arXiv subjects

P. Salas

Publications and source records attributed to P. Salas.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Environmental impact assessment for climate change policy with the simulation-based integrated assessment model E3ME-FTT-GENIE

A high degree of consensus exists in the climate sciences over the role that human interference with the atmosphere is playing in changing the climate. Following the Paris Agreement, a similar consensus exists in the policy community over the urgency of policy solutions to the climate problem. The context for climate policy is thus moving from agenda setting, which has now been mostly established, to impact assessment, in which we identify policy pathways to implement the Paris Agreement. Most integrated assessment models currently used to address the economic and technical feasibility of avoiding climate change are based on engineering perspectives with a normative systems optimisation philosophy, suitable for agenda setting, but unsuitable to assess the socio-economic impacts of a realistic baskets of climate policies. Here, we introduce a fully descriptive, simulation-based integrated assessment model designed specifically to assess policies, formed by the combination of (1) a highly disaggregated macro-econometric simulation of the global economy based on time series regressions (E3ME), (2) a family of bottom-up evolutionary simulations of technology diffusion based on cross-sectional discrete choice models (FTT), and (3) a carbon cycle and atmosphere circulation model of intermediate complexity (GENIE-1). We use this combined model to create a detailed global and sectoral policy map and scenario that sets the economy on a pathway that achieves the goals of the Paris Agreement with >66% probability of not exceeding 2$^\circ$C of global warming. We propose a blueprint for a new role for integrated assessment models in this upcoming policy assessment context.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2017

LOFAR observations of decameter carbon radio recombination lines towards Cassiopeia A

We present a study of carbon radio recombination lines towards Cassiopeia A using LOFAR observations in the frequency range 10-33 MHz. Individual carbon $α$ lines are detected in absorption against the continuum at frequencies as low as 16 MHz. Stacking several C$α$ lines we obtain detections in the 11-16 MHz range. These are the highest signal-to-noise measurements at these frequencies. The peak optical depth of the C$α$ lines changes considerably over the 11-33 MHz range with the peak optical depth decreasing from 4$\times10^{-3}$ at 33 MHz to 2$\times10^{-3}$ at 11 MHz, while the line width increases from 20 km s$^{-1}$ to 150 km s$^{-1}$. The combined change in peak optical depth and line width results in a roughly constant integrated optical depth. We interpret this as carbon atoms close to local thermodynamic equilibrium. In this work we focus on how the 11-33 MHz carbon radio recombination lines can be used to determine the gas physical conditions. We find that the ratio of the carbon radio recombination lines to that of the 158 $μ$m [CII] fine-structure line is a good thermometer, while the ratio between low frequency carbon radio recombination lines provides a good barometer. By combining the temperature and pressure constraints with those derived from the line width we are able to constrain the gas properties (electron temperature and density) and radiation field intensity. Given the 1$σ$ uncertainties in our measurements these are; $T_{e}\approx68$-$98$ K, $n_{e}\approx0.02$-$0.035$ cm$^{-3}$ and $T_{r,100}\approx1500$-$1650$ K. Despite challenging RFI and ionospheric conditions, our work demonstrates that observations of carbon radio recombination lines in the 10-33 MHz range can provide insight into the gas conditions.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Carbon and hydrogen radio recombination lines from the cold clouds towards Cassiopeia A

We use the Low Frequency Array to perform a systematic high spectral resolution investigation of the low-frequency 33-78 MHz spectrum along the line of sight to Cassiopeia A. We complement this with a 304-386 MHz Westerbork Synthesis Radio telescope observation. In this first paper we focus on the carbon radio recombination lines. We detect Cn$α$ lines at -47 and -38 km s$^{-1}$ in absorption for quantum numbers n=438-584 and in emission for n=257-278 with high signal to noise. These lines are associated with cold clouds in the Perseus spiral arm component. Hn$α$ lines are detected in emission for n=257-278. In addition, we also detect Cn$α$ lines at 0 km s$^{-1}$ associated with the Orion arm. We analyze the optical depth of these transitions and their line width. Our models show that the carbon line components in the Perseus arm are best fit with an electron temperature 85 K and an electron density 0.04 cm$^{-3}$ and can be constrained to within 15\%. The electron pressure is constrained to within 20\%. We argue that much of these carbon radio recombination lines arise in the CO-dark surface layers of molecular clouds where most of the carbon is ionized but hydrogen has made the transition from atomic to molecular. The hydrogen lines are clearly associated with the carbon line emitting clouds, but the low-frequency upperlimits indicate that they likely do not trace the same gas. Combining the hydrogen and carbon results we arrive at a firm lower limit to the cosmic ray ionization rate of 2.5$\times$10$^{-18}$ s$^{-1}$, but the actual value is likely much larger.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Low Frequency Carbon Radio Recombination Lines II: The Diffuse Interstellar Medium

In the second paper of the series, we have modeled low frequency carbon radio recombination lines (CRRL) from the interstellar medium. Anticipating the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) survey of Galactic CRRLs, we focus our study on the physical conditions of the diffuse cold neutral medium (CNM). We have used the improved departure coefficients computed in the first paper of the series to calculate line-to-continuum ratios. The results show that the line width and integrated optical depths of CRRL are sensitive probes of the electron density, gas temperature, and the emission measure of the cloud. Furthermore, the ratio of CRRL to the [CII] at 158 $μ$m line is a strong function of the temperature and density of diffuse clouds. Guided by our calculations, we analyze CRRL observations and illustrate their use with data from the literature.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Low Frequency Carbon Radio Recombination Lines I: Calculations of Departure Coefficients

In the first paper of this series, we study the level population problem of recombining carbon ions. We focus our study on high quantum numbers anticipating observations of Carbon Radio Recombination Lines to be carried out by the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR). We solve the level population equation including angular momentum levels with updated collision rates up to high principal quantum numbers. We derive departure coefficients by solving the level population equation in the hydrogenic approximation and including low temperature dielectronic recombination effects. Our results in the hydrogenic approximation agree well with those of previous works. When comparing our results including dielectronic recombination we find differences which we ascribe to updates in the atomic physics (e.g., collision rates) and to the approximate solution method of the statistical equilibrium equations adopted in previous studies. A comparison with observations is discussed in an accompanying article, as radiative transfer effects need to be considered.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Specific heat of underdoped cuprate superconductors from a phenomenological layered Boson-Fermion model

We adapt the Boson-Fermion superconductivity model to include layered systems such as underdoped cuprate superconductors. These systems are represented by an infinite layered structure containing a mixture of paired and unpaired fermions. The former, which stand for the superconducting carriers, are considered as noninteracting zero spin composite-bosons with a linear energy-momentum dispersion relation in the CuO$_2$ planes where superconduction is predominant, coexisting with the unpaired fermions in a pattern of stacked slabs. The inter-slab, penetrable, infinite planes are generated by a Dirac comb potential, while paired and unpaired electrons (or holes) are free to move parallel to the planes. Composite-bosons condense at a critical temperature at which they exhibit a jump in their specific heat. These two values are assumed to be equal to the superconducting critical temperature $T_c$ and the specific heat jump reported for YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6.80}$ to fix our model parameters namely, the plane impenetrability and the fraction of superconducting charge carriers. We then calculate the isochoric and isobaric electronic specific heats for temperatures lower than $T_c$ of both, the composite-bosons and the unpaired fermions, which matches recent experimental curves. From the latter, we extract the linear coefficient ($γ_n$) at $T_c$, as well as the quadratic ($αT^2$) term for low temperatures. We also calculate the lattice specific heat from the ARPES phonon spectrum, and add it to the electronic part, reproducing the experimental total specific heat at and below $T_c$ within a $5 \%$ error range, from which the cubic ($ßT^3$) term for low temperatures is obtained. In addition, we show that this model reproduces the cuprates mass anisotropies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Bose gas in disordered, finite-layered systems

Disorder effects in the thermodynamic properties of a ideal Bose gas confined in a semi-infinite multi-layer structure %described by $M$ permeable barriers within a box of thickness $L$ and infinite lateral extent, are analyzed. The layers are first modeled by a periodic array of $M$ Dirac delta-functions of equal intensity. Then, we introduce structural and compositional disorder, as well as a random set of layer vacancies in the system to calculate the internal energy, chemical potential and the specific heat for different configurations. Whereas structural and compositional disorder does not reveal a significant change, a dramatic increase in the maximum of the specific heat is observed when the system is depleted a fraction of the order of $0.1$ to $0.2$ of random layers compared to the original, fully periodic array. Furthermore, this maximum, which is reminiscent of a Bose-Einstein condensation for an infinite array, occurs at higher temperatures.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2015

Complexity, economic science and possible economic benefits of climate change mitigation policy

Conventional economic analysis of stringent climate change mitigation policy generally concludes various levels of economic slowdown as a result of substantial spending on low carbon technology. Equilibrium economics however could not explain or predict the current economic crisis, which is of financial nature. Meanwhile the economic impacts of climate policy find their source through investments for the diffusion of environmental innovations, in parts a financial problem. Here, we expose how results of economic analysis of climate change mitigation policy depend entirely on assumptions and theory concerning the finance of the diffusion of innovations, and that in many cases, results are simply re-iterations of model assumptions. We show that, while equilibrium economics always predict economic slowdown, methods using non-equilibrium approaches suggest the opposite could occur. We show that the solution to understanding the economic impacts of reducing greenhouse gas emissions lies with research on the dynamics of the financial sector interacting with innovation and technology developments, economic history providing powerful insights through important analogies with previous historical waves of innovation.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2014

The dynamics of technology diffusion and the impacts of climate policy instruments in the decarbonisation of the global electricity sector

This paper presents an analysis of climate policy instruments for the decarbonisation of the global electricity sector in a non-equilibrium economic and technology diffusion perspective. Energy markets are driven by innovation, path-dependent technology choices and diffusion. However, conventional optimisation models lack detail on these aspects and have limited ability to address the effectiveness of policy interventions because they do not represent decision-making. As a result, known effects of technology lock-ins are liable to be underestimated. In contrast, our approach places investor decision-making at the core of the analysis and investigates how it drives the diffusion of low-carbon technology in a highly disaggregated, hybrid, global macroeconometric model, FTT:Power-E3MG. Ten scenarios to 2050 of the electricity sector in 21 regions exploring combinations of electricity policy instruments are analysed, including their climate impacts. We show that in a diffusion and path-dependent perspective, the impact of combinations of policies does not correspond to the sum of impacts of individual instruments: synergies exist between policy tools. We argue that the carbon price required to break the current fossil technology lock-in can be much lower when combined with other policies, and that a 90% decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2050 is affordable without early scrapping.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2013

Trapping effect of periodic structures on the thermodynamic properties of Fermi and Bose gases

We report the thermodynamic properties of Bose and Fermi ideal gases immersed in periodic structures such as penetrable multilayers or multitubes simulated by one (planes) or two perpendicular (tubes) external Dirac comb potentials, while the particles are allowed to move freely in the remaining directions. Although the bosonic chemical potential is a constant for $T < T_c$, a non decreasing with temperature anomalous behavior of the fermionic chemical potential is confirmed and monitored as the tube bundle goes from 2D to 1D when the wall impenetrability overcomes a critical value. In the specific heat curves dimensional crossovers are very noticeable at high temperatures for both gases, where the system behavior goes from 3D to 2D and latter to 1D as the wall impenetrability is increased.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2013

Linear and quadratic temperature dependence of electronic specific heat for cuprates

We model cuprate superconductors as an infinite layered lattice structure which contains a fluid of paired and unpaired fermions. Paired fermions, which are the superconducting carriers, are considered as noninteracting zero spin bosons with a linear energy-momentum dispersion relation, which coexist with the unpaired fermions in a series of almost two dimensional slabs stacked in their perpendicular direction. The inter-slab penetrable planes are simulated by a Dirac comb potential in the direction in which the slabs are stacked, while paired and unpaired electrons (or holes) are free to move parallel to the planes. Paired fermions condense at a BEC critical temperature at which a jump in their specific heat is exhibited, whose values are assumed equal to the superconducting critical temperature and the specific heat jump experimentally reported for YBaCuO_(7-x) to fix our model parameters: the plane impenetrability and the fraction of superconducting charge carrier. We straightforwardly obtain, near and under the superconducting temperature Tc, the linear (γ_e T) and the quadratic (αT^2) electronic specific heat terms, with γ_e and α, of the order of the latest experimental values reported. After calculating the lattice specific heat (phonons) Cl from the phonon spectrum data obtained from inelastic neutron scattering experiments, and added to the electronic (paired plus unpaired) Ce component, we qualitatively reproduce the total specific heat below Tc, whose curve lies close to the experimental one, reproducing its exact value at Tc.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

SN 2007bg: The Complex Circumstellar Environment Around One of the Most Radio-Luminous Broad-Lined Type Ic Supernovae

In this paper we present the results of the radio light curve and X-ray observations of broad-lined Type Ic SN 2007bg. The light curve shows three distinct phases of spectral and temporal evolution, implying that the SNe shock likely encountered at least 3 different circumstellar medium regimes. We interpret this as the progenitor of SN 2007bg having at least two distinct mass-loss episodes (i.e., phases 1 and 3) during its final stages of evolution, yielding a highly-stratified circumstellar medium. Modelling the phase 1 light curve as a freely-expanding, synchrotron-emitting shell, self-absorbed by its own radiating electrons, requires a progenitor mass-loss rate of \dot{M}~1.9x10^{-6}(v_{w}/1000 km s^{-1}) Solar masses per year for the last t~20(v_{w}/1000 km s^{-1}) yr before explosion, and a total energy of the radio emitting ejecta of E\sim1x10^{48} erg after 10 days from explosion. This places SN 2007bg among the most energetic Type Ib/c events. We interpret the second phase as a sparser "gap" region between the two winds stages. Phase 3 shows a second absorption turn-on before rising to a peak luminosity 2.6 times higher than in phase 1. Assuming this luminosity jump is due to a circumstellar medium density enhancement from a faster previous mass-loss episode, we estimate that the phase 3 mass-loss rate could be as high as \dot{M}<~4.3x10^{-4}(v_{w}/1000 km s^{-1}) Solar masses per year. The phase 3 wind would have transitioned directly into the phase 1 wind for a wind speed difference of ~2. In summary, the radio light curve provides robust evidence for dramatic global changes in at least some Ic-BL progenitors just prior (~10-1000 yr) to explosion. The observed luminosity of this SN is the highest observed for a non-gamma-ray-burst broad-lined Type Ic SN, reaching L_{8.46 GHz}~1x10^{29} erg Hz^{-1} s^{-1}, ~567 days after explosion.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

An assessement of global energy resource economic potentials

This paper presents an assessment of global economic energy potentials for all major natural energy resources. This work is based on both an extensive literature review and calculations using natural resource assessment data. Economic potentials are presented in the form of cost-supply curves, in terms of energy flows for renewable energy sources, or fixed amounts for fossil and nuclear resources, with strong emphasis on uncertainty, using a consistent methodology that allow direct comparisons to be made. In order to interpolate through available resource assessment data and associated uncertainty, a theoretical framework and a computational methodology are given based on statistical properties of different types of resources, justified empirically by the data, and used throughout. This work aims to provide a global database for natural energy resources ready to integrate into models of energy systems, enabling to introduce at the same time uncertainty over natural resource assessments. The supplementary material provides theoretical details and tables of data and parameters that enable this extensive database to be adapted to a variety of energy systems modelling frameworks.

math.DS↗

arXiv2011

Boson gas in a periodic array of tubes

We report the thermodynamic properties of an ideal boson gas confined in an infinite periodic array of channels modeled by two, mutually perpendicular, Kronig-Penney delta-potentials. The particle's motion is hindered in the x-y directions, allowing tunneling of particles through the walls, while no confinement along the z direction is considered. It is shown that there exists a finite Bose- Einstein condensation (BEC) critical temperature Tc that decreases monotonically from the 3D ideal boson gas (IBG) value $T_{0}$ as the strength of confinement $P_{0}$ is increased while keeping the channel's cross section, $a_{x}a_{y}$ constant. In contrast, Tc is a non-monotonic function of the cross-section area for fixed $P_{0}$. In addition to the BEC cusp, the specific heat exhibits a set of maxima and minima. The minimum located at the highest temperature is a clear signal of the confinement effect which occurs when the boson wavelength is twice the cross-section side size. This confinement is amplified when the wall strength is increased until a dimensional crossover from 3D to 1D is produced. Some of these features in the specific heat obtained from this simple model can be related, qualitatively, to at least two different experimental situations: $^4$He adsorbed within the interstitial channels of a bundle of carbon nanotubes and superconductor-multistrand-wires Nb$_{3}$Sn.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2010

Dimensional crossover of a boson gas in multilayers

We obtain the thermodynamic properties for a non-interacting Bose gas constrained on multilayers modeled by a periodic Kronig-Penney delta potential in one direction and allowed to be free in the other two directions. We report Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) critical temperatures, chemical potential, internal energy, specific heat, and entropy for different values of a dimensionless impenetrability $P\geqslant 0$ between layers. The BEC critical temperature $T_{c}$ coincides with the ideal gas BEC critical temperature $T_{0}$ when $P=0$ and rapidly goes to zero as $P$ increases to infinity for any finite interlayer separation. The specific heat $C_{V}$ \textit{vs} $T$ for finite $P$ and plane separation $a$ exhibits one minimum and one or two maxima in addition to the BEC, for temperatures larger than $T_{c}$ which highlights the effects due to particle confinement. Then we discuss a distinctive dimensional crossover of the system through the specific heat behavior driven by the magnitude of $P$. For $T T_{c}$, it is evidenced by a broad minimum in $C_{V}(T)$.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2009

Bose-Einstein condensation in multilayers

The critical BEC temperature $T_{c}$ of a non interacting boson gas in a layered structure like those of cuprate superconductors is shown to have a minimum $T_{c,m}$, at a characteristic separation between planes $a_{m}$. It is shown that for $a<a_{m}$, $T_{c}$ increases monotonically back up to the ideal Bose gas $T_{0}$ suggesting that a reduction in the separation between planes, as happens when one increases the pressure in a cuprate, leads to an increase in the critical temperature. For finite plane separation and penetrability the specific heat as a function of temperature shows two novel crests connected by a ridge in addition to the well-known BEC peak at $T_{c}$ associated with the 3D behavior of the gas. For completely impenetrable planes the model reduces to many disconnected infinite slabs for which just one hump survives becoming a peak only when the slab widths are infinite.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗