1. Probing dark matter and fundamental physics with the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayFabio Iocco, Manuel Meyer, M. Doro, Werner Hofmann, Judit Pérez Romero, Gabrijela Zaharijas, A. Aguirre-Santaella, E. Amato, E. O. Angüner, Christopher Eckner, 2021, other component parts Abstract: Astrophysical observations provide strong evidence that more than 80% of all matter in the Universe is in the form of dark matter (DM). Two leading candidates of particles beyond the Standard Model that could constitute all or a fraction of the DM content are the so-called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and Axion-Like Particles (ALPs). The upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array, which will observe gamma rays between 20 GeV and 300 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity, will have unique capabilities to search for these DM candidates. A particularly promising target for WIMP searches is the Galactic Center. WIMPs with annihilation cross sections correctly producing the DM relic density will be detectable with CTA, assuming an Einasto-like density profile and WIMP masses between 200 GeV and 10 TeV. Regarding new physics beyond DM, CTA observations will also enable tests of fundamental symmetries of nature such as Lorentz invariance.
Keywords: dark matter, weakly interacting massive particles, axion-like particles, fundamental physics, Lorentz invariance, Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory
Published in RUNG: 09.01.2025; Views: 676; Downloads: 5
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2. Probing Iceland's dust-emitting sediments: : particle size distribution, mineralogy, cohesion, Fe mode of occurrence, and reflectance spectra signaturesAdolfo Gonzalez-Romero, Cristina González-Flórez, Agnesh Panta, Jesús Yus-Díez, Patricia Córdoba, Andrés Alastuey, Natalia Moreno, Konrad Kandler, Martina Klose, Roger N. Clark, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Abstract. Characterising the physico-chemical properties of dust-emitting sediments in arid regions is fundamental to understanding the effects of dust on climate and ecosystems. However, knowledge regarding high-latitude dust (HLD) remains limited. This study focuses on analysing the particle size distribution (PSD), mineralogy, cohesion, iron (Fe) mode of occurrence, and visible–near infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectra of dust-emitting sediments from dust hotspots in Iceland (HLD region). Extensive analysis was conducted on samples of top sediments, sediments, and aeolian ripples collected from seven dust sources, with particular emphasis on the Jökulsá basin, encompassing the desert of Dyngjunsandur. Both fully and minimally dispersed PSDs and their respective mass median particle diameters revealed remarkable similarities (56 ± 69 and 55 ± 62 µm, respectively). Mineralogical analyses indicated the prevalence of amorphous phases (68 ± 26 %), feldspars (17 ± 13 %), and pyroxenes (9.3 ± 7.2 %), consistent with thorough analyses of VNIR reflectance spectra. The Fe content reached 9.5 ± 0.40 wt %, predominantly within silicate structures (80 ± 6.3 %), complemented by magnetite (16 ± 5.5 %), hematite/goethite (4.5 ± 2.7 %), and readily exchangeable Fe ions or Fe nano-oxides (1.6 ± 0.63 %). Icelandic top sediments exhibited coarser PSDs compared to the high dust-emitting crusts from mid-latitude arid regions, distinctive mineralogy, and a 3-fold bulk Fe content, with a significant presence of magnetite. The congruence between fully and minimally dispersed PSDs underscores reduced particle aggregation and cohesion of Icelandic top sediments, suggesting that aerodynamic entrainment of dust could also play a role upon emission in this region, alongside saltation bombardment. The extensive analysis in Dyngjusandur enabled the development of a conceptual model to encapsulate Iceland's rapidly evolving high dust-emitting environments.
Keywords: mineral dust, high-latitude dust, Icelandic dust, aerosol particles
Published in RUNG: 29.11.2024; Views: 918; Downloads: 5
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3. Testing cosmology and fundamental physics with the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayH. Martínez-Huerta, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground-based observatory for γ-ray astronomy at energies above 30 GeV. Thanks to its unique capabilities, CTA observations will
address a plethora of open questions in astrophysics, ranging from the origin of cosmic messengers to the exploration of the frontiers of physics. In this note, we present a comprehensive sensitivity study to assess the potential of CTA to measure the γ-ray absorption on the extragalactic background light (EBL), to constrain or detect intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs), and probe physics beyond the standard model such as axion-like particles (ALPs) and Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which could modify the γ-ray spectra features expected from EBL absorption. Our results suggest that CTA will have unprecedented sensitivity to detect IGMF signatures and will probe so-far unexplored regions of the LIV and ALP parameter space. Furthermore, an indirect measurement of the EBL and of its evolution will be performed with unrivaled precision.
Keywords: very-high-energy gamma rays, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, extragalactic background light (EBL), intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs), axion-like particles (ALPs), Lorentz invariance violation (LIV)
Published in RUNG: 07.11.2024; Views: 823; Downloads: 5
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4. Degradation of microplastics in the environment : dissertationVaibhav Budhiraja, 2024, doctoral dissertation Abstract: Plastics are based on organic polymers that are sensitive to the environment in which they find themselves and will gradually decay through a variety of chemical reactions. This process is of great importance for the transformation and persistence of microplastics (MPs) that pollute the environment. The rate of degradation depends on two major factors: Firstly, the intrinsic properties of the polymers, such as chemical structure, molecular weight, crystallinity and the presence of additives, fillers or reinforcement and secondly, the environment to which they are exposed. The degradation rate of plastic will vary in different environmental matrices like soil, freshwater, seawater, wastewater, land etc., as well as in diverse environmental conditions like UV radiation, temperature, humidity, the effect of pollutants etc. Plastic mainly undergoes two fundamental reactions: oxidation and hydrolysis and the chemical structure of the polymer and its additives plays a key role in the degradation mechanism of plastic. Polyolefins having a carbon-only main chain are resistant to hydrolysis but susceptible to oxidation, whereas polyesters and polyamides containing heteroatoms are sensitive to hydrolysis and much more resistant to oxidation.
In the context of the present work, five different studies were done involving both naturally degraded plastic and accelerated weathering of plastics in the form of small particles, MPs. In the first study, natural degraded polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) samples with a life span of more than forty years were collected from the environment and their physiochemical properties were analysed. The results show that red coloured PE samples were more degraded as compared to blue coloured samples, indicating that pigment plays a key role in the degradation. The PP sample shows extreme surface degradation, leading to fragmentation and the generation of MPs. In the second study, the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation on MPs in waste water treatment plant sludge was evaluated. PE, PP, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide were extracted from the sludge. It was found that hydrodynamic cavitation does not disintegrate the MPs, although it removes some toxic metals and shows cell disruption mechanisms.
Other studies were done with accelerated weathered MPs, which include PE, PP and tire wear particles (TWP), that were treated in accordance with an ISO 4892 standard weathering procedure that mimics natural weathered conditions. In the third study, we used weathered PE films to evaluate the synergistic adsorption behaviour of two pollutants, namely triclosan (TCS) and methylparaben (MeP). It was found that weathered MPs adsorb more pollutants and the adsorption behaviour of TCS is enhanced in the presence of MeP. In the fourth study, the magnetic extraction of pristine and weathered PE and TWP particles was performed. The results confirmed that the magnetic
VI
extraction of weathered MPs is difficult as compared to pristine MPs as their surface becomes more hydrophilic with weathering. In the fifth study, the effect of weathering on the density of PE and PP was evaluated. We found that weathering enhances the density of polyolefins, which is one of the main reasons for the observed sinking of polyolefin MPs in water.
Keywords: accelerated weathering, aging, density, magnetic separation, pigment, plastic degradation, pollutants, polyethylene, polyolefin, polypropylene, sinking, tire wear particles, dissertations
Published in RUNG: 04.06.2024; Views: 3813; Downloads: 14
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5. Formation and growth of atmospheric nanoparticles in the eastern Mediterranean : results from long-term measurements and process simulationsNikos Kalivitis, Veli-Matti Kerminen, Giorgos Kouvarakis, Iasonas Stavroulas, Evaggelia Tzitzikalaki, Panayiotis Kalkavouras, Nikos Daskalakis, Stelios Myriokefalitakis, Aikaterini Bougiatioti, Hanna E. Manninen, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) is a common phenomenon all over
the world. In this study we present the longest time series of NPF records in
the eastern Mediterranean region by analyzing 10 years of aerosol number size
distribution data obtained with a mobility particle sizer. The measurements
were performed at the Finokalia environmental research station on Crete,
Greece, during the period June 2008–June 2018. We found that NPF took place
on 27 % of the available days, undefined days were 23 % and non-event
days 50 %. NPF is more frequent in April and May probably due to the
terrestrial biogenic activity and is less frequent in August. Throughout the
period under study, nucleation was observed also during the night. Nucleation
mode particles had the highest concentration in winter and early spring,
mainly because of the minimum sinks, and their average contribution to the
total particle number concentration was 8 %. Nucleation mode particle
concentrations were low outside periods of active NPF and growth, so there
are hardly any other local sources of sub-25 nm particles. Additional
atmospheric ion size distribution data simultaneously collected for more than
2 years were also analyzed. Classification of NPF events based on ion
spectrometer measurements differed from the corresponding classification
based on a mobility spectrometer, possibly indicating a different
representation of local and regional NPF events between these two measurement
data sets. We used the MALTE-Box model
for simulating a case study of NPF in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Monoterpenes contributing to NPF can explain a large fraction of the observed
NPF events according to our model simulations. However the adjusted
parameterization resulting from our sensitivity tests was significantly
different from the initial one that had been determined for the boreal
environment.
Keywords: particles, number size distributions, new particle formation, regional background, SMPS, Eastern Mediterannean
Published in RUNG: 10.05.2024; Views: 1345; Downloads: 6
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8. Insights into the size-resolved dust emission from field measurements in the Moroccan SaharaCristina González-Flórez, Martina Klose, Andrés Alastuey, Sylvain Dupont, Jerónimo Escribano, Vicken Etyemezian, Adolfo Gonzalez-Romero, Yue Huang, Konrad Kandler, Jesús Yus-Díez, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Atmospheric mineral dust consists of tiny mineral particles that are emitted by wind erosion from arid regions. Its particle size distribution (PSD) affects its impact on the Earth's system. Nowadays, there is an incomplete understanding of the emitted dust PSD and a lot of debate about its variability. Here, we try to address these issues based on the measurements performed during a wind erosion and dust emission field campaign in the Moroccan Sahara within the framework of FRAGMENT project.
Keywords: aerosol particles, mineral dust, emission processes, climate
Published in RUNG: 23.10.2023; Views: 2456; Downloads: 7
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9. Constraints on BSM particles from the absence of upward-going air showers in the Pierre Auger ObservatoryBaobiao Yue, Andrej Filipčič, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Fluorescence Detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory has a large exposure to search for upward-going showers. Constraints have been recently obtained by using 14 years of FD data searching for upward-going showers in the zenith angle range [110◦, 180◦]. In this work, we translate these bounds to upper limits of a possible flux of ultra high energy tau-leptons escaping from the Earth into the atmosphere. Such a mechanism could explain the observation of "anomalous pulses" made by ANITA, that indicated the existence of upward-going air showers with energies above 10[sup]17 eV. As tau neutrinos would be absorbed within the Earth at the deduced
angles and energies, a flux of upward-going taus could only be resulted from an unknown type of ultra high energy Beyond Standard Model particle penetrating the Earth with little attenuation, and then creating tau-leptons through interactions within a maximum depth of about 50 km before exiting. We test classes of such models in a generic way and determine upper flux limits of ultra high energy BSM particles as a function of their unknown cross section with matter.
Keywords: ultra-high energy cosmic rays, Pierre Auger Observatory, fluorescence detector, upward-going air showers, Beyond Standard Model particles
Published in RUNG: 26.09.2023; Views: 2333; Downloads: 33
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10. ENSURING TECHNICAL CLEANLINESS OF STATOR PACKSRasheed Pattan, 2022, master's thesis Abstract: Metal stamping is a cold-forming process that uses dies and stamping presses to convert sheet metal into desired geometries. The metal stamping process leaves residues on stamped components such as releasing agents, metal shavings, and other contaminants as they exit the press. These impurities hinder the functionality of the components. Therefore, they are required to be eliminated before the stamped sheets are assembled on the production line. Contaminant metal particles on the surfaces hinder the functionality of the components and eventually promote mechanical wear between the moving parts. It is consequently difficult to eradicate contaminants, as their adhesion is inevitable, the contaminants being at a range of a few micrometres to sub-micrometres. The myriad shape configuration of the present metallic and non-metallic contaminants posed a challenge to reaching the cleanliness standards desired by the quality of the product. We aim to develop an automated decontamination process to improve product quality, with an optimized production cycle, and cost-effectiveness. Fibres non-metallic particles are also necessarily rid from the surfaces of the component. In this study, the prime focus is on metallic contaminants, excluding the non-metallic fibrous contaminants that were present. Three viable techniques are opted for based on their feasibility on production line incorporation potential. Namely, Mechanical vibration, Pressurized air-blowing, and Ultrasonic cleaning. However, to achieve the greatest possible outcome, the three different techniques are weighed against each other.
Keywords: Components, Ultrasonic, Vibration, Air-blow, Metallic Particles, Contamination, Technical Cleanliness, Lamination.
Published in RUNG: 26.08.2022; Views: 2521; Downloads: 57
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