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At least 451 records · Page 25

Effect of NiO inserted layer on spin-Hall magnetoresistance in Pt/NiO/YIG heterostructures

We investigate spin-current transport with an antiferromagnetic insulator NiO thin layer by means of the spin-Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) over a wide range of temperature in Pt/NiO/Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} (Pt/NiO/YIG) heterostructures. The SMR signal is comparable to that without the NiO layer as long as the temperature is near or above the blocking temperature of the NiO, indicating that the magnetic fluctuation of the insulating NiO is essential for transmitting the spin current from the Pt to YIG layer. On the other hand, the SMR signal becomes negligibly small at low temperature, and both conventional anisotropic magnetoresistance and the anomalous Hall resistance are extremely small at any temperature, implying that the insertion of the NiO has completely suppressed the Pt magnetization induced by the YIG magnetic proximity effect (MPE). The dual roles of the thin NiO layer are, to suppress the magnetic interaction or MPE between Pt and YIG, and to maintain efficient spin current transmission at high temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Large Conformational Changes of Insertion 3 in Human Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase (hGlyRS) during Catalysis

Glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) is the enzyme that covalently links glycine to cognate tRNA for translation. It is of great interest because of its nonconserved quaternary structures, unique species-specific aminoacylation properties, and noncanonical functions in neurological diseases, but none of these is fully understood. We report two crystal structures of human GlyRS variants, in the free form and in complex with tRNA Gly respectively, and reveal new aspects of the glycylation mechanism. We discover that insertion 3 differs considerably in conformation in catalysis and that it acts like a "switch" and fully opens to allow tRNA to bind in a cross-subunit fashion. The flexibility of the protein is supported by molecular dynamics simulation, as well as enzymatic activity assays. The biophysical and biochemical studies suggest that human GlyRS may utilize its flexibility for both the traditional function (regulate tRNA binding) and alternative functions (roles in diseases).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Recent activities of National Synchrotron Light Source-II Insertion Device Group

Insertion Device (ID) Group at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) has been involved in the following activities: Installation and maintenance of the HEX-Superconducting Wiggler (SCW), Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) for SC adaptive gap undulator (AGU), NSLS-II Experimental Tools II & III (NEXT-II & III) project IDs. Improvement of in-vacuum flip coil bench, development of in-vacuum pulsed wire bench and upgrade of a regular flip coil bench. Development of rotating coil bench for the lattice magnets for future upgrade. This paper describes the specifics of each activity.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

CALIS—A CALibration Insertion System for the DarkSide-50 dark matter search experiment

This paper describes the design, fabrication, commissioning and use of a CALibration source Insertion System (CALIS) in the DarkSide-50 direct dark matter search experiment. CALIS deploys radioactive sources into the liquid scintillator veto to characterize the detector response and detection efficiency of the DarkSide-50 Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber, and the surrounding 30 t organic liquid scintillator neutron veto. It was commissioned in September 2014 and has been used successfully in several gamma and neutron source campaigns since then. A description of the hardware and an excerpt of calibration analysis results are given below.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Structure of p53 binding to the BAX response element reveals DNA unwinding and compression to accommodate base-pair insertion

The p53 core domain binds to response elements (REs) that contain two continuous half-sites as a cooperative tetramer, but how p53 recognizes discontinuous REs is not well understood. Here we describe the crystal structure of the p53 core domain bound to a naturally occurring RE located at the promoter of the Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) gene, which contains a one base-pair insertion between the two half-sites. Surprisingly, p53 forms a tetramer on the BAX-RE that is nearly identical to what has been reported on other REs with a 0-bp spacer. Each p53 dimer of the tetramer binds in register to a half-site and maintains the same protein–DNA interactions as previously observed, and the two dimers retain all the protein–protein contacts without undergoing rotation or translation. To accommodate the additional base pair, the DNA is deformed and partially disordered around the spacer region, resulting in an apparent unwinding and compression, such that the interactions between the dimers are maintained. Furthermore, DNA deformation within the p53-bound BAX-RE is confirmed in solution by site-directed spin labeling measurements. Our results provide a structural insight into the mechanism by which p53 binds to discontinuous sites with one base-pair spacer.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Transposon insertional mutagenesis in Saccharomyces uvarum reveals trans-acting effects influencing species-dependent essential genes

To understand how complex genetic networks perform and regulate diverse cellular processes, the function of each individual component must be defined. Comprehensive phenotypic studies of mutant alleles have been successful in model organisms in determining what processes depend on the normal function of a gene. These results are often ported to newly sequenced genomes by using sequence homology. However, sequence similarity does not always mean identical function or phenotype, suggesting that new methods are required to functionally annotate newly sequenced species. We have implemented here comparative analysis by high-throughput experimental testing of gene dispensability in Saccharomyces uvarum, a sister species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We created haploid and heterozygous diploid Tn7 insertional mutagenesis libraries in S. uvarum to identify species-dependent essential genes, with the goal of detecting genes with divergent functions and/or different genetic interactions. Comprehensive gene dispensability comparisons with S. cerevisiae predicted diverged dispensability at 12% of conserved orthologs, and validation experiments confirmed 22 differentially essential genes. Despite their differences in essentiality, these genes were capable of cross-species complementation, demonstrating that trans-acting factors that are background-dependent contribute to differential gene essentiality. This study shows that direct experimental testing of gene disruption phenotypes across species can inform comparative genomic analyses and improve gene annotations. Our method can be widely applied in microorganisms to further our understanding of genome evolution.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Zero-noise extrapolation for quantum-gate error mitigation with identity insertions

Quantum-gate errors are a significant challenge for achieving precision measurements on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers. Here, this paper focuses on zero-noise extrapolation (ZNE), a technique that can be implemented on existing hardware, studying it in detail and proposing modifications to existing approaches. In particular, we consider identity insertion methods for amplifying noise because they are hardware agnostic. We build a mathematical formalism for studying existing ZNE techniques and show how higher order polynomial extrapolations can be used to systematically reduce depolarizing errors. Furthermore, we introduce a method for amplifying noise that uses far fewer gates than traditional methods. This approach is compared with existing methods for simulated quantum circuits. Comparable or smaller errors are possible with fewer gates, which illustrates the potential for empowering an entirely new class of moderate-depth circuits on near term hardware.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Absence of hydrogen insertion into highly crystalline superconducting infinite layer nickelates

Here, the discovery of superconductivity in the infinite layer nickelates introduced a materials system analogous to the cuprates for the study of unconventional superconductivity. The synthesis of infinite layer nickelates, (RNiO 2 , R = lanthanide) often uses calcium hydride (CaH 2 ) to facilitate the deintercalation of apical site oxygen atoms from a precursor perovskite (RNiO 3 ) phase via topotactic reduction. However, it remains uncertain whether the use of CaH 2 results in the insertion of hydrogen into the infinite layer structure, and if it does, what the implications are for superconductivity. To quantify the hydrogen composition of highly crystalline infinite layer nickelates, we synthesized Nd 1-x⁢ Sr x ⁢NiO 2 thin films on LSAT substrates and conducted time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements to generate hydrogen depth profiles. We compare the hydrogen density of nickelates prepared with and without a SrTiO 3 capping layer. Additionally, we measure the hydrogen content in nickelate samples at various doping levels spanning the superconducting phase space, including the underdoped, optimally doped, and overdoped regime. We report no significant increase in hydrogen density between the perovskite and infinite layer phases in any of the measured samples. Furthermore, we put an upperbound on the hydrogen concentration of our nickelate samples to Nd 1-x Sr x ⁢NiO 2 ⁢H 0.05 . Our results imply that hydrogen is not responsible for the emergence of superconductivity in the infinite layer nickelates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A 4×4 electrooptic silicon photonic switch fabric with net neutral insertion loss

We present a strictly nonblocking 4×4 electrooptic silicon photonic switch fabric with on-chip gain. The switch integrates 12 Mach-Zehnder cells in a 3-stage topology equipped with fast electrooptic phase shifters, and thermooptic phase trimmers. To compensate for the losses of the fabric, a 4-channel GaInAsP/InP semiconductor optical amplifier array is flip-chip attached into an etched cavity in the silicon photonic chip with butt-coupled waveguide interfaces. The chip is wirebonded to a CMOS driver that provides push-pull drive to each elementary Mach-Zehnder cell. We demonstrate an optical switch assembly with net neutral insertion loss in the C-band together with nanosecond-scale reconfiguration time.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Conceptual Design of a Large Aperture Dipole for Testing of Cables and Insert Coils at High Field

© 2017 IEEE. Advances in the performance of low- and high-temperature superconductors enable the development of advanced magnets for a range of applications, including tokamaks for fusion energy, dipoles, and quadrupoles for hadron colliders, and solenoids for nuclear magnetic resonance studies. The capability of testing prototype cables and insert coils at high field is critical to these developments. We present here the conceptual design of a test facility dipole with features suitable to support the advanced magnet development efforts of both Fusion and HEP communities. In particular, a background field of 15 T is provided over a minimum homogeneous length of 1000 mm, and the magnet clear bore of approximately 144 × 94 mm can accommodate large fusion conductors as well as prototype coils for high field dipoles, along with flexible cryogenic and mechanical provisions for sample characterization. Two technical solutions are considered. The first uses a forced flow cable-in-conduit conductor and follows the design developed by EFDA for the EDIPO magnet. The second uses a bath cooled Rutherford cable and follows a block-coil design similar to the CERN FRESCA2 dipole, and the LBNL HD and LD1 dipoles. Following a comparison between the two approaches, we present two designs for the Rutherford cable approach including performance objectives, key parameters, and preliminary magnetic, mechanical and quench protection analysis.

Bruzzone, Pierluigi↗

Ag-Pd-Cu alloy inserted transparent indium tin oxide electrodes for organic solar cells

The authors report on the characteristics of Ag-Pd-Cu (APC) alloy-inserted indium tin oxide (ITO) films sputtered on a glass substrate at room temperature for application as transparent anodes in organic solar cells (OSCs). The effect of the APC interlayer thickness on the electrical, optical, structural, and morphological properties of the ITO/APC/ITO multilayer were investigated and compared to those of ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer electrodes. At the optimized APC thickness of 8 nm, the ITO/APC/ITO multilayer exhibited a resistivity of 8.55 × 10{sup −5} Ω cm, an optical transmittance of 82.63%, and a figure-of-merit value of 13.54 × 10{sup −3} Ω{sup −1}, comparable to those of the ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer. Unlike the ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer, agglomeration of the metal interlayer was effectively relieved with APC interlayer due to existence of Pd and Cu elements in the thin region of the APC interlayer. The OSCs fabricated on the ITO/APC/ITO multilayer showed higher power conversion efficiency than that of OSCs prepared on the ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer below 10 nm due to the flatness of the APC layer. The improved performance of the OSCs with ITO/APC/ITO multilayer electrodes indicates that the APC alloy interlayer prevents the agglomeration of the Ag-based metal interlayer and can decrease the thickness of the metal interlayer in the oxide-metal-oxide multilayer of high-performance OSCs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Performance enhancement of GaN metal–semiconductor–metal ultraviolet photodetectors by insertion of ultrathin interfacial HfO{sub 2} layer

The authors demonstrate improved device performance of GaN metal–semiconductor–metal ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) by ultrathin HfO{sub 2} (UT-HfO{sub 2}) layer on GaN. The UT-HfO{sub 2} interfacial layer is grown by atomic layer deposition. The dark current of the PDs with UT-HfO{sub 2} is significantly reduced by more than two orders of magnitude compared to those without HfO{sub 2} insertion. The photoresponsivity at 360 nm is as high as 1.42 A/W biased at 5 V. An excellent improvement in the performance of the devices is ascribed to allowed electron injection through UT-HfO{sub 2} on GaN interface under UV illumination, resulting in the photocurrent gain with fast response time.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Experimental determination of the electron effective masses and mobilities in each dimensionally-quantized subband in an In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}As quantum well with InAs inserts

HEMT structures with In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As quantum well are synthesized using molecular-beam epitaxy on InP substrates. The structures are double-side Si δ-doped so that two dimensionally-quantized subbands are occupied. The effect of the central InAs nanoinsert in the quantum well on the electron effective masses m* and mobilities in each subband is studied. For experimental determination of m*, the quantum μ{sub q} and transport μ{sub t} mobilities of the two-dimensional electron gas in each dimensionally-quantized subband, the Shubnikov-de Haas effect is measured at two temperatures of 4.2 and 8.4 K. The electron effective masses are determined by the temperature dependence of the oscillation amplitudes, separating the oscillations of each dimensionally-quantized subband. The Fourier spectra of oscillations are used to determine the electron mobilities μ{sub q} and μ{sub t} in each dimensionally-quantized subband. It is shown that m* decreases as the InAs-nanoinsert thickness d in the In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As quantum well and electron mobilities increase. The maximum electron mobility is observed at the insert thickness d = 3.4 nm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Rapid insertion of bismuth radioactive isotopes into texaphyrin in aqueous media

Radioisotopes 213 Bi and 207 Bi were successfully inserted into a water-soluble and tumor-targeting texaphyrin ligand. The reaction with 207 Bi(OAc) 3 proceeds in about 15 min in aqueous media without the use of any organic base. The Bi(III) texaphyrin complex formed (3) is stable in aqueous media even in the presence of an excess of competitive chelators (EDTA or citric acid), as well as in human blood plasma. Finally, these results validate texaphyrins as potential candidates for coordinating bismuth radionuclides and set the stage for their use in targeted alpha therapy (TAT).

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Impedance Modeling for Mixed Conductors with Simultaneous Insertion & Electrocatalytic Reactions: A Case Study of Transition-Metal Hydroxides in Aqueous Electrolyte

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is commonly used to investigate the kinetics of mixed ionic–electronic conductor (MIEC) electrodes. Across various applications, MIECs exhibit ionic (e.g., insertion) and/or electronic (e.g., electrocatalytic) charge transfer reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Bulk storage and transport of charge carriers also couple with these interfacial reactions. Here, we build a generalized, physics-based impedance model for MIECs with an ion-blocking current collector and explore how bulk and interfacial resistance, chemical capacitance, and DC polarization affect the impedance response. Using transition metal hydroxides as a case study, we provide guidance on extracting reaction kinetics or bulk resistance from the Nyquist plots in interface- or bulk-controlled conditions, respectively. Generalizing our EIS analysis enables a robust analysis of MIEC kinetics for a diverse set of systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

New Insertion Device Control System for the APS Upgrade

New Hybrid Permanent Magnet Undulators (HPMUs) have been designed and manufactured using servo motors for precise and reliable gap motion control for the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade (APS-U) project. Meanwhile, existing HPMUs equipped with legacy stepper motors are systematically replaced with servo motors. In parallel with mechanical modifications of the undulators, a comprehensive upgrade has been implemented for the control of the devices. This upgrade includes integration of standardized industrial components for replacement of motor controllers and motor drives using the Kollmorgen Programmable Controller Multi-axis Master (PCMM) controllers and the AKD2G series servo drives. Soft Input Output Controllers (IOCs) are developed and deployed to replace the legacy VME-based IOCs for both single-period undulators and Revolver undulators. In this paper, we will present the architecture of the new insertion device control system, including control mechanisms, interlock protocols, and tools for diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Li, W.↗

Impact of Control Blade Insertion on the Deformation Behavior of SiC-SiC Channel Boxes in Boiling Water Reactors

This report describes the analysis of distortion of a Silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC-SiC) composite channel box under in-reactor conditions of a boiling water reactor (BWR). The BWR core has significant gradients in the fast neutron flux across the channel box due to the presence of water rods within the fuel assemblies, and these gradients increase further with the insertion of control blades. As a result of temperature and neutron flux dependent irradiation induced swelling of SiC, the SiC-SiC composite channel box can undergo significant distortion. In this work, we evaluate the SiC-SiC channel box distortion for three different control blade positions. This analysis is based on the neutron flux and temperature distributions in the BWR core calculated using the neutronics code MPACT and thermalhydraulics code CTF. This calculation is coupled through temperature feedback. Subsequently, we have performed structural analysis based on the calculated neutron flux and temperature distributions, to determine the deformation and stress development in the channel box. The structural analysis was performed using the fuel performance modeling code BISON and the commercial finite element analysis software Abaqus. The results indicate that the channel box will undergo time dependent lateral bowing for all the control blade positions in the assembly. The bowing behavior is dominated by the swelling of SiC-SiC material under non-uniform neutron flux, and changes with variation in the control blade position. The lateral bending will cause a temporary interference between the channel box and the control blade. The developed stresses exceed the proportional limit stress of the material, which may cause matrix microcracking in the channel box. However, the stresses remain below the ultimate tensile strength of the material, and therefore, development of a full, through thickness crack in the channel box is not expected.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

HFIR SiC Bowing Test Ready to Insert

This report describes the successful assembly of a High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) irradiation experiment designed to assess radiation-induced lateral bowing of silicon carbide fiber–reinforced, silicon carbide matrix composite (SiC/SiC) components under a radial fast neutron flux gradient. Excessive bowing of a SiC/SiC channel box in a boiling water reactor could potentially interfere with control blade movements. Similar concerns exist for SiC/SiC fuel cladding in light water reactors. The experiment described herein will provide experimental validation of the structural response of a miniature SiC/SiC channel box and tube specimens with pressurized water reactor diameters during irradiation. The significant radial fast neutron flux gradients that exist in the permanent reflector of HFIR were characterized using detailed three-dimensional neutronic calculations. The three-dimensional displacement damage dose rate profile and the resulting volumetric swelling in SiC were used as inputs to structural analyses that predicted the deformation and stresses in the channel box specimen. The specimens were thoroughly characterized prior to irradiation using traditional dimensional inspection and surface profilometry so that these measurements can later be compared with similar measurements that will be made post-irradiation to determine radiation-induced deformations. Furthermore, fine engraving markers were inscribed along all outer surfaces of the specimen and mapped using a digital microscope and a three-dimensional stage. This technique allowed for accurate measurements of the marker spacings, which can be compared with similar measurements that will be made post-irradiation to provide local radiation-induced strain mapping. The experiment was successfully assembled and is scheduled for insertion during HFIR cycle 492, which is currently scheduled to run from May 25, 2021 to June 18, 2021.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗