Parallel Fully-Implicit Computation of Magnetohydrodynamics Acceleration Experiments

A three-dimensional MHD solver is described in the paper. The solver simulates reacting flows with nonequilibrium between translational-rotational, vibrational and electron translational modes. The conservation equations are discretized with implicit time marching and the second-order modified Steger-Warming scheme, and the resulted linear system is solved iteratively with Newton-Krylov-Schwarz method that is implemented by PETS,: package. The results of convergence tests arc plotted, which show good scalability and convergence around twice faster when compared with the DPLR method. Then five test runs are conducted simulating the experiments done at the NASA Ames MHD channel, and the calculated pressures, temperatures, electrical conductivity, back EMF, load factors and flow accelerations are shown to agree with the experimental data. Our computation shows that the electrical conductivity distribution is not uniform in the powered section of the MHD channel, and that it is important to include Joule heating in order to calculate the correct conductivity and the MHD acceleration.

gamma-vibrational states in superheavy nuclei

Recent experimental advances have made it possible to study excited structure in superheavy nuclei. The observed states have often been interpreted as quasiparticle excitations. We show that in superheavy nuclei collective vibrations systematically appear as low-energy excitation modes. By using the microscopic Triaxial Projected Shell Model, we make a detailed prediction on gamma-vibrational states and their E2 transition probabilities to the ground state band in fermium and nobelium isotopes where active structure research is going on, and in (270)Ds, the heaviest isotope where decay data have been obtained for the ground-state and for an isomeric state.

High-spin structure in Pt-187

High-spin states in Pt-187 were studied via the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) reaction. Rotational bands based on the vi(13/2), v7/2(-)[503], vi(13/2)(2)vj, v3/2(-)[512] and v1/2(-)[521] configurations were observed, and interpreted within the framework of the cranked shell model. The TRS calculations show that the vi(13/2) band has an appreciable negative gamma deformation, and the negative-parity bands tend to have a near prolate shape with small positive gamma values. Experimental values of B(M1)/B(E2) ratios have been extracted and compared with theoretical values from the semi-classical Donau and Frauendof approach, strongly suggesting a low frequency pi h(9/2) alignment in the v7/2(-)[503] band.

Band properties of the transitional nucleus Pt-187

High-spin states in Pt-187 have been studied experimentally using the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) reaction at beam energies of 78 and 85 MeV. The previously known bands based on the nu i(13/2),nu 7/2(-)[503], and nu i(13/2)(2)nu j configurations have been extended to high-spin states, and new rotational bands associated with the nu 3/2(-)[512] and nu 1/2(-)[521] Nilsson orbits have been identified. The total Routhian surface calculations indicate that the transitional nucleus Pt-187 is very soft with respect to beta and gamma deformations. The band properties, such as level spacings, band crossing frequencies, alignment gains, and signature splittings, have been compared with the systematics observed in neighboring nuclei and have been interpreted within the framework of the cranked shell model. The rotational bands show different band crossing frequencies, which can be explained by the alignment either of i(13/2) neutrons or of h(9/2) protons. Importantly, evidence is presented for a pi h(9/2) alignment at very low frequency in the nu 7/2(-)[503] band. The proton nature of the band crossing is strongly suggested by comparing the measured B(M1;I -> I-1)/B(E2;I -> I-2) ratios with the theoretical values from the semiclassical Donau and Frauendof approach.

Observation of negative-parity high spin states of Cs-126

The nucleus Cs-126 was investigated by means of in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques using the Nordball detector system at the Niels Bohr Institute. Excited states of Cs-126 were populated via the Cd-116(N-14, 4n)Cs-126 reaction at a beam energy of 65 MeV. The Cs-126 level scheme was considerably extended, especially at negative parity and about 40 new levels and 70 new transitions were added into the level scheme. The previously reported negative-parity rotational bands, built on pi g(7/2)circle times nu h(11/2),pi d(5/2)circle times nu h(11/2),pi h(11/2)circle times nu g(7/2), and pi h(11/2)circle times nu d(5/2) configurations, have been extended and evolve into bands involving rotationally aligned (pi h(11/2))(2) and (nu h(11/2))(2) quasiparticles. Two new rotational bands have been tentatively assigned the pi h(11/2)circle times nu s(1/2) and pi g(9/2)circle times nu h(11/2) configurations, respectively