The strength of octupole correlations in neutron-rich Xe isotopes

Excited levels in ¹⁴⁰Xe and ¹⁴²Xe nuclei, populated in the spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm, were studied by means of prompt γ-ray spectroscopy, using EUROGAM2 array. We report the first observation of an octupole band in ¹⁴²Xe and extend the octupole band in ¹⁴⁰Xe. Level schemes of ¹⁴⁰Xe and ¹⁴²Xe obtained in this work show patterns characteristic of ocupole-vibrational bands. Properties of octupole bands in Xe isotopes indicate that octupole correlations in these nuclei are lower than in the corresponding Ba nuclei. The electric dipole moment of ¹⁴²Xe was found to be larger than in other Xe isotopes, contrary to theoretical predictions. This may be due to the special role of the N = 88 neutron number. Received: 18 November 2002 / Accepted: 15 December 2002 / Published online: 25 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: urban@fuw.edu.pl Communicated by D. Schwalm     

Electron spin lifetimes in Hg0.78Cd0.22 Te and InSb

We have made direct pump–probe measurements of spin lifetimes in long wavelength narrow-gap semiconductors at wavelengths between 4 and 10 μm and from 4 to 300 K. In particular, we measure remarkably long spin lifetimes, τ_s300 ps, even at 300 K for epilayers of degenerate n-type InSb. In this material the mobility is approximately constant between 77 and 300 K, and we find that τ_s is approximately constant in this temperature range. In order to determine the dominant spin relaxation mechanism we have investigated the temperature dependence of τ_s in non-degenerate lightly n-type Hg_0.78Cd_0.22Te of approximately the same band gap as InSb, and find that τ_s varies from 356 ps at 150 K to 24 ps at 300 K. Our results, both in magnitude and temperature dependence of τ_s, imply that the Elliott–Yafet model dominates in these materials.     

Resonant-cavity-enhanced photodetectors and LEDs in the mid-infrared

In this paper we outline the use of resonant-cavity enhancement for increasing the exterior coupling efficiency of photodetectors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region. This method is potentially very important in the MIR because encapsulation is not presently feasible due to the lack of suitable materials. Among other potential applications, resonant-cavity-enhanced (RCE) photodetectors and LEDs could be particularly suitable for greenhouse gas detection because of their ‘pre-tunable’ spectrally narrowed resonantly enhanced peaks. We also present the optical characterization of an InAs RCE photodetector aimed at the detection of methane gas (λ≈3.3 μm), and an InAs/InAs_0.91Sb_0.09 resonant-cavity LED (RCLED) aimed at carbon dioxide gas (λ≈4.2 μm). The high peak responsivity of the RCE photodetector was 34.7 A/W at λ=3.14 μm, and the RCLED peaked at λ=3.96 μm. These are among the longest operating wavelengths for III–V RCE photodetectors and RCLEDs reported in the literature.     

Thermal Disorder, Fluctuations, Growth and Fragmentation of Finite One-Dimensional Atomic Chains

Ordering in one-dimensional atomic chains is studied using computer simulation. We find that dense ordered chains may exist if the system is cold enough and not macroscopically long. Growth of finite length chains from the vapor and by vapor exchange between chains begins rapidly, then slows down exponentially in time. As temperature rises density fluctuations increase, causing the chains to fragment. Independent of fragmentation, disordering begins at the ends, a condition similar to the precursor of edge and surface melting in two and three dimensions. The chemical potential of finite ordered chains is a function of length and temperature, due to the competition between attraction and internal thermal excitation. Equilibrium of chains coexisting with one-dimensional vapor produces a distribution of sizes, peaked at a temperature dependent chain length. Several results may be relevant to experimental studies of adsorption on carbon nanotubes     

Few-valence-particle excitations around doubly magic 132Sn

Prompt γ-ray cascades in neutron-rich nuclei around doubly-magic ¹³²Sn have been studied using a ²⁴⁸Cm fission source. Yrast states located in the N = 82 isotones ¹³⁴Te and ¹³⁵I are interpreted as valence proton and neutron particle-hole core excitations with the help of shell model calculations employing empirical nucleon-nucleon interactions from both ¹³²Sn and ²⁰⁸Pb regions.     

Interferometric Hetero-Detector Phase Measurement

We present a new method for the measurement of the phase of ultrashort optical pulses with high spectral resolution. This employs an interferometer with a monochromator in one arm. Two detectors operating in single photon and two-photon absorption regimes monitor the output from the interferometer. Comparison of the signals from the two detectors gives a measurement of the phase of the light pulse. The principles underpinning this technique are discussed and the experimental application to picosecond pulses is demonstrated.     

Study of spontaneous fission with EUROGAM

Prompt γ radiation following spontaneous fission has been measured using the EUROGAM 2 array. Using these data and newly developed analysis techniques a number of subjects were studied, which are briefly discussed. One of these subjects, shape transition in A≈100 Sr and Zr nuclei is discussed in more detail. Quadrupole moments were determined for rotational bands in the N=58,59,60,62 and 64 Sr and Zr isotopes. Deformation parameters, which increase from β₂ ≈ 0.1 at N=56 to β₂ ≈ 0.4 at N=64, suggest that in strontium and zirconium isotopes shape change happens gradually between N=56 and N=62 and is probably due to an occupancy of three or more deformation-driving orbitals of h_11/2 parentage.     

Pressure broadening by argon in the hyperfine resolved P(10) and P(70) (17,1) transitions of I2 XΣ(0g)→BΠ(0u) using sub-Doppler laser saturation spectroscopy

The dependence of pressure broadening upon hyperfine component in the P(10) and P(70) lines of the (17,1) band of the I₂ X¹Σ(0_g⁺)→B³Π(0_u⁺) has been studied using laser saturation spectroscopy. By limiting absorption to the zero velocity group, Doppler broadening is removed, lineshapes with widths (FWHM) <9 MHz are detectable, and collision-induced broadening is measured at pressures of 0.2-1.2 Torr. The rates for broadening by argon are 8.3±0.3 and 10.7±0.4 MHz/Torr for the P(70) and P(10) lines, respectively. No significant variation in broadening rates is observed for the 15 hyperfine components of these even rotational lines. The effects of velocity cross-relaxation introduce a broad baseline into the spectra, which is strongly dependent on rotational state, pressure, and laser modulation frequency. The observed broadening rates correlate well with prior measurements and the polarizability of the collision partner.     

Photoassociation of sodium in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We form ultracold Na2 molecules by single-photon photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate, measuring the photoassociation rate, linewidth, and light shift of the J = 1, v = 135 vibrational level of the A1 Sigma (+)(u) molecular state. The photoassociation rate constant increases linearly with intensity, even where it is predicted that many-body effects might limit the rate. Our observations are in good agreement with a two-body theory having no free parameters.