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At least 415 records · Page 23

Hunting extreme BL Lacertae blazars with Fermi-Large Area Telescope

ABSTRACT The emission of very-high-energy (VHE) photons ($E\ \gt\ 100\ \mathrm{GeV}$) in blazars is closely connected to the production of ultra-relativistic particles and the role of these γ-ray sources as cosmic particle accelerators. This work focuses on a selection of 22 γ-ray objects from the 2BIGB catalogue of high-synchrotron-peaked sources, which are classified as blazar candidates of uncertain type in the 4FGL-DR2 catalogue. We study these sources by means of a re-analysis of the first 10 yr of γ-ray data taken with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope, including the attenuation by the extragalactic background light. Their broad-band spectral energy distributions are also evaluated, using multiwavelength archival data in the radio, optical, and X-ray bands, in terms of one-zone synchrotron-self-Compton models, adding an external Compton component when needed. Out of this analysis, we identify 17 new extreme high-synchrotron-peaked (EHSP) candidates and compare their physical parameters with those of prototypical EHSP blazars. Finally, the resulting models are used to assess their detectability by the present and future generation of ground-based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes. We find two VHE candidates within the reach of the current and next generation of Cherenkov telescopes: J0847.0−2336 and J1714.0−2029.

Nievas Rosillo, M. (ORCID:0000000283219168)↗

Strong reconnection electric fields in shock-driven turbulence

Turbulent magnetic reconnection in a quasi-parallel shock under parameters relevant to the Earth's bow shock is investigated by means of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The addressed aspects include the reconnection electric field, the reconnection rate, and the electron and the ion outflow speeds. In the shock transition region, many current sheets are generated in shock-driven turbulence, and electron-only reconnection and reconnection where both ions and electrons are involved can occur in those current sheets. The electron outflow speed in electron-only reconnection shows a positive correlation with the theoretical speed, which is close to the local electron Alfvén speed, and a strong convection electric field is generated by the large electron outflow. As a result, the reconnection electric field becomes much larger than those in the standard magnetopause or magnetotail reconnection. In shock-driven reconnection that involves ion dynamics, both electron outflows and ion outflows can reach of the order of 10 times the Alfvén speed in the X-line rest frame, leading to a reconnection electric field the same order as that in electron-only reconnection. An electron-only reconnection event observed by the magnetospheric multiscale mission downstream of a quasi-parallel shock is qualitatively similar to those in the simulation and shows that the outflow speed reaches approximately half the local electron Alfvén speed, supporting the simulation prediction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ion-scale Current Structures in Short Large-amplitude Magnetic Structures

Magnetic reconnection is an explosive phenomenon widely happen in plasma environments. Recent studies show that reconnection could occur in the shock transition region. We study thin current layers in the region in front of the shock and find evidence of reconnection. The analysis also shows the possible generation mechanism of the thin current sheet that further enables reconnection. A large-scale wave is further generated, and the thin current sheets are generated through compression or secondary waves. The thin current structures also lead to electron heating.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The ICRP, MELODI, and ALLIANCE workshop on effects of ionizing radiation exposure in offspring and next generations: a summary of discussions

Task Group 121 – Effects of ionizing radiation exposure in offspring and next generations – is a task group under the Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), approved by the Main Commission on 18th November 2021. The main goals of Task Group 121 are to (1) review and update the scientific literature of relevance to radiation-related effects in the offspring of parent(s) exposed to ionizing radiation in both human and non-human biota; (2) to assess preconceptional and intrauterine effects of radiation exposure and related morbidity and mortality; and, (3) to provide advice about the level of evidence and how to consider these preconceptional and postconceptional effects in the system of radiological protection for humans and non-human biota. The Task Group is reviewing relevant literature since Publication 90 ‘Biological effects after prenatal irradiation (embryo and fetus)’ (2003) and will include radiation-related effects on future generations in humans, animals, and plants. This review will be conducted to account for the health effects on offspring and subsequent generations in the current system of radiological protection. Radiation detriment calculation will also be reviewed. Finally, preliminary recommendations will be made to update the integration of health effects in offspring and next generations in the system of radiological protection. A Workshop, jointly organized by ICRP Task Group 121 and European Radiation Protection Research Platforms MELODI and ALLIANCE was held in Budapest, Hungary, from 31st May to 2nd June 2022. Participants discussed four important topics: (1) hereditary and epigenetic effects due to exposure of the germ cell line (preconceptional exposure), (2) effects arising from exposure of the embryo and fetus (intrauterine exposure), (3) transgenerational effects on biota, and (4) its potential impact on the system of radiological protection. Based on the discussions and presentations during the breakout sessions, newer publications, and gaps on the current scientific literature were identified. For instance, there are some ongoing systematic reviews and radiation epidemiology reviews of intrauterine effects. There are newer methods of Monte Carlo simulation for fetal dosimetry, and advances in radiation genetics, epigenetics, and radiobiology studies. While the current impact of hereditary effects on the global detriment was reported as small, the questions surrounding the effects of radiation exposure on offspring and the next generation are crucial, recurring, and with a major focus on exposed populations. Here, this article summarizes the workshop discussions, presentations, and conclusions of each topic and introduces the special issue of the International Journal of Radiation Biology resulting from the discussions of the meeting.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

pyflowline: a mesh-independent river network generator for hydrologic models

River networks are crucial in hydrologic and Earth system models. Accurately representing river networks in spatially distributed hydrologic models requires considering the model's spatial discretization and computational mesh. However, current methods of generating river networks for hydrologic models do not typically support unstructured meshes. Unstructured meshes offer numerous advantages over traditional, structured meshes. To overcome this limitation, we developed PyFlowline, a Python package that generates mesh-independent river networks. With PyFlowline, hydrologic modelers can generate conceptual river networks and their topological relationships for both structured and unstructured meshes.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Overview of the recent experimental research on the J-TEXT tokamak

The J-TEXT capability is enhanced compared to two years ago with several upgrades of its diagnostics and the increase of electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) power to 1 MW. With the application of electron cyclotron wave (ECW), the ECW assisted plasma startup is achieved; the tearing mode is suppressed; the toroidal injection of 300 kW ECW drives around 24 kA current; fast electrons are generated with toroidal injected ECW and the runaway current conversion efficiency increases with ECRH power. The mode coupling between 2/1 and 3/1 modes are extensively studied. The coupled 2/1 and 3/1 modes usually lead to major disruption. Their coupling can be either suppressed or avoided by external resonant magnetic perturbation fields and hence avoids the major disruption. It is also found that the 2/1 threshold of external field is significantly reduced by a pre-excited 3/1 mode, which can be either a locked island or an external kink mode. The disruption control is studied by developing prediction methods capable of cross tokamak application and by new mitigation methods, such as the biased electrode or electromagnetic pellet injector. The high-density operation and related disruptions are studied from various aspects. Approaching the density limit, the collapse of the edge shear layer is observed and such collapse can be prevented by applying edge biasing, leading to an increased density limit. The density limit is also observed to increase, if the plasma is operated in the poloidal divertor configuration or the plasma purity is increased by increasing the pre-filled gas pressure or ECRH power during the start-up phase.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Detecting faults in wind turbines

A wind turbine generator fault detection method is described. The method includes obtaining a first signal from a generator of a wind turbine and a second signal from a vibration sensor coupled to the wind turbine, the first signal representing an output current of the generator, and the second signal being a time-sampled signal representing vibrations of a bearing in the wind turbine. Determining a shaft rotation frequency signal from the first signal, the shaft rotation frequency signal representing a time-varying rotational speed of a shaft of the wind turbine. Resampling an envelope of the second signal based on the shaft rotation frequency signal to provide a third signal, the third signal being an angular sampled signal. Detecting, by the at least one processor, a fault in the bearing of the wind turbine by identifying a characteristic signature of a bearing fault in the third signal.

Qiao, Wei↗

Detecting faults in wind turbines

A wind turbine generator fault detection method is described. The method includes obtaining a first signal from a generator of a wind turbine and a second signal from a vibration sensor coupled to the wind turbine, the first signal representing an output current of the generator, and the second signal being a time-sampled signal representing vibrations of a bearing in the wind turbine. Determining a shaft rotation frequency signal from the first signal, the shaft rotation frequency signal representing a time-varying rotational speed of a shaft of the wind turbine. Resampling an envelope of the second signal based on the shaft rotation frequency signal to provide a third signal, the third signal being an angular sampled signal. Detecting, by the at least one processor, a fault in the bearing of the wind turbine by identifying a characteristic signature of a bearing fault in the third signal.

Qiao, Wei↗

First Measurement of Differential Charged Current Quasi-Elastic-Like $\nu_{\mu}$ Argon Scattering Cross Sections with the MicroBooNE Detector

Current and future generation neutrino oscillation experiments aim towards a high-precisionmeasurement of the oscillation parameters, which requires an unprecedented understanding ofneutrino-nucleus scattering. Charged-current quasi-elastic (CCQE) scattering is the process inwhich the neutrino produces a charged lepton and removes a single intact nucleon from the nu-cleus without producing any additional particles. For existing and forthcoming accelerator–based neutrino experiments, CCQE interactions are either the dominant process or part of the signal.MicroBooNE is the first liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) commissioned as part ofthe Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab and its excellent particle reconstructioncapabilities allow the detection of neutrino interactions using exclusive final states, which will playa crucial role in the success of future kiloton LArTPC detectors such as DUNE. This talk willpresent the first measurement of exclusive νμ-Ar CCQE–like flux integrated total and differentialcross sections using single proton knock–out interactions recorded by the MicroBooNE LArTPCdetector, which has comparable acceptance to deuterium Bubble Chambers.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Circularly Polarized Attosecond Pulses Enabled by an Azimuthal Phase and Polarization Grating

High-harmonic generation (HHG) is an extreme nonlinear optical process that can map the properties of an infrared driving laser beam onto short wavelength attosecond pulse trains. However, current techniques for generating circularly polarized high harmonics for probing magnetic materials and chiral systems have limitations: two-color collinear counter-rotating driving lasers result in a low cutoff photon energy, while single-color non-collinear counter-rotating schemes suffer from low conversion efficiency. In this work, we generate circularly polarized attosecond pulse trains by using a structured laser driver which has a rotating polarization and phase grating along the azimuthal coordinate. Furthermore, our experimental and numerical results demonstrate the production of left and right circularly polarized harmonics, which naturally separate upon propagation. Our approach uses a single laser color in a collinear geometry, that can be scaled for high efficiency. Simulations show this scheme can extend into the soft x-ray region when driven by mid-infrared driving lasers, while preserving the same high phase-matching cutoff photon energy as for linearly-polarized high harmonics.

attosecond science↗

Theory of disordered superconductors with applications to nonlinear current response

I present a review of the theory and basic equations for charge transport in superconducting alloys starting from the Keldysh formulation of the quasiclassical transport equations developed by Eilenberger, Larkin and Ovchinnikov, and Eliashberg. This formulation is the natural extension of Landau’s theory of normal Fermi liquids to the superconducting state of strongly correlated metals. For dirty metals the transport equations reduce to equations for charge diffusion, with the current response given by the Drude conductivity at low temperatures. The extension of the diffusion equation for the charge and current response of a strongly disordered normal metal to the superconducting state yields Usadel’s equations for the nonequilibrium quasiclassical Keldysh propagator. The conditions for the applicability of the Usadel equations are discussed, the pair-breaking effect of disorder on the current response, including the nonlinear current response to an electromagnetic field in the dirty limit, τ ≪ ℏ/Δ, are reported. The same nonlinearity is shown to lead to source currents for photon generation and nonlinear Kerr rotation driven by the nonlinear response to excitation of the superconductor by a multi-mode electromagnetic field. The potential relevance of the nonlinear source currents to superconducting radio-frequency cavities as detectors of axion-like dark matter candidates is briefly discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

First Measurement of Differential Charged Current Quasielastic–like $\nu_\mu$ -Argon Scattering Cross Sections with the MicroBooNE Detector

Current and future generation neutrino oscillation experiments aim towards a high-precision mea- surement of the oscillation parameters and that requires an unprecedented understanding of neutrino-nucleus scattering. Charged-current quasi-elastic (CCQE) scattering is the process in which the neutrino produces a charged lepton and removes a single intact nucleon from the nu- cleus without producing any additional particles. For existing and forthcoming accelerator–based neutrino experiments, CCQE interactions are either the dominant process or part of the signal.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Low-frequency noise characteristics of GaN vertical PIN diodes—Effects of design, current, and temperature

We report low-frequency noise characteristics of vertical GaN PIN diodes, focusing on the effects of the diode design, current, and temperature. The as-grown and regrown diodes, with and without surface treatment, have been studied. The noise in most of the GaN devices had a characteristic 1/f spectrum at high and moderate currents, while some devices revealed generation-recombination bulges at low currents (f is the frequency). The predominant trend of the noise spectral density, S I , dependence on the current was S I ~ I. All tested GaN PIN diodes had rather low normalized noise spectral densities of 10 –18 –10 –16 cm 2 /Hz (f = 10 Hz) at the current density J = 1 A/cm 2 at room temperature. The noise temperature dependences at different currents revealed peaks at T = 375–400 K. Temperature, current, and frequency dependences of noise suggest that the noise mechanism is of the recombination origin. Here, we argue that the noise measurements at low currents can be used to efficiently assess the quality of GaN PIN diodes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Impact of the Lightning Surge on SiC-based Medium-voltage Three-phase Four-wire Grid-connected Converters

The surge voltage induced by lightning will generate an inrush current in a grid-connected converter. It may not be large in Si-based converters because of the large grid side inductive filter. However, for SiC-based multi-level converters, the inrush current could be very large due to the small filter inductance, which is selected based on the current harmonic consideration. Most previous work focuses on system-level lightning protection while the converter-level impact, especially the internal components of the converter, is rarely discussed. This paper presents the analysis of the impact of the lightning surge on a 10 kV SiC MOSFET-based 13.8 kV three-phase four-wire grid-connected converter. The IEEE arrester model and the combined wave generator model in IEC 61000-4-5 standard are used to evaluate the inrush current, DC-link overvoltage, and component-to-ground potential of the converter. Analysis and simulation results have been provided to demonstrate the impact of lightning on the grid-connected converter. It is found that large inrush current occurs due to the small filter inductance, and the neutral-to-ground impedance impacts both the inrush current and the neutral point-to-ground potential.

Li, Haiguo↗

High-Frequency Signature-Based Fault Detection for Future MV Distribution Grids: Preprint

Increased deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids are significantly changing the operation of distribution grid. Increasing penetration of power electronics based DERs also raise several operational problems such as protection coordination issues, voltage raise, recloser synchronization, stability, and frequency control. Legacy systems are designed for unidirectional power flow. Bidirectional power flows, and varying short circuit levels are some of the major challenges in implementing these legacy protection schemes for future power grid with high penetration of power electronics based DERs. Inverter based DER’s can contribute to a maximum of 2 p.u. fault current. Interconnection standards might require even lower fault current contribution. If these protection related challenges are not addressed, it will result in limiting the penetration of DERs in distribution feeders. In this paper, the feasibility of high frequency signature generated by transients is evaluated to identify and locate faults in a distribution system. The paper will discuss the need for an accurate line modeling approach to accurately capture the high frequency signatures. These high frequency signatures are naturally occurring electromagnetic transients for events such as switching events in the network, faults events, etc. This is different than that implemented in transmission systems as the proposed approach utilizes advanced signal processing techniques to retrieve valuable information from the high frequency signatures generated during faults and does not just rely on time delay measurements between reflections of the high frequency signals. In the full paper, information of a modified IEEE distribution feeder test system to accurately model the high frequency signatures will be provided. The distribution lines will be modeled using universal line modeling (ULM) technique in an electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) modeling platform. Different test cases will be simulated and these test cases will include different fault types, multiple fault locations, capacitor bank switching, etc. The feeder system modeled for these simulations will also include power electronics based DERs. Additionally, experimental results demonstrating the high frequency signatures generated due to a transient event in a medium voltage (13.8 kV) distribution line will also be presented in the full paper. Furthermore, the analysis combined with simulation and experimental results in the full paper will help demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed protection scheme. The developed protection scheme will not just help solve problems generated by bidirectional current flow, varying short-circuit current capacity, but also help in proliferation of DERs in distribution systems.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗

Single Shot Characterization of High Transformer Ratio Wakefields in Nonlinear Plasma Acceleration

We report that plasma wakefields can enable very high accelerating gradients for frontier high energy particle accelerators, in excess of 10 GeV/m. To overcome limits on single stage acceleration, specially shaped drive beams can be used in both linear and nonlinear plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA), to increase the transformer ratio, implying that the drive beam deceleration is minimized relative to acceleration obtained in the wake. In this Letter, we report the results of a nonlinear PWFA, high transformer ratio experiment using high-charge, longitudinally asymmetric drive beams in a plasma cell. An emittance exchange process is used to generate variable drive current profiles, in conjunction with a long (multiple plasma wavelength) witness beam. The witness beam is energy modulated by the wakefield, yielding a response that contains detailed spectral information in a single-shot measurement. Using these methods, we generate a variety of beam profiles and characterize the wakefields, directly observing transformer ratios up to R=7.8. Lastly, a spectrally based reconstruction technique, validated by 3D particle-in-cell simulations, is introduced to obtain the drive beam current profile from the decelerating wake data.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Symmetry Control of Unconventional Spin–Orbit Torques in IrO 2

Abstract Spin–orbit torques generated by a spin current are key to magnetic switching in spintronic applications. The polarization of the spin current dictates the direction of switching required for energy‐efficient devices. Conventionally, the polarizations of these spin currents are restricted to be along a certain direction due to the symmetry of the material allowing only for efficient in‐plane magnetic switching. Unconventional spin–orbit torques arising from novel spin current polarizations, however, have the potential to switch other magnetization orientations such as perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, which is desired for higher density spintronic‐based memory devices. Here, it is demonstrated that low crystalline symmetry is not required for unconventional spin–orbit torques and can be generated in a nonmagnetic high symmetry material, iridium dioxide (IrO 2 ), using epitaxial design. It is shown that by reducing the relative crystalline symmetry with respect to the growth direction large unconventional spin currents can be generated and hence spin–orbit torques. Furthermore, the spin polarizations detected in (001), (110), and (111) oriented IrO 2 thin films are compared to show which crystal symmetries restrict unconventional spin transport. Understanding and tuning unconventional spin transport generation in high symmetry materials can provide a new route towards energy‐efficient magnetic switching in spintronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Amorphizing noble metal chalcogenide catalysts at the single-layer limit towards hydrogen production

Rational design of noble metal catalysts with the potential to leverage efficiency is vital for industrial applications. Such an ultimate atom-utilization efficiency can be achieved when all noble metal atoms exclusively contribute to catalysis. In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of a wafer-size amorphous PtSex film on a SiO 2 substate via a low-temperature amorphization strategy, which offers single-atom-layer Pt catalysts with high atom-utilization efficiency (~26 wt%). This amorphous PtSex (1.2 < x < 1.3) behaves as a fully activated surface, accessible to catalytic reactions, and features a nearly 100% current density relative to a pure Pt surface and reliable production of sustained high-flux hydrogen over a 2 inch wafer as a proof-of-concept. Furthermore, an electrolyser is demonstrated to generate a high current density of 1,000 mA cm –2 . Such an amorphization strategy is potentially extendable to other noble metals, including the Pd, Ir, Os, Rh and Ru elements, demonstrating the universality of single-atom-layer catalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗