The use of polarization modulation and amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne interferometry for linear birefringence parameters measurement

A novel common-path polarization modulation and amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne polarimeter is setup in order to characterize a phase retardation plate (PRP) in real time. The phase retardation ΔΦ and fast-axis angle β of the linear birefringence parameters (LBP) of a PRP are measured simultaneously. Meanwhile, the dynamic ranges of 0° < ΔΦ < 180° and 0° < β < 180° are demonstrated experimentally. In order to measure LBP in real time, a polarization modulation is introduced by continuously rotating the tested PRP such that ΔΦ and β are able to be obtained in terms of the ratio of the amplitudes of S polarization and the ratio of P polarization of the heterodyne signals, respectively. Consequently, this novel method, which combines optical heterodyne interferometry with a polarization modulation technique, not only improves the detection sensitivity, but also provides a real time capability to measure LBP. In addition, the error in the LBP measurement is derived and analyzed.     

Comments on np elastic scattering, 142–800 MeV

Important new data of McNaughton et al. on np Wolfenstein parameters are added to NN phase-shift analysis. At 800 MeV, there is a dramatic improvement and one can see with confidence which way phase shifts are heading from 500 to 800 MeV. Dispersive effects in ³D₁ and ³G₃ herald the onset of I = 0 inelasticity. Phase shifts account naturally for the energy dependence of Δσ_L and Δσ_T for np scattering and do not support the claim of Beddo et al. for an I = 0 dibaryon resonance near 733 MeV.     

Phase separation in YBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals near δ = 0

X-ray diffraction, resistivity, AC and DC magnetization data on high-quality single crystals of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ are presented. We demonstrate that for δ<0.08, the (0 0 l) diffraction lines are split into two, indicating that at these high oxygen concentrations the crystals are no longer single phase but actually consist of two (or more) different phases with slightly different c-axis parameters. In the two-phase region, the electrical resistivity and the AC and DC magnetic susceptibilities show a broadening of the superconducting transition. This broadening is thought to be due to the proximity effect or strains in two finely dispersed phases with slightly different transition temperatures.     

Pion-He scattering length

We present relativistic three-body calculations for the real part of the π-⁴He scattering length Re a. Nucleon binding, exclusion principle and Fermi motion are all included in a very careful manner. Because of our careful evaluation of the single-scattering process the remaining discrepancies with the experimental data can be attributed to higher-order mechanisms involving more than one nucleon. In particular for the πA S-wave interaction at threshold, one expects that these higher-order contributions arise largely from the absorption effect. We have performed our calculations for four current models of the input πN t-matrix. Using a πN t-matrix which reproduces the low energy πN phase shifts correctly leads to Re a_abs -Im a_abs, if we attribute the discrepancy of the calculated value with the accurately determined empirical value of Re a to pion absorption. We determine the strength parameter B₀ in a p² optical potential term from an adjustment to the π-⁴He scattering length. Finally some cross sections are calculated for T^lab_π = 10 MeV and T^lab_π = 15 MeV.     

Model amplitude analysis of πp→ππn

We present an amplitude analysis of the process π⁻p→π⁺π⁻n at 15 GeV/c assuming spin and phase coherence of the production amplitude. The bearing of the results on aspects of dipion production phenomenology is discussed.     

Microscopic, many-body approach to inelastic pion-nucleus scattering

We develop a microscopic, Fermi liquid approach to (π, π′;) scattering to low-lying final states. Application to excitation of a neutron particle-hole state in infinite nuclear matter shows that the ratio of π⁻ to π⁺ cross sections is sensitive to Fermi liquid parameters.     

Deux trajectoires de regge dans la reaction πp → πn

The possibility of describing the high-energy reaction π⁻p^→π⁰n with two Regge trajectories (t) and _'(t) is studied in more detail. These trajectories are assumed to be exactly linear in t, with (t) constrained to pass through (m²) = 1. We examine hypotheses in which (t) obeys either the Gell-Mann mechanism or the Chew mechanism, and in which '(t) is or is not a conspiring trajectory. The model is in good agreement with the data in practically all cases; greater experimental accuracy would be necessary to distinguish between the various hypothesis. Predictions are given for the neutron polarization at |t| < 1 GeV².     

Chiral symmetry amplitudes in the S-wave isoscalar and isovector channels and the σ, f0(980), a0(980) scalar mesons

We use a non-perturbative approach which combines coupled channel Lippmann-Schwinger equations with meson-meson potentials provided by the lowest order chiral Lagrangian. By means of one parameter, a cut off in the momentum of the loop integrals, which results of the order of 1 GeV, we obtain singularities in the S-wave amplitudes corresponding to the σ, f₀ and a₀ resonances. The ππ → ππ, phase shifts and inelasticities in the T = 0 scalar channel are well reproduced as well as the π⁰η and mass distributions in the T = 1 channel. Furthermore, the total and partial strong decay widths of the f₀ and a₀ resonances are properly reproduced. The results seem to indicate that chiral symmetry constraints at low energy and unitarity in coupled channels is the basic information contained in the meson-meson interaction below GeV.     

An exorcized, factorizing dual amplitude for six charged pions

We further study the amplitudes proposed by two of us which possess the πA₁ three-body trajectory and the f trajectory in the two-body channels. We deduce the π^±o→π^±o amplitude. This amplitude has no parity doubling on any of the leading trajectories. By using the positivity and the Adler conditions we show that the possible forms of the amplitude are severely restricted. We predict degeneracy of the levels along the leading πA₁ trajectory with the exception of spin 0 and spin 1. The positivity conditions have only been imposed on the parent trajectory, so that the overall consistency of the π amplitude has not been fully checked. If we further require the A₁ to be a single level, the amplitude has no free parameters. We regard the existence of an amplitude which obeys the bootstrap condition, which has positivity and no parity doubling along the parent trajectory, and which satisfies the Adler condition as a remarkable consistency test for the N-point function.     

Enhanced magnetic properties of Nd–Fe–B thin films crystallized by heat treatment

Nd₂Fe₁₄B Φ phase crystallites were formed in Nd_16.7Fe_65.5B_17.8 thin films prepared by RF sputtering with subsequent heat treatment. The 2 μm-thick films were deposited onto 0.1 mm Mo sheets at an average substrate temperature (T_s) of 365°C. The enhanced magnetic properties of the magnetically anisotropic thin films were investigated using different heating rates (h_r) of 10°C, 20°C, 50°C and 100°C/min in an annealing experiment. Transformation from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase is clearly manifested by the formation of fine crystallites embedded as a columnar matrix of Nd₂Fe₁₄B phase. High-resolution scanning electron microscope data of the cross-section of the annealed films show columnar stacking of Nd₂Fe₁₄B crystallites with sizes <500 nm. Transmission electron microscope observations revealed that the microstructure of these films having out-of-plane magnetization consists of uniformly distributed Φ phase with grain size around 400 nm together with small Nd rich particles. This grain size of Φ phase is comparable to the single domain particle diameter of Nd₂Fe₁₄B. Significant change in _iH_c, 4πM_r and 4πM_s with h_r was confirmed. Annealing conditions with a heating rate of 50°C/min to an annealing temperature (T_a) of 650°C for 30 min was consequently found to give optimum properties for the NdFeB thin films. The resulting magnetic properties, considered to be the effect of varying h_r were _iH_c= 1307–1357 kA/m, 4πM_r=0.78–1.06 T and 4πM_s=0.81–1.07 T.     

Double charge exchange and one-pion production in π He collisions at 1.7 GeV/c

We present the results of a study of the exclusive reactions π^{+ 4}He → π⁻ 4p (double charge exchange, DCE) and π^{+ 4}He → π⁺ π⁻ 3pn (one-pion production). The experiment was performed with the Oxford/RHEL helium bubble chamber irradiated with a 1.7 GeV/c π⁺ beam. A general review of DCE models is presented and experimental results at other energies are discussed in the light of these models. None of the existing theoretical models is compatible with out data at 1.7 GeV/c. We propose a new mechanism for DCE, involving three nucleons, which reproduces the integrated as well as the differential cross sections. Some consequences for other models are also discussed.     

Theoretical models for deuteron photodisintegration in the energy range between 250 MeV and 800 MeV

Two theoretical models of γd → pn are developed to study the differential cross-section and'the proton polarization data in a coherent way. The first model is an extension of conventional diagrammatic summations of Born terms and isobar excitation terms. The second model is novel in that the isobar excitation terms are replaced by experimentally determined _γN → N_π helicity amplitudes. The second model allows us to extend to higher energies with the introduction of only one arbitrary parameter. The differential cross-section data are fairly well reproduced in the whole energy range, while the proton polarization data are very far removed from the calculations.     

Study of solid electrolyte polarization by a complex admittance method

The polarization behavior of zirconia-yttria solid electrolyte specimens with platinum electrodes has been studied over a temperature range of 400° to 800°C and a wide range of oxygen partial pressures. The complex admittance of these specimens was determined over a frequency range from d.c. to 100kHz. An analysis of these data in the complex admittance plane indicated the presence of three polarizations: (1) an electrode polarization characterized by a double layer capacity and an effective resistance for the overall electrode reaction, O₂(gas) + 2e(platinum) O²⁻ (electrolyte); (2) a capacitive-resistive electrolyte polarization, probably corresponding to a partial blocking of oxygen ions at the electrolyte grain boundaries by an impurity phase there; and (3) a pure ohmic electrolyte polarization.     

Electromagnetic final-state interactions in the leptonic decays of the neutral kaon (I) Kℓ3 mode

We present a calculation of the Coulomb final-state interaction effects in the decays K_L → π ℓ^±V_ℓ. Specifically we investigate the charge asymmetry and the transverse polarization of the charged lepton. We consider the effects of possible ΔQ = −ΔS amplitudes and the q² dependence of the form factors. The variation of the effects over the Dalitz plot is discussed and many numerical results are given.     

Single and double dissociation in πp collisions at 11 and 16 GeV/c

The reactions π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p, π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺π^op and π⁻p → 2π⁻2π⁺n are analysed at 11 and 16 GeV/c using longitudinal phase space (LPS) plots. The weighted LPS distributions for π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p is dominated by two well separated structures corresponding to single diffraction dissociation of the pion, π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)p, and of the proton, π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺p). The former is more abundant than the latter, and both are approximately constant with energy. In contrast, processes of type π⁻p → (2π)(πp) decrease with increasing energy.

In the five-body reactions the weighted LPS distribution reveals especially at 16 GeV/c a maximum for single dissociation of the proton into 3πp, namely π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺π^op); this process is likely to be diffractive. The neutron channel has a corresponding maximum displaced toward a multiperipheral configuration π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻2π⁺)n. Another strong maximum corresponds to the pion dissociation π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺π^o)p. This is interpreted to be an ω-exchange process because no analogous structure occurs in π⁻p → (2π⁻2π⁺)n. Finally, a broad structure reveals double dissociation of both incident particles; it occurs in the two channels π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π^op) and π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π⁺n), being stronger in the latter. Further analysis of this process in terms of isospin exchange suggests that it is partially diffractive. Factorization is also discussed.

An appendix gives general aspects of the LPS analysis for the asymptotic study of n-body collisions at very high energy.     

Radiative decay of ρ and φ mesons in a chiral unitary approach

We study the ρ⁰ and φ decays into π⁺π⁻γ, π⁰π⁰γ and φ into π⁰ηγ using a chiral unitary approach to deal with the final state interaction of the MM system. The final state interaction modifies only moderately the large momenta tail of the photon spectrum of the ρ⁰→π⁺π⁻γ decay. In the case of φ decay the contribution to π⁺π⁻γ and π⁰π⁰γ decay proceeds via kaonic loops and gives a distribution of ππ invariant masses in which the f₀(980) resonance shows up with a very distinct peak. The spectrum found for φ→π⁰π⁰γ decay agrees with the recent experimental results obtained at Novosibirsk. The branching ratio for φ→π⁰ηγ, dominated by the a₀(980), is also in agreement with recent Novosibirsk results.     

Measurement of the average polarization of B produced by polarized muons in the μ + C → νμ + B reaction

The average polarization of ¹²B produced by the capture of polarized muons in ¹²C has been measured using recoil implantation techniques. From the result we deduce the average polarization of the ¹²B ground state ¹²B(0) corresponding to the ¹²C → ¹²B(0) Gamow-Teller reaction: J_μ(0) = 0.43 ± 0.10. The sizeable deviation of this polarization from the value of 2/3, characteristic of a “bare” 0⁺ → 1⁺ process, is a fair evidence for induced axial-vector interaction(s) in muon capture. The ratio of the induced pseudoscalar and the axial-vector coupling constants is deduced to be: g^μ_P/g^μ_A = 12 ± 5.     

Modified quantization schemes for Fourier-type array generators

Phase quantization of diffractive elements usually requires uniformly distributed phase levels in the domain [0,2 π]. In this paper we discuss two alternate quantization schemes. In the first one the phases are uniformly distributed in a domain [0,φ₀], with φ₀ < 2π. The second scheme employs non-equidistant levels in the phase domain [0,2 π]. Both schemes are useful to reduce quantization errors in diffractive elements, without increasing fabrication complexity.     

Magnetic and microstructural investigations of melt-spun Fe(NdPr)B

The magnetic behavior of rapidly solidified FePrB was investigated in the composition range Fe_77+χPr₁₅B_8−χ (0 ≤ χ ≤ 4). Furthermore, the magnetic and microstructural properties of Fe(NdPr)B were analyzed in the range Fe₇₈(Nd_χPr_1−χ)₁₅B₇ (0 ≤ χ ≤ 1). The temperature dependence of the critical field was analyzed with a modified form of Brown's expression for the nucleation field. From this analysis the values for the microstructural parameters, _K and N_eff, were determined which describe the deteriorating effects of the non-ideal microstructure on the coercivity.     

Tests of second-class currents

We argue that the presence of second-class neutral currents can be tested from the observations of and electron polarisation in η→π⁰e⁺e^-. Consequences of this model in η→π^±eν_e,τ^±→ηπ^±ν_τ and τ^±→ωπ^±ν_τ decays which would establish second-class charged currents are also discussed.