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Results for “quantum critical point”

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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8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

On the Critical Behaviour, Crossover Point and Complexity of the Exact Cover Problem

Research into quantum algorithms for NP-complete problems has rekindled interest in the detailed study a broad class of combinatorial problems. A recent paper applied the quantum adiabatic evolution algorithm to the Exact Cover problem for 3-sets (EC3), and provided an empirical evidence that the algorithm was polynomial. In this paper we provide a detailed study of the characteristics of the exact cover problem. We present the annealing approximation applied to EC3, which gives an over-estimate of the phase transition point. We also identify empirically the phase transition point. We also study the complexity of two classical algorithms on this problem: Davis-Putnam and Simulated Annealing. For these algorithms, EC3 is significantly easier than 3-SAT.

Morris, Robin D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Convective heat transfer to low-temperature fluids

Research into forced and natural convection processes in low-temperature (cryogenic) fluids is reviewed with primary emphasis on forced convection. Boundaries of the near-critical region are defined, fluid properties near the critical state are discussed, and heat-transfer processes around the critical point are described. The thermodynamics of the critical point is analyzed together with transport properties of a near-critical fluid, and the quantum states of low-temperature molecular hydrogen (para and ortho) are discussed. Experimental work on heat transfer in free, natural, and forced convection systems is briefly summarized. Graham's (1969) penetration model for near-critical fluids is outlined, near-critical heat transfer is discussed in relation to conventional geometric effects, and the effects of curvature on the properties of near-critical hydrogen are noted. Theoretical considerations in free and forced convection are examined.

Graham, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Passively Cooled Superconductors Final Report

A highly reflective spray-on coating and tile material has been under development at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) that scatters away most of the Sun’s energy, thereby allowing coated objects to remain cool in space. The best performing tile material has achieved 1% solar absorptivity while the best performing spray-on coating has achieved around 4%. Both versions passively maintain cryogenic temperatures below 120 K at 1 astronomical unit (AU) from the Sun, but the tile material consistently sustains temperatures below 90 K, which is low enough to preserve oxygen and methane in a liquid state. Besides keeping propellants cold, this “solar white” material has the potential to passively maintain high-temperature superconductors (HTS) in a superconducting state without the support of liquid nitrogen cooling. If superconductors can be operated without the added infrastructure of liquid nitrogen cooling, it may enable them to be used in space for applications like magnetic radiation shielding and efficient energy management. Long duration exposure to both galactic cosmic radiation and coronal mass ejections can pose health risks for the astronauts and increase the potential for damage to electronics. This makes shielding essential to accomplish long duration missions, particularly when astronauts are onboard. The objective of this project was to determine the extent we could keep a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) material passively chilled to maintain its superconducting state. Both the tile and spray-on versions of solar white were investigated. We focused on finding a version that could support passive cooling at 1 AU from the Sun and determined the closest operating distances for samples that were unable to perform at 1 AU. Early in the project, we selected bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) as the HTS to test based on its reputable usage in superconducting wires. The version we selected was Bi-2223, which has a critical temperature of about 108 K. Sample bars with contacts for a four-point probe were obtained from Quantum Levitation: https://quantumlevitation.com/product/superconductor-bar-for-4-point-tc-experiment/.

superconductors↗
NASA NTRS1974

Low-temperature thermostatics of face-centered-cubic metallic hydrogen

The thermostatic properties of a high-symmetry phase of metallic hydrogen with atomic sphere radius between 0.1 and 1.5 bohr are studied, with special emphasis accorded to electronic screening and quantum proton motion. The electron-proton and proton-proton interactions receive a perturbation treatment based on the Singwi dielectric function, while the proton motion is handled by self-consistent harmonic approximation. Quantum behavior is found to be less pronounced than expected, and nuclear magnetism is absent. The phonon spectrum is, however, affected by screening and large proton motion. The zero-point vibrational energy and the superconducting critical temperature are below previous estimates. The crystalline-defect formation energies are a few times the Debye energy, which implies that defects contribute significantly to melting at the lower particle densities.

Caron, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Kantian epistemology as an alternative to heroic astronomy

Theoretical and observational methods in astronomy have advanced to a point where certain of their outcomes are difficult to comprehend with the traditional categories of human knowledge. The philosophical discipline of epistemology, the theory of knowledge, is used here to address four current problems in observational astronomy, exobiology, cosmology, and quantum mechanics. The problems are united by an epistemological content which, when unrecognized, has resulted in some heroic solutions of an ad hoc nature. Kant's critical philosophy is employed because his work is consistent with basic attitudes in present-day physics and biology.

Mclaughlin, W. I.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Joule-Thomson inversion curves and related coefficients for several simple fluids

The equations of state (PVT relations) for methane, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, neon, hydrogen, and helium were used to establish Joule-Thomson inversion curves for each fluid. The principle of corresponding states was applied to the inversion curves, and a generalized inversion curve for fluids with small acentric factors was developed. The quantum fluids (neon, hydrogen, and helium) were excluded from the generalization, but available data for the fluids xenon and krypton were included. The critical isenthalpic Joule-Thomson coefficient mu sub c was determined; and a simplified approximation mu sub c approximates T sub c divided by 6P sub c was found adequate, where T sub c and P sub c are the temperature and pressure at the thermodynamic critical point. The maximum inversion temperatures were obtained from the second virial coefficient (maximum (B/T)).

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1998

A New Small Nano-Kelvin Resolution Thermometer for Low Temperature Experiments

A small, high resolution paramagnetic susceptibility thermometer was developed using a GdCl3 paramagnetic salt. The device uses a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometer to determine the temperature dependent magnetization of the salt in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is provided by a pair of small samarium cobalt permanent magnet disks situated inside the thermometer housing. The eliminates the need for a heavy, charging solenoid used in a conventional SQUID based magnetic thermometer system. This thermometer can resolve approximately 10 (exp -9)K near the liquid-gas critical point of He-3(approximately 3.31K). The drift rate of the thermometer was measured to be less than 2 x 10 (exp -13) K per second. This light weight thermometer (approximately 7 g) is a candidate for use in future low temperature Space Shuttle and International Space Station experiments. The present thermometer design easily permits a variety of magnetic materials for use in other applications.

Welander, Paul↗
NASA NTRS1983

Rate processes in gas phase

Reaction-rate theory and experiment are given a critical review from the engineers' point of view. Rates of heavy-particle, collision-induced reaction in gas phase are formulated in terms of the cross sections and activation energies for reaction. The effect of cross section function shape and of excited state contributions to reaction both cause the slope of Arrhenius plots to differ from the true activation energy, except at low temperature. The master equations for chemically reacting gases are introduced, and dissociation and ionization reactions are shown to proceed primarily from excited states about kT from the dissociation or ionization limit. Collision-induced vibration, vibration-rotation, and pure rotation transitions are treated, including three-dimensional effects and conservation of energy, which have usually been ignored. The quantum theory of transitions at potential surface crossing is derived, and results are found to be in fair agreement with experiment in spite of some questionable approximations involved.

Hansen, C. F.↗