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At least 199 records · Page 11

Application of a Chemical Index to Aerosol Mass Spectrometry: Delta Plots and Functional Group Distributions

A better understanding of the chemical properties of organic aerosol (OA) particles will improve our ability to characterize their sources and predict their lifetime. The high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) is widely used to measure OA in real time using thermal vaporization followed by electron ionization (EI). EI creates fragment ions that can be assigned to functional groups using delta analysis, a method of classifying mass spectra according to the presence of different chemically related ion series. In this study, we demonstrate the application of delta analysis to characterize molecular structures using a new visualization method. We also use delta analysis to quantify the functional group distribution with an average absolute error of ∼5–6% for individual standard molecules, comparable to the error observed for OA mixtures from biomass and coal combustion fit with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Finally, we apply delta functional group analysis to AMS positive matrix factorization (PMF) factors across seven different field campaigns and find a similar composition across the more oxidized factors with about 55% acid and 26% alcohol groups. The analysis method described here can be applied to any HR-ToF-AMS data set to provide quantitative relative functional group distributions for OA mixtures.

aerosol↗

Parallel expansion of a fuel pellet plasmoid

The problem of the assimilation of a cryogenic fuel pellet injected into a hot plasma is considered. Due to the transparency to ambient particles of the plasmoid, the localised region of high-density plasma created by ionisation of the ablated pellet material, electrons reach a ‘quasiequilibrium’ (QE) state which is characterised by a steady-state on the fastest collisional time scale. The simplified electron kinetic equation of the QE state is solved. Taking a velocity moment of the higher-order electron kinetic equation, which is valid on the expansion time scale, permits a fluid closure, yielding an evolution equation for the macroscopic parameters describing the QE distribution function. In contrast to the Braginskii equations, the closure does not require that electrons have a short mean free path compared with the size of density perturbations, and permits an anisotropic and highly non-Maxwellian distribution function. As the QE distribution function accounts for both trapped and passing electrons, the self-consistent electric potential that causes the expansion can be properly described, in contrast to earlier models of pellet plasmoid expansion with an unbounded potential. The plasmoid expansion is simulated using both a Vlasov model and a cold-fluid model for the ions. During the expansion plasmoid ions and electrons obtain nearly equal amounts of energy; as hot ambient electrons provide this energy in the form of collisional heating of plasmoid electrons, the expansion of a pellet plasmoid is expected to be a potent mechanism for the transfer of energy from electrons to ions on a time scale shorter than that of ion–electron thermalisation.

Physics↗

Velocity-Space Hybridization of Direct Simulation Monte Carlo and a Quasi-Particle Boltzmann Solver

This paper presents a new method for modeling rarefied gas flows based on hybridization of direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and discrete velocity method (DVM)-based quasi-particle representations of the velocity distribution function. It is aimed at improving the resolution of the tails of the distribution function (compared with DSMC) and computational efficiency (compared with DVM). Details of the method, such as the collision algorithm and the particle merging scheme, are discussed. The hybrid approach is applied to the study of noise in a Maxwellian distribution, computation of electron-impact ionization rate coefficient, as well as numerical simulation of a supersonic Couette flow. The hybrid-based solver is compared with pure DSMC and DVM approaches in terms of accuracy, computational speed, and memory use. It is shown that such a hybrid approach can provide a lower computational cost than a pure DVM approach, while being able to retain accuracy in modeling high-velocity tails of the distribution function. For problems where trace species have a significant impact on the flow physics, the proposed method is shown to be capable of providing better computational efficiency and accuracy compared with standard fixed-weight DSMC.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Chaotic and integrable magnetic fields in one-dimensional hybrid Vlasov–Maxwell equilibria

The construction of kinetic equilibrium states is important for studying stability and wave propagation in collisionless plasmas. Thus, many studies over the past decades have been focused on calculating Vlasov–Maxwell equilibria using analytical and numerical methods. However, the problem of kinetic equilibrium of hybrid models is less studied, and self-consistent treatments often adopt restrictive assumptions ruling out cases with irregular and chaotic behaviour, although such behaviour is observed in spacecraft observations of space plasmas. In this paper, we develop a one-dimensional (1-D), quasineutral, hybrid Vlasov–Maxwell equilibrium model with kinetic ions and massless fluid electrons and derive associated solutions. The model allows for an electrostatic potential that is expressed in terms of the vector potential components through the quasineutrality condition. The equilibrium states are calculated upon solving an inhomogeneous Beltrami equation that determines the magnetic field, where the inhomogeneous term is the current density of the kinetic ions and the homogeneous term represents the electron current density. We show that the corresponding 1-D system is Hamiltonian, with position playing the role of time, and its trajectories have a regular, periodic behaviour for ion distribution functions that are symmetric in the two conserved particle canonical momenta. For asymmetric distribution functions, the system is nonintegrable, resulting in irregular and chaotic behaviour of the fields. The electron current density can modify the magnetic field phase space structure, inducing orbit trapping and the organization of orbits into large islands of stability. Thus, the electron contribution can be responsible for the emergence of localized electric field structures that induce ion trapping. We also provide a paradigm for the analytical construction of hybrid equilibria using a rotating two-dimensional harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian, enabling the calculation of analytic magnetic fields and the construction of the corresponding distribution functions in terms of Hermite polynomials.

Kaltsas, Dimitrios A. (ORCID:0000000300769015)↗

Large gyro-orbit model of ion velocity distribution in plasma near a wall in a grazing-angle magnetic field

A model is presented for the ion distribution function in a plasma at a solid target with a magnetic field $\boldsymbol {B}$ inclined at a small angle, $\alpha \ll 1$ (in radians), to the target. Adiabatic electrons are assumed, requiring $\alpha \gg \sqrt {Zm_{e}/m_{i}}$ , where $m_{e}$ and $m_{i}$ are the electron and ion mass, respectively, and $Z$ is the charge state of the ion. An electric field $\boldsymbol {E}$ is present to repel electrons, and so the characteristic size of the electrostatic potential $\phi$ is set by the electron temperature $T_{e}$ , $e\phi \sim T_{e}$ , where $e$ is the proton charge. An asymptotic scale separation between the Debye length $\lambda _{D} = \sqrt {\epsilon _0 T_{{e}} / e^{2} n_{{e}} }$ , the ion sound gyro-radius $\rho _{s} = \sqrt { m_{i} ( ZT_{e} + T_{i} ) } / (ZeB)$ and the size of the collisional region $d_{c} = \alpha \lambda _{\textrm {mfp}}$ is assumed, $\lambda _{D} \ll \rho _{s} \ll d_{c}$ . Here $\epsilon _0$ is the permittivity of free space, $n_{e}$ is the electron density, $T_{i}$ is the ion temperature, $B= |\boldsymbol {B}|$ and $\lambda _{\textrm {mfp}}$ is the collisional mean free path of an ion. The form of the ion distribution function is assumed at distances $x$ from the wall such that $\rho _{s} \ll x \ll d_{c}$ , that is, collisions are not treated. A self-consistent solution of the electrostatic potential for $x \sim \rho _{s}$ is required to solve for the quasi-periodic ion trajectories and for the ion distribution function at the target. The large gyro-orbit model presented here allows to bypass the numerical solution of $\phi (x)$ and results in an analytical expression for the ion distribution function at the target. It assumes that $\tau =T_{i}/(ZT_{e})\gg 1$ , and ignores the electric force on the quasi-periodic ion trajectory until close to the target. For $\tau \gtrsim 1$ , the model provides an extremely fast approximation to energy–angle distributions of ions at the target. These can be used to make sputtering predictions.

Physics↗

TMD Handbook

This handbook provides a comprehensive review of transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions and fragmentation functions, commonly referred to as transverse momentum distributions (TMDs). TMDs describe the distribution of partons inside the proton and other hadrons with respect to both their longitudinal and transverse momenta. They provide unique insight into the internal momentum and spin structure of hadrons, and are a key ingredient in the description of many collider physics cross sections. Understanding TMDs requires a combination of theoretical techniques from quantum field theory, nonperturbative calculations using lattice QCD, and phenomenological analysis of experimental data. The handbook covers a wide range of topics, from theoretical foundations to experimental analyses, as well as recent developments and future directions. It is intended to provide an essential reference for researchers and graduate students interested in understanding the structure of hadrons and the dynamics of partons in high energy collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Marginal stability constraint on runaway electron distribution

High-frequency kinetic instabilities of the strongly anisotropic runaway electrons (RE) can enhance the pitch-angle scattering of the runaways significantly. This wave-induced scattering can easily prevail over runaway scattering on high-Z impurities. In a steady state, collisional damping balances the kinetic drive of the unstable waves, keeping the RE distribution function at marginal stability. The marginal stability constraint limits the achievable RE densities and the shape of the RE distribution function. In this study, we consider whistler and compressional Alfvén waves as the primary source of enhanced elastic scattering of the runaways. By balancing the anomalous Doppler resonance drive with the collisional wave damping, we find the RE distribution function in the ultra-relativistic range of the phase space. We also derive an expression for the spectral energy density of the waves. We show that the power needed to compensate for the wave dissipation is negligible compared to the work of the electric field. The latter is in balance with the synchrotron losses of the runaway electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Quasilinear theory of general electromagnetic fluctuations including discrete particle effects for magnetized plasmas: General analysis

The general quasilinear Fokker–Planck kinetic equation for the gyrophase-averaged plasma particle distribution functions in magnetized plasmas is derived, making no restrictions on the energy of the particles and on the frequency of the electromagnetic fluctuations and avoiding the often made Coulomb approximation of the electromagnetic interactions. Here, the inclusion of discrete particle effects breaks the dichotomy of nonlinear kinetic plasma theory divided into the test particle and the test fluctuation approximation because it provides expression of both the non-collective and collective electromagnetic fluctuation spectra in terms of the plasma particle distribution functions. Within the validity of the quasilinear approach, the resulting full quasilinear transport equation can be regarded as a determining nonlinear equation for the time evolution of the plasma particle distribution functions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Nonextensive hydrodynamics of boost-invariant plasmas

We use quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics to study the non-conformal and non-extensive dynamics of a system undergoing boost-invariant Bjorken expansion. To introduce nonextensivity, we use an underlying Tsallis distribution with a time-dependent nonextensivity parameter q. By taking moments of the quasiparticle Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation, we obtain dynamical equations which allow us to determine the time evolution of all microscopic parameters including q. We compare numerical solutions for bulk observables obtained using the nonextensive evolution with results obtained using quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics with a Boltzmann distribution function (q → 1). We show that the evolution of the temperature, pressure ratio, and scaled energy density, are quite insensitive to which distribution function is assumed. However, we find significant differences in the early-time evolution of the bulk pressure which are observed for even small deviations from the Boltzmann distribution function. Finally, we discuss the existence of non-conformal hydrodynamic attractors for the longitudinal and transverse pressures, the bulk and shear viscous corrections, and the nonextensivity parameter q.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Phase-space entropy cascade and irreversibility of stochastic heating in nearly collisionless plasma turbulence

We consider a nearly collisionless plasma consisting of a species of “test particles” in one spatial and one velocity dimension, stirred by an externally imposed stochastic electric field—a kinetic analog of the Kraichnan model of passive advection. The mean effect on the particle distribution function is turbulent diffusion in velocity space—known as stochastic heating. Accompanying this heating is the generation of fine-scale structure in the distribution function, which we characterize with the collisionless (Casimir) invariant C 2 ∝ ∫ ∫ d x d v 〈 f 2 〉 —a quantity that here plays the role of (negative) entropy of the distribution function. We find that C 2 is transferred from large scales to small scales in both position and velocity space via a phase-space cascade enabled by both particle streaming and nonlinear interactions between particles and the stochastic electric field. We compute the steady-state fluxes and spectrum of C 2 in Fourier space, with k and s denoting spatial and velocity wave numbers, respectively. In our model, the nonlinearity in the evolution equation for the spectrum turns into a fractional Laplacian operator in k space, leading to anomalous diffusion. Whereas even the linear phase mixing alone would lead to a constant flux of C 2 to high s (towards the collisional dissipation range) at every k , the nonlinearity accelerates this cascade by intertwining velocity and position space so that the flux of C 2 is to both high k and high s simultaneously. Integrating over velocity (spatial) wave numbers, the k -space ( s -space) flux of C 2 is constant down to a dissipation length (velocity) scale that tends to zero as the collision frequency does, even though the rate of collisional dissipation remains finite. The resulting spectrum in the inertial range is a self-similar function in the ( k , s ) plane, with power-law asymptotics at large k and s . Our model is fully analytically solvable, but the asymptotic scalings of the spectrum can also be found via a simple phenomenological theory whose key assumption is that the cascade is governed by a “critical balance” in phase space between the linear and nonlinear timescales. We argue that stochastic heating is made irreversible by this entropy cascade and that, while collisional dissipation accessed via phase mixing occurs only at small spatial scales rather than at every scale as it would in a linear system, the cascade makes phase mixing even more effective overall in the nonlinear regime than in the linear one. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Stability of superthermal strahl electrons in the solar wind

We present a kinetic stability analysis of the solar wind electron distribution function consisting of the Maxwellian core and the magnetic-field aligned strahl, a superthermal electron beam propagating away from the sun. We use an electron strahl distribution function obtained as a solution of a weakly collisional drift-kinetic equation, representative of a strahl affected by Coulomb collisions but unadulterated by possible broadening from turbulence. This distribution function is essentially non-Maxwellian and varies with the heliospheric distance. The stability analysis is performed with the Vlasov–Maxwell linear solver leopard. We find that depending on the heliospheric distance, the core-strahl electron distribution becomes unstable with respect to sunward-propagating kinetic-Alfvén, magnetosonic, and whistler modes, in a broad range of propagation angles. The wavenumbers of the unstable modes are close to the ion inertial scales, and the radial distances at which the instabilities first appear are on the order of 1 au. However, we have not detected any instabilities driven by resonant wave interactions with the superthermal strahl electrons. Instead, the observed instabilities are triggered by a relative drift between the electron and ion cores necessary to maintain zero electric current in the solar wind frame (ion frame). Contrary to strahl distributions modelled by shifted Maxwellians, the electron strahl obtained as a solution of the kinetic equation is stable. Our results are consistent with the previous studies based on a more restricted solution for the electron strahl.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Kinetic simulations of collision-less plasmas in open magnetic geometries

Laboratory plasmas in open magnetic geometries can be found in many different applications such as (a) scrape-of-layer (SOL) and divertor regions in toroidal confinement fusion devices, (b) linear divertor simulators, (c) plasma-based thrusters and (d) magnetic mirrors etc. A common feature of these plasma systems is the need to resolve, in addition to velocity space, at least one physical dimension (e.g. along flux lines) to capture the relevant physics. In general, this requires a kinetic treatment. Fully kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations can be applied but at the expense of large computational effort. A common way to resolve this is to use a hybrid approach: kinetic ions and fluid electrons. In the present work, the development of a hybrid PIC computational tool suitable for open magnetic geometries is described which includes (a) the effect of non-uniform magnetic fields, (b) finite fully-absorbing boundaries for the particles and (c) volumetric particle sources. Analytical expressions for the momentum transport in the paraxial limit are presented with their underlying assumptions and are used to validate the results from the PIC simulations. A general method is described to construct discrete particle distribution functions in a state of mirror-equilibrium. This method is used to obtain the initial state for the PIC simulation. Collisionless simulations in a mirror geometry are performed. The results show that the effect of magnetic compression is correctly described and momentum is conserved. The self-consistent electric field is calculated and is shown to modify the ion velocity distribution function in a manner consistent with analytic theory. Based on this analysis, the ion distribution function is understood in terms of a loss-cone distribution and an isotropic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution driven by a volumetric plasma source. Finally, the inclusion of a Monte Carlo based Fokker-Planck collision operator is discussed in the context of future work.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Anisotropic angular scattering models of elastic electron-neutral collisions for Monte Carlo plasma simulations

Many laboratory and industrial plasma applications require accurate modeling techniques to understand the interplay between microscopic and macroscopic processes. A prime example of this interplay is how particle and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation codes describe angular scattering of electrons following elastic scattering events. The forward peaked nature of high energy electron elastic scattering is relatively trivial to accurately describe in plasma simulations. However, for lower energy collisions, which produce near isotropic or backward peaked differential cross sections, there is not a strong consensus among the plasma modeling community on how to best describe these angular scattering trends. Here, in this study, we propose a systematic method to approximate the aforementioned non-trivial angular scattering behavior with a formula that can be readily implemented in particle-in-cell (PIC) and/or MC plasma simulation codes. The present approach is specifically applied to fusion relevant atomic hydrogen and helium, as well as for molecular hydrogen, and results are also applicable to the atomic isotopes and homonuclear molecular isotopologues of these species. Comparisons between the present angular distribution function and benchmark scattering data were used to validate the proposed models. In addition, two-term Boltzmann calculations and PIC direct simulation MC simulations revealed that the proposed angular distribution function is accurate, agreeing very well with benchmark convergent close-coupling scattering calculations, and electron transport measurements. These studies confirmed that the present angular distribution function model can be utilized without the need of renormalization to the momentum transfer cross section (as opposed to using the elastic scattering integrated cross section), which has been suggested by several studies in order to correct for deficient angular scattering models, and to agree with transport measurements. Hence, the present anisotropic angular scattering model can be utilized to accurately model the momentum transfer as well as the electron trajectories of elastic collisions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Mesh objective stochastic simulations of quasibrittle fracture

Continuum finite element (FE) modeling of damage and failure of quasibrittle structures suffers from the spurious mesh sensitivity due to strain localization. Here this issue has been addressed for deterministic analysis through the development of localization limiters. Here this study proposes a mechanism-based model to mitigate the mesh sensitivity in stochastic FE simulations of quasibrittle fracture. The interest is placed on the analysis of large-size structures, where the mesh size is conveniently chosen to be larger than the width of the fracture process zone as well as the correlation length of the random fields of constitutive properties. The present model is formulated within the framework of continuum damage mechanics. Two localization parameters are introduced to describe the evolution of the damage pattern of each finite element. These parameters are used to guide the energy regularization of the constitutive law, as well as to formulate the mesh-dependent probability distributions of constitutive properties. Depending on the prevailing damage pattern, different energy regularization schemes and mesh dependence of the probability distribution functions are used in the constitutive law. The model is applied to simulate the stochastic failure behavior of quasibrittle structures of different geometries featuring different failure processes including damage initiation, localization, and propagation. It is shown that using fixed probability distribution functions of constitutive properties could lead to strong mesh dependence of the prediction of the mean and variance of the structural load capacity. The probability distribution functions of constitutive properties must be linked to the damage pattern, which may evolve during the failure process. Such a mechanism-based modeling of the probability distributions of constitutive properties is essential for mitigating the spurious mesh sensitivity in stochastic FE analysis of quasibrittle fracture.

42 ENGINEERING↗

New Measurements of the Deuteron-to-Proton 𝐹 2 Structure-Function Ratio

Nucleon structure functions, as measured in lepton-nucleon scattering, have historically provided a critical observable in the study of partonic dynamics within the nucleon. However, at very large parton momenta, it is both experimentally and theoretically challenging to extract parton distributions due to the probable onset of nonperturbative contributions and the unavailability of high-precision data at critical kinematics. Extraction of the neutron structure and the d quark distribution have been further challenging because of the necessity of applying nuclear corrections when utilizing scattering data from a deuteron target to extract the free neutron structure. However, a program of experiments has been carried out recently at the energy-upgraded Jefferson Lab electron accelerator aimed at significantly reducing the nuclear correction uncertainties on the d quark distribution function at large partonic momentum. This allows leveraging the vast body of deuterium data covering a large kinematic range to be utilized for d quark parton distribution function extraction. In this Letter, we present new data from experiment E12-10-002, carried out in Jefferson Lab Experimental Hall C, on the deuteron to proton cross section ratio at large Bjorken 𝑥. These results significantly improve the precision of existing data and provide a first look at the expected impact on quark distributions extracted from parton distribution function fits.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Machine learning approaches for structural and thermodynamic properties of a Lennard-Jones fluid

Predicting the functional properties of many molecular systems relies on understanding how atomistic interactions give rise to macroscale observables. However, current attempts to develop predictive models for the structural and thermodynamic properties of condensed-phase systems often rely on extensive parameter fitting to empirically selected functional forms whose effectiveness is limited to a narrow range of physical conditions. Here, we illustrate how these traditional fitting paradigms can be superseded using machine learning. Specifically, we use the results of molecular dynamics simulations to train machine learning protocols that are able to produce the radial distribution function, pressure, and internal energy of a Lennard-Jones fluid with increased accuracy in comparison to previous theoretical methods. The radial distribution function is determined using a variant of the segmented linear regression with the multivariate function decomposition approach developed by Craven et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 4372 (2020)]. The pressure and internal energy are determined using expressions containing the learned radial distribution function and also a kernel ridge regression process that is trained directly on thermodynamic properties measured in simulation. The presented results suggest that the structural and thermodynamic properties of fluids may be determined more accurately through machine learning than through human-guided functional forms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Heavy-light mesons on the light front

Abstract We study the heavy-light mesons within basis light-front quantization. The resulting mass spectra of D , $$D_s$$ D s , B , and $$B_s$$ B s agree reasonably well with experiments. We also predict states which could be measured in the near future. In the light-front formalism, we calculate the light-front wave functions and additional experimental observables, such as parton distribution functions, distribution amplitudes, and decay constants by means of integrations over light-front wave functions. We also provide ratios of decay constants for selected pseudoscalar meson decays ( $$D_s$$ D s to D and $$B_s$$ B s to B ) as they may prove to be theoretically more robust and more reliably determined in experiments. We find that our ratios are systematically smaller than existing experiments and other approaches by 5–18%.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Using distributions to understand neutron and x-ray production in ICF ignition capsules and other high energy density plasmas

Here this paper describes how x-ray and neutron distribution functions can be useful tools to visualize the conditions measured in many types of plasma physics experiments. In particular, we model a standard inertial confinement fusion ignition capsule that consists of a Si doped plastic ablator surrounding a layer of deuterium–tritium (DT) ice as the yield varies from 18 kJ to 16.7 MJ and use the distribution functions to show that neutrons and high energy x rays (15 keV) are produced under similar conditions when the yield is low. However, as the capsule starts to support a propagating burn due to alpha heating, the x rays and neutrons are produced under somewhat different conditions in different parts of the plasma. In particular, the x-ray production takes place mainly in the hot plastic ablator for the full yield ignition capsule under quite different plasma conditions from the DT region producing the 14 MeV neutrons, which results in x-ray images with larger radii than the corresponding neutron images. These same distribution functions can be applied to many other plasma physics experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗