Amplification of light during the scattering of a relativistic electron by a nucleus in a moderately strong field of a circularly polarized light wave

The amplification (attenuation) factor of an electromagnetic wave during the scattering of a relativistic electron by a nucleus in a moderately strong field of a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave is studied theoretically. The effect of amplification of an electromagnetic field is discovered in a certain interval of polar angles of the incident electron; this interval of angles essentially depends on the electron energy and the field intensity. It is shown that the amplification of a field attains its maximum for nonrelativistic electrons in the range of medium fields. As the electron energy increases, the amplification decreases and vanishes for ultrarelativistic electrons. An increase in the field intensity for a given electron energy also leads to a slow decrease in the amplification of a field. At high intensities of the wave, the effect of amplification vanishes. It is shown that, in the range of optical frequencies for medium fields (F ～ 10⁶V/cm), the amplification factor of laser light may amount to about μ ～ 10^?1 cm^?1 for sufficiently high-power electron beams.     

Aberration analysis of electron mirrors by a differential algebraic method

A differential algebraic (DA) method has been developed for the aberration analysis of electron mirrors. Since large ray slopes occur near the turning points in mirrors, the axial position is no longer suitable as the independent variable and the electron trajectory equation used in conventional lens theory is no longer feasible. A DA solution of the electron motion equation, wherein a single DA ray trace is performed on a non-standard extension of real number space called _nD_v, enables the aberrations of a mirror system to be obtained, in principle up to arbitrary order n, and with very high accuracy, due to the remarkable algebraic properties of _nD_v. With the DA method, the enormous effort to derive explicit formulae for the aberration coefficients of electron mirrors is avoided. A software package MIRROR_DA has been developed for the aberration analysis of electron mirrors, based on the DA method. Two examples of electron mirrors are presented. For the first example, for which the electrostatic and magnetic fields are represented by analytical models, the results computed with MIRROR_DA were shown to be in good agreement with those extracted by direct ray tracing, with relative deviations of less than 0.065% for all the primary aberration coefficients. The second example consists of a real magnetic lens and electrostatic mirror, with numerically computed fields, and from the results of MIRROR_DA, the spherical aberration coefficient C_s3 is almost cancelled out because of the correction effect of the mirror. The MIRROR_DA software is a novel, effective and precise tool for the aberration analysis of electron mirrors, capable of handling realistic and complicated systems of electron lenses and electron mirrors.     

An application of the electron mirror in the time-of-flight spectrometer

We suggest applying of the spherical electron mirror in the time-of-flight electron spectrometer with a position sensitive detector in order to increase the effective acceptance solid angle of the spectrometer. The spherical electron mirror is placed near the specimen and it focuses electrons on a position sensitive detector as a converging electron flux. The electron mirror increases the acceptance angle of the spectrometer by a factor of 20. The electron mirror of the spectrometer consists of an inner spherical electrode of the radius R and an outer spherical electrode of the radius 1.1R. The central segment of the inner electrode inside the linear angle of 80° is made of a grid. The detector plate radius is about 0.23R. The acceptance solid angle of the spectrometer with this electron mirror is about 1.1sr, the range of the polar angle of emission is 20°–90° relative to the surface normal, and the range of the azimuth angle of emission at its maximum is ±36° relative to the basic plane of the spectrometer. The design of the spectrometer allows to recover the electron trajectory for each detected electron and to calculate the energy and the emission angle of the electron. The energy resolution of the spectrometer is about 0.2 eV/ns for the electron energy of 10 eV. The energy range is from E_min0.1eU_r up to eU_r, where U_r is the retarding potential of the electron mirror. The perturbing influence of the grid of the electron mirror limits mainly the angular resolution of the spectrometer and affects relatively slightly the energy resolution. The electron spectrometer with two detectors and two electron mirrors symmetric about the spectrometer axis allows to measure electron pairs in coincidence in a wide range of emission angles and energies with k-resolutions.     

The Radiation Spectrum of a Classical Electron Moving in a Radiation-Dominated Universe

The motion and radiation of a classical electron in a conformally flat Robertson–Walker space, which corresponds to the quasi-Euclidean model of a radiation-dominated universe, is considered. The spectral-angular distribution of the energy radiated by the electron is found; the dependence of the spectrum on the momentum of the electron is investigated; estimates for the coherence interval are given. The results obtained show that the radiation spectrum of a classical electron coincides with the quasiclassical limit of the spectral distribution of the photons radiated by a Dirac electron moving in a radiation-dominated universe.     

Repeatable intensity calibration of an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer

Ten years ago, NPL developed an infrastructure for calibrating the intensity response functions of electron spectrometers for Auger electron and for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Two software systems were developed: one for Auger electron spectrometers or for Auger electron and X-ray photoelectron spectrometers combined, and one for X-ray photoelectron spectrometers on their own; the latter being applied if no suitable electron gun is available. The system for Auger electron and X-ray photoelectron spectrometers combined has been used regularly to calibrate the Metrology Spectrometer II at NPL and experience shows that this gives an instrumental intensity consistency of 0.4% over 10 years. Evaluations have not previously been reported at this level. The system for Auger electron and X-ray photoelectron spectrometers combined is used here in preference to the system solely for X-ray photoelectron spectrometers since it is more robust to the sample condition and can be used over a wider energy range. These issues, and how observed variations in the instrument intensity response may arise, are explained.     

Quantitative studies of copper plasma using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

In the present work, we present the spatial evolution of the copper plasma produced by the fundamental harmonic (1064 nm) and second harmonic (532 nm) of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The experimentally observed line profiles of neutral copper have been used to extract the electron temperature using the Boltzmann plot method, whereas, the electron number density has been determined from the Stark broadening. Besides we have studied the variation of electron temperature and electron number density as a function of laser energy at atmospheric pressure. The Cu I lines at 333.78, 406.26, 465.11 and 515.32 nm are used for the determination of electron temperature. The relative uncertainty in the determination of electron temperature is ≈10%. The electron temperature calculated for the fundamental harmonic (1064 nm) of Nd:YAG laser is 10500–15600 K, and that for the second harmonic (532 nm) of Nd:YAG laser is 11500–14700 K at a Q Switch delay of 40 μs. The electron temperature has also been calculated as a function of laser energy from the target surface for both modes of the laser. We have also studied the spatial behavior of the electron number density in the plume. The electron number densities close to the target surface (0.05 mm), in the case of fundamental harmonic (1064 nm) of Nd:YAG laser having pulse energy 135 mJ and second harmonic (532 nm) of Nd:YAG laser with pulse energy 80 mJ are 2.50×10¹⁶ and 2.60×10¹⁶ cm⁻³, respectively.     

Statistical theory of a solvated electron in an electrolyte

The behavior of a solvated electron in an electrolyte is investigated. The formalism of the theory is based on variational estimation of path integrals. It reduces the problem to the investigation of the self-consistent mean field produced by the ions and the electron. Mayer cluster expansions make it possible to take account of the short-range interactions and to find expressions for the effective potential of the electron and the electron-ion and electron-neutral atom correlation functions as a function of the macro-and microscopic parameters of electrolytes. In the limit of high ion densities the behavior of the electron is determined solely by the Coulomb interaction, which results in the formation of a polaron state. This state of the electron is virtually independent of the thermodynamic parameters of the electrolyte. In the opposite limit of low ion densities the electron forms a cavity state. The presence of ions results in additional localization of the electron and is manifested experimentally as a shift of the absorption band in the direction of high energies. The estimated shift for a hydrated electron agrees with the experimental data. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 1463–1477 (April 1999)     

Updating of the toroidal electron spectrometer intended for a scanning electron microscope and its new applications in diagnostics of micro- and nanoelectronic structures

A new version of the toroidal electron spectrometer installed in a scanning electron microscope is described. The new instrument has made it possible to carry out fundamental and applied research in the field of local nondestructive inspection of micro- and nanoelectronic materials and devices. The topology control of 3D microstructures by backscattered electron tomography is exemplified. A high efficiency of secondary electron energy filtering in monitoring of semiconductor regions locally doped by p- and n-type impurities is demonstrated. A physical substantiation for the high contrast of the doped regions is given. The feasibility of taking electron spectra using a scanning electron microscope in a wide range from slow secondary electrons to elastically scattered ones is proved.     

Analysis of parameters of an electron beam from a plasma-filled diode

We analyze the properties of a high-current electron beam formed in an electron source based on a plasma-filled diode and a linear pulsed transformer. The beam parameters are determined by measuring bremsstrahlung X-rays and the beam current, as well as the photographs of the diode gap in the optical range, of the anode in X-rays, and beam autographs. A beam with a current of ～100 kA and a mean electron energy exceeding 0.7 MeV for an accelerating voltage amplitude of ～1 MV is obtained. The diameter of the generated beam is ～1 cm. The electron beam from the plasma-filled diode makes it possible to attain a high anode power density (>10¹⁰ W/cm²) for exciting shock waves, for obtaining high pressures, and for generating powerful X-rays.     

Computer-assisted quantification of the multi-scale structure of films made of nanofibrillated cellulose

Films made of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) are most interesting for use in packaging applications. However, in order to understand the film-forming capabilities of NFC and their properties, new advanced methods for characterizing the different scales of the structures are necessary. In this study, we perform a comprehensive characterisation of NFC-films, based on desktop scanner analysis, scanning electron microscopy in backscatter electron imaging mode (SEM-BEI), laser profilometry (LP) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy in secondary electron imaging mode (FE-SEM-SEI). Objective quantification is performed for assessing the (i) film thicknesses, (ii) fibril diameters and (iii) fibril orientations, based on computer-assisted electron microscopy. The most frequent fibril diameter is 20–30 nm in diameter. A method for acquiring FE-SEM images of NFC surfaces without a conductive metallic layer is introduced. Having appropriate characterisation tools, the structural and mechanical properties of the films upon moisture were quantified.     

Resotron: A Novel Tunable Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Source of Radiation

The need for tunable radiation sources in the millimeter and submillimeter range for spectroscopic purposes is still a research area of great interest. The tunable radiation source, proposed in this paper, is a special free electron laser device with the prerequisite of low electron energy. The output power density in the millimeter (GHz)-range is of the order of MW/cm² and in the submillimeter (THz)-range of the order of kW/cm². The device consists of an electron source with electron optics, wiggler/microwiggler, and a longitudinal magnetic field. The wiggler for the THz-regime has a very short wiggler period of approximately 400 m and could be manufactured with laser micromachining techniques. The free electron laser operates in magnetoresonance and shows surprisingly stable electron orbits and therefore narrow output frequencies. Computational results of the temporal behavior of the output power done with a multi-frequency code are reported.     

Internal Ionization of an Atom in the β Decay of Tritium

The problem of internal ionization in the beta decay of tritium due to the scattering of a β electron off a bound electron is discussed. The total probability of the process per a single decay event is calculated. The distributions over the momentum and the kinetic energy of a liberated electron are plotted. A correction to the β spectrum produced by internal ionization is determined. The identity of electrons is taken into account in all calculations. The results of calculations of the modified spectrum are of interest for the KATRIN experiment aimed at measuring the mass of an electron antineutrino. The high-luminosity source also makes it possible to search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos in the middle part of the β spectrum, where the internal ionization effect is significant.     

Cross sections of electron capture and electron capture ionization versus the impact parameter in collisions of a proton with multielectron atoms

The absolute differential cross sections of scattering of hydrogen atoms resulting from an electron capture and an electron capture ionization are measured for collisions of 4.5- and 11-keV protons with argon and xenon atoms. The range of scattering angles is 0°–2°. From the scattering differential cross section found experimentally, the probabilities of single-electron capture and electron capture ionization as a function of the impact parameter are calculated. The dependences of the incident particle scattering angle on the impact parameter (deviation function) for interactions with Ar and Xe atoms are calculated in terms of classical mechanics using the Moliére—Yukawa potential to describe the interaction of atomic particles. Analysis is given to the probabilities of electron capture and electron capture ionization versus the impact parameter and to the distribution of the electron density on different electron shells in a target atom versus a distance to the core. It is concluded that only electrons from the outer shell of the target atom are involved in the process of electron capture ionization. The cross section of electron capture ionization is calculated in the proton energy range 5–20 keV.     

Femtosecond laser interactions with dielectric materials: insights of a detailed modeling of electronic excitation and relaxation processes

Electronic excitation–relaxation processes induced by ultra-short laser pulses are studied numerically for dielectric targets. A detailed kinetic approach is used in the calculations accounting for the absence of equilibrium in the electronic subsystem. Such processes as electron–photon–phonon, electron–phonon and electron–electron scatterings are considered in the model. In addition, both laser field ionization ranging from multi-photon to tunneling one, and electron impact (avalanche) ionization processes are included in the model. The calculation results provide electron energy distribution. Based on the time-evolution of the energy distribution function, we estimate the electron thermalization time as a function of laser parameters. The effect of the density of conduction band electrons on this time is examined. By using the average electron energy, a new criterion is proposed based on determined damage threshold in agreement with recent experiments (Sanner et al. in Appl. Phys. Lett. 96:071111, 2010).     

Excitation of helium atoms in collisions with plasma electrons in an electric field

The rate constants are evaluated for excitation of helium atoms in metastable states by electron impact if ionized helium is located in an external electric field and is supported by it, such that a typical electron energy is small compared to the atomic excitation energy. Under these conditions, atomic excitation is determined both by the electron traveling in the space of electron energies toward the excitation threshold and by the subsequent atomic excitation, which is a self-consistent process because it leads to a sharp decrease in the energy distribution function of electrons, which in turn determines the excitation rate. The excitation rate constant is calculated for the regimes of low and high electron densities, and in the last case, it is small compared to the equilibrium rate constant where the Maxwell distribution function is realized including its tail. Quenching of metastable atomic states by electron impact results in excitation of higher excited states, rather than transition to the ground electron state for the electric field strengths under consideration. Therefore, at restricted electron number densities, the rate of emission of resonant photons of the wavelength 58 nm, which results from the transition from the 2¹ P state of the helium atom to the ground state, is close to the excitation rate of metastable atomic states. The efficiency of atomic excitation in ionized helium, i.e., the part of energy of an electric field injected in ionized helium that is spent on atomic excitation, is evaluated. The results exhibit the importance of electron kinetics for an ionized gas located in an electric field.     

一种考虑几何屏蔽效应的计算“电子-分子”散射总截面的可加性规则修正方法

在考虑分子内原子间的几何屏蔽效应随电子入射能量变化的基础上, 提出了一种能够在中、高能区准确计算“电子-分子”散射总截面的可加性规则修正方法. 利用这一修正后的可加性规则并使用“电子-C, H, O, N原子”散射总截面的实验数据, 在50—5000 eV内计算了电子被NO, N₂O, NO₂和C₂H₆分子散射的总截面, 且将计算结果与实验结果及其他理论结果进行了比较. 结果表明, 利用这一方法修正过的可加性规则进行计 关键词： 电子散射 可加性规则 总截面 几何屏蔽效应     

A Similar Change in the Kinetic-Energy Components of Longitudinal Continuous Motion of Magnetized Electrons within the Landau Levels and Determination of the Characteristics of a Degenerate System

Account is taken of a similar change in the kinetic-energy components of a longitudinal electron motion along the magnetic field within each Landau energy level. The maximum electron energy is found as well as the kinetic energy of a transverse electron motion in the magnetic field. The electron concentrations are determined depending on the magnetic-field strength, whose intrinsic magnetic moments are directed along and opposite the field. The magnetic-field strengths for which a certain number of Landau quantum levels is realized in an electron degenerate system of a specified concentration are also found.__________Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 18–22, March, 2005.     

First principles study of the electron density distribution in a pair of bare metallic electrodes

Self-consistent calculations of electron density distribution from first principles for a series of semi-infinite metals show that the electron density almost drops to zero at 8.5 a.u. away from a metal surface. The electron densities in a series of bimetallic-electrode systems with a distance between the two electrodes of 21.7 a.u. are further investigated. Spin-polarized calculations of electron density for nonmagnetic and magnetic bimetallic-electrode systems are compared. Our work is helpful for first principles investigation of spin-dependent metal–molecule–metal tunneling junctions.     

Renormalization of the Effective Electron Mass Governing the Period of Microwave-Induced Resistance Oscillations in ZnO/MgZnO Heterojunctions

The phenomenon of microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations is studied in a series of ZnO/MgZnO heterojunctions characterized by different two-dimensional electron densities n. It is found that the effective electron mass m* determined from the period of microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations depends essentially on this parameter. For high densities, the value of m* tends to the effective electron mass in bulk ZnO, while for low densities, m* increases pronouncedly and becomes considerably larger than the electron cyclotron mass. The experimental results give clear evidence of a significant impact of the electron–electron interaction on microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations.     

Electron surfing acceleration in a current sheet of flares

A model of electron acceleration in a current sheet of flares is studied by the analytical approximation solution and the test particle simulation. The electron can be trapped in a potential of propagating electrostatic wave. The trapped electron moving with the phase velocity v _p of wave may be effectively accelerated by ev _p/c × B _z force along the outflow direction in the current sheet, if a criterion condition K > 0 for electron surfing acceleration is satisfied. The electron will be accelerated continuously until the electron de-trap from the wave potential at the turning point S.