DOCSLIB.ORG

Ionization Phenomena in a Gas-Particle Plasma

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ionization Phenomena in a Gas-Particle Plasma Reprinted from Printed in V.SA. THE PHYSICS OF FLUIDS VOLUME 9. NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 1966 Ionization Phenomena in a Gas-Particle Plasma EDWARD G. GIBSON* Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (Received 15 December 1965; final manuscript received 1 September 1966) Particles in a plasma can appreciably change the electron density from the value it would assume if the particles were not present. The case of pure particle ionization, in which there is only thermionic emission from the particles and no gas ionization, is first considered. It is established that the potent­ ial and the charge distributions can be divided into a strong shielding regime, in which most of the free electrons are packed close to the particle surfaces in regions of high potential, and its direct opposite, a weak shielding regime. In both regimes, the free-electron content of the plasma is most readily altered by variations in the particle size, rather than in the work function or particle temper­ ature. The suppression of one form of ionization by the other when both particle and gas contribution to the electron density are comparable is next investigated. In the case of gaseous ionization enhance­ ment it is ShOWIl that, if the thermionically emitting particles are hotter than the gas, the electron temperature will also be higher than that of the gas and the gaseous ionization thereby enhanced. Lastly, it is ShOWIl that in some transient situations, the particles are able to control the time rate of change of the electron density. I. INTRODUCTION (1) the combustion products of a solid rocket 1 HE interest which has been generated in recent motor which contain alumina particles, T years in the physics of plasmas is due mainly (2) the combustion products of a fuel-rich hydro­ to the ability of a plasma to interact with an electro­ carbon flame in which carbon particles have magnetic field. The strength of this interaction is formed,2-5 largely determined by the magnitude of the electron (3) the plasma in the electrode section of a density in the plasma. Thus, any phenomenon which magnetohydrodynamic power generator where a could appreciably alter this density is worth con­ fraction of the alkali metal vapor has condensed siderable attention. Variations in the temperature into liquid particles,6 of the entire system, variations in just the electron (4) the wake of a re-entry body in which particles temperature (produced by the application of an may exist or could be added. electromagnetic field), or changes in the effective When thermionic ally emitting particles are present ionization potential of the plasma (produced by the in an ionized gas, there are many interesting inter­ addition of an alkali metal vapor or a high electron actions which can take place between the two types affinity material) are all well-known meth,ods which of ionization. In fact, there is a whole spectrum of are able to produce relatively large changes in the problems to be associated with the two extreme cases electron density. of pure particle ionization, in which there is no Recently, attention has been directed towards gas ionization, and pure gas ionization, in which ionization phenomena arising in plasmas that are there is no thetmionic emmission from the particles. composed of two states of matter, gas-solid or gas­ The main objective of this investigation is to de­ liquid, in which the nongaseous state is in the form 6 3 velop both qualitative and quantitative understand­ of small particles, 10- to 10- cm in size and mayor ing of the various ionization phenomena which can may not be thermionically emitting. In many situa­ occur in a gas-particle plasma. Of special interest tions, some in which the particles arise naturally are those phenomena in which the electron density and others in which they are intentionally added, the of the plasma can be appreciably altered through electron density can be considerably altered through the presence of these particles. 1 F. T. Smith and C. R. Gatz, in Progress in Astronautics Some examples of gas-particle plasmas which have and Aeronautics: Ionization in High Temperature Gases, K. E. been investigated and where the interaction with Shuler, Ed. (Academic Press Inc., New York, 1963), p. 301. 2 K. E. Shuler and J. Weber, J. Chern. Phys. 22, 491 (1954). an electromagnetic field is, or could be, of large 3 H. Einbinder, J. Chern. Phys. 26, 948 (1957). importance are: 4 F. T. Smith, J. Chern. Phys. 28, 746 (1958). 5 F. T. Smith, in Proceedings of the Third Conference on * Present address: Manned Spacecraft Center, National Carbon (Pergamon Press, Inc., London, 1959), p. 419. Aeronautics and Space Adminstration, Houston, Texas. 6 J. M. Smith, AIAA J. 3, 648 (1965). 2389 2390 EDWARD G. GIBSON 7 the presence of the particles. In order that this mined later when the results fot£nd here are com­ investigation can be limited to a tractable length pared with those which arc found by taking into and scope, the gas-particle plasma is treated as a account the statistical distribution of particles over dosed system. That is, ionization phenomena which the available ionized states. arise directly from outside influences are not con­ (5) Spherical symmetry. The assumption is made sidered. Interactions thus excluded include photo­ that the particles arc spherical and that the sur­ ionization of the gas, photoelectric ionization of the rounding potential and charge distributions are particles, and enhanced gaseous ionization through spherically symmetric. In a large number of systems, electron heating with an externally applied electro­ the particles arc nearly spherical because they are magnetic field. either in or directly formed from the liquid state (the spherical nature of the particles in two particular II. EQUILIBRIUM PARTICLE IONIZATION systems is directly exhibited in the photographs of S In a steady-state gas-particle plasma, the po­ Millikan ). tential and charge distributions arc closely coupled The problem has now been reduced to the in­ to one another. Thus, in order to describe the vestigation of a one-particle system of inner radius a, properties of the plasma, these two distributions the particle radius, and outer radius b, the radius must be determined simultaneously. In the problem which defines the volume that is allotted to each which is now to be solved, that of equilibrium par­ particle. That is, 4/37rb3 l/N, where N is the ticle ionization, this is done by finding the solution particle number density. to Poisson's equation for a one-particle system in (6) Charge neutrality. It is assumed that the which the potential and charge distributions are plasma is macroscopically neutral. Thus, the total related by the Boltzmann factor and the only source charge inside the radius b is zero and, by Gauss' of electrons is thermionic emission from the par­ law, the electric field at T = b is also zero. ticles. The understanding gained about the nature (7) Equilibrium. The system is assumed to be in of the potential and charge distributions proves to thermodynamic equilibrium so that the potential be of considerable assistance in the analysis of other and electron charge distributions are related by the situations. Boltzmann factor. At the position radius 1", the origin of which is at the center of the particle, the A. Assumptions and Model electron density is given by The assumptions which define the model to be woed in this problem are the following: n,(l") = n,b exp [e¢(r)/kT], (1) Steady state. This will almost always be a where n,b = n,(b), ¢ is the electrostatic potential, valid assumption for problems in which there is k is the Boltzmann constant, and ¢(b) has been no gaseous ionization because the characteristic time set equal to zero. for the redistribution of the thermionic ally emitted (S) Electron density at a particle's surface. It is electrons is usually very much smaller than the assumed that the electron density at the surface characteristic times for other changes in the system. of a particle is known. When statistical mechanics (2) Negligible gas ionization. is applied to the problem of thermionic emission (3) Uniform partide properties. The assumption from a conducting material, an emission law can is made that all of the parameters which determine be obtained. It is found that the emission from the degree of particle ionization in the plasma are many materials can be described by an emission the same for all particles. These parameters are: law of this form, over temperature increments large the temperature of the system T, the particle radius enough to be useful, but that the constants in the a, and the electron density at the surface of a law must be obtained empirically. Thus, the electron particle due to thermionic emission n,a' density immediately outside of a thermionic ally (4) Uniform particle ionization. It is also assumed emitting surface at equilibrium, nE, is given by that the net number of electrons emitted from an nE = KBT~ exp (-e'P/kT) , initially uncharged particle z is the same for all '5 particles. The validity of this assumption is deter- where B = 4.S3 X 10 em -3 °K-i, the theoretical value, K is an adjustment coefficient, and e<J:> is the 7 The work which is reported in this paper is abstracted from a Ph.D. thesis, California Institute of Technology (1964). thermionic work function. Both K and e<J:> are found A much fuller treatment of ionization phenomena in a gas­ particle plasma is to be found in this reference. 8 R. C. Millikan, J. Opt.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Physical Mechanism of Superconductivity
    Physical Mechanism of Superconductivity Part 1 – High Tc Superconductors Xue-Shu Zhao, Yu-Ru Ge, Xin Zhao, Hong Zhao ABSTRACT The physical mechanism of superconductivity is proposed on the basis of carrier-induced dynamic strain effect. By this new model, superconducting state consists of the dynamic bound state of superconducting electrons, which is formed by the high-energy nonbonding electrons through dynamic interaction with their surrounding lattice to trap themselves into the three - dimensional potential wells lying in energy at above the Fermi level of the material. The binding energy of superconducting electrons dominates the superconducting transition temperature in the corresponding material. Under an electric field, superconducting electrons move coherently with lattice distortion wave and periodically exchange their excitation energy with chain lattice, that is, the superconducting electrons transfer periodically between their dynamic bound state and conducting state, so the superconducting electrons cannot be scattered by the chain lattice, and supercurrent persists in time. Thus, the intrinsic feature of superconductivity is to generate an oscillating current under a dc voltage. The wave length of an oscillating current equals the coherence length of superconducting electrons. The coherence lengths in cuprates must have the value equal to an even number times the lattice constant. A superconducting material must simultaneously satisfy the following three criteria required by superconductivity. First, the superconducting materials must possess high – energy nonbonding electrons with the certain concentrations required by their coherence lengths. Second, there must exist three – dimensional potential wells lying in energy at above the Fermi level of the material. Finally, the band structure of a superconducting material should have a widely dispersive antibonding band, which crosses the Fermi level and runs over the height of the potential wells to ensure the normal state of the material being metallic.
    [Show full text]
  • Superconductivity
    Superconductivity • Superconductivity is a phenomenon in which the resistance of the material to the electric current flow is zero. • Kamerlingh Onnes made the first discovery of the phenomenon in 1911 in mercury (Hg). • Superconductivity is not relatable to periodic table, such as atomic number, atomic weight, electro-negativity, ionization potential etc. • In fact, superconductivity does not even correlate with normal conductivity. In some cases, a superconducting compound may be formed from non- superconducting elements. 2 1 Critical Temperature • The quest for a near-roomtemperature superconductor goes on, with many scientists around the world trying different materials, or synthesizing them, to raise Tc even higher. • Silver, gold and copper do not show conductivity at low temperature, resistivity is limited by scattering and crystal defects. 3 Critical Temperature 4 2 Meissner Effect • A superconductor below Tc expels all the magnetic field from the bulk of the sample perfectly diamagnetic substance Meissner effect. • Below Tc a superconductor is a perfectly diamagnetic substance (χm = −1). • A superconductor with little or no magnetic field within it is in the Meissner state. 5 Levitating Magnet • The “no magnetic field inside a superconductor” levitates a magnet over a superconductor. • A magnet levitating above a superconductor immersed in liquid nitrogen (77 K). 6 3 Critical Field vs. Temperature 7 Penetration Depth • The field at a distance x from the surface: = − : Penetration depth • At the critical temperature, the penetration length is infinite and any magnetic field can penetrate the sample and destroy the superconducting state. • Near absolute zero of temperature, however, typical penetration depths are 10–100 nm. 8 4 Type I Superconductors • Meissner state breaks down abruptly.
    [Show full text]
  • Thermodynamics Guide Definitions, Guides, and Tips Definitions What Each Thermodynamic Value Means Enthalpy of Formation
    Thermodynamics Guide Definitions, guides, and tips Definitions What each thermodynamic value means Enthalpy of Formation Definition The enthalpy required or released during formation of a molecule from its elements. H2(g) + ½O2(g) → H2O(g) ∆Hºf(H2O) Sign: ∆Hºf can be positive or negative. Direction: From elements to product. Phase: The phase of the product being formed can be anything, but the elemental starting materials must be in their elemental standard phase. Notes: • RC&O Appendix 1 collects these values. • Limited by what values are experimentally available. • Knowing the elemental form of each atom is helpful. Ionization Enthalpy (IE) Definition The enthalpy required to remove one electron from an atom or ion. Li(g) → Li+(g) + e– IE(Li) Sign: IE is always positive — removing electrons from proximity of nucleus requires enthalpy input Direction: IE goes from atom to ion/electron pair. Phase: IE is a gas phase property. Reactants and products must be gas phase. Notes: • Phase descriptors are not generally given to an electron. • Ionization energy is taken to be identical to ionization enthalpy. • The first IE of Li(g) is shown above. A second, third, or higher IE can also be determined. Removing each additional electron costs even more enthalpy. Electron Affinity (EA) Definition How much enthalpy is gained when an electron is added to an atom or ion. (How much an atom “wants” an electron). Cl(g) + e– → Cl–(g) EA(Cl) Sign: EA is always positive, but the enthalpy is negative: ∆Hºrxn < 0. This is because of how we describe the property as an “affinity”.
    [Show full text]
  • Thermodynamic State, Specific Heat, and Enthalpy Function 01 Saturated UO Z Vapor Between 3000 Kand 5000 K
    Februar 1977 KFK 2390 Institut für Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik Projekt Schneller Brüter Thermodynamic State, Specific Heat, and Enthalpy Function 01 Saturated UO z Vapor between 3000 Kand 5000 K H. U. Karow Als Manuskript vervielfältigt Für diesen Bericht behalten wir uns alle Rechte vor GESELLSCHAFT FÜR KERNFORSCHUNG M. B. H. KARLSRUHE KERNFORSCHUNGS ZENTRUM KARLSRUHE KFK 2390 Institut für Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik Projekt Schneller Brüter Thermodynamic State, Specific Heat, and Enthalpy Function of Saturated U0 Vapor between 3000 K 2 and 5000 K H. U. Karow Gesellschaft für Kernforschung mbH., Karlsruhe A summarized version of s will be at '7th Symposium on Thermophysical Properties', held the NBS at Gaithe , 1977 Thermodynamic State, Specific Heat, and Enthalpy Function of Saturated U0 2 Vapor between 3000 K and 5000 K Abstract Reactor safety analysis requires knowledge of the thermophysical properties of molten oxide fuel and of the thermal equation-of­ state of oxide fuel in thermodynamic liquid-vapor equilibrium far above 3000 K. In this context, the thermodynamic state of satu­ rated U0 2 fuel vapor, its internal energy U(T), specific heats Cv(T) and C (T), and enthalpy functions HO(T) and HO(T)-Ho have p 0 been determined by means of statistical mechanics in the tempera- ture range 3000 K .•• 5000 K. The discussion of the thermodynamic state includes the evaluation of the plasma state and its contri­ bution to the caloric variables-of-state of saturated oxide fuel vapor. Because of the extremely high ion and electron density due to thermal ionization, the ionized component of the fuel vapor does no more represent a perfect kinetic plasma - different from the nonionized neutral vapor component with perfect gas kinetic behavior up to about 5000 K.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 SPRING Semester Midterm Examination for General Chemistry I
    2016 SPRING Semester Midterm Examination For General Chemistry I Date: April 20 (Wed), Time Limit: 19:00 ~ 21:00 Write down your information neatly in the space provided below; print your Student ID in the upper right corner of every page. Professor Class Student I.D. Number Name Name Problem points Problem points TOTAL pts 1 /8 6 /12 2 /9 7 /8 3 /6 8 /15 /100 4 /8 9 /16 5 /8 10 /10 ** This paper consists of 15 sheets with 10 problems (page 13 - 14: constants & periodic table, page 15: claim form). Please check all page numbers before taking the exam. Write down your work and answers in the Answer sheet. Please write down the unit of your answer when applicable. You will get 30% deduction for a missing unit. NOTICE: SCHEDULES on RETURN and CLAIM of the MARKED EXAM PAPER. (채점답안지 분배 및 이의신청 일정) 1. Period, Location, and Procedure 1) Return and Claim Period: May 2 (Mon, 19: 00 ~ 20:00 p.m.) 2) Location: Room for quiz session 3) Procedure: Rule 1: Students cannot bring their own writing tools into the room. (Use a pen only provided by TA) Rule 2: With or without claim, you must submit the paper back to TA. (Do not go out of the room with it) If you have any claims on it, you can submit the claim paper with your opinion. After writing your opinions on the claim form, attach it to your mid-term paper with a stapler. Give them to TA. (The claim is permitted only on the period.
    [Show full text]
  • Phenomenological Review on Quark–Gluon Plasma: Concepts Vs
    Review Phenomenological Review on Quark–Gluon Plasma: Concepts vs. Observations Roman Pasechnik 1,* and Michal Šumbera 2 1 Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden 2 Nuclear Physics Institute ASCR 250 68 Rez/Prague,ˇ Czech Republic; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: In this review, we present an up-to-date phenomenological summary of research developments in the physics of the Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP). A short historical perspective and theoretical motivation for this rapidly developing field of contemporary particle physics is provided. In addition, we introduce and discuss the role of the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) ground state, non-perturbative and lattice QCD results on the QGP properties, as well as the transport models used to make a connection between theory and experiment. The experimental part presents the selected results on bulk observables, hard and penetrating probes obtained in the ultra-relativistic heavy-ion experiments carried out at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (BNL RHIC) and CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) and Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerators. We also give a brief overview of new developments related to the ongoing searches of the QCD critical point and to the collectivity in small (p + p and p + A) systems. Keywords: extreme states of matter; heavy ion collisions; QCD critical point; quark–gluon plasma; saturation phenomena; QCD vacuum PACS: 25.75.-q, 12.38.Mh, 25.75.Nq, 21.65.Qr 1. Introduction Quark–gluon plasma (QGP) is a new state of nuclear matter existing at extremely high temperatures and densities when composite states called hadrons (protons, neutrons, pions, etc.) lose their identity and dissolve into a soup of their constituents—quarks and gluons.
    [Show full text]
  • Electron Mean Free Path Fitted Over a Wide Energy Range
    IONIZATION BY IMPACT ELECTRONS IN SOLIDS: ELECTRON MEAN FREE PATH FITTED OVER A WIDE ENERGY RANGE Beata Ziaja HASYLAB at DESY, Notkestr. 85, D-22607 HAMBURG, Germany and Department of Theoretical Physics,Institute of Nuclear Physics, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Cracow, Poland Richard A. London 1 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA Janos Hajdu ICM Molecular Biophysics, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, Box 596, S-75123 Uppsala, Sweden 1Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Electronic mails: [email protected], rlon- [email protected], [email protected] Abstract: We propose a simple formula for ®tting the electron mean free paths in solids both at high and at low electron energies. The free-electron-gas approximation used for predicting electron mean free paths is no longer valid at low energies ( eV), as the band structure effects become signi®cant at those energies. Therefore we include the results of the band structure calculations in our ®t. Finally, we apply the ®t to 9 elements and 2 compounds. 2 1 Introduction Inelastic interactions of electrons with solids 1 are of a great importance for several mea- surement techniques 2 including energy loss spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, photoemission spectroscopy and time-resolved two-photon photoemission. At present elec- tron mean free paths are well known in two energy regimes: at high energies, where they are predicted either with Bethe(-like) equations 3, 4 or with the more accurate optical mod- els based on the free-electron-gas approximation 5, 6, and at very low energies, where they are calculated either with experimental data on electron lifetimes or with ®rst-principles cal- culations 2, 7±20.
    [Show full text]
  • GASEOUS IONIZATION and ION TRANSPORT: an Introduction to Gas Discharges
    GASEOUS IONIZATION AND ION TRANSPORT: An Introduction to Gas Discharges Prof. David B. Go Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556 March 19, 2012 Chapter 1 Preface Gas-phase ions are ubiquitous in the universe, and are often cited as making up more than 99 % of known matter [REF-Burnett] in the universe - all stars, for example are in a plasma state consisting of gaseous ions and electrons. However, in every day life on Earth, gaseous ions are not as common and certainly not understood by the general public. If you were to take a poll of the general population about engineering and science topics, nearly everyone would understand what robotics is and most would likely be able to surmise, on some level, what an aerospace engineer does. In fact, most people can probably identify that a car is more aerodynamically sound than a truck. However, if you ask the general population what the ’plasma’ in plasma television stands for, they would not be able to tell you. Further, most scientists and engineers do not really understand either as plasma science and technology is not a common subject covered by undergraduate students most core disciplines such as mechanical engineering, biochemistry, or materials science. But plasma science is an incredibly important field. Besides entertainment (the aforementioned plasma television), plasmas and their closely related cousin, gas discharges, have been instrumental in modern life, affecting everything from the computer revolution to everyday lighting and transportation. Plasma processing, such as reactive ion etching and sputter metal deposition, has been essential to the development of the modern day computer chip.
    [Show full text]
  • FIELD EMISSION CHARGING of METALLIC COLLOIDS by N
    FIELD EMISSION CHARGING OF METALLIC COLLOIDS by N. Stankiewicx Lewis Research Center C leve la-nd, 0h io NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D. C. DECEMBER 1963 TECH LIBRARY KAFB. NM 0154560 FIELD EMISSION CHARGING OF METALLIC COLLOIDS By N. Stankiewicz Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION FIELD EMISSION CHARGING OF METALLIC COLLOIDS By N. Stankiewicz SUMMARY With a free-electron model of metallic colloids, the charging time in an applied electric field is calculated for the alkali-group elements. A theoreti­ cal thin-wire ionizer is discussed with regard to required operating potentials, necessary geometrical dimensions, and current -density capabilities. INTRODUCTION The theoretical improvement of electrostatic-thrustor efficiency resulting from the use of charged particles of large mass has been recognized for some time (ref. 1). Current studies on heavy-particle thrustors have developed in two areas. One is concerned with employing large molecules and the other with ag­ gregates of atoms or molecules of colloidal size (simply called colloids). Both types of heavy particles present the problem of a mass distribution in the beam resulting in a loss of thrustor efficiency. For colloids, however, reference 2 indicates that the mass distribution can be quite narrow. At present, several methods of charging colloidal particles are being in­ vestigated. The method to be considered in this report is that of ionization by field emission of an electron. For reasons that are elaborated in the next section, only metallic aggregates, and, in particular, only those of the alkali group, are discussed in detail. The field ionization method was studied in the investigation reported in reference 3 for the case of a gas of alkali atoms.
    [Show full text]
  • Electron Affinity, Electronegativity, Ionization Energy
    Electron affinity, Electronegativity, Ionization energy 1. Electron affinity Definition: The energy released when an electron is added to a gaseous atom which is in its ground state to form a gaseous negative ion is defined as the first electron affinity. The symbol is EA, and the unit is kJ/mol. Values and tendencies in the periodic table: The first electron affinities of elements are negative in general except the group VIII and group IIA elements. Because the electron falls into the electrostatic field which is yielded by the atomic nucleus of a neutral atom, and lead to the potential reduction, the energy of this system is reduced. The second electron affinities of all elements are positive. This is because the negative ion is a negative electric field. And if now the other electrons enter the negative field, energy has to be applied to the system to overcome the repulsion that the negative electric field interacts with the electrons. According to the elements of one period, EA generally decreases from the left to the right across the periodic table. According to the elements of one main group, EA generally increases from the top to the bottom of the periodic table. 2. Ionization energy Definition: The ionization energy, EI, of an atom/ion is the minimum energy which is required to remove an electron of an atom. The unit of ionization energy is kJ/mol. Values and tendencies in the periodic table: The first ionization energy is the energy which is required when a gaseous atom/ion loses an electron to form a gaseous +1 valence ion.
    [Show full text]
  • A Correlation Between Ionization Energies and Critical Temperatures in Superconducting A3C60 Fullerides
    Physica C 513 (2015) 1–3 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Physica C journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/physc A correlation between ionization energies and critical temperatures in superconducting A3C60 fullerides ⇑ Florian Hetfleisch, Marco Stepper, Hans-Peter Roeser , Artur Bohr, Juan Santiago Lopez, Mojtaba Mashmool, Susanne Roth Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 29, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany article info abstract Article history: Buckminster A3C60 fullerides (A = alkali metal) are usually superconductors with critical temperatures Tc Received 19 December 2014 in the range 2.5–40 K. Although they are very similar in size, structure and many other aspects, the effect Received in revised form 6 February 2015 of the alkali atoms on Tc has generally been understood in terms of the variation of the lattice constant. Accepted 26 February 2015 Here we show that there seems to be a direct correlation between the sum of the ionization energies of Available online 10 March 2015 the three alkali atoms in the superconducting A3C60 compounds and the corresponding critical tempera- tures. A linear fit of the correlation implies a certain limit for the sum, below which superconductivity Keywords: should not occur. Ionization energies have so far not been connected to superconductivity. Fulleride Ó 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND A3C60 superconductor Ionization energies license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). 1. Introduction are considered as moderately effective electron acceptors. But the compounds with x = 3 become metallic and are, with few Many conventional superconductors show different critical exceptions, superconducting [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Ionization.Pdf
    New Phases at RHIC: what’s the “s” in the sQGP? Theory: At high temperature, hadrons (QCD) form new state of matter: Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP). Near critical temperature: a “s”QGP? Numerical “experiments” on a lattice: semi-QGP? AdS/CFT duality: super-QCD and the strong-QGP? Experiment: Collide heavy ions at high energies: RHIC @ BNL; SPS & LHC @ CERN Suppression of jets in AA collisions. Robust signal of new physics. Non central collisions exhibit strong “flow” Even heavy quarks suppressed, “flow” Not an ordinary QGP; “Most Perfect Fluid on Earth”? Wealth of precise experimental data. Theorists agog. Myths can come true, but maybe not the ones you expect... QCD & Confinement QCD (Quantum Chromo Dynamics): quarks and gluons carry color. In vacuum: permanently bound - “confined” - into states without color. Quarks are fermions, come in six “flavors” Basic mass scale: GeV ~ 12 trillion degrees. GeV = 1000 MeV Mesons: quark + anti-quark, color + anti-color cancel Up, down, strange quarks => pions, kaons, eta, eta’ + many others Lightest hadrons: masses 140, 500, 550, 960 MeV. Light because of “chiral” symmetry: up and down q’s very light, strange kinda. Charm, bottom, top quarks => J/Psi, Upsilon... Masses 3.1, 10... GeV Baryons: three quarks. Color neutrality => three colors. Up, down quarks => neutrons, protons. 940 MeV Strange quarks => Lambda...Omega. 1-2 GeV Symmetries of QCD Why three colors? Assume that for each quark, multiply by q -> z q, where z = exp(2 π i/3). Since z3 = 1, three quarks are invariant under this Z(3) symmetry. QCD: Symmetries local SU(3), global Z(3) (Just like 3-state Potts model) Quarks: spin 1/2, SU(3) vector.
    [Show full text]