Plasma turbulent reactors: An astrophysical paradigm

In this paper we develop a model system to describe some of the effects of a turbulent astrophysical plasma, in particular, its interaction with relativistic electrons and their radiation. This system is called a plasma turbulent reactor (PTR). We consider first of all the theory of an infinite PTR and show that in such a PTR the relativistic electrons will have a power-law energy distribution. We discuss the analogy between this power-law distribution and the Kolmogrov spectrum in hydrodynamic turbulence. We then discuss the parameter constraints on PTR theory and the applicability of the theory to astrophysical systems, such as galactic nuclei, pulsars, collapsing protostars, and solar flares.     

Cosmic gamma-rays associated with annihilation of relativistic e+ −e− pairs

Results of electron-positron annihilation spectrum investigations are reported. The radiation spectra of an e⁺ ?e^? relativistic maxwellian plasma are presented. We consider the particular case of positron annihilation on electrons at rest. It is shown that for positrons with a suprathermal power law distribution the radiation due to annihilation exceeds bremsstrahlung up to at least ω ≈ 100 mc².     

Propagation regimes of intense circularly polarized laser beam in magnetoactive plasma

This paper presents an analytical and numerical investigation of an intense circularly polarized wave propagating along the static magnetic field parallel to oscillating magnetic field in magnetoactive plasma. In the relativistic regime such a magnetic field is created by pulse itself. The authors have studied different regimes of propagation with relativistic electron mass effect for magnetized plasma. An appropriate expression for dielectric tensor in relativistic magnetoactive plasma has been evaluated under paraxial theory. Two modes of propagation as extraordinary and ordinary exist; because of the relativistic effect, ultra-strong magnetic fields are generated which significantly influence the propagation of laser beam in plasma. The nature of propagation is characterized through the critical-divider curves in the normalized beam width with power plane For given values of normalized density (ω_p/ω) and magnetic field (ω_c/ω) the regions are namely steady divergence (SD), oscillatory divergence (OD) and self-focusing (SF). Numerical computations are performed for typical parameters of relativistic laser-plasma interaction: magnetic field B = 10-100 MG; intensity I = 10¹⁶ to 10²⁰ W/cm²; laser frequency ω = 1.1 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹; cyclotron frequency ω_c = 1.7 × 10¹³ s⁻¹; electron density n_e = 2.18 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³. From the calculations, we confirm that a circularly polarized wave can propagate in different regimes for both the modes, and explicitly indicating enhancement in wave propagation, beam focusing/self-guiding and penetration of E-mode in presence of magnetic field.     

The role of Volkov waves in laser-assisted electron momentum spectroscopy

We analyze theoretically laser-assisted electron-impact ionization of atomic hydrogen at high impact energy and large momentum transfer. Considering linearly polarized laser radiation with frequency ω=10.4 fs−1 and intensity W=4×¹⁰¹² W/cm², we describe the field-dressed hydrogen state within time-dependent perturbation theory. We find that even at such moderate field parameters the laser effects on the incident, scattered, and ejected electrons with energies of 1-2 keV can in a dramatic way influence the dependence of the field-assisted differential cross sections on the recoil proton momentum.     

On the Doppler distortion of the sea-wave spectra

Discussions on a form of a frequency spectrum of wind-driven sea waves just above the spectral maximum have continued for the last three decades. In 1958 Phillips made a conjecture that wave breaking is the main mechanism responsible for the spectrum formation [O.M. Phillips, J. Fluid Mech. 4 (1958) 426]. That leads to the spectrum decay ∼ω⁻⁵, where ω is the frequency of waves. There is a contradiction between the numerous experimental data and this spectrum. Experiments frequently show decay ∼ω⁻⁴ [Y. Toba, J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan 29 (1973) 209; M.A. Donelan, J. Hamilton, W.H. Hui, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London A315 (1985) 509; P.A. Hwang, et al., J. Phys. Oceanogr. 30 (1999) 2753]. There are several ways of the explanation of this phenomenon. One of them (proposed by Banner [M.L. Banner, J. Phys. Oceanogr. 20 (1990) 966]) takes into account the Doppler effect due to surface circular currents generated by underlying waves in the Phillips model.In this article the influence of the Doppler effect on an arbitrary averaged spectrum is considered using both analytic and numerical approaches. Although we mostly concentrated on the very important case of Phillips model, the developed technique and general formula can be used for the analysis of other spectra.For the particular case of Phillips spectra we got analytic asymptotics in the vicinity of spectral maximum and for high frequencies. Results were obtained for two most important angular dependences of the spectra: isotropic and strongly anisotropic. Together with the analytic investigation we performed numerical calculations in a wide range of frequencies. Both high and low frequency asymptotics are in very good agreement with the numerical results.It was shown that at least at low frequencies, the correction to the spectrum due to the Doppler shift is negligible. At high frequencies there is an asymptotic with tail ∼ω⁻³.     

Asymmetry of the angular distribution of radiation of channeled relativistic electrons in optically transparent crystals

It has been shown that optical and ultraviolet radiation from relativistic electrons at planar channeling in optically transparent crystals is characterized by an unusual dependence on the polar and azimuth angles. A fraction of radiation with the frequency ω near which the derivative of the refractive index is nonzero, n'(ω) = dn(ω)/dω ≠ 0, should be observed at an angle close to π/2 with respect to the electron beam. For normal dispersion (n'(ω) > 0), this angle is smaller than π/2, whereas for anomalous dispersion (n'(ω) < 0), it is larger than π/2 (“backward” radiation). A pronounced dependence of the radiation intensity on the azimuth angle φ, i.e., azimuthal asymmetry, appears beyond the region of normal and anomalous dispersion at a fixed polar angle θ. In particular, the ratio of radiation intensities at angles φ = 0 and π/2 at θ = π/2 reaches a maximum value of about the square of the refractive index.     

Relativistic interactions for the meson-two-nucleon system in the clothed-particle unitary representation

The method of unitary clothing transformations put forward in relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) by Greenberg and Schweber and developed by Shirokov is applied to construct a new family of interactions in the meson-two-nucleon system. Along with a brief exposition of its basic elements we show a specific transition from the initial “bare” one-meson and one-nucleon operators and states to their physical “clothed” counterparts. We emphasize that the clothing transformations in question do not alter the original total Hamiltonian, but provides a conceptually more transparent representation of the same Hamiltonian in terms of a new set of operators for particles with physical properties and their relativistic interactions. The Hermitian and energy-independent interaction operators for the processes πN → πN, NN → NN and NN ↔ πNN are derived starting from the Yukawa-type couplings between fermions (nucleons and antinucleons) and bosons (π−, η−, ρ−, ω− mesons, etc.). These types of interaction have a distinctive off-energy-shell structure which is naturally generated by the unitary transformation that removes from the Hamiltonian the (three-leg) πNN vertex coupling.     

Sustained turbulence in the three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii model

We study the three-dimensional forced-dissipated Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We force at relatively low wave numbers, expecting to observe a direct energy cascade and a consequent power-law spectrum of the form k^−α. Our numerical results show that the exponent α strongly depends on how the inverse particle cascade is attenuated at ks lower than the forcing wave-number. If the inverse cascade is arrested by a friction at low ks, we observe an exponent which is in good agreement with the weak wave turbulence prediction k⁻¹. For a hypo-viscosity, a k⁻² spectrum is observed which we explain using a critical balance argument. In simulations without any low k dissipation, a condensate at k=0 is growing and the system goes through a strongly turbulent transition from a 4-wave to a 3-wave weak turbulence acoustic regime with evidence of k^−3/2 Zakharov-Sagdeev spectrum. In this regime, we also observe a spectrum for the incompressible kinetic energy which formally resembles the Kolmogorov k^−5/3, but whose correct explanation should be in terms of the Kelvin wave turbulence. The probability density functions for the velocities and the densities are also discussed.     

Ionization of ytterbium atoms from an excited state

The cross sections of the photoionization and the electron impact-induced ionization of Yb atoms from the excited 6s6p(³ P ₁) state are numerically calculated. Matrix elements are computed in multielectron relativistic and nonrelativistic approximations with allowance for the superposition of configurations and a relaxation effect. The radial part of the electron wavefunction in a continuous spectrum is calculated using the solutions to one-configuration Hartree-Fock and Dirac-Fock equations. The cross sections calculated by a relativistic method are compared to those for a nonrelativistic approximation. The ratios of the radiation reduced matrix elements and the phase shifts of the wavefunctions of a continuous spectrum calculated for the 6p ɛs and 6p → ɛd transitions are compared to the values obtained by approximating the experimental dependences of the angular distribution of photoelectrons for the photoionization by ultraviolet radiation from an oriented excited state.     

The resonance decay function method in the determination of the pre-factor of the Néel relaxation time of single-domain nanoparticles

In its simple form, the relaxation time of the Néel relaxation process of the magnetic moment of single-domain particles is given by τ_N=τ_0Nexp(σ), σ being the ratio of anisotropy energy to thermal energy. The pre-factor, τ_0N, is normally given a value of 10⁻⁹ s, but values ranging from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² s have been reported in literature. Here, by means of the field and frequency dependence of the complex magnetic susceptibility, χ(ω,H)=χ′(ω,H)−iχ″(ω,H), of a magnetic fluid sample, in the MHz-GHz range, in conjunction with the determination of the sample decay function, b(t), the pre-factor τ_0N is determined. b(t) is readily obtained through the inverse Fourier transformation relationship, which exists between b(t) and χ″(ω).     

The first high-resolution analysis of the low-lying ν9 band of propane

The ν₉ fundamental band (C-C-C deformation) of propane (C₃H₈) at 369 cm⁻¹ has been studied at high-resolution (0.0011 cm⁻¹) with spectra recorded using the synchrotron radiation from the French light source facility at SOLEIL coupled to a Bruker IFS 125HR Fourier transform spectrometer. A 2.526 m base multipass cell with optical paths from 10.296 to 151.78 m was used. In addition, a spectrum was also recorded using a conventional globar source. Comparison of these experimental spectra shows clearly the gain obtained on the signal-to-noise ratios with the synchrotron radiation. The spectra have been thoroughly analyzed and transitions up to J=65 and K_a=33 have been assigned. The upper-state rotational levels were fitted using an A-type Watson Hamiltonian written in the I^r representation. An accurate band center ν₀ (ν₉)=369.228080(25) cm⁻¹ as well as accurate rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been obtained and used to simulate a synthetic spectrum. These parameters should be useful to simulate hot bands of propane involving the 9¹ vibrational level as their lower state.     

Heat capacity and low-frequency vibrational density of states. Inferences for the boson peak of silica and alkali silicate glasses

A simple method is used to determine in an absolute way the low-frequency part of the vibrational density of states, g(ω), from inversion of low-temperature heat capacities of glasses. Calculations have been made from adiabatic measurements performed from 10 to 300 K for vitreous SiO₂ and a series of Li, Na and K silicate glasses with up to 50 mol% metal oxide. In all cases, the calculated low-frequency feature is made up of two bands whose maxima lie between 100 and 140 cm⁻¹ and near 400 cm⁻¹. Both the frequency and intensity of the first peak of g(ω) increase linearly with metal oxide content from pure SiO₂ to the metasilicate stoichiometry, reflecting weaker bonding with nonbridging oxygens in the order Li, Na, K, i.e., in order of increasing cationic radius and mass. As represented by the peaks found below 50 cm⁻¹ in plots of g(ω)/ω² vs. ω and below 20 K in plots of C_p/T³ vs. T, the boson peak varies in a different way with composition. Its intensity increases with increasing polymerization for Li and Na silicates whereas the converse holds true for K silicates. These variations agree with the enhancement of the contribution of floppy modes and transverse acoustic modes to the low-frequency vibrational density of states that has previously been reported, but they also point to the importance of localized vibrations in which network modifier cations participate. For either the first peak of g(ω) or the boson peak, however, the size of the alkali cation exerts a stronger influence than the degree of polymerization of the anionic framework. Finally, the universal phenomenology of the boson peak is borne out by the collapse of the calorimetric data on a single master curve when one plots the measurements in a reduced form by using the intensity and position of the peaks as scaling parameters.     

Scattering of relativistic electrons by a focused laser pulse

The problem of the motion of a classical relativistic electron in a focused high-intensity laser pulse is solved. A new three-dimensional model of the electromagnetic field, which is an exact solution of Maxwell’s equations, is proposed to describe a stationary laser beam. An extension of the model is proposed. This extension describes a laser pulse of finite duration and is an approximate solution of Maxwell’s equations. The equations for the average motion of an electron in the field of a laser pulse, described by our model, are derived assuming weak spatial and temporal nonuniformities of the field. It is shown that, to a first approximation in the parameters of the nonuniformities, the average (ponderomotive) force acting on a particle is described by the gradient of the ponderomotive potential, but it loses its potential character even in second order. It is found that the three-dimensional ponderomotive potential is asymmetric. The trajectories of relativistic electrons moving in a laser field are obtained and the cross sections for scattering of electrons by a stationary laser beam are calculated. It is shown that reflection of electrons from the laser pulse and the surfing effect are present in the model studied. It is found that for certain impact parameters of the incident electrons the asymmetic ponderomotive potential can manifest itself effectively as an attractive potential. It is also shown that even in the case of a symmetric potential the scattering cross section contains singularities, known as rainbow scattering. The results are applicable for fields characterized by large (compared to 1) values of the dimensionless parameter η² = e ²〈E ²〉/m ²ω² and arbitrary electron energies.     

Transition radiation by neutrinos

We calculate the transition radiation process ν→νγ at an interface of two media. The neutrinos are taken to be with only standard-model couplings. The medium fulfills the dual purpose of inducing an effective neutrino-photon vertex and of modifying the photon dispersion relation. The transition radiation occurs when at least one of those quantities have different values in different media. The neutrino mass is ignored due to its negligible contribution. We present a result for the probability of the transition radiation which is both accurate and analytic. For Eν=1 MeV neutrino crossing polyethylene-vacuum interface the transition radiation probability is about ¹⁰−39 and the energy intensity is about ¹⁰−34 eV. At the surface of the neutron stars the transition radiation probability may be ∼¹⁰−20. Our result is by the three orders of magnitude larger than those of previous calculations.     

Effects on spectroscopic properties for several low-lying electronic states of CS molecule by core-valence correlation and relativistic corrections

The potential energy curves (PECs) of six low-lying electronic states (X¹Σ⁺, a³Π, a′³Σ⁺, d³Δ, e³Σ⁻ and A¹Π) of CS molecule have been investigated using the full valence complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method followed by the highly accurate valence internally contracted multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) approach with large correlation-consistent basis sets. Effects on the PECs by the core-valence correlation and relativistic corrections have been taken into account. And the two corrections are performed at the level of cc-pV5Z basis set. The way to consider the relativistic corrections is to use the second-order Douglas-Kroll Hamiltonian approximation. Using the CCSD(T), MRCI and MRCI with the Davidson modification (MRCI + Q), the PECs of electronic states involved are extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. With the PECs, the spectroscopic parameters (T_e, R_e, ω_e, ω_ex_e, ω_ey_e, α_e, β_e, γ_e and B_e) of the six low-lying electronic states are determined. These parameters are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The complete vibrational states are computed for the six low-lying electronic states when the rotational quantum number J equals zero, and the inertial rotation constants of the first 23 vibrational states are reported, which agree favorably with the RKR data. Comparison with the measurements shows that the two-point total-energy extrapolation scheme can obviously improve the quality of spectroscopic parameters and molecular constants.     

High resolution analysis of the ν12 and ν17 fundamental bands of acrolein, CH2CHCHO, in the 600 cm region

Synchrotron radiation from the new Canadian Light Source facility has been used to obtain a high resolution (0.0012 cm⁻¹) absorption spectrum of acrolein vapor in the 550-660 cm⁻¹ region. Almost 2000 transitions have been included in a detailed analysis of the ν₁₂ (∼564 cm⁻¹) and ν₁₇ (∼593 cm⁻¹) fundamental bands which yielded precise values for the band origins, rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters. The analysis included the a- and b-type Coriolis interactions connecting ν₁₂ and ν₁₇, as well as an a-type Coriolis interaction between ν₁₇ and a “dark” perturbing state, identified as 4ν₁₈. We believe that this is the first high resolution infrared study of acrolein.     

Study of complex refractive indices of gold and copper using emissivity measurements

We show from emissivity measurement that it is possible to determine the complex refractive index for smooth and opaque materials.⁽¹⁾ Moreover, for noble metals, Drudes's completed model can be used;⁽²⁾ thanks to the variations of the complex index as a function of the wavelength the; values of the plasma and relaxation frequency for conduction electrons (ω_p and ω_τ) respectively can be determined; First, we have shown how emissivity measurements can lead to values of (ω_p and ω_τ) (this study has been carried out on copper). Then we have computed deduced and determined a general dispersion formula as a function of temperature and frequency for, using gold for the experiments because of its chemical stability. Variation of zero frequency relaxation frequency with temperature due to interaction between conduction electrons and phonons matches Debye's model well,⁽³⁾ as has been verified. Relaxation frequency increases with the square of the radiation frequency, this behaviour due to interactions between conduction electrons had been described by Gurzhi,⁽⁴⁾ and verified. With the chosen model we are able to describe macroscopic properties of the emission radiation in the given range of temperature and wavelength with minimum requirement of parameters.⁽⁵⁾