| Quantum oscillations of nitrogen atoms in uranium nitride. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 23047682 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The vibrational excitations of crystalline solids corresponding to acoustic or optic one-phonon modes appear as sharp features in measurements such as neutron spectroscopy. In contrast, many-phonon excitations generally produce a complicated, weak and featureless response. Here we present time-of-flight neutron scattering measurements for the binary solid uranium nitride, showing well-defined, equally spaced, high-energy vibrational modes in addition to the usual phonons. The spectrum is that of a single atom, isotropic quantum harmonic oscillator and characterizes independent motions of light nitrogen atoms, each found in an octahedral cage of heavy uranium atoms. This is an unexpected and beautiful experimental realization of one of the fundamental, exactly solvable problems in quantum mechanics. There are also practical implications, as the oscillator modes must be accounted for in the design of generation IV nuclear reactors that plan to use uranium nitride as a fuel. |
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Authors:
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A A Aczel; G E Granroth; G J Macdougall; W J L Buyers; D L Abernathy; G D Samolyuk; G M Stocks; S E Nagler |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Nature communications Volume: 3 ISSN: 2041-1723 ISO Abbreviation: Nat Commun Publication Date: 2012 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2012-10-10 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101528555 Medline TA: Nat Commun Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1124 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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