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At least 37 records · Page 2

Gravity of two photon decay and its quantum coherence

A linear analytical solution is derived for the gravitational shock wave produced by a particle of mass M that decays into a pair of null particles. The resulting space-time is shown to be unperturbed and isotropic, except for a discontinuous perturbation on a spherical null shell. Formulae are derived for the perturbation as a function of polar angle, as measured by an observer at the origin observing clocks on a sphere at distance R. The effect of the shock is interpreted physically as an instantaneous displacement in time and velocity when the shock passes the clocks. The time displacement is shown to be anisotropic, dominated by a quadrupole harmonic aligned with the particle-decay axis, with a magnitude δτ ~ GM/c 3 , independent of R. The velocity displacement is isotropic. The solution is used to derive the gravitational effect of a quantum state with a superposition of a large number of randomly oriented, statistically isotropic particle decays. This approach is shown to provide a well-controlled approximation to estimate the magnitude of gravitational fluctuations in systems composed of null point particles up to the Planck energy in a causal diamond of duration τ = 2R/c, as well as quantum-gravitational fluctuations of black holes and cosmological horizons. Coherent large-angle quantum distortions of macroscopic geometry from fluctuations up to the Planck scale are shown to grow linearly with the duration, with a variance $\langle$δτ 2 $\rangle$ ~ τtP much larger than that produced in models without causal quantum coherence.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Eulerian simulations of electrostatic waves in plasmas with a single sign of charge

An Eulerian, numerical simulation is used to model the launching of plasma waves in a non-neutral plasma that is confined in a Penning–Malmberg trap. The waves are launched by applying an oscillating potential to an electrically isolated sector at one end of the conducting cylinder that bounds the confinement region and are received by another electrically isolated sector at the other end of the cylinder. The launching of both Trivelpiece–Gould waves and electron acoustic waves is investigated. Adopting a stratagem, the simulation captures essential features of the finite length plasma, while retaining the numerical advantages of a simulation employing periodic spatial boundary conditions. As a benchmark test of the simulation, the results for launched Trivelpiece–Gould waves of small amplitude are successfully compared to a linearized analytic solution for these fluctuations.

Physics↗

Thermal conductivity tensor of γ and ε -hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane as a function of pressure and temperature

Using reverse non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, we have determined the dependences on temperature and pressure of the thermal conductivity tensors for the monoclinic γ and ε polymorphs of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW or CL20). In this work, a recently developed non-reactive force field [X. Bidault and S. Chaudhuri, RSC Adv. 9, 39649–39661 (2019)], designed to study polymorphism and phase transitions in CL20, is employed. The effects of temperature and pressure are investigated between 200 and 500 K and up to 0.5 GPa for γ-CL20 and 2 GPa for ε-CL20. In order to obtain the full thermal conductivity tensor, $κ_{ij}$, for the monoclinic crystals, four distinct heat propagation directions are used. We find that $κ_{ij}$ for both polymorphs is more isotropic than for other energetic molecular crystals, including α- and γ-RDX, β-HMX, and PETN, with a maximum difference of 9.8% between orientations observed at 300 K and 0 GPa for γ-CL20 and a maximum difference of 4.8% for ε-CL20. The average thermal conductivity, $\bar{κ}$, of ε-CL20 is 6.4% larger than that of γ-CL20 at 300 K and 0 GPa. Analytic linear functions of the inverse temperature and the pressure are provided, which fit the data well and can be used to predict the thermal conductivity of both polymorphs for any orientation, pressure, and temperature in and around the fitting range. Our predictions agree reasonably well with the limited available experimental data, for which the polymorph type is unknown.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Resistive hose modes in tokamak runaway electron beams II

Resistive hose instabilities of runaway electron (RE) beams immersed in resistive background plasmas are examined with analytic and numerical calculations. The RE beam-plasma equilibria considered are characteristic of the situation observed post-thermal quench in a tokamak disruption. An analytic linear dispersion relation is presented for the case of a uniform RE current density profile with a sharp boundary in cylindrical geometry. Initial value linear calculations for a more general profile in toroidal geometry find that reducing aspect ratio increases the resistive hose mode growth rates with fixed safety factor profile. Nonlinear calculations in cylindrical and toroidal geometry find that the resistive hose instability-driven fluctuations relax the gradient of the current density profile. In toroidal geometry, changes to the magnetic topology are observed as a result of the resistive hose activity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

RADIATIVE RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITIES

We perform analytic linear stability analyses of an interface separating two stratified media threaded by a radiation flux, a configuration relevant in several astrophysical contexts. We develop a general framework for analyzing such systems and obtain exact stability conditions in several limiting cases. In the optically thin, isothermal regime, where the discontinuity is chemical in nature (e.g., at the boundary of a radiation pressure-driven H II region), radiation acts as part of an effective gravitational field, and instability arises if the effective gravity per unit volume toward the interface overcomes that away from it. In the optically thick 'adiabatic' regime where the total (gas plus radiation) specific entropy of a Lagrangian fluid element is conserved, for example at the edge of radiation pressure-driven bubble around a young massive star, we show that radiation acts like a modified equation of state and derive a generalized version of the classical Rayleigh-Taylor stability condition.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Large-scale dynamo action precedes turbulence in shearing box simulations of the magnetorotational instability

Here, we study the dynamo generation (exponential growth) of large-scale (planar averaged) fields in unstratified shearing box simulations of the magnetorotational instability (MRI). In contrast to previous studies restricted to horizontal (x–y) averaging, we also demonstrate the presence of large-scale fields when vertical (y–z) averaging is employed instead. By computing space–time planar averaged fields and power spectra, we find large-scale dynamo action in the early MRI growth phase – a previously unidentified feature. Non-axisymmetric linear MRI modes with low horizontal wavenumbers and vertical wavenumbers near that of expected maximal growth, amplify the large-scale fields exponentially before turbulence and high wavenumber fluctuations arise. Thus the large-scale dynamo requires only linear fluctuations but not non-linear turbulence (as defined by mode–mode coupling). Vertical averaging also allows for monitoring the evolution of the large-scale vertical field and we find that a feedback from horizontal low wavenumber MRI modes provides a clue as to why the large-scale vertical field sustains against turbulent diffusion in the non-linear saturation regime. We compute the terms in the mean field equations to identify the individual contributions to large-scale field growth for both types of averaging. The large-scale fields obtained from vertical averaging are found to compare well with global simulations and quasi-linear analytical analysis from a previous study by Ebrahimi & Blackman. We discuss the potential implications of these new results for understanding the large-scale MRI dynamo saturation and turbulence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Amplification of turbulence through multiple planar shocks

We study the amplification of isotropic, incompressible turbulence through multiple planar, collisional shocks, using analytical linear theory. There are two limiting cases we explore. The first assumes shocks occur rapidly in time such that the turbulence does not evolve between shocks. Whereas the second case allows enough time for turbulence to isotropize between each shock. For the latter case, through a quasi-equation-of-state, we show that the weak multishock limit is agnostic to the distinction between thermal and vortical turbulent pressures, like an isotropic volumetric compression. When turbulence does not return to isotropy between shocks, the generated anisotropy—itself a function of shock strength—can feedback on amplification by further shocks, altering choices for maximal or minimal amplification. In addition for this case, we find that amplification is sensitive to the shock ordering. As a result, we map how choices of shock strength can impact these amplification differences due to ordering, finding, for example, shock pairs which lead to identical mean postshock fields (density, temperature, pressure) but maximally distinct turbulent amplification.

Astrophysical fluid dynamics↗

Slipping and tangential discontinuity instabilities in quasi-one-dimensional planar and cylindrical flows

An analytical linear theory of instability of an electron beam with a nonuniform directional velocity (slipping instability) against perturbations with wavelengths exceeding the transverse beam size is offered. An analogy with hydrodynamic instabilities of tangential discontinuity of an incompressible liquid flow is drawn. The instability growth rates are calculated for particular cases and in a general form in planar and cylindrical geometries. The stabilizing effect of the external magnetic field is analyzed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

1.5D Quasilinear Model for Alpha Particle-TAE Interaction in ARIES ACT-I

We study the TAE interaction with alpha particle fusion products in ARIES ACT-I using the 1.5D quasilinear model. 1.5D uses linear analytic expressions for growth and damping rates of TAE modes evaluated using TRANSP profiles to calculates the relaxation of pressure profiles. NOVA-K simulations are conducted to validate the analytic dependencies of the rates, and to normalize their absolute value. The low dimensionality of the model permits calculating loss diagrams in large parameter spaces.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Kinetic fluid moments closure for a magnetized plasma with collisions

A novel method aimed at a kinetic moments closure for a magnetized plasma with collisions is proposed. The velocity distribution function for each species is expanded in 8 Gaussian Radial Basis Functions (GRBFs) which are essentially shifted Maxwellians at eight representative 3D-velocity points of drift. The vector of 8 fluid moments (for particle density, 3 particle fluxes, total energy density, and 3 energy fluxes) has an 8x8 analytic linear matrix relation to the vector of 8 GRBF density weighs in 3D-real space. The 8 fluid moments with sources for each species are advanced in time while the 8 GRBF weighs are determined from the 8x8 inverse matrix. The two closure moments (for the stress tensor and the energy weighted stress tensor) are linearly determined from the GRBF weighs. Most importantly the velocity moments of the nonlinear Coulomb Fokker-Planck collision operator [Rosenbluth et al, Phys. Rev 107, 1957] are evaluated from the GRBF weights. Generalization from 8 to 12, 16, 20 .., in an energy weighted moment hierarchy is straightforward. The electric field follows from a generalized vorticity (quasi-neutral charge conservation) equation. A strong drift ordering approximation can be applied to eliminate any spuriously unstable high frequency cyclotron motions. A novel weak drift ordering two-time step scheme avoids the vorticity equation by following ion cyclotron motion in time to get the electric field with ion gyroaveraging. Inclusion of low-beta magnetic perturbations is straightforward.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Exact analytical solution of the linear structure growth rate in {Lambda}CDM cosmology and its cosmological applications

We derive the exact analytical solution of the linear structure growth rate in {Lambda}CDM cosmology with flat or curved geometry, under the Newtonian gauge. Unlike the well known solution under the Newtonian limit [D. J. Heath, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 179, 351 (1977)], our solution takes all general relativistic corrections into account and is hence valid at both the sub- and superhorizon scales. With this exact solution, we evaluate cosmological impacts induced by these relativistic corrections. (1) General relativistic corrections alter the density growth from z=100 to z=0 by 10% at k=0.01 h/Mpc and the impact becomes stronger toward larger scales. We caution the readers that the overdensity is not gauge invariant and the above statement is restrained to the Newtonian gauge. (2) Relativistic corrections introduce a k{sup -2} scale dependence in the density fluctuation. It mimics a primordial non-Gaussianity of the local type with f{sub NL}{sup local{approx}}1. This systematical error may become non-negligible for future all sky deep galaxy surveys. (3) Cosmological simulations with box size greater than 1 Gpc are also affected by these relativistic corrections. We provide a postprocessing recipe to correct for these effects. (4) These relativistic corrections affect the redshift distortion. However, at redshifts and scales relevant to redshift distortion measurements, such effect is negligible.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Improved analytic modeling of the linear Rayleigh–Taylor instability with plasma transport

The Rayleigh–Taylor (R–T) instability with transport effects has long been studied analytically in the neutral fluid regime. How this picture may differ in plasmas has been given less consideration, however. Leveraging previous numerical simulations with plasma viscosity and diffusion of R–T at a binary plasma interface, we show how plasma transport and kinetic effects alter the linear R–T dispersion relation. Our insight informs a much improved analytical dispersion relation, which better matches the simulation data than previously established models. Additionally, we demonstrate the importance of employing asymptotically correct viscosity coefficients in fluid codes for accurately capturing plasma R–T growth.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Competitions between Rayleigh-Taylor instability and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability with continuous density and velocity profiles

In this research, competitions between Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) in two-dimensional incompressible fluids within a linear growth regime are investigated analytically. Normalized linear growth rate formulas for both the RTI, suitable for arbitrary density ratio with continuous density profile, and the KHI, suitable for arbitrary density ratio with continuous density and velocity profiles, are obtained. The linear growth rates of pure RTI ({gamma}{sub RT}), pure KHI ({gamma}{sub KH}), and combined RTI and KHI ({gamma}{sub total}) are investigated, respectively. In the pure RTI, it is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer (L{sub {rho}}) reduces the linear growth of the RTI (stabilizes the RTI). In the pure KHI, it is found that conversely, the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer increases the linear growth of the KHI (destabilizes the KHI). It is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer decreases the ''effective'' or ''local'' Atwood number (A) for both the RTI and the KHI. However, based on the properties of {gamma}{sub RT}{proportional_to}{radical}(A) and {gamma}{sub KH}{proportional_to}{radical}(1-A{sup 2}), the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer therefore has a completely opposite role on the RTI and the KHI noted above. In addition, it is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the velocity shear layer (L{sub u}) stabilizes the KHI, and for the most cases, the combined effects of the finite thickness of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}) also stabilize the KHI. Regarding the combined RTI and KHI, it is found that there is a competition between the RTI and the KHI because of the completely opposite effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer on these two kinds of instability. It is found that the competitions between the RTI and the KHI depend, respectively, on the Froude number, the density ratio of the light fluid to the heavy one, and the finite thicknesses of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer. Furthermore, for the fixed Froude number, the linear growth rate ratio of the RTI to the KHI decreases with both the density ratio and the finite thickness of the density transition layer, but increases with the finite thickness of the velocity shear layer and the combined finite thicknesses of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}). In summary, our analytical results show that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer stabilizes the RTI and the overall combined effects of the finite thickness of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}) also stabilize the KHI. Thus, it should be included in applications where the transition layer effect plays an important role, such as the formation of large-scale structures (jets) in high energy density physics and astrophysics and turbulent mixing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Chemical Mass Shifts in a Digital Linear Ion Trap as Analytical Identity of o-, m-, and p-Xylene

Chemical mass shifts between isomeric ions of o-, m-, and p-xylene were measured using a digital linear ion trap, and the directions and values of the shifts were found to be correlated to the collision cross sections of the isomers. Both forward and reverse scans were used and the chemical shifts for each pair of isomers in scans of opposite directions were in opposite signs. Using different voltage settings (namely the voltage dividing ratio-VDR) of the ion trap allows adding high order field components in the quadrupole field and results in larger chemical mass shifts. The differential chemical mass shift which combined the shifts from forward and reverse scans doubled the amount of chemical shift, e.g., 0.077 Th between o- and p-xylene, enough for identification of the type of isomer without using an additional ion mobility spectrometer. The feature of equal and opposite chemical mass shifts also allowed to null out the chemical mass shift by calculating the mean m/z value between the two opposite scans and remove or reduce the mass error caused by chemical mass shift. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Lectures on physical and mathematical aspects of Gamow states

These lectures are devoted to the description of resonances, i.e. Gamow states, in an amenable mathematical formalism. We shall describe Gamow states in scattering theory (S-matrix formalism), in extensions of the conventional Hilbert space (rigged Hilbert spaces and Gelfand triads), and in the Dirac formulation of quantum mechanics (analytical continuations, continuous linear functionals over analytical test functions). Since we aim at further applications in the domain of nuclear structure and nuclear many-body problems, we shall address the issue in a physical oriented manner, restricting the discussion of mathematical concepts to the needed, unavoidable, background.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗