Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

The Present And Future Of Qcd, P. Achenbach, D. Adhikari, A. Afanasev, F. Afzal, C. A. Aidala, A. Al-Bataineh, D. K. Almaalol, M. Amaryan, D. Androić, W. R. Armstrong, M. Arratia, J. Arrington, A. Asaturyan, E. C. Aschenauer, H. Atac, H. Avakian, T. Averett, C. Ayerbe Gayoso, X. Bai, M. Zurek, Et. Al.

Physics Faculty Publications

This White Paper presents an overview of the current status and future perspective of QCD research, based on the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the 2022 Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting. We present the progress made in the last decade toward a deep understanding of both the fundamental structure of the sub-atomic matter of nucleon and nucleus in cold QCD, and the hot QCD matter in heavy ion collisions. We identify key questions of QCD research and plausible paths to obtaining answers to those questions in the near future, hence defining priorities of our research over the coming …

Hubble Tension And Gravitational Self-Interaction, Corey Sargent, William Clark, Alexander Deur, Balša Terzić

Physics Faculty Publications

One of the most important problems vexing the ΛCDM cosmological model is the Hubble tension. It arises from the fact that measurements of the present value of the Hubble parameter performed with low-redshift quantities, e.g. the Type IA supernova, tend to yield larger values than measurements from quantities originating at high-redshift, e.g. fits of cosmic microwave background radiation. It is becoming likely that the discrepancy, currently standing at 5σ, is not due to systematic errors in the measurements. Here we explore whether the self-interaction of gravitational fields in General Relativity, which are traditionally neglected when studying the evolution …

Fully Relativistic Derivation Of The Thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect, Balša Terzić, Geoffrey A. Krafft, William Clark, Alexandre Deur, Emerson Rogers, Ioannis Sakiotis, Brandon Velasco

Physics Faculty Publications

We present the first fully and inherently relativistic derivation of the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. This work uses the formalism historically applied to compute radiation spectra emerging from inverse Thomson/Compton sources of x-ray radiation. Comparing our results to the traditional approach based on relativistically-corrected classical Kompaneets equation, we find small, but systematic differences. Most notable are the modest (⩽10%) differences in the crossover frequency where the spectral distortion due to the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect vanishes, and the quadratic scaling of the energy shift with the electron cloud temperatures.

Conventions, Definitions, Identities, And Other Useful Formulae, Robert A. Mcnees Iv

Physics: Faculty Publications and Other Works

As the name suggests, these notes contain a summary of important conventions, definitions, identities, and various formulas that I often refer to. They may prove useful for researchers working in General Relativity, Supergravity, String Theory, Cosmology, and related areas.

Study Of Particle Accelerators In The Universe With The Hawc Observatory, Rishi Babu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

HESS J1809-193 is an unidentified TeV source discovered in 2007 by the High Energy Stereoscopic System(H.E.S.S.) Collaboration. The emission originates in a region that is rich in cosmic-ray accelerators, including several supernova remnants and pulsars, including SNR G11.1+0.1, SNR G11.0-0.0, and the young radio pulsar PSR J1809-1917. Originally classified as a pulsar wind nebula candidate, recent studies show the peak of the TeV region overlapping with a system of molecular clouds and revising the original classification for other scenarios, including a pure hadronic scenario. This dissertation presents the morphological and spectral study of HESS J1809-193 using 2139 days of data …

Ultradeep Atca Imaging Of 47 Tucanae Reveals A Central Compact Radio Source, Alessandro Paduano, Arash Bahramian, James C. A. Miller-Jones, Adela Kawka, Tim J. Galvin, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval, Sebastian Kamann, Jay Strader, Laura Chomiuk, Craig O. Heinke

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the results of an ultradeep radio continuum survey, containing ∼480 hr of observations, of the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tucanae with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. This comprehensive coverage of the cluster allows us to reach rms noise levels of 1.19 μJy beam−1 at 5.5 GHz, 940 nJy beam−1 at 9 GHz, and 790 nJy beam−1 in a stacked 7.25 GHz image. This is the deepest radio image of a globular cluster and the deepest image ever made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We identify ATCA J002405.702-720452.361, a faint (6.3 ± 1.2 μJy at 5.5 …

Studying The Impact Of The Geospace Environment On Solar Lithosphere Coupling And Earthquake Activity, Dimitar Ouzounov, Galina Khachikyan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In solar–terrestrial physics, there is an open question: does a geomagnetic storm affect earthquakes? We expand research in this direction, analyzing the seismic situation after geomagnetic storms (GMs) accompanied by the precipitation of relativistic electrons from the outer radiation belt to form an additional radiation belt (RB) around lower geomagnetic lines. We consider four widely discussed cases in the literature for long-lived (weeks, months) RBs due to GMs and revealed that the 1/GMs 24 March 1991 with a new RB at L~2.6 was followed by an M7.0 earthquake in Alaska, 30 May 1991, near footprint L = 2.69; the 2/GMs …

Radio Insights Into Gamma-Ray Mysteries, Seth M. Bruzewski

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In the time since its launch, the \textit{Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope} has provided new and unparalleled views of the $\gamma$-ray sky, dramatically increasing our understanding of sources of high-energy radiation. During that same time, however, its ``unassociated'' sources have provided a consistent mystery: approximately one third of the modern gamma-ray sky remains completely unaccounted for in other electromagnetic regimes. While some of the fainter sources simply pose challenges in achieving the necessary signal-to-noise ratio, others are well constrained and have resisted traditional investigations for years, and in some cases, for over a decade. Radio astronomy has traditionally been the best …

Modeling Lithographic Quantum Dots And Donors For Quantum Computation And Simulation, Mitchell Ian Brickson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Our first focus is on few-hole quantum dots in germanium. We use discontinous Galerkin methods to discretize and solve the equations of a highly detailed k·p model that describes these systems, enabling a better understanding of experimental magnetospectroscopy results. We confirm the expected anisotropy of single-hole g-factors and describe mechanisms by which different orbital states have different g-factors. Building on this, we show that the g-factors in Ge holes are suciently sensitive to details of the device electrostatics that magnetospectroscopy data can be used to make a prediction of the underlying confinement potential. The second focus is on designing quantum …

Stability Of Metal Fluoride Films When Irradiated With Electron Beam, Devin M. Lewis, Waseem Ashraf

Student Works

LiF is an essential mirror coating for the upcoming LUVOIR space telescope. In order to improve the technology readiness level of this material a study was to be conducted, observing the surface changes of LiF thin films as exposed to humidity for extended periods of time. However, initial attempts to characterize the film with SEM showed that LiF is unstable under all electron beam parameters experimented with. This creates the concern that LiF is also sensitive to other forms of radiation damage. Further investigation may suggest the need to transition to another mirror coating that is more resilient to radiation …

Jwst: Deuterated Pahs, Pah-Nitriles, And Pah 4 Overtone And Combination Bands I: Program Description And First Look, C. Boersma, L. J. Allamandola, Vincent J. Esposito, A. Maragkoudakis, J. D. Bregman, P. Temi, T. J. Lee, R. C. Fortenberry, E. Peeters

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

A first look is taken at the NIRSpec 1–5 μm observations from James Webb Space Telescope program 1591 that targets seven objects along the low-mass stellar life cycle with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission. Spectra extracted from a 1'.'5 radius circular aperture are explored, showing a wealth of features, including the 3 μm PAH complex, the PAH continuum, and atomic and molecular emission lines from H i, He, H₂, and other species. CO₂- and H₂O-ice absorption and CO emission is also seen. Focusing on the bright-PDR position in M17, the PAH CH stretch falls …

Gwtc-3: Compact Binary Coalescences Observed By Ligo And Virgo During The Second Part Of The Third Observing Run, R. Abbott, T. D. Abbott, F. Acernese, K. Ackley, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, F. Llamas, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The third Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog (GWTC-3) describes signals detected with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo up to the end of their third observing run. Updating the previous GWTC-2.1, we present candidate gravitational waves from compact binary coalescences during the second half of the third observing run (O3b) between 1 November 2019, 15∶00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and 27 March 2020, 17∶00 UTC. There are 35 compact binary coalescence candidates identified by at least one of our search algorithms with a probability of astrophysical origin ��astro>0.5. Of these, 18 were previously reported as low-latency public alerts, and 17 are reported …

Gwtc-3: Compact Binary Coalescences Observed By Ligo And Virgo During The Second Part Of The Third Observing Run, R. Abbott, T. Abbott, F. Acernese, K. Ackley, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang, Francisco Llamas

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The third Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog (GWTC-3) describes signals detected with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo up to the end of their third observing run. Updating the previous GWTC-2.1, we present candidate gravitational waves from compact binary coalescences during the second half of the third observing run (O3b) between 1 November 2019, 15 ∶ 00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and 27 March 2020, 17 ∶ 00 UTC. There are 35 compact binary coalescence candidates identified by at least one of our search algorithms with a probability of astrophysical origin p astro > 0.5 . Of these, 18 were previously reported as low-latency …

A Deeper Understanding Of The R Process, Mengke Li

All Dissertations

The overarching aim of my PhD research is to deepen our understanding of r-process nu- cleosynthesis. The initial phase of my work involved developing a Machine Learning-based nuclear mass model, specifically tailored to predict nuclear masses crucial for r-process nucleosynthesis. This model was then applied to simulate the r-process, focusing on neutron-rich nuclei significant to nucleosynthesis. The simulations yielded r-process abundance patterns, extending up to thorium and uranium, that align qualitatively with the observed solar system abundance patterns, with the characteristic peaks well positioned. Advancing our study further, we introduced a novel graph-based methodology named GrRproc for calculating r-process abundances. …

Godel, Escherian Staircase And Possibility Of Quantum Wormhole With Liquid Crystalline Phase Of Iced-Water - Part I: Theoretical Underpinning, Victor Christianto, T. Daniel Chandra, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

As a senior physicist colleague and our friend, Robert N. Boyd, wrote in a journal (JCFA, Vol. 1,. 2, 2022), Our universe is but one page in a large book [4]. For example, things and Beings can travel between Universes, intentionally or unintentionally. In this short remark, we revisit and offer short remark to Neil’s ideas and trying to connect them with geometrization of musical chords as presented by D. Tymoczko and others, then to Escher staircase and then to Jacob’s ladder which seems to point to possibility to interpret Jacob’s vision as described in the ancient book of Genesis …

Godel, Escherian Staircase And Possibility Of Quantum Wormhole With Liquid Crystalline Phase Of Iced-Water - Part Ii: Experiment Description, Victor Christianto, T. Daniel Chandra, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The present article was partly inspired by G. Pollack’s book, and also Dadoloff, Saxena & Jensen (2010). As a senior physicist colleague and our friend, Robert N. Boyd, wrote in a journal (JCFA, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2022), for example, things and Beings can travel between Universes, intentionally or unintentionally [4]. In this short remark, we revisit and offer short remark to Neil Boyd’s ideas and trying to connect them with geometry of musical chords as presented by D. Tymoczko and others, then to Escherian staircase and then to Jacob’s ladder which seems to pointto possibility to interpret Jacob’s vision …

Teaching Introductory Physics In The Context Of Personal And Societal Issues Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Guang Zeng, Liang Zeng

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

This paper reports on introductory physics instruction contextualized in terms of coronavirus-related personal and societal issues. Students in this descriptive qualitative study gained a strong grasp of a range of physics concepts associated with the nature and mechanisms of the spread of the coronavirus, such as projectile motion, air convection, Reynolds number, and Brownian motion; additionally, they were able to discuss the application of physics relevant to the N95 face masks. Students found this pedagogical approach engaging, as shown in their reflective writing.

Wallaby Pre-Pilot Survey: Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies In The Eridanus Supergroup, B.-Q. For, K. Spekkens, L. Staveley-Smith, K. Bekki, A. Karunakaran, B. Catinella, Bärbel S. Koribalski, K. Lee-Waddell, Juan P. Madrid, C. Murugeshan

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present a pilot study of the atomic neutral hydrogen gas (H I) content of ultra-diffuse galaxy (UDG) candidates. In this paper, we use the pre-pilot Eridanus field data from the Widefield ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Blind Survey to search for H I in UDG candidates found in the Systematically Measuring Ultra-diffuse Galaxies survey (SMUDGes). We narrow down to 78 SMUDGes UDG candidates within the maximum radial extents of the Eridanus subgroups for this study. Most SMUDGes UDGs candidates in this study have effective radii smaller than 1.5 kpc and thus fail to meet the defining size threshold. We …

Analytic Distribution Of The Optimal Cross-Correlation Statistic For Stochastic Gravitational-Wave-Background Searches Using Pulsar Timing Arrays, ‪Jeffrey S. Hazboun, Patrick M. Meyers, Joseph D. Romano, Xavier Siemens, Anne M. Archibald

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We show via both analytical calculation and numerical simulation that the optimal cross-correlation statistic (OS) for stochastic gravitational-wave-background (GWB) searches using data from pulsar timing arrays follows a generalized chi-squared (GX2) distribution—i.e., a linear combination of chi-squared distributions with coefficients given by the eigenvalues of the quadratic form defining the statistic. This observation is particularly important for calculating the frequentist statistical significance of a possible GWB detection, which depends on the exact form of the distribution of the OS signal-to-noise ratio ρˆ ≡ Aˆ 2 gw=σ0 in the absence of GW-induced cross correlations (i.e., the null distribution). Previous discussions of …

Coastal Bathymetry Of Uae Using Satellite-Based Remote Sensing Data, Naser Salem Aldahmani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The thesis focuses on studying coastal bathymetry in the United Arab Emirates using satellite images. Developing a coastal bathymetry map in the coastal areas of the United Arab Emirates using optical satellite data and analyzing quality and accuracy. Multiple algorithms are used to draw these maps, and the project involves using the linear scale ratio to derive bathymetry in areas such as Fujairah Port and Dalma Island using Sentinel-2 images. Multiple tools in the SNAP application platform were used to perform these operations, including atmospheric correction, resampling, ground masking, sunshine removal, and dark object subtraction. Finally, the Sen2coral plugin was …

Employing A Fractional Basis Set To Solve Nonlinear Multidimensional Fractional Differential Equations, Md. Habibur Rahman, Muhammad I. Bhatti, Nicholas Dimakis

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Fractional-order partial differential equations have gained significant attention due to their wide range of applications in various fields. This paper employed a novel technique for solving nonlinear multidimensional fractional differential equations by means of a modified version of the Bernstein polynomials called the Bhatti-fractional polynomials basis set. The method involved approximating the desired solution and treated the resulting equation as a matrix equation. All fractional derivatives are considered in the Caputo sense. The resulting operational matrix was inverted, and the desired solution was obtained. The effectiveness of the method was demonstrated by solving two specific types of nonlinear multidimensional fractional …

Radio Emission From Low Mass Active Galactic Nuclei, Ammara Aftab

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Massive black holes of a few million to billion solar masses lurk at the centers of the most present-day massive galaxies but their origin is still unknown. The low mass galaxies (M* ~ 3x10⁹ M_ʘ ) hosting black holes with masses ranging from 10³ to 10⁵ M_ʘ are ideal laboratories to test the models of black hole formation and they may help in understanding the coevolution of central black holes with their host galaxies. In this thesis, we have developed a detailed theoretical model/framework to estimate the radio emission from low mass active galactic nuclei …

Commissioning Of The Uaeu Radio Array And Pilot Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy Studies, Aisha Ali Alnaqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

As part of the UAEU Radio Astronomy Pathway Project, a 256-element Ground-based Radio Array Facility was deployed at the UAEU. A comprehensive exploration of radio astronomy, and investigations on existing radio arrays, emphasizing low-frequency radio signals and the challenges faced at this range, are crucial for the commissioning phase of the array. A core aspect discussed is the vital role of coaxial cables in preserving the integrity of low-frequency radio signals. To address the electrical length differences between the coaxial cable pairs used to connect the array’s beamformers in the field to the beamformer controllers in the control room, precise …

Estimating Mars Surface Wind Stress And Dust Lifting Using Reanalyses Based On Emm And Other Spacecraft Observations, Haneen Edhar Abouhaligah

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Dust is the primary aerosol in Mars’ atmosphere and has strong interactions with visible light from the Sun and infrared emission from the surface and air. Understanding dust dynamics in the Martian atmosphere is critical for our understanding of its weather and climate. The rate at which dust is lifted from the surface at different locations is very difficult to measure yet determines the amount of dust in the atmosphere at any given time. This thesis investigates the role of near-surface wind stress (NSWS) and dust lifting rates, using six reanalysis datasets, respectively: MACDA, EMARS, OpenMARS, ACS-TIRVIM (ExoMars observations of …

Radio Emission From Low-Mass Active Galactic Nuclei, Ammara Aftab

Theses

Massive black holes of a few million to billion solar masses lurk at the centers of the most present-day massive galaxies but their origin is still unknown. The low mass galaxies (M* ~ 3x10⁹ Mʘ ) hosting black holes with masses ranging from 10³ to 10⁵ Mʘ are ideal laboratories to test the models of black hole formation and they may help in understanding the co-evolution of central black holes with their host galaxies. In this thesis, we have developed a detailed theoretical model/framework to estimate the radio emission from low-mass active galactic nuclei (AGN). We also …

Coastal Bathymetry Of The United Arab Emirates Using Satellite-Based Remote Sensing Data, Naser Salem Aldahmani

Theses

Bathymetry is the study of the bed under the water's surface, giving us the water's depth. The Thesis will be about studying the coastal area of the UAE by using satellite images that can help access large regions of the UAE Coast. Also, by using a history of 5 years of satellite visible bands and NIR images, we can see the change of depth near the coastal. The benefit of that study will help to build ship baths through shallow water and to go in and out of ports of UAE. Early warnings of the sea level increasing near the …

Exiting Inflation With A Smooth Scale Factor, Harry Oslislo, Brett Altschul

Faculty Publications

The expectation that the physical expansion of space occurs smoothly may be expressed mathematically as a requirement for continuity in the time derivative of the metric scale factor of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker cosmology. We explore the consequences of imposing such a smoothness requirement, examining the forms of possible interpolating functions between the end of inflation and subsequent radiation- or matter-dominated eras, using a straightforward geometric model of the interpolating behavior. We quantify the magnitude of the cusp found in a direct transition from the end of slow-roll inflation to the subsequent era, analyze the validity of several smooth interpolator candidates, and …

Broadband Quantum Enhancement Of The Ligo Detectors With Frequency-Dependent Squeezing, D. Ganapathy, W. Jia, M. Nakano, V. Xu, N. Aritomi, T. Cullen, N. Kijbunchoo, S. E. Dwyer, Francisco Llamas, Volker Quetschke

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Quantum noise imposes a fundamental limitation on the sensitivity of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors like LIGO, manifesting as shot noise and quantum radiation pressure noise. Here, we present the first realization of frequency-dependent squeezing in full-scale gravitational-wave detectors, resulting in the reduction of both shot noise and quantum radiation pressure noise, with broadband detector enhancement from tens of hertz to several kilohertz. In the LIGO Hanford detector, squeezing reduced the detector noise amplitude by a factor of 1.6 (4.0 dB) near 1 kHz; in the Livingston detector, the noise reduction was a factor of 1.9 (5.8 dB). These improvements directly impact …

Understanding The Nature Of Pulsars And Characterizing Propagation Effects Using Pulsar Timing, Pratik Kumar

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Pulsars are highly magnetized stellar remnants, among the densest known objects, and primarily produce radio emission in the form of lighthouse beams sweeping across the line of sight as a regular train of pulses. Apart from providing tests for matter in high-density regimes, general relativity, and plasma emission; perhaps the most notable characteristic is their applicability as precise astronomical clocks to measure various effects. Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) are galactic scale detectors analogous to ground-based detectors of Gravitational Waves (GWs) like LIGO, with the aim of detecting low-frequency nano-Hz GWs from coalescing binary supermassive black holes. PTAs consist of a …

A Framework To Validate Fluorescently Labeled Dna-Binding Proteins For Single-Molecule Experiments, Miranda Molina, Lindsey E. Way, Zhongqing Ren, Qin Liao, Bianca Guerra, Brandon Shields, Xindan Wang, Hyeongjun Kim

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Highlights

• KCK tag can alter protein properties both quantitatively and qualitatively

• Electrostatic interactions between the KCK tag and DNA contribute to the artifacts

• Adding a short peptide tag to ParB protein does not lead to its in vivo changes

• Single-molecule DNA flow-stretching assay can detect protein property changes

Motivation

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy has been extensively used in modern biology to define the molecular action of proteins. Appending short peptide tags is a common strategy to enhance fluorescence labeling. Here, we evaluate the impact of a commonly used tag, the lysine-cysteine-lysine (KCK) tag, on protein behavior in single-molecule DNA flow-stretching assay, …