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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 271 records · Page 15

Magnetic Reconnection and Associated Particle Acceleration in High-Energy Astrophysics

Abstract Magnetic reconnection occurs ubiquitously in the universe and is often invoked to explain fast energy release and particle acceleration in high-energy astrophysics. The study of relativistic magnetic reconnection in the magnetically dominated regime has surged over the past two decades, revealing the physics of fast magnetic reconnection and nonthermal particle acceleration. Here we review these recent progresses, including the magnetohydrodynamic and collisionless reconnection dynamics as well as particle energization. The insights in astrophysical reconnection strongly connect to the development of magnetic reconnection in other areas, and further communication is greatly desired. We also provide a summary and discussion of key physics processes and frontier problems, toward a better understanding of the roles of magnetic reconnection in high-energy astrophysics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Solar High-energy Astrophysical Plasmas Explorer (SHAPE). Volume 1: Proposed concept, statement of work and cost plan

The concept of the Solar High-Energy Astrophysical Plasmas Explorer (SHAPE) is studied. The primary goal is to understand the impulsive release of energy, efficient acceleration of particles to high energies, and rapid transport of energy. Solar flare studies are the centerpieces of the investigation because in flares these high energy processes can be studied in unmatched detail at most wavelenth regions of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as in energetic charged particles and neutrons.

Dennis, Brian R.↗

High energy neutrinos from primary cosmic rays accelerated in the cores of active galaxies

The spectra and high-energy neutrino fluxes are calculated from photomeson production in active galactic nuclei (AGN) such as quasars and Seyfert galaxies using recent UV and X-ray observations to define the photon fields and an accretion-disk shock-acceleration model for producing ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays in the AGN. Collectively AGN should produce the dominant isotropic neutrino background between 10 exp 4 and 10 exp 10 GeV. Measurement of this background could be critical in determining the energy-generation mechanism, evolution, and distribution of AGN. High-energy background spectra and spectra from bright AGN such as NGC4151 and 3C273 are predicted which should be observable with present detectors. High energy AGN nus should produce a sphere of stellar disruption around their cores which could explain their observed broad-line emission regions.

Stecker, F. W.↗

High-Energy X-Ray Diffraction Microscopy in Materials Science

High-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) is an implementation of three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy. HEDM yields maps of internal crystal orientation fields, strain states, grain shapes and locations as well as intragranular orientation distributions, and grain boundary character. Because it is nondestructive in hard materials, notably metals and ceramics, HEDM has been used to study responses of these materials to external fields including high temperature and mechanical loading. Currently available sources and detectors lead to a spatial resolution of ~1 μm and an orientation resolution of <0.1°. With the penetration characteristic of high energies ( E ≥ 50 keV), sample cross-section dimensions of ~1 mm can be studied in materials containing elements across much of the Periodic Table. This review describes hardware and software associated with HEDM as well as examples of applications. Overall, these applications include studies of grain growth, recrystallization, texture development, orientation gradients, deformation twinning, annealing twinning, plastic deformation, and additive manufacturing. We also describe relationships to other X-ray-based methods as well as prospects for further development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A case study on parallel HDF5 dataset concatenation for high energy physics data analysis

In High Energy Physics (HEP), experimentalists generate large volumes of data that, when analyzed, helps us better understand the fundamental particles and their interactions. This data is often captured in many files of small size, creating a data management challenge for scientists. In order to better facilitate data management, transfer, and analysis on large scale platforms, it is advantageous to aggregate data further into a smaller number of larger files. However, this translation process can consume significant time and resources, and if performed incorrectly the resulting aggregated files can be inefficient for highly parallel access during analysis on large scale platforms. In this paper, we present our case study on parallel I/O strategies and HDF5 features for reducing data aggregation time, making effective use of compression, and ensuring efficient access to the resulting data during analysis at scale. We focus on NOvA detector data in this case study, a large-scale HEP experiment generating many terabytes of data. Here, the lessons learned from our case study inform the handling of similar datasets, thus expanding community knowledge related to this common data management task.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Observations of High Energy Cosmic Ray Electrons by the ATIC Balloon Experiment

Recently the Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) balloon experiment reported observations of high energy cosmic ray electrons over the energy range 300 to 800 GeV, indicating a feature or "bump" in the otherwise smoothly decreasing energy spectrum. The severe energy losses that occur as these high energy particles traverse the galaxy render the cosmic ray electron spectrum sensitive to local (a few kiloparsecs) sources and hence very interesting. The ATIC results are the first time that such a cosmic ray spectrum anomaly has been observed at high energy. Potential sources of this electron excess include pulsars, microquasars, supernovae remnants as well as the annihilation of exotic dark matter candidate particles. ATIC has had three successful high altitude flights over the continent of Antarctica 2000-2001, 2002-2003 and 2007-2008. Only results from the first two flights have been reported so far. During this talk we will discuss the ATIC experiment, the electron observations (including preliminary results from the most recent ATIC flight), examine the merits of the various source models and compare the ATIC observations with other recent measurements.

Guzik, T. G.↗

Etched Silicon Planar CRL Optics for the High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Beamlines 11-ID-B and 11-ID-C at the APS

We report the focusing of high-energy X-rays is most commonly achieved by commercially available compound refractive lenses (CRL), which are added together in larger structures. There is a need for high-energy X-ray beamlines to enable focusing in only one dimension down to a few micrometers to study layered materials and thin films. High-energy X-rays above 50 keV require often 100 lenses or more, therefore it is more efficient to etch the complete arrays of lenses into a monolithic substrate like a silicon wafer. Custom lens arrays were fabricated for the high-energy x-ray beamlines 11-ID-B, and 11-ID-C at the Argonne National Laboratory. The fabrication required tuning parameters of the Bosch process to optimize the etching of deep vertical sidewalls at a reasonable speed without overheating. The beamline 11-ID-B is equipped with lens arrays of 85-110 lenses for 59 keV and 190-250 lenses for 87 keV photon energy, focusing the beam vertically below 5.0 µm at the sample positions between 1600 mm to 2100 mm. 11-ID-C has received arrays of 435 lenses that focus 106 keV X-rays to a vertical height of 2.0 µm at the sample position. In both cases, the flux density gain in the focal spot is larger than a factor of 20, relative to using slits to cut the beam size. The lens setup is permanently installed and can be moved in and out of the beam during the experiment without further alignment. The lenses have enabled operando diffraction studies on interfaces in batteries and the development of pair distribution function (PDF) analysis using grazing incidence geometry.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Radiation-Hardened, High-Speed Parallel VCSEL Links for High-Energy Physics

Vega Wave Systems, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy entitled “Radiation-Hardened, High-Speed Parallel VCSEL Links For High-Energy Physics.” The technology proposed under this program is a significant advance (up to 4x) in data rate over current optical link technologies under development. Fermilab supports the technology developed under this proposal as a radiation-hardened, cost-effective solution for optical links for the high-speed data communications in High-Energy Physics and agrees to provide consulting and test engineering in support of this program. Fermilab staff will provide consulting services along with high speed testing of modules before and after radiation testing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

High Energy Density Matter for Rocket Propulsion

The objective of the High Energy Density Matter (HEDM) program is to identify, develop, and exploit high energy atomic and molecular systems as energetic sources for rocket propulsion applications. It is a high risk, high payoff program that incorporates both basic and applied research, experimental and theoretical efforts, and science and engineering efforts. The HEDM program is co-sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Phillips Laboratory (PURKS). It includes both in-house and contracted University/Industry efforts. Technology developed by the HEDM program offers the opportunity for significant breakthroughs in propulsion system capabilities over the current state-of-the-art. One area of great interest is the use of cryogenic solids to increase the density of the propellant and to act as a stable matrix for storage of energetic materials. No cryogenic solid propellant has ever been used in a rocket, and there remain engineering challenges to such a propellant. However, these solids would enable a wide class of highly energetic materials by providing an environment that is at very low temperatures and is a physical barrier to recombination or energy loss reactions. Previous to our experiments only hydrogen atoms had been isolated in solid hydrogen. To date we have succeeded in trapping B, Al, Li, N, and Mg atoms in solid H2. Small molecules, such as B2 and LiB, are also of interest. Current efforts involve the search for new energetic small molecules, increasing free radical concentrations up to 5 mole percent, and scale-up for propulsion testing.

Carrick, Patrick G.↗

Innermost Van Allen Radiation Belt for High Energy Protons at Saturn

The high energy proton radiation belts of Saturn are energetically dominated by the source from cosmic ray albedo neutron decay (CRAND), trapping of protons from beta decay of neutrons emitted from galactic cosmic ray nuclear interactions with the main rings. These belts were originally discovered in wide gaps between the A-ring, Janus/Epimetheus, Mimas, and Enceladus. The narrow F and G rings significant affected the CRAND protons but did not produce total depletion. Voyager 2 measurements subsequently revealed an outermost CRAND proton belt beyond Enceladus. Although the source rate is small, the trapping times limited by radial magnetospheric diffusion are very long, about ten years at peak measured flux inwards of the G ring, so large fluxes can accumulate unless otherwise limited in the trapping region by neutral gas, dust, and ring body interactions. One proposed final extension of the Cassini Orbiter mission would place perikrone in a 3000-km gap between the inner D ring and the upper atmosphere of Saturn. Experience with CRAND in the Earth's inner Van Allen proton belt suggests that a similar innermost belt might be found in this comparably wide region at Saturn. Radial dependence of magnetospheric diffusion, proximity to the ring neutron source, and northward magnetic offset of Saturn's magnetic equator from the ring plane could potentially produce peak fluxes several orders of magnitude higher than previously measured outside the main rings. Even brief passes through such an intense environment of highly penetrating protons would be a significant concern for spacecraft operations and science observations. Actual fluxes are limited by losses in Saturn's exospheric gas and in a dust environment likely comparable to that of the known CRAND proton belts. The first numerical model of this unexplored radiation belt is presented to determine limits on peak magnitude and radial profile of the proton flux distribution.

Cooper, John F.↗

Quantum Information Science in High Energy Physics at the Large Hadron Collider (Final Report-QuantISED)

We pursue scientific research at the interface of High Energy Physics and Quantum Information Science. This includes studies of thermal radiation and quantum entanglement in high-energy collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), with special emphasis on entanglement entropy and the Higgs boson. This project has also been extended to include quantum entanglement and charged current weak interactions using Fermilab results. And most recently, we have begun tests of the temporal entanglement using LHC data. Collider experiments such as proton-proton collisions at the LHC yield hadrons that exhibit an exponential behavior at low transverse momenta. This surprising behavior is seen in data from both the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. We attribute this phenomenon to quantum entanglement between the regions in the nucleon wave function. The exponential component to the transverse momentum distribution is a result of thermal radiation that is akin to Hawking or Unruh radiation that should exist at the event horizon of astrophysical black holes and neutron stars. The Principal Investigator, in collaboration with a theoretical physicist at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, and with Yale University students, has shown evidence for this thermal radiation in several production and decay processes in the ATLAS and CMS data, and its connection to entanglement entropy (O.K. Baker and D.E Kharzeev, Phys. Rev. D 98, 054007 (2018)), including even the Higgs boson sector. Interestingly, this thermal behavior is also seen in momentum distributions of charged current weak interactions according to our studies. These findings suggest a deep connection between quantum entanglement (entanglement entropy) and thermalization in both hadron collisions at the energy frontier and neutrino scattering at the intensity frontier. We have confirmed the proposed relation between the effective temperature and the hard-scattering scale at lower energies using the most recent LHC data for the following systems: Higgs bosons, top quarks, and charged hadrons. Additionally, we have results for hadron production in neutrino scattering from nuclei using Fermilab weak interaction data. This study is carried out using data from the MINERvA collaboration. In those cases where entanglement is expected, there is an exponential component to the momentum distribution, while this component is absent in those processes where no entanglement is expected. This research thus tests the hypothesis about a link between quantum entanglement and thermalization in strong and weak interactions. See Phys Lett B 811, 135948 (2020). We also initiated research applying a quantum search algorithm (Grover's Algorithm) to LHC data. This quantum algorithm was used to show how rare events in LHC data can be searched for in large, unsorted databases, with quadratic speedup compared to classical search algorithms on classical computers. See "Application of a Quantum Search Algorithm to High- Energy Physics Data at the Large Hadron Collider", arXiv:2010.00649 [quant-ph].

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Atomic binding corrections for high-energy fixed target experiments

High-energy beams incident on a fixed target may scatter against atomic electrons. To a first approximation, one can treat these electrons as free and at rest. For precision experiments, however, it is important to be able to estimate the size of, and when necessary calculate, subleading corrections. We discuss atomic binding corrections to relativistic lepton-electron scattering. We analyze hydrogen in detail, before generalizing our analysis to multi-electron atoms. Using the virial theorem, and many-body sum rules, we find that the corrections can be reduced to measured binding energies, and the expectation value of a single one-body operator. We comment on the phenomenological impact for neutrino flux normalization and an extraction of hadronic vacuum polarization from elastic muon electron scattering at MUonE.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗