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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Phase space localization for anti-de Sitter quantum mechanics and its zero curvature limit

Using techniques of geometric quantization and SO(sub 0)(3,2)-coherent states, a notion of optimal localization on phase space is defined for the quantum theory of a massive and spinning particle in anti-de Sitter space time. It is shown that this notion disappears in the zero curvature limit, providing one with a concrete example of the regularizing character of the constant (nonzero) curvature of the anti-de Sitter space time. As a byproduct a geometric characterization of masslessness is obtained.

Elgradechi, Amine M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Source conductance scaling for high frequency superconducting quasiparticle receivers

It has been suggested that the optimum source conductance G(sub s) for the superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasiparticle mixer should have a l/f dependence. This would imply that the critical current density of SIS junctions used for mixing should increase as frequency squared, a stringent constraint on the design of submillimeter SIS mixers, rather than in simple proportion to frequency as previously believed. We have used Tucker's quantum theory of mixing for extensive numerical calculations to determine G(sub s) for an optimized SIS receiver. We find that G(sub s) is very roughly independent of frequency (except for the best junctions at low frequency), and discuss the implications of our results for the design of submillimeter SIS mixers.

Ke, Qing↗
NASA NTRS1994

Bloch vector projection noise

In the optical measurement of the Bloch vector components describing a system of N two-level atoms, the quantum fluctuations in these components are coupled into the measuring optical field. This paper develops the quantum theory of optical measurement of Bloch vector projection noise. The preparation and probing of coherence in an effective two-level system consisting of the two ground states in an atomic three-level lambda-scheme are analyzed.

Wang, Li-Jun↗
NASA NTRS1994

Further evidence for the EPNT assumption

We recently proved a theorem extending the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) Theorem from multi-particle systems to two-particle systems. This proof depended upon an auxiliary assumption, the EPNT assumption (Emptiness of Paths Not Taken). According to this assumption, if there exists an Einstein-Rosen-Podolsky (EPR) element of reality that determines that a path is empty, then there can be no entity associated with the wave that travels this path (pilot-waves, empty waves, etc.) and reports information to the amplitude, when the paths recombine. We produce some further evidence in support of this assumption, which is certainly true in quantum theory. The alternative is that such a pilot-wave theory would have to violate EPR locality.

Greenberger, Daniel M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

High Energy Astrophysics Mission

The nature of gravity and its relationship to the other three forces and to quantum theory is one of the major challenges facing us as we begin the new century. In order to make progress we must challenge the current theories by observing the effects of gravity under the most extreme conditions possible. Black holes represent one extreme, where the laws of physics as we understand them break down. The Universe as whole is another extreme, where its evolution and fate is dominated by the gravitational influence of dark matter and the nature of the Cosmological constant. The early universe represents a third extreme, where it is thought that gravity may somehow be unified with the other forces. NASA's "Cosmic Journeys" program is part of a NASA/NSF/DoE tri-agency initiative designed to observe the extremes of gravity throughout the universe. This program will probe the nature of black holes, ultimately obtaining a direct image of the event horizon. It will investigate the large scale structure of the Universe to constrain the location and nature of dark matter and the nature of the cosmological constant. Finally it will search for and study the highest energy processes, that approach those found in the early universe. I will outline the High Energy Astrophysics part of this program.

White, Nicholas E.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Implications of Ultrahigh Energy Air Showers for Physics and Astrophysics

The primary ultrahigh energy particles which produce giant extensive air showers in the Earth atmosphere present an intriguing mystery from two points of view: (1) How are the base particles produced with such astounding energies, eight orders of magnitude higher than those produced by the best man-made terrestrial accelerators? (2) Since they are most likely extragalactic in origin, how do they reach us from extragalactic distances without suffering the severe losses expected from interactions with the 2.7 K thermal cosmic background photons, the so called GZK effect? The answers to these questions may involve new physics: violations of special relativity, grand unification theories, and quantum gravity theories involving large extra dimensions. They may involve new astrophysical sources, "zevatrons". Or some heretofore totally unknown physics or astrophysics may hold the answer. I will discuss here the mysteries involving the production and extragalactic propagation of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays and some suggested possible solutions.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Theoretical Studies of Lorentz and CPT Symmetry

The fundamental symmetries studied here are Lorentz and CPT invariance, which form a cornerstone of the relativistic quantum theories used in modern descriptions of nature. The results obtained during the reporting period focus on the idea, originally suggested by the P.I. and his group in the late 1980s, that observable CPT and Lorentz violation in nature might emerge from the qualitatively new physics expected to hold at the Planck scale. What follows is a summary of results obtained during the period of this grant.

Kostelecky, V. Alan↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Multi-Physics Study on High-Specific Power Li-O2 Batteries for Electric Aircraft

Commercialization of lithium-air batteries faces many challenges, such as electrolyte decomposition, short cycle life, low energy and power density, etc. However, commercialization of Li-O2 batteries for aeronautics is much more challenging due to additional safety constraints on cyclability and performance (high specific power and specific energy). For this presentation, we will discuss inter-related aspects of physics-based modeling of a pack: cell and battery model calibration. In addition, we will evaluate and present optimal battery designs for high discharge current density, high discharge time, and low battery mass using simulation-based optimization.The Finite Element Model (FEM) used to simulate a Li-O2 cell is based on the work of Bevara [1]. The different aspects of the model are based on: porous electrode theory and concentrated electrolyte theory; quantum tunneling model for the resistance of conformal layer of discharge product (Li2O2) [1]; Butler-Volmer kinetics for electrochemical reaction; Fick's diffusion for oxygen transport; and an oxygen dissolution model is applied at the air/electrolyte interface [2]. The electrolyte properties such as ion conductivity, ion diffusion, oxygen diffusion, and mass density of the electrolyte were taken from Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations [3]; while the other model parameters, which includes mass of cell components, were calibrated to match experiments at high discharge current densities. The cell mass includes the anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and other components (such as current collector). This calibrated model is used to perform parametric studies on cathode thickness, porosity, tortuosity, carbon particle size, electrolyte transport and material properties, partial pressure of oxygen, discharge time, and discharge current density to study optimal designs for high specific power and energy. References:1. Bevara, V. & Andrei, P. (2014), J. Electrochem. Soc. 161 (14), A2068-A2079.2.Mehta, M. & Andrei, P. (2015), J. Power Sources. 286, 299-308.3.Liyana-Arachchi, T.; Haskins, J.; Burke, C.; Diederichsen, K.; McCloskey, B.; & Lawson, J. (2018), J. Phys. Chem. B. 122 (36), 8548 - 8559.4.Choi, W.; Kikumoto, H.; Choudhary, R. & Ooka, R. (2018), Applied Energy, 209, 306-321.

Mehta, Mohit↗
NASA NTRS1990

Dynamical basis sets for algebraic variational calculations in quantum-mechanical scattering theory

New basis sets are proposed for linear algebraic variational calculations of transition amplitudes in quantum-mechanical scattering problems. These basis sets are hybrids of those that yield the Kohn variational principle (KVP) and those that yield the generalized Newton variational principle (GNVP) when substituted in Schlessinger's stationary expression for the T operator. Trial calculations show that efficiencies almost as great as that of the GNVP and much greater than the KVP can be obtained, even for basis sets with the majority of the members independent of energy.

Sun, Yan↗
NASA NTRS1993

Generalised squeezing and information theory approach to quantum entanglement

It is shown that the usual one- and two-mode squeezing are based on reducible representations of the SU(1,1) group. Generalized squeezing is introduced with the use of different SU(1,1) rotations on each irreducible sector. Two-mode squeezing entangles the modes and information theory methods are used to study this entanglement. The entanglement of three modes is also studied with the use of the strong subadditivity property of the entropy.

Vourdas, A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Wigner distribution function and entropy of the damped harmonic oscillator within the theory of the open quantum systems

The harmonic oscillator with dissipation is studied within the framework of the Lindblad theory for open quantum systems. By using the Wang-Uhlenbeck method, the Fokker-Planck equation, obtained from the master equation for the density operator, is solved for the Wigner distribution function, subject to either the Gaussian type or the delta-function type of initial conditions. The obtained Wigner functions are two-dimensional Gaussians with different widths. Then a closed expression for the density operator is extracted. The entropy of the system is subsequently calculated and its temporal behavior shows that this quantity relaxes to its equilibrium value.

Isar, Aurelian↗
NASA NTRS1987

Initial conditions and quantum cosmology

A theory of initial conditions is necessary for a complete explanation of the presently observed large scale structural features of the universe, and a quantum theory of cosmology is probably needed for its formulation. The kinematics of quantum cosmology are reviewed, and some candidates for a law of initial conditions are discussed. The proposal that the quantum state of a closed universe is the natural analog of the ground state for closed cosmologies and is specified by a Euclidean sum over histories is sketched. When implemented in simple models, this proposal is consistent with the most important large-scale observations.

Hartle, James B.↗