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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Molecular-Level Insights into the NMR Relaxivity of Gadobutrol Using Quantum and Classical Molecular Simulations

MRI is an indispensable diagnostic tool in modern medicine; however, understanding the molecular-level processes governing NMR relaxation of water in the presence of MRI contrast agents remains a challenge, hindering the molecular-guided development of more effective contrast agents. By using quantum-based polarizable force fields, the first-of-its-kind molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Gadobutrol are reported where the 1 H NMR longitudinal relaxivity r 1 of the aqueous phase is determined without any adjustable parameters. The MD simulations of r 1 dispersion (i.e., frequency dependence) show good agreement with measurements at frequencies of interest in clinical MRI. Importantly, the simulations reveal key insights into the molecular level processes leading to r 1 dispersion by decomposing the NMR dipole–dipole autocorrelation function G(t) into a discrete set of molecular modes, analogous to the eigenmodes of a quantum harmonic oscillator. The molecular modes reveal important aspects of the underlying mechanisms governing r 1 , such as its multiexponential nature and the importance of the second eigenmodal decay. By simply analyzing the MD trajectories on a parameter-free approach, the Gadobutrol simulations show that the outer-shell water contributes ∼50% of the total relaxivity r 1 compared to the inner-shell water, in contrast to simulations of (nonchelated) gadolinium-aqua where the outer shell contributes only ∼15% of r 1 . The deviation between simulations and measurements of r 1 below clinical MRI frequencies is used to determine the low-frequency electron-spin relaxation time for Gadobutrol, in good agreement with independent studies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design and Contruction of a Longitudinally Polarized Solid Nuclear Target for CLAS12

A new polarized nuclear target has been developed, constructed, and deployed at Jefferson Laboratory in Newport News, VA for use with the upgraded 12 GeV CEBAF (Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility) accelerator and the Hall B CLAS12 (12 GeV CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer) detector array. This ?APOLLO? (Ammonia PO-Larized LOngitudinally) target is a longitudinally polarized, solid ammonia, nuclear target which employs DNP (Dynamic Nuclear Polarization) to induce a net polarization in samples of protons (NH3) and deuterons (ND3) cooled to 1 K via helium evaporation, held in a 5 T polarizing field supplied by the CLAS12 spectrometer, and irradiated with 140 GHz microwave radiation. It was utilized in the RGC (Run Group C) experiment suite through a collaboration of the JLab Target Group, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, the University of Virginia, and the CLAS Collaboration. RGC comprised six experiments which measured multiple spin-dependent observables across a wide kinematic phase space for use in nucleon spin studies. The dimensional constraints necessary for the incorporation of APOLLO into CLAS12, as well as the considerations necessary to utilize the CLAS12 solenoid, introduced unique challenges to the target design. This document presents the innovative solutions developed for these challenges including a novel material transport system, superconducting magnetic correction coils, and an all new bespoke NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) system. In addition to a detailed description of the complete target system and an initial report of the RGC experimental run, it will also present a study of Quark-Hadron Duality in the g1 spin structure function based on Hall B EG1b data and pQCD fits from the JAM (Jefferson Lab Angular Momentum) Collaboration.

Lagerquist, Victoria Lagerquist↗
DOE OSTI2020

Exploring the Limits of Dative Boratrane Bonding: Iron as a Strong Lewis Base in Low-Valent Non-Heme Iron-Nitrosyl Complexes

We previously reported the synthesis and preliminary characterization of a unique series of low-spin (ls) {FeNO} 8–10 complexes supported by an ambiphilic trisphosphineborane ligand, [Fe(TPB)(NO)] +/0/– . In this study, we use advanced spectroscopic techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to extract detailed information as to how the bonding changes across the redox series. We find that, in spite of the highly reduced nature of these complexes, they feature an NO + ligand throughout with strong Fe–NO π-backbonding and essentially closed-shell electronic structures of their FeNO units. This is enabled by an Fe–B interaction that is present throughout the series. In particular, the most reduced [Fe(TPB)(NO)] – complex, an example of a ls-{FeNO} 10 species, features a true reverse dative Fe → B bond where the Fe center acts as a strong Lewis-base. Hence, this complex is in fact electronically similar to the ls-{FeNO} 8 system, with two additional electrons “stored” on site in an Fe–B single bond. The outlier in this series is the ls-{FeNO} 9 complex, due to spin polarization (quantified by pulse EPR spectroscopy), which weakens the Fe–NO bond. These data are further contextualized by comparison with a related N 2 complex, [Fe(TPB)(N 2 )] – , which is a key intermediate in Fe(TPB)-catalyzed N 2 fixation. Our present study finds that the Fe → B interaction is key for storing the electrons needed to achieve a highly reduced state in these systems, and highlights the pitfalls associated with using geometric parameters to try to evaluate reverse dative interactions, a finding with broader implications to the study of transition metal complexes with boratrane and related ligands.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evolution of spin excitations from bulk to monolayer FeSe

Abstract In ultrathin films of FeSe grown on SrTiO 3 (FeSe/STO), the superconducting transition temperature T c is increased by almost an order of magnitude, raising questions on the pairing mechanism. As in other superconductors, antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations have been proposed to mediate SC making it essential to study the evolution of the spin dynamics of FeSe from the bulk to the ultrathin limit. Here, we investigate the spin excitations in bulk and monolayer FeSe/STO using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations. Despite the absence of long-range magnetic order, bulk FeSe displays dispersive magnetic excitations reminiscent of other Fe-pnictides. Conversely, the spin excitations in FeSe/STO are gapped, dispersionless, and significantly hardened relative to its bulk counterpart. By comparing our RIXS results with simulations of a bilayer Hubbard model, we connect the evolution of the spin excitations to the Fermiology of the two systems revealing a remarkable reconfiguration of spin excitations in FeSe/STO, essential to understand the role of spin fluctuations in the pairing mechanism.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Charge-spin interconversion in epitaxial Pt probed by spin-orbit torques in a magnetic insulator

We measure spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in a model system of all-epitaxial ferrite/Pt bilayers to gain insights into charge-spin interconversion in Pt. With negligible electronic conduction in the insulating ferrite, the crystalline Pt film acts as the sole source of charge-to-spin conversion. A small fieldlike SOT independent of Pt thickness suggests a weak Rashba-Edelstein effect at the ferrite/Pt interface. By contrast, we observe a sizable dampinglike SOT that depends on the Pt thickness, from which we deduce the dominance of an extrinsic spin-Hall effect (skew scattering) and Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation in the crystalline Pt film. Furthermore, our results point to a large internal spin-Hall ratio of ≈ 0.8 in epitaxial Pt. Furthermore, our experimental work takes an essential step towards understanding the mechanisms of charge-spin interconversion and SOTs in Pt-based heterostructures, which are crucial for power-efficient spintronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Combined effect of NaAlO2 and NaOH on the early age hydration of Portland cement with a high concentration of borate solution

The early age hydration of ordinary Portland cement in 5 M borate solution, with or without the addition of NaAlO{sub 2} and/or NaOH, was investigated. Hydration was measured using calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, {sup 11}B and {sup 27}Al magic angle spinning NMR analysis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The purpose of this study was to reveal the mechanisms behind the retardation caused by a high concentration borate solution and the restoration of hydration through the combined addition of NaOH and NaAlO{sub 2}. Amorphous ulexite, which formed on the surface of the cement particles and prevented the further dissolution of anhydrous phases, was identified as the retardation product. The mechanism of the combined addition of NaAlO{sub 2} and NaOH in overcoming retardation was to transform amorphous ulexite into B-AFt and gowerite (CaB{sub 6}O{sub 10}·5H{sub 2}O). Formation of gowerite is favorable because of the much higher boron immobilization capacity in weight percentage, comparing to usual boron-containing phases reported previously.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reexamining circular dichroism in photoemission from a topological insulator

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of electron states is an essential ingredient for topological and quantum geometric quantities in solids. For example, Dirac surface states with helical spin- and orbital-angular momenta are a hallmark of a 3D topological insulator. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with variable circular light polarization, known as circular dichroism (CD), has been assumed to be a direct probe of OAM and, by proxy, of the Berry curvature of electronic bands in energy- and momentum-space. Indeed, topological surface states have been shown to exhibit angle-dependent CD (CDAD), and more broadly, CD is often interpreted as evidence of spin-orbit coupling. Meanwhile, it is well-established that CD originates from the photoemission matrix elements, which can have extrinsic contributions related to the experimental geometry and the inherently broken inversion symmetry at the sample surface. Therefore, it is important to broadly examine CD-ARPES to determine the scenarios in which it provides a robust probe of intrinsic material physics. We performed CD-ARPES on the canonical topological insulator Bi 2 ⁢Se 3 over a wide range of incident photon energies. Not only do we observe angle-dependent CD in the surface states, as expected, but we also find CD of a similar magnitude in virtually all bulk bands. Since OAM is forbidden by inversion symmetry in the bulk, we conclude this originates from symmetry-breaking in the photoemission process. Comparison with theoretical calculations supports this view and suggests that “hidden” OAM—localized to atomic sites within each unit cell—contributes significantly. Additional effects, including inter-atomic interference and final-state resonances, are responsible for the rapid variation of the CDAD signal with photon energy.

Sidilkover, Ittai [Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fast Relaxation on Qutrit Transitions of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Nanodiamonds

Thanks to their versatility, nitrogen-vacancy (N-𝑉) centers in nanodiamonds have been widely adopted as nanoscale sensors. However, their sensitivities are limited by their short coherence times relative to N-𝑉⁢s in bulk diamond. A more complete understanding of the origins of decoherence in nanodiamonds is critical to improving their performance. Here we present measurements of fast spin relaxation on qutrit transitions between the energy eigenstates composed of the 𝑚 𝑠 =|±1⟩ states of the N-𝑉 − electronic ground state in approximately 40-nm nanodiamonds under ambient conditions. For frequency splittings between these states of 20 MHz or less the maximum theoretically achievable coherence time of the N-𝑉 spin is approximately 2 orders of magnitude shorter than would be expected if the N-𝑉 spin is treated as a qubit. We attribute this fast relaxation to electric field noise. We observe a strong falloff of the qutrit relaxation rate with the splitting between the states, suggesting that, whenever possible, measurements with N-𝑉⁢s in nanodiamonds should be performed at moderate axial magnetic fields (>60 G). We also observe that the qutrit relaxation rate changes with time. As a result, these findings indicate that surface electric field noise is a major source of decoherence for N-𝑉⁢s in nanodiamonds.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reexamining Circular Dichroism in Photoemission From a Topological Insulator

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of electron states is an essential ingredient for topological and quantum geometric quantities in solids. For example, Dirac surface states with helical spin- and orbital-angular momenta are a hallmark of a 3D topological insulator. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with variable circular light polarization, known as circular dichroism (CD), has been assumed to be a direct probe of OAM and, by proxy, of the Berry curvature of electronic bands in energy- and momentum-space. Indeed, topological surface states have been shown to exhibit angle-dependent CD (CDAD), and more broadly, CD is often interpreted as evidence of spin-orbit coupling. Meanwhile, it is well-established that CD originates from the photoemission matrix elements, which can have extrinsic contributions related to the experimental geometry and the inherently broken inversion symmetry at the sample surface. Therefore, it is important to broadly examine CD-ARPES to determine the scenarios in which it provides a robust probe of intrinsic material physics. We performed CD-ARPES on the canonical topological insulator $\mathrm{Bi}_2\mathrm{Se}_3$ over a wide range of incident photon energies. Not only do we observe angle-dependent CD in the surface states, as expected, but we also find CD of a similar magnitude in virtually all bulk bands. Since OAM is forbidden by inversion symmetry in the bulk, we conclude this originates from symmetry-breaking in the photoemission process. Comparison with theoretical calculations supports this view and suggests that $\textit{hidden}$ OAM - localized to atomic sites within each unit cell - contributes significantly. Additional effects, including inter-atomic interference and final-state resonances, are responsible for the rapid variation of the CDAD signal with photon energy.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Absence of bulk charge density wave order in the normal state of UTe 2

A spatially modulated superconducting state, known as pair density wave (PDW), is a tantalizing state of matter with unique properties. Recent scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies revealed that spin-triplet superconductor UTe 2 hosts an unprecedented spin-triplet, multi-component PDW whose three wavevectors are indistinguishable from a preceding charge-density wave (CDW) order that survives to temperatures well above the superconducting critical temperature, T c . Whether the PDW is the mother or a subordinate order remains unsettled. Here, based on a systematic search for bulk charge order above T c using resonant elastic X-ray scattering (REXS), we show that the structure factor of charge order previously identified by STM is absent in the bulk within the sensitivity of REXS. Our results invite two scenarios: either the density-wave orders condense simultaneously at T c in the bulk, in which case PDW order is likely the mother phase, or the charge modulations are restricted to the surface.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Bond Dissociation Energy, Ionization Energy, and Electronic Structure of Thorium Dimer

Diatomic thorium, Th 2 , has been investigated using a laser ablation, supersonic expansion source to produce the molecule and resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy to measure its bond dissociation energy (BDE) and ionization energy (IE). The molecule has a high density of states in the vicinity of its bond dissociation energy, leading to rapid predissociation as soon as this energy is exceeded. The BDE is identified from this predissociation threshold as D 0 (Th 2 ) = 2.857(7) eV, where the assigned error limit is provided in parentheses in units of the last quoted digit. Similarly, the one-photon ionization threshold has been measured, providing the ionization energy IE(Th 2 ) = 5.042(4) eV. Together with a thermochemical cycle and the atomic ionization energy, these values provide the BDE of the cation, giving D 0 (Th 2 + ) = 4.122(8) eV. Computations show that Th 2 has three nearly degenerate low-lying electronic states (1 3 Σ u + , 1 1 Σ g + , and 1 3 Δ g ) with bonding dominated by 7s and 6d orbitals, indicating predominantly transition-metal-like behavior. The 1 3 Σ u + state exhibits a triple bond, whereas the 1 1 Σ g + and 1 3 Δ g states possess quadruple-bond character and correspondingly shorter bonds. Although 1 3 Σ u + is predicted to be the lowest state without spin–orbit coupling, the large spin–orbit stabilization of the 1 3 Δ g state makes its Ω = 1 g component the ground state. Furthermore, the calculated dissociation energy (2.840 eV) and ionization energy of Th 2 (5.098 eV) are both in excellent agreement with experiment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2019

Meta-Analysis of Electron Cyclotron Resonance Absorption Features Detected in High-Mass X-Ray Binaries

Using recent compilations of detailed X-ray observations and spectral models of exceptional quality, we record the electron cyclotron resonance absorption (ECRA) features that have been detected in 45 pulsating high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and ultraluminous X-ray (ULX) sources harboring neutron stars, although seven of these detections are still questionable and another 21 are single and/or not independently confirmed. From the comprehensive catalogs of Jaisawal & Naik and Staubert et al. and from several additional recent observations, we produce two lists of HMXB ECRA sources: a list of 17 sources in which multiple ECRA lines or single very low-energy lines are seen, in which we can reasonably assume that the lowest energy reveals the fundamental cyclotron level for each source; and a "contaminated" list of 38 sources including the 21 detections of single ECRA lines that may (not) be higher-level harmonics. Both lists confirm a previous result that we have obtained independently by modeling the propeller lines of Magellanic HMXB pulsars: the surface dipolar magnetic fields B * of HMXB neutron stars are segregated around five distinct values with B * = 0.28 ± 0.08, 0.55 ± 0.11, 1.3 ± 0.37, 3.0 ± 0.68 and 7.9 ± 3.1, in units of TG. However, an explanation of this phenomenon is currently lacking. We have found no correlation between these B * values and the corresponding observed spin periods, spin period derivatives, orbital periods, maximum X-ray luminosities, neutron star masses or companion star masses.

Christodoulou, Dimitris M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Enhanced hybridization in the electronic ground state of the intercalated honeycomb iridate Ag 3 LiIr 2 O 6

In this work, we use x-ray spectroscopy at the Ir L 3 /L 2 absorption edge to study powder samples of the intercalated honeycomb magnet Ag 3 LiIr 2 O 6 . Based on x-ray absorption and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements, and exact diagonalization calculations including nearest-neighbor Ir-Ir electron hopping integrals, we argue that the intercalation of Ag atoms results in a delocalized electronic structure with enhanced Ir-O hybridization, departing from the local relativistic j eff =1/2 state. We find that the relative orbital contribution to the magnetic moment is increased and the magnetization density is spatially extended and asymmetric in this hybridized state. Our results confirm the importance of metal-ligand hybridization in the magnetism of transition metal oxides and provide empirical guidance for understanding the collective magnetism in intercalated honeycomb iridates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2003

New Experiment to Measure the Electron Electric Dipole Moment

An electron can possess an electric dipole moment (edm) only if time reversal symmetry (T) is violated. No edm of any particle has yet been discovered. CP-violation, equivalent to T-violation by the CPT theorem, does occur in Kaon decays and can be accounted for by the standard model. However, this mechanism leads to an electron edm d(sub e) of the order of 10(exp -38) e cm, whereas the current experimental bound on d(sub e) is about 10(exp -27) e cm. However, well-motivated extensions of the standard model such as supersymmetric theories do predict that de could be as large as the current bound. In addition, CP violation in the early universe is required to explain the preponderance of matter over anti-matter, but the exact mechanism of this CP violation is unclear. For these reasons, we are undertaking a new experimental program to determine de to an improved accuracy of 10(exp -29) e cm. Our experiment will use laser-cooled, trapped Cesium atoms to measure the atomic edm d(sub Cs) that occurs if d(sub e) is not zero. In order to do this, we will measure the energy splitting between the atoms spin states in parallel electric and magnetic fields. The signature of an edm would be a linear dependence of the splitting on the electric field E due to the interaction - d(sub Cs) dot E. Our measurement will be much more sensitive than previous measurements because atoms can be stored in the trap for tens of seconds, allowing for much narrower Zeeman resonance linewidths. Also, our method eliminates the most important systematic errors, proportional to atomic velocity, which have limited previous experiments. In this presentation, we will describe the design of our new apparatus, which is presently under construction. An important feature of our experimental apparatus is that magnetic field noise will be suppressed to a very low value of the order of 1 fT/(Hz)1/2. This requires careful attention to the Johnson noise currents in the chamber, which have not been important in previous experiments. In addition we will present estimates of the limits of the various errors that we expect for our experiment.

Kittle, Melanie↗
DOE OSTI2024

Longitudinal Solid P Longitudinal Solid Polarized Target for CL get for CLAS12 and Study of Spin AS12 and Study of Spin Structure of Nucleons

A suite of experiments measuring target-spin observables in electron-nucleon scattering (dubbed Run Group C) was conducted at Jefferson Lab's Hall B in Newport News, VA with a new polarized nuclear target known as 'APOLLO' (Ammonia POLarized LOngitudinally). This innovative target is engineered to seamlessly integrate with the advanced 12GeV CEBAF (Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility) accelerator and the Hall B CLAS12 (12 GeV CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer) detector array. The 'APOLLO' target harnesses the power of Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) to achieve longitudinal polarization of solid ammonia, thereby creating a net polarization in both protons (NH3) and deuterons (ND3). These samples are subjected to a 5 Tesla magnetic field produced by the CLAS12 spectrometer central solenoid, cooled to 1 K using helium evaporation, and subsequently exposed to microwave radiation at a frequency of 140 GHz. This project was made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Jefferson Lab Target Group, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Christopher Newport University, and the CLAS Collaboration. Integrating the APOLLO target into CLAS12 presented unique challenges because of its specific spatial and dimensional constraints. This dissertation will highlight the innovative solutions developed to address these challenges, including the creation of a new target material transport system, the incorporation of superconducting magnetic correction coils, and the development of a customized Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) system. In addition to a detailed description of the development and operation of APOLLO, and an overview of RGC, this document also describes the global data fitting of proton asymmetries in the Deep Inelastic scattering (DIS) and the Resonance regions, and it offers insights into the comprehensive analysis of target polarization data.

Pandey, Pushpa↗
DOE OSTI2020

Crystal Structure and C–H Bond-Cleaving Reactivity of a Mononuclear Co IV –Dinitrate Complex

High-valent Fe IV =O intermediates with a terminal metal–oxo moiety are key oxidants in many enzymatic and synthetic C–H bond oxidation reactions. While generating stable metal–oxo species for late transition metals remains synthetically challenging, notably, a number of high-valent non-oxo–metal species of late transition metals have been recently described as strong oxidants that activate C–H bonds. In this work, we obtained an unprecedented mononuclear Co IV –dinitrate complex (2) upon one-electron oxidation of its Co(III) precursor supported by a tridentate dianionic N3 ligand. 2 was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, showing a square pyramidal geometry with two coordinated nitrate anions. Furthermore, characterization of 2 using combined spectroscopic and computational methods revealed that 2 is a low-spin (S = 1/2) Co(IV) species with the unpaired electron located on the cobalt d z2 orbital, which is well positioned for substrate oxidations. Indeed, while having a high thermal stability, 2 is able to cleave sp 3 C–H bonds up to 87 kcal/mol to afford rate constants and kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) of 2–6 that are comparable to other high-valent metal oxidants. The ability to oxidize strong C–H bonds has yet to be observed for Co IV –O and Co III =O species previously reported. Therefore, 2 represents the first high-valent Co(IV) species that is both structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and capable of activating strong C–H bonds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Topological orders of monopoles and hedgehogs: From electronic and magnetic spin-orbit coupling to quarks

Topological states of matter are, generally, quantum liquids of conserved topological defects. We establish this by constructing and analyzing topological field theories which introduce gauge fields to describe the dynamics of singularities in the original field configurations. In this work, homotopy groups are utilized to identify topologically protected singularities, and the conservation of their protected number is captured by a topological action term that unambiguously obtains from the given set of symmetries. Stable phases of these theories include quantum liquids with emergent massless Abelian and non-Abelian gauge fields, as well as topological orders with long-range quantum entanglement, fractional excitations, boundary modes, and unconventional responses to external perturbations. This paper focuses on the derivation of topological field theories and basic phenomenological characterization of topological orders associated with homotopy groups π n (S n ), n ≥ 1 . These homotopies govern monopole and hedgehog topological defects in d = n + 1 dimensions, and enable the generalization of both weakly interacting and fractional quantum Hall liquids of vortices to d > 2 . Hedgehogs have not been in the spotlight so far, but they are particularly important defects of magnetic moments because they can be stimulated in realistic systems with spin-orbit coupling, such as chiral magnets and d = 3 topological materials. We predict topological orders in systems with U(1) × Spin(d) symmetry in which fractional electric charge attaches to hedgehogs. Monopoles, the analogous defects of charge or generic U(1) currents, may bind to hedgehogs via Zeeman effect, or effectively emerge in purely magnetic systems. The latter can lead to spin liquids with different topological orders than that of the resonant valence bond spin liquid. Charge fractionalization of quarks in atomic nuclei is also seen as possibly arising from the charge-hedgehog attachment.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2002

Pulsar Polar Cap Heating and Surface Thermal X-ray Emission: Inverse Compton Radiation Pair Fronts - 2

We investigate the production of electron-positron pairs by inverse Compton scattered (ICS) photons above a pulsar polar cap (PC) and calculate surface heating by returning positrons. This paper is a continuation of our self-consistent treatment of acceleration, pair dynamics, and electric field screening above pulsar PCs. We calculate the altitude of the inverse Compton pair-formation fronts, the flux of returning positrons, and present the heating efficiencies and X-ray luminosities. We revise pulsar death lines implying cessation of pair formation, and present them in surface magnetic field-period space. We find that virtually all known radio pulsars are capable of producing pairs by resonant and nonresonant ICS photons radiated by particles accelerated above the PC in a pure star-centered dipole field, so that our ICS pair death line coincides with empirical radio pulsar death. Our calculations show that ICS pairs are able to screen the accelerating electric field only for high PC surface temperatures and magnetic fields. We argue that such screening at ICS pair fronts occurs locally, slowing but not turning off acceleration of particles until screening can occur at a curvature radiation (CR) pair front at higher altitude. In the case where no screening occurs above the PC surface, we anticipate that the pulsar gamma-ray luminosity will be a substantial fraction of its spin-down luminosity. The X-ray luminosity resulting from PC heating by ICS pair fronts is significantly lower than the PC heating luminosity from CR pair fronts, which dominates for most pulsars. PC heating from ICS pair fronts is highest in millisecond pulsars, which cannot produce CR pairs, and may account for observed thermal X-ray components in the spectra of these old pulsars.

Harding, Alice K.↗