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Wilson, David J.

Publications and source records attributed to Wilson, David J..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Estimating the Ultraviolet Emission of M Dwarfs with Exoplanets from Ca ii and Hα

M dwarf stars are excellent candidates around which to search for exoplanets, including temperate, Earth-sized planets. To evaluate the photochemistry of the planetary atmosphere, it is essential to characterize the UV spectral energy distribution of the planet’s host star. This wavelength regime is important because molecules in the planetary atmosphere such as oxygen and ozone have highly wavelength-dependent absorption cross sections that peak in the UV (900–3200 Å). We seek to provide a broadly applicable method of estimating the UV emission of an M dwarf, without direct UV data, by identifying a relationship between noncontemporaneous optical and UV observations. Our work uses the largest sample of M dwarf star far- and near-UV observations yet assembled. We evaluate three commonly observed optical chromospheric activity indices—Hα equivalent widths and log{sub 10} L Hα /L bol , and the Mount Wilson Ca ii H&K S and R HK ' indices—using optical spectra from the HARPS, UVES, and HIRES archives and new HIRES spectra. Archival and new Hubble Space Telescope COS and STIS spectra are used to measure line fluxes for the brightest chromospheric and transition region emission lines between 1200 and 2800 Å. Our results show a correlation between UV emission-line luminosity normalized to the stellar bolometric luminosity and Ca ii R HK ' with standard deviations of 0.31–0.61 dex (factors of ~2–4) about the best-fit lines. We also find correlations between normalized UV line luminosity and Hα log 10 L Hα /L bol and the S index. These relationships allow one to estimate the average UV emission from M0 to M9 dwarfs when UV data are not available.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

The High-energy Radiation Environment around a 10 Gyr M Dwarf: Habitable at Last?

Recent work has demonstrated that high levels of X-ray and UV activity on young M dwarfs may drive rapid atmospheric escape on temperate, terrestrial planets orbiting within the habitable zone. However, secondary atmospheres on planets orbiting older, less active M dwarfs may be stable and present more promising candidates for biomarker searches. In order to evaluate the potential habitability of Earth-like planets around old, inactive M dwarfs, we present new Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory observations of Barnard’s Star (GJ 699), a 10 Gyr old M3.5 dwarf, acquired as part of the Mega-MUSCLES program. Despite the old age and long rotation period of Barnard’s Star, we observe two FUV (δ 130 ≈ 5000 s; E 130 ≈ 10 29.5 erg each) and one X-ray (E X ≈ 10 29.2 erg) flares, and we estimate a high-energy flare duty cycle (defined here as the fraction of the time the star is in a flare state) of ~25%. A publicly available 5 Å to 10 μm spectral energy distribution of GJ 699 is created and used to evaluate the atmospheric stability of a hypothetical, unmagnetized terrestrial planet in the habitable zone (r HZ ~ 0.1 au). Both thermal and nonthermal escape modeling indicate (1) the quiescent stellar XUV flux does not lead to strong atmospheric escape: atmospheric heating rates are comparable to periods of high solar activity on modern Earth, and (2) the flare environment could drive the atmosphere into a hydrodynamic loss regime at the observed flare duty cycle: sustained exposure to the flare environment of GJ 699 results in the loss of ≈87 Earth atmospheres Gyr -1 through thermal processes and ≈3 Earth atmospheres Gyr -1 through ion loss processes. These results suggest that if rocky planet atmospheres can survive the initial ~5 Gyr of high stellar activity, or if a second-generation atmosphere can be formed or acquired, the flare duty cycle may be the controlling stellar parameter for the stability of Earth-like atmospheres around old M stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dynamically-coupled partial-waves in ρπ isospin-2 scattering from lattice QCD

We present the first determination of ρπ scattering, incorporating dynamically-coupled partial-waves, using lattice QCD, a first-principles numerical approach to QCD. Considering the case of isospin-2 ρπ, we calculate partial-wave amplitudes with J ≤ 3 and determine the degree of dynamical mixing between the coupled S and D-wave channels with J P = 1 + . The analysis makes use of the relationship between scattering amplitudes and the discrete spectrum of states in the finite volume lattice. Constraints on the scattering amplitudes are provided by over one hundred energy levels computed on two lattice volumes at various overall momenta and in several irreducible representations of the relevant symmetry groups. The spectra follow from variational analyses of matrices of correlations functions computed with large bases of meson-meson operators. Calculations are performed with degenerate light and strange quarks tuned to the physical strange quark mass so that m π ~700 MeV, ensuring that the ρ is stable against strong decay. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the successful application of techniques, opening the door to calculations of scattering processes that incorporate the effects of dynamically-coupled partial-waves, including those involving resonances or bound states.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Isoscalar π π Scattering and the σ Meson Resonance from QCD

Here, we present for the first time a determination of the energy dependence of the isoscalar ππ elastic scattering phase-shift within a first-principles numerical lattice approach to QCD. We also compute the hadronic correlation functions including all required quark propagation diagrams. From these the discrete spectrum of states in the finite volume defined by the lattice boundary is extracted. From the volume dependence of the spectrum we obtain the S-wave phase-shift up to the K$\bar{K}$ threshold. Calculations are performed at two values of the u, d quark mass corresponding to m π = 236, 391 MeV and the resulting amplitudes are described in terms of a σ meson which evolves from a bound-state below ππ threshold at the heavier quark mass, to a broad resonance at the lighter quark mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Coupled-channel Dπ, Dη and $ {D}_s\overline{K}$ scattering from lattice QCD

We present the first lattice QCD study of coupled-channel Dπ, Dη and $ {D}_s\overline{K}$ scattering in isospin-1/2 in three partial waves. Using distillation, we compute matrices of correlation functions with bases of operators capable of resolving both meson and mesonmeson contributions to the spectrum. These correlation matrices are analysed using a variational approach to extract the finite-volume energy eigenstates. Utilising Lüscher’s method and its extensions, we constrain scattering amplitudes in S, P and D-wave as a function of energy. By analytically continuing the scattering amplitudes to complex energies, we investigate the S-matrix singularities. Working at m π ≈ 391 MeV, we find a pole corresponding to a J P = 0 + near-threshold bound state with a large coupling to Dπ. We also find a deeply bound J P = 1 - state, and evidence for a J P = 2 + narrow resonance coupled predominantly to Dπ. Elastic Dπ scattering in the isospin-3/2 channel is studied and we find a weakly repulsive interaction in S-wave.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

From QCD to physical resonances

Here in this talk, we present the first chiral extrapolation of a resonant scattering amplitude obtained from lattice QCD. Finite-volume spectra, determined by the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration at m π = 236 MeV [1], for the isotriplet ππ channel are analyzed using the Lüscher method to determine the infinite-volume scattering amplitude. Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory is then used to extrapolate the scattering amplitude to the physical light quark masses. The viability of this procedure is demonstrated by its agreement with the experimentally determined scattering phase shift up to center-of-mass energies of 1.2 GeV. Finally, we analytically continue the amplitude to the complex plane to obtain the ρ -pole at [ 755 ( 2 ) ( 1 ) ( 02 20 ) - i 2 129 ( 3 ) ( 1 ) ( 1 7 ) ]

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

An a 0 resonance in strongly coupled π η , K K ¯ scattering from lattice QCD

Here, we present the first calculation of coupled-channel meson-meson scattering in the isospin $=1$, $G$-parity negative sector, with channels $\pi \eta$, $K\overline{K}$ and $\pi \eta'$, in a first-principles approach to QCD. From the discrete spectrum of eigenstates in three volumes extracted from lattice QCD correlation functions we determine the energy dependence of the $S$-matrix, and find that the $S$-wave features a prominent cusp-like structure in $\pi \eta \to \pi \eta$ close to $K\overline{K}$ threshold coupled with a rapid turn on of amplitudes leading to the $K\overline{K}$ final-state. This behavior is traced to an $a_0(980)$-like resonance, strongly coupled to both $\pi \eta$ and $K\overline{K}$, which is identified with a pole in the complex energy plane, appearing on only a single unphysical Riemann sheet. Consideration of $D$-wave scattering suggests a narrow tensor resonance at higher energy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Resonant π + γ → π + π 0 amplitude from Quantum Chromodynamics

We present the first ab initio calculation of a radiative transition of a hadronic resonance within Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). We compute the amplitude for $\pi\pi \to \pi\gamma^\star$, as a function of the energy of the $\pi\pi$ pair and the virtuality of the photon, in the kinematic regime where $\pi\pi$ couples strongly to the unstable $\rho$ resonance. This exploratory calculation is performed using a lattice discretization of QCD with quark masses corresponding to $m_\pi \approx 400$ MeV. As a result, we obtain a description of the energy dependence of the transition amplitude, constrained at 48 kinematic points, that we can analytically continue to the $\rho$ pole and identify from its residue the $\rho \to \pi\gamma^\star$ form-factor.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Coupled π π , K K ¯ scattering in P -wave and the ρ resonance from lattice QCD

In this study, we determine elastic and coupled-channel amplitudes for isospin-1 meson-meson scattering in $P$-wave, by calculating correlation functions using lattice QCD with light quark masses such that $m_\pi = 236$ MeV in a cubic volume of $\sim (4 \,\mathrm{fm})^3$. Variational analyses of large matrices of correlation functions computed using operator constructions resembling $\pi\pi$, $K\overline{K}$ and $q\bar{q}$, in several moving frames and several lattice irreducible representations, leads to discrete energy spectra from which scattering amplitudes are extracted. In the elastic $\pi\pi$ scattering region we obtain a detailed energy-dependence for the phase-shift, corresponding to a $\rho$ resonance, and we extend the analysis into the coupled-channel $K\overline{K}$ region for the first time, finding a small coupling between the channels.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Resonances in coupled πK, ηK scattering from lattice QCD

Coupled-channel πK and ηK scattering amplitudes are determined by studying the finite-volume energy spectra obtained from dynamical lattice QCD calculations. Using a large basis of interpolating operators, including both those resembling a qq-bar construction and those resembling a pair of mesons with relative momentum, a reliable excited-state spectrum can be obtained. Working at mπ = 391 MeV, we find a gradual increase in the JP = 0+ πK phase-shift which may be identified with a broad scalar resonance that couples strongly to πK and weakly to ηK. The low-energy behavior of this amplitude suggests a virtual bound-state that may be related to the κ resonance. A bound state with JP = 1- is found very close to the πK threshold energy, whose coupling to the πK channel is compatible with that of the experimental K*(892). Evidence is found for a narrow resonance in JP = 2+. Isospin–3/2 πK scattering is also studied and non-resonant phase-shifts spanning the whole elastic scattering region are obtained.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Resonances in Coupled π K - η K Scattering from Quantum Chromodynamics

Using first-principles calculation within Quantum Chromodynamics, we are able to reproduce the pattern of experimental strange resonances which appear as complex singularities within coupled πK, ηK scattering amplitudes. We make use of numerical computation within the lattice discretized approach to QCD, extracting the energy dependence of scattering amplitudes through their relation- ship to the discrete spectrum of the theory in a finite-volume, which we map out in unprecedented detail.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Resonances in pi-K scattering

We have obtained clear signals of resonances in coupled-channel pi K - eta K scattering. Using distillation and a large basis of operators we are able to extract a precise spectrum of energy levels using the variational method. These energies are analysed using inelastic extensions of the Luescher method to obtain scattering amplitudes that clearly describe S, P and D wave resonances, corresponding to the physical K_0^*(1430), the K^*(892) and the K_2^*(1430).

Wilson, David J.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Studies of Nucleon Resonance Structure in Exclusive Meson Electroproduction

The studies of N* structure represent a key direction in the N* Program with CLAS detector. After 12 GeV Upgrade, the dedicated experiment on the studies of N* structure at largest photon virtualities ever achieved Q^2<12 GeV^2 is scheduled for the first year of running with the CLAS12 detector. The current status and plans for theory support of the N* structure studies in exclusive meson electroproduction are presented. They include the recent advances in the reaction theory for extraction of N* electrocouplings from the data and the approaches for high level theoretical interpretation of these fundamental quantities, allowing us to access dynamics of non-perturbative strong interaction which is responsible for the resonance formation and explore how it emerges from QCD.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗