Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “STRENGTH FUNCTIONS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Unitary version of the particle–hole dispersive optical model

For the particle–hole dispersive optical model developed recently, a method is proposed for restoring unitarity weakly violated by a phenomenological description of the spreading effect. The method is implemented by performing a quantitative analysis of the energy-averaged isoscalar monopole double transition density and strength functions over a broad energy range including the isoscalar giant monopole resonance and its overtone in the {sup 208}Pb nucleus.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Statistical properties of Pu 243 , and Pu 242 ( n , γ ) cross section calculation

The level density and γ-ray strength function (γSF) of 243 Pu have been measured in the quasicontinuum using the Oslo method. Excited states in 243 Pu were populated using the 242 Pu(d,p) reaction. The level density closely follows the constant-temperature level density formula for excitation energies above the pairing gap. The γSF displays a double-humped resonance at low energy as also seen in previous investigations of actinide isotopes. The structure is interpreted as the scissors resonance and has a centroid of ω SR = 2.42(5) MeV and a total strength of B SR = 10.1(15) μ 2 N , which is in excellent agreement with sum-rule estimates. Lastly, the measured level density and γSF were used to calculate the 242 Pu(n,γ) cross section in a neutron energy range for which there were previously no measured data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Impact of pion dynamics on nuclear shell structure

Spin-isospin response in exotic nuclear systems is investigated. It is found that in some nuclei excitations with pionic quantum numbers (0{sup −}, 1{sup +}, 2{sup −}, …) appear at very low energies with large transition probabilities, which is an indication of the vicinity of the onset of pion condensation. As an example, 2{sup −} components of the spin-dipole resonance in {sup 78}Ni and {sup 132}Sn are considered. The existence of such modes points out to the necessity of taking into account their coupling to other elementary modes of excitation, e.g. single-quasiparticle ones. This coupling is introduced in the theory for the first time. Thereby, both rho-meson and pion-exchange contributions to the nucleon-nucleon interaction are included in the relativistic framework beyond the Hartree-Fock approximation. Namely, classes of Feynman diagrams are selected according to their significance for nuclear spectroscopic characteristics, such as single-particle energies and strength functions, and included into the nucleonic self-energy in all orders of meson-exchange. As an illustration, the impact of these new contributions on the single-particle energies of {sup 100}Sn is discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Evidence for the Scissors Mode in {sup 160}Tb from the Two-Step Gamma Cascades Measurement

Spectra of two-step {gamma} cascades (TSCs) following the neutron capture in {sup 159}Tb were measured by the sum-coincidence technique with a two-HPGe-detector facility [1] installed at a pure sub-thermal neutron beam of the 15 MW light-water research reactor at Rez near Prague. In order to obtain information about the quantities governing the {gamma} decay of {sup 160}Tb levels--the photon strength functions (PSFs) and the level density (LD)--experimental TSC spectra were compared with the output of simulations of the {gamma} cascade decay based on the validity of extreme statistical model. These simulations were performed with the aid of the DICEBOX algorithm [2] assuming various combinations of the PSFs and LD. The results obtained lead to an inescapable conclusion that the Scissors Mode (SM) plays a crucial role in the cascade {gamma} decay of the product nucleus {sup 160}Tb. This finding represents the first evidence for the existence of the SM in an odd-odd nucleus.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low-energy enhancement of the magnetic dipole radiation in odd-mass lanthanides

We compute the magnetic dipole (M1) $\gamma$-ray strength functions ($\gamma$SF) for the odd-mass lanthanides $^{\textrm{143-151}}$Nd and $^{\textrm{147-153}}$Sm using the shell-model Monte Carlo method in combination with the static-path approximation and the maximum-entropy method. In particular, we quantify the statistical uncertainties in the calculated M1 $\gamma$SFs and show that they are under control for the excitation energies relevant to the experiments despite a Monte Carlo sign problem that originates in the projection onto an odd number of neutrons. We identify a low-energy enhancement (LEE) in the M1 $\gamma$SFs of these odd-mass lanthanides, which was recently observed experimentally in some of them. We also find a scissors mode resonance (SR) in the strongly deformed isotopes. We observe that the decrease in the LEE strength with neutron number along an isotopic chain is compensated for by an increase in the SR strength in the deformed nuclei. Furthermore, we compare our results with recent experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Absolute photoneutron cross sections of Sm isotopes

Photoneutron cross sections for seven samarium isotopes, {sup 144}Sm, {sup 147}Sm, {sup 148}Sm, {sup 149}Sm, {sup 150}Sm, {sup 152}Sm and {sup 154}Sm, have been investigated near neutron emission threshold using quasimonochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ-rays produced at the synchrotron radiation facility NewSUBARU. The results are important for nuclear astrophysics calculations and also for probing γ-ray strength functions in the vicinity of neutron threshold. Here we describe the neutron detection system and we discuss the related data analysis and the necessary method improvements for adapting the current experimental method to the working parameters of the future Gamma Beam System of Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics facility.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

First simultaneous measurement of the γ-ray and neutron emission probabilities in inverse kinematics at a heavy-ion storage ring

The probabilities for γ-ray and particle emission as a function of the excitation energy of a decaying nucleus are valuable observables for constraining the ingredients of the models that describe the deexcitation of nuclei near the particle emission threshold. These models are essential in nuclear astrophysics and applications. In this paper, we have for the first time simultaneously measured the γ-ray and neutron emission probabilities of 208 Pb. The measurement was performed in inverse kinematics at the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) of the GSI/FAIR facility, where a 208 Pb beam interacted through the 208 Pb (p,p') reaction with a hydrogen gas jet target. Instead of detecting the γ rays and neutrons emitted by 208 Pb, we detected the heavy beamlike residues produced after γ and neutron emission. These heavy residues were fully separated by a dipole magnet of the ESR and were detected with outstanding efficiencies. The comparison of the measured probabilities with model calculations has allowed us to test and select different descriptions of the γ-ray strength function and the nuclear level density available in the literature.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Uncertainties in Hauser-Feshbach Neutron Capture Calculations for Astrophysics

The calculation of neutron capture cross sections in a statistical Hauser-Feshbach method has proved successful in numerous astrophysical applications. Of increasing interest is the uncertainty associated with the calculated Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACS). Aspects of a statistical model that introduce a large amount of uncertainty are the level density model, γ-ray strength function parameter, and the placement of E{sub low} – the cut-off energy below which the Hauser-Feshbach method is not applicable. Utilizing the Los Alamos statistical model code CoH3 we investigate the appropriate treatment of these sources of uncertainty via systematics of nuclei in a local region for which experimental or evaluated data is available. In order to show the impact of uncertainty analysis on nuclear data for astrophysical applications, these new uncertainties will be propagated through the nucleosynthesis code NuGrid.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Configuration splitting of the Gamow-Teller resonance in antimony isotopes: Is this a real or a virtual effect?

The Gamow-Teller strength functions for a number of antimony isotopes were calculated within a semimicroscopic approach based on the continuum version of the charge-exchange quasiparticle random-phase approximation and on phenomenologically taking into account the fragmentation effect. The structural effect of splitting of the main maximum of the Gamow-Teller resonance in these isotopes was confirmed. Experimental data on the excitation of this resonance in a direct and a resonance reaction for the {sup 118}Sn parent nucleus were analyzed with allowance for this effect.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Overall picture of the cascade gamma decay of neutron resonances within a modified practical model

The intensities of two-step cascades in 43 nuclei of mass number in the range of 28 ≤ A ≤ 200 were approximated to a high degree of precision within a modified version of the practical cascade-gammadecay model introduced earlier. In this version, the rate of the decrease in the model-dependent density of vibrational levels has the same value for any Cooper pair undergoing breakdown. The most probable values of radiative strength functions both for E1 and for M1 transitions are determined by using one or two peaks against a smooth model dependence on the gamma-transition energy. The statement that the thresholds for the breaking of Cooper pairs are higher for spherical than for deformed nuclei is a basic result of the respective analysis. The parameters of the cascade-decay process are now determined to a precision that makes it possible to observe the systematic distinctions between them for nuclei characterized by different parities of neutrons and protons.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Progress on FP13 Total Cross Section Measurements Capability

An accurate knowledge of the neutron capture cross section is important for many applications. Experimental measurements are important since theoretical calculations of capture have been notoriously difficult, with the ratio of measured to calculated cross sections often a factor of 2 or more in the 10 keV to 1 MeV region. However, a direct measurement of capture cannot be made on many interesting radioactive nuclides because of their short half-life or backgrounds caused by their nuclear decay. On the other hand, neutron transmission measurements of the total cross section are feasible for a wide range of radioactive nuclides since the detectors are far from the sample, and often are less sensitive to decay radiation. The parameters extracted from a total cross section measurement, which include the average resonance spacing, the neutron strength function, and the average total radiation width, (Γ γ ), provide tight constraints on the calculation of the capture cross section, and when applied produce much more accurate results. These measurements can be made using the intense epithermal neutron flux at the Lujan Center on relatively small quantities of target material. It was the purpose of this project to investigate and develop the capability to make these measurements. A great deal of progress was made towards establishing this capability during 2016, including setting up the flight path and obtaining preliminary results, but more work remains to be done.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

(n,{gamma}) Experiments on tin isotopes

Neutron capture experiments on highly enriched {sup 117,119}Sn isotopes were performed with the DANCE detector array located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The DANCE detector provides detailed information about the multi-step {gamma}-ray cascade following neutron capture. Analysis of the experimental data provides important information to improve understanding of the neutron capture reaction, including a test of the statistical model, the assignment of spins and parities of neutron resonances, and information concerning the Photon Strength Function (PSF) and Level Density (LD) below the neutron separation energy. Preliminary results for the (n,{gamma}) reaction on {sup 117,119}Sn are presented. Resonance spins of the odd-A tin isotopes were almost completely unknown. Resonance spins and parities have been assigned via analysis of the multi-step {gamma}-ray spectra and directional correlations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

New model of the cascade gamma decay of neutron resonances for practitioners: Basic concepts and attainable precision

A model-free extraction of level densities and radiative strength functions for cascade dipole gamma transitions that has been performed to date revealed the need for developing a new model of the deexcitation of compound states of nuclei having arbitrary masses and belonging to any type over a broad range of their excitations. Such a model should provide a practical means for determining thresholds for the breaking of nucleon Cooper pairs below the neutron binding energy, the relationship between the level densities for excitations of the quasiparticle and phonon types, and the emission widths for nuclear-reaction products in excited nuclei. From an analysis of data on the intensities of two-step cascades initiated by radiative thermal-neutron capture, it can be seen that the highest precision in describing available experimental spectra is reached upon taking into account the breaking of three to four Cooper pairs of nucleons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Quasicontinuum γ decay of Zr 91 , 92 : Benchmarking indirect ( n , γ ) cross section measurements for the s process

Here, nuclear level densities (NLDs) and γ-ray strength functions (γSFs) have been extracted from particle-γ coincidences of the 92 Zr(p,p´γ) 92 Zr and 92 Zr (p,dγ) 91 Zr reactions using the Oslo method. The new 91,92 Zr γSF data, combined with photonuclear cross sections, cover the whole energy range from Eγ ≈ 1.5 MeV up to the giant dipole resonance at Eγ ≈ 17 MeV. The wide-range γSF data display structures at Eγ ≈ 9.5 MeV, compatible with a superposition of the spin-flip M1 resonance and a pygmy E1 resonance. Furthermore, the γSF shows a minimum at Eγ ≈ 2–3 MeV and an increase at lower γ-ray energies. The experimentally constrained NLDs and γSFs are shown to reproduce known (n,γ) and Maxwellian-averaged cross sections for 91,92 Zr using the TALYS reaction code, thus serving as a benchmark for this indirect method of estimating (n,γ) cross sections for Zr isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2002

Core Research Program, Year 5

Dramatic losses of bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle strength are two of the best documented changes observed in humans after prolonged exposure to microgravity. Recovery of muscle upon return to a 1-G environment is well studied, however, far less is known about the rate and completeness of BMD recovery to pre-flight values. Using the mature tail-suspended adult rat model, this proposal will focus on the temporal course of recovery in tibial bone following a 28-d period of skeletal unloading. Through the study of bone density and muscle strength in the same animal, time-points during recovery from simulated microgravity will be identified when bone is at an elevated risk for fracture. These will occur due to the rapid recovery of muscle strength coupled with a slower recovery of bone, producing a significant mismatch in functional strength of these two tissues. Once the time-point of maximal mismatch is defined, various mechanical and pharmacological interventions will be tested at and around this time-point in attempt to minimize the functional difference of bone and muscle. The outcomes of this research will have high relevance for optimizing the rehabilitation of astronauts upon return to Earth, as well as upon landing on the Martian surface before assuming arduous physical tasks. Further. it will impact significantly on rehabilitation issues common to patients experiencing long periods of limb immobilization or bed rest.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mass Measurement of 56Sc Reveals a Small A=56 Odd-Even Mass Staggering, Implying a Cooler Accreted Neutron Star Crust

We present the mass excesses of 52-57Sc, obtained from recent time-of-flight nuclear mass measurements at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The masses of 56Sc and 57Sc were determined for the first time with atomic mass excesses of -24.85(59)((+0)(-54)) MeV and -21.0(1.3) MeV, respectively, where the asymmetric uncertainty for 56Sc was included due to possible contamination from a long-lived isomer. The 56Sc mass indicates a small odd-even mass staggering in the A = 56 mass chain towards the neutron drip line, significantly deviating from trends predicted by the global FRDM mass model and favoring trends predicted by the UNEDF0 and UNEDF1 density functional calculations. Together with new shell-model calculations of the electron-capture strength function of 56Sc, our results strongly reduce uncertainties in model calculations of the heating and cooling at the 56Ti electron-capture layer in the outer crust of accreting neutron stars. We find that, in contrast to previous studies, neither strong neutrino cooling nor strong heating occurs in this layer. We conclude that Urca cooling in the outer crusts of accreting neutron stars that exhibit superbursts or high temperature steady-state burning, which are predicted to be rich in A approximate to 56 nuclei, is considerably weaker than predicted. Urca cooling must instead be dominated by electron capture on the small amounts of adjacent odd-A nuclei contained in the superburst and high temperature steady-state burning ashes. This may explain the absence of strong crust Urca cooling inferred from the observed cooling light curve of the transiently accreting x-ray source MAXI J0556-332.

Meisel, Z.↗
DOE OSTI2025

First Measurement of the Neutron-Emission Probability with a Surrogate Reaction in Inverse Kinematics at a Heavy-Ion Storage Ring

Neutron-induced reaction cross sections of short-lived nuclei are imperative to understand the origin of heavy elements in stellar nucleosynthesis and for societal applications, but their measurement is extremely complicated due to the radioactivity of the targets involved. One way of overcoming this issue is to combine surrogate reactions with the unique possibilities offered by heavy-ion storage rings. In this work, we describe the first surrogate-reaction experiment in inverse kinematics, which we successfully conducted at the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) of the GSI/FAIR facility, using the 208 Pb⁢(p,p') reaction as a surrogate for neutron capture on 207 Pb. Thanks to the outstanding detection efficiencies possible at the ESR, we were able to measure for the first time the neutron-emission probability as a function of the excitation energy of 208 Pb. We have used this probability to select different descriptions of the γ -ray strength function and nuclear level density, and provide reliable results for the neutron-induced radiative capture cross section of 207 Pb at energies for which no experimental data exist.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1992

A new response surface approach for structural reliability analysis

This paper describes a new approach for computing structural reliability by post-processing previously computed probabilistic results for stress and strength. The objective is to provide an accurate method whereby independent probabilistic analyses for stress and strength functions can be performed independently and combined at a later time to compute probability of failure. The method provides a capability for testing different strength measures without the need for re-computing the probabilistic stress response. The proposed approach takes full account of the basic random variables effecting both stress and strength, and the failure region in the variable space identified during separate stress/strength probabilistic analyses. A simple closed-form example and a more complex analysis of a turbine blade subject to creep rupture is used to illustrate the method.

Thacker, B. H.↗