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At least 235 records · Page 13

Light-induced electron spin qubit coherences in the purple bacteria reaction center protein

Photosynthetic reaction center proteins (RCs) provide ideal model systems for studying quantum entanglement between multiple spins, a quantum mechanical phenomenon wherein the properties of the entangled particles become inherently correlated. Following light-generated sequential electron transfer, RCs generate spin-correlated radical pairs (SCRPs), also referred to as entangled spin qubit (radical) pairs (SQPs). Understanding and controlling coherence mechanisms in SCRP/SQPs is important for realizing practical uses of electron spin qubits in quantum sensing applications. The bacterial RC (bRC) provides an experimental system for exploring quantum effects in the SCRP P 865 + Q A − , where P 865 , a special pair of bacteriochlorophylls, is the primary donor, and Q A is the primary quinone acceptor. In this study, we focus on understanding how local molecular environments and isotopic substitution, particularly deuteration, influence spin coherence times (T M ). Using high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we observed that the local environment surrounding P 865 and Q A plays a significant role in determining T M . Our findings show that while deuteration led to a modest increase in T M , particularly at low temperatures, but the effect was substantially smaller than predicted by classical nuclear spin diffusion alone. This result is in contrast to our previous study of the photosystem I (PSI) RC, where no increase in T M was observed upon deuteration. Theoretical modeling identified several methyl groups at key distances from the spin centers of both bRC and PSI, and methyl group tunneling at low temperatures has been previously suggested as a mechanism for enhanced spin decoherence. Additionally, our study revealed a strong dependence of spin coherence on the orientation of the external magnetic field, highlighting the influence of the protein microenvironment on spin dynamics. In conclusion, these results offer new insights for optimizing coherence times in quantum system design for quantum information science and sensing applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Influence of Hyperfine Coupling Strain on Two-Dimensional ESEEM Spectra from I = 1/2 Nuclei

HYSCORE, a variant of two-dimensional ESEEM spectroscopy, is currently one of the most effective tools in high-resolution solid-state EPR spectroscopy. Our systematic studies of hydrogen bonds with semiquinones in 15 N-labeled proteins have previously provided us with an extensive collection of 15 N HYSCORE spectra produced by N–H…O nitrogen donors. Examination of these spectra has indicated in several cases lineshape distortions not described by available theoretical models. We were able to explain all observed artificial phenomena in the 15 N spectra of semiquinones considering a single mechanism—strain of the isotropic hyperfine interaction. In this review article, we introduce the HYSCORE experiment and the theoretical background for spectra of I = 1/2 nuclei in orientation-disordered samples. We then present a description of the observed lineshape distortions and an explanation of the hyperfine strain’s influence on the experimental spectra. In the final part of the article, we discuss (i) similar lineshape distortions found in previously published spectra from 15 N, 29 Si, 31 P, and 57 Fe nuclei that can be explained using the approach applied for the analysis of the 15 N spectra of semiquinones, and (ii) a recently published analysis of 31P spectra with a different type of lineshape distortion based on a more sophisticated method, where the strength of anisotropic coupling is correlated with the sign and value of the isotropic constant in different conformations of a Cu(II) complex.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Spin Echo Beamline on NB-2

Neutron Spin Echo (NSE) spectroscopy uniquely measures the Q-dependence of slow relaxation dynamics, and having such a machine at HFIR will advance polarized neutron spectroscopy and promote the study of biophysical and energy materials using neutrons. The 2018 Instrument Advisory Board (IAB) advises Neutron Sciences Directorate, ORNL to upgrade the cold neutron delivery system at HFIR, addressing geometrical challenges in neutron transfer from the bright cold source. This is being optimized now: the entrance to the guide system is moving closer to the source, and more guides are being added. However, there are still significant challenges to making the cold flux at the sample world-class. With the proposed guide system, NB-2 can deliver more than 10 6 polarized neutrons per cm 2 /sec below 8Å, and probably 10Å with further optimization. With no potential for running user experiments with neutrons longer than 15Å, the utility of such a machine for biological studies is limited. However, there is a large demand for this class of spectrometer in materials science, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology. Workshops held over the past decade and the three-source vision have highlighted the community's need for a low-angle, high-energy resolution spectrometer at HFIR. A detailed design study of this spectrometer is needed, focusing on optimizing the neutron delivery system for SANS-type studies. This neutron spectrometer would complement studies already performed on both SNSNSE and BASIS by overlapping and extend the dynamic range accessible, while acknowledging the proposed machine, EXPANSE, at the Second Target Station. Two technologies currently exist for such a spectrometer: traditional DC solenoids like those on BL-15 at SNS and IN15 at the ILL, and RF-flipper-based machines similar to RESEDA at FRMII. Either instrument would satisfy the scientific justification. However, there are strong business and scientific cases to utilize the thermal flux, the resonant expertise developed at ORNL, and the potential to utilize an entangled beam of neutrons to probe quantum matter by adopting the neutron resonant spin-echo configuration.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Nanoscale solid-state nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy using depth-optimized nitrogen-vacancy ensembles in diamond

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy of bulk quantum materials have provided insight into phenomena, such as quantum phase criticality, magnetism, and superconductivity. With the emergence of nanoscale 2D materials with magnetic phenomena, inductively detected NMR and NQR spectroscopy are not sensitive enough to detect the smaller number of spins in nanomaterials. The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond has shown promise in bringing the analytic power of NMR and NQR spectroscopy to the nanoscale. However, due to depth-dependent formation efficiency of the defect centers, noise from surface spins, band bending effects, and the depth dependence of the nuclear magnetic field, there is ambiguity regarding the ideal NV depth for surface NMR of statistically polarized spins. In this work, we prepared a range of shallow NV ensemble layer depths and determined the ideal NV depth by performing NMR spectroscopy on statistically polarized 19 F in Fomblin oil on the diamond surface. We found that the measurement time needed to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 using XY8-N noise spectroscopy has a minimum at an NV ensemble depth of 5.5 ± 1.5 nm for ensembles activated from 100 ppm nitrogen concentration. To demonstrate the sensing capabilities of NV ensembles, we perform NQR spectroscopy on the 11 B of hexagonal boron nitride flakes. We compare our best diamond to previous work with a single NV and find that this ensemble provides a shorter measurement time with excitation diameters as small as 4 μm. Furthermore, this analysis provides ideal conditions for further experiments involving NMR/NQR spectroscopy of 2D materials with magnetic properties.

2D materials↗

Machine Learning for Neutron Resonance Evaluations [Slides]

The performance of nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems depends on a precise understanding of the neutron interaction cross sections for materials used in these systems. These cross sections exhibit a resonance structure whose shape is determined in part by the angular momentum quantum numbers of the resonances. The correct assignment of the quantum numbers of neutron resonances is therefore of paramount importance. In this presentation, we describe the application of machine learning to automate the quantum number assignments. Scikit-learn classifiers were trained on simulated resonance data whose statistical properties were chosen to mimic real data. We explored the use of several physics (and random matrix theory)-motivated features for training the classifiers, including the nearest neighbor spacing distribution, cumulative level distribution, and channel width distributions. Initial results demonstrated that we can determine resonance spin groups somewhat reliably. We are now investigating the application of our approach to 52 Cr resonance data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Computational and Experimental 1H-NMR Study of Hydrated Mg-Based Minerals

Magnesium oxide (MgO) can convert to different magnesium-containing compounds depending on exposure and environmental conditions. Many MgO-based phases contain hydrated species allowing 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to be used in the characterization and quantification of proton-containing phases; however, surprisingly limited examples have been reported. Here, 1H-magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of select Mg-based minerals are presented and assigned. These experimental results are combined with computational NMR density functional theory (DFT) periodic calculations to calibrate the predicted chemical shielding results. This correlation is then used to predict the NMR shielding for a series of different MgO hydroxide, magnesium chloride hydrate, magnesium perchlorate, and magnesium cement compounds to aid in the future assignment of 1H-NMR spectra for complex Mg phases.

1H-NMR↗

Optically Enhanced Solid-State 1 H NMR Spectroscopy

Low sensitivity is the primary limitation to extending nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to more advanced chemical and structural studies. Photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) is an NMR hyperpolarization technique where light is used to excite a suitable donor–acceptor system, creating a spin-correlated radical pair whose evolution drives nuclear hyperpolarization. Systems that exhibit photo-CIDNP in solids are not common, and this effect has, up to now, only been observed for 13 C and 15 N nuclei. However, the low gyromagnetic ratio and natural abundance of these nuclei trap the local hyperpolarization in the vicinity of the chromophore and limit the utility for bulk hyperpolarization. Here, we report the first example of optically enhanced solid-state 1 H NMR spectroscopy in the high-field regime. This is achieved via photo-CIDNP of a donor–chromophore–acceptor molecule in a frozen solution at 0.3 T and 85 K, where spontaneous spin diffusion among the abundant strongly coupled 1 H nuclei relays polarization through the whole sample, yielding a 16-fold bulk 1 H signal enhancement under continuous laser irradiation at 450 nm. These findings enable a new strategy for hyperpolarized NMR beyond the current limits of conventional microwave-driven DNP.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis of nanodiamonds encapsulated by zeolitic imidazole framework-8 for quantum sensing applications

Nitrogen vacancy (NV)-containing nanodiamonds are widely used in quantum sensing applications due to their high sensitivity to magnetic fields, relatively low cost, and ability to be initialized, manipulated, and read out at room temperature. Quantum sensing techniques such as optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and spin relaxometry have exploited the sensitivity of the NV nanodiamonds to magnetic fields to detect a range of analytes, such as pH, metal ions, and biomolecules. However, diversifying the sensing targets accessible by NV diamond quantum sensors typically requires careful engineering of the diamond surface chemistry with stimuli-responsive functional groups. Here, a simple protocol for coating NV nanodiamonds with the zeolitic imidazole framework 8 (ZIF-8), a widely used metal-organic framework, is presented. ZIF-8 is a highly porous material that has been used as a selective sensor for gasses, metal ions, and other analytes. The material is well-characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. Encapsulation of NV nanodiamonds with a porous scaffold such as ZIF-8 provides a promising method for improving the selectivity for the quantum sensing of various analytes. Importantly, the ZIF-8 coating does not impact the luminescence properties of the NV diamond, which is a key readout in ODMR and spin relaxometry sensing approaches. Indeed, the ODMR spectra with and without the ZIF-8 shell is nearly identical. Moreover, the ZIF-8 coating increases the longitudinal spin relaxation time of the NV nanodiamond by a factor of 4 relative to aggregated diamond, a desirable outcome for spin relaxation-based quantum sensing. Metal-organic framework composites with nanodiamonds thus are an exciting strategy for enhancing NV nanodiamond performance in applications such as quantum sensing and quantum-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

nitrogen vacancy nanodiamond↗

Reactive high-spin iron(IV)-oxo sites through dioxygen activation in a metal–organic framework

In nature, nonheme iron enzymes use dioxygen to generate high-spin iron(IV)=O species for a variety of oxygenation reactions. Although synthetic chemists have long sought to mimic this reactivity, the enzyme-like activation of O 2 to form high-spin iron(IV) = O species remains an unrealized goal. Here, we report a metal–organic framework featuring iron(II) sites with a local structure similar to that in α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases. The framework reacts with O 2 at low temperatures to form high-spin iron(IV) = O species that are characterized using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform, in situ and variable-field Mössbauer, Fe Kβ x-ray emission, and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopies. In the presence of O 2 , the framework is competent for catalytic oxygenation of cyclohexane and the stoichiometric conversion of ethane to ethanol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Microscopic investigation of the 8 Li(n,γ)Li 9 reaction

Background: The 8 Li (n, γ) 9 Li reaction plays an important role in several astrophysics scenarios. It cannot be measured directly and indirect experiments have so far provided only cross section limits. Theoretical predictions differ by an order of magnitude. Purpose: In this work we study the properties of 9 Li bound states and low-lying resonances and calculate the 8 Li(n, γ) 9 Li cross section within the no-core shell model with continuum (NCSMC) with chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions as input. Methods: Here, the NCSMC is an ab initio method applicable to light nuclei that provides a unified description of bound and scattering states well suited to calculate low-energy nuclear scattering and reactions. For the capture cross section calculation, we adjust calculated thresholds to experimental values. Results: Our calculations reproduce the experimentally known bound states as well as the lowest 5/2 – resonance of 9 Li. We predict a 3/2 – spin-parity assignment for the resonance observed at 5.38 MeV. In addition to the very narrow 7/2 – resonance corresponding presumably to the experimental 6.43 MeV state, we find several other broad low-lying resonances. Conclusions: Our calculated 8 Li(n, γ) 9 Li cross section is within the limits derived from the 1998 National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory Coulomb-dissociation experiment. However, it is higher than cross sections obtained in recent phenomenological studies. It is dominated by a direct E1 capture to the ground state with a resonant contribution at ≈ 0.2 MeV due to E2/M1 radiation enhanced by the 5/2 – resonance.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The 2025 Evaluation of Experimental Thermonuclear Reaction Rates (ETR25)

This work describes the formalism for estimating thermonuclear reaction rates for astrophysical applications, emphasizing modern statistical approaches such as Monte Carlo sampling and Bayesian models. We discuss related topics including the calculation of resonance energies from nuclear Q values, indirect estimates of particle partial widths, and matching of reaction rates at elevated temperatures to statistical model results. We have evaluated available experimental data on cross sections, resonance energies and strengths, partial widths, lifetimes, spin-parities, and spectroscopic factors. Based on these results, we have estimated numerical values of 78 experimental charged-particle thermonuclear reaction rates for target nuclei in the A = 2–40 mass region, for temperatures ranging from 1 MK to 10 GK. For each reaction, three rate values are provided: low, median, and high, corresponding to the 16th, 50th, and 84th percentiles, respectively, of the cumulative reaction rate probability density distribution. Additionally, we present the factor uncertainty of each rate at each temperature grid point. These results enable users to sample the reaction rate probability density in nucleosynthesis calculations, facilitating uncertainty estimates of nuclidic abundances. The rates presented here refer to their laboratory values. For use in stellar model simulations, these values need to be corrected for the effects of thermal excitations of the interacting nuclei. For each reaction, we include graphs that illustrate the fractional contributions to the overall reaction rate along with the associated uncertainty. These visuals are designed to assist both stellar modelers and nuclear experimentalists by identifying the primary sources of rate uncertain=^texttx);ty at specific stellar temperatures. A graphical comparison with earlier Monte Carlo rates is also provided.

Nuclear astrophysics↗

Cations impact radical reaction dynamics in concentrated multicomponent aqueous solutions

Ultraviolet (UV) photolysis of nitrite ions (NO 2 – ) in aqueous solutions produces a suite of radicals, viz., NO · , O – , · OH, and · NO 2 . The O – and NO · radicals are initially formed from the dissociation of photoexcited NO 2 – . The O – radical undergoes reversible proton transfer with water to generate · OH. Both · OH and O – oxidize the NO 2 – to · NO 2 radicals. The reactions of · OH occur at solution diffusion limits, which are influenced by the nature of the dissolved cations and anions. Here, we systematically varied the alkali metal cation, spanning the range from strongly to weakly hydrating ions, and measured the production of NO · , · OH, and · NO 2 radicals during UV photolysis of alkaline nitrite solutions using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy with nitromethane spin trapping. Comparing the data for the different alkali cations revealed that the nature of the cation had a significant effect on production of all three radical species. Radical production was inhibited in solutions with high charge density cations, e.g., lithium, and promoted in solutions containing low charge density cations, e.g., cesium. Through complementary investigations with multinuclear single pulse direct excitation nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and pulsed field gradient NMR diffusometry, cation-controlled solution structures and extent of NO 2 – solvation were determined to alter the initial yields of · NO and · OH radicals as well as alter the reactivity of NO 2 – toward · OH, impacting the production of · NO 2 . The implications of these results for the retrieval and processing of low-water, highly alkaline solutions that comprise legacy radioactive waste are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

An in-silico NMR laboratory for nuclear magnetic shieldings computed via finite fields: Exploring nucleus-specific renormalizations of MP2 and MP3

Here we developed and implemented a method-independent, fully numerical, finite difference approach to calculating nuclear magnetic resonance shieldings, using gauge-including atomic orbitals. The resulting capability can be used to explore non-standard methods, given only the energy as a function of finite-applied magnetic fields and nuclear spins. For example, standard second-order Møller-Plesset theory (MP2) has well-known efficacy for 1H and 13C shieldings and known limitations for other nuclei such as 15N and 17O. It is, therefore, interesting to seek methods that offer good accuracy for 15N and 17O shieldings without greatly increased compute costs, as well as exploring whether such methods can further improve 1H and 13C shieldings. Using a small molecule test set of 28 species, we assessed two alternatives: κ regularized MP2 (κ-MP2), which provides energy-dependent damping of large amplitudes, and MP2.X, which includes a variable fraction, X, of third-order correlation (MP3). The aug-cc-pVTZ basis was used, and coupled cluster with singles and doubles and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] results were taken as reference values. Our κ-MP2 results reveal significant improvements over MP2 for 13C and 15N, with the optimal κ value being element-specific. κ-MP2 with κ = 2 offers a 30% rms error reduction over MP2. For 15N, κ-MP2 with κ = 1.1 provides a 90% error reduction vs MP2 and a 60% error reduction vs CCSD. On the other hand, MP2.X with a scaling factor of 0.6 outperformed CCSD for all heavy nuclei. These results can be understood as providing renormalization of doubles amplitudes to partially account for neglected triple and higher substitutions and offer promising opportunities for future applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Direct local parametrization of nuclear state densities using the back-shifted Bethe formula

Level densities are often parametrized using the back-shifted Bethe formula (BBF) for nuclei that possess experimental data for s-wave neutron resonance average spacings and a complete discrete level sequence at low excitation energies. However, these parametrizations require the additional modeling of the dependence of the spin-cutoff parameter on excitation energy. Here, in this work, we avoid the need to model the spin distribution of level densities by using the experimental data to parametrize directly the state densities, for which the BBF does not depend on the spin-cutoff parameter. This approach allows for a local parameterization of state densities that is independent of the spin-cutoff parameter. We provide these parameters in a tabulated form for applications in nuclear reaction calculations and for testing microscopic approaches to state densities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A modular apparatus for use in high-precision measurements of parity violation in polarized eV neutron transmission

We describe a modular apparatus for use in parity-violation measurements in epithermal neutron–nucleus resonances with high instantaneous neutron fluxes at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This apparatus is designed to conduct high-precision measurements of the parity-odd transmission asymmetry of longitudinally polarized neutrons through targets containing nuclei with p-wave neutron–nucleus resonances in the 0.1–10 eV energy regime and to accommodate a future search for time reversal violation in polarized neutron transmission through polarized nuclear targets. The apparatus consists of an adjustable neutron and gamma collimation system, a 3 He- 4 He ion chamber neutron flux monitor, two identical cryostats for target cooling, an adiabatic eV-neutron spin flipper, a near-unit efficiency 6 Li- 7 Li scintillation detector operated in current mode, a flexible CAEN data acquisition system, and a neutron spin filter based on spin-exchange optical pumping of 3 He gas. We describe the features of the apparatus design devoted to the suppression of systematic errors in parity-odd asymmetry measurements. We describe the configuration of the apparatus used to conduct a precision measurement of parity violation at the 0.7 eV p-wave resonance in 139 La which employs two identical 139 La targets, one to polarize the beam on the p-wave resonance using the weak interaction and one to analyze the polarization.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Static and dynamic properties of the frustrated spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ depleted-kagome antiferromagnet Cu 7 (TeO 3 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6

The structural and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ depleted-kagome compound Cu 7 (TeO 3 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 are investigated using x-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity, and 1 H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements. From the analysis of magnetic susceptibility, we found a large Curie-Weiss temperature [𝜃 CW = −50⁢(2)⁢K] and the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions. The value of 𝜃 CW gives an estimate of the average nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interaction of 𝐽/𝑘 B ≃ 66K. The NMR relaxation rates (1/𝑇 1 and 1/𝑇 2 ) exhibit a peak, providing evidence for a magnetic long-range order at 𝑇* ≃ 4K which appears to be canted antiferromagnetic type. Heat capacity also features a broad maximum at 𝑇* that moves towards higher temperatures with increasing magnetic field, reflecting defect induced Schottky anomaly. The frustration parameter 𝑓 𝑟 = |𝜃 CW |/𝑇* ≃ 12.5 renders the compound a highly frustrated low-dimensional magnet.

Akshay, K. U. [Indian Institute of Science Educati↗

Development of Operando Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Capabilities for Solid-State Battery Research

Mechanistic information regarding solid-solid interfaces in solid-state batteries remains elusive as its observation requires a non-destructive operando technique. Such a technique does not currently exist. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is uniquely suited to address this challenge as it is sensitive to chemistry, structure, and dynamics and can measure buried interfaces. However solid-state NMR requires high speed spinning of the sample at the ‘magic angle’ (MAS) to obtain adequate resolution. The metallic current collectors in a battery are detrimental to spinning in magnetic fields as they generate eddy currents which prevent spinning and dampen the NMR signal. Furthermore, the spinning nature of the MAS NMR experiment requires a wireless means of charging for operando capabilities. These challenges were addressed in this research and operando MAS NMR enabled by optical wireless charging was demonstrated. By limiting the size of the metallic components, we were able to spin a sample holder with electrical leads and a solid-state battery up to a few kilohertz, fast enough for high-resolution NMR. We achieved wireless charging by attaching a photovoltaic cell to the head of the NMR rotor and used a laser to transmit power to the photovoltaic cell. Demonstration of the optical wireless charging was performed by polarizing a liquid electrolyte during an operando MAS NMR measurement. This novel capability is a transformative technique for investigating the mechanistic electrochemical processes in solid-state samples.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗