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At least 91 records · Page 5

A Perturbative Solution for Nonlinear Stratified Upwelling over a Frictional Slope

Abstract A perturbative solution of simplified primitive equations for nonlinear weakly stratified upwelling over a frictional slope is found that resolves the vertical structure of velocity fields and can satisfy Ertel’s potential vorticity conservation in the stratified inviscid interior. The solution uses assumptions consistent with the model proposed by Lentz and Chapman, including a steady-state, constant cross-shore density gradient, no alongshore gradients, laterally inviscid, and consideration of cross-shore advection of alongshore momentum. The solution resolves the vertical structure of velocity fields (including subsurface maxima of compensational flow, not resolved by Lentz and Chapman) and can satisfy Ertel’s potential vorticity conservation in the stratified inviscid interior. The dynamics are similar to Lentz and Chapman; bottom stress balances alongshore wind stress in a homogeneous density ocean and is replaced by nonlinear cross-shore transport of alongshore momentum as the Burger number (S=αN/f, whereα,N, andfare the bottom slope, buoyancy frequency, Coriolis frequency, respectively) increases. When the solution uses the empirical relation between cross-shore and vertical density gradients proposed by Lentz and Chapman, vorticity conservation is not satisfied and the nonlinear momentum transport estimated by the solution linearly increases withS, asymptotically matching Lentz and Chapman forS< 1. When the solution conserves interior potential vorticity, the momentum transport is proportional toS 2 forS< 1 and is in better agreement with numerical simulations.

Oceanography↗

Exact image method for Gaussian beam problems involving a planar interface

Exact image method, recently introduced for the solution of electromagnetic field problems involving sources above a planar interface or two homogeneous media, is shown to be valid also for sources located in complex space, which makes its application possible for Gaussian beam analysis. It is demonstrated that the Goos-Hanchen shift and the angular shift of a TE polarized beam are correctly given as asymptotic results by the exact reflection image theory. Also, the apparent image location giving the correct Gaussian beam transmitted through the interface is obtained as another asymptotic check. The present theory makes it possible to calculate the exact coupling from the Gaussian beam to the reflected and refracted beams, as well as to the surface wave.

Lindell, I. V.↗

New parameter-free polarization potentials in low-energy positron collisions

The polarization potential plays a decisive role in shaping up the cross sections in low energy positron collisions with atoms and molecules. However, its inclusion without involving any adjustable parameter, is still a challenge. Various other techniques employed so far for positron collisions are summarized, and a new, nonadjustable and very simple form of the polarization potential for positron-atom (molecule) collisions below the threshold of positronium formation is discussed. This new recently proposed potential is based on the correlation energy of a single positron in a homogeneous electron gas. The correlation energy was calculated by solving the Schrodinger equation of the positron-electron system and fitted to an analytical form in various ranges of the density parameter. In the outside region, the correlation energy is joined smoothly with the correct asymptotic form. This new positron correlation polarization (PCOP) potential was tested on several atomic and molecular targets such as the Ar, CO, and CH4. The results on the total and differential cross sections on these targets are shown along with the experimental data where available.

Jain, Ashok↗

The parallel diffusion of cosmic rays in a random magnetic field.

Within the quasi-linear approximation, the existence of the parallel diffusion coefficient for cosmic rays in a random magnetic field (homogeneous, isotropic), despite the slow decay of the interaction between particles and random field, is demonstrated. As an example, the results of a numerical calculation of the parallel diffusion coefficient for a Gaussian random-field correlation function are presented. The numerical results are corroborated by asymptotic analysis and are compared to those of other theories.

Klimas, A.↗

Exact-image method for Gaussian-beam problems involving a planar interface

The exact-image method, recently introduced for the solution of electromagnetic field problems involving sources above a planar interface between two homogeneous media, is shown to be valid also for sources located in complex space, which makes its application possible for Gaussian-beam analysis. It is demonstrated that the Goos-Hanchen shift and the angular shift of a TE-polarized beam are correctly given as asymptotic results by the exact-reflection-image theory. Also, the apparent-image location giving the correct Gaussian beam transmitted through the interface is obtained as another asymptotic check. The theory described here makes it possible to calculate the exact coupling from the Gaussian beam to the reflected and refracted beams as well as to the surface wave.

Lindell, Ismo V.↗

Second-order closure models for supersonic turbulent flows

Recent work on the development of a second-order closure model for high-speed compressible flows is reviewed. This turbulent closure is based on the solution of modeled transport equations for the Favre-averaged Reynolds stress tensor and the solenoidal part of the turbulent dissipation rate. A new model for the compressible dissipation is used along with traditional gradient transport models for the Reynolds heat flux and mass flux terms. Consistent with simple asymptotic analyses, the deviatoric part of the remaining higher-order correlations in the Reynolds stress transport equations are modeled by a variable density extension of the newest incompressible models. The resulting second-order closure model is tested in a variety of compressible turbulent flows which include the decay of isotropic turbulence, homogeneous shear flow, the supersonic mixing layer, and the supersonic flat-plate turbulent boundary layer. Comparisons between the model predictions and the results of physical and numerical experiments are quite encouraging.

Speziale, Charles G.↗

Second-order closure models for supersonic turbulent flows

Recent work by the authors on the development of a second-order closure model for high-speed compressible flows is reviewed. This turbulence closure is based on the solution of modeled transport equations for the Favre-averaged Reynolds stress tensor and the solenoidal part of the turbulent dissipation rate. A new model for the compressible dissipation is used along with traditional gradient transport models for the Reynolds heat flux and mass flux terms. Consistent with simple asymptotic analyses, the deviatoric part of the remaining higher-order correlations in the Reynolds stress transport equation are modeled by a variable density extension of the newest incompressible models. The resulting second-order closure model is tested in a variety of compressible turbulent flows which include the decay of isotropic turbulence, homogeneous shear flow, the supersonic mixing layer, and the supersonic flat-plate turbulent boundary layer. Comparisons between the model predictions and the results of physical and numerical experiments are quite encouraging.

Speziale, Charles G.↗

Boundary-layer receptivity due to distributed surface imperfections of a deterministic or random nature

Acoustic receptivity of a Blasius boundary layer in the presence of distributed, 2D surface irregularities is investigated analytically. It is shown that, out of the entire spatial spectrum of the surface irregularities, only a narrow band of Fourier components can lead to an efficient conversion of the acoustic input at any given frequency to an unstable eigenmode of the boundary-layer flow. Random irregularities which are spatially homogeneous in nature, and also possess a continuous spectrum in the streamwise direction, lead to instability amplitudes that are intermediate to those caused by the periodic and isolated irregularities, respectively, being, in fact, of the same order as the geometrical mean of the amplitudes in the latter two cases. A physical explanation for these asymptotic scalings is given, in addition to providing an analytical expression for the expected value of the instability amplitude for an ensemble of statistically irregular surfaces with random phase distributions.

Choudhari, Meelan↗

An experimental study of the effects of rapid rotation on turbulence

Experiments, large eddy simulations and direct numerical simulations all show that rapid rotation has a striking effect on homogeneous nearly isotropic turbulence. The cascade process is effectively inhibited by rotation, and thus dissipation is greatly reduced. Some attempts have been made to incorporate this effect in turbulence models. Numerical simulation further showed the somewhat surprising result that anisotropic homogeneous turbulence subjected to rotation tended towards an isotropic state; however, the residual anisotropy was not zero. Reynolds (1989) performed a detailed analysis using Rapid Distortion Theory (RDT) and showed that a reduction in the anisotropy is indeed expected and if the anisotropy is produced by irrotational strain then the anisotropy tensor b(sub ij) is asymptotically driven to half its initial value. Our objective is to extend the work of the experiments mentioned above to lower turbulent Rossby numbers and to confirm some of the results obtained by Reynolds (1989) for anisotropic turbulence.

Veeravalli, S. V.↗

Transient phenomena in the axion assisted Schwinger effect

Particle production induced by a time-dependent background is well understood as the projection of the time-evolved initial state onto a set of final states. While the asymptotic initial and final states are well defined in the usual way, the definition of particles and antiparticles at intermediate times in the presence of external fields is ambiguous. These external fields moreover induce divergences which require regularization. In this paper we clarify some subtleties in the computation of transient effects in physical quantities for fermions in a homogeneous axion background, including Schwinger production in background electromagnetic fields. The presence of the axion requires particular care as well as knowledge of the UV theory when regulating the theory and computing the vacuum contribution to the fermion energy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A model for intensity profiles of dust jets near the nucleus of Comet Halley

The Giotto spacecraft's Halley Multicolor Camera images have been used to derive intensity profiles of the jetlike dust features that are associated with active regions of the Comet Halley nucleus. An intensity profile's asymptotic behavior at a radius greater than 100 km from the nucleus can be seen as arising from a source located at a hypothetical point below the active source region. Several source distributions are investigated. The extended source model considers divergent dust flow from an active area of arbitrary shape. It is concluded that the surface is neither smooth nor homogeneous, but must instead be characterized by varying curvature and roughness in order to reflect the observed conical dust flow.

Huebner, W. F.↗

Second moments of optical degradation due to a thin turbulent layer

The effect of thin turbulent layers, including boundary layers and shear layers, on light propagation is examined from a theoretical point of view. In particular, a mathematical model is developed to describe the interaction between the aerodynamic or, more precisely, the density fluctuations and the electromagnetic field. It is assumed that the turbulence induces a normally distributed phase aberration which is a homogeneous random function in the plane of the aperture. Hypotheses concerning the density fluctuations in the layer sufficient to guarantee such a phase aberration are exhibited. The optical degradation is described in terms of the optical transfer function (OTF) and the Strehl ratio (I/I O ) which are random. Expressions for the first and second moments of these two parameters are developed from the definitions. Asymptotic ("large" aperture) approximations to these expressions are derived and discussed. Finally, the exact and approximate results are compared for several "typical" values of the ratios of aperture diameter to scale of density fluctuations and rms phase aberration to wave length respectively.

W J Steinmetz↗

Gravity loop integrands from the ultraviolet

We demonstrate that loop integrands of (super-)gravity scattering amplitudes possess surprising properties in the ultraviolet (UV) region. In particular, we study the scaling of multi-particle unitarity cuts for asymptotically large momenta and expose an improved UV behavior of four-dimensional cuts through seven loops as compared to standard expectations. For N=8 supergravity, we show that the improved large momentum scaling combined with the behavior of the integrand under BCFW deformations of external kinematics uniquely fixes the loop integrands in a number of non-trivial cases. In the integrand construction, all scaling conditions are homogeneous. Therefore, the only required information about the amplitude is its vanishing at particular points in momentum space. This homogeneous construction gives indirect evidence for a new geometric picture for graviton amplitudes similar to the one found for planar N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. We also show how the behavior at infinity is related to the scaling of tree-level amplitudes under certain multi-line chiral shifts which can be used to construct new recursion relations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Simulation and modeling of the elliptic streamline flow

Direct numerical simulations are performed for the elliptic streamline flow, which is a homogeneous turbulent flow that combines the effects of solid body rotation and strain. Simulations are run over a range of parameters in order to determine the effect of changing rotation and strain separately. For early times the nonlinear cascade is suppressed, but then is re-established at later times. The growth rate of turbulent kinetic energy agrees at early times with the trends from linear theory, but at later times the flow seems to approach an asymptotic state that is independent of the ratio of mean flow rotation rate to strain rate. A comparison with standard Reynolds stress turbulence models is made. It is found that for strong rotation rates, the models predict decay of the turbulence, while the simulations show exponential growth. Close examination of the simulation results shows that they are affected by excessively low Reynolds numbers. Suggestions for reducing low Reynolds number effects in future simulations is given.

Blaisdell, G. A.↗

Effects of Atwood and Reynolds numbers on the evolution of buoyancy-driven homogeneous variable-density turbulence

The evolution of buoyancy-driven homogeneous variable-density turbulence (HVDT) at Atwood numbers up to 0.75 and large Reynolds numbers is studied by using high-resolution direct numerical simulations. To help understand the highly non-equilibrium nature of buoyancy-driven HVDT, the flow evolution is divided into four different regimes based on the behaviour of turbulent kinetic energy derivatives. The results show that each regime has a unique type of dependence on both Atwood and Reynolds numbers. It is found that the local statistics of the flow based on the flow composition are more sensitive to Atwood and Reynolds numbers compared to those based on the entire flow. It is also observed that, at higher Atwood numbers, different flow features reach their asymptotic Reynolds-number behaviour at different times. The energy spectrum defined based on the Favre fluctuations momentum has less large-scale contamination from viscous effects for variable-density flows with constant properties, compared to other forms used previously. The evolution of the energy spectrum highlights distinct dynamical features of the four flow regimes. Thus, the slope of the energy spectrum at intermediate to large scales evolves from -7/3 to -1 , as a function of the production-to-dissipation ratio. The classical Kolmogorov spectrum emerges at intermediate to high scales at the highest Reynolds numbers examined, after the turbulence starts to decay. Finally, the similarities and differences between buoyancy-driven HVDT and the more conventional stationary turbulence are discussed and new strategies and tools for analysis are proposed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Unitary quantum lattice simulations for Maxwell equations in vacuum and in dielectric media

Utilizing the similarity between the spinor representation of the Dirac and the Maxwell equations that has been recognized since the early days of relativistic quantum mechanics, a quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) representation of unitary collision-stream operators of Maxwell's equations is derived for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous media. A second-order accurate 4-spinor scheme is developed and tested successfully for two-dimensional (2-D) propagation of a Gaussian pulse in a uniform medium whereas for normal (1-D) incidence of an electromagnetic Gaussian wave packet onto a dielectric interface requires 8-component spinors because of the coupling between the two electromagnetic polarizations. In particular, the well-known phase change, field amplitudes and profile widths are recovered by the QLA asymptotic profiles without the imposition of electromagnetic boundary conditions at the interface. The QLA simulations yield the time-dependent electromagnetic fields as the wave packet enters and straddles the dielectric boundary. QLA involves unitary interleaved non-commuting collision and streaming operators that can be coded onto a quantum computer: the non-commutation being the very reason why one perturbatively recovers the Maxwell equations.

Physics↗

Analysis of the two-point velocity correlations in turbulent boundary layer flows

The general objective of the present work is to explore the use of Rapid Distortion Theory (RDT) in analysis of the two-point statistics of the log-layer. RDT is applicable only to unsteady flows where the non-linear turbulence-turbulence interaction can be neglected in comparison to linear turbulence-mean interactions. Here we propose to use RDT to examine the structure of the large energy-containing scales and their interaction with the mean flow in the log-region. The contents of the work are twofold: First, two-point analysis methods will be used to derive the law-of-the-wall for the special case of zero mean pressure gradient. The basic assumptions needed are one-dimensionality in the mean flow and homogeneity of the fluctuations. It will be shown that a formal solution of the two-point correlation equation can be obtained as a power series in the von Karman constant, known to be on the order of 0.4. In the second part, a detailed analysis of the two-point correlation function in the log-layer will be given. The fundamental set of equations and a functional relation for the two-point correlation function will be derived. An asymptotic expansion procedure will be used in the log-layer to match Kolmogorov's universal range and the one-point correlations to the inviscid outer region valid for large correlation distances.

Oberlack, M.↗

Spatially resolved properties of early-type group-dominant galaxies with MUSE: gas content, ionization mechanisms, and metallicity gradients

ABSTRACT With the goal of a thorough investigation of the ionized gas and its origin in early-type group-dominant galaxies, we present archival MUSE data for 18 galaxies from the Complete Local-Volume Groups Sample (CLoGS). These data allowed us to study the spatially resolved warm gas properties, including the morphology of the ionized gas, EW(H α), and kinematics as well as the gas-phase metallicity (12 + log(O/H)) of these systems. In order to distinguish between different ionization mechanisms, we used the emission-line ratios [O iii]/H β and [N ii]/H α in the BPT diagrams and EW(H α). We find that the ionization sources in our sample have variable impacts at different radii; central regions are more influenced by low-luminosity active galactic nuclei, while extended regions of low-ionization nuclear emission-line region-like emission are ionized by other mechanisms with post-asymptotic giant branch stars photoionization likely contributing significantly. We classified our sample into three H α +[N ii] emission morphology types. We calculate the gas-phase metallicity assuming several methods and ionization sources. In general, 12 + log(O/H) decreases with radius from the centre for all galaxies, independently of nebular morphology type, indicating a metallicity gradient in the abundance profiles. Interestingly, the more extended filamentary structures and all extranuclear star-forming regions present shallow metallicity gradients. Within the uncertainties these extended structures can be considered chemically homogeneous. We suggest that group-dominant galaxies in our sample likely acquired their cold gas in the past as a consequence of one or more mechanisms, e.g. gas-clouds or satellite mergers/accretion and/or cooling flows that contribute to the growth of the ionized gas structures.

Lagos, P. (ORCID:0000000223218657)↗