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At least 127 records · Page 7

Screening two-dimensional materials with topological flat bands

The topological flat band (TFB) has been proposed theoretically in various lattice models, to exhibit a rich spectrum of intriguing physical behaviors. However, the experimental demonstration of flat band (FB) properties has been severely hindered by the lack of materials realization. In this study, by screening materials from a first-principles materials database, we identify a group of two-dimensional materials with TFBs near the Fermi level, covering some simple line-graph and generalized line-graph FB lattice models. These include the kagome sublattice of O in Ti O 2 yielding a spin-unpolarized TFB, and that of V in ferromagnetic V 3 F 8 yielding a spin-polarized TFB. The monolayer Nb 3 Te Cl 7 and its counterparts from element substitution are found to be breathing-kagome-lattice crystals. The family of monolayer II I 2 V I 3 compounds exhibit a TFB representing the coloring-triangle lattice model. Re F 3 , Mn F 3 , and Mn Br 3 are all predicted to be diatomic-kagome-lattice crystals, with TFB transitions induced by atomic substitution. Finally, Hg F 2 , Cd F 2 , and Zn F 2 are discovered to host dual TFBs in the diamond-octagon lattice. Our findings pave the way to further experimental exploration of eluding FB materials and properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Type-II Weyl nodes, flat bands, and evidence for a topological Hall-effect in the new ferromagnet FeCr 3 Te 6

The interplay between linearly dispersing, or Dirac-like, and flat electronic bands, for instance, in the kagome ferromagnets, has attracted attention due to a possible interplay between topology and electronic correlations. Here, we report the synthesis, structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of a single-crystalline ferromagnetic compound, namely Fe 1/3 ⁢CrTe 2 or FeCr 3 ⁢Te 6 , which crystallizes in the 𝑃$\overline{3}$⁢𝑚⁢1 space group instead of the 𝐼⁢2/𝑚 previously reported for FeCr 2 ⁢Te 4 . Electronic band structure calculations reveal type-II Dirac nodes and relatively flat bands near the Fermi level (ε 𝐹 ). This compound shows onset Curie temperature 𝑇 c ≃ 120K, followed by an additional ferromagnetic transition near 𝑇 c2 ∼ 92.5K. Below 𝑇 c , FeCr 3 ⁢Te 6 displays a pronounced anomalous Hall effect, as well as sizable coercive fields that exceed 𝜇 0 ⁢𝐻=1 T at low 𝑇⁢s. However, a scaling analysis indicates that the anomalous Hall effect results from a significant intrinsic contribution, as expected from the calculations, and also from the extrinsic mechanism, i.e., scattering. The extrinsic contribution probably results from occupational disorder at the 1b Fe-site within the van der Waals gap of the CrTe 2 host. We also observe evidence for a topological Hall component superimposed onto the overall Hall response, suggesting the presence of chiral spin textures akin to skyrmions in this centrosymmetric system. Their possible presence will require experimental confirmation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flat band driven itinerant magnetism in the Co-pnictides CaCo 2⁢ As 2 and LaCo 2 ⁢P 2

Flat bands can induce strong electron correlation effects that help stabilize both magnetic and superconducting states. Here, in this study, we carry out angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure of the Co-pnictides CaCo 2 ⁢As 2 and LaCo 2 ⁢P 2 . We find that the 𝑘 𝑧 Fermi topology of ferromagnetic LaCo 2 ⁢P 2 is markedly two-dimensional, while the antiferromagnetic CaCo 2 ⁢As 2 develops a 3D Fermi surface described by a zigzaglike band dispersion perpendicular to the Co-As plane. Furthermore, the magnetism is driven by the electronic correlations of the flat bands with 𝑑 𝑥⁢𝑦 and 𝑑 𝑧 2 orbital character at the Fermi level. Our results link the electronic dimensionality and the magnetic order and emphasize the critical role of the As-As and P-P bond strength along the 𝑐 direction to understand the electronic band structure and the rich phase diagram of transition metal pnictides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Giant proximity exchange and flat Chern band in 2D magnet-semiconductor heterostructures

van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures formed by two-dimensional (2D) magnets and semiconductors have provided a fertile ground for fundamental science and spintronics. We present first-principles calculations finding a proximity exchange splitting of 14 meV (equivalent to an effective Zeeman field of 120 T) in the vdW magnet semiconductor heterostructure MoS 2 /CrBr 3 , leading to a 2D spin-polarized half-metal with carrier densities ranging up to 10 13 cm -2 . We consequently explore the effect of large exchange coupling on the electronic band structure when the magnetic layer hosts chiral spin textures such as skyrmions. A flat Chern band is found at a “magic” value of magnetization $\overline{m}$ ~ 0.2 for Schrödinger electrons, and it generally occurs for Dirac electrons. The magnetic proximity–induced anomalous Hall effect enables transport-based detection of chiral spin textures, and flat Chern bands provide an avenue for engineering various strongly correlated states.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

AmeriFlux FLUXNET-1F US-xBN NEON Caribou Creek - Poker Flats Watershed (BONA)

This is the AmeriFlux Management Project (AMP) created FLUXNET-1F version of the carbon flux data for the site US-xBN NEON Caribou Creek - Poker Flats Watershed (BONA). This is the FLUXNET version of the carbon flux data for the site US-xBN NEON Caribou Creek - Poker Flats Watershed (BONA) produced by applying the standard ONEFlux (1F) software.

Network), NEON (National Ecological Observatory↗

AmeriFlux FLUXNET-1F US-UTB UFLUX Bonneville Salt Flats

This is the AmeriFlux Management Project (AMP) created FLUXNET-1F version of the carbon flux data for the site US-UTB UFLUX Bonneville Salt Flats. This is the FLUXNET version of the carbon flux data for the site US-UTB UFLUX Bonneville Salt Flats produced by applying the standard ONEFlux (1F) software. Site Description - Enclosed in fence; Piezometers nearby; Replaced smaller standard station BFLAT

Ladig, Kathryn↗

The Relation Between Field Flatness and the Passband Frequency in the Elliptical Cavities

A technique that predicts the field flatness of the operating pi-mode based on the passband frequency is highly desirable when the direct measurement of the field is not available. Such a technique was developed for the SNS-PPU cavity, a 6-cell SRF cavity whose field flatness is important for cold operation. In this paper, we will present the theory on the relations between field profile and passband frequencies of the arbitrary deformed cavities, the simulation studies, and comparison with the experimental measurements.

Park, G. -T.↗

Assessing the Accuracy of a Borehole-Controlled Velocity Model of Yucca Flat, Nevada, Using Large-N Seismic Data

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) aims to improve nuclear test monitoring capabilities through a series of chemical explosions in Yucca Flat within the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) (Snelson et al., 2013). With geologic data from over 950 boreholes, Yucca Flat has excellent borehole control on stratigraphy. These data were used to create a Geologic Framework Model (GFM) of the basin to aid in the study of seismic wave propagation through the Earth. However, the seismic velocities of the geologic units in the GFM are less well-defined. With the acquisition of five new active source Large-N datasets, we can now quantitatively assess the accuracy of the seismic model previously controlled by borehole data alone.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

CY2019 Annual Closure Monitoring Report for Corrective Action Unit 98, Frenchman Flat, Underground Test Area, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (January 2019–December 2019), Revision 1

Three types of monitoring are performed for CAU 98: water quality, water level, and institutional control. These are monitored to determine whether the URs remain protective of human health and the environment, and to ensure that the regulatory boundary objectives are being met. Monitoring data will be used in the future, once multiple years of data are available, to evaluate consistency with the groundwater flow and contaminant transport models because the contaminant boundaries calculated with the models are the primary basis of the UR boundaries. Six wells were sampled for water-quality monitoring in 2019. Contaminants of concern were detected only in the two source/plume wells already known to contain contamination as a result of a radionuclide migration experiment. Tritium concentrations in both of these wells, RNM-2S and UE-5n, remain above the Safe Drinking Water Act maximum contaminant level of 20,000 picocuries per liter but declined in 2019 as compared to measurements in 2018. All other contaminants of concern are below the minimum detection level plus analytical error. The water-level monitoring network includes 16 wells. Depth to water measured in 2019 is generally consistent with recent measurements for all wells. Many wells continue to exhibit a long-term downward trend in water level, though changes from 2018 to 2019 are minimal. The sharp 2016 decline in water level in Well ER-5-3-2 remains unexplained, with the lower level persisting through 2019. Rising water-level trends continue to be observed in Well ER-5-3 deep piezometer and former water supply Well WW-5A. Water supply Well WW-5B experienced a rise in water level as a result of an absence of pumping in the first part of the year (due to a mechanical problem), whereas water levels declined in WW-4 and WW-4A in response to greater pumping in 2019. Institutional control monitoring confirmed the URs are recorded in U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Air Force land management systems, and that no activities within Frenchman Flat basin are occurring that could potentially affect the contaminant boundaries. Survey of groundwater resources in basins surrounding Frenchman Flat similarly identify no current or pending development that would indicate the need to increase monitoring activities or would otherwise cause concern for the closure decision. The URs continue to prevent exposure of the public, workers, and the environment to contaminants of concern by preventing use of potentially contaminated groundwater.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

CY2020 Annual Closure Monitoring Report for Corrective Action Unit 98: Frenchman Flat, Underground Test Area, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (January 2020–December 2020, Revision 1)

This report presents the results of monitoring conducted for water quality, water levels, and institutional controls in calendar year (CY) 2020 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Management (EM) Nevada Program’s Underground Test Area (UGTA) Activity at Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 98, Frenchman Flat (FF), at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), Nevada (Figure 1-1). This report also presents analytical laboratory results (including results of quality assurance/quality control samples, such as field duplicates [FDs]); and verification of use restrictions (URs), institutional controls, and water use. Groundwater samples were collected; water levels were measured; and well site surveillance was conducted in support of the Underground Test Area (UGTA) Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 98: Frenchman Flat, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (NNSA/NFO, 2016) and its ensuing Records of Technical Change (ROTCs).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Damage Detection and Electrical Performance Impact of Flat-Flexible Circuits

Flat-flexible circuits or ‘flex circuits’ have varied applications in electronics and in explosive detonation systems. They pose advantages over conventional coaxial cables in their ability to fit into small mechanical envelopes and routings. A typical flex circuit is composed of a laminated assembly of multiple layers of conductor and dielectric materials. Copper, because of its high electrical conductivity, is one of the primary materials used in flex circuit conductors. The conductor must maintain structural integrity and electrical continuity when the flexible circuit is bent during processing or to fit an application envelope. Under some strain conditions a cable may have degraded electrical performance even though visible damage may not be evident. Dislocation density can increase by mechanisms such as dislocation forest hardening, where gliding dislocations in primary slip planes get pinned at obstacles and form Frank-Read sources. Dislocation density increases within the conductor layers may impact electrical resistivity but would not necessarily result in visible mechanical failure. In some detonation applications, such as for building implosion for demolition, the time for signal transmission and voltage used for firing detonators can be critical. If the resistance in a single flex cable within a building demolition array is too high, the resultant demolition shape may be asymmetric, leading to unplanned damage to nearby structures and potential hazards to public safety. This study will apply non-destructive evaluation techniques to evaluate the detectability of damage accumulation in flat, flexible copper-conductor cables and discuss potential implications to their practical use.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Noncolinear Synthesis of Picosecond Flat-Top Laser Pulses to Increase Electron Photoinjector Brightness

Next-generation electron photoinjector accelerators, such as the LCLS-II photoinjector, have increasingly tight requirements on the excitation lasers, often calling for tens of picosecond, temporally flat-top, ultraviolet (UV) pulse trains to be delivered at up to 1 MHz[1]. We present a numerical and experimental implementation of a non-colinear sum frequency generation scheme wherein the incident optical pulses have equal and opposite amounts of spectral dispersion resulting in a spectrally narrowband pulse with flat-top temporal profile[2]. In preliminary experiments we achieve upwards of 40% conversion efficiency with this process. We additionally demonstrate the ability for the narrowband pulses to be directly upconverted to the UV for driving a photocathode.

Lemons, R.↗

Parsec-scale Properties of Steep- and Flat-spectrum Extragalactic Radio Sources from a VLBA Survey of a Complete North Polar Cap Sample

We observed with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 2.3 and 8.6 GHz a complete flux-density-limited sample of 482 radio sources with decl. > +75° brighter than 200 mJy at 1.4 GHz drawn from the NVSS catalog. A total of 34% of the sources show parsec-scale emission above the flux density detection limit of 30 mJy; their accurate positions and parsec-scale structure parameters are determined. Among all the sources detected at least at the shortest VLBA baselines, the majority, or 72%, have a steep single-dish spectrum. The fraction of the sources with a detectable parsec-scale structure is above 95% among the flat-spectrum objects and close to 25% among the steep-spectrum objects. We identified 82 compact steep-spectrum source candidates, which make up 17% of the sample; most of them are reported for the first time. The compactness and the brightness temperature of the sources in our sample show a positive correlation with single-dish and VLBA spectral indices. All the sources with a significant 8 GHz variability were detected by the VLBA snapshot observations, which independently confirmed their compactness. We demonstrated that 54% of the sources detected by the VLBA at 2.3 GHz in our sample have a steep VLBA spectrum. The compact radio emission of these sources is likely dominated by optically thin jets or mini-lobes, not by an opaque jet core. These results show that future VLBI surveys aimed at searching for new sources with parsec-scale structure should include not only flat-spectrum sources but also steep-spectrum ones in order to reach an acceptable level of completeness.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Flat-spectrum Radio Quasars and BL Lacs Dominate the Anisotropy of the Unresolved Gamma-Ray Background

We analyze the angular power spectrum (APS) of the unresolved gamma-ray background (UGRB) emission and combine it with the measured properties of the resolved gamma-ray sources of the Fermi-LAT 4FGL catalog. Our goals are to dissect the composition of the gamma-ray sky and to establish the relevance of different classes of source populations of active galactic nuclei in determining the observed size of the UGRB anisotropy, especially at low energies. We find that, under physical assumptions for the spectral energy distribution, i.e., by using the 4FGL catalog data as a prior, two populations are required to fit the APS data, namely flat-spectrum radio quasars at low energies and BL Lacs at higher energies. The inferred luminosity functions agree well with the extrapolation of the flat-spectrum radio quasar and BL Lac ones obtained from the 4FLG catalog. We use these luminosity functions to calculate the UGRB intensity from blazars, finding a contribution of 20% at 1 GeV and 30% above 10 GeV. Finally, bounds on an additional gamma-ray emission due to annihilating dark matter are also derived.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Cabling method of superconducting flat wires

A structure and method provide cables of high-temperature superconducting flat tape and/or filament wires, with a small bending diameter. A cable has a former having cross section that includes a rectangle having rounded ends (i.e. an obround), and the flat tape is wound around the surface of the former at an angle to minimize bending. The former surface may have raised helical ribs or lowered grooves to provide tape registration in multi-layer configurations. Tape may be wound from a spool onto the former under tension, and cut with a laser cutter to produce fine filaments immediately before winding. The former may be slit longitudinally to prevent loop eddy currents and reduce AC losses. The wound cable may be jacketed to provide a cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC), and coolant channels may be provided in the jacket or in the former.

Takayasu, Makoto↗

Synergizing a Large Ordinary Nernst Effect and Axis‐Dependent Conduction Polarity in Flat Band KMgBi Crystals

The exploration of quantum materials in which an applied thermo/electrical/magnetic field along one crystallographic direction produces an anisotropic response has led to unique functionalities. Along these lines, KMgBi is a layered, narrow gap semiconductor near a critical state between multiple Dirac phases due to the presence of a flat band near the Fermi level. The valence band is highly anisotropic with minimal cross-plane dispersion, which, in combination with an isotropic conduction band, enables axis-dependent conduction polarity. Thermopower and Hall measurements indicate dominant p-type conduction along the cross-plane direction, and n-type conduction along the in-plane direction, leading to a significant zero-field transverse thermoelectric response when the heat flux is at an angle to the principal crystallographic directions. Additionally, a large Ordinary Nernst effect (ONE) is observed with an applied field. It arises from the ambipolar term in the Nernst effect, whereby the Lorentz force on electrons and holes makes them drift in opposite directions so that the resulting Nernst voltage becomes a function of the difference between their partial thermopowers, greatly enhancing the ONE. It is proven that axis-dependent polarity can synergistically enhance the ONE, in addition to leading to a zero-field transverse thermoelectric performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dose reconstruction for plutonium-239 intakes at the Rocky Flats Plant

Purpose: The Rocky Flats (RF) Plant was a weapons manufacturing facility that operated from the early 1950s to 1989. Its primary missions were the production of plutonium (Pu) pits for thermonuclear weapons and the processing of retired weapons for Pu recovery. The purpose of this study was to estimate radiation doses to a cohort of 4499 RF workers from an intake of 239 Pu, the primary plutonium isotope handled at the site. Materials and methods: The latest biokinetic models of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, or site-specific variations of those models, were used to estimate 239 Pu intakes for each worker based on model fits to bioassay data often coupled with lung measurements. Results: Urinary excretion and lung retention data for most 239 Pu intakes could be fit reasonably well by a mixture of Pu dioxide and moderately soluble material. For some workers, better fits were obtained by application of other absorption types including Type S, 239 Pu nitrate, or pure 239 Pu dioxide, or by assuming intake via a wound. The lungs typically received the highest tissue doses, with fifty-year committed equivalent doses in the range of 0.5–1 Sv for 275 workers, 1–5 Sv for 115 workers, and greater than 5 Sv for 12 workers. Conclusions: RF was a unique site regarding a large number of lung measurements available for determining the appropriate absorption types for inhaled material. Further, this provided higher confidence in reconstructed 239 Pu doses than is generally gained from urinary data alone.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Existence of a flat band in highly correlated metal BaCo 2 P 2

We report on the observation of a flat band situated at the Fermi level E F along with the structural, electrical transport, and magnetic properties of BaCo 2 P 2 that crystallizes in the ThCr 2 Si 2 -type body-center tetragonal structure. This compound has the largest inter-layer pnictide (Pn) distance d Pn–Pn as well as the largest c/a ratio among all the known ACo 2 Pn 2 (A = alkaline earth metal) compounds, where a and c are the tetragonal lattice parameters. Hence, the magnetic and electronic properties of this compound are expected to have a quasi-two-dimensional character. Despite the evidence of the presence of sizable magnetic interactions, magnetic susceptibility χ(T) of BaCo 2 P 2 does not show magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K. The material shows good metallic conduction with a large residual resistivity ratio ρ 300 K /ρ 1.8 K ≈ 70 and a Fermi liquid behavior at low temperature. Kadowaki–Woods ratio R KW of BaCo 2 P 2 suggests the presence of sizable electronic correlations within this system. Additionally, a large many-body enhancement of 2.3 of the experimental density of states D γ (E F ) over the band-structure D band (E F ) is inferred to arise from sizable electron-electron and/or electron-phonon interactions leading to a substantial deviation from the free-electron behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗