Microscopic Analysis of Order Parameters in Nuclear Quantum Phase Transitions

Microscopic signatures of nuclear ground-state shape phase transitions in Nd isotopes are studied using excitation spectra and collective wave functions obtained by diagonalization of a five-dimensional Hamiltonian for quadrupole vibrational and rotational degrees of freedom, with parameters determined by constrained self-consistent relativistic mean-field calculations for triaxial shapes. As a function of the physical control parameter -- the number of nucleons, energy gaps between the ground state and the excited vibrational states with zero angular momentum, isomer shifts, and monopole transition strengths, exhibit sharp discontinuities at neutron number N=90, characteristic of a first-order quantum phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication as a Rapid Communication in Physical Review

Nuclear quantum shape-phase transitions in odd-mass systems

Microscopic signatures of nuclear ground-state shape phase transitions in odd-mass Eu isotopes are explored starting from excitation spectra and collective wave functions obtained by diagonalization of a core-quasiparticle coupling Hamiltonian based on energy density functionals. As functions of the physical control parameter -- the number of nucleons -- theoretical low-energy spectra, two-neutron separation energies, charge isotope shifts, spectroscopic quadrupole moments, and $E2$ reduced transition matrix elements accurately reproduce available data, and exhibit more pronounced discontinuities at neutron number $N=90$, compared to the adjacent even-even Sm and Gd isotopes. The enhancement of the first-order quantum phase transition in odd-mass systems can be attributed to a shape polarization effect of the unpaired proton which, at the critical neutron number, starts predominantly coupling to Gd core nuclei that are characterized by larger quadrupole deformation and weaker proton pairing correlations compared to the corresponding Sm isotopes.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Reexamining the temperature and neutron density conditions for r-process nucleosynthesis with augmented nuclear mass models

We explore the effects of nuclear masses on the temperature and neutron density conditions required for r-process nucleosynthesis using four nuclear mass models augmented by the latest atomic mass evaluation. For each model we derive the conditions for producing the observed abundance peaks at mass numbers A ~ 80, 130, and 195 under the waiting-point approximation and further determine the sets of conditions that can best reproduce the r-process abundance patterns (r-patterns) inferred for the solar system and observed in metal-poor stars of the Milky Way halo. In broad agreement with previous studies, we find that (1) the conditions for producing abundance peaks at A ~ 80 and 195 tend to be very different, which suggests that, at least for some nuclear mass models, these two peaks are not produced simultaneously; (2) the typical conditions required by the critical waiting-point (CWP) nuclei with the N = 126 closed neutron shell overlap significantly with those required by the N=82 CWP nuclei, which enables coproduction of abundance peaks at A ~ 130 and 195 in accordance with observations of many metal-poor stars; and (3) the typical conditions required by the N = 82 CWP nuclei can reproduce the r-pattern observed in the metal-poor star HD 122563, which differs greatly from the solar r-pattern. We also examine how nuclear mass uncertainties affect the conditions required for the r-process and identify some key nuclei including76Ni to 78Ni, 82Zn, 131Cd, and 132Cd for precise mass measurements at rare-isotope beam facilities.Comment: 28 pages,9 figures,1 tabl

Energy Density Functional analysis of shape evolution in N=28 isotones

The structure of low-energy collective states in proton-deficient N=28 isotones is analyzed using structure models based on the relativistic energy density functional DD-PC1. The relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model for triaxial nuclei is used to calculate binding energy maps in the $\beta$-$\gamma$ plane. The evolution of neutron and proton single-particle levels with quadrupole deformation, and the occurrence of gaps around the Fermi surface, provide a simple microscopic interpretation of the onset of deformation and shape coexistence. Starting from self-consistent constrained energy surfaces calculated with the functional DD-PC1, a collective Hamiltonian for quadrupole vibrations and rotations is employed in the analysis of excitation spectra and transition rates of $^{46}$Ar, $^{44}$S, and $^{42}$Si. The results are compared to available data, and previous studies based either on the mean-field approach or large-scale shell-model calculations. The present study is particularly focused on $^{44}$S, for which data have recently been reported that indicate pronounced shape coexistence.Comment: 31 pages, 11 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1102.419

Research progress on coal mine laser methane sensor

This paper discusses the research progress of low-power technology of laser methane sensors for coal mine. On the basis of environment of coal mines, such as ultra-long-distance transmission and high stability, a series of studies have been carried out. The preliminary results have been achieved in the research of low power consumption, temperature and pressure compensation and reliability design. The technology is applied to various products in coal mines, and achieves high stability and high reliability in products such as laser methane sensor, laser methane detection alarm device, wireless laser methane detection alarm device, and optic fiber multichannel laser methane sensor. Experimental testing and analysis of the characteristics of laser methane sensors, combined with the actual application

Bandwidth and Electron Correlation-Tuned Superconductivity in Rb0.8_{0.8}Fe2_{2}(Se1−z_{1-z}Sz_z)2_2

We present a systematic angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the substitution-dependence of the electronic structure of Rb$_{0.8}$Fe$_{2}$(Se$_{1-z}$S$_z$)$_2$ (z = 0, 0.5, 1), where superconductivity is continuously suppressed into a metallic phase. Going from the non-superconducting Rb$_{0.8}$Fe$_{2}$(Se$_{1-z}$S$_z$)$_2$ to superconducting Rb$_{0.8}$Fe$_{2}$Se$_2$, we observe little change of the Fermi surface topology, but a reduction of the overall bandwidth by a factor of 2 as well as an increase of the orbital-dependent renormalization in the $d_{xy}$ orbital. Hence for these heavily electron-doped iron chalcogenides, we have identified electron correlation as explicitly manifested in the quasiparticle bandwidth to be the important tuning parameter for superconductivity, and that moderate correlation is essential to achieving high $T_C$

Thermal stability of ultrahard polycrystalline diamond composite materials

Thermal stability of the ultrahard polycrystalline diamond (UHPCD) composite material developed by the reinforcement of the polycrystalline diamond (PCD) with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond has been investigated in a flow of argon at 1200 °C. The indentation, Raman spectra and wear test have been performed to compare hardness, C–C structure and wear resistance of untreated and thermal treated UHPCD. It has been shown that the hardness of CVD diamond in UHPCD attains 133±7 GPa after high pressure and high temperature, while after thermal treatment the hardness decreases to 109±3 GPa, and the wear resistance of the thermal treated UHPCD decreases from 0.17 to 0.6 mg/km. The narrowing of full width at half maximum and shift of Raman peak to lower frequencies of CVD diamond in thermal treated UHPCD imply a decrease of crystal structural defects and compressive stresses, which results in a drop of the hardness of CVD diamond in a thermal treated UHPCD. The higher wear rate of thermal treated UHPCD is due to the lower hardness.Досліджено термічну стабільність надтвердого полікристалічного алмазного (UHPCD) композиційного матеріалу, отриманого армуванням полікристалічного алмазу після хімічного осадження (CVD) алмазу в потоці аргону при 1200 °C. Для порівняння твердості, C–C-структури і зносостійкості необробленого та термообробленого UHPCD було досліджено заглиблення індентора, спектри комбінаційного розсіювання та знос. Показано, що твердість CVD-алмазу в UHPCD досягає 133±7 ГПа після дії високого тиску і високої температури, а після термообробки зменшується до 109±3 ГПа, зносостійкість UHPCD після термообробки зменшується від 0,17 до 0,6 мг/км. Звуження напівширини і зсув піку комбінаційного розсіювання в область низьких частот CVD-алмазу в термообробленому UHPCD характеризує зменшення кристалічних структурних дефектів і напружень стиску, що призводить до зниження твердості CVD-алмазу в термообробленому UHPCD. Вища швидкість зносу термообробленого UHPCD пов’язана з більш низькою твердістю.Исследована термическая стабильность сверхтвердого поликристаллического алмазного (UHPCD) композиционного материала, полученного армированием поликристаллического алмаза после химического осаждения (CVD) алмаза в потоке аргона при 1200 °C. Для сравнения твердости, C–C-структуры и износостойкости необработанного и термообработанного UHPCD были исследованы глубина проникновения индентора, спектры комбинационного рассеяния и износ. Показано, что твердость CVD-алмаза в UHPCD достигает 133±7 ГПа после действия высокого давления и высокой температуры, а после термической обработки уменьшается до 109±3 ГПа, износостойкость после термической обработки UHPCD уменьшается от 0,17 до 0,6 мг/км. Сужение полуширины и сдвиг пика комбинационного рассеяния в область низких частот CVD- алмаза в термообработанном UHPCD характеризует уменьшение кристаллических структурных дефектов и напряжений сжатия, что приводит к снижению твердости CVD-алмаза в термообработанном UHPCD. Более высокая скорость износа термически обработанного UHPCD связана с более низкой твердостью

An efficient method for computing the Thouless-Valatin inertia parameters

Starting from the adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation (ATDHF), we propose an efficient method to calculate the Thouless-Valatin moments of inertia for the nuclear system. The method is based on the rapid convergence of the expansion of the inertia matrix. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified in the rotational case by comparing the results with the exact Thouless-Valatin moments of inertia calculated using the self-consistent cranking model. The proposed method is computationally much more efficient than the full ATDHF calculation, yet it retains a high accuracy of the order of 1%.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure