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At least 1,171 records · Page 65

Constraining spectroscopic factors near the r -process path using combined measurements: Kr 86 ( d , p ) 87 Kr

Background: Current nuclear structure models indicate that the shell structure near the valley of stability, with well-established shell closures at N=50, for example, changes in very neutron-rich nuclei far from stability. Single-particle properties of nuclei away from stability can be probed in single-neutron (d,p) transfer reactions with beams of rare isotopes. The interpretation of these data requires reaction theories with various effective interactions. Often, approximations made to the final bound-state potential introduce a large uncertainty in the extracted single-particle properties, in particular the spectroscopic factor. Purpose: Mitigate this uncertainty using a combined measurement method to constrain the shape of the bound-state potential and to reliably extract the spectroscopic factor. Methods: The 2 H( 86 Kr,p) 87 Kr reaction was measured at 33 MeV/u at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) as a test of the combined method. The reaction protons were detected with the Oak Ridge Rutgers University Barrel Array (ORRUBA) of position sensitive silicon strip detectors, the first implementation of ORRUBA coupled to the S800 spectrograph with fast beams at NSCL. Results: These measurements at 33 MeV/u are combined with previous studies of the 86 Kr(d,p) reaction at 5.5 MeV/u to demonstrate a successful case of the combined method to constrain the shape of the single-particle potential and deduce asymptotic normalization coefficients and spectroscopic factors. In particular, the single-particle asymptotic normalization coefficient for the ground state of 87 Kr was constrained to b d5/2 =6.46$^{+1.12}_{–0.57}$ fm –1/2 , and therefore the deduced spectroscopic factor is S=0.44$^{+0.09}_{–0.13}$ with uncertainties dominated by experimental statistics. Conclusions: By combining measurements at two very different beam energies, single-particle asymptotic normalization coefficients, at least for low angular momentum transfers, can be constrained. Thus, spectroscopic factors can be deduced with uncertainties dominated by experimental uncertainties, rather than limited knowledge of bound-state potential parameters.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Molecular-gas-dynamics simulations of turbulent Couette flow over a mean-free-path-scale permeable substrate

Here we report flow statistics and visualizations from molecular-gas-dynamics simulations using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method for turbulent Couette flow in a minimal domain where the lower wall is replaced by an idealized permeable fibrous substrate representative of thermal-protection-system materials for which the Knudsen number is O(10 -1 ). Comparisons are made with smooth-wall DSMC simulations and smooth-wall direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the Navier-Stokes equations for the same conditions. Roughness, permeability, and noncontinuum effects are assessed. In the range of Reynolds numbers considered herein, the scalings of the skin friction on the permeable substrate and of the mean flow within the substrate suggest that they are dominated by viscous effects. While the regenerative cycle characteristic of smooth-wall turbulence remains intact for all cases considered, we observe that the near-wall velocity fluctuations are modulated by the permeable substrate with a wavelength equal to the pore spacing. Additionally, the flow within the substrate shows significant rarefaction effects, resulting in an apparent permeability that is 13% larger than the intrinsic permeability. In contrast, the smooth-wall DSMC and DNS simulations exhibit remarkably good agreement for the statistics examined, despite the Knudsen number based on the viscous length scale being as large as O(10 -1 ). This latter result is at variance with classical estimates for the breakdown of the continuum assumption and calls for further investigations into the interaction of noncontinuum effects and turbulence.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Essay: A Path for the Construction of a Muon Collider

Muons are elementary particles and provide cleaner collision events that can explore higher energies compared to composite particles like protons. Muons are also far heavier than their electron cousins, meaning that they emit less synchrotron radiation that effectively limits the energies of circular electron-positron colliders. These characteristics open up the possibility for a muon collider to surpass the direct energy reach of the Large Hadron Collider while achieving unprecedented precision measurements of standard model processes. In this Essay, after briefly summarizing the progress achieved so far, I identify important missing research and development steps and envision a compelling plan to bring a muon collider to reality in the next two decades. A muon collider could allow for the exploration of physics that is not available with current technologies. For example, it may provide a way to study the Higgs boson directly or probe new particles, including those related to dark matter or other phenomena beyond the standard model. . Published by the American Physical Society 2025

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Bulk transport paths through defects in floating zone and Al flux grown SmB 6

We investigate the roles of disorder on low-temperature transport in SmB 6 crystals grown by both the Al flux and floating zone methods. We used the inverted resistance method with Corbino geometry to investigate whether low-temperature variations in the standard resistance plateau arise from a surface or a bulk channel in floating zone samples. The results show significant sample-dependent residual bulk conduction, in contrast to smaller amounts of residual bulk conduction previously observed in Al flux grown samples with Sm vacancies. In this work, we consider hopping in an activated impurity band as a possible source for the observed bulk conduction, but it is unlikely that the large residual bulk conduction seen in floating zone samples is solely due to Sm vacancies. We therefore propose that one-dimensional defects, or dislocations, contribute as well. Using chemical etching, we find evidence for dislocations in both flux and floating zone samples, with higher dislocation density in floating zone samples than in Al flux grown samples. In addition to the possibility of transport through one-dimensional dislocations, we also discuss our results in the context of recent theoretical models of SmB 6 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

EVOLUTION OF SPACE REACTOR QUALIFICATION METHODS AND A PATH FORWARD FOR NEW SPACE REACTORS UNDER CONSIDERATION

These slides outline the evolution of space reactor system qualifications and provide a potential framework for qualification of current space reactor concepts. Qualification approaches for SNAP 10A, SP-100, TOPAZ II, and Prometheus reactor systems will be discussed. Several qualification approaches from past reactors will be reviewed including: a component qualification approach demonstrated in the SNAP reactor program, a system level approach in the SP-100 program, adding additional features to an existing design in the TOPAZ program, and a combination of a computational and basic testing approach for the Prometheus reactor. Past and present test facilities will also be discussed and the impact of test facility availability (or existence) is discussed. A suggested approach that complies with the updated Presidential Directive (NSPM-20, August 2019) that is derived from previous program approaches will be discussed for qualification of future space reactors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗