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At least 649 records · Page 36

Electron Excitation Cross Sections for the C // Transitions 2s(sup 2)wp (sup 2)Pdegree -- 2s2p(sup 2) (sup 4)P, (sup 2)D and (sup 2)S

Experimental and theoretical excitation cross sections are reported for the transitions 2s22p 2Po 2s2p2 4P, 2D and 2S in C //. The transition wavelengths (energies) are l 2324 A (5.34 eV), l 1335 A (9.29 eV), and l 1036 A (11.96 eV), respectively. Use is made of electron energy-loss and merged- beams methods. The energy range covered is from below each threshold (4-11 eV) to 22-25 eV. As in previous work with O //, care was taken to assess and minimize the metastable fraction in the C //beam, to account for contributions from nearby energy-loss features, and to collect the full angular range of inelastically-scattered electrons. Comparison is made for each transition between experiment and a new 8-state R-matrix calculations.

Electron Excitation↗

Molecular Geometry and Electronic Structure of Copper Corroles

Copper corroles are known for their unique multiconfigurational electronic structures in the ground state, which arise from the transfer of electrons from the π orbitals of the corrole to the d-orbital of copper. While density functional theory (DFT) provides reasonably good molecular geometries, the determination of the ground spin state and the associated energetics is heavily influenced by functional choice, particularly the percentage of the Hartree–Fock exchange. Using extended multireference perturbation theory methods (XMS-CASPT2), the functional choice can be assessed. The molecular geometries and electronic structures of both the unsubstituted and the meso-triphenyl copper corroles were investigated. A minimal active space was employed for structural characterization, while larger active spaces are required to examine the electronic structure. The XMS-CASPT2 investigations conclusively identify the ground electronic state as a multiconfigurational singlet (S o ) with three dominant electronic configurations in its lowest energy and characteristic saddled structure. In contrast, the planar geometry corresponds to the triplet state (T o ), which is approximately 5 kcal/mol higher in energy compared to the S o state for both the bare and substituted copper corroles. Notably, the planarity of the T o geometry is reduced in the substituted corrole compared with that in the unsubstituted one. By analyzing the potential energy surface (PES) between the S o and T o geometries using XMS-CASPT2, the multiconfigurational electronic structure is shown to transition toward a single electron configuration as the saddling angle decreases (i.e., as one approaches the planar geometry). Despite the ability of the functionals to reproduce the minimum energy structures, only the TPSSh-D 3 PES is reasonably close to the XMS-CASPT2 surface. Significant deviations along the PES are observed with other functionals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On the prospects of optical cycling in diatomic cations: effects of transition metals, spin–orbit couplings, and multiple bonds

Molecules with optical cycling centers (OCCs) are highly desirable in the context of fundamental studies as well as applications (e.g., quantum computing) because they can be effectively cooled to very low temperatures by repeated absorption and emission (hence, cycling). Charged species offer additional advantages for experimental control and manipulation. Here, we present a systematic computational study of a series of diatomic radical-cations made of a d-block metal and a p-block ligand, that are isoelectronic (in their valence shell) to the successfully laser-cooled neutral molecules. Using high-level electronic structure methods, we characterize state and transition properties of low-lying electronic states and compute Franck-Condon factors. The computed branching ratios and radiative lifetimes reveal that the electronic transitions analogous to those successfully used in the laser cooling of neutral molecules are less than optimal in the cations. We propose alternative transitions suitable for optical cycling and highlight trends that could assist future designs of OCCs in charged or neutral molecules.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

1D to 2D Transition in Tellurium Observed by 4D Electron Microscopy

A new microwave-enhanced synthesis method for the production of tellurium nanostructures is reported here—with control over products from the 1D regime (sub-5 nm diameter nanowires), to nanoribbons, to the 2D tellurene regime—along with a new methodology for local statistical quantification of the crystallographic parameters of these materials at the nanometer scale. Using a direct electron detector and image-corrected microscope, large and robust 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy datasets for accurate structural analysis are obtained. These datasets allow the adaptation of quantitative techniques originally developed for X-ray diffraction (XRD) refinement analyses to transmission electron microscopy, enabling the first demonstration of sub-picometer accuracy lattice parameter extraction while also obtaining both the size of the coherent crystallite domains and the nanostrain, which is observed to decrease as nanowires transition to tellurene. This new local analysis is commensurate with global powder XRD results, indicating the robustness of both the new synthesis approach and new structural analysis methodology for future scalable production of 2D tellurene and characterization of nanomaterials.

2D materials↗

Quantized synchrotron radiation in strong magnetic fields

Spectra from electrons making synchrotron transitions in high magnetic fields are calculated using the exact quantum transition rates for Landau states up to n = 500, and the results are compared with spectra calculated from the classical formula and the asymptotic quantum formula. The behavior of the transition rates are examined at low and high harmonics as a function of the spin state of the electron. The calculations confirm those of Herold, Ruder, and Wunner (1982) for low Landau states, extending them to higher states and individual spin state transitions. The results also confirm the dominance of ground-state transitions at high field strengths noted by White (1976). Single particle emissivities for electrons with both spin-up and spin-down in the initial state are calculated using these transition rates. Spectra for thermal electron distributions at transrelativistic temperatures and for steady state injection of monoenergetic electrons with isotropic pitch angles are also presented.

Harding, Alice K.↗

The LSU-Argonne conversion electron spectrometer: A new detector for the X-Array and SATURN decay station

In this study, a new conversion electron detector has been commissioned at the ATLAS/ CARIBU facility at Argonne National Laboratory. The LSU-Argonne Conversion Electron Spectrometer (LACES) is a LN 2 -cooled Si(Li) detector system designed to be incorporated into a decay station that comprises the dedicated HPGe clover array with a box geometry (X -Array) and the Scintillator and Tape Using Radioactive Nuclei (SATURN) device. This integration enables simultaneous measurements of conversion electrons and gamma-rays in decay experiments, yielding novel information on transition multipolarities, electric monopole transitions, and isomeric states that decay mostly via conversion electrons. A measurement of the energy resolution of LACES yielded 2.3-keV FWHM at 975 keV for electrons and 1.3-keV FWHM at 75 keV for X-rays. A detailed study of the absolute detection efficiency (at 5 mm from the source) was performed, where this quantity was determined experimentally in the range of electron transition energies between 25.5 keV and 1047.8 keV and subsequently simulated using the GEANT4 code. Measurement and simulations are found to be in excellent agreement. A precise characterization, for this type of detector system, of the absolute detection efficiency for such a wide energy range is reported for the first time.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Electron–phonon coupling enhancement and displacive magnetostructural transition in SrCr 2 As 2 under magneto-Raman spectroscopy

Here, a Raman spectroscopy study on high quality single crystals of SrCr 2 A s 2 (SCA) in the temperature T range 4 K < T < 300 K and high applied magnetic fields up to H = 9 T is presented. The chromium B 1g phonon analysis reveals two anomalous shifts in the frequency, the first below T = 250 K at H = 0 T in the saturated AFM G -type order likely due to an enhanced electron–phonon coupling by the magnetic order, whereas the second anomaly occurs above H = 4 T at T = 4 K likely as a consequence of a magnetostructural displacive transition. Renormalization of the electronic Raman spectra in both studies reveals a decrease in the electronic density of states with decreasing T and increasing H , respectively, with consequent changes in the Fermi surface, which are intrinsically related to the observed anomalies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Level shifts and inelastic electron scattering in dense plasmas

A completely quantum mechanical formalism has been developed to describe the high density plasma effects on fundamental atomic parameters. Both the bound and free electrons are treated by a method which in principle is similar to Hartree's self-consistent field method. The free plasma electrons' wavefunction is obtained from the Schroedinger equation with the effective potential representing the spherically averaged Coulomb interaction with bound and free electrons. Results are given for level shifts, coefficients of transition probabilities, and electron collision cross sections of Ne(9+) for temperatures of 200 and 500 eV for an electron density range of 1-6 x 10 to the 24th per cu cm.

Davis, J.↗

A Nanocrystal Catalyst Incorporating a Surface Bound Transition Metal to Induce Photocatalytic Sequential Electron Transfer Events

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is less common but can provide unique avenues for inducing novel chemical transformations and can also be utilized for energy transductions, i.e., the energy in the photons can be captured in chemical bonds. Here, we developed a novel heterogeneous photocatalytic system that employs a lead-halide perovskite nanocrystal (NC) to capture photons and direct photogenerated holes to a surface bound transition metal Cu-site, resulting in a N–N heterocyclization reaction. The reaction starts from surface coordinated diamine substrates and requires two subsequent photo-oxidation events per reaction cycle. We establish a photocatalytic pathway that incorporates sequential inner sphere electron transfer events, photons absorbed by the NC generate holes that are sequentially funneled to the Cu-surface site to perform the reaction. The photocatalyst is readily prepared via a controlled cation-exchange reaction and provides new opportunities in photodriven heterogeneous catalysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thermodynamic and electron transport properties of Ca 3 Ru 2 O 7 from first-principles phonon calculations and Boltzmann transport theory

Here, this work demonstrates a first-principles-based approach to obtaining finite temperature thermal and electronic transport properties which can be employed to model and understand mesoscale structural evolution during electronic, magnetic, and structural phase transitions. A computationally tractable model was introduced to estimate electron relaxation time and its temperature dependence. The model is applied to Ca 3 Ru 2 O 7 with a focus on understanding its electrical resistivity across the electronic phase transition at 48 K. A quasiharmonic phonon approach to the lattice vibrations was employed to account for thermal expansion while the Boltzmann transport theory including spin-orbit coupling was used to calculate the electron-transport properties, including the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phonon softening near topological phase transitions

Topological phase transitions occur when the electronic bands change their topological properties, typically featuring the closing of the band gap. While the influence of topological phase transitions on electronic and optical properties has been extensively studied, its implication on phononic properties and thermal transport remains unexplored. In this paper, we use first-principles simulations to show that certain phonon modes are significantly softened near topological phase transitions, leading to increased phonon-phonon scattering and reduced lattice thermal conductivity. We demonstrate this effect using two model systems: pressure induced topological phase transition in ZrTe 5 and chemical composition induced topological phase transition in Hg 1-x Cd x Te. We attribute the phonon softening to emergent Kohn anomalies associated with the closing of the band gap. Our paper reveals the strong connection between electronic band structures and lattice instabilities, and opens up a potential direction towards controlling heat conduction in solids.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Vibrational and rotational transitions in low-energy electron-diatomic-molecule collisions. I - Close-coupling theory in the moving body-fixed frame. II - Hybrid theory and close-coupling theory: An /l subscript z-prime/-conserving close-coupling approximation

A detailed vibrational-rotational (V-R) close-coupling formulation of electron-diatomic-molecule scattering is developed in which the target molecular axis is chosen to be the z-axis and the resulting coupled differential equation is solved in the moving body-fixed frame throughout the entire interaction region. The coupled differential equation and asymptotic boundary conditions in the body-fixed frame are given for each parity, and procedures are outlined for evaluating V-R transition cross sections on the basis of the body-fixed transition and reactance matrix elements. Conditions are discussed for obtaining identical results from the space-fixed and body-fixed formulations in the case where a finite truncated basis set is used. The hybrid theory of Chandra and Temkin (1976) is then reformulated, relevant expressions and formulas for the simultaneous V-R transitions of the hybrid theory are obtained in the same forms as those of the V-R close-coupling theory, and distorted-wave Born-approximation expressions for the cross sections of the hybrid theory are presented. A close-coupling approximation that conserves the internuclear axis component of the incident electronic angular momentum (l subscript z-prime) is derived from the V-R close-coupling formulation in the moving body-fixed frame.

Choi, B. H.↗

Electronic energy gap closure and metal-insulator transition in dense liquid hydrogen

Here, using quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations, we investigate the insulator-metal transition observed in liquid hydrogen at high pressure. Below the critical temperature of the transition from the molecular to the atomic liquid, the fundamental electronic gap closure occurs abruptly, with a small discontinuity reflecting the weak first-order transition in the thermodynamic equation of state. Above the critical temperature, molecular dissociation sets in while the gap is still open. When the gap closes, the decay of the off-diagonal reduced density matrix shows that the liquid enters a gapless, but localized, phase: there is a crossover between the insulating and the metallic liquids. Compared to different density functional theory (DFT) functionals, our QMC calculations provide larger values for the fundamental gap and the electronic density of states close to the band edges, indicating that optical properties from DFT potentially benefit from error cancellations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The metal-insulator transition in magnetite.

We describe an electronic model for the low temperature transition in magnetite, in which the average number of electrons on a site is non-integral. The solution of the one-dimensional problem is reviewed, and the connection of the model with the Verwey ordering is discussed. Some of the implication of the three dimensional problem are discussed.

Cullen, J. R.↗

Thermodynamics of the Metal Carbonates and Bicarbonates of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn Relevant to Mineral Energetics

The gas phase heats of formation of ground-state MCO 3 , M(HCO 3 ) 2 , and M(HCO 3 )(OH), where M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, have been predicted using the correlated molecular orbital theory at the CCSD(T) level extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using the Feller–Peterson–Dixon (FPD) approach. Cohesive energies of the carbonates were predicted based on the calculated gas phase and experimental solid heats of formation. Coulombic dissociation energies (CDEs) between metal cations and anions show a near-linear correlation with Shannon metal cation atomic radii, yet no correlation is found with the hardness of these cations. The total reaction dissociation energies (TRDEs) of transition metals are higher than their CDEs for the di-bicarbonates, in contrast to those for Mg and Ca based on our prior work. In addition to differences in the energies needed to prepare the transition metal dications, electron donation from the ligands to the 3d orbitals of open-shell transition metal dications from lone pairs of adjacent O atoms also plays a role. No electron donation from the ligands to the fully occupied 3d orbitals of Zn and Cd was found. Decomposition energies for generating MO, CO 2 , and/or H 2 O were calculated. Gas phase metal exchange energies only partially correlate with the electrochemical series for M(s) → M 2+( aq). The FPD heats of formation were used to benchmark a range of density functional theory exchange–correlation functionals, including those commonly used in solid-state mineral calculations. None of the functionals provided chemical accuracy agreement (±1 kcal/mol) with the FPD results. So, the best agreement with the FPD results is predicted for the $\tau$-HCTH functional with an average unsigned error of 8.3 kcal/mol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗