Hot-wire measurements of the electron thermal conductivity in a potassium plasma

The electron thermal conductivity λ_e of a potassium plasma is found by measuring the electron heat flux in a hot-wire device placed in a magnetic field. In the range 2300–3000 K, λ_e (W/mK) = 0.906 X 10¹⁰ T^-2_e exp(-3.2 X 10⁴/T_e) at a plasma pressure of 800 Pa and a gas temperature T_a = T_e/1.3.     

Determination of the electron temperature of a degenerate semiconductor in quantizing fields under heating by an electric field

Investigations of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation of the transverse magnetoresistance due to the magnitude of the electric field in n-type InSb with 5 · 10¹⁵, 3 · 10¹⁶ cm^–3 concentrations at a 4.2 °K temperature are carried out herein. A method is proposed to determine the electron temperature T_e; dependences of T_e on the electric and magnetic fields in the sample are obtained for a transversely oriented magnetic field. The relaxation time of the electron energy is estimated.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 2, pp. 96–100, February, 1972.     

Autosolitons in electron-hole plasma in p-Ge

The self-organization of an electron-hole plasma (EHP) heated by an electric field in pure p-Ge samples at T = 77 K has been studied experimentally. The derived current-voltage characteristics (CVCs) and the distributions of the electric field and IR emission of the hot carriers along the samples show that the segments of a steep rise or the S-shaped segments of the CVCs in samples with n-p junctions are related to the formation of longitudinal thermal-diffusion autosolitons (AS_‖); as a result, thin (d = 2–20 μm in diameter), melted-through current channels appear. Such AS_‖ are formed at high EHP densities (n ≥ 1 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³), when the electron-hole scattering is dominant, and at electron temperatures T _e = (2–4.5)T ₀ (T ₀ is the lattice temperature). The saturation segments and the N-shaped segments in the CVCs are attributable to the generation of transverse thermal-diffusion high-field autosolitons (AS_⊥) in the form of narrow strata with electric field strengths = 1–20 kV cm⁻¹. High-field AS_⊥ are formed at EHP densities n = 5 × 10¹³−1 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³, when the electron-phonon scattering is dominant, and at electron temperatures T _e ∼ Θ ≥ 5T ₀ (Θ is the Debye temperature). The generated longitudinal and transverse autosolitons have high temperatures (T _e ≥ 1000 K) and reduced carrier densities and can exist simultaneously in different parts of the sample. Original Russian Text ? M.N. Vinoslavskiĭ, P.A. Belevskii, A.V. Kravchenko, 2006, published in Zhurnal éksperimental’noĭ i Teoreticheskoĭ Fiziki, 2006, Vol. 129, No. 3, pp. 477–492.     

Anomalous slowdown of relaxation in an ultracold plasma

Recent experiments by T.C. Killian et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 4776 (1999)], in which an ultracold plasma (N _e～2×10⁹ cm^?3, T _e～0.1K, and T _i～10 μK) with anomalously long lifetime of ～100 μs was obtained, are explained based on a previously developed theory. The results of computer simulations of the plasma transition into a metastable state and initial heating of electrons up to several K are presented. An expression earlier obtained for the rate of the metastable plasma recombination agrees with the measured anomalously long lifetime. A conclusion is drawn that the previously predicted new physical object—a metastable overcooled plasma—is realized experimentally.     

Acoustic perturbations in a pulsedRF-plasma

The response of a stationary weakly ionized plasma to a density perturbation in the neutral gas component was studied in a neon plasma with the following typical properties: electron density ¯N _e≈8×10¹² cm^?3, electron temperature on the axis of the vesselT _e0≈3.0 eV; neutral gas densityN _n≈1×10¹⁷cm^?3 and neutral gas temperatureT _n0≈600 °K. A neutral density perturbation, generated 50 cm apart from the plasma, produces a fluctuation in the ion density and a sharp spike in the differential voltage of a floating double probe. The experimental observations demonstrate the propagation of an ion sheath and of an electric field perturbation together with the neutral density perturbation. An interpretation of the plasma response to acoustic wave pulses has been proposed by Ingard and Schulz in a theory on acoustic wave modes in a weakly ionized gas. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical expectations.     

The electric screening mass in scalar electrodynamics at high temperature

We study the screening of static electric fields in massless scalar electrodynamics at high temperature and zero chemical potential. Effective field theory methods are used to separate the contributions from the momentum scales T and eT to the electric screening mass. The effects of the distance scale 1/T are encoded in the parameters of an effective three-dimensional field theory. The parameters of the effective Lagrangian can be written as a power series in e ². The contribution to physical quantities from the scale 1/eT can be calculated from perturbation theory in the effective theory and is an expansion in e starting at e ³. The electric screening mass squared is computed to order e ⁴.     

Kondo anomalies of heat conductivity and Lorenz ratio in normal state (La,Ce) Al2

The thermal conductivity of LaAl₂ and of two dilute (La, Ce)Al₂ alloys was measured in the normal state between 0.4 and 8 K. From the lattice conductivity of LaAl₂ a high dislocation densityN _d caused by the arc melting process can be inferred. After annealingN _d is reduced by an order of magnitude. For the (La, Ce)Al₂ samples minima are observed at 5 K in theW ^e ·T vs.T curves (W ^e =electronic thermal resistivity). Below 1 K the quantityW ^e ·T is linear in (— lnT). The electronic Lorenz ratioL ^e (T)=ρ(T)/W ^e (T) ·T shows a maximum at 2 K with a value 23% aboveL ^e (0). It is for the first time that this Kondo anomaly is established in its full temperature dependence.     

Measurement of electron energy and density in an H. F. electrodeless ring discharge

The electron temperatureT _e and the electron density were measured as functions of the radial distance in a 10 Mc/s electrodeless ring discharge in hydrogen in the pressure range 0.1–0.3 Torr. It was found thatT _e remains nearly constant along the radius of the cylindrical vessel. The measured values ofT _e have been compared with those observed by other workers and an estimate of the effective electric field in the discharge has been made. From this estimate it has been inferred that even after the first stage of the ring discharge is well established the longitudinal component of the electric field remains of considerable importance. The radial density distribution of the electrons was found to be different from those in an uniform electric field. This deviation in the radial density distribution has been attributed to the influence of the azimuthal electric field.     

Formation of lithium-like boron and nitrogen ions in the <Superscript>4</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript>5/2</Subscript> state in gaseous media

We experimentally determined the fraction of α_v of lithium-like boron B²⁺ and nitrogen N⁴⁺ ions in the ⁴ P _5/2 state having a velocity of 3.6 au that are formed upon capture of two (α₂) electrons by hydrogen-like B⁴⁺ and N⁶⁺ ions and upon capture of one (α₁) electron by helium-like (1s2s)^1,3 S metastable B³⁺ and N⁵⁺ ions in gaseous media (H₂, He, N₂, Ar), as well as upon passage through a celluloid film. In light-element media (H₂, He), α₂ increases proportional to the target thickness T _g and reaches a maximum at T _g ≈ 10¹⁶ atom/cm² (for B ions, α₂ ≈ 0.2 in H₂ and α₂ ≈ 0.4 in He). For boron and nitrogen ions passing through thin layers of heavier gases (N₂, Ne), α₂ depends considerably more weakly on T _g , and, in Ar, becomes practically constant. It is assumed that, since hydrogen and helium do not contain electrons with parallel spins, autoionizing lithium-like ions are formed as a result of successive (one by one) capture of electrons, whereas, in the heavier gases, simultaneous capture of two electrons predominates. At T _g ～ 10¹⁵ atom/cm², the fraction α₁ of boron ions is the highest in He, ～0.15, and the lowest in Ar, ～0.07, being in qualitative agreement with calculations.     

Saturated absorption spectroscopy: Elimination of crossover resonances with the use of a nanocell

It is demonstrated that the velocity-selective optical pumping/saturation resonances of the reduced absorption in a Rb vapor nanocell with thickness L = λ, 2λ, and 3λ (resonant wavelength λ = 780 nm) allow for the complete elimination of crossover (CO) resonances. We observe well-pronounced resonances corresponding to the F _g = 3 → F _e = 2, 3, and 4 hyperfine transitions of the ⁸⁵Rb D₂ line with line widths close to the natural width. A small CO resonance located midway between F _g = 3 → F _e = 3 and F _g = 3 → F _e = 4 transitions appears only for L ≥ 4λ. The D₂ line (λ = 852 nm) in a Cs nanocell exhibits a similar behavior. From the amplitude ratio of the CO and VSOP resonances, it is possible to determine the thickness of the column of alkali vapor in the range of 1–1000 μm. The absence of the CO resonances for nanocells with L ～ λ is attractive for the frequency reference application and for studying the transitions between the Zeeman sublevels in external magnetic fields.     

Stepwise ionization in a non-equilibrium,steady-state hydrogen plasma

The paper considers a non-equilibrium, steady-state hydrogen plasma with 10¹⁰ ? N_e, cm^-3 ? 10¹⁷ and 8000 ? T_e, °K ? 64,000. The following two cases are analyzed: (1) the plasma is optically thin for all atomic lines and (2) the plasma is optically thick towards the Lyman lines and optically thin for all other lines. Analytical expressions have been obtained for populations and ionization frequencies of excited levels. Populations of the excited levels obtained from the analytical formulas are in good agreement with numerical calculations.     

Modulated electron spectrum of the light scattered by a magnetized arc plasma

Measuring the spectrum of laser light scattered by a magnetized arc plasma (n _e =1.2 × 10¹⁶ cm^?3,T _e =3.2 eV, α=0.6,B _z =120 kG) we observe deviations from the normal thermal spectrum. The observed modulation is most probably due to the influence of the magnetic field. Two other less likely possibilities (enhanced electron oscillations or the existence of an additional colder electron component) are discussed.     

Low temperature resonances in the electron heat capacity of finite systems

Temperature variations of the heat capacity (C) are studied in a low temperature regime T<δ_F∼ε_F/N for 2D and 3D systems with N∼10²-10⁴ treated as a canonical ensemble of N-noninteracting fermions. The analysis of C is performed by introducing the function φ(ε), the spectral distribution of C, that gives the contribution of each single-particle state to C. This function has two peaks divided by the energy interval . If at some temperature T_res a resonance takes place i.e. the positions of these peaks coincide with energies of two levels nearest to ε_F then C vs T can show a local maximum at T_res. This gives us the possibility to assess the single-particle level spacings near the Fermi level.     

Theory of the hot free carrier intraband-absorption coefficient of n-inversion layers

The absorption coefficient K of a quasi two dimensional (2D) hot free electron gas is calculated for the first time as a function of the lattice temperature T, the photon angular frequency w, the carrier density N_s as well as the electron temperature T_e when the carriers are scattered by ionized impurities, acoustic phonons and polar optical phonons. Analytical expressions are derived in the limiting cases of non-degeneracy and degeneracy of the electron system. In the quantum limit ħw/k_BT_e ≳ 1 where the interaction between the electron and the photon is inelastic K sensitively depends on the limiting scattering mechanism showing that the electron motion is completely controlled by the photon field. In the classical limit ħw/k_BT_e ⪡ 1 the absorption decreases proportional to w¹ independent of the limiting scattering mechanism in agreement with the experimental data deduced from far-infrared absorptivity measurements on GaAs heterolayers.     

Variation of the ion dynamics parameter in stark-broadened helium lines

Stark broadening of quasidegenerate He lines at λ = 447 nm and 492 nm hasbeen investigated at low electron densities (N_e = 10²¹ and 3 x 10²¹ m^-3). The perturber mass was varied by using H⁺, He⁺ and Ar⁺ ions. Variation of the parameter (T₀/μ)^1/2 by a factor of 3 is accompanied by marked ion-dynamical effects in the forbidden component. The results are compared with calculations according to the unified theory and the model microfield method. Characteristic deviations are observed and critically discussed.     

Evaluation of plasmon-loss spectra of molybdenum using elastic-peak electron spectroscopy

Plasmon-loss spectra of clean polycrystalline molybdenum surfaces have been determined in the primary energy range E_p = 50–3000 eV. Spectra a distributions (nonderivative mode). A simplified model is described for evaluating plasmon-loss spectra using elastic-peak electron spectroscopy, as de of elastically reflected electrons is determined by integrating the N(E) spectrum of secondary and backscattered electrons. The ratio of the ar (23–24 eV) to that of the elastic peak is Pλ, the product of the probability for creating a volume plasmon loss and the inelastic mean free pat second plasmon-loss peak is (Pλ)². Evaluation of our experimental plasmon-loss spectra gives Pλ = 0.4–0.5 for E_p > 500 eV. Th constitutes ～50% of all losses determining the IMFP, interband loss processes being important in the remainder. For the low energy range, E_p found. For E_p < 100 eV, no volume plasmon-loss peak could be detected in our N(E) spectra. The simplified model proves to be valid fo plasmon-loss peak (11–12 eV), i.e., such that N_pls/N_e ? 10^?2. Some results are presented concerning surface plasmon losses as molybdenum surface.     

Fragmentation phase transition in atomic clusters IV

Within the micro-canonical ensemble it is well possible to identify phase-transitions in small systems. The consequences for the understanding of phase transitions in general are discussed by studying three realistic examples. We present micro-canonical calculations of the fragmentation phase transition in Na-, K-, and Fe- clusters of N = 200 to 3000 atoms at a constant pressure of 1 atm. The transition is clearly of first order with a backbending micro-canonical caloric curve T _P (E, V (E,P)) = {?S(E, V (E,P))/?E _P}^?1. From the Maxwell construction of β_P (E/N,P) = 1/T _P one can simultaneously determine the transition temperature T _tr, the specific latent heat q _lat, and the specific entropy-loss Δs _surf linked to the creation of intra-phase surfaces. T _trΔs _surf*N/(4πr _ws ² N _eff ^2/3 ) = γ gives the surface tension γ. Here 4πr _ws ² N _eff ^2/3 = ΣN _i*4πr _ws ² m _i ^2/3 is the combined surface area of all fragments with a mass m _i ≥ 2 and multiplicity N _i. All these characteristic parameters are for ～1000 atoms similar to their experimentally known bulk values. This finding shows clearly that within micro-canonical thermodynamics phase transitions can unambiguously be determined without invoking the thermodynamic limit. However, one has carefully to distinguish observables which are defined for each phase-space point, like the values of the conserved quantities, from thermodynamic quantities like temperature, pressure, chemical potential, and also the concept of pure phases, which refer to the volume of the energy shell of the N-body phase-space and thus do not refer to a single phase-space point. At the same time we present here the first successful microscopic calculation of the surface tension in liquid sodium, potassium, and iron at a constant pressure of 1 atm.     

Effect of electron irradiation on the structure and properties of the MgB2 superconductor

This paper reports on the results of an investigation into the effect of irradiation of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schriefer superconductor MgB₂ by electrons with a mean energy ē ～ 10 MeV at low doses (0 ≤ Φt ≤ ～5 × 10¹⁶ cm^?2) on the lattice parameters, the intensity and width of diffraction lines, the superconducting transition temperature T _c , and the temperature dependence of the resistivity ρ(T) in the normal state. The results of structural investigations have revealed regularities in the defect formation in the magnesium and boron sublattices of the MgB₂ compound as a function of the electron fluence. At the initial stage, irradiation leads to the formation of vacancies, originally in the magnesium sublattice and then in the boron sublattice. For fluences Φt ≥ ～1 × 10¹⁶ cm^?2, vacancies are formed in both sublattices. The evolution of the electrical and physical properties [T _c , ρ_{273 K}, residual resistivity ratio RRR = ρ_{273 K}/ρ_{50 K}, parameters of the dependence ρ(T)] under electron irradiation is in agreement with the regularities revealed in the formation of radiation-induced defects in the crystal lattice of the MgB₂ compound.     

Ultra-high energy neutrino-nucleon and neutrino-electron cross-sections in the standard model,in supersymmetric and superstring models

The neutrino-nucleon cross-section is calculated for energies up to 10¹⁵ GeV in the framework of the standard model assuming that the nucleon structure functionF ₂(x, Q ²) goes like ln²(a/x) asx→0. The cross-sections forv _μ e ^?(v _e e ^?)-interactions rise linearly with energy up toE _ν～10⁷ GeV and amount at this energy to ～10% of the neutrino-nucleon cross-section. The νN-cross-sections with production of supersymmetric particles in the framework of a supersymmetric model with minimal particle content are estimated. Photino-nucleon and photino-electron interactions are considered for masses of the squarks and sleptons in the range of 80–300 GeV. In superstring inspired unified models an estimation is made of the νN-interaction with an exchange of light leptoquarks.     

Hyperfine magnetic interactions of 57Fe nuclei in NaFeAs arsenide

The results of the Mössbauer effect studies of layered NaFeAs arsenide in a wide temperature range are presented. The measurements at T > T _N demonstrate that the main part (～90%) of iron atoms are in the low-spin state Fe²⁺. The other atoms can be attributed to the impurity NaFe₂As₂ phase or to the extended defects in NaFeAs. The structural phase transition (at T _S ≈ 55 K) does not produce any effect on hyperfine parameters (δ, Δ) of iron atoms. At T < T _N, the spectra exhibit the existence of a certain distribution of the hyperfine magnetic field (H _Fe) at ⁵⁷Fe nuclei, indicating the inhomogeneity of the magnetic environment around iron cations. The analysis of the temperature behavior of the distribution function p(H _Fe) allows us to determine the temperature of the magnetic phase transition (T _N = 46 ± 2 K). It has been found that the magnetic ordering in the iron sublattice has a two-dimensional type. The analysis of the H _Fe(T) dependence in the framework of the Bean-Rodbell model reveals a first-order magnetic phase transition accompanied by a drastic change in the electron contributions to the main component (V _ZZ ) and the asymmetry parameter (η) of the tensor describing the electric field gradient at ⁵⁷Fe nuclei.