Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ab initio data”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,081 records · Page 60

Communication: A benchmark-quality, full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface for Ar-HOCO

A full-dimensional, global ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the Ar-HOCO system is presented. The PES consists of a previous intramolecular ab initio PES for HOCO [J. Li, C. Xie, J. Ma, Y. Wang, R. Dawes, D. Xie, J. M. Bowman, and H. Guo, J. Phys. Chem. A 116, 5057 (2012)], plus a new permutationally invariant interaction potential based on fitting 12 432 UCCSD(T)-F12a/aVDZ counterpoise-corrected energies. The latter has a total rms fitting error of about 25 cm{sup −1} for fitted interaction energies up to roughly 12 000 cm{sup −1}. Two additional fits are presented. One is a novel very compact permutational invariant representation, which contains terms only involving the Ar-atom distances. The rms fitting error for this fit is 193 cm{sup −1}. The other fit is the widely used pairwise one. The pairwise fit to the entire data set has an rms fitting error of 427 cm{sup −1}. All of these potentials are used in preliminary classical trajectory calculations of energy transfer with a focus on comparisons with the results using the benchmark potential.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Relativistic Douglas–Kroll–Hess calculations of hyperfine interactions within first-principles multireference methods

A relativistic magnetic hyperfine interaction Hamiltonian based on the Douglas–Kroll–Hess (DKH) theory up to the second order is implemented within the ab initio multireference methods, including spin–orbit coupling in the Molcas/OpenMolcas package. This implementation is applied to calculate relativistic hyperfine coupling (HFC) parameters for atomic systems and diatomic radicals with valence s or d orbitals by systematically varying active space size in the restricted active space self-consistent field formalism with restricted active space state interaction for spin–orbit coupling. The DKH relativistic treatment of the hyperfine interaction reduces the Fermi contact contribution to the HFC due to the presence of kinetic factors that regularize the singularity of the Dirac delta function in the nonrelativistic Fermi contact operator. This effect is more prominent for heavier nuclei. As the active space size increases, the relativistic correction of the Fermi contact contribution converges well to the experimental data for light and moderately heavy nuclei. The relativistic correction, however, does not significantly affect the spin-dipole contribution to the hyperfine interaction. In addition to the atomic and molecular systems, the implementation is applied to calculate the relativistic HFC parameters for large trivalent and divalent Tb-based single-molecule magnets (SMMs), such as Tb(III)Pc2 and Tb(II)(CpiPr5)2 without ligand truncation using well-converged basis sets. In particular, for the divalent SMM, which has an unpaired valence 6s/5d hybrid orbital, the relativistic treatment of HFC is crucial for a proper description of the Fermi contact contribution. Even with the relativistic hyperfine Hamiltonian, the divalent SMM is shown to exhibit strong tunability of HFC via an external electric field (i.e., strong hyperfine Stark effect).

Chemistry↗

Unified description of 6 Li structure and deuterium- 4 He dynamics with chiral two- and three-nucleon forces

Here, we provide a unified ab initio description of the 6 Li ground state and elastic scattering of deuterium (d) on 4 He (α) using two- and three-nucleon forces from chiral effective field theory. We analyze the influence of the three-nucleon force and reveal the role of continuum degrees of freedom in shaping the low-lying spectrum of 6 Li. The calculation reproduces the empirical binding energy of 6 Li, yielding an asymptotic D- to S-state ratio of the 6 Li wave function in the d+α configuration of –0.027, in agreement with a determination from 6 Li– 4 He elastic scattering, but overestimates the excitation energy of the 3 + state by 350 keV. The bulk of the computed differential cross section is in good agreement with data. These results endorse the application of the present approach to the evaluation of the 2 H(α,γ) 6 Li radiative capture, responsible for the big-bang nucleosynthesis of 6 Li.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Energy of Phonons and Zero-Point Vibrations in Compressed Rare-Gas Crystals

A dynamic matrix of rare-gas crystals is constructed within the model of deformable and polarizable atoms based on the nonempirical short-range repulsion potential taking into account the three-body interaction and deformation of electron shells of dipole-type atoms within the pair and three-body approximations. Ab initio calculations of the phonon energy for compressed rare-gas crystals are performed at two and ten mean-value points of the Chadi–Kohen method in a wide pressure range. It is shown that the contribution of three-body forces to the phonon frequencies due to overlap of electron shells of neighboring atoms is small as compared to the pair interaction even at a high pressure and most pronounced for Xe. The contributions of the deformation of electron shells within the pair and three-body approximations differ for different mean-value points and increase with an increase in pressure. The zero-point energies calculated by the Chadi–Kohen method for crystals of the Ne–Xe series are compared with the known experimental data at p = 0 and calculation results obtained by other researchers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

First-principles chemical kinetic modeling of methyl trans -3-hexenoate epoxidation by HO 2

The design of innovative combustion processes relies on a comprehensive understanding of biodiesel oxidation kinetics. The present study aims at unraveling the reaction mechanism involved in the epoxidation of a realistic biodiesel surrogate, methyl trans -3-hexenoate, by hydroperoxy radicals using a bottom-up theoretical kinetics methodology. The obtained rate constants are in good agreement with experimental data for alkene epoxidation by HO 2 . The impact of temperature and pressure on epoxidation pathways involving H-bonded and non-H-bonded conformers was assessed. As a result, the obtained rate constant was finally implemented into a state-of-the-art detailed combustion mechanism, resulting in fairly good agreement with engine experiments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Coulomb sum rule for 4 He and 16 O from coupled-cluster theory

We demonstrate the capability of coupled-cluster theory to compute the Coulomb sum rule for the 4 He and 16 O nuclei using interactions from chiral effective field theory. We perform several checks, including a few-body benchmark for 4He. We provide an analysis of the center-of-mass contaminations, which we are able to safely remove. We then compare with other theoretical results and experimental data available in the literature, obtaining a fair agreement. This is a first and necessary step towards initiating a program for computing neutrino-nucleus interactions from first principles in coupled-cluster theory and supporting the experimental long-baseline neutrino program with a state-of-the-art theory that can reach medium-mass nuclei.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19A ≤ 5↗

A new ab initio potential energy surface and infrared spectra for the Ar–CS{sub 2} complex

We report a new three-dimensional potential energy surface for Ar–CS{sub 2} involving the Q{sub 3} normal mode for the υ{sub 3} antisymmetric stretching vibration of the CS{sub 2} molecule. The potential energies were calculated using the supermolecular method at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles level with noniterative inclusion of connected triples, using augmented correlation-consistent quadruple-zeta basis set plus midpoint bond functions. Two vibrationally averaged potentials with CS{sub 2} at both the ground (υ = 0) and the first excited (υ = 1)υ{sub 3} vibrational states were generated from the integration of the three-dimensional potential over the Q{sub 3} coordinate. Each potential was found to have a T-shaped global minimum and two equivalent linear local minima. The radial discrete variable representation /angular finite basis representation method and the Lanczos algorithm were applied to calculate the rovibrational energy levels. The calculated band origin shift of the complex (0.0622 cm{sup −1}) is very close to the observed one (0.0671 cm{sup −1}). The predicted infrared spectra and spectroscopic parameters based on the two averaged potentials are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A computational study of diffusion in a glass-forming metallic liquid

In this study, liquid phase diffusion plays a critical role in phase transformations (e.g. glass transformation and devitrification) observed in marginal glass forming systems such as Al-Sm. Controlling transformation pathways in such cases requires a comprehensive description of diffusivity, including the associated composition and temperature dependencies. In our computational study, we examine atomic diffusion in Al-Sm liquids using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and determine the diffusivities of Al and Sm for selected alloy compositions. Non-Arrhenius diffusion behavior is observed in the undercooled liquids with an enhanced local structural ordering. Through assessment of our AIMD result, we construct a general formulation for Al-Sm liquid, involving a diffusion mobility database that includes composition and temperature dependence. A Volmer-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equation is adopted for describing the non-Arrhenius behavior observed in the undercooled liquid. Furthermore, the composition dependence of diffusivity is found quite strong, even for the Al-rich region contrary to the sole previous report on this binary system. The model is used in combination with the available thermodynamic database to predict specific diffusivities and compares well with reported experimental data for 0.6 at.% and 5.6 at.% Sm in Al-Sm alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ab Initio Characterization of Triatomic Bromine Molecules of Potential Interest in Stratospheric Chemistry

The equilibrium structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, quadratic force fields, dipole moments, and IR intensities of several triatomic bromine compounds of known or potential importance in stratospheric ozone depletion chemistry have been determined using the CCSD(T) electron correlation method in conjunction with a basis set of triple zeta double polarized (TZ2P) quality. Specifically, the molecules included in the present study are HOBr, HBrO, FOBr, FBrO, BrNO, BrON, Br2O, BrBrO, BrCN, BrNC, ClOBr, ClBrO, and BrClO. Very accurate isomeric energy differences have also been determined at the CCSD(T) level with atomic natural orbital basis sets that include through g-type functions. In most cases, the isomer with a normal neutral Lewis dot structure is the lowest energy form, with the single exception that FBRO is predicted to be 11.1 kcal/mol (0 K) lower in energy than FOBr. In all cases, however, the hypervalent isomer is more stable relative to the isomer with a normal Lewis dot structure as compared to the chlorine analogs. Consistent with this observation, the energy of the last three molecules given above increases in the order ClOBr less than ClBrO less than BrClO. The CCSD(T)/TZ2P geometries and vibrational frequencies are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Heats of formation are determined for all species using a combination of theoretical isomeric, homodesmic, and isodesmic reaction energies. The accuracy of these quantities is ultimately dependent on the reliability of the experimental heat of formation of HOBr.

Lee. Timothy J.↗

Ab Initio Characterization of Triatomic Bromine Molecules of Potential Interest in Stratospheric Chemistry

The equilibrium structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, quadratic force fields, dipole moments, and IR intensities of several triatomic bromine compounds of known or potential importance in stratospheric ozone depletion chemistry have been determined using the CCSD(T) electron correlation method in conjunction with a basis set of triple zeta double polarized (TZ2P) quality. Specifically, the molecules included in the present study are HOBr, HBrO, FOBr, FBrO, BrNO, BrON, Br2O, BrBrO, BrCN, BrNC, ClOBr, ClBrO, and BrClO. Very accurate isomeric energy differences have also been determined at the CCSD(T) level with atomic natural orbital basis sets that include through g-type functions. In most cases, the isomer with a normal neutral Lewis dot structure is the lowest energy form, with the single exception that FBrO is predicted to be 11.1 kcal/mol (0 K) lower in energy than FOBr. In all cases, however, the hypervalent isomer is more stable relative to the isomer with a normal Lewis dot structure as compared to the chlorine analogs. Consistent with this observation, the energy of the last three molecules given above increases in the order ClOBr less than ClBrO less than BrClO. The CCSD(T)/TZ2P geometries and vibrational frequencies are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Heats of formation are determined for all species using a combination of theoretical isomeric, homodesmic, and isodesmic reaction energies. The accuracy of these quantities is ultimately dependent on the reliability of the experimental heat of formation of HOBr.

Lee, Timothy J.↗

Pressure-induced localisation of the hydrogen-bond network in KOH-VI

Using a combination of ab initio crystal structure prediction and neutron diffraction techniques, we have solved the full structure of KOH-VI at 7 GPa. Rather than being orthorhombic and proton-ordered as had previously be proposed, we find that this high-pressure phase of potassium hydroxide is tetragonal (space group I4/mmm) and proton disordered. It has an unusual hydrogen bond topology, where the hydroxyl groups form isolated hydrogen-bonded square planar (OH){sub 4} units. This structure is stable above 6.5 GPa and, despite being macroscopically proton-disordered, local ice rules enforce microscopic order of the hydrogen bonds. We suggest the use of this novel type of structure to study concerted proton tunneling in the solid state, while the topology of the hydrogen bond network could conceivably be exploited in data storage applications based solely on the manipulations of hydrogen bonds. The unusual localisation of the hydrogen bond network under applied pressure is found to be favored by a more compact packing of the constituents in a distorted cesium chloride structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ferroelectric molecular field-switch based on double proton transfer process: Static and dynamical simulations

In this work, we present a reversible ferroelectric molecular switch controlled by an external electric field. The studied (2Z)-1-(6-((Z)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylvinyl)pyridin-3-yl)-2-(pyridin-2(1H) -ylidene)ethanone (DSA) molecule is polarized by two uniaxial intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Two protons can be transferred along hydrogen bonds upon an electric field applied along the main molecular axis. The process results in reversion of the dipole moment of the system. Static ab initio and on-the-fly dynamical simulations of the DSA molecule placed in an external electric field give insight into the mechanism of the double proton transfer (DPT) in the system and allow for estimation of the time scale of this process. The results indicate that with increasing strength of the electric field, the step-wise mechanism of DPT changes into the downhill barrierless process in which the synchronous and asynchronous DPTs compete with each other.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ab initio thermodynamic characteristics of the formation of oxygen vacancies, and boron, carbon, and nitrogen impurity centers in anatase

Using the ab initio projector augmented wave (PAW) method, calculations are performed for the electronic energy-band structure of titanium dioxide having the structure of anatase doped with boron, nitrogen, and carbon. Thermodynamic characteristics are determined for the formation of impurity centers, such as the preference energy for the interstitial position, the energy of impurity oxidation, and the energy of oxygen vacancy formation. It is shown that under the conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium the interstitial position of boron atoms is stable, whereas carbon atoms, depending on the oxygen pressure, can occupy both interstitial positions and substitutional positions of oxygen atoms, and nitrogen atoms replace oxygen atoms. It is shown that the presence of oxygen vacancies promotes the thermodynamic stability of carbon and nitrogen atoms. The obtained densities of electronic states correspond to ESR spectroscopy data, which indicates the presence of spin-polarized electrons in the states of the oxygen vacancy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ab initio GGA+U investigations of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Cd 1-x Mn x Te alloy

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Cd 1-x Mn x Te alloy in the zinc-blende (ZB) phase within the framework of spin-polarized density functional theory using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) are studied. In particular, we employ GGA+U SIC method that gives a better description of systems with strong Coulomb correlations of the d-electrons. First, we discuss implementation of GGA+U method to the ground state calculations of pure CdTe and ferromagnetic MnTe. The alloy is modelled at some selected compositions by ordered structures described in terms of periodically repeated supercells for the compositions x = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75. The compositional dependence of the lattice constant, electronic band structure and partial densities of states of ferromagnetic Cd 1-x Mn x Te alloy are studied. We estimate the spin-exchange splitting energies produced by the Mn 3d-states and determine the exchange constants for the conduction and valence bands of the alloy. The energy positions of the occupied and unoccupied Mn 3d-bands in the electronic structure of ferromagnetic Cd 1-x Mn x Te alloy are also presented. Our calculations using GGA+U SIC approach agree well with the available experimental data and other calculations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Gas-Phase Reaction Pathways and Rate Coefficients for the Dichlorosilane-Hydrogen and Trichlorosilane-Hydrogen Systems

As part of NASA Ames Research Center's Integrated Process Team on Device/Process Modeling and Nanotechnology our goal is to create/contribute to a gas-phase chemical database for use in modeling microelectronics devices. In particular, we use ab initio methods to determine chemical reaction pathways and to evaluate reaction rate coefficients. Our initial studies concern reactions involved in the dichlorosilane-hydrogen (SiCl2H2--H2) and trichlorosilane-hydrogen (SiCl2H-H2) systems. Reactant, saddle point (transition state), and product geometries and their vibrational harmonic frequencies are determined using the complete-active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) electronic structure method with the correlation consistent polarized valence double-zeta basis set (cc-pVDZ). Reaction pathways are constructed by following the imaginary frequency mode of the saddle point to both the reactant and product. Accurate energetics are determined using the singles and doubles coupled-cluster method that includes a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triple excitations (CCSD(T)) extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. Using the data from the electronic structure calculations, reaction rate coefficients are obtained using conventional and variational transition state and RRKM theories.

Dateo, Christopher E.↗

Leptonic Decays of Charged Pseudoscalar Mesons - 2015

We review the physics of purely leptonic decays of $\pi^\pm$, $K^\pm$, $D^{\pm}$, $D_s^\pm$, and $B^\pm$ pseudoscalar mesons. The measured decay rates are related to the product of the relevant weak-interaction-based CKM matrix element of the constituent quarks and a strong interaction parameter related to the overlap of the quark and antiquark wave-functions in the meson, called the decay constant $f_P$. The leptonic decay constants for $\pi^\pm$, $K^\pm$, $D^{\pm}$, $D_s^\pm$, and $B^\pm$ mesons can be obtained with controlled theoretical uncertainties and high precision from {\it ab initio} lattice-QCD simulations. The combination of experimental leptonic decay-rate measurements and theoretical decay-constant calculations enables the determination of several elements of the CKM matrix within the standard model. These determinations are competitive with those obtained from semileptonic decays, and also complementary because they are sensitive to different quark flavor-changing currents. They can also be used to test the unitarity of the first and second rows of the CKM matrix. Conversely, taking the CKM elements predicted by unitarity, one can infer "experimental" values for $f_P$ that can be compared with theory. These provide tests of lattice-QCD methods, provided new-physics contributions to leptonic decays are negligible at the current level of precision. This review is the basis of the article in the Particle Data Group's 2016 edition, updating the versions in Refs. [1-3].

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗