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At least 271 records · Page 15

The Effect of Cumulus Cloud Field Anisotropy on Domain-Averaged Solar Fluxes and Atmospheric Heating Rates

Cumulus clouds can become tilted or elongated in the presence of wind shear. Nevertheless, most studies of the interaction of cumulus clouds and radiation have assumed these clouds to be isotropic. This paper describes an investigation of the effect of fair-weather cumulus cloud field anisotropy on domain-averaged solar fluxes and atmospheric heating rate profiles. A stochastic field generation algorithm was used to produce twenty three-dimensional liquid water content fields based on the statistical properties of cloud scenes from a large eddy simulation. Progressively greater degrees of x-z plane tilting and horizontal stretching were imposed on each of these scenes, so that an ensemble of scenes was produced for each level of distortion. The resulting scenes were used as input to a three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer model. Domain-average transmission, reflection, and absorption of broadband solar radiation were computed for each scene along with the average heating rate profile. Both tilt and horizontal stretching were found to significantly affect calculated fluxes, with the amount and sign of flux differences depending strongly on sun position relative to cloud distortion geometry. The mechanisms by which anisotropy interacts with solar fluxes were investigated by comparisons to independent pixel approximation and tilted independent pixel approximation computations for the same scenes. Cumulus anisotropy was found to most strongly impact solar radiative transfer by changing the effective cloud fraction, i.e., the cloud fraction when the field is projected on a surface perpendicular to the direction of the incident solar beam.

Hinkelman, Laura M.↗

Ion Anisotropy and High-Energy Variability of Large Solar Particle Events: A Comparative Study

We have made comparative studies of ion anisotropy and high-energy variability of solar energetic particle (SEP) events previously examined by the Solar, Heliospheric, and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) Workshop campaign. We have found distinctly different characteristics of SEPs between two large "gradual" events having very similar solar progenitors (the 2002 April 21 and August 24 events). Since the scattering centers of SEPs are approximately frozen in the solar wind, we emphasize work in the solar-wind frame where SEPs tend to be isotropized, and small anisotropies are easier to detect. While in the August event no streaming reversal occurred, in the April event the field-aligned anisotropy of all heavy ions showed sign of streaming reversal. The difference in streaming reversal was consistent with the difference in the presence of the outer reflecting boundary. In the April event the magnetic mirror, which was located behind the interplanetary shock driven by the preceding coronal mass ejection (CME), could block the stream of SEPs, while in the August event SEPs escaped freely because of the absence of nearby boundary. The magnetic mirror was formed at the bottleneck of magnetic field lines draped around a flank of the preceding CME. In the previous SHINE event analysis the contrasting event durations and Fe/O ratios of the both events were explained as the interplay between shock geometry and seed population. Our new findings, however, indicate that event duration and time as well as spectral variation are also affected by the presence of a nearby reflecting boundary.

Tan, Lun C.↗

Spherical Harmonic Analysis of Particle Velocity Distribution Function: Comparison of Moments and Anisotropies using Cluster Data

This paper presents a spherical harmonic analysis of the plasma velocity distribution function using high-angular, energy, and time resolution Cluster data obtained from the PEACE spectrometer instrument to demonstrate how this analysis models the particle distribution function and its moments and anisotropies. The results show that spherical harmonic analysis produced a robust physical representation model of the velocity distribution function, resolving the main features of the measured distributions. From the spherical harmonic analysis, a minimum set of nine spectral coefficients was obtained from which the moment (up to the heat flux), anisotropy, and asymmetry calculations of the velocity distribution function were obtained. The spherical harmonic method provides a potentially effective "compression" technique that can be easily carried out onboard a spacecraft to determine the moments and anisotropies of the particle velocity distribution function for any species. These calculations were implemented using three different approaches, namely, the standard traditional integration, the spherical harmonic (SPH) spectral coefficients integration, and the singular value decomposition (SVD) on the spherical harmonic methods. A comparison among the various methods shows that both SPH and SVD approaches provide remarkable agreement with the standard moment integration method.

Gurgiolo, Chris↗

Enhanced Spectral Anisotropies Near the Proton-Cyclotron Scale: Possible Two-Component Structure in Hall-FLR MHD Turbulence Simulations

Recent analysis of the magnetic correlation function of solar wind fluctuations at 1 AU suggests the existence of two-component structure near the proton-cyclotron scale. Here we use two-and-one-half dimensional and three-dimensional compressible MHD models to look for two-component structure adjacent the proton-cyclotron scale. Our MHD system incorporates both Hall and Finite Larmor Radius (FLR) terms. We find that strong spectral anisotropies appear adjacent the proton-cyclotron scales depending on selections of initial condition and plasma beta. These anisotropies are enhancements on top of related anisotropies that appear in standard MHD turbulence in the presence of a mean magnetic field and are suggestive of one turbulence component along the inertial scales and another component adjacent the dissipative scales. We compute the relative strengths of linear and nonlinear accelerations on the velocity and magnetic fields to gauge the relative influence of terms that drive the system with wave-like (linear) versus turbulent (nonlinear) dynamics.

Ghosh, Sanjoy↗

Probing the Intergalactic Magnetic Field with the Anisotropy of the Extragalactic Gamma-Ray Background

The intergalactic magnetic field (IGMF) may leave an imprint on the anisotropy properties of the extragalactic gamma-ray background, through its effect on electromagnetic cascades triggered by interactions between very high energy photons and the extragalactic background light. A strong IGMF will deflect secondary particles produced in these cascades and will thus tend to isotropize lower energy cascade photons, thus inducing a modulation in the anisotropy energy spectrum of the gamma-ray background. Here we present a simple, proof-of-concept calculation of the magnitude of this effect and demonstrate that the two extreme cases (zero IGMF and IGMF strong enough to completely isotropize cascade photons) would be separable by ten years of Fermi observations and reasonable model parameters for the gamma-ray background. The anisotropy energy spectrum of the Fermi gamma-ray background could thus be used as a probe of the IGMF strength.

Venters, T. M.↗

Probing the Intergalactic Magnetic Field with the Anisotropy of the Extragalactic Gamma-ray Background

The intergalactic magnetic field (IGMF) may leave an imprint on the angular anisotropy of the extragalactic gamma-ray background through its effect on electromagnetic cascades triggered by interactions between very high energy photons and the extragalactic background light. A strong IGMF will deflect secondary particles produced in these cascades and will thus tend to isotropize lower energy cascade photons, thereby inducing a modulation in the anisotropy energy spectrum of the gamma-ray background. Here we present a simple, proof-of-concept calculation of the magnitude of this effect and demonstrate that current Fermi data already seem to prefer nonnegligible IGMF values. The anisotropy energy spectrum of the Fermi gamma-ray background could thus be used as a probe of the IGMF strength.

anisotrophy↗

Tunable anisotropy of co-based nanocomposites for magnetic field sensing and inductor applications

A method includes producing an amorphous precursor to a nanocomposite, performing devitrification of the amorphous precursor, forming, based on the devitrification, the nanocomposite comprising an induced magnetic anisotropy, and for a first portion of the nanocomposite, determining a desired value of a magnetic permeability of the first portion, tuning, based on the desired value, the induced magnetic anisotropy for the first portion, and adjusting, based on the tuning of the induced magnetic anisotropy of the first portion, a first magnetic permeability value of the first portion of the nanocomposite, wherein the first magnetic permeability value is different from a second magnetic permeability value for a second portion of the nanocomposite.

Leary, Alex M.↗

Tunable anisotropy of co-based nanocomposites for magnetic field sensing and inductor applications

A method includes producing an amorphous precursor to a nanocomposite, the amorphous precursor comprising a material that is substantially without crystals not exceeding 20% volume fraction; performing devitrification of the amorphous precursor, wherein the devitrification comprises a process of crystallization; forming, based on the devitrification, the nanocomposite with nano-crystals that contains an induced magnetic anisotropy; tuning, based on one or more of composition, temperature, configuration, and magnitude of stress applied during annealing and modification, the magnetic anisotropy of the nanocomposite; and adjusting, based on the tuned magnetic anisotropy, a magnetic permeability of the nanocomposite.

Leary, Alex M.↗

Implications of phonon anisotropy on thermal conductivity of fluorite oxides

Abstract Fluorite oxides are attractive ionic compounds for a range of applications with critical thermal management requirements. In view of recent reports alluding to anisotropic thermal conductivity in this face-centered cubic crystalline systems, we perform a detailed analysis of the impact of direction-dependent phonon group velocities and lifetimes on the thermal transport of fluorite oxides. We demonstrate that the bulk thermal conductivity of this class of materials remains isotropic despite notable anisotropy in phonon lifetime and group velocity. However, breaking the symmetry of the phonon lifetime under external stimuli including boundary scattering present in nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of finite size simulation cell gives rise to apparent thermal conductivity anisotropy. We observe that for accurate determination of thermal conductivity, it is important to consider phonon properties not only along high symmetry directions commonly measured in inelastic neutron or x-ray scattering experiments but also of those along lower symmetry. Our results suggests that certain low symmetry directions have a larger contribution to thermal conductivity compared to high symmetry ones.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Results from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) mapped the distribution of temperature and polarization over the entire sky in five microwave frequency bands. These full-sky maps were used to obtain measurements of temperature and polarization anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background with the unprecedented accuracy and precision. The analysis of two-point correlation functions of temperature and polarization data gives determinations of the fundamental cosmological parameters such as the age and composition of the universe, as well as the key parameters describing the physics of inflation, which is further constrained by three-point correlation functions. WMAP observations alone reduced the flat Λ cold dark matter (Lambda Cold Dark Matter) cosmological model (six) parameter volume by a factor of > 68, 000 compared with pre-WMAP measurements. The WMAP observations (sometimes in combination with other astrophysical probes) convincingly show the existence of non-baryonic dark matter, the cosmic neutrino background, flatness of spatial geometry of the universe, a deviation from a scale-invariant spectrum of initial scalar fluctuations, and that the current universe is undergoing an accelerated expansion. The WMAP observations provide the strongest ever support for inflation; namely, the structures we see in the universe originate from quantum fluctuations generated during inflation.

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)↗

On phosphorus chemical shift anisotropy in metal (IV) phosphates and phosphonates: A 31 P NMR experimental study

The phosphorus chemical shift anisotropies, 31 PΔcs, and asymmetry parameters η were measured by the 31 P{ 1 H} NMR experiments in static and low-frequency spinning samples of the zirconium phosphates and phosphonates and also in the mixed Zr (IV)/Sn (IV) phosphate/phosphonate material. The data obtained have shown a 111 connectivity in the HPO 4 and PO 3 groups, which does not change at modification and intercalation of the materials. The 31 PΔcs values of the phosphonate groups (43–49 ppm) significantly surpass the values characterizing the HPO 4 groups (23–37 ppm). The 31 P Δcs values obtained for the metal (IV) phosphates were discussed in terms of P-O distances. Finally, the 31 P chemical shift anisotropy parameters can help at elucidation of local structures in phosphate and phosphonate materials.

1H MAS NMR↗

Exploring microstructures and anisotropies of serpentinites

Serpentine minerals have received a lot of attention because of their unique crystal structures, their wide occurrence in orogenic belts and their potential role in contributing seismic anisotropy in subducting slabs. Several studies have investigated crystal preferred orientation (CPO) in high temperature antigorite serpentinites from Japan, the Alps, Spain, Cuba and Tibet, documenting significant crystal alignment. However, only a limited number of lower grade serpentines have been explored to date. Mainly because of submicroscopic microstructural heterogeneities CPO cannot be measured with conventional methods such as optical microscopy and EBSD. In this study 15 serpentinites from different tectonic settings in California, the Central Alps and Northern Spain have been investigated, mainly with high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, to quantify bulk crystal alignment. We find that CPO is strong on sheared surfaces of fractured blocks and secondary veins but the bulk of most serpentinite samples, except high-grade recrystallized antigorite serpentinite, show only weak crystal alignment. Correspondingly calculated seismic anisotropy based on CPO is not very significant. This is supported by very heterogeneous microstructures as documented with SEM and TEM analyses.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Tetragonal structure and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the arc-melted (Ce,Zr) 2 (Fe,M) 17 (M = Mo, W, Co) alloys

The tetragonal ThMn 12 -type structure is stabilized in (Ce 1-x Zr x ) 2 T 16 M (x = 0.2 – 0.3; T = Fe or Fe/Co, M = Mo or W) arc-melted alloys. Approximately 5 at% of Mo or W admixture is sufficient to transform the hexagonal Th 2 Ni 17 -type structure of (Ce 1-x Zr x ) 2 Fe 17 into the tetragonal ThMn 12 -type structure of nearly single-phase (Ce 1-x Zr x ) 2 Fe 16 M and/or (Ce 1-x Zr x ) 2 Fe 15 CoM bulk alloys. X-ray Rietveld refinements reveal that Zr and Mo (W) substitute different sites in the tetragonal crystal structure. Zirconium preferentially replaces Ce, whereas Mo (W) substitutes Fe. At room temperature, the tetragonal phases exhibit strong ferromagnetism and a uniaxial magneto-crystalline anisotropy with anisotropy fields of 15 – 17 kOe. These materials possess room-temperature saturation magnetizations of 95 – 105 emu/g and Curie temperature of 420 – 505 K. At some concentrations, concurrent Zr and Mo (W) site occupancy facilitates 1:12 structure formation in bulk alloys with minimal presence of non-magnetic element in the Fe sublattice, thus securing the highest known magnetic moment per Fe atom (∼ 1.37 µ B ) in this type of materials. The intrinsic magnetic characteristics, as well as the absence of critical rare earths (RE), make these compounds interesting for development as low-cost permanent magnets. In conclusion, small Co additions improve the Curie temperature, especially if combined with W.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding the origin of magneto-crystalline anisotropy in pure and Fe/Si substituted SmCo 5

In this paper, we report magneto-crystalline anisotropy of pure and Fe/Si substituted SmCo5. The calculations were performed using the advanced density functional theory (DFT) including onsite electron-electron correlation and spin-orbit coupling. Si substitution substantially reduces both the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and the magnetic moment. Fe substitution with the selective site, on the other hand, enhances the magnetic moment with a limited chemical stability. The magnetic hardness of the SmCo5 is governed by the Sm 4f localized orbital contribution. The 4f density of states (DOS) becomes flat and split with the substitution of Co (2c) with Si/Fe atoms, except with the Fe substitution at 3 g sites. It is also confirmed that Si substitution favors the thermodynamic stability on contrary to the diminished magnetic and anisotropic effects in SmCo5 at either sites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Accounting for the effect of dislocation climb-mediated flow on the anisotropy and texture evolution of Mg alloy, AZ31B

The current study explores the role that dislocation climb has in mediating plasticity a Mg alloy at moderately elevated temperatures. Interrupted tensile tests were performed on samples of Mg alloy, AZ31B, sheet in the O temper condition over a range of strain rates (10 -5 to 10 -1 s -1 ) and temperatures (20–350°C) along the rolling and transverse directions. Experimental measurements of the resulting strain anisotropy and texture evolution were used as constraints during a parametric study employing a new crystal plasticity model (VPSC-CLIMB), which explicitly accounts for the kinematics of dislocation climb. The results reveal that the climb of basal (a) dislocations is not only important for dislocation recovery, but also demonstrate that climb accommodates a significant fraction of the strain in conditions where a power-law creep-type constitutive response prevails. This work does not discredit the notion that non-basal slip of (a) and (c+a) dislocations is important over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates. However, it demonstrates that the activation of dislocation climb as the mechanistic change within the power law regime provides an explanation for a wide range of observations, including the simultaneous reduction in strain anisotropy, slowed texture evolution, and rapid increase in strain rate sensitivity. Finally, it is hypothesized that these conclusions may even apply to cases in which grain boundary sliding and/or dynamic recrystallization are observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin waves excitation at micron-sized, anisotropy modified regions in amorphous Fe 80 B 20 stripes: Local properties and inter-regions coupling

We report on the measurement of the local magnetization dynamics occurring, at units of GHz, in large aspect ratio stripes lithographed from reduced damping amorphous Fe 80 B 20 films. The stripes were submitted to local anisotropy modifications by micrometric beam synchrotron X-ray irradiation. Our results include data on the dispersion relationships and group velocities corresponding to spin waves excited at both the non-irradiated and the irradiated regions. Whereas in the former case we observed standing spin waves with transverse-to-the stripe axis wave vector, in the latter one, for which the wave vector of the spin waves was parallel-to-the stripe axis, propagating spin waves were excited. In both regions, we measured the effective propagation distance of the spin waves, which resulted to be independent of the wave vector orientation. In the spin waves excited at the irradiated region, we also measured the decay time and effective damping coefficient, which was in good agreement with previously reported values obtained from FMR measurements in amorphous Fe 80 B 20 continuous films. We show that the interaction of the non-irradiated and irradiated zones results, at the stripe transverse saturation remanence and under an exciting field frequency of 4 GHz, in the introduction of a π phase shift between the standing spin waves excited at both sides of the irradiated region. This result opens the possibility of using the local, transverse to the stripe axis, magnetic anisotropy easy axis induced by the X-ray irradiation as a crucial constituent of a zero-applied field spin wave phase-shifter.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhancing easy-plane anisotropy in bespoke Ni(II) quantum magnets

We examine the crystal structures and magnetic properties of several S = 1 Ni(II) coordination compounds, molecules and polymers, that include the bridging ligands HF 2 - , A F 6 2- ( A = Ti, Zr) and pyrazine or non-bridging ligands F - , SiF 6 2- , glycine, H 2 O, 1-vinylimidazole, 4-methylpyrazole and 3-hydroxypyridine. Pseudo-octahedral NiN 4 F 2 , NiN 4 O 2 or NiN 4 OF cores consist of equatorial Ni-N bonds that are equal to or slightly longer than the axial Ni- L ax bonds. By design, the zero-field splitting ( D ) is large in these systems and, in the presence of substantial exchange interactions ( J ), can be difficult to discriminate from magnetometry measurements on powder samples. Thus, we relied on pulsed-field magnetization in those cases and employed electron-spin resonance (ESR) to confirm D when J ← D . The anisotropy of each compound was found to be easy-plane ( D > 0) and range from ≈ 8–25 K. This work reveals a linear correlation between the ratio d (Ni- L ax )/ d (Ni-N eq ) and D although the ligand spectrochemical properties may play an important role. We assert that this relationship allows us to predict the type of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in tailored Ni(II) quantum magnets.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Viscoelasticity-induced structure anisotropy in amorphous materials

Viscoelasticity-induced structural change in Zr 55 Cu 30 Ni 5 Al 10 metallic glass (Zr-MG) and amorphous selenium (a-Se) is investigated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. By analyzing the two-dimensional diffraction pattern, two types of structural anisotropy with the feature of the residual elastic strain or heterogeneous intensity of diffraction rings are revealed. The origin of the structural anisotropy is attributed to the topological rearrangement in the Zr-MG and conformation rearrangement in the a-Se. In conclusion, our findings bring a structural identity to the phenomenological structureless deformation defect widely used in different amorphous materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗