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At least 253 records · Page 14

Angle-resolved nonresonant two-photon single ionization of argon using 9.3-eV photons produced via high-order harmonic generation

Here we present an experimental study on the photoionization dynamics of nonresonant one-color two-photon single valence ionization of neutral argon atoms. Using 9.3-eV photons produced via high harmonic generation and a three-dimensional momentum imaging spectrometer, we detect the photoelectrons and ions produced from nonresonant two-photon ionization in coincidence. Photoionization from the $3p$ orbital produces a photoelectron scattering wave function with $p$- and $f$-partial-wave components, which interfere and result in a photoelectron angular distribution with peak amplitude perpendicular to the vacuum ultraviolet polarization. The comparison between the present results and the two previous sets of theoretical calculations [Phys. Rev. A 44, 324 (1991), and J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Phys. 16, 2737 (1983)] indicates that electron-electron correlation contributes appreciably to the two-photon ionization dynamics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Validity of the static-exchange approximation for inner-shell photoionization of polyatomic molecules

The simple single-channel static-exchange approximation completely ignores correlation between the continuum and molecular ion electrons. In molecular systems with symmetry equivalent atoms, the single-channel approximation can seriously fail in core ionization when using delocalized orbitals to represent the core hole states. We present cross sections and molecular frame photoelectron angular distributions with both localized and delocalized core orbitals in CF 4 F (1 s ) ionization. We show that only a full coupled-channel calculation can recover an accurate description of the physics of inner-shell photoionization when using delocalized orbitals, whereas nearly the same result can be obtained from independent single-channel static-exchange calculations when localized core orbitals are used. A grid-based variational method described here makes such single-channel calculations possible on larger systems without local-exchange approximations. Illustrative calculations on the core ionization of SF 6 are presented to illustrate the power of the grid-based method.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Imaging ring-current wave packets in the helium atom

We study the reconstruction of a wave packet and the corresponding electron dynamics in an atom via photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) in a pump-probe scheme as a function of time delay. The method is applied to the superposition of ground and one or two excited states in helium atom representing field-free charge migrations on the attosecond timescale in form of ring currents around the core. It is based on the interference between one- and two-photon transitions from ground and excited states into the continuum. In the reconstruction predictions of first- and second-order perturbation theory are used to determine the unknown phases and amplitudes from the PADs, which we simulate via solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in single-active-electron approximation. Results of calculations show that the reconstruction technique works well for peak laser intensities less than 10 13 W/cm 2 . Knowledge of the electric field of the probe pulse is required with shot-to-shot variations of carrier-to-envelope phase and peak intensity of up to 10% and 20%, respectively. The relevance of different one- and two-photon pathways for the reconstruction as a function of peak intensity and pulse duration is analyzed—specifically their role for ultrashort probe pulses with broad bandwidths.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Importance of one- and two-photon transitions in the strong-field dissociation of NO 2+

Employing a coincidence three-dimensional momentum imaging technique, we investigate the ultrafast, intense laser-induced dissociation of a metastable NO 2+ ion beam into N + + O + . Based on the kinetic energy release and angular distributions, measured using both 774-nm and second-order-harmonic 387-nm pulses, we show that the main processes driving dissociation in pulses of about 10 14 W/cm 2 peak intensity are one- and two-photon transitions from the X 2 Σ + ground state to the A 2 Π first-excited state. First-order perturbation theory calculations also corroborate these findings.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Attosecond time delay in atomic photoionization: Angular-dependent transition from dipole to quadrupole and spin-flip dynamics

The angular distribution of attosecond Wigner time delay has been investigated including both quadrupole and relativistic effects using the relativistic-random-phase approximation that is based on the Dirac equation and includes significant aspects of many-body correlations. Here the results show a dramatic evolution of the time delay from (essentially nonrelativistic) dipole to quadrupole and spin-flip dynamics as a function of angle, thereby providing a venue for studying these interactions at the attosecond level.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Theory of resonant x-ray scattering with ultrafast intense pulses

Here, we present a time-dependent Schrödinger equation approach within a nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics framework to investigate resonant x-ray scattering driven by intense x-ray pulses. This method enables us to explore how coherent x-ray electron dynamics influence scattering signals from Ne + . We account for both resonance fluorescence and elastic scattering channels, while also considering competing photoionization and inner-shell decay processes. By computing the angular distribution and energy spectrum of scattered photons, we uncover interference effects between elastic scattering and resonance fluorescence pathways. Notably, this interference results in a small asymmetry in the energy spectrum. We discuss the experimental potential for detecting signatures of interference. Our findings demonstrate that the x-ray Rabi dynamics can be used to control scattering responses and provide insights into interference mechanisms and scattering efficiency in high-intensity x-ray regimes.

Venkatesh, Akilesh [Argonne National Laboratory (A↗

Diffusion coefficients predicting facet-dependent crystallization in amorphous silicon nitride

Amorphous silicon nitride is a common material in microelectronics devices, which acts as an insulating barrier. Extended annealing times at elevated temperature can initiate crystallization of α-Si 3 ⁢ N 4 , which does not possess the same barrier properties. Molecular dynamics can resolve the fundamental mechanism for α-Si 3 ⁢N 4 crystallization and the influence of local environments. Here, we compare two interatomic potentials and conclude that these models predict structural features (e.g., angular distributions and densities) which span the range of experimental measurements. We confirmed these models reproduce experimental estimates of activation energy and leveraged these models to identify crystallization drivers. We conclude that near-T g , facet-dependent silicon nitride crystal growth rates can be predicted directly by either bulk or interfacial diffusion properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Compton scattering from He 4 at the TUNL HI γ S facility

Differential cross sections for elastic Compton scattering from 4 He have been measured with high statistical precision at the High Intensity γ-ray Source at laboratory scattering angles of 55°, 90°, and 125° using a quasi-monoenergetic photon beam with a weighted mean energy value of 81.3 MeV. The results are compared to previous measurements and similar fore-aft asymmetry in the angular distribution of the differential cross sections is observed. Lastly, this experimental work is expected to strongly motivate the development of effective-field-theory calculations of Compton scattering from 4 He to fully interpret the data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Dispersive optical model analysis of 208 Pb generating a neutron-skin prediction beyond the mean field

In this work, a nonlocal dispersive optical model analysis is carried out for neutrons and protons in 208 Pb. Elastic-scattering angular distributions, total and reaction cross sections, single-particle energies, neutron and proton numbers, the charge distribution, and the binding energy are fitted to extract the neutron and proton self-energies both above and below the Fermi energy. From the single-particle propagator derived from these self-energies, we determine the charge and matter distributions in 208 Pb. The predicted spectroscopic factors are consistent with results from the ($\textit{e,e}'\textit{p}$) reaction and inelastic-electron-scattering data to very high-spin states. Sensible results for the high-momentum content of neutrons and protons are obtained, with protons appearing more correlated, in agreement with experiment and ab initio calculations of asymmetric matter. A neutron skin of 0.25 ± 0.05 fm is deduced. An analysis of several nuclei leads to the conclusion that finite-size effects play a nonnegligible role in the formation of the neutron skin in finite nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Effects of cluster correlations on fragment emission in 12 C+ 12 C at 50 MeV/nucleon

The effects of cluster correlations have been studied in the 12 C + 12 C reaction at 50 MeV/nucleon, using three AMD models, the AMD (AMD/D) without any additional cluster correlations, AMD/D-COALS with nucleon correlations based on a coalescence prescription for light cluster formations with A ≤ 4 and AMD-Cluster with an extended cluster correlation in two-nucleon collision processes and a special treatment for intermediate fragment formation with A ≤ 9. The angular distributions and energy spectra of fragments have been simulated and compared with the available experimental data. It is found that the cluster correlations take a crucial role to describe the productions of light charged particles (LCPs) and intermediate mass fragments (IMFs), and the AMD-cluster studied here provides a consistent overall reproduction of the experimental data. It is also shown that the significant effects of the secondary decay processes are involved for the fragment production besides the dynamical productions in the AMD stage. Detailed LCP and IMF production mechanisms involved in the intermediate energy heavy ion collisions are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Photoproduction of η mesons off the proton for 1.2 < E γ < 4.7GeV using CLAS at Jefferson Laboratory

Photoproduction cross sections are reported for the reaction $\gamma p\to p\eta$ using energy-tagged photons and the CLAS spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The $\eta$ mesons are detected in their dominant charged decay mode, $\eta\to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$, and results on differential cross sections are presented for incident photon energies between 1.2 and 4.7 GeV. These new $\eta$ photoproduction data are consistent with earlier CLAS results but extend the energy range beyond the nucleon resonance region into the Regge regime. The normalized angular distributions are also compared with the experimental results from several other experiments, and with predictions of $\eta$ MAID\,2018 and the latest solution of the Bonn-Gatchina coupled-channel analysis. Differential cross sections $d\sigma/dt$ are presented for incident photon energies $E_\gamma > 2.9$ GeV ($W > 2.5$ GeV), and compared with predictions which are based on Regge trajectories exchange in the $t$-channel (Regge models). Overall, the data confirm the expected dominance of $\rho$, $\omega$ vector-meson exchange in an analysis by the Joint Physics Analysis Center.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Level structure of the T z = –1 nucleus 34 Ar and its relevance for nucleosynthesis in ONe novae

The 24 Mg+ 12 C fusion reaction was used to perform a detailed γ-ray spectroscopy study of the astrophysically important nucleus 34 Ar. In particular, an experimental setup, coupling the advanced γ-ray tracking array GRETINA with the well-established Argonne fragment mass analyzer (FMA), was employed to obtain excitation energies and spin-parity assignments for excited states in 34 Ar, both above and below the proton separation energy. For the first time, an angular distribution analysis of in-beam γ rays from fusion-evaporation reactions, using a tracking array, has been performed and Coulomb energy differences of analog states in the T = 1, A = 34 mirror system, explored from 0 to 6 MeV. Lastly, we present a comprehensive discussion of the astrophysical 33 Cl(p,γ) stellar reaction rate, together with implications for the identification of nova presolar grains from sulfur isotopic abundances.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗

Using spin alignment of inelastically excited nuclei in fast beams to assign spins: The spectroscopy of 13 O as a test case

Excited states in O 13 were investigated using inelastic scattering of an E / A = 69.5 MeV O 13 beam off of a Be 9 target. The excited states were identified in the invariant-mass spectra of the decay products. Both single-proton and sequential two-proton decays of the excited states were examined. Furthermore, for a number of the excited states, the protons were emitted with strong anisotropy where emissions transverse to the beam axis are favored. The measured proton-decay angular distributions were compared to predictions from distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations of the spin alignment which was shown to be largely independent of the excitation mechanism. The deduced O 13 level scheme is compared to ab initio no-core shell model with continuum predictions. The lowest-energy excited states decay isotropically consistent with predictions of strong proton 1 s 1 / 2 structure. Above these states in the level scheme, we observed a number of higher-spin states not predicted within the model. Possibly these are associated with rotational bands built on deformed cluster configurations predicted by antisymmetrized molecular dynamics calculations. The spin alignment mechanism is shown to be useful for making spin assignments and may have widespread use.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Spectroscopy of states in 136 Ba using the 138 Ba(p,t) reaction

Background: The 136 Ba isotope is the daughter nucleus in 136 Xe $ββ$ decay. It also lies in a shape transitional region of the nuclear chart, making it a suitable candidate to test a variety of nuclear models. Purpose: To obtain spectroscopic information on states in 136 Ba, which will allow a better understanding of its low-lying structure. These data may prove useful to constrain future 136 Xe → 136 Ba neutrinoless $ββ$ decay matrix element calculations. Methods: Here, a 138 Ba(p, t) reaction was used to populate states in 136 Ba up to approximately 4.6 MeV in excitation energy. The tritons were detected using a high-resolution Q3D magnetic spectrograph. A distorted wave Born approximation analysis was performed for the measured triton angular distributions. Results: 102 excited states in 136 Ba were observed, out of which 52 are reported for the first time. Definite spin-parity assignments are made for 26 newly observed states, while previously ambiguous assignments for ten other states are resolved. Together with other available data, the results are used to determine level densities in 136 Ba. These were compared with theory predictions, obtained using shell model calculations with Hamiltonians previously used for 136 Xe neutrinoless $ββ$ decay matrix element evaluations. Conclusions: The shell model predicted level densities agree reasonably well for the two Hamiltonians. However the results for theory and experiment are found to agree only at lower energies, diverging from one another for the higher lying states, with the discrepancy increasing with energy. This is presumably because of lower production cross sections for a majority of the higher-lying predicted states and the experimental limitations in resolving a large number of nearly degenerate states predicted by the theory.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Inclusive breakup cross sections in reactions induced by the nuclides 6 He and 6,7 Li in the two-body cluster model

Calculations of inclusive α particle production are performed to interpret reaction experimental data induced by the two-neutron halo 6He and the isotopes 6,7 Li on different target nuclei. In this work, we have implemented the zero-range post-form DWBA to compute the elastic and nonelastic breakup cross sections. Integrated cross sections, angular distributions and spectra are presented. Projectiles are approximated as two-body clusters, namely 6 He as α+dineutron and 6 Li ( 7 Li) are interpreted as α+deuteron(triton). The São Paulo optical potential is employed in the calculation of the distorted wave functions for the incident channels, while standard phenomenological interactions are taken for the fragment-target interactions. Calculations for 6 Li and 7 Li furnish a good description of the data, while the reaction involving 6 He is found to be more complicated, where interpretation of the data must still be considered incomplete. The present analysis identifies an overall large contribution from inclusive breakup emission for all the cases studied.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Considering nonlocality in the optical potentials within eikonal models

Background: For its simplicity, the eikonal method is the tool of choice to analyze nuclear reactions at high energies (E > 100 MeV/nucleon), including knockout reactions. However, so far, the effective interactions used in this method are assumed to be fully local. Purpose: Given the recent studies on nonlocal optical potentials, in this work we assess whether nonlocality in the optical potentials is expected to impact reactions at high energies and then explore different avenues for extending the eikonal method to include nonlocal interactions. Method: We compare angular distributions obtained for nonlocal interactions (using the exact R-matrix approach for elastic scattering and the adiabatic distorted wave approximation for transfer) with those obtained using their local-equivalent interactions. Results: Our results show that transfer observables are significantly impacted by nonlocality in the high-energy regime. Because knockout reactions are dominated by stripping (transfer to inelastic channels), nonlocality is expected to have a large effect on knockout observables too. Three approaches are explored for extending the eikonal method to nonlocal interactions, including an iterative method and a perturbation theory. Conclusions: None of the derived extensions of the eikonal model provide a good description of elastic scattering. Here, this paper suggests that nonlocality removes the formal simplicity associated with the eikonal model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Experimental study of the Si 30 ( He 3 , d ) P 31 reaction and thermonuclear reaction rate of Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31

Background: Abundance anomalies in some globular clusters, such as the enhancement of potassium and the depletion of magnesium, can be explained in terms of an earlier generation of stars polluting the presently observed ones. It was shown that the potential range of temperatures and densities of the polluting sites depends on the strength of a few critical reaction rates. The 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction has been identified as one of these important reactions. Purpose: The key ingredient for evaluating the thermonuclear 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is the strength of the resonances which, at low energy, are proportional to their proton width. Therefore, the goal of this work is to determine the proton widths of unbound 31 P states. Method: States in 31 P were studied at the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratorium using the one-proton 30 Si( 3 He,d) 31 P transfer reaction. Deuterons were detected with the high resolution one quadrupole three dipoles (Q3D) magnetic spectrometer. Angular distribution and spectroscopic factors were extracted for 27 states, and proton widths and resonance strengths were calculated for the unbound states. Results: Several 31 P unbound states have been observed for the first time in a one-proton transfer reaction. Above 20 MK, the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is now entirely estimated from the observed properties of 31 P states. The reaction rate uncertainty from all resonances other than the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance has been reduced down to less than a factor of 2 above that temperature. The unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance dominates the uncertainty in the rate in the relevant temperature range. Conclusion: Here, the remaining source of uncertainty on the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate comes from the unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance which can change the reaction rate by a factor of 10 in the temperature range of interest.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Single-particle and dipole excitations in Co 62

An extensive study of the level structure of 62 Co has been performed following a complex multinucleon transfer reaction, 26 Mg( 48 Ca, 2α3npγ) 62 Co, at beam energies of 275, 290, and 320 MeV. The combination of the Gammasphere array, the fragment mass analyzer, and a focal-plane ionization chamber was used to identify and delineate excited levels in 62 Co. A considerable extension to the 62 Co level scheme is proposed with firm spin-parity values assigned on the basis of angular distribution and correlation analyses. Here, various level sequences built upon states of single-particle character have been observed, and an interpretation of these structures in the framework of the spherical shell model is presented. At moderate spins, two dipole bands have been observed and, based on their phenomenological study, a possible magnetic rotation character is suggested. However, theoretical calculations performed using the particle rotor model support magnetic rotation for only one of these dipole bands.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗