Abstract
The hopping frequencies of nearest neighbor pairs of ortho-hydrogen impurities in solid para-hydrogen due to resonant conversion processes are calculated. The observed differences in the quantum diffusion of in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OP) pairs are attributed to the different orientations of the rotational wave functions of the pairs relative to the hexagonal axis of the host crystal and to the splitting of the ground-state level of OP pairs. The ratio of the hopping frequencies of OP and IP pairs is found to be strongly temperature dependent and at very low temperatures the OP pairs are predicted to become immobile, in agreement with recent experimental results that the decay rates of OP and IP pairs are in the ratio 1:3.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S. Washburn, R. Schweizer, and H. Meyer, J. Low Temp. Phys. 40, 187 (1980).
D. Ramm and H. Meyer, J. Low Temp. Phys. 40, 173 (1980).
R. Oyarzun and J. Van Kranendonk, Can. J. Phys. 50, 1494 (1972).
W. N. Hardy, A. J. Berlinsky, and A. B. Harris, Can. J. Phys. 55, 1150 (1977).
S. Luryi and J. Van Kranendonk, Can. J. Phys. 57, 307 (1979).
S. Luryi and J. Van Kranendonk, Can. J. Phys. 57, 933 (1979).
A. B. Harris, A. J. Berlinsky, and W. N. Hardy, Can. J. Phys. 55, 1180 (1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van Kranendonk, J. Quantum diffusion of ortho-hydrogen pairs in solid para-hydrogen. J Low Temp Phys 39, 689–699 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00114900
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00114900