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At least 343 records · Page 19

Global precipitation estimates based on a technique for combining satellite-based estimates, rain gauge analysis, and NWP model precipitation information

The 'satellite-gauge model' (SGM) technique is described for combining precipitation estimates from microwave satellite data, infrared satellite data, rain gauge analyses, and numerical weather prediction models into improved estimates of global precipitation. Throughout, monthly estimates on a 2.5 degrees x 2.5 degrees lat-long grid are employed. First, a multisatellite product is developed using a combination of low-orbit microwave and geosynchronous-orbit infrared data in the latitude range 40 degrees N - 40 degrees S (the adjusted geosynchronous precipitation index) and low-orbit microwave data alone at higher latitudes. Then the rain gauge analysis is brougth in, weighting each field by its inverse relative error variance to produce a nearly global, observationally based precipitation estimate. To produce a complete global estimate, the numerical model results are used to fill data voids in the combined satellite-gauge estimate. Our sequential approach to combining estimates allows a user to select the multisatellite estimate, the satellite-gauge estimate, or the full SGM estimate (observationally based estimates plus the model information). The primary limitation in the method is imperfections in the estimation of relative error for the individual fields. The SGM results for one year of data (July 1987 to June 1988) show important differences from the individual estimates, including model estimates as well as climatological estimates. In general, the SGM results are drier in the subtropics than the model and climatological results, reflecting the relatively dry microwave estimates that dominate the SGM in oceanic regions.

Huffman, George J.↗

On the Calculation of Uncertainty Statistics with Error Bounds for CFD Calculations Containing Random Parameters and Fields

This chapter discusses the ongoing development of combined uncertainty and error bound estimates for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations subject to imposed random parameters and random fields. An objective of this work is the construction of computable error bound formulas for output uncertainty statistics that guide CFD practitioners in systematically determining how accurately CFD realizations should be approximated and how accurately uncertainty statistics should be approximated for output quantities of interest. Formal error bounds formulas for moment statistics that properly account for the presence of numerical errors in CFD calculations and numerical quadrature errors in the calculation of moment statistics have been previously presented in [8]. In this past work, hierarchical node-nested dense and sparse tensor product quadratures are used to calculate moment statistics integrals. In the present work, a framework has been developed that exploits the hierarchical structure of these quadratures in order to simplify the calculation of an estimate of the quadrature error needed in error bound formulas. When signed estimates of realization error are available, this signed error may also be used to estimate output quantity of interest probability densities as a means to assess the impact of realization error on these density estimates. Numerical results are presented for CFD problems with uncertainty to demonstrate the capabilities of this framework.

Uncertainty↗

A fast multigrid-based electromagnetic eigensolver for curved metal boundaries on the Yee mesh

For embedded boundary electromagnetics using the Dey–Mittra (Dey and Mittra, 1997) [1] algorithm, a special grad–div matrix constructed in this work allows use of multigrid methods for efficient inversion of Maxwell’s curl–curl matrix. Efficient curl–curl inversions are demonstrated within a shift-and-invert Krylov-subspace eigensolver (open-sourced at ([ofortt]https://github.com/bauerca/maxwell[cfortt])) on the spherical cavity and the 9-cell TESLA superconducting accelerator cavity. The accuracy of the Dey–Mittra algorithm is also examined: frequencies converge with second-order error, and surface fields are found to converge with nearly second-order error. In agreement with previous work (Nieter et al., 2009) [2], neglecting some boundary-cut cell faces (as is required in the time domain for numerical stability) reduces frequency convergence to first-order and surface-field convergence to zeroth-order (i.e. surface fields do not converge). Additionally and importantly, neglecting faces can reduce accuracy by an order of magnitude at low resolutions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Large Field-of-View KD*P Modulator for Solar Polarization Measurements

This paper will describe the evolution of the Marshall Space Flight Center electro-optical polarimeter with emphasis on the field of view characteristics of the its KD*P modulator. Understanding the field of view characteristics was essential to the success of the MSFC vector magnetograph. The paper will show how the field of view errors of KD*P look similar to the polarization patterns seen in simple sunspots and why the placement of the KD*P in a collimated beam was essential in separating the instrumental polarization from the solar signal. Finally, this paper will describe a modulator design which minimizes those field-of-view errors.

West, E. A.↗

Large Field-of-view KD*P Modulator for Solar Polarization Measurements

This paper will describe the evolution of the Marshall Space Flight Center electro-optical polarimeter with emphasis on the field of view characteristics of the its KD*P modulator. Understanding the field of view characteristics was essential to the success of the MSFC vector magnetograph. The paper will show how the field of view errors of KD*P look similar to the polarization patterns seen in simple sunspots and why the placement of the KD*P in a collimated beam was essential in separating the instrumental polarization from the solar signal. Finally, this paper will describe a modulator design which minimizes those field-of-view errors and will used in the new magnetograph development program at the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

West, Edward A.↗

Designing dynamically corrected gates robust to multiple noise sources using geometric space curves

Noise-induced gate errors remain one of the main obstacles to realizing a broad range of quantum information technologies. Dynamical error suppression using carefully designed control schemes is critical for overcoming this challenge. Such schemes must be able to correct against multiple noise sources simultaneously afflicting a qubit to reach error-correction thresholds. Here we present a general framework for designing control fields that simultaneously suppress both noise in the fields themselves as well as transverse dephasing noise. Using the recently developed space curve quantum control formalism, in which robust quantum evolution is mapped to closed geometric curves in a multidimensional Euclidean space, we derive the minimal conditions necessary to guarantee the simultaneous cancellation of both types of noise to leading order. In particular, we find that the cancellation of control field noise requires the derivative of the space curve to have zero-area projections, which is a much more subtle property compared to the closed-curve condition needed to suppress transverse dephasing. We present several techniques for solving both these conditions simultaneously and provide explicit examples of error-resistant control fields. Finally, our work also sheds light on the relation between holonomic evolution and the suppression of control field errors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

ON ESTIMATING FORCE-FREENESS BASED ON OBSERVED MAGNETOGRAMS

It is a common practice in the solar physics community to test whether or not measured photospheric or chromospheric vector magnetograms are force-free, using the Maxwell stress as a measure. Some previous studies have suggested that magnetic fields of active regions in the solar chromosphere are close to being force-free whereas there is no consistency among previous studies on whether magnetic fields of active regions in the solar photosphere are force-free or not. Here we use three kinds of representative magnetic fields (analytical force-free solutions, modeled solar-like force-free fields, and observed non-force-free fields) to discuss how measurement issues such as limited field of view (FOV), instrument sensitivity, and measurement error could affect the estimation of force-freeness based on observed magnetograms. Unlike previous studies that focus on discussing the effect of limited FOV or instrument sensitivity, our calculation shows that just measurement error alone can significantly influence the results of estimates of force-freeness, due to the fact that measurement errors in horizontal magnetic fields are usually ten times larger than those in vertical fields. This property of measurement errors, interacting with the particular form of a formula for estimating force-freeness, would result in wrong judgments of the force-freeness: a truly force-free field may be mistakenly estimated as being non-force-free and a truly non-force-free field may be estimated as being force-free. Our analysis calls for caution when interpreting estimates of force-freeness based on measured magnetograms, and also suggests that the true photospheric magnetic field may be further away from being force-free than it currently appears to be.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Three-Dimensional Linearized Unsteady Euler Analysis for Turbomachinery Blade Rows

A three-dimensional, linearized, Euler analysis is being developed to provide an efficient unsteady aerodynamic analysis that can be used to predict the aeroelastic and aeroacoustic response characteristics of axial-flow turbomachinery blading. The field equations and boundary conditions needed to describe nonlinear and linearized inviscid unsteady flows through a blade row operating within a cylindrical annular duct are presented. In addition, a numerical model for linearized inviscid unsteady flow, which is based upon an existing nonlinear, implicit, wave-split, finite volume analysis, is described. These aerodynamic and numerical models have been implemented into an unsteady flow code, called LINFLUX. A preliminary version of the LINFLUX code is applied herein to selected, benchmark three-dimensional, subsonic, unsteady flows, to illustrate its current capabilities and to uncover existing problems and deficiencies. The numerical results indicate that good progress has been made toward developing a reliable and useful three-dimensional prediction capability. However, some problems, associated with the implementation of an unsteady displacement field and numerical errors near solid boundaries, still exist. Also, accurate far-field conditions must be incorporated into the FINFLUX analysis, so that this analysis can be applied to unsteady flows driven be external aerodynamic excitations.

Montgomery, Matthew D.↗

SU-G-JeP3-01: A Method to Quantify Lung SBRT Target Localization Accuracy Based On Digitally Reconstructed Fluoroscopy

Purpose: To develop a methodology based on digitally-reconstructed-fluoroscopy (DRF) to quantitatively assess target localization accuracy of lung SBRT, and to evaluate using both a dynamic digital phantom and a patient dataset. Methods: For each treatment field, a 10-phase DRF is generated based on the planning 4DCT. Each frame is pre-processed with a morphological top-hat filter, and corresponding beam apertures are projected to each detector plane. A template-matching algorithm based on cross-correlation is used to detect the tumor location in each frame. Tumor motion relative beam aperture is extracted in the superior-inferior direction based on each frame’s impulse response to the template, and the mean tumor position (MTP) is calculated as the average tumor displacement. The DRF template coordinates are then transferred to the corresponding MV-cine dataset, which is retrospectively filtered as above. The treatment MTP is calculated within each field’s projection space, relative to the DRF-defined template. The field’s localization error is defined as the difference between the DRF-derived-MTP (planning) and the MV-cine-derived-MTP (delivery). A dynamic digital phantom was used to assess the algorithm’s ability to detect intra-fractional changes in patient alignment, by simulating different spatial variations in the MV-cine and calculating the corresponding change in MTP. Inter-and-intra-fractional variation, IGRT accuracy, and filtering effects were investigated on a patient dataset. Results: Phantom results demonstrated a high accuracy in detecting both translational and rotational variation. The lowest localization error of the patient dataset was achieved at each fraction’s first field (mean=0.38mm), with Fx3 demonstrating a particularly strong correlation between intra-fractional motion-caused localization error and treatment progress. Filtering significantly improved tracking visibility in both the DRF and MV-cine images. Conclusion: We have developed and evaluated a methodology to quantify lung SBRT target localization accuracy based on digitally-reconstructed-fluoroscopy. Our approach may be useful in potentially reducing treatment margins to optimize lung SBRT outcomes. R01-184173.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Systems and methods for detecting a failure event in a field programmable gate array

An embodiment generally relates to a method of self-detecting an error in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The method includes writing a signature value into a signature memory in the FPGA and determining a conclusion of a configuration refresh operation in the FPGA. The method also includes reading an outcome value from the signature memory.

Ng, Tak-Kwong↗

Estimation of Errors in Stress Distributions Computed in Finite Element Simulations of Polycrystals

The accuracy of the stresses predicted from crystal plasticity-based finite element formulation depends on estimation and control of the errors associated with the discretization. In the current work, the errors in the stress distribution are estimated in virtual polycrystalline samples of α-phase titanium (hexagonal close-packed phase of Ti–6Al– 4 V). To estimate the error, the stress field, which does not possess inter-element continuity, is smoothed over a grain using an L 2 projection, thereby providing continuous stress distributions with inter-element continuity. The differences between the continuous (smooth) and discontinuous (raw) stress fields are calculated at individual Gauss quadrature points and used to estimate errors for corresponding elements and grains. Error estimations are performed for a Voronoi-tessellated microstructure, an equiaxed microstructure, and two microstructures with varying grain sizes for tensile loading extending into the fully plastic regime (≈ 5% extension). Magnitudes of the errors are found to depend on microstructural characteristics, particularly the shape and size of grains. Samples having variations in grain size or having less spherical grains exhibited higher errors than samples with uniformly sized, equiaxed grains, with the size variations having a more pronounced effect. In conclusion, errors correlate with proximity to grain boundaries at small (elastic) strains and with deformation-induced features (deformation bands) at large strains.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Stellarator Simplification using Permanent Magnets (PM4Stell)

This Report describes the design and prototyping of an array of rare-Earth permanent magnets to form a stellarator. This effort was motivated by the hypothesis that the usage of permanent magnets, rather than electromagnetic coils with complex geometry, could reduce the cost of stellarator construction and thereby make increase the feasibility of the stellarator as a technology for a fusion-based power plant. In this project, we have developed novel methods for specifying the positions, shapes, and polarizations of the magnets in the array, and have developed designs for mounting structures and tooling for assembly. We have also performed detailed finite-element modeling to qualify the accuracy of the magnetic field produced by the magnet array as designed, and to confirm that the structure can withstand the forces between the magnets. We have also developed techniques for measuring the magnetic field produced by the array once constructed, as well as for correcting errors in the field arising from misalignments and offsets within the tolerances for mounting and fabrication. Finally, we have constructed a tabletop prototype of a section of the array to qualify the concept for assembling and mounting magnets within the array.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Stellarator Simplification using Permanent Magnets (PM4Stell)

This Report describes the design and prototyping of an array of rare-Earth permanent magnets to form a stellarator. This effort was motivated by the hypothesis that the usage of permanent magnets, rather than electromagnetic coils with complex geometry, could reduce the cost of stellarator construction and thereby make increase the feasibility of the stellarator as a technology for a fusion-based power plant. In this project, we have developed novel methods for specifying the positions, shapes, and polarizations of the magnets in the array, and have developed designs for mounting structures and tooling for assembly. We have also performed detailed finite-element modeling to qualify the accuracy of the magnetic field produced by the magnet array as designed, and to confirm that the structure can withstand the forces between the magnets. We have also developed techniques for measuring the magnetic field produced by the array once constructed, as well as for correcting errors in the field arising from misalignments and offsets within the tolerances for mounting and fabrication. Finally, we have constructed a tabletop prototype of a section of the array to qualify the concept for assembling and mounting magnets within the array.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Analysis of the new polarimeter for the Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograph

The magnetograph was upgraded in both electronic control of the magnetograph hardware and in the polarization optics. The problems associated with the orignal polarimeter were: (1) field of view errors associated with the natural birefringence of the KD*P crystals; (2.) KD*P electrode failure due to the halfwave dc voltage required in one of the operational sequences; and (3) breakdown of the retardation properties of some KD*Ps when exposed to a zero to halfwave modulation (DC) scheme. The new polarimeter gives up the flexibility provided by two variable waveplates to adjust the retardances of the optics for a particular polarization measurement, but solves the problems associated with the original polarimeter. With the addition of the quartz quarterwave plates, a new optical alignment was developed to allow the remaining KD*P to correct for errors in the waveplates. The new optical alignment of the polarimeter is prescribed. The various sources of error, and how those errors are minimized so that the magnetograph can look at the transverse field in real time are discussed.

West, E. A.↗

Beam optics and the pp2pp experiment at RHIC

The newly installed forward detector system at the STAR experiment at RHIC measures small angle elastic and inelastic scattering of polarized protons on polarized protons. The detector system makes use of a pair of Roman Pot (RP) detectors, instrumented with silicon detectors, and located on either side of the STAR intersection region downstream of the DX and D0 dipoles and quadrupole triplets. The parallel to point optics is designed so that scattering angles are determined from position measurements at the RP's with small error. The RP setup allows measurement of position and angle for a subset of the scattered protons. With this position/angle correlations at the RP's can be compared with optics model predictions to get a measure of the accuracy of the quadrupole triplet current settings. The current in each quadrupole in the triplets is comprised of sums and differences of up to six power supplies and an overall 1% error in the triplet field strengths results in a 4% error in four-momentum transfer squared. This technique is also useful to check the polarity of the skew elements located in each quadrupole triplet. Results of the analysis will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Optimum employment of satellite indirect soundings as numerical model input

The characteristics of satellite-derived temperature soundings that would significantly affect their use as input for numerical weather prediction models were examined. Independent evaluations of satellite soundings were emphasized to better define error characteristics. Results of a Nimbus-6 sounding study reveal an underestimation of the strength of synoptic scale troughs and ridges, and associated gradients in isobaric height and temperature fields. The most significant errors occurred near the Earth's surface and the tropopause. Soundings from the TIROS-N and NOAA-6 satellites were also evaluated. Results again showed an underestimation of upper level trough amplitudes leading to weaker thermal gradient depictions in satellite-only fields. These errors show a definite correlation to the synoptic flow patterns. In a satellite-only analysis used to initialize a numerical model forecast, it was found that these synoptically correlated errors were retained in the forecast sequence.

Horn, L. H.↗