Future μCF program with pulsed muons at UTMSL/KEK and RIKEN/RAL

The present paper summarizes new experimental proposals on muon catalyzed fusion (CF) research with a sharply pulsed negative muon beam now available at the UTMSL/KEK facility and soon to be available in a more extensive way at the RIKEN/RAL facility. Special emphasis is placed on (1) CF studies on ultra-pure D-T mixture, (2) slow ^– beam production via CF, and (3) some exotic CF phenomena.     

Slow and monoenergetic (3Heμ−)+ beam production and novel applications

Based upon the recent discovery at UT MSL/KEK, a new idea is proposed for producing a slow and monoenergetic (3.2 keV) (³He^–)⁺ ion beam by using particle decay of the (d³He) muon molecule formed during the (d) to³He transfer reaction. The proposed intense (³He) beam as well as the less intense (⁴He) beam will open up way to various new types of important CF experiments.     

Relativistic filamentation of laser beams in plasma

We describe the results of a numerical code which models the relativistic selffocussing of high-intensity laser beams in plasmas by the nonlinear relativistic dependence of the optical constants on laser intensity. The plasma dynamics of 10¹³ W Nd glass lasers of 30 m initial beam diameter in nearly cut-off density plasmas is followed for a few picoseconds interaction time and 25 m depth into the plasma. Rapid relativistic selffocussing down to a beam diameter of one micron in a distance of the order of the original beam diameter is observed, as well as the production of GeV ions moving against the laser light.     

Nonrelativistic Lamb shift for muonic molecules

A recently developed formula [R. Bukowski and B. Jeziorski, Phys. Rev. A46 (1992) 5437]. has been applied to estimate the soft-photon Lamb shift contribution to the energies of the muonic molecules pp, dd, tt, pd, pt and dt. The corresponding corrections to the dissociation energies for the excited P states of dd and dt have been found to be almost identical and equal to 0.048 meV. The magnitude of this stabilizing effect is too small to affect seriously the formation rates predictions.     

The paramagnetic state (μ+e−) in silicon and tellurium at high temperature

The paramagnetic state (⁺e^–) in Si and Te was observed in a longitudinal magnetic field. The mean lifetimes of these states were obtained: _Si = 1.45(3) s, _Te = 12.5(8) s at 290 K, _Te = 12(2) s at 250 K.     

Temperature measurement during laser heating of thin films using a temperature-sensitive phosphor

A phosphor with temperature-dependent lifetime has been used to measure the temperature distribution produced by laser heating of a thin film surface. A gold thin film deposited on a quartz substrate is coated with 40 m film of the phosphor material. A cw argon ion laser (476 nm) beam is split into two beams, with the more intense beam focused to 15 m (1/e² radius) to heat the film through the quartz substrate. The weaker probe beam is chopped and focused tightly using a microscope objective to excite the phosphor from the other side. The spatial variation in lifetime, and hence the temperature distribution, is obtained by scanning the probe beam over the heated region. The temperature distribution measured for different film thickness's is compared with calculations using a finite element model. The calculated temperatures at the gold surface near the laser beam are higher than the experimentally measured values, and agree only when the heat-sinking effect of the phosphor material is taken into account. The results suggest that a phosphor layer thinner than a micron will be required (for 15 m laser spot size) so as not to perturb the temperature of the gold layer.     

Isotope dependence of particle-decay rates of muonic molecular ions (d3,4Heμ) J=1 below (dμ)1s-3,4He threshold

Rates of particle-emitting decay of the resonant state of the muonic molecular ion (dHe) _J=1 lying below the (d)_1s-He threshold can decay to the d-He scattering state. The resonant state is estimated by scattering calculations with the non-adiabatic coupled-rearrangement-channel method. Strong isotope dependence of the decay rates of (d³He) _J=1 and (d⁴He) _J=1 is predicted, though the calculated radiative decay rates of the states are almost the same. In (d³He) _J=1, the particle decay width is three times larger than the radiative decay width, while the two types of decay widths are almost the same in (d⁴He) _J=1. This results in a strong hindrance of the branching ratio of the radiative decay of (d³He) _J=1 compared with the case of (d⁴He) _J=1. This is consistent with a recent observation of the radiative decay of the two molecular states.     

Laser damage in silicon photodiodes

Thermal damage of silicon photodiodes exposed to intense optical radiation is investigated. Damage thresholds of Si photodiodes irradiated by 1.06m laser pulses are reported for values of irradiation time,, ranging from 10^–8 to 1s. Threshold laser irradiation produces visible microscopic damage and a permanent degradation in photoresponse. The loss of responsivity is associated with degradation of the detector diode characteristics due to laser-induced heating. The time and wavelength dependence agree with the predictions of a thermal model which treats a semi-infinite material irradiated by a Gaussian laser beam. The energy density thresholds are independent of for short irradiation times and asymptotically approach a limiting behaviour which increases as for long times. They are given by the empirical relationE ₀=65[1+217/tan^–1(258)^1/2] J cm^–2 for 1.06m radiation. The thresholds at short irradiation times of detectors damaged by 1.06m radiation are about 25 times larger than those of detectors exposed to 0.6943m radiation. The greater susceptibility at 0.6943m is attributed to a larger optical absorption coefficient.     

Zeros of the partition function and Gaussian inequalities for the plane rotator model

The partition function for ferromagnetic plane rotators in a complex external field , with ¦Im ¦ ¦Re ¦, is bounded below in modulus by its value at =0. The proof is based on complex combinations of duplicated variables which are positive definite on a subgroup of the configuration group. In the isotropic situation (and =0), the associated Gaussian inequalities imply that all truncated correlation functions decay at least as the two-point function.     

Magnetic moments of Gd nuclei

Low temperature nuclear orientation experiments down to 2 mK on¹⁴⁷GdFe,¹⁴⁹GdFe,¹⁴⁹GdGd and¹⁵³GdGd have yielded the magnetic hyperfine interaction strength. Bhf as 31.0(1.6) _NT, 28.3(2.0) _NT, 33.8(4.7) _NT and 13.3(2.1) _NT respectively. From these values the respective ground state magnetic moments ¦¦ of¹⁴⁷Gd,¹⁴⁹Gd and¹⁵⁹Gd were deduced as 1.12(20) _N, 1.01(16) _N and 0.40(8) _N.     

Singularity theorems and the [General Relativity + additional matter fields] formulation of metric theories of gravitation

By using the [General Relativity + additional matter fields] formulation (which depends on a redefined metrich ) of metric theories of gravitation, the study of singularities characterized by incomplete nonspacelike geodesics is simplified, but may be used only if (at least) the non-spacelike geodesics of the original metricg are conserved under the transformation betweeng and the new metrich . In order that every class of geodesies of a diagonal Bianchi I metric correspond to the same class of geodesies of a diagonal metrich , it is necessary that the transformation between these two metrics be a constant (positive) conformal transformation. We analyse the implications of the previous results for the singularitiesg when the latter is a solution of theories with a quadratic or polynomial Lagrangian.     

New FIR Laser Lines and Frequency Measurements of CD3OD

The isotopomer of methanol, CD₃OD, was optically pumped by a cw CO₂ laser resulting in 53 new far-infrared (FIR) laser lines. The wavelengths are in the range 42.9 m to 189.9 m with the majority below 100 m. Ten different CO₂ lines were used for the first time to pump CD₃OD yielding new FIR laser lines. Some of the CO₂ pump lines belong to the hot-bands and sequence-bands of CO₂ in the 10 m region. The frequency was measured for 40 FIR laser lines in the range 1.5 THz to 6.9 THz, 32 of which were new laser lines.     

Further investigations on ir pumping of CH3OD and CD3OD by a cw CO2 laser

Respectively, 41 and 36 new cw far-infrared lasing lines have been observed using a waveguide resonator in CH₃OD and CD₃OD pumped by a low-pressure CO₂ laser emitting in the 9.4, 10.4 m regular bands and in the 10.8 m hot band. The wavelength range was 46.6 m–1.67 mm in CH₃OD and 53.6 m–1 mm in CD₃OD.     

Systematic study of muon transfer to sulphur dioxide

In a systematic study of the transfer process to sulphur dioxide, in seven different H₂ + SO₂ gas mixtures, the time spectra of the muonic sulphur X-rays yield muon transfer rates to the SO₂ molecule, deduced from the lifetimes of the p atoms, which agree all well with each other. The muonic oxygen time spectra show an additional structure as if p atoms of another kind were present. Reduced transfer rates_O are reproducible if one uses the model of ephemeral p atoms. The intensity ratios between the different kinds of p atoms are also discussed in the framework of this model and the one of black and white p atoms.     

Investigation of Epithermal Molecular Formation and Hyperfine Interaction Effects on Kinetics of μCF

The role of epithermal effects in muon catalyzed fusion specially in the H/D/T mixture is investigated by Monte Carlo method. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation are used in the kinetics of CF in the steady-state condition. For this purpose we determine the values of thermalization rate (_th) and the probability of the dt molecular formation by epithermal t atoms during thermalization processes ( parameter). We have shown that including the epithermal effects in the kinetics of CF in different concentrations of hydrogen isotopes, increases the fusion yield per muon and it is not ignorable even in the D/T mixture. The reduction of the CF efficiency due to increasing the protium concentration is definitely confirmed here, even though the important effects such as the epithermal molecular formation, Ramsauer–Townsend effect and the hyperfine interactions are taken into account. We have shown that the epithermal effects disappear rapidly, whereas the unfavorable effects due to increasing protium, such as highly sticking probability in the pd and pt cycles, affect the fusion yield for a longer period of time. Recent experimental results at JINR in the H/D/T mixture are compatible with our conclusions.     

New cascade laser transitions in CH2F2 pumped with the 9R32 line of a cw CO2 laser

New cascade laser transitions of¹²CH₂F₂ at 172.50m, 208.83m, 220.44m, 223.99m and 250.61m are reported. A waveguide FIR laser was pumped with a quasi cw¹²C¹⁶O₂ laser operating on the 9R32 line. Together with the already known lines at 184.3m, 196.1m and 235.9m, the laser lines can be assigned to rotational transitions in the ₉ vibrational band of¹²CH₂F₂ and to refill transitions of the vibrational ground state ₀.     

Experimental survey of the sticking problem in muon catalyzed dt fusion

The sticking process dt + n, which constitutes the most severe limit to the number of fusions which a muon can catalyze, is reviewed. Many attempts were made to determine by calculations and measurements the probability for initial sticking _s ⁰ (immediately after dt fusion) and for final sticking _s (after the came to rest). Previous results based on neutron disappearance rates and on the observation of -X-rays were controversial and also in some disagreement with theory. New data are reported from PSI on direct observation of final sticking, using a setup with the St. Petersburg ionization chamber. These data mark a significant improvement in reliability and may clarify questions concerning previous discrepancies. The new results is _s(0.56±0.04)%, lower than the theory prediction _s=(0.65±0.03)%, at medium density.     

Towards slow μ− production via muon catalyzed fusion

Slow ^– production via dd-CF using a two-layer arrangement is investigated. To determine its feasibility, experimental measurements are now in progress using the muonic X-ray detection method. The following experimental steps are being considered: (1) measurement of the number of ^– stopped inside a solid H₂/D₂ layer by detecting p K X-rays, (2) hot d emission detection by placing a secondary target at a distance of 10–30 mm from the layer and by detecting specific delayed X-rays, (3) measurement of the disappearance of d emission as the added D₂ layer is increased, (4) dd-CF measurement by detecting fusion protons, and (5) slow ^– emission detection. Results of the initial test experiment are presented.     

Poincaré Algebra and Space-Time Critical Dimensions for Paraspinnings Strings

In this paper, we paraquantize the spinning string theory in the Neveu-Shwarz model. Unlike the Ardalan and Mansouri work [Phys. Rev. D, Vol. 9, (1974) 3341], the paraquantum system is such that both the center of mass variables and the excitation modes of the string verify paracommutation relations. The commutators of the Poincaré algebra are satisfied, except the [p ,p ] one, since one can only write [p ,p ]= 0, for Q1. Because of the relation [x ,x ] =,0 and with the sole use of the trilinear relations, we find existence possibilities of spinning strings defined in a noncommutative space-time at space-time dimensions other than D=10.