Unified formulation of a family of iterative solvers for power systems analysis

This paper illustrates the construction of a new class of iterative solvers for power flow calculations based on the method of Alternating Search Directions. This method is fit to the particular algebraic structure of the power flow problem resulting from the combination of a globally linear set of equations and nonlinear local relations imposed by power conversion devices, such as loads and generators. The choice of the search directions is shown to be crucial for improving the overall robustness of the solver. A noteworthy advantage is that constant search directions yield stationary methods that, in contrast with Newton or Quasi-Newton methods, do not require the evaluation of the Jacobian matrix. Such directions can be elected to enforce the convergence to the high voltage operative solution. The method is explained through an intuitive example illustrating how the proposed generalized formulation is able to include other nonlinear solvers that are classically used for power flow analysis, thus offering a unified view on the topic. Numerical experiments are performed on publicly available benchmarks for large distribution and transmission systems.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Absolute elastic differential cross sections for electron scattering by C6H5CH3 and C6H5CF3 at 1.5–200 eV: a comparative experimental and theoretical study with C6H6

We present absolute differential cross sections DCS for elastic scattering from two benzene derivatives C6H5CH3 and C6H5CF3. The crossed-beam method was used in conjunction with the relative flow technique using helium as the reference gas to obtain absolute values. Measurements were carried out for scattering angles 15° –130° and impact energies 1.5–200 eV. DCS results for these two molecules were compared to those of C6H6 from our previous study. We found that 1 these three molecules have DCS with very similar magnitudes and shapes over the energy range 1.5–200 eV, although DCS for C6H5CF3 increase steeply toward lower scattering angles due to the dipole moment induced long-range interaction at 1.5 and 4.5 eV, and 2 that the molecular structure of the benzene ring significantly determines the collision dynamics. From the measured DCS, elastic integral cross sections have been calculated. Furthermore, by employing a corrected form of the independent-atom method known as the screen corrected additive rule, DCS calculations have been carried out without any empirical parameter fittings, i.e., in an ab initio nature. Results show that the calculated DCS are in excellent agreement with the experimental values at 50, 100, and 200 eV

Z boson production in proton-lead collisions at the LHC accounting for transverse momenta of initial partons

We perform a calculation of inclusive $Z$ boson production in proton-lead collisions at the LHC taking into account the transverse momenta of the initial partons. We use the framework of $k_T$-factorization combining transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs) with off-shell matrix elements. In order to do it we need to construct appropriate TMDs for lead nuclei which is done using the parton branching method. Our computations are compared with data from CMS taken at $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV. The results are in good agreement with the measurements especially the transverse momentum distribution of the $Z$ boson.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figure

Field theory simulation of Abelian-Higgs cosmic string cusps

We have performed a lattice field theory simulation of cusps in Abelian-Higgs cosmic strings. The results are in accord with the theory that the portion of the strings which overlaps near the cusp is released as radiation. The radius of the string cores which must touch to produce the evaporation is approximately $r = 1$ in natural units. In general, the modifications to the string shape due to the cusp may produce many cusps later in the evolution of a string loop, but these later cusps will be much smaller in magnitude and more closely resemble kinks.Comment: 9 pages, RevTeX, 13 figures with eps

The form of cosmic string cusps

We classify the possible shapes of cosmic string cusps and how they transform under Lorentz boosts. A generic cusp can be brought into a form in which the motion of the cusp tip lies in the plane of the cusp. The cusp whose motion is perpendicular to this plane, considered by some authors, is a special case and not the generic situation. We redo the calculation of the energy in the region where the string overlaps itself near a cusp, which is the maximum energy that can be released in radiation. We take into account the motion of a generic cusp and the resulting Lorentz contraction of the string core. The result is that the energy scales as $\sqrt {rL}$ instead of the usual value of $r^{1/3} L^{2/3}$, where $r$ is the string radius and $L$ and is the typical length scale of the string. Since $r << L$ for cosmological strings, the radiation is strongly suppressed and could not be observed.Comment: 15 pages, ReVTex, 2 postscript figures with eps

Ground-based photometry of the 21-day Neptune HD106315c

Space-based transit surveys such as K2 and TESS allow the detection of small transiting planets with orbital periods beyond 10 days. Few of these warm Neptunes are currently known around stars bright enough to allow for detailed follow-up observations dedicated to their atmospheric characterization. The 21-day period and 3.95 $R_\oplus$ planet HD106315c has been discovered based on the observation of two of its transits by K2. We have observed HD106315 using the 1.2m Euler telescope equipped with the EulerCam camera on two instances to confirm the transit using broad band photometry and refine the planetary period. Based on two observed transits of HD106315c, we detect its $\sim$1 mmag transit and obtain a precise measurement of the planetary ephemerids, which are critical for planning further follow-up observations. We have used the attained precision together with the predicted yield from the TESS mission to evaluate the potential for ground-based confirmation of Neptune-sized planets found by TESS. We find that 1-meter-class telescopes on the ground equipped with precise photometers could substantially contribute to the follow-up of 162 TESS candidates orbiting stars with magnitudes of $V \leq 14$. Out of these, 74 planets orbit stars with $V \leq 12$ and 12 planets orbit $V \leq 10$, which makes these candidates high-priority objects for atmospheric characterization with high-end instrumentation.Comment: Published in A&A letters, 4 pages, 3 figure

Bubbles from Nothing

Within the framework of flux compactifications, we construct an instanton describing the quantum creation of an open universe from nothing. The solution has many features in common with the smooth 6d bubble of nothing solutions discussed recently, where the spacetime is described by a 4d compactification of a 6d Einstein-Maxwell theory on S^2 stabilized by flux. The four-dimensional description of this instanton reduces to that of Hawking and Turok. The choice of parameters uniquely determines all future evolution, which we additionally find to be stable against bubble of nothing instabilities.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figure