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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Using spin alignment of inelastically excited nuclei in fast beams to assign spins: The spectroscopy of 13 O as a test case

Excited states in O 13 were investigated using inelastic scattering of an E / A = 69.5 MeV O 13 beam off of a Be 9 target. The excited states were identified in the invariant-mass spectra of the decay products. Both single-proton and sequential two-proton decays of the excited states were examined. Furthermore, for a number of the excited states, the protons were emitted with strong anisotropy where emissions transverse to the beam axis are favored. The measured proton-decay angular distributions were compared to predictions from distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations of the spin alignment which was shown to be largely independent of the excitation mechanism. The deduced O 13 level scheme is compared to ab initio no-core shell model with continuum predictions. The lowest-energy excited states decay isotropically consistent with predictions of strong proton 1 s 1 / 2 structure. Above these states in the level scheme, we observed a number of higher-spin states not predicted within the model. Possibly these are associated with rotational bands built on deformed cluster configurations predicted by antisymmetrized molecular dynamics calculations. The spin alignment mechanism is shown to be useful for making spin assignments and may have widespread use.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Search for heavy resonances decaying into a pair of Z bosons in the $\ell ^+\ell ^-\ell '^+\ell '^-$ and $\ell ^+\ell ^-\nu {{\bar{\nu }}}$ final states using 139 $\mathrm {fb}^{-1}$ of proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for heavy resonances decaying into a pair of Z bosons leading to $\ell ^+\ell ^-\ell '^+\ell '^-$ and $\ell ^+\ell ^-\nu {{\bar{\nu }}}$ final states, where ℓ stands for either an electron or a muon, is presented. The search uses proton–proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected from 2015 to 2018 that corresponds to the integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 recorded by the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. Different mass ranges spanning 200 GeV to 2000 GeV for the hypothetical resonances are considered, depending on the final state and model. In the absence of a significant observed excess, the results are interpreted as upper limits on the production cross section of a spin-0 or spin-2 resonance. The upper limits for the spin-0 resonance are translated to exclusion contours in the context of Type-I and Type-II two-Higgs-doublet models, and the limits for the spin-2 resonance are used to constrain the Randall–Sundrum model with an extra dimension giving rise to spin-2 graviton excitations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Neutral-current neutrino scattering from the deuteron

Neutral-current neutrino scattering from the deuteron leading to proton-neutron final states is considered using an approach that incorporates relativistic dynamics and consequently provides robust modeling at relatively high energies and momenta. In this work the focus is placed on the fully exclusive reaction where both the proton and neutron in the final state are assumed to be detected. Accordingly, the incident neutrino energy, the neutrino scattering angle and the scattered neutrino's energy can all be reconstructed. It is shown that for specific choices of kinematics the reaction proceeds mainly via scattering from the proton, while for other choices of kinematics it proceeds mainly from the neutron. Specific asymmetries are introduced to focus on these attributes. Measurements in both regions have the potential to yield valuable information on the nucleon's electroweak form factors at momentum transfers up to a (GeV/c)$^2$. In particular, the cross sections are shown to be very sensitive to the isoscalar axial-vector form factor, and sensitive but less so to the magnetic strangeness form factor. Comparisons with other reactions, specifically charge-changing neutrino reactions and both parity-conserving and -violating electron scattering, have the potential to provide new ways to test the Standard Model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Strong Evidence for N 9 and the Limits of Existence of Atomic Nuclei

The boundaries of the Chart of Nuclides contain exotic isotopes that possess extreme proton-to-neutron asymmetries. Here we report on strong evidence of 9 N, one of the most exotic proton-rich isotopes where more than one half of its constitute nucleons are unbound. With seven protons and two neutrons, this extremely proton-rich system would represent the first-known example of a ground-state five-proton emitter. Here, the invariant-mass spectrum of its decay products can be fit with two peaks whose energies are consistent with the theoretical predictions of an open-quantum-system approach, however we cannot rule out the possibility that only a single resonance-like peak is present in the spectrum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Correlated solvent coordinates accelerate multi-donor proton-coupled electron transfer

The rate of charge transfer within a discrete donor–acceptor (D/A) pair is well-described by semi-classical electron transfer theory, but the effects of multiple equivalent redox sites remain less understood. We report a series of ground-state intramolecular proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) complexes designed to isolate the effects of donor number, N, while holding geometry, coupling, and driving forces constant. The [Ru(L) 3−N (OH) N ] 2+ complexes incorporate one, two, or three identical phenolic electron donors linked to Ru through rigid phenanthroline bridges (OH = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenol). Upon flash photolysis and oxidative quenching with methyl viologen (MV 2+ ), the transient Ru(III) oxidizes an appended phenol by PCET with the hydrogen-bonded imidazole nitrogen atom functioning as the base. The rate increased by 3.4-fold and 5.7-fold (1.7-fold and 1.9-fold after statistical correction) for two- and three-donor complexes compared to the single-donor system. The supra-statistical acceleration is attributed to a reduced effective outer sphere reorganization energy (λ m ) modeled by a partially shared solvent reaction coordinate, in which a subset of solvent dipoles is already oriented to stabilize charge from any donor. The final phenoxyl radical state is localized due to the transfer of a proton, and the recombination reaction with the viologen radical is not accelerated. These results demonstrate the effects of solvent dynamics on intramolecular PCET rates, offering a new strategy for the design of synthetic charge transfer systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for long-lived particles decaying to final states with a pair of muons in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13.6 TeV

An inclusive search for long-lived exotic particles (LLPs) decaying to final states with a pair of muons is presented. The search uses data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.6 fb$^{−1}$ collected by the CMS experiment from the proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13.6 TeV in 2022, the first year of Run 3 of the CERN LHC. The experimental signature is a pair of oppositely charged muons originating from a secondary vertex spatially separated from the proton-proton interaction point by distances ranging from several hundred μm to several meters. The sensitivity of the search benefits from new triggers for displaced dimuons developed for Run 3. The results are interpreted in the framework of the hidden Abelian Higgs model, in which the Higgs boson decays to a pair of long-lived dark photons, and of an R-parity violating supersymmetry model, in which long-lived neutralinos decay to a pair of muons and a neutrino. The limits set on these models are the most stringent to date in wide regions of lifetimes for LLPs with masses larger than 10 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trap States in Reduced Colloidal Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Have Different Proton Stoichiometries

Added electrons and holes in semiconducting (nano)materials typically occupy “trap states,” which often determine their photophysical properties and chemical reactivity. However, trap states are usually ill-defined, with few insights into their stoichiometry or structure. Our laboratory previously reported that aqueous colloidal TiO 2 nanoparticles prepared from TiCl 4 + H 2 O have two classes of electron trap states, termed Blue and Red. Herein, we show that the formation of Red from oxidized TiO 2 requires 1e – + 1H + , while Blue requires 1e – + 2H + . The two states are in a protic equilibrium, Blue ⇌ Red + H + , with K eq = 2.65 mM. The Blue states in the TiO 2 NPs behave just like a soluble molecular acid with this K eq as their K a , as supported by solvent isotope studies. Because the trap states have different compositions, their population and depopulation occur with the making and breaking of chemical bonds and not (as commonly assumed) just by the movement of electrons. In addition, the direct observation of a 2H + /1e – trap state contradicts the emerging H atom transfer (1H + /1e – ) paradigm for oxide/solution interfaces. Finally, this work emphasizes the importance of chemical stoichiometries, not just electronic energies, in understanding and directing the reactivity at solid/solution interfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental study of the Si 30 ( He 3 , d ) P 31 reaction and thermonuclear reaction rate of Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31

Background: Abundance anomalies in some globular clusters, such as the enhancement of potassium and the depletion of magnesium, can be explained in terms of an earlier generation of stars polluting the presently observed ones. It was shown that the potential range of temperatures and densities of the polluting sites depends on the strength of a few critical reaction rates. The 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction has been identified as one of these important reactions. Purpose: The key ingredient for evaluating the thermonuclear 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is the strength of the resonances which, at low energy, are proportional to their proton width. Therefore, the goal of this work is to determine the proton widths of unbound 31 P states. Method: States in 31 P were studied at the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratorium using the one-proton 30 Si( 3 He,d) 31 P transfer reaction. Deuterons were detected with the high resolution one quadrupole three dipoles (Q3D) magnetic spectrometer. Angular distribution and spectroscopic factors were extracted for 27 states, and proton widths and resonance strengths were calculated for the unbound states. Results: Several 31 P unbound states have been observed for the first time in a one-proton transfer reaction. Above 20 MK, the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is now entirely estimated from the observed properties of 31 P states. The reaction rate uncertainty from all resonances other than the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance has been reduced down to less than a factor of 2 above that temperature. The unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance dominates the uncertainty in the rate in the relevant temperature range. Conclusion: Here, the remaining source of uncertainty on the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate comes from the unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance which can change the reaction rate by a factor of 10 in the temperature range of interest.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Unveiling the two-proton halo character of 17 Ne: Exclusive measurement of quasi-free proton-knockout reactions

The proton drip-line nucleus 17 Ne is investigated experimentally in order to determine its two-proton halo character. A fully exclusive measurement of the 17 Ne (p, 2p) 16 F* 15 O+p quasi-free one-proton knockout reaction has been performed at GSI at around 500 MeV/nucleon beam energy. All particles resulting from the scattering process have been detected. The relevant reconstructed quantities are the angles of the two protons scattered in quasi-elastic kinematics, the decay of 16 F into 15 O (including γ decays from excited states) and a proton, as well as the 15 O+p relative-energy spectrum and the 16 F momentum distributions. The latter two quantities allow an independent and consistent determination of the fractions of l = 0 and l = 2 motion of the valence protons in 17 Ne. With a resulting relatively small l = 0 component of only around 35(3)%, it is concluded that 17 Ne exhibits a rather modest halo character only. The quantitative agreement of the two values deduced from the energy spectrum and the momentum distributions supports the theoretical treatment of the calculation of momentum distributions after quasi-free knockout reactions at high energies by taking into account distortions based on the Glauber theory. Moreover, the experimental data allow the separation of valence-proton knockout and knockout from the 15O core. The latter process contributes with 11.8(3.1) mb around 40% to the total proton-knockout cross section of 30.3(2.3) mb, which explains previously reported contradicting conclusions derived from inclusive cross sections.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of beam-recoil observables 𝐶 𝑥 and 𝐶 𝑧 for 𝐾 + ⁢Λ photoproduction

Exclusive photoproduction of 𝐾 + ⁢Λ final states off a proton target has been an important component in the search for missing nucleon resonances and our understanding of the production of final states containing strange quarks. Polarization observables have been instrumental in this effort. The current work is an extension of previously published CLAS results on the beam-recoil transferred polarization observables 𝐶 𝑥 and 𝐶 𝑧 . Here, we extend the kinematic range up to invariant mass 𝑊 = 3.33 GeV from the previous limit of 𝑊 = 2.5 GeV with significantly improved statistical precision in the region of overlap. These data will provide for tighter constraints on the reaction models used to unravel the spectrum of nucleon resonances and their properties by not only improving the statistical precision of the data within the resonance region, but also constraining 𝑡-channel processes that dominate at higher 𝑊 but extend into the resonance region.

Electrons↗
DOE OSTI2021

First measurement of proton decay from a transfer reaction to 21 Na

Decay protons from excited states in Na 21 populated through a previously reported Mg 24 ( p , α ) Na 21 transfer reaction [Cha et al. , Phys. Rev. C 96 , 025810 (2017) ] were analyzed to extract the proton branching ratios of the energy levels. Additionally, by utilizing 31-MeV proton beams from the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and isotopically enriched Mg 24 solid targets, the decay protons were detected in coincidence with α particles from the ( p , α ) reaction using a silicon strip detector array. Proton decay branching ratios of several Na 21 levels were deduced for the p 0 and p 1 decay channels to the ground and first excited states in Ne 20 , respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reconnection-driven Flares in M87*: Proton–Synchrotron-powered GeV Emission

Magnetic reconnection in current layers that form intermittently in radiatively inefficient accretion flows onto black holes is a promising mechanism for particle acceleration and high-energy emission. It has been recently proposed that such layers, arising during flux eruption events, can power the rapid TeV flares observed from the core of M87. In this scenario, inverse-Compton scattering of soft radiation from the accretion flow by energetic electron–positron pairs produced near the reconnection layer was suggested as the primary emission mechanism. However, detailed calculations show that radiation from pairs alone cannot account for the GeV emission detected by the Fermi observatory. In this work, we combine analytic estimates with 3D radiative particle-in-cell simulations of pair–proton plasmas to show that the GeV emission can be naturally explained by synchrotron radiation from protons accelerated in the current sheet. Although the exact proton content of the layer is uncertain, our model remains robust across a broad range of proton-to-pair number density ratios. While protons are subdominant in number compared to pairs, our simulations demonstrate that they can be accelerated more efficiently, leading to a self-regulated steady state in which protons dominate the energy budget. Ultimately, proton synchrotron emission accounts for approximately 5%–20% of the total dissipation power. The majority is radiated as MeV photons via pair synchrotron emission, with a smaller fraction emitted as TeV photons through inverse-Compton scattering.

Active galactic nuclei↗
DOE OSTI2023

Halide Substitution Effects on Lithium-Ion Diffusion in Protonated Antiperovskites

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries are generating intense interest because these batteries can improve the safety and performance compared with devices fabricated with conventional, flammable liquid electrolytes. In these SSEs, it has been suggested that Li + ion diffusion in the grain boundaries is hindered and is a critical determinant of the overall ionic conductivity (σ). However, Li + ion diffusivities in the grain (D G ) and the grain boundary (D GB ) are difficult to determine experimentally, with few techniques capable of distinguishing the individual contributions. Here, we distinguished the D G and D GB for the protonated lithium antiperovskites (pLiAPs) SSEs: Li 2 OHCl, Li 2 OHBr, Li 2 OHF 0.1 Cl 0.9 , Li 2 OHF 0.1 Br 0.9 , and Li 2 OHCl 0.3 7Br 0.63 . The measurements were obtained directly from 7 Li pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) at 353 K. The 7 Li PFG-NMR echo profiles were composed of two primary components with additional secondary oscillatory components – the so-called NMR diffraction phenomenon. The length scale separating the two main components corresponds to a diffusion length of ~1.7 µm, which is thought to be the average grain size (by diameter). The short-range (≤ 1.7 µm) diffusion component associated with D G (≈10 -11 m 2 /s) varied minimally with halide substitution, while the long-range (≥ 1.7 µm) component D GB (≈10 -12 to 10 -15 m 2 /s) was highly sensitive to the substitution of halides and closely correlated with s. In addition, from the comparison of the ratio D GB /D G to D t (the Li + ion diffusion coefficient estimated from the rotational correlation time, t c ), it was determined that the contribution of D G to σ is negligible; 0.01 ~ 0.04 in the pLiAPs studied here. Finally, these insights provide fundamental understanding of the halide substitution effects on Li + ion grain versus grain boundary diffusion, and suggest that careful engineering of the grain boundaries at the microscopic level is necessary to achieve high-performance pLiAP SSEs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

First Measurement of Differential Charged Current Quasielasticlike $\nu_{\mu}$ -Argon Scattering Cross Sections with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report on the first measurement of flux-integrated single differential cross sections for charged-current (CC) muon neutrino ($\nu_{\mu}$) scattering on argon with a muon and a proton in the final state, 40 Ar $(\nu_{\mu},μp)X$. The measurement was carried out using the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber detector with an exposure of 4.59 × 10 19 protons on target. Events are selected to enhance the contribution of CC quasielastic (CCQE) interactions. The data are reported in terms of a total cross section as well as single differential cross sections in final state muon and proton kinematics. We measure the integrated per-nucleus CCQE-like cross section (i.e., for interactions leading to a muon, one proton, and no pions above detection threshold) of (4.93 ± 0.76 stat ± 1.29 sys )×10 -38 cm 2 , in good agreement with theoretical calculations. The single differential cross sections are also in overall good agreement with theoretical predictions, except at very forward muon scattering angles that correspond to low-momentum-transfer events.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Searching for resonance states in Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23

Globular clusters show strong correlations between different elements, such as the well-known sodium-oxygen anticorrelation. One of the main sources of uncertainty in this anticorrelation is the 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na reaction rate, due to the possible influence of an unobserved resonance state at E x = 8862 keV (E r,c.m. =68 keV). The influence of two higher-lying resonance states at E x = 8894 and 9000 keV has already been ruled out by direct 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na measurements. To study excited states in 23 Na above the proton threshold to determine if the unconfirmed resonance states in 23 Na exist. The non-selective proton inelastic scattering reaction at low energies was used to search for excited states in 23 Na above the proton threshold. Protons scattered from various targets were momentum-analysed in the Q3D magnetic spectrograph at the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratorium, Munich, Germany. The resonance states previously reported at E x = 8862, 8894 and 9000 keV in other experiments were not observed in the present experiment at any angle. This result, combined with other non-observations of these resonance states in most other experiments, results in a strong presumption against the existence of these resonance states. Here, the previously reported resonance states at E x = 8862, 8894 and 9000 keV are unlikely to exist and should be omitted from future evaluations of the 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na reaction rates. Indirect studies using low-energy proton inelastic scattering are a simple and yet exceptionally powerful tool in helping to constrain astrophysical reaction rates by providing non-selective information of the excited states of nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The asymmetry of antimatter in the proton

The fundamental building blocks of the proton—quarks and gluons—have been known for decades. However, we still have an incomplete theoretical and experimental understanding of how these particles and their dynamics give rise to the quantum bound state of the proton and its physical properties, such as its spin1. The two up quarks and the single down quark that comprise the proton in the simplest picture account only for a few per cent of the proton mass, the bulk of which is in the form of quark kinetic and potential energy and gluon energy from the strong force2. An essential feature of this force, as described by quantum chromodynamics, is its ability to create matter–antimatter quark pairs inside the proton that exist only for a very short time. Their fleeting existence makes the antimatter quarks within protons difficult to study, but their existence is discernible in reactions in which a matter–antimatter quark pair annihilates. In this picture of quark–antiquark creation by the strong force, the probability distributions as a function of momentum for the presence of up and down antimatter quarks should be nearly identical, given that their masses are very similar and small compared to the mass of the proton. Here we provide evidence from muon pair production measurements that these distributions are considerably different, with more abundant down antimatter quarks than up antimatter quarks over a wide range of momenta. These results are expected to revive interest in several proposed mechanisms for the origin of this antimatter asymmetry in the proton that had been disfavoured by previous results, and point to future measurements that can distinguish between these mechanisms.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Publisher Correction: The asymmetry of antimatter in the proton

The fundamental building blocks of the proton—quarks and gluons—have been known for decades. However, we still have an incomplete theoretical and experimental understanding of how these particles and their dynamics give rise to the quantum bound state of the proton and its physical properties, such as its spin1. The two up quarks and the single down quark that comprise the proton in the simplest picture account only for a few per cent of the proton mass, the bulk of which is in the form of quark kinetic and potential energy and gluon energy from the strong force2. An essential feature of this force, as described by quantum chromodynamics, is its ability to create matter–antimatter quark pairs inside the proton that exist only for a very short time. Their fleeting existence makes the antimatter quarks within protons difficult to study, but their existence is discernible in reactions in which a matter–antimatter quark pair annihilates. In this picture of quark–antiquark creation by the strong force, the probability distributions as a function of momentum for the presence of up and down antimatter quarks should be nearly identical, given that their masses are very similar and small compared to the mass of the proton3. Here we provide evidence from muon pair production measurements that these distributions are considerably different, with more abundant down antimatter quarks than up antimatter quarks over a wide range of momenta. These results are expected to revive interest in several proposed mechanisms for the origin of this antimatter asymmetry in the proton that had been disfavoured by previous results4, and point to future measurements that can distinguish between these mechanisms.

Dove, J.↗