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At least 1,441 records · Page 80

Orbital Decay of Double White Dwarfs: Beyond Gravitational-wave Radiation Effects

The traditional description of the orbital evolution of compact-object binaries, like double white dwarfs (DWDs), assumes that the system is driven only by gravitational-wave (GW) radiation. However, the high magnetic fields with intensities of up to gigagausses measured in WDs alert a potential role of the electromagnetic (EM) emission in the evolution of DWDs. We evaluate the orbital dynamics of DWDs under the effects of GW radiation, tidal synchronization, and EM emission by a unipolar inductor generated by the magnetic primary and the relative motion of the nonmagnetic secondary. We show that the EM emission can affect the orbital dynamics for magnetic fields larger than megagausses. We applied the model to two known DWDs, SDSS J0651+2844 and ZTF J1539+5027, for which the GW radiation alone does not fully account for the measured orbital decay rate. We obtain upper limits to the primary's magnetic field strength, over which the EM emission causes an orbital decay faster than observed. The contribution of tidal locking and the EM emission is comparable, and together they can contribute up to 20% to the measured orbital decay rate. We show that the gravitational waveform for a DWD modeled as purely driven by GWs and including tidal interactions and EM emission can have large relative dephasing detectable in the mHz regime of frequencies relevant for space-based detectors like LISA. Therefore, including physics besides GW radiation in the waveform templates is essential to calibrate the GW detectors using known sources, e.g., ZTF J1539+5027, and to infer binary parameters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

An antidot array as an edge for total non-reflection of spin waves in yttrium iron garnet films

An array of antidots has been used as an edge to create the phenomenon of total non-reflection of spin waves in yttrium iron garnet films. At the critical angle between the line of antidots and the magnetic field, we observe a high-intensity beam of spin waves moving along the line of antidots. The properties of these waves are investigated experimentally by Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy. The conditions required for the occurrence of this phenomenon based on an analysis of the properties of the isofrequency dependencies are presented. The numerical simulations are in good agreement with those of the experimental measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Quantum gravity background in next-generation gravitational wave detectors

Here, we study the effects of geontropic vacuum fluctuations in quantum gravity on next-generation terrestrial gravitational wave detectors. If the Verlinde-Zurek (VZ) effect proposed, appears in the upcoming GQuEST experiment, we show that it will be a large background for astrophysical gravitational wave searches in observatories like Cosmic Explorer and the Einstein Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SELF-CONSISTENT ION CYCLOTRON ANISOTROPY-BETA RELATION FOR SOLAR WIND PROTONS

We derive a set of self-consistent marginally stable states for a system of ion-cyclotron waves propagating parallel to the large-scale magnetic field through a homogeneous proton-electron plasma. The proton distributions and the wave dispersions are related through the condition that no further ion-cyclotron resonant particle scattering or wave growth/damping may take place. The thermal anisotropy of the protons in these states therefore defines the threshold value for triggering the proton-cyclotron anisotropy instability. A number of recent papers have noted that the anisotropy of solar wind protons at 1 AU does not seem to be limited by the proton-cyclotron anisotropy threshold, even at low plasma beta. However, this puzzle seems to be due solely to the estimation of this anisotropy threshold under the assumption that the protons have a bi-Maxwellian distribution. We note that bi-Maxwellian distributions are never marginally stable to the resonant cyclotron interaction, so these estimates do not represent physically valid thresholds. The threshold anisotropies obtained from our marginally stable states are much larger, as a function of proton parallel beta, than the bi-Maxwellian estimates, and we show that the measured data remains below these more rigorous thresholds. Thus, the results of this paper resolve the apparent contradiction presented by the solar wind anisotropy observations at 1 AU: the bi-Maxwellian anisotropies are not rigorous thresholds, and so do not limit the proton distributions in the solar wind.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

TIME-DEPENDENT TURBULENT HEATING OF OPEN FLUX TUBES IN THE CHROMOSPHERE, CORONA, AND SOLAR WIND

We investigate several key questions of plasma heating in open-field regions of the corona that connect to the solar wind. We present results for a model of Alfvén-wave-driven turbulence for three typical open magnetic field structures: a polar coronal hole, an open flux tube neighboring an equatorial streamer, and an open flux tube near a strong-field active region. We compare time-steady, one-dimensional turbulent heating models against fully time-dependent three-dimensional reduced-magnetohydrodynamic modeling of BRAID. We find that the time-steady results agree well with time-averaged results from BRAID. The time dependence allows us to investigate the variability of the magnetic fluctuations and of the heating in the corona. The high-frequency tail of the power spectrum of fluctuations forms a power law whose exponent varies with height, and we discuss the possible physical explanation for this behavior. The variability in the heating rate is bursty and nanoflare-like in nature, and we analyze the amount of energy lost via dissipative heating in transient events throughout the simulation. The average energy in these events is 10{sup 21.91} erg, within the “picoflare” range, and many events reach classical “nanoflare” energies. We also estimated the multithermal distribution of temperatures that would result from the heating-rate variability, and found good agreement with observed widths of coronal differential emission measure distributions. The results of the modeling presented in this paper provide compelling evidence that turbulent heating in the solar atmosphere by Alfvén waves accelerates the solar wind in open flux tubes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic field transport in propagating thermonuclear burn

High energy gain in inertial fusion schemes requires the propagation of a thermonuclear burn wave from hot to cold fuel. We consider the problem of burn propagation when a magnetic field is orthogonal to the burn wave. Using an extended-MHD model with a magnetized α energy transport equation, we find that the magnetic field can reduce the rate of burn propagation by suppressing electron thermal conduction and α particle flux. Magnetic field transport during burn propagation is subject to competing effects: the field can be advected from cold to hot regions by ablation of cold fuel, while the Nernst and α particle flux effects transport the field from hot to cold fuel. These effects, combined with the temperature increase due to burn, can cause the electron Hall parameter to grow rapidly at the burn front. This results in the formation of a self-insulating layer between hot and cold fuel, which reduces electron thermal conductivity and α transport, increases the temperature gradient, and reduces the rate of burn propagation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Experimental studies and micromagnetic simulations of electrodeposited Co nanotube arrays

Magnetic hollow nanotubes of cobalt forming close-packed arrays are synthesized by controlling the growth during electrodeposition in AAO template. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry is used to experimentally measure the static magnetization of the array of nanotubes. Excellent qualitative agreements of SQUID and micromagnetic simulations for static measurements are observed. This motivates us to evaluate dynamic response measurements via micromagnetic simulations. The coercivity simulated along the longitudinal axis of the nanotube is found increase with the length of isolated as well as for array of nanotubes. The effect of interactions is also clearly observed both in static as well as in dynamic evaluations. The interactions cause reduction in coercivity along with the switching which depends upon the length of the nanotubes. The calculation for FMR modes also indicates that propagation of the spin waves are greatly influenced by the hollow centre of nanotube as compare to nanowire and support to maintain the stable vortex configuration. For array of nanotubes, multiple peaks are found over larger number of frequencies which is anticipated due the interactions between nanotubes. Simulation for bias field and angular dependence of spin wave modes also yields a significant influenced by the presence of neighbouring nanotubes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

FORMATION OF STABLE MAGNETARS FROM BINARY NEUTRON STAR MERGERS

By performing fully general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of binary neutron star mergers, we investigate the possibility that the end result of the merger is a stable magnetar. In particular, we show that, for a binary composed of two equal-mass neutron stars (NSs) of gravitational mass M {approx} 1.2 M{sub Sun} and equation of state similar to Shen et al. at high densities, the merger product is a stable NS. Such NS is found to be differentially rotating and ultraspinning with spin parameter J/M{sup 2} {approx} 0.86, where J is its total angular momentum, and it is surrounded by a disk of Almost-Equal-To 0.1 M{sub Sun }. While in our global simulations the magnetic field is amplified by about two orders of magnitude, local simulations have shown that hydrodynamic instabilities and the onset of the magnetorotational instability could further increase the magnetic field strength up to magnetar levels. This leads to the interesting possibility that, for some NS mergers, a stable and magnetized NS surrounded by an accretion disk could be formed. We discuss the impact of these new results for the emission of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave signals and for the central engine of short gamma-ray bursts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

First Direct Observation of Runaway-Electron-Driven Whistler Waves in Tokamaks

DIII-D experiments at low density (n e ~10 19 m -3 ) have directly measured whistler waves in the 100– 200 MHz range excited by multi-MeV runaway electrons. Whistler activity is correlated with runaway intensity (hard x-ray emission level), occurs in novel discrete frequency bands, and exhibits nonlinear limitcycle- like behavior. The measured frequencies scale with the magnetic field strength and electron density as expected from the whistler dispersion relation. The modes are stabilized with increasing magnetic field, which is consistent with wave-particle resonance mechanisms. The mode amplitudes show intermittent time variations correlated with changes in the electron cyclotron emission that follow predator-prey cycles. These can be interpreted as wave-induced pitch angle scattering of moderate energy runaways. The tokamak runaway-whistler mechanisms have parallels to whistler phenomena in ionospheric plasmas. The observations also open new directions for the modeling and active control of runaway electrons in tokamaks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

ANTI-PHASE SIGNATURE OF FLARE GENERATED TRANSVERSE LOOP OSCILLATIONS

Transverse loop oscillations observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft are studied after an impulsive solar flare eruption on 2012 May 8. We have found that a transversely oscillating coronal loop seen in the 171 A bandpass oscillates in anti-phase with respect to adjacent larger loops seen in the 193 A and 211 A bandpasses. These unusual oscillations are analyzed to investigate the excitation mechanism responsible for their initial inwardly directed anti-phase behavior. The transverse oscillations are analyzed by constructing space-time diagrams from cuts made parallel to the projected loop displacements. The displacement time oscillation profiles are background subtracted and fitted with a damped cosine curve that includes a linear change in the period with time. The local magnetic topology of the active region is modeled using potential field source surface extrapolation. It reveals that the loops are anchored in different topological regions with foot point locations identified on either side of the EUV flare peak emission source. In this context, the oscillation characteristics indicate that the excitation mechanism is closely linked to the local magnetic field topology and the reconnection generated wave dynamics in the active region rather than following an external flare blast wave. We discuss how observations such as these may serve to identify reconnection processes in similar quadrupolar active regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Field Emission in Superconducting Accelerators: Instrumented Measurements for Its Understanding and Mitigation

Several new accelerator projects are adopting superconducting accelerator technology. When accelerating cavities maintain high RF gradients, field emission, the emission of electrons from cavity walls, can occur and may impact operational cavity gradient, radiological environment via activated components, and reliability. In this talk, we will discuss instrumented measurements of field emission from the two 1.1 GeV superconducting continuous wave (CW) linacs in CEBAF. The goal is to improve the understanding of field emission sources originating from cryomodule production, installation and operation. Such basic knowledge is needed in guiding field emission control, mitigation, and reduction toward high gradient and reliable operation of superconducting accelerators.

Geng, Rongli↗

Possible origin of nonlinear conductivity and large dielectric constant in the commensurate charge-density-wave phase of 1 T - TaS 2

The electric field dependence of the dielectric properties and the nonlinear conductance of 1T-TaS 2 below 50 K has been investigated. A large dielectric constant of about 10 4 is obtained up to 10 7 Hz, which cannot be attributed to hopping of the localized carriers alone, the collective excitations of the commensurate charge-density-wave must be another contributor. The dielectric spectra disperse slightly in our measured temperature and frequency range. At a moderate dc bias field, the real part of the dielectric constant ε 1 (ω) decreases. Lastly, we propose that the separation of bound soliton-antisoliton pairs may be a contributor to the reduction of ε 1 (ω) and the accompanying nonlinear conductivity with increasing dc bias.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Experimental progress and future plans on spherical tokamak, QUEST

QUEST (Q-shu university experiment with steady state spherical tokamak) aims at effective plasma current start-up and stable maintenance of plasma discharge. To solve the inherent problems in a spherical tokamak (ST) arising from insufficient space for placing the inductive center solenoid, electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) and transient coaxial helicity injection (T-CHI) are implemented as a non-inductive plasma start-up method in QUEST. Efficient ECCD assisted by energetic electrons could be achieved. By combining control of the wave injection angle and application of a negative toroidal electric field, the bulk electron temperature could be raised up to 1 keV due to selective wave power absorption in the bulk electrons. The plasma current of over 50 kA contained within the closed flux surface could be obtained with a floating single biased electrode placed on lower divertor plates for T-CHI. Long-pulse operations on QUEST are impeded frequently due to wall saturation and subsequent density runaway caused by fuel particle imbalance. Since 2014, a unique tool called the ‘hot wall’ has been implemented to overcome the imbalance. The hot wall has a capability to regulate its surface temperature using a heater and two water cooling channels. With the help of the hot wall, 6 h discharges were obtained in 2020. Cooling down of the surface of the hot wall was significantly effective in recovering the wall pumping and was useful to extend the pulse duration. Augmentation of the toroidal magnetic field, B T up to 0.5 T from 0.25 T and a continuous wave (CW) gyrotron of 28 GHz are planned for QUEST in the near future. As raising B T provides a fundamental resonance of electron cyclotron waves (ECWs) with 28 GHz, more effective plasma current start-up and heating will be performed. Long-pulse operations with higher plasma parameters are expected.

QUEST↗

The method of transition boundary for the solution of diffraction problems

A new method, which enables one to solve some diffraction problems, is put forth. The technique is based on a relation between the diffracted and scattered geometric optics waves at the transition boundaries. The concept of initial waves is also used instead of the incident field. The general algorithm of the method is outlined and applied to the diffraction problems of waves by perfect electric conductor half-screen, resistive half-plane and impedance sheet junction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Benchmarking magnetised three-wave coupling for laser backscattering: analytic solutions and kinetic simulations

Understanding magnetised laser–plasma interactions is important for controlling magneto-inertial fusion experiments and developing magnetically assisted radiation and particle sources. For nanosecond pulses at non-relativistic intensities, interactions are dominated by coherent three-wave interactions, whose nonlinear coupling coefficients became known only recently when waves propagate at oblique angles with the magnetic field. In this paper, backscattering coupling coefficients predicted by warm-fluid theory are benchmarked using particle-in-cell simulations in one spatial dimension, and excellent agreements are found for a wide range of plasma temperatures, magnetic field strengths and laser propagation angles, when the interactions are mediated by electron-dominant hybrid waves. Systematic comparisons between theory and simulations are made possible by a rigorous protocol. On the theory side, the initial boundary value problem of linearised three-wave equations is solved, and the transient-time solutions allow the effects of growth and damping to be distinguished. On the simulation side, parameters are carefully chosen and calibration runs are performed to ensure that comparisons are well controlled. Fitting simulation data to analytical solutions yields numerical growth rates that match theory predictions within error bars. Although warm-fluid theory is found to be valid for a wide parameter range, genuine kinetic effects have also been observed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Low-voltage harmonic multiplying gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier in G band

Harmonic multiplying operation in a gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier (gyro-TWA) permits for magnetic field reduction and frequency multiplication. Lowering a beam voltage is an important step toward miniaturization of a harmonic multiplying gyro-TWA. However, the additional degree of freedom that is provided by the multitude cyclotron harmonics in a low-voltage harmonic multiplying gyro-TWA still easily generates various competing modes. An improved mode-selective circuit, using circular waveguides with various radii, can provide the rejection points within the frequency range to suppress competing modes. Simulated results reveal that the mode-selective circuit can provide an attenuation of more than 14 dB to suppress the competing modes. Furthermore, the performance of the gyro-TWA is analyzed for studying the sensitivity of the saturated output power and full width at half maximum bandwidth of the gyro-TWA to the beam voltage and the magnetic field. A stable low-voltage harmonic multiplying gyro-TWA with the mode-selective circuit is predicted to yield a peak output power of 24 kW at 200.4 GHz, corresponding to a saturated gain of 56 dB at an interaction efficiency of 20%. The full width at half maximum bandwidth is 3.0 GHz.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Low-Field EMR Studies of Permalloy Films and Gratings

Flat and profile-modulated permalloy films have been studied by the electron magnetic resonance (EMR) method. In addition to ferromagnetic and spin-wave resonances, the structures demonstrate low-field EMR signals of an unusual shape, which form a hysteresis loop in sweeping fields. The low-field signals are attributed to a fast reorientation of magnetic domains. The low-field EMR behavior is comparable to the behavior in magneto-dependent photovoltage previously observed in the optical experiments. The shapes of the loops and typical values of the switching fields depend on the profile modulation parameters confirming the possibility of controlling magnetic properties and the coupling of magnetic and optical effects with nanoscale geometry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

RF beam scattering by cylindrical filaments and interfacial density fluctuations

Radio Frequency (RF) waves are routinely used in tokamaks for heating, current drive, NTM control, as well as for diagnostics purposes. Frequently, RF waves, aiming towards the plasma core, propagate through a turbulent environment. The latter can exhibit strong coherent density fluctuations as well as filamentary structures mainly (though, not perfectly) aligned along the local magnetic field lines. The scattering process of RF waves by these structures is studied both analytically and numerically. RF waves can be either single plane waves or spatially confined beams. For that purpose, the filaments are considered to have cylindrical shape with infinite length with the cylinder axis not aligned with the local magnetic field and the results are compared to the ones from the study of the aligned case. On the other hand, the interfacial density fluctuations are considered periodic with spatial periods larger, smaller or of the same order of the wavelength of the incident RF waves. The frequency range of the RF waves studied is mainly in the Electron Cyclotron (EC) range of frequencies for ITER-like and Medium Size Tokamak applications. Furthermore, the study covers a variety of density contrasts, filament sizes and fluctuation strengths.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗