Collisions between metastable hydrogen atoms at thermal energies

The complex interaction potentials arising in the approach of two metastable hydrogen 2s atoms are calculated and the cross sections for ionization, excitation transfer, and elastic scattering are predicted. The measured cross section for associative ionization at E = 4.1 meV equals 2x10(-15) cm (2). We calculate a total ionization cross section of 2x10(-13) cm (2), varying as E(-2/3) at higher energies. Thus it appears that dissociative ionization is the major ionization channel. We find also that double excitation transfer into two excited H(2p) atoms is still more probable with the large cross section of 9x10(-12) cm (2) at E = 4.1 meV varying as E(-1/2) at higher energies. The detection of the resulting Lyman alpha photons would provide a diagnostic test of our predictions.     

Collision-induced vibrational energy transfer: K2[1(1) sigmau+ (nu'=2)]+He, H2-->K2[1(1) sigmau+(nu'=1,3)]+He, H2

Collisional energy transfer processes K2[1(1) sigmau+ (nu'=2)]+He, H2-->K2[1(1) sigmau+(nu'=1,3)]+He, H2 were studied by laser induced fluorescence under gas cell conditions. During the experiments, the cell temperature was kept constant at 420K. The buffer gas pressure was varied over the range from 40 to 250 Pa, Kz molecules were irradiated with pulses of radiation from an OPO laser, populating K2[1(1) sigmau+ (nu'=2)] by photon absorption. The resulting fluorescence included the direct component emitted in the decay of the optically excited state and the sensitized components arising from collisionally populated states. The decay signal of time-resolved fluorescence from 1(1) sigmau+ (nu'=2)]-->1(1) sigmag+(nu"=0) transition was monitored. In the early period after excitation, only very little population in states v'= 1 or 3 had yet accumulated, the rate of collisional activation to the state nu'=2 was negligible. The decay curve of the nu' = 2-->nu" = 0 was treated as a single exponential function. From the measurement of the time-resolved fluorescence, the semilog plot was shown. The slope yielded the effective lifetime of the nu' = 2--> nu' = 0 transition. Based on the Stern-Volmer equation, the radiative lifetime (36 +/- 7) ns was obtained. The total cross sections for deactivation of 1(1) sigmau1 (nu'=2) state by means of collisions with He and H2 are (3.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-16) cm2 and (6.4 +/- 1.2) x 10(-15) cm2, respectively. The radiative lifetimes of 1(1) sigmau+(nu' = 1,3) states can also be determined through time-resolved fluorescence in pure K vapor. The time-integrated intensities of 1(1)sigmau+(nu' = 1,2,3)-->1(1) sigmag+(nu"=0) transition at different He or Hz pressure were measured. The ratio of fluorescence intensities versus 1/P(He, H2) can be fitted by a straight line. The slopes yield the cross sections sigma(nu'=2-->nu'=1) = (1.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(-16) cm2 and (3.2 +/- 1.0) x 10(-15) cm2; sigma(nu'=2-->nu'=3)= (1.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(-16) cm2 and (2.6 +/- 0.9) x 10(-15) cm2 for He and H2, respectively. Cross sections for the effective quenching of the nu' = 1,2,3 states were also determined. To our knowledge, the cross-sections for these processes are reported for first time.     

Anisotropic hyperfine interactions limit the efficiency of spin-exchange optical pumping of ³He nuclei

We use accurate ab initio and quantum scattering calculations to demonstrate that the maximum 3He spin polarization that can be achieved in spin-exchange collisions with potassium (3?K) and silver (1??Ag) atoms is limited by the anisotropic hyperfine interaction. We find that spin exchange in Ag-He collisions occurs much faster than in K-He collisions over a wide range of temperatures (10-600 K). Our analysis indicates that measurements of trap loss rates of 2S atoms in the presence of cold 3He gas may be used to probe anisotropic spin-dependent interactions in atom-He collisions.     

Direct observation of the quantum tunneling of single hydrogen atoms with a scanning tunneling microscope

Single hydrogen atoms were imaged on the Cu(001) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The vibrations of individual H and D atoms against the surface were excited and detected by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (STM-IETS). Variable temperature measurements of H atom diffusion showed a transition from thermally activated diffusion to quantum tunneling at 60 K. Regimes of phonon-assisted and electron-limited quantum tunneling were observed. The thermal diffusion rate of D atoms varied over 7 orders of magnitude between 80 and 50 K with no transition to quantum tunneling down to a thermal hopping rate of 4x10(-7) s(-1).     

Rb(5PJ)与He,N2的碰撞精细结构混合和猝灭

在气体样品池条件下,研究了Rb(5PJ) (He,N2)碰撞能量转移过程.用调频半导体激光器激发Rb原子至Rb(5P3/2)态,在不同的He或N2气压下,测量了直接5P3/2→5S1/2荧光和转移5P1/2→5S1/2荧光.对于Rb(5PJ)与He的碰撞,只发生精细结构转移(略去碰撞猝灭效应),电子态能量仅能转移为He原子的平动能.在与N2的碰撞中,向分子振转态的转移是重要的.本实验中,Rb的密度为4.5×1011 cm-3,由辐射陷获理论得到5P1/2→5S1/2的有效辐射率为2.47×107 s-1.利用速率方程分析,可以得到碰撞转移速率系数,对于He,5P3/2→5S1/2转移速率系数kHe21=2.61×10 12 cm3·s.对于N2,测量5PJ He和5PJ N2两种情况下直接荧光与敏化荧光的相对强度比,利用最小二乘法确定5Pa/2→5S1/2转移速率系数kN212=2.36×10-11 cm3·s,5PJ态猝灭速率系数kN2=1.44×10-11 cm3·s-1.由实验结果证实了Cs-N2主要是直线式碰撞传能机制,与其他实验结果进行了比较.     

Kerr effect in liquid helium at temperatures below the superfluid transition

The electro-optical Kerr effect induced by a slowly varying electric field in liquid helium at temperatures below the lambda point is investigated. The Kerr constant of liquid helium is measured to be (1.43+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.04(sys)) x 10(-20) (cm/V)(2) at T=1.5 K. Within experimental uncertainty, the Kerr constant is independent of temperature in the range T=1.5 K to 2.17 K, which implies that the Kerr constant of the superfluid component of liquid helium is the same as that of normal liquid helium. Pair and higher correlations of He atoms in the liquid phase account for about 23% of the measured Kerr constant. Liquid nitrogen was used to test the experimental setup; the result for the liquid nitrogen Kerr constant is (4.38+/-0.15) x 10(-18) (cm/V)(2). Kerr effect can be used as a noncontact technique for measuring the magnitude and mapping out the distribution of electric fields inside these cryogenic insulants.     

Cold collision frequency shift in two-dimensional atomic hydrogen

We report a measurement of the cold collision frequency shift in atomic hydrogen gas adsorbed on the surface of superfluid (4)He at T approximately < 90 mK. Using two-photon electron and nuclear magnetic resonance in 4.6 T field we separate the resonance line shifts due to the dipolar and exchange interactions, both proportional to surface density sigma. We find the clock shift Delta nu(c) = -1.0(1) x 10(-7) Hz cm(-2) x sigma, which is about 100 times smaller than the value predicted by the mean field theory and known scattering lengths in the three-dimensional case.     

Quantum dynamics of ultracold Na+ Na2 collisions

Ultracold collisions between spin-polarized Na atoms and vibrationally excited Na2 molecules are investigated theoretically, using a reactive scattering formalism (including atom exchange). Calculations are carried out on both pairwise additive and nonadditive potential energy surfaces for the quartet electronic state. The Wigner threshold laws are followed for energies below 10(-5) K. Vibrational relaxation processes dominate elastic processes for temperatures below 10(-3)-10(-4) K. For temperatures below 10(-5) K, the rate coefficients for vibrational relaxation (v=1-->0) are 4.8x10(-11) and 5.2x10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) for the additive and nonadditive potentials, respectively. The large difference emphasizes the importance of using accurate potential energy surfaces for such calculations.     

Magnetic field dependence of ultracold inelastic collisions near a feshbach resonance

Inelastic collision rates for ultracold 85Rb atoms in the F = 2, m(f) = -2 state have been measured as a function of magnetic field. At 250 gauss (G), the two- and three-body loss rates were measured to be K2 = (1.87+/-0.95+/-0.19)x10(-14) cm(3)/s and K3 = (4.24(+0. 70)(-0.29)+/-0.85)x10(-25) cm(6)/s, respectively. As the magnetic field is decreased from 250 G towards a Feshbach resonance at 155 G, the inelastic rates decrease to a minimum and then increase dramatically, peaking at the Feshbach resonance. Both two- and three-body losses are important, and individual contributions have been compared with theory.     

Slow spin relaxation of Rb atoms confined in glass cells filled with dense 4He gas at 1.85 K

At temperatures below 2.1 K, long-lived gaseous Rb atoms in glass cells have been generated with a simple method: irradiating the cells, containing 4He gas and Rb metal, with a cw laser. The obtained atomic Rb density ( approximately 10(8) cm(-3)) decreases with a 1/e time constant of about 10 s at 1.85 K. We have performed optical pumping of the Rb atoms and measured the longitudinal electronic spin relaxation time at 1.85 K as well. For processes (such as Rb-He collisions) which do not remove the atomic Rb from the vapor, this relaxation time is found to be about 60+/-15 s.     

Hyperfine polarization and its normal gradient coefficient of (87)Rb atoms in the vicinity (approximately 10(-5) cm) of coated and uncoated Pyrex glass surfaces

We have made regionally specific measurement of the hyperfine polarization of 87Rb atoms in the vicinity ( approximately 10(-5) cm) of coated and uncoated Pyrex glass surfaces. We find that the polarization near an uncoated surface decreases rapidly with decreasing distance from the surface whereas for a silicone-coated surface the polarization is independent of the distance from the surface. We have also determined the normal gradient coefficient micro (S.I) of the hyperfine polarization in uncoated cells. In a representative uncoated cell, at a Rb density 7.35 x 10(13) cm(-3) and a pump beam intensity 1.3 W/cm(2), we find micro(S.I)=24+/-7 microm(-1).     

Electromagnetically induced transparency for x rays

Electromagnetically induced transparency is predicted for x rays in laser-dressed neon gas. The x-ray photoabsorption cross section and polarizability near the Ne K edge are calculated using an ab initio theory suitable for optical strong-field problems. The laser wavelength is tuned close to the transition between 1s(-1)3s and 1s(-1)3p approximately 800 nm). The minimum laser intensity required to observe electromagnetically induced transparency is of the order of 10(12) W/cm(2). The ab initio results are discussed in terms of an exactly solvable three-level model. This work opens new opportunities for research with ultrafast x-ray sources.     

Precision measurements of the nucleon strange form factors at Q2 approximately 0.1 GeV2

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry A(PV) in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and 4He targets with approximately 6.0 degrees . The 4He result is A(PV)=(+6.40+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.12(syst))x10(-6). The hydrogen result is A(PV)=(-1.58+/-0.12(stat)+/-0.04(syst))x10(-6). These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors G(E)(s) and G(M)(s). We extract G(E)(s)=0.002+/-0.014+/-0.007 at =0.077 GeV2, and G(E)(s)+0.09G(M)(s)=0.007+/-0.011+/-0.006 at =0.109 GeV2, providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions.     

852.3 nm激光线共振激发Cs蒸气的荧光光谱

研究了Cs蒸气被单模半导体激光器的852.3 nm线激发产生的荧光光谱。由Cs,Cs₂的荧光及其强度确定了在受激Cs-Cs₂系统中的若干碰撞和辐射过程。高位态原子线是由Cs(6P_3/2)+ Cs(6P_3/2)到Cs(6D,8S)的碰撞能量合并形成的,Cs₂(B 1∏_u)带则由Cs(6P)+Cs₂(X 1Σ+_g)碰撞转移产生。通过激发转移、能量碰撞合并和Cs₂-Cs碰撞传能研究了6 2P原子的精细结构混合,得到了6P_3/2→6P_1/2碰撞转移速率系数是(5.2±2.1)×10-11 cm3·s-1,给出了过程Cs₂(B 1∏_u)+Cs(6S)→Cs₂(X 1Σ+_g)+Cs(6P_1/2)的速率系数是(1.0±0.4)×10-9 cm3·s-1。     

A statistical thermodynamic approach to sonochemical reactions

The calculation of the equilibrium constants K of the sonolysis reactions of CO2 into CO and O atom, the recombination of O atoms into O2 and the formation of H2O starting with H and O atoms, has been studied by means of statistical thermodynamic. The constants have been calculated at 300 kHz versus the pressure and the temperature according to the extreme conditions expected in a cavitation bubble, e.g. in the range from ambient temperature to 15200 K and from ambient pressure to 300 bar. The decomposition of CO2 appears to be thermodynamically favored at 15200 K and 1 bar with a constant K1=1.52 x 10(6), whereas the formation of O2 is not expected to occur (K2=1.8 x10(-8) maximum value at 15200 K and 300 bar) in comparison to the formation of water (K3=3.4 x 10(47) at 298 K and 300 bar). The most thermodynamic favorable location of each reactions is then proposed, the surrounding shell region for the thermic decomposition of CO2 and the wall of the cavitation bubble for the formation of water. Starting from a work of Henglein on the sonolysis of CO2 in water at 300 kHz, the experimental amount of CO formed (7.2 x 10(20)molecules L(-1)) is compared to the theoretical CO amount (1.4 x 10(27)molecules L(-1)) which can be produced by the sonolysis of the same starting amount CO2. With the help of the literature data, the number of cavitation bubble has been evaluated to 6.2 x 10(15) bubbles L(-1) at 300 kHz, in 15 min. This means that about 1 bubble on 1900000 is efficient for undergoing the sonolysis of CO2.     

Interaction-driven dynamics of 40K- 87Rb Fermion-Boson gas mixtures in the large-particle-number limit

We have studied effects of interspecies attraction in a Fermi-Bose mixture over a large regime of particle numbers in the 40K-87Rb system. We report on the observation of a mean-field driven collapse at critical particle numbers of 1.2 x 10(6) 87Rb atoms in the condensate and 7.5 x 10(5) 40K atoms consistent with mean-field theory for a scattering length of aFB = -284a(0). For large overcritical particle numbers, we see evidence for revivals of the collapse. Part of our detailed study of the decay dynamics and mechanisms is a measurement of the (87Rb- 87Rb- 40K) three-body loss coefficient K3 = (2.8 +/- 1.1) x 10(-28) cm6/s, which is an important parameter for dynamical studies of the system.     

Bichromatic slowing and collimation to make an intense helium beam

The bichromatic force has been used to both slow and collimate a beam of metastable 2(3)S He atoms (He*). The collimation capture range is an extraordinary +/-85 m/s corresponding to approximately 0.18 radians from our source. Both slowing and collimation were accomplished in the unprecedented short distance of approximately 5 cm each. The overall brightness increase is x3200, and there is potential for considerably more.     

High-Resolution Spectrum and Rovibrational Analysis of the nu(2)/nu(5) Dyad of D(3)SiF near 700 cm(-1)

The nu(2) (A(1), 710.157 cm(-1)) and nu(5) (E, 701.717 cm(-1)) fundamental bands of D(3)(28)SiF have been studied by FTIR spectroscopy with a resolution of 2.4 x 10(-3) cm(-1). We assigned 1648 lines for the parallel band (J(max) = 50, K(max) = 21), 4279 for the perpendicular band (J(max) = 52, K(max) = 27), and in addition 671 perturbation-allowed transitions (J(max) = 50, K(max) = 12). The nearly degenerate v(2) = 1 and v(5) = 1 states are linked by (DeltaK = +/-1, Deltal = +/-1) and (DeltaK = +/-2, Deltal = -/+1) interactions, while the l(5) = +/-1 levels of nu(5) interact also by l(2, -1), l(2, 2), and l(2, -4) interactions. The first model with 36 free parameters, taking into account all these resonances through a nonlinear least-squares program, gave standard deviations of 1.56 x 10(-4) cm(-1) for 5997 nonzero-weighted IR data and 138 kHz for 8 MW data from the literature. The second model, in which the main Coriolis term was constrained to a force field value, used 37 parameters and gave similar standard deviations. A new determination of the A(0) and D(0)(K) ground state parameters was performed by two methods: either using differences between "forbidden" transitions differing by 3 in K or letting A(0) and D(0)(K) free in the global fit. The values obtained are fully compatible with those obtained previously by the "loop method." Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Bose-Einstein condensation of metastable helium

We have observed a Bose-Einstein condensate in a dilute gas of 4He in the (3)2S(1) metastable state. We find a critical temperature of (4.7+/-0.5) microK and a typical number of atoms at the threshold of 8 x 10(6). The maximum number of atoms in our condensate is about 5 x 10(5). An approximate value for the scattering length a = (16+/-8) nm is measured. The mean elastic collision rate at threshold is then estimated to be about 2 x 10(4) s(-1), indicating that we are deeply in the hydrodynamic regime. The typical decay time of the condensate is 2 s, which places an upper bound on the rate constants for two-body and three-body inelastic collisions.     

Cs(6D_J)+(H_2,H_e)的反应与非反应碰撞能量转移

在样品池条件下,利用原子荧光光谱方法,测量了Cs(6DJ)与H2,He碰撞中的反应与非反应能量转移截面.利用脉冲激光886nm线双光子激发Cs(6S)到Cs(6D3/2)态,原子荧光中除含有6D3/2→6P的直接荧光外,还含有6D5/2→6P的转移荧光.利用三能级模型的速率方程分析,在不同的He和H2密度下,分别测垦直接荧光与转移荧光的时间积分荧光强度比,得到了6D3/2与H2和He碰撞的精细结构转移截面分别为σ=(55±13)×10-16和(16±4)×10-16 cm2,同时确定了6D5/2与H2和He的碰撞猝灭速率系数.6D5/2态与H2的碰撞猝灭速率系数比6D5/2与He的大,它是反应与非反应速率系数之和,利用实验数据确定非反应速率系数为6.3×10-10 cm3·s-1,得到6D5/2与H2的反应截面为(2.0±0.8)×10-16 cm2.利用不同H2(或He)密度下6D5/2→6P3/2时间积分荧光强度,得到6D3/2与H2反应截面为(4.0±1.6)×10-16 cm2,6D3/2与H2反应的活性大于6D5/2.