1. |
- Barucca, G., et al.
(author)
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The potential of Λ and Ξ- studies with PANDA at FAIR
- 2021
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In: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Nature. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 57:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The antiproton experiment PANDA at FAIR is designed to bring hadron physics to a new level in terms of scope, precision and accuracy. In this work, its unique capability for studies of hyperons is outlined. We discuss ground-state hyperons as diagnostic tools to study non-perturbative aspects of the strong interaction, and fundamental symmetries. New simulation studies have been carried out for two benchmark hyperon-antihyperon production channels: p¯ p→ Λ¯ Λ and p¯ p→ Ξ¯ +Ξ-. The results, presented in detail in this paper, show that hyperon-antihyperon pairs from these reactions can be exclusively reconstructed with high efficiency and very low background contamination. In addition, the polarisation and spin correlations have been studied, exploiting the weak, self-analysing decay of hyperons and antihyperons. Two independent approaches to the finite efficiency have been applied and evaluated: one standard multidimensional efficiency correction approach, and one efficiency independent approach. The applicability of the latter was thoroughly evaluated for all channels, beam momenta and observables. The standard method yields good results in all cases, and shows that spin observables can be studied with high precision and accuracy already in the first phase of data taking with PANDA.
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2. |
- Fenstermacher, M.E., et al.
(author)
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DIII-D research advancing the physics basis for optimizing the tokamak approach to fusion energy
- 2022
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 62:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- DIII-D physics research addresses critical challenges for the operation of ITER and the next generation of fusion energy devices. This is done through a focus on innovations to provide solutions for high performance long pulse operation, coupled with fundamental plasma physics understanding and model validation, to drive scenario development by integrating high performance core and boundary plasmas. Substantial increases in off-axis current drive efficiency from an innovative top launch system for EC power, and in pressure broadening for Alfven eigenmode control from a co-/counter-I p steerable off-axis neutral beam, all improve the prospects for optimization of future long pulse/steady state high performance tokamak operation. Fundamental studies into the modes that drive the evolution of the pedestal pressure profile and electron vs ion heat flux validate predictive models of pedestal recovery after ELMs. Understanding the physics mechanisms of ELM control and density pumpout by 3D magnetic perturbation fields leads to confident predictions for ITER and future devices. Validated modeling of high-Z shattered pellet injection for disruption mitigation, runaway electron dissipation, and techniques for disruption prediction and avoidance including machine learning, give confidence in handling disruptivity for future devices. For the non-nuclear phase of ITER, two actuators are identified to lower the L-H threshold power in hydrogen plasmas. With this physics understanding and suite of capabilities, a high poloidal beta optimized-core scenario with an internal transport barrier that projects nearly to Q = 10 in ITER at ∼8 MA was coupled to a detached divertor, and a near super H-mode optimized-pedestal scenario with co-I p beam injection was coupled to a radiative divertor. The hybrid core scenario was achieved directly, without the need for anomalous current diffusion, using off-axis current drive actuators. Also, a controller to assess proximity to stability limits and regulate β N in the ITER baseline scenario, based on plasma response to probing 3D fields, was demonstrated. Finally, innovative tokamak operation using a negative triangularity shape showed many attractive features for future pilot plant operation.
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3. |
- Zouganelis, I., et al.
(author)
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The Solar Orbiter Science Activity Plan : Translating solar and heliospheric physics questions into action
- 2020
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 642
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Solar Orbiter is the first space mission observing the solar plasma both in situ and remotely, from a close distance, in and out of the ecliptic. The ultimate goal is to understand how the Sun produces and controls the heliosphere, filling the Solar System and driving the planetary environments. With six remote-sensing and four in-situ instrument suites, the coordination and planning of the operations are essential to address the following four top-level science questions: (1) What drives the solar wind and where does the coronal magnetic field originate?; (2) How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?; (3) How do solar eruptions produce energetic particle radiation that fills the heliosphere?; (4) How does the solar dynamo work and drive connections between the Sun and the heliosphere? Maximising the mission's science return requires considering the characteristics of each orbit, including the relative position of the spacecraft to Earth (affecting downlink rates), trajectory events (such as gravitational assist manoeuvres), and the phase of the solar activity cycle. Furthermore, since each orbit's science telemetry will be downloaded over the course of the following orbit, science operations must be planned at mission level, rather than at the level of individual orbits. It is important to explore the way in which those science questions are translated into an actual plan of observations that fits into the mission, thus ensuring that no opportunities are missed. First, the overarching goals are broken down into specific, answerable questions along with the required observations and the so-called Science Activity Plan (SAP) is developed to achieve this. The SAP groups objectives that require similar observations into Solar Orbiter Observing Plans, resulting in a strategic, top-level view of the optimal opportunities for science observations during the mission lifetime. This allows for all four mission goals to be addressed. In this paper, we introduce Solar Orbiter's SAP through a series of examples and the strategy being followed.
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4. |
- Barzakh, A., et al.
(author)
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Large Shape Staggering in Neutron-Deficient Bi Isotopes
- 2021
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In: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007. ; 127:19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The changes in the mean-square charge radius (relative to Bi209), magnetic dipole, and electric quadrupole moments of Bi187,188,189,191 were measured using the in-source resonance-ionization spectroscopy technique at ISOLDE (CERN). A large staggering in radii was found in Bi187,188,189g, manifested by a sharp radius increase for the ground state of Bi188 relative to the neighboring Bi187,189g. A large isomer shift was also observed for Bi188m. Both effects happen at the same neutron number, N=105, where the shape staggering and a similar isomer shift were observed in the mercury isotopes. Experimental results are reproduced by mean-field calculations where the ground or isomeric states were identified by the blocked quasiparticle configuration compatible with the observed spin, parity, and magnetic moment. © 2021 authors.
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5. |
- Aran, A., et al.
(author)
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Evidence for local particle acceleration in the first recurrent galactic cosmic ray depression observed by Solar Orbiter : The ion event on 19 June 2020
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. In mid-June 2020, the Solar Orbiter (SolO) mission reached its first perihelion at 0.51 au and started its cruise phase, with most of the in situ instruments operating continuously.Aims. We present the in situ particle measurements of the first proton event observed after the first perihelion obtained by the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) suite on board SolO. The potential solar and interplanetary (IP) sources of these particles are investigated.Methods. Ion observations from similar to 20 keV to similar to 1 MeV are combined with available solar wind data from the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument and magnetic field data from the magnetometer on board SolO to evaluate the energetic particle transport conditions and infer the possible acceleration mechanisms through which particles gain energy. We compare > 17-20 MeV ion count rate measurements for two solar rotations, along with the solar wind plasma data available from the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) and RPW instruments, in order to infer the origin of the observed galactic cosmic ray (GCR) depressions.Results. The lack of an observed electron event and of velocity dispersion at various low-energy ion channels and the observed IP structure indicate a local IP source for the low-energy particles. From the analysis of the anisotropy of particle intensities, we conclude that the low-energy ions were most likely accelerated via a local second-order Fermi process. The observed GCR decrease on 19 June, together with the 51.8-1034.0 keV nuc(-1) ion enhancement, was due to a solar wind stream interaction region (SIR). The observation of a similar GCR decrease in the next solar rotation favours this interpretation and constitutes the first observation of a recurrent GCR decrease by SolO. The analysis of the recurrence times of this SIR suggests that it is the same SIR responsible for the He-4 events previously measured in April and May. Finally, we point out that an IP structure more complex than a common SIR cannot be discarded, mainly due to the lack of solar wind temperature measurements and the lack of a higher cadence of solar wind velocity observations.
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6. |
- Bergström, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Grey wolf genomic history reveals a dual ancestry of dogs
- 2022
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 607:7918, s. 313-320
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The grey wolf (Canis lupus) was the first species to give rise to a domestic population, and they remained widespread throughout the last Ice Age when many other large mammal species went extinct. Little is known, however, about the history and possible extinction of past wolf populations or when and where the wolf progenitors of the present-day dog lineage (Canis familiaris) lived. Here we analysed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years from Europe, Siberia and North America. We found that wolf populations were highly connected throughout the Late Pleistocene, with levels of differentiation an order of magnitude lower than they are today. This population connectivity allowed us to detect natural selection across the time series, including rapid fixation of mutations in the gene IFT88 40,000–30,000 years ago. We show that dogs are overall more closely related to ancient wolves from eastern Eurasia than to those from western Eurasia, suggesting a domestication process in the east. However, we also found that dogs in the Near East and Africa derive up to half of their ancestry from a distinct population related to modern southwest Eurasian wolves, reflecting either an independent domestication process or admixture from local wolves. None of the analysed ancient wolf genomes is a direct match for either of these dog ancestries, meaning that the exact progenitor populations remain to be located.
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8. |
- Louarn, P., et al.
(author)
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Multiscale views of an Alfvenic slow solar wind : 3D velocity distribution functions observed by the Proton-Alpha Sensor of Solar Orbiter
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The Alfvenic slow solar wind is of particular interest, as it is often characterized by intense magnetic turbulence, complex proton 3D velocity distribution functions (VDF), and an ensuing richness of kinetic and dynamic processes.Aims. We take advantage of the fast time cadence of measurements taken by the Proton-Alpha Sensor (PAS) on board Solar Orbiter to analyze the kinetic properties of the proton population, the variability of their VDFs, and the possible link with propagating magnetic structures. We also study the magnetic (B) and velocity (V) correlation that characterizes this type of wind down to the ion gyroperiod.Methods. We analyzed the VDFs measured by PAS, a novelty that take advantages of the capability of 3D measurements at a 4 Hz cadence. In addition, we considered MAG observations.Results. We first show that there is a remarkable correlation between the B and V components observed down to timescales approaching the ion gyrofrequency. This concerns a wide variety of fluctuations, such as waves, isolated peaks, and discontinuities. The great variability of the proton VDFs is also documented. The juxtaposition of a core and a field-aligned beam is the norm but the relative density of the beam, drift speed, and temperatures can considerably change on scales as short as as a few seconds. The characteristics of the core are comparatively more stable. These variations in the beam characteristics mostly explain the variations in the total parallel temperature and, therefore, in the total anisotropy of the proton VDFs. Two magnetic structures that are associated with significant changes in the shape of VDFs, one corresponding to relaxation of total anisotropy and the other to its strong increase, are analyzed here. Our statistical analysis shows a clear link between total anisotropy (and, thus, beam characteristics) and the direction of B with respect to the Parker spiral. In the present case, flux tubes aligned with Parker spiral contain an average proton VDF with a much more developed beam (thus, with larger total anisotropy) than those that are inclined, perpendicular, or even reverse with regard to the outward direction.Conclusions. These observations document the variability of the proton VDF shape in relation to the propagation of magnetic structures. This is a key area of interest for understanding of the effect of turbulence on solar wind dynamics.
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9. |
- Steinvall, Konrad, et al.
(author)
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Solar wind current sheets and deHoffmann-Teller analysis First results from Solar Orbiter's DC electric field measurements
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Solar Orbiter was launched on 10 February 2020 with the purpose of investigating solar and heliospheric physics using a payload of instruments designed for both remote and in situ studies. Similar to the recently launched Parker Solar Probe, and unlike earlier missions, Solar Orbiter carries instruments designed to measure low-frequency DC electric fields. Aims. In this paper, we assess the quality of the low-frequency DC electric field measured by the Radio and Plasma Waves instrument (RPW) on Solar Orbiter. In particular, we investigate the possibility of using Solar Orbiter's DC electric and magnetic field data to estimate the solar wind speed. Methods. We used a deHoffmann-Teller (HT) analysis, based on measurements of the electric and magnetic fields, to find the velocity of solar wind current sheets, which minimises a single component of the electric field. By comparing the HT velocity to the proton velocity measured by the Proton and Alpha particle Sensor (PAS), we have developed a simple model for the effective antenna length, L-eff of the E-field probes. We then used the HT method to estimate the speed of the solar wind. Results. Using the HT method, we find that the observed variations in E-y are often in excellent agreement with the variations in the magnetic field. The magnitude of E-y, however, is uncertain due to the fact that the L-eff depends on the plasma environment. Here, we derive an empirical model relating L-eff to the Debye length, which we can use to improve the estimate of E-y and, consequently, the estimated solar wind speed. Conclusions. The low-frequency electric field provided by RPW is of high quality. Using the deHoffmann-Teller analysis, Solar Orbiter's magnetic and electric field measurements can be used to estimate the solar wind speed when plasma data are unavailable.
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10. |
- D'Amicis, R., et al.
(author)
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First Solar Orbiter observation of the Alfvenic slow wind and identification of its solar source
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Turbulence dominated by large-amplitude, nonlinear Alfven-like fluctuations mainly propagating away from the Sun is ubiquitous in high-speed solar wind streams. Recent studies have demontrated that slow wind streams may also show strong Alfvenic signatures, especially in the inner heliosphere.Aims. The present study focuses on the characterisation of an Alfvenic slow solar wind interval observed by Solar Orbiter between 14 and 18 July 2020 at a heliocentric distance of 0.64 AU.Methods. Our analysis is based on plasma moments and magnetic field measurements from the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) and Magnetometer (MAG) instruments, respectively. We compared the behaviour of different parameters to characterise the stream in terms of the Alfvenic content and magnetic properties. We also performed a spectral analysis to highlight spectral features and waves signature using power spectral density and magnetic helicity spectrograms, respectively. Moreover, we reconstruct the Solar Orbiter magnetic connectivity to the solar sources both via a ballistic and a potential field source surface (PFSS) model.Results. The Alfvenic slow wind stream described in this paper resembles, in many respects, a fast wind stream. Indeed, at large scales, the time series of the speed profile shows a compression region, a main portion of the stream, and a rarefaction region, characterised by different features. Moreover, before the rarefaction region, we pinpoint several structures at different scales recalling the spaghetti-like flux-tube texture of the interplanetary magnetic field. Finally, we identify the connections between Solar Orbiter in situ measurements, tracing them down to coronal streamer and pseudostreamer configurations.Conclusions. The characterisation of the Alfvenic slow wind stream observed by Solar Orbiter and the identification of its solar source are extremely important aspects for improving the understanding of future observations of the same solar wind regime, especially as solar activity is increasing toward a maximum, where a higher incidence of this solar wind regime is expected.
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