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At least 847 records · Page 47

Can Neutron Star Tidal Effects Obscure Deviations from General Relativity?

Abstract One of the main goals of gravitational-wave astrophysics is to study gravity in the strong-field regime and constrain deviations from general relativity (GR). Any such deviation affects not only binary dynamics and gravitational-wave emission but also the structure and tidal properties of compact objects. In the case of neutron stars, masses, radii, and tidal deformabilities can all differ significantly between different theories of gravity. Currently, the measurement uncertainties in neutron star radii and tidal deformabilities are quite large. However, much less is known about how the large uncertainty in the nuclear equation of state (EOS) might affect tests of GR using binary neutron star mergers. Conversely, using the wrong theory of gravity might lead to incorrect constraints on the nuclear EOS. Here, we study this problem within scalar–tensor (ST) theory. We apply the recently derived ℓ = 2 tidal Love numbers in this theory to parameter estimation of GW170817. Correspondingly, we test if physics beyond GR could bias measurements of the nuclear EOS and neutron star radii. We find that parameter inference for both the GR and ST cases returns consistent component masses and tidal deformabilities. The radius and the EOS posteriors, however, differ between the two theories, but neither is excluded by current observational limits. This indicates that measurements of the nuclear EOS may be biased and that deviations from GR could go undetected when analyzing current binary neutron star mergers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Cosmological quasiparticles and the cosmological collider

The interplay between cosmology and strongly coupled dynamics can yield transient spectral features that vanish at late times, but which may leave behind phenomenological signatures in the spectrum of primordial fluctuations. Of particular interest are strongly coupled extensions of the standard model featuring approximate conformal invariance. In flat space, the spectral density for a scalar operator in a conformal field theory is characterized by a continuum with scaling law governed by the dimension of the operator, and is otherwise featureless. Anti–de Sitter/conformal field theory arguments suggest that for large 𝑁, in an inflationary background with Hubble rate 𝐻, this continuum is gapped. We demonstrate that there can be additional peak structures that become sharp and particlelike at phenomenologically interesting regions in parameter space, and we estimate their contribution to cosmological observables. We find phenomena that are potentially observable in future experiments that are unique to these models, including displaced oscillatory features in the squeezed limit of the bispectrum. These particles can be either fundamental, and localized to a UV brane, or composite at the Hubble scale, 𝐻, and bound to a horizon in the bulk of the 5D geometry. We comment on how stabilization of conformal symmetry breaking vacua can be correlated with these spectral features and their phenomenology.

conformal field theory↗

Predicting 1 H NMR relaxation in Gd 3+ -aqua using molecular dynamics simulations

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations are used to predict 1 H NMR T 1 relaxation of water from paramagnetic Gd 3+ ions in solution at 25 °C. Simulations of the T 1 relaxivity dispersion function r 1 computed from the Gd 3+ – 1 H dipole–dipole autocorrelation function agree within ≃8% of measurements in the range f 0 ≃ 5 ↔ 500 MHz, without any adjustable parameters in the interpretation of the simulations, and without any relaxation models. Here the simulation results are discussed in the context of the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan inner-sphere relaxation model, and the Hwang-Freed outer-sphere relaxation model. Below f 0 ≲ 5 MHz, the simulation overestimates r 1 compared to measurements, which is used to estimate the zero-field electron-spin relaxation time. The simulations show potential for predicting r 1 at high frequencies in chelated Gd 3+ contrast-agents used for clinical MRI.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

SOLAR FLARE PREDICTION USING SDO/HMI VECTOR MAGNETIC FIELD DATA WITH A MACHINE-LEARNING ALGORITHM

We attempt to forecast M- and X-class solar flares using a machine-learning algorithm, called support vector machine (SVM), and four years of data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory's Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, the first instrument to continuously map the full-disk photospheric vector magnetic field from space. Most flare forecasting efforts described in the literature use either line-of-sight magnetograms or a relatively small number of ground-based vector magnetograms. This is the first time a large data set of vector magnetograms has been used to forecast solar flares. We build a catalog of flaring and non-flaring active regions sampled from a database of 2071 active regions, comprised of 1.5 million active region patches of vector magnetic field data, and characterize each active region by 25 parameters. We then train and test the machine-learning algorithm and we estimate its performances using forecast verification metrics with an emphasis on the true skill statistic (TSS). We obtain relatively high TSS scores and overall predictive abilities. We surmise that this is partly due to fine-tuning the SVM for this purpose and also to an advantageous set of features that can only be calculated from vector magnetic field data. We also apply a feature selection algorithm to determine which of our 25 features are useful for discriminating between flaring and non-flaring active regions and conclude that only a handful are needed for good predictive abilities.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The spherically symmetric gravitational collapse of a clump of solids in a gas

In the subject of planetesimal formation, several mechanisms have been identified that create dense particle clumps in the solar nebula. The present work is concerned with the gravitational collapse of such clumps, idealized as being spherically symmetric. Fully nonlinear simulations using the two-fluid model are carried out (almost) up to the time when a central density singularity forms. We refer to this as the collapse time. The end result of the study is a parametrization of the collapse time, in order that it may be compared with timescales for various disruptive effects to which clumps may be subject in a particular situation. An important effect that determines the collapse time is that as the clump compresses, it also compresses the gas due to drag. This increases gas pressure, which retards particle collapse and can lead to oscillation in the size and density of the clump. In the limit of particles perfectly coupled to the gas, the characteristic ratio of gravitational force to gas pressure becomes relevant and defines a two-phase Jeans parameter, J{sub t}, which is the classical Jeans parameter with the speed of sound replaced by an effective wave speed in the coupled two-fluid medium. The parameter J{sub t} remains useful even away from the perfect coupling limit because it makes the simulation results insensitive to the initial density ratio of particles to gas (Φ{sub 0}) as a separate parameter. A simple ordinary differential equation model is developed. It takes the form of two coupled non-linear oscillators and reproduces key features of the simulations. Finally, a parametric study of the time to collapse is performed and a formula (fit to the simulations) is developed. In the incompressible limit J{sub t}→0, collapse time equals the self-sedimentation time, which is inversely proportional to the Stokes number. As J{sub t} increases, the collapse time decreases with J{sub t} and eventually becomes approximately equal to the dynamical time. Values of collapse time versus clump size are given for a minimum-mass solar nebula. Finally, the timescale of clump erosion due to turbulent strain is estimated.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Integrated parameter and process learning for hydrologic and biogeochemical modules in Earth System Models

Focus area: Primary focal area #2; secondary focal area #3: Learning about parameters and processes of land surface hydrologic and biogeochemical models in Earth System models by integrating machine learning, physics, and big data. Science challenges: How do we maximally leverage big-data observations to improve hydrobiogeochemical process description and parameterization so that such modules more realistically capture hydrologic and vegetation responses and feedbacks under the future climate? For example, how can we leverage physics, limited observations of vegetation and streamflow to better estimate evapotranspiration, and, relatedly, net primary productivity, especially for drought areas? Vegetation plays a critical role in regional and global water cycles; however, existing vegetation models have failed to predict vegetation response to droughts (McDowell & Xu, 2017) , arctic greening (Keenan & Riley, 2018) , and critical transitions between forest and savanna (Hirota et al., 2011) . These studies suggest that when we build process-based models (PBM) parameterized from regional and global plant traits, we tend to poorly describe plant adaptation and local-scale competition processes. The models and their associated parameters assigned for different regions in the world are not capturing essential heterogeneity in vegetation responses at finer spatial scales. Many parameters of the land surface models control hydrology and vegetation dynamics at the same time. The heterogeneity in vegetation response is a function of (i) plant type, (ii) plant size, (iii) competition and succession, (iv) environmental controls, and (v) local variations due to the unique ecological community that are very difficult to describe (e.g., the size of gaps resulting from fire that facilitated the coexistence of pioneering species). In the demographic models, only factors (i) and (iv) were captured, and plant types were generally described only by leaf phenology and climate zones. With current demographic models, we generally consider more traits to define plant types (i) and calibrate these traits to consider factors (ii), (iii) and (iv); however, it is substantially challenging to scale to regional and global simulations due to trait variations across space (Ali et al., 2016). Moreover, it has been noted that hillslope processes, including ridge-to-valley flow and sunny vs. shady slopes are primary organizers of water, energy, and vegetation (Clark et al., 2015; Fan et al., 2019) . Although gradual improvements in the hydrologic model component in earth system models may reduce this error (at a remarkably slow pace), the long-term, gradual impact of hydrology on plant traits are not well captured. Recent work showed that the hydrologic controls exerted by groundwater and lateral flow are primary regulators of rooting depth (Fan et al., 2017) . Such hydrologic controls have seldom been reflected in vegetation model parameterizations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Design Process for the Development of a New Truck Monitoring System - 13306

Canberra Industries, Inc. has designed a new truck monitoring system for a facility in Japan. The customer desires to separately quantify the Cs-137 and Cs-134 content of truck cargo entering and leaving a Waste Consolidation Area. The content of the trucks will be some combination of sand, soil, and vegetation with densities ranging from 0.3 g/cc - 1.6 g/cc. The typical weight of the trucks will be approximately 10 tons, but can vary between 4 and 20 tons. The system must be sensitive enough to detect 100 Bq/kg in 10 seconds (with less than 10% relative standard deviation) but still have enough dynamic range to measure 1,000,000 Bq/kg material. The system will be operated in an outdoor environment. Starting from these requirements, Canberra explored all aspects of the counting system in order to provide the customer with the optimized solution. The desire to separately quantify Cs-137 and Cs-134 favors the use of a spectroscopic system as a solution. Using the In Situ Object Counting System (ISOCS) mathematical efficiency calculation tool, we explored various detector types, number, and physical arrangement for maximum performance. Given the choice of detector, the ISOCS software was used to investigate which geometric parameters (fill height, material density, etc.) caused the most fluctuations in the efficiency results. Furthermore, these variations were used to obtain quantitative estimates of the uncertainties associated with the possible physical variations in the truck size, detector positioning, and material composition, density, and fill height. Various shielding options were also explored to ensure that any measured Cs content would be from the truck and not from the surrounding area. The details of the various calculations along with the final design are given. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Theory of an Automatic Seepage Meter and Ramifications for Applications

A new approach for measuring fluxes across surface water—groundwater interfaces was recently proposed. The Automatic Seepage Meter (ASM) is equipped with a precise water level sensor and digital memory that analyzes water level time series in a vertical tube inserted into a streambed. The ability to infer flux values with high temporal resolution relies on an accurate interpretation of water level dynamics inside the tube. Here, we reduce the three-dimensional hydrodynamic problem that describes the ASM water level in a variety of field conditions to a single ordinary differential equation. This novel general analytical solution for estimating ASM responses is more comprehensive and flexible than previous approaches and is applicable to the entire range of field conditions, including steady or transient stream stages, evaporation, rainfall, and noise. For example, our analysis determines the timing of the nonmonotonic ASM response to a monotonic linear stream stage variation and explains previously used empirical parabolic approximation for estimating fluxes. We present algorithms for simultaneous inference of vertical interface flux and hydraulic conductivity values together with an example code. We quantify how the accuracy of parameter estimation depends on test duration and noise amplitude and propose how our analysis can be used to optimize field test protocols. On this basis, changing the ASM geometry by increasing the radius and decreasing tube insertion depth may enable ASM field test protocols that estimate interface flux and hydraulic conductivity faster while maintaining desired accuracy. Potential applications of joint parameter estimation are suggested.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

LandScan Mosaic

The LandScan program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in collaboration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), continues to deliver the most accurate and up to date global, high resolution gridded population data. Additionally, the latest advancements in the LandScan HD methodology led to reduced latency in development of rapid updates for geopolitical events. With momentum towards reporting more up to date population estimates, feedback from the user community expressed interest in reporting population estimates in ranges - whether to express a level of uncertainty or confirm to leadership and stakeholders the modeled data are estimates. Building upon the need to understand uncertainty or confidence in the modeled data and report ranges at the global scale, LandScan Mosaic was developed. LandScan Mosaic represents the next generation of high-resolution population modeling, building upon the established success of previous LandScan HD iterations. While LandScan HD employed a deterministic big data fusion approach, LandScan Mosaic enhances this methodology by integrating advanced machine learning techniques to impute missing, yet crucial, population model parameters. This advancement allows for probabilistic modeling of building occupancy and population distribution, incorporating uncertainty quantification through Monte Carlo sampling methods. By combining big data fusion with machine learning-driven imputation and stochastic modeling, LandScan Mosaic provides a more comprehensive and robust representation of population dynamics. LandScan Mosaic will be following the in the footsteps of its longstanding counterpart LandScan Global and releasing a global gridded population raster, at the 3-arcsecond resolution. This technical report documents the current stage of development of LandScan Mosaic, detailing the methodologies and data sources behind the modeling. Stakeholders are encouraged to use this document as an authoritative reference for insight into Mosaic’s data development processes. However, readers should note that LandScan Mosaic remains in a late-stage research and development phase, and methodologies and data presented here are subject to refinements ahead of the anticipated global release in Summer 2025. Feedback and inquiries from users and stakeholders are welcomed as we continue to refine and enhance this important population resource.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

3D-HST+CANDELS: The evolution of the galaxy size-mass distribution since z = 3

Spectroscopic+photometric redshifts, stellar mass estimates, and rest-frame colors from the 3D-HST survey are combined with structural parameter measurements from CANDELS imaging to determine the galaxy size-mass distribution over the redshift range 0 < z < 3. Separating early- and late-type galaxies on the basis of star-formation activity, we confirm that early-type galaxies are on average smaller than late-type galaxies at all redshifts, and we find a significantly different rate of average size evolution at fixed galaxy mass, with fast evolution for the early-type population, R {sub eff}∝(1 + z){sup –1.48}, and moderate evolution for the late-type population, R {sub eff}∝(1 + z){sup –0.75}. The large sample size and dynamic range in both galaxy mass and redshift, in combination with the high fidelity of our measurements due to the extensive use of spectroscopic data, not only fortify previous results but also enable us to probe beyond simple average galaxy size measurements. At all redshifts the slope of the size-mass relation is shallow, R{sub eff}∝M{sub ∗}{sup 0.22}, for late-type galaxies with stellar mass >3 × 10{sup 9} M {sub ☉}, and steep, R{sub eff}∝M{sub ∗}{sup 0.75}, for early-type galaxies with stellar mass >2 × 10{sup 10} M {sub ☉}. The intrinsic scatter is ≲0.2 dex for all galaxy types and redshifts. For late-type galaxies, the logarithmic size distribution is not symmetric but is skewed toward small sizes: at all redshifts and masses, a tail of small late-type galaxies exists that overlaps in size with the early-type galaxy population. The number density of massive (∼10{sup 11} M {sub ☉}), compact (R {sub eff} < 2 kpc) early-type galaxies increases from z = 3 to z = 1.5-2 and then strongly decreases at later cosmic times.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analysis of the Switching Characteristics of MRAM Cells Based on Materials with Uniaxial Anisotropy

Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) has some advantages over other types of memory. However, MRAM has one substantial drawback: the current density and magnetic field that must be applied to switch the spin-valve free layer inside an MRAM cell are too high. The dependence of the current density and switching magnetic field on the magnetic parameters of the material from which the ferromagnetic layers of a spin valve are fabricated is therefore analyzed. A comparison of the critical characteristics of a spin valve with longitudinal anisotropy shows that cobalt, iron, and alloys of them; cobalt ferroborates; and alloys of cobalt with gadolinium, are promising materials for fabricating spin valves. Bifurcation diagrams of equations that describe the valve switching process are presented and analyzed. The four optimum switching modes of a valve are selected, based on an investigation of the dynamics of the magnetization vector. The magnitudes of the external magnetic field and controlling injection current that correspond to stable MRAM cell switching are compared for a variety of materials. The switching time of an MRAM cell is estimated numerically, and the conditions for its optimum speed are determined. It is established that the most promising materials for spin-valve fabrication are Fe{sub 40}Co{sub 40}B{sub 20} and Co{sub 80}Gd{sub 20}, annealed at 300 and 200°C, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of Hydrogen Bonding on Nuclear Data Development of Liquid Anhydrous HF

Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) at high temperatures and pressures is used to process and manufacture nuclear fuel. As HF is often used directly with uranium, correct neutron thermal scattering cross sections are crucial to criticality safety applications. Classical molecular dynamics (CMD) simulation of the flexible HF system was used to create the thermal scattering law (TSL) and cross sections. The initial 2-site model is used in LAMMPS, and it can not capture the H-bond. To correctly represent the H-bond effects, a second, 3-site model was constructed in GROMACS. The 3-site model handled H-bonds by connecting a massless charge to the molecule. Key model parameters were compared to experimental data to verify the approach and models. To get the normalized VACF, the model was compared using hydrogen and fluorine bond length, density, potential energy, and diffusion coefficient. The phonon DOSs for both models were derived from the normalized VACF. DOSs were used to estimate the TSL ( S ( α, β )) and neutron thermal scattering cross sections for hydrogen in HF. The TSLs were evaluated using the FLASSH code with the Schofield diffusion model. It was observed that the representation of the hydrogen bonding changes the TSL's diffusional contributions. This is represented in the low energy scattering cross section, where intermolecular binding effects shift the cross section.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Water desorption from rapidly-heated metal oxide surfaces—first principles, molecular dynamics, and the Temkin isotherm

Quantitative understanding and control of water and impurity desorption from steel surfaces are crucial for high-voltage, pulsed power, vacuum technology, catalysis, and environmental applications. We apply a suite of modeling techniques, ranging from electronic density functional theory, to classical molecular dynamics (MD) and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) methods to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of fast water desorption from different surfaces of hematite Fe 2 O 3 and Cr 2 O 3 . Water binding energies on chromium oxide are found to be higher than iron oxide at zero temperature. MD simulations are conducted on Fe 2 O 3 surfaces using thermodynamically consistent initial water inventory deduced with GCMC. The resulting time- and temperature-dependent desorption profiles on the Fe 2 O 3 ($0001$) surfaces show multi-water cooperative behavior which cannot be deduced from zero temperature predictions, but which are in reasonable agreement with simple Temkin isotherm model estimates if finite temperature effects are incorporated into the Temkin binding energy parameter. Finally, qualitatively different desorption behaviors associated with the ($0001$) and ($1\bar{1}02$) facets are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Axial, scalar, and tensor charges of the nucleon from 2+1+1-flavor Lattice QCD

We present results for the isovector axial, scalar, and tensor charges 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝐴}$, 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝑆}$, and 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝑇}$ of the nucleon needed to probe the Standard Model and novel physics. The axial charge is a fundamental parameter describing the weak interactions of nucleons. The scalar and tensor charges probe novel interactions at the TeV scale in neutron and nuclear 𝛽-decays, and the flavor-diagonal tensor charges 𝑔$^{𝑢}_{𝑇}$, 𝑔$^{𝑑}_{𝑇}$, and 𝑔$^{𝑠}_{𝑇}$ are needed to quantify the contribution of the quark electric dipole moment (EDM) to the neutron EDM. The lattice-QCD calculations were done using nine ensembles of gauge configurations generated by the MILC Collaboration using the highly improved staggered quarks action with 2+1+1 dynamical flavors. These ensembles span three lattice spacings 𝑎 ≈0.06,0.09, and 0.12 fm and light-quark masses corresponding to the pion masses 𝑀 𝜋 ≈ 135,225, and 315 MeV. High-statistics estimates on five ensembles using the all-mode-averaging method allow us to quantify all systematic uncertainties and perform a simultaneous extrapolation in the lattice spacing, lattice volume, and light-quark masses for the connected contributions. Our final estimates, in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme at 2 GeV, of the isovector charges are 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝐴}$ = 1.195⁢(33)⁢(20), 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝑆}$ = 0.97⁢(12)⁢(6), and 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝑇}$ = 0.987⁢(51)⁢(20). The first error includes statistical and all systematic uncertainties except that due to the extrapolation Ansatz, which is given by the second error estimate. Combining our estimate for 𝑔$^{𝑢−𝑑}_{𝑆}$ with the difference of light quarks masses (𝑚 𝑑 − 𝑚 𝑢 ) QCD = 2.67⁢(35) MeV given by the Flavor Lattice Average Group, we obtain (𝑀 𝑁 − 𝑀 𝑃 ) QCD = 2.59⁢(49) MeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of ion temperature and toroidal flow during magnetic reconnection with a large guide field

Here, ion temperature and toroidal flow along the guide field direction are measured using a new ion tomographic diagnostic on the Magnetic Reconnection eXperiment (MRX) during magnetic reconnection with a guide field strength of about 1.4 and 2.1 times the strength of the reconnecting component. Strong toroidal flows, beyond what has been measured in anti-parallel and lower guide field conditions on MRX, are observed. Sustained ion heating with no discernible structure within the measurement region is also observed. Probe measurements including Langmuir and Mach probe measurements are made to support the tomographic inversion of line-integrated measurements, as well as to provide local measurements of plasma parameters. Measurements of toroidal velocity and ion temperature are supported with time series data. Energy flow into and out of the X-line region is estimated using a guiding center framework and presented in the Appendix of this manuscript, suggesting an outsized role played by parallel electric field in energizing ions. The guiding center approximation is not well satisfied in the region of interest; however, the estimates provide a springboard for future, further experimentation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Energy Exascale Earth System Model Version 3: 1. Overview of the Atmospheric Component

This paper describes the atmospheric component of the US Department of Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) version 3. Significant updates have been made to the atmospheric physics compared to earlier versions. Specifically, interactive gas chemistry has been implemented, along with improved representations of aerosols and dust emissions. A new stratiform cloud microphysics scheme more physically treats ice processes and aerosol‐cloud interactions. The deep convection parameterization has been largely improved with sophisticated microphysics for convective clouds, making model convection sensitive to large‐scale dynamics, and incorporating the dynamical and physical effects of organized mesoscale convection. Improvements in aerosol wet removal processes and parameter re‐tuning of key aerosol and cloud processes have improved model aerosol radiative forcing. The model's vertical resolution has increased from 72 to 80 layers with the extra eight layers added in the lower stratosphere to better simulate the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation. These improvements have enhanced E3SM's capability to couple aerosol, chemistry, and biogeochemistry and reduced some long‐standing biases in simulating tropical variability. Compared to its predecessors, the model shows a much stronger signal for the Madden‐Julian Oscillation, Kelvin waves, mixed Rossby‐gravity waves, and eastward inertia‐gravity waves. Aerosol radiative forcing has been considerably reduced and is now better aligned with community best estimates, leading to significantly improved skill in simulating historical temperature records. Its simulated mean‐state climate is largely comparable to E3SMv2, but with some notable degradation in shortwave cloud radiative effect, precipitable water, and surface wind stress, which will be addressed in future updates.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

An approach for estimating the uncertainty in ParaDiS predictions

This report outlines an approach for computing the uncertainties in the predictions of computationally expensive models. While general, we use ParaDiS , a dislocation dynamics simulator originating in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as the target application. ParaDiS is a mesoscale model, and uses submodels constructed/upscaled from microscale (molecular statics and dynamics) simulations. ParaDiS outputs, in turn, are upscaled and used in continuum (macroscale) simulations, e.g., those performed by ALE3D. This report addresses how one may quantify the uncertainties introduced by upscaling (both from microscale to mesoscale, and mesoscale to continuum), and the dependence of uncertainties in ParaDiS predictions on those of the inputs. This dependence is established via sensitivity analysis, and we address how this may be performed with a minimum of ParaDiS runs, given its immense computational cost. This includes constructing a smaller version of the model, sparse sampling of the parameter space, and exploiting the asymptotic nature of the time-evolution of the model outputs. The report concludes with a discussion of the computational resources required to perform this uncertainty quantification study.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Ac losses in field-cooled type I superconducting cavities

As superconductors are cooled below their critical temperature, stray magnetic flux can become trapped in regions that remain normal. The presence of trapped flux facilitates dissipation of ac current in a superconductor, leading to losses in superconducting elements of microwave devices. In type II superconductors, dissipation is well-understood in terms of the dynamics of vortices hosting a single flux quantum. In contrast, the ac response of type I superconductors with trapped flux has not received much attention. Building on Andreev's early work (Andreev 1967 Sov. Phys. JETP 24 1019), here we show theoretically that the dominant dissipation mechanism is the absorption of the ac field at the exposed surfaces of the normal regions, while the deformation of the superconducting/normal interfaces is unimportant. We use the developed theory to estimate the degradation of the quality factors in field-cooled cavities, and we satisfactorily compare these theoretical estimates to the measured field dependence of the quality factors of two aluminum cavities. We also identify a regime in which the dissipated power depends weakly on the Ginzburg-Landau parameter; this makes it possible to apply our findings to cavities made of other materials, such as niobium.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗