Production and loss of N 2 + , Ne+ and Ne 2 + during the decay period of plasmas produced in neon-nitrogen mixtures

Studies of the time dependencies of the number density of N ₂ ⁺ , Ne⁺ and Ne ₂ ⁺ ions have been made during the decay period of plasmas produced in neon containing various concentrations of nitrogen molecules. Reaction rate constants were obtained for N ₂ ⁺ +N₂+Ne→N ₄ ⁺ +Ne((1.2±0.2)×10^?29 cm⁶ sec^?1) and Ne⁺+N₂→N ₂ ⁺ + Ne ((2.9±0.3) × 10^?12 cm³ sec^?1). The ambipolar diffusion coefficient of N ₂ ⁺ in neon was found to beD _a p _o =350±20 cm² sec^?1 Torr.     

E2 andE3 transition strengths in some rare-earth nuclei

Coulomb excitation byα-particles of vibrational-like states in even-mass rare-earth nuclei is used to determine the reduced transition probabilitiesB(E2; 0 _gs ⁺ →2 _γ ⁺ ),B(E2; 0 _gs ⁺ →2 _β ⁺ ),B(E2; 2 _gs ⁺ →0 _β ⁺ ) andB(E2; 0 _gs ⁺ →3 _oct ^? ) in¹⁵⁰Nd,^{152, 154}Sm,^{154, 158}Gd,¹⁶⁴Dy and¹⁶⁶Er. TheB(Eλ; 0 _gs ⁺ →I=λ)-values range from 2.4 to 6.5 single-particle units for transitions to the 2 _γ ⁺ -states, 0.8 single-particle units for the 2 _β ⁺ -states and from 14.1 to 21.7 single-particle units for the 3^?-states.     

Pulse ENDOR studies on the radical pair P 700 +· A 1 ·− and the photoaccumulated quinone acceptor A 1 ·− of photosystem I

The secondary acceptor A₁ of the electron transport chain(s) of photosystem (PS) I is a phylloquinone (vitamin K₁, VK₁). Pulse electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) experiments at X-band frequencies were performed on the photoaccumulated acceptor radical A ₁ ^·? and the radical pair state P ₇₀₀ ^·+ A ₁ ^·? in PS I ofThermosynechococcus elongatus. The data obtained were compared with data from the respective radical anion of VK₁ in organic solvents. The unusualg tensor magnitude of A ₁ ^·? is explained by the hydrophobic binding pocket of this radical. The hyperfine couplings and the spin (and charge) density distribution is very different for A ₁ ^.? in PS I and VK ₁ ^·? in frozen alcoholic solution. This is attributed to a rather strong one-sided hydrogen bond to A ₁ ^·? . The presence of a hydrogen bond to A ₁ ^·? has only a minor effect ong. The hyperfine coupling constants of A ₁ ^·? determined from the radical pair spectra deviate only slightly from those derived from photoaccumulated A ₁ ^·? in PS I treated with dithionite at high pH. ENDOR resonances of the proton in a H bond were detected and an estimate of the strength and geometry of this bond to A ₁ ^·? was obtained. The significance of the hydrogen bond and other (hydrophobic) interactions of A₁ with the surrounding are briefly discussed.     

Measurement of the masses and lifetimes of the charmed mesonsD 0,D + andD s +

We present the final results on the measurement of the masses and lifetimes of the mesonsD ⁰,D ⁺ andD _s ⁺ in the NA32 experiment at the CERN SPS, using silicon microstrip detectors and charge-coupled devices for vertex reconstruction. We measure the following lifetimes: \(\tau _{D^0 } = 3.88 \pm _{0.21}^{0.23} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) using a sample of 479D°→K ^?π⁺π^?π⁺ and 162D°→K ^?π⁺ decays; \(\tau _{D^ + } = 10.5 \pm _{0.72}^{0.77} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) with a sample of 317D ⁺→K ^?π⁺π⁺ decays; \(\tau _{D_s^ + } = 4.69 \pm _{0.86}^{1.02} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) with a sample of 54D _s ⁺ →K ⁺ K ^?π⁺ decays. We measure the following masses:m _D ⁰=1864.6±0.3±1.0 MeV,m _D ⁺=1870.0±0.5±1.0 MeV and \(m_{D_s^ + } \) =1967.0±1.0±1.0 MeV.     

Two-particle production inK + p interactions at 32 GeV/c

Results are presented on two-particle inclusive production inK ⁺ p interactions at 32 GeV/c. We study thex _1,2=x ₁+x ₂ dependence of invariant structure functions of (ππ)-pairs and compare them to single particle inclusive distributions in the fragmentation regions. Distributions of particles observed at Feynmanx ₂ in association with various “trigger” particles or systems atx ₁ in the same hemisphere are dicussed in terms of the reduced variable \(\tilde x_2 = x_2 /(1 - |x_1 |)\) . We further present absolute production rates and production ratios of π⁺'s and π^?'s associated with π^±,K _s ⁰ , Λ, \(\bar \Lambda \) ,K ^*+ (890), (K _s ⁰ π⁺), and (π⁺ π^?)-triggers, and compare them with qualitative predictions of the quark recombination model. Forwardbackward correlations between (K _s ⁰ π^±), (K _s ⁰ ,p), (Λ, π^?), \((\bar \Lambda \pi ^ \pm )\) , and (p, π^?) pairs are also discussed.     

Structural analysis of three-spin systems of photosystem II by PELDOR

The pulsed electron electron double resonance (PELDOR) pulse sequence is applied to a three-spin system consisting of three radicals (Y _D ^· , Y _Z ^· and Q _A ^? ) generated in spinach PS II. The distance between Y_Z and Q_A has been determined to be 3.4 nm with the previously derived distances of the other radical pairs, 2.9 nm for Y _D ^· -Y _Z ^· and 3.9 nm for Y _D ^· -Q _A ^? . This distance has been derived from the Y _Z ^· -Q _A ^? radical pair trapped in Y_D-less mutants ofChlamydomonas reinhardtii. Furthermore the method was applied to the Y _D ^· -Q _A ^? -Chl _Z ⁺ system to find the unknown distance between Q_A and Chl_Z. The derived distance was 3.4 nm. A triangular configuration was found in the membrane system that gives the relative positions of the electron transfer components.     

Gyromagnetic ratios of excited states in186W

The gyromagnetic ratios of the 4 ₁ ⁺ , 6 ₁ ⁺ , and 2 ₂ ⁺ states in¹⁸⁶W were measured relative to that of the 2 ₁ ⁺ level by means of the transient field implantation perturbedγ-ray angular distribution technique. The nuclei in the states of interest were Coulomb excited using a beam of 220-MeV⁶³Cu projectiles and recoiled swiftly through a thin, polarized Fe foil. The present measurements yielded ratiosg(4 ₁ ⁺ )/g(2 ₁ ⁺ )=1.04±0.07,g(6 ₁ ⁺ )/g(2 ₁ ⁺ )=1.03 ±0.20 andg(2 ₂ ⁺ )/g(2 ₁ ⁺ )=0.63±0.13. The sizable disparity between the measuredg-factors of the ground- and excited-band is examined within the context of the interacting boson approximation model.     

Pion photoproduction on197Au to ground and isomeric states in197Hg

The lifetime of the 331.3 keV 0 ₂ ⁺ state in¹⁰⁰Zr has been measured at the gas-filled recoil separator for fission products JOSEF. By observing the delayed coincidences between theβ-particles populating the level and theE0 conversion electrons from its decay into the ground state, a half-life of 3.37±0.30 ns has been obtained. From the measured lifetime and the relative intensities of the 0 ₂ ⁺ →0 ₁ ⁺ and 0 ₂ ⁺ →2 ₁ ⁺ transitions, values of 0.493±0.015 for theE0 strength parameterρ, and of 16 single particle units forB(E2,2 ₁ ⁺ → 0 ₂ ⁺ ) have been deduced. The enhanced nature of theE0 transitions suggests mixing of the 0 ₁ ⁺ and 0 ₂ ⁺ states which may be estimated by comparing the experimentalB(E2) values for the 2 ₁ ⁺ →0 ₁ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ →0 ₂ ⁺ transitions with the predictions of the asymmetric VMI model.     

Evidence for a 3.6 minute isomeric 12− state of the πh 11 2/−1 vi 13 2/−1 configuration in206Tl and effective two-particle interactions

Using the²⁰⁴Hg(α, pn)-reaction andα-particles of energies 39–55 MeV, we have found an isomeric 3.6 min 12^? state in²⁰⁶Tl at 2,642.9 keV which has the two-hole configurationπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vi ₁₃ ^2/?1 The 12^? state decays mainly by anE5 transition of energy 1,021.4 keV to a 7⁺ state at 1,621.5 keV whose main configuration isπs ₁ ^2/?1 vi ₁₃ ^2/?1 There is, in addition, evidence for a weak 565 keVM 4 branch to an 8⁺ state at 2,078 keV whose main configuration should beπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vf ₅ ^2/?1 . The 7⁺ state decays by a stretched cascade ofγ-rays to states of the following values ofJ ^π and excitation energy: 5 _? ⁺ , 1,405.4 keV; 4^?, 952.1 keV; 2^?, 265.8 keV and 0^?, 0 keV. The main configurations of these states areπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 ,πd ₃ ^2/?1 vf ₅ ^2/?1 ,πd ₃ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 andπs ₁ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 respectively. From the nuclear masses of²⁰⁸Pb,²⁰⁷Pb,²⁰⁷Tl, and²⁰⁶Tl and the experimental excitation energies it is possible to obtain the proton hole-neutron hole interaction in²⁰⁶Tl. This interaction is compared with the calculations of Kuo and Herling and the discrepancies are discussed. The 12^?→8⁺ M4 transition rate is reduced because of destructive interference between the protonh _11/2→d _3/2 and the neutroni _13/2→f _5/2 contributions. The magnitude of the reduction is accurately reproduced by the wave functions of Kuo and Herling. The 12^?→7⁺ E5 transition rate is about twice as large as the single-holeπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 πs ₁ ^2/?1 transition rate. This deviation is fully explained by the configuration admixtures in the 7⁺ state, given by Kuo and Herling.     

Form factor π0 → γ* + γ* at different photon virtualities

The π⁰ γγ vertex for virtual photons of squared masses q ₁ ² and q ₂ ² plays a vital rôle in several physical processes; for example for q ₁ ² < 0, q ₂ ² < 0, in the two-photon physics reaction e ⁺ e ^? → e ⁺ e ^?π⁰, and for q ₁ ² > 0, q ₂ ² > 0, in the annihilation process e ⁺ e ^? → π⁰ l ⁺l^?. It is also of interest because of its link to the axial anomaly. We suggest a new approach to this problem. We have obtained a closed analytic expression for the vertex in the limit in which at least one of ¦q ₁ ² ¦ and ¦q ₂ ² ¦ is large for arbitrary fixed values of the ratio q ₁ ² /q ₂ ² . We compare our results with those obtained previously by Brodsky and Lepage. It should be straightforward to test our predictions experimentally.     

Resonance strengths,branching ratios and mean lifetimes of nuclear energy levels in23Na

The gamma decay of the²²Ne(p, y)²³Na resonances in the proton energy rangeE _p=1.0→2.0 MeV has been investigated with a 20cm³ Ge(Li) detector. Implanted targets were used. The absolute strengths of the strongest resonances were determined and the branching ratios of twenty resonance levels and several bound states are reported. Mean lifetimes of the levels atE _x=2.078 MeV (18.7±3.5 fs), 2.393 MeV (580 _?190 ⁺³⁷⁰ fs), 2.641 MeV (88 _?14 ⁺²⁰ fs), 2.985 MeV (4.0 _?1.0 ^+1.3 fs), 3.679 MeV (24 _?4 ⁺⁵ fs), 3.915 MeV (7.4 _?2.0 ^+2.5 fs) and 4.775 MeV (<2.0 fs) were obtained from measurements of the gamma ray Doppler shifts.     

The new isotopes258105,257105,254Lr and253Lr

Evaporation residues from the heavy-ion fusion reaction⁵⁰Ti on²⁰⁹Bi were investigated. They were separated from the projectile beam by the velocity filter SHIP and identified after implantation into an array of position-sensitive surface-barrier detectors by analyzing theirα-decay chains. Spontaneous fission was also observed. Four newα emitters,²⁵⁸105 (T_1/2=4.4 _?0.6 ^+0.9 s),²⁵⁷105 (T_1/2= 1.4 _?0.3 ^+0.6 s),²⁵⁴Lr (T _1/2= 13 _?2 ⁺³ s), and²⁵³Lr (T _1/2=1.3 _?0.3 ^+0.6 s) could be identified. For the isotope²⁵⁷105 we obtained a spontaneous-fission branch of about 20%. A spontaneous-fission activity with a halflife comparable to that for theα decay of²⁵⁸105 was explained as fission of²⁵⁸104, formed by electron capture from²⁵⁸105. An excitation function for evaporation-residue production was measured for bombarding energies in the range ofE _CM=184.4 MeV toE _CM=196.6 MeV. Nearly all evaporation residues we observed, could be attributed to the 1n and 2n deexcitation channels. The maximum cross sections wereσ(1n)=c/2.9±0.3) nbarn, andσ(2n)=c/2.1±0.8) nbarn, respectively. We could measure the total kinetic energy of the fission fragments of²⁵⁸104 to be TKE=(220±15) MeV, a value that fits into empirical systematics based on aZ ²/A ^1/3 dependence.     

On the yrast levels in204Pb

High-spin states in²⁰⁴Pb were populated in the²⁰⁴Hg(α,4n) reaction using α-particles in the energy region 42–51 MeV. Prompt and delayedγ-rays as well as conversion electrons were studied in addition to excitation functions, angular distributions andγ-γ coincidences. In this way a stretched cascade ofγ-rays from a level at 8125.9 keV was found to feed the previously known isomeric 9^? level at 2185.7 keV. Spins and parities were established for levels up to and including a 19^? level at 6098.0 keV. The levels with c= 17^2212; and 19^? at excitation energies of 5664.3 and 6098.0 keV are likely to be due to the simplep ₁ ^2/s-1 i ₁₃ ^2/?3 andf ₅ ^2/?1 i ₁₃ ^2/?3 configurations. The agreement between calculated and experimental energies for all observed levels in the regionJ=9–19 is very good in cases where the empirical two-particle interactions used are satisfactorily well known. Above the 19^? level there are three weakly populated levels at 7402.1, 7849.2 and 8125.9 keV, which are likely to haveJ≥20. None of these energies agrees with the calculated value 7695±20 keV for the 20⁺ state of thei ₁₃ ^2/?4 configuration which has the highest angular momentum produced by the four valence neutron holes. This apparent anomaly can be understood if the yrast levels withJ≥20 have angular momentum contribution from the core. It seems likely that the states at 7402.1, 7849.2 and 8125.9 keV are due to proton core excited states of the typeπh _9/2 h ₁₁ ^2/?1 ×νp ₁ ^2/?2 i ₁₃ ^2/?2 withJ ^π=20⁺ andJ ^π=21⁺ andπh _9/2 h ₁₁ ^2/?1 ×νp ₁ ^2/?1 f ₅ ^2?1 i ₁₃ ^2/?2 withJ ^π=22⁺ or 23⁺, respectively. The state at 8126 keV has the highest energy so far directly observed in a stretched cascade ofγ-rays from the decay of a heavy nucleus produced in (α, xn) reactions.     

Electric properties of levels of 156Dy rotational bands

The nonadiabaticity of E0 transitions from 0 ₂ ⁺ states and 2 ₁ ⁺ bands in ¹⁵⁶Dy is examined within a phenomenological model that takes into account the mixing of K ^π = 0 ₁ ⁺ , 0 ₂ ⁺ , 0 ₃ ⁺ , 2 ₁ ⁺ states and 1⁺-bands. It is shown that the nonadiabaticity of E0 transitions is due primarily to the mixing of 0 ₂ ⁺ and 0 ₃ ⁺ bands.     

Interpretation of multifrequency transient EPR spectra of the P 700 + A0Q K − state in photosystem I complexes with a sequential correlated radical pair model: Wild type versus A0 mutants

Transient electron paramagnetic resonance (TR-EPR) spectra of the electron-hole pair state P ₇₀₀ ⁺ A₀Q _K ^? in photosystem I are numerically calculated. Parameter variation concerns mainly the exchange integralJ of the precursor spin pair state P ₇₀₀ ⁺ A ₀ ^? Q_K and its lifetime τ. A prominent emissive feature in the high-field region (P ₇₀₀ ⁺ part) of the EPR spectrum turns out to be diminished with increasing lifetime τ of the precursor pair state in the case of positive exchange couplingJ>0 (ferromagnetic type). Correspondingly, the emissive feature becomes more pronounced with increasing lifetime τ in the case of negative exchange couplingJ<0 (antiferromagnetic type). These results can be used to interpret the changes in the pattern observed in TR-EPR spectra comparing wild-type and specific A₀ mutants. The central ligating amino acid residue to the A₀ chlorophyll cofactor is mutated from native methionine (M) to leucine (L) in either the PsaA or the PsaB branch. Changes are observed only for the A-side mutant: M688L(PsaA). They are consistent with the following parameters in the precursor pair P ₇₀₀ ⁺ A ₀ ^? :J≈0.5÷1.0 mT and τ=1.5÷2 ns (as compared to τ～0.05 ns in the wild type).     

Statistical mechanism of the formation of the energy spectra of sputtered molecular clusters

The energy spectra of Si _n O _m ^? clusters sputtered from Si targets by Xe⁺ ions with O₂ pumping onto a bombarded surface, as well as by O ₂ ⁺ ions, are studied. It is shown that the form of the Si _n O _2n+1 ^? energy distributions does not depend on the experimental conditions. Significant differences in the energy spectra of O and Si monomers as compared to Si _n O _2n+1 ^? clusters are revealed. The mentioned features of the energy distribution of Si _n O _m ^? clusters are explained within the framework of the statistical recombination mechanism of their formation in combinatorial synthesis processes.     

Electronic color centers in SrF2-Na crystals

It was shown that optical bleaching of M _A ⁺ color centers at 80 K in SrF₂-Na crystals causes the core of an M _A ⁺ -center to transform into the V _a ⁺ Me ⁺ V _a ⁺ configuration, in which all three point defects are arranged diagnonally in the cube cell. Reirradiation of an optically bleached crystal by x-rays generates F _D centers in it: V _a ⁺ Me ⁺ V _a ⁺ + e ^? → V _a ⁰ Me ⁺ V _a ⁺ ≡ F _D. The F _D → M _A ⁺ transformation in SrF₂-Na crystals proceeds at T = 135 K, in contrast to the F _A → M _A ⁺ transformations, which take place at T > 200 K.     

Decay studies of K isomers in 254No

A detailed $ \gamma$ spectroscopic decay study of two K isomers in ²⁵⁴No was performed. In addition to the previously reported $ \gamma$ lines two new transitions of E = 778 , 856keV could be attributed to the decay pattern of ^254m1No ( T _1/2 = 275±7 ms). The population of an excited band built up on this isomer ( $\ensuremath K^{\pi} =8^{-}$ by the decay of ^254m2No ( T _1/2 = 198±13 μs) could be proven by measuring delayed $ \gamma$ - $ \gamma$ coincidences between transitions stemming from the decay of both isomeric states. The energies of the band members could be established up to $\ensuremath I^{\pi} = 15^{-}$ . A spontaneous fission branch of (2.0±1.2)×10^-4 was measured for ^254m1No , an upper limit of $ \le$ 1.2×10^-4 was estimated for ^254m2No . These values demonstrate the high stability of multi-quasiparticle configurations against spontaneous fission. Evidence for an $ \alpha$ decay branch of ^254m1No in the order of 1×10^-4 was found.     

Correlation femtoscopy of Kaons in the SELEX experiment

Preliminary results from the correlation femtoscopy of identical kaons in the SELEX experiment (Fermilab E781) are presented. Kaons are selected in inclusive reactions of Σ^?C(Cu) interactions at an initial energy of 610 GeV. Kaon pairs are studied in all possible charged states: K _s ⁰ K _s ⁰ , K _s ⁰ K⁺, K _s ⁰ K^?, K⁺K⁺, K⁺K^? and K^?K^?. The source sizes of the hadronization region of neutral and charged kaon pairs are measured.