These reactions and relevant nuclear quantities are targets for measurements at stable or radioactive beam facilities to reduce their rate uncertainties.

Classical novae↗
DOE OSTI2025

Weak Form Scientific Machine Learning: Test Function Construction for System Identification

Weak form Scientific Machine Learning (WSciML) is a recently developed framework for data-driven modeling and scientific discovery. It leverages the weak form of equation error residuals to provide enhanced noise robustness in system identification via convolving model equations with test functions, reformulating the problem to avoid direct differentiation of data. The performance, however, relies on wisely choosing a set of compactly supported test functions. In this work, we mathematically motivate a novel data-driven method for constructing Single-scale-Local reference functions for creating the set of test functions. Our approach numerically approximates the integration error introduced by the quadrature and identifies the support size for which the error is minimal, without requiring access to the model parameter values. Through numerical experiments across various models, noise levels, and temporal resolutions, we demonstrate that the selected supports consistently align with regions of minimal parameter estimation error. We also compare the proposed method against the strategy for constructing Multi-scale-Global (and orthogonal) test functions introduced in our prior work, demonstrating the improved computational efficiency.

FOS: Computer and information sciences↗