Electron impact excitation of A1 XIII: A relativistic approach

Energy levels, radiative rates, collision strengths, and effective collision strengths for all transitions up to and including the n = 5 levels of AlXIII have been computed in the j j coupling scheme including relativistic effects. All partial waves with angular momentum J less than or equal to 60 have been included, and resonances have been resolved in a fine energy grid in the threshold region. Collision strengths are tabulated at energies above thresholds in the range 170.0 less than or equal to E less than or equal to 300.0 Ryd, and results for effective collision strengths, obtained after integrating the collision strengths over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities, are tabulated over a wide temperature range of 4.4 less than or equal to log T-e less than or equal to 6.8 K. The importance of including relativistic effects in a calculation is discussed in comparison with the earlier available non-relativistic results.

Electron impact excitation of Al XIII: Collision strengths and rate coefficients

Collision strengths for all transitions up to and including the n = 5 levels of Al XIII have been computed in the LS coupling scheme using the R-matrix code. All partial waves with angular momentum L less than or equal to 45 have been included, and resonances have been resolved in a fine energy grid in the threshold region. Collision strengths are tabulated at energies above thresholds in the range 162.30 less than or equal to E less than or equal to 220.0 Ry, and results for the 1s-2s and 1s-2p transitions are compared with those of previous authors. Additionally, effective collision strengths, obtained after integrating the collision strengths over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities, are tabulated over a wide temperature range of 4.40 less than or equal to log T-e less than or equal to 6.40 K.

Many-body theory of positron-atom interactions

A many-body theory approach is developed for the problem of positron-atom scattering and annihilation. Strong electron- positron correlations are included nonperturbatively through the calculation of the electron-positron vertex function. It corresponds to the sum of an infinite series of ladder diagrams, and describes the physical effect of virtual positronium formation. The vertex function is used to calculate the positron-atom correlation potential and nonlocal corrections to the electron-positron annihilation vertex. Numerically, we make use of B-spline basis sets, which ensures rapid convergence of the sums over intermediate states. We have also devised an extrapolation procedure that allows one to achieve convergence with respect to the number of intermediate- state orbital angular momenta included in the calculations. As a test, the present formalism is applied to positron scattering and annihilation on hydrogen, where it is exact. Our results agree with those of accurate variational calculations. We also examine in detail the properties of the large correlation corrections to the annihilation vertex.

The role of Mittag-Leffler functions in anomalous relaxation

The inertia-corrected Debye model of rotational Brownian motion of polar molecules was generalized by Coffey et al. [Phys. Rev. E, 65, 32 102 (2002)] to describe fractional dynamics and anomalous rotational diffusion. The linear- response theory of the normalized complex susceptibility was given in terms of a Laplace transform and as a function of frequency. The angular-velocity correlation function was parametrized via fractal Mittag-Leffler functions. Here we apply the latter method and complex-contour integral- representation methods to determine the original time-dependent amplitude as an inverse Laplace transform using both analytical and numerical approaches, as appropriate. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Plane wave and Coulomb asymptotics

A simple plane wave solution of the Schrodinger-Helmholtz equation is a quantum eigenfunction obeying both energy and linear momentum correspondence principles. Inclusion of the outgoing wave with scattering amplitude f asymptotic development of the plane wave, we show that there is a problem with angular momentum when we consider forward scattering at the point of closest approach and at large impact parameter given semiclassically by (l + 1/2)/k where l is the azimuthal quantum number and may be large (J. Leech et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 88. 257901 (2002)). The problem is resolved via non- uniform, non-standard analysis involving the Heaviside step function, unifying classical, semiclassical and quantum mechanics, and the treatment is extended to the case of pure Coulomb scattering.

The VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars: stellar parameters and rotational velocities in NGC 3293, NGC 4755 and NGC 6611

An analysis is presented of VLT-FLAMES spectroscopy for three Galactic clusters, NGC3293, NGC4755 and NGC6611. Non-LTE model atmosphere calculations have been used to estimate effective temperatures (from either the helium spectrum or the silicon ionization equilibrium) and gravities (from the hydrogen spectrum). Projected rotational velocities have been deduced from the helium spectrum (for fast and moderate rotators) or the metal line spectrum (for slow rotators). The origin of the low gravity estimates for apparently near main sequence objects is discussed and is related to the stellar rotational velocity. The atmospheric parameters have been used to estimate cluster distances (which are generally in good agreement with previous determinations) and these have been used to estimate stellar luminosities and evolutionary masses. The observed Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams are compared with theoretical predictions and some discrepancies including differences in the main sequence luminosities are discussed. Cluster ages have been deduced and evidence for non-coeval star formation is found for all three of the clusters. Projected rotational velocities for targets in the older clusters, NGC3293 and NGC4755, have been found to be systematically larger than those for the field, confirming recent results in other similar age clusters. The distribution of projected rotational velocities are consistent with a Gaussian distribution of intrinsic rotational velocities. For the relatively unevolved targets in the older clusters, NGC3293 and NGC4755, the peak of the velocity distribution would be 250 km s(-1) with a full-width-half-maximum of approximately 180 km s(-1). For NGC6611, the sample size is relatively small but implies a lower mean rotational velocity. This may be evidence for the spin-down effect due to angular momentum loss through stellar winds, although our results are consistent with those found for very young high mass stars. For all three clusters we deduce present day mass functions with Gamma-values in the range of -1.5 to -1.8, which are similar to other young stellar clusters in the Milky Way.

Electron spectroscopy of doubly excited states in He produced by slow collisions of He2+ ions with Ba atoms

We measured ejected electron spectra caused by autoionization of doubly excited states in He atoms; the excited He was made by double electron capture of low-energy He2+ ions colliding with Ba atoms. Measurements were performed by means of zero degree electron spectroscopy at projectile energies from 40 to 20 keV. Electron spectra due to autoionization from the states He(2lnl') to He+(1s) for n greater than or equal to2, and those from He(3lnl') to He+ (2s or 2p) for n greater than or equal to3, were observed. Line peaks in the spectra were identified by comparing observed electron spectra with those of several theoretical calculations. It was found that doubly excited states of relatively high angular momenta such as the D and F terms were conspicuously created in a quite different manner from the cases of the production of doubly excited states by the use of photon, electron, or ion impacts on neutral He atoms. Rydberg states with large n values were observed with high population in both the He(2lnl') and He(3lnl') series. Other remarkable features in the electron spectra are described and the mechanisms for the production of these electron spectra are discussed qualitatively.

Experimental investigation of the processes determining x-ray emission intensities from charge-exchange collisions

Absolute cross sections have been measured for single and double charge exchange and x-ray line emission for highly charged ions of C, N, 0, and Ne colliding with He, H-2 CO2, and H2O at collisions energies of 7q keV. Present results of charge exchange in He and H-2 compare favorably with previous results. For CO2 and H2O, where prior work is scarce, the classical overbarrier model is found to overestimate results by up to a factor of 3. An analysis of the relative intensities of the observed Lyman x-ray transitions indicates that capture into l states is not statistical, as collision velocities are insufficient to populate the highest angular-momentum states. The importance of autoionization following multiple capture is highlighted, and enhanced radiative stabilization following double capture is observed and compared to other studies. Present results are also discussed in terms of mechanisms likely to generate x-ray emission in comets.

Geometrical dependence in photoionization of H-2(+) in high-intensity, high-frequency, ultrashort laser pulses

The ionization dynamics of H2 + exposed to high-intensity, high-frequency, ultrashort laser pulses is investigated with two theoretical approaches. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation is solved by a direct numerical method, and a simple two-center interference-diffraction model is studied. The energy and angular distributions of the photoelectron for various internuclear distances and relative orientations between the internuclear axis of the molecule and the polarization of the field are calculated. The main features of the photoelectron spectrum pattern are described well by the interference-diffraction model, and excellent quantitative agreement between the two methods is found. The effect of quantal vibration on the photoelectron spectrum is also calculated. We find that vibrational average produces some broadening of the main features, but that the patterns remain clearly distinguishable.

Superfluid toroidal currents in atomic condensates

The spectrum of collective excitations of oblate toroidal condensates within the Bogoliubov approximation was studied, and the dynamical stability of ring currents around the torus explored. The transition from spheroidal to toroidal geometry of the trap displaced the energy levels into narrow bands. A simple, but accurate, formula was detailed for the lowest angular acoustic modes of excitation, and the splitting energy when a background current is present.

3D Simulations of Surface Harmonic Generation with few-cycle laser pulses

The mechanism of harmonic generation in the interaction of short laser pulses with solid targets holds the promise for the production of intense attosecond pulses. Using the three dimensional code ILLUMINATION we have performed simulations pertaining to an experimentally realizable parameter range by high power laser systems to become available in the near future. The emphasis of the investigation is on the coherent nature of the emission. We studied the influence of the plasma scale length on the harmonic efficiency, angular distribution and the focusability using a post processing scheme in which the far-field of the emission is calculated. It is found that the presence of an extended density profile reduces significantly the transverse coherence length of the emitted XUV light. The different stages of the interaction for two particular cases can be followed with the help of movies.

Dispersing Light with Surface Plasmon Polaritonic Crystals

Spectral dispersion of light on a finite-size surface plasmon polaritonic (SPP) crystal has been studied. The angular wavelength separation of one or more orders of magnitude higher than in other state-of-the-art wavelength-splitting devices available to date has been demonstrated. The two-stage process is responsible for the dispersion value, which involves conversion of the incident light into SPP Bloch modes of a nanostructure followed by the SPP Bloch waves refraction at the SPP crystal boundary. The high spectral dispersion achievable in plasmonic devices may be useful for integrated high-resolution spectroscopy in nanophotonic, optical communication and lab-on-a-chip applications.

On the origin of the forward peak and backward oscillations in the F + H2(v = 0) to HF(v' = 2) + H reaction

We present a semiclassical complex angular momentum (CAM) analysis of the forward scattering peak which occurs at a translational collision energy around 32 meV in the quantum mechanical calculations for the F + H2(v = 0, j = 0) ? HF(v' = 2, j' = 0) + H reaction on the Stark–Werner potential energy surface. The semiclassical CAM theory is modified to cover the forward and backward scattering angles. The peak is shown to result from constructive/destructive interference of the two Regge states associated with two resonances, one in the transition state region and the other in the exit channel van der Waals well. In addition, we demonstrate that the oscillations in the energy dependence of the backward differential cross section are caused by the interference between the direct backward scattering and the decay of the two resonance complexes returning to the backward direction after one full rotation.

Proton Formation in 2+1 Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Excitation of HCl and HBr via „=0… Rydberg and Ion-Pair States

Molecular beam cooled HCl was state selected by two-photon excitation of the V (1) summation operator(0(+)) [v=9,11-13,15], E (1) summation operator(0(+)) [v=0], and g (3) summation operator(-)(0(+)) [v=0] states through either the Q(0) or Q(1) lines of the respective (1,3) summation operator(0(+))<--<--X (1) summation operator(0(+)) transition. Similarly, HBr was excited to the V (1) summation operator(0(+)) [v=m+3, m+5-m+8], E (1) summation operator(0(+)) [v=0], and H (1) summation operator(0(+)) [v=0] states through the Q(0) or Q(1) lines. Following absorption of a third photon, protons were formed by three different mechanisms and detected using velocity map imaging. (1) H(*)(n=2) was formed in coincidence with (2)P(i) halogen atoms and subsequently ionized. For HCl, photodissociation into H(*)(n=2)+Cl((2)P(12)) was dominant over the formation of Cl((2)P(32)) and was attributed to parallel excitation of the repulsive [(2) (2)Pi4llambda] superexcited (Omega=0) states. For HBr, the Br((2)P(32))Br((2)P(12)) ratio decreases with increasing excitation energy. This indicates that both the [(3) (2)Pi(12)5llambda] and the [B (2) summation operator5llambda] superexcited (Omega=0) states contribute to the formation of H(*)(n=2). (2) For selected intermediate states HCl was found to dissociate into the H(+)+Cl(-) ion pair with over 20% relative yield. A mechanism is proposed by which a bound [A (2) summation operatornlsigma] (1) summation operator(0(+)) superexcited state acts as a gateway state to dissociation into the ion pair. (3) For all intermediate states, protons were formed by dissociation of HX(+)[v(+)] following a parallel, DeltaOmega=0, excitation. The quantum yield for the dissociation process was obtained using previously reported photoionization efficiency data and was found to peak at v(+)=6-7 for HCl and v(+)=12 for HBr. This is consistent with excitation of the repulsive A(2) summation operator(12) and (2) (2)Pi states of HCl(+), and the (3) (2)Pi state of HBr(+). Rotational alignment of the Omega=0(+) intermediate states is evident from the angular distribution of the excited H(*)(n=2) photofragments. This effect has been observed previously and was used here to verify the reliability of the measured spatial anisotropy parameters.

Intense-field dissociation dynamics of D2+ molecular ions using ultrafast laser pulses

The dynamics of dissociation of pre-ionized D2+ molecules using intense (10^12–10^15 W cm-2), ultrashort (50 fs), infrared (? = 790 nm) laser pulses are examined. Use of an intensity selective scan technique has allowed the deuterium energy spectrum to be measured over a broad range of intensity. It is found that the dominant emission shifts to lower energies as intensity is increased, in good agreement with corresponding wavepacket simulations. The results are consistent with an interpretation in terms of bond softening, which at high intensity (approximately >3 × 10^14 W cm-2) becomes dominated by dissociative ionization. Angular distribution measurements reveal the presence of slow molecular dissociation, an indication that vibrational trapping mechanisms occur in this molecule.