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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

Drift-kinetic effects of tungsten on plasma response to RMP in ITER

Here, effects of high- Z ( Z is the particle charge number) tungsten impurity ions on the plasma response to the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field are numerically investigated for the ITER 15 MA baseline scenario, where the tungsten contribution to the plasma response is computed with a drift-kinetic model while the bulk thermal particle contributions follow the fluid approximation. The study yields three highlights: (i) the drift-kinetic contribution of the tungsten impurity exerts minor influence on the plasma response compared to that computed by the pure fluid model without tungsten; (ii) a new figure of merit, based on the resonant spectrum perturbation at the plasma boundary surface, results in different optimal coil phasing compared to that previously obtained by maximizing the edge-peeling plasma response; (iii) the optimal $n = 3$ RMP (for edge localized mode (ELM) control, $n$ is the toroidal mode number) is found to induce a large tungsten particle influx near the plasma edge associated with the neoclassical toroidal viscosity. The study thus provides useful data on the compatibility of the full tungsten wall with RMP ELM control in ITER.

ITER↗

The Interstellar Medium in High-redshift Submillimeter Galaxies as Probed by Infrared Spectroscopy

Submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) at z≳1 are luminous in the far-infrared, and have star formation rates, SFR, of hundreds to thousands of solar masses per year. However, it is unclear whether they are true analogs of local ULIRGs or whether the mode of their star formation is more similar to that in local disk galaxies. We target these questions by using Herschel-PACS to examine the conditions in the interstellar medium (ISM) in far-infrared luminous SMGs at z∼1–4. We present 70–160 μm photometry and spectroscopy of the [O iv]26 μm, [Fe ii]26 μm, [S iii]33 μm, [Si ii]34 μm, [O iii]52 μm, [N iii]57 μm, and [O i]63 μm fine-structure lines and the S(0) and S(1) hydrogen rotational lines in 13 lensed SMGs identified by their brightness in early Herschel data. Most of the 13 targets are not individually spectroscopically detected; we instead focus on stacking these spectra with observations of an additional 32 SMGs from the Herschel archive—representing a complete compilation of PACS spectroscopy of SMGs. We detect [O i]63 μm, [Si ii]34 μm, and [N iii]57 μm at ⩾3σ in the stacked spectra, determining that the average strengths of these lines relative to the far-IR continuum are (0.36±0.12)×10{sup −3}, (0.84±0.17)×10{sup −3}, and (0.27±0.10)×10{sup −3}, respectively. Using the [O iii]52 μm/[N iii]57 μm emission line ratio, we show that SMGs have average gas-phase metallicities ≳Z{sub ⊙}. By using PDR modeling and combining the new spectral measurements with integrated far-infrared fluxes and existing [C ii]158 μm data, we show that SMGs have average gas densities, n, of ∼10{sup 1−3} cm{sup −3} and FUV field strengths, G{sub 0}∼10{sup 2.2−4.5} (in Habing units: 1.6×10{sup −3} erg cm{sup −2} s{sup −1}), consistent with both local ULIRGs and lower luminosity star-forming galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Energetic particles in solar flares

The various manifestations of energetic particles in solar flares are examined, and possible mechanisms for the acceleration of these particles are considered. Hard X-ray observations and possible mechanisms for the production of the dominant form of solar energetic particles, electrons with energies between 10 and 100 keV, are discussed, with consideration of thin-target models, thick-target models and thick-target models with reverse currents, and first-phase acceleration mechanisms for energetic electrons emitting impulsive microwave and fast-drift Type III radio bursts as well as impulsive hard X rays, which are detected themselves 20 min after the flare at 1 AU are considered. Radio evidence on the number, energy and pitch-angle distributions of energetic particles produced during solar flares is summarized, and observations at 1 AU of proton and electron energy spectra, the proton/electron ratio and energetic particle events rich in He-3 from solar flares are discussed. Finally, consideration is given to gamma-ray evidence of nuclear reactions in flares and white-light flares

Ramaty, R.↗

Metal-Poor, Strongly Star-Forming Galaxies in the DEEP2 Survey: The Relationship Between Stellar Mass, Temperature-Based Metallicity, and Star Formation Rate

We report on the discovery of 28 redshift (z) approximately equal to 0.8 metal-poor galaxies in DEEP2. These galaxies were selected for their detection of the weak [O (sub III)] lambda 4363 emission line, which provides a "direct" measure of the gas-phase metallicity. A primary goal for identifying these rare galaxies is to examine whether the fundamental metallicity relation (FMR) between stellar mass, gas metallicity, and star formation rate (SFR) holds for low stellar mass and high SFR galaxies. The FMR suggests that higher SFR galaxies have lower metallicity (at fixed stellar mass). To test this trend, we combine spectroscopic measurements of metallicity and dust-corrected SFR with stellar mass estimates from modeling the optical photometry. We find that these galaxies are 1.05 plus or minus 0.61 dex above the redshift (z) approximately 1 stellar mass-SFR relation and 0.23 plus or minus 0.23 dex below the local mass-metallicity relation. Relative to the FMR, the latter offset is reduced to 0.01 dex, but significant dispersion remains dex with 0.16 dex due to measurement uncertainties). This dispersion suggests that gas accretion, star formation, and chemical enrichment have not reached equilibrium in these galaxies. This is evident by their short stellar mass doubling timescale of approximately equal to 100 (sup plus 310) (sub minus 75) million years which suggests stochastic star formation. Combining our sample with other redshift (z) of approximately 1 metal-poor galaxies, we find a weak positive SFR-metallicity dependence (at fixed stellar mass) that is significant at 94.4 percent confidence. We interpret this positive correlation as recent star formation that has enriched the gas but has not had time to drive the metal-enriched gas out with feedback mechanisms.

Metal-Poor↗

An Evolutionary System of Mineralogy. Part III: Primary Chondrule Mineralogy (4566 to 4561 Ma)

Information-rich attributes of minerals reveal their physical, chemical, and biological modes of origin in the context of planetary evolution, and thus they provide the basis for an evolutionary system of mineralogy. Part III of this system considers the formation of 43 different primary crystalline and amorphous phases in chondrules, which are diverse igneous droplets that formed in environments with high dust/gas ratios during an interval of planetesimal accretion and differentiation between 4566 and 4561 Ma. Chondrule mineralogy is complex, with several generations of initial droplet formation via various proposed heating mechanisms, followed in many instances by multiple episodes of reheating and partial melting. Primary chondrule mineralogy thus reflects a dynamic stage of mineral evolution, when the diversity and distribution of natural condensed solids expanded significantly.

Classification↗

Towards rapid nanoscale measurement of strain in III-nitride heterostructures

We report the structural and compositional nanoscale characterization of InAlN/GaN nanoribbon-structured high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) through the use of geometric phase analysis (GPA) and nanobeam electron diffraction (NBED). The strain distribution in the HEMT layer is quantified and compared to the expected strain profile for the nominal structure predicted by finite element analysis (FEA). Using the experimental strain results, the actual structure is determined and used to modify the FEA model. The improved fit of the model demonstrates that GPA and NBED provide a powerful platform for routine and rapid characterization of strain in III-V semiconducting device systems leading to insights into device evolution during processing and future device optimization.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Growth and Properties of New Epitaxial Metal/Semiconductor Nanocomposites (Final Report)

The fundamental goal of this project was to understand the opportunity to create epitaxial nanocomposites consisting of inclusions (such as semimetallic Ln-V nanoparticles) within III-V semiconductors by a nimble and scalable approach. This hybrid approached consisted of inert gas condensation (IGC) to produce nanoparticles and liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) to incorporate the particles into a film. Over the course of the project, we successfully determined approaches to control the growth of the nanoparticles and to grow films of GaAs (a prototypical III-V semiconductor) via LPE, but discovered previously-unknown obstacles to the incorporation of particles into the film. While we have demonstrated significant challenges to the hoped-for facile fabrication of nanocomposites, we have improved the understanding of these materials and the growth processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Removal of Hexavalent Chromium in Portland Cement Using Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag Powder

Using ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) under different alkaline conditions, we studied the mechanisms and extents of Cr(VI) reduction and sorption and compared them to reactions with Portland cement (PC). We also investigated the effects of mixing PC/GGBS ratios on Cr(VI) dissolution after carbonating the substrates. We observed a complete sorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in a GGBS-in-Ca(OH)2 solution (pH > ~12.5) after 10 h, whereas in distilled water (pH = ~11.5) GGBS exhibited only marginal sorption and reduction (20%). Cr reactions with dissolved ions in supernatants derived from GGBS indicated that the anions dissolved from GGBS act as a reducing agent for Cr(VI) in a Ca(OH)2 solution. Soft X-ray absorption microscopy identified a partial reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on the GGBS surface. The carbonation of pure PC paste substantially increased the amount of dissolved Cr(VI) in a solution phase whereas a 5 wt % replacement of PC with GGBS significantly reduced the amount of dissolved Cr(VI). We concluded that in the mixed paste during the early curing stage GGBS reduced a significant fraction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and that the Cr(III) adsorbed in the GGBS-PC mixture’s hydration products does not readily dissolve, even under carbonation conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Airborne measurements of Space Shuttle exhaust constituents

Airborne measurements of hydrogen chloride (HCl) and particulates made during penetrations into and flights under Space Shuttle exhaust clouds from launches STS-1, -2, and -5 are presented to permit comparison with dispersion model predictions for Space Shuttle exhaust clouds, and with previous measurements made in Titan III exhaust clouds. Analytical techniques employed for the Shuttle measurements were developed and refined during earlier Titan III exhaust cloud measurements and include the measurements of particulate concentrations, size distributions, and the partitioning of HCl between the gaseous and aerosol phases. The results are useful in understanding the dynamics of ground cloud development, atmospheric dispersion, and potential environmental effects of Shuttle effluents.

Cofer, W. R., III↗

An efficient algorithm for incompressible N-phase flows

We present an efficient algorithm within the phase field framework for simulating the motion of a mixture of N (N⩾2) immiscible incompressible fluids, with possibly very different physical properties such as densities, viscosities, and pairwise surface tensions. The algorithm employs a physical formulation for the N-phase system that honors the conservations of mass and momentum and the second law of thermodynamics. We present a method for uniquely determining the mixing energy density coefficients involved in the N-phase model based on the pairwise surface tensions among the N fluids. Our numerical algorithm has several attractive properties that make it computationally very efficient: (i) it has completely de-coupled the computations for different flow variables, and has also completely de-coupled the computations for the (N−1) phase field functions; (ii) the algorithm only requires the solution of linear algebraic systems after discretization, and no nonlinear algebraic solve is needed; (iii) for each flow variable the linear algebraic system involves only constant and time-independent coefficient matrices, which can be pre-computed during pre-processing, despite the variable density and variable viscosity of the N-phase mixture; (iv) within a time step the semi-discretized system involves only individual de-coupled Helmholtz-type (including Poisson) equations, despite the strongly-coupled phase–field system of fourth spatial order at the continuum level; (v) the algorithm is suitable for large density contrasts and large viscosity contrasts among the N fluids. Extensive numerical experiments have been presented for several problems involving multiple fluid phases, large density contrasts and large viscosity contrasts. In particular, we compare our simulations with the de Gennes theory, and demonstrate that our method produces physically accurate results for multiple fluid phases. We also demonstrate the significant and sometimes dramatic effects of the gravity, density ratios, pairwise surface tensions, and drop sizes on the N-phase configurations and dynamics. The numerical results show that the method developed herein is capable of dealing with N-phase systems with large density ratios, large viscosity ratios, and pairwise surface tensions, and that it can be a powerful tool for studying the interactions among multiple types of fluid interfaces.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Optical properties of Eu(III) doped strontium gadolinium niobate oxide

Sr{sub 2}GdNbO{sub 6} doped with trivalent ion of Eu phosphors having monoclinic phase of space group P2{sub 1}/n have been synthesized via solid state reaction method, and their photoluminescence properties have been examined under UV excitation. The emission peaks exhibited around 580, 596, and 610 nm wavelength. By using xenon lamp as a source of excitation having wavelengths at 254 and 262 nm, it is observed that the maximum light emission yielded in red region. It is inferred that the dopant Eu{sup +3} ions may take the substitutional positions at non-centrosymmetric site.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ab initio calculations of polarization, piezoelectric constants, and elastic constants of InAs and InP in the wurtzite phase

We report first-principle density functional calculations of the spontaneous polarization, piezoelectric stress constants, and elastic constants for the III–V wurtzite structure semiconductors InAs and InP. Using the density functional theory implemented in the VASP code, we obtain polarization values–0.011 and–0.013 C/m{sup 2}, and piezoelectric constants e{sub 33} (e{sub 31}) equal to 0.091 (–0.026) and 0.012 (–0.081) C/m{sup 2} for structurally relaxed InP and InAs respectively. These values are consistently smaller than those of nitrides. Therefore, we predict a smaller built-in electric field in such structures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Azimuthal brightness variations of Saturn's rings. III - Observations at tilt angle B approximately equal to 11.5 deg

The brightness variation in Saturn's ring A with orbital phase of the ring particles does not change significantly as the declination of the earth, B, decreases from about 16.5 to 11.5 deg and is noticeably more pronounced than when the rings are fully open. The present data are also not inconsistent with earlier results suggesting that the amplitude of this azimuthal effect diminishes near opposition.

Lumme, K.↗

The nature of extreme emission line galaxies at z = 1-2: kinematics and metallicities from near-infrared spectroscopy

We present near-infrared spectroscopy of a sample of 22 Extreme Emission Line Galaxies at redshifts 1.3 < z < 2.3, confirming that these are low-mass (M{sub *} = 10{sup 8}-10{sup 9} M{sub ☉}) galaxies undergoing intense starburst episodes (M{sub *}/SFR ∼ 10-100 Myr). The sample is selected by [O III] or Hα emission line flux and equivalent width using near-infrared grism spectroscopy from the 3D-HST survey. High-resolution NIR spectroscopy is obtained with LBT/LUCI and VLT/X-SHOOTER. The [O III]/Hβ line ratio is high (≳ 5) and [N II]/Hα is always significantly below unity, which suggests a low gas-phase metallicity. We are able to determine gas-phase metallicities for seven of our objects using various strong-line methods, with values in the range 0.05-0.30 Z{sub ☉} and with a median of 0.15 Z{sub ☉}; for three of these objects we detect [O III] λ4363, which allows for a direct constraint on the metallicity. The velocity dispersion, as measured from the nebular emission lines, is typically ∼50 km s{sup –1}. Combined with the observed star-forming activity, the Jeans and Toomre stability criteria imply that the gas fraction must be large (f{sub gas} ≳ 2/3), consistent with the difference between our dynamical and stellar mass estimates. The implied gas depletion timescale (several hundred Myr) is substantially longer than the inferred mass-weighted ages (∼50 Myr), which further supports the emerging picture that most stars in low-mass galaxies form in short, intense bursts of star formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Electrochemical properties of Gd(III) ions in LiCl-KCl-GdCl 3 at 723–1023 K

Electrochemical behavior of Gd(III) ions in molten LiCl-KCl-GdCl 3 was investigated at 723–1023 K via cyclic voltammetry using tungsten as a working electrode, Gd-Bi (mole fraction, x Gd = 0.16) as a reference electrode, and Gd-Bi (x Gd = 0.02) as a counter electrode. A single reduction–oxidation wave was observed, confirming a single-step, 3-electron transfer Gd(III)/Gd transition. The cathodic peak potential exhibited minimal change (<13 mV) over a wide range of scan rates (0.05–0.30 V s –1 ), indicating facile charge transfer kinetics (i.e., a reversible electrode process). A nucleation overpotential associated with solid Gd deposition was observable at low temperatures (T < 823 K). The mass transport properties of Gd(III) ions were estimated using the Berzins and Delahay relation based on diffusion-limiting peak current. The diffusivity values were determined to be D Gd(III) = 0.5–2.7 × 10 –5 cm 2 s –1 at 723–1023 K with an associated activation energy of E a = 33.9 (±1.0) kJ mol –1 . Finally, the two-phase [liquid + GdBi] Gd-Bi alloy reference electrode experienced less than 0.5 mV of drift over 5 days of repeated electrochemical measurements, indicating high stability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Probing Boron Vacancy Complexes in h-BN Semi-Bulk Crystals Synthesized by Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy

Hexagonal BN (h-BN) has emerged as an important ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor (Eg~6 eV). The crystal growth technologies for producing semi-bulk crystals/epilayers in large wafer sizes and understanding of defect properties lag decades behind conventional III-nitride wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. Here we report probing of boron vacancy (VB)-related defects in freestanding h-BN semi-bulk wafers synthesized by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). A photocurrent excitation spectroscopy (PES) was designed to monitor the transport of photoexcited holes from deep-level acceptors. A dominant transition line at 1.66 eV with a side band near 1.62 eV has been directly observed, which matches well with the calculated energy levels of 1.65 for the VB-H deep acceptor in h-BN. The identification of VB complexes via PES measurement was further corroborated by the temperature-dependent dark resistivity and secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements. The results presented here suggested that it is necessary to focus on the optimization of V/III ratio during HVPE growth to minimize the generation of VB-related defects and to improve the overall material quality of h-BN semi-bulk crystals. The work also provided a better understanding of how VB complexes behave and affect the electronic and optical properties of h-BN.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗