THE INFLUENCE OF THE KOSTERLITZ-THOULESS TRANSITION ON THE DECAY OF SPIN-POLARIZED ATOMIC-HYDROGEN

Using our microscopic theory of the two-dimensional dilute Bose gas we confirm the conjecture by Kagan et al. that the rate constant for thr ee-body recombination experiences a discontinuity at the critical temp erature of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and calculate the reduct ion of the recombination rate as a function of temperature and density . Besides the jump in the adsorbtion isotherm, this effect is also an unambiguous signal for the achievement of the Kosterlitz-Thouless tran sition in spin-polarized atomic hydrogen adsorbed on a superfluid heli um film.