High-frequency EPR of Cr<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions in CdGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript>

High-frequency broad-band (65–240 GHz) EPR is used to study impurity centers of bivalent chromium in a CdGa₂S₄ crystal. It is found that the EPR spectra correspond to tetragonal symmetry. The spin Hamiltonian H = βB · g · S + B ₂ ⁰ O ₂ ⁰ + B ₄ ⁰ O ₄ ⁰ + B ₄ ⁴ O ₄ ⁴ with the parameters B ₂ ⁰ =23659±2 MHz, B ₄ ⁰ =1.9±1 MHz, |B ₄ ⁴ |=54.2±2 MHz, g_‖=1.93±0.02, and g_⊥=1.99±0.02 is used to describe the observed spectra. It is concluded that chromium ions occupy one of the tetrahedrally coordinated cation positions.     

Metastable helium cluster He<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>*</Superscript></Stack>

The existence of a metastable cluster He ₄ ^* with total spin S = 2 is predicted. The cluster consists of two covalently bound excited spin-polarized triplet He ₂ ^* molecules and is rectangular in shape. The electron wavefunctions, the dependence of the energy He ₄ ^* system on the distance between the He ₂ ^* triplet molecules, the atomic spacing, the frequency spectrum of natural oscillations of the cluster, and other characteristics are calculated from first principles. It is shown that the metastable state is formed if one of the excited He ₂ ^* molecules is in the ³Σ _u ⁺ state, while the other is in the ³Π_g state. The radiation lifetime τ of the metastable cluster He ₄ ^* is calculated; it is found to range from 100 to 200 s, which is much longer than the lifetime τ ≈ 20 s of the triplet molecule He ₂ ^* (³Σ _u ⁺ ). The height U ≈ 0.5 eV of the potential barrier preventing the departure from the local energy minimum is determined. The energy E_acc ≈ 9 eV/atom accumulated in the He ₄ ^* cluster is calculated; this energy considerably exceeds the energy of known chemical energy carriers. It is shown that the accumulated energy is released virtually completely during decomposition of the He ₄ ^* cluster into individual helium atoms. This means that helium clusters are a promising material with a high accumulated energy density (HEDM).     

Manifestation of nonuniformity in the electron charge distribution in H<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> molecular ions colliding with each other

The anomalous character of threshold properties in the ion-molecule reactions H ₂ ⁺ + H ₂ ⁺ → H ₃ ⁺ + p and H ₂ ⁺ + H ₂ ⁺ → H + p + H + p has been theoretically analyzed. It has been shown that these reactions proceed through the formation of the intermediate H ₄ ⁺⁺ complex. Molecules H ₂ ⁺ in the collision process are described by a chemical model, where the positive charge is concentrated in one of the nuclei. The calculations of the reaction cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental data. It has been shown that the chemical model of the H ₂ ⁺ molecule can be consistently explained only in terms of dynamic interactions, i.e., polarization forces and van der Waals forces.     

Band interaction in <Superscript>162</Superscript>Dy, <Superscript>168</Superscript>Er,and <Superscript>172</Superscript>Yb

Coriolis interaction between levels of two rotational bands in ¹⁷²Yb with K ^π = 2⁺ and 3⁺ and in ¹⁶⁸Er between levels with K ^π = 0^?, 1^?, and 2^? is studied. The values of the interaction parameters are obtained. The mutual influence of two bands in ¹⁶²Dy with ΔK = 2, K _i ^π = 0 ₂ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ due to Coriolis interaction is demonstrated.     

Search for the double-beta decay of <Superscript>130</Superscript>Te to excited states in <Superscript>130</Superscript>Xe

Experimental limits on the half-lives with respect to the (0ν+2ν) double-beta decay of ¹³⁰Te to excited states in ¹³⁰Xe are obtained by using low-background HPGe detectors. At a 90% C.L., they are 1.6×10²¹, 2.7×10²¹, and 2.3×10²¹ yr for transitions to the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 2 ₂ ⁺ , and 0 ₁ ⁺ levels, respectively.     

H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>-</Superscript></Stack> ions with a strong quasi-symmetrical H-bond and their hydration in aqueous solutions of NaOH and KOH

Ion-molecular interactions in aqueous solutions of NaOH (0–47.8%) and KOH (0–51.95%) are studied by multiple frustrated total internal reflection IR spectroscopy. Interpretation of the spectra and analysis of the spectral data are performed based on the results of DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-31++G(d, p)) of the characteristics of the free and double hydrated H₃O ₂ ^- ion. It is established that the changes in the IR spectra of NaOH and KOH aqueous solutions caused by increasing alkali concentration are due to the formation of H₃O ₂ ^- ions with a strong quasi-symmetrical hydrogen bond and their subsequent hydration by one or two water molecules. The influence of the cation nature on the degree of hydration of H₃O ₂ ^- ions is demonstrated. The equilibrium concentrations of monohydrate (H₃O ₂ ^- ? H₂O) and dihydrate (H₃O ₂ ^- ? 2H₂O) are calculated and their IR continuous absorption spectra are isolated.     

Absolute cross-sections and kinetic-energy-release distributions for electron-impact ionization and dissociation of CD<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack>

Absolute cross-sections have been measured for electron-impact dissociativeexcitation and ionization of CD ₂ ⁺ leading toformation of CD ₂ ²⁺ , CD⁺, C⁺,D ₂ ⁺ and D⁺. The animated crossed-beams methodis applied in the energy range from the reaction threshold up to 2.5 keV.The maximum total cross-sections are found to be (1.2±0.1)×10^-17 cm², (6.1±0.7)×10^-17 cm², (6.4±0.7)×10^-17 cm², (26.3±3.8)×10^-19 cm² and (14.9±1.4)×10^-17 cm² forCD ₂ ²⁺ , CD⁺, C⁺,D ₂ ⁺ and D⁺ respectively. Individualcontributions for dissociative excitation and dissociative ionization aredetermined for each singly-charged product, which are of significantinterest in fusion plasma edge modelling and diagnostics. Conforming to thescheme recently applied in the CD ₄ ⁺ and in theCD ₃ ⁺ articles, the cross-sections are presented inclosed analytic forms convenient for implementation in plasma simulationcodes. Kinetic-energy-release distributions are determined for each ionicfragment at selected electron energies.     

Secondary ion emission from a GaAs single crystal upon bombardment with Bi<Stack> <Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis> </Subscript> <Superscript>+</Superscript> </Stack> cluster ions

Secondary-ion mass spectra and energy distributions upon bombarding a gallium arsenide single crystal using Bi_m⁺(m = 1–5) cluster ions with energies of 2–12 keV are investigated. The gallium cluster ion yield grew nonadditively with the number of atoms in the cluster projectiles. A quasi-thermal component found in the energy spectra of secondary Ga⁺ and Ga₂⁺ ions is indicative of the occurrence of the thermal spike mode upon cluster ion bombardment. The quasi-thermal component in the yield of atomic Ga⁺ ions upon bombardment with Bi₂⁺–Bi₅⁺–ions is 35–75%.     

Optical characteristics of radiation from N<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>*</Superscript></Stack> dimers in a barrier discharge

The spectral and power characteristics of radiation of the second positive system of nitrogen (C ³Π _u → B ³Π _g ) in Ar-N₂ and Ar-N₂-Cl₂ mixtures excited by barrier discharge have been studied experimentally. Addition of argon to N₂ increased the radiation power by sixfold. In the triple mixture Ar-N₂-Cl₂ = 210/0.5/0.005, minor chlorine additions increased the intensity of the C ³Π _u → _B ³Π _g transition by 26% compared to Ar-N₂ mixtures. Radiation power density of 2.7 mW/cm² has been achieved. In both binary and triple mixtures, the second positive system of nitrogen was the major contributor to radiation, while the contributions of the fourth positive system of N ₂ ^* (D ³Σ _u ⁺ → B ³Π _g ), the Vegard-Kaplan transition of N ₂ ^* (A ³Σ _u ⁺ → X ¹Σ _g ⁺ ), and the D′ → A′ band of Cl ₂ ^* were negligibly small.     

Specific features of the three-electron <Emphasis Type="Italic">KL</Emphasis><Stack><Subscript>2, 3</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript></Stack> ionization of silicon atoms upon near-threshold photoabsorption

The shape and relative intensity of the group of the Kα_5–8 satellites (radiative transitions KL _{2, 3} ² )-L _{2, 3} ³ of Si atoms are experimentally studied upon photoabsorption near and far from the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold. The satellites were excited near the ionization threshold by lines of the characteristic L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from Nb and Mo anodes and far from the threshold by the L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from an Ag anode and by monochromatized Kα_{1, 2} radiation from a Ti anode. It is established that the probability P(L _{2, 3} ² ) of formation of two additional 2p vacancies during KL _{2, 3} ² photoabsorption of Si atoms near the energy threshold is by a factor of 1.5 lower than that during photoionization in a more distant energy region beyond the threshold. At the same time, the P(L _{2, 3} ² )/P(L _{2, 3}) ratio remains invariable for the absorbed photons throughout the energy range studied. It is demonstrated that, as the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold is approached, an intensity redistribution occurs among the components of the group of the Kα_5–8 lines, which reflects a decrease in the excitation cross section ratio σ(⁴ P)/σ(² P) of the ⁴ P and ² P terms of the KL _{2, 3} ² configuration. A conclusion is drawn that the effects of suppression of the generation of P terms of higher multiplicity during the KL _{2, 3} and KL _{2, 3} ² near-threshold photoionizations are of a common nature.     

Investigating the Double Beta Decay of <Superscript>58</Superscript>Ni

Double beta decay (β + EC, EC/EC) of ⁵⁸Ni is investigated at France’s Modane Underground Laboratory (4800 m water equivalent) using the OBELIX ultralow-background HPGe detector with a sensitive volume of 600 cm³ and a natural nickel sample of ~68% 58Ni with a mass of ~21.7 kg. After preliminary analysis of the experimental data accumulated over ~144 days, new experimental limits are obtained for the 2νβ⁺EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 0⁺ ground state and the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV excited state of ⁵⁸Fe, and for the 2νEC/EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV and 2 ₂ ⁺ , 1675 keV excited states of ⁵⁸Fe. The limits are T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→0⁺) > 1.7 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 2.3 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 3.3 × 10²² yr, and T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₂ ⁺ ) > 3.4 × 10²² yr. Experimental limit T_1/2(0νEC/EC–res, 1918 keV > 4.1 × 10²² yr is obtained for resonant neutrinoless radiative EC/EC decay with an energy of 1918.3 keV. All limits are at 90% CL.     

Exotic molecular states in a strong magnetic field: H<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>(2+)</Superscript></Stack> ion

The existence of the molecular ion H ₃ ⁽²⁺⁾ in a magnetic field in a triangular and a linear configuration is discussed. A variational method (with an optimization of the form of the vector potential) is used. It is shown that, in the range of magnetic fields 10⁸<B<10¹¹ G, the system (pppe), with the protons forming an equilateral triangle perpendicular to the magnetic line, has a well-pronounced minimum in the total energy. Also, for B?10¹⁰ G, if the protons are situated along a magnetic line (linear configuration), a well-pronounced minimum in the total energy appears. Both configurations are unstable under the decays H(atom) + p + p and H ₂ ⁽⁺⁾ + p. A possible connection between the H ₃ ⁽²⁺⁾ molecular ion and a recently discovered absorption feature in a neutron-star atmosphere is discussed.     

Mixing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript> neutral mesons within the minimum supersymmetry model

Mixing of K ⁰ and B ⁰ mesons is studied in the scope of the minimum supersymmetry model (MSSM) with a type II Yukawa sector and explicit violation of CP invariance in the Higgs potential. The mixing parameters Δm _LS and ? are calculated in the limit of the low-energy four-fermion approximation with a charged Higgs boson exchange. It is shown that supersymmetric effects are very small for K ⁰ mesons and may be quite significant for B _s ⁰ and B _d ⁰ mesons, which imposes constraints on the MSSM parameter space.     

Description of spectrum and electromagnetic transitions in <Superscript>94</Superscript>Mo through the proton-neutron interacting boson model

We investigated the properties of low-lying states in ⁹⁴Mo within the framework of the proton-neutron interacting boson model (IBM-2), with special focus on the characteristics of mixed-symmetry states. We calculated level energies and M1 and E2 transition strengths. The IBM-2 results agree with the available quantitative and qualitative experimental data on ⁹⁴Mo. The properties of mixed-symmetry states can be well described by IBM-2 given that the energy of the d proton boson is different from that of the neutron boson, especially for the transition of B(M1; 4 ₂ ⁺ → 4 ₁ ⁺ ).     

Synthesis and electrical properties of new perovskite-like <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis>Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (A = Ca,Ce, and Sm) compounds

AMn₃V₄O₁₂ (A = Ca, Ce, and Sm) compounds with a perovskite structure are synthesized at high pressures and temperatures. The crystalline structure of these compounds (space group \(Im\bar 3\)Z = 2) is determined via X-ray analysis. If ions in the A sublattice are changed in the order Ca²⁺–Sm³⁺–Ce³⁺, the valence is redistributed from Ca²⁺Mn₃²⁺V₄⁴⁺O₁₂ to Sm³⁺Mn₃²⁺V₄^3.75+O₁₂, and to Ce³⁺Mn₃²⁺V₄^3.75+O₁₂. The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity are studied.     

Analysis of single-particle energies of doubly magic <Superscript>100,132</Superscript>Sn nuclei within the dispersive optical model

Extrapolation of the single-particle energies E _nlj of the bound states of neutrons and protons in the ^{112,116,118,120,124}Sn isotopes has been performed to estimate the values of E _nlj for unstable doubly magic ₅₀ ¹⁰⁰ Sn₅₀ and ₅₀ ¹³² Sn₈₂ nuclei. The estimates obtained are compared with the data derived from the analysis of the decay spectra of neighboring radioactive nuclei and with the results of the calculation within the dispersive optical model.     

Alpha-decay properties of <Superscript>261</Superscript>Bh

The isotope ²⁶¹Bh was produced in the reaction ²⁰⁹Bi(⁵⁴Cr, 2n)²⁶¹Bh and its \( \alpha\) decay has been remeasured. It was found that it populates by an unhindered transition of \( \approx\) 10 MeV an excited level at E ^* > 350 keV in the daughter nucleus ²⁵⁷Db . The latter decays by internal transitions either into the isomeric state or the ground state. A somewhat improved half-life value of T _1/2 = 11.8^+3.9 _-2.4 ms was obtained for ²⁶¹Bh . The data support the previous assignment of the \( \alpha\) activities ²⁵⁷Db (1) and ²⁵⁷Db (2) to the isomer and to the ground state, respectively. No evidence for an isomeric state in ²⁶¹Bh decaying by \( \alpha\) emission was found. Based on the experimental results and theoretical calculations a partial decay scheme of ²⁶¹Bh including spin and parity assignments of the ground-state and excited levels in the daughter nucleus ²⁵⁷Db populated by the \( \alpha\) decay and succeeding internal transitions have been suggested. ²⁶¹Bh represents so far the heaviest nucleus for which such an attempt has been made. No spontaneous fission (SF) events that could be attributed to ²⁶¹Bh were observed, resulting in an SF branching b _SF < 0.05 . The measured production cross-section is (64±15) pb at E ^* = 22 MeV.     

QRPA coordinate space calculations of 2<Superscript>+</Superscript> states in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>=20 isotones

The first 2⁺ states in N=20 isotones are studied within the self-consistent quasiparticle random phase approximation based on the Green’s function method. The residual interaction between quasiparticles with full velocity dependence is consistently derived from the Skyrme interaction plus pairing interaction energy density functional. The B(E2, 0 ₁ ⁺ → 2 ₁ ⁺ ) transition probabilities and the excitation energies of the first 2⁺ states are well described within a single framework. We discuss mainly the microscopic origin of the anomalously large B(E2) value and the very low excitation energy in ³²Mg.     

Study of the formation and unimolecular fragmentation of Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Stack><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> clusters under ion bombardment

The dependences of the emission and fragmentation of clusters sputtered by Xe⁺ ions from the surface of Si _n O _m ⁺ on the oxygen pressure near the bombarded surface are studied using secondary ion mass spectrometry. It is shown that the process of Si _n O _m ⁺ cluster formation under ion bombardment can be described within the framework of the mechanism of combinatorial synthesis by taking into account the mutual reversibility of the reactions of formation and unimolecular decay.     

Yields of multiparticle photoneutron reactions on the <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi isotope

The relative yields of multiparticle photoneutron reactions on the ²⁰⁹Be isotope with emission of two to seven neutrons from the nucleus are measured. The experiment was carried out with the bremsstrahlung beam from the RTM-70 pulsed race-track microtron (INP, MSU) with a maximum photon energy E _γ ^m = 67.7 MeV.