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At least 919 records · Page 51
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Glauber-Theory Calculations of High-Energy Nuclear Scattering Observables Using Variational Monte Carlo Wave Functions

Experiments using intermediate- to high-energy radioactive nuclear beams present numerous findings. Extracting important properties of physical observables relies on a firm theoretical analysis. Though Glauber theory is believed to work well, no convincing calculation has so far been done. Here, we perform ab initio Glauber theory calculations of both elastic differential cross sections and total reaction cross sections for p+ 12 C, 12 C+ 12 C, and 6 He+ 12 C systems. The wave functions of both 6 He and 12 C are generated by variational Monte Carlo calculations with spatial and spin-isospin correlations induced by realistic two- and three-nucleon potentials. Glauber’s phase-shift function is computed by Monte Carlo integration up to all orders of nucleon-nucleon multiple scatterings. We show an excellent performance of the Glauber description to the selected data on the above systems. We also find that the cumulant expansion of the phase-shift function converges rapidly up to the second order for the above systems. This finding will open up interesting applications for the analysis of high-energy nuclear experiments.

Horiuchi, W. [Osaka Metropolitan University (Japan↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reflections on Noether’s second theorem and the energy-momentum tensor

Through symmetry of the action under global spacetime translations, Noether’s first theorem infamously entails an energy-momentum tensor (EMT) that is neither symmetric nor gauge-invariant. In a prior work [Phys. Rev. D 106, 125012 (2022)], I had obtained a symmetric and gauge-invariant EMT by using Noether’s second theorem instead, with local spacetime translations as the symmetry group. However, the derivation therein was flawed, containing a faulty assumption about the transformation rule for spinor fields. In this work, I revisit the derivation of the previous work, both correcting the faulty step and simplifying the derivation for broader accessibility. The end result is an EMT for quantum chromodynamics that is gauge-invariant, but not symmetric.

Quantum chromodynamics↗
NASA NTRS1972

The calculation of neutron capture gamma-ray yields for space shielding applications

The application of nuclear models to the calculation of neutron capture and inelastic scattering gamma yields is discussed. The gamma ray cascade model describes the cascade process in terms of parameters which either: (1) embody statistical assumptions regarding electric and magnetic multipole transition strengths, level densities, and spin and parity distributions or (2) are fixed by experiment such as measured energies, spin and parity values, and transition probabilities for low lying states.

Yost, K. J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Expansion of Machine-Learning Method for Classifying Neutron Resonances

The understanding of astrophysics processes and the performance of nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems depend on a precise description of the neutron interaction cross sections for materials and nuclei present in these environments. At low neutron energies, these cross sections exhibit resonance structure represented by sharp enhancements when the neutron energy is sufficiently close to excited levels in a compound nucleus. Such resonances can be characterized by their quantum numbers relative to angular momenta, which are often deduced in an ad hoc and irreproducible manner from the shape of the cross sections. The correct assignment of the quantum numbers of neutron resonances is therefore of paramount importance. To address this we have developed a machine-learning method to automate the identification and correction of these spin assignments. The algorithm is trained from simulated data, generated from statistical properties of resonance data for a given nucleus, to mimic the errors found in real data. In this project we describe five independent approaches to further develop and expand the applicability of the machine-learning spin classifier: i) Feature impact; ii) Integration with the Atlas; iii) Training optimization; iv) Spacings systematics; and v) Validation with polarized data. The premises, methods, results, and future perspectives are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Collins function for pion-in-jet production in polarized pp collisions: a test of universality and factorization

We present an updated study of the Collins azimuthal asymmetries for pion-in-jet production in polarized pp collisions. To this aim, we employ a recent extraction of the transversity and Collins fragmentation functions from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering and e + e - annihilation into hadron pairs processes, obtained within a simplified transverse momentum dependent (TMD) approach at leading order in the strong coupling constant α s . In the present case we adopt a collinear configuration for the initial state, keeping transverse momentum effects only in the fragmentation mechanism. Our theoretical estimates, when compared against 200 GeV and 510 GeV data from the STAR Collaboration, show a generally good agreement for the distributions in the transverse momentum of the jet, the pion longitudinal momentum fraction and its transverse momentum with respect to the jet direction. While not being a proof, due the assumptions and limitations behind the entire approach, these findings corroborate the hypothesis of TMD factorization for such processes as well as of the universality of the Collins function and, once again, of a reduced impact of the proper TMD evolution on azimuthal asymmetries. We will also present predictions based on an extraction of the Collins and transversity distributions where information from data on single spin asymmetry for inclusive pion production in p ↑ p collisions is included through a Bayesian reweighting procedure.

Azimuthal asymmetries↗
DOE OSTI2020

Lattice phase shifts and mixing angles for an arbitrary number of coupled channels

We present a lattice method for determining scattering phase shifts and mixing angles for the case of an arbitrary number of coupled channels. The proposed method combines a spherical wall boundary condition and a channel-mixing auxiliary potential to extract the full-rank S-matrix from the radial wave functions. We consider the scattering problem of two spin-1 bosons interacting with a test potential involving up to four coupled channels. For this benchmark system, the phase shifts and mixing angles are shown to agree on the lattice and in the continuum. Our method should allow to extend previous two-channel nuclear lattice EFT simulations to mixing of more than two partial waves.

Bovermann, Lukas↗
NASA NTRS2005

UltraSail - Ultra-Lightweight Solar Sail Concept

UltraSail is a next-generation high-risk, high-payoff sail system for the launch, deployment, stabilization and control of very large (sq km class) solar sails enabling high payload mass fractions for high (Delta)V. Ultrasail is an innovative, non-traditional approach to propulsion technology achieved by combining propulsion and control systems developed for formation-flying micro-satellites with an innovative solar sail architecture to achieve controllable sail areas approaching 1 sq km, sail subsystem area densities approaching 1 g/sq m, and thrust levels many times those of ion thrusters used for comparable deep space missions. Ultrasail can achieve outer planetary rendezvous, a deep space capability now reserved for high-mass nuclear and chemical systems. One of the primary innovations is the near-elimination of sail supporting structures by attaching each blade tip to a formation-flying micro-satellite which deploys the sail, and then articulates the sail to provide attitude control, including spin stabilization and precession of the spin axis. These tip micro-satellites are controlled by 3-axis micro-thruster propulsion and an on-board metrology system. It is shown that an optimum spin rate exists which maximizes payload mass.

Burton, Rodney L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Probing ab initio emergence of nuclear rotation

Structural phenomena in nuclei, from shell structure and clustering to superfluidity and collective rotations and vibrations, reflect emergent degrees of freedom. Ab initio theory describes nuclei directly from a fully microscopic formulation. We can therefore look to ab initio theory as a means of exploring the emergence of effective degrees of freedom in nuclei. For the illustrative case of emergent rotational bands in the $Be$ isotopes, we establish an understanding of the underlying oscillator space and angular momentum (orbital and spin) structure. We consider no-core configuration interaction (NCCI) calculations for 7, 9, 11 Be with the Daejeon16 internucleon interaction. Although shell model or rotational degrees of freedom are not assumed in the ab initio theory, the NCCI results are suggestive of the emergence of effective shell model degrees of freedom (0$\hbar$ω and 2$\hbar$ω excitations) and LS-scheme rotational degrees of freedom, consistent with an Elliott–Wilsdon SU(3) description. Finally, these results provide some basic insight into the connection between emergent effective collective rotational and shell model degrees of freedom in these light nuclei and the underlying ab initio microscopic description.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Twist analysis of the spin-orbit correlation in QCD

We present a QCD analysis of the twist-three parton distribution functions associated with the spin-orbit correlation of quarks and gluons in spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ and spin-0 hadrons. We derive exact non-perturbative identities decomposing the spin-orbit correlations into the Wandzura-Wilczek part and the genuine twist-three part. In the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ case, the result is partially related to the kinematical twist-three part of the g T (x) distribution familiar in the context of transverse spin physics. We use these identities to obtain a novel longitudinal momentum sum rule which may be regarded as the momentum version of the Jaffe-Manohar spin sum rule. We explore the physical interpretation of the sum rule and make a connection to the color Lorentz forces and their associated potential energies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Probing early-time longitudinal dynamics with the Λ hyperon's spin polarization in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Here, we systematically study the hyperon global polarization's sensitivity to the collision systems' initial longitudinal flow velocity in hydrodynamic simulations. By explicitly imposing local energy-momentum conservation when mapping the initial collision geometry to macroscopic hydrodynamic fields, we study the evolution of systems' orbital angular momentum (OAM) and fluid vorticity. We find that a simultaneous description of the $\Lambda$ hyperons' global polarization and the slope of pion's directed flow can strongly constrain the size of longitudinal flow at the beginning of hydrodynamic evolution. We extract the size of the initial longitudinal flow and the fraction of orbital angular momentum in the produced QGP fluid as a function of collision energy with the STAR measurements in the RHIC Beam Energy Scan program. We find that there is about 100-200 $\hbar$ OAM that remains in the mid-rapidity fluid at the beginning of hydrodynamic evolution. We further exam the effects of different hydrodynamic gradients on the spin polarization of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$. The gradients of $\mu_B/T$ can change the ordering between $\Lambda$'s and $\bar{\Lambda}$'s polarization.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2014

NuSTAR Discovery Of A Young, Energetic Pulsar Associated with the Luminous Gamma-Ray Source HESS J1640-465

We report the discovery of a 206 ms pulsar associated with the TeV gamme-ray source HESS J1640−465 using the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) X-ray observatory. PSR J1640−4631 lies within the shelltype supernova remnant (SNR) G338.3−0.0, and coincides with an X-ray point source and putative pulsar wind nebula (PWN) previously identified in XMM-Newton and Chandra images. It is spinning down rapidly with period derivative P = 9.758(44) × 10(exp −13), yielding a spin-down luminosity E = 4.4 × 10(exp 36) erg s(exp −1), characteristic age tau(sub c) if and only if P/2 P = 3350 yr, and surface dipole magnetic field strength B(sub s) = 1.4×10(exp 13) G. For the measured distance of 12 kpc to G338.3−0.0, the 0.2-10 TeV luminosity of HESS J1640−465 is 6% of the pulsar's present E. The Fermi source 1FHL J1640.5−4634 is marginally coincident with PSR J1640−4631, but we find no gamma-ray pulsations in a search using five years of Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) data. The pulsar energetics support an evolutionary PWN model for the broadband spectrum of HESS J1640−465, provided that the pulsar's braking index is n approximately equal to 2, and that its initial spin period was P(sub 0) approximately 15 ms.

pulsars: individual↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=100

Here, evaluated experimental data are presented for 15 known nuclides of mass 100 (Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn). Recommended values are given for level parameters, γ and β radiations, and other spectroscopic information. No excited states are known in 100 Rb and 100 Sn. Except for isotopic identification, no information is available for the decay of the 100 Kr isotope, and limited information is known about the decay properties of the 100 Sn isotope. According to Fig. 2 (A/Q versus counts plot) and as mentioned in the text in 2021Su01, 100 Br isotope was not observed, although, discovery of 101 Br was claimed in this work. In the case of 100 Pd, the agreement in the orderings of the γ-ray cascades and γ-ray inventory between various studies of high-spin structures remains poor at high excitation energies (>9 MeV). For 100 Y, the assignments of the two previously known half-lives to the respective states (g.s. and the 145-keV isomer) remain to be established. Here, this work supersedes earlier full evaluations of A=100 by 2008Si01, 1997Si09, 1990Si05 and 1974Ko37.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=194

Experimental nuclear structure and decay data are evaluated for all of 14 known nuclides of mass 194 (Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn). Detailed evaluated spectroscopic information is presented for each reaction and decay experiment, and by combining all the available data, recommended values are provided for energies, spins and parities and half-lives of levels, together with energies, branching ratios and multipolarities of gamma radiations from the levels, and characteristics of beta and alpha radiations in radioactive decays. No excited states have yet been identified in 194 Ta, 194 W, and 194 Rn. Only limited spectroscopic data are available for 194 Re, with a 45–μs isomer identified, but its absolute energy yet to be determined. Only two levels at unknown absolute energies are reported for 194 At, both of which are isomeric but neither can be unambiguously identified as the ground state. Data are scarce for 194 Os, 194 Bi and 194 Po, while 194 Pt, 194 Au, 194 Hg, 194 Tl and 194 Pb are well studied through decays and reactions. For 194 Ir, although a major (n, γ), E=thermal study and two particle-transfer studies provide large amounts of spectral data, still several problematic issues are found in the assignment of multipolarities for the secondary gamma transitions in the (n, γ) study by 2008Ba25, 1998Ba85 and 1998Ba42, all from the same group. Some issues have been resolved by the evaluators, but we suggest that further experimental work is needed on 194 Ir structure to resolve standing issues, and verify the conclusions made by 2008Ba25. Furthermore, our attempt to contact the prime authors of the 2008Ba25 paper was not successful. The present work supersedes all the earlier evaluations of A=194 nuclides by 2006Si17, 1996Br26, 1989Si01 and 1972Au11.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Algorithm advances and applications of time‐dependent first‐principles simulations for ultrafast dynamics

Abstract Far from equilibrium phenomenon is a central theme of contemporary material research. Such phenomenon can exhibit itself in atomic structure and dynamics, but very often it also happens as non‐equilibrium phenomenon in the electronic structure. In ab initio material simulation, density functional theory (DFT) has played an essential role in studying electronic ground state problems. For excited states, besides many‐body perturbation theory, another powerful tool is the time dependent DFT (TDDFT) method. In particular, the real‐time TDDFT (rt‐TDDFT) method can be used to simulate many non‐equilibrium phenomena directly. Here we introduce our works on some algorithm advances based on our recently rt‐TDDFT method. This method uses the plane‐wave basis set, and significantly accelerates its efficiency by increasing the time step from 0.1–1 as in traditional methods to 0.2–0.5 fs. The noncollinear magnetic moments and spin–orbit coupling have also been included in our rt‐TDDFT method. Furthermore, a Boltzmann‐TDDFT algorithm has been developed to solve the hot carrier overheating problem in Ehrenfest dynamics, and a natural orbital branching algorithm has been developed to overcome the mean‐field approximation in Ehrenfest dynamics nuclear trajectory, thus allows stochastic multiple paths in chemical reactions. Utilizing these methods, we have studied the photoinduced ultrafast demagnetization, ultrafast phase transition, energy transfer between plasmon and hot carriers, as well as the high‐energy ion implantation and low‐energy atomic diffusion in semiconductors. We believe the tools as the ones introduced here can enable us to study a wide range of phenomena which are of great interest in modern day material research. This article is categorized under: Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Liu, Wen‐Hao↗
DOE OSTI2021

Compilation and Evaluation of Isomeric Fission Yield Ratios

Fission yields are essential data for reactor physics, forensics, and astrophysics. In some cases, the fission yield of a fragment is divided between the ground state and a long-lived excited state, and the relative population of the two states is referred to as the isomeric ratio. In this work, we present a comprehensive compilation of experimental isomeric fission yield ratios for all target and projectile combinations. When possible, these data are combined to provide recommended isomeric fission yield ratios for low energy neutron-induced fission and spontaneous fission. The recommended ratios are compared to the traditional Madland-England model, which attempts to describe the isomeric ratios with a single parameter relating to the angular momentum of the fragment. It is found that the model does not reliably reproduce isomeric ratios outside the few nuclei it was fitted to, and its simplified treatment of the statistical process following population in fission results in average spin values, which are neither constant nor follow a recently observed saw-tooth pattern.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A thermodynamic explanation of the Invar effect

The anomalously low thermal expansion of Fe–Ni Invar has long been associated with magnetism, but to date, the microscopic underpinnings of the Invar behaviour have eluded both theory and experiment. Here we present nuclear resonant X-ray scattering measurements of the phonon and magnetic entropies under pressure. By applying a thermodynamic Maxwell relation to these data, we obtain the separate phonon and magnetic contributions to thermal expansion. We find that the Invar behaviour stems from a competition between phonons and spins. In particular, the phonon contribution to thermal expansion cancels the magnetic contribution over the 0–3 GPa pressure range of Invar behaviour. At pressures above 3 GPa, the cancellation is lost, but our analysis reproduces the positive thermal expansion measured separately by synchrotron X-ray diffractometry. Ab initio calculations informed by experimental data show that spin–phonon interactions improve the accuracy of this cancellation over the range of Invar behaviour. Further, spin–phonon interactions also explain how different phonon modes have different energy shifts with pressure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗