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At least 991 records · Page 55

Pre-determining the location of electromigrated gaps by nonlinear optical imaging

In this paper we describe a nonlinear imaging method employed to spatially map the occurrence of constrictions occurring on an electrically stressed gold nanowire. The approach consists at measuring the influence of a tightly focused ultrafast pulsed laser on the electronic transport in the nanowire. We found that structural defects distributed along the nanowire are efficient nonlinear optical sources of radiation and that the differential conductance is significantly decreased when the laser is incident on such electrically induced morphological changes. This imaging technique is applied to pre-determine the location of the electrical failure before it occurs.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Propagation dynamics of laterally colliding plasma plumes in laser-blow-off of thin film

We report a systematic investigation of two plume interactions at different spatial separation (3-7 mm) in laser-blow-off. The plasmas plumes are created using Laser-blow-off (LBO) scheme of a thin film. The fast imaging technique is used to record the evolution of seed plasmas and the interaction zone which is formed as a result of interaction of the two seed plasmas. Time resolved optical emission spectroscopy is used to study evolution of optical emissions of the species present in the different regions of the plasmas. Neutral Li emissions (Li I 670.8 nm (2s {sup 2}S{sub 1/2} ← 2p {sup 2}P{sub 3/2,1/2}) and Li I 610.3 nm (2p {sup 2}P{sub 3/2,1/2} ← 3d {sup 2}D{sub 3/2,5/2})) are dominant in the plasmas but significant differences are observed in the emission and estimated plasma parameters of the seed and the interaction zone. The transport of plasma species from the seed plasmas to the interaction zone is discussed in the terms of plume divergence, kinetic energy of particles, and ion acoustic speed. An attempt is made to understand the formation and dynamics of the interaction zone in the colliding LBO seed plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The effect of the dipole bound state on AgF{sup −} vibrationally resolved photodetachment cross sections and photoelectron angular distributions

The first photoelectron spectra of AgF{sup −} are recorded over the energy range 1.61–1.85 eV using the velocity map imaging technique. The resolved vibrational structure of the AgF X′, v′ ← AgF{sup −} X″, v″ = 0 band yields an AgF electron affinity of 1.46 ± 0.01 eV and vibrational frequency of 500 ± 40 cm{sup −1}. For the v′ = 2, 3, 4 channels, the photodetachment cross sections and angular distributions undergo rapid changes over a narrow electron kinetic energy range in the region of 50 meV (approximately 13 meV below the opening of the next vibrational channel). This is consistent with Fano-like behavior indicating autodetachment following excitation to a resonant anion state lying in the detachment continuum. EOM-CCSD calculations reveal this to be a dipole bound state. The consistency of the detachment data with the vibrational autodetachment propensity rule Δv = −1 shows that the autodetachment results from breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, coupling the vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dissociative electron attachment studies on acetone

Dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to acetone is studied in terms of the absolute cross section for various fragment channels in the electron energy range of 0–20 eV. H{sup −} is found to be the most dominant fragment followed by O{sup −} and OH{sup −} with only one resonance peak between 8 and 9 eV. The DEA dynamics is studied by measuring the angular distribution and kinetic energy distribution of fragment anions using Velocity Slice Imaging technique. The kinetic energy and angular distribution of H{sup −} and O{sup −} fragments suggest a many body break-up for the lone resonance observed. The ab initio calculations show that electron is captured in the multi-centered anti-bonding molecular orbital which would lead to a many body break-up of the resonance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Direct observation of interlocked domain walls and topological four-state vortex-like domain patterns in multiferroic YMnO{sub 3} single crystal

Using the advanced spherical aberration-corrected high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscope imaging techniques, we investigated atomic-scale structural features of domain walls and domain patterns in YMnO{sub 3} single crystal. Three different types of interlocked ferroelectric-antiphase domain walls and two abnormal topological four-state vortex-like domain patterns are identified. Each ferroelectric domain wall is accompanied by a translation vector, i.e., 1/6[210] or −1/6[210], demonstrating its interlocked nature. Different from the four-state vortex domain patterns caused by a partial edge dislocation, two four-state vortex-like domain configurations have been obtained at atomic level. These observed phenomena can further extend our understanding of the fascinating vortex domain patterns in multiferroic hexagonal rare-earth manganites.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Sensitivity improvement of Cerenkov luminescence endoscope with terbium doped Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S nanoparticles

Our previous study showed a great attenuation for the Cerenkov luminescence endoscope (CLE), resulting in relatively low detection sensitivity of radiotracers. Here, a kind of radioluminescence nanoparticles (RLNPs), terbium doped Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S was mixed with the radionuclide {sup 68}Ga to enhance the intensity of emitted luminescence, which finally improved the detection sensitivity of the CLE by using the radioluminescence imaging technique. With the in vitro and in vivo pseudotumor experiments, we showed that the use of RLNPs mixed with the radionuclide {sup 68}Ga enabled superior sensitivity compared with the radionuclide {sup 68}Ga only, with 50-fold improvement on detection sensitivity, which guaranteed meeting the demands of the clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract tumors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Effect of CH stretching excitation on the reaction dynamics of F + CHD{sub 3} → DF + CHD{sub 2}

The vibrationally excited reaction of F + CHD{sub 3}(ν{sub 1} = 1) → DF + CHD{sub 2} at a collision energy of 9.0 kcal/mol is investigated using the crossed-beams and time-sliced velocity map imaging techniques. Detailed and quantitative information of the CH stretching excitation effects on the reactivity and dynamics of the title reaction is extracted with the help of an accurate determination of the fraction of the excited CHD{sub 3} reagent in the crossed-beam region. It is found that all vibrational states of the CHD{sub 2} products observed in the ground-state reaction, which mainly involve the excitation of the umbrella mode of the CHD{sub 2} products, are severely suppressed by the CH stretching excitation. However, there are four additional vibrational states of the CHD{sub 2} products appearing in the excited-state reaction which are not presented in the ground-state reaction. These vibrational states either have the CH stretching excitation retained or involve one quantum excitation in the CH stretching and the excitation of the umbrella mode. Including all observed vibrational states, the overall cross section of the excited-state reaction is estimated to be 66.6% of that of the ground-state one. Experimental results also show that when the energy of CH stretching excitation is released during the reaction, it is deposited almost exclusively as the rovibrational energy of the DF products, with little portion in the translational degree of freedom. For vibrational states of the CHD{sub 2} products observed in both ground- and excited-state reactions, the CH stretching excitation greatly suppresses the forward scattered products, causing a noticeable change in the product angular distributions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Note: Coherent resonances observed in the dissociative electron attachment to carbon monoxide

Succeeding our previous finding about coherent interference of the resonant states of CO{sup −} formed by the low-energy electron attachment [Tian et al. Phys. Rev. A 88, 012708 (2013)], here we provide further evidence of the coherent interference. The completely backward distributions of the O{sup −} fragment of the temporary CO{sup −} are observed with anion velocity map imaging technique in an electron energy range of 11.3–12.6 eV and explained as the results of the coherent interferences of three resonant states. Furthermore, the state configuration of the interference is changed with the increase of electron attachment energy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electronic transport characterization of silicon wafers by spatially resolved steady-state photocarrier radiometric imaging

Spatially resolved steady-state photocarrier radiometric (PCR) imaging technique is developed to characterize the electronic transport properties of silicon wafers. Based on a nonlinear PCR theory, simulations are performed to investigate the effects of electronic transport parameters (the carrier lifetime, the carrier diffusion coefficient, and the front surface recombination velocity) on the steady-state PCR intensity profiles. The electronic transport parameters of an n-type silicon wafer are simultaneously determined by fitting the measured steady-state PCR intensity profiles to the three-dimensional nonlinear PCR model. The determined transport parameters are in good agreement with the results obtained by the conventional modulated PCR technique with multiple pump beam radii.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Imaging outside the box: Resolution enhancement in X-ray coherent diffraction imaging by extrapolation of diffraction patterns

Coherent diffraction imaging is a high-resolution imaging technique whose potential can be greatly enhanced by applying the extrapolation method presented here. We demonstrate the enhancement in resolution of a non-periodical object reconstructed from an experimental X-ray diffraction record which contains about 10% missing information, including the pixels in the center of the diffraction pattern. A diffraction pattern is extrapolated beyond the detector area and as a result, the object is reconstructed at an enhanced resolution and better agreement with experimental amplitudes is achieved. The optimal parameters for the iterative routine and the limits of the extrapolation procedure are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Growth of dopamine crystals

Many nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals have been identified as potential candidates in optical and electro-optical devices. Use of NLO organic crystals is expected in photonic applications. Hence organic nonlinear optical materials have been intensely investigated due to their potentially high nonlinearities, and rapid response in electro-optic effect compared to inorganic NLO materials. There are many methods to grow organic crystals such as vapor growth method, melt growth method and solution growth method. Out of these methods, solution growth method is useful in providing constraint free crystal. Single crystals of Dopamine have been grown by evaporating the solvents from aqueous solution. Crystals obtained were of the size of orders of mm. The crystal structure of dopamine was determined using XRD technique. Images of crystals were obtained using FEG SEM Quanta Series under high vacuum and low KV.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Characterising the large coherence length at diamond’s beamline I13L

I13 is a 250 m long hard x-ray beamline (6 keV to 35 keV) at the Diamond Light Source. The beamline comprises of two independent experimental endstations: one for imaging in direct space using x-ray microscopy and one for imaging in reciprocal space using coherent diffraction based imaging techniques [1]. An outstanding feature of the coherence branch, due to its length and a new generation of ultra-stable beamline instrumentation [2], is its capability of delivering a very large coherence length well beyond 200 μm, providing opportunities for unique x-ray optical experiments. In this paper we discuss the challenges of measuring a large coherence length and present quantitative measurement based on analyzing diffraction patterns from a boron fiber [3]. We also discuss the limitations of this classical method in respect to detector performance, very short and long coherence lengths. Furthermore we demonstrate how a Ronchi grating setup [4] can be used to quickly establish if the beam is coherent over a large area.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Magnetic field generation during intense laser channelling in underdense plasma

Channel formation during the propagation of a high-energy (120 J) and long duration (30 ps) laser pulse through an underdense deuterium plasma has been spatially and temporally resolved via means of a proton imaging technique, with intrinsic resolutions of a few μm and a few ps, respectively. Conclusive proof is provided that strong azimuthally symmetric magnetic fields with a strength of around 0.5 MG are created inside the channel, consistent with the generation of a collimated beam of relativistic electrons. The inferred electron beam characteristics may have implications for the cone-free fast-ignition scheme of inertial confinement fusion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy of niobium mononitride anion NbN{sup −}

In this gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy study, we present the electron binding energy spectrum and photoelectron angular distributions of NbN{sup −} by the velocity-map imaging technique. The electron binding energy of NbN{sup −} is measured to be 1.42 ± 0.02 eV from the X band maximum which defines the 0-0 transition between ground states of anion and neutral. Theoretical binding energies which are the vertical and adiabatic detachment energies are computed by density functional theory to compare them with experiment. The ground state of NbN{sup −} is assigned to the {sup 2}Δ{sub 3/2} state and then the electronic transitions originating from this state into X{sup 3}Δ{sub Ω} (Ω = 1-3), a{sup 1}Δ{sub 2}, A{sup 3}Σ{sub 1}{sup −}, and b{sup 1}Σ{sub 0}{sup +} states of NbN are reported to interpret the spectral features. As a prospective study for catalytic materials, spectral features of NbN{sup −} are compared with those of isovalent ZrO{sup −} and Pd{sup −}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Large-scale phase separation with nano-twin domains in manganite spinel (Co,Fe,Mn){sub 3}O{sub 4}

The effect of Mn concentration on the formation of nano-domain structures in the spinel oxide (Co,Fe,Mn){sub 3}O{sub 4} was investigated by electron diffraction, bright-, and dark-field imaging technique with transmission electron microscopy. Large scale phase separation with nano-twin domains was observed in Co{sub 0.6}Fe{sub 1.0}Mn{sub 1.4}O{sub 4}, in contrast to the highly aligned checkerboard nano-domains in Co{sub 0.6}Fe{sub 0.9}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4}. Diffusion of the Mn{sup 3+} ions with the Jahn-Teller distortions is suggested to play an important role in the formation of checkerboard nano-domain structure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

i RadMat: A thermo-mechanical testing system for in situ high-energy X-ray characterization of radioactive specimens

Here, we present an in situ Rad iated Mat erials (iRadMat) experimental module designed to interface with a servo-hydraulic load frame for X-ray measurements at beamline 1-ID at the Advanced Photon Source. This new capability allows in situ studies of radioactive specimens subject to thermo-mechanical loading using a suite of high-energy X-ray scattering and imaging techniques. The iRadMat is a radiation-shielded vacuum heating system with the sample rotation-under-load capability. We describe the design features and performances of the iRadMat and present a dataset from a 300 °C uniaxial tensile test of a neutron-irradiated pure Fe specimen to demonstrate its capabilities.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

On- and off-axis spectral emission features from laser-produced gas breakdown plasmas

Laser-heated gas breakdown plasmas or sparks emit profoundly in the ultraviolet and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum with contributions from ionic, atomic, and molecular species. Laser created kernels expand into a cold ambient with high velocities during its early lifetime followed by confinement of the plasma kernel and eventually collapse. However, the plasma kernels produced during laser breakdown of gases are also capable of exciting and ionizing the surrounding ambient medium. Two mechanisms can be responsible for excitation and ionization of surrounding ambient: viz. photoexcitation and ionization by intense ultraviolet emission from the sparks produced during the early times of its creation and/or heating by strong shocks generated by the kernel during its expansion into the ambient. In this study, an investigation is made on the spectral features of on- and off-axis emission features of laser-induced plasma breakdown kernels generated in atmospheric pressure conditions with an aim to elucidate the mechanisms leading to ambient excitation and emission. Pulses from an Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1064 nm with 6 ns pulse duration are used to generate plasma kernels. Laser sparks were generated in air, argon, and helium gases to provide different physical properties of expansion dynamics and plasma chemistry considering the differences in laser absorption properties, mass density and speciation. Point shadowgraphy and time-resolved imaging were used to evaluate the shock wave and spark self-emission morphology at early and late times while space and time resolved spectroscopy is used for evaluating the emission features as well as for inferring plasma fundaments at on- and off-axis. Structure and dynamics of the plasma kernel obtained using imaging techniques are also compared to numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics code. The emission from the kernel showed that spectral features from ions, atoms and molecules are separated in time with an early time temperatures and densities in excess of 35000 K and 4×10 18 /cm 3 with an existence of thermal equilibrium. However, the emission from the off-kernel positions from the breakdown plasmas showed enhanced ultraviolet radiation with the presence of N 2 bands and represented by non-LTE conditions. Finally, our results also highlight that the ultraviolet radiation emitted during early time of spark evolution is the predominant source of the photo-excitation of the surrounding medium.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Alignment of the hydrogen molecule under intense laser fields

Alignment, dissociation and ionization of H 2 molecules in the ground or the electronically excited E,F state of the H 2 molecule are studied and contrasted using the Velocity Mapping Imaging (VMI) technique. Photoelectron images from nonresonant 7-, 8- and 9-photon radiation ionization of H 2 show that the intense laser fields create ponderomotive shifts in the potential energy surfaces and distort the velocity of the emitted electrons that are produced from ionization. Photofragment images of H+ due to the dissociation mechanism that follows the 2-photon excitation into the (E,F; v = 0, J = 0, 1) electronic state show a strong dependence on laser intensity, which is attributed to the high polarizability of the H 2 (E,F) state. For transitions from the J = 0 state, particularly, we observe marked structure in the angular distribution, which we explain as the interference between the prepared J = 0 and Stark-mixed J = 2 rovibrational states of H 2 , as the laser intensity increases. Quantification of these effects allows us to extract the molecular polarizability of the H 2 (E,F) state, and yields a value of 103 ± 37 A.U.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗