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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 73 records · Page 4

SuperScreen: An open-source package for simulating the magnetic response of two-dimensional superconducting devices

Quantitative understanding of the spatial distribution of magnetic fields and Meissner screening currents in two-dimensional (2D) superconductors and mesoscopic thin film superconducting devices is critical to interpreting the results of magnetic measurements of such systems. Here, we introduce SuperScreen, an open-source Python package for simulating the response of 2D superconductors to trapped flux and applied time-independent or quasi-DC magnetic fields for any value of the effective magnetic penetration depth, Λ. Given an applied magnetic field, SuperScreen solves the 2D London equation using an efficient matrix inversion method to obtain the Meissner currents and magnetic fields in and around structures composed of one or more superconducting thin films of arbitrary geometry with spatially nonuniform magnetic penetration depth. SuperScreen can be used to model screening effects and calculate self- and mutual-inductance in superconducting devices, and simulate the magnetic response of inhomogeneous 2D superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Density-Matrix Model for Photon-Driven Transport in Quantum Cascade Lasers

In this report we develop a time-dependent density-matrix model to study photon-assisted (PA) electron transport in quantum cascade lasers. The Markovian equation of motion for the density matrix in the presence of an optical field is solved for an arbitrary field amplitude. Level-broadening terms emerge from microscopic Hamiltonians and supplant the need for empirical parameters that are often employed in related approaches. We show that, in quantum cascade lasers with diagonal design, photon resonances have a pronounced impact on electron dynamics around and above the lasing threshold, an effect that stems from the large spatial separation between the upper and lower lasing states. With the inclusion of PA tunneling, the calculated current density and output power are in good agreement with experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A supersymmetric SYK model with a curious low energy behavior

We consider N = 2,4 supersymmetric SYK models that have a peculiar low energy behavior, with the entropy going like S = S 0 + (constant)T a , where a ≠ 1. The large N equations for these models are a generalization of equations that have been previously studied as an unjustified truncation of the planar diagrams describing the BFSS matrix quantum mechanics or other related matrix models. Here we reanalyze these equations in order to better understand the low energy physics of these models. We find that the scalar fields develop large expectation values which explore the low energy valleys in the potential. The low energy physics is dominated by quadratic fluctuations around these values. These models were previously conjectured to have a spin glass phase. We did not find any evidence for this phase by using the usual diagnostics, such as searching for replica symmetry breaking solutions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Distributed and communication-efficient solutions to linear equations with special sparse structure

In this paper we report two distributed and communication-efficient algorithms based on the multi-agent system are proposed to solve a system of linear equations with the Laplacian sparse system matrix. One algorithm is based on the gradient descent method in optimization. In this algorithm, the agents only share partial information instead of all of their collective state vectors to save significant communication. The other algorithm is obtained by approximating Newton’s method for a faster convergence rate. Although it requires twice as much communication as the first one, it is still communication-efficient given the low dimension of the information shared among agents. The convergence at a linear rate is proved for both algorithms, and a comprehensive comparison of their convergence rate, communication burden, and computation costs is also performed. The proposed algorithms can be applied to various systems to solve those problems that can be modeled as a system of linear equations with a Laplacian sparse system matrix. Simulation results with the electric power system illustrate their effectiveness.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Fluctuations in Hill’s equation parameters and application to cosmic reheating

Cosmic inflation provides a compelling framework for explaining several observed features of our Universe, but its viability depends on an efficient reheating phase that converts the inflaton’s energy into Standard Model particles. This conversion often proceeds through nonperturbative mechanisms such as parametric resonance, which is described by Hill’s equation. In this work, we investigate how stochastic fluctuations in the parameters of Hill’s equation can influence particle production during reheating. We show that such fluctuations can arise from couplings to light scalar fields and can significantly alter the stability bands in the resonance structure, thereby enhancing the growth of fluctuations and broadening the region of efficient energy transfer. Using random matrix theory and stochastic differential equations, we decompose the particle growth rate into deterministic and noise-induced components and demonstrate analytically and numerically that even modest noise leads to substantial particle production in otherwise stable regimes. Furthermore, these results suggest that stochastic effects can robustly enhance the efficacy of reheating across a wide swath of parameter space, with implications for early Universe cosmology, UV completions involving multiple scalar fields, and the resolution of the cosmological moduli problem.

Cosmology↗

Numerical solution of large scale Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov equations

The Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) theory is the starting point for treating superconducting systems. However, the computational cost for solving large scale HFB equations can be much larger than that of the Hartree–Fock equations, particularly when the Hamiltonian matrix is sparse, and the number of electrons N is relatively small compared to the matrix size N b . We first provide a concise and relatively self-contained review of the HFB theory for general finite sized quantum systems, with special focus on the treatment of spin symmetries from a linear algebra perspective. We then demonstrate that the pole expansion and selected inversion (PEXSI) method can be particularly well suited for solving large scale HFB equations. For a Hubbard-type Hamiltonian, the cost of PEXSI is at most $\mathcal{O}$(N b 2 ) for both gapped and gapless systems, which can be significantly faster than the standard cubic scaling diagonalization methods. We show that PEXSI can solve a two-dimensional Hubbard-Hofstadter model with N b up to 2.88 × 10 6 , and the wall clock time is less than 100 s using 17 280 CPU cores. Finally, this enables the simulation of physical systems under experimentally realizable magnetic fields, which cannot be otherwise simulated with smaller systems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A limit on the total lepton number in the Universe from BBN and the CMB

At temperatures below the QCD phase transition, any substantial lepton number in the Universe can only be present within the neutrino sector. In this work, we systematically explore the impact of a non-vanishing lepton number on Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Relying on our recently developed framework based on momentum averaged quantum kinetic equations for the neutrino density matrix, we solve the full BBN reaction network to obtain the abundances of primordial elements. We find that the maximal primordial total lepton number L allowed by BBN and the CMB is -0.12 (-0.10) ≤ L ≤ 0.13 (0.12) for NH (IH), while specific flavor directions can be even more constrained. This bound is complementary to the limits obtained from avoiding baryon overproduction through sphaleron processes at the electroweak phase transition since, although numerically weaker, it applies at lower temperatures and is obtained completely independently. We publicly release the C++ code COFLASY-C on GitHub (https://github.com/mariofnavarro/COFLASY/tree/COFLASY-C) which solves for the evolution of the neutrino quantum kinetic equations numerically.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Effective Field Theory for jet substructure in heavy ion collisions

I develop an Effective Field Theory (EFT) framework to compute jet substructure observables for heavy ion collision experiments. As an example, I consider dijet events that accompany the formation of a weakly coupled long lived Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) medium in a heavy ion collision and look at an observable insensitive to jet selection bias: the simultaneous measurement of jet mass along with the transverse momentum imbalance between the jets that are groomed to remove soft radiation. Treating the jet as an open quantum system, I write down a factorization formula within the SCET (Soft Collinear Effective Theory) framework in the forward scattering regime. The physics of the medium is encoded in a universal soft field correlator while the jet-medium interaction is captured by a medium induced jet function. The factorization formula leads to a Lindblad type equation for the evolution of the reduced density matrix of the jet in the Markovian approximation. The solution for this equation allows a resummation of large logarithms that arise due to the final state measurements imposed while simultaneously summing over multiple incoherent interactions of the jet with the medium.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Heterogeneous multiphase flow properties of volcanic rocks and implications for noble gas transport from underground nuclear explosions

Of interest to the Underground Nuclear Explosion Signatures Experiment are patterns and timing of explosion-generated noble gases that reach the land surface. The impact of potentially simultaneous flow of water and gas on noble gas transport in heterogeneous fractured rock is a current scientific knowledge gap. This article presents field and laboratory data to constrain and justify a triple continua conceptual model with multimodal multiphase fluid flow constitutive equations that represents host rock matrix, natural fractures, and induced fractures from past underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) at Aqueduct and Pahute Mesas, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, USA. Capillary pressure from mercury intrusion and direct air–water measurements on volcanic tuff core samples exhibit extreme spatial heterogeneity (i.e., variation over multiple orders of magnitude). Petrographic observations indicate that heterogeneity derives from multimodal pore structures in ash-flow tuff components and post-depositional alteration processes. Comparisons of pre- and post-UNE samples reveal different pore size distributions that are due in part to microfractures. Capillary pressure relationships require a multimodal van Genuchten (VG) constitutive model to best fit the data. Relative permeability estimations based on unimodal VG fits to capillary pressure can be different from those based on bimodal VG fits, implying the choice of unimodal vs. bimodal fits may greatly affect flow and transport predictions of noble gas signatures. The range in measured capillary pressure and predicted relative permeability curves for a given lithology and between lithologies highlights the need for future modeling to consider spatially distributed properties.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

A simple method for obtaining heat capacity coefficients of minerals

Abstract Heat capacity data are unavailable or incomplete for many minerals at geologically relevant temperatures. Despite the availability of entropy and enthalpy values in numerous thermodynamic tables (even sometimes at elevated temperatures), there remains need for extrapolation beyond, or interpolation between, temperatures. This approach inevitably results in estimates for entropy and enthalpy values because the heat capacity coefficients required for optimal thermodynamic treatment are less frequently available. Here we propose a simple method for obtaining heat capacity coefficients of minerals. This method requires only the empirically measured temperature-specific heat capacity for calculation via a matrix algorithm. The system of equations solver is written in the Python computing language and has been made accessible in an online repository. Thermodynamically, the solution to a system of equations represents the heat capacity coefficients that satisfy the mineral-specific polynomial. Direct coefficient calculation will result in more robust thermodynamic data, which are not subject to fitting uncertainties. Using hematite as an example, this method provides results that are comparable to conventional means and is applicable to any solid material. Coefficients vary within the traditional large 950 K temperature interval, indicating that best results should instead utilize a smaller 400 K temperature interval. Examples of large-scale implications include the refinement of geothermal gradient estimation in rapidly subsiding sedimentary basins or metamorphic and hydrothermal evolution.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

Impact of Reordering on the LU Factorization Performance of Bordered Block-Diagonal Sparse Matrix

Power engineers rely on computer-based simulation tools to assess grid performance and ensure security. At the core of these tools are solvers for sparse linear equations. When transformed into a bordered block-diagonal (BBD) structure, part of the sparse linear equation solving can be parallelized. This work focuses on using the Schur-complement-based method for LU factorization on BBD matrices, specifically, Jacobian matrices from large-scale systems. Our findings show that the natural ordering method outperforms the default ordering method in computational performance for each block of the BBD matrix. This observation is validated using synthetic 25k-bus and 70k-bus cases, showing a speedup of up to 38% when using natural ordering without permutation. Additionally, the impact of the number of partitions is studied, and the result shows that computational performance improves with more, smaller partitions in the BBD matrices.

BBD matrix↗

HHL algorithm with mapping function and enhanced sampling for model predictive control in microgrids

Here, this paper presents a refined quantum Harrow Hassidim Lloyd (HHL) algorithm for microgrid control. The first novelty of the developed method is that a mapping shift function enables the original HHL algorithm to handle general linear equations with non-singular and indefinite matrix. Second, a method of Matrix Extension for Amplifying Sampling Probabilities of Intended Solution (ME-ASPI) is proposed to design the reformulated linear algebraic equations, allowing for improved sampling efficiency of the quantum tomography in the refined HHL algorithm. Then, we applied the method to solve the model predictive control (MPC) problem in nonlinear dynamical microgrids. Specifically, with the ME-ASPI method, the refined HHL algorithm can effectively obtain the intended partial optimal control inputs for MPC. The optimization of quadratic programming problem in each time step of MPC is transformed into a linear system problem, which is addressed by the proposed quantum solver through using only partial information, with the time complexity improved from $\mathscr{O}(\mathscr{N}^{2.37286})$ classically to $\mathscr{O}(\mathscr{N}^{2} log \mathscr{N}$ x $p$ log $p)$ in quantum. Numerical examples have validated the effectiveness of the refined HHL algorithm with the proposed mapping function and the ME-ASPI method. By leveraging quantum properties, the proposed method provides a hybrid quantum–classical framework for microgrid control. This generic method can also potentially tackle many other challenges in analyzing and controlling general complex engineered systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Fast matrix algebra for Bayesian model calibration

In Bayesian model calibration, evaluation of the likelihood function usually involves finding the inverse and determinant of a covariance matrix. When Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are used to sample from the posterior, hundreds of thousands of likelihood evaluations may be required. In this paper, we demonstrate that the structure of the covariance matrix can be exploited, leading to substantial time savings in practice. Here, we also derive two simple equations for approximating the inverse of the covariance matrix in this setting, which can be computed in near-quadratic time. The practical implications of these strategies are demonstrated using a simple numerical case study and the "quack" R package. For a covariance matrix with 1000 rows, application of these strategies for a million likelihood evaluations leads to a speedup of roughly 4000 compared to the naive implementation

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A model for discrete fracture-clay rock interaction incorporating electrostatic effects on transport

Abstract A model based on the code CrunchClay is presented for a fracture-clay matrix system that takes electrostatic effects on transport into account. The electrostatic effects on transport include those associated with the development of a diffusion potential as captured by the Nernst-Planck equation, and the formation of a diffuse layer bordering negatively charged clay particles within which partial anion exclusion occurs. The model is based on a dual continuum formulation that accounts for diffuse layer and bulk water pore space, providing a more flexible framework than is found in the classical mean electrostatic potential models. The diffuse layer model is obtained by volume averaging ion concentrations in the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, but also includes the treatment of longitudinal transport within this continuum. The calculation of transport within the bulk and diffuse layer porosity is based on a new formulation for the Nernst-Planck equation that considers averaging of diffusion coefficients and accumulation factors at grid cell interfaces. Equations for function residuals and the associated Jacobian matrix are presented such that the system of nonlinear differential-algebraic equations can be solved with Newton’s method. As an example, we consider a 2D system with a single discrete fracture within which flow and advective transport occurs that is coupled to diffusion in the clay-rich matrix. The simulation results demonstrate the lack of retardation for anions (e.g., 36 Cl − ) of the contaminant plume within the fracture flow system because they are largely excluded from the charged clay rock, while the migration of cations (e.g., 90 Sr ++ ) is more strongly attenuated. The diffusive loss of divalent cations in particular from the fracture is accentuated by their accumulation in the diffuse layer within the clay-rich matrix.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Adjoint DSMC for nonlinear spatially-homogeneous Boltzmann equation with a general collision model

We derive an adjoint method for the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method for the spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation with a general collision law. This generalizes our previous results in Caflisch et al., which was restricted to the case of Maxwell molecules, for which the collision rate is constant. The main difficulty in generalizing the previous results is that a rejection sampling step is required in the DSMC algorithm in order to handle the variable collision rate. We find a new term corresponding to the so-called score function in the adjoint equation and a new adjoint Jacobian matrix capturing the dependence of the collision parameter on the velocities. The new formula works for a much more general class of collision models.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Predicting the tensile and compressive modulus of electrospun fiber mat‐reinforced hydrogels using the Halpin–Tsai equations

Abstract The reinforcement of mechanically‐weak hydrogels to yield composites with increased stiffness, strength, or toughness is a well‐established approach. In particular, introducing electrospun nanofibers into hydrogels is a common strategy for biomedical applications, as the resulting hierarchical structure mimics biology and allows for control over fiber diameter and alignment and tuning of mechanical properties. However, further study of the link between the constituent materials and the mechanical properties of the composite is uncommon. One potential model to understand the mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced hydrogels involves the Halpin–Tsai equations, which relate the modulus values of the fibers and hydrogel matrix and the fiber volume fraction, to the modulus of the composite. To assess the application of this model to fiber‐reinforced hydrogels, predicted values were compared with experimental values from mechanical testing of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) matrix reinforced with an electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mat. Although the equations described these systems well in tension, providing a facile approach to identify a fiber volume fraction that will achieve a desired modulus, the Halpin–Tsai approach was less successful under compression. This study motivates additional investigation of the role of structural features of hydrogel composites in determining mechanical properties to enable design of materials for specific applications.

Polymer Science↗