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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 865 records · Page 48

Further Examination of a Simplified Model for Positronium-Helium Scattering

While carrying out investigations on Ps-He scattering we realized that it would be possible to improve the results of a previous work on zero-energy scattering of ortho-positronium by helium atoms. The previous work used a model to account for exchange and also attempted to include the effect of short-range Coulomb interactions in the close-coupling approximation. The 3 terms that were then included did not produce a well-converged result but served to give some justification to the model. Now we improve the calculation by using a simple variational wave function, and derive a much better value of the scattering length. The new result is compared with other computed values, and when an approximate correction due to the van der Waals potential is included the total is consistent with an earlier conjecture.

DiRienzi, J.↗

Spatiotemporal Organization of Energy Release Events in the Quiet Solar Corona

Using data from the STEREO and SOHO spacecraft, we show that temporal organization of energy release events in the quiet solar corona is close to random, in contrast to the clustered behavior of flaring times in solar active regions. The locations of the quiet-Sun events follow the meso- and supergranulation pattern of the underling photosphere. Together with earlier reports of the scale-free event size statistics, our findings suggest that quiet solar regions responsible for bulk coronal heating operate in a driven self-organized critical state, possibly involving long-range Alfvenic interactions.

sun activity↗

Representation of Modes of Variability in 6 U.S. Climate Models

We compare the performance of several modes of variability across six US climate modeling groups, with a focus on identifying robust improvements in recent models (including those participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) Phase 6) compared to previous versions. In particular, we examine the representation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), the El Ni˜no/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) in the tropical stratosphere and the dominant modes of extra-tropical variability, including the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), the Northern Annular Mode (NAM) (and the closely related North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)), and the Pacific-North American Pattern (PNA). Where feasible, we explore the processes driving these improvements through the use of “intermediary” experiments that utilize model versions between CMIP3/5 and CMIP6 as well as targeted sensitivity experiments in which individual modeling parameters are altered. We find clear and systematic improvements in the MJO and QBO and in the teleconnection patterns associated with the PDO and ENSO. Some gains arise from better process representation, while others (e.g. the QBO) from higher resolution that allows for a greater range of interactions. Our results demonstrate that the incremental development processes in multiple climate model groups lead to more realistic simulations over time.

Modes of variability↗

Semi-Empirical Interatomic Potential for Large-Scale Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Metal-Oxide Systems

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation can be applied to systems containing billions of atoms during times up to microseconds. However, utilization of a large-scale MD simulation requires reliable but computationally cheap interatomic potentials. In the case of metallic systems, embedded atom method (EAM) and Finnis-Sinclair (FS) potentials are the reasonable choices, but their development for multicomponent alloys is a challenge. Addition of oxygen atoms makes the problem of developing semi-empirical potentials even more difficult because the long-range Coulomb interaction cannot be neglected, and different atoms have different charges which vary during MD relaxation such that a charge equilibration procedure should be applied every MD step. As results researchers tend to avoid simulating metal-oxide systems. In this talk, a new Finnis-Sinclair (FS) Ni-Co-Cr potential will be presented. Special attention will be paid to reproducing of the element melting temperatures and clustering. Next, a charge transfer ionic potential (CTIP) developed to simulate the NiO properties will be presented. This potential utilizes the Ni FS potential and accounts for the Coulomb interaction in the vicinity of oxygen atoms. Fitting of the CTIP parameters and FS potential functions describing the interaction with oxygen atoms to the available experimental and ab initio data will be discussed. Results of MD simulation of interaction of NiO particles with dislocations in Ni will be shown.

molecular dynamics simulation↗

LArQL: A phenomenological model for treating light and charge generation in liquid argon

Experimental data shows that both ionization charge and scintillation light in LAr depend on the deposited energy density ($dE/dx$) and electric field ($\mathcal{E}$). Moreover, free ionization charge and scintillation light are anticorrelated, complementary at a given ($dE/dx$, $\mathcal{E}$) pair. We present LArQL, a phenomenological model that provides the anticorrelation between light and charge and its dependence on the deposited energy as well as on the electric field applied. It modifies the Birks' charge model considering the contribution from the escape electrons at null and low electric fields, and reconciles with Birks' model prediction at higher fields. Deviations from current Birks' model are observed for LArTPCs operating at low $\mathcal{E}$ and for heavily ionizing particles. The LArQL model presents a satisfactory description at $dE/dx$ and field ranges for interacting particles in LArTPCs and fits well the available data. Improvements via data sets compilation and global fits are also interesting features of the model.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

An agent-based framework for fuel cycle simulation with recycling

Simulation of the nuclear fuel cycle is an established field with multiple players. Prior development work has utilized techniques such as system dynamics to provide a solution structure for the matching of supply and demand in these simulations. In general, however, simulation infrastructure development has occurred in relatively closed circles, each effort having unique considerations as to the cases which are desired to be modeled. Accordingly, individual simulators tend to have their design decisions driven by specific use cases. Presented in this work is a proposed supply and demand matching algorithm that leverages the techniques of the well-studied field of mathematical programming. A generic approach is achieved by treating facilities as individual entities and actors in the supply-demand market which denote preferences amongst commodities. Using such a framework allows for varying levels of interaction fidelity, ranging from low-fidelity, quick solutions to high-fidelity solutions that model individual transactions (e.g. at the fuel-assembly level). The power of the technique is that it allows such flexibility while still treating the problem in a generic manner, encapsulating simulation engine design decisions in such a way that future simulation requirements can be relatively easily added when needed. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

From Anderson localization on random regular graphs to many-body localization

Highlights: • Anderson transition from ergodicity to localization on random regular graphs (RRG). • Analytical, pool method, and exact-diagonalization study of correlations on RRG. • Many-body localization (MBL) to ergodicity transition: quantum dots and spin chains. • Dynamical eigenstate correlation functions in RRG and MBL problems. • Anderson localization on RRG as a toy model for MBL. The article reviews the physics of Anderson localization on random regular graphs (RRG) and its connections to many-body localization (MBL) in disordered interacting systems. Properties of eigenstate and energy level correlations in delocalized and localized phases, as well at criticality, are discussed. In the many-body part, models with short-range and power-law interactions are considered, as well as the quantum-dot model representing the limit of the “most long-range” interaction. Central themes – which are common to the RRG and MBL problems – include ergodicity of the delocalized phase, localized character of the critical point, strong finite-size effects, and fractal scaling of eigenstate correlations in the localized phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quasi-two-dimensional ferromagnetism and anisotropic interlayer couplings in the magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4

MnBi 2 Te 4 (MBT) is a promising van der Waals layered antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator that combines a topologically nontrivial inverted Bi-Te band gap with ferromagnetic (FM) layers of Mn ions. Here, the inelastic neutron scattering on single crystals reported here describes rather complex magnetism in MBT. The magnetic anisotropy that controls the bulk and surface magnetic field response of MBT is found to have contributions from both single-ion and interlayer two-ion terms. A description of the quasi-two-dimensional intralayer FM spin waves requires long-range, competing FM and AFM interactions and anomalous damping. While this might suggest carrier-mediated magnetic coupling, abinitio calculations in insulating MBT also find long-range interactions, and classical spin dynamics simulations suggest that magnetic vacancies are at least partially responsible for observations of anomalous damping near the zone boundary.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

BCS-BEC crossover of the strongly interacting 6 Li − 40 K mixture

Here, we present quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the properties of a two-component mass-imbalanced Fermi gas, corresponding to the 6 Li − 40 K mixture. We compute the equation of state of the unpolarized system as a function of the scattering length with particular attention paid to the unitary limit, where the effect of the effective range of the interaction is explored. In order to investigate differences from the equal-mass case we also compute the pair-distribution function and the momentum distribution over a range of interaction strengths, which can provide information about the structure of the system. Finally, we compute the heavy-light quasiparticle spectrum for the full crossover regime. Our theoretical predictions, based on quantum Monte Carlo calculations, should inform future theoretical studies and can be tested by experiments with ultracold fermionic gases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dynamics of local magnetic moments induced by itinerant Weyl electrons

We derive the effective interactions between local magnetic moments which are mediated by Weyl electrons in magnetic topological semimetals. The resulting spin dynamics is governed by the induced Heisenberg, Kitaev, and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions with extended range and oscillatory dependence on the distance between the spins. These interactions are realized in multiple competing channels shaped by the multitude of Weyl nodes in the electron spectrum. Microscopic spins need to be spatially modulated with a channel-dependent wave vector in order to take advantage of the interactions. The DM vector is parallel to the displacement between the two interacting spins, and requires the presence of Weyl electron Fermi surfaces. Here, we also derive the Weyl-induced chiral three-spin interaction in the presence of an external magnetic field. This interaction has an extended range as well, and acts upon the spatially modulated spins in various channels. Its tendency is to produce a skyrmion lattice or a chiral spin liquid which exhibits topological Hall effect. Ultimately, the theory developed here addresses magnetic dynamics in relativistic metals even when chiral magnetism is microscopically precluded. We discuss insights into the ordered state of the magnetic Weyl semimetal NdAlSi.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Analytical nuclear gradients for the range-separated many-body dispersion model of noncovalent interactions

An accurate treatment of the long-range electron correlation energy, including van der Waals (vdW) or dispersion interactions, is essential for describing the structure, dynamics, and function of a wide variety of systems. Among the most accurate models for including dispersion into density functional theory (DFT) is the range-separated many-body dispersion (MBD) method [A. Ambrosetti et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2014, 140, 18A508], in which the correlation energy is modeled at short-range by a semi-local density functional and at long-range by a model system of coupled quantum harmonic oscillators. In this work, we develop analytical gradients of the MBD energy with respect to nuclear coordinates, including all implicit coordinate dependencies arising from the partitioning of the charge density into Hirshfeld effective volumes. To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of these MBD gradients for geometry optimizations of systems with intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, we optimized conformers of the benzene dimer and isolated small peptides with aromatic side-chains. We find excellent agreement with the wavefunction theory reference geometries of these systems (at a fraction of the computational cost) and find that MBD consistently outperforms the popular TS and D3(BJ) dispersion corrections. To demonstrate the performance of the MBD model on a larger system with supramolecular interactions, we optimized the C 60 @C 60 H 28 buckyball catcher host–guest complex. In our analysis, we also find that neglecting the implicit nuclear coordinate dependence arising from the charge density partitioning, as has been done in prior numerical treatments, leads to an unacceptable error in the MBD forces, with relative errors of ~20% (on average) that can extend well beyond 100%.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Chain Dynamics in Magnetorheological Suspensions

Magnetorheological (MR) suspensions are composed of colloidal particles which acquire dipole moments when subjected to an external magnetic field. At sufficient field strengths and concentrations, the dipolar particles rapidly aggregate to form long chains. Subsequent lateral cross-linking of the dipolar chains is responsible for a rapid liquid-to-solid-like rheological transition. The unique, magnetically-activated rheological properties of MR suspensions make them ideal for interfacing mechanical systems to electronic controls. Additionally, the ability to experimentally probe colloidal suspensions interacting through tunable anisotropic potentials is of fundamental interest. Our current experimental work has focused on understanding the fluctuations of dipolar chains. It has been proposed by Halsey and Toor (HT) that the strong Landau-Peierls thermal fluctuations of dipolar chains could be responsible for long-range attractions between chains. Such interactions will govern the long-time relaxation of MR suspensions. We have synthesized monodisperse neutrally buoyant MR suspensions by density matching stabilized ferrofluid emulsion droplets with D2O. This allows us to probe the dynamics of the dipolar chains using light scattering without gravitational, interfacial, and polydispersity effects to resolve the short-wavelength dynamics of the dipolar chains. We used diffusing wave spectroscopy to measure these dynamics. The particle displacements at short times that show an independence to the field strength, but at long times exhibit a constrained, sub-diffusive motion that slows as the dipole strength is increased. The experiments are in good qualitative agreement with Brownian dynamics simulations of dipolar chains. Although there have been several important and detailed studies of the structure and interactions in MR suspensions, there has not been conclusive evidence that supports or contradicts the HT model prediction that long-range interactions exist between fluctuating chains of dipolar particles. Resolving this issue would contribute greatly to the understanding of these interesting and important materials. We have begun to test the predictions of the HT model by both examining the dynamics of individual chains and by measuring the forces between dipolar chains directly to accurately and quantitatively assess the interactions that they experience. To do so, we employ optical trapping techniques and video-microscopy to manipulate and observe our samples on the microscopic level. With these techniques, it is possible to observe chains that are fluctuating freely in three-dimensions, independent of interfacial effects. More importantly, we are able to controllably observe the interactions of two chains at various separations to measure the force-distance profile. The techniques also allow us to study the mechanical properties of individual chains and chain clusters. Our work to this point has focused on reversibly-formed dipolar chains due to field induced dipoles where the combination of this chaining, the dipolar forces, and the hydrodynamic interactions that dictate the rheology of the suspensions. One can envision, however, many situations where optical, electronic, or rheological behavior may be optimized with magneto-responsive anisotropic particles. Chains of polarizable particles may have the best properties as they can coil and flex in the absence of a field and stiffen and orient when a field is applied. We have recently demonstrated a synthesis of stable, permanent paramagnetic chains by both covalently and physically linking paramagnetic colloidal particles. The method employed allows us to create monodisperse chains of controlled length. We observed the stability, field-alignment, and rigidity of this new class of materials. The chains may exhibit unique rheological properties in an applied magnetic field over isotropic suspensions of paramagnetic particles. They are also useful rheological models as bead-spring systems. These chains form the basis for our current experiments with optical traps.

Gast, A. P.↗

Liquid state theory of the structure of model polymerized ionic liquids

We employ polymer integral equation theory to study a simplified model of semiflexible polymerized ionic liquids (PolyILs) that interact via hard core repulsions and short range screened Coulomb interactions. The multi-scale structure in real and Fourier space of PolyILs (ions chosen to mimic Li, Na, K, Br, PF 6 , and TFSI) are determined as a function of melt density, Coulomb interaction strength, and ion size. Comparisons with a homopolymer melt, a neutral polymer–solvent-like athermal mixture, and an atomic ionic liquid are carried out to elucidate the distinct manner that ions mediate changes of polymer packing, the role of excluded volume effects, and the influence of chain connectivity, respectively. The effect of Coulomb strength depends in a rich manner on ion size and density, reflecting the interplay of steric packing, ion adsorption, and charge layering. Ion-mediated bridging of monomers is found, which intensifies for larger ions. Intermediate range charge layering correlations are characterized by a many-body screening length that grows with PolyIL density, cooling, and Coulomb strength, in disagreement with Debye–Hückel theory, but in accord with experiments. Qualitative differences in the collective structure, including an ion-size-dependent bifurcation of the polymer structure factor peak and pair correlation function, are predicted. The monomer cage order parameter increases significantly, but its collective ion counterpart decreases, as ions become smaller. Such behaviors allow one to categorize PolyILs into two broad classes of small and large ions. Furthermore, dynamical implications of the predicted structural results are qualitatively discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurement of interaction between antiprotons

In this paper, one of the primary goals of nuclear physics is to understand the force between nucleons, which is a necessary step for understanding the structure of nuclei and how nuclei interact with each other. Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus in 1911, and the large body of knowledge about the nuclear force that has since been acquired was derived from studies made on nucleons or nuclei. Although antinuclei up to antihelium-4 have been discovered and their masses measured, little is known directly about the nuclear force between antinucleons. Here, we study antiproton pair correlations among data collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), where gold ions are collided with a centre-of-mass energy of 200 gigaelectronvolts per nucleon pair. Antiprotons are abundantly produced in such collisions, thus making it feasible to study details of the antiproton–antiproton interaction. By applying a technique similar to Hanbury Brown and Twiss intensity interferometry, we show that the force between two antiprotons is attractive. In addition, we report two key parameters that characterize the corresponding strong interaction: the scattering length and the effective range of the interaction. Our measured parameters are consistent within errors with the corresponding values for proton–proton interactions. Our results provide direct information on the interaction between two antiprotons, one of the simplest systems of antinucleons, and so are fundamental to understanding the structure of more-complex antinuclei and their properties.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Extended magnetic exchange interactions in the high-temperature ferromagnet MnBi

The high-temperature ferromagnet MnBi continues to receive attention as a candidate to replace rare-earth-containing permanent magnets in applications above room temperature. This is due to a high Curie temperature, large magnetic moments, and a coercivity that increases with temperature. The synthesis of MnBi also allows for crystals that are free of interstitial Mn, enabling more direct access to the key interactions underlying the physical properties of binary Mn-based ferromagnets. In this work, we use inelastic neutron scattering to measure the spin waves of MnBi in order to characterize the magnetic exchange at low temperature. Consistent with the spin reorientation that occurs below 140 K, we do not observe a spin gap in this system above our experimental resolution. A Heisenberg model was fit to the spin wave data in order to characterize the long-range nature of the exchange. It was found that interactions up to sixth nearest neighbor are required to fully parametrize the spin waves. Surprisingly, the nearest-neighbor term is antiferromagnetic, and the realization of a ferromagnetic ground state relies on the more numerous ferromagnetic terms beyond nearest neighbor, suggesting that the ferromagnetic ground state arises as a consequence of the long-ranged interactions in the system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Enabling particle applications for exascale computing platforms

The Exascale Computing Project (ECP) is invested in co-design to assure that key applications are ready for exascale computing. Within ECP, the Co-design Center for Particle Applications (CoPA) is addressing challenges faced by particle-based applications across four “sub-motifs”: short-range particle–particle interactions (e.g., those which often dominate molecular dynamics (MD) and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) methods), long-range particle–particle interactions (e.g., electrostatic MD and gravitational N-body), particle-in-cell (PIC) methods, and linear-scaling electronic structure and quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) algorithms. Our crosscutting co-designed technologies fall into two categories: proxy applications (or “apps”) and libraries. Proxy apps are vehicles used to evaluate the viability of incorporating various types of algorithms, data structures, and architecture-specific optimizations and the associated trade-offs; examples include ExaMiniMD, CabanaMD, CabanaPIC, and ExaSP2. Libraries are modular instantiations that multiple applications can utilize or be built upon; CoPA has developed the Cabana particle library, PROGRESS/BML libraries for QMD, and the SWFFT and fftMPI parallel FFT libraries. Success is measured by identifiable “lessons learned” that are translated either directly into parent production application codes or into libraries, with demonstrated performance and/or productivity improvement. The libraries and their use in CoPA’s ECP application partner codes are also addressed.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Probing long-range carrier-pair spin–spin interactions in a conjugated polymer by detuning of electrically detected spin beating

Here, weakly coupled electron spin pairs that experience weak spin–orbit interaction can control electronic transitions in molecular and solid-state systems. Known to determine radical pair reactions, they have been invoked to explain phenomena ranging from avian magnetoreception to spin-dependent charge-carrier recombination and transport. Spin pairs exhibit persistent spin coherence, allowing minute magnetic fields to perturb spin precession and thus recombination rates and photoreaction yields, giving rise to a range of magneto-optoelectronic effects in devices. Little is known, however, about interparticle magnetic interactions within such pairs. Here we present pulsed electrically detected electron spin resonance experiments on poly(styrene-sulfonate)-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT:PSS) devices, which show how interparticle spin–spin interactions (magnetic-dipolar and spin-exchange) between charge-carrier spin pairs can be probed through the detuning of spin-Rabi oscillations. The deviation from uncoupled precession frequencies quantifies both the exchange (<30 neV) and dipolar (23.5±1.5 neV) interaction energies responsible for the pair’s zero-field splitting, implying quantum mechanical entanglement of charge-carrier spins over distances of 2.1±0.1 nm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗