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At least 379 records · Page 21

Long-living excited states of a 2D diamagnetic exciton

Hydrogenic excited states of a 2D exciton are degenerate. In the presence of a weak magnetic field, the -states with a zero momentum of the center of mass get coupled to the -states with finite momentum of the center of mass. This field-induced coupling leads to a strong modification of the dispersion branches of the exciton spectrum. Namely, the lower branch acquires a shape of a “mexican hat” with a minimum at a finite momentum. At certain magnetic field, exciton branches exhibit a linear crossing, similarly to the spectrum of a 2D electron in the presence of spin–orbit coupling. While spin is not involved, degenerate and states play the role of the spin projections. Lifting of degeneracy due to diamagnetic shifts and deviation of electron–hole attraction from purely Coulomb suppresses the linear crossing.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Water in Solutions of Chaotropic and Kosmotropic Salts: A Differential Scanning Calorimetry Investigation

We report the use of aqueous phase separations via aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) has been widely explored in the recent decades. For wider and more “intelligent” applications, it is important to look below the surface and study these systems thoroughly at a fundamental level. Two important questions still unsolved are how do polymers and ions of different types organize water (if they in fact they do so) and how does it affect the separation of phases? In the present work, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to relate ABS phase diagrams and the behavior of water in aqueous solutions containing kosmotropic salts (K 3 PO 4 or (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ), a chaotropic ionic liquid ([C 4 mim]Cl), or a polymer (PEG-2000), all of which are reported components of ABS, and their mixtures. Additional DSC transitions were observed for the two classes of salts which could be assigned based on the fundamental differences between their interactions with water, suggesting that it is the differences in the abilities of kosmotropic and chaotropic salts to interact with water which result in the phase separation phenomena observed. The DSC measurements of solutions of PEG-2000 and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 indicate that aqueous solutions of PEG-2000 supercool and potentially enter a glassy state that exhibits devitrification upon heating. The devitrified state exhibits a clear eutectic with water. Mixtures of the polymer and salt continue to exhibit all the features observed for the pure components. These results suggest that the mixtures are phase separated and consist of largely separate concentrated solutions of PEG-2000 and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , indicating an entropy-driven phase separation. The DSC analysis of these systems further refines the understanding of kosmotropic and chaotropic solutes into more specific phenomena for each compound. Lastly, this work suggests that DSC can be used to understand the role of each salt/component in ABS.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Triphenylamine/benzothiadiazole-based compounds for non-doped orange and red fluorescent OLEDs with high efficiencies and low efficiency roll-off

Long-wavelength materials are key for development of pure-color and white organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). An organic molecule, combining hybridized local electron and charge-transfer (HLCT) states and aggregation-induced emission (AIE), not only breaks the 5% external quantum efficiency (EQE) limit but also overcomes emission quenching. Herein, we designed and synthesized four novel donor–acceptor compounds of TBAN, TBT, TBAT, and TABAT using triphenylamine (TPA) as the donor, benzothiadiazole (BT) as the acceptor, and anthracene (AN) as a bridge. We found that the emission peaks of TBAN, TBT, TBAT and TABAT are located at 596, 615, 580 and 546 nm, respectively. We successfully applied them to non-doped OLEDs, and the resulting devices exhibited excellent performance. For example, the optimal TBAN-based OLEDs showed a maximum luminance of 74 820 cd m –2 , a current efficiency of 12.1 cd A –1 and a maximum EQE of 5.7% with low roll-off. Additionally, the device with TBAN as both the emitter and hole-transport material also exhibited high efficiency that is comparable to that of an NPB-based device. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that it is feasible to obtain excellent orange and red emitters by employing BT- and TPA-based D–A architectures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nonlinear spectroscopy in the condensed phase: The role of Duschinsky rotations and third order cumulant contributions

First-principles modeling of nonlinear optical spectra in the condensed phase is highly challenging because both environment and vibronic interactions can play a large role in determining spectral shapes and excited state dynamics. In this work, we compute two dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) signals based on a cumulant expansion of the energy gap fluctuation operator, with specific focus on analyzing mode mixing effects introduced by the Duschinsky rotation and the role of the third order term in the cumulant expansion for both model and realistic condensed phase systems. We show that for a harmonic model system, the third order cumulant correction captures effects introduced by a mismatch in curvatures of ground and excited state potential energy surfaces, as well as effects of mode mixing. We also demonstrate that 2DES signals can be accurately reconstructed from purely classical correlation functions using quantum correction factors. We then compute nonlinear optical spectra for the Nile red and methylene blue chromophores in solution, assessing the third order cumulant contribution for realistic systems. We show that the third order cumulant correction is strongly dependent on the treatment of the solvent environment, revealing the interplay between environmental polarization and the electronic-vibrational coupling.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Search for chargino–neutralino pair production in final states with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in $$\sqrt{s} = 13$$ TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for chargino–neutralino pair production in three-lepton final states with missing transverse momentum is presented. The study is based on a dataset of $\sqrt{s}$=13 TeV pp collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 . No significant excess relative to the Standard Model predictions is found in data. The results are interpreted in simplified models of supersymmetry, and statistically combined with results from a previous ATLAS search for compressed spectra in two-lepton final states. Various scenarios for the production and decay of charginos ($\tilde{χ}^±_1$) and neutralinos ($\tilde{χ}^0_2$) are considered. For pure higgsino $\tilde{χ}^±_1$$\tilde{χ}^0_2$ pair-production scenarios, exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are set on $\tilde{χ}^0_2$ masses up to 210 GeV. Limits are also set for pure wino $\tilde{χ}^±_1$$\tilde{χ}^0_2$ pair production, on $\tilde{χ}^0_2$ masses up to 640 GeV for decays via on-shell W and Z bosons, up to 300 GeV for decays via off-shell W and Z bosons, and up to 190 GeV for decays via W and Standard Model Higgs bosons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Using Diffuse Scattering to Observe X-Ray-Driven Nonthermal Melting

We present results from the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) XFEL facility, using a high intensity ($\sim\!10^{20}\,$W/cm$^2$) X-ray pump X-ray probe scheme to observe changes in the ionic structure of silicon induced by X-ray heating of the electrons. By avoiding Laue spots in the scattering signal from a single crystalline sample, we observe a rapid rise in diffuse scattering, which we attribute to a loss of lattice order and a transition to a liquid state within 100 fs of irradiation, a timescale which agrees well with first principles simulations, but is faster than that predicted by purely inertial behavior. This method is capable of observing liquid scattering without masking or filtering of signal from the ambient solid, allowing the liquid structure to be measured throughout and beyond the phase change.

Hartley, Nicholas J.↗

In Situ Measurement of Buried Electrolyte–Electrode Interfaces for Solid State Batteries with Nanometer Level Precision

Many technologies including high-energy solid-state batteries rely on high quality solid–solid interfaces. Solid–solid interfaces are particularly difficult to study as their nature requires the interface to be buried. Here, in this work, we demonstrate the use of a combination of neutron reflectometry and in situ electrochemistry to measure the interface between Li metal and the solid electrolyte LiPON across an 8 cm 2 area. Neutron reflectometry measurements confirm the interphase to be less than 7 nm thick. The neutron reflectometry data further emphasize that the interphase that forms is a chemical gradient consisting of a Li-rich layer that gradually decreases in Li content until it blends into pure LiPON. Experimental confirmation that we can make ideal solid–solid interphases less than 10 nm thick will help facilitate the adoption of high efficiency next generation solid state batteries. Further this combination of complementary techniques provides a more general methodology for studying buried solid–solid interfaces across applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Estimation of plasma properties using an extended Kalman filter with plasma global models

A physically-constrained extended Kalman filter (EKF) is applied to various zero-dimensional global models for the estimation of plasma properties using time-dependent experimental data such as the plasma density or ion flux. The capability of the EKF is demonstrated to estimate unknown system states simultaneously, such as reaction rate coefficients and the absorbed electron input power, which can be difficult, if not impossible, to measure experimentally. Global models accounting for pure argon reactions and argon-oxygen reactions are used in this work to demonstrate the ability of the filter to estimate dynamic and complex systems. Furthermore, the results obtained from the EKF plasma global model illustrate that model-data fusion techniques can be used to estimate plasma properties and processes for time-varying systems, such as pulsed discharges.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Competing orders at higher-order Van Hove points

Van Hove points are special points in the energy dispersion, where the density of states exhibits analytic singularities. When a Van Hove point is close to the Fermi level, tendencies towards density wave orders, Pomeranchuk orders, and superconductivity can all be enhanced, often in more than one channel, leading to a competition between different orders and unconventional ground states. In this study we consider the effects from higher-order Van Hove points, around which the dispersion is flatter than near a conventional Van Hove point, and the density of states has a power-law divergence. We argue that such points are present in intercalated graphene and other materials. We use an effective low-energy model for electrons near higher-order Van Hove points and analyze the competition between different ordering tendencies using an unbiased renormalization-group approach. For purely repulsive interactions, we find that two key competitors are ferromagnetism and chiral superconductivity. For a small attractive interaction, we find an unconventional spin Pomeranchuk order, in wich the spin oder parameter winds around the Fermi surface. The supermetal state, predicted for a single higher-order Van Hove point, is an unstable fixed point in our case.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Backbone Dynamics of Bottlebrush Polymers Studied by Neutron Scattering

Bottlebrush polymers have a versatile architecture that is highly customizable due to the combination of a linear backbone and side chains. As a result of the chemical tethering of the side chains, both parts cannot be easily be separated. Huge effort is seen regarding the dynamical behavior of the side chains or the entire bottlebrush polymer, whereas few studies are available considering the backbone. Here, isotopic labeling in combination with quasi-elastic neutron scattering was used to compare the dynamical behavior of the bottlebrush’s backbone with the side chain dynamics. Keeping the side chains deuterated, (h-PNB)- g -(d-PPO), leads to the scattering signal dominated by backbone dynamics, while the fully protonated sample, (h-PNB)- g -(h-PPO), gives side chain dynamics. Both results reveal slower dynamics associated with the backbone with less heterogeneity, as seen for the side chains. Additionally, a plasticizer effect for the backbone dynamics is confirmed by extracting the glass transition temperature and comparing it with pure linear PNB.

neutron scattering↗

Atomistic origin of the entropy of melting from inelastic neutron scattering and machine learned molecular dynamics

The latent heat, L, is central to melting, but its atomic origin remains elusive. It is proportional to the entropy of fusion, ΔS fus = L/T m (T m is the melting temperature), which depends on changes of atom configurations, atom vibrations, and thermal electron excitations. Here, we combine inelastic neutron scattering and machine-learned molecular dynamics to separate ΔS fus into these components for Ge, Si, Bi, Sn, Pb, and Li. When the vibrational entropy of melting, ΔS vib , is zero, ΔS fus ≃ 1.2 kB per atom. This result provides a baseline for ΔSconfig and nearly coincides with “Richard’s Rule” of melting. The ΔSfus deviates from this value for most elements, however, and we show that this deviation originates with extra ΔS vib and extra ΔS config . These two components are correlated for positive and negative deviations from Richard’s rule – the extra ΔS config is consistently ~ 80% of ΔS vib . Our results, interpreted with potential energy landscape theory, imply a correlation between the change in the number of basins and the change in the inverse of their curvature for the melting of pure elements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Simplex‐based model for nanoparticle grain identification in four‐dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy data

Grain identification in polycrystalline nanoparticles, for example, determining which crystal phases are present at each spatial location, is fundamental to materials characterisation. This is particularly challenging when grains overlap extensively, as commonly occurs in four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) datasets. We propose a simplex-based model (SBM) in which each simplex vertex represents the diffraction pattern (DP) of a pure grain, and the simplex edges and interior represent overlapping grains. Our SBM grain identification algorithm operates on the Bragg disk (BD) data matrix distilled from the 4D-STEM data to identify the grain membership at each scan position, together with a BD feature matrix whose columns represent the DPs for each constituent grain, which is important for identifying the crystal structure of each grain. We solve the model using a two-stage algorithm. In Stage 1, we adapt a linear mixing algorithm to estimate an initial BD feature matrix whose columns represent DPs of potentially overlapping grains. Our Stage 2 algorithm incorporates sparsity considerations to transform the initial BD feature matrix so that its columns represent DPs of pure grains. Using simulated datasets with various grain configurations, we demonstrate that SBM recovers both the BD feature matrix and membership maps more accurately than existing methods, even when a grain lacks any pure region and completely overlaps with other grains.

4D-STEM segmentation↗

A geometric perspective on kinetic matter–radiation interaction and moment systems

Here, in this paper, we provide a geometric perspective on the kinetic interaction of matter and radiation, based on a pair bracket approach. We discuss the interaction of kinetic theories via dissipative brackets, with our fundamental example being the coupling of matter, described by the Boltzmann equation, and radiation, described by the radiation transport equation. We explore the transition from kinetic systems to their corresponding moment systems, provide a Hamiltonian description of such moment systems, and give a geometric interpretation of the moment closure problem for kinetic theories. As an application, we discuss in detail diffusion radiation hydrodynamics as an example of a pair bracket formulation on a space of moments corresponding to kinetic matter–radiation interaction. Additionally, using the variable moment closure framework of Burby [J. W. Burby, Variable-moment fluid closures with Hamiltonian structure, Sci. Rep. 13 (2023) 18286, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-45416-5], we show how to construct Hamiltonian moment closures for kinetic transport equations with arbitrary Hamiltonian. Using this general construction, we derive novel Hamiltonian moment closures for pure radiation transport.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Thickness-dependent transport in epitaxial CaIrO 3 perovskite thin films

The coexistence of strong electron–electron correlation and strong spin–orbit coupling makes CaIrO 3 a promising candidate for the exploration of emergent phenomena in thin film form. Here, we have realized epitaxial CaIrO 3 films on (La 0.18 Sr 0.82 )(Al 0.59 Ta 0.41 )O 3 single crystal substrates with excellent crystallinity and thicknesses ranging from 3 to 32 nm. Electronic properties range from semiconducting to insulating behavior as a function of decreasing thickness and correlate with increased tetragonal distortion due to substrate-imposed strain. Hall effect measurements indicate that conduction is dominated by electron-type carriers at room temperature but crosses over to transport dominated by hole-like carriers at lower temperatures. Longitudinal magnetoresistance measurements reveal both a quadratic Lorentz dependence and an additional positive component in the field dependence that cannot be explained purely by semi-classical orbital magnetoresistance effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Neutrinoless double beta decay versus other probes of heavy sterile neutrinos

We make a comparative study of the neutrinoless double beta decay constraints on heavy sterile neutrinos versus other direct and indirect constraints from both lepton number conserving and violating processes, as a sensitive probe of the extent of lepton number violation and possible interference effects in the sterile sector. We introduce a phenomenological parametrisation of the simplified one-generation seesaw model with one active and two sterile neutrino states in terms of experimentally measurable quantities, such as active-sterile neutrino mixing angles, CP phases, masses and mass splittings. This simple parametrisation enables us to analytically derive a spectrum of possible scenarios between the canonical seesaw with purely Majorana heavy neutrinos and inverse seesaw with pseudo-Dirac ones. We then go on to constrain the simplified parameters of this model from various experiments at the energy, intensity and cosmic frontiers. We emphasise that the constraints from lepton number violating processes strongly depend on the mass splitting between the two sterile states and the relative CP phase between them. This is particularly relevant for neutrinoless double beta decay, which is weakened for small mass splitting and opposite CP parities between the sterile states. On the other hand, neutrinoless double beta decay is especially sensitive for Majorana sterile neutrinos with masses around 0.1-10 GeV.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Capturing many-body correlation effects with quantum and classical computing

Theoretical descriptions of excited states of molecular systems in high-energy regimes are crucial for supporting and driving many experimental efforts at light source facilities. However, capturing their complicated correlation effects requires formalisms that provide a hierarchical infrastructure of approximations. These approximations lead to an increased overhead in classical computing methods and, therefore, decisions regarding the ranking of approximations and the quality of results must be made on purely numerical grounds. The emergence of quantum computing methods has the potential to change this situation. Here, in this study, we demonstrate the efficiency of the quantum phase estimator (QPE) in identifying core-level states relevant to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We compare and validate the QPE predictions with exact diagonalization and real-time equation-of-motion coupled-cluster formulations, which are some of the most accurate methods for states dominated by collective correlation effects.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Non-Conductive Polymers Enable Higher Ionic Conductivities and Suppress Reactivity in Hybrid Sulfide-Polymer Solid State Electrolytes

Hybrid ceramic-polymer solid state electrolytes are promising candidates to enable energy-dense lithium metal batteries by leveraging inorganic high ionic conductivity and flexible polymer mechanical properties. However, studies of hybrid electrolytes using sulfide-type inorganics such as Li3PS4 (LPS) have largely focused on combining the inorganic with commercial poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). PEO has proven to be insufficient for use in hybrid systems because it reacts with LPS and provides a competing pathway for ion transport, therefore producing a hybrid with low conductivity. Our work shows that using nonconductive, nonpolar polyethylene (PE) in a hybrid electrolyte with LPS eliminates both polymer and inorganic degradation and remarkably exhibit higher conductivities than those containing PEO at different polymer and salt concentrations. Using tracer-exchange NMR, we observe that the nonconductive nature of PE allows for iontransport through the inorganic whereas PEO provides a separate, competing pathway for lithium transport. Furthermore, compared to pure LPS, these hybrids enable longer term lithium cycling at 60°C. Our work shows that the path to enabling conductive and stable sulfide hybrids for solid state lithium metal batteries may be through the use of nonconductive, nonreactive polymers.

batteries↗