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At least 19 records

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 92

Nuclear structure and decay data pertaining to all nuclides with mass number A = 92 (As, Se, Br, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd) have been compiled and evaluated, and incorporated into the ENSDF data file. All literature available by 15 September 2012 has been considered. This evaluation supersedes the previous publication for this mass chain (Coral M. Baglin, Nuclear Data Sheets 91, 423 (2000) (November 2000 cutoff date)), and subsequent unpublished reevaluations by C.M. Baglin for {sup 92}Kr (January 2004 literature cut-off) and {sup 92}Sr (August 2003 literature cut-off).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Excitation Function Calculations of Neutron-Induced Reactions of Some Zirconium Target Isotopes

Nuclear structures with high performance materials will be critical for the success of future fusion energy. Zirconium alloys are extensively used for nuclear reactor core materials as fuel cladding and guide tubes due to excellent radiation and corrosion resistant properties. In this paper, the excitation functions of {sup 90}Zr(n,2n){sup 89}Zr, {sup 90}Zr(n,α){sup 87}Sr, {sup 91}Zr(n,p){sup 91}Y and {sup 92}Zr(n,p){sup 92}Y nuclear reactions were calculated for energies up to 25 MeV. Besides, ALICE/ASH and TALYS 1.6 codes were used for the cross section calculations. The obtained calculations were compared with the experimental data in the literature.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Total and partial capture cross sections in reactions with deformed nuclei at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier

Within the quantum diffusion approach, the capture of a projectile nucleus by a target nucleus is studied at bombarding energies above and below the Coulomb barrier. The effects of deformation of interacting nuclei and neutron transfer between them on the total and partial capture cross sections and the mean angular momentum of the captured system are studied. The results obtained for the {sup 16}O + {sup 112}Cd, {sup 152}Sm, and {sup 184}W; {sup 19}F +{sup 175}Lu; {sup 28}Si +{sup 94,100}Mo and {sup 154}Sm; {sup 40}Ca +{sup 96}Zr; {sup 48}Ca+ {sup 90}Zr; and {sup 64}Ni +{sup 58,64}Ni, {sup 92,96}Zr, and {sup 100}Mo reactions are in good agreement with available experimental data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The {sup 95}Zr( n , γ ){sup 96}Zr Cross Section from the Surrogate Ratio Method and Its Effect on s -process Nucleosynthesis

The {sup 95}Zr( n , γ ){sup 96}Zr reaction cross section is crucial in the modeling of s -process nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars because it controls the operation of the branching point at the unstable {sup 95}Zr and the subsequent production of {sup 96}Zr. We have carried out the measurement of the {sup 94}Zr({sup 18}O, {sup 16}O) and {sup 90}Zr({sup 18}O, {sup 16}O) reactions and obtained the γ -decay probability ratio of {sup 96}Zr* and {sup 92}Zr* to determine the {sup 95}Zr( n , γ ){sup 96}Zr reaction cross sections with the surrogate ratio method. Our deduced Maxwellian-averaged cross section of 66 ± 16 mb at 30 keV is close to the value recommended by Bao et al., but 30% and more than a factor of two larger than the values proposed by Toukan and Käppeler and Lugaro et al., respectively, and routinely used in s -process models. We tested the new rate in stellar models with masses between 2 and 6 M {sub ⊙} and metallicities of 0.014 and 0.03. The largest changes—up to 80% variations in {sup 96}Zr—are seen in models of mass 3–4 M {sub ⊙}, where the {sup 22}Ne neutron source is mildly activated. The new rate can still provide a match to data from meteoritic stardust silicon carbide grains, provided that the maximum mass of the parent stars is below 4 M {sub ⊙}, for a metallicity of 0.03.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

SUPERNOVA NEUTRINO NUCLEOSYNTHESIS OF THE RADIOACTIVE {sup 92}Nb OBSERVED IN PRIMITIVE METEORITES

The isotope {sup 92}Nb decays to {sup 92}Zr with a half-life of 3.47 × 10{sup 7} yr. Although this isotope does not exist in the current solar system, initial abundance ratios for {sup 92}Nb/{sup 93}Nb at the time of solar system formation have been measured in primitive meteorites. The astrophysical origin of this material, however, has remained unknown. In this Letter, we present new calculations which demonstrate a novel origin for {sup 92}Nb via neutrino-induced reactions in core-collapse supernovae (ν-process). Our calculated result shows that the observed ratio of {sup 92}Nb/{sup 93}Nb ∼ 10{sup –5} can be explained by the ν-process.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis in supernovae

The neutrino-induced reactions in supernova explosions produce some rare odd-odd nuclides. We have made a new time-dependent calculation of the supernova production ratio of the long-lived isomeric state of {sup 180}Ta. This time-dependent solution is crucial for understanding the production and survival of this isotope. We find that the explicit time evolution of the synthesis of {sup 180}Ta using the available nuclear data avoids the overproduction relative to {sup 138}La for a {nu}-process neutrino temperature of 4 MeV. An unstable isotope {sup 92}Nb decays to {sup 92}Zr with a half-life of 3.47 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 7} years. We have proposed the {nu}-process origin for {sup 92}Nb. We calculate key neutrino-induced reactions and supernova {nu}-process. Our calculated result shows that the abundance of {sup 92}Nb can be explained by the {nu}-process.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The {sup 13}C-pocket structure in AGB models: constraints from zirconium isotope abundances in single mainstream SiC grains

We present postprocess asymptotic giant branch (AGB) nucleosynthesis models with different {sup 13}C-pocket internal structures to better explain zirconium isotope measurements in mainstream presolar SiC grains by Nicolussi et al. and Barzyk et al. We show that higher-than-solar {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios can be predicted by adopting a {sup 13}C-pocket with a flat {sup 13}C profile, instead of the previous decreasing-with-depth {sup 13}C profile. The improved agreement between grain data for zirconium isotopes and AGB models provides additional support for a recent proposal of a flat {sup 13}C profile based on barium isotopes in mainstream SiC grains by Liu et al.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Determination of the direct double- β -decay Q value of Zr 96 and atomic masses of Zr 90 - 92 , 94 , 96 and Mo 92 , 94 - 98 , 100

Experimental searches for neutrinoless double-β decay offer one of the best opportunities to look for physics beyond the standard model. Detecting this decay would confirm the Majorana nature of the neutrino, and a measurement of its half-life can be used to determine the absolute neutrino mass scale. Important to both tasks is an accurate knowledge of the Q value of the double-β decay. The LEBIT Penning trap mass spectrometer was used for the first direct experimental determination of the ⁹⁶Zr double-β decay Q value: Q ββ =3355.85(15) keV. This value is nearly 7 keV larger than the 2012 Atomic Mass Evaluation [M. Wang et al., Chin. Phys. C 36, 1603 (2012)] value and one order of magnitude more precise. The 3-σ shift is primarily due to a more accurate measurement of the ⁹⁶Zr atomic mass: m(⁹⁶Zr)=95.90827735(17) u. Using the new Q value, the 2νββ-decay matrix element, |M 2ν |, is calculated. Improved determinations of the atomic masses of all other zirconium ( 90-92,94,96 Zr) and molybdenum ( 92,94-98,100 Mo) isotopes using both ¹²C₈ and ⁸⁷Rb as references are also reported.

Gulyuz, K.↗

Zirconium Nuclear Data Campaign: Measurement of 90 Zr ( n, γ ) Cross Section

The isotopes of Zr with A = [90, 91, 92, 94] make up more than 97% of naturally occurring Zr and are important to many nuclear applications such as nuclear reactors. One of the attractive qualities of naturally occurring Zr isotopes is that they have a low σ γ /σ t ratio at most neutron energies. Thus, they improve the neutron economy in reactors by preferentially scattering neutrons rather than absorbing them. This same quality also presents a challenge to measuring the capture cross section, σ γ , of Zr isotopes. The ENDF/B VIII.0 library has a relative uncertainty of approximately 10–20% for incident neutron energies < 0.1 MeV and an uncertainty greater than 20% for energies > 0.1 MeV for the majority of natural Zr isotopes. This motivated the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program to embark on a campaign to accurately measure and evaluate these Zr isotopes. In this work, we demonstrate energy-dependent neutron capture cross section measurements for the first enriched sample to be measured: 90 Zr.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Zr Nuclear Data Campaign: Measurement of (n,γ) cross section of 90,91 Zr [Abstract]

The isotopes of Zr with mass number A = [90; 91; 92; 94] make up more than 97% of naturally occurring Zr and are important to many nuclear applications due to their desirable mechanical and nuclear properties. For example, the zirconium alloys are used as cladding material in nuclear reactors. In addition to the mechanical properties, Zr-90 has a closed neutron shell, hence the capture cross sections of the zirconium isotopes are relatively small, such that they improve the neutron economy in reactors by preferentially scattering neutrons rather than absorbing them. This same quality also presents a challenge to measuring the capture cross section, σ γ (E), of Zr isotopes. For incident neutron energies < 0.1 MeV, the ENDF library reports a relative uncertainty of approximately 20% and uncertainty greater than 20% above this energy. This motivates the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) to perform new neutron induced cross section measurements to accurately evaluate these four isotopes of Zr.

ENDF↗

Zirconium and Yttrium (p, d) Surrogate Nuclear Reactions: Measurement and determination of gamma-ray probabilities: Experimental Physics Report

This technical report documents the surrogate reaction method and experimental results used to determine the desired neutron induced cross sections of 87 Y(n,g) and the known 90 Zr(n,g) cross section. This experiment was performed at the STARLiTeR apparatus located at Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute using the K150 Cyclotron which produced a 28.56 MeV proton beam. The proton beam impinged on Y and Zr targets to produce the nuclear reactions 89 Y(p,d) 88 Y and 92 Zr(p,d) 91 Zr. Both particle singles data and particle-gamma ray coincident data were measured during the experiment. This data was used to determine the γ-ray probability as a function of energy for these reactions. The results for the γ-ray probabilities as a function of energy for both these nuclei are documented here. For completeness, extensive tabulated and graphical results are provided in the appendices.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Atomically Dispersed Pentacoordinated‐Zirconium Catalyst with Axial Oxygen Ligand for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Single-atom catalysts (SACs), as promising alternatives to Pt-based catalysts, suffer from the limited choice of center metals and low single-atom loading. Here, we report a pentacoordinated Zr-based SAC with nontrivial axial O ligands (denoted O-Zr-N-C) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The O ligand downshifts the d-band center of Zr and confers Zr sites with stable local structure and proper adsorption capability for intermediates. Consequently, the ORR performance of O-Zr-N-C prominently surpasses that of commercial Pt/C, achieving a half-wave potential of 0.91 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and outstanding durability (92% current retention after 130-hour operation). Moreover, the Zr site shows good resistance towards aggregation, enabling the synthesis of Zr-based SAC with high loading (9.1 wt%). With the high-loading catalyst, the zinc-air battery (ZAB) delivers a record-high power density of 324 mW cm -2 among those of SAC-based ZABs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Investigation of the effect of ceramic coatings on rocket thrust chamber life

Two cylindrical rocket thrust chamber cylinders were coated with a 0.203 mm layer of zirconium oxide using a process that employed electrodeposition of metal to a spray-coated mandrel. The cylinders were cyclically tested using hydrogen-oxygen propellants at a nominal chamber pressure of 4.14 MN/sq m to show the effect of the coating on life. Both cylinders failed prematurely due to causes unrelated to the coatings. Post destructive analysis showed no cooling passage wall deformation. Where erosion of the coating occurred, the coating thickness stabilized at 0.061 mm within 80 cycles and remained well adhered throughout the tests. The hot-gas-side metal wall temperature and the theoretical maximum effective strain were reduced by 80 and 92%, respectively, where the coating was 0.203 mm thick and by 40 and 50%, respectively, where the coating was 0.061 mm thick compared to an uncoated cylinder. The 50 and 92% reductions in maximum effective strain resulted in theoretical lives of 1900 cycles and greater than 10,000 cycles, respectively, compared to 300 cycles for the uncoated cylinder.

Quentmeyer, R. J.↗

Nuclear matrix elements from direct lifetime or cross-section measurements

The method of simultaneous lifetime and g factor measurements using a plunger device and the RDDS and TDRIV techniques is introduced. Results on lifetimes and hyperfine-interaction parameters for 2{sup +}{sub 1} states in {sup 104-108}Pd, {sup 96,98,104}Ru, and {sup 92,94}Zr, using a plunger device. Another method to obtain electromagnetic matrix elements is direct cross section measurements using NRF. The method is outlined, and some recent results on {sup 76}Se are shown.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The impact of updated Zr neutron-capture cross sections and new asymptotic giant branch models on our understanding of the S process and the origin of stardust

We present model predictions for the Zr isotopic ratios produced by slow neutron captures in C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of masses 1.25-4 M {sub ☉} and metallicities Z = 0.01-0.03, and compare them to data from single meteoritic stardust silicon carbide (SiC) and high-density graphite grains that condensed in the outflows of these stars. We compare predictions produced using the Zr neutron-capture cross sections from Bao et al. and from n{sub T}OF experiments at CERN, and present a new evaluation for the neutron-capture cross section of the unstable isotope {sup 95}Zr, the branching point leading to the production of {sup 96}Zr. The new cross sections generally present an improved match with the observational data, except for the {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios, which are on average still substantially higher than predicted. The {sup 96}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios can be explained using our range of initial stellar masses, with the most {sup 96}Zr-depleted grains originating from AGB stars of masses 1.8-3 M {sub ☉} and the others from either lower or higher masses. The {sup 90,} {sup 91}Zr/{sup 94}Zr variations measured in the grains are well reproduced by the range of stellar metallicities considered here, which is the same needed to cover the Si composition of the grains produced by the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr versus {sup 29}Si/{sup 28}Si positive correlation observed in the available data suggests that stellar metallicity rather than rotation plays the major role in covering the {sup 90,} {sup 91,} {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr spread.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Isotopic composition of a sample enriched in 93 Zr

A project to determine the neutron-capture cross section of long lived fission products and minor actinides has been started by using a beam-line at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). We prepared one of the target nuclides is Zr-93, which in Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Qualitative and quantitative analyses on the sample were performed at Kyoto University. The isotopic composition of (m) Zr (m 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 96) was precisely determined by multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry with < 0.1 % of 2 sigma uncertainty. We determined that the atomic abundance of Zr-93 in the sample to be 18.86 ± A 0.05 %.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Processing and properties of hafnium-doped tin-modified lead zirconate titanate 95/5 ceramics

Niobium (Nb)-doped lead-tin-zirconate-titanate (PSZT) ceramics near the lead-zirconate-titanate 95/5 orthorhombic AFE-rhombohedral FE morphotropic phase boundary (PSZT 13.5/81/5.5 -1.6Nb) were prepared with up to 10 mol.% of hafnium (Hf) substituted for zirconium. The ceramics were prepared by a traditional solid-state synthesis route and sintered to near full density at 1150°C for 6 h in sealed alumina crucibles with self-same material as the lead vapor source. All compositions were ~98% dense with no detectable secondary phases by X-ray diffraction. The grain size was ~3 μm for all compositions, consisting of equiaxed grains with intergranular porosity. The compositions exhibited remnant polarization values of ~32 μC/cm 2 . Depolarization by the hydrostatic pressure-induced FE-AFE phase transition occurred at 310 MPa for all compositions, resulting in a total depolarization output of 32.4 μC/cm 2 for the PSZT ceramics. Evaluation of the R3c-R3m and R3m-Pm $\bar{3}$ m phase transition temperatures by impedance spectroscopy showed temperatures on heating ranging from 86 to 92°C and 186 to 182°C, respectively, for increasing nominal Hf content. Thermal hysteresis of the phase transitions was also observed in the ceramics, with the transition temperature on cooling being 1–4°C lower. The study demonstrated that the PSZT ceramics are relatively insensitive to variations in Hf content in the range of 0 to 10 mol.%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic properties of Co-Zr-B magnets produced by spark plasma sintering method

Magnets of Co-Zr-B, one of the permanent magnetic compounds without rare-earth elements, were successfully produced by the spark plasma sintering method. The resultant Co-Zr-B magnets had high densities of 92%–96% and consisted mainly of the Co{sub x}Zr (x ≈ 5) phase. The coercivity of the Co-Zr-B magnets was highly dependent on the consolidation temperature and the boron content. The highest maximum energy product of 6.0 MGOe, with a remanence of 6.4 kG and the coercivity of 4.0 kOe, was achieved by the Co{sub 80}Zr{sub 18}B{sub 2} magnets consolidated at 873 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗