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At least 55 records · Page 3

Multitiered computational methodology for extracting three-dimensional rotational diffusion coefficients from x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy data without structural information

X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) is a powerful technique for analyzing particle systems by investigating their dynamics in suspensions across a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. This is done by illuminating samples with coherent x-ray beams and calculating the correlation function of the obtained x-ray scattering images. XPCS is uniquely suited for studying Brownian dynamics, consisting of translational and rotational diffusion. While traditional XPCS image analysis techniques can extract translational diffusion components, they are unable to estimate rotational diffusion coefficients. Here, we introduce a methodology that combines the angular-temporal cross-correlation analysis and a algorithmic framework called Multi-Tiered Estimation for Correlation Spectroscopy in 3D for estimating three-dimensional rotational diffusion coefficients from XPCS images of three-dimensional particle systems. We demonstrate our methodology for extracting rotational diffusion coefficients from XPCS data by applying it to simulated noisy x-ray images of systems of crossing nanotubes and proteins that evolve under translational and rotational Brownian motion for different diffusion rates. Furthermore, our results show that our approach determines rotational diffusion coefficients within a few percent error.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The impact of nanoparticle softness on its tracer diffusion coefficient in all polymer nanocomposites

The diffusion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix is an area of current interest. However, a complete understanding is still limited as it is often difficult to quantify the much slower motion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. To combat this problem, we have developed a protocol to measure the diffusion coefficient of soft nanoparticles in a linear polymer matrix. Recently developed synthetic control over soft nanoparticle structures combined with this protocol provides a pathway to separately elucidate the effects of the molecular weight and nanoparticle softness on its diffusive behavior. These results indicate that the nanoparticle softness and deformability dictate its motion. Increasing the cross-linking density of the nanoparticle for all molecular weights increases its hardness and suppresses its motion in the linear matrix. Additionally, the nanoparticle molecular weight dependence deviates from the exponential dependence for star polymers suggesting that these nanoparticles benefit from the cooperative motion of the matrix to open pathways for the nanoparticle. Finally, comparison of these experimentally determined values to the Stokes–Einstein theory demonstrates that the nanoparticles diffuse much slower than a hard sphere. This is interpreted to indicate that there exist additional interactions between the nanoparticle and polymer matrix that are not captured by Stokes–Einstein, including threading or entanglement of the linear chain with the nanoparticle.

Rostom, Sahar↗

On the energy dependence of the radial diffusion coefficient and spectra of inner radiation belt particles - Analytic solutions and comparison with numerical results

A theoretical method by which the energy dependence of the radial diffusion coefficient may be deduced from spectral observations of the particle population at the inner edge of the earth's radiation belts is presented. This region has previously been analyzed with numerical techniques; in this report an analytical treatment that illustrates characteristic limiting cases in the L shell range where the time scale of Coulomb losses is substantially shorter than that of radial diffusion (L approximately 1-2) is given. It is demonstrated both analytically and numerically that the particle spectra there are shaped by the energy dependence of the radial diffusion coefficient regardless of the spectral shapes of the particle populations diffusing inward from the outer radiation zone, so that from observed spectra the energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient can be determined. To insure realistic simulations, inner zone data obtained from experiments on the DIAL, AZUR, and ESRO 2 spacecraft have been used as boundary conditions. Excellent agreement between analytic and numerical results is reported.

Westphalen, H.↗

The electron diffusion coefficient in Jupiter's magnetosphere

A steady-state model of Jupiter's electron radiation belt is developed. The model includes injection from the solar wind, radial diffusion, energy degradation by synchrotron radiation, and absorption at Jupiter's surface. A diffusion coefficient of the form D sub RR/R sub J squared = k times R to the m-th power is assumed, and then observed data on synchrotron radiation are used to fit the model. The free parameters determined from this fit are m = 1.95 plus or minus 0.5, k = 1.7 plus or minus 0.5 x 10 to the 9th power per sec, and the magnetic moment of injected particles equals 770 plus or minus 300 MeV/G. The value of m shows quite clearly that the diffusion is not caused by magnetic pumping by a variable solar wind or by a fluctuating convection electric field. The process might be field line exchange driven by atmospheric-ionospheric winds; our diffusion coefficient has roughly the same radial dependence but is considerably smaller in magnitude than the upper bound diffusion coefficients recently suggested for this process by Brice and McDonough (1973) and Jacques and Davis (1972).

Birmingham, T.↗

Effect of computed horizontal diffusion coefficients on two-dimensional N2O model distributions

The effects of horizontal diffusion coefficients K(yy) and K(yz), computed directly from the residual circulation, on the N2O distribution in a photochemical model were investigated, using a modified version of the two-dimensional model of Guthrie et al. (1984). The residual circulation was computed using the NMC's temperature data and the heating rates reported by Rosenfield et al. (1987). As compared with the effect of the residual circulation alone, the use of horizontal diffusion coefficients produced substantial changes in the N2O distribution and increased the N2O's lifetime values by a few percent. It is suggested that trace gases, such as CH4, CFCl3, CF2Cl2, CH3Cl, and CCl4, which impact the NO(x), HO(x), and Cl(x) radical distributions and therefore ozone, will be influenced in a similar manner by the addition of more realistic diffusion fields.

Jackman, Charles H.↗

Diffusion coefficients in the envelopes of white dwarfs

The diffusion of elements is a key process in understanding the unusual surface composition of white dwarfs and their spectral evolution. The diffusion coefficients of Paquette et al. have been widely used to model diffusion in white dwarfs. In this work, we perform new calculations of the coefficients of interdiffusion and ionic thermal diffusion with (1) a more advanced model that uses a recent modification of the calculation of the collision integrals that is more suitable for the partially ionized, partially degenerate, and moderately coupled plasma and (2) classical molecular dynamics. The coefficients are evaluated for silicon and calcium in white dwarf envelopes of hydrogen and helium. A comparison of our results with Paquette et al. shows that the latter systematically underestimates the coefficient of interdiffusion yet provides reliable estimates for the relatively weakly coupled plasmas found in nearly all types of stars, as well as in white dwarfs with hydrogen envelopes. In white dwarfs with cool helium envelopes (${T}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ < 15,000 K), the difference grows to more than a factor of two. We also explored the effect of the ionization model used to determine the charges of the ions and found that it can be a substantial source of discrepancy between different calculations. Finally, we consider the relative diffusion timescales of Si and Ca in the context of the pollution of white dwarf photospheres by accreted planetesimals and find factor of ≳3 differences between calculations based on Paquette et al. and our model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Henry’s Solubility and Diffusion Coefficients for 29 Volatile Organic Compounds in Polydimethylsiloxane Sylgard 184 at 293 K

Two-dimensional (2D) inverse gas chromatography (IGC) enables simultaneous determination of Henry’s solubility and Fickian diffusion coefficients for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in polymer films. This technique offers a significant advantage over traditional cylindrical column IGC by providing precise control and measurement of the film thickness (here, 0.064 ± 0.002 mm), which is the critical length scale for accurate diffusivity determination. We apply this methodology to characterize VOC transport in Sylgard 184, a widely used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based polymer containing substantial silica filler content. At room temperature (20 °C), we measured solubility and diffusion coefficients for 29 common VOCs spanning diverse chemical functionalities, including alkanes, aromatics, chlorinated solvents, ketones, esters, and alcohols. Comparison with literature data for pure PDMS reveals that VOC solubility in Sylgard 184 is generally higher; for most non-hydrogen-bonding compounds it remains within a factor of 2 of pure PDMS, whereas alcohols are enhanced by roughly 1.8 to 3.7 times, which we attribute to favorable interactions with residual silanol groups on the silanized silica filler. Diffusion coefficients range from 1.0 × 10 –6 cm 2 /s (n-undecane) to 8.9 × 10–5 cm 2 /s (acetonitrile) and align well with extrapolated literature values for PDMS. This study provides essential thermodynamic and transport data for predicting VOC permeation in Sylgard 184 while demonstrating the utility of 2D IGC as a robust technique for characterizing rubbery polymer membranes across diverse industrial applications.

organic↗

Cosmic-ray diffusion coefficient in interplanetary space.

The authors of three recent papers reporting cosmic-ray electron differential intensities near the earth during 1966 and 1968 in the rigidity range above 500 MV have concluded that the observations are not compatible with a diffusion coefficient that can be written as a product of a rigidity-dependent part and a part that is a function of heliocentric distance. It is shown in this paper that, with an interstellar electron spectrum and a near-earth spectrum given, a diffusion coefficient of the above form can always be determinedand the conclusion noted above cannot be sustained. Diffusion coefficients appropriate to the observations are given.

Gleeson, L. J.↗

Limits on ion radial diffusion coefficients in Saturn's inner magnetosphere

The development of upper and lower limits for the rate of radial diffusion of energetic ions in Saturn's inner magnetosphere is discussed. Improved calculations of the satellite-sweeping rate and phase space density profiles for a wide range of ion invariants are utilized to determine the limits. The lower limit for the radial diffusion coefficient is established by requiring the rate of inward diffusion to be large enough to balance satellite sweeping losses; the upper limit is obtained by requiring the rate of inward diffusion to be less than the observable ultraviolet aurora on plasma torus L shell. It is concluded that the radial diffusion coefficient for ions in Saturn's inner magnetosphere is calculated to about two orders of magnitude.

Paonessa, M.↗

The absorption of trapped particles by the inner satellites of Jupiter and the radial diffusion coefficient of particle transport

The process of trapped particle absorption by the inner Jovian satellites is considered in detail taking into account both the particle and satellite motions in a magnetic dipole field which is displaced from the center of the planet and tilted with respect to the planetary rotation axis. An expression is derived for computing the sweeping time at a given satellite, defined as the time required for the satellite to sweep up a given fraction of the trapped particles within its sweeping region. By making use of the sweeping time and the radial diffusion equation of particle transport approximate expressions for the diffusion coefficient are derived. Measurements obtained by Pioneer 10 are then used to obtain estimates of the diffusion coefficient at the orbits of Io and Europa. We find that the diffusion coefficient is a function of energy and magnetic latitude for electrons in the energy range 0.7-14 MeV.

Mogro-Campero, A.↗

Consequences of using nonlinear particle trajectories to compute spatial diffusion coefficients

In a study of cosmic ray propagation in interstellar and interplanetary space, a perturbed orbit resonant scattering theory for pitch angle diffusion in a slab model of magnetostatic turbulence is slightly generalized and used to compute the diffusion coefficient for spatial propagation parallel to the mean magnetic field. This diffusion coefficient has been useful for describing the solar modulation of the galactic cosmic rays, and for explaining the diffusive phase in solar flares in which the initial anisotropy of the particle distribution decays to isotropy.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Eddy diffusion coefficient for the atmosphere of Venus from radio scintillation measurements

Estimates are obtained of the vertical mass eddy diffusion coefficient of the Venus atmosphere in the region of turbulence near 60 km on the basis of radio scintillations observed during radio occultation by the atmosphere. The structure constant estimated from Pioneer Venus orbit 18 entrance radio occultation measurements is used, under the assumption that the turbulence is generated by wind-shear, to derive a value of 40,000 sq cm/sec for the vertical mass eddy diffusion coefficient, together with an energy dissipation rate of 20 sq cm/sec and a temperature fluctuation dissipation rate of 0.001 K-squared/sec. Results are noted to fall within the range measured for the earth's troposphere, however, indicate that small-scale turbulence is probably the dominant mechanism for vertical transport near the tropopause in the Venus atmosphere.

Woo, R.↗

Determination of diffusion coefficients in polypyrrole thin films using a current pulse relaxation method

The current pulse E sub oc relaxation method and its application to the determination of diffusion coefficients in electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole thin films is described. Diffusion coefficients for such films in Et4NBF4 and MeCN are determined for a series of submicron film thicknesses. Measurement of the double-layer capacitance, C sub dl, and the resistance, R sub u, of polypyrrole thin films as a function of potential obtained with the galvanostatic pulse method is reported. Measurements of the electrolyte concentration in reduced polypyrrole films are also presented to aid in the interpretation of the data.

Penner, Reginald M.↗

Towards 2+1 Flavor Lattice QCD Results for the Heavy Quark Diffusion Coefficient

We apply and extend a novel approach to non-perturbatively estimate the heavy-quark momentum diffusion coefficient κ, which is a key input for the theoretical description of heavy quarkonium production in heavy ion collisions, and is important for the understanding of the elliptic flow and nuclear suppression factor of heavy flavor hadrons. In the heavy-quark limit, this coefficient is encoded in the spectral functions of color-electric and color-magnetic correlators that we calculate on the lattice to high pre cision by applying gradient flow. In a recent study we have considered quenched QCD at 1.5 T c , where we performed a detailed study of the lat tice spacing and flow time dependence of the color-electric correlator, and, using theoretically well-established model fits for the spectral reconstruc tion, we estimated the heavy-quark diffusion coefficient. Equipped with the experience obtained in quenched QCD, we estimate $κ$ from 2+1 flavor QCD ensembles at small but finite lattice spacing and flow time without increasing systematic errors significantly.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗