Deviations from exponential decay in quantum mechanics

The usual quantum mechanical explanation of exponential decay is not exact. The approximations made lead to an average lifetime which can also be obtained directly using Fermi's Golden Rule. The question whether or not quantum mechanical decay is always exponential was recently raised again in connection with the possible decay of the proton. In this paper we derive a new criterion for the length of the non-exponential decay era. A formalism for general quantum systems is used to derive an exact expression for the survival probability in terms of a spectral density function. This expression is used for numerical studies. We find that in general, for short times, the decay is not exponential. In some cases a quadratic law is followed instead.     

SIMCA法判别分析木材生物腐朽的研究

木材是一种生物质材料,容易受到各种微生物的危害,生物腐朽可以迅速导致木材结构的破坏,因此,对木材生物腐朽的快速、准确地检测或鉴定具有重要意义。近几年来,近红外光谱和SIMCA方法正被用于识别或检测食品、药品和农产品等研究中,因此,本研究尝试利用近红外光谱结合SIMCA方法来检测木材的生物腐朽。研究结果表明,应用近红外光谱和SIMCA方法能有效地判别木材的生物腐朽类型,通过培训集样本建立的基于PCA分析的SIMCA判别模型对未腐朽、白腐和褐腐三种类型样本进行回判,判别准确率分别为100%, 82.5%和100%;而对未知腐朽类型的样本(包括未腐朽、白腐和褐腐样本),判别准确率分别为100%, 85%和100%;SIMCA方法对未腐朽和褐腐类型的判别准确率均达到100%,但对白腐样本都有错判,造成这种错判的主要原因可能是由于样本包括的信息不够丰富以及腐朽初期白腐和褐腐试样的性质差异太小等。     

Assessment of liver fat quantification in the presence of iron

This study assesses the stability of magnetic resonance liver fat measurements against changes in T2* due to the presence of iron, which is a confound for accurate quantification. The liver T2* was experimentally shortened by intravenous infusion of a super paramagnetic iron oxide contrast agent. Low flip angle multiecho gradient echo sequences were performed before, during and after infusion. The liver fat fraction (FF) was calculated in co-localized regions-of-interest using T2* models that assumed no decay, monoexponential decay and biexponential decay. Results show that, when T2* was neglected, there was a strong underestimation of FF and with monoexponential decay there was a weak overestimation of FF. Curve-fitting using the biexponential decay was found to be problematic. The overestimation of FF may be due to remaining deficiencies in the model, although is unlikely to be important for clinical diagnosis of steatosis.     

Direct proton decay of 0.56-s147Tm and search for this decay mode among very neutron-deficient isotopes with 53≦Z≦67

The earlier preliminary assignment of a 1,055±6 keV proton line to direct proton decay of¹⁴⁷Tm is supported by cross bombardment measurements and by a negative result from a positron-proton coincidence experiment. The half-life was remeasured to be 0.56 ±0.04s. For two types of thermal ion sources, overall efficiencies were estimated for on-line mass separation of known short-lived isotopes of promethium, europium, terbium, and holmium. Direct proton decay was searched for among very neutron-deficient isotopes of these elements, and of iodine and caesium. No evidence for direct proton decay was found. Based on estimated overall efficiencies, on calculated cross-sections, and on predictions from the gross-theory ofβ decay, half-life limits for direct proton decay were deduced.     

Measured lifetime of SF6-

The lifetime of the SF6 anion was measured at the electrostatic ion storage ring ELISA, where decays in the time span from 100 mus to a few seconds were recorded. We find a nonexponential decay with an approximate t(-1.5) power-law dependence. The observed decay rate is accounted for by a model for thermionic emission that takes into account the initial energy spread of the SF6 molecule prior to electron capture as well as some kinetic energy of the captured electron in the applied plasma-ion source. The energy dependent decay rate is described by an Arrhenius decay constant with a pre-exponential factor and the electron affinity.     

The microscopic approach to the rates of radioactive decay by emission of heavy clusters

We have applied a simple microscopic decay theory to the analysis of the rare decay modes. The absolute decay rates are estimated by using the shell model and resonance formation factors and optical model penetrabilities. The resonance formation factors are deduced from the strong interaction form of the theory where the wave function in the internal region is represented in terms of compound nucleus decay. In order to account fully for the data, the implication of internal degrees of freedom was found to be necessary, but no adjustment of Gamow factor was needed. The results have been discussed in the light of the previously reported results and data.     

多孔硅微秒光致发光衰减

在微秒范围内测量了多孔硅的光致发光衰减,研究了衰减参数与发光波长、样品制备条件的关系,发现衰减参数与发射波长有关,但不依赖于样品制备条件。用发光三层模型解释了实验结果。     

β+ decay of unstable praseodymium isotopes: 127Pr, 126Pr and the new isotope 125Pr

The β⁺ decay of ^127,126,125Pr was studied for on-line mass-separated sources. The decay scheme of ¹²⁷Pr reported previously was revised from the results of a more-detailed analysis of the experimental data. The ¹²⁵Pr isotope was newly identified with a half-life of 3.3(7) s and its decay scheme is presented. The γ band in ¹²⁶Ce was identified in the decay of ¹²⁶Pr and its properties are compared with the prediction of the interacting boson model 2.     

Direct mass measurements on the superallowed emitter 74Rb and its daughter 74Kr: isospin-symmetry-breaking correction for standard-model tests

The decay energy of the superallowed beta decay 74Rb(beta+)74Kr was determined by direct Penning trap mass measurements on both the mother and the daughter nuclide using the time-of-flight resonance technique and was found to be Q=10 416.8(4.5) keV. The exotic nuclide 74Rb, with a half-life of only 65 ms, is the shortest-lived nuclide on which a high-precision mass measurement in a Penning trap has been carried out. Together with existing data for the partial half-life as well as theoretical corrections, the decay energy yields a comparative half-life of Ft=3084(15) s for this decay, in agreement with the mean value for the series of the lighter nuclides from 10C to 54Co. Assuming conserved vector current, this result allows for an experimental determination of the isospin-symmetry-breaking correction deltaC.     

Decay of the 55 min and 12 min Te isomers

Gamma rays emitted in the decay of the ¹³³Te isomers, 55.4 min ^133mTe and 12.5 min ^133gTe, have been observed with Ge(Li) detectors. Sources were prepared by separating Sb from fission products, allowing several minutes for decay of 2.7 min ¹³³Sb and then separating the Te daughter activities. A total of 29 γ-rays between 312 and 2541 keV were attributed to decay of ^133gTe and 30 from 74 to 2050 keV to that of ^133mTe. Gamma-gamma coincidences in the decay of ^133gTe were observed with a NaI(Tl)---Ge(Li) set-up. The decay scheme of ^133gTe was constructed, involving placement of 25 of the γ-rays emitted. The decay of ^133gTe populates levels in ¹³³I at 0, 312, 720, 787, 1313, 1333, 1374, 1565, 1718, 2137, 2194 and 2541 keV. The decay of ^133mTe is very complicated, and we have not attempted construction of a complete decay scheme for it; however, levels at 913 and 1561 keV in ¹³³I are definitely populated in ^133mTe decay. The value for Q_β of ¹³³Te was measured as 3.52±0.10 MeV. The low-lying levels of the odd-mass iodine isotopes vary smoothly through the series ¹²⁵I through ¹³³I. The levels of ¹³³I are fitted rather well by predictions based on quasi-particle-phonon coupling.     

An Implantation and Detection System for Spectroscopy of 22,24Si

A new decay detection system with high detection efficiency and low detection threshold has been developed for charged-particle decay studies, including -delayed proton, decay or direct proton emission from proton-rich nuclei. The detection system was tested by using the -delayed proton emitter 24Si and was commissioned in the decay study of 22Si produced by projectile fragmentation at the First Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou. Under a continuous-beam mode, the isotopes of interest were implanted into two double-sided silicon strip detectors, where the subsequent decays were measured and correlated to the preceding implantations by using position and time information. The system allows to measure protons with energies down to about 200 keV without obvious background in the proton spectrum. Further application of the detection system can be extended to the measurements of -delayed proton decay and the direct proton emission of other exotic proton-rich nuclei.     

Asymmetric weak decay of polarized hypernuclei

We measured the asymmetric weak decay of the polarized _Λ⁵He hypernuclei. The polarization was derived by the observed asymmetry of the mesonic decay pions for the first time. The asymmetry parameter of the nonmesonic decay has been evaluated using the obtained polarization and the asymmetry of the decay protons. The positive asymmetry parameter contradicts theoretical prediction based on meson exchange model. The present data indicates the limitation of the model in ΛN weak interaction, in particular short range phenomena such the nonmesonic decay of hypernuclei.     

Effect of listening level and background noise on the subjective decay rate of room impulse responses: Using time-varying loudness to model reverberance

Room impulse responses (RIRs) are used very widely to characterize the acoustic conditions of rooms, such as in the derivation of reverberation time, early decay time and clarity index. This study investigates the subjective decay rate (or reverberance) of RIRs when directly listened to (rather than convolved with a dry signal such as speech or music). Through a subjective experiment, it investigates the effects of gain (or listening level) and background noise level on the reverberance of RIRs that had been measured in three concert auditoria. The task of the experiment was to match the decay rate of RIRs to that of a reference RIR by ear, by adjusting the RIRs’ exponential decay rate. Based on objective loudness modeling, gain should have a positive effect on reverberance, and background noise has a negative effect. This is confirmed in the results of the experiment. Furthermore, the objectively calculated loudness decay function provides an effective predictor of subjective decay rate, which performs better than conventional early decay time or reverberation time for the RIRs tested.     

Decay of the diocotron rotation and transport in a new low-density asymmetry-dominated regime

The decay of the diocotron rotation was studied in a new regime in which trap asymmetries dominate. Decay within a few diocotron periods was observed, sometimes orders of magnitude faster than predicted by the traditional "rotational pumping" theory. The decay does not conserve angular momentum, and is strongest for small, low-density columns. The new regime appears when "magnetron-like" rotation from the end confinement fields becomes dominant, and appears to be associated with errors in these fields. Transition to decay dominated by rotational pumping was observed for larger and denser columns. The asymmetry-dominated transport was also studied, and found to depend linearly on the line density (and not the density) over nearly 4 orders of magnitude.     

Evaluation of decay times in coupled spaces: Bayesian decay model selection

This paper applies Bayesian probability theory to determination of the decay times in coupled spaces. A previous paper [N. Xiang and P. M. Goggans, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 1415-1424 (2001)] discussed determination of the decay times in coupled spaces from Schroeder's decay functions using Bayesian parameter estimation. To this end, the previous paper described the extension of an existing decay model [N. Xiang, I. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98, 2112-2121 (1995)] to incorporate one or more decay modes for use with Bayesian inference. Bayesian decay time estimation will obtain reasonable results only when it employs an appropriate decay model with the correct number of decay modes. However, in architectural acoustics practice, the number of decay modes may not be known when evaluating Schroeder's decay functions. The present paper continues the endeavor of the previous paper to apply Bayesian probability inference for comparison and selection of an appropriate decay model based upon measured data. Following a summary of Bayesian model comparison and selection, it discusses selection of a decay model in terms of experimentally measured Schroeder's decay functions. The present paper, along with the Bayesian decay time estimation described previously, suggests that Bayesian probability inference presents a suitable approach to the evaluation of decay times in coupled spaces.     

Decay heat studies for nuclear energy

The energy associated with the decay of fission products plays an important role in the estimation of the amount of heat released by nuclear fuel in reactors. In this article we present results of the study of the beta decay of some refractory isotopes that were considered important contributors to the decay heat in reactors. The measurements were performed at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. In these studies we have combined for the first time a Penning trap (JYFLTRAP), which was used as a high resolution isobaric separator, with a total absorption spectrometer. The results of the measurements as well as their consequences for decay heat summation calculations are discussed.     

Anharmonic renormalization and non-Markovian decay of coherent optical phonons in polar semiconductors

The influence of anharmonic renormalization effects on the decay dynamics of coherent longitudinal optical phonons is investigated from a microscopic point of view. Time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman signals are calculated for GaP on the basis of a full phonon dispersion calculation, and the relevant decay channels are identified and compared. Anharmonic renormalization effects are found to induce non-Markovian behaviour of the decay dynamics and lead to a decrease of the decay time. The renormalization effects only depend on the special properties of the phonon dispersion of the given material. This underlines the intrinsic nature of the non-Markovian decay dynamics of phonons for any material. Non-Markovian dynamics of the decay of coherent LO-phonons is calculated for GaP and result in a 30% faster decay signal than the corresponding Markovian dynamics.     

First direct observation of two protons in the decay of 45Fe with a time-projection chamber

The decay of the ground-state two-proton emitter 45Fe was studied with a time-projection chamber and the emission of two protons was unambiguously identified. The total decay energy and the half-life measured in this work agree with the results from previous experiments. The present result constitutes the first direct observation of the individual protons in the two-proton decay of a long-lived ground-state emitter. In parallel, we identified for the first time directly two-proton emission from 43Cr, a known beta-delayed two-proton emitter. The technique developed in the present work opens the way to a detailed study of the mechanism of ground state as well as beta-delayed two-proton radioactivity.     

Nonthermal power law decay of metal dimer anions

The metastable decay of dimer anions of Cu and Ag has been measured in a storage ring. The decay is found to proceed nonexponentially and is well described by a power law with an exponent of -1. This signals the presence of a continuum of decay constants in the ensemble. This quasicontinuum can be provided by the quantum mechanical tunneling decay of high angular momentum states populated in the source. Numerical calculations for dimers of a variety of elements suggest that this decay behavior can be expected for a wide range of species.     

126Ce的EC/β+衰变

利用187 MeV的40Ca离子轰击同位素靶92Mo, 由熔合蒸发反应生成目标核126Ce。 藉助氦喷嘴快速带传输系统和X-X-t与X-γ-t符合测量, 首次建立了126Ce的EC/β+衰变纲图。 建议了可能属于126Ce一个高自旋同核异能态的衰变, 其β衰变后布居在与126La的高自旋同核异能态相关的低位能级区, 测定的半衰期是57(9) s。 也建议了可能属于126Ce基态的衰变, 其β衰变后布居在与126La的低自旋同核异能态相关的低位能级区,它的半衰期被测定为12(4) s。 但偶偶核126Ce存在高自旋同核异能态的物理原因还有待进一步探究。 Ce was produced by bombarding an enriched target of 92Mo with 187 MeV 40Ca beam and studiedby using a helium jet fast tape transport system in combination with X-γ and γ-γ coincidencemeasurements. An EC/β+ decay scheme of 126Ce was proposed for the first time. A group of low lying states associated with the low spin isomer in 126La feeding by β decay was possibly from the ground state EC/β+ decay of 126Ce with the measured half-life 12(4) s. Another group of low lying states associated with the high spin isomer in 126La feeding by β decay was possibly from a high spin isomer EC/β+ decay of 126Ce with the measured half-life 57(9) s. However, the physical reason for the existence of a high spin isomer in even-even nucleus 126Ce is still an open problem.