The effects of collisional quenching on degenerate four-wave mixing

We report a theoretical and experimental investigation of the effects of collisional quenching on resonant degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM). Using single-mode laser radiation, peak signal intensity measurements were performed on an isolated line in the A – X transition of NO. By using appropriate mixtures of N₂ and CO₂ as buffer gases, we varied the collisional quenching rate over several orders of magnitude while maintaining a fixed total collisional dephasing rate. The mixtures had approximately 100 Torr total pressure and were at room temperature. For I/I _sat approximately equal to 0.02, DFWM intensities were found to be less affected by variations in quench rate than were laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) intensities (I and I _sat are the pump laser and one-photon saturation intensities, respectively). Moreover, for I/I _sat roughly equal to 0.5, DFWM intensities were observed to be nearly independent of quench rate. The results are compared to two theoretical predictions, with good agreement observed. Both theories indicate that the minimum sensitivity of DFWM to quenching occurs near I/I _sat1.     

Efficient optically pumped NH3 amplifiers in the 10–12 μm region

A pulsed transversely excited CO₂ laser operating on the 9R(30) transition is used to optically pump mixtures of NH₃ in buffer gas. A simple oscillator/amplifier system characterizes the performance of the NH₃ amplifier in the 11 m region. Small-signal gain coefficients of >10%/cm measured on the aQ(3,3) transition at 10.7 m, while pump conversion efficiencies of 50% are shown to occur under saturation conditions. The NH₃ laser system is described by a rate-equation model, which is validated by comparison with experiment over a wide range of operating conditions. Measurements are made for NH₃ concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.2%, with Ar, N₂, and He buffer gas pressures from 170 to 700 Torr, and for gas temperatures from 200 to 300 K. Optically pumped NH₃ is shown to be a versatile and efficient system for the amplification of mid-infrared radiation.     

Hydrogen-like recombination X-ray lasers using ps pulse drivers

We propose a scheme for producing high gain recombination X-ray lasers on hydrogen-like Balmer transitions by irradiating fibre targets with a 2 ps Chirped Pulse Amplification CPA beam of a Nd-glass laser facility. Very high gain coefficients for H-like C, N, O, F, Na Balmer transitions are predicted. The optimum electron density and temperature for maximum gain operation scale approximately asN _e 4 × 10¹³ Z ⁷ cm^–3 and T_e 7 × 10^–3 Z ⁴ eV, respectively, at the time when maximum lasing gain appears. Significant improvement in gain performance of recombination X-ray lasers is predicted by using CPA ps pulse drivers.     

“Laser snow” effect in CS2 vapour induced by krypton laser

We report on the laser snow effect observed in CS₂ vapour illuminated by uv lines of a krypton laser. We discuss the effect of diffusion and convection processes on the threshold value of the CS₂ vapour pressure. We discuss also the kinetics of the formation process related to the proposed model of chemical reactions induced by laser light.Work partially supported by the Gruppo Nazionale di Struttura della Materia del CNR and by the INFN.     

Spatial transport phase transitions in systems with high polariton densities

The behaviour of high intense laser beams in matter is examined with respect to a possible pattern formation. The latter is thought to be a collective phenomenon. We establish a microscopic transport theory for anharmonically interacting polaritons, which is valid even for regions far from thermal equilibrium. It is shown that then there must necessarily be phase transitions in the space distribution of polaritons as a function of the laser power. Numerical calculations are performed for an ionic crystal. They yield two critical intensitiesI _c1 andI _c2, where qualitative alterations in the spatial distribution are to be expected. We ascribe the transport phase transitions atI _c1 andI _c2 to the formation of large and small scale filaments respectively. The phenomenon appears to be very similar to the Bénard problem.     

Periodic and solitary wave solutions of the three-wave problem. A different approach

We consider the inverse problem for a three-wave interaction system in a manner different from Zakharovet al. and of Kaup. Our method is an adaptation of the technique due to Date to a 3 × 3 Lax pair. The analysis leads to a system of ordinary nonlinear equations for the _ivariables linearizable through a suitable definition of differential on a Riemann surface. Next, in the degenerate case, when the _iare equal in pairs, we prove that such a set of equations is exactly integrable and leads to solitary solutions.     

Modelling of electron stream discharge

Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo code is used to simulate gas discharge initiated by a high current (I _e10kA) middle energy ( _e10keV) hot ( _e1 keV) electron stream. The generation of such an overthermal electron stream has been clearly demonstrated at the experimental REBEX facility during the relativistic electron beam-plasma interaction. When the electron beam (represented by1000 macroparticles) is injected into the drift tube filled by neutral gas (hydrogen,p=13.3–133 Pa) two different stages are observed. During the initial stage the arising Virtual Cathode (VC) is filled by hydrogen ions. The VC disappears when the quasineutrality of ionized gas is achieved. Then the severe exponential growth of electron and ion component of ionized gas is observed.List of symbols x distance from the left electrode [m] - t time [s] - v _x ,v _y velocity components [m/s] - g4(x) potential [Volt] - g4 _1/2(t) middle potential [Volt] - E(x) electric field [Volt/m] - Q _wall wall charge [C/m.m] - I current [C/s] - _tot total energy [J] - N number of macroparticles - f() energy distribution of electron macroparticles at the left electrode, is kinetic energy of macroparticle [eV]. Presented at 17^th Symposium Plasma Physics and Technology, Prague, June 13–16, 1995.     

Electronic conductance of a multi-channel point contact in a magnetic field

We present the numerical results of the electronic conductanceG of a quantum wire with a multichannel point contact structure in a perpendicular external magnetic fieldH at zero temperature, based on the rigorous quantum mechanics of a two-dimensional noninteracting electron gas. Computational results show the approximate quantization of the electronic conductance. WheH is weak,Ginteger multiples of 2e ²/h; and whenH is trong, Ginteger multiples of 2ne ²/h, wheren is the number of channels in the point contact structure of the quantum wire. Quantum leaps take place whenH±2m ^* E _F /[e(2j+1)], wherej is either zero or a positive integer small enough for the external magnetic fieldH to be strong, andm ^* is the effective mass of an electron in the device. To our knowledge, no report on this quantization of electronic conductance has been published. Oscillations are manifest in theGH curves for comparatively narrow channels because of the quantum size effect.     

Single-pulse two-dimensional temperature imaging in flames by degenerate four-wave mixing and polarization spectroscopy

We introduce a novel and simple experimental arrangement for single-pulse two-dimensional temperature mapping in flames by the coherent imaging techniques, degenerate four-wave mixing and polarization spectroscopy, utilizing a dual-wavelength dye laser and a diffraction grating. Each pulse of this dye laser consists of two wavelengths which were tuned to resonance with two different rotational transitions in theQ ₁ branch of theA ² –X ² (0, 0) band of the OH radical. A typical coherent imaging geometry where a sheet-shaped pump beam crossed an unfocused probe beam, was used. The two generated images of OH signal distributions were spatially separated by a diffraction grating and simultaneously detected on a single CCD chip. The two-dimensional single-pulse temperature map was extracted from these images. The precision of the methods is examined and a comparison between degenerate four-wave mixing and polarization spectroscopy is made.     

Hydrogenated and irradiatedA15 Nb3Sn layers — Preparation,Rutherford scattering analysis,resistivity and superconductivity

Niobium films on sapphire were reacted in tin-vapour to Nb₃Sn with resistance ratiosR(297 K)/R(18.3 K) up to 6 and resistively measured superconducting transition temperaturesT _c up to 17.93 K. The composition Nb_3+z Sn_1–z H _x of electrolytically hydrogenated samples was determined depth dependent by Rutherford backscattering of 30 MeV³²S and simultaneous detection of recoiled protons. Considerable concentration gradients in the thin layers (0.27 m) were detected. The increase of resistivity with hydrogen content and the change in the temperature dependence of is analyzed. A correlation betweenT _c and ₀= is found: An increase of T _c =0.2 K at ₀25cm andx0.03 is followed by a drastic decrease toT _c <1.1 K at ₀80cm andx1. TheT _c vs. ₀ andT _c vs. (T) characteristic correlations are different from universal irradiation or preparation induced correlations. The discrepancies can be interpreted by a stiffening of phonon modes and a band-shifting caused by the hydrogen.     

Microstructure of fiber-like SiC/Si3N4 composite particulate

The microstructure of fiber-like SiC/Si₃N₄ composite particulate was investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. The SiC/Si₃N₄ composite particulate consisted of a-SiC core and a -Si₃N₄ outer shell. Two kinds of composite particulate were distinguished when the observed orientation of the SiC core was <110>. In one type of the SiC/Si₃N₄ composite particulate, a crystal relationship of (111)-SiC | (102) -Si₃N₄ and (111)-SiC (114) -Si₃N₄ was identified; in the other type of the SiC/Si₃N₄ composite particulate, a crystal relationship of (111)-SiC (001) -Si₃N₄, and (111)-SiC (101) -Si₃N₄ was observed.     

Instability in degenerate two-photon running wave laser with detuning

The previous stability analysis of the degenerate two-photon running wave laser is extended to the inclusion of detuning between frequencies of cavity and atoms. We derive the analytical equation for the critical pumping and prove analytically that for the special case ofr (/) being unity, there is no Hopf bifurcation instability for the bad cavity. The good cavity case is analysed numerically. The role played by detuning is to raise the critical pumping. In the case ofk (or <K) where there is no Hopf bifurcation instability for the perfect tuning case, the large detuning can give rise to self-pulsing instability.     

Zeros of the finite-size scaling region partition function for a model with a wetting transition

We derive a finite-size scaling representation for the partition function for an Onsager-Temperley string model with a wetting transition, and analyze the zeros of this partition function in the complex scaled coupling parameter of relevance. The system models the one-dimensional interface between two phases in a rectangular two-dimensional region (x, y) ²,–L yL,oxN. The two phases are at coexistence. The string or interface has a surface tension 2KkT per unit length and an extra Boltzmann weighta per unit length if it touches the surfaces aty=±L. There is a critical valuea _c=1/2K and fora>a _c the string is confined to one of the surfaces, while fora a _c the string moves roughly in the rectangular region. The finite-size scaling parameters are =a _c ² N/L ² and =L(a–a _c)/a _c ² . We find that for || large, the zeros of the scaled partition function lie close to the lines arg()=±/4 with re()>0. We discuss the motion of all the zeros as changes by both analytic and numerical arguments.     

Quantitative interpretation ofc-axis magnetoresistivity for fields parallel toc-axis in single crystalline La1.86Sr0.14CuO4

The magnetoresistivity, (T, B), of single crystalline La_1.86SrO_0.14CuO₄ as a function of temperature (T) and magnetic field (B) is experimentally studied in a typical Lorentz force free configuration ofB//I//C-axis. It is shown that the extended Josephson coupling model recently developed can quantitatively account for the variation in (T, B) in a wide transition region (five orders)     

Upper bounds for the energy expectation in time-dependent quantum mechanics

We consider quantum systems driven by Hamiltonians of the formH+W(t), where the spectrum ofH consists of an infinite set of bands andW(t) depends arbitrarily on time. Let H (t) denote the expectation value ofH with respect to the evolution at timet of an initial state . We prove upper bounds of the type H (t)=O(t ), >0, under conditions on the strength ofW(t) with respect toH. Neither growth of the gaps between the bands nor smoothness ofW(t) is required. Similar estimates are shown for the expectation value of functions ofH. Sufficient conditions to have uniformly bounded expectation values are made explicit and the consequences on other approaches to quantum stability are discussed.     

Scaling solutions of Smoluchowski's coagulation equation

We investigate the structure of scaling solutions of Smoluchowski's coagulation equation, of the formc _k (t)s(t)^– (k/s(t)), wherec _k (t) is the concentration of clusters of sizek at timet,s(t) is the average cluster size, and(x) is a scaling function. For the rate constantK(i, j) in Smoluchowski's equation, we make the very general assumption thatK(i, j) is a homogeneous function of the cluster sizesi andj:K(i,j)=a ^– K(ai,aj) for alla>0, but we restrict ourselves to kernels satisfyingK(i, j)/j0 asj. We show that gelation occurs if>1, and does not occur if1. For all gelling and nongelling models, we calculate the time dependence ofs(t), and we derive an equation for(x). We present a detailed analysis of the behavior of(x) at large and small values ofx. For all models, we find exponential large-x behavior: (x)A x ^– e ^–x asx and, for different kernelsK(i, j), algebraic or exponential small-x behavior: (x)Bx ^– or (x)=exp(–Cx ^–|| + ...) asx0.     

Two dimension selective coherent population trapping controlled by a phase shift

Two-dimensional laser cooling based on velocity-selective coherent population trapping is investigated theoretically for the J _g=1J _e=0 atomic transition. Wavevectors and polarizations of three laser beams are chosen to realize a coherent superposition of three degenerate ground states. For the first time in laser cooling, use is made of the electric field phases to realize coherent population trapping selective in two dimensions. Numerical solutions and analytic estimates are presented for laser cooling of helium atoms.     

High-temperature resistivity of Ti1-X Al X alloys

We have measured the high-temperature resistivities of dilute Ti_1-x Al _x alloys withx0.135 up to 1100 K (2.6 _D , where _D is the Debye temperature). We observe that possesses a strong downward deviation from a linear temperature-dependence at high temperatures (several hundred degrees Kelvin). Eventually, saturates to a constant. This non-Bloch-Grüneisen-like behavior is compared with the predictions of current theories.     

Hydromagnetic laminar flow of a conducting fluid in an annulus in presence of a radial magnetic field

The object of the present paper is to study the MHD effects on the laminar flow of a viscous, incompressible and conducting fluid in an annulus with arbitrary time-varying pressure gradient and arbitrary initial velocity in presence of a radial magnetic field. Using finite Hankel transform, solutions for both the unsteady and steady flows under different prescribed pressure gradients have been found out.Notation H a constant characterising the intensity of the magnetic field - p hydrostatic pressure - _e magnetic permeability - coefficient of viscosity - kinematic coefficient of voscosity - conductivity of the medium - density - a radius of the inner cylinder - b radius of the outer cylinder - parameter - s positive root - J (sr) Bessel's function of first kind of ordergl - Y (sr) Bessel's function of second kind of order     

Stimulated IR- and vacuum-UV emission following two-photon-excitation of molecular hydrogen using an ArF laser

Hydrogen molecules are excited by two 193 nm-photons [X¹ _g ⁺ E,F¹ _g ⁺ ;Q₀₂(1)] generated with a commerical oscillator-amplifier ArF laser. Stimulated emission is subsequently observed in the IR (=752.4 nm to 836.6 nm;E, FB) and in the VUV (=134.0 nm to 160.9 nm;BX) with a VUV conversion efficiency of 0.2%. The rotational fine-structure, the saturation behaviour, pump depletion as well as SRS-onset on and off two-photon resonance are investigated.