K-shell ionization cross section of aluminium induced by low-energy highly charged argon ions

Al K-shell X-ray yields are measured with highly charged Ar^q+ ions (q=12–16) bombarding against aluminium. The energy range of the Ar ions is from 180 to 380 keV. K-shell ionization cross sections of aluminium are also obtained from the yields data. The experimental data is explained within the framework of 2pπ -2pσ rotational coupling. When Ar ions with 2p-shell vacancies are incident on aluminium, the vacancies begin to reduce. Meanwhile, collisions against Al atoms lead to the production of new 2p-shell vacancies of Ar ions. These Ar 2p-shell vacancies will transfer to the 1s orbit of an Al atom via 2pπ-2pσ rotational coupling leading to the emission of a K-shell X-ray of aluminiun. A model is constructed based on the base of the above physical scenario. The calculation results of the model are in agreement with the experimental results.     

Inelastic collision cross section of excited molecules

The (v′=6,J′=43) level in theB ¹Π _u electronic state of Na₂ has been selectively populated by excitation with the 4 880 Å line of the argon laser. Through collisions with He atoms energy is transferred to neighbouring rotational states in Na₂ and the density of these states is determined by observing fluorescence to electronic ground state. From previous measurement of the lifetime of theB ¹Π _u state and new measurements of the intensities of collision induced spectral lines as a function of He pressure, absolute collision cross sections for all rotational transitions up to ΔJ=±5 have been obtained. The total cross section for all rotational transitions observed is σ _rot ^total =65±15 Ų. Preliminary results about collision induced vibrational transitions are also presented.     

K-shell ionization cross sections in nearly symmetric collisions by S and Cl impact

K-shell ionization cross sections in collisions of S and Cl ions with target atoms with atomic numberZ ₂=11–22 have been measured in the energy range from 3.9 to 48 MeV. The data are interpreted in terms of the statistical model of electron diffusion to the continuum. The distribution ofK-vacancies between the projectile and the target atoms are discussed in the framework of the vacancy sharing process.     

Fusion cross section at sub-Coulomb energies

The effective barrier at low energies is approximated by a Coulomb and parabolic barriers. A simple closed formula is obtained for the total reaction cross section which is the natural extension of Wong's results into the low energy domain. Theoretical predictions of averaged energy behaviour agree fairly well with various experimental results. The relation?ω ₀≧π(2kh ²Z₁Z₂ e ²/μ)^1/2 R ₀ ^?3/2 between the curvature and the extremum point of the nucleus-nucleus potential is suggested, based on low energy fusion experiments. By assuming equality sign, it is possible to extract the parameters of the barrier directly from experiment. Incidentally it is found that?ω ₀ remains persistently arround 4.5 MeV for all the reactions which have been investigated.     

The Elusive p-air cross section

For the \(\bar pp\) and pp systems, we have used all of the extensive data of the Particle Data Group [K. Hagiwara et al. (Particle Data Group), Phys. Rev. D 66, 010001 (2002)]. We then subject these data to a screening process, the “Sieve” algorithm [M. M. Block, physics/0506010], in order to eliminate “ outliers” that can skew a χ² fit. With the “Sieve” algorithm, a robust fit using a Lorentzian distribution is first made to all of the data to sieve out abnormally high Δχ _i ² , the individual i^th point’s contribution to the total χ². The χ² fits are then made to the sieved data. We demonstrate that we cleanly discriminate between asymptotic ln s and ln² s behavior of total hadronic cross sections when we require that these amplitudes also describe, on average, low energy data dominated by resonances. We simultaneously fit real analytic amplitudes to the “sieved” high energy measurements of \(\bar pp\) and pp total cross sections and ρ-values for \(\sqrt s \) ≥ GeV, while requiring that their asymptotic fits smoothly join the the σ _pp and σ_pp total cross sections at \(\sqrt s \) = 4.0 GeV—again both in magnitude and slope. Our results strongly favor a high energy ln² s fit, basically excluding a ln s fit. Finally, we make a screened Glauber fit for the p-air cross section, using as input our precisely-determined pp cross sections at cosmic ray energies.     

Projectile Z dependence of double K-shell ionization in light elements by hydrogen- and helium-ion bombardment

The K² X-rays from Be, B and O atoms by H- and He-ion bombardment were measured. The ratio of σ_2K(He) to σ_2K(H) exhibits the projectile Z⁴₁ dependence. This is the first observation of the Z₁-dependence of σ_2K predicted by the Coulomb excitation.     

Velocity dependence of total Penning ionization cross sections

The velocity dependence of the total Penning ionization cross sections,σ(v), is measured in the thermal relative velocity region, using a time of flight method.σ(v) curves are reported for the collision systems He(2¹ S)/Ar, Kr, Xe, N₂, Hg, He(2³ S)/Ar, Kr, Xe, N₂, Hg, Ne(³ P _{2, 0})/Kr, Hg, and Ar(³ P _{2, 0})/Hg. In a qualitative discussion it is shown that all features of the measuredσ(v) curves may be explained within the frame of the theory of Penning ionization, allowing to extract information on the physical quantities governing the process: on the interaction potentialV(R) and on the transition probabilityW(R). A theoretical calculation for the He(2³ S)/Ar system shows good agreement with our experimentalσ(v) curve. On the basis of the present results earlier data onσ(v), and on absolute cross sections and rate constants obtained at certain relative velocity distributions are discussed.     

Experimental cross section for dimuon production and the Drell-Yan model

We have measured the absolute cross section for dimuon production in hadron collisions at 200 GeV/c in the continuum region M = 4–8.5 GeV. In all the channels studied (pN, $\text{p}$N, π^±N and π^?H₂) the experimental cross section is significantly larger by a factor of 2.3 ± 0.5 than expected from the Drell-Yan model. Furthermore, our proton-nucleon data allow a determination of the nucleon valence structure function which agrees with the deep inelastic lepton scattering data.     

Measurements of K-shell ionization cross sections of35Br,37Rb,39Y using low energy protons

K-shell ionization cross section measurements are reported for₃₅Br,₃₇Rb and₃₉Y targets caused by protons over 300–400 keV energy range in 20 keV increment. The K-shell ionization cross sections (σ _k ^l ) at different energies were deduced from the K_α and K_β X-ray production cross sections which were obtained from X-ray yields of the K_α and K_β transitions. The experimental values are compared with the calculated values of ECPSSR theory and empirical reference cross sections. The resultant K-shell ionization cross sections are found to be in reasonable agreement with the ECPSSR theory. The K_α/K_β intensity ratios are also presented and compared with other experimental values and also with the theoretical one-hole values given by Scofield.     

Autoionization cross section of potassium atom excited by electron impact

The autoionization cross section of potassium atoms excited by electron impact is measured in the energy range from the first autoionization threshold at 18.72 eV to 202 eV. The data are obtained by deter-mining the total intensity of electron spectra resulting from the decay of the 3p ⁵ n ₁ l ₁ n ₂ l ₂ autoionizing states. The cross section has two maxima, 1.8 × 10^?16 and 2.2 × 10^?16 cm², at 21 and 32 eV, respectively. The excitation dynamics of autoionization states suggests that the first maximum is associated with the resonance character of the near-threshold excitation. The second maximum, as well as the behavior of the cross section at energies above 50 eV, reflects the dynamics of electron excitation of quartet and doublet autoionizing states. The measured autoionization cross section is compared with known data for the total single ionization cross section of potassium atom by electron impact. The relative contribution of the autoionization cross section to the total single ionization cross section is found to reach 30% at 32 eV.     

Rise of proton proton total cross section and inclusive spectra

The origin of the rise of p-p total cross section (σ_t(pp)) is investigated by making use of the inclusive sum rule. The contribution to the rise of σ_t(pp) from the development of sharp peak near the kinematical boundary in the process p+p→p+ “anything” is almost completely canceled out by the decrease of the cross section in other x-region between s=45 (GeV/c)² and s=2820 (GeV/c)². Then the net contribution to the rise of σ_t(pp) from the process p+p→p+ “anything” is very likely to be zero. The true origin of the rise of σ_t(pp) is found to be the increase of inclusive cross sections at x ? 0 between PS and ISR energies. The contribution from the process p+p→π+ “anything” at x ? 0 to the rise of σ_t(pp) is estimated to be 3.2 mb, that from the process p+p→K + “anything”, 0.71 mb and that from the process p+p→$\text{p}$ “anything”, 0.62 mb. According to our conclusion we expect that all total cross sections will rise with energy at high energy.     

Electron-impact ionization and dissociative ionization of sulfur in the gas phase

We describe the methods and the results of investigation of the yield of positive ions formed as a result of electron-impact ionization of sulfur. The ionization energy for the basic molecule and the energies corresponding to the emergence of fragment ions are obtained from the ionization efficiency curves. The dynamics of formation of molecular sulfur ions in the temperature range 320–700 K is investigated. The energy dependences of efficiency S _n of the ion formation for n = 1–6 are analyzed, and their appearance energies are determined. The total cross section of sulfur ionization by a monochromatic electron beam is also investigated. Using the linear approximation method, we marked out features on the ionization function curve, which correspond to the ionization and excitation energies for multiply charged ions. The total cross section of the formation of negative sulfur ions is measured in the energy range 0–9 eV.     

Charge exchange cross sections of carbon ions

Based on experimental data on the ion charge distributions, the cross sections of single electron loss σ _{i, i + 1} and single electron capture σ _{i, i ? 1} by carbon ions with velocities (2.7–8) × 10⁸ cm/s in different gaseous media (He, N₂, and Ar) have been obtained. Regularities of the cross section variation of the electron capture and loss by carbon ions as a function of the ion velocity, ion charge, and atomic number of the target have been for the first time studied in a wide range of the initial ion charge, from i = 0 to i = 6. A qualitative agreement of the obtained results with the published data has been established for a number of other ions. Theoretical calculations of the cross sections of single electron loss by carbon ions in helium have been carried out.     

Measurement of fast neutron induced fission cross section of thorium using Lexan plastic track detector

Fission-track registration characteristics of Lexan solid state nuclear track detectors have been used to measure the fast neutron induced fission cross section of²³²Th. The fast neutrons (?14.2MeV) were produced with the help of an AN-400 model Van-de-Graaff accelerator at Banaras Hindu University laboratory using³H(²H,n)⁴He reaction and were used to irradiate the fissile target deposited on the plastic detector. The track densityT, registered on the plastic detector is related to the fission cross sectionσ _f, through the relationT=knσ _føt wheren is the number of fissile atoms per cm² in the deposit, ø is the neutron flux,k is fission track registration efficiency andt is the time of irradiation. The fission cross sectionσ _f of²³²Th, relative to the well measured fission cross section of²³⁸U, was found to be 0.36±0.04 barn.     

Spectroscopy of molecular ions: Laser induced predissociation of O 2 +

The technique of laser induced predissociation and laser induced fluorescence is applied to study spectra of gas-phase molecular ions. The main feature of the experiment is a beam of mass selected molecular ions illuminated by a pulsed dye laser. Over an extended range of excitation energies spectroscopic information can be obtained about positive and negative ions including transient species. As a first result we present predissociation spectra of O ₂ ⁺ ,b ⁴ bE _g ^? ?a ⁴ π _u Δv=3 andgDv=2 which can well be simulated by calculated spectra assuming a rotational ion temperature of 300δK.     

Temperature dependence of the disorientation cross section σ 1 2/(1) in rubidium-rare gas collisions

The cross sections for the collision induced transfer²P_1/2m_j=1/2 → m_j = ?1/2 optically polarized Rb-vapour has been measured for collisions with He, Kr and Xe in the temperature range 30 °C → ～ 400 °C. The measurements were done by observing the degree of polarization in the fluorescent light emitted by the Rb-vapour. To avoid hyperfine structure effects, the nuclear spin was decoupled with a magnetic field. Calculations are presented in the temperature range 20 K → 1000 K using a semiclassical treatment and the Pascale Vandeplanque potentials. In the case of helium theoretical and experimental results are at variance, whereas for krypton and xenon satisfactory agreement is obtained. For the heavy rare gases the importance of trajectory effects, notably orbiting, becomes apparent.     

The 18O(p, α)15N cross section at low energies

The ¹⁸O(p, α)¹⁵N reaction cross section has been measured over the energy range 661 keV > E_c.m > 223 keV. The S-function was extrapolated to energies of astrophysical interest using the R-matrix theory. The S-factor, S₀, is estimated to be 46 MeV · b which is a factor of 3 larger than the value used in a recent tabulation of nuclear reaction rates. The effects of broad levels near the proton threshold are discussed.     

129I-Mössbaurer study of superionic glasses AgI−Sb2S3: Local structure and diffusion effects

The local environment and the short-range diffusional displacements of the iodide ions induced by the hoppingAg ⁺ ions have been studied inAgI?Sb ₂ S ₃ superionic glasses using¹²⁹ I-Mössbauer spectroscopy in the temperature range 4.2 K to 240 K. It was found that the nearest neighbours of the iodide ions are only silver ions; the local environment of iodide is therefore close to that in the crystalline superionic conductorAg ₃ SI. Diffusion effects are observed above 140 K by characteristic changes in isomer shift, electric-quadrupole interaction and recoil-free fraction. The derived activation energy for theAg ⁺ ion local hopping is 2 times larger than that of crystallineAg ₃ SI.     

Examination of a molecular se beam by mass spectrometry with electron ionization

The methodology and results of mass-spectrometric studies of producing positive ions as a result of the dissociative ionization of a molecular selenium beam by electron impact are discussed. The appearance energies of fragment ions were determined from the ionization efficiency curves. The dynamics of production of molecular selenium ions in the temperature range of 420–500 K was also examined. The energy dependences of efficiency of production of singly charged Se _n ⁺ ions for n = 1–4 and the doubly charged selenium ion in the interval from the threshold to 36 eV were studied for the first time. The observed specific features of effective ionization cross sections were analyzed.     

The cross section of the7Be(n,p)7Li reaction at 24.5 keV neutron energy

The 24.5 keV neutrons induced reaction with the⁷Be radioactive nucleus was studied. The value of σ_np=(18±4)b was obtained for the⁷Be(n, p)⁷Li reaction cross section.