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At least 973 records · Page 54

The Effective Fragment Molecular Orbital Method: Achieving High Scalability and Accuracy for Large Systems

The effective fragment molecular orbital (EFMO) method has been developed to predict the total energy of a very large molecular system accurately (with respect to the underlying quantum mechanical method) and efficiently by taking advantage of the locality of strong chemical interactions and employing a two-level hierarchical parallelism. The accuracy of the EFMO method is partly attributed to the accurate and robust intermolecular interaction prediction between distant fragments, in particular, the many-body polarization and dispersion effects, which require the generation of static and dynamic polarizability tensors by solving the coupled perturbed Hartree–Fock (CPHF) and time-dependent HF (TDHF) equations, respectively. Solving the CPHF and TDHF equations is the main EFMO computational bottleneck due to the inefficient (serial) and I/O-intensive implementation of the CPHF and TDHF solvers. In this work, the efficiency and scalability of the EFMO method are significantly improved with a new CPU memory-based implementation for solving the CPHF and TDHF equations that are parallelized by either message passing interface (MPI) or hybrid MPI/OpenMP. Here, the accuracy of the EFMO method is demonstrated for both covalently bonded systems and noncovalently bound molecular clusters by systematically examining the effects of basis sets and a key distance-related cutoff parameter, R cut . R cut determines whether a fragment pair (dimer) is treated by the chosen ab initio method or calculated using the effective fragment potential (EFP) method (separated dimers). Decreasing the value of Rcut increases the number of separated (EFP) dimers, thereby decreasing the computational effort. It is demonstrated that excellent accuracy (<1 kcal/mol error per fragment) can be achieved when using a sufficiently large basis set with diffuse functions coupled with a small R cut value. With the new parallel implementation, the total EFMO wall time is substantially reduced, especially with a high number of MPI ranks. Given a sufficient workload, nearly ideal strong scaling is achieved for the CPHF and TDHF parts of the calculation. For the first time, EFMO calculations with the inclusion of long-range polarization and dispersion interactions on a hydrated mesoporous silica nanoparticle with explicit water solvent molecules (more than 15k atoms) are achieved on a massively parallel supercomputer using nearly 1000 physical nodes. In addition, EFMO calculations on the carbinolamine formation step of an amine-catalyzed aldol reaction at the nanoscale with explicit solvent effects are presented.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Energy Minimization of Discrete Protein Titration State Models Using Graph Theory

There are several applications in computational biophysics which require the optimization of discrete interacting states; e.g., amino acid titration states, ligand oxidation states, or discrete rotamer angles. Such optimization can be very time-consuming as it scales exponentially in the number of sites to be optimized. In this paper, we describe a new polynomial-time algorithm for optimization of discrete states in macromolecular systems. This algorithm was adapted from image processing and uses techniques from discrete mathematics and graph theory to restate the optimization problem in terms of maximum flow-minimum cut graph analysis. The interaction energy graph, a graph in which vertices (amino acids) and edges (interactions) are weighted with their respective energies, is transformed into a flow network in which the value of the minimum cut in the network equals the minimum free energy of the protein, and the cut itself encodes the state that achieves the minimum free energy. Because of its deterministic nature and polynomial-time performance, this algorithm has the potential to allow for the ionization state of larger proteins to be discovered.

energy minimization↗

Techno-economic analysis and life-cycle analysis of two light-duty bio-blendstocks: isobutanol and aromatic rich hydrocarbons

Isobutanol and aromatic-rich hydrocarbons (ARHC) are two biomass-derived high octane blendstocks that could be blended with petroleum gasoline for use in optimized spark-ignition engines in light-duty vehicles, potentially increasing engine efficiency. To evaluate technology readiness, economic viability, and environmental impacts of these technologies, we use detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle analysis (LCA). We assumed isobutanol is produced via biochemical conversion of an herbaceous feedstock blend while ARHC is produced via thermochemical conversion of a woody feedstock blend.The minimum estimated fuel selling price (MFSP) of isobutanol ranged from $5.57/gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) based on today’s technology to $4.22/GGE with technology advancements. The MFSP of ARHC could decline from $5.20/GGE based on today’s technology to $4.20/GGE as technology improves. Both isobutanol and ARHC offer about 73% GHG emission reduction relative to petroleum gasoline per LCA of these two bio-blendstocks. On the other hand, water consumption in the production of both bio-blendstocks exceeds that of conventional gasoline although process engineering offers routes to cutting water consumption. Over their life cycles, both isobutanol and ARHC emit more NOx and PM2.5 than petroleum gasoline.Improving the energy efficiency and lowering air emissions from agricultural equipment will reduce the life-cycle air pollutant emissions of these bio-blendstocks.

techno-economic analysis, life-cycle analysis, bio↗

Charge Compensation in RE3+ (RE = Eu, Gd) and M+ (M = Li, Na, K) Co-Doped Alkaline Earth Nanofluorides Obtained by Microwave Reaction with Reactive Ionic Liquids Leading to Improved Optical Properties

Alkaline earth fluorides are extraordinarily promising host matrices for phosphor materials with regard to rare earth doping. In particular, quantum cutting materials, which might considerably enhance the efficiency of mercury-free fluorescent lamps or SC solar cells, are often based on rare earth containing crystalline fluorides such as NaGdF4, GdF3 or LaF3. Substituting most of the precious rare earth ions and simultaneously retaining the efficiency of the phosphor is a major goal. Alkaline earth fluoride nanoparticles doped with trivalent lanthanide ions (which are required for the quantum cutting phenomenon) were prepared via a microwave assisted method in ionic liquids. As doping trivalent ions into a host with divalent cations requires charge compensation, this effect was thoroughly studied by powder X-ray and electron diffraction, luminescence spectroscopy and 23Na, 139La and 19F solid state NMR spectroscopy. Monovalent alkali ions were codoped with the trivalent lanthanide ions to relieve stress and achieve a better crystallinity and higher quantum cutting abilities of the prepared material. 19F-magic angle spinning (MAS)-NMR-spectra, assisted by 19F{23Na} rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) studies, reveal distinct local fluoride environments, the populations of which are discussed in relation to spatial distribution and clustering models. In the co-doped samples, fluoride species having both Na+ and La3+ ions within their coordination sphere can be identified and quantified. This interplay of mono- and trivalent ions in the CaF2 lattice appears to be an efficient charge compensation mechanism that allows for improved performance characteristics of such co-doped phosphor materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Candidate strongly lensed type Ia supernovae in the Zwicky Transient Facility archive

Gravitationally lensed type Ia supernovae (glSNe Ia) are unique astronomical tools that can be used to study cosmological parameters, distributions of dark matter, the astrophysics of the supernovae, and the intervening lensing galaxies themselves. A small number of highly magnified glSNe Ia have been discovered by ground-based telescopes such as the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), but simulations predict that a fainter, undetected population may also exist. We present a systematic search for glSNe Ia in the ZTF archive of alerts distributed from June 1 2019 to September 1 2022. Using the AMPEL platform, we developed a pipeline that distinguishes candidate glSNe Ia from other variable sources. Initial cuts were applied to the ZTF alert photometry (with constraints on the peak absolute magnitude and the distance to a catalogue-matched galaxy, as examples) before forced photometry was obtained for the remaining candidates. Additional cuts were applied to refine the candidates based on their light curve colours, lens galaxy colours, and the resulting parameters from fits to the SALT2 SN Ia template. The candidates were also cross-matched with the DESI spectroscopic catalogue. Seven transients were identified that passed all the cuts and had an associated galaxy DESI redshift, which we present as glSN Ia candidates. Although superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) cannot be fully rejected as contaminants, two events, ZTF19abpjicm and ZTF22aahmovu, are significantly different from typical SLSNe and their light curves can be modelled as two-image glSN Ia systems. From this two-image modelling, we estimate time delays of 22 ± 3 and 34 ± 1 days for the two events, respectively, which suggests that we have uncovered a population of glSNe Ia with longer time delays. The pipeline is efficient and sensitive enough to parse full alert streams. It is currently being applied to the live ZTF alert stream to identify and follow-up future candidates while active. This pipeline could be the foundation for glSNe Ia searches in future surveys, such as the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Revision of the Coulomb logarithm in the ideal plasma

The standard picture of the Coulomb logarithm in the ideal plasma is controversial, the arguments for the lower cut off need revision. The two cases of far subthermal and of far superthermal electron drift motions are accessible to a rigorous analytical treatment. We show that the lower cut off b{sub min} is a function of symmetry and shape of the shielding cloud, it is not universal. In the subthermal case, shielding is spherical and b{sub min} is to be identified with the de Broglie wavelength; at superthermal drift the shielding cloud exhibits cylindrical (axial) symmetry and b{sub min} is the classical parameter of perpendicular deflection. In both situations, the cut offs are determined by the electron-ion encounters at large collision parameters. This is in net contrast to the governing standard interpretation that attributes b{sub min} to the Coulomb singularity at vanishing collision parameters b and, consequently, assigns it universal validity. The origin of the contradictions in the traditional picture is analyzed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Effect of the wire width on the intrinsic detection efficiency of superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors

A thorough spectral study of the intrinsic single-photon detection efficiency in superconducting TaN and NbN nanowires with different widths has been performed. The experiment shows that the cut-off of the intrinsic detection efficiency at near-infrared wavelengths is most likely controlled by the local suppression of the barrier for vortex nucleation around the absorption site. Beyond the cut-off quasi-particle diffusion in combination with spontaneous, thermally activated vortex crossing explains the detection process. For both materials, the reciprocal cut-off wavelength scales linearly with the wire width where the scaling factor agrees with the hot-spot detection model.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Hybrid metasurface for ultra-broadband terahertz modulation

We demonstrate an ultra-broadband free-space terahertz modulator based on a semiconductor-integrated metasurface. The modulator is made of a planar array of metal cut-wires on a silicon-on-sapphire substrate, where the silicon layer functions as photoconductive switches. Without external excitation, the cut-wire array exhibits a Lorentzian resonant response with a transmission passband spanning dc up to the fundamental dipole resonance above 2 THz. Under photoexcitation with 1.55 eV near-infrared light, the silicon regions in the cut-wire gaps become highly conductive, causing a transition of the resonant metasurface to a wire grating with a Drude response. In effect, the low-frequency passband below 2 THz evolves into a stopband for the incident terahertz waves. Experimental validations confirm a bandwidth of at least 100%, spanning 0.5 to 1.5 THz with -10 dB modulation depth. This modulation depth is far superior to -5 dB achievable from a plain silicon-on-sapphire substrate with effectively 25 times higher pumping energy. The proposed concept of ultra-broadband metasurface modulator can be readily extended to electrically controlled terahertz wave modulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Role of electron transfer in Ce{sup 3+} sensitized Yb{sup 3+} luminescence in borate glass

In a Ce{sup 3+}-Yb{sup 3+} system, two mechanisms are proposed so far namely, the quantum cutting mechanism and the electron transfer mechanism explaining Yb{sup 3+} infrared luminescence under Ce{sup 3+} excitation. Among them, the quantum cutting mechanism, where one Ce{sup 3+} photon (ultraviolet/blue) gives rise to two Yb{sup 3+} photons (near infrared) is widely sought for because of its huge potential in enhancing the solar cell efficiency. In present study on Ce{sup 3+}-Yb{sup 3+} codoped borate glasses, Ce{sup 3+} sensitized Yb{sup 3+} luminescence at ∼1 μm have been observed on Ce{sup 3+} 5d state excitation. However, the intensity of sensitized Yb{sup 3+} luminescence is found to be very weak compared to the strong quenching occurred in Ce{sup 3+} luminescence in Yb{sup 3+} codoped glasses. Moreover, the absolute luminescence quantum yield also showed a decreasing trend with Yb{sup 3+} codoping in the glasses. The overall behavior of the luminescence properties and the quantum yield is strongly contradicting with the quantum cutting phenomenon. The results are attributed to the energetically favorable electron transfer interactions followed by Ce{sup 3+}-Yb{sup 3+} ⇌ Ce{sup 4+}-Yb{sup 2+} inter-valence charge transfer and successfully explained using the absolute electron binding energies of dopant ions in the studied borate glass. Finally, an attempt has been presented to generalize the electron transfer mechanism among opposite oxidation/reduction property dopant ions using the vacuum referred electron binding energy (VRBE) scheme for lanthanide series.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Analysis techniques for background rejection at the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR

The MAJORANA Collaboration is constructing the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, an ultra-low background, 40- kg modular HPGe detector array to search for neutrinoless double beta decay in {sup 76}Ge. In view of the next generation of tonne-scale Ge-based 0νβ β-decay searches that will probe the neutrino mass scale in the inverted-hierarchy region, a major goal of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is to demonstrate a path forward to achieving a background rate at or below 1 count/tonne/year in the 4 keV region of interest around the Q-value at 2039 keV. The background rejection techniques to be applied to the data include cuts based on data reduction, pulse shape analysis, event coincidences, and time correlations. The Point Contact design of the DEMONSTRATOR’s germanium detectors allows for significant reduction of gamma background.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Accurate and precise determination of critical properties from Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations

Since the seminal paper by Panagiotopoulos [Mol. Phys. 61, 813 (1997)], the Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo (GEMC) method has been the most popular particle-based simulation approach for the computation of vapor–liquid phase equilibria. However, the validity of GEMC simulations in the near-critical region has been questioned because rigorous finite-size scaling approaches cannot be applied to simulations with fluctuating volume. Valleau [Mol. Simul. 29, 627 (2003)] has argued that GEMC simulations would lead to a spurious overestimation of the critical temperature. More recently, Patel et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 024101 (2011)] opined that the use of analytical tail corrections would be problematic in the near-critical region. To address these issues, we perform extensive GEMC simulations for Lennard-Jones particles in the near-critical region varying the system size, the overall system density, and the cutoff distance. For a system with N = 5500 particles, potential truncation at 8σ and analytical tail corrections, an extrapolation of GEMC simulation data at temperatures in the range from 1.27 to 1.305 yields T{sub c} = 1.3128 ± 0.0016, ρ{sub c} = 0.316 ± 0.004, and p{sub c} = 0.1274 ± 0.0013 in excellent agreement with the thermodynamic limit determined by Potoff and Panagiotopoulos [J. Chem. Phys. 109, 10914 (1998)] using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling. Critical properties estimated using GEMC simulations with different overall system densities (0.296 ≤ ρ{sub t} ≤ 0.336) agree to within the statistical uncertainties. For simulations with tail corrections, data obtained using r{sub cut} = 3.5σ yield T{sub c} and p{sub c} that are higher by 0.2% and 1.4% than simulations with r{sub cut} = 5 and 8σ but still with overlapping 95% confidence intervals. In contrast, GEMC simulations with a truncated and shifted potential show that r{sub cut} = 8σ is insufficient to obtain accurate results. Additional GEMC simulations for hard-core square-well particles with various ranges of the attractive well and for n-decane molecules represented by the TraPPE force field yield data that support the trends observed for Lennard-Jones particles. The finite-size dependence of the critical properties obtained from GEMC simulations is significantly smaller than those from grand-canonical ensemble simulations. Thus, when resources are not available for a rigorous finite-size scaling study, GEMC simulations provide a straightforward route to determine fairly accurate critical properties using relatively small system sizes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Direct comparison of wire, foil, and hybrid X-pinches on a 200 kA, 150 ns current driver

Wire X-pinches (WXPs) have been studied comprehensively as fast (~1 ns pulse width), small (~1 μm) x-ray sources, created by twisting two or more fine wires into an “X” to produce a localized region of extreme magnetic pressure at the cross-point. Recently, two alternatives to the traditional WXP have arisen: the hybrid X-pinch (HXP), composed of two conical electrodes bridged by a thin wire or capillary, and the laser-cut foil X-pinch (LCXP), cut from a thin foil using a laser. We present a comparison of copper wire, hybrid, and laser-cut foil X-pinches on a single experimental platform: UC San Diego’s ~200 kA, 150 ns rise time GenASIS driver. All configurations produced 1–2 ns pulse width, ≤5 μm soft x-ray (Cu L-shell, ~1 keV) sources (resolutions diagnostically limited) with comparable fluxes. WXP results varied with linear mass and wire count, but consistently showed separate pinch and electron-beam-driven sources. LCXPs produced the brightest (~1 MW), smallest (≤5 μm) Cu K-shell sources, and spectroscopic data showed both H-like Cu K α lines indicative of source temperatures ≥2 keV, and cold K α (~8050 eV) characteristic of electron beam generated sources, which were not separately resolved on other diagnostics (within 1–2 ns and ≤200 μm). HXPs produced minimal K-shell emission and reliably single, bright, and small L-shell sources after modifications to shape the early current pulse through them. Benefits and drawbacks for each configuration are discussed to provide potential X-pinch users with the information required to choose the configuration best suited to their needs.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Fiber coupled laser ultrasound system using a single mode hollow core fiber for excitation laser: Theory and demonstration for on-machine thickness gauging

Laser ultrasound (LU) is a technique that uses a pump laser and a probe laser to optically generate and detect elastic waves in a material. Despite its advantages over traditional contact transducer-based ultrasound, industrial adoption has been limited by complex optical setups and the inability of multi-mode fibers to deliver a stable Gaussian profile for the pump laser. Here, we report a fully fiber-coupled thermoelastic LU system that uses an anti-resonant hollow-core single-mode fiber to deliver 1 mJ nanosecond pulses of 1064 nm light, while preserving the fundamental Gaussian mode (pump laser). When combined with a fiber-coupled interferometer (probe laser), a small, flexible, and environmentally robust sensor capable of optically generating and detecting high frequency broadband ultrasound is realized. We demonstrate such an LU system implemented in situ on a four-axis precision lathe. High-resolution thickness gauging is performed, before and after precision cutting, by exciting and measuring a zero-group velocity guided wave mode. The measurements are verified with ex-situ traceable coordinate measuring machine data. Mean absolute deviations of 0.1%, of nominal thickness, before cutting, and 0.2% and 0.3%, after stepped and tapered cuts, respectively, are reported. A theoretical background for thermoelastic ultrasound generation in an elastic waveguide is also presented. Attention is given to the effect of the pump laser profile on wave generation to elucidate the importance of using single-mode laser light. The fiber-coupled system demonstrated is well-suited for use in scientific and engineering sensing applications and facilitates the adoption of LU for industrial non-destructive testing.

Engineering↗

Detection near 1-nm with a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter

Presented is a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter capable of particle detection near 1 nm. This instrument employs a three-stage, laminar-flow growth tube with a “moderator” stage that reduces the temperature and water content of the output flow without reducing the peak supersaturation, and makes feasible operation at the large temperature differences necessary for achieving high supersaturations. The instrument has an aerosol flow of 0.3 L/min, and does not use a filtered sheath flow. It is referred to as a “versatile” water condensation particle counter, or vWCPC, as operating temperatures can be adjusted in accordance with the cut-point desired. When operated with wall temperatures of ~2°C, >90°C, and ~22°C for the three stages, respectively, the vWCPC detects particles generated from a heated nichrome wire with a 50% efficiency cut-point near 1.6 nm mobility diameter. At these operating temperatures, it also detects 10–20% of large molecular ions formed from passing filtered ambient air through a bipolar ion source. Decreasing the temperature difference between the first two stages, with the first and second stages operated at 10 and 90°C, respectively, essentially eliminates the response to charger ions, and raises the 50% efficiency cut-point for the nichrome wire particles to 1.9 nm mobility diameter. Here, the time response, as measured by rapid removal of an inlet filter, yields a characteristic time constant of 195 ms.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Fabrication, Assembly, and Metrology of the Neutron Imaging Pinhole

The neutron imaging pinhole is a complex aperture that is designed to have its image plane at the center of a laser fusion capsule implosion. The aperture’s high-Z materials of tungsten and gold block the neutrons so that only the neutrons passing through the machined apertures make it to the image plane and detector. The pinhole assembly consists of 11 layers of gold in between two layers of tungsten and gold. These 64 triangular pinholes and six penumbra apertures provide a matrix image that can be reconstructed to image complex deuterium-tritium neutron burn details in laser fusion capsules. The gold layers were diamond turned flat before the profiles were cut into their faces. Four of the layers were profiled with penumbral profile arrays that tapered from a radius of 250 to 150 µm. Three gold layers were just diamond turned to wedges to set the tilt of the whole aperture. Three gold layers were profiled on both sides with triangle groove arrays that consist of eight equilateral triangles with the depth of 200 to 15 µm over the 200-mm length, with a tolerance of 2 µm. Custom software programming routines were written using Labview to move the diamond-turning profiler through the required X-Y-Z movements to cut the penumbral and grooved profiles of the pinhole into the varying tilted arrays of features. The software is optimized to push the profile of the whole part into the face while eliminating any unneeded passes that do not cut any material. Each layer was thoroughly inspected on both sides using an optical coordinate measuring machine and white-light interferometer to validate each of the profiles. The pinhole assembly was inspected on a rotary stage so that both ends of the assembly can be inspected and presented in a single point cloud. The process of machining, programming, assembly, and inspection of the neutron imaging pinhole is covered.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

On the sensitivity of the goes flare classification to properties of the electron beam in the thick-target model

The collisional thick-target model, wherein a large number of electrons are accelerated down a flaring loop, can be used to explain many observed properties of solar flares. In this study, we focus on the sensitivity of (GOES) flare classification to the properties of the thick-target model. Using a hydrodynamic model with RHESSI-derived electron beam parameters, we explore the effects of the beam energy flux (or total non-thermal energy), the cut-off energy, and the spectral index of the electron distribution on the soft X-rays observed by GOES. We conclude that (1) the GOES class is proportional to the non-thermal energy E {sup α} for α ≈ 1.7 in the low-energy passband (1-8 Å) and ≈1.6 in the high-energy passband (0.5-4 Å); (2) the GOES class is only weakly dependent on the spectral index in both passbands; (3) increases in the cut-off will increase the flux in the 0.5-4 Å passband but decrease the flux in the 1-8 Å passband, while decreases in the cut-off will cause a decrease in the 0.5-4 Å passband and a slight increase in the 1-8 Å passband.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Frequency and damping rate of fast sausage waves

We investigate the frequency and damping rate of fast axisymmetric waves that are subject to wave leakage for a one-dimensional magnetic cylindrical structure in the solar corona. We consider the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) dispersion relation for axisymmetric MHD waves superimposed on a straight magnetic cylinder in the zero β limit, similar to a jet or loop in the solar corona. An analytic study accompanied by numerical calculations has been carried out to model the frequency, damping rate, and phase speed of the sausage wave around the cut-off frequency and in the long wavelength limit. Analytic expressions have been obtained based on equations around the points of interest. They are linear approximations of the dependence of the sausage frequency on the wave number around the cut-off wavelength for both leaky and non-leaky regimes and in the long wavelength limit. Moreover, an expression for the damping rate of the leaky sausage wave has been obtained both around the cut-off frequency and in the long wavelength limit. These analytic results are compared with numerical computations. The expressions show that the complex frequencies are mainly dominated by the density ratio. In addition, it is shown that the damping eventually becomes independent of the wave number in the long wavelength limit. We conclude that the sausage mode damping directly depends on the density ratios of the internal and external media where the damping declines in higher density contrasts. Even in the long wavelength limit, the sausage mode is weakly damped for high-density contrasts. As such, sausage modes could be observed for a significant number of periods in high-density contrast loops or jets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATION OF THE X2.2 SOLAR FLARE ON 2011 FEBRUARY 15. II. DYNAMICS CONNECTING THE SOLAR FLARE AND THE CORONAL MASS EJECTION

We clarify a relationship between the dynamics of a solar flare and a growing coronal mass ejection (CME) by investigating the dynamics of magnetic fields during the X2.2-class flare taking place in the solar active region 11158 on 2011 February 15, based on simulation results obtained from Inoue et al. We found that the strongly twisted lines formed through tether-cutting reconnection in the twisted lines of a nonlinear force-free field can break the force balance within the magnetic field, resulting in their launch from the solar surface. We further discover that a large-scale flux tube is formed during the eruption as a result of the tether-cutting reconnection between the eruptive strongly twisted lines and these ambient weakly twisted lines. The newly formed large flux tube exceeds the critical height of the torus instability. Tether-cutting reconnection thus plays an important role in the triggering of a CME. Furthermore, we found that the tangential fields at the solar surface illustrate different phases in the formation of the flux tube and its ascending phase over the threshold of the torus instability. We will discuss these dynamics in detail.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗