14,797 research outputs found
Nuclear forces and their impact on neutron-rich nuclei and neutron-rich matter
We review the impact of nuclear forces on matter at neutron-rich extremes.
Recent results have shown that neutron-rich nuclei become increasingly
sensitive to three-nucleon forces, which are at the forefront of theoretical
developments based on effective field theories of quantum chromodynamics. This
includes the formation of shell structure, the spectroscopy of exotic nuclei,
and the location of the neutron dripline. Nuclear forces also constrain the
properties of neutron-rich matter, including the neutron skin, the symmetry
energy, and the structure of neutron stars. We first review our understanding
of three-nucleon forces and show how chiral effective field theory makes unique
predictions for many-body forces. Then, we survey results with three-nucleon
forces in neutron-rich oxygen and calcium isotopes and neutron-rich matter,
which have been explored with a range of many-body methods. Three-nucleon
forces therefore provide an exciting link between theoretical, experimental and
observational nuclear physics frontiers.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures, 1 tabl
Exploring sd-shell nuclei from two- and three-nucleon interactions with realistic saturation properties
We study ground- and excited-state properties of all sd-shell nuclei with
neutron and proton numbers 8 <= N,Z <= 20, based on a set of low-resolution
two- and three-nucleon interactions that predict realistic saturation
properties of nuclear matter. We focus on estimating the theoretical
uncertainties due to variation of the resolution scale, the low-energy
couplings, as well as from the many-body method. The experimental two-neutron
and two-proton separation energies are reasonably well reproduced, with an
uncertainty range of about 5 MeV. The first excited 2+ energies also show
overall agreement, with a more narrow uncertainty range of about 500 keV. In
most cases, this range is dominated by the uncertainties in the Hamiltonian.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
The pion parton distribution function in the valence region
The parton distribution function of the pion in the valence region is
extracted in a next-to-leading order analysis from Fermilab E-615 pionic
Drell-Yan data. The effects of the parameterization of the pion's valence
distributions are examined. Modern nucleon parton distributions and nuclear
corrections were used and possible effects from higher twist contributions were
considered in the analysis. In the next-to-leading order analysis, the high-
dependence of the pion structure function differs from that of the leading
order analysis, but not enough to agree with the expectations of pQCD and
Dyson-Schwinger calculations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Saturation with chiral interactions and consequences for finite nuclei
We explore the impact of nuclear matter saturation on the properties and
systematics of finite nuclei across the nuclear chart. Using the ab initio
in-medium similarity renormalization group (IM-SRG), we study ground-state
energies and charge radii of closed-shell nuclei from He to Ni,
based on a set of low-resolution two- and three-nucleon interactions that
predict realistic saturation properties. We first investigate in detail the
convergence properties of these Hamiltonians with respect to model-space
truncations for both two- and three-body interactions. We find one particular
interaction that reproduces well the ground-state energies of all closed-shell
nuclei studied. As expected from their saturation points relative to this
interaction, the other Hamiltonians underbind nuclei, but lead to a remarkably
similar systematics of ground-state energies. Extending our calculations to
complete isotopic chains in the and shells with the valence-space
IM-SRG, the same interaction reproduces not only experimental ground states but
two-neutron-separation energies and first excited states. We also
calculate radii with the valence-space IM-SRG for the first time. Since this
particular interaction saturates at too high density, charge radii are still
too small compared with experiment. Except for this underprediction, the radii
systematics is, however, well reproduced. Our results highlight the importance
of nuclear matter as a theoretical benchmark for the development of
next-generation chiral interactions.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, 1 tabl
PKS1932-46: a radio source in an interacting group?
We present the results of a multiwavelength study of the z=0.23 radio source
PKS1932-46. VIMOS IFU spectroscopy is used to study the morphology, kinematics
and ionisation state of the EELR surrounding this source, and also a companion
galaxy at a similar redshift. Near- and far-IR imaging observations obtained
using the NTT and SPITZER are used to analyse the underlying galaxy
morphologies and the nature of the AGN. The host galaxy is identified as an ~M*
elliptical. Combining Spitzer mid-IR with X-ray, optical and near-IR imaging
observations of this source, we conclude that its AGN is underluminous for a
radio source of this type, despite its status as a BLRG. However, given its
relatively large [OIII] luminosity it is likely that the AGN was substantially
more luminous in the recent past (<10^4 years ago). The EELR is remarkably
extensive and complex, reminiscent of the systems observed around sources at
higher redshifts/radio powers, and the gas is predominantly ionised by a
mixture of AGN photoionisation and emission from young stars. We confirm the
presence of a series of star-forming knots extending N-S from the host galaxy,
with more prodigious star formation occuring in the merging companion galaxy to
the northeast, which has sufficient luminosity at mid- to far-IR wavelengths to
be classified as a LIRG. The most plausible explanation of our observations is
that PKS1932-46 is a member of an interacting galaxy group, and that the
impressive EELR is populated by star-forming, tidal debris. We suggest that the
AGN itself may currently be fuelled by material associated either with the
current interaction, or with a previous merger event. Surprisingly, it is the
companion object, rather than the radio source host galaxy, which is undergoing
the bulk of the star formation activity within the group.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures (compressed for astro-ph, 1 colour). Accepted
for publication in MNRAS. Abstract abridge
Biomechanical mechanisms underlying exosuit-induced improvements in walking economy after stroke
Stroke-induced hemiparetic gait is characteristically asymmetric and metabolically expensive. Weakness and impaired control of the paretic ankle contribute to reduced forward propulsion and ground clearance—walking subtasks critical for safe and efficient locomotion. Targeted gait interventions that improve paretic ankle function after stroke are therefore warranted. We have developed textile-based, soft wearable robots that transmit mechanical power generated by off-board or body-worn actuators to the paretic ankle using Bowden cables (soft exosuits) and have demonstrated the exosuits can overcome deficits in paretic limb forward propulsion and ground clearance, ultimately reducing the metabolic cost of hemiparetic walking. This study elucidates the biomechanical mechanisms underlying exosuit-induced reductions in metabolic power. We evaluated the relationships between exosuit-induced changes in the body center of mass (COM) power generated by each limb, individual joint powers, and metabolic power. Compared to walking with an exosuit unpowered, exosuit assistance produced more symmetrical COM power generation during the critical period of the step-to-step transition (22.4±6.4% more symmetric). Changes in individual limb COM power were related to changes in paretic (R2= 0.83, P= 0.004) and nonparetic (R2= 0.73, P= 0.014) ankle power. Interestingly, despite the exosuit providing direct assistance to only the paretic limb, changes in metabolic power were related to changes in nonparetic limb COM power (R2= 0.80, P= 0.007), not paretic limb COM power (P> 0.05). These findings provide a fundamental understanding of how individuals poststroke interact with an exosuit to reduce the metabolic cost of hemiparetic walking.Accepted manuscript2019-03-0
Quantum-limited mass flow of liquid He
We consider theoretically the possibility of observing unusual quantum fluid
behavior in liquid He and solutions of He in He systems
confined to nano-channels. In the case of pure ballistic flow at very low
temperature conductance will be quantized in units of . We show that
these steps should be sensitive to increases in temperature. We also use of a
random scattering matrix simulation to study flow with diffusive wall
scattering. Universal conductance fluctuations analogous to those seen in
electron systems should then be observable. Finally we consider the possibility
of the cross-over to a one-dimensional system at sufficiently low temperature
where the system could form a Luttinger liquid
- …