Synthesis and Reactivity of Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(III) Hydroxycarbonates

Green rust-like compounds (GRs) were discovered as natural minerals in various hydromorphic soils, where anoxic conditions allow their stability. They may control some redox processes in aquifers and participate to the transformation of various pollutants. Since Mg(II) cations are present in the fields where GRs were discovered, a partial substitution of Mg(II) to Fe(II) leading to intermediate compounds between GRs and usual Mg(II)–Fe(III) hydroxysalts is suspected. Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(II) hydroxycarbonates can be obtained as intermediate oxidation products of (Mg, Fe)(OH)₂ in carbonate-containing aqueous media obeying to [Fe^II _4(1–x)Mg^II _4x Fe^III ₂(OH)₁₂]²⁺ [CO₃ ^2– nH₂O]^–2. TMS spectra at 12 K are similar to those of GRs, i.e., two quadrupole doublets, one due to Fe(II) with a large isomer shift =1.29 mms^–1 (with respect to -iron at room temperature) and quadrupole splitting E _Q=2.76 mms^–1, the other one due to Fe(III) with smaller hyperfine parameters =0.49 mms^–1 and E _Q=0.44 mms^–1. Fe(II) ions oxidise rapidly into Fe(III) with dissolved O₂. The reactivity is similar to that of Fe(II)–Fe(III) hydroxysalts GR, and thus the potential of Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(III) compounds for reducing pollutants.     

Lasing near 200 Å with neon-like zinc and lithium-like sulfur

In this paper we present the recent results obtained on X-ray lasers with the new facility of LULI (Palaiseau, France). As regards the study of collisional-excitation pumping we show that the J=0–1 line of neon-like zinc, at 212 Å, exhibits a surprisingly large gain coefficient of 4.9 cm^–1. A detailed comparison of the time-dependent intensities of the J=0–1 and the J=2–1 line at 267 Å leads to the conclusion that these two lines are not emitted in the same region of the plasma. On the other hand we performed a theoretical and experimental study of 5g-4f lasing line of lithium-like sulphur at 206.5 Å. For the first time, in the case of plasma recombination pumping, we did not observe any reduction of the gain coefficient when the plasma length is raised from 1 cm to 2 cm. From numerical simulation this is likely due to radiation trapping and similar processes having much less influence on 5g-4f population inversion than on previously observed lithium-like lasing transitions. These results show that large gain-length values should be obtained with 0.5 kJ driving laser pulses.     

First observation of lasing at 231 Å in neon-like nickel using the prepulse technique

We report lasing for the first time in nickel on the neon-like J=01, 3p3s transition at 231 Å as well as several weaker transitions including the J=2»1 lines at 298 Å and 304 Å. Amplification is seen only when the prepulse technique of using a low intensity prepulse before the main optical drive pulse is used to illuminate the nickel target. The prepulse technique is also shown to produce lasing in copper and dramatically improve the output of the germanium laser.     

Mechanism transition of self-pumped phase conjugation in KTa1 −xNbxO3:Fe crystals

Mechanism transitions of Self-Pumped Phase Conjugation (SPPC) with wavelength and doping concentration are observed in KTN:Fe (KTa_{1 –x} Nb _x O₃:Fe with _x = 0.48) crystals. The SPPC mechanism in KTN: Fe (0.4 wt. %) crystal transforms from Stimulated Photorefractive Backscattering and Four-Wave Mixing (SPB-FWM) to cat (or total internal reflection) as the wavelength increases from 514.5 nm to 620 nm. SPPC at 514.5 nm is formed with the cat mechanism in a 0.2 wt. % doped KTN:Fe crystal, while with the SPB-FWM mechanism in a 0.4 wt. % doped one. These mechanism transitions are discussed with respect to the dependence of the backscattering gain coefficient of the crystals on wavelength and doping concentration.     

119Sn-mössbauer,IR, and DSC study of tin oxyfluoride glasses

The¹¹⁹Sn-Mössbauer spectra ofxSnO·(70–x)SnF₂·30P₂O₅ glasses (0 x70) measured at 78 K comprised a doublet due to Sn²⁺ (=3.30–3.36 mm s^–1, = 1.70–1.72 mm s^–1) and a weak singlet due to Sn⁴⁺ located at –0.23 mm s^–1 with respect to BaSnO₃. The and of Sn²⁺ were comparable to those of Sn₂P₂O₇. Small Debye temperatures (146 and 155 K) were obtained from the low-temperature measurements. These results indicate that Sn²⁺ and Sn₄₊ occupied interstitial sites, being loosely and ionically bonded to distorted PO_4–x F _x tetrahedra.     

Decay of the Bethe–Salpeter Kernel and Bound States for Lattice Classical Ferromagnetic Spin Systems at High Temperature

We consider lattice classical ferromagnetic spin systems at high temperature (1) with nearest neighbor interactions and even single-spin distributions (ssd). Associated with each system is an imaginary time lattice quantum field theory. It is known that there is a particle of mass m–ln in the energy-momentum spectrum. If s ⁴–3s ²²<0, where s ^k is the kth moment of the ssd, and is sufficiently small, we show that in the two-particle subspace there is no mass spectrum up to 2m. For >0 we show that the only mass spectrum in (m, 2m) is a bound state of mass m _b=2m+ln(1–)+O(), where =(+2s ²²)^–1. A bound on the decay of the kernel of a Bethe–Salpeter equation is obtained and used to prove these results.     

X-ray lasers as sources for resonance-fluorescence experiments

We point out that existing Ne-like X-ray lasers have sufficient brightness to be used as pump sources in resonant pump-fluorescence experiments, and we discuss some of the potential benefits and limitations of such experiments. In preliminary experiments, we have measured the line overlap of the Ne-like yttrium X-ray laser near 155 with 4f–3d transitions in H-like Na and He-like Mg. These experiments used a high-resolution grating spectrometer, and calibrated the wavelength of the yttrium laser by comparison against lines of known wavelength. The results indicate that the wavelength of the yttrium laser is 154.985 ± 0.025 , a factor of 2–4 improvement in precision over previous calibrations. We find that the yttrium laser is 100 m to the long-wavelength side of both the He-like Mg line and the H-like Na line, so that neither resonance is perfect; however, Stark broadening could improve the overlap in the latter scheme, and bulk Doppler shifting could improve both resonances. We also find a good resonance between the yttrium laser and an un-identified transition which we tentatively attribute to copper.     

Photoconductivity of highly excited A IV B VI thin films

We report the results of picosecond photoconductivity measurements in photosensitive electrolytically deposited PbS and vacuum evaporated PbTe polycrystalline films. We determine Auger recombination to be the prevailing carrier recombination mechanism in highly excited PbTe and PbS films and found Auger coefficients _A5×10^–28 cm⁶ s^–1 for PbTe and _A5.3×10^–29 cm⁶ s^–1 for PbS for carrier concentration changes N>10¹⁸ cm^–3. The results indicate that the low mobility values are controlled by intergrain carrier scattering. We have studied the thermal annealing influence on picosecond photoconductivity of the films.     

Recent progress with the CO-overtone Δv=2 laser

We report the recent progress in the performance of the CO-overtone v=2 laser. We were able to increase both the number of lines and the output power by a significant amount. This laser is now a reliable source for spectroscopic applications in the spectral region from 2500–3800 cm^–1. The typical parameters of the laser plasma and a table with the observed laser transitions and their frequencies are given.     

Magnetic and electric hyperfine interactions in the system EuSm

Magnetic and electric hyperfine interactions in the system EuSm were investigated with the isomeric 11/2^– state in¹⁴⁵Eu by applying the time-differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) method. The temperature dependence of paramagnetism was studied between 90 K and 1000 K by measuring the magnetic hyperfine interaction frequency _L=g_NN¹ (T)B_ext. The paramagnetic correction factor strictly follows the Curie-Weiss relation =1+C/(T-), withC=–50(2) K and =–29(5) K. This is compatible with a hyperfine field ofB _int(0)=–25(1) T, a valence of two for Eu in Sm, and antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures.The temperature dependence of the electric quandrupole coupling constant v_Q, investigated between 100 K and 400 K, can be reproduced by a linear temperature variation v_Q(T)=v_Q(0) (1-AT), with v_Q(0)=16.2(4) MHz andA=7.2(8)·10^–4 K^–1.The paramagnetic relaxation time _rel of the nuclear alignment is proportional to the temperature of the sample, with _rel T^–1=3.7(2) ·10^–9s K^–1.This leads to the Korringa relation _J T=const=5.1(5)·10^–11s K for the relaxation time of the 4f electronic spinJ. Assuming that the relaxation ofJ is mainly caused by exchange interaction between conduction electrons and localized 4f electrons at the Eu site, an exchange integral of |J _eff|=0.10(2) eV can be deduced.     

Existence of Baryons,Baryon Spectrum and Mass Splitting in Strong Coupling Lattice QCD

We consider a functional integral formulation for one-flavor lattice Quantum Chromodynamics in d=2,3 space dimensions and imaginary time, and work in the regime of the small hopping parameter , and zero plaquette coupling. Following the standard construction, this model exhibits positivity which is used to obtain the underlying physical Hilbert space . Then, using a Feynman-Kac formalism, we write the correlation functions for the model as functional integrals over the space of Grassmannian (fermionic) fields for one quark specie and the SU(3) gauge fields. We determine the energy-momentum spectrum associated with gauge invariant local baryon (anti-baryon) fields which are composites of three quark (anti-quark) fields. With the associated correlation functions, we establish a Feynman-Kac formula, and a spectral representation for the Fourier transform of the two-point functions. This representation allows us to show that baryons and anti-baryons arise as tightly bound, bound states of three (anti-)quarks. Labelling the components of the baryon fields by s=3/2,1/2,-1/2,-3/2, we show that the baryon and anti-baryon mass spectrum only depends on |s|, and the associated masses are given by M_s= –3ln+r_s(), where r_s() is real analytic in , for each d=2,3. The mass splitting is M_3/2–M_1/2=18⁶, for d=2 and, if any, is at least of (⁷), for d=3. In the subspace _o generated by an odd number of fermions, the baryon and anti-baryon energy-momentum dispersion curves are isolated up to near the baryon-meson threshold –5ln (upper gap property), identical and are determined up to (⁵). The symmetries of coordinate reflections, spatial lattice rotations, parity and charge conjugation are established for the correlation functions, and are shown to be implemented on by unitary (anti-unitary, for time reversal) operators.     

Degenerate four-wave-mixing spectroscopy in NaH

We performed DFWM spectroscopy on X ^–1+–A ¹⁺ transitions in NaH produced in an indirect photochemical reaction between Na(3p) and H₂ and detected v=1, 2 and 3 ground state vibrational levels of NaH molecules, whereas with resonance enhanced CARS, we observed v=0 levels only. This different sensitivity can be explained by considering the Franck-Condon-factors and the relevant damping coefficients for the corresponding transitions in the NaH molecule. Time resolved DFWM spectroscopy showed that NaH(v=1) molecules effectively live much longer than Na(3p) atoms which merely follow the laser excitation pulse.     

Cu-like Pd and Ag inner-shell photoionization phenomena

We have obtained results for converting focused laser radiation to X-ray line emissions in laser-heated NaF and Cu plasmas. These plasmas were used as the pump source for studying the phenomena of inner-shell photoionization of Zn-like ionic states. Soft X-ray emissions from transitions of 3d ⁹4s ² 3d ¹⁰4p in Cu-like Pd and Ag ions were observed.     

Transfer Matrix Spectrum and Bound States for Lattice Classical Ferromagnetic Spin Systems at High Temperature

We obtain new properties of general d-dimensional lattice ferromagnetic spin systems with nearest neighbor interactions in the high-temperature region (1). Each model is characterized by a single-site a priori spin distribution, taken to be even. We state our results in terms of the parameter =s ⁴–3s ²², where s ^k denotes the kth moment of the a priori distribution. Associated with the model is a lattice quantum field theory which is known to contain particles. We show that for >0, small, there exists a bound state with mass below the two-particle threshold. The existence of the bound state has implications for the decay of correlations, i.e., the 4-point functions decay at a slower rate than twice that of the 2-point function. These results are obtained using a lattice version of the Bethe–Salpeter equation. The existence results generalize to N-component models with rotationally invariant a priori spin distributions.     

Hydrogen-like recombination X-ray lasers using ps pulse drivers

We propose a scheme for producing high gain recombination X-ray lasers on hydrogen-like Balmer transitions by irradiating fibre targets with a 2 ps Chirped Pulse Amplification CPA beam of a Nd-glass laser facility. Very high gain coefficients for H-like C, N, O, F, Na Balmer transitions are predicted. The optimum electron density and temperature for maximum gain operation scale approximately asN _e 4 × 10¹³ Z ⁷ cm^–3 and T_e 7 × 10^–3 Z ⁴ eV, respectively, at the time when maximum lasing gain appears. Significant improvement in gain performance of recombination X-ray lasers is predicted by using CPA ps pulse drivers.     

Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ thin films from KrF laser ablation with substrate heating and in situ patterning by CO2 laser radiation

Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7– thin films were deposited by KrF laser ablation while replacing conventional contact heating by cw CO₂ laser irradiation of the substrate front surface. The HTSC films obtained on (100)ZrO₂ showed T _c(R=0)=90 K, T(90–10%)=0.5 K, j _c=2.5 × 10⁶ A/cm², a sharp transition in the ac susceptibility X(T), and pure c-axis orientation. Micrographs of thin films (< 0.5 m) showed a smooth morphology while thick films (>1 m) contained many crystallites sticking in the bulk material. Furthermore, in situ patterning was achieved during deposition by local laser heating of a selected substrate surface area. The resulting planar films contained amorphous, semiconducting parts only 1 mm or less apart from crystalline material showing the above HTSC quality.Presented at LASERION '91, June 12–14, 1991, München (Germany)     

Continuous laser emission from sodium atoms by collision assisted two-step excitation

Continuous laser oscillation on different lines in the spectral range of 1.85 to 3.41 m, corresponding to transitions between higher lying atomic sodium levels, has been obtained by optical excitation of sodium vapor with Rhodamine 6G dye-laser radiation, tuned either around the 3p–4d resonance ( 568 nm) or the 3p–5s resonance ( 615 nm). The pump mechanism consists of an atomic two-step excitation as well as an excitation of diatomic sodium molecules and subsequent molecular-atomic collisional energy transfer. Laser operation with low threshold pump power (<10 mW) and large pump laser detuning (500 GHz) has been observed.     

Analyticity properties of the surface free energy of the Ising model

For an Ising ferromagnet with nearest-neighbour interactions of strengthK and surface magnetic fieldh, the surface free energy in the presence of a positively (or negatively) magnetized zero-field bulk phase is shown to be analytic inh for Reh<K–/, where =2.96 ... and is the inverse temperature. This puts the lower boundK–/ on the values ofh at which wetting and layering transitions can take place.     

The PSI experiments on muon-catalyzed pt fusion

The experiments on pt fusion performed at Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland, are described. Liquid triple mixtures of protium, deuterium and tritium with low concentrations on deuterium and tritium were used. Gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons and, for the first time, conversion muons, were measured. Preliminary results are: Rate for spin flip from the triplet to the singlet state of t(1s), ₁₀=(1.0±0.2) × 10³s^–1; rate for muon-catalyzed pt fusion from the (I=1) nuclear-spin state, _pt ^f (I=1)=0.07±0.01s^–1; and the molecular formation rate, _pt ^m =(7.5±1.3)s^–1 (all normalized to liquid hydrogen density).     

Optical study of praseodymium doped yttrium aluminium garnet

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of YAG crystals doped with praseodymium at 1% level are investigated through dye laser spectroscopy. The spectra can be interpreted as evidence for at least three series of crystallographic sites for Pr³⁺, but only the transitions which involve the ground state are really complex, that is multi-sites like. It is suggested that an electronphonon interaction occurs through resonance with peaks in the density of phonon states and ground state Stark levels in the range 350–750 cm^–1. This creates new vibronic states and the appearance of a large number of lines for transitions involving ground state especially if laser excitation of the fluorescence is used.Presented at the International Symposium on Solid State Chemistry, October 28–31, 1986, Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia.