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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 253 records · Page 14

The morphological and statistical properties of solar X-ray events with long decay times

Photographic data from the S-054 X-ray telescope on Skylab has been used to study the morphological and statistical properties of a class of X-ray events with long decay times. The events were selected for analysis based on their Solrad 1-8 A flux signatures. These events are associated statistically with long-lived active regions, white-light coronal transients, and H alpha prominence activations. These X-ray events usually consist of an arcade of loops with a bright linear structure running along the arcade. The heights of the loops, their expansion velocities, their lifetimes, and morphological appearances all suggest that at least some of these events are the X-ray analog of the loop prominence systems observed in H alpha by Bruzek.

Kahler, S.↗

The lessons learned from ephemeral nuclei

Recent experimental analyses of fleeting clusters of protons and neutrons put the very notion of the atomic nucleus in a new light.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The magnetic field of planets

The strength of the dipole fields H sub Oi of the various inspected planets are connected by simple scaling law, involving observable angular velocity omega, planetary radia R sub p velocity omega and amplitude alpha of planetary precession, and radia R sub c, densities RHO sub c, conductivities sigma sub c of their liquid cores according to the contemporary models of planetary inner structure. The Lunar paleofield of 1G, its decay to zero is also explained in the frame of precession-dynamo model, evolution of the Earth-Moon system and primeval satellites in its suggested by Runcorn.

Dolginov, S. S.↗

Silicon Carbide Radioisotope Batteries

The substantial radiation resistance and large bandgap of SiC semiconductor materials makes them an attractive candidate for application in a high efficiency, long life radioisotope battery. To evaluate their potential in this application, simulated batteries were constructed using SiC diodes and the alpha particle emitter Americium Am-241 or the beta particle emitter Promethium Pm-147. The Am-241 based battery showed high initial power output and an initial conversion efficiency of approximately 16%, but the power output decayed 52% in 500 hours due to radiation damage. In contrast the Pm-147 based battery showed a similar power output level and an initial conversion efficiency of approximately 0.6%, but no degradation was observed in 500 hours. However, the Pm-147 battery required approximately 1000 times the particle fluence as the Am-242 battery to achieve a similar power output. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of battery and suggestions for future improvements will be discussed.

Rybicki, George C.↗

Turbulence driven widening of the near-SOL power width in ASDEX Upgrade H-Mode discharges

Divertor heat flux data from infra red (IR) from various tokamaks in H-Mode regime show that the power width, $\lambda_{q}$, scales approximately like 1.6 $(R/a) ρ_{s,pol}$. However, the IR based scaling comes with the restriction that only discharges were considered with attached divertor conditions. Here we set up a new data base covering low edge density data but also including high density plasmas reaching the H-mode density limit. We use Thomson-scattering to measure the electron temperature decay length which will set the near-SOL power width through parallel heat conduction. We present scaling results for the density, temperature and pressure separatrix fall-off lengths. As the principal result we derive a generalized power width scaling which reads as $\lambda_{q}\propto\,\rho_{s,pol}\cdot(1+2.1\alpha_{t}^{1.7})$ where $\alpha_{t}$ describes a normalized collisionality ($\alpha_{t} = 3\cdot\,10^{-18}\,R\,q^2\,n\,Z_{eff}T^{-2}$). The parameter $\alpha_{t}$ describes the relative importance of the interchange effect on drift-wave turbulence as proposed by Scott and is found to be closely linked to the diamagnetic parameter αd introduced by Rogers, Drake and Zeiler (RDZ). The edge operational space for ASDEX Upgrade displays a boundary qualitatively in agreement with the region labelled as density limit in the edge plasma phase space proposed by RDZ. The data base shows in the limit of low edge densities ($\alpha_{t}\simeq\,0.2$) accurate agreement to the IR based power width scaling. At elevated separatrix densities ($\alpha_{t}\simeq\,1$) the power width is broadened by a factor of up to about three accompanied by a reduction of the $\text{H}_{98,y2}$ confinement factor. Finally, plasmas with higher triangularity show higher values for $\text{H}_{98,y2}$ in the same range of normalized collisionality.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Spectral and spatial properties of solar microflares

Solar microflares are studied using both hard ( 28 keV) and soft (3.5 to 8.0 keV) X-ray observations. The soft X-ray events have durations 3 m at 0.1x maximum intensity, and typically have similar rise and decay times. The fastest decay observed was 15 s (1/e). Soft and hard X-ray intensities are uncorrelated. The events are very compact, consistent with a projected area approximately 8 x 8 inches. They are normally not associated with H alpha or type 3 emissions and their time profiles suggest a thermal origin at the top of the chromosphere. If the primary energy release site is in the corona, an energy transfer agent consistent with the observations is a non-thermal proton beam.

Simnett, G. M.↗

Experimental evidence for low-lying quadrupole isovector excitation of 208 Po

In this study, we present the results from an experiment dedicated to measure the lifetime of the \(2^+_2\) state, candidate for the one-phonon mixed-symmetry state, of \(^{208}\) Po. This nucleus was studied in the \(\alpha \) -transfer reaction \(^{204}\) Pb( \(^{12}\) C, \(^{8}\) Be) \(^{208}\) Po and the lifetime of the \(2^+_2\) state was determined by utilizing the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The experimental data show that the \(2^+_2\) state decays with a sizable M 1 transition to the \(2^+_1\) state revealing its isovector nature.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Determining the parameters of the prognostic operator for undamped fluctuations by the use of the D sub m(kappa; alpha 1,..., alpha sub m)

The prognostic operator is defined as the matrix or integral operation which, when applied to a set of known values of the vector for various earlier moments of time, predicts a value for the vector at a future moment by the amount ahead of time. If the vector represents a function that decays with time, then the predicted values of the function are given as series expansions in terms of the same functions but with unknown coefficients if some change in the process occurs at the moment of prediction. As examples of such changes are considered: (1) the circulation mechanisms of the atmosphere under the influence of solar activity; (2) brightness fields fluctuations; and (3) wave formations or currents in the ocean after a change in wind field.

Dmitriyev, A. A.↗

Evaluation of Polyethylene and Blank Pulsed Sphere Experiments Using Deuteron Transport Feature in COG

From the late 1960s to about 1985, LLNL undertook a series of ‘pulsed sphere’ experiments for 31 materials involving 148 different experiments using 75 different spheres. The purpose was to measure the neutron leakage spectra for different materials from 14-MeV neutrons generated by 3 H(d,n) 4 He reactions induced by an incident D+ beam from the Insulated Core Transfer (ICT) accelerator at LLNL. This deuteron beam was focused to impinge upon tritium loaded onto a titanium substrate within a low mass target assembly placed within the center of a spherical shell constructed from the material of interest. COG is a three-dimensional, continuous energy, Monte Carlo code, developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Recent additions to COG include alpha and deuteron particle transport in order to directly calculate (α,n) and 3 H(d,n) 4 He reactions, and resulting neutron emission spectra. Results of the direct deuteron transport calculation for the 0.8 MFP (mean free path) polyethylene sphere with PILOT B detector was previously published. The purpose of this paper is to present expanded COG results showing the neutron peak from deuterium buildup ( 2 H(d,n) 3 He) due to tritium decay in the target. Cross section data libraries used are ENDF/B-VIII.0 for neutrons and ENDF/B-VII.1 for deuterons, respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Scalable Enrichment of 48 Ca at the Solid/liquid Interface by Chemical and Electrochemical Methods

This award targets to develop methods to enrich 48 Ca, which is a critical isotope for synthesizing superheavy elements and testing the standard model through neutrinoless double beta decay. The team first tested chemical exchange-based separation between solids and liquids, which is based on the free energy change due to the different vibrational frequencies caused by Ca isotopes in a material. However, the separation factor (alpha), which is defined as the ratio of 40 Ca/ 48 Ca ratios in the two phases, only reach ~1.01. The team then developed liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation, where a Ca salt aqueous solution is centrifuged at a speed of ~60 kRPM, and 48 Ca is enriched at the bottom of a centrifuge tube due to its larger mass. A high α of ~1.2-1.4 is achieved for 40 Ca/ 48 Ca at 40 °C. This method is further approved to be generic for any isotope that can be dissolved in a liquid solution or form liquid chemicals near room temperature. The experimental results also align well with modeling prediction. The team further develop a model to evaluate isotope separation in countercurrent liquid centrifugation. The team found that the countercurrent configuration can also enhance isotope separation in liquids, similar with gas centrifugation, which boost separation for isotopes which are difficult to be gasified near room temperature.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Investigation of the daytime lunar atmosphere for lunar synthesis program

Synthesis studies of the daytime lunar atmoshere were directed toward improved understanding of fundamental lunar atmospheric dynamics and the relationship of the detectable atmosphere to physical processes of the lunar surface and interior. The primary source of data is the Apollo 17 lunar surface mass spectrometer. The Ar40 is radiogenic and its escape rate from the lunar atmosphere requires release of a significant fraction (about 8%) of the argon produced from the decay of K40 within the moon. Furthermore the process of argon release from the solid moon is time varying and related to seismic activity. Most of the helium on the moon is due to release of implanted solar wind alpha particles from the regolith.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗

Microstructures in type III events in the solar wind

A model is presented for the generation and evolution of bump-in-tail driven Langmuir waves in the solar wind during type III emission which removes a number of apparent inconsistencies between theory and observations. Growth rates and energy densities of Langmuir waves are considerably enhanced, permitting growth to overcome linear scattering losses, and also allowing nonlinear decay into ion-acoustic waves, in line with observations. Estimates are made of the probability distribution p(E), of wave field strengths E, based on linear and nonlinear wave-packet evolution, yielding p(E) approximately equal to E exp -alpha, alpha greater than or equal to 3. This helps explain why very high values of E are rarely found in the measured spiky wave turbulence.

Melrose, D. B.↗

The CUPID-Mo experiment for neutrinoless double-beta decay: performance and prospects

CUPID-Mo is a bolometric experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$) of $^{100}$Mo. In this article, we detail the CUPID-Mo detector concept, assembly, installation in the underground laboratory in Modane in 2018, and provide results from the first datasets. The demonstrator consists of an array of 20 scintillating bolometers comprised of $^{100}$Mo-enriched 0.2 kg Li$_2$MoO$_4$ crystals. The detectors are complemented by 20 thin cryogenic Ge bolometers acting as light detectors to distinguish $\alpha$ from $\gamma$/$\beta$ events by the detection of both heat and scintillation light signals. We observe good detector uniformity, facilitating the operation of a large detector array as well as excellent energy resolution of 5.3 keV (6.5 keV) FWHM at 2615 keV, in calibration (physics) data. Based on the observed energy resolutions and light yields a separation of $\alpha$ particles at much better than 99.9\% with equally high acceptance for $\gamma$/$\beta$ events is expected for events in the region of interest for $^{100}$Mo $0\nu\beta\beta$. We present limits on the crystals' radiopurity ($\leq$3 $\mu$Bq/kg of $^{226}$Ra and $\leq$2 $\mu$Bq/kg of $^{232}$Th). Based on these initial results we also discuss a sensitivity study for the science reach of the CUPID-Mo experiment, in particular, the ability to set the most stringent half-life limit on the $^{100}$Mo $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay after half a year of livetime. In conclusion, the achieved results show that CUPID-Mo is a successful demonstrator of the technology - developed in the framework of the LUMINEU project - selected for the CUPID experiment, a proposed follow-up of CUORE, the currently running first tonne-scale cryogenic $0\nu\beta\beta$ experiment.

100Mo↗

FLAG Review 2019: Flavour Lattice Averaging Group (FLAG)

Abstract We review lattice results related to pion, kaon, D -meson, B -meson, and nucleon physics with the aim of making them easily accessible to the nuclear and particle physics communities. More specifically, we report on the determination of the light-quark masses, the form factor $$f_+(0)$$ f + ( 0 ) arising in the semileptonic $$K \rightarrow \pi $$ K → π transition at zero momentum transfer, as well as the decay constant ratio $$f_K/f_\pi $$ f K / f π and its consequences for the CKM matrix elements $$V_{us}$$ V us and $$V_{ud}$$ V ud . Furthermore, we describe the results obtained on the lattice for some of the low-energy constants of $$SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_R$$ S U ( 2 ) L × S U ( 2 ) R and $$SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$$ S U ( 3 ) L × S U ( 3 ) R Chiral Perturbation Theory. We review the determination of the $$B_K$$ B K parameter of neutral kaon mixing as well as the additional four B parameters that arise in theories of physics beyond the Standard Model. For the heavy-quark sector, we provide results for $$m_c$$ m c and $$m_b$$ m b as well as those for D - and B -meson decay constants, form factors, and mixing parameters. These are the heavy-quark quantities most relevant for the determination of CKM matrix elements and the global CKM unitarity-triangle fit. We review the status of lattice determinations of the strong coupling constant $$\alpha _s$$ α s . Finally, in this review we have added a new section reviewing results for nucleon matrix elements of the axial, scalar and tensor bilinears, both isovector and flavor diagonal.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A short-lived chromospheric flare-point with a lifetime of 20 seconds and rise and fall times of 5 seconds

We have observed a chromospheric brightening in the H alpha and Ca II K lines with a diameter of about 1 arc second. The time structure of this event, obtained with a relative resolution of 1 second, shows the rise time to be 4 seconds, the lifetime (FWHM) to be 20 seconds, and the decay time to be 5 seconds. This imposes new constraints on flare-point models. These restrictions can be accommodated easily by either an infall-impact flare model or a model invoking the precipitation of high-energy particles from the corona.

Hyder, C. L.↗

Autonomous Modal Identification of the Space Shuttle Tail Rudder

Autonomous modal identification automates the calculation of natural vibration frequencies, damping, and mode shapes of a structure from experimental data. This technology complements damage detection techniques that use continuous or periodic monitoring of vibration characteristics. The approach shown in the paper incorporates the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) as a data analysis engine and an autonomous supervisor to condense multiple estimates of modal parameters using ERA's Consistent-Mode Indicator and correlation of mode shapes. The procedure was applied to free-decay responses of a Space Shuttle tail rudder and successfully identified the seven modes of the structure below 250 Hz. The final modal parameters are a condensed set of results for 87 individual ERA cases requiring approximately five minutes of CPU time on a DEC Alpha computer.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

Validation of a Pseudo-Sound Theory for the Pressure-Dilatation in DNS of Compressible Turbulence

The results of an asymptotic theory for statistical closures for compressible turbulence are explored and validated with the direct numerical simulation of the isotropic decay and the homogeneous shear. An excellent collapse of the data is seen. The slow portion is found to scale, as predicted by the theory, with the quantity M(sub t)(sup 2) and epsilon(sub s). The rapid portion has an unambiguous scaling with alpha(sup 2)M(sub t)(sup s)epsilon(sub s)[P(sub k)/epsilon - l](Sk/epsilon)(sup 2). Implicit in the scaling is a dependence, as has been noted by others, on the gradient Mach number. A new feature of the effects of compressibility, that of the Kolmogorov scaling coefficient, alpha, is discussed. It is suggested that alpha may contain flow specific physics associated with large scales that might provide further insight into the structural effects of compressibility.

Ristorcelli, J. R.↗

On the Origin of the Saturnian Satellite System: Did Iapetus Form In-Situ?

Current models of planet and satellite formation are marred by our lack of understanding regarding the turbulent state of accretion disks. According to the Rayleigh criterion, Keplerian disks are hydrodynamically stable. Indeed, it has been argued that a carefully designed Taylor Couette experiment shows stability in the case of positive radial gradients in specific angular momentum even for high Reynolds numbers [1], in agreement with numerical simulations which consistently show turbulence decay [2]. Other possible sources of turbulence may fail due to low ionization, may decay as the optical depth decreases due to dust coagulation, may involve unrealistic boundary conditions, or result in limited transport. The difficulty stems not only from the degree of turbulence, but also from the kind of turbulence, and whether it may be characterized by an alpha parameter.

Mosqueira, I.↗