We present evidence for the rst observation of electromagnetically bound π ± K ∓pairs (πK-atoms) with the DIRAC experiment at the CERN-PS. The πK-atoms are produced by the 24 GeV/c proton beam in a thin Pt-target and the π ± and K ∓mesons from the atom dissociation are analyzed in a two-arm magnetic spectrometer. The observed enhancement at low relative momentum corresponds to the production of 173 ± 54 πK-atoms. The mean life of πK-atoms is related to the s-wave πKscattering lengths, the measurement of which is the goal of the experiment. From these rst data we derive a lower limit for the mean life of 0.8 fs at 90% condence level.

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The results of a search for hydrogen-like atoms consisting of π ∓ K ± mesons are presented. Evidence for π K atom production by 24 GeV/c protons from CERN PS interacting with a nickel target has been seen in terms of characteristic π K pairs from their breakup in the same target (178 ± 49) as well as in terms of produced π K atoms (653 ± 42). Using these results, the analysis yields a first value for the π K atom lifetime of τ = (2.5 +3.0 −1.8 ) fs and a first measurement of the S-wave isospin-odd π K scattering length |a − 0 | = 1 3 |a 1/2 − a 3/2 | = (0.11 +0.09 −0.04 )M −1 π (a I for isospin I).

An atomic clock based on x-ray fluorescence yields has been used to estimate the mean characteristic time for fusion followed by fission in reactions 238U + 64Ni at 6.6  MeV/A. Inner shell vacancies are created during the collisions in the electronic structure of the possibly formed Z=120 compound nuclei. The filling of these vacancies accompanied by a x-ray emission with energies characteristic of Z=120 can take place only if the atomic transitions occur before nuclear fission. Therefore, the x-ray yield characteristic of the united atom with 120 protons is strongly related to the fission time and to the vacancy lifetimes. K x rays from the element with Z=120 have been unambiguously identified from a coupled analysis of the involved nuclear reaction mechanisms and of the measured photon spectra. A minimum mean fission time τ(f)=2.5×10(-18)  s has been deduced for Z=120 from the measured x-ray multiplicity.

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The observation of hydrogenlike πK atoms, consisting of π^{-}K^{+} or π^{+}K^{-} mesons, is presented. The atoms are produced by 24  GeV/c protons from the CERN PS accelerator, interacting with platinum or nickel foil targets. The breakup (ionization) of πK atoms in the same targets yields characteristic πK pairs, called "atomic pairs," with small relative momenta Q in the pair center-of-mass system. The upgraded DIRAC experiment observed 349±62 such atomic πK pairs, corresponding to a signal of 5.6 standard deviations. This is the first statistically significant observation of the strange dimesonic πK atom.

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Simultaneous particle‐induced x‐ray emission (PIXE) and particle‐induced gamma‐ray emission (PIGE) measurements in the 0–270 keV range with a low‐energy hyperpure Ge detector have been performed on the outer surface and on an inner section of a dental composite filling extracted from a patient. The biomaterial has been identified as the fluorine‐releasing Tetric Ceram dental composite. Compared to the native material, the dental filling evidenced changes occurring during the in vivo oral use. These included mainly Cl and K accumulation and loss of Zr, Ba, Yb (by PIXE), and F (in the PIGE region). The changes were similar at the surface and inside of the dental filling for most of the above elements, indicating an unexpectedly high permeability of the material, maybe due to microscopic bulk fracture of the dental composite filling throughout its use. The PIGE spectra detected also Al and traces of Hf and Sm possibly associated with Zr and Yb. Changes in the ratio of the L lines of Yb and in the ratio of the 110‐ and 197‐keV lines of F evidenced alterations in the matrix physical properties of the composite, associated with factors such as surface roughening by wear, grain size decrease by slow dissolution, and compositional variations. Further studies are needed to gain a deeper insight into the complex changes taking place in a dental composite filling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.