Weak antilocalization in a three-dimensional topological insulator based on a high-mobility HgTe film

The up-conversion luminescence of Er³⁺ from the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2, and ⁴F_9/2 levels in nanocrystals of Y_0.95(1?x)Yb_0.95xEr_0.05PO₄ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) orthophosphates activated with Er³⁺ ions has been studied under the excitation of Yb³⁺ ions to the ²F_5/2 level by 972-nm cw laser radiation. Broadband radiation in the wavelength range of 370–900 nm has been observed at certain power densities of exciting laser radiation; this broadband radiation is absent in the case of excitation of the powders under study by pulsed laser radiation with a wavelength of 972 nm at a pulse repetition frequency of 10 Hz and a duration of a pulse of 15 ns. Experimental data indicating that this radiation is thermal in nature have been presented.     

Effect of the pump absorption on generation of infrared stimulated electronic Raman scattering in alkali-metal vapors

The main properties of infrared stimulated electronic Raman scattering (SERS) at the 6² S _1/2-7² S _{1/2, 3/2} transitions in cesium atoms are studied theoretically and experimentally as functions of the atomic concentration, which was varied from 10¹¹ to 10¹⁶ cm^?3. It is found that the efficiency of generation of Stokes radiation strongly depends on one-photon absorption of the pump radiation tuned near frequencies of the 6² S _1/2-7² P _{1/2, 3/2} transitions. By using the equation for the density matrix, which describes the evolution of a three-level system, the theory of resonance excitation of IR radiation upon one-photon absorption at an adjacent transition is developed. The theory describes well the main features of IR SERS in alkali-metal vapors.     

Simultaneous solution of Kompaneets equation and radiative transfer equation in the photon energy range 1-125 keV

Radiative transfer equation in plane parallel geometry and Kompaneets equation is solved simultaneously to obtain theoretical spectrum of 1-125 keV photon energy range. Diffuse radiation field are calculated using time-independent radiative transfer equation in plane parallel geometry, which is developed using discrete space theory (DST) of radiative transfer in a homogeneous medium for different optical depths. We assumed free-free emission and absorption and emission due to electron gas to be operating in the medium. The three terms n, n² and (∂n/∂x_k) where n is photon phase density and x_k=(hν/kT_e), in Kompaneets equation and those due to free-free emission are utilized to calculate the change in the photon phase density in a hot electron gas. Two types of incident radiation are considered: (1) isotropic radiation with the modified black body radiation I^MB[1] and (2) anisotropic radiation which is angle dependent. The emergent radiation at τ=0 and reflected radiation τ=τ_max are calculated by using the diffuse radiation from the medium. The emergent and reflected radiation contain the free-free emission and emission from the hot electron gas. Kompaneets equation gives the changes in photon phase densities in different types of media. Although the initial spectrum is angle dependent, the Kompaneets equation gives a spectrum which is angle independent after several Compton scattering times.     

Rydberg states in the D layer of the atmosphere and the GPS positioning errors

The noncoherent radiation in the frequency range 0.8–8.0 (GHz) formed in the D layer of the ionosphere at high solar activity due to transitions between Rydberg states is considered. The emitting layer thickness located 80–110 km above ground surface is estimated. A complicated irregular behavior of the frequency dependence of the radiation intensity for different values of å electron concentration n _e and temperature T _e due to different characteristics of electron scattering on the nitrogen and oxygen molecules is revealed. The dependences of the flux power of UHF radiation from the D layer in the indicated frequency range on the concentration and temperature of free electrons are calculated. It is shown that, at a frequency of ν = 1.44 GHz, the UHF radiation spectrum features a characteristic waist point, the position of which is almost independent of the electron temperature T _e ; i.e., a one-parameter dependence of the power flux on the electron n _e density takes place. In the frequency range of 4.0–8.0 GHz, the radiation spectrum exhibits a family of curves that, for each value of n _e and a wide range of T _e , give rise to a relationship known as the “bottleneck.” It was found that, with increasing frequency, the bottleneck moves upwards along a curve described by a quadratic dependence on the radiation frequency. For a frequency of ～5 GHz, and a certain range of temperature T _e and electron concentration within 5 · 10³ cm^?3 < n _e < 2 · 10⁴ cm^?3, an almost linear dependence of the UHF radiation power on n _e is observed. A comparative analysis of GPS signal delays at frequencies ν _f ⁽¹⁾ = 1.57 and ν _f ⁽²⁾ ≈ 5 GHz for various states of the ionosphere is performed. It is shown that, under the same condition, the use of the second frequency is more advantageous and informative. The ways of further development of the theory and experiment in studying the role of quantum resonant properties in the distortion of global satellite positioning system signals and in solving the fundamental problem of their elimination are discussed.     

Gamma-ray-L-x-ray directional correlations in182W

Directional correlations between gamma radiation andL x-rays in¹⁸²W have been measured. The x-rays are emitted following the internal conversion process of the 100.1 keV 2⁺ → 0⁺ transition. The experimental results for anisotropies involving gamma radiation emitted in the 1189.0 keV transition andL x-rays are A(γ?L _l )=?0.073(27),A(γ?L _α)=?0.0102(45),A(γ?L _β)=?0.0031(35), andA(γ?L _γ)=?0.007(13). The value deduced for the coefficientU ₂(e) pertaining to the converted transition isU ₂(e)=0.52(8) in reasonable agreement with the theoretically expected value 0.410. A note is given on the use of internal conversion radial matrix elements.     

Ultraviolet upconversion luminescence enhancement in Yb/Er-codoped Y2O3 nanocrystals induced by tridoping with Li ions

Ultraviolet (UV) upconversion (UC) luminescence in Yb³⁺/Er³⁺-codoped yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) nanocrystals can be enhanced by orders of magnitude via tridoping further with Li⁺ ions under diode laser excitation of 970 nm. Sensitized three-photon UC radiations at 390 and 409 nm, corresponding to the ⁴G_11/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴H_9/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ ions, respectively, present an enhancement time of about 33 times, which is larger than the 24 times enhancement for the UC green radiation. The UV UC radiation at 320 nm that corresponds to the ²P_3/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ ions has also been greatly enhanced. Theoretical calculations interpret that all the observed enhancement times of UV UC radiations arise from the prolonged lifetimes of their intermediate states.     

On the Generation and Detection of High-Frequency Gravitational Waves Optically Excited in Dielectric Media

The possibility of generating and detecting high-frequency gravitational waves based on nonlinear-optical processes in dielectric media at their excitation by intense laser radiation of visible or ultraviolet ranges is analyzed. The theory predicts the feasibility of the Hertz gravitational laboratory experiment in which the parametric conversion of intense laser radiation with frequency ω₀ = 2πf₀ (f₀ = 10¹⁴ ? 10¹⁵ Hz) to a gravitational wave with frequency ω _g = 2ω₀ and the reverse process of gravitational radiation reconversion to optical radiation are implemented in the condensed dielectric medium.     

On the gamma decay of analogue resonances in the58Fe(p, γ)59Co reaction

The spectrum of the delayed light radiation from a pulsed corona discharge in pure argon was investigated in cylindrical geometry. The band-like structure near 309 nm can be attributed to molecular transitions in the OH-radical of the typeA ² Σ ⁺ ?X ² Π(0?0). The weak bands at 337 nm and 357 nm originate from transitions in the N₂ molecule. The molecular states of OH and N₂ are excited by collisions of³P₂-metastable argon atoms (formed in the gas discharge) with H₂O and N₂ molecules present as small impurities. The pressure dependence of the time constant (some 100 μs) of the afterglow is discussed.     

Influence of nondipolar effects on the photoelectron angular distribution upon photoionization of 2p and 3d atomic shells

Relativistic calculations of the angular distribution of photoelectrons upon photoionization of 2p and 3d shells in the range of photoelectron energies from 1 to 10 keV are carried out for unpolarized and linearly polarized radiation. An exact expression for the angular distribution of photoelectrons that takes into account nondipolar terms of the order of O[(kr)²] (k is the photon energy and r is the radius of the ionized shell) is obtained in the case of unpolarized radiation. It is shown that the contribution of the O[(kr)²] terms to the differential cross section can be considerable, reaching 24% at the maximum energy considered. Accounting for such terms in the calculation of the ratio of differential cross sections, which is experimentally measured at a certain geometry of angles in the case of linearly polarized radiation, can change this ratio twofold. The parameters of the angular distribution, which are necessary for the conduction of a quantitative x-ray photoelectron analysis, are given for the 2p _1/2 and 2p _3/2 shells of elements with 11≤Z≤29 and for the 3d _3/2 and 3d _5/2 shells of elements with 30≤Z≤54.     

Electromagnetically induced transparency in a molecular gas

The dynamic Stark effect on the as Q(5,4) transition of the 0 → 1 vibrational band of the ν₂ mode of ammonia ¹⁵NH₃ was studied by the method of copropagating waves of radiation of two ¹³CO₂ lasers operating at the R(18)_I line. For waves with mutually orthogonal polarizations, which propagated in a waveguide cell, the intensity of the saturating radiation reached 225 W/cm², and the absorption line of the probing radiation had the form of a two-hump curve with a splitting that was consistent with the Rabi frequency for the ammonia transition being investigated. At the maximum intensity of the saturating radiation, complete transparency was observed at the center of the absorption line of ¹⁵NH₃. When identically polarized saturating and probing waves propagating in a cell at a small angle with respect to each other were used, the splitting was more weakly manifested. The effect of a spatial inhomogeneity of the optical fields on the shape of the line of saturated absorption is discussed.     

Some anomalies in the Ne(I)(744/736 Å) photoelectron spectra of N2O

The Ne(I) 774/736 Å photoelectron spectra of N₂O are reported for the X?²Π state of N₂O⁺. The spectra in general do not show any autoionization behavior to the extent reported for CO₂ and CS₂. There is an apparent “enhancement” of the 101 level by the 744 Å line. In contrast to the He(I) 584 Å PES, the intensity ratio for the 100 and 001 levels are reversed when excited by Ne(I) 736 Å radiation.The spectra also show excitation to higher vibrational levels of N₂O⁺X²Π. This can be explained within the framework of autoionization of a Rydberg state whose core is similar to that of the B? state of N₂O⁺.     

Persistent luminescence — Quo vadis?

The present status of the persistent luminescence mechanisms is reviewed and the remaining unsolved details are discussed. These details include the identification and role of defects in the Eu²⁺-doped and R³⁺ co-doped alkaline earth aluminates (MAl₂O₄) and disilicates (M₂MgSi₂O₇; M:Ca, Sr, Ba) which can be partly resolved by the thermoluminescence (TL) measurements. The use of the synchrotron radiation - presently only sparsely used in the studies of persistent luminescence - is introduced: the oxidation state of the presumed R²⁺/R³⁺/R^IV species occurring in the persistent luminescence materials during the luminescence processes were examined with synchrotron radiation XANES (and EXAFS) methods. The band gap energies (E_g), the defect-related luminescence as well as the 4f⁷→4f⁶5d¹ transition energies were derived from the synchrotron radiation excitation spectra of the materials. Subsequently, the early steps of the density functional theory (DFT) calculations involving the solution of the persistent luminescence mechanisms (band gap energies, position of the Eu²⁺ levels) are discussed. Some remaining challenges are eventually highlighted.     

Field ion microscopy of cascades of atomic displacements in metals and alloys after various types of irradiation

Experimental results on atomic-spatial investigation of radiative defect formation in surface layers of materials, initiated by neutron bombardment (of Pt, E > 0.1 MeV) and ion implantation (in Cu₃Au: E = 40 keV, F = 10¹⁶ ion/m², j = 10^?3 A/cm²), are considered. Quantitative estimates are obtained for the size, shape, and volume fraction of cascades of atomic displacements formed under various types of irradiation in the surface layers of the materials. It is shown that the average size of radiation clusters after irradiation of platinum to a fast neutron fluence of 6.7 × 10²² m^?2 (E > 0.1 MeV) is about 3.8 nm. The experimentally established average size of a radiation cluster (disordered zone) in the alloy after ion bombardment is 4 × 4 × 1.5 nm.     

Initiation of combustion of a hydrogen-air mixture with ozone impurity by UV laser radiation

The ignition kinetics of hydrogen-air mixtures with a small amount (0.5%) of ozone that are exposed to laser radiation with wavelength λ _I = 248.4 nm is analyzed. The formation of excited O(¹ D) atoms and O₂(a ¹Δ _g ) molecules due to O₃ molecule photodissociation is shown to greatly intensify the chain reactions and noticeably decrease the induction period and ignition temperature compared with the case when the radiation is absent even if the radiation energy applied to the gas is low, E _s = 0.5?1.0 eV per O₃ molecule. The efficiency of such a way of combustion initiation is much higher than at local heating of the medium by laser radiation but, at the same time, is considerably lower than the efficiency of the method based on excitation of O₃ molecule asymmetric oscillations.     

Anregung von UV-Strahlung in Stickstoff und Wasserstoff durch einen Elektronenschwarm

The radiation excited in nitrogen and hydrogen by an electron swarm moving in a uniform electric field is investigated. In nitrogen the bands of the 2 ^nd positive group in the region from 3400 to 3800 Å are the dominating part of the radiation. In hydrogen the main part of the radiation is lying in the far ultraviolet (1000 to 1200 Å) due to the excitation of the state 2¹ II _u . The coefficientδ describing the intensity of the radiation is measured with a photomultiplier device as a function of the electric fieldE and the pressurep in the range from about 10 to 100 Torr. Besides the dependence ofδ onE/p a pressure dependence is found which is explained as a quenching process of the excited molecules by collisions. The pressurep ₀ for equal probability of radiating and non-radiating decay of the states involved is 60 Torr in N₂ and 20 Torr in H₂. The theoretical interpretation of the dependence onE/p supports the excitation energy of the state C³ II _u of N₂ for electron impact to be equal to the spectroscopical value of 11·04 eV and yields 0·9·10^?16 cm² for the maximum of the excitation cross section. The results of the measurements in H₂ can be described assuming a cross section of 0·55·10^?16 cm² for the excitation of the state 2¹ II _u by electron impact.     

Study of collisional deactivation of O2(b 1Σ g + ) molecules in a hydrogen-oxygen mixture at high temperatures using laser-induced gratings

Collisional deactivation of O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) molecules resonantly excited by a 10 ns pulse of laser radiation with a wavelength of 762 nm in H₂/O₂ mixtures is experimentally studied. The radiation intensity and hence the molecule excitation efficiency have a spatially periodic modulation that leads to the formation of laser-induced gratings (LIGs) of the refractive index. The study of LIG temporal evolution allows collisional relaxation rates of molecular excited states and gas temperature to be determined. In this work, the b ¹Σ _g ⁺ state of O₂ molecules deactivation rates are measured in a 4.3 vol % H₂ mixture at the number density of 2 amg in the temperature range 291–850 K. The physical deactivation is shown to dominate in the collisions of H₂ with O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) and O₂(a ¹Δ _g ) up to temperatures of 780–790 K at time delays up to 10 μs after the excitation pulse. The parameters of the obtained temperature dependence of the (b ¹Σ _g ⁺ state deactivation rate agree well with the data of independent measurements performed earlier at lower temperatures (200–400 K). Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy is used to measure the temperature dependence of the number density of the H₂O molecules which appear as the mixture, as the result of the dark gross reaction with O₂ molecules in the ground state, O₂ + 2H₂ → 2H₂O. The measurements show that this reaction results in complete transformation of H₂ into H₂O at temperatures of 790–810 K.     

Laser-induced effects for overlapping autoinoizing rydberg states of xenon

The effect of a laser field on the cross section of photoionization of an atom by probe radiation in the region of closely lying autoionizing resonances is studied theoretically. The cross sections in the region of the overlapping autoionizing Rydberg states 5p ⁵(² P _1/2)6d′ J = 1 and 5p ⁵(² P _1/2)8s′ J = 1 resonantly coupled with the discrete state 5p ⁵(² P _3/2)7p[1/2]₁ in the xenon atom are calculated. The behavior of the shape and position of resonances in relation to the frequency and intensity of laser radiation is studied.     

Generation of characteristic x rays by a terawatt femtosecond chromium-forsterite laser

Characteristic K _α x rays arising when a metallic target is irradiated by femtosecond infrared pulses that are generated by a terawatt chromium-forsterite laser system (1240 nm, 90 mJ, 80 fs) are studied. The absolute yield (up to 3 × 10⁸ photons/sr pulse) and the coefficient of the transformation of laser radiation to K _α radiation (maximum value ≈0.03%) are measured for an iron target. The dependence of the radiation intensity on the angle of incidence of p polarized laser radiation is analyzed. The mechanisms of the production of fast electrons responsible for generating characteristic x rays are discussed.     

Mössbauer spectroscopy in the time domain applied to the study of single‐crystalline guanidinium nitroprusside

Guanidinium nitroprusside GNP, (CN₃H₆)₂[Fe(CN)₅NO] has been investigated in single‐crystalline form by nuclear resonant forward scattering (NFS) using synchrotron radiation (Mössbauer spectroscopy in the time domain). This method provides a direct measure of effective absorber thickness and therefore also of the Lamb–Mössbauer factor f _LM. GNP has the advantage that all [Fe(CN₅)NO]^2- anions are practically aligned within the crystal. For the two different crystal orientations, with the crystallographic a- and c-direction parallel to the synchrotron beam, respectively, we have obtained f _LM ^(a)= 0.122(10) and f _LM ^(c)= 0.206(10), i.e., GNP exhibits significant anisotropic vibrational behavior. The quantum beat pattern of the NFS spectra obtained for the two different crystal orientations is discussed on the basis of radiation characteristics of the polarized synchrotron beam and the multipole transitions of oriented ⁵⁷Fe nuclei.