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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Fine-grid calculations for stellar electron and positron capture rates on Fe isotopes

The acquisition of precise and reliable nuclear data is a prerequisite to success for stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis studies. Core-collapse simulators find it challenging to generate an explosion from the collapse of the core of massive stars. It is believed that a better understanding of the microphysics of core-collapse can lead to successful results. The weak interaction processes are able to trigger the collapse and control the lepton-to-baryon ratio (Y{sub e}) of the corematerial. It is suggested that the temporal variation of Y{sub e} within the core of a massive star has a pivotal role to play in the stellar evolution and a fine-tuning of this parameter at various stages of presupernova evolution is the key to generate an explosion. During the presupernova evolution of massive stars, isotopes of iron, mainly {sup 54-56}Fe, are considered to be key players in controlling Y{sub e} ratio via electron capture on these nuclides. Recently an improved microscopic calculation of weak-interaction-mediated rates for iron isotopes was introduced using the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase-approximation (pn-QRPA) theory. The pn-QRPA theory allows a microscopic state-by-state calculation of stellar capture rates which greatly increases the reliability of calculated rates. The results were suggestive of some fine-tuning of the Y{sub e} ratio during various phases of stellar evolution. Here we present for the first time the fine-grid calculation of the electron and positron capture rates on {sup 54-56}Fe. The sensitivity of the pn-QRPA calculated capture rates to the deformation parameter is also studied in this work. Core-collapse simulators may find this calculation suitable for interpolation purposes and for necessary incorporation in the stellar evolution codes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

The study of Gamow-Teller transition strength for some Fe and Ni isotopes

The method developed by Pyatov and Salamov has been used to study the Gamow-Teller transition strength in the iron mass region nuclei. Calculations have been performed within the framework of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation with separable Gamow-Teller residual interactions. The obtained results have been compared with other theoretical results and the corresponding experimental data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

First β -delayed neutron spectroscopy of 24 O

The β decay of 24 O was investigated at NSCL/MSU using a combination of neutron and γ-ray spectroscopy. For the first time, the β-delayed neutron energy spectrum of 24 O was measured, revealing three intensely populated, isolated neutron-unbound states in 24 F. This allowed for the extraction of the decay strength in 24 F up to 6.2 MeV. A comprehensive comparison of the experimental results with various nuclear theories, ranging from the empirical shell model to the most advanced ab initio calculations, was conducted. While most theoretical predictions align with the experimental data for low-lying states, discrepancies arise at higher excitation energies. Finally, in the transition from 24 O to 24 F, shell model calculations using the empirical USDB interaction predicted the structure of both nuclei without invoking the need for a stronger proton-neutron tensor force, which was postulated for the neighboring isotone 25 F.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Investigating neutron-proton pairing in s d -shell nuclei via ( p , He 3 ) and ( He 3 , p ) transfer reactions

Neutron-proton pairing correlations are investigated in detail via np transfer reactions in N=Zsd-shell nuclei. In particular, we study the cross-section ratio of the lowest 0+ and 1+ states as an observable to quantify the interplay between T=0 (isoscalar) and T=1 (isovector) pairing strengths. The experimental results are compared to second-order distorted-wave Born approximation calculations with proton-neutron amplitudes obtained in the shell-model formalism using the universal sd-shell interaction B. Our results suggest underestimation of the nonneglible isoscalar pairing strength in the shell-model descriptions at the expense of the isovector channel.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Proton-neutron pairing and alpha-type condensation in nuclei

We summarize a recent work (N. Sandulescu et al, arXiv:1507.04144) on isoscalar and isovector proton-neutron pairing treated in a formalism which conserves exactly the particle number and the isospin. The formalism is designed for self-conjugate (N=Z) systems of nucleons moving in an axially deformed mean field and interacting through the most general isovector and isoscalar pairing interactions. The ground state of these systems is described by a superposition of two types of condensates, i.e., condensates of isovector quartets, built by two isovector pairs coupled to the total isospin T=0, and condensates of isoscalar proton-neutron pairs. The comparison with the exact solutions of realistic isovector-isoscalar pairing Hamiltonians shows that this formalism is able to describe accurately the pairing correlations energies. It is also shown that, contrary to the majority of HFB calculations, in the present formalism the isovector and isoscalar pairing correlations coexist together for any pairing interactions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Charge-changing particle-hole excitation of {sup 16}N and {sup 16}F nuclei

The nuclear structure of {sup 16}N (closed shell + ν − π) and {sup 16}F (closed shell + π − ν) nuclei is studied using particle-hole proton-neutron Tamm-Dancoff Approximation pn TDA and particle-hole proton-neutron Random Phase Approximation pn RPA. The particle-hole Hamiltonian of PSD model space is to be diagonalized in the presence of the PSDMWKPN interaction: for P-space the Cohen-Kurath interaction, for SD-space the Wildenthal Interaction, for the coupling matrix elements between P- and SD-spaces the Millener-Kurath interaction is used, spurious components were eliminated with CM contribution. The results containing energy level schemes and electromagnetic transition strength are compared with the available experimental data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Slope parameter of the symmetry energy and the structure of three-particle interactions in nuclear matter

In the first part of this paper, we present a study of the symmetry energy (a s ) and its slope parameter (L) for nuclear matter in the framework of the Fermi liquid theory of Landau and Migdal. We derive an exact relation between a s and L, which involves the nucleon effective masses and three-particle Landau-Migdal parameters. We present simple estimates which suggest that there are two main mechanisms to explain the empirical values of L: The proton-neutron effective mass difference in isospin asymmetric matter and the ℓ = 0 moment of the isovector in-medium three-particle scattering amplitude. In the second part of this paper, we discuss the general structure of three-particle interactions in nuclear matter in the framework of the Fermi liquid theory. The connections to the Bethe-Brueckner-Goldstone theory and other approaches are also discussed. Finally, we show explicitly how the first few terms in the Faddeev series, together with medium induced three-particle interactions, emerge naturally in the Fermi liquid theory.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Global calculation of two-neutrino double- β decay within the finite amplitude method in nuclear density functional theory

Two-neutrino double-beta (2νββ) decay has been used to constrain the neutron-proton part of effective interactions, which in turn is used to compute the nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double-beta decay, the observation of which would have important consequences for fundamental physics. We carefully examine 2νββ matrix elements within the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation with nuclear energy density functionals. Here we work with functionals that are fit globally to single-beta-decay half-lives and charge-exchange giant-resonance energies, but not to 2νββ half-lives themselves, to evaluate the 2νββ nuclear matrix elements for all important nuclei, including those whose half-lives have not yet been measured. Such a comprehensive evaluation in large model spaces without configuration truncation requires an efficient computational scheme; we employ a double contour integration within the finite amplitude method. The results generally reproduce the nuclear matrix element extracted from half-lives well, without the use of any of those half-lives in the fitting procedure. We present predictions of the matrix elements in a total of 27 nuclei with half-lives that are still unmeasured.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Spectroscopy of F 26 to Probe Proton-Neutron Forces Close to the Drip Line

A long-lived $J^π = 4^+_1$ isomer, $T_{1/2} = 2.2(1) ms$, has been discovered at 643.4(1) keV in the weakly bound$^{26}_9F$ nucleus. It was populated at Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds in the fragmentation of a $^{36}S$ beam. It decays by an internal transition to the $J^π = 1^+_1$ ground state [82(14)%], by $β$ decay to $^{26}Ne$, or $β$-delayed neutron emission to $^{25}Ne$. From the $β$-decay studies of the $J^π = 1^+_1$ and $J^π = 4^+_1$ states, new excited states have been discovered in $^{25, 26}Ne$. Gathering the measured binding energies of the $J^π = 1^+_1 - 4^+_1$ multiplet in $^{26}_9F$, we find that the proton-neutron $π0d_{5/2}ν0d_{3/2}$ effective force used in shell-model calculations should be reduced to properly account for the weak binding of $^{26}_9F$. Microscopic coupled cluster theory calculations using interactions derived from chiral effective field theory are in very good agreement with the energy of the low-lying $1^+_1, 2^+_1, 4^+_1$ states in $^{26} F$. Including three-body forces and coupling to the continuum effects improve the agreement between experiment and theory as compared to the use of two-body forces only.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Spectroscopy of 26F to Probe Proton-Neutron Forces Close to the Drip Line

A long-lived J 4 1 isomer, T1=2 2:2 1 ms, has been discovered at 643.4(1) keV in the weakly bound 26 9 F nucleus. It was populated at Grand Acce le rateur National d Ions Lourds in the fragmentation of a 36S beam. It decays by an internal transition to the J 1 1 ground state [82(14)%], by decay to 26Ne, or -delayed neutron emission to 25Ne. From the -decay studies of the J 1 1 and J 4 1 states, new excited states have been discovered in 25;26Ne. Gathering the measured binding energies of the J 1 1 4 1 multiplet in 26 9 F, we find that the proton-neutron 0d5=20d3=2 effective force used in shell-model calculations should be reduced to properly account for the weak binding of 26 9 F. Microscopic coupled cluster theory calculations using interactions derived from chiral effective field theory are in very good agreement with the energy of the low-lying 1 1 , 2 1 , 4 1 states in 26F. Including three-body forces and coupling to the continuum effects improve the agreement between experiment and theory as compared to the use of two-body forces only.

Hagen, Gaute↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proton and neutron density distributions at supranormal density in low- and medium-energy heavy-ion collisions. II. Central Pb + Pb collisions

This paper represents a continuation of our investigation into the limitations on total, proton, and neutron particle number densities, as well as the asymmetry of proton and neutron density distributions achievable in central heavy-ion collisions. We explore these aspects at low and medium energies within the framework of the Boltzmann-Uhlenbeck-Uehling (pBUU) transport and time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) models. Previous studies, focusing on symmetric and asymmetric collisions of Ca and Sn nuclei [1], and initial results on Pb-nuclei collisions [2], emphasized the role of the Coulomb interaction in these events. Our findings indicated that: (i) the highest total densities predicted at 𝐸 beam = 800 MeV/nucleon were on the order of ≈ 2.5⁢𝜌 0 (𝜌 0 = 0.16 fm −3 ), (ii) the proton-neutron asymmetry for maximal densities, 𝛿=(𝜌$^{max}_{n}$− 𝜌$^{max}_{p}$)/(𝜌$^{max}_{n}$+𝜌$^{max}_{p}$), did not generally exceed the asymmetry in the initial state of the collision at all beam energies and tended to decrease during the reaction, and (iii) a significant portion of this asymmetry had its microscopic origin in Coulomb forces, masking the pure nuclear contribution. These new findings, particularly relevant in the astrophysical context, are further examined in this work, focusing on the heaviest target-projectile combination 212,208 Pb accessible in an experiment. We introduce the SkT3 Skyrme force model, not previously used for the Pb system, and compare it to the SV-bas and SV-sym34 models to explore the symmetry-energy dependence of the results. Contour plots of nucleonic densities are presented, contrasting the time evolution of the density distributions in low (TDHF) and high (pBUU) models. We also present the evolution of normalized maximal proton, neutron, and total nucleon number density with increasing beam energy in the full pBUU model and the Vlasov approximation, aiming to explore the impact of correlations in the reaction. The time evolution of the proton and neutron density distributions in the plane transverse to the beam direction is illustrated at both low and high beam energy. In conclusion, our detailed examination of the Pb system in this work provides further essential evidence that the aforementioned findings (i)–(iii) are only weakly dependent on system size and a symmetry-energy model, and thus, they are of more general importance.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Baryon mass splittings and strong CP violation in SU(3) chiral perturbation theory

We study SU(3) flavor breaking corrections to the relation between the octet baryon masses and the nucleon-meson CP-violating interactions induced by the QCD theta term. We also work within the framework of SU(3) chiral perturbation theory and work through next-to-next-to-leading order in the SU(3) chiral expansion, which is O(m 2 q ). At lowest order, the CP-odd couplings induced by the QCD θ - term are determined by mass splittings of the baryon octet, the classic result of Crewther et al. We show that for each isospin-invariant CP-violating nucleon-meson interaction there exists one relation which is respected by loop corrections up to the order we work, while other leading-order relations are violated. With these relations we extract a precise value of the pion-nucleon coupling g - 0 by using recent lattice QCD evaluations of the proton-neutron mass splitting. Additionally, we derive semi-precise values for CP-violating coupling constants between heavier mesons and nucleons and discuss their phenomenological impact on electric dipole moments of nucleons and nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Charge independence, charge symmetry breaking in the S-wave nucleon-nucleon interaction, and renormalization

We study the interplay between charge symmetry breaking and renormalization in the NN system for S-waves. We find a set of universality relations which disentangle explicitly the known long distance dynamics from low energy parameters and extend them to the Coulomb case. We analyze within such an approach the One-Boson-Exchange potential and the theoretical conditions which allow to relate the proton-neutron, proton-proton and neutron-neutron scattering observables without the introduction of extra new parameters and providing good phenomenological success.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Isospin-invariant Skyrme energy-density-functional approach with axial symmetry

Density functional theory (DFT) is the microscopic tool of choice to describe properties of nuclei over the entire nuclear landscape, with a focus on medium-mass and heavy complex systems. Modern energy density functionals (EDFs) often offer a level of accuracy typical of phenomenological approaches based on parameters locally fitted to the data. It is clear, however, that in order to achieve high quality of predictions to guide spectroscopic studies, current functionals must be improved, especially in the isospin channel. In this respect, experimental studies of short-lived nuclei far from stability offer a unique test of isospin aspects of the many-body theory. In this study, we develop the isospin-invariant Skyrme-EDF method by considering local densities in all possible isospin channels and proton-neutron ($p-n$) mixing terms as mandated by the isospin symmetry. The EDF employed has the most general form that depends quadratically on the isoscalar and isovector densities. We test and benchmark the resulting $p-n$ EDF approach, and study the general properties of the new scheme by means of the cranking in the isospin space. We extend the existing axial DFT solver HFBTHO to the case of isospin-invariant EDF approach with all possible $p-n$ mixing terms. Explicit expressions have been derived for all the densities and potentials that appear in the isospin representation. In practical tests, we consider the Skyrme EDF SkM* and, as a first application, concentrate on Hartree-Fock aspects of the problem, i.e., pairing has been disregarded. Calculations have been performed for the ($A = 78, T ≃ 11), (A = 40, T ≃ 8$), and ($A = 48, T ≃ 4$) isobaric analog chains. Isospin structure of self-consistent $p-n$ mixed solutions has been investigated with and without the Coulomb interaction, which is the sole source of isospin symmetry breaking in our approach. The extended axial HFBTHO solver has been benchmarked against the symmetry-unrestricted HFODD code for deformed and spherical states. We developed and tested a general isospin-invariant Skyrme-EDF framework. The new approach permits spin-isospin densities that may give rise to hitherto unexplored modes in the excitation spectrum. The new formalism has been tested in the Hartree-Fock limit. A systematic comparison between HFODD and HFBTHO results show a maximum deviation of about 10 keV on the total binding energy for deformed nuclei when the Coulomb term is included. Without this term, the results of both solvers agree down to a ~10 eV level.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

12 C(e,e'pN) measurements of short range correlations in the tensor-to-scalar interaction transition region

High-momentum configurations of nucleon pairs at short-distance are probed using measurements of the $^{12}$C$(e,e'p)$ and $^{12}$C$(e,e'pN)$ reactions (where $N$ is either $n$ or $p$), at high-$Q^2$ and $x_B>1.1$. The data span a missing-momentum range of 300--1000 MeV/c and are predominantly sensitive to the transition region of the strong nuclear interaction from a Tensor to Scalar interaction. The data are well reproduced by theoretical calculations using the Generalized Contact Formalism with both chiral and phenomenological nucleon-nucleon ($NN$) interaction models. This agreement suggests that the measured high missing-momentum protons up to $1000$ MeV/c predominantly belong to short-ranged correlated (SRC) pairs. The measured $^{12}$C$(e,e'pN)$ / $^{12}$C$(e,e'p)$ and $^{12}$C$(e,e'pp)$ / $^{12}$C$(e,e'pn)$ cross-section ratios are consistent with a decrease in the fraction of proton-neutron SRC pairs and increase in the fraction of proton-proton SRC pairs with increasing missing momentum. This confirms the transition from an isospin-dependent tensor $NN$ interaction at $\sim 400$ MeV/c to an isospin-independent scalar interaction at high-momentum around $\sim 800$ MeV/c as predicted by theoretical calculation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proton-neutron pairing, quartet condensation and α − transfer in N=Z nuclei

In the past years various studies have shown that the proton-neutron pairing correlations in N=Z nuclei can be accurately described by a condensate of α-like quartets. It was also shown that the α-like quartets, defined as 4- body collective structures built with two neutrons and two protons, are also able to describe the correlations induced by general two-body interactions of shell-model type. In this paper we summarise the studies mentioned above and then we discuss how the fingerprints of the quartet condensation could be investigated by α-transfer reactions.

Sandulescu, Nicolae↗
DOE OSTI2013

HYPERACCRETING BLACK HOLE AS GAMMA-RAY BURST CENTRAL ENGINE. I. BARYON LOADING IN GAMMA-RAY BURST JETS

A hyperaccreting stellar-mass black hole has been long speculated as the best candidate for the central engine of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Recent rich observations of GRBs by space missions such as Swift and Fermi pose new constraints on GRB central engine models. In this paper, we study the baryon-loading processes of a GRB jet launched from a black hole central engine. We consider a relativistic jet powered by {nu} {nu}-bar -annihilation or by the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) mechanism. We consider baryon loading from a neutrino-driven wind launched from a neutrino-cooling-dominated accretion flow. For a magnetically dominated BZ jet, we consider neutron drifting from the magnetic wall surrounding the jet and subsequent positron capture and proton-neutron inelastic collisions. The minimum baryon loads in both types of jet are calculated. We find that in both cases a more luminous jet tends to be more baryon poor. A neutrino-driven ''fireball'' is typically ''dirtier'' than a magnetically dominated jet, while a magnetically dominated jet can be much cleaner. Both models have the right scaling to interpret the empirical {Gamma}-L{sub iso} relation discovered recently. Since some neutrino-driven jets have too much baryon loading as compared with the data, we suggest that at least a good fraction of GRBs should have a magnetically dominated central engine.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Microscopic optical potentials for medium-mass isotopes derived at the first order of Watson multiple-scattering theory

We perform a first-principles calculation of optical potentials for nucleon elastic scattering off medium-mass isotopes. Fully based on a saturating chiral Hamiltonian, the optical potentials are derived by folding nuclear density distributions computed with self-consistent Green's function theory with a nucleon-nucleon t matrix computed with a consistent chiral interaction. The dependence on the folding interaction as well as the convergence of the target densities are investigated. Numerical results are presented and discussed for differential cross sections and analyzing powers, with focus on elastic proton scattering off calcium and nickel isotopes. Our optical potentials generally show a remarkable agreement with the available experimental data for laboratory energies in the range 65–200 MeV. We study the evolution of the scattering observables with increasing proton-neutron asymmetry by computing theoretical predictions of the cross section and analyzing power over the calcium and nickel isotopic chains. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Physics↗