Note on electron impact excitation for transition of Be-like isoelectronic sequence

Relativistic distorted-wave method was used to calculate the electron impact excitation collision strengths for transitions 2 s2 ¹ S0-2 s 2 p ³ P1 of Be-like isoelectronic ions. The target states were described, respectively, by 10-level, 46-level and 133-level MCDF configuration-expansion. The relativistic continuum orbitals were calculated in the potential field of frozen target-ion charge distribution with semi-classical exchange potential. The influence of the target states on this collision process along the isoelectronic sequence was investigated in the above three MCDF configuration-expansion modes. It was found that the configurations in the n =3 and the n =4 complexes have great influence on both the high and the low Z ions but the influence is relatively small for intermediate Z ions. The latter phenomenon was attributed to competition between opposing correlation and relativistic effects on the collision strengths. Received: 25 February 1998 / Received in final form: 18 June 1998     

Multi-electron transitions in -Ne and -Ne collisions

The ratios of the multiple ionization cross-section to those of the single ionization of neon are measured for 2.0-8.0 MeV and ( q = 2-5) ions bombardment. By means of the coincidence beween the charge state-selected scattered projectiles and recoil ions the contribution of the electron capture is separated from the total multiple ionization. A theoretical method is proposed to exclude the Auger transitions from the considered multiple ionization processes in the present work. The (q / v) dependence of the obtained ratios of the “pure” direct multiple ionization to those of the single ionization is discussed. The electronic structure dependence of the electron transition occurring in ion-neon collisions is studied and discussed for the symmetrical collision systems - and -. Received: 4 June 1998 / Received in final form: 24 August 1998     

Calculation of the contributions from high-n dielectronic satellites to the resonance line in helium-like iron

A simplified relativistic configuration interaction method is used to study the dielectronic satellite transition processes. In this method, the infinite resonant doubly excited states can be calculated, and furthermore, the whole high-n dielectronic satellite transition processes can be treated conveniently by interpolation (rather than extrapolation) in the frame of Quantum Defect Theory. As an example, we calculate the contributions from high-n dielectronic satellites to the resonance line in helium-like iron, and the results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Received: 16 April 1998 / Revised: 8 September 1998 / Accepted: 14 September 1998     

Measurement of the transverse kinetic energies of argon recoil ions produced in 120 MeV -Ar collisions

Measurements were carried out to deduce the transverse kinetic energies of highly charged argon recoil ions produced in single collisions of 120 MeV ions with argon atoms in which the post collision charge states of the projectiles were not determined. A time of flight spectrometer was designed and fabricated to detect the charge states of recoils. Experimental procedures for optimizing the spectrometer for extraction, transmission and detection of recoils are described. A simple approach for determining the transverse kinetic energy of the recoil ions from FWHM of the peaks is reported. This method is shown to be independent of the choice of collision partners and requires only the knowledge of the physical values of “optimized parameters” of time-of-flight spectrometer used in the experiment. The transverse kinetic energy of the recoil ions determined from the present approach is found to vary from 0.03 eV for to 4.02 eV for Ar¹⁰⁺. These values are compared with the results reported by earlier workers and are shown to follow a q²-behaviour up to a charge state q =8+ of the recoil ions. Received: 5 February 1998 / Revised: 8 June 1998 / Accepted: 11 June 1998     

Elastic scattering of low-energy electrons by NO

We report elastic integral, momentum transfer and differential cross sections for electron scattering by N₂O for energies up to 50 eV. These results were obtained at the static-exchange approximation with the Schwinger Multichannel Method with Pseudopotentials [M.H.F. Bettega, L.G. Ferreira and M.A.P. Lima, Phys. Rev. A 47, 1111 (1993)]. In general our results show good agreement with experimental data and with other theoretical results but some discrepancies are found. We have also found a shape resonance around 4 eV in agreement with previous calculations using the R-matrix Method of Sarpal et al. [J. Phys. B 29, 857 (1996)]. On the other hand, the existence of a resonance at about 13 eV, clearly seen by the Schwinger Variational Iterative Method [Michelin et al., J. Phys. B 29, 2115 (1996)], can not be confirmed by our calculations. At this energy, our cross sections show a broad bump with no clear resonant behavior given by the eigenphase sum. Received: 13 November 1997 / Revised: 13 March 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

Total cross-sections for positron scattering by a series of molecules

The additivity rule is employed to obtain the total (elastic+inelastic) cross-sections for positron scattering from molecules including a number of diatomic, polyatomic molecules (H₂, N₂, HCl, CO₂, NH₃, SF₆, CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₃H₈) over an incident energy range of 10-1000 eV. The total cross-sections (TCS) of the constituent atoms of molecules are obtained by employing a complex optical model potential (composed of static, polarization and absorption potential). The present results are compared with experimental data and other theoretical calculations, good agreement is obtained in intermediate- and high-energy region. Received: 11 November 1997 / Revised: 23 March 1998 / Accepted: 16 June 1998     

Ionisation of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth by electron impact

Total ionization cross sections of neutral phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth atoms by electron impact are reported and compared to the only available experimental results by Freund et al. [Phys. Rev. A 41, 3575 (1990)]. These calculations take into account the possibilities that some target atoms used in the experiments were in metastable states close to the ground state, the excitation-autoionization of nsnp⁴ excited states may be substantial, and the ions produced in experiments may be in excited, low-lying metastable states. The cross sections for direct ionization calculations are based on the BEB model by Kim and Rudd [Phys. Rev. A 50, 3954 (1994)]. Plane-wave Born cross sections scaled by the method developed by Kim [Phys. Rev. A 64, 3954 032713 (2001)] are used to determine the contributions from excitation-autoionization. The combination of the BEB model and the scaled Born cross sections is in agreement with the experimental data by Freund et al. These theoretical data are useful to experimentalists and can be used to complete data tables needed for plasma or astrophysical studies.     

Intermediate energy (e, 2e) processes on C60: A distorted wave Born approximation study

Triple differential cross-sections (TDCS) for ( e ,2 e ) processes on C₆₀ have been calculated in the plane wave Born and distorted wave Born approximations using a jellium shell model to describe the target valence states. The peculiarities of these TDCS are demonstrated by comparison with results for atomic hydrogen. Ionisation into a resonant state leads to dramatic modifications of the TDCS. This effect could also be observed in a surface ( e ,2 e ) experiment in specular geometry using a thin film of physisorbed C₆₀. Received 14 April 2000 and Received in final form 27 July 2000     

Triple differential cross section of electron impact ionisation of Na(3s, 3p, 3d)

The fivefold differential cross section (5DCS) of the ionisation by electron impact of atomic sodium is determined theoretically for its fundamental 3s(² S) state and the excited 3p(² P) and 3d(² D) states by a procedure which employs in the transition matrix element of the first order Born approximation, the correlated double continuum (3C) wave function. This permits us to determine the statistical M-state population and the orientation and alignment tensors in (e,2e) detection. It is also shown that, the use of Gamow correlation term, in the independent particle (2C) model, reproduces, only in some situations, the shape of the angular distribution of the 5DCS obtained by the (3C) wave function. Received: 17 November 1997 / Received in final form: 16 March 1998 / Accepted: 21 March 1998     

Measurement of angular dependence of M X-ray production cross-sections in Re,Bi and U at 5.96 keV

The M X-ray production differential cross sections in Re, Bi and U elements have been measured at the 5.96 keV incident photon energy in an angular range 135°–155°. The measurements were performed using a ⁵⁵Fe source and a Si(Li) detector. The present results contradict the predictions of Cooper and Zare [Atomic Collision Processes, Gordon and Breach, New York (1969)] and experimental results of Kumar et al. [J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. 34, 613 (2001)]. that, after photoionization of inner shells, the vacancy state has equal population of magnetic substates and the subsequent X-ray emission is isotropic, but confirm the predictions of the calculations of Flügge et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 29, 7 (1972)] and experimental results of Sharma and Allawadhi [J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. 32, 2343 (1999)] and Ertugrul [Nucl. Instrum. Meth. B 119, 345 (1996)]. Total M X-ray production cross sections from the decay at the 5.96 keV photon energies are found to be in good agreement with the calculated theoretical results using the theoretical values of M shell photoionization cross section.     

Photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy on atomic Lu in the region of the 5p excitation

The resonances of atomic Lu have been investigated by photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy using monochromatized synchrotron radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet energy region. The total photoion yield has been compared to calculations in which the extended Fano theory (Mies formalism) and the Hartree-Fock method were applied. The resonance structure is dominated by the spin-orbit splitting of the 5p core hole. In the photoion yield spectra of singly and doubly charged ions a high fraction of Lu²⁺ ions has been found in the region of the 5p ^-1 (² P _1/2 )nd resonances. Photoelectron spectra, recorded in this resonance region, have been investigated with respect to deexcitation channels connected with Lu²⁺ ions. The 5p ^-1 (² P _1/2 )nd resonances predominantly autoionize by spin-flip into states, which decay in the second step into Lu²⁺ final ionic states. Received: 2 September 1998 / Accepted: 17 September 1998     

Inelastic cross-sections and natural lifetimes for the 62D3/2, 5/2 and 82S1/2 states of Rb

The results of an experimental study of population dynamics following excitation of [0pt] and [0pt] states of rubidium are reported. Excitation transfer and quenching cross-sections in collisions with ground state rubidium atoms, and natural lifetimes have been measured. The experiment was performed in a vapour cell, using pulsed two-photon excitation and photon counting detection. The analysis of time dependent signals was based on a rate equation model in which transitions induced by thermal radiation have been accounted for. The measurements yielded following results: (1) [0pt] state J-mixing cross-section: [0pt] ; (2) cross-sections for [0pt] excitation transfer process: [0pt] ; (3) quenching cross-sections: [0pt] , [0pt] , [0pt] ; [0pt](4) radiative lifetimes: [0pt] ns, [0pt] ns, [0pt] ns. Received 1st December 1998 and Received in final form 17 May 1999     

autoionizing levels in Ca: laser optogalvanic spectroscopy and theoretical analysis

We report the even parity J =4,5 autoionizing spectra of calcium below the 3d threshold, investigated by two-step laser excitation from the 3d4s metastables through the 3d4p , intermediate states and subsequent optogalvanic detection. The 3d4s states are populated by electronic collisions in a d.c. glow discharge sustained in a Ca heat-pipe. More than a hundred resonant transitions have been measured with an accuracy of for the narrow ones using standard laser calibration techniques. The high lying levels are assigned to all expected autoionizing series. Moreover, some levels are observed. The theoretical interpretation is achieved by a combination of the nearly ab initio eigenchannel R-matrix and multichannel quantum-defect (MQDT) methods as well as by an empirical determination of the MQDT parameters in the phase-shifted formulation. Theoretical energy level positions and excitation profiles are compared with the experimental data confirming the identification of the observed structures. Strong mixing between series is found, while the ones do not couple with the series. Further insight into the strong channel mixing in the studied energy range is provided by a comprehensive review of the excitation profiles in the vicinity of the 4p5p perturber as obtained from a number of intermediate levels used in the present and in earlier experiments. Systematic electron correlation trends for series of , and are discussed. Received: 20 November 1997 / Accepted: 15 January 1998     

“Electron collisional excitation of argon-like Ni XI using the Breit-Pauli R-matrix method”

In a recent paper, Verma et al. [Eur. Phys. J. D 42, 235 (2007)] have reported results for energy levels, radiative rates, collision strengths, and effective collision strengths for transitions among the lowest 17 levels of the (1s²2s²2p⁶)3s²3p⁶, 3s²3p⁵3d and 3s3p⁶3d configurations of Ni xi. They adopted the civ3 and R-matrix codes for the generation of wavefunctions and the scattering process, respectively. In this paper, through two independent calculations performed with the fully relativistic darc (along with grasp) and fac codes, we demonstrate that their results are unreliable. New data are presented and their accuracy is assessed.     

Unified quantum mechanical picture for confined spinons in dimerized and frustrated spin chains

A quantum mechanical picture is presented to describe the behavior of confined spinons in a variety of S =1/2 chains. The confinement is due to dimerization and frustration and it manifests itself as a nonlinear potential , centered at chain ends () or produced by modulation kinks (b > 1). The calculation extends to weak or zero frustration some previous ideas valid for spinons in strongly frustrated spin chains. The local magnetization patterns of the confined spinons are calculated. A (minimum) enhancement of the local moments of about 11/3 over a single S =1/2 is found. Estimates for excitation energies and binding lengths are obtained. Received: 8 May 1998 / Revised and Accepted: 12 August 1998     

Dissociative excitation of the fluoromethanes by electron impact

Emission spectra following electron impact on molecules of the homologous series of fluoromethanes CH_xF_4-x with x=0-4 have been investigated from the near infrared at 700 nm to the ultraviolet VUV-spectral region at 100 nm. Earlier experimental data for the visible and ultraviolet spectral region were revised and evaluated again on the basis of reliable new data for the dynamic viscosity of the molecules. The measurement of absolute and relative cross-sections were systematically extended into the VUV region from 100 nm to 200 nm. The examination of atomic lines as well as molecular band systems in the VUV gives further insight into the dissociation mechanism and shows that many excited levels even of atomic and molecular species cannot be populated directly, but only by transitions from higher-lying energy levels. Simple steric effects can be distinguished from more complex transition phenomena. Received: 25 February 1998 / Revised: 29 May 1998 and 18 June 1998 / Accepted: 23 June 1998     

wave superconductivity: Analysis of the electronic Raman data of and other cuprates

After briefly recalling the d + s model valid for some anisotropic high T c superconductors, we present a theory of electronic Raman spectra in that model and then compare it with new experimental data obtained for an overdoped Y123 single crystal. The d + s model appears to describe satisfactorily the experimental results, indicating a possible doping dependence of the mixing ratio. We note that the Raman spectrum of the overdoped Bi2212 could also be accounted for by the d + s superconductivity model. The case of Hg1212 (or Hg1223) is reexamined. It appears that the spontaneous breakdown of d-wave symmetry may be rather universal in high T c cuprates. Received: 3 March 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1998     

Calculation of dielectronic recombination cross sections and rate coefficients for heliumlike carbon

A simplified relativistic configuration interaction method is used to calculate the dielectronic recombination cross sections and rate coefficients for heliumlike carbon. In this method, the infinite resonant doubly excited states can be treated conveniently in the frame of Quantum Defect Theory. Our calculated cross sections are in agreements with the experimental measurements except for the 1s2lnl'(n=6,7) resonances. The total energy-integrated cross sections and rate coefficients over all dielectronic resonances are in agreements with the experimental measurements within percent. Received: 7 July 1997 / Revised: 7 October 1997 / Accepted: 8 December 1997     

Vortex lattice accommodation on twin boundaries in studied by neutron diffraction

An extensive study of small angle neutron scattering was performed in twinned YBa₂Cu₃O₇ crystals in its superconducting state as a function of the angle between the c-axis of the crystal and the magnetic field. The half of the twin boundaries are oriented in the horizontal plane, which also contains the neutron beam and the magnetic field. Two different diffraction patterns are studied as a function of at 5 K and B = 0.5 T, one along the c-axis of the crystal, the other one along the applied field. These variations are interpreted in the model of accommodation of the vortices on the twin planes by zigzagging from these planes to the ab-planes of the crystal, in order to minimize their energy. Received: 9 March 1998 / Revised and Accepted: 12 June 1998     

Isotope-selective femtosecond wave packet dynamics: The rare molecule

For the first time, the femtosecond real-time vibrational dynamics of the rare ^41,41K₂ isotope, excited to the electronic state, could be selectively studied by means of time-resolved three photon ionization. A vibrational period of fs is determined. Superimposed, a beat structure with a period of 20 ps is observed. A detailed Fourier analysis reveals a strong band of three lines centered around 65.5 cm^-1. A significant perturbation of the wave packet caused by spin-orbit coupling of the A and the crossing state is found. This perturbation is the reason for the fast dephasing of the initially generated wave packet within about 10 ps. The spectrogram of the real-time data shows total revivals of the wave packet at 20 ps and 40 ps. Fractional revivals are found for times around 10 ps and 30 ps. Due to high intensity effects a remarkable slightly broadened line at 90 cm^-1 appears and can be assigned to the wave packet propagation generated in the dimer's ground state by impulsive stimulated Raman scattering. Revivals of this ground state wave packet are found at 17ps and 34ps. A comparison with other isotopes of K₂ is given. Received: 9 February 1998 / Revised: 15 May 1998 / Accepted: 2 June 1998