The electromagnetic transition probabilities of the yrast 2 + states in the midshell Te isotopes, two protons above the closed shell at Sn, are of great importance for the understanding of nuclear collectivity in these isotopes and the role played by the neutron-proton interactions and cross-shell excitations. However, the large uncertainty of the experimental data for the midshell nucleus 118Te and the missing data for 116Te make it difficult to pin down the general trend of the evolution of transition probabilities as a function of the neutron number. In this work, the lifetime of the yrast 2 + state in 118Te was measured, with the aim of reducing the uncertainty of the previous measurement. The result is τ2 += 7.46 (19) ps. In addition, the lifetime of the 4 + state was measured to be τ4 += 4.25 (23) ps. The experimental transition rates are extracted from the measured lifetimes and compared with systematic large-scale shell-model calculations. The trend of the B(E2 ; 0 +→ 2 +) values in the midshell area is in good agreement with the calculations and the calculated B4 / 2 ratio provide evidence for 118Te as a near perfect harmonic vibrator.
Since the advent of the new generation of germanium detector arrays for low-energy nuclear physics experiments utilizing gamma-ray tracking, the challenges associated with track-reconstruction methods have been extensively studied. In the present work an approach based on recent developments in machine learning was used to address the problem. Here, a graph neural network was constructed and trained on data simulated in Geant4 in order to attempt track reconstruction of gamma rays below 1 MeV in a spherical shell geometry of pure germanium. Using a thick-shell geometry, and simulated data without energy-and position uncertainties the network achieved a reconstruction rate above 80% for complete tracks, and a combined peak-to-total value of 85% for energy spectra with four discrete peaks. For data with added noise, i.e. finite resolution in interaction-point position and energy, the corresponding peak-to-total ratio dropped to 74%. The track reconstruction was stable across multiplicities 1-10 but showed an increased error frequency in the energy range between 50 keV and 250 keV. To specifically study the complication of gamma tracks lost by out -scattering from the detector volume, a thin-shell (9 cm thickness) geometry was used together with a modified version of the GNN framework. By letting the GNN code identify and discriminate the out-scatter events, an improvement of the P/T value from 66% to 75% was found for the packed, noisy data. For the sake of comparison the new GNN model with existing gamma-ray tracking methods, a separate instance of the network was trained on slightly higher energies (up to 1.5 MeV) and multiplicities (up to 15) to evaluate 1.332 MeV photon cascade data in terms of P/T and photo-peak efficiency. The results for this GNN data set, with P/T values at 85% for single tracks and 74% for multiplicity 15, show clear promise when compared to the existing tracking methods.
Excited states of the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus At-197 have been studied in an in-beam experiment using the fusion-evaporation reaction Sn-118(Kr-82,p2n)At-197. gamma rays belonging to At-197 feeding the I-pi=(9/2(-)) ground state, as well as gamma rays feeding the 311-keV I-pi=(13/2(+)) isomer, decaying via the emission of gamma rays, and the 52-keV I-pi=(1/2(+)) alpha-decaying isomer have been identified using the recoil-alpha-decay tagging technique. Total Routhian surface calculations predict a near-spherical shape for the (9/2(-)) ground state and oblate shapes with beta(2) around -0.2 for the (1/2(+)) and the (13/2(+)) states. These predictions agree with our experimental findings.
A new superdeformed band has been discovered in a EUROBALL experiment and assigned to Eu-143. It has a maximum intensity of 35% of the Eu-143 yrast superdeformed band and the transition energies of the two bands are very similar. Based on comparison with cranked shell model calculations the new band is tentatively assigned the high-N intruder configuration pi 6(2)nu 7(0) and the parity and signature quantum numbers (pi, alpha) = (-1, +1/2). In addition to the already known high-energy transition at 3361 keV another discrete line at 2715 keV was found to be in coincidence with the yrast superdeformed band. However, it was not possible to connect the decay out of either of the superdeformed bands to, known normally deformed states.
The (P) over bar ANDA (anti-Proton ANnihiliation at DArmstadt) experiment will be one of the four flagship experiments at the new international accelerator complex FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) in Darmstadt, Germany. (P) over bar ANDA will address fundamental questions of hadron physics and quantum chromodynamics using high-intensity cooled antiproton beams with momenta between 1.5 and 15 GeV/c and a design luminosity of up to 2 x 10(32) cm(-2) S-1. Excellent particle identification (PID) is crucial to the success of the (P) over bar ANDA physics program. Hadronic PID in the barrel region of the target spectrometer will be performed by a fast and compact Cherenkov counter using the detection of internally reflected Cherenkov light (DIRC) technology. It is designed to cover the polar angle range from 22 degrees to 140 degrees and will provide at least 3 standard deviations (s.d.) pi/K separation up to 3.5 GeV/c, matching the expected upper limit of the final state kaon momentum distribution from simulation. This documents describes the technical design and the expected performance of the (P) over bar ANDA Barrel DIRC detector. The design is based on the successful BaBar DIRC with several key improvements. The performance and system cost were optimized in detailed detector simulations and validated with full system prototypes using particle beams at GSI and CERN. The final design meets or exceeds the PID goal of clean pi/K separation with at least 3 s.d. over the entire phase space of charged kaons in the Barrel DIRC.
Low energy (E-k similar to 100 keV) Mott scattering polarimetry is a widely established technique to measure the polarization of an electron beam. We analyze the feasibility of Mott scattering at energies up to 20 MeV. For further studies of the electron spin dynamics in the scattering process a correlation between the linear polarization of bremsstrahlung radiation and the electron beam polarization has been measured for the first time using a planar HPGe Compton polarimeter at the 100 keV source of polarized electrons at TU Darmstadt.
The nucleus Os-171 has been populated using the reaction Sn-116(Ni-58,2pn). Four new bands are identified, and the previously known bands are extended in spin, to a maximum of 53/2 (h) over bar. One- and three-quasiparticle configurations are identified, and beta, gamma, and octupole configurations are assigned tentatively. The effects of a possible intruder configuration on the negative parity bands are tested using band-mixing calculations.
Excited states in Ir-171 have been observed for the first time. Gamma-rays were assigned to the nucleus by the recoil-decay tagging method, The ground-state band has a structure consistent with an h(11/2) proton coupled to a core of large triaxial deformation. At high spins, a bandcrossing occurs which is interpreted as a change in shape to a prolate deformation, Band-mixing calculations are performed for Ir171-175. These show that shape-coexistence between triaxial and prolate states in these nuclei follows the same systematics found in their Pt and Os neighbours. The systematics are also compared with deformations calculated for Ir171-179 using the code "Ultimate Cranker". Dipole bands were also observed, but tilted axis cranking calculations suggest that they are associated with a collective rotation.
This paper reports on Monte Carlo simulation results for future measurements of the moduli of time-like proton electromagnetic form factors, vertical bar G(E)vertical bar and vertical bar G(M)vertical bar, using the (p) over barp -> mu(+)mu(-) reaction at PANDA (FAIR). The electromagnetic form factors are fundamental quantities parameterizing the electric and magnetic structure of hadrons. This work estimates the statistical and total accuracy with which the form factors can be measured at PANDA, using an analysis of simulated data within the PandaRoot software framework. The most crucial background channel is (p) over barp -> pi(+)pi(-), due to the very similar behavior of muons and pions in the detector. The suppression factors are evaluated for this and all other relevant background channels at different values of antiproton beam momentum. The signal/background separation is based on a multivariate analysis, using the Boosted Decision Trees method. An expected background subtraction is included in this study, based on realistic angular distributions of the background contribution. Systematic uncertainties are considered and the relative total uncertainties of the form factor measurements are presented.
The antiproton experiment PANDA at FAIR is designed to bring hadron physics to a new level in terms of scope, precision and accuracy. In this work, its unique capability for studies of hyperons is outlined. We discuss ground-state hyperons as diagnostic tools to study non-perturbative aspects of the strong interaction, and fundamental symmetries. New simulation studies have been carried out for two benchmark hyperon-antihyperon production channels: p¯ p→ Λ¯ Λ and p¯ p→ Ξ¯ +Ξ-. The results, presented in detail in this paper, show that hyperon-antihyperon pairs from these reactions can be exclusively reconstructed with high efficiency and very low background contamination. In addition, the polarisation and spin correlations have been studied, exploiting the weak, self-analysing decay of hyperons and antihyperons. Two independent approaches to the finite efficiency have been applied and evaluated: one standard multidimensional efficiency correction approach, and one efficiency independent approach. The applicability of the latter was thoroughly evaluated for all channels, beam momenta and observables. The standard method yields good results in all cases, and shows that spin observables can be studied with high precision and accuracy already in the first phase of data taking with PANDA.
A TOF-PET system has been designed and constructed for educational purposes. The aim of this system is to demonstrate the possibilities of positron emission tomography in general and the time-of-flight method in particular to the students of various courses at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. The set-up consists of 48 small BaF2 crystals coupled to fast photomultipliers placed in a ring geometry. The signals of the photomultipliers are fed into fast constant fraction discriminators (CFD). The outputs of these are directed to a specially designed logic VME unit. which combines the CFD signals of 6 neighbouring channels to one signal by adding a different delay to each channel. The logic circuitry produces a prompt pulse for each event that serves as the start pulse for the 8-channel fast TDC. The delayed pulses act as the stop pulses for the TDC. In a computer. the measured times are converted into information about which the photomultipliers fired with the difference in the time of flight. The set-up is described and the results are presented.
A detector system for positron emission tomography with time-of-flight capability has been built to serve as an educational tool for undergraduate students. The set-up consists of 48 BaF2 scintillator crystals, each coupled to a fast photo-multiplier tube, mounted in a circular geometry. The analogue detector pulses are handled by fast constant fraction discriminators. A dedicated unit reduces the 48 channels to eight channels via delay-fine encoding, and the signals are then fed to an eight channel fast time-to-digital converter. A VME processor sorts the events and sends them to a workstation where the coincident events are extracted. The time resolution of the detectors together with fast VME based electronics allows for time-of-flight measurements to improve on the signal-to-noise ratio in the, reconstructed images. The system can be used for different types of exercises for the students, varying from the fundamentals of scintillator detectors to advanced image reconstruction. The set-up is described and some results are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
A number of previously unobserved gamma-rays emitted from the neutron-deficient nuclide Pt-171 have been identified using the recoil decay tagging technique. The level scheme has been updated using information from gamma-gamma coincidences and angular distribution measurements. To further confirm the assignments of the gamma-rays to Pt-171, the events were correlated with the alpha-decay of the daughter nucleus Os-167.
Gamma-rays from the alpha- and proton-unstable nuclide Au-171 have been observed for the first time. The gamma-rays were correlated with both a proton- and an alpha-particle decay branch, confirming that the nucleus decays by alpha and proton emission from a single (11/2(-)) state. The measurement confirms the previously determined half-lives for these particle decays but the present values are of higher precision. In addition, a longer half-life than determined in previous work was measured for the proton-unstable tentative ground state. The results are discussed in relation to structures in neighbouring nuclei and compared with a Strutinsky-type TRS calculation.
High-spin states in Mo-88 were studied using the GAMMASPHERE germanium detector array in conjunction with the MICROBALL CsI(TI) charged-particle detector system. Three gamma-ray cascades with dynamic moments of inertia showing similar characteristics to superdeformed rotational bands observed in the neighbouring A = 80 region have been identified and assigned to the nucleus Mo-88. The quadrupole moment of the strongest band, deduced by the Residual Doppler Shift Method, corresponds to a quadrupole deformation of beta(2) approximate to 0.6. This confirms the superdeformed nature of this band. The experimental data are interpreted in the framework of total routhian surface calculations. All three hands are assigned to two-quasi-particle proton configurations at superdeformed shape.
Recent B(E2; 0(g.s.)(+) -> 2(1)(+)) measurements in light tin isotopes have revealed surprisingly large values relative to standard shell model predictions, generating an unexpected asymmetry in the B(E2) values with respect to the neutron midshell. This effect has triggered various speculations as to its origin, such as a possible weakening of the N, Z = 50 shell closure. Here we present new shell model calculations to investigate the origin of the observed asymmetric character of the B(E2) values in the tin isotopes. By including the effects of the neutron g(9/2) orbital below the N = 50 shell gap it is shown that Pauli blocking effects may play an important role near the N = 50 shell closure. A new set of single-particle energies and monopole interactions, fitted to the experimental data in the region, together with the isospin-dependent effective charge suggested by Bohr and Mottelson is shown to reproduce the experimental transition rate values in the Sn isotopic chain.
An experimental technique combining the well-established alpha/p-decay-recoil-tagging method with a differential plunger has recently been successful in producing results in the neutron-deficient region near Sn-100. This experimental technique is briefly presented here and the result of a recent measurement for Te-108 is put in the context of the systematics of B(E-2) values for the Te and Sn isotopic chains. New state-of-the-art shell-model calculations are presented for the Sn data, and possible explanations for the unusually large B(E-2) values for the Sn isotopes near the N = 50 shell closure are given.
The lifetime of the first excited 2(+) state in the neutron deficient nuclide (108)Te has been measured for the first time, using a combined recoil decay tagging and recoil distance Doppler shift technique. The deduced reduced transition probability is B(E2;0(g.s.)(+) -> 2(+)) = 0.39(-0.04)(+0.05)e(2)b(2). Compared to previous experimental data on neutron deficient tellurium isotopes, the new data point constitutes a large step (six neutrons) toward the N = 50 shell closure. In contrast to what has earlier been reported for the light tin isotopes, our result for tellurium does not show any enhanced transition probability with respect to the theoretical predictions and the tellurium systematics including the new data is successfully reproduced by state-of-the-art shell model calculations.
Excited states have been identified for the first time in very neutron deficient Pt-171.172 nuclei using the recoil-or-decay tagging technique. The ground-state band in Pt-172 has been established up to I-pi = 8+. A similar level sequence, presumably built on the I-pi = 13/2(+) state, is observed for Pt-171. The data are compared with theoretical calculations based on the mean field approach and the random phase approximation and are put into the context of the systematics of platinum isotopes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
A superdeformed band consisting of a cascade of ten gamma-ray transitions has been identified and assigned to the nucleus Tc-89, close to the proton dripline. The quadrupole moment of the band (Q(t) = 6.7(-2.3)(+3.0) eb, as measured by the Residual Doppler Shift Method) as well as a large dynamic moment of inertia point to a highly elongated shape. With a relative population of approximately 15% of the gamma-ray flux in the Tc-89 exit channel, thp band is among the most intense superdeformed bands observed to date.
Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work(1) that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), enhanced correlations arise between neutrons and protons (two distinct types of fermions) that occupy orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favour an unusual type of nuclear superfluidity, termed isoscalar neutron-proton pairing(2-6), in addition to normal isovector pairing. Despite many experimental efforts, these predictions have not been confirmed. Here we report the experimental observation of excited states in the N = Z = 46 nucleus Pd-92. Gamma rays emitted following the Ni-58(Ar-36,2n)Pd-92 fusion-evaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art high-resolution c-ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutron-proton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction(2-6). We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling(7,8)) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. Such strong, isoscalar neutron-proton correlations would have a considerable impact on the nuclear level structure and possibly influence the dynamics of rapid proton capture in stellar nucleosynthesis.
The low-lying energy spectrum of the extremely neutron-deficient self-conjugate (N = Z) nuclide 88Ru has been measured using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA)spectrometer, the NEDA, and Neutron Wall neutron detector arrays, and the DIAMANT charged particle detector array. Excited states in 88 Ru were populated via the 54 Feð 36 Ar; 2nγÞ 88 Ru fusion-evaporationreaction at the Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator complex. The observed γ-ray cascade is assigned to 88 Ru using clean prompt γ-γ-2-neutron coincidences in anticoincidence with the detection of charged particles, confirming and extending the previously assigned sequence of low-lying excited states. It is consistent with a moderately deformed rotating system exhibiting a band crossing at a rotational frequency that is significantly higher than standard theoretical predictions with isovector pairing, as well as observations in neighboring N > Z nuclides. The direct observation of such a “delayed” rotational alignment in a deformed N 1⁄4 Z nucleus is in agreement with theoretical predictions related to the presence of strong isoscalar neutron-proton pair correlations.
PANDA (anti-proton annihiliation at Darmstadt) is planned to be one of the four main experiments at the future international accelerator complex FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) in Darmstadt, Germany. It is going to address fundamental questions of hadron physics and quantum chromodynamics using cooled antiproton beams with a high intensity and and momenta between 1.5 and 15 GeV/c. PANDA is designed to reach a maximum luminosity of 2 × 1032 cm−2 s. Most of the physics programs require an excellent particle identification (PID). The PID of hadronic states at the forward endcap of the target spectrometer will be done by a fast and compact Cherenkov detector that uses the detection of internally reflected Cherenkov light (DIRC) principle. It is designed to cover the polar angle range from 5° to 22° and to provide a separation power for the separation of charged pions and kaons up to 3 standard deviations (s.d.) for particle momenta up to 4 GeV/c in order to cover the important particle phase space. This document describes the technical design and the expected performance of the novel PANDA disc DIRC detector that has not been used in any other high energy physics experiment before. The performance has been studied with Monte-Carlo simulations and various beam tests at DESY and CERN. The final design meets all PANDA requirements and guarantees sufficient safety margins.
A gamma -decaying isomeric state (tau(1/2) = 197(-17)(+19) ns) has been identified in Cd-96, which is one alpha particle away from the last known bound N = Z nucleus, Sn-100. Comparison of the results with shell-model calculations has allowed a tentative experimental level scheme to be deduced and the isomer to be interpreted as a medium-spin negative-parity spin trap based on the coupling of isoscalar (T = 0) and isovector (T = 1) neutron-proton pairs. The data also suggest evidence for the population of a 9(+) T = 1 state, which is predicted by shell-model calculations to be yrast. Such a low-lying T = 1 state, which is unknown in lighter mass even-even self-conjugate nuclei, can also be interpreted in terms of the coupling of T = 0 and T = 1 neutron-proton pairs.
The first evidence for beta-delayed proton emission from the 16(+) spin gap isomer in Cd-96 is presented. The data were obtained from the Rare Isotope Beam Factory, at the RIKEN Nishina Center, using the BigRIPS spectrometer and the EURICA decay station. beta p branching ratios for the ground state and 16(+) isomer have been extracted along with more precise lifetimes for these states and the lifetime for the ground state decay of Cd-95. Large scale shell model (LSSM) calculations have been performed and WKB estimates made for l = 0, 2, 4 proton emission from three resonance-like states in Ag-96, that are populated by the beta decay of the isomer, and the results compared to the new data. The calculations suggest that l = 2 proton emission from the resonance states, which reside similar to 5 MeV above the proton separation energy, dominates the proton decay. The results highlight the importance of core-excited wavefunction components for the 16(+) state.
Excited states in Ba-131 and Ce-133 were studied using in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy through the Sn-122(C-13, 4n) Ba-133 and Te-125(C-12, 4n) Ce-133 reactions, respectively. A strongly coupled band, associated with the nu g(7/2) [404]7/2(+) configuration, was identified in Ba-131 and Ce-133. It is the first time to observe the nu g(7/2) [404]7/2(+) bands in the N = 75 isotones. The signature partners exhibit considerable energy splitting in comparison with those in the pi g(7/2) [404]7/2(+) bands in the odd-A Ta and Re isotopes. Extensive cranked shell model and quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model calculations reveal the origin of the signature splitting, which depends not only on the triaxiality, but also on the configuration mixing with nearby low- j orbitals.
The lifetime of the 2(+) --> 0(g.s.)(+) transition in the neutron-deficicient nucleus Te-112 has been measured for the first time using the DPUNS plunger and the recoil distance Doppler shift technique. The deduced value for the reduced transition probability is B(E2 :0(g.s.)(+) --> 2(+)) = 0.46 +/- 0.04 e(2)b(2), indicating that there is no unexpected enhancement of the B(E2 :0(g.s.)(+) --> 2(+)) values in Te isotopes below the midshell. The result is compared to and discussed in the framework of large-scale shell-model calculations.
The evolution of collectivity with spin along the yrast line in the neutron-deficient nucleus Te112 has been studied by measuring the reduced transition probability of excited states in the yrast band. In particular, the lifetimes of the 4+ and 6+ excited states have been determined by using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. The results are discussed using both large-scale shell-model and total Routhian surface calculations.
Measurements in the stray radiation field from a proton therapy pencil beam at energies 70 and 146 MeV were performed using microdosimetric tissue- equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs). The detector volumes were filled with a propane-based tissue-equivalent gas at low pressure simulating a mean chord length of 2 mm in tissue. Investigations were performed with and without a beam range shifter, and with different air gaps between the range shifter and a solid water phantom. The absorbed dose, the dose-mean lineal energy, and the dose equivalent were determined for different detector positions using the variance–covariance method. The influence from beam energy, detector- and range-shifter positions on absorbed dose, LET, and dose equivalent were investigated. Monte Carlo simulations of the fluence, detector response, and absorbed dose contribution from different particles were performed with MCNP 6.2. The simulated dose response for protons, neutrons, and photons were compared with, and showed good agreement with, previously published experimental data. The simulations also showed that the TEPC absorbed dose agrees well with the ambient absorbed dose for neutron energies above 20 MeV. The results illustrate that changes in both dose and LET variations in the stray radiation field can be identified from TEPC measurements using the variance–covariance method. The results are in line with the changes seen in the simulated relative dose contributions from different particles associated with different proton energies and range-shifter settings. It is shown that the proton contribution scattered directly from the range shifter dominates in some situations, and although the LET of the radiation is decreased, the ambient dose equivalent is increased up to a factor of 3.
This document describes the technical layout and the expected performance of the Straw Tube Tracker (STT), the main tracking detector of the PANDA target spectrometer. The STT encloses a Micro-Vertex-Detector (MVD) for the inner tracking and is followed in beam direction by a set of GEM stations. The tasks of the STT are the measurement of the particle momentum from the reconstructed trajectory and the measurement of the specific energy loss for a particle identification. Dedicated simulations with full analysis studies of certain proton-antiproton reactions, identified as being benchmark tests for the whole PANDA scientific program, have been performed to test the STT layout and performance. The results are presented, and the time lines to construct the STT are described.
Lifetimes of negative-parity states have been determined in the neutron deficient semi-magic (N = 50) nucleus Rh-95. The fusion-evaporation reaction Ni-58(Ca-40, 3p) was used to populate high-spin states in Rh-95 at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator facility. The results were obtained using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) based on the Doppler broadened line shapes produced during the slowing down process of the residual nuclei in a thick 6 mg/cm(2) metallic target. B(M1) and B(E2) reduced transition strengths are compared with predictions from large-scale shell-model calculations. state-of-the-art theory. Remarkably, the structural features up to moderate angular momentum of nuclei immediately below the N = Z = 50 shell closures can be described with high accuracy in a very simple way by shell-model calculations including only the g(9/2) and p(1/2) subshells. Of special interest is the neutron-proton pair coupling scheme which is expected to appear in the heaviest N=Z nuclei [1,2] and the seniority structure of the N = 50 isotones [3-7]. However, multiple core-excited states have been observed in the semi-magic nuclei of the Sn-100 region [8-10]. The theoretical study of those states is a challenging task, which requires a significantly larger model space for their interpretation. Transition probabilities between nuclear states provide important constraints for theoretical modelling of the structure of the nuclei of interest. Our previous lifetime study of the semimagic (N = 50) nucleus Ru-94 [ 11,12] provided information on the electromagnetic decay properties of neutron-core excited states. We now address lifetime measurements in its closest, more neutron deficient, isotone Rh-95 using the same DSAM technique. The experimental results have been interpreted within the framework of large-scale shell-model (LSSM) calculations.
Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) analysis of excited-state lifetimes normally employs thin production targets mounted on a thick stopper foil ("backing") serving to slow down and stop the recoiling nuclei of interest in a well-defined manner. Use of a thick, homogeneous production target leads to a more complex analysis as it results in a substantial decrease in the energy of the incident projectile which traverses the target with an associated change in the production cross section of the residues as a function of penetration depth. Here, a DSAM lifetime analysis using a thick homogeneous target has been verified using the Doppler broadened lineshapes of gamma rays following the decay of highly excited states in the semi-magic (N = 50) nucleus Ru-94. Lifetimes of excited states in the Ru-94 nucleus have been obtained using a modified version of the LINESHAPE package from the Doppler broadened lineshapes resulting from the emission of the gamma rays, while the residual nuclei were slowing down in the thick (6 mg/cm(2)) metallic Ni-58 target. The results have been validated by comparison with a previous measurement using a different (RDDS) technique.
Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus 172Pt were populated via 96Ru(78Kr,2p) and 92Mo(83Kr,3n) reactions. The level scheme has been extended up to an excitation energy of ~ 5 MeV and tentative spin-parity assignments up to Iπ = 18+. Linear polarization and angular distribution measurements were used to determine the electromagnetic E1 character of the dipole transitions connecting the positive-parity ground-state band with an excited side-band, firmly establishing it as a negative-parity band. The lowest member of this negative-parity structure was firmly assigned spin-parity 3-. In addition, we observed an E3 transition from this 3- state to the ground state, providing direct evidence for octupole collectivity in 172Pt. Large-scale shell model (LSSM) and total Routhian surface (TRS) calculations have been performed, supporting the interpretation of the 3- state as a collective octupole-vibrational state.
Lifetimes of high-spin states have been measured in the semi-magic (N = 50) nucleus Ru-94. Excited states in Ru-94 were populated in the Ni-58(Ca-40, 4p)Ru-94* fusion-evaporation reaction at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator complex. DSAM lifetime analysis was performed on the Doppler broadened line shapes in energy spectra obtained from gamma-rays emitted while the residual nuclei were slowing down in a thick 6 mg/cm(2) metallic Ni-58 target. In total eight excited-state lifetimes in the angular momentum range I = (13-20)h have been measured, five of which were determined for the first time. The corresponding B(M1) and B(E2) reduced transition strengths are discussed within the framework of large-scale shell model calculations to study the contribution of different particle-hole configurations, in particular for analyzing contributions from core-excited configurations.
Lifetimes of negative-parity states have been determined in the semi-magic (N=50) nucleus 95Rh. The fusion-evaporation reaction 58Ni(40Ca, 3p) was used to populate high-spin states in 95Rh at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator facility. The results were obtained using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) based on the Doppler broadened line shapes produced during the slowing down process of the residual nuclei in a thick 6~ mg/cm2 metallic target. B(M1) and B(E2) reduced transition strengths are compared with predictions from large-scale shell-model calculations.
Excited states in the odd-odd neutron deficient nucleus (162)Ta (Z = 73, N = 89) have been studied for the first time. The gamma spectroscopy analysis using gamma - gamma - gamma coincidences revealed a strongly coupled rotational structure that was established up to large angular momentum states. The rotational band was assigned to the configuration pi h(11/2)[514]9/2 circle times nu i(13/2)[660]1/2 based on its rotational and electromagnetic properties. The data are interpreted within the framework of total Routhian surface calculations, which suggests an axially symmetric shape with a gamma-softminimum at beta(2) approximate to 0.16 and gamma approximate to 6 degrees. The crossing of the signature partners observed in heavier (N >= 91) odd-odd nuclides in this mass region is found to be absent at N = 89. This might be correlated with a change in S-band structure above the paired band crossing at these neutron numbers.
The neutron-deficient semimagic (neutron number N = 50) Rh-95 nucleus has been produced at high spins using the projectile-target system Ca-40 + Ni-58 at 125 MeV beam energy. The gamma-decays of levels populated by the 3p fusion evaporation reaction channel were studied using gamma-gamma coincidences, and 20 new gamma-ray transitions involving 15 new positive-and negative-parity states were observed. Spin and parity for many of the excited states were firmly deduced for the first time using the combined directional angular correlation and direction-polarization techniques. The observed structures are discussed within the framework of large-scale shell model calculations. E1 transition strengths were deduced and used together with the results of the shell model calculations to study the contribution of different particle-hole configurations, in particular for analyzing contributions from core-excited configurations.
Linear polarization and angular correlations of γ-rays depopulating excited states in the neutron-deficient nucleus 9444Ru50 have been measured, enabling firm spin-parity assignments for several excited states in this nucleus. The deduced multipolarities of strong transitions in the yrast structure were found to be mostly of stretched M1, E1, and E2 types and, in most cases, in agreement with previous tentative assignments. The deduced multipolarity of the 1869 keV and the connecting 257 and 1641 keV transitions indicates that the state at 6358 keV excitation energy has spin parity 12−1 rather than 12+3 as proposed in previous works. The presence of a 12−1 state is interpreted within the framework of large-scale shell-model calculations as a pure proton-hole state dominated by the π(p−11/2⊗g−59/2) and π(p−13/2⊗g−59/2) configurations. A new positive-parity state is observed at 6103 keV and is tentatively assigned as 12+2. The 14−1 state proposed earlier is reassigned as 13−4 and is interpreted as being dominated by neutron particle-hole core excitations. The strengths of several E1 transitions have been measured and are found to provide a signature of core-excited configurations.
Three nearly degenerate pairs of doublet bands are identified in Ba-131. Two of them, with positive-parity, are interpreted as pseudospin-chiral quartet bands. This is the first time that a complete set of chiral doublet bands built on the pseudospin partners pi(d(5/2), g(7/2)) is observed. The chiral bands with opposite parity built on 3-quasiparticle configurations are directly connected by many E1 transitions, without involving an intermediary non-chiral configuration. The observed band structures in Ba-131 have been investigated by using the reflection-asymmetric particle rotor model. The energies and the electromagnetic transition ratios of the three pairs of doublet bands observed in Ba-131 are reproduced and they are interpreted as chiral doublet bands with three-quasiparticle configurations. It is the first time that multiple chiral bands are observed in the presence of enhanced octupole correlations and pseudospin symmetry.
Excited states in the highly neutron deficient odd-odd nucleus Ir-170 have been investigated. The experiment was performed using the Sn-112(Ni-60, pn)Ir-170 reaction and employing the recoil-decay tagging technique. Gamma rays were detected using the JUROGAM gamma-ray spectrometer and those belonging to Ir-170 were selected based on recoil identification provided by the RITU gas-filled recoil separator and the GREAT spectrometer at the RITU focal plane. A partial level scheme of Ir-170 is presented for the first time. New alpha-decay branches are assigned to Ir-170 and a tentative level structure for Re-166 is deduced from a study of the alpha-decay fine structure and the associated alpha-gamma correlations.
Gamma-ray transitions in Te-107 have been identified for the first time. The experiment, which utilized the recoil decay tagging technique, was performed at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. Prompt gamma rays produced in Ni-58(Cr-52,3n)Te-107(*) reactions were detected by the JUROGAM gamma-ray spectrometer. The gamma rays belonging to Te-107 were selected based on the recoil identification provided by the RITU gas-filled recoil separator and the GREAT focal plane spectrometer. A first excited state at 90 keV, tentatively of g(7/2) character, is proposed.
The very neutron deficient odd-odd nucleus Au-172 was studied in reactions of 342 and 348 MeV Kr-78 beams with an isotopically enriched Ru-96 target. The alpha decays previously reported for Au-172 were confirmed and the decay chain extended down to Tm-152 through the discovery of a new alpha-decaying state in Re-164 [E-alpha=5623(10) keV; t(1/2)=864(-110)(+150) ms; b(alpha)=3(1)%]. Fine structure in these alpha decays of Au-172 and Ir-168 were identified. A new alpha-decaying state was also observed and assigned as the ground state in Au-172 [E-alpha=6762(10) keV; t(1/2)=22(-5)(+6) ms]. This decay chain was also correlated down to Tm-152 through previously reported alpha decays. Prompt gamma rays from excited states in Au-172 have been identified using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The partial level scheme constructed for Au-172 indicates that it has an irregular structure. Possible configurations of the alpha-decaying states in Au-172 are discussed in terms of the systematics of nuclei in this region and total Routhian surface calculations.
The study of nuclei in the region around the N = Z doubly-magic nucleus -100 has been of long standing interest for the nuclear structure and clear astrophysics. Recently, Park et al. have reported on properties gamma-decaying isomers and isomeric ratios in the vicinity of Sn-100. at experiment was performed at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan as a part of the EURICA campaign. utron-deficient nuclei were produced in a fragmentation reaction of a -124 primary beam on a 9 Be target at an energy of 345 MeV/A. condary ions were separated and identified in the BigRIPS fragment parator and implanted in the silicon detector array WAS3ABi. The data esented here were obtained in another experiment performed at the RIBF ing the same reaction but slightly different separator settings. New sults of ratios of isomeric population and half-lives of mma-decaying isomers populated in the experiment are presented.
A systematic study was performed of microsecond γ-decaying isomers around Sn100 produced in a fragmentation reaction of a Xe124 beam at 345 MeV/u at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory of the RIKEN Nishina Center in Saitama, Japan. Half-lives of isomeric states in that region were remeasured allowing us to improve the currently available experimental information. Reduced transition probabilities were deduced and compared to shell-model calculations in various model spaces. The recently reported low-energy transitions in Rh92 and Ag96 were remeasured with improved precision. Additionally, experimental information on isomeric ratios, including five new ones, were extracted and compared to a previous experimental study and the sharp cutoff model of fragmentation reaction.
A method to extract depth of interaction information for gamma-rays in a segmented planar Ge detector is presented. The method is demonstrated on signals from a segmented detector which were stored by a digital oscilloscope event by event and analysed off-line. Event samples were acquired for different interaction points in the detector. A Compton scatter coincidence detection technique ensured that the event samples were highly enriched in single-interaction events. By analysing pulse shapes and the relative timing between anode pulses and the pulses from the irradiated cathode segment, a position sensitivity of 1-2 mm in the depth direction was deduced. A similar transverse position sensitivity was inferred by studying image charge pulses on neighbouring segments.
High-spin states in the neutron-deficient nucleus In-107 were studied via the Ni-58(Cr-52,3p) reaction. In-beam gamma rays were measured using the JUROGAM detector array. A rotational cascade consisting of ten gamma-ray transitions, which decays to the 19/2(+) level at 2.002 MeV, was observed. The band exhibits the features typical for smooth terminating bands that also appear in rotational bands of heavier nuclei in the A similar to 100 region. The results are compared with total Routhian surface and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.