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Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 58

The evaluated spectroscopic data are presented for known nuclides of mass 58 (Ca,Sc,Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn). Excited-state data are nonexistent for {sup 58}Ca, {sup 58}Sc, and {sup 58}Zn; and very scarce for {sup 58}Ti and {sup 58}V, with only one tentative level in each case. Except for half-lives, no other radioactive decay data are available for the decay of {sup 58}Sc and {sup 58}Ti. The radioactive decays of {sup 58}V, {sup 58}Cr and {sup 58}Zn are not considered as well established. Superdeformed structures are known in {sup 58}Ni (two bands) and in {sup 58}Cu (one band). Prompt proton decay of high-spin states in 58Ni for eight levels and prompt {alpha} decay for two states have been identified. In {sup 58}Cu, one high-spin state decays by prompt proton emission. Very complex high-spin structures are now known for {sup 58}Ni from the work by 2009Jo03.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The gallium isotopic composition of the Moon

Here, in this study, we present new Ga isotope data from a suite of 28 mare basalts and lunar highland rocks. The δ 71 Ga values of these samples range from -0.10 to +0.66‰ (where δ 71 Ga is the relative difference between the 71 Ga/ 69 Ga ratio of a sample and the Ga-IPGP standard), which is an order of magnitude more heterogeneous than δ 71 Ga values in terrestrial magmatic rocks. The cause of this isotopic heterogeneity must be established to estimate the bulk δ 71 Ga value of the Moon. In general, low-Ti basalts and ferroan anorthosite suite (FAS) rocks have δ 71 Ga values that are lower than high-Ti basalts and KREEP-rich rocks. The observation that rocks derived from later forming LMO cumulates have higher δ 71 Ga values suggests that Ga isotopes are fractionated by processes that operate within the chemically evolving LMO, rather than localized degassing or volatile redistribution. Correlations between indices of plagioclase removal from the LMO (e.g. Eu/Eu*) with Ga isotope ratios suggest that a Δ 71 Ga plagioclase-melt of -0.3‰, (where Δ 71 Ga plagioclase-melt is the isotopic fractionation associated with crystallization of plagioclase from a melt), could drive the observed isotopic fractionation in high-Ti mare basalts and KREEP-rich rocks. This would be consistent with the observation that FAS rocks have δ 71 Ga values that are lower than mare basalts. However, the addition of KREEP-like material into the mare basalt source regions would not contribute enough Ga to perturb the isotopic composition outside of analytical uncertainty. Thus, basalts derived from early formed LMO cumulates such as those from Apollo 15, would preserve light Ga isotopic compositions despite containing modest amounts of urKREEP. We estimate that the δ 71 Ga value of the LMO was ~0.14‰ prior to the onset of plagioclase crystallization and extraction. Whether this δ 71 Ga value is representative of the initial BSM cannot be ascertained from the current dataset. It remains plausible that the Moon accreted with a heavier Ga isotopic composition than the Earth. Alternatively, the Moon and Earth could have accreted with similar isotopic compositions (BSE = 0.00 ± 0.06‰, Kato et al., 2017) and volatile loss drove the LMO to higher δ 71 Ga values prior to formation of the lunar crust.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Composition of the core from gallium metal–silicate partitioning experiments

We present gallium concentration (normalized to CI chondrites) in the mantle is at the same level as that of lithophile elements with similar volatility, implying that there must be little to no gallium in Earth's core. Metal-silicate partitioning experiments, however, have shown that gallium is a moderately siderophile element and should be therefore depleted in the mantle by core formation. Moreover, gallium concentrations in the mantle (4 ppm) are too high to be only brought by the late veneer; and neither pressure, nor temperature, nor silicate composition has a large enough effect on gallium partitioning to make it lithophile. We therefore systematically investigated the effect of core composition (light element content) on the partitioning of gallium by carrying out metal–silicate partitioning experiments in a piston–cylinder press at 2 GPa between 1673 K and 2073 K. Four light elements (Si, O, S, C) were considered, and their effect was found to be sufficiently strong to make gallium lithophile. The partitioning of gallium was then modeled and parameterized as a function of pressure, temperature, redox and core composition. A continuous core formation model was used to track the evolution of gallium partitioning during core formation, for various magma ocean depths, geotherms, core light element contents, and magma ocean composition (redox) during accretion. The only model for which the final gallium concentration in the silicate Earth matched the observed value is the one involving a light-element rich core equilibrating in a FeO-rich deep magma ocean (>1300 km) with a final pressure of at least 50 GPa. More specifically, the incorporation of S and C in the core provided successful models only for concentrations that lie far beyond their allowable cosmochemical or geophysical limits, whereas realistic O and Si amounts (less than 5 wt.%) in the core provided successful models for magma oceans deeper that 1300 km. In conclusion, these results offer a strong argument for an O- and Si-rich core, formed in a deep terrestrial magma ocean, along with oxidizing conditions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Gallium isotopic constraints for the origin of the Earth-Moon system

Comparatively heavy isotopic compositions of moderately volatile elements (MVE) in lunar rocks have been advocated to reflect the loss of light isotopes during devolatilization processes from the Moon. In this study we present new gallium (Ga) isotope data for lunar highland rocks, with a focus on the Ferroan Anorthosite Suite (FAS). These are commonly thought to be direct crystallization products from the late lunar magma ocean (LMO) and should contain the majority of the Ga inventory of the Moon. As such, FAS rocks are crucial for identifying the processes that drove Ga isotope fractionation as well as for inferring the Ga isotopic composition of the bulk Moon. Our data reveal that FAS samples have a range in δ 71 Ga from -0.27 to 0.22‰ and are generally isotopically light in Ga compared to other lunar lithologies, but straddle values typical of terrestrial rocks. Although Ga is defined as an MVE, these Ga isotope variations do not correspond with concentrations of more volatile elements, indicating that Ga isotope variations in the FAS are not primarily controlled by devolatilization processes. Instead, the Ga isotopic compositions of bulk FAS rocks broadly correlate with the composition of plagioclase, with the calcium content of plagioclase decreasing as Ga becomes isotopically heavier. This suggests that fractionation of Ga isotopes in FAS rocks was caused by the preferential incorporation of isotopically light Ga into plagioclase during the later solidification stages of the LMO. The progressive crystallization and extraction of plagioclase forces the residual melt towards increasingly heavier Ga isotope ratios, corroborating similar conclusions derived from correlations between δ 71 and Eu* in the mare basalt suite. Using Ga isotope partitioning calculations, we demonstrate that an isotope fractionation coefficient between plagioclase and coexisting melt of -0.3 to -0.4‰ could explain the observed range of δ 71 values in FAS, mare basalt suite rocks, and KREEP. These calculations allow for a first order estimate of the Ga isotopic composition of the bulk silicate Moon prior to plagioclase fractionation and suggest it was close to the composition of the bulk silicate Earth. This would imply that the Moon did not lose a substantial fraction of its Ga inventory during accretion, consistent with new constraints from Rb-Sr isotope systematics that indicate the Moon's volatile deficit was primarily inherited from Theia. In conjunction with the overlap in non-mass-dependent isotope ratios, these collective observations could be reconciled if Theia and the proto-Earth formed in similar regions of the inner Solar System that were already volatile-depleted.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Assessing the Behavior of Moderately Volatile Elements on the Moon in Order to Constrain Processes of Magmatic Evolution and Planetary Accretion

Heterogeneous isotopic compositions of Zn and Ga in lunar basalts and highlands rocks indicate that secondary processing affected the stable isotopic composition of major lunar reservoirs. It follows that these fractionating processes must be identified and characterized in order to make robust estimates for the isotopic composition of the mare basalt source regions or the bulk silicate Moon (BSM). Contrary to previous assertions (e.g., Kato & Moynier, 2017), MVEs such as Zn and Ga do not behave similarly on the Moon, in line with differences in their chemical behavior and volatility. There is clear evidence that impact reworking fractionates zinc isotopes but, in addition, zinc isotopes are also highly sensitive to the formation of Ti-bearing oxides such as ilmenite. In contrast, gallium is far less susceptible to volatile reworking, but its isotopic composition is fractionated during incorporation into plagioclase (Wimpenny et al., 2022; Render et al., 2023). Based on these findings we conclude that current isotopic compositions of Zn and Ga in lunar rocks, such as those measured for the mare basalt suite, are unlikely to be representative of the bulk Moon when it accreted. As such, estimates for the MVE isotopic composition of the BSM derived from mare basalts may not be accurate, which may have implications for the incorporation of these data into dynamical models of the Moon’s formation. In the following, we discuss the main findings from this project in more detail, focusing on the behaviour of zinc and gallium isotopic systematics in lunar rocks and the processes that control their isotopic fractionation on the Moon.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Recovery and Refining of Rare Earth Elements from Lignite Mine Wastes

The University of North Dakota (UND), in collaboration with a comprehensive team of technical, business and host-site partners, built on prior technology development to complete a front-end engineering and design (FEED) and business planning study to recover and refine rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals (CM) from North Dakota (ND) lignite mine wastes. The end of project goal was to have an investment quality project and a committed team ready to commercialize the proposed technologies in a future construction and operations phase.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

CO{sub 2} laser-based dispersion interferometer utilizing orientation-patterned gallium arsenide for plasma density measurements

A dispersion interferometer based on the second-harmonic generation of a carbon dioxide laser in orientation-patterned gallium arsenide has been developed for measuring electron density in plasmas. The interferometer includes two nonlinear optical crystals placed on opposite sides of the plasma. This instrument has been used to measure electron line densities in a pulsed radio-frequency generated argon plasma. A simple phase-extraction technique based on combining measurements from two successive pulses of the plasma has been used. The noise-equivalent line density was measured to be 1.7 × 10{sup 17} m{sup −2} in a detection bandwidth of 950 kHz. One of the orientation-patterned crystals produced 13 mW of peak power at the second-harmonic wavelength from a carbon dioxide laser with 13 W of peak power. Two crystals arranged sequentially produced 58 mW of peak power at the second-harmonic wavelength from a carbon dioxide laser with 37 W of peak power.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Magnetostriction and {Delta}E effect of melt-spun (Fe{sub 81-x}Co{sub x}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20} ribbons

(Fe{sub 81-x}Co{sub x}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20} ribbons, with x = 0, 7, 11, 19, and 23, were made by the single-roller quenching method. The x-ray diffraction patterns showed the A2, D0{sub 19}, and L1{sub 2} diffraction peaks coexisting with the amorphous matrix background. When Fe was replaced by Co, i.e., when x was increased, the first crystallization temperature (T{sub X1}) and Curie temperature (T{sub C1}) rose greatly. With a sufficiently heavy load (or weight) stretching the ribbon downward, the magnetization M{sub S} was pulled along the vertical direction (i.e., the tension-axis). Then, by applying a horizontal field (H{sub E}) up to 6 KOe, we determined the sign and magnitude of the saturation magnetostriction ({lambda}{sub S}). The Young's modulus (E{sub S}) at magnetization saturation and {Delta}E effect was estimated from the stress-strain curve. We discovered that the stress-strain curve of (Fe{sub 81}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20} exhibits the auxetic (or abnormal) characteristic with {Delta}E < 0. For the rest of the (Fe{sub 81-x}Co{sub x}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20} with x {ne} 0, their stress-strain curves are normal with {Delta}E > 0. Because the sign of {lambda}{sub S} of the A2 phase is opposite to that of the D0{sub 19} and L1{sub 2} phases, {lambda}{sub S} of (Fe{sub 81-x}Co{sub x}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20} is much reduced. However, {Delta}E/E{sub 0} Approximately-Equal-To-Or-The-Image-Of 36% is quite large for (Fe{sub 58}Co{sub 23}Ga{sub 19}){sub 80}B{sub 20}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High efficiency ultraviolet emission from Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}N core-shell nanowire heterostructures grown on Si (111) by molecular beam epitaxy

High crystalline quality, vertically aligned Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}N nanowire heterostructures are grown on GaN nanowire templates on Si (111) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The nanowires exhibit unique core-shell structures, with enhanced Al compositions in the near-surface region. The emission wavelength can be varied across nearly the entire ultraviolet A ({approx}3.10-3.94 eV) and B ({approx}3.94-4.43 eV) spectral range by controlling the Al compositions. Such nanowire structures can exhibit extremely high internal quantum efficiency (up to {approx}58%) at room-temperature, which is attributed to the superior carrier confinement offered by the core-shell structures and to the use of defect-free GaN nanowire templates.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Significant mobility enhancement in extremely thin highly doped ZnO films

Highly Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) films of thicknesses d = 5, 25, 50, and 300 nm, grown on 160-nm ZnO buffer layers by molecular beam epitaxy, had 294-K Hall-effect mobilities μ{sub H} of 64.1, 43.4, 37.0, and 34.2 cm{sup 2}/V-s, respectively. This extremely unusual ordering of μ{sub H} vs d is explained by the existence of a very high-mobility Debye tail in the ZnO, arising from the large Fermi-level mismatch between the GZO and the ZnO. Scattering theory in conjunction with Poisson analysis predicts a Debye-tail mobility of 206 cm{sup 2}/V-s at the interface (z = d), falling to 58 cm{sup 2}/V-s at z = d + 2 nm. Excellent fits to μ{sub H} vs d and sheet concentration n{sub s} vs d are obtained with no adjustable parameters.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Simulation and characterization of millimeter-wave InAlN/GaN high electron mobility transistors using Lombardi mobility model

A gate length of 0.2 μm InAlN/GaN high electron mobility transistor on SiC substrate is obtained with a maximum current gain cutoff frequency (f{sub T}) of 65.8 GHz and a maximum power gain cutoff frequency (f{sub max}) of 143.6 GHz. Lombardi model, which takes interface roughness scattering into consideration, has been introduced to model the transconductance (g{sub m}) degradation. The simulated g{sub m} and f{sub T} with Lombardi model are 69% and 58% lower than the ones without considering interface roughness scattering, respectively. Further analysis show experimental g{sub m}, gate capacitance (C{sub g}), and f{sub T} are consistent with results based on Lombardi model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Mid-infrared electro-luminescence and absorption from AlGaN/GaN-based multi-quantum well inter-subband structures

We present electro-modulated absorption and electro-luminescence measurements on chirped AlGaN/GaN-based multi-quantum well inter-subband structures grown by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy. The absorption signal is a TM-polarized, 70 meV wide feature centred at 230 meV. At medium injection current, a 58 meV wide luminescence peak corresponding to an inter-subband transition at 1450 cm{sup −1} (180 meV) is observed. Under high injection current, we measured a 4 meV wide structure peaking at 92.5 meV in the luminescence spectrum. The energy location of this peak is exactly at the longitudinal optical phonon of GaN.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phenomenological Modeling of Magnetocaloric Effect for Ni{sub 58}Fe{sub 26}Ga{sub 28} Alloy

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of shape memory Ni{sub 58}Fe{sub 26}Ga{sub 28} has been investigated. A phenomenological model is used for simulation of magnetization dependence on temperature variation to investigate magnetocaloric properties such as magnetic entropy change and heat capacity change. The results indicate the potential of Ni{sub 58}Fe{sub 26}Ga{sub 28} alloy to achieve the MCE at temperatures near Curie temperature. This alloy presents a good-looking approach for cooling applications in its prospective candidate for a cooling system in a wide temperature interval including room temperature. The results also confirmed that the phenomenological model is useful for prediction of the MCE for magnetic materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

AlGaAs converters and arrays for laser power beaming

This study reports on the development of AlGaAs/GaAs-based laser power photovoltaic (PV) converters fabricated by LPE. The monochromatic (λ = 809 nm) conversion efficiency up to 58% is measured for cells with p-n junction in Al{sub 0.07}Ga{sub 0.93}As and low (x = 0.25-0.3) Al concentration ‘window’. Modules, which have converters of low and high power laser radiation and the voltage of 4V, have been designed and fabricated. Comparison of output parameters measured at two different conditions (i.e., under flash lamp and laser beam) has been performed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

15 Gb/s index-coupled distributed-feedback lasers based on 1.3 μm InGaAs quantum dots

The static properties and large-signal modulation capabilities of directly modulated p-doped quantum-dot distributed-feedback lasers are presented. Based on pure index gratings the devices exhibit a side-mode-suppression ratio of 58 dB and optical output powers up to 34 mW. Assisted by a broad gain spectrum, which is typical for quantum-dot material, emission wavelengths from 1290 nm to 1310 nm are covered by the transversal and longitudinal single-mode lasers fabricated from the same single wafer. Thus, these lasers are ideal devices for on-chip wavelength division multiplexing within the original-band according to the IEEE802.3ba standard. 10 Gb/s data transmission across 30 km of single mode fiber is demonstrated. The maximum error-free data rate is found to be 15 Gb/s.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Constraining the behavior of gallium isotopes during evaporation at extreme temperatures

Renewed interest in gallium isotope systematics has stemmed from the fact that Ga is moderately volatile and is hypothesized to undergo kinetic fractionation during evaporation. In this work, we present the first Ga isotope data from terrestrial volatile depleted samples including a suite of experimentally heated rhyolitic soils, fallout melt glass, and splash-form tektites from the Australasian strewn field (hereafter termed australite tektites). The Ga in these samples is isotopically heavy compared to Ga in terrestrial basalts and estimates for the composition of the bulk silicate Earth (BSE). For each sample suite the isotopic fractionation of Ga scales with the degree of Ga depletion, consistent with isotopic fractionation caused by evaporation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

New subshell closure at N=58 emerging in neutron-rich nuclei beyond {sup 78}Ni

The structure of neutron-rich nuclei beyond {sup 78}Ni was studied using postaccelerated radioactive beams of {sup 83,84,85}Ga utilizing beta gamma and beta-n gamma spectroscopy. Our data, when combined with energy level systematics, suggests a possible new spherical subshell closure at N=58 is created by the nearly degenerated nu3s{sub 1/2} and nu2d{sub 5/2} orbitals being well separated from other orbitals above N=50. The near degeneracy of these states could be evidenced by isomerism in this region. The energies of the 2{sub 1}{sup +} and proposed 4{sub 1}{sup +} states observed in N=52 {sup 84}Ge are interpreted as an indication of a possible weakening of the doubly magic {sup 78}Ni core for nuclei beyond N=50. The experimental evidence is supported by spherical HFB calculations using the SkO{sub T} functional involving the tensor term in the nucleon-nucleon interaction.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Critical Minerals (CM) in Middle Pennsylvanian-Age Coals and Associated Sediments in the Central Appalachian Basin, Eastern U.S.A.

The Central Appalachian Basin (CAB) of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia has a long history of coal mining and oil and gas extraction that has empowered the regional and national economies, the development of infrastructure, and a highly trained energy resources work force. As our societal demands for advanced technologies have rapidly increased in recent years, coal-related materials are viewed as an important new unconventional domestic source of critical minerals (CM) that are required for telecommunications, aerospace and transportation industries, electronics, the transition to low-carbon emissions energy production, and many consumer products. Coal-related materials encompass coal, associated sediments, coal mining waste materials, produced waters, and ash residues from coal-fired power plants. An important objective of the Evolve Central Appalachia Project (Evolve CAPP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is to assess the quantity and distribution of CM resources in the CAB region. The rare earth elements (REE) are considered highest priority, although other important CM such as niobium, gallium, and zirconium are known to occur in the Middle Pennsylvanian-age coals and sediments. Working with coal industry partners who provided access to drill cores, coal-related sediments and waste materials, over 600 samples have been collected for laboratory analysis, and over 730 materials have been scanned using portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) equipment. The application of pXRF provides the means for real-time semiquantitative analysis of CM content at very close spacings (typically 2-3 inch intervals) along drill core and in-situ channel samples that span the roof, coal seam, and floor rock. The comparison of pXRF geochemical data with laboratory results, geologic data, and downhole spectral gamma logs can provide high resolution input to lithologic and depositional models for future CM resource evaluations. The preliminary findings show that pXRF is capable of accurately measuring low concentrations of many of the CM with a high level of confidence (Ba, Cr, Ga, K, Nb, Rb, Sr, Th, Y), whereas for others (La, Ce, Co, Mn, Nd, Ni, Sc, Ti, V) the detection limits are very high or spectral interferences increase the uncertainty. Notably, the mean abundances of Y (34 ppm), La (86 ppm), Ga (40 ppm), and V (146 ppm) in coal underclays in the CAB region are up to 7X enriched compared with the overlying coal. These values also exceed the reported concentrations in published reference materials for upper continental crustal rocks (Rudnick and Gao, 2003), North American Shale Composite (Gromet et al., 1984), and North American coal (Finkelman, 1993). The pXRF data are in part verified by laboratory results that indicate the mean Y abundance (36 ppm) is highly correlated (R2 = 0.807) with total REE (ΣREE). The correlation is even higher (R2 = 0.957) with heavy REE (ΣHREE). Applying these correlations to the pXRF data for the coal underclays, the mean estimated values for ΣREE+Y and ΣHREE+Y are 270 ppm and 58 ppm, respectively. Although these average values are not considered high, the range of Y measured by pXRF in the coal underclays extended as high as 114 ppm, which would suggest ΣREE+Y equal to 847 ppm. The mean abundances of Zr (192 ppm) and Th (21 ppm) in coal underclays are also enriched compared with the overlying coal and these results likely reflect the presence of resistant detrital heavy minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and zircon in the underclay matrix. Several of the profiled coal seams and associated wall rocks contained thin volcanic ash layers up to 4-5 inches in thickness. The extent to which these ash fall layers provided a source for CM under the paleoenvironmental conditions that resulted in coal deposits in the CAB remains to be fully studied. Continuing investigations in the Evolve CAPP study area will include laboratory determinations of mineralogic and clay compositions, and evaluations of CM geochemical mobility in the coal and coal underclays.

Lassetter, Billy↗