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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

H2, CO and Dust Emission Around Low Mass Stars

We model the thermal balance, the chemistry, and the radiative transfer in dusty disks orbiting young, low mass stars. These models are motivated by observations of infrared and ultraviolet transitions of H2 from protoplanetary disks, as well as millimeter and submillimeter observations of other molecules such as CO, and infrared continuum observations of the dust. The dust grains are heated primarily by the stellar radiation and the infrared radiation field produced by the dust itself. The gas is heated by collisions with warmer dust grains, X-rays from the region close to the stellar surface, UV pumping of hydrogen molecules, and the grain photoelectric heating mechanism initiated by UV photons from the central star. We treat cases where the gas to dust ratio is high, because the dust has settled to the midplane and coagulated into relatively large objects. We discuss situations in which the infrared emission from H2 can be detected, and how the comparison of the observations with our models can deduce physical parameters such as the mass and the density and temperature distribution of the gas.

Hollenbach, David↗

H2, CO and Dust Emission Around Low Mass Stars

We model the thermal balance, the chemistry, and the radiative transfer in dusty disks orbiting young, low mass stars. These models are motivated by observations of infrared and ultraviolet transitions of H2 from protoplanetary disks, as well as millimeter and submillimeter observations of other molecules such as CO, and infrared continuum observations of the dust. The dust grains are heated primarily by the stellar radiation and the infrared radiation field produced by the dust itself. The gas is heated by collisions with warmer dust grains, X-rays from the region close to the stellar surface, UV (ultraviolet) pumping of hydrogen molecules, and the grain photoelectric heating mechanism initiated by UV photons from the central star. We treat cases where the gas to dust ratio is high, because the dust has settled to the midplane and coagulated into relatively large objects. We discuss situations in which the infrared emission from H2 can be detected, and how the comparison of the observations with our models can deduce physical parameters such as the mass and the density and temperature distribution of the gas.

Hollenbach, David↗

Gas Heating, Chemistry and Photoevaporation in Protostellar Disks

We model the thermal balance, the chemistry, and the radiative transfer in dusty disks orbiting young, low mass stars. These models are motivated by observations of infrared and ultraviolet transitions of H2 from protoplanetary disks, as well as millimeter and submillimeter observations of other molecules such as CO, and infrared continuum observations of the dust. The dust grains are heated primarily by the stellar radiation and the infrared radiation field produced by the dust itself. The gas is heated by collisions with warmer dust grains, X-rays from the region close to the stellar surface, UV pumping of hydrogen molecules, and the grain photoelectric heating mechanism initiated by UV photons from the central star. We treat cases where the gas to dust ratio is high, because the dust has settled to the midplane and coagulated into relatively large objects. We discuss situations in which the infrared emission from H2 can be detected, and how the comparison of the observations with our models can deduce physical parameters such as the mass and the density and temperature distribution of the gas.

Hollenbach, David↗

A heavy QCD axion and the mirror world

We study the mirror world with dark matter arising from the thermal freeze-out of the lightest, stable mirror particle — the mirror electron. The dark matter abundance is achieved for mirror electrons of mass 225 GeV, fixing the mirror electroweak scale near 10 8 GeV. This highly predictive scenario is realized by an axion that acts as a portal between the two sectors through its coupling to the QCD and mirror QCD sectors. The axion is more massive than the standard QCD axion due to additional contributions from mirror strong dynamics. Still, the strong CP problem is solved by this ‘heavy’ axion due to the alignment of the QCD and mirror QCD potentials. Mirror entropy is transferred into the Standard Model sector via the axion portal, which alleviates overproduction of dark radiation from mirror glueball decays. This mirror scenario has a variety of signals: (1) primordial gravitational waves from the first-order mirror QCD phase transition occurring at a temperature near 35 GeV, (2) effects on large-scale structure from dark matter self-interactions from mirror QED, (3) dark radiation affecting the cosmic microwave background, and (4) the rare kaon decay, K + → (π + + axion). The first two signals do not depend on any fundamental free parameters of the theory while the latter two depend on a single free parameter, the axion decay constant.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Enhanced dilepton emission from a phase transition in dense matter

It is demonstrated that the presence of a phase transition in heavy-ion collisions, at beam energies that probe dense quantum chromodynamics (QCD) matter, leads to a significant enhancement of the dilepton yield at low invariant mass and requires the embedding of low beam energies per produced pion due to the extended emission time. In addition, the temperature of low-mass dileptons shows a modest decrease due to the mixed phase. The emission of dileptons in the SIS18–SIS100 beam energy range is studied by augmenting the ultra-relativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) transport model with a realistic density-dependent equation of state, as well as two different phase transitions. This is achieved by extending the molecular dynamics interaction part of the UrQMD model to a density-dependent interaction potential with a high-density minimum, leading to a phase transition and metastable coexisting high-density states. Together with a high-precision measurement, these simulations will be able to constrain the existence of a phase transition in QCD up to densities of several times nuclear saturation density.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Constraints on Cumulus Parameterization from Simulations of Observed MJO Events

Two recent activities offer an opportunity to test general circulation model (GCM) convection and its interaction with large-scale dynamics for observed Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) events. This study evaluates the sensitivity of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) GCM to entrainment, rain evaporation, downdrafts, and cold pools. Single Column Model versions that restrict weakly entraining convection produce the most realistic dependence of convection depth on column water vapor (CWV) during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement MJO Investigation Experiment at Gan Island. Differences among models are primarily at intermediate CWV where the transition from shallow to deeper convection occurs. GCM 20-day hindcasts during the Year of Tropical Convection that best capture the shallow–deep transition also produce strong MJOs, with significant predictability compared to Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission data. The dry anomaly east of the disturbance on hindcast day 1 is a good predictor of MJO onset and evolution. Initial CWV there is near the shallow–deep transition point, implicating premature onset of deep convection as a predictor of a poor MJO simulation. Convection weakly moistens the dry region in good MJO simulations in the first week; weakening of large-scale subsidence over this time may also affect MJO onset. Longwave radiation anomalies are weakest in the worst model version, consistent with previous analyses of cloud/moisture greenhouse enhancement as the primary MJO energy source. The authors’ results suggest that both cloud-/moisture-radiative interactions and convection–moisture sensitivity are required to produce a successful MJO simulation.

Madden-Julian Oscillation↗

Internal Heterogeneous Processes in Aluminum Combustion

This paper discusses the aluminum particle combustion mechanism which has been expanded by inclusion of gas dissolution processes and ensuing internal phase transformations. This mechanism is proposed based on recent normal and microgravity experiments with particles formed and ignited in a pulsed micro-arc. Recent experimental findings on the three stages observed in Al particle combustion in air and shows the burning particle radiation, trajectory (streak), smoke cloud shapes, and quenched particle interiors are summarized. During stage I, the radiation trace is smooth and the particle flame is spherically symmetric. The temperature measured using a three-color pyrometer is close to 3000 K. Because it exceeds the aluminum boiling point (2730 K), this temperature most likely characterizes the vapor phase flame zone rather than the aluminum surface. The dissolved oxygen content within particles quenched during stage I was below the detection sensitivity (about 1 atomic %) for Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). After an increase in the radiation intensity (and simultaneous decrease in the measured color temperature from about 3000 to 2800 K) indicative of the transition to stage II combustion, the internal compositions of the quenched particles change. Both oxygen-rich (approx. 10 atomic %) and oxygen-lean (< 1 %) regions are identified within the particles using back-scattered electron imaging and WDS. During stage II, oscillations are observed in particle radiation and the flame and smoke cloud are distorted from their original spherically-symmetric shape. In stage III, particle radiation continues to exhibit oscillations, but its radiation intensity drops and remains at a nearly constant level. The measured temperature decreases to about 2300 K. Also, larger changes in particle velocities are observed, and oxide caps are found on quenched particle surfaces. While these results showed the correlation between the aluminum particle combustion behavior and the evolution of its internal composition, the change from the spherically symmetric to asymmetric flame shape occurring upon the transition from stage I to stage II combustion could not be understood based only on the fact that dissolved oxygen is detected in the particles. The connection between the two phenomena appeared even less significant because in earlier aluminum combustion studies carried in O2/Ar mixtures, flame asymmetry was not observed as opposed to experiments in air or O2/CO mixtures. It has been proposed that the presence of other gases, i.e., hydrogen, or nitrogen causes the change in the combustion regime.

Dreizin, E. L.↗

Evolution of collectivity in 118 Xe

A recoil-distance Doppler shift experiment has been performed using the Pd 102 ( F 19 , p 2 n ) reaction at a beam energy of 73 MeV to measure the lifetime of excited states in Xe 118 . Additionally, the differential decay-curve method using γ γ coincidences and a gating procedure that allows to extract the lifetime without feeding assumptions has been employed. The lifetimes obtained for the yrast states up to spin-parity 8 + are compared with interacting boson model calculations and Xe 118 can be classified as a transitional nucleus between the spherical and a deformed shape. Systematics of the B ( E 2 ) values for the 2 + → 0 + and 4 + → 2 + transitions in the isotopic chains of tin, tellurium and xenon are presented. It is proposed that a “critical point” exists at which the B ( E 2 ; 4 + → 2 + ) / B ( E 2 ; 2 + → 0 + ) ratio drops to unity for lower neutron numbers within the isotopic chain. The position of the “critical point” varies with proton number, i.e., it is presumed to be located at the same mass number A = 114 in the Sn, Te, and Xe isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Semiempirical models of chromospheric flare regions

Homogeneous plane-parallel semiempirical flare model atmospheres which reproduce observations in lines and continua of H I, Si I, C I, Ca II, and Mg II have a thin transition zone at the top of the enhanced chromosphere, indicating a significant amount of heating from the zone to the temperature minimum level. The minimum temperature is located deeper and is higher than in the quiet-sun and active-region models. The results do not agree with the particle-heated theoretical models, and it is suggested that the models of Brown (1973) and Henoux and Nakagawa (1977, 1978) do not include an essential term for heat conduction in their energy balance equations. It is concluded that substantial Ly-alpha radiative heating occurs in the upper chromosphere resulting from the conductive energy flux in the transition zone where the Ly-alpha line cools the gas.

Machado, M. E.↗

Pseudospin-doublet bands and Gallagher Moszkowski doublet bands in 100 Y

New transitions in neutron-rich 100 Y have been identified in a 9 Be + 238 U experiment with mass and Z gates to provide full fragment identification. These transitions and high spin levels of 100 Y have been investigated by analyzing the high statistics γ–γ–γ and γ–γ–γ–γ coincidence data from the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf at the Gammasphere detector array. Two new bands, 14 new levels, and 23 new transitions have been identified. The K π = 4 + new band decaying to a 1s isomeric state is assigned to be the high-K Gallagher-Moszkowski (GM) partner of the known K π = 1 + band, with the π5/2[522]Ⓧν3/2[411] configuration. This 4 + band is also proposed to be the pseudospin partner of the new K π = 5 + band with a 5 + π5/2[422] Ⓧ ν5/2[413] configuration, to form a π5/2[422] Ⓧ ν[3125/2,3/2] neutron pseudospin doublet. Here, constrained triaxial covariant density-functional theory and quantal particle rotor model calculations have been applied to interpret the band structure and available electromagnetic transition probabilities and are found to be in good agreement with experimental values.

100Y↗

Application of saturation absorption spectroscopy to study the hyperfine structure of 235U and accurate 235U/238U isotope ratio determinations at 861.031 nm

The uranium transition 5f 3 6d7s 2 ( 5 L 6 ) → 5f 3 7s 2 7p ( 5 K 5 ) at 861.031 nm was studied using saturation absorption spectroscopy. The hyperfine structure of the 235 U isotope was determined by measuring the Doppler-suppressed absorption spectrum, and the hyperfine structure constants were obtained by employing transition-specific line strength theory and spectral fitting. The magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole constants were determined to be A = -3.2887 ± 0.1957 mK and B = 31.8712 ± 8.0789 mK for the upper state 5f 3 7s 2 7p ( 5 K 5 ). A theoretical calculation for the hyperfine structure constants of the 235 U isotope was also carried out by the relativistic configuration-interaction (RCI) method, and the obtained values were found to be in agreement with the measured values. In addition, the line profile of 238 U was experimentally investigated for different excitation intensities and modeled using the RCI method for estimating the transition probability and oscillator strength, with various residual broadening mechanisms considered beyond the radiative decay. Finally, we show that these results allow us to make improvements on the precision of spectral measurements using our previously developed technique for isotope ratio determinations in atomic beams.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Valence shell electronically excited states of norbornadiene and quadricyclane

The absolute photoabsorption cross sections of norbornadiene (NBD) and quadricyclane (QC), two isomers with chemical formula C 7 H 8 that are attracting much interest for solar energy storage applications, have been measured from threshold up to 10.8 eV using the Fourier transform spectrometer at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility. The absorption spectrum of NBD exhibits some sharp structure associated with transitions into Rydberg states, superimposed on several broad bands attributable to valence excitations. Sharp structure, although less pronounced, also appears in the absorption spectrum of QC. Assignments have been proposed for some of the absorption bands using calculated vertical transition energies and oscillator strengths for the electronically excited states of NBD and QC. Natural transition orbitals indicate that some of the electronically excited states in NBD have a mixed Rydberg/valence character, whereas the first ten excited singlet states in QC are all predominantly Rydberg in the vertical region. In NBD, a comparison between the vibrational structure observed in the experimental 1 1 B 1 –1 1 A 1 (3sa 1 ← 5b 1 ) band and that predicted by Franck–Condon and Herzberg–Teller modeling has necessitated a revision of the band origin and of the vibrational assignments proposed previously. Similar comparisons have encouraged a revision of the adiabatic first ionization energy of NBD. Simulations of the vibrational structure due to excitation from the 5b 2 orbital in QC into 3p and 3d Rydberg states have allowed tentative assignments to be proposed for the complex structure observed in the absorption bands between ~5.4 and 7.0 eV.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Contamination of argon x-ray spectra by tungsten and other elements commonly found in tokamaks

Here, emission lines which appear in the spectral ranges of ground state transitions from n> = 2 levels in He- and H-like argon ions are discussed. X-ray transitions from elements commonly found in tokamaks (tungsten, molybdenum, iron and sulphur) which radiate in the wavelength range from 3700–4000 mÅ are identified by comparison with atomic structure calculations. Individual lines from tungsten charge states in the vicinity of Zn-like W 44+ are documented, along with B-like Mo 37+ . The behaviour of line ratios as a function of electron temperature is examined, in support of the identifications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Scenario optimization for the tokamak ramp-down phase in RAPTOR: Part A. Analysis and model validation on ASDEX Upgrade

We discuss how the combination of experimental observations and rapid modeling has enabled to improve understanding of the tokamak ramp-down phase in ASDEX Upgrade. A series of dedicated experiments has been performed, to disentangle the effect of individual actuators like plasma current, auxiliary heating and plasma shaping. Optimized discharge termination strategies with increased margin with respect to radiative and vertical stability limits are proposed and tested in experiment. Radiative collapse of the edge $T$ $e$ profile after the HL back-transition is avoided by initially maintaining auxiliary heating during L-mode, showing beneficial effects even after the auxiliary heating is turned off. The capability of the RAPTOR code to model the time evolution of the internal inductance $\ell$ $i3$ has been validated, including the effect of a change in the $I$ $p$ ramp-down rate and the HL transition timing. The reduction of $\ell$ $i3$ caused by rapid compression of the plasma cross-section has been quantitatively recovered in simulations. Successful modeling of the $\ell$ $i3$ time evolution is essential to optimize ramp-down scenarios for future fusion reactors, for which vertical stability and power balance control will be more challenging.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Model calculations for diffuse molecular clouds

A steady state isobaric cloud model is developed. The pressure, thermal, electrical, and chemical balance equations are solved simultaneously with a simple one dimensional approximation to the equation of radiative transfer appropriate to diffuse clouds. Cooling is mainly by CII fine structure transitions, and a variety of heating mechanisms are considered. Particular attention is given to the abundance variation of H2. Inhomogeneous density distributions are obtained because of the attenuation of the interstellar UV field and the conversion from atomic to molecular hyrodgen. The effects of changing the model parameters are described and the applicability of the model to OAO-3 observations is discussed. Good qualitative agreement with the fractional H2 abundance determinations has been obtained. The observed kinetic temperatures near 80 K can also be achieved by grain photoelectron heating. The problem of the electron density is solved taking special account of the various hydrogen ions as well as heavier ones.

Glassgold, A. E.↗

The microwave background temperature at 2.64 and 1.32 millimeters

Very high signal-to-noise observations of the 3874 A band of interstellar CN toward Zeta Oph are presented. Measurements are conducted of equivalent widths for the R(0), R(1), R(2), and P(1) lines which agree with previous photoelectric, but not photographic, findings. Corrected for saturation, these strengths yield excitation temperatures of 2.73 + or - 0.04 K and 2.8 + or - 0.3 K for the J = 0 to 1 and J = 1 to 2 rotational transitions at 2.64 mm and 1.32 mm respectively. Since the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is primarily responsible for populating the excited rotational levels of interstellar CN toward Zeta Oph, these values are actually upper limits on the CMB brightness temperature at 2.64 mm and 1.32 mm. The results are consistent with a 2.7 K blackbody spectrum for the CMB and do not support the spectral deviations observed near these wavelengths by Woody and Richards.

Meyer, D. M.↗

3s-3p laser gain and X-ray line ratios for the carbon isoelectronic sequence

Calculations have been conducted for the 46 levels belonging to six different configurations in the C I isoatomic sequence, for atomic numbers 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, and 36, with electron densities in the 10 to the 15th to 10 to the 22nd/cu cm range. The 2s2 2p 3p levels' large populations are due to the large electron collisional monopole excitation rates from the ground configuration, as well as to the small radiative decay rates to the ground configuration; this leads to population inversions for transitions of the 3s-3p type. Attention is given to the density-dependence of X-ray line ratios, which represent a promising diagnostic for electron density.

Feldman, U.↗

Frequency measurement of the J = 1-0 rotational transition of HD

The frequency of the astronomically important J = 1-0 rotational transition of HD at 2.7 THz (90/cm) has been measured with tunable FIR radiation with an accuracy of 150 kHz. This frequency is now known to sufficient accuracy for use in future astrophysical heterodyne observations of HD in planetary atmospheres (reported by Bezard et al., 1986) and in the interstellar medium (reported by Bussoletti et al., 1975).

Evenson, K. M.↗