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At least 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Transition to the Haldane phase driven by electron-electron correlations

One of the most famous quantum systems with topological properties, the spin S = 1 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain, is well-known to display exotic S = 1/2 edge states. However, this spin model has not been analyzed from the more general perspective of strongly correlated systems varying the electron electron interaction strength. Here, we report the investigation of the emergence of the Haldane edge in a system of interacting electrons – the two orbital Hubbard model—with increasing repulsion strength U and Hund interaction J H . We show that interactions not only form the magnetic moments but also form a topologically nontrivial fermionic many-body ground-state with zero-energy edge states. Specifically, upon increasing the strength of the Hubbard repulsion and Hund exchange, we identify a sharp transition point separating topologically trivial and nontrivial ground-states. Surprisingly, such a behaviour appears already at rather small values of the interaction, in a regime where the magnetic moments are barely developed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Correct symmetry in density functional theory calculations of δ-Pu [Slides]

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations in the delta-phase of Pu have long relied on the antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin structure to approximate the material’s unique electronic structure. The resulting tetragonal distortion away from the correct cubic symmetry was believed to be a necessary consequence of allowing an ordered spin structure.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Generalized spin σ -SCF method

We introduce a generalization of the σ-SCF method to approximate noncollinear spin ground and excited single-reference electronic states by minimizing the Hamiltonian variance. The new method is based on the σ-SCF method, originally proposed by Ye et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 147, 214104 (2017)], and provides a prescription to determine ground and excited noncollinear spin states on an equal footing. Our implementation was carried out utilizing an initial simulated annealing stage followed by a mean-field iterative self-consistent approach to simplify the cumbersome search introduced by generalizing the spin degrees of freedom. The simulated annealing stage ensures a broad exploration of the Hilbert space spanned by the generalized spin single-reference states with random complex element-wise rotations of the generalized density matrix elements in the simulated annealing stage. The mean-field iterative self-consistent stage employs an effective Fockian derived from the variance, which is utilized to converge tightly to the solutions. This process helps us to easily find complex spin structures, avoiding manipulating the initial guess. As proof-of-concept tests, we present results for Hn (n = 3–7) planar rings and polyhedral clusters with geometrical spin frustration. We show that most of these systems have noncollinear spin excited states that can be interpreted in terms of geometric spin frustration. These states are not directly targeted by energy minimization methods, which are meant to converge to the ground state. This stresses the capability of the σ-SCF methodology to find approximate noncollinear spin structures as mean-field excited states.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2021

Induced axion-phason field in Weyl semimetals

Here, the Weyl semimetal in a constant magnetic field is investigated with the ground state for the lowest (n = 0) Landau levels corresponding to spin-down (σ 3 = -1). In the presence of an electron-phonon coupling in the ground state, an attractive interaction for the polarized spin and opposite chirality is generated. A two-body attractive interaction projected to the two lowest (n = 0) chiral Landau levels with the same spin polarization is obtained. The higher Landau level states (n ≠ 0) are treated at the one-loop approximation with the two chiralities containing spins polarized as σ 3 = ± 1. Using the chiral anomaly in one dimension we show that the sliding phase is controlled by the electric field. This theory, for a Weyl semimetal with two nodes in the direction of the applied magnetic field, gives rise to a sliding charge density wave observed by Gooth et al. [Nature (London) 575, 315 (2019)].

Axions↗
DOE OSTI2023

Revealing a 3D Fermi Surface Pocket and Electron-Hole Tunneling in UTe 2 with Quantum Oscillations

Spin triplet superconductor UTe 2 is widely believed to host a quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surface, revealed by first-principles calculations, photoemission and quantum oscillation measurements. An outstanding question still remains as to the existence of a three-dimensional Fermi surface pocket, which is crucial for our understanding of the exotic superconducting and topological properties of UTe 2 . This 3D Fermi surface pocket appears in various theoretical models with different physics origins, but has not been unambiguously detected in experiment. Here, in this study, for the first time we provide concrete evidence for a relatively isotropic, small Fermi surface pocket of UTe 2 via quantum oscillation measurements. In addition, we observed high frequency quantum oscillations corresponding to electron-hole tunneling between adjacent electron and hole pockets. The coexistence of 2D and 3D Fermi surface pockets, as well as the breakdown orbits, provides a test bed for theoretical models and aid the realization of a unified understanding of superconducting state of UTe 2 from the first-principles approach.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Emergent Epitaxial Configuration of Pr 3 IrO 7 Domains via YSZ (111) Substrate

The 5d rare Earth iridate is an intriguing material with exhibiting exotic electronic and magnetic phases due to spin-orbit coupled states. Ternary iridium oxides Ln 3 IrO 7 contain an unusual Ir 5+ (5d 4 ) system, which remain a subject of active research. Fabricating epitaxial Ln 3 IrO 7 films is challenging due to substrate compatibility, but it offers a valuable platform to explore electronic and magnetic behaviors under reduced dimensionality and substrate interactions, revealing novel phenomena based on Ir 5+ (5d 4 ). In this regard, this demonstrates that Pr 3 IrO 7 with its highly anisotropic orthorhombic structure can be epitaxially grown on a cubic (111)-oriented yttrium-stabilized ZrO 2 (YSZ) substrate. Pr 3 IrO 7 film exhibits six epitaxial domains, where the (220) and (202) planes aligning epitaxially to YSZ (111) with the threefold symmetry. This diverse domain configuration in Pr 3 IrO 7 film leads to unique magnetic properties, exhibiting spin-glass-like behavior. Pr 3 IrO 7 thin film offers a platform for exploring unconventional magnetic states, and their successful heteroepitaxy on YSZ substrates opens new avenues for discovering novel physical phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Combined effect of NaAlO2 and NaOH on the early age hydration of Portland cement with a high concentration of borate solution

The early age hydration of ordinary Portland cement in 5 M borate solution, with or without the addition of NaAlO{sub 2} and/or NaOH, was investigated. Hydration was measured using calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, {sup 11}B and {sup 27}Al magic angle spinning NMR analysis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The purpose of this study was to reveal the mechanisms behind the retardation caused by a high concentration borate solution and the restoration of hydration through the combined addition of NaOH and NaAlO{sub 2}. Amorphous ulexite, which formed on the surface of the cement particles and prevented the further dissolution of anhydrous phases, was identified as the retardation product. The mechanism of the combined addition of NaAlO{sub 2} and NaOH in overcoming retardation was to transform amorphous ulexite into B-AFt and gowerite (CaB{sub 6}O{sub 10}·5H{sub 2}O). Formation of gowerite is favorable because of the much higher boron immobilization capacity in weight percentage, comparing to usual boron-containing phases reported previously.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Insensitivity of Magnetic Coupling to Ligand Substitution in a Series of Tetraoxolene Radical-Bridged Fe 2 Complexes

The elucidation of magnetostructural correlations between bridging ligand substitution and strength of magnetic coupling is essential to the development of high-temperature molecule-based magnetic materials. Toward this end, we report the series of tetraoxolene-bridged Fe II 2 complexes [(Me 3 TPyA) 2 Fe 2 ( R L)] n + (Me 3 TPyA = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine; n = 2: OMe LH 2 = 3,6-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone, Cl LH 2 = 3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone, Na 2 [ NO 2 L] = sodium 3,6-dinitro-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone; n = 4: SMe 2 L = 3,6-bis(dimethylsulfonium)-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone diylide) and their one-electron-reduced analogues. Furthermore, variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility data reveal the presence of weak ferromagnetic superexchange between Fe II centers in the oxidized species, with exchange constants of J = +1.2(2) (R = OMe, Cl) and +0.3(1) (R = NO 2 , SMe 2 ) cm –1 . In contrast, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy establish a ligand-centered radical in the reduced complexes. Magnetic measurements for the radical-bridged species reveal the presence of strong antiferromagnetic metal–radical coupling, with J = -57(10), -60(7), -58(6), and -65(8) cm –1 for R = OMe, Cl, NO 2 , and SMe 2 , respectively. The minimal effects of substituents in the 3- and 6-positions of R L x –• on the magnetic coupling strength is understood through electronic structure calculations, which show negligible spin density on the substituents and associated C atoms of the ring. Finally, the radical-bridged complexes are single-molecule magnets, with relaxation barriers of U eff = 50(1), 41(1), 38(1), and 33(1) cm –1 for R = OMe, Cl, NO 2 , and SMe 2 , respectively. Taken together, these results provide the first examination of how bridging ligand substitution influences magnetic coupling in semiquinoid-bridged compounds, and they establish design criteria for the synthesis of semiquinoid-based molecules and materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Structural Origins of High MoO 3 Solubility in Peraluminous Borosilicate Glasses

Molybdenum (Mo) imposes strict loading limits in conventional borosilicate nuclear waste glasses due to the tendency of tetrahedral molybdate [MoO 4 ] 2− species to phase-separate and crystallize as alkali molybdates. Here, we demonstrate an unprecedented 13.96 wt % (7.51 mol %) MoO 3 solubility in peraluminous sodium aluminoborosilicate glasses a ∼15× increase over their peralkaline counterparts. Using Raman spectroscopy, multinuclear and dipolarcorrelation magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), we reveal that Nadeficient, low optical basicity conditions stabilize octahedral MoO 6 units, which polymerize into molybdite-like Mo−O clusters dispersed within the glass matrix. These Mo-rich clusters suppress the formation of depolymerized [MoO 4 ] 2− environments typically responsible for Na 2 MoO 4 precipitation and instead promote the formation of Na 2 Mo 2 O 7 as the saturation phase. Concurrently, Mo solubility drives the conversion of AlO 4 − to higher-coordination AlO 5 species, liberating Na + that is subsequently sequestered in molybdate-rich domains. The combined evolution of Mo coordination, modifier redistribution, and network depolymerization provides a mechanistic basis for the markedly enhanced Mo solubility in peraluminous compositions. These findings establish new structural guidelines for designing aluminoborosilicate waste forms with substantially greater capacity to incorporate Mo-rich nuclear waste streams.

Amorphous materials↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spectroscopic Characterization of Mn 1+ Low Oxidation State in Prussian Blue-Based Battery Anodes

Stabilization of ions in exotic oxidation states is beneficial for the development of new materials for green energy technologies. Exotic Mn 1+ was proposed to play a role in the function of sodium-based Prussian blue analogues (PBA) batteries, a highly sought-out technology for industrial energy storage. Here, we report the detailed electronic structure characterization of uncharged and charged sodium-based manganese hexacyanomanganate anodes via Mn K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Kβ nonresonant X-ray emission (XES), and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). The latter allowed us to obtain site-selective XANES information about two distinct Mn centers. The obtained spectroscopic data represent the first electronic structure characterization of low-spin Mn 1+ using hard X-ray RIXS and XES and allowed us to confirm its role in anode reduction. In conclusion, our experimental approach can be expanded to analysis of analogues with other 3d transition metals broadening the application of exotic ionic states in materials engineering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design Rules for Open-Shell Molecular Wires: Insights from Correlated Many-Body Transport

Open-shell π-conjugated systems have emerged as promising molecular wires that can sustain unusually high low-bias conductance over tens of nanometers. However, predictive design rules remain limited because near-degeneracy and spin polarization give rise to correlated electronic states that are not reliably captured by standard density functional theory and Landauer transport descriptions. Here, we establish physically transparent design rules for long-range, weakly length-dependent charge transport based on the interplay between bond-length alternation and electron–electron interactions. Using a fully correlated transport framework that combines density matrix renormalization group calculations with nonequilibrium Green’s function embedding, we show that weak dimerization maintains spatially extended edge states, while moderate on-site interaction stabilizes open-shell character without excessively separating transport-relevant resonances. This balance yields zero-bias transmission that is largely insensitive to molecular length, providing a route to connect chemically tunable structure to correlated transport beyond mean-field descriptions.

Charge transport↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of 3d/4p Mixing on 1s2p Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering: Electronic Structure of Oxo-Bridged Iron Dimers

1s2p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (1s2p RIXS) has proven successful in the determination of the differential orbital covalency (DOC, the amount of metal vs ligand character in each d molecular orbital) of highly covalent centrosymmetric iron environments including heme models and enzymes. However, many reactive intermediates have noncentrosymmetric environments, e.g., the presence of strong metal-oxo bonds, which results in the mixing of metal 4p character into the 3d orbitals. This leads to significant intensity enhancement in the metal K-pre-edge and as shown here, the associated 1s2p RIXS features, which impact their insight into electronic structure. Binuclear oxo bridged high spin Fe(III) complexes are used to determine the effects of 4p mixing on 1s2p RIXS spectra. In addition to developing the analysis of 4p mixing on K-edge XAS and 1s2p RIXS data, this study explains the selective nature of the 4p mixing that also enhances the analysis of L-edge XAS intensity in terms of DOC. These 1s2p RIXS biferric model studies enable new structural insight from related data on peroxo bridged biferric enzyme intermediates. The dimeric nature of the oxo bridged Fe(III) complexes further results in ligand-to-ligand interactions between the Fe(III) sites and angle dependent features just above the pre-edge that reflect the superexchange pathway of the oxo bridge. Lastly, we present a methodology that enables DOC to be obtained when L-edge XAS is inaccessible and only 1s2p RIXS experiments can be performed as in many metalloenzyme intermediates in solution.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Altermagnetism in the layered intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide CoNb 4 Se 8

Altermagnets (AMs) are a new class of magnetic materials that combine the beneficial spintronics properties of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets, garnering significant attention recently. Here, we have identified altermagnetism in a layered intercalated transition metal diselenide, CoNb 4 Se 8 , which crystallizes with an ordered sublattice of intercalated Co atoms between NbSe 2 layers. Single crystals are synthesized, and the structural characterizations are performed using single crystal diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. Magnetic measurements reveal easy-axis antiferromagnetism below 168 K. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that A-type antiferromagnetic ordering with easy-axis spin direction is the ground state, which is verified through single crystal neutron diffraction experiments. Electronic band structure calculations in this magnetic state display spin-split bands, confirming altermagnetism in this compound. The layered structure of CoNb 4 Se 8 presents a promising platform for testing various predicted properties associated with altermagnetism.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mesoscale atomic engineering in a crystal lattice

Controlling individual atoms using lasers, ion traps and scanning probe tips has transformed our understanding of matter and enabled breakthroughs in quantum science. Extending this control into three-dimensional (3D) solids and across mesoscopic scales, however, remains a foundational challenge. Electron irradiation in electron microscopes is known to induce atomic displacements, and atomic manipulation has been proposed and demonstrated. Yet repeated and deterministic control has remained elusive. Here, in this study, we demonstrate deterministic atomic engineering in a 3D crystal, creating ordered arrangements of more than 40,000 user-defined defects within minutes across a 150 nm × 100 nm × 13 nm volume. By steering individual Cr atoms in the magnetic semiconductor CrSBr into selected interstitial sites using an electron beam directed with sub-20-pm-scale accuracy, we create vacancy–interstitial complexes. The resulting impurity array forms a mesoscale crystal embedded within the host lattice, a new form of engineered artificial matter that remains stable at room temperature and outside the microscope. By tracking Cr atom displacements, we identify conditions under which the defect structures are predictable. Our calculations suggest that these defects form correlated impurity states with intra-defect optical transitions and inter-defect kinetic and Coulomb interactions. This establishes a generalizable platform for atomic defect engineering at mesoscopic, and potentially macroscopic, scales, opening opportunities for scalable quantum technologies, including deterministic colour-centre placement, quantum simulation of many-body lattice models and atomic-scale manufacturing.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Inelastic scattering in isotopologues of O 2 –Ar: the effects of mass, symmetry, and density of states

The two species considered here, O 2 (oxygen molecule) and Ar (argon-atom), are both abundant components of Earth's atmosphere and hence familiar collision partners in this medium. O 2 is quite reactive and extensively involved in atmospheric chemistry, including Chapman's cycle of the formation and destruction of ozone; while Ar, like N 2 , typically plays the nevertheless crucial role of inert collider. Inert species can provide stabilization to metastable encounter-complexes through the energy transfer associated with inelastic collisions. The interplay of collision frequency and energy transfer efficiency, with state lifetimes and species concentrations, contributes to the rich and varied chemistry and dynamics found in diverse environments ranging from planetary atmospheres to the interstellar and circumstellar media. The nature and density of bound and resonance states, coupled electronic states, symmetry, and nuclear spin-statistics can all play a role. Here, we systematically investigate some of those factors by looking at the O 2 –Ar system, comparing rigorous quantum-scattering calculations for the 16 O 16 O– 40 Ar, 18 O 16 O– 40 Ar, and 18 O 18 O– 40 Ar isotope combinations. A new accurate potential energy surface was constructed for this purpose holding the O 2 bond distance at its vibrationally averaged distance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Magnetic properties of CrX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) monolayers in excited states

The presence of intrinsic ferromagnetism in a new class of magnetic semiconductors CrX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) in a reduced dimension is associated with magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE). MAE is relevant for the magnetic order of CrX 3 . The control of magnetism in such 2D materials through external stimuli is gaining importance in view of potential technological applications. Here, we use all-electron density functional theory to investigate the magnetism of monolayers of chromium halides in excited states using a cluster model. We study the magnetization reversal barrier for two types of electronic singly excited states: (a) spin-preserving transitions, and (b) spin-flip transitions. While all the three halides show enhancement of MAE in excited states, the MAEs are significant for CrI 3 due to the large spin–orbit coupling in the iodines. The changes in the MAE in the excited state are influenced by the local charge distribution surrounding the iodine atoms. Using a model system, we also show that the MAE in chromium tri-iodides is strongly influenced by the charge transfer to the iodines in an excited state. Furthermore, controlling the charge transfer to the iodines can potentially be used to control the magnetization reversal barrier.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Correlation-driven topological band inversion in VSe 2

Recent spectroscopic studies have uncovered topological surface states and band inversion in 1⁢T−VSe 2 , positioning this material at the intersection of correlated electron physics and nontrivial band topology. While previous interpretations attribute these features to surface strain, the microscopic origin of the topological band structure remains unresolved. Here, we present an alternative explanation based on electronic correlations, showing that a negative effective Hubbard interaction (𝑈 eff < 0) applied to the Se 4p orbitals can reproduce the experimentally observed band inversion at both the Γ and 𝑀 points. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with orbital-selective interactions, we demonstrate that this approach naturally gives rise to topological surface states without invoking structural distortions. In conclusion, our results highlight the crucial role of ligand orbital correlations in shaping band topology and provide a novel framework for understanding and engineering topological phases in chalcogenide-based quantum materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Unoccupied electronic structure of actinide dioxides

Ligand field density functional theory calculations of the dioxides of thorium, uranium, and plutonium have been combined with high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) in x-ray absorption spectroscopy and inverse photoelectron spectroscopy (IPES) measurements to provide powerful insight into the underlying composition of the unoccupied 5f electronic structure in these 5f localized systems. Fine structure in the 5f 5/2 transitions in HERFD can be directly correlated with the fine structure in the leading edge of the IPES. The shapes, intensities, and systematics in HERFD and IPES are explained in a consistent and rigorous fashion in terms of the j-specific 5f electronic structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗