Optogalvanic detection of NaNe molecule

Summary The formation of NaNe molecule has been detected in a hollow cathode lamp containing traces of sodium and neon using the optogalvanic technique. Two broad continuum peaks have been observed in the structure. They have been analysed to result due to transitions {Na(3s) + Ne(2p ⁶)}²Σ¹→ →{Na*(3p) + Ne(2p ⁶)}²Π,²Σ and {Na*(3p) + Ne(2p ⁶)}²Π,²Σ→{Na*(5s) + Ne(2p ⁶)}²Σ¹. A third peak in between these is probably due to a two-photon transition from 3s→5s of Na in NaNe. The authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Time-and-energy resolved measurement of the cascaded Auger decay in krypton

The cascaded Auger decay following ionization or excitation with 94 eV soft-X-ray pulses from the 3d subshell in krypton has been energy-and-time-resolved for the first time. The decay time of the 4s ⁻¹4p ⁻² nl → 4p ⁻³ + e and/or 4s ⁻¹4p ⁻¹ nl → 4p ⁻² + e transition is measured to be 74 ± 20 fs. Furthermore, our data shows that the electrons with a kinetic energy around 25 eV (generally assigned as 3d ⁻¹ np → 4s ⁻² n′p + e) emitted after core excitation are emitted in a second decay step suggesting an alternative assignment of the form 4s ⁻² np 4p ⁻² + e.     

Muon capture by16O—using a microscopic theory of particle-hole states

The partial capture rates for the process,μ ⁻ +¹⁶O (g·s) →¹⁶N (2⁻, 1⁻, 0⁻, 3⁻) +v _μ have been calculated using the particle-hole wavefunctions obtained using self-consistent procedure. In deriving these wavefunctions, the effectiveN-N interaction has been constructed from the bare Hamada-Johnston interaction. The terms in the muon capture Hamiltonian that depend on the momentum of the capturing proton have been included and their importance in 0⁺ → 0⁻ transition is exhibited. The agreement with the available experimental data is good. The need to incorporate meson exchange effects in 0⁺ → 0⁻ transition is pointed out.     

Development of a New Experimental Method for Studies of Muon Capture in Hydrogen

A new experiment is under preparation with the aim to improve considerably the present knowledge of the rate Λ _s , which should be measured on a level of 1% or better, for the basic electroweak capture reaction of a negative muon on the free proton μp _1s → n + ν_μ. The capture rate will be determined by measuring the lifetime of μ⁻ stopped in ultra pure hydrogen at 10 bar pressure and comparing it with the lifetime of the unbound μ⁺. A new experimental method was developed for this project which should allow measuring the μ⁻ lifetime with at least 10 ppm precision. The basic element of the detector is operating in the hydrogen gas time projection chamber (TPC) surrounded by multi-wire proportional chambers (MWPCs) and scintillator counters. The arrival times and trajectories of the incoming muons and the outgoing decay electrons are measured with this device providing effective suppression of background. Using the TPC as an active target, we can monitor on-line the protium contamination by impurities with a sensitivity better than 10⁻⁸. This can be done by detecting the charged products of the muon capture reaction on these impurities. It was demonstrated that the TPC and MWPCs can operate in pure hydrogen under 10 bar pressure providing gas gain up to 10 000. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Muon catalyzed fusion and muon to 3He transfer in solid T2 studied by X-ray and neutron detection

X-ray and neutron measurements were carried out for muon catalyzed fusion and related phenomena in solid T₂. The X-ray originated from the μ^- to α sticking in muon catalyzed fusion; t + t + μ ^- → (μ ^- α) + 2n was measured for the first time, yielding K _α X-ray intensity of (μα) atom and the intensity ratio of K _β to K _α . Utilizing the phenomena of ³He accumulation in solid T₂, the X-ray in the μ^- transfer process from (tμ) to ³He was detected, providing a formation rate and radiative decay branching-ratio of (t ³Heμ) molecule. From fusion neutron measurements, estimated values were obtained for (ttμ) molecular formation rate as well as sticking probability ω_t in ttμ fusion. A possible new insight in t + t fusion reaction process at a low energy limit is also obtained. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Excited states of muonic helium hydride ions and their possible impact on muon reactivation

Several previously unknown resonances of the μtμ helium hydride ion have been identified using a variational procedure. It is suggested that these resonances may form in αμ(1s)-TD(T₂) scattering, for centre of mass collision energies in the range 8–10 keV. If the molecular complex [(αtμ)*dee]* is formed in a dissociative state (with respect to the α tμ-d coordinate), the dissociation energy may in part be transferred to the muonic degrees of freedom, opening the exit channel [(αtμ)*dee]* → tμ + α e + T, effectively amounting to muon transfer from α to t. We present a theoretical formulation of this novel and hypothetical mechanism for muon reactivation together with a numerical calculation of its cross-section for a special case. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenomenology of the minimal<Emphasis Type="Italic">SO</Emphasis>(10) SUSY model

In this talk I define what I call the minimalSO(10) SUSY model. I then discuss the phenomenological consequences of this theory, vis-a-vis gauge and Yukawa coupling unification, Higgs and super-particle masses, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, the decayB _s → μ⁺ itμ⁻ and dark matter. On leave of absence at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ, USA     

Bound states of the muon-antimuon system: Lifetimes and hyperfine splitting

We examine the properties of an atomic system consisting of a muon and antimuon. Expressions are derived for the probability of decay and the hyperfine splitting of the lower levels with allowance for the leading radiative corrections, which are of relative order α. The results for the lifetimes and the ground-state energy are τ(1³ S ₁)=1.7907(8)×10⁻¹² s, τ(1¹ S ₀)=0.59547(33)×10⁻¹² s, and E _hfs (1s)=4.23284(35)×10⁷ MHz. The relative probabilities for the various decay channels are calculated; in particular, for the 1 ³ S ₁ level it is found that Γ (μμ→eeγ)/Γ(μμ→ee)≈15%. Finally, possible applications are discussed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 409–431 (February 1998)     

Chiral invariant phase space event generator

The Geant4 CHIPS model simulates both decay and nuclear capture of negative muons. In hadron level models the muon is captured by a proton, p(μ,ν_μ)n , and the neutron transfers to the nucleus only 5MeV, which is not enough to split a nucleon from the nucleus, while the measured spectra of emitted nucleons reach 80MeV. In CHIPS, which considers asymptotically free quark-partons, the muon can be captured by a quark, u(μ,ν_μ)d , and transfers 52MeV to the nucleus. This capture mechanism fits the main part of the nucleon spectra, while the high-energy part of the spectra is not fitted. A precise fit of the high-energy part of the nucleon spectra can be made if the muon decay μ → dˉν_μ is taken into account.     

Addition and spin exchange rate constants by longitudinal field μSR: The Mu+NO reaction

The addition reaction Mu+NO+M→MuNO+M and the spin exchange reaction Mu(↑) +MO(↓)→Mu(↓)+NO(↑) have been measured by longitudinal field μSR at room temperature in the presence of up to 58 atm of N₂ as inert collider. The pressure dependence of the longitudinal relaxation rate due to the addition reaction (λ_c) demostrates that the system is still in the low pressure regime in this pressure range. The corresponding termolecular rate constant has been determined ask _0,Mu =(1.10±0.25)×10⁻³² cm⁶ molecules⁻² s⁻¹, almost 4 times smaller than the corresponding H atom reactionk _0,H=3.90×10⁻³² cm⁶ molecules⁻² s⁻¹ [I.M. Campbell et al., J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1.71 (1975) 2097]. The average value of the spin exchange rate constants in the 2.5–58 atm pressure range,k _SE=(3.16±0.06)×10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, is in good agreement with previous values obtained by transverse field μSR [D.G. Fleming et al., J. Chem. Phys. 73 (1980) 2751].     

Experimental investigation of muon-catalyzed t + t fusion

The muon-catalyzed fusion (μCF) process in tritium was studied by the μCF collaboration on the muon beam of the JINR Phasotron. The measurements were carried out with a liquid tritium target at the temperature 22 K and density approximately 1.25 of the liquid hydrogen density (LHD). Parameters of the μCF cycle were determined: the ttμ muonic molecule formation rate λ _ttμ = 2.84(0.32) μs⁻¹, the ttμ fusion reaction rate λ _f = 15.6(2.0) μs⁻¹, and the probability of muon sticking to helium ω _tt = 13.9(1.5)%. The results agree with those obtained earlier by other groups, but better accuracy was achieved due to our unique experimental method. The article is published in the original.     

Influence of ion-molecular reactions on μ-capture in hydrogen and on fusion in 3Hedμ muonic molecule

The de-excitation processes (J=1)→ (J=0) in muonic molecular ions (ppμ)⁺ and (³Hedμ)⁺ are studied. It is shown that the rate of such transitions substantially depends on the chain of ion-molecular reactions initiated by positively charged muonic ions. The probabilities of ortho-para transition in the [(ppμ)⁺H₂] and [(ppμ)⁺e] complexes formed as a result of chemical reactions in the pure hydrogen were estimated. Taking into account the ion-molecular processes in D₂ + He mixtures, the evaluation of the observed rate λ_f of nuclear fusion in the ³Hedμ muonic molecules was performed. The expected yield of fusion reactions per muon at the mixture density φ=0.1 and concentration C _He =0.05 was obtained to be equal to . This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Recent Result of Muon Catalyzed t–t Fusion at RIKEN-RAL

We have measured X-rays and neutrons associated with the muon catalyzed t–t fusion process at the RIKEN-RAL Muon facility. In the X-ray measurement, we observed K_α and K_β X-rays originating from the muon sticking process in muon catalyzed t–t fusion, and obtained the K_α X-ray yield and the K_β/K_α intensity ratio. An average recoil energy of the (μ⁻α) atoms in a solid T₂ medium was determined from the observed Doppler broadening width of the K_α X-ray line. The obtained t–t fusion neutron has shown an exponential time spectrum with a single component and a continuous energy spectrum with a maximum energy of 9 MeV. We have determined the t–t fusion neutron yield, the t–t fusion cycling rate and the muon sticking probability from the neutron data. The obtained maximum neutron energy is a very peculiar value from the view point of the reaction Q value (11.33 MeV) with the three-particle decay mode at the exit channel: t + t → α + n + n + Q. The obtained neutron energy distribution was analyzed by a simple model with two neutron energy components; reasonable agreement has been obtained, suggesting a strong (n–α) correlation in the exit channel of the t–t muon catalyzed fusion reaction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Precise Measurement of Muon Capture on the Proton

The aim of the μCap experiment is a 1% measurement of the singlet capture rate Λ _S for the basic electro-weak reaction μ + p → n + ν_μ. This observable is sensitive to the weak form-factors of the nucleon, in particular to the induced pseudoscalar coupling constant g _P . It will provide a rigorous test of theoretical predictions based on the Standard Model and effective theories of QCD. The present method is based on high precision lifetime measurements of μ⁻ in hydrogen gas and the comparison with the free μ⁺ lifetime. The μ⁻ experiment will be performed in ultra-clean, deuterium-depleted H₂ gas at 10 bar. Low density compared to liquid H₂ is chosen to avoid uncertainties due to ppμ formation. A time projection chamber acts as a pure hydrogen active target. It defines the muon stop position in 3D and detects rare background reactions. Decay electrons are tracked in cylindrical wire-chambers and a scintillator array covering 75% of 4π. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quasi-molecular resonances in muonic charge-exchange reactions

We present the first thorough theoretical discussion of non-monotonic structure in the temporal behavior of X-ray fluorescence intensity spectra of muon charge-exchange reactions of the type pμ + Z→p + μZ. Our discussion is based on semiclassical methods; our results are almost entirely analytical. We find that the reported experimental maxima of muon charge-exchange rates are very close to the theoretical limits. We identify a new quantum mechanism, quantum impedance matching, which explains observed inelastic transitions close to the Unitarity Limit. We investigate the specific example of the reaction pμO ^{8 +} in detail using two-center Coulomb adiabatic potential terms. We find that quantum impedance matched higher-order partial-wave resonances yielding muon-transfer rates close to the Unitarity Limit are responsible for the remarkable non-monotonic structure in the X-ray fluorescence spectra. Received 7 January 2002 / Received in final form 15 April 2002 Published online 24 September 2002     

Near-IR laser inelastic electronic light scattering spectroscopy on transitions between ground and excited states of acceptor centers in GaAs and InP crystals

We report the development of a method for recording the low-temperature (T=6 K) near-IR inelastic light scattering spectra and the observation of electronic scattering on the transitions 1s _3/2(Γ₈) → 2s _3/2(Γ₈) between the ground and excited states of different shallow acceptor centers in a n-type semi-insulating crystal si-GaAs (n=1.0 × 10⁸ cm⁻³) and in a doped p-InP crystal (p=3.6×10¹⁷ cm⁻³). Moreover, a new line, associated with the transition 1s _3/2(Γ ₈) → 2p _3/2(Γ₈) and due to a dielectric local mode, recorded for the first time in the spectra of narrow-gap semiconductors, was found in the residual-frequency band in the p-InP spectrum between TO(Γ) and LO (Γ) phonons. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 5, 334–339 (10 March 1998)     

Interaction of Muons with H2/H3-Centres in Diamond

We report on transverse field muon spin rotation measurements on a nitrogen-rich type Ia diamond, both before and after the conversion of some of the aggregated nitrogen centres to nitrogen-vacancy complexes known as H2/H3-centres. The prompt fractions f and the spin relaxation rates λ were determined for the diamagnetic (μ_d) and the paramagnetic (Mu_T) states in the temperature range 10–300 K. The production of the nitrogen-vacancy complexes had little effect on the parameters of the Mu_T state for which f and λ remained unchanged at approximately 30% and 4 μs⁻¹, respectively. For the μ_d state, on the other hand, the formation of the H2/H3-centres resulted in an increase of the prompt fraction from 10(2)% to 20(3)%, and (for the first time) the spin relaxation rate showed a non-zero value of 0.020(3) μs⁻¹. These results show evidence of strong μ_d interactions with the nitrogen-vacancy complexes in diamond, and suggest a more complex structure for this state than a bare μ⁺. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Three-body muon-transfer collisions from hydrogen isotope to He<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Li<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

The muon transfer rates from hydrogen isotopes (p,d) to ^3,4He²⁺ and ^6,7Li³⁺ ions are calculated in the hyperspherical close coupling method. Well converged results are obtained. The present rates are comparable to those of existing calculations for He²⁺, but they are much larger for Li³⁺. The resonance parameters are also calculated for resonances near the (Hμ)_1s threshold.     

Total and transport elastic cross-sections for excited muonic and pionic hydrogen atoms

The results of an experiment on muon catalyzed dd-fussion in HD gas are presented. The experiment was performed at the muon beam of PSI using a high-pressure ionization chamber filled with pure HD-gas of low D₂ concentration on the level 1%, at temperatures 50, 150 and 300 K. The non-resonant character of ddμ-molecule formation on HD molecules was confirmed by measuring the ratio of yields of the two ddμ-fusion channels, R=Y(³He,n)/Y(³H,p), which proved to be close to unity. The ddμ formation rate was found to vary from λ_ddμ-HD=0.05· 10⁶ s^-1 at T=50 K to λ_ddμ-HD=0.12· 10⁶ s^-1 at T=300 K, in agreement with the theoretical prediction. A prominent peak at t<60 ns was observed in the time spectrum of fusion neutrons indicating a resonant contribution of ddμ formation from epithermal dμ atoms. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spin-Flip and Elastic Processes in Slow Collisions of Mesic Atoms

The reduced adiabatic hyperspherical (RAHS) basis suggested previously is used for the calculation of elastic and spin-flip cross sections in the processes (aμ) _F + a → (aμ) _F′ + a, a = (p, d, t), for collision energies 10⁻³ ≤ ε ≤ 10² eV. The rapid convergence of the method is demonstrated. A comparison of the obtained results with previous ones is presented. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.