Theses and Dissertations (Physics)

Bound states for A-body nuclear systems

2013-04-13T22:00:44Z

Bound states for A-body nuclear systems Mukeru, Bahati In this work we calculate the binding energies and root-mean-square radii for A−body nuclear bound state systems, where A ≥ 3. To study three−body systems, we employ the three−dimensional differential Faddeev equations with nucleon-nucleon semi-realistic potentials. The equations are solved numerically. For this purpose, the equations are transformed into an eigenvalue equation via the orthogonal collocation procedure using triquintic Hermite splines. The resulting eigenvalue equation is solved using the Restarted Arnoldi Algorithm. Ground state binding energies of the 3H nucleus are determined. For A > 3, the Potential Harmonic Expansion Method is employed. Using this method, the Schr¨odinger equation is transformed into coupled Faddeev-like equations. The Faddeevlike amplitudes are expanded on the potential harmonic basis. To transform the resulting coupled differential equations into an eigenvalue equation, we employ again the orthogonal collocation procedure followed by the Gauss-Jacobi quadrature. The corresponding eigenvalue equation is solved using the Renormalized Numerov Method to obtain ground state binding energies and root-mean-square radii of closed shell nuclei 4He, 8Be, 12C, 16O and 40Ca.

Structure of hypernuclei studied with the integrodifferential equations approach

2013-04-18T06:26:07Z

Structure of hypernuclei studied with the integrodifferential equations approach Nkuna, John Solly A two-dimensional integrodi erential equation resulting from the use of potential harmonics expansion in the many-body Schr odinger equation is used to study ground-state properties of selected few-body nuclear systems. The equation takes into account twobody correlations in the system and is applicable to few- and many-body systems. The formulation of the equation involves the use of the Jacobi coordinates to de ne relevant global coordinates as well as the elimination of center-of-mass dependence. The form of the equation does not depend on the size of the system. Therefore, only the interaction potential is required as input. Di erent nucleon-nucleon potentials and hyperon-nucleon potentials are employed to construct the Hamiltonian of the systems. The results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained using other methods.

Theoretical study of magnetic odering of defects in diamond

2013-04-19T09:52:53Z

Theoretical study of magnetic odering of defects in diamond Benecha, Evans Moseti Magnetic ordering of dopants in diamond holds the prospect of exploiting diamond’s unique properties in the emerging field of spintronics. Several transition metal defects have been reported to order ferromagnetically in various semiconductors, however, low Curie temperatures and lack of other fundamental material properties have hindered practical implementation in room temperature spintronic applications. In this Thesis, we consider the energetic stability of 3d transition metal doped-diamond and its magnetic ordering properties at various lattice sites and charge states using ab initio Density Functional Theory methods. We find the majority of 3d transition metal impurities in diamond at any charge state to be energetically most stable at the divacancy site compared to substitutional or interstitial lattice sites, with the interstitial site being highly unstable (by ~8 - 10 eV compared to the divacancy site). At each lattice site and charge state, we find the formation energies of transition metals in the middle of the 3d series (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) to be considerably lower compared to those early or late in the series. The energetic stability of transition metal impurities across the 3d series is shown to be strongly dependent on the position of the Fermi level in the diamond band gap, with the formation energies at any lattice site being lower in p-type or ntype diamond compared to intrinsic diamond. Further, we show that incorporation of isolated transition metal impurities into diamond introduces spin polarised impurity bands into the diamond band gap, while maintaining its semiconducting nature, with band gaps in both the spin-up and spin-down channels. These impurity bands are shown to originate mainly from s, p-d hybridization between carbon sp 3 orbitals with the 3d orbitals of the transition metal. In addition, the 4p orbitals contribute significantly to hybridization for transition metal atoms at the substitutional site, but not at the divacancy site. In both cases, the spin polarisation and magnetic stabilization energies are critically dependent on the lattice site and charge state of the transition metal impurity. By allowing magnetic interactions between transition metal atoms, we find that ferromagnetic ordering is likely to be achieved in divacancy Cr+2, Mn+2, Mn+1 and Co0 as well as in substitutional Fe+2 and Fe+1, indicating that transition metal-doped diamond is likely to form a diluted magnetic semiconductor which may successfully be considered for room temperature spintronic applications. In addition, these charge states correspond to p-type diamond, except for divacancy Co0, suggesting that co-doping with shallow acceptors such as B ( will result in an increase of charge concentration, which is likely to enhance mediation of ferromagnetic spin coupling. The highest magnetic stabilization energy occurs in substitutional Fe+1 (33.3 meV), which, also exhibits half metallic ferromagnetic ordering at the Fermi level, with an induced magnetic moment of 1.0 μB per ion, thus suggesting that 100 % spin polarisation may be achieved in Fe-doped diamond.

Atomic processes in gaseous nebulae

2013-05-20T12:36:38Z

Atomic processes in gaseous nebulae Prozesky, Andri The atomic physics relevant to gaseous nebulae is critically examined using modelling software with particular emphasis on radio recombination lines (RRLs). The theoretical spectral line intensities can be deduced if we know the population structure of the bound electrons in the gas under non-thermal equilibrium conditions. The population structure of hydrogen is solved for various environments using a capture-collision-cascade model that incorporates an ambient radiation eld. The validity of assuming Case B (Baker & Menzel, 1938) for nebulae is investigated. It is known that Case B is appropriate for levels with small principal quantum numbers (n < 40), but this assumption is re-examined for high levels which are relevant to RRLs. E ects of an ambient radiation eld on the population structure is examined and processes that are stimulated by a radiation eld are included in the model. This is done as a preliminary investigation to extend the model to a photoionization code.