Dielectronic resonance method for measuring isotope shifts

Long standing problems in the comparison of very accurate hyperfine-shift measurements to theory were partly overcome by precise measurements on few-electron highly charged ions. Still the agreement between theory and experiment is unsatisfactory. In this Letter, we present a radically new way of precisely measuring hyperfine shifts, and demonstrate its effectiveness in the case of the hyperfine shift of 4s1/2 and 4p1/2 in 207Pb53+. It is based on the precise detection of dielectronic resonances that occur in electron-ion recombination at very low energy. This allows us to determine the hyperfine constant to around 0.6 meV accuracy which is on the order of 10%.     

Observation of Δn=1 dielectronic recombination resonances of boronlike argon

We report here an observation ofn=1 dielectronic recombination resonances of boron-like argon in the energy region 140–195 eV. With the cooler's electron beam as a target, a resolution of approximately 0.6 eV FWHM was obtained in the observed energy range. The energies of the doubly excited states were estimated with a Hartree-Fock calculation, which indicates that the observed resonances are from Ar¹³⁺(1s²2s²2p) to Ar¹²⁺(1s²2s²3l3l) and Ar¹²⁺(1s²2s2p3l3l) transitions.     

High Rydberg resonances in dielectronic recombination of pb(79+)

Dielectronic recombination resonances of Pb (79+) associated with 2s(1/2)-->2p(1/2) excitations were measured at the heavy-ion storage ring ESR at GSI. The fine structure of the energetically lowest resonance manifold Pb (78+)(1s(2)2p(1/2)20l(j)) at around 18 eV could partially be resolved, and rate coefficients on an absolute scale were obtained. A comparison of the experimental data with results of a fully relativistic theoretical approach shows that high-angular-momentum components up to j=31/2 significantly contribute to the total resonance strength demonstrating the necessity to revise the widespread notion of negligible high-angular-momentum contributions at least for very highly charged ions.     

Precise determination of the 2s(1/2)-2p(1/2) splitting in very heavy lithiumlike ions utilizing dielectronic recombination

The 2s(1/2)-2p(1/2) energy splittings DeltaE(L) of the lithiumlike ions 19779Au76+, 20882Pb79+, and 23892U89+ have been measured at the Experimental Storage Ring, utilizing low energy dielectronic recombination. The resonance energies in total 41 different 1s(2) 2p(1/2)nl(j(')) (n > or =20) autoionizing Rydberg states populated in the dielectronic capture process have been determined. The 2s(1/2)-->2p(1/2) excitation energies have been obtained by extrapolation of these resonance energies to the associated series limits n--> infinity. The combined analysis of the experimental data for all three ions yields DeltaE(L)=216.134(96) eV for Au76+, 230.650(81) eV for Pb79+, and 280.516(99) eV for U89+.     

Measurement of the KLL Dielectronic Recombination Resonances in He-like to C-like Kr Ions

The KLL dielectronic recombination processes of highly charged He-like to C-like Kr ions have been studied experimentally. The measurement was performed on the newly developed Shanghai electron beam ion trap （Shanghai-EBIT） facility. Characteristic x-rays from both dielectronic recombination and radiative recombination are detected as the electron beam energy is scanned through the resonances. The KLL resonant strengths obtained are 5.41×10^-19, 4.33×10^-19, 3.59×10^-19, 2.05×10^-19 and 0.98×10^-19 cm^2 eV for He-like to C-like Kr ions, respectively.     

Ultrashort-pulse laser ellipsometric pump-probe experiments on gold targets

Ultrashort-pulse laser pump-probe ellipsometry has been performed on gold targets at intensities 2 x 10(12)-5 x 10(13) W/cm(2). We measured time-resolved p- and s-polarized reflectivity (r(p) and r(s)) and the s-p phase difference (delta). When plotted as Y=[2|r(s)||r(p)|sin((delta)]/(|r(s)|(2)+|r(p)|(2)) versus X=|r(p)|(2)/|r(s)|(2), the experimental data follow approximately the same curve in X-Y space, even for different pump intensities. Although the input energy density is about 40 eV/atom and the plasma expansion is rapid (up to 10 km/sec), our data are consistent with a partially transparent blowoff having an atomic polarizability (-1.75+0.2i)x 10(-24) cm(3). We attribute this behavior to recombination in the expanding plasma. The Saha equation predicts recombination and formation of negative ions and a low density of free electrons in the low-density vapor, and solutions of the Maxwell equations approximately reproduce the data.     

丝氨酸异构体的电子-分子形状共振态及其解离动力学理论研究

Shape resonances of electron-molecule system formed in the low-energy electron attachment to four low-lying conformers of serine (serine 1, serine 2, serine 3, and serine 4) in gas phase are investigated using the quantum scattering method with the non-empirical model potentials in single-center expansion. In the attachment energy range of 0-10 eV, three shape resonances for serine 1, serine 2, and serine 4 and four shape resonances for serine 3 are predicted. The one-dimensional potential energy curves of the temporary negative ions of electron-serine are calculated to explore the correlations between the shape resonance and the bond cleavage. The bond-cleavage selectivity of the different resonant states for a certain conformer is demonstrated, and the recent experimental results about the dissociative electron attachment to serine are interpreted on the basis of present calculations.     

Evolving dark energy with w not = -1

Theories of evolving quintessence are constructed that generically lead to deviations from the w = -1 prediction of nonevolving dark energy. The small mass scale that governs evolution, m(phi) approximately = 10(-33) eV, is radiatively stable, and the "Why now?" problem is solved. These results rest on seesaw cosmology: Fundamental physics and cosmology can be broadly understood from only two mass scales, the weak scale nu and the Planck scale M. Requiring a scale of dark energy rho(DE)(1/4) governed by nu2/M and a radiatively stable evolution rate m(phi) given by nu4/M3 leads to a distinctive form for the equation of state w(z). Dark energy resides in the potential of a hidden axion field that is generated by a new QCD-like force that gets strong at the scale lambda approximately = nu2/M approximately = rho(DE)(1/4). The evolution rate is given by a second seesaw that leads to the axion mass m(phi) approximately = lambda2/f, with f approximately = M.     

Accurate Calculations on Dielectronic Recombination Resonances in Cu-like Pb

Dielectronic recombination of Pb⁵³⁺ has been studied and a resonance is detected only ∼0.1 meV above the ground state. The possibility to determine the 4p _1/2−4s _1/2 energy splitting with a similar accuracy from the determination of the resonance position is discussed. Such a precision can only be achieved by calculations which treat QED in a many-body environment at levels which can still not be reached. A fully relativistic many-body calculation of the splitting is described and the uncertainties are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dielectronic recombination of lithium-like gold: Towards QED tests

Dielectronic recombination (DR) and radiative recombination (RR) of lithium-like gold in the energy range of 0 to 225 eV have been studied at the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) of the GSI in Darmstadt. Main objective of the measurements is the precise determination of the 2s_1/2−2p_1/2 energy splitting as an additional QED test. This novel method, developed at the ESR [1], is based on the extrapolation of a multitude of measured resonances Au⁷⁵⁺ (1s²2p_1/2 nl_j) up to the series limit (n = ∞). Furthermore experimental data for the Au⁷⁵⁺ (1s²2p_3/26l_j) resonance manifold are presented. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dielectronic recombination of Li-like neon and argon

We have measured dielectronic recombination rates and energies for n=0 transitions of Ne⁷⁺ and Ar¹⁵⁺ beams stored in CRYRING. The energy resolution was in the order of 10^–2 eV FWHM; the absolute accuracy in the position of the resonances is in the same order. The energy positions of the dielectronic recombination resonances are compared to theoretical calculations of the fine-structure splittings.     

Recombination of Sc3+ ions with free electrons

Recombination of Ar-like Sc³⁺ ions has been studied experimentally at the TSR for center of mass energies ranging from approximately 12–18 eV. In this energy range rather broad resonances from short lived Sc²⁺(3s²3p⁵3d^{2 2}F) intermediate states are expected. For these resonances recent theoretical work predicts strongly asymmetric lineshapes due to quantum mechanical interferences between radiative and dielectronic recombination channels. The study of this heavy, low-charged ion suffered from a high background due to electron capture and the outcome of our experiment does not yet allow for a conclusive test of the theoretical predictions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Recombination measurements at low energies with Au49+,50+,51+ at the TSR

Recombination of Au⁴⁹⁺, Au⁵⁰⁺, and Au⁵¹⁺ ions has been studied at the TSR. With Au⁵⁰⁺ ions a storage lifetime of only 2 to 4 s was observed with the magnetically expanded electron beam of the cooler at a density of n_e = 10⁷ cm^-3. This short storage time is a consequence of the highest recombination rate coefficient ever observed with an atomic ion (1.8·10^-6 cm³ s^-1 at zero relative energy E_rel = 0 between electrons and ions). At about 30 meV a huge dielectronic recombination resonance is found with a record small width of only about 15 meV. Such resonances fortuitously occurring near E_rel=0 are probably the main reason for the enhanced recombination rates observed with Au⁵⁰⁺, with Pb⁵³⁺ (in a recent experiment at LEAR) as well as with other complex ions. For Au⁴⁹⁺ and Au⁵¹⁺ the recombination rates are smaller by an order of magnitude. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Space-charge-limited currents and photoconductive properties of Tl2InGaSe4 layered crystals

The extrinsic electronic parameters of Tl₂InGaSe₄ layered crystals were investigated through measurement of the temperature-dependent dark conductivity, space-charge-limited currents and photoconductivity. Analysis of the dark conductivity reveals the existence of two extrinsic energy levels at 0.40 and 0.51 eV below the conduction band edge, which are dominant above and below 260 K, respectively. Current–voltage characteristics show that the one at 0.51 eV is a trapping energy level with a concentration of (4.8–7.7) × 10¹⁰ cm^?3. Photoconductivity measurements reveal the existence of another energy level located at 0.16 eV. In the studied temperature range, the photocurrent increases with increasing temperature. The dependence of the photoconductivity on the incident light intensity exhibits a linear recombination character near room temperature and a supralinear character as the temperature decreases. The change in recombination mechanism is attributed to an exchange in the behavior of sensitizing and recombination centres.     

Screened radiative corrections from hyperfine-split dielectronic resonances in lithiumlike scandium

Term energies for dielectronic-recombination Rydberg resonances below 0.07 eV are determined for Sc18+ with absolute accuracies below 0.0002 eV by electron collision spectroscopy in an ion storage ring, using the twin-electron-beam technique and a cryogenic photocathode. The lithiumlike 2s_{1/2}-2p_{3/2} transition energy for Z=21 is determined to 4.6 ppm, less than 1% of the few-body effects on radiative corrections. Features from the hyperfine structure of the 2s state could be resolved in the dielectronic-recombination spectrum.     

Kurzlebige Compoundzustände in der niederenergetischen Elektron-Helium-Streuung

Electron scattering measurements have been made of the energy dependences of the excitation of the Helium 2³ S, 2¹ S, 2³ p, and 2¹ P states at different scattering angles in the range from 20 to 145°. In the energy range from 22 to 23 eV five overlapping resonances of the (e-He)-system have been determined, one of which (22.42 eV) is identified to be a 3² S, another (22.60 eV) a 3² P-state. The energy values of the other resonances are resp. 22.55, 22.75, and 22.85 eV. The half-widths are below approximately 40 meV. In the 2³ P-channel three peaks vanish at the same scattering angle, a fact, which seems not understandable in terms of first order resonance poles.     

Electron impact ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms below 2 eV

We have observed electron impact ionization of highly excited sodium Rydberg atoms in ns and nd states, n=35-51, below E=2 eV electron kinetic energy with energy resolution 0.25 eV. Measured absolute cross sections near 0 eV range from sigma(35d) approximately 7 x 10(-10) to sigma(50d) approximately 4 x 10(-9) cm(2). The energy dependence is consistent with that of widely used binary encounter approximation cross sections, and sigma(n) follows a power law in n. The measured cross sections are 14 to 24 times larger than theoretically predicted values. This enhancement may signal the effect of large polarizabilities of high Rydberg states not yet accounted for in ionization theories.     

The role of excitons and substrate temperature in low-energy (5–50 eV) electron-stimulated dissociation of amorphous D2O ice

We have studied the interaction of low-energy (5–50 eV) electrons with nanoscale (10 ML) ice films by probing the yields and quantum-state distributions of the neutral dissociation products using laser resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. In particular, we have observed the electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) of D (²S), O (³P₂) and O (¹D₂) from amorphous D₂O films. These products are observed at threshold energies (relative to the vacuum level) between 6.5–7 eV and desorb with low kinetic energies (60–85 meV) which are independent of the incident electron energy. We associate the ESD of atomic fragments from ice with dissociation of Frenkel-type excitons of 4a₁ character which are near the bottom of the ice conduction band. These excitons are created either directly or via electron-ion recombination. Changing the surface temperature from 88 to 145 K results in an increase in the thermal component of the time-of-flight (kinetic energy) distributions and an overall increase in the neutral fragment yield. We suggest that the change in neutral yield with substrate temperature results from a combination of: (1) increased electron-ion recombination; (2) exciton transport to the near-surface region; and (3) dissociation followed by inelastic scattering and desorption.     

Mutual recombination in slow Si^＋ ＋ H^- collisions

This paper studies the process of mutual neutralization of Si^＋ and H^- ions in slow collisions within the multichannel Landau-Zener model. All important ionic-covalent couplings in this collision system are included in the collision dynamics. The cross sections for population of specific final states of product Si atom are calculated in the CM energy range 0.05 e∨/u-5 ke∨/u. Both singlet and triplet states are considered. At collision energies below -10 e∨/u, the most populated singlet state is Si（3p4p, ^1S0）, while for energies above -150e∨/u it is the Si（3p, 4p, ^1P1） state. In the case of triplet states, the mixed 3p4p（^3S1 ＋^3P0） states are the most populated in the entire collision energy range investigated. The total cross section exhibits a broad maximum around 200 300e∨/u and for ECM ≤ 10e∨/u it monotonically increases with decreasing the collision energy, reaching a value of 8 × 10^-13 cm^2 at ECM = 0.05 e∨/u. The ion-pair formation process in Si（3p^2 ^3PJ）＋H（1s） collisions has also been considered and its cross section in the considered energy range is very small （smaller than 10^-20 cm^2 in the energy region below 1 ke∨/u）.     

Electron scattering on centrosymmetric molecular dianions Pt(CN)4(2-) and Pt(CN)6(2-)

Electron scattering on stored Pt(CN)2-4 and Pt(CN)2-6 centrosymmetric molecular dianions has been performed at the electrostatic storage ring ELISA. The thresholds for production of neutral particles by electron bombardment were found to be 17.2 and 18.7 eV, respectively. The relatively high thresholds reflect the strong Coulomb repulsion in the incoming channel as well as a high energetic stability of the target electrons. A trianion resonance was identified with a positive energy of 17.0 eV for the Pt(CN)2-4 square-planar complex, while three trianion resonances were identified for the Pt(CN)2-6 octahedral complex with positive energies of 15.3, 18.1, and 20.1 eV.