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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

CIRCLEZ : Reliable photometric redshifts for active galactic nuclei computed solely using photometry from Legacy Survey Imaging for DESI

Photometric redshifts for galaxies hosting an accreting supermassive black hole in their center, known as active galactic nuclei (AGNs), are notoriously challenging. At present, they are most optimally computed via spectral energy distribution (SED) fittings, assuming that deep photometry for many wavelengths is available. However, for AGNs detected from all-sky surveys, the photometry is limited and provided by a range of instruments and studies. This makes the task of homogenizing the data challenging, presenting a dramatic drawback for the millions of AGNs that wide surveys such as SRG/eROSITA are poised to detect. This work aims to compute reliable photometric redshifts for X-ray-detected AGNs using only one dataset that covers a large area: the tenth data release of the Imaging Legacy Survey (LS10) for DESI. LS10 provides deep grizW1-W4 forced photometry within various apertures over the footprint of the eROSITA-DE survey, which avoids issues related to the cross-calibration of surveys. We present the results from CIRCLEZ, a machine-learning algorithm based on a fully connected neural network. CIRCLEZ is built on a training sample of 14 000 X-ray-detected AGNs and utilizes multi-aperture photometry, mapping the light distribution of the sources. The accuracy (σNMAD) and the fraction of outliers (η) reached in a test sample of 2913 AGNs are equal to 0.067 and 11.6%, respectively. The results are comparable to (or even better than) what was previously obtained for the same field, but with much less effort in this instance. We further tested the stability of the results by computing the photometric redshifts for the sources detected in CSC2 and Chandra-COSMOS Legacy, reaching a comparable accuracy as in eFEDS when limiting the magnitude of the counterparts to the depth of LS10. The method can be applied to fainter samples of AGNs using deeper optical data from future surveys (for example, LSST, Euclid), granting LS10-like information on the light distribution beyond the morphological type. Along with this paper, we have released an updated version of the photometric redshifts (including errors and probability distribution functions) for eROSITA/eFEDS.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

MAPPER – A NOVEL CAPABILITY TO SUPPORT NUCLEAR MODEL VALIDATION AND MAPPING OF BIASES AND UNCERTAINTIES

This paper overviews the initial results of a new project at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory -- supported via an internal seed funding program -- focused on the development of a novel computational capability, called MAPPER, to support model validation. The MAPPER development aims to eliminate the need for empirical criteria, such as similarity indices, often employed to identify applicable experiments for given application conditions. To achieve that, MAPPER employs an information-theoretic-based approach, based on the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence principle, to combine responses of available or to-be-built experiments with application responses of interest using a training set of samples generated using randomized execution of the experiments and the application high fidelity analysis models. These samples are condensed using reduced order modeling techniques in the form of a joint probability distribution function (PDF) connecting each application response of interest with a new effective experimental response. The initial focus of the MAPPER capability will be to support the confirmatory analysis required for criticality safety analysis of storage facilities which require k-eff biases to be known for safe operation. This paper reports some of the initial results obtained with MAPPER as applied to a set of critical experiments for which existing similarity-based methods have been shown to provide inaccurate estimates of the biases.

Mertyurek, Ugur↗
DOE OSTI2018

Bayesian optimization of generalized data

Direct application of Bayes' theorem to generalized data yields a posterior probability distribution function (PDF) that is a product of a prior PDF of generalized data and a likelihood function, where generalized data consists of model parameters, measured data, and model defect data. The prior PDF of generalized data is defined by prior expectation values and a prior covariance matrix of generalized data that naturally includes covariance between any two components of generalized data. A set of constraints imposed on the posterior expectation values and covariances of generalized data via a given model is formally solved by the method of Lagrange multipliers. Posterior expectation values of the constraints and their covariance matrix are conventionally set to zero, leading to a likelihood function that is a Dirac delta function of the constraining equation. It is shown that setting constraints to values other than zero is analogous to introducing a model defect. Since posterior expectation values of any function of generalized data are integrals of that function over all generalized data weighted by the posterior PDF, all elements of generalized data may be viewed as nuisance parameters marginalized by this integration. One simple form of posterior PDF is obtained when the prior PDF and the likelihood function are normal PDFs. For linear models without a defect this PDF becomes equivalent to constrained least squares (CLS) method, that is, the χ2 minimization method.

Arbanas, Goran↗
DOE OSTI2010

Investigation of statistical characterization of radial turbulence in the edge of HuanLiuqi-2A plasma with visible spectroscopy diagnostic

The radial motion and structure of edge turbulence in the HuanLiuqi-2A tokamak [Y. Liu et al., Nucl. Fusion 45, S239 (2005)] was measured with visible spectroscopy diagnostic system; the radial turbulence propagation velocity and correlation length were evaluated by time-delay correlation technique and there were typically V{sub r}=0.4-1 km/s and L{sub r}=2-6 cm, respectively. The edge intermittent events accompanied with turbulence have been observed in plasma edge and propagated outward radially; especially through the scrape-off layer, the fluctuation signals of D{sub {alpha}} exhibit strong asymmetric probability distribution functions (PDFs). Their propagation trajectories and radial velocity PDFs were inferred from a special correlation technique and the results indicated the radial velocity of intermittent event depends on its amplitude. Some comparisons with previous measurements and models were also presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Modeling of plasma turbulence and transport in the Large Plasma Device

Numerical simulation of plasma turbulence in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] is presented. The model, implemented in the BOUndary Turbulence code [M. Umansky, X. Xu, B. Dudson et al., Contrib. Plasma Phys. 180, 887 (2009)], includes three-dimensional (3D) collisional fluid equations for plasma density, electron parallel momentum, and current continuity, and also includes the effects of ion-neutral collisions. In nonlinear simulations using measured LAPD density profiles but assuming constant temperature profile for simplicity, self-consistent evolution of instabilities and nonlinearly generated zonal flows results in a saturated turbulent state. Comparisons of these simulations with measurements in LAPD plasmas reveal good qualitative and reasonable quantitative agreement, in particular in frequency spectrum, spatial correlation, and amplitude probability distribution function of density fluctuations. For comparison with LAPD measurements, the plasma density profile in simulations is maintained either by direct azimuthal averaging on each time step, or by adding particle source/sink function. The inferred source/sink values are consistent with the estimated ionization source and parallel losses in LAPD. These simulations lay the groundwork for more a comprehensive effort to test fluid turbulence simulation against LAPD data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Comparison of scrape-off layer turbulence simulations with experiments using a synthetic gas puff imaging diagnostic

A synthetic gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic has been added to the scrape-off layer turbulence (SOLT) simulation code, enabling comparisons with GPI data from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) [M. Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)]. The edge and scrape-off layer are modeled in the radial and poloidal (bidirectional) dimensions of the outboard midplane region of NSTX. A low-confinement mode discharge is simulated by choosing reference parameters, including radial density and temperature profiles, to be consistent with those of the shot (no. 112825). NSTX and simulation GPI data are submitted to identical analyses. It is demonstrated that the level of turbulent fluctuations in the simulation may be adjusted to give synthetic GPI radial intensity profiles similar to those of the experiment; for a ''best-case'' simulation, SOLT and NSTX probability distribution functions of blob radial locations, widths, and GPI image velocities are compared. For the simulation, synthetic GPI image velocity and fluid convection (ExB) velocity are compared and contrasted.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fixman compensating potential for general branched molecules

The technique of constraining high frequency modes of molecular motion is an effective way to increase simulation time scale and improve conformational sampling in molecular dynamics simulations. However, it has been shown that constraints on higher frequency modes such as bond lengths and bond angles stiffen the molecular model, thereby introducing systematic biases in the statistical behavior of the simulations. Fixman proposed a compensating potential to remove such biases in the thermodynamic and kinetic properties calculated from dynamics simulations. Previous implementations of the Fixman potential have been limited to only short serial chain systems. In this paper, we present a spatial operator algebra based algorithm to calculate the Fixman potential and its gradient within constrained dynamics simulations for branched topology molecules of any size. Our numerical studies on molecules of increasing complexity validate our algorithm by demonstrating recovery of the dihedral angle probability distribution function for systems that range in complexity from serial chains to protein molecules. We observe that the Fixman compensating potential recovers the free energy surface of a serial chain polymer, thus annulling the biases caused by constraining the bond lengths and bond angles. The inclusion of Fixman potential entails only a modest increase in the computational cost in these simulations. We believe that this work represents the first instance where the Fixman potential has been used for general branched systems, and establishes the viability for its use in constrained dynamics simulations of proteins and other macromolecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

A Fokker-Planck-Landau collision equation solver on two-dimensional velocity grid and its application to particle-in-cell simulation

An approximate two-dimensional solver of the nonlinear Fokker-Planck-Landau collision operator has been developed using the assumption that the particle probability distribution function is independent of gyroangle in the limit of strong magnetic field. The isotropic one-dimensional scheme developed for nonlinear Fokker-Planck-Landau equation by Buet and Cordier [J. Comput. Phys. 179, 43 (2002)] and for linear Fokker-Planck-Landau equation by Chang and Cooper [J. Comput. Phys. 6, 1 (1970)] have been modified and extended to two-dimensional nonlinear equation. In addition, a method is suggested to apply the new velocity-grid based collision solver to Lagrangian particle-in-cell simulation by adjusting the weights of marker particles and is applied to a five dimensional particle-in-cell code to calculate the neoclassical ion thermal conductivity in a tokamak plasma. Error verifications show practical aspects of the present scheme for both grid-based and particle-based kinetic codes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Statistical modelling of discharge behavior of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge

In this work, stochastic behavior of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has been investigated. The experiment is performed in a DBD reactor consisting of a pair of stainless steel parallel plate electrodes powered by a 50 Hz ac high voltage source. Current pulse amplitude distributions for different space gaps and the time separation between consecutive current pulses are studied. A probability distribution function is proposed to predict the experimental distribution function for the current pulse amplitudes and the occurrence of the transition regime of the pulse distribution. Breakdown voltage at different positions on the dielectric surface is suggested to be stochastic in nature. The simulated results based on the proposed distribution function agreed well with the experimental results and able to predict the regime of transition voltage. This model would be useful for the understanding of stochastic behaviors of DBD and the design of DBD device for effective operation and applications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electrostatic turbulence intermittence driven by biasing in Texas Helimak

We investigate changes in the intermittent sequence of bursts in the electrostatic turbulence due to imposed positive bias voltage applied to control the plasma radial electric field in Texas Helimak [K. W. Gentle and H. He, Plasma Sci. Technol. 10, 284 (2008)]—a toroidal plasma device with a one-dimensional equilibrium, magnetic curvature, and shear. We identify the burst characteristics by analyzing ion saturation current fluctuations collected in a large set of Langmuir probes. The number of bursts increase with positive biasing, giving rise to a long tailed skewed turbulence probability distribution function. The burst shape does not change much with the applied bias voltage, while their vertical velocity increases monotonically. For high values of bias voltage, the bursts propagate mainly in the vertical direction which is perpendicular to the radial density gradient and the toroidal magnetic field. Moreover, in contrast with the bursts in tokamaks, the burst velocity agrees with the phase velocity of the overall turbulence in both vertical and radial directions. For a fixed bias voltage, the time interval between bursts and their amplitudes follows exponential distributions. Altogether, these burst characteristics indicate that their production can be modelled by a stochastic process.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

High resolution IR diode laser study of collisional energy transfer between highly vibrationally excited monofluorobenzene and CO{sub 2}: The effect of donor fluorination on strong collision energy transfer

Collisional energy transfer between vibrational ground state CO{sub 2} and highly vibrationally excited monofluorobenzene (MFB) was studied using narrow bandwidth (0.0003 cm{sup −1}) IR diode laser absorption spectroscopy. Highly vibrationally excited MFB with E′ = ∼41 000 cm{sup −1} was prepared by 248 nm UV excitation followed by rapid radiationless internal conversion to the electronic ground state (S{sub 1}→S{sub 0}*). The amount of vibrational energy transferred from hot MFB into rotations and translations of CO{sub 2} via collisions was measured by probing the scattered CO{sub 2} using the IR diode laser. The absolute state specific energy transfer rate constants and scattering probabilities for single collisions between hot MFB and CO{sub 2} were measured and used to determine the energy transfer probability distribution function, P(E,E′), in the large ΔE region. P(E,E′) was then fit to a bi-exponential function and extrapolated to the low ΔE region. P(E,E′) and the biexponential fit data were used to determine the partitioning between weak and strong collisions as well as investigate molecular properties responsible for large collisional energy transfer events. Fermi's Golden rule was used to model the shape of P(E,E′) and identify which donor vibrational motions are primarily responsible for energy transfer. In general, the results suggest that low-frequency MFB vibrational modes are primarily responsible for strong collisions, and govern the shape and magnitude of P(E,E′). Where deviations from this general trend occur, vibrational modes with large negative anharmonicity constants are more efficient energy gateways than modes with similar frequency, while vibrational modes with large positive anharmonicity constants are less efficient at energy transfer than modes of similar frequency.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Noise-induced multistability in the regulation of cancer by genes and pseudogenes

We extend a previously introduced model of stochastic gene regulation of cancer to a nonlinear case having both gene and pseudogene messenger RNAs (mRNAs) self-regulated. The model consists of stochastic Boolean genetic elements and possesses noise-induced multistability (multimodality). We obtain analytical expressions for probabilities for the case of constant but finite number of microRNA molecules which act as a noise source for the competing gene and pseudogene mRNAs. The probability distribution functions display both the global bistability regime as well as even-odd number oscillations for a certain range of model parameters. Statistical characteristics of the mRNA’s level fluctuations are evaluated. The obtained results of the extended model advance our understanding of the process of stochastic gene and pseudogene expressions that is crucial in regulation of cancer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Charged particle dynamics in the presence of non-Gaussian Lévy electrostatic fluctuations

Full orbit dynamics of charged particles in a 3-dimensional helical magnetic field in the presence of -stable Levy electrostatic fluctuations and linear friction modeling collisional Coulomb drag is studied via Monte Carlo numerical simulations. The Levy fluctuations are introduced to model the effect of non-local transport due to fractional diffusion in velocity space resulting from intermittent electrostatic turbulence. The probability distribution functions of energy, particle displacements, and Larmor radii are computed and showed to exhibit a transition from exponential decay, in the case of Gaussian fluctuations, to power law decay in the case of Levy fluctuations. The absolute value of the power law decay exponents are linearly proportional to the Levy index. Furthermore, the observed anomalous non-Gaussian statistics of the particles' Larmor radii (resulting from outlier transport events) indicate that, when electrostatic turbulent fluctuations exhibit non-Gaussian Levy statistics, gyro-averaging and guiding centre approximations might face limitations and full particle orbit effects should be taken into account.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Molecular dynamics simulations of concentration-dependent defect production in Fe-Cr and Fe-Cu alloys

Molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to study the effects of alloying elements on the primary damage behaviors in three Fe-based ferritic alloy systems: (1) a Fe-Cr system in which the heat of mixing changes its sign with the Cr concentration; (2) a Fe-Cu system that has a positive heat of mixing; and (3) an ideal but artificial Fe-Cr system that has a zero heat of mixing, which is used as a reference system to investigate solute interstitial formation based on probability. It is found that in these alloys, the solute type and concentration do not have a significant effect on the total number of surviving Frenkel pairs. However, the fraction of solute interstitials has distinct behaviors. In Fe-Cr, the Cr interstitial fraction is much higher than the Cr solute concentration and the Cr interstitial production efficiency decreases with the increasing Cr concentration. By contrast, in Fe-Cu, Cu interstitials are barely produced. In the ideal alloy, the solute interstitial fraction is close to the solute concentration. The defect formation energies in both dilute and concentrated alloys, interstitial binding energies, liquid diffusivities of Fe and solute atoms, and heat of mixing have been calculated for both Fe-Cr and Fe-Cu alloys. Among them, we find that the relative thermodynamic stability between Fe self-interstitials and solute interstitials plays the most important role in the solute interstitial production behaviors. The decrease of Cr interstitial production efficiency with increasing Cr concentration can be explained by the probability distribution functions of solute interstitial formation energy in concentrated alloys.

Zhang, Yaxuan↗
DOE OSTI2018

Propagation of input parameter uncertainties in transport models

Here, the many sources of uncertainty in validation studies of plasma turbulence in magnetically confined fusion devices are well-known. In this paper, we investigate how to efficiently transform uncertainties in experimentally derived transport model inputs into model prediction uncertainties, using the quasilinear trapped-gyro-Landau-fluid (TGLF) turbulent transport model. We use the rapidly converging and computationally inexpensive non-intrusive probabilistic collocation method (PCM) to propagate input parameter uncertainty probability distribution functions (PDFs) through TGLF, yielding PDFs of predicted transport fluxes. We observe in many cases that the flux PDFs exhibit significant non-normal features such as strong skewness, even when the input distributions were normal. To illustrate the utility of the PCM approach, we apply this methodology to transport predictions for a DIII-D ITER baseline plasma in which the mix of neutral beam injection (NBI) and electron cyclotron heating (ECH) was varied. The model predictions show clear changes in the parametric dependencies and sensitivities of the turbulence between the two heating mixes. Specifically, when only NBI heating was used, the transport fluxes responded significantly only to the ion temperature gradient scale length. However, when both NBI and ECH were applied, the electron transport channels demonstrate a strong sensitivity to the electron temperature and density gradients not observed in the NBI-only case. Additional context for the PCM approach is provided by comparing its predictions with those obtained via a local flux-matching approach. A new set of validation metrics based on the Wasserstein distance is proposed for PDF-based comparisons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

A LAW FOR STAR FORMATION IN GALAXIES

We study the galactic-scale triggering of star formation. We find that the largest mass scale not stabilized by rotation, a well-defined quantity in a rotating system and with clear dynamical meaning, strongly correlates with the star formation rate in a wide range of galaxies. We find that this relation can be understood in terms of self-regulation toward marginal Toomre stability and the amount of turbulence allowed to sustain the system in this self-regulated quasi-stationary state. We test such an interpretation by computing the predicted star formation rates for a galactic interstellar medium characterized by a lognormal probability distribution function and find good agreement with the observed relation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

INTERSTELLAR SONIC AND ALFVENIC MACH NUMBERS AND THE TSALLIS DISTRIBUTION

In an effort to characterize the Mach numbers of interstellar medium (ISM) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, we study the probability distribution functions (PDFs) of spatial increments of density, velocity, and magnetic field for 14 ideal isothermal MHD simulations at a resolution of 512{sup 3}. In particular, we fit the PDFs using the Tsallis function and study the dependency of the fit parameters on the compressibility and magnetization of the gas. We find that the Tsallis function fits PDFs of MHD turbulence well, with fit parameters showing sensitivities to the sonic and Alfven Mach numbers. For three-dimensional density, column density, and Position-Position-Velocity data, we find that the amplitude and width of the PDFs show a dependency on the sonic Mach number. We also find that the width of the PDF is sensitive to the global Alfvenic Mach number especially in cases where the sonic number is high. These dependencies are also found for mock observational cases, where cloud-like boundary conditions, smoothing, and noise are introduced. The ability of Tsallis statistics to characterize the sonic and Alfvenic Mach numbers of simulated ISM turbulence points to it being a useful tool in the analysis of the observed ISM, especially when used simultaneously with other statistical techniques.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE OCCURRENCE RATE OF EARTH ANALOG PLANETS ORBITING SUN-LIKE STARS

Kepler is a space telescope that searches Sun-like stars for planets. Its major goal is to determine {eta}{sub Earth}, the fraction of Sun-like stars that have planets like Earth. When a planet 'transits' or moves in front of a star, Kepler can measure the concomitant dimming of the starlight. From analysis of the first four months of those measurements for over 150,000 stars, Kepler's Science Team has determined sizes, surface temperatures, orbit sizes, and periods for over a thousand new planet candidates. In this paper, we characterize the period probability distribution function of the super-Earth and Neptune planet candidates with periods up to 132 days, and find three distinct period regimes. For candidates with periods below 3 days, the density increases sharply with increasing period; for periods between 3 and 30 days, the density rises more gradually with increasing period, and for periods longer than 30 days, the density drops gradually with increasing period. We estimate that 1%-3% of stars like the Sun are expected to have Earth analog planets, based on the Kepler data release of 2011 February. This estimate of {eta}{sub Earth} is based on extrapolation from a fiducial subsample of the Kepler planet candidates that we chose to be nominally 'complete' (i.e., no missed detections) to the realm of the Earth-like planets, by means of simple power-law models. The accuracy of the extrapolation will improve as more data from the Kepler mission are folded in. Accurate knowledge of {eta}{sub Earth} is essential for the planning of future missions that will image and take spectra of Earth-like planets. Our result that Earths are relatively scarce means that a substantial effort will be needed to identify suitable target stars prior to these future missions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗