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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

The Soft State of the Black Hole Transient Source MAXI J1820+070: Emission from the Edge of the Plunge Region?

The Galactic black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070 had a bright outburst in 2018 when it became the second brightest X-ray source in the sky. It was too bright for X-ray CCD instruments such as XMM–Newton and Chandra, but was well observed by photon counting instruments such as Neutron star Inner Composition Explorer (NICER) and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). We report here on the discovery of an excess emission component during the soft state. It is best modelled with a blackbody spectrum in addition to the regular disc emission, modelled as either diskbb or kerrbb. Its temperature varies from about 0.9 to 1.1 keV, which is about 30–80 per cent higher than the inner disc temperature of diskbb. Its flux varies between 4 and 12 per cent of the disc flux. Simulations of magnetized accretion discs have predicted the possibility of excess emission associated with a non-zero torque at the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) about the black hole, which, from other NuSTAR studies, lies at about 5 gravitational radii or about 60 km (for a black hole, mass is 8Msun). In this case, the emitting region at the ISCO has a width varying between 1.3 and 4.6 km and would encompass the start of the plunge region where matter begins to fall freely into the black hole.

A C Fabian↗

Development of Gamma Background Radiation Digital Twin with Machine Learning Algorithms: Application of Unsupervised Machine Learning to Detection of Anomalies and Nuisances in Gamma Background Radiation Environmental Screening Data

Environmental screening of gamma radiation consists of detecting weak nuisance and anomaly signal in the presence of strong and highly varying background. In a typical scenario, a mobile detector-spectrometer continuously measures gamma radiation spectra in short, e.g., one-second, signal acquisition intervals. The measurement data is a 2D matrix, where one dimension is gamma ray energy, and the other dimension is the number of measurements or total time. In principle, gamma radiation sources can be detected and identified from the measured data by their unique spectral lines. Detecting sources from data measured in a search scenario is difficult due to the highly varying background because of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), and low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of spectral signal measured during one-second acquisition intervals. The objective of this work is to explore unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithms for development of a digital twin of gamma radiation background, and for detection and identification of weak nuisances and anomalies events in the presence of highly fluctuating background. In one segment of work, we developed a gamma background estimation model using a Longshort term memory (LSTM) network for one-step CPS time series prediction. The LSTM model was validated with two data sets of measurements from two independent NaI detectors positioned on a mobile platform. The data sets contained background radiation only and no orphan isotope sources. The LSTM model was constructed and tested using data from one of the detectors. Performance of the LSTM model was validate through one-step prediction of CPS time series of another NaI detector without re-training. This approach allows to create a digital twin for nuclear background estimation. Using LSTM, it could be possible to detect a source through subtraction of the estimated counts from the measured background. In another segment of work, we investigated detection of gamma emitting sources in the presence of complex background using unsupervised machine learning. Spectral lines of isotopes are difficult to observe in one-second measurements. Averaging over the entire measurement campaign data set reveals spectral lines of most common background isotopes. Spectral lines of orphan sources, which might appear only in a few measurements during the campaign, will be washed out if averaging is performed over the entire measurement data set. The approach we have explored consists of extracting one-second measurements containing weak spectral features through data clustering. Averaging one-second spectra in a cluster should reveal the presence of anomaly sources. We created two ML models using K-means clustering and Neural Network Self-organizing Map (SOM). Performance of these ML models was benchmarked using search data. One data set contained 137 Cs source, and another dataset contained 131 I source.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Spectrophotometric and model-atmosphere analyses of the hot DO and DAO white dwarfs from the Palomar-Green survey

Recent optical and spectrophotometric observations of all currently known DAO and DO hot white dwarf candidates from the Palomar-Green Survey are presented. The optical observations were carried out using the Kitt Peak National Observatory Intensified Image Dissector Scanner (IIDS) system, the Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT), and two photon-counting Reticon systems. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry was obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) short-wavelength and long-wavelength cameras. The following spectroscopic subgroups were identified in the observations: the cool DO stars with spectra showing H I features together with He II + H blends; the hot DO stars, with spectra exhibiting weak He II (+H) lines; and hydrogen-rich DAO stars with broad H lines and sharp H II lines at 4686 A. A fourth subgroup of stars resembling PG 1159 with He at He II lines at 4686, and a C, N ion blend in the optical spectrum were also found. The spectroscopic data were analyzed in terms of a grid of hot, high-gravity LTE model atmospheres composed of a mixture of hydrogen and helium, and atmospheric parameters are deduced for each class of objects. On the basis of the model atmosphere analysis, the local space density of the DO stars is estimated to be 1.9-3.0 x 10 to the -7th per cubic pc, depending on the scale height.

Wesemael, F.↗

Alloy Evaluation and Flow Forming Process Modeling for Net Shape Aerospace Structures

Over the past decade, NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) has led several manufacturing demonstration projects exploiting flow forming technology. The work has resulted in the commercial-scale manufacture of 10-ft. diameter single-piece, integrally stiffened cylinders. Near-net-shape flow forming offers simplified manufacturing schedules and cost savings through reduced part count. Reduction or elimination of machining, welding, and/or riveting can also lead to significant performance gains. NASA LaRC recently established a flow forming research facility to investigate new alloys and stiffener geometries for fuselage and launch vehicle cryotank applications. Candidate aluminum alloys and heat treatment combinations have been characterized through advanced mechanical testing and microscopy to maximize workability during flow forming trials. Elasto-plastic deformation simulations of the forming process have been performed using the finite element software DEFORM and correlated with forming trial results. The overall objective is to optimize structural performance through a combination of innovative materials, processes, and designs.

single-piece↗

Improving MicroBooNE's Inclusive Single-Photon Search with Low-Energy Hadronic Identification

This analysis aims to further investigate MicroBooNE’s inclusive single-photon search results, which reported a 2.2$\sigma$ excess below 600 MeV in shower energy for events with no reconstructed protons using roughly half of MicroBooNE's dataset. Taken together with MiniBooNE’s long-standing low-energy excess and MicroBooNE’s recent electron-like search results showing no observable excess with respect to Standard Model predictions, this result provides strong impetus for expanded exploration of the single-photon channel in Fermilab’s short-baseline liquid-argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments. By identifying and classifying isolated MeV-scale energy depositions, or blips, in the vicinity of single-photon events selected by the Wire-Cell reconstruction framework, we establish a more comprehensive labeling scheme for nearby hadronic content. In particular, blips found backwards along the shower axis indicate the presence of previously-unidentified final-state protons, while elevated blip counts at wide angles signal the presence of final-state neutrons. By applying this new technique to its full dataset, MicroBooNE will perform a purer and higher-statistics test of the truly isolated nature of its modest photon-like excess, furthering its hunt for the presence of unexpected new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Andrade Aldana, Diego [Los Alamos; IIT, Chicago (m↗

Simulation of Internal Combustion Engines with High-Performance Computing Tools

Traditional Lagrangian spray modeling approaches for internal combustion engines are highly griddependent due to insufficient resolution in the near nozzle region. This is primarily because of inherent restrictions of volume fraction with the Lagrangian assumption together with high computational costs associated with small grid sizes. A state-of-the-art grid-convergent spray modeling approach was developed and implemented by Senecal et al. (ASME-ICEF2012-92043) in the CONVERGE software. The key features of the methodology include Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR), advanced liquid-gas momentum coupling, and improved distribution of the liquid phase, which enables use of cell sizes smaller than the nozzle diameter. This modeling approach was rigorously validated against nonevaporating, evaporating, and reacting data from the literature. The current numerical study focusses on further demonstration of the grid-convergent modeling approach for simulating a single-cylinder Cat® compression ignition engine. The simulated injector is characterized with a nominal nozzle exit diameter of 259 μm. Simulations using various minimum grid sizes (ranging from 125 μm to 1000 μm) are compared for engine performance and emissions parameters of interest such as pressure, heat release rate, ignition delay, NOx, HC, and soot emissions. The peak cell-count for the highest resolution simulation was on the order of 34 million. These computationally expensive simulations were facilitated at a high-performance computing facility at Argonne National Laboratory. METIS load-balancing algorithm was developed and implemented in Converge code for the simulations. Scaling studies were also performed. The validity of previously recommended grid settings (ASME-ICEF2012-92043) for accuracy/runtime trade-off is further assessed. Efficacy of a simplified combustion model is also compared against a detailed chemical kinetics based combustion model.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

First Assessments of Predicted ICESat-2 Performance Using Aircraft Data

The Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) is a next-generation laser altimeter designed to continue key observations of ice sheet elevation change, sea ice freeboard, vegetation canopy height, earth surface elevation, and sea surface height. Scheduled for launch in mid-2016, ICESat-2 will use a high repetition rate (10 kHz), small footprint (10 m nominal ground diameter) laser, and a single-photon-sensitive detection strategy (photon counting) to measure precise range to the earth's surface. Using green light (532 nm), the six beams of ICESat-2 will provide improved spatial coverage compared with the single beam of ICESat, while the differences in transmit energy among the beams provide a large dynamic range. The six beams are arranged into three pairs of beams which allow slopes to measured on an orbit-by-orbit basis. In order to evaluate models of predicted ICESat-2 performance and provide ICESat-2-like data for algorithm development, an airborne ICESat-2 simulator was developed and first flown in 2010. This simulator, the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL) was most recently deployed to Iceland in April 2012 and collected approx 85 hours of science data over land ice, sea ice, and calibration targets. MABEL uses a similar photon-counting measurement strategy to what will be used on ICESat-2. MABEL collects data in 16 green channels and an additional 8 channels in the infrared aligned across the direction of flight. By using NASA's ER-2 aircraft flying at 20km altitude, MABEL flies as close to space as is practical, and collects data through approx 95% of the atmosphere. We present background on the MABEL instrument, and data from the April 2012 deployment to Iceland. Among the 13 MABEL flights, we collected data over the Greenland ice sheet interior and outlet glaciers in the southwest and western Greenland, sea ice data over the Nares Strait and Greenland Sea, and a number of small glaciers and ice caps in Iceland and Svalbard. Several of the flights were coincident in time and space with NASA's Operation IceBridge, which provides an independent data set for validation. MABEL also collected data along CryoSat track 10482 in north central Greenland approximately one month after CryoSat passed overhead.

Neumann, Thomas↗

Hypergravity-induced immunomodulation in a rodent model: lymphocytes and lymphoid organs

The major goal of this study was to quantify changes in lymphoid organs and cells over time due to centrifugation-induced hypergravity. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 1, 2 and 3 G and the following assays were performed on days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 21: spleen, thymus, lung, and liver masses; total leukocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte/macrophage, and granulocyte counts; level of splenocyte apoptosis; enumeration of CD3+ T, CD3+/CD4+ T helper, CD3+/CD8+ T cytotoxic, B220+ B, and NK1.1+ natural killer cells; and quantification of cells expressing CD25, CD69, and CD71 activation markers. The data show that increased gravity resulted in decreased body, spleen, thymus, and liver, but not lung, mass. Significant reductions were noted in all three major leukocyte populations (lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocyte/macrophages) [correction of macrphages] with increased gravity; persistent depletion was noted in blood but not spleen. Among the various lymphocyte populations, the CD3+/CD8+ T cells and B220+ B cells were the most affected and NK1.1+ NK cells the least affected. Overall, the changes were most evident during the first week, with a greater influence noted for cells in the spleen. A linear relationship was found between some of the measurements and the level of gravity, especially on day 4. These findings indicate that hypergravity profoundly alters leukocyte number and distribution in a mammalian model and that some aberrations persisted throughout the three weeks of the study. In certain cases, the detected changes were similar to those observed after whole-body irradiation. In future investigations we hope to combine hypergravity with low-dose rate irradiation and immune challenge.

Non-NASA Center↗

Changes in Precipitation From North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Under RCP Scenarios in the Variable-Resolution Community Atmosphere Model

Decreasing climate models' grid spacing improves the representation of tropical cyclones at decadal time scales. In this study, a variable-resolution (VR) version of the Community Atmosphere Model 5 (CAM5-VR) is utilized to study North Atlantic tropical cyclone climatology in ensemble historical climate simulations and under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) projections (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Basin-wide tropical cyclone counts decrease in the RCP simulations, although landfalling storm counts do not show as straightforward of a pattern, especially when focusing on regional changes. Lifetime maximum intensity metrics suggest that tropical cyclones increase in strength in the RCP ensembles. However, despite increases in tropical cyclone-related precipitation rates and the amount of precipitation produced per storm with warming, the annual average Rx5day from tropical cyclones over the eastern United States decreases due to less landfalling storms. This work is part of a continued effort to quantify how tropical cyclone-induced hazards may change in future climates.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Absolute contrast estimation for soft X-ray photon fluctuation spectroscopy using a variational droplet model

Abstract X-ray photon fluctuation spectroscopy using a two-pulse mode at the Linac Coherent Light Source has great potential for the study of quantum fluctuations in materials as it allows for exploration of low-energy physics. However, the complexity of the data analysis and interpretation still prevent recovering real-time results during an experiment, and can even complicate post-analysis processes. This is particularly true for high-spatial resolution applications using CCDs with small pixels, which can decrease the photon mapping accuracy resulting from the large electron cloud generation at the detector. Droplet algorithms endeavor to restore accurate photon maps, but the results can be altered by their hyper-parameters. We present numerical modeling tools through extensive simulations that mimic previous x-ray photon fluctuation spectroscopy experiments. By modification of a fast droplet algorithm, our results demonstrate how to optimize the precise parameters that lift the intrinsic counting degeneracy impeding accuracy in extracting the speckle contrast. These results allow for an absolute determination of the summed contrast from multi-pulse x-ray speckle diffraction, the modus operandi by which the correlation time for spontaneous fluctuations can be measured.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

FAR-IR/SUBMILLIMETER SPECTROSCOPIC COSMOLOGICAL SURVEYS: PREDICTIONS OF INFRARED LINE LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS FOR z < 4 GALAXIES

Star formation and accretion onto supermassive black holes in the nuclei of galaxies are the two most energetic processes in the universe, producing the bulk of the observed emission throughout its history. We simulated the luminosity functions of star-forming and active galaxies for spectral lines that are thought to be good spectroscopic tracers of either phenomenon, as a function of redshift. We focused on the infrared (IR) and submillimeter domains, where the effects of dust obscuration are minimal. Using three different and independent theoretical models for galaxy formation and evolution, constrained by multi-wavelength luminosity functions, we computed the number of star-forming and active galaxies per IR luminosity and redshift bin. We converted the continuum luminosity counts into spectral line counts using relationships that we calibrated on mid- and far-IR spectroscopic surveys of galaxies in the local universe. Our results demonstrate that future facilities optimized for survey-mode observations, i.e., the Space Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics and the Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope, will be able to observe thousands of z > 1 galaxies in key fine-structure lines, e.g., [Si II], [O I], [O III], [C II], in a half-square-degree survey, with 1 hr integration time per field of view. Fainter lines such as [O IV], [Ne V], and H{sub 2} (0-0)S1 will be observed in several tens of bright galaxies at 1 < z < 2, while diagnostic diagrams of active nucleus versus star formation activity will be feasible even for normal z {approx} 1 galaxies. We discuss the new parameter space that these future telescopes will cover and that strongly motivates their construction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

HOT AND COLD SPOT COUNTS AS PROBES OF NON-GAUSSIANITY IN THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND

We introduce the numbers of hot and cold spots, n{sub h} and n{sub c} , of excursion sets of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature anisotropy maps as statistical observables that can discriminate different non-Gaussian models. We numerically compute them from simulations of non-Gaussian CMB temperature fluctuation maps. The first kind of non-Gaussian model we study is the local type primordial non-Gaussianity. The second kind of model has some specific form of the probability distribution function from which the temperature fluctuation value at each pixel is drawn, obtained using HEALPIX. We find the characteristic non-Gaussian deviation shapes of n{sub h} and n{sub c} , which is distinct for each of the models under consideration. We further demonstrate that n{sub h} and n{sub c} carry additional information compared to the genus, which is just their linear combination, making them valuable additions to the Minkowski Functionals in constraining non-Gaussianity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Distinguishing dark matter from unresolved point sources in the Inner Galaxy with photon statistics

Data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope suggests that there is an extended excess of GeV gamma-ray photons in the Inner Galaxy. Identifying potential astrophysical sources that contribute to this excess is an important step in verifying whether the signal originates from annihilating dark matter. In this paper, we focus on the potential contribution of unresolved point sources, such as millisecond pulsars (MSPs). We propose that the statistics of the photons—in particular, the flux probability density function (PDF) of the photon counts below the point-source detection threshold—can potentially distinguish between the dark-matter and point-source interpretations. We calculate the flux PDF via the method of generating functions for these two models of the excess. Working in the framework of Bayesian model comparison, we then demonstrate that the flux PDF can potentially provide evidence for an unresolved MSP-like point-source population.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Signatures of self-interacting dark matter on cluster density profile and subhalo distributions

Non-gravitational interactions between dark matter particles with strong scattering, but relatively small annihilation and dissipation, has been proposed to match various observables on cluster and group scales. In this paper, we present the results from large cosmological simulations which include the effects of different self-interaction scenarios. In particular we explore a model with the differential cross section that can depend on both the relative velocity of the interacting particles and the angle of scattering. We focus on how quantities, such as the stacked density profiles, subhalo counts and the splashback radius change as a function of different forms of self-interaction. We find that self-interactions not only affect the central region of the cluster, the effect well known from previous studies, but also significantly alter the distribution of subhalos and the density of particles out to the splashback radius. Therefore, our results suggest that current weak lensing data can already put constraints on the self-interaction cross-section that are only slightly weaker than the Bullet Cluster constraints (σ/m ≲ 2 cm 2 /g), and future lensing surveys should be able to tighten them even further making halo profiles on cluster scales a competitive probe for DM physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SENSEI: Characterization of Single-Electron Events Using a Skipper Charge-Coupled Device

We use a science-grade skipper charge-coupled device (skipper CCD) operating in a low-radiation background environment to develop a semi-empirical model that characterizes the origin of single-electron events in CCDs. We identify, separate, and quantify three independent contributions to the single-electron events, which were previously bundled together and classified as "dark counts": dark current, amplifier light, and spurious charge. We measure a dark current, which depends on exposure, of (5.89±0.77)×10 -4 e - /pix/day, and an unprecedentedly low spurious charge contribution of (1.52±0.07)×10 -4 e - /pix, which is exposure independent. In addition, we provide a technique to study events produced by light emitted from the amplifier, which allows the detector's operation to be optimized to minimize this effect to a level below the dark-current contribution. Our accurate characterization of the single-electron events allows one to greatly extend the sensitivity of experiments searching for dark matter or coherent neutrino scattering. Moreover, an accurate understanding of the origin of single-electron events is critical to further progress in ongoing research and development efforts of skipper and conventional CCDs.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Radiation Background and Attenuation Model Validation and Development

This report describes the initial results of a study being conducted as part of the Urban Search Planning Tool project. The study is comparing the Urban Scene Simulator (USS), a one-dimensional (1D) radiation transport model developed at LLNL, with the three-dimensional (3D) radiation transport model from ORNL using the MCNP, SCALE/ORIGEN and SCALE/MAVRIC simulation codes. In this study, we have analyzed the differences between the two approaches at every step, from source term representation, to estimating flux and detector count rates at a fixed distance from a simple surface (slab), and at points throughout more complex 3D scenes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Energetic electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere

Results are reported for a detailed analysis of Pioneer 10 data on energetic particle species in the magnetodisk region of Jupiter's magnetosphere. It is shown that the observed counting rates in the magnetodisk (beyond 20 Jupiter radii) were caused primarily by electrons with energies exceeding 0.06 MeV. Absolute omnidirectional electron intensities in the magnetodisk are presented for five integral energy ranges, and a model electron differential energy spectrum is found to fit the intensities throughout most of the encounter trajectory. It is suggested that the observed spectral shape results from losses of high-energy electrons by pitch-angle scattering. Observed equatorial energy spectra are used to compute distribution functions for several values of the first adiabatic invariant, mu. The radial profiles of the functions are found to have maxima at about 50 Jupiter radii inbound as well as at about 90 radii outbound and to diminish strongly for lesser radii. The large decreases in density are shown to require strong losses, and resonant electron whistler-mode pitch-angle scattering is suggested as a loss mechanism.

Baker, D. N.↗

Cosmic ray variations and turbulent flow systems - 0.3-1.0 AU; 1977-1980

Possible relationships among the cosmic ray intensity and magnetic fields and flows inside 1 AU are investigated using data gathered by instrumentation on the Helios 1 spacecraft during 1977-80. The data included nearly continuous simultaneous plasma and magnetic field measurements for periods of two months or more at heliocentric radii from 0.3-1 AU. Account was taken of fluctuations of the relative particle counting rates due to spacecraft motion. The passage of transient streams following solar wind shock waves was accompanied by Forbush decreases but not long term modulation. The extent and consistency of the data support a model of shell-like disturbances of diverse shapes and internal structures proceeding outward from the sun. Magnetic field fluctuation spectra (turbulence) calculated for the various types of flow observed permitted establishing power laws relationships between the variations observed and the frequency of the magnetic field. Transient flows were more turbulent than corotating flows. Turbulence was also present in mixed flows, possibly arising from shocks, and was usually confined to the spiral shaped structures of corotation.

Burlaga, L. F.↗