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At least 811 records · Page 45

Interplay of relativistic and nonrelativistic transport in atomically precise segmented graphene nanoribbons

Graphene's isolation launched explorations of fundamental relativistic physics originating from the planar honeycomb lattice arrangement of the carbon atoms, and of potential technological applications in nanoscale electronics. Bottom-up fabricated atomically-precise segmented graphene nanoribbons, SGNRs, open avenues for studies of electrical transport, coherence, and interference effects in metallic, semiconducting, and mixed GNRs, with different edge terminations. Conceptual and practical understanding of electric transport through SGNRs is gained through nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) conductance calculations and a Dirac continuum model that absorbs the valence-to-conductance energy gaps as position-dependent masses, including topological-in-origin mass-barriers at the contacts between segments. The continuum model reproduces the NEGF results, including optical Dirac Fabry-Pérot (FP) equidistant oscillations for massless relativistic carriers in metallic armchair SGNRs, and an unequally-spaced FP pattern for mixed armchair-zigzag SGNRs where carriers transit from a relativistic (armchair) to a nonrelativistic (zigzag) regime. This provides a unifying framework for analysis of coherent transport phenomena and interpretation of forthcoming experiments in SGNRs.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Dense monolayer films of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons on metallic substrates enabled by direct contact transfer of molecular precursors

Atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) of two types, chevron GNRs and N = 7 straight armchair GNRs (7-AGNRs), have been synthesized through a direct contact transfer (DCT) of molecular precursors on Au(111) and gradual annealing. This method provides an alternative to the conventional approach for the deposition of molecules on surfaces by sublimation and simplifies preparation of dense monolayer films of GNRs. The DCT method allows deposition of molecules on a surface in their original state and then studying their gradual transformation to polymers to GNRs by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) upon annealing. We performed STM characterization of the precursors of chevron GNRs and 7-AGNRs, and demonstrate that the assemblies of the intermediates of the GNR synthesis are stabilized by π–π interactions. This conclusion was supported by the density functional theory calculations. Thus, the resulting monolayer films of GNRs have sufficient coverage and density of nanoribbons for ex situ characterization by spectroscopic methods, such as Raman spectroscopy, and may prove useful for the future GNR device studies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physical gelation of AB-alternating copolymers made of vinyl phenol and maleimide units: cooperation between precisely incorporated phenol and long alkyl pendant groups

In this work, a series of alternating copolymers consisting of vinyl phenol and n-alkyl maleimide was synthesized via radical copolymerization of a protected styrene derivative with a functional maleimide monomer followed by deprotection. Copolymers carrying long alkyl pendants such as C 12 H 25– or C 18 H 37– chains on the maleimide unit showed a UCST-type thermal response in aromatic solvents, and organogels were specifically formed upon cooling of the fluid solution prepared at higher temperatures. Hydrogen bonding of the phenol units is crucial for gelation, and the gelation temperature and stiffness were tunable by varying the concentration, solvent and polymerization degree. Analyses by 1 H-NMR, linear rheology, WAXD, SANS and cryo-TEM gave the picture of vermicular self-assembled nano-objects formed through segregated and hydrogen-bonded packing by the precisely incorporated two units in an alternating sequence.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ligand removal energetics control CO 2 electroreduction selectivity on atomically precise, ligated alloy nanoclusters

Atomically precise, thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters (TPNCs) exhibit remarkable catalytic performance for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 R) to CO. The origin of their high CO 2 R activity and selectivity has been attributed to partial ligand removal from the thiolate-covered surfaces of TPNCs to expose catalytically active sulfur atoms. Recently, heterometal doped (alloy) TPNCs have been shown to exhibit enhanced CO 2 R activity and selectivity compared to their monometallic counterparts. However, systematic studies on the effect of doping (metal type and location on TPNC) on active site exposure and CO 2 R activity are missing in literature. Herein, we apply Density Functional Theory calculations to investigate the effect of heterometal (Pt, Pd, Hg and Cd) doping of Au 25 (SR) 18 TPNC on the active site exposure and CO 2 R activity and selectivity. In this study, we reveal that doping significantly modifies relevant TPNC electronic properties, such as electron affinity, while also altering partial ligand removal and carboxyl (*COOH) intermediate formation energies. Furthermore, we demonstrate that changing the dopant (e.g. Hg) position can change the selectivity of the TPNC towards CO (g) or H 2(g) formation, highlighting the importance of dopant locations in TPNC-based CO 2 R. Most notably, we report a universal (i.e. capturing different dopant types and positions) linear trend between the ligand removal energy and i) the *COOH formation energy, as well as, ii) the hydrogen (*H) formation energy on the different alloy TPNCs. Thus, utilizing the ligand removal energy as a descriptor for CO 2 RR activity and selectivity, our work opens new avenues for accelerated computational screening of different alloy TPNCs for electrocatalytic CO 2 R applications.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Toward precision cosmochronology

The continuous cooling of a white dwarf is punctuated by events that affect its cooling rate. The most significant of these events is the crystallization of its core, a phase transition that occurs once the C/O interior has cooled down below a critical temperature. This transition releases latent heat, as well as gravitational energy due to the redistribution of the C and O ions during solidification, thereby slowing down the evolution of the white dwarf. The unambiguous observational signature of core crystallization–a pile-up of objects in the cooling sequence–was recently reported. However, existing evolution models struggle to quantitatively reproduce this signature, casting doubt on their accuracy when used to measure the ages of stellar populations. The timing and amount of the energy released during crystallization depend on the exact form of the C/O phase diagram. Using the advanced Gibbs–Duhem integration method and state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulations of the solid and liquid phases, we obtained a very accurate version of this phase diagram that allows a precise modeling of the phase transition. Despite this improvement, the magnitude of the crystallization pile-up remains underestimated by current evolution models. We conclude that latent heat release and O sedimentation alone are not sufficient to explain the observations, and that other unaccounted physical mechanisms, possibly 22 Ne phase separation, play an important role.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Precision measurements of kaon radiative decays

We report the recent results of the NA48/2 experiment on charged kaon radiative decays. Using data collected during 2003 and 2004, precise measurements of the K{sup {+-}{yields}{pi}{+-}{pi}0{gamma}} and K{sup {+-}{yields}{pi}{+-}{gamma}{gamma}} decays properties have been obtained.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Precision Measurement of {pi}{pi} Scattering Lengths in K{sub e4} Decays

The measurement of the S-wave {pi}{pi} scattering lengths is a fundamental test of the validity of Chiral Perturbation Theory. We report on the final NA48/2 result, based on the full statistics data set of more than one million reconstructed K{sub e4}{sup {+-}} decays. From these events we have determined the decay form factors and {pi}{pi} scattering lengths a{sub 0}{sup 0} and a{sub 0}{sup 2}. The result is the currently most precise measurement of the scattering lengths and is in excellent agreement with the predictions of Chiral Perturbation Theory.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Possibility of precise measurements of muonium HFS at J-PARC MUSE

Intense pulsed muon beam will be available at J-PARC MUSE up to 4x10{sup 8}/s within a few years. We propose the next generation of the precise measurements of muonium hyperfine structure and the ratio of muon to proton magnetic moments by using the muonium spin resonance method at high magnetic field.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Precision spectroscopy of kaonic {sup 3}He X-rays at J-PARC

We will measure the X-rays from kaonic {sup 3}He 3d {yields} 2p transition with a precision below 2 eV. It can provide crucial information on the kaon-nucleus strong interaction. The experiment (J-PARC E17) will be performed as Day-1, which is one of the first experiments in the J-PARC hadron facility in the year 2011. An overview and the present status of the J-PARC E17 experiment are described.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

High-precision determination of the electric and magnetic form factors of the proton

New precise results of a measurement of the elastic electron-proton scattering cross section performed at the Mainz Microtron MAMI are presented. About 1400 cross sections were measured with negative four-momentum transfers squared up to Q{sup 2} = (GeV/c){sup 2} with statistical errors below 0.2%. The electric and magnetic form factors of the proton were extracted by fits of a large variety of form factor models directly to the cross sections. The form factors show some features at the scale of the pion cloud. The charge and magnetic radii are determined to be r{sub E}{sup 2} rpost={sup >>1/2} 0.879(5){sub stat.}(4){sub syst.}(2){sub model}(4){sub group}fm and r{sub M}{sup 2} {sup 1/2} = 0.777(13){sub stat.}(9){sub syst.}(5)model({sub 2})groupfm.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Precision Spectroscopy of Kaonic Helium-3 X-rays at J-PARC

We will measure the x-rays from kaonic {sup 3}He and {sup 4}He 3d{yields}2p transition by using silicon drift detectors. Our precision goal is set to 1 eV to provide crucial information on the kaon-nucleus strong interaction in the low energy limit. The experiment is to be performed as one of the first experiment in the J-PARC hadron facility (J-PARC E17). An overview and the present status of the experiment are presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Precise measurement of the {sup 19}Ne half-life

We describe a high-precision measurement of the half-life of the T = 1/2 nucleus {sup 19}Ne, performed at TRIUMF, Canada's National Laboratory for Nuclear and Particle Physics, Vancouver, Canada. Some implications of this measurement related to tests of the Standard Model are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High-precision {beta} decay half-life measurements of proton-rich nuclei for testing the CVC hypothesis

The experimental study of super-allowed nuclear {beta} decays serves as a sensitive probe of the conservation of the weak vector current (CVC) and allows tight limits to be set on the presence of scalar or right-handed currents. Once CVC is verified, it is possible to determine the V{sub ud} element of the CKM quark-mixing matrix. Similarly, the study of nuclear mirror {beta} decays allows to arrive at the same final quantity V{sub ud}. Whereas dedicated studies of 0{sup +}{yields}0{sup +} decays are performed for several decades now, the potential of mirror transitions was only rediscovered recently. Therefore, it can be expected that important progress is possible with high-precision studies of different mirror {beta} decays. In the present piece of work the half-life measurements performed by the CENBG group of the proton-rich nuclei {sup 42}Ti, {sup 38-39}Ca, {sup 30-31}S and {sup 29}P are summarised.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Upgrade of the Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometer for Precise Identification of Failed Fuel in a Fast Reactor

Isotopic analysis of krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe) by resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) is an effective tool for identification of failed fuel in fast reactors to achieve their safety operation and high plant availability. Reliability of the failed fuel detection and location (FFDL) system depends on the precise determination of {sup 78}Kr/{sup 80}Kr, {sup 82}Kr/{sup 80}Kr and {sup 126}Xe/{sup 129}Xe isotopic ratios, which is mainly hampered by statistical errors for detection of the corresponding isotopes except {sup 82}Kr generated in large amounts during operation of fast reactors. In this paper, we report on improvements of the laser optical system of our spectrometer to increase the resonance ionization efficiency of Kr and Xe atoms, focusing on (i) utilization of the uniform YAG laser beam to improve the wavelength conversion efficiency of sum frequency generation and (ii) reflection of the ultraviolet light by a concave mirror to increase the photon density. The results indicate that our upgraded resonance ionization mass spectrometer has enough performance for isotopic analysis of Kr and Xe required in the Monju FFDL system.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The on-line charge breeding program at TRIUMF's Ion Trap For Atomic and Nuclear Science for precision mass measurements

TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN) constitutes the only high precision mass measurement setup coupled to a rare isotope facility capable of increasing the charge state of short-lived nuclides prior to the actual mass determination in a Penning trap. Recent developments around TITAN's charge breeder, the electron beam ion trap, form the basis for several successful experiments on radioactive isotopes with half-lives as low as 65 ms and in charge states as high as 22+.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Cation stoichiometry optimization of SrTiO{sub 3} (110) thin films with atomic precision in homogeneous molecular beam epitaxy

We study the evolution of surface reconstructions on SrTiO{sub 3} (110) determined by cation concentration ratio and find it detectable by high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) even at high temperature up to 800 deg. C. The evaporation rate of Sr and Ti sources can be calibrated precisely by monitoring RHEED patterns in situ and in real time during the extended homogeneous oxide molecule beam epitaxy growth of SrTiO{sub 3} (110) film. High quality film is obtained with deviation of cation stoichiometry less than 0.5%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Precision measurement of longitudinal and transverse response functions of quasi-elastic electron scattering in the momentum transfer range 0.55GeV/c lte math| lte 0.9GeV/c

In order to test the Coulomb sum rule in nuclei, a precision measurement of inclusive electron scattering cross sections in the quasi-elastic region was performed at Jefferson Lab. Incident electrons of energies ranging from 0.4 GeV/c to 4 GeV/c scattered off {sup 4}He, {sup 12}C, {sup 56}Fe and {sup 208}Pb nuclei at four scattering angles (15deg., 60deg., 90deg., 120deg.) and scattered energies ranging from 0.1 GeV/c to 4 GeV/c. The Rosenbluth method with proper Coulomb corrections is used to extract the transverse and longitudinal response functions at three-momentum transfers 0.55 GeV/c {le} |q{yields}| {le} 1.0 GeV/c. The Coulomb Sum is determined in the same |q{yields}| range as mentioned above and will be compared to predictions. Analysis progress and preliminary results will be presented.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗