Microscopic theory of Raman spectra of heavy fermion systems in the normal state

In this communication, we develop the microscopic theory of Raman spectra of the heavy fermion (HF) system in its normal state at low temperatures. The system is described by the Periodic Anderson Model along with the coupling of the phonon to the bare f-electrons as well as to the hybridization between the conduction band and the f-electrons. The phonon Green's function and the phonon self-energy are evaluated by the equations of motion method of Zubarev. The phonon spectral density function (SDF) is evaluated at low temperatures in the long wavelength limit. The calculation depicts three Raman active modes one of which corresponds to the strongly renormalized phonon at the value of the reduced frequency ) around 0.57 denoted as (P₀), and the other two at low reduced frequencies of and in the SDF. The effect of electron–phonon (EP) coupling on Raman excitation peaks is investigated to probe the nature of the electronic states of the system.     

Quadrupole collectivity of Ne and the boundary of the island of inversion

The excitation of the neutron-rich nucleus ²⁸Ne has been investigated via heavy-ion inelastic scattering in reversed kinematics. The value was determined to be , which is smaller than expected from the low excitation energy of the first state. A comparison with theoretical predictions suggests that the suppressed collectivity in ²⁸Ne is characteristic of nuclei lying on the boundary of the ‘island of inversion’.     

An extensive indoor Rn/Rn monitoring in North-East India

The behaviour of ubiquitous radon (), thoron () and their progeny in the indoor atmosphere generally reflect a complex interplay between a number of processes, the most important of which are radioactive -decay, ventilation, attachment to aerosols and deposition on the surfaces. The present work involved a long-term (1997–2000) passive monitoring of and in the indoor environment of the North-Eastern region of India. This region being a zone of high seismicity, the indoor radon and thoron measurement of the region will provide a better insight and a valuable database for any study related to radon and thoron anomalies.     

Measurement of indoor radon levels in Erbil capital by using solid state nuclear track detectors

Radon alpha activity concentration has been measured in 28 homes in the Erbil Capital-Iraqi Kurdistan region during the autumn season by using time-integrated passive radon dosimeters containing CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors “SSNTDs”. The radon activity concentrations in these homes range from (10.33–90.34) with an average of . The average absorption effective dose equivalent for a person living in homes for which the investigation were done was found to be , obtained by using an equilibrium factor of 0.5 and an occupancy factor of 0.8. The average lung cancer cases per year per 10⁶ person was found to be 23±12.     

Self-diffusion of BCC transition metals calculated with MAEAM

The energy during the process of self-diffusion in BCC transition metals Fe, W, Mo, Cr, Ta, Nb and V has been calculated by using modified analytic embedded-atom method (MAEAM). For each kind of three diffusion mechanisms nearest-neighbor (NN), next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) and third-nearest-neighbor (TNN), the energy curve is symmetric and the maximum value of the energy appears at the middle point of the diffusion path. Determined mono-vacancy formation energy , migration energy and activation energy Q_1v for self-diffusion agree well with available experimental data of NN diffusion and are better than those obtained by the analytic embedded-atom method (AEAM) and Finnis–Sinclair models. Compared the energies corresponding to three diffusion mechanisms, the NN diffusion needs the lowest activation energy (and thus the lowest migration energy). So that, the NN mono-vacancy diffusion is favorable in BCC transition metals.     

: Hadronic molecules in effective field theory

We consider the implications from the possibility that the recently observed state X(3872) is a meson–antimeson molecule. We write an effective Lagrangian consistent with the heavy-quark and chiral symmetries needed to describe X(3872). We explore the consequences of the assumption that X(3872) is a molecular bound state of D^*0 and mesons for the existence of bound states in the and channels.     

A study of strange particles produced in neutrino neutral current interactions in the NOMAD experiment

Results of a detailed study of strange particle production in neutrino neutral current interactions are presented using the data from the NOMAD experiment. Integral yields of neutral strange particles (, Λ, ) have been measured. Decays of resonances and heavy hyperons with an identified or Λ in the final state have been analyzed. Clear signals corresponding to and Σ(1385)^± have been observed. First results on the measurements of the Λ polarization in neutral current interactions have been obtained.     

Kaon condensation and lambda–nucleon loop in the relativistic mean-field approach

The possibility of kaon condensation in high-density symmetric nuclear matter is investigated including both s- and p-wave kaon–baryon interactions within the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory. Above a certain density, we have a collective state carrying the same quantum numbers as the antikaon. The appearance of the state is caused by the time component of the axial-vector interaction between kaons and baryons. It is shown that the system becomes unstable with respect to condensation of K– pairs. We consider how the effective baryon masses affect the kaon self-energy coming from the time component of the axial-vector interaction. Also, the role of the spatial component of the axial-vector interaction on the possible existence of the collective kaonic states is discussed in connection with Λ-mixing effects in the ground state of high-density matter. Implications of condensation for high-energy heavy-ion collisions are briefly mentioned.     

Microscopic theory of dissipation for slowly time-dependent mean field potentials

We study the dissipation rate in systems of nucleons bound by a slowly time-dependent mean-field potential and slightly interacting between themselves. Starting from the many-body linear response formula we evaluate an expression for in terms of the pure shell-model quantities and the nucleon–nucleon collision rate Γ. The application of the classical sum rule leads then to an expression for in terms of the classical-path integral with the weighting function including Γ. For vanishing Γ this expression reduces to the Koonin–Randrup Knudsen-gas formula. For simplified Skyrme interactions the classical approximation for the Γ itself is obtained. In leptodermous systems the classical-path expression for decomposes into the wall formula and the multiple-reflection term owing to incomplete randomization of particle motion between consecutive encounters with the boundary. The mean-free path and temperature dependence of dissipation is analyzed for small-amplitude distortions of spherical cavities.     

Flux and energy distribution of axial protons emitted from the hydrogen plasma focus

Experimental results and theoretical studies show that protons from the hydrogen plasma focus are emitted predominantly in the axial direction. In this work the results of the flux and energy distribution measurements of the axial protons using CR-39 detector are presented. The main purpose of the experiment is to test the suitability of a plasma focus device as a source for (p,) nuclear reactions, especially and .     

Hypernuclear spectroscopy via () in JLab's Hall A

Results are presented from a new experiment (E94-107) in Hall A of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) producing , , and using electroproduction, (e,e^′K⁺). In the hypernuclear missing-mass spectrum the experiment achieves very good energy resolution (670 keV FWHM) by exploiting the characteristics of the High Resolution spectrometer pair and the exceptional beam quality available at JLab. The spectrometers were used with the addition of an INFN provided pair of septum magnets to reach the desired small angles. Also, the Hall A standard complement of equipment was further augmented by the addition of a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) to achieve the best possible kaon identification.     

The new multiplet, heavy baryon mass predictions, meson–baryon universality and effective supersymmetry in hadron spectrum

The recent measurement by CDF M(Σ_b)−M(Λ_b)=192 MeV is in striking agreement with our theoretical prediction M(Σ_b)−M(Λ_b)=194 MeV. In addition, the measured splitting agrees well with the predicted splitting of 22 MeV. We point out the connection between these predictions and an effective supersymmetry between mesons and baryons related by replacing a light antiquark by a light diquark. We discuss the theoretical framework behind these predictions and use it to provide additional predictions for the masses of spin- and spin- baryons containing heavy quarks, as well as for magnetic moments of Λ_b and Λ_c.     

The chiral ring and the periods of the resolvent

The strongly coupled vacua of an supersymmetric gauge theory can be described by imposing quantization conditions on the periods of the gauge theory resolvent, or equivalently by imposing factorization conditions on the associated Seiberg–Witten curve (the so-called strong-coupling approach). We show that these conditions are equivalent to the existence of certain relations in the chiral ring, which themselves follow from the fact that the gauge group has a finite rank. This provides a conceptually very simple explanation of why and how the strongly coupled physics of theories, including fractional instanton effects, chiral symmetry breaking and confinement, can be derived from purely semi-classical calculations involving instantons only.     

An analytical approach to the design of electrodes in high-power, fast-transverse-flow lasers

Usually, the design of the electrodes of fast-transverse-flow CO₂ lasers relies more on experimental data than on theoretical analysis. Traditional systems sustain a stable, high-power discharge but the current distribution generates a peaked, non-uniform small-signal-gain pattern. We present a theoretical model suitable for the design of electrodes that achieves a quasi uniform gain distribution. The analysis, based on a two-temperature model and the gas-transport equations, computes the electron density that supports a flat gain pattern. Combining the desired electron density with the electron-balance equations, the model determines the required electric field. The results were used to design a new set of electrodes for a home-made fast transverse flow CO₂ laser. A stable, large volume discharge () with very good uniformity was obtained. The resulting gain distribution was registered in a bi-dimensional map. The peak gain rose from , attained with the old electrode set, to with the new one and the gain showed a homogeneous profile.     

Experimental infrared spectroscopic measurement of light extinction for agglomerate dust grains

Optical properties of aggregate dust grains hold a key to understand many astrophysical problems. Scattering and absorption features are strongly influenced by morphological aspects of grains (particle size, shape, and agglomeration). We have experimentally investigated the morphological effects on the extinction band in the infrared region for amorphous silica (SiO₂) particles which are of 0.5, 1.0, and in diameter. Deviations of the peak position of this band have been detected depending on environment (air or KBr), particle size, and manufacturer of the samples. We found that the peak position difference of silica particles with a diameter of 0.5 and was in wavelength whereas the effect of different environments were approximately . In addition, the measured band profiles were compared with calculations for five cluster shapes applying three different theoretical approaches (Mie, T-matrix, and DDA). The calculated extinction efficiencies beyond the peaks rose as the particle size and the particle numbers in the clusters increased. The same rise compared to the Mie calculation was observed in the experimental spectra, which was, therefore, interpreted as a result of the clustering of the particles.     

Relation between radon concentrations and morphotectonics of the Dead Sea transform in Wadi Araba, Jordan

Radon concentrations were measured along six profiles crossing three morphotectonic features of the Dead Sea transform fault in Wadi Araba. Two profiles of detectors were placed across a fault scarp, a sag pond and a pressure ridge formed along the active Wadi Araba strike-slip fault. The maximum radon peak was measured in the pressure ridges . This high concentration may be due to the up squeezing and heterogeneous fracturing of the Cretaceous and the Pleistocene Lisan beds beneath the pressure ridges. The minimum radon readings were measured in the sag pond floor , the fractures are concentrated at the pond borders and not in the pond floor. The sag ponds are filled with fine sediments, which decreases the porosity and hence the upward radon migration. The fault scarp has intermediate radon radiation, with concentration values ranging between 1.1 and .     

Chiral dynamics and antikaon-nuclear quasibound states

Recent developments are summarised concerning low-energy interactions as they relate to the possible existence of antikaon-nuclear quasibound states. An exploratory study of antikaons bound to finite nuclei is performed, with emphasis on the evolution of such states from light to heavy nuclei (A = 16–208). The energy dependent, driving attractive interactions are constructed using the s-wave coupled-channel amplitudes involving the Λ(1405) and resulting from chiral SU(3) dynamics, plus p-wave amplitudes dominated by the Σ(1385). Effects of Pauli and short-range correlations are discussed. The decay width induced by K⁻NN two-body absorption is estimated and found to be substantial. It is concluded that -nuclear quasibound states can possibly exist with binding energies ranging from 60 to 100 MeV, but with short life times corresponding to decay widths of similar magnitudes.     

Production of heavy fragments in the fission mass region in C+U, Bi, Au and Ag reactions at 26.5 GeV

Formation of heavy fragments in the fission mass region in the interaction of 26.5 GeV with U, Bi, Au and Ag is studied using a sandwich configuration of the Makrofol polycarbonate track detector. Events in which at least one heavy fragment in the fission mass region is detected are analyzed. Fragments produced in these events are identified and an event-by-event model-free analysis is performed in order to separate different production mechanisms. We have identified the events produced in fission, deep spallation and fragmentation processes. The cross sections and experimental features are determined for these reaction mechanisms, and their variations as a function of the target mass have been investigated. The results show that in the interactions of with U the dominant process is fission, while in the interactions of with lighter target nuclei the dominant processes are deep spallation and fragmentation.     

Measurement of neutron fluence with CR-39 using a UV spectrophotometer

Measurement of the correct neutron fluence in various energy intervals in and around the neutron sources is important for the purpose of personnel and environmental neutron dosimetry. In the present paper we present a method for the measurement of neutron fluence using a CR-39 plastic track detector. The samples exposed to fission neutrons from a reactor with 10¹²– fluence and to fast neutrons from a ²⁴¹Am–Be source with a fluence of were etched for 14 time intervals starting from 10 to 570 min in 6 N NaOH at . The etched samples were exposed to the monochromatic light signal from an iodine–tungsten lamp and the transmittance was measured after each etching time interval using a UV Spectrophotometer. An exponential decay of the transmittance has been observed with increasing etching time. The behaviour of the fission neutrons having four different values of fluence has been observed to be distinctly different from that of the fast neutrons. It has also been observed that there is a linear relationship between the transmittance decay constant and fission neutron fluence.