Freezing-out of nuclear polarization in radioactive core ions of microclusters, “snowballs” in superfluid helium

A novel method was tried successfully to trap ions and to freeze out their nuclear polarization inside aggregates of helium atoms, snowballs, in superfluid helium. Spin polarized¹²B (T _1/2=20.4 ms) ions were introduced into superfluid helium and snowballs were created around the impinged impurity ions. Beta-ray asymmetry was measured to obtain the nuclear polarization of decaying¹²B. The comparison with the initial value of¹²B polarization produces that no relaxation in polarization was observed throughout lifetime of¹²B.     

Hyperfine interactions of interstitial12B in Fe,V and Ta studied by use of the asymmetric β decay

Magnetic hyperfine fields and spin-lattice relaxation times of interstitial and substitutional¹²B nuclei in Fe are studied in a temperature range, 100 K<T<1200 K, by use of the asymmetric decay from the spin polarized nuclei and NMR detection. In order to infer information regarding the location of¹²B nuclei and expansion in the nearest Fe surrounding following recoil implantation, hyperfine interactions of¹²B in non-magnetic bcc V and Ta crystals are studied.     

Snowballs of radioactive ions — nuclear spin polarization of core ions

Short-lived ions¹²B (beta-radioactive, T_1/2=20.3 ms) sustaining nuclear spin polarization were introduced into superfluid helium at 1.7 K. It was found that the¹²B ions were transported as charged entities under a static electric field and that the nuclear polarization was maintained throughout the lifetime of¹²B nuclei. Polarization of¹²B was determined through beta-NMR method. Snowball, a singly charged microcluster of helium atoms formed around an impurity ion, is responsible for the behaviour and thus constitutes a suitable environment for preserving nuclear polarization of the core ions¹²B. In a separate experiment snowballs were produced by implanting⁸Li (T_1/2=830 ms) into liquid helium and detected by means of alpha particles from the core ions to guarantee that the snowballs survive longer than the lifetime of¹²B.     

Hyperfine interactions of12B in BN (hexagonal)

Hyperfine interactions of¹²B(I =1⁺,T _1/2=21 ms) implanted in the substitutional site of B in BN (hexagonal) was studied by detecting -NMR. In order to measure the quadrupole coupling constant efficiently, we employed a newly developed quadrupole resonance technique (NNQR). The quadrupole moment of¹²B was determined to be |Q(¹²B)|=13.21±0.26 mb.     

Precise measurement of the quadrupole moment of β-emitting12B

Hyperfine interactions of¹²B(I ,T _1/2=21 ms) implanted in the substitutional site of B atoms (stable) in a (single crystal like) BN (hexagonal) was studied by use of a -NMR detection. For efficient and simple measurements, the conventional -NMR has been modified as a new nuclear quadrupole resonance technique (NNQR). For the present case with the nuclear spinI=1 the detection efficiency is improved about 30 times compared with the one with the old method. The quadrupole moment of¹²B was determined precisely as ¦Q(¹²B; 1⁺)¦=13.21±0.26 mb.     

Consequences of Xe–H Cross Relaxation in Aqueous Solutions

We have investigated the transfer of polarization from ¹²⁹Xe to solute protons in aqueous solutions to determine the feasibility of using hyperpolarized xenon to enhance ¹H sensitivity in aqueous systems at or near room temperatures. Several solutes, each of different molecular weight, were dissolved in deuterium oxide and although large xenon polarizations were created, no significant proton signal enhancement was detected in -tyrosine, α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, apomyoglobin, or myoglobin. Solute-induced enhancement of the ¹²⁹Xe spin–lattice relaxation rate was observed and depended on the size and structure of the solute molecule. The significant increase of the apparent spin–lattice relaxation rate of the solution phase ¹²⁹Xe by α-cyclodextrin and apomyoglobin indicates efficient cross relaxation. The slow relaxation of xenon in β-cyclodextrin and -tyrosine indicates weak coupling and inefficient cross relaxation. Despite the apparent cross-relaxation effects, all attempts to detect the proton enhancement directly were unsuccessful. Spin–lattice relaxation rates were also measured for Boltzmann ¹²⁹Xe in myoglobin. The cross-relaxation rates were determined from changes in ¹²⁹Xe relaxation rates in the α-cyclodextrin and myoglobin solutions. These cross-relaxation rates were then used to model ¹H signal gains for a range of ¹²⁹Xe to ¹H spin population ratios. These models suggest that in spite of very large ¹²⁹Xe polarizations, the ¹H gains will be less than 10% and often substantially smaller. In particular, dramatic ¹H signal enhancements in lung tissue signals are unlikely.     

Investigation of the behaviour of the impurity atoms in Si by μ− SR-method

The dependence of the residual polarization of negative muons in p-type Si on temperature in the 4.2–270 K range has been investigated. Measurements were carried out in external magnetic field of 0.08 T transverse to the muon spin. The impurity concentration in the sample was 2 · 10¹³ cm^–3. Muon spin relaxation was observed at temperatures below 30 K. The relaxation rate atT=30 K is equal to 0.18±0.08s^–1. The relaxation rate grows with the decrease of temperature and at 4.2 K exceeds 30s^–1. The value of the residual polarization at zero timeP(t=0) is constant within the investigated temperature range.In the rangeT<30 K data on the relaxation rate are well described by the dependence =B·T^–q, whereq=2.75. Power dependence of may evidence the essential role of the phonon mechanism in the relaxation of the electron momentum of the acceptor center.The authors express their gratitude to V.B. Brudanin and I.A. Yutlandov for providing the sample, and to Yu.B. Gurov for advices.     

Interstitial related defect of12B implanted into n- and p-type silicon

-radiation detected nuclear magnetic resonance (-NMR) measurements of¹²B occupying sites with noncubic surroundings after implantation into Si have been extended from p-type to moderately doped n-type material. The quadrupole split signals observed in both materials indicate the existence of the same interstitial related boron defect but with lower thermal stability in n-type Si.     

Measurement of electric quadrupole moments of neutron-rich nuclei14B and15B

The experimental study of nuclear moments of several neutron-rich nuclei, using the phenomenon of ejectile spin polarization in the projectile fragmentation reaction, is reported. The spin-polarized fragments¹⁴B and¹⁵B were produced in the fragmentation of¹⁸O projectiles on a Nb target at 64.7 MeV/u. They were implanted into a Mg single crystal, and the quadrupole momentsQ were determined by the-NMR method. The results, ¦Q(¹⁴B)¦ =29.84 ±0.75 mb and ¦Q(¹⁵B)¦=38.01 ±1.08 mb, are compared with theoretical models. Shell model calculations in a 0 model space, using effective charges commonly accepted in this mass region, predict values about 40% larger than the experimentalQ(¹⁵B). Agreement is obtained when a much smaller effective charge for neutrons is employed. The method was also applied to the measurement of the magnetic moments of¹⁷N and¹⁷B. The result reveals an important contribution of configurations with excess neutrons coupled to formJ =2⁺.     

Precision measurement of theg-factor of the 2+ γ-vibrational state of160Dy and test of theF-spin purity

The rotations of the 392-966 keV and the 299–966 keV directional correlations of¹⁶⁰Dy in the static hyperfine field of DyTb have been measured with high precision. A neutron activated Tb single crystal was used which was magnetized to saturation at 4.2 K by an external magnetic field of 4.5 T applied in the direction of theb-axis. The agreement of both rotations proves that the relaxation of the 4f-shell after the-decay takes less than 10 ps. A quantum mechanical calculation within the magnon model gave a relaxation time of the order of 1 ps. Theg-factor of the 2⁺ -vibrational state was derived as

Quantum diffusion of muonium in GaAs with shallow donor impurities

Muonium diffusion was studied in silicon doped GaAs by means of muon spin relaxation in a longitudinal field. The muonium hopping frequencies in two samples with n-type carrier concentration of 10¹²¹⁴ cm^–3 and 8×10¹⁶ cm^–3 were deduced by using the model of fluctuating effective local fields. We found that muonium diffusion is strongly influenced by the dilute Si impurity in both samples in the temperature range belowT 30K. The absence of such a behavior in compensated high-resistivity samples indicates that the presence of shallow donor levels plays a decisive role for the tunneling diffusion of muonium in semiconductors.We would like to thank Drs. N.V. Prokof'ev and R.F. Kiefl for helpful discussion.After submission of this paper it was revealed by the field dependence of the LF relaxation rate that the observed relaxation rate in GaAs:Si-B is due to spin-exchange interaction of Mu^*.     

Nuclear spin lattice relaxation of191mIr in Fe

Thermal cycling of the lattice temperature was used to determine the nuclear spin lattice relaxation of^191m IrFe in polarizing fields of 0.05 to 1.3 T. At low temperatures, the relaxation time is not very much shorter than the lifetime of^191m Ir. In the first part of the paper, the master equation formalism is extended to include a finite lifetime. Our result for the reduced relaxation constant, ² C _K =(1.48±0.11)·10¹⁴ K s^–1 T^–2 (high field limit) is in serious disagreement with that of a spin echo measurement of¹⁹³IrFe, but fits much better into the general systematics. A comparison of relaxation rates for 3d-, 4d-, and 5d-impurities in Fe is given. As a by-product, a Kapitza conductivity constant ofl _K =1.5 mW cm^–2 K^–4±30% was found between Fe and dilute³He/⁴He.     

Nuclear orientation of48V in Fe and Co and NMR of48VFe

Observations of the anisotropies of the 984 and 1312 keV -rays from⁴⁸VFe and⁴⁸VCo in fields up to 4 T and temperatures down to 4 mK show extremely long nuclear spin-lattice relaxation times (3–4 h in Fe, 8 h in Co host) and indicate negative hyperfine fields in both hosts. The Fe measurements show a magnetic moment for the⁴⁸V 4⁺ ground state considerably larger than previously reported. This is confirmed by NO/NMR of⁴⁸VFe, giving (4⁺)=2.012(11) _N. The advantages of pulsed NMR techniques, especially in systems with slow relaxation, are discussed.     

Precise measurement of the magnetic moment of doubly closed shell − 1 nucleon nucleus15O(I π1/2−,T 1/2=122 s)

The magnetic moment of¹⁵O(I=1/2^–,T _1/2=122 s) has been measured precisely by use of the -NMR detection of¹⁵O in TiO₂ as, |(¹⁵O; 1/2^–)|=0.71951 (12) µ_N. The effective nucleon mass in the nuclei around mass number 16 was discussed using the isoscalar moment deduced in connection with the magnetic moment of¹⁵N.     

Spin and parity of isomeric and ground states of the doubly-odd nucleus184Au

Low-spin states in doubly-odd¹⁸⁴Au have been populated in the ⁺/EC decay of¹⁸⁴Hg produced by bombarding¹⁸⁴Sm targets with an 185 MeV⁴⁰Ar beam. Radioactive Hg nuclei were transported by a He jet system. A new level scheme has been established from --t and X--t coincidence measurements. Spin and parity values I=5⁺, I =2⁺ and I=3^– were assigned to the ground state and the two isomeric states of¹⁸⁴Au, respectively. The structure of these states is discussed using B(E1) values.     

Highly selective and efficient multiphoton dissociation of polyatomic molecules in multiple-frequency IR-laser fields

An ir multiphoton dissociation (MPD) process in multiple-frequency ir-laser fields has been experimentally realized. A selectivity ofS=10⁴ was obtained in separating¹³C/¹²C isotopes upon multiple-frequency ir multiphoton dissociation (MFMPD) of the CF₂HCl molecule, the dissociation yield¹³ for the¹³CF₂HCl molecule amounting to around 1%. A yield of¹³ was reached at a selectivity ofS=10², and the total laser fluence required for the process was reduced. A new mechanism—sticking of molecules on the lower discrete vibrational levels—responsible for the low MPD yields observed for some molecules is discussed and a technique to eliminate it and thus maximize the dissociation yields is proposed. Ways to improve the selectivity by MFMPD are analyzed and a simple method for obtaining from a single TEA CO₂ laser a multiple-frequency radiation suitable for experimental realization of MFMPD is suggested.     

NMR line width of12B in Pt detected by β-NMR

NMR spectra of¹²B in Pt (fcc) metal were observed by use of the -NMR detection method. A sharp single line was observed by use of an annealed Pt foil for the implantation medium. The dipolar broadening has been determined to be 332±30 Hz (HWHM).     

Excitation functions for production of heavy residues in the interaction of12C with181Ta

The excitation functions for production of 21 isotopes and isomers of Au, Pt, Ir, Os and Re in the interaction of¹²C with¹⁸¹Ta from 54 to 98 MeV incident energy have been measured by the activation technique. The analysis of these data allows one to estimate the reaction cross-section and the cross-sections for complete fusion of¹²C and the incomplete fusion of⁸Be and fragments with tantalum.     

Hebel-Slichter peak and superconducting energy gap in Rb3C60 observed by muon spin relaxation

Muon spin relaxation has been observed in both the normal and superconducting states of Rb₃C₆₀ (T _c=29.3K). The field dependence of theT ₁ spin relaxation rate is due to muonium undergoing spin-exchange scattering with conduction electrons, making this the first observation of muonium in a metal. The temperature dependence ofT ₁ ^–1 shows a Hebel-Slichter coherence peak just belowT _c which is not seen in¹³C spin relaxation. The peak can be fit assuming spin relaxation due to interaction with the quasiparticle excitations of a BCS superconductor provided the density of states is broadened relative to that of BCS. Such fits yield a value for the zero temperature energy gap, ₀/k _B , of 53(4)K, consistent with weak-coupling BCS.     

Measurement of the average polarization of12B in the polarized-muon capture reaction12C(μ −,v μ)12B (g.s.)

The average polarization P_av of the recoil nucleus¹²B (ground state) produced by the polarized-muon capture reaction¹²C(^–,v )¹²B was measured by a new approach which involved the muon spin resonance, and the adoption of Grafoil as a carbon target where the polarization of¹² B can be preserved completely under 3 kG holding field. Our observed resultP _av=0.473±0.053 yields g_p/g_A=9.6 _–2.7 ^2.4 which seems to be consistent with the canonical PCAC prediction within the error.The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to the members of the Meson Science Laboratory and of the Van de Graaff Accerelator at Osaka University. They also acknowledge helpful discussions and suggestions given by Professors M. Morita, H. Ohtsubo and K. Kubodera. This work is supported by the Grant-in-Aid of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.