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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 127 records · Page 7
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DOE OSTI2026

Microscopic constraints for the equation of state and structure of neutron stars: A Bayesian model mixing framework

Bayesian model mixing (BMM) is a statistical technique that can combine constraints from different regions of an input space in a principled way. Here we extend our BMM framework for the equation of state (EOS) of strongly interacting matter from symmetric nuclear matter to asymmetric matter, specifically focusing on zero-temperature, charge-neutral, 𝛽-equilibrated matter. We use Gaussian processes (GPs) to infer constraints on the neutron-star matter EOS at intermediate densities from two different microscopic theories: chiral effective-field theory (𝜒⁢EFT) at baryon densities around nuclear saturation, 𝑛 𝐵 ∼ 𝑛 0 , and perturbative QCD at asymptotically high baryon densities, 𝑛 𝐵 ⩾ 20⁢𝑛 0 . The uncertainties of the 𝜒⁢EFT and pQCD EOSs are obtained using the BUQEYE truncation error model. We demonstrate the flexibility of our framework through the use of two categories of GP kernels: conventional stationary kernels and a nonstationary changepoint kernel. We use the latter to explore potential constraints on the dense matter EOS by including exogenous data representing theory predictions and heavy-ion collision measurements at densities ⩾ 2⁢𝑛 0 . We also use our EOSs to obtain neutron-star mass-radius relations and their uncertainties. Finally, our framework, whose implementation will be available through a GitHub repository, provides a prior distribution for the EOS that can be used in large-scale neutron-star inference frameworks.

Bayesian methods↗
DOE OSTI2012

RADIAL ANGULAR MOMENTUM TRANSFER AND MAGNETIC BARRIER FOR SHORT-TYPE GAMMA-RAY-BURST CENTRAL ENGINE ACTIVITY

Soft extended emission (EE) following initial hard spikes up to 100 s was observed with Swift/BAT for about half of known short-type gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs). This challenges the conversional central engine models of SGRBs, i.e., compact star merger models. In the framework of black-hole-neutron-star merger models, we study the roles of radial angular momentum transfer in the disk and the magnetic barrier around the black hole in the activity of SGRB central engines. We show that radial angular momentum transfer may significantly prolong the lifetime of the accretion process, which may be divided into multiple episodes by the magnetic barrier. Our numerical calculations based on models of neutrino-dominated accretion flows suggest that disk mass is critical for producing the observed EE. In the case of the mass being {approx}0.8 M {sub Sun }, our model can reproduce the observed timescale and luminosity of both the main and the EE episodes in a reasonable parameter set. The predicted luminosity of the EE component is lower than the observed EE within about one order of magnitude and the timescale is shorter than 20 s if the disk mass is {approx}0.2 M {sub Sun }. Swift/BAT-like instruments may be not sensitive enough to detect the EE component in this case. We argue that the EE component could be a probe for the merger process and disk formation for compact star mergers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Calibrating the updated overshoot mixing model on eclipsing binary stars: HY Vir, YZ Cas, χ{sup 2} Hya, and VV Crv

Detached eclipsing binary stars with convective cores provide a good tool to investigate convective core overshoot. It has been performed on some binary stars to restrict the classical overshoot model which simply extends the boundary of the fully mixed region. However, the classical overshoot model is physically unreasonable and inconsistent with helioseismic investigations. An updated model of overshoot mixing was established recently. There is a key parameter in the model. In this paper, we use observations of four eclipsing binary stars, i.e., HY Vir, YZ Cas, χ{sup 2} Hya, and VV Crv, to investigate a suitable value for the parameter. It is found that the value suggested by calibrations on eclipsing binary stars is the same as the value recommended by other methods. In addition, we have studied the effects of the updated overshoot model on the stellar structure. The diffusion coefficient of convective/overshoot mixing is very high in the convection zone, then quickly decreases near the convective boundary, and exponentially decreases in the overshoot region. The low value of the diffusion coefficient in the overshoot region leads to weak mixing and a partially mixed overshoot region. Semi-convection, which appears in the standard stellar models of low-mass stars with convective cores, is removed by partial overshoot mixing.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

INVESTIGATING SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN NEUTRON STAR INTERIORS WITH GLITCH MODELS

The high-density interior of a neutron star is expected to contain superconducting protons and superfluid neutrons. Theoretical estimates suggest that the protons will form a type II superconductor in which the stellar magnetic field is carried by flux tubes. The strong interaction between the flux tubes and the neutron rotational vortices could lead to strong ''pinning'', i.e., vortex motion could be impeded. This has important implications especially for pulsar glitch models as it would lead to a large part of the vorticity of the star being decoupled from the ''normal'' component to which the electromagnetic emission is locked. In this Letter, we explore the consequences of strong pinning in the core on the ''snowplow'' model for pulsar glitches, making use of realistic equations of state and relativistic background models for the neutron star. We find that, in general, a large fraction of the pinned vorticity in the core is not compatible with observations of giant glitches in the Vela pulsar. Thus, the conclusion is that either most of the core is in a type I superconducting state or the interaction between vortices and flux tubes is weaker than previously assumed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling of Dry Cask Simulator with Crosswind

The purpose of this study is to create a STAR-CCM+ model of a Belowground Vertical Dry Cask Simulator (BVDCS) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and validate the model with SNL’s experimental results. The BVDCS consists of a single boiling water reactor assembly fitted with electric heaters encompassed by a containment vessel and shell to represent a belowground spent nuclear fuel (SNF) dry storage system. Blowers are located near the inlet and outlet of the BVDCS to simulate crosswind conditions. In addition to the experimental results, the STAR-CCM+ model developed for this study is compared with a previous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model in a different software program, which is used as a software-to-software benchmark. The experimental results provide a dataset to compare the STAR-CCM+ model results for a variety of different conditions. The main objective is to validate and improve STAR-CCM+ CFD models for spent nuclear fuel storage systems with explicitly modeled external environments and “wind driven” crossflows. These CFD models aide in the study of external particle deposition in spent nuclear fuel storage systems, which is important to predicting the significance of chloride induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC). In addition to experimental comparison, a sensitivity analysis study is performed using the STAR-CCM+ model. The sensitivity analysis provides a quantitative assessment of the sensitivity of various parameters. This helps provide information on various parameters that are of particular importance to constructing a model representative of real life systems. The STAR-CCM+ model compared well to the experimental results showing similar responses to changes in cross wind flow, and a number of parameters are identified for model improvement.

Jensen, Ben J.↗
DOE OSTI2012

MODELING THE NEAR-UV BAND OF GK STARS. II. NON-LTE MODELS

We present a grid of atmospheric models and synthetic spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for late-type dwarfs and giants of solar and 1/3 solar metallicity with many opacity sources computed in self-consistent non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE), and compare them to the LTE grid of Short and Hauschildt (Paper I). We describe, for the first time, how the NLTE treatment affects the thermal equilibrium of the atmospheric structure (T({tau}) relation) and the SED as a finely sampled function of T{sub eff}, log g, and [A/H] among solar metallicity and mildly metal-poor red giants. We compare the computed SEDs to the library of observed spectrophotometry described in Paper I across the entire visible band, and in the blue and red regions of the spectrum separately. We find that for the giants of both metallicities, the NLTE models yield best-fit T{sub eff} values that are 30-90 K lower than those provided by LTE models, while providing greater consistency between log g values, and, for Arcturus, T{sub eff} values, fitted separately to the blue and red spectral regions. There is marginal evidence that NLTE models give more consistent best-fit T{sub eff} values between the red and blue bands for earlier spectral classes among the solar metallicity GK giants than they do for the later classes, but no model fits the blue-band spectrum well for any class. For the two dwarf spectral classes that we are able to study, the effect of NLTE on derived parameters is less significant. We compare our derived T{sub eff} values to several other spectroscopic and photometric T{sub eff} calibrations for red giants, including one that is less model dependent based on the infrared flux method (IRFM). We find that the NLTE models provide slightly better agreement to the IRFM calibration among the warmer stars in our sample, while giving approximately the same level of agreement for the cooler stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Non-perturbative and self-consistent models of neutron stars in R-squared gravity

In the present paper we investigate non-perturbatively and self-consistently the structure of neutron stars in R-squared gravity by simultaneously solving the interior and exterior problem. The mass-radius relations are obtained for several equations of state and for wide range of the R-squared gravity parameter a. Even though the deviation from general relativity for nonzero values of a can be large, they are still comparable with the variations due to different modern realistic equations of state. That is why the current observations of the neutron star masses and radii alone can not put constraints on the value of the parameter a. We also compare our results with those obtained within the perturbative method and we discuss the differences between them.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Detailed opacity comparison for an improved stellar modeling of the envelopes of massive stars

Seismic observations have led to doubts or ambiguities concerning the opacity calculations used in stellar physics. Here, we concentrate on the iron-group opacity peak, due to iron, nickel, and chromium, located around T = 200,000 K for densities from 10{sup −8} to 10{sup −4} g cm{sup −3}, which creates some convective layers in stellar radiative envelopes for masses between 3 and 18 M{sub ⊙}. These conditions were extensively studied in the 1980s. More recently, inconsistencies between OP and OPAL opacity calculations have complicated the interpretation of seismic observations as the iron-group opacity peak excites acoustic and gravity modes in SPB, β Cephei, and sdB stars. We investigate the reliability of the theoretical opacity calculations using the modern opacity codes ATOMIC and SCO-RCG. We show their temperature and density dependence for conditions that are achievable in the laboratory and equivalent to astrophysical conditions. We also compare new theoretical opacity spectra with OP spectra and quantify how different approximations impact the Rosseland mean calculations.This detailed study estimates new ATOMIC and SCO-RCG Rosseland mean values for astrophysical conditions which we compare to OP values. Some puzzling questions are still under investigation for iron, but we find a strong increase in the Rosseland mean nickel opacity of a factor between 2 and 6 compared to OP. This appears to be due to the use of extrapolated atomic data for the Ni opacity within the OP calculations. A study on chromium is also shown.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

RATE OF FORMATION OF HYDROGEN MOLECULES BY THREE-BODY RECOMBINATION DURING PRIMORDIAL STAR FORMATION

Astrophysical models of primordial star formation require rate constants for three-body recombination as input. The current status of these rates for H{sub 2} due to collisions with H is far from satisfactory, with published rate constants showing orders of magnitude disagreement at the temperatures relevant for H{sub 2} formation in primordial gas. This Letter presents an independent calculation of this recombination rate constant as a function of temperature. An analytic expression is provided for the rate constant which should be more reliable than ones currently being used in astrophysical models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Physical Correlations and Predictions Emerging from Modern Core-collapse Supernova Theory

Abstract In this paper, we derive correlations between core-collapse supernova observables and progenitor core structures that emerge from our suite of 20 state-of-the-art 3D core-collapse supernova simulations carried to late times. This is the largest such collection of 3D supernova models ever generated and allows one to witness and derive testable patterns that might otherwise be obscured when studying one or a few models in isolation. From this panoramic perspective, we have discovered correlations between explosion energy, neutron star gravitational birth masses, 56 Ni and α -rich freezeout yields, and pulsar kicks and theoretically important correlations with the compactness parameter of progenitor structure. We find a correlation between explosion energy and progenitor mantle binding energy, suggesting that such explosions are self-regulating. We also find a testable correlation between explosion energy and measures of explosion asymmetry, such as the ejecta energy and mass dipoles. While the correlations between two observables are roughly independent of the progenitor zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass, the many correlations we derive with compactness cannot unambiguously be tied to a particular progenitor ZAMS mass. This relationship depends on the compactness/ZAMS mass mapping associated with the massive star progenitor models employed. Therefore, our derived correlations between compactness and observables may be more robust than with ZAMS mass but can nevertheless be used in the future once massive star modeling has converged.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the Absence of Non-thermal X-Ray Emission around Runaway O Stars

Theoretical models predict that the compressed interstellar medium around runaway O stars can produce high-energy non-thermal diffuse emission, in particular, non-thermal X-ray and γ -ray emission. So far, detection of non-thermal X-ray emission was claimed for only one runaway star, AE Aur. We present a search for non-thermal diffuse X-ray emission from bow shocks using archived XMM-Newton observations for a clean sample of six well-determined runaway O stars. We find that none of these objects present diffuse X-ray emission associated with their bow shocks, similarly to previous X-ray studies toward ζ Oph and BD+43°3654. We carefully investigated multi-wavelength observations of AE Aur and could not confirm previous findings of non-thermal X-rays. We conclude that so far there is no clear evidence of non-thermal extended emission in bow shocks around runaway O stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

CHROMOSPHERIC MODELS AND THE OXYGEN ABUNDANCE IN GIANT STARS

Realistic stellar atmospheric models of two typical metal-poor giant stars in Omega Centauri, which include a chromosphere (CHR), influence the formation of optical lines of O i: the forbidden lines (λ6300, λ6363) and the infrared triplet (λλ7771−7775). One-dimensional semi-empirical non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) models are constructed based on observed Balmer lines. A full non-LTE formulation is applied for evaluating the line strengths of O i, including photoionization by the Lyman continuum and photoexcitation by Lyα and Lyβ. Chromospheric models (CHR) yield forbidden oxygen transitions that are stronger than those in radiative/convective equilibrium (RCE) models. The triplet oxygen lines from high levels also appear stronger than those produced in an RCE model. The inferred oxygen abundance from realistic CHR models for these two stars is decreased by factors of ∼3 as compared to values derived from RCE models. A lower oxygen abundance suggests that intermediate-mass AGB stars contribute to the observed abundance pattern in globular clusters. A change in the oxygen abundance of metal-poor field giants could affect models of deep mixing episodes on the red giant branch. Changes in the oxygen abundance can impact other abundance determinations that are critical to astrophysics, including chemical tagging techniques and galactic chemical evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Relativistic model for anisotropic strange stars

Highlights: We find exact solutions for the Einstein field equations for anisotropic strange stars. Maximum anisotropy at the surface is an inherent property for the singularity free compact stars. Maximum value for the mass and radius is presented for the corresponding values of the bag constants. Using observed value of mass different physical parameters for the strange stars are predicted. - Abstract: In this article, we attempt to find a singularity free solution of Einstein’s field equations for compact stellar objects, precisely strange (quark) stars, considering Schwarzschild metric as the exterior spacetime. To this end, we consider that the stellar object is spherically symmetric, static and anisotropic in nature and follows the density profile given by Mak and Harko (2002) , which satisfies all the physical conditions. To investigate different properties of the ultra-dense strange stars we have employed the MIT bag model for the quark matter. Our investigation displays an interesting feature that the anisotropy of compact stars increases with the radial coordinate and attains its maximum value at the surface which seems an inherent property for the singularity free anisotropic compact stellar objects. In this connection we also perform several tests for physical features of the proposed model and show that these are reasonably acceptable within certain range. Further, we find that the model is consistent with the energy conditions and the compact stellar structure is stable with the validity of the TOV equation and Herrera cracking concept. For the masses below the maximum mass point in mass vs radius curve the typical behavior achieved within the framework of general relativity. We have calculated the maximum mass and radius of the strange stars for the three finite values of bag constant B{sub g}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

DEPENDENCE OF THE Sr-TO-Ba AND Sr-TO-Eu RATIO ON THE NUCLEAR EQUATION OF STATE IN METAL-POOR HALO STARS

A model is proposed in which the dependence on the equation of state (EOS) of the scatter of [Sr/Ba] in metal-poor stars is studied. Light r-process element enrichment in these stars has been explained via a truncated r-process, or “tr-process.” The truncation of the r-process from a generic core-collapse event followed by a collapse into an accretion-induced black hole is examined in the framework of a galactic chemical evolution model. The constraints on this model imposed by observations of extremely metal-poor stars are explained, and the upper limits in the [Sr/Ba] distributions are found to be related to the nuclear EOS in a collapse scenario. The scatter in [Sr/Ba] and [Sr/Eu] as a function of metallicity has been found to be consistent with turbulent ejection in core-collapse supernovae. Adaptations of this model are evaluated to account for the scatter in isotopic observables. This is done by assuming mixing in ejecta in a supernova event. Stiff EOS are eliminated by this model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

SYNCHROTRON HEATING BY A FAST RADIO BURST IN A SELF-ABSORBED SYNCHROTRON NEBULA AND ITS OBSERVATIONAL SIGNATURE

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are mysterious transient sources. If extragalactic, as suggested by their relative large dispersion measures, their brightness temperatures must be extremely high. Some FRB models (e.g., young pulsar model, magnetar giant flare model, or supra-massive neutron star collapse model) suggest that they may be associated with a synchrotron nebula. Here we study a synchrotron-heating process by an FRB in a self-absorbed synchrotron nebula. If the FRB frequency is below the synchrotron self-absorption frequency of the nebula, electrons in the nebula would absorb FRB photons, leading to a harder electron spectrum and enhanced self-absorbed synchrotron emission. In the meantime, the FRB flux is absorbed by the nebula electrons. We calculate the spectra of FRB-heated synchrotron nebulae, and show that the nebula spectra would show a significant hump in several decades near the self-absorption frequency. Identifying such a spectral feature would reveal an embedded FRB in a synchrotron nebula.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

EFFECT OF UV RADIATION ON THE SPECTRAL FINGERPRINTS OF EARTH-LIKE PLANETS ORBITING M STARS

We model the atmospheres and spectra of Earth-like planets orbiting the entire grid of M dwarfs for active and inactive stellar models with T{sub eff} = 2300 K to T{sub eff} = 3800 K and for six observed MUSCLES M dwarfs with UV radiation data. We set the Earth-like planets at the 1 AU equivalent distance and show spectra from the visible to IR (0.4–20 μm) to compare detectability of features in different wavelength ranges with the James Webb Space Telescope and other future ground- and spaced-based missions to characterize exo-Earths. We focus on the effect of UV activity levels on detectable atmospheric features that indicate habitability on Earth, namely, H{sub 2}O, O{sub 3}, CH{sub 4}, N{sub 2}O, and CH{sub 3}Cl. To observe signatures of life—O{sub 2}/O{sub 3} in combination with reducing species like CH{sub 4}—we find that early and active M dwarfs are the best targets of the M star grid for future telescopes. The O{sub 2} spectral feature at 0.76 μm is increasingly difficult to detect in reflected light of later M dwarfs owing to low stellar flux in that wavelength region. N{sub 2}O, another biosignature detectable in the IR, builds up to observable concentrations in our planetary models around M dwarfs with low UV flux. CH{sub 3}Cl could become detectable, depending on the depth of the overlapping N{sub 2}O feature. We present a spectral database of Earth-like planets around cool stars for directly imaged planets as a framework for interpreting future light curves, direct imaging, and secondary eclipse measurements of the atmospheres of terrestrial planets in the habitable zone to design and assess future telescope capabilities.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Vertical structure of magnetized accretion disks around young stars

We model the vertical structure of the magnetized accretion disks that are subject to viscous and resistive heating and irradiation by the central star. We apply our formalism to the radial structure of the magnetized accretion disks that are threaded by the poloidal magnetic field dragged during the process of star formation, which was developed by Shu and coworkers. We consider disks around low-mass protostars, T Tauri, and FU Orionis stars, as well as two levels of disk magnetization: λ{sub sys}=4 (strongly magnetized disks) and λ{sub sys}=12 (weakly magnetized disks). The rotation rates of strongly magnetized disks have large deviations from Keplerian rotation. In these models, resistive heating dominates the thermal structure for the FU Ori disk, and the T Tauri disk is very thin and cold because it is strongly compressed by magnetic pressure; it may be too thin compared with observations. Instead, in the weakly magnetized disks, rotation velocities are close to Keplerian, and resistive heating is always less than 7% of the viscous heating. In these models, the T Tauri disk has a larger aspect ratio, which is consistent with that inferred from observations. All the disks have spatially extended hot atmospheres where the irradiation flux is absorbed, although most of the mass (∼90%–95%) is in the disk midplane. With the advent of ALMA one expects direct measurements of magnetic fields and their morphology at disk scales. It will then be possible to determine the mass-to-flux ratio of magnetized accretion disks around young stars, an essential parameter for their structure and evolution. Our models contribute to the understanding of the vertical structure and emission of these disks.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗