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101 records · Page 6

Characterization of Dendritic Spatially Extended 3D Patterns in Directional Solidification: Microgravity Experiments in DECLIC-DSI Onboard ISS and 3D Phase-field Simulations

To clarify and characterize the fundamental physical mechanisms active in the dynamical formation of three-dimensional (3D) arrays of dendrites under diffusive growth conditions, in situ monitoring of series of experiments on transparent model alloy succinonitrile – 0.46 wt% camphor was carried out under low gravity in the DECLIC Directional Solidification Insert onboard the International Space Station. These experiments offer the very unique opportunity to observe in situ and characterize the dynamics of the microstructure formation and evolution in extended 3D patterns under microgravity environment. The analyses of the dendritic patterns for a broad range of growth velocities displaying different levels of sidebranching will be presented. Especially, the time evolution of primary spacing, in case of solidifications at constant pulling rate as well as for experiments with pulling rate jump, will be compared to 3D phase-field simulations, and the results will be discussed in terms of stable spacing range.

Kaihua Ji↗

Chandra and XMM-Newton Observations of A2256: Cold Fronts, Merger Shocks, and Constraint on the IC Emission

We present the results of deep Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of a complex merging galaxy cluster Abell 2256 (A2256) that hosts a spectacular radio relic (RR).The temperature and metallicity maps show clear evidence of a merger between the western subcluster (SC) and the primary cluster (PC). We detect five X-ray surface brightness edges. Three of them near the cluster center are cold fronts (CFs): CF1is associated with the infalling SC; CF2 is located in the east of the PC; and CF3 is to the west of the PC core. The other two edges at cluster outskirts are shock fronts(SFs): SF1 near the RR in the NW has Mach numbers derived from the temperature and the density jumps, respectively, of MT=1.62±0.12andMρ=1.23±0.06; SF2 in the SE has MT=1.54±0.05andMρ=1.16±0.13. In the region of the RR, there is no evidence for the correlation between X-ray and radio substructures, from which we estimate an upper limit for the inverse-Compton emission, and therefore set a lower limit on the magnetic field (∼450 kpc from PC center) of B>1.0μG for a single power-law electron spectrum or B>0.4μG for a broken power-law electron spectrum. We propose a merger scenario including a PC, an SC, and a group. Our merger scenario accounts for the X-ray edges, diffuse radio features, and galaxy kinematics, as well as projection effects.

Chong Ge↗

Enhancement and maximum in the isobaric specific-heat capacity measurements of deeply supercooled water using ultrafast calorimetry

Knowledge of the temperature dependence of the isobaric specific heat (C p ) upon deep supercooling can give insights regarding the anomalous properties of water. If a maximum in C p exists at a specific temperature, as in the isothermal compressibility, it would further validate the liquid–liquid critical point model that can explain the anomalous increase in thermodynamic response functions. The challenge is that the relevant temperature range falls in the region where ice crystallization becomes rapid, which has previously excluded experiments. Here, we have utilized a methodology of ultrafast calorimetry by determining the temperature jump from femtosecond X-ray pulses after heating with an infrared laser pulse and with a sufficiently long time delay between the pulses to allow measurements at constant pressure. Evaporative cooling of ~15-µm diameter droplets in vacuum enabled us to reach a temperature down to ~228 K with a small fraction of the droplets remaining unfrozen. We observed a sharp increase in C p , from 88 J/mol/K at 244 K to about 218 J/mol/K at 229 K where a maximum is seen. The C p maximum is at a similar temperature as the maxima of the isothermal compressibility and correlation length. From the C p measurement, we estimated the excess entropy and self-diffusion coefficient of water and these properties decrease rapidly below 235 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Chandra and XMM-Newton Observations of A2256: Cold Fronts, Merger Shocks, and Constraint on the IC Emission

We present the results of deep Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of a complex merging galaxy cluster Abell 2256 (A2256) that hosts a spectacular radio relic (RR). The temperature and metallicity maps show clear evidence of a merger between the western subcluster (SC) and the primary cluster (PC). We detect five X-ray surface brightness edges. Three of them near the cluster center are cold fronts (CFs): CF1 is associated with the infalling SC; CF2 is located in the east of the PC; and CF3 is to the west of the PC core. The other two edges at cluster outskirts are shock fronts(SFs): SF1 near the RR in the NW has Mach numbers derived from the temperature and the density jumps, respectively, of MT=1.62±0.12 and Mρ=1.23±0.06; SF2 in the SE has MT=1.54±0.05 and Mρ=1.16±0.13. In the region of the RR, there is no evidence for the correlation between X-ray and radio substructures, from which we estimate an upper limit for the inverse-Compton emission, and therefore set a lower limit on the magnetic field (∼450 kpc from PC center) of B>1.0μG for a single power-law electron spectrum or B>0.4μG for a broken power-law electron spectrum. We propose a merger scenario including a PC, an SC, and a group. Our merger scenario accounts for the X-ray edges, diffuse radio features, and galaxy kinematics, as well as projection effects.

Chong Ge↗

Acoustic instability driven by cosmic-ray streaming

We study the linear stability of compressional waves in a medium through which cosmic rays stream at the Alfven speed due to strong coupling with Alfven waves. Acoustic waves can be driven unstable by the cosmic-ray drift, provided that the streaming speed is sufficiently large compared to the thermal sound speed. Two effects can cause instability: (1) the heating of the thermal gas due to the damping of Alfven waves driven unstable by cosmic-ray streaming; and (2) phase shifts in the cosmic-ray pressure perturbation caused by the combination of cosmic-ray streaming and diffusion. The instability does not depend on the magnitude of the background cosmic-ray pressure gradient, and occurs whether or not cosmic-ray diffusion is important relative to streaming. When the cosmic-ray pressure is small compared to the gas pressure, or cosmic-ray diffusion is strong, the instability manifests itself as a weak overstability of slow magnetosonic waves. Larger cosmic-ray pressure gives rise to new hybrid modes, which can be strongly unstable in the limits of both weak and strong cosmic-ray diffusion and in the presence of thermal conduction. Parts of our analysis parallel earlier work by McKenzie & Webb (which were brought to our attention after this paper was accepted for publication), but our treatment of diffusive effects, thermal conduction, and nonlinearities represent significant extensions. Although the linear growth rate of instability is independent of the background cosmic-ray pressure gradient, the onset of nonlinear eff ects does depend on absolute value of DEL (vector differential operator) P(sub c). At the onset of nonlinearity the fractional amplitude of cosmic-ray pressure perturbations is delta P(sub C)/P(sub C) approximately (kL) (exp -1) much less than 1, where k is the wavenumber and L is the pressure scale height of the unperturbed cosmic rays. We speculate that the instability may lead to a mode of cosmic-ray transport in which plateaus of uniform cosmic-ray pressure are separated by either laminar or turbulent jumps in which the thermal gas is subject to intense heating.

Begelman, Mitchell C.↗

Balance in Astronauts Performing Jumps, Walking and Quiet Stance Following Spaceflight

Introduction: Both balance and locomotor ataxia is severe in astronauts returning from spaceflight with serious implications for unassisted landings. As a part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate the functional significance of the postflight ataxia problem our laboratory has evaluated jumping, walking heel-to-toe and quite stance balance immediately following spaceflight. Methods: Six astronauts from 12-16 day flights and three from 6-month flights were asked to perform three self-initiated two-footed jumps from a 30-cm-high platform, walking for 10 steps (three trials) placing the feet heel to toe in tandem, arms folded across the chest and the eyes closed, and lastly, recover from a simulated fall by standing from a prone position on the floor and with eyes open maintain a quiet stance for 3 min with arms relaxed along the side of the body and feet comfortably positioned on a force plate. Crewmembers were tested twice before flight, on landing day (short-duration), and days 1, 6, and 30 following all flight durations. Results/Conclusions: Many of astronauts tested fell on their first postflight jump but recovered by the third jump showing a rapid learning progression. Changes in take-off strategy were clearly evident in duration of time in the air between the platform and the ground (significant reduction in time to land), and also in increased asymmetry in foot latencies on take-off postflight. During the tandem heel-to-toe walking task there was a significant decrease in percentage of correct steps on landing day (short-duration crew) and on first day following landing (long-duration) with only partial recovery the following day. Astronauts for both short and long duration flight times appeared to be unaware of foot position relative to their bodies or the floor. During quite stance most of crewmembers tested exhibited increased stochastic activity (larger short-term COP diffusion coefficients postflight in all planes and increases in mean sway speed).

Reschke, Millard F.↗

Magnetism and superconductivity of some Tl-Cu oxides

Many copper oxide based Thallium compounds are now known. In comparison to the Bi-compounds, the Tl-system shows a richer diversity; i.e., High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC) can be obtained with either one or two Tl-0 layers (m = 1,2); also, the triple-digit phases are easier to synthesize. The value of d, oxygen stoichiometry, is critical to achieving superconductivity. The Tl system is robust to oxygen loss; Tl may be lost or incorporated by diffusion. A diffusion coefficient equal to 10 ms at 900 C was determined. Both ortho-rhombic and tetragonal structures are found, but HTSC behavior is indifferent to the crystal symmetry. This system has the highest T(sub c) confirmed. T(sub c) generally increases with p, the number of CuO layers, but tends to saturate at p = 3. Zero resistance was observed at temperatures as great as 125 K. Most of these HTSC's are hole type, but the Ce-doped specimens may be electronic. The magnetic aspects were studied; because in addition to defining the perfectly diamagnetic ground state as in conventional superconductors, magnetism of the copper oxides show a surprising variety. This is true of both the normal and the superconducting states. Also, due to the large phonon contribution to the specific heat at the high T(sub c) jump, electronic density of states, D(Ef), and coherence length are uncertain, and thus, are estimated from the magnetic results. Results from the Tl-system CuO, LaBaCuO,120 and the Bi-CuO compounds are discussed. The emphasis is on the role of magnetism in the Tl-CuO HTSC, but technological aspects are also pointed out.

Datta, Timir↗

Magnetism and superconductivity of some Tl-Cu oxides

Many copper oxide based Thallium compounds have now been discovered. In comparison to the Bi-compounds, the Tl-system shows a richer diversity; viz., High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC) can be obtained with either one or two Tl-0 layers (m = 1,2); also, the triple-digit phases are easier to synthesize. The value of d, oxygen stoichiometry, is critical to achieving superconductivity. The Tl system is robust to oxygen loss; Tl may be lost or incorporated by diffusion. A diffusion coefficient equal to 10 ms at 900 C was determined. Both ortho-rhombic and tetragonal structures are evidenced, but HTSC behavior is indifferent to the crystal symmetry. This system has the highest T(sub c) confirmed. T(sub c) generally increases with p, the number of CuO layers, but tends to saturate at p = 3. Zero resistance as high as 125K has been observed. Most of these HTSC's are hole type, but the Ce-doped specimens may be electronic. The magnetic aspects were studied; because in addition to defining the perfectly diamagnetic ground state as in the conventional superconductors, magnetism of the copper oxides show a surprising variety. This is true of both the normal and the superconducting states. Also, due to the large phonon contribution to the specific heat at the high T(sub c) accurate thermal measurement of important parameters such as the sp. heat jump, electronic density of states, D(Ef) and coherence length are uncertain, and thus, are estimated from the magnetic results. Results from the Tl-system CuO, LaBaCuO, 120 and the Bi-CuO compounds are discussed. The emphasis is on the role of magnetism in the TlCuO HTSC, but technological aspects are also pointed out.

Datta, Timir↗

Narrow Radiative Recombination Continua: A Signature of Ions Crossing the Contact Discontinuity of Astrophysical Shocks

X-rays from planetary nebulae (PNs) are believed to originate from a shock driven into the fast stellar wind (v ~ 1000 kilometers per second) as it collides with an earlier circumstellar slow wind (v ~ 10 kilometers per second). In theory, the shocked fast wind (hot hubble) and the ambient cold nebula can remain separated by magnetic fields along a surface referred to as the contact discontinuity (CD) that inhibits diffusion and heat conduction. The CD region is extremely difficult to probe directly owing to its small size and faint emission. This has largely left the study of CDs, stellar-shocks, and the associated micro-physics in the realm of theory. This paper presents spectroscopic evidence for ions from the hot bubble (kT approximately equal to 100 eV) crossing the CD and penetrating the cold nebular gas (kT approximately equal to 1 eV). Specifically, a narrow radiative recombination continuum (RRC) emission feature is identified in the high resolution X-ray spectrum of the PN BD+30degree3639 indicating bare C VII ions are recombining with cool electrons at kT(sub e) = 1.7 plus or minus 1.3 eV. An upper limit to the flux of the narrow RRC of H-like C VI is obtained as well. The RRCs are interpreted as due to C ions from the hot bubble of BD+30degree3639 crossing the CD into the cold nebula, where they ultimately recombine with its cool electrons. The RRC flux ratio of C VII to C VI constrains the temperature jump across the CD to deltakT greater than 80 eV, providing for the first time direct evidence for the stark temperature disparity between the two sides of an astrophysical CD, and constraining the role of magnetic fields and heat conduction accordingly. Two colliding-wind binaries are noted to have similar RRCs suggesting a temperature jump and CD crossing by ions may be common feature of stellar wind shocks.

Behar, Ehud↗

A block-spectral adaptive H-/$p$-refinement strategy for shock-dominated problems

An adaptive H-/p-refinement strategy using a novel sensor is devised and tested in a block-spectral compressible Euler code equipped with adaptive-mesh refinement (AMR) and high-order flux-reconstruction numerics. At each Gauss quadrature point (or solution point) within each spectral block (or mesh element) the discrete velocity jump ΔU = ∂U/∂y 1 Δy 1 + ∂V/∂y 2 Δy 2 + ∂W/∂y 3 Δy 3 is calculated and normalized by the local speed of sound, a. Here, the grid spacing, Δx i , is calculated in each direction as the distance between auxiliary Gauss-Lobatto points, staggered relative to the solution points. The polynomial order is increased from p = 0 to p = p max in regions of weak compression, (ΔU/a) crit < ΔU/a < 0 and kept at p = p max in regions of flow expansion ΔU/a ≥ 0, while staying at the H = 0 base mesh level. Regions experiencing strong compressions, i.e. ΔU/a < (ΔU/a) crit , are H-refined up to H = H max where H max is applied at the location of maximum compression, ΔU/a = min(ΔU/a) in the domain, while keeping p = 0 to guarantee robustness and monotonicity of the solution in the H refined region. The critical value of (ΔU/a) crit = -0.06 is found to effectively separate smooth and non-smooth solution regions, supported by a 1D detonation initiation test case in ideal gas and a shock-to-detonation transition in high explosives. Using this value, the Sod shock tube, Shu-Osher problem, double Mach reflection and a 2D detonation in a high-explosive are simulated with the proposed adaptive H-/p-refinement. In the Sod shock tube case, p-refinement resolves the (weak) contact discontinuity while H-refinement enhances the grid resolution in the shock exploiting the monotonicity of the p = 0 reconstruction. For the Shu-Osher problem, p-refinement captures the small-scale oscillations trailing the shock that would be otherwise attenuated, while H-refinement triggered by the ΔU-sensor appropriately tracks the shock. In the double Mach reflection problem, H-refinement confines the numerical diffusion around the reflected shock while p-refinement recaptures many physical features trailing the shock. Finally, in the 2D high-explosive detonation case, H-refinement follows the leading shock and resolves the curvature of the detonation wave, while p-refinement adds resolution to the trailing reaction zone. Finally, the proposed methodology is tested in a detonation-wave propagation test case in high-explosives with numerical predictions comparing favorably against experiments.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Stereo Imaging Velocimetry of Mixing Driven by Buoyancy Induced Flow Fields

Mixing of two fluids generated by steady and particularly g-jitter acceleration is fundamental towards the understanding of transport phenomena in a microgravity environment. We propose to carry out flight and ground-based experiments to quantify flow fields due to g-jitter type of accelerations using Stereo Imaging Velocimetry (SIV), and measure the concentration field using laser fluorescence. The understanding of the effects of g-jitter on transport phenomena is of great practical interest to the microgravity community and impacts the design of experiments for the Space Shuttle as well as the International Space Station. The aim of our proposed research is to provide quantitative data to the community on the effects of g-jitter on flow fields due to mixing induced by buoyancy forces. The fundamental phenomenon of mixing occurs in a broad range of materials processing encompassing the growth of opto-electronic materials and semiconductors, (by directional freezing and physical vapor transport), to solution and protein crystal growth. In materials processing of these systems, crystal homogeneity, which is affected by the solutal field distribution, is one of the major issues. The understanding of fluid mixing driven by buoyancy forces, besides its importance as a topic in fundamental science, can contribute towards the understanding of how solutal fields behave under various body forces. The body forces of interest are steady acceleration and g-jitter acceleration as in a Space Shuttle environment or the International Space Station. Since control of the body force is important, the flight experiment will be carried out on a tunable microgravity vibration isolation mount, which will permit us to precisely input the desired forcing function to simulate a range of body forces. To that end, we propose to design a flight experiment that can only be carried out under microgravity conditions to fully exploit the effects of various body forces on fluid mixing. Recent flight experiments, by the P.I. through collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency (STS-85, August 1997), aimed at determining the stability of the interface between two miscible liquids inside an enclosure show that a long liquid column (5 cm) under microgravity isolation conditions can be stable, i.e. the interface remains sharp and vertical over a short time scale; thus transport occurs by molecular mass diffusion. On the other hand, when the two liquids were excited from a controlled vibration source (Microgravity Vibration Isolation Mount) two to four mode large amplitude quasi-stationary waves were observed. The data was limited to CCD recording of the dynamics of the interface between the two fluids. We propose to carry out flight experiments to quantify the dynamics of the flow field using Stereo Imaging Velocimetry and measure the concentration field using laser fluorescence. The results will serve as a basis to understand effects of g-jitter on transport phenomena, in this case mass diffusion. As the measurement of the kinematics of the flow field will shed light on the instability mechanism. The research will allow measurement of the flow field in microgravity environment to prove two hypotheses: (1) Maxwell's hypothesis: finite convection always exists in diffusing systems, and (2) Quasi-stationary waves inside a bounded enclosure in a microgravity environment is generated by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability; resonance of the interface which produces incipient mixing is due to Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The first hypothesis can be used as a benchmark experiment to illustrate diffusive mixing. The second hypothesis will lead to the understanding of g-jitter effects on buoyancy driven flow fields which occur in many situations involving materials processing, and other basic fluid physics phenomena. In addition, the second hypothesis will also provide insight in how Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities propagate concentration fronts during mixing. Measurement of the flow field using SIV is important because it is the flow field which causes instability at the interface between the two fluids. Mixing driven by buoyancy induced flow fields will be addressed both experimentally and computationally. The experimental effort will address the kinematics of mixing: stretching, transport and chaos. Quantification of the mechanisms of mixing will consists of measuring the flow field using the SIV system at Glenn and capturing the dynamics of the interface, to measure mass transport, using a CCD camera. These experiments will be carried out within the framework of Earth's gravity and g-jitter microgravity acceleration as in a Space Shuttle environment or the International Space Station. The g-jitter will be induced and controlled using a tunable vibration isolation platform to isolate against vibration as well as input periodic and random vibration to the system. The parametric range of the microgravity experiment will be extended from the experiments on STS-85 to investigate higher mode quasi-stationary waves (8 to 12), as well as resonance regions which leads to chaos and turbulence. Ground-based experiments will focus on effects of vibration on stably stratified fluid layers in order to scale for possible scenarios in a microgravity environment. These vibrations will be subjected perpendicular to the concentration field on the ground since the parallel case can only be carried out in a microgravity environment. The concept of dynamical similarity will be applied to tune the experiments as closely as possible to a Space Shuttle environment or the International Space Station. The computational effort will take advantage of the Computational Laboratory at Glenn to corroborate the experimental findings with predictions of the dynamics of the flow field using the codes FLUENT (finite difference based) and FIDAP (finite element based). We will investigate two important cases, single-fluid model to address dilute systems with negligible jump in viscosity and the more general two-fluid model which accounts for finite jump in viscosity. Apart from its microgravity relevance, this experiment is well suited to study dynamics in nonlinear systems.

Duval, W. M. B.↗