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At least 847 records · Page 47

Data Federation Challenges in Remote Near-Real-Time Fusion Experiment Data Processing

Fusion energy experiments and simulations provide critical information needed to plan future fusion reactors. As next-generation devices like ITER move toward long-pulse experiments, analyses, including AI and ML, should be performed in a wide range of time and computing constraints, from near-real-time constraints, between-shot analysis, and to campaign-wide long-term analysis. However, the data volume, velocity, and variety make it extremely challenging for analyses using only local computational resources. Researchers need the ability to compose and execute workflows spanning edge resources to large-scale high-performance computing facilities.We present Delta, a system to address data analysis challenges, including AI/ML, in fusion science, by leveraging the ADIOS I/O library and middleware, to support executing science workflows over the wide area network for near-real-time streaming. We discuss the data federation challenges in performing remote workflows, focusing on on-going research work in (1) managing, reducing, and streaming data to minimize I/O and data movement overheads, (2) decompressing and reorganizing data for analysis, and (3) executing workflows for automated data analysis. We introduce examples for deep-learning based data analysis for the fusion domain and demonstrate how we use Delta to construct end-to-end workflows for a fusion device in Korea, connecting a remote DOE facility in the USA. The capability demonstrated by this project is the basis for improving the state of the art for near-real-time data federation amongst remote facilities.

Choi, Jong Youl↗

Thermodynamics of the near-extremal Kerr spacetime

We examine the thermodynamics of a near-extremal Kerr black hole, and demonstrate that the geometry behaves as an ordinary quantum system with a vanishingly small degeneracy at low temperatures. This is in contrast with the classical analysis, which instead predicts a macroscopic entropy for the extremal Kerr black hole. Our results follow from a careful analysis of the gravitational path integral. Specifically, the low temperature canonical partition function behaves as Z ~ T$\frac{3}{2}$ e S 0 +c log S 0 , with S 0 the classical degeneracy and c a numerical coefficient we compute. This is in line with the general expectations for non-supersymmetric near-extremal black hole thermodynamics, as has been clarified in the recent past, although cases without spherical symmetry have not yet been fully analyzed until now. We also point out some curious features relating to the rotational zero modes of the near-extremal Kerr black hole background that affects the coefficient c. This raises a puzzle when considering similar black holes in string theory. Our results generalize to other rotating black holes, as we briefly exemplify.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Universality in logarithmic temperature corrections to near-extremal rotating black hole thermodynamics in various dimensions

The low-temperature thermodynamics of near-extremal rotating black holes has recently been revisited to incorporate one-loop contributions that are dominant in this regime. We discuss these quantum corrections to the gravitational path integral for asymptotically Anti de-Sitter black holes in four and five dimensions. In four dimensions we explicitly consider Kerr-AdS 4 , Kerr-Newman-AdS 4 and the rotating black hole in $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 gauged supergravity with two scalars and two electric charges turned on. In five dimensions we explicitly address the asymptotically flat Myers-Perry black hole and the Kerr-AdS5 black hole. In every case we find that tensor modes contribute $\frac{3}{2}$logT Hawking to the low-temperature thermodynamics. We identify the root cause of this universality in two facts: (i) the universal presence of a SL(2, $\mathbb{R}$) subgroup of isometries in the near-horizon geometry and (ii) a set of cancellations in the Lichnerowicz operator. We show that these two conditions hold for near-extremal black holes in asymptotically flat and asymptotically AdS spacetimes of various dimensions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

BPS and near-BPS black holes in AdS 5 and their spectrum in $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 SYM

We study quantum corrections in the gravitational path integral around nearly 1/16-BPS black holes in asymptotically AdS 5 × S 5 space, dual to heavy states in 4D N = 4 super Yang-Mills. The analysis provides a gravitational explanation of why 1/16-BPS black holes exhibit an exact degeneracy at large N and why all such states have the same charges, confirming the belief that the superconformal index precisely counts the entropy of extremal black holes. We show the presence of a gap of order N −2 between the 1/16-BPS black holes and the lightest near-BPS black holes within the same charge sector. This is the first example of such a gap for black hole states within the context of AdS 5 holography. We also derive the spectrum of near-BPS states that lie above this gap. Our computation relies on finding the correct version of the N = 2 super-Schwarzian theory which captures the breaking of the SU(1, 1|1) symmetry when the black hole has finite temperature and non-zero chemical potential. Finally, we comment on possible stringy and non-perturbative corrections that can affect the black hole spectrum.

AdS-CFT Correspondence↗

Physics-Based Hazard Assessment for Critical Structures Near Large Earthquake Sources

We argue that for critical structures near large earthquake sources: (1) the ergodic assumption, recent history, and simplified descriptions of the hazard are not appropriate to rely on for earthquake ground motion prediction and can lead to a mis-estimation of the hazard and risk to structures; (2) a physics-based approach can address these issues; (3) a physics-based source model must be provided to generate realistic phasing effects from finite rupture and model near-source ground motion correctly; (4) wave propagations and site response should be site specific; (5) a much wider search of possible sources of ground motion can be achieved computationally with a physics-based approach; (6) unless one utilizes a physics-based approach, the hazard and risk to structures has unknown uncertainties; (7) uncertainties can be reduced with a physics-based approach, but not with an ergodic approach; (8) computational power and computer codes have advanced to the point that risk to structures can be calculated directly from source and site-specific ground motions. Spanning the variability of potential ground motion in a predictive situation is especially difficult for near-source areas, but that is the distance at which the hazard is the greatest. The basis of a “physical-based” approach is ground-motion syntheses derived from physics and an understanding of the earthquake process. This is an overview paper and results from previous studies are used to make the case for these conclusions. Our premise is that 50 years of strong motion records is insufficient to capture all possible ranges of site and propagation path conditions, rupture processes, and spatial geometric relationships between source and site. Predicting future earthquake scenarios is necessary; models that have little or no physical basis but have been tested and adjusted to fit available observations can only “predict” what happened in the past, which should be considered description as opposed to prediction. Finally, we have developed a methodology for synthesizing physics-based broadband ground motion that incorporates the effects of realistic earthquake rupture along specific faults and the actual geology between the source and site.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Effect of particle size and adsorbates on the L{sub 3}, L{sub 2} and L{sub 1} x-ray absorption near edge structure of supported Pt nanoparaticles.

Pt nano-particles from about 1 to 10 nm have been prepared on silica, alkali-silica, alumina, silica-alumina, carbon and SBA-15 supports. EXAFS spectra of the reduced catalysts in He show a contraction of the Pt-Pt bond distance as particle size is decreased below 3 nm. The bond length decreased as much as 0.13 {angstrom} for 1 nm Pt particles. Adsorption of CO and H{sub 2} lead to a increase in Pt-Pt bond distance to that near Pt foil, e.g., 2.77 {angstrom}. In addition to changes in the Pt bond distance with size, as the particle size decreases below about 5 nm there is a shift in the XANES to higher energy at the L{sub 3} edge, a decrease in intensity near the edge and an increase in intensity beyond the edge. We suggest these features correspond to effects of coordination (the decrease at the edge) and lattice contraction (the increase beyond the edge). At the L{sub 2} edge, there are only small shifts to higher energy at the edge. However, beyond the edge, there are large increases in intensity with decreasing particle size. At the L{sub 1} edge there are no changes in position or shape of the XANES spectra. Adsorption of CO and H{sub 2} also lead to changes in the L{sub 3} and L{sub 2} edges, however, no changes are observed at the L1 edge. Density Functional Theory and XANES calculations show that the trends in the experimental XANES can be explained in terms of the states available near the edge. Both CO and H{sub 2} adsorption result in a depletion of states at the Fermi level but the creation of anti-bonding states above the Fermi level which give rise to intensity increases beyond the edge.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Review of on-line and near real-time spectroscopic monitoring of processes relevant to nuclear material management

Spectroscopic chemometric based on-line monitoring of used nuclear fuel (UNF) reprocessing solutions and characterization of legacy nuclear waste (LNW) stored at Hanford is discussed in this manuscript. Using on-line and near real-time monitoring with spectroscopy, as opposed to traditional off-line monitoring, can significantly reduce the cost, risk and improve the efficiency of characterizing UNF reprocessing streams and LNW since the data can be collected non-destructively and analyzed nearly instantly. It can accurately quantify and qualify nuclear material in near-real time which can help to know the immediate UNF reprocessing stream and LNW conditions and detect the diversion of materials. The ability to be applied in a real reprocessing plant and in an actual Hanford waste tank/transfer pipe has been demonstrated by applying this technique to accurately quantify analytes in real UNF streams and LNW samples. Furthermore, the future development of spectroscopy based on-line monitoring is also discussed in this manuscript.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mitigation of thermoacoustic instability utilizing steady air injection near the flame anchoring zone

The objective of this work is to investigate the effectiveness of steady air injection near the flame anchoring zone in suppressing thermoacoustic instabilities driven by flame-vortex interaction mechanism. We perform a systematic experimental study which involves using two different configurations of air injection in an atmospheric pressure backward-facing step combustor. The first configuration utilizes a row of micro-diameter holes allowing for air injection in the cross-stream direction just upstream of the step. The second configuration utilizes an array of micro-diameter holes located on the face of the step, allowing for air injection in the streamwise direction. The effects of each of these configurations are analyzed to determine which one is more effective in suppressing thermoacoustic instabilities at different operating conditions. The tests are conducted while varying the equivalence ratio and the inlet temperature. The secondary air temperature is always the same as the inlet temperature. We used pure propane or propane/hydrogen mixtures as fuels. Combustion dynamics are explored through simultaneous pressure and heat release-rate measurements, and high-speed video images. When the equivalence ratio of the reactant mixture is high, it causes the flame to flashback towards the inlet channel. When air is injected in the cross-stream direction, the flame anchors slightly upstream of the step, which suppresses the instability. When air is injected in the streamwise direction near the edge of step, thermoacoustic instability could be eliminated at an optimum secondary air flow rate, which depends on the operating conditions. When effective, the streamwise air injection prevents the shedding of an unsteady vortex, thus eliminating the flame-vortex interaction mechanism and resulting in a compact, stable flame to form near the step. (author)

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Near-isothermal-isobaric compressed gas energy storage

In this paper, the effectiveness of storing energy by compressing and expanding a condensable gas is evaluated. A high efficiency energy storage system, which stores energy by compressing/expanding gas (air) using a liquid (water) piston has been recently introduced and extensively studied. With the use of the liquid piston, the inefficient gas turbomachines used in conventional gas compression/expansion systems are replaced with high efficiency hydraulic machines. Utilizing heat transfer techniques and replacing the non-condensable air with a condensable gas (i.e. CO 2 , synthetic refrigerants, hydrocarbon refrigerants, etc.) have been proposed as methods to improve energy density and roundtrip efficiency of such systems, leading to near isothermal and near isobaric charge/discharge processes. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed concept, a miniature lab-scale experimental setup was designed and built to investigate the compression/expansion characteristics and energy storage efficiency of a system utilizing R134a as the energy storage (primary) working fluid, and mineral refrigerant oil as the liquid piston (secondary) working fluid. Several tests are carried out to quantify energy storage efficiency and energy density. It is found that improving heat transfer rates from/into the storage fluid results in increased efficiency and energy density. A heat-transfer enhancement strategy to achieve near isothermal, isobaric expansion and compression is proposed and investigated experimentally. Some results are generalized and presented in non-dimensional form which can be applied to describe and/or design scaled-up systems. Lastly, a potential working fluid for a scaled-up system is discussed.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Highly resolved Eulerian simulations of fuel spray transients in single and multi-hole injectors: Nozzle flow and near-exit dynamics

In high pressure fuel injectors, needle opening and closing transients cause complex off-design fluid dynamics behaviors that profoundly impact the spray and mixture formation processes. These dynamics are completely different from what is known to occur in steady state conditions. In this study, diesel spray transients have been investigated in single-hole and 3-hole nozzles, encompassing internal and external nozzle flow and including needle motion, performing highly resolved (2.5 μm) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. We focused on end-of-injection (EOI) and start-of-injection (SOI) processes, in order to provide insights in to the physics. The liquid fuel, vapor and gas species are modeled with a single-fluid multiphase mixture approach, with diffuse interface, and with large eddy simulations (LES) of the turbulence. Occurrence of phase change due to cavitation is accounted for, and the spray dispersion is described with a turbulent dispersion model. Detailed needle motion data and orifice internal surface are available from xray synchrotron source measurements carried out at Argonne National Laboratory, and shared through the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) community. Simulations are compared against x-ray phase contrast imaging and radiography of the internal and near-exit flow, in addition to optical microscopy data of the near-exit sprays. Simulation results are found to agree well with available experimental data, and are able to realistically capture local and global features. The simulations allow to gain insight into the physics of gas ingestion and dribbles at EOI, for different hole diameters, operating conditions and number of holes. At SOI, timing of liquid appearance out of the injector and spray tip penetration are adequately predicted, by using the EOI flow field as in-nozzle initialization, and by prescribing the measured tip needle displacement with an informed effective valve opening point inferred from the x-ray observations. Lastly, the variation of spreading angle over time is also discussed in detail for the multi-hole case, including hole-to-hole variations. Due to real geometry features and asymmetric needle motion with eccentric components, it is found that the three holes exhibit swirling flows of increasing intensity as the lift decreases, causing the near cone angle to open and spread, in a quasi-hollow cone structure. These features are not observed in axial single-hole injectors because of their relative simplicity and intrinsic symmetry.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Evaluating methods to reduce duration of near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate measurements for low-alloy steels in hydrogen gas

Measurement of the near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate (da/dN) vs. stress-intensity factor range (∆K) relationship in hydrogen gas is essential for maximizing the calculated design fatigue life of high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels. However, such measurements are rarely performed, since the low cyclic loading frequencies applied in standard practice lead to prohibitively protracted test durations. The objective of this study was to demonstrate two means for reducing test durations when measuring near-threshold da/dN vs. ΔK relationships under decreasing ΔK for low-alloy pressure vessel steels in hydrogen gas: 1) imposing steeper K-gradients relative to the recommended limits in standards such as ASTM E647, and 2) increasing cyclic loading frequency relative to typical values applied during fatigue crack growth testing of low-alloy steels in hydrogen gas. Recognizing that steeper K-gradients could amplify loading-history effects, test methods employing this approach were designed to mitigate such effects by either maintaining constant K max or gradually increasing the K-gradient as the threshold was approached. Although the varying K-gradient method was vulnerable to loading-history effects in the form of plasticity-induced crack closure, particularly at lower stress ratio (R) and higher starting K max values, these effects could be compensated by applying the adjusted compliance ratio (ACR) method. Here, it was demonstrated that steeper K-gradients in concert with increased cyclic loading frequency reduced the duration of near-threshold fatigue crack growth tests in hydrogen gas by more than 99% relative to standard practices.

Fatigue threshold↗

Quantifying deformation processes near grain boundaries in α titanium using nanoindentation and crystal plasticity modeling

In this work, the influence of grain boundaries on plastic deformation was studied by carrying out nanoindentation near grain boundaries (GBs). Surface topographies of indentations near grain boundaries were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and compared to corresponding single crystal indent topographies collected from indentations in grain interiors. Comparison of the single crystal indents to indents adjacent to low-angle boundaries shows that these boundaries have limited effect on the size and shape of the indent topography. Higher angle boundaries result in a decrease in the pile-up topography observed in the receiving grain, and in some cases increases in the topographic height in the indented grain, indicating deformation transfer across these boundaries is more difficult. A crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) model of the indentation geometry was built to simulate both the single crystal and the near grain boundary indentation (bi-crystal indentation) deformation process. The accuracy of the model is evaluated by comparing the point-wise volumetric differences between simulated and experimentally measured topographies. Good agreement, in both single and bi-crystal cases, suggests that the crystal plasticity kinematics plays a dominant role in single crystal indentation deformation, and is also essential to bi-crystal indentation. Despite the good agreement, some differences between experimental and simulated topographies were observed. These discrepancies have been rationalized in terms of reverse plasticity and the inability of the model to capture the full resistance of the boundary to slip. Lastly, this is discussed in terms of dislocation nucleation versus glide in the model and in the physics of the slip transfer process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of operator splitting errors for near-limit flame simulations

High-fidelity simulations of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion processes are of practical interest in a broad range of combustion applications. Splitting schemes, widely employed in reactive flow simulations, could fail for stiff reaction–diffusion systems exhibiting near-limit flame phenomena. The present work first employs a model perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) problem with an Arrhenius reaction term and a linear mixing term to study the effects of splitting errors on the near-limit combustion phenomena. Analysis shows that the errors induced by decoupling of the fractional steps may result in unphysical extinction or ignition. The analysis is then extended to the prediction of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion in unsteady PSRs of various fuel/air mixtures with a 9-species detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation and an 88-species skeletal mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, together with a Jacobian-based analysis for the time scales. The tested schemes include the Strang splitting, the balanced splitting, and a newly developed semi-implicit midpoint method. Results show that the semi-implicit midpoint method can accurately reproduce the dynamics of the near-limit flame phenomena and it is second-order accurate over a wide range of time step size. For the extinction and ignition processes, both the balanced splitting and midpoint method can yield accurate predictions, whereas the Strang splitting can lead to significant shifts on the ignition/extinction processes or even unphysical results. With an enriched H radical source in the inflow stream, a delay of the ignition process and the deviation on the equilibrium temperature are observed for the Strang splitting. On the contrary, the midpoint method that solves reaction and diffusion together matches the fully implicit accurate solution. The balanced splitting predicts the temperature rise correctly but with an over-predicted peak. For the sustainable and decaying oscillatory combustion from cool flames, both the Strang splitting and the midpoint method can successfully capture the dynamic behavior, whereas the balanced splitting scheme results in significant errors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse, mesoporous, and magnetic sub-micron particles doped with a near-infrared fluorescent dye

Recently, multifunctional silica nanoparticles have been investigated extensively for their potential use in biomedical applications. We have prepared sub-micron monodisperse and stable multifunctional mesoporous silica particles with a high level of magnetization and fluorescence in the near infrared region using an one-pot synthesis technique. Commercial magnetite nanocrystals and a conjugated-NIR-dye were incorporated inside the particles during the silica condensation reaction. The particles were then coated with polyethyleneglycol to stop aggregation. X-ray diffraction, N{sub 2} adsorption analysis, TEM, fluorescence and absorbance measurements were used to structurally characterize the particles. These mesoporous silica spheres have a large surface area (1978 m{sup 2}/g) with 3.40 nm pore diameter and a high fluorescence in the near infrared region at {lambda}=700 nm. To explore the potential of these particles for drug delivery applications, the pore accessibility to hydrophobic drugs was simulated by successfully trapping a hydrophobic ruthenium dye complex inside the particle with an estimated concentration of 3 wt%. Fluorescence imaging confirmed the presence of both NIR dye and the post-grafted ruthenium dye complex inside the particles. These particles moved at approximately 150 {mu}m/s under the influence of a magnetic field, hence demonstrating the multifunctionality and potential for biomedical applications in targeting and imaging. - Graphical Abstract: Hydrophobic fluorescent Ruthenium complex has been loaded into the mesopores as a surrogate drug to simulate drug delivery and to enhance the multifunctionality of the magnetic NIR emitting particles. Highlights: > Monodisperse magnetic mesoporous silica particles emitting in the near infrared region are obtained in one-pot synthesis. > We prove the capacity of such particles to uptake hydrophobic dye to mimic drug loading. > Loaded fluorescent particles can be moved under a magnetic field in a microfluidic device.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ratiometric near infrared luminescent thermometer based on lanthanide metal-organic frameworks

A near infrared luminescent MOFs thermometer (Nd{sub 0.676}Yb{sub 0.324}BTC) was prepared via a simple solvothermal method using Ln{sup 3+} (Ln=Nd, Yb) ions and 1, 3, 5-benznenetricarboxylic acid (H{sub 3}BTC), and characterized by PXRD, TGA, ICP, and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. These results indicate that the Nd{sub 0.676}Yb{sub 0.324}BTC displays high relative sensitivity and excellent repeatability in the physiological temperature range (288–323 K), and the maximum relative sensitivity is determined to be 1.187% K{sup −1} at 323 K. These NIR luminescent MOFs may have potential applications in physiological temperature sensing. - Graphical abstract: A near infrared luminescent MOFs thermometer (Nd{sub 0.054}Yb{sub 0.946}BTC ) displays high relative sensitivity and excellent repeatability in the physiological temperature range (288–323 K). Display Omitted - Highlights: • A ratiometric near infrared luminescent MOFs thermometer (Nd{sub 0.676}Yb{sub 0.324}BTC) was prepared via a simple solvothermal method. • The maximum relative sensitivity of Nd{sub 0.676}Yb{sub 0.324}BTC is determined to be 1.187% K{sup −1} at 323 K. • Nd{sub 0.676}Yb{sub 0.324}BTC showed excellent repeatability in the physiological temperature range (288–323 K).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sub-10 nm lanthanide doped BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals: Shape controllable synthesis, tunable multicolor emission and enhanced near-infrared upconversion luminescence

Highlights: • Sub-10 nm cubic phase BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals were synthesized by a hydrothermal method for the first time. • Tunable multicolor from yellow to yellow-green was achieved by controlling Gd{sup 3+} content in BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Er system. • Intense near-infrared upconversion luminescence in BaLuF{sub 5}:Gd/Yb/Tm nanocrystal. • The enhancement near-infrared luminescence can be realized by adjusting the content of Gd{sup 3+} in BaLuF{sub 5}:Gd/Yb/Tm system. - Abstract: In this study, sub-10 nm BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals with cubic phase structure were synthesized by a solvothermal method using oleic acid as the stabilizing agent. The as-prepared BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and analyzed by the upconversion (UC) spectra. The TEM results reveal that these samples present high uniformity. Compared with Gd-free samples, the size of BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Er doped with 10% Gd{sup 3+} decreased to 5.6 nm. In addition, BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Tm/Gd upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) presented efficient near-infrared (NIR)-NIR UC luminescence. Therefore, it is expected that these ultra-small BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals with well-controlled shape, size, and UC emission have potential applications in biomedical imaging fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhanced visible to near infrared downshifting in Ce{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+}-co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet through Pr{sup 3+} doping

Graphical abstract: In order to achieve improved near infrared downshifting, we have investigated the effect of Pr{sup 3+} doping on the energy transfer efficiency from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} in the YAG host. - Highlights: • Synthesis and characterization of tri-doped Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} (YAG). • Efficient energy transfer in YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+}. • Discussion of mechanism of energy transfer in tri-doped host. • Potential application in c-Si solar cell. - Abstract: Novel YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+} phosphors were synthesized using a high temperature solid state reaction method. The XRD patterns revealed that the obtained samples belong to the single phase YAG. The optical spectra demonstrated that Pr{sup 3+} could be a bridge to facilitate the energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} in the YAG host. Blue light excited Ce{sup 3+} and a yellow emission from Ce{sup 3+} together with a near infrared emission of Yb{sup 3+} was obtained. The effect of Pr{sup 3+} doping on the energy transfer efficiency was explored. When the doping concentration of Pr{sup 3+} increased, the yellow emission intensities of Ce{sup 3+} decreased and the near infrared emission intensity of Yb{sup 3+} increased monotonously. Hence, the efficiency of energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} is enhanced by the addition of Pr{sup 3+}, implying that the YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+} phosphors are promising downshifting materials and have the potential to be used in Si-based solar cells.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Visible and near-infrared excitation spectra from the neptunyl ion doped into a uranyl tetrachloride lattice

We present that visible and near-infrared illumination induces 5f-5f and ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions of the neptunyl tetrachloride anion in polycrystalline Cs 2 U(Np)O 2 Cl 4 , and results in near-infrared luminescence from the second electronically excited state to the ground state. This photoluminescence is used as a detection method to collect excitation spectra throughout the near-infrared and visible regions. The excitation spectra of LMCT transitions in excitation spectra were identified in previous work. Here the measurement and analysis is extended to include both LMCT and intra-5f transitions. The results manifest variation in structural properties of the neptunium-oxo bond among the low-lying electronic states. Vibronic intensity patterns and energy spacings are used to compare bond lengths and vibrational frequencies in the excited states, confirming significant characteristic differences between those excited by 5f-5f transitions from those due to LMCT transitions. Lastly, results are compared with recently published RASPT2/SO calculations of [NpO 2 Cl 4 ] 2- .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗