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At least 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Ultrafast high-harmonic spectroscopy of solids

High-harmonic spectroscopy, an ultrafast all-optical technique initially conceptualized in atomic and molecular systems, has now emerged as a powerful platform for studying the structure and dynamics of condensed matter. Unlike that in the gas phase, solid-state high-harmonic generation relies on the fundamental response from high atomic density and periodicity, leading to interband transitions and coherent driving of electrons and holes in their respective bands. These mechanisms make high-harmonic spectroscopy particularly sensitive to the electronic band structure, topological properties and many-body correlations in condensed media. An advantage of high-harmonic spectroscopy over other spectroscopic methods is its ability to probe ultrafast phenomena, capturing femto- to attosecond dynamics of multi-band and strongly correlated electron interactions in solids. Furthermore, in this Review, we discuss the latest experimental and theoretical advances in ultrafast high-harmonic spectroscopy of solids and provide perspectives for future research in this field.

High-harmonic generation↗
DOE OSTI2024

Magnetic structure and properties of the compositionally complex perovskite (Y 0.2 La 0.2 Pr 0.2 Nd 0.2 Tb 0.2 )MnO 3

Large configurational disorder in compositionally complex ceramics can lead to unique functional properties that deviate from traditional rules of alloy mixing. In recent years, compositionally complex oxides (CCOs) have shown intriguing magnetic behavior including long-range order, enhanced magnetic exchange couplings, and mixed phase magnetic structures. This work focuses on how large local spin disorder affects magnetic ordering in a CCO. Specifically, we investigated the A-site alloyed perovskite, (Y 0.2 La 0.2 Pr 0.2 Nd 0.2 Tb 0.2 )MnO 3 , or (5A)MnO 3 , using a combination of bulk magnetometry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and temperature-dependent neutron diffraction. The five A-site ions have an average spin and ionic radius nearly equal to that of Nd 3+ ions, which minimizes structural distortions and allows for an understanding of the local spin disorder effects through a direct comparison with NdMnO 3 . Our magnetometry data show that (5A)MnO 3 exhibits two distinct phase transitions associated with the A-site and B-site sublattices, as seen in NdMnO 3 , as well as the presence of domain pinning and exchange bias at low temperature, suggesting a mixed phase magnetic ground state, as seen in other magnetic CCOs. Neutron powder diffraction shows clear long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 67 K and refines to a Pn'ma' magnetic structure at low temperature, in excellent agreement with the well-studied behavior of NdMnO 3 . The two most notable differences in (5A)MnO 3 magnetism apparent from our data are a slight suppression of the B-site ordering temperature, which is explained by a smaller Mn–O–Mn bond angle in (5A)MnO 3 than NdMnO 3 , and the presence of a magnetic susceptibility transition above the B-site ordering, which could indicate the formation of a cluster glass but requires further study. Finally, this work demonstrates a general method of isolated investigation of size and spin disorder in CCOs and motivates future work using local structure probes to better understand the effects of nanoscale clustering and local spin disorder in magnetic CCOs.

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

An upper bound for extreme temperatures over midlatitude land

Heatwaves damage societies worldwide and are intensifying with global warming. Several mechanistic drivers of heatwaves, such as atmospheric blocking and soil moisture-atmosphere feedback, are well-known for their ability to raise surface air temperature. However, what limits the maximum surface air temperature in heatwaves remains unclear; this became evident during recent Northern Hemisphere heatwaves which achieved temperatures far beyond the upper tail of the observed statistical distribution. Here, we present evidence for the hypothesis that convective instability limits annual maximum surface air temperatures (TXx) over midlatitude land. We provide a theory for the corresponding upper bound of midlatitude temperatures, which accurately describes the observed relationship between temperatures at the surface and in the midtroposphere. We show that known heatwave drivers shift the position of the atmospheric state in the phase space described by the theory, changing its proximity to the upper bound. This theory suggests that the upper bound for midlatitude TXx should increase 1.9 times as fast as 500-hPa temperatures at the time and location of TXx occurrences. Using empirical 500-hPa warming, we project that the upper bound of TXx over Northern Hemisphere midlatitude land (40°N to 65°N) will increase about twice as fast as global mean surface air temperature, and TXx will increase faster than this bound over regions that dry on the hottest days.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fluctuation-induced odd-frequency spin-triplet pairing in a disordered electron liquid

Here we consider a two-dimensional disordered conductor in the regime when the superconducting phase is destroyed by the magnetic field. We analyze a combination of fluctuations of different origin which results in an effective interaction amplitude suitable for a spontaneous s-wave odd-frequency pairing instability. We observe that the end point of the superconductivity is a quantum critical point separating the conventional superconducting phase from a state with the odd-frequency spin-triplet pairing instability. We speculate that this could shed light on a rather mysterious insulating state observed in strongly disordered superconducting films in a broad region of the magnetic fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electronic structure, magnetic properties, and pairing tendencies of the copper-based honeycomb lattice Na 2 Cu 2 TeO 6

Spin-1/2 chains with alternating antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) couplings have attracted considerable interest due to the topological character of their spin excitations. Here, using density functional theory and density-matrix renormalization-group (DMRG) methods, we have systematically studied the dimerized chain system Na 2 Cu 2 TeO 6 with a d 9 electronic configuration. Near the Fermi level, in the nonmagnetic phase the dominant states are mainly contributed by the Cu 3d x 2 -y 2 orbitals highly hybridized with the O 2p orbitals, leading to an “effective” single-orbital low-energy model. By calculating the relevant hoping amplitudes, we explain the size and sign of the exchange interactions in Na 2 Cu 2 TeO 6 . In addition, a single-orbital Hubbard model is constructed for this dimerized chain system where the quantum fluctuations are taken into account. Both AFM and FM couplings (leading to an ↑|-|↓-|↓-↑| state) along the chain were found in our DMRG and Lanczos calculations, in agreement with density functional theory and neutron-scattering results. The hole pairing binding energy ΔE is predicted to be negative at Hubbard U~ 11eV, suggesting incipient pairing tendencies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Delocalization Transition of a Disordered Axion Insulator

The axion insulator is a higher-order topological insulator protected by inversion symmetry. We show that, under quenched disorder respecting inversion symmetry on average, the topology of the axion insulator stays robust, and an intermediate metallic phase in which states are delocalized is unavoidable at the transition from an axion insulator to a trivial insulator. We derive this conclusion from general arguments, from classical percolation theory, and from the numerical study of a 3D quantum network model simulating a disordered axion insulator through a layer construction. We find the localization length critical exponent near the delocalization transition to be ν = 1.42 ± 0.12. We further show that this delocalization transition is stable even to weak breaking of the average inversion symmetry, up to a critical strength. Finally, we also quantitatively map our quantum network model to an effective Hamiltonian and we find its low-energy k ∙ p expansion.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Exact Landau Level Description of Geometry and Interaction in a Flatband

Flatbands appear in many condensed matter systems, including the two-dimensional electron gas in a high magnetic field, correlated materials, and moiré heterostructures. They are characterized by intrinsic geometric properties such as the Berry curvature and Fubini-Study metric. The influence of the band geometry on electron-electron interaction is difficult to understand analytically because the geometry is in general nonuniform in momentum space. In this work, we study the topological flatband of Chern number C = 1 with a momentum-dependent but positive definite Berry curvature that fluctuates in sync with Fubini-Study metric. We derive an exact correspondence between such ideal flatbands and Landau levels and show that the band geometry fluctuation gives rise to a new type of interaction in the corresponding Landau levels that depends on the center of mass of two particles. We characterize such interactions by generalizing the usual Haldane pseudopotentials. This mapping gives exact zero-energy ground states for short-ranged repulsive generalized pseudopotentials in flatbands, in analogy to fractional quantum Hall systems. Driving the center-of-mass interactions beyond the repulsive regime leads to a dramatic reconstruction of the ground states towards gapless phases. The generalized pseudopotential could be a useful basis for future numerical studies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

REBCO Insert Coils toward High-Field, Large-Bore Magnet for Quantum Physics Research

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets offer a promising solution for generating high magnetic fields efficiently and economically, serving as a vital component in nextgeneration scientific instruments and carbon-neutral power systems, notably in cost-effective compact fusion reactors. These high magnetic fields play a pivotal role in advancing research on quantum materials, particularly in elucidating the intricate electronic states near magnetic phase transitions. Here, this paper delves into the research conducted at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, which is divided into three phases aimed at overcoming technical hurdles in creating large-bore, high-field HTS magnets for cutting-edge quantum physics research. In Phase 1, we designed, constructed, and tested a compact REBCO solenoidal magnet comprising six double-pancake coils featuring a 41.3-mm inner diameter and a 70.0-mm outer diameter. It adopts a no-insulation approach to ensure electrical and thermal stability. Successful testing in a saturated liquid nitrogen bath confirmed its capability to generate a 0.8-T field at 77 K and 2 T at 65 K, with ongoing integration into liquid helium testing. Building on this experience, Phase 2 involves the design of an HTS insert coil, intended to nest within a 12-T low-temperature superconducting (LTS) outsert to achieve a minimum of 20 T at 4.2 K. The focus of Phase 2 centers on addressing challenges posed by screening-current (SC) effects, particularly the associated stress/strain issues. Employing a numerical model that fully couples the SC and mechanical analysis, we discuss strategies for managing stress to mitigate the effects of SCinduced stress concentrations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical polarization analogs in inelastic free-electron scattering

Advances in the ability to manipulate free-electron phase profiles within the electron microscope have spurred development of quantum-mechanical descriptions of electron energy loss (EEL) processes involving transitions between phase-shaped transverse states. Here, we elucidate an underlying connection between two ostensibly distinct optical polarization analogs identified in EEL experiments as manifestations of the same conserved scattering flux. Our work introduces a procedure for probing general tensorial target characteristics including global mode symmetries and local polarization.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Phase separation, edge currents, and Hall effect for active matter with Magnus dynamics

Here we examine run-and-tumble disks in two-dimensional systems where the particles also have a Magnus component to their dynamics. For increased activity, we find that the system forms a motility-induced phase-separated (MIPS) state with chiral edge flow around the clusters, where the direction of the current is correlated with the sign of the Magnus term. The stability of the MIPS state is non-monotonic as a function of increasing Magnus term amplitude, with the MIPS region first extending down to lower activities followed by a break up of MIPS at large Magnus amplitudes into a gel-like state. We examine the dynamics in the presence of quenched disorder and a uniform drive and find that the bulk flow exhibits a drive-dependent Hall angle. This is a result of the side jump effect produced by scattering from the pinning sites and is similar to the behavior found for skyrmions in chiral magnets with quenched disorder.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

White paper on NIF Discovery Science and frontier regimes of HEDP

Over the past two decades, experimental capabilities at high energy density (HED) facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF), Omega, and Omega EP lasers, and the Z pulsed power facility are able to make precision measurements of fundamental quantities such as equations of state (EOS), material phase, opacities, and ionization levels Z. Flow based quantities are also being studied, such as hydrodynamic instabilities, evolution into turbulence, turbulent dynamo magnetic field amplification, magnetic reconnection; plasma instabilities, plasma wakefield particle acceleration; and relativistic plasma phenomena, such as (e + ,e - ) pair creation. Experimental regimes can be created that reproduce conditions relevant to planetary and exoplanet interiors, stellar interiors, the interiors of brown dwarfs, and the envelope conditions of white dwarf stars. Diagnostic techniques have been developed hand in hand with these new experimental regimes that can be accessed. In this white paper, a brief summary of key experimental achievements from the NIF Discovery Science (basic science) program will be presented; followed by a discussion of current challenges, needs, and potential paths forward.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Double sided measurements and associated error bars for planar samples or subassemblies

Many of the high energy density (HED) experiments use targets with planar components usually in a multilayer stack as the physics package which is at the heart of the experiment. The physics package contains the sample part under study as well as other components as shown in Fig. 1, that when exposed to the laser drive applies pressure onto or shock the main component to take it to the desired state in the phase diagram. These other components may include the ablator, pusher, x-ray pre-heat shield, window or other special components. The components are usually glued together. Currently, experiments on NIF and Omega in the Dynamic Materials campaign use several platforms such as Diffraction, EOS and Strength (Ref 1-3) which all use such planar stack physics packages.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring the Multi-Neutron Antineutrino Cross Section at Low Charged Hadron Energy in MINERvA

Current and future accelerator neutrino oscillation experiments need neutrino interaction models with smaller systematic uncertainties to resolve much of delta CP phase space. Final state interactions (FSI) and scattering off of correlated nuclei (2p2h) are poorly understood processes that currently contribute large uncertainties to leading models. These processes have proven difficult to study because they often produce relatively low energy nucleons. Protons up to about 100 MeV are below the detection threshold of some accelerator neutrino detectors, and neutrons are usually discounted as undetectable. This poster presents a measurement of the multi-neutron antineutrino cross section at low available energy using the MINERvA detector at Fermilab. This interaction channel is particularly sensitive to FSI and 2p2h interactions. A sideband-driven background constraint that greatly reduces uncertainties on the result will be presented. The measured cross section is compared to GENIE v3 models with different FSI treatments and the SuSA model's 2p2h predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

STAT7 v1.2 User Guide: The STAT7 Code for Statistical Propagation of Uncertainties in Steady-State Thermal Hydraulics Analysis of Plate-Fueled Reactors

The STAT7 software was developed to perform steady-state, single-phase thermal hydraulics analysis of plate-fueled reactors based on statistical propagation of uncertainties. Application of the software is for non-power research and test reactors, including conversion to low-enriched uranium fuel of U.S. High-Performance Research Reactors such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor. Since it can be necessary to repeat analysis during fuel reloading, STAT7 accommodates flexibility in analyzing many realistic aspects of reactor fuel management. STAT7 uses a Monte Carlo approach to model uncertainty in common fuel fabrication parameters and other key reactor operating parameters required for thermal hydraulics analyses of research and test reactors. These safety calculations are ultimately intended to protect against high fuel plate temperatures due to critical heat flux, or onset of flow instability. STAT7 supports water properties based on the IAPWS-IF97 functions (The International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam Industrial Formulation 1997 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Steam) in addition to the fit functions. STAT7 predicts axial profiles of fuel, cladding, and coolant temperature along a lateral stripe that runs the full length of the fuel plate from the bottom to the top. STAT7 can simultaneously analyze all of the axial nodes of all of the fuel plates and all of the coolant channels for one latera stripe of a fuel element. Power splits are calculated for each axial node of each plate to determine how much of the power goes out each face of the plate. By running STAT7 multiple times, full core analysis can be performed by analyzing the margin to onset of nucleate boiling and onset of flow instability for each axial node of each stripe of each plate of each fuel element in the core.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Maximal Entanglement Limit in Statistical and High-energy Physics

These lectures advocate the idea that quantum entanglement provides a unifying foundation for both statistical physics and high-energy interactions. I argue that, at sufficiently long times or high energies, most quantum systems approach a Maximal Entanglement Limit (MEL) in which phases of quantum states become unobservable, reduced density matrices acquire a thermal form, and probabilistic descriptions emerge without invoking ergodicity or classical randomness. Within this framework, the emergence of probabilistic parton model, thermalization in the break-up of confining strings and in high-energy collisions, and the universal small-x behavior of structure functions arise as direct consequences of entanglement and geometry of high-dimensional Hilbert space.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗