Computer model calibration with large non-stationary spatial outputs: application to the calibration of a climate model

Bayesian calibration of computer models tunes unknown input parameters by comparing outputs with observations. For model outputs that are distributed over space, this becomes computationally expensive because of the output size. To overcome this challenge, we employ a basis representation of the model outputs and observations: we match these decompositions to carry out the calibration efficiently. In the second step, we incorporate the non-stationary behaviour, in terms of spatial variations of both variance and correlations, in the calibration. We insert two integrated nested Laplace approximation-stochastic partial differential equation parameters into the calibration. A synthetic example and a climate model illustration highlight the benefits of our approach

Mixing of quasiparticle excitations and gamma-vibrations in transitional nuclei

Evidence of strong coupling of quasiparticle excitations with gamma-vibration is shown to occur in transitional nuclei. High-spin band structures in [166,168,170,172]Er are studied by employing the recently developed multi-quasiparticle triaxial projected shell model approach. It is demonstrated that a low-lying K=3 band observed in these nuclei, the nature of which has remained unresolved, originates from the angular-momentum projection of triaxially deformed two-quasiparticle (qp) configurations. Further, it is predicted that the structure of this band depends critically on the shell filling: in [166]Er the lowest K=3 2-qp band is formed from proton configuration, in [168]Er the K=3 neutron and proton 2-qp bands are almost degenerate, and for [170]Er and [172]Er the neutron K=3 2-qp band becomes favored and can cross the gamma-vibrational band at high rotational frequencies. We consider that these are few examples in even-even nuclei, where the three basic modes of rotational, vibrational, and quasi-particle excitations co-exist close to the yrast line.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

A closer look at arrested spinodal decomposition in protein solutions

Concentrated aqueous solutions of the protein lysozyme undergo a liquid solid transition upon a temperature quench into the unstable spinodal region below a characteristic arrest temperature of Tf=15C. We use video microscopy and ultra-small angle light scattering in order to investigate the arrested structures as a function of initial concentration, quench temperature and rate of the temperature quench. We find that the solid-like samples show all the features of a bicontinuous network that is formed through an arrested spinodal decomposition process. We determine the correlation length Xi and demonstrate that Xi exhibits a temperature dependence that closely follows the critical scaling expected for density fluctuations during the early stages of spinodal decomposition. These findings are in agreement with an arrest scenario based on a state diagram where the arrest or gel line extends far into the unstable region below the spinodal line. Arrest then occurs when during the early stage of spinodal decomposition the volume fraction phi2 of the dense phase intersects the dynamical arrest threshold phi2Glass, upon which phase separation gets pinned into a space-spanning gel network with a characteristic length Xi

Hall effects in Bose-Einstein condensates in a rotating optical lattice

Using the Kubo formalism, we demonstrate fractional quantum Hall features in a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate in a co-rotating two-dimensional optical lattice. The co-rotating lattice and trap potential allow for an effective magnetic field and compensation of the centrifugal potential. Fractional quantum Hall features are seen for the single-particle system and for few strongly interacting many-particle systems.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figure