Muon catalyzed fusion and muon to 3He transfer in solid T2 studied by X-ray and neutron detection

X-ray and neutron measurements were carried out for muon catalyzed fusion and related phenomena in solid T₂. The X-ray originated from the μ^- to α sticking in muon catalyzed fusion; t + t + μ ^- → (μ ^- α) + 2n was measured for the first time, yielding K _α X-ray intensity of (μα) atom and the intensity ratio of K _β to K _α . Utilizing the phenomena of ³He accumulation in solid T₂, the X-ray in the μ^- transfer process from (tμ) to ³He was detected, providing a formation rate and radiative decay branching-ratio of (t ³Heμ) molecule. From fusion neutron measurements, estimated values were obtained for (ttμ) molecular formation rate as well as sticking probability ω_t in ttμ fusion. A possible new insight in t + t fusion reaction process at a low energy limit is also obtained. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Magnetic and transport properties of monocrystalline<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fe</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis><Subscript>4</Subscript>

A monocrystal ofFe ₃ O ₄ is characterized by resistance, magnetoresistance and magnetic measurements in a temperature range from 4.2 K to 350 K and magnetic field-cycling from −9 T to 9 T. The resistance measurements revealed a metal-insulator Verwey transition (VT) atT _v =123.76 K with activation energy E=92.5 meV at T >T _v and temperature-substitute for the activation energy below the VT,T ₀=E/k _B ≈3800 K within 70 K–110K. The magnetotransport results independently verified the VT at 123.70 K, with discontinuous change in the magnetic moment ΔM≈0.21 ΔM≈0.21μ _B and resistance hysteresis, dependent on the magnetic field in a narrow temperature range of 0.4° around theT _v . The magnetic characterization established self consistentlyT _v as ≈123.67 K, the jump in the magnetization at the VT≈0.25μ _B and confirmed, that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is the main microscopic mechanism responsible for the magnetization of the monocrystal (88%) with additional natural and imposed defects contributing as 12%.     

The pp→K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Σ</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript>n cross-section from missing-mass spectra

We utilize existing inclusive data on K⁺-meson momentum spectra of the reaction pp→K ⁺ X at T _p = 2.3-2.85GeV to deduce total cross-sections for pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n. The method used to extract those cross-sections is explained and discussed in detail. Our result for T _p = 2.85GeV is consistent with the data point from a direct measurement at the same beam energy. The cross-section obtained for T _p = 2.3GeV is with 13.7±2.3μb considerably smaller than the value found in a recent experiment by the COSY-11 Collaboration at a somewhat lower beam energy, indicating that the pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n reaction cross-section could exhibit a rather unusual energy dependence.     

Improved (1s)<Superscript>2</Superscript> variational model for helium

The ground-state energy of neutral helium is estimated variationally with a trial wavefunction of the form ϕ≈e ^−γ(rA/a _o)ⁿe^−γ(rB/a _o)ⁿ. This model represents a modification of traditional textbook examinations of this problem via inclusion of the power “n” as a second nonlinear variational parameter in addition to the usual effective nuclear charge γ and leads to an upper-limit on the ground state energy of −2.86107 E _h (E _h =1 hartree) in comparison with the traditional (n=1) result of −2.84766 E _h . This result represents a reduction of the percentage overestimate from the true ground-state energy (−2.90373 E _h ) of from 1.93 to 1.47. In comparison with the maximum accuracy obtainable from an uncorrelated trial wavefunction, −2.86168 E _h , the present trial wavefunction reduces the percentage overestimate from 0.49 (n=1) to 0.021. The optimum values of (n, γ) are determined to be ≈(0.897, 1.825).     

On the unusual properties of the 282 keV state in <Superscript>135</Superscript>Sb

Recently the first excited state in ¹³⁵Sb has been observed at the unexpectedly low excitation energy of only 282keV and interpreted as mainly d _5/2 proton coupled to the ¹³⁴Sn core. Based on theoretical considerations it was suggested that its low excitation energy is related to a relative shift of the proton d _5/2 and g _7/2 orbits induced by the neutron excess. We have measured the lifetime of the 282keV state by the advanced time-delayed βγγ(t) method. The measured half-life, T _1/2 = 6.1(4)ns, yields exceptionally low limits of B(M1;5/2₁ ⁺→7/2₁ ⁺)≤3.0×10^-4 μ ² _N and B(E2;5/2₁ ⁺→7/2₁ ⁺)≤54e ² fm ⁴. These strongly hindered M1 and slow E2 transition rates are similar to those for the transition de-populating the first excited state at 405keV in ²¹¹Bi. Results of shell model calculations with realistic interactions are presented. The M1 decay rate was found to be extremely sensistive both to the wave function and to the M1 effective operator.     

Influence of ion-molecular reactions on μ-capture in hydrogen and on fusion in 3Hedμ muonic molecule

The de-excitation processes (J=1)→ (J=0) in muonic molecular ions (ppμ)⁺ and (³Hedμ)⁺ are studied. It is shown that the rate of such transitions substantially depends on the chain of ion-molecular reactions initiated by positively charged muonic ions. The probabilities of ortho-para transition in the [(ppμ)⁺H₂] and [(ppμ)⁺e] complexes formed as a result of chemical reactions in the pure hydrogen were estimated. Taking into account the ion-molecular processes in D₂ + He mixtures, the evaluation of the observed rate λ_f of nuclear fusion in the ³Hedμ muonic molecules was performed. The expected yield of fusion reactions per muon at the mixture density φ=0.1 and concentration C _He =0.05 was obtained to be equal to . This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Composite model of gauge bosons in electroweak interactions

We consider a simple Lagrangian which is constructed by only the preon and antipreon fields. By introducing the auxiliary fields φ_μ, φ _μ ^† , and ϕ_μ, it is shown that φ_μ, φ _μ ^† , and ϕ_μ correspond to the electroweak gauge bosonsW _μ ⁺ ,W _μ ⁻ , andW _μ ³ , respectively, which are composite particles of preons and antipreons.     

Super-allowed α decay above doubly-magic <Superscript>100</Superscript>Sn and properties of <Superscript>104</Superscript>Te = <Superscript>100</Superscript>Sn ⊗ α

α-decay half-lives for ^{104, 105, 106}Te and ^{108, 109, 110}Xe close above the doubly-magic ¹⁰⁰Sn are calculated from systematic double-folding potentials. The derived α preformation factors are compared to results for ^{212, 213, 214}Po and ^{216, 217, 218}Rn above the doubly-magic ²⁰⁸Pb. α-decay energies of Q _α = 5.42±0.07MeV and 4.65±0.15MeV are predicted for ¹⁰⁴Te and ¹⁰⁸Xe; the corresponding half-lives are T _1/2 ≈ 5ns for ¹⁰⁴Te and of the order of 60μs for ¹⁰⁸Xe. Additionally, the properties of rotational bands in ¹⁰⁴Te are analyzed, and the first excited 2⁺ state in ¹⁰⁴Te is predicted at E _x = 650±40keV; it decays preferentially by γ emission with a reduced transition strength of 10 Weisskopf units to the ground state of ¹⁰⁴Te and with a minor branch by α emission to the ground state of ¹⁰⁰Sn.     

Spectroscopic properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:CaNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystal

The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence decay curve of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal were measured at room temperature. The peak absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.202×10⁻²⁰ cm² with a broad FWHM of 7 nm at 808 nm for E//a light polarization. The spectroscopic parameters of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal have been investigated based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The parameters of the line strengths Ω _t are Ω ₂=5.321×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₄=1.734×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₆=2.889×10⁻²⁰ cm². The radiative lifetime, the fluorescence lifetime and the quantum efficiency are 167 μs, 152 μs and 91%, respectively. The fluorescence branch ratios are calculated to be β ₁=36.03%,β ₂=52.29%,β ₃=11.15%,β ₄=0.533%. The emission cross section at 1062 nm is 9.87×10⁻²⁰ cm².     

Comparison of the Seltzer Coefficient C 1 to Experimental Data

Experimental Coulomb isotope shifts δE _Coul from K _α transitions, and radius differences δ〈r ²〉 _eμ measured by electron scattering and muonic atom X-rays were used to derive ‘experimental’ coefficients C _1,exp for 54 isotope pairs of 18 elements from Mo to U. A χ²-analysis shows that these experimental coefficients are – on average – 3.5% lower than the theoretical C ₁ values calculated by Seltzer, or more precisely: C _1,exp=0.965(± 0.014)×C ₁. The need for more accurate theoretical calculations is stressed, and consequences of this deviation are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Manganese-doped ZnSiAs<Subscript>2</Subscript> chalcopyrite: A new advanced material for spintronics

A new spintronics material with the Curie temperature above room temperature, the ZnSiAs₂ chalcopyrite doped with 1 and 2 wt % Mn, is synthesized. The magnetization, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, and the Hall effect of these compositions are studied. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity follows a semiconducting pattern with an activation energy of 0.12–0.38 eV (in the temperature range 124 K ≤ T ≤ 263 K for both compositions). The hole mobility and concentration are 1.33, 2.13 cm²/V s and 2.2 × 10¹⁶, 8 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³ at T = 293 K for the 1 and 2 wt % Mn compositions, respectively. The magnetoresistance of both compositions, including the region of the Curie point, does not exceed 0.4%. The temperature dependence of the magnetization M(T) of both compositions exhibits a complicated character; indeed, for T ≤ 15 K, it is characteristic of superparamagnets, while for T > 15 K, spontaneous magnetization appears which correspond to a decreased magnetic moment per formula unit as compared to that which would be observed upon complete ferromagnetic ordering of Mn²⁺ spins or antiferromagnetic ordering of spins of the Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ ions. Thus, for T > 15 K, it is a frustrated ferro- or ferrimagnet. It is found that, unlike the conventional superparamagnets, the cluster moment μ _c in these compositions depends on the magnetic field: ∼12000–20000μ_B for H = 0.1 kOe, ∼52–55μ_B for H = 11 kOe, and ∼8.6–11.0μ_B at H = 50 kOe for the compositions with 1 and 2 wt % Mn, respectively. The specific features of the magnetic properties are explained by the competition between the carrier-mediated exchange and superexchange interactions.     

Conservation laws for classical and relativistic collisions. II

On the basis of elementary symmetry arguments it is shown that (1) if in classical mechanics there exists a quantity λ+Σ_iμ_iυ_i+1/2νυ ² that is conserved, where λ,μ _i, andν are particle parameters, then theμ _i andν are all proportional to a single parameterμ and the quantityAμ+Σ_iB_iμυ_i+C(λ+ 1/2Dμυ ²), whereD ≡ν/μ, is conserved for all values ofA, B _i, andC; (2) if in relativistic mechanics there exists a quantity λ+Σ_iμ_iυ_i[1−(υ ²/c ²)]^−1/2+νc[1−(υ ²/c ²)]^−1/2 that is conserved, then theμ _i andν are all proportional to a single parameterμ and the quantityAλ+Σ_iB_iμν_i[1−(υ ²/c ²)]^−1/2+Cμc [1−(υ ²/c ²)]^−1/2 is conserved for all values ofA, B _i, andC.     

High-power,high-quality ZGP OPO pumped by a Tm,Ho:GdVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> laser

We report a ZGP OPO system capable of producing >6 W at a signal wavelength of 3.80 μm and an idler wavelength of 4.45 μm. The pumping source is the Tm,Ho:GdVO₄ laser operated at 2.049 μm with an M ² of 1.07. The ZGP OPO generated a total combined output power of 6.1 W at signal wavelength and idler wavelength under pumping power of 18.3 W, and an M ² of 1.7 for OPO output was obtained.     

The superconducting properties of YBa2(Cu1−xMx)3O7 for M=Zn and Ni

Transverse and zero-field μSR measurements were made on YBa₂(Cu_1−xNi_x)₃O_7−y withx=0.1 and 0.2, and YBa₂(Cu_1−x Zn _x )₃O_7−y withx=0.03, 0.06, 0.1, and 0.16, wherey≈0.1. Since doping may lead to magnetic ordering this was searched for with both zero and transverse field μSR, but no evidence was found over the temperature range studied: 10–100 K. However, depolarization rates as functions of temperature were obtained, and the low temperature values of these are σ=3.2 μs⁻¹.1.6μs⁻¹, and 1 μs⁻¹ forx=0.01, and 0.2 Ni, respectively, and σ=0.8 μs⁻¹, 0.75 μs⁻¹, 0.65 μs⁻¹, and 0.4 μs⁻¹ forx=0.03, 0.06, 0.1, and 0.16 Zn, respectively. Estimates for the effect of decreasing electron concentration for Zn are made, but these alone do not account for the drop in σ. Estimates for the effect of scattering on λ and hence σ are made. The reduction in σ for Ni dopant is in surprisingly good agreement with these estimates. For Zn the order of magnitude is correct, but the relative lack of further change in σ after the effect of the first 0.03 addition seems to imply a saturation of the effect of scattering.     

Growth,spectroscopic and laser properties of Yb<Superscript>3<Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript>-doped GdAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal: a candidate for infrared laser crystal

Yb³⁺:GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ (hereafter Yb³⁺:GAB) crystals with large sizes and good optical quality have been grown by the top-seed solution growth (TSSG) method. The polarized absorption and emission spectra have been investigated at room temperature. For the σ-polarization, the intensities of both absorption and emission spectra are stronger than those for the π-polarization, the σ-absorption cross section of Yb³⁺ in GAB being 3.43×10^-20 cm² at 977 nm, and the σ-emission cross section being 0.98×10^-20 cm² at 1045 nm. The fluorescence lifetime of the ² F _5/2→² F _7/2 transition was measured to be 800 μs in the 5% doped sample used for our laser experiments, 993 μs in a 10% doped sample and 569 μs in a 0.5% doped sample. The laser parameters were estimated as: β_min=0.022, I_sat=10.4 kW/cm² and I_min=0.23 kW/cm². About 0.4 W laseroutput at the wavelength of 1043 nm was achieved when the Yb³⁺:GAB crystal was pumped by a 974 nm laser diode, with 27.4% slope efficiency. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.70.Hj; 78.20.-e; 81.10.Dn     

Fine structure of the muonic <Superscript>4</Superscript>He ion

On the basis of quasi-potential approach to the bound state problem in QED we calculate the vacuum polarization, recoil and structure corrections of orders α⁵ and α⁶ to the fine splitting interval ΔE ^fs = E(2P _3/2) − E(2P _1/2) in muonic ₂⁴He ion. The resulting value ΔE ^fs = 146180.68 μeV provides reliable guideline in performing a comparison with the relevant experimental data.     

Thulium doped monoclinic KLu(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> single crystals: growth and spectroscopy

This paper presents the crystal growth and optical characterization of thulium-doped KLu(WO₄)₂ (KLuW). Thulium-doped KLuW macrodefect-free monoclinic single crystals (a^*×b×c≈10×7×15 mm³) were grown by the top seeded solution growth slow cooling method with dopant concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 3% and 5% atomic in solution. The evolution of unit cell parameters in relation with thulium doping was studied by X-ray powder patterns. Thulium energy levels in the KLuW host were determined by 6 K polarized optical absorption. The Judd–Ofelt parameters determined were Ω₂=9.01×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=1.36×10^-20 cm² and Ω₆=1.43×10^-20 cm². The maximum emission cross section for the 1.9 μm emission, calculated by Füchtbauer–Ladenburg method, is 1.75×10^-20 cm², at 1845 nm with E//N_m. The intensity decay time from the emitting levels ¹ G ₄ and ³ H ₄ levels in relation to the concentration were studied. For the lowest thulium concentration, the measured decay times from ¹ G ₄ and ³ H ₄ emitting levels are 140 μs and 230 μs, respectively. PACS 42.55.Rz; 78.20.-e; 78.55.-m     

Extraction of G<Subscript>M</Subscript><Superscript>n</Superscript> from inclusive electron scattering on D, <Superscript>4</Superscript>He

We use the relation between Structure Functions (SFs) of nuclei A and nucleons N in order to fomulate a criterion which isolates the QE part out of the total inclusive cross-section. From data points around the QEP we extract the reduced neutron magnetic form factor 〈α _n = G _M ⁿ/μ _n G _d〉. The latter shows an unexpected decrease up to Q ² = 10GeV^2, the largest measured.     

Contribution of superstring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>′ boson on the polarization effects in proton proton collisions

In this work we investigate the single- and the double-spin asymmetries at the collisions of polarized protons pp → (γ ^*, Z ⁰, Z′) + X within the scope of QCD, the electroweak interaction and superstring E ₆ theory. The helicity amplitude method is used. Analytical expressions for the single- and the double-spin asymmetries are obtained and their dependence on the transverse momentum of the lepton pair is investigated at the three different values of invariant masses of the lepton pair. The pure contribution coming from the superstring Z′ boson on the single- and double- spin asymmetries has been extracted. The results obtained allow investigation of the spin structure of the proton.     

Muons in type-II superconductors: μ+ diffusion in ultra-pure niobiumdiffusion in ultra-pure niobium

The diffusivityD _μ of positive muons (μ⁺) in the mixed state of superconducting high-purity, high-perfection niobium single crystals is investigated by measurements of the relaxation of the transverse muon spin polarization (μ⁺SR). The method makes use of the strong magnetic field gradients existing in the mixed state of Type-II superconductors and monitorsD _μ through the variation of the magnetic field felt by the μ⁺ during their diffusion through the crystals. For μ⁺ near the centres of the flux lines inNb it givesD _μ(4.6 K)=(8±2)·10⁻¹¹m²S⁻¹. The positive temperature coefficient ofD _μ indicates that at liquid-helium temperatures the diffusivity of μ⁺ inNb is mainly due to phonon-assisted tunnelling processes.