118827473
Limits to solar cycle predictability: Cross-equatorial flux plumes
Context. Within the Babcock-Leighton framework for the solar dynamo, the strength of a cycle is expected to depend on the strength of the dipole moment or net hemispheric flux during the preceding minimum, which depends on how much flux was present in each hemisphere at the start of the previous cycle and how much net magnetic flux was transported across the equator during the cycle. Some of this transport is associated with the random walk of magnetic flux tubes subject to granular and supergranular buffeting, some of it is due to the advection caused by systematic cross-equatorial flows such as those associated with the inflows into active regions, and some crosses the equator during the emergence process. Aims. We aim to determine how much of the cross-equatorial transport is due to small-scale disorganized motions (treated as diffusion) compared with other processes such as emergence flux across the equator. Methods. We measure the cross-equatorial flux transport using Kitt Peak synoptic magnetograms, estimating both the total and diffusive fluxes. Results. Occasionally a large sunspot group, with a large tilt angle emerges crossing the equator, with flux from the two polarities in opposite hemispheres. The largest of these events carry a substantial amount of flux across the equator (compared to the magnetic flux near the poles). We call such events cross-equatorial flux plumes. There are very few such large events during a cycle, which introduces an uncertainty into the determination of the amount of magnetic flux transported across the equator in any particular cycle. As the amount of flux which crosses the equator determines the amount of net flux in each hemisphere, it follows that the cross-equatorial plumes introduce an uncertainty in the prediction of the net flux in each hemisphere. This leads to an uncertainty in predictions of the strength of the following cycle.
118409272
The effect of activity-related meridional flow modulation on the strength of the solar polar magnetic field
We studied the effect of the perturbation of the meridional flow in the activity belts detected by local helioseismology on the development and strength of the surface magnetic field at the polar caps. We carried out simulations of synthetic solar cycles with a flux transport model, which follows the cyclic evolution of the surface field determined by flux emergence and advective transport by near-surface flows. In each hemisphere, an axisymmetric band of latitudinal flows converging toward the central latitude of the activity belt was superposed onto the background poleward meridional flow. The overall effect of the flow perturbation is to reduce the latitudinal separation of the magnetic polarities of a bipolar magnetic region and thus diminish its contribution to the polar field. As a result, the polar field maximum reached around cycle activity minimum is weakened by the presence of the meridional flow perturbation. For a flow perturbation consistent with helioseismic observations, the polar field is reduced by about 18% compared to the case without inflows. If the amplitude of the flow perturbation depends on the cycle strength, its effect on the polar field provides a nonlinearity that could contribute to limiting the amplitude of a Babcock-Leighton type dynamo.
119415188
Signals for CP violation in split supersymmetry
Abstract Split supersymmetry is characterized by relatively light chargino and neutralino sector and very heavy sfermion sector. We study the consequence of CP violation in this scenario by evaluating two-loop contributions to electric dipole moments of fermions from Higgs-photon as well as W – W diagrams. These contributions add coherently and produce electron and neutron electric dipole moments close to present bounds. We then explore Higgs production at a photon–photon collider, and consider the feasibility of measuring CP violating h γ γ coupling induced by chargino loops. Methods of enhancing the sensitivity are discussed. For lower chargino masses and lower Higgs boson masses, the effect of the CP violation can be observed with 90% confidence level significance.
118692889
Determination of tan beta at a future e+e- linear collider
It is widely stated that the ratio of neutral Higgs field vacuum expectation values, $\tanb$, is one of the most difficult parameters to determine in either the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) or a general type-II Two-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM). Assuming an energy and integrated luminosity of $\rts=500\gev$ and $\call=2000\fbi$, we show that a very accurate determination of $\tanb$ will often be possible using Higgs production rates and/or Higgs decays. Based on a TESLA simulation, and assuming no other light Higgs bosons and $100\leq m_A \leq 200\gev$, we find that the rate for the process $\epem\to b\anti b A \to b\anti b b\anti b$ provides an excellent determination of $\tanb$ at high $\tanb$. In the MSSM Higgs sector, the rate for $\epem\to b\anti b A+ b\anti b H \to b\anti b b\anti b$ ($\epem\to HA \to b\anti b b\anti b$) provides a good determination of $\tanb$ at high (low) $\tanb$, respectively, at moderate $m_A$ values. We also show that direct measurement of the average total width of the $H$ and $A$ in $\epem\to HA \to b\anti b b\anti b$ events provides an excellent determination of $\tanb$ at large $\tanb$.
16282327
Modeling the Sun's open magnetic flux and the heliospheric current sheet
By coupling a solar surface flux transport model with an extrapolation of the heliospheric field, we simulate the evolution of the Sun's open magnetic flux and the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) based on observational data of sunspot groups since 1976. The results are consistent with measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field near Earth and with the tilt angle of the HCS as derived from extrapolation of the observed solar surface field. This opens the possibility for an improved reconstruction of the Sun's open flux and the HCS into the past on the basis of empirical sunspot data.
118851397
CP-Violating Phases in SUSY, Electric Dipole Moments, and Linear Colliders
We reexamine large CP-violating phases in the general Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, as well as more restricted models. We perform a detailed scan over parameter space to find solutions which satisfy the current experimental limits on the electric dipole moments of the electron, neutron and $^{199}$Hg atom, exploring the allowed configurations of phases and masses, and we attempt to quantify the level of tuning of the parameters necessary to populate the regions of cancellations. We then consider the measurement of CP-violating phases at a future linear collider. We find that measurements of chargino and neutralino masses and production cross-sections allow for a determination of $\phi_1$(the phase of $M_1$) to a precision of $\pi/30$, while the EDM constraints require that $\theta_\mu$ be too small to be measured. Using the EDM constraints we find that the CP-even model parameters and the phase $\phi_1$ can be determined at a Linear Collider with $400 \gev$ c.m. energy. As long as some information on the size of $|\mu|$ is included in the observables, a measurement of $\phi_1$ is guaranteed for $\phi_1>\pi/10$. To unambiguously identify CP violation, we construct CP-odd kinematical variables at a linear collider. However, the CP asymmetries are rather small, typically about $0.1-1.5%$, and it will be challenging to experimentally observe the predicted asymmetries.
118289508
A transformative superconducting magnet technology for fields well above 30 T using isotropic round wire multifilament Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x conductor
We report here that magnetic fields of almost 34 T, far above the upper 24 T limit of Nb3Sn, can be generated using a multifilament round wire conductor made of the high temperature cuprate superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x (Bi-2212). A remarkable attribute of this Bi-2212 conductor is that it does not exhibit macroscopic texture and contains many high angle grain boundaries but nevertheless attains very high superconducting critical current densities Jc of 2500 A/mm2 at 20 T and 4.2 K. This Bi-2212 conductor does not possess the extreme texture that high Jc coated conductors of REBa2Cu3O7-x (REBCO) require, avoiding also its high aspect ratio, large superconducting anisotropy and the inherent sensitivity to defects of a single filament conductor. Bi-2212 wires can be wound or cabled into almost any type of superconducting magnet and will be especially valuable for very high field NMR magnets beyond the present 1 GHz proton resonance limit of Nb3Sn technology. This demonstration that grain boundary limits to high Jc can be practically overcome suggests the huge value of a renewed focus on grain boundary properties in non-ideal geometries, especially with the goal of translating the lessons of this Bi-2212 conductor into fabrication of multifilament round wire REBCO or Fe-based superconductors.
45695550
Evidence for length-dependent wire expansion, filament dedensification and consequent degradation of critical current density in Ag-alloy sheathed Bi-2212 wires
It is well known that longer Bi-2212 conductors have significantly lower critical current density (Jc) than shorter ones, and recently it has become clear that a major cause of this reduction is internal gas pressure generated during heat treatment, which expands the wire diameter and dedensifies the Bi-2212 filaments. Here we report on the length-dependent expansion of 5–240 cm lengths of state-of-the-art, commercial Ag alloy sheathed Bi-2212 wire after full and some partial heat treatments. Detailed image analysis along the wire length shows that the wire diameter increases with distance from the ends, longer samples often showing evident damage and leaks provoked by the internal gas pressure. Comparison of heat treatments carried out just below the melting point and with the usual melt process makes it clear that melting is crucial to developing high internal pressure. The decay of Jc away from the ends is directly correlated to the local wire diameter increase, which decreases the local Bi-2212 filament mass density and lowers Jc, often by well over 50%. It is clear that control of the internal gas pressure is crucial to attaining the full Jc of these very promising round wires and that the very variable properties of Bi-2212 wires are due to the fact that this internal gas pressure has so far not been well controlled.
8278234
High Field Magnets With HTS Conductors
Development of high-field magnets using high temperature superconductors (HTS) is a core activity at the NHMFL. Magnet technology based on both YBCO-coated tape conductors and Bi-2212 round wires is being pursued. Two specific projects are underway. The first is a user magnet with a 17 T YBCO coil set which, inside an LTS outsert, will generate a combined field of 32 T. The second is a 7 T Bi2212 demonstration coil set to be operated in a large bore resistive magnet to generate a combined magnetic field of 25 T. Owing to the substantial technological differences of the two conductor types, each project faces different conductor and magnet technology challenges. Two small coils have been tested in a 38-mm cold bore cryostat inserted in a 31 T resistive magnet: a Bi2212 round-wire layer-wound insert coil that generated 1.1 T for a total of 32.1 T and a YBCO double-pancake insert that generated 2.8 T for a total central field of 33.8 T. Four larger layer-wound coils have been manufactured and tested in a 20 T, 186-mm cold bore resistive magnet: a sizeable Bi-2212 coil and three thin large-diameter YBCO coils. The test results are discussed. The current densities and stress levels that these coils tolerate underpin our conviction that >30 T all-superconducting magnets are viable.
205409621
Isotropic round-wire multifilament cuprate superconductor for generation of magnetic fields above 30 T.
Magnets are the principal market for superconductors, but making attractive conductors out of the high-temperature cuprate superconductors (HTSs) has proved difficult because of the presence of high-angle grain boundaries that are generally believed to lower the critical current density, J(c). To minimize such grain boundary obstacles, HTS conductors such as REBa2Cu3O(7-x) and (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O(10-x) are both made as tapes with a high aspect ratio and a large superconducting anisotropy. Here we report that Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8-x) (Bi-2212) can be made in the much more desirable isotropic, round-wire, multifilament form that can be wound or cabled into arbitrary geometries and will be especially valuable for high-field NMR magnets beyond the present 1 GHz proton resonance limit of Nb3Sn technology. An appealing attribute of this Bi-2212 conductor is that, being without macroscopic texture, it contains many high-angle grain boundaries but nevertheless attains a very high J(c) of 2,500 A mm(-2) at 20 T and 4.2 K. The large potential of the conductor has been demonstrated by building a small coil that generated almost 2.6 T in a 31 T background field. This demonstration that grain boundary limits to high Jc can be practically overcome underlines the value of a renewed focus on grain boundary properties in non-ideal geometries.
139229583
Tests of HTS insert coils above 30 T
Recently HTS insert coils have been operated in background magnetic fields over 30 T, reaching record values for the central magnetic field. One YBCO double pancake coil generated 2.8 T in a 31 T background for a total of 33.8 T. A Bi-2212 layer wound coil generated 1.1 T in a 31 T background for a total of 32.1 T. Here we report on the test set-up and the obtained results. Introduction •Goal: demonstrate the suitability of HTS conductors > 30 T •Two insert coils are built and tested in a background magnetic field of 31 T. 1) YBCO insert coil with commercial conductor from SuperPower Inc. 2) Bi-2212 coil using commercial φ 1 mm wire from Oxford Instruments, Superconducting Technology (OST). •Coils are wound and tested at the NHMFL in a 31 T resistive magnet with a 39 mm diameter cryostat. •HTS coils were protected with a quench detection system, circuit breakers and a 0.5 Ohm dump resistor units YBCO coil Bi-2212 coil Conductor 4 by 0.1 mm tape φ 1 mm wire Insulation varnish ceramic braid Impregnation none Epoxy VPI Conductor length m 36 66 Self-inductance mH 1.9 2.6 Field constant mT/A 8.7 9.1 Typical Ic A 120 A at 77 K, SF 330 A at 4.2 K, 5T