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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Low Energy Analysis of NuclEar Reactions v0.0.1

This is a lightweight, easy to use Python analysis package for analyzing public low-energy nuclear reaction data relevant to understanding basic nuclear processes, often of relevance to Solar Fusion, to improve our theoretical understanding of them, and enable connections with input from lattice QCD. It performs the analysis in a Bayesian Framework and supports Bayesian Model Averaging to provide a robust uncertainty quantification.

Walker-Loud, André↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measurements at the Facility for Experiments of Nuclear Reactions in Stars (FENRIS) (Final Technical Report)

Nuclear reactions in stars have transformed the universe since the Big Bang, turning hydrogen and helium into all of the elements we see around us today. These reactions fuel a star throughout its lifetime. When the star burns out, its ashes are ejected into space to enrich the next generation of stars so to understand the origin of the elements in the cosmos, we must learn how stars burn their fuel. In this stellar burning, the rates of nuclear reactions are key. The rates can be determined by recreating the reactions in the laboratory, but often they occur too rarely to measure at the low energies characteristic of stellar burning. Novel, indirect measurements must be used. With support from the Department of Energy Office of Science, a research program has been developed to perform such measurements, primarily using the Enge split-pole spectrograph at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL). High-energy nuclear reactions coupled with theoretical models were used to ascertain the rate of the low-energy nuclear reactions occurring in stars. Detailed analysis of the data reveals the structure of nuclei and how they affect stellar burning. In parallel to these experimental efforts, theoretical tools were developed to identify which nuclear reactions are most critical for understanding stars, thus discovering priorities for future measurements. This complementary suite of experiments and theoretical calculations can be used to help answer one of the key questions facing the physics community: How did visible matter come into being and how did it evolve?

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Monte Carlo Hauser-Feshbach computer code system to model nuclear reactions: YAHFC

A computer program framework, YAHFC, to model low-energy nuclear reactions is presented. The framework allows for reactions with incident particles ranging from protons/neutrons to alphas and is designed to address reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of compound nuclear systems that then decay statistically as outlined in concepts of Hauser and Feshbach. Additionally, instead of a reaction, it is also possible to model the decay of a nuclear system with an initial excitation and population. The code models nuclear decays with a Monte Carlo process that tracks the decay of each state. This allows for an exact representation of the spectra for all emitted particles in each of the final exit channels and the possibility of generating reaction data for simulation purposes. The program is interfaced with the optical model code system FRESCOX to calculate transmission coefficients as well as the effects of coupled channels and other direct excitations via the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA). Modules are included to account for nuclear processes such as width corrections, pre-equilibrium emission, and fission. The program is controlled by a series of input commands and while a set of input parameters exists for each projectile and target, the input commands allow for complete control over each input parameter. Extensive data files are produced and a program is provided that converts YAHFC data files into nuclear data library entries in the generalized nuclear data structure (GNDS).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Impact of the Li 6 asymptotic normalization constant onto α -induced reactions of astrophysical interest

Indirect methods have become the predominant approach in experimental nuclear astrophysics for studying several low-energy nuclear reactions occurring in stars, as direct measurements of many of these relevant reactions are rendered infeasible due to their low reaction probability. Such indirect methods, however, require theoretical input that in turn can have significant poorly quantified uncertainties, which can then be propagated to the reaction rates and have a large effect on our quantitative understanding of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis processes. Here we present two such examples involving α-induced reactions, 13 C (α,n)⁢ 16 O and 12 C (α,γ)⁢ 16 O, for which the low-energy cross sections have been constrained with ( 6 Li,d) transfer data. In this Letter, we discuss how a first-principle calculation of 6 Li leads to a 21% reduction of the 12 C⁡(α,γ) ⁢ 16 O cross sections with respect to a previous estimation. This calculation further resolves the discrepancy between recent measurements of the 13 C (α,n)⁢ 16 O reaction and points to the need for improved theoretical formulations of nuclear reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Molecular 9 Be + $p$ fusion reaction

Here, we study (nuclear) fusion reactions in beryllium. We argue that some are nuclear long-distance molecular processes of interest for low-energy nuclear reactions. For these, we develop a novel reaction model. We note a chain of reactions that can naturally arise in beryllium target created by nonequilibrium proton reactions.

Rafelski, Johann [Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (Un↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nuclear matrix elements from lattice QCD for electroweak and beyond-Standard-Model processes

Over the last decade, numerical solutions of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) using the technique of lattice QCD have developed to a point where they are beginning to connect fundamental aspects of nuclear physics to the underlying degrees of freedom of the Standard Model. In this review, the progress of lattice QCD studies of nuclear matrix elements of electroweak currents and beyond-Standard-Model operators is summarized, and connections with effective field theories and nuclear models are outlined. Lattice QCD calculations of nuclear matrix elements can provide guidance for low-energy nuclear reactions in astrophysics, dark matter direct detection experiments, and experimental searches for violations of the symmetries of the Standard Model, including searches for additional CP violation in the hadronic and leptonic sectors, baryon-number violation, and lepton-number or flavor violation. Similarly, important inputs to neutrino experiments seeking to determine the neutrino-mass hierarchy and oscillation parameters, as well as other electroweak and beyond-Standard-Model processes can be determined. As a result, the phenomenological implications of existing studies of electroweak and beyond-Standard-Model matrix elements in light nuclear systems are discussed, and future prospects for the field toward precision studies of these matrix elements are outlined.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigation of an octupole breathing mode of 208 Pb as a resolution to the elliptical-to-triangular azimuthal anisotropy puzzle in ultracentral relativistic heavy ion collisions

Relativistic heavy ion collisions provide a unique opportunity to probe the nuclear structure by taking an instantaneous snapshot of the colliding nuclei and converting it into momentum anisotropies of final emitted hadrons. A long-standing puzzle of too large a ratio of the elliptical-to-triangular (𝑣 2 -to-𝑣 3 ) anisotropies in ultracentral 208 Pb + 208 Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) cannot be solved simply by hydrodynamic simulations with initial conditions containing the spherical or certain deformed shape of 208 Pb. Here, in this Letter, using the iEBE-VISHNU relativistic viscous hydrodynamic hybrid model simulations with the TR⁢ENTo initial condition, we show that a dynamic octupole deformation—a shape-breathing mode of 208 Pb —could potentially solve the 𝑣2-to-𝑣3 puzzle and simultaneously describe the 𝑣 3 ⁡{4} data measured in experiment. Our results highlight the unique capability of capturing transient collective properties of nuclei on yoctosecond (10 −24 s) timescales, unfeasible with low-energy nuclear reactions.

Xu, Hao-jie [Huzhou University, Zhejiang (China)] ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Kinematics reconstruction in solenoidal spectrometers operated in active target mode

Here, we discuss the reconstruction of low-energy nuclear reaction kinematics from charged-particle tracks in solenoidal spectrometers working in Active Target Time Projection Chamber mode. In this operation mode, reaction products are tracked within the active gas medium of the Active Target with a three dimensional space point cloud. We have inferred the reaction kinematics from the point cloud using an algorithm based on a linear quadratic estimator (Kalman filter). The performance of this algorithm has been evaluated using experimental data from nuclear reactions measured with the Active Target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) detector.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neutron diffraction: a primer

Because of the neutron’s special properties, neutron diffraction may be considered one of the most powerful techniques for structure determination of crystalline and related matter. Neutrons can be released from nuclear fission, from spallation processes, and also from low-energy nuclear reactions, and they can then be used in powder, time-of-flight, texture, single crystal, and other techniques, all of which are perfectly suited to clarify crystal and magnetic structures. With high neutron flux and sufficient brilliance, neutron diffraction also excels for diffuse scattering, for in situ and operando studies as well as for high-pressure experiments of today’s materials. For these, the wave-like neutron’s infinite advantage (isotope specific, magnetic) is crucial to answering important scientific questions, for example, on the structure and dynamics of light atoms in energy conversion and storage materials, magnetic matter, or protein structures. In this primer, we summarize the current state of neutron diffraction (and how it came to be), but also look at recent advances and new ideas, e.g., the design of new instruments, and what follows from that.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pairing Dynamics in Low-energy Nuclear Collisions

Superfluidity is a generic feature of various quantum systems at low temperatures and it is in particular important for the description of dynam- ics of low energy nuclear reactions. The Time-Dependent Density Func- tional Theory (TDDFT) is, to date, the only microscopic method which takes into account in a consistent way far-from-equilibrium dynamics of pairing field and single-particle degrees of freedom. Here, the local version of TDDFT, so-called TDSLDA, is particularly useful for the description of nuclear reactions and is well-suited for leadership class computers of hybrid (CPU+GPU) architecture. The preliminary results obtained for collisions involving both medium-mass and heavy nuclei at the energies around the Coulomb barrier are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Unified description of the coupled-channels and statistical Hauser-Feshbach nuclear reaction theories for low energy neutron incident reactions

We incorporate the coupled-channels optical model into the statistical Hauser-Feshbach nuclear reaction theory, where the scattering matrix is diagonalized by performing the Engelbrecht-Weidenmüller transformation. This technique has been implemented in the coupled-channels optical model code ECIS by J. Raynal, and we extend this method so that all the open channels in a nucleon-induced reaction on a deformed nucleus can be calculated consistently.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Low-Energy Reactions of the n+ 233 U Nuclear Compound System and Its Initial Validation

The strong negative gradient as a function of the epithermal fission fraction (FEPIT) observed in both Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data libraries poses new challenges for the verification of the n+ 233 U nuclear compound system, especially in the low energy range. The aim of this paper is to summarize the steps forward to consistently update the 233 U evaluated nuclear data to attain improved performance in benchmark calculations; this work is described in detail in a forthcoming paper by Pigni et al.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microscopic investigation of the 8 Li(n,γ)Li 9 reaction

Background: The 8 Li (n, γ) 9 Li reaction plays an important role in several astrophysics scenarios. It cannot be measured directly and indirect experiments have so far provided only cross section limits. Theoretical predictions differ by an order of magnitude. Purpose: In this work we study the properties of 9 Li bound states and low-lying resonances and calculate the 8 Li(n, γ) 9 Li cross section within the no-core shell model with continuum (NCSMC) with chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions as input. Methods: Here, the NCSMC is an ab initio method applicable to light nuclei that provides a unified description of bound and scattering states well suited to calculate low-energy nuclear scattering and reactions. For the capture cross section calculation, we adjust calculated thresholds to experimental values. Results: Our calculations reproduce the experimentally known bound states as well as the lowest 5/2 – resonance of 9 Li. We predict a 3/2 – spin-parity assignment for the resonance observed at 5.38 MeV. In addition to the very narrow 7/2 – resonance corresponding presumably to the experimental 6.43 MeV state, we find several other broad low-lying resonances. Conclusions: Our calculated 8 Li(n, γ) 9 Li cross section is within the limits derived from the 1998 National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory Coulomb-dissociation experiment. However, it is higher than cross sections obtained in recent phenomenological studies. It is dominated by a direct E1 capture to the ground state with a resonant contribution at ≈ 0.2 MeV due to E2/M1 radiation enhanced by the 5/2 – resonance.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantum computing for nuclear physics

Future quantum computers are anticipated to be able to perform simulations of quantum many-body systems and quantum field theories that lie beyond the capabilities of classical computation. This will lead to new insights and predictions for systems ranging from dense non-equilibrium matter, to low-energy nuclear structure and reactions, to high-energy collisions. I present an overview of digital quantum simulations in nuclear physics, with select examples relevant for studies of quark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Trojan horse method as an indirect approach to study resonant reactions in nuclear astrophysics

The primary goal of the Trojan horse method (THM) is to analyze resonant rearrangement reactions when the density of the resonance levels is low and statistical models cannot be applied. The main difficulty of the analysis is related with the facts that in the final state the THM reaction involves three particles and that the intermediate particle, which is transferred from the Trojan horse particle to the target nucleus to form a resonance state, is virtual. Another difficulty is associated with the Coulomb interaction between the particles, especially, taking into account that the goal of the THM is to study resonant rearrangement reactions at very low energies important for nuclear astrophysics. The exact theory of such reactions with three charged particles is very complicated and is not available. This is why different approximations are used to analyze THM reactions. In this review paper we describe a new approach based on a few-body formalism that provides a solid basis for deriving the THM reaction amplitude taking into account rescattering of the particles in the initial, intermediate and final states of the THM reaction. Since the THM uses a two-step reaction in which the first step is the transfer reaction populating a resonance state, we address the theory of the transfer reactions. The theory is based on the surface-integral approach and R-matrix formalism. We also discuss application of the THM to resonant reactions populating both resonances located on the second energy sheet and subthreshold resonances, which are subthreshold bound states located at negative energies close to thresholds. We consider the application of the THM to determine the astrophysical factors of resonant radiative-capture reactions at energies so low that direct measurements can hardly be performed due to the negligibly small penetrability factor in the entry channel of the reaction. Here, we elucidated the main ideas of the THM and outline necessary conditions to perform the THM experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Impact of shell structure on the fusion of neutron-rich mid-mass nuclei

The influence of shell effects on fusion of mid-mass nuclei is explored using isotopic chains of K and Ar ions on an oxygen target. Comparison of the reduced excitation functions reveals that the fusion cross section for the open neutron-shell projectile nuclei 41 K and 45 K is systematically larger than for the closed neutron-shell projectiles 39 K and 47 K. Furthermore, the São Paulo fusion model using matter densities from systematics fails to describe the measured excitation functions. Use of more realistic densities from a Dirac-Hartree-Bogoliubov (DHB) approach performs significantly better though it still overpredicts the closed-shell nuclei.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗