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At least 325 records · Page 18

Investigating Quantum Materials with Half-Polarized Diffraction and magnetic PDF analysis at the HB-2A Neutron Powder Diffractometer

Local magnetic ordering and anisotropy is often central to the emergent behavior and subsequent functional properties in quantum materials and beyond. Neutron powder diffraction provides a straightforward yet extremely powerful technique for quantitative measurements of microscopic magnetic properties. The HB-2A powder diffractometer located at the High Flux Isotope Reactor in ORNL is traditionally utilized for long-range magnetic structure determination. Recently these capabilities have been extended to include methods aimed at accessing local magnetism: Half- polarized neutron powder diffraction (pNPD) and magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) analysis. These two distinct techniques are possible on HB-2A due to the versatility of the instrument’s reciprocal space coverage, resolution and novel ultra-low temperature multi-sample changers that operate down to dilution refrigerator temperatures. This provides unique capabilities not found on any powder diffraction instrument and is particularly well suited to investigations of magnetic quantum materials. The development and implementation of these techniques will be discussed with a series of science case examples ranging from geometric frustrated magnets to magnetic metal-organic frameworks. Data reduction and analysis tools will be presented that enable the extraction of the local site susceptibility tensor and local spin-spin correlations in real space. Finally, potential combinations of these techniques in the form of half-polarized magnetic pair distribution function (pmPDF) analysis will be considered. Looking forward, HB-2A is undergoing a detector upgrade that will be in the user program by 2026. This will offer an order of magnitude increase in count rates to further aid the development of these often low signal measurements and provide new scientific capabilities.

Neutron Scattering↗

Four-dimensional emittance measurement at the Spallation Neutron Source

A coasting hadron beam with an elliptical transverse profile, uniform charge density, and small transverse four-dimensional (4D) emittance could improve accelerator performance in several contexts. A phase space painting method to generate such a distribution is being tested in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accumulator ring. A critical component of these efforts is to measure the 4D emittance of the beam during accumulation. The 4D emittance can be reconstructed from measured beam profiles in two ways: in the multi-optics method, the optics between a reconstruction and measurement location are varied; in the fixed-optics method, multiple measurement locations are used without modifying the optics. The fixed-optics method is faster but can lead to large uncertainty in the reconstructed 4D emittance. In this paper, we implement a variant of the multi-optics method using the four available wire-scanners near the SNS target. We also modify the wire-scanner region to reduce the uncertainty of the fixed-optics method. We then demonstrate the usefulness of the fixed-optics method by reconstructing the 4D emittance evolution during accumulation in the SNS ring.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Crystal Structure of Moganite and Its Anisotropic Atomic Displacement Parameters Determined by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction and X-ray/Neutron Pair Distribution Function Analyses

The crystal structure of moganite from the Mogán formation on Gran Canaria has been re-investigated using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray/neutron pair distribution function (PDF) analyses. Our study for the first time reports the anisotropic atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) of a natural moganite. Rietveld analysis of synchrotron XRD data determined the crystal structure of moganite with the space group I2/a. The refined unit-cell parameters are a = 8.7363(8), b = 4.8688(5), c = 10.7203(9) Å, and β = 90.212(4)°. The ADPs of Si and O in moganite were obtained from X-ray and neutron PDF analyses. The shapes and orientations of the anisotropic ellipsoids determined from X-ray and neutron measurements are similar. The anisotropic ellipsoids for O extend along planes perpendicular to the Si-Si axis of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra, suggesting precession-like movement. Neutron PDF result confirms the occurrence of OH over some of the tetrahedral sites. We postulate that moganite nanomineral is stable with respect to quartz in hypersaline water. The ADPs of moganite show a similar trend as those of quartz determined by single-crystal XRD. In short, the combined methods can provide high-quality structural parameters of moganite nanomineral, including its ADPs and extra OH position at the surface. This approach can be used as an alternative means for solving the structures of crystals that are not large enough for single-crystal XRD measurements, such as fine-grained and nanocrystalline minerals formed in various geological environments.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Bragg edge imaging (BEI) of B12W and M8N socket sections of the Arecibo telescope

From neutron user principal investigator: We kindly request the public release of three neutron imaging datasets through ONCat. All datasets were collected from two forensic specimens, B12W and M8N, sectioned from zinc-filled steel-wire sockets recovered from the collapsed Arecibo Telescope. The dataset titled “Neutron radiographs of B12W and M8N socket sections of the Arecibo telescope” contains normalized two-dimensional (2D) neutron radiographs of the specimens, showing the geometry and spatial distribution of the steel wires embedded within the zinc matrix, as well as internal features such as voids and cracks. The dataset titled “Neutron computed tomography of B12W and M8N socket sections of the Arecibo telescope” contains normalized 2D neutron projection images acquired over a range of specimen rotation angles for one selected region of each specimen. These projection images were used to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) tomographic volumes that reveal the embedded-wire geometry and internal defects. The dataset titled “Bragg edge imaging (BEI) of B12W and M8N socket sections of the Arecibo telescope” contains six time-of-flight (TOF) neutron imaging datasets, three from each specimen, acquired at regions of interest selected based on the radiographs. The spatially resolved 2D TOF images show the zinc matrix and embedded steel wires, and the wavelength-dependent neutron transmission data were used to characterize crystallographic texture within the zinc. All components and their condition are in the public domain as they are the property of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The neutron imaging data, part geometries, and detailed forensic information have been widely published in the Arecibo Telescope Collapse Forensic Report by Thornton Tomasetti Engineers and others (NASA report and NASEM report).

Bilheux, Hassina↗

Structural Aspects of Neutron Survival Probabilities

The neutron survival probability (and related quantities including probabilities of extinction and initiation) is a central element of the broader stochastic theory of neutron populations and finds application in fields including reactor start-up, analysis of reactor power bursts and criticality accidents, and safeguards. In a full neutron transport formulation, the equation governing the single-neutron survival probability is a backward or adjoint-like integro-partial differential equation with the added complexity of being highly nonlinear. Analogous formulations of this equation exist in the context of many approximate theories of neutron transport, with the point kinetics formulation having received significant theoretical attention since the 1940s. This work continues this tradition by providing a novel analysis of the single-neutron survival probability equation using the tools of boundary layer theory. The analysis reveals that the “fully dynamic” solution of the single-neutron survival probability equation—and some key probability distributions derived from it—may be cast as a singular perturbation around the underlying quasi-static single-neutron probability of initiation. In this perturbation solution, the expansion parameter is the ratio of the neutron generation time to a macroscopic time scale characterizing the overall system evolution; this interpretation illuminates some of the fundamental structural aspects of neutron survival phenomena.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Demonstration of MOOSE-based Griffin reactor physics, code for heterogeneous lead-cooled fast reactor analysis

The MOOSE-based reactor physics code Griffin was assessed on a heterogeneous pin-resolved model of a prototype lead-cooled fast reactor assembly. This model was developed in preparation for future use in MOOSE-based multiphysics calculations for computing hot channel factors. Heterogeneous multigroup cross sections were prepared using the fast reactor multi-group cross section processing code MC{sup 2}-3 using a two-step method. Griffin simulations were performed using the DFEM-SN solver on 576 cores on Argonne's LCRC cluster. Diffusion-based acceleration methods were applied (NDA and CMFD). Reference solutions were generated with continuous energy MCNP and the hybrid MOC/finite element solver PROTEUS-MOC for code-to-code comparison. Space-angle convergence studies were conducted to observe convergence in k-eigenvalue and axial pin power distributions. The fully resolved Griffin calculation was within 68 pcm of the MCNP eigenvalue and exhibited max 1.2% relative error in the axial pin power distribution. Griffin produced nearly identical results to PROTEUS-MOC when using the same 9-group multigroup cross-section set. Griffin demonstrated favorable scaling in wall-clock time and memory usage when using diffusion-based acceleration methods. Griffin is capable of simulating the pin-resolved heterogeneous LFR assembly with good accuracy and performance, and is suitable for future use in coupled high-fidelity hot channel factor simulations. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Destabilizing high-capacity high entropy hydrides via earth abundant substitutions: From predictions to experimental validation

The vast chemical space of high entropy alloys (HEAs) makes trial-and-error experimental approaches for materials discovery intractable and often necessitates data-driven and/or first principles computational insights to successfully target materials with desired properties. In the context of materials discovery for hydrogen storage applications, a theoretical prediction-experimental validation approach can vastly accelerate the search for substitution strategies to destabilize high-capacity hydrides based on benchmark HEAs, e.g. TiVNbCr alloys. Here, in this study, machine learning predictions, corroborated by density functional theory calculations, predict substantial hydride destabilization with increasing substitution of earth-abundant Fe content in the (TiVNb) 75 Cr 25-x Fe x system. The as-prepared alloys crystallize in a single-phase bcc lattice for limited Fe content x < 7, while larger Fe content favors the formation of a secondary C14 Laves phase intermetallic. Short range order for alloys with x < 7 can be well described by a random distribution of atoms within the bcc lattice without lattice distortion. Hydrogen absorption experiments performed on selected alloys validate the predicted thermodynamic destabilization of the corresponding fcc hydrides and demonstrate promising lifecycle performance through reversible absorption/desorption. This demonstrates the potential of computationally expedited hydride discovery and points to further opportunities for optimizing bcc alloy ↔ fcc hydrides for practical hydrogen storage applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spatiotemporal Studies of Soluble Inorganic Nanostructures with X‐rays and Neutrons

This Review addresses the use of X-ray and neutron scattering as well as X-ray absorption to describe how inorganic nanostructured materials assemble, evolve, and function in solution. We first provide an overview of techniques and instrumentation (both large user facilities and benchtop). We review recent studies of soluble inorganic nanostructure assembly, covering the disciplines of materials synthesis, processes in nature, nuclear materials, and the widely applicable fundamental processes of hydrophobic interactions and ion pairing. Reviewed studies cover size regimes and length scales ranging from sub-Ångström (coordination chemistry and ion pairing) to several nanometers (molecular clusters, i.e. polyoxometalates, polyoxocations, and metal-organic polyhedra), to the mesoscale (supramolecular assembly processes). Reviewed studies predominantly exploit 1) SAXS/WAXS/SANS (small- and wide-angle X-ray or neutron scattering), 2) PDF (pair-distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering), and 3) XANES and EXAFS (X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure, respectively). While the scattering techniques provide structural information, X-ray absorption yields the oxidation state in addition to the local coordination. Our goal for this Review is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities that may benefit from elucidating the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Using Complementary Methods of Synchrotron Radiation Powder Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function to Refine Crystal Structures with High Quality Parameters—A Review

Determination of the atomic-scale structures of certain fine-grained minerals using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been challenging because they commonly occur as submicron and nanocrystals in the geological environment. Synchrotron powder diffraction and scattering techniques are useful complementary methods for studying this type of minerals. In this review, we discussed three example studies investigated by combined methods of synchrotron radiation XRD and pair distribution function (PDF) techniques: (1) low-temperature cristobalite; (2) kaolinite; and (3) vernadite. Powder XRD is useful to determine the average structure including unit-cell parameters, fractional atomic coordinates, occupancies and isotropic atomic displacement parameters. X-ray/Neutron PDF methods are sensitive to study the local structure with anisotropic atomic displacement parameters (ADP). The results and case studies suggest that the crystal structure and high-quality ADP values can be obtained using the combined methods. The method can be useful to characterize crystals and minerals that are not suitable for single-crystal XRD.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Bibliometric review and recent advances in total scattering pair distribution function analysis: 21 years in retrospect

Global research activities have been driven by the quest to develop and characterize novel materials for technological advancements. The total scattering pair distribution function (TSPDF) is a powerful and versatile characterization technique for examining the structural details of diverse complex materials including liquid, amorphous, disordered crystalline, and nanostructured materials. Thus, it is critical to keep track of research progress, identify research gaps, and future research directions of the application of the TSPDF technique in materials development and discovery. In this work, a bibliometric analysis of literature regarding the TSPDF technique between 2000 and 2021 was conducted using datasets retrieved from the Web of Science database. The research trends based on publication outputs, research subject distribution, co-authorships among institutions, countries/regions, co-citation of referenced sources, and keyword co-occurrence are evaluated and discussed herein. The impact of the TSPDF technique is projected to increase due to its importance in probing emerging functional materials, and the advances in specialized facilities and instrumentation among the scientific communities engaged with it. Finally, current and emerging research hotspots related to TSPDF technique such as catalysis, computer modeling and simulation, pharmaceutics, machine learning, hydrogen storage, battery materials, and layered structured materials are also identified and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigation of residual stress distribution in wire-arc directed energy deposited refractory molybdenum alloy utilizing numerical thermo-mechanical analysis and neutron diffraction method

Directed energy deposition (DED), a metal additive manufacturing (AM) technique, offers higher deposition rates and energy efficiency, making it suitable for fabricating components from refractory molybdenum alloys, such as molybdenum-titanium-zirconium (TZM). However, large thermal gradients and non-equilibrium thermal cycles in DED could generate high residual stress in the component, potentially deteriorating quality and performance. Thus, this study aims to investigate residual stress generation and its distribution in wire-arc DED of TZM thin-wall, utilizing thermo-mechanical analysis and high-fidelity neutron diffraction (ND) method. Two interpass temperatures (50°C and 200°C) have been considered to investigate their impact on residual stress formation. During experiments, in-situ thermal data has been recorded using thermocouples, which have been utilized for calibrating the thermal model. Thermocouple data shows a good agreement with the simulation results, having a difference of less than 10 %. Post-deposition part deformation has been observed, which is measured using a coordinate measuring machine, showing maximum values of 0.93 mm and 0.78 mm for interpass temperatures of 50°C and 200°C, respectively. Numerical predictions of distortion deviated by less than 15% from the experimental results. ND measurement and simulation results indicate that residual stress magnitude and evolution vary across the TZM deposits, revealing microstructural anisotropy in both conditions. Notably, lower interpass temperatures resulted in higher residual stresses, confirmed by experimental and simulation data. Further, this study demonstrated that an integrated experimental and thermo-mechanical analysis can potentially reveal the temperature history, part deformation, and residual stress formation in wire-arc DED TZM alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Complex magnetic ground state driving a large rotating magnetocaloric effect in Tb 3 Ni at low temperature

The rotating magnetocaloric effect (RMCE) offers a promising alternative to conventional magnetocaloric configurations by taking advantage of magnetic anisotropy to simplify device architecture and enhance refrigeration efficiency. In this study, the RMCE in a high-quality single crystal of Tb 3 Ni is investigated, a compound previously shown to exhibit significant magnetocaloric behavior along its easy axis of magnetization. By measuring the magnetization and corresponding entropy change along the three principal crystallographic axes using a discontinuous measurement protocol, we verify the anisotropic magnetic properties and derive the RMCE from rotations between hard ( a, b ) and easy ( c ) axes of magnetization. Our results show a maximum value for the rotating entropy change of 19.5 J kg −1 K −1 for µ 0 H = 7 T around 60 K, within the critical temperature window for industrial gas liquefaction applications. Neutron diffraction and magnetic Pair-Distribution Function (mPDF) analysis reveal that the origin of this large anisotropic response lies in a partially ordered incommensurate spin-density wave phase and persistent short-range ferromagnetic (FM) correlations. These complex magnetic states enable the release of a substantial amount of magnetic entropy when the field is applied along the easy c-axis, effectively driving the large RMCE. Comparison with other RMCE materials confirms Tb 3 Ni as one of the most promising candidates in this temperature regime, offering both a large magnetic entropy change and a wide operating window.

Gas liquefaction↗

Effect of solvothermal synthesis parameters on the crystallite size and atomic structure of cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles

We here investigate how the synthesis method affects the crystallite size and atomic structure of cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles. By using a simple solvothermal method, we first synthesized cobalt ferrite nanoparticles of ca. 2 and 7 nm, characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray and neutron total scattering. The smallest particle size corresponds to only a few spinel unit cells. Nevertheless, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis of X-ray and neutron total scattering data shows that the atomic structure, even in the smallest nanoparticles, is well described by the spinel structure, although with significant disorder and a contraction of the unit cell parameter. These effects can be explained by the surface oxidation of the small nanoparticles, which is confirmed by X-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES). Neutron total scattering data and PDF analysis reveal a higher degree of inversion in the spinel structure of the smallest nanoparticles. Neutron total scattering data also allow magnetic PDF (mPDF) analysis, which shows that the ferrimagnetic domains correspond to ca. 80% of the crystallite size in the larger particles. A similar but less well-defined magnetic ordering was observed for the smallest nanoparticles. Finally, we used a co-precipitation synthesis method at room temperature to synthesize ferrite nanoparticles similar in size to the smallest crystallites synthesized by the solvothermal method. Structural analysis with PDF demonstrates that the ferrite nanoparticles synthesized via this method exhibit a significantly more defective structure compared to those synthesized via a solvothermal method.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Lepton scattering from Ar 40 and Ti 48 in the quasielastic peak region

Neutron and proton spectral functions of 40 Ar, 40 Ca, and 48 Ti isotopes are computed using the ab initio self-consistent Green's function approach. The resulting radii and charge distributions are in good agreement with available experimental data. The spectral functions of Ar and Ti are then utilized to calculate inclusive (e,e') cross sections within a factorization scheme and are found to correctly reproduce the recent Jefferson Lab measurements. Based on these successful agreements, the weak charged and neutral current double-differential cross sections for neutrino- 40 Ar scattering are predicted in the quasielastic region. Finally, results obtained by replacing the (experimentally inaccessible) neutron spectral distribution of 40 Ar with the (experimentally accessible) proton distribution of 48 Ti are compared and the accuracy of this approximation is assessed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Multiphysics Demonstration of Temperature-Driven Assembly Bowing in SFRs using MOOSE-Based Codes

Core bowing is an important passive safety mechanism in liquid metal cooled fast reactors. When the core restraint system is properly designed, temperature and flux gradients influence assemblies in the core to bow into less reactive configurations during accident scenarios, resulting in negative reactivity feedback. Prediction of core bowing involves complex interplay of radiation transport, impacts of fluid flow and heat transfer on duct temperature, and mechanical responses to the induced temperature and flux gradients. Under the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program [1], an integrated multiphysics approach is being developed to model the core bowing phenomena in liquid metal-cooled fast reactors with the Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) [2]. In this methodology, the MOOSE-based reactor physics code Griffin [3] will solve the neutron transport equation and determine the power distribution. With the detailed power distribution from Griffin, the subchannel analysis codes MOOSE-Subchannel [4] and Pronghorn [5] are utilized to calculate the assembly temperature distribution. MOOSE’s Solid Mechanics [6] and Contact [7] Modules are leveraged to calculate the thermal expansion and duct bowing displacement with the duct wall temperature from thermal hydraulics calculation. In this work, an initial one-way coupling demonstration of the integrated multiphysics approach has been performed on a seven-assembly problem based on the sodium-cooled fast reactor ABR-1000 design [8]. The neutronics calculation with Griffin is not yet involved in the current simulation. MOOSE-Subchannel and Pronghorn evaluate fluid and solid temperature based on a fixed power distribution. In addition, one-way coupling is utilized in this coupled calculation, via Pronghorn passing the duct temperature data to the MOOSE Solid Mechanics calculation. An assessment of the Solid Mechanics module was performed in parallel to verify duct bowing behavior with duct-to-duct contact phenomenon [9]. The displacement from MOOSE Solid Mechanics is not yet transferred back and utilized in the Pronghorn and MOOSE-Subchannel calculation. This model will be available on the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) Virtual Test Bed (VTB) repository [10]. Future stages of this work will involve solving problems of increasing complexity as well as adding more physics (e.g. reactor physics) to the integrated workflow to reach the end goal of modeling the core bowing phenomenon with an integrated multiphysics workflow.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Microscale spatiotemporal patterns of water, soil organic carbon, and enzymes in plant litter detritusphere

Understanding biophysical and biochemical processes in detritusphere is critical to quantifying and modeling plant residue decomposition dynamics and subsequent soil organic carbon (C) accrual. The objectives of the study were to explore (i) micro-environmental conditions within the detritusphere formed around decomposing corn and soybean leaves, and (ii) the relationships between moisture distribution, enzyme activity, and C dynamics during decomposition. We assessed spatial and temporal dynamics of moisture distribution using X-ray and neutron computed tomography, and activities of β-glucosidase and chitinase, two enzymes involved in soil C and N processing, using zymography. We used 13 C labeled residue to track residue contribution to atmospheric CO 2 and soil organic C. Moisture redistribution pattern varied depending on the residue type. While the water was immediately absorbed by the corn leaves and maintained afterward, switchgrass leaves absorbed water more slowly and created water-deficient zones within ~1mm from the residue. This initial moisture depletion led to lower chitinase activity and residue-derived CO 2 emissions in switchgrass. In contrast to chitinase, β-glucosidase activity was influenced by a combination of vegetation history and residue type, and it was higher when the origin of the residue matched the vegetation history of the soil. Pore size had an opposite impact on the studied enzymes, supporting the notion that contrasting soil pore architecture can stimulate activities of different enzymes through a selection of dominant enzyme producers. We concluded that the decomposition dynamics of plant residues is not only a simple function of residue chemistry, but rather a combined effect of the vegetation history, in part through its effect on microbial community composition, the plant residue chemical and likely physical characteristics, and the soil pore structure in the detritusphere. Together, they create temporally dynamic micro-environmental conditions influencing decomposition. Specifically, our study demonstrated that the initial micro-environment formulated in detritusphere can play an important role in enzyme activities and consequent C dynamics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Local structural mechanism for enhanced energy storage properties in heterovalent doped NaNbO 3 ceramics

In recent years, there is a growing interest for new lead-free oxides with reversible antiferroelectric (AFE)-ferroelectric (FE) phase transition for high-power energy-storage applications. NaNbO 3 -based ceramics are particularly attractive due to their easy synthesis and cost-effectiveness. In order to stabilize reversible AFE-FE phase transition, NaNbO 3 is doped with a combination of heterovalent substitutions, although the underlying structural mechanism for the same is poorly understood. Here, we investigated local and average structures of Ca/Zr doped NaNbO 3 using neutron total scattering. Here, we show that Ca/Zr doping increases the average AFE phase (Pbma) fraction, however, the material remains as a composite of both FE (P2 1 ma) and AFE regions. Analysis of local structure suggests that increase in the long-range AFE phase results from more extensive twinning of local FE regions, due to introduced charge disorder. We propose that enhanced energy-storage properties of Ca/Zr-doped NaNbO 3 arises from localized twin boundary motion between the defect-induced pinning centers.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗