Engineering topics
Surman, R.
Publications and source records attributed to Surman, R..
Reexamining Gamow-Teller decays near Ni 78
Decays of neutron-rich nuclei 82,83 Zn and 82,83 Ga produced in proton-induced fission of 238 U were studied at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility using on-line mass separation and β–γ spectroscopy techniques. New γ-ray transitions were identified and level schemes, which include states at high excitation energies in the range between 3–7 MeV were constructed. These high-energy levels were identified to be populated through allowed Gamow-Teller β transitions, and their structure was interpreted with new shell-model calculations. Furthermore, a β-delayed neutron branching ratio of 69±7% was deduced for 82 Zn and revised β-decay half-life values of 82 Zn [155(17)(20) ms] and 83 Zn [122(28) ms] were determined.
Symmetric and standard matter neutrino resonances above merging compact objects
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The impact of individual nuclear properties on r -process nucleosynthesis
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Impact of individual nuclear masses on r -process abundances
We have performed for the first time a comprehensive study of the sensitivity of r-process nucleosynthesis to individual nuclear masses across the chart of nuclides. Using the latest version (2012) of the Finite-Range Droplet Model, we consider mass variations of ±0.5 MeV and propagate each mass change to all affected quantities, including Q values, reaction rates, and branching ratios. We find such mass variations can result in up to an order of magnitude local change in the final abundance pattern produced in an r-process simulation. As a result, we identify key nuclei whose masses have a substantial impact on abundance predictions for hot, cold, and neutron star merger r-process scenarios and could be measured at future radioactive beam facilities.
Neutrino oscillation above a black hole accretion disk
We examine neutrino oscillations in the context of an accretion disk surrounding a black hole. Because accretion disks produce large quantities of neutrinos, they may be home to interesting neutrino oscillation as well. We model accretion disks associated with stellar collapse for the sake of understanding neutrino oscillations. We find that the neutrino oscillations include phenomena seen in the protoneutron star setting as well as phenomena not seen elsewhere.
Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates
The pattern of isotopic abundances produced in rapid neutron capture, or r-process, nucleosynthesis is sensitive to the nuclear physics properties of thousands of unstable neutron-rich nuclear species that participate in the process. It has long been recognized that the some of the most influential pieces of nuclear data for r-process simulations are β-decay lifetimes. In light of experimental advances that have pushed measurement capabilities closer to the classic r-process path, we revisit the role of individual β-decay rates in the r process. We perform β-decay rate sensitivity studies for a main (A > 120) r process in a range of potential astrophysical scenarios. We study the influence of individual rates during (n, γ)-(γ, n) equilibrium and during the post-equilibrium phase where material moves back toward stability. We confirm the widely accepted view that the most important lifetimes are those of nuclei along the r-process path for each astrophysical scenario considered. However, we find in addition that individual β-decay rates continue to shape the final abundance pattern through the post-equilibrium phase, for as long as neutron capture competes with β decay. Many of the lifetimes important for this phase of the r process are within current or near future experimental reach.
Sensitivity studies for the main r process: nuclear masses
The site of the rapid neutron capture process (r process) is one of the open challenges in all of physics today. The r process is thought to be responsible for the creation of more than half of all elements beyond iron. The scientific challenges to understanding the origin of the heavy elements beyond iron lie in both the uncertainties associated with astrophysical conditions that are needed to allow an r process to occur and a vast lack of knowledge about the properties of nuclei far from stability. One way is to disentangle the nuclear and astrophysical components of the question. On the nuclear physics side, there is great global competition to access and measure the most exotic nuclei that existing facilities can reach, while simultaneously building new, more powerful accelerators to make even more exotic nuclei. On the astrophysics side, various astrophysical scenarios for the production of the heaviest elements have been proposed but open questions remain. This paper reports on a sensitivity study of the r process to determine the most crucial nuclear masses to measure using an r-process simulation code, several mass models (FRDM, Duflo-Zuker, and HFB-21), and three potential astrophysical scenarios.
Neutrino oscillations above black hole accretion disks: Disks with electron-flavor emission
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New Half-lives of r -process Zn and Ga Isotopes Measured with Electromagnetic Separation
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