187^{187}Re(\gamm,n) cross section close to and above the neutron threshold

The neutron capture cross section of the unstable nucleus $^{186}$Re is studied by investigating the inverse photodisintegration reaction $^{187}$Re($\gamma$,n). The special interest of the {\it s}-process branching point $^{186}$Re is related to the question of possible {\it s}-process contributions to the abundance of the {\it r}-process chronometer nucleus ^{187}$Re. We use the photoactivation technique to measure photodisintegration rates. Our experimental results are in good agreement with two different statistical model calculations. Although the cross sections predicted by both models for the inverse reaction$^{186}$Re(n,$\gamma$) is too low to remove the overproduction of$^{186}$Os; the two predicted neutron-capture cross sections differ by a factor of 2.4; this calls for future theoretical study.Comment: Phys. Rev. C, in pres

Comment on ``Theory of Spinodal Decomposition''

I comment on a paper by S. B. Goryachev [PRL vol 72, p.1850 (1994)] that presents a theory of non-equilibrium dynamics for scalar systems quenched into an ordered phase. Goryachev incorrectly applies only a global conservation constraint to systems with local conservation laws.Comment: 2 pages LATeX (REVTeX macros), no figures. REVISIONS --- more to the point. microscopic example added, presentation streamlined, long-range interactions mentioned, to be published in Phys. Rev. Let

The s-process branching at 185W

The neutron capture cross section of the unstable nucleus 185W has been derived from experimental photoactivation data of the inverse reaction 186W(gamma,n)185W. The new result of sigma = (687 +- 110) mbarn confirms the theoretically predicted neutron capture cross section of 185W of sigma = 700 mbarn at kT = 30 keV. A neutron density in the classical s-process of n_n = (3.8 +0.9 -0.8} * 1e8 cm-3 is derived from the new data for the 185W branching. In a stellar s-process model one finds a significant overproduction of the residual s-only nucleus 186Os.Comment: ApJ, in pres

Coherent responses of resonance atom layer to short optical pulse excitation

Coherent responses of resonance atom layer to short optical pulse excitation are numerically considered. The inhomogeneous broadening of one-photon transition, the local field effect, and the substrate dispersion are involved into analysis. For a certain intensity of incident pulses a strong coherent interaction in the form of sharp spikes of superradiation is observed in transmitted radiation. The Lorentz field correction and the substrate dispersion weaken the effect, providing additional spectral shifts. Specific features of photon echo in the form of multiple responses to a double or triple pulse excitation is discussed.Comment: only PDF,15 page

Non-equilibrium Phase-Ordering with a Global Conservation Law

In all dimensions, infinite-range Kawasaki spin exchange in a quenched Ising model leads to an asymptotic length-scale $L \sim (\rho t)^{1/2} \sim t^{1/3}$ at $T=0$ because the kinetic coefficient is renormalized by the broken-bond density, $\rho \sim L^{-1}$. For $T>0$, activated kinetics recovers the standard asymptotic growth-law, $L \sim t^{1/2}$. However, at all temperatures, infinite-range energy-transport is allowed by the spin-exchange dynamics. A better implementation of global conservation, the microcanonical Creutz algorithm, is well behaved and exhibits the standard non-conserved growth law, $L \sim t^{1/2}$, at all temperatures.Comment: 2 pages and 2 figures, uses epsf.st

Skyrme-Rpa Description of Dipole Giant Resonance in Heavy and Superheavy Nuclei

The E1(T=1) isovector dipole giant resonance (GDR) in heavy and super-heavy deformed nuclei is analyzed over a sample of 18 rare-earth nuclei, 4 actinides and three chains of super-heavy elements (Z=102, 114 and 120). Basis of the description is self-consistent separable RPA (SRPA) using the Skyrme force SLy6. The self-consistent model well reproduces the experimental data (energies and widths) in the rare-earth and actinide region. The trend of the resonance peak energies follows the estimates from collective models, showing a bias to the volume mode for the rare-earths isotopes and a mix of volume and surface modes for actinides and super-heavy elements. The widths of the GDR are mainly determined by the Landau fragmentation which in turn is found to be strongly influenced by deformation. A deformation splitting of the GDR can contribute about one third to the width and about 1 MeV further broadening can be associated to mechanism beyond the mean-field description (escape, coupling with complex configurations).Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, 2 table