Quantum oscillations of nitrogen atoms in uranium nitride

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1124
JournalNature communications
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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