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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

Error estimates of finite difference methods for the Dirac equation in the massless and nonrelativistic regime

We present four frequently used finite difference methods and establish the error bounds for the discretization of the Dirac equation in the massless and nonrelativistic regime, involving a small dimensionless parameter 0 < ε &NestedLessLess; 1 inversely proportional to the speed of light. In the massless and nonrelativistic regime, the solution exhibits rapid motion in space and is highly oscillatory in time. Specifically, the wavelength of the propagating waves in time is at O(ε), while in space, it is at O(1) with the wave speed at O(ε -1 ). We adopt one leap-frog, two semi-implicit, and one conservative Crank-Nicolson finite difference methods to numerically discretize the Dirac equation in one dimension and establish rigorously the error estimates which depend explicitly on the time step τ, mesh size h, and the small parameter ε. The error bounds indicate that, to obtain the “correct” numerical solution in the massless and nonrelativistic regime, i.e., 0 < ε &NestedLessLess; 1, all these finite difference methods share the same ε-scalability as time step τ = O(ε 3/2 ) and mesh size h = O(ε 1/2 ). A large number of numerical results are reported to verify the error estimates.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Manifold Learning-Based Polynomial Chaos Expansions for High-Dimensional Surrogate Models

In this work we introduce a manifold learning-based method for uncertainty quantification (UQ) in systems describing complex spatiotemporal processes. Our first objective is to identify the embedding of a set of high-dimensional data representing quantities of interest of the computational or analytical model. For this purpose, we employ Grassmannian diffusion maps, a two-step nonlinear dimension reduction technique which allows us to reduce the dimensionality of the data and identify meaningful geometric descriptions in a parsimonious and inexpensive manner. Polynomial chaos expansion is then used to construct a mapping between the stochastic input parameters and the diffusion coordinates of the reduced space. An adaptive clustering technique is proposed to identify an optimal number of clusters of points in the latent space. The similarity of points allows us to construct a number of geometric harmonic emulators which are finally utilized as a set of inexpensive pretrained models to perform an inverse map of realizations of latent features to the ambient space and thus perform accurate out-of-sample predictions. Thus, the proposed method acts as an encoder-decoder system which is able to automatically handle very high-dimensional data while simultaneously operating successfully in the small-data regime. The method is demonstrated on two benchmark problems and on a system of advection-diffusion-reaction equations which model a first-order chemical reaction between two species. In all test cases, the proposed method is able to achieve highly accurate approximations which ultimately lead to the significant acceleration of UQ tasks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Precision measurements on oxygen formation in stellar helium burning with gamma-ray beams and a Time Projection Chamber

The carbon/oxygen (C/O) ratio at the end of stellar helium burning is the single most important nuclear input to stellar evolution theory. However, it is not known with sufficient accuracy, due to large uncertainties in the cross-section for the fusion of helium with 12 C to form 16 O, denoted as 12 C( α , γ ) 16 O. Here we present results based on a method that is significantly different from the experimental efforts of the past four decades. With data measured inside one detector and with vanishingly small background, angular distributions of the 12 C( α , γ ) 16 O reaction were obtained by measuring the inverse 16 O( γ , α ) 12 C reaction with gamma-beams and a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detector. We agree with current world data for the total reaction cross-section and further evidence the strength of our method with accurate angular distributions measured over the 1 - resonance at E cm ~2.4 MeV. Our technique promises to yield results that will surpass the quality of the currently available data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Coupled order parameters and photoinduced domain walls in the charge density wave of (TaSe 4 ) 2 I

The charge density wave in (TaSe 4 ) 2 I has drawn much attention recently as a controversial candidate for an axion insulator where the CDW breaks the chiral symmetry of the Weyl semimetal. Here we use ultrafast x-ray scattering to study the collective modes of this CDW. By measuring several diffraction peaks we find that the order parameter involves coupled optical and acoustic modes. For strong near-infrared excitation, the dynamics of the x-ray diffraction show evidence of photoinduced inversion of both components of the CDW order parameter, and associated domain walls. These results demonstrate the potential of ultrafast methods to induce topological defects through highly nonequilibrium dynamics. In (TaSe 4 ) 2 I these defects should lead to exotic electronic states due to the nontrivial topology of the band structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Seismic Event Characterization Using Full Moment Tensors on the Hypersphere

Moment tensor solutions provide insights into the deformation that has occurred in the source region of a seismic event and are therefore of great value in identifying different types of seismic sources, such as when monitoring for underground nuclear tests. Despite this utility, inversion of waveforms recorded by seismometers for their full seismic moment tensor is not yet routine, and development of robust methods to classify events based on this information is in its infancy. Here, we assemble an inventory of 1405 full moment tensor solutions that include explosive, earthquake, and collapse events, and investigate the use of anisotropic probability distribution functions on the 5D hypersphere to discriminate between these sources. Using a Bayesian classifier, we obtain optimal success rates of 98.4% across all events and demonstrate that modification of the prior probabilities provides a natural way to alter the balance between not missing desirable events (such as explosions) versus misclassifying large numbers of undesired events (such as earthquakes). The approach is specifically designed to progress from traditional, bipolar event screening metrics to more generalized event identification across multiple types of seismic sources. Despite current databases containing insufficient numbers of events to definitively demonstrate at present, we also find intriguing evidence of subgroupings within individual source populations on the hypersphere, for example, between chemical and nuclear explosions, raising the potential possibility of discriminating between these event types in the future.

Geosciences↗

A thin-shock-layer solution for nonequilibrium, inviscid hypersonic flows in earth, Martian, and Venusian atmospheres

An approximate inverse solution is presented for the nonequilibrium flow in the inviscid shock layer about a vehicle in hypersonic flight. The method is based upon a thin-shock-layer approximation and has the advantage of being applicable to both subsonic and supersonic regions of the shock layer. The relative simplicity of the method makes it ideally suited for programming on a digital computer with a significant reduction in storage capacity and computing time required by other more exact methods. Comparison of nonequilibrium solutions for an air mixture obtained by the present method is made with solutions obtained by two other methods. Additional cases are presented for entry of spherical nose cones into representative Venusian and Martian atmospheres. A digital computer program written in FORTRAN language is presented that permits an arbitrary gas mixture to be employed in the solution. The effects of vibration, dissociation, recombination, electronic excitation, and ionization are included in the program.

Grose, W. L.↗

Observability for two dimensional systems

Sufficient conditions that a two-dimensional system with output is locally observable are presented. Known results depend on time derivatives of the output and the inverse function theorem. In some cases, no informaton is provided by these theories, and one must study observability by other methods. The observability problem is dualized to the controllability problem, and the deep results of Hermes on local controllability are applied to prove a theorem concerning local observability.

Hunt, L. R.↗

Analysis of separated boundary-layer flows

A method for predicting the strong interaction between the viscous and inviscid flows which occurs in flow separation is reviewed. An inverse boundary-layer procedure approximately accounts for normal pressure gradients that may be important in strongly interacting flows. Transformed boundary-layer equations are written in which the pressure gradient is set equal to the inviscid pressure gradient. As the boundary-layer edge is approached and the viscous shear and heat conduction terms vanish, the viscous flow solution is required to asymptotically approach the inviscid solution over the generalized displacement body. Attention is then focused on viscous-inviscid interacting flows with a first-order viscous formulation and constant pressure across the boundary layer. Results obtained with this procedure are presented for: (1) transitional separation bubbles near an airfoil leading edge, (2) subsonic boattail separated turbulent flow, and (3) transonic turbulent shock wave boundary-layer interaction on an axisymmetric bump configuration.

Carter, J. E.↗

Method for correction of errors in observation angles for limb thermal emission measurements

Thermal emission measurements of the earth's stratospheric limb from space platforms require an accurate knowledge of the observation angles for retrieval of temperature and constituent distributions. Without the use of expensive stabilizing systems, however, most observational instruments do not meet the required pointing accuracies, thus leading to large errors in the retrieval of atmospheric data. This paper describes a self-constituent method of correcting errors in pointing angles by using information contained in the observed spectrum. Numerical results based on temperature inversions of synthetic thermal emission spectra with assumed random errors in pointing angles are presented.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Observability for two-dimensional systems

Sufficient conditions that a two-dimensinal system with output is locally observable are presented. Known results depend on time derivatives of the output and the inverse function theorem. In some cases, no information is provided by these theories, and one must study observability by other methods. The observability problem is dualized to the controllability problems, and the deep results of Hermes on local controllability are applied to prove a theorem concerning local observability.

Hunt, L. R.↗

ERBE data inversion

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) involves the use of a system of three spacecraft with instrument packages for measuring the earth's radiation balance to an accuracy which has been unattainable in previous experiments. The experiment is to determine the monthly averaged radiant exitances at te 'top of the atmosphere' (TOA) over the earth with a resolution of 250 km. The realization of this goal requires the conduction of high accuracy measurements, and the computation of the instantaneous radiant exitances from these measurements. The operation involved in this computation is called an 'inversion'. A third requirement is related to the computation of the daily and monthly averaged regional values from the instantaneous values. A brief description is provided of the algorithms for the inversion of the measurements to TOA radiant exitances, taking into account also the techniques which are used to validate the methods and results.

Smith, G. L.↗

Variation of the urban NO2 concentration during a ground inversion situation

In February 1985 the NO2 concentration over Goeteborg, a major Swedish city, was monitored during two inversion situations. The differential absorption technique was employed and the results show the build-up of the concentration. In this experiment the laser beam was scanned horizontally over Goeteborg. The results were presented as maps over the NO2 concentration distribution. For security reasons the beam was not parallel to the ground, which gives a height gradient in some measurements. During the measurement period the NO2 concentration variation build-up from the morning to the afternoon was monitored. Great concentration variations were seen. Later the mixing below the inversion layer, resulting in a more uniform, high concentration was seen. The breakdown of the inversion when stronger winds start was also seen. Comparisons with a traditional point-measuring chemiluminiscence instrument and an optical method DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy), were made. The results are discussed. Strong spatial concentration variations are shown by the lidar measurements. For a point-measuring system, the instrument must be very carefully placed since its location will strongly influence the values it gives.

Sunesson, A.↗

A new art code for tomographic interferometry

A new algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) code based on the iterative refinement method of least squares solution for tomographic reconstruction is presented. Accuracy and the convergence of the technique is evaluated through the application of numerically generated interferometric data. It was found that, in general, the accuracy of the results was superior to other reported techniques. The iterative method unconditionally converged to a solution for which the residual was minimum. The effects of increased data were studied. The inversion error was found to be a function of the input data error only. The convergence rate, on the other hand, was affected by all three parameters. Finally, the technique was applied to experimental data, and the results are reported.

Tan, H.↗

Nonlinear Aerodynamics and the Design of Wing Tips

The analysis and design of wing tips for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft still remains part art, part science. Although the design of airfoil sections and basic planform geometry is well developed, the tip regions require more detailed consideration. This is important because of the strong impact of wing tip flow on wing drag; although the tip region constitutes a small portion of the wing, its effect on the drag can be significant. The induced drag of a wing is, for a given lift and speed, inversely proportional to the square of the wing span. Concepts are proposed as a means of reducing drag. Modern computational methods provide a tool for studying these issues in greater detail. The purpose of the current research program is to improve the understanding of the fundamental issues involved in the design of wing tips and to develop the range of computational and experimental tools needed for further study of these ideas.

Kroo, Ilan↗

On the calculation of atomic term populations

The usefulness of calculations on model atomic term systems which can give spectral multiplet intensities is emphasized, in contrast to more detailed level calculations which are not always feasible because of lack of appropriate atomic data. A more general expression for the multiplet radiative transition rate is proposed to facilitate term representations. The differences between term and level representations are discussed quantitatively with respect to a model three-level atom and real examples of the C III and Ne IV ions. It is shown that term representations fail at lower densities when level inverse lifetimes within terms differ by only a few orders of magnitude. In such cases one must resort to other methods; a hybrid calculation is therefore proposed to fill this need and is carried out for the C III ion to demonstrate its feasibility and validity.

Kastner, S. O.↗

Transient scattering from two-dimensional dielectric cylinders of arbitrary shape

In this work, the problem of transient scattering by arbitrary shaped two-dimensional dielectric cylinders is solved using the marching-on-in-time (MOT) technique. The dielectric problem is approached via the surface equivalence principle. A pair of coupled integral equations are derived by enforcing the continuity of the electric and magnetic fields which are solved by using the method of moments. Numerical results are presented for two cross sections, viz. a circle and a square, and compared with inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) techniques. In each case, good agreement is obtained with the IDFT solution.

Vechinski, Douglas A.↗

Reconfigurable Control with Neural Network Augmentation for a Modified F-15 Aircraft

Description of the performance of a simplified dynamic inversion controller with neural network augmentation follows. Simulation studies focus on the results with and without neural network adaptation through the use of an F-15 aircraft simulator that has been modified to include canards. Simulated control law performance with a surface failure, in addition to an aerodynamic failure, is presented. The aircraft, with adaptation, attempts to minimize the inertial cross-coupling effect of the failure (a control derivative anomaly associated with a jammed control surface). The dynamic inversion controller calculates necessary surface commands to achieve desired rates. The dynamic inversion controller uses approximate short period and roll axis dynamics. The yaw axis controller is a sideslip rate command system. Methods are described to reduce the cross-coupling effect and maintain adequate tracking errors for control surface failures. The aerodynamic failure destabilizes the pitching moment due to angle of attack. The results show that control of the aircraft with the neural networks is easier (more damped) than without the neural networks. Simulation results show neural network augmentation of the controller improves performance with aerodynamic and control surface failures in terms of tracking error and cross-coupling reduction.

Burken, John J.↗

Adaptive Control Using Neural Network Augmentation for a Modified F-15 Aircraft

Description of the performance of a simplified dynamic inversion controller with neural network augmentation follows. Simulation studies focus on the results with and without neural network adaptation through the use of an F-15 aircraft simulator that has been modified to include canards. Simulated control law performance with a surface failure, in addition to an aerodynamic failure, is presented. The aircraft, with adaptation, attempts to minimize the inertial cross-coupling effect of the failure (a control derivative anomaly associated with a jammed control surface). The dynamic inversion controller calculates necessary surface commands to achieve desired rates. The dynamic inversion controller uses approximate short period and roll axis dynamics. The yaw axis controller is a sideslip rate command system. Methods are described to reduce the cross-coupling effect and maintain adequate tracking errors for control surface failures. The aerodynamic failure destabilizes the pitching moment due to angle of attack. The results show that control of the aircraft with the neural networks is easier (more damped) than without the neural networks. Simulation results show neural network augmentation of the controller improves performance with aerodynamic and control surface failures in terms of tracking error and cross-coupling reduction.

Burken, John J.↗