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At least 577 records · Page 32

Spray Mechanism of Contained-Electrospray Ionization

Analytical characteristics of contained electrospray ionization (ESI) are summarized in terms of its potential to modify the analyte solution during the stages of droplet formation to provide opportunities to generate native versus denatured biomolecular gas-phase ions, without the need for bulk-phase analyte modifications. The real-time modification of the charged microdroplets occurs in a cavity that is included in the outlet of the contained-ESI ion source. Close examination of the inside of the cavity using a high-speed camera revealed the formation of discrete droplets as well as thin liquid films in the droplets wake. When operated at 20 psi N2 pressure, the droplets were observed to move at an average speed of 8 mm/s providing ~1 s mixing time in a 10 mm cavity length. Evidence is provided for the presence of highly reactive charged droplets based on myoglobin charge state distribution, apo-myoglobin contents, and ion mobility drift time profiles under different spray conditions. Mechanistic insights for the capture of vapor-phase reagents and droplet dynamics as influenced by different operational modes are also described.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Iodine orbital moment and chromium anisotropy contributions to CrI 3 magnetism

The recent discovery of two-dimensional (2D) magnets, with a number of interesting magnetic properties, has drawn much interest due to their potential for future 2D spintronic device applications. CrI 3 , a van der Waals magnet, exhibits two-dimensional ferromagnetism even in monolayer form, stabilized by strong magnetic anisotropy. Its interlayer magnetic ordering is coupled to structural layer stacking, implying that the charge density distribution mediating van der Waals interactions plays a key role in the magnetic interaction between the layers. Using polarization-dependent x-ray spectroscopy, we investigated the response of the electronic environment around Cr and I sites to structural changes of layer stacking order. The highly anisotropic nature of the Cr local environment is significantly enhanced and is accompanied by changes in the valence band, in the rhombohedral phase. Magnetic spectroscopy measurements reveal a sizable iodine orbital moment, indicating the iodine contribution to magnetic anisotropy. Finally, our results uncover an important role for the extended nature of anisotropic Cr orbital states in dictating interlayer magnetic interactions and the iodine contribution to magnetic anisotropy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantifying leakage fields at ionic grain boundaries using off-axis electron holography

The electrical properties of interfaces in semiconductors and ionic conductors are immensely important in a wide range of applications. Electron holography is ideally suited for the direct measurement of the electrostatic potential of such interfaces. A key challenge with this approach is the contribution of the leakage field from the sample to the observed electron phase shift. This leakage field cannot be a priori independently determined and can cause an overestimation of the phase shift. In this work, we use finite element simulations to compute the three-dimensional electrostatic potential in the vicinity of an interface associated with a given interfacial charge density distribution. We then evaluate the predicted phase shift and demonstrate that the leakage field strongly affects the recovery of the projected interface potential. From the difference between the true potential and uncorrected, recovered potential, we propose a method to correct for this effect. We then demonstrate the application of this methodology to the analysis of experimental off-axis electron holography data acquired from the grain boundaries in lightly doped ceria.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lower hybrid drift instability in nonthermal plasmas

Lower hybrid drift instability (LHDI) is driven by the cross-field current and operates in the vicinity of the lower-hybrid frequency, between the ion- and electron-gyro frequencies, and with wavelengths between the electron and ion thermal gyro radii. The free energy source that drives this instability resides in the density gradient associated with an inhomogeneous plasma. The existing literature on LHDI assumes that the charged particle distribution function is given by a Maxwellian form, but the space plasma is pervasively observed to feature nonthermal characteristics. This paper extends the theory of LHDI to nonthermal plasmas. The generalized theory of LHDI is, thus, applicable to various space plasma environments characterized by nonthermal plasma velocity distribution functions.

Arya, Neetasha (ORCID:0009000236075605)↗

Commissioning of an MPGD-based Drift Chamber for Heavy-ion Tracking in FRIB's Sweeper magnet system

A newly developed drift chamber equipped with an innovative hybrid Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector based readout was commissioned at FRIB. The detector consists of a Multi-layer Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (M-THGEM) mounted over a high-granularity, position-sensitive readout board. Denoted as the Micro-Pattern Drift Chamber (MPDC), the new device is used to provide tracking capability as part of the detectors of the Sweeper magnet system for neutron-invariant-mass spectrometry at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). The localization of impinging ions in a 30 × 30 cm 2 drift area is derived by processing the charge-avalanche distribution induced on the segmented readout board. The signals induced on the readout pads are processed by a compact, multi-channel Data Acquisition System (DAQ) based on the Scalable Readout System (SRS). To facilitate synchronization with other detector systems of the Sweeper magnet system, the SRS has been configured to accept an external trigger.

Gaseous detectors↗

Ultrafast x-ray imaging of coherently controlled molecular dynamics in real space and time

Coherent control aims to manipulate chemical processes on the latent length and timescales of atoms and bonds, scales that are intrinsic to molecular dynamics but not directly resolved by most experimental probes. As a result, existing coherent-control experiments, which overwhelmingly rely on spectroscopic observables, leave a crucial blind spot: the direct, real-space recovery of all atomic and molecular rearrangements in response to coherently controlled excitations. Here, we overcome this limitation by integrating a Tannor-Kosloff-Rice pump-control-probe scheme with ultrafast X-ray scattering to capture snapshots of the wavepacket motion in a benchmark molecular system. We demonstrate this by photoexciting diatomic iodine vapor with a visible pump pulse, selectively steering the wavepacket toward ground-state recombination or dissociative pathways with a time-delayed near-IR control pulse, and recording the dynamics with angstrom and femtosecond precision with an ultrashort hard X-ray probe pulse. By comparing these structural observations with numerical solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, we reveal how coherent control actively reshapes the molecular charge density distribution. Our results pave the way for leveraging structural feedback as a control handle and provide a fundamental microscopic visualization of quantum decoherence and energy redistribution at the atomic level.

Hopper, Thomas R. [SLAC National Accelerator Labor↗

Reduction in Nuclear Size and Quadrupole Deformation of High-Spin Isomers of 127,129 In

We employed laser spectroscopy of atomic transitions to measure the nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic properties of the high-spin isomeric states in neutron-rich indium isotopes (𝑍 =49) near the closed proton and neutron shells at 𝑍 = 50 and 𝑁 = 82. Our data reveal a reduction in the nuclear charge radius and intrinsic quadrupole moment when protons and neutrons are fully aligned in 129 In ⁢(𝑁 = 80), to form the high spin isomer. Such a reduction is not observed in 127 In ⁢(𝑁 = 78), where more complex configurations can be formed by the existence of four neutron holes. These observations are not consistently described by nuclear theory.

high spin states↗

Effects of lithium intercalation in twisted bilayer graphene

In this work, we investigate the effects of lithium intercalation in twisted bilayers of graphene, using first-principles electronic structure calculations. To model this system we employ commensurate supercells that correspond to twist angles of 7.34° and 2.45°. From the energetics of lithium absorption we demonstrate that for low Li concentration the intercalants cluster in the AA regions with double the density of a uniform distribution. The charge donated by the Li atoms to the graphene layers results in modifications to the band structure that can be qualitatively captured using a continuum model with modified interlayer couplings in a region of parameter space that has yet to be explored either experimentally or theoretically. Thus, the combination of intercalation and twisted layers simultaneously provides the means for spatial control over material properties and an additional knob with which to tune moiré physics in twisted bilayers of graphene, with potential applications ranging from energy storage and conversion to quantum information.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Plasmons in two-dimensional topological insulators

Here, we analyze collective excitations in models of two-dimensional topological insulators using the random phase approximation. In a two-dimensional extension of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, edge plasmonic excitations with induced charge-density distributions localized at the boundaries of the system are found in the topologically nontrivial phase, dispersing similarly as one-dimensional bulk plasmons in the conventional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain. For two-dimensional bulk collective modes, we reveal regimes of enhanced interband wave function correlations, leading to characteristic hardening and softening of inter- and intraband bulk plasmonic branches, respectively. In the two-dimensional Haldane Chern insulator model, chiral, unidirectional edge plasmons in nano-ribbon architectures are observed, which can be characterized by an effective Coulomb interaction cross section. Bulk collective excitations in the two-dimensional Haldane model are shown to be originated by single-particle band structure details in different topological phases.

2-dimensional systems↗

Anomalous electrodynamics and quantum geometry in the Dirac-Harper model for a graphene bilayer

In this work, graphene bilayers with layer antisymmetric strains are studied using the Dirac-Harper model for a pair of single layer Dirac Hamiltonians coupled by a one-dimensional moiré-periodic interlayer tunneling amplitude. This model hosts low energy, nearly dispersionless bands near charge neutrality that support anomalous polarizations of its charge multipole distributions. These are analyzed introducing a generalized Berry curvature that encodes the field-induced dynamics of multipole fields allowed in a chiral medium with time reversal symmetry. The formulation identifies a reciprocity relation between responses to layer-symmetric and layer-antisymmetric in-plane electric fields and reveals momentum-space quantum oscillations produced by a spatial pattern of band inversions on the moiré scale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Various facets of magnetic charge correlation: Micromagnetic and distorted-wave Born approximation simulations study

The emergent concept of the magnetic charge quasiparticle provides a new realm to study the evolution of magnetic properties in two-dimensional artificially frustrated magnets. Here we report on the exploration of magnetic phases due to various magnetic charge correlation using the complementary numerical techniques of micromagnetic and distorted-wave Born approximation simulations in artificial permalloy honeycomb lattice. The honeycomb element length varies between 10 nm and 100 nm, while the width and thickness are kept within the single domain limit. In addition to the charge ordered loop state, we observe disordered charge arrangement, characterized by the random distribution of ±Q charges, in single domain size honeycomb lattice. As the length of the honeycomb element increases, low multiplicity magnetic charges tend to form contiguous bands in thinner lattice. Thin honeycomb lattice with 100 nm element length exhibits a perfect spin ice pattern, which remains unaffected by the modest increase in the width of element size. We simulate scattering profiles under the pretext of distorted-wave Born approximation formalism for the micromagnetic phases. The results are expected to provide useful guidance in the experimental investigation of magnetic phases in an artificial honeycomb magnet.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Covariant spectator theory of n p scattering: Deuteron form factors

The deuteron form factors are calculated using two model wave functions obtained from the 2007 CST high precision fits to $np$ scattering data. Included in the calculation are a new class of isoscalar $np$ interaction currents which are automatically generated by the nuclear force model used in these fits. If the nuclear model WJC2 is used, a precision fit ($\chi^2$/datum $\eqsim1$) to the Sick Global Analysis (GA) of all $ed$ elastic scattering data can be obtained by adjusting the unknown off-shell nucleon form factors $F_3(Q^2)$ (discussed before) and $F_4(Q^2)$ (introduced in this paper), and predicting the high $Q^2$ behavior of the neutron charge form factor $G_{En}(Q^2)$ well beyond the region where it has been measured directly. Relativistic corrections, isoscalar interaction currents, and off-shell effects are defined, discussed, and their size displayed. A rationale for extending $ed$ elastic scattering measurements to higher $Q^2$ is presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Reexamining the relation between the binding energy of finite nuclei and the equation of state of infinite nuclear matter

The energy density is calculated in coordinate space for 12 C, 40 Ca, 48 Ca, and 208 Pb using a dispersive optical model constrained by all relevant data including the corresponding energy of the ground state. The energy density of 8 Be is also calculated using the Green’s function Monte-Carlo method employing the Argonne/Urbana two and three-body interactions. The nuclear interior minimally contributes to the total binding energy due to the 4πr 2 phase space factor. Thus, the volume contribution to the energy in the interior is not well constrained. The dispersive-optical-model energy densities are in good agreement with ab initio self-consistent Green’s function calculations of infinite nuclear matter restricted to treat only short-range and tensor correlations. These results call into question the degree to which the equation of state for nuclear matter is constrained by the empirical mass formula. In particular, the results in this work indicate that saturated nuclear matter does not require the canonical value of 16 MeV binding per particle but only about 13-14 MeV when the interior of 208 Pb is considered.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measuring the surface thickness of the weak charge density of nuclei

The present PREX-II and CREX experiments are measuring the rms radius of the weak charge density of Pb 208 and Ca 48 . We discuss the feasibility of a new parity violating electron scattering experiment to measure the surface thickness of the weak charge density of a heavy nucleus. Additionally, once PREX-II and CREX have constrained weak radii, an additional parity violating measurement at a momentum transfer near 0.76 fm - 1 for Pb 208 or 1.28 fm - 1 for Ca 48 can determine the surface thickness.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗