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Albers, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Albers, M..

6 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Triaxiality and the nature of low-energy excitations in Ge 76

The deformation properties of the low-lying states in 76 Ge have been investigated following a safe energy Coulomb excitation measurement with the GRETINA tracking array and CHICO2 heavy-ion counter at the ATLAS accelerator facility at Argonne National Laboratory. A comprehensive set of transition and static E2 matrix elements were extracted from the measured differential Coulomb cross-sections, and compared with results of configuration interaction shell-model calculations and computations carried out within the framework of the generalized triaxial rotor model. The remarkable agreement between the calculated and experimental data supports a near-maximum triaxial deformation for the ground state of 76 Ge. Additionally, the degree of softness of the asymmetry in 76 Ge and 76 Se was investigated using rotational invariants generated from configuration interaction shell-model wave functions computed with the jj44b and JUN45 effective interactions. The resulting invariants are shown to be consistent with a stiff triaxial deformation in 76 Ge and a predominantly soft triaxial potential for 76 Se, in agreement with the conclusions of recent works by this collaboration.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗
DOE OSTI2021

The polarization sensitivity of GRETINA

Compton polarimeters have played an important role in the study of nuclear structure physics, but have often been limited in their applications because of relatively low -ray detection efficiency. With the advent of -ray tracking detector arrays, which feature nearly solid angle coverage and the ability to identify the location of Compton-scattering events to within a few millimeters, this limitation can be overcome. Here we present a characterization of the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter using the 24 Mg(p,p') reaction at 2.45 MeV proton energy. We also discuss a new capability added to the simulation package UCGretina to simulate the emission of polarized photons, and compare it to the measured data. Lastly, we use these simulations to predict the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Shapes, softness, and nonyrast collectivity in 186 W

Nonyrast, excited states in neutron-rich 186 W were populated via inelastic-scattering reactions using beams of 136 Xe nuclei accelerated to 725 and 800 MeV. Levels populated in the reactions were investigated via particle-γ coincidence techniques using the Gammasphere array of high-purity germanium detectors and the compact heavy-ion counter, CHICO2. The K π = 2 + (γ ), K π = 0 + and K π = 2 – (octupole) rotational side bands were extended to spins 14h¯, 12h¯, and 13h¯, respectively. A staggering pattern observed in the energies of levels in the K π = 2 + band was found to be consistent with a potential that gets softer to vibration in the γ degree of freedom with increasing spin. Furthermore, the odd-even staggering of states in the K π = 2 – band was found to exhibit a phase opposite to that seen in the γ band; an effect most probably associated with Coriolis coupling to other, unobserved octupole vibrational bands in 186 W.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evidence for Rigid Triaxial Deformation in Ge 76 from a Model-Independent Analysis

An extensive, model-independent analysis of the nature of triaxial deformation in 76 Ge, a candidate for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay, was carried out following multistep Coulomb excitation. Shape parameters deduced on the basis of a rotational-invariant sum-rule analysis provided considerable insight into the underlying collectivity of the ground-state and γ bands. Both sequences were determined to be characterized by the same β and γ deformation parameter values. In addition, compelling evidence for low-spin, rigid triaxial deformation in 76 Ge was obtained for the first time from the analysis of the statistical fluctuations of the quadrupole asymmetry deduced from the measured E 2 matrix elements. Furthermore, these newly determined shape parameters are important input and constraints for calculations aimed at providing, with suitable accuracy, the nuclear matrix elements relevant to 0νββ.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Proton decay of 108 I and its significance for the termination of the astrophysical rp -process

Employing the Argonne Fragment Mass Analyzer and the implantation-decay-decay correlation technique, a weak 0.50(21)% proton decay branch was identified in 108 I for the first time. Here the 108 I proton-decay width is consistent with a hindered l = 2 emission, suggesting a d 5/2 origin. Using the extracted 108 I proton-decay Q value of 597(13) keV, and the Q α values of the 108 I and 107 Te isotopes, a proton-decay Q value of 510(20) keV for 104 Sb was deduced. Similarly to the 112,113 Cs proton-emitter pair, the value is lower than that for the less-exotic neighbor 109 I, possibly due to enhanced proton-neutron interactions in N ≈ 2 nuclei. In contrast, the present is higher than that of 105 Sb, suggesting a weaker interaction energy.

104Sb↗