Magnetic field assisted electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction of nickel-based materials

The dominant role of the magnetoresistance effect caused by spin electron scattering in the oxygen evolution reaction is unveiled through an in situ tunable magnetic field-electrochemical testing system.

Spatial aspects of spin polarization of structurally split surface states in thin films with magnetic exchange and spin-orbit interaction

A theoretical study is presented of the effect of an in-plane magnetic exchange field on the band structure of centrosymmetric films of noble metals and topological insulators. Based on an ab initio relativistic k·p theory, a minimal effective model is developed that describes two coupled copies of a Rashba or Dirac electronic system residing at the opposite surfaces of the film. The coupling leads to a structural gap at Γ and causes an exotic redistribution of the spin density in the film when the exchange field is introduced. We apply the model to a nineteen-layer Au(111) film and to a five-quintuple-layer Sb2Te3 film. We demonstrate that at each film surface the exchange field induces spectrum distortions similar to those known for Rashba or Dirac surface states with an important difference due to the coupling: At some energies, one branch of the state loses its counterpart with the oppositely directed group velocity. This suggests that a large-angle electron scattering between the film surfaces through the interior of the film is dominant or even the only possible for such energies. The spin-density redistribution accompanying the loss of the counterpart favors this scattering channel.

Absolute Differential Cross-Sections for Elastic Electron Scattering from Sevoflurane Molecule in the Energy Range from 50–300 eV

We report the results of the measurements and calculations of the absolute differential elastic electron scattering cross-sections (DCSs) from sevoflurane molecule (C4H3F7O). The experimental absolute DCSs for elastic electron scattering were obtained for the incident electron energies from 50 eV to 300 eV, and for scattering angles from 25° to 125° using a crossed electron/target beams setup and the relative flow technique for calibration to the absolute scale. For the calculations, we have used the IAM-SCAR+I method (independent atom model (IAM) applying the screened additivity rule (SCAR) with interference terms included (I)). The molecular cross-sections were obtained from the atomic data by using the SCAR procedure, incorporating interference term corrections, by summing all the relevant atomic amplitudes, including the phase coefficients. In this approach, we obtain the molecular differential scattering cross-section (DCS), which, integrated over the scattered electron angular range, gives the integral scattering cross-section (ICS). Calculated cross-sections agree very well with experimental results, in the whole energy and angular range.

Elastic electron scattering with CH2Br2 and CCl2Br2: The role of the polarization effects

We present elastic electron scattering cross sections with holmethane molecules CH2Br2 and CCl2Br2 in the low energy region ranging from 0.01 to 20 eV. The calculations are performed with R-matrix method in static-exchange plus polarization (SEP) and close-coupling (CC) approximations. The integral, differential, and momentum transfer cross sections are calculated. The convergence of the obtained cross sections is checked at four different levels of SEP approximation. The predicted positions of the resonances agree well with available results. The precise resonance parameters are found to be sensitive to the treatment of polarization effects employed. We found that the polarization has a substantial effect on the cross sections, and this effect becomes even more important for lower impact energies.

Collective cloaking of a cluster of electrostatically defined core-shell quantum dots in graphene

We study cloaking of a cluster of electrostatically defined core-shell quantum dots in graphene. Guided by the generalized multiparticle Mie theory, the Dirac electron scattering from a cluster of quantum dots is addressed. Indeed distant quantum dots may experience a sort of individual cloaking. But despite the multiple scattering of an incident electron from a set of adjacent quantum dots, collective cloaking may happen. Via a proper choice of the radii and bias voltages of shells, two most important scattering coefficients and hence the scattering efficiency of the cluster dramatically decrease. Energy-selective electron cloaks are realizable. More importantly, clusters simultaneously transparent to electrons of different energies, are achievable. Being quite sensitive to applied bias voltages, clusters of core-shell quantum dots may be used to develop switches with high on-off ratios.

Combined Light and Electron Scattering for Exploring Proximity Effects on Hydrogen Absorption in Vanadium

We investigate proximity effects on hydrogen absorption in ultra-thin vanadium layers through combing light transmission and electron scattering. We compare the thermodynamic properties of the vanadium layers, which are based on the superlattice structure of Cr/V (001) and Fe/V (001). We find an influence of the proximity effects on the finite-size scaling of the critical temperatures, which can be explained by a variation of dead layers in the vanadium. In addition to this, the proximity effects on hydrogen absorption are also verified from the changes of excess resistivity.

Low energy electron scattering from pyridine using a Surko trap and beam

This paper presents measurements of low energy electron scattering from pyridine. The low energy positron beamline at the Australian National University was used for these measurements, with a change in operational parameters allowing for the measurement of electron scattering processes. We have collected data for the low energy total cross section for electron scattering, as well as measurements of the differential cross sections (DCS) for electrons up to 3 eV impact energy. The operation of the beamline will be briefly outlined and data are compared to R-matrix and Schwinger multichannel theoretical calculations, as well as previous experimental data.

Low-energy probes of sterile neutrino transition magnetic moments

Sterile neutrinos with keV-MeV masses and non-zero transition magnetic moments can be probed through low-energy nuclear or electron recoil measurements. Here we determine the sensitivities of current and future searches, showing how they can probe a previously unexplored parameter region. Future coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) or elastic neutrino-electron scattering (EνES) experiments using a monochromatic 51Cr source can fully probe the region indicated by the recent XENON1T excess.

Electron Scattering Cross-Section Calculations for Atomic and Molecular Iodine

Cross sections for electron scattering from atomic and molecular iodine are calculated based on the R-matrix (close-coupling) method. Elastic and electronic excitation cross sections are presented for both I and I2. The dissociative electron attachment and vibrational excitation cross sections of the iodine molecule are obtained using the local complex potential approximation. Ionization cross sections are also computed for I2 using the BEB model.