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King, T. T.

Publications and source records attributed to King, T. T..

16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Suppressed electric quadrupole collectivity in 49 Ti

Single-step Coulomb excitation of 46,48,49,50 Ti is presented. A complete set of E2 matrix elements for the quintuplet of states in 49 Ti, centred on the core excitation, was measured for the first time. A total of nine E2 matrix elements are reported, four of which were previously unknown. $^{49}_{22}$Ti 27 shows a 20% quenching in electric quadrupole transition strength as compared to its semi-magic $^{50}_{22}$Ti 28 neighbour. This 20% quenching, while empirically unprecedented, can be explained with a remarkably simple two-state mixing model, which is also consistent with other ground-state properties such as the magnetic dipole moment and electric quadrupole moment. A connection to nucleon transfer data and the quenching of single-particle strength is also demonstrated. The simplicity of the 49 Ti- 50 Ti pair (i.e., approximate single-j 0 7/2 valence space and isolation of yrast states from non-yrast states) provides a unique opportunity to disentangle otherwise competing effects in the ground-state properties of atomic nuclei, the emergence of collectivity, and the role of proton-neutron interactions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Absolute Branching Ratios of Prominent $γ$ Rays Following $α$ Decay of 233 U

The absolute $γ$-ray branching ratios (emission probabilities) for 19 prominent peaks in the $α$ decay of 233 U are reported with energies ranging from 97 to 366 keV. The branching ratios were obtained from $α-γ$ coincidence measurements, normalized to the $α$ singles. The high-purity 233 U material (> 99.98%) was separated from its decay products before preparation of a 4.74-mg/cm 2 uranyl nitrate foil with a 6-mm diameter. Furthermore, this is the first report on the absolute normalization of the branching ratios since 1984 and it is the only measure by $α-γ$ coincidences, where the $α-γ/α$ ratio removes several potential systematic biases. Overall, the results are consistent with the adopted literature, and they validate the quantities most relevant to the non-destructive assay of fissile 233 U material, which is relevant to the thorium fuel cycle and associated safeguards.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

β -delayed neutron emissions from N > 50 gallium isotopes

β-delayed γ-neutron spectroscopy has been performed on the decay of A = 84 to 87 gallium isotopes at the RI-beam Factory at the RIKEN Nishina Center using a high-efficiency array of 3 He neutron counters (BRIKEN). β-2n-γ events were measured in the decays of all of the four isotopes for the first time, which is direct evidence for populating the excited states of two-neutron daughter nuclei. Detailed decay schemes with the γ branching ratios were obtained for these isotopes, and the neutron emission probabilities (P xn ) were updated from the previous study. Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations were performed to understand the experimental branching ratios. We found that the P 1n and P 2n values are sensitive to the nuclear level densities of 1n daughter nuclei and showed that the statistical model reproduced the P 2n /P 1n ratio better when experimental levels plus shell-model level densities fit by the Gilbert-Cameron formula were used as the level-density input. We also showed the neutron and γ branching ratios are sensitive to the ground-state spin of the parent nucleus. Our statistical model analysis suggested J ≤ 3 for the unknown ground-state spin of the odd-odd nucleus 86 Ga, from the I γ (4 + → 2 + )/I γ (2 + → 0 + ) ratio of 84 Ga and the P 2n /P 1n ratio. In conclusion, these results show the necessity of detailed understanding of the decay scheme, including data from neutron spectroscopy, in addition to γ measurements of the multineutron emitters.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

𝛽 decay of 36 Mg and 36 Al: Identification of a 𝛽-decaying isomer in 36 Al

The level structure of 36 Al has been studied via 𝛽 decay of 36 Mg at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). A long-lived isomer in 36 Al was identified which decays by 𝛽 to an excited state of 36 Si. The ground state and the isomeric state of 36 Al were found to populate different energy levels of 36 Si. Furthermore, the results from the two data sets in the present work complement each other. Configuration interaction calculations performed with the FSU shell-model Hamiltonians provide reasonable descriptions to the experimental observations and offer insight into future improvements of the theoretical interpretation.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microsecond Isomer at the N = 20 Island of Shape Inversion Observed at FRIB

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is reported. A 24(2)-μs isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV γ rays in coincidence with 32 Na nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer (1 μs ≤T 1/2 <1 ms) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the N=20 island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of the spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to 32 Mg, 32 Mg+π -1 +ν +1 . This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of 32 Mg, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed 2 + state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting 0$^+_2$ state at 1058 keV. Here, we suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in 32 Na: a 6 - spherical shape isomer that decays by E2 or a 0 + deformed spin isomer that decays by M2. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crossing N = 28 Toward the Neutron Drip Line: First Measurement of Half-Lives at FRIB

Here, new half-lives for exotic isotopes approaching the neutron drip-line in the vicinity of N~28 for Z=12–15 were measured at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with the FRIB decay station initiator. The first experimental results are compared to the latest quasiparticle random phase approximation and shell-model calculations. Overall, the measured half-lives are consistent with the available theoretical descriptions and suggest a well-developed region of deformation below 48 Ca in the N=28 isotones. The erosion of the Z=14 subshell closure in Si is experimentally confirmed at N=28, and a reduction in the 38 Mg half-life is observed as compared with its isotopic neighbors, which does not seem to be predicted well based on the decay energy and deformation trends. This highlights the need for both additional data in this very exotic region, and for more advanced theoretical efforts.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

First experiment at the Super Heavy Element Factory: High cross section of Mc 288 in the Am 243 + Ca 48 reaction and identification of the new isotope Lr 264

Here, we present results of the first experiment aimed at the synthesis of Mc isotopes in the 243 Am+ 48 Ca reaction performed at the new gas-filled separator DGFRS-2 online to the new cyclotron DC280 at the Super Heavy Element Factory at JINR. Fifty-five new decay chains of 288 Mc and six chains assigned to 289 Mc were detected. The α decay of 268 Db with an energy of 7.6–8.0 MeV, half-life of 16$^{+6}_{-4}$h, and a branch of 55$^{+20}_{-15}$% was registered for the first time, and a new spontaneously fissioning isotope 264 Lr with a half-life of 4.9$^{+2.1}_{-1.3}$h was identified. The cross section for the 243 Am( 48 Ca,3n) 288 Mc reaction was measured to be 17.1$^{+6.3}_{-4.7}$ pb, which is the largest value for the known superheavy nuclei at the island of stability.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measuring the β-decay Properties of Neutron-rich Exotic Pm, Sm, Eu, and Gd Isotopes to Constrain the Nucleosynthesis Yields in the Rare-earth Region

Abstract The β -delayed neutron-emission probabilities of 28 exotic neutron-rich isotopes of Pm, Sm, Eu, and Gd were measured for the first time at RIKEN Nishina Center using the Advanced Implantation Detector Array (AIDA) and the BRIKEN neutron detector array. The existing β -decay half-life ( T 1/2 ) database was significantly increased toward more neutron-rich isotopes, and uncertainties for previously measured values were decreased. The new data not only constrain the theoretical predictions of half-lives and β -delayed neutron-emission probabilities, but also allow for probing the mechanisms of formation of the high-mass wing of the rare-earth peak located at A ≈ 160 in the r -process abundance distribution through astrophysical reaction network calculations. An uncertainty quantification of the calculated abundance patterns with the new data shows a reduction of the uncertainty in the rare-earth peak region. The newly introduced variance-based sensitivity analysis method offers valuable insight into the influence of important nuclear physics inputs on the calculated abundance patterns. The analysis has identified the half-lives of 168 Sm and of several gadolinium isotopes as some of the key variables among the current experimental data to understand the remaining abundance uncertainty at A = 167–172.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

DGFRS-2—A gas-filled recoil separator for the Dubna Super Heavy Element Factory

The main goal of development of the new Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator (DGFRS-2) is to sufficiently improve the efficiency of studies on heavy and superheavy nuclei at the Super Heavy Element Factory of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The use of beams with the intensity up to 6×10 13 s -1 (10 pμA) delivered by the DC280 cyclotron requires an effective setup providing high suppression of background reaction products. Additionally, the described gas-filled separator is optimized for synthesis and study of heavy isotopes produced in complete fusion reactions of massive nuclei. Basic characteristics of DGFRS-2, as well as the results of the first test experiments, are presented. In comparison to the DGFRS-1, the transmission efficiency was doubled, and the background was reduced by a factor 200.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2012

Calibration of the Neutral Mass Spectrometer for the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

Science objectives of the LADEE Mission are to (1) determine the composition, and time variability of the tenuous lunar atmosphere and (2) to characterize the dust environment and its variability. These studies will extend the in-situ characterization of the environment that were carried out decades ago with the Apollo missions and a variety of ground based studies. The focused LADEE measurements will enable a more complete understanding of dust and gas sources and sinks. Sources of gas include UV photo-stimulated desorption, sputtering by plasma and micrometeorites, as well as thermal release of species such as argon from the cold service or venting from the lunar interior. Sinks include recondensation on the surface and escape through a variety of mechanisms. The LADEE science payload consists of an Ultraviolet Spectrometer, a Neutral Mass Spectrometer, and a Dust Detector. The LADEE orbit will include multiple passes at or below 50 km altitude and will target repeated sampling at the sunrise terminator where exospheric density will be highest for some thermally released species. The science mission will be implemented in approximately three months to allow measurements to be made over a period of one or more lunations In addition to the science mission NASA will use this mission to demonstrate optical communication technology away from low Earth orbit.

Mahaffy, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Cryogenic Characterization and Testing of Magnetically-Actuated Microshutter Arrays for the James Webb Space Telescope

Two-dimensional MEMS microshutter arrays (MSA) have been fabricated at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to enable cryogenic (approximately 35 K) spectrographic astronomy measurements in the near-infrared region. Functioning as a focal plane object selection device, the MSA is a 2-D programmable aperture mask with fine resolution, high efficiency and high contrast. The MSA are close- packed silicon nitride shutters (cell size of 100 x 200 microns) patterned with a torsion flexure to allow opening to 90 degrees. A layer of magnetic material is deposited onto each shutter to permit magnetic actuation. Two electrodes are deposited, one onto each shutter and another onto the support structure side-wall, permitting electrostatic latching and 2-D addressing. New techniques were developed to test MSA under mission-similar conditions (8 K less than or equal to T less than 300K). The magnetic rotisserie has proven to be an excellent tool for rapid characterization of MSA. Tests conducted with the magnetic rotisserie method include accelerated cryogenic lifetesting of unpackaged 128 x 64 MSA and parallel measurement of the magneto-mechanical stiffness of shutters in pathfinder test samples containing multiple MSA designs. Lifetest results indicate a logarithmic failure rate out to approximately 10(exp 6) shutter actuations. These results have increased our understanding of failure mechanisms and provide a means to predict the overall reliability of MSA devices.

King, T. T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Rare-Earth Garnets and Perovskites for Space-Based ADR Cooling at High T and Low H

Future NASA satellite detector systems must be cooled to the 0.1 K temperature range to meet the stringent energy resolution and sensitivity requirements demanded by mid-term astronomy missions. The development of adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR) materials that can efficiently cool from the passive radiative cooling limit of approx. 30 K down to sub-Kelvin under low magnetic fields (H less than or equal to 3 T) would represent a significant improvement in space-based cooling technology. Governed by these engineering goals, our efforts have focused on quantifying the change in magnetic entropy of rare-earth garnets and perovskites. Various compositions within the gadolinium gallium iron garnet solid solution series (GGIG, Gd3Ga(5-x)Fe(x)O12, 0.00 less than or equal to X less than or equal to 5.00) and gadolinium aluminum perovskite (GAP, GdAlO3) have been synthesized via an organometallic complex approach and confirmed with powder x-ray diffraction. The magnetization of the GGIG and GAP materials has been measured as a function of composition (0.00 less than or equal to X less than or equal to 5.00), temperature (2 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 30 K) and applied magnetic field (0 T less than or equal to H less than or equal to 3 T). The magnetic entropy change (DeltaS(sub mag)) between 0 T and 3 T was determined from the magnetization data. In the GGIG system, DeltaS(sub mag) was compositionally dependent; Fe(sup 3+) additions up to X less than or equal to 2.44 increased DeltaS(sub mag) at T > 5 K. For GAP, DeltaS(sub mag) was similar to that of GGIG, X = 0.00, both in terms of magnitude and temperature dependence at T > 10 K. However, the DeltaS(sub mag) of GAP at T < 10 K was less than the endmember GGIG composition, X = 0.00, and exhibited maximum approx. 5 K.

King, T. T.↗