Competition between memory-keeping and memory-erasing decoherence channels

We study the competing effects of simultaneous Markovian and non-Markovian decoherence mechanisms acting on a single spin. We show the existence of a threshold in the relative strength of such mechanisms above which the spin dynamics becomes fully Markovian, as revealed by the use of several non-Markovianity measures. We identify a measure-dependent nested structure of such thresholds, hinting at a causality relationship among the various non-Markovianity witnesses used in our analysis. Our considerations are then used to argue the unavoidably non-Markovian evolution of a single-electron quantum dot exposed to both intrinsic and Markovian technical noise, the latter of arbitrary strength. 

Non-Markovianity and system-environment correlations in a microscopic collision model

We show that the use of a recently proposed iterative collision model with interenvironment swaps displays a signature of strongly non-Markovian dynamics that is highly dependent on the establishment of system-environment correlations. Two models are investigated: one in which such correlations are canceled iteratively and one in which they are kept all across the dynamics. The degree of non-Markovianity, quantified using a measure based on the trace distance, is found to be much greater for all coupling strengths, when system-environment correlations are maintained.

High temperature thermal stability studies of ultrathin Al2O3 layers deposited on native oxide and sulphur passivated InGaAs surfaces

High resolution synchrotron radiation core level photoemission measurements have been used to undertake a comparative study of the high temperature stability of ultrathin Al2O3 layers deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on both sulphur passivated and native oxide covered InGaAs. The residual interfacial oxides between sulphur passivated InGaAs and the ultrathin Al2O3 layer can be substantially removed at high temperature (up to 700 °C) without impacting on the InGaAs stoichiometry while significant loss of indium was recorded at this temperature on the native oxide InGaAs surface.

Radiative rates for E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions in the Br-like ions Sr IV, Y V, Zr VI, Nb VII, and Mo VIII

Energies and lifetimes are reported for the lowest 375 levels of five Br-like ions, namely SrIV, YV, ZrVI, NbVII, and MoVIII, mostly belonging to the 4s²4p⁵, 4s²4p⁴4ℓ, 4s4p⁶, 4s²4p⁴5ℓ, 4s²4p³4d², 4s4p⁵4ℓ, and 4s4p⁵5ℓ configurations. Extensive configuration interaction has been included and the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (grasp) has been adopted for the calculations. Additionally, radiative rates are listed among these levels for all E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions. From a comparison with the measurements, the majority of our energy levels are assessed to be accurate to better than 2%, although discrepancies between theory and experiment for a few are up to 6%. An accuracy assessment of the calculated radiative rates (and lifetimes) is more difficult, because no prior results exist for these ions.

Energy levels, radiative rates and lifetimes for transitions in Br-like ions with 38 ≤ Z ≤ 42

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in five Br-like ions (Sr IV, Y V, Zr VI, Nb VII and Mo VIII) are calculated with the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (GRASP). Extensive configuration interaction has been included and results are presented among the lowest 31 levels of the 4s²4p⁵, 4s²4p⁴4d and 4s4p⁶ configurations. Lifetimes for these levels have also been determined, although unfortunately no measurements are available with which to compare. However, recently theoretical results have been reported by Singh et al (2013 Phys. Scr. 88 035301) using the same GRASP code. But their reported data for radiative rates and lifetimes cannot be reproduced and show discrepancies of up to five orders of magnitude with the present calculations.

Energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Be-like Cl XIV, K XVI and Ge XXIX

Results for energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation (effective) collision strengths for transitions in Be-like Cl XIV, K XVI and Ge XXIX are reported. For the calculations of energy levels and radiative rates the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package is adopted, while for determining the collision strengths and subsequently the excitation rates, the Dirac atomic R-matrix code is used. Oscillator strengths, radiative rates and line strengths are listed for all E1, E2, M1 and M2 transitions among the lowest 98 levels of the n ≤ 4 configurations. Furthermore, lifetimes are provided for all levels and comparisons made with available theoretical and experimental results. Resonances in the collision strengths are resolved in a fine energy mesh and averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution to obtain the effective collision strengths. Results obtained are listed over a wide temperature range up to 10^7.8 K, depending on the ion.

Energy levels, radiative rates, and lifetimes for transitions in W LVIII

Energy levels and radiative rates are reported for transitions in Cl-like W LVIII. Configuration interaction (CI) has been included among 44 configurations (generating 4978 levels) over a wide energy range up to 363 Ryd, and the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (grasp) adopted for the calculations. Since no other results of comparable complexity are available, calculations have also been performed with the flexible atomic code (fac), which help in assessing the accuracy of our results. Energies are listed for the lowest 400 levels (with energies up to ~98 Ryd), which mainly belong to the 3s²3p⁵, 3s3p⁶, 3s²3p⁴3d, 3s²3p³3d², 3s3p⁴3d², 3s²3p²3d³, and 3p⁶3d configurations, and radiative rates are provided for four types of transitions, i.e.E1, E2, M1, and M2. Our energy levels are assessed to be accurate to better than 0.5%, whereas radiative rates (and lifetimes) should be accurate to better than 20% for a majority of the strong transitions.

Energy levels, radiative rates, and lifetimes for transitions in W XL

Energy levels and radiative rates are reported for transitions in Br-like tungsten, W XL, calculated with the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (grasp). Configuration interaction (CI) has been included among 46 configurations (generating 4215 levels) over a wide energy range up to 213 Ryd. However, for conciseness results are only listed for the lowest 360 levels (with energies up to ~43 Ryd), which mainly belong to the 4s²4p⁵,4s²4p⁴4d,4s²4p⁴4f,4s4p⁶,4p⁶4d,4s4p⁵4d,4s²4p³4d², and 4s²4p³4d4f configurations, and provided for four types of transitions, E1, E2, M1, and M2. Comparisons are made with existing (but limited) results. However, to fully assess the accuracy of our data, analogous calculations have been performed with the flexible atomic code, including an even larger CI than in grasp. Our energy levels are estimated to be accurate to better than 0.02 Ryd, whereas results for radiative rates (and lifetimes) should be accurate to better than 20% for a majority of the strong transitions.

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in Ti VII

We report calculations of energy levels, radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths for transitions among the lowest 231 levels of Ti VII. The general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package and flexible atomic code are adopted for the calculations. Radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths are provided for all electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2) and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the 231 levels, although calculations have been performed for a much larger number of levels (159 162). In addition, lifetimes for all 231 levels are listed. Comparisons are made with existing results and the accuracy of the data is assessed. In particular, the most recent calculations reported by Singh et al (2012 Can. J. Phys. 90 833) are found to be unreliable, with discrepancies for energy levels of up to 1 Ryd and for radiative rates of up to five orders of magnitude for several transitions, particularly the weaker ones. Based on several comparisons among a variety of calculations with two independent codes, as well as with the earlier results, our listed energy levels are estimated to be accurate to better than 1% (within 0.1 Ryd), whereas results for radiative rates and other related parameters should be accurate to better than 20%.

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in Ti VI

We report on calculations of energy levels, radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths for transitions among the lowest 253 levels of the (1s22s22p6 ) 3s23p5 , 3s3p6 , 3s23p43d, 3s3p53d, 3s23p33d2 , 3s23p44s, 3s23p44p and 3s23p44d configurations of Ti VI. The general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package and flexible atomic code are adopted for the calculations. Radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths are reported for all electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2) and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the 253 levels, although calculations have been performed for a much larger number of levels. Comparisons are made with existing available results and the accuracy of the data is assessed. Additionally, lifetimes for all 253 levels are listed, although comparisons with other theoretical results are limited to only 88 levels. Our energy levels are estimated to be accurate to better than 1% (within 0.03 Ryd), whereas results for other parameters are probably accurate to better than 20%. A reassessment of the energy level data on the National Institute of Standards and Technology website for Ti VI is suggested.

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in Ti X

We report calculations of energy levels, radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths for transitions among the lowest 345 levels of Ti X. These include 146 levels of the n 3 configurations and 86 of 3s ²4ℓ, 3s²5ℓ and 3s3p4ℓ, plus some of the 3s²6ℓ, 3p²4ℓ and 3s3p5ℓ levels. The general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package and flexible atomic code are adopted for the calculations. Radiative rates, oscillator strengths and line strengths are provided for all electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2) and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the 345 levels, although calculations have been performed for a much larger number of levels. Comparisons are made with existing results and the accuracy of the data is assessed. Additionally, lifetimes for all 345 levels are listed. Extensive comparisons of lifetimes are made for the lowest 40 levels, for which discrepancies with recent theoretical work are up to 30%. Discrepancies in lifetimes are even larger, up to a factor of four, for higher excited levels. Furthermore, the effect of large configuration interaction (CI) is found to be insignificant for both the energies and lifetimes for the lowest 40 levels of Ti X which belong to the 3s²3p, 3s3p², 3s²3d, 3p³ and 3s3p3d configurations. However, the contribution of CI is more appreciable for the energy levels and radiative rates among higher excited levels. Our listed energy levels are estimated to be accurate to better than 1% (within 0.1 Ryd), whereas results for other parameters are probably accurate to better than 20%. © 2013 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in He-like Fe XXV, Co XXVI, Ni XXVII, Cu XXVIII and Zn XXIX

We report calculations of energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation cross sections and rates for transitions in He-like Fe XXV, Co XXVI, Ni XXVII, Cu XXVIII and Zn XXIX. The grasp (general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package) is adopted for calculating energy levels and radiative rates. For determining the collision strengths and subsequently the excitation rates, the Dirac atomic R-matrix code (darc) is used. Oscillator strengths, radiative rates and line strengths are reported for all E1, E2, M1 and M2 transitions among the lowest 49 levels of each ion. Additionally, theoretical lifetimes are listed for all 49 levels of the above five ions. Collision strengths are averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution and the effective collision strengths obtained listed over a wide temperature range up to 10 ^7.7 K. Comparisons are made with similar data obtained using the flexible atomic code (fac) to highlight the importance of resonances, included in calculations with darc, in the determination of effective collision strengths. Discrepancies between the collision strengths from darc and fac, for some transitions, are also discussed. Finally, discrepancies between the present results of effective collision strengths with the darc code and earlier semi-relativistic R-matrix data are noted over a wide range of electron temperatures for many transitions in all ions. 

Energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in He-like Ga XXX, Ge XXXI, As XXXII, Se XXXIII and Br XXXIV

We report calculations of energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation cross sections and rates for transitions in He-like Ga XXX, Ge XXXI, As XXXII, Se XXXIII and Br XXXIV. The grasp (general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package) is adopted for calculating energy levels and radiative rates. For determining the collision strengths, and subsequently the excitation rates, the Dirac atomic R-matrix code (darc) is used. Oscillator strengths, radiative rates and line strengths are reported for all E1, E2, M1 and M2 transitions among the lowest 49 levels of each ion. Additionally, theoretical lifetimes are provided for all 49 levels of the above five ions. Collision strengths are averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution and the effective collision strengths obtained listed over a wide temperature range up to 10⁸ K. Comparisons are made with similar data obtained using the flexible atomic code (fac) to highlight the importance of resonances, included in calculations with darc, in the determination of effective collision strengths. Discrepancies between the collision strengths from darc and fac, particularly for some forbidden transitions, are also discussed. Finally, discrepancies between the present results for effective collision strengths with the darc code and earlier semi-relativistic R-matrix data are noted over a wide range of electron temperatures for many transitions in all ions. © 2013 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

The effect of ionization on the populations of excited levels of C IV and C V in tokamak edge plasmas

The main populating and depopulating mechanisms of the excited energy levels of ions in plasmas with densities <10²³-10²⁴ m^-3 are electron collisional excitation from the ion's ground state and radiative decay, respectively, with the majority of the electron population being in the ground state of the ionization stage. Electron collisional ionization is predominately expected to take place from one ground state to that of the next higher ionization stage. However, the question arises as to whether, in some cases, ionization can also affect the excited level populations. This would apply particularly to those cases involving transient events such as impurity influxes in a laboratory plasma. An analysis of the importance of ionization in populating the excited levels of ions in plasmas typical of those found in the edge of tokamaks is undertaken for the C IV and C V ionization stages. The emphasis is on those energy levels giving rise to transitions of most use for diagnostic purposes (n ≤ 5). Carbon is chosen since it is an important contaminant of JET plasmas; it was the dominant low Z impurity before the installation of the ITER-like wall and is still present in the plasma after its installation. Direct electron collisional ionization both from and to excited levels is considered. Distorted-wave flexible atomic code calculations are performed to generate the required ionization cross sections, due to a lack of atomic data in the literature. Employing these data, ionization from excited level populations is not found to be significant in comparison with radiative decay. However, for some energy levels, ionization terminating in the excited level has an effect in the steady-state of the order of the measurement errors (±10%). During transient events, ionization to excited levels will be of more importance and must be taken into account in the calculation of excited level populations. More accurate atomic data, including possible resonance contributions to the cross sections, would tend to increase further the importance of these effects. 

Energy levels, radiative rates, and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Li-like ions with 21≤Z≤28

We report calculations of energy levels, radiative rates, and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Li-like ions with 21≤Z≤28. The General-Purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Package is adopted for calculating energy levels and radiative rates, while for determining the collision strengths and subsequently the excitation rates, the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code is used. Oscillator strengths, radiative rates, and line strengths are listed for all E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions among the lowest 24 levels of the Li-like ions considered. Collision strengths have been averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution, and the effective collision strengths obtained are given over a wide temperature range up to 10^7.8 K. Additionally, lifetimes are listed for all calculated levels of these ions. Finally, extensive comparisons are made with results available in the literature, as well as with our analogous calculations for all parameters with the Flexible Atomic Code, in order to assess the accuracy of the results.