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At least 109 records · Page 6

Cygnus X-1: Dips and Low Frequency Noise

The primary science result to come out of this work is the discovery that the time lags between hard and soft variability in Cyg X-1 show dramatic spikes during the transitions between hard and soft states (and possibly during "failed transitions" to the soft state), but are remarkably similar between the main soft and hard states. This work is being continued and elaborated upon with ongoing RXTE monitoring campaigns.

Wilms, Joern↗

X-Ray Dips In Black Hole Candidates

A total of 52 Rossi Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of the black hole candidate 4UI630-47 were carried out during the source's bright outburst during 1998. After the data tapes arrived in August 1998, we began analyzing these data to characterize the spectral and timing behavior of the source. A preliminary report on our analysis of the data was at the Second Workshop on Relativistic Jet Sources in the Galaxy. held in Paris presented in December 1998. The most interesting result from this analysis is the discovery of quasi- periodic oscillations (QPOs) at frequencies varying from 3 Hz to 0.1 Hz during the latter part of the outburst. The QPOs turn on abruptly and simultaneously with a sharp change in the x-ray spectrum. The results have been published in the Astrophysical Journal. This work formed a major part of the Ph.D. thesis of John Tomsick, who received his Ph.D. in Physics at Columbia University in the summer of 1999 and subsequently received a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego.

Kaaret, P.↗

Thermal Cycling Fatigue in DIPs Mounted with Eutectic Tin-Lead Solder Joints in Stub and Gullwing Geometries

It has long been known that solder joints under mechanical stress are subject to failure. In early electronic systems, such failures were avoided primarily by avoiding the use of solder as a mechanical structural component. The rule was first to make sound wire connections that did not depend mechanically on solder, and only then to solder them. Careful design and miniaturization in modern electronic systems limits the mechanical stresses exerted on solder joints to values less than their yield points, and these joints have become integral parts of the mechanical structures. Unfortunately, while these joints are strong enough when new, they have proven vulnerable to fatigue failures as they age. Details of the fatigue process are poorly understood, making predictions of expected lifetimes difficult.

fatigue failure solder joints failure mechanisms s↗

Reduced-Cost Four-Component Relativistic Double Ionization Potential Equation-of-Motion Coupled-Cluster Approaches with 4-Hole–2-Particle Excitations and Three-Body Clusters

The double ionization potential (DIP) equation-ofmotion (EOM) coupled-cluster (CC) method with 4-hole−2- particle (4h-2p) excitations on top of the CC with singles, doubles, and triples calculation, abbreviated as DIP-EOMCCSDT(4h-2p), along with its perturbative DIP-EOMCCSD(T)(a)(4h-2p) approximation, are extended to a relativistic four-component (4c) framework. In addition, we introduce and test a new computationally practical DIP-EOMCC approach, which we call DIPEOMCCSD( T)(ã)(4h-2p), that approximates the treatment of 4h- 2p correlations within the DIP-EOMCCSD(T)(a)(4h-2p) method and reduces the $\mathcal{N}$ 8 scaling characterizing DIP-EOMCCSDT(4h- 2p) and DIP-EOMCCSD(T)(a)(4h-2p) to $\mathcal{N}$ 7 with the system size $\mathcal{N}$. Further improvements in computational efficiency are obtained using the frozen natural spinor (FNS) approximation to reduce the numbers of unoccupied spinors entering the correlated steps of the DIP-EOMCC calculations according to a well-defined occupation-number-based threshold. The resulting 4c-FNS-DIPEOMCC approaches are used to compute DIPs for the series of inert gas atoms from argon to radon as well as the vertical DIPs in Cl 2 , Br 2 , HBr, and HI, which have been experimentally examined in the past. We demonstrate that, when using complete basis set extrapolations and FNS truncation threshold of 10 −4.5 , the 4c-FNS-DIP-EOMCCSD(T)(ã)(4h-2p) calculations are capable of predicting DIPs in agreement with experimental data, improving upon their nonrelativistic and spin-free scalar-relativistic counterparts, particularly when examining DIPs characterized by stronger spin−orbit coupling effects.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Isotopic Evidence for the Source and Fate of Phosphorus in Everglades Wetland Ecosystems

Phosphorus has historically been a limiting nutrient in the Florida Everglades. Increased P loading to the Everglades over the past several decades has led to significant changes in water quality and plant communities. Stormwater runoff that drains agricultural lands and enters the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) are known to contain elevated levels of P, but the exact source of this P has not been fully determined. Here the results of an O isotope study of dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) in both polluted and relatively pristine (or reference) areas of the Everglades are reported. The data reveal spatial and temporal variations in the delta 18O signature of DIP, reflecting the source and the degree of cycling of P. The delta 18O values of DIP collected from the Everglades National Park were close or equal to the predicted delta 18O values of DIP formed in situ in equilibrium with ambient water, indicating that P is quickly cycled in the water column in oligotrophic ecosystems with very low P concentrations. However, most DIP samples collected from areas impacted by agricultural runoff yielded delta 18O values that deviated from the predicted equilibrium DIP delta 18O values based on the delta 18O of water and water temperature, suggesting that biological cycling of P was not rapid enough to remove the fertilizer ?18O signature in the DIP pool from areas receiving high P loading. The delta 18O signature of DIP in impacted areas reflects a mixing of fertilizer P and biologically cycled P, where the relative proportions of biologically cycled vs. fertilizer DIP are controlled by both biological (microbial activities and plant uptake) and hydrologic factors (loading rate and residence time). Using a two-end-member (i.e., fertilizer P and biologically cycled P) mixing model, fertilizers were estimated to contribute about 15 100% of the DIP pool in the highly impacted areas of the northern Everglades, whereas the DIP pool in the reference (i.e., relatively pristine) wetlands in the Everglades National Park was dominated by biologically cycled P. The study shows that O isotopic measurements of dissolved PO(exp 3-, sub 4) can be a useful tool for tracing the fertilizer P inputs to freshwater ecosystems.

Li, Xin↗

Evolution of attached and detached slabs and their associated mantle dynamics

Over the two years of the NASA grant, this project has produced a significant amount of research results related to the plate subduction process and the surface crustal deformation at convergent boundaries (i.e., above subduction zones). While some research objectives are completely accomplished, other research tasks remain active and continue to be investigated at present. A steady state analytic thermal model for subducting slabs was used to examine the torques acting on a descending slab. It is found that gravitational torque vanishes when a slab is dipping either vertically or horizontally, unlike previous studies indicating that the magnitude of gravitational torque decreases as dip angle increases. Subsequently, a new time-dependent, analytic thermal model for a subducting slab was developed. The new model enables us to study transient phenomena associated with plate subduction analytically. On the basis of this model, the nature of slab dip angles was evaluated. Slab dip angles are found to be transient features. As they penetrate into the mantle and increase their lengths, the associated gravitational torque also increases resulting in a downward pulling of the slab to the steeper dip angle. This is especially true once a slab penetrates the olivine-spinel phase boundary at about 400 km depth. However, if the phase transformation does not follow the equilibrium condition, the gravitational torque may have a different behavior. This problem was investigated. Except for fast descending slabs, non-equilibrium phase transformation can only slow down the transient increase of slab dip angles discussed earlier. Its effect is not sufficiently strong to reverse the downward pulling for most of the slabs. However, when slabs subducting at 10 cm/yr or faster, a sufficient amount of metastable olivine can exist beneath 400 km. Because of its low density compared with the surrounding spinel, an upward buoyancy is produced resulting in an upward bending of the slab and possibly an upward rotation of the slab such that smaller dip angles are formed. Seismic studies of the Japanese Slab seem to support this interpretation. The development of oroclinal geometries at convergent boundaries was also examined to study plate obduction which is an important ingredient to the initiation of plate subduction. Although the study suggests that surface features are better modeled by block models, the large scale deformation can be adequately studied by viscous models. Such a model is now under development to complete our original objective to study the initiation of plate subduction. Finally, a three-dimensional, finite element, spherical convective model is developed to study dynamic plate subductions. The model development is now complete and it is being tested to ensure its proper operation. The model is able to generate convection results with a viscosity contrast of about 100. Our research continues to push the viscosity contrast to a level that is appropriate for a subducting slab.

Hsui, Albert T.↗

Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with a coexisting clock using transceivers for synchronization over deployed fiber

Interference between independently generated photons is a key step towards distributing entanglement over long distances, but it requires synchronization between the distantly-located photon sources. Synchronizing the clocks of such photon sources using coexisting two-way classical optical communications over the same fiber that transports the quantum photonic signals is a promising approach for achieving photon-photon interference over long distances, enabling entanglement distribution for quantum networking using the deployed fiber infrastructure. Here, we demonstrate photon-photon interference by observing the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip between two distantly-located sources: a weak coherent-state source obtained by attenuating the output of a laser and a heralded single-photon source. We achieve a maximum dip visibility of 0.58 +/- 0.04 when the two sources are connected via 4.3 km of deployed fiber. Dip visibilities > 0.5 are nonclassical and a first step towards achieving teleportation over the deployed fiber infrastructure. In our experiment, the classical optical communication is achieved with - 21 dBm of optical signal launch power, which is used to synchronize the clocks in the two independent, distantly-located photon sources. The impact of spontaneous Raman scattering from the classical optical signals is mitigated by appropriate choice of the quantum- and classical-channel wavelengths. All equipment used in our experiment (the photon sources and the synchronization setup) is commercially available. Finally, our experiment represents a scalable approach to enabling practical quantum networking with commercial equipment and coexistence with classical communications in optical fiber.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Visualization of Space-Time Ambiguities to be Explored by the NASA GEC Mission with a Critique of Synthesized Measurements for Different GEC Mission Scenarios

The objective of this grant was to study how a multi-satellite mission configuration can be optimized for maximum exploratory scientific return. NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probe (STP) concept mission Geospace Electrodynamic Connections (GEC) was the target mission for this pilot study. GEC prime mission characteristics were two fold: (i) a series of three satellites in the same orbit plane with differential spacing, and (ii) a deep-dipping phase in which these satellites could dip to altitudes as low as 130 km to explore the lower ionosphere and thermosphere. Each satellite would carry a full suite of plasma and neutral in-situ sensors and have the same dipping capability. This latter aspect would be envisaged as a series, up to 10, of deep-dipping campaigns, each lasting 10 days during which the perigee would be lowered to the desired probing depth. The challenge in optimization is to establish the scientific problems that can best be addressed by varying or selecting satellite spacing during a two-year mission while also interspersing, in this two year time frame, the deep-dipping campaigns. Although this sounds like a straightforward trade-off situation, it is complicated by the orbit precession in local time, the location of perigee, and that even the dipping campaigns will have preferred satellite spacing requirements.

Sojka, Jan J.↗

The Solar Energetic Particle Event of December 14, 2006

We report on observations of a solar energetic particle event by instruments on five different spacecraft: the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), STEREO A and B, WIND, and GOES II. The event began with a class X1.5 .soft x-ray flare in AR930 on December 14 at 22:15 UT. At this time the two STEREO spacecraft were located outside the Earth's magnetosphere and were heading for their first lunar swing-by on December 15. The x-ray event was located on the sun at W46, a longitude which is nominally well-connected magnetically to the Earth. An interplanetary shock, associated with an earlier X3.4 event on December 13 (also from AR930), passed the Earth on December 14 at approx.13:56 (time at ACE). The corresponding magnetic cloud arrived at approx.22 UT on December 14, close to the time of the onset of the particle event associated with the X1.5 flare, and extended until approx.08 UT on December 15. The intensity of approx.14 MeV protons at STEREO A shows three dips by factors of approx.10 or more during the early stages of this event while the spacecraft was within the magnetic cloud. Similar dips are seen for protons to at least 100 MeV. In principle, these dips could have been caused by changes in the magnetic field direction with respect to the particle telescope's field of view while viewing a beamed particle distribution. However, this possibility can be ruled out because the magnetic field at the spacecraft shows no evidence of such directional variations, and similar particle intensity dips were seen by instruments on other spacecraft in the near-Earth solar wind. We shall present evidence that the dips were actually associated with varying magnetic connection to the Sun within the magnetic cloud. These dips were not observed at GOES II, suggesting they were somehow smoothed out by passage into the magnetosphere.

vonRosenvinge, T. T.↗

VALENTInE: A Concept for a New Frontiers Class Long Duration In-Situ Balloon Mission to Venus

Venus and Earth are similar in bulk composition, size, density, and approximate distance from the Sun, yet Venus’s modern-day climate and surface geology is distinctly different [1]. Previous missions to Venus revealed unusual volcanic features, possible continental crust, widespread volcanic plains, a weak magnetic field [2], and insights into the Venusian atmosphere [3,4]. Unfortunately, data from these missions were limited in spatial and temporal resolution and global extent. A future mission to Venus is critical to address fundamental questions surrounding the chemical composition and dynamics of the Venusian atmosphere [5], its geologic history [6,7], its internal structure [8,9], and its habitability throughout time [10,11]. We present the Venus Air and Land Expedition: a Novel Trailblazer for In situ Exploration (VALENTInE) mission to meet this need. VALENTInE is a variable altitude balloon that will passively float in Venus’s atmosphere between 45 and 55 km altitude. VALENTInE will acquire atmospheric data at varying latitudes and longitudes in addition to mapping the surface geomorphology and mineralogy across multiple terrains. Mission Objectives: The VALENTInE mission concept is driven by four main science objectives: 1. Determine whether the driving force of the superrotation of Venus’s atmosphere is caused by horizontal or vertical momentum transport. 2. Determine whether the atmospheric composition and noble gas inventory of the Venusian atmosphere is a product of outgassing from the initial protoplanetary source or if there are significant contributions from exogenic sources. 3. Determine whether the tesserae regions (particularly Aphrodite Terra) are felsic and relatively older than surrounding regions. 4. Determine if there is any evidence of a recent dynamo preserved in the rock record of Venus. Mission Overview: A balloon architecture provides a robust system that can survive long-term in the Venusian environment while taking accurate measurements of the lower cloud deck and surface. Two prior balloon missions to Venus, VEGA 1 and VEGA 2 in 1984, have demonstrated the potential for such planetary exploration; however, these missions were short-lived (46 hr), with limited range (54 km). Our spacecraft concept consists of a battery powered balloon with a gondola and flyby carrier stage (Fig. 1). Our novel design allows for at least 15 days of atmospheric exploration, including multiple ascents and descents in the Venus atmosphere. VALENTInE is baselined to launch in 2032, cruise on solar power for 128 days, enter, descend, and inflate (EDI) into Venus’s atmosphere above Aphrodite Terra, and float in Venus’s atmosphere for a total nominal mission duration of 15 days. The balloon, able to control its altitude by changing its buoyancy, will make one full circumnavigation every 4–8 days and move poleward ~1 o latitude per day; it will be passively directed by the horizontal air currents on Venus. The balloon can only be controlled in the z direction, and the expected latitude range is ±10° from EDI. The balloon itself will be a tracer for atmospheric structures such as zonal winds [5, 12]. During the 15-day operational period, there will be five dips to 45 km for a compositional study of the lower atmosphere and geological and magnetic mapping of the surface. Dips are used to take images and measurements closer to the surface and to obtain in situ vertical atmospheric profiles between 45 and 55 km. Instruments: The VALENTInE instrument payload will allow for extensive study of the geology, atmosphere, and interior of Venus. The instrument suite consists of six instruments. The mission profile for each instrument is shown in Fig. 2. Lower Atmosphere Meteorology Analyzer (LAMA) is an atmospheric structure instrument consisting of a thermometer, barometer, and accelerometer to continuously measure temperature and pressure as a function of altitude, longitude, and latitude. TracE and Noble Gas Investigator (TENGI) is aneutral mass spectrometer used to sample the dense atmosphere. TENGI will operate continuously at 45 km and 55 km and will measure D/H ratios, as well as Ne, Ar, and O isotopic ratios. Kilometer Scale Spectral Imager (KSSI) is amultispectral imager (850-1150 nm) used to resolve surface features on the order of km. Near InfraRed Multispectral Photometer (NIRMP) is an Infrared (IR) photometer used to image the surface through the clouds to characterize mineral assemblages at five different areas of the surface. NIRMP will be operated during dwell. ELevation REConnaissance (ELREC) is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) instrument used for measuring topography at five different areas of the surface. The ELREC data will be combined with those of NIRMP to determine mineral assemblages and how they correlate to topography. Magnetic Exploration and Interior Detective (MEID) is a magnetometer used to detect any near-surface magnetic anomalies. The magnetometer will continuously operate at all altitudes. Mission Design: The spacecraft’s propulsion system will have a wet mass of 930 kg and will be launched on an Atlas V rocket. The spacecraft will jettison the payload upon arrival in Venus’s atmosphere before decelerating to orbital velocity. Figure 2. Notional power-dip profile while the balloon is on the dayside. Risks and Challenges: Raising and lowering the spacecraft to dip beneath the haze layer require a large amount of energy. This issue was partly compensated by limiting the number of dips over the 15 day prime mission. Power needs for pumping helium are reduced by slowing the descent speed, which consequently increases spatial resolution of in situ measurements between 45 and 55 km. The main limitation for the duration of the mission is the need to carry 15 days’ worth of batteries. The bus experiences external Venusian temperatures ranging from ~27°C at 55 km altitude to ~110°C at 45 km altitude. These high atmospheric temperatures require thermal protection for the bus (instruments, electronics, and flight systems) during its descent, dwell at 45 km, and ascent. The bus is maintained at a mechanically safe temperature range of -10°C to 50°C using white external paint, multi-layer insulation (MLI), mechanical/thermal isolation (e.g. Ti, composites), and ~57 kg of Phase Change Materials (PCM). Images and spectra taken below the haze dominate the available data transmission regardless of the time spent at 45 km. Therefore, less time at the lower altitude mainly reduces the coverage of in situ measurements there. Further, we assumed an unrealistically low-density material for the helium storage tanks on the gondola. However, this issue is partially resolved if we were to jettison 75% of the spent helium storage tanks. After the entry process, the balloon volume remains mostly inflated and storage tanks are required only for reducing balloon volume in dipping to 45 km. This mission was planned against an expected New Frontiers 5 (NF5) cost cap of $1B, as the NF5 call had not yet been released. The mission we describe fits within the predicted cost cap if the flyby carrier stage, responsible for powering the spacecraft during cruise and for relaying in situ measurements back to Earth, can be contributed by another space agency. Acknowledgments: We thank the JPL Planetary Science Summer School, especially A. Nash, J. Scully, K. Mitchell, L. Lowes, and J. Armijo, and our mentors from JPL Team X. Thank you to our review panel for their insightful review. References: [1] Kane, S. et al. (2019) JGR:Ps, 124 , 2015–2028. [2] Phillips, J. L., & Russell, C. T. (1987). JGR: Space Physics , 92 (A3), 2253-2263. [3] Nakamura, M. et al. (2018) Earth Planets Space, 70 (1), 144. [4] Svedhem, H. et al. (2009) JGR:P 114 (E5). [5] Limaye et al. (2009) Decadal Survey White Paper . [6] Ivanov, M. and Head, J. (2011) PSS, 59 (13) , 1559-1600. [7] Smrekar, S. et al. (2018) Space Sci Rev, 214 (5), 88. [8] O’Rourke, J. et al. (2018) EPSL, 502 , 46-56. [9] O’Rourke J. et al. (2019) GRL , (46), 5768–5777 [10] Way, M. et al. (2016) GRL, 43 (16), 8376-8383. [11] Way, M. et al. (2020) JGR:P, 125 (5), e2019JE006276. [12] Preston, R. A. et al. (1986) Science, 231 (4744), 1414-1416.

Mission Concept↗

NASA-FAA Technical Interchange Meeting

High level introduction of Digital Information Platform (DIP) objectives as a sub-project under Airspace Traffic Management - Exploration (ATM-X). Important information is emerging in digital form and additional effort is required to utilize this information. DIP will provide the capability to integrate key flight information from multiple sources. DIP is currently in planning phase will take a community-involved, collaborative approach to define and develop the framework. DIP is seeking community and stakeholder input to operational needs, metrics of interest and demonstration contribution. NASA is engaging with the FAA to coordinate feasible operational demonstrations to validate DIP platform and services.

DIP sub-project overview↗

Extensional reactivation of an abandoned thrust - A bound on shallowing in the brittle regime

Shallow dip angles (not greater than 45 deg) suggested by field observations of continental extensional faults are not predicted by classical isotropic Mohr-Coulomb-Anderson theory. Earthquake data indicate that normal faults exist in the upper crust with dip angles commonly as shallow as 30 deg. One explanation of the apparent conflict between theory and structural/seismic observations is that intrinsically weak, shallow-dipping pre-existing faults are preferentially reactivated. An analytical treatment clarifies the roles of geometry, intact/preexisting fault strengths and fluid pore pressures. Frictional strength ratios of 3 or greater could account for extremely shallow normal faults (dips 10-20 deg) without consideration of pore pressures in excess of the least principal stress or of principal stress systems rotated away from the gravity vector. Moderate reduction in friction (3/4) with respect to wall rock can reduce the dip to 30 deg and can account for shallow normal-slip earthquakes.

Ivins, E. R.↗

The physics of solar prominences

The outstanding questions on the formation of quiescent prominences are discussed. One key issue is identified to be the formation of dips in coronal magnetic field lines. A model is presented which can account for such dipped field lines. The critical ingredients of the model are that the prominence magnetic field is a truly three dimensional structure with significant variation along the prominence length, and the magnetic field has strong shear concentrated at the photospheric neutral line. Simulations which demonstrate that these two features lead to dip formation and that the geometry of the dips are such that inverse polarity prominences can be explained are presented. Another key issue is identified to be the formation of prominence condensations on dipped field lines. It is argued that a spatially varying coronal heating rate which is maximum near the chromosphere explain these condensations.

Antiochos, Spiro K.↗