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At least 379 records · Page 21

Ensemble-Based Support Vector Regression with Gravitational Search Algorithm Optimization for Estimating Magnetic Relative Cooling Power of Manganite Refrigerant in Magnetic Refrigeration Application

Magnetic refrigeration technology (MRT) is considered an energy-efficient and environmental-friendly system of refrigeration that has a considerable potential of replacing the classical gas-compression expansion method of refrigeration. Inclusion of manganite-based material (MBM) in MRT as a magnetic refrigerant has attracted significant attention recently due to cost effectiveness of the refrigerant as well as better resistance to oxidation and corrosion as compared to the commonly used metal gadolinium refrigerant. Relative cooling power (RCP) is one of the most important parameters to be considered while assessing the usefulness of MBM. Its value can be altered through doping with external materials and accurate estimation of the dopant influence is required to achieve the right amount of RCP. This present research work proposes support vector regression (SVR) ensemble models with gravitational search algorithm (GSA) hyper-parameters optimization, for estimating RCP of MBM and to determine the influence of dopants on RCP using ionic radii and dopant concentrations as descriptors. GSA-SVR ensemble model (GSE) is developed by employing the outputs of five different SVR models as descriptors while GSA-SVR ensemble model with averaging (GSEA) uses the average of the five different SVR models as its descriptor. The novel ensemble models outperform other SVR models, specifically; GSE performs better than GSA-SVR model and the conventional SVR model with performance improvement of 269.14% and 283.61%, respectively on the basis of root mean square error (RMSE). Furthermore, GSEA outperforms GSE, GSA-SVR model and conventional SVR with performance improvement of 27.51%, 370.70%, and 389.14%, respectively on the basis of RMSE. The developed GSE and GSEA also perform better than the existing RCP model in the literature with performance improvement of 11.53% and 42.21%, respectively. The results of this research work will not only serve to circumvent the experimental challenges of RCP measurement without loss of experimental precision but also further promotes environment-friendly system of refrigeration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Properties of Binary Heusler Alloys ZCl{sub 3} (Z = Li, Na, K, Rb) with DO{sub 3}-Type Structure from First Principle Calculations

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of binary Heusler alloys ZCl{sub 3} (Z = Li, Na, K, Rb) with DO{sub 3}-type structure have been studied by means of the first principle calculations. The calculated results reveal that all four alloys are half-metallic (HM) materials at the stable ferromagnetic ground state. The total magnetic moments (M{sub t}) of LiCl{sub 3}, NaCl{sub 3}, KCl{sub 3,} and RbCl{sub 3} alloys are all 2.000 μ{sub B}/f.u., following the Slater-Pauling rule M{sub t} = 24 − Z{sub t} for the former two alloys, while satisfying the Slater-Pauling rule M{sub t} = 30 − Z{sub t} for the latter two alloys. The spin-up band gaps of the binary Heusler alloys ZCl{sub 3} (Z = Li, Na, K, Rb) are 5.598, 5.687, 6.744, and 6.745 eV at equilibrium lattice constants 7.076, 7.237, 7.588, and 7.819 Å, respectively. The positive cohesion energy and negative formation energy indicate that they are thermodynamically stable. Moreover, wide HM regions for binary Heusler alloys ZCl{sub 3} (Z = Li, Na, K, Rb) show their HM characters are robust when the lattices are expanded or compressed under uniform and tetragonal strains. Finally, the total charge density, magnetic charge density, and charge density difference of the (110) plane for LiCl{sub 3} alloy are analyzed in detail.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-frequency Oscillations in Small Magnetic Elements Observed with Sunrise/SuFI

We characterize waves in small magnetic elements and investigate their propagation in the lower solar atmosphere from observations at high spatial and temporal resolution. We use the wavelet transform to analyze oscillations of both horizontal displacement and intensity in magnetic bright points found in the 300 nm and the Ca ii H 396.8 nm passbands of the filter imager on board the Sunrise balloon-borne solar observatory. Phase differences between the oscillations at the two atmospheric layers corresponding to the two passbands reveal upward propagating waves at high frequencies (up to 30 mHz). Weak signatures of standing as well as downward propagating waves are also obtained. Both compressible and incompressible (kink) waves are found in the small-scale magnetic features. The two types of waves have different, though overlapping, period distributions. Two independent estimates give a height difference of approximately 450 ± 100 km between the two atmospheric layers sampled by the employed spectral bands. This value, together with the determined short travel times of the transverse and longitudinal waves provide us with phase speeds of 29 ± 2 km s{sup −1} and 31 ± 2 km s{sup −1}, respectively. We speculate that these phase speeds may not reflect the true propagation speeds of the waves. Thus, effects such as the refraction of fast longitudinal waves may contribute to an overestimate of the phase speed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Note: Spin-exchange optical pumping in a van

The advent of spin-hyperpolarization techniques designed to overcome the sensitivity issue of nuclear magnetic resonance owing to polarization transfer from more ordered systems has recently raised great enthusiasm. However, the out-of-equilibrium character of the polarization requires a close proximity between the area of production and the site of use. We present here a mobile spin-exchange optical pumping setup that enables production of laser-polarized noble gases in a standalone mode, in close proximity to hospitals or research laboratories. Only compressed air and mains power need to be supplied by the host laboratory.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Coupled aging effects in nanofiber-reinforced siloxane foams

Here, this study investigates the combined effects of ionizing radiation and thermal treatments on the aging of siloxane foams containing small amounts of carbon nanofibers. Our siloxane foams were exposed to accelerated aging conditions for more than two years, resulting in very low dose rates. In addition, foams were aged under compressive load to evaluate the strength of the porous microstructure. Samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Mössbauer, mass spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), solvent swelling, imaging techniques, uniaxial compressive load testing and tear testing. No significant changes in thermal stability or chemistry of the accelerated aged foam were observed, although gas evolution was detected. Changes in crystallization levels at low temperatures, microstructure, and mechanical properties were observed for foams with and without carbon nanofibers. In particular, foams aged under compressive load showed irreversible deformation of the porous microstructure. This study demonstrates that aging effects were enhanced when thermal and radiolysis were coupled together and that the addition of carbon nanofibers did not improve aging effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Squeezing the periodicity of Néel-type magnetic modulations by enhanced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction of 4d electrons

In polar magnets, such as GaV 4 S 8 , GaV 4 Se 8 and VOSe 2 O 5 , modulated magnetic phases namely the cycloidal and the Néel-type skyrmion lattice states were identified over extended temperature ranges, even down to zero Kelvin. Our combined small-angle neutron scattering and magnetization study shows the robustness of the Néel-type magnetic modulations also against magnetic fields up to 2 T in the polar GaMo 4 S 8 . In addition to the large upper critical field, enhanced spin-orbit coupling stabilize cycloidal, Néel skyrmion lattice phases with sub-10 nm periodicity and a peculiar distribution of the magnetic modulation vectors. Moreover, we detected an additional single-q state not observed in any other polar magnets. Thus, our work demonstrates that non-centrosymmetric magnets with 4d and 5d electron systems may give rise to various highly compressed modulated states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Energetic Electrons Accelerated and Trapped in a Magnetic Bottle above a Solar Flare Arcade

Where and how flares efficiently accelerate charged particles remains an unresolved question. Recent studies revealed that a “magnetic bottle” structure, which forms near the bottom of a large-scale reconnection current sheet above the flare arcade, is an excellent candidate for confining and accelerating charged particles. However, further understanding its role requires linking the various observational signatures to the underlying coupled plasma and particle processes. Here we present the first study combining multiwavelength observations with data-informed macroscopic magnetohydrodynamics and particle modeling in a realistic eruptive flare geometry. The presence of an above-the-loop-top magnetic bottle structure is strongly supported by the observations, which feature not only a local minimum of magnetic field strength but also abruptly slowing plasma downflows. It also coincides with a compact above-the-loop-top hard X-ray source and an extended microwave source that bestrides the flare arcade. Spatially resolved spectral analysis suggests that nonthermal electrons are highly concentrated in this region. Our model returns synthetic emission signatures that are well matched to the observations. The results suggest that the energetic electrons are strongly trapped in the magnetic bottle region due to turbulence, with only a small fraction managing to escape. The electrons are primarily accelerated by plasma compression and facilitated by a fast-mode termination shock via the Fermi mechanism. Our results provide concrete support for the magnetic bottle as the primary electron acceleration site in eruptive solar flares. They also offer new insights into understanding the previously reported small population of flare-accelerated electrons entering interplanetary space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Fractional Chern insulators in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene

Fractional Chern insulators (FCIs) are lattice analogues of fractional quantum Hall states that may provide a new avenue towards manipulating non-Abelian excitations. Early theoretical studies have predicted their existence in systems with flat Chern bands and highlighted the critical role of a particular quantum geometry. However, FCI states have been observed only in Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG) aligned with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), in which a very large magnetic field is responsible for the existence of the Chern bands, precluding the realization of FCIs at zero field. By contrast, magic-angle twisted BLG supports flat Chern bands at zero magnetic field and therefore offers a promising route towards stabilizing zero-field FCIs. Here we report the observation of eight FCI states at low magnetic field in magic-angle twisted BLG enabled by high-resolution local compressibility measurements. The first of these states emerge at 5 T, and their appearance is accompanied by the simultaneous disappearance of nearby topologically trivial charge density wave states. We demonstrate that, unlike the case of the BLG/hBN platform, the principal role of the weak magnetic field is merely to redistribute the Berry curvature of the native Chern bands and thereby realize a quantum geometry favourable for the emergence of FCIs. Our findings strongly suggest that FCIs may be realized at zero magnetic field and pave the way for the exploration and manipulation of anyonic excitations in flat moiré Chern bands.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The influences of solar wind pressure and interplanetary magnetic field on global magnetic field and outer radiation belt electrons

Using the Van Allen Probe in situ measured magnetic field and electron data, we examine the solar wind dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) effects on global magnetic field and outer radiation belt relativistic electrons (≥1.8 MeV). The dynamic pressure enhancements (>2 nPa) cause the dayside magnetic field increase and the nightside magnetic field reduction, whereas the large southward IMFs (B z-IMF < –2nT) mainly lead to the decrease of the nightside magnetic field. In the dayside increased magnetic field region (magnetic local time (MLT) ~ 06:00–18:00, and L > 4), the pitch angles of relativistic electrons are mainly pancake distributions with a flux peak around 90° (corresponding anisotropic index A > 0.1), and the higher-energy electrons have stronger pancake distributions (the larger A), suggesting that the compression-induced betatron accelerations enhance the dayside pancake distributions. However, in the nighttime decreased magnetic field region (MLT ~ 18:00–06:00, and L ≥ 5), the pitch angles of relativistic electrons become butterfly distributions with two flux peaks around 45° and 135° (A < 0). The spatial range of the nighttime butterfly distributions is almost independent of the relativistic electron energy, but it depends on the magnetic field day-night asymmetry and the interplanetary conditions. The dynamic pressure enhancements can make the nighttime butterfly distribution extend inward. The large southward IMFs can also lead to the azimuthal expansion of the nighttime butterfly distributions. As a result, these variations are consistent with the drift shell splitting and/or magnetopause shadowing effect.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Effects of Preionization in Radiative Shocks. I. Self-consistent Models

In this paper we treat the preionization problem in shocks over the velocity range 10 < v {sub s} < 1500 km s{sup −1} in a self-consistent manner. We identify four distinct classes of solutions controlled by the value of the shock-precursor parameter, Ψ=Q/v{sub s}, where Q is the ionization parameter of the UV photons escaping upstream. This parameter determines both the temperature and the degree of ionization of the gas entering the shock. In increasing velocity, the shock solution regimes are cold neutral precursors (v {sub s} ≲ 40 km s{sup −1}), warm neutral precursors (40 ≲ v {sub s} ≲ 75 km s{sup −1}), warm partly ionized precursors (75 ≲ v {sub s} ≲ 120 km s{sup −1}), and fast shocks in which the preshock gas is in photoionization equilibrium and is fully ionized. The main effect of a magnetic field is to push these velocity ranges to higher values and to limit the postshock compression. In order to facilitate comparison with observations of shocks, we provide a number of convenient scaling relationships for parameters, such as postshock temperature, compression factors, cooling lengths, and Hβ and X-ray luminosity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Decomposition of plasma kinetic entropy into position and velocity space and the use of kinetic entropy in particle-in-cell simulations

In this work, we describe a systematic development of kinetic entropy as a diagnostic in fully kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and use it to interpret plasma physics processes in heliospheric, planetary, and astrophysical systems. In the beginning, we calculate kinetic entropy in two forms—the “combinatorial” form related to the logarithm of the number of microstates per macrostate and the “continuous” form related to flnf, where f is the particle distribution function. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each and discuss subtleties about implementing them in PIC codes. Using collisionless PIC simulations that are two-dimensional in position space and three-dimensional in velocity space, we verify the implementation of the kinetic entropy diagnostics and discuss how to optimize numerical parameters to ensure accurate results. We show the total kinetic entropy is conserved to three percent in an optimized simulation of antiparallel magnetic reconnection. Kinetic entropy can be decomposed into a sum of a position space entropy and a velocity space entropy, and we use this to investigate the nature of kinetic entropy transport during collisionless reconnection. We find the velocity space entropy of both electrons and ions increases in time due to plasma heating during magnetic reconnection, as the position space entropy decreases due to plasma compression. This project uses collisionless simulations, so it cannot address physical dissipation mechanisms; nonetheless, the infrastructure developed here should be useful for studies of collisional or weakly collisional heliospheric, planetary, and astrophysical systems. Beyond reconnection, the diagnostic is expected to be applicable to plasma turbulence and collisionless shocks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

First divertor physics studies in Wendelstein 7-X

The Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) optimized stellarator fusion experiment, which went into operation in 2015, has been operating since 2017 with an un-cooled modular graphite divertor. This allowed first divertor physics studies to be performed at pulse energies up to 80 MJ, as opposed to 4 MJ in the first operation phase, where five inboard limiters were installed instead of a divertor. This, and a number of other upgrades to the device capabilities, allowed extension into regimes of higher plasma density, heating power, and performance overall, e.g. setting a new stellarator world record triple product. The paper focuses on the first physics studies of how the island divertor works. The plasma heat loads arrive to a very high degree on the divertor plates, with only minor heat loads seen on other components, in particular baffle structures built in to aid neutral compression. The strike line shapes and locations change significantly from one magnetic configuration to another, in very much the same way that codes had predicted they would. Strike-line widths are as large as 10 cm, and the wetted areas also large, up to about 1.5 m 2 , which bodes well for future operation phases. Peak local heat loads onto the divertor were in general benign and project below the 10 MW m –2 limit of the future water-cooled divertor when operated with 10 MW of heating power, with the exception of low-density attached operation in the high-iota configuration. We report the most notable result was the complete (in all 10 divertor units) heat-flux detachment obtained at high-density operation in hydrogen.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Broadband multiwavelength properties of the archetypal blazar 3C 279 during the 2017 Event Horizon Telescope campaign

The archetypal blazar 3C 279 hosts a prominent relativistic jet and exhibits strong broadband variability across the electromagnetic spectrum. In April 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observed 3C 279, alongside one of the most extensive quasi-simultaneous multiwavelength (MWL) campaigns ever conducted. With the aim of investigating the physical processes governing 3C 279, we analyzed individual observations and multiband light curves, and constructed a new quasi-simultaneous MWL spectrum. We also performed phenomenological modeling using the turbulent extreme multi-zone (TEMZ) model to constrain the fundamental physical properties of the source. The EHT observations reveal a clear flux increase in the innermost core between April 5 and 11, 2017. Over a broader timescale, radio measurements at longer wavelengths show concurrent enhancements in core flux and polarization around mid-April, coinciding with the ejection of a superluminal knot. Record UV-optical flares with strong polarization variability occurred in late March, followed by gamma-ray activity that declined before the end of the EHT observing period. During this interval, the source remained in a low X-ray state and showed no detectable VHE emission. The TEMZ modeling suggests that the broadband spectrum and variability of 3C 279 can be explained within a jet scenario in which turbulent plasma cells are compressed by a stationary conical shock. However, alternative interpretations, such as magnetic reconnection or a moving shock-in-jet event, remain plausible. This coordinated MWL campaign advances our understanding of the origin of jet and gamma-ray emission in 3C 279, while also providing a comprehensive publicly available dataset that will serve as a valuable reference for future studies.

Principe, G. [Trieste U.; INFN, Trieste; Bologna, ↗

Polymorphism and Negative Linear Compressibility in Pyrazine-d4

Pyrazine (1,4-diazine) is a widely used linker in coordination polymers, molecular magnets, and metal–organic frameworks, yet its solid-state polymorphism is controlled by weak C–H···N interactions. Using variable-temperature and high-pressure neutron diffraction, a previously unrecognized low-temperature transition to phase IV is identified, showing that the form stabilized under pressure can also be accessed below ∼90 K at ambient pressure in the perdeuterated compound. The transition from phase III → IV involves a symmetry-breaking lattice distortion driven by the reorganization of C–H···N hydrogen bonds, accompanied by negative linear compressibility, which is primarily accommodated through the reduction in void-space within the structure. Structural analysis reveals that while the overall monoclinic framework of phase IV is preserved under both temperature and pressure routes, the evolution of hydrogen-bonded network is distinct depending on the pathway taken. These results establish pyrazine as a model molecular solid for studying pressure–temperature polymorphism and demonstrate how weak directional interactions can produce anomalous mechanical responses in organic crystals.

Ridley, Christopher J. [Oak Ridge National Laborat↗

M PX 3 van der Waals magnets under pressure ( M = Mn, Ni, V, Fe, Co, Cd; X = S, Se)

van der Waals antiferromagnets with chemical formula MPX 3 (M = V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd; X = S, Se) are superb platforms for exploring the fundamental properties of complex chalcogenides, revealing their structure-property relations and unraveling the physics of confinement. Pressure is extremely effective as an external stimulus, able to tune properties and drive new states of matter. In this review, we summarize experimental and theoretical progress to date with special emphasis on the structural, magnetic, and optical properties of the MPX 3 family of materials. Under compression, these compounds host inter-layer sliding and insulator-to-metal transitions accompanied by dramatic volume reduction and spin state collapse, piezochromism, possible polar metal and orbital Mott phases, as well as superconductivity. Some responses are already providing the basis for spintronic, magneto-optic, and thermoelectric devices. We propose that strain may drive similar functionality in these materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Development of Low-cost Magnetocaloric Materials - CRADA 446

The overall goal of the project is to develop a faster heat-treatment process to produce low-cost high-performance magnetocaloric materials (MCM) for magnetic refrigeration technology. This research is in support of DOE-Fuel Cell Technology Office’s efforts to develop energy-efficient magnetic refrigeration technology for hydrogen liquefaction. Magnetic refrigeration offers a lower-cost and more energy-efficient alternative to traditional compression-based refrigeration technologies for liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen. Thus, PNNL is working with its industrial partner who is engaged in discovery, development and commercialization of low-cost high-performance MCM for use in magnetic refrigeration systems. Currently used MCM are typically a mixture of rare-earth and other elements. These are made in small batches and often need to be annealed for long durations, ranging from days to weeks, to obtain a good performance. Such extremely long heat-treatments add to the overall cost and increase the lead time to market of the commercial product. Therefore, this project will use recently developed innovative heat-treatment techniques at PNNL to shorten the annealing times and enhance the performance and lower the processing cost of MCM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coronal Jet Collimation by Nonlinear Induced Flows

Our objective is to study the collimation of solar jets by nonlinear forces corresponding to torsional Alfvén waves together with external forces. We consider a straight, initially non-rotating, untwisted magnetic cylinder embedded in a plasma with a straight magnetic field, where a shear between the internal and external flows exists. By implementing magnetohydrodynamic theory and taking into account the second-order thin flux tube approximation, the balance between the internal nonlinear forces is visualized. The nonlinear differential equation containing the ponderomotive, magnetic tension, and centrifugal forces in the presence of the shear flow is obtained. The solution presents the scale of influence of the propagating torsional Alfvén wave on compressive perturbations. Explicit expressions for the compressive perturbations caused by the forces connected to the torsional Alfvén wave show that, in the presence of a shear flow, the magnetic tension and centrifugal forces do not cancel each other’s effects as they did in its absence. This shear flow plays in favor of the magnetic tension force, resulting in a more efficient collimation. Regarding the ponderomotive force, the shear flow has no effect. The phase relations highlight the interplay of the shear flow and the plasma- β . As the shear flow and plasma- β increase, compressive perturbation amplitudes emerge. We conclude that the jet collimation due to the torsional Alfvén wave highly depends on the location of the jet. The shear flow tightens the collimation as the jet elevates up to the solar corona.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Three-dimensional rotational plasma flows near solid surfaces in an axial magnetic field

A rotational flow of a conducting viscous medium near an extended dielectric disk in a uniform axial magnetic field is analyzed in the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach. An analytical solution to the system of nonlinear differential MHD equations of motion in the boundary layer for the general case of different rotation velocities of the disk and medium is obtained using a modified Slezkin–Targ method. A particular case of a medium rotating near a stationary disk imitating the end surface of a laboratory device is considered. The characteristics of a hydrodynamic flow near the disk surface are calculated within the model of a finite-thickness boundary layer. The influence of the magnetic field on the intensity of the secondary flow is studied. Calculations are performed for a weakly ionized dense plasma flow without allowance for the Hall effect and plasma compressibility. An MHD flow in a rotating cylinder bounded from above by a retarding cap is considered. The results obtained can be used to estimate the influence of the end surfaces on the main azimuthal flow, as well as the intensities of circulating flows in various devices with rotating plasmas, in particular, in plasma centrifuges and laboratory devices designed to study instabilities of rotating plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗