arXiv subjects

Changwoo Do

Publications and source records attributed to Changwoo Do.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Machine Learning-Assisted Profiling of Ladder Polymer Structure using Scattering

Ladder polymers, known for their rigid, ladder-like structures, exhibit exceptional thermal stability and mechanical strength, positioning them as candidates for advanced applications. However, accurately determining their structure from solution scattering remains a challenge. Their chain conformation is largely governed by the intrinsic orientational properties of the monomers and their relative orientations, leading to a bimodal distribution of bending angles, unlike conventional polymer chains whose bending angles follow a unimodal Gaussian distribution. Meanwhile, traditional scattering models for polymer chains do not account for these unique structural features. This work introduces a novel approach that integrates machine learning with Monte Carlo simulations to address this challenge. We first develop a Monte Carlo simulation for sampling the configuration space of ladder polymers, where each monomer is modeled as a biaxial segment. Then, we establish a machine learning-assisted scattering analysis framework based on Gaussian Process Regression. Finally, we conduct small-angle neutron scattering experiments on a ladder polymer solution to apply our approach. Our method uncovers structural details of ladder polymers that conventional methods fail to capture.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Machine Learning Inversion from Scattering for Mechanically Driven Polymers

We develop a Machine Learning Inversion method for analyzing scattering functions of mechanically driven polymers and extracting the corresponding feature parameters, which include energy parameters and conformation variables. The polymer is modeled as a chain of fixed-length bonds constrained by bending energy, and it is subject to external forces such as stretching and shear. We generate a data set consisting of random combinations of energy parameters, including bending modulus, stretching, and shear force, along with Monte Carlo-calculated scattering functions and conformation variables such as end-to-end distance, radius of gyration, and the off-diagonal component of the gyration tensor. The effects of the energy parameters on the polymer are captured by the scattering function, and principal component analysis ensures the feasibility of the Machine Learning inversion. Finally, we train a Gaussian Process Regressor using part of the data set as a training set and validate the trained regressor for inversion using the rest of the data. The regressor successfully extracts the feature parameters.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Off-Lattice Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulations of Mechanically Driven Polymers

We develop off-lattice simulations of semiflexible polymer chains subjected to applied mechanical forces using Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Our approach models the polymer as a chain of fixed-length bonds, with configurations updated through adaptive non-local Monte Carlo moves. This proposed method enables precise calculation of a polymer's response to a wide range of mechanical forces, which traditional on-lattice models cannot achieve. Our approach has shown excellent agreement with theoretical predictions of persistence length and end-to-end distance in quiescent states, as well as stretching distances under tension. Moreover, our model eliminates the orientational bias present in on-lattice models, which significantly impacts calculations such as the scattering function, a crucial technique for revealing polymer conformation.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

ESAC (EQ-SANS Assisting Chatbot): Application of Large Language Models and Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Enhanced User Experience at EQ-SANS

Neutron scattering experiments have played vital roles in exploring materials properties in the past decades. While user interfaces have been improved over time, neutron scattering experiments still require specific knowledge or training by an expert due to the complexity of such advanced instrumentation and the limited number of experiments each person may perform each year. This paper introduces an innovative chatbot application that leverages Large Language Models(LLM) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technologies to significantly enhance the user experience at the EQ-SANS, a small-angle neutron scattering instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Through a user-centric design approach, the EQ-SANS Assisting Chatbot (ESAC) serves as an interactive reference for users, thereby facilitating the use of the instrument by visiting scientists. By bridging the gap between the users of EQ-SANS and the control systems required to perform their experiments, the ESAC sets a new standard for interactive learning and support for the scientific community using large-scale scientific facilities.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Neutron Scattering Cross-Section Correction Incorporating Neutron Wavelength Effects

This study outlines a numerical methodology aimed at rectifying the neutron scattering cross-sections of fundamental elements across a range of low neutron energies typically employed in general neutron scattering experiments. By using the experimental power law relationship governing the cross-section's dependence on neutron wavelength, we establish a mathematical connection between these two variables. Leveraging this relationship, the scheme of central moment expansion is adopted to correct the cross-sections that are applicable to general neutron wavelength distributions commonly encountered in experimental scenarios. Importantly, our proposed method eliminates the requirement for knowledge about the functional form of the distribution. Consequently, this approach offers the capability to reconstruct neutron scattering data without introducing distortions stemming from the energy-dependent cross-sections of different types of elements within materials during experimental measurements. Ultimately, this advancement facilitates a more precise interpretation and analysis of material structures based on their scattering signatures.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2021

Spatial correlations of entangled polymer dynamics

The spatial correlations of entangled polymer dynamics are examined by molecular dynamics simulations and neutron spin-echo spectroscopy. Due to the soft nature of topological constraints, the initial spatial decays of intermediate scattering functions of entangled chains are, to the first approximation, surprisingly similar to those of an unentangled system in the functional forms. However, entanglements reveal themselves as a long tail in the reciprocal-space correlations, implying a weak but persistent dynamic localization in real space. Comparison with a number of existing theoretical models of entangled polymers suggests that they cannot fully describe the spatial correlations revealed by simulations and experiments. In particular, the strict one-dimensional diffusion idea of the original tube model is shown to be flawed. The dynamic spatial correlation analysis demonstrated in this work provides a useful tool for interrogating the dynamics of entangled polymers. Lastly, the failure of the investigated models to even qualitatively predict the spatial correlations of collective single-chain density fluctuations points to a possible critical role of incompressibility in polymer melt dynamics.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2021

A Machine Learning Inversion Scheme for Determining Interaction from Scattering

We outline a machine learning strategy for determining the effective interaction in the condensed phases of matter using scattering. Via a case study of colloidal suspensions, we showed that the effective potential can be probabilistically inferred from the scattering spectra without any restriction imposed by model assumptions. Comparisons to existing parametric approaches demonstrate the superior performance of this method in accuracy, efficiency, and applicability. This method can effectively enable quantification of interaction in highly correlated systems using scattering and diffraction experiments.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2019

Characterizing Hydration of SDS Micelles by Contrast Variation Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) from cationic globular micellar solutions composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and in water was studied with contrast variation approach. Extensive computational studies have demonstrated that the distribution of invasive water is clearly an important feature for understanding the self-organization of SDS molecules and the stability of assemblies. However, in existing scattering studies the degree of hydration level was not examined explicitly. Here using the scheme of contrast variation, we establish a methodology of SANS to determine the intra-micellar radial dis-tributions of invasive water and SDS molecules from the evolving spectral lineshapes caused by the varying isotopic ratio of water. A detailed description hydration of SDS micelles is provided, which in an excellent agreement with known results of many existing simulations studies. Extension of our method can be used to provide an in-depth insight into the micellization phenomenon which is commonly found in many soft matter systems.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2019

Dynamic Equivalence between Soft Star Polymers and Hard Spheres

Understanding the dynamics of soft colloids, such as star polymers, dendrimers, and microgels, is of scientific and practical importance. It is known that the excluded volume effect plays a key role in colloidal dynamics. Here, we propose a condition of compressibility equivalence that provides a simple method to experimentally evaluate the excluded volume of soft colloids from a thermodynamic view. We apply this condition to survey the dynamics of a series of star polymer dispersions. It is found that as the concentration increases, the slowing of the long-time self-diffusivity of the star polymer, normalized by the short-time self-diffusivity, can be mapped onto the hard-sphere behavior. This phenomenon reveals the dynamic equivalence between soft colloids and hard spheres, despite the apparent complexity of the interparticle interaction of the soft colloids. The methods for measuring the osmotic compressibility and the self-diffusivities of soft colloidal dispersions are also presented.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2019

Accelerating Neutron Scattering Data Collection and Experiments Using AI Deep Super-Resolution Learning

We present a novel methodology of augmenting the scattering data measured by small angle neutron scattering via an emerging deep convolutional neural network (CNN) that is widely used in artificial intelligence (AI). Data collection time is reduced by increasing the size of binning of the detector pixels at the sacrifice of resolution. High-resolution scattering data is then reconstructed by using AI deep super-resolution learning method. This technique can not only improve the productivity of neutron scattering instruments by speeding up the experimental workflow but also enable capturing kinetic changes and transient phenomenon of materials that are currently inaccessible by existing neutron scattering techniques.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Evolution of CTAB/NaSal Micelles: Structural Analysis by SANS

Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that spontaneously self-assemble in aqueous solution into various ordered and disordered phases. Under certain conditions, one-dimensional structures in the form of long, flexible wormlike micelles can develop. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is one of the most widely studied surfactants, and in the presence of sodium salicylate (NaSal), wormlike micelles can form at very dilute concentrations of surfactant. We carry out a systematic study of the microscopic structures of CTAB/NaSal over a surfactant concentration range of 2.5 - 15 mM and at salt-to-surfactant molar ratios of 0.5 - 10. Using small-angle neutron scattering, we qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the equilibrium structures of CTAB/NaSal, mapping the phase behavior of CTAB/NaSal at low concentrations within the region of phase space where nascent wormlike micelles transition into long and entangled structures.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2018

Influence of Side Chain Isomerism on the Rigidity of Poly(3-alkylthiophenes) in Solutions Revealed by Neutron Scattering

Using small angle neutron scattering, we conducted a detailed structural study of poly(3-alkylthiophenes) dispersed in deuterated dicholorbenzene. The focus was placed on addressing the influence of spatial arrangement of constituent atoms of side chain on backbone conformation. We demonstrate that by impeding the π- π interactions, the branch point in side chain promotes torsional motion between backbone units and results in greater chain flexibility. Our findings highlight the key role of topological isomerism in determining the molecular rigidity and are relevant to the current debate about the condition necessary for optimizing the electronic properties of conducting polymers via side chain engineering.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2018

Scaling Behavior of Anisotropy Relaxation in Deformed Polymers

Drawing an analogy to the paradigm of quasi-elastic neutron scattering, we present a general approach for quantitatively investigating the spatiotemporal dependence of structural anisotropy relaxation in deformed polymers by using small-angle neutron scattering. Experiments and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations on polymer melts over a wide range of molecular weights reveal that their conformational relaxation at relatively high momentum transfer $Q$ and short time can be described by a simple scaling law, with the relaxation rate proportional to $Q$. This peculiar scaling behavior, which cannot be derived from the classical Rouse and tube models, is indicative of a surprisingly weak direct influence of entanglement on the microscopic mechanism of single-chain anisotropy relaxation.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2014

Corrections for the Geometric Distortion of the Tube Detectors on SANS Instruments at ORNL

The small-angle neutron scattering instruments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor recently upgraded the area detectors from the large, single volume crossed-wire detectors originally installed to staggered arrays of linear position-sensitive detectors, based on the design used on the EQ-SANS instrument at ORNL Spallation Neutron Source. The specific geometry of the LPSD array requires that approaches to data reduction traditionally employed be modified. Here, two methods for correcting the geometric distortion produced by the LPSD array are presented and compared. The first method applies a correction derived from a detector sensitivity measurement performed using the same configuration as the samples are measured. In the second method presented here, a solid angle correction derived for the LPSDs is applied to data collected in any instrument configuration during the data reduction process in conjunction with a detector sensitivity measurement collected at a sufficiently long camera length where the geometric distortions are negligible. Both methods produce consistent results and yield a maximum deviation of corrected data from isotropic scattering samples of less than 0.05 for momentum transfers up to a maximum of 0.8 A-1. The results are broadly applicable to any SANS instrument employing LPSD array detectors, which will be increasingly common as instruments having higher incident flux are constructed at various neutron scattering facilities around the world.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Scattering from Star Polymers including Excluded Volume Effects

In this work we present a new model for the form factor of a star polymer consisting of self-avoiding branches. This new model incorporates excluded volume effects and is derived from the two point correlation function for a star polymer.. We compare this model to small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements from polystyrene (PS) stars immersed in a good solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF). It is shown that this model provides a good description of the scattering signature originating from the excluded volume effect and it explicitly elucidates the connection between the global conformation of a star polymer and the local stiffness of its constituent branch.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Dynamical Crossover in Soft Colloids below the Overlap Concentration

The dynamics of soft colloids in solutions is characterized by internal collective motion as well as center-of-mass diffusion. Using neutron scattering we demonstrate that the competition between the relaxation processes associated with these two degrees of freedom results in strong dependence of dynamics and structure on colloid concentration, c, even well below the overlap concentration c*. We show that concurrent with increasing inter-particle collisions, substantial structural dehydration and slowing-down of internal dynamics occur before geometrically defined colloidal overlap develops. While previous experiments have shown that the average size of soft colloids changes very little below c*, we find a marked change in both the internal structure and internal dynamics with concentration. The competition between these two relaxation processes gives rise to a new dynamically-defined dilute threshold concentration well below c*.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Influence of Molecular Solvation on the Conformation of Star Polymers

We have used neutron scattering to investigate the influence of concentration on the conformation of a star polymer. By varying the contrast between the solvent and isotopically labeled stars, we obtain the distributions of polymer and solvent within a star polymer from analysis of scattering data. A correlation between the local desolvation and the inward folding of star branches is discovered. From the perspective of thermodynamics, we find an analogy between the mechanism of polymer localization driven by solvent depletion and that of the hydrophobic collapse of polymers in solutions.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2013

Understanding inelastically scattered neutrons from water on a time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrument

It is generally assumed by most of the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) user community that a neutrons energy is unchanged during SANS measurements. Here, the scattering from water, specifically light water, was measured on the EQ-SANS instrument, a time-of-flight SANS instrument located at the Spallation Neutron Source of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A significant inelastic process was observed in the TOF spectra of neutrons scattered from water. Analysis of the TOF spectra from the sample showed that the scattered neutrons have energies consistent with room-temperature thermal energies (~20 meV) regardless of the incident neutron energy. With the aid of Monte Carlo particle transport simulations, we conclude that the thermalization process within the sample results in faster neutrons that arrive at the detector earlier than expected based on the incident neutron energies. This thermalization process impacts the measured SANS intensities in a manner that will ultimately be sample- and temperature-dependent, necessitating careful processing of the raw data into the SANS cross-section.

physics.ins-det↗