Engineering topics

Blankstein, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Blankstein, D..

7 records

DOE OSTI2023

Structure studies of 13 Be from the 12 Be ⁢(𝑑,𝑝) reaction in inverse kinematics on a solid deuteron target

The low-lying structure of 13 Be has remained an enigma for decades. Despite numerous experimental and theoretical studies, large inconsistencies remain. Being both unbound and one neutron away from 14 Be, the heaviest bound beryllium nucleus, 13 Be is difficult to study through simple reactions with weak radioactive-ion beams or more complex reactions with stable-ion beams. Here, we present the results of a study using the 12 Be (𝑑,𝑝)⁢ 13 Be reaction in inverse kinematics using a 9.5 MeV per nucleon 12 Be beam from the ISAC-II facility. The solid deuteron target of IRIS was used to achieve an increased areal thickness compared to conventional deuterated polyethylene targets. The 𝑄-value spectrum below −4.4 MeV was analyzed using a Bayesian method with geant4 simulations. A three-point angular distribution with the same 𝑄-value gate was fit with a mixture of 𝑠- and 𝑝-wave, 𝑠- and 𝑑-wave, or pure 𝑝-wave transfer. The 𝑄-value spectrum was also compared with geant simulations obtained using the energies and widths of states reported in four previous works. As a result, it was found that our results are incompatible with works that revealed a wide 5/2 + resonance but shows better agreement with ones that reported a narrower width.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

DOE OSTI2023

Quantifying resonance behavior in the fusion of O 17 with C 12 at above-barrier energies

Recent measurement of the fusion excitation function for 17 O + 12 C reported the significant suppression of the fusion cross section at E c.m. ≈ 14 MeV. This suppression was hypothesized to signal the existence of a 16 O + n + 12 C molecular configuration. Using the active-target detector MuSIC@Indiana provided an effective means of reexamining the fusion excitation function for 17 O + 12 C.The accuracy of this thick-target measurement is strengthened through comparison with the thin-target measurement of the excitation function for 17 F + 12 C. Furthermore, the result provides important information about the dependence of the average fusion cross section for the oxygen isotopic chain on neutron excess.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

First Direct Measurement Constraining the Ar 34 ( α , p ) K 37 Reaction Cross Section for Mixed Hydrogen and Helium Burning in Accreting Neutron Stars

The rate of the final step in the astrophysical αp process, the 34 Ar(α,p) 37 K reaction, suffers from large uncertainties due to a lack of experimental data, despite having a considerable impact on the observable light curves of x-ray bursts and the composition of the ashes of hydrogen and helium burning on accreting neutron stars. Here, we present the first direct measurement constraining the 34Ar(α,p)37K reaction cross section, using the Jet Experiments in Nuclear Structure and Astrophysics gas jet target. The combined cross section for the 34 Ar,Cl(α,p) 37 K,Ar reaction is found to agree well with Hauser-Feshbach predictions. The 34 Ar(α,2p) 36 Ar cross section, which can be exclusively attributed to the 34 Ar beam component, also agrees to within the typical uncertainties quoted for statistical models. This indicates the applicability of the statistical model for predicting astrophysical (α,p) reaction rates in this part of the αp process, in contrast to earlier findings from indirect reaction studies indicating orders-of-magnitude discrepancies. This removes a significant uncertainty in models of hydrogen and helium burning on accreting neutron stars.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Precision half-life determination for the β + emitter N 13

A new precision half-life measurement of 13 N has been conducted using the TwinSol β-counting station at the University of Notre Dame. Here, the measured value of $t^{new}_{1/2}$ = 597.05(19) s differs from the previous world value by about 2.8σ. An evaluation of the 13N half-life results in a $t^{world}_{1/2}$ = 597.19(22) s. Updated Standard Model predictions for the Fermi to Gamow-Teller mixing ratio ρ and its associated correlation parameters have been calculated using the new 13 N world half life in preparation for a future measurement of the mixing ratio. Finally, an ab initio no-core configuration interaction (NCCI) calculation for the B(GT) of this decay, carried out using the Daejeon16 interaction, has been carried out, revealing the need for higher-order chiral corrections.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Improving the characterization of fusion in a MuSIC detector by spatial localization

Multi-Sampling Ionization Chambers (MuSIC) provide an efficient means of measuring nuclear reactions with low beam rates (< 10 6 pps). However, in comparison to thin-target measurements, prior measurements using MuSIC detectors all manifest fusion excitation functions with wide error bars in the energy dimension. This uncertainty limits the applicability of these devices in measuring near and sub-barrier fusion cross-sections. Key to overcoming this limitation is spatial localization of the fusion in the detector. By comparing the measured ionization in the MuSIC detector with accurate energy loss calculations the position of the fusion in the detector is determined. The analysis not only provides the desired improvement in energy resolution, but it also allows extraction of the atomic number of the evaporation residues following fusion. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated for 18 O+ 12 C measured with MuSIC@Indiana.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2021

MuSIC@Indiana: An effective tool for accurate measurement of fusion with low-intensity radioactive beams

The design, construction, and characterization of the Multi-Sampling Ionization Chamber, MuSIC@Indiana, are described. This detector provides efficient and accurate measurement of the fusion cross-section at near-barrier energies. The response of the detector to low-intensity beams of 17,18 O, 19 F, 23 Na, 24,26 Mg, 27 Al, and 28 Si at E lab 50–60MeV was examined. MuSIC@Indiana was commissioned by measuring the 18 O+ 12 C fusion excitation function for 11 < E cm < 20 MeV using CH 4 gas. Here, a simple, effective analysis cleanly distinguishes proton capture and two-body scattering events from fusion on carbon. With MuSIC@Indiana, measurement of 15 points on the excitation function for a single incident beam energy is achieved. The resulting excitation function is shown to be in good agreement with literature data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2020

First Direct Measurement of Mg (α,p) 25 Al and Implications for X-Ray Burst Model-Observation Comparisons

Type-I x-ray bursts can reveal the properties of an accreting neutron star system when compared with astrophysics model calculations. However, model results are sensitive to a handful of uncertain nuclear reaction rates, such as 22 Mg(α , p). We report the first direct measurement of 22 Mg(α , p), performed with the Active Target Time Projection Chamber. The corresponding astrophysical reaction rate is orders of magnitude larger than determined from a previous indirect measurement in a broad temperature range. Overall, our new measurement suggests a less-compact neutron star in the source GS1826-24.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗