Hydrogen-assisted laser-induced resonant transitions between metastable states of antiprotonic helium atoms

Laser resonance transitions between normally metastable states of antiprotonic helium atoms were observed making use of state dependent quenching effects caused by small admixtures of \htwo\ molecules. By selectively shortening the lifetimes of states with higher principal quantum number $n$ as compared to those of lower $n$, this method for the first time provides access to all initially populated metastable states of \pbar\hep\ atoms. This was demonstrated by observing the transitions $(n,l)=(38,l)\rightarrow (39,l+1),\ l=35,36,37$ and $(n,l)=(37,l)\rightarrow (38,l+1),\ l=34,35,36$

Quenching of metastable states of antiprotonic helium atoms by collisions with H2_2 molecules

Laser resonance transitions between normally metastable states of antiprotonic helium atoms were induced making use of state dependent quenching effects caused by trace admixtures of \mbox{H$_2$}\ to the target helium gas. With this method of ``\mbox{H$_2$}-assisted inverse resonances'' the decay rates of the states $(n,l)=(39,l),\ l=36,37,38$ and $(38,l),\ l=35,36,37$ of \mbox{$\overline{\mathrm{p}}$}\mbox{He$^{+}$}\ were determined as a function of the \mbox{H$_2$}\ admixture. The quenching cross sections at 30~K deduced therefrom for the states with $n=39$ were found to be of the order of the geometrical cross section for \mbox{$\overline{\mathrm{p}}$}\mbox{He$^{+}$}-\mbox{H$_2$}\ collisions ($2\cdot 10^{-15}$~cm$^2$), with a moderate decrease with increasing $l$. Within a given cascade with constant $v=n-l-1$, the quenching cross sections for states with $n=38$ are smaller by a factor of 4--6 than those for states with $n=39$

Accuracy of conventional radiography and computed tomography in predicting implant position in relation to the vertebral canal in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To compare the accuracy of radiography and computed tomography (CT) in predicting implant position in relation to the vertebral canal in the cervical and thoracolumbar vertebral column. STUDY DESIGN In vitro imaging and anatomic study. ANIMALS Medium-sized canine cadaver vertebral columns (n=12). METHODS Steinmann pins were inserted into cervical and thoracolumbar vertebrae based on established landmarks but without predetermination of vertebral canal violation. Radiographs and CT images were obtained and evaluated by 6 individuals. A random subset of pins was evaluated for ability to distinguish left from right pins on radiographs. The ability to correctly identify vertebral canal penetration for all pins was assessed both on radiographs and CT. Spines were then anatomically prepared and visual examination of pin penetration into the canal served as the gold standard. RESULTS Left/right accuracy was 93.1%. Overall sensitivity of radiographs and CT to detect vertebral canal penetration by an implant were significantly different and estimated as 50.7% and 93.4%, respectively (P<.0001). Sensitivity was significantly higher for complete versus partial penetration and for radiologists compared with nonradiologists for both imaging modalities. Overall specificity of radiographs and CT to detect vertebral canal penetration was 82.9% and 86.4%, respectively (P=.049). CONCLUSIONS CT was superior to radiographic assessment and is the recommended imaging modality to assess penetration into the vertebral canal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE CT is significantly more accurate in identifying vertebral canal violation by Steinmann pins and should be performed postoperatively to assess implant position

Populations and lifetimes in the v=n−l−1=2v=n-l-1=2 and 3 metastable cascades of p‾He+\overline{p} He^{+} measured by pulsed and continuous antiproton beams

Using the laser spectroscopy, the time evolution of the state population in the v equivalent n-l=2 and 3 metastable cascades of antiprotonic helium atoms were studied. The effects of the collision between antiprotonic helium and the ordinary helium atoms on the atomic cascade were also analyzed. The measurements were done using the pulsed and continuous types of antiproton beams supplied by the Low Energy Antiproton Ring. The studies revealed five phases in the life history of the metastable antiprotonic helium. (Edited abstract) 71 Refs

Collisional quenching of metastable states of antiprotonic helium by hydrogen and deuterium molecules

The quenching of metastable states of antiprotonic helium by collisions with hydrogen and deuterium molecules was studied. A systematic investigation of the delayed annihilation time spectra at various ${H_2}$ and ${D_2}$ admixture ratios at the ppm level revealed characteristic changes of their shape, which indicated a strong principal and orbital quantum number dependent quenching of levels in both cases. Applying a laser spectroscopy technique to measure the lifetimes of individual states and cascades we deduced ${H_2}$ and ${D_2}$ quenching cross-sections for the states (n,l)=(39,35) and (37,34). These cross-sections establish for ${D_2}$ molecules the strong increase of the quenching efficiency with increasing principal quantum number n of the state under investigation previously reported for the case of ${H_2}$ admixtures. Our experiments indicate that the low-n state (37,34) is somewhat less affected by ${D_2}$ than by ${H_2}$, while the high-n state (39,35) is equally quenched by both isotopes