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At least 433 records · Page 24

Analysis of the $\tilde{A}$ - $\tilde{X}$ bands of the Ethynyl Radical near 1.48 μm and Re-evaluation of ~X State Energies

Here, we report the observation and analysis of spectra in part of the near-infrared spectrum of C 2 H, originating in rotational levels in the ground and lowest two excited bending vibrational levels of the ground $\tilde{X}$ 2 Σ+ state. In the analysis, we have combined present and previously reported high resolution spectroscopic data for the lower levels involved in the transitions to determine significantly improved molecular constants to describe the fine and hyperfine split rotational levels of the radical in the zero point, v 2 = 1 and the 2 Σ+ component of v 2 = 2. Two of the upper state vibronic levels involved had not been observed previously. The data and analysis indicate the electronic wavefunction character changes with bending vibrational excitation in the ground state and provide avenues for future measurements of reactivity of the radical as a function of vibrational excitation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interplay between p – and d – orbitals yields multiple Dirac states in one- and two-dimensional CrB 4

Theoretical evidence of the existence of six inequivalent and six threefold degenerate pairs of Dirac cones in the low-spectrum diagram of monolayered hexagonal CrB 4 is provided. The four d electrons of the Cr atom are yielded to the B sublattices creating an isoelectronic structure to graphene where the interplay between p and d orbitals leads to the appearance of additional Dirac states on both one- and two-dimensional geometries. Ab initio calculations show that, although spin–orbit interaction splits the cone-shaped valence and conduction bands, CrB 4 is a semimetal with compensated electron–hole pockets. As the 2D layer is shaped into finite-width ribbons, one actual and one symmetry-frustrated Dirac point are observed at the Fermi level, yielding massless fermions in a 1D nano-structure with no topological insulating features. In conclusion, a rational explanation in terms of periodic boundary conditions across the ribbon axis is given to unveil the origin of the Dirac point.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sterile Neutrino Search with MINOS

MINOS, Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search, is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment in the NuMI muon neutrino beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, IL. It consists of two detectors, a near detector positioned 1 km from the source of the beam and a far detector 734 km away in Minnesota. MINOS is primarily designed to observe muon neutrino disappearance resulting from three flavor oscillations. The Standard Model of Particle Physics predicts that neutrinos oscillate between three active flavors as they propagate through space. This means that a muon-type neutrino has a certain probability to later interact as a different type of neutrino. In the standard picture, the neutrino oscillation probabilities depend only on three neutrino flavors and two mass splittings, Δm 2 . An anomaly was observed by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments that suggests the existence of a fourth, sterile neutrino flavor that does not interact through any of the known Standard Model interactions. Oscillations into a theoretical sterile flavor may be observed by a deficit in neutral current interactions in the MINOS detectors. A distortion in the charged current energy spectrum might also be visible if oscillations into the sterile flavor are driven by a large mass-squared difference, m s 2 ~ 1 eV 2 . The results of the 2013 sterile neutrino search are presented here.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The millimeter and submillimeter rotational spectrum of the MgCN radical (X (sup 2) Sigma(+))

The pure rotational spectrum of the MgCN radical has been recorded in the laboratory using millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption spectroscopy. Twenty-seven rotational transitions of the species were observed in the range 101-376 GHz and indicate that the molecule is linear with a (sup 2)Sigma(+) ground electronic state, as predicted by theory. Spin rotation interactions were resolved in the spectra, but no hyperfine splittings were observed, which would originate with the nitrogen nuclear spin. The rotational and fine-structure constants were determined for this radical from a nonlinear least-squares fit to the data using a (sup 2)Sigma Hamiltonian. MgCN is of astrophysical interest because it is the metastable isomer of MgNC, which recently has been detected toward IRC +10216

Anderson, M. A.↗

The millimeter/submillimeter rotational spectrum of CaCCH(X(sup 2)Sigma(+))

The pure rotational spectrum of the CaCCH radical (X(sup 2) Sigma(+)) has been measured in the laboratory using millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption spectroscopy. The species was created in a d.c. discharge by the reaction of calcium vapor and acetylene. Twenty-two rotational transitions of this molecule were recorded in the frequency range 230-380 GHz to an accuracy of +/- 150 kHz. Spin-rotation splittings, but no proton hyperfine structure, were observed for CaCCH. The data were analyzed using a (sup 2) Sigma Hamiltonian, and rotational and fine structure constants were determined. These measurements have resulted in accurate rest frequencies for CaCCH to be used for astronomical searches. A calcium-bearing molecule has yet to be observed in interstellar or circumstellar gas.

Anderson, M. A.↗

Supplement to “Torsional oscillations of a magnetar with a tangled magnetic field” (2016, ApJL, 823, L1)

We introduce a mean-field formalism with which to study the oscillations of a neutron star or other stellar object with a dipolar magnetic field plus a topologically distinct isotropic magnetic tangle that stabilizes the field configuration. In terms of the ratio of the energy density of the tangled field to that in the dipolar component b {sub t} {sup 2}, we obtain separable equations for the eigenfunctions and eigenfrequencies for a star of uniform density. We show that finite b {sub t} {sup 2} breaks the Alfvén continuum that is supported by the dipolar component of the field into discrete normal modes, and we quantify the splitting. Assuming the estimated dipole fields of 7×10{sup 14} G in SGR 1900+14 and 2×10{sup 15} G in SGR 1806–20, and tuning b {sub t} {sup 2} to match the lowest-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations observed to accompany flares in these objects, we infer b{sub t}{sup 2}=13.3 and 0.17, respectively. The predicted spectrum is about three times denser than that observed in SGR 1900+14, and much denser in SGR 1806–20. If the dipole field of SGR 1806–20 has been overestimated, the spectrum of normal modes will be less dense. We show that for b{sub t}{sup 2}≫1, as stability considerations suggest, the crust is nearly dynamically irrelevant. Moreover, density stratification generally shifts the eigenfrequencies up by about 20%, a change that can be mostly subsumed in a uniform density model with a slightly different choice of stellar radius or mass.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Note: A novel design of a microwave feed for a microwave frequency standard with a linear ion trap

Linear ion traps are important tools in many applications, particularly in mass spectrum analyzers and frequency standards. Here a novel design of a microwave feed integrated into one electrode of a linear quadrupole ion trap is demonstrated for the application of a microwave frequency standard based on cadmium ions. The mechanical structure of the microwave feed is compact and easy to build. The ion trap integrated with this microwave feed is successfully applied to measure the hyperfine splitting of the ground state of {sup 113}Cd{sup +}, thus demonstrating the practicality and reliability of the microwave feed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nuclear Criticality Experiments Research Center Futures: A Report of a Workshop held September 6-9, 2022, Los Alamos, NM, November, 2022

Experiments and training with critical assemblies and fissionable material (at or near the critical state) that explore reactivity phenomena are central to a number of national security challenges. From fission energy to nuclear weapons to a broad suite of scientific challenges, it is clear that additional capacity and capability are needed. The National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) marked 10 years of operations in 2021. This anniversary was an opportune time to celebrate our successes and progress, and to evaluate the remaining and emergent challenges. Against this backdrop, a workshop of approximately 140 national and international leaders in nuclear research was convened in Los Alamos, New Mexico to explore “NCERC Futures.” Therefore, the present workshop focused specifically on needed capabilities and tools to meet the research challenges in eight topical mission areas served by NCERC. As each Topical Group summarized their discussions in the out brief, it was recognized that key challenges could be met through enabling infrastructure investments and new critical assemblies. Enabling infrastructure includes staffing, additional space/buildings, developing an agile bounding safety basis, the ability to keep pace with technological advances in detectors and data acquisition systems (allowing use of those with Bluetooth™ and similar technologies), an expanded set of materials options (especially plutonium), a “Plug and Play” design and implementation mindset, and a facility that enabled free-field measurements. The new critical assemblies that were identified as having the most impact were a bare plutonium (Pu) Critical Assembly, a Horizontal Split Table (HST), a Super Comet, and a Uranium Solution Burst Assembly. NECRC is a unique, one-of-a-kind facility in the United States. If all the improvements were to be made, NCERC would enable the United States and its partners to address many important research questions related to criticality. These include but are not limited to: (1) Covering the entire neutron energy spectrum for both highly enriched uranium (HEU) and Pu in configurations for virtually all conceivable applications; (2) Performing multi-physics solution experiments and irradiations with a Uranium Solution Burst Assembly, which more closely resembles actual criticality accidents; (3) Conducting free-field experiments to make basic fission physics measurements and much cleaner benchmarks with various experimental observables; and (4) Providing more training classes and more experiments annually at greater cost efficiency enabled by additional buildings and machines and an agile, bounding, risk-balanced Safety Basis. In the end, workshop attendees enthusiastically concluded that NCERC Futures are bright and the workshop helped to identify a roadmap of capability gaps that need to be addressed. This report documents the results of those efforts.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

TU-AB-BRC-08: Egs-brachy, a Fast and Versatile Monte Carlo Code for Brachytherapy Applications

Purpose: To introduce egs-brachy, a new, fast, and versatile Monte Carlo code for brachytherapy applications. Methods: egs-brachy is an EGSnrc user-code based on the EGSnrc C++ class library (egs++). Complex phantom, applicator, and source model geometries are built using the egs++ geometry module. egs-brachy uses a tracklength estimator to score collision kerma in voxels. Interaction, spectrum, energy fluence, and phase space scoring are also implemented. Phase space sources and particle recycling may be used to improve simulation efficiency. HDR treatments (e.g. stepping source through dwell positions) can be simulated. Standard brachytherapy seeds, as well as electron and miniature x-ray tube sources are fully modelled. Variance reduction techniques for electron source simulations are implemented (Bremsstrahlung cross section enhancement, uniform Bremsstrahlung splitting, and Russian Roulette). TG-43 parameters of seeds are computed and compared to published values. Example simulations of various treatments are carried out on a single 2.5 GHz Intel Xeon E5-2680 v3 processor core. Results: TG-43 parameters calculated with egs-brachy show excellent agreement with published values. Using a phase space source, 2% average statistical uncertainty in the PTV ((2mm){sup 3} voxels) can be achieved in 10 s for 100 {sup 125}I or {sup 103}Pd seeds in a 36.2 cm{sup 3} prostate PTV, 31 s for 64 {sup 103}Pd seeds in a 64 cm{sup 3} breast PTV, and 56 s for a miniature x-ray tube in a 27 cm{sup 3} breast PTV. Comparable uncertainty is reached in 12 s in a (1 mm){sup 3} water voxel 5 mm away from a COMS 16mm eye plaque with 13 {sup 103}Pd seeds. Conclusion: The accuracy of egs-brachy has been demonstrated through benchmarking calculations. Calculation times are sufficiently fast to allow full MC simulations for routine treatment planning for diverse brachytherapy treatments (LDR, HDR, miniature x-ray tube). egs-brachy will be available as free and open-source software to the medical physics research community. This work is partially funded by the Canada Research Chairs program, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (Ontario Early Researcher Award).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

On the Role of Resonances in Nonradial Pulsators

Resonances or near resonances are ubiquitous among the excited nonradial pulsation modes of variable stars and they must play an important role in determining their pulsational behavior. Here in a first step at nonlinear asteroseismology, we explore some of the consequences of resonances by means of the amplitude equation formalism. We show how parity and angular momentum constraints can be used to eliminate many of the possible nonlinear resonant couplings between modes (and multiplets of modes), and how the amplitude equations can thus be simplified. Even when we may not be able, nor wish, to make an ab initio computation of the values of the coupling coefficients, it is still possible to obtain constraints on the nature of the excited modes if a resonance between observed frequencies can be identified. Resonances can cause nonlinear frequency locking of modes. This means that the observed frequencies appear in exact resonance even though the linear frequencies are only approximately in resonance. The nonlinear frequency lock, when it occurs, it does so over a range of departures from linear resonance, and it is accompanied by constant pulsation amplitudes. The locked, nonlinear frequencies can differ noticeably from their nonresonant counterparts which are usually used in seismology. This is particularly true for multiplets of modes split by rotation. Beyond the regime of the frequency lock, amplitude and frequency modulations can appear in the pulsations. Far from the resonance condition one recovers the regime of steady pulsations with nonresonant frequencies for which the seismological studies, as they are presently carried out, are justified (provided furthermore, of course, that nonlinear frequency shifts are negligible). Success in identifying a resonance in an observed power spectrum depends on the quality of the data. While keeping this limitation in mind, ew discuss the possible existence of peculiar resonances the pulsations specific variable white dwarfs and delta Scuti stars.

Buchler, J. R.↗

Molecules in Cool Stars: The A 2 Π − X 2 Σ + and the B 2 Σ + − X 2 Σ + Band Systems of CaCl

Cool red giant stars exhibit absorption bands of calcium monochloride (CaCl) in the optical region. In this work, the bands of CaCl corresponding to the A 2 Π − X 2 Σ + transition with v' ≤ 4 and v'' ≤ 4, and B 2 Σ + − X 2 Σ + transition with v' ≤ 2 and v'' ≤ 2 are rotationally analyzed with PGOPHER, a multipurpose program for simulating and fitting molecular spectra. All bands were analyzed using high-resolution absorption spectra collected at the National Solar Observatory in 1985, calibrated with atomic lines from a high-resolution emission spectrum obtained in a separate hollow cathode experiment. The results are compared with previous laser-induced fluorescence measurements. Overall, the accuracy of spectroscopic constants for the A2Π and B2Σ+ states is improved. Scaled transition dipole moment calculations were used to obtain line strengths. Line lists are provided with Einstein A coefficients and oscillator strengths, which can be used to determine CaCl stellar abundances. Additionally, isotope splittings allowed us to estimate band origins for the 40 Ca 37 Cl isotopologue based on band-head positions.

Léo Lavy↗

Laboratory detection of the C3H radical

Millimeter-wave lines of the C3H radical, including six of the lines observed in space, were detected in a laboratory glow discharge through a flowing mixture of C2H2, He, and CO. Each of the 10 rotational transitions measured, five between 98 and 185 GHz in the 2Pi1/2 ladder and five between 80 and 194 GHz in the 2Pi3/2 ladder, is split by lambda-type doubling, and all but three possess resolved hyperfine structure. The excellent agreement between the fine-structure, rotation, lambda-doubling, and hyperfine constants derived from the laboratory data and from the astronomical observations conclusively confirms the identifications in IRC +10216 and TMC-1 by Thaddeus and colleagues (1985). An accurate set of spectroscopic constants, which allow calculation of the entire radio spectrum of C3H to a radial velocity of 0.1 km/s, was derived from a simulataneous fit to the laboratory frequencies and to the well-resolved hfs observed in the narrow-line astronomical source TMC-1.

Gottlieb, C. A.↗

Calculation of two-dimensional shear-driven cavity flows at high Reynolds numbers

The time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are numerically integrated for two-dimensional incompressible viscous flow in a shear-driven square cavity. Using a time-splitting method and finite differences on a staggered mesh, the momentum and pressure equations are directly solved by a tensor product method where one finite difference direction is diagonalized by eigenvalue decomposition. The effects of increasing Reynolds number are studied and the developing boundary layer is captured by using a finely clustered mesh. At Re = 30,000 the flow is in a continuously developing unsteady regime. Power spectrum plots indicate that the unsteady flow oscillates with one fundamental frequency and exhibits some characteristics of transition between laminar and turbulent states.

Huser, A.↗

Model-independent versus model-dependent interpretation of the SDSS-III BOSS power spectrum: Bridging the divide

The traditional clustering analyses of galaxy redshift surveys compress the clustering data into a set of late-time physical variables in a model-independent way. This approach has recently been extended by an additional shape variable encoding early-time physics information. Here we apply this new technique, ShapeFit, to SDSS-III BOSS data and show that it matches the constraining power of alternative, model-dependent approaches, which directly constrain the model’s parameters adopting a cosmological model ab initio. ShapeFit is ~30 times faster, model independent, naturally splits early- and late-time variables, and enables a better control of observational systematics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

First-principles study of the low-temperature charge density wave phase in the quasi-one-dimensional Weyl chiral compound ( TaSe 4 ) 2 I

Using ab initio density functional theory, we study herein the lattice phase transition of quasi-one-dimensional (TaSe 4 ) 2 I. In the undistorted state, the strongly anisotropic semimetal band structure presents two nonequivalent Weyl points. In previous efforts, two possible Ta-tetramerization patterns were proposed to be associated with the low-temperature structure. Our phonon calculations indicate that the orthorhombic F222 CDW-I phase is the most likely ground state for this quasi-one-dimensional system. In addition, the monoclinic C2 CDW-II phase may also be stable according to the phonon dispersion spectrum. Since these two phases have very similar energies in our density functional theory calculations, both these Ta-tetramerization distortions likely compete or coexist at low temperatures. The semimetal-to-insulator transition is induced by a Fermi-surface-driven instability that supports the Peierls scenario, which affects the Weyl physics developed above T CDW . Furthermore, the spin-orbit coupling generates Rashba-like band splittings in the insulating charge density wave phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coherent Detector for Near-Angle Scattering and Polarization Characterization of Telescope Mirror Coatings

A report discusses the difficulty of measuring scattering properties of coated mirrors extremely close to the specular reflection peak. A prototype Optical Hetero dyne Near-angle Scatterometer (OHNS) was developed. Light from a long-coherence-length (>150 m) 532-nm laser is split into two arms. Acousto-optic modulators frequency shift the sample and reference beams, establishing a fixed beat frequency between the beams. The sample beam is directed at very high f/# onto a mirror sample, and the point spread function (PSF) formed after the mirror sample is scanned with a pinhole. This light is recombined by a non-polarizing beam splitter and measured through heterodyne detection with a spectrum analyzer. Polarizers control the illuminated and analyzed polarization states, allowing the polarization dependent scatter to be measured. The bidirectional reflective or scattering distribution function is normally measured through use of a scattering goniometer instrument. The instrumental beam width (collection angle span) over which the scatterometer responds is typically many degrees. The OHNS enables measurement at angles as small as the first Airy disk diameter.

Macenka, Steven A.↗

Backscattering from a Gaussian distributed, perfectly conducting, rough surface

The problem of scattering by random surfaces possessing many scales of roughness is analyzed. The approach is applicable to bistatic scattering from dielectric surfaces, however, this specific analysis is restricted to backscattering from a perfectly conducting surface in order to more clearly illustrate the method. The surface is assumed to be Gaussian distributed so that the surface height can be split into large and small scale components, relative to the electromagnetic wavelength. A first order perturbation approach is employed wherein the scattering solution for the large scale structure is perturbed by the small scale diffraction effects. The scattering from the large scale structure is treated via geometrical optics techniques. The effect of the large scale surface structure is shown to be equivalent to a convolution in k-space of the height spectrum with the following: the shadowing function, a polarization and surface slope dependent function, and a Gaussian factor resulting from the unperturbed geometrical optics solution. This solution provides a continuous transition between the near normal incidence geometrical optics and wide angle Bragg scattering results.

Brown, G. S.↗

Estimates of the solar internal angular velocity obtained with the Mt. Wilson 60-foot solar tower

Estimates are obtained of the solar internal angular velocity from measurements of the frequency splittings of p-mode oscillations. A 16-day time series of full-disk Dopplergrams obtained during July and August 1984 at the 60-foot tower telescope of the Mt. Wilson Observatory is analyzed. Power spectra were computed for all of the zonal, tesseral, and sectoral p-modes from l = 0 to 89 and for all of the sectoral p-modes from l = 90 to 200. A mean power spectrum was calculated for each degree up to 89. The frequency differences of all of the different nonzonal modes were calculated for these mean power spectra.

Rhodes, Edward J., Jr.↗