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At least 829 records · Page 46

Graphene nanoribbons: Relevance of etching process

Most graphene nanoribbons in the experimental literature are patterned using plasma etching. Various etching processes induce different types of defects and do not necessarily result in the same electronic and structural ribbon properties. This study focuses on two frequently used etching techniques, namely, O{sub 2} plasma ashing and O{sub 2 }+ Ar reactive ion etching (RIE). O{sub 2} plasma ashing represents an alternative to RIE physical etching for sensitive substrates, as it is a more gentle chemical process. We find that plasma ashing creates defective graphene in the exposed trenches, resulting in instabilities in the ribbon transport. These are probably caused by more or larger localized states at the edges of the ashed device compared to the RIE defined device.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Gamma irradiation of isocitric and citric acid in aqueous solution: Relevance in prebiotic chemistry

The radiation chemistry of hydroxy acids like citric and isocitric acids is rather scarce, even though they are crucial compounds in biological systems and for food irradiation. The aim of this work is to study the radiolytic behavior of these acids focused on the interconversion induced by radiation of citric and isocitric acid into other members of the Krebs cycle. The results showed that among the products formed were succinic, malonic, malic and other acids related to metabolic pathways, and these results are correlated with its possible role in chemical evolution processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Beam based alignment and its relevance in Indus-2

Initially in the Indus-2 storage ring, the closed orbit distortion (COD) could be best corrected to 1.3 mm rms in the horizontal and 0.43 mm rms in the vertical plane. The strength of the corrector magnets required high values for COD correction. This revealed that offsets in COD readout by the beam position monitors (BPMs) played a role in not achieving a rms COD lower than the above value. Thus, the offset between the electrical center of BPMs and the magnetic center of the nearest quadrupole magnet could be estimated using the beam based alignment (BBA) method. It prefers that the quadrupole magnet is able to be controlled individually and active shunt power supply (ASPS) system was designed for this purpose that works efficiently. This paper describes the methodology of BBA, topology of ASPS and its performance, and COD minimization using the measured BPM offsets. After BBA, the COD could be reduced to 0.45 mm rms and 0.2 mm rms in horizontal and vertical planes, respectively.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Relevance of non-equilibrium defect generation processes to resistive switching in TiO{sub 2}

First principles calculations are employed to identify atomistic pathways for the generation of vacancy-interstitial pair defects in TiO{sub 2}. We find that the formation of both oxygen and titanium defects induces a net dipole moment indicating that their formation can be assisted by an electric field. We also show that the activation barrier to formation of an oxygen vacancy defect can be reduced by trapping of holes which may be injected by the electrode. The calculated activation energies suggest that generation of titanium defects is more favorable than generation oxygen defects although activation energies in both cases are relatively high (>3.3 eV). These results provide much needed insight into an issue that has been widely debated but for which little definitive experimental information is available.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Relevance of single-particle and collective excitations in zirconium isotopes populated by neutron transfer reactions in the {sup 90}Zr+{sup 208}Pb system

Multineutron transfer reaction {sup 90}Zr+{sup 208}Pb has been studied at the energy close to the Coulomb barrier energy by using the PRISMA + CLARA set-up. In this fragment-γ coincidence measurement, the selective properties of the reaction mechanism in the population of the specific states have been discussed. Based on the observed γ transitions of neutron transfer channels, namely {sup 89–94}Zr isotopes, their level schemes have been constructed and updated.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Development of the negative ion beams relevant to ITER and JT-60SA at Japan Atomic Energy Agency

In order to realize negative ion sources and accelerators to be applicable to International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and JT-60 Super Advanced, a large cesium (Cs)-seeded negative ion source and a multi-aperture and multi-stage electric acceleration have been developed at Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). Long pulse production and acceleration of the negative ion beams have been independently carried out. The long pulse production of the high current beams has achieved 100 s at the beam current of 15 A by modifying the JT-60 negative ion source. The pulse duration time is increased three times longer than that before the modification. As for the acceleration, a pulse duration time has been also extended two orders of magnitudes from 0.4 s to 60 s. The developments of the negative ion source and acceleration at JAEA are well in progress towards the realization of the negative ion sources and accelerators for fusion applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Comparison of numerical predictions with CO{sub 2} pipeline release datasets of relevance to carbon capture and storage applications

Predicting the correct multi-phase fluid flow behaviour during the discharge process in the near-field of sonic CO{sub 2} jets is of particular importance in assessing the risks associated with transport aspects of carbon capture and storage schemes, given the very different hazard profiles of CO{sub 2} in the gaseous and solid states. In this paper, we apply our state-of-the-art mathematical model implemented in an efficient computational method to available data. Compared to previous applications, an improved equation of state is used. We also compare to all the available data, rather than just subsets as previously, and demonstrate both the improved performance of the fluid flow model and the variation between the available datasets. The condensed phase fraction at the vent, puncture or rupture release point is revealed to be of key importance in understanding the near-field dispersion of sonic CO{sub 2}.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Relevance of advanced nuclear fusion research: Breakthroughs and obstructions

An in depth understanding of the collective modes that can be excited in a wide range of high-energy plasmas is necessary to advance nuclear fusion research in parallel with other fields that include space and astrophysics in particular. Important achievements are shown to have resulted from implementing programs based on this reality, maintaining a tight connection with different areas of investigations. This involves the undertaking of a plurality of experimental approaches aimed at understanding the physics of fusion burning plasmas. At present, the most advanced among these is the Ignitor experiment involving international cooperation, that is designed to investigate burning plasma regimes near ignition for the first time.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Relevance of 4f-3d exchange to finite-temperature magnetism of rare-earth permanent magnets: An ab-initio-based spin model approach for NdFe{sub 12}N

A classical spin model derived ab initio for rare-earth-based permanent magnet compounds is presented. Our target compound, NdFe{sub 12}N, is a material that goes beyond today's champion magnet compound Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B in its intrinsic magnetic properties with a simpler crystal structure. Calculated temperature dependence of the magnetization and the anisotropy field agrees with the latest experimental results in the leading order. Having put the realistic observables under our numerical control, we propose that engineering 5d-electron-mediated indirect exchange coupling between 4f-electrons in Nd and 3d-electrons from Fe would most critically help enhance the material's utility over the operation-temperature range.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A comparison of non-local electron transport models for laser-plasmas relevant to inertial confinement fusion

Here, we compare the reduced non-local electron transport model developed to Vlasov-Fokker-Planck simulations. Two new test cases are considered: the propagation of a heat wave through a high density region into a lower density gas, and a one-dimensional hohlraum ablation problem. We find that the reduced model reproduces the peak heat flux well in the ablation region but significantly over-predicts the coronal preheat. The suitability of the reduced model for computing non-local transport effects other than thermal conductivity is considered by comparing the computed distribution function to the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck distribution function. It is shown that even when the reduced model reproduces the correct heat flux, the distribution function is significantly different to the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck prediction. Two simple modifications are considered which improve agreement between models in the coronal region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Sub-Doppler slit jet infrared spectroscopy of astrochemically relevant cations: Symmetric (ν 1 ) and antisymmetric (ν 6 ) NH stretching modes in ND 2 H 2 +

Sub-Doppler infrared rovibrational transitions in the symmetric (v1) and antisymmetric (v6) NH stretch modes of the isotopomerically substituted ND 2 H 2 + ammonium cation are reported for the first time in a slit jet discharge supersonic expansion spectrometer. The partially H/D substituted cation is generated by selective isotopic exchange of ND 3 with H 2 O to form NHD 2 , followed by protonation with H3+ formed in the NHD2/H2/Ne slit-jet discharge expansion environment. Rotational assignment for ND 2 H 2 + is confirmed rigorously by four line ground state combination differences, which agree to be within the sub-Doppler precision in the slit jet (∼9 MHz). Observation of both b-type (ν1) and c-type (ν6) bands enables high precision determination of the ground and vibrationally excited state rotational constants. From an asymmetric top Watson Hamiltonian analysis, the ground state constants are found to be A" = 4.856 75(4) cm-1, B" = 3.968 29(4) cm-1, and C" = 3.446 67(6) cm-1, with band origins at 3297.5440(1) and 3337.9050(1) cm-1 for the v1 and v6 modes, respectively. Lastly, this work permits prediction of precision microwave/mm-wave transitions, which should be invaluable in facilitating ongoing spectroscopic searches for partially deuterated ammonium cations in interstellar clouds and star-forming regions of the interstellar medium

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Experiments and models of MHD jets and their relevance to astrophysics and solar physics

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)-driven jets involve poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields, finite pressure gradients, and unbalanced forces. The mechanism driving these jets is first discussed qualitatively by decomposing the magnetic force into a curvature and a gradient component. The mechanism is then considered quantitatively by consideration of all terms in the three components of the MHD equation of motion and in addition, the implications of Ampere's law, Faraday's law, the ideal Ohm's law, and the equation of continuity. Our analysis shows that jets are self-collimating with the tip of the jet moving more slowly than the main column of the jet so there is a continuous stagnation near the tip in the jet frame. Experiments supporting these conclusions are discussed and it is shown how this mechanism relates to jets in astrophysical and solar corona contexts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

High-pressure chemistry of hydrocarbons relevant to planetary interiors and inertial confinement fusion

Diamond formation in polystyrene (C8H8)n, which is laser-compressed and heated to conditions around 150 GPa and 5000 K, has recently been demonstrated in the laboratory [Kraus et al., Nat. Astron. 1, 606–611 (2017)]. Here, we show an extended analysis and comparison to first-principles simulations of the acquired data and their implications for planetary physics and inertial confinement fusion. Moreover, we discuss the advanced diagnostic capabilities of adding high-quality small angle X-ray scattering and spectrally resolved X-ray scattering to the platform, which shows great prospects of precisely studying the kinetics of chemical reactions in dense plasma environments at pressures exceeding 100 GPa.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

High-resolution sub-Doppler infrared spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant Criegee precursor CH 2 I radicals: CH 2 stretch vibrations and “charge-sloshing” dynamics

The combination of a pulsed supersonic slit-discharge source and single-mode difference frequency direct absorption infrared spectroscopy permit first high resolution infrared study of the iodomethyl (CH 2 I) radical, with the CH 2 I radical species generated in a slit jet Ne/He discharge and cooled to 16 K in the supersonic expansion. Dual laser beam detection and collisional collimation in the slit expansion yield sub-Doppler linewidths (60 MHz), an absolute frequency calibration of 13 MHz, and absorbance sensitivities within a factor of two of the shot-noise limit. Fully rovibrationally resolved direct absorption spectra of the CH 2 symmetric stretch mode (ν 2 ) are obtained and fitted to a Watson asymmetric top Hamiltonian with electron spin-rotation coupling, providing precision rotational constants and spin-rotation tensor elements for the vibrationally excited state. Assessment of the asymmetric top rotational constants confirms a vibrationally averaged planar geometry in both the ground- and first-excited vibrational levels. Sub-Doppler resolution permits additional nuclear spin hyperfine structures to be observed, with splittings in excellent agreement with microwave measurements on the ground state. Spectroscopic data on CH 2 I facilitate systematic comparison with previous studies of halogen-substituted methyl radicals, with the periodic trends strongly correlated with the electronegativity of the halogen atom. Surprisingly, we do not observe any asymmetric CH 2 stretch transitions, despite S/N ≈ 25:1 on strongest lines in the corresponding symmetric CH 2 stretch manifold. This dramatic reversal of the more typical 3:1 antisymmetric/symmetric CH 2 stretch intensity ratio signals a vibrational transition moment poorly described by simple “bond-dipole” models. Instead, the data suggest that this anomalous intensity ratio arises from “charge sloshing” dynamics in the highly polar carbon-iodine bond, as supported by ab initio electron differential density plots and indeed consistent with observations in other halomethyl radicals and protonated cluster ions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sub-Doppler slit jet infrared spectroscopy of astrochemically relevant cations: The NH stretching mode in ND 3 H +

High-resolution rotationally resolved spectra of the N–H stretch vibrational mode (ν1) of jet-cooled ND 3 H + ions are collected and analyzed in a sub-Doppler slit-jet infrared spectrometer. The isotopomeric ammonium ions are generated by proton transfer from H 3 + to ND 3 in a discharge of an ND 3 /H 2 gas mixture, whereby the slit jet expansion cools the nascent ND 3 H + ions into lower rotational states. Rotational assignments are confirmed by four-line combination differences that agree to within the spectrometer precision (9 MHz). Based on precision two-line ground-state combination differences and a symmetric top Hamiltonian, the B, D J , and D JK rotational constants for the ground vibrational state of ND 3 H + are determined with high precision for the first time. Approximate rotational constants for the ν 1 excited state are also determined, with a band origin at 3316.8425(19) cm -1 and in remarkable (~0.1 cm -1 ) agreement with high level anharmonic theoretical predictions by Guo and co-workers [J. Phys. Chem. A, 120, 2185 (2016)]. Our results allow us to predict several low-J pure rotational transitions of ND 3 H + , which we hope will support future studies of this important ion in laboratory and astronomical rotational spectroscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Suppressed-Doppler slit jet infrared spectroscopy of astrochemically relevant cations: $ν_1$ and $ν_4$ NH stretching modes in NH 3 D +

A suppressed-Doppler (Δν = 180 MHz) infrared spectrum of monodeuterated ammonium ions (NH 3 D + ) has been obtained for the ν 1 (symmetric) and ν 4 (degenerate) N–H stretch bands via direct absorption high resolution IR laser spectroscopy in a planar slit jet discharge expansion. The ion is efficiently generated by H 3 + protonation of NH 2 D in a discharge mixture of H 2 /NH 2 D, with the resulting expansion rapidly cooling the molecular ions into low rotational states. The first high-resolution infrared spectrum of ν 1 is reported, as well as many previously unobserved transitions in the ν 4 rovibrational manifold. Simultaneous observation of both ν 1 and ν 4 permits elucidation of both the vibrational ground and excited state properties of the ion, including rigorous benchmarking of band origins against high-level anharmonic ab initio theory as well as determination of the ν 1 :ν 4 intensity ratio for comparison with bond-dipole model predictions. Ground-state combination differences from this work and earlier studies permit the rotational constants of NH 3 D + to be determined to unprecedented accuracy, the results of which support previous laboratory and astronomical assignment of the 1 0 –0 0 pure rotational transition and should aid future searches for other rotational transitions as well.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

CR-39 nuclear track detector response to inertial confinement fusion relevant ions

The detection properties of CR-39 were investigated for protons, deuterons, and tritons of various energies. Two models for the relationship between the track diameter and particle energy are presented and demonstrated to match experimental data for all three species. Data demonstrate that CR-39 has 100% efficiency for protons between 1 MeV and 4 MeV, deuterons between 1 MeV and 12.2 MeV, and tritons between 1 MeV and 10 MeV. The true upper bounds for deuterons and tritons exceed what could be measured in data. Simulations were developed to further explore the properties of CR-39 and suggest that the diameter–energy relationship of alpha particles cannot be captured by the conventional c-parameter model. These findings provide confidence in CR-39 track diameter based spectroscopy of all three species and provide invaluable insight for designing filtering for all CR-39 based diagnostics.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Physics of E × B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies

This paper provides perspectives on recent progress in understanding the physics of devices in which the external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the discharge current. This configuration generates a strong electric field that acts to accelerate ions. The many applications of this set up include generation of thrust for spacecraft propulsion and separation of species in plasma mass separation devices. These “E × B” plasmas are subject to plasma–wall interaction effects and to various micro- and macroinstabilities. In many devices we also observe the emergence of anomalous transport. This perspective presents the current understanding of the physics of these phenomena and state-of-the-art computational results, identifies critical questions, and suggests directions for future research.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗