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At least 19 records

The performance of the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA for γ-ray spectroscopy with fast beams of rare isotopes

The gamma-ray tracking array GRETINA was coupled to the S800 magnetic spectrometer for spectroscopy with fast beams of rare isotopes at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory on the campus of Michigan State University. We describe the technical details of this powerful setup and report on GRETINA's performance achieved with source and in-beam measurements. The gamma-ray multiplicity encountered in experiments with fast beams is usually low, allowing for a simplified and efficient treatment of the data in the gamma-ray analysis in terms of Doppler reconstruction and spectral quality. Finally, the results reported in this work were obtained from GRETINA consisting of 8 detector modules hosting four high-purity germanium crystals each. Currently, GRETINA consists of 10 detector modules.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Absolute efficiency response of the γ-ray spectrometer GRETINA for high-energy γ rays up to 6 MeV

GRETINA (Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array), a state-of-the-art γ-ray tracking spectrometer, has been instrumental in advancing nuclear structure studies, particularly in experiments using fast beams of rare isotopes where the γ rays emitted in flight are subject to large Doppler shifts. This work presents an experimental determination of the γ-ray detection efficiency of GRETINA at energies up to 6 MeV. The high-energy γ rays originated from states that were populated in nucleon-removal reactions from a projectile beam at an intermediate beam energy of about 85 MeV/nucleon. Utilizing γ-γ coincidences, efficiency values were extracted in-beam and translated into a source efficiency at rest employing GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations. A systematic discrepancy in the efficiency of the forward-positioned detectors was identified which is attributed to specific dead-time effects caused by high-energy light-particle events prevalent at forward angles, generating signals in the Ge crystals that saturate the preamplifier’s first stage. Furthermore, this study provides refined efficiency benchmarks for in-beam experiments, improving the accuracy of quantitative γ-ray spectroscopy analyses with GRETINA and GRETA (Gamma Ray Energy Tracking Array) in the future.

GRETINA↗

Operation of GRETINA at NSCL

This proposal funded the continued operation of the Gamma-ray Energy tracking Array GRETINA as a user device at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. This was a continuation and covered the operation from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Twenty-three experiments were completed with GRETINA at NSCL. GRETINA was installed at the reaction target position of the high-resolution, large-acceptance S800 spectrograph and the program started on October 15, 2017. The campaign capitalized on the opportunities provided by NSCL’s energetic rare isotope beams produced by projectile fragmentation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Sensitivity of GRETINA position resolution to hole mobility

The sensitivity of the position resolution of the gamma-ray tracking array GRETINA to the hole charge-carrier mobility parameter is investigated. The χ 2 results from a fit of averaged signal (“superpulse”) data exhibit a shallow minimum for hole mobilities 15% lower than the currently adopted values. Calibration data on position resolution is analyzed, together with simulations that isolate the hole mobility dependence of signal decomposition from other effects such as electronics cross-talk. Our results effectively exclude hole mobility as a dominant parameter for improving the position resolution for reconstruction of gamma-ray interaction points in GRETINA.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

UCGretina geant4 simulation of the GRETINA Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array

UCGretina, a geant4 simulation of the GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array of highly-segmented high-purity germanium detectors is described. We have developed a model of the array, in particular of the Quad Module and the capsules, that gives good agreement between simulated and measured photopeak efficiencies over a broad range of gamma-ray energies and reproduces the shape of the measured Compton continuum. Both of these features are needed in order to accurately extract gamma-ray yields from spectra collected in in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements with beams traveling at v / c ≳0.3 at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. In the process of developing the model, we determined that millimeter-scale layers of passive germanium surrounding the active volumes of the simulated crystals must be included in order to reproduce measured photopeak efficiencies. In conclusion, we adopted a simple model of effective passive layers and developed heuristic methods of determining passive-layer thicknesses by comparison of simulations and measurements for a single crystal and for the full array. Prospects for future development of the model are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

γIn-beam angular distribution and linear polarization measurements with GRETINA using a simple energy-ordering approach

Angular distribution and linear polarization measurements are powerful tools for inferring the spins and parities of nuclear levels. In this work, the performance of the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter was characterized in a fusion-evaporation reaction experiment using a simple energy-ordering approach for the interaction points assigned in the signal decomposition process. A variety of multipolarities and characters for γ-ray transitions in the reaction products 25 Mg, 25 Na, and 22 Ne, formed from fusion-evaporation of an 18 O beam on a 9 Be target, were examined. The experimental angular distributions and linear polarization asymmetries were consistent with predictions using the theoretical formalism accounting for the Lorentz boost.

Angular distribution↗

The polarization sensitivity of GRETINA

Compton polarimeters have played an important role in the study of nuclear structure physics, but have often been limited in their applications because of relatively low -ray detection efficiency. With the advent of -ray tracking detector arrays, which feature nearly solid angle coverage and the ability to identify the location of Compton-scattering events to within a few millimeters, this limitation can be overcome. Here we present a characterization of the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter using the 24 Mg(p,p') reaction at 2.45 MeV proton energy. We also discuss a new capability added to the simulation package UCGretina to simulate the emission of polarized photons, and compare it to the measured data. Lastly, we use these simulations to predict the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A Decade of GRETINA Science

High-resolution γ-ray detector arrays have driven many scientific advances and discoveries in nuclear physics. Today, they provide a powerful and essential tool for a broad class of measurements in the study of nuclear structure and reactions, nuclear astrophysics, and applied nuclear science. In this article, we present an overview of the scientific program that has been enabled by the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA [Pas13]. This program is being carried out at both stable and radioactive ion beam facilities, employs a wide range of beam energies and reactions (from the Coulomb barrier to more than 30% the speed of light), and reflects the varied application of a γ-ray tracking array.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Pu-240 Target Preparation on Thin Backing Foils for GRETINA Experiments using ATLAS

Recent measurements of the octupole strength to the highest spin states in Pu-240 were performed using sub-barrier Coulomb excitation in order to unambiguously and convincingly demonstrate the existence of the rotational-aligned phonon condensation in this nucleus. The Pu-240 targets were prepared at the Center for Accelerator Target Science by molecular plating onto thin backing foils of C and Al. The required plutonium oxide dissolution, molecular plating methodology, plating results, and in-beam target performance will be discussed.

Actinides↗

CHICOX, a heavy-ion detection system for GRETA

The CHICOX detection system is an array of position sensitive parallel plate avalanche counters used for heavy ion detection in in-beam particle-gamma coincidence experiments. CHICOX, an upgrade of the CHICO2 array, is geometrically compatible with the GRETINA and GRETA gamma-ray arrays and provides an angular resolution sufficient to utilize the excellent position resolution of GRETINA/GRETA. CHICOX was successfully commissioned and fielded as an auxiliary detector to GRETINA in a campaign of stable-beam Coulomb excitation experiments at the ATLAS facility of Argonne National Laboratory. We report here on the design and in-beam performance of the CHICOX array.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Reaching the prolate-oblate boundary at 𝑁=116 via first fragmentation of a 198 Pt beam: Sharp transition to triaxiality in 189 Ta

High-spin isomers in very-neutron-rich 𝐴≈190 Hf-Ta-W nuclei were populated via the pioneering fragmentation of a 198 Pt primary beam at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The nuclei were implanted in a Si detector stack surrounded by the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) to detect delayed 𝛾 rays, providing first level schemes using 𝛾−𝛾 coincidence data from isomeric decays in this previously inaccessible region of the nuclear chart. Here, a sudden transition to a strong triaxial shape is observed in the very-neutron-rich 189 Ta (𝑁 = 116) nucleus from axially prolate shapes in lighter Ta isotopes, providing a critical experimental benchmark for competing theoretical predictions of nuclear-shape evolution.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗

Strongly coupled rotational band in Mg 33

The “island of inversion” at N≈20 for the neon, sodium, and magnesium isotopes has long been an area of interest both experimentally and theoretically due to the subtle competition between 0p-0h and np-nh configurations leading to deformed shapes. However, the presence of rotational band structures, which are fingerprints of deformed shapes, have only recently been observed in this region. In this work, we report on a measurement of the low-lying level structure of Mg33 populated by a two-stage projectile fragmentation reaction and studied with the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-Beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA). The experimental level energies, ground-state magnetic moment, intrinsic quadrupole moment, and γ-ray intensities show good agreement with the strong-coupling limit of a rotational model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Examination of the low-energy enhancement of the γ -ray strength function of Fe 56

A model-independent technique was used to determine the gamma-ray strength function (gamma SF) of Fe-56 down to gamma-ray energies less than 1 MeV for the first time with GRETINA using the (p, p') reaction at 16MeV. No difference was observed in the energy dependence of the gamma SF built on 2(+) and 4(+) final states, supporting the Brink hypothesis. In addition, angular distribution and polarization measurements were performed. The angular distributions are consistent with dipole radiation. The polarization results show a small bias towards magnetic character in the region of the enhancement.

Jones, M. D.↗

Constraining the Neutron Star Compactness: Extraction of the Al 23 ( p , γ ) Reaction Rate for the r p Process

The 23 Al(p,γ) 24 Si reaction is among the most important reactions driving the energy generation in type-I x-ray bursts. However, the present reaction-rate uncertainty limits constraints on neutron star properties that can be achieved with burst model-observation comparisons. In this work, we present a novel technique for constraining this important reaction by combining the GRETINA array with the neutron detector LENDA coupled to the S800 spectrograph at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The 23 Al(d,n) reaction was used to populate the astrophysically important states in 24 Si. This enables a measurement in complete kinematics for extracting all relevant inputs necessary to calculate the reaction rate. For the first time, a predicted close-lying doublet of a $2^{+}_{2}$ and ($4^{+}_{1}, 0^{+}_{2}$) state in 24 Si was disentangled, finally resolving conflicting results from two previous measurements. Furthermore, it was possible to extract spectroscopic factors using GRETINA and LENDA simultaneously. This new technique may be used to constrain other important reaction rates for various astrophysical scenarios.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The Primary Interaction Compton Couple algorithm for sorting GRETINA/GRETA interaction points

The Primary Interaction Compton Couple (PICC) algorithm is presented in this work. The algorithm is used to determine the first-interaction-point position for $γ$-ray events in GRETINA. The first-interaction-point position is crucial for in-beam $γ$-ray spectroscopy experiments with fast beams due to the effect of Doppler broadening on the in-beam energy resolution. The development of the algorithm and its performance compared to a tracking algorithm and the Main Interaction assumption is presented. The PICC algorithm is demonstrated with real data to outperform the $γ$-ray energy tracking algorithm used for comparison here and the Main Interaction assumption in first-interaction-point determinations.

GRETINA↗

Measurement of key resonance states for the P 30 ( p , γ ) S 31 reaction rate, and the production of intermediate-mass elements in nova explosions

We report the first experimental constraints on spectroscopic factors and strengths of key resonances in the P-30(p, gamma)S-31 reaction critical for determining the production of intermediate-mass elements up to Ca in nova ejecta. The P-30(d,n)S-31 reaction was studied in inverse kinematics using the GRETINA gamma-ray array to measure the angle-integrated cross-sections of states above the proton threshold. In general, negative parity states are found to be most strongly produced but the absolute values of spectroscopic factors are typically an order of magnitude lower than predicted by the shell-model calculations employing WBP Hamiltonian for the negative-parity states. The results clearly indicate the dominance of a single 3/2(-) resonance state at 196 keV in the region of nova burning T approximate to 0.10-0.17 GM, well within the region of interest for nova nucleosynthesis. Hydrodynamic simulations of nova explosions have been performed to demonstrate the effect on the composition of nova ejecta.

Kankainen, A. (ORCID:0000000310827602)↗

E2 rotational invariants of 0$^{+}_{1}$ and 2$^{+}_{1}$ states for 106 Cd: The emergence of collective rotation

The collective structure of 106 Cd is elucidated by multi-step Coulomb excitation of a 3.849 MeV/A beam of 106 Cd on a 1.1 mg/cm 2 208 Pb target using GRETINA-CHICO2 at ATLAS. Fourteen E2 matrix elements were obtained. The nucleus 106 Cd is a prime example of emergent collectivity that possesses a simple structure: it is free of complexity caused by shape coexistence and has a small, but collectively active number of valence nucleons. This work follows in a long and currently active quest to answer the fundamental question of the origin of nuclear collectivity and deformation, notably in the cadmium isotopes. The results are discussed in terms of phenomenological models, the shell model, and Kumar-Cline sums of E2 matrix elements. The < 0$^{+}_{2}$ ||E2||2$^{+}_{1}$ > matrix element is determined for the first time, providing a total, converged measure of the electric quadrupole strength, < Q 2 >, of the first-excited 2$^{+}_{1}$ level relative to the 0$^{+}_{1}$ ground state, which does not show an increase as expected of harmonic and anharmonic vibrations. Strong evidence for triaxial shapes in weakly collective nuclei is indicated; collective vibrations are excluded. This is contrary to the only other cadmium result of this kind in 114 Cd by C. Fahlander et al., Nucl. Phys. A485, 327 (1988), which is complicated by low-lying shape coexistence near midshell.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

{sup 58}Ni({sup 3}He,t){sup 58}Cu*({gamma}) Measurements with GODDESS to Constrain the Astrophysical Rate of {sup 57}Ni(p,{gamma}){sup 58}Cu

The observation of γ rays from the decay of 44Ti in the remnants of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) provides crucial information regarding the nucleosynthesis occurring in these events, as 44Ti production is sensitive to CCSNe conditions. The final abundance of 44Ti is also sensitive to specific nuclear input parameters, one of which is the 57Ni(p,γ) 58Cu reaction rate. A precise rate for 57Ni(p,γ) 58Cu is thus critical if 44Ti production is to be an effective probe into CCSNe. To experimentally constrain the 57Ni(p,γ) 58Cu rate, the structure properties of 58Cu were measured via the 58Ni(3He,t)58Cu*(γ) reaction using GODDESS (GRETINA ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies) at Argonne National Laboratory’s ATLAS facility. Details of the experiment, ongoing analysis, and plans are presented.

Carmichael, S. R.↗