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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 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Exploiting dissipative reactions to perform in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient isotopes 38,39 Ca

The neutron-deficient Ca isotopes continue to attract attention due to their importance for testing isospin symmetry and their relevance in capture reactions of interest for nova nucleosynthesis and the shape of light curves in Type I x-ray bursts. To date, spectroscopic information on 38,39 Ca is largely limited to data on lower-spin excited states. Here, we report in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of complementary higher-spin, complex-structure states in 39 Ca populated in fast-beam-induced, momentum-dissipative processes leading to neutron pickup onto excited configurations of the projectile, 9 Be( 38 Ca*, 39 Ca + γ)X. Such a dissipative reaction was recently characterized for the case of inelastic scattering of 38 Ca off 9 Be, 9 Be( 38 Ca, 38 Ca + γ)X. Additional data and discussion on the nuclear structure of 38 Ca is also presented. Furthermore, an explanation for the more-complex-structure states, populated with small cross sections in one-nucleon knockout reactions, and observed in the tails of their longitudinal momentum distributions, is also offered.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2024

First Measurement of the Isospin-Dependence of Nuclear Structure Functions at 12 GeV Jefferson Lab

The structure functions of protons and neutrons provide crucial insight into how the strong nuclear force, as described by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), manifests at everyday energies, allowing us to better understand precisely how quarks and gluons interact to form the basic building blocks of almost all visible mass in our universe. Despite more than 40 years of experimental and theoretical effort, the EMC effect – the observation that nuclear structure functions appear to be modified from those of free nucleons – is still not fully understood. One open question that remains is whether or not the modification of quark distributions is the same for all quark flavors. Determining the flavor (isospin) dependence of the EMC effect, which is predicted by several models, is essential for coming to a complete understanding of how QCD manifests in nuclei. To this end, inclusive electron Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) from nuclei with approximately constant atomic mass number A and variable proton-to-neutron ratio N/Z was measured in Jefferson Lab experiment E12-10-008 to look for isospin-dependent modification of nuclear structure functions. The preliminary EMC ratios presented here cover a kinematic range of 2.8 < Q2 < 8.1 GeV2 and 0.18 < xBj < 1.0. The size of the EMC effect in these nuclei is extracted by calculating the slope of the EMC ratio as a function of Bjorken x (xBj ) over the ranges 0.3 < xBj < 0.6 and 0.3 < xBj < 0.7; these slopes then are compared with existing world data. Our preliminary results do not appear to indicate significant isospin-dependence of the EMC effect, though a more careful study is needed once all results are confirmed.

Cotton, Cameron William [Univ. of Virginia, Charlo↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantifying Uncertainties In Neutron-Alpha Scattering With Chiral Nucleon-Nucleon And Three-Nucleon Forces

We report that modern ab initio theory combined with high-quality nucleon-nucleon (NN) and three-nucleon (3N) interactions from chiral effective field theory (EFT) can provide a predictive description of low-energy light-nuclei reactions relevant for astrophysics and fusion-energy applications. However, the high cost of computations has so far impeded a complete analysis of the uncertainty budget of such calculations. Starting from NN potentials up to fifth order (N 4 LO) combined with leading-order 3N forces, we study how the order-by-order convergence of the chiral expansion and confidence intervals for the 3N contact and contact-plus-one-pion-exchange low-energy constants (c E and c D ) contribute to the overall uncertainty budget of many-body calculations of neutron- 4 He (n-α) elastic scattering. We compute structure and reaction observables for three-, four-, and five-nucleon systems within the ab initio frameworks of the no-core shell model and no-core shell model with continuum. Using a small set of design runs, we construct a Gaussian process model (GPM) that acts as a statistical emulator for the theory. With this, we gain insight into how uncertainties in the 3N low-energy constants propagate throughout the calculation and determine the Bayesian posterior distribution of these parameters with Markov-Chain Monte Carlo. We find rapidly converging n-α phase shifts with respect to the chiral order. With the adopted leading-order 3N force, calculations based on the NN interaction at N 4 LO of Entem, Machleidt, and Nosyk are unable to reproduce the experimental phase shifts in the 3/2 - channel within the estimated chiral truncation errors. Closer agreement with empirical data is found when using an older parametrization of the NN interaction at order N 3 LO, and the position and width of the P-wave resonances can be used to reduce the uncertainty of the 3N low-energy constants. The present results point to a lack of spin-orbit strength when the newer parametrization of the chiral NN force up to fifth order is combined with the leading-order 3N force. The inclusion of higher-order 3N-force terms may be required to recover the missing strength. GPMs can act as fast and accurate emulators of ab initio many-body calculations of low-energy scattering and reactions of light nuclei, opening the way to a robust quantification of theoretical uncertainties grounded in the description of the underlying chiral Hamiltonian.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Boson Fermion Nuclei Stellar Nucleosynthesis: Monograph #7

Stellar nucleosynthesis is generally described as the process by which nuclei are combined through fusion to create larger nuclei by the specific addition of nucleons, leading to a stable nucleus of a higher positive charge (Z) or nucleon number (A), or both. By contrast, the boson fermion nucleus (BFN) attributes the creation of nuclei to highly chaotic processes within a star. Under high pressure and temperature within the star, and given a certain probability of overcoming coulomb barriers, nucleons and first-period nuclear components agglomerate in a manner that rarely results in a stable nuclear structure. On a random basis, proto-nuclei are conveyed out of the star’s central agglomeration zone in an upwelling flow from within the star. As these proto-nuclei evolve to their lowest energy state, they shed nucleons and undergo radioactive decay, emerging as a stable BFN structure.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ab Initio Structure Factors for Spin-Dependent Dark Matter Direct Detection

We present converged ab initio calculations of structure factors for elastic spin-dependent WIMP scattering off all nuclei used in dark matter direct-detection searches: 19 F, 23 Na, 27 Al, 29 Si, 73 Ge, 12 7I, and 129,131 Xe. From a set of established two- and three-nucleon interactions derived within chiral effective field theory, we construct consistent WIMP-nucleon currents at the one-body level, including effects from axial-vector two-body currents. We then apply the in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct effective valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed operators of nuclear responses. Combining the recent advances of natural orbitals with three-nucleon forces expressed in large spaces, we obtain basis-space converged structure factors even in heavy nuclei. Generally results are consistent with previous calculations but large uncertainties in 127 I highlight the need for further study.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental Determination of the QCD Effective Charge α g1 ( Q )

The QCD effective charge α g1 (Q) is an observable that characterizes the magnitude of the strong interaction. At high momentum Q, it coincides with the QCD running coupling α s (Q). At low Q, it offers a nonperturbative definition of the running coupling. We have extracted α g1 (Q) from measurements carried out at Jefferson Lab that span the very low to moderately high Q domain, 0.14 ≤ Q ≤ 2.18 GeV. The precision of the new results is much improved over the previous extractions and the reach in Q at the lower end is significantly expanded. The data show that α g1 (Q) becomes Q-independent at very low Q. They compare well with two recent predictions of the QCD effective charge based on Dyson–Schwinger equations and on the AdS/CFT duality.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Halo Nuclei from Ab Initio Nuclear Theory

A realistic description of halo nuclei, characterized by low-lying breakup thresholds, requires a proper treatment of continuum effects. We have developed an ab initio approach, the No-Core Shell Model with Continuum (NCSMC), capable of describing both bound and unbound states in light nuclei in a unified way. With chiral two- and three-nucleon interactions as the only input, we can predict the structure and dynamics of halo and other light nuclei and, by comparing to available experimental data, test the quality of chiral nuclear forces. We review NCSMC calculations of weakly bound states and resonances of the exotic halo nuclei 6He, 8B, 11Be, and 15C. For the latter, we discuss its production in the capture reaction 14C(n,𝛾 )15C. We highlight the challenges of a description of 6He as a Borromean n-n-4He system. Finally, we present our calculations of excited states in 10Be exhibiting a one-neutron halo structure and a large scale No-Core Shell Model investigation of 11Li as a precursor of a full n-n-9Li NCSMC study.

Navrátil, Petr↗
NASA NTRS1972

Production cross sections for Lee-Wick massive electromagnetic bosons and for spin-zero and spin-one W bosons at high energies.

Production cross sections for three types of hypothetical particles are calculated in the presented paper. Several (Z, Z') cases were studied corresponding to elastic scattering off protons and neutrons (either free or embedded within a Fermi sea), coherent scattering off a nucleus, and inelastic scattering off a proton (in which case Z' denotes a nucleon resonance or hadronic system in the continuum). Detailed structure-function data are used to improve the accuracy of the inelastic scattering calculation. Results of calculations are given for beam energies between 50 and 10,000 GeV, and masses between 5 and 40 GeV for the massive Lee-Wick spin-1 boson. Cross sections were computed for resonant and semiweak processes. The production cross section of spin-zero weak intermediate bosons was found to be at least one order of magnitude smaller than for spin-1 weak bosons in nearly all regions of interest. The production cross section of spin-zero weak intermediate bosons for inelastic scattering off protons compares with that for elastic scattering in the regions of interest. In the case of massive spin-1 bosons and spin-1 weak intermediates, the main contribution to total production cross section off protons is elastic.

Linsker, R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Is nuclear matter a quantum crystal?

A possible alternative to the ordinary gas-like computation for nuclear matter is investigated under the assumption that the nucleons are arranged in a lattice. BCC, FCC and HCP structures are investigated. Only HCP shows a minimum in the energy vs. density curve with a modest binding energy of -1.5 MeV. The very low density limit is investigated and sensible results are obtained only if the tensor force decreases with the density. A study of the elastic properties indicates that the previous structures are mechanically unstable against shearing stresses.

Canuto, V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Gamma rays and large scale galactic structure

Gamma ray astronomy is now beginning to provide a new look at the galactic structure and the distribution of cosmic rays, both electrons and nucleons, within the galaxy. The observations are consistent with a galactic spiral-arm model in which the cosmic rays are linearly coupled to the interstellar gas on the scale of the spiral arms. The agreement between the predictions of the model and the observations for regions of the plane where both 21-cm and 2.6-mm CO surveys exist emphasizes the need to extend these observations to include the entire plane. Future gamma-ray observations with more sensitivity and better angular resolutions, combined with these radio surveys, should shed new light on the distribution of cosmic rays, the nature of the galaxy, and the location and intensity of the spiral arms.

Kniffen, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Energetic protons accelerated at corotating shocks - Pioneer 10 and 11 observations from 1 to 6 AU

Vector helium magnetometer and proton telescope data are used to examine the relationship between low energy proton increases and corotating interaction regions (CIRs). A general correlation is noted between the maximum CIR field intensity and the maximum proton count rate. The minimum proton flux, located between the two proton maxima, appears to be correlated with the maximum field strength of the CIR. The evidence presented strongly supports shock acceleration as the primary source of the 1-MeV protons. A schematic figure incorporating many of the features deduced in the present study is given to illustrate the relationship between energetic protons, forward and reverse shocks, and the interplanetary magnetic field structure. The predictions of various theories and mechanisms for interplanetary nucleon acceleration are discussed in light of the experimental results presented.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of the GEM chambers for the SBS/BB Front Tracker at JLAB HallA

The present thesis discusses the main aspects and results of the ongoing SBS-GEM development, production and test, according to the following structure: - In chapter 1 the theoretical and experimental importance of nucleon electromagnetic form factors is described. Furthermore, the discrepancy of ep scattering data obtained about the FFs ratio between the Rosenbluth separation method and the polarization transfer method is highlighted and, therefore, the Super Bigbite Program at JLab is introduced. - In chapter 2 the experimental apparatus of the SBS project is described, focusing on the main components of the spectrometers involved; the Super Bigbite Spectrometer for the hadron arm and the BigBite spectrometer for the electron arm. - Chapter 3 describes the SBS/BB front tracker and the motivation on the GEM technology choice. In addition, the main features and advantages of the technology used are also described. - Chapter 4 describes the commissioning of the GEM trackers at JLab. The whole iter of the GEM modules is presented, from the assembly in clean-room to the characterization tests with cosmic rays performed at JLab. - In chapter 5 a new method of analyzing the signals extracted from the strips of GEM modules is introduced. This study goal is the real-time suppression of noisy data by mean of innovative A.I. techniques.

Re, Leonard Giuseppe↗
DOE OSTI2021

Geometric quantum information structure in quantum fields and their lattice simulation

An upper limit to distillable entanglement between two disconnected regions of massless noninteracting scalar field theory has an exponential decay defined by a geometric decay constant. When regulated at short distances with a spatial lattice, this entanglement abruptly vanishes beyond a dimensionless separation, defining a negativity sphere. In two spatial dimensions, we determine this geometric decay constant between a pair of disks and the growth of the negativity sphere toward the continuum through a series of lattice calculations. Making the connection to quantum field theories in three-spatial dimensions, assuming such quantum information scales appear also in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), a new relative scale may be present in effective field theories describing the low-energy dynamics of nucleons and nuclei. Here, we highlight potential impacts of the distillable entanglement structure on effective field theories, lattice QCD calculations and future quantum simulations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Transverse Structure of the Deuteron with Drell-Yan

We propose to measure neutron and deuteron transversity TMDs. The quark transversity distributions of the nucleon are decoupled from the deuteron gluon transversity in the $Q^2$ evolution due to the chiral-odd property in the transversely-polarized target. The gluon transversity TMD only exists for targets of spin greater or equal to 1 and does not mix with quark distributions at leading twist, thereby providing a particularly clean probe of gluonic degrees of freedom. This experiment would be the first of its kind and would probe the gluonic structure of the deuteron, investigating exotic glue contributions in the nucleus not associated with individual nucleons. This experiment can be performed with the SpinQuest polarized target recently assembled for experiment E1039 and the spectrometer already in place in NM4. This new experimental setup would require very minimal modification to the target system and no modification to the detector package. An additional RF-circuit and target coil are necessary to RF-modulate across the domain of the Larmor frequency to manipulate the solid-state target spin population densities. Dedicated beam-time with this novel target system is required to achieve our physics goals.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hexadecapole strength in the rare isotopes 74,76 Kr

In the Ge-Sr mass region, isotopes with neutron number N ≤ 40 are known to feature rapid shape changes with both nucleon number and angular momentum. To gain new insights into their structure, inelastic proton scattering experiments in inverse kinematics were performed on the rare isotopes 74,76 Kr. This work focuses on observables related to the J π = $4$$^{+}_{1}$ states of the Kr isotopes and, in particular, on the hexadecapole degree of freedom. By performing coupled-channels calculations, hexadecapole deformation parameters β 4 were determined for the J π = $4$$^{+}_{1}$ states of 74,76 Kr from inelastic proton scattering cross sections. Two possible coupled-channels solutions were found. A comparison to predictions from nuclear energy density functional theory, employing both non-relativistic and relativistic functionals, clearly favors the large, positive β 4 solutions. These β 4 values are unambiguously linked to the well deformed prolate configuration. Given the β 2 - β 4 trend, established in this work, it appears that β 4 values could provide a sensitive measure of the nuclear shell structure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Neutron stars with exceptionally light QCD axions

We present a comprehensive study of axion condensed neutron stars that arise in models of an exceptionally light axion that couples to quantum chromodynamics (QCD). These axions solve the strong-charge-parity (𝐶⁢𝑃) problem, but have a mass-squared lighter than that due to QCD by a factor of 𝜖 < 1. Inside dense matter, the axion potential is altered, and much of the matter in neutron stars resides in the axion condensed phase where the strong-𝐶⁢𝑃 parameter 𝜃 = 𝜋 and 𝐶⁢𝑃 remains a good symmetry. In these regions, masses and interactions of nucleons are modified, in turn changing the equation of state (EOS), structure, and phenomenology of the neutron stars. We take the first steps toward the study of the EOS of neutron star matter at 𝜃 = 𝜋 within chiral effective field theory and use relativistic mean field theory to deduce the resulting changes to nuclear matter and the neutron star low-density EOS. We derive constraints on the exceptionally light axion parameter space based on observations of the thermal relaxation of accreting neutron stars, isolated neutron star cooling, and pulsar glitches, excluding the region up to 5 ×10 −7 ≲ 𝜖 ≲ 0.2 for 𝑚 𝑎 ≳ 2 × 10 −9 eV. We comment on potential changes to the neutron star mass-radius relationship, and discuss the possibility of novel, nuclear-density compact objects with 𝜃 = 𝜋 that are stabilized not by gravity but by the axion potential.

axions↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nuclear Research using the Electromagnetic Probe

This is the final progress report for the project titled "Nuclear Research Using the Electromagnetic Probe." Our primary objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the internal structure of protons and neutrons, which are the fundamental constituents of nucleons and nuclei. These building blocks, composed of quarks and gluons known as "partons," were the focal point of our investigation. We delved into the intrinsic properties of nucleons, including their mass, charge, and spin, within the framework of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), a theory describing the intricate interactions, often referred to as color interactions, between the constituents of nucleons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Forward and Off-Forward Parton Distributions from Lattice QCD

The interpretation of (semi-)inclusive and certain exclusive scattering processes relies on the factorization of hard parton level cross sections from long-range and non-perturbative parton correlations. The familiar Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) and Generalized Parton Distributions quantify the non-perturbative dynamics in these situations and address a number of key questions surrounding the structure of hadrons. A certain class of matrix elements accessible in lattice QCD, so called Lattice Cross Sections, have been shown to factorize into these collinear distributions in a manner akin to the factorization of hadronic cross sections. In the short-distance regime, matrix elements of space-like separated two-current operators and parton bilinears can be expressed as the convolution of perturbative coefficient functions and the PDFs. Matrix elements of this type are isolated in the pion and nucleon, each offering a glimpse of the unpolarized valence quark content of these phenomenologically important hadronic states. The calculations within the nucleon represent the first application of the distillation spatial smearing paradigm to the collinear structure of hadrons, and is found to offer higher precision data compared to similar calculations in the literature. A novel method to obtain PDFs from these lattice data, while simultaneously controlling systematic effects, is developed and applied to the nucleon dataset. The coordinate space factorization of space-like separated parton bilinears has also recently been extended to include Generalized Parton Distributions. Preliminary results in off-forward nucleon matrix elements using distillation are explored.

Egerer, Colin↗