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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

Excited States of Light-Harvesting Systems Based on Fullerene/Graphene Oxide and Porphyrin/Smaragdyrin

In this work, we present a theoretical study at the density functional theory (DFT) level and time-dependent DFT of the ground and singlet excited states of electron donor–acceptor complexes formed by porphyrin (TPP)/smaragdyrin (TPOS) (expanded porphyrin), as light-harvesting systems, and fullerene (C 60 )/graphene oxide (GO), as acceptor nanocarbon structure. We investigate the effect of the nanocarbon on UV–vis electronic absorption of porphyrin/smaragdyrin, using the functionals B3LYP, PBE, M06, and wB97XD. The results showed the lowest deviation of the Q-band for the functional M06 (0.01–0.02 eV). Electronic absorption spectra calculated for the complexes with M06 predict that (a) graphene oxide increases the intensity of the Soret band, (b) fullerene produces a red-shift of the Q bands (4 nm) with respect to graphene oxide, and (c) smaragdyrin causes a red-shift of Q (27–48 nm) and Soret (37 nm) absorption bands as compared to porphyrin. We also investigate the effect of the nanocarbon structure on the charge-transfer (CT) excited states. Using the perturbative delta-SCF method with the PBE functional, we found that the charge-transfer excitation energy increases as TPOS-C 60 (2.53 eV) < TPP-GO (2.89 eV) < TPP-C 60 (3.01 eV) < TPOS-GO (3.28 eV). The presence of a nanocarbon structure affects more strongly smaragdyrin (~0.8 eV) than porphyrin (~0.1 eV). We show that the binding between smaragdyrin and fullerene C 60 favors the charge separation states with a lower energy cost, which means that these systems present an advantage for its application in photovoltaic cells.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tracking the dynamics of catalytic Pt/CeO2 active sites during water-gas-shift reaction

Abstract Understanding the atomistic structure of the active site during catalytic reactions is of paramount importance in both fundamental studies and practical applications, but such studies are challenging due to the complexity of heterogeneous systems. Here, we use Pt/CeO 2 as an example to study the dynamic nature of active sites during the water-gas-shift reaction (WGSR) by combining multiple in situ characterization tools. We show that the different concentrations of interfacial Pt δ+ – O – Ce 4+ moieties at Pt/CeO 2 interfaces are responsible for the rank of catalytic performance of Pt/CeO 2 catalysts: Pt/CeO 2 -rod > Pt/CeO 2 -cube > Pt/CeO 2 -oct. For all the catalysts, metallic Pt is formed during the WGSR, leading to the transformation of the active sites to Pt 0 – O v – Ce 3+ and interface reconstruction. These findings shed light on the nature of the active site for the WGSR on Pt/CeO 2 and highlight the importance of combining complementary in situ techniques for establishing structure-performance relationships.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Infrared absorption spectrum of the simplest deuterated Criegee intermediate CD{sub 2}OO

We report a transient infrared (IR) absorption spectrum of the simplest deuterated Criegee intermediate CD{sub 2}OO recorded using a step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a multipass absorption cell. CD{sub 2}OO was produced from photolysis of flowing mixtures of CD{sub 2}I{sub 2}, N{sub 2}, and O{sub 2} (13 or 87 Torr) with laser light at 308 nm. The recorded spectrum shows close structural similarity with the spectrum of CH{sub 2}OO reported previously [Y.-T. Su et al., Science 340, 174 (2013)]. The four bands observed at 852, 1017, 1054, and 1318 cm{sup −1} are assigned to the OO stretching mode, two distinct in-plane OCD bending modes, and the CO stretching mode of CD{sub 2}OO, respectively, according to vibrational wavenumbers, IR intensities, rotational contours, and deuterium-isotopic shifts predicted with extensive quantum-chemical calculations. The CO-stretching mode of CD{sub 2}OO at 1318 cm{sup −1} is blue shifted from the corresponding band of CH{sub 2}OO at 1286 cm{sup −1}; this can be explained by a mechanism based on mode mixing and isotope substitution. A band near 936 cm{sup −1}, observed only at higher pressure (87 Torr), is tentatively assigned to the CD{sub 2} wagging mode of CD{sub 2}IOO.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantified Gamow shell model interaction for p s d -shell nuclei

Background: The structure of weakly bound and unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines is one of the major science drivers of nuclear physics. A comprehensive understanding of these systems goes beyond the traditional configuration interaction approach formulated in the Hilbert space of localized states (nuclear shell model) and requires an open quantum system description. The complex-energy Gamow shell model (GSM) provides such a framework as it is capable of describing resonant and nonresonant many-body states on equal footing. Purpose: To make reliable predictions, quality input is needed that allows for the full uncertainty quantification of theoretical results. In this study, we carry out the optimization of an effective GSM (one-body and two-body) interaction in the psdf-shell-model space. The resulting interaction is expected to describe nuclei with 5 ≤ A ≲ 12 at the p-sd-shell interface. Method: The one-body potential of the 4 He core is modeled by a Woods-Saxon + spin-orbit + Coulomb potential, and the finite-range nucleon-nucleon interaction between the valence nucleons consists of central, spin-orbit, tensor, and Coulomb terms. The GSM is used to compute key fit observables. The χ 2 optimization is performed using the Gauss-Newton algorithm augmented by the singular value decomposition technique. The resulting covariance matrix enables quantification of statistical errors within the linear regression approach. Results: The optimized one-body potential reproduces nucleon- 4 He scattering phase shifts up to an excitation energy of 20 MeV. The two-body interaction built on top of the optimized one-body field is adjusted to the bound and unbound ground-state binding energies and selected excited states of the helium, lithium, and beryllium isotopes up to A = 9 . A very good agreement with experimental results was obtained for binding energies. First applications of the optimized interaction include predictions for two-nucleon correlation densities and excitation spectra of light nuclei with quantified uncertainties. In conclusion: The new interaction will enable comprehensive and fully quantified studies of structure and reactions aspects of nuclei from the psd region of the nuclear chart.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Assessing Forest Level Response to the Death of a Dominant Tree within a Premontane Tropical Rainforest

Small-scale treefall gaps are among the most important forms of forest disturbance in tropical forests. These gaps expose surrounding trees to more light, promoting rapid growth of understory plants. However, the effects of such small-scale disturbances on the distribution of plant water use across tree canopy levels are less known. To address this, we explored plant transpiration response to the death of a large emergent tree, Mortoniodendron anisophyllum Standl. & Steyerm (DBH > 220 cm; height ~40 m). Three suppressed, four mid-story, and two subdominant trees were selected within a 50 × 44 m premontane tropical forest plot at the Texas A&M Soltis Center for Research and Education located in Costa Rica. We compared water use rates of the selected trees before (2015) and after (2019) the tree gap using thermal dissipation sap flow sensors. Hemispherical photography indicated a 40% increase in gap fraction as a result of changes in canopy structure after the treefall gap. Micrometeorological differences (e.g., air temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD)) could not explain the observed trends. Rather, light penetration, as measured by sensors within the canopy, increased significantly in 2019. One year after the tree fell, the water usage of trees across all canopy levels increased modestly (15%). Moreover, average water usage by understory trees increased by 36%, possibly as a result of the treefall gap, exceeding even that of overstory trees. These observations suggest the possible reallocation of water use between overstory and understory trees in response to the emergent tree death. With increasing global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns increasing the likelihood of tree mortality in tropical forests, there is a greater need to enhance our understanding of treefall disturbances that have the potential to redistribute resources within forests.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

SU-E-T-476: Improving KCl:Eu2+ Dosimeter Sensitivity: The Role of Oxygen

Purpose: Recent research has shown that KCl:Eu2+ has great potential for use in megavoltage radiation therapy dosimetry because this material exhibits excellent storage performance and is reusable due to strong radiation hardness. The purpose of this work is to determine if increased signal could be realized in KCl:Eu2+ by incorporating oxygen in the material fabrication process. Methods: The prototype KCl:Eu2+ dosimeters have a physical makeup similar to thermoluminescent dosimeter chips. The photostimulation light source consists of either a He-Ne laser or a UV enhanced Xe arc lamp with wavelength selection provided by a motorized monochromator. X-ray diffraction is used to determine the phase composition of the dosimeters. Photoluminescence (PL) and photostimulated luminescence (PSL) emission spectra are obtained using a Nanolog Spectrofluoremeter. Results: Europium activator is completely incorporated into the KCl parent-matrix without the formation of a noticeable secondary phase. Regardless of synthesis atmosphere, air or pure nitrogen, PSL amplitude shows a maximum at 1.0 mol % Eu. Depending on europium concentration, dosimeters fabricated in air exhibit stronger PSL by a factor of 2 to 4 compared to those made in N2. There is no change in PSL stimulation spectrum while noticeable shifts in both PL and PSL emission spectra are observed for air versus nitrogen. Almost all charge-storage centers are spatially correlated, suggesting oxygen’s stabilization role in the PSL process. KCl:Eu2+ made in oxygen-rich air is capable of measuring a dose-to-water as low as 0.01 cGy from a 6MV photon beam with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 6. Conclusions: Synthesis in a reduction atmosphere, for example, nitrogen, was thought to be mandatory in order to retain europium activator’s divalent status to be PSL active. Fortunately, divalent europium can be well preserved in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. More importantly, oxygen can enhance PSL by a factor of 2 to 4. HL is the founder of DoseImaging, LLC that is exclusively dedicated to commercializing this technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Near-infrared light absorption by polycrystalline SiSn alloys grown on insulating layers

High-Sn-content SiSn alloys are strongly desired for the next-generation near-infrared optoelectronics. A polycrystalline growth study has been conducted on amorphous SiSn layers with a Sn-content of 2%–30% deposited on either a substrate of SiO{sub 2} or SiN. Incorporating 30% Sn into Si permits the crystallization of the amorphous layers at annealing temperatures below the melting point of Sn (231.9 °C). Composition analyses indicate that approximately 20% of the Sn atoms are substituted into the Si lattice after solid-phase crystallization at 150–220 °C for 5 h. Correspondingly, the optical absorption edge is red-shifted from 1.12 eV (Si) to 0.83 eV (Si{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} (x ≈ 0.18 ± 0.04)), and the difference between the indirect and direct band gap is significantly reduced from 3.1 eV (Si) to 0.22 eV (Si{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} (x ≈ 0.18 ± 0.04)). These results suggest that with higher substitutional Sn content the SiSn alloys could become a direct band-gap material, which would provide benefits for Si photonics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Polymer Passivated All Inorganic Micro‐Structured CsPbI x Br y Perovskite Toward Highly Efficient Photodetectors

Abstract Solution‐processed inorganic perovskites cause chemical and structural defects unfavorable for photodetector application. Using a binary solvent, defects in CsPbI x Br y (CPIB) perovskite are passivated with poly 4‐vinylpyridine (PVP) and Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR spectra reveal a Lewis base‐acid interaction between Pb 2+ and polymer, confirming the passivation of CPIB perovskite. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows a dual‐surface morphology with microribbons and microcrystals in perovskites. After PMMA treatment, CPIB perovskite exhibits a blue shift in the bandgap (1.8 to 1.95 eV), while the PVP induced a redshift, reducing the bandgap to 1.7 eV. Blue shift in PL analysis indicates modification of grain boundaries. A higher lifetime obtained for CPIB/PVP confirms the restraint of non‐radiative recombinations. Photodetectors are fabricated with pristine CPIB, CPIB/PVP, and CPIB/PMMA perovskites. The passivated CPIB/PVP‐based photodetector exhibits a quick rise time of ≈23 ms and a decay time of ≈17 ms. It also demonstrates a remarkable photoresponsivity of 23 mA W −1 , an internal quantum efficiency of 4.9%, and a detectivity of 15.0 × 10 10 Jones at 10 mW cm −2 light intensity. This approach shows the potential for environmentally stable polymers to passivate inorganic perovskites for high photodetection performance.

Shah, Shruti↗

Kinetic Control via Binding Sites within the Confined Space of Metal Metalloporphyrin-Frameworks for Enhanced Shape-Selectivity Catalysis

One striking feature of enzyme is its controllable ability to trap substrates via synergistic or cooperative binding in the enzymatic pocket, which renders the shape-selectivity of product by the confined spatial environment. The success of shape-selective catalysis relies on the ability of enzyme to tune the thermodynamics and kinetics for chemical reactions. In emulation of enzyme's ability, we showcase herein a targeting strategy with the substrate being anchored on the internal pore wall of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), taking full advantage of the sterically kinetic control to achieve shape-selectivity for the reactions. For this purpose, a series of binding site-accessible metal metalloporphyrin-frameworks (MMPFs) have been investigated to shed light on the nature of enzyme-mimic catalysis. They exhibit a different density of binding sites that are well arranged into the nanospace with corresponding distances of opposite binding sites. Furthermore, such a structural specificity results in a facile switch in selectivity from an exclusive formation of the thermodynamically stable product to the kinetic product. Thus, the proposed targeting strategy, based on the combination of porous materials and binding events, paves a new way to develop highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for shifting selectivity.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Electronic and optical properties of novel carbazole-based donor-acceptor compounds for applications in blue-emitting organic light-emitting diodes

We report that organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have received a significant attention over the past decade due to their energy-saving potential. We have recently synthesized two novel carbazole-based donor-acceptor compounds and analyzed their optical properties to determine their suitability for use as blue emitters in OLEDs. These compounds show remarkable photo-stability and high quantum yields in the blue region of the spectrum. In addition, they have highly solvatochromic emission. In non-polar solvents, bright, blue-shifted (λmax ≈ 398 nm), and highly structured emission is seen. With increasing solvent dielectric constant, the emission becomes weaker, red-shifted (λmax ≈ 507 nm), and broad. We aim to determine the underlying cause of these changes. Electronic structure calculations indicate the presence of multiple excited states with comparable oscillator strength. These states are of interest because there are several with charge-transfer (CT) character, and others centered on the donor moiety. We theorize that CT states play a role in the observed changes in emission lineshape and may promote charge mobility for electrofluorescence in OLEDs. In the future, we plan to use Stark spectroscopy to analyze the polarity of excited states and transient absorption spectroscopy to observe the dynamics in the excited state.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Postlaunch Performance of the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Nadir Sensors

The prelaunch specifications for nadir sensors of the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) were designed to ensure that measurements from them could be used to retrieve total column ozone and nadir ozone profile information both for operational use and for use in long-term ozone data records. In this paper, we will show results from our extensive analysis of the performance of the nadir mapper (NM) and nadir profiler (NP) sensors during the first year and a half of OMPS nadir operations. In most cases, we determined that both sensors meet or exceed their prelaunch specifications. Normalized radiance (radiance divided by irradiance) measurements have been determined to be well within their 2% specification for both sensors. In the case of stray light, the NM sensor is within its 2% specification for all but the shortest wavelengths, while the NP sensor is within its 2% specification for all but the longest wavelengths. Artifacts that negatively impacted the sensor calibration due to diffuser features were reduced to less than 1% through changes made in the solar calibration sequence. Preliminary analysis of the disagreement between measurements made by the NM and NP sensors in the region where their wavelengths overlap indicates that it is due to shifts in the shared dichroic filter after launch and that it can be corrected. In general, our analysis indicates that both the NM and NP sensors are performing well, that they are stable, and that any deviations from nominal performance can be well characterized and corrected.

ozone↗

Dynamics of oil–water interface at the beginning of the ultrasonic emulsification process

A lot of effort has been dedicated in recent years towards understanding the basics of cavitation induced emulsification, mainly in the form of single cavitation bubbles. Regarding bulk acoustic emulsification, a lot less research has been done. In our here presented work we utilize advanced high-speed observation techniques in visible light and X-Rays to build upon that knowledge and advance the understanding of bulk emulsion preparation. During research we discovered that emulsion formation has an acute impact on the behavior of the interface and more importantly on its position relative to the horn, hence their interdependence must be carefully studied. We did this by observing bulk emulsification with 2 cameras simultaneously and corroborating these measurements with observation under X-Rays. Since the ultrasonic horns location also influences interface behavior, we shifted its initial position to different locations nearer to and further away from the oil–water interface in both phases. We found that a few millimeters distance between the horn and interface is not enough for fine emulsion formation, but that they must be completely adjacent to each other, with the horn being located inside the oil–water interface. We also observed some previously undiscovered phenomena, such as the splitting of the interface to preserve continuous emulsion formation, climbing of the interface up the horn and circular interface protrusions towards the horn forming vertical emulsion streams. Interestingly, no visible W/O emulsion was ever formed during our experiments, only O/W regardless of initial horn position.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA DISTANCE MODULUS BIAS AND DISPERSION FROM K-CORRECTION ERRORS: A DIRECT MEASUREMENT USING LIGHT CURVE FITS TO OBSERVED SPECTRAL TIME SERIES

We estimate systematic errors due to K-corrections in standard photometric analyses of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae. Errors due to K-correction occur when the spectral template model underlying the light curve fitter poorly represents the actual supernova spectral energy distribution, meaning that the distance modulus cannot be recovered accurately. In order to quantify this effect, synthetic photometry is performed on artificially redshifted spectrophotometric data from 119 low-redshift supernovae from the Nearby Supernova Factory, and the resulting light curves are fit with a conventional light curve fitter. We measure the variation in the standardized magnitude that would be fit for a given supernova if located at a range of redshifts and observed with various filter sets corresponding to current and future supernova surveys. We find significant variation in the measurements of the same supernovae placed at different redshifts regardless of filters used, which causes dispersion greater than ∼0.05 mag for measurements of photometry using the Sloan-like filters and a bias that corresponds to a 0.03 shift in w when applied to an outside data set. To test the result of a shift in supernova population or environment at higher redshifts, we repeat our calculations with the addition of a reweighting of the supernovae as a function of redshift and find that this strongly affects the results and would have repercussions for cosmology. We discuss possible methods to reduce the contribution of the K-correction bias and uncertainty.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Landau-level composition of bound exciton states in magnetic field

Here, we present a theory that studies the state composition of a bound exciton in magnetic field. Using a basis set made of products of free electron and hole wave functions in Landau gauge, we derive a secular equation which shows the relation between Landau levels (LLs) of the electron and hole when a bound exciton is formed. Focusing on excitons in the light cone, we establish a scattering selection rule for the interaction of an electron in LL 𝑛 e with a hole in LL 𝑛 h . We solve the resulting secular equation and identify a simple pairing law, 𝑛 e =𝑛 h +𝑙, which informs us on the construction of a bound exciton state with magnetic quantum number 𝑙, and on the interaction of the exciton magnetic moment with magnetic field. We obtain good agreement between theory results and recent measurements of the diamagnetic shifts of exciton states in WSe 2 monolayers.

2-dimensional systems↗

Hyperfine spectroscopy and laser cooling of the fermionic isotopes 47 Ti and 49 Ti

Here, we report on magneto-optical trapping of the two fermionic isotopes of atomic titanium, 47 Ti and 49 Ti . Unlike the even mass-number isotopes, which were recently laser cooled, 47 Ti and 49 Ti have nonzero nuclear spins and, consequently, their atomic levels are split by hyperfine structure. Combining and comparing theoretical calculations and atomic beam-spectroscopy measurements, we determine the hyperfine structures and isotope shifts of the 3⁢𝑑 2 ⁢4⁢𝑠 2 𝑎 3 ⁢𝐹 4 → 3⁢𝑑 2 ⁢( 3 𝑃)⁢4⁢𝑠⁢4⁢𝑝⁢( 3 𝑃 𝑜 ) 𝑦 5 ⁢𝐷$^o_4$ optical-pumping transition at optical wavelength 391 nm and the 3⁢𝑑 3 ⁢(4𝐹)⁢4⁢𝑠 𝑎 5 ⁢𝐹 5 → 3⁢𝑑 3 ⁢( 4 𝐹)⁢4⁢𝑝 𝑦 5 ⁢𝐺$^𝑜_6$ laser-cooling transition at wavelength 498 nm. With this information, we produce magneto-optical traps of both 47 Ti and 49 Ti by applying two additional tones of light to repump atoms to the maximum-spin states on the laser-cooling transition. Directly loading from the atomic flux of a titanium sublimation pump, we produce 47 Ti and 49 Ti traps with 731(190) and 1142(240) atoms, and with lifetimes of 330⁢(15) and 310⁢(8)⁢ ms, respectively.

atomic spectra↗

Convergence Analysis of a Locally Accelerated Preconditioned Steepest Descent Method for Hermitian-Definite Generalized Eigenvalue Problems

By extending the classical analysis techniques due to Samokish, Faddeev and Faddeeva, and Longsine and McCormick among others, we prove the convergence of preconditioned steepest descent with implicit deflation (PSD-id) method for solving Hermitian-definite generalized eigenvalue problems. Moreover, we derive a nonasymptotic estimate of the rate of convergence of the PSD-id method. We show that with a proper choice of the shift, the indefinite shift-and-invert preconditioner is a locally accelerated preconditioner, and is asymptotically optimal that leads to superlinear convergence. Numerical examples are presented to verify the theoretical results on the convergence behavior of the PSDid method for solving ill-conditioned Hermitian-definite generalized eigenvalue problems arising from electronic structure calculations. While rigorous and full-scale convergence proofs of preconditioned block steepest descent methods in practical use still largely eludes us, we postulate that the theoretical results introduced in this paper sheds light on an improved understanding of the convergence behavior of these block methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Coherent Doppler lidar for automated space vehicle, rendezvous, station-keeping and capture

Recent advances in eye-safe, short wavelength solid-state lasers offer real potential for the development of compact, reliable, light-weight, efficient coherent lidar. Laser diode pumping of these devices has been demonstrated, thereby eliminating the need for flash lamp pumping, which has been a major drawback to the use of these lasers in space based applications. Also these lasers now have the frequency stability required to make them useful in coherent lidar, which offers all of the advantages of non-coherent lidar, but with the additional advantage that direct determination of target velocity is possible by measurement of the Doppler shift. By combining the Doppler velocity measurement capability with the inherent high angular resolution and range accuracy of lidar it is possible to construct Doppler images of targets for target motion assessment. A coherent lidar based on a Tm,Ho:YAG 2-micrometer wavelength laser was constructed and successfully field tested on atmospheric targets in 1990. This lidar incorporated an all solid state (laser diode pumped) master oscillator, in conjunction with a flash lamp pumped slave oscillator. Solid-state laser technology is rapidly advancing, and with the advent of high efficiency, high power, semiconductor laser diodes as pump sources, all-solid-state, coherent lidars are a real possibility in the near future. MSFC currently has a feasibility demonstration effort under way which will involve component testing, and preliminary design of an all-solid-state, coherent lidar for automatic rendezvous, and capture. This two year effort, funded by the Director's Discretionary Fund is due for completion in 1992.

Dunkin, James A.↗