Epithermal effects in muon catalyzed fusion in H/D/T mixtures at low deuterium and tritium concentrations

The results of a Monte Carlo simulation of muon catalyzed fusion in H/D/T mixtures at low deuterium and tritium concentrations are presented, and the kinetics of the dt branch of the CF cycle is discussed. It is shown that the epithermal effects in the dt cycle produce a multicomponent structure in the time spectra of dt fusion, in agreement with the recent experimental results obtained by the CF collaboration at PSI. The importance of further studies of the CF reactions in triple mixtures is emphasized.     

Positivity of entropy production in the presence of a random thermostat

We study nonequilibrium statistical mechanics in the presence of a thermostat acting by random forces, and propose a formula for the rate of entropy productione() in a state . When is a natural nonequilibrium steady state we show thate()0, and sometimes we can provee()>0.     

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.     

An Approach to Linear Scalable DH-PHEMT Model for Millimeterwave Application

This paper describes a scalable small-signal equivalent circuit for 0.25 m gatelength Double Heterojunction delta-doped PHEMTs. The scaling rules for all elements except the pad capacitances and bondwire inductances have been determined. Good agreement is obtained between simulation results and measured results for 2 times 20 m , 2 times 40 m, 2 times 60 m, 2 times 100 m gate width (number of gate fingers times unit gate width) DH PHEMT.     

A new procedure for thin-film deposition by solution spraying

The major reasons for the low photovoltaic efficiency of Cu₂S/CdS cells, in which the CdS film is deposited by spraying, are due to small film thicknesses which do not exceed 4 m and the small average grain size which ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 m.A new experimental solution spraying procedure is described that prevents both restrictions by controlling the substrate temperature. Average grain sizes of more than 1 m are obtained.Work supported by Ministere Pubblica Istruzione and Centro Regionale Ricerche Nucleari e di Struttura della Materia     

Light absorption in laser-heated cavities

The absorption of laser light in 0.25–1 mm diameter gold cavities, irradiated for the purpose of generating high-temperature blackbody radiation with intense laser radiation of either =0.44 m or =1.3 m wavelength, was investigated. For =0.44 m radiation the absorption exceeded 0.9 for all conditions, but dropped to only 0.3 for the smallest cavities irradiated at =1.3 m. Entrance hole and cavity filling with plasma seems important for the understanding of the observations.     

Reactive pulsed laser deposition and laser induced crystallization of SnO2 transparent conducting thin films

Transparent conducting SnO₂ thin films with a thickness between 1000–2000 Å were deposited on glass, quartz and silicon substrates using standard pulsed laser deposition techniques with two different targets (Sri and SnO₂) and with three different laser wavelengths (1.06, 0.532 and 0.266 ) from a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser. Tin dioxide films with optical transmission over most of the visible spectrum exceeding 80% were obtained using a Sn target and a background oxygen pressure of 20 Pa. The electrical resistivity () depended strongly on the substrate temperature during deposition, with the lowest values of of about 10^–2 -cm obtained when the substrate was maintained at 400°C during deposition. Using SnO₂ targets, predominantly amorphous phase SnO₂ films were deposited on Si substrates and then transformed into polycrystalline Sn₃O₄ by laser induced crystallization ( = 1.06 m). Whereas these later films were essentially non-conducting as deposited ( > 400 -cm), the electrical resistivity was permanently reduced after laser induced crystallization by a factor greater than 1000 to a value of approximately 4 × 10^–1 -cm.     

Measurement of the refractive index and optical absorption spectra of epitaxial bismuth substituted yttrium iron garnet films at uv to near-ir wavelengths

Refractive-index and optical-absorption spectra of Bi-substituted yttrium iron garnet films, epitaxially grown by liquid-phase epitaxy, have been measured in the spectral regime 0.26 m1.9 m by thin-film interference for 0.52 m and by ellipsometry for0.52 m. The Y_3–x–y Bi _x Pb _y Fe_5–z Pt _z O₁₂ films contain bismuth in the range Ox 1.42, lead in the range 0.01 y0.08 and platinum in the range 0.005<=z0.03. There is satisfactory coincidence between the results from ellipsometry and thin-film interference in the overlapping wavelength region. The materials investigated are the same as reported earlier from this laboratory in ter mof their magnetic and magnetooptic properties.     

Determination of the Coefficient of Laser Radiation Reflection from Dielectric Targets in Vacuum

We present the results of experimental determination of the coefficients of laser radiation reflection (₁ 10.6 m and ₂ 1.06 m) from dielectric targets of complex chemical composition in vacuum with allowance for a regime of developed plasma formation.     

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.     

Continuity of type-I intermittency from a measure-theoretical point of view

We study a simple dynamical system which displays a so-called type-I intermittency bifurcation. We determine the Bowen-Ruelle measure and prove that the expectation (g) of any continuous functiong and the Kolmogoroff-Sinai entropyh() are continuous functions of the bifurcation parameter. Therefore the transition is continuous from a measure-theoretical point of view. Those results could be generalized to any similar dynamical system.     

Optical Designs for Large Detector Arrays on Spherical-Primary Orbital/Sub-Orbital Telescopes

We discuss the guidelines to the optical design for relatively small-aperture sub-millimeter telescopes employing a spherical primary and large-format bolometer arrays. Although optical solutions for large ground optical telescopes using a spherical primary are discussed in the literature, these configurations are not acceptable for orbital or sub-orbital platforms. As a baseline telescope design we will use BLAST, the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope, which will be employing bolometer arrays at 250 m, 350m and 500 m, and will carry a 2.0 m spherical primary mirror during the first flight. We examine two different sets of optical solutions that might be used on future spherical-primary small aperture telescopes: first, we discuss configurations employing on-axis optical elements to correct the spherical aberration introduced by the primary. Then, we present several optical solutions using off-axis, cooled mirrors. These configurations are discussed in relation to optical performance and various operational design constraints. A preliminary optical design for BLAST is also discussed.     

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.     

Theory of muonic molecule formation: Survey of progress and open questions

The Auger mechanism of muonic molecule formation is operative for all the isotopic reaction channels, and the agreement between theory and experiment is quite good for all the observable reactions. For dd and dt formation, however, the resonance mechanism of Vesman is dominant and produces some dramatic effects. For dd, the temperature dependences for the different hyperfine states provide a striking confirmation of the theory. For dt, the comparison with experimental is much more difficult, and furthermore the appearance of an evident three-body contribution to the formation cross section presents a formidable challenge to theory. A completely convincing and practical method of calculating this term has yet to be achieved, but a classical trajectory model which provides some insight into the underlying physics is presented.     

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.     

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.     

The refractivity of CO2 gas in the region of 10 μm

The refractivity of the CO₂ gas is measured with an experimental error of 2% in the 10-m region, using 10.4-m band CO₂ laser line. The frequency of the CO₂ laser is swept through the Doppler profile of the laser line. The experiment is achieved using a 0.63-m He–Ne/10.6-m CO₂-laser interferometer with a 2-m long vacuum cell. From the result, it is found that the Koch's formula also holds for the wavelengths in the 10-m region within an accuracy of 2%.     

Some Remarks on a Nongeometrical Interpretation of Gravity and the Flatness Problem

In a nongeometrical interpretation of gravity,the metric g(x) = + (x)is interpreted as an effective metric, whereas(x) is interpreted as afundamental gravitational field, propagated in spacetime which isactually flat. Some advantages and disadvantages of suchan interpretation are discussed. The main advantage isa natural resolution of the flatness problem.     

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ВРЕМЕНИ ЖИЗНИ μ-МЕЗОНОВ ПО АНОМАЛЬНОМУ ПОГЛ0Щ ЕНИЮ МЕТОДОМ ЯДЕРНЫХ ЭМУЛЬСИЙ

- ;- . ( ) . , - .     

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.