Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Large deviations”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

TH-AB-BRA-05: Lung Cannot Be Treated as Homogeneous in Radiation Transport Simulations in Magnetic Fields

Purpose: Magnetic fields in MRgRT are known to induce dose perturbations near lung-tissue interfaces. The goal of this study is to determine if the heterogeneous structure of the lung influences the dose distribution in a magnetic field. Method: The dose distribution from a 4 cm X 4 cm 6 MV photon beam in a 0, 0.6, or 1.5 T magnetic field in a homogeneous lung density (0.333 g/cm{sup 3}) geometry is compared to that in a heterogeneous segmented slab configuration. The heterogeneous phantom is composed of 2/3 water vapour and 1/3 liquid water such that the overall density of the lung regions in the two phantoms are equivalent. The EGSnrc DOSXYZnrc user code is used with a previously implemented magnetic field transport code. Results: For water vapour gap thickness of 2 mm, compared to the homogeneous lung case (which already exhibits significant dose perturbations in a magnetic field) differences as large as 12.3 ± 0.2 % are observed for a 0.6 T field and 9.3 ± 0.1 % for a 1.5 T field at the tissuelung interface, and on the order of several percent within the lung-like tissue region for both magnetic fields. Thicker gaps produced larger deviations while a gap thickness of 0.2 mm does not result in notable differences. Regardless of gap thickness, the heterogeneities had little effect on the 0 T simulations. Further, using smaller scoring regions revealed that dose averaging effects could obscure dose differences as large as 10 – 20 % within the heterogeneous structures of the lung-like media. Conclusions: This simple model demonstrates that media heterogeneities can play an important role in MRgRT dose distributions, and care must be taken in setting up any dose calculation in the lung in the presence of a magnetic field, especially for air regions larger than 2 mm.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advancing the understanding of energy-energy correlators in heavy-ion collisions

We investigate the collinear limit of the energy-energy correlator (EEC) in a heavy-ion context. First, we revisit the leading-logarithmic (LL) resummation of this observable in vacuum following a diagrammatic approach. We argue that this route allows to naturally incorporate medium-induced effects into the all-orders structure systematically. As an example, we show how the phase-space constraints imposed by the static medium on vacuum-like emissions can be incorporated into the LL result by modifying the anomalous dimensions. On the fixed-order side, we calculate the $\mathcal{O}$(α s ) expansion of the in-medium EEC for a γ → $q\overline{q}$ splitting with arbitrary kinematics including, for the first time, subleading colour corrections. When comparing this result to previously used approximations in the literature, we find up to $\mathcal{O}$(1) deviations in the regime of interest for jet quenching signatures. Energy loss effects are also quantified and further suppress the EEC at large angles. These semi-analytic studies are complemented with a phenomenological study using the jet quenching Monte Carlo JetMed. Finally, we argue that the imprint of medium-induced effects in energy-energy correlators can be enhanced by using an alternative definition that takes as input Lund primary declusterings instead of particles.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Scaling Exponents of Turbulent Static Pressure Structure Function in the Inertial Subrange

The measured variations in the turbulent static pressure structure function D pp (r) with scale $r$ in the roughness sublayer above a subarctic forest are empirically shown to exhibit exponents that are smaller than $r$ 4/3 predicted for the inertial subrange (ISR). Three hypotheses are offered to explain these deviations. The first is based on conventional intermittency correction to the averaged turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, the second is based on shearing introducing deviations from locally isotropic state that must be sensed by both velocity and pressure structure functions, and the third is based on large and inertial scale pressure interactions that persist at values of $r$ within the resolvable ISR. The third hypothesis is shown to yield superior results, which allows a new formulation for D pp (r) to be derived that accommodates such finite interactions.

structure function↗
DOE OSTI2015

Prediction of the phase equilibria of methane hydrates using the direct phase coexistence methodology

The direct phase coexistence method is used for the determination of the three-phase coexistence line of sI methane hydrates. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are carried out in the isothermal–isobaric ensemble in order to determine the coexistence temperature (T{sub 3}) at four different pressures, namely, 40, 100, 400, and 600 bar. Methane bubble formation that results in supersaturation of water with methane is generally avoided. The observed stochasticity of the hydrate growth and dissociation processes, which can be misleading in the determination of T{sub 3}, is treated with long simulations in the range of 1000–4000 ns and a relatively large number of independent runs. Statistical averaging of 25 runs per pressure results in T{sub 3} predictions that are found to deviate systematically by approximately 3.5 K from the experimental values. This is in good agreement with the deviation of 3.15 K between the prediction of TIP4P/Ice water force field used and the experimental melting temperature of ice Ih. The current results offer the most consistent and accurate predictions from MD simulation for the determination of T{sub 3} of methane hydrates. Methane solubility values are also calculated at the predicted equilibrium conditions and are found in good agreement with continuum-scale models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dielectric anomalies due to grain boundary conduction in chemically substituted BiFeO{sub 3}

We describe systematic studies on Nd and Mn co-doped BiFeO{sub 3}, i.e., (Bi{sub 0.95}Nd{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3} (BNFM) polycrystalline electroceramics. Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of rhombohedral crystal structure at room temperature, and ruled out structural changes in BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) after low percentage chemical substitution. Strong dielectric dispersion and a sharp anomaly around 620 K observed near the Néel temperature (T{sub N} ∼ 643 K of BFO) support strong magneto-dielectric coupling, verified by the exothermic peak in differential thermal data. Impedance spectroscopy disclosed the appearance of grain boundary contributions in the dielectric data in the region, and their disappearance just near the Néel temperature suggests magnetically active grain boundaries. The resistive grain boundary components of the BNFM are mainly responsible for magneto-dielectric coupling. Capacitive grain boundaries are not observed in the modulus spectra and the dielectric behavior deviates from the ideal Debye-type. The ac conduction studies illustrate short-range order with ionic translations assisted by both large and small polaron hopping. Magnetic studies indicate that the weak antiferromagnetic phase of BNFM ceramics is dominated by a strong paramagnetic response (unsaturated magnetization even at applied magnetic field of 7 T). The bulk BNFM sample shows a good in-plane magnetoelectric coupling (ME) coefficient.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dielectric and specific heat relaxations in vapor deposited glycerol

Recently [S. Capponi, S. Napolitano, and M. Wübbenhorst, Nat. Commun. 3, 1233 (2012)], vapor deposited glasses of glycerol have been found to recover their super-cooled liquid state via a metastable, ordered liquid (MROL) state characterized by a tremendously enhanced dielectric strength along with a slow-down of the relaxation rate of the structural relaxation. To study the calorimetric signature of this phenomenon, we have implemented a chip-based, differential AC calorimeter in an organic molecular beam deposition setup, which allows the simultaneous measurement of dielectric relaxations via interdigitated comb electrodes and specific heat relaxation spectra during deposition and as function of the temperature. Heating of the as-deposited glass just above the bulk T{sub g} and subsequent cooling/reheating revealed a step-wise increase in c{sub p} by in total 9%, indicating unambiguously that glycerol, through slow vapour deposition, forms a thermodynamically stable glass, which has a specific heat as low as that of crystalline glycerol. Moreover, these glasses were found to show excellent kinetic stability as well as evidenced by both a high onset-temperature and quasi-isothermal recovery measurements at −75 °C. The second goal of the study was to elucidate the impact of the MROL state on the specific heat and its relaxation to the super-cooled state. Conversion of “MROL glycerol” to its “normal” (ordinary liquid, OL) state revealed a second, small (∼2%) increase of the glassy c{sub p}, a little gain (<10%) in the relaxed specific heat, and no signs of deviations of τ{sub cal} from that of normal “bulk” glycerol. These findings altogether suggest that the MROL state in glycerol comprises largely bulk-type glycerol that coexist with a minor volume fraction (<10%) of PVD-induced structural anomalies with a crystal-like calorimetric signature. Based on the new calorimetric findings, we have proposed a new physical picture that assumes the existence of rigid polar clusters (RPCs) and conclusively explains the extraordinary high kinetic stability of the MROL state, its specific calorimetric signature, the enhanced strength, and apparent slow-down of the dielectric α-relaxation. In this new picture, the incredibly slow and strengthened dielectric response is ascribed to driven rotational diffusion of whole RPCs, a mechanism that perfectly couples to the relaxation time of the “normal” glycerol fraction. First considerations based on the strength and the retardation of the dielectric RPCs’ response yield independently a size estimate for the RPCs in the order of 4-5 nm. Finally, we have discussed possible crystallisation and reorganisation effects, which give rise to pronounced out-of phase components of the specific heat at higher temperatures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Infrared Stark and Zeeman spectroscopy of OH–CO: The entrance channel complex along the OH + CO → trans -HOCO reaction pathway

Here, sequential capture of OH and CO by superfluid helium droplets leads exclusively to the formation of the linear, entrance-channel complex, OH-CO. This species is characterized by infrared laser Stark and Zeeman spectroscopy via measurements of the fundamental OH stretching vibration. Experimental dipole moments are in disagreement with ab initio calculations at the equilibrium geometry, indicating large-amplitude motion on the ground state potential energy surface. Vibrational averaging along the hydroxyl bending coordinate recovers 80% of the observed deviation from the equilibrium dipole moment. Inhomogeneous line broadening in the zero-field spectrum is modeled with an effective Hamiltonian approach that aims to account for the anisotropic molecule-helium interaction potential that arises as the OH-CO complex is displaced from the center of the droplet.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spectroscopic abundances in the open cluster NGC 6819

High-dispersion spectra of 333 stars in the open cluster NGC 6819, obtained using the HYDRA spectrograph on the WIYN 3.5 m telescope, have been analyzed to determine the abundances of iron and other metals from lines in the 400 Å region surrounding the Li 6708 Å line. Our spectra, with signal-to-noise per pixel ranging from 60 to 300, span the luminosity range from the tip of the red giant branch to a point two magnitudes below the top of the cluster turnoff. We derive radial and rotational velocities for all stars, as well as [Fe/H] based on 17 iron lines, [Ca/H], [Si/H], and [Ni/H] in the 247 most probable, single members of the cluster. Input T{sub eff} estimates for model atmosphere analysis are provided by (B−V) colors merged from several sources, with individual reddening corrections applied to each star relative to a cluster mean of E(B−V) = 0.16. Extensive use is made of ROBOSPECT, an automatic equivalent width measurement program; its effectiveness on large spectroscopic samples is discussed. From the sample of likely single members, [Fe/H] = −0.03 ± 0.06, where the error describes the median absolute deviation about the sample median value, leading to internal precision for the cluster below 0.01 dex. The final uncertainty in the cluster abundance is therefore dominated by external systematics due to the temperature scale, surface gravity, and microturbulent velocity, leading to [Fe/H] = −0.02 ± 0.02 for a sub-sample restricted to main sequence and turnoff stars. This result is consistent with our recent intermediate-band photometric determination of a slightly subsolar abundance for this cluster. [Ca/Fe], [Si/Fe], and [Ni/Fe] are determined to be solar within the uncertainties. NGC 6819 has an abundance distribution typical of solar metallicity thin disk stars in the solar neighborhood.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Full waveform inversion of solar interior flows

The inference of flows of material in the interior of the Sun is a subject of major interest in helioseismology. Here, we apply techniques of full waveform inversion (FWI) to synthetic data to test flow inversions. In this idealized setup, we do not model seismic realization noise, training the focus entirely on the problem of whether a chosen supergranulation flow model can be seismically recovered. We define the misfit functional as a sum of L {sub 2} norm deviations in travel times between prediction and observation, as measured using short-distance filtered f and p {sub 1} and large-distance unfiltered p modes. FWI allows for the introduction of measurements of choice and iteratively improving the background model, while monitoring the evolution of the misfit in all desired categories. Although the misfit is seen to uniformly reduce in all categories, convergence to the true model is very slow, possibly because it is trapped in a local minimum. The primary source of error is inaccurate depth localization, which, due to density stratification, leads to wrong ratios of horizontal and vertical flow velocities ({sup c}ross talk{sup )}. In the present formulation, the lack of sufficient temporal frequency and spatial resolution makes it difficult to accurately localize flow profiles at depth. We therefore suggest that the most efficient way to discover the global minimum is to perform a probabilistic forward search, involving calculating the misfit associated with a broad range of models (generated, for instance, by a Monte Carlo algorithm) and locating the deepest minimum. Such techniques possess the added advantage of being able to quantify model uncertainty as well as realization noise (data uncertainty).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Oscillator strength measurement for the A(0–6)–X(0), C(0)–X(0), and E(0)–X(0) transitions of CO by the dipole (γ, γ) method

The oscillator strengths of CO, especially for the excitations to the predissociating levels C{sup 1}Σ{sup +} and E{sup 1}Π, have significant applications in the studies of interstellar gases. A large number of investigations, applying a variety of experimental and calculational methods, have focused on the determination of these oscillator strengths. However, deviations of more than 10% have been observed, even for the same experimental method. In this case, we introduce a new technique, the dipole (γ, γ), to measure the oscillator strengths. The obtained oscillator strengths of the strong bands C{sup 1}Σ{sup +}(ν{sup ′}=0)−X{sup 1}Σ{sup +} and E{sup 1}Π(ν{sup ′}=0)−X{sup 1}Σ{sup +} in this work reach high accuracy and are in excellent agreement with some previous results, although they are different from the recommended values in other works. In addition, we measured the oscillator strengths of the A{sup 1}Π(ν{sup ′}=0−6)−X{sup 1}Σ{sup +} bands, and the electronic transition moment dependence on r-centroid was derived.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Inference of the Mass Composition of Cosmic Rays with Energies from 10 18.5 to 10 20 eV Using the Pierre Auger Observatory and Deep Learning

We present measurements of the atmospheric depth of the shower maximum X max , inferred for the first time on an event-by-event level using the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Using deep learning, we were able to extend measurements of the X max distributions up to energies of 100 EeV ( 10 20 eV ), not yet revealed by current measurements, providing new insights into the mass composition of cosmic rays at extreme energies. Gaining a 10-fold increase in statistics compared to the fluorescence detector data, we find evidence that the rate of change of the average X max with the logarithm of energy features three breaks at 6.5 ± 0.6 ( stat ) ± 1 ( syst ) EeV , 11 ± 2 ( stat ) ± 1 ( syst ) EeV , and 31 ± 5 ( stat ) ± 3 ( syst ) EeV , in the vicinity to the three prominent features (ankle, instep, suppression) of the cosmic-ray flux. The energy evolution of the mean and standard deviation of the measured X max distributions indicates that the mass composition becomes increasingly heavier and purer, thus being incompatible with a large fraction of light nuclei between 50 and 100 EeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Distributed Control of Inverter-Interfaced Microgrids Based on Consensus Algorithm with Improved Transient Performance

Conventional control solutions of the inverter-interfaced microgrids are usually designed based on models with fully decoupled subsystems. The negligence of the strong coupling due to power lines impedance leads to large transient line currents, which might trigger false protection. Besides, the droop-based control methods unnecessarily introduce system frequency and voltage deviations. To overcome these issues, a novel distributed control scheme is proposed for the inverter-interfaced microgrids in this study. The objective of the primary control is to regulate the bus voltages and frequency while suppressing the transient line currents. The objective of secondary control is to maintain fair load sharing. Both primary control and secondary control are distributed and subsystems or control agents only require measurements from local and neighboring subsystems. The detailed control problem formulation, control design and stability analysis are presented in the paper. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control solution is evaluated through extensive simulations based on both simplified and detailed models.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural investigation of cooperite (PtS) crystals

The single-crystal structure of cooperite, a natural platinum sulfide PtS, is studied by X-ray diffraction supported by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray spectrum microanalysis. It is found that, in addition to the main reflections corresponding to the known tetragonal cell (a = 3.47 and c = 6.11 Å; space group P4{sub 2}/mmc), many weak reflections with intensities I ≤ 60σ(I) are clearly observed. These reflections fit the tetragonal cell (space group I4/mmm) with doubled parameters. In structures with small (P4{sub 2}/mmc) and large (I4/mmm) cells, the S atoms occupy statistically two special positions. It is shown that the chemical composition of the cooperite crystals deviates from the stoichiometric composition: sulfur-deficient specimens predominate.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Search for a new resonance decaying to a W or Z boson and a Higgs boson in the ℓℓ/ℓν/νν + bb¯ final states with the ATLAS detector

A search for a new resonance decaying to a W or Z boson and a Higgs boson in the ℓℓ/ℓν/νν+bb¯ final states is performed using 20.3 fb -1 of pp collision data recorded at √s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search is conducted by examining the WH / ZH invariant mass distribution for a localized excess. Thus, no significant deviation from the Standard Model background prediction is observed. The results are interpreted in terms of constraints on the Minimal Walking Technicolor model and on a simplified approach based on a phenomenological Lagrangian of Heavy Vector Triplets.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Search for a right-handed gauge boson decaying into a high-momentum heavy neutrino and a charged lepton in p p collisions with the ATLAS detector at s = 13 TeV

CERN-LHC, ATLAS. A search for a right-handed gauge boson WR, decaying into a boosted right-handed heavy neutrino NR, in the framework of Left-Right Symmetric Models is presented. It is based on data from proton-proton collisions with a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider during the years 2015, 2016 and 2017, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 80 fb−1. The search is performed separately for electrons and muons in the final state. A distinguishing feature of the search is the use of large-radius jets containing electrons. Selections based on the signal topology result in smaller background compared with to expected signal. No significant deviation from the Standard Model prediction is observed and lower limits are set in the WR and NR mass plane. Mass values of the WR smaller than 3.8-5 TeV are excluded for NR in the mass range 0.1-1.8 TeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Properties of the Bare Nucleus of Comet 96P/Machholz 1

We observed comet 96P/Machholz 1 on a total of nine nights before and after perihelion during its 2017/2018 apparition. Both its unusually small perihelion distance and the observed fragmentation during multiple apparitions make 96P an object of great interest. Our observations show no evidence of a detectable dust coma, implying that we are observing a bare nucleus at distances ranging from 2.3 to 3.8 au. Based on this assumption, we calculated its color and found average values of g′–r′ = 0.50 ± 0.04, r′–i′ = 0.17 ± 0.03, and i′–z′ = 0.06 ± 0.04. These are notably more blue than those of the nuclei of other Jupiter-family and long-period comets. Furthermore, assuming a bare nucleus, we found an equivalent nuclear radius of 3.4 ± 0.2 km with an axial ratio of at least 1.6 ± 0.1. The lightcurve clearly displays one large peak, one broad flat peak, and two distinct troughs, with a clear asymmetry that suggests that the shape of the nucleus deviates from that of a simple triaxial ellipsoid. This asymmetry in the lightcurve allowed us to constrain the nuclear rotation period to 4.10 ± 0.03 hr and 4.096 ± 0.002 hr before and after perihelion, respectively. Within the uncertainties, 96P’s rotation period does not appear to have changed throughout the apparition, and we conclude a maximum possible change in rotation period of 130 s. The observed properties were compared to those of comet 322P and interstellar object 1I/‘Oumuamua in an attempt to study the effects of close perihelion passages on cometary surfaces and their internal structure and the potential interstellar origin of 96P.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Applying Noether's theorem to matter in the Milky Way: evidence for external perturbations and non-steady-state effects from Gaia Data Release 2

We apply Noether's theorem to observations of main-sequence stars from the Gaia Data Release 2 archive to probe the matter distribution function of the Galaxy. That is, we examine the axial symmetry of stars at vertical heights $z$, $0.2 \le |z| \le 3$ kpc, to probe the quality of the angular momentum $L_z$ as an integral of motion. The failure of this symmetry test would speak to a Milky Way, in both its visible and dark matter, that is not isolated and/or not in steady state. The left-right symmetry-breaking pattern we have observed, north and south, reveals both effects, with a measured deviation from symmetry of typically 0.5%. We show that a prolate form of the gravitational distortion of the Milky Way by the Large Magellanic Cloud, determined from fits to the Orphan stream by Erkal et al., 2019, is compatible with the size and sign of the axial-symmetry-breaking effects we have discovered in our sample of up to 14.4 million main-sequence stars, speaking to a distortion of an emergent, rather than static, nature.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗