Thermal distributions in stellar plasmas, nuclear reactions and solar neutrinos

The physics of nuclear reactions in stellar plasma is reviewed with special emphasis on the importance of the velocity distribution of ions. Then the properties (density and temperature) of the weak-coupled solar plasma are analysed, showing that the ion velocities should deviate from the Maxwellian distribution and could be better described by a weakly-nonexstensive (|q-1|<0.02) Tsallis' distribution. We discuss concrete physical frameworks for calculating this deviation: the introduction of higher-order corrections to the diffusion and friction coefficients in the Fokker-Plank equation, the influence of the electric-microfield stochastic distribution on the particle dynamics, a velocity correlation function with long-time memory arising from the coupling of the collective and individual degrees of freedom. Finally, we study the effects of such deviations on stellar nuclear rates, on the solar neutrino fluxes, and on the pp neutrino energy spectrum, and analyse the consequences for the solar neutrino problem.Comment: ReVTeX, 23 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the special issue (Nonextensive statistical mechanics and thermodynamics) of the Brazilian Journal of Physic

Parametric study of the influence of the wind assisted propulsion on ships

nologies to increase energy efficiency and reduce ship fuel consumption. Several measures have been identified, or even applied, with the potential to achieve substantial fuel consumption and emission reductions, like slow-steaming, bio-fuels, and alternative propulsion technologies. Slow steaming has been already analysed to a great extent, whereas biofuels have raised concerns about environmental impact and availability. Among alternative propulsion technologies, a resurgence in wind-assisted propulsion is observed in recent years, primarily due to its high potential for fuel consumption and emission reduction. Wind power is currently being developed through both conventional sails and modern alternatives. These include Flettner rotors, kites or spinnakers, soft sails, wing sails and wind turbines. In particular, Flettner rotors are rotating cylinders generating lift when immersed in a fluid stream. This paper presents a ship propulsion model study, able to account for the thrust force produced by the rotor accounting for different vessel speed and weather scenario. This paper aims to assess the improvement of the ship’s energy efficiency and optimise the ship operating conditions in terms of daily performance. The result clearly shows the potential reduction achieved in the propeller delivered power given using the rotor as an auxiliary propulsion device

Nonextensive statistics in stellar plasma and solar neutrinos

Nonextensive and quantum uncertainty effects (related to the quasiparticles composing the stellar core) have strong influence on the nuclear rates and, of course, affect solar neutrino fluxes. Both effects do coexist and are due to the frequent collisions among the ions. The weakly nonextensive nature of the solar core is confirmed. The range of predictions for the neutrino fluxes is enlarged and the solar neutrino problem becomes less dramatic.Comment: 4 pages. Proc. of TAUP99, Sept. 6-10 1999, Paris. To appear in Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Supp

The nonrelativistic limit of the Magueijo-Smolin model of deformed special relativity

We study the nonrelativistic limit of the motion of a classical particle in a model of deformed special relativity and of the corresponding generalized Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, and show that they reproduce nonrelativistic classical and quantum mechanics, respectively, although the rest mass of a particle no longer coincides with its inertial mass. This fact clarifies the meaning of the different definitions of velocity of a particle available in DSR literature. Moreover, the rest mass of particles and antiparticles differ, breaking the CPT invariance. This effect is close to observational limits and future experiments may give indications on its effective existence.Comment: 10 pages, plain TeX. Discussion of generalized Dirac equation and CPT violation adde

Temperature dependence of modified CNO nuclear reaction rates in dense stellar plasmas

We study the dependence of the CNO nuclear reaction rates on temperature, in the range of $10^7\div 10^8$ K, the typical range of temperature evolution from a Sun-like star towards a white dwarf. We show that the temperature dependence of the CNO nuclear reaction rates is strongly affected by the presence of non-extensive statistical effects in the dense stellar core. A very small deviation from the Maxwell-Boltzmann particle distribution implies a relevant enhancement of the CNO reaction rate and could explain the presence of heavier elements (e.g. Fe, Mg) in the final composition of a white dwarf core. Such a behavior is consistent with the recent experimental upper limit to the fraction of energy that the Sun produces via the CNO fusion cycle.Comment: Presented at NEXT2003 (Second International Conference on "News and Expectations in Thermostatistics"), Villasimius (Cagliari)- Italy in 21-28 September 2003. 7 pages including 3 figure

Incidence of nonextensive thermodynamics in temporal scaling at Feigenbaum points

Recently, in Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 140601 (2005), P. Grassberger addresses the interesting issue of the applicability of q-statistics to the renowned Feigenbaum attractor. He concludes there is no genuine connection between the dynamics at the critical attractor and the generalized statistics and argues against its usefulness and correctness. Yet, several points are not in line with our current knowledge, nor are his interpretations. We refer here only to the dynamics on the attractor to point out that a correct reading of recent developments invalidates his basic claim.Comment: To be published in Physica

Collisional cross sections and momentum distributions in astrophysical plasmas: dynamics and statistical mechanics link

We show that, in stellar core plasmas, the one-body momentum distribution function is strongly dependent, at least in the high velocity regime, on the microscopic dynamics of ion elastic collisions and therefore on the effective collisional cross sections, if a random force field is present. We take into account two cross sections describing ion-dipole and ion-ion screened interactions. Furthermore we introduce a third unusual cross section, to link statistical distributions and a quantum effect originated by the energy-momentum uncertainty owing to many-body collisions, and propose a possible physical interpretation in terms of a tidal-like force. We show that each collisional cross section gives rise to a slight peculiar correction on the Maxwellian momentum distribution function in a well defined velocity interval. We also find a possible link between microscopical dynamics of ions and statistical mechanics interpreting our results in the framework of non-extensive statistical mechanics.Comment: 8 page

Metastable and stable equilibrium states of stellar electron-nuclear plasmas

By minimizing free energy density, we show that the stellar core of a hydrogen burning star is not in a global thermodynamical equilibrium unless density, temperature, mass and composition assume given values. The core (as the solar interior) may be viewed more appropriately as a metastable state with very long lifetime. Slightly non-extensive distribution function could be the natural distribution for a weakly non-ideal plasma like a stellar core and represents a more appropriate approximation to this system than a Maxwellian distribution, without affecting bulk properties of stars.Comment: 14 pages, to appear in Phys. Lett.

A review and analysis of the uncertainty within cost models for floating offshore wind farms

The development and deployment of offshore wind farms in the last decade have seen a dramatic increase, now totalling 743 GW globally (Global Wind Energy Council, 2022). This rapid increase is expected to further continue now with the potential to explore deeper sites with the adoption of floating offshore platforms. Proof of this growth has recently been seen with an impressive 60% of the 25 GW Scotwind leasing sites planning to install floating platforms in the next ten years (Crown estate, 2022 [1], [2]). One main disadvantage of the advancement offshore is uncertainty and the potential increase in costs due to more complex structures and greater distances to shore. The cost increase for floating platforms is expected to be two to three times more expensive than traditional fixed support structures (Eric Paya, 2020). Thus, this work aims to review existing analytical cost models found within the literature to best determine their level of accuracy and compare the assumptions which have been made. Leading on from this review, a collection of all data found in the reviewed literature is presented, which leads to a data analysis that determines the variation across literature and the potential causes. Assessing this literature shows a wide range of model considerations, often leading to assumptions with little or no data to be validated against. Hence, high levels of variation and a lack of consensus on the cheapest floating platform were noted. All aspects of costs related to floating offshore wind systems vary heavily throughout the literature