Quasiresonant formation of dtμ and ddμ mesic molecules in triple collisions

The quasiresonant mechanism of mesic molecule formation, in triple collisions of the type tμ+D₂+D₂→[(dtμ)d2e]_ν¹+D'₂ is considered. It is shown that at small resonance defects and big D₂ +T₂ mixture densities φ the rate of this process is λ_qr∼φ², and it is comparable with the rate λ_r∼λ of the resonant formation of mesic molecules in reactions of the type tμ+D₂→[(dtμ)d2e]_ν¹. The observable manifestations of the process considered and its role in muon catalyzed fusion in deuterium-tritium mixtures are discussed.     

The mechanism and rate of dtμ formation in solid hydrogen

The partial spectral distribution function for muonic molecule formation turns out to play an important role in understanding the effect of interactions with surrounding spectator molecules. We formulate and numerically calculate it for a solid hydrogen. First of all, in addition to a conventional Lorentzian peak centered at a resonance energy , there appears another very broad peak in the spectral distribution, which extends from the resonance energy to energies higher by the Debye energy _D of the solid. It is shown that the latter corresponds to the spectral distribution of phonon excitations caused by a sudden dt formation. Secondly, a strong intensity borrowing from the Lorentzian peak to the broad one occurs. Thanks to this fact, a large formation rate is yielded for subthreshold transitions. The comparison with Vesman's spectral distribution function, namely, of a dt formation for an isolated D₂, is made.     

New comprehensive calculation of muon initial sticking to 4He in dtμ fusion

The initial αμ sticking probability, , is revisited by a new sophisticated calculation which does not assume the three approximations taken usually in the literature calculations. It is found that magnitude of increases very slightly by the removal of the approximations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temperature and density dependence of μ-catalysis cycling rate in dense D/T and H/D/T gas mixtures

Muon catalyzed dt fusion in dense D/T and H/D/T gas mixtures of hydrogen isotopes is studied by the MCF collaboration at JINR. The measurements were carried out with a high pressure target at the JINR phasotron in the temperature range 300-800 K at mixture densities . Tentative experimental results obtained by several analysis methods are presented. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Shift measurements of Hα and Hβ lines in arc plasmas

Red shifts are reported for the H_α and H_β lines at electron densities of 10¹⁶–10¹⁷ cm^-3. The peak shift of the H_α line agrees with the ELC shift. For the H_β line, the dip shift exceeds the ELC shift systematically. The H_β dip shift is proportional to N_e/T.     

The First Observation of the Temperature-Dependent Phenomenon of Muon Catalyzed Fusion in Solid D–T Mixtures

A systematic study on muon catalyzed fusion (μCF) was conducted in solid deuterium and tritium (D–T) mixture. A variety of experimental conditions were investigated, i.e., tritium concentrations from 20 to 70%, temperatures from 5 to 16 K. A preliminary analysis result suggests a steep decrease in the dtμ-molecule formation rate with decreasing temperature, and also an increase in the probability for a muon reactivation after an α-sticking phenomenon. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

First observation of spin flip in dμ-atoms via formation and back decay of ddμ molecules

We present the results of precision measurements of dμ spin-flip rates in pure D₂, in pure HD gas, and in the non-equilibrium and equilibrium H₂+D₂ gas mixtures. The experiments were performed at PSI in 1994-1996 using the high pressure ionization chamber from Gatchina as a 100% efficient detector of the charged fusion products. The measurements have been carried out in the temperature range 28-300 K, at gas density of 5% of LHD. In pure deuterium, the measured temperature dependence of the spin-flip rate allowed us to separate the two components (resonant and non-resonant) of the spin-flip processes. From the experiments in H/D mixtures we have measured the non-resonant spin-flip rate in collisions of dμ-atoms with HD molecules. Comparison with the theory revealed considerable disagreement in the case of non-resonant spin-flip in collisions of the dμ-atoms with D₂ molecules. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Liquid—liquid interface in a binary mixture of associating fluids exhibiting a closed-loop immiscibility

We investigate the structure and thermodynamic properties of the liquid-liquid interface for a two-component mixture of associating fluids, exhibiting the closed-loop liquid-liquid immiscibility. In the study we apply the density functional approach and evaluate the density profiles, the ratio of unbound particles and the surface tension in order to investigate how those properties depend on the association energy.     

Electron temperature and ion density measurements in a glow discharge of an Ar–N2 mixture

A DC glow discharge produced in N₂ gas can generate several species that are important in different applications, such as the modification of surface properties of materials. A low-pressure glow discharge apparatus was used for the the analysis of the Ar–N₂ mixture at a total pressure of 2.0 Torr, a power of 20 W and 40 l/min flow rate of gases. The emission bands were measured in the wavelength range of 200–1100 nm. The principal elements are N₂, N ₂⁺ and Ar I. The electron temperature was found in the range of 1.72–2.08 eV, and the ion density was in the order of 10¹⁰ cm^?3.     

The heat of mixing of the liquid systems H2D2, H2HD and HDD2

The heat of mixing in the liquid state has been measured for the systems nH₂nD₂, nH₂HD and HDnD₂ at 20.4°K over the entire concentration range. In all cases a cooling was found. The results agree rather well with the values predicted by the theory of Prigogine and coworkers ¹)²)³). The solutions are not regular since the excess entropies are different from zero.     

H/D/T+LiH反应的立体动力学研究

利用准经典轨线方法,在Prudente 等人发表的LiH2体系势能面[Chem. Phys. Lett. 474, 18 (2009)]上研究了原子分子反应H/D/T+LiH →HH/HD/HT+Li的立体动力学性质。在不同碰撞能下分别计算了该反应的反应截面,以及碰撞能为0.25eV时的微分反应截面、角分布P(θr)。计算结果表明,随着碰撞能和攻击原子质量的增加,反应截面逐渐减小。对于所选定的碰撞能,当攻击原子质量增加时,反应产物向前散射趋势增强,向后散射的趋势几乎保持不变,产物的转动角动量j′取向程度增强并且定向于y轴负方向。     

H/D/T+LiH反应的立体动力学研究

利用准经典轨线方法,在Prudente等人发表的LiH2体系势能面[Chem.Phys.Lett.474,18(2009)]上研究了原子分子反应H/D/T+ LiH→HH/HD/HT+ Li的立体动力学性质.在不同碰撞能下分别计算了该反应的反应截面,以及碰撞能为0.25 eV时的微分反应截面、角分布P(θr)、P(φr)和P(θr,φr).计算结果表明,随着碰撞能和攻击原子质量的增加,反应截面逐渐减小.对于所选定的碰撞能,当攻击原子质量增加时,反应产物向前散射趋势增强,向后散射的趋势几乎保持不变,产物的转动角动量j '取向程度增强并且定向于y轴负方向.     

Stereodynamics of the reactions: F+H_2/HD/HT→FH+H/D/T

Among many kinds of ways to study the properties of atom and molecule collision, the quasi-classical trajectory(QCT) method is an effective one to investigate the molecular reaction dynamics. QCT calculations have been carried out to investigate the stereodynamics of the reactions F + H2/HD/HT→FH + H/D/T, which proceed on the lowest-lying electronic states of the FH2 system based on the potential energy surface(PES) of the 12A' FH2 ground state. Although the QCT method cannot describe all quantum effects in the process of the reaction, it has unique advantages when facing a three-atoms system or complicated polyatomic systems. Differential cross sections(DCSs) and three angle distribution functions P(θr), P(φr), P(θr, φr) on the PES at the collision of 2.74 kcal/mol have been investigated. The isotope effect becomes more obvious with the reagent molecule H2 turning into HD and HT. P(θr, φr), as the joint probability density function of both polar angles θr and φr, can reflect the properties of three-dimensional dynamic more intuitively.     

Analysis of the interface configuration and flow characteristics in tanks in a multiphase liquid–gas system using numerical simulation

A multiphase study was conducted using a turbulence model of large eddy simulation to investigate the interaction between the gaseous phase and the interface and its respective behaviour until the liquid phase movement was established, first in the near interface, as well as the presence of turbulent structures in the study of transport between phases. The results are shown for three surface configurations: a surface with waves in which the Reynolds number and friction velocity of the gaseous phase are, respectively, 210 and 0.25 m/s; a surface with small undulations, 86 and 0.10 m/s; and a flat surface, 43 and 0.05 m/s. Coherent structures are detected on both sides of the interface; these are intensified and less elongated for larger Reynolds numbers. Additionally, the interface exhibits distinct behaviour with regard to the examined phases. For the gaseous phase, it behaves like a no-slip surface.     

Examination of wavelength dependent soot optical properties of diesel and diesel/rapeseed methyl ester mixture by extinction spectra analysis and LII measurements

The refractive index of soot is an essential parameter for its optical diagnostics. It is necessary for quantitative interpretation of LII (Laser Induced Incandescence) signals, light scattering or extinction measurements as well as for emissivity calculations. The most cited values have been determined by intrusive methods or without taking into account the soot size distribution and its specific morphology. In the present study, soot generated by the combustion of diesel and diesel/rapeseed methyl ester (RME) mixture (70% diesel and 30% RME) are extensively characterized by taking into account the morphology, the aggregate size distribution, the mass fraction and the spectral dispersion of light. The refractive index m for wavelengths λ between 300 and 1000 nm is determined for diesel and diester fuels by both in-situ and ex-situ methods. The ex-situ method is based on the interpretation of extinction spectra by taking into account soot sizes and fractal morphology with the RDG-FA (Rayleigh–Debye–Gans for Fractal Aggregate) theory. The in-situ approach is based on the comparison of the LII signals obtained with two different excitation wavelengths. The absorption function E(m) and the scattering function F(m) are examined. This study reveals similar optical properties of soot particles generated by both studied fuels even at ambient and flame temperatures. The function E(m) is shown to reach a maximum for λ=250 nm and to tend toward a plateau-like behavior close to E(m)=0.3 for higher wavelength (600<λ (nm)<1000). The function F(m) is found to be quite constant for 400<λ (nm)<1000 and equal to 0.31.     

A new project for the investigation of unsolved problems of ddµ and pdµ catalysis in D2 and H/D mixtures

We propose to study a number of open problems in ddµ and pdµ fusion using the new high-pressure ionization chamber for charged particle identification in coincidence with the n-/e-counter array for the detection of neutrons and µ-decay electrons. Our first objective will be a precise measurement of the absolute rates of resonant and non-resonant ddµ formation in D₂ and HD-gases and their temperature dependence from 40 to 350 K. Both output channels of the dd-reaction:³He + n and t + p will be observed and their ratio sensitive to contributions of S and P-waves will be determined. Simultaneously, we shall investigate the pdµ-cycle and determine the absolute pd-fusion yields in different molecular H/D compositions, observing tritons from nuclear muon capture in³Heµ: pdµ ³Heµ + . We have developed a special system for the preparation of HD-gas with high concentration (96%) of HD and a purity (10^–6).     

Spectral characteristics of the emission from a barrier discharge plasma based on an Ar–H2O mixture in the UV spectral region

We present the results of a study of a barrier-discharge plasma in an Ar–H₂O mixture in the UV region of the spectrum (200–500 nm). The saturated water vapor pressure was varied over the range 2.0–2.5 kPa. A comparative study of the spectral characteristics of the plasma based on water vapor and the Ar–H₂O mixture showed that the intensity of the emission of the A → X band of the OH^● radical increases three-fold in the mixture of water with argon.     

Hydrogen bonding and clusters in supercritical methanol–water mixture by neutron diffraction with H/D substitution combined with empirical potential structure refinement modelling

ABSTRACT

Neutron diffraction measurements of H/D isotopic substitution have been performed for seven H/D substituted methanol-water mixtures of 0.3?mol fraction of methanol (x_M) under the supercritical (618?K, 100?MPa) and ambient (298?K, 0.1?MPa) conditions. The seven structure factors obtained were subjected to an empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR) modelling to derive all site-site pair correlation functions, coordination number distributions, spatial density functions, and cluster distributions. Water has a four coordinated structure in the first coordination shell under both ambient and supercritical conditions; however, the spatial density distribution of water molecules in the second coordination shell is delocalised under the supercritical condition. The mean coordination number of all atomic pairs with hydrophilic interactions decreases in the supercritical state. On the other hand, the mean coordination number of interactions between the hydrophobic part of methanol and water molecule is less sensitive to temperature. In the supercritical condition, water clusters with a wide size distribution are generated in a methanol-water mixture as well as in pure water. Since the critical temperature of a methanol-water mixture is lower than that of pure water, it can be concluded that the addition of methanol can generate fragment water clusters at a lower temperature.