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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Validity of standard model EFT studies of V H and V V production at NLO

The production of $W^±H, ZH, W^+W^-$, and $W^±Z$ pairs probes non-Standard-Model interactions of quarks, gauge bosons, and the Higgs boson. New effects can be parameterized in terms of an effective field theory (EFT) where the Lagrangian is expanded in terms of higher-dimension operators suppressed by increasing powers of a high scale Λ. We examine the importance of including next-to-leading-order QCD corrections in global fits to the coefficients of the EFT. The numerical implications on the fits due to different approaches to enforcing the validity of the EFT are quantified. We pay particular attention to the dependence of the fits on the ex-pansion in 1/Λ 2 since the differences between results calculated at $\mathcal{O}$(1/Λ 2 ) and $\mathcal{O}$(1/Λ 4 ) may give insight into the possible significance of dimension-8 effects.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bayesian model averaging for analysis of lattice field theory results

Statistical modeling is a key component in the extraction of physical results from lattice field theory calculations. Although the general models used are often strongly motivated by physics, many model variations can frequently be considered for the same lattice data. Model averaging, which amounts to a probability-weighted average over all model variations, can incorporate systematic errors associated with model choice without being overly conservative. We discuss the framework of model averaging from the perspective of Bayesian statistics, and give useful formulae and approximations for the particular case of least-squares fitting, commonly used in modeling lattice results. In addition, we frame the common problem of data subset selection (e.g. choice of minimum and maximum time separation for fitting a two-point correlation function) as a model selection problem and study model averaging as a straightforward alternative to manual selection of fit ranges. Numerical examples involving both mock and real lattice data are given.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quenching factor measurements of neon nuclei in neon gas

The NEWS-G collaboration uses spherical proportional counters (SPCs) to search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Here, in this paper, we report the first measurements of the nuclear quenching factor in neon gas at 2 bar using an SPC deployed in a neutron beam at the TUNL facility. The energy-dependence of the nuclear quenching factor is modeled using a simple power law: $αE^{β}_{nr}$; we determine its parameters by simultaneously fitting the data collected with the detector over a range of energies. We measured the following parameters in Ne : CH 4 at 2 bar: α= 0.2801±0.0050 (fit) ±0.0045 (sys) and β=0.0867±0.020 (fit) ±0.006 (sys). Our measurements do not agree with expected values from SRIM or Lindhard theory. We demonstrated the feasibility of performing quenching factor measurements at sub-keV energies in gases using SPCs and a neutron beam.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Universal relations for neutron star 𝑓-mode and 𝑔-mode oscillations

Among the various oscillation modes of neutron stars, 𝑓- and 𝑔- modes are the most likely to be ultimately observed in binary neutron star mergers due to their relatively large coupling and shared frequencies with tidal excitations. The 𝑓-mode frequency and damping time are known to correlate in normal neutron stars with their compactness, and previous fits to hadronic stars are extended and shown to be valid for an extremely broad sampling of equations of state using a piecewise polytropic parametrization scheme for hadrons and a constant sound-speed parametrization for quark matter. Separate fits applicable to quark (self-bound) stars are improved. Much more significant correlations exist with tidal deformability, and therefore with moment of inertia and quadrupole moment. It is conclusively demonstrated that these correlations are the same for all types of stars, whether hadronic, hybrid, or pure quark, and its accuracy is quantified. A novel 1-node branch of the 𝑓-mode that occurs in low-mass hybrid stars in a narrow mass range just beyond the critical mass necessary for a phase transition to appear is identified. This 1-node branch shows the largest, but still small, deviations from the universal correlation for any configuration. It is characterized by a nonmonotonic relation between neutron star mass and 𝑓-mode frequency, in contrast to the behavior otherwise observed in normal, quark and hybrid stars. The 𝑔-mode only exists in matter with a nonbarotropic equation of state involving temperature, chemical potential or composition (such as being out of beta equilibrium), or a phase transition in barotropic matter. Here, the 𝑔-mode therefore could serve as a probe for studying phase transitions in hybrid stars. In contrast with the 𝑓-mode, 𝑔-mode frequencies do not correlate well with tidal deformability, but depend strongly on properties of the transition (the density and the magnitude of the discontinuity) at the transition. Imposing causality and maximum mass constraints, a fit involving neutron star and phase transition properties is found and the 𝑔-mode frequency is determined to have an upper bound of about 1.25 kHz. However, if the sound speed 𝑐𝑠 in the inner core at densities above the phase transition density is restricted to 𝑐$^{2}_{𝑠}$ ≤1/3, 𝑔-mode frequencies can only reach about 0.8 kHz, which are significantly lower than 𝑓-mode frequencies (1.3–2.8 kHz). 𝑔-mode gravitational wave damping times are found to be extremely long, >10 4 s (102 s) in the inner core with 𝑐$^{2}_{𝑠}$ ≤1/3 (1), in comparison with 𝑓-mode damping times (0.1–1 s).

Composition of astronomical objects↗
DOE OSTI2023

Observation of a threshold cusp at the Λ η threshold in the pK - mass spectrum with Λ$^{+}_{c}$ → pK - π + decays

We observe a narrow peaking structure in the pK - invariant-mass spectrum near the Λη threshold. The peak is clearly seen in 1.5 million events of Λ$^{+}_{c}$ → pK - π + decay using the 980 fb -1 data sample collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e + e - collider. We try two approaches to explain this structure: as a new resonance and as a cusp at the Λη threshold. The best fit is obtained with a coherent sum of a Flatte function and a constant background amplitude with the reduced X 2 of 257/243 (p = 0.25), while the fits to Breit-Wigner functions are unfavored by more than 7σ. The best fit explains the structure as a cusp at the Λη threshold, and the obtained parameters are consistent with the known properties of Λ(1670). The observation gives the first identification of a threshold cusp in hadrons from the spectrum shape.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photometric redshifts and intrinsic alignments: Degeneracies and biases in the 3 × 2 pt analysis

We present a systematic study of cosmological parameter bias in weak lensing and large-scale structure analyses for upcoming imaging surveys induced by the interplay of intrinsic alignments (IA) and photometric redshift (photo-z) model misspecification error. We first examine the degeneracies between the parameters of the tidal alignment–tidal torquing (TATT) model for IA and of a photo-z model including a mean shift ( Δ z ¯ ) and variance ( σ z ) for each tomographic bin of lenses and sources, under a variety of underlying true IA behaviors. We identify strong degeneracies between: (1) the redshift scaling of the tidal alignment amplitude and the mean shift and variances of source bins, (2) the redshift scaling of the tidal torquing amplitude and the variance of the lowest- z source bin, and (3) the IA source density weighting and the mean shift and variance of several source bins. We then use this information to guide our exploration of the level of cosmological parameter bias which can be induced given incorrect modeling of IA, photo-z, or both. We find that marginalizing over all the parameters of TATT is generally sufficient to preclude cosmological parameter bias in the scenarios we consider. However, this does not necessarily mean that IA and photo-z parameters are themselves unbiased, nor does it mean that the best-fit model is a good fit to the data. We also find scenarios where the inferred parameters produce χ d . o . f . 2 values indicative of a good fit but cosmological parameter bias is significant, particularly when the IA source density weighting parameter is not marginalized over. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

First constraints on a pixelated universe in light of DESI observations

Pixelated dark energy is a string theory scenario with a quantum mechanically stable cosmological constant. The number of pixels that make up the universe slowly increases, manifesting as a time-dependent source of dark energy. DESI has recently reported evidence for dynamical dark energy that fits within this framework. In light of this, we perform the first cosmological analysis of the pixelated model. We find that the simplest model where the pixel growth rate is constant is able to accommodate the data, providing a marginally better fit than Λ⁢ CDM; and we show that models where the pixel growth rate is increasing and of order the Hubble constant today could provide better fits. Our analysis helps to clarify the features of UV constructions of dark energy necessary to accommodate the data.

dark energy↗
DOE OSTI2025

Gravothermal collapse and the diversity of galactic rotation curves

The rotation curves of spiral galaxies exhibit a great diversity that challenges our understanding of galaxy formation and the nature of dark matter. Previous studies showed that in self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) models with a cross section per unit mass of σ/m ≈ $\mathscr{O}$(1) cm 2 /g, the predicted dark matter central densities are a good match to the observed densities in galaxies. Here, in this work, we explore a regime with a larger cross section of σ/m ≈ 20−40 cm 2 /g in dwarf galactic halos. We will show that such strong dark matter self-interactions can further amplify the diversity of halo densities inherited from their assembly history. High concentration halos can enter the gravothermal collapse phase within 10 Gyr, resulting in a high density, while low concentration ones remain in the expansion phase and have a low density. We fit the rotation curves of 14 representative low surface brightness galaxies and demonstrate how the large range of observed central densities is naturally accommodated in the strong SIDM regime of σ/m ≈ 20 – 40 cm 2 /g. Galaxies that are outliers in the previous studies, due to their high halo central densities, are no longer outliers in this SIDM regime as their halos would be in the collapse phase. For galaxies with a low density, the SIDM fits are robust to the variation of the cross section. Our findings open up a new window for testing gravothermal collapse, the unique signature of strong dark matter self-interactions, and exploring a broader SIDM model space. As an example, we illustrate how the larger cross sections favored by our fits, together with upper limits from strong lensing observations in clusters, pick out the preferred SIDM model space for a dark matter particle coupled to a light gauge boson in the Born regime.

dark matter↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spurious Point Source Signals in the Galactic Center Excess

We reexamine evidence that the Galactic Center Excess (GCE) originates primarily from point sources (PSs). Here, we show that in our region of interest, non-Poissonian template fitting evidence for GCE PSs is an artifact of unmodeled north-south asymmetry of the GCE. This asymmetry is strongly favored by the fit (although it is unclear if this is physical), and when it is allowed, the preference for PSs becomes insignificant. We reproduce this behavior in simulations, including detailed properties of the spurious PS population. We conclude that the non-Poissonian template fitting evidence for GCE PSs is highly susceptible to certain systematic errors and should not at present be taken to robustly disfavor a dominantly smooth GCE.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mesoscopic structure of mixed type domain walls in multiaxial ferroelectrics

The structure of a 180° uncharged rotational domain wall in a multiaxial ferroelectric film is studied in the framework of an analytical Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire (LGD) approach. Finite element modeling (FEM) is used to solve numerically the system of the coupled nonlinear Euler-Lagrange (EL) second-order differential equations for two components of polarization. We show that the structure of the domain wall and corresponding metastable or stable phase of the film are controlled by a single parameter—the dimensionless ferroelectric anisotropy factor μ. We fitted the static profile of a solitary domain wall, calculated by FEM, with kinklike functions for polarization components, and extracted the five μ-dependent parameters from the fitting to FEM curves. The surprisingly high accuracy of the fitting results for two polarization components in the entire μ range allows us to conclude that the analytical functions, which are trial functions in the direct variational method, can be treated as a high-accuracy variational solution of the static EL equations. We further derive exact two-component analytical solutions of the static EL equations for a polydomain 180° domain structure in a multiaxial ferroelectric film. Using these, we derive analytical expressions for the system free energy and analyze its dependence on the film thickness and boundary conditions at the film surfaces. The single-domain state is ground for zero polarization derivative at the surfaces, while the polydomain states minimize the system energy for zero polarization at the surfaces. Counterintuitively, the energy of the polydomain states split into two levels, “0” and “1,” for zero polarization at the surfaces, and each of the levels contains a large number of close-energy sublevels, whose structure is characterized by a different number and type of domain walls. The analytical solutions can become a useful tool for Bayesian analysis of high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy images in ferroelectric films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Difficulties with late-time solutions for the Hubble tension

We explore the notion that cosmological models that modify the late-time expansion history cannot simultaneously fit the SH0ES Collaboration’s measurements of the Hubble constant, Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument baryon acoustic oscillations data, and type Ia supernova distances. Adopting a few simple phenomenological models, we quantitatively demonstrate that a satisfactory fit with a model with late-time expansion history can only be achieved if one of the following is true: (1) there is a sharp step in the absolute magnitude of type Ia supernovae at very low redshift, 𝑧 ∼0.01, or (2) the distance duality relation, 𝑑 𝐿 ⁡(𝑧) =(1+𝑧) 2 ⁢𝑑 𝐴 ⁡(𝑧), is broken. Both solutions are trivial in that they effectively decouple the calibrated type Ia supernovae measurements from other data, and this qualitatively agrees with previous work built on studying specific dark-energy models. We also identify a less effective class of late-time solutions with a transition at 𝑧 ≃0.15 that lead to a more modest improvement in fit to the data than models with a very low-𝑧 transition. Our conclusions are largely unchanged when we include surface brightness fluctuation distance measurements, with their current systematic uncertainties, to our analysis. Here, we finally illustrate our findings by studying a physical model which, when equipped with the ability to smoothly change the absolute magnitude of type Ia supernovae, partially resolves the Hubble tension.

Cosmological parameters↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient analysis of small-angle scattering curves for large biomolecular assemblies using Monte Carlo methods

Structure elucidation from small-angle scattering curves of large biomolecular assemblies is notoriously challenging. This is because the simulation of high-resolution features in the structure of large macromolecular assemblies, such as de novo protein assemblies, is computationally demanding when it needs to cover a broad range of length scales. Conventional methods, such as the numerical approximation to the Debye equation or the use of spherical harmonics, do not scale well as the size of the assembly increases, which limits their application to small structures (e.g. individual proteins). This work explores the effectiveness of a Monte Carlo method to simulate and fit scattering curves for large biomolecular assemblies spanning over ranges covering atomic and molecular detail (e.g. spacing and orientation of proteins in an assembly) as well as large-scale (hundreds of nanometres) features. Owing to its speed and scalability, it can be combined with a fitting algorithm to extract structural features from experimental small-angle scattering curves in biomolecular assemblies that are otherwise intractable for interpretation. This work first demonstrates the effectiveness of the tool using experimental small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data from tile-like proteins that assemble into 1D tube-like macromolecular structures. Here, the diameter distribution of tubes is extracted from SAXS fits, and this is quantitatively compared with distributions from electron microscopy. SAXS data are also obtained from 2D sheet-like protein assemblies, and the proposed method is used to quantify structural features such as the separation distance between protein building blocks and the flexing of the sheet. An open-source implementation of the methodology is provided for use in a broad range of biological systems involving multi-scale scattering analysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Transient computational and experimental thermal analysis of graphite foam monoblock

A densified graphite foam is being explored for its applicability as plasma-facing material in fusion devices. Three different graphite foam monoblocks are constructed and tested in the Garching Large Divertor Sample Testing Facility. The monoblock samples consist of graphite foam press-fit to a single tube, graphite foam cubes brazed to a single, and graphite foam cubes press-fit to a single tube. The tube is composed of CuCrZr with a steel twisted tape. The monoblocks are exposed to the heat fluxes of 5, 6, and 8 MW/m 2 for 30 s to determine the maximum surface and body temperatures measured with thermocouple for each monoblock design. The press-fit monoblocks are exposed to 8 MW/m 2 for 15 s for 100 cycles to determine the effect of thermal cycling on the contact between the graphite foam and the tube. STAR-CCM+ is used to predict how much the contact between the foam and tubes varies as a result of thermal cycling. In addition, the 6 MW/m 2 loading is modeled in STAR-CCM+ to compare the transient cooldown curves of the computational results to the recorded temperatures at the surface and two different thermocouple locations. This comparison is used to validate the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity used in the models of the graphite foam. The computational modeling of the experiment has been used to hypothesize ways to use and improve upon the graphite foam as a suitable material for fusion applications.

Gehrig, Monica↗
DOE OSTI2021

Flexural strength of a conventionally processed and additively manufactured debased 94% alumina

Mechanical strength of a 94 wt% debased alumina was measured using ASTM-C1161 specimens fabricated via conventional and lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) methods. The effects of build orientation and a 1500°C wet hydrogen fire added to the LCM firing sequence on strength were evaluated. Additionally, a Weibull fit to the conventional flexural specimen data yielded 20 and 356 MPa for the modulus and characteristic strength, respectively. Weibull fits of the data from the LCM specimens yielded moduli between 7.5 and 11.3 and characteristics strengths between 333 and 339 MPa. A Weibull fit to data from LCM specimens subjected to the wet hydrogen fire yielded 14.2 and 376 MPa for the modulus and characteristic strength, respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for all Weibull parameters are reported. Average Archimedes bulk densities of LCM and conventional specimens were 3.732 and 3.730 g/cm 3 , respectively. Process dependent differences in surface morphology were observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of specimen surfaces. SEM images of LCM specimen cross-sections showed alumina grain texture dependent on build direction, but no evidence of porosity concentrated in planes between printed layers. Fracture surfaces of LCM and conventionally processed specimens revealed hackle lines and mirror regions indicative of fracture initiation at the sample surface rather than the interior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hanford low-activity waste glass composition-temperature-melt viscosity relationships

This study developed a model for predicting viscosity of alkali-alumino-borosilicate glass melts as functions of composition and temperature. The model is based on a total of 3935 viscosity-temperature data from 574 glasses with viscosity values ranging from 2.53 to 7260 Poise (P) in the temperature range of 900–1260°C. Several different model forms were surveyed, including those based on Arrhenius, Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann, Avramov-Milchev, and Mauro-Yue-Ellison-Gupta-Allen. For each of these models, combinations of the temperature-independent parameters were fitted to composition. It was found that generally fitting more than one temperature-independent parameter as functions of composition resulted in overfitting. The Avramov-Milchev-based model was found to best represent the Hanford low-activity waste glass melt viscosity data based on model fit and validation statistics. A 21-term partial quadratic mixture model was recommended for use. This model predicts melt viscosity with a root-mean square error of .1736 ln(P), which is similar to the error in viscosity measurements from replicate glass analyses of .1383 ln(P). Viscosity was found to be most increased by SiO 2 > Al 2 O 3 > ZrO 2 > SnO 2 and most decreased by Li 2 O > Na 2 O > B 2 O 3 > CaO > K 2 O > MgO, at temperatures from 900 to 1260°C.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

MYC transcription factors coordinate tryptophan–dependent defence responses and compromise seed yield in Arabidopsis

Robust plant immunity negatively affects other fitness traits, including growth and seed production. Jasmonate (JA) confers broad-spectrum protection against plant consumers by stimulating the degradation of JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins, which in turn relieves repression on transcription factors (TFs) coincident with reduced growth and fecundity. The molecular mechanisms underlying JA-mediated decreases in fitness remain largely unknown. To assess the contribution of MYC TFs to growth and reproductive fitness at high levels of defence, we mutated three MYC genes in a JAZ-deficient mutant (jazD) of Arabidopsis thaliana that exhibits strong defence and low seed yield. Genetic epistasis analysis showed that de-repression of MYC TFs in jazD not only conferred strong resistance to insect herbivory but also reduced shoot and root growth, fruit size and seed yield. We also provided evidence that the JAZ–MYC module coordinates the supply of tryptophan with the production of indole glucosinolates and the proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum bodies that metabolise glucosinolates through the action of b-glucosidases. Our results establish MYCs as major regulators of growth- and reproductive–defence tradeoffs and further indicate that these factors coordinate tryptophan availability with the production of amino acid-derived defence compounds.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗