Nuclear Theory Research Articles

Weinberg, effective field theories, and time-reversal violation

I offer some glimpses of Steven Weinberg as a mentor, taking as example his influential work on time-reversal violation. I also review some of the implications of this work to low-energy observables using nuclear effective field theories.

Integrating Superconductivity in Cu Replace Lead Apatite by Nuclear Magnetic Moment Theory of RBL

Recently, scientists proclaimed superconductivity under ambient conditions of room temperature and 1 atmosphere pressure in Cu partial substituted lead apatite: Pb(10-x)Cux(PO4)6. This paper highlights the application of RBL’s stable isotope of positive and negative nuclear magnetic moments (NMMs) theory for explaining the heavy isotopic enrichment of this materials as {207Pb{10-x}63Cux(‘31PιO4)6}, where ι = 17 or 18 and the resulting superconductivity and novel room temperature atmospheric pressure superconductivity of this heavy isotopic enriched substance. On the basis of such analysis by RBL theory, the synthesis of high temperature, regular pressure superconductivity can be explained and this recent experimental observation of ambient pressure and temperature superconductivity in 207Pb{10-x}63Cux(‘31PιO4)6, where ι = 17 or 18, proves RBL’s NMMs theory of high temperature superconductivity. After 1 month on July 22, 2023 of the archiving of such data for superconductivity Pb(10-x)Cux(PO4)6 by Lee and coworkers, a huge experimental effort by hundreds of researchers around the world has attempted to replicate this room temperature, ambient pressure superconductivity in Pb(10-x)Cux(PO4)6 without success. The resulting inability to replicate the ambient superconductivity and note of some fractional component in the mixture causing the ambient superconductivity is explained by RBL’s theory as the fractional component may be clumped isotopes as in {207Pb{10-x}63Cux(‘31PιO4)6}, where ι = 17 or 18, and RBL here notes the vapor deposition process alleged by Lee and coworkers for producing the superconductivity was previously predicted by RBL to cause isotopic fractionation during solid to liquid and liquid to gas and gas to solid physical changes.

Soliton solutions of nonlinear stochastic Fitz-Hugh Nagumo equation

This study deals with the stochastic Fitz-Hugh Nagumo (FHN) equation and its multiple soliton solutions. The underlying model has numerous applications in neuroscience that express the pulse behavior of neurons. In general, different kinds of noise affect neurons, e.g., oscillations in the opening and closing of ion stations within cell membranes and the fluctuations of the different conductivities in the system. This fluctuation creates a sequence of stochastic excitation. Various applications are branching Brownian motion process, flame propagation, nuclear reactor theory, autocatalytic chemical reaction, mobility in neurons, population growth in the open environment, and liquid environment. So, need of the hour to consider the FHN equation under the impact of noise. The ϕ6\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\phi ^6$$\\end{document}-model expansion method is used to extract the analytical solutions that give a dynamic attitude of the transmission for the nerve impulses of a nervous system. The different constraint conditions for the existence of these solutions are also discussed. The solutions of this model are represented in hyperbolic, trigonometric, and rational forms. The 2 and 3-dimensional behavior of these solutions are depicted by choosing the different values of parameters. The impact of noise on the physical system is analyzed and its real-world applications are discussed. The spikes in the solutions are controlled through the Borel function. These important results will open a new horizon of research for the young researchers.

Ion Dynamics at the Intermediate Charging State of the Sodium Vanadium Fluorophosphate Cathode.

Na super ionic conductor (NASICON)-type polyanionic vanadium fluorophosphate Na3V2O2(PO4)2F (NVOPF) is a promising cathode material for high-energy sodium-ion batteries. The dynamic diffusion and exchange of sodium ions in the lattice of NVOPF are crucial for its electrochemical performance. However, standard characterizations are mostly focused on the as-synthesized material without cycling, which is different from the actual battery operation conditions. In this work, we investigated the hopping processes of sodium in NVOPF at the intermediate charging state with 23Na solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our experimental characterizations revealed six distinct sodium coordination sites in the intermediate structure and determined the exchange rates among these sites at variable temperatures. The theoretical calculations showed that these dynamic processes correspond to different ion transport pathways in the crystalline lattice. Our combined experimental and theoretical study uncovered the underlying mechanisms of the ion transport in cycled NVOPF and these understandings may help the optimization of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Pillarurilarenes: Glycoluril-Expanded Pillararenes.

Glycoluril-expanded pillararenes composed of glycoluril and dialkoxybenzene units, namely, pillarurilarenes (PURA), were synthesized through a fragment coupling macrocyclization strategy. Partial replacement of dialkoxybenzene with glycoluril endows PURA with polarized equatorial methine protons for derivatization or CH-anion binding. Crystal structures of pillar[2]uril[4]arene and pillar[1]uril[4]arene containing two glycoluril units and one glycoluril unit, respectively, indicated the inward orientation of the glycoluril unit, as also suggested by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory calculation. This work lays a good foundation for expanding pillararenes using non-aromatic rings.

Excess properties and intermolecular interactions of 2-methoxyethanol + ethylenediamine binary system: Density, viscosity, spectral analyses, computational chemistry, and CO2 absorption property

To examine the fundamental physicochemical properties as well as intermolecular interactions for the 2-methoxyethanol (EGME) (1) + ethylenediamine (EDA) (2) binary system, this work systemically measured the density (ρ) and viscosity (η) values of the binary system with various mole ratios at P = 100.5 kPa and T = (298.15–318.15) K with the growth gap of 5 K. The as-measured values of the pure substances were compared with literature data. Multiple semi-empirical formulas were used to fit ρ and η values, and the absolute average deviations (AAD%) were calculated. After that, the excess molar volume (VmE), partial molar volume (V¯), apparent molar volume (Vφ), viscosity deviation (Δη), excess activation of Gibbs free energy (ΔG∗E), and several thermodynamic properties of the binary system were systemically analyzed. According to analysis results, it has been proven that the interaction exists between EGME and EDA molecules. And then, excess properties were fitted to the Redlich-Kister equation using multi-parametric nonlinear regression analyses, and standard deviations (σ) were calculated. In addition, based on various characterization methods including Raman, ultraviolet (UV), and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen (1H NMR) spectral analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculation results, it is demonstrated that there is intermolecular hydrogen bonds in EGME (1) + EDA (2) binary system as the form of –OH⋯NH2–, which was consistent with the existence forms of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in different alcohol-amine systems from references. Finally, CO2 absorption capacity by pure EDA, pure EGME, and the EGME (1) + EDA (2) binary system were severally determined.

Impact of shell model interactions on nuclear responses to WIMP elastic scattering

Nuclear recoil from scattering with weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) is a signature searched for in direct detection of dark matter. The underlying WIMP-nucleon interactions could be spin and/or orbital angular momentum (in)dependent. Evaluation of nuclear recoil rates through these interactions requires accounting for nuclear structure, e.g., through shell model calculations. We evaluate nuclear response functions induced by these interactions for F19, Na23, Si28,29,30, Ar40, Ge70,72,73,74,76, I127, and Xe128,129,130,131,132,134,136 nuclei that are relevant to current direct detection experiments, and estimate their sensitivity to shell model interactions. Shell model calculations are performed with the NuShellX solver. Nuclear response functions from nonrelativistic effective field theory are evaluated and integrated over transferred momentum for quantitative comparisons. We show that although the standard spin-independent response is barely sensitive to the structure of the nuclei, large variations with the shell model interaction are often observed for the other channels. Significant uncertainties may arise from the nuclear components of WIMP-nucleus scattering amplitudes due to nuclear structure theory and modeling. These uncertainties should be accounted for in analyses of direct detection experiments. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Quantum simulation approach to implementing nuclear density functional theory via imaginary time evolution

Quantum simulation approach to implementing nuclear density functional theory via imaginary time evolution

Nuclear Charge Radii of Silicon Isotopes.

The nuclear charge radius of ^{32}Si was determined using collinear laser spectroscopy. The experimental result was confronted with abinitio nuclear lattice effective field theory, valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group, and mean field calculations, highlighting important achievements and challenges of modern many-body methods. The charge radius of ^{32}Si completes the radii of the mirror pair ^{32}Ar-^{32}Si, whose difference was correlated to the slope L of the symmetry energy in the nuclear equation of state. Our result suggests L≤60 MeV, which agrees with complementary observables.

Examples and Counterexamples of Renormalizability of an EFT in the Nonperturbative Regime

An important feature of an effective field theory is its renormalizability, which implies that one can apply a certain power counting to renormalized quantities and perform a systematic expansion of the calculated observables in terms of some small parameter. When nonperturbative effects become relevant, the requirement of renormalizability imposes nontrivial constraints on a choice of the effective interaction and the renormalization scheme. We discuss several instructive examples and counterexamples of renormalizability to illustrate potential issues one has to deal with in realistic calculations such as nuclear chiral effective field theory.

Dual channel chemosensor for successive detection of environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN− ions and its application to cancer cell imaging

BackgroundDetecting and neutralizing Pd2+ ions are a significant challenge due to their cytotoxicity, even at low concentrations. To address this issue, various chemosensors have been designed for advanced detection systems, offering simplicity and the potential to differentiate signals from different analytes. Nonetheless, these chemosensors often suffer from limited emission response and complex synthesis procedures. As a result, the tracking and quantification of residual palladium in biological systems and environments remain challenging tasks, with only a few chemosensing probes available for commercial use. ResultsIn this paper, a straightforward approach for the selective detection of Pd2+ ions is proposed, which involves the design, synthesis, and utilization of a propargylated naphthalene-derived probe (E)-N'-((2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)naphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHP). The NHP probe exhibits sensitive dual-channel colorimetry and fluorescence Pd2+ detection over other tested metal ions. The detection process is performed through a catalytic depropargylation reaction, followed by an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process, the detection limit is as low as 11.58 × 10−7 M under mild conditions. Interestingly, the resultant chemodosimeter adduct (E)-N'-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHH) was employed for the consecutive detection of CN− ions, exhibiting an impressive detection limit of 31.79 × 10−8 M. Validation of both detection processes was achieved through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory calculations. For real-time applications of the NHP and NHH probes, smartphone-assisted detection, and intracellular detection of Pd2+ and CN− ions within HeLa cells were studied. SignificanceThis research presents a novel naphthalene derivative for visually detecting environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN− ions. The synthesized probe selectively binds to Pd2+, forming a chemodosimeter. It successfully detects CN− ions through colorimetry and fluorimetry, offering a low detection limit and quick response. Notably, it's the first naphthalene-based small molecule to serve as a dual probe for toxic analytes - palladium and cyanide. Moreover, it effectively detects Pd2+ and CN− intracellularly in cancer cells.

Synthesis, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial activities, molecular docking, and Density functional theory studies of nanometal (IV) glycoconjugates

Oxovanadium (IV) and diphenyltin (IV) complexes were synthesized on the nanoscale based on the Schiff base (H2L) derived from salicylaldehyde and d‐glucosamine. The complexes were formed with a molar ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 (metal: dligand) relative to oxovanadium (IV) and diphenyltin (IV), respectively. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, mass fragmentations, electronic transitions, thermogravimetric analysis, and density functional theory were employed to validate the structure of synthesized compounds. The results demonstrated that the ligand (H2L) was successfully attached to oxovanadium (IV) and diphenyltin (IV) as di‐anionic and mono‐anionic ligands, respectively. The size of the complexes was investigated using the transmission scanning microscope. The work presents a prospective concept for the drug design of the targeted anticancer through the glucose moiety. All compounds revealed remarkable anticancer activities against the colorectal (HCT‐116) cell line, recording IC50 values 4.94, 21.73, and 62.5 μg/ml for VO (II)(L), free H2L, and Sn (ph)2(HL)2, respectively. The IC50 value of VO (II)(L) complex was increased after the quercetin inhibitor. Therefore, the sugar‐conjugated compound can be recognized by the glucose recognition binding site of GLUT and their cell‐killing effect depends highly on the GLUT inhibitor, quercetin. The potential GLUT transportability of the compounds was investigated through a molecular docking study. The anti‐migration activity was investigated for VO (II)(L) complex. The free ligand observed the best antimicrobial results. The antibacterial stimulation was investigated and represented different interaction types with the selected ribosyl transferase enzyme.

Innovative dead-time correction and background subtraction for neutron multiplicity measurements using neural networks

The number of neutrons emitted from a nuclear reaction plays a crucial role in various fields, including nuclear theory, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear energy and nuclear criticality safety. Accurate determination of neutron multiplicities requires the application of several corrections, with dead-time correction and background subtraction being particularly significant. These corrections become more challenging for neutron detectors with time-dependent neutron capture. In this work, we perform a comprehensive study of three existing methods used for dead-time correction and background subtraction in neutron detectors with time-dependent neutron capture. The methods were tested for dead-times in the range from 0 to 1 μs using a Monte Carlo model simulating the dead-time and background effects in the standard neutron multiplicity probability distribution of 252\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{252}$$\\end{document}Cf. The previous methods showed larger than desired uncertainty or systematic trade off. Those uncertainties prompted the development of a novel approach using neural networks trained with data from Monte Carlo simulations. The Neural Network method enabled the correction of neutron multiplicity probabilities more accurately than the other methods with fractional errors smaller than 3% for multiplicities around the peak of 252\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{252}$$\\end{document}Cf. A similar approach using neural networks could be applied to problems where the system being studied can be accurately simulated without having an accurate analytical description available. The neural network method presented in this paper can be easily expanded if multiplicities greater than 10 are expected.

Density, viscosity, excess properties, and intermolecular interaction of propylene glycol methyl ether + 1,2-propylenediamine binary system

In this work, the systematic measurements of physicochemical properties, viz., density (ρ) and viscosity (η) values of propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME) + 1,2-propylenediamine (1,2-PDA) binary system, including pure substances, over the entire mole fraction range at the temperatures of T/K = (298.15 to 318.15) under atmospheric pressure of P = 100.5 kPa. The fundamental data were used to calculate several excess properties, including excess molar volume (VmE), viscosity deviation (Δη), and excess activation Gibbs free energy (ΔG∗E). Meanwhile, the work further investigated the values of thermal expansion coefficient (αp), partial molar volume (V¯) and apparent molar volume (Vφ), thereby offering a comprehensive understanding on non-ideal behavior of the binary system. Furthermore, the variations in ρ values with various molar ratios and temperatures were evaluated through Jouyban-Acree model and nonlinear least squares method. Simultaneously, Grunberg-Nissan model, Eyring-Margules model, Heric model, and McAllister model, were used to fit the dependence of η values on the molar ratio. Arrhenius equation was employed to fit the temperature dependency of η values. In addition, Redlich-Kister (R-K) equation was utilized to fit the VmE, Δη, and ΔG∗E values of binary system. Based on spectral analyses of Raman, ultra-violet (UV), and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and density functional theory (DFT) calculation, the intermolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) of PGME with 1,2-PDA was discussed in depth.

Towards heavy-mass ab initio nuclear structure: Open-shell Ca, Ni and Sn isotopes from Bogoliubov coupled-cluster theory

Recent developments in nuclear many-body theory enabled the description of open-shell medium-mass nuclei from first principles by exploiting the spontaneous breaking of symmetries within correlation expansion methods. Once combined with systematically improvable inter-nucleon interactions consistently derived from chiral effective field theory, modern ab initio nuclear structure calculations provide a powerful framework to deliver first-principle predictions accompanied with theoretical uncertainties. In this Letter, controlled ab initio Bogoliubov coupled cluster (BCC) calculations are performed for the first time, targeting the ground-state of all calcium, nickel and tin isotopes up to mass A≈180. While showing good agreement with available experimental data, the shell structure evolution in neutron-rich isotopes and the location of the neutron drip-lines are predicted. The BCC approach constitutes a key development towards reliable first-principles simulations of heavy-mass open-shell nuclei.

Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy with a Classical Polarizable Force Field: Alanine in the Gas and Condensed Phases.

Polarizable force fields are an essential component for the chemically accurate modeling of complex molecular systems with a significant degree of fluxionality, beyond harmonic or perturbative approximations. In this contribution we examine the performance of such an approach for the vibrational spectroscopy of the alanine amino acid, in the gas and condensed phases, from the Fourier transform of appropriate time correlation functions generated along molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories. While the infrared (IR) spectrum only requires the electric dipole moment, the vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrum further requires knowledge of the magnetic dipole moment, for which we provide relevant expressions to be used with polarizable force fields. The AMOEBA force field was employed here to model alanine in the neutral and zwitterionic isolated forms, solvated by water or nitrogen, and as a crystal. Within this framework, comparison of the electric and magnetic dipole moments to those obtained with nuclear velocity perturbation theory based on density-functional theory for the same MD trajectories are found to agree well with one another. The statistical convergence of the IR and VCD spectra is examined and found to be more demanding in the latter case. Comparisons with experimental frequencies are also provided for the condensed phases.

Diphosphine-Protected IrAu12 Superatom with Open Site(s): Synthesis and Programmed Stepwise Assembly.

One or two phenylacetylide (PA) ligand(s) were successfully removed from the IrAu12 superatomic core of [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)2]+ (dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) by reaction with controlled amounts of tetrafluoroboric acid. Optical and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations revealed the formation of open Au site(s) on the IrAu12 core of [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)1]2+ and [IrAu12(dppe)5]3+ with the remaining structure intact. Isocyanide was efficiently trapped at the open electrophilic site on [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)1]2+, whereas a dimer or trimer of the IrAu12 superatoms was formed using diisocyanide as a linker. These results open the door to designed assembly of chemically modified metal superatoms.

REVISITING THE NUCLEAR DEBATE IN SOUTH ASIAN SECURITY

Grand strategy and nuclear deterrence have been the most distinct strategies of the last century. The principal objective of a grand strategy for a major state is to achieve some grand strategic objectives, and for other states, it is to preserve their security in an anarchic world. However, contrary to the central assumption of the nuclear deterrence theory, evidence shows that in certain situations, mere possession of nuclear weapons does not automatically translate into deterrence. The central argument of this article is based on the idea that deterrence strategy is neither a static concept nor should be taken as such. Nuclear deterrence. It is a dynamic concept in nature and its utilization depends on the ingenuity of the Nuclear Weapon State (NWS). While citing a history of incidents, especially the Pulwama crisis in 2019 between India and Pakistan, this article explores how nuclear deterrence worked when the fear of a nuclear war was hanging in the region and how these states were able to use the nuclear deterrence strategy to their benefit. It also discusses whether there was a need for either side to operationalize nuclear deterrence through some physical and tangible steps

Diphosphine‐Protected IrAu12 Superatom with Open Site(s): Synthesis and Programmed Stepwise Assembly

AbstractOne or two phenylacetylide (PA) ligand(s) were successfully removed from the IrAu12 superatomic core of [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)2]+ (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) by reaction with controlled amounts of tetrafluoroboric acid. Optical and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations revealed the formation of open Au site(s) on the IrAu12 core of [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)1]2+ and [IrAu12(dppe)5]3+ with the remaining structure intact. Isocyanide was efficiently trapped at the open electrophilic site on [IrAu12(dppe)5(PA)1]2+, whereas a dimer or trimer of the IrAu12 superatoms was formed using diisocyanide as a linker. These results open the door to designed assembly of chemically modified metal superatoms.

In-situ adsorption and detoxification of chemical warfare agent simulants by biocompatible Zr-MOFs immobilized ionic liquids composites: Mechanisms, degradation pathways and DFT calculations

Detoxicating materials of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their simulants play a critical role in reducing pollution contamination and environmental renovation. In this work, we present a simple strategy to prepare a core–shell structure Fe3O4/UiO-66-NH2/ILs@mSiO2 using hydrogen bonding association and electrostatic forces. We performed disinfection studies on dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES). The synergistic effects of catalytic activations for CWAs, which reduce the electron transport distance and lower the reaction energy barrier, lead to an increase in hydrolysis and Fenton-like reactions efficiency. Eliminationing tests of DMNP and 2-CEES showed that the half-lives of the degradation reactions were 128.36 and 1.12 min, respectively, and the degradation efficiency did not decrease significantly after 4 cycles. This new type of structure could be magnetically separated within 60 s to facilitate material recovery and reuse. Moreover, the presence of a mesoporous silica shell made the catalyst particles to become biocompatible and environmentally friendly. The degradation pathways of the intermediates were revealed based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The effective combination of catalysts provided a facile strategy for developing multi-effect synergistic catalysts for the elimination of CWAs and other pollutants.