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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 1,711 records · Page 95

Stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: A Review and Synthesis

Abstract The notion that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) can have more than one stable equilibrium emerged in the 1980s as a powerful hypothesis to explain rapid climate variability during the Pleistocene. Ever since, the idea that a temporary perturbation of the AMOC—or a permanent change in its forcing—could trigger an irreversible collapse has remained a reason for concern. Here we review literature on the equilibrium stability of the AMOC and present a synthesis that puts our understanding of past and future AMOC behavior in a unifying framework. This framework is based on concepts from Dynamical Systems Theory, which has proven to be an important tool in interpreting a wide range of model behavior. We conclude that it cannot be ruled out that the AMOC in our current climate is in, or close to, a regime of multiple equilibria. But there is considerable uncertainty in the location of stability thresholds with respect to our current climate state, so we have no credible indications of where our present‐day AMOC is located with respect to thresholds. We conclude by identifying gaps in our knowledge and proposing possible ways forward to address these gaps.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Unified Analytical Model for Pressure Solution With Fully Coupled Diffusion and Reaction

Abstract Geophysical models for pressure solution are typically developed for diffusion‐controlled or reaction‐controlled scenarios. We present a unified analytical model that considers fully coupled diffusion and reaction during pressure solution. The model recovers the diffusion‐controlled and reaction‐controlled models in the literature as specific limiting cases. When diffusion and reaction exhibit comparable influences, we validate the proposed model against independent numerical simulations. The proposed model is then employed in interpreting experimental measurements, demonstrating a better agreement compared to previous interpretations.

Wang, Ziyan [Energy Geosciences Division Lawrence ↗

Time-resolved diffraction of shock-released SiO 2 and diaplectic glass formation

Understanding how rock-forming minerals transform under shock loading is critical for modeling collisions between planetary bodies, interpreting the significance of shock features in minerals and for using them as diagnostic indicators of impact conditions, such as shock pressure. To date, our understanding of the formation processes experienced by shocked materials is based exclusively on ex situ analyses of recovered samples. Formation mechanisms and origins of commonly observed mesoscale material features, such as diaplectic (i.e., shocked) glass, remain therefore controversial and unresolvable. Here in this paper we show in situ pump-probe X-ray diffraction measurements on fused silica crystallizing to stishovite on shock compression and then converting to an amorphous phase on shock release in only 2.4 ns from 33.6 GPa. Recovered glass fragments suggest permanent densification. These observations of real-time diaplectic glass formation attest that it is a back-transformation product of stishovite with implications for revising traditional shock metamorphism stages.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Precipitation variability increases in a warmer climate

Understanding changes in precipitation variability is essential for a complete explanation of the hydrologic cycle’s response to warming and its impacts. While changes in mean and extreme precipitation have been studied intensively, precipitation variability has received less attention, despite its theoretical and practical importance. Here, we show that precipitation variability in most climate models increases over a majority of global land area in response to warming (66% of land has a robust increase in variability of seasonal-mean precipitation). Comparing recent decades to RCP8.5 projections for the end of the 21st century, we find that in the global, multi-model mean, precipitation variability increases 3–4% K –1 globally, 4–5% K –1 over land and 2–4% K –1 over ocean, and is remarkably robust on a range of timescales from daily to decadal. Precipitation variability increases by at least as much as mean precipitation and less than moisture and extreme precipitation for most models, regions, and timescales. We interpret this as being related to an increase in moisture which is partially mitigated by weakening circulation. In conclusion, we show that changes in observed daily variability in station data are consistent with increased variability.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Patchy nuclear chain reactions

Stochastic fluctuations of the neutron population within a nuclear reactor are typically prevented by operating the core at a sufficient power, since a deterministic (i.e., exactly predictable) behavior of the neutron population is required by automatic safety systems to detect unwanted power excursions. In order to characterize the reactor operating conditions at which the fluctuations vanish, an experiment was designed and took place in 2017 at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Reactor Critical Facility. This experiment however revealed persisting fluctuations and striking patchy spatial patterns in neutron spatial distributions. Here we report these experimental findings, interpret them by a stochastic modeling based on branching random walks, and extend them using a “numerical twin” of the reactor core. Consequences on nuclear safety will be discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Thermal and concentration effects on 1 H NMR relaxation of Gd 3+ -aqua using MD simulations and measurements

We report gadolinium-based contrast agents are key in clinical MRI for enhancing the longitudinal NMR relativity (r 1 ) of hydrogen nuclei ( 1 H) in water and improving the contrast among different tissues. The importance of MRI in clinical practice cannot be gainsaid, yet the interpretation of MRI relies on models with severe assumptions, reflecting a poor understanding of the molecular-scale relaxation processes. In a step towards building a clearer understanding of the relaxation processes, here we investigate thermal and concentration effects on r 1 of the Gd 3+ -aqua complex using both semi-classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and measurements. We follow the MD simulation approach recently introduced by [Singer et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021, 23, 20974], in which no NMR relaxation model or free-parameter is assumed to predict r 1 , thereby bringing new insights into the physics of r 1 on a molecular scale. We expand the autocorrelation function G(t) in terms of molecular modes and determine the thermal activation energies of the two largest modes, both of which are consistent with the range of literature values for rotational diffusion. We also determine the activation energies for translational diffusion and low-field electron-spin relaxation, both of which are consistent with the literature. Furthermore, we validate the MD simulations at human body temperature and concentrations of the paramagnetic ion used in clinical MRI, and we quantify the uncertainties in both simulations and measurements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Specific heat and phonon density of state of cubic phase of protonic conductor LaAlO{sub 3}

Perovskite oxides find wide range of applications like oxygen sensors, catalyst support, high frequency capacitors, high temperature superconducting microwave devices, solid state oxide fuel cell (SOFC) etc. LaAlO{sub 3} is one of such type of prominent perovskite oxides and very prominent material for protonic conductions. Therefore knowledge of the thermal properties of LaAlO{sub 3} is most significant. Hence in the present study we have studied phonon density of states and specific heat of LaAlO{sub 3} in cubic structure by applying lattice dynamical theoretical model. The calculated results are interpreted with existing experimental or theoretical results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Theoretical and experimental study of the dynamic response of absorber-based, micro-scale, oscillatory probes for contact sensing applications

This paper presents two models for predicting the frequency response of micro-scale oscillatory probes. These probes are manufactured by attaching a thin fiber to the free end of one tine of a quartz tuning fork oscillator. In these studies, the attached fibers were either 75 μm diameter tungsten or 7 μm diameter carbon with lengths ranging from around 1 to 15 mm. The oscillators used in these studies were commercial 32.7 kHz quartz tuning forks. The first theoretical model considers lateral vibration of two beams serially connected and provides a characteristic equation from which the roots (eigenvalues) are extracted to determine the natural frequencies of the probe. A second, lumped model approximation is used to derive an approximate frequency response function for prediction of tine displacements as a function of a modal force excitation corresponding to the first mode of the tine in the absence of a fiber. These models are used to evaluate the effect of changes in both length and diameter of the attached fibers. Theoretical values of the natural frequencies of different modes show an asymptotic relationship with the length and a linear relationship with the diameter of the attached fiber. Similar results are observed from experiment, one with a tungsten probe having an initial fiber length of 14.11 mm incrementally etched down to 0.83 mm, and another tungsten probe of length 8.16 mm incrementally etched in diameter, in both cases using chronocoulometry to determine incremental volumetric material removal. The lumped model is used to provide a frequency response again reveals poles and zeros that are consistent with experimental measurements. Finite element analysis shows mode shapes similar to experimental microscope observations of the resonating carbon probes. This model provides a means of interpreting measured responses in terms of the relative motion of the tine and attached fibers. Of particular relevance is that, when a “zero” is observed in the response of the tine, one mode of the fiber is matched to the tine frequency and is acting as an absorber. This represents an optimal condition for contact sensing and for transferring energy to the fiber for fluid mixing, touch sensing, and surface modification applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Fractal diffusion in high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes

In this paper, the performance of fuel cells depends largely on the proton diffusion in the proton conducting membrane, the core of a fuel cell. High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells are based on a polymer membrane swollen with phosphoric acid as the electrolyte, where proton conduction takes place. We studied the proton diffusion in such membranes with neutron scattering techniques which are especially sensitive to the proton contribution. Time of flight spectroscopy and backscattering spectroscopy have been combined to cover a broad dynamic range. In order to selectively observe the diffusion of protons potentially contributing to the ion conductivity, two samples were prepared, where in one of the samples the phosphoric acid was used with hydrogen replaced by deuterium. The scattering data from the two samples were subtracted in a suitable way after measurement. Thereby subdiffusive behavior of the proton diffusion has been observed and interpreted in terms of a model of fractal diffusion. For this purpose, a scattering function for fractal diffusion has been developed. The fractal diffusion dimension d w and the Hausdorff dimension d f have been determined on the length scales covered in the neutron scattering experiments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Numerical simulation of magnetized jet creation using a hollow ring of laser beams

Three dimensional FLASH magneto-hydrodynamic modeling is carried out to interpret the OMEGA laser experiments of strongly magnetized, highly collimated jets driven by a ring of 20 OMEGA beams. The predicted optical Thomson scattering spectra and proton images are in good agreement with a subset of the experimental data. Here, magnetic fields generated via the Biermann battery term are amplified at the boundary between the core and the surrounding of the jet. The simulation predicts multiple axially aligned magnetic flux ropes with an alternating poloidal component. Future applications of the hollow ring configuration in laboratory astrophysics are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A survey of pedestal magnetic fluctuations using gyrokinetics and a global reduced model for microtearing stability

This article presents a global reduced model for slab-like microtearing modes (MTMs) in the H-mode pedestal, which reproduces distinctive features of experimentally observed magnetic fluctuations, such as chirping and discrete frequency bands at noncontiguous mode numbers. Our model, importantly, includes the global variation of the diamagnetic frequencies, which is necessary to reproduce the experimental observations. The key insight underlying this model is that MTM instability is enabled by the alignment of a rational surface with the peak in the profile of the diamagnetic frequency. Conversely, MTMs are strongly stabilized for toroidal mode numbers for which these quantities are misaligned. This property explains the discrete fluctuation bands in several DIII-D and JET discharges, which we survey using our reduced model in conjunction with global gyrokinetic simulations. A fast yet accurate reduced model for MTMs enables rapid interpretation of magnetic fluctuation data from a wide range of experimental conditions to help assess the role of MTM in the pedestal.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Post-filamentation propagation of high-power laser pulses in air in the regime of narrowly focused light channels

We report the results of experimental and theoretical studies of the post-filamentation stage of nonlinear propagation of high-power pulsed radiation from a Ti : sapphire laser in air. We have for the first time obtained the experimental dependences of the angular divergence of specific spatially localised high-intensity light structures that are observed in the beam after its multiple filamentation (post-filamentation of channels) when varying the initial focusing of laser radiation and its energy. It is found that the angular divergence of the post-filamentation channels decreases with increasing pulse energy and reducing beam numerical aperture. The experimental dependences are qualitatively interpreted based on the diffraction model of the Bessel – Gaussian beam. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

APACE: AlphaFold2 and advanced computing as a service for accelerated discovery in biophysics

The prediction of protein 3D structure from amino acid sequence is a computational grand challenge in biophysics and plays a key role in robust protein structure prediction algorithms, from drug discovery to genome interpretation. The advent of AI models, such as AlphaFold, is revolutionizing applications that depend on robust protein structure prediction algorithms. To maximize the impact, and ease the usability, of these AI tools we introduce APACE, AlphaFold2 and advanced computing as a service, a computational framework that effectively handles this AI model and its TB-size database to conduct accelerated protein structure prediction analyses in modern supercomputing environments. We deployed APACE in the Delta and Polaris supercomputers and quantified its performance for accurate protein structure predictions using four exemplar proteins: 6AWO, 6OAN, 7MEZ, and 6D6U. Using up to 300 ensembles, distributed across 200 NVIDIA A100 GPUs, we found that APACE is up to two orders of magnitude faster than off-the-self AlphaFold2 implementations, reducing time-to-solution from weeks to minutes. This computational approach may be readily linked with robotics laboratories to automate and accelerate scientific discovery.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Models of exotic interferometer cross-correlations in emergent space-time

Here, a Lorentz invariant framework is developed to model the cross spectrum of two interferometers in a space-time that emerges from a Planck scale quantum system with exact causal symmetry and holographic spacelike rotational correlations. Space-time relationships between world lines are generated by entanglement of geometrical states on causal diamonds. The entanglement is tied to a unique observable signature: an exotic imaginary broad band cross spectrum, with a frequency structure determined by the layout of the interferometers. The models will be used to interpret data from the reconfigured Fermilab Holometer, and for conceptual design of future experiments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

An idealized model for collapse of a molecular core within a filament

Here, we present an analytic treatment of the self-similar collapse of a uniform density ellipsoid to linear order in the deviations from sphericity. First we obtain a self-consistent closed-form solution for the evolution of an isolated ellipsoid and then impose the effects of an external forcing. This model describes the evolution under gravity of a pre-stellar core of molecular gas embedded in a much larger and lower-density filament. We compare with numerical solutions for the collapse without the limitation of small deviations. These show how the external perturbing force producing the initial deviation from sphericity is eventually surpassed by the anisotropic forces generated by the collapsing ellipsoid itself. This model should be useful in interpreting the way in which environment shapes the evolution of pre-stellar cores.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Measuring the muon content of inclined air showers using AERA and the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present a novel approach for assessing the muon content of air showers with large zenith angles on a combined analysis of their radio emission and particle footprint. We use the radiation energy reconstructed by the Auger engineering radio array (AERA) as an energy estimator and determine the muon number independently with the water-Cherenkov detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory, deployed on a 1500 m grid. We focus our analysis on air showers with primary energy above 4 EeV to ensure full detection efficiency. Over approximately ten years of accumulated data, we identify a set of 40 high-quality events that are used in the analysis. The estimated muon contents in data are compatible with those for iron primaries as predicted by current-generation hadronic interaction models. This result can be interpreted as a deficit of muons in simulations as a lighter mass composition has been established from X max measurements. This muon deficit was already observed in previous analyses of the Auger Collaboration and is confirmed using hybrid events that include radio measurements for the first time.

Abdul Halim, A. [Adelaide U.]↗

Search for New Physics in Jet Multiplicity Patterns of Multilepton Events at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

A first search for beyond the standard model physics in jet multiplicity patterns of multilepton events is presented, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb −1 of 13 TeV proton-proton collisions recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The search uses observed jet multiplicity distributions in one-, two-, and four-lepton events to explore possible enhancements in jet production rate in three-lepton events with and without bottom quarks. The data are found to be consistent with the standard model expectation. The results are interpreted in terms of supersymmetric production of electroweak chargino-neutralino superpartners with cascade decays terminating in prompt hadronic 𝑅-parity violating interactions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Compensating slice emittance growth in high brightness photoinjectors using sacrificial charge

Achieving maximum electron beam brightness in photoinjectors requires detailed control of the 3D bunch shape and precise tuning of the beam focusing. Even in state-of-the-art designs, slice emittance growth due to nonlinear space charge forces and partial nonlaminarity often remains non-negligible. In this work, we introduce a new means to linearize the transverse slice phase space: a sacrificial portion of the bunch’s own charge distribution, formed into a wavebroken shock front by highly nonlinear space charge forces within the gun, whose downstream purpose is to dynamically linearize the desired bunch core. We show that linearization of an appropriately prepared bunch can be achieved via strongly nonlaminar focusing of the sacrificial shock front, while the inner core focuses laminarly. This leads to a natural spatial separation of the two distributions: a dense core surrounded by a diffuse halo of sacrificial charge that can be collimated. Multiobjective genetic algorithm optimizations of the ultracompact x-ray free electron laser injector employ this concept, and we interpret it with an analytic model that agrees well with the simulations. In simulation, we demonstrate a final bunch charge of 100 pC, peak current ∼ 30 A, and a sacrificial charge of 150 pC (250 pC total emitted from cathode) with normalized emittance growth of < 20 nm rad due to space charge. This implies a maximum achievable brightness approximately an order of magnitude greater than existing free electron laser injector designs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗