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At least 451 records · Page 25

Localized basis functions and other computational improvements in variational nonorthogonal basis function methods for quantum mechanical scattering problems involving chemical reactions

The Generalized Newton Variational Principle for 3D quantum mechanical reactive scattering is briefly reviewed. Then three techniques are described which improve the efficiency of the computations. First, the fact that the Hamiltonian is Hermitian is used to reduce the number of integrals computed, and then the properties of localized basis functions are exploited in order to eliminate redundant work in the integral evaluation. A new type of localized basis function with desirable properties is suggested. It is shown how partitioned matrices can be used with localized basis functions to reduce the amount of work required to handle the complex boundary conditions. The new techniques do not introduce any approximations into the calculations, so they may be used to obtain converged solutions of the Schroedinger equation.

Schwenke, David W.↗

Calculation of the nucleon structure function from the nucleon wave function

Harmonic oscillator wave functions have played an historically important role in our understanding of the structure of the nucleon, most notably by providing insight into the mass spectra of the low-lying states. High energy scattering experiments are known to give us a picture of the nucleon wave function at high-momentum transfer and in a frame in which the nucleon is traveling fast. A simple model that crosses the twin bridges of momentum scale and Lorentz frame that separate the pictures of the nucleon wave function provided by the deep inelastic scattering data and by the oscillator model is presented.

Hussar, Paul E.↗

Forcing function effects on unsteady aerodynamic gust response. I - Forcing functions

The paper investigates the fundamental gust modeling assumption on the basis of a series of experiments performed in the Purdue Annular Cascade Research Facility. The measured unsteady flow fields are compared to linear-theory gust requirements. The perforated plate forcing functions closely resemble linear-theory forcing functions, with the static pressure fluctuations small and the periodic velocity vectors parallel to the downstream mean-relative flow angle over the entire periodic cycle. The airfoil forcing functions exhibit characteristics far from linear-theory gusts, with the alignment of the velocity vectors and the static pressure fluctuation amplitudes dependent on the rotor-loading condition, rotor solidity, and the inlet mean-relative flow angle. It is shown that airfoil wakes, both compressor and turbine, cannot be modeled with the boundary conditions of current state-of-the-art linear unsteady aerodynamic theory.

Henderson, Gregory H.↗

Functional Task Test: 2. Spaceflight-Induced Cardiovascular Change and Recovery During NASA's Functional Task Test

The overall objective of the functional task test (FTT) is to correlate spaceflight-induced physiological adaptations with changes in performance of high priority exploration mission-critical tasks. This presentation will focus on the recovery from fall/stand test (RFST), which measures the cardiovascular response to the transition from the prone posture (simulated fall) to standing in normal gravity, as well as heart rate (HR) during 11 functional tasks. As such, this test describes some aspects of spaceflight-induced cardiovascular deconditioning and the course of recovery in Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts. The sensorimotor and neuromuscular components of the FTT are described in two separate abstracts: Functional Task Test 1 and 3.

Phillips, Tiffany↗

Efficient block preconditioned eigensolvers for linear response time-dependent density functional theory

We present two efficient iterative algorithms for solving the linear response eigen- value problem arising from the time dependent density functional theory. Although the matrix to be diagonalized is nonsymmetric, it has a special structure that can be exploited to save both memory and floating point operations. In particular, the nonsymmetric eigenvalue problem can be transformed into a product eigenvalue problem that is self-adjoint with respect to a K-inner product. This product eigenvalue problem can be solved efficiently by a modified Davidson algorithm and a modified locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient (LOBPCG) algorithm that make use of the K-inner product. The solution of the product eigenvalue problem yields one component of the eigenvector associated with the original eigenvalue problem. However, the other component of the eigenvector can be easily recovered in a postprocessing procedure. Therefore, the algorithms we present here are more efficient than existing algorithms that try to approximate both components of the eigenvectors simultaneously. The efficiency of the new algorithms is demonstrated by numerical examples.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Validation and uncertainty quantification of detector response functions for a $1"×2"$ NaI collimated detector intended for inverse radioisotope source mapping applications

Detector response functions (DRFs) are often used for inverse analysis. We compute the DRF of a sodium iodide (NaI) nuclear material holdup field detector using the code named g03 developed by the Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes (CEAR) at NC State University. Three measurement campaigns were performed in order to validate the DRF’s constructed by g03: on-axis detection of calibration sources, off-axis measurements of a highly enriched uranium (HEU) disk, and on-axis measurements of the HEU disk with steel plates inserted between the source and the detector to provide attenuation. Furthermore, this work quantifies the uncertainty of the Monte Carlo simulations used in and with g03, as well as the uncertainties associated with each semi-empirical model employed in the full DRF representation. Overall, for the calibration source measurements, the response computed by the DRF for the prediction of the full-energy peak region of responses was good, i.e. within two standard deviations of the experimental response. In contrast, the DRF tended to overestimate the Compton continuum by about 45–65% due to inadequate tuning of the electron range multiplier fit variable that empirically represents physics associated with electron transport that is not modeled explicitly in g03. For the HEU disk measurements, computed DRF responses tended to significantly underestimate (more than 20%) the secondary full-energy peaks (any peak of lower energy than the highest-energy peak computed) due to scattering in the detector collimator and aluminum can, which is not included in the g03 model. We ran a sufficiently large number of histories to ensure for all of the Monte Carlo simulations that the statistical uncertainties were lower than their experimental counterpart’s Poisson uncertainties. The uncertainties associated with least-squares fits to the experimental data tended to have parameter relative standard deviations lower than the peak channel relative standard deviation in most cases and good reduced chi-square values. The highest sources of uncertainty were identified as the energy calibration polynomial factor (due to limited source availability and NaI resolution) and the Ba-133 peak fit (only a very weak source was available), which were 20% and 10%, respectively.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A Combined Wave Function and Density Functional Approach for K-Edge X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy: A Case Study of Hydrated First-Row Transition Metal Ions

The prediction of X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) of transition metal complexes has important and broad application areas in chemistry and biology. In this letter, we have investigated the predictive ability of multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory (MC-PDFT) for X-ray absorption spectra by calculating the metal K pre-edge features of aquated 3d transition metal ions in common oxidation states. MC-PDFT results were compared with experimentally measured spectra as well as analyzed against results from restricted active-space second-order perturbation theory (RASPT2) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). As expected, TDDFT performs well for excited states that can be accurately represented by singly excited configurations but fails for excited states where higher order excitations become important. On the other hand, both RASPT2 and MC-PDFT provide quantitatively accurate results for all excited states irrespective of their character. While core-level spectroscopy with RASPT2 is accurate, it is computationally expensive. Finally, our results show that MC-PDFT performs equally well with significantly lower computational cost and is an encouraging alternate approach for X-ray spectroscopies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrochemical CO2 Reduction over Metal-/Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Single-Atom Catalysts Modeled Using the Grand-Canonical Density Functional Theory

Renewably driven, electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is expected to be a critical tool in global decarbonization. However, theoretical studies based on the computational hydrogen electrode largely ignore the nonlinear effects of the applied potential on the calculated results, leading to inaccurate predictions of catalytic behavior or mechanistic pathways. Here, we use grand canonical density functional theory (GC-DFT) to model electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) over metal- and nitrogen-doped graphene catalysts (MNCs) and explicitly include the effects of the applied potential. We used GC-DFT to compute the CO2 to CO reaction intermediate energies at -0.3, -0.7, and -1.2 VSHE catalyzed by MNCs each doped with 1 of the 10 3d block metals coordinated by four pyridinic nitrogen atoms. Our results predict that Sc-, Ti-, Co-, Cu-, and Zn-N4Cs effectively catalyze CO2R at moderate to large reducing potentials (-0.7 to -1.2 VSHE). ZnN4C is a particularly promising electrocatalyst for CO2R to CO both at low and moderate applied potentials based on our thermodynamic analysis. Our findings also explain the observed pH independence of CO production over FeN4C and predict that the rate-determining step of CO2R over FeN4C is not *CO2- formation but rather *CO desorption. Additionally, the GC-DFT-computed density of states analysis illustrates how the electronic states of MNCs and adsorbates change non-uniformly with applied potential, resulting in a significantly increased *CO2- stability relative to other intermediates and demonstrating that the formation of the adsorbed *CO2- anion is critical to CO2R activation. This work demonstrates how GC-DFT paves the way for physically realistic and accurate theoretical simulations of reacting electrochemical systems.

CO2 reduction↗

Comparative Study of Selected Wave Function and Density Functional Methods for Noncovalent Interaction Energy Calculations Using the Extended S22 Data Set

In this paper, an extension of the S22 data set of Jurecka et al. (Jurečka, P.; Šponer, J.; Cerný, J.; Hobza, P. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2006, 8, 1985.), the data set of benchmark CCSD(T)/CBS interaction energies of twenty-two noncovalent complexes in equilibrium geometries, is presented. The S22 data set has been extended by including the stretched (one shortened and three elongated) complex geometries of the S22 data set along the main noncovalent interaction coordinate. The goal of this work is to assess the accuracy of the popular wave function methods (MP2-, MP3- and, CCSD-based) and density functional methods (with and without empirical correction for the dispersion energy) for noncovalent complexes based on a statistical evaluation not only in equilibrium, but also in nonequilibrium geometries. The results obtained in this work provide information on whether an accurate and balanced description of the different interaction types and complex geometry distortions can be expected from the tested methods. This information has an important implication in the calculation of large molecular complexes, where the number of distant interacting molecular fragments, often in far from equilibrium geometries, increases rapidly with the system size. The best performing WFT methods were found to be the SCS-CCSD (spin-component scaled CCSD, according to Takatani, T.; Hohenstein, E. G.; Sherrill, C. D. J. Chem. Phys. 2008, 128, 124111), MP2C (dispersion-corrected MP2, according to Hesselmann, A. J. Chem. Phys. 2008, 128, 144112), and MP2.5 (scaled MP3, according to Pitonák, M.; Neogrády, P.; Cerný, J.; Grimme, S.; Hobza, P. ChemPhysChem 2009, 10, 282.). Since none of the DFT methods fulfilled the required statistical criteria proposed in this work, they cannot be generally recommended for large-scale calculations. The DFT methods still have the potential to deliver accurate results for large molecules, but most likely on the basis of an error cancellation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Differential Pair Distribution Function Study of the Structure of Arsenate Adsorbed on Nanocrystalline [gamma]-Alumina

Structural information is important for understanding surface adsorption mechanisms of contaminants on metal (hydr)oxides. In this work, a novel technique was employed to study the interfacial structure of arsenate oxyanions adsorbed on {gamma}-alumina nanoparticles, namely, differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis of synchrotron X-ray total scattering. The d-PDF is the difference of properly normalized PDFs obtained for samples with and without arsenate adsorbed, otherwise identically prepared. The real space pattern contains information on atomic pair correlations between adsorbed arsenate and the atoms on {gamma}-alumina surface (Al, O, etc.). PDF results on the arsenate adsorption sample on {gamma}-alumina prepared at 1 mM As concentration and pH 5 revealed two peaks at 1.66 {angstrom} and 3.09 {angstrom}, corresponding to As-O and As-Al atomic pair correlations. This observation is consistent with those measured by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, which suggests a first shell of As-O at 1.69 {+-} 0.01 {angstrom} with a coordination number of 4 and a second shell of As-Al at 3.13 {+-} 0.04 {angstrom} with a coordination number of 2. These results are in agreement with a bidentate binuclear coordination environment to the octahedral Al of {gamma}-alumina as predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Comparative Density Functional Study of Methanol Decomposition on Cu4 and Co4 Clusters

A density functional theory study of the decomposition of methanol on Cu4 and Co4 clusters is presented. The reaction intermediates and activation barriers have been determined for reaction steps to form H2 and CO. For both clusters, methanol decomposition initiated by C-H and O-H bond breaking was investigated. In the case of a Cu4 cluster, methanol dehydrogenation through hydroxymethyl (CH2OH), hydroxymethylene (CHOH), formyl (CHO), and carbon monoxide (CO) is found to be slightly more favorable. For a Co4 cluster, the dehydrogenation pathway through methoxy (CH3O) and formaldehyde (CH2O) is slightly more favorable. Each of these pathways results in formation of CO and H2. The Co cluster pathway is very favorable thermodynamically and kinetically for dehydrogenation. However, since CO binds strongly, it is likely to poison methanol decomposition to H2 and CO at low temperatures. In contrast, for the Cu cluster, CO poisoning is not likely to be a problem since it does not bind strongly, but the dehydrogenation steps are not energetically favorable. Pathways involving C-O bond cleavage are even less energetically favorable. The results are compared to our previous study of methanol decomposition on Pd4 and Pd8 clusters. Finally, all reaction energy changes and transition state energies, including those for the Pd clusters, are related in a linear, Broensted-Evans-Polanyi plot.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Neoclassical physics in full distribution function gyrokinetics

Treatment of binary Coulomb collisions when the full gyrokinetic distribution function is evolved is reported here. A spectrum of different collision operators is presented, differing through both the physics that can be addressed and the numerics they are based on. Eulerian-like (semi-Lagrangian) and particle in cell (PIC) (Monte-Carlo) schemes are successfully cross-compared, and a detailed confrontation to neoclassical theory is demonstrated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Experimental Status of the Longitudinal Structure Function, F{sub L}

The current experimental status of the longitudinal structure structure function is discussed. In particular, recent measurements from the JLab Hall C program on proton, deuteron, and nuclei, which cover a range from moderate to large Bjorken x and 0.1 < Q{sup 2} < 4 (GeV/c){sup 2} are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Permeation of low-Z atoms through carbon sheets: Density functional theory study on energy barriers and deformation effects

Energetic and geometric aspects of the permeation of the atoms hydrogen to neon neutral atoms through graphene sheets are investigated by investigating the associated energy barriers and sheet deformations. Density functional theory calculations on cluster models, where graphene is modeled by planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), provide the energies and geometries. Particularities of our systems, such as convergence of both energy barriers and deformation curves with increasing size of the PAHs, are discussed. Three different interaction regimes, adiabatic, planar and vertical, are investigated by enforcing different geometrical constraints. The adiabatic energy barriers range from 5 eV for hydrogen to 20 eV for neon. We find that the permeation of oxygen and carbon into graphene is facilitated by temporary chemical bonding while for other, in principle reactive atoms, it is not. We discuss implications of our results for modeling chemical sputtering of graphite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comparison of several classical density functional theories for the adsorption of flexible chain molecules into cylindrical nanopores

Adsorption of flexible oligomers into narrow cylindrical pores has been studied by means of several versions of classical density functional theory (CDFT) and Monte Carlo simulation. The adsorption process is interesting to study due to the competition between the entropic depletion of oligomers from the pores and the wall–oligomer attraction. It is also challenging to describe using current CDFTs, which tend to overestimate the amount of the adsorbed fluid. From a comparison of several different CDFT approaches, we find that this is due to the assumption of ideal or freely jointed chain conformations. Moreover, it is demonstrated that it is impossible to obtain a reasonable description of the adsorption isotherms without taking into account accurate contact values in the distribution functions describing the structure of the reference monomer fluid. At low densities, more accurate result are obtained in comparison with Monte Carlo simulation data when accurate contact values are incorporated into the theory rather than the more commonly used hard-sphere contact value. However, even the CDFT with accurate contact values still overestimates the amount of the adsorbed fluid due to the ideal or freely jointed chain approximation, used for the description of chain conformations in most CDFT approaches. We find that significant improvement can achieved by employing self-consistent field theory, which samples self-avoiding chain conformations and decreases the number of possible chain conformations, and, consequently, the amount of the adsorbed fluid.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optimization of global model composed of radial basis functions using the term-ranking approach

A term-ranking method is put forward to optimize the global model composed of radial basis functions to improve the predictability of the model. The effectiveness of the proposed method is examined by numerical simulation and experimental data. Numerical simulations indicate that this method can significantly lengthen the prediction time and decrease the Bayesian information criterion of the model. The application to real voice signal shows that the optimized global model can capture more predictable component in chaos-like voice data and simultaneously reduce the predictable component (periodic pitch) in the residual signal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Laser Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of the Structures and Encapsulation Motifs of Functional Molecules

Extensive laser spectroscopic and theoretical studies have been recently carried out with the aim to reveal the structure and dynamics of encapsulation complexes in the gas phase. The characteristics of the encapsulation complexes are governed by the fact that (i) most of the host molecules are flexible and (ii) the complexes form high dimensional structures by using weak non-covalent interactions. These characteristics result in the possibility of the coexistence of many conformers in close energetic proximity. The combination of supersonic jet/laser spectroscopy and high level quantum chemical calculations is essential in tackling these challenging problems. In this report we describe our recent studies on the structures and dynamics of the encapsulation complexes formed by calix[4]arene (C4A), dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether (DB18C6), and benzo-18-crown-6-ether (B18C6) "hosts" interacting with N2, acetylene, water, and ammonia "guest" molecules. The gaseous host-guest complexes are generated under jet-cooled conditions. We apply various laser spectroscopic methods to obtain the conformer- and isomer-specified electronic and IR spectra. The experimental results are complemented with quantum chemical calculations ranging from density functional theory to high level first principles calculations at the MP2 and CCSD(T) levels of theory. We discuss the possible conformations of the bare host molecules, the structural changes they undergo upon complexation, and the key interactions that are responsible in stabilizing the specific complexes

electronic structure calculations↗