Dissociating limit in Density Functional Theory with Coulomb optimal transport cost

In the framework of Density Functional Theory with Strongly Correlated Electrons we consider the so called bond dissociating limit for the energy of an aggregate of atoms. We show that the multi-marginals optimal transport cost with Coulombian electron-electron repulsion describes a dissociation effect. The variational limit is completely calculated in the case of $N=2$ electrons. The theme of fractional number of electrons appears naturally and brings into play the question of optimal partial transport cost. A plan is outlined to complete the analysis which involves the study of the relaxation of optimal transport cost with respect to the weak* convergence of measures

Relaxed multi-marginal costs and quantization effects

We propose a duality theory for multi-marginal repulsive cost that appear in optimal transport problems arising in Density Functional Theory. The related optimization problems involve probabilities on the entire space and, as minimizing sequences may lose mass at infinity, it is natural to expect relaxed solutions which are sub-probabilities. We first characterize the $N$-marginals relaxed cost in terms of a stratification formula which takes into account all $k$ interactions with $kle N$. We then develop a duality framework involving continuous functions vanishing at infinity and deduce primal-dual necessary and sufficient optimality conditions. Next we prove the existence and the regularity of an optimal dual potential under very mild assumptions. In the last part of the paper, we apply our results to a minimization problem involving a given continuous potential and we give evidence of a mass quantization effect for optimal solutions

Interstellar dust in the BOOMERanG maps

Interstellar dust (ISD) emission is present in the mm-wave maps obtained by the BOOMERanG experiment at intermediate and high Galactic latitudes. We find that, while being sub-dominant at the lower frequencies (90,150, 240 GHz), thermal emission from ISD is dominant at 410 GHz, and is well correlated with the IRAS map at 100 µm. We find also that the angular power spectrum of ISD fluctuations at 410 GHz is a power law, and its level is negligible with respect to the angular power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) at 90 and 150 GHz

Mapping the CMB Sky: The BOOMERANG experiment

We describe the BOOMERanG experiment, a stratospheric balloon telescope intended to measure the Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropy at angular scales between a few degrees and ten arcminutes. The experiment has been optimized for a long duration (7 to 14 days) flight circumnavigating Antarctica at the end of 1998. A test flight was performed on Aug.30, 1997 in Texas. The level of performance achieved in the test flight was satisfactory and compatible with the requirements for the long duration flight.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

Muon Simulations for Super-Kamiokande, KamLAND and CHOOZ

Muon backgrounds at Super-Kamiokande, KamLAND and CHOOZ are calculated using MUSIC. A modified version of the Gaisser sea level muon distribution and a well-tested Monte Carlo integration method are introduced. Average muon energy, flux and rate are tabulated. Plots of average energy and angular distributions are given. Implications on muon tracker design for future experiments are discussed.Comment: Revtex4 33 pages, 16 figures and 4 table

WMAP confirming the ellipticity in BOOMERanG and COBE CMB maps

The recent study of BOOMERanG 150 GHz Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation maps have detected ellipticity of the temperature anisotropy spots independent on the temperature threshold. The effect has been found for spots up to several degrees in size, where the biases of the ellipticity estimator and of the noise are small. To check the effect, now we have studied, with the same algorithm and in the same sky region, the WMAP maps. We find ellipticity of the same average value also in WMAP maps, despite of the different sensitivity of the two experiments to low multipoles. Large spot elongations had been detected also for the COBE-DMR maps. If this effect is due to geodesic mixing and hence due to non precisely zero curvature of the hyperbolic Universe, it can be linked to the origin of WMAP low multipoles anomaly.Comment: More explanations and two references adde

Is there a common origin for the WMAP low multipole and for the ellipticity in BOOMERanG CMB maps?

We have measured the ellipticity of several degree scale anisotropies in the BOOMERanG maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) at 150 GHz. The average ellipticity is around 2.6-2.7. The biases of the estimator of the ellipticity and for the noise are small in this case. Large spot elongation had been detected also for COBE-DMR maps. If this effect is due to geodesic mixing, it would indicate a non precisely zero curvature of the Universe which is among the discussed reasons of the WMAP low multipole anomaly. Both effects are related to the diameter of the Universe: the geodesics mixing through hyperbolic geometry, low multipoles through boundary conditions.This common reason can also be related with the origin of the the cosmological constant: the modes of vacuum fluctuations conditioned by the boundary conditions lead to a value of the cosmological constant being in remarkable agreement with the supernovae observations.Comment: Added: two co-authors and a comment on the possible relation of the discussed CMB properties with the origin of the observed value of the cosmological constan

Techno-Economic Analysis of ORC in Gas Compression Stations Taking Into Account Actual Operating Conditions

Abstract Gas compressor stations represent a huge potential for exhaust heat recovery, currently under-exploited. Typical installations consist of multiple gas turbine units in mechanical drive arrangement, operated, most of the time, at part-load conditions and with limited conversion efficiency. In this context, this paper investigates the energetic-economic potential of ORC application in typical gas compression facilities, as innovative contribution with respect to literature. The ORC is designed to convert the gas turbines wasted heat into useful power. Additional power output can be used either inside the compression facility, reducing the amount of consumed natural gas and, consequently, the environmental impact, or delivered to the electrical grid. Taking into account real operation of gas turbines in a natural gas compression station, located in North America, additional generated energy and CO 2 avoided, thanks to ORC operation, are quantified. Two ORC arrangements, namely with and without intermediate heat transfer fluid, are proposed and the design performance are identified. Influence of topper cycle part load operations on bottomer section are quantified through an off-design thermodynamic evaluation. The goal of the performed analysis is to obtain a detailed scenario of the integrated system operation on yearly basis. Results, for a reference 50 MW compression station, show that the direct heat exchange configuration guarantees up to 66 GWh/year of additional electrical energy, saving up to 36*10 3 tons/year of CO 2 , while ORC investment costs can be recovered within 7 years of operation. The performed comprehensive investigation assesses the ORC as a techno-economic profitable technology to recover wasted heat in natural gas compression facilities

A new PGAI-NT setup at the NIPS facility of the Budapest Research Reactor

Prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) is a well known tool for non-destructive bulk elemental analysis of objects. The measured concentrations are only representative of the whole sample if it is homogenous; otherwise it provides only a sort of average composition of the irradiated part. In this latter case one has to scan the sample to obtain the spatial distribution of the elements. To test this idea we have constructed a prompt gamma activation imaging – neutron tomograph (PGAI-NT) setup at the NIPS station of the Budapest Research Reactor, consisting of a high-resolution neutron tomograph and a germanium gamma-spectrometer. The samples are positioned relative to the intersection of the collimated neutron beam and the projection of the gamma-collimator (isocenter) by using an xyzω-moving table

Foregrounds in the BOOMERANG-LDB data: a preliminary rms analysis

We present a preliminary analysis of the BOOMERanG LDB maps, focused on foregrounds. BOOMERanG detects dust emission at moderately low galactic latitudes ($b > -20^o$) in bands centered at 90, 150, 240, 410 GHz. At higher Galactic latitudes, we use the BOOMERanG data to set conservative upper limits on the level of contamination at 90 and 150 GHz. We find that the mean square signal correlated with the IRAS/DIRBE dust template is less than 3% of the mean square signal due to CMB anisotropy