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Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023
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Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023

A special issue of Quantum Beam Science (ISSN 2412-382X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 25218

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Liss

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia
Interests: X-ray free electron; in-situ investigations; extreme conditions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rozaliya Barabash

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Interests: neutron diffraction; microscopy; X-ray
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Editor-in-Chief of the journal Quantum Beam Science (ISSN 2412-382X), it is my pleasure to announce the launch of a new Special Issue entitled “Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2022”. QuBS is an international, open access journal publishing reviews and original research focusing on the application of quantum beams to the study and characterization of materials in their widest sense, as well as developments of quantum beam sources, instrumentation and facilities. In this Special Issue, we will publish outstanding contributions in the primary fields covered by the journal, something which we believe will make a great contribution to this research community. The entire Issue will be published in book format after is closure.

Quantum beams include synchrotron radiation, X-rays, gamma rays, neutron beams, electrons, lasers, muons, positrons, ions, or extremely strong lasers, while materials can be crystalline, amorphous, magnetic, metallic, ceramic, biologic, hard or soft matter, warm dense matter, functional, structural and so on. Quantum beam science covers a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to, solid-state physics, chemistry, crystallography, materials science, biology, geology, earth and planetary materials, and engineering. Examples of investigation topics include phase transformations in alloy development, modulated structures in spintronic systems, crystalline order and disorder, stresses in engineering specimens, changes in amorphous structure, excitations in functional materials, the interior of stars, electrochemistry in ion battery systems, imaging in life sciences, and the propagation of dislocations in crystals.

Submissions are encouraged to present multiple quantum beams for complementary studies, such as neutron and synchrotron radiation, or muons and neutrons. Instrumental publications should cover large user facilities, novel developments, sources, spectrometers, diffractometers, functionality, physical- and optical-based backgrounds, scattering and interaction theories with respect to the application, and the fundamentals of the probe.

Submitted papers will be evaluated by the Editors first. Please note that all papers will be subjected to a thorough and rigorous peer review.

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Liss
Prof. Dr. Rozaliya Barabash
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Quantum Beam Science is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synchrotron radiation
  • X-rays
  • gamma rays
  • neutron scattering
  • free electron lasers
  • muons
  • positrons
  • electron scattering
  • high-strength lasers
  • protons, ions
  • extremely strong lasers

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

11 pages, 3767 KiB  
Article
Spectral Characteristics of Polarization Radiation in the Water Window Range
by M. V. Shevelev, A. S. Konkov, S. R. Uglov, B. A. Alekseev and Yu. M. Cherepennikov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2024, 8(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs8010006 - 15 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1543
Abstract
The high-intensity and monochromatic radiation sources in the water window spectral range are desirable for many applications. One of the potential candidates of soft X-ray sources is polarization radiation produced by a charged particle passing through a thin foil. In the soft X-ray [...] Read more.
The high-intensity and monochromatic radiation sources in the water window spectral range are desirable for many applications. One of the potential candidates of soft X-ray sources is polarization radiation produced by a charged particle passing through a thin foil. In the soft X-ray range near the absorption edges of a target material, the real part of dielectric permittivity can exceed unity, and the Tamm–Frank criterion is fulfilled. Thus, two types of radiation are produced: transition and Cherenkov radiation. In this report, we theoretically investigated the spectral characteristics of radiation produced in both cases when the Tamm–Frank criterion is met or not met. We showed the dependences of the spectrum as a function of thickness and the incidence angle. To describe the properties of polarization radiation and the complex dielectric permittivity, the polarization current approach and Henke’s model were used, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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14 pages, 4890 KiB  
Article
Chromium–Aluminum Coatings for Oxidation Protection of Titanium–Aluminum Intermetallic Alloys
by Almaz Nazarov, Alexey Maslov, Elena Korznikova and Kamil Ramazanov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(4), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7040036 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
This article explores the utilization of cathodic-arc deposition Cr-Al overlay coatings as oxidation protection for Ti-Al-Nb intermetallic alloys. The primary objective is to investigate PVD Al-Cr coatings deposited via cathodic-arc deposition without subsequent vacuum annealing. The microstructure, phase, and chemical composition of the [...] Read more.
This article explores the utilization of cathodic-arc deposition Cr-Al overlay coatings as oxidation protection for Ti-Al-Nb intermetallic alloys. The primary objective is to investigate PVD Al-Cr coatings deposited via cathodic-arc deposition without subsequent vacuum annealing. The microstructure, phase, and chemical composition of the coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Isothermal exposure of samples in a laboratory air furnace was conducted, revealing the efficacy of Cr-Al coatings in protecting the Ti49-11Al-40Nb-1.5Zr-0.75V-0.75Mo-0.2Si (mass%) intermetallic alloy VTI-4 against oxidation. The findings highlight that the as-deposited coatings possess a layered structure and contain Al-Cr intermetallics. Post-exposure to the furnace without prior vacuum annealing results in coatings exhibiting a porous microstructure, raising concerns regarding oxidation protection. This investigation of Cr-Al coatings on a VTI-4 alloy substrate yields valuable insights into their nanolaminate structure and challenges associated with aluminum droplet fractions. The proposed additional vacuum heat treatment at 650 °C for 500 h effectively homogenizes the coating, leading to predominant Cr2Al and Ti-Al phases. Additionally, the formation of diffusion layers at the “coating–substrate” interface and the presence of oxide barriers contribute to the coatings’ heat resistance. Our research introduces possibilities for tailoring coating properties for specific high-temperature applications in aerospace, energy, or industrial contexts. Further refinement of the heat treatment process offers the potential for developing advanced coatings with enhanced performance characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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11 pages, 383 KiB  
Article
Identifying the Spin-Incoherent Contribution to Quasielastic Neutron Scattering with a Cold Triple-Axis Spectrometer
by Andrew G. Manning, Shinichiro Yano, Sojeong Kim, Won Bo Lee, Soo-Hyung Choi and Nicolas R. de Souza
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(4), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7040035 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1673
Abstract
Polarisation analysis for neutron scattering experiments is a powerful tool suitable for a wide variety of studies, including soft-matter samples which have no bulk magnetic behaviour and/or a significant hydrogen content. Here, we describe a method to leverage the versatility and spin-polarisation capabilities [...] Read more.
Polarisation analysis for neutron scattering experiments is a powerful tool suitable for a wide variety of studies, including soft-matter samples which have no bulk magnetic behaviour and/or a significant hydrogen content. Here, we describe a method to leverage the versatility and spin-polarisation capabilities of a cold triple-axis spectrometer to perform a measurement to separate coherent and incoherent neutron scattering for a non-magnetic sample in the quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) regime. Such measurements are complementary to unpolarised QENS measurements, which may typically be performed on a backscattering or time-of-flight spectrometer instrument where polarisation analysis can be significantly more difficult to achieve, and utilise the strengths of each type of instrument. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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13 pages, 5567 KiB  
Article
GEANT4 Simulation of Photoneutron Spectrum from Medical Linear Accelerator
by Alexander Chernyaev, Mikhail Belikhin, Ekaterina Lykova and Alexey Shcherbakov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(3), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7030027 - 1 Sep 2023
Viewed by 2754
Abstract
Photons with energy totaling more than 10 MeV provide efficient treatment for deeply seated tumors but interact with the nuclei of high-Z materials constituting a head of the linac. These interactions result in photoneutrons that deliver an additional out-of-field dose to the patient, [...] Read more.
Photons with energy totaling more than 10 MeV provide efficient treatment for deeply seated tumors but interact with the nuclei of high-Z materials constituting a head of the linac. These interactions result in photoneutrons that deliver an additional out-of-field dose to the patient, which increases the risk of radiation-induced cancer. Monte Carlo simulation is an accurate strategy for estimating the effective photoneutron dose for a patient. In the current study, the possibility of using GEANT4 to calculate the photoneutron spectrum from the medical linac was investigated. The free-in-air photoneutron spectrum from a head of the linac was simulated using the NeutronHP experimental package. Validation of the simulated model was carried out based on a comparison of simulated and measured percentage depth–dose curves from photons in the water phantom. The obtained photoneutron spectrum was compared with the previously measured spectrum at the Varian Thilogy linac. GEANT4 may improve the accuracy of calculations of the effective dose based on photoneutrons. However, the simulated model should be improved and optimized. In the future, this model may constitute a physical basis for the prediction of the risk of radiation-induced cancer at our clinical center. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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19 pages, 783 KiB  
Article
Quantum Beam Scattering—Beam’s Coherence Length, Which-Path Information and Weak Values
by C. Aris Chatzidimitriou-Dreismann
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7030026 - 15 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1444
Abstract
The conventional theory of neutron beams interacting with many-body systems treats the beam as a classical system, i.e., with its dynamical variables appearing in the quantum dynamics of the scattering process not as operators but only as c-numbers. Moreover, neutrons are described with [...] Read more.
The conventional theory of neutron beams interacting with many-body systems treats the beam as a classical system, i.e., with its dynamical variables appearing in the quantum dynamics of the scattering process not as operators but only as c-numbers. Moreover, neutrons are described with plane waves, i.e., the concept of a neutron’s (finite) coherence length is here irrelevant. The same holds for electron, atom or X-ray scattering. This simplification results in the full decoupling of the probe particle’s dynamics from the quantum dynamics of the scatterer—a well-known fact also reflected in the standard formalism of time-correlation functions (see textbooks). Making contact with modern quantum-theoretical approaches (e.g., quantum entanglement, “which-path information” versus interference, von Neumann measurement, Weak Values (WV), etc.), new observable effects of non-relativistic quantum beam scattering may be exposed and/or predicted, for instance, a momentum-transfer deficit and an intensity deficit in neutron scattering from protons of hydrogen-containing samples. A new WV-theoretical treatment is provided, which explains both these “deficit effects” from first principles and on equal footing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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13 pages, 4431 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Synchrotron and Laboratory X-ray Sources in Photoelectron Spectroscopy Experiments for the Study of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes
by Marina V. Il’ina, Soslan A. Khubezhov, Maria R. Polyvianova, Oleg I. Il’in and Yuriy Dedkov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7030025 - 7 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2127
Abstract
The chemical composition and stoichiometry of vertically aligned arrays of nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy using laboratory and synchrotron X-ray sources. We performed careful deconvolution of high-resolution core-level spectra to quantify pyridine/pyrrole-like defects in N-CNTs, which are a [...] Read more.
The chemical composition and stoichiometry of vertically aligned arrays of nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy using laboratory and synchrotron X-ray sources. We performed careful deconvolution of high-resolution core-level spectra to quantify pyridine/pyrrole-like defects in N-CNTs, which are a key factor in the efficiency of the piezoelectric response for this material. It is shown that the XPS method makes it possible to estimate the concentration and type of nitrogen incorporation (qualitatively and quantitatively) in the “N-CNT/Mo electrode” system using both synchrotron and laboratory sources. The obtained results allow us to study the effect of the nickel catalytic layer thickness on the concentration of pyridine/pyrrole-like nitrogen and piezoelectric response in the nanotubes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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12 pages, 3664 KiB  
Article
Application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Historical Lead Silicate Glasses
by Aleksandra Leonidova, Vladimir Aseev, Denis Prokuratov, Denis Jolshin and Mikhail Khodasevich
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7030024 - 2 Aug 2023
Viewed by 2675
Abstract
The study of the chemical composition of historical glasses is widely used in archaeometry. The results of such analyses provide information on the probable date, place, and technological features of their production. Over time, a weathered layer may form on the surface of [...] Read more.
The study of the chemical composition of historical glasses is widely used in archaeometry. The results of such analyses provide information on the probable date, place, and technological features of their production. Over time, a weathered layer may form on the surface of the glass, which differs in composition from the original one. To determine the initial composition using conventional methods (for example, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy), the weathered layer should be removed. For historical objects, such manipulation is unacceptable and should be minimized. One of the methods for analyzing the chemical composition with minimal damage to a sample is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The aim of this work was to develop a LIBS method, which makes it possible to perform a quantitative analysis of lead silicate glasses, including glasses containing a weathered layer. Reference glasses with a variable content of potassium, silicon, and lead oxides were synthesized, and based on the LIBS spectra, a calibration dependence was obtained that made it possible to measure the concentration of lead and potassium oxides in glasses within 70–85 and 5–20 wt%, respectively. The method was applied to analyze the composition of the glaze on a historic glazed tile from the burial church in the Euphrosinian monastery in Polotsk (the second half of the 12th century AD). The crater formed with the laser beam on the glazed surface was about 200 microns. Such damage is negligible compared to the total surface area of the tile (~10 cm2). The thickness of the weathered glaze layer was 70 microns, which was determined using variation in lead oxide content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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14 pages, 12478 KiB  
Article
Neutralization of the Surface Charge of an Insulated Target under the Interaction of High-Energy Metal Ion Beams
by Konstantin P. Savkin, Efim M. Oks, Alexey G. Nikolaev and Georgy Yu. Yushkov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7020017 - 29 May 2023
Viewed by 1567
Abstract
The interaction of ion beams with dielectric materials is an urgent problem, both from the point of view of practical application in ion implantation processes and for understanding the fundamental processes of charge compensation and the effective interaction of beam ions with a [...] Read more.
The interaction of ion beams with dielectric materials is an urgent problem, both from the point of view of practical application in ion implantation processes and for understanding the fundamental processes of charge compensation and the effective interaction of beam ions with a target surface. This paper presents the results of studies of the processes of compensation of the surface charge of an insulated collector upon interaction with a beam of metal ions with energies up to 50–150 keV. At low pressure (about 10−6 torr), removing the collector from the region of extraction and beam formation makes it possible to reduce the floating potential to a value of 5–10% of the total accelerating voltage. This phenomenon allows for the efficient implantation of metal ions onto the surface of alumina ceramics. We have shown that the sheet resistance of dielectric targets depends on the material of the implanted metal ions and decreases with an increase in the implantation dose by 3–4 orders of magnitude compared with the initial value at the level of 1012 Ω per square. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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13 pages, 1001 KiB  
Article
The Quantum Regime Operation of Beam Splitters and Interference Filters
by Andre Vatarescu
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7020011 - 2 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
The presence of quantum Rayleigh scattering, or spontaneous emission, inside a dielectric medium such as a beam splitter or an interferometric filter prevents a single photon from propagating in a straight line. Modelling a beam splitter by means of a unitary transformation is [...] Read more.
The presence of quantum Rayleigh scattering, or spontaneous emission, inside a dielectric medium such as a beam splitter or an interferometric filter prevents a single photon from propagating in a straight line. Modelling a beam splitter by means of a unitary transformation is physically meaningless because of the loss of photons. Additional missing elements from the conventional theory are the quantum Rayleigh-stimulated emission, which can form groups of photons of the same frequency, and the unavoidable parametric amplification of single photons in the original parame-tric crystal. An interference filter disturbs, through multiple internal reflections, the original stream of single photons, thereby confirming the existence of groups of photons being spread out to lengthen the coherence time. The approach of modelling individual, single measurements with probability amplitudes of a statistical ensemble leads to counterintuitive explanations of the experimental outcomes and should be replaced with pure states describing instantaneous measurements whose values are afterwards averaged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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Review

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19 pages, 5273 KiB  
Review
Review of Current Software for Analyzing Total X-ray Scattering Data from Liquids
by Leighanne C. Gallington, Stephen K. Wilke, Shinji Kohara and Chris J. Benmore
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7020020 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4246
Abstract
The popularity of the pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of X-ray total scattering data has steadily grown as access to ex situ synchrotron data has expanded. Due to the broadening of the PDF user community, there is a growing demand for software that [...] Read more.
The popularity of the pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of X-ray total scattering data has steadily grown as access to ex situ synchrotron data has expanded. Due to the broadening of the PDF user community, there is a growing demand for software that can be used to extract PDFs and is accessible to non-expert users. While user-friendly options have been developed over the past decade for fast, streamlined data analysis, care must be taken in both processing the data and understanding any limitations, especially in the case of liquids. In this review, the same scattering data are analyzed using different total X-ray scattering software, in order to compare the accuracy of the extracted structure factors and associated pair distribution functions. The goal is to assess the best practices for extracting the most accurate liquid data for each software package. The importance of absolute normalization and the application of the most appropriate corrections are emphasized via quantitative comparisons between liquid sulfur and water. Additionally, an awareness of the competing conventions used to define the PDF in crystallography and liquids/glasses is crucial for both the downstream analyses of the data and a comparison with the previous results in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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Other

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18 pages, 973 KiB  
Perspective
Renewed Interest in Spectroscopy of the Lightest Doubly-Odd N = Z Nuclei
by Aslı Kuşoğlu and Dimiter Loukanov Balabanski
Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7030028 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1529
Abstract
The existing experimental data for the γ decay of the stable N=Z doubly-odd nuclei and the β decay of the corresponding isospin multiplets is reviewed. The structure of the lightest nuclei with masses A≤14 is used to test and [...] Read more.
The existing experimental data for the γ decay of the stable N=Z doubly-odd nuclei and the β decay of the corresponding isospin multiplets is reviewed. The structure of the lightest nuclei with masses A≤14 is used to test and constrain ab initio nuclear theories. Most of the data were obtained in the second half of the last century and, in some cases, lack the needed precision for comparison with theoretical calculations. Recent spectroscopic studies in the lightest doubly-odd N = Z nuclei are discussed, as well as open problems related to the understanding of their structures and ideas for future experiments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2023)
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