78 research outputs found
Observation of a narrow baryon resonance with positive strangeness formed in Xe collisions
The charge-exchange reaction K^+ Xe --> K^0 p Xe' is investigated using the
data of the DIANA experiment. The distribution of the pK^0 effective mass shows
a prominent enhancement near 1538 MeV formed by \sim 80 events above the
background, whose width is consistent with being entirely due to the
experimental resolution. Under the selections based on a simulation of K^+Xe
collisions, the statistical significance of the signal reaches 5.5\sigma. We
interpret this observation as strong evidence for formation of a pentaquark
baryon with positive strangeness, \Theta^+(uudd\bar{s}), in the charge-exchange
reaction K^+ n --> K^0 p on a bound neutron. The mass of the \Theta^+ baryon is
measured as m(\Theta^+) = 1538+-2 MeV. Using the ratio between the numbers of
resonant and non-resonant charge-exchange events in the peak region, the
intrinsic width of this baryon resonance is determined as \Gamma(\Theta^+) =
0.34+-0.10 MeV.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure
Observation of a baryon resonance with positive strangeness in K+ collisions with Xe nuclei
The status of our investigation of low-energy Xe collisions in the Xenon
bubble chamber DIANA is reported. In the charge-exchange reaction the spectrum of effective mass shows a resonant enhancement
with MeV/c and ^24.4\sigma$. The mass and width of the
observed resonance are consistent with expectations for the lightest member of
the anti-decuplet of exotic pentaquark baryons, as predicted in the framework
of the chiral soliton model.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
Further evidence for formation of a narrow baryon resonance with positive strangeness in K+ collisions with Xe nuclei
We have continued our investigation of the charge-exchange reaction K^+ Xe
--> K^0 p Xe' in the bubble chamber DIANA. In agreement with our previous
results based on part of the present statistics, formation of a narrow p K^0
resonance with mass of 1537+-2 MeV/c^2 is observed in the elementary transition
K^+ n --> K^0 p on a neutron bound in the Xenon nucleus. Visible width of the
peak is consistent with being entirely due to instrumental resolution and
allows to place an upper limit on its intrinsic width: \Gamma < 9 MeV/c^2. A
more precise estimate of the resonance intrinsic width, \Gamma = 0.36+-0.11
MeV/c^2, is obtained from the ratio between the numbers of resonant and
non-resonant charge-exchange events. The signal is observed in a restricted
interval of incident K^+ momentum, that is consistent with smearing of a narrow
p K^0 resonance by Fermi motion of the target neutron. Statistical significance
of the signal is some 7.3, 5.3, and 4.3 standard deviations for the estimators
S/sqrt{B}, S/sqrt{S+B}, and S/sqrt{S+2B}, respectively. This observation
confirms and reinforces our earlier results, and offers strong evidence for
formation of a pentaquark baryon with positive strangeness in the
charge-exchange reaction K^+ n --> K^0 p on a bound neutron.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, some chenges in text and references, more
precise estimate of Theta(1540) to add, submitted to Phys.Atom.Nucl(Yad.Fiz.
Experimental search for radiative decays of the pentaquark baryon \Theta^+(1540)
The data on the reactions K^+Xe --> K^0 \gamma X and K^+Xe --> K^+ \gamma X,
obtained with the bubble chamber DIANA, have been analyzed for possible
radiative decays of the \Theta^+(1540) baryon: \Theta^+ --> K^0 p \gamma and
\Theta^+ --> K^+ n \gamma. No signals have been observed, and we derive the
upper limits \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^0 p \gamma) / \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^0 p) <
0.032 and \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^+ n \gamma) / \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^+ n) <
0.041 which, using our previous measurement of \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> KN) =
(0.39+-0.10) MeV, translate to \Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^0 p \gamma) < 8 keV and
\Gamma(\Theta^+ --> K^+ n \gamma) < 11 keV at 90% confidence level. We have
also measured the cross sections of K^+ -induced reactions involving emission
of a neutral pion: \sigma(K^+n --> K^0 p \pi^0) = (68+-18) \mub and \sigma(K^+N
--> K^+ N \pi^0) = (30+-8) \mub for incident K^+ momentum of 640 MeV.Comment: 8 page
Novel Multifunctional Materials Based on Oxide Thin Films and Artificial Heteroepitaxial Multilayers
Transition metal oxides show fascinating physical properties such as high
temperature superconductivity, ferro- and antiferromagnetism, ferroelectricity
or even multiferroicity. The enormous progress in oxide thin film technology
allows us to integrate these materials with semiconducting, normal conducting,
dielectric or non-linear optical oxides in complex oxide heterostructures,
providing the basis for novel multi-functional materials and various device
applications. Here, we report on the combination of ferromagnetic,
semiconducting, metallic, and dielectric materials properties in thin films and
artificial heterostructures using laser molecular beam epitaxy. We discuss the
fabrication and characterization of oxide-based ferromagnetic tunnel junctions,
transition metal-doped semiconductors, intrinsic multiferroics, and artificial
ferroelectric/ferromagetic heterostructures - the latter allow for the detailed
study of strain effects, forming the basis of spin-mechanics. For
characterization we use X-ray diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, magnetotransport
measurements, and advanced methods of transmission electron microscopy with the
goal to correlate macroscopic physical properties with the microstructure of
the thin films and heterostructures.Comment: 21 pages, 21 figures (2 figures added, typos corrected
Field-induced antiferroelectric to ferroelectric transitions in (Pb1–xLax)(Zr0.90Ti0.10)1–x/4O3 investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction
Phase transitions and field-induced preferred orientation in (Pb1-xLax)(Zr0.90Ti0.10)1–x/4O3 (PLZT x/90/10) ceramics upon electric field cycling using in situ X-ray diffraction were studied. The evolution of the 200pc and 111pc diffraction line profiles indicate that PLZT 4/90/10 and PLZT 3/90/10 compositions undergo an antiferroelectric (AFE)–ferroelectric (FE) phase switching. Both PLZT 4/90/10 and PLZT 3/90/10 exhibit irreversible preferred orientation after experiencing the field-induced AFE-to-FE phase switching. An electric field-induced structure develops in both compositions which has a reversible character during the field decreasing in PLZT 4/90/10 and an irreversible character in PLZT 3/90/10. In addition, structural analysis of pre-poled PLZT 3/90/10 ceramics show that it is possible to induce consecutive FE-to-AFE and AFE-to-FE transitions when fields of reversed polarity are applied in sequence. The field range required to induce the AFE phase is broad, and the phase transition is kinetically slow. This kind of transition has rarely been reported before
Integrated Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment and Supply Chain Environmental Profile Evaluations of Lead-based (Lead Zirconate Titanate) versus Lead-free (Potassium Sodium Niobate) Piezoelectric Ceramics
The increasing awareness of the environmental and health threats of lead as well as environmental legislation, both in the EU and around the world targeted at decreasing the use of hazardous substances in electrical appliances and products has reinvigorated the race to develop lead-free alternatives to lead zirconate titanate (PZT), which presently dominates the market for piezoelectric materials. Emphasis has been placed on one of the most likely piezoelectric materials, potassium sodium niobate (KNN), as a lead-free replacement for PZT. KNN has been speculated to have better environmental credentials and is considered as a “greener” replacement to PZT. However, a comparative environmental impact assessment of the life cycle phases of KNN versus PZT piezoelectric materials has not been carried out. Such a life cycle assessment is crucial before any valid claims of “greenness” or environmental viability of one material over the other can be made and is the focus of this paper. Against this backdrop, a methodologically robust life cycle supply chain assessment based on integrated hybrid life cycle framework is undertaken within the context of the two piezoelectric materials. Results show that the presence of niobium in KNN constitutes far greater impact across all the 16 categories considered in comparison with PZT. The increased environmental impact of KNN occurs in the early stages of the LCA due to raw material extraction and processing. As a result, the environmental damage has already occurred before its use in piezoelectric applications during which it doesn’t constitute any threat. As such, the use of the term “environmentally friendly” for the description of KNN should be avoided. Cost-benefit analysis of substituting PZT with KNN also indicates that the initial cost of conversion to KNN is greater, especially for energy usage during production. This environmental assessment has allowed us to define and address environmental health and safety as well as sustainability issues that are essential for future development of these materials. Overall, this work demonstrates insightful findings that can be garnered through the application of life cycle assessment and supply chain management to a strategic engineering question which allows industries and policy makers to make informed decisions regarding the environmental consequences of substitute materials, designs, fabrication processes and usage
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