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At least 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Versatile system for ion energy measurements generated by pulsed laser ionization: Insights into electron-ion dynamics

Ion energy distributions generated by pulsed laser interactions with materials are essential for applications ranging from materials science to oncology. Ion energy characterization is particularly important for an emerging mass spectrometry technique called virtual-slit cycloidal mass spectrometry (VS-CMS). The ion energy distribution influences the design and performance of VS-CMS instruments, as well as the efficacy of laser-driven ionization methods in various fields. Several established techniques, including the retarding potential method, time-of-flight (TOF) analysis, and electrostatic energy analyzers, have been employed to measure ion energy distributions. The wide range of ion energies reported highlights the strong dependence of ion energy on laser parameters, target materials, and experimental conditions, as well as the necessity of making independent measurements of the ion energy distribution for specific laser systems and materials. This paper presents the design and characterization of a simple TOF-based apparatus for measuring ion energy distributions from pulsed laser ionization without external fields. This approach minimizes perturbation of electron-ion dynamics and enables simultaneous energy measurements at multiple spatial positions. Here, the apparatus was tested using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 266 nm on solid copper sheets at various laser fluences. Simultaneous measurements at different distances provide new insights into ion-electron interactions post-ionization and demonstrate the influence of laser wavelength and fluence on ion energy distributions.

Ion energy↗
DOE OSTI2014

Repeated Nrf2 stimulation using sulforaphane protects fibroblasts from ionizing radiation

Most of the cytotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation is mediated by radical-induced DNA double-strand breaks. Cellular protection from free radicals can be stimulated several fold by sulforaphane-mediated activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 that regulates more than 50 genes involved in the detoxification of reactive substances and radicals. Here, we report that repeated sulforaphane treatment increases radioresistance in primary human skin fibroblasts. Cells were either treated with sulforaphane for four hours once or with four-hour treatments repeatedly for three consecutive days prior to radiation exposure. Fibroblasts exposed to repeated-sulforaphane treatment showed a more pronounced dose-dependent induction of Nrf2-regulated mRNA and reduced amount of radiation-induced free radicals compared with cells treated once with sulforaphane. In addition, radiation- induced DNA double-strand breaks measured by gamma-H2AX foci were attenuated following repeated sulforaphane treatment. As a result, cellular protection from ionizing radiation measured by the 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay was increased, specifically in cells exposed to repeated sulforaphane treatment. Sulforaphane treatment was unable to protect Nrf2 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, indicating that the sulforaphane-induced radioprotection was Nrf2-dependent. Moreover, radioprotection by repeated sulforaphane treatment was dose-dependent with an optimal effect at 10 uM, whereas both lower and higher concentrations resulted in lower levels of radioprotection. Our data indicate that the Nrf2 system can be trained to provide further protection from radical damage. - Highlights: • Repeated treatment with sulforaphane protects fibroblasts from ionizing radiation • Repeated sulforaphane treatment attenuates radiation induced ROS and DNA damage • Sulforaphane mediated protection is Nrf2 dependent.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Experimental Determination of the Ionization Energies of MoSe 2 , WS 2 , and MoS 2 on SiO 2 Using Photoemission Electron Microscopy

Here, the values of the ionization energies of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are needed to assess their potential usefulness in semiconductor heterojunctions for high-performance optoelectronics. Here, we report on the systematic determination of ionization energies for three prototypical TMD monolayers (MoSe 2 , WS 2 , and MoS 2 ) on SiO 2 using photoemission electron microscopy with deep ultraviolet illumination. The ionization energy displays a progressive decrease from MoS 2 , to WS 2 , to MoSe 2 , in agreement with predictions of density functional theory calculations. Combined with the measured energy positions of the valence band edge at the Brillouin zone center, we deduce that, in the absence of interlayer coupling, a vertical heterojunction comprising any of the three TMD monolayers would form a staggered (type-II) band alignment. This band alignment could give rise to long-lived interlayer excitons that are potentially useful for valleytronics or efficient electron–hole separation in photovoltaics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Shear Response of Ionizable Polymer Melts at the Crossover from Ionomers to Polyelectrolytes

Nonlinear shear response of polymers is affected by inherent barriers for diffusive motion, including entanglements and topology. In ionizable polymers, ionic clusters further constrain the intrinsic dynamics of the polymers, significantly enhancing their viscosity. Here, using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the nonlinear shear response of ionizable polymers is presented, across the transition from the ionomer regime where distinctive clusters dominate the structure to the polyelectrolyte regime where clusters percolate, in polystyrene randomly sulfonated with fractions of SO 3 − groups of f = 0.20 and 0.35, in pristine and tetrahydrofuran (THF) swollen polyelectrolyte melts. For f = 0.20, the ionic clusters first fracture into smaller clusters followed by splitting into individual ionic groups and eventually reform. At higher f, the clusters morph in shape but do not break under high shear. At very high shear rates, all of the chains stretch and recoil rapidly. As the shear rate is reduced, some chains stretch and recoil, while others remain largely unaffected by the shear. Macroscopically, for all systems, the shear viscosity displays initially an elastic response, followed by nonlinear shear stress overshoot and, eventually, a steady state. The evolution of viscosity with time and shear reflects that of the ionizable domains.

cluster chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2014

Impact ionization of excitons in Ge/Si structures with Ge quantum dots grown on the oxidized Si(100) surfaces

Photoconductivity (PC) of Si/Ge structures with Ge quantum dots (QDs) grown on the Si(100) surfaces covered with the ultrathin, about 0.3–0.5 nm thick, SiO{sub 2} films is studied as a function of the interband light intensity under various lateral voltages. The structures exhibit PC with steps and a step with a peak at the step edge for low- and high-temperature grown structures, respectively. These PC features are associated with the impact ionization of QD-related excitons. The PC at step edges increases by several orders of magnitude for a certain value which is governed by the balance between rates of photo-generation, recombination, and impact ionization of excitons. The electron localization deeper in Si from the Ge QD layer in conjunction with a narrow binding-energy distribution of excitons is suggested to be the main reason that provides the sharpness of PC steps. The PC appears to be very sensitive to the impact ionization and QD preparation conditions. This allows revealing the specific characteristics of QD structures, related to their electronic and structural properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Threshold ionization, structural isomers, and electronic states of M{sub 2}O{sub 2} (M = Sc, Y, and La)

M{sub 2}O{sub 2} (M = Sc, Y, and La) were synthesized in a pulsed laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Adiabatic ionization energies (AIEs) and several vibrational frequencies were measured accurately for the first time from the MATI spectra. Six possible structural isomers of M{sub 2}O{sub 2} were considered in the calculations and the three converged structures were used in the spectral analysis. A planar cyclic structure in D{sub 2h} point group was predicted to be the most stable one by the theory and observed by the experiment. The cyclic structure is formed by joining two MO{sub 2} fragments together through two shared oxygen atoms. In forming the ground state clusters, each metal atom loses two (n − 1)d electrons and as a result, has only one ns electron in the metal-based valence orbital. The ground electronic state of Sc{sub 2}O{sub 2} is {sup 1}A{sub g}, and those of Y{sub 2}O{sub 2} and La{sub 2}O{sub 2} are {sup 3}B{sub 1u}. Ionization of both {sup 1}A{sub g} and {sup 3}B{sub 1u} neutral states yields the {sup 2}A{sub g} ion state by removing one of the two ns electrons, and the resultant ion has a similar geometry to the neutral cluster. The AIEs of the clusters are 5.5752 (6), 5.2639 (6), 4.5795 (6) eV for M = Sc, Y, and La, respectively. The vibrational frequencies of the observed modes, including O-M and M-M stretches, are in the range of 200–800 cm{sup −1}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Spatial profiles of electron and metastable atom densities in positive polarity fast ionization waves sustained in helium

Fast ionization waves (FIWs), often generated with high voltage pulses over nanosecond timescales, are able to produce large volumes of ions and excited states at moderate pressures. The mechanisms of FIW propagation were experimentally and computationally investigated to provide insights into the manner in which these large volumes are excited. The two-dimensional structure of electron and metastable densities produced by short-pulse FIWs sustained in helium were measured using laser-induced fluorescence and laser collision-induced fluorescence diagnostics for times of 100–120 ns after the pulse, as the pressure was varied from 1 to 20 Torr. A trend of center-peaked to volume-filling to wall-peaked electron density profiles was observed as the pressure was increased. Instantaneous FIW velocities, obtained from plasma-induced emission, ranged from 0.1 to 3×10⁹cm s⁻¹, depending on distance from the high voltage electrode and pressure. Predictions from two-dimensional modeling of the propagation of a single FIW correlated well with the experimental trends in electron density profiles and wave velocity. Results from the model show that the maximum ionization rate occurs in the wavefront, and the discharge continues to propagate forward after the removal of high voltage from the powered electrode due to the potential energy stored in the space charge. As the pressure is varied, the radial distribution of the ionization rate is shaped by changes in the electron mean free path, and subsequent localized electric field enhancement at the walls or on the centerline of the discharge.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fluorescence spectroscopy of UV-MALDI matrices and implications of ionization mechanisms

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) has been widely used in the mass analysis of biomolecules; however, there are a lot of debates about the ionization mechanisms. Previous studies have indicated that S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation might be a key process in the generation of primary ions. This study investigates S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation by examining the time-resolved fluorescence spectra of 12 matrices. No S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation was observed in six of these matrices (3-hydroxy-picolinic acid, 6-aza-2-thiothymine, 2,4-dihydroxy-acetophenone, 2,6-dihydroxy-acetophenone, 2,4,6-trihydroxy-acetophenone, and ferulic acid). We observed two matrix molecules reacting in an electronically excited state (S{sub 1}) in five of these matrices (2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2,5-dihydroxy-acetophenone, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid), and S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation was a possible reaction. Among these five matrices, no S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation was observed for 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid in typical peak power region of nanosecond laser pulses in MALDI, but a very small value of reaction rate constant was observed only in the high peak power region. The excited-state lifetime of sinapinic acid was too short to determine whether the molecules reacted in an electronically excited state. No correlation was observed between the ion generation efficiency of MALDI and S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation. The results indicate that the proposal of S{sub 1}-S{sub 1} annihilation is unnecessary in MALDI and energy pooling model for MALDI ionization mechanism has to be modified.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Ionization sensitization of doping in co-deposited organic semiconductor films

Sensitization of the dopant ionization in co-deposited films of organic semiconductors was found. The ionization rate of cesium carbonate (Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3}), which acts as a donor dopant in single films of metal-free phthalocyanine (H{sub 2}Pc) and fullerene (C{sub 60}), was increased from 10% to 97% in a H{sub 2}Pc:C{sub 60} co-deposited film. A charge separation superlattice model that includes electron transfer from the conduction band of H{sub 2}Pc to that of C{sub 60}, which increases the rate of dopant ionization, is proposed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Efficiency of plasma actuator ionization in shock wave modification in a rarefied supersonic flow over a flat plate

This paper describes experimental and numerical investigations focused on the shock wave modification, induced by a dc glow discharge, of a Mach 2 flow under rarefied regime. The model under investigation is a flat plate equipped with a plasma actuator composed of two electrodes. The glow discharge is generated by applying a negative potential to the upstream electrode, enabling the creation of a weakly ionized plasma. The natural flow (i.e. without the plasma) exhibits a thick laminar boundary layer and a shock wave with a hyperbolic shape. Images of the flow obtained with an ICCD camera revealed that the plasma discharge induces an increase in the shock wave angle. Thermal effects (volumetric, and at the surface) and plasma effects (ionization, and thermal non-equilibrium) are the most relevant processes explaining the observed modifications. The effect induced by the heating of the flat plate surface is studied experimentally by replacing the upstream electrode by a heating element, and numerically by modifying the thermal boundary condition of the model surface. The results show that for a similar temperature distribution over the plate surface, modifications induced by the heating element are lower than those produced by the plasma. This difference shows that other effects than purely thermal effects are involved with the plasma actuator. Measurements of the electron density with a Langmuir probe highlight the fact that the ionization degree plays an important role into the modification of the flow. The gas properties, especially the isentropic exponent, are indeed modified by the plasma above the actuator and upstream the flat plate. This leads to a local modification of the flow conditions, inducing an increase in the shock wave angle.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Single photon simultaneous K-shell ionization and K-shell excitation. II. Specificities of hollow nitrogen molecular ions

The formalism developed in the companion Paper I is used here for the interpretation of spectra obtained recently on the nitrogen molecule. Double core-hole ionization K{sup −2} and core ionization-core excitation K{sup −2}V processes have been observed by coincidence electron spectroscopy after ionization by synchrotron radiation at different photon energies. Theoretical and experimental cross sections reported on an absolute scale are in satisfactory agreement. The evolution with photon energy of the relative contribution of shake-up and conjugate shake-up processes is discussed. The first main resonance in the K{sup −2}V spectrum is assigned to a K{sup −2}π{sup ∗} state mainly populated by the 1s→ lowest unoccupied molecular orbital dipolar excitation, as it is in the K{sup −1}V NEXAFS (Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) signals. Closer to the K{sup −2} threshold Rydberg resonances have been also identified, and among them a K{sup −2}σ{sup ∗} resonance characterized by a large amount of 2s/2p hybridization, and double K{sup −2}(2σ{sup ∗}/1π/3σ){sup −1}1π{sup ∗2} shake-up states. These resonances correspond in NEXAFS spectra to, respectively, the well-known σ{sup ∗} shape resonance and double excitation K{sup −1}(2σ{sup ∗}/1π/3σ){sup −1}1π{sup ∗2} resonances, all being positioned above the threshold.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Density-functional errors in ionization potential with increasing system size

This work investigates the effects of molecular size on the accuracy of density-functional ionization potentials for a set of 28 hydrocarbons, including series of alkanes, alkenes, and oligoacenes. As the system size increases, delocalization error introduces a systematic underestimation of the ionization potential, which is rationalized by considering the fractional-charge behavior of the electronic energies. The computation of the ionization potential with many density-functional approximations is not size-extensive due to excessive delocalization of the incipient positive charge. While inclusion of exact exchange reduces the observed errors, system-specific tuning of long-range corrected functionals does not generally improve accuracy. These results emphasize that good performance of a functional for small molecules is not necessarily transferable to larger systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Coupling an electrospray source and a solids probe/chemical ionization source to a selected ion flow tube apparatus

A new ion source region has been constructed and attached to a variable temperature selected ion flow tube. The source features the capabilities of electron impact, chemical ionization, a solids probe, and electrospray ionization. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated through a series of reactions from ions created in each of the new source regions. The chemical ionization source is able to create H{sub 3}O{sup +}, but not as efficiently as similar sources with larger apertures. The ability of this source to support a solids probe, however, greatly expands our capabilities. A variety of rhenium cations and dications are created from the solids probe in sufficient abundance to study in the flow tube. The reaction of Re{sup +} with O{sub 2} proceeds with a rate constant that agrees with the literature measurements, while the reaction of Re{sub 2}{sup 2+} is found to charge transfer with O{sub 2} at about 60% of the collision rate; we have also performed calculations that support the charge transfer pathway. The electrospray source is used to create Ba{sup +}, which is reacted with N{sub 2}O to create BaO{sup +}, and we find a rate constant that agrees with the literature.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optimization of a hot-cavity type resonant ionization laser ion source

Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) is nowadays an important technique in many Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facilities for its reliability and ability to ionize efficiently and element selectively. Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL) Ion Source using Electron Laser Excitation (GISELE) is an off-line test bench for RILIS developed to study a fully operational resonant laser ion source at GANIL facility. The ion source body has been designed as a modular system to investigate different experimental approaches by varying the design parameters, to develop the future on-line laser ion source. The aim of this project is to determine the best technical solution which combines high selectivity and ionization efficiency with small ion beam emittance and stable long term operation. Latest results concerning emittance and time profile development as a function of the temperature for different ion source versions will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Anion formation in sputter ion sources by neutral resonant ionization

Focused Cs{sup +} beams in sputter ion sources create mm-diameter pits supporting small plasmas that control anionization efficiencies. Sputtering produces overwhelmingly neutral products that the plasma can ionize as in a charge-change vapor. Electron capture between neutral atoms rises as the inverse square of the difference between the ionization potential of the Cs state and the electron affinity of the sputtered atom, allowing resonant ionization at very low energies. A plasma collision-radiation model followed electronic excitation up to Cs(7d). High modeled Cs(7d) in a 0.5 mm recess explains the 80 μA/mm{sup 2} C{sup −} current density compared to the 20 μA/mm{sup 2} from a 1 mm recess.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ionization competition effects on population distribution and radiative opacity of mixture plasmas

Ionization competition arising from the electronic shell structures of various atomic species in the mixture plasmas was investigated, taking SiO{sub 2} as an example. Using a detailed-level-accounting approximation, we studied the competition effects on the charge state population distribution and spectrally resolved and Planck and Rosseland mean radiative opacities of mixture plasmas. A set of coupled equations for ionization equilibria that include all components of the mixture plasmas are solved to determine the population distributions. For a given plasma density, competition effects are found at three distinct temperature ranges, corresponding to the ionization of M-, L-, and K-shell electrons of Si. Taking the effects into account, the spectrally resolved and Planck and Rosseland mean opacities are systematically investigated over a wide range of plasma densities and temperatures. For a given mass density, the Rosseland mean decreases monotonically with plasma temperature, whereas Planck mean does not. Although the overall trend is a decrease, the Planck mean increases over a finite intermediate temperature regime. A comparison with the available experimental and theoretical results is made.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Small-signal modeling with direct parameter extraction for impact ionization effect in high-electron-mobility transistors

Impact ionization affects the radio-frequency (RF) behavior of high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs), which have narrow-bandgap semiconductor channels, and this necessitates complex parameter extraction procedures for HEMT modeling. In this paper, an enhanced small-signal equivalent circuit model is developed to investigate the impact ionization, and an improved method is presented in detail for direct extraction of intrinsic parameters using two-step measurements in low-frequency and high-frequency regimes. The practicability of the enhanced model and the proposed direct parameter extraction method are verified by comparing the simulated S-parameters with published experimental data from an InAs/AlSb HEMT operating over a wide frequency range. The results demonstrate that the enhanced model with optimal intrinsic parameter values that were obtained by the direct extraction approach can effectively characterize the effects of impact ionization on the RF performance of HEMTs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electron residual energy due to stochastic heating in field-ionized plasma

The electron residual energy originated from the stochastic heating in under-dense field-ionized plasma is investigated here. Initially, the optical response of plasma is modeled by using two counter-propagating electromagnetic waves. In this case, the solution of motion equation of a single electron indicates that by including the ionization, the electron with higher residual energy compared with that without ionization could be obtained. In agreement with chaotic nature of the motion, it is found that the electron residual energy will be significantly changed by applying a minor change in the initial conditions. Extensive kinetic 1D-3V particle-in-cell simulations have been performed in order to resolve full plasma reactions. In this way, two different regimes of plasma behavior are observed by varying the pulse length. The results indicate that the amplitude of scattered fields in a proper long pulse length is high enough to act as a second counter-propagating wave and trigger the stochastic electron motion. On the contrary, the analyses of intensity spectrum reveal the fact that the dominant scattering mechanism tends to Thomson rather than Raman scattering by increasing the pulse length. A covariant formalism is used to describe the plasma heating so that it enables us to measure electron temperature inside and outside of the pulse region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗