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At least 325 records · Page 18

First-principles real-space study of electronic and optical excitations in rutile TiO 2 nanocrystals

We model rutile titanium dioxide nanocrystals (NCs) up to ~1.5 nm in size to study the effects of quantum confinement on their electronic and optical properties. Ionization potentials (IPs) and electron affinities (EAs) are obtained via the perturbative GW approximation (G 0 W 0 ) and ΔSCF method for NCs up to 24 and 64 TiO 2 formula units, respectively. These demanding GW computations are made feasible by using a real-space framework that exploits quantum confinement to reduce the number of empty states needed in GW summations. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is used to predict the optical properties of NCs up to 64 TiO 2 units. For a NC containing only 2 TiO 2 units, the offsets of the IP and the EA from the corresponding bulk limits are of similar magnitude. However, as NC size increases, the EA is found to converge more slowly to the bulk limit than the IP. The EA values computed at the G 0 W 0 and ΔSCF levels of theory are found to agree fairly well with each other, while the IPs computed with ΔSCF are consistently smaller than those computed with G 0 W 0 by a roughly constant amount. TDDFT optical gaps exhibit weaker size dependence than GW quasiparticle gaps, and result in exciton binding energies on the order of eV. Finally, altering the dimensions of a fixed-size NC can change electronic and optical excitations up to several tenths of an eV. The largest NCs modeled are still quantum confined and do not yet have quasiparticle levels or optical gaps at bulk values. Nevertheless, we find that classical Mie-Gans theory can quite accurately reproduce the line shape of TDDFT absorption spectra, even for (anisotropic) TiO 2 NCs of subnanometer size.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Application of Quantum Scattering Theory in Calculation of the Simplest Chemical Reactions (Dissociative Attachment, Dissociation, and Recombination)

Several parameters (cross section, reaction rate, etc.) of various processes in laser, atomic, and chemical physics are calculated using quantum scattering theory for a system of a few particles. Results of the study of electronic and atomic collisions with diatomic molecules and collisions of diatomic molecules in excited rovibrational states are discussed. Several approximations needed for calculations of real physical systems consisting of several bodies are analyzed. Such approximations can be used for simulation of direct reactions and reactions that yield intermediate transient complexes. Calculated cross sections of electronic and atomic collisions with diatomic molecules and collisions of diatomic molecules are compared with experimental data and results of alternative calculations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Entropy excess in strongly correlated Fermi systems near a quantum critical point

A system of interacting, identical fermions described by standard Landau Fermi-liquid (FL) theory can experience a rearrangement of its Fermi surface if the correlations grow sufficiently strong, as occurs at a quantum critical point where the effective mass diverges. As yet, this phenomenon defies full understanding, but salient aspects of the non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior observed beyond the quantum critical point are still accessible within the general framework of the Landau quasiparticle picture. Self-consistent solutions of the coupled Landau equations for the quasiparticle momentum distribution n(p) and quasiparticle energy spectrum {epsilon}(p) are shown to exist in two distinct classes, depending on coupling strength and on whether the quasiparticle interaction is regular or singular at zero momentum transfer. One class of solutions maintains the idempotency condition n{sup 2}(p)=n(p) of standard FL theory at zero temperature T while adding pockets to the Fermi surface. The other solutions are characterized by a swelling of the Fermi surface and a flattening of the spectrum {epsilon}(p) over a range of momenta in which the quasiparticle occupancies lie between 0 and 1 even at T=0. The latter, non-idempotent solution is revealed by analysis of a Poincare mapping associated with the fundamental Landau equation connecting n(p) and {epsilon}(p) and validated by solution of a variational condition that yields the symmetry-preserving ground state. Significantly, this extraordinary solution carries the burden of a large temperature-dependent excess entropy down to very low temperatures, threatening violation of the Nernst Theorem. It is argued that certain low-temperature phase transitions, notably those involving Cooper-pair formation, offer effective mechanisms for shedding the entropy excess. Available measurements in heavy-fermion compounds provide concrete support for such a scenario. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Extension of Landau quasiparticle theory to strongly correlated Fermi systems. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Analysis of associated topological phase transitions at a quantum critical point. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Fermi surface rearrangement featuring hole pockets or emergence of flat bands. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Shedding of flat-band excess entropy via pairing transition at very low temperature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nonadiabatic dynamics of photoexcited thiopyridone isomers: An interplay between El-Sayed’s conditions and energy gap law

We investigated the non-adiabatic dynamics of photoexcited thiopyridone systems across their ortho-, meta-, and para-isomeric forms. The relaxation pathways of the three isomers in both gas phase and solvent environments are mapped using surface hopping dynamics based on time-dependent density functional theory. Our analysis highlights the influence of isomeric structures on photophysical behavior, offering insights into design principles to control photochemical phenomena. The simulations suggest a systematic reduction in the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) from ortho- to meta- to para-isomer. Comparisons with multiconfigurational wave function methods in the gas phase further demonstrate how electronic structure influences the predicted dynamical pathways. The simulated dynamics demonstrates that the spin–orbit coupling strength alone does not determine the rate of ISC, as both state energetics and underlying electronic and structural features play decisive roles. These aspects explain the much slower ISC in the para-isomer, as well as the non-negligible role of the El-Sayed forbidden pathway in the computed ISC dynamics.

Complete-active space self-consistent field↗

Quantum mechanics and observers for gravity in a closed universe

Recent arguments based on the quantum extremal surface formula or the gravitational path integral have given fairly compelling evidence that the Hilbert space of quantum gravity in a closed universe is one-dimensional and real. How can this be consistent with the complexity of our own experiences? In this paper we propose that the experiences of any observer Ob in a closed universe can be approximately described by a quantum mechanical theory with a Hilbert space whose dimension is roughly e S Ob , where S Ob is the number of degrees of freedom of Ob. Moreover we argue that the errors in this description are exponentially small in S Ob . We give evidence for this proposal by incorporating it into the gravitational path integral and the coding interpretation of holography in simple models and seeing that it works, and we explain how similar effects arise in black hole physics in appropriate circumstances.

AdS-CFT Correspondence↗

Cosolvent-tuned interactions in ionic liquids: A vibrational and quantum-chemical study of ethylene glycol ratio effects

Ionic liquids (ILs) are attractive media for CO 2 capture but remain limited by viscosity and cost. Blending ILs with ethylene glycol (EG) is a practical route to mitigate these constraints, yet the molecular origins of cosolvent effects and their dependence on composition are not well resolved. We combine Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with quantum-chemical (DFT) analysis to elucidate how the IL:EG molar ratio modulates intermolecular interactions and electronic structure. Computed vibrational frequencies enable mode assignment and deconvolution of overlapping bands, revealing systematic, ratio-dependent shifts and broadenings in (i) EG O–H stretching, (ii) cation and EG C–H stretchings (imidazolium C2–H, C4–H, C5–H, methyl and ethyl groups, -CH2 of EG), (iii) anion signature modes (e.g., CN motifs), and (iv) EG C–O and C–C stretchings, consistent with the redistribution of hydrogen-bonding networks. Molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) maps quantify attenuation of extreme potential regions with increasing EG, indicating progressive screening of cation–anion electrostatic interactions. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) identifies emergent bond critical points between EG and the IL ions, while Reduced Density Gradient–Noncovalent Interaction (RDG–NCI) analysis differentiates strong directional hydrogen bonds from dispersive contacts across compositions. Together, these results show that EG fraction controls a switch from predominantly ion–ion to mixed ion–EG coordination, altering local polarity and polarizability that underlie the observed FT-IR trends. The framework provides composition–structure–spectrum relationships that can guide rational selection of IL:EG ratios to balance favorable molecular interactions with practical performance targets in scalable CO 2 capture systems.

DAC↗

The role of electron correlations in the electronic structure of putative Chern magnet TbMn6Sn6

Abstract A member of the RMn 6 Sn 6 rare-earth family materials, TbMn 6 Sn 6 , recently showed experimental signatures of the realization of a quantum-limit Chern magnet. In this work, we use quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) and density functional theory with Hubbard U (DFT + U ) calculations to examine the electronic structure of TbMn 6 Sn 6 . To do so, we optimize accurate, correlation-consistent pseudopotentials for Tb and Sn using coupled-cluster and configuration–interaction (CI) methods. We find that DFT + U and single-reference QMC calculations suffer from the same overestimation of the magnetic moments as meta-GGA and hybrid density functional approximations. Our findings point to the need for improved orbitals/wavefunctions for this class of materials, such as natural orbitals from CI, or for the inclusion of multi-reference effects that capture the static correlations for an accurate prediction of magnetic properties. DFT + U with Mn magnetic moments adjusted to the experiment predict the Dirac crossing in bulk to be close to the Fermi level, within ~120 meV, in agreement with the experiments. Our non-stoichiometric slab calculations show that the Dirac crossing approaches even closer to the Fermi level, suggesting the possible realization of Chern magnetism in this limit.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Theoretical studies of electronically excited states

Time-dependent density functional theory is the most widely used quantum chemical method for studying molecules in electronically excited states. However, excited states can also be computed within Kohn-Sham density functional theory by exploiting methods that converge the self-consistent field equations to give excited state solutions. The usefulness of single reference self-consistent field based approaches for studying excited states is demonstrated by considering the calculation of several types of spectroscopy including the infrared spectroscopy of molecules in an electronically excited state, the rovibrational spectrum of the NO-Ar complex, core electron binding energies and the emission spectroscopy of BODIPY in water.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Suppressed Fluctuations as the Origin of the Static Magnetic Order in Strained Sr 2 RuO 4

Combining first-principles density-functional calculations and Moriya's self-consistent renormalization theory, we explain the recently reported counterintuitive appearance of an ordered magnetic state in uniaxially strained Sr 2 RuO 4 beyond the Lifshitz transition. We show that strain weakens the quantum spin fluctuations, which destroy the static order, more strongly than the tendency to magnetism. Furthermore, a different rate of decrease of the spin fluctuations vs magnetic stabilization energy promotes the onset of a static magnetic order beyond a critical strain.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Diagrammatic theories of anharmonic molecular vibrations

In this review, we summarise recent developments in our laboratory in the field of many-body quantum-mechanical calculations of the anharmonic vibrational structure of molecules. Our size-extensive vibrational self-consistent field (XVSCF) and size-extensive second-order many-body perturbation (XVMP2) methods are, unlike their parent methods (VSCF and VMP2), defined in diagram- matic formulations of the energies and Dyson self-energies, leading to manifestly size-consistent expressions for zero-point energies and anharmonic vibrational frequencies calculable with much greater efficiency. The effective one-mode potentials of XVSCF are quadratic and hence the Schrödinger equation for each mode can be solved analytically, unlike VSCF, where a basis-set expansion of wave functions on more complex one-mode potentials need to be performed; VSCF potentials and their minima (anharmonic geometry) are shown to reduce to the quadratic potentials and their minima (also given analytically) of XVSCF in the thermodynamic limit. By self-consistently solving the Dyson equation with frequency-dependent self-energies, XVMP2 has the ability to calculate anharmonic frequencies of fundamentals as well as combinations and overtones in the presence of strong anharmonic resonance without a multireference or quasi-degenerate formulation, which tends to be non-size-consistent. To eliminate the computational bottleneck of XVSCF and XVMP2, which is the high-rank force-constant evaluation, we have developed alternative algorithms in which the diagrammatic equations are recast as a small number of high-dimensional integrals and then evaluated stochastically using a Metropolis Monte Carlo (MC) method. These MC-XVSCF and MC-XVMP2 methods not only remove the need for force-constant evaluation or storage, but also take into account force constants of up to infinite order according to their importance. Furthermore, they are a new branch of quantum Monte Carlo which can calculate frequencies (excitation energies) directly without fixed-node errors.

Dyson equation↗

Monte Carlo configuration interaction with perturbation corrections for dissociation energies of first row diatomic molecules: C{sub 2}, N{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, CO, and NO

Dissociation energies for the diatomic molecules C{sub 2}, N{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, CO, and NO are estimated using the Monte Carlo configuration interaction (MCCI) and augmented by a second order perturbation theory correction. The calculations are performed using the correlation consistent polarized valence “triple zeta” atomic orbital basis and resulting dissociation energies are compared to coupled cluster calculations including up to triple excitations (CCSDT) and Full Configuration Interaction Quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) estimates. It is found that the MCCI method readily describes the correct behavior for dissociation for the diatomics even when capturing only a relatively small fraction (∼80%) of the correlation energy. At this level only a small number of configurations, typically O(10{sup 3}) from a FCI space of dimension O(10{sup 14}), are required to describe dissociation. Including the perturbation correction to the MCCI estimates, the difference in dissociation energies with respect to CCSDT ranges between 1.2 and 3.1 kcal/mol, and the difference when comparing to FCIQMC estimates narrows to between 0.5 and 1.9 kcal/mol. Discussions on MCCI's ability to recover static and dynamic correlations and on the form of correlations in the electronic configuration space are presented.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Infrared spectroscopy of RG–Co + (H 2 O) complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He): The role of rare gas “tag” atoms

RG n –Co + (H 2 O) cation complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He) are generated in a supersonic expansion by pulsed laser vaporization. Here, complexes are mass-selected using a time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy, measuring the respective mass channels corresponding to the elimination of the rare gas “tag” atom. Spectral patterns and theory indicate that the structures of the ions with a single rare gas atom have this bound to the cobalt cation opposite the water moiety in a near-C 2v arrangement. The O–H stretch vibrations of the complex are shifted compared to those of water because of the metal cation charge-transfer interaction; these frequencies also vary systematically with the rare gas atom attached. The efficiencies of photodissociation also vary with the rare gas atoms because of their widely different binding energies to the cobalt cation. The spectrum of the argon complex could only be measured when at least three argon atoms were attached. In the case of the helium complex, the low binding energy allows the spectra to be measured for the low-frequency H–O–H scissors bending mode and for the O–D stretches of the deuterated analog. The partially resolved rotational structure for the antisymmetric O–H and O–D stretches reveals the temperature of these complexes (6 K) and establishes the electronic ground state. The helium complex has the same 3 B 1 ground state as the tag-free complex studied previously by Metz and co-workers (2013), but the A rotational constant is contaminated by vibrational averaging from the bending motion of the helium.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantum computing for energy correlators

In recent years, energy correlators have emerged as powerful observables for probing the fragmentation dynamics of high-energy collisions. We introduce the first numerical strategy for calculating energy correlators using the Hamiltonian lattice approach, providing access to the intriguing nonperturbative dynamics of these observables. Furthermore, motivated by rapid advances in quantum computing hardware and algorithms, we propose a quantum algorithm for calculating energy correlators in quantum field theories. This algorithm includes ground state preparation, the application of source, sink, energy flux and real-time evolution operators, and the Hadamard test. We validate our approach by applying it to the SU(2) pure gauge theory in 2 + 1 dimensions on 3 × 3 and 5 × 5 honeycomb lattices with 𝑗 max = $\frac{1}{2}$ at various couplings, utilizing both classical methods and the quantum algorithm, the latter tested using the IBM emulator for specific configurations. The results are consistent with the expected behavior of the strong coupling regime and motivate a more comprehensive study to probe the confinement dynamics across the weak and strong coupling regimes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Stochastic many-body perturbation theory for anharmonic molecular vibrations

A new quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) method for anharmonic vibrational zero-point energies and transition frequencies is developed, which combines the diagrammatic vibrational many-body perturbation theory based on the Dyson equation with Monte Carlo integration. The infinite sums of the diagrammatic and thus size-consistent first- and second-order anharmonic corrections to the energy and self-energy are expressed as sums of a few m- or 2m-dimensional integrals of wave functions and a potential energy surface (PES) (m is the vibrational degrees of freedom). Each of these integrals is computed as the integrand (including the value of the PES) divided by the value of a judiciously chosen weight function evaluated on demand at geometries distributed randomly but according to the weight function via the Metropolis algorithm. In this way, the method completely avoids cumbersome evaluation and storage of high-order force constants necessary in the original formulation of the vibrational perturbation theory; it furthermore allows even higher-order force constants essentially up to an infinite order to be taken into account in a scalable, memory-efficient algorithm. The diagrammatic contributions to the frequency-dependent self-energies that are stochastically evaluated at discrete frequencies can be reliably interpolated, allowing the self-consistent solutions to the Dyson equation to be obtained. This method, therefore, can compute directly and stochastically the transition frequencies of fundamentals and overtones as well as their relative intensities as pole strengths, without fixed-node errors that plague some QMC. It is shown that, for an identical PES, the new method reproduces the correct deterministic values of the energies and frequencies within a few cm{sup −1} and pole strengths within a few thousandths. With the values of a PES evaluated on the fly at random geometries, the new method captures a noticeably greater proportion of anharmonic effects.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Model space diabatization for quantum photochemistry

Diabatization is a procedure that transforms multiple adiabatic electronic states to a new representation in which the potential energy surfaces and the couplings between states due to the electronic Hamiltonian operator are smooth, and the couplings due to nuclear momentum are negligible. In this work, we propose a simple and general diabatization strategy, called model space diabatization, that is applicable to multi-configuration quasidegenerate perturbation theory (MC-QDPT) or its extended version (XMC-QDPT). An advantage over previous diabatization schemes is that dynamical correlation calculations are based on standard post-multi-configurational self-consistent field (MCSCF) multi-state methods even though the diabatization is based on state-averaged MCSCF results. The strategy is illustrated here by applications to LiH, LiF, and thioanisole, with the fourfold-way diabatization and XMC-QDPT, and the results illustrate its validity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Finite-volume effects on octet-baryon masses in covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory

We study finite-volume effects on the masses of the ground-state octet baryons using covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory (ChPT) up to next-to-leading order by analyzing the latest n{sub f}=2+1 lattice quantum chromodynamics (LQCD) results from the NPLQCD Collaboration. Contributions of virtual decuplet baryons are taken into account using the consistent coupling scheme. We compare our results with those obtained from heavy baryon ChPT and show that, although both approaches can describe well the lattice data, the underlying physics is different: In heavy baryon ChPT, virtual decuplet baryons play a more important role than they do in covariant ChPT. This is because the virtual octet-baryon contributions to finite-volume corrections are larger in covariant ChPT than in heavy baryon ChPT, while the contributions of intermediate decuplet baryons are smaller, because of relativistic effects. We observe that for the octet-baryon masses, at fixed m{sub {pi}}L (>>1) finite-volume corrections decrease as m{sub {pi}} approaches its physical value, provided that the strange quark mass is at or close to its physical value, as in most lattice quantum chromodynamics setups.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Nuclear reactions from lattice QCD

In this study, one of the overarching goals of nuclear physics is to rigorously compute properties of hadronic systems directly from the fundamental theory of strong interactions, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). In particular, the hope is to perform reliable calculations of nuclear reactions which will impact our understanding of environments that occur during big bang nucleosynthesis, the evolution of stars and supernovae, and within nuclear reactors and high energy/density facilities. Such calculations, being truly ab initio, would include all two-nucleon and three- nucleon (and higher) interactions in a consistent manner. Currently, lattice QCD provides the only reliable option for performing calculations of some of the low-energy hadronic observables. With the aim of bridging the gap between lattice QCD and nuclear many-body physics, the Institute for Nuclear Theory held a workshop on Nuclear Reactions from Lattice QCD on March 2013. In this review article, we report on the topics discussed in this workshop and the path planned to move forward in the upcoming years.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Atomic isotropic hyperfine properties for second row elements (Al–Cl)

Isotropic hyperfine properties have been obtained for the second row elements Al–Cl using a systematic composite approach consisting of a sequence of core/valence correlation consistent basis sets, up through aug-cc-pCV7Z, along with configuration interaction and coupled cluster methods. The best nonrelativistic final values for the atomic ground states (in MHz) are -1.80 27 Al ( 2 P o 1/2 ), -24.31 29 Si ( 3 P 0 ), 63.70 31 P ( 4 So 3/2 ), 20.77 33 S ( 3 P 2 ), and 35.42 35 Cl ( 2 P o 3/2 ). We find a large K shell contribution to the spin density at the nucleus that is almost canceled by the L and M shell contributions. The spin density in atomic units is approximately linear with respect to the atomic number.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗