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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.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Effect of vector meson spin coherence on the observables for the chiral magnetic effect in heavy-ion collisions

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) in heavy-ion collisions reflects the local violation of P and CP symmetries in strong interactions and manifests as electric charge separation along the direction of the magnetic field created by the wounded nuclei. The experimental observables for the CME, such as the γ 112 correlator, the R Ψ$_2$ ⁡ (Δ⁢S) correlator, and the signed balance functions, however, are also subject to non-CME backgrounds, including those from resonance decays. A previous study showed that the CME observables are affected by the diagonal component of the spin density matrix, the ρ 00 for vector mesons. Here, in this work, we study the contributions from the other elements of the spin density matrix using a toy model and a multiphase transport model. We find that the real part of the ρ 1-1 component, Re ⁡ρ 1-1 , affects the CME observables in a manner opposite to that of the ρ 00 . All three aforementioned CME observables show a linear dependence on Re ⁡ρ 1-1 in the model calculations, supporting our analytical derivations. The rest elements of the spin density matrix do not contribute to the CME observables. The off-diagonal terms in the spin density matrix indicate spin coherence and may be nonzero in heavy-ion collisions due to local spin polarization or spin-spin correlations. Thus, Re ⁡ρ 1-1 , along with ρ 00 , could play a significant role in interpreting measurements in search of the CME.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigating event-shape methods in the search for the chiral magnetic effect in relativistic heavy ion collisions

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) is a phenomenon in which electric charge is separated by a strong magnetic field from local domains of chirality imbalance and parity violation in quantum chromodynamics. The CME-sensitive observable, the charge-dependent three-point azimuthal correlator Δ⁢𝛾 , is contaminated by a major physics background proportional to the particle's elliptic flow anisotropy 𝑣 2 . Event-shape engineering (ESE) binning events in dynamical fluctuations of 𝑣 2 and event-shape selection (ESS) binning events in statistical fluctuations of 𝑣 2 are two methods to search for the CME by projecting Δ⁢𝛾 to the measured anisotropy 𝑣 2 = 0 intercept. Here, we conduct a systematic study of these two methods using physics models as well as toy model simulations. It is observed that the ESE method fulfills the general premise of measuring the CME but is statistically hungry. It is found that the intercept from the ESS method depends on the details of the event content, such as the mixtures of background-contributing sources, because of statistical fluctuations of intertwining variables used in the method, and is thus not practically useful to measure the CME.

Relativistic heavy-ion collisions↗
DOE OSTI2024

Influence of globally spin-aligned vector mesons to the measurements of the chiral magnetic effect in heavy-ion collisions

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) in high-energy heavy-ion collisions arises from the interplay between the chirality imbalance and the intense magnetic field and will cause a charge separation along the magnetic field direction. While the CME search is still ongoing in experiments, the non-CME contributions need to be excluded from the CME observables. In this work, we examine the influence of globally spin-aligned ρ mesons on the γ 112 correlator, the R Ψ 2 (ΔS) correlator, and the signed balance functions, via a toy model and a multiphase transport model (AMPT). We find that the CME observables are sensitive to the 00-component of the spin density matrix, ρ 00 : they receive positive (negative) contributions when ρ 00 is larger (smaller) than 1/3.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Influence of the chiral magnetic effect on particle-pair elliptic anisotropy

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) is a phenomenon in which electric charge is separated by a strong magnetic field from local domains of chirality imbalance in quantum chromodynamics. The CME-sensitive, azimuthal correlator difference Δ⁢𝛾 between opposite-sign (OS) and same-sign (SS) charged hadron pairs is contaminated by a major physics background proportional to the particle elliptic anisotropy (𝑣 2 ). The CME signal, on the other hand, contributes to the difference in the pair elliptic anisotropies between OS and SS pairs (Δ⁢ 𝑣 2,pair ). We investigate Δ⁢ 𝑣 2,pair and find its sensitivity to CME to be similar to that of the Δ⁢𝛾 observable.

Particle correlations & fluctuations↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimal observables for the chiral magnetic effect from machine learning

The detection of the chiral magnetic effect (CME) in relativistic heavy-ion collisions remains challenging due to substantial background contributions that obscure the expected signal. In this Letter, we present a novel machine learning approach for constructing optimized observables that significantly enhance CME detection capabilities. By parametrizing generic observables constructed from flow harmonics and optimizing them to maximize the signal-to-background ratio, we systematically develop CME-sensitive measures that outperform conventional methods. Using simulated data from the anomalous viscous fluid dynamics framework, our machine learning observables demonstrate up to 90% higher sensitivity to CME signals compared to traditional 𝛾 and 𝛿 correlators, while maintaining minimal background contamination. The constructed observables provide physical insight into optimal CME detection strategies and offer a promising path forward for experimental searches of the CME at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental search for the chiral magnetic effect in relativistic heavy-ion collisions: A perspective

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) refers to generation of the electric current along a magnetic field in a chirally imbalanced system of quarks. The latter is predicted by quantum chromodynamics to arise from quark interaction with nontrivial topological fluctuations of the vacuum gluonic field. The CME has been actively searched for in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where such gluonic field fluctuations and a strong magnetic field are believed to be present. The CME-sensitive observables are unfortunately subject to a possibly large non-CME background, and firm conclusions on a CME observation have not yet been reached. In this perspective, we review the experimental status and progress in the CME search, from the initial measurements more than a decade ago to the dedicated program of isobar collisions in 2018 and the release of the isobar blind analysis result in 2022 to intriguing hints of a possible CME signal in Au + Au collisions, and discuss future prospects of a potential CME discovery in the anticipated high-statistic Au + Au collision data at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider by 2025. We hope such a perspective will help sharpening our focus on the fundamental physics of the CME and steer its experimental search.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Upper limit on the chiral magnetic effect in isobar collisions at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) is a phenomenon that arises from the QCD anomaly in the presence of an external magnetic field. The experimental search for its evidence has been one of the key goals of the physics program of the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The STAR Collaboration has previously presented the results of a blind analysis of isobar collisions ( Ru 44 96 + Ru 44 96 , Zr 40 96 + Zr 40 96 ) in the search for the CME. The isobar ratio ( Y ) of CME-sensitive observable, charge separation scaled by elliptic anisotropy, is close to but systematically larger than the inverse multiplicity ratio, the naive background baseline. This indicates the potential existence of a CME signal and the presence of remaining nonflow background due to two- and three-particle correlations, which are different between the isobars. In this postblind analysis, we estimate the contributions from those nonflow correlations as a background baseline to Y , utilizing the isobar data as well as Heavy Ion Jet Interaction Generator simulations. This baseline is found consistent with the isobar ratio measurement, and an upper limit of 10% at 95% confidence level is extracted for the CME fraction in the charge separation measurement in isobar collisions at s NN = 200 GeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Search for the chiral magnetic effect through beam energy dependence of charge separation using event shape selection

High-energy, heavy-ion collisions can create local domains of chirality-imbalanced quarks, reflecting the topological features of quantum chromodynamics. The chiral magnetic effect (CME) predicts an electric charge separation of quarks in such topological domains along the magnetic field ($\vec{B}$) generated by the passing of two high-Z nuclei. Here, we use a correlation observable Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}$ between charged meson pairs to detect the CME-induced charge separation and a novel event shape selection (ESS) method to mitigate the background effects related to elliptic flow (𝑣 2 ). The ESS method classifies events based on the emission pattern of final-state particles and determines Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}_{ESS}$ from the zero-flow limit. We reconstruct the $\vec{B}$ field direction from the spectator nucleons, which minimizes backgrounds unrelated to the collective motion of the system. In this work, we report the measurements of Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}$ and a background indicator Δ⁢𝛾$^{132}$ in Au+Au collisions from the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Beam Energy Scan phase II and at the top RHIC energy. After background suppression, Δ⁢𝛾$^{132}_{ESS}$ aligns with zero, and Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}_{ESS}$ is reduced to no more than 20% of Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}$. We observe a finite residual charge separation with 2.5⁢𝜎, 3⁢𝜎, and 3.2⁢𝜎 significance in the 20–50% centrality range of Au + Au collisions at 11.5, 14.6, and 19.6 GeV. The results at 17.3 and 27 GeV also show positive values but with a lower significance of 1.3⁢𝜎 and 1.1⁢𝜎, respectively. The corresponding Δ⁢𝛾$^{112}_{ESS}$ values at 7.7, 9.2, and 200 GeV are consistent with zero within uncertainties.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Estimate of background baseline and upper limit on the chiral magnetic effect in isobar collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$=200 GeV at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

For the search of the chiral magnetic effect (CME), STAR previously presented the results from isobar collisions ($^{96}_{44}$Ru + $^{96}_{44}$Ru, $^{96}_{40}$Zr + $^{96}_{40}$Zr) obtained through a blind analysis. The ratio of results in Ru+Ru to Zr+Zr collisions for the CME-sensitive charge-dependent azimuthal correlator (Δ⁢𝛾), normalized by elliptic anisotropy (𝑣2), was observed to be close to but systematically larger than the inverse multiplicity ratio. The background baseline for the isobar ratio, 𝑌= (Δ⁢𝛾/𝑣2) Ru /(Δ⁢𝛾/𝑣2) Zr , is naively expected to be (1/𝑁) Ru /(1/𝑁) Zr ; however, genuine two- and three-particle correlations are expected to alter it. We estimate the contributions to 𝑌 from those correlations, utilizing both the isobar data and hijing simulations. After including those contributions, we arrive at a final background baseline for 𝑌, which is consistent with the isobar data. Here, we extract an upper limit for the CME fraction in the Δ⁢𝛾 measurement of approximately 10% at a 95% confidence level on in isobar collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$=200 GeV, with an expected 15% difference in their squared magnetic fields.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for the Chiral Magnetic Effect with charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in Xe–Xe collisions at s NN = 5.44 TeV

Charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations measured in Xe–Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = TeV are presented. Results are obtained for charged particles in the pseudorapidity range |η| and transverse momentum interval 02. ≤ p T < GeV/c for different collision centralities. The three-particle correlator γ αβ ≡ $\langle$cos(φ α + φ β - 2Ψ a )$\rangle$, calculated for different combinations of charge sign α and β, is expected to be sensitive to the presence of the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME). Its magnitude is similar to the one observed in Pb–Pb collisions in contrast to a smaller CME signal in Xe–Xe collisions than in Pb–Pb collisions predicted by Monte Carlo (MC) calculations including a magnetic field induced by the spectator protons. These observations point to a large non-CME contribution to the correlator. Furthermore, the charge dependence of γ αβ can be described by a blast wave model calculation that incorporates background effects and by the Anomalous Viscous Fluid Dynamics model with values of the CME signal consistent with zero. The Xe–Xe and Pb–Pb results are combined with the expected CME signal dependence on the system size from the MC calculations including a magnetic field to obtain the fraction of CME contribution in γ αβ , $f$ CME . The CME fraction is compatible with zero for the 30% most central events in both systems and then becomes positive. This yields an upper limit of 2% (3%) and 25% (32%) at 95% (99.7%) confidence level for the CME signal contribution to γ αβ in the 0–70% Xe–Xe and Pb–Pb collisions, respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Directed Flow and the Chiral Magnetic Effect in Ultrarelativistic Collisions with CMS at the LHC (Final Technical Report for DOE Grant # DE-SC0021080)

This Final Technical Report covers the years of activity for the Grant DE-SC0021080. It reflects the efforts of Alice Mignerey, the PI, Timothy Koeth, the co-PI, graduate students Eric Adams and Samuel Lascio, and undergraduates Alyssa Marinelli and Max Bernard. Results from three separate aspects of the project are presented: 1) understanding the radiation damage of the positive and negative sides of the Spectator Reaction Plane detector (SRPD) for data from the 2018 PbPb run at the CERN LHC. 2) Results of the directed flow in PbPb collisions at $\sqrt{SNN}$ = 5.02 TeV. 3) Activation studies of the sectors of the positive side of the SRPD and radiation damage studies on fused quartz using the Maryland 4-MeV electron accelerator. The most significant result is that the reaction plane derived directed flow for both participant and spectator reaction planes is many times larger than that obtained by ALICE.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Directed Flow and the Chiral Magnetic Effect in Ultrarelativistic Collisions with CMS at the LHC (Final Technical Report for DOE Grant # DE-SC0021080)

This Final Technical Report covers the years of activity for the Grant DE-SC0021080. It reflects the efforts of Alice Mignerey, the PI, Timothy Koeth, the co-PI, graduate students Eric Adams and Samuel Lascio, and undergraduates Alyssa Marinelli and Max Bernard. Results from three separate aspects of the project are presented: 1) understanding the radiation damage of the positive and negative sides of the Spectator Reaction Plane Detector (SRPD) for data from the 2018 PbPb run at the CERN LHC. 2) Results of the directed flow in PbPb collisions at √sN N = 5.02 TeV. 3) Activation studies of the sectors of the positive side of the SRPD and radiation damage studies on fused quartz using the Maryland 4-MeV electron accelerator. The most significant result is that the reaction plane derived directed flow for both participant and spectator reaction planes is many times larger than that obtained by ALICE.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Uniform field in microwave cavities through the use of effective magnetic walls

Wire medium (WM) resonators have emerged as a promising realization for plasma haloscopes—devices designed to detect axions, a potential component of dark matter. Key factors influencing the detection probability include cavity volume, resonance quality factor, and form factor. While the form factor has been explored for resonant frequency tuning, its optimization for axion detection remains unexplored. Here, in this work, we present an approach to significantly enhancing the form factor of WM plasma haloscopes. By shifting the metal walls of the resonator by a quarter wavelength, we effectively convert an electric wall boundary condition into a magnetic wall one, allowing for an almost uniform mode. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations confirm that this modification improves the electric field profile and boosts the form factor, while also slightly enhancing the quality factor. We validate these findings through experimental results from two prototype resonators: one with a standard geometry and another with a quarter-wave air gap between the WM and the walls. Additionally, our method provides a simple way to control the field profile within WM cavities, which can be explored for further applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Curvilinear magnetic effects in helicoid nanotubes

We report the fabrication and characterization of ferromagnetic helicoid nanotubes with a tunable surface curvature and chirality. Through combining focused electron beam induced deposition and magnetron sputtering we realize these complex curvilinear magnetic architectures. Electron holography reveals two distinct states: a single domain remanent state, with a magnetic chirality governed by the geometric chirality, and a vortex-anti-vortex domain wall, preferentially forming at areas of lower curvature. Micromagnetic simulations reveal how the geometry, specifically pitch and local surface curvature, affects the stability and formation of magnetic domain walls. Furthermore, we show that the interplay between magnetic and geometric chirality has a strong impact on domain wall motion, whereby a right-handed geometric chirality leads to faster domain wall motion and a left-handed geometry hinders domain wall transport. The results shown here highlight the potential of 3D magnetic architectures in spintronic devices and offer insights into how geometry and curvature affect the magnetization, the distribution of magnetic solitons and the motion of domain walls.

3D Nanomagnetism↗
DOE OSTI2025

Impact of dynamic Jahn-Teller effect on magnetic excitations, lattice vibration, and thermal conductivity in U 𝑥 ⁢T⁢h 1−𝑥 ⁡O 2 system

Vibrational and magnetic properties of single-crystal uranium-thorium dioxide (U 𝑥 ⁢T⁢h 1−𝑥⁡ O 2 ) with a full range of 0 < 𝑥 < 1 are investigated. Thorium dioxide is a diamagnet whose thermal properties are governed by lattice vibration. The addition of paramagnetic uranium ions leads to the emergence of magnetic effects that alter the thermophysical properties noticeably even at room temperature. The interaction of phonons with magnetic moments of uranium 5⁢𝑓 electrons mediated by magnetoelastic coupling results in an anomalous low-temperature thermal conductivity profile. Analysis of the magnetic susceptibility measurements indicates a departure from the Curie-Weiss relationship characteristic of noninteracting paramagnetic ions, previously associated with the dynamic Jahn-Teller (DJT) effect characterized by coupling between spin and the oxygen sublattice. The T 2⁢g Raman peak position follows a nonlinear trend as a function of uranium concentration and hints that these Raman active optical modes play a role in either DJT or in mediating quadrupole-quadrupole interactions. A first-principle-based thermal transport model is implemented to explain the low-temperature transport measurements, where the anomalous reduction is attributed to phonon-spin resonant scattering. The interplay between spins and phonons is also captured using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) measurements of phonon linewidths. Our results provide insights into the phonon interactions with the magnetic excitations governing DJT effect and impacting the low-temperature thermal transport processes in this material system. Furthermore, these findings have implications for understanding low-temperature thermal transport and magnetic properties in advanced materials for information processing and energy applications.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗