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At least 721 records · Page 40

Coulomb excitation of 102 Ru with 12 C and 16 O

Here, the Coulomb excitation of 102 Ru was performed with beams of 12 C and 16 O ions. The beam particles scattered at forward angles were momentum analyzed with a magnetic spectrograph. The resolution achieved enabled the populations of the $2^{+}_{1}$ state, the unresolved $2^{+}_{2}$/ $4^{+}_{1}$, and $2^{+}_{4}$/$3^{-}_{1}$, doublets of states, and the $3^{-}_{2}$ state to be determined as a function of the scattering angle. These populations are compared with gosia calculations, yielding B(E2; $2^{+}_{1}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) = 41.5 ± 2.3 W.u., B(E2; $2^{+}_{2}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) = 1.75 ± 0.11 W.u., B(E3; $3^{-}_{1}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) = 31.5 ± 3.5 W.u., and B(E3; $3^{-}_{2}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) = 6.8 ± 0.5 W.u. The B(E3; $3^{-}_{1}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) value is significantly larger than previously measured. The weakly populated $2^{+}_{3}$ state, presumed to be a member of the band built on the $0^{+}_{2}$ state, was observed clearly for a single angle only, and a fit to its population results in B(E2; $2^{+}_{3}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) = 0.053 ± 0.011 W.u. Using the known γ -ray branching ratios for the $2^{+}_{3}$ level, the B(E2; $2^{+}_{3}$→$0^{+}_{2}$) value is calculated to be 18 ± 4 W.u., substantially less than the B(E2; $2^{+}_{1}$→$0^{+}_{1}$) . This suggests that the deformation of the $0^{+}_{2}$ state is lower than that of the $0^{+}_{1}$ state. The results are compared with beyond-mean-field calculations with the Gogny-D1S interaction using the symmetry-conserving configuration-mixing method.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Spin-parities of subthreshold resonances in the 18 F(p, α) 15 reaction

The 18 F(p,α) 15 O reaction is key to determining the 18 F abundance in classical novae. However, the cross section for this reaction has large uncertainties at low energies largely caused by interference effects. In this work, we resolve a longstanding issue with unknown spin-parities of subthreshold states in 19 Ne that reduces these uncertainties. The 20 Ne( 3 He, 4 He) 19 Ne neutron pick-up reaction was used to populate 19 Ne excited states, focusing on the energy region of astrophysical interest (≈ 6 – 7 MeV). The experiment was performed at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory using the high resolution Enge split-pole magnetic spectrograph. Spins and parities were found for states in the astrophysical energy range. In particular, the state at 6.133 MeV ($E^{cm}_{r}$ = –277 keV) was found to have spin and parity of 3/2 + and we confirm the existence of an unresolved doublet close to 6.288 MeV ($E^{cm}_{r}$ = –120 keV) with J π = 1/2 + and a high-spin state. Using these results, we demonstrate a significant factor of two decrease in the reaction rate uncertainties at nova temperatures.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Abrasion-fission reactions at intermediate energies

The availability of high-intensity, heavy-ion beams coupled to sensitive, large solid-angle acceptance spectrometers has enabled a detailed examination of the fission fragments produced in induced-fission reactions. The abrasion fission process involves the formation of projectile-like prefragments in violent nuclear collisions at relative energies in excess of 100 MeV/u. At intermediate energies below this threshold, experiments suggest a change in the prefragment kinematic qualities. Information regarding the influence of this transitional phase upon the evolution of nuclei approaching the point of scission is scarce. In this article, data are presented for over 200 nuclei from nickel to palladium produced in abrasion-fission reactions of a 80 MeV/u 238 U beam. Cross sections were obtained following yield measurements performed for the principal charge states of the identified fission fragments and a detailed analysis of the ion transmission. A full kinematic analysis of the fission fragments has been performed using the LISE ++ software package, where the trajectory of an ion passing through a spectrometer can be reconstructed based upon measurements at the focal plane. Furthermore, the results obtained at the S800 spectrograph are compared with predictions obtained with a three-fission progenitor (3EER) model. Systematic studies of fission-fragment properties continue to provide a valuable experimental benchmark for theoretical efforts directed toward describing this complex decay channel, that is important in the context of planning experiments to explore the neutron-rich region of the nuclear chart at rare-isotope beam facilities.

59 ≤ A ≤ 8990 ≤ A ≤ 149↗

g 9/2 neutron strength in the N = 29 isotones and the 52 Cr(d,p)⁢ 53 Cr reaction

We performed a measurement of the 52 Cr(d,p)⁢⁢ 53 Cr reaction at 16 MeV using the Florida State University Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph (SE-SPS) and observed 26 states. While all of the states observed here had been seen in previous (d,p) experiments, we changed five L assignments from those reported previously and determined L values for nine states that had not had such assignments made previously. The g 9/2 neutron strength observed in 53 Cr in the present work and in the N = 29 isotones 49 Ca, 51 Ti, and 55 Fe via (d,p) reactions is much smaller than the sum rule for this strength. Most of the observed L = 4 strength in these nuclei is located in states near 4 MeV excitation energy. The remaining g 9/2 strength may be located in the continuum or may be fragmented among many bound states. A covariant density-functional theory calculation provides support for the hypothesis that the g 9/2 neutron orbit is unbound in 53 Cr. The (α, 3 He) reaction may provide a more sensitive probe for the missing g 9/2 neutron strength. Additionally, particle-γ coincidence experiments may help resolve some remaining questions in this nucleus.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Searching for resonance states in Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23

Globular clusters show strong correlations between different elements, such as the well-known sodium-oxygen anticorrelation. One of the main sources of uncertainty in this anticorrelation is the 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na reaction rate, due to the possible influence of an unobserved resonance state at E x = 8862 keV (E r,c.m. =68 keV). The influence of two higher-lying resonance states at E x = 8894 and 9000 keV has already been ruled out by direct 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na measurements. To study excited states in 23 Na above the proton threshold to determine if the unconfirmed resonance states in 23 Na exist. The non-selective proton inelastic scattering reaction at low energies was used to search for excited states in 23 Na above the proton threshold. Protons scattered from various targets were momentum-analysed in the Q3D magnetic spectrograph at the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratorium, Munich, Germany. The resonance states previously reported at E x = 8862, 8894 and 9000 keV in other experiments were not observed in the present experiment at any angle. This result, combined with other non-observations of these resonance states in most other experiments, results in a strong presumption against the existence of these resonance states. Here, the previously reported resonance states at E x = 8862, 8894 and 9000 keV are unlikely to exist and should be omitted from future evaluations of the 22 Ne(p,γ) 23 Na reaction rates. Indirect studies using low-energy proton inelastic scattering are a simple and yet exceptionally powerful tool in helping to constrain astrophysical reaction rates by providing non-selective information of the excited states of nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of g 9/2 strength in the stretched 8 – state and other negative parity states via the 51 V (d,p) 52 V reaction

We performed a measurement of the 51 V (d,p) 52 V reaction at 16 MeV using the Florida State University Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph (SE-SPS) to search for single-neutron transfer strength for the g 9/2 intruder orbit. Measurements of νg 9/2 strength with (d, p) reactions in the N = 29 isotones 49 Ca, 51 Ti, 53 Cr, and 55 Fe have concluded that much of the expected νg 9/2 strength is “missing”; that is, the summed strength is much smaller than the sum rule. In odd-odd N = 29 isotones, we expect a significant amount of νg 9/2 strength to be located in the “stretched” 8 – states with π $f$$^{n}_{7/2}$νg 9/2 structure that were systematically observed in the odd-odd N = 29 isotones via the (α,d) reaction. 52 V is the only one of these odd-odd isotones in which a stable target is available for single-neutron transfer reactions. We report on a determination of νg 9/2 strength for the stretched 8 – state and ten other negative parity states populated via L = 4 transfer in the 51 V(d, p) 52 V reaction. Furthermore, this is the first measurement of spectroscopic strength for L = 4 states in 52 V via (d, p). In total, the L = 4 strength observed here sums to only 28.9(11)% of the sum rule for g 9/2 neutron strength, a result that is consistent with the summed strengths observed in recent (d, p) measurements of the even-Z N = 29 isotones 51 Ti, 53 Cr, and 55 Fe. The (α,3 He) reaction and the use of particle-γ coincidences would provide more sensitivity to search for the missing g 9/2 strength.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei near $N = 70$

The astrophysical origin for the chemical elements between the first and second r-process peaks is a matter of intense debate, with a number of nucleosynthesis processes at explosive stellar environments possibly contributing to their production. Reliable data on the trends of neutron separation energies of neutron-rich isotopes are required to model neutron-capture processes that would produce these elements. Masses of 104 Y, 106 Zr, 112 Mo, and 115 Tc have been measured with the time-of-flight-magnetic-rigidity (ToF–Bρ) technique at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The experiment is the first application of the ToF–Bρ technique at the S800 spectrograph that reached the mass region relevant to heavy-element nucleosynthesis. Finally, the two-neutron separation energy deduced from the measured masses exhibits a smooth trend consistent with the theoretical predictions within the range of experimental uncertainty, indicating that there is no sudden shape transition in these isotopes as hinted at by previous data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Ne 21 energy levels approaching the α -particle threshold

Nuclei around Ne 20 exhibit an interplay of different excitations caused by different aspects of nuclear structure, including single-particle and multiparticle configurations and collective rotations. One-nucleon transfer reactions selectively probe single-particle structures in these nuclei. These nuclei are also important to astrophysics, with a number of important reactions proceeding through this mass region. Energy levels approaching the α -particle threshold in Ne 21 are of importance to nuclear structure. The Ne 20 ( d , p ) Ne 21 reaction was measured and the corresponding spectroscopic nuclear information was extracted. States in Ne 21 were populated using the Ne 20 ( d , p ) Ne 21 reaction in forward kinematics. Protons were identified in the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) Enge split-pole spectrograph and angular distributions were extracted. Spin-party assignments were made and neutron partial widths were determined based on distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) analysis. Several new energy levels were observed at energies of 7176, 7235, 7250, and 7337 keV, and spin-parities are reported which generally agree with previous results where literature was available. Spin and parity assignments are reported for several energy levels along with estimated neutron widths for those states above the neutron threshold ( S n = 6761 keV ). Results from this study are placed in context with a review of the available literature on all known states in this energy region of Ne 21 . Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Proton and neutron contributions to the quadrupole transition strengths in 39 Ca and 39 K studied by lifetime measurements of mirror transitions

The E2 transition matrix elements of isobaric multiplets are expected to follow a linear trend as a function of isospin projection. However, measurements of the 2 + → 0 + transitions in the A = 38 triplet of Ca, K, and Ar show a deviation from this trend with an enhanced transition strength in 38 Ca with respect to its mirror 38 Ar. We have studied analogue 11/2 – → 7/2 – E2 transitions in 39 Ca and its mirror partner 39 K to determine if this enhancement persists in neighboring Ca isotopes. Recoil-distance lifetime measurements of 39 Ca and 39 K were performed utilizing a 42 Sc secondary beam, the TRIPLEX plunger, the GRETINA array, and the S800 spectrograph. Our data provide a lifetime measurement of the (11/2 – ) state in 39 Ca as well as an improved lifetime result for the (9/2 – ) state, while the 39 K data are used to validate the present analysis. Furthermore, a comparison of the present data to shell-model calculations suggests an enhanced transition strength in 39 Ca, pointing to both proton and neutron contributions to core excitations across the Z = N = 20 shell gaps in close proximity to 40 Ca.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Precision measurements of EFT parameters and BAO peak shifts for the Lyman- α forest

We present precision measurements of the bias parameters of the one-loop power spectrum model of the Lyman- α (Ly- α ) forest, derived within the effective field theory (EFT) of large-scale structure. We fit our model to the three-dimensional flux power spectrum measured from the ACCEL 2 hydrodynamic simulations. The EFT model fits the data with an accuracy of below 2% up to k = 2 h Mpc − 1 . Further, we analytically derive how nonlinearities in the three-dimensional clustering of the Ly- α forest introduce biases in measurements of the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs) scaling parameters in radial and transverse directions. From our EFT parameter measurements, we obtain a theoretical error budget of Δ α ∥ = − 0.2 % ( Δ α ⊥ = − 0.3 % ) for the radial (transverse) parameters at redshift z = 2.0 . This corresponds to a shift of − 0.3 % (0.1%) for the isotropic (anisotropic) distance measurements. We provide an estimate for the shift of the BAO peak for Ly- α -quasar cross-correlation measurements assuming analytical and simulation-based scaling relations for the nonlinear quasar bias parameters resulting in a shift of − 0.2 % ( − 0.1 % ) for the radial (transverse) dilation parameters, respectively. This analysis emphasizes the robustness of Ly- α forest BAO measurements to the theory modeling. We provide informative priors and an error budget for measuring the BAO feature—a key science driver of the currently observing Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Our work paves the way for full-shape cosmological analyses of Ly- α forest data from DESI and upcoming surveys such as the Prime Focus Spectrograph, WEAVE-QSO, and 4MOST. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

de Belsunce, Roger (ORCID:0000000336604028)↗

Spectral studies of soft x-ray radiation of laser-produced plasma of various target materials in a wide spectral range

Here, the work is devoted to experimental study of soft X-ray radiation spectra of laser produced plasma in a wide spectral range 5–100 Å at the “Kamerton” facility (GPI) with pulse duration 70 ps, pulse energy 1–5 J, wavelength 0.53 microns at which the laser intensity (power flux density) of 7×10 14 – 3.5×10 15 W/cm 2 was achieved. A spectrograph was used, which had transmission diffraction gratings with a ratio of the elementary gap to the period of the structure of 0.25 and 0.41. Detection was performed on both UV-4 X-ray photo film and Fuji TR fluorescent imaging plate. Solid samples from Al, Si, Ti, Cu, Ta and W were used as targets. The ionization states of the plasma corresponding to various electron temperatures were calculated, which made it possible to estimate the electron temperature by comparison these calculation results with the experimentally obtained spectra. The estimated electron temperature, which depends on the laser pulse energy and the target material, varied within the range of 100–450 eV. To verify the correctness of the temperature estimations obtained by such comparison a numerical simulation of plasma radiation was carried out by the use of PrismSPECT computer program. It was found that the results of this simulation are in a good agreement with estimations on the base of experimentally obtained spectra. The analysis of these spectra showed that tantalum, tungsten or titanium targets are the best candidates among the tested ones for the use of laser produced plasma as a radiation source in the "water window" spectral range (23–44 Å) for applications in biology and medicine.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Accessing the Single-Particle Structure of the Pygmy Dipole Resonance in 208 Pb

New experimental data on the neutron single-particle character of the Pygmy Dipole Resonance (PDR) in Pb 208 are presented. They were obtained from ( d , p ) and resonant proton scattering experiments performed at the Q3D spectrograph of the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratory in Garching, Germany. The new data are compared to the large suite of complementary, experimental data available for Pb 208 and establish ( d , p ) as an additional, valuable, experimental probe to study the PDR and its collectivity. Furthermore, besides the single-particle character of the states, different features of the strength distributions are discussed and compared to large-scale shell model (LSSM) and energy-density functional plus quasiparticle-phonon model theoretical approaches to elucidate the microscopic structure of the PDR in Pb 208 .

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Extraction of neutron-capture cross sections on 92 Zr using the charge-exchange Oslo method

The 93 Nb (𝑡, 3 He ) reaction at 115 MeV/nucleon was studied to demonstrate that nuclear level densities and 𝛾-ray strength functions can be extracted from charge-exchange reactions at intermediate energies using the Oslo technique. The matrix of excitation energy in 93 Zr, reconstructed from the (𝑡, 3 He ) reaction, versus the energy of 𝛾 rays emitted by the excited 93 Zr nuclei, was obtained in an experiment with the S800 Spectrograph operated in coincidence with the GRETINA 𝛾 -ray detector. The extracted level density and 𝛾 -ray strength function obtained by applying the Oslo method to this matrix were used to estimate the 92 Zr⁢(𝑛,𝛾) ⁢93 Zr cross section by combining the new results with other experimental data and theoretical calculations for 𝐸⁢1 and 𝑀⁢1 strength functions at higher energies. Good agreement with direct measurements of the 92 Zr⁢(𝑛,𝛾)⁢ 93 Zr cross section was found. The contribution from the upbend in the extracted 𝛾-ray strength function was important to achieve the consistency, as the neutron-capture cross section without this contribution is significantly below the direct measurements otherwise. Since charge-exchange reactions at intermediate energies have long been used for extracting Gamow-Teller strengths, the successful demonstration of the charge-exchange Oslo method enables experiments in which (𝑛,𝛾) cross sections and Gamow-Teller strengths can be measured simultaneously, which is of benefit for astrophysical studies.

90 ≤ A ≤ 149↗

Experimental study of 53 Cr via the (𝑑, 𝑝⁢𝛾) reaction

Excited states in 53 Cr were studied via the 52 Cr ⁢(𝑑, 𝑝⁢𝛾) reaction up to the neutron-separation threshold. Proton-𝛾 angular correlations and 𝛾 decay branching ratios were measured in particle-𝛾 coincidences between the Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph (SE-SPS) and CeBr 3 Array (CeBrA) demonstrator of the John D. Fox Accelerator Laboratory at Florida State University. Previous spin-parity assignments from a (𝑑,𝑝) singles experiment at the SE-SPS are supported and 𝛾-ray transitions in 53 Cr are reported. We firmly assign higher-lying excited states to 53 Cr because overlapping excited states and contaminants could be identified better due to the complementary 𝛾-decay information. We also correct some of the previously reported excitation energies and present a reanalysis of previously measured 52 Cr (𝑑, 𝑝)⁢ 53 Cr angular distributions guided by the complementary 𝛾-ray information. Based on this reanalysis, the fragmentation of the neutron 2⁢𝑝 3/2 , 2⁢𝑝 1/2 , 1⁢𝑓 5/2 , 1⁢𝑔 9/2 , and 2⁢𝑑 5/2 single-particle strengths is reassessed for 53 Cr. Here, a comparison to the corresponding strengths in 55 Fe is presented.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Study of alpha-resonances in ¹¹B via the ⁷Li(⁷Li, t ) reaction

The near-threshold proton resonance in ¹¹B, recently identified and characterized through independent experi-ments, plays a crucial role in understanding the unexpectedly high decay branch observed in the β-delayed proton emission (β− p) from the neutron halo nucleus ¹¹Be. Critical to interpreting this process is the determination of whether or not this state has any significant α-decay width (rα). A coincidence measurement was conducted to study the alpha-transfer reaction ⁷Li(⁷Li, t ) ¹¹B∗ → ⁷Li +α employing the Super-Enge Split Pole Spectrograph coupled with a silicon detector at Florida State University. This experiment aimed to investigate the structure of α resonances in ¹¹B in the Eₑₓ = 9.0 MeV–14 MeV energy region. In particular, to explore and constrain the α-decay branch of the near-threshold proton resonance at Eₑₓ = 11.44 MeV. No significant α-decay strength was observed from this state. Additionally, the experimental results provided insights into the state at Eₑₓ = 12.55 MeV, previously proposed as the T = 3/2 isobaric analog state of the ¹¹Be ground state. The observed decay pattern, dominated by α + ⁷Li, suggests a strong T = 1/2 component, indicating the need for further experimental measurements.

Lopez-Saavedra, E.↗

Persistence of collectivity in the low-lying states of 30,31 Na inside the 𝑁 = 20 island of inversion

Near the 𝛽-stability line, nuclei with magic numbers are expected to exhibit spherical ground states. However, mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei near the 𝑁 = 20 island of inversion have indicated an excess in the binding energies. These results, together with subsequent spectroscopic studies and theoretical works, point to the structural evolution from normal configurations to intruder-deformed configurations characterized by particle-hole excitations across the shell gap. Despite evidence of intruder-dominant ground states for the 30,31 Na isotopes in the vicinity of 𝑁 = 20, a question remains as to whether the deformation persists into the ground-state bands beyond the first excited states. Here, in this work, we report on a heavy-ion inelastic scattering measurement performed with GRETINA, the TRIPLEX device, and the S800 spectrograph to study the low-lying excitations in neutron-rich 30,31 Na . The observed gamma rays for the (4 + ) → (3 + ), (3 + ) → 2$^+_{g.s.}$, and (4 + ) → 2$^+_{g.s.}$ decays in 30 Na and for the (7/2 + ) → (5/2 + ) and (5/2 + )→3/2$^+_{g.s.}$ decays in 31 Na were used to extract the reduced transition probabilities 𝐵⁡(𝐸⁢2↑). We report the first measurement of the 𝐵⁡(𝐸⁢2↑) between the 3/2$^+_{g.s.}$ and the (7/2 + ) states in 31 Na . The results from this study are compared to shell-model calculations, confirming the persistence of large collectivity in the low-lying excited states consistent with the formation of the well-deformed ground-state bands in 30,31 Na .

collective models↗

Production of microchannel plates using nano-scale additive manufacturing

Microchannel plate (MCP) detectors have been the workhorse detector for many applications, including space borne ultra-violet imaging and spectrographic instruments. Recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM) have enabled fabrication of complex structures with nano-scale resolution facilitating the production of highly customizable MCPs. Using AM to produce MCPs potentially has many advantages over traditional fused glass substrates, including better material control (e.g., more robust glasses or ceramics), better control of microscopic features (e.g., unique pore geometries to improve performance), and better control of macroscopic features (e.g., printing precision curved surfaces for focal plane matching). Through a collaboration with industry, national laboratory, and university partners, small format microcapillary array substrates were produced using a standard polymer photoresin. In conclusion, these substrates were functionalized using atomic layer deposition and their performance was compared to current state-of-the-art Pb-glass and borosilicate-glass MCPs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Study of the Ultraviolet Radiation of Hybrid X-Pinches

The results of an experimental study of hybrid X-pinches (HXPs) as sources of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation within the wavelength range of λ < 2000 Å are presented here. A KING compact low-voltage generator (45 kV, 200 kA, 190 ns) was used to feed the X-pinches. The dynamics of forming the radiating plasma of HXPs of different materials were studied using pinhole cameras with radiation receivers based on microchannel plates with a time resolution of 5 ns and a spatial resolution of 150 µm. The time structure and energy characteristics of the radiation were studied using diamond photoconducting detectors (PCDs). The spectral composition of UV radiation was investigated using a spectrograph based on the transmission grating. It has been shown that the efficiency of conversion of the capacitor-stored energy to the VUV radiation may reach 5%, whereas the fraction of soft X-rays (SXR) with quanta energies above 800 eV is no more than 3%. In this case, the source brightness reaches 2 × 10 9 W/(sr cm 2 ).

plasma UV-spectroscopy↗