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At least 1,099 records · Page 61
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

2-loop scattering on superstring and supermembrane in flat space

We consider the S-matrix of transverse scalar excitations on an infinite D = 10 GS superstring and D = 11 supermembrane in flat target space. We compute the 4-particle scattering amplitude in the 2-loop approximation and demonstrate that, like in the Nambu string case, the D = 10 GS string S-matrix does not contain non-trivial 2d UV divergences (UV pole not accompanied by terms with logarithms of momenta is an artifact of dimensional regularization). This is consistent with underlying integrability of this model which is maintaining by adding appropriate local counterterms. In the supermembrane case there are no 1-loop divergences but we find a genuine 2-loop UV pole. This demonstrates non-finiteness of the world-volume S-matrix of the M2 brane theory.

AdS-CFT Correspondence↗
DOE OSTI2018

De Sitter vacua in no-scale supergravity

No-scale supergravity is the appropriate general framework for low-energy effective field theories derived from string theory. The simplest no-scale Kähler potential with a single chiral field corresponds to a compactification to flat Minkowski space with a single volume modulus, but generalizations to single-field no-scale models with de Sitter vacua are also known. In this paper we generalize these de Sitter constructions to two- and multi-field models of the types occurring in string compactifications with more than one relevant modulus. We discuss the conditions for stability of the de Sitter solutions and holomorphy of the superpotential, and give examples whose superpotential contains only integer powers of the chiral fields.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the exactness of soft theorems

Soft behaviours of S-matrix for massless theories reflect the underlying symmetry principle that enforces its masslessness. As an expansion in soft momenta, sub-leading soft theorems can arise either due to (I) unique structure of the fundamental vertex or (II) presence of enhanced broken-symmetries. While the former is expected to be modified by infrared or ultraviolet divergences, the latter should remain exact to all orders in perturbation theory. Using current algebra, we clarify such distinction for spontaneously broken (super) Poincaré and (super) conformal symmetry. We compute the UV divergences of DBI, conformal DBI, and A-V theory to verify the exactness of type (II) soft theorems, while type (I) are shown to be broken and the soft-modifying higher-dimensional operators are identified. Moreover, as further evidence for the exactness of type (II) soft theorems, we consider the α' expansion of both super and bosonic open strings amplitudes, and verify the validity of the translation symmetry breaking soft-theorems up to $\mathcal{O}$ (α' 6 ) . Thus the massless S-matrix of string theory “knows” about the presence of D-branes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Monodromy relations from twisted homology

We reformulate the monodromy relations of open-string scattering amplitudes as boundary terms of twisted homologies on the configuration spaces of Riemann surfaces of arbitrary genus. This allows us to write explicit linear relations involving loop integrands of open-string theories for any number of external particles and, for the first time, to arbitrary genus. In the non-planar sector, these relations contain seemingly unphysical contributions, which we argue clarify mismatches in previous literature. The text is mostly self-contained and presents a concise introduction to twisted homologies. As a result of this powerful formulation, we can propose estimates on the number of independent loop integrands based on Euler characteristics of the relevant configuration spaces, leading to a higher-genus generalization of the famous (n - 3)! result at genus zero.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Entanglement entropy of a color flux tube in (2+1)D Yang-Mills theory

We construct a novel flux tube entanglement entropy (FTE 2 ), defined as the excess entanglement entropy relative to the vacuum of a region of color flux stretching between a heavy quark-anti-quark pair in pure gauge Yang-Mills theory. We show that FTE 2 can be expressed in terms of correlators of Polyakov loops, is manifestly gauge-invariant, and therefore free of the ambiguities in computations of the entanglement entropy in gauge theories related to the choice of the center algebra. Employing the replica trick, we compute FTE 2 for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in (2+1)D and demonstrate that it is finite in the continuum limit. We explore the properties of FTE 2 for a half-slab geometry, which allows us to vary the width and location of the slab, and the extent to which the slab cross-cuts the color flux tube. Following the intuition provided by computations of FTE 2 in (1+1)D, and in a thin string model, we examine the extent to which our FTE 2 results can be interpreted as the sum of an internal color entropy and a vibrational entropy corresponding to the transverse excitations of the string.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Convex Programs for Minimal-Area Problems

The minimal-area problem that defines string diagrams in closed string field theory asks for the metric of least area on a Riemann surface with the condition that all non-contractible closed curves have length at least 2π. This is an extremal length problem in conformal geometry as well as a problem in systolic geometry. Here, we consider the analogous minimal-area problem for homology classes of curves and, with the aid of calibrations and the max flow-min cut theorem, formulate it as a local convex program. We derive an equivalent dual program involving maximization of a concave functional. These two programs give new insights into the form of the minimal-area metric and are amenable to numerical solution. We explain how the homology problem can be modified to provide the solution to the original homotopy problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Minimal-Area Metrics on the Swiss Cross and Punctured Torus

The closed string theory minimal-area problem asks for the conformal metric of least area on a Riemann surface with the condition that all non-contractible closed curves have length greater than or equal to an arbitrary constant that can be set to one. Through every point in such a metric there is a geodesic that saturates the length condition, and the saturating geodesics in a given homotopy class form a band. The extremal metric is unknown when bands of geodesics cross, as it happens for surfaces of non-zero genus. Here, we use recently proposed convex programs to numerically find the minimal-area metric on the square torus with a square boundary, for various sizes of the boundary. For large enough boundary the problem is equivalent to the “Swiss cross” challenge posed by Strebel. We find that the metric is positively curved in the two-band region and flat in the single-band regions. For small boundary the metric develops a third band of geodesics wrapping around it, and has both regions of positive and of negative curvature. This surface can be completed to provide the minimal-area metric on a once-punctured torus, representing a closed-string tadpole diagram.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Submodular optimization problems and greedy strategies: A survey

The greedy strategy is an approximation algorithm to solve optimization problems arising in decision making with multiple actions. How effective is the greedy strategy compared to the optimal solution? In this survey, we mainly consider two classes of optimization problems where the objective function is submodular. The first is set submodular optimization, which is to choose a set of actions to optimize a set submodular objective function, and the second is string submodular optimization, which is to choose an ordered set of actions to optimize a string submodular function. Our emphasis here is on performance bounds for the greedy strategy in submodular optimization problems. Specifically, we review performance bounds for the greedy strategy, more general and improved bounds in terms of curvature, performance bounds for the batched greedy strategy, and performance bounds for Nash equilibria.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Characterisation of radiation damage in W and W-based alloys from 2MeV self-ion near-bulk implantations

The displacement damage induced in bulk W and W-5 wt.% Re and W-5 wt.% Ta alloys by 2 MeV W + irradiation to doses 3.3×10 17 - 2.5×10 19 W + /m 2 at temperatures ranging from 300 to750°C has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. An automated sizing and counting approach based on Image J has been proposed and performed for all irradiation data. In all cases the damage comprised dislocation loops, mostly of interstitial type, with Burgers vectors b = ½<111> (> 60%) and b = <100>. The diameters of loops did not exceed 20 nm, with the majority being ≤ 6 nm. The loop number density varied between 10 22 and 10 23 loops/m 3 . With increasing irradiation temperature, the loop size distributions shifted towards larger sizes, and there was a substantial decrease in loop number densities. The damage microstructure was less sensitive to dose than to temperature. Under the same irradiation conditions, loop number densities in the alloys were higher than in pure W but loops were smaller. In grains with normals close to z = <001>, loop strings developed in W at temperatures ≥ 500°C and doses ≥ 1.2 dpa, but such strings were not observed in the W-Re or W-Ta alloys. However, in other grain orientations complex structures appeared in all materials and dense dislocation networks formed at higher doses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

QCD as a topologically ordered system

We argue that QCD belongs to a topologically ordered phase similar to many well-known condensed matter systems with a gap such as topological insulators or superconductors. Our arguments are based on an analysis of the so-called “deformed QCD” which is a weakly coupled gauge theory, but nevertheless preserves all the crucial elements of strongly interacting QCD, including confinement, nontrivial θ dependence, degeneracy of the topological sectors, etc. Specifically, we construct the so-called topological “BF” action which reproduces the well known infrared features of the theory such as non-dispersive contribution to the topological susceptibility which cannot be associated with any propagating degrees of freedom. Furthermore, we interpret the well known resolution of the celebrated U(1){sub A} problem where the would be η{sup ′} Goldstone boson generates its mass as a result of mixing of the Goldstone field with a topological auxiliary field characterizing the system. We then identify the non-propagating auxiliary topological field of the BF formulation in deformed QCD with the Veneziano ghost (which plays the crucial role in resolution of the U(1){sub A} problem). Finally, we elaborate on relation between “string-net” condensation in topologically ordered condensed matter systems and long range coherent configurations, the “skeletons”, studied in QCD lattice simulations. -- Highlights: •QCD may belong to a topologically ordered phase similar to condensed matter (CM) systems. •We identify the non-propagating topological field in deformed QCD with the Veneziano ghost. •Relation between “string-net” condensates in CM systems and the “skeletons” in QCD lattice simulations is studied.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2013

On the interaction of the Dirac oscillator with the Aharonov–Casher system in topological defect backgrounds

In this paper, we study the influence of the Aharonov–Casher effect [Y. Aharonov, A. Casher, Phys. Rev. Lett. 53 (1984) 319] on the Dirac oscillator in three different scenarios of general relativity: the Minkowski spacetime, the cosmic string spacetime and the cosmic dislocation spacetime. In this way, we solve the Dirac equation and obtain the energy levels for bound states and the Dirac spinors for positive-energy solutions. We show that the relativistic energy levels depend on the Aharonov–Casher geometric phase. We also discuss the influence of curvature and torsion on the relativistic energy levels and the Dirac spinors due to the topology of the cosmic string and cosmic dislocation spacetimes. -- Highlights: •Influence of the Aharonov–Casher effect on the Dirac oscillator. •Exact solutions of the Dirac equation in topological defect spacetimes. •Dependence of the relativistic energy levels on the Aharonov–Casher geometric phase. •Influence of curvature and torsion on the relativistic energy levels and the Dirac spinors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electromagnetic fields and potentials generated by massless charged particles

We provide for the first time the exact solution of Maxwell’s equations for a massless charged particle moving on a generic trajectory at the speed of light. In particular we furnish explicit expressions for the vector potential and the electromagnetic field, which were both previously unknown, finding that they entail different physical features for bounded and unbounded trajectories. With respect to the standard Liénard–Wiechert field the electromagnetic field acquires singular δ-like contributions whose support and dimensionality depend crucially on whether the motion is (a) linear, (b) accelerated unbounded, (c) accelerated bounded. In the first two cases the particle generates a planar shock-wave-like electromagnetic field traveling along a straight line. In the second and third cases the field acquires, in addition, a δ-like contribution supported on a physical singularity-string attached to the particle. For generic accelerated motions a genuine radiation field is also present, represented by a regular principal-part type distribution diverging on the same singularity-string. - Highlights: • First exact solution of Maxwell’s equations for massless charges in arbitrary motion. • Explicit expressions of electromagnetic fields and potentials. • Derivations are rigorous and based on distribution theory. • The form of the field depends heavily on whether the motion is bounded or unbounded. • The electromagnetic field contains unexpected Dirac-delta-function contributions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Two-dimensional lattice gauge theories with superconducting quantum circuits

A quantum simulator of U(1) lattice gauge theories can be implemented with superconducting circuits. This allows the investigation of confined and deconfined phases in quantum link models, and of valence bond solid and spin liquid phases in quantum dimer models. Fractionalized confining strings and the real-time dynamics of quantum phase transitions are accessible as well. Here we show how state-of-the-art superconducting technology allows us to simulate these phenomena in relatively small circuit lattices. By exploiting the strong non-linear couplings between quantized excitations emerging when superconducting qubits are coupled, we show how to engineer gauge invariant Hamiltonians, including ring-exchange and four-body Ising interactions. We demonstrate that, despite decoherence and disorder effects, minimal circuit instances allow us to investigate properties such as the dynamics of electric flux strings, signaling confinement in gauge invariant field theories. The experimental realization of these models in larger superconducting circuits could address open questions beyond current computational capability.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Braiding statistics and link invariants of bosonic/fermionic topological quantum matter in 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions

Topological Quantum Field Theories (TQFTs) pertinent to some emergent low energy phenomena of condensed matter lattice models in 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions are explored. Many of our TQFTs are highly-interacting without free quadratic analogs. Some of our bosonic TQFTs can be regarded as the continuum field theory formulation of Dijkgraaf–Witten twisted discrete gauge theories. Other bosonic TQFTs beyond the Dijkgraaf–Witten description and all fermionic TQFTs (namely the spin TQFTs) are either higher-form gauge theories where particles must have strings attached, or fermionic discrete gauge theories obtained by gauging the fermionic Symmetry-Protected Topological states (SPTs). We analytically calculate both the Abelian and non-Abelian braiding statistics data of anyonic particle and string excitations in these theories, where the statistics data can one-to-one characterize the underlying topological orders of TQFTs. Namely, we derive path integral expectation values of links formed by line and surface operators in these TQFTs. The acquired link invariants include not only the familiar Aharonov–Bohm linking number, but also Milnor triple linking number in 3 dimensions, triple and quadruple linking numbers of surfaces, and intersection number of surfaces in 4 dimensions. We also construct new spin TQFTs with the corresponding knot/link invariants of Arf(–Brown–Kervaire), Sato–Levine and others. We propose a new relation between the fermionic SPT partition function and the Rokhlin invariant. As an example, we can use these invariants and other physical observables, including ground state degeneracy, reduced modular $S^{xy}$ and $T^{xy}$ matrices, and the partition function on $RP^3$ manifold, to identify all $\nu \in Z_8$ classes of 2+1 dimensional gauged $Z_2$-Ising-symmetric $Z^f_2$-fermionic Topological Superconductors (realized by stacking v layers of a pair of chiral and anti-chiral -wave superconductors [ p + ip and p - ip ], where boundary supports non-chiral Majorana–Weyl modes) with continuum spin-TQFTs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Impact of Different Thermal Gradients on the Dynamics of Cylindrical Lithium-ion Cells Subject to Accelerated Aging and on Module Performance

This study investigates the impacts of applying different thermal gradient patterns to cylindrical lithium-ion cells in a module on cell dynamics (temperatures, current flows, state of charge), module performance (evolution of resistance, capacity, and energy versus cycle number), and module lifetime. The thermal gradients were generated using cooling plates (CPs) with three different flow-field designs, namely, straight, perpendicular, and U-turn. The study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) battery model, capacity loss and increased impedance due to the growth of a solid-electrolyte-interphase, and the electric current distribution from module terminals to cells that depends on the series-parallel electrical connections among the cells. The impact of the thermal gradient (resulting from the CP designs) on the variability in resistance, current, state of charge, and voltage among the cells was analyzed and linked to differences in the module's performance. Applying a thermal gradient to parallel-connected strings of series-connected cells led to variation in the current through each parallel string and an imbalance in the voltage of series-connected cells. Module performance is poorer when the thermal gradient causes a voltage imbalance than when it causes a current imbalance. Module performance becomes the worst when both current variation and voltage imbalance happen together. For instance, the module's lifetime (estimated as reaching 80% of its initial capacity) varied by 5% to 17.5%, depending on the magnitude and pattern of the imposed thermal gradient. As the relative orientation between thermal gradients and cells' electrical connectivity influences the module's performance, appropriate consideration should be given to the choice of the CP, especially if large thermal gradients are allowed.

Battery thermal management↗
DOE OSTI2022

Microstructure and hardness evolution induced by annealing of ion irradiated LiTaO 3

We report the evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of low-energy heavy-ion-irradiated LiTaO 3 crystals annealed at various temperatures was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations and nanoindentation tests to extend the applications of irradiated LiTaO 3 crystals. Before annealing, randomly distributed voids formed in an approximately 200 nm thick region at the end of the ion irradiation range, which was attributed to preferential absorption of interstitials by the amorphous-crystalline interface. After annealing, a new directional diffusion path of defects was identified, resulting in a void string. Furthermore, void string diffusion to the free surface was also found during the annealing temperature increase process, which offers a potential application in designing custom sized-thickness exfoliation at the nanoscale. Meanwhile, two competing processes were identified during the annealing process: epitaxial recrystallization from the amorphous-crystalline interface and grain nucleation process in the amorphous region, which formed phases different from the matrix crystal structure, resulting in an interaction between them. Furthermore, the hardness of irradiated samples was also found to be affected by the annealing process; in particular, a hardness decrease induced by the interstitial Fe ions in the recrystallized region was also confirmed, which can improve the processability of samples for further application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The Modular Borehole Monitoring Program. A research program to optimize well-based monitoring for geologic carbon sequestration

Understanding the impacts caused by injection of large volumes of CO 2 in the deep subsurface necessitates a comprehensive monitoring strategy. While surface-based and other remote geophysical methods can provide information on the general morphology of a CO 2 plume, verification of the geochemical conditions and validation of the remote sensing data requires measurements from boreholes that penetrate the storage formation. Unfortunately, the high cost of drilling deep wellbores and deploying instrumentation systems constrains the number of dedicated monitoring borings as well as limits the technologies that can be incorporated in a borehole completion. The objective of the Modular Borehole Monitoring (MBM) Program was to develop a robust suite of well-based tools optimized for subsurface monitoring of CO 2 that could meet the needs of a comprehensive well-based monitoring program. It should have enough flexibility to be easily reconfigured for various reservoir geometries and geologies. The MBM Program sought to provide storage operators with a turn-key fully engineered design that incorporated key technologies, function over the decades long time-span necessary for post-closure reservoir monitoring, and meet industry acceptable risk profiles for deep-well installations. While still within the conceptual design phase of the MBM program, the SECARB Anthropogenic Test in Citronelle, Alabama, USA was identified as a deployment site for our engineered monitoring systems. The initial step in designing the Citronelle MBM system was to down-select from the various monitoring tools available to include technologies that we considered essential to any program. Monitoring methods selected included U-tube geochemical sampling, discrete quartz pressure and temperature gauges, an integrated fibre-optic bundle consisting of distributed temperature and heat-pulse sensing, and a sparse string of conventional 3C-geophones. While not originally planned within the initial MBM work scope, the fibre-optic cable was able to also be used for the emergent technology of distributed acoustic sensing. The MBM monitoring string was installed in March, 2012. To date, the Citronelle MBM instruments continue to operate reliably. Results and lessons learned from the Citronelle MBM deployment are addressed along with examples of data being collected.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis of new Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11}—One-dimensional phase in Ga–Ge–Te ternary system: Crystal structure and physical properties

Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} single crystals were grown using transport in a temperature gradient. The prepared single crystals have a needle-like appearance, 1 to 40 μm in diameter and 2 to 20 mm in length. The Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} single crystals were characterized by both single crystalline and powder X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of one-dimensional molecular strings bonded together through tellurium atoms by a weak bond of the van der Waals type. A large unit cell volume indicates the complexity of the structure. The room temperature theoretical density is 5.73 g cm{sup −3}. The compound shows semiconducting properties and possesses peculiar magnetic properties. - Graphical abstract: 1D Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} - cross-view of the molecular string. - Highlights: • We prepared and characterized novel compound Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11}in single crystalline form. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is one-dimensional structure; orthorhombic lattice; space group Pnma. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is an intrinsic semiconductor; E{sub g}≅0.7 eV. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is paramagnetic with an effective magnetic moment of p{sub eff}=0.06 μ{sub B} per atom. • Crossover from para – to diamagnetism is observed in field dependence of susceptibility.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗