SU(3) symmetry breaking in lower fp-shell nuclei

Results of shell-model calculations for lower fp-shell nuclei show that SU(3) symmetry breaking in this region is driven by the single-particle spin-orbit splitting. However, even though states of the yrast band exhibit SU(3) symmetry breaking, the results also show that the yrast band B(E2) values are insensitive to this fragmentation of the SU(3) symmetry; specifically, the quadrupole collectivity as measured by B(E2) transition strengths between low lying members of the yrast band remain high even though SU(3) appears to be broken. Results for $^{44,46,48}Ti$ and $^{48}Cr$ using the Kuo-Brown-3 two-body interaction are given to illustrate these observations.Comment: Updated to the published versio

Boron-doped diamond semiconductor electrodes: Efficient photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction through surface modification

Competitive hydrogen evolution and multiple proton-coupled electron transfer reactions limit photoelectrochemical CO(2) reduction in aqueous electrolyte. Here, oxygen-terminated lightly boron-doped diamond (BDD(L)) thin films were synthesized as a semiconductor electron source to accelerate CO(2) reduction. However, BDD(L) alone could not stabilize the intermediates of CO(2) reduction, yielding a negligible amount of reduction products. Silver nanoparticles were then deposited on BDD(L) because of their selective electrochemical CO(2) reduction ability. Excellent selectivity (estimated CO:H(2) mass ratio of 318:1) and recyclability (stable for five cycles of 3 h each) for photoelectrochemical CO(2) reduction were obtained for the optimum silver nanoparticle-modified BDD(L) electrode at −1.1 V vs. RHE under 222-nm irradiation. The high efficiency and stability of this catalyst are ascribed to the in situ photoactivation of the BDD(L) surface during the photoelectrochemical reaction. The present work reveals the potential of BDD(L) as a high-energy electron source for use with co-catalysts in photochemical conversion