Hypersensitive and forbidden transitions of trivalent europium ion in Tb1.8Eu0.2 (MoO4)3 single crystal

The fluorescent transitions⁵ D _0.1 →⁷ F _J (J=0−4) of the europium ion in the Tb_1.8Eu_0.2 (MoO₄)₃ single crystal were recorded at 300 and 20 K. The forbidden and the hypersensitive transitions were observed in this system. The intensity ratio between⁵ D ₀ →⁷ F ₁ and⁵ D ₀ →⁷ F ₂ which is 1:5 is discussed in the light of covalency between the Eu³⁺ ion and MoO₄ tetrahedra.     

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.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the electronic structure of La<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ca<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3+δ</Subscript> solid solutions

The electronic structure of La_1–x Ga _x MnO_3+δ. solid solutions is studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence state of the manganese is estimated by various methods: by analyzing the difference in the binding energies of the Mn2p_3/2 and O1s electronic levels, analyzing exchange splitting in the spectrum of Mn3s, and from the dependence of the binding energy of the XPS spectrum of Mn2p_3/2 on the calcium concentration. The state of oxidation of the manganese in the compositions containing calcium lies between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺. The efficacies of these methods are compared. A correlation is found between the type of crystalline structure of La_1–x Ga _x MnO_3+δ. (0 ≤ x < 1) and the binding energy of the Mn2p_3/2 peak. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 3, pp. 419–427, May–June, 2009.     

Impurity band in SnBi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Se<Subscript>7</Subscript>: thermoelectric power and electrical resistivity measurements

Thermoelectric power and electrical resistivity measurements on polycrystalline samples of Bi₂Se₃ and stoichiometric ternary compound in the quasi-binary system SnSe–Bi₂Se₃ in the temperature range of 90–420 K are presented and explained assuming the existence of an impurity band. The variation of the electron concentration with temperature above 300 K is explained in terms of the thermal activation of a shallow donor, by using a single conduction band model. The density of states effective mass m ^*=0.15m ₀ of the electrons, the activation energy of the donors, their concentration, and the compensation ratio are estimated. The temperature dependence of the electron mobility in conduction band is analyzed by taking into account the scattering of the charge carriers by acoustic phonon, optical phonon, and polar optical phonon as well as by alloy and ionized impurity modes. On the other hand, by considering the two-band model with electrons in both the conduction and impurity bands, the change in the electrical resistivity with temperature between 420 and 90 K is explained.     

Deuterium-deuterium fusion by an activated precursor

Summary A general scheme is proposed for the interpretation of the phenomena involving low-energy hydrogen-isotope fusion. This scheme is especially developed for the interpretation of the fusion rate observed after the impact of heavy-water clusters (D₂O) _n , 25≲n≲1350, onto targets of titanium deuteride TiD. It is shown that 1) the impinging energy of large clusters or molecules is equiparted among a lot of target atoms which are brought in collective motion; 2) data can conveniently be represented in an Arrhenius plot; 3) this plot suggests that fusion is a thermally activated process from a metastable precursor; 4) the activation energy for the precursor formation isE ^*≃2E ₀ (E ₀ being the electron binding energy in the hydrogen atom), and 5) the activated precursor can reasonably be identified with the metastable binuclear heliumlike (D⁺D⁺)2e⁻ atom.     

Four quasi-particle level at 2256 keV in182Re

In-beam nuclear spectroscopic studies of¹⁸²Re, following the reaction¹⁸¹Ta(α, 3n)¹⁸²Re have been made using gamma-ray and internal conversion electron techniques.K-conversion coefficients for several transitions have been measured and the multi-polarities of the various transitions assigned. In particular, the spin and parity of the four-quasi-particle isomeric level at 2256 keV were determined to be 16⁻. Theg-factor of this level has been measured to beg = 0·32 ± 0·05. On the basis of theg-factor and the decay pattern of this level, a configuration {v9/2⁺ [624↑]v7/2⁻ [514↓]v7/2⁻ [503↑]π9/2⁻ [514↑]} _k ^x = 16⁻ has been assigned to this level. The nature of the retardation of the gamma transitions deexciting this level is discussed. It is argued that the measured retardation factors can be explained if the nucleus has a triaxial shape.     

Diffusion study of nitrogen implanted into <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-Hf using the nuclear resonance technique

The diffusion of nitrogen in α-Hf was studied in the temperature range of (823–1123) K using the ion implantation and nuclear resonance techniques. The measurements show that the diffusion coefficients follow the Arrhenius behavior D(T)=D ₀exp (−Q/RT) with D ₀=(5.5±2.1)×10⁻⁷ m²/s and Q=(228±1) kJ/mol. A comparison of the present results with the previous one is done.     

Heavy quark results from STAR

I report the most recent measurements on open heavy flavor production at RHIC on behalf of the STAR collaboration. The total charm production cross section in midrapidity at RHIC energy is found to approximately scale by number of binary collisions in d + Au, Cu + Cu and Au + Au collisions. The nuclear modification factor of non-photonic electrons is strongly suppressed in central Au + Au collisions, suggesting substantial heavy quark energy loss at RHIC. The bottom decay contribution to non-photonic electrons was studied via the e–h and e–D ⁰ azimuthal angular correlations. The bottom contribution is found to be important at p _T >5 GeV/c, and is consistent with the FONLL calculation within uncertainties. Charm production through gluon jet splitting was measured by studying the D ^*± contents in the fully reconstructed jets in p+p collisions. This rate is consistent with pQCD evaluation of gluon splitting into a pair of charm quarks and subsequent hadronization.     

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.     

Study of the reaction γp → pπ0η

The reaction γp → pπ⁰η has been studied with the CBELSA detector at the tagged photon beam of the Bonn electron stretcher facility. The reaction shows contributions from Δ⁺(1232)η , N(1535)⁺π⁰ and pa ₀(980) as intermediate states. A partial-wave analysis suggests that the reaction proceeds via formation of six Δ -resonances, Δ(1600)P ₃₃ , Δ(1920)P ₃₃ , Δ(1700)D ₃₃ , Δ(1940)D ₃₃ , Δ(1905)F ₃₅ , Δ(2360)D ₃₃ , and two nucleon resonances N(1880)P ₁₁ and N(2200)P ₁₃ , for which pole positions and decay branching ratios are given.     

Transverse discharge with prebreakdown ionization multiplication of electrons in the working media of N2- and HF-lasers

Results of an investigation of the characteristics of a transverse discharge with prebreakdown ionization multiplication of electrons in the working media of N₂(C-B)-and SF₆/H₂ chemical HF-lasers are reported. The conditions of initiation of a stable volume discharge in the discharge gap with low homogeneity of the electrical-field distribution are investigated. A quasisteady plasma based on N₂ molecules with a radiation duration of ≤0.5 μsec at transitions of the 2⁺-system and a homogeneous discharge in a SF₆/H₂=(3–7)/(1–2) kPa mixture, which is of interest for preionization of the working medium of an HF-laser by the predischarge method, are obtained. Uzhgorod State University, 46, Pidgirna Str., Uzhgorod, 294000, Ukraine. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 412–415, May–June, 1999.     

Surface vibrations and the nature of the adsorption state: C2H2 on Pt(111)

Molecular vibrations of C₂H₂ and C₂D₂ adsorbed on Pt(111) at 140 K and ∼300K have been measured by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. The comparison of C₂H₂ and C₂D₂ spectra allows an unambiguous assignment of the observed losses to the excitation of C−H bending, C−H stretching, and C−C stretching modes of nondissociatively adsorbed acetylene. From the relative intensities of losses the hybridisation state is determined to be nearsp ². The C−C stretching frequency indicates a C−C bond order of ∼1.8.     

Non-steady-state photo-EMF in nanostructured GaN and polypyrrole within porous matrices

We report an experimental investigation of the non-steady-state photoelectromotive force in nanostructured GaN within porous glass and polypyrrole within chrysotile asbestos. The samples are illuminated by an oscillating interference pattern created by two coherent light beams and the alternating current is detected as a response of the material. Dependences of the signal amplitude versus temporal and spatial frequencies, light intensity, and temperature are studied for two wavelengths λ=442 and 532 nm. The conductivity of the GaN composite is measured: σ=(1.1–1.6)×10⁻¹⁰ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (λ=442 nm, I ₀=0.045–0.19 W/cm², T=293 K) and σ=(3.5–4.6)×10⁻¹⁰ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (λ=532 nm, I ₀=2.3 W/cm², T=249–388 K). The diffusion length of photocarriers in polypyrrole nanowires is also estimated: L _D=0.18 μm.     

Nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic moments of scandium isotopes and isomers in the f7/2 shell

Collinear laser spectroscopy experiments on the ScII transition 3d4s ³D₂→3d4p ³F₃ at λ ≈ 363.1 nm were performed on the ^42–46Sc isotopic chain using an ion guide isotope separator with a cooler–buncher. Isotope and isomer shifts and hyperfine structures of five ground states and two isomers were measured. Preliminary results on the nuclear moments and charge radii changes deduced from these measurements are reported.     

Effects of electron beam current density and temperature on peak height ratios Dj/D0 for cathodoluminescence of Ln2O2S:Eu

The change in the initial and steady state (∼0 and 5 s after initiation of electron beam irradiation) peak heights from the ⁵D₂⇒⁷F₃, ⁵D₁⇒⁷F₃ and ⁵D₀⇒⁷F₂ cathodoluminescent transitions from Eu³⁺ have been studied for Ln₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (Ln=La, Gd) phosphors. Specifically, the intensity ratio of these transitions, designated as ⁵D₁/⁵D₀, increased and then decreased for both La₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (0.1 mole%) and Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (0.4 mole%), as the current density was changed from 10 towards a 1000 μA/cm². These effects were shown to be consistent with feeding from the higher ⁵D₂ excited state to the lower energy ⁵D₁ excited state, resulting in an increase of the ⁵D₁/⁵D₀ ratio at low current densities. At higher current densities, energy was funneled from the ⁵D₁-⁵D₀ states, resulting in a decrease of the ⁵D₁/⁵D₀ ratio. These effects of feeding versus funneling were dependent on both the Eu³⁺ concentration and current density, and changed with time (i.e., approached a steady state after ∼5 s) due to increased activator interactions from induced internal electric fields. The magnitude of thermal quenching versus interaction quenching was investigated using changes of the peak height ratios of ⁵D₂/⁵D₀ and ⁵D₁/⁵D₀.     

One-photon two-electron transitions for metastable helium

We have obtained very accurate excitation energies for helium corresponding to the transitions 2p^{2 3}P^e ↦nln’l’ ³D^o using highly correlated Hylleraas-type wave functions. The doubly excited 2p^{2 3}P^e metastable bound state energy is obtained using Ritz variational principle. The upper bound of 2p^{2 3}P^e energy is –0.7105001556783 a.u., which is close to the best results –0.71050015567833 [R. Hilger et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 262, 400 (1996)]. We employ complex-coordinate rotation method to obtain ³D^o resonances. The ³D^o resonance energies and widths along with one-photon two-electron transition energies are reported.     

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).     

Scaling of cross-sections for asymmetric (e, 3e) process on helium-like ions by fast electrons

An approximate simple scaling law is obtained for asymmetric (e, 3e) process on helium-like ions for double ionization by fast electrons. It is based on the equation (Z ^′3π) exp[-Z(r₁ + r₂)],Z′ = Z – (5/16) for ground state wave function of helium-like ions and Z^′2 scaling of energies. The scaling law is found to work very well if the lower energy electron is ejected along the momentum transfer direction and the other one is ejected in the opposite direction. It also works quite well if this electron is ejected within about 90° of the momentum transfer direction with the other electron going in the opposite direction. The scaling law becomes increasingly accurate as the target nuclear charge and the energy increase.     

Luminescence of CaGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu crystals

We have studied photoluminescence and thermoluminescence (PL and TL) in CaGa₂Se₄:Eu crystals in the temperature range 77–400 K. We have established that broadband photoluminescence with maximum at 571 nm is due to intracenter transitions 4f⁶ 5d–4f⁷ (⁸S_7/2) of the Eu²⁺ ions. From the temperature dependence of the intensity (log I–10³/T), we determined the activation energy (E _a = 0.04 eV) for thermal quenching of photoluminescence. From the thermoluminescence spectra, we determined the trap depths: 0.31, 0.44, 0.53, 0.59 eV. The lifetime of the excited state 4f6 5d of the Eu²⁺ ions in the CaGa₂Se₄ crystal found from the luminescence decay kinetics is 3.8 μsec. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 1, pp. 112–116, January–February, 2009.