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At least 523 records · Page 29

Vertex algebra of extended operators in 4d N=2 superconformal field theories. Part I

Abstract We construct a class of extended operators in the cohomology of a pair of twisted Schur supercharges of 4d$$ \mathcal{N} $$ N =2 SCFTs. The extended operators are constructed from the local operators in this cohomology — the Schur operators — by a version of topological descent. They are line, surface, and domain wall world volume integrals of certain super descendants of Schur operators. Their world volumes extend in directions transverse to a spatial plane in Minkowski space-time. As operators in the cohomology of these twisted Schur supercharges, their correlators are (locally) meromorphic functions only of the positions where they intersect this plane. This implies the extended operators enlarge the vertex operator algebra of the Schur operators. We illustrate this enlarged vertex algebra by computing some extended-operator product expansions within a subalgebra of it for the free hypermultiplet SCFT.

Physics↗

High data rate Reed-Solomon encoding and decoding using VLSI technology

Presented as an implementation of a Reed-Solomon encode and decoder, which is 16-symbol error correcting, each symbol is 8 bits. This Reed-Solomon (RS) code is an efficient error correcting code that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will use in future space communications missions. A Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) implementation of the encoder and decoder accepts data rates up 80 Mbps. A total of seven chips are needed for the decoder (four of the seven decoding chips are customized using 3-micron Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconduction (CMOS) technology) and one chip is required for the encoder. The decoder operates with the symbol clock being the system clock for the chip set. Approximately 1.65 billion Galois Field (GF) operations per second are achieved with the decoder chip set and 640 MOPS are achieved with the encoder chip.

Miller, Warner↗

Three dimensional magnetic fields in extra high speed modified Lundell alternators computed by a combined vector-scalar magnetic potential finite element method

A 3D finite element (FE) approach was developed and implemented for computation of global magnetic fields in a 14.3 kVA modified Lundell alternator. The essence of the new method is the combined use of magnetic vector and scalar potential formulations in 3D FEs. This approach makes it practical, using state of the art supercomputer resources, to globally analyze magnetic fields and operating performances of rotating machines which have truly 3D magnetic flux patterns. The 3D FE-computed fields and machine inductances as well as various machine performance simulations of the 14.3 kVA machine are presented in this paper and its two companion papers.

Demerdash, N. A.↗

2-D energy analyzer for low energy electrons

A 2-D electron energy analyzer is designed and constructed to measure the transverse and longitudinal energy distribution of low energy (<1 eV) electrons. The analyzer operates on the principle of adiabatic invariance and motion of low energy electrons in a strong longitudinal magnetic field. The operation of the analyzer is studied in detail and a design to optimize the energy resolution, signal to noise ratio, and physical size is presented. An energy resolution better than 6 meV has been demonstrated. Such an analyzer is a powerful tool to study the process of photoemission which limits the beam quality in modern accelerators.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Micropulse Differential Absorption Lidar (MPD) Network Demonstration Field Campaign Report

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Montana State University (MSU) are nearing completion of a National Science Foundation (NSF) major research instrumentation grant to build five micropulse differential absorption lidars (MPDs) for water vapor profiling. The first demonstration of the MPD configured as a five-unit network occurred at the Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility Southern Great Plains (SGP) field sites near Lamont, Oklahoma from 17 April–21 July 2019 for a total of 96 days of operation. The field deployment was funded in part by DOE (which provided support for the MPD installation, power at the field sites, personnel to launch 3-hourly radiosondes from the Central Facility, and the cost of the radiosondes themselves), internal NCAR funds (to support the MPD shipping costs and NCAR staff travel expenses), and NSF/Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) funds (to support the MSU travel expenses to participate in the instrument setup).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Characterizing and Improving the Data Reduction Pipeline for the Keck OSIRIS Integral Field Spectrograph

OSIRIS is a near-infrared (1.0–2.4 μm) integral field spectrograph operating behind the adaptive optics system at Keck Observatory and one of the first lenslet-based integral field spectrographs. Since its commissioning in 2005, it has been a productive instrument, producing nearly half the laser guide star adaptive optics papers on Keck. The complexity of its raw data format necessitated a custom data reduction pipeline (DRP) delivered with the instrument in order to iteratively assign flux in overlapping spectra to the proper spatial and spectral locations in a data cube. Other than bug fixes and updates required for hardware upgrades, the bulk of the DRP has not been updated since initial instrument commissioning. We report on the first major comprehensive characterization of the DRP using on-sky and calibration data. We also detail improvements to the DRP, including characterization of the flux assignment algorithm, exploration of spatial rippling in the reduced data cubes, and improvements to several calibration files, including the rectification matrix, bad-pixel mask, and wavelength solution. We present lessons learned from over a decade of OSIRIS data reduction that are relevant to the next generation of integral field spectrograph hardware and data reduction software design.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Operation of SOI P-Channel Field Effect Transistors, CHT-PMOS30, under Extreme Temperatures

Electronic systems are required to operate under extreme temperatures in NASA planetary exploration and deep space missions. Electronics on-board spacecraft must also tolerate thermal cycling between extreme temperatures. Thermal management means are usually included in today s spacecraft systems to provide adequate temperature for proper operation of the electronics. These measures, which may include heating elements, heat pipes, radiators, etc., however add to the complexity in the design of the system, increases its cost and weight, and affects its performance and reliability. Electronic parts and circuits capable of withstanding and operating under extreme temperatures would reflect in improvement in system s efficiency, reducing cost, and improving overall reliability. Semiconductor chips based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology are designed mainly for high temperature applications and find extensive use in terrestrial well-logging fields. Their inherent design offers advantages over silicon devices in terms of reduced leakage currents, less power consumption, faster switching speeds, and good radiation tolerance. Little is known, however, about their performance at cryogenic temperatures and under wide thermal swings. Experimental investigation on the operation of SOI, N-channel field effect transistors under wide temperature range was reported earlier [1]. This work examines the performance of P-channel devices of these SOI transistors. The electronic part investigated in this work comprised of a Cissoid s CHT-PMOS30, high temperature P-channel MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor) device [2]. This high voltage, medium-power transistor is designed for geothermal well logging applications, aerospace and avionics, and automotive industry, and is specified for operation in the temperature range of -55 C to +225 C. Table I shows some specifications of this transistor [2]. The CHT-PMOS30 device was characterized at various temperatures over the range of -190 C to +225 C in terms of its voltage/current characteristic curves. The test temperatures included +22, -50, -100, -150, -175, -190, +50, +100, +150, +175, +200, and +225 C. Limited thermal cycling testing was also performed on the device. These tests consisted of subjecting the transistor to a total of twelve thermal cycles between -190 C and +225 C. A temperature rate of change of 10 C/min and a soak time at the test temperature of 10 minutes were used throughout this work. Post-cycling measurements were also performed at selected temperatures. In addition, re-start capability at extreme temperatures, i.e. power switched on while the device was soaking for a period of 20 minutes at the test temperatures of -190 C and +225 C, was investigated.

Patterson, Richard↗

Aerosol and Cloud Experiments in the Eastern North Atlantic (ACE-ENA) Winter Intensive Operational Period: Aerodynamic Particle Sizer Field Campaign Report

An aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometer (APS, model 3321 by TSI Inc., Shoreview, Minnesota) was deployed at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) observatory during the second (winter) intensive operational period (IOP) of the Aerosol and Cloud Experiments in the Eastern North Atlantic (ACE-ENA) field campaign. Data were collected from January 9 through February 26, 2018, covering the second deployment of the ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) aircraft within ACE-ENA. The standard ENA instrument suite does not provide measurements of aerosol particle size distribution for diameters greater than one micron. Properties of coarse-mode (super-micron) aerosols are rarely measured, although super-micron particles can play an important role in the aerosol life cycle, affecting aerosol optical properties and cloud nuclei activity (e.g., Clarke et al. 2003). The APS was deployed to fill this gap in particle size measurements: it is capable of measuring size-resolved concentration of the aerosols in the 0.5-20 μm range (aerodynamic diameter). The APS was installed in the aerosol trailer to sample through the main stack. Special attention was given to selection of the instrument location (just below the main stack) to minimize particle losses in the connecting lines. Most atmospheric aerosols are hygroscopic, so the measurement of the aerosol size distributions should either be performed in a controlled humidity environment or accompanied by concurrent measurement of the temperature and humidity of the sample air. The latter strategy was used during this deployment: a high-precision humidity/temperature transmitter (model EE08 by E+E Elektonik GMBH, Engerwitzdorf, Germany) was mounted in the APS sampling line immediately upstream of the APS inlet. A dedicated laptop computer was used for data collection and communications. The APS was controlled with vendor-supplied software (Aerosol Instrument Manager, ver. 10.1, TSI); aerosol size distribution data were collected over a period of 55 seconds and converted to one-minute averages. Temperature and humidity analog signals were acquired via analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module (model WTAIN-M by Weeder Technologies, Fort Walton Beach, Florida) using vendor-supplied software (ModCom) with 1- sec resolution. In post-processing, the APS data were exported from TSI proprietary format into “comma-separated value” American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) files and matched with appropriately averaged temperature and humidity data. Two significant periods of missing data were caused by local power outages. Vendor-supplied software was not designed for unattended operation: it needs to be manually restarted including sensor configuration setup.

ACE-ENA, Azores, ultra-high-sensitivity aerosol sp↗

Experimental studies of 7-cell dual axis asymmetric cavity for energy recovery linac

High average current, transportable energy recovery linacs (ERLs) can be very attractive tools for a number of applications including next generation high-luminosity, compact light sources. Conventional ERLs are based on an electron beam circulating through the same set of rf cavity cells. This leads to an accumulation of high-order modes inside the cavity cells, resulting in the development of a beam breakup (BBU) instability, unless the beam current is kept below the BBU start current. This limits the maximum current which can be transported through the ERL and hence the intensity of the photon beam generated. It has recently been proposed that splitting the accelerating and decelerating stages, tuning them separately and coupling them via a resonance coupler can increase the BBU start current. The paper presents the first experimental rf studies of a dual axis 7-cell asymmetric cavity and confirms the properties predicted by the theoretical model. The field structures of the symmetric and asymmetric modes are measured and good agreement with the numerical predictions is demonstrated. The operating mode field flatness was also measured and discussed. A novel approach based on the coupled mode (Fano-like) model has been developed for the description of the cavity eigenmode spectrum and good agreement between analytical theory, numerical predictions and experimental data is shown. Finally, numerical and experimental results observed are analyzed, discussed and a good agreement between theory and experiment is demonstrated.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

An Active Modulation Scheme to Boost Voltage Utilisation of the Dual Converter with a Floating Bridge

This paper proposes a capacitor voltage regulation method for the dual converter with a floating bridge for aerospace applications. This topology has previously been reported, but with a constrained voltage utilisation factor due to the need for capacitor voltage regulations. The effect of switching states on the voltage variation of capacitor is quantitatively modelled and an enhanced space vector modulation scheme with current feedback is proposed to achieve an active control of the floating capacitor voltages. This proposed method also allows further exploitation and utilisation of converter voltage. The relationship between the allowed modulation index of dual converter and load power factor is obtained and expressed using a fitted polynomial equation. The advantages of the proposed method include boosted voltage utilisation and superior performance in term of capacitor voltage balance. These advantages have been proven through simulation and experimental results on RL loads as well as with an open-end winding induction motor. The proposed modulation scheme can boost the converter voltage utilisation by at least 10% while achieving full four-level operation. More importantly, the higher available voltage allows extending the constant torque region of the motor, the further beginning of field weakening operation could be postponed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Computational Assessment of Naturally Occurring Background Radiation Produced by Extraterrestrial Sources - Paper 43

In recent years there has been increased interest in developing the ability to account for background radiation in real (or near-real) time in support of end-user field experiments or operational search missions. More specifically, the focus has been on creating an array of tools that can provide an estimate of the natural occurring radiation that an experimentalist or search operator can use in the field in real time while making a measurement. Conceptually, these tools would allow the experimentalist or search operator to be able to dynamically account for the background associated with the measurement resulting in significant improvement in the probability of detection and minimization of the false alarm rate. The purpose of this work is to assess the extraterrestrial sources that produce naturally occurring background, the variation of these sources, and the variation in the background due to the sources and the potential measurement environment. This work is part of a larger project that will also assess terrestrial sources of background radiation. The focus of this paper is only the neutron background produced by extraterrestrial sources. The computational assessment will be performed using MCNP6. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Distributed control architecture for real-time telerobotic operation

The emerging field of telerobotics places new demands on control system architecture to allow both autonomous operations and natural human-machine interfacing. The feasibility of multiprocessor systems performing parallel control computations is realizable. A practical distribution of control processors is presented and the issues involved in the realization of this architecture are discussed. A prototype dual axis controller based on the NOVIX computer is described, and results of its implementation are discussed. Application of this type of control system to a replicated, redundant manipulator system is also described.

Martin, H. L.↗

A new look at the position operator in quantum theory

The postulate that coordinate and momentum representations are related to each other by the Fourier transform has been accepted from the beginning of quantum theory by analogy with classical electrodynamics. As a consequence, an inevitable effect in standard theory is the wave packet spreading (WPS) of the photon coordinate wave function in directions perpendicular to the photon momentum. This leads to the following paradoxes: if the major part of photons emitted by stars are in wave packet states (what is the most probable scenario) then we should see not separate stars but only an almost continuous background from all stars; no anisotropy of the CMB radiation should be observable; data on gamma-ray bursts, signals from directional radio antennas (in particular, in experiments on Shapiro delay) and signals from pulsars show no signs of WPS. In addition, a problem arises why there are no signs of WPS for protons in the LHC ring. We argue that the above postulate is based neither on strong theoretical arguments nor on experimental data and propose a new consistent definition of the position operator. Then WPS in directions perpendicular to the particle momentum is absent and the paradoxes are resolved. Different components of the new position operator do not commute with each other and, as a consequence, there is no wave function in coordinate representation. Implications of the results for entanglement, quantum locality and the problem of time in quantum theory are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Results of an In-Field Validation Exercise in Support of Wide-Area Environmental Sampling

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NA-24) is evaluating Wide-Area Environmental Sampling (WAES) as an additional safeguards verification tool for the International Atomic Energy Agency to detect undeclared nuclear activities. The NNSA is evaluating strategies for conducting a generic WAES campaign, the cost of a WAES campaign, and the effect of technological advancements that have occurred since the last major WAES review in 1999. Until now, the NNSA effort has focused on tabletop exercises (TTXs) in which high-performance computing allows for advanced modeling and simulation efforts to be applied to the WAES question. Although the modeling and simulations used in the TTXs are extremely valuable, field campaigns are still needed to validate the assumptions that underpin the models and the modeling process itself. During a 7 week period beginning in May 2023 and ending in June 2023, which included 4 weeks of active field collections, a multilaboratory team conducted its first in-field validation exercise. Prior to the in-field exercise, abbreviated TTXs were conducted to estimate the performance of all collection systems to be used during the field test. These TTXs guided the selection of materials to be released and the placement of the collection system. Based on these determinations, materials were procured to use in the field test, and an injection/release system was designed, built, and installed at the test facility. Background samples were collected during weeks one and four, and environmental collections against active releases were conducted during weeks two and three. The goals of this validation exercise included a demonstration of (1) the ability to provide controlled releases of particulates of surrogate materials, (2) the fielding and operation of collection systems (including deposition and active air collectors), and (3) the flexibility to revise equipment and campaign plans in the field. This paper presents the results and preliminary conclusions for this initial validation test. Based on these results, subsequent field campaigns are anticipated and will include the addition of other released materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

The Role of Data Assimilation in the Study of Regional and Global Variability of the Hydrological Cycle

In the coming years, researchers will have at their disposal a host of new observations from advanced space-based sensors (e.g. the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, EOS Terra and PM missions) providing, among other things, a more complete and accurate description of various components of the Earth's hydrological cycle. Also, increasingly more sophisticated and comprehensive geophysical models will provide researchers better tools for simulating the hydrological cycle, and for carrying out mechanistic studies of the role of moist processes in the climate system. In addition, new data sets generated with global four-dimensional data assimilation (4DDA) systems will provide comprehensive and complete information on both the state and forcing of the climate system. Ideally, the 4DDA systems optimally incorporate all relevant information from the observations together with a first guess from a state-of-the-art geophysical model to produce a "best" estimate of the climate state. Furthermore, to the extent that the assimilating models are realistic and are constrained by the observations, they should provide reliable estimates of the associated physical processes or climate forcing fields. While operational weather centers now have a considerable history of providing reliable estimates of the basic atmospheric state variables, the associated processes or diagnostic fields (which are less well constrained by the observations and sensitive to errors in the model's physical parameterizations) are still considered experimental and of uncertain quality. In this study we will examine the current generation of reanalysis products to assess the capabilities of 4DDA systems to represent components of the hydrological cycle. The focus is on the role of the model in providing consistent estimates of moist processes. We will also assess whether current observations provide sufficient constraints on these model- generated fields.

Schubert, Siegfried↗

Methylammonium Lead Tribromide Single Crystal Detectors towards Robust Gamma-Ray Photon Sensing

In recent years, hybrid perovskite single crystalline solid-state detectors have shown promise in γ-ray spectroscopy. Here, the γ-ray photon induced electrical pulses are investigated, which are produced by perovskite solid-state detectors made with the commonly used methylammonium lead tribromide crystals with chlorine incorporation. Under low electric field detector operation, slow pulses generated by γ-rays with average rise times of 65 µs are observed, which decreases to 20 µs when a higher electrical field of 500 V cm -1 is applied. However, the baseline becomes noisy quickly, which prevents collection of clean pulses for spectra construction. Further, by systematically measuring the temperature dependence and current–voltage characteristics, such instability is attributed to the local ion migration under electrical field creating a fluctuating dark noise, which presents a major challenge in perovskite γ-ray detector technologies. It is demonstrated that cycling the bias between positive and negative polarity can stabilize the detector, allowing for longer periods of pulse accumulation for generating energy resolved spectra with resolutions of ≈35% at 59.6 keV and ≈25% at 662 keV at room temperature. The study indicates that the main limiting factors of perovskite-based γ-ray detectors are slow rise times and bias instability. Finally, these challenges must be properly addressed to achieve reproducible, high-resolution γ-ray detection.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A relativistic self-consistent model for studying enhancement of space charge limited field emission due to counter-streaming ions

Recently, field emission has attracted increasing attention despite the practical limitation that field emitters operate below the Child-Langmuir space charge limit. By introducing counter-streaming ion flow to neutralize the electron charge density, the space charge limited field emission (SCLFE) current can be dramatically enhanced. In this work, we have developed a relativistic self-consistent model for studying the enhancement of SCLFE by a counter-streaming ion current. The maximum enhancement is found when the ion effect is saturated, as shown analytically. The solutions in non-relativistic, intermediate, and ultra-relativistic regimes are obtained and verified with 1-D particle-in-cell simulations. This self-consistent model is general and can also serve as a benchmark or comparison for verification of simulation codes, as well as extension to higher dimensions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Microwave radiometric studies and ground truth measurements of the NASA/USGS Southern California test site

The field measurement program conducted at the NASA/USGS Southern California Test Site is discussed. Ground truth data and multifrequency microwave brightness data were acquired by a mobile field laboratory operating in conjunction with airborne instruments. The ground based investigations were performed at a number of locales representing a variety of terrains including open desert, cultivated fields, barren fields, portions of the San Andreas Fault Zone, and the Salton Sea. The measurements acquired ground truth data and microwave brightness data at wavelengths of 0.8 cm, 2.2 cm, and 21 cm.

Edgerton, A. T.↗