Acceleration of cold Rb atoms by frequency modulated light pulses

The displacement of Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) caused by the force of a finite time series of counter-propagating frequency modulated light pulse pairs is measured as a function of the chirp of the pulses. The frequency modulated light pulses induced ⁸⁵Rb 5²S_1/2 F=3 ↔ ⁸⁵Rb 5²P_3/2 F'=2, 3, 4 excitation and de-excitation of the atoms. The result of this excitation de-excitation process is a force causing the acceleration and, consequently, the displacement of the maximum of the spatial distribution of the trap atoms. The time dependence of the populations of the levels of the atom are calculated — including also the ⁸⁵Rb 5²S_1/2 F=2 and F'=1 states — as the result of the interaction with the finite train of counter propagating frequency modulated light pulses by the solution of the Bloch equations. As the result of the measurement the interval of the chirp of the frequency modulated light of given intensity where the transitions take place, are determined. The results of the experiment and the expectation on the basis of model calculations are in qualitative agreement.     

Study of 14N NQR response to SORC pulse sequence

The behavior of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) signals between RF pulses of the strong off-resonance comb (SORC) as well as the spin-locking spin-echo (SLSE) pulse sequences was studied as for ¹⁴N NQR line ν _?+? of dimethylnitramine (CH₃)₂NNO₂ at 77 K. The periodic variation of the signal amplitude observed by using SORC pulse sequence could be reasonably explained by the theoretical expression reported in the literature.     

Ba nuclear resonance in YBa2Cu2Oy

The first observations of NMR and NQR of both isotopes¹³⁵Ba and¹³⁴Ba in isotopically enriched samples of YBa₂Cu₃O_y with oxygen concentrations y=6.0, 6.2, and 7.0 are described. The pure NQR frequencies and asymmetry parameter are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The temperature dependence of the NQR frequency of Ba for y=7 is qualitatively similar to that for Cu(2) but much stronger. The temperature dependence of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times opens new questions.     

Measurement of temperature and temperature gradient in?millimeter samples by chlorine NQR

A mini-thermometer based on the ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) frequency temperature dependence in the chlorates KClO₃ and NaClO₃ was built and successfully tested by measuring temperature and temperature gradient at 77 K and higher in about 100 mm³ active volume of a mini Joule–Thomson refrigerator. In the design of the tank-circuit coil, an array of small coils connected in series enabled us (a) to achieve a suitable ratio of inductance to capacity in the NQR spectrometer input tank circuit, (b) to use a single crystal of KClO₃ or NaClO₃ (of 1–2 mm³ size) in one coil as a mini-thermometer with a resolution of 0.03 K and (c) to construct a system for measuring temperature gradients when the spatial coordinates of each chlorate single crystal within an individual coil are known.     

Relaxation effects in two-dimensional zero-field nutation NQR spectroscopy

The relaxation and off-resonance effects on the NQR (nuclear quadrupole resonance) nutation frequency and on the damping constant of the nutation spectrum for spinsI = 3/2 are considered. Using the solution of dynamic equations for nuclear magnetisation in the rotating frame, we obtained a general expression for determination of the asymmetry parameter η, which includes the relaxation time and frequency offset. Specific requirements for the RF (radio frequency) field allowing the presence of nutation and the sufficient resolution of nutation spectra are determined. It is shown that at low RF field it is necessary to take into account theT ₂ relaxation effect on the location of frequency singularities in the nutation spectrum. The values ofH ₁ andT ₂ must be exactly known in nutation NQR spectroscopy. The 2D NQR spin-echo separation technique was used for determination of transverse relaxation of individual spin packets in case of inhomogeneously broadened NQR lines, so that the asymmetry parameter could then be determined by the nutation experiment with consideration of relaxation effects and frequency offset. The theoretical results are confirmed experimentally for the narrow and inhomogeneously broadened 2D-nutation NQR spectra in several molecular compounds containing the³⁵Cl and⁷⁵As nuclei.     

Three-Frequency Composite Multipulse Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Technique for Explosive Detection

New method of multifrequency nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) for the explosive detection has been proposed. This technique consists of application of the series of composite excitation circles, each consisting of two or three successive pulses of different frequencies. In this work, we study in detail the multipulse sequence consisting of n excitation sets, each set consists of three pulses. The first pulse is applied with frequency ?? _?, the second pulse with frequency ?? ₀, and the third pulse with frequency ?? _?C, but with a shifted phase. The NQR signal is detected at the frequency ?? ₊. The maximal amplitude of the detected signal is obtained by tuning the pulse parameters at frequencies ?? _? and ?? ₀. We have shown that the phase of the NQR signal at the frequency ?? ₊ second part of the composite pulse with the frequency ?? ₀ the signals with different phases to suppress the spurious signals. The method could be used for increasing the NQR signal, avoiding the spurious signals and improving the reliability of NQR detection. Possible applications of the method for the explosive detection are also discussed.     

Studies of molecular dynamics of thiazides by<Superscript>35</Superscript>Cl NQR spectroscopy and DFT calculation

Molecular dynamics of three derivatives of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), althiazide (ATZ) and chlorothiazide (CTZ), was studied by³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the resonance frequency was analyzed within the 6 known standard models. The activation energies estimated from the temperature dependence of the³⁵Cl NQR frequency assuming the Bayer model were 1.07, 2.35 and 2.76 kJ/mol for HCTZ, ATZ and CTZ respectively, which confirms that HCTZ is less rigid than CTZ and ATZ is much more rigid than HCTZ, and suggests that the mechanism of relaxation is based on small amplitude librations. The characteristic temperatures estimated from the Bayer model, with that for CTZ (332.5 K) being much higher than for HCTZ (132.1 K), mean that the intermolecular interactions in CTZ are much stronger than in HCTZ, as suggested by the melting point of CTZ being higher than that for HCTZ. For ATZ the characteristic temperature (288 K) takes an intermediate value, which suggests that the intermolecular interactions in this compound are stronger than in HCTZ and weaker than in CTZ. A significant narrowing of the resonance³⁵Cl NQR line observed for all these compounds at room temperature, relative to that at the liquid nitrogen temperature, suggests an averaging of dipolar interactions as a result of fast rotation of nonquadrupole nuclei in the vicinity of the quadrupole nuclei, when 2πν_Qτ_c ≫ 1 (a rotation of the −NH₂ group in the direct neighborhood of the chlorine nuclei) or a change in the gradient orientation with its value preserved (which is equivalent to rotation of the quadrupole nucleus Cl). The influence of the rotations of the −NH₂ and −CH₂SCH₂CH=CH₂ groups (ATZ) or −CHCl₂ group (TCTZ) on the³⁵Cl NQR frequency was modelled by the B3LYP/6-31G^* method. The frequencies of the libration vibrations calculated from the temperature dependence of the NQR resonance frequency were compared with experimental ones and those implied by the density functional theory, infrared and Raman spectra. For HCTZ the anomalies in the temperature dependence of the³⁵Cl NQR frequency, the lack of hysteresis and small but notable changes in the slope and the jump in the frequency observed at 253 K which does not exceed 0.05 MHz suggest a second-order phase transition at 253 K.     

Interaction of frequency modulated light pulses with rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap

The spatial displacement of the ⁸⁵Rb atoms in a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) under the influence of series of frequency modulated light pulse pairs propagating opposite to each other is measured as a function of the time elapsed after the start of the pulse train, and compared with the results of simulations. Adiabatic excitation and consecutive de-excitation take place between the ground 5²S_1/2 (F=3) and the 5²P_3/2 (F'=2, 3, 4) excited levels as the result of the interaction. The displacement of the ⁸⁵Rb atoms is calculated as the solution of simple equation of motion where the expelling force is that arising from the action of the frequency modulated light pulses. The restoring and friction forces of the MOT are taken into account also. The system of Bloch equations for the density matrix elements is solved numerically for transitions between six working hyperfine levels of the atom interacting with the sequence of the frequency modulated laser pulses. According to these simulations, the momentum transferred by one pulse pair is always smaller than the expected 2ħk, (1) where ħ is the Plank constant and k=2π/λ where λ is the wavelength, (2) having a maximum value in a restricted region of variation of the laser pulse peak intensity and the chirp.     

75As, 63Cu NMR and NQR characterization of selected arsenic minerals

The direct measurement and identification of solid state arsenic phases using ⁷⁵As NMR is made difficult by the simultaneous conditions of large quadrupole moment and low coordination symmetry in many compounds. However, specific arsenic minerals can efficiently be detected and discriminated via nuclear quadrupolar resonance (NQR). We report on the first NMR and NQR measurements in the natural minerals enargite (Cu₃AsS₄), niccolite (NiAs), arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and loellingite (FeAs₂). The NQR frequencies have been determined from both high-field NMR powder patterns and via zero-field frequency sweeps. Density functional theory (DFT) based ab initio calculations support the experimental results. The compounds studied here are common in terms of the known set of As-containing minerals. They are sometimes encountered in the context of base metal or gold mining. The study represents a significant addition to the list of arsenic minerals that can now be detected with NQR techniques.     

63Cu NQR in copper (II) compounds

We report observations of ⁶³Cu NQR in CuF₂, KCuF₃, and RbCuF₃ in the paramagnetic state, NQR line widths of ⁶³Cu in CuF₂ and CuBr₂ and of ⁸¹Br in CuBr₂, SnBr₂ and ZnBr₂. The NQR resonances of certain Cu (II) paramagnetic compounds are exchange-narrowed to values commensurate with linewidths of the diamagnetic infinite-lattice compounds.     

Magnetic resonance investigations of phase transitions and modulation wave motions in incommensurate solids

We measured⁸⁷Rb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) Hahn spin-echo magnetization decays in the incommensurate (I) phase of Rb₂ZnCl₄ and, in each case, obtained a Hahn echo decay that was shorter than the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill decay and one which decayed with a time constant proportional to the cube of the echo time. From these measurements we obtained from both the⁸⁷Rb NMR and³⁵Cl NQR measurements values for the diffusion coefficients that are comparable in magnitude, a fact that strongly supports the existence of slow modulation wave diffusionlike motions in the I phase, since such motions should affect both Rb and Cl ions similarly. In addition, we used⁸⁷Rb two-dimensional exchange-difference NMR to study atomic motions in the incommensurate (I) and paraelectric (P) phases to elucidate the nature of the I-P transition. We measured as a function of the mixing time the frequency shifts of the cross peaks from the main diagonal and observed a gradual increase towards an asymptotic value in the I phase but a sudden jump to the final value in the P phase. We interpreted the motions observed in the P phase as normal modes arising from simultaneous reorientations of ZnCl₄ tetrahedra and corresponding Rb ions displacements between two sites. These normal modes freeze out in the I phase and change to the diffusionlike motion of the modulation wave. We also performed³⁵Cl NQR lineshape andT ₁ measurements in K₂ZnCl₄ and obtained conclusive evidence for the presence of a narrow 1q (singly modulated) I phase between 146 and 149 K.     

Nuclear quadrupole resonance of norephedrine

Toward searching for illegal drugs, we investigated the pulsed nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) response of ¹⁴N in (1R,2S)-(-)-norephedrine, based on the predictions of quantum chemical calculations. Two pairs of spectral lines (ν₊=3.089, 3.093 MHz and ν₋=2.594, 2.608 MHz) were observed despite its molecule structure having only a single nitrogen atom. This indicates that the molecular crystal has two nonequivalent nitrogen atoms in the unit cell. The temperature dependence of the NQR frequencies and relaxation properties were investigated for the purpose of accurate remote sensing of the drugs. The NQR frequency shift was approximately 0.23 kHz/K around room temperature. The spin-lattice relaxation and spin-phase memory times were 5.2–10.2 ms and 0.6–1.5 ms, respectively.     

Influence of relaxation on the two-dimensional nutational nuclear-quadrupole-resonance spectra

The influence of relaxation and frequency detuning on the nutational frequency and the damping factor of a nutational interference pattern is analyzed. It is established that relaxation leads to decrease in nutational frequency, while detuning increases the nutation frequency. A relation is obtained between the relaxation times and the frequency detuning at which the influence of both factors cancels out. Conditions such that singularities of the nutational nuclear-quadrupole-resonance (NQR) spectrum (I=3/2) may be resolved are determined, and a formula for the asymmetry parameter ν is obtained, taking account of relaxation. Having determined the region of existence of nutation and established the conditions under which the singularities of the NQR spectrum of the powder (I=3/2) may be resolved, the asymmetry parameter may be reliably determined from the experimental nutational spectrum of the powder. Experimental nutational³⁵Cl NQR spectra are given for TiCl₄ and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine. Kaliningrad State University, Baltiisk State Academy of the Russian Federation, Kaliningrad. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 12, pp 66–71, December, 1998.     

Anomalous H/D isotope effect on 35Cl NQR frequencies in piperidinium p-chlorobenzoate

Anomalous isotope effects were detected in the ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) frequency of piperidinium p-chlrobenzoate (C₅H₁₀NH· ClC₆H₄COOH) by deuteration of hydrogen atoms. The atoms were determined to form two kinds of N–H···O type H-bonds in the crystal structure. Large frequency shifts of the ³⁵Cl resonance lines reaching 288 kHz at 77 K and 278 kHz at room temperature were caused upon deuteration, in spite of the fact that the Cl atoms in the molecule do not form hydrogen bonds in the crystal. Results of single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements and density-functional-theorem calculations suggest that a dihedral-angle change of 1.8° between benzene and the piperidine ring contributes to ³⁵Cl NQR anomalous frequency shifts.     

NQR investigations of high-T c superconducting oxides

Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of⁶³Cu has been performed to study the electronic and magnetic properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.1 ceramics, treated in iodine or bromine vapours. An analysis of the NQR shows undistorted CuO₂ planes and the absence of an increase of the oxygen content in chains of Cu(1)-O in halogen treated Y-Ba-Cu-O ceramics.¹³⁹La NQR spin-lattice relaxation measurements in powdered La_2?x CuO_4?y compounds are also reported. The present results indicate that the¹³⁹La nuclear relaxation is dominated by the Cu⁺⁺-Cu⁺⁺ magnetic correlations.     

Modification of SSFP technique for the effective detection of NQR signals

Modification of the steady-state free precession (SSFP) multi-pulse technique for the effective detection of the NQR signals in the presence of a strong coherent noise is proposed. This modification based on the use of additional blocks of the pulses and phase cycling technique enables the suppression of the coherent noise signals such as the magneto-acoustic and piezoelectric signals or the ringing signals from the NQR probe. Experimental results of applying the proposed technique to nitrogen-14 NQR in the sample of RDX (C₃H₆N₆O₆) are presented and convincingly demonstrate its effectiveness.     

Copper NQR study of the La 214 system from an aspect of microscopic environment of copper

The nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) has been investigated for Cu in La_2–x A _x CuO _y (A=Sr and Ba). Three Cu NQR lines, A, B and C, have been observed, which correspond to three different Cu sites. From the analysis of these NQR intensities, site assignments are possibly as follows. These lines A, B and C are attributed to CuO₆ octahedral, CuO₅ pyramidal and CuO₄ planar sites, respectively. The apical oxygen O(2) is induced to transfer to the interstitial O(3) site between LaO planes when two or more Sr²⁺ ions are located in its neighboring La sites. The excess holes doped into the CuO₂ plane are provided mainly by O(3) as well as the unpaired Sr²⁺ ion.     

NQR and magnetic characteristics of the solid solution of NaClO3-KClO3

We measured the nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of the solid solutions of NaClO₃-KClO₃ in the range of concentrations from 0 to 100% molar of KClO₃ in (NaClO₃ + + KClO₃). The thermal diagram of the measured samples showed, that the solubility of the components in each other is limited. It is shown that up to 88·6% molar of KlCO₃ it is possible to identify signals at a frequency which almost exactly corresponds to the NQR frequency of NaClO₃, from this concentration the signals belong to the NQR frequency of KClO₃. At the same time the width of the line shows anomalies in samples containing up to 10% KClO₃ or up to 10% NaClO₃. Broadening of the NQR line to the value 35 kHz in this region was interpreted as a result of prevalence of the size-effect, when the solid solution consists of a mixed crystal of one of the components with such a number of cations of the other component, which is sufficient to produce a chaotic order around the resonanting Cl³⁵ nucleus and such alterations of the electrical field gradient, that they will widen the line.We have also interpreted the deviations of the resonance frequency and linewidth corresponding to the monocrystalline, polycrystalline and melted modifications of the pure NaClO₃ and KClO₃ components.The dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibility of the solid solutions on the concentration of KClO₃ in NaClO₃ + KClO₃ is not linear, it has a peak at the concentration that belongs to the eutectic state, when the chaotic order of the ions Na¹⁺, K¹⁺, (ClO₃ ^1– around any of them is most perfect. At this concentration Van Vleck's polarization paramagnetism is minimum and because it is positive, the total negative value of susceptibility of the material is maximum.     

The two-frequency nuclear quadrupole resonance for explosives detection

The two-frequency nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of¹⁴N nuclei is described for purposes of explosives detection. Two applications are known: two-frequency NQR for increasing the signal intensity, two-frequency NQR for improved reliability of explosives detection. The two-frequency experiments were carried out in hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine C₃H₆N₆O₆ and sodium nitrite NaNO₂ as a substitute for octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocycine C₄H₈N₈O₈. The two-frequency sequences for NQR are proposed for increasing the amplitude of NQR signal and improvement of detection condition.