Energy Spectra Of Atoms Research Articles

Combined BC/MD approach to the evaluation of damage from fast neutrons and its implementation for beryllium irradiation in a fusion reactor

The determination of primary damage production efficiency in metals irradiated with fast neutrons is a complex problem. Typically, the majority of atoms are displaced from their lattice positions not by neutrons themselves, but by energetic primary recoils, that can produce both single Frenkel pairs and dense localized cascades. Though a number of codes are available for the calculation of displacement damage from fast ions, they commonly use binary collision (BC) approximation, which is unreliable for dense cascades and thus tend to overestimate the number of created displacements. In order to amend the radiation damage predictions, this work suggests a combined approach, where the BC approximation is used for counting single Frenkel pairs only, whereas the secondary recoils able to produce localized dense cascades are stored for later processing, but not followed explicitly. The displacement production in dense cascades is then determined independently from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Combining contributions from different calculations, one gets the total number of displacements created by particular neutron spectrum. The approach is applied here to the case of beryllium irradiation in a fusion reactor. Using a relevant calculated energy spectrum of primary knocked-on atoms (PKAs), it is demonstrated that more than a half of the primary point defects (∼150/PKA) is produced by low-energy recoils in the form of single Frenkel pairs. The contribution to the damage from the dense cascades as predicted using the mixed BC/MD scheme, i.e. ∼110/PKA, is remarkably lower than the value deduced from uncorrected SRIM calculations (∼145/PKA), so that in the studied case SRIM tends to overpredict the total primary damage level.

Chemical sputtering of boronized and oxidized carbon surfaces irradiated by low-energy deuterium atoms

We use molecular dynamics to study the chemical sputtering of boronized and oxidized amorphous carbon surfaces by deuterium irradiation in the range of impact energies of 5–30 eV. We report the sputtering yield as well as mass, energy, and angular spectra of ejected atoms and molecules of both virgin and deuterium saturated BCO surfaces and compare them with our data for a deuterated BC surface and existing theoretical and experimental results for amorphous C:D surfaces. Boron significantly suppresses the erosion of carbon, while the presence of oxygen results in further suppression.

Spectral Fluctuations in A=32 Nuclei Using the Framework of the Nuclear Shell Model

Chaotic properties of nuclear energy spectra in A=32 nuclei are investigated via the framework of the nuclear shell model. The energies (the main object of this investigation) are calculated through accomplishing shell model calculations employing the OXBASH computer code with the realistic effective interaction of W in the isospin formalism. The A=32 nuclei are supposed to have an inert 16O core with 16 nucleons move in the 1d5/2, 2s1/2 and 1d3/2 orbitals. For full hamiltonian calculations, the spectral fluctuations (i.e., the nearest neighbor level spacing distributions P(S) and the Δ3 statistics) are well characterized by the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble of random matrices. Besides, they show no dependency on the spin J and isospin T. For unperturbed hamiltonian calculations, we find a regular behavior for the distribution of P(S) and an intermediate behavior between the GOE and the Poisson limits for the Δ3 statistics.

Superconducting resonator and Rydberg atom hybrid system in the strong coupling regime

We propose a promising hybrid quantum system, where a highly-excited atom strongly interacts with a superconducting LC oscillator via the electric field of capacitor. An external electrostatic field is applied to tune the energy spectrum of atom. The atomic qubit is implemented by two eigenstates near an avoided-level crossing in the DC Stark map of Rydberg atom. Varying the electrostatic field brings the atomic-qubit transition on- or off-resonance to the microwave resonator, leading to a strong atom-resonator coupling with an extremely large cooperativity. Like the nonlinearity induced by Josephson junctions in superconducting circuits, the large atom-resonator interface disturbs the harmonic potential of resonator, resulting in an artificial two-level particle. Different universal two-qubit logic gates can also be performed on our hybrid system within the space where an atomic qubit couples to a single photon with an interaction strength much larger than any relaxation rates, opening the door to the cavity-mediated state transmission.

Surface-modified Wannier-Stark states in a one-dimensional optical lattice

We study the energy spectrum of atoms trapped in a vertical 1D optical lattice in close proximity to a reflective surface. We propose an effective model to describe the interaction between the atoms and the surface at any distance. Our model includes the long-range Casimir-Polder potential together with a short-range Lennard-Jones potential, which are considered non-perturbatively with respect to the optical lattice potential. We find an intricate energy spectrum which contains a pair of loosely-bound states localized close to the surface in addition to a surface-modified Wannier-Stark ladder at long distances. Atomic interferometry involving those loosely-bound atom-surface states is proposed to probe the adsorption dynamics of atoms on mirrors.

Preparation of Rydberg states in ultracold Li-7 atoms by using coherent or non-coherent optical excitation

Energy spectra of ultracold Rydberg lithium atoms are discussed. Our technique has been used for the experimental observation of coherent and non-coherent components of two-step excitation in Rydberg states. The high sensitivity of the technique has allowed us to record narrow coherent resonance at 2P-41D. The width of this resonance is 3 times less than width of non-coherent resonance. The coherent resonance is observed when the laser is detuned by ±803.5 MHz from the atomic transition 2P3/2.

Friction and Wear Performances of 7475 Aluminium Alloy after Anodic Oxidation

A layer of oxide film was prepared on the surface of 7475 aluminum alloy by anodic oxidation. The friction and wear performance of the film at different loads were investigated with the friction and wear tests. The atomic binding energy spectrum, the wear morphologies, the surface hardness and the residual stress were analyzed with XPS, SEM, hard meter and XRD stress tester, respectively. The results show that the oxide film on the surface is relatively dense after anodic oxidation, existing in the form of Al2O3, and diffusion type bonding is contained at the interface. The average friction coefficient is decreased after anodic oxidation, indicating that the friction performance is improved. The wear mechanism of the original sample is adhesive wear and tear, accompanied with abrasive wear, and the wear mechanism of the sample after the anodic oxidation is abrasive wear, where high surface hardness is the main factor of the wear resistance.

Forbidden 2P–nP and 2P–nF transitions in the energy spectrum of ultracold Rydberg lithium-7 atoms

Forbidden 2P–nP and 2P–nF transitions in the ranges of the principal quantum number n = 42–114 and n = 38–48 have been detected in the optical spectra of ultracold highly excited lithium-7 atoms. The presence of forbidden transitions is due to induced external electric fields. The quantum defects and ionization energy obtained in various experiments and predicted theoretically have been discussed.

Counterintuitive energy shifts in joint electron–nuclear-energy spectra of strong-field fragmentation ofH2+

By numerically solving the time-dependent Schr\odinger equation, we investigate electron--nuclear-energy sharing in strong-field fragmentation of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}{}^{+}$ molecule. We find a counterintuitive energy shift in the joint electron--nuclear-energy spectrum. This energy shift becomes larger for lower nuclear energies. Through tracing the time evolution of the electron wave packet of bound states, we identify that the energy shift originates from the Stark effect due to the coupling of the ground state and the first exited state of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}{}^{+}$ molecule in strong laser fields. We achieve a good agreement between the ab initio result and the analytic method that includes the Stark effect of molecules.

Computer simulation radiation damages in condensed matters

As part of the cascade-probability method were calculated the energy spectra of primary knocked-out atoms and the concentration of radiation-induced defects in a number of metals irradiated by electrons. As follows from the formulas, the number of Frenkel pairs at a given depth depends on three variables having certain physical meaning: firstly, Cd (Ea h) is proportional to the average energy of the considered depth of the PKA (if it is higher, than the greater number of atoms it will displace); secondly is inversely proportional to the path length λ2 for the formation of the PKA (if λ1 is higher than is the smaller the probability of interaction) and thirdly is inversely proportional to Ed. In this case calculations are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data (for example, copper and aluminum).

A combination method for simulation of secondary knock-on atoms of boron carbide induced by neutron irradiation in SPRR-300

A multiscale sequence of simulation should be used to predict properties of materials under irradiation. Binary collision theory and molecular dynamics (MDs) method are commonly used to characterize the displacement cascades induced by neutrons in a material. In order to reduce the clock time spent for the MD simulation of damages induced by high-energy primary knock-on atoms (PKAs), the damage zones were split into sub-cascade according to the sub-cascade formation criteria. Two well-known codes, Geant4 and TRIM, were used to simulate high-energy PKA-induced cascades in B4C and then produce the secondary knock-on atom (SKA) energy spectrum. It has been found that both high-energy primary knock-on B and C atoms move a long range in the boron carbide. These atoms produce sub-cascades at the tip of trajectory. The energy received by most of the SKAs is <10keV, which can be used as input to reduce the clock time spent for MD simulation.

Energy spectra of primary knock-on atoms under neutron irradiation

Materials subjected to neutron irradiation will suffer from a build-up of damage caused by the displacement cascades initiated by nuclear reactions. Previously, the main “measure” of this damage accumulation has been through the displacements per atom (dpa) index, which has known limitations. This paper describes a rigorous methodology to calculate the primary atomic recoil events (often called the primary knock-on atoms or PKAs) that lead to cascade damage events as a function of energy and recoiling species. A new processing code SPECTRA-PKA combines a neutron irradiation spectrum with nuclear recoil data obtained from the latest nuclear data libraries to produce PKA spectra for any material composition. Via examples of fusion relevant materials, it is shown that these PKA spectra can be complex, involving many different recoiling species, potentially differing in both proton and neutron number from the original target nuclei, including high energy recoils of light emitted particles such as α-particles and protons. The variations in PKA spectra as a function of time, neutron field, and material are explored. The application of PKA spectra to the quantification of radiation damage is exemplified using two approaches: the binary collision approximation and stochastic cluster dynamics, and the results from these different models are discussed and compared.

State-resolved measurements of mutual neutralization at subthermal collision energies

SynopsisWe have measured the total cross sections and kinetic energy distributions of the neutral fragments for the mutual neutralization of C− and O− with C+, N+ and O+ by using a merged beam apparatus. A fine resolution in the kinetic energy spectra of the product neutral atoms has allowed us to uniquely identify the atomic states which are participating in the mutual neutralization process. A detailed analysis of the branching ratios sheds new light on these charge transfer processes.

Influence of a cathode surface oxide film on the energy distributions of ions and fast atoms in a glow discharge

A model of the cathode sheath of a glow discharge in the presence of a thin dielectric oxide film on the cathode is formulated. It takes into account cathode ion-electron emission and the emission of electrons from the cathode metal substrate under a strong electric field generated in the film by the ion surface charge. The influence of the oxide film on the discharge parameters, the ion and fast atom energy spectra near the cathode surface, and the intensity of its sputtering is estimated.

Modification of Electromagnetic Field in Photonic Crystal Medium and New Applications of Photonic Band Gap Materials

A novel quantumelectrodynamical effect predicted to occur in photonic crystal medium is presented. Influence of the effect on energy levels and spectra of atoms is discussed.

Dissociative ionization ofH2+using intense femtosecond XUV laser pulses

The dissociative ionization of H2+ interacting with intense, femtosecond extreme-ultraviolet laser pulses is investigated theoretically. This is done by numerical propagation of the time-dependent Schr\"{o}dinger equation for a colinear one-dimensional model of H2+, with electronic and nuclear motion treated exactly within the limitations of the model. The joint-energy spectra (JES) are extracted for the fragmented electron and nuclei by means of the t-SURFF method. The dynamic interference effect, which was first observed in one-electron atomic systems, is in the present work observed for H2+, emerging as interference patterns in the JES. The photoelectron spectrum and the nuclear energy spectrum is obtained by integration of the JES. Without the JES, the photoelectron spectrum itself is shown to be inadequate for the observation of the dynamic interference effect. The resulting JES are analyzed in terms of two models. In one model the wave function is expanded in terms of the "essential" states of the system, consisting of the ground state and the continuum states. In the second model the photoelectron spectra from fixed nuclei calculations are used to reproduce the JES using simple reflection arguments. The range of validity of these models is discussed and it is shown that the continuum-continuum couplings and the consideration of the population of excited vibrational states are crucial for understanding the structures of the JES.

Progress in stellarator research in Kharkov IPP

Recent results of the experimental program on the stellarator-type device Uragan-3M at the IPP in Kharkov are presented. Efforts were focused mainly on optimization of the operation of the frame-type radiofrequency antenna to produce a target plasma for the three-half-turn antenna. Different regimes of the Uragan-3M operation, which are characterized by different temporal behavior of the average plasma density, electron cyclotron emission radiation intensity and particle confinement time, are considered. Elementary atomic processes responsible for plasma creation are studied. The particle confinement time for the Uragan-3M plasmas is estimated. Measurements of energy spectra of charge exchange atoms are carried out. The principal possibility of realizing a ‘stellarator–magnetic mirror’ scheme as a prototype of a stellarator-mirror fusion–fission hybrid is shown for Uragan-2M. Future plans are discussed.

Model for the emission of quasi-thermal atoms during sputtering of metals in the nonlinear collision cascade regime

The ion sputtering of metals and frozen inert gases in the nonlinear collision cascade regime, where the density of the energy released in the bulk of the thermal peak exceeds the critical medium temperature, initiates the emission of quasi-thermal atoms. The energy spectrum of such atoms is substantially shifted toward low energies and is not described by a Maxwellian distribution. A simple emission model is proposed on the assumption of collisional motion of sputtered atoms in their flight from a target, and this model is used to derive an analytical formula for the calculation of the energy spectra of quasi-thermal atoms. A comparison of the calculated energy spectra of indium, krypton, and xenon atoms and the spectra measured during ion sputtering of indium and frozen inert gases in the nonlinear collision cascade regime shows their agreement at reasonable values of fitting parameters.

A Reconfigurable Instrument System for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments

We developed a reconfigurable nuclear instrument system (RNIS) that could satisfy the requirements of diverse nuclear and particle physics experiments, and the inertial confinement fusion diagnostic. Benefiting from the reconfigurable hardware structure and digital pulse processing technology, RNIS shakes off the restrictions of cumbersome crates and miscellaneous modules. It retains all the advantages of conventional nuclear instruments and is more flexible and portable. RNIS is primarily composed of a field programmable hardware board and relevant PC software. Separate analog channels are designed to provide different functions, such as amplifiers, ADC, fast discriminators and Schmitt discriminators for diverse experimental purposes. The high-performance field programmable gate array could complete high-precision time interval measurement, histogram accumulation, counting, and coincidence anticoincidence measurement. To illustrate the prospects of RNIS, a series of applications to the experiments are described in this paper. The first, for which RNIS was originally developed, involves nuclear energy spectrum measurement with a scintillation detector and photomultiplier. The second experiment applies RNIS to a G-M tube counting experiment, and in the third, it is applied to a quantum communication experiment through reconfiguration.

Stabilization of atoms in strong non-classical electromagnetic fields

The dynamics of an atom in a strong single mode non-classical electromagnetic cavity field is studied. The reconstruction of the energy spectrum of atom and the effect of the ionization suppression in the presence of non-classical field are discussed. It is found that Kramers – Henneberger mechanism of the ionization suppression is realized in strong nonclassical fields also. For squeezed vacuum states the threshold of the stabilization is approximately three times lower than for classical (coherent) state of the same intensity.