18,621 research outputs found
Real time plasma equilibrium reconstruction in a Tokamak
The problem of equilibrium of a plasma in a Tokamak is a free boundary
problemdescribed by the Grad-Shafranov equation in axisymmetric configurations.
The right hand side of this equation is a non linear source, which represents
the toroidal component of the plasma current density. This paper deals with the
real time identification of this non linear source from experimental
measurements. The proposed method is based on a fixed point algorithm, a finite
element resolution, a reduced basis method and a least-square optimization
formulation
Construct, Merge, Solve and Adapt: Application to the repetition-free longest common subsequence problem
In this paper we present the application of a recently proposed, general, algorithm for combinatorial optimization to the repetition-free longest common subsequence problem. The applied algorithm, which is labelled Construct, Merge, Solve & Adapt, generates sub-instances based on merging the solution components found in randomly constructed solutions. These sub-instances are subsequently solved by means of an exact solver. Moreover, the considered sub-instances are dynamically changing due to adding new solution components at each iteration, and removing existing solution components on the basis of indicators about their usefulness. The results of applying this algorithm to the repetition-free longest common subsequence problem show that the algorithm generally outperforms competing approaches from the literature. Moreover, they show that the algorithm is competitive with CPLEX for small and medium size problem instances, whereas it outperforms CPLEX for larger problem instances.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Light quark masses from Domain Wall Fermions
We present results for the renormalised light and strange quark masses
calculated using Domain Wall Fermions in quenched QCD. New results using the
DBW2 gauge action at inverse lattice spacings of approximately 2 GeV and 1.3
GeV will be presented and compared against existing results at 2 GeV using the
Wilson gauge action. This comparison allows a study of the uncertainties due to
both finite lattice spacing and residual chiral symmetry breaking effects.Comment: Lattice2002(spectrum), 3 pages, 4 figures. Added referenc
The outcome of protoplanetary dust growth: pebbles, boulders, or planetesimals? I. Mapping the zoo of laboratory collision experiments
The growth processes from protoplanetary dust to planetesimals are not fully
understood. Laboratory experiments and theoretical models have shown that
collisions among the dust aggregates can lead to sticking, bouncing, and
fragmentation. However, no systematic study on the collisional outcome of
protoplanetary dust has been performed so far so that a physical model of the
dust evolution in protoplanetary disks is still missing. We intend to map the
parameter space for the collisional interaction of arbitrarily porous dust
aggregates. This parameter space encompasses the dust-aggregate masses, their
porosities and the collision velocity. With such a complete mapping of the
collisional outcomes of protoplanetary dust aggregates, it will be possible to
follow the collisional evolution of dust in a protoplanetary disk environment.
We use literature data, perform own laboratory experiments, and apply simple
physical models to get a complete picture of the collisional interaction of
protoplanetary dust aggregates. In our study, we found four different types of
sticking, two types of bouncing, and three types of fragmentation as possible
outcomes in collisions among protoplanetary dust aggregates. We distinguish
between eight combinations of porosity and mass ratio. For each of these cases,
we present a complete collision model for dust-aggregate masses between 10^-12
and 10^2 g and collision velocities in the range 10^-4 to 10^4 cm/s for
arbitrary porosities. This model comprises the collisional outcome, the
mass(es) of the resulting aggregate(s) and their porosities. We present the
first complete collision model for protoplanetary dust. This collision model
can be used for the determination of the dust-growth rate in protoplanetary
disks.Comment: accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysic
Current Physics Results from Staggered Chiral Perturbation Theory
We review several results that have been obtained using lattice QCD with the
staggered quark formulation. Our focus is on the quantities that have been
calculated numerically with low statistical errors and have been extrapolated
to the physical quark mass limit and continuum limit using staggered chiral
perturbation theory. We limit our discussion to a brief introduction to
staggered quarks, and applications of staggered chiral perturbation theory to
the pion mass, decay constant, and heavy-light meson decay constants.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, commissioned review article, to appear in Mod.
Phys. Lett.
A Continuation Method for Nash Equilibria in Structured Games
Structured game representations have recently attracted interest as models
for multi-agent artificial intelligence scenarios, with rational behavior most
commonly characterized by Nash equilibria. This paper presents efficient, exact
algorithms for computing Nash equilibria in structured game representations,
including both graphical games and multi-agent influence diagrams (MAIDs). The
algorithms are derived from a continuation method for normal-form and
extensive-form games due to Govindan and Wilson; they follow a trajectory
through a space of perturbed games and their equilibria, exploiting game
structure through fast computation of the Jacobian of the payoff function. They
are theoretically guaranteed to find at least one equilibrium of the game, and
may find more. Our approach provides the first efficient algorithm for
computing exact equilibria in graphical games with arbitrary topology, and the
first algorithm to exploit fine-grained structural properties of MAIDs.
Experimental results are presented demonstrating the effectiveness of the
algorithms and comparing them to predecessors. The running time of the
graphical game algorithm is similar to, and often better than, the running time
of previous approximate algorithms. The algorithm for MAIDs can effectively
solve games that are much larger than those solvable by previous methods
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An assessment of the load modifying potential of model predictive controlled dynamic facades within the California context
California is making major strides towards meeting its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals with the transformation of its electrical grid to accommodate renewable generation, aggressive promotion of building energy efficiency, and increased emphasis on moving toward electrification of end uses (e.g., residential heating, etc.). As a result of this activity, the State is faced with significant challenges of systemwide resource adequacy, power quality and grid reliability that could be addressed in part with demand responsive (DR) load modifying strategies using controllable building technologies. Dynamic facades have the ability to potentially shift and shed loads at critical times of the day in combination with daylighting and HVAC controls. This study explores the technical potential of dynamic facades to support net load shape objectives. A model predictive controller (MPC) was designed based on reduced order thermal (Modelica) and window (Radiance) models. Using an automated workflow (involving JModelica.org and MPCPy), these models were converted and differentiated to formulate a non-linear optimization problem. A gradient-based, non-linear programming problem solver (IPOPT) was used to derive an optimal control strategy, then a post-optimization step was used to convert the solution to a discrete state for facade actuation. Continuous state modulation of the façade was also modeled. The performance of the MPC controller with and without activation of thermal mass was evaluated in a south-facing perimeter office zone with a three-zone electrochromic window for a clear sunny week during summer and winter periods in Oakland and Burbank, California. MPC strategies reduced total energy cost by 9–28% and critical coincident peak demand was reduced by up to 0.58 W/ft2-floor or 19–43% in the 4.6 m (15 ft) deep south zone on sunny summer days in Oakland compared to state-of-the-art heuristic control. Similar savings were achieved for the hotter, Burbank climate in Southern California. This outcome supports the argument that MPC control of dynamic facades can provide significant electricity cost reductions and net load management capabilities of benefit to both the building owner and evolving electrical grid
Growth of Dust as the Initial Step Toward Planet Formation
We discuss the results of laboratory measurements and theoretical models
concerning the aggregation of dust in protoplanetary disks, as the initial step
toward planet formation. Small particles easily stick when they collide and
form aggregates with an open, often fractal structure, depending on the growth
process. Larger particles are still expected to grow at collision velocities of
about 1m/s. Experiments also show that, after an intermezzo of destructive
velocities, high collision velocities above 10m/s on porous materials again
lead to net growth of the target. Considerations of dust-gas interactions show
that collision velocities for particles not too different in surface-to-mass
ratio remain limited up to sizes about 1m, and growth seems to be guaranteed to
reach these sizes quickly and easily. For meter sizes, coupling to nebula
turbulence makes destructive processes more likely. Global aggregation models
show that in a turbulent nebula, small particles are swept up too fast to be
consistent with observations of disks. An extended phase may therefore exist in
the nebula during which the small particle component is kept alive through
collisions driven by turbulence which frustrates growth to planetesimals until
conditions are more favorable for one or more reasons.Comment: Protostars and Planets V (PPV) review. 18 pages, 5 figure
The outcome of protoplanetary dust growth: pebbles, boulders, or planetesimals? II. Introducing the bouncing barrier
The sticking of micron sized dust particles due to surface forces in
circumstellar disks is the first stage in the production of asteroids and
planets. The key ingredients that drive this process are the relative velocity
between the dust particles in this environment and the complex physics of dust
aggregate collisions. Here we present the results of a collision model, which
is based on laboratory experiments of these aggregates. We investigate the
maximum aggregate size and mass that can be reached by coagulation in
protoplanetary disks. We model the growth of dust aggregates at 1 AU at the
midplane at three different gas densities. We find that the evolution of the
dust does not follow the previously assumed growth-fragmentation cycles.
Catastrophic fragmentation hardly occurs in the three disk models. Furthermore
we see long lived, quasi-steady states in the distribution function of the
aggregates due to bouncing. We explore how the mass and the porosity change
upon varying the turbulence parameter and by varying the critical mass ratio of
dust particles. Particles reach Stokes numbers of roughly 10^-4 during the
simulations. The particle growth is stopped by bouncing rather than
fragmentation in these models. The final Stokes number of the aggregates is
rather insensitive to the variations of the gas density and the strength of
turbulence. The maximum mass of the particles is limited to approximately 1
gram (chondrule-sized particles). Planetesimal formation can proceed via the
turbulent concentration of these aerodynamically size-sorted chondrule-sized
particles.Comment: accepted for publication in A&
Calculating the hadronic vacuum polarization and leading hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment with improved staggered quarks
We present a lattice calculation of the hadronic vacuum polarization and the
lowest-order hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment, a_\mu
= (g-2)/2, using 2+1 flavors of improved staggered fermions. A precise fit to
the low-q^2 region of the vacuum polarization is necessary to accurately
extract the muon g-2. To obtain this fit, we use staggered chiral perturbation
theory, including the vector particles as resonances, and compare these to
polynomial fits to the lattice data. We discuss the fit results and associated
systematic uncertainties, paying particular attention to the relative
contributions of the pions and vector mesons. Using a single lattice spacing
ensemble (a=0.086 fm), light quark masses as small as roughly one-tenth the
strange quark mass, and volumes as large as (3.4 fm)^3, we find a_\mu^{HLO} =
(713 \pm 15) \times 10^{-10} and (748 \pm 21) \times 10^{-10} where the error
is statistical only and the two values correspond to linear and quadratic
extrapolations in the light quark mass, respectively. Considering systematic
uncertainties not eliminated in this study, we view this as agreement with the
current best calculations using the experimental cross section for e^+e^-
annihilation to hadrons, 692.4 (5.9) (2.4)\times 10^{-10}, and including the
experimental decay rate of the tau lepton to hadrons, 711.0 (5.0)
(0.8)(2.8)\times 10^{-10}. We discuss several ways to improve the current
lattice calculation.Comment: 44 pages, 4 tables, 17 figures, more discussion on matching the chpt
calculation to lattice calculation, typos corrected, refs added, version to
appear in PR
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