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At least 253 records · Page 14

Fluorine as a constituent in lunar magmatic gases

Fluorine surface deposits on Apollo 15 green glass, Apollo 17 orange glass, and on vesicle linings from Apollo 15 basalts were studied by a resonant nuclear reaction technique. Surface layers of about 10 to the 15th F atoms/sq cm were observed on unbroken spheroidal glass surfaces, whereas thinner (about 10 to the 14th atoms/sq cm) deposits were found on the vesicle linings.

Goldberg, R. H.↗

Development of LC-13C NMR

This study involves the development of C-13 nuclear resonance as an on-line detector for liquid chromatography (LC-C-13 NMR) for the chemical characterization of aviation fuels. The initial focus of this study was the development of a high sensitivity flow C-13 NMR probe. Since C-13 NMR sensitivity is of paramount concern, considerable effort during the first year was directed at new NMR probe designs. In particular, various toroid coil designs were examined. In addition, corresponding shim coils for correcting the main magnetic field (B sub 0) homogeneity were examined. Based on these initial probe design studies, an LC-C-13 NMR probe was built and flow C-13 NMR data was obtained for a limited number of samples.

Dorn, H. C.↗

Fractionation of Iron and Titanium Isotopes By Ilmenite and the Isotopic Compositions of Lunar Magma Ocean Cumulates

Basaltic volcanism on the Moon produced low- and high-Ti mare basalt suites that are also distinct with respect to their iron, titanium, and magnesium iso- topic compositions. Here, the equilibrium fractionation of Fe and Ti isotopes between ilmenite and melt was experimentally investigated in order to evaluate the role of ilmenite in generating the isotopic compositional variability among the lunar mare basalts. Ilmenite crystallization experiments were conducted using two bulk compositions: an ilmenite-saturated basaltic andesite and an ilmenite-saturated Apollo 14 black glass, and the Fe and Ti isotopic compo- sitions of the experimental ilmenites and glass (quenched melt) were analyzed using solution MC-ICPMS after hand-picking. Additionally, Nuclear Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (NRIXS) measurements on synthetic ilmenite were conducted and compared to previous NRIXS measurements on synthetic lunar glasses in order to derive temperature-dependent equilibrium ilmenite-melt Fe isotopic fractionations. Experimentally determined ilmenite-melt fractionations were then incorporated into a lunar magma ocean crystallization model that tracks the major element and isotopic compositional evolution of lunar magma ocean cumulates and residual liquid. There is good agreement between the Fe equilibrium isotopic fractionation measured by NRIXS and the laboratory equili- bration experiments, and we find that the isotopic fractionation is sensitive to il- menite compositional differences (0 vs. 10% Fe3+). Further, the light Ti isotopic composition of ilmenite relative to the melt (∆49Ti ilmenite-melt = −0.09 ± 0.03h at 1100°C) is consistent with the higher coordination of Ti in ilmenite relative to melts and results of previous studies. The modeled Ti isotopic compositions for lunar magma ocean cumulates display Ti isotopic variability sufficient to explain the low- and high-Ti mare basalt sources. However, the difference in Fe isotopic composition between the low- and high-Ti mare basalts cannot be attributed solely to ilmenite fractionation. Instead, Fe isotopic fractionation by additional products of lunar magma ocean crystallization, such as clinopy- roxene, is required to generate the inferred Fe and Mg isotopic variability in the lunar mantle. Alternatively, the Fe and Mg isotopic compositions of the lunar mare basalts may indicate Fe-Mg interdiffusion has occurred in the Ti- rich component of the mare basalt source regions via reaction between ilmenite cumulates and the olivine- and pyroxene-rich lunar mantle.

Kelsey Prissel↗

Equatorial Electronic Structure in the Uranyl Ion: Cs 2 UO 2 Cl 4 and Cs 2 UO 2 Br 4

Electric field gradient (EFG) tensors in the equatorial plane of the linear UO 2 2+ ion have been measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) experiments and computed by relativistic Kohn–Sham methods with and without environment embedding for Cs 2 UO 2 Cl 4 and Cs 2 UO 2 Br 4 . This approach expands the possibilities for probing the electronic structure in uranyl complexes beyond the strongly covalent U–O bonds. The combined analyses find that one of the two largest principal EFG tensor components at the halogen sites points along the U–X bond (X = Cl, Br), and the second is parallel to the UO 2 2+ ion; in Cs 2 UO 2 Cl 4 , the components are nearly equal in magnitude, whereas in Cs 2 UO 2 Br 4 , due to short-range bromide–cesium interactions, the equatorial component is dominant for one pair of Br sites and the axial component is larger for the second pair. Additionally, the directions and relative magnitudes of the field gradient principal axes are found to be sensitive to the σ and π electron donation by the ligands and the model of the environment. Chlorine-35 NQR spectra of 235 U-depleted and 235 U-enriched Cs 2 UO 2 Cl 4 exhibited no uranium-isotope-dependent shift, but the resonance of the depleted sample displayed a 58% broader line width.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Trojan horse method as an indirect approach to study resonant reactions in nuclear astrophysics

The primary goal of the Trojan horse method (THM) is to analyze resonant rearrangement reactions when the density of the resonance levels is low and statistical models cannot be applied. The main difficulty of the analysis is related with the facts that in the final state the THM reaction involves three particles and that the intermediate particle, which is transferred from the Trojan horse particle to the target nucleus to form a resonance state, is virtual. Another difficulty is associated with the Coulomb interaction between the particles, especially, taking into account that the goal of the THM is to study resonant rearrangement reactions at very low energies important for nuclear astrophysics. The exact theory of such reactions with three charged particles is very complicated and is not available. This is why different approximations are used to analyze THM reactions. In this review paper we describe a new approach based on a few-body formalism that provides a solid basis for deriving the THM reaction amplitude taking into account rescattering of the particles in the initial, intermediate and final states of the THM reaction. Since the THM uses a two-step reaction in which the first step is the transfer reaction populating a resonance state, we address the theory of the transfer reactions. The theory is based on the surface-integral approach and R-matrix formalism. We also discuss application of the THM to resonant reactions populating both resonances located on the second energy sheet and subthreshold resonances, which are subthreshold bound states located at negative energies close to thresholds. We consider the application of the THM to determine the astrophysical factors of resonant radiative-capture reactions at energies so low that direct measurements can hardly be performed due to the negligibly small penetrability factor in the entry channel of the reaction. Here, we elucidated the main ideas of the THM and outline necessary conditions to perform the THM experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Electronic properties of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors as seen by Cu and O NMR/NQR

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) allow the investigation of electronic properties at the atomic level. We will report on such studies of typical members of the the Y-Ba-Cu-O family such as YBa2Cu30(6 + x) (1-2-3-(6 + x)), YBa2Cu4O8 (1-2-4) and Y2Ba4Cu7015 (2-4-7) with many examples of recent work performed in our laboratory. In particular, we will deal with Knight shift and relaxation studies of copper and oxygen. We will discuss important issues of current studies such as: (1) Existence of a common electronic spin-susceptibility in the planes (and perhaps in the chains) of 1-2-4; (2) Strong evidence for the existence of a pseudo spin-gap of the antiferromagnetic fluctuations in 1-2-4 and 2-4-7; (3) Evidence for d-wave pairing in 1-2-4; (4) Strong coupling of inequivalent Cu-O planes in 2-4-7 and possible origin for the high Tc value of this compound; and (5) The possibility to describe NMR data in the framework of a charge-excitation picture.

Brinkmann, D.↗

Fast resonance decays in nuclear collisions

Here, we present a new method to calculate the final decay spectrum of direct resonance decays directly from hydrodynamic fields on a freeze-out surface. The method is based on identifying components of the final particle spectrum that transform in an irreducible way under rotations in the fluid-restframe. Corresponding distribution functions can be pre-computed including all resonance decays. Just a few of easily tabulated scalar functions then determine the Lorentz invariant decay spectrum from each space-time point, and simple integrals of these scalar functions over the freeze-out surface determine the final decay products. This by-passes numerically costly event-by-event calculations of the intermediate resonances. The method is of considerable practical use for making realistic data to model comparisons of the identified particle yields and flow harmonics, and for studying the viscous corrections to the freeze-out distribution function.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Single-level resonance parameters fit nuclear cross-sections

Least squares analyses of experimental differential cross-section data for the U-235 nucleus have yielded single level Breit-Wigner resonance parameters that fit, simultaneously, three nuclear cross sections of capture, fission, and total.

Drawbaugh, D. W.↗

Ferrimagnetism in EuFe 4 As 12 revealed by 153 Eu NMR and 75 As NQR measurements

Filled skutterudite compound EuFe 4 As 12 shows the highest magnetic ordering temperature of T C =154K among Eu-based skutterudite compounds, but its magnetic ground state has not been determined yet. In this study, we performed 153 Eu nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 75 As nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements on EuFe 4 As 12 to reveal its magnetic ground state as well as the physical properties from a microscopic point of view. From the temperature and magnetic field dependence of 153 Eu NMR spectrum in the magnetically ordered state, we found that the Eu ions are in Eu 2+ state with a nearly 7 μB corresponding to S=7/2 spins. Combined with the magnetization measurements, which show the reduced saturation moments of 4.5 μB/f.u., we determined the ground magnetic structure in EuFe 4 As 12 to be ferrimagnetic where the Eu 2+ 4f and the Fe 3d ordered moments are ferromagnetically aligned in each sublattice but the moments between the sublattices are antiferromagnetically aligned. We also found the local distortion at the Eu site from the cubic symmetry in the magnetically ordered state. The relationship between the rattling motion of Eu atoms and the local symmetry of the Eu ions is discussed. From the 75 As NQR nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time measurements as well as 153 Eu NMR measurements, we found that the 4f electrons of the Eu ions are well described by the local moment picture in both the magnetic and paramagnetic metallic states.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Resonant X-ray excitation of the nuclear clock isomer 45 Sc

Resonant oscillators with stable frequencies and large quality factors help us to keep track of time with high precision. Examples range from quartz crystal oscillators in wristwatches to atomic oscillators in atomic clocks, which are, at present, our most precise time measurement devices. The search for more stable and convenient reference oscillators is continuing. Nuclear oscillators are better than atomic oscillators because of their naturally higher quality factors and higher resilience against external perturbations. One of the most promising cases is an ultra-narrow nuclear resonance transition in 45 Sc between the ground state and the 12.4-keV isomeric state with a long lifetime of 0.47 s (ref. 10 ). The scientific potential of 45 Sc was realized long ago, but applications require 45 Sc resonant excitation, which in turn requires accelerator-driven, high-brightness X-ray sources that have become available only recently. Here we report on resonant X-ray excitation of the 45 Sc isomeric state by irradiation of Sc-metal foil with 12.4-keV photon pulses from a state-of-the-art X-ray free-electron laser and subsequent detection of nuclear decay products. Simultaneously, the transition energy was determined as ${\mathrm{12,389.59}}_{+0.12\left({\rm{syst}}\right)}^{\pm 0.15\left({\rm{stat}}\right)}\,{\rm{eV}}$ with an uncertainty that is two orders of magnitude smaller than the previously known values. These advancements enable the application of this isomer in extreme metrology, nuclear clock technology, ultra-high-precision spectroscopy and similar applications.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Uniaxial stress study of spin and charge stripes in La1.875Ba0.125CuO4 by 139La NMR and 63Cu NQR

We study the response of spin and charge order in single crystals of La1.875Ba0.125CuO4 to uniaxial stress, through 139La nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 63Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), respectively. In unstressed La1.875Ba0.125CuO4, the low-temperature tetragonal structure onsets below TLTT = 57 K, while the charge order and the spin order transition temperatures are TCO = 54 K and TSO = 37 K, respectively. We find that uniaxial stress along the [110] lattice direction strongly suppresses TCO and TSO, but has little effect on TLTT. In other words, under stress along [110] a large splitting (≈ 21 K) opens between TCO and TLTT, showing that these transitions are not tightly linked. On the other hand, stress along [100] causes a slight suppression of TLTT but has essentially no effect on TCO and TSO. Magnetic field H along [110] stabilizes the spin order: the suppression of TSO under stress along [110] is slower under H ∥ [110] than H ∥ [001]. We develop a Landau free energy model and interpret our findings as an interplay of symmetry breaking terms driven by the orientation of spins.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of magnetic noise from conductive shields in the 10–300 kHz frequency range

Here we present experimental and theoretical investigations of magnetic noise originating from radio-frequency (RF) conductive shields of flat geometry in the inductance-dominated impedance regime below 300 kHz. The measurement is based on a Q-factor determination of a coil that provides a sufficient sensitivity, placed at the position where the shield magnetic noise is measured. The theory is based on calculations of magnetic field and inductance of one or a few flat rings that emulate a conductive shield. The theoretical model is found to be in close agreement with experimental data. It can be used to predict the magnetic noise of a conductive shield with different thicknesses, conductivities, and temperatures at different distances for a wide range of frequencies. Although the model can be generalized for a more arbitrary shield geometry, in its presented form, it can be applied to the magnetic noise predictions when the shield surface curvature is not large. One important conclusion is that the RF conductive shield can generate the magnetic noise much lower than femtotesla, and, thus, it can be used in many precision experiments targeting minute high-frequency magnetic signals, such as detection of magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear quadrupole resonance signals and search for axion dark matter.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Transition Metal Dissolution Mechanisms and Impacts on Electronic Conductivity in Composite LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Cathode Films

The high-voltage LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) spinel cathode material offers high energy density storage capabilities without the use of costly Co that is prevalent in other Li-ion battery chemistries (e.g., LiNi x Mn y Co z O 2 (NMC)). Unfortunately, LNMO-containing batteries suffer from poor cycling performance because of the intrinsically coupled processes of electrolyte oxidation and transition metal dissolution that occurs at high voltage. In this work, we use operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies to demonstrate that transition metal dissolution in LNMO is tightly coupled to HF formation (and thus, electrolyte oxidation reactions as detected with operando and in situ solution NMR), indicative of an acid-driven disproportionation reaction that occurs during delithiation (i.e., battery charging). Leveraging the temporal resolution (s-min) of magnetic resonance, we find that the LNMO particles accelerate the rate of LiPF 6 decomposition and subsequent Mn 2+ dissolution, possibly due to the acidic nature of terminal Mn-OH groups. X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) provides surface-sensitive and localized X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements, in addition to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), that indicate disproportionation is enabled by surface reconstruction upon charging, which leads to surface Mn 3+ sites on the LNMO particle surface that can disproportionate into Mn 2+ (dissolved) and Mn 4+ (s) . During discharge of the battery, we observe high quantities of metal fluorides (in particular, MnF 2 ) in the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on LNMO as well as the conductive carbon additives in the composite. Electronic conductivity measurements indicate that the MnF 2 decreases film conductivity by threefold compared to LiF, suggesting that this CEI component may impede both the ionic and electronic properties of the cathode. Ultimately, to prevent transition metal dissolution and the associated side reactions in spinel-type cathodes (particularly those that operate at high voltages like LNMO), the use of electrolytes that offer improved anodic stability and prevent acid byproducts will likely be necessary.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cationic Cobalt(II) Bisphosphine Hydroformylation Catalysis: In Situ Spectroscopic and Reaction Studies

[HCo(CO) x (bisphosphine)](BF 4 ), x = 1–3, is a highly active hydroformylation catalyst system, especially for internal branched alkenes. In situ infrared spectroscopy (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and nuclear magnetic resonance studies support the proposed catalyst formulation. IR studies reveal the formation of a dicationic Co(I) paramagnetic CO-bridged dimer, [Co 2 (μ-CO) 2 (CO)(bisphosphine) 2 ] 2+ , at lower temperatures formed from the reaction of two catalyst complexes via the elimination of H 2 . Here, DFT studies indicate a dimer structure with square-pyramidal and tetrahedral cobalt centers. This monomer–dimer equilibrium is analogous to that seen for HCo(CO) 4 , reacting to eliminate H 2 and form Co 2 (CO) 8 . EPR studies on the catalyst show a high-spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) complex. Reaction studies are presented that support the cationic Co(II) bisphosphine catalyst as the catalyst species present in this system and minimize the possible role of neutral Co(I) species, HCo(CO) 4 or HCo(CO) 3 (phosphine), as catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Carbohydrate-aromatic interface and molecular architecture of lignocellulose

Abstract Plant cell walls constitute the majority of lignocellulosic biomass and serve as a renewable resource of biomaterials and biofuel. Extensive interactions between polysaccharides and the aromatic polymer lignin make lignocellulose recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis, but this polymer network remains poorly understood. Here we interrogate the nanoscale assembly of lignocellulosic components in plant stems using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and dynamic nuclear polarization approaches. We show that the extent of glycan-aromatic association increases sequentially across grasses, hardwoods, and softwoods. Lignin principally packs with the xylan in a non-flat conformation via non-covalent interactions and partially binds the junction of flat-ribbon xylan and cellulose surface as a secondary site. All molecules are homogeneously mixed in softwoods; this unique feature enables water retention even around the hydrophobic aromatics. These findings unveil the principles of polymer interactions underlying the heterogeneous architecture of lignocellulose, which may guide the rational design of more digestible plants and more efficient biomass-conversion pathways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗