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At least 433 records · Page 24

Rotation-induced nonlinear wavepackets in internal waves

The long time effect of weak rotation on an internal solitary wave is the decay into inertia-gravity waves and the eventual formation of a localised wavepacket. Here this initial value problem is considered within the context of the Ostrovsky, or the rotation-modified Korteweg-de Vries (KdV), equation and a numerical method for obtaining accurate wavepacket solutions is presented. The flow evolutions are described in the regimes of relatively-strong and relatively-weak rotational effects. When rotational effects are relatively strong a second-order soliton solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation accurately predicts the shape, and phase and group velocities of the numerically determined wavepackets. It is suggested that these solitons may form from a local Benjamin-Feir instability in the inertia-gravity wave-train radiated when a KdV solitary wave rapidly adjusts to the presence of strong rotation. When rotational effects are relatively weak the initial KdV solitary wave remains coherent longer, decaying only slowly due to weak radiation and modulational instability is no longer relevant. Wavepacket solutions in this regime appear to consist of a modulated KdV soliton wavetrain propagating on a slowly varying background of finite extent.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On the damping of right hand circularly polarized waves in spin quantum plasmas

General dispersion relation for the right hand circularly polarized waves has been derived using non-relativistic spin quantum kinetic theory. Employing the derived dispersion relation, temporal and spatial damping of the right hand circularly polarized waves are studied for both the degenerate and non-degenerate plasma regimes for two different frequency domains: (i) k{sub ∥}v≫(ω+ω{sub ce}),(ω+ω{sub cg}) and (ii) k{sub ∥}v≪(ω+ω{sub ce}),(ω+ω{sub cg}). Comparison of the cold and hot plasma regimes shows that the right hand circularly polarized wave with spin-effects exists for larger k-values as compared to the spinless case, before it damps completely. It is also found that the spin-effects can significantly influence the phase and group velocities of the whistler waves in both the degenerate and non-degenerate regimes. The results obtained are also analyzed graphically for some laboratory parameters to demonstrate the physical significance of the present work.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Response analysis of a laminar premixed M-flame to flow perturbations using a linearized compressible Navier-Stokes solver

The response of a laminar premixed methane-air flame subjected to flow perturbations around a steady state is examined experimentally and using a linearized compressible Navier-Stokes solver with a one-step chemistry mechanism to describe combustion. The unperturbed flame takes an M-shape stabilized both by a central bluff body and by the external rim of a cylindrical nozzle. This base flow is computed by a nonlinear direct simulation of the steady reacting flow, and the flame topology is shown to qualitatively correspond to experiments conducted under comparable conditions. The flame is then subjected to acoustic disturbances produced at different locations in the numerical domain, and its response is examined using the linearized solver. This linear numerical model then allows the componentwise investigation of the effects of flow disturbances on unsteady combustion and the feedback from the flame on the unsteady flow field. It is shown that a wrinkled reaction layer produces hydrodynamic disturbances in the fresh reactant flow field that superimpose on the acoustic field. This phenomenon, observed in several experiments, is fully interpreted here. The additional perturbations convected by the mean flow stem from the feedback of the perturbed flame sheet dynamics onto the flow field by a mechanism similar to that of a perturbed vortex sheet. The different regimes where this mechanism prevails are investigated by examining the phase and group velocities of flow disturbances along an axis oriented along the main direction of the flow in the fresh reactant flow field. It is shown that this mechanism dominates the low-frequency response of the wrinkled shape taken by the flame and, in particular, that it fully determines the dynamics of the flame tip from where the bulk of noise is radiated.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Nonlinear interaction between surface plasmons and ion oscillations in a semi-bounded collisional quantum plasma

In this paper, we have investigated the nonlinear interaction between high-frequency surface plasmons and low-frequency ion oscillations in a semi-bounded collisional quantum plasma. By coupling the nonlinear Schrodinger equation and quantum hydrodynamic model, and taking into account the ponderomotive force, the dispersion equation is obtained. By solving this equation, it is shown that there is a modulational instability in the system, and collisions and quantum forces play significant roles on this instability. The quantum tunneling increases the phase and group velocities of the modulated waves and collisions increase the growth rate of the modulational instability. It is also shown that the effect of quantum forces and collisions is more significant in high modulated wavenumber regions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Particle simulations of mode conversion between slow mode and fast mode in lower hybrid range of frequencies

The propagation and mode conversion of lower hybrid waves in an inhomogeneous plasma are investigated by using the nonlinear δf algorithm in a two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation code based on the gyrokinetic electron and fully kinetic ion (GeFi) scheme [Lin et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 47, 657 (2005)]. The characteristics of the simulated waves, such as wavelength, frequency, phase, and group velocities, agree well with the linear theoretical analysis. It is shown that a significant reflection component emerges in the conversion process between the slow mode and the fast mode when the scale length of the density variation is comparable to the local wavelength. The dependences of the reflection coefficient on the scale length of the density variation are compared with the results based on the linear full wave model for cold plasmas. It is indicated that the mode conversion for the waves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz (ω ∼ 3ω{sub LH}, where ω{sub LH} represents the lower hybrid resonance) and within Tokamak relevant amplitudes can be well described in the linear scheme. As the frequency decreases, the modification due to the nonlinear term becomes important. For the low-frequency waves (ω ∼ 1.3ω{sub LH}), the generations of the high harmonic modes and sidebands through nonlinear mode-mode coupling provide new power channels and thus could reduce the reflection significantly.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A FAST PROPAGATING EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET WAVE ASSOCIATED WITH A MINI-FILAMENT ERUPTION

The fast extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) waves (>1000 km s{sup -1}) in the solar corona were very rare in the past. Taking advantage of the high temporal and spatial resolution of the Solar Dynamics Observatory observations, we present a fast EUV wave associated with a mini-filament eruption, a C1.0 flare, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) on 2011 September 30. The event took place at the periphery between two active regions (ARs). The mini-filament rapidly erupted as a blowout jet associated with a flare and a CME. The CME front was likely developed from the large-scale overlying loops. The wave onset was nearly simultaneous with the start of the jet and the flare. The wave departed far from the flare center and showed a close location relative to the rapid jet. The wave had an initial speed of about 1100 km s{sup -1} and a slight deceleration in the last phase, and the velocity decreased to about 500 km s{sup -1}. The wave propagated in a narrow angle extent, likely to avoid the ARs on both sides. All the results provide evidence that the fast EUV wave was a fast-mode MHD wave. The wave resisted being driven by the CME, because it opened up the large-scale loops and its front likely formed later than the wave. The wave was most likely triggered by the jet, due to their close timing and location relations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SDO/AIA OBSERVATIONS OF LARGE-AMPLITUDE LONGITUDINAL OSCILLATIONS IN A SOLAR FILAMENT

We present the first Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly observations of the large-amplitude longitudinal (LAL) oscillations in the south and north parts (SP and NP) of a solar filament on 2012 April 7. Both oscillations are triggered by flare activities close to the filament. The period varies with filamentary threads, ranging from 44 to 67 minutes. The oscillations of different threads are out of phase, and their velocity amplitudes vary from 30 to 60 km s{sup -1}, with a maximum displacement of about 25 Mm. The oscillations of the SP repeat for about four cycles without any significant damping and then a nearby C2.4 flare causes the transition from the LAL oscillations of the filament to its later eruption. The filament eruption is also associated with a coronal mass ejection and a B6.8 flare. However, the oscillations of the NP damp with time and die out at last. Our observations show that the activated part of the SP repeatedly shows a helical motion. This indicates that the magnetic structure of the filament is possibly modified during this process. We suggest that the restoring force is the coupling of the magnetic tension and gravity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Spin-piston problem for a ferromagnetic thin film: Shock waves and solitons

In this report the unsteady, nonlinear magnetization dynamics induced by spin injection in an easy-plane ferromagnetic channel subject to an external magnetic field are studied analytically. Leveraging a dispersive hydrodynamic description, the Landau-Lifshitz equation is recast in terms of hydrodynamic-like variables for the magnetization's perpendicular component (spin density) and azimuthal phase gradient (fluid velocity). Spin injection acts as a moving piston that generates nonlinear, dynamical spin textures in the ferromagnetic channel with downstream quiescent spin density set by the external field. In contrast to the classical problem of a piston accelerating a compressible gas, here, variable spin injection and field lead to a rich variety of nonlinear wave phenomena from oscillatory spin shocks to solitons and rarefaction (expansion) waves. A full classification of solutions is provided using nonlinear wave modulation theory by identifying two key aspects of the fluid-like dynamics: subsonic/supersonic conditions and convex/nonconvex hydrodynamic flux. Familiar waveforms from the classical piston problem such as rarefaction waves and shocks manifest in their spin-based counterparts as smooth and highly oscillatory transitions, respectively, between two distinct magnetic states. The spin shock is an example of a dispersive shock wave, which arises in many physical systems. New features without a gas dynamics counterpart include composite wave complexes with “contact” spin shocks and rarefactions. Magnetic supersonic conditions lead to two pronounced piston edge behaviors including a stationary soliton and an oscillatory wave train. These coherent wave structures have physical implications for the generation of high frequency spin waves from pulsed injection and persistent, stable stationary and/or propagating solitons in the presence of magnetic damping. The analytical results are favorably compared with numerical simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ionic transport in high-energy-density matter

Ionic transport coefficients for dense plasmas have been numerically computed using an effective Boltzmann approach. Here, we developed a simplified effective potential approach that yields accurate fits for all of the relevant cross sections and collision integrals. These results have been validated with molecular-dynamics simulations for self-diffusion, interdiffusion, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. Molecular dynamics has also been used to examine the underlying assumptions of the Boltzmann approach through a categorization of behaviors of the velocity autocorrelation function in the Yukawa phase diagram. By using a velocity-dependent screening model, we examine the role of dynamical screening in transport. Implications of these results for Coulomb logarithm approaches are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Anharmonic Eigenvectors and Acoustic Phonon Disappearance in Quantum Paraelectric SrTiO 3

Pronounced anomalies in the SrTiO 3 dynamical structure factor, S(Q,E), including the disappearance of acoustic phonon branches at low temperatures, were uncovered with inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and simulations. The striking effect reflects anharmonic couplings between acoustic and optic phonons and the incipient ferroelectric instability near the quantum critical point. It is rationalized using a first-principles renormalized anharmonic phonon approach, pointing to nonlinear Ti-O hybridization causing unusual changes in real-space phonon eigenvectors, frequencies, group velocities, and scattering phase space. Lastly, our method is general and establishes how T dependences beyond the harmonic regime, assessed by INS mapping of large reciprocal-space volumes, provide real-space insights into anharmonic atomic dynamics near phase transitions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Hamiltonian Structure and Euler-Poincare Formulation of the Valsov-Maxwell and Gyrokinetic System

We present a new variational principle for the gyrokinetic system, similar to the Maxwell-Vlasov action presented in Ref. 1. The variational principle is in the Eulerian frame and based on constrained variations of the phase space fluid velocity and particle distribution function. Using a Legendre transform, we explicitly derive the field theoretic Hamiltonian structure of the system. This is carried out with the Dirac theory of constraints, which is used to construct meaningful brackets from those obtained directly from Euler-Poincare theory. Possible applications of these formulations include continuum geometric integration techniques, large-eddy simulation models and Casimir type stability methods.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Joint Bayesian Inference for Near-surface Explosion Yield

Geophysical observations of an explosion scale with the yield of the explosion. Guided by the principal of yield-scaling and observed relationships in the data, we defined and parameterized seismoacoustic forward models in Ford et al. [2014]. This work extends the model with additional data features of maximum velocity and positive phase duration for the seismic and acoustic data types, respectively, and a new optic data type. Parameters for the seismoacoustic models are estimated via Bayesian inference. The parameterized models can then be used to infer the yield of a new explosion.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

CSAPR2 Optimized Convective Cell Tracking Data during TRACER

One of the challenges in analyzing convective cell properties is to observe the quick evolution of individual convective cells. While the operational radar data provide a volumetric data set to analyze radar observables of convective precipitation clouds, previous studies also suggested the quick evolution of cell life cycle that might not be captured by conventional radar volume scan strategies that take ~5-7 minutes. Aiming at enhancing our understanding of the links between convective cloud kinematic and microphysical processes as well as life cycles, the Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER; Jensen et al. 2019) was conducted at Houston, Texas, in 2022. The TRACER campaign deployed the 2nd generation C-band Scanning ARM Precipitation Radar (CSAPR2), which performed frequent updates of range height indicator (RHI) and sector plan position indicator (PPI) scans to track individual convective cells every < 2 minutes, guided by a new cell tracking framework, Multisensor Agile Adaptive Sampling (MAAS; Kollias et al. 2020). This allows for capturing fast-evolving radar observables. We provide the processed CSAPR2 cell tracking data in CfRadial format collected during the TRACER field campaign from June to September 2022. The data files include processed radar variables: noise-masked reflectivity and differential reflectivity corrected for rain attenuation and systematic biases, noise-masked dealiased radial velocity, specific differential phase, locations of target cells (latitude, longitude, radar range), and radar-echo classification. Figure 1 provides an example of a 3D image of CSAPR2 reflectivity from the lowest PPI scan and an RHI scan after data processing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Updated kinematic constraints on a dark disk

We update the method of the Holmberg and Flynn study, including an updated model of the Milky Way’s interstellar gas, radial velocities, an updated reddening map, and a careful statistical analysis, to bound the allowed surface density and scale height of a dark disk. We pay careful attention to the self-consistency of the model, including the gravitational influence of the dark disk on other disk components, and to the net velocity of the tracer stars. We find that the data set exhibits a non-zero bulk velocity in the vertical direction as well as a displacement from the expected location at the Galactic midplane. If not properly accounted for, these features would bias the bound toward low dark disk mass. We therefore perform our analysis two ways. In the first, using the traditional method, we subtract the mean velocity and displacement from the tracers’ phase space distributions. In the second method, we perform a non-equilibrium version of the HF method to derive a bound on the dark disk parameters for an oscillating tracer distribution. Despite updates in the mass model and reddening map, the traditional method results remain consistent with those of HF2000. The second, non-equilibrium technique, however, allows a surface density as large as 14 M{sub ⊙} pc{sup −2} (and as small as 0 M{sub ⊙} pc{sup −2}), demonstrating much weaker constraints. For both techniques, the bound on surface density is weaker for larger scale height. In future analyses of Gaia data it will be important to verify whether the tracer populations are in equilibrium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Synthesizing Stellar Populations in South Pole Telescope Galaxy Clusters. I. Ages of Quiescent Member Galaxies at 0.3 < $\textit{z}$ < 1.4

Using stellar population synthesis models to infer star formation histories (SFHs), we analyze photometry and spectroscopy of a large sample of quiescent galaxies that are members of Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ)-selected galaxy clusters across a wide range of redshifts. We calculate stellar masses and mass-weighted ages for 837 quiescent cluster members at 0.3 < $\textit{z}$ < 1.4 using rest-frame optical spectra and the Python-based Prospector framework, from 61 clusters in the SPT-GMOS Spectroscopic Survey (0.3 < $\textit{z}$ < 0.9) and three clusters in the SPT Hi-z cluster sample (1.25 < $\textit{z}$ < 1.4). We analyze spectra of subpopulations divided into bins of redshift, stellar mass, cluster mass, and velocity-radius phase-space location, as well as by creating composite spectra of quiescent member galaxies. We find that quiescent galaxies in our data set sample a diversity of SFHs, with a median formation redshift (corresponding to the lookback time from the redshift of observation to when a galaxy forms 50% of its mass, $t_{50}$) of $\textit{z}$ = 2.8 ± 0.5, which is similar to or marginally higher than that of massive quiescent field and cluster galaxy studies. We also report median age–stellar mass relations for the full sample (age of the universe at $t_{50}$ (Gyr) = 2.52 (±0.04)–1.66 (±0.12) log$_{10}(M/10^{11}M_⊙$)) and recover downsizing trends across stellar mass; we find that massive galaxies in our cluster sample form on aggregate ~0.75 Gyr earlier than lower-mass galaxies. We also find marginally steeper age–mass relations at high redshifts, and report a bigger difference in formation redshifts across stellar mass for fixed environment, relative to formation redshifts across environment for fixed stellar mass.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

THE TWO REGIMES OF PHOTOSPHERIC MOTIONS IN {alpha} HYDRA

High-resolution spectroscopic observations of {alpha} Hya were acquired between 2003 and 2010. Analysis of line shifts, differential shifts, line widths, and line bisectors points to two regimes of velocity fields in the photosphere of {alpha} Hya: (1) normal granulation embedded in (2) large convection cells. Variations occur on a wide range of timescales, from several years on down. Radial velocity variations, which are irregular and span 786 m s{sup -1}, have a distribution consistent with a true mean rise velocity of the large cells of {approx}725 m s{sup -1} and a dispersion of {approx}220 m s{sup -1}. The distribution of granulation velocities, as measured from the widths of spectral lines, shows only small variations, consistent with the two regime concepts. On the multi-year timescale, radial velocity changes, small temperature variations ({approx}10 K), and small line-width variations ({approx}<0.8%) track each other, possibly with phase shifts. The granulation velocity gradient for {alpha} Hya is about half as large as the Sun's and no variation with time was seen, implying that any variation in velocity gradient from one large cell to the next must be less than a few percent. The asymmetry in the granulation velocity distribution, as specified in the flux deficit, is smaller than expected for {alpha} Hya's position in the HR diagram and appears to be variable.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dephasingless Laser Wakefield Acceleration

Laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) produce significantly high gradients enabling compact accelerators and radiation sources, but face design limitations, such as dephasing, occurring when trapped electrons outrun the accelerating phase of the wakefield. In this report we combine spherical aberration with a novel cylindrically symmetric echelon optic to spatiotemporally structure an ultra-short, high-intensity laser pulse that can overcome dephasing by propagating at any velocity over any distance. The ponderomotive force of the spatiotemporally shaped pulse can drive a wakefield with a phase velocity equal to the speed of light in vacuum, preventing trapped electrons from outrunning the wake. Simulations in the linear regime and scaling laws in the bubble regime illustrate that this dephasingless LWFA can accelerate electrons to high energies in much shorter distances than a traditional LWFA—a single 4.5 m stage can accelerate electrons to TeV energies without the need for guiding structures.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

UNIFORM INFALL TOWARD THE COMETARY H II REGION IN THE G34.26+0.15 COMPLEX?

Gas accretion is a key process in star formation. However, gas infall detections in high-mass, star-forming regions with high spatial resolution observations are rare. Here, we report the detection of gas infall toward a cometary ultracompact H II region ({sup C)} in the G34.26+0.15 complex. The observations were made with the IRAM 30 m, the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope 15 m telescope, and the Submillimeter Array (SMA). The hot core associated with 'C' has a mass of ∼76 ± 11 M{sub ☉} and a volume density of (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10{sup 8} cm{sup –3}. The HCN (3-2) and HCO{sup +} (1-0) lines observed by single dishes and the CN (2-1) lines observed by the SMA show redshifted absorption features, indicating gas infall. We found a linear relationship between the line width and optical depth of the CN (2-1) lines. Those transitions with larger optical depths and line widths have larger absorption areas. However, the infall velocities measured from different lines seem to be constant, indicating that the gas infall is uniform. We also investigated the evolution of gas infall in high-mass, star-forming regions. A tight relationship was found between the infall velocity and the total dust/gas mass. At stages prior to the hot core phase, the typical infall velocity and mass infall rate are ∼1 km s{sup –1} and ∼10{sup –4} M{sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, respectively. While in more evolved regions, the infall velocity and mass infall rates can reach as high as several km s{sup –1} and ∼10{sup –3}-10{sup –2} M{sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, respectively. Accelerated infall has been detected toward some hypercompact H II and ultracompact H II regions. However, the acceleration phenomenon is not seen in more evolved ultracompact H II regions (e.g., G34.26+0.15)

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗