Electronic and atomic kinetics in solids irradiated with free-electron lasers or swift-heavy ions

In this brief review we discuss the transient processes in solids under irradiation with femtosecond X-ray free-electron-laser (FEL) pulses and swift-heavy ions (SHI). Both kinds of irradiation produce highly excited electrons in a target on extremely short timescales. Transfer of the excess electronic energy into the lattice may lead to observable target modifications such as phase transitions and damage formation. Transient kinetics of material excitation and relaxation under FEL or SHI irradiation are comparatively discussed. The same origin for the electronic and atomic relaxation in both cases is demonstrated. Differences in these kinetics introduced by the geometrical effects ({\mu}m-size of a laser spot vs nm-size of an ion track) and initial irradiation (photoabsorption vs an ion impact) are analyzed. The basic mechanisms of electron transport and electron-lattice coupling are addressed. Appropriate models and their limitations are presented. Possibilities of thermal and nonthermal melting of materials under FEL and SHI irradiation are discussed

Strong decays of radially excited mesons in a chiral approach

We study radial excitations of pseudoscalar and vector (q bar q) mesons within a chiral approach. We derive a general form for a chiral Lagrangian describing processes involving excited pseudoscalar and vector mesons. The parameters of the chiral Lagrangian are fitted using data and previous calculations in the framework of the 3P0 model. Finite-width effects are examined and predictions for mesons previously not discussed are given. Available experimental data is analyzed whenever possible. Possible hints for exotic mesons and open interpretation-issues are discussed.Comment: 16 page

Comment on "Exact results for survival probability in the multistate Landau-Zener model"

We correct the proof of Brundobler-Elser formula (BEF) provided in [2004 \textit{J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.} \textbf{37} 4069] and continued in Appendix of [2005 \textit{J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.} \textbf{38} 907]. After showing that some changes of variables employed in these articles are used erroneously, we propose an alternative change of variables which solves the problem. In our proof, we reveal the connection between the BEF for a general $N$-level Landau-Zener system and the exactly solvable bow-tie model. The special importance of the diabatic levels with maximum/minimum slope is emphasized throughout.Comment: 10 page

Molecular-Kinetic Simulations of Escape from the Ex-planet and Exoplanets: Criterion for Transonic Flow

The equations of gas dynamics are extensively used to describe atmospheric loss from solar system bodies and exoplanets even though the boundary conditions at infinity are not uniquely defined. Using molecular-kinetic simulations that correctly treat the transition from the continuum to the rarefied region, we confirm that the energy-limited escape approximation is valid when adiabatic expansion is the dominant cooling process. However, this does not imply that the outflow goes sonic. In fact in the sonic regime, the energy limited approximation can significantly under estimate the escape rate. Rather large escape rates and concomitant adiabatic cooling can produce atmospheres with subsonic flow that are highly extended. Since this affects the heating rate of the upper atmosphere and the interaction with external fields and plasmas, we give a criterion for estimating when the outflow goes transonic in the continuum region. This is applied to early terrestrial atmospheres, exoplanet atmospheres, and the atmosphere of the ex-planet, Pluto, all of which have large escape rates. The paper and its erratum, combined here, are published: ApJL 768, L4 (2013); ApJ, 779, L30 (2013).Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Gravitational-Recoil Effects on Fermion Propagation in Space-Time Foam

Motivated by the possible experimental opportunities to test quantum gravity via its effects on high-energy neutrinos propagating through space-time foam, we discuss how to incorporate spin structures in our D-brane description of gravitational recoil effects in vacuo. We also point to an interesting analogous condensed-matter system. We use a suitable supersymmetrization of the Born-Infeld action for excited D-brane gravitational backgrounds to argue that energetic fermions may travel slower than the low-energy velocity of light: \delta c / c \sim -E/M. It has been suggested that Gamma-Ray Bursters may emit pulses of neutrinos at energies approaching 10^{19} eV: these would be observable only if M \gsim 10^{27} GeV.Comment: 18 pages LaTe

Production of π0ρ0\pi^0\rho^0 pair in electron-positron annihilation in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

The process $e^+e^- \to \pi^0\rho$ is described in the framework of the expanded NJL model in the energy region from 0.9 GeV to 1.5 GeV. The contribution of intermediate state with vector mesons $\omega(782), \,\,\phi(1020)$, and $\omega'(1420)$, where $\omega'$ is the first radial excitation of $\omega$ - meson was taken into account. Results obtained are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl