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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.

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At least 1,369 records · Page 76
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Differences Between Colon Cancer Primaries and Metastases Using a Molecular Assay for Tumor Radiation Sensitivity Suggest Implications for Potential Oligometastatic SBRT Patient Selection

Purpose: We previously developed a multigene expression model of tumor radiation sensitivity index (RSI) with clinical validation in multiple independent cohorts (breast, rectal, esophageal, and head and neck patients). The purpose of this study was to assess differences between RSI scores in primary colon cancer and metastases. Methods and Materials: Patients were identified from our institutional review board–approved prospective observational protocol. A total of 704 metastatic and 1362 primary lesions were obtained from a de-identified metadata pool. RSI was calculated using the previously published rank-based algorithm. An independent cohort of 29 lung or liver colon metastases treated with 60 Gy in 5 fractions stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) was used for validation. Results: The most common sites of metastases included liver (n=374; 53%), lung (n=116; 17%), and lymph nodes (n=40; 6%). Sixty percent of metastatic tumors, compared with 54% of primaries, were in the RSI radiation-resistant peak, suggesting metastatic tumors may be slightly more radiation resistant than primaries (P=.01). In contrast, when we analyzed metastases based on anatomical site, we uncovered large differences in RSI. The median RSIs for metastases in descending order of radiation resistance were ovary (0.48), abdomen (0.47), liver (0.43), brain (0.42), lung (0.32), and lymph nodes (0.31) (P<.0001). These findings were confirmed when the analysis was restricted to lesions from the same patient (n=139). In our independent cohort of treated lung and liver metastases, lung metastases had an improved local control rate compared to that in patients with liver metastases (2-year local control rate of 100% vs 73.0%, respectively; P=.026). Conclusions: Assessment of radiation sensitivity between primary and metastatic tissues of colon cancer histology revealed significant differences based on anatomical location of metastases. These initial results warrant validation in a larger clinical cohort.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Monsoon depression amplification by moist barotropic instability in a vertically sheared environment

Our report makes the case that monsoon depressions over South Asia can form from a variant of moist barotropic instability. Along with an idealized numerical framework in which the atmosphere is partitioned into a basic state and a perturbation, we simulate vortices resembling monsoon depressions that draw energy from the meridional shear of the monsoon trough and amplify when they interact with precipitating ascent. The influence of the basic state vertical shear on the vortex induces upward velocity, which couples precipitation with a Rossby-wave-like mode arising from dry barotropic growth, allowing the vortex to intensify. Sensitivity experiments reveal that both the sheared basic state and latent heating are necessary to achieve positive growth rates and that this process requires a sufficiently large initial perturbation. Trajectory analyses suggest that the combined flow of the vortex and the large-scale monsoon transport diabatically generated potential vorticity from southwest of the vortex into the vortex center, thus enabling growth. In contrast with tropical cyclones, this mechanism does not require a feedback between surface wind speed and surface heat and moisture fluxes, though this feedback does ultimately result in a slightly stronger vortex.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Atomic Resolution Imaging of Light Elements in a Crystalline Environment using Dynamic Hollow-Cone Illumination Transmission Electron Microscopy

Multiple electron scattering and the nonintuitive nature of image formation with coherent radiation complicate the interpretation of conventional transmission electron microscopy images. Precession of the illuminating beam in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can lead to more robust and interpretable images with some penalty to image contrast, a technique known as dynamic hollow-cone illumination TEM. Here, we demonstrate direct and robust imaging of light and heavy atoms in a crystalline environment with this technique. This method is similar to the annular bright-field technique in scanning transmission electron microscopy, via the principle of reciprocity. Dynamic hollow-cone illumination TEM is challenging in practice due to sensitivity to the misalignment of the precession axis, microscope objective aperture, and crystal zone axis.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Terahertz Nano-Imaging of Electronic Strip Heterogeneity in a Dirac Semimetal

Emerging topological semimetals offer promise of realizing topological electronics enabled by terahertz (THz) current persistent against impurity scattering. Yet most fundamental issues remain on how to image nanoscale conductivity inhomogeneity. Here in this paper we show noninvasive and contactless conductivity mapping at THz-nm limit of electronic heterogeneity and nanostrip junctions in a Dirac material ZrTe 5 . A clear Dirac Fermion density transition, manifested as the exclusive THz conductivity contrast, is quantitatively analyzed and profiled on both sides of the junction. This also allows the determination of variable junction width of ~25–220 nm, depending on the THz conductivity contrast of adjacent strips. The unique THz-nm contrast is absent in mid-infrared nano-imaging measurements since topological semimetals with small Fermi pockets exhibit a better matching of their plasma frequency and scattering rate to the THz spectral region. The first-principles calculations provide two compelling implications: the conductivity nanocontrast can be induced by a small anisotropic strain, even less than 0.5%, due to an extreme strain sensitivity in ZrTe 5 ; A nanoscale topological phase transition is realized across some junctions induced by the strain, between strong topological insulators (TIs) and weak TIs/Dirac semimetals (DSMs).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

TU-H-207A-02: Relative Importance of the Various Factors Influencing the Accuracy of Monte Carlo Simulated CT Dose Index

Purpose: Monte Carlo simulation is a frequently used technique for assessing patient dose in CT. The accuracy of a Monte Carlo program is often validated using the standard CT dose index (CTDI) phantoms by comparing simulated and measured CTDI{sub 100}. To achieve good agreement, many input parameters in the simulation (e.g., energy spectrum and effective beam width) need to be determined. However, not all the parameters have equal importance. Our aim was to assess the relative importance of the various factors that influence the accuracy of simulated CTDI{sub 100}. Methods: A Monte Carlo program previously validated for a clinical CT system was used to simulate CTDI{sub 100}. For the standard CTDI phantoms (32 and 16 cm in diameter), CTDI{sub 100} values from central and four peripheral locations at 70 and 120 kVp were first simulated using a set of reference input parameter values (treated as the truth). To emulate the situation in which the input parameter values used by the researcher may deviate from the truth, additional simulations were performed in which intentional errors were introduced into the input parameters, the effects of which on simulated CTDI{sub 100} were analyzed. Results: At 38.4-mm collimation, errors in effective beam width up to 5.0 mm showed negligible effects on simulated CTDI{sub 100} (<1.0%). Likewise, errors in acrylic density of up to 0.01 g/cm{sup 3} resulted in small CTDI{sub 100} errors (<2.5%). In contrast, errors in spectral HVL produced more significant effects: slight deviations (±0.2 mm Al) produced errors up to 4.4%, whereas more extreme deviations (±1.4 mm Al) produced errors as high as 25.9%. Lastly, ignoring the CT table introduced errors up to 13.9%. Conclusion: Monte Carlo simulated CTDI{sub 100} is insensitive to errors in effective beam width and acrylic density. However, they are sensitive to errors in spectral HVL. To obtain accurate results, the CT table should not be ignored. This work was supported by a Faculty Research and Development Award from Cleveland State University.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1995

What is the source of observed annual variations in plasmaspheric density?

Plasmaspheric densities have been observed previously to be higher in December than in June, with the ratio varying between 1.5 and 3.0 and with larger variations at lower L shells. In order to search for the cause of the observed annual variations, we have modeled plasmaspheric density, using a time-dependent hydrodynamic model. On an L = 2 field line with geomagnetic longitude equal to 300 deg, the modeled plasmaspheric densities were a factor of 1.5 times higher in December than in June. The modeled December to June density ratio was found to increase slightly with L shell, in contrast to observations; this discrepancy may be due to the fact that outer plasmaspheric flux tubes are never completely full. In addition, for an L = 2 field line with geomagnetic longitude equal to 120 deg, the modeled plasmaspheric density was higher in June than in December by a factor of about 1.2. Various numerical tests were also performed in order to examine the sensitivity of plasmaspheric density to various parameters. In particular, a large vertical neutral wind was applied in order to raise the O(+) profile which had the effect of raising plasmaspheric density by a factor of 6. This in conjunction with a theoretical analysis suggests that plasmaspheric density levels are very sensitive to O(+) levels in the upper ionosphere. We conclude that annual variations in plasmaspheric density are due to similar variations in ionospheric O(+).

Guiter, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS2005

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2005

Topics covered include: Insect-Inspired Optical-Flow Navigation Sensors; Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators; A Broad-Band Phase-Contrast Wave-Front Sensor; Progress in Insect-Inspired Optical Navigation Sensors; Portable Airborne Laser System Measures Forest-Canopy Height; Deployable Wide-Aperture Array Antennas; Faster Evolution of More Multifunctional Logic Circuits; Video-Camera-Based Position-Measuring System; N-Type delta Doping of High-Purity Silicon Imaging Arrays; Avionics System Architecture Tool; Updated Chemical Kinetics and Sensitivity Analysis Code; Predicting Flutter and Forced Response in Turbomachinery; Upgrades of Two Computer Codes for Analysis of Turbomachinery; Program Facilitates CMMI Appraisals; Grid Visualization Tool; Program Computes Sound Pressures at Rocket Launches; Solar-System Ephemeris Toolbox; Data-Acquisition Software for PSP/TSP Wind-Tunnel Cameras; Corrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone-Based, Primerless Coating; Sol-Gel Process for Making Pt-Ru Fuel-Cell Catalysts; Making Activated Carbon for Storing Gas; System Regulates the Water Contents of Fuel-Cell Streams; Five-Axis, Three-Magnetic-Bearing Dynamic Spin Rig; Modifications of Fabrication of Vibratory Microgyroscopes; Chamber for Growing and Observing Fungi; Electroporation System for Sterilizing Water; Thermoelectric Air/Soil Energy-Harvesting Device; Flexible Metal-Fabric Radiators; Actuated Hybrid Mirror Telescope; Optical Design of an Optical Communications Terminal; Algorithm for Identifying Erroneous Rain-Gauge Readings; Condition Assessment and End-of-Life Prediction System for Electric Machines and Their Loads; Lightweight Thermal Insulation for a Liquid-Oxygen Tank; Stellar Gyroscope for Determining Attitude of a Spacecraft; and Lifting Mechanism for the Mars Explorer Rover.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2019

Structure Sensitivity of Acetylene Semi-Hydrogenation on Pt Single Atoms and Subnanometer Clusters

Oxide-supported Pt-group single atoms and clusters in the subnanometer size regime maximize the metal utilization and have shown extraordinary catalytic properties for many reactions including selective hydrogenation. Establishing relations between the metal nuclearity and electronic and catalytic properties is crucial for catalyst design. Here, we varied the nuclearity of Pt supported on TiO 2 from single atoms to subnanometer clusters to larger nanoparticles to develop such relations for acetylene hydrogenation. We show that, in contrast to the low selectivity on large Pt nanoparticles, in the subnanometer size regime, Pt exhibits remarkably high selectivity to ethylene. Through a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and calorimetry, we demonstrate that the origin of high selectivity is the decreased electron density on Pt and destabilization of C 2 H 4 as the Pt nuclearity decreases. However, as the Pt nuclearity decreased, the activity for H 2 activation and acetylene hydrogenation decreased, indicating a trade-off between activity and selectivity. Lastly, the results show that, while different properties emerge in the subnanometer regime, Pt supported on TiO 2 appears to be bound by similar scaling and Brønsted–Evans–Polanyi relationships as on metal surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Rational design of a genetically encoded NMR zinc sensor

Elucidating the biochemical roles of the essential metal ion, Zn 2+ , motivates detection strategies that are sensitive, selective, quantitative, and minimally invasive in living systems. Fluorescent probes have identified Zn 2+ in cells but complementary approaches employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are lacking. Recent studies of maltose binding protein (MBP) using ultrasensitive 129 Xe NMR spectroscopy identified a switchable salt bridge which causes slow xenon exchange and elicits strong hyperpolarized 129 Xe chemical exchange saturation transfer (hyper-CEST) NMR contrast. To engineer the first genetically encoded, NMR-active sensor for Zn 2+ , we converted the MBP salt bridge into a Zn 2+ binding site, while preserving the specific xenon binding cavity. The zinc sensor (ZS) at only 1 μM achieved ‘turn-on’ detection of Zn 2+ with pronounced hyper-CEST contrast. This made it possible to determine different Zn 2+ levels in a biological fluid via hyper-CEST. ZS was responsive to low-micromolar Zn 2+ , only modestly responsive to Cu 2+ , and nonresponsive to other biologically important metal ions, according to hyper-CEST NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Protein X-ray crystallography confirmed the identity of the bound Zn 2+ ion using anomalous scattering: Zn 2+ was coordinated with two histidine side chains and three water molecules. Penta-coordinate Zn 2+ forms a hydrogen-bond-mediated gate that controls the Xe exchange rate. Metal ion binding affinity, 129 Xe NMR chemical shift, and exchange rate are tunable parameters via protein engineering, which highlights the potential to develop proteins as selective metal ion sensors for NMR spectroscopy and imaging.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Opportunities for Utilization of Low-Cost Algae Resources: Techno-Economic Analysis Screening for Near-Term Deployment (Parts 1 and 2)

This report presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) for the production, collection, or procurement of several low-cost algae resources that may otherwise be considered "waste" biomass materials today, as well as the utilization of these materials through exemplary conversion processes to produce renewable fuels and chemicals. In contrast to conventional TEA models attributed to large-scale algae "farming" approaches, which may be able to produce substantially more biomass and thus fuels/products at a national scale in the future, this assessment focuses on understanding opportunities and costs for such "waste" algal biomass resources as may be available at considerably lower cost today. Economics for base case assumptions and a range of sensitivity scenarios are presented, employing conversion technologies that are simple and well understood, and thus may be deployed at smaller community scale in the near term, as a means to support and expand a nascent algae industry on the way to employing a larger commercial algae farm approach for commodity-scale production. Specifically, three algal biomass resources are considered in this assessment, as may be sourced from (1) municipal wastewater treatment (WWT) utilizing algae in place of more conventional technologies for nitrogen/phosphorus removal, (2) collection and removal of harmful algal bloom (HAB) biomass as proliferates in certain inland water bodies, and (3) procurement of residual biomass following commercial lipid extraction (EXT) operations performed at smaller scale by industry today focused on higher-value nutraceutical applications. These three resources are evaluated through two conversion pathways: (1) combined algal biomass processing (CAP) through a simple/low-complexity configuration, and (2) anaerobic digestion (AD). The CAP pathway produces liquid fuels and chemical coproducts (polymer for off-site upgrading to bioplastics), whereas the AD pathway produces biogas (specifically renewable natural gas [RNG]) and crop fertilizer coproducts. To streamline the discussion, this report is broken into two sections: Part 1 focuses on WWT-derived biomass, and Part 2 on HAB and EXT biomass.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-Speed and Hysteresis-Free Near-Infrared Optical Hydrogen Sensor Based on Ti/Pd Bilayer Thin Films

Palladium (Pd) and titanium (Ti) exhibit opposite dielectric responses upon hydrogenation, with stronger effects observed in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Leveraging this contrast, we investigated Ti/Pd bilayer thin films as a platform for NIR hydrogen sensing—particularly at telecommunication-relevant wavelengths, where such devices have remained largely unexplored. Ti/Pd bilayers coated with Teflon AF (TAF) and fabricated via sequential electron-beam and thermal evaporation were characterized using optical transmission measurements under repeated hydrogenation cycles. The Ti (5 nm)/Pd (x = 2.5 nm)/TAF (30 nm) architecture showed a 2.7-fold enhancement in the hydrogen-induced optical contrast at 1550 nm compared to Pd/TAF reference films, attributed to the hydrogen ion exchange between the Ti and Pd layers. The optimized structure, with a Pd thickness of x = 1.9 nm, exhibited hysteresis-free sensing behavior, a rapid response time (t90 < 0.35 s at 4% H2), and a detection limit below 10 ppm. It also demonstrated excellent selectivity with negligible cross-sensitivity to CO2, CH4, and CO, as well as high durability, showing less than 6% signal degradation over 135 hydrogenation cycles. These findings establish a scalable, room-temperature NIR hydrogen sensing platform with strong potential for deployment in automotive, environmental, and industrial applications.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS1974

Determination of the aerosol content in the atmosphere from ERTS-1 data

The ERTS-1 satellite offered the opportunity of determining the feasibility of monitoring the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness on a global basis, as suggested by theoretical studies, which showed relationships between the upwelling earth-atmosphere radiance and the aerosol optical thickness, and between contrast and the aerosol optical thickness. These relationships were investigated at two test sites, using the multispectral scanner (MSS) radiance data, with ground-truth observations of the aerosol optical thickness being made with a Volz photometer at the time of the satellite overpasses. The results indicate that the MSS channels, 4, 5, and 6, centered at 0.55, 0.65, and 0.75 micron have comparable sensitivity, and that the optical thickness can be determined to within plus or minus 10% with the assumed measurement errors of the MSS.

Griggs, M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ultraluminous starbursts in major mergers

We use numerical simulation to investigate the triggering of starbursts in merging disk galaxies. The properties of the merger-driven starbursts are sensitive to the structure of the progenitor galaxies; specifically, to the amount of material in a dense central bulge. Galaxies without bulges develop bars shortly after their first close passage, driving significant gas inflow and subsequent starbursts in the centers of the galaxies. These starbursts significantly deplete the star-forming gas, so that only relatively weak starbursts arise during the final merger. By contrast, models of galaxies with central bulges show that a bulge acts to stabilize the galaxies against inflow and starbursts until the galaxies actually merge. At this time, strong dissipation leads to the formation of a massive central gas mass and an ensuing star-formation rate two orders of magnitude greater than that in our isolated disk models. These starbursts are very short in duration, typically approximately 50 Myr, suggesting that the rarity of ultraluminous infrared galaxies is a result of their being in a very short evolutionary phase, rather than special and rare formation conditions. The fact that these mergers display many of the properties of ultraluminous infrared galaxies--tidal features, double nuclei, massive compact gas concentrations, and extreme levels of starburst activity--suggets that merger-driven starbursts can explain the emission from many ultraluminous infrared galaxies without an active nucleus.

Mihos, J. Christopher↗
NASA NTRS2002

Multiple Etalon Systems for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope

Multiple etalons systems are discussed that meet the 4-meter NSO/Advance Technology Solar Telescope (http://www.nso.edu/ATST/index.html) instrument and science requirements for a narrow bandpass imaging system. A multiple etalon system can provide an imaging interferometer working in four distinct modes: as a spectro-polarimeter, a filter-vector magnetograph, and a wide-band and broad-band high-resolution imager. Specific dual and triple etalon configurations will be described that provides spectrographic passband of 2.0-3.5nm and reduces parasitic light levels to 1/10000 as required by precise polarization measurement, e.g., Zeeman measurements of magnetic sensitive lines. A TESOS-like triple etalon system provides for spectral purity of 100 thousandths. The triple designs have the advantage of reducing the finesse requirement on each etalon, allowing much more stable blocking filters, and can have very high spectral purity. A dual-etalon double-pass Cavallini-like configuration can provide a competing configuration. This design can provide high contrast with only a double etalon. The selection of the final focal plan instrument will depend on a trade-off of the ideal instrument versus reality, the number of etalons, the aperture of etalons, the number of blocking filters the electronic control system and computer interfaces, the temperature control and controllers for the etalons and the electronics. The use of existing experience should provide significant cost savings. The heritage of use of etalons and multiple etalon systems in solar physics come from a number of observatories, which includes MSFC Solar Observatory (NASA), Sac Peak Observatory (NSO), and Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics (Germany), Mees Solar Observatory (University of Hawaii), and Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory (Italy). The design of the ATST multiple etalon system will reply on the existing experience from these observatories.

Gary, G. Allen↗
DOE OSTI2026

Modelling the Sensitivity of Yukon River Biogeochemical Dynamics to Environmental and Chemical Drivers: Implications for Dissolved Organic Carbon

Riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a critical biogeochemical component that transmits information from Arctic soils to the Arctic Ocean, significantly influencing carbon dynamics in this unique ecosystem. As DOC travels downstream, it undergoes transformations that alter its composition and fate. The Yukon River serves as an effective testbed for modelling these dynamics, offering sufficient scale to capture key biogeochemical processes while having a simpler hydrology than other major Arctic rivers, as well as long-term DOC observational data for model validation. To investigate DOC transformations during transit in the Yukon River, we adapted our Arctic Riverine Organic Macromolecular Model by applying regional-specific parameterisations. Our model simulates the transport and transformation of 15 organic macromolecules, including CDOM (coloured dissolved organic matter), proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, lignin phenols, and humic substances. Initial DOC concentrations were derived from observed soil organic carbon stocks in the surrounding watershed, while chemical transformations and hydrological dynamics were modelled along the river's course. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted using a Monte Carlo approach under two experimental setups. Results revealed that variability in DOC and CDOM concentrations at the river mouth were predominantly driven by initial DOC concentration (~70% of variability explained) and dilution at confluence points (~10%). The refractory fraction of DOC explained 21%–88% of the variability in 14 macromolecular concentrations and ranked in the top five sensitive parameters for all outputs when a uniform parameter distribution was assumed. However, when a more likely variability was applied to this parameter, its influence on DOC and CDOM decreased. Given that refractory DOC accounts for ~80% of total DOC in Arctic Rivers, this suggests that most DOC resists degradation and retains its chemical composition during transport to the coastal environment. River velocity, which determines residence time, explained 8%–47% of the variability in protein, polysaccharide, lipid, pigments, and lignin phenols at the river mouth. In contrast, chemical turnover times contributed only 1%–5% to output variability. Our findings underscore the need for improved land-specific headwater observations, including seasonal soil moisture and lateral transport dynamics that control the initial tributary-specific DOC inputs. With accelerated permafrost thaw and increasing river discharge, extending our model to other Arctic River systems and seasons will enhance understanding of Arctic riverine carbon fluxes and their contributions to the Arctic Ocean.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Sensitivity of the electronic and magnetic structures of cuprate superconductors to density functional approximations

Abstract We discuss the crystal, electronic, and magnetic structures of La 2− x Sr x CuO 4 (LSCO) for x = 0.0 and x = 0.25 employing 13 density functional approximations, representing the local, semi-local, and hybrid exchange-correlation approximations within the Perdew–Schmidt hierarchy. The meta-generalized gradient approximation (meta-GGA) class of functionals is found to perform well in capturing the key properties of LSCO, a prototypical high-temperature cuprate superconductor. In contrast, the localspin-density approximation, GGA, and the hybrid density functional fail to capture the metal-insulator transition under doping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Evolution of ground-state wave function in CeCoIn 5 upon Cd or Sn doping

We present linear polarization-dependent soft-x-ray absorption spectroscopy data at the Ce M 4,5 edges of Cd- and Sn-doped CeCoIn 5 . The 4f ground-state wave functions have been determined for their superconducting, antiferromagnetic, and paramagnetic ground states. The absence of changes in the wave functions in CeCo (In 1- x Cd x ) 5 suggests that the 4f-conduction-electron (c f) hybridization is not affected by global Cd doping, thus supporting the interpretation of magnetic droplets nucleating long-range magnetic order. This is contrasted by changes in the wave function due to Sn substitution. Increasing Sn in CeCo (In 1 - y Sn y ) 5 compresses the 4f orbitals into the tetragonal plane of these materials, suggesting enhanced c f hybridization with the in-plane In(1) atoms and a homogeneous altering of the electronic structure. As these experiments show, the 4 f wave functions are a very sensitive probe of small changes in the hybridization of 4f and conduction electrons, even conveying information about direction dependencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗