Determination of the helium-4 mass in a Penning trap

The determination of the rotational quadrupole alignment of diatomic molecules via REMPI detection is investigated. In this process a high focal intensity usually increases the detection probability. At high intensities the AC Stark effect may cause a splitting of the normally degenerate m_J sublevels of a rotational state J beyond the spectral width of the exciting radiation. This leads to a selective detection of only certain m_J states with the consequence that deduced alignment factors can be misleading. From the theoretical considerations line profiles are explicitly calculated for dynamic polarizabilities which represent the B ¹Σ⁺ _u←X ¹Σ⁺ _g transition of H₂, in order to fit an experimental (3+1) REMPI spectrum and to predict (1+1') line shapes as a function of laser intensity. It is further shown that the deduced quadrupole alignment factor A ₀ ⁽²⁾ is significantly changed by the second order AC Stark effect when the intensities are chosen high enough to observe asymmetric broadened line profiles. Different combinations of relative linear polarizations of the exciting and ionizing laser beams are discussed. Received 1st August 2000 and Received in final form 2 May 2001     

Radiative neutrino decays in very strong magnetic fields

The radiative decay ν_H → ν_L + γ of massive neutrinos is analyzed in the framework of the standard model with lepton mixing for very strong magnetic fields B B_cr = m²_e/e 4.14 × 10¹³ G. The analysis is based on the approximate decay amplitude obtained by Gvozdev et al. Numerical results as well as analytical approximations for the decay rate are obtained for energies of the initial neutrino below and above the electron-positron pair creation threshold 2m_e.     

Measurement of number density of lead and thallium see-through hollow cathode discharges with a high resolution Fabry–Pérot spectrometer and by conventional atomic absorption

A see-through hollow cathode lamp, or galvatron, is investigated. A novel method is presented for the measurement of an atomic absorption profile using a quasi-continuum source created by the combination of two line sources and a high-resolution Fabry–Pérot interferometer coupled to a spectrometer. Number densities are calculated from the resulting absorption profiles by the peak absorption coefficient relationship and compare well with results obtained from high-resolution emission measurements. Number densities are also determined for the lead ³ P ₁ metastable state and thallium ² P _1/2 ^o ground state by conventional atomic absorption. A hollow cathode lamp is used as an emission source and is set at a relatively low current to approximate as a line source relative to the galvatron. Due to the relative line widths of the source and absorber, only the lead metastable state results compare to results obtained by saturated fluorescence. PACS 52.25.Tx; 32.70.Jz; 07.60.Ly     

Investigation of the excitation of metastable states of 197Pt and 197Hg in (γ, n) and (d, 2n) reactions

The isomeric ratios of the ^197m,g Pt and ^197m,g Hg yields in the respective (γ, n) reactions are measured for the first time in the energy range 8–17 MeV. The isomeric ratios σ _m/σ_g for ^197m,g Hg in the (d, 2n) reaction are measured in the energy range 8–50 MeV. The experimental data are compared with the results of theoretical calculations. The effect of the structure of low-lying states and of the yrast line on the behavior of σ _m/σ_g is revealed. __________ Translated from Yadernaya Fizika, Vol. 67, No. 5, 2004, pp. 899–905. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Zheltonozhsky, Mazur, Bigan.     

Diffusion of gold in dislocation-free or highly dislocated silicon measured by the spreading-resistance technique

The diffusion of Au in dislocation-free or plastically deformed Si (10¹¹ to 10¹³ dislocations/m²) was measured with the aid of the spreading-resistance technique. The Au profiles produced indislocation-free Si slices by in-diffusion from both surfaces possess nonerfc-type U shapes as predicted by the so-called kick-out diffusion model. This model is used to calculate the contribution of self-interstitials to the (uncorrelated) Si self-diffusion coefficient,D _I ^SD =0.064×exp(–4.80 eV/kT)m² s^–1, from the present and previous data on the diffusivity and solubility of Au in Si in the temperature range 1073–1473 K. Inhighly dislocated Si the diffusion of Au is considerably faster than in dislocation-free Si. From the erfc-type penetration profiles found in this case, effective Au diffusion coefficients were deduced and combined with data on the solubility of Au in Si. ThusC _i ^eq D _i=0.0064 ×exp(–3.93 eV/kT)m² s^–1 was obtained in the temperature range 1180–1427 K, whereC _i ^eq andD _i are the solubility and diffusivity of interstitial Au in Si.     

The magnetic susceptibility of p-type CdSb

The paper gives the measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of p-type CdSb at 77°K on samples crystallographically oriented and cut from single crystals having an acceptor concentration of 2.3×10¹⁵cm^–3, 2.4×10¹⁶ cm^–3 and 1.5×10¹⁷ cm^–3. The anisotropy of the lattice and hole gas contribution was found and the ratio of the hole effective mass obtained from measurement of the transversal magnetoresistivity in p-type CdSb at 77°K [3] was used to determine their absolute values:m _a=0.48m ₀=m _b=0.44m ₀,m _c=0.17m ₀.     

Thermodynamics of the Dimer Formation of 2I,3I-O-(o-Xylylene)-per-O-Me-γ-cyclodextrin: Fluorescence, Molecular Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics

The thermodynamics of the dimer formation of 2^I,3^I-O-(o-xylylene)-per-O-Me-γ-cyclodextrin (XmγCD) in aqueous solution was studied by fluorescence techniques, Molecular Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics. Lifetime averages á t ñ \left\langle \tau \right\rangle , obtained from fluorescence decay profiles upon excitation of the xylylene appended group, were used as the property sensitive to the association process. The dimerization equilibrium constants (K _D) were obtained from non-linear regression analysis of the plots of á t ñ \left\langle \tau \right\rangle against [XmγCD] at several temperatures and they were compared with the values obtained for the counterparts Xmα- and XmβCDs. The van’t Hoff plot allows us to obtain the ΔH and ΔS showing that the dimerization process was also entropically disfavoured. Molecular Mechanics as well as Molecular Dynamics calculations in the presence of water were also employed to study the conformational behaviour of isolated XmγCDs, the possible structure of the dimers formed and the driving forces involved in such association processes. Results indicate that those conformations where Xy moiety does not block the cavity entrance are favoured. Dimers are preferably formed by head-to-head CD approaching. However, the formation of stable head-to-tail is not dismissed.     

Improved Estimation of Protein Rotational Correlation Times fromN Relaxation Measurements

In the study of protein backbone dynamics by¹⁵N relaxation measurements, an initial estimation of the isotropic global correlation time, τ_m, is usually obtained from the averageT₁/T₂ratio of nuclear spins that do not exhibit slow internal motion and withT₂values not significantly shortened by chemical or conformational exchange processes. Different methods have been used for identification of the rates of internal motion. However, the number of nuclear spins included in the τ_mestimation is often larger than the number that ultimately can be fitted to a single-order parameter,S², implying that some nuclear spins involved in the initial τ_mestimation actually have an effective internal correlation time, τ_e, not as fast as assumed. As a consequence, τ_mis underestimated, since internal motion reduces theT₁/T₂ratio. This situation becomes more obvious if the molecule has a large τ_mvalue because the reduction inT₁/T₂ratio arising from internal motion is more significant than for molecules with smaller τ_mand the same degree of internal motion. This Communication describes a more reliable method for identifying nuclear spins which should be excluded from the τ_mestimation because of insufficiently rapid internal motion. This results in an improved τ_mvalue, giving a much better agreement between the number of nuclear spins fitted successfully to a single-order parameter,S², and those used in the τ_mestimation.     

N2-broadening coefficients in the ν4 band of CH4 at room temperature

Using a diode laser spectrometer, we have studied with a great accuracy the N₂-broadening coefficients in the ν₄ band of methane. The experiments were performed at room temperature for lines in the P- and R-branches. We have measured 39 lines in the spectral range 1237–1373 cm⁻¹ with J values between 1 and 12. Each line under study was recorded at four different nitrogen pressures, ranging from 20 to 91 mbar. The collisional half-widths were obtained by fitting individually a theoretical profile on the experimental profile of each line at each N₂-pressure. We fitted the usual Voigt profile, but also the Rautian and Galatry lineshape models which take into account the collisional narrowing due to the molecular confinement (Dicke effect). The Rautian and Galatry fits are always better adjusted on the experimental profiles. For some lines, when the overlapping could not be disregarded, a fit of the blended profiles was performed using the same lineshape models. The collisional broadening coefficients obtained with Galatry and Rautian models are nearly equal and always higher than those derived from Voigt profile. Finally, we compare our results with previous determinations realized for several absorption bands.     

Mean square number fluctuation for a fermion source and its dependence on neutrino mass for the universal cosmic neutrino background

Using the general formulation for obtaining chemical potentialμ of an ideal Fermi gas of particles at temperature T, with particle rest mass m₀ and average density 〈N〉/V, the dependence of the mean square number fluctuation 〈ΔN ²〉/V on the particle mass m₀ has been calculated explicitly. The numerical calculations are exact in all cases whether rest mass energym ₀c² is very large (non-relativistic case), very small (ultra-relativistic case) or of the same order as the thermal energy k_BT. Application of our results to the detection of the universal very low energy cosmic neutrino background (CNB), from any of the three species of neutrinos, shows that it is possible to estimate the neutrino mass of these species if from approximate experimental measurements of their momentum distribution one can extract, someday, not only the density 〈N _v〉/V but also the mean square fluctuation 〈Δ _v ² 〉/V. If at the present epoch, the universe is expanding much faster than thermalization rate for CNB, it is shown that our analysis leads to a scaled neutrino massm _v instead of the actual massm _0v .     

Thermodynamic properties of the most stable gaseous small silicon-carbon clusters in their ground states

The most stable structures of gaseous Si _m C _n (3 ⩽ n+m ⩽ 6) clusters in their ground electronic states are determined with the high level electronic correlation method QCISD(T)/g3large. Thermodynamic properties on heat capacity (C _p,m ^Θ), entropy (S _m ^Θ), Gibbs energy function (−[G ^Θ −H ^Θ(T _r )]/T) and enthalpy function (H ^Θ−H ^Θ(T _r )) are predicted with standard statistical thermodynamics using the structure parameters and vibrational frequencies obtained with B3PW91/6-31G(d) method combined with the electronic excitation energies determined with time dependent density functional (TD DFT) method at B3PW91/6-31G(d) level. The electronic energies are calculated with the accurate model chemistry method at G3(QCI) level of theory and the Δ _f H _m ^Θ (0 K), Δ _f H _m ^Θ (298.15 K) and Δ _f G _m ^Θ (298.15 K) values are predicted. The heat capacities C _p,m ^Θ(T) as a function of temperature within 298.15-2000 K are fitted into analytical equations. The thermodynamic functions at higher temperatures are determined classically by using these equations. Most of the results obtained in this work are consistent with the available experiments.     

Characterization of laser-induced plasma plume: Comparison between Al and Al2O3 targets

Characterization of the plasma plume produced by laser ablation from Al and Al₂O₃ targets was carried out on the basis of the line profile analysis of Al(I) (²P°–²S) emission. The spatial distribution and density parameters of electrons and Al atoms in the plume were obtained by comparing observed spectral line profiles with a theoretical calculation. The results showed different behavior for the Al and Al₂O₃ targets. The Al atoms from the Al₂O₃ target were populated in a smaller region than those from the Al target. PACS 52.38.MF; 52.70.Kz; 52.25.Os     

Contributions to the Gaussian Line Broadening of the Proxyl Spin Probe EPR Spectrum Due to Magnetic-Field Modulation and Unresolved Proton Hyperfine Structure

A simple expression is derived to compute the total Gaussian linewidth of a Voigt line that is broadened by sinusoidal magnetic-field modulation as follows: ΔH^G_pp(H_m)²= ΔH^G_pp(0)²+ κ²H²_m, where ΔH^G_pp(H_m) is the Gaussian linewidth observed with an modulation amplitudeH_m/2 and ΔH^G_pp(0) is the Gaussian linewidth in the limit of zero modulation. The field modulation contributes an additional Gaussian broadening of κH_m, where κ is a constant, which adds in quadrature to ΔH^G_pp(0) to give the total Gaussian linewidth. Denoting the overall linewidth of the Voigt line in the absence of modulation broadening by ΔH⁰_pp(0), it is shown, both by analytical means and by spectral simulation, that the constant κ is equal to 1/2 in the limit ofH_m ΔH⁰_pp(0); however, using values ofH_mas large as ΔH⁰_pp(0) leads to only minor departures from κ = 1/2. The formulation is valid both for Lorentzian and Voigt lines and is tested for 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-1-oxyl-3-carboxylic acid (3-carboxy proxyl) in CCl₄and in aqueous buffer. This spin probe was studied because the proxyl group is the only major spin-probe moiety whose Gaussian linewidth had not been characterized in the literature. For 3-carboxy proxyl, it is found that ΔH^G_pp(0) = 1.04 ± 0.01 G independent of solvent polarity. Precision values of the¹⁴N hyperfine coupling constant for 3-carboxy proxyl at 9.5°C are as follows: 14.128 ± 0.001 G in CCl₄and 16.230 ± 0.002 G in aqueous buffer. The temperature dependence of ΔH^G_pp(0) and the¹⁴N hyperfine coupling constant are reported as empirical equations. Results of the present work taken together with previously published data permits accurate correction for the effects of inhomogeneous broadening due to unresolved hyperfine structure and modulation broadening for the majority of spin probes in common use.     

Parity violation effects in hydrogen atom in forbidden magnetic-dipole transitions

General expressions for the probability of all strongly forbidden magnetic-dipole transitions between states njl and n′jl in the hydrogen atom and light hydrogen-like ions are derived in the lowest order in the parameter (αZ) in the form W _n′jl;njl ^(Ml) = D _n′n ^lj αm _e (αZ)¹⁰ (in relativistic units), where m _e is the electron mass, α is the fine-structure constant, Z is the nuclear charge, and the constants D _n′n ^lj are presented in an analytical form. Using these expressions, the dependence of the degree of parity violation on the principal quantum numbers n and n′ of the lower and upper states in the ns _1/2-n′s _1/2 and np _1/2-n′p _1/2 M1 transitions is systematically analyzed. The results obtained can be used in designing experiments on parity violation in the hydrogen atom.     

Application of the quantum mechanical hypervirial theorems to even-power series potentials

The class of the even-power series potentials,V(r)=-D+∑ _k-0 ^∞ V_kλ^kr^2k+2,V ₀=ω²>0is studied with the aim of obtaining approximate analytic expressions for the nonrelativistic energy eigenvalues, the expectation values for the potential and kinetic energy operators, and the mean square radii of the orbits of a particle in its ground and excited states. We use the hypervirial theorems (HVT) in conjunction with the Hellmann-Feynman theorem (HFT), which provide a very powerful scheme for the treatment of the above and other types of potentials, as previous studies have shown. The formalism is reviewed and the expressions of the above-mentioned quantities are subsequently given in a convenient way in terms of the potential parameters, the mass of the particle, and the corresponding quantum numbers, and are then applied to the case of the Gaussian potential and to the potentialV(r)=−D/cosh²(r/R). These expressions are given in the form of series expansions, the first terms of which yield, in quite a number of cases, values of very satisfactory accuracy.     

混响强度及其衰减规律与脉宽的关系

本文由短脉宽下混响强度的普遍表达式I_r(t,τ)=Kτt^-me^-βt出发,导出对应的可用于长脉宽的混响强度精确表达式,并给出了忽略脉宽尺度范围的指数衰减损失后相应的近似表达式。当指数衰减系数β足够小和脉宽大于有效脉宽τ_m=a_mt(a_m随m增大而减小,m是大于2的实数)时,近程混响强度趋向饱和且随时间t的(m-1)次幂衰减。实验结果与理论符合较好。     

Electronic structure of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> rutile with oxygen vacancies: Ab initio simulations and comparison with the experiment

The electronic structure of TiO₂ rutile with oxygen vacancies, which is a promising insulator, has been analyzed. The ab initio density functional calculations, as well as the comparative analysis of the results obtained in the σ-GGA spin-polarized generalized approximation and those obtained by the σ-GGA + U method with allowance for Coulomb correlations of d electrons titanium atoms in the Hartree-Fock approximation for the Hubbard model, have been performed. It has been found that the effective electron mass in rutile is anisotropic and there are both light (m _e ^* = (0.6–0.8)m ₀, where m ₀ is the free-electron mass) and heavy (m _e ^* > 1m ₀) electrons, whereas holes in rutile are only heavy (m _e ^* ⩾ 2m ₀). It has been shown that the σ-GGA + U method gives a deep occupied level in the band gap and that an oxygen vacancy in rutile is an electron and hole trap.     

A Variable-Temperature X-Band EPR Study of the Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ion in a La<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> Crystal Characterized by Monoclinic Site Symmetry

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on a single crystal of diamagnetic compound La₂Si₂O₇, potentially a phosphorescent/luminescent/laser material, with the Gd³⁺ ion substituting for the La³⁺ ion, were carried out at X-band (9.61 GHz) over the 4–295 K temperature range. The asymmetry exhibited by the Gd³⁺ EPR line positions for the orientations of the external magnetic field about the magnetic Z- and Y-axes in the ZY-plane was ascribed to the existence of monoclinic site symmetry at the site of the Gd³⁺ ion, as confirmed by the significant values of the spin Hamiltonian parameters g _YZ , b ₂ ⁻¹, b ₄ ^−m (m = 1, 3), b ₆ ^−m (m = 1, 3, 5), estimated by fitting all EPR line positions observed at room temperature for the orientation of the magnetic field in the magnetic ZX- and ZY-planes using a rigorous least-squares fitting procedure. At 8 K measurements were only carried out for orientation of B in the magnetic ZX-plane, due to difficulty in orientation of the crystal inside the cryostat, enabling estimation of all spin Hamiltonian parameters b _n ^m except those characterized by negative m values and g _YZ . The absolute sign of the zero-field splitting parameter b ₂ ⁰ was determined to be negative from the relative intensities of the lines at 8 K. Authors' address: Sushil K. Misra, Physics Department, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada     

Submillimetric cyclotron resonance linewidths and electron relaxation time in copper

For the first time submillimetric microwaves (λ<1 mm) are used to observe Azbel' Kaner cyclotron resonance in metals. The very high frequency used (typicallyF≅400 GHz) gives a large value ofωτ (typically 500) and therefore very sharp peaks. The fundamental resonance fieldH _c=m ^* cω/e is rather high (typically 200 KG), so subharmonicsH _c/n can be observed at many values ofH in the field region 0–27 KG. If relatively few electrons participate in the resonance and ifω _cτ≧50 (ω _c=eH/m ^* c,τ relaxation time) thenChambers has shown that the line shapes are independent of relaxation time while the fractional linewidthΔH/H varies as l/ωτ. For the belly orbit in pure copper the conditions of Chambers' theory are satisfied forH≧20 KG parallel to [111] axis.m ^* is a minimum andτ=1.8×10⁻¹⁰ s.     

Search for solar axions produced in the p + d → <Superscript>3</Superscript>He + A reaction

A search for the axioelectric absorption of 5.5-MeV solar axions produced in the p + d → ³He + γ (5.5 MeV) reaction was performed with two BGO detectors placed inside a low-background setup. Constraints on the axion-electron coupling constant were obtained for axions with masses in the (0.1–1.0)-MeV range: g _Ae ≤ (1.8–9.0) × 10⁻⁷. The solar positron flux from A → e⁻ + e⁺ decay was determined for axions with masses m _A > 2m _e. Using the existing experimental data on the interplanetary positron flux, a new constraint on the axion-electron coupling constant for axions with masses in the (1.2–5.4)-MeV range was obtained: g _Ae ≤ (1–5) × 10⁻¹⁷.