Parity violation effects in hydrogen atom in forbidden magnetic-dipole transitions

General expressions for the probability of all strongly forbidden magnetic-dipole transitions between states njl and n′jl in the hydrogen atom and light hydrogen-like ions are derived in the lowest order in the parameter (αZ) in the form W _n′jl;njl ^(Ml) = D _n′n ^lj αm _e (αZ)¹⁰ (in relativistic units), where m _e is the electron mass, α is the fine-structure constant, Z is the nuclear charge, and the constants D _n′n ^lj are presented in an analytical form. Using these expressions, the dependence of the degree of parity violation on the principal quantum numbers n and n′ of the lower and upper states in the ns _1/2-n′s _1/2 and np _1/2-n′p _1/2 M1 transitions is systematically analyzed. The results obtained can be used in designing experiments on parity violation in the hydrogen atom.     

Generalized quantum mechanical two-Coulomb-center problem （Demkov problem）

We present a new exactly solvable quantum problem for which the Schro¨dinger equation allows for separation of variables in oblate spheroidal coordinates. Namely, this is the quantum mechanical two-Coulomb-center problem for the case of an imaginary intercenter parameter and complex conjugate charges are considered. Since the potential is defined by the two-sheeted mapping whose singularities are concentrated on a circle rather than at separate points, there arise additional possibilities in the choice of boundary conditions. A detailed classification of the various types of boundary-value problems is given. The quasi-radial equation leads to a new type of boundary value problem which has never been considered before. Results of the numerical calculations, which allow conclusions to be drawn about the structure of the energy spectrum, are shown. Possible physical applications are discussed.     

Observation of a superfluid phase in solid helium

Evidence of a superfluid liquid phase present in polycrystalline helium at a temperature of 0.2 K and a pressure of 51 bar has been obtained by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The superfluid component is absent at a temperature of 0.6 K and the same pressure. Thus, a “solid helium-superfluid helium” phase transition has been discovered. The sample of solid helium in a porous medium (silica aerogel) has been prepared with the use of a capillary blocking technique. The shape of the structure factor of the superfluid phase indicates the presence of clusters or the effects of a restricted geometry. The results may be used to explain the nonclassical rotational inertia phenomenon in solid helium (often referred to as supersolidity, Nature, 2004).     

Electrostatic fluctuations in nonequilibrium plasmas with particle collisions

We present a method for calculation of plasma fluctuations in a nonequilibrium plasma with stable particle distribution functions. The method takes into account particle collisions and collective particle interactions which affect the collision process. In contrast to the known approaches, our method makes no reference to a specific form of the collision integrals and distribution functions. Using the developed method, we calculate the high-frequency spectrum of the electric field fluctuations in a collisional plasma with arbitrary particle distribution functions.     

γ-families with halos observed by X-ray emulsion chamber in EAS and the estimate of the p+He fraction in primary cosmic rays at E<Subscript>0</Subscript> = 1–100 PeV

The experimental γ-families in which events called “halos” were detected using X-ray emulsion chambers (XRECs) of the PAMIR experiment are described. The halo nature is explained within the standard model of nuclear interactions. Based on events with halo, the fraction of p+He in primary cosmic rays (PCR) was estimated. It is shown that the PCR mass composition remains mixed in the range E₀ = 1–100 PeV.     

Probabilities of forbidden magnetic-dipole transitions in the hydrogen atom and hydrogen-like ions

Explicit formulasfor strongly forbidden magnetic-dipole transitiions between states njl and n′jl in the hydrogen atom and light hydrogen-like ions are derived. The expressions for transition probabilities are presented in the form W _{n′jl; njl} ^(M1) = D _n′n ^lj αm _e (αZ)¹⁰ (in relativistic units), where m _e is the electron mass, α is the fine-structure constant, and Z is the nuclear charge; the constants D _n′n ^lj are presented in an analytical form. Before now, only the D ₂₁ ^01/2 coefficient corresponding to the 1s _1/2–2s _1/2 transition was known in explicit form. The results obtained can be used in designing an experiment on parity violation in the hydrogen atom.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the liquid-phase oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-carboxylic acids

Short reaction chains participate in the oxidation of C₃-C₆, C₈, C₁₀, and C₁₂ n-carboxylic acids. The quadratic-law recombination of peroxy radicals occurs both without and with chain termination. The ratio of the rate constants of these reactions increases to k′/k _t = 4.5 on passing from propanoic acid to pentanoic acid, and then it decreases almost to zero for dodecanoic acid. The anomalous variation of the k′/k _t ratio is explained by the fact that the radicals resulting from carboxylic acid oxidation at the CH bonds nearest to the functional group make different contributions to the recombination process, depending on the carbon chain length. The cross recombination of secondary hydrocarbon peroxy radicals with the HO₂^· radicals resulting from the oxidation of carboxylic acids at the β-C-H bonds proceeds without chain termination.     

Investigation of the tripoli porous structure by small-angle neutron scattering

The characteristics of the tripoli porous structure have been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Tripoli is a finely porous sedimentary rock formed by small spherical opal particles. Its main component is aqueous silica SiO₂ · nH₂O (80–90%). Tripoli is widely used in practice as a working medium for sorption filters and in some other commercial and construction technologies. The shape of the experimental SANS curves indicates the presence of small and large pores in tripoli. The small-pore size was estimated to be ～100 Å. The size of large pores turned out to be beyond the range of neutron wave vector transfers Q that are available for the instrument used; however, their size was indirectly estimated to be ～(2000–2500) Å. The pores of both groups behave as surfacetype fractal scatterers with the fractal dimension D ～ 2.2‐2.6. The densities of pores of these two groups differ by approximately three orders of magnitude (～10¹⁶ and ～10¹³ cm^?3 for small and large pores, respectively); the fraction of large pores amounts to 70–80% of the total pore volume. The found pore characteristics (their densities, sizes, and relative volumes) are in satisfactory agreement (when a comparison is possible) with the absorption data.     

Characteristics of the DIN-2PI spectrometer with a neutron concentrator

The basic characteristics of the upgraded DIN-2PI spectrometer are reported. Based on experimental data and numerical calculation results, it is concluded that a supermirror neutron concentrator, with which the DIN-2PI spectrometer is equipped, raises the density of the cold neutron flux at the sample almost by an order of magnitude. The use of a grooved moderator in channel no. 2 and upgrading of the core of the IBR-2M reactor increases the neutron flux density on the sample by about 40% more.