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At least 937 records · Page 52

Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices

Atomic manipulation and interface engineering techniques have provided an intriguing approach to custom-designing topological superconductors and the ensuing Majorana zero modes, representing a paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have proven to be experimentally suitable to engineer topological superconductivity through the control of both the complex structure of its magnetic layer and the interface properties of the superconducting surface. Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional MSH systems containing a magnetic skyrmion lattice provide an unprecedented ability to control the emergence of topological phases. By changing the skyrmion radius, which can be achieved experimentally through an external magnetic field, one can tune between different topological superconducting phases, allowing one to explore their unique properties and the transitions between them. In these MSH systems, Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy spatially visualizes one of the most crucial aspects underlying the emergence of topological superconductivity, the spatial structure of the induced spin–triplet correlations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Delayed fluorescence from a zirconium(iv) photosensitizer with ligand-to-metal charge-transfer excited states

Advances in chemical control of the photophysical properties of transition-metal complexes are revolutionizing a wide range of technologies, particularly photocatalysis and light-emitting diodes, but they rely heavily on molecules containing precious metals such as ruthenium and iridium. While the application of earth-abundant ‘early’ transition metals in photosensitizers is clearly advantageous, a detailed understanding of excited states with ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) character is paramount to account for their distinct electron configurations. Here we report an air- and moisture-stable, visible lightabsorbing Zr(iv) photosensitizer, Zr( Mes PDP Ph ) 2 , where [ Mes PDP Ph ] 2- is the doubly deprotonated form of [2,6-bis(5-(2,4,6- trimethylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine]. This molecule has an exceptionally long-lived triplet LMCT excited state (τ = 350 μs), featuring highly efficient photoluminescence emission (Ф = 0.45) due to thermally activated delayed fluorescence emanating from the higher-lying singlet configuration with significant LMCT contributions. Zr( Mes PDP Ph ) 2 engages in numerous photoredox catalytic processes and triplet energy transfer. Our exploration offers a blueprint for future photosensitizer development featuring early transition metals and excited states with significant LMCT contributions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Tetrafluorenofulvalene as a sterically frustrated open-shell alkene

Electronic and steric effects are known to greatly influence the structure, characteristics and reactivity of organic compounds. A typical π bond is weakened by oxidation (corresponding to the removal of electrons from bonding orbitals), by reduction (through addition of electrons to antibonding orbitals) and by unpairing of the bonding electrons, such as in the triplet state. Here we describe tetrafluorenofulvalene (TFF), a twisted, open-shell alkene for which these general rules do not hold. Through the synthesis, experimental characterization and computational analysis of its charged species spanning seven redox states, the central alkene bond in TFF is shown to become substantially stronger in the tri- and tetraanion, generated by chemical reduction. Furthermore, although its triplet state contains a weaker alkene bond than the singlet, in the quintet state its bond order increases substantially, yielding a flatter structure. This behaviour originates from the doubly bifurcated topology of the underlying spin system and can be rationalized by the balancing effects of benzenoid aromaticity and spin pairing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A fluorescent-protein spin qubit

Quantum bits (qubits) are two-level quantum systems that support initialization, readout and coherent control1. Optically addressable spin qubits form the foundation of an emerging generation of nanoscale sensors. The engineering of these qubits has mainly focused on solid-state systems. However, fluorescent proteins, rather than exogenous fluorescent probes, have become the gold standard for in vivo microscopy because of their genetic encodability. Although fluorescent proteins possess a metastable triplet state, they have not been investigated as qubits. Here we realize an optically addressable spin qubit in enhanced yellow fluorescent protein. A near-infrared laser pulse enables triggered readout of the triplet state with up to 20% spin contrast. Using coherent microwave control of the enhanced-yellow-fluorescent-protein spin at liquid-nitrogen temperatures, we measure a (16 ± 2) μs coherence time under Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill decoupling. We express the qubit in mammalian cells, maintaining contrast and coherent control despite the complex intracellular environment. Finally, we demonstrate optically detected magnetic resonance in bacterial cells at room temperature with contrast up to 8%. Our results introduce fluorescent proteins as a powerful qubit platform that paves the way for applications in the life sciences, such as nanoscale field sensing and spin-based imaging modalities.

Feder, Jacob S. [Univ. of Chicago, IL (United Stat↗

Singlet fission for quantum information and quantum computing: the parallel JDE model

Abstract Singlet fission is a photoconversion process that generates a doubly excited, maximally spin entangled pair state. This state has applications to quantum information and computing that are only beginning to be realized. In this article, we construct and analyze a spin-exciton hamiltonian to describe the dynamics of the two-triplet state. We find the selection rules that connect the doubly excited, spin-singlet state to the manifold of quintet states and comment on the mechanism and conditions for the transition into formally independent triplets. For adjacent dimers that are oriented and immobilized in an inert host, singlet fission can be strongly state-selective. We make predictions for electron paramagnetic resonance experiments and analyze experimental data from recent literature. Our results give conditions for which magnetic resonance pulses can drive transitions between optically polarized magnetic sublevels of the two-exciton states, making it possible to realize quantum gates at room temperature in these systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ubiquitous spin freezing in the superconducting state of UTe 2

In most superconductors electrons form Cooper pairs in a spin-singlet state mediated by either phonons or by long-range interactions such as spin fluctuations. The superconductor UTe 2 is a rare material wherein electrons are believed to form pairs in a unique spin-triplet state with potential topological properties. While spin-triplet pairing may be mediated by ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic fluctuations, experimentally, the magnetic properties of UTe 2 are unclear. By way of muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR) measurements on independently grown UTe 2 single crystals we demonstrate the existence of magnetic clusters that gradually freeze into a disordered spin frozen state at low temperatures. Our findings suggest that inhomogeneous freezing of magnetic clusters is linked to the ubiquitous residual linear term in the temperature dependence of the specific heat (C) and the low-temperature upturn in C/T versus T. The omnipresent magnetic inhomogeneity has potential implications for experiments aimed at establishing the intrinsic low-temperature properties of UTe 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaluation of propylene-, meta-, and para-linked triazine and tert-butyltriphenylamine as bipolar hosts for phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes

Three representative bipolar hybrids - tBu-TPA-p-TRZ, tBu-TPA-m-TRZ, and tBu-TPA-L -TRZ with triplet energies, ET = 2.5, 2.7 and 3.0 eV, respectively - were synthesized and characterized for a comprehensive evaluation of their potential as a host for phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) using red-emitting Ir(piq)3 as the dopant with an ET value of 2.1 eV. Formation of charge transfer complexes, CTCs, was diagnosed by fluorescence bathochromism in increasingly polar solvents. Both intra- and inter-molecular charge transfer processes are invoked to explain CTC formation in all three hybrids. The p-hybrid is by far the most susceptible to CTC formation both in solution and neat solid film, resulting in PhOLEDs with reduced external quantum efficiency, EQE, despite the best balance between charge fluxes across the emitting layer, EML, as revealed by the electron- and hole-only devices in addition to PhOLEDs containing a sensing layer. The highest EQE is achieved with the m-hybrid thanks to the compromise between balanced charge fluxes and CTC formation. The L-hybrid is the least prone to CTC formation while suffering charge flux imbalance to yield an EQE intermediate between those of the m- and p-hybrids. The least CTC formation involving the L-hybrid is advantageous in accommodating the most singlets and triplets readily transferrable to both red and blue phosphors on account of its relatively high ET value. Furthermore, the L-hybrid offers the best morphological stability of the desired glassy EML, thus holding promise for the fabrication of superior PhOLEDs overall.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding the chemical dynamics of the reactions of dicarbon with 1-butyne, 2-butyne, and 1,2-butadiene – toward the formation of resonantly stabilized free radicals

In this work, the reaction dynamics of the dicarbon radical C 2 (a 3 Π u /X 1 Σ g + ) in the singlet and triplet state with C 4 H 6 isomers 2-butyne, 1-butyne and 1,2-butadiene were investigated at collision energies of about 26 kJ mol -1 using the crossed molecular beam technique and supported by ab initio and RRKM calculations. The reactions are all indirect, forming C 6 H 6 complexes through barrierless additions by dicarbon on the triplet and singlet surfaces. Isomerization of the C 6 H 6 reaction intermediate leads to product formation by hydrogen loss in a dicarbon–hydrogen atom exchange mechanism forming acyclic C 6 H 5 reaction products through loose exit transition states in overall exoergic reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Secondary channels in the thermal decomposition of monomethylhydrazine (CH 3 NHNH 2 )

Mass spectrometric observations in a very low pressure pyrolysis study of the decomposition of the prototypical rocket fuel monomethylhydrazine (MMH) indicated a dominant role for the molecular channels producing NH 3 and H 2 and their coproducts. In contrast, a recent ab initio transition state theory based master equation theoretical study indicated that simple N–N and C–N bond fissions dominate the kinetics. In this work, the possible role of molecular decomposition channels in MMH is explored further through additional investigations of the potential energy surface. These investigations consider the role of triplet channels, of roaming radical channels, and of some previously unexplored pathways for molecular decomposition. New ab initio transition state theory based master equation calculations provide revised predictions for the temperature and pressure dependence of the MMH decomposition kinetics that are in excellent agreement with recent shock tube measurements. These calculations continue to suggest only a very limited contribution from the molecular elimination channels. A roaming pathway is suggested to provide the dominant route for direct formation of ammonia. The possible role of secondary abstraction reactions in the very-low-pressure pyrolysis experiments is briefly discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Generalized-active-space pair-density functional theory: an efficient method to study large, strongly correlated, conjugated systems

Predicting ground- and excited-state properties of open-shell organic molecules by electronic structure theory can be challenging because an accurate treatment has to correctly describe both static and dynamic electron correlation. Strongly correlated systems, i.e., systems with near-degeneracy correlation effects, are particularly troublesome. Multiconfigurational wave function methods based on an active space are adequate in principle, but it is impractical to capture most of the dynamic correlation in these methods for systems characterized by many active electrons. Here, we recently developed a new method called multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory (MC-PDFT), that combines the advantages of wave function theory and density functional theory to provide a more practical treatment of strongly correlated systems. Here we present calculations of the singlet–triplet gaps in oligoacenes ranging from naphthalene to dodecacene. Calculations were performed for unprecedently large orbitally optimized active spaces of 50 electrons in 50 orbitals, and we test a range of active spaces and active space partitions, including four kinds of frontier orbital partitions. We show that MC-PDFT can predict the singlet–triplet splittings for oligoacenes consistent with the best available and much more expensive methods, and indeed MC-PDFT may constitute the benchmark against which those other models should be compared, given the absence of experimental data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Controlling the excited-state dynamics of low band gap, near-infrared absorbers via proquinoidal unit electronic structural modulation

While the influence of proquinoidal character upon the linear absorption spectrum of low optical bandgap π-conjugated polymers and molecules is well understood, its impact upon excited-state relaxation pathways and dynamics remains obscure. We report the syntheses, electronic structural properties, and excited-state dynamics of a series of model highly conjugated near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing chromophores based on a (porphinato)metal(II)-proquinoidal spacer-(porphinato)metal(II) (PM-Sp-PM) structural motif. A combination of excited-state dynamical studies and time-dependent density functional theory calculations: (i) points to the cardinal role that excited-state configuration interaction (CI) plays in determining the magnitudes of S 1 → S 0 radiative (k r ), S 1 → T 1 intersystem crossing (k ISC ), and S 1 → S 0 internal conversion (k IC ) rate constants in these PM-Sp-PM chromophores, and (ii) suggests that a primary determinant of CI magnitude derives from the energetic alignment of the PM and Sp fragment LUMOs (ΔE L ). These insights not only enable steering of excited-state relaxation dynamics of high oscillator strength NIR absorbers to realize either substantial fluorescence or long-lived triplets (τ$_ {T_1}$ > μs) generated at unit quantum yield (Φ ISC = 100%), but also crafting of those having counter-intuitive properties: for example, while (porphinato)platinum compounds are well known to generate non-emissive triplet states (Φ ISC = 100%) upon optical excitation at ambient temperature, diminishing the extent of excited-state CI in these systems realizes long-wavelength absorbing heavy-metal fluorophores. In conclusion, this work highlights approaches to: (i) modulate low-lying singlet excited-state lifetime over the picosecond-to-nanosecond time domain, (ii) achieve NIR fluorescence with quantum yields up to 25%, (iii) tune the magnitude of S 1 –T 1 ISC rate constant from 10 9 to 10 12 s -1 and (iv) realize T 1 -state lifetimes that range from ~0.1 to several μs, for these model PM-Sp-PM chromophores, and renders new insights to evolve bespoke photophysical properties for low optical bandgap π-conjugated polymers and molecules based on proquinoidal conjugation motifs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Novel N 6 trisbidentate ligand coordinated Ir( III ) complexes and their Ru( II ) analogs

In this work, novel N 6 -coordinated Ir( III ) complexes bearing polypyridyl ligands were synthesized and characterized. In comparison to their Ru( II ) analogs, these Ir( III ) complexes showed blue-shifted UV-vis absorption and emission spectra, but dramatically increased triplet lifetimes with much broader and stronger triplet excited-state absorption.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Vibronic interaction in CO3- photo-detachment: Jahn-Teller effects beyond structural distortion and general formalisms for vibronic Hamiltonians in trigonal symmetries

Recently, the negative ion photoelectron spectrum of CO?? 3 was reported and the second lowest energy band is assigned to the close-lying 3E00 and 3E0 states that undergo Jahn-Teller distortions (Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 1142). This assignment is based on the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and the assumption of a static Jahn-Teller eect that distorts the CO3 structure from D3h to C2v symmetry. In this work, we employ a 4 states 6 modes vibronic coupling model to investigate the triplet band and uncover the dynamic and non-adiabatic nature of the Jahn-Teller and pseudo- Jahn-Teller interactions in the triplet states. The apparent four peaks progression in the band is studied in depth, and is found to consist of more than four transitions. By comparing the simulated spectra using the full model and the reduced-dimension 2 states 2 modes models, we characterize those transitions. The origin of the complexities of the spectrum is traced to the C-O nonbonding character of the orbitals that lose electron in the photo-detachment process. Methodology-wise, we derive and present the formalisms for arbitrary order expansions of all bimodal trigonal Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller Hamiltonians in vibrational coordinates.

Seidu, Issaka↗

Generalized single excitation configuration interaction: an investigation into the impact of the inclusion of non-orthogonality on the calculation of core-excited states

In this paper, we investigate different non-orthogonal generalizations of the configuration interaction with single substitutions (CIS) method for the calculation of core-excited states. Fully non-orthogonal CIS (NOCIS) has been described previously for species with singlet and doublet ground states, and this paper reports the extension to molecules in their triplet ground state. In addition to NOCIS, we present a novel method, one-center NOCIS (1C-NOCIS), for open-shell molecules which is intermediate between NOCIS and the computationally less demanding static exchange approximation (STEX). We explore this hierarchy of spin-pure methods for core excitations of molecules with singlet, doublet, and triplet ground states. We conclude that, while NOCIS provides the best results and preserves the spatial symmetry of the wavefunction, 1C-NOCIS retains much of the accuracy of NOCIS at a dramatically reduced cost. For molecules with closed-shell ground states, STEX and 1C-NOCIS are identical.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exciton diffusion in solid solutions of luminescent lanthanide β-diketonates

In this article, a series of luminescent lanthanide β-diketonate solid solutions, with the formula of TBAEu x M 1– x (TTA) 4 (TBA = tetrabutylammonium; M = La or Gd; TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate), are synthesized by co-precipitation. In the solid solutions, the emission efficiency of Eu 3+ is significantly increased with the presence of non-luminescent chelates TBALa(TTA) 4 and TBAGd(TTA) 4 . Low temperature luminescence spectroscopy studies indicate that the TTA – ligands in these non-luminescent chelates do emit phosphorescence with long lifetime. However, the ligand phosphorescence is strongly quenched in solid solutions with the luminescent chelate TBAEu(TTA) 4 , providing strong evidence for intermolecular energy transfer through the triplet excited states of the ligands. Here, a quantitative analysis of Eu 3+ emission enhancement and TTA – phosphorescence quenching reveals that each Eu 3+ center may receive excitation energy from about 30 TTA – ligands, suggesting that the excitation energy has become exciton-like in the solid solutions. Based on the crystallography analysis of TBALn(TTA) 4 , it is discovered that TTA – ligands in neighboring Ln(TTA) 4 – units may form π–π stacks with intermolecular distance ≤3.5 Å, thus enabling efficient triplet exciton diffusion via exchange interaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radiation-Induced Effects on the Extraction Properties of Hexa-n-octylnitrilo-triacetamide (HONTA) Complexes of Americium and Europium

The candidate An(III)/Ln(III) separation ligand hexa-n-octylnitrilo-triacetamide (HONTA) was irradiated under envisioned SELECT (Solvent Extraction from Liquid waste using Extractants of CHON-type for Transmutation) process conditions (n-dodecane/0.1 M HNO 3 ) using a solvent test loop in conjunction with cobalt-60 gamma irradiation. The extent of HONTA radiolysis and complimentary degradation product formation was quantified by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Further, the impact of HONTA radiolysis on process performance was evaluated by measuring the change in 243 Am and 154 Eu distribution ratios as a function of absorbed gamma dose. HONTA was found to decay exponentially with increasing dose, affording a dose coefficient of d = (4.48 ± 0.19) × 10 –3 kGy –1 . Multiple degradation products were detected by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS with dioctylamine being the dominant quantifiable species. Both 243 Am and 154 Eu distribution ratios exhibited an induction period of ~70 kGy for extraction (0.1 M HNO 3 ) and back-extraction (4.0 M HNO 3 ) conditions, after which both values decreased with absorbed dose. The decrease in distribution ratios was attributed to a combination of the destruction of HONTA and ingrowth of dioctylamine, which is capable of interfering in metal ion complexation. Furthermore, the loss of HONTA with absorbed gamma dose was predominantly attributed to its reaction with the n-dodecane radical cation (R˙ + ). These R˙ + reaction kinetics were measured for HONTA and its 241 Am and 154 Eu complexes using picosecond pulsed electron radiolysis techniques. All three second-order rate coefficients (k) were essentially diffusion limited in n-dodecane indicating a significant reaction pathway: k(HONTA + R˙ + ) = (7.6 ± 0.8) × 10 9 M –1 s –1 , k(Am(HONTA) 2 + R˙ + ) = (7.1 ± 0.7) × 10 10 M –1 s –1 , and k(Eu(HONTA) 2 + R˙ + ) = (9.5 ± 0.5) × 10 10 M –1 s –1 . HONTA-metal ion complexation afforded an order-of-magnitude increase in rate coefficient. Additional nanosecond time-resolved measurements showed that both direct and indirect HONTA radiolysis yielded the short-lived (< 100 ns) HONTA radical cation and a second long-lived (µs) species identified as the HONTA triplet excited state. The latter was confirmed by a series of oxygen quenching picosecond pulsed electron measurements, affording a quenching rate coefficient of k( 3 [HONTA]* + O 2 ) = 2.2 × 10 8 M –1 s –1 . Overall, both the HONTA radical cation and triplet excited state are important precursors to the suite of measured HONTA degradation products.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Transient resonant Auger–Meitner spectra of photoexcited thymine

In this paper, we present the first investigation of excited state dynamics by resonant Auger–Meitner spectroscopy (also known as resonant Auger spectroscopy) using the nucleobase thymine as an example. Thymine is photoexcited in the UV and probed with X-ray photon energies at and below the oxygen K-edge. After initial photoexcitation to a ππ* excited state, thymine is known to undergo internal conversion to an nπ* excited state with a strong resonance at the oxygen K-edge, red-shifted from the ground state π* resonances of thymine. We resolve and compare the Auger–Meitner electron spectra associated both with the excited state and ground state resonances, and distinguish participator and spectator decay contributions. Furthermore, we observe simultaneously with the decay of the nπ* state signatures the appearance of additional resonant Auger–Meitner contributions at photon energies between the nπ* state and the ground state resonances. We assign these contributions to population transfer from the nπ* state to a ππ* triplet state via intersystem crossing on the picosecond timescale based on simulations of the X-ray absorption spectra in the vibrationally hot triplet state. Moreover, we identify signatures from the initially excited ππ* singlet state which we have not observed in our previous study.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗