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Schweikhard, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Schweikhard, L..

Electromagnetic moments of 215,217 Bi: Probing shell evolution beyond N = 126

The nuclear properties of bismuth isotopes (Z = 83) , with just one valence proton above the closed spherical shell at (Z = 82) , are expected to be governed by a single unpaired proton. However, already in semimagic 209 Bi (Z = 83, N = 126) , , the magnetic moment (μ) strongly deviates from the single-particle Schmidt value. A near linear decrease in μ with the increase of N after the N = 126 magic number was observed up to N = 130 . In order to test whether this trend is kept at N > 130 and to reveal the underlying mechanisms, an investigation of 215,217 Bi (N = 132, 134) has been undertaken. The magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments of the I π = 9/2 - nuclear ground states in these isotopes have been measured for the first time using the in-source resonance-ionization spectroscopy technique at ISOLDE (CERN). It has been shown that the linearly decreasing trend of μ( 209,211,213 Bi g ) is broken in 215,217 Bi with a nearly constant value of μ observed. Experimental data have been compared to calculations in the framework of the configuration-interaction shell model with the monopole-based universal V MU +LS interaction. The peculiarities in the behavior of μ(Bi, 9/2 - ) with increasing neutron number are explained as being due to the shell evolution, change of the neutron orbitals occupancies and strong configuration mixing beyond N = 130 . Also, the difference in the μ trends for bismuth (Z = 83) and astatine (Z = 85) isotopes with N > 126 are reproduced by the shell-model calculations. It is shown that monopole interaction plays noticeable role in the description of the peculiarities of the μ behaviour. Additionally, the extension of the application of the V MU interaction to the μ isotopic trends for heavy nuclei is important for further study of the capabilities of this promising version of the shell-model calculations.

Dipole magnetic moments↗

Non-neutral plasma manipulation techniques in development of a high-capacity positron trap

Preliminary experiments have been performed toward the development of a multi-cell Penning–Malmberg trap for the storage of large numbers of positrons (≥10 10 e + ). We introduce the master-cell test trap and the diagnostic tools for first experiments with electrons. The usage of a phosphor screen to measure the z-integrated plasma distribution and the number of confined particles is demonstrated, as well as the trap alignment to the magnetic field ( B = 3.1 T) using the m = 1 diocotron mode. The plasma parameters and expansion are described along with the autoresonant excitation of the diocotron mode using rotating dipole fields and frequency chirped sinusoidal drive signals. We analyze the reproducibility of the excitation and use these findings to settle on the path for the next generation multi-cell test device.

Singer, M.↗

Mass measurements of 99–101 In challenge ab initio nuclear theory of the nuclide 100 Sn

The tin isotope 100 Sn is of singular interest for nuclear structure due to its closed-shell proton and neutron configurations. It is also the heaviest nucleus comprising protons and neutrons in equal numbers—a feature that enhances the contribution of the short-range proton–neutron pairing interaction and strongly influences its decay via the weak interaction. Decay studies in the region of 100 Sn have attempted to prove its doubly magic character but few have studied it from an ab initio theoretical perspective, and none of these has addressed the odd-proton neighbours, which are inherently more difficult to describe but crucial for a complete test of nuclear forces. Here we present direct mass measurements of the exotic odd-proton nuclide 100 In, the beta-decay daughter of 100 Sn, and of 99 In, with one proton less than 100 Sn. We use advanced mass spectrometry techniques to measure 99 In, which is produced at a rate of only a few ions per second, and to resolve the ground and isomeric states in 101 In. The experimental results are compared with ab initio many-body calculations. The 100-fold improvement in precision of the 100 In mass value highlights a discrepancy in the atomic-mass values of 100 Sn deduced from recent beta-decay results.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Progress toward positron-electron pair plasma experiments

Electron-positron plasmas have been of theoretical interest for decades, due to the unique plasma physics that arises from all charged particles having precisely identical mass. It is only recently, though, that developments in non-neutral plasma physics (both in linear and toroidal geometries) and in the flux of sources for cold positrons have brought the goal of conducting electron-positron pair plasma experiments within reach. The APEX/PAX collaboration is working on a number of projects in parallel toward that goal; this paper provides an overview of recent, current, and upcoming activities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Delayed bunching for multi-reflection time-of-flight mass separation

Many experiments are handicapped when the ion sources do not only deliver the ions of interest but also contaminations, i.e., unwanted ions of similar mass. In the recent years, multi-reflection time-of-flight mass separation has become a promising method to isolate the ions of interest from the contaminants, in particular for measurements with low-energy short-lived nuclides. To further improve the performance of multi-reflection mass separators with respect to the limitations by space-charge effects, the simultaneously trapped ions are spatially widely distributed in the apparatus. Thus, the ions can propagate with reduced Coulomb interactions until, finally, they are bunched by a change in the trapping conditions for high-resolution mass separation. Proof-of-principle measurements are presented.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗