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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

A Joint Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study on the Electronic Structure of UCl 5 - and UCl 5

We report a combined photoelectron spectroscopic and relativistic quantum chemistry study on gaseous UCl5- and UCl5. The UCl5- anion is produced using electrospray ionization and found to be highly electronically stable with an adiabatic electron binding energy of 4.76±0.03 eV, which also represents the electron affinity of the neutral UCl5 molecule. Theoretical investigations reveal that the ground state of UCl5- has an open shell with two unpaired electrons occupying two primarily U 5f and 5fxyz based molecular orbitals. The structures of both UCl5- and UCl5 are theoretically optimized and confirmed to have C4v symmetry. The computational results are in good agreement with the photoelectron spectra, providing insights into the electronic structures and valence molecular orbitals of UCl5- and UCl5. We also performed systematic theoretical studies on all the uranium pentahalide complexes UX5- (X=F, Cl, Br, I). Chemical bonding analyses indicate that the UX interactions in UX5- are dominated by ionic bonding, with increasing covalent contributions for the heavier halogen complexes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Revealing the electronic structure of van der Waals antiferromagnetic NiPS 3 through synchrotron-based 𝜇-ARPES and alkali metal dosing

Antiferromagnetic NiPS 3 has recently emerged as a quantum material of considerable interest, thanks to the discovery of multiple new couplings involving electrons, spins, orbitals, phonons, and magnons. However, controversies and open questions persist concerning the fundamental origins of these couplings. A critical piece of information required to advance the understanding is the precise electronic band structure of NiPS 3 . Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), combined with alkali metal dosing (AMD), can enable us to directly observe the subtle electronic states that appear around the Fermi surface, offering valuable insights into the intriguing quantum properties and interplays of the examined material. Here, in this study, we present a comprehensive characterization and analysis of the band structure of van der Waals layered antiferromagnet NiPS 3 , leveraging state-of-the-art μ-ARPES measurements supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Theoretical DFT results identify the orbital contributions to the observed bands, providing a precise understanding of the experimental ARPES data. Crucially, AMD enables the observation of conduction band and defect-related states above the valence band maximum in NiPS 3 . Furthermore, temperature dependent ARPES results across the Néel transition temperature of NiPS 3 reveal that the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases have nearly identical band structures, underlining the highly localized character of Ni d states. These findings substantially deepen our understanding of the electronic properties of NiPS 3 and lay a vital foundation for exploring the intriguing quantum phenomena it exhibits.

Cao, Yifeng [Boston Univ., MA (United States); Law↗

Effect of hydrogen desorption on the mechanical properties and electron structure of diamond-like carbon nanothreads

The effect of hydrogen desorption on the mechanical stiffness, intrinsic vibrational spectrum, and electron density of states in structurally diamond-like carbon nanothreads is studied in the context of the tight binding model. It is shown that the stiffness only slightly varies in the initial stage of desorption and starts noticeably decreasing after the desorption of ~20% of hydrogen atoms. As hydrogen is desorbed, energy levels that finally form an impurity band appear in the band gap.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of electronegative difference on the electronic structure and visible light photocatalytic activity of N-doped anatase TiO{sub 2} by first-principles calculations

The effect of electronegative difference between nitrogen and oxygen on electronic properties of N-doped anatase TiO{sub 2} has been studied using first-principles calculations. The results indicate that the valence band maximum (VBM) shifts to high energy by 0.27 eV and the band gap states composed of N 2p, O 2p, and Ti 3d states are formed through the three states entering into the gap after N doping. The interactions of three states widen and delocalize the band gap states. The raised VBM and the wide band gap states can improve the visible light photocatalytic activity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Actinide arene-metalates: ion pairing effects on the electronic structure of unsupported uranium–arenide sandwich complexes

Addition of [UI 2 (THF) 3 (μ-OMe)] 2 ·THF (2·THF) to THF solutions containing 6 equiv. of K[C 14 H 10 ] generates the heteroleptic dimeric complexes [K(18-crown-6)(THF) 2 ] 2 [U(η 6 -C 14 H 10 )(η 4 -C 14 H 10 )(μ-OMe)] 2 ·4THF (1 18C6 ·4THF) and {[K(THF) 3 ][U(η 6 -C 14 H 10 )(η 4 -C 14 H 10 )(μ-OMe)]} 2 (1 THF ) upon crystallization of the products in THF in the presence or absence of 18-crown-6, respectively. Both 1 18C6 ·4THF and 1 THF are thermally stable in the solid-state at room temperature; however, after crystallization, they become insoluble in THF or DME solutions and instead gradually decompose upon standing. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals 1 18C6 ·4THF and 1 THF to be structurally similar, possessing uranium centres sandwiched between bent anthracenide ligands of mixed tetrahapto and hexahapto ligation modes. Yet, the two complexes are distinguished by the close contact potassium-arenide ion pairing that is seen in 1 THF but absent in 1 18C6 ·4THF, which is observed to have a significant effect on the electronic characteristics of the two complexes. Structural analysis, SQUID magnetometry data, XANES spectral characterization, and computational analyses are generally consistent with U(IV) formal assignments for the metal centres in both 1 18C6 ·4THF and 1 THF , though noticeable differences are detected between the two species. For instance, the effective magnetic moment of 1 THF (3.74 μ B ) is significantly lower than that of 1 18C6 ·4THF (4.40 μ B ) at 300 K. Furthermore, the XANES data shows the U L III -edge absorption energy for 1 THF to be 0.9 eV higher than that of 1 18C6 ·4THF, suggestive of more oxidized metal centres in the former. Of note, CASSCF calculations on the model complex {[U(η 6 -C 14 H 10 )(η 4 -C 14 H 10 )(μ-OMe)] 2 } 2– (1*) shows highly polarized uranium–arenide interactions defined by π-type bonds where the metal contributions are primarily comprised by the 6d-orbitals (7.3 ± 0.6%) with minor participation from the 5f-orbitals (1.5 ± 0.5%). These unique complexes provide new insights into actinide–arenide bonding interactions and show the sensitivity of the electronic structures of the uranium atoms to coordination sphere effects.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electronic structures and magnetic performance related to spintronics of Sr{sub 0.875}Ti{sub 0.125}S

In this study, we have used the first-principle approaches of density functional theory to determine the electronic and magnetic performances related to spintronics applications of titanium (Ti)-substituted SrS such as Sr{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x}S at concentration x = 0.125. The results of electronic and magnetic properties by using TB–mBJ potential revealed that Sr{sub 0.875}Ti{sub 0.125}S compound is half-metallic ferromagnetic with a half-metallic gap and a spin polarization of 100%. The ferromagnetic nature of Sr{sub 0.875}Ti{sub 0.125}S material is confirmed by the ferromagnetic coupling between magnetic moments of Ti, Sr and S atoms. The total magnetic moment of integer Bohr magneton of 2 μ{sub B} and the large half-metallic gap of 1.245 suggest that this compound is a true half-metallic ferromagnet.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Revealing the atomic and electronic structure of a SrTiO{sub 3}/LaNiO{sub 3}/SrTiO{sub 3} heterostructure interface

The atomic structures of SrTiO{sub 3} (STO)/LaNiO{sub 3} (LNO)/STO heterostructure interfaces were investigated by spherical aberration-corrected (C{sub S}) (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. Atomic displacement and lattice distortion measurements and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to quantitatively analyze the distortion of the interfacial octahedra and the bond length at the interfaces. Combined with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy analyses, two distinct interfacial atomic terminating layers are unambiguously determined. Ensuing quantitative HRTEM measurements revealed that the Ni-O bond length in the interfacial octahedral is elongated at the bottom interface (–NiO{sub 2}-SrO–). Atomic displacement shows structural relaxation effects when crossing the interfaces and lattice distortions across the interface is more pronounced in LNO than in STO. The Ti/O atomic ratio, La and Ti relative atomic ratio as derived by EELS quantification indicate non-stoichiometric composition at the interfaces. Distinct fine structures of Ti-L{sub 2,3} edge and O-K edge at the bottom and top interfaces are observed. By comparison, we are able to estimate Ti valency at both interfaces. Combining the structural distortions and Ti valency, the polar discontinuity and charge transfer at the interfaces are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of the Substituting Effect of Chromium on the Electronic Structures and the Half-Metallic Ferromagnetic Properties of BaO

The first-principle methods of density functional theory were used to investigate the doping effect of 3d chromium (Cr) impurities on the electronic properties and the ferromagnetic arrangement of (BaO) barium oxide such as Ba{sub 1−x}Cr{sub x}O compounds at concentrations x = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75. The p–d exchange coupling between 2p states of oxygen (O) and 3d (Cr) partially filled levels induces magnetism in the Ba{sub 1−x}Cr{sub x}O compounds. The majority- and minority-spin states exhibit respectively metallic and semiconducting features, leading to a half-metallic (HM) character with 100% spin polarization for all concentrations. The Ba{sub 0.75}Cr{sub 0.25}O, Ba{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5}O, and Ba{sub 0.25}Cr{sub 0.75}O compounds have integral total magnetic moments of 4 μ{sub B} per Cr atom with HM gaps of 0.055, 0.218, and 0.308 eV, respectively. These behaviors form accurate half-metallic ferromagnets and make Ba{sub 1−x}Cr{sub x}O as potential materials for possible spintronics applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The electronic structure and second-order nonlinear optical properties of donor-acceptor acetylenes - A detailed investigation of structure-property relationships

A series of donor-acceptor acetylene compounds was synthesized in which systematic changes in both the conjugation length and the donor-acceptor strength were made. The effect of these structural changes on the spectroscopic and electronic properties of the molecules and, ultimately, on the measured second-order molecular hyperpolarizabilities (beta) was investigated. It was found that increases in the donor-acceptor strength resulted in increases in the magnitude of beta. For this class of molecules, the increase is dominated by the energy of the intramolecular charge-transfer transition, while factors such as the ground to excited-state dipole moment change and the transition-moment integral are much less important. Increasing the conjugation length from one to two acetylene linkers did not result in an increase in the value of beta; however, beta increased sharply in going from two acetylenes to three. This increase is attributed to the superposition of several nearly isoenergetic excited states.

Stiegman, A. E.↗

Electronic Structure and Stacking Arrangement of Tungsten Disulfide at the Gold Contact

There is an intensive effort to control the nature of attractive interactions between ultrathin semiconductors and metals and to understand its impact on the electronic properties at the junction. In this work, we present a photoelectron spectroscopy study on the interface between WS 2 films and gold, with a focus on the occupied electronic states near the Brillouin zone center (i.e., the Γ point). To delineate the spectra of WS 2 supported on crystalline Au from the suspended WS 2 , we employ a microscopy approach and a tailored sample structure, in which the WS 2 /Au junction forms a semi-epitaxial relationship and is adjacent to suspended WS 2 regions. The photoelectron spectra, as a function of WS 2 thickness, display the expected splitting of the highest occupied states at the Γ point. In multilayer WS 2 , we discovered variations in the electronic states that spatially align with the crystalline grains of underlying Au. Corroborated by density functional theory calculations, we attribute the electronic structure variations to stacking variations within the WS 2 films. We propose that strong interactions exerted by Au grains cause slippage of the interfacing WS 2 layer with respect to the rest of the WS 2 film. Our findings illustrate that the electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides, and more generally 2D layered materials, are physically altered by the interactions with the interfacing materials, in addition to the electron screening and defects that have been widely considered.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

First-Principle Calculation of Electronic Structures and Magnetic Properties of Heusler Alloys Co{sub 2}ZrPb and Zr{sub 2}MnBa

Using first-principle method of density functional theory (DFT), we have investigated the underlying mechanism related to the electronic and magnetic properties of novel full Heusler alloys Co{sub 2}ZrPb and Zr{sub 2}MnB. Our results show that compound Zr{sub 2}MnB is a nonmagnetic semiconductor whereas Co{sub 2}ZrPb is half metallic a magnetic moment of 2 μ{sub B} per formula unit. It exhibits a large spin gap of 0.334 eV for equilibrium lattice constant and has excellent half-metallic ferrimagnetism with 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level. The half-metallicity of Co{sub 2}ZrPb is stable against lattice change of −2.6 to 0.83%. The Co-based Heusler alloys are expected to be ideal candidates for spintronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Intrinsic spin polarized electronic structure of CrO{sub 2} epitaxial film revealed by bulk-sensitive spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

We have performed bulk-sensitive spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in order to clarify the intrinsic spin-resolved electronic states of half-metallic ferromagnet CrO{sub 2}. We used CrO{sub 2} epitaxial films on TiO{sub 2}(100), which shows a peak at 1 eV with a clear Fermi edge, consistent with the bulk-sensitive PES spectrum for CrO{sub 2}. In spin-resolved spectra at 40 K, while the Fermi edge was observed in the spin up (majority spin) state, no states at the Fermi level (E{sub F}) with an energy gap of 0.5 eV below E{sub F} were observed in the spin down (minority spin) state. At 300 K, the gap in the spin down state closes. These results are consistent with resistivity measurements and magnetic hysteresis curves of the fabricated CrO{sub 2} film, constituting spectroscopic evidence for the half-metallicity of CrO{sub 2} at low temperature and reducing the spin polarization at room temperature. We also discuss the electron correlation effects of Cr 3d.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗