Phase-factor-dependent symmetries and quantum phases in a three-level cavity QED system.

PubMed

Fan, Jingtao; Yu, Lixian; Chen, Gang; Jia, Suotang

2016-05-03

Unlike conventional two-level particles, three-level particles may support some unitary-invariant phase factors when they interact coherently with a single-mode quantized light field. To gain a better understanding of light-matter interaction, it is thus necessary to explore the phase-factor-dependent physics in such a system. In this report, we consider the collective interaction between degenerate V-type three-level particles and a single-mode quantized light field, whose different components are labeled by different phase factors. We mainly establish an important relation between the phase factors and the symmetry or symmetry-broken physics. Specifically, we find that the phase factors affect dramatically the system symmetry. When these symmetries are breaking separately, rich quantum phases emerge. Finally, we propose a possible scheme to experimentally probe the predicted physics of our model. Our work provides a way to explore phase-factor-induced nontrivial physics by introducing additional particle levels.

Exploring the Standard Model of Particles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johansson, K. E.; Watkins, P. M.

2013-01-01

With the recent discovery of a new particle at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) the Higgs boson could be about to be discovered. This paper provides a brief summary of the standard model of particle physics and the importance of the Higgs boson and field in that model for non-specialists. The role of Feynman diagrams in making predictions for…

The 5th Generation model of Particle Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lach, Theodore

2009-05-01

The Standard model of Particle Physics is able to account for all known HEP phenomenon, yet it is not able to predict the masses of the quarks or leptons nor can it explain why they have their respective values. The Checker Board Model (CBM) predicts that there are 5 generation of quarks and leptons and shows a pattern to those masses, namely each three quarks or leptons (within adjacent generations or within a generation) are related to each other by a geometric mean relationship. A 2D structure of the nucleus can be imaged as 2D plate spinning on its axis, it would for all practical circumstances appear to be a 3D object. The masses of the hypothesized ``up'' and ``dn'' quarks determined by the CBM are 237.31 MeV and 42.392 MeV respectively. These new quarks in addition to a lepton of 7.4 MeV make up one of the missing generations. The details of this new particle physics model can be found at the web site: checkerboard.dnsalias.net. The only areas were this theory conflicts with existing dogma is in the value of the mass of the Top quark. The particle found at Fermi Lab must be some sort of composite particle containing Top quarks.

Numerical modeling of particle generation from ozone reactions with human-worn clothing in indoor environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Aakash C.; Lin, Chao-Hsin; Chen, Qingyan

2015-02-01

Ozone-terpene reactions are important sources of indoor ultrafine particles (UFPs), a potential health hazard for human beings. Humans themselves act as possible sites for ozone-initiated particle generation through reactions with squalene (a terpene) that is present in their skin, hair, and clothing. This investigation developed a numerical model to probe particle generation from ozone reactions with clothing worn by humans. The model was based on particle generation measured in an environmental chamber as well as physical formulations of particle nucleation, condensational growth, and deposition. In five out of the six test cases, the model was able to predict particle size distributions reasonably well. The failure in the remaining case demonstrated the fundamental limitations of nucleation models. The model that was developed was used to predict particle generation under various building and airliner cabin conditions. These predictions indicate that ozone reactions with human-worn clothing could be an important source of UFPs in densely occupied classrooms and airliner cabins. Those reactions could account for about 40% of the total UFPs measured on a Boeing 737-700 flight. The model predictions at this stage are indicative and should be improved further.

Modelling the behaviour of additives in gun barrels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhodes, N.; Ludwig, J. C.

1986-01-01

A mathematical model which predicts the flow and heat transfer in a gun barrel is described. The model is transient, two-dimensional and equations are solved for velocities and enthalpies of a gas phase, which arises from the combustion of propellant and cartridge case, for particle additives which are released from the case; volume fractions of the gas and particles. Closure of the equations is obtained using a two-equation turbulence model. Preliminary calculations are described in which the proportions of particle additives in the cartridge case was altered. The model gives a good prediction of the ballistic performance and the gas to wall heat transfer. However, the expected magnitude of reduction in heat transfer when particles are present is not predicted. The predictions of gas flow invalidate some of the assumptions made regarding case and propellant behavior during combustion and further work is required to investigate these effects and other possible interactions, both chemical and physical, between gas and particles.

Exact simulation of polarized light reflectance by particle deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramezan Pour, B.; Mackowski, D. W.

2015-12-01

The use of polarimetric light reflection measurements as a means of identifying the physical and chemical characteristics of particulate materials obviously relies on an accurate model of predicting the effects of particle size, shape, concentration, and refractive index on polarized reflection. The research examines two methods for prediction of reflection from plane parallel layers of wavelength—sized particles. The first method is based on an exact superposition solution to Maxwell's time harmonic wave equations for a deposit of spherical particles that are exposed to a plane incident wave. We use a FORTRAN-90 implementation of this solution (the Multiple Sphere T Matrix (MSTM) code), coupled with parallel computational platforms, to directly simulate the reflection from particle layers. The second method examined is based upon the vector radiative transport equation (RTE). Mie theory is used in our RTE model to predict the extinction coefficient, albedo, and scattering phase function of the particles, and the solution of the RTE is obtained from adding—doubling method applied to a plane—parallel configuration. Our results show that the MSTM and RTE predictions of the Mueller matrix elements converge when particle volume fraction in the particle layer decreases below around five percent. At higher volume fractions the RTE can yield results that, depending on the particle size and refractive index, significantly depart from the exact predictions. The particle regimes which lead to dependent scattering effects, and the application of methods to correct the vector RTE for particle interaction, will be discussed.

Avoiding reification. Heuristic effectiveness of mathematics and the prediction of the Ω- particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginammi, Michele

2016-02-01

According to Steiner (1998), in contemporary physics new important discoveries are often obtained by means of strategies which rely on purely formal mathematical considerations. In such discoveries, mathematics seems to have a peculiar and controversial role, which apparently cannot be accounted for by means of standard methodological criteria. M. Gell-Mann and Y. Ne'eman's prediction of the Ω- particle is usually considered a typical example of application of this kind of strategy. According to Bangu (2008), this prediction is apparently based on the employment of a highly controversial principle-what he calls the "reification principle". Bangu himself takes this principle to be methodologically unjustifiable, but still indispensable to make the prediction logically sound. In the present paper I will offer a new reconstruction of the reasoning that led to this prediction. By means of this reconstruction, I will show that we do not need to postulate any "reificatory" role of mathematics in contemporary physics and I will contextually clarify the representative and heuristic role of mathematics in science.

Lattice QCD and physics beyond the Standar Model: an experimentalist perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artuso, Marina

2017-01-01

The new frontier in elementary particle physics is to find evidence for new physics that may lead to a deeper understanding of observations such as the baryon-antibaryon asymmetry of the universe, mass hierarchy, dark matter, or dark energy to name a few. Flavor physics provides a wealth of opportunities to find such signatures, and a vast body of data taken at e+e- b-factories and at hadron machines has provided valuable information, and a few tantalizing ``tensions'' with respect to the Standard Model predictions. While the window for new physics is still open, the chance that its manifestations will be subtle is very real. A vibrant experimental program is ongoing, and significant upgrades, such as the upgraded LHCb experiment at LHC and Belle 2 at KEKb, are imminent. One of the challenges in extracting new physics from flavor physics data is the need to relate observed hadron decays to fundamental particles and interactions. The continuous improvement of Lattice QCD predictions is a key element to achieve success in this quest. Improvements in algorithms and hardware have led to predictions of increasing precision on several fundamental matrix elements, and the continuous breaking of new grounds, thus allowing a broader spectrum of measurements to become relevant to this quest. An important aspect of the experiment-lattice synergy is a comparison between lattice predictions with experiment for a variety of hadronic quantities. This talk summarizes current synergies between lattice QCD theory and flavor physics experiments, and gives some highlights of expectations from future upgrades. this work was supported by NSF.

Hidden sector behind the CKM matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okawa, Shohei; Omura, Yuji

2017-08-01

The small quark mixing, described by the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix in the standard model, may be a clue to reveal new physics around the TeV scale. We consider a simple scenario that extra particles in a hidden sector radiatively mediate the flavor violation to the quark sector around the TeV scale and effectively realize the observed CKM matrix. The lightest particle in the hidden sector, whose contribution to the CKM matrix is expected to be dominant, is a good dark matter (DM) candidate. There are many possible setups to describe this scenario, so that we investigate some universal predictions of this kind of model, focusing on the contribution of DM to the quark mixing and flavor physics. In this scenario, there is an explicit relation between the CKM matrix and flavor violating couplings, such as four-quark couplings, because both are radiatively induced by the particles in the hidden sector. Then, we can explicitly find the DM mass region and the size of Yukawa couplings between the DM and quarks, based on the study of flavor physics and DM physics. In conclusion, we show that DM mass in our scenario is around the TeV scale, and the Yukawa couplings are between O (0.01 ) and O (1 ). The spin-independent DM scattering cross section is estimated as O (10-9) [pb]. An extra colored particle is also predicted at the O (10 ) TeV scale.

Aspects of string phenomenology in particle physics and cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antoniadis, I.

2017-12-01

I discuss possible connections between several scales in particle physics and cosmology, such the the electroweak, inflation, dark energy and Planck scales. In particular, I discuss the physics of extra dimensions and low scale gravity that are motivated from the problem of mass hierarchy, providing an alternative to low energy supersymmetry. I describe their realization in type I string theory with D-branes and I present the main experimental predictions in particle accelerators and their implications in cosmology. I also show that low-mass-scale string compactifications, with a generic D-brane configuration that realizes the Standard Model by open strings, can explain the relatively broad peak in the diphoton invariant mass spectrum at 750 GeV recently reported by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations.

MODELING OF PARTICLE FORMATION AND DYNAMICS IN A FLAME INCINERATOR

EPA Science Inventory

A model has been developed to predict the formation and growth of metallic particles in a flame incinerator system. Flow fields and temperature profiles in a cylindrical laminar jet flame have been used to determine the position and physical conditions of the species along the fl...

Overview of the SHIELDS Project at LANL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jordanova, V.; Delzanno, G. L.; Henderson, M. G.; Godinez, H. C.; Jeffery, C. A.; Lawrence, E. C.; Meierbachtol, C.; Moulton, D.; Vernon, L.; Woodroffe, J. R.; Toth, G.; Welling, D. T.; Yu, Y.; Birn, J.; Thomsen, M. F.; Borovsky, J.; Denton, M.; Albert, J.; Horne, R. B.; Lemon, C. L.; Markidis, S.; Young, S. L.

2015-12-01

The near-Earth space environment is a highly dynamic and coupled system through a complex set of physical processes over a large range of scales, which responds nonlinearly to driving by the time-varying solar wind. Predicting variations in this environment that can affect technologies in space and on Earth, i.e. "space weather", remains a big space physics challenge. We present a recently funded project through the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program that is developing a new capability to understand, model, and predict Space Hazards Induced near Earth by Large Dynamic Storms, the SHIELDS framework. The project goals are to specify the dynamics of the hot (keV) particles (the seed population for the radiation belts) on both macro- and micro-scale, including important physics of rapid particle injection and acceleration associated with magnetospheric storms/substorms and plasma waves. This challenging problem is addressed using a team of world-class experts in the fields of space science and computational plasma physics and state-of-the-art models and computational facilities. New data assimilation techniques employing data from LANL instruments on the Van Allen Probes and geosynchronous satellites are developed in addition to physics-based models. This research will provide a framework for understanding of key radiation belt drivers that may accelerate particles to relativistic energies and lead to spacecraft damage and failure. The ability to reliably distinguish between various modes of failure is critically important in anomaly resolution and forensics. SHIELDS will enhance our capability to accurately specify and predict the near-Earth space environment where operational satellites reside.

Partnership for Edge Physics (EPSI), University of Texas Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moser, Robert; Carey, Varis; Michoski, Craig

Simulations of tokamak plasmas require a number of inputs whose values are uncertain. The effects of these input uncertainties on the reliability of model predictions is of great importance when validating predictions by comparison to experimental observations, and when using the predictions for design and operation of devices. However, high fidelity simulation of tokamak plasmas, particular those aimed at characterization of the edge plasma physics, are computationally expensive, so lower cost surrogates are required to enable practical uncertainty estimates. Two surrogate modeling techniques have been explored in the context of tokamak plasma simulations using the XGC family of plasma simulationmore » codes. The first is a response surface surrogate, and the second is an augmented surrogate relying on scenario extrapolation. In addition, to reduce the costs of the XGC simulations, a particle resampling algorithm was developed, which allows marker particle distributions to be adjusted to maintain optimal importance sampling. This means that the total number of particles in and therefore the cost of a simulation can be reduced while maintaining the same accuracy.« less

Predicting the particle size distribution of eroded sediment using artificial neural networks.

PubMed

Lagos-Avid, María Paz; Bonilla, Carlos A

2017-03-01

Water erosion causes soil degradation and nonpoint pollution. Pollutants are primarily transported on the surfaces of fine soil and sediment particles. Several soil loss models and empirical equations have been developed for the size distribution estimation of the sediment leaving the field, including the physically-based models and empirical equations. Usually, physically-based models require a large amount of data, sometimes exceeding the amount of available data in the modeled area. Conversely, empirical equations do not always predict the sediment composition associated with individual events and may require data that are not always available. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a model to predict the particle size distribution (PSD) of eroded soil. A total of 41 erosion events from 21 soils were used. These data were compiled from previous studies. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to identify the main variables controlling sediment PSD. These variables were the particle size distribution in the soil matrix, the antecedent soil moisture condition, soil erodibility, and hillslope geometry. With these variables, an artificial neural network was calibrated using data from 29 events (r 2 =0.98, 0.97, and 0.86; for sand, silt, and clay in the sediment, respectively) and then validated and tested on 12 events (r 2 =0.74, 0.85, and 0.75; for sand, silt, and clay in the sediment, respectively). The artificial neural network was compared with three empirical models. The network presented better performance in predicting sediment PSD and differentiating rain-runoff events in the same soil. In addition to the quality of the particle distribution estimates, this model requires a small number of easily obtained variables, providing a convenient routine for predicting PSD in eroded sediment in other pollutant transport models. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of plasma spray processing variations on particle melting and splat spreading of hydroxylapatite and alumina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yankee, S. J.; Pletka, B. J.

1993-09-01

Splats of hydroxylapatite (HA) and alumina were obtained via plasma spraying using systematically varied combinations of plasma velocity and temperature, which were achieved by altering the primary plasma gas flow rate and plasma gas composition. Particle size was also varied in the case of alumina. Splat spreading was quantified via computer- aided image analysis as a function of processing variations. A comparison of the predicted splat dimensions from a model developed by Madejski with experimental observations of HA and alumina splats was performed. The model tended to underestimate the HA splat sizes, suggesting that evaporation of smaller particles occurred under the chosen experimental conditions, and to overestimate the observed alumina splat dimensions. Based on this latter result and on the surface appearance of the substrates, incomplete melting appeared to take place in all but the smaller alumina particles. Analysis of the spreading data as a function of the processing variations indicated that the particle size as well as the plasma temperature and velocity influenced the extent of particle melting. Based on these data and other considerations, a physical model was developed that described the degree of particle melting in terms of material and processing parameters. The physical model correctly predicted the relative splat spreading behavior of HA and alumina, assuming that spreading was directly linked to the extent of particle melting.

Characterization Of Environmentally Relevant Chemical And Physical Properties Of Silver Nano-Particles

EPA Science Inventory

Understanding and predicting the fate and transport of nano-materials in the environment requires a detailed characterization of the chemical and physical properties that control fate and transport. In the current study, we have evaluated the surface charge, aggregation potentia...

Physical approach to quantum networks with massive particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersen, Molte Emil Strange; Zinner, Nikolaj Thomas

2018-04-01

Assembling large-scale quantum networks is a key goal of modern physics research with applications in quantum information and computation. Quantum wires and waveguides in which massive particles propagate in tailored confinement is one promising platform for realizing a quantum network. In the literature, such networks are often treated as quantum graphs, that is, the wave functions are taken to live on graphs of one-dimensional edges meeting in vertices. Hitherto, it has been unclear what boundary conditions on the vertices produce the physical states one finds in nature. This paper treats a quantum network from a physical approach, explicitly finds the physical eigenstates and compares them to the quantum-graph description. The basic building block of a quantum network is an X-shaped potential well made by crossing two quantum wires, and we consider a massive particle in such an X well. The system is analyzed using a variational method based on an expansion into modes with fast convergence and it provides a very clear intuition for the physics of the problem. The particle is found to have a ground state that is exponentially localized to the center of the X well, and the other symmetric solutions are formed so to be orthogonal to the ground state. This is in contrast to the predictions of the conventionally used so-called Kirchoff boundary conditions in quantum graph theory that predict a different sequence of symmetric solutions that cannot be physically realized. Numerical methods have previously been the only source of information on the ground-state wave function and our results provide a different perspective with strong analytical insights. The ground-state wave function has a spatial profile that looks very similar to the shape of a solitonic solution to a nonlinear Schrödinger equation, enabling an analytical prediction of the wave number. When combining multiple X wells into a network or grid, each site supports a solitonlike localized state. These localized solutions only couple to each other and are able to jump from one site to another as if they were trapped in a discrete lattice.

Nuclear and particle physics in the early universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schramm, D. N.

1981-01-01

Basic principles and implications of Big Bang cosmology are reviewed, noting the physical evidence of a previous universe temperature of 10,000 K and theoretical arguments such as grand unification decoupling indicating a primal temperature of 10 to the 15th eV. The Planck time of 10 to the -43rd sec after the Big Bang is set as the limit before which gravity was quantized and nothing is known. Gauge theories of elementary particle physics are reviewed for successful predictions of similarity in weak and electromagnetic interactions and quantum chromodynamic predictions for strong interactions. The large number of photons in the universe relative to the baryons is considered and the grand unified theories are cited as showing the existence of baryon nonconservation as an explanation. Further attention is given to quark-hadron phase transition, the decoupling for the weak interaction and relic neutrinos, and Big Bang nucleosynthesis.

Experimental studies of electroweak physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Etzion, E.

1997-09-01

Some experimental new Electroweak physics results measured at the LEP/SLD and the TEVATRON are discussed. The excellent accuracy achieved by the experiments still yield no significant evidence for deviation from the Standard Model predictions, or signal to physics beyond the Standard Model. The Higgs particle still has not been discovered and a low bound is given to its mass.

The NASA-AMES Research Center Stratospheric Aerosol Model. 1. Physical Processes and Computational Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turco, R. P.; Hamill, P.; Toon, O. B.; Whitten, R. C.; Kiang, C. S.

1979-01-01

A time-dependent one-dimensional model of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer is presented. In constructing the model, a wide range of basic physical and chemical processes are incorporated in order to avoid predetermining or biasing the model predictions. The simulation, which extends from the surface to an altitude of 58 km, includes the troposphere as a source of gases and condensation nuclei and as a sink for aerosol droplets. The size distribution of aerosol particles is resolved into 25 categories with particle radii increasing geometrically from 0.01 to 2.56 microns such that particle volume doubles between categories.

Noise and diffusion of a vibrated self-propelled granular particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Lee; Wagner, Caleb G.; Schlossberg, Sarah; Olson, Christopher; Baskaran, Aparna; Menon, Narayanan

Granular materials are an important physical realization of active matter. In vibration-fluidized granular matter, both diffusion and self-propulsion derive from the same collisional forcing, unlike many other active systems where there is a clean separation between the origin of single-particle mobility and the coupling to noise. Here we present experimental studies of single-particle motion in a vibrated granular monolayer, along with theoretical analysis that compares grain motion at short and long time scales to the assumptions and predictions, respectively, of the active Brownian particle (ABP) model. The results demonstrate that despite the unique relation between noise and propulsion, granular media do show the generic features predicted by the ABP model and indicate that this is a valid framework to predict collective phenomena. Additionally, our scheme of analysis for validating the inputs and outputs of the model can be applied to other granular and non-granular systems.

Rosin-Rammler Distributions in ANSYS Fluent

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dunham, Ryan Q.

In Health Physics monitoring, particles need to be collected and tracked. One method is to predict the motion of potential health hazards with computer models. Particles released from various sources within a glove box can become a respirable health hazard if released into the area surrounding a glove box. The goal of modeling the aerosols in a glove box is to reduce the hazards associated with a leak in the glove box system. ANSYS Fluent provides a number of tools for modeling this type of environment. Particles can be released using injections into the flow path with turbulent properties. Themore » models of particle tracks can then be used to predict paths and concentrations of particles within the flow. An attempt to understand and predict the handling of data by Fluent was made, and results iteratively tracked. Trends in data were studied to comprehend the final results. The purpose of the study was to allow a better understanding of the operation of Fluent for aerosol modeling for future application in many fields.« less

Parameterization of Photon Tunneling with Application to Ice Cloud Optical Properties at Terrestrial Wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, D. L.

2006-12-01

Sometimes deep physical insights can be gained through the comparison of two theories of light scattering. Comparing van de Hulst's anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA) with Mie theory yielded insights on the behavior of the photon tunneling process that resulted in the modified anomalous diffraction approximation (MADA). (Tunneling is the process by which radiation just beyond a particle's physical cross-section may undergo large angle diffraction or absorption, contributing up to 40% of the absorption when wavelength and particle size are comparable.) Although this provided a means of parameterizing the tunneling process in terms of the real index of refraction and size parameter, it did not predict the efficiency of the tunneling process, where an efficiency of 100% is predicted for spheres by Mie theory. This tunneling efficiency, Tf, depends on particle shape and ranges from 0 to 1.0, with 1.0 corresponding to spheres. Similarly, by comparing absorption efficiencies predicted by the Finite Difference Time Domain Method (FDTD) with efficiencies predicted by MADA, Tf was determined for nine different ice particle shapes, including aggregates. This comparison confirmed that Tf is a strong function of ice crystal shape, including the aspect ratio when applicable. Tf was lowest (< 0.36) for aggregates and plates, and largest (> 0.9) for quasi- spherical shapes. A parameterization of Tf was developed in terms of (1) ice particle shape and (2) mean particle size regarding the large mode (D > 70 mm) of the ice particle size distribution. For the small mode, Tf is only a function of ice particle shape. When this Tf parameterization is used in MADA, absorption and extinction efficiency differences between MADA and FDTD are within 14% over the terrestrial wavelength range 3-100 mm for all size distributions and most crystal shapes likely to be found in cirrus clouds. Using hyperspectral radiances, it is demonstrated that Tf can be retrieved from ice clouds. Since Tf is a function of ice particle shape, this may provide a means of retrieving qualitative information on ice particle shape.

Bench-level characterization of a CMOS standard-cell D-latch using alpha-particle sensitive test circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blaes, B. R.; Soli, G. A.; Buehler, M. G.

1991-01-01

A methodology is described for predicting the SEU susceptibility of a standard-cell D-latch using an alpha-particle sensitive SRAM, SPICE critical charge simulation results, and alpha-particle interaction physics. Measurements were made on a 1.6-micron n-well CMOS 4-kb test SRAM irradiated with an Am-241 alpha-particle source. A collection depth of 6.09 micron was determined using these results and TRIM computer code. Using this collection depth and SPICE derived critical charge results on the latch design, an LET threshold of 34 MeV sq cm/mg was predicted. Heavy ion tests were then performed on the latch and an LET threshold of 41 MeV sq cm/mg was determined.

Collisions of unequal mass black holes and the point particle limit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sperhake, Ulrich; CENTRA, Departamento de Fisica, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa - UTL, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049 Lisboa; California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125

Numerical relativity has seen incredible progress in the last years, and is being applied with success to a variety of physical phenomena, from gravitational wave research and relativistic astrophysics to cosmology and high-energy physics. Here we probe the limits of current numerical setups, by studying collisions of unequal mass, nonrotating black holes of mass ratios up to 1 ratio 100 and making contact with a classical calculation in general relativity: the infall of a pointlike particle into a massive black hole. Our results agree well with the predictions coming from linearized calculations of the infall of pointlike particles into nonrotatingmore » black holes. In particular, in the limit that one hole is much smaller than the other, and the infall starts from an infinite initial separation, we recover the point-particle limit. Thus, numerical relativity is able to bridge the gap between fully nonlinear dynamics and linearized approximations, which may have important applications. Finally, we also comment on the 'spurious' radiation content in the initial data and the linearized predictions.« less

Primordial alchemy: from the Big Bang to the present universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steigman, Gary

Of the light nuclides observed in the universe today, D, 3He, 4He, and 7Li are relics from its early evolution. The primordial abundances of these relics, produced via Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) during the first half hour of the evolution of the universe provide a unique window on Physics and Cosmology at redshifts ~1010. Comparing the BBN-predicted abundances with those inferred from observational data tests the consistency of the standard cosmological model over ten orders of magnitude in redshift, constrains the baryon and other particle content of the universe, and probes both Physics and Cosmology beyond the current standard models. These lectures are intended to introduce students, both of theory and observation, to those aspects of the evolution of the universe relevant to the production and evolution of the light nuclides from the Big Bang to the present. The current observational data is reviewed and compared with the BBN predictions and the implications for cosmology (e.g., universal baryon density) and particle physics (e.g., relativistic energy density) are discussed. While this comparison reveals the stunning success of the standard model(s), there are currently some challenge which leave open the door for more theoretical and observational work with potential implications for astronomy, cosmology, and particle physics.

Discrete anti-gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noyes, H. Pierre; Starson, Scott

1991-03-01

Discrete physics, because it replaces time evolution generated by the energy operator with a global bit-string generator (program universe) and replaces fields with the relativistic Wheeler-Feynman action at a distance, allows the consistent formulation of the concept of signed gravitational charge for massive particles. The resulting prediction made by this version of the theory is that free anti-particles near the surface of the earth will fall up with the same acceleration that the corresponding particles fall down. So far as we can see, no current experimental information is in conflict with this prediction of our theory. The experiment crusis will be one of the anti-proton or anti-hydrogen experiments at CERN. Our prediction should be much easier to test than the small effects which those experiments are currently designed to detect or bound.

Current challenges in fundamental physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egana Ugrinovic, Daniel

The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider completed the Standard Model of particle physics. The Standard Model is a remarkably successful theory of fundamental physics, but it suffers from severe problems. It does not provide an explanation for the origin or stability of the electroweak scale nor for the origin and structure of flavor and CP violation. It predicts vanishing neutrino masses, in disagreement with experimental observations. It also fails to explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, and it does not provide a particle candidate for dark matter. In this thesis we provide experimentally testable solutions for most of these problems and we study their phenomenology.

Preface to the Focus Issue: chaos detection methods and predictability.

PubMed

Gottwald, Georg A; Skokos, Charalampos

2014-06-01

This Focus Issue presents a collection of papers originating from the workshop Methods of Chaos Detection and Predictability: Theory and Applications held at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, June 17-21, 2013. The main aim of this interdisciplinary workshop was to review comprehensively the theory and numerical implementation of the existing methods of chaos detection and predictability, as well as to report recent applications of these techniques to different scientific fields. The collection of twelve papers in this Focus Issue represents the wide range of applications, spanning mathematics, physics, astronomy, particle accelerator physics, meteorology and medical research. This Preface surveys the papers of this Issue.

Decoupling the Role of Inertia and Gravity on Particle Dispersion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Chris; Squires, Kyle

1996-01-01

Turbulent gas flows laden with small, dense particles are encountered in a wide number of important applications in both industrial settings and aerodynamics applications. Particle interactions with the underlying turbulent flow are exceedingly complex and, consequently, difficult to accurately model. The difficulty arises primarily due to the fact that response of a particle to the local environment is dictated by turbulence properties in the reference frame moving with the particle (particle-Lagrangian). The particle-Lagrangian reference frame is in turn dependent upon the particle relaxation time (time constant) as well as gravitational drift. The combination of inertial and gravitational effects in this frame complicates our ability to accurately predict particle-laden flows since measurements in the particle-Lagrangian reference frame are difficult to obtain. Therefore, in this work we will examine separately the effects of inertia and gravitational drift on particle dispersion through a combination of physical and numerical experiments. In this study, particle-Lagrangian measurements will be obtained in physical experiments using stereo image velocimetry. Gravitational drift will be varied in the variable-g environments of the NASA DC-9 and in the zero-g environment at the drop tower at NASA-Lewis. Direct numerical simulations will be used to corroborate the measurements from the variable-g experiments. We expect that this work will generate new insight into the underlying physics of particle dispersion and will, in turn, lead to more accurate models of particle transport in turbulent flows.

Computational Prediction of Cryogenic Micro-nano Solid Nitrogen Particle Production Using Laval Nozzle for Physical Photo Resist Removal-cleaning Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishimoto, Jun; Abe, Haruto; Ochiai, Naoya

The fundamental characteristics of the cryogenic single-component micro-nano solid nitrogen (SN2) particle production using super adiabatic Laval nozzle and its application to the physical photo resist removal-cleaning technology are investigated by a new type of integrated measurement coupled computational technique. As a result of present computation, it is found that high-speed ultra-fine SN2 particles are continuously generated due to the freezing of liquid nitrogen (LN2) droplets induced by rapid adiabatic expansion of transonic subcooled two-phase nitrogen flow passing through the Laval nozzle. Furthermore, the effect of SN2 particle diameter, injection velocity, and attack angle to the wafer substrate on resist removal-cleaning performance is investigated in detail by integrated measurement coupled computational technique.

Relationship between macrobenthos and physical habitat characters in tidal flat in eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan.

PubMed

Otani, Sosuke; Kozuki, Yasunori; Kurata, Kengo; Ueda, Kaori; Nakai, Shigefumi; Murakami, Hitoshi

2008-01-01

The investigations were carried out at 6 tidal flats located on the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. This study was focused on physical characteristics of sediments, namely as particle size of sediment and difference in elevation, and generalizes the relationship between sediments and macrobenthos. A total of 192 species were collected at 187 stations at 6 tidal flats. Physical characteristics of sediment were classified into 9 groups by cluster analysis in relation to sediment particle size and difference in elevation. Those groups had also significant difference in physical characteristics of sediments, and were characterized by some specific macrobenthos species. Distribution of macrobenthos can be explained by the classification of physical characteristics of sediment. These findings show the possibility to predict the variety of macrobenthos community using the physical characteristics of sediment.

Scaling and modeling of turbulent suspension flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. P.

1989-01-01

Scaling factors determining various aspects of particle-fluid interactions and the development of physical models to predict gas-solid turbulent suspension flow fields are discussed based on two-fluid, continua formulation. The modes of particle-fluid interactions are discussed based on the length and time scale ratio, which depends on the properties of the particles and the characteristics of the flow turbulence. For particle size smaller than or comparable with the Kolmogorov length scale and concentration low enough for neglecting direct particle-particle interaction, scaling rules can be established in various parameter ranges. The various particle-fluid interactions give rise to additional mechanisms which affect the fluid mechanics of the conveying gas phase. These extra mechanisms are incorporated into a turbulence modeling method based on the scaling rules. A multiple-scale two-phase turbulence model is developed, which gives reasonable predictions for dilute suspension flow. Much work still needs to be done to account for the poly-dispersed effects and the extension to dense suspension flows.

Towards predictive simulations of soot formation: from surrogate to turbulence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blanquart, Guillaume

The combustion of transportation fuels leads to the formation of several kinds of pollutants, among which are soot particles. These particles, also formed during coal combustion and in fires, are the source of several health problems and environmental issues. Unfortunately, our current understanding of the chemical and physical phenomena leading to the formation of soot particles remains incomplete, and as a result, the predictive capability of our numerical tools is lacking. The objective of the work was to reduce the gap in the present understanding and modeling of soot formation both in laminar and turbulent flames. The effort spanned severalmore » length scales from the molecular level to large scale turbulent transport.« less

Annihilation physics of exotic galactic dark matter particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stecker, F. W.

1990-01-01

Various theoretical arguments make exotic heavy neutral weakly interacting fermions, particularly those predicted by supersymmetry theory, attractive candidates for making up the large amount of unseen gravitating mass in galactic halos. Such particles can annihilate with each other, producing secondary particles of cosmic-ray energies, among which are antiprotons, positrons, neutrinos, and gamma-rays. Spectra and fluxes of these annihilation products can be calculated, partly by making use of positron electron collider data and quantum chromodynamic models of particle production derived therefrom. These spectra may provide detectable signatures of exotic particle remnants of the big bang.

The Higgs mechanism and the origin of mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djouadi, Abdelhak

2012-06-01

The Higgs mechanism plays a key role in the physics of elementary particles: in the context of the Standard Model, the theory which describes in a unified framework the electromagnetic, weak and strong nuclear interactions, it allows for the generation of particle masses while preserving the fundamental symmetries of the theory. This mechanism predicts the existence of a new type of particle, the scalar Higgs boson, with unique characteristics. The detection of this particle and the study of its fundamental properties is a major goal of high-energy particle colliders, such as the CERN Large Hadron Collider or LHC.

The Higgs Mechanism and the Orogin of Mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djouadi, Abdelhak

The Higgs mechanism plays a key role in the physics of elementary particles: in the context of the Standard Model, the theory which, describes in a unified framework the electromagnetic, weak, and strong nuclear interactions, it allows for the generation of particle masses while preserving the fundamental symmetries of the theory. This mechanism predicts the existence of a new type of particle, the scalar Higgs boson, with unique characteristics. The detection of this particle and the study of its fundamental properties is a major goal of high-energy particle colliders, such as the CERN Large Hadron Collider or LHC.

Discrete anti-gravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noyes, H.P.; Starson, S.

1991-03-01

Discrete physics, because it replaces time evolution generated by the energy operator with a global bit-string generator (program universe) and replaces fields'' with the relativistic Wheeler-Feynman action at a distance,'' allows the consistent formulation of the concept of signed gravitational charge for massive particles. The resulting prediction made by this version of the theory is that free anti-particles near the surface of the earth will fall'' up with the same acceleration that the corresponding particles fall down. So far as we can see, no current experimental information is in conflict with this prediction of our theory. The experiment crusis willmore » be one of the anti-proton or anti-hydrogen experiments at CERN. Our prediction should be much easier to test than the small effects which those experiments are currently designed to detect or bound. 23 refs.« less

The Early Universe and High-Energy Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schramm, David N.

1983-01-01

Many properties of new particle field theories can only be tested by comparing their predictions about the physical conditions immediately after the big bang with what can be reconstructed about this event from astronomical data. Facts/questions about big bang, unified field theories, and universe epochs/mass are among the topics discussed. (JN)

Final Technical Report for Award SC0008613

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Knopf, Daniel A.

Discovering how aerosol particles, present in the atmosphere in sizes of a few nanometers to hundred micrometers, initiate ice crystal formation represents a great challenge. Atmospheric ice nucleation is important because ice crystals alter the radiative properties of clouds and thus climate, and impact precipitation and thus the hydrological cycle. The difficulty in predicting atmospheric ice formation is attributable at least in part, to the diversity of ice nucleation pathways, the physical and chemical complexity of the ice nucleating particles (INPs), and the relatively small numbers of INPs (compared with all other aerosol particles), sometimes less than one in 100000.more » These factors in turn makes constraining ice nucleation parameterizations for modeling applications challenging. The majority of airborne particles are known to be organic in nature or contain organic biogenic material. The presence of organic material adds to the complexity of the particles and therefore the predictability of ice nucleation events since the organic species can display different phase states, e.g. liquid or solid, in response to temperature and humidity. The award DE-SC0008613 to PI Prof. Daniel Knopf at Stony Brook University, “Relating the Chemical and Physical Properties of Aerosols to the Water Uptake and Ice Nucleation Potential of Particles Collected During the Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES)”, allowed examination of laboratory generated aerosol particles and field-collected particles for their propensity to nucleate ice under typical tropospheric conditions and relate ice nucleation to the physicochemical properties of the particles including their morphology and chemical composition. This in turn allowed for development of ice nucleation parameterizations for implementation in cloud models. The award resulted in 10 peer-reviewed publications and more than 20 seminar and conference presentations. We demonstrated that the rate of immersion freezing, when a particle immersed in an aqueous droplet acts as an ice nucleus (IN), can be predicted by knowledge of the IN particle type present and the droplet’s water activity which is equal to ambient relative humidity. Our water activity based immersion freezing model is successful in predicting freezing data including INPs such as mineral dusts, marine biological material, organic species, and surfactant molecules. Its mathematical simplicity makes it an ideal candidate for implementation in cloud and climate models. Furthermore, we could show that this model can reproduce many past laboratory measurements which were generated using a variety of instruments to study immersion freezing. Lastly, we have demonstrated that this model can also be applied to field collected particles. Currently, this novel physical parameterization of immersion freezing is being implemented in a cloud model. We examined the physicochemical properties and the ice nucleation potential of particles collected during CARES applying a novel experimental method that allows identification of the individual INPs within a large population of particles sampled from an ambient environment. Taking advantage of a variety of micro-spectroscopic techniques, we characterized the composition and morphology of IN and non-IN particles present in the airborne population. We developed a new parameterization for quantifying the mixing state of the entire aerosol populations by introducing a mixing state index. We found that the identified INPs belong to the most common particle-type classes observed in the CARES field samples and as such are not special or rare particles. In other words, the INPs can be shown not to be unique in contrast to the common paradigm of being rare and exceptional. Either there are differences between particles acting as IN and particles not acting as IN which are beyond our current detection limit or nucleation occurs randomly on the surface of any one of these compositionally equivalent particles. These results suggest that total particle surface area of the different particle types present in the aerosol population is also a crucial factor when predicting ice nucleation in an air mass. We also observed that ambient organic aerosol particles can initiate ice nucleation and corroborated these findings using laboratory generated organic particles. These experiments demonstrated that information of the organic phase state is important for predicting the ice nucleation pathway and the ability of an organic particle to participate in atmospheric ice crystal formation. This award resulted in substantial new insights in the processes governing immersion freezing, the role of organic aerosol particles in ice cloud formation, and the importance of the ambient aerosol population for prediction of ice nucleation in an air parcel. These findings have significant implications for modeling and field measurement strategies of atmospheric ice nucleation.« less

Implications of the {{\\boldsymbol{R}}}_{K} and {{\\boldsymbol{R}}}_{{K}^{* }} anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wei; Zhao, Shuai

2018-01-01

We discuss the implications of the recently reported {R}{{K}} and {R}{{{K}}* } anomalies, the lepton flavor non-universality in the {{B}}\\to {Kl}}+{{{l}}}- and {{B}}\\to {{{K}}}* {{{l}}}+{{{l}}}- decay channels. Using two sets of hadronic inputs of form factors, we perform a fit of new physics to the {R}{{K}} and {R}{{{K}}* } data, and significant new physics contributions are found. We suggest the study of lepton flavor universality in a number of related rare {{B}},{{{B}}}s,{{{B}}}c and {{{Λ }}}{{b}} decay channels, and in particular we give predictions for the {{μ }}-to-e ratios of decay widths with different polarizations of the final state particles, and of the {{b}}\\to {dl}}+{{{l}}}- processes, which are presumably more sensitive to the structure of the underlying new physics. With the new physics contributions embedded in the Wilson coefficients, we present theoretical predictions for lepton flavor non-universality in these processes. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11575110, 11655002, 11735010), Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (15DZ2272100, 15ZR1423100), Young Thousand Talents Plan and Key Laboratory for Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Ministry of Education

Assessment of Microphysical Models in the National Combustion Code (NCC) for Aircraft Particulate Emissions: Particle Loss in Sampling Lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wey, Thomas; Liu, Nan-Suey

2008-01-01

This paper at first describes the fluid network approach recently implemented into the National Combustion Code (NCC) for the simulation of transport of aerosols (volatile particles and soot) in the particulate sampling systems. This network-based approach complements the other two approaches already in the NCC, namely, the lower-order temporal approach and the CFD-based approach. The accuracy and the computational costs of these three approaches are then investigated in terms of their application to the prediction of particle losses through sample transmission and distribution lines. Their predictive capabilities are assessed by comparing the computed results with the experimental data. The present work will help establish standard methodologies for measuring the size and concentration of particles in high-temperature, high-velocity jet engine exhaust. Furthermore, the present work also represents the first step of a long term effort of validating physics-based tools for the prediction of aircraft particulate emissions.

Improved measurement of the shape of the electron.

PubMed

Hudson, J J; Kara, D M; Smallman, I J; Sauer, B E; Tarbutt, M R; Hinds, E A

2011-05-26

The electron is predicted to be slightly aspheric, with a distortion characterized by the electric dipole moment (EDM), d(e). No experiment has ever detected this deviation. The standard model of particle physics predicts that d(e) is far too small to detect, being some eleven orders of magnitude smaller than the current experimental sensitivity. However, many extensions to the standard model naturally predict much larger values of d(e) that should be detectable. This makes the search for the electron EDM a powerful way to search for new physics and constrain the possible extensions. In particular, the popular idea that new supersymmetric particles may exist at masses of a few hundred GeV/c(2) (where c is the speed of light) is difficult to reconcile with the absence of an electron EDM at the present limit of sensitivity. The size of the EDM is also intimately related to the question of why the Universe has so little antimatter. If the reason is that some undiscovered particle interaction breaks the symmetry between matter and antimatter, this should result in a measurable EDM in most models of particle physics. Here we use cold polar molecules to measure the electron EDM at the highest level of precision reported so far, providing a constraint on any possible new interactions. We obtain d(e) = (-2.4 ± 5.7(stat) ± 1.5(syst)) × 10(-28)e cm, where e is the charge on the electron, which sets a new upper limit of |d(e)| < 10.5 × 10(-28)e cm with 90 per cent confidence. This result, consistent with zero, indicates that the electron is spherical at this improved level of precision. Our measurement of atto-electronvolt energy shifts in a molecule probes new physics at the tera-electronvolt energy scale.

Measuring asymmetry load pairs of top quarks-antitop in the final states dileptoniques from D0 and ATLAS detectors (in French)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chapelain, Antoine

Particle physics aims to give a coherent description of the nature and the behavior of elementary particles of matter. Particle accelerators (colliders) allow pushing back our know- ledge in this domain producing particles that cannot be observed by other means. This thesis work contributes to this research eld and focuses on the study of the top quark which is the latest brick of matter discovered and the heaviest known elementary particle. The property of the top quark studied here, the charge asymmetry of the top quark-antiquark pairs, has driven a lot of attention in 2011 because of measurements released bymore » Tevatron experiments. These measurements showed deviations with the predictions made in the framework of the standard model of particle physics. New measurements of the charge asymmetry performed at the Tevatron (with the D0 detector) and at the LHC (with the ATLAS detector) are presented in this thesis.« less

A Model-Based Prognostics Approach Applied to Pneumatic Valves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daigle, Matthew J.; Goebel, Kai

2011-01-01

Within the area of systems health management, the task of prognostics centers on predicting when components will fail. Model-based prognostics exploits domain knowledge of the system, its components, and how they fail by casting the underlying physical phenomena in a physics-based model that is derived from first principles. Uncertainty cannot be avoided in prediction, therefore, algorithms are employed that help in managing these uncertainties. The particle filtering algorithm has become a popular choice for model-based prognostics due to its wide applicability, ease of implementation, and support for uncertainty management. We develop a general model-based prognostics methodology within a robust probabilistic framework using particle filters. As a case study, we consider a pneumatic valve from the Space Shuttle cryogenic refueling system. We develop a detailed physics-based model of the pneumatic valve, and perform comprehensive simulation experiments to illustrate our prognostics approach and evaluate its effectiveness and robustness. The approach is demonstrated using historical pneumatic valve data from the refueling system.

Modeling Gas-Particle Partitioning of SOA: Effects of Aerosol Physical State and RH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuend, A.; Seinfeld, J.

2011-12-01

Aged tropospheric aerosol particles contain mixtures of inorganic salts, acids, water, and a large variety of organic compounds. In liquid aerosol particles non-ideal mixing of all species determines whether the condensed phase undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation or whether it is stable in a single mixed phase, and whether it contains solid salts in equilibrium with their saturated solution. The extended thermodynamic model AIOMFAC is able to predict such phase states by representing the variety of organic components using functional groups within a group-contribution concept. The number and composition of different condensed phases impacts the diversity of reaction media for multiphase chemistry and the gas-particle partitioning of semivolatile species. Recent studies show that under certain conditions biogenic and other organic-rich particles can be present in a highly viscous, semisolid or amorphous solid physical state, with consequences regarding reaction kinetics and mass transfer limitations. We present results of new gas-particle partitioning computations for aerosol chamber data using a model based on AIOMFAC activity coefficients and state-of-the-art vapor pressure estimation methods. Different environmental conditions in terms of temperature, relative humidity (RH), salt content, amount of precursor VOCs, and physical state of the particles are considered. We show how modifications of absorptive and adsorptive gas-particle mass transfer affects the total aerosol mass in the calculations and how the results of these modeling approaches compare to data of aerosol chamber experiments, such as alpha-pinene oxidation SOA. For a condensed phase in a mixed liquid state containing ammonium sulfate, the model predicts liquid-liquid phase separation up to high RH in case of, on average, moderately hydrophilic organic compounds, such as first generation oxidation products of alpha-pinene. The computations also reveal that treating liquid phases as ideal mixtures substantially overestimates the SOA mass, especially at high relative humidity.

Range Verification Methods in Particle Therapy: Underlying Physics and Monte Carlo Modeling

PubMed Central

Kraan, Aafke Christine

2015-01-01

Hadron therapy allows for highly conformal dose distributions and better sparing of organs-at-risk, thanks to the characteristic dose deposition as function of depth. However, the quality of hadron therapy treatments is closely connected with the ability to predict and achieve a given beam range in the patient. Currently, uncertainties in particle range lead to the employment of safety margins, at the expense of treatment quality. Much research in particle therapy is therefore aimed at developing methods to verify the particle range in patients. Non-invasive in vivo monitoring of the particle range can be performed by detecting secondary radiation, emitted from the patient as a result of nuclear interactions of charged hadrons with tissue, including β+ emitters, prompt photons, and charged fragments. The correctness of the dose delivery can be verified by comparing measured and pre-calculated distributions of the secondary particles. The reliability of Monte Carlo (MC) predictions is a key issue. Correctly modeling the production of secondaries is a non-trivial task, because it involves nuclear physics interactions at energies, where no rigorous theories exist to describe them. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of various aspects in modeling the physics processes for range verification with secondary particles produced in proton, carbon, and heavier ion irradiation. We discuss electromagnetic and nuclear interactions of charged hadrons in matter, which is followed by a summary of some widely used MC codes in hadron therapy. Then, we describe selected examples of how these codes have been validated and used in three range verification techniques: PET, prompt gamma, and charged particle detection. We include research studies and clinically applied methods. For each of the techniques, we point out advantages and disadvantages, as well as clinical challenges still to be addressed, focusing on MC simulation aspects. PMID:26217586

Compensation Techniques in Accelerator Physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sayed, Hisham Kamal

2011-05-01

Accelerator physics is one of the most diverse multidisciplinary fields of physics, wherein the dynamics of particle beams is studied. It takes more than the understanding of basic electromagnetic interactions to be able to predict the beam dynamics, and to be able to develop new techniques to produce, maintain, and deliver high quality beams for different applications. In this work, some basic theory regarding particle beam dynamics in accelerators will be presented. This basic theory, along with applying state of the art techniques in beam dynamics will be used in this dissertation to study and solve accelerator physics problems. Twomore » problems involving compensation are studied in the context of the MEIC (Medium Energy Electron Ion Collider) project at Jefferson Laboratory. Several chromaticity (the energy dependence of the particle tune) compensation methods are evaluated numerically and deployed in a figure eight ring designed for the electrons in the collider. Furthermore, transverse coupling optics have been developed to compensate the coupling introduced by the spin rotators in the MEIC electron ring design.« less

Physical and environmental factors affecting the persistence of explosives particles (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papantonakis, Michael R.; Nguyen, Viet K.; Furstenberg, Robert; White, Caitlyn; Shuey, Melissa; Kendziora, Christopher A.; McGill, R. Andrew

2017-05-01

Knowledge of the persistence of trace explosives materials is critical to aid the security community in designing detection methods and equipment. The physical and environmental factors affecting the lifetimes of particles include temperature, airflow, interparticle distance, adlayers, humidity, particle field size and vapor pressure. We are working towards a complete particle persistence model that captures the relative importance of these effects to allow the user, with known environmental conditions, to predict particle lifetimes for explosives or other chemicals. In this work, particles of explosives are sieved onto smooth glass substrates using particle sizes and loadings relevant to those deposited by fingerprint deposition. The coupon is introduced into a custom flow cell and monitored under controlled airflow, humidity and temperature. Photomicroscopy images of the sample taken at fixed time intervals are analyzed to monitor particle sublimation and characterized as a size-independent radial sublimation velocity for each particle in the ensemble. In this paper we build on previous work by comparing the relationship between sublimation of different materials and their vapor pressures. We also describe the influence of a sebum adlayer on particle sublimation, allowing us to better model `real world' samples.

Cloud-In-Cell modeling of shocked particle-laden flows at a ``SPARSE'' cost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taverniers, Soren; Jacobs, Gustaaf; Sen, Oishik; Udaykumar, H. S.

2017-11-01

A common tool for enabling process-scale simulations of shocked particle-laden flows is Eulerian-Lagrangian Particle-Source-In-Cell (PSIC) modeling where each particle is traced in its Lagrangian frame and treated as a mathematical point. Its dynamics are governed by Stokes drag corrected for high Reynolds and Mach numbers. The computational burden is often reduced further through a ``Cloud-In-Cell'' (CIC) approach which amalgamates groups of physical particles into computational ``macro-particles''. CIC does not account for subgrid particle fluctuations, leading to erroneous predictions of cloud dynamics. A Subgrid Particle-Averaged Reynolds-Stress Equivalent (SPARSE) model is proposed that incorporates subgrid interphase velocity and temperature perturbations. A bivariate Gaussian source distribution, whose covariance captures the cloud's deformation to first order, accounts for the particles' momentum and energy influence on the carrier gas. SPARSE is validated by conducting tests on the interaction of a particle cloud with the accelerated flow behind a shock. The cloud's average dynamics and its deformation over time predicted with SPARSE converge to their counterparts computed with reference PSIC models as the number of Gaussians is increased from 1 to 16. This work was supported by AFOSR Grant No. FA9550-16-1-0008.

On The Importance of Connecting Laboratory Measurements of Ice Crystal Growth with Model Parameterizations: Predicting Ice Particle Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, J. Y.

2017-12-01

Parameterizing the growth of ice particles in numerical models is at an interesting cross-roads. Most parameterizations developed in the past, including some that I have developed, parse model ice into numerous categories based primarily on the growth mode of the particle. Models routinely possess smaller ice, snow crystals, aggregates, graupel, and hail. The snow and ice categories in some models are further split into subcategories to account for the various shapes of ice. There has been a relatively recent shift towards a new class of microphysical models that predict the properties of ice particles instead of using multiple categories and subcategories. Particle property models predict the physical characteristics of ice, such as aspect ratio, maximum dimension, effective density, rime density, effective area, and so forth. These models are attractive in the sense that particle characteristics evolve naturally in time and space without the need for numerous (and somewhat artificial) transitions among pre-defined classes. However, particle property models often require fundamental parameters that are typically derived from laboratory measurements. For instance, the evolution of particle shape during vapor depositional growth requires knowledge of the growth efficiencies for the various axis of the crystals, which in turn depends on surface parameters that can only be determined in the laboratory. The evolution of particle shapes and density during riming, aggregation, and melting require data on the redistribution of mass across a crystals axis as that crystal collects water drops, ice crystals, or melts. Predicting the evolution of particle properties based on laboratory-determined parameters has a substantial influence on the evolution of some cloud systems. Radiatively-driven cirrus clouds show a broader range of competition between heterogeneous nucleation and homogeneous freezing when ice crystal properties are predicted. Even strongly convective squall lines show a substantial influence to predicted particle properties: The more natural evolution of ice crystals during riming produces graupel-like particles with size and fall-speeds required for the formation of a classic transition zone and extended stratiform precipitation region.

Experiment and simulation of the fabrication process of lithium-ion battery cathodes for determining microstructure and mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forouzan, Mehdi M.; Chao, Chien-Wei; Bustamante, Danilo; Mazzeo, Brian A.; Wheeler, Dean R.

2016-04-01

The fabrication process of Li-ion battery electrodes plays a prominent role in the microstructure and corresponding cell performance. Here, a mesoscale particle dynamics simulation is developed to relate the manufacturing process of a cathode containing Toda NCM-523 active material to physical and structural properties of the dried film. Particle interactions are simulated with shifted-force Lennard-Jones and granular Hertzian functions. LAMMPS, a freely available particle simulator, is used to generate particle trajectories and resulting predicted properties. To make simulations of the full film thickness feasible, the carbon binder domain (CBD) is approximated with μm-scale particles, each representing about 1000 carbon black particles and associated binder. Metrics for model parameterization and validation are measured experimentally and include the following: slurry viscosity, elasticity of the dried film, shrinkage ratio during drying, volume fraction of phases, slurry and dried film densities, and microstructure cross sections. Simulation results are in substantial agreement with experiment, showing that the simulations reasonably reproduce the relevant physics of particle arrangement during fabrication.

Statistical Physics Experiments Using Dusty Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goree, John

2016-10-01

Compared to other areas of physics research, Statistical Physics is heavily dominated by theory, with comparatively little experiment. One reason for the lack of experiments is the impracticality of tracking of individual atoms and molecules within a substance. Thus, there is a need for a different kind of experimental system, one where individual particles not only move stochastically as they collide with one another, but also are large enough to allow tracking. A dusty plasma can meet this need. A dusty plasma is a partially ionized gas containing small particles of solid matter. These micron-size particles gain thousands of electronic charges by collecting more electrons than ions. Their motions are dominated by Coulomb collisions with neighboring particles. In this so-called strongly coupled plasma, the dust particles self-organize in much the same way as atoms in a liquid or solid. Unlike atoms, however, these particles are large and slow, so that they can be tracked easily by video microscopy. Advantages of dusty plasma for experimental statistical physics research include particle tracking, lack of frictional contact with solid surfaces, and avoidance of overdamped motion. Moreover, the motion of a collection of dust particles can mimic an equilibrium system with a Maxwellian velocity distribution, even though the dust particles themselves are not truly in thermal equilibrium. Nonequilibrium statistical physics can be studied by applying gradients, for example by imposing a shear flow. In this talk I will review some of our recent experiments with shear flow. First, we performed the first experimental test to verify the Fluctuation Theorem for a shear flow, showing that brief violations of the Second Law of Thermodynamics occur with the predicted probabilities, for a small system. Second, we discovered a skewness of a shear-stress distribution in a shear flow. This skewness is a phenomenon that likely has wide applicability in nonequilibrium steady states. Third, we performed the first experimental test of a statistical physics theory (the Green-Kubo model) that is widely used by physical chemists to compute viscosity coefficients, and we found that it fails. Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, NSF, and NASA.

Nuclear Reactions in Micro/Nano-Scale Metal Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Y. E.

2013-03-01

Low-energy nuclear reactions in micro/nano-scale metal particles are described based on the theory of Bose-Einstein condensation nuclear fusion (BECNF). The BECNF theory is based on a single basic assumption capable of explaining the observed LENR phenomena; deuterons in metals undergo Bose-Einstein condensation. The BECNF theory is also a quantitative predictive physical theory. Experimental tests of the basic assumption and theoretical predictions are proposed. Potential application to energy generation by ignition at low temperatures is described. Generalized theory of BECNF is used to carry out theoretical analyses of recently reported experimental results for hydrogen-nickel system.

Discrete particle noise in a nonlinearly saturated plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenkins, Thomas; Lee, W. W.

2006-04-01

Understanding discrete particle noise in an equilibrium plasma has been an important topic since the early days of particle-in- cell (PIC) simulation [1]. In this paper, particle noise in a nonlinearly saturated system is investigated. We investigate the usefulness of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) in a regime where drift instabilities are nonlinearly saturated. We obtain excellent agreement between the simulation results and our theoretical predictions of the noise properties. It is found that discrete particle noise always enhances the particle and thermal transport in the plasma, in agreement with the second law of thermodynamics. [1] C.K. Birdsall and A.B. Langdon, Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation, McGraw-Hill, New York (1985).

Overhead Projector Spectrum of Polymethine Dye: A Physical Chemistry Demonstration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solomon, Sally; Hur, Chinhyu

1995-01-01

Encourages the incorporation into lecture of live experiments that can be predicted or interpreted with abstract models. A demonstration is described where the position of the predominant peak of 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-cyanine iodide is measured in class using an overhead projector spectrometer, then predicted using the model of a particle in a…

Shape evolution of a melting nonspherical particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kintea, Daniel M.; Hauk, Tobias; Roisman, Ilia V.; Tropea, Cameron

2015-09-01

In this study melting of irregular ice crystals was observed in an acoustic levitator. The evolution of the particle shape is captured using a high-speed video system. Several typical phenomena have been discovered: change of the particle shape, appearance of a capillary flow of the melted liquid on the particle surface leading to liquid collection at the particle midsection (where the interface curvature is smallest), and appearance of sharp cusps at the particle tips. No such phenomena can be observed during melting of spherical particles. An approximate theoretical model is developed which accounts for the main physical phenomena associated with melting of an irregular particle. The agreement between the theoretical predictions for the melting time, for the evolution of the particle shape, and the corresponding experimental data is rather good.

Analysis of radiation risk from alpha particle component of solar particle events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cucinotta, F. A.; Townsend, L. W.; Wilson, J. W.; Golightly, M. J.; Weyland, M.

1994-01-01

The solar particle events (SPE) will contain a primary alpha particle component, representing a possible increase in the potential risk to astronauts during an SPE over the often studied proton component. We discuss the physical interactions of alpha particles important in describing the transport of these particles through spacecraft and body shielding. Models of light ion reactions are presented and their effects on energy and linear energy transfer (LET) spectra in shielding discussed. We present predictions of particle spectra, dose, and dose equivalent in organs of interest for SPE spectra typical of those occurring in recent solar cycles. The large events of solar cycle 19 are found to have substantial increase in biological risk from alpha particles, including a large increase in secondary neutron production from alpha particle breakup.

Nano-particle drag prediction at low Reynolds number using a direct Boltzmann-BGK solution approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, B.

2018-01-01

This paper outlines a novel approach for solution of the Boltzmann-BGK equation describing molecular gas dynamics applied to the challenging problem of drag prediction of a 2D circular nano-particle at transitional Knudsen number (0.0214) and low Reynolds number (0.25-2.0). The numerical scheme utilises a discontinuous-Galerkin finite element discretisation for the physical space representing the problem particle geometry and a high order discretisation for molecular velocity space describing the molecular distribution function. The paper shows that this method produces drag predictions that are aligned well with the range of drag predictions for this problem generated from the alternative numerical approaches of molecular dynamics codes and a modified continuum scheme. It also demonstrates the sensitivity of flow-field solutions and therefore drag predictions to the wall absorption parameter used to construct the solid wall boundary condition used in the solver algorithm. The results from this work has applications in fields ranging from diagnostics and therapeutics in medicine to the fields of semiconductors and xerographics.

A summary of the OV1-19 satellite dose, depth dose, and linear energy transfer spectral measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cervini, J. T.

1972-01-01

Measurements of the biophysical and physical parameters in the near earth space environment, specifically, the Inner Van Allen Belt are discussed. This region of space is of great interest to planners of the Skylab and the Space Station programs because of the high energy proton environment, especially during periods of increased solar activity. Many physical measurements of charged particle flux, spectra, and pitch angle distribution have been conducted and are programmed in the space radiation environment. Such predictions are not sufficient to accurately predict the effects of space radiations on critical biological and electronic systems operating in these environments. Some of the difficulties encountered in transferring from physical data to a prediction of the effects of space radiation on operational systems are discussed.

In search of the origin of mass.

PubMed

Shears, T G; Heinemann, B; Waters, D

2006-12-15

Particle physics explores the structure of matter by studying the behaviour of its most fundamental constituents. Despite the remarkable success of our theories, there remains much that is fundamental but unexplained. One of our most pressing questions concerns the origin of mass. Our favoured theoretical explanation for the existence of mass also predicts the existence of a particle that has never been seen-the Higgs boson. In this review, we survey our knowledge of the Higgs boson and explain why, if the theory is correct, we should expect to make our first observation of the elusive Higgs in the next few years, when a major new particle physics facility starts operating. This will be the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. Although searching for the Higgs boson will be challenging in this environment, we hope that our experimental results will allow us to finally understand the origin of mass and extend our knowledge of the Universe yet further.

On Efficient Multigrid Methods for Materials Processing Flows with Small Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, James (Technical Monitor); Diskin, Boris; Harik, VasylMichael

2004-01-01

Multiscale modeling of materials requires simulations of multiple levels of structural hierarchy. The computational efficiency of numerical methods becomes a critical factor for simulating large physical systems with highly desperate length scales. Multigrid methods are known for their superior efficiency in representing/resolving different levels of physical details. The efficiency is achieved by employing interactively different discretizations on different scales (grids). To assist optimization of manufacturing conditions for materials processing with numerous particles (e.g., dispersion of particles, controlling flow viscosity and clusters), a new multigrid algorithm has been developed for a case of multiscale modeling of flows with small particles that have various length scales. The optimal efficiency of the algorithm is crucial for accurate predictions of the effect of processing conditions (e.g., pressure and velocity gradients) on the local flow fields that control the formation of various microstructures or clusters.

Particle physics catalysis of thermal big bang nucleosynthesis.

PubMed

Pospelov, Maxim

2007-06-08

We point out that the existence of metastable, tau>10(3) s, negatively charged electroweak-scale particles (X-) alters the predictions for lithium and other primordial elemental abundances for A>4 via the formation of bound states with nuclei during big bang nucleosynthesis. In particular, we show that the bound states of X- with helium, formed at temperatures of about T=10(8) K, lead to the catalytic enhancement of 6Li production, which is 8 orders of magnitude more efficient than the standard channel. In particle physics models where subsequent decay of X- does not lead to large nonthermal big bang nucleosynthesis effects, this directly translates to the level of sensitivity to the number density of long-lived X- particles (tau>10(5) s) relative to entropy of nX-/s less, approximately <3x10(-17), which is one of the most stringent probes of electroweak scale remnants known to date.

A Simple Mathematical Model for Standard Model of Elementary Particles and Extension Thereof

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, Ashok

2016-03-01

An algebraically (and geometrically) simple model representing the masses of the elementary particles in terms of the interaction (strong, weak, electromagnetic) constants is developed, including the Higgs bosons. The predicted Higgs boson mass is identical to that discovered by LHC experimental programs; while possibility of additional Higgs bosons (and their masses) is indicated. The model can be analyzed to explain and resolve many puzzles of particle physics and cosmology including the neutrino masses and mixing; origin of the proton mass and the mass-difference between the proton and the neutron; the big bang and cosmological Inflation; the Hubble expansion; etc. A novel interpretation of the model in terms of quaternion and rotation in the six-dimensional space of the elementary particle interaction-space - or, equivalently, in six-dimensional spacetime - is presented. Interrelations among particle masses are derived theoretically. A new approach for defining the interaction parameters leading to an elegant and symmetrical diagram is delineated. Generalization of the model to include supersymmetry is illustrated without recourse to complex mathematical formulation and free from any ambiguity. This Abstract represents some results of the Author's Independent Theoretical Research in Particle Physics, with possible connection to the Superstring Theory. However, only very elementary mathematics and physics is used in my presentation.

Using integral dispersion relations to extend the LHC reach for new physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denton, Peter B.; Weiler, Thomas J.

2014-02-01

Many models of electroweak symmetry breaking predict new particles with masses at or just beyond LHC energies. Even if these particles are too massive to be produced on-shell at the LHC, it may be possible to see evidence of their existence through the use of integral dispersion relations (IDRs). Making use of Cauchy's integral formula and the analyticity of the scattering amplitude, IDRs are sensitive in principle to changes in the cross section at arbitrarily large energies. We investigate some models of new physics. We find that a sudden, order-one increase in the cross section above new particle mass thresholds can be inferred well below the threshold energy. On the other hand, for two more physical models of particle production, we show that the reach in energy and the signal strength of the IDR technique is greatly reduced. The peak sensitivity for the IDR technique is shown to occur when the new particle masses are near the machine energy, an energy where direct production of new particles is kinematically disallowed, phase-space suppressed, or, if applicable, suppressed by the soft parton distribution functions. Thus, IDRs do extend the reach of the LHC, but only to a window around Mχ˜√sLHC .

Pyroclast/snow interactions and thermally driven slurry formation. Part 1: Theory for monodisperse grain beds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walder, J.S.

2000-01-01

Lahars are often produced as pyroclastic flows move over snow. This phenomenon involves a complicated interplay of mechanical and thermal processes that need to be separated to get at the fundamental physics. The thermal physics of pyroclast/snow interactions form the focus of this paper. A theoretical model is developed of heat- and mass transfer at the interface between a layer of uniformly sized pyroclasts and an underlying bed of snow, for the case in which there is no relative shear motion between pyroclasts and snow. A microscale view of the interface is required to properly specify boundary conditions. The physical model leads to the prediction that the upward flux of water vapor - which depends upon emplacement temperature, pyroclast grain size, pyroclast-layer thickness, and snow permeability - is sometimes sufficient to fluidize the pyroclasts. Uniform fluidization is usually unstable to bubble formation, which leads to vigorous convection of the pyroclasts themselves. Thus, predicted threshold conditions for fluidization are tantamount to predicted thresholds for particle convection. Such predictions are quantitatively in good agreement with results of experiments described in part 2 of this paper. Because particle convection commonly causes scour of the snow bed and transformation of the pyroclast layer to a slurry, there exists a 'thermal scour' process for generating lahars from pyroclastic flows moving over snow regardless of the possible role of mechanical scour.

Topics in Theoretical Physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cohen, Andrew; Schmaltz, Martin; Katz, Emmanuel

This award supported a broadly based research effort in theoretical particle physics, including research aimed at uncovering the laws of nature at short (subatomic) and long (cosmological) distances. These theoretical developments apply to experiments in laboratories such as CERN, the facility that operates the Large Hadron Collider outside Geneva, as well as to cosmological investigations done using telescopes and satellites. The results reported here apply to physics beyond the so-called Standard Model of particle physics; physics of high energy collisions such as those observed at the Large Hadron Collider; theoretical and mathematical tools and frameworks for describing the laws ofmore » nature at short distances; cosmology and astrophysics; and analytic and computational methods to solve theories of short distance physics. Some specific research accomplishments include + Theories of the electroweak interactions, the forces that give rise to many forms of radioactive decay; + Physics of the recently discovered Higgs boson. + Models and phenomenology of dark matter, the mysterious component of the universe, that has so far been detected only by its gravitational effects. + High energy particles in astrophysics and cosmology. + Algorithmic research and Computational methods for physics of and beyond the Standard Model. + Theory and applications of relativity and its possible limitations. + Topological effects in field theory and cosmology. + Conformally invariant systems and AdS/CFT. This award also supported significant training of students and postdoctoral fellows to lead the research effort in particle theory for the coming decades. These students and fellows worked closely with other members of the group as well as theoretical and experimental colleagues throughout the physics community. Many of the research projects funded by this grant arose in response to recently obtained experimental results in the areas of particle physics and cosmology. We describe a few of these below. Relativity is founded on a symmetry property of nature called "Lorentz Invariance". Like all symmetry properties, it is essential to determine precisely how symmetric nature actually is; that is, do the laws of nature fully respect the symmetry or is there room for tiny symmetry violating effects? An important consequence of Lorentz invariance is the existence of a universal limiting velocity for all physical particles. Light travels at this limiting velocity so it is frequently referred to as simply "the speed of light", but relativity requires that ALL particles travel more slowly than this speed. Once the Higgs particle was discovered in 2012 a natural question was whether or not this particle's speed was consistent with relativity. Although the speed of the Higgs particle is not measurable directly, Cohen has shown that, if the maximal speed of the Higgs particle was not precisely the same as the speed of light, then the Higgs would have some unusual properties. In some cases the Higgs would be unstable to some unusual decay modes; in other cases the interactions of the Higgs with other particles would change the properties of these other particles in ways that could be observed in so-called cosmic rays, very energetic particles (such as photons, protons and other atomic nuclei) coming from space. Once these particles hit the upper atmosphere they produce a "shower" of particles that can be seen by ground-based instruments. If the Higgs has a maximal speed that differs even a tiny bit from the speed of light these showers would look quite different from what is observed. In this way Cohen was able to establish that the Higgs travels with a maximal speed that cannot differ from the speed of light by more than one part in a thousand-trillion. This is by far the most precisely determined property of the Higgs particle. Cohen and Schmaltz reviewed evidence from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a particle physics experiment operating at the CERN laboratory near Geneva, for a new particle sometimes called a W'. This evidence included certain unexpected by-products in collisions of protons at very high energy. While the evidence was not significant enough to claim a discovery, it was sufficiently intriguing that many particle theorists worked to construct explanations for this signal. Cohen and Schmaltz were able to determine that such explanations are highly constrained by previous experiments involving collisions of very energetic particles. Nevertheless they were able to construct a theory that adequately explains the LHC data and remain consistent with prior experiments. Their explanation predicts the existence of yet another new particle, called a Z', with a mass slightly greater than that of the W'. This additional particle, if it exists, should be seen as more data is collected from the LHC. Amusingly, there is one collision by-product that has already been seen by the CMS experiment at the LHC that supports the existence of this new particle; however, it is not unlikely that this single event is a so-called "background" event, that is a somewhat atypical by-product of a conventional Standard Model process. This theory for the anomalous LHC data will either be confirmed or excluded with further data-taking at the LHC. The ratio of the number of electrons produced in bottom quark decays over the number of muons produced has been measured at the LHC. This ratio is interesting because it can be predicted very precisely from a basic property of the Standard Model: lepton universality. If lepton universality is correct, the ratio of electrons to muons is predicted to be equal to 1. The first measurements of this ratio find a value different from 1 with a statistical significance of about 3 standard deviations. Schmaltz and collaborator proposed a new extension of the Standard Model which can explain the new data. In addition, Schmaltz and collaborators proposed several new measurements of ratios of decay rates which can confirm or rule out the surprising results from the earlier LHC data. The most recent and precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background from the Planck satellite, from a combination of measurements of the dark matter distribution in the universe, and from a measurement of the expansion rate of the universe today show some disagreement when interpreted in terms of the so-called LambdaCDM model. Schmaltz and collaborators proposed an alternative model to LambdaCDM in which the usual cold dark matter is replaced by a new ``dark sector". This sector consists of a cold dark matter particle which interacts with a newly postulated dark radiation component of the universe. The dark radiation can help explain the discrepancy in measurements of the expansion rate, and the dark matter interactions subtly modify the clumping of dark matter at large scales, thus potentially explaining both kinds of tensions in the data. In two publications Schmaltz described the new model and then performed a precision comparison of the predictions of the model with all currently available cosmological data. The results favor the new model at the level of three standard deviations with current data. Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is the language we use to describe quantum systems which are consistent with Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity. In particular, the requirement of Einstein’s theory that signals not travel faster than the speed of light constrains the types of interactions which particles can engage in. One consequence of relativity is that these interactions cannot preserve particle number. The stronger the interactions, the more severe the particle number violation in a given Relativistic QFT. When particle number violation is strong, it becomes very difficult to adequately parameterize the quantum wave function (which characterizes the state of a quantum system). For example, though we can formulate the QFT which describes the strong force as a set of interactions between quark and gluon particles, we have no clear idea how to express the proton state in terms of these quarks and gluons. This is because the proton, though a bound state of quarks and gluons, is not a state of a fixed number of particles due to strong interactions. Yet, understanding the proton state is very important in order to theoretically predict the reaction rates observed at the LHC in Geneva, which is a proton-proton collider. Katz has formulated a new approach to QFT, which among other things offers a way to adequately approximate the quantum wave function of a bound state at strong coupling. The approximation scheme is related to the fact that any sensible QFT (including that of the strong interactions) is at short distances approximately self-similar upon rescaling of space and time. It turns out that keeping track of the response upon this rescaling is important in efficiently parameterizing the state. Katz and collaborators have used this observation to approximate the state of the proton in toy versions of the strong force. In the late 60s Sheldon Glashow, Abdus Salam and Steven Weinberg (1979 Nobel Prize awardees) proposed a theory unifying weak and electromagnetic interaction which assumed the existence of new particles, the W and Z bosons. The W and Z bosons were eventually detected in high-energy collision in a particle accelerator at CERN, and the recent discovery of the Higgs meson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), always at CERN, completed the picture. However, deep theoretical considerations indicate that the theory by Glashow, Weinberg and Salam, often referred to as "the standard model" cannot be the whole story: the existence of new particles and new interactions at yet higher energies is widely anticipated. The experiments at the LHC are looking for these, while theorists, like Brower, Rebbi and collaborators, are investigating models for these new interactions. Working in a large national collaboration with access to the most powerful DOE computers Brower, Rebbi and colleagues have been using calculational techniques, similar to those successfully employed for many years to investigate the interactions among quarks in nucleons, to study theories that can describe the expected "beyond the standard model" (BSM) interactions. Their results, which include also a model for dark matter, have been published in several refereed papers in prestigious journals. Various ideas in topologically interesting field theories predict hypothetical objects such as fractional charges and Majorana excitations. However, such fascinating objects have not been seen in particle physics. Nevertheless, these objects demonstrate possible phenomena that quantum field theory can support. Pi used condensed matter physics as a laboratory to study possible realizations and observable effects of these objects predicted by quantum field theory. In recent times there has developed considerable interest among condensed matter field theorists in precisely the same geometrical and topological structures, which were first discovered in particle physics field theories. From particle physicists' point of view, this is an interesting development, since condensed matter provides an arena in which one can concretely realize particle physics ideas. Moreover, particle physicists can learn new ideas from condensed matter physics. Higgs phenomenon is precisely an important particle physics realization of condensed matter ideas. In contrast to the small distance characterizing condensed matter systems, field theory also describes large distance physics characterizing cosmology. Pi worked on various geometrical effects in the standard theory of cosmology, viz general relativity.« less

High-fidelity plasma codes for burn physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cooley, James; Graziani, Frank; Marinak, Marty

Accurate predictions of equation of state (EOS), ionic and electronic transport properties are of critical importance for high-energy-density plasma science. Transport coefficients inform radiation-hydrodynamic codes and impact diagnostic interpretation, which in turn impacts our understanding of the development of instabilities, the overall energy balance of burning plasmas, and the efficacy of self-heating from charged-particle stopping. Important processes include thermal and electrical conduction, electron-ion coupling, inter-diffusion, ion viscosity, and charged particle stopping. However, uncertainties in these coefficients are not well established. Fundamental plasma science codes, also called high-fidelity plasma codes, are a relatively recent computational tool that augments both experimental datamore » and theoretical foundations of transport coefficients. This paper addresses the current status of HFPC codes and their future development, and the potential impact they play in improving the predictive capability of the multi-physics hydrodynamic codes used in HED design.« less

Measurement of neutron and charged particle fluxes toward earthquake prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maksudov, Asatulla U.; Zufarov, Mars A.

2017-12-01

In this paper, we describe a possible method for predicting the earthquakes, which is based on simultaneous recording of the intensity of fluxes of neutrons and charged particles by detectors, commonly used in nuclear physics. These low-energy particles originate from radioactive nuclear processes in the Earth's crust. The variations in the particle flux intensity can be the precursor of the earthquake. A description is given of an electronic installation that records the fluxes of charged particles in the radial direction, which are a possible response to the accumulated tectonic stresses in the Earth's crust. The obtained results showed an increase in the intensity of the fluxes for 10 or more hours before the occurrence of the earthquake. The previous version of the installation was able to indicate for the possibility of an earthquake (Maksudov et al. in Instrum Exp Tech 58:130-131, 2015), but did not give information about the direction of the epicenter location. In this regard, the installation was modified by adding eight directional detectors. With the upgraded setup, we have received both the predictive signals, and signals determining the directions of the location of the forthcoming earthquake, starting 2-3 days before its origin.

Modelling and Dosimetry for Alpha-Particle Therapy

PubMed Central

Sgouros, George; Hobbs, Robert F.; Song, Hong

2015-01-01

As a consequence of the high potency and short range of alpha-particles, radiopharmaceutical therapy with alpha-particle emitting radionuclides is a promising treatment approach that is under active pre-clinical and clinical investigation. To understand and predict the biological effects of alpha-particle radiopharmaceuticals, dosimetry is required at the micro or multi-cellular scale level. At such a scale, highly non-uniform irradiation of the target volume may be expected and the utility of a single absorbed dose value to predict biological effects comes into question. It is not currently possible to measure the pharmacokinetic input required for micro scale dosimetry in humans. Accordingly, pre-clinical studies are required to provide the pharmacokinetic data for dosimetry calculations. The translation of animal data to the human requires a pharmacokinetic model that links macro- and micro-scale pharmacokinetics thereby enabling the extrapolation of micro-scale kinetics from macroscopic measurements. These considerations along with a discussion of the appropriate physical quantity and related units for alpha-particle radiopharmaceutical therapy are examined in this review. PMID:22201712

The Standard Model.

PubMed

Shears, Tara

2012-02-28

The Standard Model is the theory used to describe the interactions between fundamental particles and fundamental forces. It is remarkably successful at predicting the outcome of particle physics experiments. However, the theory has not yet been completely verified. In particular, one of the most vital constituents, the Higgs boson, has not yet been observed. This paper describes the Standard Model, the experimental tests of the theory that have led to its acceptance and its shortcomings.

Physicochemical characterization of discrete weapons grade plutonium metal particles originating from the 1960 BOMARC incident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowen, James M.

The goal of this research was to investigate the physicochemical properties of weapons grade plutonium particles originating from the 1960 BOMARC incident for the purpose of predicting their fate in the environment and to address radiation protection and nuclear security concerns. Methods were developed to locate and isolate the particles in order to characterize them. Physical, chemical, and radiological characterization was performed using a variety of techniques. And finally, the particles were subjected to a sequential extraction procedure, a series of increasingly aggressive reagents, to simulate an accelerated environmental exposure. A link between the morphology of the particles and their partitioning amongst environmental mechanisms was established.

A square-force cohesion model and its extraction from bulk measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peiyuan; Lamarche, Casey; Kellogg, Kevin; Hrenya, Christine

2017-11-01

Cohesive particles remain poorly understood, with order of magnitude differences exhibited for prior, physical predictions of agglomerate size. A major obstacle lies in the absence of robust models of particle-particle cohesion, thereby precluding accurate prediction of the behavior of cohesive particles. Rigorous cohesion models commonly contain parameters related to surface roughness, to which cohesion shows extreme sensitivity. However, both roughness measurement and its distillation into these model parameters are challenging. Accordingly, we propose a ``square-force'' model, where cohesive force remains constant until a cut-off separation. Via DEM simulations, we demonstrate validity of the square-force model as surrogate of more rigorous models, when its two parameters are selected to match the two key quantities governing dense and dilute granular flows, namely maximum cohesive force and critical cohesive energy, respectively. Perhaps more importantly, we establish a method to extract the parameters in the square-force model via defluidization, due to its ability to isolate the effects of the two parameters. Thus, instead of relying on complicated scans of individual grains, determination of particle-particle cohesion from simple bulk measurements becomes feasible. Dow Corning Corporation.

Predicting the soiling of modern glass in urban environments: A new physically-based model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alfaro, S. C.; Chabas, A.; Lombardo, T.; Verney-Carron, A.; Ausset, P.

2012-12-01

This study revisits the measurements of the MULTI-ASSESS and Long Term Soiling programs for understanding physically, and modeling, the processes controlling the soiling of modern glass in polluted conditions. The results show a strong correlation between the size distribution of particles and the evolution of the mass deposited at the surface of the glass. Over observation periods covering more than 2 years, the mass deposition on glass panels sheltered from the rain is observed to accelerate regularly with time at the sites closest to the sources of particulate matter (Roadside sites). At these sites the deposit is also richer in coarse (supermicron) mineral particles than at more distant (Urban Background and Suburban) sites, where the contribution of submicron particles (among which a significant fraction of particulate organic matter) is larger. This size and compositional segregation probably explains that the mass accumulation tends to slow down with time and finally saturate after an estimated duration of more than 10 years at the Suburban sites. The analysis of the correlation between the measured accumulated mass and haze shows that the haze-creating mass efficiency of the deposit decreases progressively as the density of particles increases on the glass panels. This is interpreted as being a consequence of the increasing influence of multiple scattering. A steady-state is eventually obtained when layers of closely packed particles are formed, which occurs for surface masses of the order of a few tens of μg cm-2. After this stage is reached, the haze increases linearly with further mass deposition at a pace conditioned by the size-distribution of the deposit. The parameterization of the evolution of the deposited mass with time, and of the correlation linking this mass to the haze allows proposing a new physically-based model able to predict the development of the haze on sheltered glass. Finally, a comparison of the model predictions with the independent measurements performed at the experimental sites of the AERO program shows that the model is able to simulate correctly the development of the haze at a variety of urban sites ranging from the Suburban to Roadside categories. This predictive tool should help developing conservation strategies adapted to the real environmental conditions of the historical and modern buildings.

Method for characterizing the upset response of CMOS circuits using alpha-particle sensitive test circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buehler, Martin G. (Inventor); Nixon, Robert H. (Inventor); Soli, George A. (Inventor); Blaes, Brent R. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A method for predicting the SEU susceptibility of a standard-cell D-latch using an alpha-particle sensitive SRAM, SPICE critical charge simulation results, and alpha-particle interaction physics. A technique utilizing test structures to quickly and inexpensively characterize the SEU sensitivity of standard cell latches intended for use in a space environment. This bench-level approach utilizes alpha particles to induce upsets in a low LET sensitive 4-k bit test SRAM. This SRAM consists of cells that employ an offset voltage to adjust their upset sensitivity and an enlarged sensitive drain junction to enhance the cell's upset rate.

Acceleration of low-energy ions at parallel shocks with a focused transport model

DOE PAGES

Zuo, Pingbing; Zhang, Ming; Rassoul, Hamid K.

2013-04-10

Here, we present a test particle simulation on the injection and acceleration of low-energy suprathermal particles by parallel shocks with a focused transport model. The focused transport equation contains all necessary physics of shock acceleration, but avoids the limitation of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) that requires a small pitch angle anisotropy. This simulation verifies that the particles with speeds of a fraction of to a few times the shock speed can indeed be directly injected and accelerated into the DSA regime by parallel shocks. At higher energies starting from a few times the shock speed, the energy spectrum of acceleratedmore » particles is a power law with the same spectral index as the solution of standard DSA theory, although the particles are highly anisotropic in the upstream region. The intensity, however, is different from that predicted by DSA theory, indicating a different level of injection efficiency. It is found that the shock strength, the injection speed, and the intensity of an electric cross-shock potential (CSP) jump can affect the injection efficiency of the low-energy particles. A stronger shock has a higher injection efficiency. In addition, if the speed of injected particles is above a few times the shock speed, the produced power-law spectrum is consistent with the prediction of standard DSA theory in both its intensity and spectrum index with an injection efficiency of 1. CSP can increase the injection efficiency through direct particle reflection back upstream, but it has little effect on the energetic particle acceleration once the speed of injected particles is beyond a few times the shock speed. This test particle simulation proves that the focused transport theory is an extension of DSA theory with the capability of predicting the efficiency of particle injection.« less

Superheavy magnetic monopoles and the standard cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, M. S.

1984-10-01

The superheavy magnetic monopoles predicted to exist in grand unified theories (GUTs) are for particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Astrophysical and cosmological considerations are invaluable in the study of the properties of GUT monopoles. Because of the glut of monopoles predicted in the standard cosmology for the simplest GUTs. The simplest GUTs and the standard cosmology are not compatible. This is a very important piece of information about physics at unification energies and about the earliest movements of the Universe. The cosmological consequences of GUT monopoles within the context of the standard hot big bang model are reviewed.

Quantum vacuum noise in physics and cosmology.

PubMed

Davies, P. C. W.

2001-09-01

The concept of the vacuum in quantum field theory is a subtle one. Vacuum states have a rich and complex set of properties that produce distinctive, though usually exceedingly small, physical effects. Quantum vacuum noise is familiar in optical and electronic devices, but in this paper I wish to consider extending the discussion to systems in which gravitation, or large accelerations, are important. This leads to the prediction of vacuum friction: The quantum vacuum can act in a manner reminiscent of a viscous fluid. One result is that rapidly changing gravitational fields can create particles from the vacuum, and in turn the backreaction on the gravitational dynamics operates like a damping force. I consider such effects in early universe cosmology and the theory of quantum black holes, including the possibility that the large-scale structure of the universe might be produced by quantum vacuum noise in an early inflationary phase. I also discuss the curious phenomenon that an observer who accelerates through a quantum vacuum perceives a bath of thermal radiation closely analogous to Hawking radiation from black holes, even though an inertial observer registers no particles. The effects predicted raise very deep and unresolved issues about the nature of quantum particles, the role of the observer, and the relationship between the quantum vacuum and the concepts of information and entropy. (c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

QED: Experimental Evidence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lincoln, Don

The theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) is perhaps the most precisely tested physics theory ever conceived. It describes the interaction of charged particles by emitting photons. The most precise prediction of this very precise theory is the magnetic strength of the electron, what physicists call the magnetic moment. Prediction and measurement agree to 12 digits of precision. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln talks about this amazing measurement.

Second quantization in bit-string physics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noyes, H. Pierre

1993-01-01

Using a new fundamental theory based on bit-strings, a finite and discrete version of the solutions of the free one particle Dirac equation as segmented trajectories with steps of length h/mc along the forward and backward light cones executed at velocity +/- c are derived. Interpreting the statistical fluctuations which cause the bends in these segmented trajectories as emission and absorption of radiation, these solutions are analogous to a fermion propagator in a second quantized theory. This allows us to interpret the mass parameter in the step length as the physical mass of the free particle. The radiation in interaction with it has the usual harmonic oscillator structure of a second quantized theory. How these free particle masses can be generated gravitationally using the combinatorial hierarchy sequence (3,10,137,2(sup 127) + 136), and some of the predictive consequences are sketched.

The Influence of Fuelbed Physical Properties on Biomass Burning Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbanski, S. P.; Lincoln, E.; Baker, S. P.; Richardson, M.

2014-12-01

Emissions from biomass fires can significantly degrade regional air quality and therefore are of major concern to air regulators and land managers in the U.S. and Canada. Accurately estimating emissions from different fire types in various ecosystems is crucial to predicting and mitigating the impact of fires on air quality. The physical properties of ecosystems' fuelbeds can heavily influence the combustion processes (e.g. flaming or smoldering) and the resultant emissions. However, despite recent progress in characterizing the composition of biomass smoke, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the linkage between basic fuelbed physical properties and emissions. In laboratory experiments we examined the effects of fuelbed properties on combustion efficiency (CE) and emissions for an important fuel component of temperate and boreal forests - conifer needles. The bulk density (BD), depth (DZ), and moisture content (MC) of Ponderosa Pine needle fuelbeds were manipulated in 75 burns for which gas and particle emissions were measured. We found CE was negatively correlated with BD, DZ and MC and that the emission factors of species associated with smoldering combustion processes (CO, CH4, particles) were positively correlated with these fuelbed properties. The study indicates the physical properties of conifer needle fuelbeds have a significant effect on CE and hence emissions. However, many of the emission models used to predict and manage smoke impacts on air quality assume conifer litter burns by flaming combustion with a high CE and correspondingly low emissions of CO, CH4, particles, and organic compounds. Our results suggest emission models underestimate emissions from fires involving a large component of conifer needles. Additionally, our findings indicate that laboratory studies of emissions should carefully control fuelbed physical properties to avoid confounding effects that may obscure the effects being tested and lead to erroneous interpretations.

Development and Application of Predictive Tools for MHD Stability Limits in Tokamaks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brennan, Dylan; Miller, G. P.

This is a project to develop and apply analytic and computational tools to answer physics questions relevant to the onset of non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities in toroidal magnetic confinement plasmas. The focused goal of the research is to develop predictive tools for these instabilities, including an inner layer solution algorithm, a resistive wall with control coils, and energetic particle effects. The production phase compares studies of instabilities in such systems using analytic techniques, PEST- III and NIMROD. Two important physics puzzles are targeted as guiding thrusts for the analyses. The first is to form an accurate description of the physicsmore » determining whether the resistive wall mode or a tearing mode will appear first as β is increased at low rotation and low error fields in DIII-D. The second is to understand the physical mechanism behind recent NIMROD results indicating strong damping and stabilization from energetic particle effects on linear resistive modes. The work seeks to develop a highly relevant predictive tool for ITER, advance the theoretical description of this physics in general, and analyze these instabilities in experiments such as ASDEX Upgrade, DIII-D, JET, JT-60U and NTSX. The awardee on this grant is the University of Tulsa. The research efforts are supervised principally by Dr. Brennan. Support is included for two graduate students, and a strong collaboration with Dr. John M. Finn of LANL. The work includes several ongoing collaborations with General Atomics, PPPL, and the NIMROD team, among others.« less

High-Temperature Cast Aluminum for Efficient Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobel, Andrew C.

Accurate thermodynamic databases are the foundation of predictive microstructure and property models. An initial assessment of the commercially available Thermo-Calc TCAL2 database and the proprietary aluminum database of QuesTek demonstrated a large degree of deviation with respect to equilibrium precipitate phase prediction in the compositional region of interest when compared to 3-D atom probe tomography (3DAPT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experimental results. New compositional measurements of the Q-phase (Al-Cu-Mg-Si phase) led to a remodeling of the Q-phase thermodynamic description in the CALPHAD databases which has produced significant improvements in the phase prediction capabilities of the thermodynamic model. Due to the unique morphologies of strengthening precipitate phases commonly utilized in high-strength cast aluminum alloys, the development of new microstructural evolution models to describe both rod and plate particle growth was critical for accurate mechanistic strength models which rely heavily on precipitate size and shape. Particle size measurements through both 3DAPT and TEM experiments were used in conjunction with literature results of many alloy compositions to develop a physical growth model for the independent prediction of rod radii and rod length evolution. In addition a machine learning (ML) model was developed for the independent prediction of plate thickness and plate diameter evolution as a function of alloy composition, aging temperature, and aging time. The developed models are then compared with physical growth laws developed for spheres and modified for ellipsoidal morphology effects. Analysis of the effect of particle morphology on strength enhancement has been undertaken by modification of the Orowan-Ashby equation for 〈110〉 alpha-Al oriented finite rods in addition to an appropriate version for similarly oriented plates. A mechanistic strengthening model was developed for cast aluminum alloys containing both rod and plate-like precipitates. The model accurately accounts for the temperature dependence of particle nucleation and growth, solid solution strengthening, Si eutectic strength, and base aluminum yield strength. Strengthening model predictions of tensile yield strength are in excellent agreement with experimental observations over a wide range of aluminum alloy systems, aging temperatures, and test conditions. The developed models enable the prediction of the required particle morphology and volume fraction necessary to achieve target property goals in the design of future aluminum alloys. The effect of partitioning elements to the Q-phase was also considered for the potential to control the nucleation rate, reduce coarsening, and control the evolution of particle morphology. Elements were selected based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations showing the prevalence of certain elements to partition to the Q-phase. 3DAPT experiments were performed on Q-phase containing wrought alloys with these additions and show segregation of certain elements to the Q-phase with relative agreement to DFT predictions.

Nearshore dynamics of artificial sand and oil agglomerates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dalyander, P. Soupy; Plant, Nathaniel G.; Long, Joseph W.; McLaughlin, Molly R.

2015-01-01

Weathered oil can mix with sediment to form heavier-than-water sand and oil agglomerates (SOAs) that can cause beach re-oiling for years after a spill. Few studies have focused on the physical dynamics of SOAs. In this study, artificial SOAs (aSOAs) were created and deployed in the nearshore, and shear stress-based mobility formulations were assessed to predict SOA response. Prediction sensitivity to uncertainty in hydrodynamic conditions and shear stress parameterizations were explored. Critical stress estimates accounting for large particle exposure in a mixed bed gave the best predictions of mobility under shoaling and breaking waves. In the surf zone, the 10-cm aSOA was immobile and began to bury in the seafloor while smaller size classes dispersed alongshore. aSOAs up to 5 cm in diameter were frequently mobilized in the swash zone. The uncertainty in predicting aSOA dynamics reflects a broader uncertainty in applying mobility and transport formulations to cm-sized particles.

Gravity beyond Einstein? Part I: Physics and the Trouble with Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hauser, Jochem; Dröscher, Walter

2017-05-01

This article provides a review of the latest experimental results in quantum physics and astrophysics, discussing their repercussions on the advanced physical theories that go beyond both the SMs (standard models) of particle physics and cosmology. It will be shown that many of the essential concepts of the advanced theoretical models developed over the past 40 years are no longer tenable because they are contradicting the novel data. Most recent results (December 2016) from the Large Hadron Collider revealed no new matter particles up to particle masses of 1.6 TeV/c2, which is in accordance with recent ACME experimental data (2014) that saw no electric dipole moment for the electron as predicted by these theories. Moreover, the LUX experiment (since 2013) did not see any dark matter particles either, thus independently supporting LHC and ACME measurements. Furthermore, experimental particle physics seems to be telling us that dark matter particles (LHC results) do not exist, suggesting that dark matter particles either are more exotic or are more difficult to detect than had been predicted in the past decades (less likely with recent LHC results). Astrophysical observations since 1933, starting with Caltech astronomer Zwicky, however, have provided irrefutable evidence for the existence of dark matter, for instance, based on the phenomenon of gravitational lensing as well as observed rotational velocities of stars orbiting the galactic center that are deviating from Newton's law. Surprisingly, recent astronomical observations by Bidin, ESO (2010, 2012, 2014), seem to indicate the absence of dark matter within galaxies. In addition, cosmology at present has no explanation for about 68 % of the energy in the Universe that comes in the form of dark energy. Recently, measured data from three entirely different types of experiments both on earth and in space (2006-2011) are hinting at completely novel features of gravity that, if confirmed, must be outside Einstein's general relativity. Extreme gravitomagnetic and gravity-like fields may have been observed at cryogenic temperatures generated by a rotating ring or disk. However, these experimental results are not conclusive so far. The strength of these extreme fields has been calculated and, according to the respective equations, should be sufficient to serve as a basis for a gravitational technology that, for example, could establish long sought field propulsion (i.e. propulsion without fuel), actively researched by physicists and rocket engineers in the 1960s and 1990s. This article concludes with an outlook on the novel technology of gravitational engineering that might follow from gravity-like fields and discusses the novel physical concepts resulting from the existence of these extreme gravitomagnetic fields.

Issues in Space Physics in Need of Reconnection with Laboratory Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppi, B.

2017-10-01

Predicted space observations, such as the ``foot'' in front of collisionless shocks or the occurrence of magnetic reconnection in the Earth`s magnetotail leading to auroral substorms, have highlighted the fruitful connection of laboratory and space plasma physics. The emergence of high energy astrophysics has then benefitted by the contribution of experiments devised for fusion research to the understanding of issues such as that of angular momentum transport processes that have a key role in allowing accretion of matter on a central object (e.g. black hole). The theory proposed for the occurrence of spontaneous rotation in toroidal plasmas was suggested by that developed for accretion. The particle density values, =1015 cm-3 that are estimated to be those of plasmas surrounding known galactic black holes have in fact been produced by the Alcator and other machines. Collective modes excited in the presence of high energy particle populations in laboratory plasmas (e.g. when the ``slide away'' regime has been produced) have found successful applications in space. Magnetic reconnection theory developments and the mode particle resonances associated with them have led to envision new processes for novel high energy particle acceleration. Sponsored in part by the U.S. DoE.

Specification of the near-Earth space environment with SHIELDS

DOE PAGES

Jordanova, Vania Koleva; Delzanno, Gian Luca; Henderson, Michael Gerard; ...

2017-11-26

Here, predicting variations in the near-Earth space environment that can lead to spacecraft damage and failure is one example of “space weather” and a big space physics challenge. A project recently funded through the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program aims at developing a new capability to understand, model, and predict Space Hazards Induced near Earth by Large Dynamic Storms, the SHIELDS framework. The project goals are to understand the dynamics of the surface charging environment (SCE), the hot (keV) electrons representing the source and seed populations for the radiation belts, on both macro- andmore » micro-scale. Important physics questions related to particle injection and acceleration associated with magnetospheric storms and substorms, as well as plasma waves, are investigated. These challenging problems are addressed using a team of world-class experts in the fields of space science and computational plasma physics, and state-of-the-art models and computational facilities. A full two-way coupling of physics-based models across multiple scales, including a global MHD (BATS-R-US) embedding a particle-in-cell (iPIC3D) and an inner magnetosphere (RAM-SCB) codes, is achieved. New data assimilation techniques employing in situ satellite data are developed; these provide an order of magnitude improvement in the accuracy in the simulation of the SCE. SHIELDS also includes a post-processing tool designed to calculate the surface charging for specific spacecraft geometry using the Curvilinear Particle-In-Cell (CPIC) code that can be used for reanalysis of satellite failures or for satellite design.« less

Specification of the near-Earth space environment with SHIELDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jordanova, Vania Koleva; Delzanno, Gian Luca; Henderson, Michael Gerard

Here, predicting variations in the near-Earth space environment that can lead to spacecraft damage and failure is one example of “space weather” and a big space physics challenge. A project recently funded through the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program aims at developing a new capability to understand, model, and predict Space Hazards Induced near Earth by Large Dynamic Storms, the SHIELDS framework. The project goals are to understand the dynamics of the surface charging environment (SCE), the hot (keV) electrons representing the source and seed populations for the radiation belts, on both macro- andmore » micro-scale. Important physics questions related to particle injection and acceleration associated with magnetospheric storms and substorms, as well as plasma waves, are investigated. These challenging problems are addressed using a team of world-class experts in the fields of space science and computational plasma physics, and state-of-the-art models and computational facilities. A full two-way coupling of physics-based models across multiple scales, including a global MHD (BATS-R-US) embedding a particle-in-cell (iPIC3D) and an inner magnetosphere (RAM-SCB) codes, is achieved. New data assimilation techniques employing in situ satellite data are developed; these provide an order of magnitude improvement in the accuracy in the simulation of the SCE. SHIELDS also includes a post-processing tool designed to calculate the surface charging for specific spacecraft geometry using the Curvilinear Particle-In-Cell (CPIC) code that can be used for reanalysis of satellite failures or for satellite design.« less

Validation of the Physics Analysis used to Characterize the AGR-1 TRISO Fuel Irradiation Test

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sterbentz, James W.; Harp, Jason M.; Demkowicz, Paul A.

2015-05-01

The results of a detailed physics depletion calculation used to characterize the AGR-1 TRISO-coated particle fuel test irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory are compared to measured data for the purpose of validation. The particle fuel was irradiated for 13 ATR power cycles over three calendar years. The physics analysis predicts compact burnups ranging from 11.30-19.56% FIMA and cumulative neutron fast fluence from 2.21?4.39E+25 n/m 2 under simulated high-temperature gas-cooled reactor conditions in the ATR. The physics depletion calculation can provide a full characterization of all 72 irradiated TRISO-coated particle compacts during and post-irradiation,more » so validation of this physics calculation was a top priority. The validation of the physics analysis was done through comparisons with available measured experimental data which included: 1) high-resolution gamma scans for compact activity and burnup, 2) mass spectrometry for compact burnup, 3) flux wires for cumulative fast fluence, and 4) mass spectrometry for individual actinide and fission product concentrations. The measured data are generally in very good agreement with the calculated results, and therefore provide an adequate validation of the physics analysis and the results used to characterize the irradiated AGR-1 TRISO fuel.« less

Quantitative contrast-enhanced optical coherence tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Winetraub, Yonatan; SoRelle, Elliott D.; Bio-X Program, Stanford University, 299 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305

2016-01-11

We have developed a model to accurately quantify the signals produced by exogenous scattering agents used for contrast-enhanced Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This model predicts distinct concentration-dependent signal trends that arise from the underlying physics of OCT detection. Accordingly, we show that real scattering particles can be described as simplified ideal scatterers with modified scattering intensity and concentration. The relation between OCT signal and particle concentration is approximately linear at concentrations lower than 0.8 particle per imaging voxel. However, at higher concentrations, interference effects cause signal to increase with a square root dependence on the number of particles within amore » voxel. Finally, high particle concentrations cause enough light attenuation to saturate the detected signal. Predictions were validated by comparison with measured OCT signals from gold nanorods (GNRs) prepared in water at concentrations ranging over five orders of magnitude (50 fM to 5 nM). In addition, we validated that our model accurately predicts the signal responses of GNRs in highly heterogeneous scattering environments including whole blood and living animals. By enabling particle quantification, this work provides a valuable tool for current and future contrast-enhanced in vivo OCT studies. More generally, the model described herein may inform the interpretation of detected signals in modalities that rely on coherence-based detection or are susceptible to interference effects.« less

The Effects Of Physical And Biological Cohesion On Bedforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parsons, D. R.; Schindler, R.; Baas, J.; Hope, J. A.; Malarkey, J.; Paterson, D. M.; Peakall, J.; Manning, A. J.; Ye, L.; Aspden, R.; Alan, D.; Bass, S. J.

2014-12-01

Most coastal sediments consist of complex mixtures of cohesionless sands, physically-cohesive clays and extra cellular polymeric substances (EPS) that impart biological cohesion. Yet, our ability to predict bedform dimensions in these substrates is reliant on predictions based exclusively on cohesionless sand. We present findings from the COHBED project - which explicitly examines how bedform dynamics are modified by natural cohesion. Our experimental results show that for ripples, height and length are inversely proportional to initial clay content and bedforms take longer to appear, with no ripples when clay content exceeds 18%. When clay is replaced by EPS the development time and time of first appearance of ripples both increase by two orders of magnitude, with no bedforms above 0.125% EPS. For dunes, height and length are also inversely proportional to initial substrate clay content, resulting in a transition from dunes to ripples normally associated with velocity decreases. Addition of low EPS concentrations into the substrate results in yet smaller bedforms at the same clay contents and at high EPS concentrations, biological cohesion supersedes all electrostatic bonding, and bedform size is no longer related to mud content. The contrast in physical and biological cohesion effects on bedform development result from the disparity between inter-particle electrostatic bonding of clay particles and EPS grain coating and strands that physically link sediments together, which effects winnowing rates as bedforms evolve. These findings have wide ranging implications for bedform predictions in both modern and ancient environments. Coupling of biological and morphological processes not only requires an understanding of how bedform dimensions influence biota and habitat, but also how benthic species can modify bedform dimensions. Consideration of both aspects provides a means in which fluid dynamics, sediment transport and ecosystem energetics can be linked to yield improved predictions of morphological and habitat adjustment.

WE-FG-BRB-00: The Challenges of Predicting RBE Effects in Particle Therapy and Opportunities for Improving Cancer Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The physical pattern of energy deposition and the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons and carbon ions compared to photons offer unique and not fully understood or exploited opportunities to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Variations in RBE within a pristine or spread out Bragg peak and between particle types may be exploited to enhance cell killing in target regions without a corresponding increase in damage to normal tissue structures. In addition, the decreased sensitivity of hypoxic tumors to photon-based therapies may be partially overcome through the use of more densely ionizing radiations. These and other differences betweenmore » particle and photon beams may be used to generate biologically optimized treatments that reduce normal tissue complications. In this symposium, speakers will examine the impact of the RBE of charged particles on measurable biological endpoints, treatment plan optimization, and the prediction or retrospective assessment of treatment outcomes. In particular, an AAPM task group was formed to critically examine the evidence for a spatially-variant RBE in proton therapy. Current knowledge of proton RBE variation with respect to dose, biological endpoint, and physics parameters will be reviewed. Further, the clinical relevance of these variations will be discussed. Recent work focused on improving simulations of radiation physics and biological response in proton and carbon ion therapy will also be presented. Finally, relevant biology research and areas of research needs will be highlighted, including the dependence of RBE on genetic factors including status of DNA repair pathways, the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, the role of charged particles in hypoxic tumors, and the importance of fractionation effects. In addition to the physical advantages of protons and more massive ions over photons, the future application of biologically optimized treatment plans and their potential to provide higher levels of local tumor control and improved normal tissue sparing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: To assess whether the current practice of a constant RBE of 1.1 should be revised or maintained in proton therapy and to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of delivering RBE-weighted dose distributions based on variable RBE To review current research on biological models used to predict the increased biological effectiveness of proton and carbon ions to help move towards a practical understanding and implementation of biological optimization in particle therapy To discuss potential differences in biological mechanisms between photons and charged particles (light and heavy ions) that could impact clinical cancer therapy H. Paganetti, NCI U19 CA21239D. Grosshans, Our research is supported by the NCIK. Held, Funding Support: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA, under Award Number R21CA182259 and Federal Share of Program Income Earned by Massachusetts General Hospital on C06CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.« less

Remote sensing of atmospheric particulates: Technological innovation and physical limitations in applications to short-range weather prediction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curran, R. J.; Kropfil, R.; Hallett, J.

1984-01-01

Techniques for remote sensing of particles, from cloud droplet to hailstone size, using optical and microwave frequencies are reviewed. The inherent variability of atmospheric particulates is examined to delineate conditions when the signal can give information to be effectively utilized in a forecasting context. The physical limitations resulting from the phase, size, orientation and concentration variability of the particulates are assessed.

Reconciling phase diffusion and Hartree-Fock approximation in condensate systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giorgi, Gian Luca; de Pasquale, Ferdinando

2012-01-01

Despite the weakly interacting regime, the physics of Bose-Einstein condensates is widely affected by particle-particle interactions. They determine quantum phase diffusion, which is known to be the main cause of loss of coherence. Studying a simple model of two interacting Bose systems, we show how to predict the appearance of phase diffusion beyond the Bogoliubov approximation, providing a self-consistent treatment in the framework of a generalized Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov perturbation theory.

Development of a fluidized bed agglomeration modeling methodology to include particle-level heterogeneities in ash chemistry and granular physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khadilkar, Aditi B.

The utility of fluidized bed reactors for combustion and gasification can be enhanced if operational issues such as agglomeration are mitigated. The monetary and efficiency losses could be avoided through a mechanistic understanding of the agglomeration process and prediction of operational conditions that promote agglomeration. Pilot-scale experimentation prior to operation for each specific condition can be cumbersome and expensive. So the development of a mathematical model would aid predictions. With this motivation, the study comprised of the following model development stages- 1) development of an agglomeration modeling methodology based on binary particle collisions, 2) study of heterogeneities in ash chemical composition and gaseous atmosphere, 3) computation of a distribution of particle collision frequencies based on granular physics for a poly-disperse particle size distribution, 4) combining the ash chemistry and granular physics inputs to obtain agglomerate growth probabilities and 5) validation of the modeling methodology. The modeling methodology comprised of testing every binary particle collision in the system for sticking, based on the extent of dissipation of the particles' kinetic energy through viscous dissipation by slag-liquid (molten ash) covering the particles. In the modeling methodology developed in this study, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations are used to estimate the amount of slag-liquid in the system, and the changes in particle collision frequencies are accounted for by continuously tracking the number density of the various particle sizes. In this study, the heterogeneities in chemical composition of fuel ash were studied by separating the bulk fuel into particle classes that are rich in specific minerals. FactSage simulations were performed on two bituminous coals and an anthracite to understand the effect of particle-level heterogeneities on agglomeration. The mineral matter behavior of these constituent classes was studied. Each particle class undergoes distinct transformations of mineral matter at fluidized bed operating temperatures, as determined by using high temperature X-ray diffraction, thermo-mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). For the incorporation of a particle size distribution, bottom ash from an operating plant was divided into four size intervals and the system granular temperatures and dynamic bed height were computed using MFIX, a CFD simulation software. The kinetic theory of granular flow was used to obtain a distribution of binary collision frequencies for the entire particle size distribution. With this distribution of collision frequencies, which is computed based on hydrodynamics and granular physics of the poly-disperse system, as the particles grow, defluidize and decrease in number, the collision frequency also decreases. Under the conditions studied, the growth rate in the latter half of the run decreased to almost 1/5th the initial rate, with this decrease in collision frequency. This interdependent effect of chemistry and physics-based parameters, at the particle-level, was used to predict the agglomerate growth probabilities of Pittsburgh No. 8, Illinois No. 6 and Skidmore anthracite coals in this study, to illustrate the utility of the modeling methodology. The study also showed that agglomerate growth probability significantly increased above 15 to 20 wt. % slag. It was limited by ash chemistry at levels below this amount. Ash agglomerates were generated in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed combustor at Penn State to support the proposed agglomerate growth mechanism. This study also attempted to gain a mechanistic understanding of agglomerate growth with particle-level initiation occurring at the relatively low operating temperatures of about 950 °C, found in some fluidized beds. The results of this study indicated that, for the materials examined, agglomerate growth in fluidized bed combustors and gasifiers is initiated at the particle-level by low-melting components rich in iron- and calcium-based minerals. Although the bulk ash chemical composition does not indicate potential for agglomeration, study of particle-level heterogeneities revealed that agglomeration can begin at lower temperatures than the fluidized bed operating temperatures of 850 °C. After initiation at the particle-level, more slag is observed to form from alumino-silicate components at about 50 to 100 °C higher temperatures caused by changes in the system, and agglomerate growth propagates in the bed. A post-mortem study of ash agglomerates using SEM-EDX helped to identify stages of agglomerate growth. Additionally, the modeling methodology developed was used to simulate agglomerate growth in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed combustor firing palm shells (biomass), reported in the literature. A comparison of the defluidization time obtained by simulations to the experimental values reported in the case-study was made for the different operating conditions studied. This indicated that although the simulation results were comparable to those reported in the case study, modifications such as inclusion of heat transfer calculations to determine particle temperature resulting from carbon conversion would improve the predictive capabilities. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

A three-compartment model for micropollutants sorption in sludge: methodological approach and insights.

PubMed

Barret, Maialen; Patureau, Dominique; Latrille, Eric; Carrère, Hélène

2010-01-01

In sludge resulting from wastewater treatment, organic micropollutants sorb to particles and to dissolved/colloidal matter (DCM). Both interactions may influence their physical and biological fate throughout the wastewater treatment processes. To our knowledge, sludge has never been considered as a three-compartment matrix, in which micropollutants coexist in three states: freely dissolved, sorbed-to-particles and sorbed-to-DCM. A methodology is proposed to concomitantly determine equilibrium constants of sorption to particles (K(part)) and to DCM (K(DCM)). Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were chosen as model compounds for the experiments. The logarithm of estimated equilibrium constants ranged from 3.1 to 4.3 and their usual correlation to PAH hydrophobicity was verified. Moreover, PAH affinities for particles and for DCM could be compared. Affinity for particles was found to be stronger, probably due to their physical and chemical characteristics. This work provided a useful tool to assess the freely dissolved, sorbed-to-particles and sorbed-to-DCM concentrations of contaminants, which are necessary to accurately predict their fate. Besides, guidelines to investigate the link between sorption and the fundamental concept of bioavailability were proposed. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of stochastic lung deposition fractions with experimental data.

PubMed

Majid, Hussain; Hofmann, Werner; Winkler-Heil, Renate

2012-04-01

Deposition fractions of inhaled particles predicted by different computational models vary with respect to physical and biological factors and mathematical modeling techniques. These models must be validated by comparison with available experimental data. Experimental data supplied by different deposition studies with surrogate airway models or lung casts were used in this study to evaluate the stochastic deposition model Inhalation, Deposition and Exhalation of Aerosols in the Lung at the airway generation level. Furthermore, different analytical equations derived for the three major deposition mechanisms, diffusion, impaction, and sedimentation, were applied to different cast or airway models to quantify their effect on calculated particle deposition fractions. The experimental results for ultrafine particles (0.00175 and 0.01) were found to be in close agreement with the stochastic model predictions; however, for coarse particles (3 and 8 μm), experimental deposition fractions became higher with increasing flow rate. An overall fair agreement among the calculated deposition fractions for the different cast geometries was found. However, alternative deposition equations resulted in up to 300% variation in predicted deposition fractions, although all equations predicted the same trends as functions of particle diameter and breathing conditions. From this comparative study, it can be concluded that structural differences in lung morphologies among different individuals are responsible for the apparent variability in particle deposition in each generation. The use of different deposition equations yields varying deposition results caused primarily by (i) different lung morphometries employed in their derivation and the choice of the central bifurcation zone geometry, (ii) the assumption of specific flow profiles, and (iii) different methods used in the derivation of these equations.

QED: Experimental Evidence

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-01-16

The theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) is perhaps the most precisely tested physics theory ever conceived. It describes the interaction of charged particles by emitting photons. The most precise prediction of this very precise theory is the magnetic strength of the electron, what physicists call the magnetic moment. Prediction and measurement agree to 12 digits of precision. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln talks about this amazing measurement.

Quantum limit of heat flow across a single electronic channel.

PubMed

Jezouin, S; Parmentier, F D; Anthore, A; Gennser, U; Cavanna, A; Jin, Y; Pierre, F

2013-11-01

Quantum physics predicts that there is a fundamental maximum heat conductance across a single transport channel and that this thermal conductance quantum, G(Q), is universal, independent of the type of particles carrying the heat. Such universality, combined with the relationship between heat and information, signals a general limit on information transfer. We report on the quantitative measurement of the quantum-limited heat flow for Fermi particles across a single electronic channel, using noise thermometry. The demonstrated agreement with the predicted G(Q) establishes experimentally this basic building block of quantum thermal transport. The achieved accuracy of below 10% opens access to many experiments involving the quantum manipulation of heat.

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a magneto-gravitational trap and in situ detection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pattie, Jr., R. W.; Callahan, N. B.; Cude-Woods, C.

Here, the precise value of the mean neutron lifetime, τn, plays an important role in nuclear and particle physics and cosmology. It is used to predict the ratio of protons to helium atoms in the primordial universe and to search for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We eliminated loss mechanisms present in previous trap experiments by levitating polarized ultracold neutrons above the surface of an asymmetric storage trap using a repulsive magnetic field gradient so that the stored neutrons do not interact with material trap walls. As a result of this approach and the use of anmore » in situ neutron detector, the lifetime reported here [877.7 ± 0.7 (stat) +0.4/–0.2 (sys) seconds] does not require corrections larger than the quoted uncertainties.« less

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a magneto-gravitational trap and in situ detection

DOE PAGES

Pattie, Jr., R. W.; Callahan, N. B.; Cude-Woods, C.; ...

2018-05-11

Here, the precise value of the mean neutron lifetime, τn, plays an important role in nuclear and particle physics and cosmology. It is used to predict the ratio of protons to helium atoms in the primordial universe and to search for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We eliminated loss mechanisms present in previous trap experiments by levitating polarized ultracold neutrons above the surface of an asymmetric storage trap using a repulsive magnetic field gradient so that the stored neutrons do not interact with material trap walls. As a result of this approach and the use of anmore » in situ neutron detector, the lifetime reported here [877.7 ± 0.7 (stat) +0.4/–0.2 (sys) seconds] does not require corrections larger than the quoted uncertainties.« less

Advancing the understanding of plasma transport in mid-size stellarators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo, Carlos; Talmadge, Joseph; Ramisch, Mirko; TJ-II, the; HXS; TJ-K Teams

2017-01-01

The tokamak and the stellarator are the two main candidate concepts for magnetically confining fusion plasmas. The flexibility of the mid-size stellarator devices together with their unique diagnostic capabilities make them ideally suited to study the relation between magnetic topology, electric fields and transport. This paper addresses advances in the understanding of plasma transport in mid-size stellarators with an emphasis on the physics of flows, transport control, impurity and particle transport and fast particles. The results described here emphasize an improved physics understanding of phenomena in stellarators that complements the empirical approach. Experiments in mid-size stellarators support the development of advanced plasma scenarios in Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) and, in concert with better physics understanding in tokamaks, may ultimately lead to an advance in the prediction of burning plasma behaviour.

CRPropa 3—a public astrophysical simulation framework for propagating extraterrestrial ultra-high energy particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Batista, Rafael Alves; Dundovic, Andrej; Sigl, Guenter

2016-05-01

We present the simulation framework CRPropa version 3 designed for efficient development of astrophysical predictions for ultra-high energy particles. Users can assemble modules of the most relevant propagation effects in galactic and extragalactic space, include their own physics modules with new features, and receive on output primary and secondary cosmic messengers including nuclei, neutrinos and photons. In extension to the propagation physics contained in a previous CRPropa version, the new version facilitates high-performance computing and comprises new physical features such as an interface for galactic propagation using lensing techniques, an improved photonuclear interaction calculation, and propagation in time dependent environmentsmore » to take into account cosmic evolution effects in anisotropy studies and variable sources. First applications using highlighted features are presented as well.« less

Challenges in 21st Century Physics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Thomas L.

2007-01-01

We are truly fortunate to live in one of the great epochs of human discovery, a time when science is providing new visions and understanding about ourselves and the world in which we live. At last, we are beginning to explore the Universe itself. One particularly exciting area of advancement is high-energy physics where several existing concepts will be put to the test. A brief survey will be given of accomplishments in 20th Century physics. These include relativity and quantum physics which have produced breakthroughs in cosmology, astrophysics, and high-energy particle physics. The current situation is then assessed, combining the last 100 years of progress with new 21st Century challenges about unification and where to go next. Finally, the future is upon us. The next frontier in experimental high-energy physics, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Geneva, is scheduled to begin coming online this year (2007). The potential for the LHC to address several of the significant problems in physics today will be discussed, as this great accelerator examines the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics and even cosmology. New physics and new science will surely emerge and a better vision of the world will unfold.

Soliton motion in a parametrically ac-driven damped Toda lattice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rasmussen, K.O.; Malomed, B.A.; Bishop, A.R.

We demonstrate that a staggered parametric ac driving term can support stable progressive motion of a soliton in a Toda lattice with friction, while an unstaggered driving force cannot. A physical context of the model is that of a chain of anharmonically coupled particles adsorbed on a solid surface of a finite size. The ac driving force is generated by a standing acoustic wave excited on the surface. Simulations demonstrate that the state left behind the moving soliton, with the particles shifted from their equilibrium positions, gradually relaxes back to the equilibrium state that existed before the passage of themore » soliton. The perturbation theory predicts that the ac-driven soliton exists if the amplitude of the drive exceeds a certain threshold. The analytical prediction for the threshold is in reasonable agreement with that found numerically. Collisions between two counterpropagating solitons is also simulated, demonstrating that the collisions are, effectively, fully elastic. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}« less

A Cosmologist's Tour Through the New Particle Zoo / Candy Shop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, M. S.

Recent developments in elementary particle physics have led to a renaissance in cosmology, in general, and in the study of structure formation, in particular. Already, the study of the very early (t ≤ 10-2s) history of the Universe has provided valuable hints as to the 'initial data' for the structure formation problem - the nature and origin of the primeval density inhomogeneities, the quantity and composition of matter in the Universe today, and numerous candidates for the constituents of the ubiquitous dark matter. The author reviews the multitude of WIMP candidates for the dark matter provided by modern particle physics theories, putting them into context by briefly discussing the theories which predict them. He reviews their various birth sites and birth processes in the early Universe. The author also mentions some very exotic possibilities - unstable WIMPs, cosmic strings, and even the possibility of a relic cosmological term.

Physical Investigations of Small Particles: (I) Aerosol Particle Charging and Flux Enhancement and (II) Whispering Gallery Mode Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez-Yglesias, Xerxes

Part I: Particles are a key feature of planetary atmospheres. On Earth they represent the greatest source of uncertainty in the global energy budget. This uncertainty can be addressed by making more measurement, by improving the theoretical analysis of measurements, and by better modeling basic particle nucleation and initial particle growth within an atmosphere. This work will focus on the latter two methods of improvement. Uncertainty in measurements is largely due to particle charging. Accurate descriptions of particle charging are challenging because one deals with particles in a gas as opposed to a vacuum, so different length scales come into play. Previous studies have considered the effects of transition between the continuum and kinetic regime and the effects of two and three body interactions within the kinetic regime. These studies, however, use questionable assumptions about the charging process which resulted in skewed observations, and bias in the proposed dynamics of aerosol particles. These assumptions affect both the ions and particles in the system. Ions are assumed to be point monopoles that have a single characteristic speed rather than follow a distribution. Particles are assumed to be perfect conductors that have up to five elementary charges on them. The effects of three body interaction, ion-molecule-particle, are also overestimated. By revising this theory so that the basic physical attributes of both ions and particles and their interactions are better represented, we are able to make more accurate predictions of particle charging in both the kinetic and continuum regimes. The same revised theory that was used above to model ion charging can also be applied to the flux of neutral vapor phase molecules to a particle or initial cluster. Using these results we can model the vapor flux to a neutral or charged particle due to diffusion and electromagnetic interactions. In many classical theories currently applied to these models, the finite size of the molecule and the electromagnetic interaction between the molecule and particle, especially for the neutral particle case, are completely ignored, or, as is often the case for a permanent dipole vapor species, strongly underestimated. Comparing our model to these classical models we determine an "enhancement factor" to characterize how important the addition of these physical parameters and processes is to the understanding of particle nucleation and growth. Part II: Whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical biosensors are capable of extraordinarily sensitive specific and non-specific detection of species suspended in a gas or fluid. Recent experimental results suggest that these devices may attain single-molecule sensitivity to protein solutions in the form of stepwise shifts in their resonance wavelength, lambdaR, but present sensor models predict much smaller steps than were reported. This study examines the physical interaction between a WGM sensor and a molecule adsorbed to its surface, exploring assumptions made in previous efforts to model WGM sensor behavior, and describing computational schemes that model the experiments for which single protein sensitivity was reported. The resulting model is used to simulate sensor performance, within constraints imposed by the limited material property data. On this basis, we conclude that nonlinear optical effects would be needed to attain the reported sensitivity, and that, in the experiments for which extreme sensitivity was reported, a bound protein experiences optical energy fluxes too high for such effects to be ignored.

Research in Lattice Gauge Theory and in the Phenomenology of Neutrinos and Dark Matter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meurice, Yannick L; Reno, Mary Hall

Research in theoretical elementary particle physics was performed by the PI Yannick Meurice and co-PI Mary Hall Reno. New techniques designed for precision calculations of strong interaction physics were developed using the tensor renormalization group method. Large-scale Monte Carlo simulations with dynamical quarks were performed for candidate models for Higgs compositeness. Ab-initio lattice gauge theory calculations of semileptonic decays of B-mesons observed in collider experiments and relevant to test the validity of the standard model were performed with the Fermilab/MILC collaboration. The phenomenology of strong interaction physics was applied to new predictions for physics processes in accelerator physics experiments andmore » to cosmic ray production and interactions. A research focus has been on heavy quark production and their decays to neutrinos. The heavy quark contributions to atmospheric neutrino and muon fluxes have been evaluated, as have the neutrino fluxes from accelerator beams incident on heavy targets. Results are applicable to current and future particle physics experiments and to astrophysical neutrino detectors such as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Redi, M.H.; Mynick, H.E.; Suewattana, M.

Hamiltonian coordinate, guiding-center code calculations of the confinement of suprathermal ions in quasi-axisymmetric stellarator (QAS) designs have been carried out to evaluate the attractiveness of compact configurations which are optimized for ballooning stability. A new stellarator particle-following code is used to predict ion loss rates and particle confinement for thermal and neutral beam ions in a small experiment with R = 145 cm, B = 1-2 T and for alpha particles in a reactor-size device. In contrast to tokamaks, it is found that high edge poloidal flux has limited value in improving ion confinement in QAS, since collisional pitch-angle scatteringmore » drives ions into ripple wells and stochastic field regions, where they are quickly lost. The necessity for reduced stellarator ripple fields is emphasized. The high neutral beam ion loss predicted for these configurations suggests that more interesting physics could be explored with an experiment of less constrained size and magnetic field geometry.« less

Heat conduction in a chain of colliding particles with a stiff repulsive potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gendelman, Oleg V.; Savin, Alexander V.

2016-11-01

One-dimensional billiards, i.e., a chain of colliding particles with equal masses, is a well-known example of a completely integrable system. Billiards with different particle masses is generically not integrable, but it still exhibits divergence of a heat conduction coefficient (HCC) in the thermodynamic limit. Traditional billiards models imply instantaneous (zero-time) collisions between the particles. We relax this condition of instantaneous impact and consider heat transport in a chain of stiff colliding particles with the power-law potential of the nearest-neighbor interaction. The instantaneous collisions correspond to the limit of infinite power in the interaction potential; for finite powers, the interactions take nonzero time. This modification of the model leads to a profound physical consequence—the probability of multiple (in particular triple) -particle collisions becomes nonzero. Contrary to the integrable billiards of equal particles, the modified model exhibits saturation of the heat conduction coefficient for a large system size. Moreover, the identification of scattering events with triple-particle collisions leads to a simple definition of the characteristic mean free path and a kinetic description of heat transport. This approach allows us to predict both the temperature and density dependencies for the HCC limit values. The latter dependence is quite counterintuitive—the HCC is inversely proportional to the particle density in the chain. Both predictions are confirmed by direct numerical simulations.

Relativistic extension of a charge-conservative finite element solver for time-dependent Maxwell-Vlasov equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Na, D.-Y.; Moon, H.; Omelchenko, Y. A.; Teixeira, F. L.

2018-01-01

Accurate modeling of relativistic particle motion is essential for physical predictions in many problems involving vacuum electronic devices, particle accelerators, and relativistic plasmas. A local, explicit, and charge-conserving finite-element time-domain (FETD) particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm for time-dependent (non-relativistic) Maxwell-Vlasov equations on irregular (unstructured) meshes was recently developed by Moon et al. [Comput. Phys. Commun. 194, 43 (2015); IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 44, 1353 (2016)]. Here, we extend this FETD-PIC algorithm to the relativistic regime by implementing and comparing three relativistic particle-pushers: (relativistic) Boris, Vay, and Higuera-Cary. We illustrate the application of the proposed relativistic FETD-PIC algorithm for the analysis of particle cyclotron motion at relativistic speeds, harmonic particle oscillation in the Lorentz-boosted frame, and relativistic Bernstein modes in magnetized charge-neutral (pair) plasmas.

Universal noise and Efimov physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicholson, Amy N.

2016-03-01

Probability distributions for correlation functions of particles interacting via random-valued fields are discussed as a novel tool for determining the spectrum of a theory. In particular, this method is used to determine the energies of universal N-body clusters tied to Efimov trimers, for even N, by investigating the distribution of a correlation function of two particles at unitarity. Using numerical evidence that this distribution is log-normal, an analytical prediction for the N-dependence of the N-body binding energies is made.

Super-alfvenic propagation of cosmic rays: The role of streaming modes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, P. J.; Scott, J. S.; Holman, G. D.; Ionson, J. A.

1980-01-01

Numerous cosmic ray propagation and acceleration problems require knowledge of the propagation speed of relativistic particles through an ambient plasma. Previous calculations indicated that self-generated turbulence scatters relativistic particles and reduces their bulk streaming velocity to the Alfven speed. This result was incorporated into all currently prominent theories of cosmic ray acceleration and propagation. It is demonstrated that super-Alfvenic propagation is indeed possible for a wide range of physical parameters. This fact dramatically affects the predictions of these models.

Beams 92. Proceedings of the International Conference on High-Power Particle Beams (9th) held in Washington, DC on May 25-29 1992, Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-29

measurement we measured an aXP = 0.7(±0.2) when the value predicted by a single particle theory is ath = 0.35. The physical mechanism which leads to higher ...theoretical possibility of higher harmonics generation in the presence of a reversed guide field is highlighted. Introduction High-current free electron...ACCELERATORS, M. Bums, P. Allison, J. Downing, D.C. Moir, G. Caporaso, Y.J. Chen ...................................................... 283 SLIA THEORY

The symmetry and simplicity of the laws of physics and the Higgs boson

DOE PAGES

Maldacena, Juan

2015-11-12

We describe the theoretical ideas, developed between the 1950s–1970s, which led to the prediction of the Higgs boson, the particle that was discovered in 2012. The forces of nature are based on symmetry principles. We explain the nature of these symmetries through an economic analogy. We also discuss the Higgs mechanism, which is necessary to avoid some of the naive consequences of these symmetries, and to explain various features of elementary particles.

Photoacoustic Doppler effect from flowing small light-absorbing particles.

PubMed

Fang, Hui; Maslov, Konstantin; Wang, Lihong V

2007-11-02

From the flow of a suspension of micrometer-scale carbon particles, the photoacoustic Doppler shift is observed. As predicted theoretically, the observed Doppler shift equals half of that in Doppler ultrasound and does not depend on the direction of laser illumination. This new physical phenomenon provides a basis for developing photoacoustic Doppler flowmetry, which can potentially be used for detecting fluid flow in optically scattering media and especially low-speed blood flow of relatively deep microcirculation in biological tissue.

Particle bed reactor modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sapyta, Joe; Reid, Hank; Walton, Lew

1993-01-01

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: particle bed reactor (PBR) core cross section; PBR bleed cycle; fuel and moderator flow paths; PBR modeling requirements; characteristics of PBR and nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) modeling; challenges for PBR and NTP modeling; thermal hydraulic computer codes; capabilities for PBR/reactor application; thermal/hydralic codes; limitations; physical correlations; comparison of predicted friction factor and experimental data; frit pressure drop testing; cold frit mask factor; decay heat flow rate; startup transient simulation; and philosophy of systems modeling.

Analysing the health effects of simultaneous exposure to physical and chemical properties of airborne particles

PubMed Central

Pirani, Monica; Best, Nicky; Blangiardo, Marta; Liverani, Silvia; Atkinson, Richard W.; Fuller, Gary W.

2015-01-01

Background Airborne particles are a complex mix of organic and inorganic compounds, with a range of physical and chemical properties. Estimation of how simultaneous exposure to air particles affects the risk of adverse health response represents a challenge for scientific research and air quality management. In this paper, we present a Bayesian approach that can tackle this problem within the framework of time series analysis. Methods We used Dirichlet process mixture models to cluster time points with similar multipollutant and response profiles, while adjusting for seasonal cycles, trends and temporal components. Inference was carried out via Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. We illustrated our approach using daily data of a range of particle metrics and respiratory mortality for London (UK) 2002–2005. To better quantify the average health impact of these particles, we measured the same set of metrics in 2012, and we computed and compared the posterior predictive distributions of mortality under the exposure scenario in 2012 vs 2005. Results The model resulted in a partition of the days into three clusters. We found a relative risk of 1.02 (95% credible intervals (CI): 1.00, 1.04) for respiratory mortality associated with days characterised by high posterior estimates of non-primary particles, especially nitrate and sulphate. We found a consistent reduction in the airborne particles in 2012 vs 2005 and the analysis of the posterior predictive distributions of respiratory mortality suggested an average annual decrease of − 3.5% (95% CI: − 0.12%, − 5.74%). Conclusions We proposed an effective approach that enabled the better understanding of hidden structures in multipollutant health effects within time series analysis. It allowed the identification of exposure metrics associated with respiratory mortality and provided a tool to assess the changes in health effects from various policies to control the ambient particle matter mixtures. PMID:25795926

Analysing the health effects of simultaneous exposure to physical and chemical properties of airborne particles.

PubMed

Pirani, Monica; Best, Nicky; Blangiardo, Marta; Liverani, Silvia; Atkinson, Richard W; Fuller, Gary W

2015-06-01

Airborne particles are a complex mix of organic and inorganic compounds, with a range of physical and chemical properties. Estimation of how simultaneous exposure to air particles affects the risk of adverse health response represents a challenge for scientific research and air quality management. In this paper, we present a Bayesian approach that can tackle this problem within the framework of time series analysis. We used Dirichlet process mixture models to cluster time points with similar multipollutant and response profiles, while adjusting for seasonal cycles, trends and temporal components. Inference was carried out via Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. We illustrated our approach using daily data of a range of particle metrics and respiratory mortality for London (UK) 2002-2005. To better quantify the average health impact of these particles, we measured the same set of metrics in 2012, and we computed and compared the posterior predictive distributions of mortality under the exposure scenario in 2012 vs 2005. The model resulted in a partition of the days into three clusters. We found a relative risk of 1.02 (95% credible intervals (CI): 1.00, 1.04) for respiratory mortality associated with days characterised by high posterior estimates of non-primary particles, especially nitrate and sulphate. We found a consistent reduction in the airborne particles in 2012 vs 2005 and the analysis of the posterior predictive distributions of respiratory mortality suggested an average annual decrease of -3.5% (95% CI: -0.12%, -5.74%). We proposed an effective approach that enabled the better understanding of hidden structures in multipollutant health effects within time series analysis. It allowed the identification of exposure metrics associated with respiratory mortality and provided a tool to assess the changes in health effects from various policies to control the ambient particle matter mixtures. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Integration of active pharmaceutical ingredient solid form selection and particle engineering into drug product design.

PubMed

Ticehurst, Martyn David; Marziano, Ivan

2015-06-01

This review seeks to offer a broad perspective that encompasses an understanding of the drug product attributes affected by active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) physical properties, their link to solid form selection and the role of particle engineering. While the crucial role of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) solid form selection is universally acknowledged in the pharmaceutical industry, the value of increasing effort to understanding the link between solid form, API physical properties and drug product formulation and manufacture is now also being recognised. A truly holistic strategy for drug product development should focus on connecting solid form selection, particle engineering and formulation design to both exploit opportunities to access simpler manufacturing operations and prevent failures. Modelling and predictive tools that assist in establishing these links early in product development are discussed. In addition, the potential for differences between the ingoing API physical properties and those in the final product caused by drug product processing is considered. The focus of this review is on oral solid dosage forms and dry powder inhaler products for lung delivery. © 2015 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Particle Physics in the Sky and Astrophysics Underground: Connecting the Universe's Largest and Smallest Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Molly E. C.

2008-08-01

Particles have tremendous potential as astronomical messengers, and conversely, studying the universe as a whole also teaches us about particle physics. This thesis encompasses both of these research directions. Many models predict a diffuse flux of high energy neutrinos from active galactic nuclei and other astrophysical sources. The "Astrophysics Underground" portion of this thesis describes a search for this neutrino flux performed by looking for very high energy upward-going muons using the Super-K detector. In addition to using particles to do astronomy, we can also use the universe itself as a particle physics lab. The "Particle Physics in the Sky" portion of this thesis focuses on extracting cosmological information from galaxy surveys. To overcome technical challenges faced by the latest galaxy surveys, we produced a comprehensive upgrade to mangle, a software package that processes the angular masks defining the survey area on the sky. We added dramatically faster algorithms and new useful features that are necessary for managing complex masks of current and next-generation galaxy surveys. With this software in hand, we utilized SDSS data to investigate the relation between galaxies and dark matter by studying relative bias, i.e., the relation between different types of galaxies. Separating galaxies by their luminosities and colors reveals a complicated picture: red galaxies are clustered more strongly than blue galaxies, with both the brightest and the faintest red galaxies showing the strongest clustering. Furthermore, red and blue galaxies tend to occupy different regions of space. In order to make precise measurements from the next generation of galaxy surveys, it will be essential to account for this complexity.

3D Numerical Prediction of Gas-Solid Flow Behavior in CFB Risers for Geldart A and B Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özel, A.; Fede, P.; Simonin, O.

In this study, mono-disperse flows in squared risers conducted with A and B-type particles were simulated by Eulerian n-fluid 3D unsteady code. Two transport equations developed in the frame of kinetic theory of granular media supplemented by the interstitial fluid effect and the interaction with the turbulence (Balzer et al., 1996) are resolved to model the effect of velocity fluctuations and inter-particle collisions on the dispersed phase hydrodynamic. The studied flow geometries are three-dimensional vertical cold channels excluding cyclone, tampon and returning pipe of a typical circulating fluidized bed. For both type of particles, parametric studies were carried out to determine influences of boundary conditions, physical parameters and turbulence modeling. The grid dependency was analyzed with mesh refinement in horizontal and axial directions. For B-type particles, the results are in good qualitative agreement with the experiments and numerical predictions are slightly improved by the mesh refinement. On the contrary, the simulations with A-type particles show a less satisfactory agreement with available measurements and are highly sensitive to mesh refinement. Further studies are carried out to improve the A-type particles by modeling subgrid-scale effects in the frame of large-eddy simulation approach.

Upscaling the diffusion equations in particulate media made of highly conductive particles. I. Theoretical aspects.

PubMed

Vassal, J-P; Orgéas, L; Favier, D; Auriault, J-L; Le Corre, S

2008-01-01

Many analytical and numerical works have been devoted to the prediction of macroscopic effective transport properties in particulate media. Usually, structure and properties of macroscopic balance and constitutive equations are stated a priori. In this paper, the upscaling of the transient diffusion equations in concentrated particulate media with possible particle-particle interfacial barriers, highly conductive particles, poorly conductive matrix, and temperature-dependent physical properties is revisited using the homogenization method based on multiple scale asymptotic expansions. This method uses no a priori assumptions on the physics at the macroscale. For the considered physics and microstructures and depending on the order of magnitude of dimensionless Biot and Fourier numbers, it is shown that some situations cannot be homogenized. For other situations, three different macroscopic models are identified, depending on the quality of particle-particle contacts. They are one-phase media, following the standard heat equation and Fourier's law. Calculations of the effective conductivity tensor and heat capacity are proved to be uncoupled. Linear and steady state continuous localization problems must be solved on representative elementary volumes to compute the effective conductivity tensors for the two first models. For the third model, i.e., for highly resistive contacts, the localization problem becomes simpler and discrete whatever the shape of particles. In paper II [Vassal, Phys. Rev. E 77, 011303 (2008)], diffusion through networks of slender, wavy, entangled, and oriented fibers is considered. Discrete localization problems can then be obtained for all models, as well as semianalytical or fully analytical expressions of the corresponding effective conductivity tensors.

SO(10) supersymmetric grand unified theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dermisek, Radovan

The origin of the fermion mass hierarchy is one of the most challenging problems in elementary particle physics. In the standard model fermion masses and mixing angles are free parameters. Supersymmetric grand unified theories provide a beautiful framework for physics beyond the standard model. In addition to gauge coupling unification these theories provide relations between quark and lepton masses within families, and with additional family symmetry the hierarchy between families can be generated. We present a predictive SO(10) supersymmetric grand unified model with D 3 x U(1) family symmetry. The hierarchy in fermion masses is generated by the family symmetry breaking D 3 x U(1) → ZN → nothing. This model fits the low energy data in the charged fermion sector quite well. We discuss the prediction of this model for the proton lifetime in light of recent SuperKamiokande results and present a clear picture of the allowed spectra of supersymmetric particles. Finally, the detailed discussion of the Yukawa coupling unification of the third generation particles is provided. We find a narrow region is consistent with t, b, tau Yukawa unification for mu > 0 (suggested by b → sgamma and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon) with A0 ˜ -1.9m16, m10 ˜ 1.4m16, m16 ≳ 1200 GeV and mu, M1/2 ˜ 100--500 GeV. Demanding Yukawa unification thus makes definite predictions for Higgs and sparticle masses.

Dynamics of Solar System Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dermott, Stanley F.

2002-01-01

The ongoing aim of the research is to investigate the dynamical and physical evolution of interplanetary dust particles in order to produce a detailed global model of the zodiacal cloud and its constituent components that is capable of predicting thermal fluxes in mid-infrared wave bands to an accuracy of 1% or better; with the additional aim of exploiting this research as a basis for predicting structure in exozodiacal clouds that may be signatures of unseen planets.

(U) Physics Validation of the RMI-Based Ejecta Source Model Implementation in FLAG: L2 Milestone #6035 Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tregillis, I. L.

The Los Alamos Physics and Engineering Models (PEM) program has developed a model for Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) based ejecta production from shock-melted surfaces, along with a prescription for a self-similar velocity distribution (SSVD) of the resulting ejecta particles. We have undertaken an effort to validate this source model using data from explosively driven tin coupon experiments. The model’s current formulation lacks a crucial piece of physics: a method for determining the duration of the ejecta production interval. Without a mechanism for terminating ejecta production, the model is not predictive. Furthermore, when the production interval is hand-tuned to match time-integrated massmore » data, the predicted time-dependent mass accumulation on a downstream sensor rises too sharply at early times and too slowly at late times because the SSVD overestimates the amount of mass stored in the fastest particles and underestimates the mass stored in the slowest particles. The functional form of the resulting m(t) is inconsistent with the available time-dependent data; numerical simulations and analytic studies agree on this point. Simulated mass tallies are highly sensitive to radial expansion of the ejecta cloud. It is not clear if the same effect is present in the experimental data but if so, depending on the degree, this may challenge the model’s compatibility with tin coupon data. The current implementation of the model in FLAG is sensitive to the detailed interaction between kinematics (hydrodynamic methods) and thermodynamics (material models); this sensitivity prohibits certain physics modeling choices. The appendices contain an extensive analytic study of piezoelectric ejecta mass measurements, along with test problems, excerpted from a longer work (LA-UR-17-21218).« less

Irreversibility inversions in two-dimensional turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bragg, Andrew D.; De Lillo, Filippo; Boffetta, Guido

2018-02-01

In this paper, we consider a recent theoretical prediction [Bragg et al., Phys. Fluids 28, 013305 (2016), 10.1063/1.4939694] that for inertial particles in two-dimensional (2D) turbulence, the nature of the irreversibility of the particle-pair dispersion inverts when the particle inertia exceeds a certain value. In particular, when the particle Stokes number, St , is below a certain value, the forward-in-time (FIT) dispersion should be faster than the backward-in-time (BIT) dispersion, but for St above this value, this should invert so that BIT becomes faster than FIT dispersion. This nontrivial behavior arises because of the competition between two physically distinct irreversibility mechanisms that operate in different regimes of St . In three-dimensional (3D) turbulence, both mechanisms act to produce faster BIT than FIT dispersion, but in 2D turbulence, the two mechanisms have opposite effects because of the flux of energy from the small to the large scales. We supplement the qualitative argument given by Bragg et al. [Phys. Fluids 28, 013305 (2016), 10.1063/1.4939694] by deriving quantitative predictions of this effect in the short time limit. We confirm the theoretical predictions using results of inertial particle dispersion in a direct numerical simulation of 2D turbulence. A more general finding of this analysis is that in turbulent flows with an inverse energy flux, inertial particles may yet exhibit a net downscale flux of kinetic energy because of their nonlocal-in-time dynamics.

Explaining dark matter and B decay anomalies with an L μ - L τ model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Altmannshofer, Wolfgang; Gori, Stefania; Profumo, Stefano

We present a dark sector model based on gauging the L μ - L τ symmetry that addresses anomalies in b→ sμ +μ - decays and that features a particle dark matter candidate. The dark matter particle candidate is a vector-like Dirac fermion coupled to the Z' gauge boson of the L μ - L τ symmetry. We compute the dark matter thermal relic density, its pair-annihilation cross section, and the loop-suppressed dark matter-nucleon scattering cross section, and compare our predictions with current and future experimental results. We demonstrate that after taking into account bounds from Bs meson oscillations, darkmore » matter direct detection, and the CMB, the model is highly predictive: B physics anomalies and a viable particle dark matter candidate, with a mass of ~ (5 - 23) GeV, can be accommodated only in a tightly-constrained region of parameter space, with sharp predictions for future experimental tests. The viable region of parameter space expands if the dark matter is allowed to have L μ - L τ charges that are smaller than those of the SM leptons.« less

Explaining dark matter and B decay anomalies with an L μ - L τ model

DOE PAGES

Altmannshofer, Wolfgang; Gori, Stefania; Profumo, Stefano; ...

2016-12-20

We present a dark sector model based on gauging the L μ - L τ symmetry that addresses anomalies in b→ sμ +μ - decays and that features a particle dark matter candidate. The dark matter particle candidate is a vector-like Dirac fermion coupled to the Z' gauge boson of the L μ - L τ symmetry. We compute the dark matter thermal relic density, its pair-annihilation cross section, and the loop-suppressed dark matter-nucleon scattering cross section, and compare our predictions with current and future experimental results. We demonstrate that after taking into account bounds from Bs meson oscillations, darkmore » matter direct detection, and the CMB, the model is highly predictive: B physics anomalies and a viable particle dark matter candidate, with a mass of ~ (5 - 23) GeV, can be accommodated only in a tightly-constrained region of parameter space, with sharp predictions for future experimental tests. The viable region of parameter space expands if the dark matter is allowed to have L μ - L τ charges that are smaller than those of the SM leptons.« less

Virtual reality in urban water management: communicating urban flooding with particle-based CFD simulations.

PubMed

Winkler, Daniel; Zischg, Jonatan; Rauch, Wolfgang

2018-01-01

For communicating urban flood risk to authorities and the public, a realistic three-dimensional visual display is frequently more suitable than detailed flood maps. Virtual reality could also serve to plan short-term flooding interventions. We introduce here an alternative approach for simulating three-dimensional flooding dynamics in large- and small-scale urban scenes by reaching out to computer graphics. This approach, denoted 'particle in cell', is a particle-based CFD method that is used to predict physically plausible results instead of accurate flow dynamics. We exemplify the approach for the real flooding event in July 2016 in Innsbruck.

Density-functional theory of spherical electric double layers and zeta potentials of colloidal particles in restricted-primitive-model electrolyte solutions.

PubMed

Yu, Yang-Xin; Wu, Jianzhong; Gao, Guang-Hua

2004-04-15

A density-functional theory is proposed to describe the density profiles of small ions around an isolated colloidal particle in the framework of the restricted primitive model where the small ions have uniform size and the solvent is represented by a dielectric continuum. The excess Helmholtz energy functional is derived from a modified fundamental measure theory for the hard-sphere repulsion and a quadratic functional Taylor expansion for the electrostatic interactions. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the results from Monte Carlo simulations and from previous investigations using integral-equation theory for the ionic density profiles and the zeta potentials of spherical particles at a variety of solution conditions. Like the integral-equation approaches, the density-functional theory is able to capture the oscillatory density profiles of small ions and the charge inversion (overcharging) phenomena for particles with elevated charge density. In particular, our density-functional theory predicts the formation of a second counterion layer near the surface of highly charged spherical particle. Conversely, the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann theory and its variations are unable to represent the oscillatory behavior of small ion distributions and charge inversion. Finally, our density-functional theory predicts charge inversion even in a 1:1 electrolyte solution as long as the salt concentration is sufficiently high. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Ion mobilities in diatomic gases: measurement versus prediction with non-specular scattering models.

PubMed

Larriba, Carlos; Hogan, Christopher J

2013-05-16

Ion/electrical mobility measurements of nanoparticles and polyatomic ions are typically linked to particle/ion physical properties through either application of the Stokes-Millikan relationship or comparison to mobilities predicted from polyatomic models, which assume that gas molecules scatter specularly and elastically from rigid structural models. However, there is a discrepancy between these approaches; when specular, elastic scattering models (i.e., elastic-hard-sphere scattering, EHSS) are applied to polyatomic models of nanometer-scale ions with finite-sized impinging gas molecules, predictions are in substantial disagreement with the Stokes-Millikan equation. To rectify this discrepancy, we developed and tested a new approach for mobility calculations using polyatomic models in which non-specular (diffuse) and inelastic gas-molecule scattering is considered. Two distinct semiempirical models of gas-molecule scattering from particle surfaces were considered. In the first, which has been traditionally invoked in the study of aerosol nanoparticles, 91% of collisions are diffuse and thermally accommodating, and 9% are specular and elastic. In the second, all collisions are considered to be diffuse and accommodating, but the average speed of the gas molecules reemitted from a particle surface is 8% lower than the mean thermal speed at the particle temperature. Both scattering models attempt to mimic exchange between translational, vibrational, and rotational modes of energy during collision, as would be expected during collision between a nonmonoatomic gas molecule and a nonfrozen particle surface. The mobility calculation procedure was applied considering both hard-sphere potentials between gas molecules and the atoms within a particle and the long-range ion-induced dipole (polarization) potential. Predictions were compared to previous measurements in air near room temperature of multiply charged poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) ions, which range in morphology from compact to highly linear, and singly charged tetraalkylammonium cations. It was found that both non-specular, inelastic scattering rules lead to excellent agreement between predictions and experimental mobility measurements (within 5% of each other) and that polarization potentials must be considered to make correct predictions for high-mobility particles/ions. Conversely, traditional specular, elastic scattering models were found to substantially overestimate the mobilities of both types of ions.

High-Energy Polarization: Scientific Potential and Model Predictions

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Haocheng

2017-07-28

Understanding magnetic field strength and morphology is very important for studying astrophysical jets. Polarization signatures have been a standard way to probe the jet magnetic field. Radio and optical polarization monitoring programs have been very successful in studying the space- and time-dependent jet polarization behaviors. A new era is now arriving with high-energy polarimetry. X-ray and γ-ray polarimetry can probe the most active jet regions with the most efficient particle acceleration. This new opportunity will make a strong impact on our current understanding of jet systems. Here, this article summarizes the scientific potential and current model predictions for X-ray andmore » γ-ray polarization of astrophysical jets. In particular, we discuss the advantages of using high-energy polarimetry to constrain several important problems in the jet physics, including the jet radiation mechanisms, particle acceleration mechanisms, and jet kinetic and magnetic energy composition. Here we take blazars as a study case, but the general approach can be similarly applied to other astrophysical jets. We conclude that by comparing combined magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), particle transport, and polarization-dependent radiation transfer simulations with multi-wavelength time-dependent radiation and polarization observations, we will obtain the strongest constraints and the best knowledge of jet physics.« less

High-Energy Polarization: Scientific Potential and Model Predictions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Haocheng

Understanding magnetic field strength and morphology is very important for studying astrophysical jets. Polarization signatures have been a standard way to probe the jet magnetic field. Radio and optical polarization monitoring programs have been very successful in studying the space- and time-dependent jet polarization behaviors. A new era is now arriving with high-energy polarimetry. X-ray and γ-ray polarimetry can probe the most active jet regions with the most efficient particle acceleration. This new opportunity will make a strong impact on our current understanding of jet systems. Here, this article summarizes the scientific potential and current model predictions for X-ray andmore » γ-ray polarization of astrophysical jets. In particular, we discuss the advantages of using high-energy polarimetry to constrain several important problems in the jet physics, including the jet radiation mechanisms, particle acceleration mechanisms, and jet kinetic and magnetic energy composition. Here we take blazars as a study case, but the general approach can be similarly applied to other astrophysical jets. We conclude that by comparing combined magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), particle transport, and polarization-dependent radiation transfer simulations with multi-wavelength time-dependent radiation and polarization observations, we will obtain the strongest constraints and the best knowledge of jet physics.« less

Developing a predictive model for the chemical composition of soot nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Violi, Angela; Michelsen, Hope; Hansen, Nils

In order to provide the scientific foundation to enable technology breakthroughs in transportation fuel, it is important to develop a combustion modeling capability to optimize the operation and design of evolving fuels in advanced engines for transportation applications. The goal of this proposal is to develop a validated predictive model to describe the chemical composition of soot nanoparticles in premixed and diffusion flames. Atomistic studies in conjunction with state-of-the-art experiments are the distinguishing characteristics of this unique interdisciplinary effort. The modeling effort has been conducted at the University of Michigan by Prof. A. Violi. The experimental work has entailed amore » series of studies using different techniques to analyze gas-phase soot precursor chemistry and soot particle production in premixed and diffusion flames. Measurements have provided spatial distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other gas-phase species and size and composition of incipient soot nanoparticles for comparison with model results. The experimental team includes Dr. N. Hansen and H. Michelsen at Sandia National Labs' Combustion Research Facility, and Dr. K. Wilson as collaborator at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's Advanced Light Source. Our results show that the chemical and physical properties of nanoparticles affect the coagulation behavior in soot formation, and our results on an experimentally validated, predictive model for the chemical composition of soot nanoparticles will not only enhance our understanding of soot formation since but will also allow the prediction of particle size distributions under combustion conditions. These results provide a novel description of soot formation based on physical and chemical properties of the particles for use in the next generation of soot models and an enhanced capability for facilitating the design of alternative fuels and the engines they will power.« less

Conserved actions, maximum entropy and dark matter haloes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pontzen, Andrew; Governato, Fabio

2013-03-01

We use maximum entropy arguments to derive the phase-space distribution of a virialized dark matter halo. Our distribution function gives an improved representation of the end product of violent relaxation. This is achieved by incorporating physically motivated dynamical constraints (specifically on orbital actions) which prevent arbitrary redistribution of energy. We compare the predictions with three high-resolution dark matter simulations of widely varying mass. The numerical distribution function is accurately predicted by our argument, producing an excellent match for the vast majority of particles. The remaining particles constitute the central cusp of the halo (≲4 per cent of the dark matter). They can be accounted for within the presented framework once the short dynamical time-scales of the centre are taken into account.

Computational methodology to predict satellite system-level effects from impacts of untrackable space debris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welty, N.; Rudolph, M.; Schäfer, F.; Apeldoorn, J.; Janovsky, R.

2013-07-01

This paper presents a computational methodology to predict the satellite system-level effects resulting from impacts of untrackable space debris particles. This approach seeks to improve on traditional risk assessment practices by looking beyond the structural penetration of the satellite and predicting the physical damage to internal components and the associated functional impairment caused by untrackable debris impacts. The proposed method combines a debris flux model with the Schäfer-Ryan-Lambert ballistic limit equation (BLE), which accounts for the inherent shielding of components positioned behind the spacecraft structure wall. Individual debris particle impact trajectories and component shadowing effects are considered and the failure probabilities of individual satellite components as a function of mission time are calculated. These results are correlated to expected functional impairment using a Boolean logic model of the system functional architecture considering the functional dependencies and redundancies within the system.

Inclined, collisional sediment transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berzi, Diego; Fraccarollo, Luigi

2013-10-01

We apply the constitutive relations of kinetic theory of granular gases to the transport of cohesionless sediments driven by a gravitational liquid turbulent stream in steady uniform conditions. The sediment-laden flow forms self-equilibrated mechanisms of resistance at the bed surface, below which the sediments are at rest. This geo-physical process takes place quite often in streams at moderate slope and may be interpreted through tools common to fluid mechanics and particle physics. Taking into account the viscous dissipation of the fluctuation energy of the particles, and using approximate methods of integration of the governing differential equations, permit to obtain a set of simple formulas for predicting how depths and flow rates adjust to the angle of inclination of the bed, without requiring additional tuning parameters besides the particle and fluid properties. The agreement with laboratory experiments performed with either plastic cylinders or gravel in water is remarkable. We also provide quantitative criteria to determine the range of validity of the theory, i.e., the values of the Shields number and the angle of inclination of the bed for which the particle stresses can be mostly ascribed to collisional exchange of momentum.

An LES-PBE-PDF approach for modeling particle formation in turbulent reacting flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sewerin, Fabian; Rigopoulos, Stelios

2017-10-01

Many chemical and environmental processes involve the formation of a polydispersed particulate phase in a turbulent carrier flow. Frequently, the immersed particles are characterized by an intrinsic property such as the particle size, and the distribution of this property across a sample population is taken as an indicator for the quality of the particulate product or its environmental impact. In the present article, we propose a comprehensive model and an efficient numerical solution scheme for predicting the evolution of the property distribution associated with a polydispersed particulate phase forming in a turbulent reacting flow. Here, the particulate phase is described in terms of the particle number density whose evolution in both physical and particle property space is governed by the population balance equation (PBE). Based on the concept of large eddy simulation (LES), we augment the existing LES-transported probability density function (PDF) approach for fluid phase scalars by the particle number density and obtain a modeled evolution equation for the filtered PDF associated with the instantaneous fluid composition and particle property distribution. This LES-PBE-PDF approach allows us to predict the LES-filtered fluid composition and particle property distribution at each spatial location and point in time without any restriction on the chemical or particle formation kinetics. In view of a numerical solution, we apply the method of Eulerian stochastic fields, invoking an explicit adaptive grid technique in order to discretize the stochastic field equation for the number density in particle property space. In this way, sharp moving features of the particle property distribution can be accurately resolved at a significantly reduced computational cost. As a test case, we consider the condensation of an aerosol in a developed turbulent mixing layer. Our investigation not only demonstrates the predictive capabilities of the LES-PBE-PDF model but also indicates the computational efficiency of the numerical solution scheme.

Scaling relations of halo cores for self-interacting dark matter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Henry W.; Loeb, Abraham, E-mail: henrylin@college.harvard.edu, E-mail: aloeb@cfa.harvard.edu

2016-03-01

Using a simple analytic formalism, we demonstrate that significant dark matter self-interactions produce halo cores that obey scaling relations nearly independent of the underlying particle physics parameters such as the annihilation cross section and the mass of the dark matter particle. For dwarf galaxies, we predict that the core density ρ{sub c} and the core radius r{sub c} should obey ρ{sub c} r{sub c} ≈ 41 M{sub ⊙} pc{sup −2} with a weak mass dependence ∼ M{sup 0.2}. Remarkably, such a scaling relation has recently been empirically inferred. Scaling relations involving core mass, core radius, and core velocity dispersion are predicted and agree well with observationalmore » data. By calibrating against numerical simulations, we predict the scatter in these relations and find them to be in excellent agreement with existing data. Future observations can test our predictions for different halo masses and redshifts.« less

Beams of protons and alpha particles greater than approximately 30 keV/charge from the earth's bow shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scholer, M.; Ipavich, F. M.; Gloeckler, G.

1981-01-01

Two beamlike particle events (30 keV/charge to 160 keV/charge) upstream of the earth's bow shock have been investigated with the Max-Planck-Institut/University of Maryland ultralow energy and charge analyzer on ISEE 1. These beams consist of protons as well as of alpha particles, and the spectra are generally steep and are decreasing with increasing energy. During one event the spectra of both protons and alpha particles have a maximum at approximately 65 keV/charge. During these events, the interplanetary magnetic field through the satellite position was almost tangent to the bow shock, and application of the theory of acceleration predicts acceleration of a solar wind particle up to 60 keV/nucleon in a single reflection. The observation of reflected protons as well as alpha particles has implications for the physical reflection process usually not discussed in acceleration theories.

Eulerian-Lagrangian analysis for particle velocities and trajectories in a pure wave motion using particle image velocimetry.

PubMed

Umeyama, Motohiko

2012-04-13

This paper investigates the velocity and the trajectory of water particles under surface waves, which propagate at a constant water depth, using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The vector fields and vertical distributions of velocities are presented at several phases in one wave cycle. The third-order Stokes wave theory was employed to express the physical quantities. The PIV technique's ability to measure both temporal and spatial variations of the velocity was proved after a series of attempts. This technique was applied to the prediction of particle trajectory in an Eulerian scheme. Furthermore, the measured particle path was compared with the positions found theoretically by integrating the Eulerian velocity to the higher order of a Taylor series expansion. The profile of average travelling distance is also presented with a solution of zero net mass flux in a closed wave flume.

Research in Neutrino Physics and Particle Astrophysics: Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kearns, Edward

The Boston University Neutrino Physics and Particle Astrophysics Group investigates the fundamental laws of particle physics using natural and man-made neutrinos and rare processes such as proton decay. The primary instrument for this research is the massive Super-Kamiokande (SK) water Cherenkov detector, operating since 1996 at the Kamioka Neutrino Observatory, one kilometer underground in a mine in Japan. We study atmospheric neutrinos from cosmic rays, which were first used to discover that neutrinos have mass, as recognized by the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. Our latest measurements with atmospheric neutrinos are giving valuable information, complementary to longbaseline experiments, on themore » ordering of massive neutrino states and as to whether neutrinos violate CP symmetry. We have studied a variety of proton decay modes, including the most frequently predicted modes such as p → e +π 0 and p → ν K +, as well as more exotic baryon number violating processes such as dinucleon decay and neutronantineutron oscillation. We search for neutrinos from dark matter annihilation or decay in the universe. Our group has made significant contributions to detector operation, particularly in the area of electronics. Most recently, we have contributed to planning for an upgrade to the SK detector by the addition of gadolinium to the water, which will enable efficient neutron capture detection.« less

Motion of a Free-Settling Spherical Particle Driven by a Laser-Induced Bubble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shengji; Zuo, Zhigang; Stone, Howard A.; Liu, Shuhong

2017-08-01

We document experimentally four different interactions of a laser-induced bubble and a free-settling particle, with different combinations of the geometric and physical parameters of the system. Our force balance model shows that four nondimensional factors involving the particle radius a , the maximum bubble radius Rmax , the initial separation distance l0 between the particle center and the bubble center, the fluid viscosity μf , and the particle and fluid densities ρp and ρf , respectively, in detail l0 /Rmax , a /Rmax , ρp /ρf , and μ*=μfTc /ρfRmax2 , where Tc=0.915 Rmax√{ρf /(p∞-pv ) } , influence the particle-bubble dynamics, and reasonably predict the maximum particle velocity and the limiting condition when the particle starts to "bounce off" the bubble during bubble growth. In particular, we also discover the high-speed ejection of the particle, and a cavity behind the particle, in cases when initially the particle is in very close proximity to the bubble. These observations offer new insights into the causal mechanism for the enhanced cavitation erosion in silt-laden water.

Cometary Evolution: Clues on Physical Properties from Chondritic Interplanetary Dust Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.; Mackinnon, Ian D. R.

1989-01-01

The degree of diversity or similarity detected in comets depends primarily on the lifetimes of the individual cometary nuclei at the time of analysis. It is inherent in our understanding of cometary orbital dynamics and the seminal model of comet origins by Oort that cometary evolution is the natural order of events in our Solar System. Thus, predictions of cometary behaviour in terms of bulk physical, mineralogical or chemical parameters should contain an appreciation of temporal variation(s). Previously, Rietmeijer and Mackinnon developed mineralogical bases for the chemical evolution of cometary nuclei primarily with regard to the predominantly silicate fraction of comet nuclei. We suggested that alteration of solids in cometary nuclei should be expected and that indications of likely reactants and products can be derived from judicious comparison with terrestrial diagenetic environments which include hydrocryogenic and low-temperature aqueous alterations. In a further development of this concept, Rietmeijer provides indirect evidence for the formation of sulfides and oxides in comet nuclei. Furthermore, Rietmeijer noted that timescales for hydrocryogenic and low-temperature reactions involving liquid water are probably adequate for relatively mature comets, e.g. P/comet Halley. In this paper, we will address the evolution of comet nuclei physical parameters such as solid particle grain size, porosity and density. In natural environments, chemical evolution (e.g. mineral reactions) is often accompanied by changes in physical properties. These concurrent changes are well-documented in the terrestrial geological literature, especially in studies of sediment diagenesis and we suggest that similar basic principles apply within the upper few meters of active comet nuclei. The database for prediction of comet nuclei physical parameters is, in principle, the same as used for the proposition of chemical evolution. We use detailed mineralogical studies of chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPS) as a guide to the likely constitution of mature comets traversing the inner Solar System. While there is, as yet, no direct proof that a specific sub-group or type of chondritic IDP is derived from a specific comet, it is clear that these particles are extraterrestrial in origin and that a certain portion of the interplanetary flux received by the Earth is cometary in origin. Two chondritic porous (CP) MPs, sample numbers W7010A2 and W7029Cl, from the Johnson Space Center Cosmic Dust Collection have been selected for this study of putative cometary physical parameters. This particular type of particle is considered a likely candidate for a cometary origin on the basis of mineralogy, bulk composition and morphology. While many IDPs have been subjected to intensive study over the past decade, we can develop a physical parameter model on only these two CP IDPs because few others have been studied in sufficient detail.

Cometary Evolution: Clues on Physical Properties from Chondritic Interplanetary Dust Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reitmeijer, Frans J. M.; Mackinnon, Ian D. R.

1997-01-01

The degree of diversity or similarity detected in comets depends primarily on the lifetimes of the individual cometary nuclei at the time of analysis. It is inherent in our understanding of cometary orbital dynamics and the seminal model of comet origins that cometary evolution is the natural order of events in our Solar System. Thus, predictions of cometary behaviour in terms of bulk physical, mineralogical or chemical parameters should contain an appreciation of temporal variation(s). Previously, Rietmeijer and Mackinnon [1987] developed mineralogical bases for the chemical evolution of cometary nuclei primarily with regard to the predominantly silicate fraction of comet nuclei. We suggested that alteration of solids in cometary nuclei should be expected and that indications of likely reactants and products can be derived from judicious comparison with terrestrial diagenetic environments which include hydrocryogenic and low-temperature aqueous alterations. In a further development of this concept, Rietmeijer [1988] provides indirect evidence for the formation of sulfides and oxides in comet nuclei. Furthermore, Rietmeijer [1988] noted that timescales for hydrocryogenic and low-temperature reactions involving liquid water are probably adequate for relatively mature comets, e.g. P/comet Halley. In this paper, we will address the evolution of comet nuclei physical parameters such as solid particle grain size, porosity and density. In natural environments, chemical evolution (e.g. mineral reactions) is often accompanied by changes in physical properties. These concurrent changes are well-documented in the terrestrial geological literature, especially in studies of sediment diagenesis and we suggest that similar basic principles apply within the upper few meters of active comet nuclei. The database for prediction of comet nuclei physical parameters is, in principle, the same as used for the proposition of chemical evolution. We use detailed mineralogical studies of chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPS) as a guide to the likely constitution of mature comets traversing the inner Solar System. While there is, as yet, no direct proof that a specific sub-group or type of chondritic IDP is derived from a specific comet, it is clear that these particles are extraterrestrial in origin and that a certain portion of the interplanetary flux received by the Earth is cometary in origin. Two chondritic porous (CP) IDPS, sample numbers W701OA2 and W7029CI, from the Johnson Space Center Cosmic Dust Collection have been selected for this study of putative cometary physical parameters. This particular type of particle is considered a likely candidate for a cometary origin on the basis of mineralogy, bulk composition and morphology. While many IDPs have been subjected to intensive study over the past decade, we can develop a physical parameter model on only these two CP IDPs because few others have been studied in sufficient detail.

The Physics of Pollen and Spore Rebound from Plant Surfaces.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paw U, Kyaw Tha

1980-12-01

The problem of particle rebound from plant surfaces has been examined. Particle rebound is a component of net deposition; the other components are reentrainment and impingement. I carried out several sets of wind tunnel experiments to examine the nature of rebound, reentrainment and impingement. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the data. A simple computer model was created to predict particle deposition in wind tunnel conditions. My work confirms that rebound is an important process in the wind tunnel, and implies the existence of a process I call 'rebound/reentrainment'. I tested several major hypotheses. The first was that biological materials exhibit the same physical rebound characteristics as artificial materials. The second was that particles rebound in a manner predicted by Dahneke's (1971, 1975) theory. The third was that rebound is a dominant component of net deposition. The fourth was that surface characteristics may seriously influence rebound. I carried out my experiments in a low-speed wind tunnel. For surfaces I used glass and the leaves of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Coleus (Coleus blumeii) and American elm (Ulmus americana). For particles I used glass microbeads, lycopodium spores (Lycopodium spp.), and ragweed pollen (Ambrosia trifida). Four main sets of experiments were carried out. I examined rebound, as a function of particle speed, of particles impinging upon leaf surfaces, reentrainment of spores and pollen as a function of wind speed and time, net deposition, as a function of wind speed, and adhesion of pollen and spores to the leaf surfaces. From these experiments I concluded that in general, pollen and spore rebound can be described well by Dahneke's (1971, 1975) theory. Particle differences are far more significant than surface differences in the rebound process. I postulate the existence of rebound/reentrainment when particles impinge on surfaces with tangential fluid flow present. Particles will bounce initially, be drawn back to the surface, but if the fluid flow is sufficiently strong, the particles will be reentrained. Rebound processes, if they are defined to include rebound and rebound/reentrainment, are generally more important than reentrainment in limiting net deposition. I used experimental and theoretical work to form a simple net deposition model for large particles in wind tunnel flow. Further development of similar models is necessary for more accurate results, and for linkage to macroscale deposition and transport models.

Predicting charmonium and bottomonium spectra with a quark harmonic oscillator.

PubMed

Norbury, J W; Badavi, F F; Townsend, L W

1986-11-01

We present a simple application of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator which should provide a very nice particle physics example to be presented in introductory undergraduate quantum mechanics course. The idea is to use the nonrelativistic quark model to calculate the spin-averaged mass levels of the charmonium and bottomonium spectra.

Overhead Projector Spectrum of Polymethine Dye: A Physical Chemistry Demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomon, Sally; Hur, Chinhyu

1995-08-01

The position of the predominant peak of 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-cyanine iodide is measured in class using an overhead projector spectrometer, then predicted using the model of a particle-in a one dimensional box. The calculated wavelength is in excellent agreement with the wavelength estimated from the overhead projector spectroscopy experiment.

Telescope Array UHECR composition measurement via stereoscopic fluorescence observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stroman, Thomas; Bergman, Douglas; Telescope Array Collaboration

2016-03-01

When entering Earth's atmosphere at ultra-high energies, cosmic rays (UHECRs) produce extensive air showers whose longitudinal development is influenced by the incident primary particle's mass. Each longitudinal shower profile reaches its maximum particle count at an atmospheric slant depth Xmax, and the distributions of observed Xmax values can be compared to those predicted by detailed simulations of the air-shower physics and the detector; accurately simulated compositions that most closely resemble that found in nature will produce the best agreement between predicted and observed Xmax distributions. This is the basis of composition measurement at the Telescope Array experiment, the largest and most sensitive UHECR detector in the northern hemisphere. At the perimeter of a large surface-detector array are three fluorescence telescope stations, whose overlapping apertures enable high-precision reconstruction of Xmax from stereoscopic observation of air-shower longitudinal profiles. We present the distribution of Xmax observed during eight years of operation, and from comparisons with several simulated combinations of composition and high-energy hadronic physics, we show that a low primary mass is favored at E >10 18 . 2 eV.

Using ‘particle in a box’ models to calculate energy levels in semiconductor quantum well structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebbens, A. T.

2018-07-01

Although infinite potential ‘particle in a box’ models are widely used to introduce quantised energy levels their predictions cannot be quantitatively compared with atomic emission spectra. Here, this problem is overcome by describing how both infinite and finite potential well models can be used to calculate the confined energy levels of semiconductor quantum wells. This is done by using physics and mathematics concepts that are accessible to pre-university students. The results of the models are compared with experimental data and their accuracy discussed.

The order of the quantum chromodynamics transition predicted by the standard model of particle physics.

PubMed

Aoki, Y; Endrodi, G; Fodor, Z; Katz, S D; Szabó, K K

2006-10-12

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory of the strong interaction, explaining (for example) the binding of three almost massless quarks into a much heavier proton or neutron--and thus most of the mass of the visible Universe. The standard model of particle physics predicts a QCD-related transition that is relevant for the evolution of the early Universe. At low temperatures, the dominant degrees of freedom are colourless bound states of hadrons (such as protons and pions). However, QCD is asymptotically free, meaning that at high energies or temperatures the interaction gets weaker and weaker, causing hadrons to break up. This behaviour underlies the predicted cosmological transition between the low-temperature hadronic phase and a high-temperature quark-gluon plasma phase (for simplicity, we use the word 'phase' to characterize regions with different dominant degrees of freedom). Despite enormous theoretical effort, the nature of this finite-temperature QCD transition (that is, first-order, second-order or analytic crossover) remains ambiguous. Here we determine the nature of the QCD transition using computationally demanding lattice calculations for physical quark masses. Susceptibilities are extrapolated to vanishing lattice spacing for three physical volumes, the smallest and largest of which differ by a factor of five. This ensures that a true transition should result in a dramatic increase of the susceptibilities. No such behaviour is observed: our finite-size scaling analysis shows that the finite-temperature QCD transition in the hot early Universe was not a real phase transition, but an analytic crossover (involving a rapid change, as opposed to a jump, as the temperature varied). As such, it will be difficult to find experimental evidence of this transition from astronomical observations.

Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Fields. CETUP2015/ Particle Physics and Cosmology Conference. PPC2015)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szczerbinska, Barbara

For last five years Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Areas (CETUP*) serves as a collaboration point for scientists from around the world interested in theoretical and experimental aspects of underground science. The mission of CETUP* is to promote an organized research in physics, astrophysics, geoscience, geomicrobiology and other fields related to the underground science and provide a stimulating environment for creative thinking and open communication between researches of varying ages and nationalities in dynamic atmosphere of intense scientific interactions. Scientists invited to participate in the program will not only provide theoretical support to the underground science, but theymore » will also examine core questions of the 21st century including: What is dark matter? How well do we know the neutrino parameters?, How have neutrinos shaped the evolution of the universe?, How were the heavy elements made?, What are the fundamental underlying symmetries of the Universe? Is there a Grand Unified Theory of the Universe? How do supernovae explode? Studies of Neutrino Physics and Dark Matter are of high interest to particle and nuclear physicists, astrophysicists and cosmologists. Ongoing and proposed Neutrino and Dark Matter experiments are expected to unveil the answers to fundamental questions about the Universe. This year summer program was focused exactly on these subjects bringing together experts in dark matter, neutrino physics, particle physics, nuclear physics and astrophysics and cosmology. CETUP*2015 consisted of 5 week long program (June 14 – July 18, 2015) covering various theoretical and experimental aspects in these research areas. The two week long session on Dark Matter physics (June 14 – June 26) was followed by two week long program on Neutrino physics (July 6 – July 18). The international conference entitled IXth International Conference on Interconnection Between Particle Physics and Cosmology (PPC) was hosted at CETUP* in the time between the Dark Matter and Neutrino workshops (June 29 – July 3) covering the subjects of dark matter, dark energy, neutrino physics, gravitational waves, collider physics and many others. PPC brought about 90 national and international participants. Started at Texas A&M University in 2007, PPC travelled to many places which include Geneva (Switzerland), Turin (Italy), Seoul (South Korea) and Leon (Mexico) over last few years. The objectives of CETUP*2015 and PPC2015 were to analyze the connection between dark matter and particle physics models, discuss the connections among dark matter, grand unification models and recent neutrino results and predictions for possible experiments.« less

Mechanical models of sandfish locomotion reveal principles of high performance subsurface sand-swimming

PubMed Central

Maladen, Ryan D.; Ding, Yang; Umbanhowar, Paul B.; Kamor, Adam; Goldman, Daniel I.

2011-01-01

We integrate biological experiment, empirical theory, numerical simulation and a physical model to reveal principles of undulatory locomotion in granular media. High-speed X-ray imaging of the sandfish lizard, Scincus scincus, in 3 mm glass particles shows that it swims within the medium without using its limbs by propagating a single-period travelling sinusoidal wave down its body, resulting in a wave efficiency, η, the ratio of its average forward speed to the wave speed, of approximately 0.5. A resistive force theory (RFT) that balances granular thrust and drag forces along the body predicts η close to the observed value. We test this prediction against two other more detailed modelling approaches: a numerical model of the sandfish coupled to a discrete particle simulation of the granular medium, and an undulatory robot that swims within granular media. Using these models and analytical solutions of the RFT, we vary the ratio of undulation amplitude to wavelength (A/λ) and demonstrate an optimal condition for sand-swimming, which for a given A results from the competition between η and λ. The RFT, in agreement with the simulated and physical models, predicts that for a single-period sinusoidal wave, maximal speed occurs for A/λ ≈ 0.2, the same kinematics used by the sandfish. PMID:21378020

Physics of field-responsive fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Tsz Kai Jones

Electrorheological (ER) fluid is a new class of material, which possesses a variety of potential applications, such as shock absorbers and clutches. It is formed by microparticles that are dispersed in a host fluid. The particles will form chains rapidly when we apply an electric field to the ER fluid. However, due to the inadequacy of knowledge, the proposed applications have not been commercialized yet. The prediction of the strength of the ER effect is the main concern in the theoretical investigation of ER fluids. The ER effect is originated from the induced interaction between the polarized particles in an ER fluid. Existing theories assume that the particles are at rest. In a realistic situation, the fluid flow exerts force and torque on the particles, setting the particles in both translational and rotational motions under these actions. Recent experiments showed that the induced forces between the rotating particles are markedly different from the values predicted by existing theories. To overcome the discrepancy between theory and experiment, we formulate a model to take the particle motion into account, and derive the dependence of forces on the angular velocity of the rotating particles. We develop first-principles methods to investigate the dynamic ER effects in which the suspended particles can have translational or rotational motions. A model based on the relaxation of polarization charge on the particle surfaces is proposed and solved for various experimental conditions. The method can be extended to study the ER effects of coated particles, crystalline particles, and to the magnetorheological effects of paramagnetic particles. Moreover, the nonlinear ER effects under a strong applied field will be studied by the same approach. The results may help in the preparation of materials for the design of ER fluids.

Injection Efficiency of Low-energy Particles at Oblique Shocks with a Focused Transport Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuo, P.; Zhang, M.; Rassoul, H.

2013-12-01

There is strong evidence that a small portion of thermal and suprathermal particles from hot coronal material or remnants of previous solar energetic particle (SEP) events serve as the source of large SEP events (Desai et al. 2006). To build more powerful SEP models, it is necessary to model the detailed particle injection and acceleration process for source particles especially at lower energies. We present a test particle simulation on the injection and acceleration of low-energy suprathermal particles by Laminar nonrelativistic oblique shocks in the framework of the focused transport theory, which is proved to contain all necessary physics of shock acceleration, but avoid the limitation of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). The injection efficiency as a function of Mach number, obliquity, injection speed, shock strength, cross-shock potential and the degree of turbulence is calculated. This test particle simulation proves that the focused transport theory is an extension of DSA theory with the capability of predicting the efficiency of particle injection. The results can be applied to modeling the SEP acceleration from source particles.

John Wheeler, 1933 - 1959: Particles and Weapons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, Kenneth

2009-05-01

During the early part of his career, John Archibald Wheeler made an astonishing number of contributions to nuclear and particle physics, as well as to classical electrodynamics, often in collaboration with another physicist. He was also a major contributor to the Manhattan Project (in Chicago and Hanford rather than Los Alamos), and, following World War II, became an influential scientific cold warrior. His early achievements in physics include the calculated scattering of light by light (with Gregory Breit), the prediction of nuclear rotational states (with Edward Teller), the theory of fission (with Niels Bohr), action-at-a-distance electrodynamics (with Richard Feynman), the theory of positronium, the universal weak interaction (with Jayme Tiomno), and the proposed use of the muon as a nuclear probe particle. He gained modest fame as the person who identified xenon 135 as a reactor poison. His Project Matterhorn contributed significantly to the design of the H bomb, and his Project 137, which he had hoped would flower into a major defense lab, served as the precursor to the Jason group.

On small beams with large topological charge: II. Photons, electrons and gravitational waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krenn, Mario; Zeilinger, Anton

2018-06-01

Beams of light with a large topological charge significantly change their spatial structure when they are focused strongly. Physically, it can be explained by an emerging electromagnetic field component in the direction of propagation, which is neglected in the simplified scalar wave picture in optics. Here we ask: is this a specific photonic behavior, or can similar phenomena also be predicted for other species of particles? We show that the same modification of the spatial structure exists for relativistic electrons as well as for focused gravitational waves. However, this is for different physical reasons: for electrons, which are described by the Dirac equation, the spatial structure changes due to a spin–orbit coupling in the relativistic regime. In gravitational waves described with linearized general relativity, the curvature of space–time between the transverse and propagation direction leads to the modification of the spatial structure. Thus, this universal phenomenon exists for both massive and massless elementary particles with spin 1/2, 1 and 2. It would be very interesting whether other types of particles such as composite systems (neutrons or C60) or neutrinos show a similar behavior and how this phenomenon can be explained in a unified physical way.

Einstein's osmotic equilibrium of colloidal suspensions in conservative force fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Jinxin; Ou-Yang, H. Daniel

2014-09-01

Predicted by Einstein in his 1905 paper on Brownian motion, colloidal particles in suspension reach osmotic equilibrium under gravity. The idea was demonstrated by J.B. Perrin to win Nobel Prize in Physics in 1926. We show Einstein's equation for osmotic equilibrium can be applied to colloids in a conservative force field generated by optical gradient forces. We measure the osmotic equation of state of 100nm Polystyrene latex particles in the presence of KCl salt and PEG polymer. We also obtain the osmotic compressibility, which is important for determining colloidal stability and the internal chemical potential, which is useful for predicting the phase transition of colloidal systems. This generalization allows for the use of any conservative force fields for systems ranging from colloidal systems to macromolecular solutions.

Finding the strong CP problem at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Agnolo, Raffaele Tito; Hook, Anson

2016-11-01

We show that a class of parity based solutions to the strong CP problem predicts new colored particles with mass at the TeV scale, due to constraints from Planck suppressed operators. The new particles are copies of the Standard Model quarks and leptons. The new quarks can be produced at the LHC and are either collider stable or decay into Standard Model quarks through a Higgs, a W or a Z boson. We discuss some simple but generic predictions of the models for the LHC and find signatures not related to the traditional solutions of the hierarchy problem. We thus provide alternative motivation for new physics searches at the weak scale. We also briefly discuss the cosmological history of these models and how to obtain successful baryogenesis.

Effects of non-Gaussian Brownian motion on direct force optical tweezers measurements of the electrostatic forces between pairs of colloidal particles.

PubMed

Raudsepp, Allan; A K Williams, Martin; B Hall, Simon

2016-07-01

Measurements of the electrostatic force with separation between a fixed and an optically trapped colloidal particle are examined with experiment, simulation and analytical calculation. Non-Gaussian Brownian motion is observed in the position of the optically trapped particle when particles are close and traps weak. As a consequence of this motion, a simple least squares parameterization of direct force measurements, in which force is inferred from the displacement of an optically trapped particle as separation is gradually decreased, contains forces generated by the rectification of thermal fluctuations in addition to those originating directly from the electrostatic interaction between the particles. Thus, when particles are close and traps weak, simply fitting the measured direct force measurement to DLVO theory extracts parameters with modified meanings when compared to the original formulation. In such cases, however, physically meaningful DLVO parameters can be recovered by comparing the measured non-Gaussian statistics to those predicted by solutions to Smoluchowski's equation for diffusion in a potential.

Drying paint: from micro-scale dynamics to mechanical instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goehring, Lucas; Li, Joaquim; Kiatkirakajorn, Pree-Cha

2017-04-01

Charged colloidal dispersions make up the basis of a broad range of industrial and commercial products, from paints to coatings and additives in cosmetics. During drying, an initially liquid dispersion of such particles is slowly concentrated into a solid, displaying a range of mechanical instabilities in response to highly variable internal pressures. Here we summarize the current appreciation of this process by pairing an advection-diffusion model of particle motion with a Poisson-Boltzmann cell model of inter-particle interactions, to predict the concentration gradients in a drying colloidal film. We then test these predictions with osmotic compression experiments on colloidal silica, and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments on silica dispersions drying in Hele-Shaw cells. Finally, we use the details of the microscopic physics at play in these dispersions to explore how two macroscopic mechanical instabilities-shear-banding and fracture-can be controlled. This article is part of the themed issue 'Patterning through instabilities in complex media: theory and applications.'

Equilibrium thermodynamics and neutrino decoupling in quasi-metric cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Østvang, Dag

2018-05-01

The laws of thermodynamics in the expanding universe are formulated within the quasi-metric framework. The quasi-metric cosmic expansion does not directly influence momenta of material particles, so the expansion directly cools null particles only (e.g., photons). Therefore, said laws differ substantially from their counterparts in standard cosmology. Consequently, all non-null neutrino mass eigenstates are predicted to have the same energy today as they had just after neutrino decoupling in the early universe. This indicates that the predicted relic neutrino background is strongly inconsistent with detection rates measured in solar neutrino detectors (Borexino in particular). Thus quasi-metric cosmology is in violent conflict with experiment unless some exotic property of neutrinos makes the relic neutrino background essentially undetectable (e.g., if all massive mass eigenstates decay into "invisible" particles over cosmic time scales). But in absence of hard evidence in favour of the necessary exotic neutrino physics needed to resolve said conflict, the current status of quasi-metric relativity has been changed to non-viable.

Suspension concentration distribution in turbulent flows: An analytical study using fractional advection-diffusion equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kundu, Snehasis

2018-09-01

In this study vertical distribution of sediment particles in steady uniform turbulent open channel flow over erodible bed is investigated using fractional advection-diffusion equation (fADE). Unlike previous investigations on fADE to investigate the suspension distribution, in this study the modified Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo fractional derivative with a non-singular and non-local kernel is employed. The proposed fADE is solved and an analytical model for finding vertical suspension distribution is obtained. The model is validated against experimental as well as field measurements of Missouri River, Mississippi River and Rio Grande conveyance channel and is compared with the Rouse equation and other fractional model found in literature. A quantitative error analysis shows that the proposed model is able to predict the vertical distribution of particles more appropriately than previous models. The validation results shows that the fractional model can be equally applied to all size of particles with an appropriate choice of the order of the fractional derivative α. It is also found that besides particle diameter, parameter α depends on the mass density of particle and shear velocity of the flow. To predict this parameter, a multivariate regression is carried out and a relation is proposed for easy application of the model. From the results for sand and plastic particles, it is found that the parameter α is more sensitive to mass density than the particle diameter. The rationality of the dependence of α on particle and flow characteristics has been justified physically.

Fast particles in a steady-state compact FNS and compact ST reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gryaznevich, M. P.; Nicolai, A.; Buxton, P.

2014-10-01

This paper presents results of studies of fast particles (ions and alpha particles) in a steady-state compact fusion neutron source (CFNS) and a compact spherical tokamak (ST) reactor with Monte-Carlo and Fokker-Planck codes. Full-orbit simulations of fast particle physics indicate that a compact high field ST can be optimized for energy production by a reduction of the necessary (for the alpha containment) plasma current compared with predictions made using simple analytic expressions, or using guiding centre approximation in a numerical code. Alpha particle losses may result in significant heating and erosion of the first wall, so such losses for an ST pilot plant have been calculated and total and peak wall loads dependence on the plasma current has been studied. The problem of dilution has been investigated and results for compact and big size devices are compared.

On the role of ice-nucleating aerosol in the formation of ice particles in tropical mesoscale convective systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ladino, Luis A.; Korolev, Alexei; Heckman, Ivan; Wolde, Mengistu; Fridlind, Ann M.; Ackerman, Andrew S.

2017-02-01

Over the decades, the cloud physics community has debated the nature and role of aerosol particles in ice initiation. The present study shows that the measured concentration of ice crystals in tropical mesoscale convective systems exceeds the concentration of ice nucleating particles (INPs) by several orders of magnitude. The concentration of INPs was assessed from the measured aerosol particle concentration in the size range of 0.5 to 1 µm. The observations from this study suggest that primary ice crystals formed on INPs make only a minor contribution to the total concentration of ice crystals in tropical mesoscale convective systems. This is found by comparing the predicted INP number concentrations with in situ ice particle number concentrations. The obtained measurements suggest that ice multiplication is the likely explanation for the observed high concentrations of ice crystals in this type of convective system.

Teaching Elementary Particle Physics, Part II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hobson, Art

2011-03-01

In order to explain certain features of radioactive beta decay, Wolfgang Pauli suggested in 1930 that the nucleus emitted, in addition to a beta particle, another particle of an entirely new type. The hypothesized particle, dubbed the neutrino, would not be discovered experimentally for another 25 years. It's not easy to detect neutrinos, because they respond to neither the EM force nor the strong force. For example, the mean free path (average penetration distance before it interacts) of a typical beta-decay neutrino moving through solid lead is about 1.5 light years! Enrico Fermi argued that neutrinos indicated a new force was at work. During the 1930s, he quickly adapted ideas from the developing new theory of QED to this new force, dubbed the weak force. Fermi's theory was able to predict the half-lives of beta-emitting nuclei and the range of energies of the emitted beta particles.

On the role of ice-nucleating aerosol in the formation of ice particles in tropical mesoscale convective systems

PubMed Central

Ladino, Luis A.; Korolev, Alexei; Heckman, Ivan; Wolde, Mengistu; Fridlind, Ann M.; Ackerman, Andrew S.

2018-01-01

Over decades, the cloud physics community has debated the nature and role of aerosol particles in ice initiation. The present study shows that the measured concentration of ice crystals in tropical mesoscale convective systems exceeds the concentration of ice nucleating particles (INPs) by several orders of magnitude. The concentration of INPs was assessed from the measured aerosol particles concentration in the size range of 0.5 to 1 µm. The observations from this study suggest that primary ice crystals formed on INPs make only a minor contribution to the total concentration of ice crystals in tropical mesoscale convective systems. This is found by comparing the predicted INP number concentrations with in-situ ice particle number concentrations. The obtained measurements suggest that ice multiplication is the likely explanation for the observed high concentrations of ice crystals in this type of convective system. PMID:29551842

Variation in aerosol nucleation and growth in coal-fired power plant plumes due to background aerosol, meteorology and emissions: sensitivity analysis and parameterization.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevens, R. G.; Lonsdale, C. L.; Brock, C. A.; Reed, M. K.; Crawford, J. H.; Holloway, J. S.; Ryerson, T. B.; Huey, L. G.; Nowak, J. B.; Pierce, J. R.

2012-04-01

New-particle formation in the plumes of coal-fired power plants and other anthropogenic sulphur sources may be an important source of particles in the atmosphere. It remains unclear, however, how best to reproduce this formation in global and regional aerosol models with grid-box lengths that are 10s of kilometres and larger. The predictive power of these models is thus limited by the resultant uncertainties in aerosol size distributions. In this presentation, we focus on sub-grid sulphate aerosol processes within coal-fired power plant plumes: the sub-grid oxidation of SO2 with condensation of H2SO4 onto newly-formed and pre-existing particles. Based on the results of the System for Atmospheric Modelling (SAM), a Large-Eddy Simulation/Cloud-Resolving Model (LES/CRM) with online TwO Moment Aerosol Sectional (TOMAS) microphysics, we develop a computationally efficient, but physically based, parameterization that predicts the characteristics of aerosol formed within coal-fired power plant plumes based on parameters commonly available in global and regional-scale models. Given large-scale mean meteorological parameters, emissions from the power plant, mean background condensation sink, and the desired distance from the source, the parameterization will predict the fraction of the emitted SO2 that is oxidized to H2SO4, the fraction of that H2SO4 that forms new particles instead of condensing onto preexisting particles, the median diameter of the newly-formed particles, and the number of newly-formed particles per kilogram SO2 emitted. We perform a sensitivity analysis of these characteristics of the aerosol size distribution to the meteorological parameters, the condensation sink, and the emissions. In general, new-particle formation and growth is greatly reduced during polluted conditions due to the large preexisting aerosol surface area for H2SO4 condensation and particle coagulation. The new-particle formation and growth rates are also a strong function of the amount of sunlight and NOx since both control OH concentrations. Decreases in NOx emissions without simultaneous decreases in SO2 emissions increase new-particle formation and growth due to increased oxidation of SO2. The parameterization we describe here should allow for more accurate predictions of aerosol size distributions and a greater confidence in the effects of aerosols in climate and health studies.

Thermodynamics of mixtures of patchy and spherical colloids of different sizes: A multi-body association theory with complete reference fluid information.

PubMed

Bansal, Artee; Valiya Parambathu, Arjun; Asthagiri, D; Cox, Kenneth R; Chapman, Walter G

2017-04-28

We present a theory to predict the structure and thermodynamics of mixtures of colloids of different diameters, building on our earlier work [A. Bansal et al., J. Chem. Phys. 145, 074904 (2016)] that considered mixtures with all particles constrained to have the same size. The patchy, solvent particles have short-range directional interactions, while the solute particles have short-range isotropic interactions. The hard-sphere mixture without any association site forms the reference fluid. An important ingredient within the multi-body association theory is the description of clustering of the reference solvent around the reference solute. Here we account for the physical, multi-body clusters of the reference solvent around the reference solute in terms of occupancy statistics in a defined observation volume. These occupancy probabilities are obtained from enhanced sampling simulations, but we also present statistical mechanical models to estimate these probabilities with limited simulation data. Relative to an approach that describes only up to three-body correlations in the reference, incorporating the complete reference information better predicts the bonding state and thermodynamics of the physical solute for a wide range of system conditions. Importantly, analysis of the residual chemical potential of the infinitely dilute solute from molecular simulation and theory shows that whereas the chemical potential is somewhat insensitive to the description of the structure of the reference fluid, the energetic and entropic contributions are not, with the results from the complete reference approach being in better agreement with particle simulations.

Thermodynamics of mixtures of patchy and spherical colloids of different sizes: A multi-body association theory with complete reference fluid information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bansal, Artee; Valiya Parambathu, Arjun; Asthagiri, D.; Cox, Kenneth R.; Chapman, Walter G.

2017-04-01

We present a theory to predict the structure and thermodynamics of mixtures of colloids of different diameters, building on our earlier work [A. Bansal et al., J. Chem. Phys. 145, 074904 (2016)] that considered mixtures with all particles constrained to have the same size. The patchy, solvent particles have short-range directional interactions, while the solute particles have short-range isotropic interactions. The hard-sphere mixture without any association site forms the reference fluid. An important ingredient within the multi-body association theory is the description of clustering of the reference solvent around the reference solute. Here we account for the physical, multi-body clusters of the reference solvent around the reference solute in terms of occupancy statistics in a defined observation volume. These occupancy probabilities are obtained from enhanced sampling simulations, but we also present statistical mechanical models to estimate these probabilities with limited simulation data. Relative to an approach that describes only up to three-body correlations in the reference, incorporating the complete reference information better predicts the bonding state and thermodynamics of the physical solute for a wide range of system conditions. Importantly, analysis of the residual chemical potential of the infinitely dilute solute from molecular simulation and theory shows that whereas the chemical potential is somewhat insensitive to the description of the structure of the reference fluid, the energetic and entropic contributions are not, with the results from the complete reference approach being in better agreement with particle simulations.

Physics and biophysics experiments needed for improved risk assessment in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sihver, L.

To improve the risk assessment of radiation carcinogenesis, late degenerative tissue effects, acute syndromes, synergistic effects of radiation and microgravity or other spacecraft factors, and hereditary effects, on future LEO and interplanetary space missions, the radiobiological effects of cosmic radiation before and after shielding must be well understood. However, cosmic radiation is very complex and includes low and high LET components of many different neutral and charged particles. The understanding of the radiobiology of the heavy ions, from GCRs and SPEs, is still a subject of great concern due to the complicated dependence of their biological effects on the type of ion and energy, and its interaction with various targets both outside and within the spacecraft and the human body. In order to estimate the biological effects of cosmic radiation, accurate knowledge of the physics of the interactions of both charged and non-charged high-LET particles is necessary. Since it is practically impossible to measure all primary and secondary particles from all projectile-target-energy combinations needed for a correct risk assessment in space, accurate particle and heavy ion transport codes might be a helpful instrument to overcome those difficulties. These codes have to be carefully validated to make sure they fulfill preset accuracy criteria, e.g. to be able to predict particle fluence and energy distributions within a certain accuracy. When validating the accuracy of the transport codes, both space and ground-based accelerator experiments are needed. In this paper current and future physics and biophysics experiments needed for improved risk assessment in space will be discussed. The cyclotron HIRFL (heavy ion research facility in Lanzhou) and the new synchrotron CSR (cooling storage ring), which can be used to provide ion beams for space related experiments at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMP-CAS), will be presented together with the physical and biomedical research performed at IMP-CAS.

Atmospheric fate and transport of fine volcanic ash: Does particle shape matter?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, C. M.; Allard, M. P.; Klewicki, J.; Proussevitch, A. A.; Mulukutla, G.; Genareau, K.; Sahagian, D. L.

2013-12-01

Volcanic ash presents hazards to infrastructure, agriculture, and human and animal health. In particular, given the economic importance of intercontinental aviation, understanding how long ash is suspended in the atmosphere, and how far it is transported has taken on greater importance. Airborne ash abrades the exteriors of aircraft, enters modern jet engines and melts while coating interior engine parts causing damage and potential failure. The time fine ash stays in the atmosphere depends on its terminal velocity. Existing models of ash terminal velocities are based on smooth, quasi-spherical particles characterized by Stokes velocity. Ash particles, however, violate the various assumptions upon which Stokes flow and associated models are based. Ash particles are non-spherical and can have complex surface and internal structure. This suggests that particle shape may be one reason that models fail to accurately predict removal rates of fine particles from volcanic ash clouds. The present research seeks to better parameterize predictive models for ash particle terminal velocities, diffusivity, and dispersion in the atmospheric boundary layer. The fundamental hypothesis being tested is that particle shape irreducibly impacts the fate and transport properties of fine volcanic ash. Pilot studies, incorporating modeling and experiments, are being conducted to test this hypothesis. Specifically, a statistical model has been developed that can account for actual volcanic ash size distributions, complex ash particle geometry, and geometry variability. Experimental results are used to systematically validate and improve the model. The experiments are being conducted at the Flow Physics Facility (FPF) at UNH. Terminal velocities and dispersion properties of fine ash are characterized using still air drop experiments in an unconstrained open space using a homogenized mix of source particles. Dispersion and sedimentation dynamics are quantified using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of ash particles collected in localized deposition areas is used to correlate the PIV results to particle shape. In addition, controlled wind tunnel experiments are used to determine particle fate and transport in a turbulent boundary layer for a mixed particle population. Collectively, these studies will provide an improved understanding of the effects of particle shape on sedimentation and dispersion, and foundational data for the predictive modeling of the fate and transport of fine ash particles suspended in the atmosphere.

Lattice Calculations and the Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinković, Marina Krstić

2017-07-01

Anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, a_{μ }=(g_{μ }-2)/2, is one of the most precisely measured quantities in particle physics and it provides a stringent test of the Standard Model. The planned improvements of the experimental precision at Fermilab and at J-PARC propel further reduction of the theoretical uncertainty of a_{μ }. The hope is that the efforts on both sides will help resolve the current discrepancy between the experimental measurement of a_{μ } and its theoretical prediction, and potentially gain insight into new physics. The dominant sources of the uncertainty in the theoretical prediction of a_{μ } are the errors of the hadronic contributions. I will discuss recent progress on determination of hadronic contributions to a_{μ } from lattice calculations.

New results on low energy exclusive hadronic final states from BABAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gary, J. William

2018-01-01

The 3.6 standard deviation discrepancy between the standard model (SM) prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment gμ - 2 and the corresponding experimental measurement is one of the most persistent and intriguing potential signals in particle physics for physics beyond the SM. The largest uncertainty in the SM prediction for gμ - 2 arises from the uncertainty in the measured low energy inclusive e+e- → hadrons cross section. New results from the BABAR experiment at SLAC for the e+e- → π+ π- π0 π0 and e+e- → KK ππ cross sections are presented that significantly reduce this uncertainty. New BABAR results for other low energy exclusive hadronic processes are also discussed.

Search for New Physics in Top Quark Production and Upgrade of the CMS Hadron Calorimeter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yumiceva, Francisco

2016-10-07

Our goal is to measure precisely the properties of the heaviest subatomic particle ever discovered, the top quark. In the proton-proton collisions at the LHC, top quarks are produced copiously. The largest set of top quarks recorded by the CMS detector make it an ideal laboratory to measure properties such as its mass and the rate at which pair of top quarks are produced in association with energetic photons. Quantum electrodynamics, or QED, describes the emission of light by charged particles and is the most precise physics theory ever devised. Typically this means light emitted by electrons, but any chargedmore » particles will do, such as the top quark. Studies of the light-emitting properties of top quarks help us to refine our current theoretical predictions at the finest level, and provide additional tools to study in more detail the recently discovered Higgs boson particle. However, during this process, the studies may reveal interesting features not yet observed. Deviations from the standard predictions would be a strong sign of something entirely new. These new physics theories are motivated to answer the current big mysteries in the universe such as what is the nature of mass or what is dark matter. As the LHC increases the collision energy and its luminosity, the detectors need to be improved to cope with these high-luminosity scenarios. New sensors will be installed in the hadron calorimeter detectors along with new front and end electronics at the end of 2016. We are testing and calibrating the new front-end readout electronics that will allow us to have more options to reduce the noise on these detectors. In order to do this calibration, we have developed a system that can inject electric charge in the full range of the charge integrator chip, the QIE ASICs.« less

Is ``the Theory of Everything'' Merely the Ultimate Ensemble Theory?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tegmark, Max

1998-11-01

We discuss some physical consequences of what might be called "the ultimate ensemble theory,", where not only worlds corresponding to say different sets of initial data or different physical constants are considered equally real, but also worlds ruled by altogether different equations. The only postulate in this theory is that all structures that exist mathematically exist also physically, by which we mean that in those complex enough to contain self-aware substructures (SASs), these SASs will subjectively perceive themselves as existing in a physically "real" world. We find that it is far from clear that this simple theory, which has no free parameters whatsoever, is observationally ruled out. The predictions of the theory take the form of probability distributions for the outcome of experiments, which makes it testable. In addition, it may be possible to rule it out by comparing its a priori predictions for the observable attributes of nature (the particle masses, the dimensionality of spacetime, etc.) with what is observed.

AGR-5/6/7 Irradiation Test Predictions using PARFUME

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Skerjanc, William F.

PARFUME, (PARticle FUel ModEl) a fuel performance modeling code used for high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), was used to model the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR)-5/6/7 irradiation test using predicted physics and thermal hydraulics data. The AGR-5/6/7 test consists of the combined fifth, sixth, and seventh planned irradiations of the AGR Fuel Development and Qualification Program. The AGR-5/6/7 test train is a multi-capsule, instrumented experiment that is designed for irradiation in the 133.4-mm diameter north east flux trap (NEFT) position of Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Each capsule contains compacts filled with uranium oxycarbide (UCO) unaltered fuel particles. This report documents themore » calculations performed to predict the failure probability of tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated fuel particles during the AGR-5/6/7 experiment. In addition, this report documents the calculated source term from the driver fuel. The calculations include modeling of the AGR-5/6/7 irradiation that is scheduled to occur from October 2017 to April 2021 over a total of 13 ATR cycles, including nine normal cycles and four Power Axial Locator Mechanism (PALM) cycle for a total between 500 – 550 effective full power days (EFPD). The irradiation conditions and material properties of the AGR-5/6/7 test predicted zero fuel particle failures in Capsules 1, 2, and 4. Fuel particle failures were predicted in Capsule 3 due to internal particle pressure. These failures were predicted in the highest temperature compacts. Capsule 5 fuel particle failures were due to inner pyrolytic carbon (IPyC) cracking causing localized stresses concentrations in the SiC layer. This capsule predicted the highest particle failures due to the lower irradiation temperature. In addition, shrinkage of the buffer and IPyC layer during irradiation resulted in formation of a buffer-IPyC gap. The two capsules at the two ends of the test train, Capsules 1 and 5 experienced the smallest buffer-IPyC gap formation due to the lower irradiation fluences and temperatures. Capsule 3 experienced the largest buffer-IPyC gap formation of just under 24 µm. The release fraction of fission products Ag, Cs, and Sr silver (Ag), cesium (Cs), and strontium (Sr) vary depending on capsule location and irradiation temperature. The maximum release fraction of Ag occurs in Capsule 3, reaching up to 84.8% for the TRISO fuel particles. The release fraction of the other two fission products, Cs and Sr are much smaller and, in most cases, less than 1%. The notable exception is again in Capsule 3, where the release fraction for Cs and Sr reach up to 9.7% and 19.1%, respectively.« less

Bottles as models: predicting the effects of varying swimming speed and morphology on size selectivity and filtering efficiency in fishes.

PubMed

Paig-Tran, E W Misty; Bizzarro, Joseph J; Strother, James A; Summers, Adam P

2011-05-15

We created physical models based on the morphology of ram suspension-feeding fishes to better understand the roles morphology and swimming speed play in particle retention, size selectivity and filtration efficiency during feeding events. We varied the buccal length, flow speed and architecture of the gills slits, including the number, size, orientation and pore size/permeability, in our models. Models were placed in a recirculating flow tank with slightly negatively buoyant plankton-like particles (~20-2000 μm) collected at the simulated esophagus and gill rakers to locate the highest density of particle accumulation. Particles were captured through sieve filtration, direct interception and inertial impaction. Changing the number of gill slits resulted in a change in the filtration mechanism of particles from a bimodal filter, with very small (≤ 50 μm) and very large (>1000 μm) particles collected, to a filter that captured medium-sized particles (101-1000 μm). The number of particles collected on the gill rakers increased with flow speed and skewed the size distribution towards smaller particles (51-500 μm). Small pore sizes (105 and 200 μm mesh size) had the highest filtration efficiencies, presumably because sieve filtration played a significant role. We used our model to make predictions about the filtering capacity and efficiency of neonatal whale sharks. These results suggest that the filtration mechanics of suspension feeding are closely linked to an animal's swimming speed and the structural design of the buccal cavity and gill slits.

Comparisons of Mixed-Phase Icing Cloud Simulations with Experiments Conducted at the NASA Propulsion Systems Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartkus, Tadas P.; Struk, Peter M.; Tsao, Jen-Ching

2017-01-01

This paper builds on previous work that compares numerical simulations of mixed-phase icing clouds with experimental data. The model couples the thermal interaction between ice particles and water droplets of the icing cloud with the flowing air of an icing wind tunnel for simulation of NASA Glenn Research Centers (GRC) Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL). Measurements were taken during the Fundamentals of Ice Crystal Icing Physics Tests at the PSL tunnel in March 2016. The tests simulated ice-crystal and mixed-phase icing that relate to ice accretions within turbofan engines. Experimentally measured air temperature, humidity, total water content, liquid and ice water content, as well as cloud particle size, are compared with model predictions. The model showed good trend agreement with experimentally measured values, but often over-predicted aero-thermodynamic changes. This discrepancy is likely attributed to radial variations that this one-dimensional model does not address. One of the key findings of this work is that greater aero-thermodynamic changes occur when humidity conditions are low. In addition a range of mixed-phase clouds can be achieved by varying only the tunnel humidity conditions, but the range of humidities to generate a mixed-phase cloud becomes smaller when clouds are composed of smaller particles. In general, the model predicted melt fraction well, in particular with clouds composed of larger particle sizes.

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a magneto-gravitational trap and in situ detection.

PubMed

Pattie, R W; Callahan, N B; Cude-Woods, C; Adamek, E R; Broussard, L J; Clayton, S M; Currie, S A; Dees, E B; Ding, X; Engel, E M; Fellers, D E; Fox, W; Geltenbort, P; Hickerson, K P; Hoffbauer, M A; Holley, A T; Komives, A; Liu, C-Y; MacDonald, S W T; Makela, M; Morris, C L; Ortiz, J D; Ramsey, J; Salvat, D J; Saunders, A; Seestrom, S J; Sharapov, E I; Sjue, S K; Tang, Z; Vanderwerp, J; Vogelaar, B; Walstrom, P L; Wang, Z; Wei, W; Weaver, H L; Wexler, J W; Womack, T L; Young, A R; Zeck, B A

2018-05-11

The precise value of the mean neutron lifetime, τ n , plays an important role in nuclear and particle physics and cosmology. It is used to predict the ratio of protons to helium atoms in the primordial universe and to search for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We eliminated loss mechanisms present in previous trap experiments by levitating polarized ultracold neutrons above the surface of an asymmetric storage trap using a repulsive magnetic field gradient so that the stored neutrons do not interact with material trap walls. As a result of this approach and the use of an in situ neutron detector, the lifetime reported here [877.7 ± 0.7 (stat) +0.4/-0.2 (sys) seconds] does not require corrections larger than the quoted uncertainties. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

39 Questionable Assumptions in Modern Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volk, Greg

2009-03-01

The growing body of anomalies in new energy, low energy nuclear reactions, astrophysics, atomic physics, and entanglement, combined with the failure of the Standard Model and string theory to predict many of the most basic fundamental phenomena, all point to a need for major new paradigms. Not Band-Aids, but revolutionary new ways of conceptualizing physics, in the spirit of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. This paper identifies a number of long-held, but unproven assumptions currently being challenged by an increasing number of alternative scientists. Two common themes, both with venerable histories, keep recurring in the many alternative theories being proposed: (1) Mach's Principle, and (2) toroidal, vortex particles. Matter-based Mach's Principle differs from both space-based universal frames and observer-based Einsteinian relativity. Toroidal particles, in addition to explaining electron spin and the fundamental constants, satisfy the basic requirement of Gauss's misunderstood B Law, that motion itself circulates. Though a comprehensive theory is beyond the scope of this paper, it will suggest alternatives to the long list of assumptions in context.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carlson, D.

The physical pattern of energy deposition and the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons and carbon ions compared to photons offer unique and not fully understood or exploited opportunities to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Variations in RBE within a pristine or spread out Bragg peak and between particle types may be exploited to enhance cell killing in target regions without a corresponding increase in damage to normal tissue structures. In addition, the decreased sensitivity of hypoxic tumors to photon-based therapies may be partially overcome through the use of more densely ionizing radiations. These and other differences betweenmore » particle and photon beams may be used to generate biologically optimized treatments that reduce normal tissue complications. In this symposium, speakers will examine the impact of the RBE of charged particles on measurable biological endpoints, treatment plan optimization, and the prediction or retrospective assessment of treatment outcomes. In particular, an AAPM task group was formed to critically examine the evidence for a spatially-variant RBE in proton therapy. Current knowledge of proton RBE variation with respect to dose, biological endpoint, and physics parameters will be reviewed. Further, the clinical relevance of these variations will be discussed. Recent work focused on improving simulations of radiation physics and biological response in proton and carbon ion therapy will also be presented. Finally, relevant biology research and areas of research needs will be highlighted, including the dependence of RBE on genetic factors including status of DNA repair pathways, the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, the role of charged particles in hypoxic tumors, and the importance of fractionation effects. In addition to the physical advantages of protons and more massive ions over photons, the future application of biologically optimized treatment plans and their potential to provide higher levels of local tumor control and improved normal tissue sparing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: To assess whether the current practice of a constant RBE of 1.1 should be revised or maintained in proton therapy and to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of delivering RBE-weighted dose distributions based on variable RBE To review current research on biological models used to predict the increased biological effectiveness of proton and carbon ions to help move towards a practical understanding and implementation of biological optimization in particle therapy To discuss potential differences in biological mechanisms between photons and charged particles (light and heavy ions) that could impact clinical cancer therapy H. Paganetti, NCI U19 CA21239D. Grosshans, Our research is supported by the NCIK. Held, Funding Support: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA, under Award Number R21CA182259 and Federal Share of Program Income Earned by Massachusetts General Hospital on C06CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.« less

Reviews Equipment: Time Trial R/C Race Track Timer Book: A Universe from Nothing Equipment: Locktronics Electronics, Magnestism and Materials Unit Report: Nuclear Physics and Technology Book: Particle Physics Booklet: Radiation and You Book: The Million Death Quake Web Watch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2013-03-01

WE RECOMMEND Locktronics Electronics, Magnestism and Materials Unit Robust, reliable and proven classroom kit The Million Death Quake: the Science of Predicting the Earth's Deadliest Natural Disaster Accessible and well-written book covers everything you might (and perhaps should) want to know about earthquakes WORTH A LOOK Time Trial R/C Race Track Timer Fun kit for use with toy cars but little flexibility for other uses A Universe From Nothing: Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing Up-to-date account of cosmology explains very well but becomes polemical and loses focus Nuclear physics and technology—inside the atom IOP report useful for students considering a career in physics Particle Physics: A Very Short Introduction Passages of good writing undermined by editing as the structure and illustrations disappoint Radiation and You Report is an interesting insight into radiation information from 25 years back, but some errors and a slow start let it down WEB WATCH App that aids star identification is highly recommended and videos for students and teachers also make the grade

Probing insulin bioactivity in oral nanoparticles produced by ultrasonication-assisted emulsification/internal gelation

PubMed Central

Lopes, Marlene A; Abrahim-Vieira, Bárbara; Oliveira, Claudia; Fonte, Pedro; Souza, Alessandra M T; Lira, Tammy; Sequeira, Joana A D; Rodrigues, Carlos R; Cabral, Lúcio M; Sarmento, Bruno; Seiça, Raquel; Veiga, Francisco; Ribeiro, António J

2015-01-01

Alginate–dextran sulfate-based particles obtained by emulsification/internal gelation technology can be considered suitable carriers for oral insulin delivery. A rational study focused on the emulsification and particle recovery steps was developed in order to reduce particles to the nanosize range while keeping insulin bioactivity. There was a decrease in size when ultrasonication was used during emulsification, which was more pronounced when a cosurfactant was added. Ultrasonication add-on after particle recovery decreased aggregation and led to a narrower nanoscale particle-size distribution. Insulin encapsulation efficiency was 99.3%±0.5%, attributed to the strong pH-stabilizing electrostatic effect between insulin and nanoparticle matrix polymers. Interactions between these polymers and insulin were predicted using molecular modeling studies through quantum mechanics calculations that allowed for prediction of the interaction model. In vitro release studies indicated well-preserved integrity of nanoparticles in simulated gastric fluid. Circular dichroism spectroscopy proved conformational stability of insulin and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique showed rearrangements of insulin structure during processing. Moreover, in vivo biological activity in diabetic rats revealed no statistical difference when compared to nonencapsulated insulin, demonstrating retention of insulin activity. Our results demonstrate that alginate–dextran sulfate-based nanoparticles efficiently stabilize the loaded protein structure, presenting good physical properties for oral delivery of insulin. PMID:26425087

Particle Engulfment and Pushing (PEP): Past Micro-Gravity Experiments and Future Experimental Plan on the International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sen, Subhayu; Stefanescu, Doru M.; Catalina, A. V.; Juretzko, F.; Dhindaw, B. K.; Curreri, P. A.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The interaction of an insoluble particle with a growing solid-liquid interface (SLI) has been a subject of investigation for the four decades. For a metallurgist or a material scientist understanding the fundamental physics of such an interaction is relevant for applications that include distribution of reinforcement particles in metal matrix composites, inclusion management in castings, and distribution of Y2Ba1Cu1O5 (211) precipitates (flux pinning sites) in Y1Ba2Cu3O7 (123) superconducting crystals. The same physics is also applicable to other areas including geological applications (frost heaving in soils) and preservation of biological cells. Experimentally this interaction can be quantified in terms of a critical growth velocity, Vcr, of the SLI below which particles are pushed ahead of the advancing interface, and above which the particles are engulfed. Past experimental evidence suggests that this Vcr is an inverse function of the particle radius, R. In order to isolate the fundamental physics that governs such a relationship it is necessary to minimize natural convection at the SLI that is inherent in ground based experiments. Hence for the purpose of producing benchmark data (Vcr vs. R) PEP is a natural candidate for micro-gravity experimentation. Accordingly, experiments with pure Al containing a dispersion of ZrO2 particles and an organic analogue, succinonitrile (SCN) containing polystyrene particles have been performed on the LMS and USMP-4 mission respectively. In this paper we will summarize the experimental data that was obtained during these two micro-gravity missions and show that the results differ compared to terrestrial experiments. We will also discuss the basic elements of our analytical and numerical model and present a comparison of the predictions of these models against micro-gravity experimental data. Finally. we will discuss our future experimental plan that includes the ISS glovebox and MSRRl.

Physics of leptoquarks in precision experiments and at particle colliders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doršner, I.; Fajfer, S.; Greljo, A.; Kamenik, J. F.; Košnik, N.

2016-06-01

We present a comprehensive review of physics effects generated by leptoquarks (LQs), i.e., hypothetical particles that can turn quarks into leptons and vice versa, of either scalar or vector nature. These considerations include discussion of possible completions of the Standard Model that contain LQ fields. The main focus of the review is on those LQ scenarios that are not problematic with regard to proton stability. We accordingly concentrate on the phenomenology of light leptoquarks that is relevant for precision experiments and particle colliders. Important constraints on LQ interactions with matter are derived from precision low-energy observables such as electric dipole moments, (g - 2) of charged leptons, atomic parity violation, neutral meson mixing, Kaon, B, and D meson decays, etc. We provide a general analysis of indirect constraints on the strength of LQ interactions with the quarks and leptons to make statements that are as model independent as possible. We address complementary constraints that originate from electroweak precision measurements, top, and Higgs physics. The Higgs physics analysis we present covers not only the most recent but also expected results from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We finally discuss direct LQ searches. Current experimental situation is summarized and self-consistency of assumptions that go into existing accelerator-based searches is discussed. A progress in making next-to-leading order predictions for both pair and single LQ productions at colliders is also outlined.

Primordial beryllium as a big bang calorimeter.

PubMed

Pospelov, Maxim; Pradler, Josef

2011-03-25

Many models of new physics including variants of supersymmetry predict metastable long-lived particles that can decay during or after primordial nucleosynthesis, releasing significant amounts of nonthermal energy. The hadronic energy injection in these decays leads to the formation of ⁹Be via the chain of nonequilibrium transformations: Energy(h)→T, ³He→⁶He, ⁶Li→⁹Be. We calculate the efficiency of this transformation and show that if the injection happens at cosmic times of a few hours the release of O(10 MeV) per baryon can be sufficient for obtaining a sizable ⁹Be abundance. The absence of a plateau structure in the ⁹Be/H abundance down to a O(10⁻¹⁴) level allows one to use beryllium as a robust constraint on new physics models with decaying or annihilating particles.

Minimal Leptoquark Explanation for the R_{D^{(*)}}, R_{K}, and (g-2)_{μ} Anomalies.

PubMed

Bauer, Martin; Neubert, Matthias

2016-04-08

We show that by adding a single new scalar particle to the standard model, a TeV-scale leptoquark with the quantum numbers of a right-handed down quark, one can explain in a natural way three of the most striking anomalies of particle physics: the violation of lepton universality in B[over ¯]→K[over ¯]ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decays, the enhanced B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}τν[over ¯] decay rates, and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. Constraints from other precision measurements in the flavor sector can be satisfied without fine-tuning. Our model predicts enhanced B[over ¯]→K[over ¯]^{(*)}νν[over ¯] decay rates and a new-physics contribution to B_{s}-B[over ¯]_{s} mixing close to the current central fit value.

Microscopic origin and macroscopic implications of lane formation in mixtures of oppositely-driven particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitelam, Stephen

Colloidal particles of two types, driven in opposite directions, can segregate into lanes. I will describe some results on this phenomenon obtained by simple physical arguments and computer simulations. Laning results from rectification of diffusion on the scale of a particle diameter: oppositely-driven particles must, in the time taken to encounter each other in the direction of the drive, diffuse in the perpendicular direction by about one particle diameter. This geometric constraint implies that the diffusion constant of a particle, in the presence of those of the opposite type, grows approximately linearly with Peclet number, a prediction confirmed by our numerics. Such environment-dependent diffusion is statistically similar to an effective interparticle attraction; consistent with this observation, we find that oppositely-driven colloids display features characteristic of the simplest model system possessing both interparticle attractions and persistent motion, the driven Ising lattice gas. Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Multiscale Modeling of Damage Processes in Aluminum Alloys: Grain-Scale Mechanisms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hochhalter, J. D.; Veilleux, M. G.; Bozek, J. E.; Glaessgen, E. H.; Ingraffea, A. R.

2008-01-01

This paper has two goals related to the development of a physically-grounded methodology for modeling the initial stages of fatigue crack growth in an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy, AA 7075-T651, is susceptible to fatigue cracking that nucleates from cracked second phase iron-bearing particles. Thus, the first goal of the paper is to validate an existing framework for the prediction of the conditions under which the particles crack. The observed statistics of particle cracking (defined as incubation for this alloy) must be accurately predicted to simulate the stochastic nature of microstructurally small fatigue crack (MSFC) formation. Also, only by simulating incubation of damage in a statistically accurate manner can subsequent stages of crack growth be accurately predicted. To maintain fidelity and computational efficiency, a filtering procedure was developed to eliminate particles that were unlikely to crack. The particle filter considers the distributions of particle sizes and shapes, grain texture, and the configuration of the surrounding grains. This filter helps substantially reduce the number of particles that need to be included in the microstructural models and forms the basis of the future work on the subsequent stages of MSFC, crack nucleation and microstructurally small crack propagation. A physics-based approach to simulating fracture should ultimately begin at nanometer length scale, in which atomistic simulation is used to predict the fundamental damage mechanisms of MSFC. These mechanisms include dislocation formation and interaction, interstitial void formation, and atomic diffusion. However, atomistic simulations quickly become computationally intractable as the system size increases, especially when directly linking to the already large microstructural models. Therefore, the second goal of this paper is to propose a method that will incorporate atomistic simulation and small-scale experimental characterization into the existing multiscale framework. At the microscale, the nanoscale mechanics are represented within cohesive zones where appropriate, i.e. where the mechanics observed at the nanoscale can be represented as occurring on a plane such as at grain boundaries or slip planes at a crack front. Important advancements that are yet to be made include: 1. an increased fidelity in cohesive zone modeling; 2. a means to understand how atomistic simulation scales with time; 3. a new experimental methodology for generating empirical models for CZMs and emerging materials; and 4. a validation of simulations of the damage processes at the nano-micro scale. With ever-increasing computer power, the long-term ability to employ atomistic simulation for the prognosis of structural components will not be limited by computation power, but by our lack of knowledge in incorporating atomistic models into simulations of MSFC into a multiscale framework.

Deposition and reentrainment of Brownian particles in porous media under unfavorable chemical conditions: some concepts and applications.

PubMed

Hahn, Melinda W; O'Meliae, Charles R

2004-01-01

The deposition and reentrainment of particles in porous media have been examined theoretically and experimentally. A Brownian Dynamics/Monte Carlo (MC/BD) model has been developed that simulates the movement of Brownian particles near a collector under "unfavorable" chemical conditions and allows deposition in primary and secondary minima. A simple Maxwell approach has been used to estimate particle attachment efficiency by assuming deposition in the secondary minimum and calculating the probability of reentrainment. The MC/BD simulations and the Maxwell calculations support an alternative view of the deposition and reentrainment of Brownian particles under unfavorable chemical conditions. These calculations indicate that deposition into and subsequent release from secondary minima can explain reported discrepancies between classic model predictions that assume irreversible deposition in a primary well and experimentally determined deposition efficiencies that are orders of magnitude larger than Interaction Force Boundary Layer (IFBL) predictions. The commonly used IFBL model, for example, is based on the notion of transport over an energy barrier into the primary well and does not address contributions of secondary minimum deposition. A simple Maxwell model based on deposition into and reentrainment from secondary minima is much more accurate in predicting deposition rates for column experiments at low ionic strengths. It also greatly reduces the substantial particle size effects inherent in IFBL models, wherein particle attachment rates are predicted to decrease significantly with increasing particle size. This view is consistent with recent work by others addressing the composition and structure of the first few nanometers at solid-water interfaces including research on modeling water at solid-liquid interfaces, surface speciation, interfacial force measurements, and the rheological properties of concentrated suspensions. It follows that deposition under these conditions will depend on the depth of the secondary minimum and that some transition between secondary and primary depositions should occur when the height of the energy barrier is on the order of several kT. When deposition in secondary minima predominates, observed deposition should increase with increasing ionic strength, particle size, and Hamaker constant. Since an equilibrium can develop between bound and bulk particles, the collision efficiency [alpha] can no longer be considered a constant for a given physical and chemical system. Rather, in many cases it can decrease over time until it eventually reaches zero as equilibrium is established.

Geostatistical Interpolation of Particle-Size Curves in Heterogeneous Aquifers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guadagnini, A.; Menafoglio, A.; Secchi, P.

2013-12-01

We address the problem of predicting the spatial field of particle-size curves (PSCs) from measurements associated with soil samples collected at a discrete set of locations within an aquifer system. Proper estimates of the full PSC are relevant to applications related to groundwater hydrology, soil science and geochemistry and aimed at modeling physical and chemical processes occurring in heterogeneous earth systems. Hence, we focus on providing kriging estimates of the entire PSC at unsampled locations. To this end, we treat particle-size curves as cumulative distribution functions, model their densities as functional compositional data and analyze them by embedding these into the Hilbert space of compositional functions endowed with the Aitchison geometry. On this basis, we develop a new geostatistical methodology for the analysis of spatially dependent functional compositional data. Our functional compositional kriging (FCK) approach allows providing predictions at unsampled location of the entire particle-size curve, together with a quantification of the associated uncertainty, by fully exploiting both the functional form of the data and their compositional nature. This is a key advantage of our approach with respect to traditional methodologies, which treat only a set of selected features (e.g., quantiles) of PSCs. Embedding the full PSC into a geostatistical analysis enables one to provide a complete characterization of the spatial distribution of lithotypes in a reservoir, eventually leading to improved predictions of soil hydraulic attributes through pedotransfer functions as well as of soil geochemical parameters which are relevant in sorption/desorption and cation exchange processes. We test our new method on PSCs sampled along a borehole located within an alluvial aquifer near the city of Tuebingen, Germany. The quality of FCK predictions is assessed through leave-one-out cross-validation. A comparison between hydraulic conductivity estimates obtained via FCK approach and those predicted by classical kriging of effective particle diameters (i.e., quantiles of the PSCs) is finally performed.

Study of no-man's land physics in the total-f gyrokinetic code XGC1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ku, Seung Hoe; Chang, C. S.; Lang, J.

2014-10-01

While the ``transport shortfall'' in the ``no-man's land'' has been observed often in delta-f codes, it has not yet been observed in the global total-f gyrokinetic particle code XGC1. Since understanding the interaction between the edge and core transport appears to be a critical element in the prediction for ITER performance, understanding the no-man's land issue is an important physics research topic. Simulation results using the Holland case will be presented and the physics causing the shortfall phenomenon will be discussed. Nonlinear nonlocal interaction of turbulence, secondary flows, and transport appears to be the key.

Inner space/outer space - The interface between cosmology and particle physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolb, Edward W.; Turner, Michael S.; Lindley, David; Olive, Keith; Seckel, David

A collection of papers covering the synthesis between particle physics and cosmology is presented. The general topics addressed include: standard models of particle physics and cosmology; microwave background radiation; origin and evolution of large-scale structure; inflation; massive magnetic monopoles; supersymmetry, supergravity, and quantum gravity; cosmological constraints on particle physics; Kaluza-Klein cosmology; and future directions and connections in particle physics and cosmology.

First star formation in ultralight particle dark matter cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirano, Shingo; Sullivan, James M.; Bromm, Volker

2018-01-01

The formation of the first stars in the high-redshift Universe is a sensitive probe of the small-scale, particle physics nature of dark matter (DM). We carry out cosmological simulations of primordial star formation in ultralight, axion-like particle DM cosmology, with masses of 10-22 and 10-21 eV, with de Broglie wavelengths approaching galactic scales (˜ kpc). The onset of star formation is delayed, and shifted to more massive host structures. For the lightest DM particle mass explored here, first stars form at z ˜ 7 in structures with ˜109 M⊙, compared to the standard minihalo environment within the Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology, where z ˜ 20-30 and ˜105-106 M⊙. Despite this greatly altered DM host environment, the thermodynamic behaviour of the metal-free gas as it collapses into the DM potential well asymptotically approaches a very similar evolutionary track. Thus, the fragmentation properties are predicted to remain the same as in ΛCDM cosmology, implying a similar mass scale for the first stars. These results predict intense starbursts in the axion cosmologies, which may be amenable to observations with the James Webb Space Telescope.

Uncertainties in SOA Formation from the Photooxidation of α-pinene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McVay, R.; Zhang, X.; Aumont, B.; Valorso, R.; Camredon, M.; La, S.; Seinfeld, J.

2015-12-01

Explicit chemical models such as GECKO-A (the Generator for Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere) enable detailed modeling of gas-phase photooxidation and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. Comparison between these explicit models and chamber experiments can provide insight into processes that are missing or unknown in these models. GECKO-A is used to model seven SOA formation experiments from α-pinene photooxidation conducted at varying seed particle concentrations with varying oxidation rates. We investigate various physical and chemical processes to evaluate the extent of agreement between the experiments and the model predictions. We examine the effect of vapor wall loss on SOA formation and how the importance of this effect changes at different oxidation rates. Proposed gas-phase autoxidation mechanisms are shown to significantly affect SOA predictions. The potential effects of particle-phase dimerization and condensed-phase photolysis are investigated. We demonstrate the extent to which SOA predictions in the α-pinene photooxidation system depend on uncertainties in the chemical mechanism.

Accurate X-Ray Spectral Predictions: An Advanced Self-Consistent-Field Approach Inspired by Many-Body Perturbation Theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, Yufeng; Vinson, John; Pemmaraju, Sri

Constrained-occupancy delta-self-consistent-field (ΔSCF) methods and many-body perturbation theories (MBPT) are two strategies for obtaining electronic excitations from first principles. Using the two distinct approaches, we study the O 1s core excitations that have become increasingly important for characterizing transition-metal oxides and understanding strong electronic correlation. The ΔSCF approach, in its current single-particle form, systematically underestimates the pre-edge intensity for chosen oxides, despite its success in weakly correlated systems. By contrast, the Bethe-Salpeter equation within MBPT predicts much better line shapes. This motivates one to reexamine the many-electron dynamics of x-ray excitations. We find that the single-particle ΔSCF approach can bemore » rectified by explicitly calculating many-electron transition amplitudes, producing x-ray spectra in excellent agreement with experiments. This study paves the way to accurately predict x-ray near-edge spectral fingerprints for physics and materials science beyond the Bethe-Salpether equation.« less

Phenomenology of ELDER dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuflik, Eric; Perelstein, Maxim; Lorier, Nicolas Rey-Le; Tsai, Yu-Dai

2017-08-01

We explore the phenomenology of Elastically Decoupling Relic (ELDER) dark matter. ELDER is a thermal relic whose present density is determined primarily by the cross-section of its elastic scattering off Standard Model (SM) particles. Assuming that this scattering is mediated by a kinetically mixed dark photon, we argue that the ELDER scenario makes robust predictions for electron-recoil direct-detection experiments, as well as for dark photon searches. These predictions are independent of the details of interactions within the dark sector. Together with the closely related Strongly-Interacting Massive Particle (SIMP) scenario, the ELDER predictions provide a physically motivated, well-defined target region, which will be almost entirely accessible to the next generation of searches for sub-GeV dark matter and dark photons. We provide useful analytic approximations for various quantities of interest in the ELDER scenario, and discuss two simple renormalizable toy models which incorporate the required strong number-changing interactions among the ELDERs, as well as explicitly implement the coupling to electrons via the dark photon portal.

Accurate X-Ray Spectral Predictions: An Advanced Self-Consistent-Field Approach Inspired by Many-Body Perturbation Theory

DOE PAGES

Liang, Yufeng; Vinson, John; Pemmaraju, Sri; ...

2017-03-03

Constrained-occupancy delta-self-consistent-field (ΔSCF) methods and many-body perturbation theories (MBPT) are two strategies for obtaining electronic excitations from first principles. Using the two distinct approaches, we study the O 1s core excitations that have become increasingly important for characterizing transition-metal oxides and understanding strong electronic correlation. The ΔSCF approach, in its current single-particle form, systematically underestimates the pre-edge intensity for chosen oxides, despite its success in weakly correlated systems. By contrast, the Bethe-Salpeter equation within MBPT predicts much better line shapes. This motivates one to reexamine the many-electron dynamics of x-ray excitations. We find that the single-particle ΔSCF approach can bemore » rectified by explicitly calculating many-electron transition amplitudes, producing x-ray spectra in excellent agreement with experiments. This study paves the way to accurately predict x-ray near-edge spectral fingerprints for physics and materials science beyond the Bethe-Salpether equation.« less

Accurate X-Ray Spectral Predictions: An Advanced Self-Consistent-Field Approach Inspired by Many-Body Perturbation Theory.

PubMed

Liang, Yufeng; Vinson, John; Pemmaraju, Sri; Drisdell, Walter S; Shirley, Eric L; Prendergast, David

2017-03-03

Constrained-occupancy delta-self-consistent-field (ΔSCF) methods and many-body perturbation theories (MBPT) are two strategies for obtaining electronic excitations from first principles. Using the two distinct approaches, we study the O 1s core excitations that have become increasingly important for characterizing transition-metal oxides and understanding strong electronic correlation. The ΔSCF approach, in its current single-particle form, systematically underestimates the pre-edge intensity for chosen oxides, despite its success in weakly correlated systems. By contrast, the Bethe-Salpeter equation within MBPT predicts much better line shapes. This motivates one to reexamine the many-electron dynamics of x-ray excitations. We find that the single-particle ΔSCF approach can be rectified by explicitly calculating many-electron transition amplitudes, producing x-ray spectra in excellent agreement with experiments. This study paves the way to accurately predict x-ray near-edge spectral fingerprints for physics and materials science beyond the Bethe-Salpether equation.

Search for Stopped Gluinos during Beam-off Periods at CMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossato, Kenneth

2010-02-01

Several models of new physics, including split supersymmetry, predict the existence of a heavy particle which is long-lived on timescales of the bunch spacing of the LHC. Such particles may be slowed through dE/dx losses and stop in the volume of the CMS detector before ultimately decaying. We describe a search strategy that employs a special jet trigger to look for energy depositions in the hadronic calorimeter during time periods without pp collisions. We examine the potential for discovery and exclusion of gluinos in split supersymmetry in early running of the LHC. )

Fast proton decay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianjun; Nanopoulos, Dimitri V.; Walker, Joel W.

2010-10-01

We consider proton decay in the testable flipped SU(5)×U(1)X models with TeV-scale vector-like particles which can be realized in free fermionic string constructions and F-theory model building. We significantly improve upon the determination of light threshold effects from prior studies, and perform a fresh calculation of the second loop for the process p→eπ from the heavy gauge boson exchange. The cumulative result is comparatively fast proton decay, with a majority of the most plausible parameter space within reach of the future Hyper-Kamiokande and DUSEL experiments. Because the TeV-scale vector-like particles can be produced at the LHC, we predict a strong correlation between the most exciting particle physics experiments of the coming decade.

Temporal fluctuations after a quantum quench: Many-particle dephasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marquardt, Florian; Kiendl, Thomas

After a quantum quench, the expectation values of observables continue to fluctuate in time. In the thermodynamic limit, one expects such fluctuations to decrease to zero, in order for standard statistical physics to hold. However, it is a challenge to determine analytically how the fluctuations decay as a function of system size. So far, there have been analytical predictions for integrable models (which are, naturally, somewhat special), analytical bounds for arbitrary systems, and numerical results for moderate-size systems. We have discovered a dynamical regime where the decrease of fluctuations is driven by many-particle dephasing, instead of a redistribution of occupation numbers. On the basis of this insight, we are able to provide exact analytical expressions for a model with weak integrability breaking (transverse Ising chain with additional terms). These predictions explicitly show how fluctuations are exponentially suppressed with system size.

A fluid modeling perspective on the tokamak power scrape-off width using SOLPS-ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meier, Eric

2016-10-01

SOLPS-ITER, a 2D fluid code, is used to conduct the first fluid modeling study of the physics behind the power scrape-off width (λq). When drift physics are activated in the code, λq is insensitive to changes in toroidal magnetic field (Bt), as predicted by the 0D heuristic drift (HD) model developed by Goldston. Using the HD model, which quantitatively agrees with regression analysis of a multi-tokamak database, λq in ITER is projected to be 1 mm instead of the previously assumed 4 mm, magnifying the challenge of maintaining the peak divertor target heat flux below the technological limit. These simulations, which use DIII-D H-mode experimental conditions as input, and reproduce the observed high-recycling, attached outer target plasma, allow insights into the scrape-off layer (SOL) physics that set λq. Independence of λq with respect to Bt suggests that SOLPS-ITER captures basic HD physics: the effect of Bt on the particle dwell time ( Bt) cancels with the effect on drift speed ( 1 /Bt), fixing the SOL plasma density width, and dictating λq. Scaling with plasma current (Ip), however, is much weaker than the roughly 1 /Ip dependence predicted by the HD model. Simulated net cross-separatrix particle flux due to magnetic drifts exceeds the anomalous particle transport, and a Pfirsch-Schluter-like SOL flow pattern is established. Up-down ion pressure asymmetry enables the net magnetic drift flux. Drifts establish in-out temperature asymmetry, and an associated thermoelectric current carries significant heat flux to the outer target. The density fall-off length in the SOL is similar to the electron temperature fall-off length, as observed experimentally. Finally, opportunities and challenges foreseen in ongoing work to extrapolate SOLPS-ITER and the HD model to ITER and future machines will be discussed. Supported by U.S. Department of Energy Contract DESC0010434.

Monte Carlo calculations of positron emitter yields in proton radiotherapy.

PubMed

Seravalli, E; Robert, C; Bauer, J; Stichelbaut, F; Kurz, C; Smeets, J; Van Ngoc Ty, C; Schaart, D R; Buvat, I; Parodi, K; Verhaegen, F

2012-03-21

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for monitoring the three-dimensional dose distribution in charged particle radiotherapy. PET imaging during or shortly after proton treatment is based on the detection of annihilation photons following the ß(+)-decay of radionuclides resulting from nuclear reactions in the irradiated tissue. Therapy monitoring is achieved by comparing the measured spatial distribution of irradiation-induced ß(+)-activity with the predicted distribution based on the treatment plan. The accuracy of the calculated distribution depends on the correctness of the computational models, implemented in the employed Monte Carlo (MC) codes that describe the interactions of the charged particle beam with matter and the production of radionuclides and secondary particles. However, no well-established theoretical models exist for predicting the nuclear interactions and so phenomenological models are typically used based on parameters derived from experimental data. Unfortunately, the experimental data presently available are insufficient to validate such phenomenological hadronic interaction models. Hence, a comparison among the models used by the different MC packages is desirable. In this work, starting from a common geometry, we compare the performances of MCNPX, GATE and PHITS MC codes in predicting the amount and spatial distribution of proton-induced activity, at therapeutic energies, to the already experimentally validated PET modelling based on the FLUKA MC code. In particular, we show how the amount of ß(+)-emitters produced in tissue-like media depends on the physics model and cross-sectional data used to describe the proton nuclear interactions, thus calling for future experimental campaigns aiming at supporting improvements of MC modelling for clinical application of PET monitoring. © 2012 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine

Heating and Acceleration of Charged Particles by Weakly Compressible Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lynn, Jacob William

We investigate the interaction between low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence and a distribution of charged particles. Understanding this physics is central to understanding the heating of the solar wind, as well as the heating and acceleration of other collisionless plasmas. Our central method is to simulate weakly compressible MHD turbulence using the Athena code, along with a distribution of test particles which feel the electromagnetic fields of the turbulence. We also construct analytic models of transit-time damping (TTD), which results from the mirror force caused by compressible (fast or slow) MHD waves. Standard linear-theory models in the literature require an exact resonance between particle and wave velocities to accelerate particles. The models developed in this thesis go beyond standard linear theory to account for the fact that wave-particle interactions decorrelate over a short time, which allows particles with velocities off resonance to undergo acceleration and velocity diffusion. We use the test particle simulation results to calibrate and distinguish between different models for this velocity diffusion. Test particle heating is larger than the linear theory prediction, due to continued acceleration of particles with velocities off-resonance. We also include an artificial pitch-angle scattering to the test particle motion, representing the effect of high-frequency waves or velocity-space instabilities. For low scattering rates, we find that the scattering enforces isotropy and enhances heating by a modest factor. For much higher scattering rates, the acceleration is instead due to a non-resonant effect, as particles "frozen" into the fluid adiabatically gain and lose energy as eddies expand and contract. Lastly, we generalize our calculations to allow for relativistic test particles. Linear theory predicts that relativistic particles with velocities much higher than the speed of waves comprising the turbulence would undergo no acceleration; resonance-broadening modifies this conclusion and allows for a continued Fermi-like acceleration process. This may affect the observed spectra of black hole accretion disks by accelerating relativistic particles into a quasi-powerlaw tail.

Computation of stress on the surface of a soft homogeneous arbitrarily shaped particle.

PubMed

Yang, Minglin; Ren, Kuan Fang; Wu, Yueqian; Sheng, Xinqing

2014-04-01

Prediction of the stress on the surface of an arbitrarily shaped particle of soft material is essential in the study of elastic properties of the particles with optical force. It is also necessary in the manipulation and sorting of small particles with optical tweezers, since a regular-shaped particle, such as a sphere, may be deformed under the nonuniform optical stress on its surface. The stress profile on a spherical or small spheroidal soft particle trapped by shaped beams has been studied, however little work on computing the surface stress of an irregular-shaped particle has been reported. We apply in this paper the surface integral equation with multilevel fast multipole algorithm to compute the surface stress on soft homogeneous arbitrarily shaped particles. The comparison of the computed stress profile with that predicted by the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory for a water droplet of diameter equal to 51 wavelengths in a focused Gaussian beam show that the precision of our method is very good. Then stress profiles on spheroids with different aspect ratios are computed. The particles are illuminated by a Gaussian beam of different waist radius at different incidences. Physical analysis on the mechanism of optical stress is given with help of our recently developed vectorial complex ray model. It is found that the maximum of the stress profile on the surface of prolate spheroids is not only determined by the reflected and refracted rays (orders p=0,1) but also the rays undergoing one or two internal reflections where they focus. Computational study of stress on surface of a biconcave cell-like particle, which is a typical application in life science, is also undertaken.

Direct measurement of the 3-dimensional DNA lesion distribution induced by energetic charged particles in a mouse model tissue

PubMed Central

Mirsch, Johanna; Tommasino, Francesco; Frohns, Antonia; Conrad, Sandro; Durante, Marco; Scholz, Michael; Friedrich, Thomas; Löbrich, Markus

2015-01-01

Charged particles are increasingly used in cancer radiotherapy and contribute significantly to the natural radiation risk. The difference in the biological effects of high-energy charged particles compared with X-rays or γ-rays is determined largely by the spatial distribution of their energy deposition events. Part of the energy is deposited in a densely ionizing manner in the inner part of the track, with the remainder spread out more sparsely over the outer track region. Our knowledge about the dose distribution is derived solely from modeling approaches and physical measurements in inorganic material. Here we exploited the exceptional sensitivity of γH2AX foci technology and quantified the spatial distribution of DNA lesions induced by charged particles in a mouse model tissue. We observed that charged particles damage tissue nonhomogenously, with single cells receiving high doses and many other cells exposed to isolated damage resulting from high-energy secondary electrons. Using calibration experiments, we transformed the 3D lesion distribution into a dose distribution and compared it with predictions from modeling approaches. We obtained a radial dose distribution with sub-micrometer resolution that decreased with increasing distance to the particle path following a 1/r2 dependency. The analysis further revealed the existence of a background dose at larger distances from the particle path arising from overlapping dose deposition events from independent particles. Our study provides, to our knowledge, the first quantification of the spatial dose distribution of charged particles in biologically relevant material, and will serve as a benchmark for biophysical models that predict the biological effects of these particles. PMID:26392532

WE-FG-BRB-04: RBEs for Human Lung Cancer Cells Exposed to Protons and Heavier Ions: Implications for Clinical Use of Charged Particles in Cancer Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Held, K.

The physical pattern of energy deposition and the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons and carbon ions compared to photons offer unique and not fully understood or exploited opportunities to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Variations in RBE within a pristine or spread out Bragg peak and between particle types may be exploited to enhance cell killing in target regions without a corresponding increase in damage to normal tissue structures. In addition, the decreased sensitivity of hypoxic tumors to photon-based therapies may be partially overcome through the use of more densely ionizing radiations. These and other differences betweenmore » particle and photon beams may be used to generate biologically optimized treatments that reduce normal tissue complications. In this symposium, speakers will examine the impact of the RBE of charged particles on measurable biological endpoints, treatment plan optimization, and the prediction or retrospective assessment of treatment outcomes. In particular, an AAPM task group was formed to critically examine the evidence for a spatially-variant RBE in proton therapy. Current knowledge of proton RBE variation with respect to dose, biological endpoint, and physics parameters will be reviewed. Further, the clinical relevance of these variations will be discussed. Recent work focused on improving simulations of radiation physics and biological response in proton and carbon ion therapy will also be presented. Finally, relevant biology research and areas of research needs will be highlighted, including the dependence of RBE on genetic factors including status of DNA repair pathways, the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, the role of charged particles in hypoxic tumors, and the importance of fractionation effects. In addition to the physical advantages of protons and more massive ions over photons, the future application of biologically optimized treatment plans and their potential to provide higher levels of local tumor control and improved normal tissue sparing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: To assess whether the current practice of a constant RBE of 1.1 should be revised or maintained in proton therapy and to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of delivering RBE-weighted dose distributions based on variable RBE To review current research on biological models used to predict the increased biological effectiveness of proton and carbon ions to help move towards a practical understanding and implementation of biological optimization in particle therapy To discuss potential differences in biological mechanisms between photons and charged particles (light and heavy ions) that could impact clinical cancer therapy H. Paganetti, NCI U19 CA21239D. Grosshans, Our research is supported by the NCIK. Held, Funding Support: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA, under Award Number R21CA182259 and Federal Share of Program Income Earned by Massachusetts General Hospital on C06CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.« less

WE-FG-BRB-02: Spatial Mapping of the RBE of Scanned Particle Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grosshans, D.

2016-06-15

The physical pattern of energy deposition and the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons and carbon ions compared to photons offer unique and not fully understood or exploited opportunities to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Variations in RBE within a pristine or spread out Bragg peak and between particle types may be exploited to enhance cell killing in target regions without a corresponding increase in damage to normal tissue structures. In addition, the decreased sensitivity of hypoxic tumors to photon-based therapies may be partially overcome through the use of more densely ionizing radiations. These and other differences betweenmore » particle and photon beams may be used to generate biologically optimized treatments that reduce normal tissue complications. In this symposium, speakers will examine the impact of the RBE of charged particles on measurable biological endpoints, treatment plan optimization, and the prediction or retrospective assessment of treatment outcomes. In particular, an AAPM task group was formed to critically examine the evidence for a spatially-variant RBE in proton therapy. Current knowledge of proton RBE variation with respect to dose, biological endpoint, and physics parameters will be reviewed. Further, the clinical relevance of these variations will be discussed. Recent work focused on improving simulations of radiation physics and biological response in proton and carbon ion therapy will also be presented. Finally, relevant biology research and areas of research needs will be highlighted, including the dependence of RBE on genetic factors including status of DNA repair pathways, the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, the role of charged particles in hypoxic tumors, and the importance of fractionation effects. In addition to the physical advantages of protons and more massive ions over photons, the future application of biologically optimized treatment plans and their potential to provide higher levels of local tumor control and improved normal tissue sparing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: To assess whether the current practice of a constant RBE of 1.1 should be revised or maintained in proton therapy and to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of delivering RBE-weighted dose distributions based on variable RBE To review current research on biological models used to predict the increased biological effectiveness of proton and carbon ions to help move towards a practical understanding and implementation of biological optimization in particle therapy To discuss potential differences in biological mechanisms between photons and charged particles (light and heavy ions) that could impact clinical cancer therapy H. Paganetti, NCI U19 CA21239D. Grosshans, Our research is supported by the NCIK. Held, Funding Support: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA, under Award Number R21CA182259 and Federal Share of Program Income Earned by Massachusetts General Hospital on C06CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.« less

Numerical simulation of the deterministic vector separation of particles flowing over slanted open cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaqfeh, Eric S. G.; Bernate, Jorge A.; Yang, Mengfei

2016-12-01

Within the past decade, the separation of particles via continuous flow through microfluidic devices has been developed largely through an Edisonian approach whereby devices have been developed based on observation and intuition. This is particularly true in the development of vector chromatography at vanishingly small Reynolds number for non-Brownian particles. Note that this latter phenomenon has its origins in the irreversible forces that are at work in the device, since Stokes flow reversibility typically prohibits their function otherwise. We present a numerical simulation of the vector separation of non-Brownian particles of different sizes and deformabilities in the Stokes flow through channels whose lower surface is composed of slanted cavities. The simulations are designed to understand the physical principles behind the separation as well as to provide design criteria for devices for separating particles in a given size and flexibility range. The numerical simulations are Stokes flow boundary element simulations using techniques defined elsewhere in the literature, but including a close-range repulsive force between the particles and the slanted cavities. We demonstrate that over a range of repulsive force that is comparable to the roughness in the experimental devices, the separation data (particularly in particle size) are predicted quantitatively and are a very weak function of the range of the force. We then vary the geometric parameters of the simulated devices to demonstrate the sensitivity of the separation efficiency to these parameters, thus making design predictions as to which devices are appropriate for separating particles in different size, shape, and deformability ranges.

Transport of Cryptosporidium oocysts in porous media: Role of straining and physicochemical filtration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tufenkji, N.; Miller, G.F.; Ryan, J.N.; Harvey, R.W.; Elimelech, M.

2004-01-01

The transport and filtration behavior of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in columns packed with quartz sand was systematically examined under repulsive electrostatic conditions. An increase in solution ionic strength resulted in greater oocyst deposition rates despite theoretical predictions of a significant electrostatic energy barrier to deposition. Relatively high deposition rates obtained with both oocysts and polystyrene latex particles of comparable size at low ionic strength (1 mM) suggest that a physical mechanism may play a key role in oocyst removal. Supporting experiments conducted with latex particles of varying sizes, under very low ionic strength conditions where physicochemical filtration is negligible, clearly indicated that physical straining is an important capture mechanism. The results of this study indicate that irregularity of sand grain shape (verified by SEM imaging) contributes considerably to the straining potential of the porous medium. Hence, both straining and physicochemical filtration are expected to control the removal of C. parvum oocysts in settings typical of riverbank filtration, soil infiltration, and slow sand filtration. Because classic colloid filtration theory does not account for removal by straining, these observations have important implications with respect to predictions of oocyst transport.

One-Way Particle Transport Using Oscillatory Flow in Asymmetric Traps.

PubMed

Lee, Jaesung; Burns, Mark A

2018-03-01

One challenge of integrating of passive, microparticles manipulation techniques into multifunctional microfluidic devices is coupling the continuous-flow format of most systems with the often batch-type operation of particle separation systems. Here, a passive fluidic technique-one-way particle transport-that can conduct microparticle operations in a closed fluidic circuit is presented. Exploiting pass/capture interactions between microparticles and asymmetric traps, this technique accomplishes a net displacement of particles in an oscillatory flow field. One-way particle transport is achieved through four kinds of trap-particle interactions: mechanical capture of the particle, asymmetric interactions between the trap and the particle, physical collision of the particle with an obstacle, and lateral shift of the particle into a particle-trapping stream. The critical dimensions for those four conditions are found by numerically solving analytical mass balance equations formulated using the characteristics of the flow field in periodic obstacle arrays. Visual observation of experimental trap-particle dynamics in low Reynolds number flow (<0.01) confirms the validity of the theoretical predictions. This technique can transport hundreds of microparticles across trap rows in only a few fluid oscillations (<500 ms per oscillation) and separate particles by their size differences. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A search for long-lived particles that stop in the CMS detector and decay to muons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alimena, Juliette

2016-05-01

A search for long-lived particles that are produced in proton-proton collisions at the CERN LHC, come to rest in the CMS detector, and decay to muons is presented. The decays of the stopped particles could be observed during the intervals between LHC beam crossings, at times that are well separated from any proton-proton collisions. The analysis uses 19.7 1/fb of 8 TeV data collected by CMS in 2012, during a search interval of 293 hours of trigger livetime. Massive, long-lived particles do not exist in the Standard Model, and so any sign of them would be an indication of newmore » physics. The results are interpreted with a model that predicts a long-lived particle that has a charge of twice the electron charge and that behaves like a lepton. Cross section limits are set for each long-lived particle mass as a function of lifetime, for lifetimes between 100 ns and 10 days. These are the first limits for long-lived stopped particles that decay to muons.« less

Role of buoyant flame dynamics in wildfire spread.

PubMed

Finney, Mark A; Cohen, Jack D; Forthofer, Jason M; McAllister, Sara S; Gollner, Michael J; Gorham, Daniel J; Saito, Kozo; Akafuah, Nelson K; Adam, Brittany A; English, Justin D

2015-08-11

Large wildfires of increasing frequency and severity threaten local populations and natural resources and contribute carbon emissions into the earth-climate system. Although wildfires have been researched and modeled for decades, no verifiable physical theory of spread is available to form the basis for the precise predictions needed to manage fires more effectively and reduce their environmental, economic, ecological, and climate impacts. Here, we report new experiments conducted at multiple scales that appear to reveal how wildfire spread derives from the tight coupling between flame dynamics induced by buoyancy and fine-particle response to convection. Convective cooling of the fine-sized fuel particles in wildland vegetation is observed to efficiently offset heating by thermal radiation until convective heating by contact with flames and hot gasses occurs. The structure and intermittency of flames that ignite fuel particles were found to correlate with instabilities induced by the strong buoyancy of the flame zone itself. Discovery that ignition in wildfires is critically dependent on nonsteady flame convection governed by buoyant and inertial interaction advances both theory and the physical basis for practical modeling.

Role of buoyant flame dynamics in wildfire spread

PubMed Central

Finney, Mark A.; Cohen, Jack D.; Forthofer, Jason M.; McAllister, Sara S.; Gollner, Michael J.; Gorham, Daniel J.; Saito, Kozo; Akafuah, Nelson K.; Adam, Brittany A.; English, Justin D.

2015-01-01

Large wildfires of increasing frequency and severity threaten local populations and natural resources and contribute carbon emissions into the earth-climate system. Although wildfires have been researched and modeled for decades, no verifiable physical theory of spread is available to form the basis for the precise predictions needed to manage fires more effectively and reduce their environmental, economic, ecological, and climate impacts. Here, we report new experiments conducted at multiple scales that appear to reveal how wildfire spread derives from the tight coupling between flame dynamics induced by buoyancy and fine-particle response to convection. Convective cooling of the fine-sized fuel particles in wildland vegetation is observed to efficiently offset heating by thermal radiation until convective heating by contact with flames and hot gasses occurs. The structure and intermittency of flames that ignite fuel particles were found to correlate with instabilities induced by the strong buoyancy of the flame zone itself. Discovery that ignition in wildfires is critically dependent on nonsteady flame convection governed by buoyant and inertial interaction advances both theory and the physical basis for practical modeling. PMID:26183227

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles.

PubMed

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-11-02

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials.

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles

PubMed Central

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-01-01

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials. PMID:26522701

Effects and detection of raw material variability on the performance of near-infrared calibration models for pharmaceutical products.

PubMed

Igne, Benoit; Shi, Zhenqi; Drennen, James K; Anderson, Carl A

2014-02-01

The impact of raw material variability on the prediction ability of a near-infrared calibration model was studied. Calibrations, developed from a quaternary mixture design comprising theophylline anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, and soluble starch, were challenged by intentional variation of raw material properties. A design with two theophylline physical forms, three lactose particle sizes, and two starch manufacturers was created to test model robustness. Further challenges to the models were accomplished through environmental conditions. Along with full-spectrum partial least squares (PLS) modeling, variable selection by dynamic backward PLS and genetic algorithms was utilized in an effort to mitigate the effects of raw material variability. In addition to evaluating models based on their prediction statistics, prediction residuals were analyzed by analyses of variance and model diagnostics (Hotelling's T(2) and Q residuals). Full-spectrum models were significantly affected by lactose particle size. Models developed by selecting variables gave lower prediction errors and proved to be a good approach to limit the effect of changing raw material characteristics. Hotelling's T(2) and Q residuals provided valuable information that was not detectable when studying only prediction trends. Diagnostic statistics were demonstrated to be critical in the appropriate interpretation of the prediction of quality parameters. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

Particle sedimentation in a sheared viscoelastic fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murch, William L.; Krishnan, Sreenath; Shaqfeh, Eric S. G.; Iaccarino, Gianluca

2017-11-01

Particle suspensions are ubiquitous in engineered processes, biological systems, and natural settings. For an engineering application - whether the intent is to suspend and transport particles (e.g., in hydraulic fracturing fluids) or allow particles to sediment (e.g., in industrial separations processes) - understanding and prediction of the particle mobility is critical. This task is often made challenging by the complex nature of the fluid phase, for example, due to fluid viscoelasticity. In this talk, we focus on a fully 3D flow problem in a viscoelastic fluid: a settling particle with a shear flow applied in the plane perpendicular to gravity (referred to as orthogonal shear). Previously, it has been shown that an orthogonal shear flow can reduce the settling rate of particles in viscoelastic fluids. Using experiments and numerical simulations across a wide range of sedimentation and shear Weissenberg number, this talk will address the underlying physical mechanism responsible for the additional drag experienced by a rigid sphere settling in a confined viscoelastic fluid with orthogonal shear. We will then explore multiple particle effects, and discuss the implications and extensions of this work for particle suspensions. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-114747 (WLM).

Structure and Dynamics of Interacting Nanoparticles in Semidilute Polymer Solutions

DOE PAGES

Pollng-Skutvik, Ryan; Mongcopa, Katrina Irene S.; Faraone, Antonio; ...

2016-08-17

We investigate the structure and dynamics of silica nanoparticles and polymer chains in semidilute solutions of high molecular weight polystyrene in 2-butanone to determine the effect of long-range interparticle interactions on the coupling between particle and polymer dynamics. Particles at concentrations of 1–10 wt % are well dispersed in the semidilute polymer solutions and exhibit long-range electrostatic repulsions between particles. Because the particles are comparably sized to the radius of gyration of the polymer, the particle dynamics is predicted to couple to that of the polymer. We verify that the polymer structure and dynamics are not significantly affected by themore » particles, indicating that the particle–polymer coupling does not change with increasing particle loading. We find that the coupling between the dynamics of comparably sized particles and polymer results in subdiffusive particle dynamics, as expected. Over the interparticle distance, however, the particle dynamics is hindered and not fully described by the relaxation of the surrounding polymer chains. Instead, the particle dynamics is inversely related to the structure factor, suggesting that physical particle–polymer coupling on short length scales and interparticle interactions on long length scales both present energetic barriers to particle motion that lead to subdiffusive dynamics and de Gennes narrowing, respectively.« less

SLAC Library - Online Particle Physics Information

Science.gov Websites

Background Knowledge Particle Physics Lessons and Activities Astronomy and Astrophysics Lessons and Online Particle Physics Information Compiled by Revised: April, 201 7 This annotated list provides a highly selective set of online resources that are useful to the particle physics community. It

Quantum Brownian motion with inhomogeneous damping and diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massignan, Pietro; Lampo, Aniello; Wehr, Jan; Lewenstein, Maciej

2015-03-01

We analyze the microscopic model of quantum Brownian motion, describing a Brownian particle interacting with a bosonic bath through a coupling which is linear in the creation and annihilation operators of the bath, but may be a nonlinear function of the position of the particle. Physically, this corresponds to a configuration in which damping and diffusion are spatially inhomogeneous. We derive systematically the quantum master equation for the Brownian particle in the Born-Markov approximation and we discuss the appearance of additional terms, for various polynomials forms of the coupling. We discuss the cases of linear and quadratic coupling in great detail and we derive, using Wigner function techniques, the stationary solutions of the master equation for a Brownian particle in a harmonic trapping potential. We predict quite generally Gaussian stationary states, and we compute the aspect ratio and the spread of the distributions. In particular, we find that these solutions may be squeezed (superlocalized) with respect to the position of the Brownian particle. We analyze various restrictions to the validity of our theory posed by non-Markovian effects and by the Heisenberg principle. We further study the dynamical stability of the system, by applying a Gaussian approximation to the time-dependent Wigner function, and we compute the decoherence rates of coherent quantum superpositions in position space. Finally, we propose a possible experimental realization of the physics discussed here, by considering an impurity particle embedded in a degenerate quantum gas.

First Limit on the Direct Detection of Lightly Ionizing Particles for Electric Charge as Low as e / 1000 with the Majorana Demonstrator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alvis, S. I.; Arnquist, I. J.; Avignone, F. T.

The Majorana Demonstrator is an ultralow-background experiment searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge. The heavily shielded array of germanium detectors, placed nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, also allows searches for new exotic physics. Free, relativistic, lightly ionizing particles with an electrical charge less than e are forbidden by the standard model but predicted by some of its extensions. If such particles exist, they might be detected in the Majorana Demonstrator by searching for multiple-detector events with individual-detector energy depositions down to 1 keV. This search is background-free, and no candidatemore » events have been found in 285 days of data taking. As a result, new direct-detection limits are set for the flux of lightly ionizing particles for charges as low as e/1000.« less

Isotropic Huygens dipoles and multipoles with colloidal particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dezert, Romain; Richetti, Philippe; Baron, Alexandre

2017-11-01

Huygens sources are elements that scatter light in the forward direction as used in the Huygens-Fresnel principle. They have remained fictitious until recently when experimental systems have been fabricated. In this Rapid Communication, we propose isotropic meta-atoms that act as Huygens sources. Using clusters of plasmonic or dielectric colloidal particles, Huygens dipoles that resonate at visible frequencies can be achieved with scattering cross sections as high as five times the geometric cross section of the particle surpassing anything achievable with a hypothetical simple spherical particle. Examples are given that predict extremely broadband scattering in the forward direction over a 1000 nm wavelength range at optical frequencies. These systems are important to the fields of nanoantennas, metamaterials, and wave physics in general as well as any application that requires local control over the radiation properties of a system as in solar cells or biosensing.

First Limit on the Direct Detection of Lightly Ionizing Particles for Electric Charge as Low as e /1000 with the Majorana Demonstrator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvis, S. I.; Arnquist, I. J.; Avignone, F. T.; Barabash, A. S.; Barton, C. J.; Bertrand, F. E.; Brudanin, V.; Busch, M.; Buuck, M.; Caldwell, T. S.; Chan, Y.-D.; Christofferson, C. D.; Chu, P.-H.; Cuesta, C.; Detwiler, J. A.; Dunagan, C.; Efremenko, Yu.; Ejiri, H.; Elliott, S. R.; Gilliss, T.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Green, M. P.; Gruszko, J.; Guinn, I. S.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Haufe, C. R.; Hehn, L.; Henning, R.; Hoppe, E. W.; Howe, M. A.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kouzes, R. T.; Lopez, A. M.; Martin, R. D.; Massarczyk, R.; Meijer, S. J.; Mertens, S.; Myslik, J.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Othman, G.; Pettus, W.; Poon, A. W. P.; Radford, D. C.; Rager, J.; Reine, A. L.; Rielage, K.; Robertson, R. G. H.; Ruof, N. W.; Shanks, B.; Shirchenko, M.; Suriano, A. M.; Tedeschi, D.; Varner, R. L.; Vasilyev, S.; Vorren, K.; White, B. R.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Wiseman, C.; Xu, W.; Yakushev, E.; Yu, C.-H.; Yumatov, V.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhu, B. X.; Majorana Collaboration

2018-05-01

The Majorana Demonstrator is an ultralow-background experiment searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge. The heavily shielded array of germanium detectors, placed nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, also allows searches for new exotic physics. Free, relativistic, lightly ionizing particles with an electrical charge less than e are forbidden by the standard model but predicted by some of its extensions. If such particles exist, they might be detected in the Majorana Demonstrator by searching for multiple-detector events with individual-detector energy depositions down to 1 keV. This search is background-free, and no candidate events have been found in 285 days of data taking. New direct-detection limits are set for the flux of lightly ionizing particles for charges as low as e /1000 .

Diffusiophoresis of charged colloidal particles in the limit of very high salinity.

PubMed

Prieve, Dennis C; Malone, Stephanie M; Khair, Aditya S; Stout, Robert F; Kanj, Mazen Y

2018-06-13

Diffusiophoresis is the migration of a colloidal particle through a viscous fluid, caused by a gradient in concentration of some molecular solute; a long-range physical interaction between the particle and solute molecules is required. In the case of a charged particle and an ionic solute (e.g., table salt, NaCl), previous studies have predicted and experimentally verified the speed for very low salt concentrations at which the salt solution behaves ideally. The current study presents a study of diffusiophoresis at much higher salt concentrations (approaching the solubility limit). At such large salt concentrations, electrostatic interactions are almost completely screened, thus eliminating the long-range interaction required for diffusiophoresis; moreover, the high volume fraction occupied by ions makes the solution highly nonideal. Diffusiophoretic speeds were found to be measurable, albeit much smaller than for the same gradient at low salt concentrations.

Scattering Properties of Lunar Dust Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, S.; Marshall, J.; Richard, D.; Adler, D.; Adler, B.

2013-01-01

A number of space missions are planned to explore the lunar exosphere which may contain a small population of dust particles. The objective of this paper is to present preliminary results from scattering experiments on a suspension of lunar simulants to support one such mission. The intensity of the light scattered from a lunar simulant is measured with a commercial version of the spectrometer used in the forthcoming LADEE mission. Physical properties of the lunar simulant are described along with two similarly-sized reference microspheres. We confirm that micron-sized particles tend to form agglomerates rather than remaining isolated entities and that certain general characteristic of the target particles can be predicted from intensity measurements alone. These results can be used directly to assess general features of the lunar exosphere from LADEE instrument data. Further analysis of particle properties from such remote sensing data will require measurements of polarization signatures.

Modifications to particles as they move through landscapes: connecting soils and sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owens, Philip N.

2016-04-01

In many areas of the world, soils are eroded leading to the movement of particles towards the global ocean. Along this journey, there are modifications to these particles and we tend to refer to this altered material as sediment in recognition that such material may no longer be fully reflective of its source. These modifications are brought about by physical, chemical and biological processes, and by the inclusion of additional sources of material, such as channel banks. The degree of modification is partly a function of the inherent properties of the original soil material but also reflects landscape type, and the temporal and spatial scales of investigation. This presentation will consider the changes in particles between soil profiles and sediment transported in river systems, drawing on examples from studies in Canada and beyond. It is hoped that by understanding the transformation of such material we can predict better its movement and impacts.

First Limit on the Direct Detection of Lightly Ionizing Particles for Electric Charge as Low as e / 1000 with the Majorana Demonstrator

DOE PAGES

Alvis, S. I.; Arnquist, I. J.; Avignone, F. T.; ...

2018-05-25

The Majorana Demonstrator is an ultralow-background experiment searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge. The heavily shielded array of germanium detectors, placed nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, also allows searches for new exotic physics. Free, relativistic, lightly ionizing particles with an electrical charge less than e are forbidden by the standard model but predicted by some of its extensions. If such particles exist, they might be detected in the Majorana Demonstrator by searching for multiple-detector events with individual-detector energy depositions down to 1 keV. This search is background-free, and no candidatemore » events have been found in 285 days of data taking. As a result, new direct-detection limits are set for the flux of lightly ionizing particles for charges as low as e/1000.« less

Measurement of limiter particle fluxes and carbon erosion in the helical scrape-off layer of startup plasmas at W7-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winters, V.; Biedermann, C.; Brezinsek, S.; Effenberg, F.; Frerichs, H.; Harris, J.; Schmitz, O.; Stephey, L.; Unterberg, E.; Wurden, G.; W7-X Team

2016-10-01

Measurement of the 2D recycling flux and calculations of the carbon erosion from the limiter in startup plasmas of W7-X provides a first insight into neutral particle release and impurity inflow into the helical scrape-off layer. H-alpha, C-II (514.5nm) and C-III (465.1nm) line emissions were collected with filter-scopes and a visible camera aimed at limiter 3 of W7-X. Local plasma parameters are considered to estimate physical and chemical sputtering contributions. The analytical model for chemical sputtering by Roth is used to convert the measured particle flux into a chemically eroded C flux. The particle flux as well as the extracted C erosion pattern deviates from the measured heat flux distribution and also from the predicted particle flux distribution from EMC3-EIRENE. Candidates to resolve this discrepancy are measurement uncertainties and physics related (e.g. asymmetry in the last closed flux surface position). Post-mortem analysis of the limiter will be taken into account and compared to these in-situ measurements to gather first detailed insight on the net C erosion distribution and the impurity sourcing into the helical scrape-off layer. This work was funded by DE-SC0014210, DE-AC5206NA25396, DE-AC05-00OR22725 and by EUROfusion under Grant No 633053.

Plasma-Powder Feedstock Interaction During Plasma Spray-Physical Vapor Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anwaar, Aleem; Wei, Lianglinag; Guo, Hongbo; Zhang, Baopeng

2017-02-01

Plasma spray-physical vapor deposition is a new process developed to produce coatings from the vapor phase. To achieve deposition from the vapor phase, the plasma-feedstock interaction inside the plasma torch, i.e., from the powder injection point to the nozzle exit, is critical. In this work, the plasma characteristics and the momentum and heat transfer between the plasma and powder feedstock at different torch input power levels were investigated theoretically to optimize the net plasma torch power, among other important factors such as the plasma gas composition, powder feed rate, and carrier gas. The plasma characteristics were calculated using the CEA2 code, and the plasma-feedstock interaction was studied inside the torch nozzle at low-pressure (20-25 kPa) conditions. A particle dynamics model was introduced to compute the particle velocity, coupled with Xi Chen's drag model for nonevaporating particles. The results show that the energy transferred to the particles and the coating morphology are greatly influenced by the plasma gas characteristics and the particle dynamics inside the nozzle. The heat transfer between the plasma gas and feedstock material increased with the net torch power up to an optimum at 64 kW, at which a maximum of 3.4% of the available plasma energy was absorbed by the feedstock powder. Experimental results using agglomerated 7-8 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder as feedstock material confirmed the theoretical predictions.

Factors controlling threshold friction velocity in semiarid and arid areas of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marticorena, Beatrice; Bergametti, G.; Belnap, Jayne

1997-01-01

A physical model was developed to explain threshold friction velocities u*t for particles of the size 60a??120 I?m lying on a rough surface in loose soils for semiarid and arid parts of the United States. The model corrected for the effect of momentum absorption by the nonerodible roughness. For loose or disturbed soils the most important parameter that controls u*t is the aerodynamic roughness height z 0. For physical crusts damaged by wind the size of erodible crust pieces is important along with the roughness. The presence of cyanobacteriallichen soil crusts roughens the surface, and the biological fibrous growth aggregates soil particles. Only undisturbed sandy soils and disturbed soils of all types would be expected to be erodible in normal wind storms. Therefore disturbance of soils by both cattle and humans is very important in predicting wind erosion as confirmed by our measurements.

Order of magnitude smaller limit on the electric dipole moment of the electron.

PubMed

Baron, J; Campbell, W C; DeMille, D; Doyle, J M; Gabrielse, G; Gurevich, Y V; Hess, P W; Hutzler, N R; Kirilov, E; Kozyryev, I; O'Leary, B R; Panda, C D; Parsons, M F; Petrik, E S; Spaun, B; Vutha, A C; West, A D

2014-01-17

The Standard Model of particle physics is known to be incomplete. Extensions to the Standard Model, such as weak-scale supersymmetry, posit the existence of new particles and interactions that are asymmetric under time reversal (T) and nearly always predict a small yet potentially measurable electron electric dipole moment (EDM), d(e), in the range of 10(-27) to 10(-30) e·cm. The EDM is an asymmetric charge distribution along the electron spin (S(→)) that is also asymmetric under T. Using the polar molecule thorium monoxide, we measured d(e) = (-2.1 ± 3.7stat ± 2.5syst) × 10(-29) e·cm. This corresponds to an upper limit of |d(e)| < 8.7 × 10(-29) e·cm with 90% confidence, an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity relative to the previous best limit. Our result constrains T-violating physics at the TeV energy scale.

Physical-biological coupling induced aggregation mechanism for the formation of high biomass red tides in low nutrient waters.

PubMed

Lai, Zhigang; Yin, Kedong

2014-01-01

Port Shelter is a semi-enclosed bay in northeast Hong Kong where high biomass red tides are observed to occur frequently in narrow bands along the local bathymetric isobars. Previous study showed that nutrients in the Bay are not high enough to support high biomass red tides. The hypothesis is that physical aggregation and vertical migration of dinoflagellates appear to be the driving mechanism to promote the formation of red tides in this area. To test this hypothesis, we used a high-resolution estuarine circulation model to simulate the near-shore water dynamics based on in situ measured temperature/salinity profiles, winds and tidal constitutes taken from a well-validated regional tidal model. The model results demonstrated that water convergence occurs in a narrow band along the west shore of Port Shelter under a combined effect of stratified tidal current and easterly or northeasterly wind. Using particles as dinoflagellate cells and giving diel vertical migration, the model results showed that the particles aggregate along the convergent zone. By tracking particles in the model predicted current field, we estimated that the physical-biological coupled processes induced aggregation of the particles could cause 20-45 times enhanced cell density in the convergent zone. This indicated that a high cell density red tide under these processes could be initialized without very high nutrients concentrations. This may explain why Port Shelter, a nutrient-poor Bay, is the hot spot for high biomass red tides in Hong Kong in the past 25 years. Our study explains why red tide occurrences are episodic events and shows the importance of taking the physical-biological aggregation mechanism into consideration in the projection of red tides for coastal management. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeled Population Connectivity across the Hawaiian Archipelago

PubMed Central

Wren, Johanna L. K.; Kobayashi, Donald R.; Jia, Yanli; Toonen, Robert J.

2016-01-01

We present the first comprehensive estimate of connectivity of passive pelagic particles released from coral reef habitat throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. Potential connectivity is calculated using a Lagrangian particle transport model coupled offline with currents generated by an oceanographic circulation model, MITgcm. The connectivity matrices show a surprising degree of self-recruitment and directional dispersal towards the northwest, from the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) to the northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). We identify three predicted connectivity breaks in the archipelago, that is, areas in the mid and northern part of the archipelago that have limited connections with surrounding islands and reefs. Predicted regions of limited connectivity generally match observed patterns of genetic structure reported for coral reef species in the uninhabited NWHI, but multiple genetic breaks observed in the inhabited MHI are not explained by passive dispersal. The better congruence in our modeling results based on physical transport of passive particles in the low-lying atolls of the uninhabited NWHI, but not in the anthropogenically impacted high islands of the MHI begs the question: what ultimately controls connectivity in this system? PMID:27930680

Two decades of Mexican particle physics at Fermilab

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roy Rubinstein

2002-12-03

This report is a view from Fermilab of Mexican particle physics at the Laboratory since about 1980; it is not intended to be a history of Mexican particle physics: that topic is outside the expertise of the writer. The period 1980 to the present coincides with the growth of Mexican experimental particle physics from essentially no activity to its current state where Mexican groups take part in experiments at several of the world's major laboratories. Soon after becoming Fermilab director in 1979, Leon Lederman initiated a program to encourage experimental physics, especially experimental particle physics, in Latin America. At themore » time, Mexico had significant theoretical particle physics activity, but none in experiment. Following a visit by Lederman to UNAM in 1981, a conference ''Panamerican Symposium on Particle Physics and Technology'' was held in January 1982 at Cocoyoc, Mexico, with about 50 attendees from Europe, North America, and Latin America; these included Lederman, M. Moshinsky, J. Flores, S. Glashow, J. Bjorken, and G. Charpak. Among the conference outcomes were four subsequent similar symposia over the next decade, and a formal Fermilab program to aid Latin American physics (particularly particle physics); it also influenced a decision by Mexican physicist Clicerio Avilez to switch from theoretical to experimental particle physics. The first physics collaboration between Fermilab and Mexico was in particle theory. Post-docs Rodrigo Huerta and Jose Luis Lucio spent 1-2 years at Fermilab starting in 1981, and other theorists (including Augusto Garcia, Arnulfo Zepeda, Matias Moreno and Miguel Angel Perez) also spent time at the Laboratory in the 1980s.« less

Simulating Coupling Complexity in Space Plasmas: First Results from a new code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kryukov, I.; Zank, G. P.; Pogorelov, N. V.; Raeder, J.; Ciardo, G.; Florinski, V. A.; Heerikhuisen, J.; Li, G.; Petrini, F.; Shematovich, V. I.; Winske, D.; Shaikh, D.; Webb, G. M.; Yee, H. M.

2005-12-01

The development of codes that embrace 'coupling complexity' via the self-consistent incorporation of multiple physical scales and multiple physical processes in models has been identified by the NRC Decadal Survey in Solar and Space Physics as a crucial necessary development in simulation/modeling technology for the coming decade. The National Science Foundation, through its Information Technology Research (ITR) Program, is supporting our efforts to develop a new class of computational code for plasmas and neutral gases that integrates multiple scales and multiple physical processes and descriptions. We are developing a highly modular, parallelized, scalable code that incorporates multiple scales by synthesizing 3 simulation technologies: 1) Computational fluid dynamics (hydrodynamics or magneto-hydrodynamics-MHD) for the large-scale plasma; 2) direct Monte Carlo simulation of atoms/neutral gas, and 3) transport code solvers to model highly energetic particle distributions. We are constructing the code so that a fourth simulation technology, hybrid simulations for microscale structures and particle distributions, can be incorporated in future work, but for the present, this aspect will be addressed at a test-particle level. This synthesis we will provide a computational tool that will advance our understanding of the physics of neutral and charged gases enormously. Besides making major advances in basic plasma physics and neutral gas problems, this project will address 3 Grand Challenge space physics problems that reflect our research interests: 1) To develop a temporal global heliospheric model which includes the interaction of solar and interstellar plasma with neutral populations (hydrogen, helium, etc., and dust), test-particle kinetic pickup ion acceleration at the termination shock, anomalous cosmic ray production, interaction with galactic cosmic rays, while incorporating the time variability of the solar wind and the solar cycle. 2) To develop a coronal mass ejection and interplanetary shock propagation model for the inner and outer heliosphere, including, at a test-particle level, wave-particle interactions and particle acceleration at traveling shock waves and compression regions. 3) To develop an advanced Geospace General Circulation Model (GGCM) capable of realistically modeling space weather events, in particular the interaction with CMEs and geomagnetic storms. Furthermore, by implementing scalable run-time supports and sophisticated off- and on-line prediction algorithms, we anticipate important advances in the development of automatic and intelligent system software to optimize a wide variety of 'embedded' computations on parallel computers. Finally, public domain MHD and hydrodynamic codes had a transforming effect on space and astrophysics. We expect that our new generation, open source, public domain multi-scale code will have a similar transformational effect in a variety of disciplines, opening up new classes of problems to physicists and engineers alike.

Combining Newton's second law and de Broglie's particle-wave duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, James M.

2018-03-01

All matter can exhibit wave-like behaviour, and Louis de Broglie first predicted light to display the dual characteristics as both a collection of particles, called photons, or in some respects as a wave. The particle velocity is the group velocity of the wave, and if the particle velocity ug is subluminal then the associated wave or phase velocity up through the de Broglie relation ugup =c2 is necessarily superluminal. This is believed not to contradict the fact that information cannot be carried faster than the velocity of light c because the wave phase is supposed to carry no energy. However, the superluminal phase velocity may well be physically significant, and here we propose that the sub particle world and the super wave world might be equally important, and that each might exert an influence on the other, such that any mechanical equations must not only be Lorentz invariant but they must also be invariant under the transformation connecting the sub and super worlds. Following this approach, Einstein's equation E =mc2 becomes simply E = (m +m‧)c2 , where m and m‧ are masses given by Einstein expressions arising from the perceived sub and superluminal velocities ug and up respectively. This modification, although superficially simple, results from non-conventional physics and gives rise to an extension of Newton's second law, that might well account for the extra energy and mass that is known to exist in the universe, and referred to as dark energy and dark matter. An explicit solution for photons and light predicts a non-zero photon rest-mass m0 = hν / 2c2 , where h is Planck's constant and ν is the light frequency. Interestingly, the associated energy of this mass is the zero-point energy, believed to be the lowest energy that a quantum mechanical system may possess.

Real-time Interplanetary Shock Prediction System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandegriff, J. D.; Ho, G. C.; Plauger, J. M.

2002-05-01

We are creating a system to predict the arrival times and maximum intensities of energetic storm particle (ESP) events at the earth using particle fluxes measured by the EPAM instrument aboard NASA's ACE spacecraft. Real-time flux measurements, consisting of 5 minute averages made available 24 hours per day by the NOAA Space Environment Center, are fed into algorithms looking for characteristic changes in flux, velocity dispersion, and anisotropy. These quantities typically show changes up to 3 hours before shock passage, and thus we expect our system to deliver enhanced probabilities for shock arrival with approximately the same lead time. Forecasting information will be made publicly available through http://sd-www.jhuapl.edu/ACE/EPAM/, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab web site for the ACE/EPAM instrument. Early results on the training of our algorithms and comparisons with past shock data will be presented.

Non-Porod scattering and non-integer scaling of resistance in rough films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bupathy, Arunkumar; Verma, Rupesh; Banerjee, Varsha; Puri, Sanjay

2017-04-01

In many physical systems, films are rough due to the stochastic behavior of depositing particles. They are characterized by non-Porod power law decays in the structure factor S (k) . Theoretical studies predict anomalous diffusion in such morphologies, with important implications for diffusivity, conductivity, etc. We use the non-Porod decay to accurately determine the fractal properties of two prototypical nanoparticle films: (i) Palladium (Pd) and (ii) Cu2O. Using scaling arguments, we find that the resistance of rough films of lateral size L obeys a non-integer power law R ∼L-ζ , in contrast to integer power laws for compact structures. The exponent ζ is anisotropic. We confirm our predictions by re-analyzing experimental data from Cu2O nano-particle films. Our results are valuable for understanding recent experiments that report anisotropic electrical properties in (rough) thin films.

Frictional lubricity enhanced by quantum mechanics.

PubMed

Zanca, Tommaso; Pellegrini, Franco; Santoro, Giuseppe E; Tosatti, Erio

2018-04-03

The quantum motion of nuclei, generally ignored in the physics of sliding friction, can affect in an important manner the frictional dissipation of a light particle forced to slide in an optical lattice. The density matrix-calculated evolution of the quantum version of the basic Prandtl-Tomlinson model, describing the dragging by an external force of a point particle in a periodic potential, shows that purely classical friction predictions can be very wrong. The strongest quantum effect occurs not for weak but for strong periodic potentials, where barriers are high but energy levels in each well are discrete, and resonant Rabi or Landau-Zener tunneling to states in the nearest well can preempt classical stick-slip with nonnegligible efficiency, depending on the forcing speed. The resulting permeation of otherwise unsurmountable barriers is predicted to cause quantum lubricity, a phenomenon which we expect should be observable in the recently implemented sliding cold ion experiments.

Physics, chemistry and pulmonary sequelae of thermodegradation events in long-mission space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Todd, Paul; Sklar, Michael; Ramirez, W. Fred; Smith, Gerald J.; Morgenthaler, George W.; Oberdoerster, Guenter

1993-01-01

An event in which electronic insulation consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene undergoes thermodegradation on the Space Station Freedom is considered experimentally and theoretically from the initial chemistry and convective transport through pulmonary deposition in humans. The low-gravity enviroment impacts various stages of event simulation. Vapor-phase and particulate thermodegradation products were considered as potential spacecraft contaminants. A potential pathway for the production of ultrafine particles was identified. Different approaches to the simulation and prediction of contaminant transport were studied and used to predict the distribution of generic vapor-phase products in a Space Station model. A lung transport model was used to assess the pulmonary distribution of inhaled particles, and, finally, the impact of adaptation to low gravity on the human response to this inhalation risk was explored on the basis of known physiological modifications of the immune, endocrine, musculoskeletal and pulmonary systems that accompany space flight.

Numerical verification of bounce-harmonic resonances in neoclassical toroidal viscosity for tokamaks.

PubMed

Kim, Kimin; Park, Jong-Kyu; Boozer, Allen H

2013-05-03

This Letter presents the first numerical verification for the bounce-harmonic (BH) resonance phenomena of the neoclassical transport in a tokamak perturbed by nonaxisymmetric magnetic fields. The BH resonances were predicted by analytic theories of neoclassical toroidal viscosity (NTV), as the parallel and perpendicular drift motions can be resonant and result in a great enhancement of the radial momentum transport. A new drift-kinetic δf guiding-center particle code, POCA, clearly verified that the perpendicular drift motions can reduce the transport by phase-mixing, but in the BH resonances the motions can form closed orbits and particles radially drift out fast. The POCA calculations on resulting NTV torque are largely consistent with analytic calculations, and show that the BH resonances can easily dominate the NTV torque when a plasma rotates in the perturbed tokamak and therefore, is a critical physics for predicting the rotation and stability in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

Flow and Jamming of Granular Materials in a Two-dimensional Hopper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Junyao

Flow in a hopper is both a fertile testing ground for understanding fundamental granular flow rheology and industrially highly relevant. Despite increasing research efforts in this area, a comprehensive physical theory is still lacking for both jamming and flow of granular materials in a hopper. In this work, I have designed a two dimensional (2D) hopper experiment using photoelastic particles (particles' shape: disk or ellipse), with the goal to build a bridge between macroscopic phenomenon of hopper flow and microscopic particle-scale dynamics. Through synchronized data of particle tracking and stress distributions in particles, I have shown differences between my data of the time-averaged velocity/stress profile of 2D hopper flow with previous theoretical predictions. I have also demonstrated the importance of a mechanical stable arch near the opening on controlling hopper flow rheology and suggested a heuristic phase diagram for the hopper flow/jamming transition. Another part of this thesis work is focused on studying the impact of particle shape of particles on hopper flow. By comparing particle-tracking and photoelastic data for ellipses and disks at the appropriate length scale, I have demonstrated an important role for the rotational freedom of elliptical particles in controlling flow rheology through particle tracking and stress analysis. This work has been supported by International Fine Particle Research Institute (IFPRI) .

Effect of Melt Convection at Various Gravity Levels and Orientations on the Forces Acting on a Large Spherical Particle in the Vicinity of a Solidification Interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bune, Andris V.; Sen, Subhayu; Mukherjee, Sundeep; Catalina, Adrian; Stefanescu, Doru M.

2000-01-01

Numerical modeling was Undertaken to analyze the influence of both radial and axial thermal gradients on convection patterns and velocities claiming solidification of pure Al and an Al-4 wt% Cu alloy. The objective of the numerical task was to predict the influence of convective velocity on an insoluble particle near a solid/liquid (s/l) interface. These predictions were then be used to define the minimum gravity level (q) required to investigate the fundamental physics of interactions between a particle and a s/l interface. This is an ongoing NASA founded flight experiment entitled "particle engulfment and pushing by solidifying interfaces (PEP)". Steady-state calculations were performed for different gravity levels and orientations with respect to the gravity vector The furnace configuration used in this analysis is the quench module insert (QMI-1) proposed for the Material Science Research Facility (MSRF) on board the International Space Station (ISS). The general model of binary alloy solidification was based on the finite element code FIDAP. At a low g level of 10(exp -4) g(sub o) (g(sub o) = 9.8 m/square s) maximum melt convection was obtained for an orientation of 90 deg. Calculations showed that even for this worst case orientation the dominant forces acting on the particle are the fundamental drag and interfacial forces.

Ground truth methods for optical cross-section modeling of biological aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalter, J.; Thrush, E.; Santarpia, J.; Chaudhry, Z.; Gilberry, J.; Brown, D. M.; Brown, A.; Carter, C. C.

2011-05-01

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems have demonstrated some capability to meet the needs of a fastresponse standoff biological detection method for simulants in open air conditions. These systems are designed to exploit various cloud signatures, such as differential elastic backscatter, fluorescence, and depolarization in order to detect biological warfare agents (BWAs). However, because the release of BWAs in open air is forbidden, methods must be developed to predict candidate system performance against real agents. In support of such efforts, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL) has developed a modeling approach to predict the optical properties of agent materials from relatively simple, Biosafety Level 3-compatible bench top measurements. JHU/APL has fielded new ground truth instruments (in addition to standard particle sizers, such as the Aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) or GRIMM aerosol monitor (GRIMM)) to more thoroughly characterize the simulant aerosols released in recent field tests at Dugway Proving Ground (DPG). These instruments include the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), the Ultraviolet Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (UVAPS), and the Aspect Aerosol Size and Shape Analyser (Aspect). The SMPS was employed as a means of measuring smallparticle concentrations for more accurate Mie scattering simulations; the UVAPS, which measures size-resolved fluorescence intensity, was employed as a path toward fluorescence cross section modeling; and the Aspect, which measures particle shape, was employed as a path towards depolarization modeling.

Particle-Surface Interaction Model and Method of Determining Particle-Surface Interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, David W. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A method and model of predicting particle-surface interactions with a surface, such as the surface of a spacecraft. The method includes the steps of: determining a trajectory path of a plurality of moving particles; predicting whether any of the moving particles will intersect a surface; predicting whether any of the particles will be captured by the surface and/or; predicting a reflected trajectory and velocity of particles reflected from the surface.

The dark components of the Universe are slowly clarified

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burdyuzha, V. V.

2017-02-01

The dark sector of the Universe is beginning to be clarified step by step. If the dark energy is vacuum energy, then 123 orders of this energy are reduced by ordinary physical processes. For many years, these unexplained orders were called a crisis of physics. There was indeed a "crisis" before the introduction of the holographic principle and entropic force in physics. The vacuum energy was spent on the generation of new quantum states during the entire life of the Universe, but in the initial period of its evolution the vacuum energy (78 orders) were reduced more effectively by the vacuum condensates produced by phase transitions, because the Universe lost the high symmetry during its expansion. Important problems of physical cosmology can be solved if the quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons are composite particles. The dark matter, partially or all consisting of familon-type pseudo-Goldstone bosons with a mass of 10—5-10-3 eV, can be explained in the composite model. Three generations of elementary particles are absolutely necessary in this model. In addition, this model realizes three relativistic phase transitions in a medium of familons at different redshifts, forming a large-scale structure of dark matter that was "repeated" by baryons. We predict the detection of dark energy dynamics, the detection of familons as dark matter particles, and the development of spectroscopy for the dark medium due to the probable presence of dark atoms in it. Other viewpoints on the dark components of the Universe are also discussed briefly.

The Martian surface radiation environment - a comparison of models and MSL/RAD measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthiä, Daniel; Ehresmann, Bent; Lohf, Henning; Köhler, Jan; Zeitlin, Cary; Appel, Jan; Sato, Tatsuhiko; Slaba, Tony; Martin, Cesar; Berger, Thomas; Boehm, Eckart; Boettcher, Stephan; Brinza, David E.; Burmeister, Soenke; Guo, Jingnan; Hassler, Donald M.; Posner, Arik; Rafkin, Scot C. R.; Reitz, Günther; Wilson, John W.; Wimmer-Schweingruber, Robert F.

2016-03-01

Context: The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) has been measuring the radiation environment on the surface of Mars since August 6th 2012. MSL-RAD is the first instrument to provide detailed information about charged and neutral particle spectra and dose rates on the Martian surface, and one of the primary objectives of the RAD investigation is to help improve and validate current radiation transport models. Aims: Applying different numerical transport models with boundary conditions derived from the MSL-RAD environment the goal of this work was to both provide predictions for the particle spectra and the radiation exposure on the Martian surface complementing the RAD sensitive range and, at the same time, validate the results with the experimental data, where applicable. Such validated models can be used to predict dose rates for future manned missions as well as for performing shield optimization studies. Methods: Several particle transport models (GEANT4, PHITS, HZETRN/OLTARIS) were used to predict the particle flux and the corresponding radiation environment caused by galactic cosmic radiation on Mars. From the calculated particle spectra the dose rates on the surface are estimated. Results: Calculations of particle spectra and dose rates induced by galactic cosmic radiation on the Martian surface are presented. Although good agreement is found in many cases for the different transport codes, GEANT4, PHITS, and HZETRN/OLTARIS, some models still show large, sometimes order of magnitude discrepancies in certain particle spectra. We have found that RAD data is helping to make better choices of input parameters and physical models. Elements of these validated models can be applied to more detailed studies on how the radiation environment is influenced by solar modulation, Martian atmosphere and soil, and changes due to the Martian seasonal pressure cycle. By extending the range of the calculated particle spectra with respect to the experimental data additional information about the radiation environment is gained, and the contribution of different particle species to the dose is estimated.

Improving acceptance for Higgs events at CDF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sforza, Federico; /INFN, Pisa

2008-03-01

The Standard Model of elementary particles predicts the existence of the Higgs boson as the responsable of the electroweak symmetry breaking, the process by which fermions and vector bosons acquire mass. The Higgs existence is one of the most important questions in the present high energy physics research. This work concerns the search of W H associate production at the CDF II experiment (Collider Detector at Fermilab).

Workshop summary: Physical properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Waite, William F.; Santamarina, J.C.

2008-01-01

A wide range of particle and pore scale phenomena, often coupled, determines the macro-scale response of gas-hydrate bearing sediment to changes in mechanical, thermal, or chemical conditions. Predicting this macro-scale response is critical for applications such as optimizing the production of methane from gas-hydrate deposits, or determining the role of gas hydrates in global carbon cycling and climate change.

On Coulomb collisions in the solar wind

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellinger, P.; Travnicek, P. M.

2009-04-01

Collisional transport in anisotropic plasmas is investigated comparing theoretical predictions of the Fokker-Planck equation for bi-Maxwellian particle distribution functions (Kogan, 1961; Lehner, 1967) and results of the corresponding Langevin equation. References: Kogan, V. I., in Plasma Physics and the Problem of Controlled Thermonuclear Reactions, edited by M. A. Leontovich, Pergamon Press, New York, , vol. 1, 153, 1961. Lehner, G., Zeitschrift fur Physik, 206, 284, 1967.

Droplet Deformation in an Extensional Flow: The Role of Surfactant Physical Chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stebe, Kathleen J.

1996-01-01

Surfactant-induced Marangoni effects strongly alter the stresses exerted along fluid particle interfaces. In low gravity processes, these stresses can dictate the system behavior. The dependence of Marangoni effects on surfactant physical chemistry is not understood, severely impacting our ability to predict and control fluid particle flows. A droplet in an extensional flow allows the controlled study of stretching and deforming interfaces. The deformations of the drop allow both Marangoni stresses, which resist tangential shear, and Marangoni elasticities, which resist surface dilatation, to develop. This flow presents an ideal model system for studying these effects. Prior surfactant-related work in this flow considered a linear dependence of the surface tension on the surface concentration, valid only at dilute surface concentrations, or a non-linear framework at concentrations sufficiently dilute that the linear approximation was valid. The linear framework becomes inadequate for several reasons. The finite dimensions of surfactant molecules must be taken into account with a model that includes surfaces saturation. Nonideal interactions between adsorbed surfactant molecules alter the partitioning of surfactant between the bulk and the interface, the dynamics of surfactant adsorptive/desorptive exchange, and the sensitivity of the surface tension to adsorbed surfactant. For example, cohesion between hydrocarbon chains favors strong adsorption. Cohesion also slows the rate of desorption from interfaces, and decreases the sensitivity of the surface tension to adsorbed surfactant. Strong cohesive interactions result in first order surface phase changes with a plateau in the surface tension vs surface concentration. Within this surface concentration range, the surface tension is decoupled from surface concentration gradients. We are engaged in the study of the role of surfactant physical chemistry in determining the Marangoni stresses on a drop in an extensional flow in a numerical and experimental program. Using surfactants whose dynamics and equilibrium behavior have been characterized in our laboratory, drop deformation will be studied in ground-based experiment. In an accompanying numerical study, predictive drop deformations will be determined based on the isotherm and equation of state determined in our laboratory. This work will improve our abilities to predict and control all fluid particle flows.

Unitarity and predictiveness in new Higgs inflation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fumagalli, Jacopo; Mooij, Sander; Postma, Marieke

2018-03-01

In new Higgs inflation the Higgs kinetic terms are non-minimally coupled to the Einstein tensor, allowing the Higgs field to play the role of the inflaton. The new interaction is non-renormalizable, and the model only describes physics below some cutoff scale. Even if the unknown UV physics does not affect the tree level inflaton potential significantly, it may still enter at loop level and modify the running of the Standard Model (SM) parameters. This is analogous to what happens in the original model for Higgs inflation. A key difference, though, is that in new Higgs inflation the inflationary predictions are sensitive to this running. Thus the boundary conditions at the EW scale as well as the unknown UV completion may leave a signature on the inflationary parameters. However, this dependence can be evaded if the kinetic terms of the SM fermions and gauge fields are non-minimally coupled to gravity as well. Our approach to determine the model's UV dependence and the connection between low and high scale physics can be used in any particle physics model of inflation.

Phase space effects on fast ion distribution function modeling in tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podestà, M.; Gorelenkova, M.; Fredrickson, E. D.; Gorelenkov, N. N.; White, R. B.

2016-05-01

Integrated simulations of tokamak discharges typically rely on classical physics to model energetic particle (EP) dynamics. However, there are numerous cases in which energetic particles can suffer additional transport that is not classical in nature. Examples include transport by applied 3D magnetic perturbations and, more notably, by plasma instabilities. Focusing on the effects of instabilities, ad-hoc models can empirically reproduce increased transport, but the choice of transport coefficients is usually somehow arbitrary. New approaches based on physics-based reduced models are being developed to address those issues in a simplified way, while retaining a more correct treatment of resonant wave-particle interactions. The kick model implemented in the tokamak transport code TRANSP is an example of such reduced models. It includes modifications of the EP distribution by instabilities in real and velocity space, retaining correlations between transport in energy and space typical of resonant EP transport. The relevance of EP phase space modifications by instabilities is first discussed in terms of predicted fast ion distribution. Results are compared with those from a simple, ad-hoc diffusive model. It is then shown that the phase-space resolved model can also provide additional insight into important issues such as internal consistency of the simulations and mode stability through the analysis of the power exchanged between energetic particles and the instabilities.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Podesta, M.; Gorelenkova, M.; Fredrickson, E. D.

Here, integrated simulations of tokamak discharges typically rely on classical physics to model energetic particle (EP) dynamics. However, there are numerous cases in which energetic particles can suffer additional transport that is not classical in nature. Examples include transport by applied 3D magnetic perturbations and, more notably, by plasma instabilities. Focusing on the effects of instabilities,ad-hocmodels can empirically reproduce increased transport, but the choice of transport coefficients is usually somehow arbitrary. New approaches based on physics-based reduced models are being developed to address those issues in a simplified way, while retaining a more correct treatment of resonant wave-particle interactions. Themore » kick model implemented in the tokamaktransport code TRANSP is an example of such reduced models. It includes modifications of the EP distribution by instabilities in real and velocity space, retaining correlations between transport in energy and space typical of resonant EP transport. The relevance of EP phase space modifications by instabilities is first discussed in terms of predicted fast ion distribution. Results are compared with those from a simple, ad-hoc diffusive model. It is then shown that the phase-space resolved model can also provide additional insight into important issues such as internal consistency of the simulations and mode stability through the analysis of the power exchanged between energetic particles and the instabilities.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Podestà, M., E-mail: mpodesta@pppl.gov; Gorelenkova, M.; Fredrickson, E. D.

Integrated simulations of tokamak discharges typically rely on classical physics to model energetic particle (EP) dynamics. However, there are numerous cases in which energetic particles can suffer additional transport that is not classical in nature. Examples include transport by applied 3D magnetic perturbations and, more notably, by plasma instabilities. Focusing on the effects of instabilities, ad-hoc models can empirically reproduce increased transport, but the choice of transport coefficients is usually somehow arbitrary. New approaches based on physics-based reduced models are being developed to address those issues in a simplified way, while retaining a more correct treatment of resonant wave-particle interactions.more » The kick model implemented in the tokamak transport code TRANSP is an example of such reduced models. It includes modifications of the EP distribution by instabilities in real and velocity space, retaining correlations between transport in energy and space typical of resonant EP transport. The relevance of EP phase space modifications by instabilities is first discussed in terms of predicted fast ion distribution. Results are compared with those from a simple, ad-hoc diffusive model. It is then shown that the phase-space resolved model can also provide additional insight into important issues such as internal consistency of the simulations and mode stability through the analysis of the power exchanged between energetic particles and the instabilities.« less

Phase space effects on fast ion distribution function modeling in tokamaks

DOE Data Explorer

White, R. B. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Podesta, M. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Gorelenkova, M. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Fredrickson, E. D. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Gorelenkov, N. N. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

2016-06-01

Integrated simulations of tokamak discharges typically rely on classical physics to model energetic particle (EP) dynamics. However, there are numerous cases in which energetic particles can suffer additional transport that is not classical in nature. Examples include transport by applied 3D magnetic perturbations and, more notably, by plasma instabilities. Focusing on the effects of instabilities, ad-hoc models can empirically reproduce increased transport, but the choice of transport coefficients is usually somehow arbitrary. New approaches based on physics-based reduced models are being developed to address those issues in a simplified way, while retaining a more correct treatment of resonant wave-particle interactions. The kick model implemented in the tokamak transport code TRANSP is an example of such reduced models. It includes modifications of the EP distribution by instabilities in real and velocity space, retaining correlations between transport in energy and space typical of resonant EP transport. The relevance of EP phase space modifications by instabilities is first discussed in terms of predicted fast ion distribution. Results are compared with those from a simple, ad-hoc diffusive model. It is then shown that the phase-space resolved model can also provide additional insight into important issues such as internal consistency of the simulations and mode stability through the analysis of the power exchanged between energetic particles and the instabilities.

Quantum non-barking dogs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imari Walker, Sara; Davies, Paul C. W.; Samantray, Prasant; Aharonov, Yakir

2014-06-01

Quantum weak measurements with states both pre- and post-selected offer a window into a hitherto neglected sector of quantum mechanics. A class of such systems involves time dependent evolution with transitions possible. In this paper we explore two very simple systems in this class. The first is a toy model representing the decay of an excited atom. The second is the tunneling of a particle through a barrier. The post-selection criteria are chosen as follows: at the final time, the atom remains in its initial excited state for the first example and the particle remains behind the barrier for the second. We then ask what weak values are predicted in the physical environment of the atom (to which no net energy has been transferred) and in the region beyond the barrier (to which the particle has not tunneled). Thus, just as the dog that didn't bark in Arthur Conan Doyle's story Silver Blaze gave Sherlock Holmes meaningful information about the dog's non-canine environment, here we probe whether the particle that has not decayed or has not tunneled can provide measurable information about physical changes in the environment. Previous work suggests that very large weak values might arise in these regions for long durations between pre- and post-selection times. Our calculations reveal some distinct differences between the two model systems.

WE-FG-BRB-01: Clinical Significance of RBE Variations in Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paganetti, H.

2016-06-15

The physical pattern of energy deposition and the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons and carbon ions compared to photons offer unique and not fully understood or exploited opportunities to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Variations in RBE within a pristine or spread out Bragg peak and between particle types may be exploited to enhance cell killing in target regions without a corresponding increase in damage to normal tissue structures. In addition, the decreased sensitivity of hypoxic tumors to photon-based therapies may be partially overcome through the use of more densely ionizing radiations. These and other differences betweenmore » particle and photon beams may be used to generate biologically optimized treatments that reduce normal tissue complications. In this symposium, speakers will examine the impact of the RBE of charged particles on measurable biological endpoints, treatment plan optimization, and the prediction or retrospective assessment of treatment outcomes. In particular, an AAPM task group was formed to critically examine the evidence for a spatially-variant RBE in proton therapy. Current knowledge of proton RBE variation with respect to dose, biological endpoint, and physics parameters will be reviewed. Further, the clinical relevance of these variations will be discussed. Recent work focused on improving simulations of radiation physics and biological response in proton and carbon ion therapy will also be presented. Finally, relevant biology research and areas of research needs will be highlighted, including the dependence of RBE on genetic factors including status of DNA repair pathways, the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, the role of charged particles in hypoxic tumors, and the importance of fractionation effects. In addition to the physical advantages of protons and more massive ions over photons, the future application of biologically optimized treatment plans and their potential to provide higher levels of local tumor control and improved normal tissue sparing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: To assess whether the current practice of a constant RBE of 1.1 should be revised or maintained in proton therapy and to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of delivering RBE-weighted dose distributions based on variable RBE To review current research on biological models used to predict the increased biological effectiveness of proton and carbon ions to help move towards a practical understanding and implementation of biological optimization in particle therapy To discuss potential differences in biological mechanisms between photons and charged particles (light and heavy ions) that could impact clinical cancer therapy H. Paganetti, NCI U19 CA21239D. Grosshans, Our research is supported by the NCIK. Held, Funding Support: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA, under Award Number R21CA182259 and Federal Share of Program Income Earned by Massachusetts General Hospital on C06CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.« less

Resolving structural influences on water-retention properties of alluvial deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Winfield, K.A.; Nimmo, J.R.; Izbicki, J.A.; Martin, P.M.

2006-01-01

With the goal of improving property-transfer model (PTM) predictions of unsaturated hydraulic properties, we investigated the influence of sedimentary structure, defined as particle arrangement during deposition, on laboratory-measured water retention (water content vs. potential [??(??)]) of 10 undisturbed core samples from alluvial deposits in the western Mojave Desert, California. The samples were classified as having fluvial or debris-flow structure based on observed stratification and measured spread of particle-size distribution. The ??(??) data were fit with the Rossi-Nimmo junction model, representing water retention with three parameters: the maximum water content (??max), the ??-scaling parameter (??o), and the shape parameter (??). We examined trends between these hydraulic parameters and bulk physical properties, both textural - geometric mean, Mg, and geometric standard deviation, ??g, of particle diameter - and structural - bulk density, ??b, the fraction of unfilled pore space at natural saturation, Ae, and porosity-based randomness index, ??s, defined as the excess of total porosity over 0.3. Structural parameters ??s and Ae were greater for fluvial samples, indicating greater structural pore space and a possibly broader pore-size distribution associated with a more systematic arrangement of particles. Multiple linear regression analysis and Mallow's Cp statistic identified combinations of textural and structural parameters for the most useful predictive models: for ??max, including Ae, ??s, and ??g, and for both ??o and ??, including only textural parameters, although use of Ae can somewhat improve ??o predictions. Textural properties can explain most of the sample-to-sample variation in ??(??) independent of deposit type, but inclusion of the simple structural indicators Ae and ??s can improve PTM predictions, especially for the wettest part of the ??(??) curve. ?? Soil Science Society of America.

Fundamental Particle Structure in the Cosmological Dark Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khlopov, Maxim

2013-11-01

The nonbaryonic dark matter of the universe is assumed to consist of new stable forms of matter. Their stability reflects symmetry of micro-world and mechanisms of its symmetry breaking. Particle candidates for cosmological dark matter are lightest particles that bear new conserved quantum numbers. Dark matter particles may represent ideal gas of noninteracting particles. Self-interacting dark matter weakly or superweakly coupled to ordinary matter is also possible, reflecting nontrivial pattern of particle symmetry in the hidden sector of particle theory. In the early universe the structure of particle symmetry breaking gives rise to cosmological phase transitions, from which macroscopic cosmological defects or primordial nonlinear structures can be originated. Primordial black holes (PBHs) can be not only a candidate for dark matter, but also represent a universal probe for superhigh energy physics in the early universe. Evaporating PBHs turn to be a source of even superweakly interacting particles, while clouds of massive PBHs can serve as nonlinear seeds for galaxy formation. The observed broken symmetry of the three known families may provide a simultaneous solution for the problems of the mass of neutrino and strong CP-violation in the unique framework of models of horizontal unification. Dark matter candidates can also appear in the new families of quarks and leptons and the existence of new stable charged leptons and quarks is possible, hidden in elusive "dark atoms." Such possibility, strongly restricted by the constraints on anomalous isotopes of light elements, is not excluded in scenarios that predict stable double charged particles. The excessive -2 charged particles are bound in these scenarios with primordial helium in O-helium "atoms," maintaining specific nuclear-interacting form of the dark matter, which may provide an interesting solution for the puzzles of the direct dark matter searches. In the context of cosmoparticle physics, studying fundamental relationship of micro- and macro-worlds, the problem of cosmological dark matter implies cross disciplinary theoretical, experimental and observational studies for its solution.

Quark-Gluon Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, Bikash; Pal, Santanu; Raha, Sibaji

Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) is a state of matter predicted by the theory of strong interactions - Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). The area of QGP lies at the interface of particle physics, field theory, nuclear physics and many-body theory, statistical physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In its brief history (about a decade), QGP has seen a rapid convergence of ideas from these previously diverging disciplines. This volume includes the lectures delivered by eminent specialists to students without prior experience in QGP. Each course thus starts from the basics and takes the students by steps to the current problems. The chapters are self-contained and pedagogic in style. The book may therefore serve as an introduction for advanced graduate students intending to enter this field or for physicists working in other areas. Experts in QGP may also find this volume a handy reference. Specific examples, used to elucidate how theoretical predictions and experimentally accessible quantities may not always correspond to one another, make this book ideal for self-study for beginners. This feature will also make the volume thought-provoking for QGP practitioners.

Automated next-to-leading order predictions for new physics at the LHC: The case of colored scalar pair production

DOE PAGES

Degrande, Céline; Fuks, Benjamin; Hirschi, Valentin; ...

2015-05-05

We present for the first time the full automation of collider predictions matched with parton showers at the next-to-leading accuracy in QCD within nontrivial extensions of the standard model. The sole inputs required from the user are the model Lagrangian and the process of interest. As an application of the above, we explore scenarios beyond the standard model where new colored scalar particles can be pair produced in hadron collisions. Using simplified models to describe the new field interactions with the standard model, we present precision predictions for the LHC within the MadGraph5_aMC@NLO framework.

John N Bahcall (1934 2005)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergström, Lars; Botner, Olga; Carlson, Per; Hulth, Per Olof; Ohlsson, Tommy

2005-01-01

John Norris Bahcall, passed away on August 17, 2005, in NewYork City, USA. He was born on December 30, 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He was Richard Black Professor of Astrophysics in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute forAdvanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey, USA and a recipient of the National Medal of Science. In addition, he was President of the American Astronomical Society, President-Elect of the American Physical Society, and a prominent leader of the astrophysics community. John had a long and prolific career in astronomy and astrophysics, spanning five decades and the publication of more than five hundred technical articles, books, and popular papers. John's most recognized scientific contribution was the novel proposal in 1964, together with Raymond Davis Jr, that scientific mysteries of our Sun `how it shines, how old it is, how hot it is' could be examined by measuring the number of neutrinos arriving on Earth from the Sun. Measuring the properties of these neutrinos tests both our understanding of how stars shine and our understanding of fundamental particle physics. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, the observations by Raymond Davis Jr showed a clear discrepancy between John's theoretical predictions, based on standard solar and particle physics models, and what was experimentally measured. This discrepancy, known as the `Solar Neutrino Problem', was examined by hundreds of physicists, chemists, and astronomers over the subsequent three decades. In the late 1990s through 2002, new large-scale neutrino experiments in Japan, Canada, Italy, and Russia culminated in the conclusion that the discrepancy between John's theoretical predictions and the experimental results required a modification of our understanding of particle physics: neutrinos must have a mass and `oscillate' among different particle states. In addition to neutrino astrophysics, John contributed to many areas of astrophysics including the study of dark matter in the Universe, properties of quasars, structure of the galaxies, the evolution of stars, and the identification of the first neutron star companion. John was an active member of the International Advisory Committee of the Nobel Symposium 129 on Neutrino Physics in Enköping, Sweden between August 19 and August 24, 2004, but he was unfortunately not able to attend the Symposium himself due to his illness. He will be hugely missed in the scientific community and especially among neutrino physicists. We, the members of the Local Organizing Committee of the Symposium, will always remember his large enthusiasm and creativity, warm friendship, and sharp intellect.

Susceptibility of contrail ice crystal numbers to aircraft soot particle emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kärcher, B.; Voigt, C.

2017-08-01

We develop an idealized, physically based model describing combined effects of ice nucleation and sublimation on ice crystal number during persistent contrail formation. Our study represents the first effort to predict ice numbers at the point where contrails transition into contrail cirrus—several minutes past formation—by connecting them to aircraft soot particle emissions and atmospheric supersaturation with respect to ice. Results averaged over an observed exponential distribution of ice supersaturation (mean value 15%) indicate that large reductions in soot particle numbers are needed to lower contrail ice crystal numbers significantly for soot emission indices around 1015 (kg fuel)-1, because reductions in nucleated ice number are partially compensated by sublimation losses. Variations in soot particle (-50%) and water vapor (+10%) emission indices at threefold lower soot emissions resulting from biofuel blending cause ice crystal numbers to change by -35% and <5%, respectively. The efficiency of reduction depends on ice supersaturation and the size distribution of nucleated ice crystals in jet exhaust plumes and on atmospheric ice supersaturation, making the latter another key factor in contrail mitigation. We expect our study to have important repercussions for planning airborne measurements targeting contrail formation, designing parameterization schemes for use in large-scale models, reducing uncertainties in predicting contrail cirrus, and mitigating the climate impact of aviation.

Sound absorption by suspensions of nonspherical particles: Measurements compared with predictions using various particle sizing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richards, Simon D.; Leighton, Timothy G.; Brown, Niven R.

2003-10-01

Knowledge of the particle size distribution is required in order to predict ultrasonic absorption in polydisperse particulate suspensions. This paper shows that the method used to measure the particle size distribution can lead to important differences in the predicted absorption. A reverberation technique developed for measuring ultrasonic absorption by suspended particles is used to measure the absorption in suspensions of nonspherical particles. Two types of particulates are studied: (i) kaolin (china clay) particles which are platelike in form; and (ii) calcium carbonate particles which are more granular. Results are compared to theoretical predictions of visco-inertial absorption by suspensions of spherical particles. The particle size distributions, which are required for these predictions, are measured by laser diffraction, gravitational sedimentation and centrifugal sedimentation, all of which assume spherical particles. For a given sample, each sizing technique yields a different size distribution, leading to differences in the predicted absorption. The particle size distributions obtained by gravitational and centrifugal sedimentation are reinterpreted to yield a representative size distribution of oblate spheroids, and predictions for absorption by these spheroids are compared with the measurements. Good agreement between theory and measurement for the flat kaolin particles is obtained, demonstrating that these particles can be adequately represented by oblate spheroids.

Data Assimilation - Advances and Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Brian J.

2014-07-30

This presentation provides an overview of data assimilation (model calibration) for complex computer experiments. Calibration refers to the process of probabilistically constraining uncertain physics/engineering model inputs to be consistent with observed experimental data. An initial probability distribution for these parameters is updated using the experimental information. Utilization of surrogate models and empirical adjustment for model form error in code calibration form the basis for the statistical methodology considered. The role of probabilistic code calibration in supporting code validation is discussed. Incorporation of model form uncertainty in rigorous uncertainty quantification (UQ) analyses is also addressed. Design criteria used within a batchmore » sequential design algorithm are introduced for efficiently achieving predictive maturity and improved code calibration. Predictive maturity refers to obtaining stable predictive inference with calibrated computer codes. These approaches allow for augmentation of initial experiment designs for collecting new physical data. A standard framework for data assimilation is presented and techniques for updating the posterior distribution of the state variables based on particle filtering and the ensemble Kalman filter are introduced.« less

Inquiring Minds

Science.gov Websites

Go Science at Fermilab Fermilab and the Higgs Boson Frontiers of Particle Physics Experiments & Answers Submit a Question Frontiers of Particle Physics Benefits to Society Benefits to Society Medicine Inquiring Minds Questions About Physics Other High-Energy Physics Sites More About Particle Physics Library

Collisionless Weibel shocks: Full formation mechanism and timing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bret, A.; Instituto de Investigaciones Energéticas y Aplicaciones Industriales, Campus Universitario de Ciudad Real, 13071 Ciudad Real; Stockem, A.

2014-07-15

Collisionless shocks in plasmas play an important role in space physics (Earth's bow shock) and astrophysics (supernova remnants, relativistic jets, gamma-ray bursts, high energy cosmic rays). While the formation of a fluid shock through the steepening of a large amplitude sound wave has been understood for long, there is currently no detailed picture of the mechanism responsible for the formation of a collisionless shock. We unravel the physical mechanism at work and show that an electromagnetic Weibel shock always forms when two relativistic collisionless, initially unmagnetized, plasma shells encounter. The predicted shock formation time is in good agreement with 2Dmore » and 3D particle-in-cell simulations of counterstreaming pair plasmas. By predicting the shock formation time, experimental setups aiming at producing such shocks can be optimised to favourable conditions.« less

Anomalous transport theory for the reversed field pinch

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Terry, P.W.; Hegna, C.C; Sovinec, C.R.

1996-09-01

Physically motivated transport models with predictive capabilities and significance beyond the reversed field pinch (RFP) are presented. It is shown that the ambipolar constrained electron heat loss observed in MST can be quantitatively modeled by taking account of the clumping in parallel streaming electrons and the resultant self-consistent interaction with collective modes; that the discrete dynamo process is a relaxation oscillation whose dependence on the tearing instability and profile relaxation physics leads to amplitude and period scaling predictions consistent with experiment; that the Lundquist number scaling in relaxed plasmas driven by magnetic turbulence has a weak S{sup {minus}1/4} scaling; andmore » that radial E{times}B shear flow can lead to large reductions in the edge particle flux with little change in the heat flux, as observed in the RFP and tokamak. 24 refs.« less

The Radiation, Interplanetary Shocks, and Coronal Sources (RISCS) Toolset

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zank, G. P.; Spann, J.

2014-01-01

We outline a plan to develop a physics based predictive toolset RISCS to describe the interplanetary energetic particle and radiation environment throughout the inner heliosphere, including at the Earth. To forecast and "nowcast" the radiation environment requires the fusing of three components: 1) the ability to provide probabilities for incipient solar activity; 2) the use of these probabilities and daily coronal and solar wind observations to model the 3D spatial and temporal heliosphere, including magnetic field structure and transients, within 10 AU; and 3) the ability to model the acceleration and transport of energetic particles based on current and anticipated coronal and heliospheric conditions. We describe how to address 1) - 3) based on our existing, well developed, and validated codes and models. The goal of RISCS toolset is to provide an operational forecast and "nowcast" capability that will a) predict solar energetic particle (SEP) intensities; b) spectra for protons and heavy ions; c) predict maximum energies and their duration; d) SEP composition; e) cosmic ray intensities, and f) plasma parameters, including shock arrival times, strength and obliquity at any given heliospheric location and time. The toolset would have a 72 hour predicative capability, with associated probabilistic bounds, that would be updated hourly thereafter to improve the predicted event(s) and reduce the associated probability bounds. The RISCS toolset would be highly adaptable and portable, capable of running on a variety of platforms to accommodate various operational needs and requirements.

MC-TESTER: a universal tool for comparisons of Monte Carlo predictions for particle decays in high energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golonka, P.; Pierzchała, T.; Waş, Z.

2004-02-01

Theoretical predictions in high energy physics are routinely provided in the form of Monte Carlo generators. Comparisons of predictions from different programs and/or different initialization set-ups are often necessary. MC-TESTER can be used for such tests of decays of intermediate states (particles or resonances) in a semi-automated way. Our test consists of two steps. Different Monte Carlo programs are run; events with decays of a chosen particle are searched, decay trees are analyzed and appropriate information is stored. Then, at the analysis step, a list of all found decay modes is defined and branching ratios are calculated for both runs. Histograms of all scalar Lorentz-invariant masses constructed from the decay products are plotted and compared for each decay mode found in both runs. For each plot a measure of the difference of the distributions is calculated and its maximal value over all histograms for each decay channel is printed in a summary table. As an example of MC-TESTER application, we include a test with the τ lepton decay Monte Carlo generators, TAUOLA and PYTHIA. The HEPEVT (or LUJETS) common block is used as exclusive source of information on the generated events. Program summaryTitle of the program:MC-TESTER, version 1.1 Catalogue identifier: ADSM Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADSM Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Computer: PC, two Intel Xeon 2.0 GHz processors, 512MB RAM Operating system: Linux Red Hat 6.1, 7.2, and also 8.0 Programming language used:C++, FORTRAN77: gcc 2.96 or 2.95.2 (also 3.2) compiler suite with g++ and g77 Size of the package: 7.3 MB directory including example programs (2 MB compressed distribution archive), without ROOT libraries (additional 43 MB). No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 2 024 425 Distribution format: tar gzip file Additional disk space required: Depends on the analyzed particle: 40 MB in the case of τ lepton decays (30 decay channels, 594 histograms, 82-pages booklet). Keywords: particle physics, decay simulation, Monte Carlo methods, invariant mass distributions, programs comparison Nature of the physical problem: The decays of individual particles are well defined modules of a typical Monte Carlo program chain in high energy physics. A fast, semi-automatic way of comparing results from different programs is often desirable, for the development of new programs, to check correctness of the installations or for discussion of uncertainties. Method of solution: A typical HEP Monte Carlo program stores the generated events in the event records such as HEPEVT or PYJETS. MC-TESTER scans, event by event, the contents of the record and searches for the decays of the particle under study. The list of the found decay modes is successively incremented and histograms of all invariant masses which can be calculated from the momenta of the particle decay products are defined and filled. The outputs from the two runs of distinct programs can be later compared. A booklet of comparisons is created: for every decay channel, all histograms present in the two outputs are plotted and parameter quantifying shape difference is calculated. Its maximum over every decay channel is printed in the summary table. Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: For a list of limitations see Section 6. Typical running time: Varies substantially with the analyzed decay particle. On a PC/Linux with 2.0 GHz processors MC-TESTER increases the run time of the τ-lepton Monte Carlo program TAUOLA by 4.0 seconds for every 100 000 analyzed events (generation itself takes 26 seconds). The analysis step takes 13 seconds; ? processing takes additionally 10 seconds. Generation step runs may be executed simultaneously on multi-processor machines. Accessibility: web page: http://cern.ch/Piotr.Golonka/MC/MC-TESTER e-mails: Piotr.Golonka@CERN.CH, T.Pierzchala@friend.phys.us.edu.pl, Zbigniew.Was@CERN.CH.

Total deposition of ultrafine particles in the lungs of healthy men and women: experimental and theoretical results

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background Inhaled ultrafine particles (UFP) may induce greater adverse respiratory effects than larger particles occurring in the ambient atmosphere. Due to this potential of UFP to act as triggers for diverse lung injuries medical as well as physical research has been increasingly focused on the exact deposition behavior of the particles in lungs of various probands. Main purpose of the present study was the presentation of experimental and theoretical data of total, regional, and local UFP deposition in the lungs of men and women. Methods Both experiments and theoretical simulations were carried out by using particle sizes of 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 µm [number median diameters (NMD)]. Inhalation of UFP took place by application of predefined tidal volumes (500, 750, and 1,000 mL) and respiratory flow rates (150, 250, 375, and 500 mL·s−1). For male subjects a functional residual capacity (FRC) of 3,911±892 mL was measured, whereas female probands had a FRC of 3,314±547 mL. Theoretical predictions were based on (I) a stochastic model of the tracheobronchial tree; (II) particle transport computations according to a random walk algorithm; and (III) empirical formulae for the description of UFP deposition. Results Total deposition fractions (TDF) are marked by a continuous diminution with increasing particle size. Whilst particles measuring 0.04 µm in size deposit in the respiratory tract by 40–70%, particles with a size of 0.10 µm exhibit deposition values ranging from 20% to 45%. Except for the largest particles studied here TDF of female probands are higher than those obtained for male probands. Differences between experimental and theoretical results are most significant for 0.10 µm particles, but never exceed 20%. Predictions of regional (extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, alveolar) UFP deposition show clearly that females tend to develop higher tracheobronchial and alveolar deposition fractions than males. This discrepancy is also confirmed by airway generation-specific deposition, which is permanently higher in women than in men. Conclusions From the experimental data and modeling predictions it can be concluded that females bear a slightly higher potential to develop lung insufficiencies after exposure to UFP than males. Besides higher deposition fractions occurring in female subjects, also total lung deposition dose is noticeably enhanced. PMID:27429960

Total deposition of ultrafine particles in the lungs of healthy men and women: experimental and theoretical results.

PubMed

Sturm, Robert

2016-06-01

Inhaled ultrafine particles (UFP) may induce greater adverse respiratory effects than larger particles occurring in the ambient atmosphere. Due to this potential of UFP to act as triggers for diverse lung injuries medical as well as physical research has been increasingly focused on the exact deposition behavior of the particles in lungs of various probands. Main purpose of the present study was the presentation of experimental and theoretical data of total, regional, and local UFP deposition in the lungs of men and women. Both experiments and theoretical simulations were carried out by using particle sizes of 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 µm [number median diameters (NMD)]. Inhalation of UFP took place by application of predefined tidal volumes (500, 750, and 1,000 mL) and respiratory flow rates (150, 250, 375, and 500 mL·s(-1)). For male subjects a functional residual capacity (FRC) of 3,911±892 mL was measured, whereas female probands had a FRC of 3,314±547 mL. Theoretical predictions were based on (I) a stochastic model of the tracheobronchial tree; (II) particle transport computations according to a random walk algorithm; and (III) empirical formulae for the description of UFP deposition. Total deposition fractions (TDF) are marked by a continuous diminution with increasing particle size. Whilst particles measuring 0.04 µm in size deposit in the respiratory tract by 40-70%, particles with a size of 0.10 µm exhibit deposition values ranging from 20% to 45%. Except for the largest particles studied here TDF of female probands are higher than those obtained for male probands. Differences between experimental and theoretical results are most significant for 0.10 µm particles, but never exceed 20%. Predictions of regional (extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, alveolar) UFP deposition show clearly that females tend to develop higher tracheobronchial and alveolar deposition fractions than males. This discrepancy is also confirmed by airway generation-specific deposition, which is permanently higher in women than in men. From the experimental data and modeling predictions it can be concluded that females bear a slightly higher potential to develop lung insufficiencies after exposure to UFP than males. Besides higher deposition fractions occurring in female subjects, also total lung deposition dose is noticeably enhanced.

Transmission near-infrared (NIR) and photon time-of-flight (PTOF) spectroscopy in a comparative analysis of pharmaceuticals.

PubMed

Kamran, Faisal; Abildgaard, Otto H A; Sparén, Anders; Svensson, Olof; Johansson, Jonas; Andersson-Engels, Stefan; Andersen, Peter E; Khoptyar, Dmitry

2015-03-01

We present a comprehensive study of the application of photon time-of-flight spectroscopy (PTOFS) in the wavelength range 1050-1350 nm as a spectroscopic technique for the evaluation of the chemical composition and structural properties of pharmaceutical tablets. PTOFS is compared to transmission near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In contrast to transmission NIRS, PTOFS is capable of directly and independently determining the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the medium. Chemometric models were built on the evaluated absorption spectra for predicting tablet drug concentration. Results are compared to corresponding predictions built on transmission NIRS measurements. The predictive ability of PTOFS and transmission NIRS is comparable when models are based on uniformly distributed tablet sets. For non-uniform distribution of tablets based on particle sizes, the prediction ability of PTOFS is better than that of transmission NIRS. Analysis of reduced scattering spectra shows that PTOFS is able to characterize tablet microstructure and manufacturing process parameters. In contrast to the chemometric pseudo-variables provided by transmission NIRS, PTOFS provides physically meaningful quantities such as scattering strength and slope of particle size. The ability of PTOFS to quantify the reduced scattering spectra, together with its robustness in predicting drug content, makes it suitable for such evaluations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Influence of Computational Drop Representation in LES of a Droplet-Laden Mixing Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, Josette; Radhakrishnan, Senthilkumaran

2013-01-01

Multiphase turbulent flows are encountered in many practical applications including turbine engines or natural phenomena involving particle dispersion. Numerical computations of multiphase turbulent flows are important because they provide a cheaper alternative to performing experiments during an engine design process or because they can provide predictions of pollutant dispersion, etc. Two-phase flows contain millions and sometimes billions of particles. For flows with volumetrically dilute particle loading, the most accurate method of numerically simulating the flow is based on direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the governing equations in which all scales of the flow including the small scales that are responsible for the overwhelming amount of dissipation are resolved. DNS, however, requires high computational cost and cannot be used in engineering design applications where iterations among several design conditions are necessary. Because of high computational cost, numerical simulations of such flows cannot track all these drops. The objective of this work is to quantify the influence of the number of computational drops and grid spacing on the accuracy of predicted flow statistics, and to possibly identify the minimum number, or, if not possible, the optimal number of computational drops that provide minimal error in flow prediction. For this purpose, several Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of a mixing layer with evaporating drops have been performed by using coarse, medium, and fine grid spacings and computational drops, rather than physical drops. To define computational drops, an integer NR is introduced that represents the ratio of the number of existing physical drops to the desired number of computational drops; for example, if NR=8, this means that a computational drop represents 8 physical drops in the flow field. The desired number of computational drops is determined by the available computational resources; the larger NR is, the less computationally intensive is the simulation. A set of first order and second order flow statistics, and of drop statistics are extracted from LES predictions and are compared to results obtained by filtering a DNS database. First order statistics such as Favre averaged stream-wise velocity, Favre averaged vapor mass fraction, and the drop stream-wise velocity, are predicted accurately independent of the number of computational drops and grid spacing. Second order flow statistics depend both on the number of computational drops and on grid spacing. The scalar variance and turbulent vapor flux are predicted accurately by the fine mesh LES only when NR is less than 32, and by the coarse mesh LES reasonably accurately for all NR values. This is attributed to the fact that when the grid spacing is coarsened, the number of drops in a computational cell must not be significantly lower than that in the DNS.

Physics of Alfvén waves and energetic particles in burning plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Liu; Zonca, Fulvio

2016-01-01

Dynamics of shear Alfvén waves and energetic particles are crucial to the performance of burning fusion plasmas. This article reviews linear as well as nonlinear physics of shear Alfvén waves and their self-consistent interaction with energetic particles in tokamak fusion devices. More specifically, the review on the linear physics deals with wave spectral properties and collective excitations by energetic particles via wave-particle resonances. The nonlinear physics deals with nonlinear wave-wave interactions as well as nonlinear wave-energetic particle interactions. Both linear as well as nonlinear physics demonstrate the qualitatively important roles played by realistic equilibrium nonuniformities, magnetic field geometries, and the specific radial mode structures in determining the instability evolution, saturation, and, ultimately, energetic-particle transport. These topics are presented within a single unified theoretical framework, where experimental observations and numerical simulation results are referred to elucidate concepts and physics processes.

Automatic Calibration of a Semi-Distributed Hydrologic Model Using Particle Swarm Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekele, E. G.; Nicklow, J. W.

2005-12-01

Hydrologic simulation models need to be calibrated and validated before using them for operational predictions. Spatially-distributed hydrologic models generally have a large number of parameters to capture the various physical characteristics of a hydrologic system. Manual calibration of such models is a very tedious and daunting task, and its success depends on the subjective assessment of a particular modeler, which includes knowledge of the basic approaches and interactions in the model. In order to alleviate these shortcomings, an automatic calibration model, which employs an evolutionary optimization technique known as Particle Swarm Optimizer (PSO) for parameter estimation, is developed. PSO is a heuristic search algorithm that is inspired by social behavior of bird flocking or fish schooling. The newly-developed calibration model is integrated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). SWAT is a physically-based, semi-distributed hydrologic model that was developed to predict the long term impacts of land management practices on water, sediment and agricultural chemical yields in large complex watersheds with varying soils, land use, and management conditions. SWAT was calibrated for streamflow and sediment concentration. The calibration process involves parameter specification, whereby sensitive model parameters are identified, and parameter estimation. In order to reduce the number of parameters to be calibrated, parameterization was performed. The methodology is applied to a demonstration watershed known as Big Creek, which is located in southern Illinois. Application results show the effectiveness of the approach and model predictions are significantly improved.

A Design of Experiment approach to predict product and process parameters for a spray dried influenza vaccine.

PubMed

Kanojia, Gaurav; Willems, Geert-Jan; Frijlink, Henderik W; Kersten, Gideon F A; Soema, Peter C; Amorij, Jean-Pierre

2016-09-25

Spray dried vaccine formulations might be an alternative to traditional lyophilized vaccines. Compared to lyophilization, spray drying is a fast and cheap process extensively used for drying biologicals. The current study provides an approach that utilizes Design of Experiments for spray drying process to stabilize whole inactivated influenza virus (WIV) vaccine. The approach included systematically screening and optimizing the spray drying process variables, determining the desired process parameters and predicting product quality parameters. The process parameters inlet air temperature, nozzle gas flow rate and feed flow rate and their effect on WIV vaccine powder characteristics such as particle size, residual moisture content (RMC) and powder yield were investigated. Vaccine powders with a broad range of physical characteristics (RMC 1.2-4.9%, particle size 2.4-8.5μm and powder yield 42-82%) were obtained. WIV showed no significant loss in antigenicity as revealed by hemagglutination test. Furthermore, descriptive models generated by DoE software could be used to determine and select (set) spray drying process parameter. This was used to generate a dried WIV powder with predefined (predicted) characteristics. Moreover, the spray dried vaccine powders retained their antigenic stability even after storage for 3 months at 60°C. The approach used here enabled the generation of a thermostable, antigenic WIV vaccine powder with desired physical characteristics that could be potentially used for pulmonary administration. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Modeling Framework for Predicting the Size of Sediments Produced on Hillslopes and Supplied to Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sklar, L. S.; Mahmoudi, M.

2016-12-01

Landscape evolution models rarely represent sediment size explicitly, despite the importance of sediment size in regulating rates of bedload sediment transport, river incision into bedrock, and many other processes in channels and on hillslopes. A key limitation has been the lack of a general model for predicting the size of sediments produced on hillslopes and supplied to channels. Here we present a framework for such a model, as a first step toward building a `geomorphic transport law' that balances mechanistic realism with computational simplicity and is widely applicable across diverse landscapes. The goal is to take as inputs landscape-scale boundary conditions such as lithology, climate and tectonics, and predict the spatial variation in the size distribution of sediments supplied to channels across catchments. The model framework has two components. The first predicts the initial size distribution of particles produced by erosion of bedrock underlying hillslopes, while the second accounts for the effects of physical and chemical weathering during transport down slopes and delivery to channels. The initial size distribution can be related to the spacing and orientation of fractures within bedrock, which depend on the stresses and deformation experienced during exhumation and on rock resistance to fracture propagation. Other controls on initial size include the sizes of mineral grains in crystalline rocks, the sizes of cemented particles in clastic sedimentary rocks, and the potential for characteristic size distributions produced by tree throw, frost cracking, and other erosional processes. To model how weathering processes transform the initial size distribution we consider the effects of erosion rate and the thickness of soil and weathered bedrock on hillslope residence time. Residence time determines the extent of size reduction, for given values of model terms that represent the potential for chemical and physical weathering. Chemical weathering potential is parameterized in terms of mean annual precipitation and temperature, and the fraction of soluble minerals. Physical weathering potential can be parameterized in terms of topographic attributes, including slope, curvature and aspect. Finally, we compare model predictions with field data from Inyo Creek in the Sierra Nevada Mtns, USA.

Fermilab | Science at Fermilab | Experiments & Projects | Energy Frontier

Science.gov Websites

Go Science at Fermilab Fermilab and the Higgs Boson Frontiers of Particle Physics Experiments & Answers Submit a Question Frontiers of Particle Physics Benefits to Society Benefits to Society Medicine Inquiring Minds Questions About Physics Other High-Energy Physics Sites More About Particle Physics Library

Fermilab | Science at Fermilab | Experiments & Projects

Science.gov Websites

Go Science at Fermilab Fermilab and the Higgs Boson Frontiers of Particle Physics Experiments & Answers Submit a Question Frontiers of Particle Physics Benefits to Society Benefits to Society Medicine Inquiring Minds Questions About Physics Other High-Energy Physics Sites More About Particle Physics Library

Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology : T-2 : LANL

Science.gov Websites

linked in Search T-2, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology T-2 Home T Division Focus Areas Nuclear Information Service Nuclear Physics Particle Physics Astrophysics Cosmology CONTACTS Group energy security, heavy ion physics, nuclear astrophysics, physics beyond the standard model, neutrino

The influence of particle shape on dielectric enhancement in metal-insulator composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doyle, W. T.; Jacobs, I. S.

1992-04-01

Disordered suspensions of conducting particles exhibit substantial permittivity enhancements beyond the predictions of the Clausius-Mossotti equation and other purely dipolar approximations. The magnitude of the enhancement depends upon the shape of the particles. A recently developed effective cluster model for spherical particles [Phys. Rev. B 42, 9319 (1990)] that treats a disordered suspension as a mixture, or mesosuspension, of isolated spheres and close-packed spherical clusters of arbitrary size is in excellent agreement with experiments on well-stirred suspensions of spheres over the entire accessible range of volume loading. In this paper, the effective cluster model is extended to be applicable to disordered suspensions of arbitrarily shaped conducting particles. Two physical parameters are used to characterize a general suspension: the angular average polarizability of an isolated particle, and the volume loading at closest packing of the suspension. Multipole interactions within the clusters are treated exactly. External particle-shape-dependent interactions between clusters and isolated particles are treated in the dipole approximation in two ways: explicitly, using the Clausius-Mossotti equation, and implicitly, using the Wiener equation. Both versions of the model are used to find the permittivity of a monodisperse suspension of conducting spheroids, for which the model parameters can be determined independently. The two versions are in good agreement when the axial ratio of the particles is not extreme. The Clausius-Mossotti version of the model yields a mesoscopic analogue of the dielectric virial expansion. It is limited to small volume loadings when the particles have an extremely nonspherical shape. The Wiener equation version of the model holds at all volume loadings for particles of arbitrary shape. Comparison of the two versions of the model leads to a simple physical interpretation of Wiener's equation. The models are compared with experiments of Kelly, Stenoien, and Isbell [J. Appl. Phys. 24, 258 (1953)] on aluminum and zinc particles in paraffin, with Nasuhoglu's experiments on iron particles in oil [Commun. Fac. Sci. Univ. Ankara 4, 108 (1952)], and with new X-band and Kα-band permittivity measurements on Ni-Cr alloy particles in a polyurethane binder.

Type-II Weyl semimetals.

PubMed

Soluyanov, Alexey A; Gresch, Dominik; Wang, Zhijun; Wu, QuanSheng; Troyer, Matthias; Dai, Xi; Bernevig, B Andrei

2015-11-26

Fermions--elementary particles such as electrons--are classified as Dirac, Majorana or Weyl. Majorana and Weyl fermions had not been observed experimentally until the recent discovery of condensed matter systems such as topological superconductors and semimetals, in which they arise as low-energy excitations. Here we propose the existence of a previously overlooked type of Weyl fermion that emerges at the boundary between electron and hole pockets in a new phase of matter. This particle was missed by Weyl because it breaks the stringent Lorentz symmetry in high-energy physics. Lorentz invariance, however, is not present in condensed matter physics, and by generalizing the Dirac equation, we find the new type of Weyl fermion. In particular, whereas Weyl semimetals--materials hosting Weyl fermions--were previously thought to have standard Weyl points with a point-like Fermi surface (which we refer to as type-I), we discover a type-II Weyl point, which is still a protected crossing, but appears at the contact of electron and hole pockets in type-II Weyl semimetals. We predict that WTe2 is an example of a topological semimetal hosting the new particle as a low-energy excitation around such a type-II Weyl point. The existence of type-II Weyl points in WTe2 means that many of its physical properties are very different to those of standard Weyl semimetals with point-like Fermi surfaces.

Convergence of the Bouguer-Beer law for radiation extinction in particulate media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frankel, A.; Iaccarino, G.; Mani, A.

2016-10-01

Radiation transport in particulate media is a common physical phenomenon in natural and industrial processes. Developing predictive models of these processes requires a detailed model of the interaction between the radiation and the particles. Resolving the interaction between the radiation and the individual particles in a very large system is impractical, whereas continuum-based representations of the particle field lend themselves to efficient numerical techniques based on the solution of the radiative transfer equation. We investigate radiation transport through discrete and continuum-based representations of a particle field. Exact solutions for radiation extinction are developed using a Monte Carlo model in different particle distributions. The particle distributions are then projected onto a concentration field with varying grid sizes, and the Bouguer-Beer law is applied by marching across the grid. We show that the continuum-based solution approaches the Monte Carlo solution under grid refinement, but quickly diverges as the grid size approaches the particle diameter. This divergence is attributed to the homogenization error of an individual particle across a whole grid cell. We remark that the concentration energy spectrum of a point-particle field does not approach zero, and thus the concentration variance must also diverge under infinite grid refinement, meaning that no grid-converged solution of the radiation transport is possible.

Microfluidic system for high throughput characterisation of echogenic particles.

PubMed

Rademeyer, Paul; Carugo, Dario; Lee, Jeong Yu; Stride, Eleanor

2015-01-21

Echogenic particles, such as microbubbles and volatile liquid micro/nano droplets, have shown considerable potential in a variety of clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The accurate prediction of their response to ultrasound excitation is however extremely challenging, and this has hindered the optimisation of techniques such as quantitative ultrasound imaging and targeted drug delivery. Existing characterisation techniques, such as ultra-high speed microscopy provide important insights, but suffer from a number of limitations; most significantly difficulty in obtaining large data sets suitable for statistical analysis and the need to physically constrain the particles, thereby altering their dynamics. Here a microfluidic system is presented that overcomes these challenges to enable the measurement of single echogenic particle response to ultrasound excitation. A co-axial flow focusing device is used to direct a continuous stream of unconstrained particles through the combined focal region of an ultrasound transducer and a laser. Both the optical and acoustic scatter from individual particles are then simultaneously recorded. Calibration of the device and example results for different types of echogenic particle are presented, demonstrating a high throughput of up to 20 particles per second and the ability to resolve changes in particle radius down to 0.1 μm with an uncertainty of less than 3%.

Predicting the Effects of Powder Feeding Rates on Particle Impact Conditions and Cold Spray Deposited Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozdemir, Ozan C.; Widener, Christian A.; Carter, Michael J.; Johnson, Kyle W.

2017-10-01

As the industrial application of the cold spray technology grows, the need to optimize both the cost and the quality of the process grows with it. Parameter selection techniques available today require the use of a coupled system of equations to be solved to involve the losses due to particle loading in the gas stream. Such analyses cause a significant increase in the computational time in comparison with calculations with isentropic flow assumptions. In cold spray operations, engineers and operators may, therefore, neglect the effects of particle loading to simplify the multiparameter optimization process. In this study, two-way coupled (particle-fluid) quasi-one-dimensional fluid dynamics simulations are used to test the particle loading effects under many potential cold spray scenarios. Output of the simulations is statistically analyzed to build regression models that estimate the changes in particle impact velocity and temperature due to particle loading. This approach eases particle loading optimization for more complete analysis on deposition cost and time. The model was validated both numerically and experimentally. Further numerical analyses were completed to test the particle loading capacity and limitations of a nozzle with a commonly used throat size. Additional experimentation helped document the physical limitations to high-rate deposition.

The top quark (20 years after the discovery)

DOE PAGES

Boos, Eduard; Brandt, Oleg; Denisov, Dmitri; ...

2015-09-10

On the twentieth anniversary of the observation of the top quark, we trace our understanding of this heaviest of all known particles from the prediction of its existence, through the searches and discovery, to the current knowledge of its production mechanisms and properties. We also discuss the central role of the top quark in the Standard Model and the windows that it opens for seeking new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The case for artificial black holes.

PubMed

Leonhardt, Ulf; Philbin, Thomas G

2008-08-28

The event horizon is predicted to generate particles from the quantum vacuum, an effect that bridges three areas of physics--general relativity, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. The quantum radiation of real black holes is too feeble to be detectable, but black-hole analogues may probe several aspects of quantum black holes. In this paper, we explain in simple terms some of the motivations behind the study of artificial black holes.

A new fitting law of rovibrationally inelastic rate constants for rapidly rotating molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strekalov, M. L.

2005-04-01

Semiclassical scattering of a particle from a three-dimensional ellipsoid with internal structure is used to model vibration-rotation-translation (VRT) collisional transfer between atoms and diatomic molecules. The result is a very simple analytical expression containing two variable parameters that have a clear physical meaning. Predictions of the model for the Li 2 + Ne system are in reasonably good agreement with experimental results.

Characteristics of suspended solids affect bifenthrin toxicity to the calanoid copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi.

PubMed

Parry, Emily; Lesmeister, Sarah; Teh, Swee; Young, Thomas M

2015-10-01

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid pesticide that is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. The dissolved concentration is generally thought to be the best predictor of acute toxicity. However, for the filter-feeding calanoid copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi, ingestion of pesticide-bound particles could prove to be another route of exposure. The present study investigated bifenthrin toxicity to E. affinis and P. forbesi in the presence of suspended solids from municipal wastewater effluent and surface water of the San Francisco (CA, USA) Estuary. Suspended solids mitigated the toxicity of total bifenthrin to E. affinis and P. forbesi, but mortality was higher than what would be predicted from dissolved concentrations alone. The results indicate that the toxicity and bioavailability of particle-associated bifenthrin was significantly correlated with counts of 0.5-µm to 2-µm particle sizes. Potential explanations could include direct ingestion of bifenthrin-bound particles, changes in food consumption and feeding behavior, and physical contact with small particles. The complex interactions between pesticides and particles of different types and sizes demonstrate a need for future ecotoxicological studies to investigate the role of particle sizes on aquatic organisms. © 2015 SETAC.

Overview of research and therapy facilities for radiobiological experimental work in particle therapy. Report from the European Particle Therapy Network radiobiology group.

PubMed

Dosanjh, Manjit; Jones, Bleddyn; Pawelke, Jörg; Pruschy, Martin; Sørensen, Brita Singers

2018-04-24

Particle therapy (PT) as cancer treatment, using protons or heavier ions, can provide a more favorable dose distribution compared to X-rays. While the physical characteristics of particle radiation have been the aim of intense research, less focus has been placed on the actual biological responses arising from particle irradiation. One of the biggest challenges for proton radiobiology is the RBE, with an increasing concern that the clinically-applied generic RBE-value of 1.1 is an approximation, as RBE is a complex quantity, depending on both biological and physical parameters, such as dose, LET, cellular and tissue radiobiological characteristics, as well as the endpoints being studied. Most of the available RBE data derive from in vitro experiments, with very limited in vivo data available, especially in late-reacting tissues, which provide the main constraints and influence the quality of life endpoints in radiotherapy. There is a need for systematic, large-scale studies to thoroughly establish the biology of particle radiation in a number of different experimental models in order to refine biophysical mathematical models that can potentially be used to guide PT. The overall objective of the European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) WP6 is to form a network of research and therapy facilities in order to coordinate and standardize the radiobiological experiments, to obtain more accurate predictive parameters than in the past. Coordinated research is required in order to obtain the most appropriate experimental data. The aim in this paper is to describe the available radiobiology infrastructure of the centers involved in EPTN WP6. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigate the complex process in particle-fluid based surface generation technology using reactive molecular dynamics method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Xuesong; Li, Haiyan; Zhao, Fu

2017-07-01

Particle-fluid based surface generation process has already become one of the most important materials processing technology for many advanced materials such as optical crystal, ceramics and so on. Most of the particle-fluid based surface generation technology involves two key process: chemical reaction which is responsible for surface softening; physical behavior which is responsible for materials removal/deformation. Presently, researchers cannot give a reasonable explanation about the complex process in the particle-fluid based surface generation technology because of the small temporal-spatial scale and the concurrent influence of physical-chemical process. Molecular dynamics (MD) method has already been proved to be a promising approach for constructing effective model of atomic scale phenomenon and can serve as a predicting simulation tool in analyzing the complex surface generation mechanism and is employed in this research to study the essence of surface generation. The deformation and piles of water molecule is induced with the feeding of abrasive particle which justifies the property mutation of water at nanometer scale. There are little silica molecule aggregation or materials removal because the water-layer greatly reduce the strength of mechanical interaction between particle and materials surface and minimize the stress concentration. Furthermore, chemical effect is also observed at the interface: stable chemical bond is generated between water and silica which lead to the formation of silconl and the reaction rate changes with the amount of water molecules in the local environment. Novel ring structure is observed in the silica surface and it is justified to be favored of chemical reaction with water molecule. The siloxane bond formation process quickly strengthened across the interface with the feeding of abrasive particle because of the compressive stress resulted by the impacting behavior.

Application of the Junge- and Pankow-equation for estimating indoor gas/particle distribution and exposure to SVOCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salthammer, Tunga; Schripp, Tobias

2015-04-01

In the indoor environment, distribution and dynamics of an organic compound between gas phase, particle phase and settled dust must be known for estimating human exposure. This, however, requires a detailed understanding of the environmentally important compound parameters, their interrelation and of the algorithms for calculating partitioning coefficients. The parameters of major concern are: (I) saturation vapor pressure (PS) (of the subcooled liquid); (II) Henry's law constant (H); (III) octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW); (IV) octanol/air partition coefficient (KOA); (V) air/water partition coefficient (KAW) and (VI) settled dust properties like density and organic content. For most of the relevant compounds reliable experimental data are not available and calculated gas/particle distributions can widely differ due to the uncertainty in predicted Ps and KOA values. This is not a big problem if the target compound is of low (<10-6 Pa) or high (>10-2 Pa) volatility, but in the intermediate region even small changes in Ps or KOA will have a strong impact on the result. Moreover, the related physical processes might bear large uncertainties. The KOA value can only be used for particle absorption from the gas phase if the organic portion of the particle or dust is high. The Junge- and Pankow-equation for calculating the gas/particle distribution coefficient KP do not consider the physical and chemical properties of the particle surface area. It is demonstrated by error propagation theory and Monte-Carlo simulations that parameter uncertainties from estimation methods for molecular properties and variations of indoor conditions might strongly influence the calculated distribution behavior of compounds in the indoor environment.

Molecular Rotation Signals: Molecule Chemistry and Particle Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grabow, Jens-Uwe

2015-06-01

Molecules - large or small - are attractive academic resources, with numerous questions on their chemical behaviour as well as problems in fundamental physics now (or still) waiting to be answered: Targeted by high-resolution spectroscopy, a rotating molecular top can turn into a laboratory for molecule chemistry or a laboratory for particle physics. Once successfully entrained (many species - depending on size and chemical composition - have insufficient vapour pressures or are of transient nature, such that specifically designed pulsed-jet sources are required for their transfer into the gas phase or in-situ generation) into the collision-free environment of a supersonic-jet expansion, each molecular top comes with its own set of challenges, theoretically and experimentally: Multiple internal interactions are causing complicated energy level schemes and the resulting spectra will be rather difficult to predict theoretically. Experimentally, these spectra are difficult to assess and assign. With today's broad-banded chirp microwave techniques, finding and identifying such spectral features have lost their major drawback of being very time consuming for many molecules. For other molecules, the unrivalled resolution and sensitivity of the narrow-banded impulse microwave techniques provide a window to tackle - at the highest precision available to date - fundamental questions in physics, even particle physics - potentially beyond the standard model. Molecular charge distribution, properties of the chemical bond, details on internal dynamics and intermolecular interaction, the (stereo-chemical) molecular structure (including the possibility of their spatial separation) as well as potential evidence for tiny yet significant interactions encode their signature in pure molecular rotation subjected to time-domain microwave spectroscopic techniques. Ongoing exciting technical developments promise rapid progress. We present recent examples from Hannover, new directions, and an outlook at the future of molecular rotation spectroscopy.

Giant vacuum forces via transmission lines

PubMed Central

Shahmoon, Ephraim; Mazets, Igor; Kurizki, Gershon

2014-01-01

Quantum electromagnetic fluctuations induce forces between neutral particles, known as the van der Waals and Casimir interactions. These fundamental forces, mediated by virtual photons from the vacuum, play an important role in basic physics and chemistry and in emerging technologies involving, e.g., microelectromechanical systems or quantum information processing. Here we show that these interactions can be enhanced by many orders of magnitude upon changing the character of the mediating vacuum modes. By considering two polarizable particles in the vicinity of any standard electric transmission line, along which photons can propagate in one dimension, we find a much stronger and longer-range interaction than in free space. This enhancement may have profound implications on many-particle and bulk systems and impact the quantum technologies mentioned above. The predicted giant vacuum force is estimated to be measurable in a coplanar waveguide line. PMID:25002503

The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisati, A.; Tonelli, G.

2015-11-01

This paper summarises the work done by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations, and by the teams of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, that led to the discovery of a new particle, with mass near 125GeV and properties consistent with the ones predicted for the Standard Model Higgs boson. An overview of the Standard Model, with a description of the role of the Higgs boson in the theory, and a summary of the searches for this particle prior to the LHC operations is also given. The paper presents the results obtained by ATLAS and CMS from the analysis of the full data set produced in the first physics run of LHC. After a short discussion on the implications of the discovery, the future prospects for the precision study of the new particle are lastly discussed.

Particle astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadoulet, Bernard; Cronin, James; Aprile, Elena; Barish, Barry C.; Beier, Eugene W.; Brandenberger, Robert; Cabrera, Blas; Caldwell, David; Cassiday, George; Cline, David B.

1991-01-01

The following scientific areas are reviewed: (1) cosmology and particle physics (particle physics and the early universe, dark matter, and other relics); (2) stellar physics and particles (solar neutrinos, supernovae, and unconventional particle physics); (3) high energy gamma ray and neutrino astronomy; (4) cosmic rays (space and ground observations). Highest scientific priorities for the next decade include implementation of the current program, new initiatives, and longer-term programs. Essential technological developments, such as cryogenic detectors of particles, new solar neutrino techniques, and new extensive air shower detectors, are discussed. Also a certain number of institutional issues (the funding of particle astrophysics, recommended funding mechanisms, recommended facilities, international collaborations, and education and technology) which will become critical in the coming decade are presented.

Feynman-diagrams approach to the quantum Rabi model for ultrastrong cavity QED: stimulated emission and reabsorption of virtual particles dressing a physical excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Stefano, Omar; Stassi, Roberto; Garziano, Luigi; Frisk Kockum, Anton; Savasta, Salvatore; Nori, Franco

2017-05-01

In quantum field theory, bare particles are dressed by a cloud of virtual particles to form physical particles. The virtual particles affect properties such as the mass and charge of the physical particles, and it is only these modified properties that can be measured in experiments, not the properties of the bare particles. The influence of virtual particles is prominent in the ultrastrong-coupling regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), which has recently been realised in several condensed-matter systems. In some of these systems, the effective interaction between atom-like transitions and the cavity photons can be switched on or off by external control pulses. This offers unprecedented possibilities for exploring quantum vacuum fluctuations and the relation between physical and bare particles. We consider a single three-level quantum system coupled to an optical resonator. Here we show that, by applying external electromagnetic pulses of suitable amplitude and frequency, each virtual photon dressing a physical excitation in cavity-QED systems can be converted into a physical observable photon, and back again. In this way, the hidden relationship between the bare and the physical excitations can be unravelled and becomes experimentally testable. The conversion between virtual and physical photons can be clearly pictured using Feynman diagrams with cut loops.

Polycrystalline CVD diamond device level modeling for particle detection applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozzi, A.; Passeri, D.; Kanxheri, K.; Servoli, L.; Lagomarsino, S.; Sciortino, S.

2016-12-01

Diamond is a promising material whose excellent physical properties foster its use for radiation detection applications, in particular in those hostile operating environments where the silicon-based detectors behavior is limited due to the high radiation fluence. Within this framework, the application of Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation tools is highly envisaged for the study, the optimization and the predictive analysis of sensing devices. Since the novelty of using diamond in electronics, this material is not included in the library of commercial, state-of-the-art TCAD software tools. In this work, we propose the development, the application and the validation of numerical models to simulate the electrical behavior of polycrystalline (pc)CVD diamond conceived for diamond sensors for particle detection. The model focuses on the characterization of a physically-based pcCVD diamond bandgap taking into account deep-level defects acting as recombination centers and/or trap states. While a definite picture of the polycrystalline diamond band-gap is still debated, the effect of the main parameters (e.g. trap densities, capture cross-sections, etc.) can be deeply investigated thanks to the simulated approach. The charge collection efficiency due to β -particle irradiation of diamond materials provided by different vendors and with different electrode configurations has been selected as figure of merit for the model validation. The good agreement between measurements and simulation findings, keeping the traps density as the only one fitting parameter, assesses the suitability of the TCAD modeling approach as a predictive tool for the design and the optimization of diamond-based radiation detectors.

Computational modelling of large deformations in layered-silicate/PET nanocomposites near the glass transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Figiel, Łukasz; Dunne, Fionn P. E.; Buckley, C. Paul

2010-01-01

Layered-silicate nanoparticles offer a cost-effective reinforcement for thermoplastics. Computational modelling has been employed to study large deformations in layered-silicate/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites near the glass transition, as would be experienced during industrial forming processes such as thermoforming or injection stretch blow moulding. Non-linear numerical modelling was applied, to predict the macroscopic large deformation behaviour, with morphology evolution and deformation occurring at the microscopic level, using the representative volume element (RVE) approach. A physically based elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model, describing the behaviour of the PET matrix within the RVE, was numerically implemented into a finite element solver (ABAQUS) using an UMAT subroutine. The implementation was designed to be robust, for accommodating large rotations and stretches of the matrix local to, and between, the nanoparticles. The nanocomposite morphology was reconstructed at the RVE level using a Monte-Carlo-based algorithm that placed straight, high-aspect ratio particles according to the specified orientation and volume fraction, with the assumption of periodicity. Computational experiments using this methodology enabled prediction of the strain-stiffening behaviour of the nanocomposite, observed experimentally, as functions of strain, strain rate, temperature and particle volume fraction. These results revealed the probable origins of the enhanced strain stiffening observed: (a) evolution of the morphology (through particle re-orientation) and (b) early onset of stress-induced pre-crystallization (and hence lock-up of viscous flow), triggered by the presence of particles. The computational model enabled prediction of the effects of process parameters (strain rate, temperature) on evolution of the morphology, and hence on the end-use properties.

Meso-Scale Modeling of Spall in a Heterogeneous Two-Phase Material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Springer, Harry Keo

2008-07-11

The influence of the heterogeneous second-phase particle structure and applied loading conditions on the ductile spall response of a model two-phase material was investigated. Quantitative metallography, three-dimensional (3D) meso-scale simulations (MSS), and small-scale spall experiments provided the foundation for this study. Nodular ductile iron (NDI) was selected as the model two-phase material for this study because it contains a large and readily identifiable second- phase particle population. Second-phase particles serve as the primary void nucleation sites in NDI and are, therefore, central to its ductile spall response. A mathematical model was developed for the NDI second-phase volume fraction that accountedmore » for the non-uniform particle size and spacing distributions within the framework of a length-scale dependent Gaussian probability distribution function (PDF). This model was based on novel multiscale sampling measurements. A methodology was also developed for the computer generation of representative particle structures based on their mathematical description, enabling 3D MSS. MSS were used to investigate the effects of second-phase particle volume fraction and particle size, loading conditions, and physical domain size of simulation on the ductile spall response of a model two-phase material. MSS results reinforce existing model predictions, where the spall strength metric (SSM) logarithmically decreases with increasing particle volume fraction. While SSM predictions are nearly independent of applied load conditions at lower loading rates, which is consistent with previous studies, loading dependencies are observed at higher loading rates. There is also a logarithmic decrease in SSM for increasing (initial) void size, as well. A model was developed to account for the effects of loading rate, particle size, matrix sound-speed, and, in the NDI-specific case, the probabilistic particle volume fraction model. Small-scale spall experiments were designed and executed for the purpose of validating closely-coupled 3D MSS. While the spall strength is nearly independent of specimen thickness, the fragment morphology varies widely. Detailed MSS demonstrate that the interactions between the tensile release waves are altered by specimen thickness and that these interactions are primarily responsible for fragment formation. MSS also provided insights on the regional amplification of damage, which enables the development of predictive void evolution models.« less

Constraining in-medium nucleon-nucleon interactions via nucleus-nucleus reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sammarruca, Francesca; White, Larz

2010-11-01

The nuclear equation of state is a broadly useful tool. Besides being the main input of stellar structure calculations, it allows a direct connection to the physics of nuclei. For instance, an energy functional (such as a mass formula), together with the energy/particle in nuclear matter, can be used to predict nuclear energies and radii [1]. The single-particle properties are also a key point to link infinite nuclear matter and actual nuclei. The parameters of the single-particle potential, in particular the effective mass, enter the calculations of, for instance, in-medium effective cross sections. From the well-known Glauber reaction theory, the total nucleus-nucleus reaction cross section is expressed in terms of the nuclear transparency, which, in turn, depends on the overlap of the nuclear density distributions and the elementary nucleon-nucleon (NN) cross sections. We explore the sensitivity of the reaction calculation to medium modifications of the NN cross sections to estimate the likelihood of constraining the latter through nuclear reactions. Ultimately, we wish to incorporate isospin asymmetry in the reaction model, having in mind connections with rare isotopes. [1] F. Sammarruca, arXiv:1002.00146 [nucl-th]; International Journal of Modern Physics, in press.

Caustics and the growth of droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Govindarajan, Rama; Ravichandran, S.; Ray, Samriddhi; Deepu, P.

Caustics are formed when inertial particles of very different velocities collide in a flow, and are a consequence of the dissipative nature of particle motion in a suspension. Using a model vortex-dominated flow with heavy droplets in a saturated environment, we suggest that sling caustics form only within a neighbourhood around a vortex, the square of whose radius is proportional to the product of circulation and particle inertia. Droplets starting close to this critical radius congregate very close together, resulting in large spikes in (Lagrangian) number density. Allowing for merger when droplets collide, we show that droplets starting out close to the critical radius display a much more rapid growth in size than those starting elsewhere, and a large fraction of the large droplets are those that originate within the caustics-forming region. We test these predictions in a two-dimensional simulation of turbulent flow. We hope that our study will be of interest in long-standing problems of physical interest such as the mechanism of broadening of droplet spectra in a turbulent flow. Support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India for the project Coupled physical processes in the Bay of Bengal and monsoon air-sea interaction under OMM is gratefully acknowledged.

Thermal dynamic behavior during selective laser melting of K418 superalloy: numerical simulation and experimental verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhen; Xiang, Yu; Wei, Zhengying; Wei, Pei; Lu, Bingheng; Zhang, Lijuan; Du, Jun

2018-04-01

During selective laser melting (SLM) of K418 powder, the influence of the process parameters, such as laser power P and scanning speed v, on the dynamic thermal behavior and morphology of the melted tracks was investigated numerically. A 3D finite difference method was established to predict the dynamic thermal behavior and flow mechanism of K418 powder irradiated by a Gaussian laser beam. A three-dimensional randomly packed powder bed composed of spherical particles was established by discrete element method. The powder particle information including particle size distribution and packing density were taken into account. The volume shrinkage and temperature-dependent thermophysical parameters such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, and other physical properties were also considered. The volume of fluid method was applied to reconstruct the free surface of the molten pool during SLM. The geometrical features, continuity boundaries, and irregularities of the molten pool were proved to be largely determined by the laser energy density. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experiments, which prove to be reasonable and effective. The results provide us some in-depth insight into the complex physical behavior during SLM and guide the optimization of process parameters.

Fermilab | Science at Fermilab | Experiments & Projects | Intensity

Science.gov Websites

Search Search Go Science at Fermilab Fermilab and the Higgs Boson Frontiers of Particle Physics and Answers Submit a Question Frontiers of Particle Physics Benefits to Society Benefits to Society Results Inquiring Minds Questions About Physics Other High-Energy Physics Sites More About Particle

Measurement of the top quark pair production cross-section in dimuon final states in proton-antiproton collisions at 1.96 TeV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Konrath, Jens Peter

2008-10-24

Particle physics deals with the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions. The vast number of subatomic particles can be reduced to twelve fundamental fermions, which interact by the exchange of spin-1 particles as described in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. The SM provides the best description of the subatomic world to date, despite the fact it does not include gravitation. Following the relation Λ = h/p, where h is Planck's constant, for the examination of physics at subatomic scales with size Λ probes with high momenta p are necessary. These high energies are accessible through particlemore » colliders. Here, particles are accelerated and brought to collision at interaction points at which detectors are installed to record these particle collisions. Until the anticipated start-up of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the Tevatron collider at Fermilab near Chicago is the highest energy collider operating in the world, colliding protons and anti-protons at a center-of-mass energy of √s = 1.96 TeV. Its two interaction points are covered by the multi purpose particle detectors D0 and CDF. During the first data-taking period, known as Run I, the Tevatron operated at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV. This run period lasted from 1992 to 1996. During this period, the long-predicted top quark was discovered. From 1996 and 2001, the accelerator was upgraded to deliver higher instantaneous luminosities at its current center-of-mass energy. At the same time, the experiments were upgraded to take full advantage of the upgraded accelerator complex. The Tevatron is currently the only accelerator in the world with a sufficient energy to produce top quarks. Studying top quark production, decay and properties is an important part of the D0 and CDF physics programs. Because of its large mass, the top quark is a unique probe of the Standard Model, and an interesting environment to search for new physics. In this thesis, a measurement of the production cross-section of top quark pairs decaying to two muons is presented. In addition, a Monte Carlo study of the top quark spin correlation measurement was carried out. This thesis is laid out as follows: chapter two gives a short overview over the Standard Model of particle physics and the theoretical aspects of unpolarized and polarized top quark production and decay, chapter three describes the accelerator complex and the D0 experiment whose data is used in this analysis. The Reconstruction of events recorded with the D0 detector is explained in chapter four and the data and Monte Carlo samples used are presented in chapter five. Finally, the cross-section measurement is described in chapter six and the Monte Carlo study of top quark spin correlations in chapter seven.« less

Special section containing papers presented at the 13th IAEA Technical Meeting on Energetic Particles in Magnetic Confinement Systems (Beijing, China, 17-20 September 2013) Special section containing papers presented at the 13th IAEA Technical Meeting on Energetic Particles in Magnetic Confinement Systems (Beijing, China, 17-20 September 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Z.

2014-10-01

In magnetic fusion plasmas, a significant fraction of the kinetic pressure is contributed by superthermal charged particles produced by auxiliary heating (fast ions and electrons) and fusion reactions (a-particles). Since these energetic particles are often far away from thermal equilibrium due to their non-Maxwellian distribution and steep pressure gradients, the free energy can excite electromagnetic instabilities to intensity levels well above the thermal fluctuations. The resultant electromagnetic turbulence could induce large transport of energetic particles, which could reduce heating efficiency, degrade overall plasma confinement, and damage fusion devices. Therefore, understanding and predicting energetic particle confinement properties are critical to the success of burning plasma experiments such as ITER since the ignition relies on plasma self-heating by a-particles. To promote international exchanges and collaborations on energetic particle physics, the biannual conference series under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were help in Kyiv (1989), Aspenas (1991), Trieste (1993), Princeton (1995), JET/Abingdon (1997), Naka (1999), Gothenburg (2001), San Diego (2003), Takayama (2005), Kloster Seeon (2007), Kyiv (2009), and Austin (2011). The papers in this special section were presented at the most recent meeting, the 13th IAEA Technical Meeting on Energetic Particles in Magnetic Confinement Systems, which was hosted by the Fusion Simulation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China (17-20 September 2013). The program of the meeting consisted of 71 presentations, including 13 invited talks, 26 oral contributed talks, 30 posters, and 2 summary talks, which were selected by the International Advisory Committee (IAC). The IAC members include H. Berk, L.G. Eriksson, A. Fasoli, W. Heidbrink, Ya. Kolesnichenko, Ph. Lauber, Z. Lin, R. Nazikian, S. Pinches, S. Sharapov, K. Shinohara, K. Toi, G. Vlad, and X.T. Ding. The conference program, abstracts of all papers, and slides of oral presentations are available at the conference website:www.phy.pku.edu.cn/fsc/w18419.jsp As a measure of the breadth in current research activities, a wide range of topics in energetic particle physics were covered in the meeting program, including dynamics of various Alfvén eigenmodes and energetic particle modes, energetic particle transport, energetic particle effects on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes, runaway electrons, and diagnostics of energetic particles and neutrons. Energetic particle experiments were reported on tokamaks, stellarators, spherical tori, reversed field pinches, and linear devices. Most of the papers have direct comparisons between experimental data and simulation results, a very healthy trend in the research of energetic particle physics. As an indication for the depth in current research activities and possible future directions in energetic particle physics, some exciting progress reported at the meeting is highlighted here. The 3D fields of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) for controlling edge localized modes (ELM) are found to drive significant ripple loss of fast ions in DIII-D and ASDEX-U experiments. Similar loss is predicted for ITER RMP fields in the vacuum approximation. Fortunately, plasma response to RMP fields is found by the simulation to reduce the loss of fast ions and α-particles to a benign level. These results call for more accurate measurements and more reliable modeling of the plasma response to RMP fields in existing tokamak experiments and in future ITER experiments. Interesting progress on energetic particle transport by Alfvén eigenmodes was made in reduced 1D models based on the critical gradients model, in which energetic particle pressure gradients are relaxed to the local threshold of Alfvén eigenmode stability. Some experimental support for the critical gradient model was reported in DIII-D off-axis neutral beam injection (NBI) experiments, in which the fast-ion density relaxes to similar profiles for all injection angles. Further verification and validation of these reduced models by existing tokamak experiments and nonlinear simulations are needed. Impressive progress in first-principles simulations of Alfvén eigenmodes and energetic particle transport was prominently featured at the meeting. Rigorous verification and validation have been successfully carried out for global gyrokinetic simulations of Alfvén eigenmodes with kinetic effects of thermal plasmas and non-perturbative contributions by energetic particles. The gyrokinetic turbulence simulation provides an indispensable new capability for studying the nonlinear physics of energetic particles and Alfvén eigenmodes by incorporating important physics of radial variations and toroidal mode coupling. For example, gyrokinetic simulations have found nonlinear oscillations of Alfvén eigenmode amplitude and frequency consistent with experimental observations. With better understanding of linear and nonlinear properties of Alfvén eigenmodes, a fruitful future direction is the self-consistent simulation of energetic particle transport, which requires long time simulations of nonlinear interactions between multiple Alfvén eigenmodes. A significant step in this direction has been taken by MHD-gyrokinetic hybrid simulations, which have demonstrated that fast ion profile is flattened by enhanced transport due to resonance overlaps in multiple interacting Alfvén eigenmodes with realistic amplitudes. A very interesting physics here is that the re-distribution of the energetic particle profile by an initially dominant Alfvén eigenmode leads to the excitation of other Alfvén eigenmodes. The broaden phase space volume for the extraction of free energy can then drive large fluctuation amplitudes and enhanced energetic particle transport. Some experimental evidences of such indirect interaction of multiple modes through energetic particles were observed in JT-60U and ASDEX-U experiments. Thirteen papers presented at the meeting were reviewed to the usual high standard of Nuclear Fusion and published in this special section. On behalf of the IAC, I would like to thank all participants for their contributions to this conference and to thank Nuclear Fusion for publishing this special section. The next meeting of this series will be organized by Simon Pinches and will be held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, in the fall of 2015.

Applications of Nuclear and Particle Physics Technology: Particles & Detection — A Brief Overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weisenberger, Andrew G.

A brief overview of the technology applications with significant societal benefit that have their origins in nuclear and particle physics research is presented. It is shown through representative examples that applications of nuclear physics can be classified into two basic areas: 1) applying the results of experimental nuclear physics and 2) applying the tools of experimental nuclear physics. Examples of the application of the tools of experimental nuclear and particle physics research are provided in the fields of accelerator and detector based technologies namely synchrotron light sources, nuclear medicine, ion implantation and radiation therapy.

In Situ Microphysical and Scattering Properties of Falling Snow in GPM-GCPEx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duffy, G.; Nesbitt, S. W.; McFarquhar, G. M.; Poellot, M.; Chandrasekar, C. V.; Hudak, D. R.

2013-12-01

The Global Precipitation Measurement Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GPM-GCPEx) field campaign was conducted near Egbert, Ontario, Canada in January-February 2012 to study the physical characteristics and microwave radiative properties of the column of hydrometeors in cold season precipitation events. Extensive in situ aircraft profiling was conducted with the University of North Dakota (UND) Citation aircraft within the volume of several remote sensing instruments within a wide variety of precipitation events, from snow to freezing drizzle. Several of the primary goals of GCPEx include improving our understanding of the microphysical characteristics of falling snow and how those characteristics relate to the multi-wavelength radiative characteristics In this study, particle size distribution parameters, effective particle densities, and habit distributions are determined using in-situ cloud measurements obtained on the UND citation using the High Volume Precipitation Spectrometer, the Cloud Particle Imager, and the Cloud Imaging Probe. These quantities are matched compared to multi-frequency radar measurements from the Environment Canada King City C-Band and NASA D3R Ku-Ka Band dual polarization radars. These analysis composites provide the basis for direct evaluation of particle size distributions and observed multi-wavelength and multi-polarization radar observations, including radar reflectivity, differential reflectivity, and dual wavelength ratio) in falling snow at weather radar and GPM radar frequencies. Theoretical predictions from Mie, Rayleigh-Gans, and more complex snowflake aggregate scattering model predictions using observed particle size distributions are compared with observed radar scattering characteristics along the Citation flight track.

The dark components of the Universe are slowly clarified

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burdyuzha, V. V., E-mail: burdyuzh@asc.rssi.ru

The dark sector of the Universe is beginning to be clarified step by step. If the dark energy is vacuum energy, then 123 orders of this energy are reduced by ordinary physical processes. For many years, these unexplained orders were called a crisis of physics. There was indeed a “crisis” before the introduction of the holographic principle and entropic force in physics. The vacuum energy was spent on the generation of new quantum states during the entire life of the Universe, but in the initial period of its evolution the vacuum energy (78 orders) were reduced more effectively by themore » vacuum condensates produced by phase transitions, because the Universe lost the high symmetry during its expansion. Important problems of physical cosmology can be solved if the quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons are composite particles. The dark matter, partially or all consisting of familon-type pseudo-Goldstone bosons with a mass of 10{sup —5}–10{sup –3} eV, can be explained in the composite model. Three generations of elementary particles are absolutely necessary in this model. In addition, this model realizes three relativistic phase transitions in a medium of familons at different redshifts, forming a large-scale structure of dark matter that was “repeated” by baryons. We predict the detection of dark energy dynamics, the detection of familons as dark matter particles, and the development of spectroscopy for the dark medium due to the probable presence of dark atoms in it. Other viewpoints on the dark components of the Universe are also discussed briefly.« less

Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Areas - CETUP*2013 Summer Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szczerbinska, Barbara

In response to an increasing interest in experiments conducted at deep underground facilities around the world, in 2010 the theory community has proposed a new initiative - a Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Areas (CETUP*). The main goal of CETUP* is to bring together people with different talents and skills to address the most exciting questions in particle and nuclear physics, astrophysics, geosciences, and geomicrobiology. Scientists invited to participate in the program do not only provide theoretical support to the underground science, they also examine underlying universal questions of the 21 st century including: What is dark matter?,more » What are the masses of neutrinos?, How have neutrinos shaped the evolution of the universe?, How were the elements from iron to uranium made?, What is the origin and thermal history of the Earth? The mission of the CETUP* is to promote an organized research in physics, astrophysics, geoscience, geomicrobiology and other fields related to the underground science via individual and collaborative research in dynamic atmosphere of intense scientific interactions. Our main goal is to bring together scientists scattered around the world, promote the deep underground science and provide a stimulating environment for creative thinking and open communication between researches of varying ages and nationalities. CETUP*2014 included 5 week long program (June 24 – July 26, 2013) covering various theoretical and experimental aspects of Dark Matter, Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics. Two week long session focused on Dark Matter (June 24-July 6) was followed by two week long program on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics (July 15-26). The VII th International Conference on Interconnections between Particle Physics and Cosmology (PPC) was sandwiched between these sessions (July 8-13) covering the subjects of dark matter, neutrino physics, gravitational waves, collider physics and other from both theoretical end experimental aspects. PPC was initiated at Texas A&M University in 2007 and travelled to many places which include Geneva, Turin, Seoul (S. Korea) etc. during the last 5 years before coming back to USA. The objectives of CETUP* and PPC were to analyze the connection between dark matter and particle physics models, discuss the connections among dark matter, grand unification models and recent neutrino results and predictions for possible experiments, develop a theoretical understanding of the three-neutrino oscillation parameters, provide a stimulating venue for exchange of scientific ideas among experts in neutrino physics and unification, connect with venues for public education outreach to communicate the importance of dark matter, neutrino research, and support of investment in science education, support mission of the Snowmass meeting and allow for extensive discussions of the ideas crucial for the future of high energy physics. The selected subjects represented the forefront of research topics in particle and nuclear physics, for example: recent precise measurements of all the neutrino mixing angles (that necessitate a theoretical roadmap for future experiments) or understanding of the nature of dark matter (that allows us to comprehend the composition of the cosmos better). All the covered topics are considered as a base for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.« less

Particle Accelerators Test Cosmological Theory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schramm, David N.; Steigman, Gary

1988-01-01

Discusses the symbiotic relationship of cosmology and elementary-particle physics. Presents a brief overview of particle physics. Explains how cosmological considerations set limits on the number of types of elementary particles. (RT)

An Evaluation of the Particle Physics Masterclass as a Context for Student Learning about the Nature of Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wadness, Michael J.

2010-01-01

This dissertation addresses the research question: To what extent do secondary school science students attending the U.S. Particle Physics Masterclass change their view of the nature of science (NOS)? The U.S. Particle Physics Masterclass is a physics outreach program run by QuarkNet, a national organization of secondary school physics teachers…

Amplitude-dependent orbital period in alternating gradient accelerators

DOE PAGES

Machida, S.; Kelliher, D. J.; Edmonds, C. S.; ...

2016-03-16

Orbital period in a ring accelerator and time of flight in a linear accelerator depend on the amplitude of betatron oscillations. The variation is negligible in ordinary particle accelerators with relatively small beam emittance. In an accelerator for large emittance beams like muons and unstable nuclei, however, this effect cannot be ignored. In this study, we measured orbital period in a linear non-scaling fixed-field alternating-gradient accelerator, which is a candidate for muon acceleration, and compared it with the theoretical prediction. The good agreement between them gives important ground for the design of particle accelerators for a new generation of particlemore » and nuclear physics experiments.« less

Depiction of interfacial morphology in impact welded Ti/Cu bimetallic systems using smoothed particle hydrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nassiri, Ali; Vivek, Anupam; Abke, Tim; Liu, Bert; Lee, Taeseon; Daehn, Glenn

2017-06-01

Numerical simulations of high-velocity impact welding are extremely challenging due to the coupled physics and highly dynamic nature of the process. Thus, conventional mesh-based numerical methodologies are not able to accurately model the process owing to the excessive mesh distortion close to the interface of two welded materials. A simulation platform was developed using smoothed particle hydrodynamics, implemented in a parallel architecture on a supercomputer. Then, the numerical simulations were compared to experimental tests conducted by vaporizing foil actuator welding. The close correspondence of the experiment and modeling in terms of interface characteristics allows the prediction of local temperature and strain distributions, which are not easily measured.

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS: The physics of planetary rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gor'kavyĭ, N. N.; Fridman, Aleksei M.

1990-02-01

A review of the collisional, collective, and resonance phenomena in planetary rings is presented. The following questions are examined: the reasons for the existence of planetary rings and the properties of a typical particle, the collisional breaking of loose bodies, and the azimuthal asymmetry effect for the rings of Saturn. A transfer theory is being developed for differentially rotating disks of inelastic particles, and the collective instabilities of planetary rings and a protoplanetary disk are discussed. A model for the resonance origin for the rings of Uranus is described, which enabled one to predict unknown satellites of Uranus that were later discovered by "Voyager-2". The problem of the stability of the rings of Uranus is examined.

Numerical investigation of kinetic turbulence in relativistic pair plasmas - I. Turbulence statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhdankin, Vladimir; Uzdensky, Dmitri A.; Werner, Gregory R.; Begelman, Mitchell C.

2018-02-01

We describe results from particle-in-cell simulations of driven turbulence in collisionless, magnetized, relativistic pair plasma. This physical regime provides a simple setting for investigating the basic properties of kinetic turbulence and is relevant for high-energy astrophysical systems such as pulsar wind nebulae and astrophysical jets. In this paper, we investigate the statistics of turbulent fluctuations in simulations on lattices of up to 10243 cells and containing up to 2 × 1011 particles. Due to the absence of a cooling mechanism in our simulations, turbulent energy dissipation reduces the magnetization parameter to order unity within a few dynamical times, causing turbulent motions to become sub-relativistic. In the developed stage, our results agree with predictions from magnetohydrodynamic turbulence phenomenology at inertial-range scales, including a power-law magnetic energy spectrum with index near -5/3, scale-dependent anisotropy of fluctuations described by critical balance, lognormal distributions for particle density and internal energy density (related by a 4/3 adiabatic index, as predicted for an ultra-relativistic ideal gas), and the presence of intermittency. We also present possible signatures of a kinetic cascade by measuring power-law spectra for the magnetic, electric and density fluctuations at sub-Larmor scales.

The PreViBOSS project: study the short term predictability of the visibility change during the Fog life cycle, from surface and satellite observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elias, T.; Haeffelin, M.; Ramon, D.; Gomes, L.; Brunet, F.; Vrac, M.; Yiou, P.; Hello, G.; Petithomme, H.

2010-07-01

Fog prejudices major activities as transport and Earth observation, by critically reducing atmospheric visibility with no continuity in time and space. Fog is also an essential factor of air quality and climate as it modifies particle properties of the surface atmospheric layer. Complexity, diversity and the fine scale of processes make uncertain by current numerical weather prediction models, not only visibility diagnosis but also fog event prediction. Extensive measurements of atmospheric parameters are made on the SIRTA since 1997 to document physical processes over the atmospheric column, in the Paris suburb area, typical of an environment intermittently under oceanic influence and affected by urban and industrial pollution. The ParisFog field campaign hosted in SIRTA during 6-month in winter 2006-2007 resulted in the deployment of instrumentation specifically dedicated to study physical processes in the fog life cycle: thermodynamical, radiative, dynamical, microphysical processes. Analysis of the measurements provided a preliminary climatology of the episodes of reduced visibility, chronology of processes was delivered by examining time series of measured parameters and a closure study was performed on optical and microphysical properties of particles (aerosols to droplets) during the life cycle of a radiative fog, providing the relative contribution of several particle groups to extinction in clear-sky conditions, in haze and in fog. PreViBOSS is a 3-year project scheduled to start this year. The aim is to improve the short term prediction of changes in atmospheric visibility, at a local scale. It proposes an innovative approach: applying the Generalised Additive Model statistical method to the detailed and extended dataset acquired at SIRTA. This method offers the opportunity to explore non linear relationships between parameters, which are not yet integrated in current numerical models. Emphasis will be put on aerosols and their impact on the fog life cycle. Furthermore, the data set of ground-based measurements will be completed by spaceborne observation of visible and infra red radiance performed by the METEOSAT mission.

Influence of wheat kernel physical properties on the pulverizing process.

PubMed

Dziki, Dariusz; Cacak-Pietrzak, Grażyna; Miś, Antoni; Jończyk, Krzysztof; Gawlik-Dziki, Urszula

2014-10-01

The physical properties of wheat kernel were determined and related to pulverizing performance by correlation analysis. Nineteen samples of wheat cultivars about similar level of protein content (11.2-12.8 % w.b.) and obtained from organic farming system were used for analysis. The kernel (moisture content 10 % w.b.) was pulverized by using the laboratory hammer mill equipped with round holes 1.0 mm screen. The specific grinding energy ranged from 120 kJkg(-1) to 159 kJkg(-1). On the basis of data obtained many of significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between wheat kernel physical properties and pulverizing process of wheat kernel, especially wheat kernel hardness index (obtained on the basis of Single Kernel Characterization System) and vitreousness significantly and positively correlated with the grinding energy indices and the mass fraction of coarse particles (> 0.5 mm). Among the kernel mechanical properties determined on the basis of uniaxial compression test only the rapture force was correlated with the impact grinding results. The results showed also positive and significant relationships between kernel ash content and grinding energy requirements. On the basis of wheat physical properties the multiple linear regression was proposed for predicting the average particle size of pulverized kernel.

The influence of human physical activity and contaminated clothing type on particle resuspension.

PubMed

McDonagh, A; Byrne, M A

2014-01-01

A study was conducted to experimentally quantify the influence of three variables on the level of resuspension of hazardous aerosol particles from clothing. Variables investigated include physical activity level (two levels, low and high), surface type (four different clothing material types), and time i.e. the rate at which particles resuspend. A mixture of three monodisperse tracer-labelled powders, with median diameters of 3, 5, and 10 microns, was used to "contaminate" the samples, and the resuspended particles were analysed in real-time using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS), and also by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The overall finding was that physical activity resulted in up to 67% of the contamination deposited on clothing being resuspended back into the air. A detailed examination of the influence of physical activity level on resuspension, from NAA, revealed that the average resuspended fraction (RF) of particles at low physical activity was 28 ± 8%, and at high physical activity was 30 ± 7%, while the APS data revealed a tenfold increase in the cumulative mass of airborne particles during high physical activity in comparison to that during low physical activity. The results also suggest that it is not the contaminated clothing's fibre type which influences particle resuspension, but the material's weave pattern (and hence the material's surface texture). Investigation of the time variation in resuspended particle concentrations indicated that the data were separable into two distinct regimes: the first (occurring within the first 1.5 min) having a high, positive rate of change of airborne particle concentration relative to the second regime. The second regime revealed a slower rate of change of particle concentration and remained relatively unchanged for the remainder of each resuspension event. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wave-Particle Interactions in the Earth's Radiation Belts: Recent Advances and Unprecedented Future Opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W.

2017-12-01

In the collisionless heliospheric plasmas, wave-particle interaction is a fundamental physical process in transferring energy and momentum between particles with different species and energies. This presentation focuses on one of the important wave-particle interaction processes: interaction between whistler-mode waves and electrons. Whistler-mode waves have frequencies between proton and electron cyclotron frequency and are ubiquitously present in the heliospheric plasmas including solar wind and planetary magnetospheres. I use Earth's Van Allen radiation belt as "local space laboratory" to discuss the role of whistler-mode waves in energetic electron dynamics using multi-satellite observations, theory and modeling. I further discuss solar wind drivers leading to energetic electron dynamics in the Earth's radiation belts, which is critical in predicting space weather that has broad impacts on our technological systems and society. At last, I discuss the unprecedented future opportunities of exploring space science using multi-satellite observations and state-of-the-art theory and modeling.

Nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, James

1992-01-01

An important region of the earth's magnetosphere is the nightside magnetotail, which is believed to play a significant role in energy storage and release associated with substorms. The magnetotail contains a current sheet which separates regions of oppositely directed magnetic field. Particle motion in the collisionless magnetotail has been a long-standing problem. Recent research from the dynamical point of view has yielded considerable new insights into the fundamental properties of orbits and of particle distribution functions. A new framework of understanding magnetospheric plasma properties is emerging. Some novel predictions based directly on nonlinear dynamics have proved to be robust and in apparent good agreement with observation. The earth's magnetotail may serve as a paradigm, one accessible by in situ observation, of a broad class of boundary regions with embedded current sheets. This article reviews the nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail configuration. The emphasis is on the relationships between the dynamics and physical observables. At the end of the introduction, sections containing basic material are indicated.

Yield Hardening of Electrorheological Fluids in Channel Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helal, Ahmed; Qian, Bian; McKinley, Gareth H.; Hosoi, A. E.

2016-06-01

Electrorheological fluids offer potential for developing rapidly actuated hydraulic devices where shear forces or pressure-driven flow are present. In this study, the Bingham yield stress of electrorheological fluids with different particle volume fractions is investigated experimentally in wall-driven and pressure-driven flow modes using measurements in a parallel-plate rheometer and a microfluidic channel, respectively. A modified Krieger-Dougherty model can be used to describe the effects of the particle volume fraction on the yield stress and is in good agreement with the viscometric data. However, significant yield hardening in pressure-driven channel flow is observed and attributed to an increase and eventual saturation of the particle volume fraction in the channel. A phenomenological physical model linking the densification and consequent microstructure to the ratio of the particle aggregation time scale compared to the convective time scale is presented and used to predict the enhancement in yield stress in channel flow, enabling us to reconcile discrepancies in the literature between wall-driven and pressure-driven flows.

The effect of suspended particles on Jean's criterion for gravitational instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wollkind, David J.; Yates, Kemble R.

1990-01-01

The effect that the proper inclusion of suspended particles has on Jeans' criterion for the self-gravitational instability of an unbounded nonrotating adiabatic gas cloud is examined by formulating the appropriate model system, introducing particular physically plausible equations of state and constitutive relations, performing a linear stability analysis of a uniformly expanding exact solution to these governing equations, and exploiting the fact that there exists a natural small material parameter for this problem given by N sub 1/n sub 1, the ratio of the initial number density for the particles to that for the gas. The main result of this investigation is the derivation of an altered criterion which can substantially reduce Jeans' original critical wavelength for instability. It is then shown that the existing discrepancy between Jeans' theoretical prediction using and actual observational data relevant to the Andromeda nebula M31 can be accounted for by this new criterion of assuming suspended particles of a reasonable grain size and distribution to be present.

Tomographic active optical trapping of arbitrarily shaped objects by exploiting 3D refractive index maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyoohyun; Park, Yongkeun

2017-05-01

Optical trapping can manipulate the three-dimensional (3D) motion of spherical particles based on the simple prediction of optical forces and the responding motion of samples. However, controlling the 3D behaviour of non-spherical particles with arbitrary orientations is extremely challenging, due to experimental difficulties and extensive computations. Here, we achieve the real-time optical control of arbitrarily shaped particles by combining the wavefront shaping of a trapping beam and measurements of the 3D refractive index distribution of samples. Engineering the 3D light field distribution of a trapping beam based on the measured 3D refractive index map of samples generates a light mould, which can manipulate colloidal and biological samples with arbitrary orientations and/or shapes. The present method provides stable control of the orientation and assembly of arbitrarily shaped particles without knowing a priori information about the sample geometry. The proposed method can be directly applied in biophotonics and soft matter physics.

Plasma Stopping Power Measurements Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McEvoy, Aaron; Herrmann, Hans; Kim, Yongho; Hoffman, Nelson; Schmitt, Mark; Rubery, Michael; Garbett, Warren; Horsfield, Colin; Gales, Steve; Zylstra, Alex; Gatu Johnson, Maria; Frenje, Johan; Petrasso, Richard; Marshall, Frederic; Batha, Steve

2015-11-01

Ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments may be achieved if the alpha particle energy deposition results in a thermonuclear burn wave induced in the dense DT fuel layer surrounding the hotspot. As such, understanding the physics of particle energy loss in a plasma is of critical importance to designing ICF experiments. Experiments have validated various stopping power models under select ne and Te conditions, however there remain unexplored regimes where models predict differing rates of energy deposition. An upcoming experiment at the Omega laser facility will explore charged particle stopping in CH plastic capsule ablators across a range of plasma conditions (ne between 1024 cm-3 and 1025 cm-3 and Te on the order of hundreds of eV). Plasma conditions will be measured using x-ray and gamma ray diagnostics, while plasma stopping power will be measured using charged particle energy loss measurements. Details on the experiment and the theoretical models to be tested will be presented.

Computer Simulation of Spatial Arrangement and Connectivity of Particles in Three-Dimensional Microstructure: Application to Model Electrical Conductivity of Polymer Matrix Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Louis, P.; Gokhale, A. M.

1996-01-01

Computer simulation is a powerful tool for analyzing the geometry of three-dimensional microstructure. A computer simulation model is developed to represent the three-dimensional microstructure of a two-phase particulate composite where particles may be in contact with one another but do not overlap significantly. The model is used to quantify the "connectedness" of the particulate phase of a polymer matrix composite containing hollow carbon particles in a dielectric polymer resin matrix. The simulations are utilized to estimate the morphological percolation volume fraction for electrical conduction, and the effective volume fraction of the particles that actually take part in the electrical conduction. The calculated values of the effective volume fraction are used as an input for a self-consistent physical model for electrical conductivity. The predicted values of electrical conductivity are in very good agreement with the corresponding experimental data on a series of specimens having different particulate volume fraction.

Numerical simulation of advection fog formation on multi-disperse aerosols due to combustion-related pollutants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Liaw, G. S.

1980-01-01

The effects of multi-disperse distribution of the aerosol population are presented. Single component and multi-component aerosol species on the condensation/nucleation processes which affect the reduction in visibility are described. The aerosol population with a high particle concentration provided more favorable conditions for the formation of a denser fog than the aerosol population with a greater particle size distribution when the value of the mass concentration of the aerosols was kept constant. The results were used as numerical predictions of fog formation. Two dimensional observations in horizontal and vertical coordinates, together with time-dependent measurements were needed as initial values for the following physical parameters: (1)wind profiles; (2) temperature profiles; (3) humidity profiles; (4) mass concentration of aerosol particles; (5) particle size distribution of aerosols; and (6) chemical composition of aerosols. Formation and dissipation of advection fog, thus, can be forecasted numerically by introducing initial values obtained from the observations.

Deposition and clearance of inhaled particles.

PubMed Central

Stuart, B O

1984-01-01

Theoretical models of respiratory tract deposition of inhaled particles are compared to experimental studies of deposition patterns in humans and animals, as governed principally by particle size, density, respiratory rate and flow parameters. Various models of inhaled particle deposition make use of approximations of the respiratory tract to predict fractional deposition caused by fundamental physical processes of particle impaction, sedimentation, and diffusion. These models for both total deposition and regional (nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and pulmonary) deposition are compared with early and recent experimental studies. Reasonable correlation has been obtained between theoretical and experimental studies, but the behavior in the respiratory tract of very fine (less than 0.1 micron) particles requires further investigation. Properties of particle shape, charge and hygroscopicity as well as the degree of respiratory tract pathology also influence deposition patterns; definitive experimental work is needed in these areas. The influence upon deposition patterns of dynamic alterations in inspiratory flow profiles caused by a variety of breathing patterns also requires further study, and the use of differing ventilation techniques with selected inhaled particle sizes holds promise in diagnosis of respiratory tract diseases. Mechanisms of conducting airway and alveolar clearance processes involving the pulmonary macrophage, mucociliary clearance, dissolution, transport to systemic circulation, and translocation via regional lymphatic vessels are discussed. PMID:6376108

Simulation study of pixel detector charge digitization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fuyue; Nachman, Benjamin; Sciveres, Maurice; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Team

2017-01-01

Reconstruction of tracks from nearly overlapping particles, called Tracking in Dense Environments (TIDE), is an increasingly important component of many physics analyses at the Large Hadron Collider as signatures involving highly boosted jets are investigated. TIDE makes use of the charge distribution inside a pixel cluster to resolve tracks that share one of more of their pixel detector hits. In practice, the pixel charge is discretized using the Time-over-Threshold (ToT) technique. More charge information is better for discrimination, but more challenging for designing and operating the detector. A model of the silicon pixels has been developed in order to study the impact of the precision of the digitized charge distribution on distinguishing multi-particle clusters. The output of the GEANT4-based simulation is used to train neutral networks that predict the multiplicity and location of particles depositing energy inside one cluster of pixels. By studying the multi-particle cluster identification efficiency and position resolution, we quantify the trade-off between the number of ToT bits and low-level tracking inputs. As both ATLAS and CMS are designing upgraded detectors, this work provides guidance for the pixel module designs to meet TIDE needs. Work funded by the China Scholarship Council and the Office of High Energy Physics of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Phase space effects on fast ion distribution function modeling in tokamaks

DOE PAGES

Podesta, M.; Gorelenkova, M.; Fredrickson, E. D.; ...

2016-04-14

Here, integrated simulations of tokamak discharges typically rely on classical physics to model energetic particle (EP) dynamics. However, there are numerous cases in which energetic particles can suffer additional transport that is not classical in nature. Examples include transport by applied 3D magnetic perturbations and, more notably, by plasma instabilities. Focusing on the effects of instabilities,ad-hocmodels can empirically reproduce increased transport, but the choice of transport coefficients is usually somehow arbitrary. New approaches based on physics-based reduced models are being developed to address those issues in a simplified way, while retaining a more correct treatment of resonant wave-particle interactions. Themore » kick model implemented in the tokamaktransport code TRANSP is an example of such reduced models. It includes modifications of the EP distribution by instabilities in real and velocity space, retaining correlations between transport in energy and space typical of resonant EP transport. The relevance of EP phase space modifications by instabilities is first discussed in terms of predicted fast ion distribution. Results are compared with those from a simple, ad-hoc diffusive model. It is then shown that the phase-space resolved model can also provide additional insight into important issues such as internal consistency of the simulations and mode stability through the analysis of the power exchanged between energetic particles and the instabilities.« less

ICHEP 2014 Summary: Theory Status after the First LHC Run

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pich, Antonio

2016-04-01

A brief overview of the main highlights discussed at ICHEP 2014 is presented. The experimental data confirm that the scalar boson discovered at the LHC couples to other particles as predicted in the Standard Model. This constitutes a great success of the present theoretical paradigm, which has been confirmed as the correct description at the electroweak scale. At the same time, the negative searches for signals of new phenomena tightly constrain many new-physics scenarios, challenging previous theoretical wisdom and opening new perspectives in fundamental physics. Fresh ideas are needed to face the many pending questions unanswered within the Standard Model framework.

Physical renormalization condition for de Sitter QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashinaka, Takahiro; Xue, She-Sheng

2018-05-01

We considered a new renormalization condition for the vacuum expectation values of the scalar and spinor currents induced by a homogeneous and constant electric field background in de Sitter spacetime. Following a semiclassical argument, the condition named maximal subtraction imposes the exponential suppression on the massive charged particle limit of the renormalized currents. The maximal subtraction changes the behaviors of the induced currents previously obtained by the conventional minimal subtraction scheme. The maximal subtraction is favored for a couple of physically decent predictions including the identical asymptotic behavior of the scalar and spinor currents, the removal of the IR hyperconductivity from the scalar current, and the finite current for the massless fermion.

Multiscale modeling of interfacial flow in particle-solidification front dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garvin, Justin

2005-11-01

Particle-solidification front interactions are important in many applications, such as metal-matrix composite manufacture, frost heaving in soils and cryopreservation. The typical length scale of the particles and the solidification fronts are of the order of microns. However, the force of interaction between the particle and the front typically arises when the gap between them is of the order of tens of nanometers. Thus, a multiscale approach is necessary to analyze particle-front interactions. Solving the Navier-Stokes equations to simulate the dynamics by including the nano-scale gap between the particle and the front would be impossible. Therefore, the microscale dynamics is solved using a level-set based Eulerian technique, while an embedded model is developed for solution in the nano-scale (but continuum) gap region. The embedded model takes the form of a lubrication equation with disjoining pressure acting as a body force and is coupled to the outer solution. A particle is pushed by the front when the disjoining pressure is balanced by the viscous drag. The results obtained show that this balance can only occur when the thermal conductivity ratio of the particle to the melt is less than 1.0. The velocity of the front at which the particle pushing/engulfment transition occurs is predicted. In addition, this novel method allows for an in-depth analysis of the flow physics that cause particle pushing/engulfment.

Mesure de la section efficace de production de paires de quarks top dans le canal μ + jets + τ + b-jet(s) + Energie transverse manquante auprès de l'expérience DØ du Tevatron

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jammes, Jerome

2011-09-09

The purpose of high energy physics is to improve our knowledge about the fundamental structure of matter, in particular about particles that constitute the world. One of these is the top quark, that was discovered in 1995 by the CDF and D0 collaborations at the Tevatron protons-antiprotons collider. One of the primary aim of the Tevatron has been then the fine study of the top quark properties, in particular the top-antitop production cross section. Different analysis have been performed in the leptons (μ,e,τ) + jets, dileptons, and all hadronic channels to determine accurately the values of these parameters, and thusmore » to test the validity of the Standard Model. The main goal of this thesis is to verify one of the theoretical predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics, the top-antitop production cross section, at the Tevatron collider.« less

Exploring a Multiphysics Resolution Approach for Additive Manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estupinan Donoso, Alvaro Antonio; Peters, Bernhard

2018-06-01

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a fast-evolving technology aiming to efficiently produce complex parts while saving resources. Worldwide, active research is being performed to solve the existing challenges of this growing technique. Constant computational advances have enabled multiscale and multiphysics numerical tools that complement the traditional physical experimentation. In this contribution, an advanced discrete-continuous concept is proposed to address the physical phenomena involved during laser powder bed fusion. The concept treats powder as discrete by the extended discrete element method, which predicts the thermodynamic state and phase change for each particle. The fluid surrounding is solved with multiphase computational fluid dynamics techniques to determine momentum, heat, gas and liquid transfer. Thus, results track the positions and thermochemical history of individual particles in conjunction with the prevailing fluid phases' temperature and composition. It is believed that this methodology can be employed to complement experimental research by analysis of the comprehensive results, which can be extracted from it to enable AM processes optimization for parts qualification.

The Physics of g-2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lincoln, Don

At any time in history, a few scientific measurements disagreed with the best theoretical predictions of the time. Currently, one such discrepancy involves the measurement of the strength of the magnetic field of a subatomic particle called a muon. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains this mystery and sketches ongoing efforts to determine if this disagreement signifies a discovery. If it does, this measurement will mean that we will have to rewrite the textbooks.

Impact of the macroeconomic factors on university budgeting the US and Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogomolova, Arina; Balk, Igor; Ivachenko, Natalya; Temkin, Anatoly

2017-10-01

This paper discuses impact of macroeconomics factor on the university budgeting. Modern developments in the area of data science and machine learning made it possible to utilise automated techniques to address several problems of humankind ranging from genetic engineering and particle physics to sociology and economics. This paper is the first step to create a robust toolkit which will help universities sustain macroeconomic challenges utilising modern predictive analytics techniques.

A Toolkit to Study Sensitivity of the Geant4 Predictions to the Variations of the Physics Model Parameters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fields, Laura; Genser, Krzysztof; Hatcher, Robert

Geant4 is the leading detector simulation toolkit used in high energy physics to design detectors and to optimize calibration and reconstruction software. It employs a set of carefully validated physics models to simulate interactions of particles with matter across a wide range of interaction energies. These models, especially the hadronic ones, rely largely on directly measured cross-sections and phenomenological predictions with physically motivated parameters estimated by theoretical calculation or measurement. Because these models are tuned to cover a very wide range of possible simulation tasks, they may not always be optimized for a given process or a given material. Thismore » raises several critical questions, e.g. how sensitive Geant4 predictions are to the variations of the model parameters, or what uncertainties are associated with a particular tune of a Geant4 physics model, or a group of models, or how to consistently derive guidance for Geant4 model development and improvement from a wide range of available experimental data. We have designed and implemented a comprehensive, modular, user-friendly software toolkit to study and address such questions. It allows one to easily modify parameters of one or several Geant4 physics models involved in the simulation, and to perform collective analysis of multiple variants of the resulting physics observables of interest and comparison against a variety of corresponding experimental data. Based on modern event-processing infrastructure software, the toolkit offers a variety of attractive features, e.g. flexible run-time configurable workflow, comprehensive bookkeeping, easy to expand collection of analytical components. Design, implementation technology, and key functionalities of the toolkit are presented and illustrated with results obtained with Geant4 key hadronic models.« less

[Physical fingerprint for quality control of traditional Chinese medicine extract powders].

PubMed

Zhang, Yi; Xu, Bing; Sun, Fei; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Na; Shi, Xin-Yuan; Qiao, Yan-Jiang

2016-06-01

The physical properties of both raw materials and excipients are closely correlated with the quality of traditional Chinese medicine preparations in oral solid dosage forms. In this paper, based on the concept of the chemical fingerprint for quality control of traditional Chinese medicine products, the method of physical fingerprint for quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine extract powders was proposed. This novel physical fingerprint was built by the radar map, and consisted of five primary indexes (i.e. stackablity, homogeneity, flowability, compressibility and stability) and 12 secondary indexes (i.e. bulk density, tap density, particle size<50 μm percentage, relative homogeneity index, hausner ratio, angle of repose, powder flow time, inter-particle porosity, Carr index, cohesion index, loss on drying, hygroscopicity). Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) extract was taken for an example. This paper introduced the application of physical fingerprint in the evaluation of source-to-source and batch-to-batch quality consistence of PNS extract powders. Moreover, the physical fingerprint of PNS was built by calculating the index of parameters, the index of parametric profile and the index of good compressibility, in order to successfully predict the compressibility of the PNS extract powder and relevant formulations containing PNS extract powder and conventional pharmaceutical excipients. The results demonstrated that the proposed method could not only provide new insights into the development and process control of traditional Chinese medicine solid dosage forms. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Fermilab muon g-2 experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorringe, Tim

2018-05-01

The Fermilab muon g-2 experiment will measure the muon anomalous magnetic moment aμ to 140 ppb - a four-fold improvement over the earlier Brookhaven experiment. The measurement of aμ is well known as a unique test of the standard model with broad sensitivity to new interactions, particles and phenomena. The goal of 140 ppb is commensurate with ongoing improvements in the SM prediction of the anomalous moment and addresses the longstanding 3.5σ discrepancy between the BNL result and the SM prediction. In this article I discuss the physics motivation and experimental technique for measuring aμ, and the current status and the future work for the project.

In Situ Single Particle Measurement of Atmospheric Aging of Carbonaceous Aerosols During CARES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cahill, J. F.; Suski, K.; Hubbe, J.; Shilling, J.; Zaveri, R. A.; Springston, S. R.; Prather, K. A.

2011-12-01

Atmospheric aging of aerosols through photochemistry, heterogeneous reactions and aqueous processing can change their physical and chemical properties, impacting their gas uptake, radiative forcing, and activation of cloud nuclei. Understanding the timescale and magnitude of this aging process is essential for accurate aerosol-climate modeling and predictions. An aircraft aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (A-ATOFMS) measured single particle mixing state during the Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) in the summer of 2010 over Sacramento, CA. On 6/23/10, flights in the morning and afternoon performed pseudo-Lagrangian sampling of the Sacramento urban plume. Carbonaceous particles from these flights were classified into 'aged' and 'fresh' classes based on their mixing state, with aged particles having more secondary species, such as nitrate and sulfate. In the morning flight, a clear decreasing trend in the ratio of fresh/aged particle types was seen as the flight progressed, whereas in the afternoon flight, the ratio was essentially constant. These data show that in the morning carbonaceous aerosols can become heavily oxidized in a few hours. Further analysis of particle mixing state and the timescale of carbonaceous aerosol aging will be presented

What's Next for Particle Physics?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Martin

2017-10-01

Following the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, particle physics has entered its most exciting and crucial period for over 50 years. In this book, I first summarise our current understanding of particle physics, and why this knowledge is almost certainly incomplete. We will then see that the Large Hadron Collider provides the means to search for the next theory of particle physics by performing precise measurements of the Higgs boson, and by looking directly for particles that can solve current cosmic mysteries such as the nature of dark matter. Finally, I will anticipate the next decade of particle physics by placing the Large Hadron Collider within the wider context of other experiments. The results expected over the next ten years promise to transform our understanding of what the Universe is made of and how it came to be.

Utilization of FEM model for steel microstructure determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kešner, A.; Chotěborský, R.; Linda, M.; Hromasová, M.

2018-02-01

Agricultural tools which are used in soil processing, they are worn by abrasive wear mechanism cases by hard minerals particles in the soil. The wear rate is influenced by mechanical characterization of tools material and wear rate is influenced also by soil mineral particle contents. Mechanical properties of steel can be affected by a technology of heat treatment that it leads to a different microstructures. Experimental work how to do it is very expensive and thanks to numerical methods like FEM we can assumed microstructure at low cost but each of numerical model is necessary to be verified. The aim of this work has shown a procedure of prediction microstructure of steel for agricultural tools. The material characterizations of 51CrV4 grade steel were used for numerical simulation like TTT diagram, heat capacity, heat conduction and other physical properties of material. A relationship between predicted microstructure by FEM and real microstructure after heat treatment shows a good correlation.

Total reaction cross sections in CEM and MCNP6 at intermediate energies

DOE PAGES

Kerby, Leslie M.; Mashnik, Stepan G.

2015-05-14

Accurate total reaction cross section models are important to achieving reliable predictions from spallation and transport codes. The latest version of the Cascade Exciton Model (CEM) as incorporated in the code CEM03.03, and the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code (MCNP6), both developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), each use such cross sections. Having accurate total reaction cross section models in the intermediate energy region (50 MeV to 5 GeV) is very important for different applications, including analysis of space environments, use in medical physics, and accelerator design, to name just a few. The current inverse cross sections used inmore » the preequilibrium and evaporation stages of CEM are based on the Dostrovsky et al. model, published in 1959. Better cross section models are now available. Implementing better cross section models in CEM and MCNP6 should yield improved predictions for particle spectra and total production cross sections, among other results.« less

Nonthermal X-ray emission from winds of OB supergiants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, W.; White, R.L.

1991-01-01

The mechanisms responsible for the hard X-ray emission of OB supergiants (OBSGs) are investigated theoretically, modifying the periodic-shock model of Lucy (1982). The physical processes discussed include (1) the particle acceleration (PA) mechanism and its effect on the structure of individual shocks, (2) the energy cutoff and spectral index of the relativistic electrons and ions, and (3) the efficiency of PA by shocks and its implications for the number densities of relativistic particles. The model is used to predict the spectrum and intensity of the dominant nonthermal X-ray emission source from OBSGs, and the results are shown to be inmore » good agreement with Einstein Observatory Solid-State Spectrometer observations of three OBSGs in Orion (Cassinelli and Swank, 1983). It is inferred that the surface magnetic fields of OBSGs are no greater than a few G, and that the PA rates are significantly lower than generally predicted for collisionless astrophysical shocks. 66 refs.« less

Total reaction cross sections in CEM and MCNP6 at intermediate energies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kerby, Leslie M.; Mashnik, Stepan G.

Accurate total reaction cross section models are important to achieving reliable predictions from spallation and transport codes. The latest version of the Cascade Exciton Model (CEM) as incorporated in the code CEM03.03, and the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code (MCNP6), both developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), each use such cross sections. Having accurate total reaction cross section models in the intermediate energy region (50 MeV to 5 GeV) is very important for different applications, including analysis of space environments, use in medical physics, and accelerator design, to name just a few. The current inverse cross sections used inmore » the preequilibrium and evaporation stages of CEM are based on the Dostrovsky et al. model, published in 1959. Better cross section models are now available. Implementing better cross section models in CEM and MCNP6 should yield improved predictions for particle spectra and total production cross sections, among other results.« less

Particle Physics: From School to University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barlow, Roger

1992-01-01

Discusses the teaching of particle physics as part of the A-level physics course in British secondary schools. Utilizes the quark model of hadrons and the conceptual kinematics of particle collisions, as examples, to demonstrate practical instructional possibilities in relation to student expectations. (JJK)

Artificial neural network based particle size prediction of polymeric nanoparticles.

PubMed

Youshia, John; Ali, Mohamed Ehab; Lamprecht, Alf

2017-10-01

Particle size of nanoparticles and the respective polydispersity are key factors influencing their biopharmaceutical behavior in a large variety of therapeutic applications. Predicting these attributes would skip many preliminary studies usually required to optimize formulations. The aim was to build a mathematical model capable of predicting the particle size of polymeric nanoparticles produced by a pharmaceutical polymer of choice. Polymer properties controlling the particle size were identified as molecular weight, hydrophobicity and surface activity, and were quantified by measuring polymer viscosity, contact angle and interfacial tension, respectively. A model was built using artificial neural network including these properties as input with particle size and polydispersity index as output. The established model successfully predicted particle size of nanoparticles covering a range of 70-400nm prepared from other polymers. The percentage bias for particle prediction was 2%, 4% and 6%, for the training, validation and testing data, respectively. Polymer surface activity was found to have the highest impact on the particle size followed by viscosity and finally hydrophobicity. Results of this study successfully highlighted polymer properties affecting particle size and confirmed the usefulness of artificial neural networks in predicting the particle size and polydispersity of polymeric nanoparticles. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

From Particle Physics to Medical Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dosanjh, Manjit

2017-06-01

CERN is the world's largest particle physics research laboratory. Since it was established in 1954, it has made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the fundamental particles and their interactions, and also to the technologies needed to analyse their properties and behaviour. The experimental challenges have pushed the performance of particle accelerators and detectors to the limits of our technical capabilities, and these groundbreaking technologies can also have a significant impact in applications beyond particle physics. In particular, the detectors developed for particle physics have led to improved techniques for medical imaging, while accelerator technologies lie at the heart of the irradiation methods that are widely used for treating cancer. Indeed, many important diagnostic and therapeutic techniques used by healthcare professionals are based either on basic physics principles or the technologies developed to carry out physics research. Ever since the discovery of x-rays by Roentgen in 1895, physics has been instrumental in the development of technologies in the biomedical domain, including the use of ionizing radiation for medical imaging and therapy. Some key examples that are explored in detail in this book include scanners based on positron emission tomography, as well as radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Even the collaborative model of particle physics is proving to be effective in catalysing multidisciplinary research for medical applications, ensuring that pioneering physics research is exploited for the benefit of all.

Physics of Hard Spheres Experiment (PhaSE) or "Making Jello in Space"

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ling, Jerri S.; Doherty, Michael P.

1998-01-01

The Physics of Hard Spheres Experiment (PHaSE) is a highly successful experiment that flew aboard two shuttle missions to study the transitions involved in the formation of jellolike colloidal crystals in a microgravity environment. A colloidal suspension, or colloid, consists of fine particles, often having complex interactions, suspended in a liquid. Paint, ink, and milk are examples of colloids found in everyday life. In low Earth orbit, the effective force of gravity is thousands of times less than at the Earth's surface. This provides researchers a way to conduct experiments that cannot be adequately performed in an Earth-gravity environment. In microgravity, colloidal particles freely interact without the complications of settling that occur in normal gravity on Earth. If the particle interactions within these colloidal suspensions could be predicted and accurately modeled, they could provide the key to understanding fundamental problems in condensed matter physics and could help make possible the development of wonderful new "designer" materials. Industries that make semiconductors, electro-optics, ceramics, and composites are just a few that may benefit from this knowledge. Atomic interactions determine the physical properties (e.g., weight, color, and hardness) of ordinary matter. PHaSE uses colloidal suspensions of microscopic solid plastic spheres to model the behavior of atomic interactions. When uniformly sized hard spheres suspended in a fluid reach a certain concentration (volume fraction), the particle-fluid mixture changes from a disordered fluid state, in which the spheres are randomly organized, to an ordered "crystalline" state, in which they are structured periodically. The thermal energy of the spheres causes them to form ordered arrays, analogous to crystals. Seven of the eight PHaSE samples ranged in volume fraction from 0.483 to 0.624 to cover the range of interest, while one sample, having a concentration of 0.019, was included for instrument calibration.

Recent Developments in the Radiation Belt Environment Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fok, M.-C.; Glocer, A.; Zheng, Q.; Horne, R. B.; Meredith, N. P.; Albert, J. M.; Nagai, T.

2010-01-01

The fluxes of energetic particles in the radiation belts are found to be strongly controlled by the solar wind conditions. In order to understand and predict the radiation particle intensities, we have developed a physics-based Radiation Belt Environment (RBE) model that considers the influences from the solar wind, ring current and plasmasphere. Recently, an improved calculation of wave-particle interactions has been incorporated. In particular, the model now includes cross diffusion in energy and pitch-angle. We find that the exclusion of cross diffusion could cause significant overestimation of electron flux enhancement during storm recovery. The RBE model is also connected to MHD fields so that the response of the radiation belts to fast variations in the global magnetosphere can be studied.Weare able to reproduce the rapid flux increase during a substorm dipolarization on 4 September 2008. The timing is much shorter than the time scale of wave associated acceleration.

Trapping force and optical lifting under focused evanescent wave illumination.

PubMed

Ganic, Djenan; Gan, Xiaosong; Gu, Min

2004-11-01

A physical model is presented to understand and calculate trapping force exerted on a dielectric micro-particle under focused evanescent wave illumination. This model is based on our recent vectorial diffraction model by a high numerical aperture objective operating under the total internal condition. As a result, trapping force in a focused evanescent spot generated by both plane wave (TEM00) and doughnut beam (TEM*01) illumination is calculated, showing an agreement with the measured results. It is also revealed by this model that unlike optical trapping in the far-field region, optical axial trapping force in an evanescent focal spot increases linearly with the size of a trapped particle. This prediction shows that it is possible to overcome the force of gravity to lift a polystyrene particle of up to 800 nm in radius with a laser beam of power 10 microW.

New directions: Time for a new approach to modeling surface-atmosphere exchanges in air quality models?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saylor, Rick D.; Hicks, Bruce B.

2016-03-01

Just as the exchange of heat, moisture and momentum between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere are critical components of meteorological and climate models, the surface-atmosphere exchange of many trace gases and aerosol particles is a vitally important process in air quality (AQ) models. Current state-of-the-art AQ models treat the emission and deposition of most gases and particles as separate model parameterizations, even though evidence has accumulated over time that the emission and deposition processes of many constituents are often two sides of the same coin, with the upward (emission) or downward (deposition) flux over a landscape depending on a range of environmental, seasonal and biological variables. In this note we argue that the time has come to integrate the treatment of these processes in AQ models to provide biological, physical and chemical consistency and improved predictions of trace gases and particles.

Comparison of 3D ion velocity distribution measurements and models in the vicinity of an absorbing boundary oriented obliquely to a magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henriquez, Miguel F.; Thompson, Derek S.; Kenily, Shane; Khaziev, Rinat; Good, Timothy N.; McIlvain, Julianne; Siddiqui, M. Umair; Curreli, Davide; Scime, Earl E.

2016-10-01

Understanding particle distributions in plasma boundary regions is critical to predicting plasma-surface interactions. Ions in the presheath exhibit complex behavior because of collisions and due to the presence of boundary-localized electric fields. Complete understanding of particle dynamics is necessary for understanding the critical problems of tokamak wall loading and Hall thruster channel wall erosion. We report measurements of 3D argon ion velocity distribution functions (IVDFs) in the vicinity of an absorbing boundary oriented obliquely to a background magnetic field. Measurements were obtained via argon ion laser induced fluorescence throughout a spatial volume upstream of the boundary. These distribution functions reveal kinetic details that provide a point-to-point check on particle-in-cell and 1D3V Boltzmann simulations. We present the results of this comparison and discuss some implications for plasma boundary interaction physics.

Preface: Solar energetic particles, solar modulation and space radiation: New opportunities in the AMS-02 Era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bindi, Veronica

2017-08-01

Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) acceleration at high energies and their propagation through the heliosphere and into the magnetosphere are not well understood and are still a matter of debate. Our understanding of solar modulation and transport of different species of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) inside the heliosphere has been significantly improved; however, a lot of work still needs to be done. GCR and SEPs pose a significant radiation risk for people and technology in space, and thus it is becoming increasingly important to understand the space radiation environment. AMS-02 will provide brand new information with unprecedented statistics about GCR and SEPs. Both GCR and heliophysics experiments will contribute to the increased understanding of acceleration physics, and transport of particles in space with improved models. This will inevitably lead to better predictions of space weather and safer operations in space.

Particle Laden Turbulence in a Radiation Environment Using a Portable High Preformace Solver Based on the Legion Runtime System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres, Hilario; Iaccarino, Gianluca

2017-11-01

Soleil-X is a multi-physics solver being developed at Stanford University as a part of the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program II. Our goal is to conduct high fidelity simulations of particle laden turbulent flows in a radiation environment for solar energy receiver applications as well as to demonstrate our readiness to effectively utilize next generation Exascale machines. The novel aspect of Soleil-X is that it is built upon the Legion runtime system to enable easy portability to different parallel distributed heterogeneous architectures while also being written entirely in high-level/high-productivity languages (Ebb and Regent). An overview of the Soleil-X software architecture will be given. Results from coupled fluid flow, Lagrangian point particle tracking, and thermal radiation simulations will be presented. Performance diagnostic tools and metrics corresponding the the same cases will also be discussed. US Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration.

Superheavy dark matter through Higgs portal operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolb, Edward W.; Long, Andrew J.

2017-11-01

The WIMPzilla hypothesis is that the dark matter is a super-weakly-interacting and superheavy particle. Conventionally, the WIMPzilla abundance is set by gravitational particle production during or at the end of inflation. In this study we allow the WIMPzilla to interact directly with Standard Model fields through the Higgs portal, and we calculate the thermal production (freeze-in) of WIMPzilla dark matter from the annihilation of Higgs boson pairs in the plasma. The two particle-physics model parameters are the WIMPzilla mass and the Higgs-WIMPzilla coupling. The two cosmological parameters are the reheating temperature and the expansion rate of the universe at the end of inflation. We delineate the regions of parameter space where either gravitational or thermal production is dominant, and within those regions we identify the parameters that predict the observed dark matter relic abundance. Allowing for thermal production opens up the parameter space, even for Planck-suppressed Higgs-WIMPzilla interactions.

Versatile fusion source integrator AFSI for fast ion and neutron studies in fusion devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sirén, Paula; Varje, Jari; Äkäslompolo, Simppa; Asunta, Otto; Giroud, Carine; Kurki-Suonio, Taina; Weisen, Henri; JET Contributors, The

2018-01-01

ASCOT Fusion Source Integrator AFSI, an efficient tool for calculating fusion reaction rates and characterizing the fusion products, based on arbitrary reactant distributions, has been developed and is reported in this paper. Calculation of reactor-relevant D-D, D-T and D-3He fusion reactions has been implemented based on the Bosch-Hale fusion cross sections. The reactions can be calculated between arbitrary particle populations, including Maxwellian thermal particles and minority energetic particles. Reaction rate profiles, energy spectra and full 4D phase space distributions can be calculated for the non-isotropic reaction products. The code is especially suitable for integrated modelling in self-consistent plasma physics simulations as well as in the Serpent neutronics calculation chain. Validation of the model has been performed for neutron measurements at the JET tokamak and the code has been applied to predictive simulations in ITER.

ICPP: Relativistic Plasma Physics with Ultra-Short High-Intensity Laser Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer-Ter-Vehn, Juergen

2000-10-01

Recent progress in generating ultra-short high-intensity laser pulses has opened a new branch of relativistic plasma physics, which is discussed in this talk in terms of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. These pulses create small plasma volumes of high-density plasma with plasma fields above 10^12 V/m and 10^8 Gauss. At intensities beyond 10^18 W/cm^2, now available from table-top systems, they drive relativistic electron currents in self-focussing plasma channels. These currents are close to the Alfven limit and allow to study relativistic current filamentation. A most remarkable feature is the generation of well collimated relativistic electron beams emerging from the channels with energies up to GeV. In dense matter they trigger cascades of gamma-rays, e^+e^- pairs, and a host of nuclear and particle processes. One of the applications may be fast ignition of compressed inertial fusion targets. Above 10^23 W/cm^2, expected to be achieved in the future, solid-density matter becomes relativistically transparent for optical light, and the acceleration of protons to multi-GeV energies is predicted in plasma layers less than 1 mm thick. These results open completely new perspectives for plasma-based accelerator schemes. Three-dimensional PIC simulations turn out to be the superior tool to explore the relativistic plasma kinetics at such intensities. Results obtained with the VLPL code [1] are presented. Different mechanisms of particle acceleration are discussed. Both laser wakefield and direct laser acceleration in plasma channels (by a mechanism similar to inverse free electron lasers) have been identified. The latter describes recent MPQ experimental results. [1] A. Pukhov, J. Plasma Physics 61, 425 - 433 (1999): Three-dimensional electromagnetic relativistic particle-in-cell code VLPL (Virtual Laser Plasma Laboratory).

Let’s have a coffee with the Standard Model of particle physics!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woithe, Julia; Wiener, Gerfried J.; Van der Veken, Frederik F.

2017-05-01

The Standard Model of particle physics is one of the most successful theories in physics and describes the fundamental interactions between elementary particles. It is encoded in a compact description, the so-called ‘Lagrangian’, which even fits on t-shirts and coffee mugs. This mathematical formulation, however, is complex and only rarely makes it into the physics classroom. Therefore, to support high school teachers in their challenging endeavour of introducing particle physics in the classroom, we provide a qualitative explanation of the terms of the Lagrangian and discuss their interpretation based on associated Feynman diagrams.

LECTURES ON PHYSICS, BIOPHYSICS, AND CHEMISTRY FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS GIVEN AT THE ERNEST O. LAWRENCE RADIATION LABORATORY, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, JUNE-AUGUST 1959

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Calhoon, E.C.; Starring, P.W. eds.

1959-08-01

Lectures given at the Ernest 0. Lawrence Radiation Laboratory on physics, biophysics, and chemistry for high school science teachers are presented. Topics covered include a mathematics review, atomic physics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, elementary particles, antiparticies, design of experiments, high-energy particle accelerators, survey of particle detectors, emulsion as a particle detector, counters used in high-energy physics, bubble chambers, computer programming, chromatography, the transuranium elements, health physics, photosynthesis, the chemistry and physics of virus, the biology of virus, lipoproteins and heart disease, origin and evolution of the solar system, the role of space satellites in gathering astronomical data, and radiation andmore » life in space. (M.C.G.)« less

The Stellar IMF from Isothermal MHD Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haugbølle, Troels; Padoan, Paolo; Nordlund, Åke

2018-02-01

We address the turbulent fragmentation scenario for the origin of the stellar initial mass function (IMF), using a large set of numerical simulations of randomly driven supersonic MHD turbulence. The turbulent fragmentation model successfully predicts the main features of the observed stellar IMF assuming an isothermal equation of state without any stellar feedback. As a test of the model, we focus on the case of a magnetized isothermal gas, neglecting stellar feedback, while pursuing a large dynamic range in both space and timescales covering the full spectrum of stellar masses from brown dwarfs to massive stars. Our simulations represent a generic 4 pc region within a typical Galactic molecular cloud, with a mass of 3000 M ⊙ and an rms velocity 10 times the isothermal sound speed and 5 times the average Alfvén velocity, in agreement with observations. We achieve a maximum resolution of 50 au and a maximum duration of star formation of 4.0 Myr, forming up to a thousand sink particles whose mass distribution closely matches the observed stellar IMF. A large set of medium-size simulations is used to test the sink particle algorithm, while larger simulations are used to test the numerical convergence of the IMF and the dependence of the IMF turnover on physical parameters predicted by the turbulent fragmentation model. We find a clear trend toward numerical convergence and strong support for the model predictions, including the initial time evolution of the IMF. We conclude that the physics of isothermal MHD turbulence is sufficient to explain the origin of the IMF.

Random close packing in protein cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohern, Corey

Shortly after the determination of the first protein x-ray crystal structures, researchers analyzed their cores and reported packing fractions ϕ ~ 0 . 75 , a value that is similar to close packing equal-sized spheres. A limitation of these analyses was the use of `extended atom' models, rather than the more physically accurate `explicit hydrogen' model. The validity of using the explicit hydrogen model is proved by its ability to predict the side chain dihedral angle distributions observed in proteins. We employ the explicit hydrogen model to calculate the packing fraction of the cores of over 200 high resolution protein structures. We find that these protein cores have ϕ ~ 0 . 55 , which is comparable to random close-packing of non-spherical particles. This result provides a deeper understanding of the physical basis of protein structure that will enable predictions of the effects of amino acid mutations and design of new functional proteins. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, National Library of Medicine training grant T15LM00705628 (J.C.G.), and National Science Foundation DMR-1307712 (L.R.).

Modeling of Particle Engulfment during the Growth of Crystalline Silicon for Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Yutao

A major challenge for the growth of multi-crystalline silicon is the formation of carbide and nitride precipitates in the melt that are engulfed by the solidification front to form inclusions. These lower cell efficiency and can lead to wafer breakage and sawing defects. Minimizing the number of these engulfed particles will promote lower cost and higher quality silicon and will advance progress in commercial solar cell production. To better understand the physical mechanisms responsible for such inclusions during crystal growth, we have developed finite-element, moving-boundary analyses to assess particle dynamics during engulfment via solidification fronts. Two-dimensional, steady-state and dynamic models are developed using the Galerkin finite element method and elliptic mesh generation techniques in an arbitrary Eulerian-Lagrangian (ALE) implementation. This numerical approach allows for an accurate representation of forces and dynamics previously inaccessible by approaches using analytical approximations. We reinterpret the significance of premelting via the definition of an unambiguous critical velocity for engulfment from steady-state analysis and bifurcation theory. Parametric studies are then performed to uncover the dependence of critical growth velocity upon some important physical properties. We also explore the complicated transient behaviors due to oscillating crystal growth conditions as well as the nonlinear nature related with temperature gradients and solute effects in the system. When compared with results for the SiC-Si system measured during ParSiWal experiments conducted by our collaborators, our model predicts a more realistic scaling of critical velocity with particle size than that predicted by prior theories. However, the engulfment growth velocity observed in the subsequent experiment onboard the TEXUS sounding rocket mission turned out to be unexpectedly higher. To explain this model discrepancy, a macroscopic model is developed in order to account for the natural convection in the terrestrial experiments. We demonstrate that the convective flows are able to keep most small particles suspended in the melt, so that the observed critical velocities and their variance are enhanced in the experiments conducted on earth. According to simulation results, some solutions, which are applicable in photovoltaic industry, to the inclusion problem are also discussed and studied.

Particle and nuclear physics instrumentation and its broad connections

DOE PAGES

Demarteau, Marcel; Lipton, Ron; Nicholson, Howard; ...

2016-12-20

Subatomic physics shares with other basic sciences the need to innovate, invent, and develop tools, techniques, and technologies to carry out its mission to explore the nature of matter, energy, space, and time. In some cases, entire detectors or technologies developed specifically for particle physics research have been adopted by other fields of research or in commercial applications. In most cases, however, the development of new devices and technologies by particle physics for its own research has added value to other fields of research or to applications beneficial to society by integrating them in the existing technologies. Thus, detector researchmore » and development has not only advanced the current state of technology for particle physics, but has often advanced research in other fields of science and has underpinned progress in numerous applications in medicine and national security. At the same time particle physics has profited immensely from developments in industry and applied them to great benefit for the use of particle physics detectors. Finally, this symbiotic relationship has seen strong mutual benefits with sometimes unexpected far reach.« less

Particle and nuclear physics instrumentation and its broad connections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demarteau, M.; Lipton, R.; Nicholson, H.; Shipsey, I.

2016-10-01

Subatomic physics shares with other basic sciences the need to innovate, invent, and develop tools, techniques, and technologies to carry out its mission to explore the nature of matter, energy, space, and time. In some cases, entire detectors or technologies developed specifically for particle physics research have been adopted by other fields of research or in commercial applications. In most cases, however, the development of new devices and technologies by particle physics for its own research has added value to other fields of research or to applications beneficial to society by integrating them in the existing technologies. Thus, detector research and development has not only advanced the current state of technology for particle physics, but has often advanced research in other fields of science and has underpinned progress in numerous applications in medicine and national security. At the same time particle physics has profited immensely from developments in industry and applied them to great benefit for the use of particle physics detectors. This symbiotic relationship has seen strong mutual benefits with sometimes unexpected far reach.

Particle and nuclear physics instrumentation and its broad connections

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Demarteau, Marcel; Lipton, Ron; Nicholson, Howard

Subatomic physics shares with other basic sciences the need to innovate, invent, and develop tools, techniques, and technologies to carry out its mission to explore the nature of matter, energy, space, and time. In some cases, entire detectors or technologies developed specifically for particle physics research have been adopted by other fields of research or in commercial applications. In most cases, however, the development of new devices and technologies by particle physics for its own research has added value to other fields of research or to applications beneficial to society by integrating them in the existing technologies. Thus, detector researchmore » and development has not only advanced the current state of technology for particle physics, but has often advanced research in other fields of science and has underpinned progress in numerous applications in medicine and national security. At the same time particle physics has profited immensely from developments in industry and applied them to great benefit for the use of particle physics detectors. Finally, this symbiotic relationship has seen strong mutual benefits with sometimes unexpected far reach.« less

Thermodynamics Of Common Atmospheric Particles On The Nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onasch, T.; Han, J.; Oatis, S.; Brechtel, F.; Imre, D. G.

2002-12-01

A significant fraction of atmospheric particles are hygroscopic by nature and exhibit the properties of deliquescence and efflorescence. Recent field studies have observed large nucleation events of hygroscopic particles and note discrepancies between predicted and observed particle growth rates after nucleation. These growth rates are governed, in part, by the thermodynamic properties of particles only a few nanometers in diameter. However, little thermodynamic information is currently available for nanometer?sized particles. The Kelvin relation indicates that the surface tension of a particle less than 100nm in diameter can dramatically affect the thermodynamics, and surface states may begin to influence the bulk physical properties in these small particles with high surface to volume ratios. In this context, we are investigating the thermodynamic properties, including pre-deliquescence water adsorption, deliquescence, efflorescence, and supersaturated particle compositions of nanoparticles with mobility diameters in the range of 5 to 50 nm. We have developed a temperature and humidity-controlled laboratory-based Nano Differential Mobility Analyzer (NDMA) system to characterize the hygroscopic properties of the common atmospheric salt particles as a function of size. Two different aerosol generation systems have been used to cover the full size range. The first system (less than 20nm diameter) relies on an Atomizer (TSI 3076) to produce particles which are size?selected using an initial DMA. For particle sizes smaller than 20 nm, the Electrospray Aerosol Generator (EAG, TSI 3480) has been employed as a particle source. The EAG characteristically provides narrow size distributions, comparable to the monodisperse size distribution from a DMA, but with higher number concentrations. Once generated, the monodisperse aerosol flow is then conditioned with respect to humidity at a constant temperature and subsequently analyzed using a TSI Ultrafine CPC (Model 3010) modified for Pulse-Height Analysis. The dry particle sizes are also continually monitored by an external SMPS system (TSI 3936) to rectify errors in the calculated growth factor resulting from any drift in the dry particle size. The size changes of the humidified particles are directly correlated with the relative humidity and temperature. Our results of ammonium sulfate particles from 5 - 50 nm in diameter are consistent with those predicted from the Kelvin relation. The particle size affects both deliquescence and efflorescence of the homogeneous salt particles: the deliquescence relative humidity increases and the efflorescence decreases as particles become smaller. In addition, although the smaller the particle size the more significant water adsorption, the sharp deliquescence phase transition was obvious regardless of the particle sizes. The implications with respect to these observations will be further discussed at the presentation.

A study of how the particle spectra of SU(N) gauge theories with a fundamental Higgs emerge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Törek, Pascal; Maas, Axel; Sondenheimer, René

2018-03-01

In gauge theories, the physical, experimentally observable spectrum consists only of gauge-invariant states. In the standard model the Fröhlich-Morchio-Strocchi mechanism shows that these states can be adequately mapped to the gauge-dependent elementary W, Z, Higgs, and fermions. In theories with a more general gauge group and Higgs sector, appearing in various extensions of the standard model, this has not to be the case. In this work we determine analytically the physical spectrum of SU(N > 2) gauge theories with a Higgs field in the fundamental representation. We show that discrepancies between the spectrum predicted by perturbation theory and the observable physical spectrum arise. We confirm these analytic findings with lattice simulations for N = 3.

Tunable particles alter macrophage uptake based on combinatorial effects of physical properties

PubMed Central

Garapaty, Anusha

2017-01-01

Abstract The ability to tune phagocytosis of particle‐based therapeutics by macrophages can enhance their delivery to macrophages or reduce their phagocytic susceptibility for delivery to non‐phagocytic cells. Since phagocytosis is affected by the physical and chemical properties of particles, it is crucial to identify any interplay between physical properties of particles in altering phagocytic interactions. The combinatorial effect of physical properties size, shape and stiffness was investigated on Fc receptor mediated macrophage interactions by fabrication of layer‐by‐layer tunable particles of constant surface chemistry. Our results highlight how changing particle stiffness affects phagocytic interaction intricately when combined with varying size or shape. Increase in size plays a dominant role over reduction in stiffness in reducing internalization by macrophages for spherical particles. Internalization of rod‐shaped, but not spherical particles, was highly dependent on stiffness. These particles demonstrate the interplay between size, shape and stiffness in interactions of Fc‐functionalized particles with macrophages during phagocytosis. PMID:29313025

Particle-based membrane model for mesoscopic simulation of cellular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadeghi, Mohsen; Weikl, Thomas R.; Noé, Frank

2018-01-01

We present a simple and computationally efficient coarse-grained and solvent-free model for simulating lipid bilayer membranes. In order to be used in concert with particle-based reaction-diffusion simulations, the model is purely based on interacting and reacting particles, each representing a coarse patch of a lipid monolayer. Particle interactions include nearest-neighbor bond-stretching and angle-bending and are parameterized so as to reproduce the local membrane mechanics given by the Helfrich energy density over a range of relevant curvatures. In-plane fluidity is implemented with Monte Carlo bond-flipping moves. The physical accuracy of the model is verified by five tests: (i) Power spectrum analysis of equilibrium thermal undulations is used to verify that the particle-based representation correctly captures the dynamics predicted by the continuum model of fluid membranes. (ii) It is verified that the input bending stiffness, against which the potential parameters are optimized, is accurately recovered. (iii) Isothermal area compressibility modulus of the membrane is calculated and is shown to be tunable to reproduce available values for different lipid bilayers, independent of the bending rigidity. (iv) Simulation of two-dimensional shear flow under a gravity force is employed to measure the effective in-plane viscosity of the membrane model and show the possibility of modeling membranes with specified viscosities. (v) Interaction of the bilayer membrane with a spherical nanoparticle is modeled as a test case for large membrane deformations and budding involved in cellular processes such as endocytosis. The results are shown to coincide well with the predicted behavior of continuum models, and the membrane model successfully mimics the expected budding behavior. We expect our model to be of high practical usability for ultra coarse-grained molecular dynamics or particle-based reaction-diffusion simulations of biological systems.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Myers, S.; Picasso, E.

This year the LEP (Large Electron-Positron) is expected to generate about a million more Z{sup 0}'s. This abundance of data will enable physicists to investigate rare decay modes, determine the precise mass and lifetime of the Z{sup 0}, study the processes underlying the production of hadrons (particles made up of quarks) and probe subtle aspects of the prevailing theory. Equally important, experiments at the LEP will try to discover new states of matter--in particular, the Higgs boson and perhaps also the top quark. Both of these massive particles are predicted by theory but have yet to be observed. Experimenters willmore » also be searching for phenomena that are not predicted by existing theories. The LEP Collider is destined to be the preeminent tool for particle physics in the next decade. Its spectacular performance to data is a tribute to the ingenuity and determined effort of hundreds of technicians, engineers and scientists from more than 25 nations who collaborated on the LEP and its detectors. With an average diameter of 8,486 meters and a beam-collision energy of 100 billion electron volts, or gigaelectron volts (GeV), the LEP is the largest and most powerful electron-positron storage ring ever built. Because the electrons and positrons have the same energy and are colliding head-on, the total energy available in the center of mass of the system is simply twice the beam energy. The LEP, with present collision energies of up to 110 GeV, generates Z{sup 0} particles. It will eventually be upgraded to 200 GeV and generate particles known as the W{sup +} and W{sup {minus}}. Each of these three particles weighs about 90 GeV, or about 100 times the mass of the proton.« less

A Study of The Direct Aerosol Forcing At Ground Level For A Pollution Event During The Escompte Campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallet, M.; Roger, J. C.; Dubuisson, P.; Putaud, J. P.; van Dingenen, R.; Despiau, S.

Radiative forcing by aerosol particles is one of the largest source of uncertainties in predicting climate change (IPCC, 2001). Indeed, quantitative estimates of this effect are still uncertain due to little knowledge of these atmospheric particles. Atmospheric particles influence the Earth's radiation balance both directly and indirectly. The indi- rect effect denotes the effect of aerosols acting as cloud condensation nuclei, possibly modifying cloud albedo and cloud lifetime. The direct effect is due to scattering and absorption of radiation and each of these processes depends mainly on the refractive index and the size distribution of aerosol particles. During the ESCOMPTE campaign, which took place in coastal Mediterranean area during the summer 2001, we estimated these aerosol micro-physical properties during a pollution event at two different sites. The first is an urban site (the city of Marseille), and the second is a rural area located fifty kilometers inland. The aerosol size distribution was measured with an SMPS for the particles with radii < 1 µm, and an optical counter for r > 1 µm. The chemi- cal composition (including different ionic compounds , dust, elemental and organic carbon) was deduced from chromatography analysis. The aerosol optical properties calculated from measured aerosol physical and chemical properties at ground level (from Mie theory) are used as input to a shortwave radiative transfer model. Then, this model is used to calculate the diurnally averaged direct aerosol forcing at surface and to compare this values with those measured from the ARAT aircraft and surface pyranometer during the campaign.

First observation of associated production of J/psi meson and W boson

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melachrinos, Constantinos

Particle physics concerns the understanding of the fundamental building blocks of nature, the production of particles and their interactions. The experimental study of high energy collisions allows us to probe the theoretical predictions pertaining to particles. The Large Hadron Collider was built on the outskirts of Geneva, to accelerate and collide protons at the highest energies ever, and allow for the study of the products of these collisions. The ATLAS detector is designed to detect the particles resulting from the proton-proton collisions and collect the data for further study. The discovery of the J/psi meson in 1974 paved the way for the presence of three families of quarks in the Standard Model of Particle Physics. The production mechanism of J/psi at the LHC is not well understood, and several models have been proposed to explain it, such as the Color Singlet and Color Octet models. The associated production of J/psi meson with a W boson offers an additional insight on the production of J/psi. In this thesis, we report the first observation of the W +/- + J/psi production using 4.5 fb -1 of ATLAS data from proton-proton collisions at center of mass energy of 7 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. In addition, we measure the cross-section ratio of the W+/- + J/psi production to the inclusive W production. The results are dominated by statistical uncertainties and suggest that a combination of the different models for J/psi production is needed to explain J/psi production.

Development of property-transfer models for estimating the hydraulic properties of deep sediments at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Winfield, Kari A.

2005-01-01

Because characterizing the unsaturated hydraulic properties of sediments over large areas or depths is costly and time consuming, development of models that predict these properties from more easily measured bulk-physical properties is desirable. At the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, the unsaturated zone is composed of thick basalt flow sequences interbedded with thinner sedimentary layers. Determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties of sedimentary layers is one step in understanding water flow and solute transport processes through this complex unsaturated system. Multiple linear regression was used to construct simple property-transfer models for estimating the water-retention curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity of deep sediments at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The regression models were developed from 109 core sample subsets with laboratory measurements of hydraulic and bulk-physical properties. The core samples were collected at depths of 9 to 175 meters at two facilities within the southwestern portion of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory-the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, and the Vadose Zone Research Park southwest of the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. Four regression models were developed using bulk-physical property measurements (bulk density, particle density, and particle size) as the potential explanatory variables. Three representations of the particle-size distribution were compared: (1) textural-class percentages (gravel, sand, silt, and clay), (2) geometric statistics (mean and standard deviation), and (3) graphical statistics (median and uniformity coefficient). The four response variables, estimated from linear combinations of the bulk-physical properties, included saturated hydraulic conductivity and three parameters that define the water-retention curve. For each core sample,values of each water-retention parameter were estimated from the appropriate regression equation and used to calculate an estimated water-retention curve. The degree to which the estimated curve approximated the measured curve was quantified using a goodness-of-fit indicator, the root-mean-square error. Comparison of the root-mean-square-error distributions for each alternative particle-size model showed that the estimated water-retention curves were insensitive to the way the particle-size distribution was represented. Bulk density, the median particle diameter, and the uniformity coefficient were chosen as input parameters for the final models. The property-transfer models developed in this study allow easy determination of hydraulic properties without need for their direct measurement. Additionally, the models provide the basis for development of theoretical models that rely on physical relationships between the pore-size distribution and the bulk-physical properties of the media. With this adaptation, the property-transfer models should have greater application throughout the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and other geographic locations.

Improving near-infrared prediction model robustness with support vector machine regression: a pharmaceutical tablet assay example.

PubMed

Igne, Benoît; Drennen, James K; Anderson, Carl A

2014-01-01

Changes in raw materials and process wear and tear can have significant effects on the prediction error of near-infrared calibration models. When the variability that is present during routine manufacturing is not included in the calibration, test, and validation sets, the long-term performance and robustness of the model will be limited. Nonlinearity is a major source of interference. In near-infrared spectroscopy, nonlinearity can arise from light path-length differences that can come from differences in particle size or density. The usefulness of support vector machine (SVM) regression to handle nonlinearity and improve the robustness of calibration models in scenarios where the calibration set did not include all the variability present in test was evaluated. Compared to partial least squares (PLS) regression, SVM regression was less affected by physical (particle size) and chemical (moisture) differences. The linearity of the SVM predicted values was also improved. Nevertheless, although visualization and interpretation tools have been developed to enhance the usability of SVM-based methods, work is yet to be done to provide chemometricians in the pharmaceutical industry with a regression method that can supplement PLS-based methods.

The effects of high energy particles on planetary missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, Paul A., Jr.

1988-01-01

Researchers review the background and motivation for the detailed study of the variability and uncertainty of the particle environment from a space systems planning perspective. The engineering concern raised by each environment is emphasized rather than the underlying physics of the magnetosphere or the sun. Missions now being planned span the short term range of one to three years to periods over ten years. Thus the engineering interest is beginning to stretch over periods of several solar cycles. Coincidentally, detailed measurements of the environment are now becoming available over that period of time. Both short term and long term environmental predictions are needed for proper mission planning. Short term predictions, perhaps based on solar indices, real time observations, or short term systematics, are very useful in near term planning -- launches, EVAs (extravehicular activities), coordinated observations, and experiments which require the magnetosphere to be in a certain state. Long term predictions of both average and extreme conditions are essential to mission design. Engineering considerations are many times driven by the worst case environment. Knowledge of the average conditions and their variability allows trade-off studies to be made, implementation of designs which degrade gracefully under multi-stress environments.

A model for thin layer formation by delayed particle settling at sharp density gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prairie, Jennifer C.; White, Brian L.

2017-02-01

Thin layers - regions where plankton or particles accumulate vertically on scales of a few meters or less - are common in coastal waters, and have important implications for both trophic dynamics and carbon cycling. These features can form by a variety of biological and physical mechanisms, including localized growth, shear-thinning, and directed swimming. An additional mechanism may result in the formation of thin layers of marine aggregates, which have been shown to decrease their settling velocity when passing through sharp density gradients, a behavior termed delayed settling. Here, we apply a simple vertical advection-diffusion model to predict the properties of aggregate thin layers formed by this process. We assume a constant vertical flux of particles from the surface, which is parameterized by observations from laboratory experiments with marine aggregates. The formation, maintenance, and shape of the layers are described in relation to non-dimensional numbers that depend on environmental conditions and particle settling properties. In particular, model results demonstrate layer intensity and sharpness both increase with higher Péclet number (Pe), that is, under conditions with weaker mixing relative to layer formation. Similarly, more intense and sharper layers are found when the delayed settling behavior of aggregates is characterized by a lower velocity minimum. The model also predicts layers that are vertically asymmetric and highly "peaky" when compared with a Gaussian distribution, features often seen in thin layers in natural environments. Lastly, by comparing model predictions with observations of thin layers in the field, we are able to gain some insight into the applicability of delayed settling as a thin layer formation mechanism in different environmental conditions.

Phase Transitions in Geomorphology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, C. P.; Jerolmack, D. J.

2015-12-01

Landscapes are patterns in a dynamic steady-state, due to competing processes that smooth or sharpen features over large distances and times. Geomorphic transport laws have been developed to model the mass-flux due to different processes, but are unreasonably effective at recovering the scaling relations of landscape features. Using a continuum approximation to compare experimental landscapes and the observed landscapes of the earth, one finds they share similar morphodynamics despite a breakdown of classical dynamical similarity between the two. We propose the origin of this effectiveness is a different kind of dynamic similarity in the statistics of initiation and cessation of motion of groups of grains, which is common to disordered systems of grains under external driving. We will show how the existing data of sediment transport points to common signatures with dynamical phase transitions between "mobile" and "immobile" phases in other disordered systems, particularly granular materials, colloids, and foams. Viewing landscape evolution from the lens of non-equilibrium statistical physics of disordered systems leads to predictions that the transition of bulk measurements such as particle flux is continuous from one phase to another, that the collective nature of the particle dynamics leads to very slow aging of bulk properties, and that the dynamics are history-dependent. Recent results from sediment transport experiments support these predictions, suggesting that existing geomorphic transport laws may need to be replaced by a new generation of stochastic models with ingredients based on the physics of disordered phase transitions. We discuss possible strategies for extracting the necessary information to develop these models from measurements of geomorphic transport noise by connecting particle-scale collective dynamics and space-time fluctuations over landscape features.

Measurements of Turbulence Attenuation by a Dilute Dispersion of Solid Particles in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eaton, John; Hwang, Wontae; Cabral, Patrick

2002-01-01

This research addresses turbulent gas flows laden with fine solid particles at sufficiently large mass loading that strong two-way coupling occurs. By two-way coupling we mean that the particle motion is governed largely by the flow, while the particles affect the gas-phase mean flow and the turbulence properties. Our main interest is in understanding how the particles affect the turbulence. Computational techniques have been developed which can accurately predict flows carrying particles that are much smaller than the smallest scales of turbulence. Also, advanced computational techniques and burgeoning computer resources make it feasible to fully resolve very large particles moving through turbulent flows. However, flows with particle diameters of the same order as the Kolmogorov scale of the turbulence are notoriously difficult to predict. Some simple flows show strong turbulence attenuation with reductions in the turbulent kinetic energy by up to a factor of five. On the other hand, some seemingly similar flows show almost no modification. No model has been proposed that allows prediction of when the strong attenuation will occur. Unfortunately, many technological and natural two-phase flows fall into this regime, so there is a strong need for new physical understanding and modeling capability. Our objective is to study the simplest possible turbulent particle-laden flow, namely homogeneous, isotropic turbulence with a uniform dispersion of monodisperse particles. We chose such a simple flow for two reasons. First, the simplicity allows us to probe the interaction in more detail and offers analytical simplicity in interpreting the results. Secondly, this flow can be addressed by numerical simulation, and many research groups are already working on calculating the flow. Our detailed data can help guide some of these efforts. By using microgravity, we can further simplify the flow to the case of no mean velocity for either the turbulence or the particles. In fact the addition of gravity as a variable parameter may help us to better understand the physics of turbulence attenuation. The experiments are conducted in a turbulence chamber capable of producing stationary or decaying isotropic turbulence with nearly zero mean flow and Taylor microscale Reynolds numbers up to nearly 500. The chamber is a 410 mm cubic box with the corners cut off to make it approximately spherical. Synthetic jet turbulence generators are mounted in each of the eight corners of the box. Each generator consists of a loudspeaker forcing a plenum and producing a pulsed jet through a 20 mm diameter orifice. These synthetic jets are directed into ejector tubes pointing towards the chamber center. The ejector tubes increase the jet mass flow and decrease the velocity. The jets then pass through a turbulence grid. Each of the eight loudspeakers is forced with a random phase and frequency. The resulting turbulence is highly Isotropic and matches typical behavior of grid turbulence. Measurements of both phases are acquired using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The gas is seeded with approximately 1 micron diameter seeding particles while the solid phase is typically 150 micron diameter spherical glass particles. A double-pulsed YAG laser and a Kodak ES-1.0 10-bit PIV camera provide the PIV images. Custom software is used to separate the images into individual images containing either gas-phase tracers or large particles. Modern high-resolution PIV algorithms are then used to calculate the velocity field. A large set of image pairs are acquired for each case, then the results are averaged both spatially and over the ensemble of acquired images. The entire apparatus is mounted in two racks which are carried aboard NASA's KC-135 Flying Microgravity Laboratory. The rack containing the turbulence chamber, the laser head, and the camera floats freely in the airplane cabin (constrained by competent NASA personnel) to minimize g-jitter.

The Physics of g-2

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-01-16

At any time in history, a few scientific measurements disagreed with the best theoretical predictions of the time. Currently, one such discrepancy involves the measurement of the strength of the magnetic field of a subatomic particle called a muon. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains this mystery and sketches ongoing efforts to determine if this disagreement signifies a discovery. If it does, this measurement will mean that we will have to rewrite the textbooks.

Prediction of Tibial Rotation Pathologies Using Particle Swarm Optimization and K-Means Algorithms.

PubMed

Sari, Murat; Tuna, Can; Akogul, Serkan

2018-03-28

The aim of this article is to investigate pathological subjects from a population through different physical factors. To achieve this, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and K-means (KM) clustering algorithms have been combined (PSO-KM). Datasets provided by the literature were divided into three clusters based on age and weight parameters and each one of right tibial external rotation (RTER), right tibial internal rotation (RTIR), left tibial external rotation (LTER), and left tibial internal rotation (LTIR) values were divided into three types as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 (Type 2 is non-pathological (normal) and the other two types are pathological (abnormal)), respectively. The rotation values of every subject in any cluster were noted. Then the algorithm was run and the produced values were also considered. The values of the produced algorithm, the PSO-KM, have been compared with the real values. The hybrid PSO-KM algorithm has been very successful on the optimal clustering of the tibial rotation types through the physical criteria. In this investigation, Type 2 (pathological subjects) is of especially high predictability and the PSO-KM algorithm has been very successful as an operation system for clustering and optimizing the tibial motion data assessments. These research findings are expected to be very useful for health providers, such as physiotherapists, orthopedists, and so on, in which this consequence may help clinicians to appropriately designing proper treatment schedules for patients.

Teaching Elementary Particle Physics: Part I

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hobson, Art

2011-01-01

I'll outline suggestions for teaching elementary particle physics, often called "high energy physics," in high school or introductory college courses for non-scientists or scientists. Some presentations of this topic simply list the various particles along with their properties, with little overarching structure. Such a laundry list approach is a…

The Ultimate Structure of Matter: The High Energy Physics Program from the 1950s through the 1980s

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

1990-02-01

This discusses the following topics in High Energy Physics: The Particle Zoo; The Strong and the Weak; The Particle Explosion; Deep Inside the Nucleon; The Search for Unity; Physics in Collision; The Standard Model; Particles and the Cosmos; and Practical Benefits.

Computer Simulations for Lab Experiences in Secondary Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, David Shannon

2012-01-01

Physical science instruction often involves modeling natural systems, such as electricity that possess particles which are invisible to the unaided eye. The effect of these particles' motion is observable, but the particles are not directly observable to humans. Simulations have been developed in physics, chemistry and biology that, under certain…

[Meta-analyses of quarks, baryons and mesons--a "Cochrane Collaboration" in particle physics].

PubMed

Sauerland, Stefan; Sauerland, Thankmar; Antes, Gerd; Barnett, R Michael

2002-02-01

Within the last 20 years meta-analysis has become an important research technique in medicine for integrating the results of independent studies. Meta-analytical techniques, however, are much older. In particle physics for 50 years now the properties of huge numbers of particles have been assessed in meta-analyses. The Cochrane Collaboration's counterpart in physics is the Particle Data Group. This article compares methodological and organisational aspects of meta-analyses in medicine and physics. Several interesting parallels exist, especially with regard to methodology.

ALICE Masterclass on strangeness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foka, Panagiota; Janik, Małgorzata

2014-04-01

An educational activity, the International Particle Physics Masterclasses, was developed by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group with the aim to bring the excitement of cutting-edge particle-physics research into the classroom. Thousands of pupils, every year since 2005, in many countries all over the world, are hosted in research centers or universities close to their schools and become "scientists for a day" as they are introduced to the mysteries of particle physics. The program of a typical day includes lectures that give insight to topics and methods of fundamental research followed by a "hands-on" session where the high-school students perform themselves measurements on real data from particle-physics experiments. The last three years data from the ALICE experiment at LHC were used. The performed measurement "strangeness enhancement" and the employed methodology are presented.

Precision searches in dijets at the HL-LHC and HE-LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chekanov, S. V.; Childers, J. T.; Proudfoot, J.; Wang, R.; Frizzell, D.

2018-05-01

This paper explores the physics reach of the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) for searches of new particles decaying to two jets. We discuss inclusive searches in dijets and b-jets, as well as searches in semi-inclusive events by requiring an additional lepton that increases sensitivity to different aspects of the underlying processes. We discuss the expected exclusion limits for generic models predicting new massive particles that result in resonant structures in the dijet mass. Prospects of the Higher-Energy LHC (HE-LHC) collider are also discussed. The study is based on the Pythia8 Monte Carlo generator using representative event statistics for the HL-LHC and HE-LHC running conditions. The event samples were created using supercomputers at NERSC.

Axion predictions in SO(10) × U(1)PQ models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ernst, Anne; Ringwald, Andreas; Tamarit, Carlos

2018-02-01

Non-supersymmetric Grand Unified SO(10) × U(1)PQ models have all the ingredients to solve several fundamental problems of particle physics and cosmology — neutrino masses and mixing, baryogenesis, the non-observation of strong CP violation, dark matter, inflation — in one stroke. The axion — the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson arising from the spontaneous breaking of the U(1)PQ Peccei-Quinn symmetry — is the prime dark matter candidate in this setup. We determine the axion mass and the low energy couplings of the axion to the Standard Model particles, in terms of the relevant gauge symmetry breaking scales. We work out the constraints imposed on the latter by gauge coupling unification. We discuss the cosmological and phenomenological implications.

Studies of HZE particle interactions and transport for space radiation protection purposes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, Lawrence W.; Wilson, John W.; Schimmerling, Walter; Wong, Mervyn

1987-01-01

The main emphasis is on developing general methods for accurately predicting high-energy heavy ion (HZE) particle interactions and transport for use by researchers in mission planning studies, in evaluating astronaut self-shielding factors, and in spacecraft shield design and optimization studies. The two research tasks are: (1) to develop computationally fast and accurate solutions to the Boltzmann (transport) equation; and (2) to develop accurate HZE interaction models, from fundamental physical considerations, for use as inputs into these transport codes. Accurate solutions to the HZE transport problem have been formulated through a combination of analytical and numerical techniques. In addition, theoretical models for the input interaction parameters are under development: stopping powers, nuclear absorption cross sections, and fragmentation parameters.

3D Finite Element Analysis of Particle-Reinforced Aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, H.; Lissenden, C. J.

2002-01-01

Deformation in particle-reinforced aluminum has been simulated using three distinct types of finite element model: a three-dimensional repeating unit cell, a three-dimensional multi-particle model, and two-dimensional multi-particle models. The repeating unit cell model represents a fictitious periodic cubic array of particles. The 3D multi-particle (3D-MP) model represents randomly placed and oriented particles. The 2D generalized plane strain multi-particle models were obtained from planar sections through the 3D-MP model. These models were used to study the tensile macroscopic stress-strain response and the associated stress and strain distributions in an elastoplastic matrix. The results indicate that the 2D model having a particle area fraction equal to the particle representative volume fraction of the 3D models predicted the same macroscopic stress-strain response as the 3D models. However, there are fluctuations in the particle area fraction in a representative volume element. As expected, predictions from 2D models having different particle area fractions do not agree with predictions from 3D models. More importantly, it was found that the microscopic stress and strain distributions from the 2D models do not agree with those from the 3D-MP model. Specifically, the plastic strain distribution predicted by the 2D model is banded along lines inclined at 45 deg from the loading axis while the 3D model prediction is not. Additionally, the triaxial stress and maximum principal stress distributions predicted by 2D and 3D models do not agree. Thus, it appears necessary to use a multi-particle 3D model to accurately predict material responses that depend on local effects, such as strain-to-failure, fracture toughness, and fatigue life.

All you need is shape: Predicting shear banding in sand with LS-DEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawamoto, Reid; Andò, Edward; Viggiani, Gioacchino; Andrade, José E.

2018-02-01

This paper presents discrete element method (DEM) simulations with experimental comparisons at multiple length scales-underscoring the crucial role of particle shape. The simulations build on technological advances in the DEM furnished by level sets (LS-DEM), which enable the mathematical representation of the surface of arbitrarily-shaped particles such as grains of sand. We show that this ability to model shape enables unprecedented capture of the mechanics of granular materials across scales ranging from macroscopic behavior to local behavior to particle behavior. Specifically, the model is able to predict the onset and evolution of shear banding in sands, replicating the most advanced high-fidelity experiments in triaxial compression equipped with sequential X-ray tomography imaging. We present comparisons of the model and experiment at an unprecedented level of quantitative agreement-building a one-to-one model where every particle in the more than 53,000-particle array has its own avatar or numerical twin. Furthermore, the boundary conditions of the experiment are faithfully captured by modeling the membrane effect as well as the platen displacement and tilting. The results show a computational tool that can give insight into the physics and mechanics of granular materials undergoing shear deformation and failure, with computational times comparable to those of the experiment. One quantitative measure that is extracted from the LS-DEM simulations that is currently not available experimentally is the evolution of three dimensional force chains inside and outside of the shear band. We show that the rotations on the force chains are correlated to the rotations in stress principal directions.

Acceleration in Perpendicular Relativistic Shocks for Plasmas Consisting of Leptons and Hadrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockem, A.; Fiúza, F.; Fonseca, R. A.; Silva, L. O.

2012-08-01

We investigate the acceleration of light particles in perpendicular shocks for plasmas consisting of a mixture of leptonic and hadronic particles. Starting from the full set of conservation equations for the mixed plasma constituents, we generalize the magnetohydrodynamical jump conditions for a multi-component plasma, including information about the specific adiabatic constants for the different species. The impact of deviations from the standard model of an ideal gas is compared in theory and particle-in-cell simulations, showing that the standard MHD model is a good approximation. The simulations of shocks in electron-positron-ion plasmas are for the first time multi-dimensional, transverse effects are small in this configuration, and one-dimensional (1D) simulations are a good representation if the initial magnetization is chosen high. 1D runs with a mass ratio of 1836 are performed, which identify the Larmor frequency ω ci as the dominant frequency that determines the shock physics in mixed component plasmas. The maximum energy in the non-thermal tail of the particle spectra evolves in time according to a power law vpropt α with α in the range 1/3 < α < 1, depending on the initial parameters. A connection is made with transport theoretical models by Drury and Gargaté & Spitkovsky, which predict an acceleration time vpropγ and the theory for small wavelength scattering by Kirk & Reville, which predicts a behavior rather as vpropγ2. Furthermore, we compare different magnetic field orientations with B 0 inside and out of the plane, observing qualitatively different particle spectra than in pure electron-ion shocks.

Damping of Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal modes in collisional plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Valentini, Francesco

2008-02-15

In this paper, the effect of Coulomb collisions on the stability of Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) modes [I. B. Bernstein, J. M. Greene, and M. D. Krukal, Phys. Rev. 108, 546 (1957)] is analyzed by comparing the numerical results of collisional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations with the theoretical predictions by Zakharov and Karpman [V. E. Zakharov and V. I. Karpman, Sov. Phys. JETP 16, 351 (1963)], for the collisional damping of nonlinear plasma waves. In the absence of collisions, BGK modes are undamped nonlinear electrostatic oscillations, solutions of the Vlasov-Poisson equations; in these structures nonlinearity manifests as the formation of a plateau inmore » the resonant region of the particle distribution function, due to trapping of resonant particles, thus preventing linear Landau damping. When particle-particle Coulomb collisions are effective, this plateau is smoothed out since collisions drive the velocity distribution towards the Maxwellian shape, thus destroying the BGK structure. As shown by Zakharov and Karpman in 1963, under certain assumptions, an exponential time decay with constant damping rate is predicted for the electric field amplitude and a linear dependence of the damping rate on the collision frequency is found. In this paper, the theory by Zakharov and Karpman is revisited and the effects of collisions on the stability of BGK modes and on the long time evolution of nonlinear Landau damping are numerically investigated. The numerical results are obtained through a collisional PIC code that reproduces a physical phenomenology also observed in recent experiments with trapped pure electron plasmas.« less

Squeezing of Particle Distributions by Expanding Magnetic Turbulence and Space Weather Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruffolo, D. J.; Tooprakai, P.; Seripienlert, A.; Chuychai, P.; Matthaeus, W. H.

2014-12-01

Among the space weather effects due to gradual solar storms, greatly enhanced high-energy ion fluxes can cause radiation damage to satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts, which motivates examination of the transport of high-energy solar ions to Earth orbit. Ions of low kinetic energy (up to ˜2sim 2 MeV/nucleon) from impulsive solar events exhibit abrupt changes due to filamentation of magnetic connection from the Sun, indicating that anisotropic, field-aligned magnetic flux tube-like structures persist to Earth orbit. By employing a corresponding spherical two-component model of Alfv'enic (slab) and 2D magnetic fluctuations to trace simulated trajectories in the solar wind, we show that the distribution of high-energy (E≥1Egeq1 GeV) protons from gradual solar events is squeezed toward magnetic flux structures with a specific polarity due to the conical shape of the flux structures, which results from the expanding flow of the solar wind. It is difficult to observationally determine what polarity of flux structure the Earth is in at a given time, so this transport phenomenon contributes to event-to-event variability in ground level enhancements of GeV-range ions from solar storms, presenting a fundamental uncertainty in space weather prediction. Partially supported by the Thailand Research Fund, a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, a Research Fellowship from the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, the U.S. NSF (AGS-1063439 and SHINE AGS-1156094), NASA (Heliophysics Theory NNX08AI47G & NNX11AJ44G), and the Solar Probe Plus/ISIS project. KEYWORDS: [7807] SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS / Charged particle motion and acceleration, [7863] SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS / Turbulence, [2118] INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS / Energetic particles, solar, [7984] SPACE WEATHER / Space radiation environment

J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics Talk: The Boundless Horizons of Supercollider Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quigg, Chris

2011-04-01

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is moving the experimental frontier of particle physics to the domain of electroweak symmetry breaking, reaching energies around one trillion electron volts for collisions among the basic constituents of matter. We do not know what the new wave of exploration will find, but the discoveries we make and the new puzzles we encounter are certain to change the face of particle physics and echo through neighboring sciences. In this new world, we confidently expect to learn what sets electromagnetism apart from the weak interactions, with profound implications for deceptively simple questions: Why are there atoms? Why chemistry? What makes stable structures possible? A pivotal step will be finding the Higgs boson-or whatever takes its place -and exploring its properties. But we hope for much more. More predictive extensions of the electroweak theory, including dynamical symmetry breaking and supersymmetry, imply new kinds of matter that would be within reach of LHC experiments. We suspect that candidates for the dark matter of the Universe could also await discovery on the TeV scale. The strong interactions may hold their own surprises. As we unravel the riddle of electroweak symmetry breaking, prospects arise for other new insights: into the different forms of matter, the unity of quarks and leptons, and the nature of spacetime. The questions in play all seem linked to one another-and to the kinship of the weak and electromagnetic interactions. I will speak of the evolving dialogue between theory and experiment, highlighting the work before us. Fermilab is operated by the Fermi Research Alliance under contract no. DE-AC02-07CH11359 with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Particle-laden weakly swirling free jets: Measurements and predictions. Ph.D. Thesis - Pennsylvania State Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bulzan, Daniel L.

1988-01-01

A theoretical and experimental investigation of particle-laden, weakly swirling, turbulent free jets was conducted. Glass particles, having a Sauter mean diameter of 39 microns, with a standard deviation of 15 microns, were used. A single loading ratio (the mass flow rate of particles per unit mass flow rate of air) of 0.2 was used in the experiments. Measurements are reported for three swirl numbers, ranging from 0 to 0.33. The measurements included mean and fluctuating velocities of both phases, and particle mass flux distributions. Measurements were also completed for single-phase non-swirling and swirling jets, as baselines. Measurements were compared with predictions from three types of multiphase flow analysis, as follows: (1) locally homogeneous flow (LHF) where slip between the phases was neglected; (2) deterministic separated flow (DSF), where slip was considered but effects of turbulence/particle interactions were neglected; and (3) stochastic separated flow (SSF), where effects of both interphase slip and turbulence/particle interactions were considered using random sampling for turbulence properties in conjunction with random-walk computations for particle motion. Single-phase weakly swirling jets were considered first. Predictions using a standard k-epsilon turbulence model, as well as two versions modified to account for effects of streamline curvature, were compared with measurements. Predictions using a streamline curvature modification based on the flux Richardson number gave better agreement with measurements for the single-phase swirling jets than the standard k-epsilon model. For the particle-laden jets, the LHF and DSF models did not provide very satisfactory predictions. The LHF model generally overestimated the rate of decay of particle mean axial and angular velocities with streamwise distance, and predicted particle mass fluxes also showed poor agreement with measurements, due to the assumption of no-slip between phases. The DSF model also performed quite poorly for predictions of particle mass flux because turbulent dispersion of the particles was neglected. The SSF model, which accounts for both particle inertia and turbulent dispersion of the particles, yielded reasonably good predictions throughout the flow field for the particle-laden jets.

Re-Analysis of the Solar Phase Curves of the Icy Galilean Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Domingue, Deborah; Verbiscer, Anne

1997-01-01

Re-analysis of the solar phase curves of the icy Galilean satellites demonstrates that the quantitative results are dependent on the single particle scattering function incorporated into the photometric model; however, the qualitative properties are independent. The results presented here show that the general physical characteristics predicted by a Hapke model (B. Hapke, 1986, Icarus 67, 264-280) incorporating a two parameter double Henyey-Greenstein scattering function are similar to the predictions given by the same model incorporating a three parameter double Henyey-Greenstein scattering function as long as the data set being modeled has adequate coverage in phase angle. Conflicting results occur when the large phase angle coverage is inadequate. Analysis of the role of isotropic versus anisotropic multiple scattering shows that for surfaces as bright as Europa the two models predict very similar results over phase angles covered by the data. Differences arise only at those phase angles for which there are no data. The single particle scattering behavior between the leading and trailing hemispheres of Europa and Ganymede is commensurate with magnetospheric alterations of their surfaces. Ion bombardment will produce more forward scattering single scattering functions due to annealing of potential scattering centers within regolith particles (N. J. Sack et al., 1992, Icarus 100, 534-540). Both leading and trailing hemispheres of Europa are consistent with a high porosity model and commensurate with a frost surface. There are no strong differences in predicted porosity between the two hemispheres of Callisto, both are consistent with model porosities midway between that deduced for Europa and the Moon. Surface roughness model estimates predict that surface roughness increases with satellite distance from Jupiter, with lunar surface roughness values falling midway between those measured for Ganymede and Callisto. There is no obvious variation in predicted surface roughness with hemisphere for any of the Galilean satellites.

AGR-3/4 Irradiation Test Predictions using PARFUME

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Skerjanc, William Frances; Collin, Blaise Paul

2016-03-01

PARFUME, a fuel performance modeling code used for high temperature gas reactors, was used to model the AGR-3/4 irradiation test using as-run physics and thermal hydraulics data. The AGR-3/4 test is the combined third and fourth planned irradiations of the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) Fuel Development and Qualification Program. The AGR-3/4 test train consists of twelve separate and independently controlled and monitored capsules. Each capsule contains four compacts filled with both uranium oxycarbide (UCO) unaltered “driver” fuel particles and UCO designed-to-fail (DTF) fuel particles. The DTF fraction was specified to be 1×10-2. This report documents the calculations performed to predictmore » failure probability of TRISO-coated fuel particles during the AGR-3/4 experiment. In addition, this report documents the calculated source term from both the driver fuel and DTF particles. The calculations include the modeling of the AGR-3/4 irradiation that occurred from December 2011 to April 2014 in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) over a total of ten ATR cycles including seven normal cycles, one low power cycle, one unplanned outage cycle, and one Power Axial Locator Mechanism cycle. Results show that failure probabilities are predicted to be low, resulting in zero fuel particle failures per capsule. The primary fuel particle failure mechanism occurred as a result of localized stresses induced by the calculated IPyC cracking. Assuming 1,872 driver fuel particles per compact, failure probability calculated by PARFUME leads to no predicted particle failure in the AGR-3/4 driver fuel. In addition, the release fraction of fission products Ag, Cs, and Sr were calculated to vary depending on capsule location and irradiation temperature. The maximum release fraction of Ag occurs in Capsule 7 reaching up to 56% for the driver fuel and 100% for the DTF fuel. The release fraction of the other two fission products, Cs and Sr, are much smaller and in most cases less than 1% for the driver fuel. The notable exception occurs in Capsule 7 where the release fraction for Cs and Sr reach up to 0.73% and 2.4%, respectively, for the driver fuel. For the DTF fuel in Capsule 7, the release fraction for Cs and Sr are estimated to be 100% and 5%, respectively.« less

Application of TRMM PR and TMI Measurements to Assess Cloud Microphysical Schemes in the MM5 Model for a Winter Storm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, Mei; Braun, Scott A.; Olson, William S.; Persson, P. Ola G.; Bao, Jian-Wen

2009-01-01

Seen by the human eye, precipitation particles are commonly drops of rain, flakes of snow, or lumps of hail that reach the ground. Remote sensors and numerical models usually deal with information about large collections of rain, snow, and hail (or graupel --also called soft hail ) in a volume of air. Therefore, the size and number of the precipitation particles and how particles interact, evolve, and fall within the volume of air need to be represented using physical laws and mathematical tools, which are often implemented as cloud and precipitation microphysical parameterizations in numerical models. To account for the complexity of the precipitation physical processes, scientists have developed various types of such schemes in models. The accuracy of numerical weather forecasting may vary dramatically when different types of these schemes are employed. Therefore, systematic evaluations of cloud and precipitation schemes are of great importance for improvement of weather forecasts. This study is one such endeavor; it pursues quantitative assessment of all the available cloud and precipitation microphysical schemes in a weather model (MM5) through comparison with the observations obtained by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) s and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) and microwave imager (TMI). When satellite sensors (like PR or TMI) detect information from precipitation particles, they cannot directly observe the microphysical quantities (e.g., water species phase, density, size, and amount etc.). Instead, they tell how much radiation is absorbed by rain, reflected away from the sensor by snow or graupel, or reflected back to the satellite. On the other hand, the microphysical quantities in the model are usually well represented in microphysical schemes and can be converted to radiative properties that can be directly compared to the corresponding PR and TMI observations. This study employs this method to evaluate the accuracy of the simulated radiative properties by the MM5 model with different microphysical schemes. It is found that the representations of particle density, size, and mass in the different schemes in the MM5 model determine the model s performance when predicting a winter storm over the eastern Pacific Ocean. Schemes lacking moderate density particles (i.e. graupel), with snow flakes that are too large, or with excessive mass of snow or graupel lead to degraded prediction of the radiative properties as observed by the TRMM satellite. This study demonstrates the uniqueness of the combination of both an active microwave sensor (PR) and passive microwave sensor (TMI) onboard TRMM on assessing the accuracy of numerical weather forecasting. It improves our understanding of the physical and radiative properties of different types of precipitation particles and provides suggestions for better representation of cloud and precipitation processes in numerical models. It would, ultimately, contribute to answering questions like "Why did it not rain when the forecast says it would?"

Thermophoresis of a spherical particle: Modeling through moment-based, macroscopic transport equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padrino, Juan C.; Sprittles, James; Lockerby, Duncan

2017-11-01

Thermophoresis refers to the forces on and motions of objects caused by temperature gradients when these objects are exposed to rarefied gases. This phenomenon can occur when the ratio of the gas mean free path to the characteristic physical length scale (Knudsen number) is not negligible. In this work, we obtain the thermophoretic force on a rigid, heat-conducting spherical particle immersed in a rarefied gas resulting from a uniform temperature gradient imposed far from the sphere. To this end, we model the gas dynamics using the steady, linearized version of the so-called regularized 13-moment equations (R13). This set of equations, derived from the Boltzmann equation using the moment method, provides closures to the mass, momentum, and energy conservation laws in the form of constitutive, transport equations for the stress and heat flux that extends the Navier-Stokes-Fourier model to include rarefaction effects. Integration of the pressure and stress on the surface of the sphere leads to the net force as a function of the Knudsen number, dimensionless temperature gradient, and particle-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio. Results from this expression are compared with predictions from other moment-based models as well as from kinetic models. Supported in the UK by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N016602/1).

Use of Mass- and Area-Dimensional Power Laws for Determining Precipitation Particle Terminal Velocities.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, David L.

1996-06-01

Based on boundary layer theory and a comparison of empirical power laws relating the Reynolds and Best numbers, it was apparent that the primary variables governing a hydrometeor's terminal velocity were its mass, its area projected to the flow, and its maximum dimension. The dependence of terminal velocities on surface roughness appeared secondary, with surface roughness apparently changing significantly only during phase changes (i.e., ice to liquid). In the theoretical analysis, a new, comprehensive expression for the drag force, which is valid for both inertial and viscous-dominated flow, was derived.A hydrometeor's mass and projected area were simply and accurately represented in terms of its maximum dimension by using dimensional power laws. Hydrometeor terminal velocities were calculated by using mass- and area-dimensional power laws to parameterize the Best number, X. Using a theoretical relationship general for all particle types, the Reynolds number, Re, was then calculated from the Best number. Terminal velocities were calculated from Re.Alternatively, four Re-X power-law expressions were extracted from the theoretical Re-X relationship. These expressions collectively describe the terminal velocities of all ice particle types. These were parameterized using mass- and area-dimensional power laws, yielding four theoretically based power-law expressions predicting fall speeds in terms of ice particle maximum dimension. When parameterized for a given ice particle type, the theoretical fall speed power law can be compared directly with empirical fall speed-dimensional power laws in the literature for the appropriate Re range. This provides a means of comparing theory with observations.Terminal velocities predicted by this method were compared with fall speeds given by empirical fall speed expressions for the same ice particle type, which were curve fits to measured fall speeds. Such comparisons were done for nine types of ice particles. Fall speeds predicted by this method differed from those based on measurements by no more than 20%.The features that distinguish this method of determining fall speeds from others are that it does not represent particles as spheroids, it is general for any ice particle shape and size, it is conceptually and mathematically simple, it appears accurate, and it provides for physical insight. This method also allows fall speeds to be determined from aircraft measurements of ice particle mass and projected area, rather than directly measuring fall speeds. This approach may be useful for ice crystals characterizing cirrus clouds, for which direct fall speed measurements are difficult.

Three-Dimensional Visualization of Particle Tracks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Julian, Glenn M.

1993-01-01

Suggests ways to bring home to the introductory physics student some of the excitement of recent discoveries in particle physics. Describes particle detectors and encourages the use of the Standard Model along with real images of particle tracks to determine three-dimensional views of tracks. (MVL)

Plato's TIMAIOσ (TIMAEUS) and Modern Particle Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machleidt, Ruprecht

2005-04-01

It is generally known that the question, ``What are the smallest particles (elementary particles) that all matter is made from?'', was posed already in the antiquity. The Greek natural philosophers Leucippus and Democritus were the first to suggest that all matter was made from atoms. Therefore, most people perceive them as the ancient fathers of elementary particle physics. It will be the purpose of my contribution to point out that this perception is wrong. Modern particle physics is not just a primitive atomism. More important than the materialistic particles are the underlying symmetries (e. g., SU(3) and SU(6)). A similar idea was first advanced by Plato in his dialog TIMAIOσ (Latin translation: TIMAEUS): Geometric symmetries generate the materialistic particles from a few even more elementary items. Plato's vision is amazingly close to the ideas of modern particle physics. This fact, which is unfortunately little known, has been pointed out repeatedly by Heisenberg (see, e. g., Werner Heisenberg, Across the Frontiers, Harper & Row, New York, 1974).

Spatial and velocity statistics of inertial particles in turbulent flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bec, J.; Biferale, L.; Cencini, M.; Lanotte, A. S.; Toschi, F.

2011-12-01

Spatial and velocity statistics of heavy point-like particles in incompressible, homogeneous, and isotropic three-dimensional turbulence is studied by means of direct numerical simulations at two values of the Taylor-scale Reynolds number Reλ ~ 200 and Reλ ~ 400, corresponding to resolutions of 5123 and 20483 grid points, respectively. Particles Stokes number values range from St ≈ 0.2 to 70. Stationary small-scale particle distribution is shown to display a singular -multifractal- measure, characterized by a set of generalized fractal dimensions with a strong sensitivity on the Stokes number and a possible, small Reynolds number dependency. Velocity increments between two inertial particles depend on the relative weight between smooth events - where particle velocity is approximately the same of the fluid velocity-, and caustic contributions - when two close particles have very different velocities. The latter events lead to a non-differentiable small-scale behaviour for the relative velocity. The relative weight of these two contributions changes at varying the importance of inertia. We show that moments of the velocity difference display a quasi bi-fractal-behavior and that the scaling properties of velocity increments for not too small Stokes number are in good agreement with a recent theoretical prediction made by K. Gustavsson and B. Mehlig arXiv: 1012.1789v1 [physics.flu-dyn], connecting the saturation of velocity scaling exponents with the fractal dimension of particle clustering.

Specification of the Surface Charging Environment with SHIELDS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jordanova, V.; Delzanno, G. L.; Henderson, M. G.; Godinez, H. C.; Jeffery, C. A.; Lawrence, E. C.; Meierbachtol, C.; Moulton, J. D.; Vernon, L.; Woodroffe, J. R.; Brito, T.; Toth, G.; Welling, D. T.; Yu, Y.; Albert, J.; Birn, J.; Borovsky, J.; Denton, M.; Horne, R. B.; Lemon, C.; Markidis, S.; Thomsen, M. F.; Young, S. L.

2016-12-01

Predicting variations in the near-Earth space environment that can lead to spacecraft damage and failure, i.e. "space weather", remains a big space physics challenge. A recently funded project through the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program aims at developing a new capability to understand, model, and predict Space Hazards Induced near Earth by Large Dynamic Storms, the SHIELDS framework. The project goals are to understand the dynamics of the surface charging environment (SCE), the hot (keV) electrons representing the source and seed populations for the radiation belts, on both macro- and microscale. Important physics questions related to rapid particle injection and acceleration associated with magnetospheric storms and substorms as well as plasma waves are investigated. These challenging problems are addressed using a team of world-class experts in the fields of space science and computational plasma physics, and state-of-the-art models and computational facilities. In addition to physics-based models (like RAM-SCB, BATS-R-US, and iPIC3D), new data assimilation techniques employing data from LANL instruments on the Van Allen Probes and geosynchronous satellites are developed. Simulations with the SHIELDS framework of the near-Earth space environment where operational satellites reside are presented. Further model development and the organization of a "Spacecraft Charging Environment Challenge" by the SHIELDS project at LANL in collaboration with the NSF Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Workshop and the multi-agency Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) to assess the accuracy of SCE predictions are discussed.

Fermilab | Mu2e

Science.gov Websites

Interactions.org Particle Physics News Image Bank Fermilab in the News Quantum Diaries Mu2e: muon-to-electron works The Mu2e detector is a particle physics detector embedded in a series of superconducting magnets advance research at the Intensity Frontier. The U.S. Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel, P5

History of Particle Physics

Science.gov Websites

back to history page Back Particle Physics Timeline For over two thousand years people have thought the Standard Model. We invite you to explore this history of particle physics with a focus on the : Quantum Theory 1964 - Present: The Modern View (the Standard Model) back to history page Back Sections of

Quarked!--Adventures in Particle Physics Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacDonald, Teresa; Bean, Alice

2009-01-01

Particle physics is a subject that can send shivers down the spines of students and educators alike--with visions of long mathematical equations and inscrutable ideas. This perception, along with a full curriculum, often leaves this topic the road less traveled until the latter years of school. Particle physics, including quarks, is typically not…

Let's Have a Coffee with the Standard Model of Particle Physics!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woithe, Julia; Wiener, Gerfried J.; Van der Veken, Frederik F.

2017-01-01

The Standard Model of particle physics is one of the most successful theories in physics and describes the fundamental interactions between elementary particles. It is encoded in a compact description, the so-called "Lagrangian," which even fits on t-shirts and coffee mugs. This mathematical formulation, however, is complex and only…

On some physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environment.

PubMed

Chubarenko, I; Bagaev, A; Zobkov, M; Esiukova, E

2016-07-15

Simplified physical models and geometrical considerations reveal general physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles (0.5-5mm) of different density, shape and size in marine environment. Windage of extremely light foamed particles, surface area and fouling rate of slightly positively buoyant microplastic spheres, films and fibres and settling velocities of negatively buoyant particles are analysed. For the Baltic Sea dimensions and under the considered idealised external conditions, (i) only one day is required for a foamed polystyrene particle to cross the sea (ca. 250km); (ii) polyethylene fibres should spend about 6-8months in the euphotic zone before sinking due to bio-fouling, whilst spherical particles can be retained on the surface up to 10-15years; (iii) for heavy microplastic particles, the time of settling through the water column in the central Gotland basin (ca. 250m) is less than 18h. Proper physical setting of the problem of microplastics transport and developing of physically-based parameterisations are seen as applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physics of interplanetary dust capture via impact into organic polymer foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, William W.; Ahrens, Thomas J.

1994-01-01

The physics of hypervelocity impacts into foams is of interest because of the possible application to interplanetary dust particle (IDP) capture by spacecraft. We present a model for the phenomena occurring in such impacts into low-density organic polymer foams. Particles smaller than foam cells behave as if the foam is a series of solid slabs and are fragmented and, at higher velocities, thermally altered. Particles much larger than the foam cells behave as if the foam were a continuum, allowing the use of a continuum mechanics model to describe the effects of drag and ablation. Fragmentation is expected to be a major process, especially for aggregates of small grains. Calculations based on these arguments accurately predict experimental data and, for hypothetical IDPs, indicate that recovery of organic materials will be low for encounter velocities greater than 5 km/s. For an organic particle 100 micrometers in diameter, approx. 35% of the original mass would be collected in an impact at 5 km/s, dropping to approx. 10% at 10 km/s and approx. 0% at 15 km/s. For the same velocities the recovery ratios for troilite (FeS) are approx. 95%, 65%, and 50%, and for olivine (Mg2SiO4) they are approx. 98%, 80%, and 65%, demonstrating that inorganic materials are much more easily collected. The density of the collector material has only a second-order effect, changing the recovered mass by less than 10% of the original mass.

The early universe as a probe of new physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bird, Christopher Shane

The Standard Model of Particle Physics has been verified to unprecedented precision in the last few decades. However there are still phenomena in nature which cannot be explained, and as such new theories will be required. Since terrestrial experiments are limited in both the energy and precision that can be probed, new methods are required to search for signs of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this dissertation, I demonstrate how these theories can be probed by searching for remnants of their effects in the early Universe. In particular I focus on three possible extensions of the Standard Model: the addition of massive neutral particles as dark matter, the addition of charged massive particles, and the existence of higher dimensions. For each new model, I review the existing experimental bounds and the potential for discovering new physics in the next generation of experiments. For dark matter, I introduce six simple models which I have developed, and which involve a minimum amount of new physics, as well as reviewing one existing model of dark matter. For each model I calculate the latest constraints from astrophysics experiments, nuclear recoil experiments, and collider experiments. I also provide motivations for studying sub-GeV mass dark matter, and propose the possibility of searching for light WIMPs in the decay of B-mesons and other heavy particles. For charged massive relics, I introduce and review the recently proposed model of catalyzed Big Bang nucleosynthesis. In particular I review the production of 6Li by this mechanism, and calculate the abundance of 7Li after destruction of 7Be by charged relics. The result is that for certain natural relics CBBN is capable of removing tensions between the predicted and observed 6Li and 7Li abundances which are present in the standard model of BBN. For extra dimensions, I review the constraints on the ADD model from both astrophysics and collider experiments. I then calculate the constraints on this model from Big Bang nucleosynthesis in the early Universe. I also calculate the bounds on this model from Kaluza-Klein gravitons trapped in the galaxy which decay to electron-positron pairs, using the measured 511 keV gamma-ray flux. For each example of new physics, I find that remnants of the early Universe provide constraints on the models which are complementary to the existing constraints from colliders and other terrestrial experiments.

Numerical Analysis of Temperature Gradients and Interface Shape During Directional Solidification of Al and Al-Cu Alloy Under Microgravity Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bune, Andris V.; Sen, Subhayu; Mukherjee, Sundeep; Catalina, Adrian; Stefanescu, Doru M.

1999-01-01

Numerical modeling was undertaken to analyze the influence of radial thermal gradient on solid/liquid (s/1) interface shape and convection patterns during solidification of pure Al and Al-4 wt% Cu alloy. The objective of the numerical task was to predict the influence of convective velocity on an insoluble particle near a s/l interface. These predictions would then be used to define the minimum gravity level (g) required to investigate the fundamental physics of interaction between a particle and a s/I interface. To satisfy this objective, steady state calculations were performed for different gravity levels and orientations with the gravity vector. ne furnace configuration used in this analysis is the proposed International Space Station Furnace, Quench Module Insert (QMI) 1. Results from a thermal model of the furnace core were used as initial boundary conditions for solidification modeling. General model of binary alloy solidification was based on the finite element code FIDAP. It was found that for the worst case orientation of 90 degrees with the gravity vector and a g level of 10(exp -4)g(sub o) (g(sub o) = 9.8 m/s(exp 2)) the dominant forces acting on the particle would be the fundamental drag and interfacial forces.

Component-specific, cigarette particle deposition modeling in the human respiratory tract

PubMed Central

Price, Owen T.; Yurteri, Caner U.; Dickens, Colin; McAughey, John

2014-01-01

Inhalation of cigarette smoke particles (CSP) leads to adverse health effects in smokers. Determination of the localized dose to the lung of the inhaled smoke aids in determining vulnerable sites, and identifying components of the smoke that may be responsible for the adverse effects; thus providing a roadmap for harm reduction of cigarette smoking. A particle deposition model specific to CSP was developed for the oral cavity and the lung by accounting for cigarette particle size growth by hygroscopicity, phase change and coagulation. In addition, since the cigarette puff enters the respiratory tract as a dense cloud, the cloud effect on particle drag and deposition was accounted for in the deposition model. Models of particle losses in the oral cavities were developed during puff drawing and subsequent mouth-hold. Cigarette particles were found to grow by hygroscopicity and coagulation, but to shrink as a result of nicotine evaporation. The particle size reached a plateau beyond which any disturbances in the environmental conditions caused the various mechanisms to balance each other out and the particle size remain stable. Predicted particle deposition considering the cloud effects was greater than when treated as a collection of non-interacting particles (i.e. no cloud effects). Accounting for cloud movement provided the necessary physical mechanism to explain the greater than expected, experimentally observed and particle deposition. The deposition model for CSP can provide the necessary input to determine the fate of inhaled CSP in the lung. The knowledge of deposition will be helpful for health assessment and identification and reduction of harmful components of CSP. PMID:24354791

Development and Transition of the Radiation, Interplanetary Shocks, and Coronal Sources (RISCS) Toolset

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spann, James F.; Zank, G.

2014-01-01

We outline a plan to develop and transition a physics based predictive toolset called The Radiation, Interplanetary Shocks, and Coronal Sources (RISCS) to describe the interplanetary energetic particle and radiation environment throughout the inner heliosphere, including at the Earth. To forecast and "nowcast" the radiation environment requires the fusing of three components: 1) the ability to provide probabilities for incipient solar activity; 2) the use of these probabilities and daily coronal and solar wind observations to model the 3D spatial and temporal heliosphere, including magnetic field structure and transients, within 10 Astronomical Units; and 3) the ability to model the acceleration and transport of energetic particles based on current and anticipated coronal and heliospheric conditions. We describe how to address 1) - 3) based on our existing, well developed, and validated codes and models. The goal of RISCS toolset is to provide an operational forecast and "nowcast" capability that will a) predict solar energetic particle (SEP) intensities; b) spectra for protons and heavy ions; c) predict maximum energies and their duration; d) SEP composition; e) cosmic ray intensities, and f) plasma parameters, including shock arrival times, strength and obliquity at any given heliospheric location and time. The toolset would have a 72 hour predicative capability, with associated probabilistic bounds, that would be updated hourly thereafter to improve the predicted event(s) and reduce the associated probability bounds. The RISCS toolset would be highly adaptable and portable, capable of running on a variety of platforms to accommodate various operational needs and requirements. The described transition plan is based on a well established approach developed in the Earth Science discipline that ensures that the customer has a tool that meets their needs

Explicit simulation of ice particle habits in a Numerical Weather Prediction Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashino, Tempei

2007-05-01

This study developed a scheme for explicit simulation of ice particle habits in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models. The scheme is called Spectral Ice Habit Prediction System (SHIPS), and the goal is to retain growth history of ice particles in the Eulerian dynamics framework. It diagnoses characteristics of ice particles based on a series of particle property variables (PPVs) that reflect history of microphysieal processes and the transport between mass bins and air parcels in space. Therefore, categorization of ice particles typically used in bulk microphysical parameterization and traditional bin models is not necessary, so that errors that stem from the categorization can be avoided. SHIPS predicts polycrystals as well as hexagonal monocrystals based on empirically derived habit frequency and growth rate, and simulates the habit-dependent aggregation and riming processes by use of the stochastic collection equation with predicted PPVs. Idealized two dimensional simulations were performed with SHIPS in a NWP model. The predicted spatial distribution of ice particle habits and types, and evolution of particle size distributions showed good quantitative agreement with observation This comprehensive model of ice particle properties, distributions, and evolution in clouds can be used to better understand problems facing wide range of research disciplines, including microphysics processes, radiative transfer in a cloudy atmosphere, data assimilation, and weather modification.

Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorringe, Tim

The Fermilab muon g-2 experiment will measure the muon anomalous magnetic momentmore » $$a_{\\mu}$$ to 140 ppb – a four-fold improvement over the earlier Brookhaven experiment. The measurement of $$a_{\\mu}$$ is well known as a unique test of the standard model with broad sensitivity to new interactions, particles and phenomena. The goal of 140 ppb is commensurate with ongoing improvements in the SM prediction of the anomalous moment and addresses the longstanding 3.5$$\\sigma$$ discrepancy between the BNL result and the SM prediction. In this article I discuss the physics motivation and experimental technique for measuring $$a_{\\mu}$$, and the current status and the future work for the project.« less

Spinorial Regge trajectories and Hagedorn-like temperatures. Spinorial space-time and preons as an alternative to strings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez-Mestres, Luis

2016-11-01

The development of the statistical bootstrap model for hadrons, quarks and nuclear matter occurred during the 1960s and the 1970s in a period of exceptional theoretical creativity. And if the transition from hadrons to quarks and gluons as fundamental particles was then operated, a transition from standard particles to preons and from the standard space-time to a spinorial one may now be necessary, including related pre-Big Bang scenarios. We present here a brief historical analysis of the scientific problematic of the 1960s in Particle Physics and of its evolution until the end of the 1970s, including cosmological issues. Particular attention is devoted to the exceptional role of Rolf Hagedorn and to the progress of the statistical boostrap model until the experimental search for the quark-gluon plasma started being considered. In parallel, we simultaneously expose recent results and ideas concerning Particle Physics and in Cosmology, an discuss current open questions. Assuming preons to be constituents of the physical vacuum and the standard particles excitations of this vacuum (the superbradyon hypothesis we introduced in 1995), together with a spinorial space-time (SST), a new kind of Regge trajectories is expected to arise where the angular momentum spacing will be of 1/2 instead of 1. Standard particles can lie on such Regge trajectories inside associated internal symmetry multiplets, and the preonic vacuum structure can generate a new approach to Quantum Field Theory. As superbradyons are superluminal preons, some of the vacuum excitations can have critical speeds larger than the speed of light c, but the cosmological evolution selects by itself the particles with the smallest critical speed (the speed of light). In the new Particle Physics and Cosmology emerging from the pattern thus developed, Hagedornlike temperatures will naturally be present. As new space, time, momentum and energy scales are expected to be generated by the preonic vacuum dynamics, the Planck scale does not necessarily make sense in the new scenario. It also turns out that two potential evidences for a superbradyonic vacuum with a SST geometry exist already: i) the recent results on quantum entanglement at large distances favoring superluminal propagation of signals and correlations ; ii) the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation between two hemispheres observed by the Planck Collaboration, in agreement with the predictions of cosmic SST automatically generating a privileged space direction for each comoving observer. Simultaneously to the discussion of the large number of open questions, we comment on the required experimental and observational programs. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Rolf Hagedorn

Development and Validation of a Multidisciplinary Tool for Accurate and Efficient Rotorcraft Noise Prediction (MUTE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yi; Anusonti-Inthra, Phuriwat; Diskin, Boris

2011-01-01

A physics-based, systematically coupled, multidisciplinary prediction tool (MUTE) for rotorcraft noise was developed and validated with a wide range of flight configurations and conditions. MUTE is an aggregation of multidisciplinary computational tools that accurately and efficiently model the physics of the source of rotorcraft noise, and predict the noise at far-field observer locations. It uses systematic coupling approaches among multiple disciplines including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and high fidelity acoustics. Within MUTE, advanced high-order CFD tools are used around the rotor blade to predict the transonic flow (shock wave) effects, which generate the high-speed impulsive noise. Predictions of the blade-vortex interaction noise in low speed flight are also improved by using the Particle Vortex Transport Method (PVTM), which preserves the wake flow details required for blade/wake and fuselage/wake interactions. The accuracy of the source noise prediction is further improved by utilizing a coupling approach between CFD and CSD, so that the effects of key structural dynamics, elastic blade deformations, and trim solutions are correctly represented in the analysis. The blade loading information and/or the flow field parameters around the rotor blade predicted by the CFD/CSD coupling approach are used to predict the acoustic signatures at far-field observer locations with a high-fidelity noise propagation code (WOPWOP3). The predicted results from the MUTE tool for rotor blade aerodynamic loading and far-field acoustic signatures are compared and validated with a variation of experimental data sets, such as UH60-A data, DNW test data and HART II test data.

Prediction of the Wall Factor of Arbitrary Particle Settling through Various Fluid Media in a Cylindrical Tube Using Artificial Intelligence

PubMed Central

Li, Mingzhong; Xue, Jianquan; Li, Yanchao; Tang, Shukai

2014-01-01

Considering the influence of particle shape and the rheological properties of fluid, two artificial intelligence methods (Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine) were used to predict the wall factor which is widely introduced to deduce the net hydrodynamic drag force of confining boundaries on settling particles. 513 data points were culled from the experimental data of previous studies, which were divided into training set and test set. Particles with various shapes were divided into three kinds: sphere, cylinder, and rectangular prism; feature parameters of each kind of particle were extracted; prediction models of sphere and cylinder using artificial neural network were established. Due to the little number of rectangular prism sample, support vector machine was used to predict the wall factor, which is more suitable for addressing the problem of small samples. The characteristic dimension was presented to describe the shape and size of the diverse particles and a comprehensive prediction model of particles with arbitrary shapes was established to cover all types of conditions. Comparisons were conducted between the predicted values and the experimental results. PMID:24772024

Prediction of the wall factor of arbitrary particle settling through various fluid media in a cylindrical tube using artificial intelligence.

PubMed

Li, Mingzhong; Zhang, Guodong; Xue, Jianquan; Li, Yanchao; Tang, Shukai

2014-01-01

Considering the influence of particle shape and the rheological properties of fluid, two artificial intelligence methods (Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine) were used to predict the wall factor which is widely introduced to deduce the net hydrodynamic drag force of confining boundaries on settling particles. 513 data points were culled from the experimental data of previous studies, which were divided into training set and test set. Particles with various shapes were divided into three kinds: sphere, cylinder, and rectangular prism; feature parameters of each kind of particle were extracted; prediction models of sphere and cylinder using artificial neural network were established. Due to the little number of rectangular prism sample, support vector machine was used to predict the wall factor, which is more suitable for addressing the problem of small samples. The characteristic dimension was presented to describe the shape and size of the diverse particles and a comprehensive prediction model of particles with arbitrary shapes was established to cover all types of conditions. Comparisons were conducted between the predicted values and the experimental results.

Properties of meso-Erythritol; phase state, accommodation coefficient and saturation vapour pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emanuelsson, Eva; Tschiskale, Morten; Bilde, Merete

2016-04-01

Introduction Saturation vapour pressure and the associated temperature dependence (enthalpy ΔH), are key parameters for improving predictive atmospheric models. Generally, the atmospheric aerosol community lack experimentally determined values of these properties for relevant organic aerosol compounds (Bilde et al., 2015). In this work we have studied the organic aerosol component meso-Erythritol. Methods Sub-micron airborne particles of meso-Erythritol were generated by nebulization from aqueous solution, dried, and a mono disperse fraction of the aerosol was selected using a differential mobility analyser. The particles were then allowed to evaporate in the ARAGORN (AaRhus Atmospheric Gas phase OR Nano particle) flow tube. It is a temperature controlled 3.5 m long stainless steel tube with an internal diameter of 0.026 m (Bilde et al., 2003, Zardini et al., 2010). Changes in particle size as function of evaporation time were determined using a scanning mobility particle sizer system. Physical properties like air flow, temperature, humidity and pressure were controlled and monitored on several places in the setup. The saturation vapour pressures were then inferred from the experimental results in the MATLAB® program AU_VaPCaP (Aarhus University_Vapour Pressure Calculation Program). Results Following evaporation, meso-Erythriol under some conditions showed a bimodal particle size distribution indicating the formation of particles of two different phase states. The issue of physical phase state, along with critical assumptions e.g. the accommodation coefficient in the calculations of saturation vapour pressures of atmospheric relevant compounds, will be discussed. Saturation vapour pressures from the organic compound meso-Erythritol will be presented at temperatures between 278 and 308 K, and results will be discussed in the context of atmospheric chemistry. References Bilde, M. et al., (2015), Chemical Reviews, 115 (10), 4115-4156. Bilde, M. et. al., (2003), Environmental Science and Technology 37(7), 1371-1378. Zardini, A. A. et al., (2010), Journal of Aerosol Science, 41, 760-770.

Comparing solute and particulate transport in streams using Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shogren, A.; Tank, J. L.; Aubeneau, A. F.; Bolster, D.

2016-12-01

in streams and rivers. These processes co-vary across systems and are thus difficult to isolate. Therefore, to improve our understanding of drivers of fine-scale transport and retention of particles and solutes in streams, we experimentally compared transport and retention dynamics of two different particles (brewers yeast, 7μm; corn pollen, 70μm), a non-reactive solute (RhodamineWT), and a biologically reactive solute, nitrate (NO3-). We conducted experiments in four semi-natural constructed streams at the Notre Dame Linked Ecosystem Experimental Facility (ND-LEEF) in South Bend, Indiana. Each of the four 50 m replicate stream was lined with a unique configuration of substrate: pea gravel (PG, D50 = 0.5cm) and cobble (COB, D50 = 5cm) and structural complexity: alternating 2m sections of PG and COB substrates (ALT) and a random 50/50 mix (MIX). We allowed the experimental streams to naturally colonize with biofilm and periphyton throughout the summer sampling season. For particles, we estimated transport distance (Sp) and deposition velocity (vdep) and for solutes, we estimated uptake lengths (Sw) and uptake velocity (vf) using a short-term pulse addition technique. Sp and vdep were variable for particles, and were most strongly predicted by biofilm colonization on substrata in each stream. Biofilm accumulation also increased uptake of the reactive solute, though in contrast to particles, there were no significant differences in Sw or vf among streams suggesting that substrate type was not the main driver of reactive solute retention. These results emphasize the dynamic relationship between the physical and biological drivers influencing particle and solute retention in streams. Differential uptake of particles and solutes highlights the non stationarity of controlling variables along spatial or temporal continua. Even in highly controlled systems like those at ND-LEEF, physical vs. biological drivers are difficult to isolate.

Mechanical reinforcement and segmental dynamics of polymer nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Shushan

The addition of nanofiller into a polymer matrix will dramatically change the physical properties of polymer. The introduction of nanofiller makes the polymer more applicable in many industries, such as automobile tires, coatings, semiconductors, and packaging. The altered properties are not the simple combination of the characters from the two components. The interactions in polymer nanocomposites play an important role in determining the physical properties. This dissertation focuses on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites (silica/poly-2-vinylpyridine) above their glass transition temperature Tg, as a model for automobile tires, which utilize small silica particles in crosslinked rubber far above Tg. We also investigate the impacts of the interaction between particle filler and polymer matrix on the altered mechanical properties. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) is used to study the glassy bound polymer layers formed around the particles. The results show evidence of the existence of immobilized polymer layers at the surface of each nanoparticle. At the same time, the thickness of the immobilized polymer layers is quantified and formed to be around 2 nm. Then we consider particles with glassy bound polymer layers are bridged together (either rubbery bridge or glassy bridge) by polymer chains and form small clusters. Clusters finally percolate to form a particle-polymer network as loading fraction increases. Rheology is used to study the network formation, and to predict the boundary of rubbery bridge and glassy bridge regimes. The distance between particles determines the type of polymer bridging. The particle spacing larger than Kuhn length makes flexible (rubbery) bridge with rheology described by a flexible Rouse model for percolation. When the spacing is shorter than the Kuhn length (~ 1nm), stiffer bridge forms instead, which is called glassy bridge. The mechanical differences between rubbery bridge and glassy bridge, and the effect of Mw on the formation of glassy bridge, are also discussed.

A Probabilistic Model for Sediment Entrainment: the Role of Bed Irregularity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thanos Papanicolaou, A. N.

2017-04-01

A generalized probabilistic model is developed in this study to predict sediment entrainment under the incipient motion, rolling, and pickup modes. A novelty of the proposed model is that it incorporates in its formulation the probability density function of the bed shear stress, instead of the near-bed velocity fluctuations, to account for the effects of both flow turbulence and bed surface irregularity on sediment entrainment. The proposed model incorporates in its formulation the collective effects of three parameters describing bed surface irregularity, namely the relative roughness, the volumetric fraction and relative position of sediment particles within the active layer. Another key feature of the model is that it provides a criterion for estimating the lift and drag coefficients jointly based on the recognition that lift and drag forces acting on sediment particles are interdependent and vary with particle protrusion and packing density. The model was validated using laboratory data of both fine and coarse sediment and was compared with previously published models. The study results show that for the fine sediment data, where the sediment particles have more uniform gradation and relative roughness is not a factor, all the examined models perform adequately. The proposed model was particularly suited for the coarse sediment data, where the increased bed irregularity was captured by the new parameters introduced in the model formulations. As a result, the proposed model yielded smaller prediction errors and physically acceptable values for the lift coefficient compared to the other models in case of the coarse sediment data.

Physical Principles of the Method for Determination of Geometrical Characteristics and Particle Recognition in Digital Holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dyomin, V. V.; Polovtsev, I. G.; Davydova, A. Yu.

2018-03-01

The physical principles of a method for determination of geometrical characteristics of particles and particle recognition based on the concepts of digital holography, followed by processing of the particle images reconstructed from the digital hologram, using the morphological parameter are reported. An example of application of this method for fast plankton particle recognition is given.

Relativistic quantum optics: The relativistic invariance of the light-matter interaction models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martín-Martínez, Eduardo; Rodriguez-Lopez, Pablo

2018-05-01

In this article we discuss the invariance under general changes of reference frame of all the physical predictions of particle detector models in quantum field theory in general and, in particular, of those used in quantum optics to model atoms interacting with light. We find explicitly how the light-matter interaction Hamiltonians change under general coordinate transformations, and analyze the subtleties of the Hamiltonians commonly used to describe the light-matter interaction when relativistic motion is taken into account.

Pulsar Polar Cap and Slot Gap Models: Confronting Fermi Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harding, Alice K.

2012-01-01

Rotation-powered pulsars are excellent laboratories for studying particle acceleration as well as fundamental physics of strong gravity, strong magnetic fields and relativity. I will review acceleration and gamma-ray emission from the pulsar polar cap and slot gap. Predictions of these models can be tested with the data set on pulsars collected by the Large Area Telescope on the Fermi Gamma-Ray Telescope over the last four years, using both detailed light curve fitting and population synthesis.

Monte Carlo study of exact {ital S}-matrix duality in nonsimply laced affine Toda theories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beccaria, M.

The ({ital g}{sub 2}{sup (1)},{ital d}{sub 4}{sup (3)}) pair of nonsimply laced affine Toda theories is studied from the point of view of nonperturbative duality. The classical spectrum of each member is composed of two massive scalar particles. The exact {ital S}-matrix prediction for the dual behavior of the coupling-dependent mass ratio is found to be in strong agreement with Monte Carlo data. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS: Cosmology, primordial black holes, and supermassive particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polnarev, A. G.; Khlopov, M. Yu

1985-03-01

Analysis of astrophysical restrictions on the spectrum of primordial black holes (PBH) makes it possible to obtain indirect information about the physical conditions in the very early universe. These restrictions are compared with the probability of PBH production in early dust stages as predicted on the basis of modern models of quantum field theory. As a result of such comparison, restrictions are obtained on the parameters of various models corresponding to different values of the parameters of the spectrum of initial small-scale inhomogeneities.

Tumbling in Turbulence: How much does particle shape effect particle motion?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Variano, E. A.; Andersson, H. I.; Zhao, L.; Byron, M.

2014-12-01

Natural particles suspended in surface water are often non-spherical. We explore the ways in which particle shape effects particle motion, focusing specifically on how particle rotation is divided into spinning and tumbling components. This, in turn, will effect particle collision, clustering, and settling rates. We focus on idealized axisymmetric particles shaped as rods, discs, and spheroids. They are chosen so as to explain the physics of aspherical-particle motion that will be relevant for natural particles such as plankton, sediment, or aggregates (e.g. oil-mineral aggregates, clay flocs, or bio-sediment aggregates held together by TEP). Our work begins with laboratory measurements of particle motion in a turbulence tank built to mimic the flow found in rivers, estuaries, and the ocean surface mixed layer. We then proceed to direct numerical simulation of particle-flow interactions in sheared turbulence similar to that which is found in the surface water of creeks and rivers. We find that shape has only a very weak effect on particle angular velocity, which is a quantity calculated with respect the global reference frame (i.e. east/north/up). If we analyze rotation in a particle's local frame (i.e. the particle's principle axes of rotation), then particle shape has a strong effect on rotation. In the local frame, rotation is described by two components: tumbling and spinning. We find that rod-shaped particles spin more than they tumble, and we find that disc-shaped particles tumble more than they spin. Such behavior is indicative of how particles respond the the directional influence of vortex tubes in turbulence, and such response has implications for particle motion other than rotation. Understanding particle alignment is relevant for predicting particle-particle collision rates, particle-wall collision rates, and the shear-driven breakup of aggregates. We discuss these briefly in the context of what can be concluded from the rotation data discussed above.

Making baryons dark: the quantum prediction of the variation of photon-particle scattering cross section with the approach to equilibrium in deep gravity wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ernest, Alllan David; Collins, Matthew P.

2015-08-01

Analysis of astrophysical phenomena relies on knowledge of cross sections. These cross sections are measured in scattering experiments, or calculated using theoretical techniques such as partial wave analysis. It has been recently shown [1,2,3] however that photon scattering cross sections depend also on the degree of localization of the target particle, and that particles in large-scale, deep-gravity wells can exhibit lower cross sections than those measured in lab-based experiments where particles are implicitly localized. This purely quantum effect arises as a consequence of differences in the gravitational eigenspectral distribution of a particle’s wavefunction in different situations, and is in addition to the obvious notion that delocalized particle scattering is less likely simply because the target particles are ‘in a bigger box’.In this presentation we consider the quantum equilibrium statistics of particles in gravitational potentials corresponding to dark matter density profiles. We show that as galactic halos approach equilibrium, the dark eigenstates of the eigenspectral ensemble are favoured and baryons exhibit lower photon scattering cross sections, rendering halos less visible than expected from currently accepted cross sections. Traditional quantum theory thus predicts that baryons that have not coalesced into self-bound macroscopic structures such as stars, can essentially behave as dark matter simply by equilibrating within a deep gravity well. We will discuss this effect and the consequences for microwave anisotropy analysis and primordial nucleosynthesis.[1] Ernest, A. D., and Collins, M. P., 2014, Australian Institute of Physics, AIP Congress, Canberra, December, 2014.[2] Ernest, A. D., 2009, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor., 42, 115207, 115208.[3] Ernest, A. D., 2012, In Prof. Ion Cotaescu (Ed) Advances in Quantum Theory (pp 221-248). Rijeka: InTech. ISBN 978-953-51-0087-4

News

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2002-03-01

UK Awards: Teacher of Physics Awards Institute Matters: Institute of Physics Education Conference UK Awards: Top SHAP students win prizes Competition: International creative essay competition UK Awards: Kelvin Medal Particle Physics Resources: New poster from PPARC Australia: Physics Students's Day at Adventure World UK Awards: Bragg Medal winners in a FLAP ASE Annual Meeting: Particle Physics at ASE 2002 UK Grants: PPARC Awards AAPT Winter Meeting: Physics First - but do you need maths? UK In-Service Training: The Particle Physics Institutes for A-level teachers Physics on Stage 2: Not too entertaining this time, please! Scotland: A reasoned approach wins reasonable funding Institute Matters: New education manager Germany: Physics gets real: curriculum change for better teaching Research Frontiers: Let there be light - if you hang on a minute

Fermi-LAT upper limits on gamma-ray emission from colliding wind binaries

DOE PAGES

Werner, Michael; Reimer, O.; Reimer, A.; ...

2013-07-09

Here, colliding wind binaries (CWBs) are thought to give rise to a plethora of physical processes including acceleration and interaction of relativistic particles. Observation of synchrotron radiation in the radio band confirms there is a relativistic electron population in CWBs. Accordingly, CWBs have been suspected sources of high-energy γ-ray emission since the COS-B era. Theoretical models exist that characterize the underlying physical processes leading to particle acceleration and quantitatively predict the non-thermal energy emission observable at Earth. Furthermore, we strive to find evidence of γ-ray emission from a sample of seven CWB systems: WR 11, WR 70, WR 125, WRmore » 137, WR 140, WR 146, and WR 147. Theoretical modelling identified these systems as the most favourable candidates for emitting γ-rays. We make a comparison with existing γ-ray flux predictions and investigate possible constraints. We used 24 months of data from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on-board the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope to perform a dedicated likelihood analysis of CWBs in the LAT energy range. As a result, we find no evidence of γ-ray emission from any of the studied CWB systems and determine corresponding flux upper limits. For some CWBs the interplay of orbital and stellar parameters renders the Fermi-LAT data not sensitive enough to constrain the parameter space of the emission models. In the cases of WR140 and WR147, the Fermi -LAT upper limits appear to rule out some model predictions entirely and constrain theoretical models over a significant parameter space. A comparison of our findings to the CWB η Car is made.« less

Universe or Multiverse?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carr, Bernard

2009-08-01

Part I. Overviews: 1. Introduction and overview Bernard Carr; 2. Living in the multiverse Steven Weinberg; 3. Enlightenment, knowledge, ignorance, temptation Frank Wilczek; Part II. Cosmology and Astrophysics: 4. Cosmology and the multiverse Martin J. Rees; 5. The anthropic principle revisited Bernard Carr; 6. Cosmology from the top down Stephen Hawking; 7. The multiverse hierarchy Max Tegmark; 8. The inflationary universe Andrei Linde; 9. A model of anthropic reasoning: the dark to ordinary matter ratio Frank Wilczek; 10. Anthropic predictions: the case of the cosmological constant Alexander Vilenkin; 11. The definition and classification of universes James D. Bjorken; 12. M/string theory and anthropic reasoning Renata Kallosh; 13. The anthropic principle, dark energy and the LHC Savas Dimopoulos and Scott Thomas; Part III. Particle Physics and Quantum Theory: 14. Quarks, electrons and atoms in closely related universes Craig J. Hogan; 15. The fine-tuning problems of particle physics and anthropic mechanisms John F. Donoghue; 16. The anthropic landscape of string theory Leonard Susskind; 17. Cosmology and the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics Viatcheslav Mukhanov; 18. Anthropic reasoning and quantum cosmology James B. Hartle; 19. Micro-anthropic principle for quantum theory Brandon Carter; Part IV. More General Philosophical Issues: 20. Scientific alternatives to the anthropic principle Lee Smolin; 21. Making predictions in a multiverse: conundrums, dangers, coincidences Anthony Aguirre; 22. Multiverses: description, uniqueness and testing George Ellis; 23. Predictions and tests of multiverse theories Don N. Page; 24. Observation selection theory and cosmological fine-tuning Nick Bostrom; 25. Are anthropic arguments, involving multiverses and beyond, legitimate? William R. Stoeger; 26. The multiverse hypothesis: a theistic perspective Robin Collins; 27. Living in a simulated universe John D. Barrow; 28. Universes galore: where will it all end? Paul Davies; Index.

Spatial variations in mortality in pelagic early life stages of a marine fish (Gadus morhua)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langangen, Øystein; Stige, Leif C.; Yaragina, Natalia A.; Ottersen, Geir; Vikebø, Frode B.; Stenseth, Nils Chr.

2014-09-01

Mortality of pelagic eggs and larvae of marine fish is often assumed to be constant both in space and time due to lacking information. This may, however, be a gross oversimplification, as early life stages are likely to experience large variations in mortality both in time and space. In this paper we develop a method for estimating the spatial variability in mortality of eggs and larvae. The method relies on survey data and physical-biological particle-drift models to predict the drift of ichthyoplankton. Furthermore, the method was used to estimate the spatially resolved mortality field in the egg and larval stages of Barents Sea cod (Gadus morhua). We analyzed data from the Barents Sea for the period between 1959 and 1993 when there are two surveys available: a spring and a summer survey. An individual-based physical-biological particle-drift model, tailored to the egg and larval stages of Barents Sea cod, was used to predict the drift trajectories from the observed stage-specific distributions in spring to the time of observation in the summer, a drift time of approximately 45 days. We interpreted the spatial patterns in the differences between the predicted and observed abundance distributions in summer as reflecting the spatial patterns in mortality over the drift period. Using the estimated mortality fields, we show that the spatial variations in mortality might have a significant impact on survival to later life stages and we suggest that there may be trade-offs between increased early survival in off shore regions and reduced probability of ending up in the favorable nursing grounds in the Barents Sea. In addition, we show that accounting for the estimated mortality field, improves the correlation between a simulated recruitment index and observation-based indices of juvenile abundance.

The International Committee for Future Accelerators (ICFA): 1976 to the present

DOE PAGES

Rubinstein, Roy

2016-12-14

The International Committee for Future Accelerators (ICFA) has been in existence now for four decades. It plays an important role in allowing discussions by the world particle physics community on the status and future of very large particle accelerators and the particle physics and related fields associated with them. Here, this paper gives some indication of what ICFA is and does, and also describes its involvement in some of the more important developments in the particle physics field since its founding.

Strength and acoustic properties of Ottawa sand containing laboratory-formed methane gas hydrate

USGS Publications Warehouse

Winters, William J.; Waite, William F.; Mason, David H.

2004-01-01

Although gas hydrate occurs in a wide variety of sediment types and is present and even pervasive at some locations on continental margins, little is known about how it forms naturally. Physical properties of the resultant gas hydrate-sediment mixtures, data needed for input into models that predict location and quantity of in situ hydrate are also lacking. Not only do properties of the host materials influence the type and quantity of hydrate formed and whether a particular deposit may be an economic resource or a geohazard, the properties of the natural sediment are also subsequently changed by the formation of gas hydrate in the pore space. The magnitude of the change is primarily related to the amount and the weighted inter-particle distribution of the hydrate deposits in relation to the actual sediment grains. Our goal is to understand the interaction between natural sediments and gas hydrate formation in order to quantify physical properties that are useful to predictive models.

Thermodynamic metrics for measuring the ``sustainability'' of design for recycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reuter, Markus; van Schaik, Antoinette

2008-08-01

In this article, exergy is applied as a parameter to measure the “sustainability” of a recycling system in addition to the fundamental prediction of material recycling and energy recovery, summarizing a development of over 20 years by the principal author supported by various co-workers, Ph.D., and M.Sc. students. In order to achieve this, recyclate qualities and particle size distributions throughout the system must be predicted as a function of product design, liberation during shredding, process dynamics, physical separation physics, and metallurgical thermodynamics. This crucial development enables the estimation of the true exergy of a recycling system from its inputs and outputs including all its realistic industrial traits. These models have among others been linked to computer aided design tools of the automotive industry and have been used to evaluate the performance of waste electric and electronic equipment recycling systems in The Netherlands. This paper also suggests that the complete system must be optimized to find a “truer” optimum of the material production system linked to the consumer market.

Single Aerosol Particle Studies Using Optical Trapping Raman And Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Z.; Wang, C.; Pan, Y. L.; Videen, G.

2017-12-01

Due to the physical and chemical complexity of aerosol particles and the interdisciplinary nature of aerosol science that involves physics, chemistry, and biology, our knowledge of aerosol particles is rather incomplete; our current understanding of aerosol particles is limited by averaged (over size, composition, shape, and orientation) and/or ensemble (over time, size, and multi-particles) measurements. Physically, single aerosol particles are the fundamental units of any large aerosol ensembles. Chemically, single aerosol particles carry individual chemical components (properties and constituents) in particle ensemble processes. Therefore, the study of single aerosol particles can bridge the gap between aerosol ensembles and bulk/surface properties and provide a hierarchical progression from a simple benchmark single-component system to a mixed-phase multicomponent system. A single aerosol particle can be an effective reactor to study heterogeneous surface chemistry in multiple phases. Latest technological advances provide exciting new opportunities to study single aerosol particles and to further develop single aerosol particle instrumentation. We present updates on our recent studies of single aerosol particles optically trapped in air using the optical-trapping Raman and cavity ringdown spectroscopy.

Prediction of the physical properties of barium titanates using an artificial neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Jabar, Ahmed Jaafar Abed; Al-dujaili, Mohammed Assi Ahmed; Al-hydary, Imad Ali Disher

2017-04-01

Barium titanate is one of the most important ceramics amongst those that are widely used in the electronic industry because of their dielectric properties. These properties are related to the physical properties of the material, namely, the density and the porosity. Thus, the prediction of these properties is highly desirable. The aim of the current work is to develop models that can predict the density, porosity, firing shrinkage, and the green density of barium titanate BaTiO3. An artificial neural network was used to fulfill this aim. The modified pechini method was used to prepare barium titanate powders with five different particle size distributions. Eighty samples were prepared using different processing parameters including the pressing rate, pressing pressure, heating rate, sintering temperature, and soaking time. In the artificial neural network (ANN) model, the experimental data set consisted of these 80 samples, 70 samples were used for training the network and 10 samples were employed for testing. A comparison was made between the experimental and the predicted data. Good performance of the ANN model was achieved, in which the results showed that the mean error for the density, porosity, shrinkage, and green density are 0.02, 0.06, 0.04, and 0.002, respectively.

Georges Charpak, Particle Detectors, and Multiwire Chambers

Science.gov Websites

particle detectors used throughout experimental particle physics. In 1968, he invented and developed the the 2005 International Year of Physics (video) Top Some links on this page may take you to non-federal

Probing the frontiers of particle physics with tabletop-scale experiments.

PubMed

DeMille, David; Doyle, John M; Sushkov, Alexander O

2017-09-08

The field of particle physics is in a peculiar state. The standard model of particle theory successfully describes every fundamental particle and force observed in laboratories, yet fails to explain properties of the universe such as the existence of dark matter, the amount of dark energy, and the preponderance of matter over antimatter. Huge experiments, of increasing scale and cost, continue to search for new particles and forces that might explain these phenomena. However, these frontiers also are explored in certain smaller, laboratory-scale "tabletop" experiments. This approach uses precision measurement techniques and devices from atomic, quantum, and condensed-matter physics to detect tiny signals due to new particles or forces. Discoveries in fundamental physics may well come first from small-scale experiments of this type. Copyright © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Conformal standard model, leptogenesis, and dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewandowski, Adrian; Meissner, Krzysztof A.; Nicolai, Hermann

2018-02-01

The conformal standard model is a minimal extension of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics based on the assumed absence of large intermediate scales between the TeV scale and the Planck scale, which incorporates only right-chiral neutrinos and a new complex scalar in addition to the usual SM degrees of freedom, but no other features such as supersymmetric partners. In this paper, we present a comprehensive quantitative analysis of this model, and show that all outstanding issues of particle physics proper can in principle be solved "in one go" within this framework. This includes in particular the stabilization of the electroweak scale, "minimal" leptogenesis and the explanation of dark matter, with a small mass and very weakly interacting Majoron as the dark matter candidate (for which we propose to use the name "minoron"). The main testable prediction of the model is a new and almost sterile scalar boson that would manifest itself as a narrow resonance in the TeV region. We give a representative range of parameter values consistent with our assumptions and with observation.

Kinetic studies of divertor heat fluxes in Alcator C-Mod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankin, A. Y.; Bateman, G.; Kritz, A. H.; Rafiq, T.; Park, G. Y.; Chang, C. S.; Brunner, D.; Hughes, J. W.; Labombard, B.; Terry, J.

2010-11-01

The kinetic XGC0 code [C.S. Chang et al, Phys. Plasmas 11 (2004) 2649] is used to model the H- mode pedestal and SOL regions in Alcator C-Mod discharges. The self-consistent simulations in this study include kinetic neoclassical physics and anomalous transport models along with the ExB flow shear effects. The heat fluxes on the divertor plates are computed and the fluxes to the outer plate are compared with experimental observations. The dynamics of the radial electric field near the separatrix and in the SOL region are computed with the XGC0 code, and the effect of the anomalous transport on the heat fluxes in the SOL region is investigated. In particular, the particle and thermal diffusivities obtained in the analysis mode are compared with predictions from the theory-based anomalous transport models such as MMM95 [G. Bateman et al, Phys. Plasmas 5 (1998) 1793] and DRIBM [T. Rafiq et al, to appear in Phys. Plasmas (2010)]. It is found that there is a notable pinch effect in the inner separatrix region. Possible physical mechanisms for the particle and thermal pinches are discussed.

Can nuclear physics explain the anomaly observed in the internal pair production in the Beryllium-8 nucleus?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xilin; Miller, Gerald A.

2017-10-01

Recently the experimentalists in Krasznahorkay (2016) [1] announced observing an unexpected enhancement of the e+-e- pair production signal in one of the 8Be nuclear transitions. The subsequent studies have been focused on possible explanations based on introducing new types of particle. In this work, we improve the nuclear physics modeling of the reaction by studying the pair emission anisotropy and the interferences between different multipoles in an effective field theory inspired framework, and examine their possible relevance to the anomaly. The connection between the previously measured on-shell photon production and the pair production in the same nuclear transitions is established. These improvements, absent in the original experimental analysis, should be included in extracting new particle's properties from the experiment of this type. However, the improvements can not explain the anomaly. We then explore the nuclear transition form factor as a possible origin of the anomaly, and find the required form factor to be unrealistic for the 8Be nucleus. The reduction of the anomaly's significance by simply rescaling our predicted event count is also investigated.

Non-Gaussian limit fluctuations in active swimmer suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurihara, Takashi; Aridome, Msato; Ayade, Heev; Zaid, Irwin; Mizuno, Daisuke

2017-03-01

We investigate the hydrodynamic fluctuations in suspensions of swimming microorganisms (Chlamydomonas) by observing the probe particles dispersed in the media. Short-term fluctuations of probe particles were superdiffusive and displayed heavily tailed non-Gaussian distributions. The analytical theory that explains the observed distribution was derived by summing the power-law-decaying hydrodynamic interactions from spatially distributed field sources (here, swimming microorganisms). The summing procedure, which we refer to as the physical limit operation, is applicable to a variety of physical fluctuations to which the classical central limiting theory does not apply. Extending the analytical formula to compare to experiments in active swimmer suspensions, we show that the non-Gaussian shape of the observed distribution obeys the analytic theory concomitantly with independently determined parameters such as the strength of force generations and the concentration of Chlamydomonas. Time evolution of the distributions collapsed to a single master curve, except for their extreme tails, for which our theory presents a qualitative explanation. Investigations thereof and the complete agreement with theoretical predictions revealed broad applicability of the formula to dispersions of active sources of fluctuations.

Three-body correlations and conditional forces in suspensions of active hard disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Härtel, Andreas; Richard, David; Speck, Thomas

2018-01-01

Self-propelled Brownian particles show rich out-of-equilibrium physics, for instance, the motility-induced phase separation (MIPS). While decades of studying the structure of liquids have established a deep understanding of passive systems, not much is known about correlations in active suspensions. In this work we derive an approximate analytic theory for three-body correlations and forces in systems of active Brownian disks starting from the many-body Smoluchowski equation. We use our theory to predict the conditional forces that act on a tagged particle and their dependence on the propulsion speed of self-propelled disks. We identify preferred directions of these forces in relation to the direction of propulsion and the positions of the surrounding particles. We further relate our theory to the effective swimming speed of the active disks, which is relevant for the physics of MIPS. To test and validate our theory, we additionally run particle-resolved computer simulations, for which we explicitly calculate the three-body forces. In this context, we discuss the modeling of active Brownian swimmers with nearly hard interaction potentials. We find very good agreement between our simulations and numerical solutions of our theory, especially for the nonequilibrium pair-distribution function. For our analytical results, we carefully discuss their range of validity in the context of the different levels of approximation we applied. This discussion allows us to study the individual contribution of particles to three-body forces and to the emerging structure. Thus, our work sheds light on the collective behavior, provides the basis for further studies of correlations in active suspensions, and makes a step towards an emerging liquid state theory.

Tunneling effects in electromagnetic wave scattering by nonspherical particles: A comparison of the Debye series and physical-geometric optics approximations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Lei; Yang, Ping

2016-07-01

The accuracy of the physical-geometric optics (PG-O) approximation is examined for the simulation of electromagnetic scattering by nonspherical dielectric particles. This study seeks a better understanding of the tunneling effect on the phase matrix by employing the invariant imbedding method to rigorously compute the zeroth-order Debye series, from which the tunneling efficiency and the phase matrix corresponding to the diffraction and external reflection are obtained. The tunneling efficiency is shown to be a factor quantifying the relative importance of the tunneling effect over the Fraunhofer diffraction near the forward scattering direction. Due to the tunneling effect, different geometries with the same projected cross section might have different diffraction patterns, which are traditionally assumed to be identical according to the Babinet principle. For particles with a fixed orientation, the PG-O approximation yields the external reflection pattern with reasonable accuracy, but ordinarily fails to predict the locations of peaks and minima in the diffraction pattern. The larger the tunneling efficiency, the worse the PG-O accuracy is at scattering angles less than 90°. If the particles are assumed to be randomly oriented, the PG-O approximation yields the phase matrix close to the rigorous counterpart, primarily due to error cancellations in the orientation-average process. Furthermore, the PG-O approximation based on an electric field volume-integral equation is shown to usually be much more accurate than the Kirchhoff surface integral equation at side-scattering angles, particularly when the modulus of the complex refractive index is close to unity. Finally, tunneling efficiencies are tabulated for representative faceted particles.

Towards testing quantum physics in deep space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaltenbaek, Rainer

2016-07-01

MAQRO is a proposal for a medium-sized space mission to use the unique environment of deep space in combination with novel developments in space technology and quantum technology to test the foundations of physics. The goal is to perform matter-wave interferometry with dielectric particles of up to 10^{11} atomic mass units and testing for deviations from the predictions of quantum theory. Novel techniques from quantum optomechanics with optically trapped particles are to be used for preparing the test particles for these experiments. The core elements of the instrument are placed outside the spacecraft and insulated from the hot spacecraft via multiple thermal shields allowing to achieve cryogenic temperatures via passive cooling and ultra-high vacuum levels by venting to deep space. In combination with low force-noise microthrusters and inertial sensors, this allows realizing an environment well suited for long coherence times of macroscopic quantum superpositions and long integration times. Since the original proposal in 2010, significant progress has been made in terms of technology development and in refining the instrument design. Based on these new developments, we submitted/will submit updated versions of the MAQRO proposal in 2015 and 2016 in response to Cosmic-Vision calls of ESA for a medium-sized mission. A central goal has been to address and overcome potentially critical issues regarding the readiness of core technologies and to provide realistic concepts for further technology development. We present the progress on the road towards realizing this ground-breaking mission harnessing deep space in novel ways for testing the foundations of physics, a technology pathfinder for macroscopic quantum technology and quantum optomechanics in space.

Predicting available water of soil from particle-size distribution and bulk density in an oasis-desert transect in northwestern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Danfeng; Gao, Guangyao; Shao, Ming'an; Fu, Bojie

2016-07-01

A detailed understanding of soil hydraulic properties, particularly the available water content of soil, (AW, cm3 cm-3), is required for optimal water management. Direct measurement of soil hydraulic properties is impractical for large scale application, but routinely available soil particle-size distribution (PSD) and bulk density can be used as proxies to develop various prediction functions. In this study, we compared the performance of the Arya and Paris (AP) model, Mohammadi and Vanclooster (MV) model, Arya and Heitman (AH) model, and Rosetta program in predicting the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) at 34 points with experimental SWCC data in an oasis-desert transect (20 × 5 km) in the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin, northwestern China. The idea of the three models emerges from the similarity of the shapes of the PSD and SWCC. The AP model, MV model, and Rosetta program performed better in predicting the SWCC than the AH model. The AW determined from the SWCCs predicted by the MV model agreed better with the experimental values than those derived from the AP model and Rosetta program. The fine-textured soils were characterized by higher AW values, while the sandy soils had lower AW values. The MV model has the advantages of having robust physical basis, being independent of database-related parameters, and involving subclasses of texture data. These features make it promising in predicting soil water retention at regional scales, serving for the application of hydrological models and the optimization of soil water management.

Retrieving the properties of ice-phase precipitation with multi-frequency radar measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mace, G. G.; Gergely, M.; Mascio, J.

2017-12-01

The objective of most retrieval algorithms applied to remote sensing measurements is the microphysical properties that a model might predict such as condensed water content, particle number, or effective size. However, because ice crystals grow and aggregate into complex non spherical shapes, the microphysical properties of interest are very much dependent on the physical characteristics of the precipitation such as how mass and crystal area are distributed as a function of particle size. Such physical properties also have a strong influence on how microwave electromagnetic energy scatters from ice crystals causing significant ambiguity in retrieval algorithms. In fact, passive and active microwave remote sensing measurements are typically nearly as sensitive to the ice crystal physical properties as they are to the microphysical characteristics that are typically the aim of the retrieval algorithm. There has, however, been active development of multi frequency algorithms recently that attempt to ameliorate and even exploit this sensitivity. In this paper, we will review these approaches and present practical applications of retrieving ice crystal properties such as mass- and area dimensional relationships from single and dual frequency radar measurements of precipitating ice using data collected aboard ship in the Southern Ocean and from remote sensors in the Rocky Mountains of the Western U.S.

Chemical fractionation and speciation modelling for optimization of ion-exchange processes to recover palladium from industrial wastewater.

PubMed

Folens, K; Van Hulle, S; Vanhaecke, F; Du Laing, G

2016-01-01

Palladium is used in several industrial applications and, given its high intrinsic value, intense efforts are made to recover the element. In this hydrometallurgic perspective, ion-exchange (IEX) technologies are principal means. Yet, without incorporating the chemical and physical properties of the Pd present in real, plant-specific conditions, the recovery cannot reach its technical nor economic optimum. This study characterized a relevant Pd-containing waste stream of a mirror manufacturer to provide input for a speciation model, predicting the Pd speciation as a function of pH and chloride concentration. Besides the administered neutral PdCl2 form, both positively and negatively charged [PdCln](2-n) species occur depending on the chloride concentration in solution. Purolite C100 and Relite 2AS IEX resins were selected and applied in combination with other treatment steps to optimize the Pd recovery. A combination of the cation and anion exchange resins was found successful to quantitatively recover Pd. Given the fact that Pd was also primarily associated with particles, laboratory-scale experiments focused on physical removal of the Pd-containing flow were conducted, which showed that particle-bound Pd can already be removed by physical pre-treatment prior to IEX, while the ionic fraction remains fully susceptible to the IEX mechanism.

The Birth of Elementary-Particle Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Laurie M.; Hoddeson, Lillian

1982-01-01

Traces the origin and development of particle physics, concentrating on the roles of cosmic rays and theory. Includes charts highlighting significant events in the development of cosmic-ray physics and quantum field theory. (SK)

Can Grade-6 Students Understand Quarks? Probing Acceptance of the Subatomic Structure of Matter with 12-Year-Olds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiener, Gerfried J.; Schmeling, Sascha M.; Hopf, Martin

2015-01-01

This study introduces a teaching concept based on the Standard Model of particle physics. It comprises two consecutive chapters--elementary particles and fundamental interactions. The rationale of this concept is that the fundamental principles of particle physics can run as the golden thread through the whole physics curriculum. The design…

Precision Tests of the Electroweak Interaction using Trapped Atoms and Ions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Melconian, Daniel George

The objective of the proposed research is to study fundamental aspects of the electroweak interaction via precision measurements in beta decay to test our current understanding of fundamental particles and forces as contained in the so-called "Standard Model" of particle physics. By comparing elegant experiments to rigorous theoretical predictions, we will either confirm the Standard Model to a higher degree and rule out models which seek to extend it, or find evidence of new physics and help guide theorists in developing the New Standard Model. The use of ion and neutral atom traps at radioactive ion beam facilities has openedmore » up a new vista in precision low-energy nuclear physics experiments. Traps provide an ideal source of decaying atoms: they can be extremely cold (~1 mK); they are compact (~1 mm^3); and perhaps most importantly, the daughter particles escape with negligible distortions to their momenta in a scattering-free, open environment. The project is taking advantage of these technologies and applying them to precision beta-decay studies at radioactive beam facilities. The program consists of two complementary efforts: 1) Ion traps are an extremely versatile tool for purifying, cooling and bunching low-energy beams of short-lived nuclei. A large-bore (210~mm) superconducting 7-Tesla solenoid is at the heart of a Penning trap system for which there is a dedicated beamline at T-REX, the upgraded radioactive beam facility at the Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University. In addition to providing a general-purpose decay station, the flagship program for this system is measuring the ft-values and beta-neutrino correlation parameters from isospin T=2 superallowed beta-delayed proton decays, complimenting and expanding the already strong program in fundamental interactions at the Institute. 2) A magneto-optical trap is being used at the TRIUMF Neutral Atom Trap facility to observe the (un)polarized angular distribution parameters of isotopes of potassium. We are able to highly polarize laser-cooled atoms and observe their decay with unprecedented precision. The correlation of the daughter beta particle with the initial nuclear spin as well as other correlations are sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Both of these cutting-edge and exciting research efforts will test our understanding of the fundamental symmetries underlying our current theory of electroweak interactions. Complementary to high-energy collider experiments, these low-energy nuclear physics "table-top" experiments will search for new particles and interactions which are not already described by the Standard Model of particle physics. The value of this research is recognized to be cross-disciplinary, exciting and potentially revolutionary in our understanding of nature's fundamental interactions. Accordingly, it has been endorsed by the recent (2007) Nuclear Science Advisory Committee's Long Range Plan as part of their recommendation for a "New Standard Model Initiative." In addition to the near-term benefits of scholarly publications and visibility through description of this work at international conferences, an important benefit of this research program is the training of new, young and enthusiastic nuclear physicists. Participants in this demanding and rewarding field develop a very strong background in physics with experience in a range of its subfields since we use atomic techniques and apply them to a nuclear physics experiment which in the end tests the theories of high-energy physics.« less

Steady-state and dynamic models for particle engulfment during solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Yutao; Yeckel, Andrew; Derby, Jeffrey J.

2016-06-01

Steady-state and dynamic models are developed to study the physical mechanisms that determine the pushing or engulfment of a solid particle at a moving solid-liquid interface. The mathematical model formulation rigorously accounts for energy and momentum conservation, while faithfully representing the interfacial phenomena affecting solidification phase change and particle motion. A numerical solution approach is developed using the Galerkin finite element method and elliptic mesh generation in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian implementation, thus allowing for a rigorous representation of forces and dynamics previously inaccessible by approaches using analytical approximations. We demonstrate that this model accurately computes the solidification interface shape while simultaneously resolving thin fluid layers around the particle that arise from premelting during particle engulfment. We reinterpret the significance of premelting via the definition an unambiguous critical velocity for engulfment from steady-state analysis and bifurcation theory. We also explore the complicated transient behaviors that underlie the steady states of this system and posit the significance of dynamical behavior on engulfment events for many systems. We critically examine the onset of engulfment by comparing our computational predictions to those obtained using the analytical model of Rempel and Worster [29]. We assert that, while the accurate calculation of van der Waals repulsive forces remains an open issue, the computational model developed here provides a clear benefit over prior models for computing particle drag forces and other phenomena needed for the faithful simulation of particle engulfment.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ballouz, Ronald-Louis; Richardson, Derek C.; Morishima, Ryuji

We study the B ring’s complex optical depth structure. The source of this structure may be the complex dynamics of the Keplerian shear and the self-gravity of the ring particles. The outcome of these dynamic effects depends sensitively on the collisional and physical properties of the particles. Two mechanisms can emerge that dominate the macroscopic physical structure of the ring: self-gravity wakes and viscous overstability. Here we study the interplay between these two mechanisms by using our recently developed particle collision method that allows us to better model the inter-particle contact physics. We find that for a constant ring surfacemore » density and particle internal density, particles with rough surfaces tend to produce axisymmetric ring features associated with the viscous overstability, while particles with smoother surfaces produce self-gravity wakes.« less

The Fermi Large Area Telescope on Orbit: Event Classification, Instrument Response Functions, and Calibration

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

Experimental Physics Laboratory, Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology , Department of Physics and SLAC National Accelerator...Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; echarles@slac.stanford.edu 3 Department of Physics, Center for Cosmology and Astro-Particle Physics

Study of premixing phase of steam explosion with JASMINE code in ALPHA program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moriyama, Kiyofumi; Yamano, Norihiro; Maruyama, Yu

Premixing phase of steam explosion has been studied in ALPHA Program at Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). An analytical model to simulate the premixing phase, JASMINE (JAERI Simulator for Multiphase Interaction and Explosion), has been developed based on a multi-dimensional multi-phase thermal hydraulics code MISTRAL (by Fuji Research Institute Co.). The original code was extended to simulate the physics in the premixing phenomena. The first stage of the code validation was performed by analyzing two mixing experiments with solid particles and water: the isothermal experiment by Gilbertson et al. (1992) and the hot particle experiment by Angelini et al.more » (1993) (MAGICO). The code predicted reasonably well the experiments. Effectiveness of the TVD scheme employed in the code was also demonstrated.« less

Educational Information

Science.gov Websites

PDG Homepage Link Educational Information Particle Adventure Image CPEP Image Enjoy our interactive web feature: The Particle Adventure Contemporary Physics Education Projects: Educational materials educational sites on particle physics Copyright information: This page and all following and associated are

Ultrasonic characterization of engineering performanace of oriented strandboard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vun, Ronnie Yunheu

Direct-contact (DC) and non-contact (NC) ultrasonic transmission (UT) methods were developed to characterize the structural performance of oriented strandboard (OSB). The UT variable velocity was shown to be sensitive to the physical impediments caused by flake interfacial boundaries and embedded voids. Both attenuation and root mean square (RMS) voltage were good indicators of the "zero void" densification level for OSB, a point of the greatest transmissivity of the stress wave energy. For both DC and NC methods, the predicted densities of the model were validated for spatial distribution over each OSB type. Based on the control limits of +/-10% of the panel average density, density prediction improved with higher resin content (RC) and higher nominal density (ND) levels. From the out-of-limits plots, the predicted in-situ densities produced a reasonably spatial coherence to the measured values. All panels made with ND 0.60 g/cm3 or greater conformed well within the limits, with declining conformity towards lower RC panels. For each composite type made of different particle sizes, the equilibrium moisture content showed a decreasing trend toward smaller particle panels. The attenuation and RMS were good indicators for moisture change and densification level for each composite type. The velocity, sensitive to physical resistance of particle sizes, increased with increasing IB strength and sample density, manifesting the positive influence of layering, resin content, and the negative effect of bark as a constituent. The results of the creep rupture tests on commercial OSB using an acoustic emission (AE) technique indicated that the cumulative AE event count parameter was highly correlated with deflection parameter and appropriately represented the accumulation of incipient damage. Under high stress levels, specimens with high moisture content (MC) sustained the worse damages having the shortest creep rupture time followed by specimens with dynamically rising MC. Defects on the compression-side of the bending specimen were found critical to creep rupture than those on the tension-side. The in-plane fracture patterns tended to follow the defect trenches of low-density valleys, and worsened with greater variability of the horizontal density, indicating the need to measure and control the horizontal density variation within reasonable limits.

Multiscale structure, interfacial cohesion, adsorbed layers, miscibility and properties in dense polymer-particle mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schweizer, Ken

2012-02-01

A major goal in polymer nanocomposite research is to understand and predict how the chemical and physical nature of individual polymers and nanoparticles, and thermodynamic state (temperature, composition, solvent dilution, filler loading), determine bulk assembly, miscibility and properties. Microscopic PRISM theory provides a route to this goal for equilibrium disordered mixtures. A major prediction is that by manipulating the net polymer-particle interfacial attraction, miscibility is realizable via the formation of thin thermodynamically stable adsorbed layers, which, however, are destroyed by entropic depletion and bridging attraction effects if interface cohesion is too weak or strong, respectively. This and related issues are quantitatively explored for miscible mixtures of hydrocarbon polymers, silica nanospheres, and solvent using x-ray scattering, neutron scattering and rheology. Under melt conditions, quantitative agreement between theory and silica scattering experiments is achieved under both steric stabilization and weak depletion conditions. Using contrast matching neutron scattering to characterize the collective structure factors of polymers, particles and their interface, the existence and size of adsorbed polymer layers, and their consequences on microstructure, is determined. Failure of the incompressible RPA, accuracy of PRISM theory, the nm thickness of adsorbed layers, and qualitative sensitivity of the bulk modulus to interfacial cohesion and particle size are demonstrated for concentrated PEO-silica-ethanol nanocomposites. Temperature-dependent complexity is discovered when water is the solvent, and nonequilibrium effects emerge for adsorbing entangled polymers that strongly impact structure. By varying polymer chemistry, the effect of polymer-particle attraction on the intrinsic viscosity is explored with striking non-classical effects observed. This work was performed in collaboration with S.Y.Kim, L.M.Hall, C.Zukoski and B.Anderson.

Review of Particle Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beringer, J.; Arguin, J.-F.; Barnett, R. M.; Copic, K.; Dahl, O.; Groom, D. E.; Lin, C.-J.; Lys, J.; Murayama, H.; Wohl, C. G.; Yao, W.-M.; Zyla, P. A.; Amsler, C.; Antonelli, M.; Asner, D. M.; Baer, H.; Band, H. R.; Basaglia, T.; Bauer, C. W.; Beatty, J. J.; Belousov, V. I.; Bergren, E.; Bernardi, G.; Bertl, W.; Bethke, S.; Bichsel, H.; Biebel, O.; Blucher, E.; Blusk, S.; Brooijmans, G.; Buchmueller, O.; Cahn, R. N.; Carena, M.; Ceccucci, A.; Chakraborty, D.; Chen, M.-C.; Chivukula, R. S.; Cowan, G.; D'Ambrosio, G.; Damour, T.; de Florian, D.; de Gouvêa, A.; DeGrand, T.; de Jong, P.; Dissertori, G.; Dobrescu, B.; Doser, M.; Drees, M.; Edwards, D. A.; Eidelman, S.; Erler, J.; Ezhela, V. V.; Fetscher, W.; Fields, B. D.; Foster, B.; Gaisser, T. K.; Garren, L.; Gerber, H.-J.; Gerbier, G.; Gherghetta, T.; Golwala, S.; Goodman, M.; Grab, C.; Gritsan, A. V.; Grivaz, J.-F.; Grünewald, M.; Gurtu, A.; Gutsche, T.; Haber, H. E.; Hagiwara, K.; Hagmann, C.; Hanhart, C.; Hashimoto, S.; Hayes, K. G.; Heffner, M.; Heltsley, B.; Hernández-Rey, J. J.; Hikasa, K.; Höcker, A.; Holder, J.; Holtkamp, A.; Huston, J.; Jackson, J. D.; Johnson, K. F.; Junk, T.; Karlen, D.; Kirkby, D.; Klein, S. R.; Klempt, E.; Kowalewski, R. V.; Krauss, F.; Kreps, M.; Krusche, B.; Kuyanov, Yu. V.; Kwon, Y.; Lahav, O.; Laiho, J.; Langacker, P.; Liddle, A.; Ligeti, Z.; Liss, T. M.; Littenberg, L.; Lugovsky, K. S.; Lugovsky, S. B.; Mannel, T.; Manohar, A. V.; Marciano, W. J.; Martin, A. D.; Masoni, A.; Matthews, J.; Milstead, D.; Miquel, R.; Mönig, K.; Moortgat, F.; Nakamura, K.; Narain, M.; Nason, P.; Navas, S.; Neubert, M.; Nevski, P.; Nir, Y.; Olive, K. A.; Pape, L.; Parsons, J.; Patrignani, C.; Peacock, J. A.; Petcov, S. T.; Piepke, A.; Pomarol, A.; Punzi, G.; Quadt, A.; Raby, S.; Raffelt, G.; Ratcliff, B. N.; Richardson, P.; Roesler, S.; Rolli, S.; Romaniouk, A.; Rosenberg, L. J.; Rosner, J. L.; Sachrajda, C. T.; Sakai, Y.; Salam, G. P.; Sarkar, S.; Sauli, F.; Schneider, O.; Scholberg, K.; Scott, D.; Seligman, W. G.; Shaevitz, M. H.; Sharpe, S. R.; Silari, M.; Sjöstrand, T.; Skands, P.; Smith, J. G.; Smoot, G. F.; Spanier, S.; Spieler, H.; Stahl, A.; Stanev, T.; Stone, S. L.; Sumiyoshi, T.; Syphers, M. J.; Takahashi, F.; Tanabashi, M.; Terning, J.; Titov, M.; Tkachenko, N. P.; Törnqvist, N. A.; Tovey, D.; Valencia, G.; van Bibber, K.; Venanzoni, G.; Vincter, M. G.; Vogel, P.; Vogt, A.; Walkowiak, W.; Walter, C. W.; Ward, D. R.; Watari, T.; Weiglein, G.; Weinberg, E. J.; Wiencke, L. R.; Wolfenstein, L.; Womersley, J.; Woody, C. L.; Workman, R. L.; Yamamoto, A.; Zeller, G. P.; Zenin, O. V.; Zhang, J.; Zhu, R.-Y.; Harper, G.; Lugovsky, V. S.; Schaffner, P.

2012-07-01

This biennial Review summarizes much of particle physics. Using data from previous editions, plus 2658 new measurements from 644 papers, we list, evaluate, and average measured properties of gauge bosons, leptons, quarks, mesons, and baryons. We summarize searches for hypothetical particles such as Higgs bosons, heavy neutrinos, and supersymmetric particles. All the particle properties and search limits are listed in Summary Tables. We also give numerous tables, figures, formulae, and reviews of topics such as the Standard Model, particle detectors, probability, and statistics. Among the 112 reviews are many that are new or heavily revised including those on Heavy-Quark and Soft-Collinear Effective Theory, Neutrino Cross Section Measurements, Monte Carlo Event Generators, Lattice QCD, Heavy Quarkonium Spectroscopy, Top Quark, Dark Matter, Vcb & Vub, Quantum Chromodynamics, High-Energy Collider Parameters, Astrophysical Constants, Cosmological Parameters, and Dark Matter.A booklet is available containing the Summary Tables and abbreviated versions of some of the other sections of this full Review. All tables, listings, and reviews (and errata) are also available on the Particle Data Group website: http://pdg.lbl.gov/.The 2012 edition of Review of Particle Physics is published for the Particle Data Group as article 010001 in volume 86 of Physical Review D.This edition should be cited as: J. Beringer et al. (Particle Data Group), Phys. Rev. D 86, 010001 (2012).

Mutual interactions of phonons, rotons, and gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolis, Alberto; Penco, Riccardo

2018-04-01

We introduce an effective point-particle action for generic particles living in a zero-temperature superfluid. This action describes the motion of the particles in the medium at equilibrium as well as their couplings to sound waves and generic fluid flows. While we place the emphasis on elementary excitations such as phonons and rotons, our formalism applies also to macroscopic objects such as vortex rings and rigid bodies interacting with long-wavelength fluid modes. Within our approach, we reproduce phonon decay and phonon-phonon scattering as predicted using a purely field-theoretic description of phonons. We also correct classic results by Landau and Khalatnikov on roton-phonon scattering. Finally, we discuss how phonons and rotons couple to gravity, and show that the former tend to float while the latter tend to sink but with rather peculiar trajectories. Our formalism can be easily extended to include (general) relativistic effects and couplings to additional matter fields. As such, it can be relevant in contexts as diverse as neutron star physics and light dark matter detection.

Random matrix approach to group correlations in development country financial market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qohar, Ulin Nuha Abdul; Lim, Kyuseong; Kim, Soo Yong; Liong, The Houw; Purqon, Acep

2015-12-01

Financial market is a borderless economic activity, everyone in this world has the right to participate in stock transactions. The movement of stocks is interesting to be discussed in various sciences, ranging from economists to mathe-maticians try to explain and predict the stock movement. Econophysics, as a discipline that studies the economic behavior using one of the methods in particle physics to explain stock movement. Stocks tend to be unpredictable probabilistic regarded as a probabilistic particle. Random Matrix Theory is one method used to analyze probabilistic particle is used to analyze the characteristics of the movement in the stock collection of developing country stock market shares of the correlation matrix. To obtain the characteristics of the developing country stock market and use characteristics of stock markets of developed countries as a parameter for comparison. The result shows market wide effect is not happened in Philipine market and weak in Indonesia market. Contrary, developed country (US) has strong market wide effect.

Peltier-based cloud chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nar, Sevda Yeliz; Cakir, Altan

2018-02-01

Particles produced by nuclear decay, cosmic radiation and reactions can be identified through various methods. One of these methods that has been effective in the last century is the cloud chamber. The chamber makes visible cosmic particles that we are exposed to radiation per second. Diffusion cloud chamber is a kind of cloud chamber that is cooled by dry ice. This traditional model has some application difficulties. In this work, Peltier-based cloud chamber cooled by thermoelectric modules is studied. The new model provided uniformly cooled base of the chamber, moreover, it has longer lifetime than the traditional chamber in terms of observation time. This gain has reduced the costs which spent each time for cosmic particle observation. The chamber is an easy-to-use system according to traditional diffusion cloud chamber. The new model is portable, easier to make, and can be used in the nuclear physics experiments. In addition, it would be very useful to observe Muons which are the direct evidence for Lorentz contraction and time expansion predicted by Einsteins special relativity principle.

Sedimentation patterns caused by scallop dredging in a physically dynamic environment.

PubMed

Dale, A C; Boulcott, P; Sherwin, T J

2011-11-01

Scallop dredging grounds in the Firth of Lorn, western Scotland, are juxtaposed with rocky reef habitats raising concerns that reef communities may be impacted by sediment disturbed by nearby scallop dredging. A particle-tracking model of sediment transport and settling is applied at two scales. In the near-field, a suspension of typical sand/gravel-dominated bed sediment is subjected to a steady current across the dredge track. In the far-field, silt particles, which may persist in suspension for multiple tidal cycles, are tracked in the context of a regional model of tidally-driven flow. The principal sedimentary risk to reef habitats is predicted to come from settling sand particles when dredge tracks approach within tens of metres of a reef. The cumulative effect of dredging at the relatively low intensities recorded in this region is not expected to have a significant long-term impact on suspended silt concentrations and settlement in this highly dispersive environment. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Review of particle physics

DOE PAGES

Olive, K. A.

2016-10-01

The Review summarizes much of particle physics and cosmology. Using data from previous editions, plus 3,062 new measurements from 721 papers, we list, evaluate, and average measured properties of gauge bosons and the recently discovered Higgs boson, leptons, quarks, mesons, and baryons. We summarize searches for hypothetical particles such as supersymmetric particles, heavy bosons, axions, dark photons, etc. All the particle properties and search limits are listed in Summary Tables. We also give numerous tables, figures, formulae, and reviews of topics such as Higgs Boson Physics, Supersymmetry, Grand Unified Theories, Neutrino Mixing, Dark Energy, Dark Matter, Cosmology, Particle Detectors, Colliders,more » Probability and Statistics. As a result, among the 117 reviews are many that are new or heavily revised, including those on Pentaquarks and Inflation.« less

Particle astronomy and particle physics from the moon - The particle observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Thomas L.

1990-01-01

Promising experiments from the moon using particle detectors are discussed, noting the advantage of the large flux collecting power Pc offered by the remote, stable environment of a lunar base. An observatory class of particle experiments is presented, based upon proposals at NASA's recent Stanford workshop. They vary from neutrino astronomy, particle astrophysics, and cosmic ray experiments to space physics and fundamental physics experiments such as proton decay and 'table-top' arrays. This research is background-limited on earth, and it is awkward and unrealistic in earth orbit, but is particularly suited for the moon where Pc can be quite large and the instrumentation is not subject to atmospheric erosion as it is (for large t) in low earth orbit.

Review of particle physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olive, K. A.

The Review summarizes much of particle physics and cosmology. Using data from previous editions, plus 3,062 new measurements from 721 papers, we list, evaluate, and average measured properties of gauge bosons and the recently discovered Higgs boson, leptons, quarks, mesons, and baryons. We summarize searches for hypothetical particles such as supersymmetric particles, heavy bosons, axions, dark photons, etc. All the particle properties and search limits are listed in Summary Tables. We also give numerous tables, figures, formulae, and reviews of topics such as Higgs Boson Physics, Supersymmetry, Grand Unified Theories, Neutrino Mixing, Dark Energy, Dark Matter, Cosmology, Particle Detectors, Colliders,more » Probability and Statistics. As a result, among the 117 reviews are many that are new or heavily revised, including those on Pentaquarks and Inflation.« less

Probes for dark matter physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khlopov, Maxim Yu.

The existence of cosmological dark matter is in the bedrock of the modern cosmology. The dark matter is assumed to be nonbaryonic and consists of new stable particles. Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) miracle appeals to search for neutral stable weakly interacting particles in underground experiments by their nuclear recoil and at colliders by missing energy and momentum, which they carry out. However, the lack of WIMP effects in their direct underground searches and at colliders can appeal to other forms of dark matter candidates. These candidates may be weakly interacting slim particles, superweakly interacting particles, or composite dark matter, in which new particles are bound. Their existence should lead to cosmological effects that can find probes in the astrophysical data. However, if composite dark matter contains stable electrically charged leptons and quarks bound by ordinary Coulomb interaction in elusive dark atoms, these charged constituents of dark atoms can be the subject of direct experimental test at the colliders. The models, predicting stable particles with charge ‑ 2 without stable particles with charges + 1 and ‑ 1 can avoid severe constraints on anomalous isotopes of light elements and provide solution for the puzzles of dark matter searches. In such models, the excessive ‑ 2 charged particles are bound with primordial helium in O-helium atoms, maintaining specific nuclear-interacting form of the dark matter. The successful development of composite dark matter scenarios appeals for experimental search for doubly charged constituents of dark atoms, making experimental search for exotic stable double charged particles experimentum crucis for dark atoms of composite dark matter.

Wave-Particle Interactions and Particle Acceleration in Turbulent Plasmas: Hybrid Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kucharek, Harald; Pogorelov, Nikolai; Mueller, Hans; Gamayunov, Konstantin; Farrugia, Charles

2015-04-01

Wave-particle interactions and acceleration processes are present in all key regions inside and outside of the heliosphere. Spacecraft observations measure ion distributions and accelerated ion populations, which are the result of one or several processes. For instance STEREO measures energetic particles associated with interplanetary discontinuities and in the solar wind. Voyager and IBEX provide unique data of energetic particles from the termination shock and the inner and outer heliopause. The range of plasma conditions covered by observations is enormous. However, the physical processes causing particle acceleration and wave-particle interaction and determining the particle distributions are still unknown. Currently two mechanisms, the so-called pumping mechanism (Fisk and Gloeckler, 2010) and merging/contracting island (Fermo, Drake & Swisdak, 2010) are discussed as promising models. In order to determine these individual processes, numerical models or theoretical considerations are needed. Hybrid simulations, which include all kinetic processes self-consistently on the ion level, are a very proven, powerful tool to investigate wave-particle interaction, turbulence, and phase-space evolution of pickup and solar wind ions. In the framework of this study we performed 3D multi-species hybrid simulations for an ion/ion beam instability to study the temporal evolution of ion distributions, their stability, and the influence of self-generated waves. We investigated the energization of ions downstream of interplanetary discontinuities and shocks and downstream of the termination shock, the turbulence, and growth rate of instabilities and compared the results with theoretical predictions. The simulations show that ions can be accelerated downstream of collisionless shocks by trapping of charged particles in coherent wave fronts.