Ab-initio self-consistent Gorkov-Green's function calculations of semi-magic nuclei - II. Numerical implementation at second order with a two-nucleon interaction

The newly developed Gorkov-Green's function approach represents a promising path to the ab initio description of medium-mass open-shell nuclei. We discuss the implementation of the method at second order with a two-body interaction, with particular attention to the numerical solution of Gorkov's equation. Different sources of theoretical error and degrees of self-consistency are investigated. We show that Krylov projection techniques with a multi-pivot Lanczos algorithm efficiently handle the growth of poles in the one-body Green's function when Gorkov's equation is solved self-consistently. The end result is a tractable, accurate and gently scaling ab initio scheme applicable to full isotopic chains in the medium-mass region.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figure

Ab-initio Gorkov-Green's function calculations of open-shell nuclei

We present results from a new ab-initio method that uses the self-consistent Gorkov Green's function theory to address truly open-shell systems. The formalism has been recently worked out up to second order and is implemented here in nuclei for the first time on the basis of realistic nuclear forces. We find good convergence of the results with respect to the basis size in Ca44 and Ni74 and discuss quantities of experimental interest including ground-state energies, pairing gaps and particle addition/removal spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that the Gorkov method is a valid alternative to multireference approaches for tackling degenerate or near degenerate quantum systems. In particular, it increases the number of mid-mass nuclei accessible in an ab-initio fashion from a few tens to a few hundreds.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Toward the Ab-initio Description of Medium Mass Nuclei

As ab-initio calculations of atomic nuclei enter the A=40-100 mass range, a great challenge is how to approach the vast majority of open-shell (degenerate) isotopes. We add realistic three-nucleon interactions to the state of the art many-body Green's function theory of closed-shells, and find that physics of neutron driplines is reproduced with very good quality. Further, we introduce the Gorkov formalism to extend ab-initio theory to semi-magic, fully open-shell, isotopes. Proof-of-principle calculations for Ca-44 and Ni-74 confirm that this approach is indeed feasible. Combining these two advances (open-shells and three-nucleon interactions) requires longer, technical, work but it is otherwise within reach.Comment: Contribution to Summary Report of EURISOL Topical and Town Meetings, 15-19 October 2012; missing affiliations added and corrected errors in Tab

Collapse/Flattening of Nucleonic Bags in Ultra-Strong Magnetic Field

It is shown explicitly using MIT bag model that in presence of ultra-strong magnetic fields, a nucleon either flattens or collapses in the direction transverse to the external magnetic field in the classical or quantum mechanical picture respectively. Which gives rise to some kind of mechanical instability. Alternatively, it is argued that the bag model of confinement may not be applicable in this strange situation.Comment: 8 pages, REVTEX, 3 figures .eps files (included

Self-consistent Gorkov Green's function calculations of one-nucleon spectral properties

Results from the newly developed Gorkov self-consistent Green's function approach are presented. Ab-initio spectral strength distributions for one-nucleon addition or removal calculated in doubly-closed shell 40Ca and in semi-magic 44Ca are briefly discussed. The object of the present communication is to illustrate the potential spectroscopic reach of the method

Gorkov self-consistent Green's function calculations of semi-magic nuclei

The first nuclear structure application of the newly developed Gorkov self-consistent Green's function method is presented. The approach aims to describe many-nucleon systems from an ab-initio standpoint featuring an explicit treatment of pairing correlations. In the present work calculations of binding energies of calcium isotopes are reported and compared with experimental data and other theoretical references

Application of laccase enzymes in organic synthesis

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2018.The use of enzymes as catalysts in various synthetic procedures appears to be an economical and profound way of providing selective processes in synthetic organic chemistry. Enzymes provide alternative and sustainable processes and have helped to avoid limitations encountered when using traditional heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts; this includes the use of toxic substances, use of expensive heavy metals, extensive use of harmful organic solvents, harsh reaction conditions, and also poor selectivity of many catalysts. Laccases are oxidoreductase enzymes capable of catalysing oxidation reactions of several low molecular weight organic compounds such as polyphenols, aminophenols, methoxyphenols, polyamines, and lignin-related molecules. The catalytic process of these enzymes occurs though a one-electron oxidation and water is released as the only by-product. In this project we investigated the range and limitations of applications of laccase enzymes in organic synthesis. The project focus was on method development for cross-coupling reactions of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulphur substituted aromatic compounds. The laccase facilitated synthesis of five classes of compounds; biaryl compounds, benzoxazoles, benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles, and aminobenzoquinones, was investigated. The research explored the synthesis of biaryl compounds from simple substituted phenol substrates. The optimal reaction conditions for the synthesis of biaryl compounds from simple phenols were investigated. A condensation reaction between 2-aminophenol and aryl aldehyde derivatives was performed with the aim of synthesising 2-arylbenzoxazole derivatives; however various aminophenol derivatives were formed as the phenolic Schiff base failed to cyclise. Alternatively, when including the laccase-mediator ABTS, dimerization of 2-aminophenol to 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (4) occurred. A chemo-selective method for the synthesis of 2-aryl-1H-benzimidazoles from condensation of 2-phenelynediamine and aryl aldehydes was developed using laccase as an oxidising catalyst. Optimal conditions for synthesising 2-aryl-1H-benzimidazoles were identified while using acetate buffer (0.1 M, pH 4.5), acetonitrile as a co-solvent and the commercial laccase preparation Novoprime base 268. A modern and practical laccase-catalysed route suitable for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles was developed. To the best of our knowledge, the laccase catalysed method for preparation of 2-arylbenzothiazole derivatives derived from condensation–dehydration reaction of 2-aminothiophenol with aryl-aldehydes has not been reported before. The method described is green, effective and simply requires a facile work-up routine, utilising solvents such as acetonitrile and DMF as co-solvents. Finally, factors limiting yields for the synthesis of aminobenzoquinones were investigated by varying the reaction conditions. The laccase catalysed nuclear diamination of aromatic hydrobenzoquinones with aliphatic and aromatic amine molecules was investigated under mild reaction conditions using commercial laccases from Novozymes (Suberase®, Denilite® II Base, and Novoprime Base 268). Conducting the reactions under dilute conditions, sequential addition of enzyme and substrate over time and using Novoprime Base 268 as our laccase increased the yields to up to 100%.LG201