Erratum: “A Laguerre expansion method for the field particle portion in the linearized Coulomb collision operator” [Phys. Plasmas 22, 122503 (2015)]
No abstract prepared.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
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Averaged null energy condition from causality
Unitary, Lorentz-invariant quantum field theories in at spacetime obey mi-crocausality: commutators vanish at spacelike separation. For interacting theories in more than two dimensions, we show that this implies that the averaged null energy, $\int$duT uu , must be non-negative. This non-local operator appears in the operator product expansion of local operators in the lightcone limit, and therefore contributes to n-point functions. We derive a sum rule that isolates this contribution and is manifestly positive. The argument also applies to certain higher spin operators other than the stress tensor, generating an infinite family of new constraints of the form RduX uuu∙∙∙u ≥ 0. These lead to new inequalities for the coupling constants of spinning operators in conformal field theory, which include as special cases (but are generally stronger than) the existing constraints from the lightcone bootstrap, deep inelastic scattering, conformal collider methods, and relative entropy. We also comment on the relation to the recent derivation of the averaged null energy condition from relative entropy, and suggest a more general connection between causality and information-theoretic inequalities in QFT.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Scaling Field-Theoretic Simulation for Multicomponent Mixtures with Neural Operators
Multicomponent polymer mixtures are ubiquitous in biological self-organization but are notoriously difficult to study computationally. Plagued by both slow single molecule relaxation times and slow equilibration within dense mixtures, molecular dynamics simulations are typically infeasible at the spatial scales required to study the stability of mesophase structure. Polymer field theories offer an attractive alternative, but analytical calculations are only tractable for mean-field theories and nearby perturbations, constraints that become especially problematic for fluctuation-induced effects such as coacervation. Here, we show that a recently developed technique for obtaining numerical solutions to partial differential equations based on operator learning, neural operators, lends itself to a highly scalable training strategy by parallelizing per-species operator maps. We illustrate the efficacy of our approach on six-component mixtures with randomly selected compositions and that it significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art pseudospectral integrators for field-theoretic simulations, especially as polymer lengths become long.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Spatial Mapping of Electrostatic Fields in 2D Heterostructures
In situ electron microscopy is an effective tool for understanding the mechanisms driving novel phenomena in 2D structures. However, due to practical challenges, it is difficult to address these technologically relevant 2D heterostructures with electron microscopy. Here, we use the differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging technique to build a methodology for probing local electrostatic fields during electrical operation with nanoscale spatial resolution in such materials. We find that, by combining a traditional DPC setup with a high-pass filter, we can largely eliminate electric fluctuations emanating from short-range atomic potentials. Using a method based on this filtering algorithm, a priori electric field expectations can be directly compared with experimentally derived values to readily identify inhomogeneities and potentially problematic regions. Furthermore, we use this platform to analyze the electric field and charge density distribution across layers of hBN and MoS 2 .
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Spinor fields in general Newton-Cartan backgrounds
We give a covariant construction of Lagrangians for spinor fields in generic Newton-Cartan backgrounds. A non-relativistic Dirac/Levy-Leblond operator and the associated fields are obtained from relativistic analogues by a limiting procedure. The relativistic symmetries induce the complete set of non-relativistic symmetries, including Milne boosts and local Galilean transformations. The resulting Levy-Leblond operator includes non-minimal couplings to the Newton-Cartan structure as well as to the gauge field, and with these couplings it transforms covariantly. Phenomenologically, this fixes the gyromagnetic ratio to $g=1$. Three-dimensional spacetimes are an exception: generic $g$ is possible but results in modified Milne transformations, which - upon gauge fixing - reproduces the anomalous diffeomorphisms found in earlier approaches.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
The spinful large charge sector of non-relativistic CFTs: from phonons to vortex crystals
We study operators in Schrödinger invariant field theories (non-relativistic conformal field theories or NRCFTs) with large charge (particle number) and spin. Via the state-operator correspondence for NRCFTs, such operators correspond to states of a superfluid in a harmonic trap with phonons or vortices. Using the effective field theory of the Goldstone mode, we compute the dimensions of operators to leading order in the angular momentum L and charge Q. We find a diverse set of scaling behaviors for NRCFTs in both d = 2 and d = 3 spatial dimensions. These results apply to theories with a superfluid phase, such as unitary fermions or critical anyon systems.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Radioisotope Power System Dose Estimation Tool (RPS-DET) User Manual
Radioisotope power systems (RPSs) convert decay heat from radioactive materials to electrical power. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses RPSs for certain orbiters, landers, rovers, and probes that cannot rely on solar or chemical power. Most of the emitted charged particles in RPS fuels are locally absorbed, and the particles’ kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy as they slow down in the surrounding materials. This heat is subsequently converted into electricity through some form of energy conversion process (e.g., thermoelectric, heat engine, thermionic). While nearly all the charged particles are stopped locally, a non-trivial portion of the emitted neutral particles (neutrons and photons) escape the fuel and are free to interact with surrounding materials. This escaping radiation field can be operationally problematic for certain instruments, materials, electronics, etc., and can cause problems during terrestrial shipping, integration, testing for personnel, instrumentation, etc. Furthermore, the fuel’s emission spectrum evolves over time as the parent isotopes decay away and daughter products accumulate. This changing fuel composition alters characteristics of the ambient radiation field over time, which is further affected by RPS orientation and the surrounding environment. Tools that can rapidly estimate the radiation characteristics of RPSs with various fuel compositions, fuel ages, various RPS orientations, and in/on different spaceflight and planetary scenarios provide researchers with an opportunity to quickly estimate the radiation implications of a given RPS scenario. The RPS dose estimation tool (RPS-DET) provides engineers, scientists and analysts who are not trained in the art of particle transport software with a solution for quickly building, simulating, and analyzing the radiation impacts of various RPS designs in relevant spaceflight and terrestrial environments.
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
Terahertz response of monolayer and few-layer WTe2 at the nanoscale
Abstract Tungsten ditelluride (WTe 2 ) is an atomically layered transition metal dichalcogenide whose physical properties change systematically from monolayer to bilayer and few-layer versions. In this report, we use apertureless scattering-type near-field optical microscopy operating at Terahertz (THz) frequencies and cryogenic temperatures to study the distinct THz range electromagnetic responses of mono-, bi- and trilayer WTe 2 in the same multi-terraced micro-crystal. THz nano-images of monolayer terraces uncovered weakly insulating behavior that is consistent with transport measurements. The near-field signal on bilayer regions shows moderate metallicity with negligible temperature dependence. Subdiffractional THz imaging data together with theoretical calculations involving thermally activated carriers favor the semimetal scenario with $$\Delta \approx -10\,{{{\rm{meV}}}}$$ Δ ≈ − 10 meV over the semiconductor scenario for bilayer WTe 2 . Also, we observed clear metallic behavior of the near-field signal on trilayer regions. Our data are consistent with the existence of surface plasmon polaritons in the THz range confined to trilayer terraces in our specimens. Finally, data for microcrystals up to 12 layers thick reveal how the response of a few-layer WTe 2 asymptotically approaches the bulk limit.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Mutual Inductance Level Sensor for Use in Liquid Metals
Electromagnetic instrumentation capable of measuring the level of liquid metal has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL) Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL). The mutual inductance level sensor (MILS) utilizes the electromagnetic coupling between two coil conductors and a surrounding liquid metal to determine the level of the liquid metal. Mineral insulated cables wrapped on a stainless steel core provide a durable sensor construction. The use of a sealed stainless steel thimble isolates the sensor from the high-temperature liquid metal, allowing for easy sensor maintenance. Modern digital electronics allow for reliable and accurate operation of the sensor. Two sensor variations have been designed and fabricated, and the first variation has seen extensive testing in a non-sodium testing stand as well as in the high-temperature sodium environment of METL. Electromagnetic finite-element analysis studies have been performed using the COMSOL Magnetic Fields Solver. Regular operation of the MILS will commence following in-situ calibration of the sensors in the METL environment.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
High-performance, low-operating voltage, and solution-processable organic field-effect transistor with silk fibroin as the gate dielectric
We report the use of silk fibroin as the gate dielectric material in solution-processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the semiconducting layer. Such OFETs exhibit a low threshold of −0.77 V and a low-operating voltage (0 to −3 V) compatible with the voltage level commonly-used in current electronic industry. The carrier mobility of such OFETs is as high as 0.21 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1} in the saturation regime, comparable to the best value of P3HT-based OFETs with dielectric layer that is not solution-processed. The high-performance of this kind of OFET is related with the high content of β strands in fibroin dielectric which leads to an array of fibers in a highly ordered structure, thus reducing the trapping sites at the semiconductor/dielectric interface.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Nonlinear analog processing with anisotropic nonlinear films
Digital signal processing is the cornerstone of several modern-day technologies, yet in multiple applications it faces critical bottlenecks related to memory and speed constraints. Thanks to recent advances in metasurface design and fabrication, light-based analog computing has emerged as a viable option to partially replace or augment digital approaches. Several light-based analog computing functionalities have been demonstrated using patterned flat optical elements, with great opportunities for integration in compact nanophotonic systems. So far, however, the available operations have been restricted to the linear regime, limiting the impact of this technology to a compactification of Fourier optics systems. In this paper, we introduce nonlinear operations to the field of metasurface-based analog optical processing, demonstrating that nonlinear optical phenomena, combined with nonlocality in flat optics, can be leveraged to synthesize kernels beyond linear Fourier optics, paving the way to a broad range of new opportunities. As a practical demonstration, we report the experimental synthesis of a class of nonlinear operations that can be used to realize broadband, polarization-selective analog-domain edge detection.
analog image processing↗
Electrodynamic model of the field effect transistor application for THz/subTHz radiation detection: Subthreshold and above threshold operation
Developed in this work is an electrodynamic model of field effect transistor (FET) application for THz/subTHz radiation detection. It is based on solution of the Maxwell equations in the gate dielectric, expression for current in the channel, which takes into account both the drift and diffusion current components, and the equation of current continuity. For the regimes under and above threshold at the strong inversion the response voltage, responsivity, wave impedance, power of ohmic loss in the gate and channel have been found, and the electrical noise equivalent power (ENEP) has been estimated. The responsivity is orders of magnitude higher and ENEP under threshold is orders of magnitude less than these values above threshold. Under the threshold, the electromagnetic field in the gate oxide is identical to field of the plane waves in free-space. At the same time, for strong inversion the charging of the gate capacitance through the resistance of channel determines the electric field in oxide.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Scale-up Testing of Advanced Polaris Membrane in CO2 Capture Technology
This final technical report describes work conducted by Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) on the scale-up and testing of advanced Polaris™ membrane CO2 capture technology at the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) under award number DE-FE0031591. The work was performed from August 1, 2018 through January 31, 2023. The overall goal of this project was to design, build and operate an advanced Polaris membrane CO2 capture system at TCM. MTR was assisted in this project by Trimeric Corporation (Trimeric), an engineering design services company, the Carbon Capture Simulation for Industry Impact (CCSI2), a partnership among national laboratories, industry, and academic institutions, and the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM), who provided the host site for the slipstream field test. This report details the work conducted to scale-up MTR’s second-generation (Gen-2) Polaris membrane and advanced planar membrane modules to a final form factor optimized for commercial use; validate their performance in an engineering-scale field test at TCM; and to show the potential of the MTR process to meet DOE CO2 capture targets from large source point emitters. Work for this project included membrane optimization and scale-up, advanced planar module design and fabrication, design and fabrication of an engineering-scale field test membrane skid, operation of the field test skid processing Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC) industrial flue gas at TCM, and a detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA) of the MTR membrane post-combustion process for CO2 capture. This project validated recent membrane technology advancements at the engineering-scale, moves the MTR advanced post-combustion capture technology to TRL-6, and mitigates risk in future Large Pilot or Demonstration scale-up activities.
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
Low Offset and Noise in High Biased GaN 2DEG Hall-Effect Plates Investigated With Infrared Microscopy
This article presents GaN two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) Hall plates with low residual offset and noise at 3 V input bias. We studied devices made from three consecutive fabrication generations through current spinning offset measurements in a zero-field chamber. When operated above 1 V, the first-generation devices charted high residual offsets >1 mT. We reduced these residual offsets by three orders of magnitude in later device generations. Two experiments were performed to confirm the improvements. First, the GaN 2DEG Hall-effect plates were measured with infrared microscopy during current spinning to investigate current crowding and Joule heating. The low offset devices had minimal thermal gradients while the high offset devices had large thermal variations during current spinning. Second, zero-field current spinning was used to compare GaN 2DEG Hall-effect plates against typical commercial silicon Hall-effect plates. The Si devices had residual offsets >10μT biased at 3 V and AlGaN/GaN devices had residual offset <4 μT at 3 V, and an InAlN/GaN devices operated at 2 V had a residual offset <4 μT . Thus, for the first time, GaN 2DEG Hall-effect plates were shown to operate with high bias with low offsets and noise, which enables high fidelity sensing applications in extreme environments.
2DEG↗
SUBTASK 2.19 – OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY OF CO2 TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced in large quantities during electricity generation and by industrial processes. These CO2 streams vary in terms of both composition and mass flow rate, sometimes substantially. The impact of a varying CO2 stream on pipeline and storage operation is not fully understood in terms of either operability or infrastructure robustness. This study was performed to summarize basic background from the literature on the topic of operational flexibility of CO2 transport and storage, but the primary focus was on compiling real-world lessons learned about flexible operation of CO2 pipelines and storage from both large-scale field demonstrations and commercial operating experience. Modeling and pilot-scale results of research in this area were included to illustrate some of the questions that exist relative to operation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with variable CO2 streams. It is hoped that this report’s real-world findings provide readers with useful information on the topic of transport and storage of variable CO2 streams. The real-world results were obtained from two sources. The first source consisted of five full-scale, commercial transport–storage projects: Sleipner, Snøhvit, In Salah, Weyburn, and Illinois Basin–Decatur. These scenarios were reviewed to determine the information that is available about CO2 stream variability/intermittency on these demonstration-scale projects. The five projects all experienced mass flow variability or an interruption in flow. In each case, pipeline and/or injection engineers were able to accommodate any issues that arose. Significant variability in composition has not been an issue at these five sites. The second source of real- world results was telephone interviews conducted with experts in CO2 pipeline transport, injection, and storage during which commercial anecdotal information was acquired to augment that found during the literature search of the five full-scale projects. The experts represented a range of disciplines and hailed from North America and Europe. Major findings of the study are that compression and transport of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) purposes in the United States has shown that impurities are not likely to cause transport problems if CO2 stream composition standards are maintained and pressures are kept at 10.3 MPa or higher. Cyclic, or otherwise intermittent, CO2 supplies historically have not impacted in-field distribution pipeline networks, wellbore integrity, or reservoir conditions. The U.S. EOR industry has demonstrated that it is possible to adapt to variability and intermittency in CO2 supply through flexible operation of the pipeline and geologic storage facility. This CO2 transport and injection experience represents knowledge that can be applied in future CCS projects. A number of gaps in knowledge were identified that may benefit from future research and development, further enhancing the possibility for widespread application of CCS. This project was funded through the Energy & Environmental Research Center–U.S. Department of Energy Joint Program on Research and Development for Fossil Energy-Related Resources Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC26-08NT43291. Nonfederal funding was provided by the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme.
Jensen, Melanie↗
Realization of a gas puff imaging system on the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator
A system for studying the spatiotemporal dynamics of fluctuations in the boundary of the W7-X plasma using the “Gas-Puff Imaging” (GPI) technique has been designed, constructed, installed, and operated. This GPI system addresses a number of challenges specific to long-pulse superconducting devices, such as W7-X, including the long distance between the plasma and the vacuum vessel wall, the long distance between the plasma and diagnostic ports, the range of last closed flux surface (LCFS) locations for different magnetic configurations in W7-X, and management of heat loads on the system’s plasma-facing components. The system features a pair of “converging–diverging” nozzles for partially collimating the gas puffed locally ≈135 mm radially outboard of the plasma boundary, a pop-up turning mirror for viewing the gas puff emission from the side (which also acts as a shutter for the re-entrant vacuum window), and a high-throughput optical system that collects visible emission resulting from the interaction between the puffed gas and the plasma and directs it along a water-cooled re-entrant tube directly onto the 8 × 16 pixel detector array of the fast camera. The DEGAS 2 neutral code was used to simulate the Hα (656 nm) and HeI (587 nm) line emission expected from well-characterized gas-puffs of H2 and He and excited within typical edge plasma profiles in W7-X, thereby predicting line brightnesses used to reduce the risks associated with system sensitivity and placement of the field of view. Operation of GPI on W7-X shows excellent signal-to-noise ratios (>100 at 2 Mframes/s) over the field of view for minimally perturbing gas puffs. The GPI system provides detailed measurements of the two-dimensional (radial and poloidal) dynamics of plasma fluctuations in the W7-X edge and scrape-off layer and in and around the magnetic islands outside the LCFS that make up the island divertor configuration employed on W7-X.
Instruments & Instrumentation↗
Thermal-to-electric energy conversion using ferroelectric film capacitors
The capacitive ferroelectric thermoelectric converter harvesting electrical energy through non-linear capacitance variation caused by changes in temperature is analyzed. The ferroelectric material used was the thin (0.5 μm) Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3} film. On the basis of experimental dependencies of the ferroelectric film permittivity on temperature ranging from 100 K to 350 K under different electric fields up to 80 V/μm, the optimum values of operating temperatures and electric field for the energy harvesting optimization were determined. For the temperature oscillations of ±15 K around room temperature and electric field about 40 V/μm, the harvested energy was estimated as 30 mJ/cm{sup 3}. It is shown that the use of thin ferroelectric films for rapid capacitance variation versus temperature and microelectromechanical systems for fast temperature modulations may be a relevant solution for creation of small power scale generators for portable electronics.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Fast and sensitive detection of an oscillating charge
We investigate the high-frequency operation of a percolation field effect transistor to monitor microwave excited single trapped charge. Readout is accomplished by measuring the effect of the polarization field associated with the oscillating charge on the AC signal generated in the channel due to charge pumping. This approach is sensitive to the relative phase between the polarization field and the pumped current, which is different from the conventional approach relying on the amplitude only. Therefore, despite the very small influence of the single oscillating trapped electron, a large signal can be detected. Experimental results show large improvement in both signal-to-noise ratio and measurement bandwidth.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗