147 research outputs found

    Half-space general multigroup transport theory

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    A method for solving various half-space multigroup transport problems for the case of a general transfer matrix is explained. A non-linear integral equation for the emergent distribution of the albedo problem is derived. Then, by using the full-range completeness of the infinite medium eigenfunctions, the distribution inside the half-space is obtained from the emergent distribution. Finally, the Milne problem and the half-space Green's function problem are solved in terms of the emergent distribution of the albedo problem and the infinite medium eigenfunctions.One advantage of this method is that it readily yields numerical results for emergent distributions of half-space problems. Even for the numerical evaluation of a particular solution inside the half-space, this technique is felt to be superior to other exact half-space methods since only full-range eigenfunction expansions are employed rather than the more difficult half-range expansion used in other techniques.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32922/1/0000304.pd

    Winter Weakening of Titan's Stratospheric Polar Vortices

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    The Maximal Runaway Temperature of Earth-like Planets

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    We generalize the problem of the semi-gray model to cases in which a non-negligible fraction of the stellar radiation falls on the long-wavelength range, and/or that the planetary long-wavelength emission penetrates into the transparent short wavelength domain of the absorption. Second, applying the most general assumptions and independently of any particular properties of an absorber, we show that the greenhouse effect saturates and any Earth-like planet has a maximal temperature which depends on the type of and distance to its main-sequence star, its albedo and the primary atmospheric components which determine the cutoff frequency below which the atmosphere is optically thick. For example, a hypothetical convection-less planet similar to Venus, that is optically thin in the visible, could have at most a surface temperature of 1200-1300K irrespective of the nature of the greenhouse gas. We show that two primary mechanisms are responsible for the saturation of the runaway greenhouse effect, depending on the value of the wavelength above which the atmosphere becomes optically thick. Unless this wavelength is small and resides in the optical region, saturation is achieved by radiating the thermal flux of the planet through the short wavelength tail of the thermal distribution. This has the observational implication, the radiation from such a planet should be skewed towards the NIR. Otherwise, saturation takes place by radiating through windows in the FIR.Comment: 13 pages 14 figure

    Exact results in modeling planetary atmospheres--I. Gray atmospheres

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    An exact model is proposed for a gray, isotropically scattering planetary atmosphere in radiative equilibrium. The slab is illuminated on one side by a collimated beam and is bounded on the other side by an emitting and partially reflecting ground. We provide expressions for the incident and reflected fluxes on both boundary surfaces, as well as the temperature of the ground and the temperature distribution in the atmosphere, assuming the latter to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium. Tables and curves of the temperature distribution are included for various values of the optical thickness. Finally, semi-infinite atmospheres illuminated from the outside or by sources at infinity will be dealt with.Comment: 29 pages, 1 figure, Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer (www.elsevier.com/locate/jqsrt), accepted 11 September 200

    Force-induced remodelling of proteins and their complexes

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    Force can drive conformational changes in proteins, as well as modulate their stability and the affinity of their complexes, allowing a mechanical input to be converted into a biochemical output. These properties have been utilised by nature and force is now recognised to be widely used at the cellular level. The effects of force on the biophysical properties of biological systems can be large and varied. As these effects are only apparent in the presence of force, studies on the same proteins using traditional ensemble biophysical methods can yield apparently conflicting results. Where appropriate, therefore, force measurements should be integrated with other experimental approaches to understand the physiological context of the system under study

    Uncertainties in the Anti-neutrino Production at Nuclear Reactors

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    Anti-neutrino emission rates from nuclear reactors are determined from thermal power measurements and fission rate calculations. The uncertainties in these quantities for commercial power plants and their impact on the calculated interaction rates in electron anti-neutrino detectors is examined. We discuss reactor-to-reactor correlations between the leading uncertainties and their relevance to reactor anti-neutrino experiments.Comment: Submitted to Phys Rev
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