Measurement of the resonant d(mu)t molecular formation rate in solid HD

Measurements of muon-catalyzed dt fusion ( d(mu)t-->4He + n + mu(-)) in solid HD have been performed. The theory describing the energy dependent resonant molecular formation rate for the reaction (mu)t + HD-->[(d(mu)t)pee](*) is compared to experimental results in a pure solid HD target. Constraints on the rates are inferred through the use of a Monte Carlo model developed specifically for the experiment. From the time-of-flight analysis of fusion events in 16 and 37 microg x cm(-2) targets, an average formation rate consistent with 0.897+/-(0.046)(stat)+/-(0.166)(syst) times the theoretical prediction was obtained.     

Isotope shift of182Hg and an update of nuclear moments and charge radii in the isotope range181Hg-206Hg

The technique of collinear fast-beam laser spectroscopy has been used to measure the isotope shifts of the even-even isotopes of Hg (Z=80) in the mass range 182≤A≤198 at the on-line mass separator ISOLDE at CERN. The atomic transition studied (6s 6p ³ P ₂- 6s7s ³ S ₁,λ=546.1 nm) starts from a metastable state, which is populated in a quasi resonant charge transfer process. The resulting changes in nuclear mean square charge radii show clearly that¹⁸²Hg follows the trend of the heavier, even, weakly oblate isotopes. Correspondingly the huge odd-even shape staggering in the light Hg isotopes continues and the nuclear shape staggering and shape coexistence persists down to the last isotope investigated,¹⁸¹Hg. An update of isotope shift and hyperfine structure data for^181–206Hg is given, with a revised evaluation of the differences in nuclear mean square charge radii and of spectroscopic quadrupole moments.     

Microstructure of thermoelectric (Bi0.15Sb0.85)2Te3 film

The film of thermoelectric ternary p-type (Bi_0.15Sb_0.85)₂Te₃ was deposited on polyimide foil substrate at 168 °C using direct-current magnetron sputtering. Microstructural investigations of the film were performed by electron microscopy techniques. SEM observations showed that the film surface consisted of large-sized particulates with small-sized particles and also mound-like crystal agglomerates in some areas. Chemical composition of the film was analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). It has been observed that the EDS results were in an agreement with nominal composition for the film. Detailed microstructural investigations were carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM images and selected area electron diffraction patterns showed that the film has randomly oriented polycrystalline grain structure. High-resolution TEM images indicated that the microstructure of film also contained nano-crystal structure, smaller than 10 nm.     

Experimental test of special relativity by laser spectroscopy

The Doppler-free laser-spectroscopic frequency measurement of Doppler-shifted optical lines in forward and backward direction of a fast ion beam permits a sensitive test of the relativistic Doppler-formula and, hence, the relativistic time dilation factor . An experiment on metastable ⁷Li⁺, stored at a velocity of v = 0.064c in the Heidelberg heavy-ion storage ring TSR, has confirmed time dilation with unprecedented accuracy. Latest tests at two different ion-velocities (v = 0.03c and v = 0.064c) will enhance these measurements. An improved version of this experiment will be carried out at the experimental storage ring (ESR) at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt. The ESR permits ⁷Li⁺ to be stored at v = 0.33c which promises an improvement of the sensitivity to deviations from γ _SR by an order of magnitude. A first test at the ESR has shown the feasibility for this kind of experiment.     

Excited state absorption,energy levels,and thermal conductivity of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAB

Polarized excited state absorption spectra of Er, Yb:YAB are reported. The Stark levels of the ⁴I_15/2, ⁴I_13/2, and ⁴I_11/2 multiplets of Er³⁺ have been derived from the measured low-temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra. The stimulated emission spectra have been calculated using the reciprocity method, and the radiative lifetime of the erbium ⁴I_13/2 level has been determined indicating high nonradiative decay rates. The thermal conductivity of Er-Yb-codoped YAB crystals has been measured.     

Advantages and Limitations of Solid Layer Experiments in Muon Catalyzed Fusion

Since the discovery that muonic deuterium at energies near a few eV could travel distances of the order of 1 mm in condensed hydrogen, and in particular that muonic tritium and muonic deuterium could emerge from the surface of a solid hydrogen layer, the advantages of solid targets have enabled the study of several processes important in muon catalyzed fusion. A review of the results is presented, emphasizing the strengths and limitations of the use of solid hydrogen layer targets. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct measurement of the Josephson supercurrent in an ultrasmall Josephson junction

We have measured the supercurrent flowing through a nonhysteretic, ultrasmall, voltage-biased Josephson junction. In contrast with experiments performed so far on hysteretic Josephson junctions, we find a supercurrent peak whose maximum I(s max) increases as the temperature T decreases. The asymptotic T = 0 value of I(s max) agrees with the junction Ambegaokar-Baratoff critical current, as predicted by theory.     

Rayleigh instabilities in multiply charged sodium clusters

The stability of multiply charged sodium clusters Na(q+)(n) (q< or =10) produced in collisions between neutral clusters and multiply charged ions A(z+) ( z = 1 to 28) is experimentally investigated. Multiply charged clusters are formed within a large range of temperatures and fissilities. They are identified by means of a high-resolution reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer (m/deltam approximately 14 000). The maximum fissility of stable clusters is obtained for z = 28 and is X approximately 0.85+/-0.07, slightly below the Rayleigh limit (X = 1). It is mainly limited by the initial cluster temperature (T approximately 100 K).