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At least 541 records · Page 30

Eigenvalues of a baroclinic stability problem with Ekman damping

An analytical solution is presented for the baroclinic stability problem of a Boussinesq fluid in a beta-plane channel with Ekman suction boundary conditions. All of the modes, stable and unstable, belonging to this problem are identified. It is found that an unstable mode exists for only a certain range of values of the Burger number. The value of the Burger number at the upper limit of this range increases as the Ekman number decreases. Beyond this upper limit only a damped mode exists. It is also found that this transition in parameter space from the unstable to the stable mode occurs in a discontinuous manner.

Antar, B. N.↗

Instability of non-zonal baroclinic flows - Multiple-scale analysis

The linear instability of a non-zonal flow can be reduced to an eigenvalue-eigenfunction problem, governed by a nonseparable partial differential equation (Niehaus, 1980). Approximate solutions, found by the method of multiple scales, are derived here and compared with earlier results found using a spectral method. The amplitude maxima are correctly located. The zonal variations of local wavenumber and of amplitude are qualitatively correct, but not sufficiently extreme. Because the method is oversensitive to local conditions, and less sensitive to global constraints, this comparison provides theoretical limits to the possibility of parameterizing transient eddies in terms of the local time mean state of the atmosphere. The method can be extended easily to flows with more realistic vertical structure.

Niehaus, M. C. W.↗

Maximum likelihood techniques applied to quasi-elastic light scattering

There is a necessity of having an automatic procedure for reliable estimation of the quality of the measurement of particle size from QELS (Quasi-Elastic Light Scattering). Getting the measurement itself, before any error estimates can be made, is a problem because it is obtained by a very indirect measurement of a signal derived from the motion of particles in the system and requires the solution of an inverse problem. The eigenvalue structure of the transform that generates the signal is such that an arbitrarily small amount of noise can obliterate parts of any practical inversion spectrum. This project uses the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) as a framework to generate a theory and a functioning set of software to oversee the measurement process and extract the particle size information, while at the same time providing error estimates for those measurements. The theory involved verifying a correct form of the covariance matrix for the noise on the measurement and then estimating particle size parameters using a modified histogram approach.

Edwards, Robert V.↗

SYMAT, COVAR: Test Procedures for Matrix Calculations

The FORTRAN subroutine SYMAT and related subroutines are described. In essence SYMAT is an iterative algorithm in which the problem of finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a real symmetric matrix is transformed into an equivalent problem of finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of an infinite sequence of matrices of order two. A DEMO PROGRAM contains a subroutine COVAR which is used to compute the covariance matrix (denoted by A) of a data matrix (denoted by X). Since a covariance matrix is symmetric it can be analyzed by using subroutine SYMAT.

Morris, W. L.↗

A low-rank power iteration scheme for neutron transport criticality problems

Computing effective eigenvalues for neutron transport often requires a fine numerical resolution. Here, the main challenge of such computations is the high memory effort of classical solvers, which limits the accuracy of chosen discretizations. In this work, we derive a method for the computation of effective eigenvalues when the underlying solution has a low-rank structure. This is accomplished by utilizing dynamical low-rank approximation (DLRA), which is an efficient strategy to derive time evolution equations for low-rank solution representations. The main idea is to interpret the iterates of the classical inverse power iteration as pseudo-time steps and apply the DLRA concepts in this framework. In our numerical experiment, we demonstrate that our method significantly reduces memory requirements while achieving the desired accuracy. Analytic investigations show that the proposed iteration scheme inherits the convergence speed of the inverse power iteration, at least for a simplified setting.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A Stability Analysis of Cylindrical Panels Using a Finite Element Formulation

A cylindrical finite element suitable for the linear stability analysis of cylindrical shells is developed. Energy principles and variational methods lead to a problem formulation which lends itself to physical interpretations of the governing matrices of the finite element. By properly grouping the terms which result from taking the second variation of the potential energy of the element, it is possible to identify three distinct types of matrices. The first matrix is the conventional stiffness matrix; the second is an initial stress stiffness matrix; and the third is an initial displacement stiffness matrix. With the assumption of linearity, the buckling problem is stated in terms of the classical linear real eigenvalue equation. This problem formulation was programmed on the CDC 6600 series computer. The computer program is used to analyze the buckling of a variety of structures. Columns, arches, flat plates and curved panels with and without cutouts are considered.

Snyder, R. E.↗

Multigrid method for stability problems

The problem of calculating the stability of steady state solutions of differential equations is addressed. Leading eigenvalues of large matrices that arise from discretization are calculated, and an efficient multigrid method for solving these problems is presented. The resulting grid functions are used as initial approximations for appropriate eigenvalue problems. The method employs local relaxation on all levels together with a global change on the coarsest level only, which is designed to separate the different eigenfunctions as well as to update their corresponding eigenvalues. Coarsening is done using the FAS formulation in a nonstandard way in which the right-hand side of the coarse grid equations involves unknown parameters to be solved on the coarse grid. This leads to a new multigrid method for calculating the eigenvalues of symmetric problems. Numerical experiments with a model problem are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

Ta'asan, Shlomo↗

Stability of stagnation via an expanding accretion shock wave

Stagnation of a cold plasma streaming to the center or axis of symmetry via an expanding accretion shock wave is ubiquitous in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high-energy-density plasma physics, the examples ranging from plasma flows in x-ray-generating Z pinches [Maron et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 035001 (2013)] to the experiments in support of the recently suggested concept of impact ignition in ICF [Azechi et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 235002 (2009); Murakami et al., Nucl. Fusion 54, 054007 (2014)]. Some experimental evidence indicates that stagnation via an expanding shock wave is stable, but its stability has never been studied theoretically. We present such analysis for the stagnation that does not involve a rarefaction wave behind the expanding shock front and is described by the classic ideal-gas Noh solution in spherical and cylindrical geometry. In either case, the stagnated flow has been demonstrated to be stable, initial perturbations exhibiting a power-law, oscillatory or monotonic, decay with time for all the eigenmodes. This conclusion has been supported by our simulations done both on a Cartesian grid and on a curvilinear grid in spherical coordinates. Dispersion equation determining the eigenvalues of the problem and explicit formulas for the eigenfunction profiles corresponding to these eigenvalues are presented, making it possible to use the theory for hydrocode verification in two and three dimensions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Multigrid method for stability problems

The problem of calculating the stability of steady state solutions of differential equations is treated. Leading eigenvalues (i.e., having maximal real part) of large matrices that arise from discretization are to be calculated. An efficient multigrid method for solving these problems is presented. The method begins by obtaining an initial approximation for the dominant subspace on a coarse level using a damped Jacobi relaxation. This proceeds until enough accuracy for the dominant subspace has been obtained. The resulting grid functions are then used as an initial approximation for appropriate eigenvalue problems. These problems are being solved first on coarse levels, followed by refinement until a desired accuracy for the eigenvalues has been achieved. The method employs local relaxation on all levels together with a global change on the coarsest level only, which is designed to separate the different eigenfunctions as well as to update their corresponding eigenvalues. Coarsening is done using the FAS formulation in a non-standard way in which the right hand side of the coarse grid equations involves unknown parameters to be solved for on the coarse grid. This in particular leads to a new multigrid method for calculating the eigenvalues of symmetric problems. Numerical experiments with a model problem demonstrate the effectiveness of the method proposed. Using an FMG algorithm a solution to the level of discretization errors is obtained in just a few work units (less than 10), where a work unit is the work involved in one Jacobi relization on the finest level.

Taasan, Shlomo↗

Numerical determination of the fundamental eigenvalue for the Laplace operator on a spherical domain

Methods for obtaining approximate solutions for the fundamental eigenvalue of the Laplace-Beltrami operator (i.e., the membrane eignevalue problem for the vibration equation) on the unit spherical surface are developed. Two types of spherical surface domains are considered: the interior of a spherical triangle, and the exterior of a great circle arc extending for less than pi radians (a spherical surface with a slit). In both cases, zero boundary conditions are imposed. In order to solve the resulting second-order elliptic partial differential equations in two independent variables, a finite difference approximation is employed. The fundamental eigenvalue is approximated by iteration utilizing the power method and point successive overrelaxation. Some numerical results are given and compared, in certain special cases, with analytical solutions to the eigenvalue problem. The significance of the numerical eigenvalue results is discussed in terms of the singularities in the solution of three-dimensional boundary-value problems near a polyhedral corner of the domain.

Walden, H.↗

Eigenvalue extraction in NASTRAN by the tridiagonal reduction (FEER) method: Real eigenvalue analysis

The development of the tridiagonal reduction method and its implementation in NASTRAN are described for real eigenvalue analysis as typified by structural vibration and buckling problems. This method is an automatic matrix reduction scheme whereby the eigensolutions in the neighborhood of a specified point in the eigenspectrum can be accurately extracted from a tridiagonal eigenvalue problem whose order is much lower than that of the full problem. The process is effected without orbitrary lumping of masses or other physical quantities at selected node points and thus avoids one of the basic weaknesses of other techniques.

Newman, M.↗

Initial values for the integration scheme to compute the eigenvalues for propagation in ducts

A scheme for the calculation of eigenvalues in the problem of acoustic propagation in a two-dimensional duct is described. The computation method involves changing the coupled transcendental nonlinear algebraic equations into an initial value problem involving a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The simplest approach is to use as initial values the hardwall eigenvalues and to integrate away from these values as the admittance varies from zero to its actual value with a linear variation. The approach leads to a powerful root finding routine capable of computing the transverse and axial wave numbers for two-dimensional ducts for any frequency, lining, admittance and Mach number without requiring initial guesses or starting points.

Eversman, W.↗

Quantum Multiple Eigenvalue Gaussian filtered Search: an efficient and versatile quantum phase estimation method

Quantum phase estimation is one of the most powerful quantum primitives. This work proposes a new approach for the problem of multiple eigenvalue estimation: Quantum Multiple Eigenvalue Gaussian filtered Search (QMEGS). QMEGS leverages the Hadamard test circuit structure and only requires simple classical postprocessing. QMEGS is the first algorithm to simultaneously satisfy the following two properties: (1) It can achieve the Heisenberg-limited scaling without relying on any spectral gap assumption. (2) With a positive energy gap and additional assumptions on the initial state, QMEGS can estimate all dominant eigenvalues to ϵ accuracy utilizing a significantly reduced circuit depth compared to the standard quantum phase estimation algorithm. In the most favorable scenario, the maximal runtime can be reduced to as low as log(1/ϵ). This implies that QMEGS serves as an efficient and versatile approach, achieving the best-known results for both gapped and gapless systems. Numerical results validate the efficiency of our proposed algorithm in various regimes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The application of finite element techniques to acoustic transmission in lined ducts with flow

The finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the propagation of sound in two-dimensional nonuniform ducts carrying a compressible subsonic mean flow. Galerkin and residual least squares (RLS) methods with natural and forced boundary conditions are considered. The accuracy of FEM results for the eigenvalue and transmission problems is assessed by comparison with alternative numerical schemes for nonuniform ducts. The results presented and those from associated investigations indicate that modal coupling is a significant feature of the acoustic field, especially at high Mach numbers. A multimodal model therefore appears to be essential if any reliable conclusions are to be drawn in the context of turbofan inlet regions. Improvements to the eigenvalue scheme following the implementation of higher-order Hermitian elements indicate a similar modification for the transmission problem.

Astley, R. J.↗

An Analytic Benchmark for the Solution to the Isotopic Fission Spectrum Mixture Problem

In neutron transport calculations, it is common to specify material compositions in terms of constituent isotopes. Material compositions may be described by isotope number densities and associated microscopic cross sections. For general reaction cross sections, the macroscopic cross sections of a composition are simply the summation of the sum of the products of isotope number densities and microscopic cross sections. A notable exception is the mixture of the neutron fission spectrum in fissile material. To demonstrate proper and improper mixture of the neutron fission spectrum, a zero-dimensional test problem is developed. Using the test problem, it is demonstrated that the improper mixing of the fission spectrum results in an eigenvalue error of approximately 65 pcm. Though this may seem small, any error in such a simple calculation is unacceptable. In similar infinite-homogeneous test problems, eigenvalue errors of more than 300 pcm have been observed. It is also shown that the error due to fission spectrum mixing can be exaggerated for computer program verification purposes. It is concluded that the proper mixture of the neutron fission spectrum is essential for accurate neutron transport simulations. The effect of improper neutron fission spectrum mixture is demonstrated and quantified and this test problem may be used for verification purposes in the future.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗