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At least 487 records · Page 27

An experimental and ab initio study of the electronic spectrum of the jet-cooled F{sub 2}BO free radical

We have studied the B{sup ~} {sup 2}A{sub 1}–X{sup ~} {sup 2}B{sub 2} laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of the jet-cooled F{sub 2}BO radical for the first time. The transition consists of a strong 0{sub 0}{sup 0} band at 446.5 nm and eight weak sequence bands to shorter wavelengths. Single vibronic level emission spectra obtained by laser excitation of individual levels of the B{sup ~} state exhibit two electronic transitions: a very weak, sparse B{sup ~}–X{sup ~} band system in the 450–500 nm region and a stronger, more extensive set of B{sup ~} {sup 2}A{sub 1}–A{sup ~} {sup 2}B{sub 1} bands in the 580–650 nm region. We have also performed a series of high level ab initio calculations to predict the electronic energies, molecular structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational and spin-rotation constants in the X{sup ~} {sup 2}B{sub 2}, A{sup ~2}B{sub 1} and B{sup ~} {sup 2}A{sub 1} electronic states as an aid to the analysis of the experimental data. The theoretical results have been used as input for simulations of the rotationally resolved B{sup ~} {sup 2}A{sub 1}–X{sup ~} {sup 2}B{sub 2} 0{sub 0}{sup 0} LIF band and Franck-Condon profiles of the LIF and single vibronic level emission spectra. The agreement between the simulations obtained with purely ab initio parameters and the experimental spectra validates the geometries calculated for the ground and excited states and the conclusion that the radical has C{sub 2v} symmetry in the X{sup ~}, A{sup ~}, and B{sup ~} states. The spectra provide considerable new information about the vibrational energy levels of the X{sup ~} and A{sup ~} states, but very little for the B{sup ~} state, due to the very restrictive Franck-Condon factors in the LIF spectra.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The solvation radius of silicate melts based on the solubility of noble gases and scaled particle theory

The existing solubility data on noble gases in high-temperature silicate melts have been analyzed in terms of Scaling Particle Theory coupled with an ab initio assessment of the electronic, dispersive, and repulsive energy terms based on the Polarized Continuum Model (PCM). After a preliminary analysis of the role of the contracted Gaussian basis sets and theory level in reproducing appropriate static dipole polarizabilities in a vacuum, we have shown that the procedure returns Henry's law constants consistent with the values experimentally observed in water and benzene at T = 25 °C and P = 1 bar for the first four elements of the series. The static dielectric constant (ε) of the investigated silicate melts and its optical counterpart (ε{sup ∞}) were then resolved through the application of a modified form of the Clausius-Mossotti relation. Argon has been adopted as a probe to depict its high-T solubility in melts through an appropriate choice of the solvent diameter σ{sub s}, along the guidelines already used in the past for simple media such as water or benzene. The σ{sub s} obtained was consistent with a simple functional form based on the molecular volume of the solvent. The solubility calculations were then extended to He, Ne, and Kr, whose dispersive and repulsive coefficients are available from theory and we have shown that their ab initio Henry's constants at high T reproduce the observed increase with the static polarizability of the series element with reasonable accuracy. At room temperature (T = 25 °C) the calculated Henry's constants of He, Ne, Ar, and Kr in the various silicate media predict higher solubilities than simple extrapolations (i.e., Arrhenius plots) based on high-T experiments and give rise to smooth trends not appreciably affected by the static polarizabilities of the solutes. The present investigation opens new perspectives on a wider application of PCM theory which can be extended to materials of great industrial interest at the core of metallurgical processes, ceramurgy, and the glass industry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

“Glass-like” thermal conductivity gradually induced in thermoelectric Sr{sub 8}Ga{sub 16}Ge{sub 30} clathrate by off-centered guest atoms

The origin of the “glass-like” plateau in thermal conductivity of inorganic type I clathrates has been debated for more than a decade. Here, it is demonstrated that the low temperature thermal conductivity of Sr{sub 8}Ga{sub 16}Ge{sub 30} can be controlled by the synthesis method: A flux-grown sample has a “glass-like” plateau in thermal conductivity at low temperature, while a zone-melted sample instead has a crystalline peak. A combination of flux-growth and zone-melting produces an intermediate thermal conductivity. In a comprehensive study of three single crystal samples, it is shown by neutron diffraction that the transition from crystalline peak to “glass-like” plateau is related to an increase in Sr guest atom off-centering distance from 0.24 Å to 0.43 Å. By modifying ab initio calculated force constants for the guest atom to an isotropic model, we reproduce both measured heat capacity and inelastic neutron scattering data. The transition from peak to plateau in the thermal conductivity can be modeled by a combined increase of Rayleigh and disorder scattering. Measurement of heat capacity refutes simple models for tunneling of Sr between off-center sites. Furthermore, the electronic properties of the same samples are characterized by Hall carrier density, Seebeck coefficient, and resistivity. The present comprehensive analysis excludes tunneling and charge carrier scattering as dominant contributors to the “glass-like” plateau. The increased guest atom off-centering distance controlled by synthesis provides a possible microscopic mechanism for reducing the low temperature thermal conductivity of clathrates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Fully quantum calculations of O 2 –N 2 scattering using a new potential energy surface: Collisional perturbations of the oxygen 118 GHz fine structure line

A proper description of the collisional perturbation of the shapes of molecular resonances is important for remote spectroscopic studies of the terrestrial atmosphere. Of particular relevance are the collisions between the $\text{O}_2$ and $\text{N}_2$ molecules—the two most abundant atmospheric species. In this work, we report a new highly accurate $\text{O}_2(\text{X}^3Σ^–_g)–\text{N}_2(\text{X}^1Σ^+_g)$ potential energy surface and use it for performing the first quantum scattering calculations addressing line shapes for this system. We use it to model the shape of the 118 GHz fine structure line in $\text{O}_2$ perturbed by collisions with $\text{N}_2$ molecules, a benchmark system for testing our methodology in the case of an active molecule in a spin triplet state. The calculated collisional broadening of the line agrees well with the available experimental data over a wide temperature range relevant for the terrestrial atmosphere. This work constitutes a step toward populating the spectroscopic databases with ab initio line shape parameters for atmospherically relevant systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploiting 20 Ne Isotopes for Precision Characterizations of Collectivity in Small Systems

Whether or not femto-scale droplets of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) are formed in so-called small systems at high-energy colliders is a pressing question in the phenomenology of the strong interaction. For proton-proton or proton-nucleus collisions the answer is inconclusive due to the large theoretical uncertainties plaguing the description of these processes. While upcoming data on collisions of 16 O nuclei may mitigate these uncertainties in the near future, here we demonstrate the unique possibilities offered by complementing 16 O + 16 O data with collisions of 20 Ne ions. We couple both nuclear lattice effective field theory (NLEFT) and projected generator coordinate method (PGCM) ab initio descriptions of the structure of 20 Ne and 16 O to hydrodynamic simulations of 16 O + 16 O and 20 Ne + 20 Ne collisions at high energy. We isolate the imprints of the bowling-pin shape of 20 Ne on the collective flow of hadrons, which can be used to perform quantitative tests of the hydrodynamic QGP paradigm. In particular, we predict that the elliptic flow of 20 Ne + 20 Ne collisions is enhanced by as much as 1.174⁢(8) stat ⁢(31) syst for NLEFT and 1.139⁢(6) stat ⁢(39) syst for PGCM relative to 16 O + 16 O collisions for the 1% most central events. At the same time, theoretical uncertainties largely cancel when studying relative variations of observables between two systems. This demonstrates a method based on experiments with two light-ion species for precision characterizations of the collective dynamics and its emergence in a small system.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Elastic Antiproton-Nucleus Scattering from Chiral Forces

Elastic scattering of antiprotons off He 4 , C 12 , and O 16 , 18 is described for the first time with a consistent microscopic approach based on the calculation of an optical potential (OP) describing the antiproton-target interaction. The OP is derived using the recent antiproton-nucleon ( p ¯ N ) chiral interaction to calculate the p ¯ N t matrix, while the target densities are computed with the ab initio no-core shell model using chiral interactions as well. Here, our results are in good agreement with the existing experimental data and the results computed at different chiral orders of the p ¯ N interaction display a well-defined convergence pattern.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Proton Distribution Radii of 16–24 O: Signatures of New Shell Closures and Neutron Skin

The root mean square radii of the proton density distribution in 16–24 O derived from measurements of charge changing cross sections with a carbon target at ~900A MeV together with the matter radii portray thick neutron skin for 22–24 O despite 22,24 O being doubly magic. Imprints of the shell closures at N=14 and 16 are reflected in local minima of their proton radii that provide evidence for the tensor interaction causing them. The radii agree with ab initio calculations employing the chiral NNLO sat interaction, though skin thickness predictions are challenged. Furthermore, shell model predictions agree well with the data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Assignment of the Fundamental Modes of Hydroxyacetone Using Gas-Phase Infrared, Far-Infrared, Raman, and ab Initio Methods: Band Strengths for Atmospheric Measurements

Hydroxyacetone (acetol) is a simple organic molecule of interest in both the astrophysical and atmospheric communities, having recently been observed in biomass burning events, as well as a known degradation product of isoprene oxidation. However, its vibrational assignment has never been fully completed, and few quantitative data are available for its detection via infrared spectroscopy. Our recent acquisition of both the pressure-broadened gas-phase data and the far-IR spectra now allow for unambiguous assignment of several (new) bands. In particular, the observed C-type bands of several fundamentals (particularly in the far-infrared) and a few combination bands demonstrate that the monomer is in a planar (Cs) conformation, at least a majority of the time. As suggested by other researchers, the monomer is a cis-cis conformer stabilized by an intramolecular O—H···O=C hydrogen bond forming a five-membered planar ring structure. Band assignments in the Cs point group are justified (at least for a good fraction of the molecules in the ensemble) by the presence of the C-type bands. The results and band assignments are well confirmed by both ab initio MP2-ccpvtz calculations as well as GAMESS (B3LYP) theoretical calculations. In addition, using vetted methods for quantitative measurements, we report the first IR absorption band strengths of acetol (also in electronic format) that can be used for atmospheric monitoring and other applications.

Lindenmaier, Rodica↗

MGGPOD: a Monte Carlo Suite for Modeling Instrumental Line and Continuum Backgrounds in Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Intense and complex instrumental backgrounds, against which the much smaller signals from celestial sources have to be discerned, are a notorious problem for low and intermediate energy gamma-ray astronomy (approximately 50 keV - 10 MeV). Therefore a detailed qualitative and quantitative understanding of instrumental line and continuum backgrounds is crucial for most stages of gamma-ray astronomy missions, ranging from the design and development of new instrumentation through performance prediction to data reduction. We have developed MGGPOD, a user-friendly suite of Monte Carlo codes built around the widely used GEANT (Version 3.21) package, to simulate ab initio the physical processes relevant for the production of instrumental backgrounds. These include the build-up and delayed decay of radioactive isotopes as well as the prompt de-excitation of excited nuclei, both of which give rise to a plethora of instrumental gamma-ray background lines in addition t o continuum backgrounds. The MGGPOD package and documentation are publicly available for download. We demonstrate the capabilities of the MGGPOD suite by modeling high resolution gamma-ray spectra recorded by the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (TGRS) on board Wind during 1995. The TGRS is a Ge spectrometer operating in the 40 keV to 8 MeV range. Due to its fine energy resolution, these spectra reveal the complex instrumental background in formidable detail, particularly the many prompt and delayed gamma-ray lines. We evaluate the successes and failures of the MGGPOD package in reproducing TGRS data, and provide identifications for the numerous instrumental lines.

Weidenspointner, G.↗

Rotational study of the NH{sub 3}–CO complex: Millimeter-wave measurements and ab initio calculations

The rotational spectrum of the van der Waals complex NH{sub 3}–CO has been measured with the intracavity OROTRON jet spectrometer in the frequency range of 112–139 GHz. Newly observed and assigned transitions belong to the K = 0–0, K = 1–1, K = 1–0, and K = 2–1 subbands correlating with the rotationless (j{sub k}){sub NH3} = 0{sub 0} ground state of free ortho-NH{sub 3} and the K = 0–1 and K = 2–1 subbands correlating with the (j{sub k}){sub NH3} = 1{sub 1} ground state of free para-NH{sub 3}. The (approximate) quantum number K is the projection of the total angular momentum J on the intermolecular axis. Some of these transitions are continuations to higher J values of transition series observed previously [C. Xia et al., Mol. Phys. 99, 643 (2001)], the other transitions constitute newly detected subbands. The new data were analyzed together with the known millimeter-wave and microwave transitions in order to determine the molecular parameters of the ortho-NH{sub 3}–CO and para-NH{sub 3}–CO complexes. Accompanying ab initio calculations of the intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of NH{sub 3}–CO has been carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations and an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta basis set. The global minimum of the five-dimensional PES corresponds to an approximately T-shaped structure with the N atom closest to the CO subunit and binding energy D{sub e} = 359.21 cm{sup −1}. The bound rovibrational levels of the NH{sub 3}–CO complex were calculated for total angular momentum J = 0–6 on this intermolecular potential surface and compared with the experimental results. The calculated dissociation energies D{sub 0} are 210.43 and 218.66 cm{sup −1} for ortho-NH{sub 3}–CO and para-NH{sub 3}–CO, respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantal Study of the Exchange Reaction for N + N2 using an ab initio Potential Energy Surface

The N + N2 exchange rate is calculated using a time-dependent quantum dynamics method on a newly determined ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the ground A" state. This ab initio PES shows a double barrier feature in the interaction region with the barrier height at 47.2 kcal/mol, and a shallow well between these two barriers, with the minimum at 43.7 kcal/mol. A quantum dynamics wave packet calculation has been carried out using the fitted PES to compute the cumulative reaction probability for the exchange reaction of N + N2(J=O). The J - K shift method is then employed to obtain the rate constant for this reaction. The calculated rate constant is compared with experimental data and a recent quasi-classical calculation using a LEPS PES. Significant differences are found between the present and quasiclassical results. The present rate calculation is the first accurate 3D quantal dynamics study for N + N2 reaction system and the ab initio PES reported here is the first such surface for N3.

Wang, Dunyou↗

First-principles-derived transport properties of Molten chloride salts

Molten salts have many applications ranging from a heat transfer medium in both generation IV nuclear reactor designs and the solar industry to thermal storage systems. While molten salts show promising properties for these applications, there still exists a knowledge gap for the transport properties of molten salts at elevated temperatures. This work uses ab initio Molecular Dynamics to investigate the transport properties of KCl, LiCl, KCl-LiCl eutectic, NaCl, MgCl 2 , and NaCl-MgCl 2 eutectic molten salt systems. Further, the properties presented here are the diffusion coefficient, viscosity, and isochoric heat capacity. These properties are compared to experimental data where available and other computational work in cases where no experimental data is available. This is the first work to explore timescales over 100 ps via AIMD for the determination of transport properties in molten salts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ab Initio Structure Determination and Photoluminescent Properties of an Efficient, Thermally Stable Blue Phosphor, Ba 2 Y 5 B 5 O 17 :Ce 3+

Here, the crystal structure of a novel barium yttrium borate, Ba 2 Y 5 B 5 O 17 , was determined using a combination of ab initio global optimization algorithms and density functional theory calculations along with Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state route, the structure consists of edge- and corner-sharing Y- and Ba-centered polyhedra along with BO 3 trigonal planes. Ba and Y occupy four crystallographically independent sites with two fully occupied by Y and two having a statistical mixture of Y and Ba. Substituting Ce 3+ into the structure for Y 3+ yields blue photoluminescence ($λ_{\text{em}}$ = 443 nm) upon excitation with UV ($λ_{\text{em}}$ = 365 nm) light. The emission of this new compound is efficient with an external quantum yield of 70% and is stable as a function of temperature with a quenching temperature of ≈400 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Characterizing Defect Dynamics in Silicon Carbide Using Symmetry-Adapted Collective Variables and Machine Learning Interatomic Potentials

Silicon carbide (SiC) divacancies are attractive candidates for spin-defect qubits possessing long coherence times and optical addressability. The high activation barriers associated with SiC defect formation and motion pose challenges for their study by first-principles molecular dynamics. In this work, we develop and deploy machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) to accelerate defect dynamics simulations while retaining ab initio accuracy. We employ an active learning strategy comprising symmetry-adapted collective variable discovery and enhanced sampling to compile configurationally diverse training data, calculation of energies and forces using density functional theory (DFT), and training of an E(3)-equivariant MLIP based on the Allegro model. Here, the trained MLIP reproduces DFT-level accuracy in defect transition activation free energy barriers, enables the efficient and stable simulation of multidefect 216-atom supercells, and permits an analysis of the temperature dependence of defect thermodynamic stability and formation/annihilation kinetics to propose an optimal annealing temperature to maximally stabilize VV divacancies.

Computer simulations↗

Yttrium aluminium garnet under pressure: Structural, elastic, and vibrational properties from ab initio studies

The structural, elastic, and vibrational properties of yttrium aluminum garnet Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} are studied under high pressure by ab initio calculations in the framework of the density functional theory. The calculated ground state properties are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Pressure dependences of bond length and bulk moduli of the constituent polyhedra are reported. The evolution of the elastic constants and the major elastic properties, Young and shear modulus, Poisson's ratios, and Zener anisotropy ratio, are described. The mechanical stability is analyzed, on the light of “Born generalized stability criteria,” showing that the garnet is mechanically unstable above 116 GPa. Symmetries, frequencies, and pressure coefficients of the Raman-active modes are discussed on the basis of the calculated total and partial phonon density of states, which reflect the dynamical contribution of each atom. The relations between the phonon modes of Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} and the internal and external molecular modes of the different polyhedra are discussed. Infrared-active modes, as well as the silent modes, and their pressure dependence are also investigated. No dynamical instabilities were found below 116 GPa.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effects of anisotropic interaction-induced properties of hydrogen-rare gas compounds on rototranslational Raman scattering spectra: Comprehensive theoretical and numerical analysis

A comprehensive study is presented of many aspects of the depolarized anisotropic collision induced (CI) component of light scattered by weakly bound compounds composed of a dihydrogen molecule and a rare gas (Rg) atom, H{sub 2}–Rg. The work continues a series of earlier projects marking the revival of interest in linear light scattering following the development of new highly advanced tools of quantum chemistry and other theoretical, computational, and experimental means of spectral analyses. Sophisticated ab initio computing procedures are applied in order to obtain the anisotropic polarizability component’s dependence on the H{sub 2}–Rg geometry. These data are then used to evaluate the CI spectral lines for all types of Rg atoms ranging from He to Xe (Rn excluded). Evolution of the properties of CI spectra with growing polarizability/masses of the complexes studied is observed. Special attention is given to the heaviest, Kr and Xe based, scatterers. The influence of specific factors shaping the spectral lines (e.g., bound and metastable contribution, potential anisotropy) is discussed. Also the share of pressure broadened allowed rotational transitions in the overall spectral profile is taken into account and the extent to which it is separable from the pure CI contribution is discussed. We finish with a brief comparison between the obtained results and available experimental data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-resolution sub-Doppler infrared spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant Criegee precursor CH 2 I radicals: CH 2 stretch vibrations and “charge-sloshing” dynamics

The combination of a pulsed supersonic slit-discharge source and single-mode difference frequency direct absorption infrared spectroscopy permit first high resolution infrared study of the iodomethyl (CH 2 I) radical, with the CH 2 I radical species generated in a slit jet Ne/He discharge and cooled to 16 K in the supersonic expansion. Dual laser beam detection and collisional collimation in the slit expansion yield sub-Doppler linewidths (60 MHz), an absolute frequency calibration of 13 MHz, and absorbance sensitivities within a factor of two of the shot-noise limit. Fully rovibrationally resolved direct absorption spectra of the CH 2 symmetric stretch mode (ν 2 ) are obtained and fitted to a Watson asymmetric top Hamiltonian with electron spin-rotation coupling, providing precision rotational constants and spin-rotation tensor elements for the vibrationally excited state. Assessment of the asymmetric top rotational constants confirms a vibrationally averaged planar geometry in both the ground- and first-excited vibrational levels. Sub-Doppler resolution permits additional nuclear spin hyperfine structures to be observed, with splittings in excellent agreement with microwave measurements on the ground state. Spectroscopic data on CH 2 I facilitate systematic comparison with previous studies of halogen-substituted methyl radicals, with the periodic trends strongly correlated with the electronegativity of the halogen atom. Surprisingly, we do not observe any asymmetric CH 2 stretch transitions, despite S/N ≈ 25:1 on strongest lines in the corresponding symmetric CH 2 stretch manifold. This dramatic reversal of the more typical 3:1 antisymmetric/symmetric CH 2 stretch intensity ratio signals a vibrational transition moment poorly described by simple “bond-dipole” models. Instead, the data suggest that this anomalous intensity ratio arises from “charge sloshing” dynamics in the highly polar carbon-iodine bond, as supported by ab initio electron differential density plots and indeed consistent with observations in other halomethyl radicals and protonated cluster ions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Experimental and theoretical evidence for hydrogen doping in polymer solution-processed indium gallium oxide

The field-effect electron mobility of aqueous solution-processed indium gallium oxide (IGO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is significantly enhanced by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) addition to the precursor solution, a >70-fold increase to 7.9 cm 2 /Vs. To understand the origin of this remarkable phenomenon, microstructure, electronic structure, and charge transport of IGO:PVA film are investigated by a battery of experimental and theoretical techniques, including In K-edge and Ga K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS); resonant soft X-ray scattering (R-SoXS); ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS); Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy; time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS); composition-/processing-dependent TFT properties; high-resolution solid-state 1 H, 71 Ga, and 115 In NMR spectroscopy; and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) analysis with ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) liquid-quench simulations. The 71 Ga{ 1 H} rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) NMR and other data indicate that PVA achieves optimal H doping with a Ga···H distance of ~3.4 Å and conversion from six- to four-coordinate Ga, which together suppress deep trap defect localization. This reduces metal-oxide polyhedral distortion, thereby increasing the electron mobility. Finally, hydroxyl polymer doping thus offers a pathway for efficient H doping in green solvent-processed metal oxide films and the promise of high-performance, ultra-stable metal oxide semiconductor electronics with simple binary compositions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗