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Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 87

The evaluated experimental data are presented for 14 known nuclides of mass 87 (Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru). New datasets have been added for {sup 87}Ga, {sup 87}Se, {sup 87}Kr, {sup 87}Rb, {sup 87}Sr, {sup 87}Nb, and {sup 87}Tc. The observation of and new lifetime measurements for {sup 87}As at the NSCL Coupled Cyclotron Facility and the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron at the HRIBF–ORNL Facility are included in the adopted levels for this isotope. The new evaluation also includes an isomeric level at unknown energy for {sup 87}Tc, changes to the adopted levels for {sup 87}Nb based on newly published data including an extension of the high spin levels and new lifetime measurements, and new heavy ion data for {sup 87}Kr. New high spin levels for {sup 87}Rb were observed, indicating possible neutron core excitations. In addition, the ground state lifetime of {sup 87}Rb has been revised and a new lifetime measurement for an excited level in {sup 87}Rb indicates a possible proton spin flip. New excitation levels have been observed for the first time in {sup 87}Se. New direct and precise measurement of atomic masses of {sup 87}Tc, {sup 87}Mo, {sup 87}Nb, {sup 87}Zr, {sup 87}Mo and {sup 87}Tc have greatly improved the Q value landscape in this mass region. This work supersedes the previous A=87 evaluation published in 2002He09, and Q values for all isotopes were updated to incorporate the mass evaluation in 2012Wa38.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Controlling Nb(IV) Defects in SrNbO 2 N Oxygen Evolution Photocatalyst by Ammonolysis With Dinitrogen–Ammonia Mixtures

Strontium niobium oxynitride (SrNbO 2 N) is a promising, corrosion resistant semiconductor for the visible light-driven water splitting reaction, a non-photovoltaic pathway to green hydrogen fuel. However, SrNbO 2 N materials made by ammonolysis usually contain Nb 4+ defect states that cause electron–hole recombination. Here, in this work, we demonstrate that such defects can be minimized by synthesizing SrNbO 2 N from metal oxides in a mixed 13%:87% (vol) NH 3 /N 2 atmosphere. According to electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), SrNbO 2 N made in pure NH 3 contains paramagnetic impurities with g = 2.002 and 2.195, which can be assigned to lattice and surface Nb 4+ defects. These states also cause broad optical absorptions centered at 800 and 1020 nm, respectively, and the lattice defect produces a 1.55–1.63 eV signal in surface photovoltage spectra. The improved SrNbO 2 N contains five times fewer lattice Nb 4+ defects (8.95 × 10 15 cm −3 ), based on the integrated EPR signal intensity, and supports a water oxidation photocurrent of 1.07 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V versus RHE under simulated sunlight and an apparent quantum efficiency of 5.1% at 400 nm during photocatalytic oxygen evolution. Based on earlier results with LaTiO 2 N and BaTaO 2 N, dilution of NH 3 during synthesis appears generally beneficial to transition metal oxynitrides.

electron paramagnetic resonance↗

Refractive Secondary Solar Concentrator Demonstrated High-Temperature Operation

Space applications that utilize solar thermal energy--such as electric power conversion systems, thermal propulsion systems, and furnaces--require highly efficient solar concentration systems. The NASA Glenn Research Center is developing the refractive secondary concentrator, which uses refraction and total internal reflection to efficiently concentrate and direct solar energy. When used in combination with advanced lightweight primary concentrators, such as inflatable thin films, the refractive secondary concentrator enables very high system concentration ratios and very high temperatures. Last year, Glenn successfully demonstrated a secondary concentrator throughput efficiency of 87 percent, with a projected efficiency of 93 percent using an antireflective coating. Building on this achievement, Glenn recently successfully demonstrated high-temperature operation of the secondary concentrator when it was used to heat a rhenium receiver to 2330 F. The high-temperature demonstration of the concentrator was conducted in Glenn's 68-ft long Tank 6 thermal vacuum facility equipped with a solar simulator. The facility has a rigid panel primary concentrator that was used to concentrate the light from the solar simulator onto the refractive secondary concentrator. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center provided a rhenium cavity, part of a solar thermal propulsion engine, to serve as the high-temperature receiver. The prototype refractive secondary concentrator, measuring 3.5 in. in diameter and 11.2 in. long, is made of single-crystal sapphire. A water-cooled splash shield absorbs spillage light outside of the 3.5-in. concentrator aperture. Multilayer foil insulation composed of tungsten, molybdenum, and niobium is used to minimize heat loss from the hightemperature receiver. A liquid-cooled canister calorimeter is used to measure the heat loss through the multilayer foil insulation.

Wong, Wayne A.↗