Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Operator Theory”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,747 records · Page 97
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

The Low-Mass Limit: Dark Matter Detectors with eV-Scale Energy Resolution

The SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment will be a 20-kg scale Si and Ge direct dark matter detection experiment designed to probe down to 300 MeV in dark matter (DM) mass through DM-nucleus scattering and 500 keV in DM electron scattering. In order to reach these low masses with appreciable sensitivity to dark matter, it needs to achieve very low energy resolution ($\le 10$ ev) for nuclear recoils in both detector materials, which will be achieved using a new detector design and operating mode, CDMS HV. This detector is designed to operate at a bias of 100V to convert charges liberated in our detector targets to into phonon energy in order to resolve individual electron-hole pairs. This has never before been achieved in a kg-scale detector. In this thesis, I cover three elements of the design of the CDMS HV detectors. I discuss the detector physics controlling how charges and phonons are generated in our detector crystals, comparing theory to results of recent experiments carried out at Stanford. I move on to describe the operating principles of our phonon-mediated charge readout, as well as the design of the CDMS HV detector. I then describe the performance tests of early CDMS HV prototypes in conjunction with the SuperCDMS SNOLAB electronics, and discuss the path towards achieving single electron-hole pair resolving detectors at the kg-scale given the performance obtained thus far. As a result of these tests, we were able to refine our noise and sensor dynamics models, and develop new metrics for diagnosing non-ideal sources of noise to aid in reducing coupling of the external environment to our detectors. In order to study the microphysics of phonon and charge production in our target crystals, we fabricated a number of gram-scale devices with various sensor designs in order to separate sensor and environmental effects from intrinsic crystal properties. These devices provided the first successful demonstrating of using voltage to amplify charge energ y by production of phonons (the Neganov-Trofimov-Luke effect! ) in order to resolve electron-hole pairs, and opened up a new regime of dark matter and photon science at the gram-scale that we are just beginning to explore. A first dark matter search was carried out with one of these gram-scale devices, producing world-leading limits on electron-recoiling dark matter between 0.5 and 5 MeV in dark matter mass for multiple form factors. This device achieved a phonon resolution of 10~eV, allowing a single gram-day of exposure to rival kg-days of exposure in the competing liquid-noble based electron-recoil search.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Recent Progress in Nuclear Lattice Simulations

We review several recent results on lattice simulations by the Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory Collaboration. In the first part we discuss the implementation of nuclear forces on the lattice using chiral effective field theory. The new development we highlight is the use of non-local lattice operators to achieve a simpler spin channel decomposition, in contrast with previous studies that considered only local interactions. In the second part, we present evidence that nuclear physics is close to a quantum phase transition. This development is also linked to the study of the differences between local and non-local interactions. In the final part we further explore the link between the nuclear forces and nuclear structure. We consider the simplest possible nuclear interaction which can accurately reproduce the ground state energies of neutron matter, light nuclei, and medium-mass nuclei. We discuss what these recent developments say about the emergence of nuclear structure from nuclear forces and the road ahead for nuclear lattice simulations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

On preheating in Higgs inflation

Abstract Recently, the problem of unitarity violation during the preheating stage of Higgs inflation with a large non-minimal coupling has been much discussed in the literature. We point out that this problem can be translated into a strong coupling problem for the dimensionless effective coupling, and that the existence of these problems is highly dependent on the choice of higher-dimensional operators because they can significantly change the background dynamics and the canonical normalization of the fluctuations around it. Correspondingly, the typical energy of particles produced during the first stage of preheating can remain comparable to or below the cutoff scale of the theory. As an example, we numerically calculate the particle production in the presence of a specific four-derivative operator of the Higgs field, and confirm the statement above. Our argument also applies to multi-field inflation with non-minimal couplings.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cosmological moduli and non-perturbative production of axions

Cosmological moduli generically come to dominate the energy density of the early universe, and thereby trigger an early matter dominated era. Such non-standard cosmological histories are expected to have profound effects on the evolution and production of axion cold dark matter and dark radiation, as well as their prospects for detection. We consider moduli-axion couplings and investigate the early history of the coupled system, considering closely the evolution of the homogeneous modulus field, the back-reaction from the axion, and the energy densities of the two fields. A particular point of interest is the enhancement of axion production from modulus decay, due to tachyonic and parametric resonant instabilities, and the implications of such production on the cosmological moduli problem, axion dark radiation, and the available parameter space for axion dark matter. Using an effective field theory approach, WKB-based semi-analytical analysis, and detailed numerical estimates of the co-evolution of the system, we evaluate the expected decay efficiency of the modulus to axions. The effects of higher-order operators are studied and implications for UV-complete frameworks such as the Large Volume Scenarios in Type IIB string theory are considered in detail.

Axions and ALPs↗
DOE OSTI2012

On a family of (1+1)-dimensional scalar field theory models: Kinks, stability, one-loop mass shifts

In this paper we construct a one-parametric family of (1+1)-dimensional one-component scalar field theory models supporting kinks. Inspired by the sine-Gordon and {phi}{sup 4} models, we look at all possible extensions such that the kink second-order fluctuation operators are Schroedinger differential operators with Poeschl-Teller potential wells. In this situation, the associated spectral problem is solvable and therefore we shall succeed in analyzing the kink stability completely and in computing the one-loop quantum correction to the kink mass exactly. When the parameter is a natural number, the family becomes the hierarchy for which the potential wells are reflectionless, the two first levels of the hierarchy being the sine-Gordon and {phi}{sup 4} models. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We construct a family of scalar field theory models supporting kinks. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The second-order kink fluctuation operators involve Poeschl-Teller potential wells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We compute the one-loop quantum correction to the kink mass with different methods.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Two-loop renormalization of quantum gravity simplified

The coefficient of the dimensionally regularized two-loop R 3 divergence of (nonsupersymmetric) gravity theories has recently been shown to change when nondynamical three-forms are added to the theory, or when a pseudoscalar is replaced by the antisymmetric two-form field to which it is dual. This phenomenon involves evanescent operators, whose matrix elements vanish in four dimensions, including the Gauss-Bonnet operator which is also connected to the trace anomaly. On the other hand, these effects appear to have no physical consequences for renormalized scattering processes. In particular, the dependence of the two-loop four-graviton scattering amplitude on the renormalization scale is simple. As a result, we explain this result for any minimally-coupled massless gravity theory with renormalizable matter interactions by using unitarity cuts in four dimensions and never invoking evanescent operators.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Iridium Oxide Coordinatively Unsaturated Active Sites Govern the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Water

A special membrane electrode assembly to measure operando X-ray absorption spectra and resonant photoemission spectra of mesoporous templated iridium oxide films is used. These films are calcined to different temperatures to mediate the catalyst activity. By combining operando resonant photoemission measurements of different films with ab initio simulations these are able to unambiguously distinguish µ 2 -O (bridging oxygen) and µ 1 -O (terminal oxygen) in the near-surface regions of the catalysts. The intrinsic activity of iridium oxide scales with the formation of µ1-O (terminal oxygen) is found. Importantly, it is shown that the peroxo species do not accumulate under reaction conditions. Rather, the formation of µ 1 -O species, which are active in O-O bond formation during the OER, is the most oxidized oxygen species observed, which is consistent with an O-O rate-limiting step. Thus, the oxygen species taking part in the electrochemical oxidation of water on iridium electrodes are more involved and complex than previously stated. This result highlights the importance of employing theory together with true and complementary operando measurements capable of probing different aspects of catalysts surfaces during operation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Measurement of atmospheric pressure microplasma jet with Langmuir probes

A radio frequency argon microplasma jet at atmospheric-pressure is characterized using Langmuir probes. While optical methods are the typical diagnostic for these small scale plasmas, the simplicity and low cost of Langmuir probes makes them an attractive option. The plasma density and electron temperature are measured using existing high-pressure Langmuir probe theories developed for flames and arcs. The density and temperature vary from 1 × 10{sup 16} to 1 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3} and 2.3 to 4.4 eV, respectively, depending on the operating condition. The density decreases while the electron temperature increases with axial distance from the jet exit. The applicability of the probe theories as well as the effect of collisionality and jet mixing is discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Temperature dependence of the magnetostriction in polycrystalline PrFe{sub 1.9} and TbFe{sub 2} alloys: Experiment and theory

A remarkable magnetostriction λ{sub 111} as large as 6700 ppm was found at 70 K in PrFe{sub 1.9} alloy. This value is even larger than the theoretical maximum of 5600 ppm estimated by the Steven's equivalent operator method. The temperature dependence of λ{sub 111} for PrFe{sub 1.9} and TbFe{sub 2} alloys follows well with the single-ion theory rule, which yields giant estimated λ{sub 111} values of about 8000 and 4200 ppm for PrFe{sub 1.9} and TbFe{sub 2} alloys, respectively, at 0 K. The easy magnetization direction of PrFe{sub 1.9} changes from [111] to [100] as temperature decreases, which leads to the abnormal decrease of the magnetostriction λ. The rare earth sublattice moment increases sharply in PrFe{sub 1.9} alloy with decreasing temperature, resulting in the remarkably largest estimated value of λ{sub 111} at 0 K according to the single-ion theory.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Causality constraints in conformal field theory

Causality places nontrivial constraints on QFT in Lorentzian signature, for example fixing the signs of certain terms in the low energy Lagrangian. In d dimensional conformal field theory, we show how such constraints are encoded in crossing symmetry of Euclidean correlators, and derive analogous constraints directly from the conformal bootstrap (analytically). The bootstrap setup is a Lorentzian four-point function corresponding to propagation through a shockwave. Crossing symmetry fixes the signs of certain log terms that appear in the conformal block expansion, which constrains the interactions of low-lying operators. As an application, we use the bootstrap to rederive the well known sign constraint on the (Φ) 4 coupling in effective field theory, from a dual CFT. We also find constraints on theories with higher spin conserved currents. As a result, our analysis is restricted to scalar correlators, but we argue that similar methods should also impose nontrivial constraints on the interactions of spinning operators

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Marginal breaking of conformal SUSY QCD

We provide an example of a 4D theory that exhibits the Contino-Pomarol-Rattazzi mechanism, where breaking conformal symmetry by an almost marginal operator leads to a light pseudo-Goldstone boson, the dilaton, and a parametrically suppressed contribution to vacuum energy. We consider SUSY QCD at the edge of the conformal window and break conformal symmetry by weakly gauging a subgroup of the flavor symmetry. Using Seiberg duality we show that for a range of parameters the singlet meson in the dual theory reaches the unitarity bound, however, this theory does not have a stable vacuum. We stabilize the vacuum with soft breaking terms, compute the mass of the dilaton, and determine the range of parameters where the leading contribution to the dilaton mass is from the almost marginal coupling.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Non-standard neutrino interactions and low energy experiments

We formulate an Effective Field Theory (EFT) for Non Standard neutrino Interactions (NSI) in elastic scattering with light quarks, leptons, gluons and photons, including all possible operators of dimension 5, 6 and 7. We provide the expressions for the cross sections in coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and in deep inelastic scattering. Assuming single operator dominance we constrain the respective Wilson coefficient using the measurements by the COHERENT and CHARM collaborations. We also point out the constraining power of future elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments. Finally, we explore the implications of the bounds for SMEFT operators above the electroweak breaking scale.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A-twisted correlators and Hori dualities

The Hori-Tong and Hori dualities are infrared dualities between two-dimensional gauge theories with N = (2, 2) supersymmetry, which are reminiscent of four-dimensional Seiberg dualities. We provide additional evidence for those dualities with U( N c ), USp(2 N c ), SO( N ) and O( N ) gauge groups, by matching correlation functions of Coulomb branch operators on a Riemann surface Σ g , in the presence of the topological A-twist. The O( N ) theories studied, denoted by O + (N ) and O_( N ), can be understood as Z 2 orbifolds of an SO( N ) theory. In conclusion, the correlators of these theories on Σ g with g > 0 are obtained by computing correlators with Z 2 -twisted boundary conditions and summing them up with weights determined by the orbifold projection.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Many-Body Perturbation Theory Approach to Energy Band Alignment at the Crystalline Tetracene–Silicon Interface

Hybrid inorganic–organic semiconductor (HIOS) interfaces are of interest for new photovoltaic devices operating above the Shockley–Queisser limit. Predicting energy band alignment at the interfaces is crucial for their design, but represents a challenging problem due to the large scales of the system, the energy precision required and a wide range of physical phenomena that occur at the interface. To tackle this problem, many-body perturbation theory in the non-self-consistent GW approximation, orbital relaxation corrections for organic semiconductors, and line-up potential method for inorganic semiconductors which allows for tractable and accurate computing of energy band alignment in crystalline van-der-Waals hybrid inorganic–organic semiconductor interfaces are used. In this work, crystalline tetracene physisorbed on the clean hydrogen-passivated 1 × 2 reconstructed (100) silicon surface is studied. Using this computational approach, it is found that the energy band alignment is determined by an interplay of the mutual dynamic dielectric screening of two materials and the formation of a dipole layer due to a weak hybridization of atomic/molecular orbitals at the interface. The significant role of the exchange-correlation effects in predicting band offsets for the hybrid inorganic–organic semiconductor interfaces is also emphasized.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

On the hydrophilicity of electrodes for capacitive energy extraction

The so-called Capmix technique for energy extraction is based on the cyclic expansion of electrical double layers to harvest dissipative energy arising from the salinity difference between freshwater and seawater. Its optimal performance requires a careful selection of the electrical potentials for the charging and discharging processes, which must be matched with the pore characteristics of the electrode materials. While a number of recent studies have examined the effects of the electrode pore size and geometry on the capacitive energy extraction processes, there is little knowledge on how the surface properties of the electrodes affect the thermodynamic efficiency. In this paper, we investigate the Capmix processes using the classical density functional theory for a realistic model of electrolyte solutions. The theoretical predictions allow us to identify optimal operation parameters for capacitive energy extraction with porous electrodes of different surface hydrophobicity. Finally, in agreement with recent experiments, we find that the thermodynamic efficiency can be much improved by using most hydrophilic electrodes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Residual symmetries and scalar multiplet vacuum alignment in non-Abelian flavour models

We demonstrate that, upon minimizing a renormalizable, single-scalar potential invariant under a non-Abelian symmetry, special orientations in the associated vacuum alignment of the scalar multiplet correspond to the preservation of a discrete residual flavour symmetry in the broken phase of the theory. Conversely, we show that these special scalar alignments are perturbed when additional Lagrangian operators (e.g. renormalizable, multi-flavon operators and/or effective, higher-dimensional operators) are present that break said residual symmetry, leading to a vacuum reorientation and phenomenological consequences. We therefore construct a one-to-one correspondence principle between broken residual symmetries and vacuum alignment corrections, providing a mechanism to identify (and correct) a subtle but persistent form of phenomenologically relevant fine-tuning embedded in — but often ignored by — most successful non-Abelian flavour models. We first establish this correspondence in a set of toy models based on the S4 permutation symmetry, and then apply the lessons learned to the more realistic A4 Altarelli-Feruglio and ∆(27) Universal Texture Zero models.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2014

On the validity of the effective field theory for dark matter searches at the LHC, part II: complete analysis for the s-channel

We generalize in several directions our recent analysis of the limitations to the use of the effective field theory approach to study dark matter at the LHC. Firstly, we study the full list of operators connecting fermion DM to quarks and gluons, corresponding to integrating out a heavy mediator in the s-channel; secondly, we provide analytical results for the validity of the EFT description for both √s = 8 TeV and 14 TeV; thirdly, we make use of a MonteCarlo event generator approach to assess the validity of our analytical conclusions. We apply our results to revisit the current collider bounds on the ultraviolet cut-off scale of the effective field theory and show that these bounds are weakened once the validity conditions of the effective field theory are imposed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

String theory of supertubes

String theory on AdS 3 backgrounds arises as an IR limit of Little String Theory on NS 5 -branes. A wide variety of holographic RG flows from the fivebrane theory in the UV to (orbifolds of) AdS 3 in the IR is amenable to exact treatment in worldsheet string theory as a class of null-gauged WZW models. The condensate of stringy winding operators which resolves the near-source structure of fivebranes on the Coulomb branch plays a crucial role in AdS 3 , revealing stringy structure invisible to the supergravity approximation. As a result, the D-brane sector contains precursors of the long strings which dominate black hole entropy in the dual spacetime CFT.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗