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Self-interaction-corrected Kohn–Sham effective potentials using the density-consistent effective potential method

Density functional theory (DFT) and beyond-DFT methods are often used in combination with photoelectron spectroscopy to obtain physical insights into the electronic structure of molecules and solids. The Kohn–Sham eigenvalues are not electron removal energies except for the highest occupied orbital. The eigenvalues of the highest occupied molecular orbitals often underestimate the electron removal or ionization energies due to the self-interaction (SI) errors in approximate density functionals. Here, we adapt and implement the density-consistent effective potential method of Kohut, Ryabinkin, and Staroverov (2014) to obtain SI-corrected local effective potentials from the SI-corrected Fermi–Löwdin orbitals and density in the Fermi–Löwdin orbital self-interaction correction scheme. The implementation is used to obtain the density of states (photoelectron spectra) and HOMO–LUMO gaps for a set of molecules and polyacenes. Good agreement with experimental values is obtained compared to a range of SI uncorrected density functional approximations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electron-phonon coupling from GW perturbation theory: Practical workflow combining BerkeleyGW, ABINIT, and EPW

Here we present a workflow of practical calculations of electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling with many-electron correlation effects included using the GW perturbation theory (GWPT). This workflow combines BerkeleyGW, ABINIT, and EPW software packages to enable accurate e-ph calculations at the GW self-energy level, going beyond standard calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and density-functional perturbation theory (DFPT). This workflow begins with DFT and DFPT calculations (ABINIT) as starting point, followed by GW and GWPT calculations (BerkeleyGW) for the quasiparticle band structures and e-ph matrix elements on coarse electron k- and phonon q-grids, which are then interpolated to finer grids through Wannier interpolation (EPW) for computations of various e-ph coupling determined physical quantities such as the electron self-energies or solutions of anisotropic Eliashberg equations, among others. A gauge-recovering symmetry unfolding technique is developed to reduce the computational cost of GWPT (as well as DFPT) while fulfilling the gauge consistency requirement for Wannier interpolation.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Calculation and interpretation of classical turning surfaces in solids

Abstract Classical turning surfaces of Kohn–Sham potentials separate classically allowed regions (CARs) from classically forbidden regions (CFRs). They are useful for understanding many chemical properties of molecules but need not exist in solids, where the density never decays to zero. At equilibrium geometries, we find that CFRs are absent in perfect metals, rare in covalent semiconductors at equilibrium, but common in ionic and molecular crystals. In all materials, CFRs appear or grow as the internuclear distances are uniformly expanded. They can also appear at a monovacancy in a metal. Calculations with several approximate density functionals and codes confirm these behaviors. A classical picture of conduction suggests that CARs should be connected in metals, and disconnected in wide-gap insulators, and is confirmed in the limits of extreme compression and expansion. Surprisingly, many semiconductors have no CFR at equilibrium, a key finding for density functional construction. Nonetheless, a strong correlation with insulating behavior can still be inferred. Moreover, equilibrium bond lengths for all cases can be estimated from the bond type and the sum of the classical turning radii of the free atoms or ions.

Chemistry↗

Aerosol Particle Deposition on a Spent Nuclear Fuel Assembly Spacer Grid

The flow and particle deposition patterns on surfaces in an idealized spacer grid for a 17x17 pressurized water reactor (PWR) assembly in a spent fuel canister are modeled using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with laminar flow. The effects of gravitational settling, non-Stokesian flow, and particle slip are first rigorously analyzed. From the analysis, non-Stokesian effects and slip may be neglected for the particle sizes and conditions expected in a canister. For particles that do not settle out, a swirling flow pattern at the corners of a spacer grid channel directs particles to the leeward side of the flow vanes where much of the deposition occurs. Particle deposition increases with increasing particle diameter. Deposition also increases with decreasing flow velocity as this provides more time for particles to settle and deposit on the leeward side of the flow vanes. The fraction of particles that are transmitted through a spacer grid is determined as a function of inlet gas velocity and particle diameter by running the CFD calculation for each set of conditions and for each particle diameter. Curve fits of the transmission curve as a function of particle diameter for a specified spacer grid and flow velocity are applied to a lognormal particle mass density function for the inlet particles. The resulting mass density function and aerosol mass fraction that passes through the spacer grid can be determined analytically without resorting to numerical iteration. A sample calculation of the analytical solution is demonstrated for a lognormal particle mass density function.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

57Fe Mössbauer isomer shift of pure iron and iron oxides at high pressure—An experimental and theoretical study

The 57Fe isomer shift (IS) of pure iron has been measured up to 100 GPa using synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy in the time domain. Apart from the expected discontinuity due to the α→ε structural and spin transitions, the IS decreases monotonically with increasing pressure. The absolute shifts were reproduced without semi-empirical calibrations by periodic density functional calculations employing extensive localized basis sets with several common density functionals. However, the best numerical agreement is obtained with the B1WC hybrid functional. Extension of the calculations to 350 GPa, a pressure corresponding to the Earth’s inner core, predicted the IS range of 0.00 to -0.85 mm/s, covering the span from Fe(0) to Fe(VI) compounds measured at ambient pressure. The calculations also reproduced the pressure trend from polymorphs of prototypical iron oxide minerals, FeO and Fe2O3. Analysis of the electronic structure shows a strong donation of electrons from oxygen to iron at high pressure. The assignment of formal oxidation to the Fe atom becomes ambiguous under this condition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Incorporating Electronic Information into Machine Learning Potential Energy Surfaces via Approaching the Ground-State Electronic Energy as a Function of Atom-Based Electronic Populations

Machine learning (ML) approximations to density functional theory (DFT) potential energy surfaces (PESs) are showing great promise for reducing the computational cost of accurate molecular simulations, but at present, they are not applicable to varying electronic states, and in particular, they are not well suited for molecular systems in which the local electronic structure is sensitive to the medium to long-range electronic environment. With this issue as the focal point, we present a new machine learning approach called "BpopNN" for obtaining efficient approximations to DFT PESs. Conceptually, the methodology is based on approaching the true DFT energy as a function of electron populations on atoms; in practice, this is realized with available density functionals and constrained DFT (CDFT). Additionally, the new approach creates approximations to this function with neural networks. These approximations thereby incorporate electronic information naturally into a ML approach, and optimizing the model energy with respect to populations allows the electronic terms to self-consistently adapt to the environment, as in DFT. We confirm the effectiveness of this approach with a variety of calculations on LinHn clusters.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Global functional connectivity density alterations in patients with bipolar disorder with auditory verbal hallucinations and modest short‐term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation augmentation treatment—Baseline and follow‐up study

Abstract Objectives To investigate the neuroimaging characteristics of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) in patients with bipolar disorder (BP) experiencing depressive episodes with and without AVHs, and alterations in those characteristics after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods For a baseline pilot study, we recruited 80 patients with BP and depressive status (40 with and 40 without AVHs), and 40 healthy controls (HCs). Their global functional connectivity density (gFCD) was screened by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Voxel‐wise one‐way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to detect intergroup differences in gFCD. In a follow‐up study, the effects of 5 weeks of tDCS augmentation treatment on clinical symptoms and gFCD were assessed in the 40 BP patients with AVHs. Results Compared to HCs, BP patients with and without AVHs exhibited increased gFCD in the central parietal lobe, insular lobe, and middle cingulate cortex, with decreased gFCD in the posterior parietal cortex, lateral prefrontal cortex, and occipital lobe (all bilateral). Only patients with AVHs showed increased gFCD in the Broca and Wernicke regions, and decreased gFCD in the hippocampus (all bilateral). After 5 weeks of tDCS, AVHs were slightly alleviated and gFCD abnormalities in the hippocampus were mildly attenuated. Conclusions Patients with BP and AVHs showed disturbances in the brain's communication capacity mainly in the left frontoparietal network, control network, and memory circuitry. Five weeks of tDCS alleviated AVHs slightly, without improving depressive symptoms, and attenuated hippocampal gFCD alterations in these patients.

Zhuo, Chuanjun↗

Understanding the fundamental driver of semiconductor radiation tolerance with experiment and theory

Space is the operating environment of a multitude of systems that our society is heavily reliant on today, however, maintaining operability there necessitates special consideration of the electronic systems' tolerance of space radiation. Electronic systems are critically dependent on the electronic properties of their semiconductor components, which are modified by space radiation with an adverse impact on the space system performance. What innate property allows some semiconductors to sustain little damage while others accumulate defects rapidly with dose is poorly understood, which limits the extent to which radiation tolerance can be implemented as a design criterion. Here, to gain insight into what properties are drivers of semiconductor radiation tolerance, the first step is to generate a dataset of the relative radiation tolerance of a broad sampling of semiconductors. To accomplish this, Rutherford backscatter channeling experiments are used to compare the displaced lattice atom buildup in InAs, InP, GaP, GaN, ZnO, MgO, and Si as a function of stepwise alpha particle dose. With this experimental information on radiation-induced incorporation of interstitial defects in hand, hybrid density functional theory electron densities (and their derived quantities) are calculated and their gradient and Laplacian are evaluated to obtain key fundamental information about the interactions in each material. It is shown that simple, undifferentiated values (which are typically used to describe bond strength) are insufficient to predict radiation tolerance. Instead, the curvature of the electron density at bond critical points provides a measure of radiation tolerance consistent with the experimental results obtained. This curvature and associated forces surrounding bond critical points have the potential to disfavor the localization of displaced lattice atoms at these points, favoring their diffusion toward perfect lattice positions. With this criterion to predict radiation tolerance, simple density functional theory simulations can be conducted on potential new materials to gain insight into how they may operate in demanding high radiation environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comparing the MELCOR Aerosol Deposition Model with Exact Analytical Solutions

Exact analytical solutions are presented for the evolution of the aerosol particle mass density function in a control volume for particle deposition due to gravitational settling, thermophoresis, and diffusion. The solutions are for arbitrary initial mass density functions and are applied for an initial lognormal density function. Integration of these solutions provides the suspended mass in the control volume as a function of time. These solutions serve as an exact benchmark to assess the accuracy of numerical methods. For the numerical algorithm used in MELCOR, excellent agreement is obtained for gravitational settling, diffusive deposition, and thermophoretic deposition for the suspended aerosol mass. In all cases, the default number of discrete particle size bins of 10 is shown to converge, with hardly any advantage to using 20 size bins.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Orbital contributions in the element-resolved valence electronic structure of Bi 2 Se 3

In this work, we studied the bulk band structure of a topological insulator (TI) Bi 2 Se 3 and determined the contributions of the Bi and Se orbital states to the valence bands using standing-wave excited hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (SW-HAXPES). This SW technique can provide the element-resolved information and extract individual Bi and Se contributions to the Bi2Se3 valence band. Comparisons with density-functional theory calculations (local density approximation and GW) reveal that the Bi 6s, Bi 6p, and Se 4p states are dominant in the Bi 2 Se 3 HAXPES valence band. Furthermore, these findings pave a way for studying the element-resolved band structure and orbital contributions of this class of TIs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Atomic-Site-Specific Surface Valence-Band Structure from X-Ray Standing-Wave Excited Photoemission

X-ray standing-wave (XSW) excited photoelectron emission was used to measure the site-specific valence band (VB) for ½ monolayer (ML) Pt grown on a SrTiO 3 (001) surface. The XSW induced modulations in the core level (CL), and VB photoemission from the surface and substrate atoms were monitored for three ℎ⁡kl substrate Bragg reflections. The XSW CL analysis shows the Pt to have a face-centered-cubic-like cube-on-cube epitaxy with the substrate. The XSW VB information compares well to a density functional theory calculated projected density of states from the surface and substrate atoms. Altogether, this Letter represents a novel method for determining the contribution to the density of states by valence electrons from specific atomic surface sites.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Comparing ab initio and quantum-kinetic approaches to electron transport in warm dense matter

Accurate knowledge of the electronic transport properties of warm dense matter is one of the main concerns of research in high-energy-density physics. Three modern approaches with vastly different levels of fidelity are reviewed and compared: the Kubo–Greenwood (KG) approach based on density-functional-theory molecular dynamics simulations (QMD), quantum kinetic theory based on average-atom models, and time-dependent density functional theory. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the connection between static properties of the electrons (e.g., density of states) and transport properties. Overall, it is found that whenever the conduction electrons can be modeled as being nearly free, fair to excellent agreement is found between QMD and kinetic theory approaches. Such a circumstance is required for modeling warm dense matter as a plasma of ions and free electrons, which is assumed in most kinetic theory approaches. The sensitivity of transport properties to the electronic structure is further highlighted by comparing different exchange–correlation approximations in QMD and KG calculations. It is found that the inclusion of exact exchange via thermal hybrid functionals can make a pronounced impact on electrical and thermal conduction in warm dense matter. We also investigate dynamic screening physics via kinetic theory and time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the mean free path of an electron in a hot dense plasma. In sum, we identify three axes along which to make progress in predicting electron transport in warm dense matter.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

How the choice of exchange–correlation functional affects DFT-based simulations of the hydrated electron

Hydrated electrons are anionic species that are formed when an excess electron is introduced into liquid water. Building an understanding of how hydrated electrons behave in solution has been a long-standing effort of simulation methods, of which density functional theory (DFT) has come to the fore in recent years. The ability of DFT to model the reactive chemistry of hydrated electrons is an attractive advantage over semi-classical methodologies; however, relatively few density functional approximations (DFAs) have been used for the hydrated electron simulations presented in the literature. Here, we simulate hydrated electron systems using a series of exchange–correlation (XC) functionals spanning Jacob’s ladder. We calculate a variety of experimental and other observables of the hydrated electron and compare the XC functional dependence for each quantity. We find that the formation of a stable localized hydrated electron is not necessarily limited to hybrid XC functionals and that some hybrid functionals produce delocalized hydrated electrons or electrons that react with the surrounding water at an unphysically fast rate. Here, we further characterize how different DFAs impact the solvent structure and predicted spectroscopy of the hydrated electron, considering several methods for calculating the hydrated electron’s absorption spectrum for the best comparison between structures generated using different density functionals. None of the dozen or so DFAs that we investigated are able to correctly predict the hydrated electron’s spectroscopy, vertical detachment energy, or molar solvation volume.

Ab-initio molecular dynamics↗

Fault isolation and fault-tolerant control for Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy time-varying delay stochastic distribution systems

A fault isolation, estimation, and fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme for nonlinear time-varying delay stochastic distribution control systems was presented in this paper. The Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model was adopted to approach the nonlinear dynamics of time-varying delay systems. According to the output equivalence principle and Laplace transformation, an augmented state vector was given to solve the time-varying delay problem. When multiple actuator faults and interference occur simultaneously, fault detection, isolation and fault estimation was designed to obtained the fault information. To decouple faults and obtain the value and location information of the fault, the system was separated into two parts through the designed multiple conversion matrices, in which one subsystem was only affected by one actuator fault. This has simplified the design of fault isolation and estimation. A adaptive observer for fault estimation was given. Then, fault information such as the time, location, and size was determined. The observer gain matrices were calculated using linear matrix inequality (LMI). When a fault was detected and diagnosed, a FTC algorithm was devised using the proportional-integral control scheme to compensate the fault as much as possible. It has been shown that even if multiple faults actuator occurred simultaneously, the FTC controller still ensured the output probability density function of the system traced the desired probability density function when a fault occurred. Finally, the expected results were obtained through the simulation example, which confirmed the effectiveness of the method.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Advanced Modeling and Simulation Methods for Evaluation of Thermal Neutron Scattering Materials

With the rise of interest in thermal neutron scattering data for advanced reactor, criticality safety, and shielding applications, new experimental data are required for evaluation of new materials or for re-evaluation (or validations) of previously evaluated materials. New experimental data are evaluated in a three-step process: (1) computing the phonon characteristics, (2) computing the dynamic structure factor (DSF) from the data, and (3) using the experimental setup to simulate the experimental data. All three steps have challenges, ranging from the need for a sufficiently general material simulation code—a processing code that can compute the corresponding DSF—to having a detailed layout of the instrument/beamline/facility where the data were measured. Whereas phonon characteristics of materials can be computed using various methods (molecular dynamics, density functional theory, etc.), a high-fidelity computation of the DSF and the simulation of the experiment based on the DSF is vital to the accuracy of the evaluation. The latter two steps can be achieved by using the two corresponding code systems developed by instrument scientists at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: (1) OCLIMAX, a program that calculates the dynamic structure factor from DFT and MD simulation results, and (2) MCViNE, a Monte Carlo neutron ray-tracing program designed to simulate neutron scattering experiments. Recently, polyethylene and yttrium hydride were measured at the Wide Angular-Range Chopper (ARCS) and SEQUOIA instrument stations of the SNS. These experiments are simulated using the density functional theory code, the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP), to compute its phonon characteristics (eigenvalues/vectors and PDOS), which is then processed using OCLIMAX to yield the DSF, and finally the data at each instrument station are simulated by the MCViNE for comparison to the measured data for evaluation. For comparison to conventional evaluation methods, the scattering data processed from OCLIMAX are compared against those processed from the LEAPR module of NJOY, and the results from MCViNE simulations are compared against previously used simplified beamline models implemented in the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Correlation between Spin and Orbital Dynamics during Laser-Induced Femtosecond Demagnetization

Spin and orbital angular momenta are two intrinsic properties of an electron and are responsible for the physics of a solid. How the spin and orbital evolve with respect to each other on several hundred femtoseconds is largely unknown, but it is at the center of laser-induced ultrafast demagnetization. In this paper, we introduce a concept of the spin–orbital correlation diagram, where spin angular momentum is plotted against orbital angular momentum, much like the position-velocity phase diagram in classical mechanics. We use four sets of highly accurate time-resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism data to construct four correlation diagrams for iron and cobalt. To our surprise, a pattern emerges. The trace on the correlation diagram for iron is an arc, and at the end of demagnetization, it has a pronounced cusp. The correlation diagram for cobalt is different and appears more linear but with kinks. We carry out first-principles calculations with two different methods: time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and time-dependent Liouville density functional theory. These two methods agree that the experimental findings for both Fe and Co are not due to experimental errors. It is the spin–orbit coupling that correlates the spin dynamics to the orbital dynamics. Microscopically, Fe and Co have different orbital occupations, which leads to distinctive correlation diagrams. We believe that this correlation diagram presents a useful tool to better understand spin and orbital dynamics on an ultrafast time scale. A brief discussion on the magnetic anisotropy energy is also provided.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Energy Frontier Research Centers: Center for the Computational Design of Functional Layered Materials (CCDM) August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2018; Center for Complex Materials from First Principles (CCM) August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2021 (Final Report)

The mission of the DOE Energy Frontier Research Centers CCDM (2014-2018) and CCM (2018-2021) was to theoretically develop, computationally apply, and experimentally validate electronic structure methods for all materials, with a focus on the complex materials, especially layered and two-dimensional materials, strongly-correlated materials, and liquid water. This was achieved by over 200 published journal articles authored by about 17 senior investigators from physics and chemistry and from theory, computation, and experiment, plus their collaborators. In particular, the Centers confirmed the predictive power of the SCAN (strongly constrained and appropriately normed) density functional, which was constructed to satisfy 17 known exact constraints and several appropriate norms. Without being fitted to real bonded systems, and at a modest computational cost, SCAN correctly predicted covalent, ionic, metallic, hydrogen, and van der Waals bonds in many challenging materials. SCAN gave an improved description of defects in semiconductors, surface properties of metals, seven phases of ice, liquid water, liquid and supercooled silicon, subtle structural distortions in ferroelectrics, formation energies and structural predictions for solids, and critical pressures for structural phase transitions. Perhaps most remarkably, SCAN correctly described some strongly-correlated materials that were previously believed to be beyond the reach of density-functional approximations. SCAN is the only density functional that correctly predicts the band gap closing under chemical doping of the cuprate high-temperature superconducting materials. SCAN also predicts a landscape of competing stripe and magnetic phases in the cuprates. For some materials with some codes, SCAN has convergence problems that are greatly reduced by the CCM-developed r 2 SCAN, without loss of accuracy or rigor. SCAN and r 2 SCAN still make some self-interaction error, which is greatly reduced by the CCDM/ CCM-developed local orbital scaling correction (LOSC). These Centers further proved that the fundamental energy gaps of a solid from an orbital energy difference and from total energy differences are the same for a large class of generalized Kohn-Sham (GKS) functionals, including SCAN and standard hybrid functionals, and that symmetry breaking arises when a dynamic density fluctuation drops to zero frequency. The Centers identified new mechanisms for catalysis in layered materials with ions intercalated between the layers, investigated charge density waves both in model systems and in real layered materials, studied changes of band gap with the number of layers, and explored topological ultrathin films, bent nanoribbons, and defects.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Beyond the proton drip line: Bayesian analysis of proton-emitting nuclei

The limits of the nuclear landscape are determined by nuclear binding energies. Beyond the proton drip lines, where the separation energy becomes negative, there is not enough binding energy to prevent protons from escaping the nucleus. Predicting properties of unstable nuclear states in the vast territory of proton emitters poses an appreciable challenge for nuclear theory as it often involves far extrapolations. In addition, significant discrepancies between nuclear models in the proton-rich territory call for quantified predictions. With the help of Bayesian methodology, we mix a family of nuclear mass models corrected with statistical emulators trained on the experimental mass measurements, in the proton-rich region of the nuclear chart. Separation energies were computed within nuclear density functional theory using several Skyrme and Gogny energy density functionals. We also considered mass predictions based on two models used in astrophysical studies. Quantified predictions were obtained for each model using Bayesian Gaussian processes trained on separation-energy residuals and combined via Bayesian model averaging. Here, we obtained a good agreement between averaged predictions of statistically corrected models and experiment. In particular, we quantified model results for one- and two-proton separation energies and derived probabilities of proton emission. This information enabled us to produce a quantified landscape of proton-rich nuclei. The most promising candidates for two-proton decay studies have been identified. Finally, the methodology used in this work has broad applications to model-based extrapolations of various nuclear observables. It also provides a reliable uncertainty quantification of theoretical predictions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗