Physics Commons^™

Magnetic Field Non-Uniformity Challenges In Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Experiments, Nima Nouri

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

A new neutron Electric Dipole Moment (nEDM) experiment was proposed to be commissioned at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The underlying theme of this experiment (first conceived by Golub and Lamoreaux in 1994) is the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The discovery of a non-zero nEDM would be of revolutionary importance to physics, with the discovery of such providing for evidence for new-beyond-the-Standard-Model physics required for a resolution to the unresolved puzzle of why the universe is dominated by matter, as …

A Systematic Study Of The Effect Of Spin-Orbit Interaction On Properties Of Tetravalent And Pentavalent Iridate Compounds, Jasminka Terzic

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Previous studies of iridates have shown that an interplay of strong SOI, Coulomb interaction U, Hund’s rule coupling and crystalline electric fields result in unexpected insulating states with complex magnetic states. The novel J_eff =1/2 insulating state first observed in Sr₂IrO₄ is a direct consequence of such an intriguing interplay and is one of the central foci of this dissertation study.

The work presented here consists of three projects: (1) Effects of Tb doping on Sr₂IrO₄ having tetravalent Ir⁴⁺(5d⁵) ions; (2) Emergence of unexpected magnetic states in double-perovskite (Ba …

Understanding Electrical Conduction In Lithium Ion Batteries Through Multi-Scale Modeling, Jie Pan

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Silicon (Si) has been considered as a promising negative electrode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity, low discharge voltage, and low cost. However, the utilization of Si electrode has been hampered by problems such as slow ionic transport, large stress/strain generation, and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). These problems severely influence the performance and cycle life of Si electrodes. In general, ionic conduction determines the rate performance of the electrode, while electron leakage through the SEI causes electrolyte decomposition and, thus, causes capacity loss. The goal of this thesis research is to design Si …

Lattice Qcd Calculation Of The Momentum Fraction Carried By Quarks In The Nucleon, And The Roper Puzzle, Mingyang Sun

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

This thesis is concerned with the lattice QCD calculation of the momentum fraction carried by quarks in the nucleon. Particularly, the strange quark contribution, (x)_s, is calculated, as well as the ratio of the strange (x) to that of u/d in the disconnected insertion which will be useful in constraining the global fit of parton distribution functions at small x. The disconnected insertion is known to be hard to calculate on the lattice. We adopt the overlap fermion action on several 2 + 1 flavor domain-wall fermion ensembles with a light sea quark mass which corresponds to pion …

Elastic Compton Scattering From Deuterium Near 100 Mev, Khayrullo Shoniyozov

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Tagged photons from 81 to 116 MeV were used to measure elastic Compton scat- tering cross sections from deuterium and carbon targets at the MAX-lab facility in Lund. Scattered gamma rays were detected in three very large NaI(Tl) crystals with sufficient energy resolution to isolate deuterium elastic yields at scattering angles of 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. Calculations indicate that back-angle Compton scattering on deuterium in this energy range is sensitive to the electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the nucleon. Results of this research were obtained with improved beam tagging system conditions compared to previous elastic Compton scattering experiments from …

Physical And Electronic Properties Of Nanoscale 2d Materials, Mathias J. Boland

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

There is a great push towards reducing the size scale of both electronic components and machines. Two dimensional materials, such as graphene, are ideal candidates towards this push, as they are naturally atomically thin. In the case of nanoscale machines, the mechanical properties of the material surfaces become increasingly important. The use of laminar materials, such as graphene and MoS₂, to modify the surface properties, yet maintain nanoscale topographical features, are very attractive. Towards this goal, we have investigated the surface properties of MoS₂ at the nanoscale using Lateral Force Microscopy (LFM). In these investigations, we measure …

Towards An Understanding Of Pharmacologically Induced Intracellular Changes In Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: A Fluorescence Microscopy Approach, Ashley M. Loe

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Upregulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) is a well-documented response to chronic nicotine exposure. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels consisting of alpha (α2-10) and beta (β2-4) subunits. Nicotine, an agonist of nAChRs, alters trafficking and assembly of some subtypes of nAChRs, leading to an increase in expression of high sensitivity receptors on the plasma membrane. These physiological changes in nAChRs are believed to contribute to nicotine addiction, although the mechanism of these processes has not been resolved. Recently, many studies have converged on the idea that nicotine induces upregulation by an intracellular mechanism. In this dissertation, expression …