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18 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 41

Available information pertaining to the nuclear structure of all nuclei with mass numbers A=41 ranging from Al (Z=13) to Ti (Z=22) are presented. The experimental reaction and decay data are evaluated and any inconsistencies or discrepancies are noted. The adopted values for various level properties (such as the spin, parity and and halflife) and gamma properties (energy, intensity and multipole character) are given. Since the prior evaluation several new measurements have expanded our knowledge of A=41 nuclides. The half-life of the ground state of {sup 41}Si has been determined and a single excited state identified. Excited levels in {sup 41}P have been observed for the first time. In {sup 41}Cl, seven new excited states have been identified in deep inelastic and heavy ion transfer reactions. Half-lifes for four states in {sup 41}Ar have been updated and additional levels with gammas have been included from a new measurement using the multiple ion transfer reaction. In {sup 41}Ca via charge-exchange reaction measurements, several new excited states were observed. A number of new resonances in {sup 41}K have been identified via the (p,γ) reaction. There remains a significant discrepancy in the half-life of the first excited state (980 keV) in {sup 41}K, with measurements differing by more than an order of magnitude. Transfer reactions suggest that this M1 transition should be l-forbidden, however, several measurements yield a lifetime which suggests a sizable M1 strength. Further measurements to resolve the current conflicts would be beneficial.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

ISOCHRONS IN PRESOLAR GRAPHITE GRAINS FROM ORGUEIL

Primitive meteorites contain tiny dust grains that condensed in stellar outflows and explosions. These stardust grains can be extracted from their host meteorites and studied in detail in the laboratory. We investigated depth profiles of the Al-Mg, Ca-K, and Ti-Ca isotopic systems obtained during NanoSIMS isotopic analysis of presolar graphite grains from the CI carbonaceous meteorite Orgueil. Large {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al, {sup 41}Ca/{sup 40}Ca, and {sup 44}Ti/{sup 48}Ti ratios, inferred from {sup 26}Mg, {sup 41}K, and {sup 44}Ca excesses from the decay of the short-lived radioisotopes {sup 26}Al, {sup 41}Ca, and {sup 44}Ti, indicate a supernova (SN) origin. From the depth distribution of the radiogenic isotopes and the stable isotopes of their parent elements we constructed isochron-type correlation plots. The plots indicate quantitative retention of radiogenic {sup 26}Mg, {sup 41}K, and {sup 44}Ca in most grains. Deviations from straight lines in the Al-Mg and Ca-K plots can be explained by contamination with {sup 27}Al and isotopically normal Ca, respectively. For the Ti-Ca system in some grains, the lack of parent-daughter correlation indicates either redistribution of radiogenic {sup 44}Ca or heterogeneity in the initial {sup 44}Ti/{sup 48}Ti ratio. We also obtained Si isotopic depth profiles in three graphite grains with large {sup 29}Si and {sup 30}Si excesses, for which a SN origin has been proposed. In two grains no Si-rich subgrains are observed; in the third grain with an apparent Si-rich subgrain the anomalous Si isotopic ratios in the subgrain are the same as in the rest of the graphite host. Our studies show that by measuring depth profiles, information on presolar grains can be obtained that cannot be obtained by whole-grain analysis.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

The ReA electron-beam ion trap charge breeder for reacceleration of rare isotopes

ReA is a post-accelerator at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. ReA is designed to reaccelerate rare isotopes to energies of a few MeV/u following production by projectile fragmentation and thermalization in a gas cell. The facility consists of four main components: an electron-beam ion trap (EBIT) charge breeder, an achromatic charge-over-mass (Q/A) separator, a radio-frequency quadrupole accelerator, and a superconducting radio-frequency linear accelerator. The EBIT charge breeder was specifically designed to efficiently capture continuous beams of singly charged ions injected at low energy (<60 keV), charge breed in less than 50 ms, and extract highly charged ions to the Q/A separator for charge-state selection and reacceleration through the accelerator structures. The use of highly charged ions to reach high beam energies is a key aspect that makes ReA a compact and cost-efficient post-accelerator. The EBIT is characterized by a high-current electron gun, a long multi-electrode trap structure and a dual magnet to provide both the high electron-beam current density necessary for fast charge breeding of short-lived isotopes as well as the high capture probability of injected beams. This paper presents an overview and the status of the ReA EBIT, which has extracted for reacceleration tests stable {sup 20}Ne{sup 8+} ion beams produced from injected gas and more recently {sup 39}K{sup 16+} beams by injecting stable {sup 39,41}K{sup +} ions from an external ion source.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fourier-transform spectroscopy of (4){sup 1}Σ{sup +} → A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} − b {sup 3}Π, A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} − b {sup 3}Π → X{sup 1}Σ{sup +}, and (1){sup 3} Δ{sub 1} → b{sup 3}Π{sub 0±} transitions in KCs and deperturbation treatment of A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} and b {sup 3}Π states

High resolution Fourier-transform spectroscopy data of term values in the spin-orbit (SO) coupled first excited A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} and b{sup 3}Π{sub 0±} states in KCs were obtained from (4){sup 1}Σ{sup +} → A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} − b {sup 3}Π, A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} − b {sup 3}Π → X{sup 1}Σ{sup +}, and (1){sup 3}Δ{sub 1} → b{sup 3}Π{sub 0±} spectra of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). About 3000 new rovibronic term values of the A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} and b {sup 3}Π{sub Ω} states were obtained with an uncertainty about 0.01 cm{sup −1} and added to the previously obtained 3439 term values in Kruzins et al. [Phys. Rev. A 81, 042509 (2010)] and 30 term values of the b {sup 3}Π{sub 0{sup +}} state levels below the A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} state in Tamanis et al. [Phys. Rev. A 82, 032506 (2010)]. The data field was extended considerably, going down to vibrational level v{sub b} = 0 and up in energy to 13 814 cm{sup −1}, as compared to previously achieved v{sub b} = 14 and E = 13 250 cm{sup −1}. Overall 6431 e-symmetry term values of {sup 39}K{sup 133}Cs were included in 4 × 4 coupled-channel deperturbation analysis. The analytical Morse-Long-Range (MLR) function yielded empirical diabatic potentials for the A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} and b {sup 3}Π{sub 0{sup +}} states while the morphing of the SO ab initio points [J. T. Kim et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc. 256, 57 (2009)] provided the empirical diagonal and off-diagonal SO functions. Overall 98.5% of the fitted term values were reproduced with a rms (root mean square) uncertainty of 0.004 cm{sup −1}. The reliability of the model is proved by a good agreement of predicted and measured term values of the {sup 41}K{sup 133}Cs isotopologue, as well as of measured and calculated intensities of (4){sup 1}Σ{sup +} → A {sup 1}Σ{sup +} − b {sup 3}Π LIF progressions. Direct-potential-fit of low-lying v{sub b} levels of the b {sup 3}Π{sub 0{sup −}} component yielded the MLR potential which represents the 204 f-symmetry experimental term values with a rms uncertainty of 0.002 cm{sup −1}. The Ω-doubling of the b {sup 3}Π{sub 0} sub-state demonstrates a pronounced v{sub b}-dependent increase.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

ORNL Resolved Resonance Covariance Generation for ENDF/B-VII.1

Resonance-parameter covariance matrix (RPCM) evaluations in the resolved resonance regionwere done at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the chromium isotopes, titanium isotopes, {sup 19}F, {sup 58}Ni, {sup 60}Ni, {sup 35}Cl, {sup 37}Cl, {sup 39}K, {sup 41}K, {sup 55}Mn, {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, and {sup 239}Pu using the computer code SAMMY. The retroactive approach of the code SAMMY was used to generate the RPCMs for {sup 233}U. For {sup 235}U, the approach used for covariance generation was similar to the retroactive approach with the distinction that real experimental data were used as opposed to data generated from the resonance parameters. RPCMs for {sup 238}U and {sup 239}Pu were generated together with the resonance parameter evaluations. The RPCMs were then converted in the ENDF format using the FILE32 representation. Alternatively, for computer storage reasons, the FILE32 was converted in the FILE33 cross section covariance matrix (CSCM). Both representations were processed using the computer code PUFF-IV. This paper describes the procedures used to generate the RPCM and CSCM in the resonance region for ENDF/B-VII.1. The impact of data uncertainty in nuclear reactor benchmark calculations is also presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

A LOWER INITIAL ABUNDANCE OF SHORT-LIVED {sup 41}Ca IN THE EARLY SOLAR SYSTEM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION

The short-lived radionuclide {sup 41}Ca plays an important role in constraining the immediate astrophysical environment and the formation timescale of the nascent solar system due to its extremely short half-life (0.1 Myr). Nearly 20 years ago, the initial ratio of {sup 41}Ca/{sup 40}Ca in the solar system was determined to be (1.41 {+-} 0.14) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -8}, primarily based on two Ca-Al-rich Inclusions (CAIs) from the CV chondrite Efremovka. With an advanced analytical technique for isotopic measurements, we reanalyzed the potassium isotopic compositions of the two Efremovka CAIs and inferred the initial ratios of {sup 41}Ca/{sup 40}Ca to be (2.6 {+-} 0.9) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -9} and (1.4 {+-} 0.6) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -9} (2{sigma}), a factor of 7-10 lower than the previously inferred value. Considering possible thermal processing that led to lower {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al ratios in the two CAIs, we propose that the true solar system initial value of {sup 41}Ca/{sup 40}Ca should have been {approx}4.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -9}. Synchronicity could have existed between {sup 26}Al and {sup 41}Ca, indicating a uniform distribution of the two radionuclides at the time of CAI formation. The new initial {sup 41}Ca abundance is 4-16 times lower than the calculated value for steady-state galactic nucleosynthesis. Therefore, {sup 41}Ca could have originated as part of molecular cloud materials with a free decay time of 0.2-0.4 Myr. Alternative possibilities, such as a last-minute input from a stellar source and early solar system irradiation, could not be definitively ruled out. This underscores the need for more data from diverse CAIs to determine the true astrophysical origin of {sup 41}Ca.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final amplifier of an ultra-intense all-OPCPA system with 13-J output signal energy and 41% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>10 23 W/cm 2 ). We report on the performance of the final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system based on large-aperture (63 × 63-mm 2 ) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (180-nm bandwidth, 110 mJ) was provided by the preceding OPCPA stages. A maximum pump-to-signal conversion efficiency of 41% and signal energy up to 13 J were achieved with a 52-mm-long DKDP crystal due to the flattop super-Gaussian pump beam profile and flat-in-time pulse shape.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

A gas-jet transport and catcher technique for on-line production of radioactive ion beams using an electron cyclotron resonance ion-source

Radioactive ion beams (RIB) have been produced on-line, using a gas-jet recoil transport coupled Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion-source at the VECC-RIB facility. Radioactive atoms/molecules carried through the gas-jet were stopped in a catcher placed inside the ECR plasma chamber. A skimmer has been used to remove bulk of the carrier gas at the ECR entrance. The diffusion of atoms/molecules through the catcher has been verified off-line using stable isotopes and on-line through transmission of radioactive reaction products. Beams of {sup 14}O (71 s), {sup 42}K (12.4 h), {sup 43}K (22.2 h), and {sup 41}Ar (1.8 h) have been produced by bombarding nitrogen and argon gas targets with proton and alpha particle beams from the K130 cyclotron at VECC. Typical measured intensity of RIB at the separator focal plane is found to be a few times 10{sup 3} particles per second (pps). About 3.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 3} pps of 1.4 MeV {sup 14}O RIB has been measured after acceleration through a radiofrequency quadrupole linac. The details of the gas-jet coupled ECR ion-source and RIB production experiments are presented along with the plans for the future.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Highly Active and Stable Carbon Nanosheets Supported Iron Oxide for Fischer-Tropsch to Olefins Synthesis

Light olefins production utilizes the energy intensive process of steam cracking. Fischer-Tropsch to olefins (FTO) synthesis potentially offers a more sustainable alternative. In this work we show a promising FTO catalyst comprised of iron oxide nanoparticles supported on carbon nanosheets (CNS) fabricated from the carbonization of potassium citrate, which incorporates well dispersed K-promoter throughout the CNS support. This catalyst displays, to the best of our knowledge, the highest iron time yield of 1790–1990 μmol CO /g Fe ∙s reported in the literature, 41 % light olefins selectivity, and over 100 hours stable activity, making it one of the best performing FTO catalysts. Detailed characterization illustrates that the CNS support facilitates iron oxide reduction to metallic iron, leading to efficient transformation to the active iron carbide phase during FTO reaction. Since K is a commonly used promoter, our K-promoted CNS support potentially has broad utility beyond the FTO reactions demonstrated in the current study.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Selective Reflection of Potassium Vapor Nanolayers in a Magnetic Field

The selective reflection of laser radiation from the interface between a dielectric window and the atomic vapors confined in a nanocell of thickness L ≈ 350 nm is used to develop effective Doppler-broadening- free spectroscopy of potassium atoms. A small atomic line width and a relation between the signal intensity and the transition probability allowed us to resolve four lines of atomic transitions responsible for the D1 lines of the {sup 39}K and {sup 41}K isotopes. Two groups containing four atomic transitions form in an applied magnetic field upon pumping by radiation with circular polarization σ{sup +} or σ{sup –}. Different intensities (probabilities) of transitions for the σ{sup +} and σ{sup –} excitations are detected in magnetic field B{sub 0} ≈ A{sub hfs}/μ{sub B} ≈ 165 G (A{sub hfs} is the magnetic dipole constant for the ground state and μ{sub B} is the Bohr magneton). A substantially different situation is observed at B ≫ B{sub 0}, since high symmetry appears for the two groups formed by radiation with circular polarization σ{sup +} or σ{sup –}. Each group is the mirror image of the other group with respect to the frequency of the 4{sup 2}S{sub 1/2}–4{sup 2}P{sub 1/2} transition, which additionally proves the occurrence of the complete Paschen–Back regime of the hyperfine structure at B ≈ 2.5 kG. A developed theoretical model well reproduces the experimental results. Possible practical applications are described. The results obtained can also be applied to the D{sub 1} lines of {sup 87}Rb and {sup 23}Na.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Lunar soil record of atmosphere loss over eons

The Moon has a tenuous atmosphere produced by space weathering. The short-lived nature of the atoms surrounding the Moon necessitates continuous replenishment from lunar regolith through mechanisms such as micrometeorite impacts, ion sputtering, and photon-stimulated desorption. Despite advances, previous remote sensing and space mission data have not conclusively disentangled the contributions of these processes. Using high-precision potassium (K) and rubidium (Rb) isotopic analyses of lunar soils from the Apollo missions, our study sheds light on the lunar surface-atmosphere evolution over billions of years. The observed correlation between K and Rb isotopic ratios (δ 87 Rb = 0.17 δ 41 K) indicates that, over long timescales, micrometeorite impact vaporization is the primary source of atoms in the lunar atmosphere.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fine Root and Soil Organic Carbon Depth Distributions are Inversely Related Across Fertility and Rainfall Gradients in Lowland Tropical Forests

Humid tropical forests contain some of the largest soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks on Earth. Much of this SOC is in subsoil, yet variation in the distribution of SOC through the soil profile remains poorly characterized across tropical forests. We used a correlative approach to quantify relationships among depth distributions of SOC, fine root biomass, nutrients and texture to 1 m depths across 43 lowland tropical forests in Panama. The sites span rainfall and soil fertility gradients, and these are largely uncorrelated for these sites. We used fitted b parameters to characterize depth distributions, where b is a numerical index based on an asymptotic relationship, such that larger b values indicate greater concentrations of root biomass or SOC at depth in the profile. Root b values ranged from 0.82 to 0.95 and were best predicted by soil pH and extractable potassium (K) stocks. For example, the three most acidic (pH < 4) and Kpoor (< 20 g K m -2 ) soils contained 76 ± 5% of fine root biomass from 0 to 10 cm depth, while the three least acidic (pH > 6.0) and most K-rich (> 50 g K m -2 ) soils contained only 41 ± 9% of fine root biomass at this depth. Root b and SOC b values were inversely related, such that a large fine root biomass in surface soils corresponded to large SOC stocks in subsoils (50–100 cm). SOC b values were best predicted by soil pH and base cation stocks, with the three most base-poor soils containing 34 ± 8% of SOC from 50 to 100 cm depth, and the three most base-rich soils containing just 9 ± 2% of SOC at this depth. Nutrient depth distributions were not related to Root b or SOC b values. Here, these data show that large surface root biomass stocks are associated with large subsoil C stocks in strongly weathered tropical soils. Further studies are required to evaluate why this occurs, and whether changes in surface root biomass, as may occur with global change, could in turn influence SOC storage in tropical forest subsoils.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pan-Arctic seasonal cycles and long-term trends of aerosol properties from 10 observatories

Even though the Arctic is remote, aerosol properties observed there are strongly influenced by anthropogenic emissions from outside the Arctic. This is particularly true for the so-called Arctic haze season (January through April). In summer (June through September), when atmospheric transport patterns change, and precipitation is more frequent, local Arctic sources, i.e., natural sources of aerosols and precursors, play an important role. Over the last few decades, significant reductions in anthropogenic emissions have taken place. At the same time a large body of literature shows evidence that the Arctic is undergoing fundamental environmental changes due to climate forcing, leading to enhanced emissions by natural processes that may impact aerosol properties. In this study, we analyze 9 aerosol chemical species and 4 particle optical properties from 10 Arctic observatories (Alert, Kevo, Pallas, Summit, Thule, Tiksi, Barrow/Utgiavik, Villum, and Gruvebadet and Zeppelin Observatory – both at Ny-Ålesund Research Station) to understand changes in anthropogenic and natural aerosol contributions. Variables include equivalent black carbon, particulate sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, methanesulfonic acid, sodium, iron, calcium and potassium, as well as scattering and absorption coefficients, single scattering albedo and scattering Ångström exponent. First, annual cycles are investigated, which despite anthropogenic emission reductions still show the Arctic haze phenomenon. Second, long-term trends are studied using the Mann–Kendall Theil–Sen slope method. We find in total 41 significant trends over full station records, i.e., spanning more than a decade, compared to 26 significant decadal trends. The majority of significantly declining trends is from anthropogenic tracers and occurred during the haze period, driven by emission changes between 1990 and 2000. For the summer period, no uniform picture of trends has emerged. Twenty-six percent of trends, i.e., 19 out of 73, are significant, and of those 5 are positive and 14 are negative. Negative trends include not only anthropogenic tracers such as equivalent black carbon at Kevo, but also natural indicators such as methanesulfonic acid and non-sea-salt calcium at Alert. Positive trends are observed for sulfate at Gruvebadet. No clear evidence of a significant change in the natural aerosol contribution can be observed yet. However, testing the sensitivity of the Mann–Kendall Theil–Sen method, we find that monotonic changes of around 5 % yr –1 in an aerosol property are needed to detect a significant trend within one decade. This highlights that long-term efforts well beyond a decade are needed to capture smaller changes. It is particularly important to understand the ongoing natural changes in the Arctic, where interannual variability can be high, such as with forest fire emissions and their influence on the aerosol population. To investigate the climate-change-induced influence on the aerosol population and the resulting climate feedback, long-term observations of tracers more specific to natural sources are needed, as well as of particle microphysical properties such as size distributions, which can be used to identify changes in particle populations which are not well captured by mass-oriented methods such as bulk chemical composition.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Potassium and Calcium Isotopic Fractionation by Plants (Soybean [Glycine max], Rice [Oryza sativa], and Wheat [Triticum aestivum])

Here, we conducted hydroponic experiments growing soybean (Glycine max), rice (Oryza sativa), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) under K and Ca replete conditions to establish the degree of K isotopic fractionation by plants, and compare the isotopic fractionation of Ca and K. Each of the test plants displays fractionation relative to the growth solution favoring the light isotopes of K and Ca. The average δ 41 K values of the roots from the three plant species were similar, and have an overall average of -0.55 ± 0.24‰ 2s, while the overall average δ 44 Ca for roots is -0.67 ± 0.44. For leaves, the overall average of δ 41 K is -0.97 ± 0.4‰, compared to an overall average leaf δ 44 Ca of -0.83 ± 0.09‰. In the case of the soybean plants, the lightest K and Ca occurs in the stems with average δ 41 K of -1.31 ± 0.40‰ 2s and average δ 44 Ca of -1.20 ± 0.19 ‰ 2s. We present a simple box model involving the relative fluxes of K and its isotopic fractionation that reproduces our K isotopic observations and suggests a fractionation of ~0.8‰ with K uptake from solution by roots. Finally, directly comparing the per amu fractionation of K and Ca reveals an average factor of 2.05 ± 0.50 2s greater fractionation of K isotopes which may reflect their different roles and behaviors in plants.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ab Initio Calculation of Equilibrium Isotopic Fractionations of Potassium and Rubidium in Minerals and Water

Here, we used first-principle approaches to calculate the equilibrium isotopic fractionation factors of potassium (K) and rubidium (Rb) in a variety of minerals of geological relevance (orthoclase, albite, muscovite, illite, sylvite, and phlogopite). We also used molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the equilibrium isotopic fractionation factors of K in water. Our results indicate that K and Rb form bonds of similar strengths and that the ratio between the equilibrium fractionations of K and Rb is approximately 3–4. Under low-temperature conditions relevant to weathering of continents or alteration of seafloor basalts (~25 °C), the K isotopic fractionation between solvated K+ and illite (a proxy for K-bearing clays) is +0.24‰, exceeding the current analytical precision, so equilibrium isotopic fractionation can induce measurable isotopic fractionations for this system at low temperature. These findings, however, cannot easily explain why the δ 41 K value of seawater is shifted by +0.6‰ relative to igneous rocks. Our results indicate that part of the observed fractionation is most likely due to kinetic effects. The narrow range of mean force constants for K and Rb in silicate minerals suggests that phase equilibrium is unlikely to create large K and Rb isotopic fractionations at magmatic temperatures (at least in silicate systems). Kinetic effects associated with diffusion can, however, produce large K and Rb isotopic fractionations in igneous rocks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Loss and Isotopic Fractionation of Alkali Elements during Diffusion-Limited Evaporation from Molten Silicate: Theory and Experiments

Moderately volatile elements (MVEs) are variably depleted in planetary bodies, reflecting the imprints of nebular and planetary processes. Among MVEs, Na, K, and Rb are excellent tracers for unraveling the history of MVE depletion in planetary bodies because they have similar geochemical behaviors but can be chemically fractionated by evaporation and condensation processes. Furthermore, K and Rb are amenable to high-precision isotopic analyses, which can help constrain the conditions of evaporation and condensation. To quantitatively understand why Na, K, and Rb are depleted in planetary bodies, we have carried out vacuum evaporation experiments from basaltic melt at 1200 and 1400 °C to study their evaporation kinetics and isotopic fractionations. We chose this composition because it is relevant to evaporation from small differentiated planetesimals. The Rb isotopic compositions of the evaporation residues were measured by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS), and the K isotopic compositions were measured along profiles across the residues by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In the 1400 °C run products, we found that the concentrations of both K and Rb in the run products decreased from core to rim, which was accompanied by a heavy K isotope enrichment near the surface. This indicates that, in this run, evaporation was limited by diffusion. To use those data quantitatively, we derive analytical equations that describe the evaporation rate and isotopic fractionation associated with diffusion-limited evaporation from a sphere, slab, and cylinder in transient and quasi-steady state regimes. This model is used to tease out the roles that diffusive transport in the melt and evaporation at the melt/gas interface play in setting the elemental depletion and isotopic composition of the residue. Under our experimental conditions, volatility decreases in the order of Na, Rb, and K. Using our experimental results in a thermodynamic model, we have estimated the product γΓ of activity coefficients × evaporation coefficients of Na, Rb, and K. The measured isotopic compositions of the residues are well explained using Rayleigh distillations, whereby the relative volatilities of K and Rb isotopes are given by the square root of their masses. We use our results and previously published data to predict how K and Rb could have been lost as a function of temperature, melt composition, oxygen fugacity, and saturation degree relevant to Vesta’s building blocks. We find that the K and Rb depletions, K/Rb elemental fractionation, and δ 41 K and δ 87 Rb isotopic fractionations of Vesta (as sampled by howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites) are best explained by evaporation of submillimeter size objects for 0.1-10 years at moderate temperatures (~1050 °C) in a medium ~98.8% saturated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Potassium isotopic fractionation in a humid and an arid soil–plant system in Hawai‘i

Plants play a critical role in the cycling of potassium (K) and the fractionation of its isotopes. However, little is known about K stable isotopic compositions in natural soil–plant systems and possible fractionation during intra-plant transport and root-soil uptake of K. Herein this study focuses on K isotopic fractionation within a humid and an arid soil–plant system sampled on the windward and leeward sides of Kohala Mountain, Hawai‘i. We determined the K isotopic compositions of < 2-mm bulk soil, soil saturation extraction, and selected plant tissues by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We studied soils and individual tissue samples such as roots, stems, barks, shoots (a sum of stems and fresh leaves), leaves (fresh and dead), seeds, and flowers of trees and grasses. The results demonstrated that: (i) tissue δ 41 K values ranged from –1.06 ± 0.06 to 1.15 ± 0.09‰; (ii) within the same plant, stems (barks), dead leaves, and reproductive tissues (flowers and seeds) were isotopically lighter compared to fresh leaves, and to a lesser extent, roots; (iii) δ 41 K values of the humid soil (-0.54 ± 0.07 to –0.49 ± 0.06‰) were lower than those of the arid soil (-0.24 ± 0.07 to –0.14 ± 0.06‰); and (iv) soil bioavailable pool δ 41 K (saturation extracts) ranged from –0.63 ± 0.08 to 0.34 ± 0.08‰ and 0.48 ± 0.08 to 0.54 ± 0.10‰ in the humid and arid soils, respectively. From synchrotron-based analysis of K atoms, we identified two major K-bearing phases co-existing as ionic K + and K-pectate association of different fractions. Based on K isotopic and synchrotron data, we conclude that two dominant processes are responsible for plant-mediated K isotopic fractionation, including (1) K redistribution during intra-plant circulation and (2) uptake at the root-soil interface. For intra-plant circulation of K, there is a high affinity of isotopically lighter K to organic complexes as K-pectate, and K-pectate is particularly enriched in roots and fresh leaves. For K uptake at root-soil interface, isotopically lighter K is preferentially taken by roots from soil bioavailable pools following a low-affinity (passive) transport path. Soil K budget in two sites reflects strong source mixing effects with limited plant imprints. This work provides exploratory data on the biogeochemical fractionation of K isotopes in the soil–plant system.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

A NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF YOUNG FIELD ULTRACOOL DWARFS

We present a near-infrared (0.9-2.4 {mu}m) spectroscopic study of 73 field ultracool dwarfs having spectroscopic and/or kinematic evidence of youth ( Almost-Equal-To 10-300 Myr). Our sample is composed of 48 low-resolution (R Almost-Equal-To 100) spectra and 41 moderate-resolution spectra (R {approx}> 750-2000). First, we establish a method for spectral typing M5-L7 dwarfs at near-IR wavelengths that is independent of gravity. We find that both visual and index-based classification in the near-IR provides consistent spectral types with optical spectral types, though with a small systematic offset in the case of visual classification at J and K band. Second, we examine features in the spectra of {approx}10 Myr ultracool dwarfs to define a set of gravity-sensitive indices based on FeH, VO, K I, Na I, and H-band continuum shape. We then create an index-based method for classifying the gravities of M6-L5 dwarfs that provides consistent results with gravity classifications from optical spectroscopy. Our index-based classification can distinguish between young and dusty objects. Guided by the resulting classifications, we propose a set of low-gravity spectral standards for the near-IR. Finally, we estimate the ages corresponding to our gravity classifications.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗