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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Neutrino quantum kinetics in compact objects

Neutrinos play a critical role of transporting energy and changing the lepton density within corecollapse supernovae and neutron star mergers. The quantum kinetic equations (QKEs) combine the effects of neutrino-matter interactions treated in classical Boltzmann transport with the neutrino flavor-changing effects treated in neutrino oscillation calculations. We present a method for extending existing neutrino interaction rates to full QKE source terms for use in numerical calculations. We demonstrate the effects of absorption and emission by nucleons and nuclei, electron scattering, electron-positron pair annihilation, nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung, neutrino-neutrino scattering. For the first time, we include all these collision terms self-consistently in a simulation of the full isotropic QKEs in conditions relevant to core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers. For our choice of parameters, the long-term evolution of the neutrino distribution function proceeds similarly with and without the oscillation term, though with measurable differences. We demonstrate that electron scattering, nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung processes, and four-neutrino processes dominate flavor decoherence in the protoneutron star (PNS), absorption dominates near the shock, and all of the considered processes except elastic nucleon scattering and neutrino-neutrino processes are relevant in the decoupling region. Lastly, we propose an effective decoherence opacity that at most energies predicts decoherence rates to within a factor of 10 in our model PNS and within 20% outside of the PNS.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Strain localization in dry sheared granular materials: A compactivity-based approach

Shear banding is widely observed in natural fault zones as well as in laboratory experiments on granular materials. Understanding the dynamics of strain localization under different loading conditions is essential for quantifying strength evolution of fault gouge, energy partitioning during earthquakes and characterizing rheological transitions and fault zone structure changes. To that end, we develop a physics-based continuum model for strain localization in sheared granular materials. The grain-scale dynamics is described by the Shear Transformation Zone (STZ) theory, a non-equilibrium statistical thermodynamic framework for viscoplastic deformation in amorphous materials. Using a finite strain computational framework, we investigate the initiation and growth of complex shear bands under a variety of loading conditions and identify implication for strength evolution and ductile to brittle transition. Our numerical results show similar localization patterns to field and lab observations and suggest that shear zones show more ductile response at higher confining pressures, lower dilatancy and loose initial conditions. Lower pressures, higher dilatancy and dense initial conditions favor a brittle response and larger strength drops. These findings shed light on a range of mechanisms for strength evolution in dry sheared granular materials and provide a critical input to physicsbased multiscale models of fault zone instabilities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Compact interaction potential for van der Waals nanorods

Here, we studied the van der Waals interactions of two finite, solid, cylindrical rods at arbitrary angle and position with respect to each other. An analytic interpolative formula for the interaction potential energy is constructed based on various asymptotic cases. In conclusion, the potential can be readily used for numerical and analytic descriptions of multiwall carbon nanotubes, metallic nanorods, rod-shaped colloids, or any other similar objects with significant van der Waals interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Constraining the Neutron Star Compactness: Extraction of the Al 23 ( p , γ ) Reaction Rate for the r p Process

The 23 Al(p,γ) 24 Si reaction is among the most important reactions driving the energy generation in type-I x-ray bursts. However, the present reaction-rate uncertainty limits constraints on neutron star properties that can be achieved with burst model-observation comparisons. In this work, we present a novel technique for constraining this important reaction by combining the GRETINA array with the neutron detector LENDA coupled to the S800 spectrograph at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The 23 Al(d,n) reaction was used to populate the astrophysically important states in 24 Si. This enables a measurement in complete kinematics for extracting all relevant inputs necessary to calculate the reaction rate. For the first time, a predicted close-lying doublet of a $2^{+}_{2}$ and ($4^{+}_{1}, 0^{+}_{2}$) state in 24 Si was disentangled, finally resolving conflicting results from two previous measurements. Furthermore, it was possible to extract spectroscopic factors using GRETINA and LENDA simultaneously. This new technique may be used to constrain other important reaction rates for various astrophysical scenarios.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Enhanced Isomer Population via Direct Irradiation of Solid-Density Targets Using a Compact Laser-Plasma Accelerator

Excitation of long-lived states in bromine nuclei using a tabletop laser-plasma accelerator providing pulsed (<100 fs) electron beams provided a sensitive probe of γ strength and level densities in the nuclear quasicontinuum and may indicate angular momentum coupling through electron-nuclear interactions. Solid-density active $LaBr_{3}$ targets absorb real and virtual photons up to 35 ± 2.5 MeV and deexcite through γ cascade into different states. Here, a factor of 4.354 ± 0.932 enhancement of the $^{80}Br^{m}/^{80}Br^{g}$ isomeric ratio was observed following electron irradiation, as compared to bremsstrahlung. Additional angular momentum transfer could possibly occur through nuclear-plasma or electron-nuclear interactions enabled by the ultrashort electron beam. Further investigation of these mechanisms could have far-reaching impact including decreased storage of long-term nuclear waste and an improved understanding of heavy element formation in astrophysical settings.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗