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Little, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Little, D..

10 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of the \(\gamma \)-ray Properties of the \(2^+\) States in \(^{14}\)C

The properties of the 2$^+_1$ and 2$^+_2$ excited states in 14 C were studied in an experiment conducted at Argonne National Laboratory. A 9 Be( 6 Li,pγ) fusion-evaporation reaction and the GRETINA-ORRUBA setup were employed to populate states of 14 C and detect γ-particle coincidence events. Finally, the precise determination of the 2$^+_1$ level energy, complemented by the estimation of the γ-ray branch of the 2$^+_2$ near-threshold state, will serve as a benchmark to test the Shell Model Embedded in the Continuum calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
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 OSTI2022

Multistep Coulomb excitation of Ni 64 : Shape coexistence and nature of low-spin excitations

Here, the structure of 64 Ni, the heaviest stable Ni isotope, has been investigated via high-statistics, multistep safe Coulomb excitation to search for shape coexistence, a phenomenon recently observed in neutron-rich 66 Ni and 70 Ni as well as in doubly magic, N = 40, 68 Ni. The study was motivated by recent, state-of-the-art Monte Carlo shell-model calculations (MCSM), where a Hamiltonian with effective interactions incorporating the monopole tensor force predicts the existence of shape coexistence, also in the lower-mass 62,64 Ni isotopes. A set of transition and static E2 matrix elements for both yrast and near-yrast structures was extracted from the differential Coulomb excitation cross sections. From comparisons between the new results and MCSM as well as other shell-model calculations, a clearer picture of the structure of 64 Ni emerges. Specifically, the low-spin states are shown to be dominated by proton and neutron excitations mainly within the fp shell, with minimal contribution from the g 9/2 shape-driving neutron orbital. The agreement between experimental data and MCSM results indicates a small oblate deformation for the $0$$^{+}_{2}$ level and a spherical shape for the $0$$^{+}_{3}$ state. In addition, the small upper limit determined for the B(E2) probability of a transition associated with the decay of the recently observed 3463-keV, $0$$^{+}_{4}$ state agrees with its proposed assignment to a prolate shape, herewith providing first evidence for triple shape coexistence in a stable Ni isotope.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗
DOE OSTI2022

νi 13/2 structures in 155 Sm and 159 Gd: Supporting evidence of a Z = 60 deformed subshell gap

Maximal ground-state deformation should occur when both proton and neutron Fermi surfaces are located at midshell. However, subshell gaps that stabilize large deformation can exist at proton or neutron values other than midshell. One such gap may occur at Z = 60 in the rare-earth region, as the energy of the first 2 + states in even-even nuclei are often lowest in an isotonic chain for neodymium (Z = 60) rather than the midshell isotopes of dysprosium (Z = 66). Further evidence of this deformed gap has now been observed by investigating the signature splitting systematics of the νi 13/2 bands found in the odd-N, rare-earth nuclei. Furthermore, these were aided by the present observation of the νi 13/2 band in 159 Gd and the confirmation of the same structure in 155 Sm via the transfer of a neutron from a 160 Gd beam to a 154 Sm target.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of 68 Fe from charge exchange on 68 Co projectiles

Excited states in the neutron-rich nucleus 68 Fe were populated using a 9 Be( 68 Co, 68 Fe + γ)X charge-exchange reaction at 95 MeV/u. The new γ-ray transitions reported here for the first time complement data from β-decay studies and nucleon knockout reactions. In comparison to shell-model calculations with the LNPS effective interaction, two candidate states for the $6$$^{+}_{1}$ level emerge. Here, the distinct population pattern of excited states and the magnitude of the cross section, σ inc = 0.51(6) mb, make this reaction a promising one for future in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy. Reaction calculations with nuclear structure input from a new, locally optimized Hamiltonian, f7j4a, together with general considerations for heavy-ion-induced charge-exchange reactions appear consistent with most of the observations, although challenges remain.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗
DOE OSTI2021

Possible quenching of static neutron pairing near the N=98 deformed shell gap: Rotational structures in 160,161 Gd

A 160 Gd beam was accelerated to an energy of 1000 MeV and, separately, bombarded thick targets of 154 Sm and 164 Dy in order to observe neutron-rich, rare-earth nuclei via deep-inelastic collision processes. Gammasphere was utilized to observe g-ray emissions. Here, many new states and transitions were observed in 160 Gd as a result of so-called "unsafe" Coulomb excitation. The ground-state band in 160 Gd has been extended to I π = 20 + and a rotational band based on the K π = 4 + state, previously associated with a hexadecapole vibration, was observed up to 18 + . The quasiparticle configuration of the K π = 4 + band has been determined, and its unusual alignment behavior may result from a possible quenching of static neutron pairing. In addition, the band based on the [523]5/2 quasineutron orbital in 161 Gd was extended from 11/2 – to 33/2 – , and also displays the same unusual alignment behavior.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of 62,64 Cr

The region of neutron-rich Cr isotopes has garnered much attention in recent years due to a rapid onset of collectivity near neutron number N = 40. We report here on the first γ-ray spectroscopy beyond the ($4$ $^{+}_{1}$) state in 62,64 Cr, using nucleon removal reactions from several projectiles within a rare-isotope beam cocktail. A candidate for the 6 + state in 64 Cr is presented as well as one for, possibly, the second excited 0 + state in 62 Cr. The results are discussed in comparison to the LNPS shell-model predictions that allow for neutron excitations across the N = 40 harmonic oscillator gap into the g 9/2 and d 5/2 orbitals. Here, the calculated level schemes for 62,64 Cr reveal intriguing collective structures. From the predicted neutron particle-hole character of the low-lying states in these Cr isotopes, 62 Cr emerges as a transitional system on the path to the center of the N = 40 island of inversion.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗
DOE OSTI2020

Firm spin and parity assignments for high-lying, low-spin levels in stable Si isotopes

A natural silicon target was investigated in a nat Si(γ,γ') photon-scattering experiment with fully linearly-polarised, quasi-monochromatic γ rays in the entrance channel. The mean photon energies used were < E γ >= 9.33, 9.77, 10.17, 10.55, 10.93, and 11.37 MeV, and the relative energy spread (full width at half maximum) of the incident beam was ΔE γ /< E γ >≈ 3.5–4 %. The observed angular distributions for the ground-state decay allow firm spin and parity assignments for several levels of the stable even-even silicon isotopes.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗