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At least 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

TESTING MODELS FOR THE SHALLOW DECAY PHASE OF GAMMA-RAY BURST AFTERGLOWS WITH POLARIZATION OBSERVATIONS

The X-ray afterglows of almost one-half of gamma-ray bursts have been discovered by the Swift satellite to have a shallow decay phase of which the origin remains mysterious. Two main models have been proposed to explain this phase: relativistic wind bubbles (RWBs) and structured ejecta, which could originate from millisecond magnetars and rapidly rotating black holes, respectively. Based on these models, we investigate polarization evolution in the shallow decay phase of X-ray and optical afterglows. We find that in the RWB model, a significant bump of the polarization degree evolution curve appears during the shallow decay phase of both optical and X-ray afterglows, while the polarization position angle abruptly changes its direction by 90°. In the structured ejecta model, however, the polarization degree does not evolve significantly during the shallow decay phase of afterglows whether the magnetic field configuration in the ejecta is random or globally large-scale. Therefore, we conclude that these two models for the shallow decay phase and relevant central engines would be testable with future polarization observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Color neutral two-flavor superconducting phase of cold and dense quark matter in the presence of constant magnetic fields

The color neutral two-flavor superconducting phase of cold and dense quark matter is studied in the presence of constant magnetic fields and at moderate baryon densities. In the first part of the paper, a two-flavor effective Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model consisting of a chiral symmetry breaking ({chi}SB) mass gap {sigma}{sub B}, a color superconducting (CSC) mass gap {Delta}{sub B} and a color chemical potential {mu}{sub 8} is introduced in the presence of a rotated U(1) magnetic field B-tilde. To study the phenomenon of magnetic catalysis in the presence of strong magnetic fields, the gap equations corresponding to {sigma}{sub B} and {Delta}{sub B}, as well as {mu}{sub 8} are solved in the lowest Landau level approximation. In the second part of the paper, a detailed numerical analysis is performed to explore the effect of any arbitrary magnetic field on the above mass gaps and the color chemical potential. The structure of the {chi}SB and CSC phases is also presented in the {mu}{sub c}-e-tildeB plane, and the effect of {mu}{sub 8} on the phase structure of the model is explored. As it turns out, whereas the transition from the {chi}SB to CSC phase is of first order, nonvanishing {mu}{sub 8} affects essentially the second order phase transition from CSC to the normal phase.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2011

INTRINSIC BISPECTRA OF COSMIC MAGNETIC FIELDS

Forthcoming data sets from the Planck experiment and others are in a position to probe the cosmic microwave background (CMB) non-Gaussianity with higher accuracy than has yet been possible, and potentially open a new window into the physics of the very early universe. However, a signal need not necessarily be inflationary in origin, and possible contaminants should be examined in detail. One such is provided by early universe magnetic fields, which can be produced by a variety of models including during an inflationary phase, at phase transitions, or seeded by cosmic defects. Should such fields have been extant in the early universe, they would provide a natural source of CMB non-Gaussianity. Knowledge of the CMB angular bispectrum requires the complete Fourier-space (or 'intrinsic') bispectrum. In this paper, I consider in detail the intrinsic bispectra of an early-universe magnetic field for a range of power-law magnetic spectra.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Self-organization model for a cell system: Ferroelectric, ferroelastic, and magnetic states and related phase transitions

A model is proposed to explain the stability, phase state transformations, and coexistence of different phases for fungi cell ensembles (in particular, dimorphism and linear-to-spiral structure transitions with the Earth's magnetic field screened). This model is based on (i) cell-connected soft polarization modes induced by charge compensation and related ferroelectric and ferroelastic phase transitions and (ii) intracell mobile orbit-spin-lattice clusters with competitive ferromagnetic-diamagnetic behavior and with orbitlattice and spin-lattice interactions. This model makes it possible to explain the structural and magnetic properties of the systems under consideration. In particular, the Lifshitz invariants in the free energy explain the formation of orbit-lattice and spin-lattice spiral and ring-type structures that are formed when the Earth's magnetic field is effectively screened. The model proposed is not restricted to mitochondria, containing orbit-spin-lattice clusters based on the Fe{sup 3+}/Fe{sup 2+} states (considered here).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Robust Spin-Moiré-Superlattice-Driven Gap Opening in EuAg 4 Sb 2 under in-Plane Magnetic Field

Moiré superlattices introduce new length and energy scales, enabling discoveries, such as unconventional superconductivity, in 2D systems. This concept has recently been extended to bulk materials with multiple-q spin textures, opening exciting opportunities for spin moiré physics. A notable example is EuAg 4 S b2 , where a spin moiré superlattice (SMS), manifested as a double-q spin modulation, induces a superzone gap opening. In this work, we investigate the tunability of this gap by an in-plane magnetic field in EuAg 4 Sb 2 by using neutron scattering, magnetization, and transport measurements. We reveal a cycloidal ground state and multiple spin-reoriented phases induced by the in-plane field, highlighting the critical role of in-plane components in driving magnetic transitions. Moreover, we demonstrate that a robust gap opening persists in the double-q phase, regardless of in-plane field orientation. Model calculations attribute this robustness to the stability of the SMS under tilted fields. Here, our results establish EuAg 4 Sb 2 as a tunable platform for exploring the spin-texture-driven superzone gap opening in electronic states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Phase Transition in Cylindrical Ising Nanowires and Nanotubes: Approximation of the Molecular Field Theory

Within the approximation of the molecular field theory, the critical behavior of cylindrical Ising nanowires and nanotubes is studied. The model considered in this work consists of ferromagnetic spins S{sub c} situated in the core of the system and ferromagnetic spins S{sub s} situated on the surface wall; they are interconnected by the exchange coupling J{sub 1}. The transition temperature T{sub c} for such systems has been calculated as a function of exchange interaction parameters. The influence of the surface exchange interaction and surface coupling on the magnetodynamic behavior of the system have been studied. Some characteristic properties obtained on the phase diagram are related to the ratio of characteristic physical parameters on the surface and core of the abovementioned nanostructures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

From classical thermodynamics to phase-field method

Phase-field method is a density-based computational method at the mesoscale for modeling and predicting the temporal microstructure and property evolution during materials processes. The focus of this article is on connecting the most common phase-field equations to the very basic first and second laws of classical thermodynamics through rudimentary irreversible thermodynamics. It briefly discusses the relations of the continuum phase-field equations to their counter parts at the microscopic and atomic levels. It attempts to clarify the contributions of long-range elastic, electrostatic, and magnetic interactions to domain structure evolution during structural, ferroelectric, and ferromagnetic phase transformations by separating order parameter changes due to the presence of quasi-static fields and those arising from phase transformations. A few examples are presented to demonstrate the possibility of employing the phase-field method to provide guidance to designing materials for optimum properties or discovering novel mesoscale phenomena or new materials functionalities. Here, the article ends with a brief perspective on a number of potential future directions on the development and applications of phase-field method beyond its traditional applications to structural alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Historical total ozone radiative forcing derived from CMIP6 simulations

Radiative forcing (RF) time series for total ozone from 1850 up to the present day are calculated based on historical simulations of ozone from 10 climate models contributing to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). In addition, RF is calculated for ozone fields prepared as an input for CMIP6 models without chemistry schemes and from a chemical transport model simulation. A radiative kernel for ozone is constructed and used to derive the RF. The ozone RF in 2010 (2005–2014) relative to 1850 is 0.35 W m -2 [0.08–0.61] (5–95% uncertainty range) based on models with both tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry. One of these models has a negative present-day total ozone RF. Excluding this model, the present-day ozone RF increases to 0.39 W m -2 [0.27–0.51] (5–95% uncertainty range). The rest of the models have RF close to or stronger than the RF time series assessed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the fifth assessment report with the primary driver likely being the new precursor emissions used in CMIP6. The rapid adjustments beyond stratospheric temperature are estimated to be weak and thus the RF is a good measure of effective radiative forcing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Alpha phase precipitation from phase-separated beta phase in a model Ti-Mo-Al alloy studied by direct coupling of transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography

The benefit of direct coupling of APT with TEM dark field imaging to investigate early stages of phase transformation in multicomponent alloys is demonstrated by analyzing alpha phase precipitated in a model Ti-10 at% Mo-10 at% Al alloy during annealing at 400oC. Through such a direct coupling approach a thermodynamically unexpected solute partitioning trend between beta matrix and alpha precipitate is observed in the early stages of precipitation, which is explained based on possible nucleation of alpha phase in the Ti rich (Mo and Al depleted regions) created as a result of phase separation in beta matrix. On further higher temperature annealing at 600oC for 1 hour, the alpha precipitates were shown to grow and get enriched in Al and further depleted in Mo reaching the thermodynamic equilibrium.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2010

QCD phase transition in a strong magnetic background

We investigate the properties of the deconfining/chiral restoring transition for two flavor QCD in the presence of a uniform background magnetic field. We adopt standard staggered fermions and a lattice spacing of the order of 0.3 fm. We explore different values of the bare quark mass, corresponding to pion masses in the range 200-480 MeV, and magnetic fields up to |e|B{approx}0.75 GeV{sup 2}. The deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration temperatures remain compatible with each other and rise very slightly (<2% for our largest magnetic field) as a function of the magnetic field. On the other hand, the transition seems to become sharper as the magnetic field increases.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Local measurement of thermal conductivity and diffusivity

Simultaneous measurement of local thermal diffusivity and conductivity is demonstrated on a range of ceramic samples. This was accomplished by measuring the temperature field spatial profile of samples excited by an amplitude modulated continuous wave laser beam. A thin gold film is applied to the samples to ensure strong optical absorption and to establish a second boundary condition that introduces an expression containing the substrate thermal conductivity. The diffusivity and conductivity are obtained by comparing the measured phase profile of the temperature field to a continuum based model. A sensitivity analysis is used to identify the optimal film thickness for extracting the both substrate conductivity and diffusivity. Proof of principle studies were conducted on a range of samples having thermal properties that are representatives of current and advanced accident tolerant nuclear fuels. It is shown that by including the Kapitza resistance as an additional fitting parameter, the measured conductivity and diffusivity of all the samples considered agreed closely with the literature values. A distinguishing feature of this technique is that it does not require a priori knowledge of the optical spot size which greatly increases measurement reliability and reproducibility.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Topological excitonic insulator with tunable momentum order

Correlated topological materials often maintain a delicate balance among physical symmetries. Many topological orders are symmetry protected, whereas most correlated phenomena arise from spontaneous symmetry breaking. Cases where symmetry breaking induces a non-trivial topological phase are rare. Here we demonstrate the presence of two such phases in Ta 2 Pd 3 Te 5 , where Coulomb interactions form excitons that condense below 100 K, one with zero and the other with finite momentum. We observed a full spectral bulk gap, which stems from exciton condensation. This topological excitonic insulator state spontaneously breaks mirror symmetries but involves a weak structural coupling. Scanning tunnelling microscopy shows gapless boundary modes in the bulk insulating phase. Their magnetic field response, together with theoretical modelling, indicates a topological origin. These observations establish Ta 2 Pd 3 Te 5 as a topological excitonic insulator in a three-dimensional crystal. Finally, our results manifest a unique sequence of topological exciton condensations in a bulk crystal, offering exciting opportunities to study critical behaviour and excitations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Mesoscale modeling of intergranular bubble percolation in nuclear fuels

Phase-field simulations are used to examine the variability of intergranular fission gas bubble growth and percolation on uranium dioxide grain boundaries on a mesoscopic length scale. Three key parameters are systematically varied in this study: the contact angle (or dihedral angle) defining the bubble shape, the initial bubble density on the grain boundary plane, and the ratio of the gas diffusivity on the grain boundary versus the grain interiors. The simulation results agree well with previous experimental data obtained for bubble densities and average bubble areas during coalescence events. Interestingly, the rate of percolation is found to be highly variable, with a large dependency on the contact angle and the initial bubble density and little-to-no dependency on the grain boundary gas diffusivity.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Critical number of flavors in QED

We demonstrate that in unquenched quantum electrodynamics (QED), chiral symmetry breaking ceases to exist above a critical number of fermion flavors N{sub f}. This is a necessary and sufficient consequence of the fact that there exists a critical value of electromagnetic coupling {alpha} beyond which dynamical mass generation gets triggered. We employ a multiplicatively renormalizable photon propagator involving leading logarithms to all orders in {alpha} to illustrate this. We study the flavor and coupling dependence of the dynamically generated mass analytically as well as numerically. We also derive the scaling laws for the dynamical mass as a function of {alpha} and N{sub f}. Up to a multiplicative constant, these scaling laws are related through ({alpha},{alpha}{sub c}){r_reversible}(1/N{sub f},1/N{sub f}{sup c}). Calculation of the mass anomalous dimension {gamma}{sub m} shows that it is always greater than its value in the quenched case. We also evaluate the {beta} function. The criticality plane is drawn in the ({alpha},N{sub f}) phase space which clearly depicts how larger N{sub f} is required to restore chiral symmetry for an increasing interaction strength.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Urgent need for warming experiments in tropical forests

Abstract Although tropical forests account for only a fraction of the planet's terrestrial surface, they exchange more carbon dioxide with the atmosphere than any other biome on Earth, and thus play a disproportionate role in the global climate. In the next 20 years, the tropics will experience unprecedented warming, yet there is exceedingly high uncertainty about their potential responses to this imminent climatic change. Here, we prioritize research approaches given both funding and logistical constraints in order to resolve major uncertainties about how tropical forests function and also to improve predictive capacity of earth system models. We investigate overall model uncertainty of tropical latitudes and explore the scientific benefits and inevitable trade‐offs inherent in large‐scale manipulative field experiments. With a Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 analysis, we found that model variability in projected net ecosystem production was nearly 3 times greater in the tropics than for any other latitude. Through a review of the most current literature, we concluded that manipulative warming experiments are vital to accurately predict future tropical forest carbon balance, and we further recommend the establishment of a network of comparable studies spanning gradients of precipitation, edaphic qualities, plant types, and/or land use change. We provide arguments for long‐term, single‐factor warming experiments that incorporate warming of the most biogeochemically active ecosystem components (i.e. leaves, roots, soil microbes). Hypothesis testing of underlying mechanisms should be a priority, along with improving model parameterization and constraints. No single tropical forest is representative of all tropical forests; therefore logistical feasibility should be the most important consideration for locating large‐scale manipulative experiments. Above all, we advocate for multi‐faceted research programs, and we offer arguments for what we consider the most powerful and urgent way forward in order to improve our understanding of tropical forest responses to climate change.

Cavaleri, Molly A.↗
DOE OSTI2011

Phase diagram of chirally imbalanced QCD matter

We compute the QCD phase diagram in the plane of the chiral chemical potential and temperature using the linear sigma model coupled to quarks and to the Polyakov loop. The chiral chemical potential accounts for effects of imbalanced chirality due to QCD sphaleron transitions which may emerge in heavy-ion collisions. We found three effects caused by the chiral chemical potential: the imbalanced chirality (i) tightens the link between deconfinement and chiral phase transitions; (ii) lowers the common critical temperature; (iii) strengthens the order of the phase transition by converting the crossover into the strong first order phase transition passing via the second order end point. Since the fermionic determinant with the chiral chemical potential has no sign problem, the chirally imbalanced QCD matter can be studied in numerical lattice simulations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Unified description of the dynamics of quintessential scalar fields

Using the dynamical system approach, we describe the general dynamics of cosmological scalar fields in terms of critical points and heteroclinic lines. It is found that critical points describe the initial and final states of the scalar field dynamics, but that heteroclinic lines give a more complete description of the evolution in between the critical points. In particular, the heteroclinic line that departs from the (saddle) critical point of perfect fluid-domination is the representative path in phase space of quintessence fields that may be viable dark energy candidates. We also discuss the attractor properties of the heteroclinic lines, and their importance for the description of thawing and freezing fields.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗