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At least 1,423 records · Page 79

The CUPID-Mo experiment for neutrinoless double-beta decay: performance and prospects

CUPID-Mo is a bolometric experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$) of $^{100}$Mo. In this article, we detail the CUPID-Mo detector concept, assembly, installation in the underground laboratory in Modane in 2018, and provide results from the first datasets. The demonstrator consists of an array of 20 scintillating bolometers comprised of $^{100}$Mo-enriched 0.2 kg Li$_2$MoO$_4$ crystals. The detectors are complemented by 20 thin cryogenic Ge bolometers acting as light detectors to distinguish $\alpha$ from $\gamma$/$\beta$ events by the detection of both heat and scintillation light signals. We observe good detector uniformity, facilitating the operation of a large detector array as well as excellent energy resolution of 5.3 keV (6.5 keV) FWHM at 2615 keV, in calibration (physics) data. Based on the observed energy resolutions and light yields a separation of $\alpha$ particles at much better than 99.9\% with equally high acceptance for $\gamma$/$\beta$ events is expected for events in the region of interest for $^{100}$Mo $0\nu\beta\beta$. We present limits on the crystals' radiopurity ($\leq$3 $\mu$Bq/kg of $^{226}$Ra and $\leq$2 $\mu$Bq/kg of $^{232}$Th). Based on these initial results we also discuss a sensitivity study for the science reach of the CUPID-Mo experiment, in particular, the ability to set the most stringent half-life limit on the $^{100}$Mo $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay after half a year of livetime. In conclusion, the achieved results show that CUPID-Mo is a successful demonstrator of the technology - developed in the framework of the LUMINEU project - selected for the CUPID experiment, a proposed follow-up of CUORE, the currently running first tonne-scale cryogenic $0\nu\beta\beta$ experiment.

100Mo↗

The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Transceiver (LISA-T): Second Generation Advancements and the Future of SmallSat Power Generation

This paper describes the second generation advancements of the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Transceiver (LISA-T) currently being developed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. LISA-T is a launch stowed, orbit deployed array on which thin-film photovoltaic and antenna elements are embedded. Inherently, small satellites are limited in surface area, volume, and mass allocation; driving competition between power, communications, and GN&C (guidance navigation and control) subsystems. This restricts payload capability and limits the value of these low-cost satellites. LISA-T is addressing this issue, deploying large-area arrays from a reduced volume and mass envelope - greatly enhancing power generation and communications capabilities of small spacecraft. A matrix of options are in development, including planar (pointed) and omnidirectional (non-pointed) arrays. The former is seeking the highest performance possible while the latter is seeking GN&C simplicity. In both cases, power generation ranges from tens of watts to several hundred with an expected specific power >250W/kg and a stowed power density >200kW/m(sub 3). Options for leveraging both high performance, 'typical cost' triple junction thin-film solar cells as well as moderate performance, low cost cells are being developed. Alongside, both UHF (ultra high frequency) and S-band antennas are being integrated into the array to move their space claim away from the spacecraft and open the door for omnidirectional communications and electronically steered phase arrays.

Carr, John A.↗

A Cryogenic readout integrated circuit with analog pile-up and in-Pixel ADC for high frame rate Skipper CCD-in-CMOS Sensors

The Skipper CCD-in-CMOS Parallel Read-Out Circuit V2 (SPROCKET2) is designed to enable high frame rate readout of Skipper CCD-in-CMOS image sensors. The SPROCKET2 pixel is fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS process and occupies a 60$\mu$m $\times$ 60$\mu$m footprint. SPROCKET2 is intended to be heterogeneously integrated with a pixelated Skipper CCD-in-CMOS sensor, such that one readout pixel is connected to a multiplexed array of 16 active image sensor pixels, to match their spatial geometry. Our design benefits from the Skipper CCD-in-CMOS sensor's non-destructive readout capability to achieve exceptionally low noise through multi-sampling and averaging while optimizing for total power consumption. The pixel readout utilizes correlated double sampling to minimize 1/f noise and includes "pile-up" of ten successive samples in the analog domain before digitizing at a rate of 66.7 ksps. Measurement results of in-pixel serial SAR ADC show DNL and INL of ~0. 44 LSB and 0.58 LBS respectively. A large area array of 20,000 SPROCKET2 ADC pixels (multiplexed 1:16 to 320,000 sensor pixels) is currently under test. By reading out data over a 10 Gbps optical link, this pixel design enables a frame rate of $\sim$ 4 kfps for large sensing areas with minimal sensing deadtime. In the highest gain mode, the pixelated ADC has an input-referred resolution of 10$\mu$V with a simulated power consumption of 50$\mu$W. The pixel operates with constant current draw to minimize power-rail crosstalk.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

ALMA 690 GHz OBSERVATIONS OF IRAS 16293-2422B: INFALL IN A HIGHLY OPTICALLY THICK DISK

We present sensitive, high angular resolution ({approx}0.''2) submillimeter continuum and line observations of IRAS 16293-2422B made with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array. The 0.45 mm continuum observations reveal a single and very compact source associated with IRAS 16293-2422B. This submillimeter source has a deconvolved angular size of about 400 mas (50 AU) and does not show any inner structure inside of this diameter. The H{sup 13}CN, HC{sup 15}N, and CH{sub 3}OH line emission regions are about twice as large as the continuum emission and reveal a pronounced inner depression or ''hole'' with a size comparable to that estimated for the submillimeter continuum. We suggest that the presence of this inner depression and the fact that we do not see an inner structure (or a flat structure) in the continuum are produced by very optically thick dust located in the innermost parts of IRAS 16293-2422B. All three lines also show pronounced inverse P-Cygni profiles with infall and dispersion velocities larger than those recently reported from observations at lower frequencies, suggesting that we are detecting faster and more turbulent gas located closer to the central object. Finally, we report a small east-west velocity gradient in IRAS 16293-2422B that suggests that its disk plane is likely located very close to the plane of the sky.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Rest-frame Submillimeter Spectrum of High-redshift, Dusty, Star-forming Galaxies from the SPT-SZ Survey

We present the average rest-frame spectrum of the final catalog of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) selected from the South Pole Telescope's SPT-SZ survey and measured with Band 3 of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. This work builds on the previous average rest-frame spectrum, given in Spilker et al. (2014) for the first 22 sources, and is comprised of a total of 78 sources, normalized by their respective apparent dust masses. The spectrum spans 1.9 < z < 6.9 and covers rest-frame frequencies of 240–800 GHz. Combining this data with low-J CO observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we detect multiple bright line features from 12 CO, [Ci], and H 2 O, as well as fainter molecular transitions from 13 CO, HCN, HCO + , HNC, CN, H 2 O + , and CH. We use these detections, along with limits from other molecules, to characterize the typical properties of the interstellar medium (ISM) for these high-redshift DSFGs. We are able to divide the large sample into subsets in order to explore how the average spectrum changes with various galaxy properties, such as effective dust temperature. We find that systems with hotter dust temperatures exhibit differences in the bright 12 CO emission lines, and contain either warmer and more excited dense gas tracers or larger dense gas reservoirs. These observations will serve as a reference point to studies of the ISM in distant luminous DSFGs (L IR > 10 12 L ⊙ ), and will inform studies of chemical evolution before the peak epoch of star formation at z = 2–3.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Si-BEARING MOLECULES TOWARD IRC+10216: ALMA UNVEILS THE MOLECULAR ENVELOPE OF CWLeo

We report the detection of SiS rotational lines in high-vibrational states as well as SiO and SiC{sub 2} lines in their ground vibrational state toward IRC+10216 during the Atacama Large Millimeter Array Cycle 0. The spatial distribution of these molecules shows compact emission for SiS and a more extended emission for SiO and SiC{sub 2} and also proves the existence of an increase in the SiC{sub 2} emission at the outer shells of the circumstellar envelope (CSE). We analyze the excitation conditions of the vibrationally excited SiS using the population diagram technique, and we use a large velocity gradient model to compare with the observations. We found moderate discrepancies between the observations and the models that could be explained if SiS lines detected are optically thick. Additionally, the line profiles of the detected rotational lines in the high-energy vibrational states show a decreasing linewidth with increasing energy levels. This may be evidence that these lines could be excited only in the inner shells, i.e., the densest and hottest, of the CSE of IRC+10216.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Normal and anomalous plasmonic lattice modes of gold nanodisk arrays in inhomogeneous media

We study plasmonic lattice modes in two dimensional arrays of large metallic nanodisks in strongly inhomogeneous environments with controlled dielectric asymmetries. This is done within the two limits of positive (air/substrate) and negative (Si/substrate) asymmetries. In the former, the nanodisks are exposed to air, while in the latter, they are fully embedded in a dielectric material with a refractive index much higher than that of the glass substrate (Si). Our results show that in the air/substrate limit, the arrays can mainly support two distinct visible and infrared peaks associated with the optical coupling of multipolar plasmonic resonances of nanodisks in air and substrate (normal modes). As the nanodisks are gradually embedded in Si, i.e., going from the positive to negative asymmetry limit, the visible peak undergoes more than 200 nm red shift without significant mode degradation. Our results show that as this transition happens, a third peak (anomalous mode) becomes dominant. The amplitude and wavelength of this peak increase quadratically with the thickness of the Si layer, indicating formation of a unique collective mode. We study the impact of this mode on the emission semiconductor quantum dots, demonstrating they become much brighter as the result of the long-reach plasmonic fields of the nanodisks when the arrays are in this mode.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Synthesis of V2O5/C core/shell arrays on graphene foam for electrochemical energy storage

Highlights: • Construct graphene foam supported V{sub 2}O{sub 5}/C c arrays. • Graphene foam + {sub 2}O{sub 5}/C arrays show large capacity and good cycles. • C layer is favorable for fast ion/electron transfer. - Abstract: V{sub 2}O{sub 5}-based materials are regarded as promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their larger theoretical capacities than commercial cathode materials. Herein we develop a united solvothermal-chemical vapor deposition method for construction of bind-free V{sub 2}O{sub 5}/C core/shell arrays on the graphene foams positive electrodes of LIBs. Active V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanoflakes with thicknesses of 10–15 nm are wrapped by ultrathin carbon layer of 2–4 nm forming core/shell arrays on the GF skeleton. The unique core/shell architecture can provide short ion/electron diffusion paths and substantial protection shell for the active materials, thus leading to accelerated electrochemical kinetics and enhanced cycling stability. A noticeable initial capacity of 290 mAh g{sup −1} at 1C in the voltage range of 2.0–4.0 V and 217 mAh g{sup −1} at 6C after 1000 cycles could be obtained for the GF + V{sub 2}O{sub 5}/C electrode, much better than its GF + V{sub 2}O{sub 5} counterpart.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Locally defined quantum emission from epitaxial few-layer tungsten diselenide

Recently, single photons have been observed emanating from point defects in two-dimensional (2D) materials including WSe 2 , WS 2 , hexagonal-BN, and GaSe, with their energy residing in the direct electronic bandgap. Here, we report single photon emission from a nominal weakly emitting indirect bandgap 2D material through deterministic strain induced localization. A method is demonstrated to create highly spatially localized and spectrally well-separated defect emission sites in the 750–800 nm regime in a continuous epitaxial film of few-layer WSe 2 synthesized by a multistep diffusion-mediated gas source chemical vapor deposition technique. To separate the effects of mechanical strain from the substrate or dielectric-environment induced changes in the electronic structure, we created arrays of large isotropically etched ultrasharp silicon dioxide tips with spatial dimensions on the order of 10 μm. We use bending based on the small radius of these tips—on the order of 4 nm—to impart electronic localization effects through morphology alone, as the WSe 2 film experiences a uniform SiO 2 dielectric environment in the device geometry chosen for this investigation. When the continuous WSe 2 film was transferred onto an array of SiO 2 tips, an ~87% yield of localized emission sites on the tips was observed. The outcomes of this report provide fundamental guidelines for the integration of beyond-lab-scale quantum materials into photonic device architectures for all-optical quantum information applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

ISM Properties of a Massive Dusty Star-forming Galaxy Discovered at z ∼ 7

We report the discovery and constrain the physical conditions of the interstellar medium of the highest-redshift millimeter-selected dusty star-forming galaxy to date, SPT-S J031132−5823.4 (hereafter SPT0311−58), at z=6.900±0.002. SPT0311−58 was discovered via its 1.4 mm thermal dust continuum emission in the South Pole Telescope (SPT)-SZ survey. The spectroscopic redshift was determined through an Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 3 mm frequency scan that detected CO(6–5), CO(7–6), and [C I](2–1), and subsequently was confirmed by detections of CO(3–2) with the Australia Telescope Compact Array and [C II] with APEX. We constrain the properties of the ISM in SPT0311−58 with a radiative transfer analysis of the dust continuum photometry and the CO and [C I] line emission. This allows us to determine the gas content without ad hoc assumptions about gas mass scaling factors. SPT0311−58 is extremely massive, with an intrinsic gas mass of M{sub gas}=3.3±1.9×10{sup 11} M{sub ⊙}. Its large mass and intense star formation is very rare for a source well into the epoch of reionization.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Thermal control technologies for Europa Clipper mission

The Europa Clipper Mission to Europa, a moon of Jupiter, is planned for a launch in 2023. Since Europa is at a large distance (5.6 A.U.) from the Sun, the solar flux is less than 4% of that at Earth. This requires very large solar arrays to meet the power demands of a typical new mission concept. Hence, conservation of power for use in thermal control is extremely important. To achieve this goal a mechanically pumped fluid loop heat rejection system (HRS) is utilized to harvest waste heat from the spacecraft components. In addition to this, several thermal control technologies are employed. They include a high performance dual Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blanket design to minimize the large majority of heat loss from the spacecraft; two passive thermal control valves in series to greatly reduce the heat loss from the HRS to its radiator; and a low temperature louver to further reduce the loss from the radiator. This paper will describe these technologies, schemes for their implementation, and results of development tests to validate their performance.

Duran, Mark↗

Magnetic Solitons in Hierarchical 3D Magnetic Nanoarchitectures of Nanoflower Shape

Curvilinear magnetism emerged as a new route to tailor properties of magnetic solitons by the choice of geometry and topology of a magnetic architecture. Here, we develop an anodized aluminum oxide template-based approach to realize hierarchical 3D magnetic nanoarchitectures of nanoflower shape. The technique provides defect-free regular arrays of magnetic nanoflowers of tunable shape with a period of 400 nm over cm 2 areas. We combined advanced magnetic imaging methods with micromagnetic simulations to study complex magnetic states in nanoflowers originating due to magnetostatics-driven symmetry break in curvilinear nanomembranes. An interaction between surface and volume magnetostatic charges in 3D curved nanoflowers leads to the stabilization of asymmetric and shifted vortices as well as states with two Bloch lines. Ordered large area arrays of complex-shaped magnetic nanoarchitectures developed in this work are relevant for prospective research on 3D magnonics and spintronics.

3D nanoarchitectures↗

P25 niblet-like coated on large void space TiO{sub 2} nanotubes arrays for high-rate charge-collection and improved photoconversion efficiency

A niblet-like P25-coated large void space TiO{sub 2} nanotubes arrays (PCTs) has been synthesized by decorating P25 nanoparticles on a rapidly-synthesized large void space TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays (LTAs) with an appropriate hydrothermal treatment approach in a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. Some key factors and probable synthetic mechanisms have been investigated to obtain an optimal route. Exhilaratingly, the as-synthesized PCTs and LTAs show impressive morphologies, structures and very large void space. And the most important is that, compared with LTAs, the decorated PCTs demonstrates significantly improved dye loading and high-rate charge-collection capability and thus leads to a more than double of the solar cell efficiency than that of LTAs (from 1.46% of LTAs to 3.00% of PCTs under simulated AM 1.5 conditions in our case). - Graphical abstract: The top view and cross-section SEM images of obtained electrode materials (LTAs and PCTs), with the schematic diagram (on the right) showing the kinetic advantages of the PCTs in charge collection and transmission. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A large void space TiO{sub 2} nanotubes arrays (LTAs) was fabricated in not more than 12 h. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A niblet-like P25-coated void space TiO{sub 2} nanotubes arrays (PCTs) has been synthesized based on the LTAs. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Some key factors, probable synthetic mechanisms and optimal synthetic route are investigated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The PCTs and LTAs show impressive morphologies, structures and greatly improved dye loading capability. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The PCTs shows enhanced charge-collection and light scattering properties and double solar cell efficiency.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Brown dwarf disks with ALMA

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array continuum and spectral line data at 0.89 mm and 3.2 mm for three disks surrounding young brown dwarfs and very low mass stars in the Taurus star forming region. Dust thermal emission is detected and spatially resolved for all the three disks, while CO(J = 3-2) emission is seen in two disks. We analyze the continuum visibilities and constrain the disks' physical structure in dust. The results of our analysis show that the disks are relatively large; the smallest one has an outer radius of about 70 AU. The inferred disk radii, radial profiles of the dust surface density, and disk to central object mass ratios lie within the ranges found for disks around more massive young stars. We derive from our observations the wavelength dependence of the millimeter dust opacity. In all the three disks, data are consistent with the presence of grains with at least millimeter sizes, as also found for disks around young stars, and confirm that the early stages of the solid growth toward planetesimals occur also around very low-mass objects. We discuss the implications of our findings on models of solids evolution in protoplanetary disks, the main mechanisms proposed for the formation of brown dwarfs and very low-mass stars, as well as the potential of finding rocky and giant planets around very low-mass objects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Excitation of a Parallel Plate Waveguide by an Array of Rectangular Waveguides

This work addresses the problem of excitation of a parallel plate waveguide by an array of rectangular waveguides that arises in applications such as the continuous transverse stub (CTS) antenna and dual-polarized parabolic cylindrical reflector antennas excited by a scanning line source. In order to design the junction region between the parallel plate waveguide and the linear array of rectangular waveguides, waveguide sizes have to be chosen so that the input match is adequate for the range of scan angles for both polarizations. Electromagnetic wave scattered by the junction of a parallel plate waveguide by an array of rectangular waveguides is analyzed by formulating coupled integral equations for the aperture electric field at the junction. The integral equations are solved by the method of moments. In order to make the computational process efficient and accurate, the method of weighted averaging was used to evaluate rapidly oscillating integrals encountered in the moment matrix. In addition, the real axis spectral integral is evaluated in a deformed contour for speed and accuracy. The MoM results for a large finite array have been validated by comparing its reflection coefficients with corresponding results for an infinite array generated by the commercial finite element code, HFSS. Once the aperture electric field is determined by MoM, the input reflection coefficients at each waveguide port, and coupling for each polarization over the range of useful scan angles, are easily obtained. Results for the input impedance and coupling characteristics for both the vertical and horizontal polarizations are presented over a range of scan angles. It is shown that the scan range is limited to about 35 for both polarizations and therefore the optimum waveguide is a square of size equal to about 0.62 free space wavelength.

Rengarajan, Sembiam↗

Abundance Measurements of Titan's Stratospheric HCN, HC3N, C3H4, and CH3CN from ALMA Observations

Previous investigations have employed more than 100 close observations of Titan by the Cassini orbiter to elucidate connections between the production and distribution of Titan's vast, organic-rich chemical inventory and its atmospheric dynamics. However, as Titan transitions into northern summer, the lack of incoming data from the Cassini orbiter presents a potential barrier to the continued study of seasonal changes in Titan's atmosphere. In our previous work, we demonstrated that the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is well suited for measurements of Titan's atmosphere in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere (~100 - 500 km) through the use of spatially resolved (beam sizes <1") flux calibration observations of Titan. Here, we derive vertical abundance profiles of four of Titan's trace atmospheric species from the same 3 independent spatial regions across Titan's disk during the same epoch (2012-2015): HCN, HC3N, C3H4, and CH3CN. We find that Titan's minor constituents exhibit large latitudinal variations, with enhanced abundances at high latitudes compared to equatorial measurements; this includes CH3CN, which eluded previous detection by Cassini in the stratosphere, and thus spatially resolved abundance measurements were unattainable. Even over the short 3-year period, vertical profiles and integrated emission maps of these molecules allow us to observe temporal changes in Titan's atmospheric circulation during northern spring. Our derived abundance profiles are comparable to contemporary measurements from Cassini infrared observations, and we find additional evidence for subsidence of enriched air onto Titan's south pole during this time period. Continued observations of Titan with ALMA beyond the summer solstice will enable further study of how Titan's atmospheric composition and dynamics respond to seasonal changes.

Thelen, Alexander E.↗

Do circumnuclear dense gas disks drive mass accretion onto supermassive black holes?

We present a positive correlation between the mass of dense molecular gas (M{sub dense}) of ∼100 pc scale circumnuclear disks (CNDs) and the black hole mass accretion rate ( M-dot {sub BH}) in a total of 10 Seyfert galaxies, based on data compiled from the literature and an archive (median aperture θ {sub med} = 220 pc). A typical M{sub dense} of CNDs is 10{sup 7–8} M{sub ⊙}, estimated from the luminosity of the dense gas tracer, the HCN(1–0) emission line. Because dense molecular gas is the site of star formation, this correlation is virtually equivalent to the one between the nuclear star-formation rate and M-dot {sub BH} revealed previously. Moreover, the M{sub dense}-- M-dot {sub BH} correlation was tighter for CND-scale gas than for the gas on kiloparsec or larger scales. This indicates that CNDs likely play an important role in fueling black holes, whereas greater than kiloparesec scale gas does not. To demonstrate a possible approach for studying the CND-scale accretion process with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we used a mass accretion model where angular momentum loss due to supernova explosions is vital. Based on the model prediction, we suggest that only the partial fraction of the mass accreted from the CND ( M-dot {sub acc}) is consumed as M-dot {sub BH}. However, M-dot {sub acc} agrees well with the total nuclear mass flow rate (i.e., M-dot {sub BH} + outflow rate). Although these results are still tentative with large uncertainties, they support the view that star formation in CNDs can drive mass accretion onto supermassive black holes in Seyfert galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗