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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

New Seismic Monitoring Station at Mohawk Ridge, Valles Caldera

Two new broadband digital seismic stations were installed in the Valles Caldera in 2011 and 2012. The first is located on the summit of Cerros del Abrigo (station code CDAB) and the second is located on the flanks of San Antonio Mountain (station code SAMT). Seismic monitoring stations in the caldera serve multiple purposes. These stations augment and expand the current coverage of the Los Alamos Seismic Network (LASN), which is operated to support seismic and volcanic hazards studies for LANL and northern New Mexico (Figure 1). They also provide unique continuous seismic data within the caldera that can be used for scientific studies of the caldera’s substructure and detection of very small seismic signals that may indicate changes in the current and evolving state of remnant magma that is known to exist beneath the caldera. Since the installation of CDAB and SAMT, several very small earthquakes have already been detected near San Antonio Mountain just west of SAMT (Figure 2). These are the first events to be seen in that area. Caldera stations also improve the detection and epicenter determination quality for larger local earthquakes on the Pajarito Fault System east of the Preserve and the Nacimiento Uplift to the west. These larger earthquakes are a concern to LANL Seismic Hazards assessments and seismic monitoring of the Los Alamos region, including the VCNP, is a DOE requirement. Currently the next closest seismic stations to the caldera are on Pipeline Road (PPR) just west of Los Alamos, and Peralta Ridge (PER) south of the caldera. There is no station coverage near the resurgent dome, Redondo Peak, in the center of the caldera. Filling this “hole” is the highest priority for the next new LASN station. We propose to install this station in 2018 on Mohawk Ridge just east of Redondito, in the same area already occupied by other scientific installations, such as the MCON flux tower operated by UNM.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Atlas of solar hidden photon emission

Hidden photons, gauge bosons of a U(1) symmetry of a hidden sector, can constitute the dark matter of the universe and a smoking gun for large volume compactifications of string theory. In the sub-eV mass range, a possible discovery experiment consists on searching the copious flux of these particles emitted from the Sun in a helioscope setup à la Sikivie. In this paper, we compute in great detail the flux of HPs from the Sun, a necessary ingredient for interpreting such experiments. We provide a detailed exposition of transverse photon-HP oscillations in inhomogenous media, with special focus on resonance oscillations, which play a leading role in many cases. The region of the Sun emitting HPs resonantly is a thin spherical shell for which we justify an averaged-emission formula and which implies a distinctive morphology of the angular distribution of HPs on Earth in many cases. Low mass HPs with energies in the visible and IR have resonances very close to the photosphere where the solar plasma is not fully ionised and requires building a detailed model of solar refraction and absorption. We present results for a broad range of HP masses (from 0–1 keV) and energies (from the IR to the X-ray range), the most complete atlas of solar HP emission to date.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Results from the Solar Hidden Photon Search (SHIPS)

We present the results of a search for transversely polarised hidden photons (HPs) with ∼3 eV energies emitted from the Sun. These hypothetical particles, known also as paraphotons or dark sector photons, are theoretically well motivated for example by string theory inspired extensions of the Standard Model. Solar HPs of sub-eV mass can convert into photons of the same energy (photon ↔ HP oscillations are similar to neutrino flavour oscillations). At SHIPS this would take place inside a long light-tight high-vacuum tube, which tracks the Sun. The generated photons would then be focused into a low-noise photomultiplier at the far end of the tube. Our analysis of 330 h of data (and 330 h of background characterisation) reveals no signal of photons from solar hidden photon conversion. We estimate the rate of newly generated photons due to this conversion to be smaller than 25 mHz/m{sup 2} at the 95% C.L. Using this and a recent model of solar HP emission, we set stringent constraints on χ, the coupling constant between HPs and photons, as a function of the HP mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Toward a Fundamental Understanding of Nuclear Reactions and Exotic Nuclei

Nuclear systems near the drip lines offer an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of the interactions among nucleons, which has so far been mostly based on the study of stable nuclei. However, this is not a goal devoid of challenges. From a theoretical standpoint, it requires the ca- pability to address within an ab initio framework not only bound, but also resonant and scattering states, all of which can be strongly coupled. In recent years, significant progress has been made in ab initio nuclear structure and reaction calculations based on input from Quantum Chromodynamics employing Hamiltonians constructed within chiral effective field theory. In this contribution, we present a brief overview of one of such methods, the ab initio no-core shell model with continuum, and its applications to nucleon and deuterium scattering on light nuclei. The first investigation of the low-lying continuum spectrum of 6He within an ab initio framework that encompasses the 4He+n+n three-cluster dynamics characterizing its lowest particle-decay channel will also be briefly presented.

Quaglioni, Sofia↗

Conceptual design of BabyIAXO, the intermediate stage towards the International Axion Observatory

This article describes BabyIAXO, an intermediate experimental stage of the International Axion Observatory (IAXO), proposed to be sited at DESY. IAXO is a large-scale axion helioscope that will look for axions and axion-like particles (ALPs), produced in the Sun, with unprecedented sensitivity. BabyIAXO is conceived to test all IAXO subsystems (magnet, optics and detectors) at a relevant scale for the final system and thus serve as prototype for IAXO, but at the same time as a fully-fledged helioscope with relevant physics reach itself, and with potential for discovery. The BabyIAXO magnet will feature two 10 m long, 70 cm diameter bores, and will host two detection lines (optics and detector) of dimensions similar to the final ones foreseen for IAXO. BabyIAXO will detect or reject solar axions or ALPs with axion-photon couplings down to g aγ ~ 1 . 5 × 10 -11 GeV -1 , and masses up to m a ~ 0.25 eV. BabyIAXO will offer additional opportunities for axion research in view of IAXO, like the development of precision x-ray detectors to identify particular spectral features in the solar axion spectrum, and the implementation of radiofrequency-cavity-based axion dark matter setups.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

First results of the CAST-RADES haloscope search for axions at 34.67 μ eV

We present results of the Relic Axion Dark-Matter Exploratory Setup (RADES), a detector which is part of the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), searching for axion dark matter in the 34.67 μeV mass range. A radio frequency cavity consisting of 5 sub-cavities coupled by inductive irises took physics data inside the CAST dipole magnet for the first time using this filter-like haloscope geometry. An exclusion limit with a 95% credibility level on the axion-photon coupling constant of g aγ ≳ 4 × 10 -13 GeV -1 over a mass range of 34.6738 μeV < m a < 34.6771 μeV is set. This constitutes a significant improvement over the current strongest limit set by CAST at this mass and is at the same time one of the most sensitive direct searches for an axion dark matter candidate above the mass of 25 μeV. The results also demonstrate the feasibility of exploring a wider mass range around the value probed by CAST-RADES in this work using similar coherent resonant cavities.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Ohm’s Law, the Reconnection Rate, and Energy Conversion in Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous plasma process that transforms magnetic energy into particle energy during eruptive events throughout the universe. Reconnection not only converts energy during solar flares and geomagnetic substorms that drive space weather near Earth, but it may also play critical roles in the high energy emissions from the magnetospheres of neutron stars and black holes. In this review article, we focus on collisionless plasmas that are most relevant to reconnection in many space and astrophysical plasmas. Guided by first-principles kinetic simulations and spaceborne in-situ observations, we highlight the most recent progress in understanding this fundamental plasma process. We start by discussing the non-ideal electric field in the generalized Ohm’s law that breaks the frozen-in flux condition in ideal magnetohydrodynamics and allows magnetic reconnection to occur. We point out that this same reconnection electric field also plays an important role in sustaining the current and pressure in the current sheet and then discuss the determination of its magnitude (i.e., the reconnection rate), based on force balance and energy conservation. This approach to determining the reconnection rate is applied to kinetic current sheets with a wide variety of magnetic geometries, parameters, and background conditions. We also briefly review the key diagnostics and modeling of energy conversion around the reconnection diffusion region, seeking insights from recently developed theories. Finally, future prospects and open questions are discussed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Cs retention and diffusion in C-S-H at different Ca/Si ratio

Cement and concrete are commonly used in the construction of repository sites for radioactive wastes. The correct isolation of those contaminants requires good adsorption and low diffusion rates. Both parameters are highly affected by many factors, such as pH, temperature or composition. The large variability of experimental conditions and formulations makes it extraordinarily difficult to tackle the influence of each of them independently in experimental samples. To this effect, molecular dynamics simulations have been employed in this study to investigate the role of the composition in the capacity to retain Cs and diffusivity of these ions in calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel pores. The results indicate that the adsorption of Cs ions is worsened at high Ca/Si ratios due to a lower interaction of the cations with the C-S-H surface, while hydrophilicity of the C-S-H nanopore rises, resulting in higher long-range ordering and lower diffusion coefficients of Cs ions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Molecular dynamics and experimental study on the adhesion mechanism of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in alkali-activated slag/fly ash

This paper aims to study the adhesion mechanism of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber within alkali-activated slag/fly ash (AASF) matrix using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in combination with systematic experimental characterization. The adhesion of PVA to C-(N-)A-S-H gel with different Ca/(Si+Al) and Al/Si ratios was modeled using MD simulation, with the related adsorption enthalpy calculated and the adhesion mechanism explored. The experimentally attained chemical bonding energy of PVA fiber in AASF coincides well with the simulation results. In both cases, the adhesion enhances primarily with increasing Ca/(Si+Al) ratio of C-(N-)A-S-H gel. Additionally, MD simulation indicates preferential element distributions of Ca around PVA molecule, which was confirmed experimentally by the detection of the Ca-rich C-(N-)A-S-H gel in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). }This study provides further insights into the adhesion mechanism of PVA fiber to C-(N-)A-S-H gel formed in AASF, which is particularly valuable for the future development of PVA-based high-performance alkali-activated composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Upwind methods for the Baer–Nunziato equations and higher-order reconstruction using artificial viscosity

This article is devoted to the numerical discretisation of the hyperbolic two-phase flow model of Baer and Nunziato. A special attention is paid on the discretisation of intercell flux functions in the framework of Finite Volume and Discontinuous Galerkin approaches, where care has to be taken to efficiently approximate the non-conservative products inherent to the model equations. Various upwind approximate Riemann solvers have been tested on a bench of discontinuous test cases. New discretisation schemes are proposed in a Discontinuous Galerkin framework following the criterion of Abgrall and the path-conservative formalism. A stabilisation technique based on artificial viscosity is applied to the high-order Discontinuous Galerkin method and compared against classical TVD-MUSCL Finite Volume flux reconstruction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Lattice QCD thermodynamics up to the perturbative regime

We study the thermodynamics of the quark gluon plasma with lattice simulations in the continuum limit up to 1 GeV temperature where we show that a perturbative description already applies. We calculate the effect of the presence of charm quark in the equation of state and also describe the topological features of quantum chromodynamics. Thus, this conference contribution is based on Nature 539 (2016) no.7627, 69-71 and Phys.Rev. D92 (2015) no.11, 114505

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The next generation of axion helioscopes: The international axion observatory (IAXO)

The International Axion Observatory (IAXO) is a proposed 4 th -generation axion helioscope with the primary physics research goal to search for solar axions via their Primakoff conversion into photons of 1 – 10 keV energies in a strong magnetic field. IAXO will achieve a sensitivity to the axion-photon coupling g aγ down to a few ×10⁻¹² GeV⁻¹ for a wide range of axion masses up to ~ 0.25 eV. This is an improvement over the currently best (3 rd generation) axion helioscope, the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), of about 5 orders of magnitude in signal strength, corresponding to a factor ~ 20 in the axion photon coupling. IAXO’s sensitivity relies on the construction of a large superconducting 8-coil toroidal magnet of 20 m length optimized for axion research. Each of the eight 60 cm diameter magnet bores is equipped with x-ray optics focusing the signal photons into ~ 0.2 cm² spots that are imaged by very low background x-ray detectors. The magnet will be built into a structure with elevation and azimuth drives that will allow solar tracking for 12 hours each day. This contribution is a summary of our papers [1, 2, 3] and we refer to these for further details.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Surface Studies of β-1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-Tetrazoctane and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate from Density Functional Tight-Binding Calculations and Implications on Crystal Shape

Here, we use density functional tight-binding (DFTB) theory to calculate the surface energies of two energetic crystals: monoclinic β-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane (β-HMX) and tetragonal pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The results are then employed to determine crystal shapes using the Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker, attachment energy, and surface energy models. We find that energy-based models yield predictions in good agreement with experimental observations. Additionally, we propose a simple model that reframes surface energy as a measure of the lost intermolecular interactions during the formation of a surface from the bulk. The model accurately captures the results from the DFTB calculations and enables us to explain and predict surface energies as a function of the local molecular environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗