1,532 research outputs found
Ultramafic xenoliths from the Bearpaw Mountains, Montana, USA: evidence for multiple metasomatic events in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Wyoming craton
Ultramafic xenoliths in Eocene minettes of the Bearpaw Mountains volcanic field (Montana, USA), derived from the lower lithosphere of the Wyoming craton, can be divided based on textural criteria into tectonite and cumulate groups. The tectonites consist of strongly depleted spinel lherzolites, harzburgites and dunites. Although their mineralogical compositions are generally similar to those of spinel peridotites in off-craton settings, some contain pyroxenes and spinels that have unusually low Al2O3 contents more akin to those found in cratonic spinel peridotites. Furthermore, the tectonite peridotites have whole-rock major element compositions that tend to be significantly more depleted than non-cratonic mantle spinel peridotites (high MgO, low CaO, Al2O3 and TiO2) and resemble those of cratonic mantle. These compositions could have been generated by up to 30% partial melting of an undepleted mantle source. Petrographic evidence suggests that the mantle beneath the Wyoming craton was re-enriched in three ways: (1) by silicate melts that formed mica websterite and clinopyroxenite veins; (2) by growth of phlogopite from K-rich hydrous fluids; (3) by interaction with aqueous fluids to form orthopyroxene porphyroblasts and orthopyroxenite veins. In contrast to their depleted major element compositions, the tectonite peridotites are mostly light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched and show enrichment in fluid-mobile elements such as Cs, Rb, U and Pb on mantle-normalized diagrams. Lack of enrichment in high field strength elements (HFSE; e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf) suggests that the tectonite peridotites have been metasomatized by a subduction-related fluid. Clinopyroxenes from the tectonite peridotites have distinct U-shaped REE patterns with strong LREE enrichment. They have 143Nd/144Nd values that range from 0·5121 (close to the host minette values) to 0·5107, similar to those of xenoliths from the nearby Highwood Mountains. Foliated mica websterites also have low 143Nd/144Nd values (0·5113) and extremely high 87Sr/86Sr ratios in their constituent phlogopite, indicating an ancient (probably mid-Proterozoic) enrichment. This enriched mantle lithosphere later contributed to the formation of the high-K Eocene host magmas. The cumulate group ranges from clinopyroxene-rich mica peridotites (including abundant mica wehrlites) to mica clinopyroxenites. Most contain >30% phlogopite. Their mineral compositions are similar to those of phenocrysts in the host minettes. Their whole-rock compositions are generally poorer in MgO but richer in incompatible trace elements than those of the tectonite peridotites. Whole-rock trace element patterns are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE; Rb, Cs, U and Pb) and depleted in HFSE (Nb, Ta Zr and Hf) as in the host minettes, and their Sr–Nd isotopic compositions are also identical to those of the minettes. Their clinopyroxenes are LREE-enriched and formed in equilibrium with a LREE-enriched melt closely resembling the minettes. The cumulates therefore represent a much younger magmatic event, related to crystallization at mantle depths of minette magmas in Eocene times, that caused further metasomatic enrichment of the lithosphere
Systematics of collective correlation energies from self-consistent mean-field calculations
The collective ground-state correlations stemming from low-lying quadrupole
excitations are computed microscopically. To that end, the self-consistent
mean-field model is employed on the basis of the Skyrme-Hartre-Fock (SHF)
functional augmented by BCS pairing. The microscopic-macroscopic mapping is
achieved by quadrupole-constrained mean-field calculations which are processed
further in the generator-coordinate method (GCM) at the level of the Gaussian
overlap approximation (GOA).
We study the correlation effects on energy, charge radii, and surface
thickness for a great variety of semi-magic nuclei. A key issue is to work out
the influence of variations of the SHF functional. We find that collective
ground-state correlations (GSC) are robust under change of nuclear bulk
properties (e.g., effective mass, symmetry energy) or of spin-orbit coupling.
Some dependence on the pairing strength is observed. This, however, does not
change the general conclusion that collective GSC obey a general pattern and
that their magnitudes are rather independent of the actual SHF parameters.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure
Conductance Fluctuations of Generic Billiards: Fractal or Isolated?
We study the signatures of a classical mixed phase space for open quantum
systems. We find the scaling of the break time up to which quantum mechanics
mimics the classical staying probability and derive the distribution of
resonance widths. Based on these results we explain why for mixed systems two
types of conductance fluctuat ions were found: quantum mechanics divides the
hierarchically structured chaotic component of phase space into two parts - one
yields fractal conductance fluctuations while the other causes isolated
resonances. In general, both types appear together, but on different energy
scales.Comment: restructured and new figure
The lithospheric mantle and lower crust-mantle relationships under Scotland: a xenolithic perspective
In the British Isles the majority of volcanic rocks containing upper mantle and lower crustal xenoliths occur in Scotland. Most of the occurrences are of Carboniferous–Permian age. This paper presents new data on the mineral chemistry of spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the five principal Scottish tectonic terranes. Compositional variations among the minerals emphasize the broad lateral heterogeneity of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle across the region. The remarkable range of Al2O3 v. CaO exhibited by the clinopyroxenes compared with data from other ‘xenolith provinces' emphasizes the extremely complex tectonomagmatic history of the Scottish lithosphere. The generalized age increase from southern and central Scotland to the Northern Highland and Hebridean terranes of the north and NW, with concomitant complexity of geological history, is reflected also by trace element and isotopic studies. Reaction relationships in lherzolites from the Hebridean Terrane, owing to pervasive metasomatism, involve secondary growth of sodic feldspar. This, and light REE enrichment of clinopyroxenes, points to involvement of a natro-carbonatitic melt. Most pyroxenitic xenoliths are inferred to form a basal crustal layer with a generally sharp discontinuity above the underlying (dominantly lherzolitic) mantle. A second discontinuity is inferred to separate these ultramafic cumulates from overlying, broadly cognate metagabbroic cumulates
Cosmological Tracking Solutions
A substantial fraction of the energy density of the universe may consist of
quintessence in the form of a slowly-rolling scalar field. Since the energy
density of the scalar field generally decreases more slowly than the matter
energy density, it appears that the ratio of the two densities must be set to a
special, infinitesimal value in the early universe in order to have the two
densities nearly coincide today.
Recently, we introduced the notion of tracker fields to avoid this initial
conditions problem. In the paper, we address the following questions: What is
the general condition to have tracker fields? What is the relation between the
matter energy density and the equation-of-state of the universe imposed by
tracker solutions? And, can tracker solutions explain why quintessence is
becoming important today rather than during the early universe
Cooling rate dependence of the antiferromagnetic domain structure of a single crystalline charge ordered manganite
The low temperature phase of single crystals of NdCaMnO
and GdCaMnO manganites is investigated by squid
magnetometry. NdCaMnO undergoes a charge-ordering
transition at =245K, and a long range CE-type antiferromagnetic state
is established at =145K. The dc-magnetization shows a cooling rate
dependence below , associated with a weak spontaneous moment. The
associated excess magnetization is related to uncompensated spins in the
CE-type antiferromagnetic structure, and to the presence in this state of
fully orbital ordered regions separated by orbital domain walls. The observed
cooling rate dependence is interpreted to be a consequence of the rearrangement
of the orbital domain state induced by the large structural changes occurring
upon cooling.Comment: REVTeX4; 7 pages, 4 figures. Revised 2001/12/0
Hydrogen-methane blend fuelling of a heavy-duty, direct-injection engine
Combining hydrogen with natural gas as a fuel for internal
combustion engines provides an early opportunity to introduce
hydrogen into transportation applications. This study
investigates the effects of fuelling a heavy-duty engine with a
mixture of hydrogen and natural gas injected directly into the
combustion chamber. The combustion system, developed for
natural gas fuelling, is not modified for blended hydrogen
operation. The results demonstrate that hydrogen can have a
significant beneficial effect in reducing emissions without
affecting efficiency or requiring significant engine
modifications. Combustion stability is enhanced through the
higher reactivity of the hydrogen, resulting in reduced emissions
of unburned methane. The fuel’s lower carbon:energy ratio also
reduces CO2 emissions. These results combine to significantly
reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the
effect on net GHG’s, including both tailpipe and fuelproduction
emissions, depends on the source of the hydrogen.
Cleaner sources, such as electrolysis based on renewables and
hydro-electric power, generate a significant net reduction in
GHG emissions. Hydrogen generated by steam-methane
reforming is essentially GHG neutral, while electrolysis using
electricity from fossil-fuel power plants significantly increases
net GHG emissions compared to conventional natural gas
fuelling
The influence of fuel composition on a heavy-duty, natural-gas direct-injection engine
This work investigates the implications of natural gas composition on the combustion in a heavy-duty
natural gas engine and on the associated pollutant emissions. In this engine system, natural gas is injected
into the combustion chamber shortly before the end of the compression stroke; a diesel pilot that precedes
the natural gas injection provides the ignition source. The effects of adding ethane, propane, hydrogen, and
nitrogen to the fuel are reported here. The results indicate that these additives had no significant effect on
the engine’s power or fuel consumption. Emissions of unburned fuel are reduced for all additives through
either enhanced ignition or combustion processes. Black carbon particulate matter emissions are increased
by ethane and propane, but are virtually eliminated by including nitrogen or hydrogen in the fuel
The effects of fuel dilution in a natural-gas direct-injection engine
This study reports the effects of fuelling a heavy-duty single-cylinder research
engine with pilot-ignited late-cycle direct-injected natural gas diluted with 0, 20, and 40 per
cent nitrogen. The combustion duration is unaffected while its intensity is reduced and its
stability is increased. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and
carbon monoxide are all reduced, with no effect on the engine’s performance and efficiency.
The results indicate the benefits of increased in-cylinder turbulence and are of particular
relevance when considering fuel composition variations with non-conventional sources of
gaseous fuels
Combustion in a heavy-duty direct-injection engine using hydrogen–methane blend fuels
Adding hydrogen to the fuel in a direct injection natural gas engine offers the
potential significantly to reduce local and global air pollutant emissions. This work reports on
the effects of fuelling a heavy-duty engine with late-cycle direct injection of blended hydrogen–
methane fuels and diesel pilot ignition over a range of engine operating conditions. The effect
of hydrogen on the combustion event varies with operating condition, providing insight into
the fundamental factors limiting the combustion process. Combustion stability is enhanced at
all conditions studied; this leads directly to a significant reduction in emissions of combustion
byproducts, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and unburned fuel. Carbon
dioxide emissions are also significantly reduced by the lower carbon–energy ratio of the fuel.
The results suggest that this technique can significantly reduce both local and global pollutant
emissions associated with heavy-duty transport applications while requiring minimal changes
to the fuelling system
- …