Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Matrix models”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,117 records · Page 62

Advances in constraining intrinsic alignment models with hydrodynamic simulations

We use galaxies from the illustristng, massiveblack-ii, and illustris-1 hydrodynamic simulations to investigate the behaviour of large scale galaxy intrinsic alignments. Our analysis spans four redshift slices over the approximate range of contemporary lensing surveys z = 0–1. We construct comparable weighted samples from the three simulations, which we then analyse using an alignment model that includes both linear and quadratic alignment contributions. Our data vector includes galaxy–galaxy, galaxy–shape, and shape–shape projected correlations, with the joint covariance matrix estimated analytically. In all of the simulations, we report non-zero IAs at the level of several σ. For a fixed lower mass threshold, we find a relatively strong redshift dependence in all three simulations, with the linear IA amplitude increasing by a factor of ~2 between redshifts z = 0 and z = 1. We report no significant evidence for non-zero values of the tidal torquing amplitude, A 2 , in TNG, above statistical uncertainties, although MBII favours a moderately negative A 2 ~ –2. Examining the properties of the TATT model as a function of colour, luminosity and galaxy type (satellite or central), our findings are consistent with the most recent measurements on real data. We also outline a novel method for constraining the TATT model parameters directly from the pixelized tidal field, alongside a proof-of-concept exercise using TNG. This technique is shown to be promising, although comparison with previous results obtained via other methods is non-trivial.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Adiabatic quantum decoherence in many non-interacting subsystems induced by the coupling with a common boson bath

Highlights: • System–environment quantum correlation: a main solid state NMR decoherence channel. • Non-separable system–environment model yields realistic spin decoherence rates. • New open quantum system approach explains irreversible decay of refocused NMR echoes. • Adiabatic quantum decoherence is inherently irreversible and eigen-selective. This work addresses adiabatic quantum decoherence of many-body spin systems coupled with a boson field in the framework of open quantum systems theory. We generalize the traditional spin-boson model by considering a system–environment interaction Hamiltonian that represents a partition of non-interacting subsystems and highlights the collective correlation that appears exclusively due to the coupling with a common environment. Remarkably, this simple, exactly solvable model encompasses relevant aspects of a many-body open quantum system and features the subtle quantum effects that arise when the size scales up to a macroscopic level. We derive an analytical expression for the time dependence of the density matrix elements (in the preferred basis) without assuming coarse-graining. The resulting decoherence function is eigen-selective and is a complex exponential whose exponent has a real part that introduces a decay similar to that in the spin-boson model. On the contrary, the imaginary part depends on the quantum numbers and geometry of the whole partition and does not reflect the system temperature. Motivated by decoherence in solid-state NMR, and in search of realistic numerical estimations, we apply the theoretical results to a partition of dipole-coupled spin pairs in contact with a common phonon bath, using typical parameters of hydrated salts. The proposal allows estimating the decoherence time scale in terms of the system physical constants: sound velocity and eigenvalue distribution width. As a significant novelty, the decoherence function phase depends on the eigenvalue distribution throughout the sample. It plays the leading role, overshadowing the mechanism associated with the bath thermal state. Finally, we apply the formalism to describe decoherence in the “magic echo” NMR reversal experiment. We find that the system–environment correlation explains the origin of irreversibility, and both the decoherence rate value and its dependence on the dipolar frequency, are remarkably similar to the experiment.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Gamow-shell-model description of Li isotopes and their mirror partners

Background: Weakly bound and unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines are laboratories of new nuclear structure physics at the extremes of neutron/proton excess. The comprehensive description of these systems requires an open quantum system framework that is capable of treating resonant and nonresonant many-body states on equal footing. Purpose: In this work, we develop the complex-energy configuration interaction approach to describe binding energies and spectra of selected 5 ≤ $\textit{A}$ ≤ 11 nuclei. Method: We employ the complex-energy Gamow shell model (GSM) assuming a rigid 4 He core. The effective Hamiltonian, consisting of a core-nucleon Woods-Saxon potential and a simplified version of the Furutani-Horiuchi-Tamagaki interaction with the mass-dependent scaling, is optimized in the $\textit{sp}$ space. To diagonalize the Hamiltonian matrix, we employ the Davidson method and the Density Matrix Renormalization Group technique. Results: We report our optimized GSM Hamiltonian offers a good reproduction of binding energies and spectra with the root-mean-square (rms) deviation from experiment of 160 keV. Since the model performs well when used to predict known excitations that have not been included in the fit, it can serve as a reliable tool to describe poorly known states. A case in point is our prediction for the pair of unbound mirror nuclei 10 Li – 10 N in which a huge Thomas-Ehrman shift dramatically alters the pattern of low-energy excitations. Conclusion: The new model will enable comprehensive studies of structure and reactions aspects of light drip-line nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Evaluation of Light-Element Reactions in the Resolved Resonance Region

Light-element reactions at low energies in the resolved resonance region are important for a range of applications in basic and applied sciences including nuclear reactors, nonproliferation, cultural heritage, forensics and environmental control, rare event investigations and nuclear astrophysics. In this paper, we report on an effort to evaluate charged-particle cross sections in the resolved resonance region and produce evaluated nuclear data files for further processing and inclusion in evaluated data libraries. We discuss the open issues in R-matrix calculations as we extend to higher energies, such as dealing with the rapidly growing number of open channels and merging with the regime of smooth cross sections described by the statistical model, and present attempts to address these issues in neutron-induced reactions relevant to nuclear reactor applications.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Coupling to rotational manifolds to improve gas-phase pump–probe spectroscopic models

The physical picture of gas-phase optical transitions is normally presented as an isolated two-level system balanced by upward and downward processes. Isolated models assume a phenomenological treatment of collisional dephasing but do not strictly account for collisional population exchange with the rotational baths. While this assumption is valid under low-intensity conditions, where excitation is rate-limiting, isolated models can deviate from Beer’s Law at sufficient pressures and monochromatic intensities when both collisional broadening and power broadening are comparable to (or greater than) lifetime broadening, which are not uncommon conditions for cavity enhanced spectroscopies in the mid-IR spectral range. Although this problem has been addressed by rate-equation models for linear absorption measurements, a general treatment for multi-level quantum mechanical models suitable for non-linear absorption measurements (two-photon/two-color/pump–probe) is lacking. Isolated models require physical parameter inputs that disagree with expected values by at least an order of magnitude. These non-physical models undermine the ability to predict non-linear signal strengths under untested conditions and thereby limit the potential to optimize the sensitivity of non-linear spectroscopies and to expand their analytical applications (e.g., new analytes and/or buffer gases, changes in cavity free-spectral-range, changes in intracavity powers or wavelengths, and accurate investigation of physical phenomena). In this study, we derive bath-coupled models for gaseous pump–probe spectroscopy by application of the quantum Lindblad equation and detailed balance. Bath-coupled models are shown to fit data consistently across variations in intensity and agree with all physically expected values.

Cavity ring-down spectroscopy↗

An Advanced Meso-Scale Peridynamic Modeling Technology using High-Performance Computing for Cost-Effective Product Design and Testing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites in Light-weight Vehicles

We study a peridynamic composite modeling technology based on the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method, implemented in the commercial LS-DYNA software, for modeling and prediction of failure in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. The proposed technology is developed for the material failure analysis at the meso-scale, which provides the prevailing fiber-matrix interaction mechanism, without adoption of the representative volume element method and thus avoiding complicated numerical calibration procedures. Three types of experimental tests—in-plane coupon test, out-of-plane coupon test, and a component crash test—are simulated in a high-performance computing environment to assess the performance of the proposed peridynamic composite modeling technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dexamethasone reduces the formation of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a murine model

Highlights: • Dexamethasone attenuated thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a mouse model. • Dexamethasone reduced infiltration of inflammatory cell and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell and fibroblast. • Dexamethasone partly alleviated degradation of collagen and phenotype switch. • DEX might ameliorate thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening vascular disease with no effective pharmaceutical therapies currently available. Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of aneurysms. Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, has showed alleviating effects on cells in vitro from TAAD patients. Here we performed a study aiming at investigating the protective role of DEX in a β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAAD mouse model. DEX (dose: 0.04 mg/kg/day) treatment significantly reduced the aortic diameter and inhibited TAAD formation. DEX reduced infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), expression of metalloproteinase 2/9, and extracellular matrix degradation in BAPN-treated TAAD mice. Furthermore, DEX therapy downregulated the expression of p-p65 in macrophages and VSMCs, which suggested that DEX might ameliorate BAPN-induced TAAD by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Therefore, DEX therapy attenuates the progression of BAPN-induced TAAD murine model and could be used as an effective adjuvant therapy for treating TAAD.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Degradation of a Cr-Mo steel by carbide precipitation over long-term service

Microstructure of the 40-year service-exposed 1Cr-0.5Mo steel extracted from pressure vessels through the boat sampling technique was characterized using x-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, electron backscatter diffraction, focused ion beam, and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructure degradation during long-term service was identified. Statistical crystal plastic ity models were developed to correlate the microstructure and mechanical properties quantitatively. The steel is found significantly strengthened but slightly embrittled. Nanoscale Mo 2 C carbides have nucleated within the ferrite matrix over the long-term service, resulting in significant strengthening of the matrix. The coarser grain boundary Cr 23 C 6 carbides, on the other hand, act as the damage accumulation sites and lead to the degradation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

AGR-5/6/7 Final Release-to-Birth Ratio Data Analysis

AGR-5/6/7 is the last of a series of Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) experiments conducted in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in support of development and qualification of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) low-enriched fuel for use in the high-temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). AGR configuration and irradiation conditions are based on prismatic HTGR technology that is distinguished primarily through the use of helium coolant, a low-power-density ceramic core capable of withstanding very high temperatures, and TRISO-coated particle fuel. The AGR tests provide valuable irradiation-performance data to support fuel process development, qualify fuel for normal operation and accident conditions, and support development and validation of fuel performance and fission-product (FP) transport models and codes. Each AGR test consists of multiple independently controlled and monitored capsules containing fuel compacts placed in a graphite cylinder shrouded by a steel shell. Release-to-birth ratios (R/B) for fission-gas isotopes released from each capsule are calculated from release rates, measured by germanium detectors in the Fission Product Monitoring System (FPMS) installed downstream from each capsule, and birth rates calculated using numerical models of FG generation. The R/Bs are a critical measure of the ability of the fuel kernel, the particle coating layers, and the compact matrix to retain fission-gas atoms, preventing their release into the sweep-gas flow, and the impact of initially defective particles and/or particle-coating failures that occur during irradiation. For fission-gas isotopes, particle failure is defined as failure of all coating layers, allowing gaseous fission atoms to escape from a particle. During the first five cycles (162B ? 165A), R/Bs were stable in the 10-8?10-6 range, and no in-pile particle failures were observed, based on the gross gamma counts. The maximum R/B value of around 2 ? 10-6 for Kr-85m resulted from the presence of as-fabricated exposed kernels (based on the high exposed kernel fraction), the dispersed uranium, and high fuel particle temperatures in Capsule 1. Comparison of capsule-measured R/Bs from these early cycles to predictions using the previously developed AGR R/B model demonstrated FG release from the AGR-5/6/7 TRISO fuel was comparable to that of previous experiments. In addition, the Kr-85m R/B per-exposed-kernel values are comparable to R/B values obtained in AGR-3/4 irradiation experiment and four irradiation experiments performed during 1980s: (1) HRB-17/18, (2) COMEDIE-BD1, (3) HFR B1, and (4) HRB-21. In contrast, all measured R/B values are lower than predictions by the commonly used Richards and German models, which are intentionally conservative. A large number of in-pile particle failures occurred in Capsule 1 by the end of Cycle 166A. During the final four cycles (166A ? 168A), apparent damage to the Capsule 1 gas line appeared to cause FG leakage from that capsule into the other four capsules, resulting in an increase in fission gas (FG) detected in the effluent for all capsules. Isolation of the Capsule 1 gas line during the last three cycles also prevented measurement of its FG release. Thus, R/Bs in all capsules after Cycle 166A are highly uncertain because of undefined amount of leakage from Capsule 1, especially for long-lived isotopes. A few hundred in-pile particle failures were estimated for Capsule 1 before the end of Cycle 166A, but the total number of failures is unknown due to the lack of FG release data in the later cycles. Based primarily on evidence from the gross gamma counts during Cycle 168A, approximately 15 particles failed in Capsule 3 and four particles failed in Capsule 2. In-pile failures in Capsule 3 were anticipated because this capsule was designed to operate beyond the HTGR normal operating temperature range. In contrast, no in-pile failures were identified in the top two capsules (4 and 5) based on the absence of the typical spikes in gross gamma counts and low failure estimates using the AGR model, developed in INL/EXT-14-32970, for R/B of the short-lived isotopes (Kr-89 and Xe-137) with minimal leakage from Capsule 1.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Proppant embedment in coal and shale: Impacts of stress hardening and sorption

During methane production in CBM reservoirs, the influence of proppant embedment and permeability damage cannot be neglected – especially where the wall-rock is soft. Effective stresses are elevated during methane recovery, increasing both normal loading stress and confinement and simultaneously overprinting sorption-induced volumetric strains. Experiments and analytic modeling are conducted to define key mechanisms controlling these competitive effects. We independently measure overall sample compaction (external LVDT) and local strain (strain gauge) in the matrix to deconvolve proppant embedment in a propped fracture for different conditions of confining stress. The results show symptomatic behaviors of elastic (shale) and elastoplastic (coal) responses of embedment. Different from shale, the evolution of embedment is convex upwards with increased stress where indented depth increases more rapidly as loading stress increases under constant confinement. In addition, a stress-hardening effect is found to play a pivotal role in determining the characteristics of indentation, which are examined in terms of evolution profiles, deformation regimes, embedment slopes, curvatures, yield points and irreversible indentations. Based on the experimental observations a semianalytical model predicts indentation and the evolution of propped permeability under recreated in-situ stress conditions. A simplified case study is conducted to further illustrate the evolution of aperture and permeability of a propped fracture in CBM reservoirs. The modeling results suggest that proppant embedment is significantly overestimated if the variable stress-hardening (VSH) effect is neglected, especially when effective stress is large. Moreover, a decrease in indentation depth possibly occurs during late stage methane production, resulting in a reversal/recovery in fracture closure. This is because desorption-induced shrinkage becomes the predominant effect, causing an increase in aperture and a reduction in the indented volume of proppant. The resulting recovery in permeability implies that the propped coal fracture has the potential to optimally facilitate methane production as a pathway, even at high closure stresses generated by methane drainage.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Communication Lower Bounds and Optimal Algorithms for Symmetric Matrix Computations

In this article, we focus on the communication costs of three symmetric matrix computations: (i) multiplying a matrix with its transpose, known as a symmetric rank-k update (SYRK) (ii) adding the result of the multiplication of a matrix with the transpose of another matrix and the transpose of that result, known as a symmetric rank-2k update (SYR2K) (iii) performing matrix multiplication with a symmetric input matrix (SYMM). All three computations appear in the Level 3 Basic Linear Algebra Subroutines (BLAS) and have wide use in applications involving symmetric matrices. We establish communication lower bounds for these kernels using sequential and distributed-memory parallel computational models, and we show that our bounds are tight by presenting communication-optimal algorithms for each setting. Our lower bound proofs rely on applying a geometric inequality for symmetric computations and analytically solving constrained nonlinear optimization problems. As a result, the symmetric matrix and its corresponding computations are accessed and performed according to a triangular block partitioning scheme in the optimal algorithms.

Al Daas, Hussam [Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, D↗

Transplatformer: translating toxicogenomic profiles between generations of platforms

Background Transcriptomic profiling technologies have advanced the analysis of biological and toxicological responses. However, substantial differences in probe design, dynamic range, gene coverage, and preprocessing pipelines across platforms introduce artifacts that limit cross-study integration and hinder the reuse of historical datasets. We aim to develop computational methods for accurate cross-platform translation to maximize the value of legacy resources. Results We present TransPlatformer a deep learning framework for translating gene expression profiles across heterogeneous toxicogenomics platforms. TransPlatformer employs a novel attention-based architecture to map high-dimensional fold-change vectors from legacy microarray technologies to current platforms. Models are trained and evaluated using DrugMatrix, spanning three technological generations. We investigate mixed-tissue, single-tissue, and cross-tissue training paradigms and benchmark performance against multilayer perceptron and matrix-completion baselines. In mixed-tissue training, TransPlatformer achieves a greater than 50% reduction in mean absolute error (0.043 vs. 0.09) and nearly doubles Pearson correlation ( ≈ 0.71 vs. 0.37) relative to baseline methods. Importantly, TransPlatformer preserves rare but biologically meaningful over- and under-expressed signals, with mean absolute error below 0.22. Single-tissue models yield further improvements for well-represented organs, such as a 10% reduction in liver mean absolute error, while underscoring the need for data augmentation strategies in low-sample tissues.ra Conclusions TransPlatformer provides an effective and scalable computational solution for cross-platform transcriptomic translation. By enabling biologically faithful harmonization of gene expression data, the proposed approach facilitates the reuse of legacy toxicogenomics datasets, enhances downstream biomarker discovery, and supports more reproducible predictive modeling in toxicology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Time-Lapse Integration at FWU: Fluids, Rock Physics, Numerical Model Integration, and Field Data Comparison

We present the current status of time-lapse seismic integration at the Farnsworth (FWU) CO2 WAG (water-alternating-gas) EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) project at Ochiltree County, northwest Texas. As a potential carbon sequestration mechanism, CO2 WAG projects will be subject to some degree of monitoring and verification, either as a regulatory requirement or to qualify for economic incentives. In order to evaluate the viability of time-lapse seismic as a monitoring method the Southwest Partnership (SWP) has conducted time-lapse seismic monitoring at FWU using the 3D Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) method. The efficacy of seismic time-lapse depends on a number of key factors, which vary widely from one application to another. Most important among these are the thermophysical properties of the original fluid in place and the displacing fluid, followed by the petrophysical properties of the rock matrix, which together determine the effective elastic properties of the rock fluid system. We present systematic analysis of fluid thermodynamics and resulting thermophysical properties, petrophysics and rock frame elastic properties, and elastic property modeling through fluid substitution using data collected at FWU. These analyses will be framed in realistic scenarios presented by the FWU CO2 WAG development. The resulting fluid/rock physics models will be applied to output from the calibrated FWU compositional reservoir simulation model to forward model the time-lapse seismic response. Modeled results are compared with field time-lapse seismic measurements and strategies for numerical model feedback/update are discussed. While mechanical effects are neglected in the work presented here, complementary parallel studies are underway in which laboratory measurements are introduced to introduce stress dependence of matrix elastic moduli.

4D↗

Global distribution, formation and fate of mineral‐associated soil organic matter under a changing climate: A trait‐based perspective

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) is the largest actively cycling reservoir of terrestrial carbon (C), and the majority of SOM in Earth's mineral soils (~65%) is mineral‐associated organic matter (MAOM). Thus, the formation and fate of MAOM can exert substantial influence on the global C cycle. To predict future changes to Earth's climate, it is critical to mechanistically understand the processes by which MAOM is formed and decomposed, and to accurately represent this process‐based understanding in biogeochemical and Earth system models. In this review, we use a trait‐based framework to synthesize the interacting roles of plants, soil micro‐organisms, and the mineral matrix in regulating MAOM formation and decomposition. Our proposed framework differentiates between plant and microbial traits that influence total OM inputs to the soil (‘feedstock traits’) versus traits that influence the proportion of OM inputs that are ultimately incorporated into MAOM (‘MAOM formation traits’). We discuss how these feedstock and MAOM formation traits may be altered by warming, altered precipitation and elevated carbon dioxide. At a planetary scale, these feedstock and MAOM formation traits help shape the distribution of MAOM across Earth's biomes, and modulate biome‐specific responses of MAOM to climate change. We leverage a global synthesis of MAOM measurements to provide estimates of the total amount of MAOM‐C globally (~840–1540 Pg C; 34%–51% of total terrestrial organic C), and its distribution across Earth's biomes. We show that MAOM‐C concentration is highest in temperate forests and grasslands, and lowest in shrublands and savannas. Grasslands and croplands have the highest proportion of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the MAOM fraction (i.e. the MAOM‐C:SOC ratio), while boreal forests and tundra have the lowest MAOM‐C:SOC ratio. Drawing on our trait framework, we then review experimental data and posit the effects of climate change on MAOM pools in different biomes. We conclude by discussing how MAOM is integrated into soil C models, and how feedstock and MAOM formation traits may be included in these models. We also summarize the projected fate of MAOM under climate change scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5) and discuss key model uncertainties. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Electrochemical Modeling and Experimental Verification of Lithiation Gradients in Oxide Cathodes of Lithium-Ion Cells

Lithiated nickel-cobalt-manganese oxides, such as NCM523, are used in the positive electrode (cathode) of Li-ion cells. Using operando X-ray diffraction profilometry, lithiation gradients in the cathode matrix can be observed and quantified by expansion into Legendre polynomials with time-dependent weights. These weights (referred to as gradients) increase in magnitude when electric current flows through the cell, decrease during potentiostatic hold and finally relax to zero when the current is interrupted during open circuit rest. Both physics-based electrochemical models and operando X-ray experiments suggest that the time constants for gradient growth and abatement are primarily determined by ionic diffusion in the oxide particles, which in turn depends on their lithium content. In contrast, the magnitude of gradients depends mainly on the applied current. The X-ray profilometry provides a way of directly probing the formation and disappearance of Li gradients across the cathode during fast cycling, which can help to diagnose the effects of material degradation in the cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Simulating low-energy neutrino interactions with MARLEY

Monte Carlo event generators are a critical tool for the interpretation of data obtained by neutrino experiments. Several modern event generators are available which are well-suited to the GeV energy scale used in studies of accelerator neutrinos. However, theoretical modeling differences make their immediate application to lower energies difficult. In this paper, I present a new event generator, MARLEY, which is designed to better address the simulation needs of the low-energy (tens of MeV and below) neutrino community. The code is written in C++14 with an optional interface to the popular ROOT data analysis framework. The current release of MARLEY (version 1.2.0) emphasizes simulations of the reaction 40 Ar ( ν e , e − ) 40 K ⁎ but is extensible to other channels with suitable user input. This paper provides detailed documentation of MARLEY's implementation and usage, including guidance on how generated events may be analyzed and how MARLEY may be interfaced with external codes such as Geant4. Further information about MARLEY is available on the official website at http://www.marleygen.org. Program title:MARLEY 1.2.0 CPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/4v7zxnc8j3.1 Developer's respository link:http://github.com/MARLEY-MC/marley Code Ocean capsule:https://codeocean.com/capsule/9868179 Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License 3.0 Programming language: C++14 External routines/libraries used: GNU Scientific Library [1,2] (required), ROOT [3,4] (optional) Nature of problem: Simulation of neutrino-nucleus scattering events at energies of tens-of-MeV and below Solution method: Initial two-to-two scattering kinematics are sampled using the allowed approximation differential cross section and tables of precomputed nuclear matrix elements. Subsequent de-excitations of the remnant nucleus are simulated using a Monte Carlo implementation of the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model and tabulated γ-ray decay schemes for discrete nuclear levels. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Input data are provided with the code that are suitable for producing simulations of the charged-current reaction 40 Ar ( ν e , e − ) 40 K ⁎ , coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering on spin-zero target nuclei, and neutrino-electron elastic scattering on any atomic target. Preparation of new reaction input files (whose format is documented in Appendix B) would enable other reaction channels and nuclear targets to be handled by the existing code framework. Although there is no maximum neutrino energy enforced by the code itself, realistic neutrino-nucleus scattering events may be generated up to roughly 50 MeV. Above this energy, the effects of forbidden nuclear transitions, which are neglected in the current treatment of the cross sections (see section 2.1), become increasingly important.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

What is the iε for the S-matrix?

Can the S-matrix be complexified in a way consistent with causality? Since the 1960's, the affirmative answer to this question has been well-understood for 2→2 scattering of the lightest particle in theories with a mass gap at low momentum transfer, where the S-matrix is analytic everywhere except at normal-threshold branch cuts. We ask whether an analogous picture extends to realistic theories, such as the Standard Model, that include massless fields, UV/IR divergences, and unstable particles. Especially in the presence of light states running in the loops, the traditional iε prescription for approaching physical regions might break down, because causality requirements for the individual Feynman diagrams can be mutually incompatible. We demonstrate that such analyticity problems are not in contradiction with unitarity. Instead, they should be thought of as finite-width effects that disappear in the idealized 2→2 scattering amplitudes with no unstable particles, but might persist at higher multiplicity. To fix these issues, we propose an iε -like prescription for deforming branch cuts in the space of Mandelstam invariants without modifying the analytic properties. This procedure results in a complex strip around the real part of the kinematic space, where the S-matrix remains causal. In addition to giving a pedagogical introduction to the analytic properties of the perturbative S-matrix from a modern point of view, we illustrate all the points on explicit examples, both symbolically and numerically. Furthermore, to help with the investigation of related questions, we introduce a number of tools, including holomorphic cutting rules, new approaches to dispersion relations, as well as formulae for local behavior of Feynman integrals near branch points.

Anomalous thresholds↗

NLO QCD corrections to full off-shell production of $t\overline{t}Z$ including leptonic decays

Motivated by ongoing new physics searches in the top-quark sector at the Large Hadron Collider we report on the calculation of NLO QCD corrections to the Standard Model $pp$→$t\overline{t}Z + X$ process in the tetra-lepton decay channel. This calculation is based on the matrix elements for the $e^+v_eμ^-\bar v_μb\bar bτ^+τ^-$ final state and includes all resonant and non-resonant Feynman diagrams, interferences and off-shell effects of the top quark as well as the W and Z gauge bosons. Also incorporated are photon-induced contributions. As it is customary for such studies, we show theoretical predictions for both fixed and dynamical factorisation and renormalisation scale choices and different PDF sets. Furthermore, we study the main theoretical uncertainties that are associated with neglected higher-order terms in the perturbative expansion and with the parameterisation of the PDF sets. In order to investigate the size of off-shell effects and higher-order corrections in top-quark decays, we perform a second computation for this process, which is based on the narrow-width-approximation where the top quarks, W and Z gauge bosons are kept on-shell. Results are given for the integrated and differential fiducial cross sections for the LHC Run II center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗