Spherical loudspeaker array for local active control of sound.

PubMed

Rafaely, Boaz

2009-05-01

Active control of sound has been employed to reduce noise levels around listeners' head using destructive interference from noise-canceling sound sources. Recently, spherical loudspeaker arrays have been studied as multiple-channel sound sources, capable of generating sound fields with high complexity. In this paper, the potential use of a spherical loudspeaker array for local active control of sound is investigated. A theoretical analysis of the primary and secondary sound fields around a spherical sound source reveals that the natural quiet zones for the spherical source have a shell-shape. Using numerical optimization, quiet zones with other shapes are designed, showing potential for quiet zones with extents that are significantly larger than the well-known limit of a tenth of a wavelength for monopole sources. The paper presents several simulation examples showing quiet zones in various configurations.

Numerical simulation of the trajectory of a light ray propagating through an optic system with non-centered spherical diopters and broken optic axis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bacescu, D.; Ivanov, I.

2006-03-01

The present paper is devoted to the elaboration of a strategy for the design of some practical focusing devices for the radiation emitted by a high-power laser used in thermal treatment processes. Usually, technological solutions employ spherical mirrors. Because spherical mirrors introduce a certain astigmatism, it is necessary to get an energetically efficient configuration which reduces as much as possible the astigmatic difference, thus concentrating the laser radiation energy which is distributed within the area between the sagital and meridional foci.

Viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability in spherical geometry

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

Mikaelian, Karnig O.

We consider viscous fluids in spherical geometry, a lighter fluid supporting a heavier one. Chandrasekhar [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 8, 1 (1955)] analyzed this unstable configuration providing the equations needed to find, numerically, the exact growth rates for the ensuing Rayleigh-Taylor instability. He also derived an analytic but approximate solution. We point out a weakness in his approximate dispersion relation (DR) and offer one that is to some extent improved.

Viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability in spherical geometry

DOE PAGES

Mikaelian, Karnig O.

2016-02-08

We consider viscous fluids in spherical geometry, a lighter fluid supporting a heavier one. Chandrasekhar [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 8, 1 (1955)] analyzed this unstable configuration providing the equations needed to find, numerically, the exact growth rates for the ensuing Rayleigh-Taylor instability. He also derived an analytic but approximate solution. We point out a weakness in his approximate dispersion relation (DR) and offer one that is to some extent improved.

High-beta spherical tokamak startup in TS-4 merging experiment by use of toroidal field ramp-up

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaminou, Yasuhiro; , Toru, II; Kato, Joji; Inomoto, Michiaki; Ono, Yasushi; TS Group Team; National InstituteFusion Science Collaboration

2014-10-01

We demonstrated the formation method of an ultrahigh-beta spherical tokamak by use of a field-reversed configuration and a spheromak in TS-4 device (R ~ 0.5 m, A ~ 1.5, Ip ~ 30-100 kA, B ~ 100 mT). This method is composed of the following steps: 1. Two spheromaks are merged together and a high-beta spheromak or FRC is formed by reconnection heating. 2. External toroidal magnetic field is added (current rising time ~50 μs), and spherical tokamak-like configuration is formed. In this way, the ultrahigh-beta ST is formed. The ultrahigh-beta ST formed by FRC has a diamagnetic toroidal field, and it presumed to be in a second-stable state for ballooning stability, and the one formed by spheromak has a weak paramagnetic toroidal magnetic field, while a spheormak has a strong paramagnetic toroidal magnetic field. This diamagnetic current derives from inductive electric field by ramping up the external toroidal magnetic field, and the diamagnetic current sustains high thermal pressure of the ultrahigh-beta spherical tokamak. And the beta of the ultrahigh-beta ST formed by FRC reaches about 50%. To sustain the high-beta state, 0.6 MW neutral beam injection and center solenoid coils are installed to the TS-4 device. In the poster, we report the experimental results of ultrahigh-beta spherical tokamak startup and sustainment by NBI and CS current driving experiment.

Recent Progress on Spherical Torus Research and Implications for Fusion Energy Development Path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ono, Masayuki

2014-10-01

The spherical torus or spherical tokamak (ST) is a member of the tokamak family with its aspect ratio (A =R0 / a) reduced to A near 1.5, well below the normal tokamak operating range of A equal to 2.5 or greater. As the aspect ratio is reduced, the ideal tokamak beta (radio of plasma to magnetic pressure) stability limit increases rapidly, approximately as 1/A. The plasma current it can sustain for a given edge safety factor q-95 also increases rapidly. Because of the above, as well as the natural plasma elongation which makes its plasma shape appear spherical, the ST configuration can yield exceptionally high tokamak performance in a compact geometry. Due to its compactness and high performance, the ST configuration has various near term applications, including a compact fusion neutron source with low tritium consumption, in addition to the longer term goal of an attractive fusion energy power source. Since the start of the two mega-ampere class ST facilities in 2000, the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) in the US and Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) in the UK, active ST research has been conducted worldwide. More than sixteen ST research facilities operating during this period have achieved remarkable advances in all areas of fusion research, including fundamental fusion energy science as well as technological innovation. These results suggest exciting future prospects for ST research in both the near and longer term. The talk will summarize the key physics results from worldwide ST experiments, and describe ST community plans to provide the database for FNSF design while improving predictive capabilities for ITER and beyond. This work supported by DoE Contract No. DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Fast and accurate computation of projected two-point functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grasshorn Gebhardt, Henry S.; Jeong, Donghui

2018-01-01

We present the two-point function from the fast and accurate spherical Bessel transformation (2-FAST) algorithm1Our code is available at https://github.com/hsgg/twoFAST. for a fast and accurate computation of integrals involving one or two spherical Bessel functions. These types of integrals occur when projecting the galaxy power spectrum P (k ) onto the configuration space, ξℓν(r ), or spherical harmonic space, Cℓ(χ ,χ'). First, we employ the FFTLog transformation of the power spectrum to divide the calculation into P (k )-dependent coefficients and P (k )-independent integrations of basis functions multiplied by spherical Bessel functions. We find analytical expressions for the latter integrals in terms of special functions, for which recursion provides a fast and accurate evaluation. The algorithm, therefore, circumvents direct integration of highly oscillating spherical Bessel functions.

Noncontractible hyperloops in gauge models with Higgs fields in the fundamental representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burzlaff, Jürgen

1984-11-01

We study finite-energy configurations in SO( N) gauge theories with Higgs fields in the fundamental representation. For all winding numbers, noncontractible hyperloops are constructed. The corresponding energy density is spherically symmetric, and the configuration with maximal energy on each hyperloop can be determined. Noncontractible hyperloops with an arbitrary winding number for SU(2) gauge theory are also given.

Close packing of rods on spherical surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smallenburg, Frank; Löwen, Hartmut

2016-04-01

We study the optimal packing of short, hard spherocylinders confined to lie tangential to a spherical surface, using simulated annealing and molecular dynamics simulations. For clusters of up to twelve particles, we map out the changes in the geometry of the closest-packed configuration as a function of the aspect ratio L/D, where L is the cylinder length and D the diameter of the rods. We find a rich variety of cluster structures. For larger clusters, we find that the best-packed configurations up to around 100 particles are highly dependent on the exact number of particles and aspect ratio. For even larger clusters, we find largely disordered clusters for very short rods (L/D = 0.25), while slightly longer rods (L/D = 0.5 or 1) prefer a global baseball-like geometry of smectic-like domains, similar to the behavior of large-scale nematic shells. Intriguingly, we observe that when compared to their optimal flat-plane packing, short rods adapt to the spherical geometry more efficiently than both spheres and longer rods. Our results provide predictions for experimentally realizable systems of colloidal rods trapped at the interface of emulsion droplets.

Investigation of some possible changes in Am-Be neutron source configuration in order to increase the thermal neutron flux using Monte Carlo code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basiri, H.; Tavakoli-Anbaran, H.

2018-01-01

Am-Be neutrons source is based on (α, n) reaction and generates neutrons in the energy range of 0-11 MeV. Since the thermal neutrons are widely used in different fields, in this work, we investigate how to improve the source configuration in order to increase the thermal flux. These suggested changes include a spherical moderator instead of common cylindrical geometry, a reflector layer and an appropriate materials selection in order to achieve the maximum thermal flux. All calculations were done by using MCNP1 Monte Carlo code. Our final results indicated that a spherical paraffin moderator, a layer of beryllium as a reflector can efficiently increase the thermal neutron flux of Am-Be source.

Spherical harmonic expansion of the Levitus Sea surface topography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engelis, Theodossios

1987-01-01

Prior information for the stationary sea surface topography (SST) may be needed in altimetric solutions that intend to simultaneously improve the gravity field and determine the SST. For this purpose the oceanographically derived SST estimates are represented by a spherical harmonic expansion. The spherical harmonic coefficients are computed from a least squares adjustment of the data covering the majority of the oceanic regions of the world. Several tests are made to determine the optimum maximum degree of solution and the best configuration of the geometry of the data in order to obtain a solution that fits the data and also provides a good spectral representation of the SST.

Effects of compressibility on the temperature jump at the interface of layered, spherical-shell convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yen, David A.; Zhang, Shuxia; Langenberger, Sherri E.

1988-01-01

Large temperature jumps at the interface of layered convection are important to the argument used against the likelihood of separate circulations in the upper and lower mantles. This problem was studied within the framework of a compressible, constant viscosity spherical-shell model. Both mechanical and thermal coupling configurations are considered. Although the temperature jumps are reduced by compressibility, their magnitudes remain quite large, in the case of mechanical coupling. For thermal coupling, the temperature jumps become smaller but still are substantial, between 500 to 1000 C. In layered spherical-shell convection, flows in the lower mantle are several times greater than the surface velocities.

Self-gravitating black hole scalar wigs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barranco, Juan; Bernal, Argelia; Degollado, Juan Carlos; Diez-Tejedor, Alberto; Megevand, Miguel; Núñez, Darío; Sarbach, Olivier

2017-07-01

It has long been known that no static, spherically symmetric, asymptotically flat Klein-Gordon scalar field configuration surrounding a nonrotating black hole can exist in general relativity. In a series of previous papers, we proved that, at the effective level, this no-hair theorem can be circumvented by relaxing the staticity assumption: for appropriate model parameters, there are quasibound scalar field configurations living on a fixed Schwarzschild background which, although not being strictly static, have a larger lifetime than the age of the universe. This situation arises when the mass of the scalar field distribution is much smaller than the black hole mass, and following the analogies with the hair in the literature we dubbed these long-lived field configurations wigs. Here we extend our previous work to include the gravitational backreaction produced by the scalar wigs. We derive new approximate solutions of the spherically symmetric Einstein-Klein-Gordon system which represent self-gravitating scalar wigs surrounding black holes. These configurations interpolate between boson star configurations and Schwarzschild black holes dressed with the long-lived scalar test field distributions discussed in previous papers. Nonlinear numerical evolutions of initial data sets extracted from our approximate solutions support the validity of our approach. Arbitrarily large lifetimes are still possible, although for the parameter space that we analyze in this paper they seem to decay faster than the quasibound states. Finally, we speculate about the possibility that these configurations could describe the innermost regions of dark matter halos.

Theoretical flow regime diagrams for the AGCE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fowlis, W. W.; Miller, T. L.; Roberts, G. O.; Kopecky, K. J.

1984-01-01

The major criterion for the design of the Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment is that it be possible to realize strong baroclinic instability in the apparatus. A spherical annulus configuration which allows only steady basic state flows was chosen for the first set of stability analyses. Baroclinic instability was found for this configuration and few results suggest a regime diagram very different from the cylindrical annulus regime diagram.

Electric and magnetic microfields inside and outside space-limited configurations of ions and ionic currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanovsky, M. Yu; Ebeling, W.; Schimansky-Geier, L.

2005-01-01

The problem of electric and magnetic microfields inside finite spherical systems of stochastically moving ions and outside them is studied. The first possible field of applications is high temperature ion clusters created by laser fields [1]. Other possible applications are nearly spherical liquid systems at room-temperature containing electrolytes. Looking for biological applications we may also think about a cell which is a complicated electrolytic system or even a brain which is a still more complicated system of electrolytic currents. The essential model assumption is the random character of charges motion. We assume in our basic model that we have a finite nearly spherical system of randomly moving charges. Even taking into account that this is at best a caricature of any real system, it might be of interest as a limiting case, which admits a full theoretical treatment. For symmetry reasons, a random configuration of moving charges cannot generate a macroscopic magnetic field, but there will be microscopic fluctuating magnetic fields. Distributions for electric and magnetic microfields inside and outside such space- limited systems are calculated. Spherical systems of randomly distributed moving charges are investigated. Starting from earlier results for infinitely large systems, which lead to Holtsmark- type distributions, we show that the fluctuations in finite charge distributions are larger (in comparison to infinite systems of the same charge density).

Effect of Gravity on the Mammalian Cell Deformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Tsao, Y.; Gonda, Steven

1995-01-01

The effect of human cell immersed in culture liquid under a micro-gravity environment has been investigated. The study is based on the numerical simulation of the configuration of human cell affected by the time dependent variation of gravity acceleration ranging from 10(exp -3) to 2 g(sub o) (g(sub o) = 9.81 m/s(exp 2)) in 15 seconds. Both the free floating cell and the cell contacted to the upper and lower inclined walls imposed by the time-dependent reduced gravity acceleration are considered in this study. The results show that the cell configuration changes from spherical to horizontally elongated ellipsoid for both the free floating cell and the cell sitting on the lower inclined wall while the cell configuration varies from spherical to vertically elongated ellipsoid for the cell hanging to the upper inclined wall when the gravity acceleration increases. Experimental observations, carried out of human cells exposed to the variation of gravity levels, show that the results of experimental observations agree exactly with the theoretical model computation described in this paper. These results sre significant for humans exposed to the micro-gravity environment.

Can mixed star-plus-wormhole systems mimic black holes?

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

Dzhunushaliev, Vladimir; Folomeev, Vladimir; Kleihaus, Burkhard

We consider mixed strongly gravitating configurations consisting of a wormhole threaded by two types of ordinary matter. For such systems, the possibility of obtaining static spherically symmetric solutions describing compact massive central objects enclosed by high-redshift surfaces (black-hole-like configurations) is studied. Using the standard thin accretion disk model, we exhibit potentially observable differences allowing to distinguish the mixed systems from ordinary black holes with the same masses.

Charged reflecting stars supporting charged massive scalar field configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hod, Shahar

2018-03-01

The recently published no-hair theorems of Hod, Bhattacharjee, and Sarkar have revealed the intriguing fact that horizonless compact reflecting stars cannot support spatially regular configurations made of scalar, vector and tensor fields. In the present paper we explicitly prove that the interesting no-hair behavior observed in these studies is not a generic feature of compact reflecting stars. In particular, we shall prove that charged reflecting stars can support charged massive scalar field configurations in their exterior spacetime regions. To this end, we solve analytically the characteristic Klein-Gordon wave equation for a linearized charged scalar field of mass μ , charge coupling constant q, and spherical harmonic index l in the background of a spherically symmetric compact reflecting star of mass M, electric charge Q, and radius R_{ {s}}≫ M,Q. Interestingly, it is proved that the discrete set {R_{ {s}}(M,Q,μ ,q,l;n)}^{n=∞}_{n=1} of star radii that can support the charged massive scalar field configurations is determined by the characteristic zeroes of the confluent hypergeometric function. Following this simple observation, we derive a remarkably compact analytical formula for the discrete spectrum of star radii in the intermediate regime M≪ R_{ {s}}≪ 1/μ . The analytically derived resonance spectrum is confirmed by direct numerical computations.

Bidispersed Sphere Packing on Spherical Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atherton, Timothy; Mascioli, Andrew; Burke, Christopher

Packing problems on spherical surfaces have a long history, originating in the classic Thompson problem of finding the ground state configuration of charges on a sphere. Such packings contain a minimal number of defects needed to accommodate the curvature; this is predictable using the Gauss-Bonnet theorem from knowledge of the topology of the surface and the local symmetry of the ordering. Famously, the packing of spherical particles on a sphere contains a 'scar' transition, where additional defects over those required by topology appear above a certain critical number of particles and self-organize into chains or scars. In this work, we study the packing of bidispersed packings on a sphere, and hence determine the interaction of bidispersity and curvature. The resultant configurations are nearly crystalline for low values of bidispersity and retain scar-like structures; these rapidly become disordered for intermediate values and approach a so-called Appollonian limit at the point where smaller particles can be entirely accommodated within the voids left by the larger particles. We connect our results with studies of bidispersed packings in the bulk and on flat surfaces from the literature on glassy systems and jamming. Supported by a Cottrell Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

Characteristics of laser beam focusing with single spherical mirrors during laser treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borkin, A. G.; Drobyazko, S. V.; Kosheleva, G. A.; Pavlovich, Yu. V.; Senatorov, Yu. M.; Fromm, V. A.; Kurchatov, I. V.

1988-04-01

Focusing of a laser beam with a single spherical mirror is analyzed, such a mirror being combined with a rotatable annular plane mirror in a coaxial configuration. Its focal length must be sufficiently large to ensure adequately high power density and to avoid shielding. When the distance from mirror to laser cavity is too large, then the laser beam may degenerate into a nonannular one and its focusing without loss may become unattainable. Tilting the spherical mirror will make this possible, even when the laser beam is not annular, if astigmatism as well as spherical aberration are minimized. Such a focusing mirror made of metal is theoretically shown to be much more effective than a focusing lens made of KC1 crystal; this has been confirmed experimentally in a CO sub 2 laser facility for perforation of tubular seperator meshes.

Global Curvature Buckling and Snapping of Spherical Shells.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pezzulla, Matteo; Stoop, Norbert; Steranka, Mark; Bade, Abdikhalaq; Trejo, Miguel; Holmes, Douglas

A spherical shell under external pressure will eventually buckle locally through the development of a dimple. However, when a free spherical shell is subject to variations in natural curvature, it will either buckle globally or snap towards a buckled configuration. We study the similarities and differences between pressure and curvature instabilities in spherical shells. We show how the critical buckling natural curvature is largely independent of the thinness and half-angle of the shell, while the critical snapping natural curvature grows linearly with the half-angle. As a result, we demonstrate how a critical half-angle, depending only on the thinness of the shell, sets the threshold between two different kinds of snapping: as a rule of thumb, shallow shells snap into everted shells, while deep shells snap into buckled shells. As the developed models are purely geometrical, the results are applicable to a large variety of stimuli and scales. NSF CAREER CMMI-1454153.

Surface thermodynamics of planar, cylindrical, and spherical vapour-liquid interfaces of water

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

Lau, Gabriel V.; Müller, Erich A.; Jackson, George

2015-03-21

The test-area (TA) perturbation approach has been gaining popularity as a methodology for the direct computation of the interfacial tension in molecular simulation. Though originally implemented for planar interfaces, the TA approach has also been used to analyze the interfacial properties of curved liquid interfaces. Here, we provide an interpretation of the TA method taking the view that it corresponds to the change in free energy under a transformation of the spatial metric for an affine distortion. By expressing the change in configurational energy of a molecular configuration as a Taylor expansion in the distortion parameter, compact relations are derivedmore » for the interfacial tension and its energetic and entropic components for three different geometries: planar, cylindrical, and spherical fluid interfaces. While the tensions of the planar and cylindrical geometries are characterized by first-order changes in the energy, that of the spherical interface depends on second-order contributions. We show that a greater statistical uncertainty is to be expected when calculating the thermodynamic properties of a spherical interface than for the planar and cylindrical cases, and the evaluation of the separate entropic and energetic contributions poses a greater computational challenge than the tension itself. The methodology is employed to determine the vapour-liquid interfacial tension of TIP4P/2005 water at 293 K by molecular dynamics simulation for planar, cylindrical, and spherical geometries. A weak peak in the curvature dependence of the tension is observed in the case of cylindrical threads of condensed liquid at a radius of about 8 Å, below which the tension is found to decrease again. In the case of spherical drops, a marked decrease in the tension from the planar limit is found for radii below ∼ 15 Å; there is no indication of a maximum in the tension with increasing curvature. The vapour-liquid interfacial tension tends towards the planar limit for large system sizes for both the cylindrical and spherical cases. Estimates of the entropic and energetic contributions are also evaluated for the planar and cylindrical geometries and their magnitudes are in line with the expectations of our simple analysis.« less

Waltzing route toward double-helix formation in cholesteric shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darmon, Alexandre; Benzaquen, Michael; Seč, David; Čopar, Simon; Dauchot, Olivier; Lopez-Leon, Teresa

2016-08-01

Liquid crystals, when confined to a spherical shell, offer fascinating possibilities for producing artificial mesoscopic atoms, which could then self-assemble into materials structured at a nanoscale, such as photonic crystals or metamaterials. The spherical curvature of the shell imposes topological constraints in the molecular ordering of the liquid crystal, resulting in the formation of defects. Controlling the number of defects, that is, the shell valency, and their positions, is a key success factor for the realization of those materials. Liquid crystals with helical cholesteric order offer a promising, yet unexplored way of controlling the shell defect configuration. In this paper, we study cholesteric shells with monovalent and bivalent defect configurations. By bringing together experiments and numerical simulations, we show that the defects appearing in these two configurations have a complex inner structure, as recently reported for simulated droplets. Bivalent shells possess two highly structured defects, which are composed of a number of smaller defect rings that pile up through the shell. Monovalent shells have a single radial defect, which is composed of two nonsingular defect lines that wind around each other in a double-helix structure. The stability of the bivalent configuration against the monovalent one is controlled by c = h/p, where h is the shell thickness and p the cholesteric helical pitch. By playing with the shell geometry, we can trigger the transition between the two configurations. This transition involves a fascinating waltz dynamics, where the two defects come closer while turning around each other.

Characteristic investigation of Golay9 multiple mirror telescope with a spherical primary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Feng; Wu, Quanying; Zhu, Xifang; Xiang, Ruxi; Qian, Lin

2017-10-01

The sparse aperture provides a novel solution to the manufacturing difficulties of modern super large telescopes. Golay configurations are optimal in the sparse aperture family. Characteristics of the Golay9 multiple mirror telescope having a spherical primary mirror are investigated. The arrangement of the nine sub-mirrors is discussed after the planar Golay9 configuration is analyzed. The characteristics of the entrance pupil are derived by analyzing the sub-aperture shapes with different relative apertures and sub-mirror sizes. Formulas about the fill factor and the overlay factor are deduced. Their maximal values are presented based on the derived tangency condition. Formulas for the point spread function (PSF) and the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the Golay9 MMT are also deduced. Two Golay9 MMT have been developed by Zemax simulation. Their PSF, MTF, fill factors, and overlay factors prove that our theoretical results are consistent with the practical simulation ones.

Optical design of a high radiative flux solar furnace for Mexico

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

Riveros-Rosas, D.; Perez-Rabago, C.A.; Arancibia-Bulnes, C.A.

2010-05-15

In the present work, the optical design of a new high radiative flux solar furnace is described. Several optical configurations for the concentrator of the system have been considered. Ray tracing simulations were carried out in order to determine the concentrated radiative flux distributions in the focal zone of the system, for comparing the different proposals. The best configuration was chosen in terms of maximum peak concentration, but also in terms of economical and other practical considerations. It consists of an arrangement of 409 first surface spherical facets with hexagonal shape, mounted on a spherical frame. The individual orientation ofmore » the facets is corrected in order to compensate for aberrations. The design considers an intercepted power of 30 kW and a target peak concentration above 10,000 suns. The effect of optical errors was also considered in the simulations. (author)« less

Viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability in spherical geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikaelian, Karnig O.

2016-02-01

We consider viscous fluids in spherical geometry, a lighter fluid supporting a heavier one. Chandrasekhar [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 8, 1 (1955), 10.1093/qjmam/8.1.1] analyzed this unstable configuration providing the equations needed to find, numerically, the exact growth rates for the ensuing Rayleigh-Taylor instability. He also derived an analytic but approximate solution. We point out a weakness in his approximate dispersion relation (DR) and offer a somewhat improved one. A third DR, based on transforming a planar DR into a spherical one, suffers no unphysical predictions and compares reasonably well with the exact work of Chandrasekhar and a more recent numerical analysis of the problem [Terrones and Carrara, Phys. Fluids 27, 054105 (2015), 10.1063/1.4921648].

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

Peng, Y.K.M.; Strickler, D.J.

The spherical torus is a very small aspect ratio (A < 2) confinement concept obtained by retaining only the indispensable components inboard to the plasma torus. MHD equilibrium calculations show that spherical torus plasmas with safety factor q > 2 are characterized by high toroidal beta (..beta../sub t/ > 0.2), low poloidal beta (..beta../sub p/ < 0.3), naturally large elongation (kappa greater than or equal to 2), large plasma current with I/sub p//(aB/sub t0/) up to about 7 MA/mT, strong paramagnetism (B/sub t//B/sub t0/ > 1.5), and strong plasma helicity (F comparable to THETA). A large near-omnigeneous region is seenmore » at the large-major-radius, bad-curvature region of the plasma in comparison with the conventional tokamaks. These features combine to engender the spherical torus plasma in a unique physics regime which permits compact fusion at low field and modest cost. Because of its strong paramagnetism and helicity, the spherical torus plasma shares some of the desirable features of spheromak and reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasmas, but with tokamak-like confinement and safety factor q. The general class of spherical tori, which includes the spherical tokamak (q > 1), the spherical pinch (1 > q > O), and the spherical RFP (q < O), have magnetic field configurations unique in comparison with conventional tokamaks and RFPs. 22 refs., 12 figs.« less

Granular Media-Based Tunable Passive Vibration Suppressor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dillon, Robert P.; Davis, Gregory L.; Shapiro, Andrew A.; Borgonia, John Paul C.; Kahn, Daniel L.; Boechler, Nicholas; Boechler,, Chiara

2013-01-01

and vibration suppression device is composed of statically compressed chains of spherical particles. The device superimposes a combination of dissipative damping and dispersive effects. The dissipative damping resulting from the elastic wave attenuation properties of the bulk material selected for the granular media is independent of particle geometry and periodicity, and can be accordingly designed based on the dissipative (or viscoelastic) properties of the material. For instance, a viscoelastic polymer might be selected where broadband damping is desired. In contrast, the dispersive effects result from the periodic arrangement and geometry of particles composing a linear granular chain. A uniform (monatomic) chain of statically compressed spherical particles will have a low-pass filter effect, with a cutoff frequency tunable as a function of particle mass, elastic modulus, Poisson fs ratio, radius, and static compression. Elastic waves with frequency content above this cutoff frequency will exhibit an exponential decay in amplitude as a function of propagation distance. System design targeting a specific application is conducted using a combination of theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques to appropriately select the particle radii, material (and thus elastic modulus and Poisson fs ratio), and static compression to satisfy estimated requirements derived for shock and/or vibration protection needs under particular operational conditions. The selection of a chain of polymer spheres with an elastic modulus .3 provided the appropriate dispersive filtering effect for that exercise; however, different operational scenarios may require the use of other polymers, metals, ceramics, or a combination thereof, configured as an array of spherical particles. The device is a linear array of spherical particles compressed in a container with a mechanism for attachment to the shock and/or vibration source, and a mechanism for attachment to the article requiring isolation (Figure 1). This configuration is referred to as a single-axis vibration suppressor. This invention also includes further designs for the integration of the single-axis vibration suppressor into a six-degree-of-freedom hexapod "Stewart"mounting configuration (Figure 2). By integrating each singleaxis vibration suppressor into a hexapod formation, a payload will be protected in all six degrees of freedom from shock and/or vibration. Additionally, to further enable the application of this device to multiple operational scenarios, particularly in the case of high loads, the vibration suppressor devices can be used in parallel in any array configuration.

Design of an imaging microscope for soft X-ray applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoover, Richard B.; Shealy, David L.; Gabardi, David R.; Walker, Arthur B. C., Jr.; Lindblom, Joakim F.

1988-01-01

An imaging soft X-ray microscope with a spatial resolution of 0.1 micron and normal incidence multilayer optics is discussed. The microscope has a Schwarzschild configuration, which consists of two concentric spherical mirrors with radii of curvature which minimize third-order spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism. The performance of the Stanford/MSFC Cassegrain X-ray telescope and its relevance to the present microscope are addressed. A ray tracing analysis of the optical system indicates that diffraction-limited performance can be expected for an object height of 0.2 mm.

Nonspherically Symmetric Collapse in Asymptotically AdS Spacetimes.

PubMed

Bantilan, Hans; Figueras, Pau; Kunesch, Markus; Romatschke, Paul

2017-11-10

We numerically simulate gravitational collapse in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes away from spherical symmetry. Starting from initial data sourced by a massless real scalar field, we solve the Einstein equations with a negative cosmological constant in five spacetime dimensions and obtain a family of nonspherically symmetric solutions, including those that form two distinct black holes on the axis. We find that these configurations collapse faster than spherically symmetric ones of the same mass and radial compactness. Similarly, they require less mass to collapse within a fixed time.

Nonspherically Symmetric Collapse in Asymptotically AdS Spacetimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bantilan, Hans; Figueras, Pau; Kunesch, Markus; Romatschke, Paul

2017-11-01

We numerically simulate gravitational collapse in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes away from spherical symmetry. Starting from initial data sourced by a massless real scalar field, we solve the Einstein equations with a negative cosmological constant in five spacetime dimensions and obtain a family of nonspherically symmetric solutions, including those that form two distinct black holes on the axis. We find that these configurations collapse faster than spherically symmetric ones of the same mass and radial compactness. Similarly, they require less mass to collapse within a fixed time.

Study of conformally flat polytropes with tilted congruence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharif, M.; Sadiq, Sobia

This paper is aimed to study the modeling of spherically symmetric spacetime in the presence of anisotropic dissipative fluid configuration. This is accomplished for an observer moving relative to matter content using two cases of polytropic equation-of-state under conformally flat condition. We formulate the corresponding generalized Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation, mass equation, as well as energy conditions for both cases. The conformally flat condition is imposed to find an expression for anisotropy which helps to study spherically symmetric polytropes. Finally, Tolman mass is used to analyze stability of the resulting models.

Nonlinear oscillations of compact stars in the vicinity of the maximum mass configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brillante, A.; Mishustin, I. N.

2015-07-01

We solve the dynamical GR equations for the spherically symmetric evolution of compact stars in the vicinity of the maximum mass, for which instability sets in according to linear perturbation theory. The calculations are done with the analytical Zeldovich-like EOS P=a≤ft(ρ-ρ_0\\right) and with the TM1 parametrisation of the RMF model. The initial configurations for the dynamical calculations are represented by spherical stars with equilibrium density profile, which are perturbed by either i) an artificially added inward velocity field proportional to the radial coordinate, or ii) a rarefaction corresponding to a static and expanded star. These configurations are evolved using a one-dimensional GR hydro code for ideal and barotropic fluids. Depending on the initial conditions we obtain either stable oscillations or the collapse to a black hole. The minimal amplitude of the perturbation, needed to trigger gravitational collapse is evaluated. The approximate independence of this energy on the type of perturbation is pointed out. At the threshold we find type-I critical behaviour for all stellar models considered and discuss the dependence of the time scaling exponent on the baryon mass and EOS.

Variations in the expansion and shear scalars for dissipative fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akram, A.; Ahmad, S.; Jami, A. Rehman; Sufyan, M.; Zahid, U.

2018-04-01

This work is devoted to the study of some dynamical features of spherical relativistic locally anisotropic stellar geometry in f(R) gravity. In this paper, a specific configuration of tanh f(R) cosmic model has been taken into account. The mass function through technique introduced by Misner-Sharp has been formulated and with the help of it, various fruitful relations are derived. After orthogonal decomposition of the Riemann tensor, the tanh modified structure scalars are calculated. The role of these tanh modified structure scalars (MSS) has been discussed through shear, expansion as well as Weyl scalar differential equations. The inhomogeneity factor has also been explored for the case of radiating viscous locally anisotropic spherical system and spherical dust cloud with and without constant Ricci scalar corrections.

Development and application of a ray-based model of light propagation through a spherical acousto-optic lens

PubMed Central

Evans, Geoffrey J.; Kirkby, Paul A.; Nadella, K. M. Naga Srinivas; Marin, Bóris; Silver, R. Angus

2016-01-01

A spherical acousto-optic lens (AOL) consists of four acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) that can rapidly and precisely control the focal position of an optical beam in 3D space. Development and application of AOLs has increased the speed at which 3D random access point measurements can be performed with a two-photon microscope. This has been particularly useful for measuring brain activity with fluorescent reporter dyes because neuronal signalling is rapid and sparsely distributed in 3D space. However, a theoretical description of light propagation through AOLs has lagged behind their development, resulting in only a handful of simplified principles to guide AOL design and optimization. To address this we have developed a ray-based computer model of an AOL incorporating acousto-optic diffraction and refraction by anisotropic media. We extended an existing model of a single AOD with constant drive frequency to model a spherical AOL: four AODs in series driven with linear chirps. AOL model predictions of the relationship between optical transmission efficiency and acoustic drive frequency including second order diffraction effects closely matched experimental measurements from a 3D two-photon AOL microscope. Moreover, exploration of different AOL drive configurations identified a new simple rule for maximizing the field of view of our compact AOL design. By providing a theoretical basis for understanding optical transmission through spherical AOLs, our open source model is likely to be useful for comparing and improving different AOL designs, as well as identifying the acoustic drive configurations that provide the best transmission performance over the 3D focal region. PMID:26368449

Development and application of a ray-based model of light propagation through a spherical acousto-optic lens.

PubMed

Evans, Geoffrey J; Kirkby, Paul A; Naga Srinivas Nadella, K M; Marin, Bóris; Angus Silver, R

2015-09-07

A spherical acousto-optic lens (AOL) consists of four acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) that can rapidly and precisely control the focal position of an optical beam in 3D space. Development and application of AOLs has increased the speed at which 3D random access point measurements can be performed with a two-photon microscope. This has been particularly useful for measuring brain activity with fluorescent reporter dyes because neuronal signalling is rapid and sparsely distributed in 3D space. However, a theoretical description of light propagation through AOLs has lagged behind their development, resulting in only a handful of simplified principles to guide AOL design and optimization. To address this we have developed a ray-based computer model of an AOL incorporating acousto-optic diffraction and refraction by anisotropic media. We extended an existing model of a single AOD with constant drive frequency to model a spherical AOL: four AODs in series driven with linear chirps. AOL model predictions of the relationship between optical transmission efficiency and acoustic drive frequency including second order diffraction effects closely matched experimental measurements from a 3D two-photon AOL microscope. Moreover, exploration of different AOL drive configurations identified a new simple rule for maximizing the field of view of our compact AOL design. By providing a theoretical basis for understanding optical transmission through spherical AOLs, our open source model is likely to be useful for comparing and improving different AOL designs, as well as identifying the acoustic drive configurations that provide the best transmission performance over the 3D focal region.

Configuration-specific kinetic theory applied to an ideal binary gas mixture.

PubMed

Wiseman, Floyd L

2006-10-05

This paper is the second in a two-part series dealing with the configuration-specific analyses for molecular collision events of hard, spherical molecules at thermal equilibrium. The first paper analyzed a single-component system, and the reader is referred to it for the fundamental concepts. In this paper, the expressions for the configuration-specific collision frequencies and the average line-of-centers collision angles and speeds are derived for an ideal binary gas mixture. The analyses show that the average line-of-centers quantities are all dependent upon the ratio of the masses of the two components, but not upon molecular size. Of course, the configuration-specific collision frequencies do depend on molecular size. The expression for the overall binary collision frequency is a simple sum of the configuration-specific collision frequencies and is identical to the conventional expression.

Configuring High Frequency Radar Observations in the Southern Chukchi Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-24

latitude regions (e.g., Barth et al., 2010; Chavanne et al., 2007 ; Hisaki et al., 2001; Sentchev and Yaremchuk, 2007 ; Shay et al., 2008). During the...using the method of Köhl and Stammer (2004). Technically, this analysis is quite similar to the computation of the representative matrix elements that...et al., 2007 ). The model was configured on a spherical grid with a mean resolution of 10 km in the horizontal, and 11 vertical levels with spacing

Fabrication and Characterization of Nanoenergetic Hollow Spherical Hexanitrostibene (HNS) Derivatives.

PubMed

Cao, Xiong; Deng, Peng; Hu, Shuangqi; Ren, Lijun; Li, Xiaoxia; Xiao, Peng; Liu, Yu

2018-05-16

The spherization of nanoenergetic materials is the best way to improve the sensitivity and increase loading densities and detonation properties for weapons and ammunition, but the preparation of spherical nanoenergetic materials with high regularization, uniform size and monodispersity is still a challenge. In this paper, nanoenergetic hollow spherical hexanitrostibene (HNS) derivatives were fabricated via a one-pot copolymerization strategy, which is based on the reaction of HNS and piperazine in acetonitrile solution. Characterization results indicated the as-prepared reaction nanoenergetic products were HNS-derived oligomers, where a free radical copolymerization reaction process was inferred. The hollow sphere structure of the HNS derivatives was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging technology. The properties of the nanoenergetic hollow spherical derivatives, including thermal decomposition and sensitivity are discussed in detail. Sensitivity studies showed that the nanoenergetic derivatives exhibited lower impact, friction and spark sensitivity than raw HNS. Thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC) results showed that continuous exothermic decomposition occurred in the whole temperature range, which indicated that nanoenergetic derivatives have a unique role in thermal applications. Therefore, nanoenergetic hollow spherical HNS derivatives could provide a new way to modify the properties of certain energetic compounds and fabricate spherical nanomaterials to improve the charge configuration.

Quasi-Static Compression and Low-Velocity Impact Behavior of Tri-Axial Bio-Composite Structural Panels Using a Spherical Head

PubMed Central

Li, Jinghao; Hunt, John F; Gong, Shaoqin; Cai, Zhiyong

2017-01-01

This paper presents experimental results of both quasi-static compression and low-velocity impact behavior for tri-axial bio-composite structural panels using a spherical load head. Panels were made having different core and face configurations. The results showed that panels made having either carbon fiber fabric composite faces or a foam-filled core had significantly improved impact and compressive performance over panels without either. Different localized impact responses were observed based on the location of the compression or impact relative to the tri-axial structural core; the core with a smaller structural element had better impact performance. Furthermore, during the early contact phase for both quasi-static compression and low-velocity impact tests, the panels with the same configuration had similar load-displacement responses. The experimental results show basic compression data could be used for the future design and optimization of tri-axial bio-composite structural panels for potential impact applications. PMID:28772542

Magnetic structure of the swedenborgite CaBa (Co3Fe ) O7 derived by unpolarized neutron diffraction and spherical neutron polarimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qureshi, N.; Díaz, M. T. Fernández; Chapon, L. C.; Senyshyn, A.; Schweika, W.; Valldor, M.

2018-02-01

We present a study that combines polarized and unpolarized neutrons to derive the magnetic structure of the swedenborgite compound CaBa (Co3Fe ) O7. Integrated intensities from a standard neutron diffraction experiment and polarization matrices from spherical neutron polarimetry have been simultaneously analyzed revealing a complex order, which differs from the usual spin configurations on a kagome lattice. We find that the magnetic structure is well described by a combination of two one-dimensional representations corresponding to the magnetic superspace symmetry P 21' , and it consists of spins rotating around an axis close to the [110] direction. Due to the propagation vector q =(1/3 00 ) , this modulation has cycloidal and helicoidal character rendering this system a potential multiferroic. The resulting spin configuration can be mapped onto the classical √{3 }×√{3 } structure of a kagome lattice, and it indicates an important interplay between the kagome and the triangular layers of the crystal structure.

Spherical space Bessel-Legendre-Fourier localized modes solver for electromagnetic waves.

PubMed

Alzahrani, Mohammed A; Gauthier, Robert C

2015-10-05

Maxwell's vector wave equations are solved for dielectric configurations that match the symmetry of a spherical computational domain. The electric or magnetic field components and the inverse of the dielectric profile are series expansion defined using basis functions composed of the lowest order spherical Bessel function, polar angle single index dependant Legendre polynomials and azimuthal complex exponential (BLF). The series expressions and non-traditional form of the basis functions result in an eigenvalue matrix formulation of Maxwell's equations that are relatively compact and accurately solvable on a desktop PC. The BLF matrix returns the frequencies and field profiles for steady states modes. The key steps leading to the matrix populating expressions are provided. The validity of the numerical technique is confirmed by comparing the results of computations to those published using complementary techniques.

Tests and applications of nonlinear force-free field extrapolations in spherical geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Y.; Ding, M. D.

2013-07-01

We test a nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) optimization code in spherical geometry with an analytical solution from Low and Lou. The potential field source surface (PFSS) model is served as the initial and boundary conditions where observed data are not available. The analytical solution can be well recovered if the boundary and initial conditions are properly handled. Next, we discuss the preprocessing procedure for the noisy bottom boundary data, and find that preprocessing is necessary for NLFFF extrapolations when we use the observed photospheric magnetic field as bottom boundaries. Finally, we apply the NLFFF model to a solar area where four active regions interacting with each other. An M8.7 flare occurred in one active region. NLFFF modeling in spherical geometry simultaneously constructs the small and large scale magnetic field configurations better than the PFSS model does.

Simulating Dissolution of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Suspensions in an Anatomically Accurate Rabbit Eye Model

PubMed Central

Horner, Marc; Muralikrishnan, R.

2010-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study examined the impact of particle size on dissolution rate and residence of intravitreal suspension depots of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAC). Methods A model for the rabbit eye was constructed using insights from high-resolution NMR imaging studies (Sawada 2002). The current model was compared to other published simulations in its ability to predict clearance of various intravitreally injected materials. Suspension depots were constructed explicitly rendering individual particles in various configurations: 4 or 16 mg drug confined to a 100 μL spherical depot, or 4 mg exploded to fill the entire vitreous. Particle size was reduced systematically in each configuration. The convective diffusion/dissolution process was simulated using a multiphase model. Results Release rate became independent of particle diameter below a certain value. The size-independent limits occurred for particle diameters ranging from 77 to 428 μM depending upon the depot configuration. Residence time predicted for the spherical depots in the size-independent limit was comparable to that observed in vivo. Conclusions Since the size-independent limit was several-fold greater than the particle size of commercially available pharmaceutical TAC suspensions, differences in particle size amongst such products are predicted to be immaterial to their duration or performance. PMID:20467888

Asymmetrical Polyhedral Configuration of Giant Vesicles Induced by Orderly Array of Encapsulated Colloidal Particles

PubMed Central

Natsume, Yuno; Toyota, Taro

2016-01-01

Giant vesicles (GVs) encapsulating colloidal particles by a specific volume fraction show a characteristic configuration under a hypertonic condition. Several flat faces were formed in GV membrane with orderly array of inner particles. GV shape changed from the spherical to the asymmetrical polyhedral configuration. This shape deformation was derived by entropic interaction between inner particles and GV membrane. Because a part of inner particles became to form an ordered phase in the region neighboring the GV membrane, free volume for the other part of particles increased. Giant vesicles encapsulating colloidal particles were useful for the model of “crowding effect” which is the entropic interaction in the cell. PMID:26752650

Asymmetrical Polyhedral Configuration of Giant Vesicles Induced by Orderly Array of Encapsulated Colloidal Particles.

PubMed

Natsume, Yuno; Toyota, Taro

2016-01-01

Giant vesicles (GVs) encapsulating colloidal particles by a specific volume fraction show a characteristic configuration under a hypertonic condition. Several flat faces were formed in GV membrane with orderly array of inner particles. GV shape changed from the spherical to the asymmetrical polyhedral configuration. This shape deformation was derived by entropic interaction between inner particles and GV membrane. Because a part of inner particles became to form an ordered phase in the region neighboring the GV membrane, free volume for the other part of particles increased. Giant vesicles encapsulating colloidal particles were useful for the model of "crowding effect" which is the entropic interaction in the cell.

Rayleigh-Taylor instability at spherical interfaces between viscous fluids: Fluid/vacuum interface

DOE PAGES

Terrones, Guillermo; Carrara, Mark D.

2015-05-01

For a spherical interface of radius R separating two different homogeneous regions of incompressible viscous fluids under the action of a radially directed acceleration, we perform a linear stability analysis in terms of spherical surface harmonics Y n to derive the dispersion relation. The instability behavior is investigated by computing the growth rates and the most-unstable modes as a function of the spherical harmonic degree n. This general methodology is applicable to the entire parameter space spanned by the Atwood number, the viscosity ratio, and the dimensionless number B = (α RΡ² 2/μ² ²)¹ /³ R (where α R, Ρmore » 2 and μ 2 are the local radial acceleration at the interface, and the density and viscosity of the denser overlying fluid, respectively). While the mathematical formulation here is general, this paper focuses on instability that arises at a spherical viscous fluid/vacuum interface as there is a great deal to be learned from the effects of one-fluid viscosity and sphericity alone. To quantify and understand the effect that curvature and radial accelerationhave on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, a comparison of the growth rates, under homologous driving conditions, between the planar and spherical interfaces is performed. The derived dispersion relation for the planar interface accounts for an underlying finite fluid region of thickness L and normal acceleration α R. Under certain conditions, the development of the most-unstable modes at a spherical interface can take place via the superposition of two adjacent spherical harmonics Y n and Y n+1. This bimodality in the evolution of disturbances in the linear regime does not have a counterpart in the planar configuration where the most-unstable modes are associated with a unique wave number.« less

The spherical-harmonics representation for the interaction between diatomic molecules: The general case and applications to COsbnd CO and COsbnd HF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barreto, Patricia R. P.; Cruz, Ana Claudia P. S.; Barreto, Rodrigo L. P.; Palazzetti, Federico; Albernaz, Alessandra F.; Lombardi, Andrea; Maciel, Glauciete S.; Aquilanti, Vincenzo

2017-07-01

The spherical-harmonics expansion is a mathematically rigorous procedure and a powerful tool for the representation of potential energy surfaces of interacting molecular systems, determining their spectroscopic and dynamical properties, specifically in van der Waals clusters, with applications also to classical and quantum molecular dynamics simulations. The technique consists in the construction (by ab initio or semiempirical methods) of the expanded potential interaction up to terms that provide the generation of a number of leading configurations sufficient to account for faithful geometrical representations. This paper reports the full general description of the method of the spherical-harmonics expansion as applied to diatomic-molecule - diatomic-molecule systems of increasing complexity: the presentation of the mathematical background is given for providing both the application to the prototypical cases considered previously (O2sbnd O2, N2sbnd N2, and N2sbnd O2 systems) and the generalization to: (i) the COsbnd CO system, where a characteristic feature is the lower symmetry order with respect to the cases studied before, requiring a larger number of expansion terms necessary to adequately represent the potential energy surface; and (ii) the COsbnd HF system, which exhibits the lowest order of symmetry among this class of aggregates and therefore the highest number of leading configurations.

Analysis and sizing of Mars aerobrake structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, I. S.; Craft, W. J.

1993-01-01

A cone-sphere aeroshell structure for aerobraking into Martian atmosphere is studied. Using this structural configuration, a space frame load-bearing structure is proposed. To generate this structure efficiently and to perform a variety of studies of several configurations, a mesh generator that utilizes only a few configurational parameters is developed. A finite element analysis program that analyzes space frame structures was developed. A sizing algorithm that arrives at a minimum mass configuration was developed and integrated into the finite element analysis program. A typical 135-ft-diam aerobrake configuration was analyzed and sized. The minimum mass obtained in this study using high modulus graphite/epoxy composite material members is compared with the masses obtained from two other aerobrake structures using lightweight erectable tetrahedral truss and part-spherical truss configurations. Excellent agreement for the minimum mass was obtained with the three different aerobrake structures. Also, the minimum mass using the present structure was obtained when the supports were not at the base but at about 75 percent of the base diameter.

Spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry.

PubMed

Cong, Wenxiang; Xi, Yan; Wang, Ge

2015-11-01

Grating interferometry is a state-of-the-art x-ray imaging approach, which can acquire information on x-ray attenuation, phase shift, and small-angle scattering simultaneously. Phase-contrast imaging and dark-field imaging are very sensitive to microstructural variation and offers superior contrast resolution for biological soft tissues. However, a common x-ray tube is a point-like source. As a result, the popular planar grating imaging configuration seriously restricts the flux of photons and decreases the visibility of signals, yielding a limited field of view. The purpose of this study is to extend the planar x-ray grating imaging theory and methods to a spherical grating scheme for a wider range of preclinical and clinical applications. A spherical grating matches the wave front of a point x-ray source very well, allowing the perpendicular incidence of x-rays on the grating to achieve a higher visibility over a larger field of view than the planer grating counterpart. A theoretical analysis of the Talbot effect for spherical grating imaging is proposed to establish a basic foundation for x-ray spherical gratings interferometry. An efficient method of spherical grating imaging is also presented to extract attenuation, differential phase, and dark-field images in the x-ray spherical grating interferometer. Talbot self-imaging with spherical gratings is analyzed based on the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction formula, featuring a periodic angular distribution in a polar coordinate system. The Talbot distance is derived to reveal the Talbot self-imaging pattern. Numerical simulation results show the self-imaging phenomenon of a spherical grating interferometer, which is in agreement with the theoretical prediction. X-ray Talbot interferometry with spherical gratings has a significant practical promise. Relative to planar grating imaging, spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry has a larger field of view and improves both signal visibility and dose utilization for pre-clinical and clinical applications.

Spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry

PubMed Central

Cong, Wenxiang; Xi, Yan; Wang, Ge

2015-01-01

Purpose: Grating interferometry is a state-of-the-art x-ray imaging approach, which can acquire information on x-ray attenuation, phase shift, and small-angle scattering simultaneously. Phase-contrast imaging and dark-field imaging are very sensitive to microstructural variation and offers superior contrast resolution for biological soft tissues. However, a common x-ray tube is a point-like source. As a result, the popular planar grating imaging configuration seriously restricts the flux of photons and decreases the visibility of signals, yielding a limited field of view. The purpose of this study is to extend the planar x-ray grating imaging theory and methods to a spherical grating scheme for a wider range of preclinical and clinical applications. Methods: A spherical grating matches the wave front of a point x-ray source very well, allowing the perpendicular incidence of x-rays on the grating to achieve a higher visibility over a larger field of view than the planer grating counterpart. A theoretical analysis of the Talbot effect for spherical grating imaging is proposed to establish a basic foundation for x-ray spherical gratings interferometry. An efficient method of spherical grating imaging is also presented to extract attenuation, differential phase, and dark-field images in the x-ray spherical grating interferometer. Results: Talbot self-imaging with spherical gratings is analyzed based on the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction formula, featuring a periodic angular distribution in a polar coordinate system. The Talbot distance is derived to reveal the Talbot self-imaging pattern. Numerical simulation results show the self-imaging phenomenon of a spherical grating interferometer, which is in agreement with the theoretical prediction. Conclusions: X-ray Talbot interferometry with spherical gratings has a significant practical promise. Relative to planar grating imaging, spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry has a larger field of view and improves both signal visibility and dose utilization for pre-clinical and clinical applications. PMID:26520741

Spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry

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

Cong, Wenxiang, E-mail: congw@rpi.edu, E-mail: xiy2@rpi.edu, E-mail: wangg6@rpi.edu; Xi, Yan, E-mail: congw@rpi.edu, E-mail: xiy2@rpi.edu, E-mail: wangg6@rpi.edu; Wang, Ge, E-mail: congw@rpi.edu, E-mail: xiy2@rpi.edu, E-mail: wangg6@rpi.edu

2015-11-15

Purpose: Grating interferometry is a state-of-the-art x-ray imaging approach, which can acquire information on x-ray attenuation, phase shift, and small-angle scattering simultaneously. Phase-contrast imaging and dark-field imaging are very sensitive to microstructural variation and offers superior contrast resolution for biological soft tissues. However, a common x-ray tube is a point-like source. As a result, the popular planar grating imaging configuration seriously restricts the flux of photons and decreases the visibility of signals, yielding a limited field of view. The purpose of this study is to extend the planar x-ray grating imaging theory and methods to a spherical grating scheme formore » a wider range of preclinical and clinical applications. Methods: A spherical grating matches the wave front of a point x-ray source very well, allowing the perpendicular incidence of x-rays on the grating to achieve a higher visibility over a larger field of view than the planer grating counterpart. A theoretical analysis of the Talbot effect for spherical grating imaging is proposed to establish a basic foundation for x-ray spherical gratings interferometry. An efficient method of spherical grating imaging is also presented to extract attenuation, differential phase, and dark-field images in the x-ray spherical grating interferometer. Results: Talbot self-imaging with spherical gratings is analyzed based on the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction formula, featuring a periodic angular distribution in a polar coordinate system. The Talbot distance is derived to reveal the Talbot self-imaging pattern. Numerical simulation results show the self-imaging phenomenon of a spherical grating interferometer, which is in agreement with the theoretical prediction. Conclusions: X-ray Talbot interferometry with spherical gratings has a significant practical promise. Relative to planar grating imaging, spherical grating based x-ray Talbot interferometry has a larger field of view and improves both signal visibility and dose utilization for pre-clinical and clinical applications.« less

[Effect of the ISS Russian segment configuration on the service module radiation environment].

PubMed

Mitrikas, V G

2011-01-01

Mathematical modeling of variations in the Service module radiation environment as a function of ISS Russian segment configuration was carried out using models of the RS modules and a spherical humanoid phantom. ISS reconfiguration impacted significantly only the phantom brought into the transfer compartment (ExT). The Radiation Safety Service prohibition for cosmonauts to stay in this compartment during solar flare events remains valid. In all other instances, error of dose estimation is higher as compared to dose value estimation with consideration for ISS RS reconfiguration.

Prospects for the Thomson scattering system on NSTX-Upgrade.

PubMed

Diallo, A; LeBlanc, B P; Labik, G; Stevens, D

2012-10-01

The paper discusses the projected configuration of the Thomson system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX-U). In this paper, we discuss the projected configuration of the Thomson system on NSTX-U. More specifically, we determine, through both optical modeling of the collection optics and in-vessel measurements, that the collecting fibers are to be displaced by at most 1 cm toward the imaging plane along the optical axis. Finally, we estimate the performance of the Thomson system in measuring the electron temperature for NSTX-U discharges.

Nakedly singular non-vacuum gravitating equilibrium states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woszczyna, Andrzej; Kutschera, Marek; Kubis, Sebastian; Czaja, Wojciech; Plaszczyk, Piotr; Golda, Zdzisław A.

2016-01-01

Non-vacuum static spherically symmetric spacetimes with central point-like repulsive gravity sources are investigated. Both the symmetries of spacetime and the degree of irregularity of curvature invariants, are the same as for the Schwarzschild case. The equilibrium configurations are modelled using the neutron star polytrope equation of state.

Cavity enhanced atomic magnetometry

PubMed Central

Crepaz, Herbert; Ley, Li Yuan; Dumke, Rainer

2015-01-01

Atom sensing based on Faraday rotation is an indispensable method for precision measurements, universally suitable for both hot and cold atomic systems. Here we demonstrate an all-optical magnetometer where the optical cell for Faraday rotation spectroscopy is augmented with a low finesse cavity. Unlike in previous experiments, where specifically designed multipass cells had been employed, our scheme allows to use conventional, spherical vapour cells. Spherical shaped cells have the advantage that they can be effectively coated inside with a spin relaxation suppressing layer providing long spin coherence times without addition of a buffer gas. Cavity enhancement shows in an increase in optical polarization rotation and sensitivity compared to single-pass configurations. PMID:26481853

GRMHD formulation of highly super-Chandrasekhar magnetized white dwarfs: stable configurations of non-spherical white dwarfs

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

Das, Upasana; Mukhopadhyay, Banibrata, E-mail: upasana@physics.iisc.ernet.in, E-mail: bm@physics.iisc.ernet.in

The topic of magnetized super-Chandrasekhar white dwarfs is in the limelight, particularly in the last few years, since our proposal of their existence. By full-scale general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) numerical analysis, we confirm in this work the existence of stable, highly magnetized, significantly super-Chandrasekhar white dwarfs with mass more than 3 solar mass. While a poloidal field geometry renders the white dwarfs oblate, a toroidal field makes them prolate retaining an overall quasi-spherical shape, as speculated in our earlier work. These white dwarfs are expected to serve as the progenitors of over-luminous type Ia supernovae.

Optimization of spherical facets for parabolic solar concentrators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, J. E.; Erikson, R. J.; Sturgis, J. D.; Elfe, T. B.

1986-01-01

Solar concentrator designs which employ deployable hexagonal panels are being developed for space power systems. An offset optical configuration has been developed which offers significant system level advantages over previously proposed collector designs for space applications. Optical analyses have been performed which show offset reflector intercept factors to be only slightly lower than those for symmetric reflectors with the same slope error. Fluxes on the receiver walls are asymmetric but manageable by varying the tilt angle of the receiver. Greater producibility is achieved by subdividing the hexagonal panels into triangular mirror facets of spherical contour. Optical analysis has been performed upon these to yield near-optimum sizes and radii.

Configurational entropy as a lifetime predictor and pattern discriminator for oscillons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gleiser, Marcelo; Stephens, Michelle; Sowinski, Damian

2018-05-01

Oscillons are long-lived, spherically symmetric, attractor scalar field configurations that emerge as certain field configurations evolve in time. It has been known for many years that there is a direct correlation between the initial configuration's shape and the resulting oscillon lifetime: a shape memory. In this paper, we use an information-entropic measure of spatial complexity known as differential configurational entropy (DCE) to obtain estimates of oscillon lifetimes in scalar field theories with symmetric and asymmetric double-well potentials. The time-dependent DCE is built from the Fourier transform of the two-point correlation function of the energy density of the scalar field configuration. We obtain a scaling law correlating oscillon lifetimes and measures obtained from its evolving DCE. For the symmetric double well, for example, we show that we can apply DCE to predict an oscillon's lifetime with an average accuracy of 6% or better. We also show that the DCE acts as a pattern discriminator, able to distinguish initial configurations that evolve into long-lived oscillons from other nonperturbative short-lived fluctuations.

Spontaneous spherical symmetry breaking in atomic confinement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sveshnikov, Konstantin; Tolokonnikov, Andrey

2017-07-01

The effect of spontaneous breaking of initial SO(3) symmetry is shown to be possible for an H-like atom in the ground state, when it is confined in a spherical box under general boundary conditions of "not going out" through the box surface (i.e. third kind or Robin's ones), for a wide range of physically reasonable values of system parameters. The most novel and nontrivial result, which has not been reported previously, is that such an effect takes place not only for attractive, but also for repulsive interactions of atomic electrons with the cavity environment. Moreover, in the limit of a large box size R ≫ aB the regime of an atom, soaring over a plane with boundary condition of "not going out", is reproduced, rather than a spherically symmetric configuration, which would be expected on the basis of the initial SO(3) symmetry of the problem.

Intra prediction using face continuity in 360-degree video coding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanhart, Philippe; He, Yuwen; Ye, Yan

2017-09-01

This paper presents a new reference sample derivation method for intra prediction in 360-degree video coding. Unlike the conventional reference sample derivation method for 2D video coding, which uses the samples located directly above and on the left of the current block, the proposed method considers the spherical nature of 360-degree video when deriving reference samples located outside the current face to which the block belongs, and derives reference samples that are geometric neighbors on the sphere. The proposed reference sample derivation method was implemented in the Joint Exploration Model 3.0 (JEM-3.0) for the cubemap projection format. Simulation results for the all intra configuration show that, when compared with the conventional reference sample derivation method, the proposed method gives, on average, luma BD-rate reduction of 0.3% in terms of the weighted spherical PSNR (WS-PSNR) and spherical PSNR (SPSNR) metrics.

Dual-phase-shift spherical Fizeau interferometer for reduction of noise due to internally scattered light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumagai, Toshiki; Hibino, Kenichi; Nagaike, Yasunari

2017-03-01

Internally scattered light in a Fizeau interferometer is generated from dust, defects, imperfect coating of the optical components, and multiple reflections inside the collimator lens. It produces additional noise fringes in the observed interference image and degrades the repeatability of the phase measurement. A method to reduce the phase measurement error is proposed, in which the test surface is mechanically translated between each phase measurement in addition to an ordinary phase shift of the reference surface. It is shown that a linear combination of several measured phases at different test surface positions can reduce the phase errors caused by the scattered light. The combination can also compensate for the nonuniformity of the phase shift that occurs in spherical tests. A symmetric sampling of the phase measurements can cancel the additional primary spherical aberrations that occur when the test surface is out of the null position of the confocal configuration.

Application of the space-resolving flux detector for radiation measurements from an octahedral-aperture spherical hohlraum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xufei; Du, Huabing; Chen, Jinwen; Liu, Shenye; Li, Zhichao; Yang, Dong; Huang, Yunbao; Ren, Kuan; Hou, Lifei; Li, Sanwei; Guo, Liang; Jiang, Xiaohua; Huo, Wenyi; Chen, Yaohua; Ren, Guoli; Lan, Ke; Wang, Feng; Jiang, Shaoen; Ding, Yongkun

2018-06-01

Space-resolving flux detection is an important technique for the diagnostic of the radiation field within the hohlraum in inertial confinement fusion, especially for the radiation field diagnostic in the novel spherical hohlraum with octahedral six laser entrance holes (LEHs), where localized measurements are necessary for the discrimination of the radiation flux from different LEHs. A novel space-resolving flux detector (SRFD) is developed at the SG-III laser facility for the radiation flux measurement in the first campaign of the octahedral spherical hohlraum energetics experiment. The principle and configuration of the SRFD system is introduced. The radiation flux from the wall of a gas-filled octahedral spherical hohlraum is measured for the first time by placing the SRFD system at the equatorial position of the SG-III laser facility, aiming at the hohlraum wall through one of the six LEHs. The absolute radiation flux from the re-emission area on the hohlraum wall is measured, and good consistency is found between the experimental data and the calculated data from a three-dimensional view factor analysis.

NCSP IER 422 CED-3b Documentation

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

Hutchinson, Jesson D.; Cutler, Theresa Elizabeth; Bahran, Rian Mustafa

2017-11-22

A Subcritical Copper-Reflected α-phase Plutonium (SCRαP) integral benchmark experiment has been designed and measured. In this experiment, multiplication is approximated using correlated neutron data from a detector system consisting of 3He tubes inside high density polyethylene (HDPE). Measurements were performed on various subcritical experimental configurations consisting of a weapons-grade plutonium sphere surrounded by different Cu thicknesses. In addition to the proposed base experimental configurations with Cu, additional configurations were performed with the plutonium ball nested in various thicknesses of interleaved HDPE spherical shells mixed in with the Cu shells. The HDPE is intended to provide fast neutron moderation and reflection,more » resulting in additional measurements with differing multiplication, spectra, and nuclear data sensitivity.« less

Study of the 190Hg Nucleus: Testing the Existence of U(5) Symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jahangiri Tazekand, Z.; Mohseni, M.; Mohammadi, M. A.; Sabri, H.

2018-06-01

In this paper, we have considered the energy spectra, quadrupole transition probabilities, energy surface, charge radii, and quadrupole moment of the190Hg nucleus to describe the interplay between phase transitions and configuration mixing of intruder excitations. To this aim, we have used four different formalisms: (i) interacting boson model including configuration mixing, (ii) Z(5) critical symmetry, (iii) U(6)-based transitional Hamiltonian, and (iv) a transitional interacting boson model Hamiltonian in both interacting boson model (IBM)-1 and IBM-2 versions which are based on affine \\widehat{SU(1,1)} Lie algebra. Results show the advantages of configuration mixing and transitional Hamiltonians, in particular IBM-2 formalism, to reproduce the experimental counterparts when the weight of spherical symmetry increased.

Theoretical and experimental analysis of the electromechanical behavior of a compact spherical loudspeaker array for directivity control.

PubMed

Pasqual, Alexander Mattioli; Herzog, Philippe; Arruda, José Roberto de França

2010-12-01

Sound directivity control is made possible by a compact array of independent loudspeakers operating at the same frequency range. The drivers are usually distributed over a sphere-like frame according to a Platonic solid geometry to obtain a highly symmetrical configuration. The radiation pattern of spherical loudspeaker arrays has been predicted from the surface velocity pattern by approximating the drivers membranes as rigid vibrating spherical caps, although a rigorous assessment of this model has not been provided so far. Many aspects concerning compact array electromechanics remain unclear, such as the effects on the acoustical performance of the drivers interaction inside the array cavity, or the fact that voltages rather than velocities are controlled in practice. This work presents a detailed investigation of the electromechanical behavior of spherical loudspeaker arrays. Simulation results are shown to agree with laser vibrometer measurements and experimental sound power data obtained for a 12-driver spherical array prototype at low frequencies, whereas the non-rigid body motion and the first cavity eigenfrequency yield a discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results at high frequencies. Finally, although the internal acoustic coupling affects the drivers vibration in the low-frequency range, it does not play an important role on the radiated sound power.

Method and apparatus for uniformly concentrating solar flux for photovoltaic applications

DOEpatents

Jorgensen, Gary J.; Carasso, Meir; Wendelin, Timothy J.; Lewandowski, Allan A.

1992-01-01

A dish reflector and method for concentrating moderate solar flux uniformly on a target plane on a solar cell array, the dish having a stepped reflective surface that is characterized by a plurality of ring-like segments arranged about a common axis, and each segment having a concave spherical configuration.

Analytical expression for a class of spherically symmetric solutions in Lorentz-breaking massive gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ping; Li, Xin-zhou; Xi, Ping

2016-06-01

We present a detailed study of the spherically symmetric solutions in Lorentz-breaking massive gravity. There is an undetermined function { F }(X,{w}1,{w}2,{w}3) in the action of Stückelberg fields {S}φ ={{{Λ }}}4\\int {{{d}}}4x\\sqrt{-g}{ F }, which should be resolved through physical means. In general relativity, the spherically symmetric solution to the Einstein equation is a benchmark and its massive deformation also plays a crucial role in Lorentz-breaking massive gravity. { F } will satisfy the constraint equation {T}01=0 from the spherically symmetric Einstein tensor {G}01=0, if we maintain that any reasonable physical theory should possess the spherically symmetric solutions. The Stückelberg field {φ }i is taken as a ‘hedgehog’ configuration {φ }i=φ (r){x}i/r, whose stability is guaranteed by the topological one. Under this ansätz, {T}01=0 is reduced to d{ F }=0. The functions { F } for d{ F }=0 form a commutative ring {R}{ F }. We obtain an expression of the solution to the functional differential equation with spherical symmetry if { F }\\in {R}{ F }. If { F }\\in {R}{ F } and \\partial { F }/\\partial X=0, the functions { F } form a subring {S}{ F }\\subset {R}{ F }. We show that the metric is Schwarzschild, Schwarzschild-AdS or Schwarzschild-dS if { F }\\in {S}{ F }. When { F }\\in {R}{ F } but { F }\

Recent Progress on Spherical Torus Research

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

Ono, Masayuki; Kaita, Robert

2014-01-01

The spherical torus or spherical tokamak (ST) is a member of the tokamak family with its aspect ratio (A = R0/a) reduced to A ~ 1.5, well below the normal tokamak operating range of A ≥ 2.5. As the aspect ratio is reduced, the ideal tokamak beta β (radio of plasma to magnetic pressure) stability limit increases rapidly, approximately as β ~ 1/A. The plasma current it can sustain for a given edge safety factor q-95 also increases rapidly. Because of the above, as well as the natural elongation κ, which makes its plasma shape appear spherical, the ST configurationmore » can yield exceptionally high tokamak performance in a compact geometry. Due to its compactness and high performance, the ST configuration has various near term applications, including a compact fusion neutron source with low tritium consumption, in addition to its longer term goal of attractive fusion energy power source. Since the start of the two megaampere class ST facilities in 2000, National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) in the US and Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) in UK, active ST research has been conducted worldwide. More than sixteen ST research facilities operating during this period have achieved remarkable advances in all of fusion science areas, involving fundamental fusion energy science as well as innovation. These results suggest exciting future prospects for ST research both near term and longer term. The present paper reviews the scientific progress made by the worldwide ST research community during this new mega-ampere-ST era.« less

Electromagnetically induced transparency in a multilayered spherical quantum dot with hydrogenic impurity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlović, Vladan; Šušnjar, Marko; Petrović, Katarina; Stevanović, Ljiljana

2018-04-01

In this paper the effects of size, hydrostatic pressure and temperature on electromagnetically induced transparency, as well as on absorption and the dispersion properties of multilayered spherical quantum dot with hydrogenic impurity are theoretically investigated. Energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions of quantum systems in three-level and four-level configurations are calculated using the shooting method, while optical properties are obtained using the density matrix formalism and master equations. It is shown that peaks of the optical properties experience a blue-shift with increasing hydrostatic pressure and red-shift with increasing temperature. The changes of optical properties as a consequence of changes in barrier wells widths are non-monotonic, and these changes are discussed in detail.

Nonlinear optical susceptibility described with a spherical formalism applied to coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleff, Carsten; Rigneault, Hervé; Brasselet, Sophie; Duboisset, Julien

2017-07-01

We describe coherent Raman scattering in a complete spherical formalism allowing a better understanding of the coherent Raman process with respect to its symmetry properties, which is especially helpful in polarized coherent Raman microscopy. We describe how to build the coherent Raman tensor from spontaneous Raman tensor for crystalline and disordered media. We introduce a distribution function for molecular bonds and show how this distribution function results in a new macroscopic symmetry which can be very different from the symmetry of vibrational modes. Finally, we explicitly show polarization configurations for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering to probe specific vibration symmetries in crystalline samples and lipid layers.

Progress In Magnetized Target Fusion Driven by Plasma Liners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thio, Francis Y. C.; Kirkpatrick, Ronald C.; Knapp, Charles E.; Cassibry, Jason; Eskridge, Richard; Lee, Michael; Smith, James; Martin, Adam; Wu, S. T.; Schmidt, George;

Feasibility study of a synthesis procedure for array feeds to improve radiation performance of large distorted reflector antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stutzman, W. L.; Takamizawa, K.; Werntz, P.; Lapean, J.; Barts, R.; Shen, B.; Dunn, D.

1992-01-01

The topics covered include the following: (1) performance analysis of the Gregorian tri-reflector; (2) design and performance of the type 6 reflector antenna; (3) a new spherical main reflector system design; (4) optimization of reflector configurations using physical optics; (5) radiometric array design; and (7) beam efficiency studies.

The Role of Shabansky Orbits in Compression-Related Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Wave Growth (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-15

compressing the field. Equation (5) uses a geocentric spherical coordinate system with units of length in Earth radii. It is clear that setting b1 = 0...in a complementary approach to the one used by McCollough et al. [2009]. 3. Anisotropy Arising From Magnetic Field Configuration [21] McCollough et al

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

Hellfeld, Daniel; Barton, Paul; Gunter, Donald

Gamma-ray imaging facilitates the efficient detection, characterization, and localization of compact radioactive sources in cluttered environments. Fieldable detector systems employing active planar coded apertures have demonstrated broad energy sensitivity via both coded aperture and Compton imaging modalities. But, planar configurations suffer from a limited field-of-view, especially in the coded aperture mode. In order to improve upon this limitation, we introduce a novel design by rearranging the detectors into an active coded spherical configuration, resulting in a 4pi isotropic field-of-view for both coded aperture and Compton imaging. This work focuses on the low- energy coded aperture modality and the optimization techniquesmore » used to determine the optimal number and configuration of 1 cm 3 CdZnTe coplanar grid detectors on a 14 cm diameter sphere with 192 available detector locations.« less

Anomalous waterlike behavior in spherically-symmetric water models optimized with the relative entropy.

PubMed

Chaimovich, Aviel; Shell, M Scott

2009-03-28

Recent efforts have attempted to understand many of liquid water's anomalous properties in terms of effective spherically-symmetric pairwise molecular interactions entailing two characteristic length scales (so-called "core-softened" potentials). In this work, we examine the extent to which such simple descriptions of water are representative of the true underlying interactions by extracting coarse-grained potential functions that are optimized to reproduce the behavior of an all-atom model. To perform this optimization, we use a novel procedure based upon minimizing the relative entropy, a quantity that measures the extent to which a coarse-grained configurational ensemble overlaps with a reference all-atom one. We show that the optimized spherically-symmetric water models exhibit notable variations with the state conditions at which they were optimized, reflecting in particular the shifting accessibility of networked hydrogen bonding interactions. Moreover, we find that water's density and diffusivity anomalies are only reproduced when the effective coarse-grained potentials are allowed to vary with state. Our results therefore suggest that no state-independent spherically-symmetric potential can fully capture the interactions responsible for water's unique behavior; rather, the particular way in which the effective interactions vary with temperature and density contributes significantly to anomalous properties.

Fullerene-Based Symmetry in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Pollen

PubMed Central

Andrade, Kleber; Guerra, Sara; Debut, Alexis

2014-01-01

The fullerene molecule belongs to the so-called super materials. The compound is interesting due to its spherical configuration where atoms occupy positions forming a mechanically stable structure. We first demonstrate that pollen of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has a strong symmetry regarding the distribution of its spines over the spherical grain. These spines form spherical hexagons and pentagons. The distance between atoms in fullerene is explained applying principles of flat, spherical, and spatial geometry, based on Euclid’s “Elements” book, as well as logic algorithms. Measurements of the pollen grain take into account that the true spine lengths, and consequently the real distances between them, are measured to the periphery of each grain. Algorithms are developed to recover the spatial effects lost in 2D photos. There is a clear correspondence between the position of atoms in the fullerene molecule and the position of spines in the pollen grain. In the fullerene the separation gives the idea of equal length bonds which implies perfectly distributed electron clouds while in the pollen grain we suggest that the spines being equally spaced carry an electrical charge originating in forces involved in the pollination process. PMID:25003375

Nuclear characteristics of a fissioning uranium plasma test reactor with light-water cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmarsh, C. L., Jr.

1973-01-01

An analytical study was performed to determine a design configuration for a cavity test reactor. Test section criteria were that an average flux of 10 to the 15th power neutrons/sq cm/sec (E less than or equal to 0.12 eV) be supplied to a 61-cm-diameter spherical cavity at 200-atm pressure. Design objectives were to minimize required driver power, to use existing fuel-element technology, and to obtain fuel-element life of 10 to 100 full-power hours. Parameter calculations were made on moderator region size and material, driver fuel arrangement, control system, and structure in order to determine a feasible configuration. Although not optimized, a configuration was selected which would meet design criteria. The driver fuel region was a cylindrical annular region, one element thick, of 33 MTR-type H2O-cooled elements (Al-U fuel plate configuration), each 101 cm long. The region between the spherical test cavity and the cylindrical driver fuel region was Be (10 vol. % H2O coolant) with a midplane dimension of 8 cm. Exterior to the driver fuel, the 25-cm-thick cylindrical and axial reflectors were also Be with 10 vol. % H2O coolant. The entire reactor was contained in a 10-cm-thick steel pressure vessel, and the 200-atm cavity pressure was equalized throughout the driver reactor. Fuel-element life was 50 hr at the required driver power of 200 MW. Reactor control would be achieved with rotating poison drums located in the cylindrical reflector region. A control range of about 18 percent delta k/k was required for reactor operation.

Spherical aberration correction with threefold symmetric line currents.

PubMed

Hoque, Shahedul; Ito, Hiroyuki; Nishi, Ryuji; Takaoka, Akio; Munro, Eric

2016-02-01

It has been shown that N-fold symmetric line current (henceforth denoted as N-SYLC) produces 2N-pole magnetic fields. In this paper, a threefold symmetric line current (N3-SYLC in short) is proposed for correcting 3rd order spherical aberration of round lenses. N3-SYLC can be realized without using magnetic materials, which makes it free of the problems of hysteresis, inhomogeneity and saturation. We investigate theoretically the basic properties of an N3-SYLC configuration which can in principle be realized by simple wires. By optimizing the parameters of a system with beam energy of 5.5keV, the required excitation current for correcting 3rd order spherical aberration coefficient of 400 mm is less than 1AT, and the residual higher order aberrations can be kept sufficiently small to obtain beam size of less than 1 nm for initial slopes up to 5 mrad. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Spherical to Plane Wave Transformation Using a Reflectarray

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaman, Afroz J.; Lee, Richard Q.

1997-01-01

A reflectarray has generally been used as a replacement for a reflector antenna. Using in this capacity, different configurations (prime focus, offset etc.) and various applications (dual frequency, scanning etc.) have been demonstrated with great success. Another potential application that has not been explored previously is the use of reflectarrays to compensate for phase errors in space power combining applications such as space-fed lens and power combining amplifier. In these applications, it is required to convert a spherical wave to a plane wave with proper phase correction added to each element of the reflectarray. This paper reports an experiment to investigate the feasibility of using a reflectarray as an alternative to a lens in space power combining. The experiment involves transforming a spherical wave from a orthomode horn to a plane wave at the horn aperture. The reflcctarray consists of square patches terminated in open stubs to provide necessary phase compensation. In this paper, preliminary results will be presented and the feasibility of such compensation scheme will be discussed.

Large radius of curvature measurement based on virtual quadratic Newton rings phase-shifting moiré-fringes measurement method in a nonnull interferometer.

PubMed

Yang, Zhongming; Wang, Kailiang; Cheng, Jinlong; Gao, Zhishan; Yuan, Qun

2016-06-10

We have proposed a virtual quadratic Newton rings phase-shifting moiré-fringes measurement method in a nonnull interferometer to measure the large radius of curvature for a spherical surface. In a quadratic polar coordinate system, linear carrier testing Newton rings interferogram and virtual Newton rings interferogram form the moiré fringes. It is possible to retrieve the wavefront difference data between the testing and standard spherical surface from the moiré fringes after low-pass filtering. Based on the wavefront difference data, we deduced a precise formula to calculate the radius of curvature in the quadratic polar coordinate system. We calculated the retrace error in the nonnull interferometer using the multi-configuration model of the nonnull interferometric system in ZEMAX. Our experimental results indicate that the measurement accuracy is better than 0.18% for a spherical mirror with a radius of curvature of 41,400 mm.

Large radius of curvature measurement based on the evaluation of interferogram-quality metric in non-null interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Zhongming; Dou, Jiantai; Du, Jinyu; Gao, Zhishan

2018-03-01

Non-null interferometry could use to measure the radius of curvature (ROC), we have presented a virtual quadratic Newton rings phase-shifting moiré-fringes measurement method for large ROC measurement (Yang et al., 2016). In this paper, we propose a large ROC measurement method based on the evaluation of the interferogram-quality metric by the non-null interferometer. With the multi-configuration model of the non-null interferometric system in ZEMAX, the retrace errors and the phase introduced by the test surface are reconstructed. The interferogram-quality metric is obtained by the normalized phase-shifted testing Newton rings with the spherical surface model in the non-null interferometric system. The radius curvature of the test spherical surface can be obtained until the minimum of the interferogram-quality metric is found. Simulations and experimental results are verified the feasibility of our proposed method. For a spherical mirror with a ROC of 41,400 mm, the measurement accuracy is better than 0.13%.

Nonlinear elastic inclusions in isotropic solids.

PubMed

Yavari, Arash; Goriely, Alain

2013-12-08

We introduce a geometric framework to calculate the residual stress fields and deformations of nonlinear solids with inclusions and eigenstrains. Inclusions are regions in a body with different reference configurations from the body itself and can be described by distributed eigenstrains. Geometrically, the eigenstrains define a Riemannian 3-manifold in which the body is stress-free by construction. The problem of residual stress calculation is then reduced to finding a mapping from the Riemannian material manifold to the ambient Euclidean space. Using this construction, we find the residual stress fields of three model systems with spherical and cylindrical symmetries in both incompressible and compressible isotropic elastic solids. In particular, we consider a finite spherical ball with a spherical inclusion with uniform pure dilatational eigenstrain and we show that the stress in the inclusion is uniform and hydrostatic. We also show how singularities in the stress distribution emerge as a consequence of a mismatch between radial and circumferential eigenstrains at the centre of a sphere or the axis of a cylinder.

Nonlinear elastic inclusions in isotropic solids

PubMed Central

Yavari, Arash; Goriely, Alain

2013-01-01

We introduce a geometric framework to calculate the residual stress fields and deformations of nonlinear solids with inclusions and eigenstrains. Inclusions are regions in a body with different reference configurations from the body itself and can be described by distributed eigenstrains. Geometrically, the eigenstrains define a Riemannian 3-manifold in which the body is stress-free by construction. The problem of residual stress calculation is then reduced to finding a mapping from the Riemannian material manifold to the ambient Euclidean space. Using this construction, we find the residual stress fields of three model systems with spherical and cylindrical symmetries in both incompressible and compressible isotropic elastic solids. In particular, we consider a finite spherical ball with a spherical inclusion with uniform pure dilatational eigenstrain and we show that the stress in the inclusion is uniform and hydrostatic. We also show how singularities in the stress distribution emerge as a consequence of a mismatch between radial and circumferential eigenstrains at the centre of a sphere or the axis of a cylinder. PMID:24353470

Design Features and Commissioning of the Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus (VEST) at Seoul National University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

J. Chung, K.; H. An, Y.; K. Jung, B.; Y. Lee, H.; C., Sung; S. Na, Y.; S. Hahm, T.; S. Hwang, Y.

2013-03-01

A new spherical torus called VEST (Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus) is designed, constructed and successfully commissioned at Seoul National University. A unique design feature of the VEST is two partial solenoid coils installed at both vertical ends of a center stack, which can provide sufficient magnetic fluxes to initiate tokamak plasmas while keeping a low aspect ratio configuration in the central region. According to initial double null merging start-up scenario using the partial solenoid coils, appropriate power supplies for driving a toroidal field coil, outer poloidal field coils, and the partial solenoid coils are fabricated and successfully commissioned. For reliable start-up, a pre-ionization system with two cost-effective homemade magnetron power supplies is also prepared. In addition, magnetic and spectroscopic diagnostics with appropriate data acquisition and control systems are well prepared for initial operation of the device. The VEST is ready for tokamak plasma operation by completing and commissioning most of the designed components.

Grating tuned unstable resonator laser cavity

DOEpatents

Johnson, Larry C.

1982-01-01

An unstable resonator to be used in high power, narrow line CO.sub.2 pump lasers comprises an array of four reflectors in a ring configuration wherein spherical and planar wavefronts are separated from each other along separate optical paths and only the planar wavefronts are impinged on a plane grating for line tuning. The reflector array comprises a concave mirror for reflecting incident spherical waves as plane waves along an output axis to form an output beam. A plane grating on the output axis is oriented to reflect a portion of the output beam off axis onto a planar relay mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the concave mirror. The relay mirror reflects plane waves from the grating to impinge on a convex expanding mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the grating. The expanding mirror reflects the incident planar waves as spherical waves to illuminate the concave mirror. Tuning is provided by rotating the plane grating about an axis normal to the output axis.

Black hole formation from the gravitational collapse of a nonspherical network of structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delgado Gaspar, Ismael; Hidalgo, Juan Carlos; Sussman, Roberto A.; Quiros, Israel

2018-05-01

We examine the gravitational collapse and black hole formation of multiple nonspherical configurations constructed from Szekeres dust models with positive spatial curvature that smoothly match to a Schwarzschild exterior. These configurations are made of an almost spherical central core region surrounded by a network of "pancake-like" overdensities and voids with spatial positions prescribed through standard initial conditions. We show that a full collapse into a focusing singularity, without shell crossings appearing before the formation of an apparent horizon, is not possible unless the full configuration becomes exactly or almost spherical. Seeking for black hole formation, we demand that shell crossings are covered by the apparent horizon. This requires very special fine-tuned initial conditions that impose very strong and unrealistic constraints on the total black hole mass and full collapse time. As a consequence, nonspherical nonrotating dust sources cannot furnish even minimally realistic toy models of black hole formation at astrophysical scales: demanding realistic collapse time scales yields huge unrealistic black hole masses, while simulations of typical astrophysical black hole masses collapse in unrealistically small times. We note, however, that the resulting time-mass constraint is compatible with early Universe models of primordial black hole formation, suitable in early dust-like environments. Finally, we argue that the shell crossings appearing when nonspherical dust structures collapse are an indicator that such structures do not form galactic mass black holes but virialize into stable stationary objects.

Linear Transformation of Electromagnetic Wave Beams of the Electron-Cyclotron Range in Toroidal Magnetic Configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khusainov, T. A.; Shalashov, A. G.; Gospodchikov, E. D.

2018-05-01

The field structure of quasi-optical wave beams tunneled through the evanescence region in the vicinity of the plasma cutoff in a nonuniform magnetoactive plasma is analyzed. This problem is traditionally associated with the process of linear transformation of ordinary and extraordinary waves. An approximate analytical solution is constructed for a rather general magnetic configuration applicable to spherical tokamaks, optimized stellarators, and other magnetic confinement systems with a constant plasma density on magnetic surfaces. A general technique for calculating the transformation coefficient of a finite-aperture wave beam is proposed, and the physical conditions required for the most efficient transformation are analyzed.

Generation of three-dimensional body-fitted coordinates using hyperbolic partial differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steger, J. L.; Rizk, Y. M.

1985-01-01

An efficient numerical mesh generation scheme capable of creating orthogonal or nearly orthogonal grids about moderately complex three dimensional configurations is described. The mesh is obtained by marching outward from a user specified grid on the body surface. Using spherical grid topology, grids have been generated about full span rectangular wings and a simplified space shuttle orbiter.

On well-posedness of variational models of charged drops.

PubMed

Muratov, Cyrill B; Novaga, Matteo

2016-03-01

Electrified liquids are well known to be prone to a variety of interfacial instabilities that result in the onset of apparent interfacial singularities and liquid fragmentation. In the case of electrically conducting liquids, one of the basic models describing the equilibrium interfacial configurations and the onset of instability assumes the liquid to be equipotential and interprets those configurations as local minimizers of the energy consisting of the sum of the surface energy and the electrostatic energy. Here we show that, surprisingly, this classical geometric variational model is mathematically ill-posed irrespective of the degree to which the liquid is electrified. Specifically, we demonstrate that an isolated spherical droplet is never a local minimizer, no matter how small is the total charge on the droplet, as the energy can always be lowered by a smooth, arbitrarily small distortion of the droplet's surface. This is in sharp contrast to the experimental observations that a critical amount of charge is needed in order to destabilize a spherical droplet. We discuss several possible regularization mechanisms for the considered free boundary problem and argue that well-posedness can be restored by the inclusion of the entropic effects resulting in finite screening of free charges.

On well-posedness of variational models of charged drops

PubMed Central

Novaga, Matteo

2016-01-01

Electrified liquids are well known to be prone to a variety of interfacial instabilities that result in the onset of apparent interfacial singularities and liquid fragmentation. In the case of electrically conducting liquids, one of the basic models describing the equilibrium interfacial configurations and the onset of instability assumes the liquid to be equipotential and interprets those configurations as local minimizers of the energy consisting of the sum of the surface energy and the electrostatic energy. Here we show that, surprisingly, this classical geometric variational model is mathematically ill-posed irrespective of the degree to which the liquid is electrified. Specifically, we demonstrate that an isolated spherical droplet is never a local minimizer, no matter how small is the total charge on the droplet, as the energy can always be lowered by a smooth, arbitrarily small distortion of the droplet's surface. This is in sharp contrast to the experimental observations that a critical amount of charge is needed in order to destabilize a spherical droplet. We discuss several possible regularization mechanisms for the considered free boundary problem and argue that well-posedness can be restored by the inclusion of the entropic effects resulting in finite screening of free charges. PMID:27118921

Approaching behavior of a pair of spherical bubbles in quiescent liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanada, Toshiyuki; Kusuno, Hiroaki

2015-11-01

Some unique motions related bubble-bubble interaction, such as equilibrium distance, wake induced lift force, have been proposed by theoretical analysis or numerical simulations. These motions are different from the solid spheres like DKT model (Drafting, Kissing and Tumbling). However, there is a lack of the experimental verification. In this study, we experimentally investigated the motion of a pair of bubbles initially positioned in-line configuration in ultrapure water or an aqueous surfactant solution. The bubble motion were observed by two high speed video cameras. The bubbles Reynolds number was ranged from 50 to 300 and bubbles hold the spherical shape in this range. In ultrapure water, initially the trailing bubble deviated from the vertical line on the leading bubble owing to the wake of the leading bubble. And then, the slight difference of the bubble radius changed the relative motion. When the trailing bubble slightly larger than the leading bubble, the trailing bubble approached to the leading bubble due to it's buoyancy difference. The bubbles attracted and collided only when the bubbles rising approximately side by side configuration. In addition, we will also discuss the motion of bubbles rising in an aqueous surfactant solution.

Inside-in, alternative paradigms for sound spatialization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahn, Curtis; Moore, Stephan

2003-04-01

Arrays of widely spaced mono-directional loudspeakers (P.A.-style stereo configurations or ``outside-in'' surround-sound systems) have long provided the dominant paradigms for electronic sound diffusion. So prevalent are these models that alternatives have largely been ignored and electronic sound, regardless of musical aesthetic, has come to be inseparably associated with single-channel speakers, or headphones. We recognize the value of these familiar paradigms, but believe that electronic sound can and should have many alternative, idiosyncratic voices. Through the design and construction of unique sound diffusion structures, one can reinvent the nature of electronic sound; when allied with new sensor technologies, these structures offer alternative modes of interaction with techniques of sonic computation. This paper describes several recent applications of spherical speakers (multichannel, outward-radiating geodesic speaker arrays) and Sensor-Speaker-Arrays (SenSAs: combinations of various sensor devices with outward-radiating multi-channel speaker arrays). This presentation introduces the development of four generations of spherical speakers-over a hundred individual speakers of various configurations-and their use in many different musical situations including live performance, recording, and sound installation. We describe the design and construction of these systems, and, more generally, the new ``voices'' they give to electronic sound.

Static Thrust and Vectoring Performance of a Spherical Convergent Flap Nozzle with a Nonrectangular Divergent Duct

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wing, David J.

1998-01-01

The static internal performance of a multiaxis-thrust-vectoring, spherical convergent flap (SCF) nozzle with a non-rectangular divergent duct was obtained in the model preparation area of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. Duct cross sections of hexagonal and bowtie shapes were tested. Additional geometric parameters included throat area (power setting), pitch flap deflection angle, and yaw gimbal angle. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from 2 to 12 for dry power configurations and from 2 to 6 for afterburning power configurations. Approximately a 1-percent loss in thrust efficiency from SCF nozzles with a rectangular divergent duct was incurred as a result of internal oblique shocks in the flow field. The internal oblique shocks were the result of cross flow generated by the vee-shaped geometric throat. The hexagonal and bowtie nozzles had mirror-imaged flow fields and therefore similar thrust performance. Thrust vectoring was not hampered by the three-dimensional internal geometry of the nozzles. Flow visualization indicates pitch thrust-vector angles larger than 10' may be achievable with minimal adverse effect on or a possible gain in resultant thrust efficiency as compared with the performance at a pitch thrust-vector angle of 10 deg.

Critical analysis of partial discharge dynamics in air filled spherical voids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callender, G.; Golosnoy, I. O.; Rapisarda, P.; Lewin, P. L.

2018-03-01

In this paper partial discharge (PD) is investigated inside a spherical air filled void at atmospheric pressure using a drift diffusion model. Discharge dynamics consisted of an electron avalanche transitioning into positive streamer, in agreement with earlier work on dielectric barrier discharges. Different model configurations were utilised to test many of the concepts employed in semi-analytical PD activity models, which use simplistic descriptions of the discharge dynamics. The results showed that many of these concepts may be erroneous, with significant discrepancies between the canonical reasoning and the simulation results. For example, the residual electric field, the electric field after a discharge, is significantly lower than the estimates used by classical PD activity models in the literature.

Synthesis and Study of Optical Characteristics of Ti0.91O2/CdS Hybrid Sphere Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Lingbin; Xu, Qinfeng; Zhang, Meng; Wang, Dehua; Liu, Mingliang; Zhang, Lei; Jiao, Mengmeng; Wang, Honggang; Yang, Chuanlu

2018-03-01

The optical properties of alternating ultrathin Ti0.91O2 nanosheets and CdS nanoparticle hybrid spherical structures designed by the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique are investigated. From the photoluminescence (PL) spectral measurements on the hybrid spherical structures, a spectrum-shifted fluorescence emission occurs in this novel hybrid material. The time-resolved PL measurements exhibit a remarkably increased PL lifetime of 3.75 ns compared with only Ti0.91O2 spheres or CdS nanoparticles. The novel results were attributed to the enhanced electron-hole separation due to the new type II indirect optical transition mechanism between Ti0.91O2 and CdS in a charge-separated configuration.

Laser multipass system with interior cell configuration.

PubMed

Borysow, Jacek; Kostinski, Alexander; Fink, Manfred

2011-10-20

We ask whether it is possible to restore a multipass system alignment after a gas cell is inserted in the central region. Indeed, it is possible, and we report on a remarkably simple rearrangement of a laser multipass system, composed of two spherical mirrors and a gas cell with flat windows in the middle. For example, for a window of thickness d and refractive index of n, adjusting the mirror separation by ≈2d(1-1/n) is sufficient to preserve the laser beam alignment and tracing. This expression is in agreement with ray-tracing computations and our laboratory experiment. Insofar as our solution corrects for spherical aberrations, it may also find applications in microscopy. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Toroidal configurations of perfect fluid in the Reissner-Nordström-(anti-)de Sitter spacetimes

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

Kucáková, Hana; Slaný, Petr; Stuchlík, Zdenĕk, E-mail: hana.kucakova@centrum.cz, E-mail: petr.slany@fpf.slu.cz, E-mail: zdenek.stuchlik@fpf.slu.cz

Influence of cosmological constant on toroidal fluid configurations around charged spherically symmetric black holes and naked singularities is demostrated by study of perfect-fluid tori with uniform distribution of specific angular momentum orbiting in the Reissner-Nordström-(anti-)de Sitter spacetimes. Toroidal configurations are allowed only in the spacetimes admitting existence of stable circular geodesics. Configurations with marginally closed equipotential (equipressure) surfaces crossing itself in a cusp allow accretion (through the inner cusp) and/or excretion (through the outer cusp) of matter from the toroidal configuration. Detailed classification of the Reissner-Nordström-(anti-)de Sitter spacetimes according to properties of the marginally stable tori is given. It ismore » demonstrated that in the Reissner-Nordström-de Sitter naked-singularity spacetimes an interesting phenomenon of doubled tori can exist enabling exchange of matter between two tori in both inward and outward directions. In naked-singularity spacetimes the accretion onto the central singularity is impossible due to existence of a potential barrier.« less

"Snowflake" divertor configuration in NSTX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soukhanovskii, V. A.; Ahn, J.-W.; Bell, R. E.; Gates, D. A.; Gerhardt, S.; Kaita, R.; Kolemen, E.; Kugel, H. W.; Leblanc, B. P.; Maingi, R.; Maqueda, R.; McLean, A.; Menard, J. E.; Mueller, D. M.; Paul, S. F.; Raman, R.; Roquemore, A. L.; Ryutov, D. D.; Scott, H. A.

2011-08-01

Steady-state handling of divertor heat flux is a critical issue for present and future conventional and spherical tokamaks with compact high power density divertors. A novel "snowflake" divertor (SFD) configuration that takes advantage of magnetic properties of a second-order poloidal null has been predicted to have a larger plasma-wetted area and a larger divertor volume, in comparison with a standard first-order poloidal X-point divertor configuration. The SFD was obtained in 0.8 MA, 4-6 MW NBI-heated H-mode discharges in NSTX using two divertor magnetic coils. The SFD led to a partial detachment of the outer strike point even in low-collisionality scrape-off layer plasma obtained with lithium coatings in NSTX. Significant divertor peak heat flux reduction and impurity screening have been achieved simultaneously with good core confinement and MHD properties.

Stability Limits for Rubble Pile Asteroid Shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheeres, Daniel

2018-04-01

The stability of rubble pile asteroids are explored analytically, using simple models for their constituent components. Specifically, we look at the stability of spherical components resting and potentially rolling on each other as a function of their relative sizes, configuration and number. This talk will present some recent results in this problem. Of specific interest is a 5:1 limit on the elongation of a rubble pile body for stability, which is interestingly the same extreme elongation found for the first interstellar object. This limit is for a rubble pile consisting of stacked spheres, resting on each other in a straight line. If there are 5 or less bodies resting on each other in this configuration, there is an interval of spin rates for which the configuration is stable. If there are 6 or more bodies stacked as such, the spin rate for it to stabilize is beyond the spin rate at which it fissions. The talk will also explore additional results for different configurations of bodies resting on each other.

Investigation of spherical loudspeaker arrays for local active control of sound.

PubMed

Peleg, Tomer; Rafaely, Boaz

2011-10-01

Active control of sound can be employed globally to reduce noise levels in an entire enclosure, or locally around a listener's head. Recently, spherical loudspeaker arrays have been studied as multiple-channel sources for local active control of sound, presenting the fundamental theory and several active control configurations. In this paper, important aspects of using a spherical loudspeaker array for local active control of sound are further investigated. First, the feasibility of creating sphere-shaped quiet zones away from the source is studied both theoretically and numerically, showing that these quiet zones are associated with sound amplification and poor system robustness. To mitigate the latter, the design of shell-shaped quiet zones around the source is investigated. A combination of two spherical sources is then studied with the aim of enlarging the quiet zone. The two sources are employed to generate quiet zones that surround a rigid sphere, investigating the application of active control around a listener's head. A significant improvement in performance is demonstrated in this case over a conventional headrest-type system that uses two monopole secondary sources. Finally, several simulations are presented to support the theoretical work and to demonstrate the performance and limitations of the system. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Shape effects on time-scale divergence at athermal jamming transition of frictionless non-spherical particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Ye; Jin, Weiwei; Liu, Lufeng; Li, Shuixiang

2017-10-01

The critical behaviors of a granular system at the jamming transition have been extensively studied from both mechanical and thermodynamic perspectives. In this work, we numerically investigate the jamming behaviors of a variety of frictionless non-spherical particles, including spherocylinder, ellipsoid, spherotetrahedron and spherocube. In particular, for a given particle shape, a series of random configurations at different fixed densities are generated and relaxed to minimize interparticle overlaps using the relaxation algorithm. We find that as the jamming point (i.e., point J) is approached, the number of iteration steps (defined as the "time-scale" for our systems) required to completely relax the interparticle overlaps exhibits a clear power-law divergence. The dependence of the detailed mathematical form of the power-law divergence on particle shapes is systematically investigated and elucidated, which suggests that the shape effects can be generally categorized as elongation and roundness. Importantly, we show the jamming transition density can be accurately determined from the analysis of time-scale divergence for different non-spherical shapes, and the obtained values agree very well with corresponding ones reported in literature. Moreover, we study the plastic behaviors of over-jammed packings of different particles under a compression-expansion procedure and find that the jamming of ellipsoid is much more robust than other non-spherical particles. This work offers an alternative approximate procedure besides conventional packing algorithms for studying athermal jamming transition in granular system of frictionless non-spherical particles.

Asymptotically flat, stable black hole solutions in Einstein-Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory.

PubMed

Brihaye, Yves; Radu, Eugen; Tchrakian, D H

2011-02-18

We construct finite mass, asymptotically flat black hole solutions in d=5 Einstein-Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory. Our results indicate the existence of a second order phase transition between Reissner-Nordström solutions and the non-Abelian black holes which generically are thermodynamically preferred. Some of the non-Abelian configurations are also stable under linear, spherically symmetric perturbations.

Spherical subjective refraction with a novel 3D virtual reality based system.

PubMed

Pujol, Jaume; Ondategui-Parra, Juan Carlos; Badiella, Llorenç; Otero, Carles; Vilaseca, Meritxell; Aldaba, Mikel

To conduct a clinical validation of a virtual reality-based experimental system that is able to assess the spherical subjective refraction simplifying the methodology of ocular refraction. For the agreement assessment, spherical refraction measurements were obtained from 104 eyes of 52 subjects using three different methods: subjectively with the experimental prototype (Subj.E) and the classical subjective refraction (Subj.C); and objectively with the WAM-5500 autorefractor (WAM). To evaluate precision (intra- and inter-observer variability) of each refractive tool independently, 26 eyes were measured in four occasions. With regard to agreement, the mean difference (±SD) for the spherical equivalent (M) between the new experimental subjective method (Subj.E) and the classical subjective refraction (Subj.C) was -0.034D (±0.454D). The corresponding 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) were (-0.856D, 0.924D). In relation to precision, intra-observer mean difference for the M component was 0.034±0.195D for the Subj.C, 0.015±0.177D for the WAM and 0.072±0.197D for the Subj.E. Inter-observer variability showed worse precision values, although still clinically valid (below 0.25D) in all instruments. The spherical equivalent obtained with the new experimental system was precise and in good agreement with the classical subjective routine. The algorithm implemented in this new system and its optical configuration has been shown to be a first valid step for spherical error correction in a semiautomated way. Copyright © 2016 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Thermal investigation of nuclear waste disposal in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkinson, C. L.

1981-01-01

A thermal analysis has been conducted to determine the allowable size and response of bare and shielded nuclear waste forms in both low earth orbit and at 0.85 astronomical units. Contingency conditions of re-entry with a 45 deg and 60 deg aeroshell are examined as well as re-entry of a spherical shielded waste form. A variety of shielded schemes were examined and the waste form thermal response for each determined. Two optimum configurations were selected. The thermal response of these two shielded waste configurations to indefinite exposure to ground conditions following controlled and uncontrolled re-entry is determined. In all cases the prime criterion is that waste containment must be maintained.

Electrostatically Tuned Self-Assembly of Branched Amphiphilic Peptides

DOE PAGES

Ting, Christina L.; Frischknecht, Amalie L.; Stevens, Mark J.; ...

2014-06-19

Electrostatics plays an important role in the self-assembly of amphiphilic peptides. To develop a molecular understanding of the role of the electrostatic interactions, we develop a coarse-grained model peptide and apply self-consistent field theory to investigate the peptide assembly into a variety of aggregate nanostructures. We find that the presence and distribution of charged groups on the hydrophilic branches of the peptide can modify the molecular configuration from extended to collapsed. This change in molecular configuration influences the packing into spherical micelles, cylindrical micelles (nanofibers), or planar bilayers. The effects of charge distribution therefore has important implications for the designmore » and utility of functional materials based on peptides.« less

FASTER 3: A generalized-geometry Monte Carlo computer program for the transport of neutrons and gamma rays. Volume 1: Summary report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, T. M.

1970-01-01

The theory used in FASTER-III, a Monte Carlo computer program for the transport of neutrons and gamma rays in complex geometries, is outlined. The program includes the treatment of geometric regions bounded by quadratic and quadric surfaces with multiple radiation sources which have specified space, angle, and energy dependence. The program calculates, using importance sampling, the resulting number and energy fluxes at specified point, surface, and volume detectors. It can also calculate minimum weight shield configuration meeting a specified dose rate constraint. Results are presented for sample problems involving primary neutron, and primary and secondary photon, transport in a spherical reactor shield configuration.

Flow and criticality in the open cycle gas core.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kunze, J. F.; Lofthouse, J. H.

1971-01-01

A series of flowing gas experiments using air, argon, and freon has been conducted in Idaho. The purpose is to study methods of obtaining flow patterns which would create maximum possible system reactivity consistent with an acceptably low uranium to coolant-gas loss ratio. These have been conducted on both ?two-dimensional' and truly three-dimensional spherical configurations of diameters 18 to 42 inches. The larger diameter is that proposed for a minimum cost flowing gas critical experiment, and the size extremes make extrapolations to the large 6 and 8 foot diameter configurations more reliable. Results show that large enough inner gas (fuel) volume fractions can be achieved to attain criticality.

Self-amplified optical pattern recognition system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Hua-Kuang (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A self amplifying optical pattern recognizer includes a geometric system configuration similar to that of a Vander Lugt holographic matched filter configuration with a photorefractive crystal specifically oriented with respect to the input beams. An extraordinarily polarized, spherically converging object image beam is formed by laser illumination of an input object image and applied through a photorefractive crystal, such as a barium titanite (BaTiO.sub.3) crystal. A volume or thin-film dif ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract, and is subject to the provisions of Public Law 96-517 (35 USC 202) in which the Contractor has elected to retain title.

Construction of a quartz spherical analyzer: application to high-resolution analysis of the Ni Kα emission spectrum

DOE PAGES

Honnicke, Marcelo Goncalves; Bianco, Leonardo M.; Ceppi, Sergio A.; ...

2016-08-10

The construction and characterization of a focusing X-ray spherical analyzer based on α-quartz 4more » $$\\overline{4}$$04 are presented. For this study, the performance of the analyzer was demonstrated by applying it to a high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy study of theKα 1,2emission spectrum of Ni. An analytical representation based on physical grounds was assumed to model the shape of the X-ray emission lines. Satellite structures assigned to 3dspectator hole transitions were resolved and determined as well as their relative contribution to the emission spectrum. The present results on 1s -13d -1shake probabilities support a recently proposed calculation framework based on a multi-configuration atomic model.« less

Magnetization processes in core/shell exchange-spring structures.

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

Jiang, J. S.

2015-03-27

The magnetization reversal processes in cylindrical and spherical soft core/hard shell exchange-spring structures are investigated via the analytical nucleation theory, and are verified with numerical micromagnetic simulations. At small core sizes, the nucleation of magnetic reversal proceeds via the modified bulging mode, where the transverse component of the magnetization is only semi-coherent in direction and the nucleation field contains a contribution from self-demagnetization. For large core sizes, the modified curling mode, where the magnetization configuration is vortex-like, is favored at nucleation. The preference for the modified curling mode is beneficial in that the fluxclosure allows cylindrical and spherical core/shell exchange-springmore » elements to be densely packed into bulk permanent magnets without affecting the nucleation field, thereby offering the potential for high energy product.« less

Construction of a quartz spherical analyzer: application to high-resolution analysis of the Ni Kα emission spectrum

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

Honnicke, Marcelo Goncalves; Bianco, Leonardo M.; Ceppi, Sergio A.

The construction and characterization of a focusing X-ray spherical analyzer based on α-quartz 4more » $$\\overline{4}$$04 are presented. For this study, the performance of the analyzer was demonstrated by applying it to a high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy study of theKα 1,2emission spectrum of Ni. An analytical representation based on physical grounds was assumed to model the shape of the X-ray emission lines. Satellite structures assigned to 3dspectator hole transitions were resolved and determined as well as their relative contribution to the emission spectrum. The present results on 1s -13d -1shake probabilities support a recently proposed calculation framework based on a multi-configuration atomic model.« less

Construction of a quartz spherical analyzer: application to high-resolution analysis of the Ni K α emission spectrum

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

Honnicke, Marcelo Goncalves; Bianco, Leonardo M.; Ceppi, Sergio A.

The construction and characterization of a focusing X-ray spherical analyzer based on α-quartz 4more » $$\\bar{4}$$04 are presented. The performance of the analyzer was demonstrated by applying it to a high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy study of theKα 1,2emission spectrum of Ni. An analytical representation based on physical grounds was assumed to model the shape of the X-ray emission lines. Satellite structures assigned to 3dspectator hole transitions were resolved and determined as well as their relative contribution to the emission spectrum. The present results on 1s -13d -1shake probabilities support a recently proposed calculation framework based on a multi-configuration atomic model.« less

In situ Orbit Extraction from Live, High Precision Collisionless Simulations of Systems Formed by Cold Collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noriega-Mendoza, H.; Aguilar, L. A.

2018-04-01

We performed high precision, N-body simulations of the cold collapse of initially spherical, collisionless systems using the GYRFALCON code of Dehnen (2000). The collapses produce very prolate spheroidal configurations. After the collapse, the systems are simulated for 85 and 170 half-mass radius dynamical timescales, during which energy conservation is better than 0.005%. We use this period to extract individual particle orbits directly from the simulations. We then use the TAXON code of Carpintero and Aguilar (1998) to classify 1 to 1.5% of the extracted orbits from our final, relaxed configurations: less than 15% are chaotic orbits, 30% are box orbits and 60% are tube orbits (long and short axis). Our goal has been to prove that direct orbit extraction is feasible, and that there is no need to "freeze" the final N-body system configuration to extract a time-independent potential.

Role of C–N Configurations in the Photoluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots Synthesized by a Hydrothermal Route

PubMed Central

Permatasari, Fitri Aulia; Aimon, Akfiny Hasdi; Iskandar, Ferry; Ogi, Takashi; Okuyama, Kikuo

2016-01-01

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) containing N atoms were successfully synthesized using a facile, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly hydrothermal reaction of urea and citric acid, and the effect of the GQDs’ C–N configurations on their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images confirmed that the dots were spherical, with an average diameter of 2.17 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that the C–N configurations of the GQDs substantially affected their PL intensity. Increased PL intensity was obtained in areas with greater percentages of pyridinic-N and lower percentages of pyrrolic-N. This enhanced PL was attributed to delocalized π electrons from pyridinic-N contributing to the C system of the GQDs. On the basis of energy electron loss spectroscopy (EELS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses, we propose a PL mechanism for hydrothermally synthesized GQDs. PMID:26876153

Variables separation of the spectral BRDF for better understanding color variation in special effect pigment coatings.

PubMed

Ferrero, Alejandro; Rabal, Ana María; Campos, Joaquín; Pons, Alicia; Hernanz, María Luisa

2012-06-01

A type of representation of the spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is proposed that distinctly separates the spectral variable (wavelength) from the geometrical variables (spherical coordinates of the irradiation and viewing directions). Principal components analysis (PCA) is used in order to decompose the spectral BRDF in decorrelated spectral components, and the weight that they have at every geometrical configuration of irradiation/viewing is established. This method was applied to the spectral BRDF measurement of a special effect pigment sample, and four principal components with relevant variance were identified. These four components are enough to reproduce the great diversity of spectral reflectances observed at different geometrical configurations. Since this representation is able to separate spectral and geometrical variables, it facilitates the interpretation of the color variation of special effect pigments coatings versus the geometrical configuration of irradiation/viewing.

Analysis of space radiation exposure levels at different shielding configurations by ray-tracing dose estimation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kartashov, Dmitry; Shurshakov, Vyacheslav

2018-03-01

A ray-tracing method to calculate radiation exposure levels of astronauts at different spacecraft shielding configurations has been developed. The method uses simplified shielding geometry models of the spacecraft compartments together with depth-dose curves. The depth-dose curves can be obtained with different space radiation environment models and radiation transport codes. The spacecraft shielding configurations are described by a set of geometry objects. To calculate the shielding probability functions for each object its surface is composed from a set of the disjoint adjacent triangles that fully cover the surface. Such description can be applied for any complex shape objects. The method is applied to the space experiment MATROSHKA-R modeling conditions. The experiment has been carried out onboard the ISS from 2004 to 2016. Dose measurements were realized in the ISS compartments with anthropomorphic and spherical phantoms, and the protective curtain facility that provides an additional shielding on the crew cabin wall. The space ionizing radiation dose distributions in tissue-equivalent spherical and anthropomorphic phantoms and for an additional shielding installed in the compartment are calculated. There is agreement within accuracy of about 15% between the data obtained in the experiment and calculated ones. Thus the calculation method used has been successfully verified with the MATROSHKA-R experiment data. The ray-tracing radiation dose calculation method can be recommended for estimation of dose distribution in astronaut body in different space station compartments and for estimation of the additional shielding efficiency, especially when exact compartment shielding geometry and the radiation environment for the planned mission are not known.

Energy ejection in the collapse of a cold spherical self-gravitating cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, M.; Marcos, B.; Sylos Labini, F.

2009-08-01

When an open system of classical point particles interacting by Newtonian gravity collapses and relaxes violently, an arbitrary amount of energy may, in principle, be carried away by particles which escape to infinity. We investigate here, using numerical simulations, how this released energy and other related quantities (notably the binding energy and size of the virialized structure) depend on the initial conditions, for the one-parameter family of starting configurations given by randomly distributing N cold particles in a spherical volume. Previous studies have established that the minimal size reached by the system scales approximately as N1/3, a behaviour which follows trivially when the growth of perturbations (which regularize the singularity of the cold collapse in the N -> ∞ limit) is assumed to be unaffected by the boundaries. Our study shows that the energy ejected grows approximately in proportion to N1/3, while the fraction of the initial mass ejected grows only very slowly with N, approximately logarithmically, in the range of N simulated. We examine in detail the mechanism of this mass and energy ejection, showing explicitly that it arises from the interplay of the growth of perturbations with the finite size of the system. A net lag of particles compared to their uniform spherical collapse trajectories develops first at the boundaries and then propagates into the volume during the collapse. Particles in the outer shells are then ejected as they scatter through the time-dependent potential of an already re-expanding central core. Using modified initial configurations, we explore the importance of fluctuations at different scales and discreteness (i.e. non-Vlasov) effects in the dynamics.

Light-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a rigid, photoresponsive surfactant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Youju; Kim, Dong-Hwan

2012-09-01

We report a new strategy for shape control over the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using a photoresponsive surfactant based on a modified seed growth method. Owing to photoresponsive properties of the azo group, the designed surfactant, N1,N3,N5-tris[(4'-azobenzene-4-sulphonic acid)phenyl]benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide, exhibits a distinctive molecular configuration under light leading to different growth processes of AuNPs. As a result, the blackberry-like, spherical AuNPs and multilayered Au plates were successfully prepared in high yield under visible and UV light. The size and morphological control of Au nanocrystals are described and the synthesized Au nanocrystals are evaluated for SERS applications.We report a new strategy for shape control over the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using a photoresponsive surfactant based on a modified seed growth method. Owing to photoresponsive properties of the azo group, the designed surfactant, N1,N3,N5-tris[(4'-azobenzene-4-sulphonic acid)phenyl]benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide, exhibits a distinctive molecular configuration under light leading to different growth processes of AuNPs. As a result, the blackberry-like, spherical AuNPs and multilayered Au plates were successfully prepared in high yield under visible and UV light. The size and morphological control of Au nanocrystals are described and the synthesized Au nanocrystals are evaluated for SERS applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: The UV-vis spectra, representative field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images and size distributions of Au seeds (18 nm) and spherical AuNPs (50 nm), photograph images of AuNPs solution and TEM images of blackberry-like AuNPs. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr31717f

Effects of snow grain shape on climate simulations: sensitivity tests with the Norwegian Earth System Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Räisänen, Petri; Makkonen, Risto; Kirkevåg, Alf; Debernard, Jens B.

2017-12-01

Snow consists of non-spherical grains of various shapes and sizes. Still, in radiative transfer calculations, snow grains are often treated as spherical. This also applies to the computation of snow albedo in the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiation (SNICAR) model and in the Los Alamos sea ice model, version 4 (CICE4), both of which are employed in the Community Earth System Model and in the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). In this study, we evaluate the effect of snow grain shape on climate simulated by NorESM in a slab ocean configuration of the model. An experiment with spherical snow grains (SPH) is compared with another (NONSPH) in which the snow shortwave single-scattering properties are based on a combination of three non-spherical snow grain shapes optimized using measurements of angular scattering by blowing snow. The key difference between these treatments is that the asymmetry parameter is smaller in the non-spherical case (0.77-0.78 in the visible region) than in the spherical case ( ≈ 0.89). Therefore, for the same effective snow grain size (or equivalently, the same specific projected area), the snow broadband albedo is higher when assuming non-spherical rather than spherical snow grains, typically by 0.02-0.03. Considering the spherical case as the baseline, this results in an instantaneous negative change in net shortwave radiation with a global-mean top-of-the-model value of ca. -0.22 W m-2. Although this global-mean radiative effect is rather modest, the impacts on the climate simulated by NorESM are substantial. The global annual-mean 2 m air temperature in NONSPH is 1.17 K lower than in SPH, with substantially larger differences at high latitudes. The climatic response is amplified by strong snow and sea ice feedbacks. It is further demonstrated that the effect of snow grain shape could be largely offset by adjusting the snow grain size. When assuming non-spherical snow grains with the parameterized grain size increased by ca. 70 %, the climatic differences to the SPH experiment become very small. Finally, the impact of assumed snow grain shape on the radiative effects of absorbing aerosols in snow is discussed.

Stresses in curved nematic membranes.

PubMed

Santiago, J A

2018-05-01

Ordering configurations of a director field on a curved membrane induces stress. In this work, we present a theoretical framework to calculate the stress tensor and the torque as a consequence of the nematic ordering; we use the variational principle and invariance of the energy under Euclidean motions. Euler-Lagrange equations of the membrane as well as the corresponding boundary conditions also appear as natural results. The stress tensor found includes attraction-repulsion forces between defects; likewise, defects are attracted to patches with the same sign in Gaussian curvature. These forces are mediated by the Green function of the Laplace-Beltrami operator of the surface. In addition, we find nonisotropic forces that involve derivatives of the Green function and the Gaussian curvature, even in the normal direction to the membrane. We examine the case of axial membranes to analyze the spherical one. For spherical vesicles we find the modified Young-Laplace law as a consequence of the nematic texture. In the case of spherical cap with defect at the north pole, we find that the force is repulsive with respect to the north pole, indicating that it is an unstable equilibrium point.

Stresses in curved nematic membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santiago, J. A.

2018-05-01

Ordering configurations of a director field on a curved membrane induces stress. In this work, we present a theoretical framework to calculate the stress tensor and the torque as a consequence of the nematic ordering; we use the variational principle and invariance of the energy under Euclidean motions. Euler-Lagrange equations of the membrane as well as the corresponding boundary conditions also appear as natural results. The stress tensor found includes attraction-repulsion forces between defects; likewise, defects are attracted to patches with the same sign in Gaussian curvature. These forces are mediated by the Green function of the Laplace-Beltrami operator of the surface. In addition, we find nonisotropic forces that involve derivatives of the Green function and the Gaussian curvature, even in the normal direction to the membrane. We examine the case of axial membranes to analyze the spherical one. For spherical vesicles we find the modified Young-Laplace law as a consequence of the nematic texture. In the case of spherical cap with defect at the north pole, we find that the force is repulsive with respect to the north pole, indicating that it is an unstable equilibrium point.

Structured light stereo catadioptric scanner based on a spherical mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barone, S.; Neri, P.; Paoli, A.; Razionale, A. V.

2018-08-01

The present paper describes the development and characterization of a structured light stereo catadioptric scanner for the omnidirectional reconstruction of internal surfaces. The proposed approach integrates two digital cameras, a multimedia projector and a spherical mirror, which is used to project the structured light patterns generated by the light emitter and, at the same time, to reflect into the cameras the modulated fringe patterns diffused from the target surface. The adopted optical setup defines a non-central catadioptric system, thus relaxing any geometrical constraint in the relative placement between optical devices. An analytical solution for the reflection on a spherical surface is proposed with the aim at modelling forward and backward projection tasks for a non-central catadioptric setup. The feasibility of the proposed active catadioptric scanner has been verified by reconstructing various target surfaces. Results demonstrated a great influence of the target surface distance from the mirror's centre on the measurement accuracy. The adopted optical configuration allows the definition of a metrological 3D scanner for surfaces disposed within 120 mm from the mirror centre.

Simulated near-field mapping of ripple pattern supported metal nanoparticles arrays for SERS optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arya, Mahima; Bhatnagar, Mukul; Ranjan, Mukesh; Mukherjee, Subroto; Nath, Rabinder; Mitra, Anirban

2017-11-01

An analytical model has been developed using a modified Yamaguchi model along with the wavelength dependent plasmon line-width correction. The model has been used to calculate the near-field response of random nanoparticles on the plane surface, elongated and spherical silver nanoparticle arrays supported on ion beam produced ripple patterned templates. The calculated near-field mapping for elongated nanoparticles arrays on the ripple patterned surface shows maximum number of hot-spots with a higher near-field enhancement (NFE) as compared to the spherical nanoparticle arrays and randomly distributed nanoparticles on the plane surface. The results from the simulations show a similar trend for the NFE when compared to the far field reflection spectra. The nature of the wavelength dependent NFE is also found to be in agreement with the observed experimental results from surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The calculated and the measured optical response unambiguously reveal the importance of interparticle gap and ordering, where a high intensity Raman signal is obtained for ordered elongated nanoparticles arrays case as against non-ordered and the aligned configuration of spherical nanoparticles on the rippled surface.

Design and Construction of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus (VEST) at Seoul National University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Younghwa; Chung, Kyoung-Jae; Jung, Bongki; Lee, Hyunyeong; Sung, Choongki; Kim, Hyun-Seok; Na, Yong-Su; Hwang, Yong-Seok

2011-10-01

A new spherical torus, named as VEST (Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus), has been built at Seoul National University to investigate versatile research topics such as double null merging start-up, divertor engineering and non-inductive current drive. VEST is characterized by two partial solenoid coils installed at both vertical ends of a center stack, which will be used for double null merging start-up schemes. A poloidal field (PF) coil system including the partial solenoids for break-down and a long solenoid for the sustainment of merged plasma has been designed by solving circuit equations for the PF coils and vacuum vessel elements in consideration of required volt-second, null configuration and eddy current. To supply required currents to the PF coils and solenoids, power supplies based on double-swing circuit have been designed and fabricated with capacitor banks and thyristor switch assemblies. Also a power supply utilizing cost-effective commercial batteries has been developed for toroidal field(TF) coils. Detailed descriptions on the design of VEST and some initial test results will be presented.

Arresting relaxation in Pickering Emulsions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atherton, Tim; Burke, Chris

2015-03-01

Pickering emulsions consist of droplets of one fluid dispersed in a host fluid and stabilized by colloidal particles absorbed at the fluid-fluid interface. Everyday materials such as crude oil and food products like salad dressing are examples of these materials. Particles can stabilize non spherical droplet shapes in these emulsions through the following sequence: first, an isolated droplet is deformed, e.g. by an electric field, increasing the surface area above the equilibrium value; additional particles are then adsorbed to the interface reducing the surface tension. The droplet is then allowed to relax toward a sphere. If more particles were adsorbed than can be accommodated by the surface area of the spherical ground state, relaxation of the droplet is arrested at some non-spherical shape. Because the energetic cost of removing adsorbed colloids exceeds the interfacial driving force, these configurations can remain stable over long timescales. In this presentation, we present a computational study of the ordering present in anisotropic droplets produced through the mechanism of arrested relaxation and discuss the interplay between the geometry of the droplet, the dynamical process that produced it, and the structure of the defects observed.

Structured Laguerre-Gaussian beams for mitigation of spherical aberration in tightly focused regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haddadi, S.; Bouzid, O.; Fromager, M.; Hasnaoui, A.; Harfouche, A.; Cagniot, E.; Forbes, A.; Aït-Ameur, K.

2018-04-01

Many laser applications utilise a focused laser beam having a single-lobed intensity profile in the focal plane, ideally with the highest possible on-axis intensity. Conventionally, this is achieved with the lowest-order Laguerre-Gaussian mode (LG00), the Gaussian beam, in a tight focusing configuration. However, tight focusing often involves significant spherical aberration due to the high numerical aperture of the systems involved, thus degrading the focal quality. Here, we demonstrate that a high-order radial LG p0 mode can be tailored to meet and in some instances exceed the performance of the Gaussian. We achieve this by phase rectification of the mode using a simple binary diffractive optic. By way of example, we show that the focusing of a rectified LG50 beam is almost insensitive to a spherical aberration coefficient of over three wavelengths, in contrast with the usual Gaussian beam for which the intensity of the focal spot is reduced by a factor of two. This work paves the way towards enhanced focal spots using structured light.

Numerical investigation of interactions of multiple spherical shock waves between themselves and with the underlying surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrushchenko, V. A.; Murashkin, I. V.; Shevelev, Yu. D.

2016-06-01

Within the investigation of various aspects of asteroid and comet danger and, in particular, the explosion of several fragments of meteoroids in the atmosphere above the Earth surface, the toy problem about four point explosions in the case of their special arrangement above the underlying surface is numerically solved. Complex interactions of primary and secondary shock waves between themselves, with the hard surface, and with tangential discontinuities are examined. The structure of flow inside gas regions disturbed by the explosions—the occurrence of eddy structures in them and the influence of reflected shocks waves on them—are investigated. The tendency of the external wave fronts of each explosion to form a unified front and the tendency of their internal hot domains to merge into a joined configuration (where the second process proceeds a little later than the first one) is revealed. This unified front and joined configuration are qualitatively identical to the external internal structure for the solitary explosion. The specially arranged explosions are chosen because the effects of multiple diffraction, interference, and, the main thing, cumulation of spherical waves are manifested more clearly in this caseTwo variants with different altitude of the explosions above the surface are calculated.

On the Structure and Stabilization Mechanisms of Planar and Cylindrical Premixed Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eng, James A.; Zhu, Delin; Law, Chung K.

1993-01-01

The configurational simplicity of the stationary one-dimensional flames renders them intrinsically attractive for fundamental flame structure studies. The possibility and fidelity of studies of such flames on earth, however, have been severely restricted by the unidirectional nature of the gravity vector. To demonstrate these complications, let us first consider the premixed flame. Here a stationary, one-dimensional flame can be established by using the flat-flame burner. We next consider nonpremixed flames. First it may be noted that in an unbounded gravity-free environment, the only stationary one-dimensional flame is the spherical flame. Indeed, this is a major motivation for the study of microgravity droplet combustion, in which the gas-phase processes can be approximated to be quasi-steady because of the significant disparity between the gas and liquid densities for subcritical combustion. In view of the above considerations, an experimental and theoretical program on cylindrical and spherical premixed and nonpremixed flames in microgravity has been initiated. For premixed flames, we are interested in: (1) assessing the heat loss versus flow divergence as the dominant stabilization mechanism; (2) determining the laminar flame speed by using this configuration; and (3) understanding the development of flamefront instability and the effects of the flame curvature on the burning intensity.

Cartilage microindentation using cylindrical and spherical optical fiber indenters with integrated Bragg gratings as force sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchi, G.; Canti, O.; Baier, V.; Micallef, W.; Hartmann, B.; Alberton, P.; Aszodi, A.; Clausen-Schaumann, H.; Roths, J.

2018-02-01

Fiber optic microindentation sensors that have the potential to be integrated into arthroscopic instruments and to allow localizing degraded articular cartilage are presented in this paper. The indenters consist of optical fibers with integrated Bragg gratings as force sensors. In a basic configuration, the tip of the fiber optic indenter consists of a cleaved fiber end, forming a cylindrical flat punch indenter geometry. When using this indenter geometry, high stresses at the edges of the cylinder are present, which can disrupt the tissue structure. This is avoided with an improved version of the indenter. A spherical indenter tip that is formed by melting the end of the glass fiber. The spherical fiber tip shows the additional advantage of strongly reducing reflections from the fiber end. This allows a reduction of the length of the fiber optic sensor element from 65 mm of the flat punch type to 27 mm of the spherical punch. In order to compare the performance of both indenter types, in vitro stress-relaxation indentation experiments were performed on bovine articular cartilage with both indenter types, to assess biomechanical properties of bovine articular cartilage. For indentation depths between 60 μm and 300 μm, the measurements with both indenter types agreed very well with each other. This shows that both indenter geometries are suitable for microindentation measuremnts . The spherical indenter however has the additional advantage that it minimizes the risk to damage the surface of the tissue and has less than half dimensions than the flat indenter.

Biomimetic shoulder complex based on 3-PSS/S spherical parallel mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Yulei; Hu, Xinzhe; Zeng, Daxing; Zhou, Yulin

2015-01-01

The application of the parallel mechanism is still limited in the humanoid robot fields, and the existing parallel humanoid robot joint has not yet been reflected the characteristics of the parallel mechanism completely, also failed to solve the problem, such as small workspace, effectively. From the structural and functional bionic point of view, a three degrees of freedom(DOFs) spherical parallel mechanism for the shoulder complex of the humanoid robot is presented. According to the structure and kinetic characteristics analysis of the human shoulder complex, 3-PSS/S(P for prismatic pair, S for spherical pair) is chosen as the original configuration for the shouder complex. Using genetic algorithm, the optimization of the 3-PSS/S spherical parallel mechanism is performed, and the orientation workspace of the prototype mechanism is enlarged obviously. Combining the practical structure characteristics of the human shouder complex, an offset output mode, which means the output rod of the mechanism turn to any direction at the point a certain distance from the rotation center of the mechanism, is put forward, which provide possibility for the consistent of the workspace of the mechanism and the actual motion space of the human body shoulder joint. The relationship of the attitude angles between different coordinate system is derived, which establishs the foundation for the motion descriptions under different conditions and control development. The 3-PSS/S spherical parallel mechanism is proposed for the shoulder complex, and the consistence of the workspace of the mechanism and the human shoulder complex is realized by the stuctural parameter optimization and the offset output design.

Comparative assessment of astigmatism-corrected Czerny-Turner imaging spectrometer using off-the-shelf optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Qun; Zhu, Dan; Chen, Yueyang; Guo, Zhenyan; Zuo, Chao; Gao, Zhishan

2017-04-01

We present the optical design of a Czerny-Turner imaging spectrometer for which astigmatism is corrected using off-the-shelf optics resulting in spectral resolution of 0.1 nm. The classic Czerny-Turner imaging spectrometer, consisting of a plane grating, two spherical mirrors, and a sensor with 10-μm pixels, was used as the benchmark. We comparatively assessed three configurations of the spectrometer that corrected astigmatism with divergent illumination of the grating, by adding a cylindrical lens, or by adding a cylindrical mirror. When configured with the added cylindrical lens, the imaging spectrometer with a point field of view (FOV) and a linear sensor achieved diffraction-limited performance over a broadband width of 400 nm centered at 800 nm, while the maximum allowable bandwidth was only 200 nm for the other two configurations. When configured with the added cylindrical mirror, the imaging spectrometer with a one-dimensional field of view (1D FOV) and an area sensor showed its superiority on imaging quality, spectral nonlinearity, as well as keystone over 100 nm bandwidth and 10 mm spatial extent along the entrance slit.

Photoinduced transformations of stiff-stilbene-based discrete metallacycles to metallosupramolecular polymers

PubMed Central

Yan, Xuzhou; Xu, Jiang-Fei; Cook, Timothy R.; Huang, Feihe; Yang, Qing-Zheng; Tung, Chen-Ho; Stang, Peter J.

2014-01-01

Control over structural transformations in supramolecular entities by external stimuli is critical for the development of adaptable and functional soft materials. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a dipyridyl donor containing a central Z-configured stiff-stilbene unit that self-assembles in the presence of two 180° di-Pt(II) acceptors to produce size-controllable discrete organoplatinum(II) metallacycles with high efficiency by means of the directional-bonding approach. These discrete metallacycles undergo transformation into extended metallosupramolecular polymers upon the conformational switching of the dipyridyl ligand from Z-configured (0°) to E-configured (180°) when photoirradiated. This transformation is accompanied by interesting morphological changes at nanoscopic length scales. The discrete metallacycles aggregate to spherical nanoparticles that evolve into long nanofibers upon polymer formation. These fibers can be reversibly converted to cyclic oligomers by changing the wavelength of irradiation, which reintroduces Z-configured building blocks owing to the reversible nature of stiff-stilbene photoisomerization. The design strategy defined here represents a novel self-assembly pathway to deliver advanced supramolecular assemblies by means of photocontrol. PMID:24889610

Studies of Flame Structure in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Law, C. K.; Sung, C. J.; Zhu, D. L.

1997-01-01

The present research endeavor is concerned with gaining fundamental understanding of the configuration, structure, and dynamics of laminar premixed and diffusion flames under conditions of negligible effects of gravity. Of particular interest is the potential to establish and hence study the properties of spherically- and cylindrically-symmetric flames and their response to external forces not related to gravity. For example, in an earlier experimental study of the burner-stabilized cylindrical premixed flames, the possibility of flame stabilization through flow divergence was established, while the resulting one-dimensional, adiabatic, stretchless flame also allowed an accurate means of determining the laminar flame speeds of combustible mixtures. We have recently extended our studies of the flame structure in microgravity along the following directions: (1) Analysis of the dynamics of spherical premixed flames; (2) Analysis of the spreading of cylindrical diffusion flames; (3) Experimental observation of an interesting dual luminous zone structure of a steady-state, microbuoyancy, spherical diffusion flame of air burning in a hydrogen/methane mixture environment, and its subsequent quantification through computational simulation with detailed chemistry and transport; (4) Experimental quantification of the unsteady growth of a spherical diffusion flame; and (5) Computational simulation of stretched, diffusionally-imbalanced premixed flames near and beyond the conventional limits of flammability, and the substantiation of the concept of extended limits of flammability. Motivation and results of these investigations are individually discussed.

Experimental demonstration of low laser-plasma instabilities in gas-filled spherical hohlraums at laser injection angle designed for ignition target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Ke; Li, Zhichao; Xie, Xufei; Chen, Yao-Hua; Zheng, Chunyang; Zhai, Chuanlei; Hao, Liang; Yang, Dong; Huo, Wen Yi; Ren, Guoli; Peng, Xiaoshi; Xu, Tao; Li, Yulong; Li, Sanwei; Yang, Zhiwen; Guo, Liang; Hou, Lifei; Liu, Yonggang; Wei, Huiyue; Liu, Xiangming; Cha, Weiyi; Jiang, Xiaohua; Mei, Yu; Li, Yukun; Deng, Keli; Yuan, Zheng; Zhan, Xiayu; Zhang, Haijun; Jiang, Baibin; Zhang, Wei; Deng, Xuewei; Liu, Jie; Du, Kai; Ding, Yongkun; Wei, Xiaofeng; Zheng, Wanguo; Chen, Xiaodong; Campbell, E. M.; He, Xian-Tu

2017-03-01

Octahedral spherical hohlraums with a single laser ring at an injection angle of 55∘ are attractive concepts for laser indirect drive due to the potential for achieving the x-ray drive symmetry required for high convergence implosions. Laser-plasma instabilities, however, are a concern given the long laser propagation path in such hohlraums. Significant stimulated Raman scattering has been observed in cylindrical hohlraums with similar laser propagation paths during the ignition campaign on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In this Rapid Communication, experiments demonstrating low levels of laser-driven plasma instability (LPI) in spherical hohlraums with a laser injection angle of 55∘ are reported and compared to that observed with cylindrical hohlraums with injection angles of 28 .5∘ and 55∘, similar to that of the NIF. Significant LPI is observed with the laser injection of 28 .5∘ in the cylindrical hohlraum where the propagation path is similar to the 55∘ injection angle for the spherical hohlraum. The experiments are performed on the SGIII laser facility with a total 0.35 -μ m incident energy of 93 kJ in a 3 nsec pulse. These experiments demonstrate the role of hohlraum geometry in LPI and demonstrate the need for systematic experiments for choosing the optimal configuration for ignition studies with indirect drive inertial confinement fusion.

Time-frequency analysis of the bistatic acoustic scattering from a spherical elastic shell.

PubMed

Anderson, Shaun D; Sabra, Karim G; Zakharia, Manell E; Sessarego, Jean-Pierre

2012-01-01

The development of low-frequency sonar systems, using, for instance, a network of autonomous systems in unmanned vehicles, provides a practical means for bistatic measurements (i.e., when the source and receiver are widely separated) allowing for multiple viewpoints of the target of interest. Time-frequency analysis, in particular, Wigner-Ville analysis, takes advantage of the evolution time dependent aspect of the echo spectrum to differentiate a man-made target, such as an elastic spherical shell, from a natural object of the similar shape. A key energetic feature of fluid-loaded and thin spherical shell is the coincidence pattern, also referred to as the mid-frequency enhancement (MFE), that results from antisymmetric Lamb-waves propagating around the circumference of the shell. This article investigates numerically the bistatic variations of the MFE with respect to the monostatic configuration using the Wigner-Ville analysis. The observed time-frequency shifts of the MFE are modeled using a previously derived quantitative ray theory by Zhang et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 1862-1874 (1993)] for spherical shell's scattering. Additionally, the advantage of an optimal array beamformer, based on joint time delays and frequency shifts is illustrated for enhancing the detection of the MFE recorded across a bistatic receiver array when compared to a conventional time-delay beamformer. © 2012 Acoustical Society of America.

Experimental demonstration of low laser-plasma instabilities in gas-filled spherical hohlraums at laser injection angle designed for ignition target.

PubMed

Lan, Ke; Li, Zhichao; Xie, Xufei; Chen, Yao-Hua; Zheng, Chunyang; Zhai, Chuanlei; Hao, Liang; Yang, Dong; Huo, Wen Yi; Ren, Guoli; Peng, Xiaoshi; Xu, Tao; Li, Yulong; Li, Sanwei; Yang, Zhiwen; Guo, Liang; Hou, Lifei; Liu, Yonggang; Wei, Huiyue; Liu, Xiangming; Cha, Weiyi; Jiang, Xiaohua; Mei, Yu; Li, Yukun; Deng, Keli; Yuan, Zheng; Zhan, Xiayu; Zhang, Haijun; Jiang, Baibin; Zhang, Wei; Deng, Xuewei; Liu, Jie; Du, Kai; Ding, Yongkun; Wei, Xiaofeng; Zheng, Wanguo; Chen, Xiaodong; Campbell, E M; He, Xian-Tu

2017-03-01

Octahedral spherical hohlraums with a single laser ring at an injection angle of 55^{∘} are attractive concepts for laser indirect drive due to the potential for achieving the x-ray drive symmetry required for high convergence implosions. Laser-plasma instabilities, however, are a concern given the long laser propagation path in such hohlraums. Significant stimulated Raman scattering has been observed in cylindrical hohlraums with similar laser propagation paths during the ignition campaign on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In this Rapid Communication, experiments demonstrating low levels of laser-driven plasma instability (LPI) in spherical hohlraums with a laser injection angle of 55^{∘} are reported and compared to that observed with cylindrical hohlraums with injection angles of 28.5^{∘} and 55^{∘}, similar to that of the NIF. Significant LPI is observed with the laser injection of 28.5^{∘} in the cylindrical hohlraum where the propagation path is similar to the 55^{∘} injection angle for the spherical hohlraum. The experiments are performed on the SGIII laser facility with a total 0.35-μm incident energy of 93 kJ in a 3 nsec pulse. These experiments demonstrate the role of hohlraum geometry in LPI and demonstrate the need for systematic experiments for choosing the optimal configuration for ignition studies with indirect drive inertial confinement fusion.

Electron correlation by polarization of interacting densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitten, Jerry L.

2017-02-01

Coulomb interactions that occur in electronic structure calculations are correlated by allowing basis function components of the interacting densities to polarize dynamically, thereby reducing the magnitude of the interaction. Exchange integrals of molecular orbitals are not correlated. The modified Coulomb interactions are used in single-determinant or configuration interaction calculations. The objective is to account for dynamical correlation effects without explicitly introducing higher spherical harmonic functions into the molecular orbital basis. Molecular orbital densities are decomposed into a distribution of spherical components that conserve the charge and each of the interacting components is considered as a two-electron wavefunction embedded in the system acted on by an average field Hamiltonian plus r12-1. A method of avoiding redundancy is described. Applications to atoms, negative ions, and molecules representing different types of bonding and spin states are discussed.

Magnetized Target Fusion Driven by Plasma Liners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thio, Y. C. Francis; Cassibry, Jason; Eskridge, Richard; Kirkpatrick, Ronald C.; Knapp, Charles E.; Lee, Michael; Martin, Adam; Smith, James; Wu, S. T.; Rodgers, Stephen L. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

For practical applications of magnetized target fusion, standoff drivers to deliver the imploding momentum flux to the target plasma remotely are required. Quasi-spherically converging plasma jets have been proposed as standoff drivers for this purpose. The concept involves the dynamic formation of a quasi-spherical plasma liner by the merging of plasma jets, and the use of the liner so formed to compress a spheromak or a field reversed configuration (FRC). Theoretical analysis and computer modeling of the concept are presented. It is shown that, with the appropriate choice of the flow parameters in the liner and the target, the impact between the liner and the target plasma can be made to be shockless in the liner or to generate at most a very weak shock in the liner. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Design survey of X-ray/XUV projection lithography systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shealy, David L.; Viswanathan, V. K.

1991-02-01

Several configurations of two- to four-multilayer mirror systems that have been proposed for use in soft-X-ray projection lithography are examined. The performance capabilities of spherical and aspherical two-mirror projection systems are compared, and a two-spherical-mirror four-reflection system that can resolve 0.1-micron features over a 10 x 10 mm field is described. It is emphasized that three-mirror systems show promise of high resolution in telescope applications, but have not been fully analyzed for projection lithography applications. It has been shown that a four-mirror aspheric system can be designed to meet the resolution requirements, but a trade-off must be made between reducing distortion below 10 microns over the field of view and increasing the modulation transfer function greater than 50 percent at spatial frequency of 5000 cycles/mm.

Equilibrium location for spherical DNA and toroidal cyclodextrin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarapat, Pakhapoom; Baowan, Duangkamon; Hill, James M.

2018-05-01

Cyclodextrin comprises a ring structure composed of glucose molecules with an ability to form complexes of certain substances within its central cavity. The compound can be utilised for various applications including food, textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceutics, and gene delivery. In gene transfer, the possibility of forming complexes depends upon the interaction energy between cyclodextrin and DNA molecules which here are modelled as a torus and a sphere, respectively. Our proposed model is derived using the continuum approximation together with the Lennard-Jones potential, and the total interaction energy is obtained by integrating over both the spherical and toroidal surfaces. The results suggest that the DNA prefers to be symmetrically situated about 1.2 Å above the centre of the cyclodextrin to minimise its energy. Furthermore, an optimal configuration can be determined for any given size of torus and sphere.

Computational quest for spherical C12B68 fullerenes with "magic" π-electrons and quasi-planar tetra-coordinated carbon.

PubMed

Li, Fengyu; Jiang, De-en; Chen, Zhongfang

2014-02-01

Inspired by the exciting properties of B80 clusters and the novel chemical bonding of planar tetra-coordinated carbon (ptC), we computationally investigated C12B68 clusters by substituting 12 boron atoms to 12 carbon in the B80 framework. Three types of C12B68 configurations, namely core-shell, boron-trapped and fullerene-like, were examined. The fullerene-like C12B68 clusters are featured with multiple quasi-planar tetra-coordinated carbon moieties; though with "magic" (72) number of electrons, they are not highly aromatic due to the limitations of Hirsch's rule for clusters with more than 50 π electrons. These C12B68 fullerenes are not global minima, but the appreciable HOMO-LUMO gaps, spherical aromaticity, and the thermal stability indicate their reasonable stabilities.

Horizon Quantum Mechanics: Spherically Symmetric and Rotating Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casadio, Roberto; Giugno, Andrea; Giusti, Andrea; Micu, Octavian

2018-04-01

The Horizon Quantum Mechanics is an approach that allows one to analyse the gravitational radius of spherically symmetric systems and compute the probability that a given quantum state is a black hole. We first review the (global) formalism and show how it reproduces a gravitationally inspired GUP relation. This results leads to unacceptably large fluctuations in the horizon size of astrophysical black holes if one insists in describing them as (smeared) central singularities. On the other hand, if they are extended systems, like in the corpuscular models, no such issue arises and one can in fact extend the formalism to include asymptotic mass and angular momentum with the harmonic model of rotating corpuscular black holes. The Horizon Quantum Mechanics then shows that, in simple configurations, the appearance of the inner horizon is suppressed and extremal (macroscopic) geometries seem disfavoured.

Microwave limb sounder, graphite epoxy support structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pynchon, G.

1980-01-01

The manufacturing and processing procedures which were used to fabricate a precision graphite/epoxy support structure for a spherical microwave reflecting surface are described. The structure was made fromm GY-70/930 ultra high modulus graphite prepreg, laminated to achieve an isotropic in plane thermal expansion of less than + or - 0.1 PPM/F. The structure was hand assembled to match the interface of the reflective surface, which was an array of 18 flexure supported, aluminum, spherically contoured tiles. Structural adhesives were used in the final assembly to bond the elements into their final configuration. A eutectic metal coating was applied to the composite surface to reduce dimensional instabilities arising from changes in the composite epoxy moisture content due to environmental effects. Basic materials properties data are reported and the results of a finite element structural analysis are referenced.

Kinetic-energy matrix elements for atomic Hylleraas-CI wave functions.

PubMed

Harris, Frank E

2016-05-28

Hylleraas-CI is a superposition-of-configurations method in which each configuration is constructed from a Slater-type orbital (STO) product to which is appended (linearly) at most one interelectron distance rij. Computations of the kinetic energy for atoms by this method have been difficult due to the lack of formulas expressing these matrix elements for general angular momentum in terms of overlap and potential-energy integrals. It is shown here that a strategic application of angular-momentum theory, including the use of vector spherical harmonics, enables the reduction of all atomic kinetic-energy integrals to overlap and potential-energy matrix elements. The new formulas are validated by showing that they yield correct results for a large number of integrals published by other investigators.

Airframe noise of the DC-9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, A. B.; Munson, A. G.

1977-01-01

Airframe noise measurements are reported for the DC-9-31 aircraft flown at several speeds and with a number of flap, landing gear, and slat extension configurations. The data are corrected for atmospheric attenuation and spherical divergence, and are presented for an overhead position normalized to a 1-meter height. The sound pressure levels are found to vary approximately as the fifth power of flight velocity. Both lift and drag dipoles exist as a significant part of the airframe noise. The data are compared with airframe noise predictions using the drag element and the data analysis methods. Although some of the predictions are very good, further work is needed to refine these methods, particularly for the gear-down and flaps-down configurations.

Binary colloidal structures assembled through Ising interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalil, Karim S.; Sagastegui, Amanda; Li, Yu; Tahir, Mukarram A.; Socolar, Joshua E. S.; Wiley, Benjamin J.; Yellen, Benjamin B.

2012-04-01

New methods for inducing microscopic particles to assemble into useful macroscopic structures could open pathways for fabricating complex materials that cannot be produced by lithographic methods. Here we demonstrate a colloidal assembly technique that uses two parameters to tune the assembly of over 20 different pre-programmed structures, including kagome, honeycomb and square lattices, as well as various chain and ring configurations. We programme the assembled structures by controlling the relative concentrations and interaction strengths between spherical magnetic and non-magnetic beads, which behave as paramagnetic or diamagnetic dipoles when immersed in a ferrofluid. A comparison of our experimental observations with potential energy calculations suggests that the lowest energy configuration within binary mixtures is determined entirely by the relative dipole strengths and their relative concentrations.

Balancing Newtonian gravity and spin to create localized structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bush, Michael; Lindner, John

2015-03-01

Using geometry and Newtonian physics, we design localized structures that do not require electromagnetic or other forces to resist implosion or explosion. In two-dimensional Euclidean space, we find an equilibrium configuration of a rotating ring of massive dust whose inward gravity is the centripetal force that spins it. We find similar solutions in three-dimensional Euclidean and hyperbolic spaces, but only in the limit of vanishing mass. Finally, in three-dimensional Euclidean space, we generalize the two-dimensional result by finding an equilibrium configuration of a spherical shell of massive dust that supports itself against gravitational collapse by spinning isoclinically in four dimensions so its three-dimensional acceleration is everywhere inward. These Newtonian ``atoms'' illuminate classical physics and geometry.

Broadband, Achromatic Twyman-Green Interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steimle, Lawrence J.

1991-01-01

Improved Twyman-Green interferometer used in wave-front testing optical components at wavelengths from 200 to 1,100 nm, without having to readjust focus when changing wavelength. Built to measure aberrations of light passing through optical filters. Collimating and imaging lenses of classical Twyman-Green configuration replaced by single spherical mirror. Field lens replaced by field mirror. Mirrors exhibit no axial chromatic aberration and made to reflect light efficiently over desired broad range of wavelengths.

Comments on polytropes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, V. V.; Ilin, V. B.

The dimensionless central pressure pc = 4πR4Pc/GM2, gravitational binding energy ω = -ΩR/GM2 and moment of inertia i = I/MR2 of an arbitrary spherical configuration in hydrostatic equilibrium are shown to satisfy the inequalities pc ≥ 8 ω4, i ≥ 2/(125 ω2). The dependence of global characteristics of polytropes such as pc, i, central temperature tc = TcRR/μGM etc. on polytropic index n is studied.

Effects of snow grain non-sphericity on climate simulations: Sensitivity tests with the NorESM model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Räisänen, Petri; Makkonen, Risto; Kirkevåg, Alf

2017-04-01

Snow grains are non-spherical and generally irregular in shape. Still, in radiative transfer calculations, they are often treated as spheres. This also applies to the computation of snow albedo in the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiation (SNICAR) model and in the Los Alamos sea ice model, version 4 (CICE4), both of which are employed in the Community Earth System Model and in the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). In this work, we evaluate the effect of snow grain shape on climate simulated by NorESM in a slab ocean configuration of the model. An experiment with spherical snow grains (SPH) is compared with another (NONSPH) in which the snow shortwave single-scattering properties are based on a combination of non-spherical snow grain shapes optimized using measurements of angular scattering by blowing snow. The key difference between these treatments is that the asymmetry parameter is smaller in the non-spherical case (≈ 0.78 in the visible region) than in the spherical case (≈ 0.89). Therefore, for a given snow grain size, the use of non-spherical snow grains yields a higher snow broadband albedo, typically by ≈0.03. Consequently, considering the spherical case as the baseline, the use of non-spherical snow grains results in a negative radiative forcing (RF), with a global-mean top-of-the-model value of ≈ -0.22 W m-2. Although this global-mean RF is modest, it has a rather substantial impact on the climate simulated by NoRESM. In particular, the global annual-mean 2-m air temperature in NONSPH is 1.17 K lower than in SPH, with substantially larger differences at high latitudes. The climatic response is amplified by strong snow and sea ice feedbacks. It is further found that the difference between NONSPH and SPH could be largely "tuned away" by adjusting the snow grain size in the NONSPH experiment by ≈ 70%. The impact of snow grain shape on the radiative effect (RE) of absorbing aerosols in snow (black carbon and mineral dust) is also discussed. For an optically thick snowpack with a given snow grain effective size, the absorbing aerosol RE is smaller for non-spherical than for spherical snow grains. The reason for this is that due to the lower asymmetry parameter of the non-spherical snow grains, solar radiation does not penetrate as deep in snow as in the case of spherical snow grains. However, in a climate model simulation, the RE is sensitive to patterns of aerosol deposition and simulated snow cover. In fact, the global land-area mean absorbing aerosol RE is larger in the NONSPH than SPH experiment (0.193 vs. 0.168 W m-2), owing to later snowmelt in spring.

Assessment of the performance of a compact concentric spectrometer system for Atmospheric Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whyte, C.; Leigh, R. J.; Lobb, D.; Williams, T.; Remedios, J. J.; Cutter, M.; Monks, P. S.

2009-12-01

A breadboard demonstrator of a novel UV/VIS grating spectrometer has been developed based upon a concentric arrangement of a spherical meniscus lens, concave spherical mirror and curved diffraction grating suitable for a range of atmospheric remote sensing applications from the ground or space. The spectrometer is compact and provides high optical efficiency and performance benefits over traditional instruments. The concentric design is capable of handling high relative apertures, owing to spherical aberration and comma being near zero at all surfaces. The design also provides correction for transverse chromatic aberration and distortion, in addition to correcting for the distortion called "smile", the curvature of the slit image formed at each wavelength. These properties render this design capable of superior spectral and spatial performance with size and weight budgets significantly lower than standard configurations. This form of spectrometer design offers the potential for exceptionally compact instrument for differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) applications from LEO, GEO, HAP or ground-based platforms. The breadboard demonstrator has been shown to offer high throughput and a stable Gaussian line shape with a spectral range from 300 to 450 nm at 0.5 nm resolution, suitable for a number of typical DOAS applications.

Numerical simulation for meniscus shape and optical performance of a MEMS-based liquid micro-lens.

PubMed

Lee, Shong-Leih; Yang, Chao-Fu

2008-11-24

It is very difficult to fabricate tunable optical systems having an aperture below 1000 micrometers with the conventional means on macroscopic scale. Krogmann et al. (J. Opt. A 8, S330-S336, 2006) presented a MEMS-based tunable liquid micro-lens system with an aperture of 300 micrometers. The system exhibited a tuning range of back focal length between 2.3mm and infinity by using the electrowetting effect to change the contact angle of the meniscus shape on silicon with a voltage of 0-45 V. However, spherical aberration was found in their lens system. In the present study, a numerical simulation is performed for this same physical configuration by solving the Young-Laplace equation on the interface of the lens liquid and the surrounding liquid. The resulting meniscus shape produces a back focal length that agrees with the experimental observation excellently. To eliminate the spherical aberration, an electric field is applied on the lens. The electric field alters the Young-Laplace equation and thus changes the meniscus shape and the lens quality. The numerical result shows that the spherical aberration of the lens can be essentially eliminated when a proper electric field is applied.

Horizons versus singularities in spherically symmetric space-times

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

Bronnikov, K. A.; Elizalde, E.; Odintsov, S. D.

We discuss different kinds of Killing horizons possible in static, spherically symmetric configurations and recently classified as 'usual', 'naked', and 'truly naked' ones depending on the near-horizon behavior of transverse tidal forces acting on an extended body. We obtain the necessary conditions for the metric to be extensible beyond a horizon in terms of an arbitrary radial coordinate and show that all truly naked horizons, as well as many of those previously characterized as naked and even usual ones, do not admit an extension and therefore must be considered as singularities. Some examples are given, showing which kinds of mattermore » are able to create specific space-times with different kinds of horizons, including truly naked ones. Among them are fluids with negative pressure and scalar fields with a particular behavior of the potential. We also discuss horizons and singularities in Kantowski-Sachs spherically symmetric cosmologies and present horizon regularity conditions in terms of an arbitrary time coordinate and proper (synchronous) time. It turns out that horizons of orders 2 and higher occur in infinite proper times in the past or future, but one-way communication with regions beyond such horizons is still possible.« less

A theory of frequency domain invariants: spherical harmonic identities for BRDF/lighting transfer and image consistency.

PubMed

Mahajan, Dhruv; Ramamoorthi, Ravi; Curless, Brian

2008-02-01

This paper develops a theory of frequency domain invariants in computer vision. We derive novel identities using spherical harmonics, which are the angular frequency domain analog to common spatial domain invariants such as reflectance ratios. These invariants are derived from the spherical harmonic convolution framework for reflection from a curved surface. Our identities apply in a number of canonical cases, including single and multiple images of objects under the same and different lighting conditions. One important case we consider is two different glossy objects in two different lighting environments. For this case, we derive a novel identity, independent of the specific lighting configurations or BRDFs, that allows us to directly estimate the fourth image if the other three are available. The identity can also be used as an invariant to detecttampering in the images. While this paper is primarily theoretical, it has the potential to lay the mathematical foundations for two important practical applications. First, we can develop more general algorithms for inverse rendering problems, which can directly relight and change material properties by transferring the BRDF or lighting from another object or illumination. Second, we can check the consistency of an image, to detect tampering or image splicing.

Numerical simulation of CdTe vertical Bridgman growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouyang, Hong; Shyy, Wei

1997-04-01

Numerical simulation has been conducted for steady-state Bridgman growth of the CdTe crystal with two ampoule configurations, namely, flat base and semi-spherical base. The present model accounts for conduction, convection and radiation, as well as phase change dynamics. The enthalpy formulation for phase change has been incorporated into a pressure-based algorithm with multi-zone curvilinear grid systems. The entire system which consists of the furnace enclosure wall, the encapsulated gas and the ampoule, contains irregularly configured domains. To meet the competing needs of producing accurate solutions with reasonable computing resources, a two-level approach is employed. The present study reveals that although the two ampoule configurations are quite different, their influence on the melt-solid interface shape is modest, and the undesirable concave interface appears in both cases. Since the interface shape strongly depends on thermal conductivities between the melt and the crystal, as well as ampoule wall temperature, accurate prescriptions of materials transport properties and operating environment are crucial for successful numerical predictions.

Bifacial DNA origami-directed discrete, three-dimensional, anisotropic plasmonic nanoarchitectures with tailored optical chirality.

PubMed

Lan, Xiang; Chen, Zhong; Dai, Gaole; Lu, Xuxing; Ni, Weihai; Wang, Qiangbin

2013-08-07

Discrete three-dimensional (3D) plasmonic nanoarchitectures with well-defined spatial configuration and geometry have aroused increasing interest, as new optical properties may originate from plasmon resonance coupling within the nanoarchitectures. Although spherical building blocks have been successfully employed in constructing 3D plasmonic nanoarchitectures because their isotropic nature facilitates unoriented localization, it still remains challenging to assemble anisotropic building blocks into discrete and rationally tailored 3D plasmonic nanoarchitectures. Here we report the first example of discrete 3D anisotropic gold nanorod (AuNR) dimer nanoarchitectures formed using bifacial DNA origami as a template, in which the 3D spatial configuration is precisely tuned by rationally shifting the location of AuNRs on the origami template. A distinct plasmonic chiral response was experimentally observed from the discrete 3D AuNR dimer nanoarchitectures and appeared in a spatial-configuration-dependent manner. This study represents great progress in the fabrication of 3D plasmonic nanoarchitectures with tailored optical chirality.

Circuit analysis on the inductance evolution based on electrical signal from various type plasma focus device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamad, Saiful Najmee; Ismail, Fairuz Diana; Noorden, Ahmad Fakhrurrazi Ahmad; Haider, Zuhaib; Ali, Jalil

2017-03-01

Numerous configurations of plasma focus devices (PFD) have been introduced around the globe. The distinct electrode configuration of the PFD will give out different inductance profile. A circuit analysis has been done to study on the significant difference between the inductance evolution in a coaxial discharge based on various published results of PFD. The discharge current signal, tube voltage and current derivative of the particular shots from distinct PFD was digitized and analyze. The investigation was piloted for three different types of PFD. It was observed that there is a significant difference for the normalize inductance profile during the discharge between the individual PFD with different electrode configuration. The depletion of the radial start current with the normalised inductance development for Mather type (PF-1000) is found to be 25.9% from static discharge. The current depletion continues to drop 1.1% and 1.3% more for a Spherical type (PNK-13) and Filippov type (PF-3) respectively.

Time-evolving collagen-like structural fibers in soft tissues: biaxial loading and spherical inflation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topol, Heiko; Demirkoparan, Hasan; Pence, Thomas J.; Wineman, Alan

2017-02-01

This work considers a previously developed constitutive theory for the time dependent mechanical response of fibrous soft tissue resulting from the time dependent remodeling of a collagen fiber network that is embedded in a ground substance matrix. The matrix is taken to be an incompressible nonlinear elastic solid. The remodeling process consists of the continual dissolution of existing fibers and the creation of new fibers. Motivated by experimental reports on the enzyme degradation of collagen fibers, the remodeling is governed by first order chemical kinetics such that the dissolution rate is dependent upon the fiber stretch. The resulting time dependent mechanical response is sensitive to the natural configuration of the fibers when they are created, and different assumptions on the nature of the fiber's stress free state are considered here. The response under biaxial loading, a type of loading that has particular significance for the characterization of biological materials, is studied. The inflation of a spherical membrane is then analyzed in terms of the equal biaxial stretch that occurs in the membrane approximation. Different assumptions on the natural configuration of the fibers, combined with their time dependent dissolution and reforming, are shown to emulate alternative forms of creep and relaxation response. This formal similarity to viscoelastic phenomena occurs even though the underlying mechanisms are fundamentally different from the mechanism of macromolecular reconfiguration that one typically associates with viscoelastic response.

Analysis of dark matter axion clumps with spherical symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schiappacasse, Enrico D.; Hertzberg, Mark P.

2018-01-01

Recently there has been much interest in the spatial distribution of light scalar dark matter, especially axions, throughout the universe. When the local gravitational interactions between the scalar modes are sufficiently rapid, it can cause the field to re-organize into a BEC of gravitationally bound clumps. While these clumps are stable when only gravitation is included, the picture is complicated by the presence of the axion's attractive self-interactions, which can potentially cause the clumps to collapse. Here we perform a detailed stability analysis to determine under what conditions the clumps are stable. In this paper we focus on spherical configurations, leaving aspherical configurations for future work. We identify branches of clump solutions of the axion-gravity-self-interacting system and study their stability properties. We find that clumps that are (spatially) large are stable, while clumps that are (spatially) small are unstable and may collapse. Furthermore, there is a maximum number of particles that can be in a clump. We map out the full space of solutions, which includes quasi-stable axitons, and clarify how a recent claim in the literature of a new ultra-dense branch of stable solutions rests on an invalid use of the non-relativistic approximation. We also consider repulsive self-interactions that may arise from a generic scalar dark matter candidate, finding a single stable branch that extends to arbitrary particle number.

Internal performance of a hybrid axisymmetric/nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, John G.

1991-01-01

An investigation was conducted in the static test facility of the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel to determine the internal performance of a hybrid axisymmetric/nonaxisymmetric nozzle in forward-thrust mode. Nozzle cross-sections in the spherical convergent section were axisymmetric whereas cross-sections in the divergent flap area nonaxisymmetric (two-dimensional). Nozzle concepts simulating dry and afterburning power settings were investigated. Both subsonic cruise and supersonic cruise expansion ratios were tested for the dry power nozzle concepts. Afterburning power configurations were tested at an expansion ratio typical for subsonic acceleration. The spherical convergent flaps were designed in such a way that the transition from axisymmetric to nonaxisymmetric cross-section occurred in the region of the nozzle throat. Three different nozzle throat geometries were tested for each nozzle power setting. High-pressure air was used to simulate jet exhaust at nozzle pressure ratios up to 12.0.

Luminescence studies of CdS spherical particles via hydrothermal synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Guo Qin; Liu, Bing; Xu, Shi Jie; Chew, Chwee Har; Chua, Soo Jin; Gana, Leong Ming

2000-06-01

The spherical particles of CdS consisting of nanoparticles (∼100 nm) were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The particle formation and growth depend on the rate of sulfide-ion generation and diffusion-controlled aggregation of nanoparticles. As demonstrated in the profiles of powder X-ray diffraction, the crystalline phases are governed by the reaction temperature. Photoluminescence studies on CdS particles show two emission bands at the room temperature. The red emission at 680 nm is due to sulfur vacancies, and a new infrared red (IR) emission at 760 nm is attributed to self-activated centers. A red shift of IR band with the decrease of temperature was explained with a configurational coordinate model. The different saturation limits for the red and IR bands are discussed in terms of the formation of donor-acceptor pairs and exciton in CdS particles.

Dynamics and universal scaling law in geometrically-controlled sessile drop evaporation

PubMed Central

Sáenz, P. J.; Wray, A. W.; Che, Z.; Matar, O. K.; Valluri, P.; Kim, J.; Sefiane, K.

2017-01-01

The evaporation of a liquid drop on a solid substrate is a remarkably common phenomenon. Yet, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has constrained previous studies to spherically symmetric configurations. Here we investigate well-defined, non-spherical evaporating drops of pure liquids and binary mixtures. We deduce a universal scaling law for the evaporation rate valid for any shape and demonstrate that more curved regions lead to preferential localized depositions in particle-laden drops. Furthermore, geometry induces well-defined flow structures within the drop that change according to the driving mechanism. In the case of binary mixtures, geometry dictates the spatial segregation of the more volatile component as it is depleted. Our results suggest that the drop geometry can be exploited to prescribe the particle deposition and evaporative dynamics of pure drops and the mixing characteristics of multicomponent drops, which may be of interest to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. PMID:28294114

New isomer in 96Y marking the onset of deformation at N = 57

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iskra, Ł. W.; Fornal, B.; Leoni, S.; Bocchi, G.; Petrovici, A.; Porzio, C.; Blanc, A.; De France, G.; Jentschel, M.; Köster, U.; Mutti, P.; Régis, J.-M.; Simpson, G.; Soldner, T.; Ur, C. A.; Urban, W.; Bazzacco, D.; Benzoni, G.; Bottoni, S.; Bruce, A.; Cieplicka-Oryńczak, N.; Crespi, F. C. L.; Fraile, L. M.; Korten, W.; Kröll, T.; Lalkovski, S.; Márginean, N.; Michelagnoli, C.; Melon, B.; Mengoni, D.; Million, B.; Nannini, A.; Napoli, D.; Podolyák, Zs.; Regan, P. H.; Szpak, B.

2017-01-01

The level scheme of 96Y was significantly extended and a new 201 ns isomer was located at 1655 keV excitation energy, with spin-parity assignment of 5± or 6-. The isomer decays to spherical low-spin structure by transitions with large hindrance and is fed by a short cascade which resembles the beginning of a rotational band. This is in analogy with the feeding and decay pattern of the 4- isomer in 98Y, here confirmed, by lifetime analysis, as a bandhead of a rotational structure with sizable deformation. It is suggested that the new isomer in 96Y arises from a shape change between deformed and spherical configurations, which indicates the appearance of deformation already at N = 57 in the yttrium chain. The experimental findings for 96Y are strengthened by theoretical calculations based on the complex Excited Vampir model.

Static spherical wormhole models in f (R, T) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousaf, Z.; Ilyas, M.; Zaeem-ul-Haq Bhatti, M.

2017-06-01

This paper explores the possibility of the existence of wormhole geometries coupled with relativistic matter configurations by taking a particular model of f(R,T) gravity (where T is the trace of energy-momentum tensor). For this purpose, we take the static form of spherically symmetric spacetime and after assuming a specific form of matter and combinations of shape function, the validity of energy conditions is checked. We have discussed our results through graphical representation and studied the equilibrium background of wormhole models by taking an anisotropic fluid. The extra curvature quantities coming from f(R,T) gravity could be interpreted as a gravitational entity supporting these non-standard astrophysical wormhole models. We have shown that in the context of anisotropic fluid and R+α R^2+λ T gravity, wormhole models could possibly exist in few zones in the space of parameters without the need for exotic matter.

Critical illumination condenser for x-ray lithography

DOEpatents

Cohen, S.J.; Seppala, L.G.

1998-04-07

A critical illumination condenser system is disclosed, particularly adapted for use in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) projection lithography based on a ring field imaging system and a laser produced plasma source. The system uses three spherical mirrors and is capable of illuminating the extent of the mask plane by scanning either the primary mirror or the laser plasma source. The angles of radiation incident upon each mirror of the critical illumination condenser vary by less than eight (8) degrees. For example, the imaging system in which the critical illumination condenser is utilized has a 200 {micro}m source and requires a magnification of 26. The three spherical mirror system constitutes a two mirror inverse Cassegrain, or Schwarzschild configuration, with a 25% area obstruction (50% linear obstruction). The third mirror provides the final pupil and image relay. The mirrors include a multilayer reflective coating which is reflective over a narrow bandwidth. 6 figs.

Correlation energy, correlated electron density, and exchange-correlation potential in some spherically confined atoms.

PubMed

Vyboishchikov, Sergei F

2016-12-05

We report correlation energies, electron densities, and exchange-correlation potentials obtained from configuration interaction and density functional calculations on spherically confined He, Be, Be 2+ , and Ne atoms. The variation of the correlation energy with the confinement radius R c is relatively small for the He, Be 2+ , and Ne systems. Curiously, the Lee-Yang-Parr (LYP) functional works well for weak confinements but fails completely for small R c . However, in the neutral beryllium atom the CI correlation energy increases markedly with decreasing R c . This effect is less pronounced at the density-functional theory level. The LYP functional performs very well for the unconfined Be atom, but fails badly for small R c . The standard exchange-correlation potentials exhibit significant deviation from the "exact" potential obtained by inversion of Kohn-Sham equation. The LYP correlation potential behaves erratically at strong confinements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Primary and secondary particle contributions to the depth dose distribution in a phantom shielded from solar flare and Van Allen protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Santoro, R. T.; Claiborne, H. C.; Alsmiller, R. G., Jr.

1972-01-01

Calculations have been made using the nucleon-meson transport code NMTC to estimate the absorbed dose and dose equivalent distributions in astronauts inside space vehicles bombarded by solar flare and Van Allen protons. A spherical shell shield of specific radius and thickness with a 30-cm-diam. tissue ball at the geometric center was used to simulate the spacecraft-astronaut configuration. The absorbed dose and the dose equivalent from primary protons, secondary protons, heavy nuclei, charged pions, muons, photons, and positrons and electrons are given as a function of depth in the tissue phantom. Results are given for solar flare protons with a characteristic rigidity of 100 MV and for Van Allen protons in a 240-nautical-mile circular orbit at 30 degree inclination angle incident on both 20-g/sq cm-thick aluminum and polyethylene spherical shell shields.

The Gross–Pitaevskii equations of a static and spherically symmetric condensate of gravitons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cunillera, Francesc; Germani, Cristiano

2018-05-01

In this paper we consider the Dvali and Gómez assumption that the end state of a gravitational collapse is a Bose–Einstein condensate of gravitons. We then construct the two Gross–Pitaevskii equations for a static and spherically symmetric configuration of the condensate. These two equations correspond to the constrained minimisation of the gravitational Hamiltonian with respect to the redshift and the Newtonian potential, per given number of gravitons. We find that the effective geometry of the condensate is the one of a gravastar (a de Sitter star) with a sub-Planckian cosmological constant, for masses larger than the Planck scale. Thus, a condensate corresponding to a semiclassical black hole, is always quantum and weakly coupled. Finally, we obtain that the boundary of our gravastar, although it is not the location of a horizon, corresponds to the Schwarzschild radius.

Critical illumination condenser for x-ray lithography

DOEpatents

Cohen, Simon J.; Seppala, Lynn G.

1998-01-01

A critical illumination condenser system, particularly adapted for use in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) projection lithography based on a ring field imaging system and a laser produced plasma source. The system uses three spherical mirrors and is capable of illuminating the extent of the mask plane by scanning either the primary mirror or the laser plasma source. The angles of radiation incident upon each mirror of the critical illumination condenser vary by less than eight (8) degrees. For example, the imaging system in which the critical illumination condenser is utilized has a 200 .mu.m source and requires a magnification of 26.times.. The three spherical mirror system constitutes a two mirror inverse Cassegrain, or Schwarzschild configuration, with a 25% area obstruction (50% linear obstruction). The third mirror provides the final pupil and image relay. The mirrors include a multilayer reflective coating which is reflective over a narrow bandwidth.

Review of blunt body wake flows at hypersonic low density conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moss, J. N.; Price, J. M.

1996-01-01

Recent results of experimental and computational studies concerning hypersonic flows about blunted cones including their near wake are reviewed. Attention is focused on conditions where rarefaction effects are present, particularly in the wake. The experiments have been performed for a common model configuration (70 deg spherically-blunted cone) in five hypersonic facilities that encompass a significant range of rarefaction and nonequilibrium effects. Computational studies using direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and Navier-Stokes solvers have been applied to selected experiments performed in each of the facilities. In addition, computations have been made for typical flight conditions in both Earth and Mars atmospheres, hence more energetic flows than produced in the ground-based tests. Also, comparisons of DSMC calculations and forebody measurements made for the Japanese Orbital Reentry Experiment (OREX) vehicle (a 50 deg spherically-blunted cone) are presented to bridge the spectrum of ground to flight conditions.

Dynamics and universal scaling law in geometrically-controlled sessile drop evaporation.

PubMed

Sáenz, P J; Wray, A W; Che, Z; Matar, O K; Valluri, P; Kim, J; Sefiane, K

2017-03-15

The evaporation of a liquid drop on a solid substrate is a remarkably common phenomenon. Yet, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has constrained previous studies to spherically symmetric configurations. Here we investigate well-defined, non-spherical evaporating drops of pure liquids and binary mixtures. We deduce a universal scaling law for the evaporation rate valid for any shape and demonstrate that more curved regions lead to preferential localized depositions in particle-laden drops. Furthermore, geometry induces well-defined flow structures within the drop that change according to the driving mechanism. In the case of binary mixtures, geometry dictates the spatial segregation of the more volatile component as it is depleted. Our results suggest that the drop geometry can be exploited to prescribe the particle deposition and evaporative dynamics of pure drops and the mixing characteristics of multicomponent drops, which may be of interest to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.

Encircling the dark: constraining dark energy via cosmic density in spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Codis, S.; Pichon, C.; Bernardeau, F.; Uhlemann, C.; Prunet, S.

2016-08-01

The recently published analytic probability density function for the mildly non-linear cosmic density field within spherical cells is used to build a simple but accurate maximum likelihood estimate for the redshift evolution of the variance of the density, which, as expected, is shown to have smaller relative error than the sample variance. This estimator provides a competitive probe for the equation of state of dark energy, reaching a few per cent accuracy on wp and wa for a Euclid-like survey. The corresponding likelihood function can take into account the configuration of the cells via their relative separations. A code to compute one-cell-density probability density functions for arbitrary initial power spectrum, top-hat smoothing and various spherical-collapse dynamics is made available online, so as to provide straightforward means of testing the effect of alternative dark energy models and initial power spectra on the low-redshift matter distribution.

Structure and Dynamics of the Solar Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnack, D. D.

1994-01-01

Advanced computational techniques were used to study solar coronal heating and coronal mass ejections. A three dimensional, time dependent resistive magnetohydrodynamic code was used to study the dynamic response of a model corona to continuous, slow, random magnetic footpoint displacements in the photosphere. Three dimensional numerical simulations of the response of the corona to simple smooth braiding flows in the photosphere were calculated to illustrate and understand the spontaneous formation of current filaments. Two dimensional steady state helmet streamer configurations were obtained by determining the time asymptotic state of the interaction of an initially one dimensinal transponic solar wind with a spherical potential dipole field. The disruption of the steady state helmet streamer configuration was studied as a response to shearing of the magnetic footpoints of the closed field lines under the helmet.

Versatile microrobotics using simple modular subunits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheang, U. Kei; Meshkati, Farshad; Kim, Hoyeon; Lee, Kyoungwoo; Fu, Henry Chien; Kim, Min Jun

2016-07-01

The realization of reconfigurable modular microrobots could aid drug delivery and microsurgery by allowing a single system to navigate diverse environments and perform multiple tasks. So far, microrobotic systems are limited by insufficient versatility; for instance, helical shapes commonly used for magnetic swimmers cannot effectively assemble and disassemble into different size and shapes. Here by using microswimmers with simple geometries constructed of spherical particles, we show how magnetohydrodynamics can be used to assemble and disassemble modular microrobots with different physical characteristics. We develop a mechanistic physical model that we use to improve assembly strategies. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of dynamically changing the physical properties of microswimmers through assembly and disassembly in a controlled fluidic environment. Finally, we show that different configurations have different swimming properties by examining swimming speed dependence on configuration size.

Versatile microrobotics using simple modular subunits

PubMed Central

Cheang, U Kei; Meshkati, Farshad; Kim, Hoyeon; Lee, Kyoungwoo; Fu, Henry Chien; Kim, Min Jun

2016-01-01

The realization of reconfigurable modular microrobots could aid drug delivery and microsurgery by allowing a single system to navigate diverse environments and perform multiple tasks. So far, microrobotic systems are limited by insufficient versatility; for instance, helical shapes commonly used for magnetic swimmers cannot effectively assemble and disassemble into different size and shapes. Here by using microswimmers with simple geometries constructed of spherical particles, we show how magnetohydrodynamics can be used to assemble and disassemble modular microrobots with different physical characteristics. We develop a mechanistic physical model that we use to improve assembly strategies. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of dynamically changing the physical properties of microswimmers through assembly and disassembly in a controlled fluidic environment. Finally, we show that different configurations have different swimming properties by examining swimming speed dependence on configuration size. PMID:27464852

Kinetic-energy matrix elements for atomic Hylleraas-CI wave functions

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

Harris, Frank E., E-mail: harris@qtp.ufl.edu

Hylleraas-CI is a superposition-of-configurations method in which each configuration is constructed from a Slater-type orbital (STO) product to which is appended (linearly) at most one interelectron distance r{sub ij}. Computations of the kinetic energy for atoms by this method have been difficult due to the lack of formulas expressing these matrix elements for general angular momentum in terms of overlap and potential-energy integrals. It is shown here that a strategic application of angular-momentum theory, including the use of vector spherical harmonics, enables the reduction of all atomic kinetic-energy integrals to overlap and potential-energy matrix elements. The new formulas are validatedmore » by showing that they yield correct results for a large number of integrals published by other investigators.« less

Anapoles in Free-Standing III-V Nanodisks Enhancing Second-Harmonic Generation.

PubMed

Timofeeva, Maria; Lang, Lukas; Timpu, Flavia; Renaut, Claude; Bouravleuv, Alexei; Shtrom, Igor; Cirlin, George; Grange, Rachel

2018-06-13

Nonradiating electromagnetic configurations in nanostructures open new horizons for applications due to two essential features: a lack of energy losses and invisibility to the propagating electromagnetic field. Such radiationless configurations form a basis for new types of nanophotonic devices, in which a strong electromagnetic field confinement can be achieved together with lossless interactions between nearby components. In our work, we present a new design of free-standing disk nanoantennas with nonradiating current distributions for the optical near-infrared range. We show a novel approach to creating nanoantennas by slicing III-V nanowires into standing disks using focused ion-beam milling. We experimentally demonstrate the suppression of the far-field radiation and the associated strong enhancement of the second-harmonic generation from the disk nanoantennas. With a theoretical analysis of the electromagnetic field distribution using multipole expansions in both spherical and Cartesian coordinates, we confirm that the demonstrated nonradiating configurations are anapoles. We expect that the presented procedure of designing and producing disk nanoantennas from nanowires becomes one of the standard approaches to fabricating controlled chains of standing nanodisks with different designs and configurations. These chains can be essential building blocks for new types of lasers and sensors with low power consumption.

Propagation of angular errors in two-axis rotation systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torrington, Geoffrey K.

2003-10-01

Two-Axis Rotation Systems, or "goniometers," are used in diverse applications including telescope pointing, automotive headlamp testing, and display testing. There are three basic configurations in which a goniometer can be built depending on the orientation and order of the stages. Each configuration has a governing set of equations which convert motion between the system "native" coordinates to other base systems, such as direction cosines, optical field angles, or spherical-polar coordinates. In their simplest form, these equations neglect errors present in real systems. In this paper, a statistical treatment of error source propagation is developed which uses only tolerance data, such as can be obtained from the system mechanical drawings prior to fabrication. It is shown that certain error sources are fully correctable, partially correctable, or uncorrectable, depending upon the goniometer configuration and zeroing technique. The system error budget can be described by a root-sum-of-squares technique with weighting factors describing the sensitivity of each error source. This paper tabulates weighting factors at 67% (k=1) and 95% (k=2) confidence for various levels of maximum travel for each goniometer configuration. As a practical example, this paper works through an error budget used for the procurement of a system at Sandia National Laboratories.

Isotropic non-white matter partial volume effects in constrained spherical deconvolution.

PubMed

Roine, Timo; Jeurissen, Ben; Perrone, Daniele; Aelterman, Jan; Leemans, Alexander; Philips, Wilfried; Sijbers, Jan

2014-01-01

Diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging method, which can be used to investigate neural tracts in the white matter (WM) of the brain. Significant partial volume effects (PVEs) are present in the DW signal due to relatively large voxel sizes. These PVEs can be caused by both non-WM tissue, such as gray matter (GM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and by multiple non-parallel WM fiber populations. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) methods have been developed to correctly characterize complex WM fiber configurations, but to date, many of the HARDI methods do not account for non-WM PVEs. In this work, we investigated the isotropic PVEs caused by non-WM tissue in WM voxels on fiber orientations extracted with constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD). Experiments were performed on simulated and real DW-MRI data. In particular, simulations were performed to demonstrate the effects of varying the diffusion weightings, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), fiber configurations, and tissue fractions. Our results show that the presence of non-WM tissue signal causes a decrease in the precision of the detected fiber orientations and an increase in the detection of false peaks in CSD. We estimated 35-50% of WM voxels to be affected by non-WM PVEs. For HARDI sequences, which typically have a relatively high degree of diffusion weighting, these adverse effects are most pronounced in voxels with GM PVEs. The non-WM PVEs become severe with 50% GM volume for maximum spherical harmonics orders of 8 and below, and already with 25% GM volume for higher orders. In addition, a low diffusion weighting or SNR increases the effects. The non-WM PVEs may cause problems in connectomics, where reliable fiber tracking at the WM-GM interface is especially important. We suggest acquiring data with high diffusion-weighting 2500-3000 s/mm(2), reasonable SNR (~30) and using lower SH orders in GM contaminated regions to minimize the non-WM PVEs in CSD.

Fusion nuclear science facilities and pilot plants based on the spherical tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menard, J. E.; Brown, T.; El-Guebaly, L.; Boyer, M.; Canik, J.; Colling, B.; Raman, R.; Wang, Z.; Zhai, Y.; Buxton, P.; Covele, B.; D'Angelo, C.; Davis, A.; Gerhardt, S.; Gryaznevich, M.; Harb, M.; Hender, T. C.; Kaye, S.; Kingham, D.; Kotschenreuther, M.; Mahajan, S.; Maingi, R.; Marriott, E.; Meier, E. T.; Mynsberge, L.; Neumeyer, C.; Ono, M.; Park, J.-K.; Sabbagh, S. A.; Soukhanovskii, V.; Valanju, P.; Woolley, R.

2016-10-01

A fusion nuclear science facility (FNSF) could play an important role in the development of fusion energy by providing the nuclear environment needed to develop fusion materials and components. The spherical torus/tokamak (ST) is a leading candidate for an FNSF due to its potentially high neutron wall loading and modular configuration. A key consideration for the choice of FNSF configuration is the range of achievable missions as a function of device size. Possible missions include: providing high neutron wall loading and fluence, demonstrating tritium self-sufficiency, and demonstrating electrical self-sufficiency. All of these missions must also be compatible with a viable divertor, first-wall, and blanket solution. ST-FNSF configurations have been developed simultaneously incorporating for the first time: (1) a blanket system capable of tritium breeding ratio TBR  ≈  1, (2) a poloidal field coil set supporting high elongation and triangularity for a range of internal inductance and normalized beta values consistent with NSTX/NSTX-U previous/planned operation, (3) a long-legged divertor analogous to the MAST-U divertor which substantially reduces projected peak divertor heat-flux and has all outboard poloidal field coils outside the vacuum chamber and superconducting to reduce power consumption, and (4) a vertical maintenance scheme in which blanket structures and the centerstack can be removed independently. Progress in these ST-FNSF missions versus configuration studies including dependence on plasma major radius R 0 for a range 1 m-2.2 m are described. In particular, it is found the threshold major radius for TBR  =  1 is {{R}0}≥slant 1.7 m, and a smaller R 0  =  1 m ST device has TBR  ≈  0.9 which is below unity but substantially reduces T consumption relative to not breeding. Calculations of neutral beam heating and current drive for non-inductive ramp-up and sustainment are described. An A  =  2, R 0  =  3 m device incorporating high-temperature superconductor toroidal field coil magnets capable of high neutron fluence and both tritium and electrical self-sufficiency is also presented following systematic aspect ratio studies.

Fusion nuclear science facilities and pilot plants based on the spherical tokamak

DOE PAGES

Menard, J. E.; Brown, T.; El-Guebaly, L.; ...

2016-08-16

Here, a fusion nuclear science facility (FNSF) could play an important role in the development of fusion energy by providing the nuclear environment needed to develop fusion materials and components. The spherical torus/tokamak (ST) is a leading candidate for an FNSF due to its potentially high neutron wall loading and modular configuration. A key consideration for the choice of FNSF configuration is the range of achievable missions as a function of device size. Possible missions include: providing high neutron wall loading and fluence, demonstrating tritium self-sufficiency, and demonstrating electrical self-sufficiency. All of these missions must also be compatible with a viable divertor, first-wall, and blanket solution. ST-FNSF configurations have been developed simultaneously incorporating for the first time: (1) a blanket system capable of tritium breeding ratio TBR ≈ 1, (2) a poloidal field coil set supporting high elongation and triangularity for a range of internal inductance and normalized beta values consistent with NSTX/NSTX-U previous/planned operation, (3) a long-legged divertor analogous to the MAST-U divertor which substantially reduces projected peak divertor heat-flux and has all outboard poloidal field coils outside the vacuum chamber and superconducting to reduce power consumption, and (4) a vertical maintenance scheme in which blanket structures and the centerstack can be removed independently. Progress in these ST-FNSF missions versus configuration studies including dependence on plasma major radius R 0 for a range 1 m–2.2 m are described. In particular, it is found the threshold major radius for TBR = 1 ismore » $${{R}_{0}}\\geqslant 1.7$$ m, and a smaller R 0 = 1 m ST device has TBR ≈ 0.9 which is below unity but substantially reduces T consumption relative to not breeding. Calculations of neutral beam heating and current drive for non-inductive ramp-up and sustainment are described. An A = 2, R = 3 m device incorporating high-temperature superconductor toroidal field coil magnets capable of high neutron fluence and both tritium and electrical self-sufficiency is also presented following systematic aspect ratio studies.« less

Chameleon stars

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

Dzhunushaliev, Vladimir; Institute of Physicotechnical Problems and Material Science of the NAS of the Kyrgyz Republic, 265 a, Chui Street, Bishkek, 720071; Folomeev, Vladimir

2011-10-15

We consider a gravitating spherically symmetric configuration consisting of a scalar field nonminimally coupled to ordinary matter in the form of a perfect fluid. For this system we find static, regular, asymptotically flat solutions for both relativistic and nonrelativistic cases. It is shown that the presence of the nonminimal interaction leads to substantial changes both in the radial matter distribution of the star and in the star's total mass. A simple stability test indicates that, for the choice of parameters used in the paper, the solutions are unstable.

Viscous-shock-layer solutions for turbulent flow of radiating gas mixtures in chemical equilibrium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, E. C.; Moss, J. N.

1975-01-01

The viscous-shock-layer equations for hypersonic laminar and turbulent flows of radiating or nonradiating gas mixtures in chemical equilibrium are presented for two-dimensional and axially-symmetric flow fields. Solutions were obtained using an implicit finite-difference scheme and results are presented for hypersonic flow over spherically-blunted cone configurations at freestream conditions representative of entry into the atmosphere of Venus. These data are compared with solutions obtained using other methods of analysis.

Viscous shock layer solutions for turbulent flow of radiating gas mixtures in chemical equilibrium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, E. C.; Moss, J. N.

1975-01-01

The viscous shock layer equations for hypersonic laminar and turbulent flows of radiating or nonradiating gas mixtures in chemical equilibrium are presented for two-dimensional and axially symmetric flow fields. Solutions are obtained using an implicit finite difference scheme and results are presented for hypersonic flow over spherically blunted cone configurations at free stream conditions representative of entry into the atmosphere of Venus. These data are compared with solutions obtained using other methods of analysis.

Fundamental aspects of polyimide dry film and composite lubrication: A review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fusaro, R. L.

1982-01-01

The tribological properties of polyimide dry films and composites are reviewed. Friction coefficients, wear rates, transfer film characteristics, wear surface morphology, and possible wear mechanisms of several different polyimide films, polyimide-bonded solid lubricants, polyimide solid bodies, and polyimide composites are discussed. Such parameters as temperature, type of atmosphere, load, contact stress, and specimen configuration are investigated. Data from an accelerated test device (Pin-on-Disk) are compared to similar data obtained from an end use application test device (plain spherical bearing).

SU(2) Yang-Mills solitons in R2 gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perapechka, I.; Shnir, Ya.

2018-05-01

We construct new family of spherically symmetric regular solutions of SU (2) Yang-Mills theory coupled to pure R2 gravity. The particle-like field configurations possess non-integer non-Abelian magnetic charge. A discussion of the main properties of the solutions and their differences from the usual Bartnik-McKinnon solitons in the asymptotically flat case is presented. It is shown that there is continuous family of linearly stable non-trivial solutions in which the gauge field has no nodes.

Magnetoplasmonic nanostructures based on nickel inverse opal slabs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grunin, A. A.; Sapoletova, N. A.; Napolskii, K. S.; Eliseev, A. A.; Fedyanin, A. A.

2012-04-01

Nanostructured nickel surfaces representing periodically arranged spherical voids in a nickel film are obtained by electrochemical deposition through a self-assembled opaline template. Excitation of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) on the surface of the sample is experimentally observed as the Wood's anomaly in the reflectance spectra. Transversal magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) spectra are measured at the different angles of incidence and azimuthal angles. The two- to-threefold enhancement of TMOKE caused by the excitation of mixed plasmons in two selected azimuthal configurations is observed.

Aircraft noise propagation. [sound diffraction by wings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hadden, W. J.; Pierce, A. D.

1978-01-01

Sound diffraction experiments conducted at NASA Langley Research Center to study the acoustical implications of the engine over wing configuration (noise-shielding by wing) and to provide a data base for assessing various theoretical approaches to the problem of aircraft noise reduction are described. Topics explored include the theory of sound diffraction around screens and wedges; the scattering of spherical waves by rectangular patches; plane wave diffraction by a wedge with finite impedence; and the effects of ambient flow and distribution sources.

Addendum to ''Thin-shell wormholes supported by ordinary matter in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity''

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

Simeone, Claudio

2011-04-15

Thin-shell wormholes are constructed starting from the exotic branch of the Wiltshire spherically symmetric solution of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. The energy-momentum tensor of the shell is studied, and it is shown that configurations supported by matter satisfying the energy conditions exist for certain values of the parameters. Differing from the previous result associated with the normal branch of the Wiltshire solution, this is achieved for small positive values of the Gauss-Bonnet parameter and for vanishing charge.

Analysis of long wavelength electromagnetic scattering by a magnetized cold plasma prolate spheroid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadizadeh, Yadollah; Jazi, Bahram; Abdoli-Arani, Abbas

2013-08-01

Using dielectric permittivity tensor of the magnetized prolate plasma, the scattering of long wavelength electromagnetic waves from the mentioned object is studied. The resonance frequency and differential scattering cross section for the backward scattered waves are presented. Consistency between the resonance frequency in this configuration and results obtained for spherical plasma are investigated. Finally, the effective factors on obtained results such as incident wave polarization, the frequency of the incident wave, the plasma frequency and the cyclotron frequency are analyzed.

French comparison exercise with the rotating neutron spectrometer, 'ROSPEC'.

PubMed

Crovisier, P; Asselineau, B; Pelcot, G; Van-Ryckeghem, L; Cadiou, A; Truffert, H; Groetz, J E; Benmosbah, M

2005-01-01

The French laboratories in charge of 'neutron' dosimetry using the spectrometer 'ROSPEC', formed a working group in 2001. The participants began to study the behaviour of the instrument with a comparison exercise in broad energy neutron fields recommended by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and available at the LMDN in Cadarache. The complete version of the ROSPEC is made up of six spherical proportional counters fixed to a rotating platform. These counters cover different energy ranges which overlap each other to provide a link between the detectors, within the energy range from thermal neutrons to 4.5 MeV. The irradiation configurations chosen were ISO standard sources (252Cf, (252Cf+D2O)(/Cd), 241Am-Be) and the SIGMA facility. The results show that the 'thermal and epithermal' neutron fluence was widely overestimated by the spectrometer in all configurations.

NLTE atomic kinetics modeling in ICF target simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Mehul V.; Mauche, Christopher W.; Scott, Howard A.; Jones, Ogden S.; Shields, Benjamin T.

2017-10-01

Radiation hydrodynamics (HYDRA) simulations using recently developed 1D spherical and 2D cylindrical hohlraum models have enabled a reassessment of the accuracy of energetics modeling across a range of NIF target configurations. Higher-resolution hohlraum calculations generally find that the X-ray drive discrepancies are greater than previously reported. We identify important physics sensitivities in the modeling of the NLTE wall plasma and highlight sensitivity variations between different hohlraum configurations (e.g. hohlraum gas fill). Additionally, 1D capsule only simulations show the importance of applying a similar level of rigor to NLTE capsule ablator modeling. Taken together, these results show how improved target performance predictions can be achieved by performing inline atomic kinetics using more complete models for the underlying atomic structure and transitions. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Key-lock colloids in a nematic liquid crystal.

PubMed

Silvestre, Nuno M; Tasinkevych, M

2017-01-01

The Landau-de Gennes free energy is used to study theoretically the effective interaction of spherical "key" and anisotropic "lock" colloidal particles. We assume identical anchoring properties of the surfaces of the key and of the lock particles, and we consider planar degenerate and perpendicular anchoring conditions separately. The lock particle is modeled as a spherical particle with a spherical dimple. When such a particle is introduced into a nematic liquid crystal, it orients its dimple at an oblique angle θ_{eq} with respect to the far field director n_{∞}. This angle depends on the depth of the dimple. Minimization results show that the free energy of a pair of key and lock particles exhibits a global minimum for the configuration when the key particle is facing the dimple of the lock colloidal particle. The preferred orientation ϕ_{eq} of the key-lock composite doublet relative to n_{∞} is robust against thermal fluctuations. The preferred orientation θ_{eq}^{(2)} of the dimple particle in the doublet is different from the isolated situation. This is related to the "direct" interaction of defects accompanying the key particle with the edge of the dimple. We propose that this nematic-amplified key-lock interaction can play an important role in self-organization and clustering of mixtures of colloidal particles with dimple colloids present.

Plasmonic Spherical Heterodimers: Reversal of Optical Binding Force Based on the Forced Breaking of Symmetry.

PubMed

Mahdy, M R C; Danesh, Md; Zhang, Tianhang; Ding, Weiqiang; Rivy, Hamim Mahmud; Chowdhury, Ariful Bari; Mehmood, M Q

2018-02-16

The stimulating connection between the reversal of near-field plasmonic binding force and the role of symmetry-breaking has not been investigated comprehensively in the literature. In this work, the symmetry of spherical plasmonic heterodimer-setup is broken forcefully by shining the light from a specific side of the set-up instead of impinging it from the top. We demonstrate that for the forced symmetry-broken spherical heterodimer-configurations: reversal of lateral and longitudinal near-field binding force follow completely distinct mechanisms. Interestingly, the reversal of longitudinal binding force can be easily controlled either by changing the direction of light propagation or by varying their relative orientation. This simple process of controlling binding force may open a novel generic way of optical manipulation even with the heterodimers of other shapes. Though it is commonly believed that the reversal of near-field plasmonic binding force should naturally occur for the presence of bonding and anti-bonding modes or at least for the Fano resonance (and plasmonic forces mostly arise from the surface force), our study based on Lorentz-force dynamics suggests notably opposite proposals for the aforementioned cases. Observations in this article can be very useful for improved sensors, particle clustering and aggregation.

Divertor heat flux mitigation in the National Spherical Torus Experimenta)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soukhanovskii, V. A.; Maingi, R.; Gates, D. A.; Menard, J. E.; Paul, S. F.; Raman, R.; Roquemore, A. L.; Bell, M. G.; Bell, R. E.; Boedo, J. A.; Bush, C. E.; Kaita, R.; Kugel, H. W.; Leblanc, B. P.; Mueller, D.; NSTX Team

2009-02-01

Steady-state handling of divertor heat flux is a critical issue for both ITER and spherical torus-based devices with compact high power density divertors. Significant reduction of heat flux to the divertor plate has been achieved simultaneously with favorable core and pedestal confinement and stability properties in a highly shaped lower single null configuration in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) [M. Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 2000] using high magnetic flux expansion at the divertor strike point and the radiative divertor technique. A partial detachment of the outer strike point was achieved with divertor deuterium injection leading to peak flux reduction from 4-6MWm-2to0.5-2MWm-2 in small-ELM 0.8-1.0MA, 4-6MW neutral beam injection-heated H-mode discharges. A self-consistent picture of the outer strike point partial detachment was evident from divertor heat flux profiles and recombination, particle flux and neutral pressure measurements. Analytic scrape-off layer parallel transport models were used for interpretation of NSTX detachment experiments. The modeling showed that the observed peak heat flux reduction and detachment are possible with high radiated power and momentum loss fractions, achievable with divertor gas injection, and nearly impossible to achieve with main electron density, divertor neutral density or recombination increases alone.

Spherical primary optical telescope (SPOT) segments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Christopher; Hagopian, John; DeMarco, Michael

2012-09-01

The spherical primary optical telescope (SPOT) project is an internal research and development program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The goals of the program are to develop a robust and cost effective way to manufacture spherical mirror segments and demonstrate a new wavefront sensing approach for continuous phasing across the segmented primary. This paper focuses on the fabrication of the mirror segments. Significant cost savings were achieved through the design, since it allowed the mirror segments to be cast rather than machined from a glass blank. Casting was followed by conventional figuring at Goddard Space Flight Center. After polishing, the mirror segments were mounted to their composite assemblies. QED Technologies used magnetorheological finishing (MRF®) for the final figuring. The MRF process polished the mirrors while they were mounted to their composite assemblies. Each assembly included several magnetic invar plugs that extended to within an inch of the face of the mirror. As part of this project, the interaction between the MRF magnetic field and invar plugs was evaluated. By properly selecting the polishing conditions, MRF was able to significantly improve the figure of the mounted segments. The final MRF figuring demonstrates that mirrors, in the mounted configuration, can be polished and tested to specification. There are significant process capability advantes due to polishing and testing the optics in their final, end-use assembled state.

Enhancing photothermal cancer therapy by clustering gold nanoparticles into spherical polymeric nanoconstructs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iodice, Carmen; Cervadoro, Antonio; Palange, AnnaLisa; Key, Jaehong; Aryal, Santosh; Ramirez, Maricela R.; Mattu, Clara; Ciardelli, Gianluca; O'Neill, Brian E.; Decuzzi, Paolo

2016-01-01

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been proposed as agents for enhancing photothermal therapy in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Different geometrical configurations have been used, ranging from spheres to rods and more complex star shapes, to modulate optical and ablating properties. In this work, multiple, ultra-small 6 nm AuNPs are encapsulated into larger spherical polymeric nanoconstructs (SPNs), made out of a poly(lactic acid-co-glycol acid) (PLGA) core stabilized by a superficial lipid-PEG monolayer. The optical and photothermal properties of the resulting nanoconstructs (Au-SPNs) are modulated by varying the initial loading input of AuNPs, ranging between 25 and 150 μgAu. Au-SPNs exhibit a hydrodynamic diameter varying from ~100 to 180 nm, growing with the gold content, and manifest up to 2-fold increase in thermal energy production per unit mass of gold for an initial input of 100 μgAu. Au-SPNs are stable under physiological conditions up to 7 days and have direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. The superior photothermal performance of Au-SPNs is assessed in vitro on monolayers of breast cancer cells (SUM-159) and tumor spheroids of glioblastoma multiforme cells (U87-MG). The encapsulation of small AuNPs into larger spherical nanoconstructs enhances photothermal ablation and could favor tumor accumulation.

Assessment of the performance of a compact concentric spectrometer system for Atmospheric Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whyte, C.; Leigh, R. J.; Lobb, D.; Williams, T.; Remedios, J. J.; Cutter, M.; Monks, P. S.

2009-08-01

A breadboard demonstrator of a novel UV/VIS grating spectrometer for atmospheric research has been developed based upon a concentric arrangement of a spherical meniscus lens, concave spherical mirror and curved diffraction grating suitable for a range of remote sensing applications from the ground or space. The spectrometer is compact and provides high optical efficiency and performance benefits over traditional instruments. The concentric design is capable of handling high relative apertures, owing to spherical aberration and coma being near zero at all surfaces. The design also provides correction for transverse chromatic aberration and distortion, in addition to correcting for the distortion called "smile", the curvature of the slit image formed at each wavelength. These properties render this design capable of superior spectral and spatial performance with size and weight budgets significantly lower than standard configurations. This form of spectrometer design offers the potential for an exceptionally compact instrument for differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) applications particularly from space (LEO, GEO orbits) and from HAPs or ground-based platforms. The breadboard demonstrator has been shown to offer high throughput and a stable Gaussian line shape with a spectral range from 300 to 450 nm at better than 0.5 nm resolution, suitable for a number of typical DOAS applications.

Direct Simulation of Extinction in a Slab of Spherical Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackowski, D.W.; Mishchenko, Michael I.

2013-01-01

The exact multiple sphere superposition method is used to calculate the coherent and incoherent contributions to the ensemble-averaged electric field amplitude and Poynting vector in systems of randomly positioned nonabsorbing spherical particles. The target systems consist of cylindrical volumes, with radius several times larger than length, containing spheres with positional configurations generated by a Monte Carlo sampling method. Spatially dependent values for coherent electric field amplitude, coherent energy flux, and diffuse energy flux, are calculated by averaging of exact local field and flux values over multiple configurations and over spatially independent directions for fixed target geometry, sphere properties, and sphere volume fraction. Our results reveal exponential attenuation of the coherent field and the coherent energy flux inside the particulate layer and thereby further corroborate the general methodology of the microphysical radiative transfer theory. An effective medium model based on plane wave transmission and reflection by a plane layer is used to model the dependence of the coherent electric field on particle packing density. The effective attenuation coefficient of the random medium, computed from the direct simulations, is found to agree closely with effective medium theories and with measurements. In addition, the simulation results reveal the presence of a counter-propagating component to the coherent field, which arises due to the internal reflection of the main coherent field component by the target boundary. The characteristics of the diffuse flux are compared to, and found to be consistent with, a model based on the diffusion approximation of the radiative transfer theory.

A no-short scalar hair theorem for rotating Kerr black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hod, Shahar

2016-06-01

If a black hole has hair, how short can this hair be? A partial answer to this intriguing question was recently provided by the ‘no-short hair’ theorem which asserts that the external fields of a spherically symmetric electrically neutral hairy black-hole configuration must extend beyond the null circular geodesic which characterizes the corresponding black-hole spacetime. One naturally wonders whether the no-short hair inequality {r}{hair}\\gt {r}{null} is a generic property of all electrically neutral hairy black-hole spacetimes. In this paper we provide evidence that the answer to this interesting question may be positive. In particular, we prove that the recently discovered cloudy Kerr black-hole spacetimes—non-spherically symmetric non-static black holes which support linearized massive scalar fields in their exterior regions—also respect this no-short hair lower bound. Specifically, we analytically derive the lower bound {r}{field}/{r}+\\gt {r}+/{r}- on the effective lengths of the external bound-state massive scalar clouds (here {r}{field} is the peak location of the stationary bound-state scalar fields and r ± are the horizon radii of the black hole). Remarkably, this lower bound is universal in the sense that it is independent of the physical parameters (proper mass and angular harmonic indices) of the exterior scalar fields. Our results suggest that the lower bound {r}{hair}\\gt {r}{null} may be a general property of asymptotically flat electrically neutral hairy black-hole configurations.

Stealth configurations in vector-tensor theories of gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chagoya, Javier; Tasinato, Gianmassimo

2018-01-01

Studying the physics of compact objects in modified theories of gravity is important for understanding how future observations can test alternatives to General Relativity. We consider a subset of vector-tensor Galileon theories of gravity characterized by new symmetries, which can prevent the propagation of the vector longitudinal polarization, even in absence of Abelian gauge invariance. We investigate new spherically symmetric and slowly rotating solutions for these systems, including an arbitrary matter Lagrangian. We show that, under certain conditions, there always exist stealth configurations whose geometry coincides with solutions of Einstein gravity coupled with the additional matter. Such solutions have a non-trivial profile for the vector field, characterized by independent integration constants, which extends to asymptotic infinity. We interpret our findings in terms of the symmetries and features of the original vector-tensor action, and on the number of degrees of freedom that it propagates. These results are important to eventually describe gravitationally bound configurations in modified theories of gravity, such as black holes and neutron stars, including realistic matter fields forming or surrounding the object.

Mars Orbiter Sample Return Power Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mardesich, N.; Dawson, S.

1999-01-01

The NASA/JPL 2003/2005 Mars Sample Return (MSR) Missions will each have a sample return canister that will be filled with samples cored from the surface of MARS. These spherical canisters will be 14.8 cm in diameter and must be powered only by solar cells on the surface and must communicate using RF transmission with the recovery vehicle that will be coming in 2006 or 2009 to retrieve the canister. This paper considers the aspect and conclusion that went into the design of the power system that achieves the maximum power with the minimum risk. The power output for the spherical orbiting canister was modeled and plotted in various views of the orbit by the SOAP program developed by JPL. The requirements and geometry for a solar array on a sphere are unique and place special constraints on the design. These requirements include 1) accommodating a lid for sample loading into the canister, surface area was restricted from use on the Northern pole of the spherical canister. 2) minimal cell surface coverage (maximum cell efficiency), less than 40%, for recovery vehicle to locate the canister by optical techniques. 3) a RF transmission during 50% of MARS orbit time on any spin axis, which requires optimum circuit placement of the solar cell onto the spherical canister. The best configuration would have been a 4.5 volt round cell, but in the real world we compromised with six triangular silicon cells connected in series to form a hexagon. These hexagon circuits would be mounted onto a flat facet cut into the spherical canister. The surface flats are required in order to maximize power, the surface of the cells connected in series must be at the same angle relative to the sun. The flat facets intersect each other to allow twelve circuits evenly spaced just North and twelve circuits South of the equator of the spherical canister. Connecting these circuits in parallel allows sufficient power to operate the transmitter at minimum solar exposure, Northern pole of the canister facing the sun. Additional power, as much as 20%, is also generated by the circuits facing MARS due to albedo of MARS.

Snowflake divertor experiments in the DIII-D, NSTX, and NSTX-U tokamaks aimed at the development of the divertor power exhaust solution

DOE PAGES

Soukhanovskii, V. A.; Allen, S. L.; Fenstermacher, M. E.; ...

2016-11-16

Experimental results from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), a medium-size spherical tokamak with a compact divertor, and DIII-D, a large conventional aspect ratio tokamak, demonstrate that the snowflake (SF) divertor configuration may provide a promising solution for mitigating divertor heat loads and target plate erosion compatible with core H-mode confinement in the future fusion devices, where the standard radiative divertor solution may be inadequate. In NSTX, where the initial high-power SF experiment was performed, the SF divertor was compatible with H-mode confinement, and led to the destabilization of large Edge Localized Modes (ELMs). However, a stable partial detachment ofmore » the outer strike point was also achieved where inter-ELM peak heat flux was reduced by factors 3-5, and peak ELM heat flux was reduced by up to 80% (see standard divertor). The DIII-D studies show the SF divertor enables significant power spreading in attached and radiative divertor conditions. Results include: compatibility with the core and pedestal, peak inter-ELM divertor heat flux reduction due to geometry at lower ne, and ELM energy and divertor peak heat flux reduction, especially prominent in radiative D 2-seeded SF divertor, and nearly complete power detachment and broader radiated power distribution in the radiative D 2-seeded SF divertor at PSOL = 3 - 4 MW. A variety of SF configurations can be supported by the divertor coil set in NSTX Upgrade. Edge transport modeling with the multifluid edge transport code UEDGE shows that the radiative SF divertor can successfully reduce peak divertor heat flux for the projected PSOL ≃ 9 MW case. Furthermore, the radiative SF divertor with carbon impurity provides a wider ne operating window, 50% less argon is needed in the impurity-seeded SF configuration to achieve similar q peak reduction factors (see standard divertor).« less

Acoustic modelling in view of a determination of the Boltzmann constant within 1 ppm for the redefinition of the kelvin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gélat, Pierre; Joly, Nicolas; de Podesta, Michael; Sutton, Gavin; Underwood, Robin

2009-11-01

iMERA/Euromet Project 885 is co-ordinating European effort towards a new determination of the Boltzmann constant kB to within 1 ppm with the aim of redefining the unit of thermodynamic temperature. This project will enable the National Physical Laboratory to perform primary thermometry in the region of -40 °C (Hg) to 156 °C (In) with sub-millikelvin uncertainties by 2012. The chosen technique relies on determining the speed of sound in a monatomic gas. Using the radial acoustic modes of a spherical resonator, consisting of a copper shell and filled with argon or helium, the speed of sound can be measured with great precision and from this measurement the Boltzmann constant can be inferred. This project draws on expertise in dimensional, density, microwave and acoustic measurements at the state-of-the-art. In order to gain further understanding of the experimental configuration a vibro-acoustic model has been developed using the finite element method. Initial calculations were carried out to ensure that predictions of the resonant frequency could be made with the required precision by comparing against an analytical model of a spherical shell filled with a gas. A more elaborate model better representing the experimental configuration was then developed. Thermo-viscous effects close to the fluid-structure boundary were accounted for using a linear acoustic formulation, from which a normal incidence admittance boundary condition was derived and imposed on the inner surface of the resonator. Acoustic pressure, particle velocity and temperature variation as a function of position may be obtained within the gas as a function of frequency. It is therefore possible to investigate how changes in the configuration affect the frequency of radial modes. It is hoped that this approach will shed a better understanding of the underlying complex physical phenomena allowing a minimization of the overall uncertainty.

Estimation of Uncertainties for a Supersonic Retro-Propulsion Model Validation Experiment in a Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhode, Matthew N.; Oberkampf, William L.

2012-01-01

A high-quality model validation experiment was performed in the NASA Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel to assess the predictive accuracy of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for a blunt-body supersonic retro-propulsion configuration at Mach numbers from 2.4 to 4.6. Static and fluctuating surface pressure data were acquired on a 5-inch-diameter test article with a forebody composed of a spherically-blunted, 70-degree half-angle cone and a cylindrical aft body. One non-powered configuration with a smooth outer mold line was tested as well as three different powered, forward-firing nozzle configurations: a centerline nozzle, three nozzles equally spaced around the forebody, and a combination with all four nozzles. A key objective of the experiment was the determination of experimental uncertainties from a range of sources such as random measurement error, flowfield non-uniformity, and model/instrumentation asymmetries. This paper discusses the design of the experiment towards capturing these uncertainties for the baseline non-powered configuration, the methodology utilized in quantifying the various sources of uncertainty, and examples of the uncertainties applied to non-powered and powered experimental results. The analysis showed that flowfield nonuniformity was the dominant contributor to the overall uncertainty a finding in agreement with other experiments that have quantified various sources of uncertainty.

A miniature solar device for overall water splitting consisting of series-connected spherical silicon solar cells.

PubMed

Kageshima, Yosuke; Shinagawa, Tatsuya; Kuwata, Takaaki; Nakata, Josuke; Minegishi, Tsutomu; Takanabe, Kazuhiro; Domen, Kazunari

2016-04-18

A novel "photovoltaics (PV) + electrolyzer" concept is presented using a simple, small, and completely stand-alone non-biased device for solar-driven overall water splitting. Three or four spherical-shaped p-n junction silicon balls were successfully connected in series, named "SPHELAR." SPHELAR possessed small projected areas of 0.20 (3PVs) and 0.26 cm(2) (4PVs) and exhibited working voltages sufficient for water electrolysis. Impacts of the configuration on the PV module performance were carefully analyzed, revealing that a drastic increase in the photocurrent (≈20%) was attained by the effective utilization of a reflective sheet. Separate investigations on the electrocatalyst performance showed that non-noble metal based materials with reasonably small sizes (<0.80 cm(2)) exhibited substantial currents at the PV working voltage. By combining the observations of the PV characteristics, light management and electrocatalyst performance, solar-driven overall water splitting was readily achieved, reaching solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies of 7.4% (3PVs) and 6.4% (4PVs).

Interaction of rotating helical magnetic field with the HIST spherical torus plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Yusuke; Sugahara, Masato; Yamada, Satoshi; Yoshikawa, Tatsuya; Fukumoto, Naoyuki; Nagata, Masayoshi

2006-10-01

The physical mechanism of current drive by co-axial helicity injection (CHI) has been experimentally investigated on both spheromak and spherical torus (ST) configurations on the HIST device [1]. It has been observed that the n = 1 kink mode rotates toroidally with a frequency of 10-20 kHz in the ExB direction. It seems that the induced toroidal current by CHI strongly relates with the observed rotating kink mode. On the other hand, it is well known that MHD instabilities can be controlled or even suppressed by an externally applied helical magnetic field in tokamak devices. Therefore, we have started to install two sets of external helical coils in order to produce a rotating helical magnetic field on HIST. Mode structures of the generated rotating helical magnetic field and preliminary experimental results of the interaction of the rotating helical magnetic field with the HIST plasmas will be shown in the conference. [1] M. Nagata, et al., Physics of Plasmas 10, 2932 (2003)

Type II shell evolution in A = 70 isobars from the N ≥ 40 island of inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales, A. I.; Benzoni, G.; Watanabe, H.; Tsunoda, Y.; Otsuka, T.; Nishimura, S.; Browne, F.; Daido, R.; Doornenbal, P.; Fang, Y.; Lorusso, G.; Patel, Z.; Rice, S.; Sinclair, L.; Söderström, P.-A.; Sumikama, T.; Wu, J.; Xu, Z. Y.; Yagi, A.; Yokoyama, R.; Baba, H.; Avigo, R.; Bello Garrote, F. L.; Blasi, N.; Bracco, A.; Camera, F.; Ceruti, S.; Crespi, F. C. L.; de Angelis, G.; Delattre, M.-C.; Dombradi, Zs.; Gottardo, A.; Isobe, T.; Kojouharov, I.; Kurz, N.; Kuti, I.; Matsui, K.; Melon, B.; Mengoni, D.; Miyazaki, T.; Modamio-Hoybjor, V.; Momiyama, S.; Napoli, D. R.; Niikura, M.; Orlandi, R.; Sakurai, H.; Sahin, E.; Sohler, D.; Schaffner, H.; Taniuchi, R.; Taprogge, J.; Vajta, Zs.; Valiente-Dobón, J. J.; Wieland, O.; Yalcinkaya, M.

2017-02-01

The level structures of 70Co and 70Ni, populated from the β decay of 70Fe, have been investigated using β-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy following in-flight fission of a 238U beam. The experimental results are compared to Monte-Carlo Shell-Model calculations including the pf +g9/2 +d5/2 orbitals. The strong population of a (1+) state at 274 keV in 70Co is at variance with the expected excitation energy of ∼1 MeV from near spherical single-particle estimates. This observation indicates a dominance of prolate-deformed intruder configurations in the low-lying levels, which coexist with the normal near spherical states. It is shown that the β decay of the neutron-rich A = 70 isobars from the new island of inversion to the Z = 28 closed-shell regime progresses in accordance with a newly reported type of shell evolution, the so-called Type II, which involves many particle-hole excitations across energy gaps.

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus

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

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae, E-mail: jkjlsh1@snu.ac.kr

2014-02-15

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm{sup 3}), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnetsmore » and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.« less

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae; Hwang, Y. S.

2014-02-01

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm3), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnets and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus.

PubMed

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae; Hwang, Y S

2014-02-01

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm(3)), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnets and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.

Theoretical study of symmetry of flux onto a capsule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Hao; Wu, Changshu; Pei, Wenbing; Zou, Shiyang

2015-09-01

An analytic model to describe the flux asymmetry onto a capsule based on the viewfactor approximation is developed and verified with numerical simulations. By using a nested spheres technique to represent the various sources of flux asymmetry, the model can treat spherically and cylindrically symmetric hohlraums, e.g., cylinder, elliptic, and rugby. This approach includes the more realistic case of frequency-dependent flux asymmetry compared with the more standard frequency-integrated or single-frequency approaches [D. W. Phillion and S. M. Pollaine, Phys. Plasmas 1, 2963 (1994)]. Correspondingly, the approach can be used to assess x-ray preheat asymmetry generated from localized laser absorption in the high-Z hohlraum wall. For spherical hohlraums with 4, 6, or 8 laser entrance holes (LEHs), an optimal configuration of LEHs, laser spot placement, and angle-of-incidence of the single-ringed laser beams is defined. An analogy between minimizing the flux asymmetry onto a capsule and the Thomson problem of point charge placement on a sphere for minimized energy is shown.

Collective degrees of freedom involved in absorption and desorption of surfactant molecules in spherical non-ionic micelles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Yong Nam; Mohan, Gunjan; Kopelevich, Dmitry I.

2012-10-01

Dynamics of absorption and desorption of a surfactant monomer into and out of a spherical non-ionic micelle is investigated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is shown that these processes involve a complex interplay between the micellar structure and the monomer configuration. A quantitative model for collective dynamics of these degrees of freedom is developed. This is accomplished by reconstructing a multi-dimensional free energy landscape of the surfactant-micelle system using constrained MD simulations in which the distance between the micellar and monomer centers of mass is held constant. Results of this analysis are verified by direct (unconstrained) MD simulations of surfactant absorption in the micelle. It is demonstrated that the system dynamics is likely to deviate from the minimum energy path on the energy landscape. These deviations create an energy barrier for the monomer absorption and increase an existing barrier for the monomer desorption. A reduced Fokker-Planck equation is proposed to model these effects.

A comparative study of dynamically expanding force-free, constant-alpha magnetic configurations with applications to magnetic clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrugia, C. J.; Burlaga, L. F.; Osherovich, V. A.; Lepping, R. P.

1992-01-01

We contrast two different solutions of the constant alpha, force-free MHD equation, both of which have been suggested as models for magnetic clouds: a solution in cylindrical coordinates and one in spherical coordinates. In line with the observation that magnetic clouds expand, we generalize these static models and construct their expanding counterparts. We find that expansion introduces in both cases a large asymmetry in the field strength signature which is in the same sense as that seen the the data, i.e. towards the leading edge of the cloud. We then do a least squares fit of the respective models to one-spacecraft data on a magnetic cloud. We find that the fitting routine converges in both cases. However, while purely formally we cannot distinguish between the two models using data from one spacecraft, the field components in the 'spherical' model have features not compatible with data on magnetic clouds.

NEUTRONIC REACTOR OPERATIONAL METHOD AND CORE SYSTEM

DOEpatents

Winters, C.E.; Graham, C.B.; Culver, J.S.; Wilson, R.H.

1960-07-19

Homogeneous neutronic reactor systems are described wherein an aqueous fuel solution is continuously circulated through a spherical core tank. The pumped fuel solution-is injected tangentially into the hollow spherical interior, thereby maintaining vigorous rotation of the solution within the tank in the form of a vortex; gaseous radiolytic decomposition products concentrate within the axial vortex cavity. The evolved gas is continuously discharged through a gas- outlet port registering with an extremity of the vortex cavity. and the solution stream is discharged through an annular liquid outlet port concentrically encircling the gas outlet by virtue of which the vortex and its cavity are maintained precisely axially aligned with the gas outlet. A primary heat exchanger extracts useful heat from the hot effluent fuel solution before its recirculation into the core tank. Hollow cylinders and other alternative core- tank configurations defining geometric volumes of revolution about a principal axis are also covered. AEC's Homogeneous Reactor Experiment No. 1 is a preferred embodiment.

Theoretical study of symmetry of flux onto a capsule

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

Duan, Hao; Wu, Changshu; Zou, Shiyang, E-mail: duan-hao@iapcm.ac.cn

2015-09-15

An analytic model to describe the flux asymmetry onto a capsule based on the viewfactor approximation is developed and verified with numerical simulations. By using a nested spheres technique to represent the various sources of flux asymmetry, the model can treat spherically and cylindrically symmetric hohlraums, e.g., cylinder, elliptic, and rugby. This approach includes the more realistic case of frequency-dependent flux asymmetry compared with the more standard frequency-integrated or single-frequency approaches [D. W. Phillion and S. M. Pollaine, Phys. Plasmas 1, 2963 (1994)]. Correspondingly, the approach can be used to assess x-ray preheat asymmetry generated from localized laser absorption inmore » the high-Z hohlraum wall. For spherical hohlraums with 4, 6, or 8 laser entrance holes (LEHs), an optimal configuration of LEHs, laser spot placement, and angle-of-incidence of the single-ringed laser beams is defined. An analogy between minimizing the flux asymmetry onto a capsule and the Thomson problem of point charge placement on a sphere for minimized energy is shown.« less

A study of the formation and dynamics of galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fillmore, J. A.

The first half of this thesis is a study on the growth of perturbations in the early universe which might lead to galaxies, clusters of galaxies, or regions void of galaxies. The growth of self-similar perturbations in an Einstein-deSitter universe with cold, collisionless particles is investigated. Three classes of solutions are obtained; one each with planar, cylindrical, and spherical symmetry. The solutions follow the development of structure in both the linear and nonlinear regimes. Self-similar spherical voids which develop from initially underdense regions are also investigated. The character of each solution depends upon the initial density deficit. The second half of this thesis details solutions of steady-state axisymmetric models of elliptical and disk galaxies, and considers which observable properties can be used as diagnostics of the kinematic configuration of the spheroidal component of these systems. Two component mass models are fitted to surface brightness measurements and used to fit kinematic models to the velocity data.

Formation of a new archetypal Metal-Organic Framework from a simple monatomic liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metere, Alfredo; Oleynikov, Peter; Dzugutov, Mikhail; O'Keeffe, Michael

2014-12-01

We report a molecular-dynamics simulation of a single-component system of particles interacting via a spherically symmetric potential that is found to form, upon cooling from a liquid state, a low-density porous crystalline phase. Its structure analysis demonstrates that the crystal can be described by a net with a topology that belongs to the class of topologies characteristic of the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The observed net is new, and it is now included in the Reticular Chemistry Structure Resource database. The observation that a net topology characteristic of MOF crystals, which are known to be formed by a coordination-driven self-assembly process, can be reproduced by a thermodynamically stable configuration of a simple single-component system of particles opens a possibility of using these models in studies of MOF nets. It also indicates that structures with MOF topology, as well as other low-density porous crystalline structures can possibly be produced in colloidal systems of spherical particles, with an appropriate tuning of interparticle interaction.

Impact of contact lens zone geometry and ocular optics on bifocal retinal image quality

PubMed Central

Bradley, Arthur; Nam, Jayoung; Xu, Renfeng; Harman, Leslie; Thibos, Larry

2014-01-01

Purpose To examine the separate and combined influences of zone geometry, pupil size, diffraction, apodisation and spherical aberration on the optical performance of concentric zonal bifocals. Methods Zonal bifocal pupil functions representing eye + ophthalmic correction were defined by interleaving wavefronts from separate optical zones of the bifocal. A two-zone design (a central circular inner zone surrounded by an annular outer-zone which is bounded by the pupil) and a five-zone design (a central small circular zone surrounded by four concentric annuli) were configured with programmable zone geometry, wavefront phase and pupil transmission characteristics. Using computational methods, we examined the effects of diffraction, Stiles Crawford apodisation, pupil size and spherical aberration on optical transfer functions for different target distances. Results Apodisation alters the relative weighting of each zone, and thus the balance of near and distance optical quality. When spherical aberration is included, the effective distance correction, add power and image quality depend on zone-geometry and Stiles Crawford Effect apodisation. When the outer zone width is narrow, diffraction limits the available image contrast when focused, but as pupil dilates and outer zone width increases, aberrations will limit the best achievable image quality. With two-zone designs, balancing near and distance image quality is not achieved with equal area inner and outer zones. With significant levels of spherical aberration, multi-zone designs effectively become multifocals. Conclusion Wave optics and pupil varying ocular optics significantly affect the imaging capabilities of different optical zones of concentric bifocals. With two-zone bifocal designs, diffraction, pupil apodisation spherical aberration, and zone size influence both the effective add power and the pupil size required to balance near and distance image quality. Five-zone bifocal designs achieve a high degree of pupil size independence, and thus will provide more consistent performance as pupil size varies with light level and convergence amplitude. PMID:24588552

Effect of deformations on the compactness of odd-Z superheavy nuclei formed in cold and hot fusion reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Gurjit; Sandhu, Kirandeep; Sharma, Manoj K.

2018-03-01

Using the extended fragmentation theory, the compactness of hot and cold fusion reactions is analyzed for odd-Z nuclei ranging Z = 105- 117. The calculations for the present work are carried out at T = 0MeV and ℓ = 0 ħ, as the temperature and angular momentum effects remain silent while addressing the orientation degree of freedom (i.e. compact angle configuration). In the hot fusion, 48Ca (spherical) + actinide (prolate) reaction, the non-equatorial compact (nec) shape is obtained for Z = 113 nucleus. On the other hand, Z > 113 nuclei favor equatorial compact (ec) configuration. The distribution of barrier height (VB) illustrate that the ec-shape is obtained when the magnitude of quadrupole deformation of the nucleus is higher than the hexadecupole deformation. In other words, negligible or small -ve β4-deformations support ec configurations. On the other hand, large (+ve) magnitude of the β4-deformation suggests that the configuration appears for compact angle θc < 90 °, leading to nec structure. Similar deformation effects are observed for Bi-induced reactions, in which not belly-to-belly compact (nbbc) configurations are seen at θc = 42 °. In addition to the effect of β2 and β4-deformations, the exclusive role of octupole deformations (β3) is also analyzed. The β3-deformations do not follow the reflection symmetry as that of β2 and β4, leading to the possible occurrence of compact configuration within 0° to 180° angular range.

Extended Reissner-Nordström solutions sourced by dynamical torsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cembranos, Jose A. R.; Valcarcel, Jorge Gigante

2018-04-01

We find a new exact vacuum solution in the framework of the Poincaré Gauge field theory with massive torsion. In this model, torsion operates as an independent field and introduces corrections to the vacuum structure present in General Relativity. The new static and spherically symmetric configuration shows a Reissner-Nordström-like geometry characterized by a spin charge. It extends the known massless torsion solution to the massive case. The corresponding Reissner-Nordström-de Sitter solution is also compatible with a cosmological constant and additional U (1) gauge fields.

Anisotropic extension of Finch and Skea stellar model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ranjan; Das, Shyam; Thirukkanesh, S.

2017-12-01

In this paper, the spacetime geometry of Finch and Skea [Class. Quantum Gravity 6:467, 1989] has been utilized to obtain closed-form solutions for a spherically symmetric anisotropic matter distribution. By examining its physical admissibility, we have shown that the class of solutions can be used as viable models for observed pulsars. In particular, a specific class of solutions can be used as an `anisotropic switch' to examine the impact of anisotropy on the gross physical properties of a stellar configuration. Accordingly, the mass-radius relationship has been analyzed.

Stability of a Light Sail Riding on a Laser Beam

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

Manchester, Zachary; Loeb, Abraham, E-mail: zmanchester@seas.harvard.edu

2017-03-10

The stability of a light sail riding on a laser beam is analyzed both analytically and numerically. Conical sails on Gaussian beams, which have been studied in the past, are shown to be unstable without active control or additional mechanical modifications. A new architecture for a passively stable sail-and-beam configuration is proposed. The novel spherical shell design for the sail is capable of “beam riding” without the need for active feedback control. Full three-dimensional ray-tracing simulations are performed to verify our analytical results.

Optical elements formed by compressed gases: Analysis and potential applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howes, W. L.

1986-01-01

Spherical, cylindrical, and conical shock waves are optically analogous to gas lenses. The geometrical optics of these shock configurations are analyzed as they pertain to flow visualization instruments, particularly the rainbow schlieren apparatus and single-pass interferometers. It is proposed that a lens or mirror formed by gas compressed between plastic sheets has potential as a fluid visualization test object; as the objective mirror in a very large space-based telescope, communication antenna, or energy collector; as the objective mirror in inexpensive commercial telescopes; and as a component in fluid visualization apparatuses.

Singlet vs. triplet interelectronic repulsion in confined atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarsa, A.; Buendía, E.; Gálvez, F. J.; Katriel, J.

2018-06-01

Hund's multiplicity rule invariably holds for the ground configurations of few-electron atoms as well as those of multi-electron quantum dots. However, the ordering of the corresponding interelectronic repulsions exhibits a reversal in the former but not in the latter system, upon varying the system parameters. Here, we investigate the transition between these two types of behaviour by studying few-electron atoms confined in spherical cavities. "Counter-intuitive" ordering of the interelectronic repulsions is confirmed when the nuclear charge is low enough and the cavity radius is large enough.

Reflective optical imaging system for extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

DOEpatents

Viswanathan, Vriddhachalam K.; Newnam, Brian E.

1993-01-01

A projection reflection optical system has two mirrors in a coaxial, four reflection configuration to reproduce the image of an object. The mirrors have spherical reflection surfaces to provide a very high resolution of object feature wavelengths less than 200 .mu.m, and preferably less than 100 .mu.m. An image resolution of features less than 0.05-0.1 .mu.m, is obtained over a large area field; i.e., 25.4 mm .times.25.4 mm, with a distortion less than 0.1 of the resolution over the image field.

Reflective optical imaging system for extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

DOEpatents

Viswanathan, V.K.; Newnam, B.E.

1993-05-18

A projection reflection optical system has two mirrors in a coaxial, four reflection configuration to reproduce the image of an object. The mirrors have spherical reflection surfaces to provide a very high resolution of object feature wavelengths less than 200 [mu]m, and preferably less than 100 [mu]m. An image resolution of features less than 0.05-0.1 [mu]m, is obtained over a large area field; i.e., 25.4 mm [times] 25.4 mm, with a distortion less than 0.1 of the resolution over the image field.

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

Afonso, V.I.; Olmo, Gonzalo J.; Rubiera-Garcia, D., E-mail: viafonso@df.ufcg.edu.br, E-mail: gonzalo.olmo@uv.es, E-mail: drgarcia@fc.ul.pt

The existence of static, spherically symmetric, self-gravitating scalar field solutions in the context of Born-Infeld gravity is explored. Upon a combination of analytical approximations and numerical methods, the equations for a free scalar field (without a potential term) are solved, verifying that the solutions recover the predictions of General Relativity far from the center but finding important new effects in the central regions. We find two classes of objects depending on the ratio between the Schwarzschild radius and a length scale associated to the Born-Infeld theory: massive solutions have a wormhole structure, with their throat at r ≈ 2 Mmore » , while for the lighter configurations the topology is Euclidean. The total energy density of these solutions exhibits a solitonic profile with a maximum peaked away from the center, and located at the throat whenever a wormhole exists. The geodesic structure and curvature invariants are analyzed for the various configurations considered.« less

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarrott, L. C.; Benedetti, L. R.; Chen, H.; Izumi, N.; Khan, S. F.; Ma, T.; Nagel, S. R.; Landen, O. L.; Pak, A.; Patel, P. K.; Schneider, M.; Scott, H. A.

2016-11-01

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for the hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. This new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.

Understanding soft glassy materials using an energy landscape approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Hyun Joo; Riggleman, Robert A.; Crocker, John C.

2016-09-01

Many seemingly different soft materials--such as soap foams, mayonnaise, toothpaste and living cells--display strikingly similar viscoelastic behaviour. A fundamental physical understanding of such soft glassy rheology and how it can manifest in such diverse materials, however, remains unknown. Here, by using a model soap foam consisting of compressible spherical bubbles, whose sizes slowly evolve and whose collective motion is simply dictated by energy minimization, we study the foam's dynamics as it corresponds to downhill motion on an energy landscape function spanning a high-dimensional configuration space. We find that these downhill paths, when viewed in this configuration space, are, surprisingly, fractal. The complex behaviour of our model, including power-law rheology and non-diffusive bubble motion and avalanches, stems directly from the fractal dimension and energy function of these paths. Our results suggest that ubiquitous soft glassy rheology may be a consequence of emergent fractal geometry in the energy landscapes of many complex fluids.

Motion of Optically Heated Spheres at the Water-Air Interface.

PubMed

Girot, A; Danné, N; Würger, A; Bickel, T; Ren, F; Loudet, J C; Pouligny, B

2016-03-22

A micrometer-sized spherical particle classically equilibrates at the water-air interface in partial wetting configuration, causing about no deformation to the interface. In condition of thermal equilibrium, the particle just undergoes faint Brownian motion, well visible under a microscope. We report experimental observations when the particle is made of a light-absorbing material and is heated up by a vertical laser beam. We show that, at small laser power, the particle is trapped in on-axis configuration, similarly to 2-dimensional trapping of a transparent sphere by optical forces. Conversely, on-axis trapping becomes unstable at higher power. The particle escapes off the laser axis and starts orbiting around the axis. We show that the laser-heated particle behaves as a microswimmer with velocities on the order of several 100 μm/s with just a few milliwatts of laser power.

Director configurations in nematic droplets with inhomogeneous boundary conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prishchepa, O. O.; Shabanov, A. V.; Zyryanov, V. Ya.

2005-09-01

The nematic droplets with director configurations intermediate between the bipolar and radial structures have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The liquid crystal 4'-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) with a variable addition of the lecithin dispersed in polyvinylbutyral has been used. The characteristic textures of the droplets formed at various lecithin contents have been examined using polarizing microscope both in the crossed polarizers and without analyzer. The computer simulation has been performed for proper ordering of the director in spherical nematic droplets by minimizing the free energy in the one-constant approximation. The inhomogeneous boundary conditions with strong anchoring of the molecules at the interface have been used. The distribution of the anchoring angle at the droplet surface has been estimated based on analysis of observed patterns. The simulated textures of the droplets under crossed polarizers are shown to compare well with the experimental ones.

Wavefront division digital holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wenhui; Cao, Liangcai; Li, Rujia; Zhang, Hua; Zhang, Hao; Jiang, Qiang; Jin, Guofan

2018-05-01

Digital holography (DH), mostly Mach-Zehnder configuration based, belongs to non-common path amplitude splitting interference imaging whose stability and fringe contrast are environmental sensitive. This paper presents a wavefront division DH configuration with both high stability and high-contrast fringes benefitting from quasi common path wavefront-splitting interference. In our proposal, two spherical waves with similar curvature coming from the same wavefront are used, which makes full use of the physical sampling capacity of the detectors. The interference fringe spacing can be adjusted flexibly for both in-line and off-axis mode due to the independent modulation to these two waves. Only a few optical elements, including the mirror-beam splitter interference component, are used without strict alignments, which makes it robust and easy-to-implement. The proposed wavefront division DH promotes interference imaging physics into the practical and miniaturized a step forward. The feasibility of this method is proved by the imaging of a resolution target and a water flea.

Power Balance Estimation in Long Duration Discharges on QUEST

DOE PAGES

Hanada, K.; Zushi, H.; Idei, H.; ...

2016-10-28

Fully non-inductive plasma start-up was successfully achieved by using a well-controlled microwave source on the spherical tokamak, QUEST. Non-inductive plasmas were maintained for approximately 3–5 min, during which time power balance estimates could be achieved by monitoring wall and cooling-water temperatures. Approximately 70%–90% of the injected power could be accounted for by calorimetric measurements and approximately half of the injected power was found to be deposited on the vessel wall, which is slightly dependent on the magnetic configuration. Lastly, the power distribution to water-cooled limiters, which are expected to be exposed to local heat loads, depends significantly on the magneticmore » configuration, however some of the deposited power is due to energetic electrons, which have large poloidal orbits and are likely to be deposited on the plasma facing components.« less

Electromagnetic polarization-controlled perfect switching effect with high-refractive-index dimers and the beam-splitter configuration

PubMed Central

Barreda, Ángela I.; Saleh, Hassan; Litman, Amelie; González, Francisco; Geffrin, Jean-Michel; Moreno, Fernando

2017-01-01

Sub-wavelength particles made from high-index dielectrics, either individual or as ensembles, are ideal candidates for multifunctional elements in optical devices. Their directionality effects are traditionally analysed through forward and backward measurements, even if these directions are not convenient for in-plane scattering practical purposes. Here we present unambiguous experimental evidence in the microwave range that for a dimer of HRI spherical particles, a perfect switching effect is observed out of those directions as a consequence of the mutual particle electric/magnetic interaction. The binary state depends on the excitation polarization. Its analysis is performed through the linear polarization degree of scattered radiation at a detection direction perpendicular to the incident direction: the beam-splitter configuration. The scaling property of Maxwell's equations allows the generalization of our results to other frequency ranges and dimension scales, for instance, the visible and the nanometric scale. PMID:28051061

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF.

PubMed

Jarrott, L C; Benedetti, L R; Chen, H; Izumi, N; Khan, S F; Ma, T; Nagel, S R; Landen, O L; Pak, A; Patel, P K; Schneider, M; Scott, H A

2016-11-01

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for the hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. This new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.

Power Balance Estimation in Long Duration Discharges on QUEST

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

Hanada, K.; Zushi, H.; Idei, H.

Fully non-inductive plasma start-up was successfully achieved by using a well-controlled microwave source on the spherical tokamak, QUEST. Non-inductive plasmas were maintained for approximately 3–5 min, during which time power balance estimates could be achieved by monitoring wall and cooling-water temperatures. Approximately 70%–90% of the injected power could be accounted for by calorimetric measurements and approximately half of the injected power was found to be deposited on the vessel wall, which is slightly dependent on the magnetic configuration. Lastly, the power distribution to water-cooled limiters, which are expected to be exposed to local heat loads, depends significantly on the magneticmore » configuration, however some of the deposited power is due to energetic electrons, which have large poloidal orbits and are likely to be deposited on the plasma facing components.« less

Black hole hair formation in shift-symmetric generalised scalar-tensor gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benkel, Robert; Sotiriou, Thomas P.; Witek, Helvi

2017-03-01

A linear coupling between a scalar field and the Gauss-Bonnet invariant is the only known interaction term between a scalar and the metric that: respects shift symmetry; does not lead to higher order equations; inevitably introduces black hole hair in asymptotically flat, 4-dimensional spacetimes. Here we focus on the simplest theory that includes such a term and we explore the dynamical formation of scalar hair. In particular, we work in the decoupling limit that neglects the backreaction of the scalar onto the metric and evolve the scalar configuration numerically in the background of a Schwarzschild black hole and a collapsing dust star described by the Oppenheimer-Snyder solution. For all types of initial data that we consider, the scalar relaxes at late times to the known, static, analytic configuration that is associated with a hairy, spherically symmetric black hole. This suggests that the corresponding black hole solutions are indeed endpoints of collapse.

IEC-Based Neutron Generator for Security Inspection System

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

Wu, Linchun; Miley, George H.

2002-07-01

Large nuclear reactors are widely employed for electricity power generation, but small nuclear radiation sources can also be used for a variety of industrial/government applications. In this paper we will discuss the use of a small neutron source based on Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) of accelerated deuterium ions. There is an urgent need of highly effective detection systems for explosives, especially in airports. While current airport inspection systems are strongly based on X-ray technique, neutron activation including Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) and Fast Neutron Analysis (FNA) is powerful in detecting certain types of explosives in luggage and in cargoes. Basicmore » elements present in the explosives can be measured through the (n, n'?) reaction initiated by fast neutrons. Combined with a time-of-flight technique, a complete imaging of key elements, hence of the explosive materials, is obtained. Among the various neutron source generators, the IEC is an ideal candidate to meet the neutron activation analysis requirements. Compared with other accelerators and radioisotopes such as {sup 252}Cf, the IEC is simpler, can be switched on or off, and can reliably produce neutrons with minimum maintenance. Theoretical and experimental studies of a spherical IEC have been conducted at the University of Illinois. In a spherical IEC device, 2.54-MeV neutrons of {approx}10{sup 8} n/s via DD reactions over recent years or 14-MeV neutrons of {approx}2x10{sup 10} n/s via DT reactions can be obtained using an ion gun injection technique. The possibility of the cylindrical IEC in pulsed operation mode combining with pulsed FNA method would also be discussed. In this paper we examine the possibility of using an alternative cylindrical IEC configuration. Such a device was studied earlier at the University of Illinois and it provides a very convenient geometry for security inspection. However, to calculate the neutron yield precisely with this configuration, an understanding of the potential wall trapping and acceleration of ions is needed. The theory engaged is an extension of original analytic study by R.L. Hirsh on the potential well structure in a spherical IEC device, i.e. roughly a 'line' source of neutrons from a cylindrical IEC is a 'point' source from the spherical geometry. Thus our present study focuses on the cylindrical IEC for its convenient application in an FNA detecting system. The conceptual design and physics of ion trapping and re-circulation in a cylindrical IEC intended for neutron-based inspection system will be presented. (authors)« less

Low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography in a realistic geometry head model: a simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Lei; Lai, Yuan; He, Bin

2005-01-01

It is of importance to localize neural sources from scalp recorded EEG. Low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) has received considerable attention for localizing brain electrical sources. However, most such efforts have used spherical head models in representing the head volume conductor. Investigation of the performance of LORETA in a realistic geometry head model, as compared with the spherical model, will provide useful information guiding interpretation of data obtained by using the spherical head model. The performance of LORETA was evaluated by means of computer simulations. The boundary element method was used to solve the forward problem. A three-shell realistic geometry (RG) head model was constructed from MRI scans of a human subject. Dipole source configurations of a single dipole located at different regions of the brain with varying depth were used to assess the performance of LORETA in different regions of the brain. A three-sphere head model was also used to approximate the RG head model, and similar simulations performed, and results compared with the RG-LORETA with reference to the locations of the simulated sources. Multi-source localizations were discussed and examples given in the RG head model. Localization errors employing the spherical LORETA, with reference to the source locations within the realistic geometry head, were about 20-30 mm, for four brain regions evaluated: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital regions. Localization errors employing the RG head model were about 10 mm over the same four brain regions. The present simulation results suggest that the use of the RG head model reduces the localization error of LORETA, and that the RG head model based LORETA is desirable if high localization accuracy is needed.

Plasma Studies in the SPECTOR Experiment as Target Development for MTF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Russ; Young, William; the Fusion Team, General

2016-10-01

General Fusion (GF) is developing a Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) concept in which magnetized plasmas are adiabatically compressed to fusion conditions by the collapse of a liquid metal vortex. To study and optimize the plasma compression process, GF has a field test program in which subscale plasma targets are rapidly compressed with a moving flux conserver. GF has done many field tests to date on plasmas with sufficient thermal confinement but with a compression geometry that is not nearly self-similar. GF has a new design for our subscale plasma injectors called SPECTOR (for SPhErical Compact TORoid) capable of generating and compressing plasmas with a more spherical form factor. SPECTOR forms spherical tokamak plasmas by coaxial helicity injection into a flux conserver (a = 9 cm, R = 19 cm) with a pre-existing toroidal field created by 0.5 MA current in an axial shaft. The toroidal plasma current of 100 - 300 kA resistively decays over a time period of 1.5 msec. SPECTOR1 has an extensive set of plasma diagnostics including Thomson scattering and polarimetry. MHD stability and lifetime of the plasma was explored in different magnetic configurations with a variable safety factor q(Ψ) . Relatively hot (Te >= 350 eV) and dense ( 1020 m-3) plasmas have achieved energy confinement times τE >= 100 μsec and are now ready for field compression tests. russ.ivanov@generalfusion.com.

Protostellar hydrodynamics: Constructing and testing a spacially and temporally second-order accurate method. 2: Cartesian coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myhill, Elizabeth A.; Boss, Alan P.

1993-01-01

In Boss & Myhill (1992) we described the derivation and testing of a spherical coordinate-based scheme for solving the hydrodynamic equations governing the gravitational collapse of nonisothermal, nonmagnetic, inviscid, radiative, three-dimensional protostellar clouds. Here we discuss a Cartesian coordinate-based scheme based on the same set of hydrodynamic equations. As with the spherical coorrdinate-based code, the Cartesian coordinate-based scheme employs explicit Eulerian methods which are both spatially and temporally second-order accurate. We begin by describing the hydrodynamic equations in Cartesian coordinates and the numerical methods used in this particular code. Following Finn & Hawley (1989), we pay special attention to the proper implementations of high-order accuracy, finite difference methods. We evaluate the ability of the Cartesian scheme to handle shock propagation problems, and through convergence testing, we show that the code is indeed second-order accurate. To compare the Cartesian scheme discussed here with the spherical coordinate-based scheme discussed in Boss & Myhill (1992), the two codes are used to calculate the standard isothermal collapse test case described by Bodenheimer & Boss (1981). We find that with the improved codes, the intermediate bar-configuration found previously disappears, and the cloud fragments directly into a binary protostellar system. Finally, we present the results from both codes of a new test for nonisothermal protostellar collapse.

Multifaceted Quadruplet of Low-Lying Spin-Zero States in 66Ni: Emergence of Shape Isomerism in Light Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leoni, S.; Fornal, B.; Mǎrginean, N.; Sferrazza, M.; Tsunoda, Y.; Otsuka, T.; Bocchi, G.; Crespi, F. C. L.; Bracco, A.; Aydin, S.; Boromiza, M.; Bucurescu, D.; Cieplicka-Oryǹczak, N.; Costache, C.; Cǎlinescu, S.; Florea, N.; GhiÅ£ǎ, D. G.; Glodariu, T.; Ionescu, A.; Iskra, Ł. W.; Krzysiek, M.; Mǎrginean, R.; Mihai, C.; Mihai, R. E.; Mitu, A.; NegreÅ£, A.; NiÅ£ǎ, C. R.; Olǎcel, A.; Oprea, A.; Pascu, S.; Petkov, P.; Petrone, C.; Porzio, G.; Şerban, A.; Sotty, C.; Stan, L.; Ştiru, I.; Stroe, L.; Şuvǎilǎ, R.; Toma, S.; Turturicǎ, A.; Ujeniuc, S.; Ur, C. A.

2017-04-01

A search for shape isomers in the 66Ni nucleus was performed, following old suggestions of various mean-field models and recent ones, based on state-of-the-art Monte Carlo shell model (MCSM), all considering 66Ni as the lightest nuclear system with shape isomerism. By employing the two-neutron transfer reaction induced by an 18O beam on a 64Ni target, at the sub-Coulomb barrier energy of 39 MeV, all three lowest-excited 0+ states in 66Ni were populated and their γ decay was observed by γ -coincidence technique. The 0+ states lifetimes were assessed with the plunger method, yielding for the 02+, 03+, and 04+ decay to the 21+ state the B (E 2 ) values of 4.3, 0.1, and 0.2 Weisskopf units (W.u.), respectively. MCSM calculations correctly predict the existence of all three excited 0+ states, pointing to the oblate, spherical, and prolate nature of the consecutive excitations. In addition, they account for the hindrance of the E 2 decay from the prolate 04+ to the spherical 21+ state, although overestimating its value. This result makes 66Ni a unique nuclear system, apart from U,238236 , in which a retarded γ transition from a 0+ deformed state to a spherical configuration is observed, resembling a shape-isomerlike behavior.

Investigation of internal magnetic structures and comparison with two-fluid equilibrium configurations in the multi-pulsing CHI on HIST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakayama, T.; Hanao, T.; Hirono, H.; Hyobu, T.; Ito, K.; Matsumoto, K.; Kikuchi, Y.; Fukumoto, N.; Nagata, M.; Kanki, T.

2012-10-01

Spherical torus (ST) plasmas have been successfully maintained by Muti-pulsing Coaxial Helicity Injection (M-CHI) on HIST. This research object is to clarify relations between plasma characteristics and magnetic flux amplifications, and to compare magnetic field structures measured in the plasma interior to a flowing equilibrium calculation. Two-dimensional magnetic probe array has been newly introduced nearby the gun muzzle. The initial result shows that the diverter configuration with a single X-point can be formed after a bubble burst process of the plasma. The closed magnetic flux is surrounded by the open magnetic field lines intersecting with the gun electrodes. To evaluate the sustained configurations, we use the two-fluid equilibrium code containing generalized Bernoulli and Grad-Shafranov equations which was developed by L.C. Steinhauer. The radial profiles of plasma flow, density and magnetic fields measured on the midplane of the FC are consistent to the calculation. We also found that the poloidal shear flow generation is attributed to ExB drift and ion diamagnetic drift. In addition, we will study temporal behaviors of impurity lines such as OV and OVI during the flux amplification by VUV spectroscopic measurements.

Hamilton's principle and normal mode coupling in an aspherical planet with a fluid core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Attar, David; Crawford, Ophelia; Valentine, Andrew P.; Trampert, Jeannot

2018-04-01

We apply Hamilton's principle to obtain the exact equations of motion for an elastic planet that is rotating, self-gravitating, and comprises both fluid and solid regions. This variational problem is complicated by the occurrence of tangential slip at fluid-solid boundaries, but we show how this can be accommodated both directly and using the method of Lagrange multipliers. A novelty of our approach is that the planet's motion is described relative to an arbitrary reference configuration, with this generality offering advantages for numerical calculations. In particular, aspherical topography on the free surface or internal boundaries of the planet's equilibrium configuration can be converted exactly into effective volumetric heterogeneities within a geometrically spherical reference body by applying a suitable particle relabelling transformation. The theory is then specialised to consider the linearised motion of a planet about a steadily rotating equilibrium configuration, with these results having applications to normal mode coupling calculations used within studies of long period seismology, tidal deformation, and related fields. In particular, we explain how our new theory will, for the first time, allow aspherical boundary topography to be incorporated exactly within such coupling calculations.

Statistical description of massless excitations within a sphere with a linear equation of state and the dark energy case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viaggiu, S.

2018-04-01

In this paper, we continue the investigations present in Refs. 1-3. In particular, we extend the theorem proved in Ref. 3 to any massless excitation in a given spherical box. As a first interesting result, we show that it is possible, contrary to the black hole case studied in detail in Refs. 1-3, to build macroscopic configurations with a dark energy equation of state. To this purpose, by requiring a stable configuration, a macroscopic dark fluid is obtained with an internal energy U scaling as the volume V, but with a fundamental correction looking like ˜ 1/R motivated by quantum fluctuations. Thanks to the proposition in Sec. 3 (and in Ref. 3 for gravitons), one can depict the dark energy in terms of massless excitations with a discrete spectrum. This fact opens the possibility to test a possible physical mechanism converting usual radiation into dark energy in a macroscopic configuration, also in a cosmological context. In fact, for example, in a Friedmann flat universe with a cosmological constant, particles are marginally trapped at the Hubble horizon for any given comoving observer.

Theoretical study of the generation of terahertz radiation by the interaction of two laser beams with graphite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sepehri Javan, N.; Rouhi Erdi, F.

2017-12-01

In this theoretical study, we investigate the generation of terahertz radiation by considering the beating of two similar Gaussian laser beams with different frequencies of ω1 and ω2 in a spatially modulated medium of graphite nanoparticles. The medium is assumed to contain spherical graphite nanoparticles of two different configurations: in the first configuration, the electric fields of the laser beams are parallel to the normal vector of the basal plane of the graphite structure, whereas in the second configuration, the electric fields are perpendicular to the normal vector of the basal plane. The interaction of the electric fields of lasers with the electronic clouds of the nanoparticles generates a ponderomotive force that in turn leads to the creation of a macroscopic electron current in the direction of laser polarizations and at the beat frequency ω1-ω2 , which can generate terahertz radiation. We show that, when the beat frequency lies near the effective plasmon frequency of the nanoparticles and the electric fields are parallel to the basal-plane normal, a resonant interaction of the laser beams causes intense terahertz radiation.

Characterisation of edge turbulence in relation to edge magnetic field configuration in L-mode plasmas in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewhurst, J.; Hnat, B.; Dudson, B.; Dendy, R. O.; Counsell, G. F.; Kirk, A.

2007-12-01

Almost all astrophysical and magnetically confined fusion plasmas are turbulent. Here, we examine ion saturation current (Isat) measurements of edge plasma turbulence for three MAST L-mode plasmas that differ primarily in their edge magnetic field configurations. First, absolute moments of the coarse grained data are examined to obtain accurate values of scaling exponents. The dual scaling behaviour is identified in all samples, with the temporal scale τ ≍ 40-60 μs separating the two regimes. Strong universality is then identified in the functional form of the probability density function (PDF) for Isat fluctuations, which is well approximated by the Fréchet distribution on temporal scales τ ≤ 40μs. For temporal scales τ > 40μs, the PDFs appear to converge to the Gumbel distribution, which has been previously identified as a universal feature of many other complex phenomena. The optimal fitting parameters k=1.15 for Fréchet and a=1.35 for Gumbel provide a simple quantitative characterisation of the full spectrum of fluctuations. We conclude that, to good approximation, the properties of the edge turbulence are independent of the edge magnetic field configuration.

Characterization of edge turbulence in relation to edge magnetic field configuration in Ohmic L-mode plasmas in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hnat, B.; Dudson, B. D.; Dendy, R. O.; Counsell, G. F.; Kirk, A.; MAST Team

2008-08-01

Ion saturation current (Isat) measurements of edge plasma turbulence are analysed for six MAST L-mode plasmas that differ primarily in their edge magnetic field configurations. The analysis techniques are designed to capture the strong nonlinearities of the datasets. First, absolute moments of the data are examined to obtain accurate values of scaling exponents. This confirms dual scaling behaviour in all samples, with the temporal scale τ ≈ 40-60 µs separating the two regimes. Strong universality is then identified in the functional form of the probability density function (PDF) for Isat fluctuations, which is well approximated by the Fréchet distribution on temporal scales τ <= 40 µs. For temporal scales τ > 40 µs, the PDFs appear to converge to the Gumbel distribution, which has been previously identified as a universal feature of many other complex phenomena. The optimal fitting parameters k = 1.15 for Fréchet and a = 1.35 for Gumbel provide a simple quantitative characterization of the full spectrum of fluctuations. It is concluded that, to good approximation, the properties of the edge turbulence are independent of the edge magnetic field configuration.

Extension of a simplified computer program for analysis of solid-propellant rocket motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sforzini, R. H.

1973-01-01

A research project to develop a computer program for the preliminary design and performance analysis of solid propellant rocket engines is discussed. The following capabilities are included as computer program options: (1) treatment of wagon wheel cross sectional propellant configurations alone or in combination with circular perforated grains, (2) calculation of ignition transients with the igniter treated as a small rocket engine, (3) representation of spherical circular perforated grain ends as an alternative to the conical end surface approximation used in the original program, and (4) graphical presentation of program results using a digital plotter.

Double lens device for tunable harmonic generation of laser beams in KBBF/RBBF crystals or other non-linear optic materials

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

Kaminski, Adam

A method and apparatus to generate harmonically related laser wavelengths includes a pair of lenses at opposing faces of a non-linear optical material. The lenses are configured to promote incoming and outgoing beams to be normal to each outer lens surface over a range of acceptance angles of the incoming laser beam. This reduces reflection loss for higher efficiency operation. Additionally, the lenses allow a wider range of wavelengths for lasers for more universal application. Examples of the lenses include plano-cylindrical and plano-spherical form factors.

Zonal flow generation in inertial confinement fusion implosions

DOE PAGES

Peterson, J. L.; Humbird, K. D.; Field, J. E.; ...

2017-03-06

A supervised machine learning algorithm trained on a multi-petabyte dataset of inertial confinement fusion simulations has identified a class of implosions that robustly achieve high yield, even in the presence of drive variations and hydrodynamic perturbations. These implosions are purposefully driven with a time-varying asymmetry, such that coherent flow generation during hotspot stagnation forces the capsule to self-organize into an ovoid, a shape that appears to be more resilient to shell perturbations than spherical designs. Here this new class of implosions, whose configurations are reminiscent of zonal flows in magnetic fusion devices, may offer a path to robust inertial fusion.

The nuclear shell model toward the drip lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poves, A.; Caurier, E.; Nowacki, F.; Sieja, K.

2012-10-01

We describe the 'islands of inversion' that occur when approaching the neutron drip line around the magic numbers N=20, N=28 and N=40 in the framework of the interacting shell model in very large valence spaces. We explain these configuration inversions (and the associated shape transitions) as the result of the competition between the spherical mean field (monopole) that favors magicity and the correlations (multipole) that favor deformed intruder states. We also show that the N=20 and N=28 islands are in reality a single one, which for the magnesium isotopes is limited by N=18 and N=32.

On the existence of a solution to a quasilinear elliptic system of the Lane, Emden and Fowler type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Covei, Dragoş-Pǎtru

2012-11-01

In this article, we give an algorithm to obtain the existence of a solution for a quasilinear elliptic system. Our result is new and is based on a recent work of [R.J. Biezuner, J. Brown, G. Ercole and E.M. Martins, Computing the first eigenpair of the p-Laplacian via inverse iteration of sublinear supersolutions, J. Sci. Computation, 2011]. Such problems appear in boundary layer phenomena for viscous fluids, the equilibrium configuration of mass in a spherical cloud of gas, thermal explosion as well as in others applications.

Effect of a strong-current ion ring on spheromak stability

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

Litwin, C.; Sudan, R.N.

The stability of a spheromak with an energetic ion ring, carrying a current comparable to the plasma current, to the tilt mode is considered. For small departures from sphericity a perturbative approach is applied to an appropriate energy principle in order to calculate the lowest nontrivial kinetic contribution of the ion ring. An analytic stability criterion is obtained. It is seen that the prolate configuration becomes more stable while the oblate one is less stable than in the absence of the ring. The prolomak becomes stable when the ring kinetic energy exceeds the magnetic energy within the separatrix.

A special class of solutions in F( R)-gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calzà, Marco; Rinaldi, Massimiliano; Sebastiani, Lorenzo

2018-03-01

We consider a special class of vacuum F( R)-modified gravity models. The form of their Lagrangian is such that the field equations are trivially satisfied when the Ricci scalar is constant. There are many interesting F( R)-models for inflation and dark energy that fall in this class. However, little is known outside the domain of cosmology therefore we aim to explore the class of solutions that are static and spherically symmetric. After some general considerations, we investigate in more detail black hole solutions, traversable wormhole metrics and, finally, configurations that can match the anomalous rotation curves of galaxies.

Acoustic Source Localization in Aircraft Interiors Using Microphone Array Technologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sklanka, Bernard J.; Tuss, Joel R.; Buehrle, Ralph D.; Klos, Jacob; Williams, Earl G.; Valdivia, Nicolas

2006-01-01

Using three microphone array configurations at two aircraft body stations on a Boeing 777-300ER flight test, the acoustic radiation characteristics of the sidewall and outboard floor system are investigated by experimental measurement. Analysis of the experimental data is performed using sound intensity calculations for closely spaced microphones, PATCH Inverse Boundary Element Nearfield Acoustic Holography, and Spherical Nearfield Acoustic Holography. Each method is compared assessing strengths and weaknesses, evaluating source identification capability for both broadband and narrowband sources, evaluating sources during transient and steady-state conditions, and quantifying field reconstruction continuity using multiple array positions.

Miniaturized high-precision piezo driven two axes stepper goniometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, H.; Schwarz, A.; Wiesendanger, R.

2014-04-01

A miniaturized inertial stepper goniometer with two orthogonal axes (θ and φ axes) has been realized using four shear piezo based actuators arranged in a tetrahedral configuration tangent with a polished sapphire spherical rotor. The measured sensitivity is about 11.5 microdegree (μ°) per Volt. The smallest angular step size, achieved with a minimal peak-to-peak voltage Upp of 200 V is about 0.6 millidegree (m°). The crosstalk between both axes is below 10%. Our specific design is used to accurately position a glass fiber, but the concept can be utilized for many different applications as well.

The possibility of a reversal of material flammability ranking from normal gravity to microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

T'Ien, James S.

1990-01-01

The purpose of the discussion is to show, by a theoretical model, that one of the material flammability indices, the flammability limit, can be reversed in proper circumstances. A stagnation-point diffusion flame adjacent to a spherical solid-fuel surface is considered. It is shown that a reversal of the limiting oxygen indices from normal gravity and microgravity is possible. Although the example is based on a particular theoretical model with a particular flame configuration and specifically for an oxygen limit, the flammability-limit reversal phenomenon is believed to be more general.

Kinematic Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Novel PRS Parallel Mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balaji, K.; Khan, B. Shahul Hamid

2018-02-01

In this paper, a 3 DoF (Degree of Freedom) novel PRS (Prismatic-Revolute- Spherical) type parallel mechanisms has been designed and presented. The combination of striaght and arc type linkages for 3 DOF parallel mechanism is introduced for the first time. The performances of the mechanisms are evaluated based on the indices such as Minimum Singular Value (MSV), Condition Number (CN), Local Conditioning Index (LCI), Kinematic Configuration Index (KCI) and Global Conditioning Index (GCI). The overall reachable workspace of all mechanisms are presented. The kinematic measure, dexterity measure and workspace analysis for all the mechanism have been evaluated and compared.

Finite element analysis of Mercury slosh in the solar electric propulsion stage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, J. N.

1975-01-01

The static equilibrium shapes of the neoprene bladder have been established corresponding to various ullage and gravity configurations under specified boundary conditions. The hemispherical bladder is taken to be attached at the diametral plane of the sphere with zero relative slope. With these shapes, the spherical tank with bladder and mercury has been modeled as an assemblage of finite elements. The properties of these elements have then been calculated using a linear displacement field. The dynamic characteristics were obtained to be used to define a mechanical analog which will reproduce the sloshing phenomenon of the system.

Special Features of Light Absorption by the Dimer of Bilayer Microparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geints, Yu. É.; Panina, E. K.; Zemlyanov, A. A.

2018-05-01

Results of numerical simulation of light absorption by the dimer of bilayer spherical particles consisting of a water core and a polymer shell absorbing radiation are presented. The spatial distribution and the amplitude characteristics of the volume density of the absorbed power are investigated. It is shown that for a certain spatial dimer configuration, the maximal achievable density of the absorbed power is realized. It is also established that for closely spaced microcapsules with high shell absorption indices, the total power absorbed in the dimer volume can increase in comparison with the radiation absorption by two insulated microparticles.

Influence of complex configurations on properties of pygmy dipole resonances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsenyev, N. N.; Severyukhin, A. P.; Voronov, V. V.; Van Giai, Nguyen

2018-05-01

Starting from the quasiparticle random phase approximation based on the Skyrme interaction SLy5, we study the effects of phonon-phonon coupling (PPC) on the low-energy electric dipole responses in some spherical nuclei. The inclusion of the PPC results in the formation of low-energy 1‑ states. There is an impact of the PPC effect on low-energy E1 strength. The PPC effect on the electric dipole polarizability is discussed. We predict a strong increase of the summed E1 strength below 10 MeV, with increasing neutron number from 48Ca till 58Ca.

Polyimides: Tribological properties and their use as lubricants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fusaro, R. L.

1982-01-01

Friction, wear, and wear mechanisms of several different polyimide films, solid bodies, composites, and bonded solid lubricant films are compared and discussed. In addition, the effect of such parameters as temperatures, type of atmosphere, contact stress, and specimen configuration are investigated. A friction and wear transition occurs in some polyimides at elevated temperatures and this transition is related to molecular relaxations that occur in polyimides. Friction and wear data from an accelerated test (pin-on-disk) are compared to similar data from an end use test device (plain spherical bearing), and to other polymers investigated in a similar geometry.

Zonal flow generation in inertial confinement fusion implosions

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

Peterson, J. L.; Humbird, K. D.; Field, J. E.

A supervised machine learning algorithm trained on a multi-petabyte dataset of inertial confinement fusion simulations has identified a class of implosions that robustly achieve high yield, even in the presence of drive variations and hydrodynamic perturbations. These implosions are purposefully driven with a time-varying asymmetry, such that coherent flow generation during hotspot stagnation forces the capsule to self-organize into an ovoid, a shape that appears to be more resilient to shell perturbations than spherical designs. Here this new class of implosions, whose configurations are reminiscent of zonal flows in magnetic fusion devices, may offer a path to robust inertial fusion.

Data appendix: F-number=1.0 EMR with a flexible back electrode

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mihora, D. J.

1984-01-01

A 12.5 micron Tedlar low f-number electrostatic membrane reflector was tested. The antenna reflector was designed to achieve a spherical reflector surface with a focal length to diameter ratio f(sub n) of one and a potential accuracy of 1.0 over its 4.88 m diameter. The configuration required the cutting and joining of twelve pie-shaped panels to form the reflector surface. Electrostatic forces are used to tension this preformed membrane reflector. The test data is spare-only three sets of measurements were taken due to lack of funds.

The formation mechanism of 4179 Toutatis' elongated bilobed structure in a close Earth encounter scenario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shoucun; Ji, Jianghui; Richardson, Derek C.; Zhao, Yuhui; Zhang, Yun

2018-07-01

The optical images of near-Earth asteroid 4179 Toutatis acquired by Chang'e-2 spacecraft show that Toutatis has an elongated contact binary configuration, with the contact point located along the long axis. We speculate that such configuration may have resulted from a low-speed impact between two components. In this work, we performed a series of numerical simulations and compared the results with the optical images, to examine the mechanism and better understand the formation of Toutatis. Herein, we propose a scenario that an assumed separated binary precursor could undergo a close encounter with Earth, leading to an impact between the primary and secondary, and the elongation is caused by Earth's tide. The precursor is assumed to be a doubly synchronous binary with a semimajor axis of 4Rp (radius of primary) and the two components are represented as spherical cohesionless self-gravitating granular aggregates. The mutual orbits are simulated in a Monte Carlo routine to provide appropriate parameters for our N-body simulations of impact and tidal distortion. We employ the PKDGRAV package with a soft-sphere discrete element method to explore the entire scenarios. The results show that contact binary configurations are natural outcomes under this scenario, whereas the shape of the primary is almost not affected by the impact of the secondary. However, our simulations further provide an elongated contact binary configuration best matching to the shape of Toutatis at an approaching distance rp = 1.4-1.5 Re (Earth radius), indicative of a likely formation scenario for configurations of Toutatis-like elongated contact binaries.

The formation mechanism of 4179 Toutatis' elongated bi-lobed structure in a close Earth encounter scenario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shoucun; Ji, Jianghui; Richardson, Derek C.; Zhao, Yuhui; Zhang, Yun

2018-04-01

The optical images of near-Earth asteroid 4179 Toutatis acquired by Chang'e-2 spacecraft show that Toutatis has an elongated contact binary configuration, with the contact point located along the long axis. We speculate that such configuration may have resulted from a low-speed impact between two components. In this work, we performed a series of numerical simulations and compared the results with the optical images, to examine the mechanism and better understand the formation of Toutatis. Herein we propose an scenario that an assumed separated binary precursor could undergo a close encounter with Earth, leading to an impact between the primary and secondary, and the elongation is caused by Earth's tide. The precursor is assumed to be a doubly synchronous binary with a semi-major axis of 4 Rp (radius of primary) and the two components are represented as spherical cohesionless self-gravitating granular aggregates. The mutual orbits are simulated in a Monte Carlo routine to provide appropriate parameters for our N-body simulations of impact and tidal distortion. We employ the pkdgrav package with a soft-sphere discrete element method (SSDEM) to explore the entire scenarios. The results show that contact binary configurations are natural outcomes under this scenario, whereas the shape of the primary is almost not affected by the impact of the secondary. However, our simulations further provide an elongated contact binary configuration best-matching to the shape of Toutatis at an approaching distance rp = 1.4 ˜ 1.5 Re (Earth radius), indicative of a likely formation scenario for configurations of Toutatis-like elongated contact binaries.

Self-pressurization of a spherical liquid hydrogen storage tank in a microgravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, C. S.; Hasan, M. M.

1992-01-01

Thermal stratification and self-pressurization of partially filled liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks under microgravity condition is studied theoretically. A spherical tank is subjected to a uniform and constant wall heat flux. It is assumed that a vapor bubble is located in the tank center such that the liquid-vapor interface and tank wall form two concentric spheres. This vapor bubble represents an idealized configuration of a wetting fluid in microgravity conditions. Dimensionless mass and energy conservation equations for both vapor and liquid regions are numerically solved. Coordinate transformation is used to capture the interface location which changes due to liquid thermal expansion, vapor compression, and mass transfer at liquid-vapor interface. The effects of tank size, liquid fill level, and wall heat flux on the pressure rise and thermal stratification are studied. Liquid thermal expansion tends to cause vapor condensation and wall heat flux tends to cause liquid evaporation at the interface. The combined effects determine the direction of mass transfer at the interface. Liquid superheat increases with increasing wall heat flux and liquid fill level and approaches an asymptotic value.

A miniature solar device for overall water splitting consisting of series-connected spherical silicon solar cells

PubMed Central

Kageshima, Yosuke; Shinagawa, Tatsuya; Kuwata, Takaaki; Nakata, Josuke; Minegishi, Tsutomu; Takanabe, Kazuhiro; Domen, Kazunari

2016-01-01

A novel “photovoltaics (PV) + electrolyzer” concept is presented using a simple, small, and completely stand-alone non-biased device for solar-driven overall water splitting. Three or four spherical-shaped p-n junction silicon balls were successfully connected in series, named “SPHELAR.” SPHELAR possessed small projected areas of 0.20 (3PVs) and 0.26 cm2 (4PVs) and exhibited working voltages sufficient for water electrolysis. Impacts of the configuration on the PV module performance were carefully analyzed, revealing that a drastic increase in the photocurrent (≈20%) was attained by the effective utilization of a reflective sheet. Separate investigations on the electrocatalyst performance showed that non-noble metal based materials with reasonably small sizes (<0.80 cm2) exhibited substantial currents at the PV working voltage. By combining the observations of the PV characteristics, light management and electrocatalyst performance, solar-driven overall water splitting was readily achieved, reaching solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies of 7.4% (3PVs) and 6.4% (4PVs). PMID:27087266

Spherical crystals in dusty plasmas - Simulation and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonitz, M.; Henning, C.; Golubnychiy, V.; Baumgartner, H.; Ludwig, P.; Arp, O.; Block, D.; Piel, A.; Melzer, A.; Kraeft, W. D.

2006-10-01

Coulomb crystals in spherically symmetric traps have been found in trapped cold ions and, recently, in dusty plasmas at room temperature [1] allowing for precision measurements, including individual particle positions and trajectories. Thus, for the first time, strong correlation phenomena can be studied directly on the microscopic level which allows for detailed comparisons with theoretical results and computer simulations. We present molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of Coulomb crystals in the range from 10 to 10,000 particles which agree very well with the measurements [3]. The results include the ground state shell configurations and symmetry properties [2,3], the crystal stability and melting behavior. Finally, a thermodynamic theory is developed and compared to simpler models, such as shell models [4]. [1] O. Arp, D. Block, A. Piel, and A. Melzer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 165004 (2004). [2] P. Ludwig, S. Kosse, and M. Bonitz, Phys. Rev. E 71, 046403 (2005). [3] M. Bonitz, D. Block, O. Arp, V. Golubnychiy, H. Baumgartner, P. Ludwig, A. Piel, and A. Filinov, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 075001 (2006). [4] C. Henning et al., submitted for publication.

Electromagnetic scattering by a uniaxial anisotropic sphere located in an off-axis Bessel beam.

PubMed

Qu, Tan; Wu, Zhen-Sen; Shang, Qing-Chao; Li, Zheng-Jun; Bai, Lu

2013-08-01

Electromagnetic scattering of a zero-order Bessel beam by an anisotropic spherical particle in the off-axis configuration is investigated. Based on the spherical vector wave functions, the expansion expression of the zero-order Bessel beam is derived, and its convergence is numerically discussed in detail. Utilizing the tangential continuity of the electromagnetic fields, the expressions of scattering coefficients are given. The effects of the conical angle of the wave vector components of the zero-order Bessel beam, the ratio of the radius of the sphere to the central spot radius of the zero-order Bessel beam, the shift of the beam waist center position along both the x and y axes, the permittivity and permeability tensor elements, and the loss of the sphere on the radar cross section (RCS) are numerically analyzed. It is revealed that the maximum RCS appears in the conical direction or neighboring direction when the sphere is illuminated by a zero-order Bessel beam. Furthermore, the RCS will decrease and the symmetry is broken with the shift of the beam waist center.

Demonstration of Numerical Equivalence of Ensemble and Spectral Averaging in Electromagnetic Scattering by Random Particulate Media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mishchenko, Michael I.; Dlugach, Janna M.; Zakharova, Nadezhda T.

2016-01-01

The numerically exact superposition T-matrix method is used to model far-field electromagnetic scattering by two types of particulate object. Object 1 is a fixed configuration which consists of N identical spherical particles (with N 200 or 400) quasi-randomly populating a spherical volume V having a median size parameter of 50. Object 2 is a true discrete random medium (DRM) comprising the same number N of particles randomly moving throughout V. The median particle size parameter is fixed at 4. We show that if Object 1 is illuminated by a quasi-monochromatic parallel beam then it generates a typical speckle pattern having no resemblance to the scattering pattern generated by Object 2. However, if Object 1 is illuminated by a parallel polychromatic beam with a 10 bandwidth then it generates a scattering pattern that is largely devoid of speckles and closely reproduces the quasi-monochromatic pattern generated by Object 2. This result serves to illustrate the capacity of the concept of electromagnetic scattering by a DRM to encompass fixed quasi-random particulate samples provided that they are illuminated by polychromatic light.

Torque Measurement of 3-DOF Haptic Master Operated by Controllable Electrorheological Fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Jong-Seok; Choi, Seung-Bok; Lee, Yang-Sub

2015-02-01

This work presents a torque measurement method of 3-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) haptic master featuring controllable electrorheological (ER) fluid. In order to reflect the sense of an organ for a surgeon, the ER haptic master which can generate the repulsive torque of an organ is utilized as a remote controller for a surgery robot. Since accurate representation of organ feeling is essential for the success of the robot-assisted surgery, it is indispensable to develop a proper torque measurement method of 3-DOF ER haptic master. After describing the structural configuration of the haptic master, the torque models of ER spherical joint are mathematically derived based on the Bingham model of ER fluid. A new type of haptic device which has pitching, rolling, and yawing motions is then designed and manufactured using a spherical joint mechanism. Subsequently, the field-dependent parameters of the Bingham model are identified and generating repulsive torque according to applied electric field is measured. In addition, in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed torque model, a comparative work between simulated and measured torques is undertaken.

Effect of particle size distribution on 3D packings of spherical particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taiebat, Mahdi; Mutabaruka, Patrick; Pellenq, Roland; Radjai, Farhang

2017-06-01

We use molecular dynamics simulations of frictionless spherical particles to investigate a class of polydisperse granular materials in which the particle size distribution is uniform in particle volumes. The particles are assembled in a box by uniaxial compaction under the action of a constant stress. Due to the absence of friction and the nature of size distribution, the generated packings have the highest packing fraction at a given size span, defined as the ratio α of the largest size to the smallest size. We find that, up to α = 5, the packing fraction is a nearly linear function of α. While the coordination number is nearly constant due to the isostatic nature of the packings, we show that the connectivity of the particles evolves with α. In particular, the proportion of particles with 4 contacts represents the largest proportion of particles mostly of small size. We argue that this particular class of particles occurs as a result of the high stability of local configurations in which a small particle is stuck by four larger particles.

A miniature solar device for overall water splitting consisting of series-connected spherical silicon solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kageshima, Yosuke; Shinagawa, Tatsuya; Kuwata, Takaaki; Nakata, Josuke; Minegishi, Tsutomu; Takanabe, Kazuhiro; Domen, Kazunari

2016-04-01

A novel “photovoltaics (PV) + electrolyzer” concept is presented using a simple, small, and completely stand-alone non-biased device for solar-driven overall water splitting. Three or four spherical-shaped p-n junction silicon balls were successfully connected in series, named “SPHELAR.” SPHELAR possessed small projected areas of 0.20 (3PVs) and 0.26 cm2 (4PVs) and exhibited working voltages sufficient for water electrolysis. Impacts of the configuration on the PV module performance were carefully analyzed, revealing that a drastic increase in the photocurrent (≈20%) was attained by the effective utilization of a reflective sheet. Separate investigations on the electrocatalyst performance showed that non-noble metal based materials with reasonably small sizes (<0.80 cm2) exhibited substantial currents at the PV working voltage. By combining the observations of the PV characteristics, light management and electrocatalyst performance, solar-driven overall water splitting was readily achieved, reaching solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies of 7.4% (3PVs) and 6.4% (4PVs).

Formation of a new archetypal Metal-Organic Framework from a simple monatomic liquid

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

Metere, Alfredo, E-mail: alfredo.metere@mmk.su.se; Oleynikov, Peter; Dzugutov, Mikhail

2014-12-21

We report a molecular-dynamics simulation of a single-component system of particles interacting via a spherically symmetric potential that is found to form, upon cooling from a liquid state, a low-density porous crystalline phase. Its structure analysis demonstrates that the crystal can be described by a net with a topology that belongs to the class of topologies characteristic of the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The observed net is new, and it is now included in the Reticular Chemistry Structure Resource database. The observation that a net topology characteristic of MOF crystals, which are known to be formed by a coordination-driven self-assembly process,more » can be reproduced by a thermodynamically stable configuration of a simple single-component system of particles opens a possibility of using these models in studies of MOF nets. It also indicates that structures with MOF topology, as well as other low-density porous crystalline structures can possibly be produced in colloidal systems of spherical particles, with an appropriate tuning of interparticle interaction.« less

On the equilibrium contact angle of sessile liquid drops from molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Ravipati, Srikanth; Aymard, Benjamin; Kalliadasis, Serafim; Galindo, Amparo

2018-04-28

We present a new methodology to estimate the contact angles of sessile drops from molecular simulations by using the Gaussian convolution method of Willard and Chandler [J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 1954-1958 (2010)] to calculate the coarse-grained density from atomic coordinates. The iso-density contour with average coarse-grained density value equal to half of the bulk liquid density is identified as the average liquid-vapor (LV) interface. Angles between the unit normal vectors to the average LV interface and unit normal vector to the solid surface, as a function of the distance normal to the solid surface, are calculated. The cosines of these angles are extrapolated to the three-phase contact line to estimate the sessile drop contact angle. The proposed methodology, which is relatively easy to implement, is systematically applied to three systems: (i) a Lennard-Jones (LJ) drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; (ii) an SPC/E water drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; and (iii) an SPC/E water drop on a graphite surface. The sessile drop contact angles estimated with our methodology for the first two systems are shown to be in good agreement with the angles predicted from Young's equation. The interfacial tensions required for this equation are computed by employing the test-area perturbation method for the corresponding planar interfaces. Our findings suggest that the widely adopted spherical-cap approximation should be used with caution, as it could take a long time for a sessile drop to relax to a spherical shape, of the order of 100 ns, especially for water molecules initiated in a lattice configuration on a solid surface. But even though a water drop can take a long time to reach the spherical shape, we find that the contact angle is well established much faster and the drop evolves toward the spherical shape following a constant-contact-angle relaxation dynamics. Making use of this observation, our methodology allows a good estimation of the sessile drop contact angle values even for moderate system sizes (with, e.g., 4000 molecules), without the need for long simulation times to reach the spherical shape.

On the equilibrium contact angle of sessile liquid drops from molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravipati, Srikanth; Aymard, Benjamin; Kalliadasis, Serafim; Galindo, Amparo

2018-04-01

We present a new methodology to estimate the contact angles of sessile drops from molecular simulations by using the Gaussian convolution method of Willard and Chandler [J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 1954-1958 (2010)] to calculate the coarse-grained density from atomic coordinates. The iso-density contour with average coarse-grained density value equal to half of the bulk liquid density is identified as the average liquid-vapor (LV) interface. Angles between the unit normal vectors to the average LV interface and unit normal vector to the solid surface, as a function of the distance normal to the solid surface, are calculated. The cosines of these angles are extrapolated to the three-phase contact line to estimate the sessile drop contact angle. The proposed methodology, which is relatively easy to implement, is systematically applied to three systems: (i) a Lennard-Jones (LJ) drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; (ii) an SPC/E water drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; and (iii) an SPC/E water drop on a graphite surface. The sessile drop contact angles estimated with our methodology for the first two systems are shown to be in good agreement with the angles predicted from Young's equation. The interfacial tensions required for this equation are computed by employing the test-area perturbation method for the corresponding planar interfaces. Our findings suggest that the widely adopted spherical-cap approximation should be used with caution, as it could take a long time for a sessile drop to relax to a spherical shape, of the order of 100 ns, especially for water molecules initiated in a lattice configuration on a solid surface. But even though a water drop can take a long time to reach the spherical shape, we find that the contact angle is well established much faster and the drop evolves toward the spherical shape following a constant-contact-angle relaxation dynamics. Making use of this observation, our methodology allows a good estimation of the sessile drop contact angle values even for moderate system sizes (with, e.g., 4000 molecules), without the need for long simulation times to reach the spherical shape.

Image-based gradient non-linearity characterization to determine higher-order spherical harmonic coefficients for improved spatial position accuracy in magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Weavers, Paul T; Tao, Shengzhen; Trzasko, Joshua D; Shu, Yunhong; Tryggestad, Erik J; Gunter, Jeffrey L; McGee, Kiaran P; Litwiller, Daniel V; Hwang, Ken-Pin; Bernstein, Matt A

2017-05-01

Spatial position accuracy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important concern for a variety of applications, including radiation therapy planning, surgical planning, and longitudinal studies of morphologic changes to study neurodegenerative diseases. Spatial accuracy is strongly influenced by gradient linearity. This work presents a method for characterizing the gradient non-linearity fields on a per-system basis, and using this information to provide improved and higher-order (9th vs. 5th) spherical harmonic coefficients for better spatial accuracy in MRI. A large fiducial phantom containing 5229 water-filled spheres in a grid pattern is scanned with the MR system, and the positions all the fiducials are measured and compared to the corresponding ground truth fiducial positions as reported from a computed tomography (CT) scan of the object. Systematic errors from off-resonance (i.e., B0) effects are minimized with the use of increased receiver bandwidth (±125kHz) and two acquisitions with reversed readout gradient polarity. The spherical harmonic coefficients are estimated using an iterative process, and can be subsequently used to correct for gradient non-linearity. Test-retest stability was assessed with five repeated measurements on a single scanner, and cross-scanner variation on four different, identically-configured 3T wide-bore systems. A decrease in the root-mean-square error (RMSE) over a 50cm diameter spherical volume from 1.80mm to 0.77mm is reported here in the case of replacing the vendor's standard 5th order spherical harmonic coefficients with custom fitted 9th order coefficients, and from 1.5mm to 1mm by extending custom fitted 5th order correction to the 9th order. Minimum RMSE varied between scanners, but was stable with repeated measurements in the same scanner. The results suggest that the proposed methods may be used on a per-system basis to more accurately calibrate MR gradient non-linearity coefficients when compared to vendor standard corrections. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Developing snowflake divertor physics basis in the DIII-D, NSTX and NSTX-U tokamaks aimed at the divertor power exhaust solution [Snowflake divertor experiments in the DIII-D, NSTX and NSTX-U tokamaks aimed at the development of the divertor power exhaust solution

DOE PAGES

Soukhanovskii, V. A.; Allen, S. L.; Fenstermacher, M. E.; ...

2016-06-02

Experimental results from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), a medium-size spherical tokamak with a compact divertor, and DIII-D, a large conventional aspect ratio tokamak, demonstrate that the snowflake (SF) divertor configuration may provide a promising solution for mitigating divertor heat loads and target plate erosion compatible with core H-mode confinement in future fusion devices, where the standard radiative divertor solution may be inadequate. In NSTX, where the initial high-power SF experiment were performed, the SF divertor was compatible with H-mode confinement, and led to the destabilization of large ELMs. However, a stable partial detachment of the outer strike pointmore » was also achieved where inter-ELM peak heat flux was reduced by factors 3-5, and peak ELM heat flux was reduced by up to 80% (cf. standard divertor). The DIII-D studies show the SF divertor enables significant power spreading in attached and radiative divertor conditions. Results include: compatibility with the core and pedestal, peak inter-ELM divertor heat flux reduction due to geometry at lower n e, and ELM energy and divertor peak heat flux reduction, especially prominent in radiative D 2-seeded SF divertor, and nearly complete power detachment and broader radiated power distribution in the radiative D 2-seeded SF divertor at P SOL = 3 - 4 MW. A variety of SF configurations can be supported by the divertor coil set in NSTX Upgrade. Edge transport modeling with the multi-fluid edge transport code UEDGE shows that the radiative SF divertor can successfully reduce peak divertor heat flux for the projected P SOL ≃9 MW case. In conclusion, the radiative SF divertor with carbon impurity provides a wider n e operating window, 50% less argon is needed in the impurity-seeded SF configuration to achieve similar q peak reduction factors (cf. standard divertor).« less

The optimization of needle electrode number and placement for irreversible electroporation of hepatocellular carcinoma

PubMed Central

Adeyanju, Oyinlolu O.; Al-Angari, Haitham M.; Sahakian, Alan V.

2012-01-01

Background Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel ablation tool that uses brief high-voltage pulses to treat cancer. The efficacy of the therapy depends upon the distribution of the electric field, which in turn depends upon the configuration of electrodes used. Methods We sought to optimize the electrode configuration in terms of the distance between electrodes, the depth of electrode insertion, and the number of electrodes. We employed a 3D Finite Element Model and systematically varied the distance between the electrodes and the depth of electrode insertion, monitoring the lowest voltage sufficient to ablate the tumor, VIRE. We also measured the amount of normal (non-cancerous) tissue ablated. Measurements were performed for two electrodes, three electrodes, and four electrodes. The optimal electrode configuration was determined to be the one with the lowest VIRE, as that minimized damage to normal tissue. Results The optimal electrode configuration to ablate a 2.5 cm spheroidal tumor used two electrodes with a distance of 2 cm between the electrodes and a depth of insertion of 1 cm below the halfway point in the spherical tumor, as measured from the bottom of the electrode. This produced a VIRE of 3700 V. We found that it was generally best to have a small distance between the electrodes and for the center of the electrodes to be inserted at a depth equal to or deeper than the center of the tumor. We also found the distance between electrodes was far more important in influencing the outcome measures when compared with the depth of electrode insertion. Conclusions Overall, the distribution of electric field is highly dependent upon the electrode configuration, but the optimal configuration can be determined using numerical modeling. Our findings can help guide the clinical application of IRE as well as the selection of the best optimization algorithm to use in finding the optimal electrode configuration. PMID:23077449

Simplified Night Sky Display System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castellano, Timothy P.

2010-01-01

A document describes a simple night sky display system that is portable, lightweight, and includes, at most, four components in its simplest configuration. The total volume of this system is no more than 10(sup 6) cm(sup 3) in a disassembled state, and weighs no more than 20 kilograms. The four basic components are a computer, a projector, a spherical light-reflecting first surface and mount, and a spherical second surface for display. The computer has temporary or permanent memory that contains at least one signal representing one or more images of a portion of the sky when viewed from an arbitrary position, and at a selected time. The first surface reflector is spherical and receives and reflects the image from the projector onto the second surface, which is shaped like a hemisphere. This system may be used to simulate selected portions of the night sky, preserving the appearance and kinesthetic sense of the celestial sphere surrounding the Earth or any other point in space. These points will then show motions of planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae, and comets that are visible from that position. The images may be motionless, or move with the passage of time. The array of images presented, and vantage points in space, are limited only by the computer software that is available, or can be developed. An optional approach is to have the screen (second surface) self-inflate by means of gas within the enclosed volume, and then self-regulate that gas in order to support itself without any other mechanical support.

Refractive index measurements of single, spherical cells using digital holographic microscopy.

PubMed

Schürmann, Mirjam; Scholze, Jana; Müller, Paul; Chan, Chii J; Ekpenyong, Andrew E; Chalut, Kevin J; Guck, Jochen

2015-01-01

In this chapter, we introduce digital holographic microscopy (DHM) as a marker-free method to determine the refractive index of single, spherical cells in suspension. The refractive index is a conclusive measure in a biological context. Cell conditions, such as differentiation or infection, are known to yield significant changes in the refractive index. Furthermore, the refractive index of biological tissue determines the way it interacts with light. Besides the biological relevance of this interaction in the retina, a lot of methods used in biology, including microscopy, rely on light-tissue or light-cell interactions. Hence, determining the refractive index of cells using DHM is valuable in many biological applications. This chapter covers the main topics that are important for the implementation of DHM: setup, sample preparation, and analysis. First, the optical setup is described in detail including notes and suggestions for the implementation. Following that, a protocol for the sample and measurement preparation is explained. In the analysis section, an algorithm for the determination of quantitative phase maps is described. Subsequently, all intermediate steps for the calculation of the refractive index of suspended cells are presented, exploiting their spherical shape. In the last section, a discussion of possible extensions to the setup, further measurement configurations, and additional analysis methods are given. Throughout this chapter, we describe a simple, robust, and thus easily reproducible implementation of DHM. The different possibilities for extensions show the diverse fields of application for this technique. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Accretion of a relativistic, collisionless kinetic gas into a Schwarzschild black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rioseco, Paola; Sarbach, Olivier

2017-05-01

We provide a systematic study for the accretion of a collisionless, relativistic kinetic gas into a nonrotating black hole. To this end, we first solve the relativistic Liouville equation on a Schwarzschild background spacetime. The most general solution for the distribution function is given in terms of appropriate symplectic coordinates on the cotangent bundle, and the associated observables, including the particle current density and stress energy-momentum tensor, are determined. Next, we explore the case where the flow is steady-state and spherically symmetric. Assuming that in the asymptotic region the gas is described by an equilibrium distribution function, we determine the relevant parameters of the accretion flow as a function of the particle density and the temperature of the gas at infinity. In particular, we find that in the low temperature limit the tangential pressure at the horizon is about an order of magnitude larger than the radial one, showing explicitly that a collisionless gas, despite exerting kinetic pressure, behaves very differently than an isotropic perfect fluid, and providing a partial explanation for the known fact that the accretion rate is much lower than in the hydrodynamic case of Bondi-Michel accretion. Finally, we establish the asymptotic stability of the steady-state spherical flows by proving pointwise convergence results which show that a large class of (possibly nonstationary and nonspherical) initial conditions for the distribution function lead to solutions of the Liouville equation which relax in time to a steady-state, spherically symmetric configuration.

Sol-gel transition behavior of aqueous peptide-amphiphile (C16-W3K) solutions: effects of alkyl-tail length, mechanical shear, temperature, and salt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Masashi; Otsuka, Takahiro; Orimo, Yoshinori; Maeda, Tomoki; Hotta, Atsushi

Peptide amphiphiles (PA) possess nanoscale micelle structures and excellent biocompatibility. In aqueous PA solution, PA molecules can self-assemble through various configurations into spherical and wormlike micelles, which can occasionally form hydrogels. C16-W3K is one of the unique PA, whose micelle configurations can transfer from spherical to wormlike structures in its aqueous solution over time, while the wormlike micelles could also lead to gelation. In our recent research, the effects of the length of the hydrophobic alkyl tail and other external factors of C16-W3K on the gelation behavior of the C16-W3K solution have been discussed. It has been revealed that longer alkyl-tails could facilitate the gelation of the C16-W3K solution, and that the external stimuli, such as mechanical shear and heat, could promote faster gelation of the C16-W3K solution. It was also found that salt could adjust the pH of the C16-W3K solution, having profound influence on the gelation behavior of the C16-W3K solution. In fact, the gelation of the C16-W3K with a higher storage modulus could be obtained from relatively acidic solutions, while the gelation of the C16-W3K solution was firmly suppressed in highly basic solutions. This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (No. 15H02298 to A.H.) and a Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up (No.15H06586 to T.M.) from JSPS: KAKENHI.

Design of the RWM Feedback Control System for NSTX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bialek, James; Sabbagh, Steven; Paoletti, Franco

2002-11-01

The National Spherical Torus Experiment ( NSTX ) has been designed to investigate the physics of global mode stabilization at low aspect ratio. Present experiments are now probing performance limits determined by machine configuration and passive stabilization. For example, the ideal no-wall normalized beta limit has already been exceeded by greater than 20stabilized by a nearby perfectly conducting wall are observed to grow at a rate determined by nearby resistive structure. Sustained performance improvements may be obtained by using active feedback to suppress such long wavelength pressure driven instabilities, known as resistive wall modes (RWM). We report on the performance of several design options for an NSTX - RWM feedback control system. The VALEN feedback analysis code has been used to evaluate the performance of these configurations. We explicitly model the vacuum vessel, center stack casing, the 48 copper passive plates, their mounts, active feedback coils and sensor arrays. The highest performance system has both control coils and sensors inside the vacuum vessel. In this case it is possible to reach 94beta limit.

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF

DOE PAGES

Jarrott, L. C.; Benedetti, L. R.; Chen, H.; ...

2016-08-24

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for themore » hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. In conclusion, this new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.« less

On virial analysis at low aspect ratio

DOE PAGES

Bongard, Michael W.; Barr, Jayson L.; Fonck, Raymond J.; ...

2016-07-28

The validity of virial analysis to infer global MHD equilibrium poloidal beta β p and internal inductance ℓ i from external magnetics measurements is examined for low aspect ratio configurations with A < 2. Numerical equilibrium studies at varied aspect ratio are utilized to validate the technique at finite aspect ratio. The effect of applying high-A approximations to low-A experimental data is quantified and demonstrates significant over-estimation of stored energy (factors of 2–10) in spherical tokamak geometry. Experimental approximations to equilibrium-dependent volume integral terms in the analysis are evaluated at low-A. Highly paramagnetic configurations are found to be inadequately representedmore » through the virial mean radius parameter R T. Alternate formulations for inferring β p and ℓ i that are independent of R T to avoid this difficulty are presented for the static isotropic limit. Lastly, these formulations are suitable for fast estimation of tokamak stored energy components at low aspect ratio using virial analysis.« less

Elastocapillarity: When Surface Tension Deforms Elastic Solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bico, José; Reyssat, Étienne; Roman, Benoît

2018-01-01

Although negligible at large scales, capillary forces may become dominant for submillimetric objects. Surface tension is usually associated with the spherical shape of small droplets and bubbles, wetting phenomena, imbibition, or the motion of insects at the surface of water. However, beyond liquid interfaces, capillary forces can also deform solid bodies in their bulk, as observed in recent experiments with very soft gels. Capillary interactions, which are responsible for the cohesion of sandcastles, can also bend slender structures and induce the bundling of arrays of fibers. Thin sheets can spontaneously wrap liquid droplets within the limit of the constraints dictated by differential geometry. This review aims to describe the different scaling parameters and characteristic lengths involved in elastocapillarity. We focus on three main configurations, each characterized by a specific dimension: three-dimensional (3D), deformations induced in bulk solids; 1D, bending and bundling of rod-like structures; and 2D, bending and stretching of thin sheets. Although each configuration deserves a detailed review, we hope our broad description provides a general view of elastocapillarity.

Shape resonances of Be- and Mg- investigated with the method of analytic continuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čurík, Roman; Paidarová, I.; Horáček, J.

2018-05-01

The regularized method of analytic continuation is used to study the low-energy negative-ion states of beryllium (configuration 2 s2ɛ p 2P ) and magnesium (configuration 3 s2ɛ p 2P ) atoms. The method applies an additional perturbation potential and requires only routine bound-state multi-electron quantum calculations. Such computations are accessible by most of the free or commercial quantum chemistry software available for atoms and molecules. The perturbation potential is implemented as a spherical Gaussian function with a fixed width. Stability of the analytic continuation technique with respect to the width and with respect to the input range of electron affinities is studied in detail. The computed resonance parameters Er=0.282 eV, Γ =0.316 eV for the 2 p state of Be- and Er=0.188 eV, Γ =0.167 for the 3 p state of Mg- agree well with the best results obtained by much more elaborate and computationally demanding present-day methods.

Ordinary Dark Matter versus Mysterious Dark Matter in Galactic Rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallo, C. F.; Feng, James

2008-04-01

To theoretically describe the measured rotational velocity curves of spiral galaxies, there are two different approaches and conclusions. (1) ORDINARY DARK MATTER. We assume Newtonian gravity/dynamics and successfully find (via computer) mass distributions in bulge/disk configurations that duplicate the measured rotational velocities. There is ordinary dark matter within the galactic disk towards the cooler periphery which has lower emissivity/opacity. There are no mysteries in this scenario based on verified physics. (2) MYSTERIOUS DARK MATTER. Others INaccurately assume the galactic mass distributions follow the measured light distributions, and then the measured rotational velocity curves are NOT duplicated. To alleviate this discrepancy, speculations are invoked re ``Massive Peripheral Spherical Halos of Mysterious Dark Matter.'' But NO matter has been detected in this UNtenable Halo configuration. Many UNverified ``Mysteries'' are invoked as necessary and convenient. CONCLUSION. The first approach utilizing Newtonian gravity/dynamics and searching for the ordinary mass distributions within the galactic disk simulates reality and agrees with data.

Optical design of the PEPSI high-resolution spectrograph at LBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersen, Michael I.; Spano, Paolo; Woche, Manfred; Strassmeier, Klaus G.; Beckert, Erik

2004-09-01

PEPSI is a high-resolution, fiber fed echelle spectrograph with polarimetric capabilities for the LBT. In order to reach a maximum resolution R=120.000 in polarimetric mode and 300.000 in integral light mode with high efficiency in the spectral range 390-1050~nm, we designed a white-pupil configuration with Maksutov collimators. Light is dispersed by an R4 31.6 lines/mm monolithic echelle grating mosaic and split into two arms through dichroics. The two arms, optimized for the spectral range 390-550~nm and 550-1050~nm, respectively, consist of Maksutov transfer collimators, VPH-grism cross dispersers, optimized dioptric cameras and 7.5K x 7.5K 8~μ CCDs. Fibers of different core sizes coupled to different image-slicers allow a high throughput, comparable to that of direct feed instruments. The optical configuration with only spherical and cylindrical surfaces, except for one aspherical surface in each camera, reduces costs and guarantees high optical quality. PEPSI is under construction at AIP with first light expected in 2006.

The Earth is flat when personally significant experiences with the sphericity of the Earth are absent.

PubMed

Carbon, Claus-Christian

2010-07-01

Participants with personal and without personal experiences with the Earth as a sphere estimated large-scale distances between six cities located on different continents. Cognitive distances were submitted to a specific multidimensional scaling algorithm in the 3D Euclidean space with the constraint that all cities had to lie on the same sphere. A simulation was run that calculated respective 3D configurations of the city positions for a wide range of radii of the proposed sphere. People who had personally experienced the Earth as a sphere, at least once in their lifetime, showed a clear optimal solution of the multidimensional scaling (MDS) routine with a mean radius deviating only 8% from the actual radius of the Earth. In contrast, the calculated configurations for people without any personal experience with the Earth as a sphere were compatible with a cognitive concept of a flat Earth. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Band structures in near spherical 138Ce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharjee, T.; Chanda, S.; Bhattacharyya, S.; Basu, S. K.; Bhowmik, R. K.; Das, J. J.; Pramanik, U. Datta; Ghugre, S. S.; Madhavan, N.; Mukherjee, A.; Mukherjee, G.; Muralithar, S.; Singh, R. P.

2009-06-01

The high spin states of N=80138Ce have been populated in the fusion evaporation reaction 130Te( 12C, 4n) 138Ce at E=65 MeV. The γ transitions belonging to various band structures were detected and characterized using an array of five Clover Germanium detectors. The level scheme has been established up to a maximum spin and excitation energy of 23 ℏ and 9511.3 keV, respectively, by including 53 new transitions. The negative parity ΔI=1 band, developed on the 6536.3 keV 15 level, has been conjectured to be a magnetic rotation band following a semiclassical analysis and comparing the systematics of similar bands in the neighboring nuclei. The said band is proposed to have a four quasiparticle configuration of [πgh]⊗[. Other band structures are interpreted in terms of multi-quasiparticle configurations, based on Total Routhian Surface (TRS) calculations. For the low and medium spin states, a shell model calculation using a realistic two body interaction has been performed using the code OXBASH.

Results of an investigation of the space shuttle integrated vehicle aerodynamic heating characteristics obtained using the 0.0175-scale model 60-OTS in AEDC tunnel A during tests IH41 and IH41A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cummings, J. W.; Dye, W. H.

1977-01-01

A thin skin thermocouple test was conducted to obtain heat-transfer data on the space shuttle integrated vehicle during the ascent phase of the flight profile. The test model was the 0.0175-scale thin skin thermocouple model (60-OTS) of the Rockwell International vehicle 5 configuration. The test was conducted at nominal Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5, and a free stream unit Reynolds number of 5 million per ft. Heat transfer data were obtained for angles of attack of 0, + or - 5, and 10 deg and yaw angles of 0, 3, and 6 deg. The integrated vehicle model was tested with the external tank configured with both a smooth ogive nose and an ogive nose with a spherical nose tip (nipple nose). The remainder of the test was conducted with the external tank installed alone in the tunnel.

Simplified models of stellar wind anatomy for interpreting high-resolution data. Analytical approach to embedded spiral geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Homan, Ward; Decin, Leen; de Koter, Alex; van Marle, Allard Jan; Lombaert, Robin; Vlemmings, Wouter

2015-07-01

Context. Recent high-resolution observations have shown that stellar winds harbour complexities that strongly deviate from spherical symmetry, which generally is assumed as standard wind model. One such morphology is the Archimedean spiral, which is generally believed to be formed by binary interactions, as has been directly observed in multiple sources. Aims: We seek to investigate the manifestation in the observables of spiral structures embedded in the spherical outflows of cool stars. We aim to provide an intuitive bedrock with which upcoming ALMA data can be compared and interpreted. Methods: By means of an extended parameter study, we modelled rotational CO emission from the stellar outflow of asymptotic giant branch stars. To this end, we developed a simplified analytical parametrised description of a 3D spiral structure. This model is embedded into a spherical wind and fed into the 3D radiative transfer code LIME, which produces 3D intensity maps throughout velocity space. Subsequently, we investigated the spectral signature of rotational transitions of CO in the models, as well as the spatial aspect of this emission by means of wide-slit position-velocity (PV) diagrams. Additionally, we quantified the potential for misinterpreting the 3D data in a 1D context. Finally, we simulated ALMA observations to explore the effect of interferometric noise and artefacts on the emission signatures. Results: The spectral signatures of the CO rotational transition v = 0J = 3 - 2 are very efficient at concealing the dual nature of the outflow. Only a select few parameter combinations allow for the spectral lines to disclose the presence of the spiral structure. If the spiral cannot be distinguished from the spherical signal, this might result in an incorrect interpretation in a 1D context. Consequently, erroneous mass-loss rates would be calculated. The magnitude of these errors is mainly confined to a factor of a few, but in extreme cases can exceed an order of magnitude. CO transitions of different rotationally excited levels show a characteristical evolution in their line shape that can be brought about by an embedded spiral structure. However, if spatial information on the source is also available, the use of wide-slit PV diagrams systematically expose the embedded spiral. The PV diagrams also readily provide most of the geometrical and physical properties of the spiral-harbouring wind. Simulations of ALMA observations prove that the choice of antenna configuration is strongly dependent on the geometrical properties of the spiral. We conclude that exploratory endeavours should observe the object of interest with a range of different maximum-baseline configurations. Appendix A is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Dynamical Stability and Long-term Evolution of Rotating Stellar Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varri, Anna L.; Vesperini, E.; McMillan, S. L. W.; Bertin, G.

2011-05-01

We present the first results of an extensive survey of N-body simulations designed to investigate the dynamical stability and the long-term evolution of two new families of self-consistent stellar dynamical models, characterized by the presence of internal rotation. The first family extends the well-known King models to the case of axisymmetric systems flattened by solid-body rotation while the second family is characterized by differential rotation. The equilibrium configurations thus obtained can be described in terms of two dimensionless parameters, which measure the concentration and the amount of rotation, respectively. Slowly rotating configurations are found to be dynamically stable and we followed their long-term evolution, in order to evaluate the interplay between collisional relaxation and angular momentum transport. We also studied the stability of rapidly rotating models, which are characterized by the presence of a toroidal core embedded in an otherwise quasi-spherical configuration. In both cases, a description in terms of the radial and global properties, such as the ratio between the ordered kinetic energy and the gravitational energy of the system, is provided. Because the role of angular momentum in the process of cluster formation is only partly understood, we also undertook a preliminary investigation of the violent relaxation of simple systems initially characterized by approximate solid-body rotation. The properties of the final equilibrium configurations thus obtained are compared with those of the above-described family of differentially rotating models.

The effect of optical system design for laser micro-hole drilling process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Chien-Fang; Lan, Yin-Te; Chien, Yu-Lun; Young, Hong-Tsu

2017-08-01

Lasers are a promising high accuracy tool to make small holes in composite or hard material. They offer advantages over the conventional machining process, which is time consuming and has scaling limitations. However, the major downfall in laser material processing is the relatively large heat affect zone or number of molten burrs it generates, even when using nanosecond lasers over high-cost ultrafast lasers. In this paper, we constructed a nanosecond laser processing system with a 532 nm wavelength laser source. In order to enhance precision and minimize the effect of heat generation with the laser drilling process, we investigated the geometric shape of optical elements and analyzed the images using the modulation transfer function (MTF) and encircled energy (EE) by using optical software Zemax. We discuss commercial spherical lenses, including plano-convex lenses, bi-convex lenses, plano-concave lenses, bi-concave lenses, best-form lenses, and meniscus lenses. Furthermore, we determined the best lens configuration by image evaluation, and then verified the results experimentally by carrying out the laser drilling process on multilayer flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL). The paper presents the drilling results obtained with different lens configurations and found the best configuration had a small heat affect zone and a clean edge along laser-drilled holes.

Configuration of twins in glass-embedded silver nanoparticles of various origin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmeister, H.; Dubiel, M.; Tan, G. L.; Schicke, K.-D.

2005-09-01

Structural characterization using high resolution electron microscopy and diffractogram analysis of silver nanoparticles embedded in glass by various routes of fabrication was aimed at revealing the characteristic features of twin faults occuring in such particles. Nearly spherical silver nanoparticles well below 10 nm size embedded in commercial soda-lime silicate float glass have been fabricated either by silver/sodium ion exchange or by Ag+ ion implantation. Twinned nanoparticles, besides single crystalline species, have frequently been observed for both fabrication routes, mainly at sizes above 5 nm, but also at smaller sizes, even around 1 nm. The variety of particle forms comprises single crystalline particles of nearly cuboctahedron shape, particles containing single twin faults, and multiply twinned particles containing parallel twin lamellae, or cyclic twinned segments arranged around axes of fivefold symmetry. Parallel twinning is distinctly favoured by ion implantation whereas cyclic twinning preferably occurs upon ion exchange processing. Regardless of single or repeated twinning, parallel or cyclic twin arrangement, one may classify simple twin faults of regular atomic configuration and compound twin faults whose irregular configuration consists of additional planar defects like associated stacking faults or secondary twin faults. Besides, a particular superstructure composed of parallel twin lamellae of only three atomic layers thickness is observed.

Reduction of optically observed artillery blast wave trajectories using low dimensionality models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steward, Bryan J.; Gross, Kevin C.; Perram, Glen P.

2011-05-01

Muzzle blast trajectories from firings of a 152 mm caliber gun howitzer were obtained with high-speed optical imagers and used to assess the fidelity with which low dimensionality models can be used for data reduction. Characteristic flow regions were defined for the blast waves. The near-field region was estimated to extend to 0.98 - 1.25 meters from the muzzle and the far-field region was estimated to begin at 2.61 - 3.31 meters. Blast wave geometries and radial trajectories were collected in the near through far-fields with visible imagers operating at 1,600 Hz. Beyond the near-field the blast waves exhibited a near-spherical geometry in which the major axis of the blast lay along the axis of the gun barrel and measured within 95% of the minor axis. Several blast wave propagation models were applied to the mid and far-field data to determine their ability to reduce the blast wave trajectories to fewer parameters while retaining the ability to distinguish amongst three munitions configurations. A total of 147 firings were observed and used to assess within-configuration variability relative to separation between configurations. Results show that all models perform well, and drag and point blast model parameters additionally provide insight into phenomenology of the blast.

Transitions of the type 2s-2p in oxygenlike Y, Zr, and Nb

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behring, W. E.; Brown, C. M.; Feldman, U.; Seely, J. F.; Reader, J.

1986-01-01

Transitions of the type 2s-2p in the oxygenlike ions Y XXXII, Zr XXXIII, and Nb XXXIV were identified in spectra recorded at the University of Rochester's Omega laser facility. Solid targets were spherically irradiated by 24 beams of frequency-tripled (351-nm) Nd-glass laser radiation. The spectra were photographed with a 3-m grazing-incidence spectrograph. The identified transitions of the oxygenlike ions are in the range 30 to 73 A. The wavelengths for the magnetic-dipole transitions within the 2s2p4 ground configurations of these ions are predicted from the experimental energy levels.

The effect of weld porosity on the cryogenic fatigue strength of ELI grade Ti-5Al-2.5Sn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, P. R.; Lambdin, R. C.; Fox, D. E.

1992-01-01

The effect of weld porosity on the fatigue strength of ELI grade Ti-5Al-2.5Sn at cryogenic temperature was determined. A series of high cycle fatigue (HCF) and tensile tests were performed at -320 F on specimens made from welded sheets of the material. All specimens were tested with weld beads intact and some amount of weld offset. Specimens containing porosity and control specimens containing no porosity were tested. Results indicate that for the weld configuration tested, the fatigue life of the material is not affected by the presence of spherical embedded pores.

Comparison of a 3-D DEM simulation with MRI data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, Tang-Tat; Wang, Changming

2001-04-01

This paper presents a comparison of a granular material studied experimentally and numerically. Simple shear tests were performed inside the magnetic core of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. Spherical pharmaceutical pills were used as the granular material, with each pill's centre location determined by MRI. These centre locations in the initial assembly were then used as the initial configuration in the numerical simulation using the discrete element method. The contact properties between pharmaceutical pills used in the numerical simulation were obtained experimentally. The numerical predication was compared with experimental data at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Good agreement was found at both levels.

Fully vectorial accelerating diffraction-free Helmholtz beams.

PubMed

Aleahmad, Parinaz; Miri, Mohammad-Ali; Mills, Matthew S; Kaminer, Ido; Segev, Mordechai; Christodoulides, Demetrios N

2012-11-16

We show that new families of diffraction-free nonparaxial accelerating optical beams can be generated by considering the symmetries of the underlying vectorial Helmholtz equation. Both two-dimensional transverse electric and magnetic accelerating wave fronts are possible, capable of moving along elliptic trajectories. Experimental results corroborate these predictions when these waves are launched from either the major or minor axis of the ellipse. In addition, three-dimensional spherical nondiffracting field configurations are presented along with their evolution dynamics. Finally, fully vectorial self-similar accelerating optical wave solutions are obtained via oblate-prolate spheroidal wave functions. In all occasions, these effects are illustrated via pertinent examples.

Passive magnetic shielding in MRI-Linac systems.

PubMed

Whelan, Brendan; Kolling, Stefan; Oborn, Brad M; Keall, Paul

2018-03-26

Passive magnetic shielding refers to the use of ferromagnetic materials to redirect magnetic field lines away from vulnerable regions. An application of particular interest to the medical physics community is shielding in MRI systems, especially integrated MRI-linear accelerator (MRI-Linac) systems. In these systems, the goal is not only to minimize the magnetic field in some volume, but also to minimize the impact of the shield on the magnetic fields within the imaging volume of the MRI scanner. In this work, finite element modelling was used to assess the shielding of a side coupled 6 MV linac and resultant heterogeneity induced within the 30 cm diameter of spherical volume (DSV) of a novel 1 Tesla split bore MRI magnet. A number of different shield parameters were investigated; distance between shield and magnet, shield shape, shield thickness, shield length, openings in the shield, number of concentric layers, spacing between each layer, and shield material. Both the in-line and perpendicular MRI-Linac configurations were studied. By modifying the shield shape around the linac from the starting design of an open ended cylinder, the shielding effect was boosted by approximately 70% whilst the impact on the magnet was simultaneously reduced by approximately 10%. Openings in the shield for the RF port and beam exit were substantial sources of field leakage; however it was demonstrated that shielding could be added around these openings to compensate for this leakage. Layering multiple concentric shield shells was highly effective in the perpendicular configuration, but less so for the in-line configuration. Cautious use of high permeability materials such as Mu-metal can greatly increase the shielding performance in some scenarios. In the perpendicular configuration, magnetic shielding was more effective and the impact on the magnet lower compared with the in-line configuration.

Passive magnetic shielding in MRI-Linac systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whelan, Brendan; Kolling, Stefan; Oborn, Brad M.; Keall, Paul

2018-04-01

Passive magnetic shielding refers to the use of ferromagnetic materials to redirect magnetic field lines away from vulnerable regions. An application of particular interest to the medical physics community is shielding in MRI systems, especially integrated MRI-linear accelerator (MRI-Linac) systems. In these systems, the goal is not only to minimize the magnetic field in some volume, but also to minimize the impact of the shield on the magnetic fields within the imaging volume of the MRI scanner. In this work, finite element modelling was used to assess the shielding of a side coupled 6 MV linac and resultant heterogeneity induced within the 30 cm diameter of spherical volume (DSV) of a novel 1 Tesla split bore MRI magnet. A number of different shield parameters were investigated; distance between shield and magnet, shield shape, shield thickness, shield length, openings in the shield, number of concentric layers, spacing between each layer, and shield material. Both the in-line and perpendicular MRI-Linac configurations were studied. By modifying the shield shape around the linac from the starting design of an open ended cylinder, the shielding effect was boosted by approximately 70% whilst the impact on the magnet was simultaneously reduced by approximately 10%. Openings in the shield for the RF port and beam exit were substantial sources of field leakage; however it was demonstrated that shielding could be added around these openings to compensate for this leakage. Layering multiple concentric shield shells was highly effective in the perpendicular configuration, but less so for the in-line configuration. Cautious use of high permeability materials such as Mu-metal can greatly increase the shielding performance in some scenarios. In the perpendicular configuration, magnetic shielding was more effective and the impact on the magnet lower compared with the in-line configuration.

Lightweight bladder lined pressure vessels

DOEpatents

Mitlitsky, F.; Myers, B.; Magnotta, F.

1998-08-25

A lightweight, low permeability liner is described for graphite epoxy composite compressed gas storage vessels. The liner is composed of polymers that may or may not be coated with a thin layer of a low permeability material, such as silver, gold, or aluminum, deposited on a thin polymeric layer or substrate which is formed into a closed bladder using tori spherical or near tori spherical end caps, with or without bosses therein, about which a high strength to weight material, such as graphite epoxy composite shell, is formed to withstand the storage pressure forces. The polymeric substrate may be laminated on one or both sides with additional layers of polymeric film. The liner may be formed to a desired configuration using a dissolvable mandrel or by inflation techniques and the edges of the film sealed by heat sealing. The liner may be utilized in most any type of gas storage system, and is particularly applicable for hydrogen, gas mixtures, and oxygen used for vehicles, fuel cells or regenerative fuel cell applications, high altitude solar powered aircraft, hybrid energy storage/propulsion systems, and lunar/Mars space applications, and other applications requiring high cycle life. 19 figs.

3-D phononic crystals with ultra-wide band gaps

PubMed Central

Lu, Yan; Yang, Yang; Guest, James K.; Srivastava, Ankit

2017-01-01

In this paper gradient based topology optimization (TO) is used to discover 3-D phononic structures that exhibit ultra-wide normalized all-angle all-mode band gaps. The challenging computational task of repeated 3-D phononic band-structure evaluations is accomplished by a combination of a fast mixed variational eigenvalue solver and distributed Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) parallel computations. The TO algorithm utilizes the material distribution-based approach and a gradient-based optimizer. The design sensitivity for the mixed variational eigenvalue problem is derived using the adjoint method and is implemented through highly efficient vectorization techniques. We present optimized results for two-material simple cubic (SC), body centered cubic (BCC), and face centered cubic (FCC) crystal structures and show that in each of these cases different initial designs converge to single inclusion network topologies within their corresponding primitive cells. The optimized results show that large phononic stop bands for bulk wave propagation can be achieved at lower than close packed spherical configurations leading to lighter unit cells. For tungsten carbide - epoxy crystals we identify all angle all mode normalized stop bands exceeding 100%, which is larger than what is possible with only spherical inclusions. PMID:28233812

3-D phononic crystals with ultra-wide band gaps.

PubMed

Lu, Yan; Yang, Yang; Guest, James K; Srivastava, Ankit

2017-02-24

In this paper gradient based topology optimization (TO) is used to discover 3-D phononic structures that exhibit ultra-wide normalized all-angle all-mode band gaps. The challenging computational task of repeated 3-D phononic band-structure evaluations is accomplished by a combination of a fast mixed variational eigenvalue solver and distributed Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) parallel computations. The TO algorithm utilizes the material distribution-based approach and a gradient-based optimizer. The design sensitivity for the mixed variational eigenvalue problem is derived using the adjoint method and is implemented through highly efficient vectorization techniques. We present optimized results for two-material simple cubic (SC), body centered cubic (BCC), and face centered cubic (FCC) crystal structures and show that in each of these cases different initial designs converge to single inclusion network topologies within their corresponding primitive cells. The optimized results show that large phononic stop bands for bulk wave propagation can be achieved at lower than close packed spherical configurations leading to lighter unit cells. For tungsten carbide - epoxy crystals we identify all angle all mode normalized stop bands exceeding 100%, which is larger than what is possible with only spherical inclusions.

Plasma Power Station with Quasi Spherical Direct Drive Capsule for Fusion Yield and Inverse Diode for Driver-Target Coupling

DOE PAGES

VanDevender, J. P.; Cuneo, M. E.; Slutz, S. A.; ...

2012-01-01

The Meier-Moir economic model for Pulsed Power Driven Inertial Fusion Energy shows at least two approaches for fusion energy at 7 to 8 cents/kw-hr: One with large yield at 0.1 Hz and presented by M. E. Cuneo at ICENES 2011 and one with smaller yield at 3 Hz presented in this paper. Both use very efficient and low cost Linear Transformer Drivers (LTDs) for the pulsed power. Here, we report the system configuration and end-to-end simulation for the latter option, which is called the Plasma Power Station (PPS), and report the first results on the two, least mature, enabling technologies:more » a magnetically driven Quasi Spherical Direct Drive (QSDD) capsule for the fusion yield and an Inverse Diode for coupling the driver to the target. In addition, we describe the issues and propose to address the issues with a prototype of the PPS on the Saturn accelerator and with experiments on a short pulse modification of the Z accelerator test the validity of simulations showing megajoule thermonuclear yield with DT on a modified Z.« less

Recent progress in understanding electron thermal transport in NSTX

DOE PAGES

Ren, Y.; Belova, E.; Gorelenkov, N.; ...

2017-03-10

The anomalous level of electron thermal transport inferred in magnetically confined configurations is one of the most challenging problems for the ultimate realization of fusion power using toroidal devices: tokamaks, spherical tori and stellarators. It is generally believed that plasma instabilities driven by the abundant free energy in fusion plasmas are responsible for the electron thermal transport. The National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX) (Ono et al 2000 Nucl. Fusion 40 557) provides a unique laboratory for studying plasma instabilities and their relation to electron thermal transport due to its low toroidal field, high plasma beta, low aspect ratio and largemore » ExB flow shear. Recent findings on NSTX have shown that multiple instabilities are required to explain observed electron thermal transport, given the wide range of equilibrium parameters due to different operational scenarios and radial regions in fusion plasmas. Here we review the recent progresses in understanding anomalous electron thermal transport in NSTX and focus on mechanisms that could drive electron thermal transport in the core region. The synergy between experiment and theoretical/ numerical modeling is essential to achieving these progresses. The plans for newly commissioned NSTX-Upgrade will also be discussed.« less

Gravitaxis in Spherical Janus Swimming Devices

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In this work, we show that the asymmetrical distribution of mass at the surface of catalytic Janus swimmers results in the devices preferentially propelling themselves upward in a gravitational field. We demonstrate the existence of this gravitaxis phenomenon by observing the trajectories of fueled Janus swimmers, which generate thrust along a vector pointing away from their metallically coated half. We report that as the size of the spherical swimmer increases, the propulsive trajectories are no longer isotropic with respect to gravity, and they start to show a pronounced tendency to move in an upward direction. We suggest that this effect is due to the platinum caps asymmetric mass exerting an increasing influence on the azimuthal angle of the Janus sphere with size, biasing its orientation toward a configuration where the heavier propulsion generating surface faces down. This argument is supported by the good agreement we find between the experimentally observed azimuthal angle distribution for the Janus swimmers and predictions made by simple Boltzmann statistics. This gravitaxis phenomenon provides a mechanism to autonomously control and direct the motion of catalytic swimming devices and so enable a route to make autonomous transport devices and develop new separation, sensing, and controlled release applications. PMID:24134682

Inertial collapse of bubble pairs near a solid surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alahyari Beig, Shahaboddin; Johnsen, Eric

2017-11-01

Cavitation occurs in a variety of applications ranging from naval structures to biomedical ultrasound. One important consequence is structural damage to neighboring surfaces following repeated inertial collapse of vapor bubbles. Although the mechanical loading produced by the collapse of a single bubble has been widely investigated, less is known about the detailed dynamics of the collapse of multiple bubbles. In such a problem, the bubble-bubble interactions typically affect the dynamics, e.g., by increasing the non-sphericity of the bubbles and amplifying/hindering the collapse intensity depending on the flow parameters. Here, we quantify the effects of bubble-bubble interactions on the bubble dynamics, as well as the pressures/temperatures produced by the collapse of a pair of gas bubbles near a rigid surface. We perform high-resolution simulations of this problem by solving the three-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations for gas/liquid flows. The results are used to investigate the non-spherical bubble dynamics and characterize the pressure and temperature fields based on the relevant parameters entering the problem: stand-off distance, geometrical configuration (angle, relative size, distance), collapse strength. This research was supported in part by ONR Grant N00014-12-1-0751 and NSF Grant CBET 1253157.

On the acoustic radiation modes of compact regular polyhedral arrays of independent loudspeakers.

PubMed

Pasqual, Alexander Mattioli; Martin, Vincent

2011-09-01

Compact spherical loudspeaker arrays can be used to provide control over their directivity pattern. Usually, this is made by adjusting the gains of preprogrammed spatial filters corresponding to a finite set of spherical harmonics, or to the acoustic radiation modes of the loudspeaker array. Unlike the former, the latter are closely related to the radiation efficiency of the source and span the subspace of the directivities it can produce. However, the radiation modes depend on frequency for arbitrary distributions of transducers on the sphere, which yields complex directivity filters. This work focuses on the most common loudspeaker array configurations, those following the regular shape of the Platonic solids. It is shown that the radiation modes of these sources are frequency independent, and simple algebraic expressions are derived for their radiation efficiencies. In addition, since such modes are vibration patterns driven by electrical signals, the transduction mechanism of compact multichannel sources is also investigated, which is an important issue, especially if the transducers interact inside a shared cabinet. For Platonic solid loudspeakers, it is shown that the common enclosure does not lead to directivity filters that depend on frequency. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

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

H.Zhang, P. Titus, P. Rogoff, A.Zolfaghari, D. Mangra, M. Smith

The National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) is a low aspect ratio, spherical torus (ST) configuration device which is located at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) This device is presently being updated to enhance its physics by doubling the TF field to 1 Tesla and increasing the plasma current to 2 Mega-amperes. The upgrades include a replacement of the centerstack and addition of a second neutral beam. The upgrade analyses have two missions. The first is to support design of new components, principally the centerstack, the second is to qualify existing NSTX components for higher loads, which will increase by amore » factor of four. Cost efficiency was a design goal for new equipment qualification, and reanalysis of the existing components. Showing that older components can sustain the increased loads has been a challenging effort in which designs had to be developed that would limit loading on weaker components, and would minimize the extent of modifications needed. Two areas representing this effort have been chosen to describe in more details: analysis of the current distribution in the new TF inner legs, and, second, analysis of the out-of-plane support of the existing TF outer legs.« less

Water window imaging x ray microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, Richard B. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A high resolution x ray microscope for imaging microscopic structures within biological specimens has an optical system including a highly polished primary and secondary mirror coated with identical multilayer coatings, the mirrors acting at normal incidence. The coatings have a high reflectivity in the narrow wave bandpass between 23.3 and 43.7 angstroms and have low reflectivity outside of this range. The primary mirror has a spherical concave surface and the secondary mirror has a spherical convex surface. The radii of the mirrors are concentric about a common center of curvature on the optical axis of the microscope extending from the object focal plane to the image focal plane. The primary mirror has an annular configuration with a central aperture and the secondary mirror is positioned between the primary mirror and the center of curvature for reflecting radiation through the aperture to a detector. An x ray filter is mounted at the stage end of the microscope, and film sensitive to x rays in the desired band width is mounted in a camera at the image plane of the optical system. The microscope is mounted within a vacuum chamber for minimizing the absorption of x rays in air from a source through the microscope.

One-dimensional turbulence modeling for cylindrical and spherical flows: model formulation and application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lignell, David O.; Lansinger, Victoria B.; Medina, Juan; Klein, Marten; Kerstein, Alan R.; Schmidt, Heiko; Fistler, Marco; Oevermann, Michael

2018-06-01

The one-dimensional turbulence (ODT) model resolves a full range of time and length scales and is computationally efficient. ODT has been applied to a wide range of complex multi-scale flows, such as turbulent combustion. Previous ODT comparisons to experimental data have focused mainly on planar flows. Applications to cylindrical flows, such as round jets, have been based on rough analogies, e.g., by exploiting the fortuitous consistency of the similarity scalings of temporally developing planar jets and spatially developing round jets. To obtain a more systematic treatment, a new formulation of the ODT model in cylindrical and spherical coordinates is presented here. The model is written in terms of a geometric factor so that planar, cylindrical, and spherical configurations are represented in the same way. Temporal and spatial versions of the model are presented. A Lagrangian finite-volume implementation is used with a dynamically adaptive mesh. The adaptive mesh facilitates the implementation of cylindrical and spherical versions of the triplet map, which is used to model turbulent advection (eddy events) in the one-dimensional flow coordinate. In cylindrical and spherical coordinates, geometric stretching of the three triplet map images occurs due to the radial dependence of volume, with the stretching being strongest near the centerline. Two triplet map variants, TMA and TMB, are presented. In TMA, the three map images have the same volume, but different radial segment lengths. In TMB, the three map images have the same radial segment lengths, but different segment volumes. Cylindrical results are presented for temporal pipe flow, a spatial nonreacting jet, and a spatial nonreacting jet flame. These results compare very well to direct numerical simulation for the pipe flow, and to experimental data for the jets. The nonreacting jet treatment overpredicts velocity fluctuations near the centerline, due to the geometric stretching of the triplet maps and its effect on the eddy event rate distribution. TMB performs better than TMA. A hybrid planar-TMB (PTMB) approach is also presented, which further improves the results. TMA, TMB, and PTMB are nearly identical in the pipe flow where the key dynamics occur near the wall away from the centerline. The jet flame illustrates effects of variable density and viscosity, including dilatational effects.

Turbulence Measurements from Compliant Moorings - Part I: Motion Characterization

DOE PAGES

Harding, Samuel; Kilcher, Levi; Thomson, Jim

2017-06-20

High-fidelity measurements of turbulence in the ocean have long been challenging to collect, in particular in the middle of the water column. In response, a measurement technique has been developed to deploy an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) to mid-water locations on a compliant mooring. A variety of instrumentation platforms have been deployed as part of this work with a range of dynamic motion characteristics. The platforms discussed herein include the streamlined StableMoor™ buoy (SMB), the Tidal Turbulence Mooring (TTM) system based on a conventional 0.9 m spherical buoy, and a 100 lb sounding weight suspended from the stern of amore » research vessel. The ADV head motion is computed from inertial motion sensors integrated into an ADV, and the spectra of these signals are investigated to quantify the motion of each platform. The SMB with a single ADV head mounted on the nose provided the most stable platform for the measurement of tidal turbulence in the inertial sub-range for flow speeds exceeding 1:0 ms -1. The modification of the SMB with a transverse wing configuration for multiple ADVs showed a similar frequency response to the nose configuration in the horizontal plane but with large contamination in the vertical direction as a result of platform roll. While the ADV motion on the TTM was significant in the horizontal directions, the vertical motion of this configuration was the most stable of all configurations tested. The sounding weight measurements showed the greatest motion at the ADV head but are likely to be influenced by both prop-wash and vessel motion.« less

Neck formation and deformation effects in a preformed cluster model of exotic cluster decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Satish; Gupta, Raj K.

1997-01-01

Using the nuclear proximity approach and the two center nuclear shape parametrization, the interaction potential between two deformed and pole-to-pole oriented nuclei forming a necked configuration in the overlap region is calculated and its role is studied for the cluster decay half-lives. The barrier is found to move to a larger relative separation, with its proximity minimum lying in the neighborhood of the Q value of decay and its height and width reduced considerably. For cluster decay calculations in the preformed cluster model of Malik and Gupta, due to deformations and orientations of nuclei, the (empirical) preformation factor is found to get reduced considerably and agrees nicely with other model calculations known to be successful for their predictions of cluster decay half-lives. Comparison with the earlier case of nuclei treated as spheres suggests that the effects of both deformations and neck formation get compensated by choosing the position of cluster preformation and the inner classical turning point for penetrability calculations at the touching configuration of spherical nuclei.

Well-Known Distinctive Signatures of Quantum Phase Transition in Shape Coexistence Configuration of Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majarshin, A. Jalili; Sabri, H.

2018-03-01

It is interesting that a change of nuclear shape may be described in terms of a phase transition. This paper studies the quantum phase transition of the U(5) to SO(6) in the interacting boson model (IBM) on the finite number N of bosons. This paper explores the well-known distinctive signatures of transition from spherical vibrational to γ-soft shape phase in the IBM with the variation of a control parameter. Quantum phase transitions occur as a result of properties of ground and excited states levels. We apply an affine \\widehat {SU(1,1)} approach to numerically solve non-linear Bethe Ansatz equation and point out what observables are particularly sensitive to the transition. The main aim of this work is to describe the most prominent observables of QPT by using IBM in shape coexistence configuration. We calculate energies of excited states and signatures of QPT as energy surface, energy ratio, energy differences, quadrupole electric transition rates and expectation values of boson number operators and show their behavior in QPT. These observables are calculated and examined for 98 - 102Mo isotopes.

Optical nulling apparatus and method for testing an optical surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olczak, Eugene (Inventor); Hannon, John J. (Inventor); Dey, Thomas W. (Inventor); Jensen, Arthur E. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

An optical nulling apparatus for testing an optical surface includes an aspheric mirror having a reflecting surface for imaging light near or onto the optical surface under test, where the aspheric mirror is configured to reduce spherical aberration of the optical surface under test. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light toward the aspheric mirror, the light source longitudinally aligned with the aspheric mirror and the optical surface under test. The aspheric mirror is disposed between the light source and the optical surface under test, and the emitted light is reflected off the reflecting surface of the aspheric mirror and imaged near or onto the optical surface under test. An optical measuring device is disposed between the light source and the aspheric mirror, where light reflected from the optical surface under test enters the optical measuring device. An imaging mirror is disposed longitudinally between the light source and the aspheric mirror, and the imaging mirror is configured to again reflect light, which is first reflected from the reflecting surface of the aspheric mirror, onto the optical surface under test.

Development of a Submillimeter Multipass Spectrometer for the Study of Molecular Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carroll, A.; Rocher, B.; Laas, J. C.; Deprince, B. A.; Hays, B.; Weaver, S. L. Widicus; Lang, S.

2012-06-01

We have developed a multipass spectrometer for the submillimeter spectral region that is being used to study molecular ions through gas phase spectroscopy. The optical configuration is based on the design of Perry and coworkers that was implemented in the optical regime. To our knowledge, this is the first implementation of this optical configuration at long wavelengths. The setup involves two nearly concentric spherical mirrors that focus the multiple beam passes into a small area, or ``waist'', in the middle of the sample chamber. A supersonic molecular beam is coupled to the setup so that the molecular beam crosses the optical path at the waist. Initial studies have focused on neutral test molecules to probe the physical properties of the molecular beam under various arrangements of the molecular source relative to the optical path. Current studies focus on coupling a plasma discharge source to the setup to enable the study of molecular ions. Here we present the design of this instrument, compare the spectrometer capabilities to a traditional single pass spectrometer, and discuss the results of initial spectroscopic studies.

Well-Known Distinctive Signatures of Quantum Phase Transition in Shape Coexistence Configuration of Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majarshin, A. Jalili; Sabri, H.

2018-06-01

It is interesting that a change of nuclear shape may be described in terms of a phase transition. This paper studies the quantum phase transition of the U(5) to SO(6) in the interacting boson model (IBM) on the finite number N of bosons. This paper explores the well-known distinctive signatures of transition from spherical vibrational to γ-soft shape phase in the IBM with the variation of a control parameter. Quantum phase transitions occur as a result of properties of ground and excited states levels. We apply an affine \\widehat {SU(1,1)} approach to numerically solve non-linear Bethe Ansatz equation and point out what observables are particularly sensitive to the transition. The main aim of this work is to describe the most prominent observables of QPT by using IBM in shape coexistence configuration. We calculate energies of excited states and signatures of QPT as energy surface, energy ratio, energy differences, quadrupole electric transition rates and expectation values of boson number operators and show their behavior in QPT. These observables are calculated and examined for 98 - 102Mo isotopes.

Investigation of the Arcjet near Field Plume Using Electrostatic Probes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sankovic, John M.

1990-01-01

The near field plume of a 1 kW class arcjet thruster was investigated using electrostatic probes of various geometries. The electron number densities and temperatures were determined in a simulated hydrazine plume at axial distances between 3 cm (1.2 in.) and 15 cm (5.9 in.) and radial distances extending to 10 cm (3.9 in.) off centerline. Values of electron number densities obtained using cylindrical and spherical probes of different geometries agreed very well. The electron density on centerline followed a source flow approximation for axial distances as near as 3 cm (1.2 in.) from the nozzle exit plane. The model agreed well with previously obtained data in the far field. The effects of propellant mass flow rate and input power level were also studied. Cylindrical probes were used to obtain ion streamlines by changing the probe orientation with respect to the flow. The effects of electrical configuration on the plasma characteristics of the plume were also investigated by using a segmented anode/nozzle thruster. The results showed that the electrical configuration in the nozzle affected the distribution of electrons in the plume.

Investigation of the arcjet plume near field using electrostatic probes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sankovic, John M.

1990-01-01

The near field plum of a 1 kW class arcjet thruster was investigated using electrostatic probes of various geometries. The electron number densities and temperatures were determined in a simulated hydrazine plume at axial distances between 3 cm (1.2 in) and 15 cm (5.9 in) and radial distances extending to 10 cm (3.9 in) off centerline. Values of electron number densities obtained using cylindrical and spherical probes of different geometries agreed very well. The electron density on centerline followed a source flow approximation for axial distances as near as 3 cm (1.2 in) from the nozzle exit plane. The model agreed well with previously obtained data in the far field. The effects of propellant mass flow rate and input power level were also studied. Cylindrical probes were used to obtain ion streamlines by changing the probe orientation with respect to the flow. The effects of electrical configuration on the plasma characteristics of the plume were also investigated by using a segmented anode/nozzle thruster. The results showed that the electrical configuration in the nozzle affected the distribution of electrons in the plume.

Evaluation of image quality in a Cassegrain-type telescope with an oscillating secondary mirror

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, E. F.; Matthews, S.

1975-01-01

A ray-trace analysis is described of aberrations and extreme rays of a Cassegrain-type telescope with a tilted secondary mirror. The work was motivated by the need to understand the factors limiting image quality and to assist in the design of secondary mirrors for three telescopes with oscillating secondary mirrors (OSM) used at Ames Research Center for high altitude infrared astronomy. The telescopes are a 31-cm-diameter Dall-Kirkham (elliptical primary, spherical secondary) flown aboard a Lear jet, a 71-cm balloon-borne Dall-Kirkham flown on the AIROscope gondola, and a 91-cm true Cassegrain (parabolic primary, hyperbolic secondary) flown aboard a C-141 jet transport. The optics for these telescopes were not designed specifically for OSM operation, but all have OSM's and all must be used with various detector configurations; therefore, a facility that evaluates the performance of a telescope for a given configuration is useful. The analytical expressions are summarized and results for the above systems are discussed. Details of the calculation and a discussion of the computer program are given in the appendices.

New black holes in D =5 minimal gauged supergravity: Deformed boundaries and frozen horizons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blázquez-Salcedo, Jose Luis; Kunz, Jutta; Navarro-Lérida, Francisco; Radu, Eugen

2018-04-01

A new class of black hole solutions of the five-dimensional minimal gauged supergravity is presented. They are characterized by the mass, the electric charge, two equal magnitude angular momenta and the magnitude of the magnetic potential at infinity. These black holes possess a horizon of spherical topology; however, both the horizon and the sphere at infinity can be arbitrarily squashed, with nonextremal solutions interpolating between black strings and black branes. A particular set of extremal configurations corresponds to a new one-parameter family of supersymmetric black holes. While their conserved charges are determined by the squashing of the sphere at infinity, these supersymmetric solutions possess the same horizon geometry.

Homotopy-Theoretic Study & Atomic-Scale Observation of Vortex Domains in Hexagonal Manganites

PubMed Central

Li, Jun; Chiang, Fu-Kuo; Chen, Zhen; Ma, Chao; Chu, Ming-Wen; Chen, Cheng-Hsuan; Tian, Huanfang; Yang, Huaixin; Li, Jianqi

2016-01-01

Essential structural properties of the non-trivial “string-wall-bounded” topological defects in hexagonal manganites are studied through homotopy group theory and spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. The appearance of a “string-wall-bounded” configuration in RMnO3 is shown to be strongly linked with the transformation of the degeneracy space. The defect core regions (~50 Å) mainly adopt the continuous U(1) symmetry of the high-temperature phase, which is essential for the formation and proliferation of vortices. Direct visualization of vortex strings at atomic scale provides insight into the mechanisms and macro-behavior of topological defects in crystalline materials. PMID:27324701

Fabrication of diamond shells

DOEpatents

Hamza, Alex V.; Biener, Juergen; Wild, Christoph; Woerner, Eckhard

2016-11-01

A novel method for fabricating diamond shells is introduced. The fabrication of such shells is a multi-step process, which involves diamond chemical vapor deposition on predetermined mandrels followed by polishing, microfabrication of holes, and removal of the mandrel by an etch process. The resultant shells of the present invention can be configured with a surface roughness at the nanometer level (e.g., on the order of down to about 10 nm RMS) on a mm length scale, and exhibit excellent hardness/strength, and good transparency in the both the infra-red and visible. Specifically, a novel process is disclosed herein, which allows coating of spherical substrates with optical-quality diamond films or nanocrystalline diamond films.

Non-null full field X-ray mirror metrology using SCOTS: a reflection deflectometry approach

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

Su P.; Kaznatcheev K.; Wang, Y.

In a previous paper, the University of Arizona (UA) has developed a measurement technique called: Software Configurable Optical Test System (SCOTS) based on the principle of reflection deflectometry. In this paper, we present results of this very efficient optical metrology method applied to the metrology of X-ray mirrors. We used this technique to measure surface slope errors with precision and accuracy better than 100 nrad (rms) and {approx}200 nrad (rms), respectively, with a lateral resolution of few mm or less. We present results of the calibration of the metrology systems, discuss their accuracy and address the precision in measuring amore » spherical mirror.« less

Squids in the Study of Cerebral Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romani, G. L.; Narici, L.

The following sections are included: * INTRODUCTION * HISTORICAL OVERVIEW * NEUROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND AMBIENT NOISE * DETECTORS * Room temperature sensors * SQUIDs * DETECTION COILS * Magnetometers * Gradiometers * Balancing * Planar gradiometers * Choice of the gradiometer parameters * MODELING * Current pattern due to neural excitations * Action potentials and postsynaptic currents * The current dipole model * Neural population and detected fields * Spherically bounded medium * SPATIAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SENSORS * SOURCE LOCALIZATION * Localization procedure * Experimental accuracy and reproducibility * SIGNAL PROCESSING * Analog Filtering * Bandpass filters * Line rejection filters * DATA ANALYSIS * Analysis of evoked/event-related responses * Simple average * Selected average * Recursive techniques * Similarity analysis * Analysis of spontaneous activity * Mapping and localization * EXAMPLES OF NEUROMAGNETIC STUDIES * Neuromagnetic measurements * Studies on the normal brain * Clinical applications * Epilepsy * Tinnitus * CONCLUSIONS * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS * REFERENCES

Studies on vibration characteristics of a pear using finite element method*

PubMed Central

Song, Hui-zhi; Wang, Jun; Li, Yong-hui

2006-01-01

The variation of the vibration characteristics of a Huanghua pear was investigated using finite element simulations. A new image processing technique was used to obtain the unsymmetrical and un-spherical geometrical model of a pear. The vibration characteristics of this type of pear with the correlation of its behavior with geometrical configurations and material characteristics were investigated using numerical modal analysis. The results showed that the eigenfrequency increased with the increasing pear Young’s modulus, while decreased with increasing pear density, and decreased with increasing pear volume. The results of this study provided foundation for further investigations of the physical characteristics of fruits and vegetables by using finite element simulations. PMID:16691644

Instability analysis of expansion-free sphere in f(𝒢) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharif, M.; Ikram, Ayesha

The aim of this paper is to study the dynamical instability of expansion-free spherically symmetric anisotropic fluid in the framework of f(𝒢) gravity. We apply perturbation scheme of the first-order to the metric functions as well as matter variables and construct modified field equations for both static and perturbed configurations using power-law f(𝒢) model. To discuss the instability dynamics, we use the contracted Bianchi identities to formulate the dynamical equations in both Newtonian and post-Newtonian regimes. It is found that the range of instability is independent of adiabatic index for expansion-free fluid but depends on anisotropic pressures, energy density and Gauss-Bonnet (GB) terms.

Spatially resolved high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy of high-current plasma-focus discharges.

PubMed

Zając, S; Rzadkiewicz, J; Rosmej, O; Scholz, M; Yongtao, Zhao; Gójska, A; Paduch, M; Zielińska, E

2010-10-01

Soft x-ray emission from a Mather-type plasma-focus device (PF-1000) operated at ∼400 kJ was measured. The high density and temperature plasma were generated by the discharge in the deuterium-argon gas mixture in the modified (high-current) plasma-focus configuration. A spherically bent mica crystal spectrograph viewing the axial output of the pinch region was used to measure the x-ray spectra. Spatially resolved spectra including the characteristic x-ray lines of highly ionized Ar and continua were recorded by means of an x-ray film. The x-ray emission of PF-1000 device was studied at different areas of the pinch.

Spatially resolved high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy of high-current plasma-focus discharges

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

ZajaPc, S.; Rzadkiewicz, J.; Scholz, M.

Soft x-ray emission from a Mather-type plasma-focus device (PF-1000) operated at {approx}400 kJ was measured. The high density and temperature plasma were generated by the discharge in the deuterium-argon gas mixture in the modified (high-current) plasma-focus configuration. A spherically bent mica crystal spectrograph viewing the axial output of the pinch region was used to measure the x-ray spectra. Spatially resolved spectra including the characteristic x-ray lines of highly ionized Ar and continua were recorded by means of an x-ray film. The x-ray emission of PF-1000 device was studied at different areas of the pinch.

Surface curvature singularities of polytropic spheres in Palatini f (R ,T ) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrientos O., José; Rubilar, Guillermo F.

2016-01-01

We consider Palatini f (R ,T ) gravity models, similar to those introduced by Harko et al. (2012), where the gravitational Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the curvature scalar R and of the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T . Interior spherical static solutions are studied considering the model of matter given by a perfect fluid configuration and a polytropic equation of state. We analyze the curvature singularities found previously for Palatini f (R ) gravity and discuss the possibility to remove them in some particular f (R ,T ) models. We show that it is possible to construct a restricted family of models for which these singularities are not present.

Multi-quasiparticle excitations in145Tb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yong; Zhou, Xiaohong; Zhang, Yuhu; Liu, Minliang; Guo, Yingxiang; Lei, Xiangguo; Hayakawa, T.; Oshima, M.; Toh, T.; Shizuma, T.; Katakura, J.; Hatsukawa, Y.; Matsuda, M.; Kusakari, H.; Sugawara, M.

2004-09-01

High-spin states in145Tb have been populated using the118Sn (32S, 1p4n) reaction at beam energy of 165 MeV. The level scheme of145Tb has been established up to Ex≈7.4 MeV. The level scheme shows characteristics of a spherical or slightly oblate nucleus. Based on the systematic trends of the level structure in the neighboring N=80 isotones, the level structure in145Tb below 2 MeV excitation is well eplained by coupling an h 11/2 valence proton to the even-even144Gd core. Above 2 MeV excitation, most of the yrast levels are interpreted with multi-quasiparticle shell-model configurations.

Dynamical Evolution and Momentum Transfer for Binary Asteroid Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellerose, Julie

Over the past decade, robotic missions have been sent to small bodies, providing a basic understanding of their environment. Some of these small systems are found to be in pairs, orbiting each other, which are thought to represent about 16% of the near-Earth asteroid population. It is fair to assume that a mission will target a binary asteroid system in the near future as they can enable scientific insight into both the geology and dynamics of asteroids. In previous work, the dynamical evolution of binary systems was investigated for an ellipsoidsphere model. From the dynamics of two celestial bodies, equilibrium configurations and their stability were analyzed. For a given value of angular momentum, it was shown that there are in general two relative equilibrium configurations which are opposite in stability. When perturbations are introduced, we found that the equilibrium states are the minimum energy points of nearby periodic families. General dynamics from unstable to stable configurations were investigated for binaries in close proximity. Accounting for the dynamics of binaries, the dynamics of particles in this gravitational field were also studied. The location of the analogue Lagrangian points and energy associated with them were characterized. The L1 region is a key element for transfers between the bodies. It was shown that L1 can be situated between or inside the bodies depending on the free parameters of the system modifying the transfer possibilities since L1 has a hyperbolic manifold associated with it. In the current work, we look at the L1 region for binary system where the bodies are in relative equilibrium, close to each other. We find that L1 transits from outside to inside the ellipsoid when the mass ratio is larger than 0.6. For binary systems in close proximity with L1 being inside the ellipsoidal body, simulations show that particles on the surface tend to move away from the ellipsoid, toward the spherical primary. We can relate this to the Roche limit of binaries which affect the distribution of mass between the bodies. Other parameters such as the spin rate of a larger spherical primary may also influence particle distribution. Hence, we can map and characterize the mass distribution and momentum exchange that may occur within a closely formed binary systems.

2D and 3D Simulations of Exploding Pusher Capsules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pino, Jesse; Smith, Andrew; Miles, Aaron

2011-10-01

A research campaign is underway at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at LLNL to study rapidly evolving, non-LTE, inertial fusion plasmas. The goal is to field thin-shelled, gas filled ``Exploding Pusher'' capsules in a Polar Direct Drive (PDD) configuration. Ion temperatures of > 15 keV and electron temperatures of > 5 keV are reached. A small convergence ratio and rapidly ablated shell reduce susceptibility to hydrodynamic instabilities. Using 1D simulations, most favorable configurations were found to be thin SiO2 or Be shells containing 10 atm of D2-He3 in a 2:1 ratio. This poster describes the 2D and 3D ARES Radiation Hydrodynamics simulations of these capsules. 2D simulations are essential because the PDD configuration requires that each of the beams be ``repointed'' away from their nominal angles. Each beam can also have a separate power profile and focal length. Large ensembles of simulations were run to probe the parameter space and find the optimal pointing resulting in the most spherical implosions. Response surfaces were constructed to ascertain the susceptibility to shot-time fluctuations. We also discuss resolution convergence and present preliminary results of 3D modeling. This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. DoE by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Observer assessment of multi-pinhole SPECT geometries for prostate cancer imaging: a simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalantari, Faraz; Sen, Anando; Gifford, Howard C.

2014-03-01

SPECT imaging using In-111 ProstaScint is an FDA-approved method for diagnosing prostate cancer metastases within the pelvis. However, conventional medium-energy parallel-hole (MEPAR) collimators produce poor image quality and we are investigating the use of multipinhole (MPH) imaging as an alternative. This paper presents a method for evaluating MPH designs that makes use of sampling-sensitive (SS) mathematical model observers for tumor detectionlocalization tasks. Key to our approach is the redefinition of a normal (or background) reference image that is used with scanning model observers. We used this approach to compare different MPH configurations for the task of small-tumor detection in the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes. Four configurations used 10, 20, 30, and 60 pinholes evenly spaced over a complete circular orbit. A fixed-count acquisition protocol was assumed. Spherical tumors were placed within a digital anthropomorphic phantom having a realistic Prostascint biodistribution. Imaging data sets were generated with an analytical projector and reconstructed volumes were obtained with the OSEM algorithm. The MPH configurations were compared in a localization ROC (LROC) study with 2D pelvic images and both human and model observers. Regular and SS versions of the scanning channelized nonprewhitening (CNPW) and visual-search (VS) model observers were applied. The SS models demonstrated the highest correlations with the average human-observer results

Heat flux and plasma flow in the far scrape-off layer of the inboard poloidal field null configuration in QUEST

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

Onchi, T.; Zushi, H.; Hanada, K.

2015-08-15

Heat flux and plasma flow in the scrape-off layer (SOL) are examined for the inboard poloidal field null (IPN) configuration of the spherical tokamak QUEST. In the plasma current (I{sub p}) ramp-up phase, high heat flux (>1 MW/m{sup 2}) and supersonic flow (Mach number M > 1) are found to be present simultaneously in the far-SOL. The heat flux is generated by energetic electrons excursed from the last closed flux surface. Supersonic flows in the poloidal and toroidal directions are correlated with each other. In the quasi-steady state, sawtooth-like oscillation of I{sub p} at 20 Hz is observed. Heat flux and subsonic plasma flowmore » in the far-SOL are modified corresponding to the I{sub p}-oscillation. The heat flow caused by motion of energetic electrons and the bulk-particle transport to the far-SOL is enhanced during the low-I{sub p} phase. Modification of plasma flow in the far SOL occurs earlier than the I{sub p} crash. The M–I{sub p} curve has a limit-cycle characteristic with sawtooth-like oscillation. Such a core–SOL relationship indicates that the far-SOL flow plays an important role in sustaining the oscillation of I{sub p} in the IPN configuration.« less

Determine ISS Soyuz Orbital Module Ballistic Limits for Steel Projectiles Hypervelocity Impact Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, Frankel

2013-01-01

A new orbital debris environment model (ORDEM 3.0) defines the density distribution of the debris environment in terms of the fraction of debris that are low-density (plastic), medium-density (aluminum) or high-density (steel) particles. This hypervelocity impact (HVI) program focused on assessing ballistic limits (BLs) for steel projectiles impacting the enhanced Soyuz Orbital Module (OM) micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) shield configuration. The ballistic limit was defined as the projectile size on the threshold of failure of the OM pressure shell as a function of impact speeds and angle. The enhanced OM shield configuration was first introduced with Soyuz 30S (launched in May 2012) to improve the MMOD protection of Soyuz vehicles docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This test program provides HVI data on U.S. materials similar in composition and density to the Russian materials for the enhanced Soyuz OM shield configuration of the vehicle. Data from this test program was used to update ballistic limit equations used in Soyuz OM penetration risk assessments. The objective of this hypervelocity impact test program was to determine the ballistic limit particle size for 440C stainless steel spherical projectiles on the Soyuz OM shielding at several impact conditions (velocity and angle combinations). This test report was prepared by NASA-JSC/ HVIT, upon completion of tests.

Digital holography with electron wave: measuring into the nanoworld

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendoza Santoyo, Fernando; Voelkl, Edgar

2016-04-01

Dennis Gabor invented Holography in 1949. His main concern at the time was centered on the spherical aberration correction in the recently created electron microscopes, especially after O. Scherzer had shown mathematically that round electron optical lenses always have a positive spherical aberration coefficient and the mechanical requirements for minimizing the spherical aberration were too high to allow for atomic resolution. At the time the lack of coherent electron sources meant that in-line holography was developed using quasi-coherent light sources. As such Holography did not produce scientific good enough results to be considered a must use tool. In 1956, G. Moellenstedt invented a device called a wire-biprism that allowed the object and reference beams to be combined in an off-axis configuration. The invention of the laser at the end of the 1950s gave a great leap to Holography since this light source was highly coherent and hence led to the invention of Holographic Interferometry during the first lustrum of the 1960s. This new discipline in the Optics field has successfully evolved to become a trusted tool in a wide variety of areas. Coherent electron sources were made available only by the late 1970s, a fact that gave an outstanding impulse to electron holography so that today nanomaterials and structures belonging to a wide variety of subjects can be characterized in regards to their physical and mechanical parameters. This invited paper will present and discuss electron holography's state of the art applications to study the shape of nanoparticles and bacteria, and the qualitative and quantitative study of magnetic and electric fields produced by novel nano-structures.

IEC Thrusters for Space Probe Applications and Propulsion

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

Miley, George H.; Momota, Hiromu; Wu Linchun

Earlier conceptual design studies (Bussard, 1990; Miley et al., 1998; Burton et al., 2003) have described Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion propulsion to provide a high-power density fusion propulsion system capable of aggressive deep space missions. However, this requires large multi-GW thrusters and a long term development program. As a first step towards this goal, a progression of near-term IEC thrusters, stating with a 1-10 kWe electrically-driven IEC jet thruster for satellites are considered here. The initial electrically-powered unit uses a novel multi-jet plasma thruster based on spherical IEC technology with electrical input power from a solar panel. In thismore » spherical configuration, Xe ions are generated and accelerated towards the center of double concentric spherical grids. An electrostatic potential well structure is created in the central region, providing ion trapping. Several enlarged grid opening extract intense quasi-neutral plasma jets. A variable specific impulse in the range of 1000-4000 seconds is achieved by adjusting the grid potential. This design provides high maneuverability for satellite and small space probe operations. The multiple jets, combined with gimbaled auxiliary equipment, provide precision changes in thrust direction. The IEC electrical efficiency can match or exceed efficiencies of conventional Hall Current Thrusters (HCTs) while offering advantages such as reduced grid erosion (long life time), reduced propellant leakage losses (reduced fuel storage), and a very high power-to-weight ratio. The unit is ideally suited for probing missions. The primary propulsive jet enables delicate maneuvering close to an object. Then simply opening a second jet offset 180 degrees from the propulsion one provides a 'plasma analytic probe' for interrogation of the object.« less

Computation at a coordinate singularity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prusa, Joseph M.

2018-05-01

Coordinate singularities are sometimes encountered in computational problems. An important example involves global atmospheric models used for climate and weather prediction. Classical spherical coordinates can be used to parameterize the manifold - that is, generate a grid for the computational spherical shell domain. This particular parameterization offers significant benefits such as orthogonality and exact representation of curvature and connection (Christoffel) coefficients. But it also exhibits two polar singularities and at or near these points typical continuity/integral constraints on dependent fields and their derivatives are generally inadequate and lead to poor model performance and erroneous results. Other parameterizations have been developed that eliminate polar singularities, but problems of weaker singularities and enhanced grid noise compared to spherical coordinates (away from the poles) persist. In this study reparameterization invariance of geometric objects (scalars, vectors and the forms generated by their covariant derivatives) is utilized to generate asymptotic forms for dependent fields of interest valid in the neighborhood of a pole. The central concept is that such objects cannot be altered by the metric structure of a parameterization. The new boundary conditions enforce symmetries that are required for transformations of geometric objects. They are implemented in an implicit polar filter of a structured grid, nonhydrostatic global atmospheric model that is simulating idealized Held-Suarez flows. A series of test simulations using different configurations of the asymptotic boundary conditions are made, along with control simulations that use the default model numerics with no absorber, at three different grid sizes. Typically the test simulations are ∼ 20% faster in wall clock time than the control-resulting from a decrease in noise at the poles in all cases. In the control simulations adverse numerical effects from the polar singularity are observed to increase with grid resolution. In contrast, test simulations demonstrate robust polar behavior independent of grid resolution.

Linear oscillation of gas bubbles in a viscoelastic material under ultrasound irradiation

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

Hamaguchi, Fumiya; Ando, Keita, E-mail: kando@mech.keio.ac.jp

2015-11-15

Acoustically forced oscillation of spherical gas bubbles in a viscoelastic material is studied through comparisons between experiments and linear theory. An experimental setup has been designed to visualize bubble dynamics in gelatin gels using a high-speed camera. A spherical gas bubble is created by focusing an infrared laser pulse into (gas-supersaturated) gelatin gels. The bubble radius (up to 150 μm) under mechanical equilibrium is controlled by gradual mass transfer of gases across the bubble interface. The linearized bubble dynamics are studied from the observation of spherical bubble oscillation driven by low-intensity, planar ultrasound driven at 28 kHz. It follows frommore » the experiment for an isolated bubble that the frequency response in its volumetric oscillation was shifted to the high frequency side and its peak was suppressed as the gelatin concentration increases. The measurement is fitted to the linearized Rayleigh–Plesset equation coupled with the Voigt constitutive equation that models the behavior of linear viscoelastic solids; the fitting yields good agreement by tuning unknown values of the viscosity and rigidity, indicating that more complex phenomena including shear thinning, stress relaxation, and retardation do not play an important role for the small-amplitude oscillations. Moreover, the cases for bubble-bubble and bubble-wall systems are studied. The observed interaction effect on the linearized dynamics can be explained as well by a set of the Rayleigh–Plesset equations coupled through acoustic radiation among these systems. This suggests that this experimental setup can be applied to validate the model of bubble dynamics with more complex configuration such as a cloud of bubbles in viscoelastic materials.« less

Absolute Hugoniot measurements from a spherically convergent shock using x-ray radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swift, Damian C.; Kritcher, Andrea L.; Hawreliak, James A.; Lazicki, Amy; MacPhee, Andrew; Bachmann, Benjamin; Döppner, Tilo; Nilsen, Joseph; Collins, Gilbert W.; Glenzer, Siegfried; Rothman, Stephen D.; Kraus, Dominik; Falcone, Roger W.

2018-05-01

The canonical high pressure equation of state measurement is to induce a shock wave in the sample material and measure two mechanical properties of the shocked material or shock wave. For accurate measurements, the experiment is normally designed to generate a planar shock which is as steady as possible in space and time, and a single state is measured. A converging shock strengthens as it propagates, so a range of shock pressures is induced in a single experiment. However, equation of state measurements must then account for spatial and temporal gradients. We have used x-ray radiography of spherically converging shocks to determine states along the shock Hugoniot. The radius-time history of the shock, and thus its speed, was measured by radiographing the position of the shock front as a function of time using an x-ray streak camera. The density profile of the shock was then inferred from the x-ray transmission at each instant of time. Simultaneous measurement of the density at the shock front and the shock speed determines an absolute mechanical Hugoniot state. The density profile was reconstructed using the known, unshocked density which strongly constrains the density jump at the shock front. The radiographic configuration and streak camera behavior were treated in detail to reduce systematic errors. Measurements were performed on the Omega and National Ignition Facility lasers, using a hohlraum to induce a spatially uniform drive over the outside of a solid, spherical sample and a laser-heated thermal plasma as an x-ray source for radiography. Absolute shock Hugoniot measurements were demonstrated for carbon-containing samples of different composition and initial density, up to temperatures at which K-shell ionization reduced the opacity behind the shock. Here we present the experimental method using measurements of polystyrene as an example.

Compaction Around a Spherical Inclusion in Partially Molten Rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alisic, Laura; Rhebergen, Sander; Rudge, John F.; Katz, Richard F.; Wells, Garth N.

2015-04-01

Conservation laws that describe the behavior of partially molten mantle rock have been established for several decades, but the associated rheology remains poorly understood. Constraints on the rheology may be obtained from recently published torsion experiments involving deformation of partially molten rock around a rigid, spherical inclusion. These experiments give rise to patterns of melt segregation that exhibit the competing effects of pressure shadows around the inclusion and melt-rich bands through the medium. Such patterns provide an opportunity to infer rheological parameters through comparison with models based on the conservation laws and constitutive relations that hypothetically govern the system. To this end, we have developed software tools using the automated code generation package FEniCS to simulate finite strain, two-phase flow around a rigid, spherical inclusion in a three-dimensional configuration that mirrors the laboratory experiments. The equations for compaction and advection-diffusion of a porous medium are solved utilising newly developed matrix preconditioning techniques. Simulations indicate that the evolution of porosity and therefore of melt distribution is predominantly controlled by the non-linear porosity-weakening exponent of the shear viscosity and the poorly known bulk viscosity. In the simulations presented here, we find that the balance of pressure shadows and melt-rich bands observed in experiments only occurs for bulk-to-shear viscosity ratio of less than about five. However, the evolution of porosity in simulations with such low bulk viscosity exceeds physical bounds at unrealistically small strain due to the unchecked, exponential growth of the porosity variations. Processes that limit or balance porosity localization will have to be incorporated in the formulation of the model to produce results that are consistent with the porosity evolution in experiments.

Models of Interacting Stellar Winds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkin, Francis Patrick

Stars drive supersonic winds which interact violently with their surroundings. Analytic and numerical models of hypersonic, interacting circumstellar flows are presented for several important astrophysical problems. A new solution method for steady-state, axisymmetric, wind collision problems is applied to radiative bow shocks from moving stars and to the collision of two spherical winds in a binary star system. The solutions obtained describe the shape of the geometrically thin, shocked shell of matter, as well as its mass surface density and the tangential velocity within it. Analytic solutions are also obtained for non-axisymmetric bow shocks, where the asymmetry arises due to either a transverse gradient in the ambient medium, or a misaligned, axisymmetric stellar wind. While the solutions are all easily scaled in terms of their relevant dimensional parameters, the important assumption of radiative shocks implies that the models are most applicable towards systems with dense environments and low preshock velocities. The bow shock model has previously been applied to cometary, ultracompact HII regions by Van Buren et al. (1990), who discussed extensively the applicability of the thin shell approximation. I next model the collision between a protostellar wind and supersonic infall from a rotating cloud, employing a quasi-steady, thin-shell formulation. The spherical wind is initially crushed to the protostellar surface by nearly spherical infall. The centrifugal distortion of infalling matter eventually permits a wind-supported, trapped bubble to slowly expand on an evolutionary (~ 105 yr) time. The shell becomes progressively more extended along the rotational axis, due to the asymmetry of the infall. When the quasi-steady assumption breaks down, the shell has become a needle-like, bipolar configuration that may represent a precursor to protostellar jets. I stress, however, the likelihood of instability for the shell, and the possibility of oscillatory behavior in a fully time-dependent model.

A brief review of intruder rotational bands and magnetic rotation in the A = 110 mass region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, P.

2018-05-01

Nuclei in the A ∼ 110 mass region exhibit interesting structural features. One of these relates to the process by which specific configurations, built on the excitation of one or more protons across the Z = 50 shell-gap, manifest as collective rotational bands at intermediate spins and gradually lose their collectivity with increase in spin and terminate in a non-collective state at the maximum spin which the configuration can support. These bands are called terminating bands that co-exist with spherical states. Some of these bands are said to terminate smoothly underlining the continuous character of the process by which the band evolves from significant collectivity at low spin to a pure particle-hole non-collective state at the highest spin. The neutron-deficient A ∼ 110 mass region provides the best examples of smoothly terminating bands. The present experimental and theoretical status of such bands in several nuclei with 48 ≤ Z ≤ 52 spanning the 106 ≤ A ≤ 119 mass region have been reviewed in this article. The other noteworthy feature of nuclei in the A ∼ 110 mass region is the observation of regular rotation-like sequences of strongly enhanced magnetic dipole transitions in near-spherical nuclei. These bands, unlike the well-studied rotational sequences in deformed nuclei, arise from a spontaneous symmetry breaking by the anisotropic currents of a few high-j excited particles and holes. This mode of excitation is called magnetic rotation and was first reported in the Pb region. Evidence in favor of the existence of such structures, also called shears bands, are reported in the literature for a large number of Cd, In, Sn and Sb isotope with A ∼ 110. The present article provides a general overview of these reported structures across this mass region. The review also discusses antimagnetic rotation bands and a few cases of octupole correlations in the A = 110 mass region.

The Temporal Morphology of Infrasound Propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drob, Douglas P.; Garcés, Milton; Hedlin, Michael; Brachet, Nicolas

2010-05-01

Expert knowledge suggests that the performance of automated infrasound event association and source location algorithms could be greatly improved by the ability to continually update station travel-time curves to properly account for the hourly, daily, and seasonal changes of the atmospheric state. With the goal of reducing false alarm rates and improving network detection capability we endeavor to develop, validate, and integrate this capability into infrasound processing operations at the International Data Centre of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization. Numerous studies have demonstrated that incorporation of hybrid ground-to-space (G2S) enviromental specifications in numerical calculations of infrasound signal travel time and azimuth deviation yields significantly improved results over that of climatological atmospheric specifications, specifically for tropospheric and stratospheric modes. A robust infrastructure currently exists to generate hybrid G2S vector spherical harmonic coefficients, based on existing operational and emperical models on a real-time basis (every 3- to 6-hours) (D rob et al., 2003). Thus the next requirement in this endeavor is to refine numerical procedures to calculate infrasound propagation characteristics for robust automatic infrasound arrival identification and network detection, location, and characterization algorithms. We present results from a new code that integrates the local (range-independent) τp ray equations to provide travel time, range, turning point, and azimuth deviation for any location on the globe given a G2S vector spherical harmonic coefficient set. The code employs an accurate numerical technique capable of handling square-root singularities. We investigate the seasonal variability of propagation characteristics over a five-year time series for two different stations within the International Monitoring System with the aim of understanding the capabilities of current working knowledge of the atmosphere and infrasound propagation models. The statistical behaviors or occurrence frequency of various propagation configurations are discussed. Representative examples of some of these propagation configuration states are also shown.

Aerothermodynamic optimization of Earth entry blunt body heat shields for Lunar and Mars return

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Joshua E.

A differential evolutionary algorithm has been executed to optimize the hypersonic aerodynamic and stagnation-point heat transfer performance of Earth entry heat shields for Lunar and Mars return manned missions with entry velocities of 11 and 12.5 km/s respectively. The aerothermodynamic performance of heat shield geometries with lift-to-drag ratios up to 1.0 is studied. Each considered heat shield geometry is composed of an axial profile tailored to fit a base cross section. Axial profiles consist of spherical segments, spherically blunted cones, and power laws. Heat shield cross sections include oblate and prolate ellipses, rounded-edge parallelograms, and blendings of the two. Aerothermodynamic models are based on modified Newtonian impact theory with semi-empirical correlations for convection and radiation. Multi-objective function optimization is performed to determine optimal trade-offs between performance parameters. Objective functions consist of minimizing heat load and heat flux and maximizing down range and cross range. Results indicate that skipping trajectories allow for vehicles with L/D = 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 at lunar return flight conditions to produce maximum cross ranges of 950, 1500, and 3000 km respectively before Qs,tot increases dramatically. Maximum cross range increases by ˜20% with an increase in entry velocity from 11 to 12.5 km/s. Optimal configurations for all three lift-to-drag ratios produce down ranges up to approximately 26,000 km for both lunar and Mars return. Assuming a 10,000 kg mass and L/D = 0.27, the current Orion configuration is projected to experience a heat load of approximately 68 kJ/cm2 for Mars return flight conditions. For both L/D = 0.3 and 0.5, a 30% increase in entry vehicle mass from 10,000 kg produces a 20-30% increase in Qs,tot. For a given L/D, highly-eccentric heat shields do not produce greater cross range or down range. With a 5 g deceleration limit and L/D = 0.3, a highly oblate cross section with an eccentricity of 0.968 produces a 35% reduction in heat load over designs with zero eccentricity due to the eccentric heat shield's greater drag area that allows the vehicle to decelerate higher in the atmosphere. In this case, the heat shield's drag area is traded off with volumetric efficiency while fulfilling the given set of mission requirements. Additionally, the high radius-of-curvature of the spherical segment axial profile provides the best combination of heat transfer and aerodynamic performance for both entry velocities and a 5 g deceleration limit.

ComPAQS: a compact concentric UV/visible spectrometer, providing a new tool for air quality monitoring from space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leigh, Roland J.; Whyte, C.; Cutter, M. A.; Lobb, D. R.; Monks, P. S.

2017-11-01

Under the first phase of the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI), a breadboard demonstrator of a novel UV/VIS spectrometer has been developed. Using designs from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) the demonstrator has been constructed and tested at the University of Leicester's Space Research Centre. This spectrometer provides an exceptionally compact instrument for differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) applications from LEO, GEO, HAP or ground-based platforms. Measurement of atmo spheric compounds with climate change or air quality implications is a key driver for the ground and space-based Earth Observation communities. Techniques using UV/VIS spectroscopy such as DOAS provide measurements of ozone profiles, aerosol optical depth, certain Volatile Organic Compounds, halogenated species, and key air quality parameters including tropospheric nitrogen dioxide. Compact instruments providing the necessary optical performance and spectral resolution are therefore a key enabling technology. The Compact Air Quality Spectrometer (CompAQS) features a concentric arrangement of a spherical meniscus lens, a concave spherical mirror and a suitable curved diffraction grating. This compact design provides efficiency and performance benefits over traditional concepts, improving the precision and spatial resolution available from space borne instruments with limited weight and size budgets. The breadboard spectrometer currently operating at the University of Leicester offers high throughput with a spectral range from 310 to 450 nm at 0.5nm(UV) to 1.0nm (visible) resolution, suitable for DOAS applications. The concentric design is capable of handling high relative apertures, owing to spherical aberration and coma being near zero at all surfaces. The design also provides correction for transverse chromatic aberration and distortion, in addition to correcting for the distortion called `smile' - the curvature of the slit image formed at each wavelength. These properties render this design capable of superior spectral and spatial performance with size and weight budgets significantly lower than standard configurations. In this presentation, the design of the spectrometer is detailed, with results from instrument characterisations undertaken at the University of Leicester, including demonstrations of DOAS fits for key air quality species.

Design of a concise Féry-prism hyperspectral imaging system based on multi-configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Wei; Nie, Yun-feng; Zhou, Jin-song

2013-08-01

In order to meet the needs of space borne and airborne hyperspectral imaging system for light weight, simplification and high spatial resolution, a novel design of Féry-prism hyperspectral imaging system based on Zemax multi-configuration method is presented. The novel structure is well arranged by analyzing optical monochromatic aberrations theoretically, and the optical structure of this design is concise. The fundamental of this design is Offner relay configuration, whereas the secondary mirror is replaced by Féry-prism with curved surfaces and a reflective front face. By reflection, the light beam passes through the Féry-prism twice, which promotes spectral resolution and enhances image quality at the same time. The result shows that the system can achieve light weight and simplification, compared to other hyperspectral imaging systems. Composed of merely two spherical mirrors and one achromatized Féry-prism to perform both dispersion and imaging functions, this structure is concise and compact. The average spectral resolution is 6.2nm; The MTFs for 0.45~1.00um spectral range are greater than 0.75, RMSs are less than 2.4um; The maximal smile is less than 10% pixel, while the keystones is less than 2.8% pixel; image quality approximates the diffraction limit. The design result shows that hyperspectral imaging system with one modified Féry-prism substituting the secondary mirror of Offner relay configuration is feasible from the perspective of both theory and practice, and possesses the merits of simple structure, convenient optical alignment, and good image quality, high resolution in space and spectra, adjustable dispersive nonlinearity. The system satisfies the requirements of airborne or space borne hyperspectral imaging system.

Design of a normal incidence multilayer imaging x-ray microscope.

PubMed

Shealy, D L; Gabardi, D R; Hoover, R B; Walker, A B; Lindblom, J F; Barbee, T W

1989-01-01

Normal incidence multilayer Cassegrain x-ray telescopes were flown on the Stanford/MSFC Rocket X-Ray Spectroheliograph. These instruments produced high spatial resolution images of the Sun and conclusively demonstrated that doubly reflecting multilayer x-ray optical systems are feasible. The images indicated that aplanatic imaging soft x-ray /EUV microscopes should be achievable using multilayer optics technology. We have designed a doubly reflecting normal incidence multilayer imaging x-ray microscope based on the Schwarzschild configuration. The Schwarzschild microscope utilizes two spherical mirrors with concentric radii of curvature which are chosen such that the third-order spherical aberration and coma are minimized. We discuss the design of the microscope and the results of the optical system ray trace analysis which indicates that diffraction-limited performance with 600 Å spatial resolution should be obtainable over a 1 mm field of view at a wavelength of 100 Å. Fabrication of several imaging soft x-ray microscopes based upon these designs, for use in conjunction with x-ray telescopes and laser fusion research, is now in progress. High resolution aplanatic imaging x-ray microscopes using normal incidence multilayer x-ray mirrors should have many important applications in advanced x-ray astronomical instrumentation, x-ray lithography, biological, biomedical, metallurgical, and laser fusion research.

Hyperheavy nuclei in covariant density functional theory: the existence and stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gyawali, Abhinaya; Agbemava, Sylvester; Afanasjev, Anatoli

2017-09-01

The limits of existence of finite nuclei is one of interesting questions of modern low-energy nuclear physics. A lot of theoretical efforts have been dedicated to the study of superheavy nuclei with Z < 126. However, very little is known about existence and stability of hyperheavy nuclei with proton numbers Z > 126 . Almost all investigations of such nuclei consider only spherical shapes for the ground states. However, the study of superheavy nuclei indicates that such assumption leads in many cases to misinterpretation of the situation. Thus, we performed a systematic investigation of such nuclei for proton numbers from 122 up to 184 and from two-proton drip line up to two-neutron one within the axial relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory. The calculations are carried out in large deformation space extending from megadeformed oblate shapes via spherical ones up to scission configuration. The stability of such nuclei against fission (including triaxial and octupole shapes) and beta-decays have been investigated and the islands of their stability have been defined. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics under Award No. DE-SC0013037 and by Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0002925.

Nonlinear MHD simulation of current drive by multi-pulsed coaxial helicity injection in spherical torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanki, Takashi; Nagata, Masayoshi; Kagei, Yasuhiro

2011-10-01

The dynamics of structures of magnetic field, current density, and plasma flow generated during multi-pulsed coaxial helicity injection in spherical torus is investigated by 3-D nonlinear MHD simulations. During the driven phase, the flux and current amplifications occur due to the merging and magnetic reconnection between the preexisting plasma in the confinement region and the ejected plasma from the gun region involving the n = 1 helical kink distortion of the central open flux column (COFC). Interestingly, the diamagnetic poloidal flow which tends toward the gun region is then observed due to the steep pressure gradients of the COFC generated by ohmic heating through an injection current winding around the inboard field lines, resulting in the formation of the strong poloidal flow shear at the interface between the COFC and the core region. This result is consistent with the flow shear observed in the HIST. During the decay phase, the configuration approaches the axisymmetric MHD equilibrium state without flow because of the dissipation of magnetic fluctuation energy to increase the closed flux surfaces, suggesting the generation of ordered magnetic field structure. The parallel current density λ concentrated in the COFC then diffuses to the core region so as to reduce the gradient in λ, relaxing in the direction of the Taylor state.

The Crystal Backlighter Imager: a spherically-bent crystal imager for radiography on the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Gareth; Krauland, Christine; Buscho, Justin; Hibbard, Robin; McCarville, Thomas; Lowe-Webb, Roger; Ayers, Shannon; Kalantar, Daniel; Kohut, Thomas; Kemp, G. Elijah; Bradley, David; Bell, Perry; Landen, Otto; Brewster, Nathaniel; Piston, Kenneth

2017-10-01

The Crystal Backlighter Imager (CBI) is a quasi-monochromatic, near-normal incidence, spherically-bent crystal imager being developed for the NIF, which will allow ICF capsule implosions to be radiographed close to stagnation for the first time. This has not been possible using the previous pinhole-based area-backlighter configuration, as the self-emission from the capsule hotspot overwhelms the backlighter in the final stages of the implosion. CBI mitigates the broadband self-emission from the capsule hot spot by using the extremely narrow bandwidth (a few eV) inherent to imagers based on near-normal-incidence Bragg x-ray optics. The development of a diagnostic with the capability to image the capsule during the final stages of the implosion (r less than 200um) is important, as it will allow the shape, integrity and density of the shell to be measured, and will allow the evolution of features, such as the fill tube and capsule support structure, to be imaged close to bang time. The concept and operation of the 11.6keV CBI diagnostic will be discussed, and the first results from experiments on the NIF will be presented. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

NASA Engineer and Technician Instrument Zero Gravity Spheres

NASA Image and Video Library

1961-08-21

An engineer and technician at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center install the instrumentation on spherical fuel tanks for an investigation of the behavior of liquids in microgravity. Lewis researchers were undertaking a broad effort to study the heat transfer properties of high energy propellants such as liquid hydrogen in microgravity. In the center’s 2.2-Second Drop Tower they investigated the wetting characteristics of liquid and the liquid-vapor configurations, and predicted the equilibrium state in microgravity conditions. Lewis was also conducting a series microgravity investigations which launched 9-inch diameter spherical dewars, seen here, on an Aerobee sounding rocket. A camera inside the rocket filmed the liquid hydrogen’s behavior during its 4 to 7 minutes of freefall. The researchers concluded, however, that they needed to extend the weightlessness period to obtain better results. So they designed an experiment to be launched on an Atlas missile that would provide 21 minutes of weightlessness. The experiment was flight qualified at Lewis. The 36-percent full liquid hydrogen stainless steel dewar was launched on the Atlas on February 25, 1964. The instrumentation measured temperature, pressure, vacuum, and liquid level. Temperature instrumentation indicated wall drying during the freefall. The resultant pressure-rise characteristics were similar to those used for the normal-gravity test.

Non-planar pad-printed thick-film focused high-frequency ultrasonic transducers for imaging and therapeutic applications.

PubMed

Lethiecq, Marc; Lou-Moeller, Rasmus; Ketterling, Jeffrey; Levassort, Franck; Tran-Huu-Hue, Louis Pascal; Filoux, Erwan; Silverman, Ronald H; Wolny, Wanda W

2012-09-01

Pad-printed thick-film transducers have been shown to be an interesting alternative to lapped bulk piezoceramics, because the film is deposited with the required thickness, size, and geometry, thus avoiding any subsequent machining to achieve geometrical focusing. Their electromechanical properties are close to those of bulk ceramics with similar composition despite having a higher porosity. In this paper, padprinted high-frequency transducers based on a low-loss piezoceramic composition are designed and fabricated. High-porosity ceramic cylinders with a spherical top surface are used as the backing substrate. The transducers are characterized in view of imaging applications and their imaging capabilities are evaluated with phantoms containing spherical inclusions and in different biological tissues. In addition, the transducers are evaluated for their capability to produce high-acoustic intensities at frequencies around 20 MHz. High-intensity measurements, obtained with a calibrated hydrophone, show that transducer performance is promising for applications that would require the same device to be used for imaging and for therapy. Nevertheless, the transducer design can be improved, and simulation studies are performed to find a better compromise between low-power and high-power performance. The size, geometry, and constitutive materials of optimized configurations are proposed and their feasibility is discussed.

Atomistic structures of nano-engineered SiC and radiation-induced amorphization resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imada, Kenta; Ishimaru, Manabu; Sato, Kazuhisa; Xue, Haizhou; Zhang, Yanwen; Shannon, Steven; Weber, William J.

2015-10-01

Nano-engineered 3C-SiC thin films, which possess columnar structures with high-density stacking faults and twins, were irradiated with 2 MeV Si ions at cryogenic and room temperatures. From cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observations in combination with Monte Carlo simulations based on the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter code, it was found that their amorphization resistance is six times greater than bulk crystalline SiC at room temperature. High-angle bright-field images taken by spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that the distortion of atomic configurations is localized near the stacking faults. The resultant strain field probably contributes to the enhancement of radiation tolerance of this material.

Special nuclear material simulation device

DOEpatents

Leckey, John H.; DeMint, Amy; Gooch, Jack; Hawk, Todd; Pickett, Chris A.; Blessinger, Chris; York, Robbie L.

2014-08-12

An apparatus for simulating special nuclear material is provided. The apparatus typically contains a small quantity of special nuclear material (SNM) in a configuration that simulates a much larger quantity of SNM. Generally the apparatus includes a spherical shell that is formed from an alloy containing a small quantity of highly enriched uranium. Also typically provided is a core of depleted uranium. A spacer, typically aluminum, may be used to separate the depleted uranium from the shell of uranium alloy. A cladding, typically made of titanium, is provided to seal the source. Methods are provided to simulate SNM for testing radiation monitoring portals. Typically the methods use at least one primary SNM spectral line and exclude at least one secondary SNM spectral line.

Multishell inertial confinement fusion target

DOEpatents

Holland, James R.; Del Vecchio, Robert M.

1984-01-01

A method of fabricating multishell fuel targets for inertial confinement fusion usage. Sacrificial hemispherical molds encapsulate a concentric fuel pellet which is positioned by fiber nets stretched tautly across each hemispherical mold section. The fiber ends of the net protrude outwardly beyond the mold surfaces. The joint between the sacrificial hemispheres is smoothed. A ceramic or glass cover is then deposited about the finished mold surfaces to produce an inner spherical surface having continuously smooth surface configuration. The sacrificial mold is removed by gaseous reaction accomplished through the porous ceramic cover prior to enclosing of the outer sphere by addition of an outer coating. The multishell target comprises the inner fuel pellet concentrically arranged within a surrounding coated cover or shell by fiber nets imbedded within the cover material.

Multishell inertial confinement fusion target

DOEpatents

Holland, James R.; Del Vecchio, Robert M.

1987-01-01

A method of fabricating multishell fuel targets for inertial confinement fusion usage. Sacrificial hemispherical molds encapsulate a concentric fuel pellet which is positioned by fiber nets stretched tautly across each hemispherical mold section. The fiber ends of the net protrude outwardly beyond the mold surfaces. The joint between the sacrificial hemispheres is smoothed. A ceramic or glass cover is then deposited about the finished mold surfaces to produce an inner spherical surface having continuously smooth surface configuration. The sacrificial mold is removed by gaseous reactions accomplished through the porous ceramic cover prior to enclosing of the outer sphere by addition of an outer coating. The multishell target comprises the inner fuel pellet concentrically arranged within a surrounding coated cover or shell by fiber nets imbedded within the cover material.

Improved separability of dipole sources by tripolar versus conventional disk electrodes: a modeling study using independent component analysis.

PubMed

Cao, H; Besio, W; Jones, S; Medvedev, A

2009-01-01

Tripolar electrodes have been shown to have less mutual information and higher spatial resolution than disc electrodes. In this work, a four-layer anisotropic concentric spherical head computer model was programmed, then four configurations of time-varying dipole signals were used to generate the scalp surface signals that would be obtained with tripolar and disc electrodes, and four important EEG artifacts were tested: eye blinking, cheek movements, jaw movements, and talking. Finally, a fast fixed-point algorithm was used for signal independent component analysis (ICA). The results show that signals from tripolar electrodes generated better ICA separation results than from disc electrodes for EEG signals with these four types of artifacts.

Dynamical evolution of dense star clusters in galactic nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haas, Jaroslav; Šubr, Ladislav

2014-05-01

By means of direct numerical N-body modeling, we investigate the orbital evolution of an initially thin, central mass dominated stellar disk. We include the perturbative gravitational influence of an extended spherically symmetric star cluster and the mutual gravitational interaction of the stars within the disk. Our results show that the two-body relaxation of the disk leads to significant changes of its radial density profile. In particular, the disk naturally evolves, for a variety of initial configurations, a similar broken power-law surface density profile. Hence, it appears that the single power-law surface density profile ∝R -2 suggested by various authors to describe the young stellar disk observed in the Sgr A* region does not match theoretical expectations.

Concentrator optical characterization using computer mathematical modelling and point source testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennison, E. W.; John, S. L.; Trentelman, G. F.

1984-01-01

The optical characteristics of a paraboloidal solar concentrator are analyzed using the intercept factor curve (a format for image data) to describe the results of a mathematical model and to represent reduced data from experimental testing. This procedure makes it possible not only to test an assembled concentrator, but also to evaluate single optical panels or to conduct non-solar tests of an assembled concentrator. The use of three-dimensional ray tracing computer programs to calculate the mathematical model is described. These ray tracing programs can include any type of optical configuration from simple paraboloids to array of spherical facets and can be adapted to microcomputers or larger computers, which can graphically display real-time comparison of calculated and measured data.

Black Hole Formation in Randall-Sundrum II Braneworlds.

PubMed

Wang, Daoyan; Choptuik, Matthew W

2016-07-01

We present the first numerical study of the full dynamics of a braneworld scenario, working within the framework of the single brane model of Randall and Sundrum. In particular, we study the process of gravitational collapse driven by a massless scalar field which is confined to the brane. Imposing spherical symmetry on the brane, we show that the evolutions of sufficiently strong initial configurations of the scalar field result in black holes that have finite extension into the bulk. Furthermore, we find preliminary evidence that the black holes generated form a unique sequence, irrespective of the details of the initial data. The black hole solutions we obtain from dynamical evolutions are consistent with those previously computed from a static vacuum ansatz.

Multi-quasiparticle excitations in 145Tb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Y.; Zhou, X. H.; Zhang, Y. H.; Hayakawa, T.; Oshima, M.; Toh, Y.; Shizuma, T.; Katakura, J.; Hatsukawa, Y.; Matsuda, M.; Kusakari, H.; Sugawara, M.; Furuno, K.; Komatsubara, T.

2004-04-01

High-spin states in 145Tb have been investigated by means of in-beam ggr-ray spectroscopy techniques with the 118Sn(32S, 1p4n) reaction. Excitation functions, X-ggr-t and ggr-ggr-t coincidences and ggr-ray anisotropies were measured. A level scheme of 145Tb was established up to Exap 7 MeV. The level structure shows characteristics of a spherical nucleus. Based on the systematics of level structure in the odd-A N = 80 isotones, the level structure below 2 MeV excitation is interpreted by coupling an h11/2 proton to the excitations in the even-even 144Gd core. Above 2 MeV excitation, most of the yrast levels are interpreted with multi-quasiparticle shell-model configurations.

Atmospheric verification mission for the TSS/STARFAC tethered satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, George M., Jr.; Stuart, Thomas D.; Crouch, Donald S.; Deloach, Richard; Brown, Kenneth G.

1991-01-01

Two types of a tethered satellite system (TSS) - a basic 1.8-m-diameter spherical spacecraft and the Shuttle Tethered Aerothermodynamic Research Facility (STARFAC) are considered. Issues related to the deployment and retrieval of a large satellite with exceedingly long tethers are discussed, and the objectives of an Atmospheric Verification Mission (ATM) are outlined. Focus is concentrated on the ATM satellite which will fly after TSS-1 and before the fully instrumented and costlier TSS-2. The differences between the AVM and TSS-2, including the configuration of the aerodynamic stabilizers, instrumentation, and the materials of construction are outlined. The basic Kevlar tether defined for the TSS-2 is being considered for use with the AVM, however, a complex tether is under consideration as well.

Motility and Adhesiveness in Human Neutrophils

PubMed Central

Smith, C. Wayne; Hollers, James C.; Patrick, Richard A.; Hassett, Clare

1979-01-01

Human peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) obtained from healthy adults were examined in vitro with techniques adapted to assess the effects of chemotactic factors (CF) on cellular configuration and adhesiveness. The results were compared with those that use certain conventional techniques for assessing chemotaxis and chemokinesis. Exposure of PMN to N-formyl-l-methionyl-l-phenylalanine (f-Met-Phe), zymosan-activated serum, bacterial chemotactic factor, or a low molecular weight chemotactic factor from activated serum (C5a) in the absence of a gradient resulted in a change in cellular shape from a spherical to a polarized configuration in a high percentage of cells. This occurred rapidly in suspension, under conditions designed to exclude a role for cell adhesiveness, and was reversible upon removal of the CF. Restimulation of cells with the CF resulted in reappearance of the polarized configuration to the same extent as on initial stimulation with one exception: f-Met-Phe pretreated cells failed to respond to f-Met-Phe, though they responded fully to the other CF. Each CF caused a significant increase in PMN attachment to protein-coated glass. This enhanced adhesiveness was not reversible upon removal of the CF when the cells were treated under conditions shown to produce chemotactic deactivation. Cells treated under these conditions also exhibited significantly reduced motility on glass and in micropore filters in the absence of a gradient of CF. Bacterial chemotactic factor, even at high concentrations, failed to produce deactivation and did not cause a sustained enhancement of adhesiveness. Images PMID:372238

Roadway Marking Optics for Autonomous Vehicle Guidance and Other Machine Vision Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konopka, Anthony T.

This work determines optimal planar geometric light source and optical imager configurations and electromagnetic wavelengths for maximizing the reflected signal intensity when using machine vision technology to image roadway markings with embedded spherical glass beads. It is found through a first set of experiments that roadway marking samples exhibiting little or no bead rolling effects are uniformly reflective with respect to the azimuthal angle of observation when measured for retroreflectivity within industry standard 30-meter geometry. A second set of experiments indicate that white roadway markings exhibit higher reflectivity throughout the visible spectrum than yellow roadway markings. A roadway marking optical model capable of being used to determine optimal geometric light source and optical imager configurations for maximizing the reflected signal intensities of roadway marking targets is constructed and simulated using optical engineering software. It is found through a third set of experiments that high signal intensities can be measured when the polar angles of the light source and optical imager along a plane normal to a roadway marking are equal, with the maximum signal intensity being measured when the polar angles of both the light source and optical imager are 90°.

Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that deoxyhemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and glycated hemoglobin under compression and shear exhibit an anisotropic mechanical behavior.

PubMed

Yesudasan, Sumith; Wang, Xianqiao; Averett, Rodney D

2018-05-01

We developed a new mechanical model for determining the compression and shear mechanical behavior of four different hemoglobin structures. Previous studies on hemoglobin structures have focused primarily on overall mechanical behavior; however, this study investigates the mechanical behavior of hemoglobin, a major constituent of red blood cells, using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to obtain anisotropic mechanical behavior under compression and shear loading conditions. Four different configurations of hemoglobin molecules were considered: deoxyhemoglobin (deoxyHb), oxyhemoglobin (HbO 2 ), carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1C ). The SMD simulations were performed on the hemoglobin variants to estimate their unidirectional stiffness and shear stiffness. Although hemoglobin is structurally denoted as a globular protein due to its spherical shape and secondary structure, our simulation results show a significant variation in the mechanical strength in different directions (anisotropy) and also a strength variation among the four different hemoglobin configurations studied. The glycated hemoglobin molecule possesses an overall higher compressive mechanical stiffness and shear stiffness when compared to deoxyhemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, and carboxyhemoglobin molecules. Further results from the models indicate that the hemoglobin structures studied possess a soft outer shell and a stiff core based on stiffness.

Maximizing photovoltaic power generation of a space-dart configured satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Dae Young; Cutler, James W.; Mancewicz, Joe; Ridley, Aaron J.

2015-06-01

Many small satellites are power constrained due to their minimal solar panel area and the eclipse environment of low-Earth orbit. As with larger satellites, these small satellites, including CubeSats, use deployable power arrays to increase power production. This presents a design opportunity to develop various objective functions related to energy management and methods for optimizing these functions over a satellite design. A novel power generation model was created, and a simulation system was developed to evaluate various objective functions describing energy management for complex satellite designs. The model uses a spacecraft-body-fixed spherical coordinate system to analyze the complex geometry of a satellite's self-induced shadowing with computation provided by the Open Graphics Library. As an example design problem, a CubeSat configured as a space-dart with four deployable panels is optimized. Due to the fast computation speed of the solution, an exhaustive search over the design space is used to find the solar panel deployment angles which maximize total power generation. Simulation results are presented for a variety of orbit scenarios. The method is extendable to a variety of complex satellite geometries and power generation systems.

Laser-induced periodic surface structures on titanium upon single- and two-color femtosecond double-pulse irradiation.

PubMed

Höhm, Sandra; Rosenfeld, Arkadi; Krüger, Jörg; Bonse, Jörn

2015-10-05

Single- and two-color double-fs-pulse experiments were performed on titanium to study the dynamics of the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). A Mach-Zehnder inter-ferometer generated polarization controlled (parallel or cross-polarized) double-pulse sequences in two configurations - either at 800 nm only, or at 400 and 800 nm wavelengths. The inter-pulse delays of the individual 50-fs pulses ranged up to some tens of picoseconds. Multiple of these single- or two-color double-fs-pulse sequences were collinearly focused by a spherical mirror to the sample surface. In both experimental configurations, the peak fluence of each individual pulse was kept below its respective ablation threshold and only the joint action of both pulses lead to the formation of LIPSS. Their resulting characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the periods were quantified by Fourier analyses. The LIPSS periods along with the orientation allow a clear identification of the pulse which dominates the energy coupling to the material. A plasmonic model successfully explains the delay-dependence of the LIPSS on titanium and confirms the importance of the ultrafast energy deposition stage for LIPSS formation.

Porogranular materials composed of elastic Helmholtz resonators for acoustic wave absorption.

PubMed

Griffiths, Stéphane; Nennig, Benoit; Job, Stéphane

2017-01-01

A theoretical and experimental study of the acoustic absorption of granular porous media made of non-cohesive piles of spherical shells is presented. These shells are either rigid or elastic, possibly drilled with a neck (Helmholtz resonators), and either porous or impervious. A description is given of acoustic propagation through these media using the effective medium models proposed by Johnson (rigid particles) and Boutin (rigid Helmholtz resonators), which are extended to the configurations studied in this work. A solution is given for the local equation of elasticity of a shell coupled to the viscous flow of air through the neck and the micropores. The models and the simulations are compared to absorption spectra measured in reflection in an impedance tube. The effective medium models and the measurements show excellent agreement for configurations made of rigid particles and rigid Helmholtz resonators that induce an additional peak of absorption at low frequency. A shift of the Helmholtz resonance toward low frequencies, due to the softness of the shells is revealed by the experiments for elastic shells made of soft elastomer and is well reproduced by the simulations. It is shown that microporous shells enhance and broaden acoustic absorption compared to stiff or elastic resonators.

Dynamics of coarsening in multicomponent lipid vesicles with non-uniform mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Funkhouser, Chloe M.; Solis, Francisco J.; Thornton, K.

2014-04-01

Multicomponent lipid vesicles are commonly used as a model system for the complex plasma membrane. One phenomenon that is studied using such model systems is phase separation. Vesicles composed of simple lipid mixtures can phase-separate into liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases, and since these phases can have different mechanical properties, this separation can lead to changes in the shape of the vesicle. In this work, we investigate the dynamics of phase separation in multicomponent lipid vesicles, using a model that couples composition to mechanical properties such as bending rigidity and spontaneous curvature. The model allows the vesicle surface to deform while conserving surface area and composition. For vesicles initialized as spheres, we study the effects of phase fraction and spontaneous curvature. We additionally initialize two systems with elongated, spheroidal shapes. Dynamic behavior is contrasted in systems where only one phase has a spontaneous curvature similar to the overall vesicle surface curvature and systems where the spontaneous curvatures of both phases are similar to the overall curvature. The bending energy contribution is typically found to slow the dynamics by stabilizing configurations with multiple domains. Such multiple-domain configurations are found more often in vesicles with spheroidal shapes than in nearly spherical vesicles.

Subsonic Static and Dynamic Aerodynamics of Blunt Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitcheltree, Robert A.; Fremaux, Charles M.; Yates, Leslie A.

1999-01-01

The incompressible subsonic aerodynamics of four entry-vehicle shapes with variable c.g. locations are examined in the Langley 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel. The shapes examined are spherically-blunted cones with half-cone angles of 30, 45, and 60 deg. The nose bluntness varies between 0.25 and 0.5 times the base diameter. The Reynolds number based on model diameter for these tests is near 500,000. Quantitative data on attitude and location are collected using a video-based data acquisition system and reduced with a six deg-of-freedom inverse method. All of the shapes examined suffered from strong dynamic instabilities which could produced limit cycles with sufficient amplitudes to overcome static stability of the configuration. Increasing cone half-angle or nose bluntness increases drag but decreases static and dynamic stability.

Reflectance degradation of a secondary concentrator by nitrate salt vapor deposition in an open volumetric receiver configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lahlou, Radia; Armstrong, Peter R.; Calvet, Nicolas; Shamim, Tariq

2017-06-01

Nitrate salt vapor deposition on the reflecting surface of a secondary concentrator placed on top of an open molten salt tank at 500 °C is investigated using a lab-scale setup over an 8h-exposure cycle. Deposition, consisting of mostly spherical particles, is characterized in terms of chemical composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The corresponding specular reflectance degradation both temporary (before washing off the salt deposits) and permanent (residual reflectance loss after cleaning), is measured at different incidence angles and at reference points located at different heights. Reflectance drop due to salt deposits is compared to the one resulting from dust deposition. Long-term reflectance degradation by means of corrosion needs to be further studied through suitable accelerated aging tests.

Atomistic structures of nano-engineered SiC and radiation-induced amorphization resistance

DOE PAGES

Imada, Kenta; Ishimaru, Manabu; Sato, Kazuhisa; ...

2015-06-18

In this paper, nano-engineered 3C–SiC thin films, which possess columnar structures with high-density stacking faults and twins, were irradiated with 2 MeV Si ions at cryogenic and room temperatures. From cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observations in combination with Monte Carlo simulations based on the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter code, it was found that their amorphization resistance is six times greater than bulk crystalline SiC at room temperature. High-angle bright-field images taken by spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that the distortion of atomic configurations is localized near the stacking faults. Finally, the resultant strain fieldmore » probably contributes to the enhancement of radiation tolerance of this material.« less

Acoustic levitation of a large solid sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrade, Marco A. B.; Bernassau, Anne L.; Adamowski, Julio C.

2016-07-01

We demonstrate that acoustic levitation can levitate spherical objects much larger than the acoustic wavelength in air. The acoustic levitation of an expanded polystyrene sphere of 50 mm in diameter, corresponding to 3.6 times the wavelength, is achieved by using three 25 kHz ultrasonic transducers arranged in a tripod fashion. In this configuration, a standing wave is created between the transducers and the sphere. The axial acoustic radiation force generated by each transducer on the sphere was modeled numerically as a function of the distance between the sphere and the transducer. The theoretical acoustic radiation force was verified experimentally in a setup consisting of an electronic scale and an ultrasonic transducer mounted on a motorized linear stage. The comparison between the numerical and experimental acoustic radiation forces presents a good agreement.

Rotating cylindrical and spherical triboelectric generators

DOEpatents

Wang, Zhong Lin; Zhu, Guang; Yang, Ya; Zhang, Hulin; Hu, Youfan; Yang, Jin; Jing, Qingshen

2017-02-14

A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Cylindrical and spherical triboelectric generators

DOEpatents

Wang, Zhong Lin; Zhu, Guang; Yang, Ya; Zhang, Hulin; Hu, Youfan; Yang, Jin; Jing, Qingshen; Bai, Peng

2017-12-12

A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Properties of pendular liquid bridges determined on Delaunay's roulettes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mielniczuk, Boleslaw; Millet, Olivier; Gagneux, Gérard; El Youssoufi, Moulay Said

2017-06-01

This work addresses the study of capillary bridge properties between two grains, with use of recent analytical model, based on solutions of Young-Laplace equation from an inverse problem. A simple explicit criterion allows to classify the profile of capillary bridge as a surface of revolution with constant mean curvature (Delaunay roulette) using its measured geometrical parameters (gorge radius, contact angle, half-filling angle). Necessary data are obtained from experimental tests, realized on liquid bridges between two equal spherical grains. Sequences of images are recorded at several (fixed) volumes of liquid and different separations distances between the spheres (from contact to rupture), in laboratory and in micro-gravity conditions. For each configuration, an exact parametric representation of the meridian is revealed. Mean bridge curvature, internal pressure and intergranular capillary force are also determined.

Hairy black holes in cubic quasi-topological gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dykaar, Hannah; Hennigar, Robie A.; Mann, Robert B.

2017-05-01

We construct a class of five dimensional black hole solutions to cubic quasi-topological gravity with conformal scalar hair and study their thermodynamics. We find these black holes provide the second example of black hole λ-lines: a line of second order (continuous) phase transitions, akin to the fluid/superfluid transition of 4He. Examples of isolated critical points are found for spherical black holes, marking the first in the literature to date. We also find various novel and interesting phase structures, including an isolated critical point occurring in conjunction with a double reentrant phase transition. The AdS vacua of the theory are studied, finding ghost-free configurations where the scalar field takes on a non-zero constant value, in notable contrast to the five dimensional Lovelock case.

Spherization of the remnants of asymmetrical SN explosions in a uniform medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G. S.; Blinnikov, S. I.

A 'snow-plow' approximation is used to project a spherical shape for a supernova remnant (SNR) after a shock wave has traveled through a uniform medium following an asymmetrical SN explosion. The asymmetry arises as magnetorotation causes the explosion. It is assumed that the main part of the mass remains in a thin layer after the explosion and that the layer can be described by 1,5-dimensional hydrodynamics. The cavity pressure inside the shock is assumed much greater than the pressure of the outside medium. The snow-plow model accounts for asymmetrical particle velocities in the expanding layer and the tangential velocity averaged across the shock. The equations are configured to conserve mass and momentum and have specific initial conditions. The calculations are in agreement with observations of Cas A.

Local spin density functional investigations of a manganite with perovskite-type derived structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matar, S. F.; Studer, F.; Siberchicot, B.; Subramanian, M. A.; Demazeau, G.; Etourneau, J.

1998-11-01

The electronic and magnetic structures of the perovskite CaMnO3 are self-consistently calculated assuming two crystal structures at the same formula unit volume within the local spin density functional theory and the augmented spherical wave (ASW) method. From the comparisons of energy differences between the different magnetic states the ground state configuration is an insulator with G-type ordering. This result together with the magnitudes of the magnetic moments are in agreement with experiment. The influence of mixing between Mn and O is found spin dependent from the analysis of the crystal orbital overlap population (COOP) which enable to describe the chemical bond. The calculations underline a feature of a half metallic ferromagnet which could be connected with the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) property of related compounds.

Cloud of strings in {{f}}({{R}}) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morais Graça, J. P.; Lobo, Iarley P.; Salako, Ines G.

2018-05-01

We derive the solution for a spherically symmetric string cloud configuration in a d-dimensional spacetime in the framework of f(R) theories of gravity. We also analyze some thermodynamic properties of the joint black hole - cloud of strings solution. For its Hawking temperature, we found that the dependence of the mass with the horizon is significantly different in both theories. For the interaction of a black hole with thermal radiation, we found that the shapes of the curves are similar, but shifted. Our analysis generalizes some known results in the literature. IPL is Supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq-Brazil) (150384/2017-3), JPMG and IPL thank Coordenaç ao de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for Financial Support

Recent advances in Lorentz microscopy

DOE PAGES

Phatak, C.; Petford-Long, A. K.; De Graef, M.

2016-01-05

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) has evolved from a qualitative magnetic domain observation technique to a quantitative technique for the determination of the magnetization state of a sample. Here, we describe recent developments in techniques and imaging modes, including the use of spherical aberration correction to improve the spatial resolution of LTEM into the single nanometer range, and novel in situ observation modes. We also review recent advances in the modeling of the wave optical magnetic phase shift as well as in the area of phase reconstruction by means of the Transport of Intensity Equation (TIE) approach, and discuss vectormore » field electron tomography, which has emerged as a powerful tool for the 3D reconstruction of magnetization configurations. Finally, we conclude this review with a brief overview of recent LTEM applications.« less

Small form-factor VGA camera with variable focus by liquid lens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oikarinen, Kari A.; Aikio, Mika

2010-05-01

We present the design of a 24 mm long variable focus lens for 1/4" sensor. The chosen CMOS color sensor has VGA (640×480) resolution and 5.6 μm pixel size. The lens utilizes one Varioptic Arctic 320 liquid lens that has a voltage-controllable focal length due to the electrowetting effect. There are no mechanical moving parts. The principle of operation of the liquid lens is explained briefly. We discuss designing optical systems with this type of lens. This includes a modeling approach that allows entering a voltage value to modify the configuration of the liquid lens. The presented design consists only of spherical glass surfaces. The choice to use spherical surfaces was made in order to decrease the costs of manufacturing and provide more predictable performance by the better established method. Fabrication tolerances are compensated by the adjustability of the liquid lens, further increasing the feasibility of manufacturing. The lens is manufactured and assembled into a demonstrator camera. It has an f-number of 2.5 and 40 degree full field of view. The effective focal length varies around 6 millimeters as the liquid lens is adjusted. In simulations we have achieved a focus distance controllable between 20 millimeters and infinity. The design differs from previous approaches by having the aperture stop in the middle of the system instead of in front.

Rheology Gradients at the Base of the Lithosphere and the Stabilization of Deep Mantle Plumes in Stagnant-Lid Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, S. D.

2017-12-01

In high-Rayleigh-number, spherical-shell convection, such as one expects to find in the interiors of large silicate planetary bodies, plumes will migrate unless they are anchored to fixed structures. Within the Earth LLSVPs or core-mantle boundary topography have been proposed to anchor deep mantle plumes, fixing the location of hotspots. The relative stability of volcanic features on Mars and Venus, which are thought to be related to mantle plumes, have not be satisfactorily explained. Thus, it is surprising to see high-Rayleigh-number, stagnant-lid, spherical-shell convection calculations where plumes seeded by the structure of the initial condition persist in a stable configuration for more than 1 Gyr. By comparing calculations with a fixed lithospheric rheology structure with a lithosphere rheology determined by temperature and pressure, I show that in these calculations, topography on the base of the stagnant lid (i.e., the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary) is responsible for the spatial stability of the plumes. If there is symmetry in the plume distribution, this symmetry can prevent the lithosphere becoming unstable and overturning, leading to a significantly over-thickened lithosphere relative to predictions based on scaling laws. This is confirmed by considering an identical calculation where the symmetry in the plume distribution is broken. I discuss geological and geophysical implications for planetary bodies resulting of long-lived, stable, mantle structures.

Development And Testing Of The Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Diffusion Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Becnel, Mark D.; Polzin, Kurt A.

2013-01-01

The Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) diffusion thruster is an experiment in active development that takes advantage of physical phenomenon that occurs during operation of an IEC device. The IEC device has been proposed as a fusion reactor design that relies on traditional electrostatic ion acceleration and is typically arranged in a spherical geometry. The design incorporates two radially-symmetric spherical electrodes. Often the inner electrode utilizes a grid of wire shaped in a sphere with a radius 15 to 50 percent of the radius of the outer electrode. The inner electrode traditionally has 90 percent or more transparency to allow particles (ions) to pass to the center of the spheres and collide/recombine in the dense plasma core at r=0. When operating the IEC, an unsteady plasma leak is typically observed passing out one of the gaps in the lattice grid of the inner electrode. The IED diffusion thruster is based upon the idea that this plasma leak can be used for propulsive purposes. The IEC diffusion thruster utilizes the radial symmetry found in the IEC device. A cylindrical configuration is employed here as it will produce a dense core of plasma the length of the cylindrical grid while promoting the plasma leak to exhaust through an electromagnetic nozzle at one end of the apparatus. A proof-of-concept IEC diffusion thruster is operational and under testing using argon as propellant (Figure 1).

A new spherical scanning system for infrared reflectography of paintings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gargano, M.; Cavaliere, F.; Viganò, D.; Galli, A.; Ludwig, N.

2017-03-01

Infrared reflectography is an imaging technique used to visualize the underdrawings of ancient paintings; it relies on the fact that most pigment layers are quite transparent to infrared radiation in the spectral band between 0.8 μm and 2.5 μm. InGaAs sensor cameras are nowadays the most used devices to visualize the underdrawings but due to the small size of the detectors, these cameras are usually mounted on scanning systems to record high resolution reflectograms. This work describes a portable scanning system prototype based on a peculiar spherical scanning system built through a light weight and low cost motorized head. The motorized head was built with the purpose of allowing the refocusing adjustment needed to compensate the variable camera-painting distance during the rotation of the camera. The prototype has been tested first in laboratory and then in-situ for the Giotto panel "God the Father with Angels" with a 256 pixel per inch resolution. The system performance is comparable with that of other reflectographic devices with the advantage of extending the scanned area up to 1 m × 1 m, with a 40 min scanning time. The present configuration can be easily modified to increase the resolution up to 560 pixels per inch or to extend the scanned area up to 2 m × 2 m.

Two-fluid flowing equilibria of spherical torus sustained by coaxial helicity injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanki, Takashi; Steinhauer, Loren; Nagata, Masayoshi

2007-11-01

Two-dimensional equilibria in helicity-driven systems using two-fluid model were previously computed, showing the existence of an ultra-low-q spherical torus (ST) configuration with diamagnetism and higher beta. However, this computation assumed purely toroidal ion flow and uniform density. The purpose of the present study is to apply the two-fluid model to the two-dimensional equilibria of helicity-driven ST with non-uniform density and both toroidal and poloidal flows for each species by means of the nearby-fluids procedure, and to explore their properties. We focus our attention on the equilibria relevant to the HIST device, which are characterized by either driven or decaying λ profiles. The equilibrium for the driven λ profile has a diamagnetic toroidal field, high-β (βt = 32%), and centrally broad density. By contrast, the decaying equilibrium has a paramagnetic toroidal field, low-β (βt = 10%), and centrally peaked density with a steep gradient in the outer edge region. In the driven case, the toroidal ion and electron flows are in the same direction, and two-fluid effects are less important since the ExB drift is dominant. In the decaying case, the toroidal ion and electron flows are opposite in the outer edge region, and two-fluid effects are significant locally in the edge due to the ion diamagnetic drift.

Relativistic dust accretion of charged particles in Kerr-Newman spacetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroven, Kris; Hackmann, Eva; Lämmerzahl, Claus

2017-09-01

We describe a new analytical model for the accretion of particles from a rotating and charged spherical shell of dilute collisionless plasma onto a rotating and charged black hole. By assuming a continuous injection of particles at the spherical shell and by treating the black hole and a featureless accretion disk located in the equatorial plane as passive sinks of particles, we build a stationary accretion model. This may then serve as a toy model for plasma feeding an accretion disk around a charged and rotating black hole. Therefore, our new model is a direct generalization of the analytical accretion model introduced by E. Tejeda, P. A. Taylor, and J. C. Miller [Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 429, 925 (2013), 10.1093/mnras/sts316]. We use our generalized model to analyze the influence of a net charge of the black hole, which will in general be very small, on the accretion of plasma. Within the assumptions of our model we demonstrate that already a vanishingly small charge of the black hole may in general still have a non-negligible effect on the motion of the plasma, as long as the electromagnetic field of the plasma is still negligible. Furthermore, we argue that the inner and outer edges of the forming accretion disk strongly depend on the charge of the accreted plasma. The resulting possible configurations of accretion disks are analyzed in detail.

Peculiarities of light absorption by spherical microcapsules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geints, Yurii E.; Panina, Ekaterina K.; Zemlyanov, Alexander A.

2018-04-01

Optical radiation absorption in the poly-layer spherical microparticles simulating the inorganic/organic polyshell absorbing microcapsules is considered. With the aim of the finite-difference time-domain technique, the spatial distribution of the absorbed light power in microcapsules of various sizes and internal structure is numerically calculated. For the purpose of light absorption enhancement, we have engineered the optimal structure of a capsule consisting of a strong-refracting transparent outer coating and an absorbing layer which covers a liquid core. The proposed microcapsule prototype provides for a manifold increase in the absorbed light power density in comparison with the usual single-layer absorbing capsule. We show that for light-wavelengths-scaled microcapsules it is optimal to use a material with the refractive index larger than two as an outer shell, for example, titanium dioxide (TiO2). The highest values of the absorbed power density can be obtained in microcapsules with absorbing shell thickness of approximately a tenth of a laser wavelength. When laser radiation is scattered by a dimer constituted by two identical absorbing microcapsules the absorbed power density can be maximized by the choosing of proper dimer spatial configuration. In the case of strongly absorbing particles, the absorption maximum corresponds to a shift of the capsules to a distance of about their diameter, and in the case of weakly absorbing particles the absorption is maximal when particles are in geometrical shades of each other.

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

Margaret A. Marshall

In the early 1970’s Dr. John T. Mihalczo (team leader), J.J. Lynn, and J.R. Taylor performed experiments at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility (ORCEF) with highly enriched uranium (HEU) metal (called Oak Ridge Alloy or ORALLOY) in an attempt to recreate GODIVA I results with greater accuracy than those performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1950’s (HEU-MET-FAST-001). The purpose of the Oak Ridge ORALLOY Sphere (ORSphere) experiments was to estimate the unreflected and unmoderated critical mass of an idealized sphere of uranium metal corrected to a density, purity, and enrichment such that it could be compared withmore » the GODIVA I experiments. “The very accurate description of this sphere, as assembled, establishes it as an ideal benchmark for calculational methods and cross-section data files.” (Reference 1) While performing the ORSphere experiments care was taken to accurately document component dimensions (±0. 0001 in. for non-spherical parts), masses (±0.01 g), and material data The experiment was also set up to minimize the amount of structural material in the sphere proximity. A three part sphere was initially assembled with an average radius of 3.4665 in. and was then machined down to an average radius of 3.4420 in. (3.4425 in. nominal). These two spherical configurations were evaluated and judged to be acceptable benchmark experiments; however, the two experiments are highly correlated.« less

Compact rf polarizer and its application to pulse compression systems

DOE PAGES

Franzi, Matthew; Wang, Juwen; Dolgashev, Valery; ...

2016-06-01

We present a novel method of reducing the footprint and increasing the efficiency of the modern multi-MW rf pulse compressor. This system utilizes a high power rf polarizer to couple two circular waveguide modes in quadrature to a single resonant cavity in order to replicate the response of a traditional two cavity configuration using a 4-port hybrid. The 11.424 GHz, high-Q, spherical cavity has a 5.875 cm radius and is fed by the circularly polarized signal to simultaneously excite the degenerate TE 114 modes. The overcoupled spherical cavity has a Q 0 of 9.4×10 4 and coupling factor (β) ofmore » 7.69 thus providing a loaded quality factor Q L of 1.06×10 4 with a fill time of 150 ns. Cold tests of the polarizer demonstrated good agreement with the numerical design, showing transmission of -0.05 dB and reflection back to the input rectangular WR 90 waveguide less than -40 dB over a 100 MHz bandwidth. This novel rf pulse compressor was tested at SLAC using XL-4 Klystron that provided rf power up to 32 MW and generated peak output power of 205 MW and an average of 135 MW over the discharged signal. A general network analysis of the polarizer is discussed as well as the design and high power test of the rf pulse compressor.« less

Dissipative dark matter halos: The steady state solution. II.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foot, R.

2018-05-01

Within the mirror dark matter model and dissipative dark matter models in general, halos around galaxies with active star formation (including spirals and gas-rich dwarfs) are dynamical: they expand and contract in response to heating and cooling processes. Ordinary type II supernovae (SNe) can provide the dominant heat source, which is possible if kinetic mixing interaction exists with strength ɛ ˜10-9- 10-10 . Dissipative dark matter halos can be modeled as a fluid governed by Euler's equations. Around sufficiently isolated and unperturbed galaxies the halo can relax to a steady state configuration, where heating and cooling rates locally balance and hydrostatic equilibrium prevails. These steady state conditions can be solved to derive the physical properties, including the halo density and temperature profiles, for model galaxies. Here, we consider idealized spherically symmetric galaxies within the mirror dark particle model, as in our earlier paper [Phys. Rev. D 97, 043012 (2018), 10.1103/PhysRevD.97.043012], but we assume that the local halo heating in the SN vicinity dominates over radiative sources. With this assumption, physically interesting steady state solutions arise which we compute for a representative range of model galaxies. The end result is a rather simple description of the dark matter halo around idealized spherically symmetric systems, characterized in principle by only one parameter, with physical properties that closely resemble the empirical properties of disk galaxies.

Conceptual design study of the moderate size superconducting spherical tokamak power plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gi, Keii; Ono, Yasushi; Nakamura, Makoto; Someya, Youji; Utoh, Hiroyasu; Tobita, Kenji; Ono, Masayuki

2015-06-01

A new conceptual design of the superconducting spherical tokamak (ST) power plant was proposed as an attractive choice for tokamak fusion reactors. We reassessed a possibility of the ST as a power plant using the conservative reactor engineering constraints often used for the conventional tokamak reactor design. An extensive parameters scan which covers all ranges of feasible superconducting ST reactors was completed, and five constraints which include already achieved plasma magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and confinement parameters in ST experiments were established for the purpose of choosing the optimum operation point. Based on comparison with the estimated future energy costs of electricity (COEs) in Japan, cost-effective ST reactors can be designed if their COEs are smaller than 120 mills kW-1 h-1 (2013). We selected the optimized design point: A = 2.0 and Rp = 5.4 m after considering the maintenance scheme and TF ripple. A self-consistent free-boundary MHD equilibrium and poloidal field coil configuration of the ST reactor were designed by modifying the neutral beam injection system and plasma profiles. The MHD stability of the equilibrium was analysed and a ramp-up scenario was considered for ensuring the new ST design. The optimized moderate-size ST power plant conceptual design realizes realistic plasma and fusion engineering parameters keeping its economic competitiveness against existing energy sources in Japan.

Casimir interaction between spheres in ( D + 1)-dimensional Minkowski spacetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teo, L. P.

2014-05-01

We consider the Casimir interaction between two spheres in ( D + 1)-dimensional Minkowski spacetime due to the vacuum fluctuations of scalar fields. We consider combinations of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. The TGTG formula of the Casimir interaction energy is derived. The computations of the T matrices of the two spheres are straightforward. To compute the two G matrices, known as translation matrices, which relate the hyper-spherical waves in two spherical coordinate frames differ by a translation, we generalize the operator approach employed in [39]. The result is expressed in terms of an integral over Gegenbauer polynomials. In contrast to the D=3 case, we do not re-express the integral in terms of 3 j-symbols and hyper-spherical waves, which in principle, can be done but does not simplify the formula. Using our expression for the Casimir interaction energy, we derive the large separation and small separation asymptotic expansions of the Casimir interaction energy. In the large separation regime, we find that the Casimir interaction energy is of order L -2 D+3, L -2 D+1 and L -2 D-1 respectively for Dirichlet-Dirichlet, Dirichlet-Neumann and Neumann-Neumann boundary conditions, where L is the center-to-center distance of the two spheres. In the small separation regime, we confirm that the leading term of the Casimir interaction agrees with the proximity force approximation, which is of order , where d is the distance between the two spheres. Another main result of this work is the analytic computations of the next-to-leading order term in the small separation asymptotic expansion. This term is computed using careful order analysis as well as perturbation method. In the case the radius of one of the sphere goes to infinity, we find that the results agree with the one we derive for sphere-plate configuration. When D=3, we also recover previously known results. We find that when D is large, the ratio of the next-to-leading order term to the leading order term is linear in D, indicating a larger correction at higher dimensions. The methodologies employed in this work and the results obtained can be used to study the one-loop effective action of the system of two spherical objects in the universe.

Microstructure and rheology of particle stabilized emulsions: Effects of particle shape and inter-particle interactions.

PubMed

Katepalli, Hari; John, Vijay T; Tripathi, Anubhav; Bose, Arijit

2017-01-01

Using fumed and spherical silica particles of similar hydrodynamic size, we investigated the effects of particle shape and inter-particle interactions on the formation, stability and rheology of bromohexadecane-in-water Pickering emulsions. The interparticle interactions were varied from repulsive to attractive by modifying the salt concentration in the aqueous phase. Optical microscope images revealed smaller droplet sizes for the fumed silica stabilized emulsions. All the emulsions remained stable for several weeks. Cryo-SEM images of the emulsion droplets showed a hexagonally packed single layer of particles at oil-water interfaces in emulsions stabilized with silica spheres, irrespective of the nature of the inter-particle interactions. Thus, entropic, excluded volume interactions dominate the fate of spherical particles at oil-water interfaces. On the other hand, closely packed layers of particles were observed at oil-water interfaces for the fumed silica stabilized emulsions for both attractive and repulsive interparticle interactions. At the high salt concentrations, attractive inter-particles interactions led to aggregation of fumed silica particles, and multiple layers of these particles were then observed on the droplet surfaces. A network of fumed silica particles was also observed between the emulsion droplets, suggesting that enthalpic interactions are responsible for the determining particle configurations at oil-water interfaces as well as in the aqueous phase. Steady shear viscosity measurements over a range of shear stresses, as well as oscillatory shear measurements at 1Hz confirm the presence of a network in fumed silica suspensions and emulsions, and the lack of such a network when spherical particles are used. The fractal structure of fumed silica leads to several contact points and particle interlocking in the water as well as on the bromohexadecane-water interfaces, with corresponding effects on the structure and rheology of the emulsions. The attenuation of droplet motion due to the formation of a particle network can be exploited for stabilizing emulsions and for modulating their rheology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Refractive Changes Induced by Spherical Aberration in Laser Correction Procedures: An Adaptive Optics Study.

PubMed

Amigó, Alfredo; Martinez-Sorribes, Paula; Recuerda, Margarita

2017-07-01

To study the effect on vision of induced negative and positive spherical aberration within the range of laser vision correction procedures. In 10 eyes (mean age: 35.8 years) under cyclopegic conditions, spherical aberration values from -0.75 to +0.75 µm in 0.25-µm steps were induced by an adaptive optics system. Astigmatism and spherical refraction were corrected, whereas the other natural aberrations remained untouched. Visual acuity, depth of focus defined as the interval of vision for which the target was still perceived acceptable, contrast sensitivity, and change in spherical refraction associated with the variation in pupil diameter from 6 to 2.5 mm were measured. A refractive change of 1.60 D/µm of induced spherical aberration was obtained. Emmetropic eyes became myopic when positive spherical aberration was induced and hyperopic when negative spherical aberration was induced (R 2 = 81%). There were weak correlations between spherical aberration and visual acuity or depth of focus (R 2 = 2% and 3%, respectively). Contrast sensitivity worsened with the increment of spherical aberration (R 2 = 59%). When pupil size decreased, emmetropic eyes became hyperopic when preexisting spherical aberration was positive and myopic when spherical aberration was negative, with an average refractive change of 0.60 D/µm of spherical aberration (R 2 = 54%). An inverse linear correlation exists between the refractive state of the eye and spherical aberration induced within the range of laser vision correction. Small values of spherical aberration do not worsen visual acuity or depth of focus, but positive spherical aberration may induce night myopia. In addition, the changes in spherical refraction when the pupil constricts may worsen near vision when positive spherical aberration is induced or improve it when spherical aberration is negative. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(7):470-474.]. Copyright 2017, SLACK Incorporated.

Gamow-Teller response in the configuration space of a density-functional-theory-rooted no-core configuration-interaction model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konieczka, M.; Kortelainen, M.; Satuła, W.

2018-03-01

Background: The atomic nucleus is a unique laboratory in which to study fundamental aspects of the electroweak interaction. This includes a question concerning in medium renormalization of the axial-vector current, which still lacks satisfactory explanation. Study of spin-isospin or Gamow-Teller (GT) response may provide valuable information on both the quenching of the axial-vector coupling constant as well as on nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. Purpose: We have performed a seminal calculation of the GT response by using the no-core configuration-interaction approach rooted in multireference density functional theory (DFT-NCCI). The model treats properly isospin and rotational symmetries and can be applied to calculate both the nuclear spectra and transition rates in atomic nuclei, irrespectively of their mass and particle-number parity. Methods: The DFT-NCCI calculation proceeds as follows: First, one builds a configuration space by computing relevant, for a given physical problem, (multi)particle-(multi)hole Slater determinants. Next, one applies the isospin and angular-momentum projections and performs the isospin and K mixing in order to construct a model space composed of linearly dependent states of good angular momentum. Eventually, one mixes the projected states by solving the Hill-Wheeler-Griffin equation. Results: The method is applied to compute the GT strength distribution in selected N ≈Z nuclei including the p -shell 8Li and 8Be nuclei and the s d -shell well-deformed nucleus 24Mg. In order to demonstrate a flexibility of the approach we present also a calculation of the superallowed GT β decay in doubly-magic spherical 100Sn and the low-spin spectrum in 100In. Conclusions: It is demonstrated that the DFT-NCCI model is capable of capturing the GT response satisfactorily well by using a relatively small configuration space, exhausting simultaneously the GT sum rule. The model, due to its flexibility and broad range of applicability, may either serve as a complement or even as an alternative to other theoretical approaches, including the conventional nuclear shell model.

The Spherical Brazil Nut Effect and its Significance to Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perera, Viranga; Jackson, Alan P.; Asphaug, Erik; Ballouz, Ronald-Louis

2015-11-01

Asteroids are intriguing remnant objects from the early solar system. They can inform us on how planets formed, they could possibly impact the earth in the future, and they likely contain precious metals; for those reasons, there will be future exploration and mining space missions to them. Telescopic observations and spacecraft data have helped us understand basic properties such as their size, mass, spin rate, orbital elements, and their surface properties. However, their interior structures have remained elusive. In order to fully characterize the interiors of these bodies, seismic data will be necessary. However, we can infer their interior structures by combining several key factors that we know about them: 1). Past work has shown that asteroids between 150 m to 10 km in size are rubble-piles that are a collection of particles held together by gravity and possibly cohesion. 2). Asteroid surfaces show cratering that suggests that past impacts would have seismically shaken these bodies. 3). Spacecraft images show that some asteroids have large protruding boulders on their surfaces. A rubble-pile object made of particles of different sizes and that undergoes seismic shaking will experience granular flow. Specifically, a size sorting effect known as the Brazil Nut Effect will lead larger particles to move towards the surface while smaller particles will move downwards. Previous work has suggested that this effect could possibly explain not only why there are large boulders on the surfaces of some asteroids but also might suggest that the interior particles of these bodies would be organized by size. Previous works have conducted computer simulations and lab experiments; however, all the particle configurations used have been either cylindrical or rectangular boxes. In this work we present a spherical configuration of self-gravitating particles that is a better representation of asteroids. Our results indicate that while friction is not necessary for the Brazil Nut Effect to take place, it aids the sorting process after a certain energy threshold is met. Even though we find that the outer layers of asteroids could possibly be size sorted, the inner regions are likely mixed.

Balance of corneal horizontal coma by internal optics in eyes with intraocular artificial lenses: evidence of a passive mechanism.

PubMed

Marcos, Susana; Rosales, Patricia; Llorente, Lourdes; Barbero, Sergio; Jiménez-Alfaro, I

2008-01-01

It is well known that the aberrations of the cornea are partially compensated by the aberrations of the internal optics of the eye (primarily the crystalline lens) in young subjects. This effect has been found not only for the spherical aberration, but also for horizontal coma. It has been debated whether the compensation of horizontal coma is the result of passive mechanism [Artal, P., Benito, A., & Tabernero, J. (2006). The human eye is an example of robust optical design. Journal of Vision, 6 (1), 1-7] or through an active developmental feedback process [Kelly, J. E., Mihashi, T., & Howland, H. C. (2004). Compensation of corneal horizontal/vertical astigmatism, lateral coma, and spherical aberration by internal optics of the eye. Journal of Vision, 4 (4), 262-271]. In this study we investigate the active or passive nature of the horizontal coma compensation using eyes with artificial lenses, where no active developmental process can be present. We measured total and corneal aberrations, and lens tilt and decentration in a group of 38 eyes implanted with two types of intraocular lenses designed to compensate the corneal spherical aberration of the average population. We found that spherical aberration was compensated by 66%, and horizontal coma by 87% on average. The spherical aberration is not compensated at an individual level, but horizontal coma is compensated individually (coefficients of correlation corneal/internal aberration: -0.946, p<0.0001). The fact that corneal (but not total) horizontal coma is highly correlated with angle lamda (computed from the shift of the 1st Purkinje image from the pupil center, for foveal fixation) indicates that the compensation arises primarily from the geometrical configuration of the eye (which generates horizontal coma of opposite signs in the cornea and internal optics). The amount and direction of tilts and misalignments of the lens are comparable to those found in young eyes, and on average tend to compensate (rather than increase) horizontal coma. Computer simulations using customized model eyes and different designs of intraocular lenses show that, while not all designs produce a compensation of horizontal coma, a wide range of aspheric biconvex designs may produce comparable compensation to that found in young eyes with crystalline lenses, over a relatively large field of view. These findings suggest that the lens shape, gradient index or foveal location do not need to be fine-tuned to achieve a compensation of horizontal coma. Our results cannot exclude a fine-tuning for the orientation of the crystalline lens, since cataract surgery seems to preserve the position of the capsule.

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

Mishev, S., E-mail: mishev@theor.jinr.ru; Voronov, V. V., E-mail: voronov@theor.jinr.ru

The role of the nucleon correlations in the ground states of even–even nuclei on the properties of low-lying states in odd–even spherical and transitional nuclei is studied. We reason about this subject using the language of the quasiparticle–phonon model which we extend to take account of the existence of quasiparticle⊗phonon configurations in the wave functions of the ground states of the even–even cores. Of paramount importance to the structure of the low-lying states happens to be the quasiparticle–phonon interaction in the ground states which we evaluated using both the standard and the extended random phase approximations. Numerical calculations for nucleimore » in the barium and cadmium regions are performed using pairing and quadrupole–quadrupole interaction modes which have the dominant impact on the lowest-lying states’ structure. It is found that states with same angular momentum and parity become closer in energy as compared to the predictions of models disregarding the backward amplitudes, which turns out to be in accord with the experimental data. In addition we found that the interaction between the last quasiparticle and the ground-state phonon admixtures produces configurations which contribute significantly to the magnetic dipolemoment of odd-A nuclei. It also reveals a potential for reproducing their experimental values which proves impossible if this interaction is neglected.« less

Dynamics of an elastic sphere containing a thin creeping region and immersed in an acoustic region for similar viscous-elastic and acoustic time- and length-scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gat, Amir; Friedman, Yonathan

2017-11-01

The characteristic time of low-Reynolds number fluid-structure interaction scales linearly with the ratio of fluid viscosity to solid Young's modulus. For sufficiently large values of Young's modulus, both time- and length-scales of the viscous-elastic dynamics may be similar to acoustic time- and length-scales. However, the requirement of dominant viscous effects limits the validity of such regimes to micro-configurations. We here study the dynamics of an acoustic plane wave impinging on the surface of a layered sphere, immersed within an inviscid fluid, and composed of an inner elastic sphere, a creeping fluid layer and an external elastic shell. We focus on configurations with similar viscous-elastic and acoustic time- and length-scales, where the viscous-elastic speed of interaction between the creeping layer and the elastic regions is similar to the speed of sound. By expanding the linearized spherical Reynolds equation into the relevant spectral series solution for the hyperbolic elastic regions, a global stiffness matrix of the layered elastic sphere was obtained. This work relates viscous-elastic dynamics to acoustic scattering and may pave the way to the design of novel meta-materials with unique acoustic properties. ISF 818/13.

Integrated Scenario Modeling of NSTX Advanced Plasma Configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kessel, Charles; Synakowski, Edward

2003-10-01

The Spherical Torus will provide an attractive fusion energy source if it can demonstrate the following major features: high elongation and triangularity, 100% non-inductive current with a credible path to high bootstrap fractions, non-solenoidal startup and current rampup, high beta with stabilization of RWM instabilities, and sufficiently high energy confinement. NSTX has specific experimental milestones to examine these features, and integrated scenario modeling is helping to understand how these configurations might be produced and what tools are needed to access this operating space. Simulations with the Tokamak Simulation Code (TSC), CURRAY, and JSOLVER/BALMSC/PEST2 have identified fully non-inductively sustained, high beta plasmas that rely on strong plasma shaping accomplished with a PF coil modification, off-axis current drive from Electron Bernstein Waves (EBW), flexible on-axis heating and CD from High Harmonic Fast Wave (HHFW) and Neutral Beam Injection (NBI), and density control. Ideal MHD stability shows that with wall stabilization through plasma rotation and/or RWM feedback coils, a beta of 40% is achievable, with 100% non-inductive current sustained for 4 current diffusion times. Experimental data and theory are combined to produce a best extrapolation to these regimes, which is continuously improved as the discharges approach these parameters, and theoretical/computational methods expand. Further investigations and development for integrated scenario modeling on NSTX is discussed.

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

Mukherjee, G.; Pai, H.

High spin states in Bismuth and Thallium nuclei near the Z = 82 shell closure and Cesium nuclei near the N = 82 shell closure in A = 190 and A = 130 regions, respectively, have been experimentally investigated using heavy-ion fusion evaporation reaction and by detecting the gamma rays using the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA). Interesting shape properties in these transitional nuclei have been observed. The results were compared with the neighboring nuclei in these two regions. The total Routhian surface (TRS) calculations have been performed for a better understanding of the observed properties. In mass region Amore » = 190, a change in shape from spherical to deformed has been observd around neutron number N = 112 for the Bi (Z = 83) isotopes with proton number above the magic gap Z = 82, whereas, the shape of Tl (Z = 81) isotopes with proton number below the magic gap Z = 82 remains stable as a function of neutron number. An important transition from aplanar to planar configuration of angular momentum vectors leading to the occurance of nuclar chirality and magnetic rotation, respectively, has been proposed for the unique parity πh{sub 11/2}⊗νh{sub 11/2} configuration in Cs isotopes in the mass region A ∼ 130 around neutron number N = 79. These results are in commensurate with the TRS calculations.« less

Spheromak plasma flow injection into a torus chamber and the HIST plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatuzaki, Akinori

2005-10-01

The importance of plasma flow or two-fluid effect is recognized in understanding the relaxed states of high-beta torus plasmas, start-up and current drive by non-coaxial helicity injection, magnetic reconnection and plasma dynamo in fusion, laboratory and space plasmas. As a new approach to create a flowing two-fluid plasma equilibrium, we have tried to inject tangentially the plasma flow with spheromak-type magnetic configurations into a torus vacuum chamber with an external toroidal magnetic field (TF) coil. In the initial experiments, the RFP-like configuration with helical magnetic structures was realized in the torus vessel. The ion flow measurement with Mach probes showed that the ion flow keeps the same direction despite the reversal of the toroidal current and the axial electric field. The ion fluid comes to flow in the opposite direction to the electron fluid by the reversal of TF. This result suggests that not only electron but also ion flow contributes significantly on the reversed toroidal current. In this case, the ratio of ui to the electron flow velocity ue is estimated as ui/ue ˜ 1/2. We also will inject the spheromak flow into the HIST spherical torus plasmas to examine the possibilities to embedding the two-fluid effect in the ST plasmas.

Quasistationary solutions of scalar fields around accreting black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchis-Gual, Nicolas; Degollado, Juan Carlos; Izquierdo, Paula; Font, José A.; Montero, Pedro J.

2016-08-01

Massive scalar fields can form long-lived configurations around black holes. These configurations, dubbed quasibound states, have been studied both in the linear and nonlinear regimes. In this paper, we show that quasibound states can form in a dynamical scenario in which the mass of the black hole grows significantly due to the capture of infalling matter. We solve the Klein-Gordon equation numerically in spherical symmetry, mimicking the evolution of the spacetime through a sequence of analytic Schwarzschild black hole solutions of increasing mass. It is found that the frequency of oscillation of the quasibound states decreases as the mass of the black hole increases. In addition, accretion leads to an increase of the exponential decay of the scalar field energy. We compare the black hole mass growth rates used in our study with estimates from observational surveys and extrapolate our results to values of the scalar field masses consistent with models that propose scalar fields as dark matter in the universe. We show that, even for unrealistically large mass accretion rates, quasibound states around accreting black holes can survive for cosmological time scales. Our results provide further support to the intriguing possibility of the existence of dark matter halos based on (ultralight) scalar fields surrounding supermassive black holes in galactic centers.

The stabilities and electron structures of Al-Mg clusters with 18 and 20 valence electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Huihui; Chen, Hongshan

2017-07-01

The spherical jellium model predicts that metal clusters having 18 and 20 valence electrons correspond to the magic numbers and will show specific stabilities. We explore in detail the geometric structures, stabilities and electronic structures of Al-Mg clusters containing 18 and 20 valence electrons by using genetic algorithm combined with density functional theories. The stabilities of the clusters are governed by the electronic configurations and Mg/Al ratios. The clusters with lower Mg/Al ratios are more stable. The molecular orbitals accord with the shell structures predicted by the jellium model but the 2S level interweaves with the 1D levels and the 2S and 1D orbitals form a subgroup. The clusters having 20 valence electrons form closed 1S21P61D102S2 shells and show enhanced stability. The Al-Mg clusters with a valence electron count of 18 do not form closed shells because one 1D orbital is unoccupied. The ionization potential and electron affinity are closely related to the electronic configurations; their values are determined by the subgroups the HOMO or LUMO belong to. Supplementary material in the form of one pdf file available from the Journal web page at http://https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2017-80042-9

Hot super-dense compact object with particular EoS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tito, E. P.; Pavlov, V. I.

2018-03-01

We show the possibility of existence of a self-gravitating spherically-symmetric equilibrium configuration for a neutral matter with neutron-like density, small mass M ≪ M_{⊙}, and small radius R ≪ R_{⊙}. We incorporate the effects of both the special and general theories of relativity. Such object may be formed in a cosmic cataclysm, perhaps an exotic one. Since the base equations of hydrostatic equilibrium are completed by the equation of state (EoS) for the matter of the object, we offer a novel, interpolating experimental data from high-energy physics, EoS which permits the existence of such compact system of finite radius. This EoS model possesses a critical state characterized by density ρc and temperature Tc. For such an object, we derive a radial distribution for the super-dense matter in "liquid" phase using Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations for hydrostatic equilibrium. We demonstrate that a stable configuration is indeed possible (only) for temperatures smaller than the critical one. We derive the mass-radius relation (adjusted for relativistic corrections) for such small (M ≪ M_{⊙}) super-dense compact objects. The results are within the constraints established by both heavy-ion collision experiments and theoretical studies of neutron-rich matter.

Elbow and knee joint for hard space suits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vykukal, H. C.

1986-01-01

An elbow or knee joint for a hard space suit or similar usage is formed of three serially connected rigid sections which have truncated spherical configurations. The ends of each section form solid geometric angles, and the sections are interconnected by hermetically sealed ball bearings. The outer two sections are fixed together for rotation in a direction opposite to rotation of the center section. A preferred means to make the outer sections track each other in rotation comprises a rotatable continuous bead chain which engages sockets circumferentially spaced on the facing sides of the outer races of the bearings. The joint has a single pivot point and the bearing axes are always contained in a single plane for any articulation of the joint. Thus flexure of the joint simulates the coplanar flexure of the knee or elbow and is not susceptible to lockup.

Black holes with halos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monten, Ruben; Toldo, Chiara

2018-02-01

We present new AdS4 black hole solutions in N =2 gauged supergravity coupled to vector and hypermultiplets. We focus on a particular consistent truncation of M-theory on the homogeneous Sasaki–Einstein seven-manifold M 111, characterized by the presence of one Betti vector multiplet. We numerically construct static and spherically symmetric black holes with electric and magnetic charges, corresponding to M2 and M5 branes wrapping non-contractible cycles of the internal manifold. The novel feature characterizing these nonzero temperature configurations is the presence of a massive vector field halo. Moreover, we verify the first law of black hole mechanics and we study the thermodynamics in the canonical ensemble. We analyze the behavior of the massive vector field condensate across the small-large black hole phase transition and we interpret the process in the dual field theory.

New radio detections of early-type pre-main-sequence stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skinner, Stephen L.; Brown, Alexander; Linsky, Jeffrey L.

1990-01-01

Results of VLA radio continuum observations of 13 early-type pre-main-sequence stars selected from the 1984 catalog of Finkenzeller and Mundt are presented. The stars HD 259431 and MWC 1080 were detected at 3.6 cm, while HD 200775 and TY CrA were detected at both 3.6 and 6 cm. The flux density of HD 200775 has a frequency dependence consistent with the behavior expected for free-free emission originating in a fully ionized wind. However, an observation in A configuration suggests that the source geometry may not be spherically symmetric. In contrast, the spectral index of TY CrA is negative with a flux behavior implying nonthermal emission. The physical mechanism responsible for the nonthermal emission has not yet been identified, although gyrosynchrotron and synchrotron processes cannot be ruled out.

Visible, invisible and trapped ghosts as sources of wormholes and black universes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolokhov, S. V.; Bronnikov, K. A.; Korolyov, P. A.; Skvortsova, M. V.

2016-02-01

We construct explicit examples of globally regular static, spherically symmetric solutions in general relativity with scalar and electromagnetic fields, describing traversable wormholes with flat and AdS asymptotics and regular black holes, in particular, black universes. (A black universe is a regular black hole with an expanding, asymptotically isotropic space-time beyond the horizon.) Such objects exist in the presence of scalar fields with negative kinetic energy (“phantoms”, or “ghosts”), which are not observed under usual physical conditions. To account for that, we consider what we call “trapped ghosts” (scalars whose kinetic energy is only negative in a strong-field region of space-time) and “invisible ghosts”, i.e., phantom scalar fields sufficiently rapidly decaying in the weak-field region. The resulting configurations contain different numbers of Killing horizons, from zero to four.

Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Sheng; Yan, Zheng; Jang, Kyung-In; Huang, Wen; Fu, Haoran; Kim, Jeonghyun; Wei, Zijun; Flavin, Matthew; McCracken, Joselle; Wang, Renhan; Badea, Adina; Liu, Yuhao; Xiao, Dongqing; Zhou, Guoyan; Lee, Jungwoo; Chung, Ha Uk; Cheng, Huanyu; Ren, Wen; Banks, Anthony; Li, Xiuling; Paik, Ungyu; Nuzzo, Ralph G.; Huang, Yonggang; Zhang, Yihui; Rogers, John A.

2015-01-01

Complex three-dimensional (3D) structures in biology (e.g., cytoskeletal webs, neural circuits, and vasculature networks) form naturally to provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life. Compelling opportunities exist for analogous 3D architectures in human-made devices, but design options are constrained by existing capabilities in materials growth and assembly. We report routes to previously inaccessible classes of 3D constructs in advanced materials, including device-grade silicon. The schemes involve geometric transformation of 2D micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by compressive buckling. Demonstrations include experimental and theoretical studies of more than 40 representative geometries, from single and multiple helices, toroids, and conical spirals to structures that resemble spherical baskets, cuboid cages, starbursts, flowers, scaffolds, fences, and frameworks, each with single- and/or multiple-level configurations.

Topological Switching and Orbiting Dynamics of Colloidal Spheres Dressed with Chiral Nematic Solitons

PubMed Central

Porenta, T.; Čopar, S.; Ackerman, P. J.; Pandey, M. B.; Varney, M. C. M.; Smalyukh, I. I.; Žumer, S.

2014-01-01

Metastable configurations formed by defects, inclusions, elastic deformations and topological solitons in liquid crystals are a promising choice for building photonic crystals and metamaterials with a potential for new optical applications. Local optical modification of the director or introduction of colloidal inclusions into a moderately chiral nematic liquid crystal confined to a homeotropic cell creates localized multistable chiral solitons. Here we induce solitons that “dress” the dispersed spherical particles treated for tangential degenerate boundary conditions, and perform controlled switching of their state using focused optical beams. Two optically switchable distinct metastable states, toron and hopfion, bound to colloidal spheres into structures with different topological charges are investigated. Their structures are examined using Q-tensor based numerical simulations and compared to the profiles reconstructed from the experiments. A topological explanation of observed multistability is constructed. PMID:25477195

Topological switching and orbiting dynamics of colloidal spheres dressed with chiral nematic solitons.

PubMed

Porenta, T; Copar, S; Ackerman, P J; Pandey, M B; Varney, M C M; Smalyukh, I I; Žumer, S

2014-12-05

Metastable configurations formed by defects, inclusions, elastic deformations and topological solitons in liquid crystals are a promising choice for building photonic crystals and metamaterials with a potential for new optical applications. Local optical modification of the director or introduction of colloidal inclusions into a moderately chiral nematic liquid crystal confined to a homeotropic cell creates localized multistable chiral solitons. Here we induce solitons that "dress" the dispersed spherical particles treated for tangential degenerate boundary conditions, and perform controlled switching of their state using focused optical beams. Two optically switchable distinct metastable states, toron and hopfion, bound to colloidal spheres into structures with different topological charges are investigated. Their structures are examined using Q-tensor based numerical simulations and compared to the profiles reconstructed from the experiments. A topological explanation of observed multistability is constructed.

Acoustic levitation of a large solid sphere

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

Andrade, Marco A. B., E-mail: marcobrizzotti@gmail.com; Bernassau, Anne L.; Adamowski, Julio C.

2016-07-25

We demonstrate that acoustic levitation can levitate spherical objects much larger than the acoustic wavelength in air. The acoustic levitation of an expanded polystyrene sphere of 50 mm in diameter, corresponding to 3.6 times the wavelength, is achieved by using three 25 kHz ultrasonic transducers arranged in a tripod fashion. In this configuration, a standing wave is created between the transducers and the sphere. The axial acoustic radiation force generated by each transducer on the sphere was modeled numerically as a function of the distance between the sphere and the transducer. The theoretical acoustic radiation force was verified experimentally in a setupmore » consisting of an electronic scale and an ultrasonic transducer mounted on a motorized linear stage. The comparison between the numerical and experimental acoustic radiation forces presents a good agreement.« less

Biologically inspired artificial compound eyes.

PubMed

Jeong, Ki-Hun; Kim, Jaeyoun; Lee, Luke P

2006-04-28

This work presents the fabrication of biologically inspired artificial compound eyes. The artificial ommatidium, like that of an insect's compound eyes, consists of a refractive polymer microlens, a light-guiding polymer cone, and a self-aligned waveguide to collect light with a small angular acceptance. The ommatidia are omnidirectionally arranged along a hemispherical polymer dome such that they provide a wide field of view similar to that of a natural compound eye. The spherical configuration of the microlenses is accomplished by reconfigurable microtemplating, that is, polymer replication using the deformed elastomer membrane with microlens patterns. The formation of polymer waveguides self-aligned with microlenses is also realized by a self-writing process in a photosensitive polymer resin. The angular acceptance is directly measured by three-dimensional optical sectioning with a confocal microscope, and the detailed optical characteristics are studied in comparison with a natural compound eye.

Optical Properties of Nano-Spherical Gold Doped Dye Solution Hybrid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoa, D. Q.; Lien, N. T. H.; Ha, C. V.; Nhung, T. H.; Long, P.

2011-03-01

Gold nanoparticles with average diameter of 16 nm which are coated with Cetrimonium Bromide (CTAB) by chemical method are dissolved in dye solution at different concentrations. The absorption spectra of the dye mixture appeared almost unchanged at low concentrations of gold nanoparticles (around 1×1014 cm-3) despite its fluorescence intensity increased many-fold. Energy transfer from gold nanoparticles to dye molecules occurs through surface plasmon resonance(SPR). The fluorescence of rhodamine 610 (Rh610) dye molecules co-adsorbed within 16 nm gold nanoparticles assemblies can be useful for enhancing gain in lasing emission. An increase in laser efficiency by a factor of one and half times stronger compared to the single Rh610 dye suggest the potential of using the mixture of rhodamine dye with gold nanoparticles as laser medium in the configuration of quenching distributed feedback dye laser.

Cosmic censorship in Lovelock theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camanho, Xián O.; Edelstein, José D.

2013-11-01

In analyzing maximally symmetric Lovelock black holes with non-planar horizon topologies, many novel features have been observed. The existence of finite radius singularities, a mass gap in the black hole spectrum and solutions displaying multiple horizons are noteworthy examples. Naively, in all these cases, the appearance of naked singularities seems unavoidable, leading to the question of whether these theories are consistent gravity theories. We address this question and show that whenever the cosmic censorship conjecture is threaten, an instability generically shows up driving the system to a new configuration with presumably no naked singularities. Also, the same kind of instability shows up in the process of spherical black holes evaporation in these theories, suggesting a new phase for their decay. We find circumstantial evidence indicating that, contrary to many claims in the literature, the cosmic censorship hypothesis holds in Lovelock theory.

A Passive Earth-Entry Capsule for Mars Sample Return

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitcheltree, Robert A.; Kellas, Sotiris

1999-01-01

A combination of aerodynamic analysis and testing, aerothermodynamic analysis, structural analysis and testing, impact analysis and testing, thermal analysis, ground characterization tests, configuration packaging, and trajectory simulation are employed to determine the feasibility of an entirely passive Earth entry capsule for the Mars Sample Return mission. The design circumvents the potential failure modes of a parachute terminal descent system by replacing that system with passive energy absorbing material to cushion the Mars samples during ground impact. The suggested design utilizes a spherically blunted 45-degree half-angle cone forebody with an ablative heat shield. The primary structure is a hemispherical, composite sandwich enclosing carbon foam energy absorbing material. Though no demonstration test of the entire system is included, results of the tests and analysis presented indicate that the design is a viable option for the Mars Sample Return Mission.

Definition of multipath/RFI experiments for orbital testing with a small applications technology satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birch, J. N.; French, R. H.

1972-01-01

An investigation was made to define experiments for collection of RFI and multipath data for application to a synchronous relay satellite/low orbiting satellite configuration. A survey of analytical models of the multipath signal was conducted. Data has been gathered concerning the existing RFI and other noise sources in various bands at VHF and UHF. Additionally, designs are presented for equipment to combat the effects of RFI and multipath: an adaptive delta mod voice system, a forward error control coder/decoder, a PN transmission system, and a wideband FM system. The performance of these systems was then evaluated. Techniques are discussed for measuring multipath and RFI. Finally, recommended data collection experiments are presented. An extensive tabulation is included of theoretical predictions of the amount of signal reflected from a rough, spherical earth.

Occurrence of spherical ceramic debris in indentation and sliding contact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, K.; Buckley, D. H.

1982-01-01

Indenting experiments were conducted with the silicon carbide (0001) surface in contact with a spherical diamond indenter in air. Sliding friction experiments were also conducted with silicon carbide in contact with iron and iron-based binary alloys at room temperature and 800 C. Fracture pits with a spherical particle and spherical wear debris were observed as a result of indenting and sliding. Spherical debris may be produced by a mechanism that involves a spherical-shaped fracture along the circular or spherical stress trajectories under the inelastic deformation zone.

Assembly, Elasticity, and Structure of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals and Disordered Colloids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidson, Zoey S.

This dissertation describes experiments which explore the structure and dynamics in two classes of soft materials: lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals and colloidal glasses and super-cooled liquids. The first experiments found that the achiral LCLCs, sunset yellow FCF (SSY) and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) both exhibit spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in the nematic phase driven by a giant elastic anisotropy of their twist modulus compared to their splay and bend moduli. Resulting structures of the confined LCLCs display interesting director configurations due to interplay of topologically required defects and twisted director fields. At higher concentrations, the LCLC compounds form columnar phases. We studied the columnar phase confined within spherical drops and discovered and understood configurations of the LC that sometimes led to non-spherical droplet shapes. The second experiments with SSY LCLCs confined in hollow cylinders uncovered director configurations which were driven in large measure by an exotic elastic modulus known as saddle-splay. We measured this saddle-splay modulus in a LCLC for the first time and found it to be more than 50 times greater than the twist elastic modulus. This large relative value of the saddle-splay modulus violates a theoretical result/assumption known as the Ericksen inequality. A third group of experiments on LCLCs explored the drying process of sessile drops containing SSY solutions, including evaporation dynamics, morphology, and deposition patterns. These drops differ from typical, well-studied evaporating colloidal drops primarily due to the LCLC's concentration-dependent isotropic, nematic, and columnar phases. Phase separation occurs during evaporation, creating surface tension gradients and significant density and viscosity variation within the droplet. Thus, the drying multiphase drops exhibit new convective currents, drop morphologies, deposition patterns, as well as a novel ordered crystalline phase. Finally, experiments in colloidal glasses and super-cooled liquids were initiated to probe the relationship between structure and dynamics in their constituent particles. The displacements of individual particles in the colloids can be decomposed into small cage fluctuations and large rearrangements into new cages. We found a correlation between the rate of rearrangement and the local cage structure associated with each particle. Particle trajectories of a two-dimensional binary mixture of soft colloids are captured by video microscopy. We use a machine learning method to calculate particle "softness'', which indicates the likelihood of rearrangement based on many radial structural features for each particle. We measured the residence time between consecutive rearrangements and related probability distribution functions (PDFs). The softness-dependent conditional PDF is well fit by an exponential with decay time decreasing monotonically with increasing softness. Using these data and a simple thermal activation model, we determined activation energies for rearrangements.

Spherical beamforming for spherical array with impedance surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tontiwattanakul, Khemapat

2018-01-01

Spherical microphone array beamforming has been a popular research topic for recent years. Due to their isotropic beam in three dimensional spaces as well as a certain frequency range, the arrays are widely used in many applications such as sound field recording, acoustic beamforming, and noise source localisation. The body of a spherical array is usually considered perfectly rigid. A sound field captured by the sensors on spherical array can be decomposed into a series of spherical harmonics. In noise source localisation, the amplitude density of sound sources is estimated and illustrated by mean of colour maps. In this work, a rigid spherical array covered by fibrous materials is studied via numerical simulation and the performance of the spherical beamforming is discussed.

Apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid. [For neutron activation analysis

DOEpatents

Speir, L.G.; Adams, E.L.

1982-05-13

An apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a housing having a spherical cavity and a spherical moderator containing a radiation source positioned within the spherical cavity. The spherical moderator is of lesser diameter than the spherical cavity so as to define a spherical annular volume around the moderator. The housing includes fluid intake and output conduits which open onto the spherical cavity at diametrically opposite positions. Fluid flows through the cavity around the spherical moderator and is uniformly irradiated due to the 4..pi.. radiation geometry. The irradiation source, for example a /sup 252/Cf neutron source, is removable from the spherical moderator through a radial bore which extends outwardly to an opening on the outside of the housing. The radiation source may be routinely removed without interrupting the flow of fluid or breaching the containment of the fluid.

Apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid

DOEpatents

Speir, Leslie G.; Adams, Edwin L.

1984-01-01

An apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid is diosed. The apparatus consists of a housing having a spherical cavity and a spherical moderator containing a radiation source positioned within the spherical cavity. The spherical moderator is of lesser diameter than the spherical cavity so as to define a spherical annular volume around the moderator. The housing includes fluid intake and output conduits which open onto the spherical cavity at diametrically opposite positions. Fluid flows through the cavity around the spherical moderator and is uniformly irradiated due to the 4.pi. radiation geometry. The irradiation source, for example a .sup.252 CF neutron source, is removable from the spherical moderator through a radial bore which extends outwardly to an opening on the outside of the housing. The radiation source may be routinely removed without interrupting the flow of fluid or breaching the containment of the fluid.

Preparation and Optical Properties of Spherical Inverse Opals by Liquid Phase Deposition Using Spherical Colloidal Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoi, Y.; Tominaga, T.

2013-03-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) inverse opals in spherical shape were prepared by liquid phase deposition (LPD) using spherical colloidal crystals as templates. Spherical colloidal crystals were produced by ink-jet drying technique. Aqueous emulsion droplets that contain polystyrene latex particles were ejected into air and dried. Closely packed colloidal crystals with spherical shape were obtained. The obtained spherical colloidal crystals were used as templates for the LPD. The templates were dispersed in the deposition solution of the LPD, i.e. a mixed solution of ammonium hexafluorotitanate and boric acid and reacted for 4 h at 30 °C. After the LPD process, the interstitial spaces of the spherical colloidal crystals were completely filled with titanium oxide. Subsequent heat treatment resulted in removal of templates and spherical titanium dioxide inverse opals. The spherical shape of the template was retained. SEM observations indicated that the periodic ordered voids were surrounded by titanium dioxide. The optical reflectance spectra indicated that the optical properties of the spherical titanium dioxide inverse opals were due to Bragg diffractions from the ordered structure. Filling in the voids of the inverse opals with different solvents caused remarkable changes in the reflectance peak.

Effect of supersonic relative motion between baryons and dark matter on collapsed objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asaba, Shinsuke; Ichiki, Kiyotomo; Tashiro, Hiroyuki

2016-01-01

Great attention is given to the first star formation and the epoch of reionization as main targets of planned large radio interferometries (e.g. Square Kilometre Array). Recently, it is claimed that the supersonic relative velocity between baryons and cold dark matter can suppress the abundance of first stars and impact the cosmological reionization process. Therefore, in order to compare observed results with theoretical predictions it is important to examine the effect of the supersonic relative motion on the small-scale structure formation. In this paper, we investigate this effect on the nonlinear structure formation in the context of the spherical collapse model in order to understand the fundamental physics in a simple configuration. We show the evolution of the dark matter sphere with the relative velocity by both using N-body simulations and numerically calculating the equation of motion for the dark matter mass shell. The effects of the relative motion in the spherical collapse model appear as the delay of the collapse time of dark matter halos and the decrease of the baryon mass fraction within the dark matter sphere. Based on these results, we provide the fitting formula of the critical density contrast for collapses with the relative motion effect and calculate the mass function of dark matter halos in the Press-Schechter formalism. As a result, the relative velocity decreases the abundance of dark matter halos whose mass is smaller than 108M⊙/h .

Optimization of self-interstitial clusters in 3C-SiC with genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ko, Hyunseok; Kaczmarowski, Amy; Szlufarska, Izabela; Morgan, Dane

2017-08-01

Under irradiation, SiC develops damage commonly referred to as black spot defects, which are speculated to be self-interstitial atom clusters. To understand the evolution of these defect clusters and their impacts (e.g., through radiation induced swelling) on the performance of SiC in nuclear applications, it is important to identify the cluster composition, structure, and shape. In this work the genetic algorithm code StructOpt was utilized to identify groundstate cluster structures in 3C-SiC. The genetic algorithm was used to explore clusters of up to ∼30 interstitials of C-only, Si-only, and Si-C mixtures embedded in the SiC lattice. We performed the structure search using Hamiltonians from both density functional theory and empirical potentials. The thermodynamic stability of clusters was investigated in terms of their composition (with a focus on Si-only, C-only, and stoichiometric) and shape (spherical vs. planar), as a function of the cluster size (n). Our results suggest that large Si-only clusters are likely unstable, and clusters are predominantly C-only for n ≤ 10 and stoichiometric for n > 10. The results imply that there is an evolution of the shape of the most stable clusters, where small clusters are stable in more spherical geometries while larger clusters are stable in more planar configurations. We also provide an estimated energy vs. size relationship, E(n), for use in future analysis.

Optimization of Coil Element Configurations for a Matrix Gradient Coil.

PubMed

Kroboth, Stefan; Layton, Kelvin J; Jia, Feng; Littin, Sebastian; Yu, Huijun; Hennig, Jurgen; Zaitsev, Maxim

2018-01-01

Recently, matrix gradient coils (also termed multi-coils or multi-coil arrays) were introduced for imaging and B 0 shimming with 24, 48, and even 84 coil elements. However, in imaging applications, providing one amplifier per coil element is not always feasible due to high cost and technical complexity. In this simulation study, we show that an 84-channel matrix gradient coil (head insert for brain imaging) is able to create a wide variety of field shapes even if the number of amplifiers is reduced. An optimization algorithm was implemented that obtains groups of coil elements, such that a desired target field can be created by driving each group with an amplifier. This limits the number of amplifiers to the number of coil element groups. Simulated annealing is used due to the NP-hard combinatorial nature of the given problem. A spherical harmonic basis set up to the full third order within a sphere of 20-cm diameter in the center of the coil was investigated as target fields. We show that the median normalized least squares error for all target fields is below approximately 5% for 12 or more amplifiers. At the same time, the dissipated power stays within reasonable limits. With a relatively small set of amplifiers, switches can be used to sequentially generate spherical harmonics up to third order. The costs associated with a matrix gradient coil can be lowered, which increases the practical utility of matrix gradient coils.

Effect of Oxygen Enrichment in Propane Laminar Diffusion Flames under Microgravity and Earth Gravity Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhatia, Pramod; Singh, Ravinder

2017-06-01

Diffusion flames are the most common type of flame which we see in our daily life such as candle flame and match-stick flame. Also, they are the most used flames in practical combustion system such as industrial burner (coal fired, gas fired or oil fired), diesel engines, gas turbines, and solid fuel rockets. In the present study, steady-state global chemistry calculations for 24 different flames were performed using an axisymmetric computational fluid dynamics code (UNICORN). Computation involved simulations of inverse and normal diffusion flames of propane in earth and microgravity condition with varying oxidizer compositions (21, 30, 50, 100 % O2, by mole, in N2). 2 cases were compared with the experimental result for validating the computational model. These flames were stabilized on a 5.5 mm diameter burner with 10 mm of burner length. The effect of oxygen enrichment and variation in gravity (earth gravity and microgravity) on shape and size of diffusion flames, flame temperature, flame velocity have been studied from the computational result obtained. Oxygen enrichment resulted in significant increase in flame temperature for both types of diffusion flames. Also, oxygen enrichment and gravity variation have significant effect on the flame configuration of normal diffusion flames in comparison with inverse diffusion flames. Microgravity normal diffusion flames are spherical in shape and much wider in comparison to earth gravity normal diffusion flames. In inverse diffusion flames, microgravity flames were wider than earth gravity flames. However, microgravity inverse flames were not spherical in shape.

Shape coexistence in the odd-odd nucleus Y 98 : The role of the g 9 / 2 neutron extruder

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

Urban, W.; Czerwiński, M.; Kurpeta, J.

Excited states in Y-98, populated in neutron-induced fission of U-235 and in spontaneous fission of Cm-248 and Cf-252, have been studied by means of gamma spectroscopy using the Lohengrin fission-fragment separator at ILL Grenoble and the EXILL, Eurogam2, and Gammasphere Ge arrays. Two new isomers have been found in Y-98: a deformed one with T-1/2 = 180(7) ns and a rotational band on top of it, and a spherical one with T-1/2 = 0.45(15) mu s, analogous to the 8(+) isomer in Y-96, corresponding to the (nu g(7/2), pi g(9/2))(8+) spherical configuration. Using the JYFLTRAP Penning trap, an accurate excitationmore » energy of 465.7(7) keV has been determined for the 2.36-s isomer in Y-98. This result and the studies of excited levels in Zr-98, populated in beta-decay of the isomer, indicate a new spin-parity, I-pi = (7)(+) for the isomer. The high spin and the decay properties of this isomer suggest the presence of the 9/2(+)[ 404] neutron extruder orbital in its structure. This is consistent with the large deformation of the isomer, reported recently. The present work does not provide arguments to support the special role of the nu g(7/2)-pi g(9/2) interaction (the spin-orbit-partner, or SOP, mechanism).« less

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

Ata, Metin; Baumgarten, Falk; Bautista, Julian

We present measurements of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) scale in redshift-space using the clustering of quasars. We consider a sample of 147,000 quasars from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) distributed over 2044 square degrees with redshiftsmore » $0.8 < z < 2.2$ and measure their spherically-averaged clustering in both configuration and Fourier space. Our observational dataset and the 1400 simulated realizations of the dataset allow us to detect a preference for BAO that is greater than 2.5$$\\sigma$$. We determine the spherically averaged BAO distance to $z = 1.52$ to 4.4 per cent precision: $$D_V(z=1.52)=3855\\pm170 \\left(r_{\\rm d}/r_{\\rm d, fid}\\right)\\ $$Mpc. This is the first time the location of the BAO feature has been measured between redshifts 1 and 2. Our result is fully consistent with the prediction obtained by extrapolating the Planck flat $$\\Lambda$$CDM best-fit cosmology. All of our results are consistent with basic large-scale structure (LSS) theory, confirming quasars to be a reliable tracer of LSS, and provide a starting point for numerous cosmological tests to be performed with eBOSS quasar samples. We combine our result with previous, independent, BAO distance measurements to construct an updated BAO distance-ladder. Using these BAO data alone and marginalizing over the length of the standard ruler, we find $$\\Omega_{\\Lambda} > 0$$ at 6.5$$\\sigma$$ significance when testing a $$\\Lambda$$CDM model with free curvature.« less

Buckling vs. particle desorption in a particle-covered drop subject to compressive surface stresses: a simulation study.

PubMed

Gu, Chuan; Botto, Lorenzo

2018-01-31

Predicting the behaviour of particle-covered fluid interfaces under compression has implications in several fields. The surface-tension driven adhesion of particles to drops and bubbles is exploited for example to enhance the stability of foams and emulsion and develop new generation materials. When a particle-covered fluid interface is compressed, one can observe either smooth buckling or particle desorption from the interface. The microscopic mechanisms leading to the buckling-to-desorption transition are not fully understood. In this paper we simulate a spherical drop covered by a monolayer of spherical particles. The particle-covered interface is subject to time-dependent compressive surface stresses that mimic the slow deflation of the drop. The buckling-to-desorption transition depends in a non-trivial way on three non-dimensional parameters: the ratio Π s /γ of particle-induced surface pressure and bare surface tension, the ratio a/R of particle and drop radii, and the parameter f characterising the strength of adhesion of each particle to the interface. Based on the insights from the simulations, we propose a configuration diagram describing the effect of these controlling parameters. We find that particle desorption is highly correlated with a mechanical instability that produces small-scale undulations of the monolayer of the order of the particle size that grow when the surface pressure is sufficiently large. We argue that the large local curvature associated with these small undulations can produce large normal forces, enhancing the probability of desorption.

The efficiency of aspheric intraocular lens according to biometric measurements.

PubMed

Whang, Woong-Joo; Piao, Junjie; Yoo, Young-Sik; Joo, Choun-Ki; Yoon, Geunyoung

2017-01-01

To analyze internal spherical aberration in pseudophakic eyes that underwent aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and to investigate the relationships between biometric data and the effectiveness of aspheric IOL implantation. This retrospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients who underwent implantation of an IOL having a negative spherical aberration of -0.20 μm (CT ASPHINA 509M; Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Germany). The IOLMaster (version 5.0; Carl Zeiss AG, Germany) was used for preoperative biometric measurements (axial length, anterior chamber depth, central corneal power) and the measurement of postoperative anterior chamber depth. The spherical aberrations were measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using the iTrace (Tracey Technologies, Houston, TX, USA) at a pupil diameter of 5.0 mm. We investigated the relationships between preoperative biometric data and postoperative internal spherical aberration, and compared biometric measurements between 2 subgroups stratified according to internal spherical aberration (spherical aberration ≤ -0.06 μm vs. spherical aberration > -0.06 μm). The mean postoperative internal spherical aberration was -0.087 ± 0.063 μm. Preoperative axial length and residual total spherical aberration showed statistically significant correlations with internal spherical aberration (p = 0.041, 0.002). Preoperative axial length, postoperative anterior chamber depth, IOL power, and residual spherical aberration showed significant differences between the 2 subgroups stratified according to internal spherical aberration (p = 0.020, 0.029, 0.048, 0.041 respectively). The corrective effect of an aspheric IOL is influenced by preoperative axial length and postoperative anterior chamber depth. Not only the amount of negative spherical aberration on the IOL surface but also the preoperative axial length should be considered to optimize spherical aberration after aspheric IOL implantation.

Numerical Study of Sound Emission by 2D Regular and Chaotic Vortex Configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knio, Omar M.; Collorec, Luc; Juvé, Daniel

1995-02-01

The far-field noise generated by a system of three Gaussian vortices lying over a flat boundary is numerically investigated using a two-dimensional vortex element method. The method is based on the discretization of the vorticity field into a finite number of smoothed vortex elements of spherical overlapping cores. The elements are convected in a Lagrangian reference along particle trajectories using the local velocity vector, given in terms of a desingularized Biot-Savart law. The initial structure of the vortex system is triangular; a one-dimensional family of initial configurations is constructed by keeping one side of the triangle fixed and vertical, and varying the abscissa of the centroid of the remaining vortex. The inviscid dynamics of this vortex configuration are first investigated using non-deformable vortices. Depending on the aspect ratio of the initial system, regular or chaotic motion occurs. Due to wall-related symmetries, the far-field sound always exhibits a time-independent quadrupolar directivity with maxima parallel end perpendicular to the wall. When regular motion prevails, the noise spectrum is dominated by discrete frequencies which correspond to the fundamental system frequency and its superharmonics. For chaotic motion, a broadband spectrum is obtained; computed soundlevels are substantially higher than in non-chaotic systems. A more sophisticated analysis is then performed which accounts for vortex core dynamics. Results show that the vortex cores are susceptible to inviscid instability which leads to violent vorticity reorganization within the core. This phenomenon has little effect on the large-scale features of the motion of the system or on low frequency sound emission. However, it leads to the generation of a high-frequency noise band in the acoustic pressure spectrum. The latter is observed in both regular and chaotic system simulations.

Long-range correlations, geometrical structure, and transport properties of macromolecular solutions. The equivalence of configurational statistics and geometrodynamics of large molecules.

PubMed

Mezzasalma, Stefano A

2007-12-04

A special theory of Brownian relativity was previously proposed to describe the universal picture arising in ideal polymer solutions. In brief, it redefines a Gaussian macromolecule in a 4-dimensional diffusive spacetime, establishing a (weak) Lorentz-Poincaré invariance between liquid and polymer Einstein's laws for Brownian movement. Here, aimed at inquiring into the effect of correlations, we deepen the extension of the special theory to a general formulation. The previous statistical equivalence, for dynamic trajectories of liquid molecules and static configurations of macromolecules, and rather obvious in uncorrelated systems, is enlarged by a more general principle of equivalence, for configurational statistics and geometrodynamics. Accordingly, the three geodesic motion, continuity, and field equations could be rewritten, and a number of scaling behaviors were recovered in a spacetime endowed with general static isotropic metric (i.e., for equilibrium polymer solutions). We also dealt with universality in the volume fraction and, unexpectedly, found that a hyperscaling relation of the form, (average size) x (diffusivity) x (viscosity)1/2 ~f(N0, phi0) is fulfilled in several regimes, both in the chain monomer number (N) and polymer volume fraction (phi). Entangled macromolecular dynamics was treated as a geodesic light deflection, entaglements acting in close analogy to the field generated by a spherically symmetric mass source, where length fluctuations of the chain primitive path behave as azimuth fluctuations of its shape. Finally, the general transformation rule for translational and diffusive frames gives a coordinate gauge invariance, suggesting a widened Lorentz-Poincaré symmetry for Brownian statistics. We expect this approach to find effective applications to solutions of arbitrarily large molecules displaying a variety of structures, where the effect of geometry is more explicit and significant in itself (e.g., surfactants, lipids, proteins).

Optimized Non-Obstructive Particle Damping (NOPD) Treatment for Composite Honeycomb Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panossian, H.

2008-01-01

Non-Obstructive Particle Damping (NOPD) technology is a passive vibration damping approach whereby metallic or non-metallic particles in spherical or irregular shapes, of heavy or light consistency, and even liquid particles are placed inside cavities or attached to structures by an appropriate means at strategic locations, to absorb vibration energy. The objective of the work described herein is the development of a design optimization procedure and discussion of test results for such a NOPD treatment on honeycomb (HC) composite structures, based on finite element modeling (FEM) analyses, optimization and tests. Modeling and predictions were performed and tests were carried out to correlate the test data with the FEM. The optimization procedure consisted of defining a global objective function, using finite difference methods, to determine the optimal values of the design variables through quadratic linear programming. The optimization process was carried out by targeting the highest dynamic displacements of several vibration modes of the structure and finding an optimal treatment configuration that will minimize them. An optimal design was thus derived and laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate its performance under different vibration environments. Three honeycomb composite beams, with Nomex core and aluminum face sheets, empty (untreated), uniformly treated with NOPD, and optimally treated with NOPD, according to the analytically predicted optimal design configuration, were tested in the laboratory. It is shown that the beam with optimal treatment has the lowest response amplitude. Described below are results of modal vibration tests and FEM analyses from predictions of the modal characteristics of honeycomb beams under zero, 50% uniform treatment and an optimal NOPD treatment design configuration and verification with test data.

Subjective depth of field in presence of 4th-order and 6th-order Zernike spherical aberration using adaptive optics technology.

PubMed

Benard, Yohann; Lopez-Gil, Norberto; Legras, Richard

2010-12-01

To study the impact on the subjective depth of field of 4th-order spherical aberration and its combination with 6th-order spherical aberration and analyze the accuracy of image-quality metrics in predicting the impact. Laboratoire Aimé Cotton, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France. Case series. Subjective depth of field was defined as the range of defocus at which the target (3 high-contrast letters at 20/50) was perceived acceptable. Depth of field was measured using 0.18 diopter (D) steps in young subjects with the addition of the following spherical aberration values: ±0.3 μm and ±0.6 μm 4th-order spherical aberration with 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm pupils and ±0.3 μm 4th-order spherical aberration with ±0.1 μm 6th-order spherical aberration for 6.0 mm pupils. The addition of ±0.3 and ±0.6 μm 4th-order spherical aberration increased depth of field by 30% and 45%, respectively. The combination of 4th-order spherical aberration and 6th-order spherical aberration of opposite signs increased depth of field more than 4th-order spherical aberration alone (ie, 63%), while the combination of 4th-order spherical aberration and 6th-order spherical aberration of the same signs did not (ie, 24%). Whereas the midpoint of the depth of field could be predicted by image-quality metrics, none was found a good predictor of objectionable depth of field. Subjective depth of field increased when 4th-order spherical aberration and 6th-order spherical aberration of opposite signs were added but could not be predicted with image-quality metrics. Copyright © 2010 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modelling incompressible flows and fluid-structure interaction problems with smoothed particle hydrodynamics: Briefing on the 2017 SPHERIC Beijing International Workshop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Mou-bin; Huang, Can; Zhang, A.-man

2018-02-01

The 2017 SPHERIC Beijing International Workshop (or SPHERIC Beijing 2017) was held at Peking University, in China, on October 17-20, 2017. This is the first time that the SPHERIC Workshop was held out of Europe. We are delighted to present nine contributions in this Special Column of the Journal of Hydrodynamics, and take this opportunity to announce that the 13th SPHERIC Workshop (or SPHERIC 2018) will be held in Galway, Ireland in 2018 by the National University of Ireland, and the SPHERIC International Workshop in Harbin, China in 2019 by the Harbin Engineering University.

Sampling functions for geophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giacaglia, G. E. O.; Lunquist, C. A.

1972-01-01

A set of spherical sampling functions is defined such that they are related to spherical-harmonic functions in the same way that the sampling functions of information theory are related to sine and cosine functions. An orderly distribution of (N + 1) squared sampling points on a sphere is given, for which the (N + 1) squared spherical sampling functions span the same linear manifold as do the spherical-harmonic functions through degree N. The transformations between the spherical sampling functions and the spherical-harmonic functions are given by recurrence relations. The spherical sampling functions of two arguments are extended to three arguments and to nonspherical reference surfaces. Typical applications of this formalism to geophysical topics are sketched.

Experimental validation of a coupled neutron-photon inverse radiation transport solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattingly, John; Mitchell, Dean J.; Harding, Lee T.

2011-10-01

Sandia National Laboratories has developed an inverse radiation transport solver that applies nonlinear regression to coupled neutron-photon deterministic transport models. The inverse solver uses nonlinear regression to fit a radiation transport model to gamma spectrometry and neutron multiplicity counting measurements. The subject of this paper is the experimental validation of that solver. This paper describes a series of experiments conducted with a 4.5 kg sphere of α-phase, weapons-grade plutonium. The source was measured bare and reflected by high-density polyethylene (HDPE) spherical shells with total thicknesses between 1.27 and 15.24 cm. Neutron and photon emissions from the source were measured using three instruments: a gross neutron counter, a portable neutron multiplicity counter, and a high-resolution gamma spectrometer. These measurements were used as input to the inverse radiation transport solver to evaluate the solver's ability to correctly infer the configuration of the source from its measured radiation signatures.

A mechanistic model for the evolution of multicellularity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amado, André; Batista, Carlos; Campos, Paulo R. A.

2018-02-01

Through a mechanistic approach we investigate the formation of aggregates of variable sizes, accounting mechanisms of aggregation, dissociation, death and reproduction. In our model, cells can produce two metabolites, but the simultaneous production of both metabolites is costly in terms of fitness. Thus, the formation of larger groups can favor the aggregates to evolve to a configuration where division of labor arises. It is assumed that the states of the cells in a group are those that maximize organismal fitness. In the model it is considered that the groups can grow linearly, forming a chain, or compactly keeping a roughly spherical shape. Starting from a population consisting of single-celled organisms, we observe the formation of groups with variable sizes and usually much larger than two-cell aggregates. Natural selection can favor the formation of large groups, which allows the system to achieve new and larger fitness maxima.

A theoretical study of colloidal forces near an amphiphilic polymer brush

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jianzhong

2011-03-01

Polymer-based ``non-stick'' coatings are promising as the next generation of effective, environmentally-friendly marine antifouling systems that minimize nonspecific adsorption of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). However, design and development of such systems are impeded by the poor knowledge of polymer-mediated interactions of biomacromolecules with the protected substrate. In this work, a polymer density functional theory (DFT) is used to predict the potential of mean force between spherical biomacromolecules and amphiphilic copolymer brushes within a coarse-grained model that captures essential nonspecific interactions such as the molecular excluded volume effects and the hydrophobic energies. The relevance of theoretical results for practical control of the EPS adsorption is discussed in terms of the efficiency of different brush configurations to prevent biofouling. It is shown that the most effective antifouling surface may be accomplished by using amphiphilic brushes with a long hydrophilic backbone and a hydrophobic end at moderate grafting density.

Analysis and testing of a new method for drop size measurement using laser scatter interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachalo, W. D.; Houser, M. J.

1984-01-01

Research was conducted on a laser light scatter detection method for measuring the size and velocity of spherical particles. The method is based upon the measurement of the interference fringe pattern produced by spheres passing through the intersection of two laser beams. A theoretical analysis of the method was carried out using the geometrical optics theory. Experimental verification of the theory was obtained by using monodisperse droplet streams. Several optical configurations were tested to identify all of the parametric effects upon the size measurements. Both off-axis forward and backscatter light detection were utilized. Simulated spray environments and fuel spray nozzles were used in the evaluation of the method. The measurements of the monodisperse drops showed complete agreement with the theoretical predictions. The method was demonstrated to be independent of the beam intensity and extinction resulting from the surrounding drops. Signal processing concepts were considered and a method was selected for development.

SSME seal test program: Test results for hole-pattern damper seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Childs, D. W.

1985-01-01

The results consisting of direct and transverse force coefficients are presented for thirteen, hole-pattern, damper-seal configurations. The designation damper seal refers to a seal which uses a deliberately roughened stator nd smooth rotor, to increase the net damping force developed by a seal. The designation hole-pattern refers to a stator roughness pattern which is developed by a pattern of round holes while are milled into the stator. All seals tested use the same smooth rotor and have the same constant minimum clearance. The seal tests examined the following major design options: (1) hole-area density, i.e., the proportion of stator surface area consumed by holes; and (2) hole depth, particularly the ratio of hole depth to minimum clearance. In addition, limited data were taken to examine the influence of in-line versus staggered hole patterns and flat-bottomed versus spherical-bottomed holes.

Conical wave propagation and diffraction in two-dimensional hexagonally packed granular lattices

DOE PAGES

Chong, C.; Kevrekidis, P. G.; Ablowitz, M. J.; ...

2016-01-25

We explore linear and nonlinear mechanisms for conical wave propagation in two-dimensional lattices in the realm of phononic crystals. As a prototypical example, a statically compressed granular lattice of spherical particles arranged in a hexagonal packing configuration is analyzed. Upon identifying the dispersion relation of the underlying linear problem, the resulting diffraction properties are considered. Analysis both via a heuristic argument for the linear propagation of a wave packet and via asymptotic analysis leading to the derivation of a Dirac system suggests the occurrence of conical diffraction. This analysis is valid for strong precompression, i.e., near the linear regime. Formore » weak precompression, conical wave propagation is still possible, but the resulting expanding circular wave front is of a nonoscillatory nature, resulting from the complex interplay among the discreteness, nonlinearity, and geometry of the packing. Lastly, the transition between these two types of propagation is explored.« less

The magnetic field and magnetospheric configuration of Uranus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ness, Norman F.; Connerney, John E. P.; Lepping, Ronald P.; Schulz, Michael; Voigt, Gerd-Hannes

1991-01-01

A significant and unique planetary magnetic field discovered by Voyager 2 is presented. A large tilt of 58.6 deg of the magnetic-dipole axis from the rotation axis was found. Combined with a large offset of 0.3 RU of the magnetic dipole from the center of the planet, the moment of 0.23 gauss-RU3 leads to field magnitudes at the surface which vary widely between 0.1 and 1.0 gauss. A simple diagram illustrating the offset tilted dipole of Uranus and some field lines is shown. A more exact and accurate spherical-harmonic model of the planetary field, which includes both dipole and quadrupole moments, is derived. There exists a well-developed bipolar magnetic tail on the night side of the planet which rotates daily about the extended planet-sunline with Uranus because of the large obliquity of the Uranian rotation axis.

A two-mass expanding exact space-time solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uzan, Jean-Philippe; Ellis, George F. R.; Larena, Julien

2011-01-01

In order to understand how locally static configurations around gravitationally bound bodies can be embedded in an expanding universe, we investigate the solutions of general relativity describing a space-time whose spatial sections have the topology of a 3-sphere with two identical masses at the poles. We show that Israel junction conditions imply that two spherically symmetric static regions around the masses cannot be glued together. If one is interested in an exterior solution, this prevents the geometry around the masses to be of the Schwarzschild type and leads to the introduction of a cosmological constant. The study of the extension of the Kottler space-time shows that there exists a non-static solution consisting of two static regions surrounding the masses that match a Kantowski-Sachs expanding region on the cosmological horizon. The comparison with a Swiss-Cheese construction is also discussed.

Experimental determination of micromachined discrete and continuous device spring constants using nanoindentation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, M. L.; Tay, Francis E.; Logeeswaran, V. J.; Zeng, Kaiyang; Shen, Lu; Chau, Fook S.

2002-04-01

A rapid and accurate static and quasi-static method for determining the out-of-plane spring constraints of cantilevers and a micromachined vibratory sensor is presented. In the past, much of the effort in nanoindentation application was to investigate the thin-film mechanical properties. In this paper, we have utilized the nanoindentation method to measure directly some micromachined device (e.g. microgyroscope) spring constants. The cantilevers and devices tested were fabricated using the MUMPS process and an SOI process (patent pending). Spring constants are determined using a commercial nanoindentation apparatus UMIS-2000 configured with both Berkovich and spherical indenter tip that can be placed onto the device with high accuracy. Typical load resolution is 20micrometers N to 0.5N and a displacement resolution of 0.05nm. Information was deduced from the penetration depth versus load curves during both loading and unloading.

Supersonic nonlinear potential analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siclari, M. J.

1984-01-01

The NCOREL computer code was established to compute supersonic flow fields of wings and bodies. The method encompasses an implicit finite difference transonic relaxation method to solve the full potential equation in a spherical coordinate system. Two basic topic to broaden the applicability and usefulness of the present method which is encompassed within the computer code NCOREL for the treatment of supersonic flow problems were studied. The first topic is that of computing efficiency. Accelerated schemes are in use for transonic flow problems. One such scheme is the approximate factorization (AF) method and an AF scheme to the supersonic flow problem is developed. The second topic is the computation of wake flows. The proper modeling of wake flows is important for multicomponent configurations such as wing-body and multiple lifting surfaces where the wake of one lifting surface has a pronounced effect on a downstream body or other lifting surfaces.

Demonstration of a linear optical true-time delay device by use of a microelectromechanical mirror array.

PubMed

Rader, Amber; Anderson, Betty Lise

2003-03-10

We present the design and proof-of-concept demonstration of an optical device capable of producing true-time delay(s) (TTD)(s) for phased array antennas. This TTD device uses a free-space approach consisting of a single microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror array in a multiple reflection spherical mirror configuration based on the White cell. Divergence is avoided by periodic refocusing by the mirrors. By using the MEMS mirror to switch between paths of different lengths, time delays are generated. Six different delays in 1-ns increments were demonstrated by using the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device as the switching element. Losses of 1.6 to 5.2 dB per bounce and crosstalk of -27 dB were also measured, both resulting primarily from diffraction from holes in each pixel and the inter-pixel gaps of the MEMS.

Robustness of an artificially tailored fisheye imaging system with a curvilinear image surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Gil Ju; Nam, Won Il; Song, Young Min

2017-11-01

Curved image sensors inspired by animal and insect eyes have provided a new development direction in next-generation digital cameras. It is known that natural fish eyes afford an extremely wide field of view (FOV) imaging due to the geometrical properties of the spherical lens and hemispherical retina. However, its inherent drawbacks, such as the low off-axis illumination and the fabrication difficulty of a 'dome-like' hemispherical imager, limit the development of bio-inspired wide FOV cameras. Here, a new type of fisheye imaging system is introduced that has simple lens configurations with a curvilinear image surface, while maintaining high off-axis illumination and a wide FOV. Moreover, through comparisons with commercial conventional fisheye designs, it is determined that the volume and required number of optical elements of the proposed design is practical while capturing the fundamental optical performances. Detailed design guidelines for tailoring the proposed optic system are also discussed.

Interaction energy for a fullerene encapsulated in a carbon nanotorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarapat, Pakhapoom; Baowan, Duangkamon; Hill, James M.

2018-06-01

The interaction energy of a fullerene symmetrically situated inside a carbon nanotorus is studied. For these non-bonded molecules, the main interaction originates from the van der Waals energy which is modelled by the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential. Upon utilising the continuum approximation which assumes that there are infinitely many atoms that are uniformly distributed over the surfaces of the molecules, the total interaction energy between the two structures is obtained as a surface integral over the spherical and the toroidal surfaces. This analytical energy is employed to determine the most stable configuration of the torus encapsulating the fullerene. The results show that a torus with major radius around 20-22 Å and minor radius greater than 6.31 Å gives rise to the most stable arrangement. This study will pave the way for future developments in biomolecules design and drug delivery system.

Black hole solutions in d = 5 Chern-Simons gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brihaye, Yves; Radu, Eugen

2013-11-01

The five dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity with a negative cosmological constant becomes, for a special value of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant, a Chern-Simons (CS) theory of gravity. In this work we discuss the properties of several different types of black object solutions of this model. Special attention is paid to the case of spinning black holes with equal-magnitude angular momenta which posses a regular horizon of spherical topology. Closed form solutions are obtained in the small angular momentum limit. Nonperturbative solutions are constructed by solving numerically the equations of the model. Apart from that, new exact solutions describing static squashed black holes and black strings are also discussed. The action and global charges of all configurations studied in this work are obtained by using the quasilocal formalism with boundary counterterms generalized for the case of a d = 5 CS theory.

An Anomaly in the Inglis-Teller Limits of the C VI Lyman and Balmer Series in Laser-Produced Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elton, R.; Iglesias, E.; Griem, H.; Weaver, J.; Pien, G.; Mancini, R.

2002-11-01

Soft x-ray spectra from thin carbon layers heated by the OMEGA and NIKE lasers have been obtained with both spherical and planar targets, respectively, using a flat-field grazing incidence spectrograph equipped with a gated microchannel plate for temporal resolution. In both experiments, late-time (recombining) hydrogenic C VI spectra show an n-to-1 Lyman spectral series blending with the continuum at n=4, contrary to n=9 in the n-to-2 Balmer series. It appears unlikely that plasma inhomogeneities are the sole cause of this anomaly, given the difference in the experimental configurations. Other explanations for the line-to-continuum merging (other than the usual Stark-broadened Inglis-Teller effect) under consideration include non-thermal Doppler broadening, deviations from statistical sublevel population distributions, and opacity effects. Collisional-radiative and hydrodynamic modeling, including cascades, is employed to further understand this phenomenon.

Design and analysis of a fast, two-mirror soft-x-ray microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shealy, D. L.; Wang, C.; Jiang, W.; Jin, L.; Hoover, R. B.

1992-01-01

During the past several years, a number of investigators have addressed the design, analysis, fabrication, and testing of spherical Schwarzschild microscopes for soft-x-ray applications using multilayer coatings. Some of these systems have demonstrated diffraction limited resolution for small numerical apertures. Rigorously aplanatic, two-aspherical mirror Head microscopes can provide near diffraction limited resolution for very large numerical apertures. The relationships between the numerical aperture, mirror radii and diameters, magnifications, and total system length for Schwarzschild microscope configurations are summarized. Also, an analysis of the characteristics of the Head-Schwarzschild surfaces will be reported. The numerical surface data predicted by the Head equations were fit by a variety of functions and analyzed by conventional optical design codes. Efforts have been made to determine whether current optical substrate and multilayer coating technologies will permit construction of a very fast Head microscope which can provide resolution approaching that of the wavelength of the incident radiation.

Shape-tailored polymer colloids on the road to become structural motifs for hierarchically organized materials.

PubMed

Plüisch, Claudia Simone; Wittemann, Alexander

2013-12-01

Anisometric polymer colloids are likely to behave differently when compared with centrosymmetric particles. Their study may not only shine new light on the organization of matter; they may also serve as building units with specific symmetries and complexity to build new materials from them. Polymer colloids of well-defined complex geometries can be obtained by packing a limited number of spherical polymer particles into clusters with defined configurations. Such supracolloidal architectures can be fabricated at larger scales using narrowly dispersed emulsion droplets as templates. Assemblies built from at least two different types of particles as elementary building units open perspectives in selective targeting of colloids with specific properties, aiming for mesoscale building blocks with tailor-made morphologies and multifunctionality. Polymer colloids with defined geometries are also ideal to study shape-dependent properties such as the diffusion of complex particles. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Application of symmetry properties to polarimetric remote sensing with JPL AIRSAR data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nghiem, S. V.; Yueh, Simon H.; Kwok, R.; Li, F. K.

1992-01-01

Based on symmetry properties, polarimetric remote sensing of geophysical media is studied. From the viewpoint of symmetry groups, media with reflection, rotation, azimuthal, and centrical symmetries are considered. The symmetries impose relations among polarimetric scattering coefficients, which are valid to all scattering mechanisms in the symmetrical configurations. Various orientation distributions of non-spherical scatterers can be identified from the scattering coefficients by a comparison with the symmetry calculations. Experimental observations are then analyzed for many geophysical scenes acquired with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) airborne polarimetric SAR at microwave frequencies over sea ice and vegetation. Polarimetric characteristics of different ice types are compared with symmetry behaviors. The polarimetric response of a tropical rain forest reveals characteristics close to the centrical symmetry properties, which can be used as a distributed target to relatively calibrate polarimetric radars without any deployment of manmade calibration targets.

Hydrodynamic radius fluctuations in model DNA-grafted nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vargas-Lara, Fernando; Starr, Francis W.; Douglas, Jack F.

2016-05-01

We utilize molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and the path-integration program ZENO to quantify hydrodynamic radius (Rh) fluctuations of spherical symmetric gold nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with single-stranded DNA chains (ssDNA). These results are relevant to understanding fluctuation-induced interactions among these NPs and macromolecules such as proteins. In particular, we explore the effect of varying the ssDNA-grafted NPs structural parameters, such as the chain length (L), chain persistence length (lp), NP core size (R), and the number of chains (N) attached to the nanoparticle core. We determine Rh fluctuations by calculating its standard deviation (σRh) of an ensemble of ssDNA-grafted NPs configurations generated by MD. For the parameter space explored in this manuscript, σR h shows a peak value as a function of N, the amplitude of which depends on L, lp and R, while the broadness depends on R.

Two-dimensional AXUV-based radiated power density diagnostics on NSTX-Ua)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faust, I.; Delgado-Aparicio, L.; Bell, R. E.; Tritz, K.; Diallo, A.; Gerhardt, S. P.; LeBlanc, B.; Kozub, T. A.; Parker, R. R.; Stratton, B. C.

2014-11-01

A new set of radiated-power-density diagnostics for the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) tokamak have been designed to measure the two-dimensional poloidal structure of the total photon emissivity profile in order to perform power balance, impurity transport, and magnetohydrodynamic studies. Multiple AXUV-diode based pinhole cameras will be installed in the same toroidal angle at various poloidal locations. The local emissivity will be obtained from several types of tomographic reconstructions. The layout and response expected for the new radially viewing poloidal arrays will be shown for different impurity concentrations to characterize the diagnostic sensitivity. The radiated power profile inverted from the array data will also be used for estimates of power losses during transitions from various divertor configurations in NSTX-U. The effect of in-out and top/bottom asymmetries in the core radiation from high-Z impurities will be addressed.

Two-dimensional AXUV-based radiated power density diagnostics on NSTX-U.

PubMed

Faust, I; Delgado-Aparicio, L; Bell, R E; Tritz, K; Diallo, A; Gerhardt, S P; LeBlanc, B; Kozub, T A; Parker, R R; Stratton, B C

2014-11-01

A new set of radiated-power-density diagnostics for the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) tokamak have been designed to measure the two-dimensional poloidal structure of the total photon emissivity profile in order to perform power balance, impurity transport, and magnetohydrodynamic studies. Multiple AXUV-diode based pinhole cameras will be installed in the same toroidal angle at various poloidal locations. The local emissivity will be obtained from several types of tomographic reconstructions. The layout and response expected for the new radially viewing poloidal arrays will be shown for different impurity concentrations to characterize the diagnostic sensitivity. The radiated power profile inverted from the array data will also be used for estimates of power losses during transitions from various divertor configurations in NSTX-U. The effect of in-out and top/bottom asymmetries in the core radiation from high-Z impurities will be addressed.

On the equilibrium structures of self-gravitating masses of gas containing axisymmetric magnetic fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lerche, I.; Low, B. C.

1980-01-01

The general equations describing the equilibrium shapes of self-gravitating gas clouds containing axisymmetric magnetic fields are presented. The general equations admit of a large class of solutions. It is shown that if one additional (ad hoc) asumption is made that the mass be spherically symmetrically distributed, then the gas pressure and the boundary conditions are sufficiently constraining that the general topological structure of the solution is effectively determined. The further assumption of isothermal conditions for this case demands that all solutions possess force-free axisymmetric magnetic fields. It is also shown how the construction of aspherical (but axisymmetric) configurations can be achieved in some special cases, and it is demonstrated that the detailed form of the possible equilibrium shapes depends upon the arbitrary choice of the functional form of the variation of the gas pressure along the field lines.

Influence of free surface curvature on the Pearson instability in Marangoni convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, W. R.

The Peason instability in a liquid layer bounded by a plate solid boundary with higher constant temperature and a plane free surface with lower constant temperatures in the microgravity environment has by extensively studied The free surface in the microgravity environment tends to be curved in general as a spherical shape and the plane configuration of free surface is a special case In the present paper a system of liquid layer bounded by a plat solid boundary with higher constant temperature and a curved free surface with lower non-uniform temperature is studied The temperature gradient on the free surface will induce the thermocapillary convection and the onset of Marangoni convection is coupled with the thermocapillary convection The thermocapillary convection induced by the temperature gradient on the curved free surface and its influence on the Marangoni convection are studied in the present paper

Recovery of atmospheric refractivity profiles from simulated satellite-to-satellite tracking data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, C. W., Jr.; Rangaswamy, S.

1975-01-01

Techniques for recovering atmospheric refractivity profiles from simulated satellite-to-satellite tracking data are documented. Examples are given using the geometric configuration of the ATS-6/NIMBUS-6 Tracking Experiment. The underlying refractivity model for the lower atmosphere has the spherically symmetric form N = exp P(s) where P(s) is a polynomial in the normalized height s. For the simulation used, the Herglotz-Wiechert technique recovered values which were 0.4% and 40% different from the input values at the surface and at a height of 33 kilometers, respectively. Using the same input data, the model fitting technique recovered refractivity values 0.05% and 1% different from the input values at the surface and at a height of 50 kilometers, respectively. It is also shown that if ionospheric and water vapor effects can be properly modelled or effectively removed from the data, pressure and temperature distributions can be obtained.

Materials science. Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling.

PubMed

Xu, Sheng; Yan, Zheng; Jang, Kyung-In; Huang, Wen; Fu, Haoran; Kim, Jeonghyun; Wei, Zijun; Flavin, Matthew; McCracken, Joselle; Wang, Renhan; Badea, Adina; Liu, Yuhao; Xiao, Dongqing; Zhou, Guoyan; Lee, Jungwoo; Chung, Ha Uk; Cheng, Huanyu; Ren, Wen; Banks, Anthony; Li, Xiuling; Paik, Ungyu; Nuzzo, Ralph G; Huang, Yonggang; Zhang, Yihui; Rogers, John A

2015-01-09

Complex three-dimensional (3D) structures in biology (e.g., cytoskeletal webs, neural circuits, and vasculature networks) form naturally to provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life. Compelling opportunities exist for analogous 3D architectures in human-made devices, but design options are constrained by existing capabilities in materials growth and assembly. We report routes to previously inaccessible classes of 3D constructs in advanced materials, including device-grade silicon. The schemes involve geometric transformation of 2D micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by compressive buckling. Demonstrations include experimental and theoretical studies of more than 40 representative geometries, from single and multiple helices, toroids, and conical spirals to structures that resemble spherical baskets, cuboid cages, starbursts, flowers, scaffolds, fences, and frameworks, each with single- and/or multiple-level configurations. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

High-stability compact atomic clock based on isotropic laser cooling

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

Esnault, Francois-Xavier; Holleville, David; Rossetto, Nicolas

2010-09-15

We present a compact cold-atom clock configuration where isotropic laser cooling, microwave interrogation, and clock signal detection are successively performed inside a spherical microwave cavity. For ground operation, a typical Ramsey fringe width of 20 Hz has been demonstrated, limited by the atom cloud's free fall in the cavity. The isotropic cooling light's disordered properties provide a large and stable number of cold atoms, leading to a high signal-to-noise ratio limited by atomic shot noise. A relative frequency stability of 2.2x10{sup -13{tau}-1/2} has been achieved, averaged down to 4x10{sup -15} after 5x10{sup 3} s of integration. Development of such amore » high-performance compact clock is of major relevance for on-board applications, such as satellite-positioning systems. As a cesium clock, it opens the door to a new generation of compact primary standards and timekeeping devices.« less

Direct observation of interlocked domain walls and topological four-state vortex-like domain patterns in multiferroic YMnO{sub 3} single crystal

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

Tian, Lei; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian, Liaoning 116028; Wang, Yumei, E-mail: wangym@iphy.ac.cn

2015-03-16

Using the advanced spherical aberration-corrected high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscope imaging techniques, we investigated atomic-scale structural features of domain walls and domain patterns in YMnO{sub 3} single crystal. Three different types of interlocked ferroelectric-antiphase domain walls and two abnormal topological four-state vortex-like domain patterns are identified. Each ferroelectric domain wall is accompanied by a translation vector, i.e., 1/6[210] or −1/6[210], demonstrating its interlocked nature. Different from the four-state vortex domain patterns caused by a partial edge dislocation, two four-state vortex-like domain configurations have been obtained at atomic level. These observed phenomena can further extend our understandingmore » of the fascinating vortex domain patterns in multiferroic hexagonal rare-earth manganites.« less

A polar-drive shock-ignition design for the National Ignition Facilitya)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, K. S.; Betti, R.; McKenty, P. W.; Collins, T. J. B.; Hohenberger, M.; Theobald, W.; Craxton, R. S.; Delettrez, J. A.; Lafon, M.; Marozas, J. A.; Nora, R.; Skupsky, S.; Shvydky, A.

2013-05-01

Shock ignition [R. Betti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 155001 (2007)] is being pursued as a viable option to achieve ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Shock-ignition target designs use a high-intensity laser spike at the end of a low-adiabat assembly pulse to launch a spherically convergent strong shock to ignite the hot spot of an imploding capsule. A shock-ignition target design for the NIF is presented. One-dimensional simulations indicate an ignition threshold factor of 4.1 with a gain of 58. A polar-drive beam-pointing configuration for shock-ignition experiments on the NIF at 750 kJ is proposed. The capsule design is shown to be robust to the various one- and two-dimensional effects and nonuniformities anticipated on the NIF. The target is predicted to ignite with a gain of 38 when including all anticipated levels of nonuniformity and system uncertainty.

Engineering single-polymer micelle shape using nonuniform spontaneous surface curvature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moths, Brian; Witten, T. A.

2018-03-01

Conventional micelles, composed of simple amphiphiles, exhibit only a few standard morphologies, each characterized by its mean surface curvature set by the amphiphiles. Here we demonstrate a rational design scheme to construct micelles of more general shape from polymeric amphiphiles. We replace the many amphiphiles of a conventional micelle by a single flexible, linear, block copolymer chain containing two incompatible species arranged in multiple alternating segments. With suitable segment lengths, the chain exhibits a condensed spherical configuration in solution, similar to conventional micelles. Our design scheme posits that further shapes are attained by altering the segment lengths. As a first study of the power of this scheme, we demonstrate the capacity to produce long-lived micelles of horseshoe form using conventional bead-spring simulations in two dimensions. Modest changes in the segment lengths produce smooth changes in the micelle's shape and stability.

Using electric current to surpass the microstructure breakup limit

PubMed Central

Qin, Rongshan

2017-01-01

The elongated droplets and grains can break up into smaller ones. This process is driven by the interfacial free energy minimization, which gives rise to a breakup limit. We demonstrated in this work that the breakup limit can be overpassed drastically by using electric current to interfere. Electric current free energy is dependent on the microstructure configuration. The breakup causes the electric current free energy to reduce in some cases. This compensates the increment of interfacial free energy during breaking up and enables the processing to achieve finer microstructure. With engineering practical electric current parameters, our calculation revealed a significant increment of the obtainable number of particles, showing electric current a powerful microstructure refinement technology. The calculation is validated by our experiments on the breakup of Fe3C-plates in Fe matrix. Furthermore, there is a parameter range that electric current can drive spherical particles to split into smaller ones. PMID:28120919

Sound Source Localization Using Non-Conformal Surface Sound Field Transformation Based on Spherical Harmonic Wave Decomposition

PubMed Central

Zhang, Lanyue; Ding, Dandan; Yang, Desen; Wang, Jia; Shi, Jie

2017-01-01

Spherical microphone arrays have been paid increasing attention for their ability to locate a sound source with arbitrary incident angle in three-dimensional space. Low-frequency sound sources are usually located by using spherical near-field acoustic holography. The reconstruction surface and holography surface are conformal surfaces in the conventional sound field transformation based on generalized Fourier transform. When the sound source is on the cylindrical surface, it is difficult to locate by using spherical surface conformal transform. The non-conformal sound field transformation by making a transfer matrix based on spherical harmonic wave decomposition is proposed in this paper, which can achieve the transformation of a spherical surface into a cylindrical surface by using spherical array data. The theoretical expressions of the proposed method are deduced, and the performance of the method is simulated. Moreover, the experiment of sound source localization by using a spherical array with randomly and uniformly distributed elements is carried out. Results show that the non-conformal surface sound field transformation from a spherical surface to a cylindrical surface is realized by using the proposed method. The localization deviation is around 0.01 m, and the resolution is around 0.3 m. The application of the spherical array is extended, and the localization ability of the spherical array is improved. PMID:28489065