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At least 19 records

Structural history of Maxwell Montes, Venus: Implications for Venusian mountain belt formation

Models for Venusian mountain belt formation are important for understanding planetary geodynamic mechanisms. A range of data sets at various scales must be considered in geodynamic modelling. Long wavelength data, such as gravity and geoid to topography ratios, need constraints from smaller-scale observations of the surface. Pre-Magellan images of the Venusian surface were not of high enough resolution to observe details of surface deformation. High-resolution Magellan images of Maxwell Montes and the other deformation belts allow us to determine the nature of surface deformation. With these images we can begin to understand the constraints that surface deformation places on planetary dynamic models. Maxwell Montes and three other deformation belts (Akna, Freyja, and Danu montes) surround the highland plateau Lakshmi Planum in Venus' northern hemisphere. Maxwell, the highest of these belts, stands 11 km above mean planetary radius. We present a detailed structural and kinematic study of Maxwell Montes. Key observations include (1) dominant structure fabrics are broadly distributed and show little change in spacing relative to elevation changes of several kilometers; (2) the spacing, wavelength and inferred amplitude of mapped structures are small; (3) interpreted extensional structures occur only in areas of steep slope, with no extension at the highest topographic levels; and (4) deformation terminates abruptly at the base of steep slopes. One implications of these observations is that topography is independent of thin-skinned, broadly distributed, Maxwell deformation. Maxwell is apparently stable, with no observed extensional collapse. We propose a 'deformation-from-below' model for Maxwell, in which the crust deforms passively over structurally imbricated and thickened lower crust. This model may have implications for the other deformation belts.

Keep, Myra↗

Hamiltonian reduction of Vlasov–Maxwell to a dark slow manifold

In this work, we show that non-relativistic scaling of the collisionless Vlasov–Maxwell system implies the existence of a formal invariant slow manifold in the infinite-dimensional Vlasov–Maxwell phase space. Vlasov–Maxwell dynamics restricted to the slow manifold recovers the Vlasov–Poisson and Vlasov–Darwin models as low-order approximations, and provides higher-order corrections to the Vlasov–Darwin model more generally. The slow manifold may be interpreted to all orders in perturbation theory as a collection of formal Vlasov–Maxwell solutions that do not excite light waves, and are therefore ‘dark’. We provide a heuristic lower bound for the time interval over which Vlasov–Maxwell solutions initialized optimally near the slow manifold remain dark. We also show how the dynamics on the slow manifold naturally inherits a Hamiltonian structure from the underlying system. After expressing this structure in a simple form, we use it to identify a manifestly Hamiltonian correction to the Vlasov–Darwin model. The derivation of higher-order terms is reduced to computing the corrections of the system Hamiltonian restricted to the slow manifold.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Energy and momentum conservation in the Euler–Poincaré formulation of local Vlasov–Maxwell-type systems

The action principle by Low for the classic Vlasov–Maxwell system contains a mix of Eulerian and Lagrangian variables. This renders the Noether analysis of reparametrization symmetries inconvenient, especially since the well-known energy- and momentum-conservation laws for the system are expressed in terms of Eulerian variables only. While an Euler–Poincaré formulation of Vlasov–Maxwell-type systems, effectively starting with Low's action and using constrained variations for the Eulerian description of particle motion, has been known for a while Cendra et al, it is hard to come by a documented derivation of the related energy- and momentum-conservation laws in the spirit of the Euler–Poincaré machinery. To our knowledge only one such derivation exists in the literature so far, dealing with the so-called guiding-center Vlasov–Darwin system Sugama et al. The present exposition discusses a generic class of local Vlasov–Maxwell-type systems, with a conscious choice of adopting the language of differential geometry to exploit the Euler–Poincaré framework to its full extent. After reviewing the transition from a Lagrangian picture to an Eulerian one, we demonstrate how symmetries generated by isometries in space lead to conservation laws for linear- and angular-momentum density and how symmetry by time translation produces a conservation law for energy density. Here, we also discuss what happens if no symmetries exist. Finally, two explicit examples will be given—the classic Vlasov–Maxwell and the drift-kinetic Vlasov–Maxwell—and the results expressed in the language of regular vector calculus for familiarity.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Framework for phase transitions between the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions

By taking the nucleon-to-quark phase transition within a neutron star as an example, we present a thermodynamically consistent method to calculate the equation of state of ambient matter so that transitions that are intermediate to those of the familiar Maxwell and Gibbs constructions can be described. This method does not address the poorly known surface tension between the two phases microscopically (as, for example, in the calculation of the core pasta phases via the Wigner-Seitz approximation) but instead combines the local and global charge neutrality conditions characteristic of the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions, respectively. Overall charge neutrality is achieved by dividing the leptons to those that obey local charge neutrality (Maxwell) and those that maintain global charge neutrality (Gibbs). The equation of state is obtained by using equilibrium constraints derived from minimizing the total energy density. The results of this minimization are then used to calculate neutron star mass-radius curves, tidal deformabilities, equilibrium and adiabatic sound speeds, and nonradial g-mode oscillation frequencies for several intermediate constructions. Various quantities of interest transform smoothly from their Gibbs structures to those of Maxwell as the local-to-total electron ratio η, introduced to mimic the hadron-to-quark interface tension from 0 (Gibbs) to ∞ (Maxwell), is raised from 0 to 1. As a result, a notable exception is the g-mode frequency for the specific case of η = 1 for which a gap appears between the quark and hadronic branches.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Variationally consistent Maxwell stress in flexoelectric structures under finite deformation and immersed in free space

Maxwell stress refers to the mechanical stress exerted on a dielectric material due to the presence of electric fields. It plays a significant role in the interaction between a dielectric material and the surrounding free space under finite deformation. Previous research on finite deformation of flexoelectricity mainly adopted a modified form of Maxwell stress, potentially not able to correctly capture some physical phenomena, such as the compression of a dielectric droplet in an electric field. In this work, we propose a consistent and complete variational principle for flexoelectricity, in which the Maxwell stress emerges naturally from the derivation, without introducing additional assumptions. An Isogeometric analysis-based numerical framework is developed accordingly and verified by both linear and nonlinear benchmark cases compared with experimental results. The present framework successfully captures and quantifies the behaviors of conductive liquids and soft dielectric solids subjected to an external electric field. Finally, a novel scenario is investigated in which a flexoelectric beam immersed in free space is analyzed, showing the interesting distribution of Maxwell stress-induced tractions at opposing boundaries. The test demonstrates that a higher dielectric constant can effectively enhance the material's stiffness in response to the external electric loading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physics-constrained machine learning for electrodynamics without gauge ambiguity based on Fourier transformed Maxwell’s equations

We utilize a Fourier transformation-based representation of Maxwell’s equations to develop physics-constrained neural networks for electrodynamics without gauge ambiguity, which we label the Fourier–Helmholtz–Maxwell neural operator method. In this approach, both of Gauss’s laws and Faraday’s law are built in as hard constraints, as well as the longitudinal component of Ampère–Maxwell in Fourier space, assuming the continuity equation. An encoder–decoder network acts as a solution operator for the transverse components of the Fourier transformed vector potential, $\hat{A}_⟂(k,t)$, whose two degrees of freedom are used to predict the electromagnetic fields. This method was tested on two electron beam simulations. Among the models investigated, it was found that a U-Net architecture exhibited the best performance as it trained quicker, was more accurate and generalized better than the other architectures examined. We demonstrate that our approach is useful for solving Maxwell’s equations for the electromagnetic fields generated by intense relativistic charged particle beams and that it generalizes well to unseen test data, while being orders of magnitude quicker than conventional simulations. We show that the model can be re-trained to make highly accurate predictions in as few as 20 epochs on a previously unseen data set.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Geology of Maxwell Montes, Venus

Maxwell Montes represent the most distinctive topography on the surface of Venus, rising some 11 km above mean planetary radius. The multiple data sets of the Pioneer missing and Earth based radar observations to characterize Maxwell Montes are analyzed. Maxwell Montes is a porkchop shaped feature located at the eastern end of Lakshmi Planum. The main massif trends about North 20 deg West for approximately 1000 km and the narrow handle extends several hundred km West South-West WSW from the north end of the main massif, descending down toward Lakshmi Planum. The main massif is rectilinear and approximately 500 km wide. The southern and northern edges of Maxwell Montes coincide with major topographic boundaries defining the edge of Ishtar Terra.

Head, J. W.↗

Characterization of thunderstorm induced Maxwell current densities in the middle atmosphere

Middle atmospheric transient Maxwell current densities generated by lightning induced charge perturbations are investigated via a simulation of Maxwell's equations. A time domain finite element analysis is employed for the simulations. The atmosphere is modeled as a region contained within a right circular cylinder with a height of 110 km and radius of 80 km. A composite conductivity profile based on measured data is used when charge perturbations are centered about the vertical axis at altitudes of 6 and 10 km. The simulations indicate that the temporal structure of the Maxwell current density is relatively insensitive to altitude variation within the region considered. It is also shown that the electric field and Maxwell current density are not generally aligned.

Baginski, Michael Edward↗

Dyson maps and unitary evolution for Maxwell equations in tensor dielectric media

The propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves in dielectric media is of theoretical and experimental interest in a wide variety of fields. An understanding of observational results generally requires a numerical solution of Maxwell equations—usually implemented on conventional computers using sophisticated numerical algorithms. In recent years, advances in quantum information science and in the development of quantum computers have piqued curiosity about taking advantage of these resources for an alternate numerical approach to Maxwell equations. This requires a reformulation of the classical Maxwell equations into a form suitable for quantum computers which, unlike conventional computers, are limited to unitary operations. In this paper, a unitary framework is developed for the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a spatially inhomogeneous, passive, nondispersive, and anisotropic dielectric medium. For such a medium, generally, the evolution operator in the combined Faraday-Ampere equations is not unitary. There are two steps needed to convert this equation into a unitary evolution equation. In the first step, a weighted Hilbert space is formulated in which the generator of dynamics is a pseudo-Hermitian operator. In the second step, a Dyson map is constructed which maps the weighted-physical-Hilbert space to the original Hilbert space. Furthermore, the resulting evolution equation for the electromagnetic wave fields is unitary. Utilizing the framework developed in these steps, a unitary evolution equation is derived for electromagnetic wave propagation in a uniaxial dielectric medium. The resulting form is suitable for quantum computing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

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↗

Maxwell currents under thunderstorms

Time variations observed in thunderstorm electric fields may be interpreted in terms of a total Maxwell current density, varying slowly with time in the intervals between lightning discharges, which can be used to estimate and map thunderstorms. Using the quasi-static behavior of the Maxwell current density, an expression is derived for the field-dependent current density under a thunderstorm during the field recovery following a lightning discharge. Values of air conductivity under the small storm which range from 2 to 6 x 10 to the -13th mho/m are inferred. Data are presented which indicate that the area-average Maxwell current is not usually affected by lightning, and instead varies slowly throughout the evolution of the storm. In light of this, it is suggested that cloud electrification processes probably do not depend on the cloud electric field as much as on the more slowly varying storm dynamics and meteorological structure.

Krider, E. P.↗

Orogeny and large-scale strike-slip faulting on Venus - Tectonic evolution of Maxwell Montes

Complementary data sets from the Arecibo and Venera 15/16 imaging radar systems are used here to produce geologic and structural maps of the Maxwell Montes, a region of large-scale strike-slip faulting on Venus. The maps are compared with the characteristics of other linear mountain belts. The tectonic deformation occurring in Maxwell Montes is assessed, identifying the structural elements, their tectonic origin, and their sequence. A geologic and tectonic chronology is developed and a model for the origin and evolution of Maxwell Montes is proposed.

Vorder Bruegge, R. W.↗

Wind-tunnel tests of a Clark Y wing with 'Maxwell' leading-edge slots

Aerodynamic force tests of a Clark Y wing equipped with "Maxwell" type leading-edge slots were conducted in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot tunnel to ascertain the aerodynamic characteristics, which involved the determination of the best slot-gap opening, the effects of slat width, and the effect of a trailing-edge flap. The Maxwell wing with a wide-chord slat (0.30 c(sub w)) and with a 0.211 c(sub w) split flap deflected 60 degrees had a C(sub L sub max) of 2.53 or about twice that of the plain wing. The wing with the wide slat also had, in general, improved aerodynamic characteristics over those of the Maxwell wing with slat, and had about the same aerodynamic characteristics as a Handley Page slotted wing with approximately the same size of slat.

Gauvain, William E↗

Numerical Simulations of Self-Focused Pulses Using the Nonlinear Maxwell Equations

This paper will present results in computational nonlinear optics. An algorithm will be described that solves the full vector nonlinear Maxwell's equations exactly without the approximations that are currently made. Present methods solve a reduced scalar wave equation, namely the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, and neglect the optical carrier. Also, results will be shown of calculations of 2-D electromagnetic nonlinear waves computed by directly integrating in time the nonlinear vector Maxwell's equations. The results will include simulations of 'light bullet' like pulses. Here diffraction and dispersion will be counteracted by nonlinear effects. The time integration efficiently implements linear and nonlinear convolutions for the electric polarization, and can take into account such quantum effects as Kerr and Raman interactions. The present approach is robust and should permit modeling 2-D and 3-D optical soliton propagation, scattering, and switching directly from the full-vector Maxwell's equations. Abstract of a proposed paper for presentation at the meeting NONLINEAR OPTICS: Materials, Fundamentals, and Applications, Hyatt Regency Waikaloa, Waikaloa, Hawaii, July 24-29, 1994, Cosponsored by IEEE/Lasers and Electro-Optics Society and Optical Society of America

Goorjian, Peter M.↗

Numerical Simulations of Light Bullets, Using the Full Vector, Time Dependent, Nonlinear Maxwell Equations

This paper will present results in computational nonlinear optics. An algorithm will be described that solves the full vector nonlinear Maxwell's equations exactly without the approximations that are currently made. Present methods solve a reduced scalar wave equation, namely the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, and neglect the optical carrier. Also, results will be shown of calculations of 2-D electromagnetic nonlinear waves computed by directly integrating in time the nonlinear vector Maxwell's equations. The results will include simulations of 'light bullet' like pulses. Here diffraction and dispersion will be counteracted by nonlinear effects. The time integration efficiently implements linear and nonlinear convolutions for the electric polarization, and can take into account such quantum effects as Kerr and Raman interactions. The present approach is robust and should permit modeling 2-D and 3-D optical soliton propagation, scattering, and switching directly from the full-vector Maxwell's equations.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗

Numerical Simulations of Light Bullets, Using The Full Vector, Time Dependent, Nonlinear Maxwell Equations

This paper will present results in computational nonlinear optics. An algorithm will be described that solves the full vector nonlinear Maxwell's equations exactly without the approximations that we currently made. Present methods solve a reduced scalar wave equation, namely the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, and neglect the optical carrier. Also, results will be shown of calculations of 2-D electromagnetic nonlinear waves computed by directly integrating in time the nonlinear vector Maxwell's equations. The results will include simulations of 'light bullet' like pulses. Here diffraction and dispersion will be counteracted by nonlinear effects. The time integration efficiently implements linear and nonlinear convolutions for the electric polarization, and can take into account such quantum effects as Karr and Raman interactions. The present approach is robust and should permit modeling 2-D and 3-D optical soliton propagation, scattering, and switching directly from the full-vector Maxwell's equations.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗

Numerical Simulations of Light Bullets, Using The Full Vector, Time Dependent, Nonlinear Maxwell Equations

This paper will present results in computational nonlinear optics. An algorithm will be described that solves the full vector nonlinear Maxwell's equations exactly without the approximations that are currently made. Present methods solve a reduced scalar wave equation, namely the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, and neglect the optical carrier. Also, results will be shown of calculations of 2-D electromagnetic nonlinear waves computed by directly integrating in time the nonlinear vector Maxwell's equations. The results will include simulations of 'light bullet' like pulses. Here diffraction and dispersion will be counteracted by nonlinear effects. The time integration efficiently implements linear and nonlinear convolutions for the electric polarization, and can take into account such quantum effects as Kerr and Raman interactions. The present approach is robust and should permit modeling 2-D and 3-D optical soliton propagation, scattering, and switching directly from the full-vector Maxwell's equations.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗