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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Lepto-axiogenesis

We propose a baryogenenesis mechanism that uses a rotating condensate of a Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry breaking field and the dimension-five operator that gives Majorana neutrino masses. The rotation induces charge asymmetries for the Higgs boson and for lepton chirality through sphaleron processes and Yukawa interactions. The dimension-five interaction transfers these asymmetries to the lepton asymmetry, which in turn is transferred into the baryon asymmetry through the electroweak sphaleron process. QCD axion dark matter can be simultaneously produced by dynamics of the same PQ field via kinetic misalignment or parametric resonance, favoring an axion decay constant ƒ a ≲ 10 10 GeV, or by conventional misalignment and contributions from strings and domain walls with ƒ a ~ 10 11 GeV. The size of the baryon asymmetry is tied to the mass of the PQ field. In simple supersymmetric theories, it is independent of UV parameters and predicts the supersymmtry breaking mass scale to be $ \mathcal{O} $(10 - 10 4 ) TeV, depending on the masses of the neutrinos and whether the condensate is thermalized during a radiation or matter dominated era. The high supersymmetry breaking mass scale may be free from cosmological and flavor/CP problems. We also construct a theory where TeV scale supersymmetry is possible. Parametric resonance may give warm axions, and the radial component of the PQ field may give signals in rare kaon decays from mixing with the Higgs and in dark radiation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Flattening of the EFT-hedron: supersymmetric positivity bounds and the search for string theory

We examine universal positivity constraints on 2 → 2 scattering in 4d planar N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with higher-derivative corrections. We present numerical evidence that the convex region of allowed Wilson coefficients (the “EFT-hedron”) flattens completely along about one-third of its dimensions when an increasing number of constraints on the spectral density from crossing-symmetry are included. Our analysis relies on the formulation of the positivity constraints as a linear optimization problem, which we implement using two numerical solvers, SDPB and CPLEX. Motivated by the flattening, we propose a novel partially resummed low-energy expansion of the 2 → 2 amplitude. As part of the analysis, we provide additional evidence in favor of the conjecture [1] that the Veneziano amplitude is the only amplitude compatible with both S-matrix bootstrap constraints and string monodromy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Anomalies in global SMEFT analyses. A case study of first-row CKM unitarity

Recent developments in the Standard Model analysis of semileptonic charged-current processes involving light quarks have revealed ~ 3σ tensions in Cabibbo universality tests involving meson, neutron, and nuclear beta decays. In this paper, we explore beyond the Standard Model explanations of this so-called Cabibbo Angle Anomaly in the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), including not only low-energy charged current processes (‘L’), but also electroweak precision observables (‘EW’) and Drell-Yan collider processes (‘C’) that probe the same underlying physics across a broad range of energy scales. The resulting ‘CLEW’ framework not only allows one to test explanations of the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly, but is set up to provide near model-independent analyses with minimal assumptions on the flavor structure of the SMEFT operators. Besides the global analysis, we consider a large number of simpler scenarios, each with a subset of SMEFT operators, and investigate how much they improve upon the Standard Model fit. We find that the most favored scenarios, as judged by the Akaike Information Criterion, are those that involve right-handed charged currents. Additional interactions, namely oblique operators, terms modifying the Fermi constant, and operators involving right-handed neutral currents, play a role if the CDF determination of the W mass is included in the analysis.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dark Matter searches with photons at the LHC

We unveil blind spot regions in dark matter (DM) direct detection (DMDD), for weakly interacting massive particles with a mass around a few hundred GeV that may reveal interesting photon signals at the LHC. We explore a scenario where the DM primarily originates from the singlet sector within the Z 3 -symmetric Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM). A novel DMDD spin-independent blind spot condition is revealed for singlino-dominated DM, in cases where the mass parameters of the higgsino and the singlino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) exhibit opposite relative signs (i.e., κ < 0), emphasizing the role of nearby bino and higgsino-like states in tempering the singlino-dominated LSP. Additionally, proximate bino and/or higgsino states can act as co-annihilation partner(s) for singlino-dominated DM, ensuring agreement with the observed relic abundance of DM. Remarkably, in scenarios involving singlino-higgsino co-annihilation, higgsino-like neutralinos can distinctly favor radiative decay modes into the singlino-dominated LSP and a photon, as opposed to decays into leptons/hadrons. In exploring this region of parameter space within the singlino-higgsino compressed scenario, we study the signal associated with at least one relatively soft photon alongside a lepton, accompanied by substantial missing transverse energy (E T ) and a hard initial state radiation jet at the LHC. In the context of singlino-bino co-annihilation, the bino state, as the next-to-LSP, exhibits significant radiative decay into a soft photon and the LSP, enabling the possible exploration at the LHC through the triggering of this soft photon alongside large E T and relatively hard leptons/jets resulting from the decay of heavier higgsino-like states.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cosmological gravitational particle production of massive spin-2 particles

The phenomenon of cosmological gravitational particle production (CGPP) is expected to occur during the period of inflation and the transition into a hot big bang cosmology. Particles may be produced even if they only couple directly to gravity, and so CGPP provides a natural explanation for the origin of dark matter. In this work we study the gravitational production of massive spin-2 particles assuming two different couplings to matter. We evaluate the full system of mode equations, including the helicity-0 modes, and by solving them numerically we calculate the spectrum and abundance of massive spin-2 particles that results from inflation on a hilltop potential. We conclude that CGPP might provide a viable mechanism for the generation of massive spin-2 particle dark matter during inflation, and we identify the favorable region of parameter space in terms of the spin-2 particle’s mass and the reheating temperature. As a secondary product of our work, we identify the conditions under which such theories admit ghost or gradient instabilities, and we thereby derive a generalization of the Higuchi bound to Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) spacetimes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effective theories for a nonrelativistic field in an expanding universe: Induced self-interaction, pressure, sound speed, and viscosity

A massive, nonrelativistic scalar field in an expanding spacetime is usually approximated by a pressureless perfect fluid, which leads to the standard conclusion that such a field can play the role of cold dark matter. In this paper, we systematically study these approximations, incorporating subleading corrections. We provide two equivalent effective descriptions of the system, each of which offers its own advantages and insights: (i) A nonrelativistic effective field theory (EFT) with which we show that the relativistic corrections induce an effective self-interaction for the nonrelativistic field. As a byproduct, our EFT also allows one to construct the exact solution, including oscillatory behavior, which is often difficult to achieve from the exact equations. (ii) An effective (imperfect) fluid description, with which we demonstrate that, for a perturbed Friedmann-Lemaître- Robertson-Walker (FLRW) universe: (a) The pressure is small but nonzero (and positive), even for a free theory with no tree-level self-interactions. (b) The sound speed of small fluctuations is also nonzero (and positive), reproducing already known leading-order results, correcting a subdominant term, and identifying a new contribution that had been omitted in previous analyses. (c) The fluctuations experience a negative effective bulk viscosity. The positive sound speed and the negative bulk viscosity act in favor of and against the growth of overdensities, respectively. The net effect may be considered a smoking gun for ultra-light dark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

On the statistical treatment of the Cabibbo angle anomaly

We point out that testing the equality of the Cabibbo angle as extracted from $\Gamma(K\rightarrow \pi l\nu)$, the ratio $\Gamma(K\rightarrow l\nu)/\Gamma(\pi\rightarrow l\nu)$ and nuclear $\beta$ decays is not identical to a test of first row unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix. The reason is that a CKM unitarity test involves only two parameters, while the degrees of freedom for the assessment of the goodness-of-fit of the universality of the Cabibbo angle entailed by the Standard Model (SM) is equal to the number of measurements minus one. Beyond the SM all different processes could in principle give different Cabibbo angles. Consequently, the difference between the two tests becomes relevant starting from three observables giving results for the Cabibbo angle that are in tension with each other. With current data, depending on the treatment of the nuclear $\beta$ decays, we find that New Physics is favored over the SM at $5.1\,\sigma$ or $3.6\,\sigma$ while CKM unitarity is rejected at $4.8\sigma$ or $3.0\sigma$, respectively. We argue that the best method to test the SM is to test the equality of the Cabibbo angle, because CKM unitarity is only one aspect of the SM.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Keeping it simple: simplified frameworks for long-lived particles at neutrino facilities

Modern-day accelerator neutrino facilities are excellent venues for searches for new-physics particles. Many distinct new-physics models predict overlapping signatures and phenomenology in these experiments. In this work, we advocate for the adoption of simplified frameworks when studying these types of new-physics signatures, which are characterized by a small number of primary variables, including particle masses, lifetimes, and production and decay modes/rates that most directly control signal event rates and kinematics. In particular, taking the example of long-lived particles that decay inside a neutrino detector as a test case, we study formulate and study simplified frameworks in the context of light scalars/fermions produced in kaon decays which then decay into final states containing an electron-positron pair. We show that using these simplified frameworks can allow for individual experimental analyses to be applicable to a wide variety of specific model scenarios. As a side benefit, we demonstrate that using this approach can allow for the T2K collaboration, by reinterpreting its search for Heavy Neutral Leptons, to be capable of setting world-leading limits on the Higgs-Portal Scalar model. Furthermore, we argue the simplified framework interpretation can serve as a bridge to model identification in the hopeful detection of a new-physics signal. As an illustration, we perform a first determination of the likelihood that, in the presence of a new-physics signal in a detector like the DUNE ND-GAr, multiple different new-physics hypotheses (such as the Higgs-Portal Scalar and Heavy Neutral Lepton ones) can be disentangled. We demonstrate that this model discrimination is favorable for some portions of detectable new-physics parameter space but for others, it is more challenging.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of the branching fractions of ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Sigma }^{+}{K}_{S}^{0}$, ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+}$, and ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}+$ at Belle and Belle II

Using 983.0 fb −1 and 427.9 fb −1 data samples collected with the Belle and Belle II detectors at the KEKB and SuperKEKB asymmetric energy e + e − colliders, respectively, we present studies of the Cabibbo-favored ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}$ decays ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Sigma }^{+}{K}_{S}^{0}$ and ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+}$, and the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}^{+}$. The ratios of branching fractions of ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Sigma }^{+}{K}_{S}^{0}$ and ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}^{+}$ relative to that of ${\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+}$ are measured for the first time, while the ratio $\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+})/\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+})$ is also determined and improved by an order of magnitude in precision. The measured branching fraction ratios are $\begin{array}{c}\frac{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Sigma }^{+}{K}_{S}^{0}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+}\right)}=0.067\pm 0.007\pm 0.003,\\ \frac{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+}\right)}=0.251\pm 0.005\pm 0.010,\\ \frac{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}^{+}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+}\right)}=0.017\pm 0.003\pm 0.001.\end{array}$ Additionally, the ratio $\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}^{+})/\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+})$ is measured to be 0.068 ± 0.010 ± 0.004. Here, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. Multiplying the ratios by the branching fraction of the normalization mode, $\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+})=(2.9\pm 1.3)%$, we obtain the following absolute branching fractions $\begin{array}{c}\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Sigma }^{+}{K}_{S}^{0})=(0.194\pm 0.021\pm 0.009\pm 0.087)\text{%},\\ \mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{\pi }^{+})=(0.728\pm 0.014\pm 0.027\pm 0.326)\text{%},\\ \mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{0}{K}^{+})=(0.049\pm 0.007\pm 0.003\pm 0.022)\text{%},\end{array}$ where the third uncertainties are from $\mathcal{B}({\Xi }_{c}^{+}\to {\Xi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{+})$.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

On tests for baby universes in AdS/CFT

To address a puzzle by Antonini and Rath — where a single CFT state has two bulk duals, one with a baby universe and one without — Engelhardt and Gesteau recently devised a test for baby universes in AdS/CFT. Using the extrapolate dictionary, they showed that the boundary dual of a bulk swap test favored bulk spacetimes without a baby universe, providing evidence against their semiclassical validity. However, recent work suggests that holographic maps should post-select on such closed universes, and we argue that this is consistent with the extrapolate dictionary. We therefore construct a new holographic map for bulk states with baby universes and use this to show that the swap test cannot distinguish between Antonini and Rath’s two candidate bulk duals. This not only allows for a valid semiclassical description of the baby universe, but also enables the application of recent techniques for including observers in holographic maps.

AdS-CFT correspondence↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resolving the ($\mathscr{g}$-2)$_μ$ discrepancy with $\mathcal{F}$–SU(5) intersecting D-branes

A discrepancy between the measured anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (g - 2) μ and computed Standard Model value now stands at a combined 4.2σ following experiments at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL). A solution to the disagreement is uncovered in flipped SU(5) with additional TeV-Scale vector-like 10 +$\bar{10}$ multiplets and charged singlet derived from local F-Theory, collectively referred to as $\mathcal {F}$-SU(5). Here we engage general No-Scale supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking in $\mathcal {F}$-SU(5) D-brane model building to alleviate the (g-2)μ. tension between the Standard Model and observations. A robust Δa μ (SUSY) is realized via mixing of M 5 and M 1X at the secondary SU(5) x U(1) X unification scale in $\mathcal {F}$-SU(5) emanating from SU(5) breaking and U(1) X flux effects. Calculations unveil Δa μ (SUSY) = 19.0-22.3 x 10 -10 for gluino masses of M($\tilde{g}$ = 2.25-2.56 TeV nd higgsino dark matter, aptly residing within the BNL+FNAL 1σ mean. This (g – 2)μ favorable region of the model space also generates the correct light Higgs boson mass and branching ratios of companion rare decay processes, and is further consistent with all LHC Run 2 constraints. Finally, we also examine the heavy SUSY Higgs boson in light of recent LHC searches for an extended Higgs sector.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

A closer look at isodoublet vector leptoquark solution to the ${R}_{D^{\left(\ast \right)}}$ anomaly

We discuss a model with a SU(2) L doublet vector leptoquark (LQ), motivated by the recent experimental results relating to the lepton universality of $\overline{B}$ → D$^{(*)}$$τ\overline{ν}_τ$ We find that scalar operators predicted by the LQ are favored to explain the deviations, taking into account the recent LHCb result. We investigate the extensive phenomenology of the model and conclude that B s → $τ\overline{τ}$, B → $Kτ\overline{τ}$, B u → $τ\overline{ν}_τ$ and high-p T di- τ lepton signatures at the LHC will probe the interesting parameter region in the near future.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Moduli space reconstruction and Weak Gravity

Abstract We present a method to construct the extended Kähler cone of any Calabi-Yau threefold by using Gopakumar-Vafa invariants to identify all geometric phases that are related by flops or Weyl reflections. In this way we obtain the Kähler moduli spaces of all favorable Calabi-Yau threefold hypersurfaces withh 1,1 ≤ 4, including toric and non-toric phases. In this setting we perform an explicit test of the Weak Gravity Conjecture by using the Gopakumar-Vafa invariants to count BPS states. All of our examples satisfy the tower/sublattice WGC, and in fact they even satisfy the stronger lattice WGC.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Dynamic changes in dissolved organic matter composition in a Mountain Lake under ice cover and relationships to changes in nutrient cycling and phytoplankton community composition

We studied Bear Lake, a sub-alpine oligotrophic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado U.S.A, during the winter ice cover period of 2018. Our goal was to understand relationships between biogeochemical processes and the chemical quality of the dissolved organic matter, a major pool of organic carbon in all lakes. The lake exhibited a highly stratified environment with limited light availability, a consistent oxycline at 7 meters, and dilute hydrochemistry. Nutrient concentrations were low and depletion of nitrogen, particularly for NH4 to a lesser extent NO3, were related to increasing phytoplankton abundance. The deep chlorophyll maxima that developed above the oxycline was dominated by a potentially mixotrophic dinoflagellate. DOM chemical quality as measured through high-resolution mass spectrometry was related to these shifts in aquatic ecosystem structure. However, CDOM spectroscopy of the whole water was a poor indicator of biogeochemical changes in the DOM pool. The spectrometry data highlighted an evolving and contrasting reservoir of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur-containing organic compounds sensitive to nutrient cycling and redox conditions. We also observed reduced chemodiversity between the surface and bottom water DOM molecular formulas over time. Homogeneity increased in the surface and more unique compounds were produced in the bottom waters, where an overall increase occurred in the favorability of carbon to support microbial respiration. Our results show dynamic chemical changes in the DOM pool reflect dynamic nutrient cycling under ice cover, potentially driven by mixotrophic growth of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium sp.

Rue, Garrett↗
DOE OSTI2024

Constitutive model development of aluminum alloy 1100 for elevated temperature forming process

Commercially pure aluminum alloy, AA1100, presents good electrical and thermal conductivity, high formability, and low cost. Those favorable characteristics have the potential to enable bipolar plates with improved economics and enhanced performance compared to current stainless steel bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. An accurate constitutive model is essential to develop and optimize processing parameters and effectively control the forming process. Here, the objective of this work is to develop a constitutive model of AA1100 that is able to simulate stress-strain relation, formed geometry, and predict the onset of fracture strain to avoid forming failure. Initially, a set of tensile tests at temperature between 300 and 500°C and strain rate between 0.005 and 1.0/s were conducted to examine the deformation behavior. Then, a set of damage-based unified visco-plastic constitutive equations is proposed and calibrated based on the results of stress-strain data. A genetic algorithm optimization method is applied to search for best fitting material constants in constitutive equations. The proposed model shows good predictability of both the stress-strain relation and fracture strain at low strain rate and high temperature conditions. The accuracy of proposed model is also evaluated statistically. A comparison of the proposed model with three popular models (Arrhenius-type mode, Johnson-Cook model and Zerilli-Armstrong model) was made. The proposed model shows the best experimental agreement with correlation coefficient of 0.96 in contrast to 0.25, 0.38 and 0.75 for the popular models, respectively. The proposed model can help to optimize the elevated temperature forming process and guide die design to enable optimal geometric features in the formed components.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cohort-based pan-cancer analysis and experimental studies reveal ISG15 gene as a novel biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy prediction

Abstract ISG15, an interferon-stimulated ubiquitin-like protein, plays a multifaceted role in tumorigenesis and immune regulation. This study comprehensively evaluates ISG15 as a prognostic biomarker and predictor of immunotherapy response through pan-cancer bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. By integrating multiomics data from TCGA, GEO, and clinical cohorts, we found that ISG15 is significantly overexpressed in multiple cancers and generally correlates with poor prognosis. Elevated ISG15 expression is associated with increased immune checkpoint gene expression, particularly PD-L1, and immune infiltration, notably M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. Immunohistochemistry and multiplexed immunofluorescence confirmed a strong positive correlation between ISG15, PD-L1, and M2-TAM infiltration in lung and gastric cancer samples. Functional analysis at the single-cell level revealed significant associations between ISG15 and tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Immunotherapy cohort analysis demonstrated that tumors with high ISG15 expression responded favorably to PD-L1 inhibitors but exhibited resistance to CTLA-4 blockade, findings further validated in lung cancer patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy. These results suggest that ISG15 is a promising biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy response prediction across cancers. Its integration into clinical decision-making may enhance personalized treatment strategies, improve immunotherapy outcomes, and provide new insights into the tumor immune microenvironment, cancer progression, and potential therapeutic targets for future drug development.

Immunology↗
DOE OSTI2024

Growth of organized flow coherent motions within a single-stream shear layer: 4D-PTV measurements

Abstract This study investigates the evolution of a single-stream shear layer (SSSL) originating from a wall boundary layer past a backward-facing step. Utilizing a time-resolved 3D-Particle Tracking Velocimetry (4D-PTV) technique, we track the trajectories of fluorescent particles to gain insight into the flow characteristics of the SSSL. A compact water tunnel facility ( $$\textrm{Re}_\tau =1\,240$$ Re τ = 1 240 ) is fabricated to obtain an SSSL with a perpendicular slow entrainment stream past the separation edge. A hybrid interpolation approach that combines ensemble binning and Gaussian weighting is implemented to derive minimally filtered mean and instantaneous lower- and higher-order flow field parameters. Spanwise-dominant coherent motion accompanied by finer flow scales is observed to grow due to flow entrainment through “nibbling” actions of small-scale vortices, “engulfing” by large-scale vortices, and vortex pairing events. Furthermore, the non-zero-speed stream edge grows relatively faster than the zero-speed stream edge, showing a strong asymmetry in mixing composition across a mixing layer. The SSSL reaches self-similarity at a streamwise distance of $$\approx 55\,\theta _{0}$$ ≈ 55 θ 0 , where $$\theta _0$$ θ 0 is the initial momentum thickness from the separation edge, i.e., considerably shorter than reported in previous studies. A literature comparison of growth rate parameters raises intriguing questions regarding a potential inclusive growth scaling unifying the free shear layers. A turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget analysis reveals a negative production region immediately downstream of the separation edge attributed to a large positive streamwise gradient of streamwise velocity. In the self-similar region, the phase-averaged flow mapping demonstrates a larger concentration of turbulence production rate around the outer edges of spanwise vortices, specifically at the intersection of braids and vortices. Furthermore, a spatial separation exists in the regions of peak production and dissipation rates within the vortex core region favoring dissipation. The braids exhibit a larger concentration of turbulence diffusion rates, indicating their function as a conduit for exchanging turbulence between neighboring coherent motions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding Irrigation Impacts on Low-Level Jets over the Great Plains

Low-level jets (LLJs) over the Great Plains are well-known for their importance in transporting moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and forming precipitation in the Central US. However, the impact of irrigation practice on LLJs is rarely studied. To understand the irrigation impact on the Great Plains LLJs, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is employed with and without an irrigation scheme. The simulated wind field is evaluated against the observed wind from Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). The results show that adding irrigation improves the simulated wind, especially at lower altitudes below 800 hPa. Irrigation reduces the LLJ frequency over the Great Plains, mainly by reducing the intense LLJ frequency. The reduced LLJ frequency is caused by the irrigation-induced weakening of meridional wind. The favorable conditions for LLJs have been identified by examining the mechanism associated with LLJs: a ridge-like pattern with weak and calm synoptic-scale conditions in the mid-levels and a strong west-east temperature gradient at lower levels that promote meridional winds. Irrigation-induced cooling leads to a baroclinic pattern with high pressure at lower altitudes over the irrigation region and low pressure in the mid- and upper levels in the downstream region, resulting in a northerly component that hinders the formation of LLJs. Low-level surface cooling also decreases the west-east temperature gradient and hence weakens the thermal wind forcing. The irrigation-induced mid-level low and weaker west-east temperature gradient are responsible for the reduced meridional winds and the reduced LLJ frequencies.

Yang, Zhao↗