Ultrafast photoemission electron microscopy:A multidimensional probe of nonequilibrium physics

Exploring the realms of physics that extend beyond thermal equilibrium has emerged as a crucial branch of condensed matter physics research.It aims to unravel the intricate processes involving the excitations,interactions,and annihilations of quasi-and many-body particles,and ultimately to achieve the manipulation and engineering of exotic non-equilibrium quantum phases on the ultrasmall and ultrafast spatiotemporal scales.Given the inherent complexities arising from many-body dynamics,it therefore seeks a technique that has efficient and diverse detection degrees of freedom to study the underlying physics.By combining high-power femtosecond lasers with real-or momentum-space photoemission electron microscopy(PEEM),imaging excited state phenomena from multiple perspectives,including time,real space,energy,momentum,and spin,can be conveniently achieved,making it a unique technique in studying physics out of equilibrium.In this context,we overview the working principle and technical advances of the PEEM apparatus and the related laser systems,and survey key excited-state phenomena probed through this surface-sensitive methodology,including the ultrafast dynamics of electrons,excitons,plasmons,spins,etc.,in materials ranging from bulk and nano-structured metals and semiconductors to low-dimensional quantum materials.Through this review,one can further envision that time-resolved PEEM will open new avenues for investigating a variety of classical and quantum phenomena in a multidimensional parameter space,offering unprecedented and comprehensive insights into important questions in the field of condensed matter physics.

Solving the Three-Neutrino Problem as One of the Three-Body Problems in Physics

By using the standard PMNS (Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata) mixing matrix and applying the rule for the sum of the oscillation probabilities of three neutrinos, the equations of motion were derived in which the Dirac CP violating phase appeared as an unknown quantity. The equations of motion were separately derived for each of the three possible transitions for flavor-neutrino oscillations. Two roots of those equations were obtained in the form of two formulas for the Dirac CP violating phase with opposite signs. In the mathematical sense, the connection between those formulas was established in order to maintain the continuous process of oscillation of three neutrinos. This made it possible to calculate the numerical value for the Dirac CP violating phase, the Jarlskog invariant and to write the general form of the PMNS mixing matrix in the final form in which all its elements are defined with explicit numerical values.

Molecule‑Level Multiscale Design of Nonflammable Gel Polymer Electrolyte to Build Stable SEI/CEI for Lithium Metal Battery

The risk of flammability is an unavoidable issue for gel polymer electrolytes(GPEs).Usually,flameretardant solvents are necessary to be used,but most of them would react with anode/cathode easily and cause serious interfacial instability,which is a big challenge for design and application of nonflammable GPEs.Here,a nonflammable GPE(SGPE)is developed by in situ polymerizing trifluoroethyl methacrylate(TFMA)monomers with flame-retardant triethyl phosphate(TEP)solvents and LiTFSI–LiDFOB dual lithium salts.TEP is strongly anchored to PTFMA matrix via polarity interaction between-P=O and-CH_(2)CF_(3).It reduces free TEP molecules,which obviously mitigates interfacial reactions,and enhances flame-retardant performance of TEP surprisingly.Anchored TEP molecules are also inhibited in solvation of Li^(+),leading to anion-dominated solvation sheath,which creates inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interface/cathode electrolyte interface layers.Such coordination structure changes Li^(+)transport from sluggish vehicular to fast structural transport,raising ionic conductivity to 1.03 mS cm^(-1) and transfer number to 0.41 at 30℃.The Li|SGPE|Li cell presents highly reversible Li stripping/plating performance for over 1000 h at 0.1 mA cm^(−2),and 4.2 V LiCoO_(2)|SGPE|Li battery delivers high average specific capacity>120 mAh g^(−1) over 200 cycles.This study paves a new way to make nonflammable GPE that is compatible with Li metal anode.

Structure and electrochemical performance of delafossite AgFeO_(2)nanoparticles for supercapacitor electrodes

Delafossite AgFeO_(2)nanoparticles with a mixture of 2H and 3R phases were successfully fabricated by using a simple co-precipitation method.The resulting precursor was calcined at temperatures of 100,200,300,400,and 500℃to obtain the delafossite AgFe0_(2)phase.The morphology and microstructure of the prepared AgFeO_(2)samples were characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),N_(2) adsorption/desorption,X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS),and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)techniques.A three-electrode system was employed to investigate the electrochemical properties of the delafossite AgFeO_(2)nanoparticles in a 3 M KOH electrolyte.The delafossite AgFeO_(2)nanoparticles calcined at 100℃(AFO100)exhibited the highest surface area of 28.02 m^(2)·g^(-1)and outstanding electrochemical performance with specific capacitances of 229.71 F·g^(-1)at a current density of 1 A·g^(-1)and 358.32 F·g^(-1)at a scan rate of 2 mV·s^(-1).This sample also demonstrated the capacitance retention of 82.99% after 1000 charge/discharge cycles,along with superior specific power and specific energy values of 797.46 W·kg^(-1)and 72.74Wh·kg^(-1),respectively.These findings indicate that delafossite AgFeO_(2)has great potential as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications.

Molecular simulation study of the microstructures and properties of pyridinium ionic liquid[HPy][BF_(4)]mixed with acetonitrile

The microstructures and thermodynamic properties of mixed systems comprising pyridinium ionic liquid[HPy][BF_(4)]and acetonitrile at different mole fractions were studied using molecular dynamics simulation in this work.The following properties were determined:density,self-diffusion coefficient,excess molar volume,and radial distribution function.The results show that with an increase in the mole fraction of[HPy][BF_(4)],the self-diffusion coefficient decreases.Additionally,the excess molar volume initially decreases,reaches a minimum,and then increases.The rules of radial distribution functions(RDFs)of characteristic atoms are different.With increasing the mole fraction of[HPy][BF_(4)],the first peak of the RDFs of HA1-F decreases,while that of CT6-CT6 rises at first and then decreases.This indicates that the solvent molecules affect the polar and non-polar regions of[HPy][BF_(4)]differently.

Advanced Functional Electromagnetic Shielding Materials:A Review Based on Micro‑Nano Structure Interface Control of Biomass Cell Walls

Research efforts on electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials have begun to converge on green and sustainable biomass materials.These materials offer numerous advantages such as being lightweight,porous,and hierarchical.Due to their porous nature,interfacial compatibility,and electrical conductivity,biomass materials hold significant potential as EMI shielding materials.Despite concerted efforts on the EMI shielding of biomass materials have been reported,this research area is still relatively new compared to traditional EMI shielding materials.In particular,a more comprehensive study and summary of the factors influencing biomass EMI shielding materials including the pore structure adjustment,preparation process,and micro-control would be valuable.The preparation methods and characteristics of wood,bamboo,cellulose and lignin in EMI shielding field are critically discussed in this paper,and similar biomass EMI materials are summarized and analyzed.The composite methods and fillers of various biomass materials were reviewed.this paper also highlights the mechanism of EMI shielding as well as existing prospects and challenges for development trends in this field.

Review of heavy-ion inertial fusion physics

In this review paper on heavy ion inertial fusion(HIF),the state-of-the-art scientific results are presented and discussed on the HIF physics,including physics of the heavy ion beam(HIB)transport in a fusion reactor,the HIBs-ion illumination on a direct-drive fuel target,the fuel target physics,the uniformity of the HIF target implosion,the smoothing mechanisms of the target implosion non-uniformity and the robust target implosion.The HIB has remarkable preferable features to release the fusion energy in inertial fusion:in particle accelerators HIBs are generated with a high driver efficiency of~30%-40%,and the HIB ions deposit their energy inside of materials.Therefore,a requirement for the fusion target energy gain is relatively low,that would be~50-70 to operate a HIF fusion reactor with the standard energy output of 1 GWof electricity.The HIF reactor operation frequency would be~10-15 Hz or so.Several-MJ HIBs illuminate a fusion fuel target,and the fuel target is imploded to about a thousand times of the solid density.Then the DT fuel is ignited and burned.The HIB ion deposition range is defined by the HIB ions stopping length,which would be~1 mm or so depending on the material.Therefore,a relatively large density-scale length appears in the fuel target material.One of the critical issues in inertial fusion would be a spherically uniform target compression,which would be degraded by a non-uniform implosion.The implosion non-uniformity would be introduced by the Rayleigh-Taylor(R-T)instability,and the large densitygradient-scale length helps to reduce the R-T growth rate.On the other hand,the large scale length of the HIB ions stopping range suggests that the temperature at the energy deposition layer in a HIF target does not reach a very-high temperature:normally about 300 eV or so is realized in the energy absorption region,and that a direct-drive target would be appropriate in HIF.In addition,the HIB accelerators are operated repetitively and stably.The precise control of the HIB axis manipulation is also realized in the HIF accelerator,and the HIB wobbling motion may give another tool to smooth the HIB illumination non-uniformity.The key issues in HIF physics are also discussed and presented in the paper.

Physics of electron and lithium-ion transport in electrode materials for Li-ion batteries

The physics of ionic and electrical conduction at electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries （LIBs） are briefly sum marized here, besides, we review the current research on ionic and electrical conduction in electrode material incorporating experimental and simulation studies. Commercial LIBs have been widely used in portable electronic devices and are now developed for large-scale applications in hybrid electric vehicles （HEV） and stationary distributed power stations. However, due to the physical limits of the materials, the overall performance of today＇s LIBs does not meet all the requirements for future applications, and the transport problem has been one of the main barriers to further improvement. The electron and Li-ion transport behaviors are important in determining the rate capacity of LIBs.

Determination of Intraseasonal Variation of Precipitation Microphysics in the Southern Indian Ocean from Joss–Waldvogel Disdrometer Observation during the CINDY Field Campaign

To date, the intraseasonal variation of raindrop size distribution(DSD) in response to the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO) has been examined only over the Indonesian Maritime Continent, particularly in Sumatra. This paper presents the intraseasonal variation of DSD over the Indian Ocean during the Cooperative Indian Ocean experiment on Intraseasonal Variability in the Year 2011(CINDY 2011) field campaign. The DSDs determined using a Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer,which was installed on the roof of the anti-rolling system of the R/V Mirai during stationary observation(25 September to 30 November 2011) at(8°S, 80.5°E), were analyzed. The vertical structure of precipitation was revealed by Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar(version 7) data. While the general features of vertical structures of precipitation observed during the CINDY and Sumatra observation are similar, the intraseasonal variation of the DSD in response to the MJO at each location is slightly different. The DSDs during the active phase of the MJO are slightly broader than those during the inactive phase, which is indicated by a larger mass-weighted mean diameter value. Furthermore, the radar reflectivity during the active MJO phase is greater than that during the inactive phase at the same rainfall rate. The microphysical processes that generate large-sized drops over the ocean appear to be more dominant during the active MJO phase, in contrast to the observations made on land(Sumatra). This finding is consistent with the characteristics of radar reflectivity below the freezing level, storm height, bright band height, cloud effective radius, and aerosol optical depth.

Multi-Physics Modeling Assisted Design of Non-Coking Anode for Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Fueled by Low Steam Methane

Internal reformation of low steam methane fuel is highly beneficial for improving the energy efficiency and reducing the system complexity and cost of solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs).However,anode coking for the Ni-based anode should be prevented before the technology becomes a reality.A multi-physics fully coupled model is employed to simulate the operations of SOFCs fueled by low steam methane.The multi-physics model produces I-V relations that are in excellent agreement with the experimental results.The multi-physics model and the experimental non-coking current density deduced kinetic carbon activity criterion are used to examine the effect of operating parameters and the anode diffusion barrier layer on the propensity of carbon deposition.The interplays among the fuel utilization ratio,current generation,thickness of the barrier layer and the cell operating voltage are revealed.It is demonstrated that a barrier layer of 400μm thickness is an optimal and safe anode design to achieve high power density and non-coking operations.The anode structure design can be very useful for the development of high efficiency and low cost SOFC technology.

Simulation of a molten salt fast reactor using the COMSOL Multiphysics software

In this study,COMSOL v5.2 Multiphysics software was utilized to perform coupled neutronics and thermal–hydraulics simulations of a molten salt fast reactor,and the SCALE v6.1 code package was utilized to generate the homogenized cross-section data library.The library’s 238 cross-section groups were categorized into nine groups for the simulations in this study.The results of the COMSOL model under no fuel flow conditions were verified using the SCALE v6.1 code results,and the results of the neutronics and thermal–hydraulics simulations were compared to the results of previously published studies.The results indicated that the COMSOL model that includes the cross-section library generated by the SCALE v6.1 code package is suitable for the steady-state analysis and design assessment of molten salt fast reactors.Subsequently,this model was utilized to investigate the neutronics and thermal–hydraulics behaviors of the reactor.Multiple designs were simulated and analyzed in this model,and the results indicated that even if the wall of the core is curved,hot spots occur in the upper and lower portions of the core’s center near the reflectors.A new design was proposed that utilizes a flow rate distribution system,and the simulation results of this design showed that the maximum temperature in the core was approximately 1032 K and no hot spots occurred.

A Scenario to Provide Atomic Data for Fusion Research in the Stage of Precision Physics

In order to provide abundant atomic data for fusion research in the stage of precision physics, a scenario, being a combination of indispensable theoretical calculations and bench-mark experimental measurements, is proposed. Such abundant atomic data are compiled mainly by theoretical calculations. Accuracies of such abundant data （i.e., atomic energy levels and cor- responding cross sections） are ascertained only by a finite number of bench-mark experimental measurements based on analytical calculation of scattering matrices.

Multi-Physics Modeling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Fueled by Methane and Analysis of Carbon Deposition

Internal reformation of low steam methane fuel is important for the high efficiency and low cost operation of solid oxide fuel cell. Understanding and overcoming carbon deposition is crucial for the technology development. Here a multi-physics model is established for the relevant experimental cells. Balance of electrochemical potentials for the electrochemical reactions, generic rate expression for the methane steam reforming, dusty gas model in a form of Fick＇s model for anode gas transport are used in the model. Excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental current-voltage relations is obtained, demonstrating the validity of the proposed theoretical model. The steam reaction order in low steam methane reforming reaction is found to be 1. Detailed information about the distributions of physical quantities is obtained by the numerical simulation. Carbon deposition is analyzed in detail and the mechanism for the coking inhibition by operating current is illustrated clearly. Two expressions of carbon activity are analyzed and found to be correct qualitatively, but not quantitatively. The role of anode diffusion layer on reducing the current threshold for carbon removal is also explained. It is noted that the current threshold reduction may be explained quantitatively with the carbon activity models that are only qualitatively correct.

Just a Bit of Physics Can Tell So Much: A Unique Story of the Start of the Earth-Moon System

The start of the Earth-Moon system has been studied to show that this was an exceptionally violent event. One result was that Earth became the terrestrial planet with the highest average density. Another result was that Earth acquired enough mass and radioactive elements that it is expected to maintain a molten core region and magnetic field for the expected life of the Earth. Earth alone of the terrestrial planets was then able to develop plate tectonics as a long term energy release mechanism. The dipole magnetic field of the Sun reverses periodically, currently at the rate of about every 11 years, so that there was a magnetic braking action acting on the core of Venus that accounts for the slow rotation of that planet. A key result is that the impact event that resulted in the Earth-Moon system led to long term stability on Earth that allowed the eventual development of complex life forms on the Earth.

A mini-review on econophysics:Comparative study of Chinese and western financial markets

We present a review of our recent research in econophysics, and focus on the comparative study of Chinese and western financial markets. By virtue of concepts and methods in statistical physics, we investigate the time correlations and spatial structure of financial markets based on empirical high-frequency data. We discover that the Chinese stock market shares common basic properties with the western stock markets, such as the fat-tail probability distribution of price returns, the long-range auto-correlation of volatifities, and the persistence probability of volatilities, while it exhibits very different higher-order time correlations of price returns and volatilities, spatial correlations of individual stock prices, and large-fluctuation dynamic behaviors. Furthermore, multi-agent-based models are developed to simulate the microscopic interaction and dynamic evolution of the stock markets.

Importance of Food Physics, to Fulfill the Expectations of Modern Food Technologies

The paper deals with some questions of important aspects of food safety and application of principles of food physics in the food sector. Food production and processing of quality food and safe food are today of primary importance. Food production is based on the principles of Good Agricultural Practice （GAP）, Good Manufactoring Practice （GMP） and Good Hygiene Practice （GHP）. Recently, the industrial food processing is focused dominantly on the quality, and one of the basic requirements of the quality is the safety. There are different methods and techniques to produce safe food. The up-to-date food technologies and quality measurements （quality control and quality assurance） involve the application of different physical methods, e.g., high pressure, pulsing electrical field, nondestructive techniques, e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR）, near infrared reflectance, near infrared transmittance （NIR-NIT）, photo acoustic spectroscopy （PAS） and instrumental neutron activation analysis （INAA） for chemical composition determination, radiation techniques, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis （RO） as well. Using ionizing radiation （nuclear methods） and non-ionizing radiation technologies, it is possible to fulfill a lot of expectations： decrease of microbial contamination, improve of sensory properties, increase of storability, etc..

Chaotic Fractals at the Root of Relativistic Quantum Physics and Cosmology

At its most basic level physics starts with space-time topology and geometry. On the other hand topology’s and geometry’s simplest and most basic elements are random Cantor sets. It follows then that nonlinear dynamics i.e. deterministic chaos and fractal geometry is the best mathematical theory to apply to the problems of high energy particle physics and cosmology. In the present work we give a short survey of some recent achievements of applying nonlinear dynamics to notoriously difficult subjects such as quantum entanglement as well as the origin and true nature of dark energy, negative absolute temperature and the fractal meaning of the constancy of the speed of light.

The Aether of Spacetime Physics Is the Empty Set of Pure Mathematics

The present note is basically an announcement of a theoretical and experimental resolution of one of the most basic fundamental problems of physics, namely the very existence and reality of the Aether [1-11]. This is not only basic philosophy of science or insightful results in theoretical physics and cosmology [1-24] but more than that because it may lead to actually realizing the futuristic dream of free energy [25-28]. Our mathematical and indirect experimental verdict is that the Aether exists and it can be equated to the empty set of pure mathematics [3, 12-16]. More precisely the Aether may be understood for all mathematical and physical purposes as being identical to the empty set [8-14] underlying the Penrose fractal tessellation universe [17] which obeys the A. Connes’ corresponding dimensional function of his noncommutative geometry [18-21].

Hybrid-Vlasov simulation of soft X-ray emissions at the Earth’s dayside magnetospheric boundaries

Solar wind charge exchange produces emissions in the soft X-ray energy range which can enable the study of near-Earth space regions such as the magnetopause,the magnetosheath and the polar cusps by remote sensing techniques.The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)and Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager(LEXI)missions aim to obtain soft Xray images of near-Earth space thanks to their Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)instruments.While earlier modeling works have already simulated soft X-ray images as might be obtained by SMILE SXI during its mission,the numerical models used so far are all based on the magnetohydrodynamics description of the space plasma.To investigate the possible signatures of ion-kinetic-scale processes in soft Xray images,we use for the first time a global hybrid-Vlasov simulation of the geospace from the Vlasiator model.The simulation is driven by fast and tenuous solar wind conditions and purely southward interplanetary magnetic field.We first produce global X-ray images of the dayside near-Earth space by placing a virtual imaging satellite at two different locations,providing meridional and equatorial views.We then analyze regional features present in the images and show that they correspond to signatures in soft X-ray emissions of mirrormode wave structures in the magnetosheath and flux transfer events(FTEs)at the magnetopause.Our results suggest that,although the time scales associated with the motion of those transient phenomena will likely be significantly smaller than the integration time of the SMILE and LEXI imagers,mirror-mode structures and FTEs can cumulatively produce detectable signatures in the soft X-ray images.For instance,a local increase by 30%in the proton density at the dayside magnetopause resulting from the transit of multiple FTEs leads to a 12%enhancement in the line-of-sight-and time-integrated soft X-ray emissivity originating from this region.Likewise,a proton density increase by 14%in the magnetosheath associated with mirror-mode structures can result in an enhancement in the soft X-ray signal by 4%.These are likely conservative estimates,given that the solar wind conditions used in the Vlasiator run can be expected to generate weaker soft X-ray emissions than the more common denser solar wind.These results will contribute to the preparatory work for the SMILE and LEXI missions by providing the community with quantitative estimates of the effects of small-scale,transient phenomena occurring on the dayside.

Measurement of the high energyγ-rays from heavy ion reactions usingČerenkov detector

The energetic bremsstrahlung photons up to 100 MeV produced in heavy ion collisions can be used as a sensitive probe for short-range correlation in atomic nuclei. The energy of the γ-rays can be measured by collecting the Čerenkov light in the medium induced by the fast electrons generated in the Compton scattering or electromagnetic shower of the incident γray. Two types of detectors based on pure water and lead glass as sensitive materials were designed for this purpose. The γresponse and optical photon propagation in the detectors were simulated based on electromagnetic and optical processes in Geant4. The inherent energy resolutions of 0.022(4) + 0.51(2)∕E^(1/2)_(γ) for water and 0.0026(3) + 0.446(3)∕E^(1/2)_(γ) for lead glass were obtained. The geometry sizes of the lead glass and water were optimized to 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm and 60 cm × 60 cm ×120 cm, respectively, to detect high-energy γ-rays at 160 MeV. The Hough transform method was applied to reconstruct the direction of the incident γ-rays, providing the ability to experimentally distinguish the high-energy γ-rays produced in the reactions on the target from random background cosmic-ray muons.