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At least 991 records · Page 55

Aerosol Sampling Experiment on the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique indoor environment which serves as both home and workplace to the astronaut crew. There is currently no particulate monitoring, although particulate matter requirements exist. An experiment to collect particles in the ISS cabin was conducted recently. Two different aerosol samplers were used for redundancy and to collect particles in two size ranges spanning from 10 nm to hundreds of micrometers. The Active Sampler is a battery operated thermophoretic sampler with an internal pump which draws in air and collects particles directly on a transmission electron microscope grid. This commercial-off-the-shelf device was modified for operation in low gravity. The Passive Sampler has five sampling surfaces which were exposed to air for different durations in order to collect at least one sample with an optimal quantity of particles for microscopy. These samples were returned to Earth for analysis with a variety of techniques to obtain long-term average concentrations and identify particle emission sources. Results are compared with the inventory of ISS aerosols which was created based on sparse data and the literature. The goal of the experiment is to obtain data on indoor aerosols on ISS for future particulate monitor design and development.

Aerosol↗

Improvements of pre-emptive identification of particle accelerator failures using binary classifiers and dimensionality reduction

In this paper we look at the properties of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Differential Beam Current Monitor (DCM) data and various methods of data transformation to improve pre-emptive detection of machine trips. In this study, the foundation of the approach is the analysis of new underlying data and understanding various properties with the goal of faster classification, higher precision and higher recall with the aim to reduce false positives as low as required. The result of the research presented in this paper are a binary classifier capable of predicting accelerator failures with millisecond classification time, 96% precision, 58% true positive and 0% false positive rate and optimization techniques enabling real-time implementations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Pitch angle distributions of energetic ions in the lobes of the distant geomagnetic tail

A model is presented which accounts for observed pitch angle distributions of energetic ions in the lobes of the deep geomagnetic tail. Energetic (greater than 35 keV) ion data from the ISEE-3 spacecraft obtained during 1982-1983, when the spacecraft made a series of transversals of the distant geomagnetic tail (X sub GSE greater than -238 R sub E) is considered. Analysis indicates that under usual conditions the lobe pitch angle distribution is highly peaked at pitch angles closely perpendicular to the magnetic field direction while also showing a small downtail anisotropy. It is noted, however, that during periods of solar particle enhancements the lobe distributions become much more clearly isotropic. The proposed model successfully reproduces these features of the data and also accounts for the more isotropic ion population observed in the lobe during solar particle events, when the terrestrial component of the magnetosheath source may be considered negligeable in comparison to the enhanced solar component.

Owen, C. J.↗

AGR-5/6/7 Final Release-to-Birth Ratio Data Analysis

AGR-5/6/7 is the last of a series of Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) experiments conducted in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in support of development and qualification of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) low-enriched fuel for use in the high-temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). AGR configuration and irradiation conditions are based on prismatic HTGR technology that is distinguished primarily through the use of helium coolant, a low-power-density ceramic core capable of withstanding very high temperatures, and TRISO-coated particle fuel. The AGR tests provide valuable irradiation-performance data to support fuel process development, qualify fuel for normal operation and accident conditions, and support development and validation of fuel performance and fission-product (FP) transport models and codes. Each AGR test consists of multiple independently controlled and monitored capsules containing fuel compacts placed in a graphite cylinder shrouded by a steel shell. Release-to-birth ratios (R/B) for fission-gas isotopes released from each capsule are calculated from release rates, measured by germanium detectors in the Fission Product Monitoring System (FPMS) installed downstream from each capsule, and birth rates calculated using numerical models of FG generation. The R/Bs are a critical measure of the ability of the fuel kernel, the particle coating layers, and the compact matrix to retain fission-gas atoms, preventing their release into the sweep-gas flow, and the impact of initially defective particles and/or particle-coating failures that occur during irradiation. For fission-gas isotopes, particle failure is defined as failure of all coating layers, allowing gaseous fission atoms to escape from a particle. During the first five cycles (162B ? 165A), R/Bs were stable in the 10-8?10-6 range, and no in-pile particle failures were observed, based on the gross gamma counts. The maximum R/B value of around 2 ? 10-6 for Kr-85m resulted from the presence of as-fabricated exposed kernels (based on the high exposed kernel fraction), the dispersed uranium, and high fuel particle temperatures in Capsule 1. Comparison of capsule-measured R/Bs from these early cycles to predictions using the previously developed AGR R/B model demonstrated FG release from the AGR-5/6/7 TRISO fuel was comparable to that of previous experiments. In addition, the Kr-85m R/B per-exposed-kernel values are comparable to R/B values obtained in AGR-3/4 irradiation experiment and four irradiation experiments performed during 1980s: (1) HRB-17/18, (2) COMEDIE-BD1, (3) HFR B1, and (4) HRB-21. In contrast, all measured R/B values are lower than predictions by the commonly used Richards and German models, which are intentionally conservative. A large number of in-pile particle failures occurred in Capsule 1 by the end of Cycle 166A. During the final four cycles (166A ? 168A), apparent damage to the Capsule 1 gas line appeared to cause FG leakage from that capsule into the other four capsules, resulting in an increase in fission gas (FG) detected in the effluent for all capsules. Isolation of the Capsule 1 gas line during the last three cycles also prevented measurement of its FG release. Thus, R/Bs in all capsules after Cycle 166A are highly uncertain because of undefined amount of leakage from Capsule 1, especially for long-lived isotopes. A few hundred in-pile particle failures were estimated for Capsule 1 before the end of Cycle 166A, but the total number of failures is unknown due to the lack of FG release data in the later cycles. Based primarily on evidence from the gross gamma counts during Cycle 168A, approximately 15 particles failed in Capsule 3 and four particles failed in Capsule 2. In-pile failures in Capsule 3 were anticipated because this capsule was designed to operate beyond the HTGR normal operating temperature range. In contrast, no in-pile failures were identified in the top two capsules (4 and 5) based on the absence of the typical spikes in gross gamma counts and low failure estimates using the AGR model, developed in INL/EXT-14-32970, for R/B of the short-lived isotopes (Kr-89 and Xe-137) with minimal leakage from Capsule 1.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Search for decays of the Higgs boson into a pair of pseudoscalar particles decaying into $b\overline{b}$$\tau$ + $\tau$ - using pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper presents a search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson into a pair of new pseudoscalar particles, H → aa, where one pseudoscalar decays into a b-quark pair and the other decays into a $\tau$-lepton pair, in the mass range 12 ≤ m a ≤ 60 GeV. The analysis uses pp collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 . No significant excess above the Standard Model (SM) prediction is observed. Assuming the SM Higgs boson production cross section, the search sets upper limits at 95% confidence level on the branching ratio of Higgs bosons decaying into $b\overline{b}$$\tau$ + $\tau$ - , $\mathcal{B}$(H → aa → $b\overline{b}$$\tau$ + $\tau$ - ), between 2.2% and 3.9% depending on the pseudoscalar mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Solving challenges in QCD 3D partonic distributions

The superior luminosity and high polarization of CEBAF, combined with the high resolution and excellent particle identification capabilities of its detectors, as well as the ability for multidimensional and multiparticle detection using polarized targets, make Jefferson Lab uniquely positioned to disentangle the genuine intrinsic transverse structure of hadrons encoded in 3D partonic distributions—particularly in the kinematic regime dominated by valence quarks. The inclusion of Jefferson Lab data on semi-inclusive and hard exclusive hadron production has the potential to dramatically advance our understanding of non-perturbative QCD dynamics. Although a wealth of data from various Jefferson Lab experiments is already available, its incorporation into phenomenological studies has been slow, and a significant portion of data from other leptoproduction experiments is still missing from global fits. In this contribution, we discuss the existing challenges and outline a path forward for improving the analysis of low center-of-mass electroproduction experiments in general, and Jefferson Lab data in particular.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Differential Velocity between Solar Wind Protons and Alpha Particles in Pressure Balance Structures

Pressure balance structures (PBSs) are a common high-plasma beta feature in high-latitude, high-speed solar wind. They have been proposed as remnants of coronal plumes. If true, they should reflect the observation that plumes are rooted in unipolar magnetic flux concentrations in the photosphere and are heated as oppositely directed flux is advected into and reconnects with the flux concentration. A minimum variance analysis (MVA) of magnetic discontinuities in PBSs showed there is a larger proportion of tangential discontinuities than in the surrounding high-speed wind, supporting the hypothesis that plasmoids or extended current sheets are formed during reconnection at the base of plumes. To further evaluate the character of magnetic field discontinuities in PBSs, differential streaming between alpha particles and protons is analyzed here for the same sample of PBSs used in the MVA. Alpha particles in high-speed wind generally have a higher radial flow speed than protons. However, if the magnetic field is folded back on itself, as in a large-amplitude Alfven wave, alpha particles will locally have a radial flow speed less than protons. This characteristic is used here to distinguish between folded back magnetic fields (which would contain rotational discontinuities) and tangential discontinuities using Ulysses high-latitude, high-speed solar wind data. The analysis indicates that almost all reversals in the radial magnetic field in PBSs are folded back field lines. This is found to also be true outside PBSs, supporting existing results for typical high-speed, high-latitude wind. There remains a small number of cases that appear not to be folds in the magnetic field and which may be flux tubes with both ends rooted in the Sun. The distinct difference in MVA results inside and outside PBSs remains unexplained.

Yamauchi, Yohei↗

Optical to Near-infrared Transmission Spectrum of the Warm Sub-Saturn HAT-P-12b

We present the transmission spectrum of HAT-P-12b through a joint analysis of data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and Wide Field Camera 3 and Spitzer, covering the wavelength range 0.3–5.0 μm. We detect a muted water vapor absorption feature at 1.4 μm attenuated by clouds, as well as a Rayleigh scattering slope in the optical indicative of small particles. We interpret the transmission spectrum using both the state-of-the-art atmospheric retrieval code SCARLET and the aerosol microphysics model CARMA. These models indicate that the atmosphere of HAT-P-12b is consistent with a broad range of metallicities between several tens to a few hundred times solar, a roughly solar C/O ratio, and moderately efficient vertical mixing. Cloud models that include condensate clouds do not readily generate the submicron particles necessary to reproduce the observed Rayleigh scattering slope, while models that incorporate photochemical hazes composed of soot or tholins are able to match the full transmission spectrum. From a complementary analysis of secondary eclipses by Spitzer, we obtain measured depths of 0.042% ± 0.013% and 0.045% ± 0.018% at 3.6 and 4.5 μm, respectively, which are consistent with a blackbody temperature of 890{sup +60} {sub −70} K and indicate efficient day–night heat recirculation. HAT-P-12b joins the growing number of well-characterized warm planets that underscore the importance of clouds and hazes in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Calibration of the DUNE Far Detector Using Cosmic-ray Muon Events

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) aims to set new limits on parameters associated with neutrino oscillations, neutrino astrophysics, and beyond the Standard Model (SM) searches such as nucleon decay. DUNE will quantify the magnitude of CP violation in the lepton sector, and determine the neutrino mass ordering. These benefit highly from the large target mass and excellent imaging, tracking, and particle identification capabilities of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs). Detector calibration is essential to make precise physics measurements. For instance, accurate energy reconstruction is necessary for measuring many of the aforementioned quantities with the precision required for discovering new physics and fully exploiting the capabilities of the detector. Cosmic muons are a freely available natural source of calorimetric data and can be used for calibrating various detector parameters. This thesis provides an analysis of simulated cosmic-ray muon events generated with the Muon Simulation Underground (MUSUN) generator in the DUNE horizontal drift (HD) far detector (FD). The study focuses on analysing the energy and angular distribution of various classes of muon events, as well as characterising the different particles produced by cosmic muon interactions. The analysis of π0 → 2γ events within the cosmic-ray muon sample is presented in this thesis with a detailed study of reconstructing electromagnetic showers. The π0 mass is reconstructed within the DUNE FD, yielding a value of (136 ± 7) MeV/c2. Additionally, the thesis introduces methods for dE/dx calibration using simulated and reconstructed muon tracks. A calibration constant Ccal = (5.469 ± 0.003) × 10−3 ADC × tick/e is obtained through a model-dependent calibration process, where 1 tick corresponds to 500 ns of sampling time of an ADC. Furthermore, a calibration technique is presented, demonstrating precise translation from dQ/dx to dE/dx. This calibration method is applied to stopping muons, charged pions, and protons in the DUNE FD, addressing the measurement of energy loss in the detector volume. These are important calibrations of the DUNE FD and will contribute to achieving the exciting physics goals of the experiment.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Ripening of Rh Nanoparticle Catalysts in Reverse Water–Gas Shift via a Data-Driven Model Combining Physics, Theory, and Experiment

Degradation via sintering is an ongoing challenge that impedes the broad commercial success of supported metallic nanoparticle catalysts. To mitigate degradation via informed catalyst design and process operations, here we aim to disambiguate the underlying mechanisms of sintering by combining theory and experiment in a quantitative framework. While mechanistic sintering models exist, they only model a single sintering pathway, even though multiple sintering mechanisms can occur simultaneously or dominate at different stages of the process. Data-driven machine learning models have emerged as a means to represent complex processes through data regression. However, machine learning models have very large data needs and lack mechanistic insights due to their black-box encoding. To develop an interpretive model of catalyst degradation via sintering, we constructed a hybrid model combining mechanistic “physics-based” models and data-driven methods to obtain both reliable predictions and mechanistic insights regarding experimentally observed sintering phenomena. Focusing on nanoparticle sintering in the Rh–TiO 2 catalyst for the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction, the hybrid model couples a mechanistic term for Ostwald ripening with energy values calculated via density functional theory (DFT) with a parametric, data-driven discrepancy function term for unmodeled mechanisms. The hybrid model is trained using Bayesian inference with data collected from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in situ experiments wherein average nanoparticle diameter versus time was measured at three relevant operating temperatures. The calibrated hybrid model results show that an Ostwald ripening-only model parameterized with fixed DFT energies does not fully capture the time and temperature dependence of the SAXS-observed sintering kinetics, and that an additional functional contribution, or DFT energy calibration, is required to reconcile simulation and experiment. Analysis of the hybrid-model error confirms that the hybrid model outperforms both the purely mechanistic and purely data-driven alternatives in terms of expected predictive accuracy for time-evolving average particle sizes. Furthermore, the results support the hypothesis that the Ostwald ripening mechanism is less important for explaining the sintering phenomena as operating temperature increases under an assumed fixed DFT parameterization. This could be explained in one of two ways: either latent, unmodeled sintering mechanisms dominate at higher temperatures, or the DFT uncertainty increases with temperature. The proposed modeling approach directly links theory to experiments and simulations via a statistical hybrid modeling framework and can be extended to other catalytic systems to improve predictive models and mechanistic understanding.

Bayesian hybrid modeling↗

Real-Time event reconstruction for Nuclear Physics Experiments using Artificial Intelligence

Charged track reconstruction is a critical task in nuclear physics experiments, enabling the identification and analysis of particles produced in high-energy collisions. Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful tool for this purpose, addressing the challenges posed by complex detector geometries, high event multiplicities, and noisy data. Traditional methods rely on pattern recognition algorithms like the Kalman filter, but ML techniques, such as neural networks, graph neural networks (GNNs), and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), offer improved accuracy and scalability. By learning from simulated and real detector data, ML models can identify and classify tracks, predict trajectories, and handle ambiguities caused by overlapping or missing hits. Moreover, ML-based approaches can process data in near-real-time, enhancing the efficiency of experiments at large-scale facilities like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and Jefferson Lab (JLAB). As detector technologies and computational resources evolve, ML-driven charged track reconstruction continues to push the boundaries of precision and discovery in nuclear physics. In these proceedings, we highlight advancements in charged track identification leveraging Artificial Intelligence within the CLAS12 detector, achieving a notable enhancement in experimental statistics compared to traditional methods. Additionally, we showcase real-time event reconstruction capabilities, including the inference of charged particle properties, such as momentum, direction, and species identification, at speeds matching data acquisition rates. These innovations enable the extraction of physics observables directly from the experiment in real-time.

Gavalian, Gagik (ORCID:0000000267385457)↗

Association between soil organic carbon and calcium in acidic grassland soils from Point Reyes National Seashore, CA

All data is collected from across 3 soil cores spanning a pH gradient at Point Reyes National Seashore, as part of a recent publication. The bulk data csv includes hygroscopic moisture content, soil pH, total C and N values, particle size distributions, cation exchange capacity and extractable cations. The STXM data package includes raw spectra data from scanning transmission X-ray microscopy C near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy analysis, extracted from STXM Image Reader analysis and then subsequently normalised in Athena (see details in paper). The data file also contains a bulk chemistry and mineralogy dataset, including total and trace element contents from 3 depths and mineral compositions as measured at BL 11-3 SSRL and semi-quantified in HighScore. Finally the final data file is calcium K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (BL 4-3) and micro-XANES and micro-X-ray fluorescence (BL 14-3b) data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Irradiation of MiniFuel Targets Bearing TRISO Fuel Compacts (Status Report)

Irradiation testing of MiniFuel compacts bearing tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles was performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to support the development of Kairos Power’s (KP’s) fluoride salt–cooled high-temperature reactor concept. The fuel compacts were fabricated with TRISO fuel particles of different types—including low-enriched uranium oxide, uranium carbide (LEUCO), natural uranium oxide, uranium carbide (NUCO), and low-enriched uranium dioxide (LEUO 2 )—and inserted into MiniFuel irradiation targets. Five targets were assembled and inserted in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) for four cycles. The data collected post-irradiation will provide experimental input to validate TRISO fuel performance models for high particle power operations. This report summarizes the completion of the HFIR irradiation, the as-irradiated numerical analysis, and the post-irradiation work performed to date. This work was performed under the Nuclear Science User Facility program.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Noctilucent cloud sampling by a multi-experiment payload.

Two multi-experiment payloads were launched into noctilucent cloud displays above Kiruna, Sweden, on the nights of July 31 and Aug. 1, 1971. The payloads were part of the continuing Pandora II cosmic dust collection series and included: (1) Pandora 2 dust collection with in-flight shadowing photoelectric polarimeters to measure scattered light at 4100 and 5400 A, a plasma detector and an ion probe, and piezoelectric microphones. These payloads attempted to investigate noctilucent clouds by four simultaneous and independent techniques. The photometric data indicate that the first payload passed through a cloud, while the second payload did not. These results are confirmed by the particle collection experiment which indicates a higher collection on the first payload. Analysis of the chemical composition of the collected particles indicates an unusual amount of high atomic number elements.

Hallgren, D. S.↗

A program to study antiprotons in the cosmic rays: Arizona collaboration

The Low Energy AntiProton (LEAP) experiment was designed to measure the primary antiproton flux in the 200 MeV to 1 GeV kinetic energy range. A superconducting magnetic spectrometer, a time-of-flight (TOF) detector, and a Cherenkov counter are the main components of LEAP. An additional scintillation detector was designed and constructed to detect the passage of particles through the bottom of the Cherenkov counter. The LEAP package was launched on August 22, 1987, and enjoyed a 27 hour flight, with 23 hours of data at high altitude. Preliminary plans for data analysis include using the Micro-Vax at the University of Arizona for data reduction of the Cherenkov and S2 signals.

Bowen, Theodore↗

Abundances from solar flare line spectroscopy

Updating and improvement of computer codes used in the abundance analyses of solar-flare gamma-ray data are described. These modifications are itemized in detail. The abundance analysis technique was then applied to data obtained by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer of the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft for the 27 April 1981 solar flare to set constraints on the interacting-particle angular distribution. The results are presented. Research in several other areas was also performed and they are discussed.

Murphy, Ronald J.↗

Studies of Tenuous Planetary Atmospheres

In order to understand the physical and chemical processes which produce the tenuous planetary and planetary satellite (upper) atmospheres through interactions with their particle, field, and radiation environs, it is necessary to analyze remotely observed and spacecraft data with physically meaningful models. With this in mind, we have undertaken a coupled program of theoretical modeling and complementary data analysis regarding the global distributions of neutral and ionized gases in, and escape from, tenuous planetary atmospheres of Io and Europa. The theoretical models developed will have further applications to other tenuous atmospheres such as that of Pluto and Titan or the upper atmospheres of the terrestrial planets.

Combi, Michael R.↗

Investigation of Particle Sampling Bias in the Shear Flow Field Downstream of a Backward Facing Step

The flow field about a backward facing step was investigated to determine the characteristics of particle sampling bias in the various flow phenomena. The investigation used the calculation of the velocity:data rate correlation coefficient as a measure of statistical dependence and thus the degree of velocity bias. While the investigation found negligible dependence within the free stream region, increased dependence was found within the boundary and shear layers. Full classic correction techniques over-compensated the data since the dependence was weak, even in the boundary layer and shear regions. The paper emphasizes the necessity to determine the degree of particle sampling bias for each measurement ensemble and not use generalized assumptions to correct the data. Further, it recommends the calculation of the velocity:data rate correlation coefficient become a standard statistical calculation in the analysis of all laser velocimeter data.

Meyers, James F.↗