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At least 1,603 records · Page 89

An updated nuclear-physics and multi-messenger astrophysics framework for binary neutron star mergers

The multi-messenger detection of the gravitational-wave signal GW170817, the corresponding kilonova AT2017gfo and the short gamma-ray burst GRB170817A, as well as the observed afterglow has delivered a scientific breakthrough. For an accurate interpretation of all these different messengers, one requires robust theoretical models that describe the emitted gravitational-wave, the electromagnetic emission, and dense matter reliably. In addition, one needs efficient and accurate computational tools to ensure a correct cross-correlation between the models and the observational data. For this purpose, we have developed the Nuclear-physics and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics framework NMMA. The code allows incorporation of nuclear-physics constraints at low densities as well as X-ray and radio observations of isolated neutron stars. In previous works, the NMMA code has allowed us to constrain the equation of state of supranuclear dense matter, to measure the Hubble constant, and to compare dense-matter physics probed in neutron-star mergers and in heavy-ion collisions, and to classify electromagnetic observations and perform model selection. Here, we show an extension of the NMMA code as a first attempt of analyzing the gravitational-wave signal, the kilonova, and the gamma-ray burst afterglow simultaneously. Incorporating all available information, we estimate the radius of a 1.4M ⊙ neutron star to be $R$ $=$ $11.98^{+0.35}_{-0.04}$ km.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Cosmic Background Rejection of the ICARUS experiment at Fermilab

The Short Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab aims to explore significant regions of parameter space, applicable to sterile neutrinos at the eV mass scale, as suggested by existing experimental anomalies. To this purpose it exploits Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber detectors located along the Booster Neutrino Beamline to measure both νe appearance and νµ disappearance: the Short Baseline Neutrino Detector and the ICARUS-T600 detector at 110 and 600 m from the neutrino source, respectively. The ICARUS T-600 Far Detector, located at shallow depth, is surrounded by a Cosmic Ray Tagger system to mitigate the cosmic ray background. On average ~ 11 muon tracks are expected to cross the detector during the ~ 1 ms drift time. The cosmic ray tagger is composed of plastic scintillator bars, ensuring near 4π coverage of the detector aiming at tagging cosmic muons and thus reject 𝛾s produced by muon interactions in the surrounding materials that can generate an electromagnetic showers mimicking a νe signal. The system allows one to disentangle cosmic rays from particles originated in a neutrino interaction inside the detector by measuring their position and crossing time. A synchronization of the cosmic ray tagger with the ICARUS photon detection system with a nanosecond accuracy allows one to reject cosmic particles recorded during the beam spill and thus select an enriched sample of neutrino triggered events ahead of the event reconstruction. An overview of the cosmic ray tagger system as well as its role in the neutrino events identification and cosmic background rejection will be presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Investigation of microwave backscatter from the air-sea interface

Monitoring the ocean surface winds and mean ocean surface level is essential for improving our knowledge of the climate. Two instruments that may provide us with this information are satellite-based scatterometers and altimeters. However, these instruments measure the backscatter characteristics of the ocean surface from which other physical parameters, such as the wind speed or ocean surface height, are derived. To improve the algorithms or models that relate the electromagnetic backscatter to the desired physical parameters, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory (MIRSL) designed and fabricated three airborne scatterometers: a C-band scatterometer (CSCAT), Ku-band scatterometer (KUSCAT) and C/Ku-band scatterometer (EMBR). One or more of these instruments participated in the Electromagnetic Bias experiment (EM Bias), Shelf Edge Exchange Processes experiment (SEEP), Surface Wave Dynamics Experiment (SWADE), Southern Ocean Wave Experiment (SOWEX), Hurricane Tina research flights, Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE), and Ladir In-space Technology Experiment (LITE). This document describes the three scatterometers, summarizes our measurement campaigns and major contributions to the scientific and engineering communities, lists the publications that resulted, and presents the degrees earned under the support of this NASA grant.

Mcintosh, Robert E.↗

International Space Station Spacecraft Charging Environments: Modeling, Measurement and Implications for Future Human Space Flight Programs

Spacecraft charging analysis and migration is an interdisciplinary subject combining aspects of electrostatics, plasma physics, ionizing radiation, and materials science, as well as electronic system electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) effects. Spacecraft charging hazards are caused by the accumulation of electrical charge on spacecraft and spacecraft components produced by interactions with space plasmas, energetic charged particles, and solar UV photons as well as spacecraft electrical power and propulsion systems operations. Spacecraft charging hazard effects include both hard and soft avionics and electrical power system anomalies and have led to the partial or complete loss of numerous spacecraft. The International Space Station (ISS) orbital altitude and inclination (~400 km and 51.6o) determined the dominant natural environment factors affecting ISS spacecraft charging; high speed flight through the geomagnetic field and electrical power system interaction with the cold, high-density ionospheric plasma. In addition ISS is exposed to energetic auroral electrons at high latitude. In this paper we present the results of ISS spacecraft charging modeling and measurements and compare the measurements with numerical modeling of ISS charging processes. ISS is a large metallic structure and flight through the geomagnetic field at orbital speed dominates ISS charging. Collection of ionospheric electrons by the large 160V PV arrays is the next largest contributor. Charging by auroral electrons is detectable but makes a relatively minor contribution. Finally we report the observation of short duration (~ 1 sec) rapid charging peaks associated with shunt/un-shunt operations of the 160V PV arrays, a phenomena not predicted before flight. ISS spacecraft charging environments are radically different from those encountered at higher altitudes in Earth?s magnetosphere and in cis-Lunar space. We present a brief review of those charging environments and an assessment of the applicability of ISS spacecraft charging management and experience to future human spaceflight programs beyond LEO.

Koontz, Steven L.↗

Diagnosing collisionless energy transfer using field–particle correlations: gyrokinetic turbulence

Determining the physical mechanisms that extract energy from turbulent fluctuations in weakly collisional magnetized plasmas is necessary for a more complete characterization of the behaviour of a variety of space and astrophysical plasmas. Such a determination is complicated by the complex nature of the turbulence as well as observational constraints, chiefly that in situ measurements of such plasmas are typically only available at a single point in space. Recent work has shown that correlations between electric fields and particle velocity distributions constructed from single-point measurements produce a velocity-dependent signature of the collisionless damping mechanism. We extend this work by constructing field–particle correlations using data sets drawn from single points in strongly driven, turbulent, electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulations to demonstrate that this technique can identify the collisionless mechanisms operating in such systems. The velocity-space structure of the correlation between proton distributions and parallel electric fields agrees with expectations of resonant mechanisms transferring energy collisionlessly in turbulent systems. This work motivates the eventual application of field–particle correlations to spacecraft measurements in the solar wind, with the ultimate goal to determine the physical mechanisms that dissipate magnetized plasma turbulence.

Physics↗

Soil architecture and subsurface stratigraphic heterogeneities across land-lake interfaces along Lake Erie.

Uploaded raw datasets from electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic induction (EMI) and insitu sensors were acquired across land-lake interfaces along Lake Erie. These datasets were useful to delineate the soil architecture and subsurface stratigraphic heterogeneities. We combined multiple geophysical methods with lithostratigraphic logs from borehole cores and data from soil and borehole sensors to investigate spatial heterogeneities across land-lake interfaces. The apparent electrical conductivity (Eca) maps matched closely with the soil maps from public database and also detected additional soil units that were missing in the traditional soil maps. This implies that electromagnetic induction (EMI) could be relied upon for non invasive characterization of soils in sampling restricted sites where only non-invasive measurements are feasible. Results from electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and Ground penetrating radar (GPR) are consistent with the surficial geology of the study area, and revealed that the vertical variabilities at the sites are mainly driven by stratigraphy.The ERT data (.stg) were acquired from three different sites portage river (PTR), crane creek (CRC) and old woman creek (OWC). The ".stg" files can be opened with ERT inversion software such as EarthImager, ResIpy or Res2DInv. The GPR data (.GPZ) were also acquired from the three sites, and the ".GPZ" data files can be opened with EKKO_project 5 software from Sensors & Software Inc., or with any other standard GPR software. The EM data (.csv) were acquired from the three sites while the soil sensor data (.csv) here were acquired only from crane creek site. The ".csv) files can be opened with MS Excel or any other spread sheet software.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Tau flavored dark matter and its impact on tau Yukawa coupling

In this paper we perform a systematic study of the tau flavored dark matter (DM) model by introducing two kinds of mediators (a scalar doublet and a charged scalar singlet). The electromagnetic properties of the DM, as well as their implications in DM direct detections, are analyzed in detail. The model turns out contributing a significant radiative correction to the tau lepton mass, in addition to loosing the tension between the measured DM relic density and constraints of DM direct detections. The loop corrections can be O(10%) of the total tau mass. Signal rates of the Higgs measurements from the LHC in the h →τ τ and h → γ γ channels, relative to the Standard Model expectations, can be explained in this model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Position Sensor Integral with a Linear Actuator

A noncontact position sensor has been designed for use with a specific two-dimensional linear electromagnetic actuator. To minimize the bulk and weight added by the sensor, the sensor has been made an integral part of the actuator: that is to say, parts of the actuator structure and circuitry are used for sensing as well as for varying position. The actuator (see Figure 1) includes a C-shaped permanent magnet and an armature that is approximately centered in the magnet gap. The intended function of the actuator is to cause the permanent magnet to translate to, and/or remain at, commanded x and y coordinates, relative to the armature. In addition, some incidental relative motion along the z axis is tolerated but not controlled. The sensor is required to measure the x and y displacements from a nominal central position and to be relatively insensitive to z displacement. The armature contains two sets of electromagnet windings oriented perpendicularly to each other and electrically excited in such a manner as to generate forces in the x,y plane to produce the required motion. Small sensor excitation coils are mounted on the pole tips of the permanent magnet. These coils are excited with a sine wave at a frequency of 20 kHz. This excitation is transformer-coupled to the armature windings. The geometric arrangement of the excitation coils and armature windings is such that the amplitudes of the 20-kHz voltages induced in the armature windings vary nearly linearly with x and y displacements and do not vary significantly with small z displacements. Because the frequency of 20 kHz is much greater than the maximum frequency characteristic of the actuation signals applied to the armature windings, there is no appreciable interference between actuator and sensor functions of the armature windings.

Howard, David E.↗

Proton form factors and two-photon exchange in elastic electron-proton scattering

Proton electromagnetic form factors are among the most important sources of information about the internal structure of the proton. Two different methods for measuring these form factors, the method proposed by Rosenbluth and the polarization-transfer method, yield contradictory results. It is assumed that this contradiction can be removed upon taking into account the hard part of the contribution of two-photon exchange to the cross section for elastic electron-proton scattering. This contribution can measured experimentally via a precision comparison of the cross sections for the elastic scattering of positrons and electrons on protons. Such a measurement, performed at the VEPP-3 storage ring in Novosibirsk at the beam energies of 1.6 and 1.0 GeV for positron (electron) scattering angles in the ranges of θ{sub e} = 15°–25° and 55°–75° in the first case and in the range of θ{sub e} = 65°–105° in the second case is described in the present article. Preliminary results of this experiment and their comparison with theoretical predictions are described.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

An experimental investigation of high temperature superconducting microstrip antennas at K- and Ka-band frequencies

The recent discovery of high temperature superconductors (HTS) has generated a substantial amount of interest in microstrip antenna applications. However, the high permittivity of substrates compatible with HTS results in narrow bandwidths and high patch edge impedances of such antennas. To investigate the performance of superconducting microstrip antennas, three antenna architectures at K and Ka-band frequencies are examined. Superconducting microstrip antennas that are directly coupled, gap coupled, and electromagnetically coupled to a microstrip transmission line were designed and fabricated on lanthanum aluminate substrates using YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting thin films. For each architecture, a single patch antenna and a four element array were fabricated. Measurements from these antennas, including input impedance, bandwidth, patterns, efficiency, and gain are presented. The measured results show usable antennas can be constructed using any of the architectures. All architectures show excellent gain characteristics, with less than 2 dB of total loss in the four element arrays. Although the direct and gap coupled antennas are the simplest antennas to design and fabricate, they suffer from narrow bandwidths. The electromagnetically coupled antenna, on the other hand, allows the flexibility of using a low permittivity substrate for the patch radiator, while using HTS for the feed network, thus increasing the bandwidth while effectively utilizing the low loss properties of HTS. Each antenna investigated in this research is the first of its kind reported.

Richard, Mark A.↗

Quantum optimality of photon counting for temperature measurement of thermal astronomical sources

Using the quantum Cramér–Rao bound from quantum estimation theory, we derive a fundamental quantum limit on the sensitivity of a temperature measurement of a thermal astronomical source. This limit is expressed in terms of the source temperature T{sub s}, input spectral bandwidth Δν, and measurement duration T, subject to a long measurement time assumption TΔν≫1. It is valid for any measurement procedure that yields an unbiased estimate of the source temperature. The limit agrees with the sensitivity of direct detection or photon counting, and also with that of the ideal radiometer in the regime kT{sub s}/hν{sub 0}≫1 for which the Rayleigh–Jeans approximation is valid, where ν{sub 0} is the center frequency at which the radiometer operates. While valid across the electromagnetic spectrum, the limit is especially relevant for radio astronomy in this regime, since it implies that no ingenious design or technological improvement can beat an ideal radiometer for temperature measurement. In this connection, our result refutes the recent claim of a radio astronomy technique with much-improved sensitivity over the radiometer.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Liquid level sensing for harsh environment applications using distributed fiber optic temperature measurements

This work demonstrates the measurement of liquid level from spatially distributed temperature measurements using optical frequency domain reflectometry. The goal of this work is to provide initial evidence for a liquid level sensor concept that could be applied in harsh environments such as those with: conductive, flammable, or other chemically aggressive media; electromagnetic interference; high temperatures (up to ~1000 °C); and neutron/gamma radiation. The sensor concept includes fiber optic sensors, along with an insulated heater wire assembled inside a protective Inconel 600 sheath. When the heater is not powered, the sensor provides spatially distributed temperature measurements along the length of the fiber. When the heater is powered, the difference in heat transfer in the liquid vs. vapor sections leads to a higher fiber temperature at locations above the liquid/vapor interface. The initial demonstration described in this work tested the sensor in a tank of water that was drained in increments of 2.5 cm. A model for determining liquid level from the distributed temperature measurements was developed that resulted in an accuracy of ±0.5 cm. Finally, the paper addresses potential effects of axial conduction through the sensor sheath, as well as ways to limit these effects to avoid “smearing” of what would otherwise be a step change in temperature at the liquid/vapor interface.

42 ENGINEERING↗

α decay of the T = 1 , 2 + state in B 10 and isospin symmetry breaking in the A = 10 triplet

Here, the rate of the T =1, 2+ to T =1, 0 + transition in 10 B ( T =1, T z =0) is compared to the analog transitions in 10 Be ( T =1, T z =–1) and 10 C ( T =1, T z =+1) to provide constraints on ab initio calculations using realistic nuclear forces. The relevant state in 10 B, at E x =5.164 MeV, is particle unbound. Therefore, a determination of the B ( E 2) electromagnetic transition rate requires a precise and accurate determination of the width of the state, as well as the α-particle and γ-ray branching ratios. Previous measurements of the α-particle branching ratio are just barely in agreement. We report on a new study of the α-particle branch by studying the 10 B(p,p') 10 B* reaction in inverse kinematics with the HELIOS spectrometer. The α-particle branching ratio that we observe, 0.144±0.027, is in good agreement with the evaluated value and improves the associated uncertainty. The resulting experimental B ( E 2) value is 7.0±2.2 e 2 fm 4 and is more consistent with a flat trend across the A=10 triplet than previously reported. This is inconsistent with Green's function Monte Carlo predictions using realistic three-nucleon Hamiltonians, which overpredict the B ( E 2) value in 10 C and 10 B.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Direct photon elliptic flow in Pb–Pb collisions at s NN = 2.76 TeV

The elliptic flow of inclusive and direct photons was measured at mid-rapidity in two centrality classes 0–20% and 20–40% in Pb–Pb collisions at s NN =2.76 TeV by ALICE. Photons were detected with the highly segmented electromagnetic calorimeter PHOS and via conversions in the detector material with the e + e - pairs reconstructed in the central tracking system. The results of the two methods were combined and the direct-photon elliptic flow was extracted in the transverse momentum range 0.9 < p T < 6.2 GeV/ c . A comparison to RHIC data shows a similar magnitude of the measured direct-photon elliptic flow. Hydrodynamic and transport model calculations are systematically lower than the data, but are found to be compatible.

Acharya, S.↗

Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit

The aims of this study were to characterize electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency (RF-EMF) levels generated in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit and to analyze RF-EMF levels inside unit’s incubators. Spot and long-term measurements were made with a dosimeter. The spot measurement mean was 1.51±0.48 V/m. Higher values were found in the proximity to the window and to the incubator evaluated. Mean field strength for the entire period of 17 h was 0.81 (±0.07) V/m and the maximum value was 1.58 V/m for long-term RF-EMF measurements in the incubator. Values found during the night period were higher than those found during the day period. It is important to consider RF-EMF exposure levels in neonatal care units, due to some evidence of adverse health effects found in children and adults. Characterization of RF-EMF exposure may be important to further investigate the mechanisms and underlying effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on infant health. A prudent avoidance strategy should be adopted because newborns are at a vulnerable stage of development and the actual impact of EMF on premature infants is unknown. - Highlights: • The increasing use of RF-EMF suggests an urgent need for more research in this field. • Health consequences of RF-EMF exposure on infants are not well known. • Description of RF-EMF exposure is vital in further study mechanisms on infant health. • Considering newborns vulnerability, it is wise to adopt a prudent avoidance strategy.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Optical follow-up of the neutron star–black hole mergers S200105ae and S200115j

LIGO and Virgo’s third observing run revealed the first neutron star–black hole (NSBH) merger candidates in gravitational waves. These events are predicted to synthesize r-process elements creating optical/near-infrared ‘kilonova’ emission. The joint gravitational wave and electromagnetic detection of an NSBH merger could be used to constrain the equation of state of dense nuclear matter, and independently measure the local expansion rate of the Universe. Here, we present the optical follow-up and analysis of two of the only three high-significance NSBH merger candidates detected to date, S200105ae and S200115j, with the Zwicky Transient Facility. The Zwicky Transient Facility observed ~48% of S200105ae and ~22% of S200115j’s localization probabilities, with observations sensitive to kilonovae brighter than –17.5 mag fading at 0.5 mag d –1 in the g- and r-bands; extensive searches and systematic follow-up of candidates did not yield a viable counterpart. We present state-of-the-art kilonova models tailored to NSBH systems that place constraints on the ejecta properties of these NSBH mergers. Here, we show that with observed depths of apparent magnitude ~22 mag, attainable in metre-class, wide-field-of-view survey instruments, strong constraints on ejecta mass are possible, with the potential to rule out low mass ratios, high black hole spins and large neutron star radii.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Nucleon Resonance Electrocouplings from the CLAS Meson Electroproduction Data.

Transition helicity amplitudes {gamma}{sub {nu}}NN* (electrocouplings) were determined for prominent excited proton states with masses less than 1.8 GeV in independent analyses of major meson electroproduction channels: {pi}{sup +}n, {pi}{sup 0}p and {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}p. Consistent results on resonance electrocouplings obtained from analyses of these exclusive reactions with very different non-resonant contributions demonstrated reliable extraction of these fundamental quantities for states that have significant decays for either N{pi} or N{pi}{pi} channels. Preliminary results on electrocouplings of N* states with masses above 1.6 GeV have become available from the CLAS data on {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}p electroproduction off protons for the first time. Comparison with quark models and coupled channel approaches strongly suggest that N* structure is determined by contributions from an internal core of three constituent quarks and an external meson-baryon cloud at the distance scales covered in measurements with the CLAS detector.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Electromagnetic effects on turbulent transport in high-performance ASDEX Upgrade discharges

Modern tokamak H-mode discharges routinely operate at high plasma beta. Dedicated experiments performed on multiple machines measure contradicting dependence of the plasma confinement on this important parameter. In view of designing high-performance scenarios for next-generation devices like ITER, a fundamental understanding of the involved physics is crucial. Theoretical results—most of which have been obtained for simplified setups—indicate that increased beta does not only modify the characteristics of microturbulence but also potentially introduces fundamentally new physics. Empowered by highly accurate measurements at ASDEX Upgrade, the GENE turbulence code is used to perform a comprehensive gyrokinetic study of dedicated H-Mode plasmas. We find the stabilization of ion-temperature-gradient driven turbulence to be the most pronounced beta effect in these experimentally relevant cases. The resulting beta-improved core confinement should thus be considered for extrapolations to future machines.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗