Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed astheno...Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed asthenosphere has been around for a few years due to the ideas put forth by Yamamoto et al.. Using a two-dimensional Cartesian code based on finite-volume method, we have investigated the influences of lower-mantle physical properties on the formation of a low-viscosity zone in the oceanic upper mantle in regions close to a large mantle upwelUng. The rheological law is Newtonian and depends on both temperature and depth. An extended-Boussinesq model is assumed for the energetics and the olivine to spinel, the spinel to perovskite and perovskite to post-perovskite （ppv） phase transitions are considered. We have compared the differences in the behavior of hot upweilings passing through the transition zone in the mid-mantle for a variety of models, starting with constant physical properties in the lower-mantle and culminating with complex models which have the post-perovskite phase transition and depth-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. We found that the formation of the asthenosphere in the upper mantle in the vicinity of large upwellings is facilitated in models where both depth-dependent thermal expansivity and conductivity are included. Models with constant thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity do not produce a hot low-viscosity zone, resembling the asthenosphere. We have also studied the influences of a cylindrical model and found similar results as the Cartesian model with the important difference that upper-mantle temperatures were much cooler than the Cartesian model by about 600 to 700 K. Our findings argue for the potentially important role played by lower-mantle material properties on the development of a plume-fed asthenosphere in the oceanic upper mantle.展开更多
A not necessary rectangular Euclidean space (NoNRES) is constructed, in which one obtains a generally Lorentz invariant scalar product for the low energy sector (LES). This sector is defined for energies below the Pla...A not necessary rectangular Euclidean space (NoNRES) is constructed, in which one obtains a generally Lorentz invariant scalar product for the low energy sector (LES). This sector is defined for energies below the Planckian limit. If the energy is zero, the NoNRES becomes rectangular and due to the Lorentz invariance, it is applicable for the complete LES of the theory. In contrast to the usual Minkowski space the metric of the NoNRES depends on the kinetic energy of the observed quantum particles. It is assumed that this metric may be useful to derive the scattering cross-section of the corresponding quantum field theory. This assumption is related to the occurrence of divergent loop momentum integrals caused by including the infinite energy range above the Planckian limit (high energy sector or HES). Due to its energy dependence, the metric in both energy sectors differs. In the HES, it depends on the effective dimension of the NoNRES. This dependency results from fluctuations of the space-time above the Planckian limit. Even if they are not part of the theory (as they would be in quantum gravity), these fluctuations should not be ignored. The effective dimension decreases if the energy of the considered particle increases. Since this is true for the HES only, the ultraviolet divergences of loop integrals seem to vanish without distorting the results of the LES. The mechanism is illustrated by calculating the tadpole integral occurring for a simple self-interacting scalar quantum field (with the Higgs mass as example). One obtains a finite contribution for the integral and consequently for the lifetime of the scalar particle.展开更多
Models for the gravitational field of Mars moon Phobos were developed using the latest shape model and assuming homogeneous density distribution.Three methods were applied in our study.Comparisons were made between th...Models for the gravitational field of Mars moon Phobos were developed using the latest shape model and assuming homogeneous density distribution.Three methods were applied in our study.Comparisons were made between these methods and all were shown to yield consistent results.Notably,the most accurate shape model of Phobos to date,complete up to degree and order 17 was used for the first time in our analysis.A set of spherical harmonic coefficients up to degree and order 17 were derived for the gravitational field of Phobos.Also considered was the gravitational field on the surface of Phobos.Typical characteristics as well as some pronounced surface features of this irregular-shaped small body could be conveniently identified.The results are readily applicable for such purposes as spacecraft orbit analysis and assessing the dynamical environment of Phobos.展开更多
基金supported by the CMG Program of the National Science Foundationthe Senior Visiting Professorship Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Helmholtz Association through the Research Alliance "Planetary Evolution and Life",and the European Commission through the Marie Curie Research Training Network c2c (No. MRTN-CT-2006-035957)
文摘Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed asthenosphere has been around for a few years due to the ideas put forth by Yamamoto et al.. Using a two-dimensional Cartesian code based on finite-volume method, we have investigated the influences of lower-mantle physical properties on the formation of a low-viscosity zone in the oceanic upper mantle in regions close to a large mantle upwelUng. The rheological law is Newtonian and depends on both temperature and depth. An extended-Boussinesq model is assumed for the energetics and the olivine to spinel, the spinel to perovskite and perovskite to post-perovskite （ppv） phase transitions are considered. We have compared the differences in the behavior of hot upweilings passing through the transition zone in the mid-mantle for a variety of models, starting with constant physical properties in the lower-mantle and culminating with complex models which have the post-perovskite phase transition and depth-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. We found that the formation of the asthenosphere in the upper mantle in the vicinity of large upwellings is facilitated in models where both depth-dependent thermal expansivity and conductivity are included. Models with constant thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity do not produce a hot low-viscosity zone, resembling the asthenosphere. We have also studied the influences of a cylindrical model and found similar results as the Cartesian model with the important difference that upper-mantle temperatures were much cooler than the Cartesian model by about 600 to 700 K. Our findings argue for the potentially important role played by lower-mantle material properties on the development of a plume-fed asthenosphere in the oceanic upper mantle.
文摘A not necessary rectangular Euclidean space (NoNRES) is constructed, in which one obtains a generally Lorentz invariant scalar product for the low energy sector (LES). This sector is defined for energies below the Planckian limit. If the energy is zero, the NoNRES becomes rectangular and due to the Lorentz invariance, it is applicable for the complete LES of the theory. In contrast to the usual Minkowski space the metric of the NoNRES depends on the kinetic energy of the observed quantum particles. It is assumed that this metric may be useful to derive the scattering cross-section of the corresponding quantum field theory. This assumption is related to the occurrence of divergent loop momentum integrals caused by including the infinite energy range above the Planckian limit (high energy sector or HES). Due to its energy dependence, the metric in both energy sectors differs. In the HES, it depends on the effective dimension of the NoNRES. This dependency results from fluctuations of the space-time above the Planckian limit. Even if they are not part of the theory (as they would be in quantum gravity), these fluctuations should not be ignored. The effective dimension decreases if the energy of the considered particle increases. Since this is true for the HES only, the ultraviolet divergences of loop integrals seem to vanish without distorting the results of the LES. The mechanism is illustrated by calculating the tadpole integral occurring for a simple self-interacting scalar quantum field (with the Higgs mass as example). One obtains a finite contribution for the integral and consequently for the lifetime of the scalar particle.
基金supported by the CAS-DAAD joint scholarship,the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.10973031)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No.2010AA122206)the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Grant NO.11.G34.31.0021)
文摘Models for the gravitational field of Mars moon Phobos were developed using the latest shape model and assuming homogeneous density distribution.Three methods were applied in our study.Comparisons were made between these methods and all were shown to yield consistent results.Notably,the most accurate shape model of Phobos to date,complete up to degree and order 17 was used for the first time in our analysis.A set of spherical harmonic coefficients up to degree and order 17 were derived for the gravitational field of Phobos.Also considered was the gravitational field on the surface of Phobos.Typical characteristics as well as some pronounced surface features of this irregular-shaped small body could be conveniently identified.The results are readily applicable for such purposes as spacecraft orbit analysis and assessing the dynamical environment of Phobos.
