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At least 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Evaluating Alerting and Guidance Performance of a UAS Detect-And-Avoid System

A key challenge to the routine, safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is the development of detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems to aid the UAS pilot in remaining "well clear" of nearby aircraft. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of alerting criteria and pilot response delay on the safety and performance of UAS DAA systems in the context of routine civil UAS operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). A NAS-wide fast-time simulation study was conducted to assess UAS DAA system performance with a large number of encounters and a broad set of DAA alerting and guidance system parameters. Three attributes of the DAA system were controlled as independent variables in the study to conduct trade-off analyses: UAS trajectory prediction method (dead-reckoning vs. intent-based), alerting time threshold (related to predicted time to LoWC), and alerting distance threshold (related to predicted Horizontal Miss Distance, or HMD). A set of metrics, such as the percentage of true positive, false positive, and missed alerts, based on signal detection theory and analysis methods utilizing the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were proposed to evaluate the safety and performance of DAA alerting and guidance systems and aid development of DAA system performance standards. The effect of pilot response delay on the performance of DAA systems was evaluated using a DAA alerting and guidance model and a pilot model developed to support this study. A total of 18 fast-time simulations were conducted with nine different DAA alerting threshold settings and two different trajectory prediction methods, using recorded radar traffic from current Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, and supplemented with DAA-equipped UAS traffic based on mission profiles modeling future UAS operations. Results indicate DAA alerting distance threshold has a greater effect on DAA system performance than DAA alerting time threshold or ownship trajectory prediction method. Further analysis on the alert lead time (time in advance of predicted loss of well clear at which a DAA alert is first issued) indicated a strong positive correlation between alert lead time and DAA system performance (i.e. the ability of the UAS pilot to maneuver the unmanned aircraft to remain well clear). While bigger distance thresholds had beneficial effects on alert lead time and missed alert rate, it also generated a higher rate of false alerts. In the design and development of DAA alerting and guidance systems, therefore, the positive and negative effects of false alerts and missed alerts should be carefully considered to achieve acceptable alerting system performance by balancing false and missed alerts. The results and methodology presented in this study are expected to help stakeholders, policymakers and standards committees define the appropriate setting of DAA system parameter thresholds for UAS that ensure safety while minimizing operational impacts to the NAS and equipage requirements for its users before DAA operational performance standards can be finalized.

UAS Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) System↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thermoelectric DC conductivities in hyperscaling violating Lifshitz theories

We analytically compute the thermoelectric conductivities at zero frequency (DC) in the holographic dual of a four dimensional Einstein-Maxwell-Axion-Dilaton theory that admits a class of asymptotically hyperscaling violating Lifshitz backgrounds with a dynamical exponent z and hyperscaling violating parameter θ. We show that the heat current in the dual Lifshitz theory involves the energy flux, which is an irrelevant operator for z > 1. The linearized fluctuations relevant for computing the thermoelectric conductivities turn on a source for this irrelevant operator, leading to several novel and non-trivial aspects in the holographic renormalization procedure and the identification of the physical observables in the dual theory. Moreover, imposing Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions on the spatial components of one of the two Maxwell fields present leads to different thermoelectric conductivities. Thus, Dirichlet boundary conditions reproduce the thermoelectric DC conductivities obtained from the near horizon analysis of Donos and Gauntlett, while Neumann boundary conditions result in a new set of DC conductivities. We make preliminary analytical estimates for the temperature behavior of the thermoelectric matrix in appropriate regions of parameter space. In particular, at large temperatures we find that the only case which could lead to a linear resistivity ρ ~ T corresponds to z = 4/3.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of Higgs boson production via gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion using $H\rightarrow WW^*\rightarrow \ell \nu \ell \nu$ decays in pp collisions with the ATLAS detector and their effective field theory interpretations

Higgs boson production cross-sections via gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion in proton–proton collisions are measured in the $H\rightarrow WW^*\rightarrow \ell \nu \ell \nu$ decay channel. The Large Hadron Collider delivered proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV between 2015 and 2018, which were recorded by the ATLAS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $140\,\text {fb}^{-1}.$ The total cross-sections for Higgs boson production by gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion times the $H\rightarrow WW^*$ branching ratio are measured to be $12.4^{+1.3}_{-1.2}\,\text {pb}$ and $0.79^{+0.18}_{-0.16}\,\text {pb},$ respectively, in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. Higgs boson production is further characterised through measurements of Simplified Template Cross-Sections in a total of fifteen kinematic fiducial regions. A new scheme of kinematic fiducial regions has been introduced to enhance the sensitivity to CP-violating effects in Higgs boson interactions. Both schemes are used to constrain CP-even and CP-odd dimension-six operators in the Standard Model effective field theory.

Aad, G. [CPPM, Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS/IN2P↗
DOE OSTI2023

Orbit averaging coherent states: holographic three-point functions of AdS giant gravitons

We study correlation functions of two AdS giant gravitons in AdS 5 × S 5 and a BPS supergravity mode using holography. In the gauge theory these are described by BPS correlators of Schur polynomials of fully-symmetric representations and a single trace operator. We find full agreement between the semiclassical gravity and gauge theory computations at large N, for both diagonal and off-diagonal structure constants. Our analysis in $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 SYM provides a simpler derivation to the results in the literature, and it can be readily generalized to operators describing bound states of AdS giant gravitons as well as bubbling geometries.

1/N Expansion↗
DOE OSTI2018

Double-trace flows and the swampland

We explore the idea that large N , non-supersymmetric conformal field theories with a parametrically large gap to higher spin single-trace operators may be obtained as infrared fixed points of relevant double-trace deformations of superconformal field theories. After recalling the AdS interpretation and some potential pathologies of such flows, we introduce a concrete example that appears to avoid them: the ABJM theory at finite k , deformed by ∫O 2 , where O is the superconformal primary in the stress-tensor multiplet. We address its relation to recent conjectures based on weak gravity bounds, and discuss the prospects for a wider class of similarly viable flows. Next, we proceed to analyze the spectrum and correlation functions of the putative IR CFT, to leading non-trivial order in 1/ N . This includes analytic computations of the change under double-trace flow of connected four-point functions of ABJM superconformal primaries; and of the IR anomalous dimensions of infinite classes of double-trace composite operators. These would be the first analytic results for anomalous dimensions of finite-spin composite operators in any large N CFT 3 with an Einstein gravity dual.

1/N Expansion↗
DOE OSTI2021

Generalized global symmetries of T[ M ] theories. Part I

We study reductions of 6d theories on a d-dimensional manifold Md, focusing on the interplay between symmetries, anomalies, and dynamics of the resulting (6 – d)-dimensional theory T[M d ]. We refine and generalize the notion of “polarization” to polarization on Md, which serves to fix the spectrum of local and extended operators in T[M d ]. Another important feature of theories T[M d ] is that they often possess higher-group symmetries, such as 2-group and 3-group symmetries. We study the origin of such symmetries as well as physical implications including symmetry breaking and symmetry enhancement in the renormalization group flow. To better probe the IR physics, we also investigate the ’t Hooft anomaly of 5d Chern-Simons matter theories. The present paper focuses on developing the general framework as well as the special case of d = 0 and 1, while an upcoming paper will discuss the case of d = 2, 3 and 4.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS2026

Reliability Models and Demonstration of a Fault-Tolerant Motor Concept for Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicles

This report documents the completion of the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Project Annual Performance Indicator 24-3.2.4.1: “Apply and document reliability prediction for high reliability motor concept.” Two modeling tools were completed for calculation of reliability of fault-tolerant (FT) motors, and key FT operations of a modular FT motor were demonstrated experimentally. The two models are complementary tools for the stakeholder and user community. Both models employ Markov chain theory. The first model is a time-homogeneous Markov chain model, and the second is a time-inhomogeneous Markov-Weibull model. This report’s main sections are as follows: 1.0 Introduction, 2.0 Theory, 3.0 Motor Reliability Models, 4.0 Validation of FT Operation by Hardware Demonstration, and 5.0 Concluding Remarks. Novel contributions to the field include development of a modular FT motor concept for electrified vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) application, solution methods to solve the reliability calculations, development of figures of merit, and the introduction of “linked chains” to formulate a building-block approach for time-inhomogeneous Markov-Weibull modeling of motor reliability. Example case studies have been completed, and results are provided and discussed herein. A four-module FT motor concept was developed to a preliminary-design level of detail. This eVTOL FT motor concept was designed for galvanic, magnetic, and thermal isolation of stator winding faults. The reliability of the concept motor was calculated using a time-inhomogeneous Markov chain model. Employing average failure rate as a metric, 570 times greater reliability was achieved as compared to a baseline motor without fault tolerance. A demonstrator motor was built and tested. The testing demonstrated the key features of FT operation and validated the essential premises of the FT motor concepts presented herein. The experiments included successful demonstration of the feasibility of the following four key FT features: (1) terminal open-circuit operation, (2) thermal isolation after fault, (3) terminal short-circuit operation, and (4) internal short-circuit operation. These works indicate that FT modular motor drives offer promise for addressing the daunting reliability gap that electric aircraft propulsor drives are facing relative to the best conventional motor drive technology that is available today.

Electric Motor↗
DOE OSTI2015

Oxidation state and interfacial effects on oxygen vacancies in tantalum pentoxide

First-principles density-functional theory calculations are used to study the atomistic structure, structural energetics, and electron density near the O monovacancy (V{sub O}{sup n}; n = 0,1+,2+) in both bulk, amorphous tantalum pentoxide (a-Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}), and also at vacuum and metallic Ta interfaces. We calculate multivariate vacancy formation energies to evaluate stability as a function of oxidation state, distance from interface plane, and Fermi energy. V{sub O}{sup n} of all oxidation states preferentially segregates at both Ta and vacuum interfaces, where the metallic interface exhibits global formation energy minima. In a-Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}, V{sub O}{sup 0} is characterized by structural contraction and electron density localization, while V{sub O}{sup 2+} promotes structural expansion and is depleted of electron density. In contrast, interfacial V{sub O}{sup 0} and V{sub O}{sup 2+} show nearly indistinguishable ionic and electronic signatures indicative of a reduced V{sub O} center. Interfacial V{sub O}{sup 2+} extracts electron density from metallic Ta, indicating that V{sub O}{sup 2+} is spontaneously reduced at the expense of the metal. This oxidation/reduction behavior suggests careful selection and processing of both oxide layer and metal electrodes for engineering memristor device operation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Classifying photonic topology using the spectral localizer and numerical K -theory

Recently, the spectral localizer framework has emerged as an efficient approach for classifying topology in photonic systems featuring local nonlinearities and radiative environments. In nonlinear systems, this framework provides rigorous definitions for concepts such as topological solitons and topological dynamics, where a system’s occupation induces a local change in its topology due to nonlinearity. For systems embedded in radiative environments that do not possess a shared bulk spectral gap, this framework enables the identification of local topology and shows that local topological protection is preserved despite the lack of a common gap. However, as the spectral localizer framework is rooted in the mathematics of C*-algebras, and not vector bundles, understanding and using this framework requires developing intuition for a somewhat different set of underlying concepts than those that appear in traditional approaches for classifying material topology. In this tutorial, we introduce the spectral localizer framework from a ground-up perspective and provide physically motivated arguments for understanding its local topological markers and associated local measure of topological protection. In doing so, we provide numerous examples of the framework’s application to a variety of topological classes, including crystalline and higher-order topology. We then show how Maxwell’s equations can be reformulated to be compatible with the spectral localizer framework, including the possibility of radiative boundary conditions. To aid in this introduction, we also provide a physics-oriented introduction to multi-operator pseudospectral methods and numerical K-theory, two mathematical concepts that form the foundation for the spectral localizer framework. Finally, we provide some mathematically oriented comments on the C*-algebraic origins of this framework, including a discussion of real C*-algebras and graded C*-algebras that are necessary for incorporating physical symmetries. Looking forward, we hope that this tutorial will serve as an approachable starting point for learning the foundations of the spectral localizer framework.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Anomalous dimensions from gauge couplings in SMEFT with right-handed neutrinos

Standard Model Neutrino Effective Field Theory (SMNEFT) is an effective theory with Standard Model (SM) gauge-invariant operators constructed only from SM and right-handed neutrino fields. For the full set of dimension-six SMNEFT operators, we present the gauge coupling terms of the one-loop anomalous dimension matrix for renormalization group evolution (RGE) of the Wilson coefficients between a new physics scale and the electroweak scale. We find that the SMNEFT operators can be divided into five subsets which are closed under RGE. Our results apply for both Dirac and Majorana neutrinos. We also discuss the operator mixing pattern numerically and comment on some interesting phenomenological implications.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Constraints on long-range forces in de Sitter space

The representation theory of de Sitter space admits partially massless (PM) particles, but whether such particles can participate in consistent interacting theories remains unclear. We investigate the consistency of theories containing PM fields, particularly when these fields are coupled to gravity. Our strategy exploits the fact that PM fields correspond to partially conserved currents on the spacetime boundary, which generate symmetries. These symmetries place stringent constraints on correlation functions of charged operators, allowing us to test the consistency of a proposed bulk spectrum. When the assumed operator content violates these constraints, the corresponding bulk theory is ruled out. Applying this framework, we show that, in four-dimensional de Sitter space, PM fields of spin 2 or 3 (at depth 0) cannot couple consistently to gravity: such couplings necessitate additional massive fields, which are inevitably non-unitary. In higher dimensions, however, the constraints can be satisfied without violating unitarity if further PM fields are included. The resulting structure leads to additional charge conservation laws, which suggests that consistency may ultimately require an infinite tower of higher-spin PM fields, akin to the situation for ordinary higher-spin symmetries. The methods developed here provide powerful constraints on possible long-range interactions in de Sitter space and delineate the landscape of consistent quantum field theories in cosmological spacetimes.

AdS-CFT Correspondence↗
DOE OSTI2025

On the holographic dual of a symmetry operator at finite temperature

Topological symmetry operators of holographic large 𝑁 CFT 𝐷 ’s are dual to dynamical branes in the gravity dual AdS 𝐷+1 . We use this correspondence to establish a dictionary between thermal expectation values of symmetry operators in the Euclidean CFT 𝐷 and the evaluation of gravitational saddles in the presence of a dynamical brane. Expectation values of 0-form symmetry operators in the CFT 𝐷 are then related to branes wrapped on volume minimizing cycles in the bulk, i.e., the Euclidean continuation of a black hole horizon. We illustrate with some representative examples, including gravity in AdS 3 , duality/triality defects in four-dimensional 𝒩 = 4 super Yang-Mills theory, and the dual of R-symmetry operators probing five-dimensional Bogomol’nyi–Prasad–Sommerfield black holes.

Anomalies↗
DOE OSTI2016

Scale invariance, conformality, and generalized free fields

This paper addresses the question of whether there are 4D Lorentz invariant unitary quantum fi eld theories with scale invariance but not conformal invariance. We present an important loophole in the arguments of Luty-Polchinski-Rattazzi and Dymarsky-Komargodski-Schwimmer-Theisen that is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T could be a generalized free field. In this paper we rule out this possibility. The key ingredient is the observation that a unitary theory with scale but not conformal invariance necessarily has a non-vanishing anomaly for global scale transformations. We show that this anomaly cannot be reproduced if T is a generalized free field unless the theory also contains a dimension-2 scalar operator. In the special case where such an operator is present it can be used to redefine ("improve") the energy-momentum tensor, and we show that there is at least one energy-momentum tensor that is not a generalized free field. In addition, we emphasize that, in general, large momentum limits of correlation functions cannot be understood from the leading terms of the coordinate space OPE. This invalidates a recent argument by Farnsworth-Luty-Prilepina (FLP). Finally, despite the invalidity of the general argument of FLP, some of the techniques turn out to be useful in the present context.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Exotic fermions in Kadyshevsky’s theory and the possibility to detect them

As it is known, the principal research interest of V.G. Kadyshevsky was the development of a geometric approach to quantum field theory with a constraint imposed on the mass spectrum of elementary particles. Non-Hermitian operators arising in this case seemed to be a major obstacle to the development of a consistent theory. These issues have been resolved recently, and the introduction of the pseudo-Hermitian algebraic approach to the construction of quantum theory was a major advance in this physical research. The central point of such theories is the construction of PT -symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with real eigenvalues. It is important to note that both purely theoretical and experimental studies (e.g., in non-Hermitian optics) are found among the many published papers on this subject. Therefore, we believe that the development of pseudo-Hermitian relativistic quantum theory with a maximal mass may provide favorable opportunities to discuss the possible experimental verification of theoretical results obtained in this field. Kadyshevsky himself regarded the hypothesis of existence of new particles, which he called exotic fermions, as an important prediction of his theory. The possibility of discovery of exotic neutrinos in precision experiments on the determination of the neutrino mass is discussed in the present study.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fundamental Operator-Valued Functions of Singular Integrodifferential Operators in Banach Spaces

In this paper, using methods of the theory of generalized functions in Banach spaces, we examine the Cauchy problem for an abstract integrodifferential equation of a specific type. Under the assumption that there exist the complete Jordan structure of the differential part of the equation and the order of the zero of the kernel of the integral part, the fundamental operator-valued function (the fundamental solution) is constructed for the corresponding integrodifferential operator, which is used for further investigation of the problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lieb-Robinson Bounds with Exponential-in-Volume Tails

Lieb-Robinson bounds demonstrate the emergence of locality in many-body quantum systems. Intuitively, Lieb-Robinson bounds state that, with local or exponentially decaying interactions, the correlation that can be built up between two sites separated by distance 𝑟 after a time 𝑡 decays as exp (𝑣⁢𝑡 −𝑟), where 𝑣 is the emergent Lieb-Robinson velocity. In many problems, it is important to also capture how much of an operator grows to act on 𝑟 𝑑 sites in 𝑑 spatial dimensions. Perturbation theory and cluster expansion methods suggest that, at short times, these volume-filling operators are suppressed as exp (−𝑟 𝑑 ). We confirm this intuition, showing that, for 𝑟 >𝑣⁢𝑡, the volume-filling operator is suppressed by exp (−(𝑟−𝑣⁢𝑡) 𝑑 /(𝑣⁢𝑡) 𝑑−1 ). This closes a conceptual and practical gap between the cluster expansion and the Lieb-Robinson bound. We then present two very different applications of this new bound. Firstly, we obtain improved bounds on the classical computational resources necessary to simulate many-body dynamics with error tolerance 𝜀 for any finite time 𝑡: as 𝜀 becomes sufficiently small, only 𝜀 −O⁡(𝑡 𝑑−1 ) resources are needed. A protocol that likely saturates this bound is given. Secondly, we prove that disorder operators have volume-law suppression near the “solvable (Ising) point” in quantum phases with spontaneous symmetry breaking, which implies a new diagnostic for distinguishing many-body phases of quantum matter.

computational complexity↗
DOE OSTI2017

A holographic model for pseudogap in BCS–BEC crossover (I): Pairing fluctuations, double-trace deformation and dynamics of bulk bosonic fluid

We build a holographic model for the pairing fluctuation pseudogap phase in fermionic high temperature superconductivity/superfluidity based on the BCS–BEC crossover scenario. The pseudogap originates from incoherent Cooper pairing and has been observed in recent cold atom experiments. The strength of Cooper pairing and hence the BCS–BEC crossover is controlled by an effective 4-Fermi interaction and we argue that the double-trace deformation for charged scalar operator is a close analog in large N field theories. We employ the double-trace deformed Abelian Higgs model of holographic superconductors and propose that the incoherent fluctuations of the charged scalar in the bulk is the holographic dual of the fluctuating Cooper pairs. Using a Madelung transformation and the velocity-potential formalism, we develop a quantum fluid dynamics as an effective theory for these bulk fluctuations. The new fluid dynamics takes care of the boundary conditions required by AdS/CFT and encodes the vacuum polarization effect in curved spacetime. The pseudogap in conductivity can be related to the plasma oscillation of this bulk fluid.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Operator bases, S-matrices, and their partition functions

Relativistic quantum systems that admit scattering experiments are quantitatively described by effective field theories, where S-matrix kinematics and symmetry considerations are encoded in the operator spectrum of the EFT. Here in this paper we use the S-matrix to derive the structure of the EFT operator basis, providing complementary descriptions in (i) position space utilizing the conformal algebra and cohomology and (ii) momentum space via an algebraic formulation in terms of a ring of momenta with kinematics implemented as an ideal. These frameworks systematically handle redundancies associated with equations of motion (on-shell) and integration by parts (momentum conservation). We introduce a partition function, termed the Hilbert series, to enumerate the operator basis — correspondingly, the S-matrix — and derive a matrix integral expression to compute the Hilbert series. The expression is general, easily applied in any spacetime dimension, with arbitrary field content and (linearly realized) symmetries. In addition to counting, we discuss construction of the basis. Simple algorithms follow from the algebraic formulation in momentum space. We explicitly compute the basis for operators involving up to n = 5 scalar fields. This construction universally applies to fields with spin, since the operator basis for scalars encodes the momentum dependence of n-point amplitudes. We discuss in detail the operator basis for non-linearly realized symmetries. In the presence of massless particles, there is freedom to impose additional structure on the S- matrix in the form of soft limits. The most naÏve implementation for massless scalars leads to the operator basis for pions, which we confirm using the standard CCWZ formulation for non-linear realizations. Finally, although primarily discussed in the language of EFT, some of our results — conceptual and quantitative — may be of broader use in studying conformal field theories as well as the AdS/CFT correspondence.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗