G. V. Golubkov

Dissociative recombination of electrons and O 2 + molecular ions in the field of intense visible laser radiation

We analyze the low-temperature dissociative recombination reaction e−+O2+ → O(1D)+O(3P) in the field of visible monochromatic laser radiation. The analysis is performed in terms of the multichannel quantum defect theory using the stationary formalism of the radiative collision matrix. We calculate the dependences of the reaction cross section on the incident electron energy, the external electromagnetic field strength and frequency, and also the angle between the directions of the electron beam and the electric vector for linearly polarized radiation. The cross section is shown to increase by several orders of magnitude for a certain choice of these parameters, suggesting the possible laser stimulation of this reaction.

Dissociative recombination e− + O2+ → O(1D) + O(3P) in a strong laser field

The low-temperature dissociative recombination reaction e−u2006+u2006O2+u2006→u2006O(1D)u2006+u2006O(3P) in the field of monochromatic laser radiation with the frequency range 13u2006000–25u2006000 cm−1 is studied. We take into account the direct and resonance nonradiative transitions, free–bound radiative transitions into field-induced predissociative Rydberg n1pπu(3Σ−u) states, and bound–bound dipole-allowed transitions from intermediate Rydberg states into Schumann–Runge continuum mixed with the low-lying 3pπu(3Σ−u) Rydberg state. The analysis is performed in terms of multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT) using the stationary formalism for the radiative collision matrix. Calculations of wavefunctions and the adiabatic terms of the system are carried out. The dependences of the reaction cross section on the incident electron energy, the external electromagnetic field strength and frequency, as well as the angle between the directions of the electron beam and the electric vector for linearly polarized radiation are calculated. The cross section is shown to increase by several orders of magnitude for a certain choice of these parameters, suggesting possible laser stimulation of this reaction.

Rydberg states in the D layer of the atmosphere and the GPS positioning errors

The noncoherent radiation in the frequency range 0.8–8.0 (GHz) formed in the D layer of the ionosphere at high solar activity due to transitions between Rydberg states is considered. The emitting layer thickness located 80–110 km above ground surface is estimated. A complicated irregular behavior of the frequency dependence of the radiation intensity for different values of å electron concentration ne and temperature Te due to different characteristics of electron scattering on the nitrogen and oxygen molecules is revealed. The dependences of the flux power of UHF radiation from the D layer in the indicated frequency range on the concentration and temperature of free electrons are calculated. It is shown that, at a frequency of ν = 1.44 GHz, the UHF radiation spectrum features a characteristic waist point, the position of which is almost independent of the electron temperature Te; i.e., a one-parameter dependence of the power flux on the electron ne density takes place. In the frequency range of 4.0–8.0 GHz, the radiation spectrum exhibits a family of curves that, for each value of ne and a wide range of Te, give rise to a relationship known as the “bottleneck.” It was found that, with increasing frequency, the bottleneck moves upwards along a curve described by a quadratic dependence on the radiation frequency. For a frequency of ∼5 GHz, and a certain range of temperature Te and electron concentration within 5 · 103 cm−3 < ne < 2 · 104 cm−3, an almost linear dependence of the UHF radiation power on ne is observed. A comparative analysis of GPS signal delays at frequencies νf(1) = 1.57 and νf(2) ≈ 5 GHz for various states of the ionosphere is performed. It is shown that, under the same condition, the use of the second frequency is more advantageous and informative. The ways of further development of the theory and experiment in studying the role of quantum resonant properties in the distortion of global satellite positioning system signals and in solving the fundamental problem of their elimination are discussed.

Collision of Rydberg atom A** with atom B in the ground electronic state. Optical potential

A method for calculating the complex optical potential of slowly colliding Rydberg atom A** and neutral atom B in the ground electronic state is suggested. The method is based on the asymptotic approach and the theory of multichannel quantum defects, which uses the formalism of renormalized Lippmann-Schwinger equations. The potential is introduced as the 〈q|Vopt|q〉 matrix element of the optical interaction operator, for which the integral equation is derived, and is calculated in the basis set of free particle wave functions |q〉. Fairly simple equations for the shift and broadening of the ionic term are obtained, and the principal characteristics of these equations are analyzed. By way of illustration, the optical potential of the Na**(nl)+B systems, where B is a rare gas atom, is calculated.

Evaporation of a particle into chemically reactive carrier gas

After a general discussion and classification of physicochemical processes contributing to aerosol particle formation, evaporation of a particle into chemically active carrier gas is studied in more detail. The vapor flux from the particle surface is shown to increase if the carrier gas contains components reacting with the evaporated molecules. A method for determining the chemical correction to the Maxwell formula for evaporated flux is proposed. The correction to the heat balance of the evaporation process due to heat production by the chemical reaction is considered. The temperature of the particle is found to depend on the total evaporated flux, specific heat of the reaction, and the latent heat of evaporation. Main results are listed in the concluding part of the paper.

Introduction to the Quantum Theory of Distortion and Delay Satellite Radio Signals

The foundations of the quantum theory of distortion and delay of GPS satellite signal passing through D and E atmospheric layers are expound. The problem reduces to the resonant scattering of photons moving in the electromagnetic field of the signal on Rydberg complexes populated in a two-temperature nonequilibrium plasma. The processes of creation of additional photons as a result of stimulated emission and resonance scattering of photons are considered. In the present work, the quantum theory of the propagation of a satellite signal in the upper atmosphere of the Earth was proposed for the first time. The general questions of the theory and possible consequences are discussed. It is shown that the processes occurring here are directly related to the resonant quantum properties of the medium propagation. The first process leads to a direct increase in the power of the received signal, and the second to a shift in the signal carrier frequency and the time delay of its propagation. This occurs because of the scattering of the Rydberg electron by the ion core and the neutral medium molecule in the intermediate autoionization states of the composite system populated by the strong non-adiabatic coupling of electron and nuclear motions. Determination of the relationship between the frequency shift Δν and delay time Δτ of a satellite signal with quantum dynamics inside the Rydberg complex А**М is the general purpose of this paper.

Laser control of the low-temperature e − +O 2 + reaction

The dissociative recombination theory of slow electrons with molecular ions in a strong monochromatic light field is developed. Classifications of all possible transitions and reaction mechanisms are presented. The potential energy curves of the oxygen molecule O2** dissociative states and partial cross sections are calculated.